A Wintery Reunion [Winter Solstice 2019 EVENT]

It was cold. Too cold for Shen's personal liking. The young Rune Knight recruit's breath caused little puffs of condensating vapor to linger in the air with every step through the snow. At least, he thought, he'd made sure to prepare himself for the cold weather by dressing accordingly, though. A long, black coat covered the usual onyx-colored Rune Knight uniform and his body underneath it, a similarly colored scarf around his neck. Thinking about it, the young man would have much rather stayed inside, especially given these conditions, but a rather unusual and unexpected circumstance had prompted him to leave the safety of his room in the barracks and descend from the plateau on which the Headquarters of the Knights was located down into the city of Era: A message from none other than Perseus Dagger, "Percy", as he was called. Someone Shen hadn't seen in a long time, and admittedly, someone he had nearly forgotten given the turbulence and drastic change of recent weeks. It seemed as though the other was in town for the Winter Celebrations they held, though, and even Shen wouldn't pass up the opportunity to meet up with an old friend, if not just for "old time's sake", so to speak, then of course also out of simple curiosity. It had been quite a while, after all, though that wouldn't stop him.

Percy and Shen had, of course, become friends when their respective siblings had been involved with one another, bonding over the fact that they'd appeared to share similar circumstances. That had been a while ago, though. A fact that made the possibility of catching up with Percy all the more interesting. He'd wondered what the other had been up to, and he certainly had a lot to tell. Was the same true for Percy? He'd probably find out soon either way.

Approaching the spot where Percy would be waiting, the soft snow crunched under his feet, frozen flakes falling gently all around, giving the normally so busy streets of Era an admittedly festive look, something that was lost on Shen, of course, though that was of little matter anyway. The young recruit was nervous. He stopped and looked around, his eyes eventually finding a face that, while partially obscured by the snow and a green scarf, seemed to be at least familiar, approaching slowly and in an insecure way before raising a hand as he'd gotten close enough. "Percy? That you?", his inquisitive voice rang out before he nervously continued,"I-it's been a while. How-, oh, wow, that's new", Shen clumsily gestured to his own eye, waving his hand up and down. He'd gotten closer, an awkward smile as his expression, only now realizing that the other had some kind of scar on his face. It was definitely Percy, though the other had grown, of course, and evidently, something had happened to him that had left him scarred, Shen only now realizing that that was a pretty horrible way to start a conversation with someone you hadn't seen in years. "Oh, uh, I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ... I- uhm-", Shen stumbled over his own words, contemplating turning around on the spot and forgetting this whole deal as if it never happened, but even then, his cheeks, red from the cold, turned a healthy shade of tomato in embarrassment. He decided to try and act normal instead, staring at the other with a sheepish grin paired with a nervous chuckle.

"S-sooooo, uhhhhh, long time ... no see ... huh? How have you been?". Silently, Shen cursed himself, wondering what was wrong with him and why he was like this. Undoubtedly, his chance at rekindling a friendship, something Shen more or less had always wanted, had just been reduced to zero point zero.

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Word Count: 630
Word Count Total: 630 / 1,500

"O-ohh ... I see ... heh", the young Rune Knight recruit chuckled awkwardly while fumbling nervously with the sleeve of his black coat. "I- I guess that's ... true", he affirmed the other's explanation, still, however, feeling bad about the way he had reacted to this new revelation in the first place. It seemed, though, that Percy didn't mind what Shen viewed as a massive blunder too much, something that Shen didn't quite know how to take. Perhaps the other was just being polite? The question would linger within the young man's mind and kept him at distinct unease. Still, he was happy that his friend has recognized him, and indeed, even seemed quite warm in his approach as well, a fact that, despite everything, brought a little smile on the young man's face.

"Oh, well ... I- uh, I joined the Rune Knights as you can see", he would point down at himself, more specifically, the onyx-colored uniform. "That didn't really go as smoothly as I had planned ...", he chuckled nervously once more, his thoughts trailing off to his monstrosity of a sister that had promptly followed him there, ever since then, as always before, doing her best to make his life a living hell. "Lili kinda ... followed me". "Well, at least I got myself a job, huh?". Of course, Shen would follow Percy while they wandered, marveling over the wide variety of hot chocolate selections offered at the stall only to settle on the same one Percy had picked. He didn't much enjoy the bitter flavor and the subtle, rich sweetness of the drink. It wasn't his kind of drink, but it was acceptable considering the season. He took a sip, shooting a look over to Percy. "So what are you up to? Still, uh, you know, tinkering? Any big breakthroughs?".

While they talked, walking around the park, passing stalls and festival attractions all around them, they would eventually reach an improvised arena, walls of snow encircling a wide-open space that was littered with different objects and obstacles that acted as cover for what appeared like an ongoing battle between a group of people and animated snowmen. "Sooo ... that looks pretty fun, huh?".

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Word Count: 368
Word Count Total: 998 / 1,500

"... Yeah, I hope so, too", the young recruit gave back, nervously directing his gaze at the ground, focussed on nothing in particular. Lilith was a nuisance of her very own caliber, at least to Shen, who didn't know or understand why she felt the constant need to make his life more difficult than it already was, not to mention the confusion that was still present in regards to her following her brother to the Rune Knights when he had left, in part, to get away from her. His thoughts kind of trailed off, Shen looking up only to realize he'd missed the latter of half of what Percy had been saying, the young man simply chuckling nervously in response. "Heh ... yeah ... I guess".

Regardless, when Percy explained that, by now, he had not only begun his own kinds of research, he had also advanced to the head of his family's Research Lab, Shen's eyes grew wide, his mouth slightly agape with astonishment. He knew that Percy was smart, much smarter than himself, but his friend had to be ... well, not much younger than himself. To be the head of such an operation at his age and come up with inventions of such complexity, importance, and applicability, it honestly amazed the young man who, for all that it was worth, hadn't even been able to advance past the rank of recruit. Still, Shen couldn't stop himself from letting out a whispered, drawn-out and genuinely impressed "Wooow ...".

Upon realizing the admittedly childlike reaction he had given Percy, more out of instinct than anything, Shen blushed slightly, stumbling over his own words to come up with an adequate response, raising his voice in stuttering, nervous fashion. "I- I mean, that's ... awesome! Can you imagine what kind of stuff that could be used for? It's ... well, I mean, it's pretty cool, y'know".

When the two had reached the arena, Shen suddenly found himself face-to-face with a girl who hastily pushed something in his hand before storming off, the recruit staring down at the gun and the anti-snowman explosives that were now in his hands with blinking, dumbfounded eyes before looking to Percy. "W-well, I guess we got no choice now, haha ...". He'd caught the admittedly rather simple instructions she'd given Percy, but he didn't know whether he'd actually wanted to participate. Any kind of competitive sport wasn't really Shen's forté, and really, he disliked things such as this one, though Percy had already gone ahead and entered the arena to pick a side. As much as Shen thought this looked fun, participating in the game himself was an entirely different matter. The recruit realized he had little choice now, his friend had already gone ahead, and so, more or less begrudgingly, he went ahead and followed the other.

Having witnessed the ineffectiveness of the snowballs against the snowmen not too long before, the young man began picking out his targets, a group of clustered snowmen, obviously animated by some kind of magic, before arming the device and throwing it at them with all the strength he could muster, the thing missing the head of one snowman and embedding itself in the back of another's head. His aim had been off, and it had been more or less a lucky hit, but the device didn't fail to showcase its effectiveness, a burst of heat emitting from the center of the group, promptly melting them all away, much to Shen's surprise, and admittedly, amusement.

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Word Count: 586
Word Count Total: 1,584 / 1,500

Distracted by the ongoing snowball war, Shen only turned when he felt the thud hit his back, confused, at first, then grinning as soon as he saw Percy standing behind him. He couldn't help but chuckle. "Y-yeah, the most fun I've had in a long time ...", turning his head back to the arena around him, though a little more lost in thought than before. The realization that the nervousness he had felt earlier had begun subsiding hit him, and he acknowledged the fact that, despite what he perceived to be quite the awkward start, he was getting comfortable with this festival. It felt like meeting Percy had somehow transported him back to a time when things had been somewhat easier, when he'd felt more alive. It wasn't unwelcome. He stood up, taking note of the dimming daylight and the fading excitement for the festival game, unknowingly sharing Percy's mindset when it came to hot chocolate only to be turned around by a tumult, seeing the young Dagger aggressively smack down onto one of his pant legs, raising both eyebrows in surprise when the other called out to him. "Yeeeeaaah ...?", his tone was inquisitive, though his eyes widened when he saw the crumpled up scorpion. And not just that, the other creatures that suddenly and without warning began rising from the snow around them. "Uhhhhm", the young Rune Knight recruit barely managed to stumble back, his limbs frozen from cold and shock only to witness the creatures go up in flames only seconds later, wide eyes staring at Percy, who had undoubtedly just saved the two from getting swarmed by these unfriendly critters.

Nevertheless, it seemed the scorpion from earlier had bit Percy, Shen staring at the wound on the other's leg. "Y-you're hurt!". Of course, he only gave word to the obvious. Shen wanted to help but didn't quite know how he could even possibly do so. He had no magic, he had barely started his career as a Rune Knight and had about a month of training down, his shock turning into panic, adrenaline coursing through his veins as his heartbeat, like a beating of drums, began to pick up. "Uh-Uhm, okay, shit, uh", he began stumbling from side to side, his hand pressed against the side of his face that was distorted with an expression of worry. Of course, that was when Percy had to clarify that he knew what these circumstances entailed and that, most likely, more monsters would be in the area, Shen's vision already beginning to blur. Just how did things take a turn from a fun festival to suddenly being in the middle of a fight for their lives yet again? Shen suddenly felt reminded of the Pumpkin patch where he had nearly lost his life once before when he had been sent along with Lili, the same instincts threatening to overtake him again. He would've loved to just turn around and run, run as fast as he could and let others deal with the mess, but ... while he was perfectly comfortable doing that with Lilith, he couldn't bring himself to abandon Percy, someone Shen actually respected, especially given the show the other was putting on.

Using what was undoubtedly the fruit of his research, Percy lost no time when more creatures appeared, roaring streams and projectiles of flame shot from one of his hands crashing into some kind of humanoid ice monsters that had appeared out of nowhere. Not only that, roars of different creatures and monsters began ringing out all around them. "Rune Knight secrets?", Shen repeated, his face pale as the snow around them, his mouth wide agape. "I- I uh ...", he stuttered out, wanting to say "I don't have something like that, and I think we're fucked either way", though that certainly wouldn't have had a positive effect on overall morale. It wasn't like Shen had time for big speeches, anyway. Suddenly finding himself face to face with an Ice Elemental, cold sweat began to build on his forehead, his eyes particularly focussed on the spear-like icicle in the monster's grasp. Of course, Shen, apart from the snowball gun he still held in his grasp and the remaining heat grenades he had in pocket, carried no weapon, although ... the young recruit thought back to how effective the explosives had been on the snowmen ... and how the entity before him seemed to be entirely made of ice.

Shen dropped the snowball gun, figuring it would be of very little use, raising his hands into a stance that was more suited for combat, following what he had learned in basic, but still trembling in his winter boots. The mute elemental made its move, bringing the spear around for a wide swing, Shen using his arm to block the swing, though not anticipating the weapon to be quite as sharp as it actually was, the icy blade skinking a good two inches into the muscle of his triceps. A suppressed growl of pain escaped the Rune Knight, who now, however, found himself a position that left the elemental open, pulling the grenade from his pocket and arming it with the click of a button, a beeping making it obvious that, in but a few moments, it would go off. Losing not much time, Shen slammed his hand into the creature's face, pressing the grenade into it before, with another flash of light and singeing heat, the thing started boiling away. Shen, relieved, stumbled back a few steps, drawing heavy, pained breaths, a small trickle of scarlet fluid periodically separating from his lowered left arm. Needless to say, the Rune Knight recruit was, after what had just transpired, thoroughly displeased with the turn this had taken.

The displeasure would only intensify, a terrifying roar behind him uncomfortably shaking the air in his lungs, Shen slowly turning before laying eyes on a massive, ape-like monster which, without his notice, had already begun charging the Rune Knight and would reach him any moment now. Reflexively, Shen raised his arms to protect his torso and head, but only to little effectiveness.

A wide swing of the creature's massive arm lifted him off his feet with an audible crack that resonated through his form, agonizing anguish soaring through every fiber of his body before he had even hit the ground, Shen slamming into the snow, skidding across the ice and leaving behind a small trail of crimson. Now he definitely experienced a deja vu moment, his vision blurring with throbbing pain as he attempted to lift himself back up only to realize his arms were not moving, and no matter how much he tried, willed them, they would remain limp at his side. So this was how he'd go out? Crushed by yet another monster, lying in the cold, frozen snow. He really was pathetic, or at least, so he felt. In the end, he hadn't been able to make any kind of difference. He'd die and leave the heavy lifting to Percy, be forgotten, and that would be it. "Fuck ...", he exhaled with weak voice, his eyes locked to the sky above, a white blanket that spanned his entire vision, snowflakes gently falling towards him, the Yeti stepping closer with every passing moment. The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth. An oddly peaceful end, he thought, a befitting end for someone as useless as himself. If only he'd gotten his chance ...

Was he really willing to give up? Didn't he at least have to try something? What could he do? There was nothing. Nothing except his rudimentary understanding of magic. Would that really be enough? Perhaps. He hadn't used it for such purpose, nevermind trained with it, but if he didn't want to kick the bucket then it was the only chance he'd have left. Shen spit out a small puddle of his own blood, rolling onto his side with a groan of pain and raising himself onto his feet, his eyes locked to the clamoring Yeti.

He'd come too far to just die now. Bringing to bear all of the fighting spirit he could muster, arguably, the most he'd ever mustered in his entire life, he, under soul-crushing torment, face shifting into a contorted grimace, raised his arm, his pupils glowing with magical energy. The truth of the matter was that the Rune Knight had no idea what he was doing, but he knew that he didn't want to let down Percy, let down himself, this little shred of purpose he had found, channeling whatever life force his body would allow him to into his raised palm. With a brief flash, a shot of brilliant glow was fired from his extremity, slamming into the ape's chest and exploding out of his back with a scatter of sparks, leaving a gaping wound behind. The creature promptly slumped to the ground, its body seemingly collapsing in on itself. "H-hah ... d-did you see that, Percy ... ? T-that was ... too easy", Shen chuckled to himself, before finally, his consciousness slipped from him, Shen collapsing forward, hitting the snow face-first.

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Word Count Total: 1,500 / 1,500 (Event word count reached)

New Word Count: 1,520 + 84 (Left over words)
New Word Count Total: 2,574