The buzz of electricity flows throughout the dense cities of Smallhalldia of a small brawl breaks out between to rival gangs. "Oi you are in our territory you damn idiots," the leader of one of the gangs begins to yell at the other as he holds a small sidearm and a knife. "If you don't back out now we will kill you and all of your buddies."
"This is to be our territory now you insignificant morsel!" the other leader shouts back and throws curses and insults.
A lone woman wearing a black metal mask over her mask stands on a roof watching over the conflict. "Damn hate the gangs in this town," she grabs her sheathed sword that lays next to her pressing a button on the sheath that causes the blade to fire out the sheath. The hilt of the sword collides with one of the gang members knocking him out in a second. "You gang members are such a nuisance you know that," without saying anything she stands between the gangs catching her sword as it bounces off the gang member. "I may as well let you know who is about to scare you away. My name is Tailrill and it will be the last name you ever hear," as Tailrill speaks the gangs begin to charge her. "Ugh. so impatient," in a second one of the moves behind one of the gangs and a second later one by one the gang members fall. Tailrill tauntingly sticks her tongue out looking at the leader of the other gang. "Don't run though. Stand and try to fight back."
As Tailrill begins to run at the other gang a slim man walks in between them grabbing Tailrill by the hair. "You know I swear everyday you get harder and harder to keep track of," Tailrill looks like she's about to scream at the man before she looks at the man's eyes and quickly shuts her mouth as if she was never going to speak. "Oh so now we want to be silent," the man glances at the gang members who are all shaking in fear before letting out a slight chuckle. "All of you, be gone," he begins to walk away Dragging Tailrill with him who has quickly sheathed her sword. "Oh and next time do know I may not find her in time to save you," he smiles as he disappears into an alleyway. After a while they enter a small quaint house. One that simply exists for those who need to make ends meet. After they enter the man lets Tailrill's hair go. After a long silence of the two staring at each other the man speaks. "Why are you so insistent on constantly running away to play some role of hero?" He seems slightly angry and disappointed.
"You know this city is shit and that someone needs to do something. So why can't it be me?" Tailrill simply sits on a couch turning on the tv as if she's gone through this song and dance many times before.
"How many times must I tell you? Simply because we have the ability to fight at a higher level then everyone else doesn't mean we use it when we aren't told. We only act when we are called upon and that is that. No if and or buts," the man begins to pace around the room, throwing glances out different windows as he moves.
"But come on big bro Sasir. You can't tell me this shitty place we call home keeps you entertained the entire day," she throws her head back looking up at the roof and closing her eyes. "I gotta find entertainment somehow."
"I get that Tailrill but you know the rules. They're there for a reason and will stay there as long as we live," Sasir lets out a sigh as he walks over to the couch the lab coat he wears loosely falls down a bit until the left side rests on his lower arm. He leaves it there with no reaction simply letting it happen. "I'll be gone for a bit. Please for the love of the gods stay here. I made you some alfredo to eat if I'm gone for long," at the mention of alfredo Tailrill's eyes light up.
"I guess I'll try to stay put just since you know how to make actually decent food instead of whatever the food stalls have been making recently," Tailrill smiles as she opens the refrigerator door eyeing the alfredo for a bit before closing it. She turns around expecting to see Sasir but is left with nothing but an empty living room, one broken by time. "Could at least say bye or give an I love you."
Sasir rides his motorcycle quickly and silently through the dense city. After stopping at a red light a device on his arm begins to beep. "This damn military soldier shit really has been the worst. Why'd we sign up for this bullshit?" As he finishes talking to himself he accepts the notification all he is given is simple coordinates to a military outpost on the outskirts of the city. The sight of the ocean slowly grows closer to Sasir as he arrives at the outpost. The outpost outskirts are fully empty with no one around. Instead of entering, Sasir walks to the port attached to the outpost and sits down dipping his feet in the water.
The sound of a lighter can be heard behind Sasir followed by it quickly being put out. "I guess you truly do learn something new everyday," a woman wearing military clothing adorned with medals along with a military cap sets her hand on Sasir's shoulder gripping it tightly. "Didn't think one of the prodigy children would be so mesmerized by mere water," she pulls a cigarette from her mouth blowing smoke into the air before setting it back in her mouth. "From now on you will be reporting directly to me. I am Bai, the new commander you are under," Bai tosses her cigarette into the water as Sasir looks in the opposite direction of her. "Was told you struggle to recognize your superiors. Doesn't matter though," she gives Sasir a light kick knocking him from the port into the water with a slight splash. "Don't forget I am your superior and you shall treat me as such," as Sasir silently climbs back onto the port soaking wet he stands and looks Bai in the eyes saying nothing. "I see. I've been given command of a silent one. Couldn't matter less to me though as long as it can follow orders like a good soldier and die for me like the rest," Sasir still stays silent even a the mention of dying for someone he'd rather kill himself. "Anyways to the matter at hand. A small boat has been sighted approaching our island. As you hopefully are aware we want to stay away from those things outside our waters and keep our wonderful tech to ourselves. This leads me to your assignment. When this boat reaches our land, locate it and its operator and kill whoever is operating it and destroy that disgrace of science they call a boat," Sasir turns and walks away from Bai silently after she is finished. "Oh and remember in the off chance you fail we will start to call on your sister and I know you won't want that," she smiles at him as he grits his teeth and clutches his fist getting on his motorcycle.
As hours pass Tailrill's head dangles off the end of the couch as she watches what is supposed to be news but has simply become advertising until something actually happens. An empty bowl sits next to her seemingly used yet also perfectly clean as a recently dirtied spoon sits next to it. "Can something just happen? It's so boring just staying in this cramped ass house," she throws a small rock at a piece of wood that fell through the wall of the house months ago. Seemingly out of the blue the channel seems to activate as a feed shows the rooftops of houses in a small urban area. "Finally something interesting to watch at least," Tailrill stares at the tv for a second before quickly spinning right side up and jolting to her feet, quickly running and grabbing a book. "What the hells is that thing!?" she quickly flips through the pages until she finds it. A seemingly human looking thing. But its ears are pointy and it stands at much taller height than a human. "That's an actual thing. Holy shit does that mean the rest of these are real too!" she starts to jump around slightly as she looks through the book more. A reporter comes on the tv and starts to talk, mentioning all the things Tailrill has already noticed.
"I am being told by people more knowledgeable than me about this kind of stuff that this is what is known as an elf. A form of human that has taken a different look and different set of skills," as Tailrill looks back at the tv she notices the elf destroying turrets and knocking out sentries with ease.
"What the? But in here," she begins to quickly go back to the page about elves. "In here it says that elves are extremely friendly and don't attack other species, instead they offer guidance and protection," as the elf continues to destroy and hurt, a crow flies up to where the camera is looking into it and gets as close as it can. Seconds later it begins to peck causing the feed to become distorted and choppy until the camera goes black. "No no no no. I can't let all those innocent people be in danger. I gotta do something," Tailrill begins to pace around the room biting down on her thumb. "No brother told me to stay here," as she talks the feed returns this time from down on the street as screams are heard and the sound of explosions in the background are heard. The reporter frantically attempts to report what's happening. "There's no response weapons there yet I gotta go help," as she looks out the window grabbing her sheathe she shoots a glance back at the tv seeing Sasir engaging the elf. Her eyes light up and she drops her sheath returning to the couch. "Yes big bro get her," the sounds of gunshots ring from the tv as Sasir fires at the elf. Turrets aim at the elf but before they fire one by one each is seemingly powered down. As one powers down the black crow emerges from it. While Sasir reloads his gun the crow lands on the elf's shoulder. She says something that isn't picked up by the camera before impaling the shoulder of Sasir with a piece of metal slag. "Brother no!" without thinking Tailrill grabs her sheath and runs out the door climbing up a skyscraper. As she looks around from the top of the skyscraper she sees smoke from the battle and begins to jump from building to building towards the smoke.
Blood runs down Sasir's shoulder as he removes the metal slag, the wound quickly closing. "Oh yes, such a feisty and strong little one. I love when they have fight in them," the elf licks her lips and quickly fires an arrow at inhuman speed towards Sasir. "It's so much more fun this way," she is able to run at the same speed of the arrow jumping up as Sasir dodges the arrow and delivers a downward kick to his shoulder causing his armor to shatter and break.
"Weapon T-S-2 has been damaged," the damaged armor causes Sasir's lab coat to become visible as different pieces of steel and padding clatter onto the ground. "Where are you from demon," Sasir begins to shoot at the elf as he speaks. "And what in the hells are you?"
"Oh so you are a weapon hmm," the elf takes one bullet to the arm dodging the rest. "You and your human kin should know well what I am. Or have you all forgotten your ties to the mainland?" She quickly gets up in front of Sasir.
Sasir quickly kicks the elf away before hearing a static signal in his ear before hearing a voice. "Weapon T-S-2 why is weapon T-S-3 approaching the conflict?" Sasir's eyes quickly widened, his pupils quivering. The world around him begins to blur as his ears ring. "Weapon T-S-2 respond now or face consequences,"
"No not now," Sasir is able to still make out the elf just barely through his blurred vision. Yet a second later all he can see is black as memories rush into his mind. Shaking his head he returns to reality. As he searches for the elf a loud clang of blades rings out. "Tailrill, get out of here now!"
Tailrill blindly clashes with the elf as a voice shouts into her ear. "I must protect my brother, get out of my head," tears begin to form running down her cheeks. "I refuse to be the weapon you are forcing me to be."
"Weapon T-S-3 further interference will result in termination," Tailrill pushes the elf back before jabbing her sword into the side of arm at a very specific spot. "Weapon T-S-3 you shall be terminated for your misbehavior."
Tailrill rips an earpiece that's directly connected to her ear itself out causing indescribable pain before she loses hearing in her right ear. "Did you really think I didn't learn anything about how you control us?" she crushes what remains of the earpiece as the crow lands on her foot.
"Weapon T-S-2 new assignment received. Execute weapon T-S-3 immediately," the voice speaks through Sasir's mess of overwhelmed senses. As his vision regains focus he sees Tailrill standing frozen as the elf approaches her. "Failure to uphold this assignment will result in termination."
"Tell me little one. What motivates you? Why are you here fighting me?" The elf begins to question Tailrill as she walks towards her.
Before Tailrill can answer, the crow flies off her foot as Sasir charges at her. The elf stands between the two of them deflecting and redirecting attacks aimed at Tailrill with ease. "Brother what are you doing? Why are you attacking me?" Tailrill starts to move again as she realizes the elf is no longer attacking her but instead it is now her brother.
"You betrayed the anors, and are to be terminated for your failure," the elf continues to stay in the way of Sasir, not struggling to best his attacks.
"My my, I guess our information was wrong. You Anor humans really wouldn't attack us when this is what your weapons are like," the elf delivers a kick to Sasir knocking him into the air. The elf turns to look at Tailrill who is shaking in fear and her mind filled with questions. Effortlessly the elf picks Tailrill up and starts to run away. "You are coming with me now. We're gonna be learning a lot from you."
As Sasir stands up and sees the elf running away with Tailrill a feeling of despair and one of parental protectiveness washes over him. He quickly starts to run after them before hearing that same tormenting voice in his head again. "Weapon T-S-2 halt your chase. Weapon T-S-3 is no longer needed to be terminated, that thing will do it for us it seems," Sasir continues to chase after the elf with desperation. "Weapon T-S-2 if you continue to chase we will consider it abortion and shall view you as a failure," Sasir slowly stops chasing until he comes to a stop and falls to his knees.
Several military vehicles arrive behind Sasir as the elf and Tailrill fall out of sight. Soldiers exit the vehicles, some with mechanical equipment. The soldiers begin to collect the scrap and debris that came from any weapon or personnel they leave rubble from damaged houses scattered around the battlefield as some of the soldiers begin to work at repairing the damaged turrets. Bao steps out of the lead vehicle smoking a cigarette. "Well it seems your sister got involved anyway. While yes losing one of the prodigy children is not what we wanted at least it means our forces will be more obedient now," Sasir slowly stands up and looks at Bao. Bao roughly grabs Sasir's chin, her grip tight enough to hurt. "You failed both of your assignments today. I suppose some more extreme enhancements are needed. Take this thing away to the workshop men."
Tailrill lays in a boat, her eyes shut as the sound of flowing water and rowing surrounds her. She slowly opens her eyes before remembering what all had happened. She stands up quickly and begins to look around in every direction. She notices the elf rowing the boat and takes a step back till she's at the edge of the boat. "Where am I? What'd you do to me? What happened to my brother?"
The elf simply pulls the oar out of the water and sets it down inside the boat turning to look at Tailrill. "Be not afraid little one. You are safe now. You no longer need to hurt yourself," the elf gives Tailrill a reassuring smile. "We are returning to my home and I am bringing you with me. You would have been killed if you stayed there little child. And what I did is simple: I decided to take you to protect you," she turns, smiling to herself and licking her lips.
Tailrill looks around for her sheath, finding it quickly and grabbing it. No matter how much she feels the need to kill this elf she simply can't. With no means of knowing how to operate this boat she'd simply be stuck surrounded by water. "What is your name?" there's a tremble in her voice as she questions.
"My name is Phira, little one," Tailrill sits silently. "You know manners demand that after I introduce my name you do the same for your own child. But I guess I already know your name, Sasir i believe you called him called you Tailrill. So is Tailrill your name, little one?"
"Yes that is my name," Tailrill nods slowly as she speaks.
The two sit in silence for a while only interrupted by noises from the damaged machinery coming from Tailrill's ear and arm accompanied by sparks shooting out from her ear. "What is that thing that keeps making those abhorrent noises," as Phira questions she begins to row once more.
"It's electronics," Tailrill says as if it is the most obvious thing. "Do you not know what an electronic is?"
As Phira continues to row a small island comes into view. Elvish in design the port is inviting as music can slowly be heard getting louder as they approach. "Is that some form of helpful thing you humans use?" Tailrill looks at Phira, baffled that she doesn't know what an electronic is. Before she is able to say anything she notices the more old and medieval look of the port before realizing that the elves are not advanced like they are.
"Holy hells. You guys are using torches to light stuff?" Tailrill's eyes dash around the port seeing all of the different things used to make stuff work.
"I knew that the Anor were advanced but little one is the use of torches that surprising? We borrow from the land and use what it gives us. Whatever is shooting out from those wounds is not natural," as they arrive at the port and Phira quickly cuffs Tailrill and grabs her sheath. "Just a precaution and to make sure the locals don't get too scared."
As Phira walks Tailrill through the port elvish fishers and merchants stare at the human being escorted by the well known Phira. "Welcome to the island settlement of Cliffpass lady Phira. To what do we owe the honor of being visited by such a warrior such as yourself?" An elvish priest greets Phira at the entrance to the town bowing his head.
"I merely need some rest before I bring this human to her majesty," as Phira speaks she hits Tailrill on the back causing her to stumble forward. "Is there an inn of some form I can stay at for the night. I will be keeping her with me so don't worry about a free cell in your dungeon."
Phira's crow descends from above landing on her shoulder. The priest stares at Tailrill saying nothing but his face says it all. Confusion, concern and fear all in one. "Follow me ma'am we have a home that's open at the moment and you can stay there for the night," the priest turns around and begins to lead Phira to the home as Tailrill is dragged along.