The Verge of Tomorrow

Dar said little as he slowly ate the meal. He didn't seem to be in a bad mood, just thoughtful. Finishing the lobster, Dar wiped his mouth and stood up. "Thank you for the meal. I feel ready to do what needs to be done. I'm going to kill them." There was no malice in his words. He was simply accepting the inevitable. He could not hold back his wrath forever, so he might as well embrace it.

Turning to leave, Dar explained just who he intended to kill. "Every meta-human. Every alien. Every being that is not a simple, pure human will be wiped from the face of this world. The first Vanishing was instant, but the second Vanishing will be slow. One by one, the scourges of this world will fall at my hand."

Dar realized that it might sound like he was doing this out of some sort of misplaced morals. He chuckled. "They will die, because I must kill someone. And it is better that I fight the strong than the weak. The strong can fight back. The strong are worthy of my steel, and their blood will bring me glory."

Dravocn looked at his new friend Dar, he understood his intention... his reasoning... he didn't care much however Drav seemed to recall that those he had met and enjoyed the company of all tended to be Meta's. Drav pondered on this, and decided to inform Dar "My friend, I've enjoyed our time together thus far... might I ask a favor of you on your quest? There have been times I have enjoyed the time of Meta's as well ... so my favor is ... Can you refrain from killing those I defend? I ask this as a personal request, as can give nothing more than I do to everyone including yourself, I hope you not harm yourself nor those I find as good people... They are not of any possible direct danger ... the only danger they could possibly cause is those they themselves cannot control ... Other's reactions and conflict caused by hatred. We both know how much hatred and aggression can effect and control human kind. So once again ... I must request ... please ... do not kill those without genuine reason to kill that specific person. I do understand I am sometimes hard to understand as some have told me ... so would you like me to be more clear... and if so how so?" He asked with a calm and caring tone in his voice "I do not think any less of you if you deny my request, however I would appreciate it if you did." He explained to him.

Dar stopped and listened patiently to Dravocn's request. He offered Dar no incentive, and even admitted that he had nothing to give. It was interesting that he didn't offer money. Rich people were always throwing money around, weren't they? But Dravocn was smart. He knew that Dar could not be bought, not with cash, anyways. Dar had to give the man respect for not offering a bribe. Instead, Dravocn had given a heart-felt plea, from one friend to another.

"My answer depends on your actions," Dar said. "The people you defend, I will not harm them until either you or I have been defeated. If you really want them kept safe, then you need only best me in combat, and they will be kept safe. When you successfully defend one of your friends from my blade, you have my word that I will not again try to kill that same person." He narrowed his eyes. "But if they ever get in my way, including during the duel between you and I, then this agreement will be void. That is the best I can do."

It might sound harsh. Dravocn could even die defending those friends he had spoken of. But that was the measure of a true friend, wasn't it? Besides, Dar hadn't offered a deal this good to anyone else.

Dravocn smiled as his offer was accepted, with a twist, but accepted none the less. He looked at Dar and nodded "Yes, your end of the deal is acceptable ... this way I am the one at fault for their deaths rather than you ... this is good." he said with a smile "I must say though, I don't usually use my own body to fight... it's too frail... I tend to use 'pets' as I call them ... they are more likely mutants based on my serums ... so I would like to know ... would these be acceptable?" He asked hoping Dar would understand Drav's circumstances.

Dravocn said that he preferred to leave the fighting to his 'pets,' which were modified by his serums to gain powers. Dar didn't quite pick up that the 'pets' might be humans. So, he thought, Dravocn had a collection of enhanced animals. That was interesting. What were they, he wondered. Dogs? Tigers? Bears? It really didn't matter. Dar would have to find out on the battlefield.

"Of course. You must always fight with everything at your disposal. Just remember, even the general in the back of the army puts his life on the line in each battle." Dar turned again to the door, but he hesitated. "I trust that you would tell me if you were a meta-human. Although I oneday hope to kill the last of these monsters, such a revelation would not harm our friendship. Who knows? Perhaps someone will be able to stop me one of these days. I would not ask for defeat, but perhaps I would welcome it."

Dar walked out the door, moving slow enough to hear any parting remarks from Dravocn, if the man chose to provide any.

Dravocn smiled as he had said this .... though since Drav knew Dar was sensitive about the humans ... he would either have to use his serums on himself ... or on animals ... either way he had hoped it wouldn't come to that... he didn't want to have to do anything to harm Dar... Drav thought of him well regardless of his opposing views. Dravocn nodded as Dar had said his last words to Drav for the day. Drav watched as Dar walked away "Dar, You are an interesting person ... I wish it not to come to those circumstances .... if you should die ... I'll host a funeral for you.... however I do not wish to be the one that cast you slain.... May our next meeting be a happy one and enjoy each others company once again." Dravocn yelled hoping Dar could hear him

Oh, Dar heard him alright. He heard every word. He managed to stay silent while he was still within Drav's range of hearing. As soon as he left Drav's estate, however, he could no longer contain himself.

Dar burst into laughter. He hadn't laughed like this in a long time. Of all the things Drav was concerned about, he had chosen to wish that he would not have to kill Dar. The idea of Dravocn killing Dar was something that Dar simply found hilarious.

A few blocks later, Dar wondered why he had laughed. He did not mean to show any disrespect to Dravocn. If a man said he would fight a man to the death, it was no laughing matter. It was about honor. And who was Dar to know everything? Perhaps Dravocn's pets would surprise him. Maybe they could overpower even him.

But Dar doubted it.


To Be Continued...


OOC: (Great thread. Thanks!)