Caged Wings

by Ravedrake

The beginning of a world that takes over Earth as we speak. This is the beginning on how our world is changed. One girl is trying to make a difference as the Earth is being over run by monsters. Any kind you can think of.

6. Chapter 5

Caged Wings

Chapter Five: Lost and Found

Raven then walks into the bar with her friends. They each order a drink, except for Coslotus. Raven ordered whiskey, Serenity ordered a mudslide, Hikari ordered a mixed vodka, and Zero of course ordered sake. Raven then looks to Zero, "You're not gonna get drunk are you?"

Zero shakes his head, "No. Why? Are you?"

Raven shakes her head, "Nah. Too early in the day."

Hikari chuckles, "It's just after lunch though."

Raven shrugs, "I prefer to drink at night, that's all."

Serenity nods, "Well that's good."

Raven shrugs again, "I guess."

Raven then turns to Zero, "And what about you? Are you still the designated drinker?"

Zero chuckles a little, "Yup. Still am. I only get drunk once a year. The same was three years ago."

Raven shakes her head, "After what's happened, I'm surprised you haven't got drunk more often."

Zero just shrugs, "I learned to deal with it, just differently than others."

Hikari then says, "I still haven't seen you drunk."

Raven laughs, "It's hilarious!"

Ravan was referring to a time her and Zero went to an anime convention together with a few other friends. On the night of their arrival, they all got drunk and had fun. Raven's face is saddened, "Good times...."

Zero nods, "Yeah, they were."

Coslotus just shakes his head, "No use in thinking of the past. It's over and done with. One should only worry about now."

Hikari smiles, "Yeah! We should make new ones!"

Raven smiles, "That's actually a good idea."

Serenity smiles, "Yeah. Let's make new ones."

All of their drinks came. Raven raises her glass, "Everyone raise your glass."

Everyone did so. Raven smiles, "A toast. To our old memories and the soon to be new ones. May the past never die and may a future of good be born. To us and our new found team!"

Hikari shouts, "Yeah!"

Everyone chuckles, except Coslotus who had no glass to begin with, and cheers with their glasses to one another. After doing so, they each take a sip of their drinks. Raven could feel a burning sensation of her whiskey. Hikari laughs, "I wanna get drunk now."

Serenity then says, "Uhh......it's in the middle of the day."

Hikari laughs, "I know. Just because I want to do something, doesn't mean I will......well.....most of the time."

Most of the group chuckled. Raven took another sip, feeling a pinch tipsy, but not enough to be drunk. Zero then takes a sip, "I wish this was warm......tastes sooo much better."

Raven shakes her head, "No it doesn't! Cold is waaay better!"

Zero chuckles, "To me it does. Although either way they taste good, just warm is better."

Raven shrugs, "Oh well. People have different tastebuds."

Zero says, "Yup. That is true."

Hikari laughs, "I like my tastebuds."

They all finish their drinks and walk outside. They start to walk the streets. Raven turns and looks around, "Hm?"

Zero looks, "What's the matter?"

Raven then says, "Nothing. Thought I sensed something."

Zero raises an eyebrow, "Sensed? As in your friend might be near by?"

Raven shakes her head, "No, no.....this feels different."

Serenity hears, "Different how?"

Raven then says, "I......I can't describe it. I can only say it's something I felt before, something familar."

Serenity then says, "Wh-what do you think it is?"

Raven then says, "If I knew the answer to that, I wouldn't be standing here wondering would I?"

Serenity then says, "Hey. It was only a question."

Raven just shakes her head as she walked on ahead, "Just nevermind. Forget it."

Meanwhile.......

The guy in the hoodie watches from behind the alley wall. He hides as soon as the girl he was following looks. He looks once again as soon as she started walking again along with her friends.

He keeps following. He wondered whether or not she would know who he was, like he knew who she was. He didn't know whether or not he should approach her. If so, how for that matter.

Back to group...........

Raven then stops in her tracks. Serenity then asks, "What now?"

Raven then says, "Something's coming."

Zero then says, "Like what?"

Hikari then says, "It's a monster."

Coslotus just stands there observing as Serenity asks, "What kind of monster?"

Raven and Hikari both say at the same time, "A troll."

Coslotus snorts, "Hmf! It's no threat."

Raven then says, "No it isn't. But he wants to fight."

Zero then says, "Fight?"

Raven nods, "Mhm."

Suddenly, everything went silent. Big footsteps were now heard. The air was now filled with a revolting smell. Raven covers her nose, "Good God!"

Everyone else does the same. Serenity then says, "Yuck! That stinks!"

Coslotus then covers his nose, "I really hate trolls."

Hikari and Zero both look at Raven. Raven looks back, knowing what they were thinking. Back to three years ago, when they first encountered a troll.

A hideous creature carrying a spikey club turns the corner. It was the troll. Raven's eyes widened, "No way......"

It was the exact same troll that had knocked them out three years back. Hikari gasps, "Is that the same troll who--?"

Raven nods, "I think it is."

Zero then says, "Are you sure?"

Raven then says, "Positive."

Raven's eyes narrowed in anger, "The same son of a bitch that caused us to wake up in a fucking cell!!!!"

Raven then runs at the troll, "YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!!"

Serenity's eyes widened, "Raven!! Wait!!"

Raven didn't listen. She jumps up and does a round house kick to it's face. He steps back and almost falls from the kick. She lands on her feet and then goes in for a punch into his gut. He fist just sinks into his stomach. Raven's eyes widened, "What the-?"

Before Raven could do anything, the troll smirks and slaps her. She goes flying into a wall. Serenity shouts, "RAVEN!"

Hikari and Serenity help Raven up. Raven shakes her head, her forehead starts to bleed, "Ow. That hurt like hell!"

Serenity yells, "Well of course it did! You just got hit by a troll!"

Raven just shoves her aside, "He's mine!"

The troll runs at them with his club. Coslotus just crosses his arms and watches. She then unsheathes her sword as everyone runs. Serenity shouts, "RAVEN! GET OUT OF THE WAY!!"

Raven didn't listen. Her eyes narrow as she crouches at the ready. The troll gets closer and closer. The troll swings and Raven jumps. She lands on the troll's arm and runs up it. She spins and slashes his arm. He drops his club as his arm was sliced off. Blood sprayed everywhere as the troll roared in pain. Raven lands on her feet and sheathes her katana.

She closes her eyes as the troll falls. A big dent was now left in the street. Everyone's jaw dropped. Coslotus then smirks, "Hmf!"

The troll then gets back up. Serenity shouts, "It's getting up again!!"

Raven then opens her eyes and turns to look at the troll. Her eyes are cold and filled with rage. She then makes a sign with one hand and says something in a different language. She then jumps and points two fingers on the troll's head. A big ring of purple could be seen. The troll freezes and then explodes into pieces along with a big wave of purple aura. Everyone's eyes widened. Zero's jaw drops, "Holy shit!"

Raven lands on her feet and smirks, "Hm!"

Hikari's face lit up, "WOW! That was cool! Can you do that again?"

Serenity then says, "H-how did you do that?"

Raven smiles, "It was easy. All you need is to practice the art of the supernatural."

Serenity then said, "W-what was that attack?"

Raven then says, "In our tongue, it's called the Spirit Wave."

Zero then said, "Dare I ask what it does?"

Raven chuckles, "You make a sign meaning Heaven. Then you pretty much ask the spirits to borrow thier power. As soon as you touch the enemy, he freezes dead in his tracks and his soul becomes overwhelming to him, causing him to explode."

Zero's eyes widened, "Holy shit! Now I know not to piss you off."

Raven laughs, "It only works on evil. So no need to worry."

Zero then says, "But still. Shit!"

Hikari smiles, "That was cool!"

Coslotus then says, "Not bad. For an amateur."

Raven's eyes narrow, "Shut up. That's all I'm gonna say."

Raven's eyes widened and she turns the other way. She felt that same aura again, only closer.

Meanwhile........

The guy in the hoodie watches the troll get slain. He whispers, "Wow...."

He smiles and without thinking, comes out from hiding, "Hey. That was an awesome trick!"

Raven sees the guy in the hoodie. Her eyes widened. She smiles as she right away knew who it was. She then says, "Steve....."

The guy in the hoodie's eyes widened. He then says, "Y-you know who I am?"

Raven smiles, "How could I not?"

Raven jumps on Steve with a hug. Steve hugs back. Raven then says, "Damn! It's good to finally see you in person."

Steve then says as he removes his hood, "Yeah. Finally."

Steve was fairly large in height and width. He also had short black hair under his hoodie.

They look at one another smiling. Everyone raises an eyebrow, confused. Zero then says, "Uhh.....did I miss something here?"

Serenity then says, "Raven, do you know this guy?"

Raven nods, "Yeah......you could say that."

Serenity then says, "Mind introducing him to us?"

Raven laughs, "You know my online friend I told you guys about? The one I talked to for 4 years?"

Everyone nods. Raven then says, "This is him. Everyone, meet Steve."

Steve laughs, "Well......you guys can call me Evan."

Raven chuckles, "Sorry, Evan."

Raven then introduces Evan to everyone. He nods, "Hey."

Coslotus then says, "I'm curious as to how you knew it was him."

Raven then says, "I guess you could say we're linked. That's the only way I can explain it."

Serenity then says, "Linked? Uhh......I'm not gonna ask."

Raven then says, "Good. Saves me some explaining."

Evan chuckles, "Well.....this is a little awkward."

Raven then says, "Don't worry. Sometimes it does at first."

Evan scratches the back of his head and smiles. Raven then says, "So.....how'd you get here?"

Evan then says, "Uhh.....to be honest? I'm not sure why. Something lead me here. I drifted for a while, searching for something I didn't know or knew why. Then I realized today it was you I was looking for. I stowed away on a delivery carriage to get here."

Raven's eyes widened, "Holy. Heh heh......well....I'm glad you found me."

Evan smiles, "So am I."

Raven then says, "Now that you're here, wanna join our group?"

Evan then said with no hesitation, "Sure! I'll go with yas."

Raven then explains what she intends to do. She explains about everyone's power and profession and the event three years ago. Evan listens to every word, "Ha. That's funny. The exact same thing happened to me at my work."

Raven chuckles, "Yeah. Weird isn't it?"

Evan nods, "Very."

Raven then says, "Come on, let's go."

The group begins to walk. Hikari shouts, "YAY! Our group is growing!"

Raven nods, "Yes. It is!"

Evan laughs at Hikari's randomness. Raven then says, "I guess you have nowhere to stay?"

Evan shakes his head, "Nada."

Raven then looks to Zero, "Can he stay at your place? With us? I know you don't know him that well....but--"

Zero cuts her off, "Yeah."

Raven's eyes widened, "Come again."

Zero smiles, "I said yeah. Why not?"

Raven glomps Zero, "You're the best! You're the best! You're the best!"

Zero laughs as he hugs her back, "We can all play some PS3 tonight."

Evan's eyes widened, "You have a PS3?"

Zero nods, "Yup."

Evan then asks, "What games do you have?"

Zero then says, "Let's see......Dead Space, Call of Duty 4, Call of Duty World at War, Guitar Hero Metallica, Guitar Hero's Greatest Hits, Kill Zone 2, and a few others."

Evan smiles with a nod, "Nice."

They all walk a little further. Evan then whispers to Raven, "Are you sure it's okay to stay with you and your friend?"

Raven nods, "Yeah. It's quite alright."

Evan then said, "Okay....I-I don't want to intrude or anything like that."

Raven laughs, "Don't worry, Zero's a good guy. Wait stratch that, he's a GREAT guy!"

She says that loud on purpose. Zero looks back and Raven smiles at him. Everyone laughs at Zero's expression. Zero then laughed as well while he shakes his head.

Serenity then says, "So.....what's your profession?"

Evan then says, "I'm a....uh.....demon hunter."

Serenity nods, "Cool."

Raven could tell he was leaving something out, but left it for later. They walk further and further. They all stop as they heard big heavy footsteps, running. Zero then looks around, "What now?"

Hikari then says, "Sounds like a stampede!!"

They all look behind themselves and sees a bunch of giagantic creatures, running. They saw they were running from a swarm of harpies. Screeching was heard as well. Everyone's eyes widened. Raven shouts, "RUN!!!"

They all turn and run as the stampede was gaining on them. They run, but get caught in the crowd, causing them to separate. The harpies catch up and kill some of the creatures running. Raven looks to see a harpy try to grab her. Raven growls and gets her sword out, slicing it in two.

As Zero was running, a harpy tried to attack him. His eyes widened as he jumps back, "Oh shit!"

He then kicks it in the face and gets out his Naginata. He then uses it to slice the harpy in the head. The harpy falls dead. He looks around, "Time to find the others...."

He then runs into the crowd, searching for the others.

Hikari runs and sees two harpies. She stops and smiles, "KIKI!!!"

A broomstick appears in her hands and she begins to whack the harpies in the head. They both go flying and hit a wall. She laughs, "Ha ha!!"

Hikari then runs with the crowd.

Serenity runs and gets hit and falls. She screams. She looks up and sees a harpy. Out of reaction, she sticks her hands out and shoots fire. She burns the harpy and she runs away.

Coslotus runs and then stops to see three harpies after him. His eyes glow and he growls monstrous. He then sticks out his wings and stabs two of the harpies. He then punches the last one in the face and knocks it out. He then turns to see Serenity. He runs and grabs her hand to lead her away.

Evan looks around. He shouts, "Raven!!"

He gets hit by a harpy. He gets up and snaps out of it. He then runs away from it, "Fuck this!!"

He then turns as a big sword appears in his hands. He swings, but the harpy dodges. His eyes widened as he goes to swing again, but the harpy dodges again. Evan then gets mad and hits it in the head, making it's head fly.

Zero sees Hikari and runs to her, "Where're the others?"

Hikari shrugs, "I dunno!"

They run with the crowd and see Serenity and Coslotus. Hikari and Zero run beside them. Zero then says, "There's 4, now we need to find the other two."

Evan runs and sees the others, "There you guys are!!"

They all run together and turn to a street where there was no commotion. They all pant. Zero then says sarcastically, "Well......that was epic."

Hikari laughs, "And fun!"

Serenity then says, "Wait a minute. Where's Raven?"

Raven is running straight ahead, searching for her friends. She stops in the middle of the road. She turns and sees big, bright lights heading her way. It was a giant truck-like vehicle coming at her. She screams as it was gonna hit her.