《Project Burnout》Chapter 15: Pieced Mess
Advertisement
Kiorif noticed Sprout and Tomobi reaching closer to him, unsure what they wanted he began a slow pace towards them. A faint rustle did catch his attention, so he picked up his pace.
“What do you need?”
“We need to talk about Tomobi’s gift, that’s what we need,” Kiorif relaxed for a moment.
“I don’t have time for that right now. We’ll talk about this later,” As he turned away, Sprout pushed Tomobi forward.
“Come on,” Whispering encouragement Tomobi finally spoke.
“Um, actually Kiorif it can’t,” Sprout supported him but she did pause for a moment as she saw Kiorif turn around.
“Tomobi, do you remember the rules that I gave you when we left?”
“Uh, yes,”
“I told you that I might be lenient with them, but one of them I wouldn’t be. And that was you would tell us about any gifts you get your hands on,”
“I know but-”
“But nothing, you’ve followed the rule so there shouldn’t be any problems,” Sprout let out a faint huff to express her problem with Kiorif, though he didn’t care. Kiorif went to turn around when Tomobi spoke out.
“I wanna use the gift,” This comment distracted the sound of the closer rustling as he glared at the VitaNav below him.
“Excuse me? You want to use this gift?”
“Y-yes,” When looking at Kiorif’s eyes, Tomobi felt a sense of danger.
“Now you listen here-” Kiorif’s growl was drowned by a deep below synced with the clashing of crushing grass. The creature revealed itself to all three of them, though it focused on only Kiorif.
“Shit,” Kiorif pointed his weapon whilst the creature showed its, the barrel of a gun against rows of fangs.
“Tomobi get back,” Sprout pulled Tomobi back, grabbing a gift which she planted in her arm. The creature didn’t like this as it hissed at them, hammering its foot into the soil. Kiorif responded to the signal, firing at the creature.
Advertisement
The bullet flew into the creature's hide. As the gun calmed the beast was enraged.
The last string snapped. The beast launched itself on Kiorif, pinning him to the ground. Under the weight of the creature, his gun now turned shield to the beast. But its cracking showed it was weakening. Pinning Kiorif to the ground it roared out at him, jaws crawling out of its throat as it snapped at him. Jaws getting closer to Kiorif’s head, scratching against his checks.
The crack of a whip was introduced to the song of the battle, with the creature forcing itself off. With Tomobi helping him up, Kiorif saw as Sprout attempted to fight back the beast. Her arm branching out as her fingers grew out as roots, lashing against the creature. However, she still was overpowered. The creature grabbed a hold of her lumbered arm, and began to rip at her bark. It held her head down to muffle her screams as it lashed out again and again, trying to find her true arm.
Another coughing roar was launched at it again. Pausing its mauling, it saw the armored being with its object smoking. But it was still pointed at it. Going for another roar another shot was fired.
Knowing that this was a failed plan the creature rushed off back into the grass, not before giving one last glare at Tomobi. And he was the only one who was not scratched.
***
“Man Lillia is gonna kill me,” Spoon held medical equipment as the doctor patched her wounds.
“Calm down Spoon. It wasn’t your fault,” Sprout took calm breaths as her wounds were soaked and patched.
“Hey Doc couldn’t we have just had Marcus quickly patch Sprout up. You know, gift magic,”
“For the last time Spoon, Marcus already has enough to deal with as a real doctor,” The doctor snapped at Spoon, leaving Spoon to shut up and pout.
Advertisement
“And him using the gift can get tiring, so I ain’t going to waste his time with small things. Like these small scratches. No offense dear,”
“Don’t worry Doc, I’m more worried for Tomobi,” meanwhile in the room opposite the medicinal VitaNav, Marcus, was looking at Kiorif’s wounds.
“First it was the girl with the toads now we have you with the beast. Are all Earth Bound reckless,” he mocked as he instead used his gift to close up Kiorif’s wounds. Kiorif wanted to say something but Rookie cut herself in.
“We’re sorry sir, just not use to dealing with this stuff,”
“Well, the supposed government is to blame for that. Dumping us all on the moon with the freakshows around here,” Marcus continued to ramble on as he pulled himself a sandwich, ripping through the bread.
“Like last I checked we are sentient and we are treated as tools, and you heard about their passion project. What absolute hypocrites, especially in that VitaNavs aren’t allowed in politics,” Marcus continued his rambling as the three of them still waited for their report.
“Um doctor, what about Kiorif?” Rookie finally spoke out, which plugged Marcus’ rant.
“Oh right, well you’ll still be a little bruised. But as far as I’ve checked the bite marks should be fine, maybe a little mark on your checks, but otherwise, you should be fine. And,” Marcus sighed.
“I would ask for payment again but considering how the government failed you too. I mean how could you throw people here with no money,”
“Doctor,”
“Oh right. Ah, I’ll just wait till you get some cash in your pocket and I’ll come to snatch it. Otherwise, if anything happens with your body come to us and we’ll check it,”
There was a stilled silence as they all reached back to the farm, which displaced this with its own uproar. VitaNavs and People alike were bickering over each other, with Spoon lowering their voices.
“Hey, hey, hey. What is with all the arguing?” one VitaNav stepped forward, throwing down a shovel
“Well we’ve seen the creature, so we are out,”
“Hold on, out? Are you serious?”
“We are going to have a debate about it with the rest of the tribe,”
“Cause we finally saw it?”
“We told you that there was something dangerous once you nearly lost some of your goats. Now not only has it attacked us, but one of our tribe members. We going to find somewhere safer,”
“To where? You were fine with all the basilisks and dromeo-toads running around, but not one overgrown lizard,”
“They don’t stay so close to us for so long,” Spoon brought back the volume as he joined the argument, with a handful of dirt being thrown at him.
Advertisement
- In Serial94 Chapters
How the Stars Turned Red
Announcement as of 05 July 2022: I've been diagnosed with some pretty severe nerve damage in my left arm, rendering me unable to write effectively, and as such this story is on hold until it is healed. I am so sorry, and I promise to get back to writing as soon as possible. In the latter half of the 3rd millennium CE, humanity has spread across the stars, inhabiting close to five-hundred worlds across the Orion Arm. Earth has become irrelevant, a historical has-been. The galactic map is dominated by two mega-factions, both controlling vast amounts of territories either through direct control or through their many allies and treaty signatories. The Kingdom of Aurora is the political and economic hegemon despite consisting of only seven inhabited worlds; their strength lies in the Royal Union, an interstellar commonwealth composing an internal market and a common defence pact. These member worlds are myriad and varied, culturally as well as politically, but they all flock to the same banner. The Independent Systems Alliance, spearheaded by the Republic of Elysium, is the ascendant challenger to Aurora and the Union. A pseudo-federal multi-system polity, the Alliance economy and military is rapidly expanding, but at the cost of effective democratic and meritocratic involvement by its people. However, with two superpowers as this, chafing along a common border, and with a constant clamour of polemics, both sides have become convinced the other is constantly preparing for war and are on the look-out for any perceived weakness in their opponent. The predictable result is a huge arms race and a cold war spreading across the stars, requiring only a spark to set the galaxy aflame. Drawn into this game of high stakes are ordinary men and women, their peaceful lives, hopes, and aspirations swallowed by the vortex of conflict and distrust. This is their story. Cover art by Rhodex Designs (FB). Hope you like long chapters and adjectives. Note: English is not my first language. Another story set in the same universe, written by a good friend
8 98 - In Serial27 Chapters
The Sea of Destiny
[Let me be straight with you. This is trash, like old dime store novel trash. Don't expect grandiose writing, anything profound, or much beyond being free of spelling errors. Like my profile says, it’s hopefully like a salty snack, decent and satisfying for people looking for this kind of thing (at least that's my hope). It is simple, weird, and most likely growing in ridiculousness as it rapidly escalates.] Michael just wants to get away after a rough breakup. He figures some time alone cruising on a sick jet ski will help clear his head. After a small series of mishaps he winds up as humanities last hope adrift at sea after nuclear devastation destroys the mainland. Will he be able to solve the mystery of the bowl of the ancients before nuclear winter freezes over his dwindling food supply? Who are these mysterious women he keeps meeting, and will he even care about the talents they bring to the table, or will he be too focused on how they keep ruining his carefully laid plans for survival at sea? Read this cheesy short story to see for yourself, and discover the true mystery behind the hand of fate.
8 120 - In Serial30 Chapters
City of Captives
In the Qursan Empire, the grey walls of the City press down on its subjects. It is a highly divided society which is based on the magical strength of its citizens. While the most powerful are trained as Mages, the majority of citizens use their limited skills with Essence to power the City in their assigned jobs. Jano is pretty much the lowest of the low in the Qursan Empire. A Class Ten citizen forced into transitory work after having his power restricted. When he gets the opportunity to change all of that, he takes it with both hands. This is a slow burning progression fantasy. Please expect at least two chapters per week. I love writing this story but I do have unfortunate things to deal with like work and life outside of writing. I may be able to write and edit more than that, but it will never be less! This is largely still a draft. I hope to use any comments and reviews in the future. Thanks for reading!
8 77 - In Serial45 Chapters
Yet another ”reincarnated as a monster” story, however, this time, it’s a carnivorous plant
Bob was a very social person, however, he had no friends. he liked being with people, no matter how tiring he found it, and was constantly looking for new friends. but, he never did find any. he remained a loner for the most of his life, being social only on the internet where people couldn't reject him due to his frightening visage, and with his one and only friend, Muffin the snake. one day Bob was out for a walk, smiling and greeting people as he would whenever his and their eyes meet. shame his eyes were so cold and lifeless he would have scared off God Himself, had He not taken a liking to Bob. as luck would have it, this would be the last time he would walk. ever. what happened was simple. he walked into a sword. how this happened is irrelevant, just be assured that this took his life without fail, and soon Bob was no more. at least he thought so. heyo mayo, the Author Palt here, coming right in with the news. yes, I'm making another one and yes I am ashamed. however, I have a few good reasons. oneI've always wanted to make one like this and two, I've got a certain something coming up that i have to flex my writing muscles for. thus, I've picked up writing again. ain't it fun!? if you have any comments about anything like plot holes or unrealistic characters, just comment bro. I love criticism. and on that note, I'll just say that this will be kind of like "i reincarnated as a dragon's egg" but also not. well, whatever. let's have fun together, awwite!?
8 117 - In Serial25 Chapters
Mage Blood : Rite of Death
Peter was a servant in Portos castle. One day, he learned his father was a mage. Hoping to find more clues about his father, Peter went on a voyage with a group of people. However, their ship sank as a huge storm hit. Stranded on a remote island, they have to face dangerous adventures. Together with Borin, his best friend, Anna the healer, Susan the mind-reader, and Pogna the hunter, they must unravel the mystery behind a long-lasting human sacrificial rite.
8 162 - In Serial9 Chapters
Relationship and Love
if you're a fan of the relationship between Tom Cruise and Rebecca Ferguson it's here 😊 Go read
8 198

