Snippet #2479794

Tataea was primarily known as being a gleaming example of Misranan engineering and beauty. Her sweeping, curvy architecture complimented the rolling waves that lapped against her artificial shores. The entire city bobbed and surged, as sky scrapers independent of each-other were gently jostled by waves. A place that was simultaneously sleepy and busy, the floating metropolis thrived on equal parts leisure and fervent business.

There was just one problem on living on an island. When danger came, it was difficult to run. The danger that came on this day emerged at first in the form of a grand, brilliant white portal that twisted its way open smack dab in the middle of the Tataea's tourist centers. At first, onlookers were slow to react, unsure if the apparition was some flashy new show of Misranan magical technology. But when small, glassy shapes of all sizes flew from the opening with meteoric speed, then the running started.

The assorted cubes and tetragons unfolded in mid-flight, turning into angular, crystalline humanoids with needle-like arms and feet. Their faces were flat, black vaults of emotionless drive. The screams of the fleeing turned bloody as these thirty-odd crystal men began to fly off and hunt down stragglers. With cruel efficiency, they sprouted long, angular tendrils from their forearms which pierced the back of the skull, instantly killing the victim as what appeared to be a small, colorful light was extracted.

The bold location of the attack meant that local law-enforcement response would be quicked, but this was an acceptable risk in consideration of the general remoteness of Tataea in general. For now, the grisly harvest continued...