Short stories

Early Present

Ian pants as he grits his teeth, forcing himself up from the rocky ground. Blood dripped down his forehead and the edge of his lip, his coat torn and his pants ripped. A few sword and bullet holes were created, and blood trickled down them, being absorbed by the black and gold clothing. Ian needed to have a break more often.

A menacing laughter could be heard coming in front of Ian, seeming to be taunting at the weakened warrior. Ian frowns as he forced himself to stand up straight, readjusting his foot work so he wouldn't topple over as he tightened the gripped on his two swords. The person laughing can now be seen by Ian, a tall man swinging around a hatchet grins evilly as he stares down the smaller human. Sure Ian was an astounding six feet with five inches, but this man was seven feet and one inch, towering over everyone in Residuum.

"So it appears that the Ace of Spades can't handle a simple fight. Guess you've been over praised." The man shouted at the Ian, slowly approaching him. The Venator brought his swords up and prepares to fight. It's not that he was overpowered, or that he was weak, it's just that he has been in this fight for too long. 'How long have I started fighting this guy's goons and animals. Three? Four hours? Agh! I can't give up now. She needs me!' Ian thinks to himself as he rushed towards the man, his swords by his side before they were flinched wildly at the taller human, if he even was one. The two swords worked in perfect synchronization, one slashing while the other prepared to strike. One blocked an attack while the other made the counter assault. Each sword moved quickly around, faster than the human eye can keep track.

The opponent tried his best to figure out where the next strike will land, using his hatched to block the attack Ian was throwing at him. Of course, he wasn't able to block them all at time, and the sword cut and sliced portions of him, but no blood came out of his body, for instead the Venator's swords was modified to when it cuts a living being, it burns and clots the wound simultaneously as it was being cut. Ian went for a stab at the man's chest, but was stopped as the towering man caught the blade before it pierced his torso. Ian's eyes widen as he watched a large fist connect with his face, sending him flying back several meters.

"See. Weak. Pathetic." The man laughed as he walked closer to Ian. The younger man tried to get up, being supported on his knees as his hands dig into the rocky floor that is covered with white snow. The snow slowly became a light red color, for trickles of blood landed on what was once pure. Ian shook his head and grit his teeth with anger. He can't give up, and he knows it.

'I'm coming back. She needs me. I will not let her down!' Ian feels his hair being yanked, as the man grabbed him by his Raven black hair and pulled him up, making sure he was above the ground. Ian struggled and moved around, attempting to be released from the grip of his opponent. His sword lay on the snow, leaving him defenseless against the walking giant.

The man pulled Ian closer to his face, wanting to see Ian's pain in his eyes. "Do you give up yet, Mr. Stalk?" He snarled his question at Ian. Ian's green eyes were meet at a deadlock against the opponent's red ones. He knows this would be the end.

"No." Was Ian's reply as he swiftly pulled out his dagger and stabbed the man in the neck, digging the blade deep into his throat. Ian quickly dropped to the ground as the new corpse fell, sending snow flying a few inches. Ian heavily panted as he stood up while shaking, whether it was from the cold or because he was out of energy can be debated. "Don't ever pick a fight with me again." Ian spat at the dead man before limping away from the battle scene.
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Ian grunted as he pushed the door open into his house. He removed his sheathe and placed it on accounts nearby. He made sure he placed ice over his wounds so they could heal quickly. The man removed his torn coat and placed it on the backrest of a dining chair.

"Katherine? Are you home?" Ian asked aloud, looking up at the stairs to see if she was in her room. "Katherine?" He asked again and waited for a response.