Critical Point [Open ~ ]

[ACE KOVAC]

_{All the tragedies you caused, if only there was a reason. I see you lay your head down low, was it just the season?}

Being unable to sleep, in Ace’s humble opinion, was probably among the worst effects of the conversion. Some of the opportunities that opened up were quite nice. He liked the chaos, the lack of control. He liked the freedom. To some extent, Ace could even appreciate the mutations on his and everyone else’s body—he looked at his twitching hand, wet and achingly cold and sharp like a kitchen knife, smiling instead of frowning—but he had to be awake all of the time, and that was a bother. It was difficult to be lazy when he could not feel drowsiness, and it was even harder to rest when he always felt so restlessly awake.

No matter how many hours passed, and if the “night” which was not a night fell or rose, he could not sleep at all. He was at the point where he could hardly close an eye for a second, even, but nothing soothed him and rested his soul like excitement, oddly enough. So Ace hummed and waited on a difficult mountain trail that ran parallel to the main mountain passage; he could see it, could see people passing through it with those clouded, guarded, worried eyes. He didn’t know if it was daylight or nighttime, but it was cloudy and ominous and dark. It was cold too, but Ace was unaffected in his thick coat-- the only new discomfort to him was the cold wind whipping across his exposed face, or the snow falling on his scalp.

Still, it was refreshing, and it didn't pose a problem; from where he was, he could quite easily give chase to a traveler should he find good prey. He could steal something from one. He didn’t feel particularly low on energy, so a kill wasn’t necessary but… it was necessary to satiate his boredom. Ace had thought on a lot of things that day, merely about useless things like why his lack of sleep might be his biggest problem, or whether or not his current self could be reconciled with his old self… Ah, that topic had only upset him, but somewhere along the line Ace had simply realized it was all just so useless, useless to just think about such unimportant matters with such brooding solemnity. After that, he’d scampered off through the mountains and found an appropriate hide-out spot on a cliffend looking over the main mountain pass, careful to balance himself— then again, he thought, looking down fearlessly, if I fell would it really, truly matter? Since it doesn’t hurt or wound me dangerously… Yet, I was careful. Maybe I am still used to the old world and being cautious to avoid physical injuries. Which I don’t need to do here. I don’t need to worry about anything. I am the *predator* in our silly feeding chain, am I not? He looked down again, twitching anxiously and watching the path for an acceptable prey…

[ADRIAN CAI]

Adrian aimlessly walked along the mountain path, keeping his attention on his phone. He felt the need to wander about while he did things like scrolling through his contacts and quickly jotting down his thoughts in the Notes page. He knew it was obsolete, using a digital device like that in an entire digital world, but he felt the need to cling to his humanity in some way. He was actually quite happy with the conversion, taking it as a chance to start again, but he feared that if he fully lost himself in this digital "paradise" he would be more Beast than... well... Adrian.

After a while, he entered the last part of his note into his phone and saved it. He barely gave the phone a second look before he thrust it into his pocket, content with today's entry. He continued silently walking, listening to the various sounds coming from the area around him. Are any of those sounds even real? Are they animals? Insects? If none of those things were converted, who put them there? Are they Viruses waiting for a suitable meal to pass by, using their animal sides to full effect by creating devastatingly realistic animal calls? A few questions came to Adrian's mind, but he didn't eagerly pursue the thought that everything around him simply wanted to kill him. He just kept walking, only acting otherwise when he needed to push the hair out of his eyes after the wind so rudely put it there.

[ACE KOVAC]

Ace felt his tail curl up then shake about slightly-- oh, he was making it do that. He was used to having the extra weight behind him now; at the beginning it'd been so difficult to balance. But after a while, he became enchanted with the idea of being a beast as he was, not an actual beast, but something undoubtedly inhuman. It matches my new thought processes~ he thought amusedly, gripping a tree and leaning out over the mountain pass. The few people who passed through came and went in smallish groups as recommended, probably on their way to Everai for some silly purpose or another. When the Canyon was infested with Viruses as it was, Ace also liked to venture to the small, snowy town-- he wore a mask of discreetness there, at least. And the mountain pass was especially good for his favorite kind of hunt, with wind all around and trees to hide behind and cold numbing the senses of any passerby.

Ace didn't feel particularly low on energy but it was always fun to stock up, wasn't it? And just there was a lone prey, with no one else in sight to save him in case of a calamity. Like... an avalanche. Or a rapidly attacking predator, as Ace so prided himself on being. What a stupid kid. Or maybe he was just fearless. To survive ten years in a kill or be killed situation certainly spoke volumes about one's fighting ability. It was getting more and more difficult to find easy kills, which meant... well, he had to broaden his pack. That was another kind of hunt though, and not nearly as fun.

Well, it wouldn't do him good to just sit there, and it'd be best to make a move before anyone else came trudging up the mountain path. Somewhat fearlessly, he leapt from the mountain edge and manipulated the winds upwards enough to slow his fall but not stop it. About ten feet from the ground, he straightened vertically—expertly—and landed gracefully between the trees off to the left of the lone traveler, wondering about the best way to go about it. After a few short moments of deliberation, he jogged out in front of the kid—younger-looking, it seemed, though everyone was older than they looked in the new world. ”Good day,” he said cheerily, tail flicking back and forth, ”Might I ask why you are traversing the mountain trail alone at a time like this?” He pointed in some vague direction, not taking his eyes from the other for a moment. ”There are recent reports of a strain of viruses over there blocking the path~ it’s pretty dangerous.” A complete lie, but perfectly delivered. Even with that deliciously fake edge of concern.

[ADRIAN CAI]

Adrian stopped walking and looked directly at the one who had stopped him. He put his hands in his pockets, feigning a dropped guard. If this was a random act of kindness, he would come off as calm and relaxed. If not, he was ready for a fight or speedy escape. "Viruses are just a crazier version of the rest of the races trying to kill each other, friend." He replied. "You seem genuinely worried about me, so I feel compelled to show the same concern- What might you be doing here without a group?"

Adrian thought about this person just as much as he had all the other people he encounters. Was he proof that, in a world where people kill without a second thought, there was still some form of chivalry? Was he a good person, despite the fact that most of this world was usually harsh and unforgiving? Would he try to attack Adrian the second he let his guard down? All of these questions until the conversation progressed.

[ACE KOVAC]

Ace smiled indulgently, shaking his head. "You think so? That's interesting, I think. But the rest of us are human, and viruses have lost all of their humanity completely. They don't have a mite of kindness or mercy left in them." Ace stopped-- oops, that had really just went out without much thought. But a pleasant conversation was always nice, anyway. It led him to wonder if what the stranger was saying was true. At their point in time, where all living were living having killed others... well, it wasn't too far of a stretch to say everyone's moral soul had been destroyed just a little. And I? I am about as close to a virus as a primate is to a human. Miniscule differences But me? I'm special.

"Ah... sorry, I go off on tangents a lot. That explains your second question too, actually," He held up two fingers and went on, frowning quite convincingly. "I was here with my friends, but I got distracted when I thought I saw something moving in the woods." He tilted his head towards the heavily forrested area to his side. "I bet we lost each other. But that's fine, I'll just catch up with them at Everai. I'm not worried, I'm actually rather good at fighting." A smile showing teeth, walking the thin border between friendly and malicious. He didn't bring up the obvious point that anyone who survived so long would of course be a good fighter, or at least incredibly smart and somehow able to defend themselves. Besides that, the turn in conversation would allow the boy to perhaps mention his own abilities, if he was willing to boast.

[ADRIAN CAI]

Adrian took a moment to choose his words. "Perhaps viruses are just defending themselves more so than the rest of us. They do have a plethora of other races that all have the exact same opinion of them. With so many people against them, anyone would get overly defensive." He rubbed the back of his neck with his left hand for a moment before returning it to his pocket. He slowly began working through the pile of thoughts that slowly grew during this encounter. "Also, I'm sorry to hear about your friends. I hope they don't end up face to face with any of those nearby viruses you mentioned."

As the Claw flashed his teeth, Adrian subconsciously slid one foot backwards, ever so slowly. He was in a sturdy, yet relaxed position by the time he knew what he was doing. "I hope you don't actually bite all of your targets with those things." He decided to use the term targets because he wasn't quite sure whether or not this stranger fought only to survive. "I know we've lost the ability to taste, but I think the texture alone would be enough for me to stray from the thought."

[ACE KOVAC]

" Although I'm not quite sure if fear or racism even register in a Virus' mind. For a kid, you seem to have a pretty good grasp on the human psyche." He chirped, "Even if no one's really entirely human anymore~" He couldn't tell what species the other traveler was of, and it didn't matter to him yet, although he idly wondered about it during the lulls of conversation. Any way, it was all the same to Ace, all a source of energy and an appropriate degree of fun challenge.

"Bite them?" He thought about it. Maybe once or twice, but no one needed to know that. "No, that's what this is for." He took a step forward and willed his tail to come out of hiding from behind his coat, flashing the prongs even sharper than his teeth in view. "This way I don't need to eat anything unsavory." He laughed, probably more comfortably than he should have, feeling quite like the wolf in that Little Red Riding Hood story. He never thought he would apply such a comparison to himself, but there he was, engaging innocent passerby in innocent conversation with the intent to eat them all up. Please, no one's really innocent. And it's not like I can eat anything, anyway. He gave a little whimsical sigh, watching his icy breath take a cloudy form in the cold, just as it did in the real world. He hadn't really appreciated such a detail before, but...
"Would it be okay if I traveled alongside you in case we run into trouble? I'm sure my friends will be fine, but I should probably regroup with them in Everai. I really don't mean to intrude-- I'm probably suspicious-- but I think it might be necessary. Two is better than one, right?" He eyed the other carefully. He didn't expect the kid to attack first, but if he was hostile it'd be better to strike sooner rather than later. If he remained relaxed and thoughtful, it might be nice to have an entertaining little chat with him. For the past few days, Ace had been devoid of social contact anyway. He'd also experienced a lack of brawls. So whichever the boy could provide was really very welcome. He might even be able to provide both.

[ADRIAN CAI]

"..." Adrian didn't know what his opinion about a suspicious stranger actually saying he was suspicious was, but it gave him an uneasy feeling. Well, if you could even call something a feeling here. What would be worse, denying the company and walking past the person, back exposed? Or traveling with them and having to worry about being assaulted at any moment. Then he realized that he could always be assaulted at any moment. In a best case scenario, Adrian either met someone to actually accompany him. Worst case scenario- he gets attacked by yet another killer.

"... Sounds perfect." He answered with a minor delay. "And who knows, your previous companions might meet up with us along the way." If they even exist, that is. He began thinking of the Claw's tail. He thought of the number of prongs, and attempted to remember the ranking that went along with them. "I don't travel this rout all too often, would you mind leading the way?" He asked ever so nicely. "Perhaps you know some shortcuts I'm unaware of."

[ACE KOVAC]

For a moment, Ace felt his smile tighten and a flash of something... something unduly negative sweep across his expression before he controlled it. Yes, self control. I can be good at that, if nothing else. But the kid seemed to be... thoughtful, which meant he wasn't as trusting as Ace would have hoped. Mutual suspicion never made for pleasant conversations. And everyone was suspicious lately, albeit with good reason to be.

"Hmm? Usually you can find me in the canyons." He pointed a sharp finger in a vague direction, nodding as he began to walk down the road. "But I do come up here with friends sometimes. It's refreshing~ I can't say I know my way around but I'll just trust my instincts. I admire a man who trusts his instincts. Hrm, as for my friends? Who can say. I trust them, though. Trust is a good thing." Okay, he was being a little obnoxious but self-control was beginning to equate to boredom. He patted the boy's shoulder cheerfully, not even considering the negative ramifications or reactions to such things. Lots of people were thrown off by it, but Ace could hold a stranger's hand and not feel odd about it-- damn it, who cared if he liked a little human contact once in a while? Why were social conventions like that in place if the digital world was just one big mutual slaughterhouse anyway? He could touch people if he damned liked.

And the same went for taking their lives.

[ADRIAN CAI]

Adrian began slowly following his new 'companion'. Do it. Do it now. Strike while his back is turned. He started thinking to himself. But what if he's actually nice? I can't murder someone innocent. I just can't. I don't care if this is a digital world where slaughter equals survival. I'm still human, and I'm going to act like it, despite my "race". His moral views heavily conflicted with his suspicions of the other traveler, but he inevitably decided to remain calm and resist attacking.

"I think I may have forgotten to introduce myself. I'm Dylan Seller, and it's a pleasure to meet you." He couldn't kill a man in cold blood, but Adrian felt no remorse whatsoever about lying. He's had so many aliases in this world that he couldn't remember half of them if his life depended on it. If this person was genuinely innocent, which he doubted anyone was, he would eventually confess and reveal his true name. For now, however, he liked the false sense of security he feels when he hides his true identity.

[Agella Virus 87th]

The virus disliked the cold since it made her metal veins and parts hard to move and made them squeak in objection when the monster moved. For now she had taken her human form since her metal body would fall apart if she moved around in her armor flesh too much. With her white hair wagging in the wind and her white clothes flapping around her, the virus was standing on a high cliff where she could look around without being seen except if you looked right at her and even then, she would be hard to spot in the falling snow. What made her stand out a little in the weak blizzard were her slightly burned skin and the purple eyes. The monster was observing the two of the human creatures; she had eaten not too long ago but was still hungry. It was not enough, it was never enough. The data in her body made of hell knows what, was slipping away and her life was a struggle of endless fighting and slaughter.
And yes it was fun, was it not? She would kill and kill until the world was made of her and only her, then she would lay down on the ground and listening to the silence and would in time die all alone in a destroyed world. Her dream, her goal, she would not be caged, not trapped or killed, her memory would fade and she would forget him, forget about everything and everyone until the slaughter was all that existed.

The virus jumped of the cliff, her heavy body carrying her down to the earth. With a heavy ‘thud’, that made the snow of the trees fall and the sound echoing at the mountain sides. No avalanche appeared, not yet. The virus looked at the two male creatures and opened her mouth to speak; letting out a steam of voices forming sentences that made perfectly or no sense at all.

“Why are you here? Are you sure you are alive? Destroying? Dreams? Everything will end. You are dead, you failed. A traitor. You killed him! She was your friend! Everything will come to an end, the road has failed you. Kill. Embrace. Kill, kill. I trust you. Kill, kill, kill, kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill kill! All of you will vanish! HAHAHAHAHAHHAH!!

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Hello guys! I hope my virus won't scare you! I'm new here and hope you don't mind me!