FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

I started this waaaay back in highschool and decided to post it here so others could read it. Dunno if ill keep typing it in from my old manuscripts. Enjoy!

Prelude: 3052 B.C.

The old crone looked up from the glyphed bones she was reading as the stranger entered. An aura of power surrounded him,... her,... it. She didn't care about their gender. She despised dealing with gods and demons in any case, but without them she could not foretell the future. It had come to her to have a reading of the bones of the manticore's paw, and have the future laid bare. Perhaps the hardest part had been getting the bones, as the beast's home in Persia was a long journey from Mesopotamia. So long as she gave this god visions from the bones, they would remain imbued.

What have you to tell me? It asked. In response the crone gathered up the bones and flung them upon the divining chart. The glyphs on the bones flared a bright orange.

The crone's eyes rolled back into her head and in a scratchy voice uttered the words, In roughly 3000 years a man will spread word of your magnificence and many of the world shall bow before you. She took a sharp breath and continued. But the reverence he and those who come after him shall be short lived. You will then purge the world of those who would not bow before you, because they will eventually outgrow their need to believe in something greater. The only way you can achieve such complete destruction as you desire will be to mold a mortal's soul into your tool, for only the eyes of a mortal soul can read the words inscribed in the dark book, mesilus's tome, and summon forth the power to destroy the world. This soul shall die after 5060 years have passed from now, and you may then change it into the tool you need. She paused for a moment, However, should this soul escape your control, it will destroy you.

Why do I have need of this mortal, can I not use my own powers to do as I wish and forgo any risk of failure?

Her rasping voice came again, It is not a crucial piece to your goal, you could indeed do it without this one. But it would require you to destroy the gateways to heaven and hell and put a portion of their power on each of the seven continents, to disrupt the life energy of the planet.

Intriguing, it said thoughtfully, You have served me well, and as such, you will continue to have the sight. And now, I bid you good day.

The woman slumped back as the immortal left and her eyes assumed their normal position. She paused to regain her breath, and then continued about her business. Bloody immortals. she muttered under her breath. She didn't even remember the details of her own prophecy.

Chapter one: The Reaper (2008 A.D.)

Falnis was flying over the eastern coast of the continent the humans called North America, seeing the lights of the cities like Charleston coming to life in the wake of the sunset inland. He'd held a private fascination for the human's source of artificial light, the light bulb, ever since its conception by Edison. Whenever he wasn't occupied with his assigned task of gathering the souls of the dead, he was adding to his collection of neon signs and light bulbs. Just as he was about to take the bulb from the light post in front of a building labeled Hyman's Seafood Company on Meeting Street. He felt the telltale nagging of a death in this region. Grumbling he left the now flickering light bulb, and winged his way inland to the Northwest to a city called Maudlin. He was one of many tasked to gather the souls of the dead and deliver them to Archangel Azreal for judgment.

The soul in question had died in an auto collision in downtown Mauldin, South Carolina, and Falnis found its dead body in the driver's seat of a red and black Bugatti Veryon next to a dazed passenger, at least that was one less he'd have to worry about for the moment. pity. Falnis mumbled to himself, almost lived to see eighteen. Falnis reached into the core of the deceased human and extracted a small glowing gem, barely bigger than a golf ball. When Falnis gazed upon the gem, his eyes widened in disbelief. The gem was a pale silver and at it's core pulsed a deep purple. The god would be pleased, for with this soul he could forge a tool to end the world, and Azreal would become eve more depressed than ever with this news, as if he didn't mope enough. As Falnis contemplated the outcome of this turn of events he came to a conclusion. Though he knew of the human species capacity for violence and destruction, he knew they had the capacity for great good once they overcame the selfishness that was a key trait of the species. It would be a great loss to destroy that good, even if the bad were to follow suite. He decided to risk giving the young man in the passenger's seat the sight so that he may see that which is normally unseen to the eyes of mortals. A gift that might help him restore his friends memory in the future so that the prophecy Gavra so wanted to fulfill might fail. He knew that Azreal would be required to punish him in some way, as stripping the veil from the eyes of man was strictly forbidden by Gavra. He launched himself into the air to return to Azreal just as the ambulance arrived, hoping that his actions would somehow prevent the annihilation of the human species and their home world. He had come to love them, even with all their flaws. Chapter Two: The Goblets

Azreal floated about two meters above two colossal stone basins. His black silk suite dating back to the 16th century was heavily worn and stitched in many places. Over which he wore a heavy German trench coat circa World War II, that hung down to his booted feet, which had blackened steel covers over the toes. In the waist level pockets on his coat, he stored spare bottles of ink as well as extra quills and the occasional fountain pen. Supported by two chains over his shoulders, along with a massive ebony great sword, were two large tomes. One was Azreal's own notebook, in which the names and histories of all sentient beings alive at any given time were kept. As people were born, an entry bearing their name was created in the book. This entry contained all the details specific to that person. When one died, the entry was moved from the book to the library of memory. In anyone else's hands, this book could cause chaos beyond imagining, as one could read of all the dirty secrets kept by anyone in the world, the same could be said of the library. Azreal had used this to judge the souls of the dead until the time when it was decided by Gavra that the only factors to be taken into account were the belief in a higher power, and to a lesser extent absolute obedience to that power, a decision that had put Azreal into a highly depressed state of mind and kept him so for the better part of three millennium.

The other book however, to put it laughably lightly, was far from benign, and posed a more direct danger in the wrong hands. An unhealthy green aura surrounded its black steel cover. The possessor of Mesilus's tome would slowly suffer from a curse that slowly tore the soul apart, a trick by the old warlock, Mesilus, to keep mortals from using the spells inscribed within. The original purpose behind the book was to seal the most destructive and malevolent spells known to the world. Without the book, none of the spells can be used. This is because the magic of the time prevents the transcribing or memorization of the magic. Mesilus was perhaps one of the most notorious warlocks, this or any other world had ever known, having too many violent or sadistic exploits to mention. In the end, the man had what one might call the guilt of a lifetime felt in the space of a few minutes. I nearly killed him, but afterward, to make amends he sealed the most dangerous spells in existence in a spellbound tome and sacrificed his soul to complete the seal.

Azreal of coarse, being immortal, was immune to the lethal effects of the book. But he could not read the book. Clever old Mesilus had though of this as well, as only mortals, the ones subject to its lethal side effects could read the tome. Whenever Azreal flipped through the pages they all seemed blank.

The seraph shifted his ebony wings and made for his private chambers to the north. He was just about to drift off to retire when the rippling sound of the entry portal caught his ear. He looked up to see Falnis diving into the chamber. The smaller reaper pulled out of his dive to alight on the rim of the westernmost basin in which swirled a pleasant blue white aura. what prompts you to such an acrobatic entrance Falnis? asked Azreal.

Nothing save my own personality. he replied, The implications of that which I bring you are by no means reason to celebrate. He undid the drawstrings on his pouch and drew out the soul stone and dropped it into Azreal's outstretched hand. As he raised the stone to inspect it, his face twisted into what seem a hybrid of sour and depressed expressions.

So this one is to be a victim of Gavra's dreadful plans? as he gazed at the purple pulsing gem he held in his gloved hand. Even if this soul had met the requirements for belief in a higher power and worshiping that power, this soul would still be damned to the abyss for Gavra's desire to use it as a tool. Azreal viewed the whole system that he was required to judge souls by with the utmost scorn, seeing it as a terrible wrongness. Souls were not judged by the sum of their actions as Azreal thought they should be. So it led to great perversions such as a man who had never committed evil being sent to the abyss and a murderer being sent to paradise. The more he thought of it the more depressed and angry he became. Yet another victim of Gavra's great perversion. He thought. As he continued to gaze at the crystal, his frustration with the conditions for salvation grew tenfold. He took out his frustration on a bust of a lesser demon, reducing it into rubble with his blade. The resounding crash sent Falnis and several other reapers in the area running for cover. A few seconds later the dust that was a remainder of the statue collected itself in a small vortex and reformed itself. Azreal gave a resigned sigh. I suppose it's not as if I can do anything to change this one's fate, what with the pact that binds me to Gavra's will. said Azreal, I've been his slave from the beginning. I couldn't even raise a finger against him. None of the other archangels could do so either even if they wanted to. Lucifer was the first and last of us to defy him. All because he followed his heart. But seeing as he is the only one who is not bound to Gavra, he may be able to prevent Gavra's apocalyptic goals from fruition. As long as he can keep this one from being bound by Gavra.

Then Falnis, knowing it would give Azreal some hope, threw caution to the wind and told of the passenger in the vehicle. Azreal's reaction was a mix of hope for the world and concern for Falnis's fate for giving a mortal the ability to see the unseen. Azreal took a moment to absorb this and asked, Do you know and accept the consequences of your actions?

I was prepared the moment I committed the act. He replied dryly.

While I agree with your motivations and your coarse of action, there must be consequences, not only because you have put the human in danger by removing his ignorance, but you have also disobeyed one of Gavra's strictest laws. He paused a moment then continued, I've decided that you are to be bound to this soul you have brought before me, you shall guide it and help it with it's destiny, whether it be for good or for ill, Gavra will probably have no objection to this ruling. As he said the last word he drew Falnis's essence and bound it to the soul inhabiting the gem stone. Then, as instructed by Gavra, dropped the gem into the basin of liquid fire that was the goblet of damnation, the gateway to the abyss. As he watched the gem sink below the surface a tear rolled down his left cheek. The fate of the world lies in the hands of that soul, and it doesn't even know it. I can only hope that Gavra's plan fails. The archangel then drifted to his chambers to the north.

Chapter Three: Designs of lethal Beauty

Lorenzo held the soul stone in front of him on his left palm. It had just arrived from Azreal in the mortal plane and after getting over his surprise at the additional soul that had been bound to it, when the scrying pool that lay before his throne began to shimmer. Lorenzo rose to investigate his brown leather Knee length jacket making a rustling sound as he walked towards the pool, the sounds of his booted feet contacting the ground echoed around the chamber. He came to the edge of the pool and knelt down to gaze into its depths.

So the soul has been found. came a voice that bespoke centuries of experience.

So it would seem. replied Lorenzo not hiding even a hint of the loathing he had for the speaker. The one to whom Lorenzo spoke was none other than Gavra, a person who he held in the greatest of contempt. Gavra had been the one responsible for nearly all of the grievances that Lorenzo held, including his banishment from paradise to the abyss.

Don't get snide with me Lucifer, you will do as I say or I shall give you far worse a fate than you have now. Said Gavra, Besides which, you have done quite well for yourself here. The harsh environs have pushed your ingenuity to new heights, just take a look at your marvelous walking city you built to protect those damnable non-believers.

Now your being the sarcastic one. Said Lucifer, besides, all those who reside in my city are ones whose deeds add up to a positive total, they belong in paradise not in this harsh world.

Still foolish as ever Lucifer, you still don't understand that paradise is no place for heretics and their ilk. Chided Gavra, At any rate, you are to mold this soul into the tool of destruction I need as per my instructions.

And if I refuse? asked Lorenzo

Then I shall finish the job that I began long ago. he said the last as he indicated Lorenzo's Cybernetic right arm. Once you have trained my tool, you shall deliver it unto me, or suffer consequences most severe. With that the disguised visage of Gavra Vanished from the pool and the water stilled.

A lethal fighter might satisfy his wants. Lorenzo said to himself, He probably wants some grotesque monster to scare the denizens of the mortal realm. But he didn't say what he wanted it to look like, so I'll make a hominid of beauty, grace, and raw power. And I'll be damned once again if I let Gavra have it.

Chapter Four: The Bio-Construction Chamber

Lorenzo walked down the rough half mile from his throne to the science pod of the walker. He tried to ease the pain and miseries of those good souls sent here, but his moderating force could extend only so far in this forsaken world. One way the situation could be seen as, is that the walking city was a relative oasis in and endless wasteland, even though wasteland is a bad term. The abysmal plane was a world full of life, but that life was generally hostile in nature, especially in the inner circles of the abyss called that comprised Dante's hell. Every seventy two hours, the black carriage would come out to collect souls as they appeared in the outer rings. Whenever he could Lorenzo would try pick up those souls of good karma before the carriage could bring them to the place of punishment at the inner circles. Contrary to popular belief Lucifer or as he preferred to be called, Lorenzo, was not the Satan of the bible or the Iblis of the Koran, or any of the other names given to the lord of hell. The one in charge of hell was Golbias, an arch demon Gavra had tamed. Golbias was malicious brute, doing the unthinkable to the souls he imprisoned. Whether it be swallowing victims whole and passing them out for some other torture, burning them by wrapping them in white hot chains, rapping them, or flaying them alive. No matter how brutal the torture, the victims were kept alive by his magic for further abuse.

Lorenzo only managed to save about three percent of the souls entering the abyss by either taking them into the walker, or dropping them off at one of the many fortresses in the plane. Lorenzo's city was the only mobile city in existence, it walked on four colossal legs the size of sky scrappers crafted entirely of adamantium alloy. Where the legs connected to the base hung a large array of resource harvesters to gather any materials the walker passed by, as well as bring in any wandering souls that happened by. The main body of the walker could rotate 360 degrees to bring its forty yacht sized railguns into position should they need to be fired. The main body of the walker could nearly hold the entire population of New York City in its residential areas. The walker was currently at thirty five percent capacity.

Just as Lorenzo made the halfway point to the science center, the walker rocked as a magma colossus struck the main body from the front. Soon after the Railguns returned fire. Its charged blasts breaking off super heated chunk from the giant. He didn't stop to watch the conflict. It was common knowledge that colossi were irritable beings. Though usually about the size of th walker, the giants typically had a brain no larger than the average marble. A pair of recently rescued souls watched in awe as the guns blew the left side of the giant's face clean off. They were just beginning to understand how lucky they were to be here.

Chances were that one of the walkers legs had roused the giant from its lava pool. After all, they were passing through a thermic reef. He wasn't worried in the least. The walkers adamantium shell could take more damage than the giant could possibly dish out, and the weapons system would soon make piece meal of the beast. The giant toppled over as Lorenzo reached the science complex. Within, Lorenzo had some of the human world's best scientists, like Darwin. Gavra had a widely known disdain for those who challenged the teachings of the priests, regardless of the religion, as such many of the worlds greatest minds had ended up in Lorenzo's care, but many more had been taken by Golbias. It was these scientists who helped Lorenzo pursue his scientific obsessions. The scientists were given positions of study not unlike those they held in their life on earth. Add in Lorenzo's magic and the technology became powerful and efficient works of art. The current pinnacle of technology was the walking city and its power source, the mithril etherium reactor. The reactor could power the walker one hundred times over without any danger of pollution or meltdown. It worked by feeding energy into the machine and it would output three times as much. A third of that energy would be reinvested in the device to keep it going, while the rest was used to power the walker.

Lorenzo stepped onto a teleportation array and entered the science complex's module on the lower eastern part of the walker. The science facilities were kept a reasonable distance from the habitation areas of the walker for safety measures, though nothing had ever gone wrong.

Lorenzo proceeded straight through the physics center down the main hall way, not entering any of the many labs in which innumerable experiments took place. He took the stairs down two floors and entered the biology labs. He proceeded down the hall till it intersected with another perpendicular hall at the center of the floor. He took a left and proceeded a few paces more down this new hallway before making another left and entering the bio-construction area.

Upon entering the room he stumbled over a rather peculiar man. He was garbed in a simple lab coat of no one discernible color which came to the back of his knees. For footwear he wore a pair of knee high black leather boots. He wore a tie of bright pink spots, and his glasses were a good one and a half centimeters thick which made his eyes look ludicrously large. His hair, as if in open contradiction to his overall theme, was a plain ponytail held in place by a simple band. His name was Krazzler, or so the man believed. In truth the man knew absolutely nothing about himself, and when he tried too hard to remember he would, without exception, go cross-eyed and roll on the floor banging his head on any readily available surface. All this whilst crooning the Star Spangled Banner in a tone deaf manner. This is how Lorenzo found him. A few seconds of head banging and tune deaf singsong passed before Krazzler seemed to at last come to his senses. He Regarded Lorenzo with a curious look which, with his thick lenses looked quite bizarre. Oddities aside Krazzler was the best of Lorenzo's scientists. It was he, in fact, who had perfected genetic engineering.

Oh, its you, Krazzler said in his odd voice, Have you a new project for me? He said the last with a tone of anticipation.

I always have something for you, my mad scientist. came Lorenzo's reply.

I highly disagree with the term mad, as I am neither insane or angry in nature. Krazzler stated in mock irritation.

About the reason I Came here, Lorenzo said as he reached into his pocket and withdrew the soulstone.

So this is the one Gavra needs for his plan, Krazzler said with interest, It seems quite odd that that a soul so free of taint is destined to become the harbinger of the end of days. In fact I cannot see this one taking orders from Gavra.

It is strange that Gavra would need this one Lorenzo stated, I personally hope that Gavra's plans bite him in the ass.

A sentiment I share. agreed Krazzler. Lorenzo followed Krazzler over to the gene editing terminal and took a seat at the body design tablet. You do the artsy bits and then we will hammer out the finer attributes.

The body design tablet was a wonderful tool, It allowed the user to sculpt all visible aspects of an organism, and compiled a generic genetic code that would give it that exact appearance. It also allowed the user to see exactly how the subject would move. The interface was in essence, a 3-d model builder and animation program. Lorenzo though for a moment, then decided to use a vulpine shape as a base, he liked the slight mix of feline and canine features. He then changed it from quadruped to biped, with all the necessary changes to form. He slightly lengthened the muzzle and increased the ear size. He then lengthened the legs slightly and increased the contact area of the toes for better footing, he also threw on five additional tails and added a crystal to each of their tips. Next, he selected a reddish black and applied it to the fur. For gender, he couldn't decide so he chose hermaphrodite. A series of subtle gender related changes occurred, but nothing like say large breasts or vast increases in muscle mass. Then as and afterthought, he added the property of withdrawn genitals, as the legs of this one probably wouldn't well accommodate pants and to prevent low blows from attackers. He then saved the gene draft to the database under Vulpus Eructus, subtitled form one.

Now for the non-visible characteristics. said Krazzler. This stage was beyond Lorenzo, but Krazzler found it easy. What kind of features would you like? asked Krazzler.

Well, as a start how about a highly durable skeleton, as strong as say adamantium.

Is weight and object? came Krazzler.

Yes. replied Lorenzo

Good, I like a challenge. said Krazzler happily.

Okay, here's another challenge, add a musculature suited for quick movements as well as great strength and endurance. challenged Lorenzo

Difficult, but not impossible, considering that you gave it a hight range of 10-14 feet. said Krazzler as he made the requested change.

For the senses how about more than simply the normal spectrum, for example infravision and echo vision.

Good idea answered Krazzler, making the necessary changes.

And one more thing, Make the tail crystals hold magic power for the discipline the being has an affinity for. Finished Lorenzo.

Ok, done. came the reply.

One more thing Lorenzo, I'd like to add my telepathic genetic adaption network to the genome. without prompting, Krazzler began to explain, Each member of the species would be able to share in adaptive evolutions made by other members. These adaptions would be set aside in a sort of gene pool and would be activated if they were needed. Otherwise it would act as a sort of genetic patch system that could be used to capitalize on an advantage or shore up a weakness. However, no permanent changes would be rendered to the genetics of the species unless it was critical to survival. It would all be thought based or autonomous in nature. He finished and waited for a response.

I see no disadvantage, go ahead and add it. said Lorenzo.

Thank you, I'll do just that. replied Krazzler.

one more thing Krazzler, link the two souls in the crystal to one another, make the partner smaller and remove quadrupedal characteristics. Make it standard for the species. And before you lecture me on the dangers, let me tell you I see the benefits as far outstripping any dangers. Said Lorenzo

Yes sir. replied Krazzler

Now proceed with bio fabrication. ordered Lorenzo.

Very well it shall wake up in its new body within a week. stated Krazzler, as Lorenzo left through the door. Krazzler picked up the soulstone and carried it over to one of the bio construction pods lining the wall. It was then that he slipped in a small pool of amniotic fluid left from a recently used pod. His legs were taken out from under him and into an upward arc. His upper body fell to the floor as the stone slipped from his hand and flew into the air back the way he came. The impact of his head on the floor knocked his glasses off his face. He looked up and saw a bleary patch that was the crystal flying above him. Hoping that he could catch the stone even with this disadvantage he kicked off a large power cable that fed into one of the pods and slid backwards across the floor with his hands outstretched. He came to a stop and felt the thud of a hard object in his palm. He let out a sigh of relief. He crawled around the floor till he found his glasses and hauled himself up to head for the pods again.

The pods were, in essence, large fleshy cocoons that functioned rather like a womb in which an organism could develop at an accelerated rate. Krazzler input his authorization code and the control panel for the pod activated. He placed the soulstone in the array which would anchor it to the body. He then accessed the genome library, which contained all naturally evolved on earth and the abyss, as well as ones engineered at the facility. He typed Vulpus Eructus into the search box and a list of two options appeared, Randomize and gene set 1. He selected set 1, the code of Lorenzo's design and the pod adjusted to accommodate the specimen's 12 foot frame. A confirmation box appeared asking for the specimen's name. In response he initiated a memory search to see if this soul had a previous name in life. He found the names Lorgenz and James Orson Murphy, but not much else. It was as if they had been wiped deliberately... usually no more than 25% of one's memories were lost in death. Krazzler was perhaps the only known exception to this. At least it remembers its name. he thought out loud. No such luck for him. The name Lorgenz seemed to be more familiar to the subject so it was a fair bet that it was its name. He put the name Lorgenz into the box and hit the confirmation button.

The soulstone's glow faded as its occupant was moved into the chamber. The machine produced a genetically blank ovum which it injected with the selected DNA. The now fertile and rapidly dividing egg was inserted into the chamber where it implanted on a series of tube that acted as an artificial placenta. The spirit was firmly anchored to the quickly developing organism. A similar process was occurring in the pod to the left with the other spirit.

Krazzler left the terminal for the communication panel. He rang down to weapons armor development and was answered last person he wanted to talk to. I was none other than the unbelievably obsessive compulsive head of department Po Chin. He made even the worst cases of obsessive compulsive disorder look tame. Everything had to be perfect with him, and god forbid if something wasn't accurate down to a fraction of a nanometer. All products that left his labs were of exceptional quality, but at the cost of making the lives of his underlings a living hell. You rang? came Po's annoyingly whiny voice.

Yes. replied Krazzler, trying to hid his annoyed tone.

Well spit it out, I have a great deal of work to do. said Po flatly.

I need you to prepare gear for a new subject. said Krazzler.

Do you have the measurements, and they had better be exact. stated Po.

I'm sending a scale holographic model now. That should provide you with all the measurements you need.

Good, for once I don't have to do manual measurements for a fitting. Po terminated the link.

Krazzler got up and headed out as the skylights of the walker closed to simulate night time, trying not to think about the annoying twit he had just had to talk with. Chapter Five: Strange Surroundings

I heard people talking. About what, I knew not. To me they sounded as murmurs heard on the borders of one's consciousness I felt as if I were suspended in a dream from which I would not wake.

*

Krazzler looked at the monitor It appears the subject is somewhat stimulated by our voices. he stated excitedly.

Not all that surprising, considering that its been six days since gestation began. replied Lorenzo.

In just a few hours its senses will begin to sharpen, both mental and traditional. Krazzler said.

*

I saw, yet my eyes remained closed. Red, orange, yellow, and occasionally some darker colors shifted before me. It was warm. I looked down and raised my hands from my sides. Claws? I thought, noticing the projections from my fingertips. As I moved my limbs about, I noticed the sensation of moving through a viscous fluid. Suddenly I had a great feeling of claustrophobia. I pushed against the walls which yielded, but something behind them did not give way. I scratched at the softer surface and with no effort exposed what seemed to be a metallic surface judging by the harsh screech my claws made as they passed over the surface. This time I dug my claws firmly into the metal and dragged them across. The metal protested with a loud screech as I dug four deep furrows into their surface. Seeing now that I could damage my metallic prison I attacked the metal with a vengeance After tearing a six and a half foot trench in the metal I could see the heat signatures outside more easily. I wedged both hands in the gap and proceeded to prize the sides of the gap apart widening it. As the fluid began to drain from the gap in the capsule, my muscles protested with a pain that made clear the fact that they had never been used. The metal groaned as it continued to give way. I finally managed to crawl out from the small space and into the room coughing up fluid from the capsule all the while. I fell onto the floor and opened my eyes, seeing my surroundings in the visible spectrum for the first time.

*

Krazzler woke with a start as a loud metallic screech echoed from the other side of the scientific complex. He had been sleeping in his room in the office and dormitories floor of the complex above the physics floor. It was the third hour on the walker's clock of 24. The sound was not that of metal on metal. Two metal surfaces engaged in frictional force would not have created a racket of that nature. I reminded him more of diamond gouging steel. It was too early for the fabrication department to be a work so he dismissed the idea immediately. What else could have made such an awful racket at three in the morning. He searched his recent memory for a clue as to its source. Then he recalled the specimen Its claws were effectively diamonds synthesized by its body. Had it awakened? He quickly threw on the most readily available garment (which happened to be a plaid bath robe) and headed for the center of the floor. He pressed the call button on the central elevator hurriedly. The elevator was actually meant to transport large packages or heavy objects. It was by no means an elevator meant for people on account of its speed which was about 3 times that of a passenger elevator. It arrived and he stepped in pressing the button for basement 2. The elevator dropped like a rock. It stopped dead in the biology department and Krazzler stepped out trying not to fall over. After his legs recovered he ran to the bio-construction facilities. As he approached the door he heard the groaning protest of bending metal. He opened the door and with his left hand, sought out the the light switch which he depressed. The sum of his and Lorenzo's efforts lay illuminated before him.

*

The sound of a sliding door drew my gaze, I heard a click , and a flood of lights blinded me. I took a second to blink it away and saw before me an odd little man. I tried to rise but my limbs gave out beneath me and I dropped back to the floor. The man approached me cautiously. A small form, about the size of a cheetah burst out of a pod and landed on its four legs before me. It growled at the man as it stood over me. So I have a giant furball for a body guard. I thought.

It gave me a sour look out of the corner of its left eye and said, please keep your demeaning thoughts to yourself. It talked! I thought. My mind was racing like crazy but my mind couldn't keep up. I passed out.

*

Who are you? Krazzler asked the creature between him and Lorn. Perhaps sensing that this human was no threat to the now unconscious Lorn, the creature ceased its growling and sat back on its haunches and relaxed. For all intents and purposes the quadruped was a the same as the its counterpart with the exception of a golden hued coat, size, and walking on four legs instead of two.

I neither know or care what my name is. The only concern is for the welfare of the one behind me.

Well I assure you, I just want to get you two cleaned up. I intend no harm to either of you. Krazzler assured the creature.

I'll have my eyes on you the whole time human. it replied warily.

If it makes you feel more comfortable, go right ahead. said Krazzler as he called for assistance. Six assistants arrived through the door after a few moments bearing a large stretcher.

We already have an apartment set aside for the two of you. he said to the vulpine before him as Lorn was loaded into the stretcher. Just follow us to your room. The vulpine padded after them as they exited the room.

They arrived at the apartment in the residential area within the walker within fifteen minutes by way of the elevator system. Krazzler unlocked the door to reveal a well made flat with excellent accommodations The room's color theme was red, gold, and black. The main room had a large writing desk, a holographic computer terminal, as well as three shelves of books and several enormous overstuffed chairs. Off the main room were a kitchenette, and a large bedroom. The kitchenette featured dinning space as well as a teleporter connected to the various food producers of the city. The bedroom featured a colossal bed as well as a large basket with a wonderfully soft lining. There were several lamps around the room to allow for reading in bed. Off the bedroom was a large bath. It featured a massive tub and a large sink as well as all the supplies necessary for good hygiene They deposited Lorgenz in the tub and proceeded to rinse off the fluid from the pod. They then proceeded to shampoo and condition it's fur and did a thorough rinse. Afterwards they hoisted Lorn onto a air drying bed, and the quadruped hopped into the tub for the same treatment. Once dry Lorgenz was moved to the bedroom where it was left and the little vulpine curled up in the basket.

*

I awoke on a large simple bed roughly eight hours later. I noticed I was clean and dry. I took the time to examine myself further. My reddish black fur shown in the soft light with a healthy luster. I raised my hands level with my eyes. My palms were bare to allow for a firm grip but the most fascinating thing about them were my claws. They appeared as heavily faceted diamonds. So thats why I could tear through that metal cocoon I thought to myself. I continued with my self examination noting six bushy tails which ended in crystals of various colors (at the moment black, gold, white, green, red, and blue) and long strong legs probably well suited for running which terminated with compact clawed paws.

So your finally awake... came a rich voice from the basket next to the bed.

I looked over to see the same quadruped who had stood guard over me lifting its head and letting out a yawn.

How about some breakfast Lorgenz? It said as it hauled itself up and leapt from the basket and stretched out before padding from the room.

I got up and followed the little vulpine out of the room towards the kitchenette. On the table was a platter with several large steaks and assorted vegetables, all of which were raw but it didn't seem to concern me. The small one wrapped his tails around the leg of a chair at the table and pulled it out.

Have a seat. it offered.

I sat down hesitantly and scooted the chair forward. The small one pulled out a chair opposite me and hopped up onto it.

Well, aren't you going to eat any? It asked.

I looked around for a moment looking for silverware, finding none, I picked up a steak and bit off a small piece. My teeth cut through with a satisfying shnick.

What is your name? I asked of it.

The question gave it pause. I... I... I don't know His ears drooped and his tails sagged as he sighed.

How about I call you Grazzbeck. I asked

If you like. it said in a sad tone, but the motions of ears and tails hinted at a measure of elation at having a name to be called by.

When people are sent to the abyss or paradise their memories are suppressed. Usually they have a few memories like the names of friends or family. And exception to this memory loss is that all practical knowledge is retained. Grazzbeck paused, All I remember is I'm supposed to stay by your side.

So what's my purpose here supposed to be? I asked after swallowing another piece of meat.

According to professor Krazzler, you are here to train in combat and the magical arts. Beyond that, he wouldn't say. answered Grazzbeck. Once your finished eating, Po Chin wants me to bring you to the armory for equipment. We also might get a tour of Obsidian, the walking fortress in which we now reside.

I finished the last of the meat and left the vegetables on the tray.

Shall we go? I asked Grazzbeck.

Very well, he replied, Let us be off.

We arrived in the armory shortly by way of the Obsidian's elevator systems. Once we arrived at level B3 of the science complex, we were greeted by a flurry of activity. Around us, technicians tested everything from exploding starlings to armored assault vehicles. I attracted a lot of attention as I followed Grazzbeck through the armory. Whether it was because they had never seen anything like me or the fact that I wore nothing save for my own fur coat, I'll never know for sure. If it was the later as I suspected, I was not overly concerned. When your non-public areas aren't visible and you are vested in fur at all times, nudity becomes less of a concern. In the defensive wear department we were greeted by a short and rather horizontal man of Asian origin. I had to look down to keep eye contact.

Welcome to the armory. he said in perfect, if heavily accented English. My name is Po Chin, I shall help you outfit yourself. First I have some armor I want you to try on, but first, what kind of armor do you fancy. I made several types as Krazzler was amazingly vague in that regard. He rolled his eyes. we have plate, mail, leather, and cloth all of which are designed for you in particular.

I'd have to say leather. I replied.

Hmm, not the strongest, but it allows for flexibility nearly on par with cloth. Said Po.

He waddled over to a nearby robotic mannequin and attempted to remove a stylish leather duster. I watched him struggle a loosing battle with his short stature before I stepped forward and removed the duster from the man equine myself and slipped it on. To my great surprise, as soon as I had the coat on, the straps immediately fastened and and the exterior zipper closed up. In addition, the rest of the garment resized itself so it tightened to my body. After I got over my surprise I noticed the fact that when I drew breath the coat flexed as if it were my own skin to allow me to breath with ease. The slit in the backside ran from the waist line to the trailing edges of the coat allowing my tails plenty of room, while keeping the front open to prevent hindering my legs. I flexed my body in various ways and every time it moved to accommodate me. One of my favorite parts was the gold and silver metalwork of the spaulders on the shoulders and the vambraces on the wrists.

I like its feel. I said

The exterior is of cured dragonhide, but you can't see the scales without a powerful microscope. The inner lining however is is woven from the threads of the shadow spinner spider's web. The magic properties of the web allow the armor to function as a symbiote to its wearer, giving increased reaction time, strength, as well as imparting the resistance to magic of the dragonhide. To the wearer. It also has the ability to regenerate just like you. He paused and looked me up and down. I suppose our making pants for you was a waste of time, seeing as how they might bind your legs. However I think I have just the thing, luckily it is of matching material. He rummaged around in one of the armor racks on the wall. He brought out a set of thigh satchels which I buckled onto my waist and strapped down to my thighs. He then handed me a belt with a buckle containing a series of rotating rings which I strapped on over my coat. That belt contains a small gravity generator that allows you to walk on vertical surfaces and even upside down. He ran back to the racks as if he had forgotten something and returned with a pair of gold gauntlets with two large unpolished rubies one the back of the hands. These gauntlets function as a sort of holster system for weapons and tools, they store the objects in such a way that they can't weigh you down. He noticed the confused look on my face. It doesn't matter how it works so long as it does, besides, the details would probably bore you. Now how about weapons.

Now were talking! I said expectantly.

I thought you'd find that an entertaining prospect. Poe snickered

I followed him to the weapons department, pulling on the gloves as I walked and locking them into my vambraces. My claws extended from the tips of the gauntlets, but just after I noticed it small slips clamped over them, covering them so they couldn't damage damage things accidentally

Take your pick of armaments from out stores. Poe said.

Okay. I replied.

I was actually quite surprised that I had my free pick of the place. I walked over to the table to my left upon which an oversized hand gun was clamped in a vise to absorb recoil so it wouldn't send the tester flying backwards. I could see the man was hesitant to pull the trigger, but with a gun that fired five .75 caliber bullets at once, who wouldn't be.

May I try? I asked him.

Eager to put as much distance as possible between himself and a gun that was probably the product of an unstable mind, he backed away. I undid the clamp, to which the man let out a small squeak of protest, and raised it in my left hand to fire upon the target. I squeezed the trigger. As soon as the firing pins struck home I felt a shockwave rippled up my arm and my ears flattened against my head as a roar fill the room. The target, the carcass of some fiend, was plastered across the wall behind it.

What is this gun called? I asked the technician, as I ran my hands along the gold filigree of its blackened barrels. N-Ne-Nex Peona. the man stuttered, probably awestruck that the recoil hadn't torn my arm off.

Quite the appropriate name, Death Penalty. I laughed, I think I'll take this one.

Very well. said Poe. Just so you know, you can't run out of ammunition with our weapons. However with all but the full automatic weapons there is a cool-down period in which the weapon reloads. This period varies by magazine size and weapon class.

The technician stepped forward and handed me an ammo synthesizing upgrade for my holsters so I could make the special muzzle loading rounds for the gun. Then he looked at his chart and went to his next assignment

How do I holster a weapon? I asked.

Just imagine it in a case, sheath, or holster. Said Poe as though it were the most simple of things.

I looked at the weapon for a few moments and the ruby on the gauntlet flashed as the weapon dissolved and was drawn into the stone. Poe was talking to a technician suffering from the effects of a new mutagen which caused his muscles to contract rythmically putting him into a sort of bizzare dance. It was then that I saw the door. Upon it read the words, Sentient and Legendary Weapons: No Unautherized Entry You could probably guess what I did next. If you guessed that I entered the room despite the sign you would be right. I was a bad dog so to speak, so sue me. No one with an inquisitive mind could resist.

Hey Grazzbeck, come over here. I thought to him.

He gave me a look that seemed to say, what kind of no good are you up to. He padded over casually. What do you know about this room? I asked him.

He looked at the sign, It contains weapons that have a mind and will of their own. He paused before continuing, Some names humans have given such weapons are devil arms, fey or fel weapons, you get the idea. Typically such a weapon is brought into being as it is wielded to do monumental tasks and prevails be it good or evil, or it can be possesed by the soul of its wielder when they die, even a combination of both. Sometimes the weapon is forged in such a state by a master craftsmen, it aquires the properties only if the crafter manufactures it with all their heart. An example would be the such weapons like the Norse lance Gungnir crafted by dwarves for the diety Odin. While any method can create a weapon of evil, only the greatest of calamities can make a truly powerful one. A prime example would be soul edge. Such blades are extremley powerful but at a cost, they usually bring misfortune to those that wield them as well as those who would seek to claim them as their own. Sometimes the weapon can manifest an avatar of sorts and wield itself. We can count ourselves lucky that many such weapons are destroyed or lost to the world.

I think I want to take a look. I said.

And just how do you propose to do that? Asked Grazzbeck in an amused tone.

Why, with the keys of course. I said as I produced a keyring that until a few moments ago had hung from Poe's belt.

I think I'll have to keep my eyes on your fingers from now on. Laughed Grazzbeck.

I inserted the key and turned it, unlocking the door. We slipped inside. In the room were an assortment of extraordinary weapons. Neptune's trident, which could manipulate the seas. A model of The Crown of Life which was crafted from the radiance of the Japanese deity Amaterasu, cast an nurturing aura that could heal the wounded and stimulate the growth of plant life. The Blades of Kali were present as well. There were so many weapons, but none of them in particular caught my eye, except for one item in the back corner of the room. They appeared to be a pair of large gunblades. The following was inscribed on the plaque on the base of the case: The Twin Chain-Blades Karavell: Tsume and Kiba. The blades history was described in brief as well.

The plaque read, These blades contain the soul of the Nazi enforcer Karavell. Karavell was the product of the union of human and demon bloodlines and as such possessed infernal strength allowing him to weild the 6 ft blades with ease. It took over five hundred men to subdue him, and many of them died in the task.

I opened the case and clasped the gold decorated blade with my left hand and the blue enamaled blade with my right, taking both sheathed blades from the case slinging them over my back.

What are you doing Lorn? Grazzbeck asked me worriedly.

I drew out both the blades as Grazzbeck scurried under a nearby table probably beleiving that the blades might possess me. For a moment nothing happened, then soft blue and yellow auras began to come from the blades.

Who is it that has the audacity to attempt to take me for their own? Came a Germanic voice from the blades.

Nothing more and nothing less than one who likes a good weapon. I said.

Why should I let you weild me, you of so little experience. it asked.

Because in all eventuality I will be faced with opponents that will require a worthy sword. I said

But what have I to gain by helping you. it asked in an ammused tone.

Perhaps freedom from the curse that binds you to these blades. I replied.

Then wield me, if you believe you can deliver on such a promise. It said sarcastically.

I felt a surge of energy passing through my limbs. The energy manefested itself into chains matching the blades. These meta-physical chains flashed once and sank into my arms disappearing below my sleeves. I felt a deep tingling in the core of my being as the blades bound themselves to me. I unsummoned the blades but could still see their residual magic about my arms in the form of lightly crackling electicity and an aura of frost.

The door flew open as Poe rushed in. He stopped dead in his tracks seeing me in front of Karavell's empty case. He immediatly pulled out a pair of odd spectacles and set them on his nose. His jaw seemed to drop to his chest as he noted the magical presence of Karavell flowing around my arms. I summoned the blades to my hands twirling them around in a small practice display before thrusting them into the sheathes. The handles protruding just over my shoulders for easy reach.

Poe struggled to get the words out, "How, by all that is sane in the universe did you get in here and furthermore how did you get one of these weapons to accept you!?" As he said the last his tone changed from a sternful scolding, to that of sheer excitement.

"All I had to do was find out what it wanted, and as for the first question... It would seem that old habits die hard even ones we don't remember having." I said the last as I dropped his keys into his hands.

Chapter Six: Heart of Ice

After we left the armory (but not before I filched a large ball and chain) Grazzbeck took me on a tour of the city. The people treated me as one of their own, despite my size and appearance. When I asked him later at one of the viewing decks of the city (and when I use the masculine, I refer to his personality) why people of such a kind nature were doing here, he paused and took a moment to find the right words to answer.

"Normally the souls of the dead would be judged by the sum of their deeds, be they goodly or evil. However, when Gavra came to power millenia ago, all that changed. You see... Gavra believes that those who do not acknowledge it and worship it should be damned regardless of their deeds in life, the same is true for his views on salvation. The ones you see here in the city are some of those wrongfully damned. If Lorenzo had not found them in the wastes they would have been dragged to the inferno at the center of the abyss, to spend an eternity of torment, in ways that even the most imaginative minds could not produce. Mephistopheles, the collector of the damned, does not discriminate in terms of who he takes to the inferno. He will take any soul he finds beyond the walls of the inferno. Also worthy of note, is that the souls of evil doers become the fiends that roam the abyss, their hatred and karma forming a physical shell around their core. Hence when slain these husks leave no corpse, and explode in a violent shock wave He concluded his explanation.

With that we looked out upon the landscape around the city. The walker was currently traversing the Glacial Plains of the abyss, a region north of the its center. From the deck, we could see the shifting of snowdrifts that marked the movement of frost golems and other creatures. So your probably thinking that snow in hell doesn't make sense. It wouldn't if you were only referring to the region of Dante's exploration. The Abyss is divided into six different geographic areas. In the North is the Glacial Plains. In the South is the Floating Forest. To the west is the Thermal Reef, an ocean of magma. To the east are the Poison wastes. And finally nestled in the center is the Inferno, the home of the demons, encircled by a wasteland called the Bone Wastes. There was a vast amount of life present in each area of the Abyss, non sentient and otherwise. Though the environs could be beautiful, they and their inhabitants were deadly beyond belief. I saw an excellent if stomach churning example of the brutality of this misleadingly beautiful world while we looked down from the deck of the walker. Not soon after we began surveying the landscape a small yeti came into view. Unawares, it broke through a layer of paper thin ice that hid an ice snappers trap. The way this trap functions is rather interesting. The snapper makes a funnel like hole in the ice in which it hides. It occasionally puffs water vapor to keep the funnel slick. Not only does the vapor aid in preventing escape, but it also aids in hiding the snappers nest. The water vapor condenses and freezes against a filmy barrier level to the surrounding ground. This makes it very difficult to distinguish it from the surrounding ice. If the trapped prey is too large to fit down the hole at the base of the funnel, the oversized sickle like mouth parts come through slits in the walls of the funnel, lock together over the prey, and slam down slicing the prey into smaller pieces. This process would be repeated as many times as necessary.

I winced as the blades came down and sliced through the yeti, sending blood and ichor splattering about the inside of the cone.

Quite graphic is it not? came a smooth voice from behind. Grazzbeck and I turned to see a man of athletic build standing at the entrance to the observation deck. His jet black hair hung just past his shoulders framing his handsome face. By his complexion I assumed he didn't get much sunlight. His grey eyes looked for the most part dead, save for a slight sparkle of minor happiness. While I couldn't quite tell his build because of his clothing, it seemed to be the slim well toned body of an athlete. The right sleeve of his brown jacket seemed somewhat deflated compared to his left. I soon found the reason being that his right arm was a skeletal cybernetic replacement.

The world we live in is beautiful yet hostile. he said, as he strode up to join us.

Ah. said Grazzbeck, Lorn this is Lorenzo, the ruler of this city as well as the one responsible for us being here.

I am also the designer of the Black Citadel Walker. Lorenzo put in, I built it to protect those here with good hearts. As you might guess, you are one of the ones who was wrongfully sent here, and Grazzbeck was sent here bound to you on the most basic level. So keep in mind that should one of you suffer injury, it shall be reflected on the other. While this may seem solely as a disadvantage, it is actually a boon as well as well, When you are near one another, you are stronger than when alone. However when you are parted by great distances, you are weakened greatly. You are both bound at the soul, so completely as to be one, however you have your differences, like the two sides of a coin.

Grazzbeck and I exchanged curious glances.

*

The walker navigated the snow drifts with ease, its massive legs didn't need to plow through the snow and ice, they simple lifted up and over the frozen land before coming back down again. On the occasion that it came across relatively pure ice, it would use a laser to cut away chunks that would be added to the city's water supply. This is how it gathered all resources, not just water. From the elements in the materials, food, tools, and any other necessities were synthesized. It had been removing material from a large glacier for roughly four hours and its water stores were almost completely replenished.

*

Something stirred in irritation. Another something was chipping away at its body, and now one of its four arms was gone. Something was going to pay for this insult. It would pay, even if it was four times larger.

*

The walker's sensors registered as hostile creature about 21 stories in hight rising from the glacier. It roared in rage, its crystalline countenance cracking and refreezing to accommodate an expression of extreme loathing. The walker discharged its rail guns on the target. The colossus raised its three remaining arms and blocked the shots with a sort of forcefield. While the walker's great guns charged for another shot, the colossus charged in and struck the left front underside of the walker like and icy siege engine.

*

The walker lurched as its shields took the blow. I was thrown off my feet but managed to grab the railing before falling to the ground some 25 stories below. The railing began to bend under my wait as I scrambled to pull my self up. The walker fired another volley to no effect. I saw the giant create the shield to absorb the rounds, but it didn't block a piece of sheet metal that fell towards the giant. Apparently the shield only blocked energy based attacks.

Grazzbeck, I'm going down there, I know how to kill it. Grazzbeck reading my thoughts, understood immediately. He jumped down before I even released my grip. I watched him fall, tails streaming and legs extended toward the ground but not locked. He landed in a large snowdrift not 24 stories below. He hauled himself out of the drift. seeing that he was ok, I released my grip on the railing and dropped down to join him against the giant.

My hunch was that the giant was only capable of blocking energy attacks, so I figured that melee strikes or kinetic projectiles would have more success. Also, judging by the giants crystalline composition, a blade would be relatively useless. I held out my arm with my palm up and a studded adamantium sphere about two and a half feet in diameter materialized. The gold runes glowed hot with the heat of their enchantment, increasing the temperature of the surrounding metal.

By all rights, adamantium should not even exist. The nucleus of an adamantium atom is mind bogglingly huge (its atomic number is 188, twice that of plutonium) yet it has no radioactive properties. It shouldn't exist simply because according to physics, the heaviest element to occur naturally is plutonium, any higher and the elements are no longer natural. But never the less occur naturally it does, deep in the mantle of planets. Purified adamantium is nigh indestructible, this is both a boon and a curse to metal workers, as it is almost impossible to shape after it cools. To work it after it has set up one must heat it to temperatures similar to that of a supernova.

Though the ball was easily hot enough to melt solid rock, it was cool to my touch and the surrounding ice was unaffected by it. The chain was wrapped around my right forearm, with about two meters hanging free to prep for a good throw.

Grazzbeck had already made his way to the icy giants feet and was using his claws to climb up its legs. As I began to wind up the ball, Grazzbeck latched on just below the giants waistline and began to attack the giant with lasers from the six crystals on his tails. Up until then taking out its rage on the walker the giant howled in anger as small chunks of ice broke off its waist. Its attention now fully on the minuscule laser bearing menace skittering across its hide. The giant slapped at Grazzbeck but missed by no more than half a meter. As he skittered out from between the spread fingers of the brute to find a new place to bore holes, I finally got the ball up to speed. I aimed for the giants pelvis and let it fly. The sphere struck the giant hard in the waist. A combination of the impact and heat sent stress fractures across the cloudy ice. The ball was recalled to me by the magnetic force of my gauntlets, the chain recoiling upon my forearm. A massive sheet of ice fell from it's waist. The giant staggered back with the impact, its left foot landing in an ice snappers hole. The occupant chittered wildly in anger at the scum who was ruining its trap. The snapper bit down hard on the brutes left big toe, severing it cleanly.

With all the distractions the snapper and I had caused, Grazzbeck had managed to climb up onto the giant's face and was now on its nose. I heard a howl of rage as Grazzbeck burned its eyes out. I wound up and tossed again breaking off ice on the giants chest. I tossed a third time. Another sheet broke off revealing a clear ice structure in which a circulatory system that appeared to be suspended in what seemed to be liquid nitrogen. I saw the heart of the beast beating slowly in its chilling bath. Grazzbeck sensed my intent as I dismissed the ball and chain and summoned Nex Peona. I quickly fitted an incendiary grenade in the muzzle and deposited the firearm in the holster on my left hip.

I'll occupy it while you position yourself, came Grazzbeck's thoughts.

I charged the giant. About 20 feet from its left foot, I crouched and sprang. As I am embarrassed to report, I didn't quite know my own strength, so my calculations were a bit off. Okay they were way off. I thought the most altitude I could possibly achieve was two stories. Boy was I ever wrong. If I had known the force with which I could launch myself skyward, I would have kicked off lighter. Instead of two stories, I sailed 17 stories up and slammed into the brutes chest. The wind was knocked out of me by the impact, as such I slipped down two stories before I remembered to to dig in with all four sets of claws. I was right above the monsters heart, all I had to do was dig deep enough so that the incendiary grenade could break through into the chest cavity. I clung with the claws on my hands and began to rake the spot with my back claws. It wasn't long before the beast noticed me. It raised a massive hand to swat me, but Grazzbeck leaped onto the giant paw and burned the tip of the brute's index finger. The giant's attention once again on the smaller furry menace, I renewed my excavation. When roughly and inch of ice remained between the cavity and the outside, I pulled out Nex Peona and set the tip of the grenade in the depression I had created and pulled the trigger. The grenade broke through the ice and entered the cavity. It exploded as it struck the heart, and the rapid application of heat triggered the rapid expansion of the nitrogen. The giant exploded as the liquid vaporized, sending me sailing into the side of the walker. I blacked out with the impact.

Chapter Seven: Knocked Out

As the colossus exploded, Grazzbeck jumped to the ground, his legs bending to absorb the impact on the ice below. He took a moment to shake the frost off his fur. He then trod over to the unconscious Lorn. After a cursory examination he found no serious injuries save for a (relatively) mild concussion. Lorn's dark fur was a dirty grey with the frost that coated each exposed hair, it gave him a prickly texture.

Grazzbeck grabbed the collar of Lorn's coat in his mouth and began to drag him back towards the walker. He reached the closest leg and the door to the service elevator opened. The elevator wasn't the normal car and cable elevator one found in human buildings on earth, but rather a matter to energy transport that could transport one to any location on the walker's network. It took less than a second for it to bring them to their apartment.

After struggling to strip off Lorn's clothing, Grazzbeck managed to get him into bed with a few tries. Grazzbeck was making an ultimately futile effort to fill a bag with ice cubes from the freezer, dropping far more than he got in the bag. Why couldn't I have been given the luxury of hands. He thought to himself. Grazzbeck's ears perked and turned towards the door as the heard the tell-tale whir of the crystal key reader on the door that heralded the entry of Krazzler. A crystal lock was a device that scanned the exact composition, facets, flaws, and structure of a crystal chosen to be its key. So... in essence it was a like a finger print scanner for pretty rocks.

Lets see what the damage is shall we? Krazzler said as he entered.

He hadn't taken three steps when he slipped in a puddle created by the now melting ice. With a surprised yelp, he fell to the floor. Sorry about the ice. put in, though he tried and failed to suppress a snicker.

He hauled himself to his feet and began to wring the water out of his lab coat. Your lucky I'm not an old man, or you would have had to haul me off to a mortician. said Krazzler. Grazzbeck mocked Krazzler's serious tone by rolling onto his back legs flailing in the air barking, Help I've fallen and I can't get up.

Thats not funny Grazzbeck. scowled Krazzler.

Oh lighten up. stated Grazzbeck.

After getting as much water out of his coat as possible, which did little to diminish the confused nature of the garment, he proceeded over to Lorn's massive bed. Grazzbeck jumped up one the lower left corner of the bed and lay down with his head on his paws. His six tails swung to and fro over the side of the bed, the crystals clinking together. Lorn was breathing was breathing slowly and deeply, it was a good sign, but he still did not stir. Krazzler removed the ice Grazzbeck had placed and parted and examined the bruised spot on the back of his head by parting the fur. He felt the affected area pushing with his fingertips here and there.

It's as we hoped, no cracks in the skull, a blow like that would have killed a human instantly. Krazzler gave Grazzbeck a relieved smile.

Grazzbeck returned the expression with a vulpine grin, ears full forward and whiskers projecting forth.

It may not be the kindest way to bring someone too, but it is quite effective. Fetch us a bucket of water. said Krazzler.

*

Out of nowhere, I felt the shock of cold dampness on my face. My eyes shot open to see Grazzbeck standing on my chest, the handle of a now mostly empty water pail clasped in his jaws. Muffled chuckling came from around the handle. I frowned, ears flat, and tossed him at the wall nearest the foot of the bed. He did a flip in the air and contacted the wall with his paws and dropped to the floor. Krazzler, who by that time finally had his coat dry, was showered with water as I shook my head. The fur on my face stuck out oddly due to the damp.

Why the hell did you do that!? I asked with and edge in my voice.

You were out cold and this was the easiest way to wake you. said Grazzbeck in an annoying matter of fact tone.

So, did I kill the brute? I asked them both.

Yes you did, and you made quite the display of it, you must have paid attention in physics and chemist. The whole city saw the event. It was Lorenzo sporting a black silk vest, under an open faced red leather coat. His black hair tied back into a tail save for his bangs which hung to the sides of his face. I was originally planning on putting a great deal of time into training you in physical combat, but after your little display, I think we may have more time for the magical arts. On another note, you prevented the walker from sustaining much damage, and in doing so prevented its inhabitants safe from harm, so I have a small token of my gratitude for you.

He held out a small ebony box and flipped it open. On a red cushion rested a large ruby jewel the size of a human fist, with a series of filigree gold chains to support it. Its countless facets caused the light to dance with the slightest motion. The gold setting was designed in the shape of a smiling fox, whose tails encircled the ruby. The fox smiled downward, its eyes closed. In the lower corner of the box rested a pair of hollow gold triangles with teardrop rubies dangling from the tips.

What are these? I asked indicating the the triangles.

Those are ear rings of a sort. Lorenzo said. They slip over the tips of your ears and are held in place with a rivet But don't worry, the piercing is painless.

I gave him a skeptical look before picking up one of the triangles and took hold of my left ear. I braced myself for pain as I slipped the piece over the tip. All I felt was a light tingling. This time I put the other on quicker, without a worry. I think these will prove rather useful to you as they allow you to understand and speak any language. said Lorenzo

I took the pendant from the box and slipped it over my head. As it came to rest against my breast, the fox's eyes shot open and it turned to look up at me.

The pendant can mesmerize your foes and keep watch over you as you sleep. explained Lorenzo.

I stared back into the figurines little diamond eyes, it kind of gave me the creeps. The only reason I didn't take it off was fear of insulting the gift giver.

You should takes some time to rest Lorn, I have a lot planned for you tomorrow Lorenzo said as he left with Krazzler.

I laid back down in the bed and stared up at the ceiling. What do you think he has planned for us tomorrow? I asked Grazzbeck as he finished closing the shutters to the unsettling sun and padded to the bed. He jumped up onto it and curled up at shoulder level to my left before responding.

Your guess is as good as mine. he replied.

I rolled over and dozed off.