Tainted Trials (YourFavoriteSenpai & Umbrale)

[YourFavoriteSenpai]

Islands in the sky. Once a dream or fantasy of children flew above the heads of those who were considered tainted by the dwellers above. To live a life of luxury, that never was the case for those unfortunate enough to live on the ground. A dark green fog covered the landscape underneath, toxins and chemicals were abundant. Many lost their minds in these unforgiving lands. Those who haven't lived alone, finding different means of sustaining themselves. Even the most pure knights from above wouldn't last long against those who lived underneath. This was hell to those from above. This was home to those who had no other choice. Streets laid covered in a gangrenous green substance: it being spread across the walls, over the floors, and around the streets. Broken syringes, rusted blades, shells of bullets, and other's of the like were far too common on the road. In the shadows were those who took advantage of any opportunity, no matter how heinous. Innocence and purity were qualities that brought death. Those who lived long enough understood that rule personally.

The needle dug deep into his flesh. It was what he needed to last throughout the day. Hmph. The man bit his lip. Fuck. Inside the syringe was a glowing blue substance extracted from a mold that grew on the dead. Also know as angel glow, it was known for its effects of removing taint and decreasing the amount of pain that one took. However, to gather this mold was a venture in itself. It only grew on fresh corpses which dissipated during the day. The only way to gather it is to find it from the blue glow that irradiated from the corpses it fed upon. It was a strange fungi that few particularly took inside their own body. For those who are tainted, it was known as truth serum. It forced those who injected themselves with it to see the world for how it was, how fucked up it can be. Many of the tainted chose to avoid it for the sheer fact that reality wasn't worth finding out. For the tainted. This place was heaven.

The man laid back onto his recliner, his homemade pistol resting on the table nearby. On the table was a radio that played the same songs, with only enough range to reach those on the ground. From time to time, there were talks about a place known as New Haven. Apparently there was a place that was considered safe and pure on the surface. What a load of shit. The man punched his radio. Turn on the damn music already. No one cares about New Haven. It's all a damn lie anyways. He picked up his pistol. Place is shitty enough already. Might as well make the most of it yourself. There's no point of helping others if they don't give two shits about you. The pistol was made out of pipes which used a heat rune to propel projectiles using steam. It may not have been enough to kill one of the larger beasts that roamed through the zone, but it was enough to stop conflicts with the nearby gang.

Walking towards the door, he placed his long coat to keep him warm. Unlike the steam mines, his zone was cold. The toxic clouds cloaked the slums from the sun, thick enough to force a permanent winter. As such, the beasts from the steam mines never set foot in his region, making it a nice place for him to call home. Across the long coat was his secondhand breathing mask and a couple filters. No matter what, breathing the toxins corrupted the body. Due to his mask being broken, he needed angel glow to keep out the taint, despite it affecting him the longer he spent outside. Each day, he would go out to scavenge for both food and angel glow, forcing him to hunt and kill nearby living things. It didn't matter if they were people or animals anymore, the angel glow had to come. These tainted people weren't people anymore, they were monsters.

The only place that is safe around here is the damn cities in the skies anyways. Floating islands. Fuck, why isn't there space for all of us? He grumbled, placing the mask on with it's appropriate filter. Damn. Out of food again. He walked down, heading towards the darker parts of the slums. Recently, there wasn't enough animals to go around for everyone. Many people of different races turned to devouring each other to survive. This man was one of them. Cannibalism wasn't always looked down upon, but it usually brought taint into those who consume it. Hence the need for angel glow just to stay alive with a mind of his own.

Terms
Angel glow - Fungi that grows on fresh corpses. Used to create the truth serum. It removes taint and increases ability to handle pain. Side effects are unknown.
Tainted - Organism(Animal, monster, or human) that chooses to live in the world without protection. Considered brainless by those who aren't, they are run by their more carnal desires.
New Haven - Location in Zone 5 that claims to be free of taint and offers safety to those who aren't one of the tainted.
Steam Mines - Location in Zone 1 known for harboring dreaded steam beasts. Also known for being a place full of usable flame runes and metal scraps.

 

[YourFavoriteSenpai]

Welcome to Zone 3 Hell!​

The overhead freeway sign greeted all who entered the zone. A dash of spray paint slashed the words Zone 3, replacing it with Hell. It was as if even Satan himself wouldn't dare go through these gates. Ruthless, drug hungry monsters stood behind those walls awaiting their next victims. To call this place a safe haven was nothing but a lie, only true to those who were willing to throw any resemblance of humanity away. Becoming one of them, meant that you were willing to turn into a monster. Many travelers found it preferable to go through the side road full of tainted beasts rather than through their lair. Unfortunately for many, this place was considered home. The illusion of a scrap metal wall was enough for people to throw away what little they had for protection from the outside. Then again, what's to protect people from their own protectors.

Hell. The blood lust can be felt from the glares around him. I'd rather be in hell than here. In front of him was a scrapyard where few of the Bruts sold their goods at overwhelming prices. Prices high enough where those who can't pay were forced to give something in return, usually a daughter or soul of some sort. A place where demons deal and make a profit off of people's misery. The sounds of grunts and moans can be heard nearby in the ruins of a hotel. On the boarded storefront were the spray painted words Brothel, cheap bitches for food. If only he had food. To the right was a stand with homemade drugs. The store clerk seemed no more than a brute with a club. Many of these thugs were armed with simple melee instruments. Although they weren't smart, the drugs and their courage were their strength. Those who were once human seemed orc-like, and those who were once orcs were hulking marauders. The biggest of them seemed to be the most armored, sharpening their weapons and using them on each other.

Nearby, a one of the Bruts were selling food. It was a gamble of whether they were laced with drugs or not. On the menu today was shit-shrooms, roasted ackel, and mystery meat. Meat was a rare delicacy in these parts. People who got their hands on them didn't care about where the meat came from, only that they were meat. It'll hold me for maybe another few days. Hey dumb ass! The man yelled at the hulking orc. The orc slammed his club down, leaving a sizable hole where it made impact. "Man-Filth, what the hell do you want?" Flies fed and laid their eggs on the dead flesh hanging on a hook. It's clear that whatever they killed has been dead for hours. I want the damn meat. How much? The clerk pulled the meat off the hook, smelling it. "Too much for you."

These types always ask for too much. Here. From his hand dropped a bag, within it being a couple syringes. Mushrooms and plants in each of the zones had their own purposes. Within these syringes were wyrm's ice, extract from the frostshrooms around his zone. "Oh? Fin- The man interrupted the beast. I know damn well you need these. I'll throw in these and one more if you give me... The orc huffed, spitting in his face. The smirk on his lips dissipated as his veins popped from the mass that was his skull. "This is our home, not yours. Deal with the damn price, or get your ass rocked. Fine. Just hand over the damn meat Haggling with the beasts was akin to suicide. It was uncommon to strike a deal with these beasts. However, the man knew of their need for drugs. Within the community, he made a name for himself as the wyrm's ice dealer. Under the authority of one of the higher ups, he was one of the few allowed to leave the gates alive.

Terms
Zone 3 - An area where a vicious gang took control of the territory, binding those who lived within it underneath the will of their leaders. Led by strength itself, those considered too weak were fed to the slaves. Those who were strong enough to work were forced into labor or to the brothels. The gang in this region favored strength, using it to dominate the many who once called it home. Drugs that influence physical strength remained high in demand, so much so that it became currency to the few brave or stupid enough to trade with them.
Shit-shrooms - A commonly farmed mushroom known to grow in feces. Whether it was called this from it's taste or from where it grew from is still to be determined.
Ackel - Small Reptilian that fed upon one of the many insect species in the area. It's scales were tough, requiring it to be descaled before consumption. The scales of these creatures are commonly used for cheap armor.
Mystery Meat - Common meat sold by food vendors, the source is usually unknown, labelled mystery meat to avoid price variation when being sold. Most commonly being meat from day old corpses.
Wyrm's Ice - Drug extracted from frostshrooms. Once injected into a body's blood system, it gives the effect of cooling the body and hardening the veins, resisting the heat given off from the steam mines and limiting pain felt by cooling nerves.
Frostshroom - Mushroom that grows to the size of trees within Zone 2. Although inedible due to the rock hard texture, the mushroom has a variety of uses. Extract can be used for Wyrm's Ice, the stem is a sturdy replacement for wood, and during warm seasons when it releases it's spores. The spores are edible.

 

[Umbrale]

"Fiiiiilteeeeerrr!"
​

That booming, leer-edged but rather articulate(not the type of sound you typically heard around the orcs and more 'roided of the Bruts), was one that the man knew well. Not that it particularly gave a sense of calm, or anything of the like; it was the sense of familiarity that one might have amongst a friend, that also happened to be your manager.

Before the man could even turn, a heavy arm was draped across his shoulders, leering grin of a rather pale orc, almost uncomfortably close to his own. Dazzling, orange-grey eyes locked into his own. A name known across Zone 3, as "Axel", a respected figure of the area for both his brawn, and ingenuity. He towered over the man, easily a foot and a half taller, now hunched for the friend-like embrace. His skin, contrary to the orc at the stall--whom had pulled down the hunk of half-rotted meat to trade--was off a much darker green, that paled in patches to a dull grey. Those patches, in particular, were laced over with scars and wounds long-healed. A heavy jacket was the only upper-clothing the orc wore, furred and fluffy in nature to ward of the cold; not that it did much in that fact, given the open view of the very muscular, scarred abdomen that was revealed as a testament to his strength. One of his tusks, cracked in battle, had been replaced with a ivory cap, sharp and glinting in the dim light of the zone; a full beard of raven color matching the longer hair and intimidating demeanor of a wild-man. Cargo pants held down the rather husky, powerful look.

His namesake, however, and yet-another reason for the male to be respected--the shopkeep-orc was tense now, the look of carnal disgust gone from his eyes, with something along the lines of a look that knew its place--was the weapon on his back. A bat rose from the base, polished and of the same bone-like material as his tusk, met a prong at the top, between which rested a wheel, three pipes extended about equi-distances from one another, in a spiral formation. The center of the wheel, from which those came, was a massive fire rune, and transfixed on a ring about that, were jagged, saw-bladed teeth of steam-beasts, filed and polished to a razors edge. It had been seen, time and time again, when held in the massive orc's hands, an activation of that rune sent the whole thing into a spinning, buzz-saw blade of devastation, tearing through whatever was unlucky enough to be on the receiving end.
The son of a higher-up orc, and a baseline whore, the half-orc had been valued as nothing but refuse for his younger life, the rumors went. However, as he matured, he tinkered, and with a ferocity borne from fighting for scraps, the male had quickly risen through the gang-castes that were predominant in Hell. Many forays into the Steam Mines, coupled with his own homebrew drugs, had hardened and greatly enhanced his body; the christening of his namesake weapon upon his bastard-inducing father had cemented the half-orc's reputation amongst his kin.

"Fil! How're you, Man-Meat?" The boisterous, if just a touch charismatic half-orc bellowed out, far too loud for the closeness of their demeanor. A free hand swung around, and gave the man a thorough pat on the chest, and the orc straightened, embracing arm pulling back to free the man of his embrace. Not that there was a particular friendship to be had; Axel treated him a bit nicer than the rest, but there was no mistaking the glint of manipulation and use within the half-orc's eyes. Had he not come back time and time again with what little bounties the half-orc entrusted him with, the man knew well-enough he wouldn't have the special-attention.

But, as it was now, the attention was pleasant enough. With just a flick of his head, Axel glanced down, and grabbed a syringe from the pouch of Wyrm's Ice; a dagger-pointed glance silencing the shopkeep, when a look of irritation passed his visage. "Gunger, grab a fresh haunch for the man, would you? None of this display shit. And while you're at it, why don't you grab him another for your hospitality? Lest you'd rather hunt Ackel for the season." The shopkeep, Gunger, while it was clear by the veins popping in his forehead, did not enjoy neither the thought, nor the command, showed only a moment's hesitation out of anger, before turning away. A quick rustle in a chest-like container brought forth two considerably-better looking slabs of mystery-meat, slamming the things down on the counter, before snatching up the satchel of Wyrms Ice, and disappearing to the back of the stall.

With that confrontation over, Axel turned more completely to the man, smirk cracking up the lips on the ivory-side of his face. "Now, now, Fil; I didn't expect to see you back in town so soon. Hunting been that bad?" More a jest, than an attempt at small-talk, the half-orc tucked his syringe away into a draw-string pouch on a belt-loop. "Listen-here, I got another case that I'm too busy to get around to; do me a favor, would 'ja?"

Axel straightened momentarily, stretching to force an audible crack out of his spine and shoulder blades, before fixing Filter back with his smug look. "Got a girl that ran out on us the other night; a new addition we found wandering just outside the back sector. We'd only starting having some fun, before she weaseled her way out, and took off through the gates. Had it not been night, we woulda' rounded her back up, but she's probably on the outskirts by this morning. But, get this, she's pure." A dramatic pause, if only to allow that to sink in, and he continued, "Yep, bright and shiny whiteness from above, she is; I can't even guess at how 'che found her way down here, but I'm not one to pass up some good luck. " A hand gestured widely to the side, at the brothel and to a building another block down the street."So, if you could round that lass up, and bring her on back here, I'd be much-obliged. Hell, I'll give you a night with your choice of heaven, and throw in a round of Crag at 'deh bar, too."

 

[YourFavoriteSenpai]

You know my price Axel. Besides. The crag here tastes like shit and your whores are secondhand goods. The man took his hand off his steam pipe pistol, sighing and holding a couple fingers up. Don't forget it. If you want me to find something, two filters, someone, three filters. Two more if you want me to bring them back. His attitude towards filters lived up to his nickname given by the few of the bruts her worked with. They were short in supply with very few travelers knowing how to make them, even fewer that have the resources to build them as well. It was considered a luxury to the many humans who lived in the depths of the Zones. To those many, it was worth blood being shed. One by one, he loaded the meat into his pack. It didn't matter about what state the meat was in, food was food.

I'd have more food if your boys didn't come to the zone and kill nearly all of the damn wildlife. Although Axel was nicer to the man compared to others, he knew that there was a subliminal need that lied underneath. They're all gone Axe. Any closer and your boys wouldn't have been coming back. He looked over to the fighting yard covered in the blood of their fellow Bruts beating each other for the sake of sport. Blood was the usual paint that patterned their walls. Many times it would be the blood of their enemies. Other times it would be the blood of their own. Your boys got fight, but they're stupid. just because they're alive doesn't mean they should kill or dominate it. The frostfangs in the area are roaming around now. No prey means they get hungry. There's nothing that's going to stop them from attacking your town you got here. If you want my advice. He pointed at a couple of the Bruts. Get them checked.

Dark green rain began to pour over the rusty encampment, covering those out in the open with sludge. The man looked over his sleeve, seeing the sludge falling to the floor and moving towards one another. Living Rain. Axel. Looks like you got a problem to take care of. Before I go, I want to see the filters. All five of them. Squished rushed footsteps scattered all around, only being deafened by the sound of thick rain. Being outside for too long was a problem for nearly every living being, man, beast, brut, whore, anyone. The sound of horns blew through the camp, alarming others that battle was approaching. Small amounts of sludge alone was nothing to worry about, only needing to be crushed by a boot. However, large amounts of sludge led to the appearance of living sludge.

Axel. Inside the brothel! The man kicked the cracked door open, hiding behind a corner readying his pistol. Once he unsheathed his steam pistol, he pulled back the hammer letting air enter inside the weapon. The fire rune began swallowing whatever air it came in contact with, activating once enough was reached. The gun was primed and ready, awaiting to come in contact with the hammer behind it. The brothel smelled like sweat, drugs, blood, and cum. No matter the smell however, he knew that being outside would be a far worse fate. Around, the sounds of battle can be heard. Much of the sludge coalesced into being, taking the form of the unlucky bruts still caught outside. These beings grew to take the form of their target, aiming to swallow them whole once their prey is considered in a weak or dying state. These slimes weren't intelligent but mimicked the actions of those who saw it, eventually using their prey's actions against them.

Tell your boys to back the fuck up. Do they even listen to you!? He held his ground, opening his pack to grab three sharpened metal spikes to load into his gun. The spikes were nothing else but sharpened pieces of cut pipe, propelled by the force of steam caused by his gun's hammer landing against the flame rune itself. A simple design compared to the weapons from above, but an effective design as well. HIs pistol was held towards the door, aiming lower to around knee height. Unlike normal beasts, these "things" needed to be killed by cutting them into manageable pieces and crushing them with any object.

Terms
Frostfangs - Once normal wolves that became affected with taint. Much more aggressive and dangerous compared to their smaller cousins, they live within the icy regions of Zone 2. The only two drives that seem to run them are the need to eat and the need to breed.
Get ___ Checked - A term used by those within the zones for killing/brutally torturing one to teach a lesson to others.
Living Rain - A weather event where living sludge comes down from the sky. Extremely dangerous to those caught outside with no sign of shelter nearby. Living rain occurs commonly during Spring. If there are clouds in the sky, experienced travelers find shelter and avoid traveling until the skies become clear. Only dangerous in regions with a balanced climate (not too hot or too cold)
Living Sludge - Also known as slime, living sludge are cells that have coalesced together in order to form a loose multicellular-being. Being driven by the innate desire for more resources, these cells target other multi-cellular organisms. They evolve quickly, adapting to their environment by taking the form of those within line of sight. One can know who they target as prey by who they mimic. In water, they procreate profusely, making water above the surface extremely dangerous to drink and to trek near. In regions where it is too cold or too hot for water to stay in it's liquid form, this sludge is inert. The cells within it are delicate to temperature fluctuations.