A light in the dark (open)

[Deleted]

The dark haired demon made his way through the forest towards the lake. Finally happy to be content in some place as he walked. Zero's ears were always alert for any sounds as he walked. He stopped when he got to the lake and took a moment to take in the beautiful and calming view.

Inhaling some sire and them slowly exhaling Zero brought out his long dragon sword and took a look at the blade to make sure I was still in top condition. Before he held it in one hand and swiped it in the air in front of him a few times to test it. Satisfied the demon began practicing with his sword. Dodging, attacking and blocking invisible blows from an enemy I'm his mind as he practiced.

[epicjester]

A certain demon was about to be interrupted, by a screaming Irishman falling from the sky. Liam landed a few feet beside the the swordsman, landing with a loud crash and the sound of several bones breaking. Including his spine.

"Ow" He muttered lamely his voice having no real tone. As he inspected his body by raising his head slightly. Oh dear, it seems that his right leg is facing the wrong way and the bone of his left leg is sticking out. Oddly enough he cant feel either of them. Hmm, it seems like his spine has been thrown out.

"Okay buddy" He called out to the open air. "We may need to practice that move a few times before we get it right." From the air a mighty roar sounded as the Guardian leader's faithful Night Fury descended towards them. The great beast landed with a crash and gave its master an exasperated look. As if to say "Oh really?". The dragon then noticed that they were not alone. There was someone else present. The dragon rose up onto his hind legs, looking down at the demon with a curious expression.

Liam himself turned to face the swordsman and called out to him in a jovial tone. "Hope I didn't interrupt your practice. Name's Liam. I'd shake your hand but I cant move my arms." 

.....Well that's one way to make an introduction.

[Deleted]

He swirled around upon hearing the new comer and pointed his sword at him. Demonic silver eyes narrowing at the Irishman. Visibly tensing and getting ready for any attack when the dragon came. Dragon? He hadn't seen one in awhile.

Cautiously Zero circled the two eying them cautiously for any weak points or any hints of aggression. Well at least the dragon. One critical glance at the man on the ground could tell that he wasn't going anywhere.

"Strange way to meet." He commented humorlessly as he slowly lowered his sword to his side but still ever ready. "You may call me Zero." He tipped his head an inch in greetings eyes still locked on the dragon. Hiding his curiosity well.

[epicjester]

Since the swordsman had his eyes locked with Pip. The dragon thought of it as a game. With his tongue sticking out and panting somewhat similar to a dog, he followed the swordsman circling him. He eventually remembered that the man he considered his best friend was still lying paralyzed on the ground. Raising his paw in the air as if to say "Wait a moment". He reached down and seized Liam by the collar, by gripping the fabric in his jaws. He then spun around, again facing the demon, but now Liam was also facing him. A cheerful smile on his face.

If Zero paid attention to Liam's legs he would notice something rather odd. His right leg was slowly but surely rotating back to its rightful position and the bone that was sticking out of his left leg was slowly receding back into his body.

"Nice sword." Liam stated airily. As if nothing was wrong. "It looks to me that you're pretty good at using it." At this point Liam was fishing for information while playing the fool. You would be surprised how much people let out when they get angry or think they are talking to an idiot. "Although I'm kinda curious as to why you came all the way out here?" He wiggled his eyebrows at Zero. "Weird things happen out by the lake. It didn't get the name Mysterious Maple Lake because it sounded cool." 

He turned his head so it was facing the lake. "I remember taking a swim in it one day and I got attacked by a shark the size of a bus." He frowned "The weird thing is that this is a freshwater lake. I'm really curious as to why a giant shark was in there." He shrugged, or at least attempted to. His spine still hasn't fully healed yet. "Meh. Weird stuff happens in this town on a daily basis. I usually just say 'fuck it' and roll with the crazy."


At this point Zero probably considered him a rambling idiot. Perhaps he would respond back with a few tidbits of his own, or maybe he would walk away. If the latter, then it was no bother for Liam. If the former, then Liam would get some info on the mysterious Swordsman with inhuman eyes.

[Deleted]

Zero blinked at the dragon in slight amusement as he watched him help his rider/friend. He paused his circling to stand several feet away from the duo and watch. His keen eyes did notice the rotating an shifting of the crippled limbs from the corner of his vision even if he was had eyes on other things.

When Liam stated about his sword he just stared silently. Mentally weighing pros and cons to talking with this guy. The man in black wasnt very social and didn't talk much so he didn't really know what to tell him. Specially to a babbling fellow infront of him. "I suppose I am...." He trailed off giving a quick glance to his sword in his hand.

His silver eyes turned away from the pair to follow the irishman's gaze to the lake. Indeed it was beautiful here and if Liam's story was true... "Stranger things happen around us." He spoke quietly almost as if speaking to himself before half turning to look at Liam and Pip. "Though that is coming from someone who just met a man surviving a plummeting CRASH FALL by falling off a DRAGON." He narrowed his eyes for emphasis. He speaks of strange things happening yet he's the one with a dragon holding him in the air while his broken and misshaped bones magically HEAL.

[epicjester]

"Ah well you see.." Liam started raising a finger to point at Zero for emphasis. He paused because he was busy staring at the raised hand. He raised his other hand up and gave his faithful dragon a pat. "Spines back buddy. You can let me down." His dragon obeyed, releasing Liam and flopped down behind him, his tail have coiled around his friend. Appearing more like a cat than a dragon at the moment. Liam was currently stretching to see if everything was working correctly before answering back. "I wouldn't consider myself strange. Just experienced. I have done many things in my short time on this planet. I have a variety of skills and attributes because of my travels." He walked towards the lake and upon reaching the edge, he stepped onto the water.

But he did not sink, instead he used his power to absorb thermal energy and heat to flash freeze the water underneath his feet. He kicked off, sliding across the lake, just opposite the shore. Greedily stealing the heat from the water underneath him to make more ice for him to slide across as he addressed the swordsman. "What about yourself? Any interesting things happen to you?" He continued sliding across the forming ice. Not really bothered that he was showing off his powers in front of a complete stranger. The most he would probably assume is that Liam has power of ice instead of thermal absorption.

Liam always enjoyed letting people come to false assumptions about his abilities. He always got a kick out of seeing people use fire against him when they wrongly assumed he had some sort of ice power.

The look on their faces when he threw all their heat right back at them was priceless.

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He watched the man awhile and scowled. Yup definitely not a normal human if he could even be called that. In Zero's opinion, humans with powers were not human at all. But yet again that was coming from a demon like him.

His eyes widened slightly at the display of his powers. "Are you a fool?" He hissed glaring at the Irishman. "You shouldn't just show off to strangers like that! What if I were a human who happened to pass by!" He growled. Not at all pleased with the man.

He sighed trying to calm down. His sword disappeared in a beam of purple light leaving Zero's hands free to cross them over his chest and looked away irritated. The only reaso he showed ANY powers even something as simple as making his sword vanish was because his audience wasnt normal either.

"I am not like you who shows off." He commented dryly as she glared daggers to the ground instead of the boy. He knew he shouldn't get mad at him but this was Zero and he was just bitter as it was. He's been that way for hundreds of years.

"Is there a reason your here?" He stated turning his piercing gaze to the red head. "I would have thought you'd be gone by now."

[epicjester]

"Riiiiggggghhhtt." Liam drawled out, sliding across the lake towards the man now. "Because normal people carry ornate swords and practice with them." He had now reached the shore and stepped back onto dry land. Taking a few steps until he was a few feet away from Zero. "And ordinary humans have silver slitted eyes." He shrugged. Turning his back on the demon and striding over to his dragon that was now watching Zero with wary eyes.

Upon reaching his dragon, Liam spun on his heel. Facing Zero with a different look on his face. "I was mostly here to find out what someone was doing practicing swordplay out where anyone could wander in." Gone was the cheerful smile and jovial tone. Now Liam had a cold and calculating look on his face. Behind him Pip's muscles were tense. Ready to either grab his rider and leap away. Or fire a blast of fire at the swordsman. "But the biggest question on my mind is to why you are in my town." His eyes narrowed slightly, showing Zero that there was far more hidden underneath his carefree persona.


Like someone flicked a switch, his face changed back to its normal self and behind him, his dragon relaxed. "I'm a teacher up in Sinclair Academy." Deciding to suddenly change the subject. He reached into his jacket and retrieved a card. He then lazily tossed it towards Zero. On the card was Liam's contact details. "Give me a call if you ever want to put that sword of yours to good use. Or if you ever feel like sharing your knowledge with some superpowered teenagers." He tilted his head to the side. "I got a feeling you could teach the kids a thing or two."


Liam turned and made his way to mount his dragon again. Although he took his time. In case Zero had anything else to say to him before he left.

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He suppressed a growl at the man. Yes his eyes were a give away that he wasn't human. But kids nowadays wore contacts such as for Halloween or whatever. His sword...I guess he couldn't really explain that much without it sounding lame.

His forced himself to stay relaxed as the atmosphere changed from happy to serious and he gave a small smirk. "Your town? I thought America was all about free will?" He said dryly. "And I really don't have to explain my actions to a stranger." He replied seriously.

He didn't take his eyes off the man even when he tossed the card over to him. Nor did he pick it up. "If your so curious about me Liam," he spoke after a moment watching him walk away. "I'll let you in on a little secret. I don't take kindly to people who pry in my business. I doubt that there will be a next time." He turned away from him to stare at the lake.

But there was one thing bothering Zero that the Irishman had notes. Why was he really here? He was a loner. Never staying in one place for more then a day or two. Call it paranoia but last time didn't end up to well for him. He unconsciously grabbed his bicep where 2 red X's tattoos were hidden from others. The tattoo that he hates because it was a symbol of his past. So why was he here?