A Light in the Darkness Discussion

[Kitty_Ironcraft]

Zaul had the black makeup so it would appear that Rayna had knocked him out and given him a nasty bruise. It was all part of the ploy.

[Hanna_Brassheart]

Sneaky sneaky sneaky Thanks for explaining!

[Ariella_Newheart]

Any progress on this story lately, @Kitty_Ironcraft?

[Kitty_Ironcraft]

Sees Ariella's post.

I was so busy working on the story, I didn't see your post. The next chapter came out just now, actually. Enjoy!

@Ariella_Newheart.

[Ariella_Newheart]

logs back on

NO WAY! That's a crazy coincidence!

I'm gonna read right now. zooms away

[Ariella_Newheart]

SFTDP

Reactions

A Light in the Darkness

"Why is there so much darkness in Aethasia? Why doesn't the Great Engineer come back and make everything right?"

Sometimes I ask myself the same question...

A Light in the Darkness

By leaving, he gave each of them the chance to choose him, even though they could no longer find him. If you knew for certain that the Great Engineer existed, then it would take no effort to believe that he existed. You would just follow him blindly because you knew it was the right thing to do.

Love the allegory here.

A Light in the Darkness

"One day, that will be made right," he said and then was silent.

I looked up in confusion wondering what he meant.

I think I know what he means...

A Light in the Darkness

The Scarlet Man was behind me, working to remove the fog injector from my back.

winces

A Light in the Darkness

It was a beautiful blade; very long and with a golden hue.

OOOOOOOHHH!

A Light in the Darkness

Unfortunately for me, the lake decided to accept me into its depths and I found myself in a few inches of cold water.

I was incredulous. How did he do that? Some kind of Engineer tech that allows him to stand on water?

Hahahaha

A Light in the Darkness

I spun around several times, rapidly hitting his block with my blades. I finished my attack and then caught his sword between my own swords. I twirled the sword out of his hand and continued attacking him, mad with anger and sadness.

I like this scene. It sorta reminds me of the part in Rebels where Sabine was training.

A Light in the Darkness

Opening my eyes, I faced the Scarlet Man. "I am Kitty Ironcraft, a Light in the Darkness!" I took his hand.

With a surprising, and yet gentile strength, he embraced me. It seemed like he had been waiting for this moment since the beginning of time. He shook, and I wasn't sure if he was laughing or crying tears of joy. His arms filled me with warmth, and I had never felt such love.

Awww...this makes me happy. wipes away a tear

[Kitty_Ironcraft]

I like this scene. It sorta reminds me of the part in Rebels where Sabine was training.

Yeah!!! I really like that scene too.

Awww...this makes me happy. wipes away a tear

I'm glad my writing is making a difference.

[Rex_Blackdash]

It sorta reminds me of the part in Rebels where Sabine was training.

Me too!

I'm glad my writing is making a difference.

Yeah, i like this story a lot.

[Ariella_Newheart]

@Kitty_Ironcraft, all of these Scriptures about light and darkness made me think of your role-play.

Merry christmas everyone :) 🎄🎄

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!

[Ariella_Newheart]

Great chapter, @Kitty_Ironcraft.

Reactions

A Light in the Darkness

"You have a spare what?" Anzok asked, confused and a little bit angry about being left out of the loop.

Zaul turned back, smiling darkly, "You'll see."

That's not good.

A Light in the Darkness

"Stop!" came a calm, cold voice. Raven.

She stepped through the crowd and stood next to Kitty, saying, "And we're supposed to believe you?" Her eyes poured out hate.

Oh, here we go. grits teeth

A Light in the Darkness

Kitty looked at them all. He was confused, angry, and hurt. How can these people who claim to serve the Great Engineer be so heartless? Finally, he felt understanding. Nate's decision made sense, but it was based too much off of distrust and not enough on love.

Ouch. That's frustrating. Nate could have at least sent someone out to try to confirm Kitty's story instead of shutting down the whole operation like that.

A Light in the Darkness

"Did you tell the Empire about our base!?" she shouted.

"No," he replied, still walking away.

"I don't believe you!"

Didn't think so.

All right, now she's really getting on my nerves. Something must have happened to her to make her so distrustful of people.

A Light in the Darkness

"You're an autofficer!" Raven shouted, slashing down with her knives, "You're working for the Empire! You're evil! I won't let you hurt my friends any longer!"

Mmmmm, okay, that makes sense. She wants to protect her friends, but is doing it in a very twisted fashion.

A Light in the Darkness

She fell to her knees, "I don't understand," she repeated, "How come I, a Resistor would have killed him, but he, an autofficer, an imperial!...spared my life?" She couldn't understand. "Aren't we the good guys!? How can the Resistance treat others so harshly!? Shouldn't we be more like the Great Engineer!? Help me! I don't know what to do!"

She collapsed into a stack of pillows, crying into her arm. It seemed like the entire foundation of her beliefs had changed.

Aha! That fight is exactly what was needed to spark a change of heart in her. I just hope the change is for the better.

A Light in the Darkness

"We had one more suit of fog armor and it seemed to fit Auriel quite nicely. She has so far been able to resist it, but we can tell it's wearing her down. I expect we'll learn everything we need to know before morning."

OH...NO.

A Light in the Darkness

Rayna fell to the table, whimpering. Slowly, the tears began to stop. Rayna rose, and a green glint was in her eyes.

She smiled, "For the glory of the Empire."

Noooo...she was so close.

[Kitty_Ironcraft]

The stage is set.

[Lila_Lightcraft]

Oh. My. Word. I just finished reading your story Kitty, and... That was probably THE BEST AETHERLIGHT STORY I'VE EVER READ!!!! It's overflowing with exciting twists, deep emotions, and amazing characters. I litterally could not stop reading, and I'm full of chills after reading that last chapter. You most definitely could turn this story into a best selling novel, I'm not kidding. It has an CRAZY AWESOME storyline and I absolutely love that you created your own characters so you can do whatever you want with them! The only slight flaw is that you need to work on describing your characters and surroundings more but other then that I give it 10 of out 10 star rating!!! Can't wait for the next chapter, EEEE!!! -fangirls-

[Kitty_Ironcraft]

Now may be a good time to read the preceding chapters, if you wish, because I will be releasing my work very soon (within the next few hours, if I can help it).

[Emman_Jumpsong1]

You put a lot of work into your role plays

[Kitty_Ironcraft]

Thanks!

I am happy to report...that it is finished. I have posted the four chapters I've been working on for the past three months, and now they're done.

I hope you are pleasantly surprised when your notification says, "A Light in the Darkness - 10 new replies"

[Kitty_Ironcraft]

Happy Easter, everybody!

[Emman_Jumpsong1]

Happy Easter

[Peregrine_Appleclock]

Wow.

Wow.

Wow.

That was great. Oh my word, I don't even know what to say. That was easily one of the best role-plays I've ever read.

@Kitty_Ironcraft Well done. I really enjoyed reading every moment of this story. Thanks for the wonderful read!

. . . I'm still shocked.

[Iliara_Mustardtop]

-cries-
-cries many tears-
-cries many happy tears-

THAT. WAS. GOOD. @Kitty_Ironcraft I loved this so much. Great writing!

[Ariella_Newheart]

I am happy to report...that it is finished. I have posted the four chapters I've been working on for the past three months, and now they're done.

This took me a while to read, but it was SO WORTH IT. I smiled, I laughed, and I may have gotten teary-eyed. I could not have envisioned a more perfect finale to this epic story.

My reactions are probably not coherent half the time. Some of them are just emojis. But here they are anyway.

Reactions

A Light in the Darkness

Tess breathed a silent sigh of relief. Then she smiled, "Hey Ken, thanks. Does that work on people too?"

Ken clubbed Cameron in the head, and after a moment of standing up, Cameron fell to the ground, knocked out cold.

"Yep," Ken said.

This made me chuckle.

A Light in the Darkness

"--I just don't see why I have to put it down," he was saying, "I like holding this, and it looks kind of shiny and I like the way the light reflects off it and it feels soft and cool in my hand and--"

"PLACE THE DEVICE ON THE GROUND, SLOWLY!" the Pacifier sounded exasperated, "THIS IS YOUR THIRD AND FINAL WARNING!"

Orville sighed, "If you say so," he slowly began setting it down, "I don't know what problem you have with it, but," he placed it on the ground, "Your funeral."

He covered his eyes with his sleeve and pressed a button on the device. It immediately emitted a burst of brilliant light that overloaded the optical circuits of the machines. While the automatons stumbled around, blind, Orville ran up to the Troubleshooter and slammed it into the Pacifier.

BWAHAHA!

A Light in the Darkness

"Oh come on!" Orville exclaimed as they held down the door, "Why when we defeat one autofficer, another one comes!?"

"This is an Imperial base!" Kitty noted.

Orville frowned, "Fair point!"

My thoughts exactly.

A Light in the Darkness

He stood, but the Lasher ensnared him with its whip and began sending a powerful current into his body. Behind it, Orville threw an explosive at its head. The Lasher made a quick turn and captured Orville with its left arm. Electricity was flying through both Orville and Kitty, frying them.

Oh nooooo!

A Light in the Darkness

Kitty jumped to his feet, twirled the quarterstaff, put himself in a battle-ready position, and then advanced on Masson. A projectile flew through the air from the doorway and hit into Kitty's neck. It shot electricity through him and he went down.

Zander stood there smiling whilst lowering his arm. Rayna was with him.

Come on Zander...he was just about to beat Masson. Couldn't you have waited a few more seconds?

A Light in the Darkness

The room was filled with life. There were at least 30 or 40 automatons in the room, not counting Zander's and Rayna's, along with a handful of people. Kitty saw Zaul Grimm, Anzok, Cameron (who was sporting a nasty bruise on his forehead), and Ken and Tess, who were tied up. The looked up when the doors opened, and were dismayed to see their friend captured.

"The room was filled with life" -- I find this ironic since automatons are merely the Lucky's attempt at imitating life.

A Light in the Darkness

Zaul turned to Zander, "Put him with the others."

Zander and Rayna nodded, and then brought Kitty to Ken and Tess. Rayna pushed him hard and he fell over into his friends.

Perfect idea, Zaul. Now they can brainstorm an escape!

A Light in the Darkness

"Be quiet!" Rayna shouted, and she kicked Kitty in the gut. After that, she deposited his weapons in a pile on the other side of the room.

Ow.

A Light in the Darkness

"That's unfortunate!" a new voice said as it opened the far doors wide. All heads turned to the entrance, the Autofficers with surprise and anger, and Tess, Kitty, and Ken with joy. They recognized the refined accent immediately.

Nate stood at an entryway, smiling and aiming a rifle into the room with one hand. As the doors continued to open, over twenty other Resistors were revealed, some kneeling and some standing behind them, all aiming a projectile weapon of some sorts into the room.

The Autofficers' faces were sheer terror.

"Open fire!" Nate shouted.

YEAH! What a plot twist!

A Light in the Darkness

"Yes, and you're welcome," Nate acknowledged, "But it wasn't my idea."

Kitty and the others looked confused. Nate pointed to his left. Raven knelt next to an automaton, removing her knife from its torso as the green fog-lights in its eyes flickered out.

"It was her idea," Nate said.

Kitty looked at him in shock.

is also very shocked

A Light in the Darkness

"I got a good look at Cameron's fog armor before we were captured," she explained, "Running the armor takes a lot of energy and gives off a lot of heat. If you damage the power and heat control system right on the back of the suit severely enough, it should overload and fry the whole system; probably damaging the armor beyond repair and knocking out the Autofficer."

Ooh, that's useful to know.

A Light in the Darkness

You need to head for higher ground! Up the stairs to the fourth floor! Move!

Isn't that where Orville is?

A Light in the Darkness

A trio of Resistors on the opposite side of the room jumped into the air at once, Tesla Hammers charging. They simultaneously released a storm of electricity, destroying a squad of auto's.

That's awesome. I can envision that clearly.

A Light in the Darkness

She removed a modified Aether Boiler from her inventory and tossed it into the center of the automatons. It exploded in a radiant blast of purple light. The automatons sizzled and sparked, eventually losing power all together as the fog in their boilers was vaporized.

Ooh, I wish that was a thing you could do in the game.

A Light in the Darkness

Kitty kept his gaze on Zander, "Are you sure that's the only reason?"

Zander's fog armor flashed and his face turned red, "You have worn out my patience!" he turned, "Masson, you know what to--"

Interesting...

A Light in the Darkness

Finally, Kitty's face twisted into fury, like Rayna had never seen before. He roared, and the sound of it was so sudden and so powerful, every human in the Ebony Spire flinched.

And then he charged.

O.O

A Light in the Darkness

I hate it! I hate everything the Empire does and all it stands for! I hate their fog! I hate their darkness! I hate everything evil in the world! I hate what they have done to Auriel. I cannot let that stand. I will not! I will fight the darkness until my last breath, and by the power of the Scarlet Man, I will make this right!!!

You and me both, bro.

A Light in the Darkness

"Ahhh!" she she released a pain-filled shout, trying to keep her resistance against the fog armor strong. The green light became so radiant it looked white. Kitty closed his eyes. Auriel screamed. The armor exploded with light, and Zander and Rayna released cries of pain.

Wow. O.o

A Light in the Darkness

The Autofficers froze. Kitty spun around. Orville was running from where he had been watching the last few seconds of the fight.

He was holding a large sack of something in each hand, "Who wants high explosives!?" he asked.

Go, Orville! He's such a great character.

A Light in the Darkness

He was fast, and had a lot of knives stuffed somewhere

As villains often do. I don't know where they keep all those weapons...

A Light in the Darkness

At last, Withrey reached into his empty pouch and froze when he realized they were out of knives.

I spoke too soon! That's hilarious. I'm glad you broke the stereotype for this one.

A Light in the Darkness

Raven heard bones crack from the heavy blow. Ken went down, not opening his eyes.

Oh NO!

A Light in the Darkness

Tess was getting close to Zaul now, and she shook her head, "Your eyes will be opened someday."

"Perhaps..." Zaul said, looking down at Tess's feet. Then he looked up, smiling, "And perhaps not."

Oooh, knowing who Zaul represents makes this exchange so much better.

A Light in the Darkness

His normally green eyepieces showed gray, and he looked around frantically, both angry and afraid.

Tess picked up her sword and walked towards Zaul cautiously, "Fog is not powerful."

She stopped and looked at Zaul. Can't he see me?

That's even more interesting!! I'm seeing some parallels here!

A Light in the Darkness

To her right, she saw the fog armor blueprints on the ground. She knocked them into the fog fire.

YES!

A Light in the Darkness

"If you want to get my friend," Orville warned, hefting a prototype assault cannon, "You're going to have to get me first."

Orville is the best.

A Light in the Darkness

The Autofficer brought a hand away from the knife and punched Kitty in the nose.

winces How many times has Kitty been punched in the face, I wonder?

A Light in the Darkness

Chapter 16: A Light in the Darkness

gasp

A Light in the Darkness

"I'm 64% sure."

She looked back at him, "Sixty-four percent?"

Kitty's voice was level, "It's better than 50...and we don't have a choice. You need to go."

A Light in the Darkness

Zaul raised the remote and pointed it at Masson. The fog drive kicked in, and Masson growled. Green and black fog seeped out of the suit before it dissipated into the air.

That's terrible.

A Light in the Darkness

Her fire combined with Zaul's fire, and stopped it. The Aether was counteracting the fog!

I love how you write Aether in this way.

A Light in the Darkness

Kitty leaped to his feet, rolled Zander over, and jumped, driving both of his blades into Zander's weak point. The Autofficer roared in anger and pain and electricity and heat surged through him. In a moment, he was unconscious.

FINALLY!

A Light in the Darkness

The Scarlet Man, the leader of the Resistance, isn't leading to bring peace--at least not yet. He's bringing a sword that will divide families, divide friends," Kitty looked mournful. "Dividing those who follow the truth from those who don't.

I spy a Bible reference.

A Light in the Darkness

I know that fog makes me do things I don't want to do.

I think this is another one.

A Light in the Darkness

The fear on Tess's face disappeared as the orange fire became purple. It began to push the fog back.

Awesome!!

A Light in the Darkness

Kitty was confused, but he guessed what had happened. Someone destroyed the fog armor control remote. With the fog no longer keeping her going, she collapsed from her wound.

O.O

A Light in the Darkness

She fell to the ground, hacking. Masson came upon her in a moment. He hit her hard on the forehead with the pommel of the sword and she slumped along the ground.

Oh no...poor Auriel.

A Light in the Darkness

Orville smiled up at him and said, "I blew up," in the most innocent voice.

A Light in the Darkness

He now appeared to be wearing some kind of massive armor suit. He was tall before, but the armor made him surpass the two-meter mark. The armor flashed and activated, glowing a powerful green.

Oh...it's so sad that he feels like he has to turn to fog in order to beat Kitty.

A Light in the Darkness

Masson gazed in confusion at the large machine piled in the center of this dark room.

"Help me get this working," Zaul ordered.

Uh-oh.

A Light in the Darkness

Anzok turned and ran for his hammer. Kitty jumped to his feet, stretched his left arm back, and threw his long knife at Anzok. It twirled end over end as it moved toward its target--the weak point. Closer. Closer! Anzok swatted it away and the weapon embedded itself in the stone ground as the Autofficer kept moving.

OH COME ON!

A Light in the Darkness

Anzok threw the blade behind him and threw his right fist in Kitty's face. The blow was immense and terrible.

Ow. I feel bad for Kitty's face at this point.

A Light in the Darkness

He sat up to meet another gauntlet to the face. He collapsed to his back again, not possessing the strength to move. Anzok raised his left foot and let it fall onto Kitty's chest. The crushing blow knocked the air out of him, as well as a long, pain-filled groan.

Owww...

A Light in the Darkness

But far down below on the base's outer wall, a scarlet figure stood, staring up at him, a pistol in each hand. Watching.

AAAAHHHHHH!!!

A Light in the Darkness

He reached for his Aethermeter and found that it was full. No power was stronger than the light.

He healed himself, and the Aether swirled around him and through him and into him, powerful like a storm, but soft like a breeze. He stared ahead, confident in his hope that no power of darkness would ever have victory. The Great Engineer had already won.

This is wonderful.

A Light in the Darkness

He pulled it onto his left hand and entered the control code he knew from his time as an Autofficer. He finished, and every automaton in the Spire suddenly shut down.

YES!

A Light in the Darkness

He kicked Anzok away, ran, jumped, and plunged both of his swords into the weak point. He jumped off of Anzok and landed in front of him. Electricity spurted from the wound in the armor for a handful of tense seconds, and Anzok looked back.

The Autofficer released a short laugh, "It seems like you dented my armor. You were almost good enough. Care to try again?" he smiled wickedly, hefting his hammer.

snaps fingers Guess Zaul got smart about the weak point.

A Light in the Darkness

Kitty jumped after him, spun in the air and sliced, cutting a deep gouge in the fog armor. It burned and sparked, causing Anzok to scream as he flailed through the air. He grabbed onto the bottom of the ladder with one hand as his fog armor overloaded.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" Zaul roared, and he fired the gatling gun directly at Kitty.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

A Light in the Darkness

"Maybe that's the same reason as the second one...or maybe all three reasons are the same. The Scarlet Man is giving all of Aethasia a chance, a hope for growth, with everything he does. How great is his love for his people."

So true.

A Light in the Darkness

"Me too," I smiled back, "May the Great Engineer give us the strength to go on, the ability to change the world like he wants us to, the faith to hold on even in the darkest darkness, and the hope that he is coming soon," I looked up, "And may he give all of the world the joy that is never-ending."

"Amen."

Amen, so be it.

A Light in the Darkness

They stood a while there on the edge of the tower, staring up into the starry sky and wondering if they saw something else up there, feeling pain because of the darkness of the world, but knowing a joy that is more powerful than any story could tell. For the true king of the world and of all things loved them more than anything, and they believed that he would save them from this darkness one day, and bring them to a glorious light that would last forever and ever. Oh, how beautiful and wonderful and perfect is that love!

I love this.

A Light in the Darkness

"Oh be quiet!" Raven scowled, "Orville, do you have some duct tape that we could use on this guy?"

"I do," Orville said, removing a gray roll from his pack. He squinted, "But isn't it called 'duck tape'?"

"No," Raven replied, "Duct. Tape. Bring it over here."

A Light in the Darkness

"...the Empire will have it's revenge!" the autofficer shouted, "Every traitor will recieve their just reward! On that day, I'll--" The remainder of his threat was a bunch of mad grunts that none of them could understand.

"Much better," Raven said.

I agree, Raven.

A Light in the Darkness

Presently, Orville complained, "Why are there so many stairs?"

"This is a really tall building," Auriel explained, "And you've only seen half of the stairs in this thing."

"Can't they just make some kind of metal box pulled up and down by pulleys?" Orville asked, still frowning, "That would be a lot easier."

Great idea, Orville!

A Light in the Darkness

"Everyone," he said, looking around and smiling, "I am happy to report that there have been no casualties!"

That's a miracle.

A Light in the Darkness

"Who does deserve mercy?" Raven asked, "Certainly not me. There are a lot of things I did that I now regret...but I believe that the Great Engineer would give mercy to anyone who accepts it."

The surrounding Resistors were reduced to silence because of their surprise on hearing a message of mercy from Raven, of all people.

smiles

A Light in the Darkness

All twenty or so Resistors waved back, simultaneously, causing themselves and her to double over laughing.

A Light in the Darkness

"The Scarlet Man made the Resistance to be his hands and feet, to be his whole body, and he wants everyone to be a part of that body. Does that make sense?"

Bible verse alert!!

A Light in the Darkness

He stared into her turquoise eyes, and then down at her hand.

And he took it.

jumps up

PERFECT ENDING. I LOVE THIS STORY.

sits down

Now I can go to sleep in peace.

---

Happy Easter, everybody!

Happy Resurrection Day! (For real. It's technically Sunday for me. O.o)