City in chaos!
Ancients have declared war on Cutters!
Date: 2087-06-21 By: News Van Dam
"Alright everyone! Listen... so... as we know! Drek has kinda hit the, uh... yeah, it's kinda hit the fuckin' fan. Things have been weirdly quiet given what happened, but now... It's official: Ancients are gunning it for the Cutters' throats like never before. And yeah, they kinda did that before; but this... is on a whole different level. A message was sent out by their, uh... boss. Every Ancients member in Seattle has gotten it and it is spreading like wildfire. I'll, uh... I'll let you all see for yourselves..."
A broadcast is sent to thousands of commlinks all at once across the North American continent. Each and every recipient is an Ancients member or individual with ties to the Ancients in one form or another. On said broadcast is a live video feed of a room. A large Ancients symbol placed on a black flag that hangs in the background behind a simple wooden chair. Standing next to the chair are two heavily armored figures, clad in advanced mil-spec. The weapons they are holding appear to be Ares Alpha assault rifles but with countless details and intricate engravings of Tír origin. Their armor also bearing the same engravings and symbols.
Stepping into frame and sitting on this wooden chair is an elven man with broad shoulders wearing a spiked leather coat with Ancients symbols placed on both shoulders. Underneath that coat is an intricately engraved protective vest. An elven male in their mid twenties. Their face tall, having a defined jawline and cheekbones. Their hair is slicked back, extending just beyond the base of their neck, the sides of said hair cut shorter. A small goatee surrounds their lips. Despite the new apparel and styling, there was no mistaking them as Belial. Their presence, their mannerisms, all the same as it was ten years ago. If there was any doubt left, the intricate claymore blade slammed into the ground puts those doubts to rest. Belial stares at the camera and speaks in Sperethiel. His entire face and body is composed yet as he speaks there is a wild yet controlled hatred.
“There was a story I heard growing up… a legend from the fifth world, Táin Bó Cúailnge. It was a simple story, a queen mad with power amassed an army to claim a bull she sought for her own. Her enemies refused to give it to her. So when her army arrived to claim it she cast a curse on her enemies. They would feel a pain so intense none of them could even lift their weapons. Except for one, Cú Chulainn. Who despite being one man against thousands challenged the queen's army to honorable combat. One by one he slayed them all, no matter how tired or wounded he became. Even when he needed to face his greatest friend to see it done.”
Belial then switches to English. His voice gravelly and horse.
“Ancients, allies… as you likely have heard, a major Ancients compound and manor in Fort Lewis, Seattle was eradicated over a year ago. Several of our own… our allies… even innocents… massacred. Gunned and cut down with not a singular fucking shred of remorse. Only I, my honor guard, and one other managed to escape the bloodshed. And I have been caged ever since.”
Belial now speaks through gritted teeth. The leather of his glove creaks as he clutches the sword with inhuman strength.
“I have been in discussions with Green Lucifer as to how to respond to this massacre. And now that recent events has allowed us, we now shall act on this... opportunity.”
“I have been told to return to Seattle and to send a message to all who would hear it. A message and a declaration.”
Belial returns to speaking Sperethiel.
“To all elves and Ancients in Seattle. I told you that tale to speak of something. For far… far too long and for too long after this we have faced and will continue to face adversity for nothing more than how we were born. We have been hunted and butchered for nothing more than being born. We are nothing but objects to others. To be lusted over or to be targets of hatred and zeal. When I speak my declaration know one thing. We must stand against their armies. We must stand against their relentless attacks and butchering of our young!”
This last sentence causes Belial to lean forward and stab his blade even deeper into the floor below him. After a moment, he gains his composure and continues.
“Inaction is the Queen’s curse. A curse that has plagued us all for far, far too long. I do not care if I am the only one to take up arms against them, they will be stopped. We will not let them dictate our lives, they will not treat us as anything less than what we are.”
Belial takes a second to breathe deeply. His posture and tone recomposed.
"Not even our allies are safe anymore. They now slaughter and target those with the strength to stand by our side against the onslaught of prejudice and hate. Spur all you can to arms. We will not stand for this anymore. We will become our own Cú Chulainn. We will be our own legend and we will prevail. For those that are not us but speak our tongue. You know our story, you know our hardships. Choose carefully whose side you wish to be on.”
Belial once again speaks in English, their tone now cold and direct.
“For my declaration.”
He then stands up, moving the wooden chair out of the way as he sets his blade to rest against the side of the window. One of the guards then takes down the flag and folds it neatly. Placing it on the desk behind the camera. Behind the flag is a window illuminating a parking lot and motel. Walking around said parking lot are individuals dressed in suits with yellow accents. Cutters. Belial returns to frame with a device in his hand. Without saying one word more he presses down on a button. The entire screen goes blurry as a massive blast and eruption of flame emerges from the motel. Moments pass before debris falls from the sky. Car alarms and screaming are audible. The entire building almost completely eradicated. None that were in the parking lot are left alive.
“From this moment henceforth. The Seattle chapter of the Ancients openly declares war against the Cutters. For too long have they provoked us. For too long have they sided with hatred and zeal. Now they will learn exactly what it means to reap what you sow. Though, unlike the Cutters, we ensured no civilians or innocents were inside that little safehouse or within the radius. I must admit, I did not expect the explosives you… lent us were going to be that effective.”
A cold expression crosses Belial’s face as he leaves the device on the window sill.
“The time for our retribution is nigh. All who stand with us will have our strength in turn. And for those that oppose us…”
Belial leans into frame once more.
“We have survived your hatred for over seventy years and an entire world before. You will not stop our wrath now.”
The recording then ends.
"So... Everyone... It's official. And since this announcement was made, gunfire is already erupting on the streets across all of the metroplex. Even in downtown. The fuckin' pigs are either too spread thin, too paid off, or too chicken shit to stop it. Likely all three, to be honest with ya'. Just... Keep your loved ones safe. Check who's around, don't wear opposing colors. This ain't gonna be resolved over night. Lock your doors, keep yourselves armed... This is going to be a long fuckin' summer... Maybe even more."
"Keep yourselves safe out there... News Van Dam, out."