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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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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
Rise Of The Immaterial Man A New Mission
I was almost relieved to see the building that housed the council of the Immateria. The last time I’d been there I’d been forced to essentially beg for my life. This time around I was going there to prove that the fact they’d spared me was worthwhile, I’d already produced results. The underlying nerves were still there though. While we had managed to dispatch the rogue Immateria, there was clearly something else brewing on the horizon. Death was coming. We walked through the entry doors and into the lobby. The same woman was sitting at the desk as before. She glanced up from her paperwork, gave Sophia an easy smile, and went back to what she was doing. Sophia brushed past the desk, clearly, the council was expecting us. The Council chamber was much the same as I’d seen it the first time we’d been asked to go there for my hearing. The same chairs were set up around the same crescent moon table, and the same Immateria were sitting in attendance. Idly I wondered if they ever left
Rise Of The Immaterial Man Pub
“We’re back at the lab?” I asked as Sophia led him around a corner, revealing the pub and the space that his lab resided in below it. “Not quite the lab, no,” Sophia said. “I understand you’re probably eager to get started in creating more Magitech, but the new rogue takes precedence.” “Ah, I get it,” I said, “This is like back up in London when we went to the club in Soho, right? You’re going here to mingle and find out any information you can.” “So you are learning! And there was me thinking you were all distracted by the humans dancing around at that club,” Sophia said with a smirk. She knew full well that the only thing the humans had distracted me with in that club was the stink of their sweat thanks to the enhanced senses that being an Immateria granted me. I still had no idea how she managed to get in amongst them the way that she had. We entered the bar together and I couldn’t help but be a little bit disappointed. It looked just like any bar that I would have expected to
Rise Of The Immaterial Man Newton
“It’s not much,” The Barkeep started. “Word around the bar is, in some of the more… unsavoury… clientele, that there’s someone up top making some pretty big moves, moves that are going to change everything down here as well.” Sophia and I glanced at one another. She looked just as uncomfortable as I felt with a declaration like that. I picked up my drink and took a sip, noting that it went just as blue as Sophia’s had earlier. “Can you give us anything else?” Sophia asked. “Something more solid to go on?” The barkeep shrugged, “I only hear what I hear Sophia, you know that. If you want to speak to someone who knows more you know what you’re gonna have to do. What me to get him down here?” Sophia sighed, it was long and aggravated, “Yeah, fine, do it. I already have to deal with one smart ass, why not another.” I couldn’t help but think that jibe was directed at me. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked as the barkeep moved away from us to call this mysterious other person to
Rise Of The Immaterial Man Gunnersbury
By the time we were ready to begin the next stage in our mission the midday sun was already high in the sky. We would have already been on our way to Gunnersbury park if not for the sudden realisation that we had left my car in Soho while we tracked the first rogue Immateria from the alley we had first encountered it all the way down to the City of London Airport. That meant we had to wait around for a cab, have it take us all the way into the heart of London, and then drive all the way out to the outer zones of the city. I had been wrong about the park being in the borough of Ealing. It was actually in the borough of Hounslow, which was right next to Ealing. Either way, it was right out at the edge of the city in an area in my mind that could hardly be called London at all. What could be said for sure was that the park was a beautiful place. We drove up a little dirt path to a little dirt car park and got out of the car. “Almost feels like the countryside,” I muttered, mostly t
Rise Of The Immaterial Man Search
The inside of the old tower had clearly seen better days. The air was thick with the musty smell of decay and the brick walls were crumbling and cracked. It was a wonder the thing hadn’t collapsed already. I hoped that it didn’t choose to fall apart while we were still inside. It was a relatively small space with a main open room and a flight of stairs leading up the side of the wall to the upper levels.“You really think we’re going to find something in here?” I asked. “It doesn’t look ancient or grand just… decrepit, really.” “Trust me, Parker. Cultists love places like this, and there’s a good chance that one of them has put something here for safekeeping,” Sophia said. The room was a cluttered mess. A heavy oak table sat at its centre, covered in rat poop and old documents that looked yellowed and fragile. I was sure that if one of us tried to pick them up they’d just disintegrate in our hands. “You search down here, I’m going to go and check things out upstairs,” Sophia said
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- 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
