Fan Stories

[jammin001]

This is the story of one of my characters, *Xen Man*. I'll try adding new chapters when I can.

Location of additional chapters:

Part 2 - Page 1, Post 4 (Added 3/4/08)
Part 3 - Page 2, Post 11 (Added 3/22/08)

The Adventures of Xen Man: Part 1
What's in a Name

“Get your certificates here! There's a war, and we need you!” Fighting the dull ache in my head, I slowly opened my eyes, the face of a young woman coming into focus.

“Are you ok?” she asked, her brow crinkled in worry. “What are you doing lying on the floor?”

Sitting up, I looked around in confusion. A large desk took up one side of the small room behind which a stern looking woman called out something about a war. Around me were several young men and women, some shuffling their feet in apprehension, others jumping with excitement. The dark walls were covered in posters of ferocious monsters being attacked by heavily muscled warriors.

“Hello? Are you listening to me,” the young woman stared down at me impatiently. “Are you ok? Here, let me check.” Kneeling down, her strong hands took a hold of my head, sending a jab of pain flaring through my eyes.

“Owe! That hurts!”

“Stop whining, I'm trying to help you. I plan on being an Acolyte, you know.” Pulling back my eyelids, she stared into my eyes, muttering something about 'dilated pupils' and 'delayed cortical response.' Shifting her grip on my aching head caused a groan to escape my unwilling lips. “Have you been noticing any pain in your head recently?”

“Yeah, every time you squeeze!”

“I said stop whining.” Releasing me, she rocked back on her heels. “I think you've sustained some sort of head trauma. I can't know for certain, and they haven't taught us our first healing spell yet. You better search out a healer as soon as you can. They're all over the place, with the war on.” Standing up, she looked towards the desk. “Looks like it's my turn. Take care!”

I watched her walk over to the desk, and talk to the stern lady for a moment before walking off with a paper clutched in her hands.

Who was I? What was I doing here? Everything in my mind seemed to be a blur. I couldn't remember anything, not my name, not my parent's faces. Not knowing what else to do, I got up and walked to the desk. “Do you know who I am?”

The lady's dark brows lowered. “Do I know who you are? Is this some kind of joke? You're a Xen, man. You know, a Xenian. And I'll bet you're here to become something more.”

“I'm Xen Man?” The name didn't sound quite right, but as I thought about it there seemed to be something appealing in its simplicity.

“Here, take this certificate to the Solstice trainer outside. She'll tell you what to do. Good luck soldier, and welcome to the war.”

Absently, I took the offered paper and walked through the door, forward into a future as equally murky as the past I left behind.

...More to come soon!

[Lost_Sage]

nice, ultra xenain...

[Ginto]

ultimate xenian xD

[jammin001]

The Adventures of Xen Man: Part 2
Slimed Again

The forest slime dodged my attack, countering with a glob of mucus launched at my head. In desperation, I lifted my shield, hoping the flimsy wooden device new recruits were given would be enough to stop the corrosive slime. With the hiss of acid, the mucus hit my shield, splashing over the rim to fall onto my arm. Crying out in pain, I dived out of the way of the next attack, rubbing my arm against my leather breaches in an attempt to wipe away the acid.

I turned around in time to find the slime contracting into itself in preparation of another strike. Quickly, before it could finish, I swung at the sensitive antennae with all my strength. My blade hit the rubbery body with a dull thud, taking one of the antennae off at the base. Yanking my blade free caused a gurgle to come from the mass, as in relief I watched the slime slowly collapse in on itself.

As the smoke from the smoldering shield began to burn my eyes, I tossed it away. The least they could have done was given me something other than that useless roof shingle they called a shield. Before inspecting my sword for damage, I leaned down to pick up the few coins left behind from the rapidly degrading body. These slimes picked up strange things on their travels, their gooey bodies storing away everything they came into contact with. Of course, the corrosive mucus of which they were made quickly broke down most of what they picked up, but once in a while I would find something out of the ordinary. Just yesterday one had released a potato from its corpse, perfectly preserved, the smell of fresh dirt still clinging to its russet skin.

“Hey, you!”

Slipping the coins into my pouch, I turned to see who was calling. “You're that guy from the recruitment office, right? The one I found on the floor?”

Absently rubbing my arm, I found myself facing the girl with the strong hands, the first person I ever remembered seeing. “Yeah, that's me.”

“I see you've decided to stop lying around,”she said with a quirk of her lips. Seeing me scratch the puffy red skin where the forest slime's acid had splashed, she exclaimed, “Oh no, are you hurt?”

Hurrying over, she took my arm in her hands, her strong fingers biting into my flesh through the leather sleeves. Her brow furrowing in concentration, she said in a commanding voice, “Minor heal.” The pain and itch of the wound instantly began to recede, until there was not a mark on my arm.

“Thanks. I brought some milk along with me to counteract the acid from the slimes, but it wouldn't have worked that well.”

“It's no problem.” Staring at me thoughtfully she asked, “Are you still having problems with your head?”

“If you're asking if I can remember anything before a week ago then the answer is no.”

“I'd heard there was a new recruit with amnesia, and wondered if it was you. Did you visit a healer like I told you?”

“That's all I did was visit healers the first two days.” Bitterly, I continued, “None of them could do anything for me. They almost didn't allow me to join the offensive.”

“I'm sure they have your best interests in mind.”

Snorting, I said, “Yeah right. Just look at the equipment they give us. They care about us as much poyo droppings.”

“Why don't you join a guild? I saw you take out that slime, you must have enough experience by now to be accepted into one. They make sure their members receive the best equipment, even if the military doesn't.”

“I tried, none of them would take me in. I guess word of my 'condition' had already spread to them.”

“You'll think of something.” Absently glancing to the sky, her eyes widened, “Oh no! It's nearly noon! Sorry, but I've got to go.” Quickly turning from me, she lifted her robes up and took off running.

“Wait, I don't even know your name!” I cried out uselessly after her. Glumly watching the only person who treated me normally run around a tree, I began searching the forest floor for sturdy dead wood. Any shield I could make must be better than what I'd get if I returned to the armory for another.

...the continuation of which will begin soon.

[Lahar]

This is quite interesting and very well thougth

as for this tread i think your idea of having every story in 1 tread could become a little to confusing but it woould be nice if the fanfics were given its own sub forum so everyone can write and post them for everyone to see

[jammin001]

This is quite interesting and very well thougth

as for this tread i think your idea of having every story in 1 tread could become a little to confusing but it woould be nice if the fanfics were given its own sub forum so everyone can write and post them for everyone to see

Yeah...I agree with you. Maybe until then we could start one thread that just lists a synapsis of each person's writing along with a link to their thread with the stories.

[Orangeman21]

I"ll post the link to my story ^^
http://www.outspark.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56015

[Tamuz]

good storys

[Cladnestina]

http://www.outspark.com/forums/showthread.php?p=506287#post506287
I forget how long it took meh to write this. But, eh, I dun't really care. I'll probably add another chapter some day when I get unbeleiveably bored... which will probably be sometime in the next week or so.

[jammin001]

Ok...I've made a new thread to index our stories. You can view it here:
http://www.outspark.com/forums/showthread.php?p=506768&posted=1#post506768

If you want to add a short synopsis (2-3 sentences) of your story, please pm me or post it on that thread.

[jammin001]

The Adventures of Xen Man: Part 3
The Price of Equipment

I sat at the edge of my bed in the barracks staring at the armor I'd just removed. Tomorrow, I'd have to find something else to wear; with a hole in the shoulder from slime mucus, and shreds of leather hanging from the back caused by a particularly nasty duriba I'd come across, it was useless now. Not that it had been much better when it was whole. I didn't know where the military got the materials for their equipment, but I wouldn't have been surprised to find out they used poko skin. Even new recruits fresh from basic training could kill the nuisances by stabbing them with the glorified steak knives they received on their first trip to the mess hall.

I didn't know what I was going to do about equipment. Killing slimes had been exciting at first, but I knew I'd learned about all I could from them. If I wanted to continue to help in the offensive, I needed to fight stronger creatures, but as I'd found out from my encounter with the duriba, my military issue gear couldn't handle it.

Unlacing a shoe, I tossed it onto the floor, continuing to the next before stopping at the sight of a large frayed patch across the heel. In frustrated rage, I threw the shoe against the far wall where it went through an open window. A dull thump was immediately followed by a grunt of pain. Moments later the air shimmered in front of me, materializing into the figure of a dark robed man, a cowl covering his head. Though I'd never seen him before, his entrance left little doubt in my mind as to who he was. “I believe this is yours,” he said, placing my shoe at the foot of my bed.

“Sorry about that,” I said cautiously. I'd heard stories of the Grand Masters, but hadn't seen any in person before. Supposedly, they roamed the realm, sometimes openly, other times not, keeping an eye on those in the military, including the guilds. Their power was surpassed by none, and their authority was greater than all but the king.

I watched as he glanced about the room, his gaze staying for a moment on the ruined armor. “It looks like you need to take better care of your equipment, recruit.”

All the frustration I'd felt at the poor quality of my gear turned into a knot of rage at the callous remark. Ignoring all the stories I'd heard of those who crossed the Grand Masters, I said, “What should I call you sir?”

“Some have given me the title Spark.”

“Well then Spark, in case you haven't noticed the gear was garbage to begin with. I've seen children running around in better made stuff than that. So if you'll forgive me and get out Spark, I've got to get up early to find something to replace those rags with.”

The flash of candlelight glinted off his eyes, and for a moment I thought I'd gone too far. An aura of energy coalesced around him, causing the hair on my arms to stir. Several heartbeats later, the cowled figure gave a small sigh, as the energy dissipated. “You have a right to be angry, Xen Man.” I barely noticed the lift of his lips beneath the shadow of his cowl. “An interesting name to take. Some believe it to be a sign of arrogance. I'm not sure I agree with them.”

“You know me?” I asked, wiping my suddenly sweaty palm upon my shirt.

“Of course. You and the others with your condition are of great interest to the military.”

“There's more like me? Others without any memory?”

He stared at me a moment before dismissing my question with the swipe of a hand. “I've come here to make you an offer. The Grand Master's are in possession of equipment that the standard military, and even the guilds do not have access to. If you wish you can be outfitted in this gear.”

Cautiously I said, “Anything would be better than what I've been getting, but why haven't I heard about this before now?”

“We only make the offer to those we find able to pay the price.”

“There's a price? What is it?”

“There is always a price, but we have decided you are able to make the payment. As for what it is, you'll have to agree to the offer first.”

Bitterly staring at the shredded leather I'd worn earlier I said, “Do I have a choice? I can't wear that any longer, and the guilds won't part with any of their equipment. Fine, I accept.”

“So be it.” With those words the hair on my arms stirred, sending needle pricks of pain sliding into my skin. Soon I felt aflame, every muscle in my body beginning to spasm. As the torture intensified, a scream was wrenched from my throat; not the last that long night.

[Khrim]

I definitely like chapter 3 :) *grin*

[jammin001]

I definitely like chapter 3 :) *grin*

I knew you would :p Don't know if anyone noticed the game references I made. "Grand Master" for GM, Spark for Outspark (and I even put the word "out" before "Spark" at one point), and of course the very costly special equipment held by the Game Masters was sparkcash items. Sometimes paying for sparkcash feels like torture :D.

Well...I'm starting a new job in the morning. It's a week earlier than I thought, but i'm looking forward to getting back to work after being unemployed the last couple months :) I hope it won't affect my writing much, because it's definitely going to affect my playing. I'll still try to write a new chapter every couple of weeks or so.

So wish me luck on the new job, it's pretty much everything I've been looking for.

[Deviot_Aviot]

Ouch...it breaks my heart to see such a good story die ><
but anywayz, looking for future chapters....
it is always pleasant to hear a fanfic about xenians xD
o.O must i explain what am i trying to do here?
*looks at my sig*

[jammin001]

Ouch...it breaks my heart to see such a good story die ><
but anywayz, looking for future chapters....
it is always pleasant to hear a fanfic about xenians xD
o.O must i explain what am i trying to do here?
*looks at my sig*

Thanks for the comment on my story :). I'll try writing another chapter soon...working 60 hours a week has me doing little else. I really want to do some more writing soon, and I'll try to get another done in the next few days.

Btw, I added you to the fan fiction index. If anyone out there sees any stories being posted either pm me or mention it on the fan fiction index thread (there's a link in my sig). I still try to keep it updated so that everyone in the community can see the writing talent we have.

[Deviot_Aviot]

Now i remember....your story seems to have the same plot as an anime i've seen....
the Hack// series o.O

[jammin001]

Now i remember....your story seems to have the same plot as an anime i've seen....
the Hack// series o.O

Huh, weird. I've never seen the Hack series (I'm in the middle of Naruto atm), but it must be good. Although, loss of memory isn't anything knew in any genre...I hope I don't stick to all the same cliches. Mainly I'm just trying to find a way to explain why Super Xenians have no new equipment or skills, and give them an important role to play in the lore of SotS. I'm also trying to add as much in game material as possible, for example explaining how a slime can drop a potato when it's killed, or where spark cash items come from.

Basically I'm trying to stay true to SotS. So if there's any similarity with any other lore, it's not on purpose :p.