DarkEyedDemon: DED here again! Yes, I realize that I have not finished my Inu future family fic, but that's what you get when only Kayasha reviews! Not that I didn't appreciate her reviews, mind you, but it is sort of like putting all the work into writing the story for no reason at all. Hopefully this one will be different.
Chapter 1: A Shattered World
Vearnor strode slowly across the dust-covered wasteland that was once the sight of the greatest battle during the Phyrexian invasion. The young aven wore light clothing and carried with him a long spear, one that had been sparcely used recently. Since his travel from his home continent of Otaria, there had been very little violent disturbences to hinder his path. His home had suffered great damage from the war but it was not irreversible. His people, one of the three races of bird-folk, had already come back to the skies to survey the exact extent of the damage. Vearnor's mind continued to wander to the thoughts of what was to happen to his brethren in this world that was left to them. He was brought from his daydreaming by a familiar voice.
"Oy! Vearnor! If you don't hurry the ship's goin' to leave without ya!" cried one of the sailors on the ship that had brought him across the waves. He had grown quite close to the man through his travels.
"Alright, I appreciate the warning. You wouldn't really let them leave without me though, would you?"
The sailor waved his hand dismissively as he turned around. "Hey, we all have the same schedule to keep, I can't convince them you're worth the trouble all the time." Although Vearnor believed the man would stick up for him, he couldn't help but believe that they might just leave him in this wasteland. Taking off into the air the aven flew to land next to his companion.
"Let us go then, Brimod, I have seen enough here." The two walked on until they came to a small docking area inhabited by only one ship. They left the dry expanse to cross a wet one as they boarded the vessel and it set sail back to the land of Otaria.
"What exactly did you want to see in that graveyard anyway?" asked Brimod once they were settled below deck.
"I was looking for hope. It is a ravaged world we live in now and I wondered if there would be anything to help us all in that battlefield," the aven answered solemnly.
"Ah, nothin' there now but dust and death. The blast wiped everything clean; the plauge and the life it infested."
"I suppose we truly are on our own." There was a moment of silence between the two.
"You make it sound like a bad thing! We were given a chance to make a new world, so why don't we make it the best we can?"
His companion's optimism put a smile on Vaernor. "You are quite positive with this matter, but I believe you are right." Just then another sailor shouted down the stairs from the deck.
"All hands on deck! We're under attack!" Vaernor grabbed his spear and Brimod a long cutlass and the two headed out to find the source of the assault.
At first glance, nothing seemed amiss. The only sign of alarm were a few sailors running with drawn swords towards the front of the ship. As the man and the aven followed, several giant crabs came into view on the deck. Their thick carapaces turned back most of the sailor's weapons as they're massive pincher claws came dangerously close to snapping them all in half. Vaernor, his fists and weapon now flowing with golden magic, flew over the sailors and rammed his enchanted weapon into the back of one of the crabs. Pulses of the mystical light flooded into the crustacean, causing it to swell until it blew apart. Vaernor landed safely back on deck in front of the sailors in a fighting stance.
Although Brimod could not empower his weapon, he was not defenceless. He shot long jets of water from his palms that forced the crabs off the ship and far out into the ocean. Despite their best efforts though, they were no match for the steadily increasing numbers of foes. Within minutes the ship would begin sinking under the sheer weight.
When all hope seemed lost, many long bolts of lightning arced over the edge of the deck. The lines of electricity travelled between each crab until they had all fallen limp, each of them dead. Everyone on the ship was staring with shock and confusion at their now dispatched enemies. Their senseless state did not last long as some new being began to climb onto the ship. They looked like large octopus-like creatures, wearing flowing blue and indigo robes. Many of them began hoisting the crab bodies into the sea while some oversaw the process. The ones not moving the crustaceans were holding staffs that ended in orbs still crackling with magic-enduced lightning. Finally, one of the creatures seperated from the rest. It seemed to be some sort of official, having more elegant garb than the others and holding a more regal staff that could be taken as a cepter. The being slid towards Vaernor, believing him to be the one in charge.
"Greetings, I am Ambassador Sholan of the Mer Republic."
"I am Vaernor of the aven people. If you don't mind me asking, what exactly are you?"
"What are we? Why, we are cephalids."
DED: Man, spellcheck really hated this one. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it. I won't be saying anything on the next to chapters, because they will be up this very day. I started this on another site but it didn't do so well, so I'm trying it out here. Please review!