《AfterWorld》Chapter 3: Raven Gang
Advertisement
During the night, the city turns on for the nightlife. All along the city's main streets lamps light up the darkness. Filled with mana stones they cast enchanting colors across the city. Soft hues of red, blue and green light up the darkness giving off a feeling of magic to the night. While in the city squares bands played music that whisked the crowds into merry fools. The inns and bars open their doors causing a multitude of fragrances to rush into the streets. Strong aromas of freshly brewed hops and savory roasted food drift among the crowds. From the brothels scantily dressed women and men flood out to the streets. While the fools and swindlers come out to cause a stir in the festive night. With the lights in the city's center bringing joy and merry mirth to the nightlife. The shadows creep further away to the alleyways and outskirts of the city where the slums and ghettos call home. In the dark quiet places, the other inhabitants of the night crawl out to play. Thieves, murderers, and gangs stretch their bodies as they spread out just beyond the lights reach. Ensuring to stay out the city's guards sight as they wait for their preys to come into their open arms. In one forgotten building, a group garbed in black gear whispered their plans for the night. Far in the back of the building off in one of the side rooms, Trey slipped the last pieces of his gear on. Looking in the mirror that leaned against his wall, Trey took a deep breath as he looked at his reflection in the dim light from the moon. Staring back at him was an ageless face all to familiar and yet not. 'How many years has it been?' thought Trey as he released his breath. Fifty years have passed since he died. Fifty years of struggling to survive on a system so screwed that he missed his life in a world that he thought was tailored to only the rich. After dying and going to a new place, a place that his people thought would give one happiness and rest. Trey learned death is no escape from the hardships that the destitute struggle with in their life. No, it's a world that only strengthens that. No rest for the wary...well, only if you want to cease to exist that is. "Maybe it's time to fade away?" mumbled the gang leader. Knock...knock. "Hey, boss! You about ready? Everyone is starting to get antsy to get on with the heist," yelled Trey's trusty henchman Rico. Swinging the door open Trey looks at Rico in the eye with a bored look, "Bah, let them dance a little. Fuck, the noobs have yet to even start to dream." with a yawn Trey stepped passed Rico as strolled toward the main room with a lazy gait. Drawing closer to the main room, Trey could hear his gang leaders as they start to grow aggravated. Slowing his steps, Trey quietly approaches while listening to his group's discussion. "Waargghhz whatz taken cap so longz?" growled Vlorg. From the hall, Trey reached out a hand to Rico to ensure he stayed quiet. "Oh shut up, you dumb mutt! You know boss likes to take his sweet time and check himself out before each raid. Thinks himself some real looker, always gots to look his best in his fancy Notrak gear. Bloody dwarves make some great stuff, but who cares. We ain't running a fashion show here." Shouted Trey's intelligence officer Weasel. With his giant tusks reaching to the sky, Vlorg puffed out a hot deep breath as he growled at Weasel. "Bezt watch yerz self. I'z ain't in no mood andz I'z might juzt relieve youz of yourz perty little headz." Glaring at Weasel until the willowy man broke gaze first, Vlorg huffed in annoyance at the spineless thing called a man. Across the table next to the one empty seat sat a dark elf. She was dressed in tight dark brown leather gear that hung to her body. Insinuating her moderate sized mountain tops along with her slim waist and thick hips. Albino skin that was as gorgeous as it was cold caused the dark elf's beauty to deepen. In contrast, her deep violet eyes glowed with a warm but dangerous light. "Boys... boys... boys, settle down else you might say something you would regret. Isn't that right captain?" purred the second in command Elilne a beautiful but deadly woman. Hearing the dark elf's words, the rest of the officers shut up and all stood as Trey entered with his lazy gait. "Ahh every time Elilne, you always ruin my fun." yawned Trey in false annoyance. He knew he was found out by her with sharp hearing as soon as he drew within fifty meters of her. Though, he wished she would let him have his fun once in a while. Though his officer of the brute force squad Vlorg should have heard him too with his orc hearing. The dumb brute barely ever paid attention to the small things. It was a testament to his luck he had not bit the dust in this world yet. Taking his seat with Rico off to the side and behind him, Trey looked at his five officers. Elilne was his second in command and in charge of the Silent Reapers. Vlorg led the Beserker Typhoons. Then there was Weasel who was in charge of the Cryptic Stalkers. Sly demons able to learn anything and everything about a target. Next to Weasel sat his trusty brother in arms Aero, with his sticky fingers that led the Empty Pockets squad. Last but not least was Rina. The other vixen of the group with her fiery red hair and gigantic chest that screamed to be pillows for Trey. She led his most powerful group Mystic Skulls filled with mages. It took him many years to make a place he could call his own with a new family he could rely on. These were the reasons he chose not to give up on life. Them and the fact that running one of the larger gangs caused him to no longer struggle as he did before. "Alright, you degenerates. I won't keep you all waiting anymore, we have fresh pups on the menu tonight." looking towards Weasel he asked, "What is the new total now since the new arrivals showed?" "Yes, boss. From what we gathered, a hundred arrived today to the east lodging. This makes the new count go up to three thousand and forty-three unsuspecting fat lambs ready for the taking." Replied Weasel with a cackle. With the numbers announced, the eyes around the table lit up with greed. Every few months the Ravens gang would set out to rob the new little twerps of their free soul gems. With a total in the thousands along with possible new slaves, they were going to make off like a king in the night. The moon lit the world from the highest point in the sky bringing with it the deep quiet of the night. Hours passed since the nightlife found their way to their beds casting the city in a blanket of shadows. Only the guards were there to keep the evil hearts at bay, mostly that is. As the new arrivals tossed and turned with their fit of dreams or nightmares. The Ravens crept closer to their targets making sure not to alert the guards or the old man who ran the inn. A scary fool he was, one not to be messed with that was for sure. This was a job meant only to rob some soul gems from easy victims, no killing or fighting. The only other agreed upon activity was to grab some pretties for the gang, boys and girls for those who desired them. Silently, the more than three hundred dark robed specters ghosted through the cots as quiet as mice. Grabbing soul gems here and there and the occasional girly or boy toy was gaged and snuck out. An hour passed in the silent night while the Ravens played their thieving game of finder's keeper when the silence broke with a roar. "Shit!" cursed Trey before dashing towards the noise. He remembered that was where his second had headed off towards only moments before.
Advertisement
Advertisement
- In Serial53 Chapters
Empire of Salt
I just wanted to live my second life like I remembered my first, unbothered by the petty squabbles of the rich and powerful. Sadly life, and other humans don't care about one's dreams, so I'll have to make due. How do I plan to get back at them? Well, it all starts with a bucket of saltwater. [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]
8 120 - In Serial60 Chapters
The story of how a Cultivation Universe was Conquered by an Interstellar Weapons Platform
What do you get when you cross a world of Magic, Cultivation and Legends with one of Science, Logic and Overwhelming Firepower?\o\ Chaos! /o/Alpha is a sapient AI who's job (and Passion) is the exploration, exploitation and eventual colonization of new worlds for the Federation, a Galaxy spanning empire of Science and Technology. When an unexpected accident deposits this literal War Machine on a planet full of Cultivators and Wizards, chaos and insanity ensues. What Alpha and those around him don't know, however, is that he will soon become the focal point of a millennias long plot that holds not only the fate of the world in its balance, but possibly the entire Galaxy.Ancient Enemies awaken as the Powerhouses of the world converge with Alpha at the center. Get ready, its going to be a wild ride. ------------------------------------------------------- |_+) Come, Read the Story. Watch Worlds be Conquered. (ALL HAIL YOUR NEW ROBOT OVERLORDS!) See Arrogant Young Masters be slapped in the face (by a 170mm Rail-slug traveling Mach 3). Find Grand, Valuable Treasure (which gets put into storage, because what use does an AI have with pill herbs?) Explore Strange and wonderful lands (that will be shortly stripped mined and exploited for all usable resources) |_+) JOIN US!______________________________________ ALPHA-555-12-4412 (Designation: Star Conquer).One of the 5 most powerful and advanced AI-driven Interstellar Weapon Platforms ever built, was programmed with a very simple mission. Travel the stars.Seek out new and hospitable Alien Worlds.Establish a Forward based for their Master's eventual colonization.And, If necessary, crush any and all native resistance it might find. It was a Mission that Alpha took seriously and dedicated its entire being to.However, when Alpha flies a liiiiitle to close to a Blackhole and gets sucked in, it is thrown into a situation that no amount of programming could prepare it for. Now stranded on an alien, yet familiar world, full of dangerous beasts and strange phenomenon its database has no record or explanation for, Alpha must find a way to not only survive, but thrive.And eventually to do what he was built to do. Conquer._____________________________________________________Some things to expect from this Story 1): MC is an AI programmed with a very specific goal. Thus don't expect him to think or act like a human might. That being said, he/it is not bloodthirsty and evil either. He is specifically programed to work with, and indoctrinate Native species when possible. He is not a demon lord come to end the world as they know it, but a Conqueror come to subjugate. 2): MC won't be getting some kind of Humanoid form or suddenly start trying to think like a Human. Although an AI, he is perfectly Sapient, and fully understands both what he is and what is mission is. He is capable of adapting and changing his thought process, but at the end of the day, the Mission is what matters to him. He doesn't see the need or even WANTS to be Human. The only exception to this might be Humanoid body doubles or puppets used in places his main body isn't able to go. 3): This story is a mix of both Sci-Fi and Cultivation novels. MC with NOT be able to Cultivate themselves (for obvious reasons), but using his technology and knowledge, will be able to adapt and repurpose the strange and exotic resources you might find in a Cultivation World to increase his power and keep up with the powerhouses of this Universe. 4): The Intention of this story is to alternate between it and Parasite King, so I don't get burned out writing either one. As such, updates, while not slow, won't be to quick. Bare with me for awhile till the wheels get rolling.
8 203 - In Serial7 Chapters
HOPE Engine
A world on the brink of war, absent parents, and no friends sounds like a disaster unless all you ever wanted was to live inside your virtual reality pod. Meet Severo, a fresh-eyed graduate, as he joins the ranks of new players in the HOPE engine, but quickly finds out that everything isn’t as advertised. An unnatural enemy is rising, more glitch than feature, that not even the highest level players can stop. A noob like Severo doesn’t stand a chance! Right? But with his starter village in the enemy’s warpath, he better figure something out! Before that, he needs to learn that NPCs are sentient, friends are needed, and food in fantasy games sucks! Oh yeah, and pick a class! As if all that wasn’t enough to worry about, outside of the VR pod, real life is starting to have its own technical difficulties...
8 123 - In Serial12 Chapters
Redshirt: The Journey
Freedom and Order. Peace and War. Love and Hate. Hundreds of young children awaken in a damaged world, on the brink of societal collapse, witnessing the birth of an omnipotent system. Their roles are pre-determined, yet the very fabric of reality lie in their hands. The order of the world shapes them, just how they are free to shape the world in their disparate visions. Each choice, each action, each word, has consequences that reach far beyond their perception. Freedom or Order; ashes in the wind, or the gilded chains. Updates at least every Monday, Thursday, and every other Sarturday, (from 26/11/2021). This is primarily a story exploring what it means to be human, using a lens of a hopefully real-feeling fantasy world. This story is not a power fantasy or a traditional Litrpg , while it has elements of these genres, it will focus on how these tropes would influence real people and possibly Redshirt will break some of these tropes along the way. There will be a variety of different characters and perspectives, some you hate, some you love, and some that will frustrate. Just as all people do. I don't believe there will be anything overly traumatic or explicit, but it's better to be safe than sorry. There will be some heavy topics explored, the characters views do not reflect the authors; however, if there is an issue in how I present/understand these issues please do tell me, and I will try my best to rectify it. Cover art by Jan van Eyck - Jan van Eyck, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=691857. With a few small touch ups done by myself.
8 77 - In Serial9 Chapters
Sigurd Morrison’s Bug Hunt
One night, Nathan's cousin is rendered comatose by a mysterious "truVR" game called Sigurd Morrison’s Bug Hunt. Nathan dives into the bizarre game world inhabited by crazed Russians who seem to have formed cults rather than guilds, as well as the epynomous monsters known as Bugs. On hiatus. Not a priority project.
8 77 - In Serial41 Chapters
Empresses of Pangaea: The Clash of Queens [ BOOK 1 ]
Eight empresses, eight empires, one connected world, and the thirst for power and structure.Book 1 in the Empress of Pangaea Series. . . . In a world where Pangaea the supercontinent that has never separated, lives the system of queens and empresses that rule the supercontinent, Pangaea. The system consists of eight different empresses that rule eight different empires of Pangaea. In their kingdoms consist of warriors, councils, servants, and a harem that holds male concubines who serve them. Separate from the eight empresses of Pangaea there is a Queen Council of the Pangaea world, who work to keep peace and prosperity among the eight empresses in Pangaea, which was formed after the second Pangaea War 500 years ago. To be an successful empress in the world of Pangaea means to battle with the game of power, loss, and victory.The newest empress emerging in the world of Pangaea is Rehema Eze. After the death of her mother Rehema Eze officially becomes the new empress of the African Lands and is thrown into the world of power, politics, adventure, magic, mystery, love, and betrayal as she founds out what the costs of being an empress is. As Rehema learns what it takes to become a good Empress for the sake of her family lineage and the African people, while she also battles for loyalty, within her own circle and finds love in her harem of men while building allies and enemies. MATURE Story: Serious and Sensitive Themes/Topics, Strong Language, Sexual Content, and Graphic Violence. (18 +)
8 170

