Status: This is strictly for fun, as I am pitting twelve of my characters from past and future stories to see who would come out on a top.
The Thirteen
Begin
“Welcome, ladies.”
The lights blinked on and thirteen pairs of eyes squinted against the sudden bombardment on their pupils. Limbs dragged against cold, stone ground. Drowsiness turned to sudden panic at the enclosed walls.
“You are wondering what is happening right now and I will explain,” came a disembodied voice from speakers above heads. It was translated in English, Korean, Japanese, and an old form of Chinese for the listening ears to hear every detail. “You are in a game, a game where the last one standing is the winner and receives freedom as a reward. Every strength and weakness will be tested. The only rule is there are no rules. You are on your own.”
Heartbeats began to rise with the coming instructions, some beginning to panic more than others. “When the doors open, the game begins. From your current location, there are awaiting weapons and supplies on the bottom floor. Best of luck, ladies.”
The doors slid open, causing flinching motions. The thirteen women ranged from different ages, races, and time periods. The first three to step from their small, stone confines were expected; it was too similar to their character. The first was tall and lean with dirty blonde hair cut short. Two slashes ran along her sharp face. She walked with a sense of confidence and lack of fear.
Molly Beckett/Johnny Fylan
Age: 27
Species: Human
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 150 lbs
Location: Central Texas, 1885
The next was also blonde, but her hair was wavy and unruly. A wild look resonated in her golden eyes and the way she crawled out on her hands and feet and sniffed the air displayed something animalistic.
Jessica Johnson
Age: 19
Species: Werewolf
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 150 lbs
Location: Rocky Mountains, Montana, Present
The last of the fearless bunch was different than the other two. She was shorter, more cautious, and Asian. Her dark eyes darted through all corners in search of suspicious movement, calculating escape routes.
Jin Ae Kim
Age: 35
Species: Human
Height: 5’4”
Weight: 120 lbs
Location: Seoul, South Korea, Present
Jin Ae quickly darted from the comfort of the confines shadow towards the railing. She ducked behind a pillar with vines climbing up its length. Peering around her hiding place, her eyes widened at the sight before her. She had been placed in a three story library, decrepit and abandoned. The shelves stretched almost to the high domed ceiling. Cracked and dried books were scattered everywhere along with pieces of debris. Dust hung in the air and around every available space. The domed ceiling was completely intact with sunlight slanting through its murky service to the bottom level where a pile of bags and boxes sat. Jackpot.
Jin Ae noticed movement to her right and saw the tall blond woman stepping down the stairs, completely open. To the left, the other blonde—Jess—was crawling down from the second tier. She hung from the edge for several moments before letting herself drop the good twenty feet below. Like a cat, she landed softly and darted for the pile.
Jess and Johnny froze in their movements to face-off. Johnny had her eyes between the creeping girl with golden eyes and the Colt .45 pair placed neatly in a belt holster. Those obviously belonged to her. Not far from those was a Winchester rifle. Just by a glance, Johnny could tell she was dealing with a form of animal rather than a human. Sudden movements would mean death. Slowly, she raised her hands and moved towards her guns.
“A’ight, sweetheart.” The voice resonating from Johnny’s chapped lips was deep and ragged from years of smoking. “I’m not all for bloodshed right now if you ain’t.”
Jess remained still, eyes watching Johnny move towards her weapons. Her muscles twitched, awaiting a chance to jump the other woman.
--
Above their heads, a few other test subjects moved from their shelters. Another blonde werewolf in a grey gown:
Eden of Norwood
Age: 24
Species: Werewolf
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 130 lbs
Location: Norwood, England, 1563
A thin woman with shocking platinum hair:
Simon Virage
Age: 24
Species: Human
Height: 5’5”
Weight: 125 lbs
Location: Phoenix, Arizona, Present
Another wearing a tunic of black and red silk. Wheat hair in dreads:
Jian Lan
Age: 25
Species: Human
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 140 lbs
Location: Jīn yèzi, 1523
And another Asian woman with short black hair, who felt her way along the walls due to partial blindness:
Kang Hyun Ae
Age: 28
Species: Human
Height: 5’5”
Weight: 115 lbs
Location: Seoul, South Korea, 2096
Simone peeked around and noticed Jin Ae hiding behind the pillar. The two knew each other from a year or two before and the sight of the tough detective eased Simone’s worries only a little. She hissed, trying to gain the Jin Ae’s attention. The detective whipped her head away from the spectacle below and immediately recognized that platinum hair. She put a finger to her lips and gestured her to come closer. When Simone was beside the detective, Jin Ae pointed down and Simone peered over to look at the standoff as Johnny began approaching the pile of items, never taking her eyes off the opposing werewolf.
Jess’ head suddenly whipped up and her lips pulled back from her teeth. Eden, the other werewolf, had been spotted via her scent. It was a challenge on territory. Eden came from hiding to hop up on the railing to balance, feral instincts taking over as she growled a challenge. A sharp yowl left Jess’ lips as she advanced forward, forgetting about Johnny altogether. Johnny took advantage of the moment to grab a bag of supplies, the guns, and took off for the the nearest hallway. The sudden movement caught Jess’ attention, but the returning bark of defiance quickly distracted her again.
From the third story were two other subjects. Their compartments had been close together and despite the rules sounded over the speakers, they immediately struck up an alliance. One had plain golden hair, another dirty blonde. Both were athletically built with muscles tightened to spring away.
“What the actual fuck?” the dirty blonde breathed, staring at the sight of two women barking at each other.
Sheridan Michaels
Age: 23
Species: Human
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 145 lbs
Location: Seoul, South Korea, Present
“They’re not human,” the other woman stated as though it were a simple answer. Sheridan stared at her quizzically. “There’s something else to them.”
Sage Monroe
Age: 21
Species: Mutant
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 155 lbs
Location: Eagle Lake, Texas, Present
“What do you mean they’re ‘not human’?” Sheridan asked quietly. The two werewolves began moving about each other, lashing out from the bottom floor and scattering supplies. “They’re clearly fucking insane.”
Sage shook her head, never taking her eyes off the dancing werewolves. “There’s more than humans in this world, friend. I’m about to show you.” As the words left her mouth, a sheen of fire traveled down her body, like embers eating away at a piece of paper. The process took only seconds, but completely changed her appearance. Tanned skin turned pale, blonde hair grew into a green mass with scaly texture, and her blue eyes gleamed red with slivered pupils. She looked at Sheridan who was stumbling back in fear. When she blinked, her eyelids came from the sides, like a reptile. Wings erupted from her back, tearing through the shirt she wore.
Sage threw herself over the ledge, diving down for a select few bags. The werewolves paused in their actions to stare at the incoming mutant and they lashed out as she hovered over them. They missed her arms as they reached down to pick up two bags. The scaled wings flapped, emitting a torrent of warm breeze before Sage glided back up to the top level and disappeared from the view of the speechless watchers.
Eden took the next distraction to grab and pack. Jess lashed out, catching her claws in the other werewolf’s arm. A yelp sounded, but Eden leaped up to the second level, near Jin Ae and Simone. They ducked closer into the shadows to avoid detection as Eden sprinted by and around the corner.
“What the hell is going on?” Simone hissed. “What the fuck is that thing? And that thing that flew down?”
“No idea,” Jin Ae said in accented English, “but we need to get some of those packs.” Jess was still circling the pile of supplies, obviously preparing to puppy-dog guard it. No pun intended.
“Great, how do you want to do that?”
“I don’t.” Jin Ae froze, looking over Simone’s shoulder. Alarm rang over her face.
“What?”
“Don’t move.” Jin Ae said, eyeing down the woman that stood in another batch of shadows.
She was petite in build with her black hair pulled back in a braid. Her large, almond eyes matched the color of her hair. She stared back at Jin Ae, equally assessing if she was facing a threat.
Name: Akane Himura
Age: 28
Species: Demon-Human Hybrid
Height: 5’2”
Weight: 115 lbs
Location: Tokyo, Japan, Present
Akane held up her hands to show she wasn’t a threat as she scooted into the walkway and towards the ledge. Jin Ae and Simone watched her curiously. Akane paused at the edge and then grasped the railing and swung herself over the ledge.
She landed gracefully at the bottom and rose to meet a charging werewolf. Black, murky tendrils leaked from Akane’s body and lashed out at the werewolf. Jess was not prepared for such a strange and forward attack. Despite her blinding speed, she couldn’t duck out of the way in time. One tendril hit her broadside and send her crashing into one of the pillars holding up the second story walkway. The tendril snaked about, grasping two supply bags and threw them up to the second level. Then, they retrieved two more and returned them to their owner. The tendrils twisted around Akane’s body, pulling tighter and tighter until all her being disappeared into nothing.
Jin Ae and Simone stood frozen, jaws gaping open.
The lights blinked on and thirteen pairs of eyes squinted against the sudden bombardment on their pupils. Limbs dragged against cold, stone ground. Drowsiness turned to sudden panic at the enclosed walls.
“You are wondering what is happening right now and I will explain,” came a disembodied voice from speakers above heads. It was translated in English, Korean, Japanese, and an old form of Chinese for the listening ears to hear every detail. “You are in a game, a game where the last one standing is the winner and receives freedom as a reward. Every strength and weakness will be tested. The only rule is there are no rules. You are on your own.”
Heartbeats began to rise with the coming instructions, some beginning to panic more than others. “When the doors open, the game begins. From your current location, there are awaiting weapons and supplies on the bottom floor. Best of luck, ladies.”
The doors slid open, causing flinching motions. The thirteen women ranged from different ages, races, and time periods. The first three to step from their small, stone confines were expected; it was too similar to their character. The first was tall and lean with dirty blonde hair cut short. Two slashes ran along her sharp face. She walked with a sense of confidence and lack of fear.
Molly Beckett/Johnny Fylan
Age: 27
Species: Human
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 150 lbs
Location: Central Texas, 1885
The next was also blonde, but her hair was wavy and unruly. A wild look resonated in her golden eyes and the way she crawled out on her hands and feet and sniffed the air displayed something animalistic.
Jessica Johnson
Age: 19
Species: Werewolf
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 150 lbs
Location: Rocky Mountains, Montana, Present
The last of the fearless bunch was different than the other two. She was shorter, more cautious, and Asian. Her dark eyes darted through all corners in search of suspicious movement, calculating escape routes.
Jin Ae Kim
Age: 35
Species: Human
Height: 5’4”
Weight: 120 lbs
Location: Seoul, South Korea, Present
Jin Ae quickly darted from the comfort of the confines shadow towards the railing. She ducked behind a pillar with vines climbing up its length. Peering around her hiding place, her eyes widened at the sight before her. She had been placed in a three story library, decrepit and abandoned. The shelves stretched almost to the high domed ceiling. Cracked and dried books were scattered everywhere along with pieces of debris. Dust hung in the air and around every available space. The domed ceiling was completely intact with sunlight slanting through its murky service to the bottom level where a pile of bags and boxes sat. Jackpot.
Jin Ae noticed movement to her right and saw the tall blond woman stepping down the stairs, completely open. To the left, the other blonde—Jess—was crawling down from the second tier. She hung from the edge for several moments before letting herself drop the good twenty feet below. Like a cat, she landed softly and darted for the pile.
Jess and Johnny froze in their movements to face-off. Johnny had her eyes between the creeping girl with golden eyes and the Colt .45 pair placed neatly in a belt holster. Those obviously belonged to her. Not far from those was a Winchester rifle. Just by a glance, Johnny could tell she was dealing with a form of animal rather than a human. Sudden movements would mean death. Slowly, she raised her hands and moved towards her guns.
“A’ight, sweetheart.” The voice resonating from Johnny’s chapped lips was deep and ragged from years of smoking. “I’m not all for bloodshed right now if you ain’t.”
Jess remained still, eyes watching Johnny move towards her weapons. Her muscles twitched, awaiting a chance to jump the other woman.
--
Above their heads, a few other test subjects moved from their shelters. Another blonde werewolf in a grey gown:
Eden of Norwood
Age: 24
Species: Werewolf
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 130 lbs
Location: Norwood, England, 1563
A thin woman with shocking platinum hair:
Simon Virage
Age: 24
Species: Human
Height: 5’5”
Weight: 125 lbs
Location: Phoenix, Arizona, Present
Another wearing a tunic of black and red silk. Wheat hair in dreads:
Jian Lan
Age: 25
Species: Human
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 140 lbs
Location: Jīn yèzi, 1523
And another Asian woman with short black hair, who felt her way along the walls due to partial blindness:
Kang Hyun Ae
Age: 28
Species: Human
Height: 5’5”
Weight: 115 lbs
Location: Seoul, South Korea, 2096
Simone peeked around and noticed Jin Ae hiding behind the pillar. The two knew each other from a year or two before and the sight of the tough detective eased Simone’s worries only a little. She hissed, trying to gain the Jin Ae’s attention. The detective whipped her head away from the spectacle below and immediately recognized that platinum hair. She put a finger to her lips and gestured her to come closer. When Simone was beside the detective, Jin Ae pointed down and Simone peered over to look at the standoff as Johnny began approaching the pile of items, never taking her eyes off the opposing werewolf.
Jess’ head suddenly whipped up and her lips pulled back from her teeth. Eden, the other werewolf, had been spotted via her scent. It was a challenge on territory. Eden came from hiding to hop up on the railing to balance, feral instincts taking over as she growled a challenge. A sharp yowl left Jess’ lips as she advanced forward, forgetting about Johnny altogether. Johnny took advantage of the moment to grab a bag of supplies, the guns, and took off for the the nearest hallway. The sudden movement caught Jess’ attention, but the returning bark of defiance quickly distracted her again.
From the third story were two other subjects. Their compartments had been close together and despite the rules sounded over the speakers, they immediately struck up an alliance. One had plain golden hair, another dirty blonde. Both were athletically built with muscles tightened to spring away.
“What the actual fuck?” the dirty blonde breathed, staring at the sight of two women barking at each other.
Sheridan Michaels
Age: 23
Species: Human
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 145 lbs
Location: Seoul, South Korea, Present
“They’re not human,” the other woman stated as though it were a simple answer. Sheridan stared at her quizzically. “There’s something else to them.”
Sage Monroe
Age: 21
Species: Mutant
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 155 lbs
Location: Eagle Lake, Texas, Present
“What do you mean they’re ‘not human’?” Sheridan asked quietly. The two werewolves began moving about each other, lashing out from the bottom floor and scattering supplies. “They’re clearly fucking insane.”
Sage shook her head, never taking her eyes off the dancing werewolves. “There’s more than humans in this world, friend. I’m about to show you.” As the words left her mouth, a sheen of fire traveled down her body, like embers eating away at a piece of paper. The process took only seconds, but completely changed her appearance. Tanned skin turned pale, blonde hair grew into a green mass with scaly texture, and her blue eyes gleamed red with slivered pupils. She looked at Sheridan who was stumbling back in fear. When she blinked, her eyelids came from the sides, like a reptile. Wings erupted from her back, tearing through the shirt she wore.
Sage threw herself over the ledge, diving down for a select few bags. The werewolves paused in their actions to stare at the incoming mutant and they lashed out as she hovered over them. They missed her arms as they reached down to pick up two bags. The scaled wings flapped, emitting a torrent of warm breeze before Sage glided back up to the top level and disappeared from the view of the speechless watchers.
Eden took the next distraction to grab and pack. Jess lashed out, catching her claws in the other werewolf’s arm. A yelp sounded, but Eden leaped up to the second level, near Jin Ae and Simone. They ducked closer into the shadows to avoid detection as Eden sprinted by and around the corner.
“What the hell is going on?” Simone hissed. “What the fuck is that thing? And that thing that flew down?”
“No idea,” Jin Ae said in accented English, “but we need to get some of those packs.” Jess was still circling the pile of supplies, obviously preparing to puppy-dog guard it. No pun intended.
“Great, how do you want to do that?”
“I don’t.” Jin Ae froze, looking over Simone’s shoulder. Alarm rang over her face.
“What?”
“Don’t move.” Jin Ae said, eyeing down the woman that stood in another batch of shadows.
She was petite in build with her black hair pulled back in a braid. Her large, almond eyes matched the color of her hair. She stared back at Jin Ae, equally assessing if she was facing a threat.
Name: Akane Himura
Age: 28
Species: Demon-Human Hybrid
Height: 5’2”
Weight: 115 lbs
Location: Tokyo, Japan, Present
Akane held up her hands to show she wasn’t a threat as she scooted into the walkway and towards the ledge. Jin Ae and Simone watched her curiously. Akane paused at the edge and then grasped the railing and swung herself over the ledge.
She landed gracefully at the bottom and rose to meet a charging werewolf. Black, murky tendrils leaked from Akane’s body and lashed out at the werewolf. Jess was not prepared for such a strange and forward attack. Despite her blinding speed, she couldn’t duck out of the way in time. One tendril hit her broadside and send her crashing into one of the pillars holding up the second story walkway. The tendril snaked about, grasping two supply bags and threw them up to the second level. Then, they retrieved two more and returned them to their owner. The tendrils twisted around Akane’s body, pulling tighter and tighter until all her being disappeared into nothing.
Jin Ae and Simone stood frozen, jaws gaping open.
♠ ♠ ♠
Its herrrrreeeee