Difference between revisions of "Darkstar Blank Period"

Revision as of 03:43, 2 May 2020

The Darkstar Blank Period follows the Merrow Rivenlight Arc and Tob and the Soul Beasts Arc. The Blank Period follows Darkstar as they continue their vigilante operations in Croft, and the training of their members for when they invade the Capita.

Giant Spider Extermination

A spider monster that has been notoriously known for killing Croftians who ventured too far into the Forest is reported to have expanded its territory. Ferris receives word from one of his gym regulars that the monster has invaded the mining sector of the slums, causing a shortage in the amount of resources going to the slums. Complaints sent to the Capita have been ignored (as usual), leading to the slums entering a metal deficiency. This deficiency has led to a shortage in construction materials for housing, buildings, technology, and essentials.

Jason volunteers to exterminate the monster, as his power affinity is darkness and magic negation, which should be a counter against the creature's web magic. Amana asks the team where Sam is, and Junon tells her that Sam came down with the cold. Apparently, when the A/C was broken, Sam went training anyway. Tob busts out laughing, and Reya elbows him. Reya tells Amana that Trill and Wagner are out training so they were unable to make the meeting. Amana sighs. Lazarus tells Amana that his magic has been off lately, and suspects that Sam gave him the cold too. Lazarus leaves the meeting early. Ferris decides to step in, surprising the team, as he always served as mission overseer. Ferris wants to practice his new earth spells on a live target, and tells Amana and Jason that his seekers will make the search faster since Sam is unable to do the mission. Amana approves Ferris to go with Jason, and tells them to be safe.

Ferris and Jason head to the mines, where the reports claim that the most recent disappearances have happened there. Ferris tells Jason that he noticed that he no longer uses Kronus. Jason apologizes, telling him that he gave the weapon to Junon during the Multifaria raid, and hasn't since asked for it back. Ferris tells Jason that it's okay, since she has taken a liking to the weapon. Jason tells Ferris that he shouldn't have so hastily gave the weapon that was gifted to him away, but Ferris tells him it's fine. At the end of the day he did it to help Junon out when she was vulnerable. Ferris reminisces to the time when he tasked a young Jason to deal with the soul beasts around his gym. Now here they were again, dealing with another soul beast.

Jason chuckles and asks Ferris about his name, since he never really answered his question those many years ago. Ferris tells Jason that his real name was Baron. Jason asks where he got Ferris from, and Ferris responds that that was the name of a friend he once trained with prior to opening his new gym. The two used to train everyday, hoping to become mercenaries. Ferris inspired Baron to hit the gym. His powers, iron magic, were inferior to the Mage Academy, and his low mana meant that he was no fighter against the infernals. However, by training his body, he might be able to compensate for his low mana and fulfill his dream to become a badass mercenary. Baron, inspired by his resolve, decides to start training too.

After some ups and downs, Ferris and Baron became mercenaries. The best in the industry, they were known as Rock n' Iron, an unstoppable force to those who paid the right price. For years, they were the major talk in town, completing contracts, and constantly being flooded with offers from clients. Ferris asks Baron what he will do once they retire. Baron doesn't know, but Ferris tells him that one day, he's going to open a gym to train Croftians who were deemed not fit to be a Militia Mage. Just as the gym had given them a purpose, he will open a gym to open the eyes of many more Croftians who aspired to be great like them. Baron is surprised, and tells Ferris that he will support him with everything he got. They will make enough money to open up a gym where they will train the next generation of badass fighters, the best in Croft.

But one day, the two were tasked to assassinate a soul beast that turned out to be a high ranking infernal. The two were outclassed, and Ferris tells Baron to run while he fended it off. When Baron returned with reinforcements, it was too late. Bleeding out, Ferris gives Baron Kronus, his hunting knife. Since then, Baron changed his name, adopting his friend's. Ferris is given a huge reward, for taking out an infernal. Ferris uses this money to open up a gym and realize his friend's dream. Since then, he has owned the gym, training people who came along.

Jason tells Ferris that he has realized his vision and much more, gaining a new family and friends. Ferris tells Jason to quit being a wimp and start looking for the spider, as he was making the moment all teary eyed. Jason and Ferris laugh as they descend into the mines.

Ferris sends several stone seekers to scan the tunnels, and one of the seekers picks up the location of the soul beast. Jason and Ferris pursue the signal, but the signal is cut out before they reach the checkpoint. Jason unsheathes his katana and powers up. Ferris coats his arms in a rock overmold. The environment is quiet. Ferris tells Jason he could summon more seekers, but before he can finish his sentence, a web shoots from the darkness, pinning Jason's hands to the wall. The katana falls to the ground, and is captured by the spider. Jason's dark aura dissipates.

Jason warns Ferris to be careful, as he suspects the monster must also be using some kind of weakening magic, which explains why he wasn't able to react to its web shot, but he is too late. Ferris is pinned down by a stream of webs. Suddenly the monster emerges, its mandibles inches away from Jason's face. Jason attempts to rip the webs apart with everything he has, but the he is unsuccessful. Jason tells Ferris to run and call Amana. Ferris remembers same exact scenario that happened so many years ago. He had left his friend to die because he was too weak. Now he's watching another friend die. Jason shouts at Ferris to run. Ferris closes his eyes. Things are different now. He pushed himself beyond his limits and improve not just his strength, but his magic. No one is going to die this time. Ferris roars, muscles bulging, and tears the webs to shreds. The monster turns around, in apparent disbelief. Jason stares at Ferris. Ferris tells Jason there's no way in hell he's going to leave him behind. Ferris powers up, rocks circling him. The monster attempts to get in close but the rocks cut at its hide. The stones get thicker and begin to coat Ferris' body. The monster decides to sacrifice its body and lunges forward, attempting to kill Ferris. However, the stones clear, and reveal Ferris' new spell. Gaea's Armor. Ferris pummels the monster with incredible force, sending it crashing into the ground. The monster's hide glows purple, and Ferris begins to feel his senses weakening. Jason yells at Ferris to be careful, as his reflexes have now been weakened significantly. Ferris shouts at the monster to weaken his reflexes all he wants. There's no way in hell it can do anything against his Armor. The monster continues its assault on Ferris to no avail. Ferris continues striking the monster until its glow disappears, killing it.

Ferris grabs the sword and goes to undo his webs when suddenly the monster is jolted upright. Jason's eyes widen and tells Ferris that the monster is going to self destruct. Ferris extends his hand, and the armor elongates, creating a huge stone shield, lined with cyan veins emanating magical power. The monster explodes, but Ferris and Jason are unharmed. The webs dissolve.

Ferris deactivates Gaea's armor and returns Jason's sword. Jason is impressed, telling Ferris his strength and magic is amazing. Ferris responds that his magic isn't much, but affirms the strength comment. Ferris flexes and tells Jason that he may not be as tough as the Darkstar hotshots Blackflame and Lupine, but what he does have is guts. Jason asks Ferris if he can train him to get stronger some time, and Ferris agrees, telling Jason his form has been going downhill ever since he left the gym. Jason and Ferris chuckle as the two leave the mines, with the head of the monster. The Croftian miners had all gathered at the entrance, receiving word that members of Darkstar went into the mine to avenge their fallen brothers. The two emerge, with the head, and the miners cheer the two on. Ferris waves at the crowd and flexes his muscles, the crowd roars in approval. Jason smiles. Ferris tells Jason that the people of Croft have always noticed the actions of Darkstar. The vigilantes who have represented the voice of the people who were deemed failures to the Capita. This was all because of Jason. Jason smiles, but says that it isn't just him, but everybody from Darkstar who risked their lives to better the state of Croft. Ferris asks Jason if he ever cared what people thought about him, and Jason says he doesn't care, what matter is what the people think about the resistance. Without Darkstar, there will be no hope to the people of Croft, as they face the Age of Ash grimly.

Ferris tells Jason he should give himself some credit, being a leader and all, and Jason jokingly says it's fine, as long as Amana doesn't take all the credit. The two head to the rendezvous to meet with Lazarus and Trill to go home.

Amana Takes all the Credit