Ifrailian Tales

Mimics

     May 12th, 184.

Today was interesting I guess, or so my mom keeps telling me. In reality all we did was mess around with some crops, and say hello to a couple of the new robots that arrived. Mom doesn't seem comfortable with us getting more support from the government. She says 'this is our land, we should be left to fend for our own' forgetting the fact we're only here because of the government's rebuild project. I wouldn't dare say this to her face though, mom can be quite stubborn. Although she hasn't exactly thought fondly of the government since the Federation war, I was a little girl during that time so my memory is faint, but it couldn't have been easy. 

I'm not that worried about the robots though, I mean they seem more reliable than Markus and his crew of freeloaders. Yet, that seems to be the unpopular opinion around our town. The kids even get in on the action, chucking sticks and rocks at them, shouting things like tinman, toaster, along with the normal assortment of playground insults. If they had feelings they'd most certainly be hurt, I can't help but feel bad for them. 

Speaking of things I don't agree with, our humble little village has become large enough, so much so that they've decided to construct a school right here. Mom keeps telling me this is a great opportunity to learn, to take back some of my childhood I wasn't able to experience because of the war. What'll I learn there that I can't learn out here? I'd rather spend my time watching my father bang metal together in the forge than waste away in a classroom. Not that I have much of a choice after all, my parents won't let me get a word in, they are not even interested in hearing my opinion on things! God look at me, venting all my problems into this book because I don't have the strength to speak up, aren't I pathetic? 

...Things got a little heated towards the end there huh? I think I'm done for the night. 

May 13th, 184.

So school started up today, and admittedly it wasn't quite as bad as I anticipated. Aisha and I managed to reconnect, Scott is still a self centered jerk, and Jordan... well it's Jordan, so showing up in a skirt far too short isn't that different from her normal shenanigans. Class was fun, the teacher even suggested I take a look into the book, 'Mysteries and Myth: V1' imagine, a teacher recommending me a book based in myth and theory rather than some well researched piece of literature. 

Oh, his name is Mr. Elvala by the way. He couldn't have lived in Acropolis long, I've lived here for the last five years and I know for a fact I would have remembered someone like him. It's not everyday you see someone who only wears bright cyan colored suits all day, no matter the occasion. Honestly when I first entered the classroom this morning, he gave me this weird feeling. It wasn't quite fear, I wasn't nervous or anxious at all, I guess I was... enthralled? Okay let me clarify, I don't have any romantic interest in this man I'm just... Just... curious? Right before my eyes, on a cold rainy day here was Mr. Elvala, wearing a hideously bright outfit. When you've been around the same faces for so long, someone this alien was bound to catch my interest. 

I'm not supposed to tell anyone this but right before Mr. Elvara gave me the book, he said he used to be a mage! As you can imagine my mind was set ablaze with questions, did he fight in the war, what class of mage was he, was he a part of the Renegade Squad!? Mr. Elvala shooed me away after telling me that, saying and I quote "Read the book, then we'll talk," seems like I've got some homework. 

Also unlike my parents he actually took the time to listen to my opinions. Isn't it sad that someone just listening to my beliefs is damn near a new sensation for me? Anyway, I'm not gonna end another day ranting about my shitty parents. No, while I was unsure about the idea initially there's no doubt in my mind anymore, this is a new chapter in my life! 

   May 14th, 184. 

This book is fantastic and I've barely made a dent in the massive, five hundred page encyclopedia of all things fantastical known to Ifrailia! At first I wasn't sure if this book was legitimate or not but after finding out Mr. Elvala was once a mage, I'd be a fool Not to believe. Apparently there are these massive lizard-like monsters that linger deep in the darkest crevices of cave systems. Oh, and these weird slime creatures, honestly I stayed up longer than I should have, I'm writing this while munching on some fruit before I head out to school. 

So I saw Jordan and Scott going at it today, I don't think I've heard someone spout such creative insults before. I choose not to intervene... I don't like shouting. Since they got into a fight, both of them didn't even share a passing glance. I've known Jordan longer so I opted to sit with her for lunch, hopefully Scott doesn't take it too hard... 

Safe to say my second day of academia wasn't great. There was an unmistakable tension in the air around our friend group, and I'm right in the center of it. I still don't know what they were fighting about, when I questioned Jordan about it she brushed me off. We all made plans to explore the woods together... surely they'll have everything worked out by friday... right? 

I stopped by Mr. Elvala's classroom after school, I wanted someone to talk to about the book. But, when I got there someone else was already talking to our humble teacher. She was a girl, about my height (5'5) with a red cloak draped over herself. Like a classic stalker, I pressed my ear against the wooden door trying to piece together their conversation topic... to no avail. The only thing I was able to pick up, was something called a mimic? I can vaguely remember reading something with that name in the book... 

Anyway I wasn't willing to push my luck with my ninja attempt, I scurried off before they could notice me. So all in all, today was a bad day. Let's hope tomorrow is a bit better... 

   May 15th, 184. 

Well today was not any better, not by a long shot. I'm losing my mind here, anything bad that happens around here is blamed on me! 'Oh Sarah that's not how you do that,' or 'Sarah didn't I tell you to f*****g clean the kitchen. Is it so wrong to want to relax after school and what kind of parent swears at their teenage daughter. Look I know those are all small things, but it's the same stuff every single day and night this was just the straw that broke the camel's back. 

And this all happened right before I left for school, both parents shouting at the top of their lungs pointing out my flaws. I didn't even bother with school, breaking down in the middle of class isn't exactly my cup of tea... I just need to get away for a little bit. I made my way into the woods, taking the right path when coming across the fork in the road, and then arrived at my destination. A clearing, my own little slice of serenity, a place where just the right amount of sunlight beams through the tree branches. A large rock rests at the center of the open area. Warmth, shade, the buzzing of cicadas and chirping of birds it never fails to put me at ease. 

But... something was off, there weren't any birds or insects buzzing about just an eerie quiet. It was almost like the world had halted, frozen in place, like I was the only one unaffected by this strange phenomenon. Weird... but no one was around and I could feel the tears start to well up behind my eyes, so this'll have to do. I sat myself down, letting my back rest against the rocky surface of the... well rock, it's kinda hard to think of descriptive words right now. My head hurts... I think I'm gonna rest here for a bit, I mean it is peaceful. 

Maybe I should have brought the book with me... 

   May 16th, 184. 

I can't breathe, I can't think, and my hands are shaking as I write this. It has to be at least midnight by now, oh my god did that honestly just happen? Okay, Okay slow down, just start from the beginning maybe writing it down will make it seem more plausible. 

A terrifying roar, a blinding flash of white light, then a massive object was hurled towards the opposite side of the boulder, and it was not a pleasant landing. I could hear the stone c***k when the thing made contact. Whatever it was that was thrown towards the rock, it must have been huge since once it dislodged itself from the stone and touched the ground, the earth seemed to tremble. Rapid footsteps approached, I couldn't tell if it was one or more creatures charging into the clearing. Another groan, then defensive growl, then... silence. This was my chance, if I wanted to live I had to run, now! 

Just like that I ran as fast as my legs would carry me, and it wasn't enough. Something cold, yet hot wrapped around my ankle and dragged me through the grass, into its grip. When I opened my eyes... I... I saw something so horrifying I'm not even sure if I can put it into words. It resembled an incredibly well built human, however this thing was easily over ten feet tall, it's midsection was girthy, and it's skin... oh god it's skin. Cold to the touch, moist although it never dirtied my clothing or drenched me, and the darkest shade of black I've ever bared witness to. 

I struggled, trying my damnedest to escape but nothing worked, two figures stood a couple meters away both dawning colorful hoods one red, and one cyan. They seemed taken aback by my presence, the light blue individual lunged at the abomination but the creature ripped two chunks out of his chest, hurling them towards robed strangers. Like giant blots of ink, they splashed to the ground in front of the humanoid figures, suddenly springing into the air sprouting tiny legs alongside unnaturally long arms. Gravity forced these minions back to ground, directly on top of their targets. 

Sounds of battle filled my eardrums, high pitched whines and enchanting humming before an explosive boom resounded through the night. But I couldn't see what was going on, the abomination extended its neck to an absurd length, bending and making quick erratic turns creating the unmistakable crunch of bones snapping, was this thing once human? Of course I didn't think about that at the time, I was mortified. With one final crunch, the beast had it's head twisted a full 180° degrees. I cried out, but no one came to my rescue, the hooded ones were either killed, or still fighting, not like it made any difference to me. My entire world at the moment was limited to me, and the beast's bright green eyes. 

"Uuuughhh," the monstrosity groaned, no more like it croaked. I frantically looked the beast up and down, trying to salvage any small glimmer of escape from my desperate situation... but there was none. And with widened eyes, all I could do was pray my end was quick. Another gut wrenching noise escaped the monster, I was confused, but that's when I noticed something traveling up it's elongated, looped neck. Before I could put the pieces together, with an ear piercing howl the abomination started to regurgitate a gelatinous, pink liquid down my throat. 

It had the texture of rotten milk, oh god I'm getting sick just thinking about it. Thankfully, the abnormal creature was unable to finish it's process as a ball of blue light ripped it's way through the monster's midriff. Turning its attention away from me it c****d it's head straight, just in time for the crimson dawned figure to swipe their steel blade across the beast's eyes.

In the same movement, they brought their blade down on it's left arm, slicing it clean off from it's body in turn freeing myself. I hit the ground with a thud, the monster screeched in pain but was quickly silenced with one last flourish of the crimson's sword. Once the abomination's head was separated, it's entire mass liquefied, transforming into nothing more than a pile of goo. 

"Sarah!" a familiar voice called to me, it was Mr. Elvala. He pulled back his cyan tinted hood, and while I smiled at him, his expression was far from happy, it was pure unadulterated fear. All was silent again, this seemed to last an eternity before the one clad in crimson dashed forward, blade drawn. But before my life was snuffed out, Mr. Elvala sent a gust of wind towards his ally, flinging her into the forest brush. He cried out, telling me to run and I didn't hesitate. 

I made my way back into town, no one followed me. The walk into my house was quiet, after all it was only three AM, my parents were already asleep. Now here I am, rambling away at a piece of paper and no, writing this all down did not help me comprehend all that had occurred. This is crazy, I have to tell someone, mom and dad, I'll tell them tomorrow when they wake up, after all they'll have to believe me, these cuts and scrapes should speak for themselves. 

In the meantime, I think I'm just going to sleep... 

   May 17th, 184. 

They didn't believe me. 

I can't believe it, even with all visible scarring and bruises they didn't believe me. In fact mom blamed it all on a drug trip, saying that 'good for nothing' Jordan probably introduced me to a new strain of milk. First off, I would never, EVER touch that with a thirty inch pole and second off, Jordan is not like that! They don't f*****g know her, so f*****g judgmental! 

I wish they would shut up. 

I'm sick and tired of them, no matter what I do, no matter how hard I try, it's always MY FAULT! 

I went through hell, and they don't even care. 

I slammed my door, apparently justifying another lengthy rant cutesy of my 'mother' god damn it, my head hurts. 

Shut up, Shut up, Shut up, Shut up, Shut up. 

I can't even f*****g read the book to find out what the hell that monstrosity did to me! I can't focus on the words, it's like my sense of hearing is overwriting the rest of my body. 

Stop talking... 

 I'm done writing for the day, my head feels like it's splitting open and all the shouting is not helping... 

If you won't stop, I'll make you. 

    Cordila Xander, 

   Zharokesh Report: May 18th, 184. 

Within two nights of my arrival the mimic spotted in Acropolis has been eliminated. While thought to be tier two, it's correct designation was tier three. The target lurked around the dense forest to the western end of the small town, only making itself known to the townsfolk by nightfall, where it would prey on the local pet population. 

I was provided assistance from an ex member, Jacob Elvala. He has taken on a teaching role at the town's newly constructed school. While apprehensive, taking particular offense to me visiting him during work, Elvala agreed so long as I did not report his position to the order. 

The next day was spent tracking the beast, eventually finding it's den within a small cave about a mile away from town. With its location pinpointed Elvala and I awaited it's return. Midnight, May 16th the tier three mimic returned walking right into our ambush. During the scuffle, Elvala displayed a series of spells capable of harming the beast, nullifying it's regenerative properties. I've already retrieved the related materials from his home. 

Elvala sent the monster flying with a gust of wind, we pursued. During the ensuing battle, the mimic took a young woman hostage. Rescue was attempted but ultimately unsuccessful, the transfer of essence had already taken place. And while the mimic was executed, the girl was lost. I attempted to take her life before the mimic fully assimilated her but Elvala interfered. Blasting me with a powerful burst of wind, upon making contact with a tree I lost consciousness. 

I woke several hours later, Elvala was gone, and a mimic vessel was on the loose. However I was already too late. Sometime during the 17th Sarah Fray inverted, murdering her parents alongside four members of the local police force. By the time I had arrived police were already investigating the crime scene. 

Turns out she had returned to the clearing where she was infected, I found her sobbing, clothes soaked in red. In direct contradiction to previous knowledge Sarah had managed to retain her sense of self, only momentarily experiencing the blinding effect. This phenomenon may be a result of the mimic's transfer being interrupted, Sarah described falling into a trance-like state after a moment of emotional distress.

Her death was painless. 

In regards to Elvala, it seems he skipped town during the commotion. I recommend he be targeted for assassination. For without any shadow of a doubt, this tragedy was amplified by the man's actions. I retrieved all personal effects left behind at his residence, the whereabouts of his Mimic bestiary is unknown.