Equilibrium
Legacy Name: Equilibrium

A lone figure padded around the dingy remains of the Shadowglen Krypts, its paws making naught a whisper upon the loose rocks at the base of the building. As it rounded the wall cautiously, the light from the setting sun passed through the fog and clouds to reveal the sinister form of a scarred Paralix. Various burns and scratches covered its body, while portions of its fur appeared to have been ripped out by gnashing teeth. A ray of dying sunlight reached the creature’s back, the glare from a mechanized leg serving as a beacon in the new dark. Using its single working eye, the Paralix turned its head from side to side, studying its surroundings carefully.

As she viewed the muddy landscape encompassing the krypts, the warrior known as Nash Equilibrium took in a shaky breath.

Her fellow tribesman had been at odds with the zombie hoards living in Shadowglen for many months now. However, as of late the scuffles and bickering had become increasingly violent, eventually reaching the point where the two sides erupted into a full-scale war. The young Paralix, known as Bri to her close friends, was also a part of this war; but, unlike other members of her tribe, she was not scouting for enemies under any general’s orders. Instead, she was here under her own power, choosing to fight alongside those that, even now, were hesitant to consider her one of their tribe’s proud warriors.

It was well known among those of her village that females were not allowed the honor to fight and die in battle, thus earning the right to be called a warrior. As a pup, Bri had listened to the soldiers of her tribe speak of their heroic actions during battles long past – how they had managed to overtake an enemy far larger or more powerful than themselves while saving a brother in need. Bri had been mesmerized by these tales, and wished to one day be able to tell her own stories of bravery to the villagers.

With this hope in her heart, Bri had disguised herself as a male and entered the army at the Age of Maturity. Before leaving home, she removed the bow her mother had given her as a gift on her sixth birthday and hid it in a small jewelry box in her room. She also made use of one of her father’s metal files in order to sharpen her horns to the cruel points of a fledgling warrior. As she stepped out of her home for what may have been the last time, Bri held her head high and prepared herself for the tough road ahead of her.

Many months went by without any of her fellow soldiers realizing her true identity. She joked with them, scuffled with them, and fought side-by-side with them in combat. Bri worked hard to keep her secret while in the army camp, but lost herself during the mayhem of battle, refusing to pass up the opportunity to show her bravado and bravery on the battle field. Her actions earned her the respect and admiration of her tribesman, but she refused to acknowledge the dangers of her behavior.

Perhaps it was this lack of care which led to that fateful day when she lost one of her hind legs to the jaws of a zombie Mortiking. The injury was serious, and forced her to visit the army hospital. It was there that her secret was revealed to the stunned medical staff, and reported soon after to her commanding officer. He was furious, of course, and immediately discharged her from the army’s services.

Disgraced, Bri lay in the hospital day after day, wishing she could do something to regain her honor. She grew angry at her tribesmen, wondering how they could refuse her when she had proven herself more than capable on the battlefield. However, she knew in her heart that she couldn’t simply abandon them during a time of war.

Eventually, Bri came to a decision. When she was well enough to leave the hospital, she would find a skilled metalworker and commission them to build her a new leg out of the strongest materials available. Once her new leg was completed, she would find a surgeon who could successfully attach the metallic limb to her body and return her to her previous level of mobility. When her second recovery from surgery was complete, she would join her fellow warriors once more on the battlefield. This time, though, she would be taking the position of a rogue soldier, someone who aided her tribe brothers from the shadows, rather than the spotlight.

So it was. For the past two months of war, Bri fought as the assassin known as Nash Equilibrium. She showed no mercy to her enemies, and did all she could to regain her lost honor and the respect of her fellow warriors. She didn’t regret her decision to continue fighting, instead believing it to be her fated path, one which she was determined to walk proudly.

A sudden movement on the horizon alerted the silent warrior to an enemy’s approach. Shaking herself from her memories, the young Paralix warrior crouched and hid inside a nearby patch of long grass. Gazing at the small group of zombies fast approaching, Bri grinned viciously.

It appeared that Nash Equilibrium would be earning yet another batch of trophies for her collection.

Artwork

X by IsikX by TikiX by TikiX by PaintX by GENERAL

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CI (c) TikiStory (c) SeiferOverlay (c) Paint


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