Umbra: Episode 2: Ashsand

By Terrarian Pony

WARNING: Content of this story may include violence, gore, romance, same gender romance, and probably references to several video games and TV shows. This series is also written in script format. If anyone is offended by any of the content listed above, than please turn back now. You have been warned.

Introduction: Welcome to the Umbra, a realm of creatures who have mysteriously disappeared, and woke up here, in this depressing void of emptiness, depression, oh, and monsters. The Umbra is a realm where someone around corner is paranoid of you, and probably wants to take all of your power.

Umbra is a series alternate of that of "The Magic Wilds". Some TMW lore still applies as well. However, unlike TMW, Umbra mainly takes place in a different realm where creatures mysteriously disappear too, called The Umbra.

Episodes

Previously

...

Story: Terrarian Pony presents... Umbra

A Fiction Mythology Series

Episode 2

Ashsand ...

Ashsand wasn't a pretty town, by any means, but the purple glowing stones seemed to have kept the shadows at bay. The Mining Guild was in the center of town. Instead of purple stone, it was made of the same strange wood as the arrow he saw earlier.

"Mining Guild: Members only! Leave your requests in the request box!" read the sign on the front of the building. On either side of the door was a hanging purple stone, and underneath one of them was a small box labeled "Request Box". This wasn't an abnormal procedure for guilds, but it did leave the risk of a rival guild, or anyone who dislikes that particular guild, taking jobs right from the guild. Normally, anyone who wants to hire a guild's members would leave their requests in a box on the inside of the guild, or wherever the guild wants them to place it. Then the guild leader would periodically look through the jobs in the box, and choose which ones get approved, and put them on the job board. The guild leader has the right to approve or disapprove any jobs for any reason, but an approved job must meet certain requirements made by a local sponsor.

Any jobs approved by the guild leader are carried out by members of the guild, and the reward is split, with the guild getting a certain percent of the earnings. The usual split is 10 and 90, with the guild getting the bulk in order to keep the guild running, especially in hard times, but the members who carried out the job get to keep any items promised by the client. Any job not approved by the guild leader does not obligate the members to share with the guild, but it will likely result in termination of membership were the guild leader to find out.

Terran walked into the guild, whereupon he immediately entered into the mess hall. This also wasn't abnormal, as many guilds would begin with a mess hall, seeing as guild creatures tend to get hungry on a regular basis. There were many creatures here, of different varieties. Terran walked up to the first one that didn't look busy, a three-headed viper.

Viper head 1:" A little one approaches."

Viper head 2:" Hmmm... is it food?"

Viper head 3:" No, too skinny. Not enough meat."

Terran:" Uh yeah, hi. I'm looking for Mel. I was told she might hire me."

Viper head 2:" Oh of course, little one. Just head down that hall there, and it's the second door to the left."

The viper head pointed to a hallway with it's nose.

Viper head 2:" Hehe. Good luck."

Terran:" Thanks?"

Terran went down the hall, and knocked on the second door to the left. When it didn't open, he knocked again.

Terran:" Hello? Mel's office?"

Terran opened the door, expecting to find a big desk in the middle of the room, but was instead met by a shadow beast with two legs, four arms, and a terrifying smile on it's face. It pounced on him, and then hissed, and then it began to run off. Terran's heart was racing, and as he recovered, he noticed something was missing. The locket. It was in one of the shadow beast's hands.

Terran:" Hey! Give that back!"

Terran chased after the shadow, leaping on the tables, and and over other members of the guild. Eventually, he tackled the beast, slamming it's face into a half eaten pie, which splattered into the face of the weasel who was eating it. Terran summoned an ice sword out of thin air. Given he hadn't been hydrated all day, the sword was looking a bit worn, but he didn't even notice.

Terran:" Give it back. Now."

Weasel:" Excuse me! I do believe you have tainted my lunch!"

Terran:" Yeah, well who knows what else this thing may have taken. No need to thank me."

Weasel:" Thank THIS!"

The weasel hit Terran with a burst of a flame spell, sending him halfway across the room, into the back of a guerrilla. Terran fell to the floor, and the guerrilla turned around to see a salamander, eating a freshly baked potato. The guerrilla, without question, slapped the salamander in the back of the head, and the salamander launched himself at the guerrilla in self defense. All went downhill from there. Fighting broke out, and now Terran was at the center of the chaos, only concerned about a stolen trinket.

Terran:" There you are!"

Terran pounced on the thief's back, trying to take back what was rightfully his. He ran the shadow beast into a wall, knocking out it's lights, and then took back the locket. Only once he recovered the locket, did he notice the fighting, and he knew it was time to leave, but as he began making his way towards the exit...

???:" That's enough!!!"

The fighting stopped instantly. All eyes were now on a the figure of a large, female vampire bat. Everyone was silent. Not a peep could be heard in the room. That had to be the guild leader. That had to be Mel.

Mel:" Now. Can somebody here, please explain to me what the HECK IS GIONG ON HERE!?"

Viper 1:" It was the new guy! That fox caused all the chaos!"

The viper pointed it's three heads at Terran, who had almost reached the exit. The bat narrowed her red eyes at Terran. It was at that moment he knew, he screwed up big time. He grinned sheepishly.

Terran:" I-I can explain."

...

Mel:" You come into my guild, reek havoc on my people, and you expect that I'm just going to let you get away with it?"

Terran:" Listen, I know how it looks, but I..."

Mel:" It looks like your trying to sabotage a respectable guild, with resectable clientele, with your shenanigans."

Terran:" If you just here me out..."

Mel slammed a claw wing down on her desk.

Mel:" I have seen some degenerates in my day, but to start an outbreak in my own guild hall..."

Terran:" I was tricked! Those viper heads set me up!"

Mel:" Really? You expect me to believe that? From the mouth of a fox?"

Terran:" Yes, my kind are known to be tricky at times. Granted. But if you could here me out, I can explain everything."

Mel folded her wings in.

Mel:" You have thirty seconds."

Terran spoke quickly, trying to work with the time frame he had.

Terran:" Ok so Badger told me to come in here for a job because I'm new to this whole Umbra thing and I'm broke and I need a job but the vipers told me to take the second door on the left instead of the third and I got my property stolen and I wanted it back because it's personal and I couldn't lose it and then everything went to heck and it's partially my fault I admit but it was an accident please don't suck the life out of me!"

His explanation came to an abrupt halt, and the bat continued to stare at him for a few more silent seconds before speaking.

Mel:" So, the viper brothers put you up to this, hmm? Figures. They always were a bunch of snakes."

Terran:" Is this going to reflect on the interview?"

Mel:" That depends, what exactly was stolen?"

Terran held up his locket, and opened it for her to see.

Terran:" It might not seem important, but it is the only reminder of who I am."

Mel:" Out here, it's best to forget. But I'll forgive your incompetence this once. It seems I have to have a word with a trio of serpents. Now, you said were here to join my guild?"

Terran:" Considering I don't really have anywhere else to go, I don't think I have much of choice. I have guild experience."

Mel:" Which one?"

Terran:" The Phoenix Guild, in Rhodia Village.

Mel:" Never heard of it."

Terran:" We uh... aren't that popular. But I have been considered one of it's most reliable members."

Mel:" Now I know you're lying."

Terran:" Hey. I worked hard to get where I was."

Mel:" Well then, you'll have to work even harder here then. Around here, failure isn't an option. Understand?"

Terran:" Yes ma'am."

Mel:" And don't call me that. My name is Mel."

Terran:" Y-yes Mel. Does this mean I get the job?"

Mel:" If you can do a small task for me, we'll see how you do."

Terran:" What is this task?"

Mel:" This guild does a variety of work. But we're most famous for our mining operation. Kyte is one of the most important resources for us who are trapped in the Umbra."

Terran:" What is kyte, exactly?"

Mel:" I'm sure you've noticed the buildings made of glowing purple stone. That stone is called kyte. There are different varieties, each with special powers inside. This power can be utilized depending on the color. Purple kyte is our main source for building, given it's calming affect on those who are near it, and it's ability to repel pure shadow beasts."

Terran:" What about that one that just attacked me and stole my locket?"

Mel:" That was a pet of one of my members. I'll make sure to let them know to tighten the leash on that thing. Collectors can be quite a nuisance, but they have their uses. Collectors aren't pure shadow either, so they're immune to the effects of the purple kyte."

Terran:" Are there any kyte I should look out for?"

Mel:" Yes. Green kyte is dangerous. Just getting close to it for too long will make you sick. So far, we haven't found a way to combat this problem, so avoid any green kyte areas. You'll be going out on a kyte run. Which means you and a small group will be escorting one of our carts, being pulled by one of our pullers. Badger wants us to bring him lots of kyte, and he's willing to pay handsomely. So don't lose the cargo, and don't let the puller die."

Terran:" An escort mission. I always hated those."

Mel:" It's either this, or the streets."

Terran:" I get it. I'll escort your puller for you. But what happens if they do die?"

Mel:" Well then, you better find a new way to get all that kyte back here. Else I don't get paid, and you're out of a job before you even had one. Understand?"

Terran: *Sigh* "Got it."

Mel:" Good. Then let's go meet your team."

...

Terran's team was now in a warehouse made of the purple kyte. His team consisted of a buffalo as the puller, a skunk, a silver wolf, the three headed viper from earlier and...

Terran:" Drak? Hang on. You're putting me in with Drak?"

Mel:" Will this be a problem?"

Drak:" Hey fuzzbutt! I heard about the mess you made in the guild hall! Maybe getting rid of you will easier than I thought!"

Terran:" He's insane."

Mel:" Says the one who caused so much trouble for a locket."

Terran wanted to argue that it was a personal effect, but he knew it didn't matter to her, so he kept his mouth shut.

Mel:" Now, I want a routine run. Stay on course, no diversions, no heroics. Grab as much kyte as you can, and come back. Badger is especially wanting purple kyte. Shouldn't be too hard. It's all over the place."

Skunk:" Who's this bugger?"

Mel:" This is Terran. Terran, this is Penny. She'll be leading the run. The wolf is Daniel, and the snakes are Jimmy, Jesse, and Jam. Don't ask. Tide is the one pulling the cart, and it seems you already know Drak. You'll be helping them defend the cargo, and mining kyte."

Drak:" Don't mess up, fuzzbutt. Although, knowing you, that'll be pretty hard."

Terran:" Stay out of my way, and we won't have a problem."

Drak:" OOOOH! Look at me! I'm a strong independent purple princess!"

Penny:" Oi! That's enough, you two. And you. You're new here, so I won't slap ya... yet. But if you keep that up, I might just spray you. This bloody black and white ain't for show, you know."

Terran:" Fine. But I don't want to be near him if it isn't necessary."

Penny:" Alright everyone. Let's make this a quick run. I want to be back before dinner. Let's move!"

Tide began leaving the warehouse. He made his way towards the streets, where creatures were roaming, going about their daily business. Terran wandered how they were going to get to the gate.

Tide:" LEAVING ASHSAND!"

The creatures walking the streets began to make a path towards the gate. As Tide along with the others approached the gate, it began to open for them. Terran was impressed by the respect between the guild workers and the citizens of the town. As they left, Terran began to feel a familiar uneasiness. The shadows were waiting for them to pass by to strike when their guard was down.

Tide:" Black demons stalk our path. We take alternative route, through Dread Canyon."

Terra:" That doesn't sound any less dangerous."

Daniel:" Relax. That canyon is filled with shadow imps. Easy to deter. That and there's less chance of being ambushed by chaos elementals. They steer clear of the deeper terrain."

Terran:" You're Daniel, right? You look a bit shorter than a normal wolf."

Daniel:" That's 'cause I'm not. Ever heard of a silver wolf?"

Terran:" No."

Daniel:" Of course not. Back in Mythrolhia, many of my kind are bred for one purpose. To kill discreetly. You can say we're born assassins."

Terran:" How's that?"

Daniel:" Each of us is born with a particularly rare magic, one as old as time. You might call it wind magic. Our ancestors had a different name for it, but I never was good with history."

Terran:" So what can you do?"

Daniel:" I can change my molecular structure to seem as if I am a sentient current of wind, and I can create barriers or projectiles out of razor sharp air."

Terran:" Must be difficult to use in the Umbra, seeing as there is virtually no wind here."

Daniel:" On the contrary. The air here is... different, but it is there, otherwise we wouldn't be breathing."

Drak:" Air doesn't help us breath, idiot. You're thinking of oxygen."

The wolf's nose crinkled, and he seemed just as irritated at the red fox as Terran was.

Daniel:" Wrong again! Air is a mixture of multiple gases, while oxygen is an individual gaseous component, that exists as a part of air. You, my friend, are the idiot!"

Terran:" Whoa. Calm down, professor. I think I've had enough of a science lesson for today."

Daniel:" Forgive me. Us silver wolves are meant to be a dignified species."

Drak:" Ha! That's a laugh!"

The wolf crinkled his nose again, but didn't respond to the comment.

Daniel:" Unlike the majority of my kind, I have a certain... condition, which causes me to easily feel provoked."

Terran could sympathize with that. When he was a young kit, the smallest thing could set him off. He had sudden impulses that would activate in certain situations where he felt stressed, and he struggled to contain them, lashing out at anyone he found responsible for his stress, weather it was logically their fault or not. He refused to accept change, and he didn't like being presented with choices, fearing the outcome of his decisions. Possibility was just a cruel factor in his world. He would have rather been told "go there, and do that" rather than taking control of his own destiny.

But he'd changed since then. He'd decided he wasn't going to let someone else control his destiny, even if it was an easier path. His impulses, and his fear of change were still there, but he'd learned to silence them, to embrace change, both good and bad. And he doesn't lash out as often as he used to. But because of this, he struggles to forgive his own past actions, constantly thinking on what he could have done, rather than moving on.

Terran:" Yeah... I know you feel."

Daniel blinked.

Daniel:" You do?"

Terran:" A long time ago, if you told me that I was some kind of freak, that I didn't belong, I would struggle to keep my anger in check. I wouldn't be able to handle someone challenging my rights as a person, very well."

Daniel:" It's so good to finally meet a creature who understands my plight. Being me, and being born into a family that lives under the guise of proper etiquette, it made things easier. This is how we must eat. This is how we must sleep. This is what our table set must look like. But the moment the routine was broken, I would lose all control."

Terran:" My case was similar, except things around me were changing consistently. I also had mood-based, involuntary impulses. My leg would twitch when I was bored, and when I was stressed, my throat would make this weird noise, almost like a bull frog. Sometimes it would get so bad that I couldn't breathe.

Daniel:" Oh. You poor thing. I hope it has not caused too much suffering."

Terran:" Not lately. I think I'm getting a lot better."

Drak:" You two are soooo sweet. Get a room, why don't ya? So what, you both have something in common. But let's face it, you're both killers, like me."

Daniel:" The difference is that I do what I do for a cause I believe in. You do what you do for currency, and because you're seditious."

Drak:" Oh that's not the only difference. Let's not forget, I'm really, really good at it."

Tide:" If wolf and crazy fox don't stop fighting, Tide turn this cart around!"

Penny:" Thank you, Tide. You've always been my favorite."

Drake:" I'm just saying. We're all the same here. Who among us has not killed even a single individual."

Terran:" Just drop it. There's no point in prolonging this topic?"

...

After a while, they began to approach a small cluster of purple kyte, and stopped to mine it. Three purple, crystal-like rocks glowed with vigor, protruding from the ground.

Terran:" Wow. There's so much in this one area."

Penny:" Not as much as you think. Broken down, it'll take a lot more than three rocks to to fill this cart. Get your pickaxe, and start mining."

Terran used his magic to create a pickaxe from ice. It didn't work out very well, as the moment the pick hit the rock, it shattered, leaving Terran with only a handle.

Penny:" Normal magic is weaker in the Umbra, remember? Here, use this one."

Terran took the metal pickaxe from Penny, and started mining.

Terran:" Thanks."

Penny:" You know, it's easier if you swing overhead, instead of swinging with your shoulders, and tighten your grip so the pick doesn't slip."

Terran:" O-oh. Thank you. That helps a lot."

Penny:" Spread your feet a little. Helps your balance."

Terran:" Got it."

Penny:" You're a quick learning."

Terran:" I learn hands on. Under pressure, not so much."

Penny:" You're going to have to work on that. Much of the work we do is under pressure. Things aren't normally this calm while we're mining."

Drak:" You can say that again. Last time, I was nearly eaten by a shadow thresher."

Terran:" What're those?"

Penny:" Giant worms. They burrow, and come up to surprise their prey. The bigger ones hunt alone, while smaller ones keep to their squirms."

Drak:" They spit that acid stuff, too. It totally 'boils' my blood."

Penny shot him a death stare, and he went back to work.

Terran:" How come you're so willing to help out the newbie? Everyone else I've met... well, other than Daniel... doesn't seem to give a crap about newborns."

Penny:" Don't mistake my generous tips for selflessness. I need you know what you're doing so you're not wasting my bloody time."

Terran:" That precious, is it?"

Penny:" Would ya like to find out?"

Terran:" Err... no ma'am."

Penny:" Good. Then back to work."

...