The Rostical Guild - Sceldrant's Comet

by Michael Rogers

  Warrior: (Missed!) *He grunted in thought, unintentionally shaking the bow in frustration.*

  Female Warrior: *She stared at the warrior's back, noticing a number scratched on his armour.* "Thirty-Three, you missed!"

  Warrior: *He turned around, lowering the bow.* "He's quick."

  Female Warrior: "Who cares, let's get after him before the captain gets here!"

  Warrior: "Sure!" *He grunted in agreement and raised the bow, focusing his attention back to the tree.*

  ----------

  Ashton: *He cleaned the front counter and looked up, watching Tyler mop the floors.* "Keep up the good work, Tyler."

  Tyler: "Th-Thank you." *He smiled, mopping the floors more enthusiastically.*

  ?????: "Ashton!"

  Ashton: *He focused his attention to the kitchen.* "Rachael?"

  Rachael: "Ashton, please."

  Ashton: "Coming." *He quickly walked down a production line containing different types of freshly cut ingredients in stainless steel containers.*

  Rachael: "A-Ashton, there's something wrong with one of these machines." *She sounded preoccupied, as she focused all her attention on the back of two sundae machines.*

  Ashton: "What's wrong?" *He watched Rachael move around the machines as if she was trying to listen to something.*

  Rachael: "One of them is making a horrible screechy sound."

  Ashton: "Screechy sound?" *He walked up to Rachael, inspecting the side of the machine.* "It's the fan."

  Rachael: "The fan?" *She leant closer to Ashton, causing his cheeks to blush.*

  Ashton: "Yes. Sounds like there's stuff inside." *He spoke in a casual manner as if it was normal.*

  Rachael: "I thought it was designed so it blows away all types of debris in the air?"

  Ashton: "Although that is true, some dirt can still get inside it."

  Rachael: "How? The fan blows out." *She placed her hand on the machine, feeling the wind blow through the cracks of her fingers.*

  Ashton: "From experience, I've noticed certain types of soft dirt-like dust bypass the fans."

  Rachael: "But, Ash-" *She coughed and shook her head.* "I mean, Ashton. I don't understand how that works?"

  Ashton: "Well, it's hard to explain-"

  Tyler: *He mopped the front counter floors and placed the mop in the bucket.* "Almost done-"

  *Tyler lifted the mop out of the bucket and accidentally hit the sundae toppings behind him, causing a tub to roll off the machine.*

  Tyler: "O-Oops!" *He gasped with a squeal, covering his mouth in shock.*

  Rachael: *She watched the tub roll off the machine in the corner of her eye, causing her to instantly react and catch it with one hand.* "Gotcha-"

  Ashton: "Good save-" (Must be from her Hapkido.) *He watched a wave of topping sway into the machine, causing it to screech.*

  Tyler: "S-Sorry, guys!"

  Ashton: "It's okay, Tyler. Continue the floors, we got it here."

  Tyler: "Alright!" *He spoke over the sundae machine and exhaled slowly, continuing to mop the floor.*

  Ashton: *He reached over Rachael and placed the tub back into the dispenser.* "See?"

  Rachael: *She looked at Ashton with blushing cheeks and stared at the machine, watching the cookie dust-like topping jam in the fan.* "Wow. How?"

  Ashton: *He smiled at Rachael in a caring-like manner.* "It's the texture and density of the debris. It sort of cushions itself from the swirling fans, while being too dense for it to be repelled back."

  Rachael: "Th-That's intriguing." *She spoke on her breath and smiled, as if it was hard to breathe.*

  Ashton: *He coughed and stepped back, acting in a professional-like manner.* "Tyler, could you please ensure all the registers are logged out and Rachael, could you please ensure that all windows are locked."

  Tyler: "Yep."

  Rachael: "Yes, Ashton." *She blushed with a slight smile.*

  ----------

  Cortax: *He looked across the courtyard, noticing glowing glyphic platforms underneath each dancer.* "Okay-"

  Victoria: *She paused in mid-step, suddenly gasping with widening eyes.* "C-Cortax!"

  Cortax: *He quickly turned around in an urgent-like manner, intensely staring at Victoria.* "What's happening?"

  Victoria: "They've approached the city."

  Cortax: *He gritted his teeth and frowned, glancing to each side.* (Lehi and Valentine aren't here yet!-)

  --

  *A warrior in platinum armour walked down an ancient-like road, closely followed by a woman wearing glasses and a man with short black hair.*

  ?????: "Cassandra, are there any Remenistal traps?" *She spoke with a smirk, pushing up her glasses with one hand.*

  Cassandra: "No, ma'am."

  ?????: "Isn't this exciting, Ridley?"

  Ridley: *He looked to his side, noticing the moonlight shine off her glasses.* "Yes, Kath."

  Cassandra: (I am but a mere captain, and I'm travelling with both Consultants.)

  Kath: *She noticed two glowing pillars in the distance, causing her to squint her eyes in determination.* "Is that the entrance?"

  Cassandra: "Yes, ma'am."

  Kath: "Finally."

  Ridley: "On the contrary, I quite enjoyed the night stroll from Sorrowprax."

  Kath: "Hmm." *She grunted in acknowledgement, glancing at Cassandra's platinum armour.* "Captain, you understand the severity of this mission?"

  Cassandra: "Y-Yes, ma'am. This is an S classed mission-"

  Kath: *She raised her hand, causing Cassandra to prematurely stop what she was saying.* "Excellent. That's all I wanted to know."

  Ridley: *He smirked, covering one of his eyes in excitement.* (Even with my power, I will need Kath by my side to take down these master dancers.)

  --

  Victoria: *She swayed her arms in a dance-like manner in front of her face, causing two small glyphs to rotate in front of her eyes.* "I see, three of them." *She spoke in a military-like manner, staring at Cassandra, Kath and Ridley with heightened vision.*

  Cortax: "Everyone, the last thing we want is to start violence, but be on guard!"

  Men and Women: "Yes, sir!" *They spoke at the same time, watching Cassandra, Kath and Ridley step into the courtyard.*

  Cortax: *He puffed out his chest and faced Kath, Ridley and Cassandra with a proud facial expression.* "Consultants-"

  Cassandra: *She stepped forward, catching Cortax's attention.* "Don't speak to the Consultants like that!-"

  Kath: "It is fine." *She spoke in a carefree manner and stepped forward, causing Cassandra to look confused.*

  Cassandra: "Ma'am?"

  Ridley: "Stand down, captain. This will be a fight out of your league."

  Cassandra: "F-Fight? But I thought we were just-"

  Kath: "Hmm? Questioning a Consultant?"

  Cassandra: "N-No-"

  Kath: "Do you want to be terminated?"

  Cassandra: *She gritted her teeth and lowered her arms in a defeated-like manner, as if she knew her place.* "..."

  Ridley: "Well?"

  Cassandra: "My apologies." *She lowered her head and shuffled back, watching Kath and Ridley walk further into the courtyard.*

  Ridley: "Now, let's talk business, Cortax Upper-"

  Kath: *She stood by Ridley's side, glaring at Victoria in an evil-like manner.* "And, Victoria Stranger."

  ----------

  Ashton: *He flicked all the switches off on the power board and made his way to the front counter. Tyler and Rachael spoke to themselves as they waited for his return.* "What's the time?"

  Rachael: "Quarter past twelve."

  Ashton: "Well all procedures are completed, let's call it a night then?"

  Rachael: "Yeah." *She smiled, which caused Ashton to smile.*

  Ashton: "Thank you both for your good work today."

  Tyler and Rachael: "You're welcome."

  *Ashton locked the restaurant and the party made their way to Ashton's silver car.*

  Rachael: "Did you guys
hear about Sceldrant's Comet?"

  Tyler: "Of course!" *He opened the door and jumped in the back seat.*

  Rachael: "Melinda won't stop talking about it, she's got me all excited about the event."

  Tyler: "Who's Melinda?"

  Ashton: "You work with her-" *He turned the key and the engine roared.* "She works on front counter?" *He looked in the mirrors and drove out of the car park.*

  Rachael: "You know Mel? Melinda? Melinda Hambridge?"

  Tyler: *He leant slightly forward, as Ashton drove over a speed bump.* "Oh, now I remember, yeah what about her?"

  Rachael: "Well, we have Twortz's permission, and she'll even be attending." *She spoke with excitement, as she stared out the window.*

  Ashton: "Twortz's permission for what exactly?"

  Rachael: "Me, Mel and Twortz are going to watch the comet on the roof at work, would you both like to come?"

  Ashton: "Of course, I have to see what all the commotion is about."

  Tyler: "I have a late shift so I will be there anyway."

  Rachael: "Sweet, sounds great."

  *Ashton pulled up into a driveway and Tyler unfastened his seatbelt.*

  Tyler: "Th-Thank you for the lift, so I will see you both Wednesday?" *He smiled, as he got out of the car.*

  Rachael: "Yep."

  Ashton: "We will see you then, goodnight." *He watched Tyler enter his house.*

  Rachael: "I live just down the street so-" *She grabbed the door handle.*

  Ashton: "No that is unacceptable, I will not allow you to walk at night."

  Rachael: "But-"

  Ashton: "It's not like we're kids anymore, how we could just play around on the streets at night."

  Rachael: "I know, okay. You know I'm nineteen, I'm only a year younger than you so you don't always have to look out for me."

  Ashton: "It doesn't matter how old you are, there are a lot of bad people out there."

  Rachael: "Yes." *She smiled at Ashton.*

  Ashton: *He smirked, as he drove up to Rachael's house.* "Okay, see you Wednesday."

  Rachael: "Thanks, Ash."

  Ashton: *He watched Rachael walk inside her house with a smile.* (It was good working with you Rach-)

  *Ashton pulled out of the driveway and shook his head with satisfaction.*

  Ashton: *He yawned as he drove towards his house.* (So this is my life... For the past few years, I've watched this once peaceful suburb, turn into a fearful criminal town.)

  *Flames flickered in several bins on the street, catching Ashton's attention.*

  Ashton: "People lack respect these days." *He grumbled to himself and sighed as he turned down his street.* (No respect at all-) *He pulled up into his driveway and walked inside the house.*

  ----------

  Nathan: *He jumped past several trees and ran into a clearing, noticing an orange sky from the rising sun.* (Damn, who are they trying to impress?! They should've given up by now-)

  Warrior: "Oi!" *He jumped into the clearing and ran towards Nathan, raising a rusty sword above his head.*

  Nathan: *He faced the warrior and tightened his grip on his long sword, readying himself to attack.* "Looks like I have no choice but to use my Azure Bursts-"

  Warrior: "Be quiet, you scum!" *He stepped into striking distance, quickly holding the sword with both hands.* "Harh!"

  Nathan: *He frowned and focused, causing his body to glow a shade of blue.* "Double Slash."

  Warrior: *He gasped with widening eyes and quickly jumped back, watching Nathan swing the sword twice at incredible speeds.* "An Azure Burst?!"

  Nathan: "Stand back!-"

  *An arrow shot through the forest and into the clearing, soaring towards Nathan.*

  Nathan: "Double Slash." *He quickly sliced the sword downwards and across, causing a spark to flash off the arrow's head.* "Ha! Blocked it!"

  Warrior: *He watched the arrow spiral in the air, landing next to Nathan's feet.* (He's skilled-)

  Thirty-Three: *He staggered into the clearing and lowered the bow.* "How-?"

  Warrior: "You two are late." *He grunted, watching a female and male warrior stagger towards him.*

  Female Warrior: "We're the only ones out of our entire platoon that was able to keep up."

  Nathan: *He smirked and raised the sword, ignoring the sweat which dripped off his chin.* "Any more takers-?"

  *A man suddenly appeared in front of the three warriors, landing on one knee.*

  Nathan: "Who-?"

  Female Warrior: "A flashstep?"

  Warrior: *He noticed the number nine scratched on the warrior's platinum armour, causing him to quickly bow to one knee.* "C-Captain!"

  Nathan: (Damn! A captain!) *He gritted his teeth and stepped back, watching the captain slowly stand up.*

  Captain: "Who's this, dirty lamp?!" *He chuckled like a mad scientist.*

  Female Warrior: "Dirty lamp?" *She whispered on her breath.* "Captain, that's a disgusting word to use-"

  Captain: "Zayden doesn't care what anyone says!"

  Nathan: "A captain that swears? Have the Consultants become desperate-?"

  Zayden: "Shut it, dirty lamp!" *He reached over his shoulder and pulled forward, causing a swirl of sparks to scatter around a large spear.*

  Nathan: *He stared at the spear in Zayden's hand, causing him to frown.* (A captain classed warrior has the ability to conceal their weapon inside special Astragon pockets.. And depending on his ranking, he may even be able to use Rostical-)

  Zayden: *He chuckled and licked his lips, pointing the spear at Nathan.* "Should I slit your-?"

  Thirty-Three: "All respect, captain. The Consultants have requested him alive."

  Zayden: "Tssk." *He spat to the side in disgust, as if he was displeased with the information.* "Why?"

  Thirty-Three: "They wish to know more about Scoldrant Users."

  Zayden: "Those feral things-?"

  Nathan: "Are we going to fight, or not?" *He shouted, pointing the sword at Zayden.*

  Zayden: (That dirty lamp.) *He discreetly frowned in a serious-like manner, causing his eyes to glow an eerie yellow colour.*

  Nathan: (His eyes-?!)

  Warrior: (What a fool.) *He looked up, staring at Nathan in an unimpressed-like manner.* (He may be skilled with the sword, but to challenge a captain-?)

  Zayden: *He stepped forward and flashstepped behind Nathan, causing two slash-like sparks to scatter off his sword.* "Bring him to Sorrpowprax immediately!"

  Thirty-Three: *He noticed Zayden standing behind Nathan.* (Wow-)

  Female Warrior: "But he's still stand-?"

  Nathan: "Fast-" *He dropped his sword and suddenly fell to his knees, collapsing face-first into the dirt ground.*

  Zayden: "Now!"

  Thirty-Three, Female and Male Warrior: "Sir!"

  Nathan: "Damn.." *He mumbled under his breath, slowly falling unconscious.*

  ----------

  *Every sound echoed inside a large warehouse which sounded like a sport's hall.*

  Ashton: *He walked inside the warehouse and noticed Lance standing with other people, forming a line.* "So what did I miss?" *He walked up to Lance and smiled, joining the line.*

  Rachael: *She walked in front of the line, facing them in a curious-like manner.* (I have a feeling this will be another awesome paintball fight.)

  Lance: "You have an option of pickin' three items, one is a sword, shooter and a shield. All of 'em are over there." *He glanced at Ashton and pointed to a table, drawing his attention towards it.*

  Ashton: *He walked over to the table.* (So it seems all the shooters have been taken and only one person took the sword.)

  Rachael: *She discreetly watched Ashton lean over the table with a smile.* (Ash..)

  Ashton: (And nobody touched the shields. Looks like I have no choice then.) *He grabbed one of the shields lined at the far right and walked back into line.*

  Lance: *He looked down and noticed the shield in Ashton's arms.* (A shield? Seriously-?)

  Ashton: *He
noticed a sword by Lance's side.* "I see you're the one that got the sword, haha aren't we the odd ones out?" *He lifted up his shield with an awkward smile.*

  *A few guys at the end of the line laughed amongst each other, as they pointed towards Lance and Ashton.*

  Rachael: "Okay, so the rules for today are standard, are there any new people in the group? If so, please raise your hand."

  *Nobody raised their hands, causing Rachael to nod her head.*