Lead
Author: Matthew Harris
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

I had never before seen Sophia exhibit genuine kindness and compassion towards someone.

Oh, she had certainly put on a convincing act in the past, pretending to be a caring and empathetic individual. But this time, as she gently soothed the sobbing girl in front of us, there was an unmistakable authenticity to her words and actions.

"It's all right," Sophia said, her voice soothing and reassuring. "We've been assigned to investigate the mysterious disappearances in Soho, and we believe they're part of a larger case. But you don't need to worry about the larger details right now."

"You're going to find them?" the girl asked, her eyes shining with hope.

"We'll certainly do our utmost," Sophia promised with an easy smile. "Why don't you start by telling us what you know?"

The girl glanced down at her feet, as if she longed for the ground to open up and swallow her whole. But then she took a deep breath, steeled herself, and began to speak.

"There was another girl who worked with me at th
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  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   Dark of The Night

    My stomach churned as Sophia and I turned onto the alleyway. I’d taken a life myself, drunk someone else's blood, but that had been different. The person I’d drunk from was a criminal and I’d done it quickly and quietly, it hadn’t been like what had happened here. The chairs and tables of the coffee shop down the alley were strewn about left and right, some broken and dented. The alley was rich with the coppery scent of blood. Blood that was flowing freely down the slight incline of the alley. My fangs threatened to poke their way out of my mouth but I fought against the sensation. Now wasn’t the time for me to feed. We crept down the alley as quietly as we could. Sophia took the lead, crouched slightly and taking slow, cautious steps. It wasn’t until we got halfway down the alley that I was able to see the rogue Immateria for the first time. I wasn’t sure what I had been expecting. Some wild and ravenous beast-like creature, perhaps? Something tall and ethereal with too thin li

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   A Breakthrough Discovery

    Sophia stomped down the street, leaving me struggling to keep up with her as we made our way back to my car after her defeat by the rogue Immateria. The tension was palpable as I started the engine and we sat in silence for a few moments, with me behind the wheel and Sophia beside me.I finally mustered the courage to break the silence, my voice hesitating as I asked, "Are you okay?"Her gaze, blazing with animosity, met mine before the fire in her eyes flickered and died. She breathed out a quiet, "Yeah," but the tremor in her voice betrayed her."The Council needs to be informed and they won't be happy about it," she continued, her voice tinged with a hint of resignation. "We have to go back to the Undercity.""They can't expect you to bring rogue Immateria down every time, can they?" I said, trying to lighten the mood as I navigated the car through the deserted streets of London.Sophia's glare was back, her voice cold, "You clearly don't understand the Immateria Council yet."We d

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   Invention

    I was jolted awake by a sharp blow to the back of my head. I rubbed the spot, wincing at the sting, and groggily turned to see Sophia standing over me with a smirk on her face."You have a whole bed at your disposal, yet this is how you choose to spend your night?" she chided, arms crossed over her chest. "Honestly, I wonder why I bother."I rubbed my neck, muttering a grumbled response as I turned back to the invention I had been working on before I drifted off to sleep. "You bother because if you didn't, you wouldn't have this new toy to play with," I said, still feeling a bit groggy.Sophia approached the workbench and peered over my shoulder, studying the device I had been tinkering with. "What exactly is it supposed to be? A flying contraption of some sort?""It's not a flying contraption, Sophia," I responded, trying to hide my annoyance. "It's a quadcopter outfitted with a bit of tracking magic-tech. I call it magitech."Sophia raised an eyebrow. "Magitech? That's a new one.""

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   Nest

    It hadn’t taken us long to get back to the Q-Park on Poland street. It was around 4 AM and the streets of London were completely empty, too late for people in the clubs and too early for people trying to make their way to work. I pulled the quadcopter out of the trunk of the car and looped the video feed screen and controller I had synced it up to around my neck. The drone was small, with four propellers and a compact camera attached to its underside. The Talisman was attached to the front side of the drone. It would act like a magnet, dragging the drone in the direction of the rogue Immateria after it caught onto the rogue Immateria’s signature.“You’re sure this thing is going to work, right?” Sophia asked, leaning against the side of my car. “As sure as I can be with an untested piece of technology, sure,” I replied. “There’s any number of things that could go wrong, but as far as I’m aware the science and magical theory are sound.” “Alright then, it’s worth a shot,” She shrugge

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   Showdown

    Sophia took the lead, her movements graceful yet deadly as she crept into the room where the rogue Immateria's lair lay hidden. The sharp tips of her taloned fingernails gleamed in the dim light, ready for any sort of attack or defense.I followed close behind, my wand clutched tightly in my hand, pulsing with the knowledge of the few spells it had stored within its psychic matrices. If I were alone, I would have been at a severe disadvantage against the rogue, but with Sophia by my side, I felt slightly more secure. I shook my head slightly, thinking about stuff like that would only be a distraction and distractions would get me killed in a fight against a creature like the one we were about to come up against. "Fulgur ab aethere," Sophia whispered, her voice barely audible.In an instant, a burst of bright light filled the room, crackling with the power of electricity. Mighty shocks of thick lightning rained down upon the rogue's makeshift home, built from piles of scrap and garba

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   Aftermath

    After the excitement and fervour of the fight that Sophia and I had shared with the rogue Immateria, now that it was over, the warehouse seemed far too silent. The only noises that could be heard were the distant calls of seagulls as they flew above the Thames and the slight buzz of the quadcopter drone’s blades somewhere above as it continued to circle the building. The air was filled with the acrid smell of burning flesh as the final remnants of the rogue were burnt away by Sophia’s magical inferno. It was an unpleasant scent, one that would probably never allow me to think of barbeques in quite the same way again.“How’re you coping?” I asked Sophia, “The Rogue looked like it managed to get some pretty heavy hits in, are you alright or do you need medical attention?” Sophia snorted, “I’m an Immateria, we don’t really do medical attention, Parker. I’ll be fine in a couple of minutes, I just need to catch my breath.” I nodded in reply. It was good knowledge to have. It seemed th

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   Airport

    While it was early in the morning the London City Airport was already a hub of activity. I knew first-hand that, when dealing with business on a global scale, the company never really slept. As long as the sun was up somewhere in the world someone had to be dealing with company affairs, and in the case of the poor sorry sods who were rushing around the airport at eight am in the morning that responsibility clearly lay with them. “So, where’s the warp gate?” I asked as we approached the entrance to the airport, “Surely it can’t actually be inside the airport, right? That would be ridiculous. There’s no way it would be kept secret.” Sophia chuckled, “Oh because a warp gate in the middle of a park right next to one of London’s newest, hottest shopping and apartment complexes is so well hidden.” “Okay, point,” I conceded, “That just raises the question of how either of these gates manages to stay hidden.” “Just wait until we visit the gate in Trafalgar Square…” She said, there was a

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   Slipway

    “What was it?” I asked, staring down at the now-dead creature at my feet. “An Orec,” Sophia replied shortly, she was pacing from side to side, “Basically JRR Tolkeins inspiration for Orcs, believe it or not.” I did believe it, now that she’d said it I could definitely see the resemblance. “Did you… know them?” I asked, “They seemed to know you, so.” Sophia shook her head, “Never seen them before in my life. They must have been sent to find me… though how they knew where I’d be is beyond me.” She stopped pacing and looked directly at the dead Orec, “Death is coming…” she muttered under her breath, “Did you mean your own death? Someone else? Death in general…?” “We’re going to have to bring this up with the council, aren’t we?” I asked, knowing what her answer was going to be even as I said the words. “Omens are never a good thing,” She responded, “Maybe the council will have an idea about what the Orec meant, maybe they know already. It’s not like we aren’t going there to b

Latest Chapter

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    Council Report

    As Sophia and I huddled together over the massive oak table in the heart of our lab, we meticulously compiled our findings on the ominous runes and the Cloaks' sinister intentions. Our research painted a terrifying picture: a plan to bring about the end of the world. I could feel the weight of the knowledge in the binder we carefully assembled, its pages brimming with secrets that could tip the fragile balance between the Immateria and human realms. Our hearts raced with the urgency of the situation, and we knew we had no time to waste.The moment we finished, we rushed out into the labyrinthine underground old city, our feet pounding against the cobblestones as we wove our way through its ancient passages. We exchanged glances, our expressions a mixture of determination and fear, fully aware of the importance of our mission.As we raced through the city, the shadows around us seemed to dance and flicker, as if they were alive. The air was thick with the scent of centuries-old stone a

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    Research

    Standing amidst the remnants of the chaotic battle, I hesitantly approached Sophia to offer my condolences for the loss of her friend. The words caught in my throat, my voice wavering with the weight of what we had just experienced."I'm sorry about Marcus," I finally managed to say, my gaze lingering on the table where he had met his gruesome end.Sophia's expression remained stoic, her eyes betraying no hint of the pain she must have been feeling. "It's okay," she replied, her voice strong and resolute. "I know we'll avenge him in the long run. I just wish I could have killed him myself."I couldn't quite grasp the complexity of her relationship with Marcus, but I knew better than to pry. Instead, I decided to shift the focus to the task at hand. We needed to unravel the mystery of the runic symbols and the ritual Marcus had mentioned before his death.Together, we approached the table, our eyes drawn to the intricate runes carved into its surface. Neither of us recognized the symbo

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    The Final Cloaks

    As Sophia regained her composure and launched herself back into the fray against the remaining Cloaks, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. With her renewed vigor, I could now focus on providing her with much-needed support. The adrenaline coursed through my veins, and my mind raced with the possibilities of spells that could turn the tide of battle in our favor.Deciding on a strategy, I drew upon my magical reserves and cast a wide-range frost spell, chilling the air and coating the floor with a treacherous layer of ice. The temperature in the room plummeted, and our breaths fogged in the frigid air. Sophia, ever the agile fighter, vaulted into the air just as the icy surface began to solidify beneath her, avoiding the frosty trap.The Cloaks, caught off guard by the sudden change in their environment, found their feet frozen to the ground. Their attention momentarily diverted from Sophia, she seized the opportunity to eliminate several of them with swift, brutal efficiency. The f

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    Take Down

    As I continued to face off against the Cloak, it became increasingly clear that they were an exceptionally formidable opponent. Their raw power and proficiency in magic far exceeded what I would have expected from someone who was supposedly just a member of a random gang. I couldn't help but wonder if this was simply due to my own lack of magical experience, or if there was more to the Cloak than met the eye.My thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of a barrage of ice shards, each as thick as my arm, hurtling through the air towards me. Reacting on instinct, I managed to narrowly avoid the freezing projectiles, feeling the icy wind that accompanied them as they whizzed past. Had any of them struck me, I had no doubt that I would have been incapacitated, if not worse.Seizing the opportunity to retaliate, I drew upon my eidetic memory to replicate the Cloak's own spell. With a swift motion of my wand, I sent a flurry of ice shards back at my adversary, hoping to catch the

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    One on One

    My eyes remained glued to the fierce battle unfolding before me, the sheer ferocity of the combatants sending waves of trepidation coursing through my veins. Sophia and the demon were locked in a dance of death, each striving to gain the upper hand and deliver the killing blow. The brutality of their exchange was both terrifying and mesmerizing, a testament to the deadly forces at play.Sophia's movements were fluid and agile, her lithe form gracefully weaving through the demon's lumbering attacks. The creature's strikes were powerful, sending tremors rippling through the ground with each devastating blow. Even as an Immateria, I knew that if Sophia were to suffer the full brunt of the demon's strength, it could very well be the end of her. To make matters worse, she had to contend with the sporadic potshots from the remaining Cloaks, their spells merely adding to the chaos and danger of the situation.Despite her agility and prowess, it was clear that Sophia's lightning-infused claws

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    Demon

    I groaned, the pain radiating through my body as I gradually regained consciousness. My head throbbed, a dull ache pulsing in time with my racing heartbeat. I hadn't anticipated the intensity of the spell I'd crafted, and the lingering disorientation was a testament to its potency.Shaking my head in an attempt to dispel the discombobulation, I squinted through the hazy aftermath of the magical explosion, straining to make sense of the situation. Though my ears still rang, muffled and distant, I could perceive the sounds of battle continuing to rage around me. It seemed that my desperate gamble had not been in vain.As my vision slowly cleared, I could see that my rudimentary spellwork had provided the opening Sophia needed. Some of the Cloaks were beginning to recover from the disorienting effects of the flashbang, their expressions contorted in a mixture of rage and confusion. But they were no match for Sophia's raw power and finesse.With the grace of a skilled dancer, Sophia had w

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    Flashbang

    “We don’t have time to plan, Parker,” Sophia hissed. “You’re new to magic, but I’m strong and you can hold your own. We have to do this, or Marcus is going to die… and gods know what will take his place.” Sophia, who I had previously known as someone who couldn’t ever be unnerved, someone who laughed in the face of danger and stayed cool no matter what… was practically beside herself with worry. I could tell she knew we needed a plan, she didn’t want to run in half-cocked, but she was also quickly running out of time and patience. “Fine then, the plan is we go in hard and fast. Take them by surprise and try to overwhelm them with superior force,” I said with a sigh. It wasn’t much, it wasn’t even really the beginnings of a plan, but given the circumstances, it was all we had and it’d have to do. The air was thick with the stench of blood and the smell of burning incense. Sophia and I broke cover and smashed through the door together, finally alerting the cloaks to our presence. T

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    Hive

    I walked through the darkened halls, my heart pounding in my chest. The air was thick with the stench of mildew and decay. The walls were covered in peeling wallpaper, and the floorboards creaked under our feet. I held my wand tightly, ready for anything that might come our way.Sophia walked beside me, her claws extended and at the ready. Her sharp eyes scanned our surroundings, searching for any signs of danger. She was the best partner I could ask for on this mission. She was fierce, smart, and unwavering in her determination to stop the Cloaks.We had received intel that the Cloaks were planning something big. Something that could spell doom for the entire Immateria City. We couldn't let that happen. We had to stop them at all costs.As we walked, the sound of chanting grew louder and more distinct. It was coming from downstairs. We shared a look of concern and horror, knowing that we were getting closer to the heart of the Cloaks' operation."Sophia, do you hear that?" I whispere

  • Rise Of The Immaterial Man   

    Stakeout

    I studied the map intently, feeling the rough texture of the aged parchment under my fingertips. My eyes traced over the faded ink lines, marking the location of the Cloak’s hidden lair. Sophia stood beside me, her intense gaze fixed on the same spot. I looked up at Sophia, and saw that her expression mirrored my own determination. "We have to be careful," I said, my voice low and urgent. "Who knows what they're up to in there." Sophia nodded, her jaw set. "I agree. We need to gather as much information as we can before we make a move." I bit my lip, thinking. "Perhaps we could stake out the hideout for a little while, observe their movements. That way, we'll have a better idea of what we're up against." Sophia's eyes brightened at the suggestion. "Yes, that's a good idea. We could hide on a nearby rooftop and keep an eye on things." I grinned. "I'm glad you agree. I've got a feeling this is going to be dangerous, but I'm ready for it. We need to put a stop to whatever the Cloa