Genevieve's bizzare adventure

"Whoa! That was too close"
You mumble looking around from your hiding spot, surveying the surrounding destruction the quaint forest area had received quite the renovation trees and stumps lay shattered. Splinters lay scattered across the high grass now crumpled and cut in many areas, great uneven swaths of shrubbery decorated your coat a veritable ghillie suit.

On the far side of destruction kindly holding Diciotto(18) through to Ventotto(28) was your target. High Glacier was his name, not his birth name of course, but his given when he had been chosen the name was bestowed upon him, Mr. Glacier had a bad reputation for robbing the wrong people unfortunately for him you needed the money and initiation.

Striding out from cover you began stalking across the battlefield, debris of your conflict littering the ground causing you to tread carefully. The majority of the damage was caused by Mr. Glacier in his frantic attempt to intercept your attacks and kill you, he'd become desperate relying on destroying the entire forest instead of systematically hunting you down.

Recalling Uno(1) up to Sedici(6), your Onus appeared in their designated pockets lining your coat, you didn't need the pockets your Onus could appear in your hand or even a few feet away when needed but their presence reaffirmed you courage.

 Your Onus, Latin for Burden or Load symbolised the weight you must carry, the cost of rebirth isn't free and is paid unwillingly. You didn't notice dying, your spine was shattered, heart and other vitals rupturing as you were thrown to the brick wall. You'd laid on the snowy pavement not cold or warm, just tired.

"Scythe... Scythe Vandal?"

Mr. Glacier coughed, blood trickling from his mouth to adorn his already ruined garb.
Fuck! you hated your name who ever was in charge of the bestowing either need a dictionary or had a twisted sense of humor.

Calling Uno to your hand you quicken your steps jogging the last few meters. Coming to a halt over the ruined body of Glacier, his ridiculous bowl cut stained by blood, his trench coat pinned to himself by your Onus.
His eyes met yours pleading for mercy then widening in disbelief finding only Steely hatred in your eyes.

"Arrivederci! Bitch"

Uno lunged from your hand, your Donum carrying it to fast to see, a streak of silver burrowing through Glacier's head and stopping in the ground below. Uno resembled a wickedly spiralled spike not all of your blades were typical knives, each Onus is unique some resembling swords others resembling nothing even slightly frightening.

Luckily yours resembles twenty eight knives named appropriately with the Italian numerical system, each a unique blade only made for killing. Your Donum meaning gift in Latin represented what you had gained in rebirth a present allowed you to fight the forces of darkness and defend the world.

High Glacier's Donum wasn't temperature control as much as his name would suggest, his Donum actually allowed him to throw fatally sharp gusts of wind fortunately for you his range was pathetic, only a lowly 50 meters once out of his sight and murder range you could just snipe him with ease.

Your Donum had superiority allowing you to channel force in to what was in your hand or close in proximity, you could nail a bullseye from 200 meters and hit the third ring within 500. Poor bowl cut didn't stand a chance.

The forces of darkness haven't seemed to have arrived yet or they had snuck in through the backdoor while everyone was busy playing twister. The chosen had found other ways to occupy themselves, some becoming criminals using their gifts for nefarious purposes others choosing to rise up and oppose the evil doers, most just went back to their ordinary lives.

Your choosing wasn't as glamorous as some
A car had lost control on a sheet of black ice your headphones had blocked the sound of it hitting the curb. Restless sleep followed with dreams of falling only to wake as you hit the ground. When you awoke it wasn't in a hospital emergency room but on a sofa wedged in a cozy room packed with old newspapers and discarded art, candle light lit the homely room shelves lined the walls each brimming with used paintbrushes.

In the corner stood a young woman in her early twenties maniacally painting at an easel light and dark swirling meshing and dividing, the woman worked like lighting a force of nature only in effect when the proper conditions are met, dark hard sweeps met light delicate nudges of colour the spiraling piece devolving in to one solemn point a dividing grey, so thin it was almost unnoticeable the ravenouse torrents on either side smashing to break the divide and mingle with one another.

Entranced by her frenzied dance you watched mesmerized as she swayed and rocked side to side following a silent rhythm brush dancing layer and layer of paint met and danced the paint roiled the dark black boiling and dancing with her the bright white simmering on the faintest of movement rippling drawing you attention. You couldn't take your eyes away, the blazing white and blinding black became you vision pain shot through your body a deep sting contorting your muscles.

Calling for help your voice caught no sound but a muffled wheeze, the pain wouldn't stop tears began streaming down your face. Your head was on fire, your thoughts were muddled and unsteady, you stomach heaved great ragged breaths pulling in no oxygen. Forcing out your hand trying to grab the attention of the flailing woman, pain over whelming you a thousand needles threading your arm, you thrust out a glint of something passing from your hand and splitting your sight a swift line darting towards the woman.

Your eyes followed the glint as it passed above the woman's head, pain racking your body time had seemed to slow when suddenly a pile of paintbrushes exploded raining down splinters dancing on the wind illuminated by candle light. The pain was gone your body sore and tender from your fit, the woman stood motionless mid sway her head peering up towards were the glint had hit the shelf.
"Its not polite to watch someone work dear!"
The young woman's voice so delicate and soft easily heard in the quite room.

Turning on the balls of her feet to face you. Light blue eyes lit up her round slim face long unkept sandy blonde hair framing it.
"Well! You look alive to me, I'd started to worry" stepping towards you she had to skirt around waist high piles of newspaper.
"I've brought home other chosen I'll have you know! But you slept so long, I thought i had made a mistake, the last corpse I brought home stank the place up" chuckling she closed the distance.

Your body sang, pain caressing every nerve, trying to speak only a small gasp escaped  your dry ragged throat. Stopping in front of the sofa with both hands resting on her hips head down cast, worry painting her face she wore cutoff shorts and a paint stained shirt "what's the matter dear! It was only a joke, I knew you weren't a corpse, you didn't smell half as bad as the corpse" grinning she reached down placing her hands under your arms, attempting to wiggle out of her grasp only earned you more chuckles "come on now dear if I was going to hurt you I would have already" your body ached and her touched flared pain down your sides and arms, "Don't worry the effect will fade soon" her face uncomfortably close to yours as she hefted you up like a baby legs hanging limp below you, from your new position above her head you could see the room spotted with candles and cluttered with old paintings and discarded newspapers on your right was a closed door.

Your elevation was short lived as your descent began you found yourself propped sitting up right on the sofa some feeling had began returning to your legs. Hands returning to her hips "So did you see anything while I was painting?" Struggling you raised your right hand and pointed to your throat, swallowing hard "Oh! of course where are my manners" Turning around and marching out thought the door as she opened it you could see a dark corridor. The woman strode out turning left out of view "I bet you must be parched I'll be right back" the woman called from the hallway.

The pain had subsided but you legs still felt sore raising yourself with your arms settling in more comfortably. The woman reappeared through the door carrying a tray in her hands two teacups and a kettle sat on the tray the kettle steadily leaving a trail of steam. Setting the tray down on the side table hugging the right of the sofa, she began pouring into both cups, her long hair was splattered and clumped together with paint the smell of perfume clung to her.
"Here dear, drink up" offering you a teacup delicate floral pattens dancing around the lip.

Hungrily you drank the warm tea, the sweet minty taste was heaven to your parched throat. When the tea cup was empty you saw the woman watching bemused, daintily sipping at hers "So girl" hands returning to her hips the woman watched you with interested eyes "what did you see?" Looking away from her eyes you answered blushing "I noticed you painting, but it hurt to watch but I couldn't stop, please what's going on? Where am I?". The woman just watched her blue eyes staring so intent in to your dark brown almost as if she was looking through you.

Sniffing sharply she looked away crossing her arms under her breasts and turning back to you. Her faced had softened, concern returning "what is your name Chosen?" Her voice was steady and hard, Chosen? What could she mean? Stammering under her concerned gaze "Genevieve Urssher"  she sighed hands returning to her hips gaze intensifying "I checked your phone I know your name, now tell what is your name chosen?" As you went to  answer  a lump caught in your throat the words could not leave, you found yourself speaking forced and gravely "Scythe Vandal is my name Chosen, what is yours?" A smile lit up the woman's darkened face "My name is Ozone Tempest its a pleasure to meet you" her grin widening Ozone curtseyed low.

"Please can you tell me what's happening" you asked returning the woman's curtsy with a nod. Ozone began by explaining walking behind you earlier that night, enjoying the snow when she was interrupted by little old you getting clipped and thrown in to a brick wall, the car hadn't stopped it just sped off. Ozone had rushed over to check you but you had already passed. As she was calling a ambulance you suddenly started to breath hard and shallow breaths forcing air in to your empty lungs, after your resurrection Ozone had carried you to her home and let you rest.

Ozone then explained the position you had found yourself in, most Chosen had decided to live a normal life without Chosen politics effecting them. Others who couldn't deny their Chosen nature formed into houses to distinguish themselves and their opinions. Three major houses arose along with multiple smaller ones, First was Lefévre Analytics Foundation the largest house in UK and Western Europe the L.A.F enforces the law on chosen individuals and suppress any chosen related news, founded by chosen Interpol and MI5 members the L.A.F are judge, jury and executioner for all chosen related crimes.
The L.A.F is seen by the chosen population as either tyrannical law enforcers or overzealous protectors.

Opposing the L.A.F is The Court of thorns, the second largest house is actually an assortment of three smaller houses, each specialized in different criminal activities ranging from smuggling to assassination. Banded together as a united front to face the L.A.F's suppression, the Court spans almost as much territory as the L.A.F but is prominent located in urban areas. The last major house is the smallest of the three, The Violet Collective has the least official members but is rumored to have unofficial loyalist in all major and rising houses, The Violet Collective is a secretive group focused on preparing to face the impending darkness.

Not much is know about the Violet Collective and their opinion beside that they believe the chosen must all make peace and fight as one to defend against the darkness lest it swallow us all. The L.A.F and the Court had been at each others throats after a series of raids on Court owned drug dens. The Court had began an assault on the L.A.F's headquarters in London and Paris, a show of force that resulted in the death of numerous high ranking officials. Blood was going to run in the streets, a war between two major house would decimate the chosen population in Europe, until the Violet collective stepped in and  began peace talks between both houses sanctions were put in place for their actions.

Peace was finally made but the hierarchy of both houses were changed dramatically, instigators of violence between the two houses were silenced and replaced while the peace was not rock solid it would hold with a leadership that wanted it to. Both house began to purge any who were accused of being spies or traitors. A sudden influx in the choosing had occurred and chosen were appearing everywhere, both the Court and the L.A.F were busy grabbing as many chosen as they could, racing to surpass each others support.

This is where you arrived a fresh faced young chosen ready to go out and face the world. After Ozone had established the political situation amongst the chosen, She went in to detail exploring the idea of your Donun and Onus, her Onus was a ivory paintbrush with transparent thistles it could apparent produce any colour she thought of. Ozone had retrieved Uno from the wall and explained that your Onus seemed to posses a more offensive quality then her brush, she had gone through a few exercises to help you try and produce more Onus but you could only manage to summon Uno when ever you tried.

Ozone's explanation on Donum was not as in depth, she had informed you that the majority of chosen keep their Donum secret so they would have the upper hand in a fight. The last thing she had left you with was a warning. "That boy you are messaging dear he knows quite a bit, but don't mention you know him to anyone, while the Violet Collective sees him as a worthwhile investment he has enemies in the Court and the L.A.F" Ozone blushed obviously embarrassed about looking through your personal messages. Surprised by the revelation that someone you know has also been chosen "who!?" You asked excited, you couldn't contain yourself waiting on the edge of the sofa fourth cup of tea empty.

"Zachary Dagnino I don't know him by that name but he is the same" Ozone sighed sitting down next to you "the boy use to do jobs for the Collective and the Court, he had a reputation that earned him many friends and enemies it would be best for you if you did not broadcast your relationship with him dear"
Ozone put emphasis on relationship they could try to hurt Zach by hurting you.
"Ozone what house should I join? So much is happening I need help! Could I join your house?" You hadn't meant for it all to come out but you had panicked this was way too much to reveal, oh hello here are super powers and also don't let anyone know you're friends with Zach or they'll try to kill you.

"I'm sorry dear the Collective invites members you cannot just join" Ozone's cold soft voice cut your line of thought "dear I believe it would be better if you went home and rested and after you feel alright you should contact the boy and ask for help and guidance, I don't have the time to be watching over you dear"
With the sun up and most of the pain gone you set off home. The following month had been you revealing your awakening to Zach, he had seem very concerned and had interrogated you about every detail, what did Ozone say about him?, who else knew she was awakened?, what was her onus? The questions never ended till he was satisfied the only subjects he evaded was your donum and his chosen name.

Zach was adamant that you told no one or even showed anyone it, at just the mention of his name he would explain that it would cause you trouble knowing it. Together with his guidance you managed to summon all of your onus and achieve some control over your donum, with tips from Zach on how to manifest your donum you actual where able to become very adept with it even able to make your shots curve or even turn at sharp 90° angles. Once Zach was sure you could at least defend yourself he gave you instruction to meet a friend of his from the Court of thorns.

Exile Donation was a recruiter and friend of Zach he had taken you under his wing, well as much of a wing that a constantly swearing 16 year old had, but he wouldn't brake a promise to Zach within a few weeks you had been partnered up and found a job. Your partner Electric Root a teenaged boy with shoulder length curly blonde hair and a mischievous grin, Root had already gotten in to trouble with a couple other chosen apparently he had light fingers and a heavy pocket. Both of you where given a target to assassinate to prove your loyalty and dedication to the Court.

You were worried you hadn't signed up to kill anybody but you know the Court wouldn't allow any disloyal members to run around working for them. Zach had been adamant against you participating he had wanted you to be involved with money laundering or something less dangerous then Wetwork.
But the money they offered was to much of a temptation with only a few assassinations you wouldn't have to worry about money for a while, finishing university had left you with a lot of options, becoming a assassin wasn't at the top of the list you had thought of.

After receiving your targets Exile provided you with a car and young Root drove you too where the targets were last seen. Root had been given Razor Debate a smuggler turned traitor after the peace treaty he'd allied himself with High Glacier some no nonsense theif who had left the Court after being caught robbing areas the peace treaty had marked as off limits not much was know about their Donum, High Glaciers Onus was apparently a walking cane that had a chance to unlock anything it was tapped against, it had no real use in combat, Razor's Onus was a wicked curved axe that would return when thrown similar to your own Onus. You and Root had taken a couple hours drive to reach the small secluded part of forest Glacier and Razor had been rumoured to have their hideout.

The singsong chirp of you phone caught your attention, dragged from your reminiscing you pulled out your phone. Zach was calling, recalling your remaining Onus you answer the call. The sound of distant rock music blared in the back ground "How'd-it-go?"
Zach's voice was excited and hurried forming the words in to one. Casually glancing around the forest admiring your handy work "It wasn't as hard as i expected, maybe I found it too easy?" Looking down at the expired remains of glacier your stomach panged and roiled, is it wrong to admit you enjoyed it?.

Picking up Glacier's Onus and threading it between a belt hoop "Did you hit him with a one liner?" Zach's cheery voice was interrupted by the sound of a branch snapping, catching your attention you thought maybe Root had finished with razor and then snuck up on you? Dodging to you left the air to you right was split by a massive axehead, spinning to face your attacker another swing trying to bisect your body. Pivoting you jump back putting space between the two of you. A tall wide built man charged hacking with his gnarled wicked axe searching for your flesh weapon, short salt and pepper slicked back hair matched his hard scarred face.

His wicked grin twisted his blood splattered face "I got that fool boy! You're next girl" skirting around trees slipping you phone into your pocket. Razor began to gain ground with you hands free you call Uno and Due, Razor had the experience you weren't about to try and fight him in close quarters. Due was a short wide bladed knife a wicked curve on the edge, the handle's a pale wood carved with small delicate thistles, Uno and Due leapt to meet Razor, the large man weaved catching Uno in his thigh but escaping Due's bite "You're dead girl!" Razor roared.

Always have a trump card situations always go to shit fast, this maniac with his axe seemed relatively shitty, you had practiced a few tricks with your Donum. Calling from Tre(3)  up to Otto(8) you fire them off at Razor all missing but putting space between the two of you. You needed to have him focused on you if this was going to work, with your onus in place you call Nove(9) through to ventidue(22) a floating wavering wall of blades hovering in front of you. Stopping your retreat you push and pull with your donum, pushing with your donum had come naturally pulling required you to twist the force you applied when pushing and rotating it to face you, you hadn't been able to manifest it to more then a few degrees but with the pressure of a axe murder baying for your blood you put a little bit more effort in to it.

Face contorting with effort your onus danced a vortex of sharp death dancing towards Razor, court off guard by your sudden onslaught razor couldn't Dodge the first blades of the coil. Porcupined Razor dropped low the rest missing him, rising blood dripping from his torn and slaves body Razors final charge would be his undoing "Die!" Razor's shriek was cut short by a wet thunk another step another thunk stumbling forward the wet noises came more frequently until only a few feet away from you he collapsed multiple of you onus adorning his back. After pushing you onus past him you haf pulled them to stab at his flank maybe if he hadn't rushed and planned his assault he could have had you, dropping to your knees your stomach emptied its content on the earthy floor.

 Two lives snuffed out in one hour was murder really alright in self-defense or as a punishment. Little did it matter knowing the two of them would have killed you if you'd hesitated like poor Root, he hadn't made it out of this encounter you'd have to learn from his mistake and always be prepared to defend yourself without holding you back.

Well maybe not you were far from some emotionless assassin. Dropping back to sit cross legged you fished your phone from your pocket, four missed calls from Zach awaited you brushing them aside dialing Exile. What a shit day the court owes you for dealing with both Glacier and Razor "Vandal! Is it done?" Exile's voice was firm and harsh course rock you weren't expecting such a cold response after doing the Courts dirty deed "The targets have been taken care of, Root is dead and I need pick up" the ice lacing your voice was palpable the silence following proved Exile's surprise after a moment he replied "copy that vandal pick up is on the way" the call disconnected you had heard what you needed clean up was on the way you just need to sit pretty, maybe you'd call Zach but letting him stew in worry could do him some good.