Blood Catalyst

Preface

noreply@blogger.com (JiratuX) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:57:00 +0000

Shortly after the beginning of the 22nd Century the world was left in a technological recession after the fall of the currency markets all across the world. With no money to fund the advancement of scientific theory the sciences became an underground practice. Due to the halt of "extraneous" medical research like preventative pharmaceuticals the world was unprepared when a great sickness fell upon the Earth. Many lives were lost and no cure could be found. With only 40% of the population genetically immune; the majority of the world went into a frenzy, consumed with the belief that death was inevitable. Anarchy spread throughout the nations of the world for countless years. Civil Wars and power struggles consumed the survivors. Those in power were overthrown due to their incompetence.

One day, after over a Century of chaos, seven extraordinary people appeared and would eventually bring order to the world. These individuals were able to bring the people of Earth together; some used their leadership and others used force. The world was reborn under the "Seven Hands of Fate."

Soon the Earth was divided into four regions:
Terruomo (Formerly Asia),
Terralumen (Formerly Europe and Africa),
Terribestia (Formerly South America),
Terremessor (Formerly North America).

And throughout these lands the people revered the arrival of the Seven as an act of God. Thusly the timeline had begun anew. The year is now 84 C.M. (Cum Manus=with hands)

The world created by these seven individuals in now serves as the stage for the events of our tale.

CHAPTER 1- Audri's Genesis

noreply@blogger.com (JiratuX) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 08:00:00 +0000

Audri, A young slender boy of 16 years sits in a chair playing with a bottle cap he found on the floor. He throws the cap into a puddle of water that has formed under the dripping ceiling. "Mom! I'm bored" Audri says. Samantha, a skinny messy haired woman, comes hobbling out and places a rusty dinged up pot on the floor under the leak.

"What do you expect me to do? I can't let you go outside, it's too dangerous. You heard about those kids who went missing. I'm not gonna lose you like I did your father."

Just then a loud banging is heard. "We know you're in there!!" Samantha grabs Audri and forces him towards the window in the bathroom. "Sweety, sit quietly in here. If things get out of hand then you have to run... run as fast as you can." Samantha kisses Audri on the head and closes the door behind her as she goes out.

Audri leans in to hear through the door. Muffled words are all that he can make out. Then yelling and crashing ring from beyond the door. Audri jumps back as something slams against the bathroom door. The knob jiggles... Audri is frozen with fear... "I... I can't die here... mom... what happened to my mom" Audri whispers to himself. The door smashes open and two men stand before Audri. A large muscular man soaked in blood and a young man in his 20's with a strange scar on his face shaped like an "N." Audri's eyes get big, he still can't move though everything in his being is telling him to run.

The bloody man reaches for Audri. Audri musters the strength to swing his arm. Audri struck the bloody man with an upper cut. The bloody man gets pissed.

"Gonna get beat by a kid? Not like you Sol?" The scarred man remarks.
"Fuck you, Nalin!"

Audri sees his chance to escape, so he dashes to the window but as he starts to climb Sol grabs his leg. Audri kicks Sol in the face and dashes out into the alley. Audri runs to the street and looks for anyone to help him. "Where is everyone?" Audri thinks.

"HELP!!! SOMEONE!!" Audri screams.

Audri hears Sol climbing through the window cursing like a sailor. Audri remember's his mother's last words to him "...you have to run... run as fast as you can." Audri takes off down the street, he's going so fast it seems like everything around him is slowing down. Audri goes so fast that his eyes can't process the path before him. He feels he earth under his feet get softer. Audri comes to a screeching halt drifting across waves. Audri finds himself skidding on water. Audri sinks as his pace slows and he frantically flails his arms and goes under.

Nalin walks out the front door of the shack-like house and smirks.
"I don't think we'll ever see him again."

Sol scoffs and dusts off his clothes, "That's a shame... 'cause I think he was the kid we're searching for."

Nalin squints to see if he can spot Audri in the distance. "Looks like this just got interesting..."

CHAPTER 2- Audri's Senpai

noreply@blogger.com (JiratuX) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:19:00 +0000

The sun blazes down moving across the sky as the day goes on. A small breeze makes it's way through the blanket of leaves that surround the trunk of a large tree. A few small leaves glide towards the ground. A leaf lands on the face of a shivering young boy sleeping at the base of the tree.

"AAAHHHH!!!" Audri snaps up in terror.

A man sits on a log cooking fish over a camp fire.

"Quiet down over there!" the man says.
"Wh-Who are you?" asks Audri asks
"Just call me Ulysses... you hungry?"

Ulysses turns the fish to Audri. Audri starts to scoot away. Ulysses can see Audri's hesitation.

"Hey now, don't move. You almost drowned..."

Ulysses bites a chunk out of a fish but continues to talk...

"doo soodn't ve moobin' nin door kondishin"
"Anyone ever tell you not ta talk with your mouth full?" Audri remarks

Ulysses gulps down the fish

"Yes... and now they're dead"

Ulysses gives a devious smirk. A look of fear washes over Audri's face.

"What are you going to do with me?"

Ulysses slides the pan over to Audri.

"You don't need to be scared kid, I'm just gonna feed you and send you on your way"

Audri jumps up.

"You're just gonna leave me here? I don't even know where I am!"

Ulysses looks up at Audri and takes another bite of fish.

"What do you want me to do kid? I don't even know you, and only God knows why or how you were running on that lake. I can't take care of you... I've got my own demons that need to be delt with."

Ulysses stands up and kicks dirt on the fire.

"Looks like you're up and kickin'... so I guess it's time to go."
"But..."
"Eat the fish and go home kid"

Ulysses starts to walk towards the forrest.

"But that's just it... I don't have a home."

Ulysses stops dead in his tracks. He turns around.

"What do you mean?"
"My mother was killed last night..."
"You've gotta be kidding me"
"I'm not... it was a big brutish man and a guy with an 'N' shaped scar"

Ulysses rubs his chin and thinks for a moment...
"Nalin, huh?" he mudders to himself.
"Looks like you're in deep shit kid"

Ulysses whips around and takes a few steps. Audri sits down with a look of defeat smeared across his face.

Ulysses stops suddenly.

"Well kid... Are you coming?"

Audri hops up.

"Yeah!"

Audri runs to Ulysses' side.

"My name's Audri by the way"
"Whatever kid, just grab the fish before we go."

Ulysses and Audri walk off into the forrest.

CHAPTER 3- Audri's Fear

noreply@blogger.com (JiratuX) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:11:00 +0000

The sounds of footsteps are heard as night falls on the campsite previously inhabited by Audri and Ulysses. Two men emerge from the darkness.

Sol kneels down and takes up some ashes and dirt into his fingers. Sols sniffs the dirt and then sniffs around the area.

"He's definitely been here... but there was someone else" Sol snarls.
"Has anyone ever told you how ridiculous you look when you track? it's like those old wiki files with the Native American trackers." Nalin remarks.
"Kiss my ass Nalin."

Sol springs up, grabs Nalin and lifts him by the collar.

"You shouldn't joke about the Native Americans... They were lost with most of the other cultures during the Race Wars."

Nalin smirks as he clutches Sol's hand and begins to crush it. Sol winces in pain and flings Nalin away. Nalin maneuvers in the air, twisting and turning his body to land on his feet. Nalin looks Sol dead in the eyes.

"You done?"

Sol looks away in shame.
"I'm just saying... you should show some respect."

MEANWHILE...

Ulysses and Audri arrive in a small town just north of the forest. The town is dusty and barren with dirt roads and wooden structures. The moon light only makes the town seem more empty. Ulysses points to a small house at the end of the road.

"That's my house kid, we'll settle there for the night so I can figure out what I'm gonna do with you"

Ulysses and Audri walk down the road towards the small house. Audri looks around as they pass the other homes. He can see people peeking out of their windows staring.

"Where are we? This place gives me the creeps."
"That's not important right now. We won't be here that long"

Ulysses and Audri arrive at the front door and step inside the house.

"But I thought this was your house."
"It is... but I'm kind of like a nomad... I'm always on the move so it's easier if I establish myself in more than one place."

Ulysses puts a kettle of water on to boil.

"Do you like tea?"

Ulysses turns to Audri who is turned away from him and sitting in a corner.

"Kid?"

Ulysses walks over to Audri, who's crying.

"Come on kid... I can't deal with crying... I... Kid..."

Ulysses sighs and Audri quickly wipes his tears.

"I'm sorry... I just... I just can't believe my mother's dead... I didn't want to cry in front of you... I'm sorry"

Ulysses goes to touch Audri's shoulder but refrains.

"I know it's probably hard to talk about it, but I've been meaning to ask you about what happened."

Audri wipes his tears again and looks up at Ulysses.

"why were those men after you?"
"I don't know"
"Well...How did you run so fast"
"I don't know"
"Ok...What did they say to your mom?!"
"I don't know!"

The water starts to boil and steam begins billowing out of the spout. Audri begins rocking back and forth.

"Why did they kill your mom?"
"I don't know!!"
"You have to know something!!!"
"I DON'T KNOW!"

The tea kettle is whistling like a train and the steam is violently rushing out of the spout. Ulysses rushes to the stove and turns off the fire.

"Sorry kid... I don't mean to hound you but for you to be in such deep..."

Ulysses' attention is stolen away by something.

"Did you hear that?"
"I didn't hear..."
"Shh..."

Crashes and screaming are heard outside the house and the smell of smoke fills the air.

"What's going on out there?"

Ulysses runs to the door and swings it open to see the town alive with chaos. People are running around frantically putting out fires and screaming for help.

"Kid... grab as much food and supplies as you can find. I'm going to help them."

Ulysses gives Audri a stern look
"And whatever you do...Don't leave this house."
"But..."
"Just do it!!"

Audri starts running around the house putting food into bags. Ulysses runs out and starts rallying people up to form bucket passing lines to extinguish the fires. The town's people gather and under the leadership of Ulysses, the fires begin to die down. Audri has the bags of food and supplies and he runs up to Ulysses.

"I did what you said"
"Apparently not, I told you to stay in the..."

Just then, two figures appear through the smoke.

"Ossan... I didn't think you'd be here."

Ulysses sharply looks at the man speaking from beyond the flames.

"Only one person calls me by that name..."

Nalin and Sol emerge from the smoke. Ulysses stands at attention then pushes Audri behind him.

"Stay behind me"

Audri's eyes become big and the memories of his mother's death come flooding through his mind. Audri's petrified. He can't breathe and he begins to tremble. Ulysses gets face to face with Nalin.

"What's your deal with the kid? I've never known you to be a school yard bully"
"Strictly business, I get no pleasure out of chasing some kid."
"I see you have a Bestian with you"
"Sol? He's merely the blood hound"

Sol slams his hand against the corner of a house. A large chunk of the house smashes into kindling.

"HEY!! I'm standing right here!! Don't talk about me as if..."

Nalin whips his head around and gives Sol a look with so much killing intent that Sol stops mid-sentence; the shock is felt down through his bones. Nalin looks back at Ulysses.

"I'll be taking the kid now."
"No, I don't think so. In fact you're going to leave this town. You and your pet should just be scurrying away with your tail between your legs."
"Big talk for a has-been"
"You're still as cocky as ever. You won't leave with this kid; I promise."
"You're making a big mistake Ossan, but you leave me no choice."

Nalin cocks back and swings his fist. Ulysses barely dodges the attack but the force alone was enough to knock him back. Nalin's punch hits an adjacent house and the entire house shatters into splinters. Ulysses grabs Audri as he steps back.

"Hey kid, I know you're fast but can you fight?"

Audri is in a daze, overcome by fear, he's paralyzed.

"Great..."

Sol and Nalin stand side by side in fighting position. Audri starts to move and he mutters something. Audri squirms and falls to the ground as his memories flash through his mind. Ulysses tries to snap Audri out of his horrified trance.

"Kid?!"
"We're gonna die..."
"Kid!"
"We're gonna die..."
"KID!"
"We're gonna die..."
"KID!!"
"We're gonna die!!"

To be continued...

NEXT CHAPTER-

Audri's Escape

Chapter 4- Audri's Escape.

noreply@blogger.com (JiratuX) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:19:00 +0000

Audri lies unconsious after fainting in the midst of his panic attack. Ulysses crouches on his knees with Audri in his arms. Nalin and Sol are out for blood as they stand side by side ready to attack. Sol is the first to make a move; dashing towards Ulysses like a wild animal. Nalin starts to take off for Ulysses but suddenly drifts into a stop. Nalin takes a step back and folds his arms.

"Hmm...lets see what he's got."

Sol closes in on Ulysses and Audri. Just then the towns people lock hands around Ulysses and Audri. Sol halts before the layers of human chains formed around his prey. One of the men blocking Sol speaks up.

"We won't stand idly by while you hurt Lord Ulysses, we'll protect him with our lives!"

The rest of the group back up the man's passionate words.

"Yeah, you won't get through!"
"You can't fight all of us."

One man turns to Ulysses and smiles.

"Run... we'll hold him off."

Ulysses stands and cries out to the towns people.

"I can't let you do this, it's my fight! Stand down!"

The man standing in front of the crowd looks back at Ulysses.

"You've helped us so much... it's time to return the favor. Ru-"

Sol grabs the man by his throat and lifts him off the ground. The man clutches his neighbor's hand tighter. The people holding the man struggle to keep their footing as Sol's strength lifts them as well. A woman turns to Ulysses.

"You gotta go now! 'else our effort's for nothin'."

Ulysses hesitates.

"I can't"

The man in Sol's grasp manages to squeeze out one solid breath.

"Go..."

Ulysses looks down at Audri and he looks at the crowd.

"Damn..."

Ulysses shifts Audri over his shoulder and begins to run towards the forest. Ulysses looks back to see if they're being followed. The towns people maneuver their chain around Sol and begin the attack him. Nalin is nowhere in sight.

"Where is he? I can't let him get the jump on us."

Ulysses starts to speed through the forest; darting between the trees. Suddenly trees begin to fall in his path; ripping violently from their roots as leaves and bark fly everywhere. A voice is heard among the chaos.

"Ossan! Where are you going? The fun was just beginning!"

Nalin crashes to the ground from the treetops.

"You didn't think it would be that simple did you? I'm not a fool like the Bestian"
"Well you're fool enough!"

Ulysses thrusts his palm into Nalin's face, but Nalin barely even flinches.

"Nice try Ossan, but you're nothing compared to what you were. Your attacks barely even itch."
"Then I guess..."

Ulysses quickly squats down and grabs a handful of dirt.

"I'll have to fight dirty!"

Ulysses takes the dirt and punches it into Nalin's eyes. Nalin frantically covers his eyes and swings his fists trying to slam Ulysses. Ulysses maneuvers around him and speeds away. Ulysses runs until he reaches a large tree trunk. Ulysses feels around the base of the trunk.

"A-HA!"

Ulysses lifts a trap door and drops Audri inside. He takes a bag of powder out of his pockets. Ulysses takes out a fuse and sticks it in the bag. He lights the fuse and throws the bag to the ground as he jumps down into the trap door. Ulysses and Audri slide deep underground. A massive explosion devastates the area within a 50 yard radius.

Back in the town, Sol's attention quickly turns to the explosion. He puts his jacket back on and sifts through the slew of dead bodies and severed parts littering the ground.

"Son of a Bitch, we have to deal with stuff blowing up now? Goddammit, I hate this place."

Sol walks into the forest mumbling to himself.

Nalin walks up to the rubble; still wiping his eyes.

"Ossan, I can't stand it... That damned brain of yours. . "

Nalin bends down and swipes a finger to collect a bit of the soot amongst the rubble.

"I guess you haven't lost your wits."

He blows the soot into the wind.

"Even if you are a weakling."

Sol comes through the trees still cursing to himself. Nalin covers his nose and darts up.

"My god... You stink!"
"Shut the hell up!"

Nalin waves his hand in front of his face to push away the smell.

"You Bestians are disgusting"
"Hey! You left me to deal with those people back there. The way I handle my business is none of your concern."

Sol sniffs the air and quickly drops to the ground. Sol sniffs the ground.

"I can't track them from here. Looks like we start from scratch."
"Clever old bastard"

Meanwhile Ulysses carries Audri down a dark tunnel. Ulysses lays Audri on the ground and slumps against a wall.

"We should be safe now. I guess I should get some rest too. It appears we've got a long journey ahead of us."

NEXT TIME...

Audri's Decision

Chapter 5- Audri's Decision

noreply@blogger.com (JiratuX) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:43:00 +0000

The sun rises over the horizon, bringing light to a new day.

Deep underground Ulysses carries Audri down a long dark tunnel. The only visible light is coming from a small glowing stick held by Ulysses. Audri starts to stir, so Ulysses stops to lay him down. Audri sits up and rubs his eyes.

"So you're awake..."
"Wh-where are we? I can barely see."

Ulysses bends down and helps Audri to his feet.

"We're in one of the old Salvation tunnels. Back during the race wars and the Bestian exodus they used these tunnels to transport human survivors."
"How'd we get here?"
"Well, basically, you passed out during our nice little run in with Nalin and the Bestian. I managed to get us down here and wipe our path clean. There's nothing a little chemistry can't solve."
"Huh?"

Ulysses starts walking.

"Nevermind kid."

Ulysses waves his hand; signaling Audri to follow. Audri starts walking close behind Ulysses.

"We should keep movin'. We still have at least 9 miles to go and there's no food down here."
"What happened to the bags I packed?"
"Well in all the hubbub of escaping I forgot the food. Heh, maybe if you hadn't fainted we could be munchin' on some fish."

Audri stops and folds his arms. It takes Ulysses a moment to notice. Ulysses stops an turns to Audri.

"What? Did I hit a soar spot?"

Audri looks down at his feet.

"Look kid, we don't have time for you to pout. If you're easily frightened that's fine, I don't care, but just keep movin'."

Audri clenches his fist.

"I'm not a coward!"
"Hey... No one said you were a coward. Relax. I was jokin' with you."

Ulysses turns around and starts to walk forward.

"But if you don't wanna to die down here you might want to keep up."

Audri slams his fist against the tunnel wall and tears begin to stream down his face. He starts to walk forward but stays a few steps behind Ulysses.
__________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, Nalin and Sol approach a large tower. The area is nothing but dirt and what appears to be ruins of a city. There is a giant emblem of a blacksmith's hammer on the tower door. Nalin pushes open the door open and looks up what seems to be an endless staircase. The two men begin to trek the staircase.

"I've always hated this place. He needs to build a goddamn elevator. I mean, seriously!"
"Just keep quiet. Lord Hephaestus isn't gonna be happy that we failed."
"Well how the hell'd we know that bastard would pop out and take the kid?"
"No excuses, let just be smart about this."

Nalin and Sol continue up the stairs and discuss their plan of action.
___________________________________________________________________

In the meantime night falls on the outskirts of a large rundown metropolitan town with a broken sign reading "Welcome to New Russia." Ulysses and Audri emerge from a manhole.

"Alright kid, we're here."
"Where are we?"
"These are the remains of New Russia. I have a small house here. We'll be able to get food in town."

Ulysses and Audri start to walk towards the town. It is very dark and the ground is littered with rubble.

"You mean people live here? But it's so dirty."
"Well, not all places are as nice as where you come from. You have to remember that this city... well, this whole region has been at war since before the Seven arrived."
"Hmm. I've never been out here before. It's kinda scary. I'd never go places like this with my mom. She used to keep me in the house all the time. She was worried-"

Ulysses gives Audri a firm pat on the back.

"Heh, that would explain all the crying."
"HEY!"
"Just kiddin' you."

Ulysses rubs Audri's head.

"Take a joke, will ya, kid?"
"It's not funny. I don't like being made fun of."
"Okay, okay. So why'd your mom keep you inside all the time?"
"I think it's because she was worried that she'd lose me like she did my father. My father was a great man but he died when I was young."
"You're father's dead too, huh? I guess you just have bad luck with parents, heh."

Audri stops and clenches his fist.

"Why are you like that?! It's not funny! I just lost my mom and you're making jokes!"

Ulysses is taken aback by Audri's words and he looks down at the ground for a moment.

"Sorry kid, I've been alone for a very long time. Sensitivity isn't my thing."
"Well work on it! You don't have to be like that."

Ulysses looks at the ground again. Audri looks around the dingy area.

"So how much further are we?"

Ulysses looks around and points to a light in the distance.

"I have to make a quick stop first."
___________________________________________________________________

Back at the large tower Sol and Nalin approach a beautiful silver door with the hammer emblem in gold right in the center. Nalin knocks on the door and a gravely voice comes from beyond it.

"It's open!"

Nalin inches the door open and walks in with Sol following closely behind. The room is fully casted in iron and there are iron shards all over the floor. It is very dimly lit with the exception of a light shining down over a throne with a man in it, Hephaestus. The darkness of the room makes it difficult to make out the details of his features.

"Who is it?"
"It is I, Nalin, and Sol is with me."
"What have you to report?"

Nalin bows down before Hephaestus.

"We have found a child with extraordinary speed."
"Did you bring this child?"
"Unfortunately we ran into some... complications."
"What do you mean 'complications?'"
"I'll tell you what... That damned Ulysses took the kid and disappeared."

Nalin rises.

"It's true, Ossan's interference was unforseen, but we'll find the kid."
"What happened?"
"Ossan and the kid were in the forest of Khabarovsk and then he blew up a large section and we lost track of him."

Hephaestus lifts his hand and winces in pain. He proceeds to rub his chin.

"Clever bastard."

Hephaestus takes a breath.

"Well, either way, I'm going to send Sol to find the kid... alone."

Hephaestus points at Nalin.

"You're staying here."
"But Lord Hephaestus, I won't fail you aga-"

Hephaestus puts his hand up-- instantly silencing Nalin.

"You have my orders."

Nalin bows.

"Yes sir."

Hephaestus turn his attention to Sol.

"Sol, if what you've told me is true, Ulysses must have used the old Salvation tunnels. You will find him in New Russia. Go retrieve the kid."
"Goddamnit, it's just a kid."

Nalin glares back at Sol.

"Don't talk like that in front of Lord Hephaestus. Just do as you're told, Bestian!"

Sol looks down at Nalin and growls.

"As you wish... sir, yes sir."

Sol turns and walks out the door. Nalin starts to follow.

"Wait Nalin."

Nalin stops and turns to face Hephaestus.

"I don't understand why you insist on going out and doing soldier level missions. You're my second in command for god sake."
"Would you rather me rot inside this tower? You want me to end up wasting my strength? Maybe I'll end up like you, the once powerful 'Iron Master?'"

Hephaestus slams his fist on the arm of his throne.

"Bite your tongue!"

Nalin looks down and after a brief moment he looks up and bows.

"My apologies, Sir. If there's nothing else then I shall take my leave."

Nalin turns to leave the room. Hephaestus holds up his hand.

"Wait...There's something that I need to tell you."

Nalin stops and turns to face Hephaestus.

"What is it?"

Hephaestus takes a moment to form his words.

"They tell me that the Alchemist has returned."

Nalin's eyes get big and a look of shock washes over his face.

"Impossible!"
"Come with me to the Briefing Room, I'll show you the reports."

Nalin turns away from Hephaestus.

"Don't fuck around!"
"I knew you'd be upset, but I kept you here to help us figure it out. Get it together! "

Nalin slams his fist through an adjacent wall.

"I told you it's impossible!"

Nalin looks down at the ground as he pulls his hand out of the iron wall. He turns to face Hephaestus.

"Show me."

Hephaestus puts his hand parallel to the ground. The iron shards on the ground begin to gather up into a pile leading up to his hand. Hephaestus takes hold of the rod formed by the shards and uses it as a cane. Hephaestus stands before his throne; in the shadows tower walls.
___________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, Ulysses and Audri stand infront of a bar called "The White Russian."

"What are we doing here?"
"I have to find someone."
"Who?"
"An old buddy of mine. I think he could help us figure out why you got people like Nalin runnin' after you."

Ulysses and Audri enter the bar. There is piano music playing and there is a series of card games going on at the tables. People are laughing and having a good time. Ulysses walks up to the bar and signals the bartender.

"Hey, I need supplies, food and a gallon of water."

The bartender looks at Ulysses and then at Audri.

"What's with the kid?"
"I found him, wanna put a bid on it? It seems to be a hot commodity these days."
"Heh, you're a riot Ulysses. Your order will be coming right up."

The bartender writes on a piece of paper and slips it in a small window behind him.

"Will you be having anything to drink?"
"Actually, I was looking to get an 'African Samurai...' On the rocks."

The bartender freezes for a second.

"Hmm... That may take some time to prepare."
"That's fine, I've got all night."

Ulysses turns to Audri and puts his hand on his shoulder.

"Audri, I'm sorry for giving you a hard time earlier. It's just... you remind me of myself when I was younger."

The bartender puts a travel pack on the bar.

"There you go."
"Thanks Carl"

Ulysses goes back to Audri.

"Right now you stand at a crossroads. You can live your life how you want to from this point on. No parents, no one to keep you locked up in your house, and no one place to call home."
"You mean like you?"
"Sort of, but for you it is different. You have not chosen this path. You were forced to run from everything you know and love."

Audri looks down at the ground. Ulysses puts his hand under Audri's chin and tilts his head up.

"The harsh truth is they'll find you no matter where you go. So you have to decide whether you want to live your life on the run or if you are going to stand firm and take on whatever comes your way."

Audri looks away.

"What's the right thing to do? I don't want to run my whole life, but I don't want to die either."
"Right... wrong... Good... Bad. These are all things you will have to discover yourself."

Ulysses throws the travel pack over his shoulder. Audri looks up at Ulysses and his eyes start to water.

"Wait... Are you leaving me here?"

Ulysses looks down at Audri, smiles, and rubs him on the head. Loud noises are heard from outside.

"No, I'm just getting ready."

The bar door violently slams open. A man with an open kimono and a sword bursts inside the bar.

"DID SOMEONE ORDER AN AFRICAN SAMURAI?!"

Next time...

Chapter 6- Audri's strength: Enter the Alchemist