Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Rune Aeterna 18
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-- Chapter 18 Archive (http://www.runeaeterna.com/showthread.php?threadid=274)
Posted by Avatar Deathscythe on 06-24-2002 03:54 PM:
Asheri Chapter 18
Go people! 
__________________
"Words are powerless to express one's feelings, and sometimes they become a silver knife."
Posted by Avatar Deathscythe on 06-24-2002 03:56 PM:
Gran Adageros Chapter 18
Keep it up guys!
__________________
"Words are powerless to express one's feelings, and sometimes they become a silver knife."
Posted by Azure Falcon on 06-24-2002 04:46 PM:
Azure, like a statue, stood unmoving as the men prepared their equipment. His eyes moved around from time to time to view the surroundings, there was the main cave going deep into the mountains, as well, there was a side cave, probably some small room. One of the men walked up to Azure and pushed him.
“Let’s get a move on, it’s time to go,” the man smiled wickedly, but failed due to a lack of a complete set of teeth, it only made him look foolish.
“Don’t push him around, he’s with us and we’ll need him in good condition. If you do it again I’ll kill you,” Crane walked over to Azure and look at him. The other man walked off with his head lowered, “Well Azure lets go.”
Azure nodded, “I’m ready.”
“I don’t give a damn if you’re ready, we’re going now and that’s that,” Crane grinned.
The group began to walk towards the main cave, as they passed the side cave Azure looked in and his eyes widened. On the ground was the dead body of Lance, “Why you….!”
“O shut up, don’t bore me with you emotions, he’s dead, he tried to save you. If you have any hopes of not joining him you’ll shut up and fight with us. If you don’t, well then your little Cybele may die as well.”
Azure looked back one more time and silently made a prayer for Lance, “Goodluck in the afterlife my friend, I will avenge you,” he said silently.
They walked down the dark tunnel of the cave, the only light coming from their torches, “What is that smell?” asked one of the men.
“Smells like your cooking I say,” laughed another.
“Shut up all of you, this place is cursed I say,” the man who spoke lowered his torch to the ground, a few bones were scattered across the floor as they traveled. The men that were talking grew silent, they of course would doubt the man in their mind, but nonetheless he frightened them all.
Azure walked up front with Crane, one man was in front of them with a torch, the rest were behind them and they randomly carried torches. The lead man stopped and held his torch to the side, “Sir there are two side caverns here.”
“Well what do you see?”
The man leaned towards one, with torch in front of him, and suddenly the light came across a hideous face, sort of human in size, but with large teeth and disfigured feature and slightly green tinged skin, “Ahhhhhh!” A spear ripped through the man’s body.
“Oc tor k’rec!” Orcs came out from both side passages and a growing light down the main cave told the group that more were coming.
“It’s time to fight men!” Shouted Crane, he drew the Swords of Sai Ton and charged at the first orc, cutting it down quickly. He continued to cut down those that came at him.
Azure stood back, but was brought into the fight when an orc charged at him and thrust a spear towards his chest. Azure dodged the point and grabbed the shaft, he pulled on it and elbowed the orc in the face as it stumbled forward. Azure then took the spear and used it to pierce the creatures throat, “Bought time I got a weapon.” Azure charged forward to help Crane and the rest of them, his life was on the line, he had to play a part in survival. He spun the spear up over his head and brought the point down into on of the orc’s head, killing it instantly. He pulled the spear out, twirled it around his torso, then pushed on the back of it, causing it to shoot forward from under his other arm, it stuck into one of the orc’s chest, but it was still alive. It swung its axe down at Azure, but Azure rolled to the side, then kicked the spear in more, killing the beast.
Once they killed the orcs that had been pouring out from the sides, they looked ahead to the oncoming light. Two of the men had died, their training was all the kept the rest alive. The light finally came into view as a group of orcs came around a bend in the cave, in the leader was almost an insane looking orc, skulls hanging off its clothing, bone necklaces, and a skull topped staff. The orcs stopped when both groups were a mere 20 feet apart.
“You will be fed to the great!” it said in a rough common.
“The great?” Crane laughed, “Let me guess, that is you?” he laughed again, “You are hardly great, I am Great! And now you will all die for getting in our way. Attack men!”
“The great is not I, it is a beast of pure strength and beauty! ATTACK!” screamed the orc. And another harsh battle began and even more to the humans’ surprise was that the orc leader had small amounts of magic, they discovered this when it burst flames over one of the men, though of course moments later it lost its own head to Crane’s blades.
Posted by Avatar Worldmaker on 06-24-2002 05:15 PM:
OOC: As Alexandros
IC:
Alexandros and Eloise had made decent, if not good time so far, making their way towards Parvini. By Alexandros' judgement, they passed now along the shoreline of lake Asheri, as it was the decision of the Master Knight that it was better to stay as far from Balanum as they could. Their journey had been unimpeded by the likes of any force, though they had passed by a large battalion of Nylians, and both of them had sensed a force of Shavan'el to the north of them a day after their departure from Militus. Strangely, Alexandros could not help but think of Orocia when he felt the presence of the Shadowspawn, and he had no idea as to the link between the sensations. Since their meeting, Alexandros had already taught Eloise much of her new abilities, and of the old ways, and had begun her instruction in the Art of Ar'Selevi. She had a natural knack for the mechanics of the Sword art, but her magical ability, like that most Balans, was hard to draw out. She was able to manage some of the simple weaves, but Alexandros would not relent. She would learn the ways of the Holy magic, like any of the other abilities a Holy Knight should have, after all, some knights have always been better in some areas than others.
On the fourth day after their departure from Militus, a forboding feeling began to fall upon Alexandros. Something approached from the south, and it's intentions were utterly directed upon him. He knew what it was, for it was the answer to what he had initiated. It was a small group of Shavan'el, led by one with great power. Alex urged himself and his apprentice onward at great speed, but upon foot, as they were, and carrying all of their supplies, it was foolish to think that they would be able to outpace the quickly approaching force of shadow. As they fled to the east as quickly as they could, Alex reached out, looking for areas with great resources of mana on which he could draw when it came to battle, but the areas around Balanum were never know for their mana richness, and Alex could find no pockets strong in the energy of the earth.
They fled for hours, and as the sun began it's decent to the west, a group of riders appeared upon a hill far off in the horizion. Both of the Knights could plainbly see them now, and their fear was realized in full. Upon the hill sat seven vexes, riding upon their dark steeds, and leading them was another of their kind, though feminine, and great in stature. Alex instantly recognized this woman, for she drove the black daggar into his breast as he had assulted the tower, and he had turned her own dark weapon upon her. It was Kaliva, First amoungst the Seven, and she was not alone.
Alex turned slowly, his cloak flaring out behind him, and his hair flowing back in the breeze coming off of the great lake. Eloise turned as well, though slowly, her eyes glistening a bit as she peered off towards the Shavan'el. The pair of them both drew their weapons, Alex gripping the Redeemer in both hands, and slowly turning the blade point down, driving it into the soil of the earth, Eloise drawing her own blade and resting it upon her shoulder. The two stood defiantly as the eight riders bore down upon them, setting themselves for what Alex knew would be a battle that they would likely not live to the end of, unless he tapped into his reserves of power. He turned to Eloise slowly, with a sad look upon his face.
"My young apprentice, Revered Lady Eloise, you do not have to stand with me here. There is a very good chance that we may not make it out of this alive, however, I cannot run from this. There is another that might teach you..."
She cut him off quickly, though she knew that it was not her place to do so. Alexandros was a strict teacher, but his heart was truly in the right place, "I will stand with you here, Master Alex. I could not leave you now, not until my training is complete,"
There was a brief pause between the two of them, before Alex strode towards his apprentice and took her in a warm embrace. It was quite unexpected to Eloise, but she quickly returnrd the embrace to her master.
He stepped back from her, smiling, before his lips parted in a soft speech, "You will make a fine Knight someday..."
A warmth filled her heart, as she had thoughts of, years from now, teaching all that she knew to her own apprentice, and passing on the traditions of the Holy Knghts of long ago, but as she looked up, the gravity of their situation bore down upon her. The Sha'vanel were no more than 300 meters away now, and as Alexandros picked his blade from the earth, she felt a great surge of power from within him, as he drew upon what Mana was in the earth about them, and she saw the white cords of the Holy weave as he spun his spell.
Sweat broke upon his brow as he concentrated on drawing and focusing the Mana into one of Velesei's archaic weaves. This was a powerful magic, to be certain, and Alex was unsure what the end result may be in this area, for though he had drawn as much Mana as he could, it still did not seem quite enough. They closed in upon them, and Alex drew more and more, until he had exhausted what Mana he could draw, and then, with a shake of his head and a sigh, he finalized the weave. There was but a tiny amount of Mana left in the earth about the area.
A crashing roar broke from the heavens, and as Eloise looked up, three white beams of light struck from the sky, piercing the grey clouds that were ablove them, matching the golden radiance in the west as they struck the ground before them and smote several of the riders from their mounts. They were close now, not more than fifty meters, and the evil radiating from them was uncomprehensible to the young Knight.
Alex looked over to her, as he stumbled a bit from the strain of his magic, "Let me deal with the woman, and you," he laughed a bit, "stay alive. Remember, The Creator is watching over us, let's make her proud!"
Alex launched himself into combat with a pair of Vexes, the two that were closest to he and his apprentice. Eloise stood for but a second before she dashed into the fray, charging her blade with the Holy, cleansing flames of the Creator. Their blades, the blue, crystalline Redeemer, and the flame wreathed blade of Eloise, met with the dark blades of the Vexes, and the battle was begun. Alex strode forward in his dance of Ar'Selevi, striking at the vex with a fury worthy of the heavenly knight, slashing at it's arms and chest, it was unable to keep up with the dance of forms, and fell to the mighty blade of Alexandros. Eloise, however, though her training was strong in the art of the blade, taught to her by the Nylian academy, was on the defensive. The Vex struck at her fiercely, and as she backed away, she was lucky to strike at it, and score a small scratch on the creature's arm. The sratch, however, began to burn with the flames of the blade, and within moments, the creature was covered in the bright white flames of the Creator, left to burn into the hells from whence it came.
The other five came all at once, Kaliva still mounted upon a white steed. Alexandros and Eloise faught back to back, defending themselves from the incoming flurry of blows that seemed a great hail upon them. The dark faces of the creatures delighted in this game, and blood ran freely from several wounds upon both of the bodies of the Holy Knights. Alex's body ached with the pain of the deep wound he had sustained to his upper left arm. He was lothe to use his power if it was unnessecary, but he had a deep seated feeling that if he did not become the Aeternal Alejihandro, that he may not live to see another day, and he feared for the life of Eloise as well, who's face was covered in blood now from a small sting of the blade abover her hairline.
Alex launched forward once again, leaving Eloise behind him, driving his blade deep into the chest of one of the Vexes. This was met with a strike from one of the other of its kind which drove the Redeemer from his hands. He backed away quickly, leaving his blade buried to the hilt in the chest of one of the fell creatures. The other vex struck at him with its blade, and it met with his shoulder, driving him backwards into Eloise, who spun about unexpectantly, knocking the blade from his shoulder with a horrible tearing noise, and forcing her own blade between the eyeslit of the creature. Alex spun quickly as he could, blood pouring forth from his gaping shoulder wound, to fact the two vexes behind Eloise, and was met with a pair of blades incoming, and nothing to defend himself with. He dropped onto his back quickly, landing with a grunt, and drawing from his boot his last weapon, Kithain, and, charging it with Holy Lightning, he fired it's single shot into the stomach of one of the creatures. It fell, screaming, to the earth, crackling with white lightning.
Eloise spun again, just in time to deflect a piercing strike from the last standing Vex that would have been the end of Alex, sending the blade of the creature from its hands, several yards away. The creature backed away slowly, as Eloise helped Alexandros to his feet. The two Holy Knights looked about, and with a twist of his wrist, Alexandros expended the last of the area's Mana bring a great gust of wind through the battle, flinging the Redeemer from it's place of rest within the chest of a fallen, into his bloody hands. His strength was leaving him through his many wounds, and looking to Eloise, he noticed several growing red spots in her clothing, most noticibly, one spot on the right side of her torso, where the blood seemed darker than elsewhere. The last Vex turned to flee, and was smitten by several shards of dark icy crystals that had emitted from the palm of Kaliva. It fell to the ground with a gutteral laugh, and expired.
Alex and Eloise faced Kaliva, who stood still on horseback. She did not speak, and no movements were made beteem the all of them, save for the intent study of each other. A smile passed over Kaliva's face, and she dismounted her horse, slapping it on the end. She strode towards the tow Knights slowly, her supple form almost entrancing, but nothing could hide the inner darkness from two so pure as the master and his apprentice.
Alex's voice rang clear, "Begone with you, Sha'vanel Kaliva! Begone! Can you not sense my inner power?! I serve a power greater than you can ever know! Dare you to challenge me?!"
Kaliva stopped dead in her tracks. She knew of this creature's power. He was not a man, but not an Aeternal, either. He was something she had never seen before. his power was great, indeed, but he was wounded badly. But then there was his apprentice as well. She seemed strong in her own right, if not fully untrained. Contemplating, she backed away a bit, turning her back to the pair. In a flash, Eloise took the opprutunity to act, and she rushed forward.
"No!" Alexandros screamed attempting to catch her by the shoulder, but it was too late.
Eloise's flame wreathed blade pierced the back of Kaliva, and a scream rang through the air, and as the blade was pulled free, Alexandros shoved Eloise forcefully to the side. Kaliva whirled about, black daggar in hand, intent on driving it into her would be assassin's chest, but the apprentice was not there, it was the Aeternal man. She stopped short of driving the daggar into his chest. She fell to ther knees, l and looked up at him as her daggar fell from her hands.
"Why? Why would you spare me?" Her voice was soft, yet utterly convincing.
"I should ask you the same question. You had no intention of killing us yourself when you came here. You could have easily killed us while we were entangled with your minions. She has compassion for all creatures, even those that have lost their way," Alexandros' voice was sad, and though he remained in a defensive posture, he attempted to be calm and collected, "Go back to your master. Tell him that I'm coming. Tell him that I won't stop until he is dead," His voice suddenly became very cool and comforting, "I would advise to you, should you have it, that you leave behind this dark path, and seek redemption through any means you can. If you are in the tower when I come, you will die too,"
Eloise looked on is a stunned silence, understanding her error. It is wrong to think toat even one so far gone as this is beyond Her love. As Alex peered into the woman's eyes, and then, extended a hand to help her to her weak feet, Eloise understood that. Blood poured forth from her wound, and not even one so dark as she could draw from Mana exhausted land. Alex's eyes were filled with compassion, and as Eloise rose, she could see that his eyes held her like some kind of power, and she could not break away. The heavenly one and the dark lady stood for many minutes, peering into each other's eyes, searching each others souls for turth, until Alex turned abruptly.
"Go. Go, Sha'vanel Kaliva. Seek your light within yourself, if you so wish it, or die by my hand when the time comes. Go now..." His voice was filled with a deep seated sadness that made the air feel thick.
She turnbed, holding her hand over her wound, and mounted upon her horse. She turned to ride away, looking back one more, into the grey eyes of the Aeternal man. Alex sighed an exhausted sigh, and Eloise came to stand beside him, holding her hand over one of the own wounds.
"Come, Eloise, we have to make it to a village. I think there's one near here, a fishing village, and from there we can make our way down the road to Parvini," His voice was ragged, and blood began to trickle from one of the corners of his mouth.
"But you're hurt badly, master..."
"Yes, but I cannot do anything about that here... I've drained all of the Mana from the earth. we have to make it just a ways along the coast, then I can at least tend to our wounds a bit.."
Eloise nodded, and with Alex resting a bit on her shoulder, they began their slow way into the east, and into the night....
Cue: Eloise
OOC: Alex can at least close our wounds later in the evening, but becasue he doesn't have Body magic, his ability to heal is restricted to doing it with the water sphere, whic isn't as effective. But he can at least be sure we won't bleed to death or get any infection.
__________________
We all want to change the world...
Posted by Keiru Opal on 06-24-2002 06:19 PM:
OOC: As Zander and Sekirah
IC: Several days had passed since the tearful night after they left Helilal and Amanda was still not talking to Sekirah. He could tell that it was tearing her apart, but would she lash out at him if he tried to speak to her. He didn’t get the chance to find out.
As the two of them approached the way gate, in Fayre, they caught sight of Zander and Tiffarah, but to his surprise, Sekirah also saw Ewen and Cedric with them, as well as another burly man. Without thinking, he jogged toward them and embraced Cedric in a bear hug. It was something Sekirah had never done before; he’d never had to. He’d never had a true friend, until Cedric.
The action startled Amanda and for a moment she forgot her hatred for the man. Her mind reeled in confusion of how a man who had been so cold to her could be so warm toward someone else. Was it just her? Was there something wrong with her that prevented him from feeling the same way she felt about him? ‘Maybe, it will be enough to just be with him, even if he doesn’t return my affection,’ she thought and followed him to meet the man he held in his embrace.
Sekirah finally pulled away, surprised to find that he had tears in his eyes. “I thought I’d never see you again, both of you,” he said to Cedric and Ewen. “What happened? How’d you survive?”
“We were lucky enough to be picked up by another ship that took us to Southdale. After that, we searched the south to see if you had survived until we met a disgruntled mercenary in Corner that said you’d gone north. That’s when we met Zander here, his father and his new bride,” Cedric explained. “We’d never have found you if it wasn’t for Zander.”
“So you married the girl, eh?” Sekirah smiled at Zander. “It seems like just yesterday that I gave you that scar in the alleyway…”
Marcus gave a start at hearing that, suddenly not sure if he could trust the man and his red haired companion. Amanda was now shaking hands with Ewen and Cedric and for the first time in days, she smiled.
Fortunately, Zander sensed his father’s unease. “Don’t worry dad, we don’t have anything to fear from Sekirah. He’s a changed man.”
“Easy for you to say,” Marcus said, calming down considerably. “You’d be mighty valuable if I ever went gambling, with your magics.”
“Not that I’d let you benefit from them, financially,” Zander joked.
“I thought you were going to spend some time at home, Zander,” Sekirah pointed out.
“I was, but I’ve been sensing a great unrest in the Shadow, and it bothers me. Once Cedric told me he was looking for you, it gave me an excuse to come to Asheri and investigate.”
“I’ve heard rumors of a force growing in Farai that hopes to attack the Shadow in Endroth; perhaps that’s the source of their unrest,” Sekirah said.
“If it is, then let’s go! I wanna get my hands on some of those spawn everyone’s been talking about!” Marcus exclaimed enthusiastically.
“But we don’t have the time,” Amanda pointed out. “The forces are supposed to be attacking tomorrow.”
Everyone stood thinking a moment. Would it be worth going if it would be over by the time they arrived?
“I have a plan,” Sekirah said, finally. “Follow me.”
The group did as he said and they were soon outside of Fayre, waiting to see what he had in mind. Sekirah had instructed them to leave their horses at a stable, so they were traveling on foot, which made little sense to any of them. If they wanted to get there as fast as possible, wouldn’t they need the horses?
“Alright, I can only do this to half of you without becoming too weak, so Marcus, you’re going to carry the gear; Ewen, you’ll carry Cedric; Zander will carry Tiffarah; and I’ll carry… Amanda.” Sekirah looked over at her as he said it and was surprised as he was rewarded with a smile, which he returned. “Alright, everyone that’s carrying someone or something, take off everything you’re wearing from the waist up. Don’t ask, just do it, then put it in here.” Sekirah produced a large bag and laid it before them. They did as they were told. “Marcus, you’ll be carrying that in your arms.”
Marcus nodded then widened his eyes in shock as Sekirah began to draw mana and concentrate it on his back, causing great wings to begin to form. They looked angelic with silvery white feathers. When he spread them fully, they were easily as long as three men.
Sekirah folded his wings against his back and moved on to Zander. Face to face, Sekirah put his hands on the young man’s shoulders and forced mana into his body; soon Zander also had a set of wings. Sekirah repeated the performance with Ewen and Marcus and they all began to test out their new appendages. Flight came easily for them and before they knew it, they were racing across Lunis toward Endroth, each carrying precious cargo.
Cue: Bara, Sayomara or anyone else on their way to Endroth, want some company?
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A fire from within can be seen from without.
Posted by Cybele Ariadne on 06-24-2002 09:33 PM:
Her cloak was on her and the little things she had she held. With the money her employer gave her she walked out the door. She sooner or later would forget the direction she was supposed to go in. Instead of going northwest, she went eastward out of the city not knowing where she was going. Her feet walked out on the dirt path. She had taken off her shoes just for the comfort of feeling the ground below them. The trees provided great shade for her as she walked through the forest. All she was thinking about was the lovely sunshine and the birds chirping. She leaned her head back and let her face absorb the warmth of the sun. The case had totally been erased from her mind. Her body felt as if it needed a nap. She walked off the path looking for a tree to lie against. She found one, laid peacefully beside it, and feel asleep. A sudden rattle in the bushes woke her and a voice in her head told her to move.
Move now!
She got up and started to quickly move down the path looking at her surroundings she notice figures in the dark. She stopped and span around looking at all directions. She was surrounded and didn’t know what to do. She drew her sword knowing she hadn’t used it in sometime so she had to get used to get again. The dark figures moved closer and she turned to run. Her face was placed in front of a young mans face.
“Who are you!?” he yelled
Her knee lifted at hit him in the crotch and ran. He knelt and turned to watch her run. She ran down the path only to be stopped by a group of men with bows and arrows.
Who the heck are these people?
The one from before came back to her limping. She snickered at this but tried to keep serious. Everyone kept their arrows up at her watching her every move. She turned back to the man. His brown hair seemed clean to an extent. This seemed to interest her since these surroundings wouldn’t allow that easily. She supposed her was their leader.
“Now I ask you once again… who are you?”
“Someone you don’t know?” she shrugged
He snapped his fingers, and somewhat plump men grabbed Cybele on both sides. He looked young, which surprised her since everyone else looked older. How could he gain this respect? A knife was forced to her throat and the young man smiled.
“Ok, Ok, I’m a person sent here to find something…..”
“What something are you talking about?”
“I would like to keep that a secret if you don’t mind.”
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Posted by Arboreal Prowler on 06-24-2002 11:14 PM:
The Medicine Woman
The Arboreal Prowler bowed his head as he entered the room; the doorway was too small for him. Halar followed, bowing his head as well to get through the door. He closed the door and stood to the left of the door as the Prowler carried Ilona over to the bed. Vatiana hobbled over to the cupboard, opened it, and reached up to the top shelf to grab a jar of white powder. Jar in hand, she made her way over to the bed to examine Ilona. Vatiana was an old woman, about seventy years old. She would have looked young for her age had it not been for her terrible limp. She had been limping ever since she was attacked by the Fiero.
Vatiana opened the jar and poured some of the powder onto her hands, then clapped them together as if she was a gymnist putting chalk on her hands. The Prowler sat down in a nearby chair so he wouldn’t be in her way. He watched carefully as the woman opened Ilona’s blouse and placed her powdered hands on her chest. She began to slowly move her hands in a circle around the center of Ilona’s chest, right above her heart. The old woman’s eyes were closed the entire time; she was looking into Ilona’s heart and trying to feel her soul. This process lasted an hour.
While the medicine woman worked, the Prowler and his canine friend left the yurt and started a fire outside; the Ranger and the wolf preferred the outdoors and the fire. They began to talk in the Fiero tongue.
“Who is this woman, Prowler?” Halar asked.
The Prowler was looking off toward the Evisis Woods. “She is a medicine woman who lives under the protection of the Evisis Rangers; she’s been accepted as part of the tribe. This is where I brought Ilona after she was wounded.” He sighed and brought out the rose. It was still withering. “I pray to Krom she’s still alive.”
The two of them sat in silence for a while. Over the last month or two, they had come to understand each other. Halar still believed that the human race was inherently evil, but he now recognized that the Prowler and the Rangers were good men.
The Prowler looked at his friend. “You seem to be in deep thought lately.”
Halar sighed. “I think mainly of my wife. I can’t get the image out of my head; her lying there, throat torn open, in a puddle of blood.” He looked toward the woods. “My thoughts are also on my people. I have not seen them in months. When I left, there was talk of going to war with the Elwain.”
The Prowler was shocked. “The Elwain? The Fiero and the Elwain have always lived in peace. What reason could you have for going to war?”
Halar took a deep breath. “There has always been tension between us. They think we are brutal savages; everyone does. We think they are unnatural. Their magic corrupts the earth. They believe they have good magic, but it is impossible; magic, no matter what its nature, is always evil and corrupted. It is unnatural. They consider themselves the masters of the Evisis Woods, and the Fiero resent this. They’re stuck up.”
The Prowler laughed briefly. “That’s something you don’t often hear about the Elwain.”
“It’s true. In a way, they are worse than humans. Humans don’t go too far beyond their limits; the Elwain do. They live too long and come far too close to being gods. They think of themselves as gods. Maybe not consciously, but they do. They think they are above us.” Halar looked to the horizon; the sun was setting. He would be a wolf soon. “Those are our reasons. It is a matter of principle. As you know, I always favor war. I long for the thrill
of battle, the feel of flesh torn apart by my claws. However, I don’t believe we can win a war with the Elwain. We would fight courageously and ferociously, but they would win in the end with their sinister magic.”
They sat in silence for a minute or two. “I’ll admit, they are stuck up,” said the Prowler. “They allowed me to marry Ilona, but they never accepted me. They treated me like a stray animal Ilona had brought home and kept as a pet. But I don’t believe a war will solve anything.”
“Neither do I, but it is up to the White Wolves. I have no say in the matter. I must support their decision.” The door of the yurt opened, and the two of them looked up. Vatiana was nothing but a silhouette in the lit doorway. The yurt itself was only a silhouette against the sky, which was offering its blood to the falling sun. Vatiana disappeared back into the yurt, leaving the door open. The Prowler walked to the open doorway. Halar stayed behind, wanting to be outside when he transformed.
The Prowler entered the yurt cautiously, hoping desperately that he would see Ilona standing by the bed with a warm smile on her face, ready to greet him passionately. When he saw her face, it was staring straight up at the ceiling, eyes open and with a blank look. She had not changed.
Vatiana sat in her chair and looked sympathetically at the Prowler. “My son, sit down.” She motioned to the chair in front of her. The Prowler rolled back his shoulders and stood up straight, pulling himself together and preparing himself for terrible news. He slowly made his way to the chair; the longer it took for him to sit down, the longer he could wait before hearing the diagnosis.
He finally sat down, and the woman smiled warmly. “You two are so young and so in love. It’s horrible that god would put you through all this. But sometimes he does this to make us stronger, and to make our lives better in the future.” She looked over at Ilona, who was still lying completely still on the bed. “Her soul has been through much turmoil. In the temple, that demon put her into a trance so he could attack her in her dreams. That is how they take a soul; they kill someone in their dreams, destroy their fantasy and break apart the very foundation of their world and spirit. He broke apart her spirit. When you killed him, you released her soul, but it was suspended. It was in limbo. She was caught in a void between the worlds.”
The old woman paused. She was trying to keep from crying. “When you stained that rose with your blood and gave it to the ocean, you kept her soul alive. Her soul would have died without that. But she is still suspended.”
The Prowler leaned forward. “What can we do?”
“This is the hard part.” The woman rubbed her nose, as if the answer would come streaming out. She looked at the Prowler; what she was about to say was very difficult. “You have two choices, Rozun. There is a way to bring Ilona’s soul back to her body so she can live a full life with you. However, I can not perform it. Her soul was taken by the Shadow, and must be returned by the Shadow. This would mean seeking out a powerful user of Shadow magic.”
The Prowler shook his head. “The price for that?”
“Her soul.” The woman frowned. “You would have to sell Ilona’s soul to the Shadow.”
“I'd do anything for love, but I won’t do that.” The Prowler sat back in his chair. “The other choice?”
The woman looked at the palm of her hand. “I can bring Ilona’s spirit back to her body for one night. One night only. After that, her soul would return to limbo.”
“Why would I want that?”
“Because, my son, when her body dies, her soul will move on to the afterlife and spend eternity in peace. However, for you to meet her there, you must marry her before her soul leaves her body.”
The Prowler rubbed his eyes. “So if I do that, I lose her for the rest of my life, but I get to spend eternity with her?”
Vatiana nodded. “In theory, yes. However, her body will not die if it has no soul. It will go on breathing forever.” She took in a deep breath. “After spending the night together and marrying, you must kill her.”
OOC: Don't worry, I have no intention of starting a war between the Elwain and the Fiero. I just wanted to illustrate the tension between them.
By the way, Krom is the Fiero god of the afterlife. The Prowler does not worship human or elven gods. Since he was raised by a Fiero, he worships their gods and knows a lot of their literature and culture. In other words, the Prowler is a Fiero, culture-wise.
Good god, my story's getting a tad depressing, eh? Good thing it's gonna end soon.
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I am the reason you are afraid of the dark. I am the reason you fear venturing alone into the woods. It is my name that is whispered by the trees and carried by the wind to your ears. I am the Arboreal Prowler.
Posted by Merelania Hitoshinen on 06-25-2002 09:27 AM:
"Well...I was in some forest after I...got lost." Kane answered quickly.
Merelania looked at him for a few moments, slightly stirred by the mentioning of the forest and glanced at him nervously. Had he seen her bathing earlier? Maybe she hadn't checked the surrounding forest enough. Maybe he was hidden in the shadows, where she couldn't see him but he could see her. Or maybe he wasn't even near her, and she was just going paranoid. She laughed self-consciously as the thoughts ran through her mind.
"And where might you have been?" Merelania asked softly to Sen.
"Hmm...around town, checking up on things. Nothing much to do here these days." he answered her briefly.
Merelania still wondered about Kane. As Sen sat himself down for a drink, Merelania stood from her seat and walked over to Kane, grasping his arm in her hand.
"May I talk with you in private, please?" she asked politely to the startled boy beside her.
He nodded slowly as she led him up the stairs and to their room. She then brought him in and closed the door behind them. Turning around, she then noticed Kane looked a little nervous himself. He stared blankly at the wooden floor as Fang knelt obediently at his feet. He then looked up at her, wondering what she had to talk about that couldn't be said in front of Sen.
"Did you see me...? I mean earlier...because I was in the forest too...and I was just wondering...well, because if you did...um...er...well..." she paused for a moment.
"I heard you, but I did not see you...it was obvious enough that you were in the water...I watched the surrounding for you...honestly." Kane answered with a nervous subtone.
She smiled at Kane and walked over to him, hugging him gently and grabbing his hand again. "Okay, I believe you, now come on. We can't leave Sen waiting downstairs by himself. He might get suspicious." Merelania said amusingly as she winked at him and opened the door.
They walked back downstairs to meet with Sen and all sat down for a drink, talking lightly, and got some food to eat. Fang sat between Merelania and Kane on the floor, with his own little bowl filled with a meal of meat. Sen looked at Merelania and Kane and smiled slightly, wondering what they had gone upstairs for. He had seen Merelania noticing Kane's feelings about her a bit more, and was curious if she liked Kane back. They had been together before Sen had shown up and Kane was very protective of her when he had to be. But he sat in his own silent thoughts and continued eating.
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~When we do things out of great love, rather than great expectation, more comes back to us than we could have ever imagined.~
~The desire to know is not necessarily wrong but remember that if you're not careful one mistake and you'll create monsters worse than imaginable.~
Posted by Keigo Mallard on 06-25-2002 01:25 PM:
"No! I want you to go to Miltus, until you receive the message that the war has ended!"
"But, I want to fight-"
"No! Go! Now..." Keigo took Arkiri by the arm dragged her closer to the city gate, "Listen...I'll at least try not to die, and you, keep practicing the bow skills, maybe you'll be good some day." Keigo said with a mocking smile.
"You're so...never mind, goodbye. I will not miss you...!" Arkiri said and spun on her heel to face the long and endless seeming road.
"Here." Keigo tapped Arkiri on the shoulder causing her to stop and turn around.
"What?"
"Money you'll need some. The next town isn't too far from here, you'll be able to get a horse, some supplies and a map with this surely. Now be on your way." Keigo started walking back into the inner city, hoping to find Bara.
"I'll show you. I'll be waiting in Miltus..." Arkiri stood there and watched Keigo disappear into the large crowds, "I...will miss your company though..."
----------------------------------------
Keigo was able to catch up to Bara and his company just in time. "Sir Bara!" He shouted out of breath, his horse starting to get weary, "Sir Bara!"
"Who?" Bara twitched his head to the left, he could see a boy riding after him and the rest. "You? Halt, slower." They slowed down commencing a wait for the boy.
"Sir Bara, I" Keigo stopped his horse from galloping on and set a pace with Bara. "Sir Bara, I want to say that...I'm no good at the front...may I be one of your guards, sir Bara?
"Well..."
Cue: Bara Chinder.
OOC: Sorry its a bit cut off at the end.
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Das Böse kann mich nicht besiegen...denn...es ist schon in mir...
Posted by Maximus on 06-25-2002 03:57 PM:
Maximus
Maximus was on his way out of the forrest after being attacked by a thief. He was starting to feel bad about leaving the crook in the woods to die, so he turned around to find him. It was a short walk back to the point where he'd put the arrow in his leg. Maximus saw spots of blood leading to the trail, he followed it until he saw the thief. He reached down to check on him. The thief was still alive, but just barely. He helped him up and carried him to the nearest village where he found a healer. Maximus waited while the healer did what he could do. After several hours Maximus was allowed in, and he told the healer to leave while he talked to the thief. "Why did you save me?" the thief asked. "I... well... I felt bad for what I did, I couldn't let you die. But why did you attack me?"
"My family is very ill and I'm out of work, so I had to do whatever I could to help them." said the thief. "I guess I can understand that, but there are other things you could have done." Maximus said. "NO!, this is it, and I'd do it again." the thief declared. Maximus beconed the healer back into the room. "When will he be able to go?" he asked the healer. "He should be able to go now." the healer stated to them. The thief got up and left the room. Maximus chased after him and said "You know, I still don't know your name." The thief replied "It's Cypriss." "Well, Cypriss, I'd like to meet your family, maybe I could join you?" Maximus asked hopefully. "Fine, but don't slow me down." Cypriss replied. Maximus asked about Cypriss' life and his family and discovered they had much in common. They were in a heated debate over wether dice and slice should be legal, when they realized that it was getting dark, and they were getting worried about vampires. They quickened pace but were still deep in the woods when night fell. They figured that there was no way they'd make it to a house anytime soon so they found a clearing off of the trail and set up camp. They both agreed that one of them would keep gaurd while the other slept. It was Maximus' turn around midnight and he was getting sleepy. He decided to talk to himself to keep awake. "Here I was worried about vampires, the damn things probobly don't even exist." "Yeah, I mean I've never seen one and neither has Cypriss, and we've traveled all over." So Maximus decided to go to bed, but what he didn't realize is that in the bushes a vampire was waiting for them to fall asleap. When Maximus settled in, the vampire krept out knelt over Maximus and went for his neck.
Posted by Indigo Grei on 06-25-2002 05:31 PM:
It was hot. Extremely so. From the blood spattered on the sand to the breath of the combatants, everything about Dolensirion's setting was hot, sticky, and irritable.
His own blood seeped forth from more wounds than he cared to take note of, and the flesh of his forearms was shredded. The shadowspawn teemed around him, and they were limitless. Falling to his knees, Dolensirion called out with Indigo's voice.
"If you hear me, do not forsake me! Salamander, avatar who gave me life, do not allow it to be taken away before I fulfill your charge!"
The shadowspawn, knowing nothing of the sanctity of prayer, set upon him, and closed their jaws around him. He sank to the ground, feeling every misshapen maw, every crooked tooth. Something snapped in his right arm, and he suddenly lost the feeling from the elbow down.
Yet even as he collapsed in their midst, his prayer was answered. Black clouds blotted out the desert sun, and a shaft of light pierced the center, raining judgement down on those attempting to destroy the prone figure. Fire blasted the desert, pushing sand away from where Dolensirion lay. The heat of the heavenly fire melted the sand into glass, shadowspawn melting into it or being burned away, their flesh to ash and their bones to blackened shards.
And in the middle of it, Dolensirion's body floated limply.
He blacked out just after seeing the dragon descend.
When Indigo came to, he felt first the cold, smooth surface under his cheek. He tried to upright himself, and found that his right arm was broken between the wrist and the elbow. His entire body was scarred and darkened. He sat up on his left elbow and looked around.
She was still there. The queen of the spawn lay gasping for air on the glassy desert. Her appendages were missing, her wings had been singed to useless stubs. The eggsacs on her back were blackened and dried, and no spawn emerged from them. Indigo could end this by himself, without Dolensirion, if he had only a weapon. But none was to be found, and when he tried to call the fire from within, there was no answer.
He was alone. Dolensirion was no more, and the fire had gone out. He looked up and saw that the spawn mother was attempting to move towards him on its ruined limbs. He was without attack or defense, and he could barely stand on two legs.
He stood wobbily and tried to run, but fell to the ground a few feet away. Escape was impossible in the desert, and the spawn inched closer with every heartbeat. It had to do naught but lay its teeth into his weakened body to kill him.
Move! he commanded his body mentally. The strength to cry out had left him. His body did not respond. He lay limply and thought of Scarlet. He was abandoning her, and she was right to deny him. It was for the best.
No! That wasn't right. Scarlet did not deny him. She just wanted to protect him. How could he have been so blind? And he had distanced himself from her, and put himself in such a hopeless situation. And now he would pay.
He reflected on his past with her, all the time they had shared, all the love that was exchanged.
And in his mind's eye, a shimmering blade appeared. A silver sword, thin bladed, with a swept hilt, and a rose wrapped around the handle. A rose blade...
__________________
Is this a curse, or destiny? This fire could consume us all...
Posted by Tyr Aulnay on 06-25-2002 06:59 PM:
She stood in the center of camp facing Ryudo, for the time being she had asked to have a little time alone to think a few things through. She walked away from him and towards the forest. Her feet became way off the trail and she was close to getting lost. Her mind decided not to care and to just use her instincts back. The medallion and the compass swung among her neck. It felt a little too much. She took the medallion and stood still looking at it. He had given her this amazing gift and she knew she wouldn’t keep it. She forget he had given it to he and sell it on the black market or one of the crew would take it from her during her sleep. Either way she wouldn’t be able to keep it for long. Unless she didn’t go back. The thrill of thievery was the one thing she still missed. Jewels diamonds gold anything she could get her hands on she just took it and ran. The ship was still in her mind, and Morgan too who she had left behind. She would now go to war over being a pirate. Is it worth it though? It obviously was if it dealt with losing Ryudo. The flash thought of Freija crossed her mind. Her looks at Ryudo were starting to bother her. She first felt it was ok; Ryudo was wonderful why would she not be interested in him. Now the sudden threat of her made Tyr a little nervous. She wouldn’t do anything until it was obvious that she wanted him also. So she decided to wait. Her hand was placed on the side of a tree. She leaned on it trying to feel relaxed. The life in the tree was felt in her palm. It seemed to sooth her a little but it bothered her that she was feeling good because of a tree. She removed her hand and began to walk back.
Pictures of the dead captain came to her as she walked back. Her body stopped as she realized if she went back she would be shunned and Morgan would probably be killed by the time she got back. She ran back to camp almost missing getting hit by branches. The thoughts would erase her mind she hoped.
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Come friends who plough the sea, truce to navigation take another station, lets vary piracee with a lil birglary!
Posted by Sen Kisai on 06-25-2002 07:37 PM:
.........While Kane and Merelania were upstairs……....
Sen sat at the table slowly sipping his drink. I wonder what those two are doing. Finally meet a great girl, one who isn’t giggles and stupid comments and still she falls for the brute warrior type.
“That how it always goes,” Sen looked up to see a man in dark robes sit across form him at the table.
“Who are you and did you read my…..”
“Yes, yes I did. The life of a mage is hard, but if you’re willing I can be your guide.”
“My guide?” Sen raised an eyebrow.
“Your teacher if you prefer. I can train you in Ki and even teach you the ways of Terra if you so choose.”
“Ok, but who are you?”
“I am an old magi, simple call me teacher, my real name you will perhaps learn in the future. What do you say?”
“I…I don’t know, I just met new friends and…”
“Remember, I can read your mind, I know your pains, I also know your desire for knowledge, you want to come, just say it,” the man leaned back in his chair.
Sen looked into his glass of water for a moment, “Why me?”
“You have great potential and you were gifted with fire, a powerful magic indeed. Trust me, fate calls you, this is your chance to find that great knowledge you seek. I can not only teach you magic, but I can teach you of the world.”
Sen was silent for a moment longer then nodded, “Ok I will be your student.”
The man smiled, “Excellent Sen, I knew you’d come through.”
“You probably knew before me,” Sen grinned.
“You’re right, I did. Now I must be off, your friends are coming back. Meet me tomorrow at the place written here,” the made slid a folded peace of paper over to Sen, then got up, “I shall see you tomorrow my student, you have chosen wisely.”
Sen looked to the man, “Thank you and tomorrow it is.” Sen looked down at the paper and unfolded it, when he looked up the man was gone.
*************************************
He could hear Merelania and Kane coming up from behind, then they came into view and sat down at the table.
“Sorry for keeping you waiting here alone Sen,” Merelania smiled, Kane however kept glimpsing her way.
“Yes…alone, I was wasn’t I.” They both glanced at him oddly, but then shrugged it off, “So what were you two talking about?”
“Just something that happened earlier,” said Merelania.
“Earlier? I thought you didn’t know where we were, how could something have happened earlier?” Sen raised an eyebrow.
‘Well…..”
“Nevermind, I have more pressing news, I leave tomorrow.”
“Of course you do, we are all leaving tomorrow,” Merelania giggled and Kane smirked.
“No, I am not coming with you.”
They both looked at him in surprise, “But what of our plans?” Asked Merelania.
“You don’t need me for the plans we had, you have Kane there,” Kane looked at Sen with a solid stare.
“But……”
“I must go now, I need my sleep, tomorrow is a big day………” Sen got up and headed for the door.
“Sen your room is upstairs!”
“I am finding a new inn, thanks though,” He walked out the door. Kane came running out moments later.
“Stop, what was that about?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Does it have to do with…..”
“No, something happened, I can’t tell you about it, I must go now.”
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I may look weak, but you'd be amazed by how fast I can run!
Posted by Rhea Wildfire on 06-25-2002 08:37 PM:
Rhea didn’t hate Grant at all. She found his interest in her a little flattering but he was also very annoying when it came to him following those two around. He would always seem to find them. If it weren’t to her niceness she would automatically call him a stalker and have him kicked off the circus grounds. Unfortunately this wasn’t the circus ground and calling for help wasn’t her style outside of them. So she tried the easiest thing first negotiating.
“We were just taking a walk, that’s all.”
She winked at Lloyd to give the notation to go along with it. Grant noticed this but thought it meant something different. He stepped in between the two and guarded Rhea.
“If you think of doing anything inappropriate to this woman I will make sure you are taken out.”
Rhea eyes grew large and frustration was in her voice. She wouldn’t dare go that far at least not in this time of her life anyway. The possibility of the future would be great and she didn’t know if they would ever go that far…
“Grant what are you doing?”
“Protecting you best interest.”
“Look creep just leave us alone,” yelled Lloyd
“Its ok Lloyd. This guy just doesn’t know when to quit.”
Rhea pushed Grant from in font from her, and pulled Lloyd to the side.
“Look we’ll be back before midnight. I promise. Now just leave us alone please?” she kissed him on the cheek to finish it off.
“We’ll alright” a big smile came across the face as he turned away.
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And on the flying trapeze you see...
Posted by Arboreal Prowler on 06-25-2002 08:52 PM:
The Resurrection
The Arboreal Prowler dropped his shovel to wipe the sweat off his brow. He decided to sit down for a moment. He and Halar were digging a moat around a stone altar. Halar kept working while the Prowler rested; Fiero were stronger than humans and could work longer.
The dark ranger, squinting, looked up at the sky. The sun was hanging directly above them. It was noon, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. He dropped his gaze from the sky and set it on the altar. Ilona was lying on it, completely motionless, eyes closed. She was wearing a low-cut dress, and there were lots of intricate markings around her heart and on her face. Vatiana had spent most of the morning painting the girl with ritual markings and divine instructions. The resurrection, the marriage, and Ilona’s death would all take place here.
The Prowler was trying to think of what to do with Ilona on her last night alive. There were so many moments he wanted to share with her, so many things he wanted to give her, so many places he wanted to take her. If only he had a week, or a month, or a year, or a lifetime. He only had one night.
He still hadn’t decided how to kill her. He wondered how he should bury her. How could he get rid of such a large part of his life?
His thoughts were interrupted by Halar’s voice. “The moat is finished.” He was standing in the moat shaking off his claws; he hadn’t used a shovel.
The Prowler stood up. There were two buckets and a well nearby. “Start filling up the moat. I’ll go hunt.” He put on his cloak and walked toward the woods as Halar started filling the buckets with water from the well.
He walked slowly and silently through the forest. He tried to keep his thoughts on hunting, but anticipation consumed him. He was anxious to hear Ilona’s voice once more, but he dreaded killing her. All day he had been asking Krom why things were so complicated.
He spotted a young buck about fifty meters away. Harming it would be a great blow to its herd, so he elected not to shoot it. He reasoned that there must be deer somewhere nearby. Taking care to stay upwind from the creature, he moved toward the buck’s rear; the herd would be following close behind their leader. He spotted the rest of the deer two hundred meters away from the buck. He took his elven bow in his hand, drew an arrow, and knocked it. He was upwind and didn’t make a noise, so the deer didn’t know he was there. When he was about eighty meters away, he drew the bowstring, aimed, and fired.
The sensuous smell of the venison was the only part of the scene that lifted anyone’s spirits. The Prowler had built a fire, and the meat was roasting slowly on the spit. Neither Halar nor the Prowler had eaten anything in two days, and the aroma was almost more than they could take.
The smoke rose from the fire and kissed the sky, watercolored as the sun set. The sun had just barely touched the horizon, and the time was drawing very near when Ilona would be returned to her body. That afternoon, Vatiana had rode into town and brought back a priest to marry them.
Seeing that the sun was almost gone, Vatiana approached the altar with a lit torch. She began to speak an incantation in an ancient tongue, far older than the language of the Elwain. As she spoke, dark storm clouds rode in from the north and filled the sky. It began to rain heavily, and lightning periodically flashed and lit the sky. Vatiana’s voice was drowned out by the crashing thunder, and as the rain came pouring down harder, the flame of the torch turned a very bright, light blue as it burned hotter and hotter and the flame got larger until it seemed to fill the sky. Vatiana touched the bright flame to Ilona’s body and lit her dress on fire. The Prowler, Halar, and the priest all watched in horror as Ilona was set on fire and started to burn. Soon, she was completely consumed by fire, and she became like a funeral pyre.
It ended almost as quickly as it had started. The rain stopped, the storm clouds disappeared from the sky, and the flames died down. Vatiana was silent. The Prowler approached the altar as the old woman backed away. Ilona had not been harmed by the fire, but she was now wearing an elven wedding dress. The thing that alarmed him was that her face had changed. She no longer wore the face of Octavia. She now wore the face of the elven girl he had met seventeen years ago in the Evisis Woods.
The Prowler slowly bent over and gently kissed her lips. Her eyelashes twitched, and she cautiously opened her eyes. Seeing her lover, a warm smile appeared on her face.
__________________
I am the reason you are afraid of the dark. I am the reason you fear venturing alone into the woods. It is my name that is whispered by the trees and carried by the wind to your ears. I am the Arboreal Prowler.
Posted by Eloise Rane on 06-26-2002 01:56 AM:
Eloise and Alexandros pressed on along the south border of Balanum, although Eloise's lower abdomen burned with a profuse pain, and she couldn't imagine the agony Alexandros was in. She had suggested that they wait until their wounds had recovered at least sufficiently, but Alexandros had insisted they get to Parvini as soon as possible. Within several days, their wounds reducing their speed, they could make out the town of Parvini in the distance, and would be upon it within a matter of hours.
Alexandros, his shoulder wrapped in white cloth strips that were once his formal priestly cloak, pointed painfully with his left arm towards the great gathering of nomads of the region before he spoke. Soft was his voice as it pierced the still air about the hill, "Eloise, soon we shall be within the city... who was it that we shall seek once we are within the walls?"
Eloise smiled as she remembered the old man she met some months ago on the road. "His name is Sayomara. He's in charge of the forces. I suggest we seek him, he's one of the few people I've met during this dark time that has renewed my confidence."
Alex's eyebrows furrowed a bit at this, "What," he laughed, "I haven't renewed your confidence?" He ended with a warm grin, tucking his arm protectively upon his body.
She knew that response was coming, and gave him a warm sideward glance, "I said he was one of the few, Master," implying that he was also one. Then, seeing him altering his position somewhat uncomfortably, "Are you in a great deal of pain?"
Alex nodded slowly, and a small grimace passed over his face. His voice was somewhat coarse as he spoke, "Let's proceed, however.. when we get to the city, perhaps this Sayomara could direct us to a healer of sorts,"
Eloise nodded, and although her mind was directed at what was to come, she had a preoccupying thought in her mind. She hesitated, began to speak, then stopped, but he had noticed, so she had to go on. "Master...why did we avoid Balanum?"
As they made their way down the hill, Alex tucked his arms into his priestly robe, and thought for some time before answering. His face raised to the sky a bit before he did so, but his cleared throat rang clear, if soft, "Eloise, I have felt that you are from Balanum, and I also make my home there. If we were to have traveled there, we would have likely been.... entangled.... and if what you have told me is true, then what this man is planning is much more important to restoring the world to light than our personal desired to help our homeland," His sad words trailed off sadly as they reached the bottom of the hill, and the wagons upon the outskirts of the village began to come into clear view.
She wasn't sure if he had already come to know her that well, if he had sensed he tension about returning there, or if he had just shared her feelings all along. But that was a matter she left alone. "Once we're settled in Parvini, what were your plans? I'm sure they've organized their forces and strategies..." she thought about the assault on the tower he had told her about uopn their first meeting, the said reluctantly, "...but I suspect you may have your own agenda."
Alexandros sighed briefly, as he proceeded just behind and to the left of Eloise, "You know what it is that I intend to do. You have known from the moment we met.. You have felt it inside of me, and I feel it as well.. It is unavoidable... It is... my destiny..." Alexandros' voice was heavy as they began to pass by the outskirts of the bustling nomadic city..
"We barely came out of this one alive. Destiny or not...surely you don't expect me to stand by idlingly when you could be very well charging to your death."
Alex sighed yet again as he passed by one of the mant Melios wagons that occupied the outer rings of the great encampment, "No I don't... I expect to teach you as much as I can before I go, then to send you onward, with the book that I have been writing for some time, to my dear friend, Zander Kohen... He will become your master after I go... If I return, then I will gladly have you back... and if I do not... The Creator have mercy on me for failing Her..."
"You believe you'd be failing her?" She asked.
"I have a goal to accomplish...one that I have set for myself, and that must be done for the good of the world. There is something great in its darkness within the Black Tower... Greater than even one of the Seven, like Kaliva, whom we met with just so brielfy ago..." Alex's voice was like stone, and his face was harder, "I intend to find it, whatever it may be, and destroy it. If I fail, then it is Her will, and there is nothing I can do to change it, and she will have mercy on me for my mistakes. That is my meaning, Eloise. No more, no less. I have a mission, and I must accomplish it."
They rode on in silence for a bit. Eloise knew his will was set in stone, and always did, and she wouldn't question it again. But she didn't want their kinship to come to an end so soon, for there was still so much she had to learn, then she realized how selfish her thoughts were, and dismissed them.
They began to approach the city. As they strode through the streets of the City, Alexandros stopped for a moment, and clasped Eloise by both of he shoulders, his face was hard, yet his eyes were so soft and filled with passion and care that Eloise could not attempt to figure out the paradoxical expression, that is, until he spoke, "My young apprentice, I shall only ask you this once. I do not wish to leave you. Though you are young, and still in training, I would ask you to accompany me to the Tower. Realize that this is your decision. You may refuse if you will, but I swear to you, that if you come with me, and we were to be defeated, I would fall protecting you. Not only because you are my apprentice, but becasue even in this short time we've been together, I've come to care for you a great deal, and respect you as a peer and a member of the Order," His voice was heavy, as it had been of late, and his eyes peered piercingly into hers as she contemplated her answer...
She doubted she was ready for such a task, but that was irrelevant. "I will go with you, Master Fatali. If you were to have fallen, I would never have forgiven myself for not aiding you."
A large smile broke across his lips, and he took Eloise in a deep, warm embrace, kissing her on each cheek once.
"I would have requested that you assist me beforehand in developing my magic, but I think it's best you recover. You and I both."
As they continued onward, they approached one of the larger markets of the city, Alex turned once again to Eloise, "I do not expect to leave the city immideatly. We shall stay here for a while and assist their cause, if it be eliminating the Shavan'el, and in that time, we shall train not six hours a day, as we have been, but ten. i hope this will suffice?" He smiled a bit, knowing that such training would not onloy be exhausting to her, but also to himself. Strangely, that thought was not at all unpleasant.
She smirked and lifted the hood of her cloak over her face as they bustling of the city could now be heard as they moved within earshot. "It would indeed be a shame, if you did not live to one day be defeated by your student." She knew it was an exceedingly cocky statement, but she wanted to lighten the situation, and was interested in testing her teacher.
"Impossible, my dear.. Impossible. I do not mean to seem condecending, but, let us just say, I am more than just a Holy Knight. I have powers that, I shall tell you of later. Now ins niether the time nor the place. It will take some time to explain it all. However, I would be more than pleased if one day you outshone myself. what every teacher wishes is that their students might someday grow to be greater than themselves." Alexandros' voice was lightened a bit as they crossed the market. Strangely, there was an extremely elderly looking man on the other side of the street, near to what seemed a bustling building filled with people.
"I would just have to take you by surprise, that's all. You're still human most of the time, are you not?"
An eyebrow piqued up at that statment, "Most of the time? How did you know?" Perhaps Alexandros did not give his student's intuition, or magical senses, enough credit.
"You were schooled in the heavens, and say you're more than a Holy Knight... I...just assumed you had developed some abilities the rest of us don't have."
He laughed heartily as they approached the other side of the street. Just as they did, the elderly man spun about abruptly, as if he had been expecting them.
"Eloise!"
She smiled and dismounted her horse. "Didn't I say I'd come?"
Cue: Sayomara, Alexandros.
OOC: Credit for this post also goes to AW.
Posted by Azure Falcon on 06-26-2002 10:41 PM:
The orc bodies were scattered around the cave, some of the men were going around looting the dead from both sides. Crane looked around, five of his men were dead, that left him with eight not including himself and Azure. Crane looked to Azure and saw the spear.
“You can keep the spear, you showed your worth in this battle, I assume you understand how serious this really is.”
Azure nodded, “I’m only fighting to save myself, the rest of you can die for all I care, but until that time I will play my part.” Crane nodded back and the two looked at the scene of death.
“Who or what do you think the Great is?” asked one of the men while looting one of the bodies.
“It was prolly the shits goddamn lunch or something, dirty orcs got brains like a rock. They’d follow a slug if they thought it had some hidden intelligence,” said another of them.
The men laughed, most had no real care for the others so they weren’t overly saddened by the losses.
“Ok lets go,” ordered Crane. The men looked up, a few raised an eyebrow or two.
“Umm, don’t you think that’s a bad idea, I mean we just…….” Crane cut the man down.
Now I have seven. Crane laughed silently in his mind, “It was a bad idea to question me, anyone else have any worries or fears they’d like to share? Or can we get going now?”
The men looked at eachother then shrugged, everyone made their way deeper into the cave. Shortly they got to the orc homes, most of it was empty and it smelled of rotting meat. At the end of the orc territory they came across a wooden blockade, most likely built by the orcs, it had a sign on it but was written in orc.
“What now sir?”
“What else, we break through,” they grabbed some large rocks from around the area and began to break down the wooden blockade. When the first hole was broken through a large gust of musty air covered over them.
“Whew, I’d say this has been closed for a hell of a long time. Wonder what is down there?”
“My power that is what is down there, now break through the rest!” Crane walked back to Azure who was just watching, “I should make you work, but unlike these scum I have some respect for you.”
“I’m honored,” Azure said sarcastically.
Crane looked at him oddly, “Sarcasm, there’s an unusual trait for one of the monks, perhaps you are less stiff than I thought.”
The men broke enough of the blockade for them to start going through. Crane and Azure went first, the rest followed close behind, if there was treasure they wanted to be the first to get their dirty little paws on it.
On the other side of the blockade it was the same, the cave just went on. A few sighed sadly, but all in all it is what they had expected, once again they began to walk, “I swear this damn tunnel goes on forever,” complained one of them. Crane and Azure stopped.
“Perhaps it doesn’t,” said Azure. They all looked out into the next chamber. The chamber was huge, in fact they couldn’t even see the floor. From where they were standing a stone bridge went off through the air, then split into more, and more, and more, the room was filled with stone walkways and spires, the roof was covered in stalactites which hung down like spikes ready to crush those whom would dare enter their domain, “It’s beautiful in a way,” said Azure as he looked at the maze of stone walkways.
“Yes, but which way do we go?” asked one of the men.
“Down of course,” said Crane.
“How do you know?”
“Because hell is always down,” he smirked. The rest of the men shuffled their feet nervously.
They began to walk along the bridges of stone, chosing which path seemed to go down as they got to the splits. In the distance there was a constant sound of tapping, lots and lots of tapping.
“What is that sound?” one of the men said while looking around.
“Who knows, could be water, could be a beast, who knows.” They continued to walk, pretty much forgetting about the sound since it seemed to not affect them any. After another few minutes of walking they saw the bridgeway connect to the stone wall and go into another cave.
“Finally!” shouted one of the men. Suddenly the tapping stopped, “What the hell?” Crane put up a hand for silence.
The tapping started up again, but this time getting louder. From the cave entrance in front of them poured a horde of small creatures, about one foot tall. They could be described as mini shadowspawn in appearance, except none of these men knew what a shadowspawn was, so they just described them as little demons.
One of the creatures leapt into the air and crashed into one of the men, sending both of them off into the darkness below, “Ahhhhhhhh……” The other men quickly took up a defensive stance.
“Shit, we’re going to die! There’s hundreds of them!”
“Shut up and just swing, they are small,” shouted Crane. Many of the creatures just ran at them, but some continued to jump, seeing it as a good idea. A few missed and threw themselves to their own death, those that didn’t miss were normally struck down.
One of them jumped at Azure but Azure quickly thrust his spear into it, then used the creatures body as a hammer to swipe more of them off the sides, “That how we kill them, just knock them off, kick them, use your bows and swipe them, whatever!” Another leapt at Azure but he just moved out of the way and the creature fell to its death.
“Ahhhhhh…..” another man was taken down by three.
Azure cursed under his breath, “Well here goes,” he charged forward with his spear horizontal in front of him like a staff, using the staff and his feet he began to push off anything that got in his way and soon, with only a few cuts and scratches taken, the group made it to the cave entrance and finished off the last of the creatures.
“Looks like you were right,” laughed Azure.
“About what?” questioned Crane.
“Hell is down.”
Posted by Sayomara on 06-26-2002 10:45 PM:
And now we march into battle
Sayomara quickly put the last pieces into place. Bara had wanted Sayomara to with him and that meant that the Mages, The Oakrunners, and the Free knights would also be coming it was going to make Bara force a little bit bigger then Bara wanted but they need to draw shadow off so what they could be attacked from the south with the main force. This of course meant that the main force would have no magical backing but that was a reasonable the trade off. “It’s a good plan,” Sayomara said to himself. “All the same it going to have everything I have to make this work assuming there are no surprises, which there were no drought going to be. Linerin had had just as most time to mass his forces as The Tribes had. All the same, you can’t do anything unless you try, and Sayomara hadn’t come to far to quit now.
Knock, Knock, Knock. The Voice a young name called though the door. “Master Sayomara you wanted to know when your force was going to move out.” Sayomara got up out of the chair, which he was sitting, and Opened the Door. The Boy was no older than 11 and looked as if he was scared out of his wits. “I was sent here because all the other massager are busy passing on final directions From Bara to the Tribes.”
Sayomara stood for a minute thinking knowing that with every moment that passed scared the boy that much more. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me son, Thank you for bringing me this message.” The boy nodded and quickly ran off, leaving Sayomara behind, “Strange Kid” Sayomara heard himself saying out load. “Ok, now I’d better find Aeveris and Pharys. I need to tell them that they will be coming with the smaller group.”
Sayomara spent the rest of the day getting all of this force in order. Most of the Mages had been ready to go since the day they showed up but there were a few that weren’t ready, but a few word from Sayomara quickly changed that. Aeveris and Pharys were both ready to fight when Sayomara gave them the word and they both moved quickly to get the rest of their forces ready to go.
As Sayomara was heading back to his house thought the bussing street he caught a formiler face in the crowd, “Eloise!” He yelled as he sun around.
“I told you that I would be back,” she yelled as she ran up and hugged him. Sayomara noticed that she had the mark of the creator on her face. A mark that he had seen during their first meeting and that she was with a man with a similar mark. Sayomara could still feel the holy energy radiating from they both.
“Its good to see you again, but it looks like you and your friend are hurt. Why don’t you come to my house and we can take care of your wounds?”
“First this is my master The Great Holy Knight Alexandros Fatali, and yes we would greatly like to come to your house and rest a bit.”
After a short walk all three showed up and the house. Sayomara let the two Holy Knights in while he when and called in one of the Fuairbionn. When the healer showed up Sayomara entered with him to find that Eloise and Alex had settled in nicely. “It good to see that you are comfortable. I’m sorry I can’t talk longer but the main force is moving out, and I’m going with them.” Then Sayomara brought the Man forward, “This here is Capota, he was part of the a group of healers for the Fuairbionn that I had formed to help take care of the wounds from the coming battle, but you two look like you could use a little healing now. Capota will stay with you as long as need and he will get you what ever you want. I that I had formed to help take care of the wounds from the coming battle, but you two look like you could use a little healing now. Capota will stay with you as long as need and he will get you what ever you want. When you are well enough for travel please head to Endroth the Tribes with be attacking the heat of the Shadow here in Farai, and we are going to need all the need we can get.”
“Thank you for letting us stay here, and we will be there as soon as we can.” Eloise said with a big smile on her face.
“Glad to hear it take care of yourselves, and I will see you in battle.” With Sayomara went out the door.
When dust came and everyone had their last decent meal for a while, the two groups marched out of Parvini. Sayomara had arranged for himself and most of the other mages to have horses to ride as best save their energy before the battle.
As the two forces were leaving town a young man and equally young woman came up to Sayomara from behind. Sayomara hadn’t seen ether of these two before but they looked eager. “We’d like to help you in your endeavor against the shadow,” the young man said in a very energetic and marry tone.
Sayomara ready didn’t know what to say he was expecting a few stragglers to be coming along but these two looked like they quite tired from traveling to Parvini. However, Sayomara thought, ‘we are going to need everyone we can get for this so, guess I can’t turn anyone away,” so he said “We can use any help we can get.”
The boy smiled and then said, “Don’t get us wrong, we don’t take kindly to being ordered around. We just want to kick some shadow ass.”
Sayomara just shook his head, “You’ll fit right in, by the way what your names?”
“I’m Eric and this is Reana,” Erin said.
“Well its good to meet you both not why don’t formalizer yourselves with the rest of our forces and make ready for battle.” They both nodded and when off.
Cue: Bara feel free to go all the way to Endroth if you want and start the battle I have a few notes for you in your PM box
__________________
I have seen much in my day, but nothing as bad as this.
Posted by Arboreal Prowler on 06-27-2002 04:55 PM:
Last kiss
The Arboreal Prowler and Ilona were married before the stone altar. The wedding was beautiful. They feasted on venison and drank Fiero wine. The feast was beautiful. The entire evening was breathtaking.
The two newlyweds mounted Night Mare and rode hard into the Evisis Woods. The two lovers were racing against the dying of the night. The moon seemed to sprint through the sky. They arrived at the waterfall.
As the Prowler helped Ilona off the horse and set her gently on the ground, they looked around at the place that had conceived their love. It was a beautiful place. There was a multitude of splendid vegetation. Green fern leaves, which did not grow anywhere else in the Evisis Woods, was found all around this pool of water. Magnificent fish and other wildlife inhabited the pool, fish of many colors. They added much beauty to this place. Around the pool, there was sand. It was like a beach, and at night the stars would come out and beam their light through the opening in the trees. The opening was large enough so that one could see most of the sky. At night, this place was more
peaceful and beautiful than any other place on Aeterna, at least in the Prowler's eye. He had traveled the whole world, and had never seen anything so beautiful as this pool of water at night. And at night, the water had the clearest, deepest blue color. With the clear, blue water, the splendidly colored fish, the beautiful, bright green vegetation, the soft, white sand, and the waterfall crashing over the tall rocks with a melody and rhythm that was
almost a lullaby or a love ballad, and the black sky full of brilliant, shining stars, this pool of water, this amazingly beautiful place in the Evisis Woods, was like something right out of a fantastic dream. Nothing could compare to the beauty of this place, except maybe the young woman who now stood there.
Ilona took off the wedding dress and climbed into the water, heading over to the waterfall. The Prowler followed, and the two of them met for the last time under its falling water. They shared a long kiss, and he recited a poem he had written for her.
“I can offer you the rising sun
and the vivid colors it stains the sky.
I can offer you the warmth it brings
your frigid body in the morning.
I can offer you the setting sun,
and the closure it brings to every day.
I can offer you the comfort it brings
as its wind wraps around you as a lover’s arms may.
I can offer you the moon and stars
and the light they bring to the dark, empty night.
I can offer you the beauty they bring
to an otherwise dark and very plain sight.
I can offer you the white sea gulls
and the freedom with which they soar over the land.
I can offer you the sweet noise they bring
to your ears as you sit alone in the sand.
I can offer you the majestic hawk
and the grace with which it explores the sky.
I can offer you the sweetness it brings
to the sight of the sky as it soars up high.
I can offer you the golden eagle
and the cunning with which it looks down on the land.
I can offer you the glory it brings
to an otherwise mediocre land.
I can offer you the tallest mountains,
and the beauty they bring to the grassland below.
I can offer you the brightness they bring
to their brethren, the flat land that lies below.
I can offer you the bright, blue sea,
and the calm it brings as it waves back and forth.
I can offer you the tide it brings.
I can offer you all of this, and more.”
For the last time, they made love under the waterfall. They tried to make it last forever, but this was impossible. Some time after midnight they were lying together in the sand by the pool of water, the Prowler holding his wife close to his body. In a relaxed but mournful tone, he recited another poem.
“The sun, warm, wrapped up in its blankets of so many
colors as it descends to go to sleep,
watches over this collage of arms wrapped in legs,
this painting of passion,
just one of many brilliant works of art that
hang in the galleries of his kingdom.
Retiring, he blows out a candle,
and the wind wraps around our bodies,
cool and sweet like your breath
on my skin.
I run my fingers, gently, smoothly, through your hair,
feel the back of your neck, warm, soft, untouched by pain or harm.
I hold you, cradle you in my arm, and
whisper to you words of love in a language
never before spoken.
You are my green lover,
you are my immortality, as I die for you, and am
born again for you, walk through Hell and
return again for you, for only you are worth
the grave and the womb,
the damnation and the salvation.
The full moon is out,
inspiring chaotic passion,
and a wolf with a red rose
stalks the night, searches for a young love,
desperate to find it ere his time is up,
and the night is no longer his to rule.
On a black, glaring horse,
he streaks down the road at the speed of night,
trying with all his heart to escape the dawn,
to live forever with the power of the night,
to keep forever his undying love.
Just as we would try to escape the dawn
and live forever in this night of passionate love,
in the moist sand, feeling the waves wash over and around us,
losing ourselves in the darkness of the night.
We strain against the calling of the night,
not wanting to sleep, to waste one moment of the fleeting night,
wanting only to savor each passionate second of romance,
but the black curtain takes us at last,
and I lay you down on a bed of roses.
We fall asleep in each other’s arms,
wrapped up, warm, in each other’s love.
But when dawn arrives, the sun wakes up,
we are apart when we awake, and the dream is over.”
About an hour before dawn, they got dressed and mounted Night Mare. They tried desperately to reach the altar before the moon disappeared. They seemed to be riding faster than the speed of night, and Ilona held on tightly to her husband.
They reached the altar just before dawn. The Prowler dismounted and helped Ilona off the horse. She was growing weak, and could barely walk. Vatiana had prepared the altar for the third and last ceremony, but she herself was nowhere in sight.
Before they reached the altar, Ilona collapsed and could no longer walk. The Prowler lifted her up in his arms and set her gently on the altar. Still wearing her wedding dress, Ilona lay on the altar where she was married. Her husband picked up the silver dagger which lay nearby.
Ilona held her husband’s hand for a moment, and smiled weakly. The Prowler gently kissed her lips and let go of her hand. Tears streaming down his cheeks, he drew back and raised the dagger. Ilona took in a breath and closed her eyes.
Ilona opened her eyes and gasped as the blade was thrust through her heart. She grabbed her husband’s hand and squeezed it tight. Blood began to pour out of her mouth. The Prowler lifted her head and kissed her for the last time. Ilona’s hand went limp.
The Prowler laid her back down on the altar and cried into her chest.
OOC: Wow, she's dead. I'll tell you, this was a hard post to write. I had no idea what these two would say to each other. Notice the lack of actual dialogue. 
__________________
I am the reason you are afraid of the dark. I am the reason you fear venturing alone into the woods. It is my name that is whispered by the trees and carried by the wind to your ears. I am the Arboreal Prowler.
Posted by Freya Devi on 06-29-2002 02:40 PM:
The night winds seemed uneasy to her as she woke late in the night. Her strength wasn’t fully gained but she could still sit up from the ground floor. She looked around at the cave walls and then down to her companions. Part of her had taken enough of them and was ready to leave them. The other felt that it was necessary to take care of them especially Adavia. She didn’t think of herself however and tried to stand on her feet. Her hands were way too tired to help her up and she crawled to her bag beside her along with her staff. She slowly searched through the bag for her energy ointment. This was made from a tree bark that was grounded and mixed with aloe. It was found in a small cylinder shaped bottle, glowing a bright green color. She opened it and put only a tiny drop on her skin. She rubbed it on her hands and was immediately able to move them faster. Her head turned to sound of footsteps behind her. Noah had awoken just after she did and had walked up from behind. She turned back to look at the entrance of the cave. Outside of it was her favorite flower the Marywir. It was the flower she created most of her explosion powder with. Its purple and blue petals shown as the moonlight shot down on it. She went through her bag once again for a glove, which she would use to pick it. Touching it with bare hands would result in a minor burn. Placing it on her right hand she walked over Adavia and Sidd and headed outside of the cave. She picked three and made sure not to hold them with her left hand.
Noah had followed her outside and watched her as she picked the flowers. She turned up to face the moon and then back at Noah. The flowers were held up in front of her face and she smelled their sweet sent. She walked over to Noah and held them against his nose.
“Smell. Their wonderful.”
He pushed her hand back and shook his head. Now that he saw the affect of this flower he was afraid to even touch it.
“If those are what I think they are then I’m positive that I would stay away from them.”
Freya giggled. She figured he could be scarred of a lot of things but being afraid of a mere flower just amused her.
“Their harmless. I guess since you don’t want too though, I’ll start making my power.”
She started to head back to the inside but he stopped her grabbing her hand. He placed it to his nose and smelled the flower. His eyes met with hers and they starred at each other under the moonlight. They smiled at one another and his arms moved to surround her. She placed her head on his shoulder unaware of where her hands were going. Her hand with the flowers moved to be placed on his other shoulder, and they began to hold each other tighter. As the faced each other to kiss one of the flowers touched his neck and created a sting on his neck. He quickly let go of her and rubbed the back of his neck.
“What was that!?” he asked
Her eyes moved to her hand, and then back at him.
“I’m sorry, I must have not been careful… Come back inside. I’ll give you something for that burn.”
__________________
Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thime.....She was a true love of mine...
Posted by Azure Falcon on 06-30-2002 05:35 PM:
Heroes of our land, so many lost........
The group of men walked further and further into the depths of the mountain. Many of the men were worried about survival, Crane seemed lost in thoughts of power, and Azure was looking for ways of escape or at least working out a plan to stop Crane. Suddenly the hallway came to an end at a doorway and through the doorway was a large chamber. The chamber itself was not impressive, but what was inside was worth dying for. Mounds and mound of treasure covered the floors, and on the opposite side of the chamber was a stand and upon the stand was a violet glowing gem.
Crane’s eyes sparkled, “There is it!”
The men looked at the treasure with their jaws hanging down, “We’re going to be rich!” Three of them quickly ran through the doorway.
“No, Stop!...” shouted Azure who could feel a presence on the other side. Suddenly a white color flashed across the doorway quickly and the men were gone, though their screams could still be heard for a few second longer. There was a terrible crunching sound, that which you get when something sharp chews down through flesh.
“The hell was that!” cried one of the few men left with Azure and Crane. They soon found out, as a large form walked into sight and turn to look at them.
“By the creator!” Crane said in awe.
“This just gets better and better, is your power worth your life?” Azure asked, however he looked at the beast in awe as well, never having expected to see something so great.
The beast was approximately twenty-five feet long, half of which was tail. Sporting a pair of massive tusks this monster resemble a cross between an elephant and a boar, with skin that was tinged purple. It charged the doorway though was too large to fit through, it did however successfully impale one of the men on its tusks, pulling back it tossed the bleeding man into the air and caught him in its maw, tearing him to pieces.
“It’s time to prove you were worth bringing along,” Crane said with a serious tone, “Even though I love this beasts joy for carnage, it is in the way of my destiny,” Crane drew the blades of Sai Ton and ran through the doorway, Azure followed with spear ready, as for the other man, he ran off back down the cave, never wanting to see such horror again in his life, perhaps if he had made it out and not have been torn to shreds by the mini demons, he would have led a normal life.
The behemoth turned to the two men that would dare fight it, opening it maw and unleashing a roar of pure fury the beast charged forward. The two rolled to the side as it crashed into wall behind them, though it wasn’t even stunned, quickly turning around, being much more agile than a creature its size should be, it made a charge towards Azure. Azure got up and quickly ran onto one of the piles of gold, turning and leaping onto the beasts back. It roared again and began to move wildly trying to fling the pathetic little human off its back.
Azure drove his spear into it, though with such a tough hide the spear barely went in, “Feel free to help!” he shouted to Crane.
Crane grinned, “Oh this will be fun,” he slowly got near the beast, trying to avoid its tusks and limbs as it jumped around like an angry bull. When he saw his opened he ran right under the creature and thrust the swords into its belly. Crane then quickly rolled out from under it as the beast dropped to the ground in a plan to crush its attacker, this only sent the swords deeper into its underside.
It screamed in pain and began to move around even more wildly. Azure cleared his mind. I must accomplish my goal… He pulled the spear out and in one swift movement dove forward and thrust it into the behemoth’s eye. It threw its head up quick knocking Azure off balance, he slid down its face and grabbed onto its tusk. Quickly the creature shook its head wildly, and soon Azure was sent flying through the air, landing unpleasantly on a pile of treasure.
“Ughhh,” Azure looked up to see the beast staring back. Azure stared with acceptance on his face. The beast stared, one eye dripping blood to the stone below, the other red with anger. The monster charged forward and Azure closed his eyes. No attack ever came, no tusks impaling, no feet crushing, no maw chewing, the only sounds that were heard was a loud roar of pain and a crashing into stone.
Azure opened his eyes and the beast wasn’t in front of him, he turned his head to see it lying dead by the wall, cracks from its impact went up and down the side. He turned his head again to see Crane holding the violet crystal. Damn, he got it! Azure got up and went to the behemoth, pulling out the swords of Sai Ton.
“What? You think you can kill me? Going to be all heroic? You know you could just as easily be my slave with the rest of the world,” Crane laughed.
“I will not let you use that power against the world!” Azure ran towards Crane.
“YOU HAVE NO CHOICE!” Crane held out the crystal and used the power to lift Azure into the air, “Hahaha, see, I control you!”
Azure threw one of the swords at Crane but it stopped before even getting close to hitting him, “Is that all you got?” Crane moved his arm quickly and Azure flew through the air and smashed into wall. He moved his arm the other direction and flung Azure across to the other wall, “You stand no chance against me!”
He brought Azure back to where he was standing, “So, you thought you were special? You thought your life of training would have a use? You were wrong,” Crane aimed the crystal at Azure, prepared to kill him, but stopped when the sound of tapping returned, “Ah, our little friends come to play.”
There were three doorways leading into this room, within seconds all three were fill with black creatures, pouring through the doorways and moving towards the two like a plague.
Crane dropped Azure to the ground then turned towards one of the doorways, holding out the crystal he released a wave of energy. The wave struck the horde of beasts flinging their bodies back into the wall, their little bones crunching and the horrific sound echoing throughout the cavern. He turned to the next two doors and did the same.
“See how strong I am, nothing can get in my way!” He turned towards Azure and to his surprise Azure was standing and was within arms reach, a fist flew forward and knocked Crane to the ground, the crystal rolled a few feet away.
“Surprise!” Azure grinned, “So you thought your power stood a chance against me? You though all the energy and magic that can kill hundreds of demons was any chance against my mortal training? You were wrong,” With mock laughter, and with acceptance of fate, Azure walked over to the crystal and held the sword of Sai Ton above it.
“NOOOOOO!!” Azure swung down and shattered the violet crystal. All sound and time stopped, the crystal slowly scattered across the floor, energy from all around was pulled into the area where it was shattered, then with one quick blast, an explosion of multicolored magical power tore thought the cavern, disintegrating both flesh and stone.
--Ode to a Hero--
And so it ends,
where there was once a beginning,
there must be an end.
A villain slain,
But at what cost?
A hero dead,
unknown was he,
but the world he saved.
Such bravery, such courage,
So hard to find amongst our kind,
Yet when one comes, surely they shine,
For one day they will save us,
Save mankind.
But not just man,
those of all the races,
from the most graceful elf,
to the most feroucious giant,
even to the smallest of the forest animals.
So ode to a hero,
ode to them all,
Without these brave souls,
Surely life would fall.
OOC: One down, a couple dozen to go *evil grin* Yes that's right, you will all fall =) lol just kiddin =)
Posted by Kane Tallon on 07-01-2002 12:19 PM:
Kane looked at Sen very mischievously. "Well...I don't need to know then, but I shall be leaving too..."
"What!? I thought you-" Sen being cut off in the middle of his sentence looked at Kane very surprised, what thoughts might have been rushing through his head?
"No...I...I'm no good at that feeling called...love. I'm an assassin, there's no room for love!"
Sen stood there in silence, waiting for some sort of word to be pulled out of his mouth...but nothing came.
"Well then...I must say, you were my best friend. It was a pleasure knowing you. Just one moment though...I have one favor to ask of you..." Kane spoke in a monotone voice.
"That...would be what?" Answered Sen, quietly and questioning.
"Could you please, I ask of you this one last deed, please tell Merelania that I have left, that is really all...so-" Kane closed his eyes tightly and gritted his teeth harshly "Goodbye friend." Kane turned on his heel but stopped as a sound came from Sen.
"No, I'm sorry"
Kane shuddered but started to walk off. A tear ran down from his right eye. "Bah...I knew I shouldn't have done this!" He cursed to himself and walked into a dark and silent alley way.
"Fang!" Kane called and waited silently. Fang came along with a bag filled up with weapons, Kane's weapons. "Fang, stay with Merelania, you will not see me again...but be sure...we will meet again in a different state of being." Kane patted Fang, then held a letter to his head. "Take this, to Merelania, ok? Now go!" Fang took the letter in his mouth but hesitated for a moment, but after Kane's second command he left without leaving a single trace.
-------------------------------
"Well then...I shall leave" Kane mumbled and walked onto the ship without looking back. "This time, I will allow myself nothing of that sort! No friends, they're unreliable!" Kane reached his room and opened the door, a woman sat on a bed with her backpack on her lap. "Oh...and who is this, a fine man?"
Kane stared for a moment, then spoke clearly. "This is my room, leave at once."
The woman looked up and turned white as if she saw a ghost, "Y, yes..." The woman shot up and ran out of the room.
Kane threw his weapon bag onto the bed and sat down on a chair, "Time to think...when I reach Sungan, where is the nearest thieves guild?"
Cue: Merelania-(PM me before you post what the letter writes.)
Posted by Bara Chinder on 07-01-2002 07:40 PM:
OOC: Keigo I don’t have time to check this with you so just PM me if you want anything edited.
IC:
“Keigo, wasn’t it? I can use all the help I can get. I don’t think they’ll be expecting us, but I’d like to be one of the ones who comes away from Endaroth. This is only the warm up. I’d say from looking at all those weapons that you can fight?”
The young man replied rather jovially. “I’ve been known to hold my corner. I will do you the honour of watching your back if you ask nicely.”
“Who asked who?” Bara replied with a light grin, the kind of grin that looked like it hurt.
Keigo was given a horse and then introduced to the rest of the retinue.
“This is Enda and Aodhna, they are braves from the sleebhfir and sons of some very strong battle chiefs. This is Conchuir, my right hand man and up ahead on foot you will see Aescher and Cainas they claim to be silverblade scouts. Im not sure what that means but I have seen them train and that is something. Behind us I have a good solid force of knights, oakrunners and a big group of mages. I reckon that as much as you need to know, anything else just ask.” With that Bara rode off to do one or two last checks.
Keigo was left a little bewildered but ended up striking up with Conchuir.
**************************************************
*******************
The weather rather fittingly let itself slide as the force approached Endaroth. The summer sun clouded over and everything seemed to hang over the City. The land around the city itself seemed even more barren than usual there wasn’t a bird or a mouse around. Baras nerves were really testing him. He kept reciting prayers over and over under his breath. Around him his retinue did not show much better.
Madness is what it was. A bush man who had never fought in an army before leading all the forces Farai could muster? It wasn’t worth thinking about. But that was the case and there was no turning back.
Presently Sayomara rode up to Bara. “Your up very far for a man who wants to stay out of the fray.”
Sayomara sniffed Baras remark as nerves and responded. “I have ill news Bara. It seem that we are expected.”
“How?”
“There is a force at the front waiting for us. Very odd.” The master replied.
“Hmm… This smells bad. Why would the spawn wait.” His answer was not long coming.
Soon after Ascher and Cainas arrived with news of the shadow force. It was by no means small and was not just spawn either. At the head were six mounted warriors.
Veri sent by the dark lord.
Cue: Sayomara, Keigo anyone else involved in the force. Will be stalling before attack for a post. Have to get the other force into story order so Zander if you feel like dropping in…
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Were gonna break ya, its gone on for too long.
Gonna punish you for the things that youve done- Capdown
Posted by Volsung on 07-01-2002 09:15 PM:
The older Sister
OCC: from the View of Veritas and John
IC: Veritas, John, and the rest of the diplomats made there way to the Waygate. Veritas was trying to hide something but John could tell that she had no intention talking about it. He didn’t really want to ask, but they had spent enough time together that if he pushed a little she might open up. However, this was not the time or place, maybe in Fayre when they got to the other side of the gate. Then Volsung turned to the group, “Is everyone ready to go?” Asked John to the group of Ten Royal Diplomat’s they nodded and the group went though the Waygate.
Then the group got to the other side they found a city in almost rebuilt. All the building looked new, and the streets were unpaved, but looked very busy. The sun was getting low on the western horizon and John knew that they weren’t going to have enough time next town before nightfall. “Ok, everyone we are going to the Blue Shine Inn, it’s a nice place and it not to far from here.” After a short walk, they found the inn. John when in first and explained that they were diplomats and then he gave the innkeeper a small bag of gold, and in return the Inn Keeper gave John the keys to his five best rooms.
Later that night John called Veritas to his room. *Knock, Knock, Knock! * John gabbed some books and pretended to burry his head in one them. “Come in.” He yelled, Veritas opened the door, and walked in. John looked up trying to keep his face in a very business like manner. “Oh Veritas I’m glad to see you I had a few things I wanted to talk to you about.”
Veritas looked a little confused, “Ok… what did you have in mind.”
“Veritas you don’t want to be here do you?” Asked John a low monotone voice
Veritas was about the answer but John cut her off. “Since the King Ordered us into Nyliam you have been acting like you have something one your mind. Now I think I have known you long enough to know what that thing is.” John Paused while Veritas took a seat. “You miss your Bother, and you want to go out look for him. But at the same time you don’t want to desert me.” Veritas just looked in ah. She had grown close to John over the last few months but she hadn’t guessed that he could read her so well. “Veritas as your friend, I’m telling you to go out and find your bother.”
Veritas, looked shocked, but then after a few moments she started to grin. “Thank you John. Of course your right, but I can’t just leave you to go into Nyliam on your own.”
John laughed a little bit, “Of course you can. In fact if your still here when we leave in the morning I will take it as a personal insult.” Then walked over to Veritas, helped her up out of her Chair, then he quickly pushed her out the door before she had time to think about what was going on. “I wish you the best of luck Veritas and when you’re all done come back to Gania and we can talk about all this.” With that, he shut the door leaving Veritas in the hallway with a lot to think about, and a lost bother to find.
Cue: Onyx I need to talk to you about this whole air ship thing. But there is no hurry.
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"Listen! I've traveled every road in this here land!"
Posted by Amethyst on 07-01-2002 09:53 PM:
Parvini
The trip was long. Longer than Amethyst had originally believed. Miles went by quickly however by the lack of action that reached her. It was odd, passing through a few towns and not being given a second glance. She was not an oddety as much in Teyr, Synarin and Farain. Before her lay Parvini, which was a town nearly the same size as the other three, but far more visited, for it was a waystation to those exiting the large city of Balanum.
Upon entering Parvini, her feet were sore and her callouses were at their breaking point. A dull pain was still present in her deep sword wound that was livid with bruising and pain. She protected it with her arms as she entered the busy streets in the rush hour. The main arteries of Parvini were clogged with wagons heavily laden with goods from the cities that surrounded Parvini and peasents walked the streets in ordered chaos. Amethyst felt surrounded and sought the secluded suburbs, which provided more reasonable accomadations.
Amethyst cought her breath as she walked down the less populated streets of the peasantry section. She felt at home in the conditions that bombarded her. Sod houses made of worn brick crammed together, homes sharing the same walls and front yards. Lines of cord were strung between homes on either side of the street, shirts, pants and other clothing hung from the lines of cord to dry them. She heard the silent murmerings of the townsfolk talking amongst themselves in quiet conversation. Buckets of dirty water were tossed from the bare windows with little consideration of the poor soul who ventured too close to the waterfalls of murky, distastful water. Amethyst walked in the center to avoid such problems but was considered fair game to wagon drivers.
Entering the main street, which was wider and lined with merchants' carts and little shops Amethyst felt like a lowly thief. She was given glances that caused the hair on her neck to prickle at their gaze. She cowered near the walls of homes and shops as she was passed by citizens and passer-bys. Finally night crept in. Bare of money Amethyst had to bed down in the alleys with the poor and crippled. She had no liking to such things. The night was long and merciful sleep never came to Amethyst, for her evening was filled with scrutenizing glances to the people who surrounded her...
CUE: Aight....who's here with me?
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Lulled in the countless chambers of the brain, our thoughts are linked by many a hidden chain; awake but one, and in, what myriads rise!
Posted by Sen Kisai on 07-02-2002 11:23 AM:
Sen stood there on the road, the moon shining down on him, illuminating him in its soft glow. He looked to the inn where Merelania now sat, alone. Should I be doing this? I don’t want to leave her alone, I was expecting Kane to stay…..no, I must go, it’s too late to turn back now.
A single tear slid down his cheek as he looked to the inn and he turned away, almost as if he was afraid someone would see it. Then he walked off down the night streets.
************************************
Sen walked down the streets, looking at the note the man gave him, then looking up to see if he could find the place written on it. The rising sun warmed his body, which was one thing he liked about these tropical areas. His desert home was also warm, but it was dry.
He saw his destination and put the paper in his pocket, then walked through the door. Looking around through the crowd of patrons he finally caught sight of the magi whom had talked to him the night before. The man got up and walked over to Sen, “Ah, I am glad to see you came.”
Sen nodded, “Well I had no other choice.”
“Not true, you could have returned to your female friend, who now travels alone.”
Sen held back his sadness, “It was too late for me to turn around, plus this path interests me.”
“As I knew it would, now come Sen, walk with me,” the two walked out of the inn and began to slowly walk down the road, “Sen, there are many great magi in the world, but much less than there should be, do you know why this is?”
“Some try harder than others.”
“That is partially true, but, it is also because so many lack proper training, they never fully understand the power they have been gifted with.”
“And you are trying to change that?”
“Hardly, I am but one man, though I think I am doing my fair share by teaching you, and perhaps you will pass the knowledge to another and so on. I mean no person can possibly collect all the knowledge of the world, I have a library larger than most of those you will find in the great cities and still only scratch the surface of our worlds history and nature.”
Sen eyes lit up at the mention of a great library, “Will I….”
“Yes yes, you will definitely get a chance to read the books, like I said, I wish to teach you in all areas of the world, not just the magic. Magic is great indeed, but greater with knowledge. For instance, if you understand science then you will become aware of more ways to use your magic with nature and therefore create new outcomes of spells.”
Sen nodded again, beginning to believe that he would be nodding a lot in the future of his lessons, though he was finally starting to believe he had made the right choice.
They arrived at the beach and walked down to the water, “Are you ready to go?”
Sen looked around, “Go where?”
“To my home of course, it is some distance away.”
Sen looked around again, “But there is no…”
“Boat? Sen,” the man shook his head, “I am teaching you magic and knowledge, I am not teaching you to sleep on a deck and sail a ship. We will fly.”
“Fly?”
“Yes, it’s much easier than it sounds, you will need a lot of concentration at first, for you need to think of how you will use your magic to make your body fly,” the magi held his hands out and suddenly began to rise up into the air, “Now you Sen.”
Sen considered his options. A simple rocket propelled fire blast would work, but far too dangerous. He thought about things that flew, birds…… Sen spread out his arms and called forth to his inner magic, soon a pair of flaming wings grew out from his back. He began to flap them but did not gain any altitude.
“Sen you are thinking far too complex.”
The wings disappeared, “Well you must admit, that did look fairly impressive,” Sen smirked. Then it hit Sen, he thought of the Seamus, a flying ship with a balloon, he had read up on it and part of its testing. One test had included the use of hot air. Sen put out his arms again and began to heat the air around him, using that air he lifted himself from the ground, though somewhat wobbly.
“That’s it my boy, you are starting to use your mind. You see, it is like I said, the things you learn and read about can also improve your ideas for magic. Now come, we have a long journey ahead of us.”
The two men flew off into the distance, the teacher and the student. One day the student would return and be great like his teacher. As well he would perhaps one day become a teacher himself.
“Farewell Merelania, farewell Kane, hopefully we shall meet again,” Sen whispered into the air as he flew through the sky following his new teacher.
OOC: Ok Sen is being put away for awhile, though I'd like to have the account stay if thats no problem, may want him to return as a chara again, if not I'll let you know. As well, if need be, I can post occasionally about his lessons and readings and whatnot. As for the Azure account, that one can be deleted whenever you see fit.
__________________
I may look weak, but you'd be amazed by how fast I can run!
Posted by Zephron on 07-02-2002 02:08 PM:
"Right son, This is where you begin your quest to become a skilled fighter," an old man said to Zephron.
"Uh....yeah," Zephron responded slowly "Thats kindof what I said 5 minutes ago,"
"Oh...well...on you go then, dont get lost cause i'm not commin' to get you," He said as Zephron stood in the hallway of the house.
"Dad...Did I also forget to mention that i'm 23 YEARS OLD!" He said.
"Well, since your headin' out, why dont you stop off and refill your sarcasm tank?"
The two men then shook hands and then they both about turned.
Zephron was almost out the door when he heard a loud booming voice.
"Hey, if it isn't Daddies boy heading out to become a fighter." Zephron's brother said. "How about I give you hand?"
Before Zephron could do anything, he found himself flying across the yard and landing hard.
"Son.....did you just dropkick your brother across the lawn again?" The old man said.
"It felt good, damnit," Replied Zephron's brother.
Meawhile, Zephron began to peel his face off the patch of flowers where he made his crash landing.
"Heh, jokes on him," Zephron began "The ground broke my fall,"
So, he got up. Dusted himself off and began to walk at a good pace, muttering all the things he would've liked to have said to his older brother. He made a good distance that day a he camped in an open field under the stars
Posted by Alexandros Fatali on 07-02-2002 08:19 PM:
Alexandros rose from bed the morning after they had arrived in Parvini. Quarters had been in short supply, and he and Eloise had been forced to share a bed. Now, with the slight pains in his sides from her elbows all night, he laughingly wished that he had just slept on the floor.
"Com'on get up!" His voice was still somewhat scratchy for the night's rest, and Eloise stirred a bit, her eyes opening a bit to see Alex standing over her, buttoning up one of his nicer shirts.
"Just a minute," She rolled back over for just a few moments, listening to the small ambient noises that Alexandros' dressing made.
They had stayed in the home of one of the healers for the night, and they were to make their way as quickly as possible towards Endroth in the morning, which was now. Eloise slowly crawled from bed, and Alexandros excused himself so that she might dress properly. After a few more moments, she emerged from the room they had shared for the evening, and the both of them helped themselves to some bread and milk, as well as a slice of beef that had been left out for them. After cleaning up after themselves, they exited the home of the healer to find their horses saddled and ready to ride. They hopped on, and within an hour, they were upon the now well trodden path to Endroth.
They would make it there quickly, as they had promised, but perhaps not so quickly as they would wish. One thing was certain. They would not miss out upon the battle that was brewing in the east.
Cue: Eloise, or anyone else that would welcome us to the force...
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The light of the Creator guide you and keep you...
Posted by Linerin Gheral on 07-02-2002 08:52 PM:
Linerin eyed the skyline from the single tower of Endroth Keep. He had seen the masses of men coming for the city, and now that Aramus, the fool that he was, had abandoned him, he was to defend the city with his own minions. So be it. He had gathered all Seven if the Veri to the city, with the Lord of Blood taking the place of the Lord of Unlife. Linerin wished that he had all eight of his Veri, but he did not, becasue of the meddling of his own blood. Such was the way of things.
The fools that were to attack this city would find that the city itself was nothing more than a graveyard. All of its inhabitants long since turned from men into undead creations, serving the Sha'van faithfully. Even the walls outside of the city were filled with the living dead, and the Wyrmling roosts within the burned out buildings of the inner city were filled with their dark Sha'vanel. Even were they to take back the city, what would they be taking back? a place that once was a city, and now was the city of the living dead...
Linerin laughed out loud. His generals were all about him, and even the newest addition to his Veri leaned out over the edge of the tower, the green stone that once had served his grandfather hanging from his neck. The force would be here within only a few days, and they would be more than ready for them.
They already were more than ready....
Linerin raised his glass of wine to all of his generals, and they all drank, simply waiting for the army to arrive. This was going to be a great deal of fun...
OOC: *Evil laughter* Come and get it, suckers!!! (this takes place before Bara's last post)
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As the Mistress wills it...
Posted by Zephron on 07-03-2002 11:51 AM:
Zephron trudged along a dirt path scuffing his New Rock boots along the ground. He began to kick some dirt ahead of him as he punched the brass knuckles together.
"I wish I knew what the hell these di-," He stopped as a lick of flame came off the knucks. "........Oh, God,"
He looked up around him to get to know his surroundings. He noticed many trees that seemed to blot out the sun.
If I climbed up one of those trees, I'd be able to see if their are any towns.
So, he picked the nearest tree and began to climb it. An ascent that seemed to last forever, he finally made it to the top.
"Phew....Right..Lets see where we are..."
He scanned the area like a hawk. Turning his head slowly to the right he found a town. "Bingo!" The town he gazed down at was Ferain...He marvelled at all of the candles that were burning brightly like little pinpricks of light.
"Aww....Pretty," He said as a huge gust of wind began to blow. "Aww..SHI--" Before he could finish his vulgur expression, he found himself plummeting through many branches before ploughing into the ground...He spent the remainder of that day, lying on his back. Unconcious. But even in his state he still knew where to go.
Well.....This trip is going well
Posted by Regit Seye on 07-04-2002 12:20 AM:
((OOC- I'm rather in a jam, here... seeing as Damion has forgotten about the site, Regit's freefloating... if ANYONE here has a storyline he'll be welcomed into, please, tell me! PM, or OOC will work... -OOC))
__________________
The strength of darkness and power of light
Mean naught to he who's lost his sight.
Though men's hearts quake in dark of night
The blind still seeks what he finds right.
Posted by Adaiva Kilsan on 07-04-2002 01:33 AM:
Adaiva sat bored on a wind-worn rock and stared wistfully at the ground, her eyes vacant as her thoughts danced around in her head. Sidd was given the job of watching over her. Her eyes meandered around her surroundings and met up with Noah and Freya. She watched them sniff the flower and got a surge of thoughts. Images of the same flower meeting with her nose flashed in her mind's eye.
That flower! Adaiva's eyes flew wide and restrained thoughts of their demise and suffering. Ever since she was enlightened of her predicament, she worked harder to keep a sane mind.
"FREYAAAA!!" Cried Adaiva, standing straight up and sprinting towards Freya and Noah, who spun around and put up their arms defensively as she reached out and grabbed the flower. She crushed the blossom in her hand and threw it on the ground, cowering back as they fumed.
"You...why did you do that?" Demanded Freya, who stared at the crushed, useless blossom.
"Thats...thats the...thats the flower that caused this!!" Adaiva cried, pointed to her head. Noah's eyes flew open and his hand flew to the sting on the back of his neck. His eyes met Freya's as they both looked shocked. The emotion was only temporary as Freya furrowed her brows and glared at Adaiva, slowly approaching her, her index finger extended menacingly. Her other hand was clenched in a fist.
"How dare you lie to me!"
"What are you talking about? I remember sniffing that dang flower and getting...sick!"
Freya growled and raised her hand to slap Adaiva but stopped, her eyes widening as she was hit with a wave of realization. Adaiva flinched, awaiting the hand on her cheek.
"Oh...Shi-" Said Freya under her breath, not being able to complete her sentance. She spun on her heel and grabbed another flower. She marched to a flat rock and created her power. She lifted up a vial of milky liquid and met the eyes of Adaiva, Noah and Sidd, who sat where he was, watching with wide-eyed interest. Freya ignored their protests as she downed the liquid. Her face screwed up as she swallowed the foul potion.
"Why do YOU get to use it! I'm the one with the worse predicament! I should kill you right here!" Growled Adaiva, as thoughts of ways to murder her right on the spot.
Noah stood where he had been and tried to control the thoughts that forced themselves into his mind.
"Because I know the recipe!" Retorted Freya, who walked towards the location she found the flowers. She returned sadly with nothing, staring in slight disbelief as Noah and Adaiva argued about nothing.
"You stupid baboon!" Yelled Adaiva, her face close to Noah's, her expression that of pure malice.
"Who are you calling stupid, you whore!"
"Whore?! ME!? Whore!? You are a...a...toad!"
Noah laughed at Adaiva's weak counter. Freya threw herself between them and breathed hard.
"I can't find the flower. We need to move on tomorrow, since daylight is being spent fast!"
Noah seemed to snap out of a clouded revarie, along with Adaiva. They sputtered and regained knowledge of what was happening around them and listened to Freya.
"OK. We need to keep going the way we were going and keep a look out for the Chivelia flower, that small heart-shaped purple flower that Adaiva crushed.
Adaiva snorted at the blame thrown at her. Come night, however, she slept soundly having to be separated from the ailing Noah, Freya and Sidd sleeping between...
OOC: SIIIIDDD!! WAKE UP!! *aherm* Freya, Noah...Um, I hope this is OK, mostly because I'm not sure where Freya was hoping to go, just PM me for changes 
__________________
Solus dilectio optime supero comtemno...
(only love conquers hate)
"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift"
-Eleanor Roosevelt
Posted by Volsung on 07-04-2002 10:23 AM:
The moments before the battle
Volsung and the rest of the Magi had finally caught up with Nascent and the main force of the Farai tribes. Nascent was walking in front of a few tribesmen. “Greetings Volsung, I bring good news.” Yelled Nascent and the two men came face to face. “These people know where Sayomara is, and these same people are working with him. I explained to them who we where and why we were coming, thus then asked us to join them in the there up coming battle.”
Volsung smiled, everything that Volsung could have hoped for was happening. “Good work Nascent, Tell them we would be happy to join them, and while you’re there find out what there plan of attack is so that we can best help them.”
“I’m on it, do you want to spread the word among our forces.” Volsung nodded and both men when off to do there own work.
------------------=---------
Later that afternoon, Volsung was talking to Ryudo, Tyr, and Freija, about the Tribes and Magi’s role in the up coming battle. “This force, is made up of six different tribes, each one adding their own special skills to the fight, but they don’t have any air cover from the flying ShadowSpawn. That’s where we come in. we will provide cover and any other aid that they need…” Ryudo suddenly looked up.
“Volsung someone is coming this way.” Then they all turned their heads to the south and the catch a glimpse of a group of six people flying towards the main force at high speed.
“Everyone gab you weapons I don’t know if these people are friend or foe” almost before they could pull out there weapons the group of strangers was landing right in front of them.
“There is no need for that our only enemy is the Shadow.” The Leader of the Group said.
Volsung raised an eyebrow, “If that’s the truth then we welcome you.” Then Volsung sheathed his sword. “We meant no offends but these are tense times and its hard to tell friend from foe. However, I sense a great deal of Holy magic in you, are you a Holy Mage?”
“After a fashion, I was given the power to use holy magic by the Creator herself, you see I’m a holy Knight, but if you wondering if I have any formal training. The answer is no.” Zander said speaking is bonding Knight Voice.
Volsung stood for a moment he noticed that fog was starting to roll in and the wind was starting to blow out of the North, but he didn’t think much of it there were other things to worry about at the moment other than the whether. “I have heard of the Title ‘Holy Knight’ while I was in Nyliam, but I have never seen anyone holding the title. If I might ask what is your name?”
“I’m Zander Kohen, and these are...” before Zander could finish Nascent came flying in.
“Volsung I have a report, I thought you would like to know about. The water and air Magi have started creating fog and wind to hind this force from the shadow. I also have stationed Earth and Fire Magi on the edge, Elyas, and Morrigan the leaders of this force expect the signal to come any time now.”
“Then we should get the front and get ready to move.” Then Volsung turned to Ryudo, Tyr, and Zander. “I would like you three to come with me. I have a special mission for the four of us, the rest of you if you know any magic that would be great. Please help out the magi in any way to can, they will be under the control of Nascent here. I expect you to follow him like you would me.” Then he gestured to Ryudo, Tyr, and Zander and they flew the edge of Endroth.
__________________
"Listen! I've traveled every road in this here land!"
Posted by Sayomara on 07-04-2002 10:35 AM:
And so the battle starts
Sayomara walked to the front of his fellow Faraians to speak face to face with the Six Veri, “I am Sayomara, and I think I speak for everyone here when I say we are here to send you strait back to Hell.” The Veri laughed but Sayomara let them laugh this was all part of the setup. “You all ready think your that strong. Well it you can take me come and get me.” At once one of the six dismounted and ran strait and the Sayomara. The man was huge almost seven feet tall almost completely muscle, but with out lifting a finger Sayomara created a wall of ice came up between himself and the Man. As soon as this hulk his wall he bounced off and fell flat on his ass.
The man quickly ordered two of the others to attack Sayomara, but before they could get anywhere close to Sayomara they to ran into similar walls of ice. Sayomara only smiled as they continued to attack him will swords.
Sayomara had been careful not to use his magic for the last few days. In order to avoid any one sensing his power, and now it was paying off the Veri hadn’t even guessed that he had an ounce of Magic in him. It was only a matter of time now until they were angry enough to start attacking with there own magic, and when that happen Bara would signal the others to start attacking while the rest of the mages would link together to keep the Veri at bay. It was only a moment before the big man lunched a holy bolt at Sayomara. Sayomara was able to dodge it but that was the signal to go into phase two.
Bara knew the plan so he gabbed his sword and Yelled. “Now is our moment of glory bothers,” then point his sword at the nearest spawn and charge at it. He was soon followed by the best warriors in Farai, who made quick work of the Spawn. In the mean time, the linked mages pinned the Veri in a cages of magic. All the while making the Veri angrier until Ragash, himself ordered the Vexi’s, Serviles, Sevrons, and of course more ShadowSpawn.
The Farai line was quickly pushed back and the Bara ordered a retreat, and with every passing moment, more the Linerin force poured out of Endroth. “Bothers fight hard if we don’t survive there is no hope for any of our families,” Yelled Bara while he and Keigo did there best to hold off the Spawn.
“Bara will only last a few more moments I think its time to send the second signal!” Bara nodded and Sayomara ran will all his speed to Aeveris who was at the center of the Mages preparing a spell. “Now is the time Aeveris. We have waited as long as we can we need you to send the signal.” Aeveris smiled, took the hands of two of his clansmen, then after moment came the Great Salamander Dragon from a circle, they had drawn on the ground. For a moment everything stopped and all stared as Beast. Then will out warning the dragon started rain down fire on the forces of shadow.
OCC: God you have to love a battle like his. And it’s only going to get better folks.
Cue: Volsung: I have one more post i have to write then every thing will be setup I ask for everyone involed to wait one more day and then you can have your pound of flesh
__________________
I have seen much in my day, but nothing as bad as this.
Posted by Cybele Ariadne on 07-04-2002 11:12 AM:
He walked up to her still limping from before. His hand bawled up to a fist and he smacked her across the face. She turned a looked at him as if it didn’t hurt at all. She stepped on his foot and jumped on one foot whining. The two men holding her pulled her back from the leader. She fought her way to be free but was held tight by the two men and she began to feel her arms get numb. She decided to stop resisting and to make a plan first.
“Why you lil…”
“Heh, No I’m not that little but if that’s the nickname you’ll give me I’ll take it…”
I told you so…
The leader shifted most of his weight on the other leg and walked over to Cybele. She smiled. This guy was very amusing to her and the fact that her life would be somewhat in danger didn’t bother her in the least.
“So tell me, how did a wimp like you end up ordering all these people?”
He quickly drew his sword as if insulted. She didn’t seem to care. She felt that he didn’t have the guts to kill someone. His head nodded and she was thrown back into the circle of men. The two henchmen went back to their places and pulled out their bows and arrows. She rose and dusted herself off.
“Hey.. Hey.. Don’t get me wrong you’re a great leader, sort of, but this just doesn’t seem like the place for you.”
“I’m tired of your smart remarks witch..”
He began to circle around her with his sword pointing right at her. She kept her eyes on him in case of any sudden movement.
“Witch? Oooo yea that is a new one for me..”
The henchmen put down their weapons, but this wasn’t on command however and Cybele came to the hunch that these people were doing this for sport. Time was short however for her and she didn’t have any time to waste on a bunch of reckless human beings. Although she didn’t have a deadline, she knew that she had to find the sword quickly if it was so powerful. She needed to end this quickly. She first tried the sympathy approach.
‘Look.. I’m sorry; I’m just a tad bit edgy. I’m not used to walking this long way. I think I’m kind of lost… Could you let me go and help me find my way?” she smiled in a fake way and hoped he wouldn’t notice. She wasn’t used to being kind and asking for help. Pity seemed to slightly come into his eyes and he slowly dropped his sword.
“Why sure, lil lady.” he said with a big smile “Why don’t you come with us to camp. We could sure use some girlish company.”
All the henchmen nodded together as in agreement to his statement. Cybele didn’t like the sound of that at all but figured she could steal some food and sneak out before they could notice they were gone. After all they were the most gullible group of men she had seen in her lifetime.
“We’ll alright..” She tried to play it innocent.
“Right this way.” the man pointed down the path. The henchmen were surrounding the two of them as the walked towards camp.
You do realize there was a 1/1000% chance this was going to happen.
“Yea I know..” she mumbled to herself
__________________
Posted by Freya Devi on 07-04-2002 01:46 PM:
That night as she slept a dream unlike any that she’s had before came across her imagination, as a warning of future things to come.
*****
The color of white surrounded her as she knelt before a pearly white statue. It was of her mother. She stood holding a basket of flowers in her right arm and her left was out greeting her surroundings. Her arms began to move and she came to life. She stepped down from her white statue base and stood before. Unlike what she would usually react to this Freya wasn’t scared at all. She just knelt there not looking up. Her mother placed her hand on Freya’s head and looked at straight forward at the other side of the room. A voice was heard inside of Freya’s head as if her mother was speaking to her through her hand.
Freya..
Yes, mother?
Find a cure.
To what?
A flash of light led to the beach where she once lived. Her mother’s grave was still there. The candles were still lit but were soon going to die out. Freya stood there staring at it and didn’t turn around to her white mother standing behind her. Her mother put her hand on Freya’s shoulder and spoke to her again.
This..
Freya looked up from the grave and stared at the forest in front of her.
But there is no cure.
There is always a cure darling… You just have to find it by accident.
Why do I need to find it? It’s very rare… No one else is going to get it.. Right?
If that were true I wouldn’t be talking to you.. Would I?
Freya spun around in shock. She didn’t know this evil condition would come back to haunt her.
“But who??”
*****
She woke up sobbing. She didn’t want to deal with that dilemma anymore. She hoped it wouldn’t come back for a while. For now she had to find a cure for Adavia and Noah. She had a small hunch on where to find it, but she didn’t know places like the one she needed. Sitting up she watched the other three sleeps in peace.
__________________
Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thime.....She was a true love of mine...
Posted by Adaiva Kilsan on 07-04-2002 02:05 PM:
Adaiva slept peacefully aside from her condition. She was aclimated with the odd dreams that free floated in her mind's eye and thought nothing of it. Freya slipped away unnoticed and followed her hunch south. The images from her haunting dream remained present as she walked in the pitch darkness. Her fist clenched her staff for what little security she could muster.
It has to be here!
Her eyes squinted to see in the dark. The attempt was futile. She had no torch and no way to make a fire. Freya turned around and trotted back to camp, carefully picking her way to her bag of supplies. She reached in and took out a flint and steel along with a powder that ignited easily. She smiled to herself and sought out a stick with a blunt end. When she found a suitable choice she sprinkled the igniting powder on the stick and lit it with her flint and steel. The fire roared to life and gave rise to light to see her way.
Freya picked her footing carefully as she inched away from her companions, who were none the wiser of her plan. She went back south and stooped low to the ground.
What am I doing? This is pointless. I won't be able to see it in this kind of light! There is no moon and its as dark as pitch out here.
Freya allowed her eyes to travel to the skies, the dark sky darkened more by overcast clouds. She snorted and traveld on, relying on her instincts to keep her moving. Finally she reached it.
Mother...she was right! Here lies the cure....but... Her thoughts trailed off as she looked at the blossom. It caused all of this. A simple heart-shaped flower the size of a button had caused trouble for the lot of them. She crouched low and gazed at the flower. She saw the trouble. The pollen had been taken. Gasping she slumped back, sitting down on her rear end. The pollen, even though it was poisonous, was the key to the antidote. Without it she could do nothing. She examined the flower again but found little. Moving on Freya saw nothing. No cure, no nothing.
Freya sighed heavily and sat on a large rock. The voice of her mother echoed in her mind.
There is always a cure darling… You just have to find it by accident...
Freya was close to giving up. She had spent several hours searching in vain for something she knew little about. The flower had worked for her, but she wasn't as effected by the poison as Noah and Adaiva. They had more poison in them because they were exposed to it longer now. One flower could do little.
Freya groaned and sat up, determined to save her friends. She marched off in a random direction and almost ran into a wall of rocks. Even with her torch, she couldn't see the dark obsidian stone. Blinking, Freya took her torch to the wall of black rock and found a tiny entrance that her slim body had trouble fitting through. Once she entered she put the torch high to illuminate as much as possible. The room was very small and cramped. The ceiling was low and the width was no more that 5 feet around. On a little pedestal sat a small vial, dusty and worn from age. The cork in the vial was worn and bug-eaten, barely doing its job. Inside the little bottle was a milky liquid.
What...Is this....No....Is it?
Freya reached for the vial and grabbed it, hastily exiting. She sprinted back to the camp to find the others wide awake, searching for her.
"Where were you?!" Cried Adaiva, her eyes wide with confusion and anger. Noah bolted towards her and narrowly missed knocking her over.
"Eep!" Cried Freya, jumping back to allow Noah to run past. She lifted the bottle and spoke of her discovery. Adaiva and Noah stood listening with rapt attention.
Later that morning Freya was finished with the cure. Noah and Adaiva drank their share and began to show signs of improvement...
OOC: Is this OK?
CUE: The only one alive
__________________
Solus dilectio optime supero comtemno...
(only love conquers hate)
"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift"
-Eleanor Roosevelt
Posted by Zephron on 07-04-2002 02:19 PM:
"You gotta be SHITTIN' ME!!!" Zephron shouted at an old man, who was a shop owner in Ferain.
"Im sorry young man but thats where you need to go," The old man said quietly.
"Look," Zephron began "Are you you sure thats the only way to become a Silverblade?"
"Yessiree, now are you gonna buy somethin' or are you gonna get out of my shop?" The man said, getting a little impaient.
"I'll buy one of those maps," He said as he fished for change in his pocket. "You senile old fart,"
"Hey!!!" Th old man shouted "I don't need to sit here and be insulted by the likes of you!"
Zephron's insult gene kicked in.
"Correct," He began "We can go across the road,and I could insult you there as well!"
The man obviously had a history in high blood pressure, and Zephron wasn't making it any better.
"GET OUT!" The old man screamed. "And take your God forsaken map with you!"
With that, Zephron left the town of Ferain, Laughing his head off...
Once he calmed down after a few minutes, he found himself trekking along yet another dirt track.
"Jesus....Mt Karovon is way over there.....and I'm HERE!?!"
Zephron sat down against a tree and began to plot out the best route.
Posted by Arboreal Prowler on 07-04-2002 03:45 PM:
Slaughter
The war steed walked confidently and proudly up the green hillside. A cool, refreshing breeze periodically crept over the top and rolled down the side of the hill, flattening the dark, rich grass and blowing back the horse’s mane. He whinnied with pleasure as the breeze brushed along his sunbeaten skin.
Tibaron carried himself in a pompous manner. He was wearing black linen pants and a black shirt, both with gold trimming. Being blown back behind him by the wind was a bright red brocade cape. Over his clothing he wore plates of steel armor in his most vulnerable areas. In a rich, silver scabbard at his side was a plain but strong steel long sword with a leather-bound hilt, and hooked on to his arm was a steel tower shield. The shield reflected the sunlight brilliantly.
He rode on horseback to the top of the hill and looked out on the meadow below. A band of about one hundred bandits and thieves was idle in its camp. Tibaron looked over at his lieutenant, who nodded with satisfaction, then gazed down the hillside at his own army. He saw eight hundred heavily armed men waiting for his orders. He turned back to his lieutenant and told him to give the order.
Cadewan Crohap, Tibaron’s lieutenant, was a very large, strong, fair-skinned man. He wore plain brown pants and fur boots. The only armor he wore was an iron-studded fur cuirass and a conical steel helm with fur trimming. On this day he wielded a steel battle ax and an iron tower shield. He was a great warrior with a frightening enthusiasm for battle.
He screamed in a deep, powerful voice, “Cong lee!” The men shouted in reply to the rallying cry, and charged over the hill, many on horseback. As they swarmed down the hillside, the bandits in the camp scrambled to arm themselves. Only some of them reached their horses before the army was upon them.
Tibaron and Cadewan were in the front lines, both of them fighting with terrifying ferocity. Tibaron lopped off heads while using his shield to block the enemy’s attacks on his vulnerable side. Cadewan’s battle ax cleaved the skulls of several of the bandits. The unmounted bandits were the first line of defense, and were killed shortly.
The remaining bandits on horseback rode fast out of the camp and attempted a flanking maneuver, but there were too few of them. They attacked the heavy infantry first, and inflicted light casualties before Tibaron hit them hard with the cavalry. The bandits were soon wiped out.
The army entered the camp and looted it. They brought chests of gold out of the tents and huts and took expensive jewelry off the dead bodies of the bandits. They burned the camp to the ground, and came away with rich spoils.
As his army marched away, carrying the bodies of their dead, Tibaron watched the camp burn. The flames seemed to dance in his eyes as he gazed at the fire. There were spots and streaks of blood on his armor and clothes. He took a cloth and wiped some blood off his face.
Cadewan came up beside him. “Twenty-three dead, sir.” He smiled proudly. “An overwhelming victory.” He laughed and rode off to the front of the army. Tibaron smiled and followed him. He was a powerful mercenary king.
OOC: This was fun to write. Prowler hardly ever does any real fighting, and future battles are gonna kick @$$. About the size of Tibaron's mercenary army, it shouldn't be a threat. Tibaron wouldn't even think about attacking the kingdom of Gania. All he does is kill bandits. When there's a war, he fights for the highest bidder.
By the way, Tibaron is going to be pretty much my main character for a while, since Prowler's not doing anything special.
__________________
I am the reason you are afraid of the dark. I am the reason you fear venturing alone into the woods. It is my name that is whispered by the trees and carried by the wind to your ears. I am the Arboreal Prowler.
Posted by Arboreal Prowler on 07-04-2002 04:39 PM:
The Wolf Trail
The caravan moved slowly along the road. The moon was obscured by clouds and the land was pitch black. Without a torch, one could hardly see his own hand. The men at arms walked along the caravan carrying torches and weapons. Many of them had spears in their hands. Sevowin Cerraloth, the head man at arms, sat next to the driver on the front wagon. His eyes darted back and forth, watching for some movement in the darkness. He kept wiping sweat off his forehead. His armpits were soaked. He gripped his torch so tightly that it seemed as though he might crush it.
Sevowin was a man of average height and build. He had dark skin and no hair. He was considered by most as a very brave man, and armed himself only with a broad sword. He wore no armor. His mind was on his young wife he had left at home. She was a beautiful woman, and they were passionately in love. When he met her, she was working as a barmaid in a tavern in Forestre. They had only been married for three months now, and he missed her very much. He wished she was in his arms now.
He heard a whistle. It was the wind blowing through the tall grass. He settled down. Just the wind.
Veandra Adaulind sat nervously in her carriage. She was a shrewd merchant, and was running a trade route from Gania to Forestre. She was a short, petite woman with red hair and green eyes. Sweat was beginning to soak her dress. A whistle outside startled her; she was beginning to regret this trip.
She looked out the window at the nearest man at arms. He wore a chainmail coat and carried a spear, and was shaking nervously. From where Veandra was sitting, she could tell he was sweating profusely from fear. She sat back and closed her eyes, wishing they could move faster.
There was a loud cracking noise, and the carriage shook violently. The carriage tilted to the right. Veandra stepped out of the carriage to see what was the matter. One of the wheels had snapped and was now crushed. The caravan came to a halt.
While the driver tried to repair the carriage, Veandra had a glass of wine with her assistant. She was thirty-two years old and unmarried, and she did not want to die. If only they hadn’t decided to travel the Wolf Trail at night.
One of the men at arms screamed. Everyone turned to see two Black Wolves in the distance. The men prepared to fight. Sevowin drew his sword and jumped to the ground. He saw a man being ripped to shreds by a Black Wolf nearby. He was shocked by the size of the creature. It seemed to be almost twice as large as a normal wolf.
The men began to drop like flies; their spears and chainmail offered almost no protection against the ferocious Black Wolves. Veandra watched in horror as they ripped the men apart. Blood splashed onto the ground, painting the road and the grass dark red. Her dress became streaked with blood when a man nearby had his head ripped off. She screamed in terror.
Sevowin was terrified. He saw Halar running furiously at him. He raised his sword and thrust it into the creature’s side. Halar grunted and looked at the blade. Then he looked into the man’s eyes, raised his claw and ripped the man’s throat out. Sevowin gasped for air and fell to the ground.
Veandra soon found herself surrounded by the Black Wolves. She was in hysterics, and fell to her knees and began to pray desperately. The wolves attacked and ripped her to shreds, staining the ground with her blood.
There were no survivors.
OOC: Hey, it's all about the love.
__________________
I am the reason you are afraid of the dark. I am the reason you fear venturing alone into the woods. It is my name that is whispered by the trees and carried by the wind to your ears. I am the Arboreal Prowler.
Posted by Tygan deParte on 07-04-2002 09:39 PM:
His breath came out fast and hard, the dark sky above making his path unknown to even him. Running as fast as he could the man was constantly slapped by the branches and leaves of the forest. His heart beating quickly, his arms out in front of him so as to not run into anything, and his mind racing like a frightened little rodent, and that’s all he was, a useless creature, having no real value in life except to die in place of those whom are stronger. Suddenly his foot got caught on a earthed up root, with a loud crash he fell to the ground, rolling a few feet, and giving off his location by the crinkling of dry leaves and the snapping of long dead sticks. Quickly scrambling to his feet he began to run again, but fell once more as his head was removed from his body. The head dropped quickly, landing on the man’s back, then bouncing to the ground, rolling a little ways and stopping against the trunk of a tree. The clothes on the corpse began to soak in blood, and a trail of blood led to the man’s head, which was now stuck in an eternal scream.
“So, he went into the Temple of Evisis?” a wicked laugh erupted from the dark figures mouth, “He shows promise, it is no wonder they wanted to keep him. Too bad for them, he will die.”
The dark figure looked at the corpse and head, “Thanks for the information my little friend, it’s a pity you aren’t as good at running as you are at ratting out your comrades,” he kicked the head, spraying blood over the ground and against the tree, it flew a ways and landed with a thud, bouncing and rolling off into the darkness, and as to where it stopped, only the trail of blood could tell, “You will make a good midnight snack for whatever beasts make home in these woods,” he laughed again then walked off into the darkness.
__________________
Can't say you'll lose if you never try.
Can't say you've won, if you happen to die.
---------------------------------
Gaudeamus igitur, iuvenes dum sumus.
Let us rejoice then, while we are young.
---------------------------------
To die is to sleep, only you forgot to turn on your alarm.
Posted by Zephron on 07-05-2002 09:24 AM:
At Last...Good News pt1
Zephron, using a piece of bark, began to draw a line from point "A" to point "B" on his map. In other words, from where he was to where he wanted to go. He followed the line past down beside Endroth until his eyes meet that of the town of Synarin.
"Yes!," He shouted, scaring off some birds "That's were Reno lives!" Reno is Zephron's eldest brother (And the only one that doesn't seem to put him in headlocks all the time).
"I'll head there now,"
So, Zephron leaped to his feet and began a light jog along the dirt path joining Ferain to Synarin.
------------------------Some Time Later-------------------------
Zephron had managed to keep up his light jog for a good few hours before he went up a small rise. Over the rise he was expecting more and more miles of dirt track, but to his amazement, he was there! He ran down the hill in sheer enjoyment when he noticed a sign which read "Farm House"
"Yes, I'm here," he said.
He ran up to the door and pounded on it. His heart sank into his boots as no-one answered. He was about to leave as he heard knocking on the other side of the door.
"Huh?" He said as he began to knock on the door....The following is the whole conversation.
Knock - Knock
Knock - Knock
Knock Knock Knock Knock Knock
Knock Knock
"Ah HA!" Zephron shouted "I gotcha!" But to his shocked surprise, he found a knife sticking out of the letterbox. "Jesus! RENO!" The door flung open and Reno was standing there in all his glory.
"...I hate you," Zephron said....
"No you don't," Reno said as a smile beamed across his face "How ya doin' you little prick!?!"
"Im fine, you big turd,"
Reno led him into his sitting room where a huge fire was roaring in a corner. It smelled a little like....
"Peaches?" Zephron asked.
"Uh.....okay?" Reno responded with his patented "One-Raised-Eyebrow-To-Accuse-You-Of-Being-Insane" look.
Posted by Eloise Rane on 07-05-2002 10:23 AM:
Their second morning of travel was bright and sunny, quite ironic for the situation that was awaiting them in Endroth. Alexandros had taken off his jacket and wore only a loose shirt, and Eloise had discarded her own cloak in the heat, and a few loose strands of unkept hair swept her bare shoulders. With the aid of the healer, they had both fully recovered from the battle several days earlier.
... Only to do it all over again, Eloise thought with a smirk, although the thought didn't bother her. She drank from a cool canteen of water as they moved over the rough ground. They stopped for an hour or two in the late morning to rest in some shade off the path. She sat and leaned back against a tree and closed her eyes, and was almost asleep in her relaxation when she heard Alexandros' voice beside her.
"Get up." His voice was gentle, but the comment was unexpected. When she opened her eyes again to the bright sun he was already a few feet in front of her, his Redeemer unsheathed, and was swinging it softly back and forth through the air.
She groaned. "You pick the worst times to do this." He smiled, and she got up, trying to quickly rejuvenate her energy. She then stood before him and pulled out her own blade. They each took their appropriate stances, and the art of Ar'Selevi began. She noticed how, in such concentration, the rest of the world faded out, and there was only the fight at hand. Quite a remarkable feeling. Alexandros wasn't exercising it to his full potential, for her skill was well below his. Still, they usually pushed on until it exhausted both of them, but this time he fell back soon after they started.
"Stop," He said peculiarly. He seemed distracted by something. He wiped some sweat from his brow, then turned to the South, his ash blonde hair blowing softly in the breeze, as if looking for something that wasn't there.
"...What is it?" Eloise asked him after a minute.
He turned to her with a stonelike face, but there was a troubled look in his eyes. "Endroth," he said.
She searched the passages of her own mind. "I don't sense anything."
"You will. Soon." He dashed to his horse and mounted it at once. "We have to go, Eloise. Now."
She scanned the South horizon. Endroth was about half a day's travel away. From her position she couldn't see anything that warranted his uneasiness, but she trusted his judgement. She wanted to know what to be ready for, but if he was right, her senses would tell her in short time. She jumped onto her horse, and they took off abruptly, stirring up dust in the road behind them.
Cue: Alexandros
Posted by Zephron on 07-05-2002 03:19 PM:
Pt 2......The Trip To Nevyel
"So," Reno said quietly to his brother Zephron. "How long have you been travelling?"
"Just for a couple of days," Was the also quiet response.
"Where are you headed?"
"Mt Karovon...,"
"Oh....Well you do know that it's also an island?"
"Yeah, I know,"
"Listen, cause your my brother and everything, I'm going to do you a favor," Reno said as he stood up slowly.
"What would that be?" Zephron said as he also stood up.
"You'll see," He said as he began to walk outside. "Follow me,"
Reno led Zephron to one of his many stables. He pushed open the door and walked over to one of half a dozen horses.
"You're giving me a horse?" Zephron said in surprise.
"Not just ANY horse," His brother answered. "This horse," He patted a horse's rump and it neighed alsmot inaudibly. "This is Shadowfax.
"Shadowfax?" Zephron said, sightly stunned, "THE Shadowfax?"
"Correct, This thing is known throughout Aeterna," He said, rather proudly.
"Cool,"
---------------Next Morning------------
"Zephron, before you go, here's some stuff," Reno handed him a back pack full of stuff. "Y'know,stuff to help you on your way. Now, if you go south - west, you'll come to a seaside town called Nevyel. There's bound to be sailors there to give you a lift over to Mt Karovon,"
"Thanks," Zephron said. "I'll catch you later,"
"I'll hold you to that," His brother responded. "See you soon. Oh, before I forget, Shadowfax is known for his speed so you better hold on tight to those reigns,"
"Thanks for the tip," Zephron said as he tightened the grip on the reigns. "Bye,"
"At the top of his voice, Zephron shouted "GIDDYAP!!!," Before he had another second to think, off like a bolt of ligtning, Shadowfax had already passed the sign that said "Farm House". The wind was blowing wildly through his hair as the surroundings fled past like a blur.
In about ten minutes, Shadowfax began to slow and stop just at at a dockside in the town of Nevyel.
"Bitchin'," Zephron said as he clambered off Shadowfax and tied his reigns to a pole. "Now all I gotta do is wait for a God forsaken ship to get me out to Mt Karovon...,"
OOC - Yo, Any ships or pirates or whatever, got a ship, help me out. Thanks. 
Posted by Avatar Deathscythe on 07-05-2002 04:02 PM:
As King Eremon:
Eremon paced the chamber anxiously. A flurry of knocks from the door caused him to jump slightly, but were not unexpected.
“Enter!”
A young, nervous looking messenger entered holding a piece of parchment.
“Sire, our diplomats say they have conversed with the Emperor of Nylian about Princess Scarlet and that the empire will aid in the search for your daughter.”
Eremon’s brow smoothed slightly but his body remained tense with worry. He sighed and gazed out the window into the courtyard below.
“That’s the best news I’ve heard in a while. Tell me, how go the repairs in Sungan?”
“Earth mages have arrived and are beginning to clean the rubble and will begin reconstruction soon. Volunteers are massing in Forestre to aid in the effort to rebuild Sungan.”
The King nodded and gazed wearily at the roses. He remembered when they had been planted in honor of his ascension to the throne. They had grown tall and wide over the years. He saw his wife, Tiamat, sitting among them.
“Are our guests well and attended for?”
“Yes, Majesty. The young ones seem to be happy, but we know nothing of the condition of the Elwain.”
“Let them be. They may have their reasons for staying secluded. Leave me now.” The messenger bowed out, leaving Eremon alone with his thoughts once more.
Maybe this life wasn’t suited for you, Scarlet. You always did love to roam…
He began to pace the room once more.
OOC: Would it be possible to get an update on what the heck everyone in Castle Rosenblade is doing?
__________________
"Words are powerless to express one's feelings, and sometimes they become a silver knife."
Posted by Scarlet Rosenblade on 07-05-2002 04:59 PM:
On another continent, Scarlet was also pacing the room anxiously. She had been housed in New Dargent for several days waiting for when she would speak with the Emperor Aramus VanVehementi. A part of her was paranoid as to why he would take so long to grant audience with her. Sighing heavily, she flopped onto the spacious bed and let her thoughts roam.
Indigo…
She missed him terribly… When she returned to Gania she would find him and give him the answer that had lingered on her lips when he had proposed to her. The answer she had meant to give him.. She soon began to doze, her head filled with thoughts of her beloved.
As sleep enveloped her, she felt herself being taken across the sea and far into a desert. Ahead she saw the twisted form of a spawn, barely alive, inching its way towards a smaller creature…. Her breath caught in her throat as she gazed down on the bloodied body of Indigo lying in the sand, only minutes from being overtaken by the spawn he had set out as Dolensirion to kill.
Indigo!! Please move! PLEASE!!
She hurled herself over him in a frail attempt to protect him from the desperate motherspawn, but only passed through him. She looked around in confusion and helplessness as she realized that she was dreaming. The creature was now only a few feet away. Would she see the man she loved killed before her like she had witnessed with Bres and Caitlin? She cried out to the stars above her.
Creator help me! Show me what to do!!
Scarlet could never describe what happened next. She felt as if she had been attached to a string that had suddenly been jerked upwards. In the blink of an eye, the world disappeared into a tiny dot below her and the heavens opened their doors wide to reveal what appeared to be a dragon made entirely of fire. Within the flames, a man with red hair similar to her own stood, as if expecting her. Time stood still as his voice spoke softly in her mind.
So you’re what keeps the Dolensirion attached to this world.
Who are you? How do you know about Indigo?
Do you love him?
What? Of course I do.
Then find it within yourself to save the man you love.
How?! Please tell me!
Go save the man you love.
Before she could make any protest she felt herself being drawn downward, back to where her lover lay.
Save the man you love….Princess of the Rose Blade..
What is the Rose Blade!? Tell me!! Please!
Find the Rose Blade within yourself..
Within me..?
Warmth surged through her veins as the answer became clear. Taking the ring of Modros from her finger, she kissed it, then sank the edge of the ruby deep into the flesh of her left palm. Blood quickly filled her hand and began to fall to the sand below.
Please…give me the Rose Blade… Give me the power to save Indigo!
Blood began to cover the ring and spiral upwards, shaping itself into a blade; into the Rose Blade. Her energy flowed from the self inflicted wound like a torrent. From the sand, Indigo stirred slightly, not sure if what he was seeing was real. A sword appeared from apparently nowhere and fell to the sand next to him. A ruby fashioned into a rose twinkled at the hilt.
Come back to me Indigo..
Scarlet’s voice lingered on the wind then disappeared as she began to wake a world away.
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"When one forgets to put the emotions that overflow in her heart to rest, they burn the color of passion."
Posted by Volsung on 07-05-2002 08:03 PM:
one on one begins
Under the cover of fog, the tribes of Farai had drawn with a few mile of the main shadow. All were armed and all everyone was ready to fight. Most of the force had been sleeping in shifts but as they drew close, most people found they could only get one or two hours of sleep. Then at an hour, which didn’t seem all that special the Fire Magi caught sight of the Salamander Dragon, and at once bells started ring all over camp, and every one knew that order to attack had been given. The fog started to dissipate and tribes rushed the exposed flank of the Shadow.
With the bells, ringing all around one of the Fire Magi ran up to Volsung. He was out of breath, “Sir..Nas..cent .s…ent me to tell you we have spotted Sayomara Signal and the order to attack has been given.”
“Thank you, now catch your breath, and we will be on our way in a moment. By the way, what was the signal?” Volsung Asked the young man as the bells rang all around him, solders started running into battle, and the fog around him started to dissipate.
“It was a giant Dragon of fire, its still attacking the Shadow spawn.” The man said.
“Thank again.” Then Volsung turned to Ryudo, Tyr, and Zander. “In moments we will be in the middle of a all out battle, but my place is not here it’s at Sayomara Side. I don’t know any thing about what shape he’s or if he need help but I plan to be there all the same. On the chance that he does need help I would like you three to come with me.”
Ryudo was the first to speak up. “Volsung I don’t know who this Sayomara person is but if you plan to fight at his side, then so do I.”
Tyr was the next to speak, “Were Ryudo goes I go. I’m with you.”
Then Volsung turned Zander, “ and what of you Mr. Holy Knight?”
Zander stood for a moment letting everyone wonder about his thoughts, “I don’t know you or any one else here for that matter, aside from my friend and Family, but if you want me to come then I shall.”
Volsung smiled, “Good I was hoping you would all help me. Now lets get going we don’t have a moment to lose.”
In a moment, the four were in the air flying into the heart of the battle. The Magi, and Mages had started there attacks, and all around were, Fireballs, Lighting, Ice, meteors, Holy bolts, all rain down from the heavens mostly on the Flying spawn but the one have miss there mark more offend then not hit some form of Evil on the Ground. On that ground the Tribesmen, and other had cutting though the Shadow line pushing there why into Endroth. As a backdrop to all of this flew monster of all shapes and size. Some were body mage others were real monsters that had been summoned, and of course, Salamander still flew through the air killing everything dark and evil in its path.
In spite of some resistance Volsung, Ryudo, Tyr, and Zander were able get to Sayomara but at the moment of their arrived Sayomara, Bara, and Keigo were he pined down by the six Veri. Sayomara was doing his best to hold them back but with every attack, the Veri were getting closer.
Upon seeing, this Volsung gabbed his sword and flew straight in to heart of group. Ryudo, Tyr, and Zander quickly followed. Volsung tightened both his hands around the sword. And created a wall of fire around Sayomara, Bara, and Keigo. Giving himself and the others a chance to get the Sayomara, as soon Volsung landed his sent our a second wave of fire but this time it only push back Ragash, Suedomsa, and Gravan. Fenix, Marian, Mellin had been able to redirect the flames and hold their position. Sayomara spoke quickly, “ Everyone spit up and try to fight Veri one of one. I think we will have a better chance of defeating them that way.
Ragash gave our a growl and all the spawn and the area were driven back, “Foolish Mage do you really think that you have chance ether way?” Then Ragash rushed Sayomara leaving the other Veri to fend for them selves.
OCC: ok his is the break down of who gets to kill whom
Sayomara- Ragash
Bara- Kaliva (Sorry bara but I just found out that fenix is dead if don't want the first of the seven please tell me and you can switch with Volsung or Sayomara.)
Keigo- Gravan
Ryudo and Tyr –Suedomsa
Zander- Mellin
Volsung- Marian
Cue: Bara, Keigo, Elyas, Ryudo, Tyr, Zander, Alex, Eloise, Sekirah, Freija, Amethyst, Volsung, and Eric. I hope I didn’t forget any one. In any case the battle was started there a lot going on the shadow are on the ropes and the moment but we will see how long that will last. Everyone who is fight one of the Veri listed above get to it, they are all yours now.
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"Listen! I've traveled every road in this here land!"
Posted by Regit Seye on 07-05-2002 09:02 PM:
Several weeks later, Regit arrived in Gania. His long voyage at sea hadn't been much fun, and he wished there'd been a faster way. The ship had stopped in Corner, where Regit had bid farewell to his companion Damion. After, it had skirted the coastline, cutting through the Press Canal, and docking north of Gania. Three days walk had led him to the city. He had known a day or two before, due to the peculiar thread of magic seeming to span an immense distance, one base before him, in Gania.
He walked right through the city to the Waygate, and payed the small toll to pass through. A moment later, after what to his eyes were some spectacular magical fireworks, he stood in Fayre. He looked about, then headed for the nearest sound of clanking mugs, Mooscue on his heels...
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The strength of darkness and power of light
Mean naught to he who's lost his sight.
Though men's hearts quake in dark of night
The blind still seeks what he finds right.
Posted by Avatar Worldmaker on 07-05-2002 09:45 PM:
OOC: To all of those faced with battle with one of the Veri, I must remind you that they are extremely powerful opponents. They are cunning, intelligent, have hundreds of years of experience in battle, or thousands, in some cases, and they are filled with unearthly fortitude. They will not hesitate to retreat if they feel that they would be defeated, nor would they hesitsate to call for help from Sha'vanel or other Veri or Vexes. In all honesty, I believe that a few of the Veri may fall, but I do not think that all of them would die in this way. Perhaps a few, but no more than that, for they are too well armed, armored and foresighted to allow such a thing to happen. However, they are egotistical and overconfident as well. I leave the fate of the Veri up to the individual authors, but keep in mind that the Sha'van is vengeful against those that seek it's destruction, and does not sleep.
That being said, happy hunting, and don't go dying on us...
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We all want to change the world...
Posted by Keiru Onyx on 07-05-2002 11:46 PM:
As Aramus VanVehementi:
Scarlet awoke suddenly from her dream sleep to the sound of the chamber doors creaking agape. She quickly pulled her guest sheets chin high in a shy and nervous manner. Rouge danced across her cheeks as the Imperial Guard looked onward, dumbfounded by the beauty that beheld his sight. He forced himself to avert his eyes from the form of the Princess.
“M’lady, please excuse this interruption but the audience you have sought with the Emperor is granted. He has traveled far from his business in Militus to greet you, Highness. He shall be awaiting your company tomorrow evening in the Imperial Manor. He has also employed New Dargent’s foremost tailor to create you a more suitable garb for your evening’s supper in his company. You will find your new gown within your closet. I fervently beg your forgiveness once more for this intrusion and I bid you good day m’lady. The Emperor will summon you at sundown in the morrow.”
With that the soldier bade his guest goodbye with a regal bow and made his exit through the rooms double doors, closing them slowly and quietly behind him. After his departure, Scarlet lowered the velvety material in her grasp back down to her lap exposing her naked form. She quickly made her way across the cold wood floors to the closet so that she might gather her clothing and other personal effects. Upon parting the small oak doors she beheld a sight of Aramus’ tastes. Among her garments was the gown that her Nylian visitor had described. A silken black top melted into a dark gray corset midsection and then trailed to a floorlength dress of purest crimson. It was not of normal Nylian style of any other style Scarlet had seen. It was starkly original; a gift to her from the leader of the Empire. Had she been any other woman awash in the comforts of the privileged Nylian court, she was certain she would be overcome with awe, but Scarlet was no ordinary princess. Her station was not defined by a dress, a courtesy, or any other aristocratic “properness”.
Deciding rather to be true unto herself during the span of the day, Scarlet moved aside her newly acquired dress to adorn her preferred, customary attire. After dressing her form, the young Rosenblade departed her chambers to absorb the sites and sounds of New Dargent. With a meeting arranged, a small stress was relieved from Scarlet’s conscious. Perhaps today she would enjoy herself free from danger, within a thriving city…. But still, something about this entire scenario seemed tainted. She had no trust for VanVehementi, but she would soon have her chance to confront him.
Aramus dismissed his fanfare. While he enjoyed the power of his position, the formalities had begun to wear upon him. He needed naught the sounds of trumpets and the gathering of city officials for each return to an Imperially controlled township. He just wished to make his Empire function… function something he had been incapable of since his awkward introduction to Claudia of the Stromguards. Old Edrick had done himself proud, siring a progeny that would in turn produce Claudia as a daughter, an heiress to the Imperial throne; the object of Aramus’ new found taste of desire. He, for the first time since he was merely a count in Nyliam, was on his own in the world without the accompaniment of his bodyguard, Gregorynn. His loyal retainer had been left behind in Militus for the purpose of gathering all of the information possible on the whereabouts and means of contacting the Master Summoner Stromguard.
The Emperor made his way quickly through the township towards his Imperial manor. He wanted little to no contact with the citizenry. The previous day’s events had proven taxing upon his mentality and he wanted nothing more than to retreat to his study to relax. Tomorrow he would meet this Princess of Gania. Odd, he thought, this would be the first task of real diplomacy that he would exhibit during the tenure of his leadership. Perhaps I’m softening in my old age…. A hoarse laughter bellowed from Aramus as he climbed the steps of the Manor, contemplating. No, soft was a term that Aramus was ill prepared with which to be described. He didn’t know this Princess but he was growing certain that he might be able to use her in some fashion or another in his quest for material gain. Tomorrow would tell the tale of that fate.
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Onyx, the blackest of Aeternal stones, is renown for its omnicient properties...
Posted by Linerin Gheral on 07-06-2002 12:56 AM:
Linerin stood atop the walls of Endroth as the forces met with one another in the fields about the city. A small smile split across his face as he began to hear the cries of the living being consumed and destroyed by the dead. He was holding back the Wyrmlings for now, but once the masses of undead fell to the encircling force, he would loose them upon the enemies, before releasing the hoardes of Sha'vanel caged within the walls of the city.
The air darkened to his right as Reika appeared through a portal. She listened to the carnage with Linerin for several minutes before speaking.
"May I be of any assistence, Master?" She smiled seductively towards Linerin.
With a wave of his hand, Linerin released the Wyrmlings from the weaves that bound them, and they assulted the force of the tribes, but magics of all sorts fired from within, and fire rained down from above. The opposing force was strong indeed, he thought as he turned to Reika.
"Stay here with me and observe this. The city they shall have.... but at what cost? I am done with that which I came here for, and now that Fenix is gone, there is noone to watch over this graveyard," His voice was dark and haughty as always, and his eyes watched the battle like a hawk.
He watched more intently, as his generals vanished into the battle. they were great becons of darkness out in the great sea of chaos, and men fell by the score to their dark fury. But there were great beacons of light, as well, troubling, to say the least. There were three of them out there, three of the troublesome 'Emisaries of the Creator' as they were once called. One of them was Araka. One of them was his son. He laughed once again, and released the Sha'vanel from the gates of the city. With the thought of his son in mind, he began his preparations.
The six of the Veri that had wished to fight had left the safety of the walls some time ago, and as a wall of fire sprang up within the battle, Linerin sensed that they were very near to it. He laughed again, and scattering the rare components of his spell to the wind, where they were swept to the sky, he began chanting in the arcane tongue of ancient Lunis. His voice carried across the plain, and dark clouds began to gather overhead. Reika watched in anticipation as they condensed into a great mass. Linerin's voice rose louder and louder, and an aura of tangible darkness began to emit from the stone that was set in the pendant about his neck, spreading darkness about him, covering him in a cloudy darkness, like black smoke swirling about his body. Yet his voice rose even louder, and with every moment of the arcane tongue, the cloud over the head of the battle grew darker and larger.
The Lord of Blood walked calmly towards Linerin and Reika, smiling as he always did, the 'X' shaped scar upon his cheek seeming to absorb some of the darkness that encircled the Chosen. He stopped just to the left of Linerin, and watched him end the great magnitude of his weave. There was a great quiet for moments, and then, with a deafening crackling noise, black bolts of lightning began to rain from the massive black cloud that hovered over the battle, destroying that which stood between it and the ground. The rain continued on, smiting both friend and foe, and Linerin laughed. Reika also began to laugh, but the Lord of Blood remained silent, his wavy blonde hair rustling in the now steep gusts of wind. Linerin and Rieka's cackle filled the air about him, and he grasped his grandfather's stone where it hung about his neck. his eyes rested upon the horizion, as the lightning continued to fall, his thoughts lingered on weaving his own magics.
Finally, Rublicant decided to act, and calling upon the power of his grandfather's stone, he raised his hands to the sky, drawing an immense amount of power from Aeterna, and focusing it into a single effort. His voice cracked as he chanted the dark tongue, and Ezra's stone glowed brightly in his grasp. He wove with but one hand, and as sweat began to raise itself upon his brow, he finished the weave, and called upon one of the greater fiends of the Hells, the General of the Azagrel, Noredreth. Rublicant, the Lord of Blood, knew his power was not great enough to sustain the creature's form here for long, but the havok it would casue in even such a short time would be well worth it.
A great ring of red glyphs and runes appeared in the sky, and fire erupted from the gate as it was complete. the great form of the winged fiend passed through the portal, and floated slowly towards the ground. Palpable shadows followed the creature as it's wings spread wide and carried it towards the one that had summoned it.
Fire spewed from the creature's mouth as it's gutteral voice rose from the depths of the ground, it floated before Rublicant and Linerin, for but a moment as it spoke, "What dost thou will of me?"
Rublicant's answer was simple, he raised his arm towards the battle and uttered a single word, "Kill,"
The creature Noredreth, General of the Azagrel, turned, and swooped from the wall with the speed of the Hells under its wings. Linerin turned to Rublicant approvingly, and a small smile cracked across his lips. Rublicant simply watched after the creature, focusing his energies to keep it upon Aeterna for as long as possible. Then, suddenly, the three of them began to laugh...
Cue: everyone that's at the battle... Have fun with the lightning, the big winged fiend, and it'd be a shame not to mention, My generals! *evil laughter*
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As the Mistress wills it...
Posted by Avatar Worldmaker on 07-06-2002 03:47 AM:
Mellin
Alexandros and Eloise arrived upon the plains about Endroth just as the battle was begun. Tethering their horses to one of the few small trees about the plain, They proceeded towards the rear lines of the Tribesmen's army. They jogged towards the battle, and magic was already leaping about the front lines. Just as they reached the rear of the Farai lines, mighty gouts of flame erupted all about the ground, and were replied to in kind, with a great volley of magic into the sky. More fire pounded the ground, and more volleys of magic replied in kind. A blast of fire struck the ground very near to Alexandros, and he was thrown to the ground, earth spraying up into the air, and falling about him. As he rose, Eloise ran to his side, and helped him to regain his footing. Many were dead, and more were wounded all about the pair, yet there was more was to come.
The pair was nearing the front lines, and Alex unsheathed the Redeemer as they made their way towards the battle. Already the cries of battle and shrieks of the Sha'vanel were overwhelming, and Alex made his first strike into an animated corpse, hewing into the chest of the unliving beast. Eloise followed closely after her Master, striking at the beasts and abominations all about them. Ahead, far into the enemy, they saw the old mage, Sayomara, with two men at his side. A great darkness was approaching Him, and both of the Holy Knights sensed the urgency of the powerful Sha'van. Alex slashed quickly all about him, dancing in Ar'Selevi, his holy-charged sword, glowing brightly blue, carving a path through the undead towards the leader of this Tribal Army. Eloise stood beside him now, dancing herself, into and out of the forms she knew, and they proved amazingly effective with her blade glowing white in the afternoon. Before they could come to Sayomara's side, another flaming ball struck the ground, and drove the both of them off their feet. Alex rose again, dirt falling off of his white cloak, and he reached down instinctively, to help Eloise to her feet, as she had for him. Just then, They both sensed another of their kind through the ranks and chaos that surrounded them, their heads turned upwards just slightly, to see the Revered Sir Zander Kohen standing no more than fifteen feet away. Alexandros recognized Tiffarah, as well, drawing her claws through the air, raking at a pair of undead skeletons.
"Zander!" Alex's voice rang out, though, through the screams of battle, he was not sure if Zander had heard him.
He turned to his left for a moment to bury the Redeemer to the hilt in the chest of an animated corpse, before he continued his dance towards his battle brother. Eloise was quick to follow, as always, shearing the arm off of yet another monstrosity within the horde. Just as they came close enough to Zander where they would most certainly be heard, a wall of fire erupted about them. Alex took this moment of respite to turn to Zander.
"Zander, this is Revered Lady Eloise Rane," He motioned towards his Apprentice, who made a small bow, "It is good to see you, but I wish we could have met again under better circumstances,"
"I couldn't agree more," Zander said between breaths. "Well met, Lady Eloise. I have a friend of my own for you to meet, if he is near."
Tiffarah bounded to his side and the relief was plain on her face when she saw Alex, if only for a moment. She nodded a hello to both Eloise and Alex before the wall of flame dissipated and they were launched into battle once more. Alex and Zander spun instinctively towards the sensation of the densest darkness, and Alex gasped involuntarily as he saw what had beset them. Six of the generals of the Sha'van stood before them, shrouded in their own inner darkness.
A cry came from a nearby Sayomara, "Everyone split up and try to fight the Veri one on one. I think we will have a better chance of defeating them that way,"
Zander would have rolled his eyes at the statement the circumstances weren't so dire. "More like three on one if we're to have any hope of defeating even one of those Generals."
Alex gritted his teeth, and Eloise's eyes went wide. Their agreement with Zander was obvious, but there was nothing they could do. all of those that had been within the ring launched into combat with the dark ones, and just as one of the generals came at the three Knights, there was a great silence. Alex dropped quickly to the earth, sensing the darkness reaching out from above, and managed to bring both Zander and Eloise down with him. The sound that pierced the battle was unearthly loud, and shook all of those that stood, and black bolts of deadly lightning began to rain from the sky, one striking the ground very near to where the three of them had stood just seconds ago.
"Tiffarah!" Zander cried from where he lay sprawled on the ground. To his relief he spotted her pinned to the ground by Sekirah, a few feet away.
Eloise rose first, Alex and Zander quickly followed suit. Before them stood a great man, cloaked in flowing shadows. Behind the man were several Vexes, their toothy faces twisted into snarls of contempt.
Alex stepped forward defiantly, his cloak swirling amidst the strikes of lightning, and called out, "Begone with you, Sha'van! Begone!"
His call was met with a small smile from the face of the shadow cloaked one, and a small voice, but a whisper, inside of all of their minds, "I am Mellin, the Lord of Spirit, and I shall be your death..."
"Creator, be with us," Zander murmured, lifting his katanas into a defensive position and adjusting his stance.
Sekirah also stood ready, between the General, his vexes and Tiffarah. All at once, Zander was grateful for the heroic companion and prayed that they all lived through this to grow closer. It was down to the zero hour now, either their lives ended by this Veri, or they lived to fight on Alex readied the Redeemer in his hands, and Eloise shifted her posture to the defensive. They were all ready for what would likely be the fight of their lives. And they came, all at once, Mellin rushing in at Eloise, as quick as the lightning that fell from the sky in the blink of an eye, and the vexes becoming a blur as well. The general had obviously worked some magic about them, as they moved faster than any being should. Alex swung his blade, and threw himself ahead of Eloise, knocking her back reluctantly to meet a dark blade with the Redeemer, but more quickly than he could possibly defend, he was cut thrice, once, quite deeply, upon the left arm, and twice, much less seriously, across the chest. Having given, and having not received, the shade cloaked creature fell back mockingly.
Zander busied himself with a vex, trying desperately to match the creatures speed. The two blades in his hands came up empty with every slash. To his left he heard Tiffarah cry out in pain as a vex cut a deep gash in her upper arm. The creature was drawing back for the deathblow.
"No!!!" Zander wailed and hurled a mass of holy energy at the being. It was knocked off its feet just in time, allowing Sekirah to send it back to where it belonged.
In his desperation to save his wife, Zander had ignored the vex he was battling and was rewarded with a blow to his stomach that dented the Xellian steel of his breastplate and sent him flying backward more than five feet. At the same moment, Alexandros backed away from the Veri quickly, and Eloise met him a few feet back. The creature hovered above the ground, not more than ten feet away. The Vexes came at them, and they danced with them, Alex weaving on the fly, as best he could with his left hand. A white glow surrounded him and Eloise, and his wounds began to emit a bright light that the creatures shied away from. Sensing the opening in the defenses of the pair of Vexes, Eloise cut one down with her Holy blade, relieving the creature of it's innards. Alex whirled about as well, meeting the blade of another Vex with the Redeemer, and knocking it back several feet, where an older tribesman drove a spear through its backside. The man bore it to the ground, where several tribesmen finished it off.
Sekirah and Tiffarah appeared at Zander's side and helped him up. He quickly regained his composure as two vexes strode toward them. Glancing over to Alex who had his hands full, he decided to cut through the two creatures as fast as possible and offer his comrades some help with the Veri. The three of them were more effective against the two creatures, but the fact still remained that they were fast. It was all they could to hack away at them slowly, even with Zander's katanas charged.
Alex and Eloise faced Mellin as he came, brandishing his dark blade. he too shied away from the light that emitted from the wounds that he had inflicted. Taking a moment's advantage, Alex and Eloise acted together, attacking simultaneously, bearing the creature back, but inflicting no major damage. Eloise had scored a small cut to the Veri's shoulder, and Alex to his leg, but they were minor hurts to the minion, and likely no inconvenience.
To Zander's utter amazement, a blast of holy flame suddenly engulfed the two vexes, causing them to shriek in pain. Zander wasted no time decapitating one and striking the other, sending it toward Sekirah, who finished him off. The three looked up to find the source of their assistance and spotted Marcus, far above them, cutting his way through several wyrmlings.
"We do have an angel watching over us," Zander stated.
Mellin looked up into the air, as his minions were stricken down by the winged one. Pounding his fist into the ground, a dark pulse of energy stirred from the earth, and black veins of energy sliced out through the air, five in all, one towards Alex, one towards Eloise, two into the air towards the winged one, and the final one towards Zander. Alex saw the pulse of energy coming, and with a deft sweep of the redeemer, he reflected the energy harmlessly into the ground. Eloise was struck, however, and in a blast of dark flame, she was driven hard upon the earth. Zander's luck was much the same as Eloise's and he found himself thrown to the battle scorched earth. Marcus, however, dove through the air, clearing the dark bolts by mere inches and disappeared into the aerial fray. Zander lifted himself back off the ground. With the majority of the vexes in the near vicinity disposed of, the group was able to focus their attention on the General, and they approached cautiously.
Alexandros stood back, dropping to his knees, and closing his eyes, he began to pray. Weaving through his words of prayer, he drew upon the earth. Eloise rose slowly from the ground, her clothes scorched by the flames, and saw her Master, his weapon laid before him, completely defenseless before the darkness that approached him. Mellin reached out towards Alex his clawed fingers reaching for the knight's face.
Faith,' Zander could almost hear the word in his mind when he saw Alexandros on his knees.
He could sense that it wasn't any ordinary prayer; there was powerful magic at hand. The prayer flowed out from Alexandros' heart, and his words were but a vessel for his pleas.
"What's he doing?" Tiffarah asked, staring as Mellin's hand drew closer. "Shouldn't we help him?"
"He's praying," Zander pointed out the obvious. "Just wait a moment."
Eloise rushed up behind her Master, just as Mellin laid his hand upon the Knight’s forehead. Her blade was raised, but Mellin himself did not strike, nor did he make any threatening movement. It was as if a great calm had overtaken him, as dark as his soul was, . Alex's words continued to flow, and tears flowed from his eyes.
The menacing general appeared in a trance as the battle raged all around them. Zander wondered if they should strike while they had a chance. He knew that only a holy blade would do anything worth mention, but would it cost Alex his life should Mellin awake? It was a chance, Zander decided, he would have to take.
"Sekirah, on three, strike his arm as I find a gap in his armor," Zander said as quietly as he could to his companion while still being heard. The Lunari nodded and moved forward, readying his spear. Zander quickly found a space between the chest and back of Mellin's armor that covered his torso. "Alright, one... two... three!!!"
Simultaneously, Sekirah sliced through Mellin's forearm, causing it to fall away from Alex's face and Zander's katana, powerfully charged with holy fire, found purchase in the dark General's side. Instinctively, Zander pulled away, leaving the blade in Mellin's flesh.
Eloise drove her own Blade into Mellin’s chest, and the Veri reared back with a great roar and struck Zander hard in the chest with what remained of his arm, sending him flying, once again, several feet and loosing consciousness temporarily as he hit the ground. Mellin roared like a beast ,tearing the blade from his back and leaping away into the horde of Sha’vanel.
Alex remained silent in prayer, small streaks of blood from the tips of Mellin’s claws dripping down his face. Eloise stood guard over him, and Tiffarah rushed to aid Zander.
The battle was still far from over…
Cue: Eloise, Zander and everyone else out here in this mess…
OOC: Co authored by Zander
__________________
We all want to change the world...
Posted by Regit Seye on 07-06-2002 06:30 PM:
((OOC- For RP purposes, this is happening several days before the Endroth plains battle began. I apologize for the hasty movement, but I had zilch else to do, and I hadn't thought anyone would really mind...-OOC))
Regit stepped into the noisy pub and is promptly smacked in the face by a meaty fist. He reels out the door, clutching his nose and yelping. A few footsteps sound outside the pub door, and a huge hand clamps about Regit's shoulder.
"Sorry, mate. Thought ye were one o' them Veri supporters in there. Fer some reason, there's a whole bunch o' guys just raring and laughing about how some 'shadow' was going to consume the whole of Asheri. There's a strike force leaving for Fayre, and they were plotting to sabotage it. What with the headband and all... oh, shit. Ye're blind, aincha? Mate, I'm turrible sorry..."
Regit shakes his head in dismissal, then turns, casting his senses wide. They pass the Waygate... they strike the outer edge of a forest... then suddenly, Regit feels as though he should empty his stomach onto the boots of the man who punched him. He reels backwards, then slams against a wall and regains his balance. The man steps closer again.
"Mate, 'r' you awright? Ye look a bit pale..."
"Where... where is the strike force stationed?"
"Wel... uh... they WERE stationed in a camp outside of town, but they've left already. Leave now, an' ye might catch them if'n ye go double-time."
Regit nods, then recalls his senses, keeping them safely bound in a several-foot radius about his body, just enough not to bump into anyone. Then, after a few more words of direction, he leaves to catch the strike force.
((OOC- Present time, so to speak -OOC))
Regit had not had a fun week. He had, he assumed, been left unharmed simply because of the carnage that had befallen any beasts bothering to attack the strike force. Wary of other people, the thought of facing a magic-user seemed... suicidal to the survivors. Even still, every night he seemed to be forced to sleep among the corpses of monsters, just to avoid live ones.
He crested a hill an hour or so after the beginning of the attack. He'd known when it started, for he could feel the flame rain and magical geysers. As he reached the highest point of the hill, he felt sickened at what he sensed. A seething pool of darkness lay, surrounded by a blanket of mist. He can feel the emanationg horror below him simply crushing against that which makes Aeterna... Aeterna. Mooscue sidles up to his leg and brushes it, and then, his senses enhance. He can SEE every detail of the fight at once. He can SEE the expressions warping the horrid faces of the Vexi. He can SEE the movements of the wizards forming this magical barrage. And, worst of all... he can SEE the Generals, slicing their way through the masses, heading straight for a small group bathed in what seems, to him anyway, to be a golden aura.
He starts down the hill as the Generals reach the group, and he reaches the front as the Generals begin combat. He yanks his staff from his back and leaps into the fray, twisting and dodging the blows he should never have seen coming, but cannot now miss. Mooscue has hidden in the back of his shirt, maintaining the visualization keeping Regit alive.
Suddenly, one of the group falls to his knees. Sickened, Regit watches one of the Veri move in for the kill... and stand there. They stay frozen for a moment, then two others move in and tears the General's arm off, and the General dives back into the fray. The kneeling one stays as he is, and Regit manages to burst through the wall of Vexi surrounding the group. He is about to announce himself when a magical shockwave shatters Regit's mind for an instant. Regit 'looks' up, and he falls to his knees himself at what he sees. The fabric of the world twists, tears, DISSOLVES, releasing some... THING... into this world. Regit forces himself back up in time to avoid another swipe of a Vexi claw, then pulls himself together.
"Thinking time.. YES... I can help!"
Regit plows the lower tip of the lodestone staff into the ground. He sumons up a small amount of energy, then twists it enough to meet his purpose. It fills the staff, twirling, expanding, then rushing outwards in a sphere of force. The Veri and Generals about himself, Alexandros, and the fighters with him fly backwards as the energy polarizes itself to meet each Veri in person. The dome expands about all the fighters, and Regit grunts with the strength the small gesture took. He leaps to his feet and shouts at the 'golden' warriors.
"It doesn't matter who I am, I can't do a whole lot anyway. You guys can. They'll be back in a moment!! Regroup, heal if you can, and TRY to think of SOME WAY to deal with the massive... WHATEVER... that just tore through the sky!!"
Regit pulls his staff from the ground and fends off a Vexi swiping at his throat. A quick pole thrust and the fiend drops back onto a discarded blade, 'dying' silently as the edge cleaves his spine in two.
"AND DON'T BOTHER THE KNEELING GUY! HE'S DOING SOMETHING BIG!!"
((OOC- Changes made. He's good enough at defense to stay alive, but he won't be killing any except through pure luck... there's now two more of PC's than nearby Veri, right? Um... Regit pretty much CANNOT take those guys... in any way, shape of form... keep up the good work!...?
Cue: Uh... anyone who's not me and is here... I guess. -OOC))
__________________
The strength of darkness and power of light
Mean naught to he who's lost his sight.
Though men's hearts quake in dark of night
The blind still seeks what he finds right.
Posted by Lloyd Cordell on 07-06-2002 11:40 PM:
Lloyd and Rhea made there way out of the city, the sun was hot this day, but not so bad as to make you sweat nonstop. The day went by fairly quickly and as the sun was lowering in the sky they came to the Dark Wood.
“The Dark Wood, oooooo,” Lloyd said sarcastically.
“I’ve heard a lot of stories about this place,” Rhea said, looking into the woods with interest.
“Ya, so I have I, they are boring, dull, and completely ha…..” and arrow landed in front of Lloyd’s feet.
“Harmless was it?” a man walked out of the woods, a few others with him, “Yes that’s right, these woods are completely harmless, but we’re not,” he smiled warmly.
“Let me guess, thieves?” Rhea said in disgust.
“Thieves?” he said in mock hurt, “You say it like it was a bad thing. I’ll have you know, the world would not be where it is without thieves. People steal constantly, it’s how governments stay alive. We’re just helping the world,” he smirked and drew his sword, “Now give us your money.”
“No!” Rhea shouted, “Let’s show them who they are messing with Lloyd!” Rhea cart-wheeled forward and kicked the man in the stomach, he fell back to the ground, the air knocked out of him. However three more men came forward and grabbed Rhea, taking her money.
Lloyd ran to help but was tripped by the leader who had gotten back his focus, “Looks like you showed us real well,” he knelt down and took Lloyd’s money, “Next time just hand it over, save yourself the pain.”
The men began to walk off into the woods, “Lloyd throw your daggers, we can kill them.”
Lloyd stood up and pulled out three daggers, he held one in his right hand and prepared to throw it………"font >kill them……..no……….he threw the dagger, it zipped past the leaders ear and stuck into the tree right in front of the man’s face. He turned in surprise, but then understood the truth, with a slight bow to Lloyd they all disappeared into the woods.
“You missed!” Rhea kicked the dirt in anger, “And they robbed us!”
Lloyd walked over to the tree and pulled out the dagger, looking off into the woods the whole time, “I didn’t miss.”
__________________
Life is like a throwing knife.....once you toss it, there is no turning back.
Posted by Amethyst on 07-07-2002 12:04 AM:
And so the war begins
As Amethyst entered Parvini from her inn everything was in disaray. Men ran around and armed themselves in an array of weapons. Men talked and pointed out towards a vast field where more men stood idly, looking out beyond. Everything spiked her curiosity.
"E-Excuse me sir....can you tell me what is going on?" Inquired Amethyst to a man she had never seen.
"Are you daft lass? Its the great war all over again! The war against the Veri!"
Before Amethyst could ask anything else the man ran at the call of his name. She stood dumbfounded at the sudden action that surrounded her. The inn had closed down because of this "war" and she had no place to go. The streets were lined with tents and filled with armed men, some practicing their magic.
I wish I had magic...
Amethyst's idleness failed to go unnoticed. An elderly man dressed in clerical garb stopped to look at her.
"Why are you just standing there?"
"I-I don't know what...to do?" Said Amethyst, obviously confused. The man's expression softened as she reached for her arm. Amethyst recoiled and looked at him with frightened eyes. He reassured her that he was not going to do anything to her and that he was going to lead her to a place that she could be of use.
Amethyst was led to a large tent of tough canvas. The old man lifted the flap and moved aside for her to enter, walking behind her. A young woman was pacing back and forth, obviously unnerved by something.
"Valdur! Where is Lahema? She is late, and I need her help. I can't say that I'm not worried."
Valdur shook his head and raised a hand to calm her.
"I saw her earlier, she is coming, she was simply delayed. Calm yourself Lydia."
Lydia nodded and looked at Amethyst. She opened her mouth to speak, but Valdur beat her to it.
"A simple child who is lost. She may be of help to you. I do not want her to be caught up in the terror of all this. This is decisevly the safest place. Do keep an eye on her. I must be off. Farewell Lydia."
Valdur bowed slightly and walked out of the tent. Lydia sighed and walked over to Amethyst, giving her a good look down. She nodded in approval and ushered her over to a small table ladened with bottles of oddly colored potions and mixtures.
"This, dear child, is the tent of healing. Its only to treat minor injuries and I was tought to heal. You will be my assistant allong with Lehema. She is near your age, a little older I'd presume. You just do as I say and you'll be fine. Lehema will help you with everything else you need."
Lydia smiled and didn't even bother to ask Amethyst her name. Amethyst simply nodded and looked at the array of potions at her disposal. Her eyes flew open at the sight but cought herself before she was noticed.
OOC: I hope this is OK...
CUE: All present!
__________________
Lulled in the countless chambers of the brain, our thoughts are linked by many a hidden chain; awake but one, and in, what myriads rise!
Posted by Indigo Grei on 07-08-2002 05:44 PM:
If only he'd had a weapon, things would have ended differently. Hell, if his arm wasn't broken, he probably could have beat the spawn to death and saved all of Gania with his bare hands. Wouldn't that be a story for the grandchildren?
Of course, the spawn lurched a foot closer, and Indigo realized that he was going to die, without children or a wife, let alone grandchildren.
In his mind's eye, he saw the golden red dragon flying away, abandoning him, without his powers. And he wept. Yet something shimmered in the back of his mind. A faint glimmer of hope, a power beyond the ken of deities or spirits. Some small thread became a string, and the string became rope, and the bond was complete.
Somewhere else in the world, his lover was crying for him. In death, are we drawn to each other?
No, Indigo... In life and in love...
"Scarlet!" Indigo yelled. The air split, and in the void, a sword. Not the sword of fire he had wielded as Dolensirion, but a sword of even more primal power. Light shone from the void, and Indigo reached for it with his left hand, his right arm broken.
Life poured through him, and his weariness washed away. He pulled the sword free, light pouring from the empty space as water, spilling onto the glassy ground. Indigo turned and faced the spawn. He stared into one pair of eyes, and felt a brief moment of pity. The eyes were glazed and glassy, no emotion shone through the black beads.
"Mindless beast, be free of the chains of servitude to the shadow. But for the pain you have caused those I love, and those I do not know, you must die. There will be others, perhaps, but I cannot bless them with death as I can you. ...Be gone." The sword came crashing down, and rather than cutting the beast asunder, the blade passed through, the beast turning to ash where the blade pierced the skin. The flesh began to decay and crumble to dust, and Indigo watched as the bones slowly began to follow suit.
Indigo collapsed to his knees. It was done. Scarlet had saved the kingdom she was born to rule. Circumstances allowing it, she'd make a wonderful queen. But then again, Indigo couldn't imagine Scarlet dressed up like royalty and enjoying it. The mental picture defaulted back to her in traveling clothes, and Indigo smiled.
Noise came from behind him, a wild whooping and hollering. He spun, rising to his feet, gripping the sword awkwardly.
"Boy, you're a hero! I don't know what that thing was, but it was bad, bad, bad! Rotten to the core! By my six legged ancestors, you showed it the what-for!" A hRittir family came scrambling along the desert sand.
"You saw?"
"Only the whole damn show! Kid, you got something special," the eldest demi-beetle spoke. "We were living in fear the whole time since it came here. Used to be we'd scavenge for dropped items to sell in our markets, but since that black ugly came here, no one's ventured this way. Couldn't bear to leave our homes, so we just kinda kept an eye on the thing, four if we could spare them." Two sets of eyes blinked at Indigo. "Come on, now boy, don't be daft. We're not about to let you die from the heat out here! You're our savior! We'll see that you're back in a nice room by the end of the night!" he made a clicking noise with his free legs, and the female came towards Indigo with a canteen.
Indigo drank, and felt dizzy. He slept, and had a vague sense of being carried for a long time. He dreamt of Scarlet.
OOC: No more spawn in Gran Adageros for a while! But Linerin's a bastard like that, so who knows for how long. Somebody take that madman out!
__________________
Is this a curse, or destiny? This fire could consume us all...
Posted by Bara Chinder on 07-09-2002 09:42 PM:
Kaliva
The shadows forces struck the army with ferocity. But all the forces seemed to stay aside from the dark princes own generals. Following the early retreat it seemed that there would be little chance of avoiding the Veri so the retinue turned to face.
Bara knew little of the Veri and at that, nothing of their prowess. Currently there was one of them riding towards him. Bara stalled to look at it.
It appeared to be a small woman clad in black; from this distance still she seemed a vision of abhorration. Her face was horrific in its corruption. As his comrades sprung forward Bara brought himself into focus.
The first man forward was Enda; his large frame hunched forward spear in one arm and a sword waving in the other. As he hurtled towards her, Kaliva slowed down. A swift wave of her hand and two forgotten words was all it took to level Enda. He fell from his mount with a terrifying scream of agony, landing in a discarded ball on the hard ground.
The mistress of pain had not the same time to deal with the Dual attack of Aodhna and Conchuir. On her left side came Aodhna in much the same style as Enda beforehand. On the right, gaining lost ground fast, was Conchuir, wielding the long handled giant scimitar that he was so fond of. Kaliva leant to one side and in a fluid movement flicked her wrist and swung a sword outwards. Aodhnas arm pulled tight with searing pain and he dropped the spear however as she raised her sword to strike It was caught by the blade of Conchuir giving the sleebhfir time to pull up and away for a fresh pass, Conchuir was about to turn to strike again when Bara was upon her.
Bara reached the Veri and swung quickly at her neck. Kaliva did not however seem off put by the previous attacks and brought a blade up towards Bara’s head, but inside his swordline. Bara swung himself back in he saddle and the blow flew to the sky, but leaving his chest exposed to a quick down stroke of her other sword. The most he could manage was to roll a shoulder so as to deflect the blow with a point of his armour. The small arm plate did just that, defecting the blade across the chest rending the chest plate open. With his balance lost Bara rolled to a squat on the ground and turned to Kaliva. As she turned to him Conchuir stole another pass.
The Cappallan brave careered alongside her, catching her on the turn. As if by foresight the Veri flicked her sword over her shoulder to deflect the blow however the broad blade of his scimitar pounded her back and while not damaging her it hit on the wound sustained from the blade of Eloise Raine a few days beforehand. Even her dark powers over body and flesh had not fully healed the wound.
Kaliva arched forward with a yelp and lost rein for a second, Bara leaped forward sword in hand but succeeded in only committing her further to the side with a clash of blades. Presently Aodhna returned to the fray and struck at the Veri. With blinding speed she swung for him and sprung from her saddle at once. She caught him a clean slash across his shoulder and he toppled aside. Kaliva landed hard on her feet and turned to face Bara with a snarl.
A moment of panic preceded a strange flash of serenity. All noise seemed to fade for a second and Bara saw a white glow around everything but Kaliva. Suddenly it seemed as though he could see her muscles move with clarity and above all quickly.
Kaliva spat and stood upright. Her Body was smooth and perfectly curved, her toned muscles seemed to push hard on her leather clothing. But above her throat her repulsiveness was completely obvious. She looked like the girl of someone’s nightmares. She raised the long slender blade in her hand and made a step forward.
Away to the side Conchuir engaged a few Vexes so for now it was one on one.
Bara turned his sword blade down and stuck it into the ground. Taking two steps back he pulled his staff free from its place on his back. As she approached him swaying her hips as she walked he uncovered the blade on its end.
Kalivas first attack was a stabbing strike to Baras throat, which Bara deflected, followed by another ill-fated strike from a dagger. She circled him accosting his power. She felt little. He was as he appeared, a pitiful mortal man. But a small flicker of something else burned in him. It was no power he could manipulate or really even use, no it was like a gift.
“Bah!” she exclaimed and struck again for Bara. This time he fell back trying to avoid the attack and Kaliva was upon him in a second discarding her sword for a jagged dagger aiming it for his gut as she leaned forward to plunge it. Once again Conchuir came to his rescue.
She twisted this time and as Conchuir streaked past a sod on the ground seemed to extend itself to Conchuirs saddle hammering into his side and knocking him from his mount. This was the space Bara needed.
The blade dug into the leather on her back and she screeched. Turning quickly she raised her hand in casting but received a swift blow of a staff in the mouth.
As he pulled away his staff she reeled but started an incantation anew, again receiving a vicious blow where her septum would be providing she had one. The final attempt was thwarted by the same means. However Kaliva smashed a hand into his chest knocking him back winding him slightly.
She stopped then. The slice into her back had not only hurt her but had burst the other wound open. Bara stood ready to strike again, but the injured Veri wanted no more. As Conchuir stood she broke for her horse. Bara gave chase but she was mounted in no time.
“I will make you suffer more than even I could Imagine,” she hissed, in and almost seductive manner, “When we meet again I be sure of it.” As she turned she levelled a hand at Conchuir, spat something out and took flight of the scene. She knew she had trouble she would take no further risk today.
Bara looked to Conchuir who was vomiting profusely and then to Aodhna who was standing up only now. Only one option left.
With a powerful roar Bara plunged into a group of vexes who had seemed to close around Kalivas path.
In the distance another roar was heard as the Morrigan and the other chiefs crashed into the shadow forces flank.
OOC: lets have some kills guys.
Cue: The rest of the people in the battle. lets whup these lot and get set for the main event!
__________________
Were gonna break ya, its gone on for too long.
Gonna punish you for the things that youve done- Capdown
Posted by Ryudo Wolfe on 07-10-2002 12:56 AM:
Suedomsa
Ryudo stood up from the shockwave that had knocked back both sides. For a mere couple of seconds he was able to see a man holding a staff to the ground and a little further away he could see the generals. Though almost instantly the hordes of spawn and vexi filled the area once again and all the companions of battle were forced to arms once more.
Ryudo swung his sword downwards, taking off a spawn’s limb, but unlike he had expected it was still alive and struck him with its other arm, Ryudo flew back and unpleasantly hit ground. He quickly got to his feet, but that certain spawn was being killed by a pair of tribesman and another spawn was already in front of him and preparing to attack. Ryudo ducked under the beast’s attempt to tear him apart with its maw, and then brought his sword up into its underside, the dark blood pouring over the ground, though the ground already being splattered with blood this new puddle hardly made a difference. Ryudo pulled out his sword and swung it down onto the beasts back, splitting it open. His ear twitched slightly as his elven senses caught hold of a sound, with a 180 degree spin he brought his sword around and across the stomach of a vexi, spilling the innards of the vexi as it dropped to the ground.
When Ryudo thought he was alone in the midst of hell, he suddenly caught glimpse of what he thought to be a companion. A blonde haired man in white, looking half-elven much like himself. This hope was shattered when Ryudo saw the man put a hand on one of the tribesman and then saw the tribesmen fall lifeless to the ground, as if his soul had been wrenched from his body. The man then turned to Ryudo, their eyes meeting in a death lock. For a moment time seemed to slow down to almost a stop, the fire and lightning dropping from the sky came down slowly, they struck the ground almost unrealistically, every detail of destruction could be seen as it slowly happened. None of this however was the center of Ryudo’s attention; his eyes were on this man, a man that looked holy, but felt of pure evil.
Suddenly the figure’s lips moved and while no words came out, Ryudo heard what was being said perfectly, “I am Suedomsa, Lord of Taint, I shall bring you a holy death.”
Ryudo’s attention was suddenly ripped away from Suedomsa, something was wrong; he quickly dropped to the ground, just in time to duck under the swing of a mace. When he looked up he saw Suedomsa, Ryudo rolled to the side as the mace swung down towards his head. Time had not been going slow, Suedomsa had been using magic to send Ryudo a false vision. In one quick movement Ryudo drew his lightning shaped blade, which was still glowing red, and blocked the next attack that was swung at him.
Suedomsa smiled, “A linking blade? Perhaps you will be a worthy foe, half-elf,” Suedomsa swung again and again, aiming at different spots on Ryudo’s body, the sheer speed of the attacks gave Ryudo little time to maneuver defenses, therefore leaving Ryudo no time to attack.
Damnit, I need to get away from this man so that I can have time to prepare an attack.
Suedomsa faked an attack to the left, then spun to the right and landed a blow to Ryudo’s ribs, luckily the armor was there to soften to blow, but with the Veri’s strength the armor was bent in and Ryudo’s ribs were likely in poor shape. Ryudo moved back a few steps to keep his balance, then tightly gripped his handle, preparing to do some attacks of his own. Ryudo charged in quickly and swung his blade down, Suedomsa lifted his mace and blocked the attack, then to Ryudo’s surprise Suedomsa began to sing, though Ryudo could not understand the language, he knew that this must be some sort of hymn or chant.
Suedomsa’s mace began to illuminate in a white glow, he blocked Ryudo’s next attack, then swung his mace. Ryudo brought his sword in to block the swing, but when the mace made contact the power behind the blow was beyond Ryudo’s strength, his sword was knocked out of the way and Ryudo was sent flying back through the air.
Suedomsa began walking towards him, a tribesman charged in from the side, but was sent back into the battle from whence he came when he was struck by Suedomsa’s mace. Ryudo glared, “So, it’s magic he wants to play with is it?” Ryudo centered his mind and sent a bolt of energy into his blade, hoping to store it there until he was ready for it, he also hoped the sword’s magical attributes would hide the spell inside of it so that Suedomsa would not know it was coming. Ryudo stood up and held out his free hand.
O my great earth, pull up your strength and strike this foe.
The ground in front of Suedomsa shot up in a stone spike aimed straight for his chest, but he sidestepped out of the way as Ryudo had expected, Ryudo aimed his sword forward and released the bolt of lighting, it arrived just in time to hit Suedomsa as he got out of the way of the stone. Suedomsa was knocked to the ground and Ryudo charged forward once again. With an uppercut from his sword Ryudo disarmed the mace from Suedomsa’s hand as he was getting up.
“You’ve lost your weapon, now you will lose your life,” Ryudo said with a serious tone.
“Lost my weapons? Have I?” Suedomsa grinned and moved back a few steps, he held up his hands, “No No, I don’t think I have.” Long claws grew out from the tips of his fingers. This time Suedomsa charged forward, spinning 360 degrees so that both hands would slash across Ryudo. Ryudo was able to parry the first hand, but the second came up along his left leg, leaving behind five long slits that instantly began to bleed. Ryudo clenched his jaw in pain, then swung his sword in a side arc, again to his surprise Suedomsa deflected the attack with one hand, the claws seemingly being strong as steel. Suedomsa’s other hand went for Ryudo’s face, Ryudo bent back, but still received a single scratch along his right cheek. Ryudo was left in a bad position though, Suedomsa brought up his foot and kicked Ryudo square in the stomach, sending him flying back once more. This time however Ryudo stopped sliding across the ground as he was directly under a shadow spawn.
The beast looked down, pure bloodlust in its eyes, slowly it opened its jaw in a mix between a hiss and a growl, its saliva dripped onto Ryudo’s forehead, “Not today you scaly piece of shit,” Ryudo sent his sword into the creatures throat and rolled out from under it as the corpse fell to the ground. Ryudo looked up as he stopped rolling and saw a clawed hand coming down at his face, he rolled to the side again and quickly jumped to his feet. Suedomsa swung his arm across Ryudo’s stomach, leaving large scratches along the armor, but luckily not piercing all the way through. Suedomsa continued to swing his claws quickly, making Ryudo step back with each swing.
This is worse than when he had the mace! Ryudo stepped back again but didn’t continue, instead he held his sword horizontally across his chest then swung it up quickly, one of Suedomsa’s hands fell to the ground.
“Graaa!” Suedomsa held out the arm that still had a hand and unleashed a holy bolt into Ryudo’s torso. Ryudo fell back, his armor slightly blackened from the attack, “Minions! Slay this foe!”
A fair sized group of spawn and vexi came to Suedomsa’s side and began to surround Ryudo. Ryudo spun here and there swinging attacks and deflecting those aimed at him, but he was sorely out numbered on all sides, cuts and scratched found there way all over his body. One of the spawn grappled onto Ryudo’s leg with its jaw, “Ahhhh!” With a pull from its powerful body Ryudo was taken to the ground, the spawn and vexi moved in.
Suedomsa sat back and smiled, his holy magic slowly weaving his flesh back together, “Pity, he was an admirable foe,” he laughed and began to walk off. A loud beastly roar of pain was heard from back where the fight had been and when Suedomsa turned he saw a red glowing blade sticking out of the back of one of the spawn, suddenly a large gust of wind sent the crowd of evil back and Ryudo flew straight up into the air, the spawn which had been grappled to his leg fell back to the earth, along with a trail of Ryudo’s blood. Ryudo looked down into Suedomsa’s eyes, as he had at the beginning of the fight. The sight of Ryudo could have brought fear into the heart of a weaker foe. Ryudo’s red armor and black clothing, mixed with the blood streaking down his face and dripping to the ground below, and topping it off with the red glowing sword, made him look almost as dark as the demon which ravaged the other parts of the war.
I call to you earth, rain your force down upon these followers of darkness, let none go unpunished!
A large slab of earth ripped up from the ground behind Ryudo and lifted into the air, the creatures upon it falling off as it split into dozens of pieces. Then in one fast rush, the pieces of earth shot forward to the ground around the flying Ryudo, as if a meteor shower. The slabs of stone exploded into the ground, crushing the spawn and vexi that were once there. Soon the ground was covered in dust clouds and all that could be heard was the impact of stones smashing into the earth. As the last stone shot to the ground, crushing a shadow spawn, another object fell from the sky. Ryudo’s body fell limply to the ground, landing with a hard thud. His unconscious and bleeding form lay motionless amongst the corpses of spawn and vexi, the dust from the impact of stone that was clouding the area soon began to settle. Not far from where Ryudo lay, sticking out from under one such stone was a white-sleeved arm with a clawed hand.
OOC: Ok the rest of you are up lol. Ryudo is out for probably the rest of the battle, he will need healing though.....cause hes got mana burn unconciousness, broken ribs, a bitten into leg, 5 cuts on his left leg, a cut across his face, and multiple other wounds from when he was surrounded lol. So if someone wants to lend a hand, or I can bring an NPC to into it later since many of you are busy with your own posts. Anyways hope you enjoyed the fight =)
__________________
The oceans, the lakes, the seas. The waves, the surf, the dolphins. The sword, the armor, the battle. The strength, the earth, the energy. I am a sailor, I am a warrior, I am a mage.
Posted by Sayomara on 07-10-2002 12:43 PM:
Ragash
Sayomara moved, quickly to draw Ragash off. Of the six he looked to the most dangerous at the moment, the holy knight had been joined by two others his kind, and Bara and the others seemed to be holding their own.
As Sayomara approached Ragash he started to Drawn Mana He didn’t Care for this fight to last and longer then it had to. Every moment Sayomara Spent fighting Ragash more Faraians died, but Ragash had to be destroyed, there weren’t two ways about it.
All around them, the battle raged, with Lighting, Fire, ice, monsters, and death but for the moment, Sayomara closed it all out. All of this concentration was on the Hulk in front of him. Ragash was as big and smart and a very good bet that he faster than he looked. Sayomara continued as he slowed his approach. Ragash was in no hurry ether he only seemed to be focusing one the old man that had been taunting him since the battle had started, but Sayomara was looking tired. However, Sayomara was older than Ragash and in the centuries that he had lived he had learned a thing or two about how to convincing people that his magic had worn him out and how to make those opposing him he was on his last leg right before brought out something big.
Sayomara stopped drawing he was now starting to Channel the mana through the Water Stone in order to increase the power of this spell. Then Sayomara stopped walking. “I suggest you leave now son or you will die.” Sayomara said in cold simple fashion.
Ragash who stood over a foot taller than Sayomara and Ragash just stood there laughing, “Old man you don’t stand a chance against me.” Then Ragash began to weave his own spell. “I’m going to enjoy killing you.”
“I thought you might say that.” Then Sayomara let out a huge burst of light, blinding Ragash for a moment. When Ragash Sight return the old man was gone. In his, place a man about 30. The man cloths looked to be made out of ice, he wore armor much like that of a knight from the middle ages. The only parts of this outfit that weren’t made out of ice were the water stone that hung around his neck, a Scimitar that hung at his side, and a big blue hat. “You had your chance to leave, now it time for you to say good bye.” With those words, Sayomara unsheathed his Scimitar and began changed Ragash. In all the confusion, Ragash had over drawn for his spell and was forced weave a Mana drive. Ragash lunched Bolt a holy magic right at Sayomara. Sayomara was able to dodge most of it but other edge still catch him. To Ragash astonishment, it didn’t stop Sayomara it only pushed him back then continued as if he hadn’t been hit at all. Ragash quickly created a wall of Holy and Water magic about himself, but it did little to slow Sayomara down. Sayomara brought up his Scimitar back he had planed to cut Ragash right in two Freezing the rest, but before Sayomara could finish Ragash off. Ragash let out his own burst of light blinding Sayomara and giving him time to punch Sayomara in the stomach driving Sayomara back about 10 feet, but the surprise was Ragash’s Because when he hit Sayomara armor he fist can been turned to ice along with a good part of his left arm.
“You Bastard look what you did to me.” Sayomara just laughed and Ragash turned and started flying off. Sayomara didn’t waste a moment before he summoned huge long sword from the heavens all raining down right at Ragash. Ragash dodged the first few but he was quickly impaled by a few dozen swords forcing him to the ground.
When Sayomara close to the body several Vexi were around it trying to help Ragash off, but as soon as they seen Sayomara They all attacked at once. Sayomara took to the air quickly and finished these Vexi the same way he finished Ragash.
After a few moments and a few small fights, Sayomara made it to Ragash’s body, thin pale and gray man looking very little like the man who had rode up with the other Veri. Then checked to see if Ragash was still alive Sayomara was surprise to find that he was. He was unconscious, but alive. Sayomara knew what he had to do. He didn’t like it but that didn’t change the fact that it had to be done. So, without any words Sayomara froze the body solid and then a quick slash from his sword he shattered the body into a million pieces.
Cue: Keigo and Tyr
Everyone else who in the battle: I ask you to continue fight just because the Veri are gone or dead doesn’t mean that Battle is over!
__________________
I have seen much in my day, but nothing as bad as this.
Posted by Lynn Kuyama on 07-10-2002 05:40 PM:
A girl sat at a small table well away from the other patrons in the corner of one of Sungan's finest inns. Shrouded in an emerald green cloak, she hid herself pretty well in the shadows. She sat quietly and sipped at her drink feverishly, as if she were waiting for something or someone.
Apparently, she was, for in a few moments an older man in his mid-thirties sat down across from her at the table. He was dressed in ragged, mangled clothes, his dark hair matted and uncombed. He smelled like he had not had a bath in more than a month, and she breathed in deep breaths so she did not have inhale his smell too often. He was not at all handsome, and she wondered why there were not very many handsome men in the thieving business. He began to speak quietly to her, interrupting her thoughts.
How disgusting...
"Well little missy, how are you this evening?" his voice was lustful and whispy, with a grotesque smell protruding from his lips as he grinned at the girl.
Ugh...
"I'm fine, I suppose. What have you got for me tonight, Abe?" she cringed as she spoke his name, answering softly but smiling sweetly in politeness.
"This...my pretty." He reached into his shirt pocket, pulling out a note, smiling back at her.
My pretty...? I think not, mister.
She rolled her eyes as he handed her a small piece of paper with a message on it.
"I have a job for you, little lady. Kane Tallon has come searching for the guild. He has already killed four of our men, including Mek and Bato, their leader. We have no idea on what he wants with us, but it is an urgent task that you destroy him whenever you get a chance. We have given him the opportunity to meet with you later this evening. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Also, be ready for anything he puts up. He shows no weakness to ladies, so don't depend on your looks to save you. You need to use your talents. A well paid reward will be awarded to you if you succeed in killing him. -The Boss-"
She nodded to Abe, who then got up from the table and slyly walked out of the inn. Patrons gazed at the girl but then went back to their drinks. The girl pulled her hood further over her face and stood, pocketing the note, and tossing a few coins onto the table to pay for her drink. She then walked upstairs, stepping into her room which was very well furnished, and tossed her cloak onto a nearby chair. Aside the chair, her sheathed katana lay against the wall. She walked over to her bed and collapsed onto it's comfortable mattress. She sighed softly.
"I wonder if he will be a worthy opponent...from what I've heard of him, I'm guessing he will be. And immune to beautiful girls, that's hardly imaginable...but if this is the case, I should be very careful. I wonder when I am supposed to meet with him...?" she spoke quietly to herself, while sitting up in her bed.
She jumped off her bed and stood at the window, gazing out at the deep horizon, sun barely beginning to set before her eyes. Then she threw her cloak back on, and tossing her katana onto her back, sneaking out of the inn quietly. She walked mysteriously down an abandoned alley and halted at a door at the end. She knocked three times in consecutive haste.
A small slit in the door revealed a pair of peeking eyes. He stared at the girl for a moment then opened the door and nudged her in. She then followed the man into a large room, where a well-aged man sat on a wooden crate, looking over the room full of other boys sharpening their daggers, talking amongst themselves, or just sitting around lazily. Others were getting ready to leave, for they had duties to accomplish.
The girl walked slowly over to the man sitting on the crate.
"Ah, my beautiful Lynn...what brings you here this evening? Have you got a question about your assignment?" the man spoke clearly, watching the girl intently, with a bit of a smile upon his lips. He was much more into cleanliness than the others, and wore fashionable clothing.
Lynn looked up at him angelically, with a glint of evil in her eyes. "Yes sir, I need to know where I am meeting this boy, you say Kane Tallon."
The man glanced down at her and grinned. "You are to meet him right outside of town, at the first tree to the north. It's very easy to find, because there are only plains and a few trees there. Be careful, we do not know of how he fights, only that he is well trained in the art of assassination. We would not want to lose a valuable fighter, such as yourself." With that, he winked at her and told her to hurry to the meeting spot. She bowed in politeness and walked herself to the door.
She shook her head in dismay as she left. Abe followed her out silently, trying to surprise her. But she knew he was there, and swung her fist around, punching him right in the nose. He tumbled backwards a bit, holding his nose.
"Ouch...what was that for...?" He whimpered, still in pain, blood dripping from his nose and trickling down his face.
She grinned and chuckled softly. "I don't recall you ever being part of this mission, so I suggest you run off and play with your daggers before I threaten to take your life, instead of Tallon's."
With that being said, Abe ran off down the alley in the opposite direction, wiping the blood from his face and grunting in anger. Lynn smirked and headed toward the outskirts of town, willing ready for a challenging fight.
__________________
"Things aren't always what they seem in this place, so you can't take anything for granted."
"Your eyes can be so cruel... just as I can be so cruel..."
Posted by Volsung on 07-10-2002 08:00 PM:
Marian
Volsung charged at Marian with Volund (Sword of Fire) Drawn. She was the closed to Volsung and she had start moving toward him as soon as he had land. She was taller than Volsung but all and all there was a lot less of her than him. Volsung concentrated his energies into this sword making it glow bright Red. Volsung also put an aura all about himself to keep Marian at bay if she should attack.
Marian walked slowly looking very prepared and measured while Volsung charged in head long, but before Volsung could get with in ten feet of Marian he blown back by a wave a shadow. “Foolish Child do you really think your can best the Mistress of the Night.” Then everything around Volsung turned Dark as if it were a moonless night.
Volsung fell about the ground like a mad man for a moment before he regained him bearings. Volsung still couldn’t see anything, but he could feel the heat that Marian. It wasn’t much, and it was far less than a normal human was but it was there all the same. Volsung quickly rushed Marian again this time he caught her off guard. Marian moved quickly and dodged most of the blow but Volsung managed to land a cut on her Leg that was greeted with blood curdling scream.
Volsung Smiled from a moment before Marian gabbed Volsung picking him off the ground and ripper her craws into the flesh, and shoulder of this right arm. Marian took out her craws and was about to rib out Volsung heart when Volsung turned his sword around forced it into Marian’s stomach. Volsung wasn’t able to put much force behind the motion but the heat and Fire from the blade made up for that.
Marian dropped Volsung, and Volsung forced himself to roll away respite the pain. The Darkness was starting to clear and for the first time Volsung could see his blood all over the Ground. Volsung started Drawing Mana to heal himself when Marian attacked again. This time with a huge fireball directed right a Volsung. Volsung used this sword to redirected as much of the energy from the blast as he could but robes were singed and his face and arms were covered with first and second degree burns.
Volsung slugged to his feet, then he cast this healing Spell. It wasn’t much but he didn’t have the experience to prepare Terra magic spells on the fly. Volsung quickly cauterized his wonders then he lunch a third charge at Marian. Marian looked puzzled, mainly wondering why any fool would be doing this again. However, Marian wounds had started to close and Volsung didn’t want to give Marian a chance to heal other wise he would be finished, not to mention he had a plan.
Volsung concentrated on his sword force himself to take more from it then he had ever done before as he ran he could feel his body starting to burn. However Volsung was not make his sword hot and firey instead he was making his Aura Burn like it hadn’t before. On his first, attack Marian he cut through his Aura as if it wasn’t there. He assumed that given the chance to sink her craws into him again. ‘She just wouldn’t be able to help herself.’ Volsung thought.
So, when Volsung swung at Marian for a second time, Marian dodged Volsung attack. But when she went to gab Volsung her hand was turned to Ash in the fires of his aura. “Ahh” Marian screamed as her fleshed burned away. Marian quickly retreated staring at the stub that had been her left hand, “How dare you do this to me. You will pay ten fold for this when we meet again.” Then before Volsung could give cause a large group a Shadowspawn came between them giving Marian time to escape.
Volsung couldn’t fly anyways. Shadowspawn started coming at Volsung jumping at him. Volsung cut down as many as he could with The Sword of Fire but most were getting though burning up on his Aura. Volsung was hold his own for the moment but with every spawn that hit his Aura it could fell every part of himself burn, and he knew that the was going to have to stop using his Fire magic or burn up very soon. Unfortunately, there was no sign of the Shadowspawn letting up.
Cue: Eloise
Let the battle continue everyone. We still haven’t had much action from the general battle. Come everyone there are enough Shadowspawn and Vexi for everyone.
__________________
"Listen! I've traveled every road in this here land!"
Posted by Regit Seye on 07-10-2002 09:06 PM:
Regit fended off yet another Vexi swipe, then smacked the being on the head with the staff. It fell back among its brothers, and it seemed they all suddenly found new targets to fight.
Regit 'looked' around, then stopped, stunned. A pillar... nay, a FOUNTAIN of pure energy moved towards him. There were no Vexi between the fountain and himself. Regit felt his mind intruded into and he screamed aloud.
"Foolish boy... you have thrown yourself into a battle you cannot hope to win... but you seem to be different from the others here... I have not tasted such a soul as yours before. I hope it may be as delectable as your screams..."
Regit cuts his shriek off when he realizes the contact is broken. The fountain moves another step closer, then he can make out the shape within.
The sillhouette is that of a cloaked old man... but it is not a man. The body is a pit of darkness, a void within which souls spilled and ran across each other, crammed within an infinite vessel by this beast. Regit's staff trembled, but he pulled it up into a defensive position anyway. Mellin moved yet another step closer, chuckling to himself, massaging the stump that was once his hand, and tha would be again in due time.
"You believe that chunk of stone will prove a defense against me? The others had barely a chance to fend me off... I have need for a weaker target to patch up my ego. You're it, boy..."
Regit gasps and slumps forward, his mind going momentarily blank. He catches himself on his staff and realizes what has happened. The Veri had yanked a piece of his spirit from him and... CONSUMED it... Regit knew his time was short. He did something he had never once before done... he took the offensive.
Regit rushed forward and began laying about at Mellin with the haft of lodestone. The General fends the blows off with an insanely fast flick of his wrist here, a quick sidestep there. Even his stump proved invaluable. The fiendish, arrogant laughter filled Regit's ears. He felt himself lose control and watched the world he 'saw' dissolve, leaving only Mellin.
The Vexi ripped another chunk of Regit's essence from his soul and forced it into the growing ball he held that constituted what he had taken from the boy. Regit drops to his knees, but rises again, slowly and steadily. He raises the staff again, nearly finished, and swings it at Mellin. The beast laughed aloud at the foolishness of the boy, and raises his bad arm once again to deflect the blow of the boy, drawing back the other to spear his claws into the boy's flesh.
Regit forced the last bit of residual power from the shockwave earlier into the tip of the staff. It melted and twisted into the blade of a scythe between one instant and the next. Mellin's eyes grew wide, and he tried to jump back, to avoid rather than block, but he was too late. The blade tore through Mellin's flesh and bone, rending his arm in two at the elbow. He howled as souls flowed from him, free to regain their selves, free to finally reach Heaven. But the wound closed quickly, and Mellin had vanished before Regit's 'sight' had recovered. Regit felt his own soul be rejoined with it's stolen counterpart, his energy rush to fill him. He stood, more confident of himself, if more frightened of the powers remaining to war against. He faced the Vexi and his face turned grim. He rushed at the beasts and flayed them with the newly made Lodestone Scythe. They fell before his fury like wheat.
((OOC- That makes Kaliva and Mellin on the run, Mellin for the second time, and with Ragash and Suedomsa dead... for now. Three left undealt with... keep it up! I wouldn't have fought Mellin, but he would undoubtedly see the boy as much easier prey, and the others had split up. -OOC))
__________________
The strength of darkness and power of light
Mean naught to he who's lost his sight.
Though men's hearts quake in dark of night
The blind still seeks what he finds right.
Posted by Palin Freeborn on 07-10-2002 10:12 PM:
Chapter 1: Transformation
OOC: So begins the saga of Palin Freeborn. I'm going to cover a lot here about his past, and throw in a couple of really big surprises, so pay attention. Here we go.........
Palin grabbed Riena and ran, diving past the pit creature's heads and into the passage beyond. Palin turned, whipping his sword out of the sheath at his back. Riena stood and began heaving daggers at the creature, piercing the eye of one of the heads. The creature roared in fury and withdrew.
A bright light flashed on the far end of the bridge, and Palin saw Tygan pull Carla onto the bridge as one of the heads fell away, shriveling as it descended back to where it came from. The rest of the party retreated into the passage at the end of the bridge, the soldiers at the back flinging magic at the remaining heads.
Tygan slumped against the wall, clutching his arm in pain. His skin was blood red and pearly white around the wrist, where Carla had grasped him. One of the soldiers, noticing his injury, healed him quickly. Tygan sighed in relief and muttered thanks, taking a very frightened Carla into his arms.
After a moment of recuperation, Palin stood, walking into the doorway at the end of the hall. The other followed behind him. Riena gasped in wonder as she entered the room, her eyes flickering over the resplendant decorations and the three different colored, beautiful tapestries that hung above the opposite doorway. Palin grasped hands with Riena and they walked cautiously to the other exit.
They stopped at the threshold, however, as a chorus of voices sounded, their ethereal echoes reverberating off the walls.
"Whom among you seeks the Sword of Earth?" They said. Palin steeled his will and replied.
"I, Palin Freeborn, and my companions, Riena Alatea, Tygan......" The voices interrupted him.
"No. Only one among you may seek the Sword. Who has the courage to enter?" Palin inhaled sharply. He glanced about at his companions. They all seemed uncomfortable, even the soldiers. As if some invisible entity was probing their souls for information.
"I will go." Palin said, after a moment's hesitation. "This is my quest and I must finish it, with or without you guys. I'll be back soon."
"Good." The chorus of echos replied. "Then it is decided. Enter, Alexander Erison." Palin flinched. The name cut deep, reminding him of his days long past. He continued through the door, ignoring the stares of Riena, Tygan, and Carla at his back.
**********************************************
Palin entered the Main Chamber and felt slightly frightened as the gaze of three people fell upon him. They sat higher up upon pedestals, their different robes of scarlet, royal purple, and gold indicating a large difference in character. The woman, the one wearing the gold robe, spoke to him, but it seemed as if her two male companions spoke with her.
"Welcome, Alexander Erison." The name stung, leaving a taste of bile on Palin's tongue as it left. "We have been expecting your arrival. What brings you here?" Palin wet his lips and spoke, his voice shaking slightly.
"I come for the Sword of Earth."
"Then you seek the right place. But are you ready for it, we wonder?"
"I am."
"Then prove it. Show us your mettle, Alexander. Take the test of dedication and this Tribunal will decide your fate."
Palin closed his eyes and breathed deeply.
"Okay. I will take the test."
"Then good luck to you, Alexander."
***********************************************
Palin opened his eyes and staggered.
He was aboard The Zephyr.
And in the distance, the Drolstorm loomed. Palin panicked. Behind him, the Captain spoke to his crew.
"Aye........ it's nothin' to be worried 'bout, lads. The Drolstorm's always more north this time of year. We'll pass right by it." Palin knew different. The Drolstorm would swing south in just a few minutes and end the lives of the entire crew.
Palin yelled at them to stop, even tried to grab the Captain, but the man could not hear him and his hand passed right through him. He would not be able to change this. He would have to embrace his past and accept his fate. Palin went below decks and walked to his parent's room.
Inside, he found the newborn baby and his parents, sobbing. His mother was muttering to the baby.
"That's my baby boy..... my Jerrod." Palin gasped. He was not aware that he had a baby brother, as his past self was standing on the front of the boat the whole time, wondering what was going to happen with his mother.
"Oh look honey......" His father said, pointing at the birthmark on the baby's left shoulderblade. "It almost looks like a quill or a feather or something......." Palin smiled. Then the storm hit.
Palin ran above deck, to face the storm. He saw his younger self run below decks, hoping to reach his parents in time. He would not make it. The violent rocking of the boat would fling him into another room. Palin stood at the crest of the ship, his arms spread out, and screamed in defiance.
"You cannot take me! I am not afraid anymore! Do your worst!" The storm's intensity increased. A funnel of strong winds dropped from the cloads next to the ship, ripping planks off the deck. Palin muttered a soft goodbye to his parents and leapt into the funnel, letting himself be taken by the horrific nightmare which had stolen his memories from him and destroyed his life.
Everything went black.
**********************************************
Palin awoke to the image of Riena standing over him, her soft hand caressing his cheek.
"Are you okay, Palin? Are you hurt?" Palin smiled and grabbed her hand. Around him, unfamiliar surroundings lay, the gothic, black style of the room alienating him slightly.
"I am now. Where's Tygan and Carla? And how'd I end up on the floor?" Riena shook her head.
"I have no idea. Where......" She never finished the sentence. A sword pierced through the flesh at her stomache, stopping inches from his own. Palin looked up, his eyes wide with shock, fear, surprise, and anger. A woman, someone he did not know, was standing behind Riena, her blood running over the woman's knuckles.
"Time to find a new girlfriend, Loverboy........" The woman smiled. Palin screamed in anguish and caught Riena as she slid off the woman's blade. He began to cry over her corpse, the echoing of the woman's laughter sounding in his mind.
***********************************************
Now he was kneeling on a hill, below him a burning town. Palin took a moment to recover from the shock, then stood. Realization penetrated his mind.
Southdale!!!!!!!
Palin charged down the hill and sprinted across the plains into the town, without a weapon in hand. Around him, mayhem ensued. Shadowspawn were killing the townsfolk, and destroying the town. Palin grabbed the nearest thing, a shovel, and charged into battle, swinging and attacking.
Palin spun and fought valiantly, saving as many as he could. But the shadowspawn were too many. They overwhelmed him and bore him down, fighting as he died.
Palin screamed as everything went black once again.
***********************************************
Palin awoke in the chamber, on his hand and knees, panting. The Tribunal stood above him, their gazes piercing into is soul. The woman nodded at him.
"Stand up, Alexander Erison." Palin lifted himself to his feet.
"You have passed the test. This Tribunal finds you indeed do embody the necessary virtues to hold the Sword: Courage, Love, and Wisdom to do the right thing. Take hold of this sword. Name it and go forth as its bearer. Use it wisely, Palin Freeborn."
Palin watched as the sword appeared in front of him. He reached out carefully and grasped the handle, feeling the power radiate through his body. Light encased him and Palin felt the weight of a book- a spellbook- appear at his side. When the light subsided, Palin checked his hand, where he felt a burning sensation. Over his tattoo of the Lidless Eye, was the mark of an Earth dedicate.
Palin looked up and began to speak, but the Tribunal was gone.
**********************************************
Palin approached his companions and described to them his story, leaving the details of Riena's death out of the tale. After much consideration, Palin decided he wanted to go check on Southdale, where Dierdre and Ash where living. Without much further ado, the soldiers cast their spells and shifted the party back to Gania, the thoughts of the visions encasing Palin's mind as he drifted through the ether.
Cue: Tygan. But we're going to Southdale. Keep in mind that this takes place before the clearing of the shadowspawn.
__________________
Being a hero is not some title to obtain or a term to be used lightly. It is a matter of essence and is reserved for those with only heart and soul guiding their actions.
Posted by Keigo Mallard on 07-12-2002 01:54 PM:
Keigo sliced down a spawn, lucky enough it was a critical his right in the head area. He spun around and saw a man riding towards him, and while he was at it, two men fell due to his attacks. Keigo took initiative and started running towards this man. To his luck he was momentarily busy at penetrating a body with his sword. Keigo jumped up and hit the man down from the horse. What Keigo did, to his misfortune, not expect was that this was a Veri. The Veri kicked Keigo in the stomach catapulting him into the air. Keigo caught a glimpse of the bloody mess that everyone called battle field. With anger inside he hit the floor, but due to his adrenaline rush he took no heed of the pain.
"You foolish boy!" The Veri got up and stared at Keigo as he hit the floor, "I..." The Veri commenced walking towards Keigo, "Am Gravan, Lord of lust!" He reached Keigo, grabbed him by his shirt collar and lifted him up. "You think you stand a cha-"
Keigo lunged a knee into Gravans face, causing him to stumble back a foot or two and also causing him to drop Keigo. "Yeah...I think I can handle you..." Keigo landed sturdily on his own two feet. Screams and shouts of war atoned everywhere from humans as from the undead. Keigo looked at Gravan and grinned with satisfaction, “Finally!” He laughed, “A real enemy!” Keigo ran towards Gravan leaving almost no time to recover the unexpected attack. With force coming from deep within, Keigo jumped at Gravan with both his daggers out. Instantly as he caught reach, Keigo attempted to stab them down. Gravan though, grabbed Kiego’s wrists and flipped him over. Keigo was this time expecting the improvisation and landed on his feet. Keigo quickly twitched his daggers out behind himself, knowing that if Gravan wouldn’t expect this the daggers would penetrate his guts. Swiftly Gravan spun to the side while lunging a fist right into Keigo’s face who turned to see if the dagger trick had worked. Keigo flew through the air spinning until he hit the floor. He felt blood leak from his mouth. He rolled over and caught Gravan in his eye. He was stabbing down a soldier from one of the tribes. Keigo suddenly remembered he had met that man, he told Keigo about his family, he remembered how proud he was of his little boy. Keigo watched the mans body fall to the floor with a horrifying scream. Keigo’s eyes widened. “Gravan!” He shouted in rage, wiping the blood from his face, “Why...” Keigo jumped up with eyes filled with anger and hate, “Prepare to die!”
Gravan laughed mockingly, “You really think you stand a chance? Against me!? Gravan!”
Keigo pulled his daggers and grinned then started chuckling, “You speak to high of yourself...” In an instant Keigo ran towards Gravan. As he expected, Gravan simply struck his sword straight down to the floor hoping to hit. Keigo hopped to the side and evaded it widely. Without hesitation Keigo struck his black bladed dagger into Gravans guts. Gravan kicked out to the left with some sort of reflex. Keigo managed to evade the kick but wasn’t close enough to commence a second attack. Gravan stared at his side and pulled out the dagger. He stared at it and screamed in rage, the scream actually sounded more like a roar. With wide eyes he twitched his head in the direction of where Keigo stood. With a fit of rage Gravan started running towards him, swinging his sword widely, striking down anything that got in it’s way. Keigo watched the pattern of the swing and waited for Gravan to come in about a 2 meter range. “Now!” Keigo shouted and jumped forward, rolling underneath the sword. He wasn’t low enough though. The sword seemed to cut a deep gash into his side. He cringed and collided with Gravan’s body. They both fell to the floor and both stood back up as quickly as they could. Now they were almost equally wounded, both had blood gashing from their side. “Too bad I only have one holy dagger, eh?”
“What?” Gravan said with widening eyes, “You must be joking, a worthless bug like you can’t carry something like that!” Gravan’s eyes seemed to narrow in anger.
“Well then, want to try it out!?” Keigo commenced a run towards Gravan again. Gravan acted quickly and brought the sword in from the right side. Keigo watched the blade near his body almost in slow motion. He abruptly stopped and hopped sideward towards the blade, bringing the blade of his dagger in a block at the same height. Keigo rolled over the bloody floor and managed to, this time, fully evade the blade. He struck out for Gravan’s feet with his dagger, but Gravan jumped and evaded the dagger slice. While up in the air Gravan took the advantage and attempted a vertical slash. The blade shot through the air and came closer to Keigo with every split second. Keigo shot a glare at the blade and twitched to the side, this wasn’t fast enough though, Gravan had managed to slice a layer of skin from Keigo’s arm. Blood started descending from the flesh underneath that former layer of skin. Gravan landed and laughed while at it, quickly he twitched the blade horizontally and swung it towards Keigo who was now on the left trying to think of how to dodge this.
Keigo heard more cries and pleads for life around him, he knew that he didn’t want to end like many others. He thrust himself flat on the floor and waited for the right moment. Gravan was rather close to Keigo, too close actually, he had no real chance to kill Keigo with a swing where the hilt of the sword would most likely hit Keigo in the head. Keigo though didn’t want to let it come to the luck percentage so he thought quickly. The blade was now passing right over Keigo, in an instant, Keigo kicked his right leg up, hitting Gravan right in his right elbow. Gravan managed to hold on to the sword with his left hand but not for very long. He was too slow at gaining a good grip again and therefore didn’t realize that Keigo was already on his feet again. With blood leaking slowly from his right arm, Keigo pulled back his foot and kicked Gravan in the face as hard as possible. This time, Gravan was sent rolling backwards with a few teeth less. Keigo looked down at his left hand where his last dagger was resting. He ran about two steps then jumped at Gravan at a ver low altitude. Stabbing the dagger in from the side as he reached Gravan, Keigo decided to cause more pain by landing his knee in Gravan’s side.
Keigo’s knee collided heavily with Gravan’s stomach, this though made Gravan crouch up and knock Keigo off balance. Keigo rolled through a blood puddle and pushed himself up as he stopped face down. Gravan growled and got up himself. Quickly Gravan started running towards his sword, Keigo already behind him. With the most simple kick ever, Keigo took a swipe at Gravan’s leg. With one big thump Gravan hit the floor once more and received Keigo’s knee in his spine. With a scream Gravan spun around with all his might flinging Keigo off to also hit the floor with his back. Gravan jumped up and threw a kick into Keigo’s side, as though it wasn’t enough three more followed. Blood started running from Keigo’s mouth and his eyes were closing in pain. Gravan picked Keigo up and tossed him through the air. Keigo could feel how easy it was for Gravan to pick him up, and at the same time he realized that he had lost his dagger. The moment that followed was a moment full of pain. Keigo’s back thrashed against a nearby boulder and this made his head fling back and thump against the boulder too. Gravan walked calmly towards Keigo who was miserably trying to get up. Gravan laughed and picked up Keigo's dagger, for the fun of it, he took aim and threw it at him. As the dagger was released from the hand it whistled through the air towards Keigo. The only thing that Keigo could see was the dagger flying towards his face. All of a sudden, the pendant he wore around his neck started shaking wildly. It ripped from his neck and jolted out in front of the dagger. It popped open and a small figure rushed through the air towards the dagger. It seemed to howl right before the dagger hit. Keigo watched the small figure being penetrated by the dagger, but nonetheless the dagger simply dropped to the floor. The creature disappeared and the Pendant flew back at Keigo. Silently Keigo caught it and stared at it, Gravan too, simply stared.
“You worthless bug, prepare to die!” Gravan shouted angrily and started walking towards Keigo again.
“I don’t die that easy...” Keigo stated and pushed himself up wearily, “Let’s finish this now!” Keigo quickly stepped forwards to his dagger and picked it up. With his right foot up front, he used this as a lever to somewhat boost himself forward. Keigo sped towards Gravan and thrust his dagger towards Gravan’s stomach. With nothing to block Gravan could only watch the dagger pierce his intestines. Weakened by pain, Gravan stumbled backwards and pulled the dagger out. He shot a deadly Glare at Keigo and jumped at him. He wildly waved the dagger around hoping to slice Keigo’s body to bits. Keigo evaded most of the slashes but fumbled to evade the last. It struck at the side of his neck. Gravan stumbled on a dead body and fell forward. Keigo also fell holding his neck. Crimson blood ran through Keigo’s fingers. He knew he had nothing to lose now, and so he stood up with pain striking all of his limbs. He gritted his teeth and stepped slightly away from Gravan who was now already in possession of his sword again. Gravan grinned diabolically and ran towards Keigo with a menacing look on his face. Keigo tensed and ran towards Gravan. While running Gravan pulled the sword to his side to commence a horizontal slash. Keigo looked into the eyes of this menace and braced himself to be cut down.
“Die!” Gravan shouted while putting all force in the last momentum of the swing. Keigo knew he couldn’t block this, so he simply twitched his foot onto the dusty and blood smeared ground of the battle field and hopped forward right into Gravan’s arms. Both Gravan’s arm bent around Keigo causing him to let go of his sword, the sword flew and landed blade into the ground. Keigo spun around and grabbed Gravan’s arm, quickly he stretched Gravan’s arm out and tilted it upside down. Within a second or two he jumped up forging his knee right into Gravan’s elbow. Gravan’s arm bent through so harshly that it caused the bone to forge through the skin, while this procedure, the tearing of the skin made a grotesque sound with the added effect of blood spraying everywhere. The red liquid spread all over the place. Keigo wasn’t able to tell which blood was his and which not. He looked down at Gravan and kicked him in the head, Gravan spat blood right out as the Keigo’s foot collided with his head. Keigo turned to pick up his dagger that was still laying on the ground and then walked back to Gravan, who was now wincing and crying in pain over the ripped up arm. Keigo sat himself down with his knee in Gravan’s stomach. He then pulled up his dagger with his actual still functioning arm and held the blade of the dagger to Gravan’s neck. Then without hesitation he pulled the dagger across Gravan’s neck. The blood sprayed up like a fountain and dropped down like rain. Keigo attempted to stand up but failed at this. He fell back and landed on his back. Again he made an attempt to stand up, the effort caused more blood to spill from his wounds. Silently but injured he started walking towards the small boulder laying in the ground to sit down.
The way there seemed like an eternity, and most likely it was meant he was never supposed to even reach half the distance to the boulder. Out of no where came a Vexes. It ran wildly towards Keigo and as soon as it reached him it didn’t stop it’s diabolical spree. Keigo simply stared as it came close, he was too now too weak to attempt a defending maneuver. The Vexes shrieked and stabbed it’s huge claws into Keigo’s stomach. Keigo watched the claws penetrate his intestines. He watched the Vexes lift another arm to lustfully maul into Keigo’s head. Then the creature seemed to cry out in pain as it s arm fell off , then Keigo squinted his eyes with some of his left over strength as he slid from it’s claws. A blade, a rapier seemed to have cut it straight off. The creature turned but found itself face to face with its death. The rapier pierced right through its brain. With no strength, the creature dropped to the floor. Just as Keigo did a few seconds before.
Keigo stared up at the person who somewhat saved him, he saw it was a woman by the slender figure but that was all. “Who...” he coughed blood , “Are you?...” He could feel his life leave him, slowly. He started to see his life flame flicker and fade away
"Don‘t ask questions. We need to get you out of here." The woman replied and looked at Keigo’s wounds.
„No use now...“ Keigo replied silently, after he coughed up more blood.
“I wont let you die here.”
Keigo felt himself being lifted up and his arm being hung over a shoulder. He limped away from the bloody mess with an unknown person...
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Das Böse kann mich nicht besiegen...denn...es ist schon in mir...
Posted by Lloyd Cordell on 07-12-2002 07:57 PM:
Lloyd and Rhea stood at the entrance to the darkwoods, or the outer line of trees. Lloyd looked off seeming unattached to reality, while Rhea glared at him.
“What do you mean you didn’t miss?” she demanded.
“I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t take his life,” Lloyd looked to the ground, then shrugged, “Are we going in?”
“We just got robbed and now you want to go in?”
“Well we need to get our money,” Lloyd smirked, trying to act like his old self.
“Ya, much use you’ll be at that, I’d have killed the bastard. But fine, lets go!” she took the lead and walked into the woods. Lloyd shook his head and followed her in.
After walking for awhile Rhea began to talk, “You know this life of adventure will be a blast, of course you will need to get some sense and learn to kill, cause I mean what use will you be in danger, I won’t always be there to take care of you y’know.”
“Ya ya, I know. I mean where would I be without you as my protector, surely if they hadn’t beat you up, you’d have won the fight.”
“Quiet! Why when…..” suddenly she tripped to the ground. When she landed she was face to face with a man’s face, though his was bloody. Behind her she heard Lloyd gasp.
“What the hell?” Lloyd looked at the scene, the thieves that had robbed them were all dead, torn to pieces. Then he heard a growl off to his right, turning his head he saw a large black skinned and horrendously ugly beast, “O boy….”
Rhea saw the beast and let out a yelp of surprise, “The hell is that?”
The shadowspawn charged forward but fell to the ground dead as three daggers flew into its skull, “Rhea get out of here, there might be more!” As if on cue, about half a dozen shadowspawn came to the scene.
“I’m not leaving!” She said in defiance.
“RHEA! Your whip will be useless against these, go now!” He looked to her with a dreadfully serious face, she fidgeted slightly, looking to the monsters, then ran off.
Lloyd quickly began to throw daggers at the beast, pulling them from random places within his clothing. One, two, three…..the shadowspawn dropped to the ground before they could even get to him. However suddenly he found his hands moving through his clothing and finding no daggers……….shit.
One of the shadowspawn reached him and threw him to the ground. Lloyd quickly scrambled to his feet and drew his dirks. As the spawn made attacks he dodged out the way, circling around the beast and coming in for quick stabs with his dirks, fighting something this size he almost wished he used a bigger weapon. The spawn swung a horizontal swipe, Lloyd ducked low then charged forward pulling a twin blade maneuver, where he’d twirl both blades around his hands then thrust them into just about the same spot. The spawn howled in pain and kicked Lloyd to the ground. Lloyd rolled back and hopped to his feet.
Lloyd couldn’t get his eye on the other spawn and wasn’t sure if he was still there or if it had gone after Rhea. He moved in again and pulled his arm back to swing at the spawn, however he received a sharp pain and his arm wouldn’t swing, suddenly however it swung, but far too fast, Lloyd stumbled forward and fell to the ground, his right arm was now just a bloody stub. He looked up to see the other spawn standing there with his arm in its mouth. Lloyd began to crawl backwards with his one hand, then the spawn which he had stabbed leapt onto him and bit him in the face. The other spawn came in and tore off his other arm. Everything went dark and he joined the field of bodies. To be later eaten for one of the beasts meals.
OOC: hehe almsot forgot to write this part. Lloyd be dead lol. Anyways this account can be deleted, thanks =)
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Life is like a throwing knife.....once you toss it, there is no turning back.
Posted by Terrin Tsaihati on 07-13-2002 05:08 AM:
The adventures of the brothers begins.........
Seth scanned the area rapidly and spotted Terrin behind some trees, well hidden. Quickly he put a sprint towards him. He realized that someone was about to look in his direction. He saw a small bush in a yards range, he jumped and managed to hide behind it. "Sometimes...being small is an advantage!" He said and parted some of the bushes leaves with his hands to look through. He was now safe to go. He shot up and started running again. He was now a few feet away from Terrin. "Brother!" Seth shouted and dove behind the nearest tree. He turned to his brother, but looked over his back just to make sure. "W, what the hell happened, why is our house burning!?"
Terrin stared off at the burning house for a moment before replying, "I defeated Merdin in a duel."
"You what!?" Seth shouted in a surprised tone, "Why, just for Neina!?"
"Yes......and perhaps to prove that size and strength does not make the best of us, like master so assumed with Merdin," he turned to Seth, "I am sorry brother, I did not mean for it to banish us from out home."
Seth looked at Terrin and smiled, "Good job. I'm glad you finally taught that hunk of muscle and shit some respect, and I'm glad you fought for what you believe, is it not that what we swore, to fight for what we believe? And the house...who cares!"
Terrin put his hand upon his brother's shoulder, "Right you are my brother," he looked out to the fire again, "And while leaving my Neina will be hard, we must go, they will look for us soon."
"Correct...wait, did you bring my supply stick, its kind of a lucky charm." Seth questioned shyly and looked at their few possessions in front of Terrin. "That's all you brought out...well...doesn't matter, this is the most important stuff..."
"Your supply stick," Terrin turned to the fire and Seth's eyes widened, "Ya it's right here," he pulled the stick out of the small bundle of items and handed it to Seth.
"Great, well...now I can guarantee it will be a safe trip! Let us leave, it’s a great idea but where to? We have no where to go..."
Terrin stood up and strapped his sheath across his torso and then slid his bardiche in on his back, "The temple, like the stories say, the best warriors come from the temple," he looked to his brother and grinned, "And, we are the best."
Seth grinned at Terrin and rested his supply stick with the black bag at the end on his shoulder, "Damn right...so, what are we actually waiting for?" Seth said and turned into the direction of the desert. "Let's go!" Seth started running, his brother right beside him. They both knew that it would make them feared warriors if they came back approved by the temples. They were hoping to head for the Niklew temple, while they had heard the stories and had heard the fact that none have gone there in a very long time, they figured it was there best choice seeing as it was much closer than Noit. Plus, if they could be the first the get into this temple, that would only increase their name and show their skill.
----------------------
Seth's eyes grew weary and he tapped his brother on the shoulder, and then pointed to an inn along the way. Terrin nodded and they started towards it. They walked down a dusty, down-tread route leading into the desert of Nilkew. The inn seemed to stand half on sand and half on dying away grass, although the sea was close. Seth let out a sigh, but tried to look wide awake.
The two arrived at the inn, Terrin pushed the door open, and the two walked in. Almost instantly a hRittir was upon them, “Good day to you sirs, welcome to the Half n’ Half, I’m sure you saw why it’s called that, quite a catchy name think you not?”
Both of the boys stared for a moment, trying to process exactly what the creature just said, then Seth spoke up, “O yes, it’s a perfect name.”
“You see, that’s what I say! Now what can I get you two gentlemen? I like you guys so I will try to do my best to get you what YOU like, what say you to the chef’s choice of the night? It is a desert scorpion stew with a side of bread, and for drink you can have yourself some water or beer. Sounds good no?”
“Sounds fine, but, do we even have a choice?” asked Terrin.
“Would I leave you without a choice?” the hRittir said, trying to sound somewhat hurt, “Water or beer?”
Terrin grinned, “Water please.”
“Same here,” said Seth.
“Excellent indeed, sit where you please, business has been slow as of late, just a few local yokels if you know what I mean,” the hritter gave a slight bow then began to walk off, it shouted to the cook, “Two stews and two waters!”
The brothers walked to a table off to the side of the inn and sat down facing eachother, “So, what’s the plan? And how much money did we bring?” asked Seth, who looked like he was ready for some sleep after this meal, they both in fact looked ready for a good night of sleep.
“Well I didn’t have a ton of time to pack, but I brought most of our general supply of money,” he looked into his pouch, “Eleven gold, six silver, and thirteen copper. We’re going to have to find ourselves a source of money. As for the plan, well, I’m not sure how we will get through the desert.”
“Underground I say!” both brothers looked up in surprise, they must be tired if they hadn’t even heard the hritter coming, “Here’s your food,” the hRittir set the bowls of stew on the table, then set down a loaf of bread and two glasses of water. Once he was happy with where he set the food, he turned to walk off.
“Wait a minute.”
The hRittir turned back, “Is there something else?”
“You said underground, how would we travel underground to the temple?”
“Yours truly!” it beamed a bug like smile, “Well no, not me personally, but my people, we live under the desert. Got tunnels going all through the place, that’s the only reason we survive out here.”
“And, we could use these tunnels?”
“O sure thing, but it will take a lot for them to trust you. You don’t by chance have a good amount of cash do you?”
“Umm no, fraid not.”
“Ooo, hmm, have you ever saved a hRittir’s life or done some good deed for us?”
“Nope.”
“Well then, you will need a miracle!” the hRittir nodded his head as if checking that he had said all that needed to be said, “As well, I’m assuming you two want a room along with that meal for you’re looking a bit weary.”
“Your assumptions would be right, we’re spent,” said Seth.
“Well then let me tally up your bill,” it looked to the roof in thought then nodded again, “Twill be two gold and six silver grans,” the hRittir held out a hand.
Terrin reached into his pouch and pulled out the needed coins, then placed them into the hand, the hRittir counted the money quickly, smiled once more, then handed the brothers a room key, “Ok, well then a goodnight to you both, I will see you at breakfast, and enjoy your stay at the Half n’ Half.”
After the hRittir left the two brothers looked to eachother, “We will definitely need to find a way to make money.”
__________________
Your body is a weapon, you must master it. If you go into battle with out significant skill in a weapon, you will likely die.
Life is what we thrive on. We must caress it, hold it close, and take it with us wherever we go. We must enjoy life for you can never get more than one.
Posted by Rhea Wildfire on 07-13-2002 12:47 PM:
She ran through the forest with as much speed as her legs could produce. She knew by now that Lloyd would be dead from the loud cry of pain behind her. She felt like crying for him but the tears just didn’t seem to come, so instead she decided to run from the air and not from the ground. From her side she grabbed her whip and swung it at a tree limb. She quickly made sure it was stable and swung her self onto another. Her mind stopped as she looked above the trees to the nearby towns. From the east of her she could smell small traces of gunpowder and see water. From her west, she could see home and other far away towns. Even though her town was peaceful she didn’t want to go home. It just felt like quitting and that’s something she hardly does. A loud bang and the shake of the tree startled her. Looking down a few spawn were trying to knock the tree over.
We’ll they are hungry lil buggers aren’t they?
With the whip still in her hand she flew past other trees and gained a little distance from them. She grew tired of swinging and just decided to run through the branches till she got to water. Nightfall came very quickly and she soon got scared. She couldn’t see a thing from the dark clouds over head. The red eyes from the spawn surrounded to tree she was in, and began to circle around it. Her head turned behind her to finally see water, but it was stills some odd feet away and she was completely surrounded. Because of the water behind it she could see a tree leading to the water. She quickly jumped to that limb only to notice that the spawn were pretty fast. Using her whip she swung to two trees ahead and jumped off the last tree to run to the huge lakeshore. The spawn was quickly behind her. She looked slightly back to notice that there were now three instead of the six before. The growling before her made her legs stop in fear. The other three spawn stood right in front of her as if expecting her to head for the water. Tears began to fall as she realized how soon she was going to die.
At least I’ll be up there with Lloyd….
Something in her wouldn’t let up and kept fighting. She held onto her whip tightly and her other hand grabbed a dagger from her side. Although these weren’t lions she could still try her best to tame them.
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And on the flying trapeze you see...
Posted by Tyr Aulnay on 07-13-2002 02:39 PM:
The teenager on her shoulder wasn’t as heavy as she thought he should be. It wasn’t her usual thing to help someone for she was usually the one in trouble. Something just told her to help someone, and he was the closest one to her. She had gone far away from Ryudo and Volsung. Her intuition told her to stay away from those two; they had too much business to take care of. Instead of fighting a veri she just took whatever she knew she could handle instead of going up against the inevitable and fighting something she knew she would die from. The boy slowed her down a little bit as she tried to protect him and herself from spawn or whatever came her way. She knew this wasn’t the place for her. Her heart belonged on the sea, and even if her future wasn’t on the boat all of the time. She could still tell she was still on the wrong track to destiny. Even the thought of Ryudo didn’t seem to fit her picture. The blood from the boy’s mouth ran through her clothes and was starting to make her sick.
Surrounding her was death and flashes of sea were pictured below her feet. It soon began to grow a little too much and she knew she had to leave it all, including Ryudo. Her first though was to get this boy to a healer and then fight her way from this place. In front of her stood a woman who seemed to have a heavenly glow from her. She had dark hair, blue eyes and tanned skin. Overall Tyr though this would be the best place to drop him off.
“Hey you there!” Tyr yelled, although she didn’t exactly want to be rude.
“Yes, may I help you?”
“No, but can help this guy and some other people. I’m going to help myself.”
From her neck she took the medallion off and placed it in her hand.
“If you ever meet a guy named Ryudo, would you be sure to give this to him? He’ll know what it means.”
“Alright.”
She dropped the boy and immediately started running towards the quickest way out. Knowing she had to fight on the way back she drew her rapier. She only tried to wound those she hit on the way out and kept running. She stabbed a spawn that tripped her down and scarred her leg. Kicking it off her rapier she got up and kept running despite the pain. Making it to a tree she climbed it and saw home much more she had to go. She didn’t have that much more distance and what mostly surrounded the area were dead people from the start of the battle. She jumped off the tree and ran as fast as she could out of the area.
When she was finally safe she was exhausted from the whole run and slowly walked towards the road back to Parvini. She looked down at her chest to notice that she had given the medallion back to Ryudo. She knew she should have kept in memory of him, but giving it back to him would insure that it was taken from her. Small tears began to fall from her eyes. She could go back and stay and leaving him didn’t make that much sense to anyone else except for her. The first thing she would do when she got back would be to hug Morgan and say hello.
__________________
Come friends who plough the sea, truce to navigation take another station, lets vary piracee with a lil birglary!
Posted by Freija Lumis on 07-13-2002 07:39 PM:
NPC: Yolia
Yolia's amber eyes swept the devestation, aghast at the carnage that lay before her. The ground once fertile and rich with green and colors was now blasted, dirt covered and mottled with crimson blood. She had been in battles before, but none at the vastness as this. She was told over and over by her master that this was to happen, but she had never thought it was to be this destructive.
Her master, Evenithelan, had tought her much of her dedication. She was adept in the element of air but very worthless in her Terra ability of ice. She had never grown acustomed to the weight it bore on her but she was to bear it with courage.
"You there! Can you fight? Heal? Do anything other than standing there?" Bellowed a young man, no older than herself. He was battleworn and panting for breath. His tanned brow was furrowed in anger as he ordered her to be useful. At first Yolia was angered herself at his treatment of her but soon calmed as she thought through the fact that this man was under a great deal of stress.
"I can fight. Where shall I go?"
The man said nothing. He simply pointed out into the battlefield where plumes of dust and smoke rose into the air. Although it was midday, the smog covered to sun to an unnatural evening. Yolia nodded as she plodded towards the signs of battle ahead of her. She carefully picked her way through the devestation that lay before her. She was saddened by the greater count of human and elven casualties than the veri and shadowspawn. She watched with disgust as the newly killed shadowspawn twitched in death and some that remained alive, just barely hanging on.
With a swift blow with Yolia's sword a still living shadowspawn was given merciful death, to end its horrible wails. Dry heaves plagued her as she approached the battleground where cries of anger and death assaulted her. Gritting her teeth Yolia plunged into the fray.
Magic tingled in the air as the use of it was great. Her own energy flowed through her and waited to be loosed with the vengeance that flowed in her adrenaline.
Ignoring all present Yolia screamed on the top of her lungs, which simply faded into the roar that surrounded her. Sparks of electricity flicked on her fingers and sparkled in the fake darkness.
Holy heavens hear my cry! Surge forth your swords of light! Pierce the hearts of the spawn!
The clouds that were above the smoke formed and churned above her. Few gave her heed as thunder rolled and lighting struck the ground. Wails of dying spawn filled the air, accompanied by the cheers of the human and elven population. That cry of success was drowned out as the spawn retreated for a moment then struck in a reeking horde. Yolia's strike of lighting only dented the population of shadowspawn which collided with the enemies of the spawn.
Cursing under her breath Yolia felt depleated by the exertion she put out with her attack. Breathing hard Yolia called again the sword of the heavens.
The clouds thundered and almost shook the earth as Yolia called down the lightning. This attack did more to lessen the horde of spawn. Ignoring the sounds Yolia slipped into her own world, the roars and cries falling away to a dull roar. Yolia listened to her own heart beat as she summoned the last of her strength. Although not skilled at the magic, she was to call upon the ice.
Oh icy silver of the north! Rain your shards upon the enemies of your servants...
Yolia thrust out her hands and pointed her palms to the mass of dark spawn that assaulted them. Shards of razor-sharp ice shot out from a small hole in the air. The shards splintered into smaller pieces and merely tickled the shadowspawn. Yolia cursed under her breath and fell to the ground, her energy gone.
OOC: OK well once person's dead, but did a fair amount of damage. She destroyed about um...lets say 150 or so. Not much considering how many there are in the entire horde. More to come!
CUE: You know who you are...I hope :P
__________________
~Today is 1 out of 365. In a year, you won't
remember what you did today so just smile
and get on with life~
~An excuse is worse and more terrible than
a lie; for an excuse is a lie guarded~
-Alexander Pope
Posted by Noah Lantier on 07-13-2002 10:01 PM:
Noah awoke from his slumber, feeling better than he had in days. Of course, he'd spent the last 48 hours on the brink of a coma, so that wasn't saying much. Adaiva, though feeling better, was still nauseous enough to keep her complaining to a minimum. Sidd was sitting in front of the campfire, cooking some eggs he had found the night before. Freya was laying behind him, still fast asleep.
Noah stood and stretched his arms out and stood on his tiptoes. His back cracked with the strain, and Noah quickly laid down again to accomodate the sudden blood rush to his brain. After a few more minutes of rest, he stood again and ate greedily from his plate. Adaiva, although she started eating after him, somehow finished well before him and left to the bushes to relieve herself. Noah thanked Sidd and walked over to wake up Freya.
Freya stirred sleepily and woke, her eyes falling upon Noah with blurred vision.
"Good morning, beautiful." Noah said, brushing her stray hair out of her face. "You saved my life. I thank you for that." Freya smiled.
"It's not like you haven't done it for me before." She replied.
"True, but I'm grateful anyways. And I think it's time we get out of here and head to Bargra. What do you think?"
"Sounds like a good idea. Let's go." Noah alerted Sidd of his idea and they packed hastily. Adaiva came back and joined them noiselessly, unfolding the tent and placing it neatly in her bag.
They travelled most of the day before they came within sight of the town. The sun was beginning to set, casting hues of gold, orange, and red across the building clouds. Thunder in the distance heralded rain and the coming storm.
Bargra was busy, even for the night. The streetlamps burned brightly, it's glass cage holding some form of magic light that only appeared in the twilight hours. A streetwalker, an older woman with shriveled hands and a stick-thin figure stood nearby, trying to pawn herself off onto Sidd, who screwed up his face in disgust as he noticed her.
Noah led the group into the nearest inn, The Loch Lemond Inn and Pub. The picture of a small wyvern above a lake poured from a tankard adorned the signpost, giving any future customers the distinct impression that this was the place to come for a good story or song.
Indeed, that was the case. Inside, a bard was singing and the drunks were dancing to the tune of a song called, "The Seventh Child of the Seventh Child":
"Dance, dear children, to the music of yore,
When peace would abound instead of war,
When man still roamed in the boughs of the wild,
From the seventh child to the seventh child,
"So pull up a chair and imbibe your drink,
And I'll tell you a story of the hero named Brink,
A man of great virtue, and a temper so mild,
For he was the seventh of the seventh child,
"His soul was true and his heart was brave,
For from a great dragon the world he did save,
With his bare hands the creature he struck,
And the great beast died by Brink's incredible luck,
"For he was the seventh child of the seventh child,
Throw up your hands and celebrate the strong,
And drink to you feel that your mind is gone,
Then twirl about and greet a friend,
And embody Brink's spirit until your end!"
The bard continued to sing, though he was barely heard over the drunks' disjointed shouting and the breaking of many tavern tables. Noah turned and grabbed Freya, leading her over to the bar. The bartender immediately slammed down two small drinks of an unidentifiable liquid and Noah swallowed his in one gulp. Freya followed suit after some hesitation.
The two of them danced, keeping a quick step along with the tune. After about fifteen minutes of twirling about, the duo fell flat on their bottoms, giggling like children. On the other side of the pub, Sidd was dancing with a very excited Adaiva. The song ended and the bard took his bow, following large applause. The group then gathered themselves and left for their rooms, drunk from whatever the bartender had given them.
They slept that night in seperate rooms and awoke with the hangovers of their life. Everyone swore off ever drinking unknown liquids again, except for Freya, who told the group that she would never drink alcohol ever again. They walked carefully downstairs and ate, deciding that today they would alert the town of the coming threat of the Shadowspawn, the fate of Sungan, and the decision to stay in town a few days for supplies before the journey back to Akaros.
Cue: Someone. Anyone may leave, but we are going to Akaros in my next post. Warn Bargra about the threat, but keep in mind that the warning will be useless, as this is supposed to take place just before Indigo vanquished the shadowspawn queen.
__________________
"Ah, for the thrill of travel!
How I wish I could wander where ever my heart wished,
with a sword in hand, my life in a pack upon my back, and a fair wind to speed me along on my journey.
To see things I have never seen and do things I will never do again.
The life of adventures is for me!"
-"Wanderlust" by Ashton Banker
Posted by Terrin Tsaihati on 07-14-2002 08:25 PM:
A new friend, a possible passage......
The feet walked over the sand, making almost no noise, “Oooo!” The hRittir’s jaw made a happy clicking noise as it caught site of a human body in the sand, “Silly adventurers, when will they learn that life above ground only leads to death,” the hRittir shrugged and hurried over to the body. He looked at the corpse for a moment both in joy of the find and to see if he recognized the person, he didn’t. Quickly he knelt down and grabbed the feet of the body, slowly beginning to drag it across the sand in the direction of the entrance to the underground, “Whew, why the hell are they always so heavy, whatever happened to those small adventurers? I remember back in the day when the adventurers were short and fast, now it’s like they are all six and a half feet tall and using crap like battle-axes. Don’t you agree?” he asked the body, “Well of course you do, hell look at yourself, you’re prolly about six and a half, you got that beard and bald head, hell the adventurers get uglier as time goes on too.”
Suddenly the sand shifted slightly and there was a low grumbling sound.
“Who’s there?” shouted the hRittir, “I found it first, it’s mine!” suddenly something burst up out through the sand, the hRittir looked up and the human feet dropped to the ground, “uh oh…..”
*************
Terrin opened his eyes and looked out the window, it was still quite early. He looked across the room and saw that Seth was still asleep. Guess I’ll run down and get some food for us, I’m sure he’ll be up soon. Terrin got out of his bed and went out of the room, going down into the main room of the inn. The cook was already up and the bottom floor of the inn was filled with the aroma of bacon and eggs, or something along that line. He walked into the kitchen and over to the cook, “Mornin.”
“Good morning to you sah, up early I see?”
“Later than usual,” Terrin smirked; his life in training often required him getting up before the sun even started to rise, “So what is that you’re cooking there?”
“Desert snake meat slabs and vulture eggs, best of the bunch,” the cook smiled in the bug like fashion, then motioned one of his hands toward a stack of plates, “Bring one over and I’ll serve you up.”
Terrin’s forehead crinkled up at hearing the names of the food, but he shrugged and went over to the plate stack, getting two, one for himself and one for Seth. The cook put some food on both of the plates then winked, “Enjoy!”
Terrin walked out into the main room and saw Seth sitting at a table, Seth waved a hand at him and Terrin went over to the table, sitting across from his brother, “Mornin, here’s some breakfast.”
Seth looked at the food for a moment, “What is it this time?”
“You don’t want to know,” Terrin took a bite and to his surprise it really didn’t taste that bad.
Seth began to eat his and came across the same conclusion, “So what’s the plan for today?”
“I figured we’d just head out into the desert and see what happens.”
“Head out into the desert? Boy you guys are crazy!” the hRittir that had served them the night before laughed as he walked over to them.
“Do you always do that?” asked Seth.
“Do what?”
“Listen to conversations.”
“You know, I get that a lot,” he smiled, then put a hand on each of the two boys shoulders, “If you’re going into the desert, the only thing I have to say is that it was nice knowing you,” he smiled again and walked off.
“Well that’s reassuring,” mumbled Terrin.
************
The brother’s had been walking into the desert for about an hour now and the sun was starting to rise in the sky, already the heat was beyond what they would have thought. Their clothes stuck to their skin as they released sweat continuously. Suddenly they heard someone shouting.
“Help! Help! HELP!” They looked to the north and saw a hRittir run up over a sand dune not far off from them.
“What’s he shouting about?” asked Terrin as he watched the hRittir run towards them.
“It’s probably a desert snake or something,” laughed Seth. As the hRittir reached the bottom of the hill of sand, the sand dune exploded, sand spraying in all directions, a large sandwurm had burst through it. The wurm continued to rip through the sand as it chased after the hRittir.
“Biggest desert snake I’ve ever seen,” said Terrin, both brothers stared in awe at the size of the monster.
“Well let’s save him!” Seth and Terrin ran down towards the hritter and the wurm. Seth drew his crossbow and took a shot, the arrow hit the side of the wurm, but barely dug in.
“You’ll have to hit the eyes, it’s hide is too strong for the arrows,” Terrin ran past the hritter and closed in on the wurm. It’s mouth opened, revealing rows and rows of sharp teeth, all waiting to crush and shred their prey. Terrin jumped to the side and the wurm’s head crashed onto the spot where he was standing, in an attempt to engulf him. Terrin pulled his Bardiche off his back and swung it down into the side of the wurm as it moved by him. The blade dug in deep and the wurm cried in pain, but it was hardly a wound that would slow the creature down. The wurm turned its head towards Terrin and poised for an attack. Terrin jumped onto the wurm’s side, it launched its head down for the attack and Terrin dropped back to the ground laying flat, the wurm bit into its side and let go quickly screaming in pain once more. A bolt flew through the air and pierced into the wurm’s left eye, with a roar of both pain and anger it dove into the sand and burrowed away, knowing that it was badly out maneuvered with its entire body free to be hit.
“Whew, that was impressive, I mean did you see the size of that thing,” the hRittir said in a tone of excitement, “You two are quite good. Names Kitlicatir, you can call me Kit.”
Seth gave a weak grin, “I’m Seth and that’s Terrin, my brother,” he pointed to Terrin, but Terrin fell to his knees, the heat and the running taking a toll on his body. The hRittir casually moved to him, “What are you doing?” called Seth.
“No worries I won’t harm him, you two saved me, I’ll take you to the hRittir home, you can rest and replenish your bodies there,” he picked up Terrin in two of his arms, “Whew what a fight,” he said to himself, “And finally an adventurer that doesn’t weigh much.”
__________________
Your body is a weapon, you must master it. If you go into battle with out significant skill in a weapon, you will likely die.
Life is what we thrive on. We must caress it, hold it close, and take it with us wherever we go. We must enjoy life for you can never get more than one.
Posted by Bara Chinder on 07-14-2002 10:29 PM:
As Dunnacha wainer
Dunnacha Ran screaming into Battle.
He had not slept much the night before. He felt that he would not return. His wife and three children lay at home. Prone. As a father and husband he could not leave them to the mercy of the shadow. If it was over his grave then his daughters and son would live to grow old and his wife would leave her wonderful light on aeternea. He loved her more than he loved life and would give his to her at anyday.
As Dunnacha reached the battle he spied The Morrigan ahead. She was and inspirational figure huge and strong she waved her massive axe like a twig. Her battle screams lifted all sleebhfir that heard them.
Around him he heard all his kins men howl and beat their weapons hands and fists on hide shields, armour or bare breasts. As Dunnacha pelted his chest the Spawn raised heads and started to bare towards the charging footmen.
Too late though. The Mounted Cappalan had already carved a lane of death through the advancing shadow force and teh sleebhfir riders spread like an infection in their wake. Tearing and spreading the gap as they went the Bulk of the force cut Into the shadow flank. Dunnacha had slain three spawn before he realsed he was in battle. The frenzy of Battle had taken him.
Enemy didn't matter They could be anything or anyone. All Donnacha knew was he was on of his group and each one would Die before each other, but not before killing many first.
His spear broke and he pulled his sword free of its seath. With three sword brothers in tow he charged a large spawn.
First he slashed across its Jaws, His companions leaping after to cut the throaght and chest of the revilled beast as it reared back. No sooner had the thing dropped but Donnacha sprang for another, Smaller but ultimatly more effective spawn.
As he charged swinging his Sword the beast Darted forward. There was a sickening crunch as Donnachas ribs gave way to the teeth of the Spawn. With all he could musted dunnacha slammed his sword into the beasts head and dragged it back out. In his last breath of conciousness he thought of his family whom he loved so much; and held his blade out to the right spearing the chest of the spawn who would snap half his neck off....
__________________
Were gonna break ya, its gone on for too long.
Gonna punish you for the things that youve done- Capdown
Posted by Eloise Rane on 07-15-2002 03:56 AM:
With Zander unconscious, and Alexandros in his deep meditative plight, it wasn’t long before the Sha’vanel began to close in on them after Mellin’s retreat. Alexandros, although absorbed in his silent litany, wasn’t taken off guard, and with a few moments had picked up his Redeemer with a new found vigor, and with Sekirah they met the dark mass of spawn. Before long Zander had come to, thankfully, and arose with Tiffarah’s help.
“Looks like we’re going to have to fight our way out of here,” Alexandros said to him as he got to his feet. Zander nodded, already slashing down spawn in his path.
They began to clear some range, and all the bloodshed transpiring beyond them became visible. Eloise heard a distressed voice calling to her from alongside.
“Hey, you there!”
“Yes, may I help you?” Eloise turned to see a pretty young girl with violet hair and eyes. Leaning on her side was a boy, somewhat disoriented, with blonde hair, although blood stained it a pale crimson in parts, and he was badly bruised and battered. He couldn’t have been more than 15 or 16. He was so young...the sight both stunned and saddened her.
“No, but can you help this guy and some other people? I’m going to help myself,” the girl was saying.
Eloise took him from her, resting him on her own shoulder, and called to Sekirah. The violet-haired girl removed a necklace and placed it in Eloise’s free palm.
“If you ever meet a guy named Ryudo, would you be sure to give this to him?” she asked. “He’ll know what it means.”
“Alright.” Sekirah had arrived at her side, and Eloise passed the wounded boy to him. “He needs...help.”
“I can see that. Let’s try to get him some place safe.”
When Eloise turned back to the violet-haired girl, she was gone.
The spawn had died down for the moment, enough that they may just be able to squeeze out, if Eloise helped clear a path in front. She looked to Master Fatali.
“I need to lend my assistance for a short while.”
“Try to stay away of the swarm. Only fight defensively. And come for me if you need anything,” He told her.
She nodded, and went with Sekirah to find refuge. They got a fair distance when they spotted a man trying to hold his own against a horde of wyrmlings. He was resisting them with firepower, but was on the ground, and seemed weakened. Within a few minutes they would overtake him.
Eloise made her way to his side, and threw several bolts of white fire and lightning into the horde. They let up enough for a moment for Eloise to help him to his feet, and she saw he too had some serious injuries.
“Can you walk?” She asked him.
“Yes,” he answered, short of breath. The pair started to attempt to catch up with Sekirah and the boy when he stopped.
“Wait...” he said. Eloise followed him to a nearby area cluttered with piles of stones and rubble. In a small clearing amidst the middle of it all lay a lifeless body.
“Ryudo!” he gasped. He leaned over him, trying to determine whether he was dead or alive.
“You recognize him?” She asked. She saw he had black hair and slightly elwain ears, but his face was covered in dust soaked by a large gash bleeding profusely. The rest of his body was also dust covered, and beaten to the point where he seemed almost unidentifiable.
“Yes, I’m his friend, Volsung,” He said with concern. Eloise was reminded then of the medallion she had with her. She kneeled on his other side, opposite Volsung, and placed the medallion around his neck while Volsung shook him in an attempt to rouse him to consciousness. Ryudo slowly opened his eyes, and coughing a little bit, looked up at Volsung, and despite his grave state managed to crack half a smile.
“Hey, Volsung, good to see you.” He looked over then to Eloise, and chuckled a bit. “A Holy Knight, eh? Off to burn a village of heretics, are we?”
“Not today,” she remarked with a smirk. “I’m kind of busy, you know, with the war and all. And saving you.” Volsung helped him up, with Ryudo's arm around his neck, leaning on him.
“Yeah, I guess an army’s better than a village.” Ryudo said, and they made their way out of the battle.
They found Sekirah and the young boy when they were safely outside the war. Sekirah had rested him in the shade under some trees, and was in the process of restoring him best he could with his body magic. Volsung laid Ryudo down, who was again unconscious. When Sekirah finished healing the boy, who said his name was Keigo, he stood up and looked down at Ryudo.
“Wow, this guy’s really had it,” Sekirah said.
“Tell me about it,” Eloise agreed. “How much healing can you do before you need healing yourself?”
“I’ll be alright - in time I’ll be able to rejuvenate myself.” Volsung said. “Ryudo needs it more, if you can help him. He’s in pretty bad shape.”
“I’ll do my best,” Sekirah said. “But he’ll still have to do a lot of recovering on his own.” He bent down and placed a hand on Ryudo’s forehead, and his lifeless form appeared to replenish, as if Sekirah had filled his body and soul with a new vitality. But many of his wounds remained.
Sekirah stood up. “He’s still hurt, but I’m confident he’ll live.”
With that assurance, Eloise walked and kneeled by Keigo’s side, happy to see that his condition had improved. “How are you holding up?” She asked him.
“I feel much better. Thanks for your help.”
She smiled. “Charity is one of my obligations.”
Keigo nodded to Sekirah. “What about him?”
“He’s just a nice guy.”
She walked over to Sekirah then. “I’d like to return to Master Fatali.”
Sekirah nodded in agreement. “He and Zander might need our help.” He turned to Volsung. “Are you guys alright here?”
Keigo nodded.
“I’ll stay with Ryudo until he comes to,” Volsung said. “Good luck, maybe we’ll see you back in the battle.”
Eloise and Sekirah nodded, and began to walk along the rough ground back to the war.
“They were pretty beat up,” Eloise remarked to him.
“Yeah, you’d think they were fighting Veri or something.”
“Well, you helped save two lives. Two stranger’s lives. You should feel good about that.” She looked at him, and he smiled.
Cue: Alexandros, Zander, Sekirah. Keigo, Volsung, and Ryudo: you guys are back on your own, maybe we’ll meet again sometime..*wink*
Posted by Freija Lumis on 07-15-2002 06:45 AM:
NPC: El'Verian
OOC: I'm using NPC's because I'm still getting in order what Freija is going to do next. Call it writer's block.
IC:
El'Verian was in the heat of battle. Beads of sweat rolled down his dirty brow and stained his battle-worn armor and tunic. His deep green eyes were locked with his enemy's own eyes, their blood-red color adding fuel to his hate of its kind. The shadowspawn panted with the effort of going up against a skilled elven warrior, but he could feel him weaken. He grinned in satisfaction as his weight bore heavily upon the elf.
El'Verian could feel his muscles tire as he strained to keep himself on his feet. The spawn was rather large and very heavy and it was all he could do to keep himself upright. Suddenly as he began to give up he jabbed his knee into the spawn's groin, a small but sharp tip on the armor joint piercing its tough skin. A satisfying yelp gave El'Verian confirmation of contact and took the time of the spawn's distraction to take his double-edged blade and plunge its keen end into its heart. The shadowspawn squeeled and recoiled, staggering back. Although badly wounded the evil creature refused to give up.
The shadowspawn gathered its strength and lept forward, its sharp teeth sinking into El'Verian's arm. The armor did little to block the razor sharp points from passing through the hardened metal like a hot knife through butter. He yelled in pain and felt its saliva course through his veins like poison. If the bite didn't kill him, the bacteria would. He staggered back and nearly collapsed from the bloodrush to his head. He never estimated the little time it took for the poison to set in.
El'Verian began to see double of everything. The black shadowspawn was dying but was not dead yet. It took its chance and lept forward with a sudden burst of hidden energy. El'Verian sluggishly put up his blade to thwart this attack but failed. The shadowspawn sunk its teeth into his neck and ended his life. The spawn had little time to rejoice over its success for he felt the instant pain of a blade removing his head.
The man who killed it was a man named Rhoruns, a half elf with a passion for killing evil things. As a child he would end the life of countless animals and hone his skills to a deadly accuracy. He wiped the spawn's blood off the blade on its skin and put it in its case. He removed an arrow from the quiver and took his bow off his back. He placed the arrow in the string and loosed an arrow to sink into the skull of a Shadowspawn...
OOC: La la la...and the fight goes on....
__________________
~Today is 1 out of 365. In a year, you won't
remember what you did today so just smile
and get on with life~
~An excuse is worse and more terrible than
a lie; for an excuse is a lie guarded~
-Alexander Pope
Posted by Apollo Vigil on 07-15-2002 01:35 PM:
Apollo's journey
OOC: My first rp here all so I hope it does fine.
The sun beat down heavily as morning first dawned. The heat was intense. Apollo had been walking through the Aitank plains for days now. Sticking to the main road as much he could. Not having money for a carvaan, it was a long walk. He noticed a tree with some shade and decided to take a seat.Strolling over he layed underneath the cool shade of the tree. It's gentle leaves billowing in the wind.
A small critter seemed to scurry past Apollo. It appeared to be a small racoon. It was carrying something. Apollo couldn't quite tell what, it had moved so fast so he stood up. Something bumped into him and he fell to ground. He dusted himself of and turned, to see two men of questionable character.
The one on the right seemed to have no weapons. Sure of himself as he was grinning. Other man to the left held a small dagger yet looked like his punch did more damage. Both appeared in good shape. The one on the left was even larger then apollo. The one on the right appeared in charge.
"Well well, what do we have here. Looks like a farmer who lost his way from home"
I mean you no harm gentle men. I was just enjoying the peaceful breeze of this tree. I'm sure there is room for all
The ruffians appeared unamused and the second one whispered something inaudable to the first. Leader thug seemed to nod.
"Yeah well just step aside and you won't get hurt. That little flea bag just took our food. We want it back".
Apollo glanced towards the racoon who had scurried off. He smiled peacefully. Turned to the two of them,
It must be hungry as well. I'm sure you could share with it.
Those were obviously the wrong words. The larger one's fist came flying into Apollo's stomach. Apollo coughed as he went to the ground on all fours. Then came a vicious kick from the leader, in his gut. He felt them pound him, one or two moments after that. The blows were quick and strong. Apollo could feel them lift of his sack and empty it.
When apollo gathered himself together he appeared to have only bruises.He pulled out some annointment from a hidden pouch and rubbed it to stearilize the wound. He felt something furry at his leg. He noticed a small racoon was there and it appeared to be offering him a loaf of bread.Apollo smiled as he took part of it petting the small critter.
"Well at least I made a new friend today"
OOC: That's right everyone. I just risked my neck for a racoon
__________________
You look but do not see. You hear but do not listen.
Posted by Freija Lumis on 07-15-2002 02:08 PM:
More NPC's: Evian and Roget
Evian huddled next to her older brother in a corner of a makeshift tavern. Roget held his 7-year old sister tight against him and listen to her whimper. She had been face-to-face with a shadowspawn and could feel his rank breath on her face. She fled and barely escaped, for an arrow appeared in his skull. Roget, who was nearly twenty could feel his sister's heart beat and her quiet cries.
What is this world coming to? Evian will be afraid of anything black for the rest of her life!
Evian clenched her eyes shut, trying to flee from the horrible image that was forever pasted to her mind's eye. Her brother was her only comfort and she hoped he would never leave her. Her pale blonde hair fell loosely on her shoulders and covered her elven ears. She was a half elf, like her brother, and was removed from her home because her mother was ashamed of what she had done. Her mother, Kil'Viada, had slept with a human and produced half-elven children. She kept them close for a while but began to separate herself as her love of a half-breed diminished. Thus, Evian and Roget were to leave the home and fend for themselves.
Ever since that fatefull day Evian was never the same, neither was Roget. They had a bitter distaste of both the elven and human kind and made no friends. Roget's own hair, almost white, was cut short to expose his ears, which were pierced and embellished with earrings of every color, shape and size.
"THEY'RE HERE! THEY'RE HERE! WE'RE ALL GOIN' TO DIIEEE!!!"
The sudden scream of a brutally wounded man in the streets just outside of the tavern destroyed the uneasy peace that had settled the little tent city. People within the silent tent started to scream and run around madly.
Evian herself screamed and ducked behind Roget's body, her pale yellow eyes peering out from behind his shoulder. She shuddered and clung to his shirt.
Roget growled at what scared his sister. He was bound for her protection and would die for her safety. He spread his arms to create a weak barrier but no one gave them heed. They were too busy screaming and running around in circles. The whole city of tents were in an uproar, only because a man, wounded so horribly that he died in the streets, yelled the undesired truth.
Roget lifted his almost weightless sister and cradled her in his arms, leaving the tent amidst the fray. He carried her to the back allies of the tents for as much peace as they could aquire. His sister remained in his lap, snuggled close and clinging to his shirt, of which she was using as a kleenex as well.
"Its alright, Evian...We'll be OK." Murmured Roget, rocking his sobbing sister until she fell asleep. Roget stared at the plain khaki tent in front of him and leaned against a pole erected for no noticable purpose and fell asleep himself.
----NPC: Rhoruns----
Rhoruns had shot the fatal shot with his bow as he watched a little girl flee the scene. His heart leapt for her spirit and murmured a light prayer. He hated to see a soul so pure and young to be killed by something so old and evil. His deep black eyes disappeared behind their lids momentarily to be opened soon after. He turned his body to face the onslaught of evil creatures before him. The sky had gone almost black and an artificial night blocked his path.
Every once in a while, his eyes would catch the glint of the evil red eyes of the spawn, full of bloodlust and hatred.
Notching another arrow in his bow, Rho pulled back on the string and moved forward into position. He was in the ranks of archers taking out the back of the hordes while the swordsmen took them at the front. Using light from the swordsmen's torches Below him Rho aimed for his target. The keen arrow passed through the creature's heart and ended his life. From his little plateau he could see everything without being seen by the eagle-eyed creatures below him. The cliff was safe, but accessible from the back. Because of the threat sentries were posted for their warning.
By the gods....where do all these things come from?
Reloading his bow Rhoruns gazed over the black swarm that covered the endless plains, staining their green stalks of grass with their deep crimson blood. What he saw before him sickened him and caused sweat to bead on his forehead. It was only a few moments before when he was called down from his post to assist the many ranks before him. He could vividly see the image of that creature eviscerating El'Verian's neck. He had known him well and his heart lurched for his soul. He was a great warrior, but even the greatest were no match for the fox-like cunning of the spawn.
Kneeling down Rhoruns aimed again and fired, hitting a random beast, killing it. Despite the lack of light, his half-elven skills were honed enough that the darkness was not much of a problem.
"Rho, we're going to do a wave-shot, just a heads up, mate." Whispered his collegue, "bluejay" who was properly named Negrakin. Rhoruns nodded and aimed. His regiment all aimed for their target and the comand was whispered just above the deafening sound. A sudden folly of arrows flew from the cliffs and took down a small wave of spawn...
OOC: Weee! Might as well intertwine some of my NPC's stories, right? I'll keep these going for a while to get different angles of the story. Its going to be a while...
__________________
~Today is 1 out of 365. In a year, you won't
remember what you did today so just smile
and get on with life~
~An excuse is worse and more terrible than
a lie; for an excuse is a lie guarded~
-Alexander Pope
Posted by Indigo Grei on 07-15-2002 04:08 PM:
After Indigo related his tale to the hRittir family, they saw him safely to Sungan via the underground tunnels. He missed Scarlet terribly, but even with their bond, he could not figure out where she was or what she was feeling. He had no money, and he refused to sell the Rose Blade.
He ran his fingers absently over the scars that covered his arms. The hRittir had no mirrors, but there was likely one in the washroom of the tavern he was staying at. The hRittir had eschanged favors for Indigo's stay (at least for a few days), apparently. Indigo stood and headed for the rear of the bar.
The bathroom was dank, smelly, and foul. But it was still more pleasant than the smell of death. He wiped a layer of grime from the mirror above the washbasin. The first scab he noticed was a clean slash from the bridge of his nose to his right cheek. The second he noticed when he brushed his hair from his forehead to reveal a parallel scab above his eye. The cuts were cleaned by the hRittir, but it was too early to tell which wounds would leave scars, and which would heal.
Unbuttoning his shirt, he found that most of the wounds were uglier along his upper arms and chest. Those would be scars undoubtedly. His left forearm was crisscrossed with recently closed wounds. He tried not to think about what he would find when the cast was removed from his right arm.
He buttoned his shirt again, and exited the dark restroom. A large man now sat at his table, laughing loudly at his friends drunken antics. There were no other free tables. "Ugh... maybe I should just get to sleep anyway..." Indigo muttered. The tankard of water was gone as well. A slim figure approached him.
"The tavern owner would like a word with you, hon." The waitress' short attention span was diverted by some drunks attempting to make a tower of barstools, and Indigo headed for the counter.
"I'm Indigo. You were asking for me?"
"Teriktler says you killed the massive black monster in the desert, and from the looks of you, it seems to be true. Did you perchance arrive on the airship a few months ago with a blue haired guy?"
He was thinking that Dolensirion was another person, but it was more or less true.
"Yeah, just about," Indigo replied.
"I've seen you before, then. You were there when that thing almost destroyed the town. It's little babies destroyed Sungan over a month ago. Being so close to the desert, we were living in fear. But you say you killed it?"
Indigo nodded. "It's gone. There's more in Asheri, though, I think."
The barkeep was taken aback. "You think? You been living under a rock or something? The biggest war in thousands of years is happening with those things in Asheri!"
Indigo sat up to the bar. "I've been a bit out of it. Can you get me up to speed on what's happening?"
"I'm not the best person for that. You should talk to the guy in the reddish brown coat over there. He's a silverblade in the art of writing." The barkeep waved the man over. He stood, made his way through the crowded tavern and sat on the stool next to Indigo.
"Asop, this is Indigo. He's a bit out of touch. Needs to know what's going on in the world. Figured you might know more than me."
Asop nodded. "What's in it for me?"
Indigo smiled. "The story of a lifetime."
"Is that so? Well, I suppose I can take a chance on that. What do you want to hear about first? The war? The monsters? The Emperor's wedding?"
"What? Emperor VanVehementi?"
"Yeah. He's marrying the princess of Gania."
Indigo was up in a flash, sending his barstool flying to the floor. "What?!" His expression was frantic.
"Calm down, now, it's just a rumor."
"Rumor? It's an outright lie! She'd never marry anyone like that?"
"Right, son. I suppose you're going to tell me you've met the princess, next."
The room spun. Indigo leaned against the bar. "This... can't be right..." He turned to Asop. "Where did you learn this?"
"I have my sources."
"Which are?" Indigo asked, grabbing him by the collar.
Asop's expressioned darkened. "Means that much to you? If your story is as good as you say it is, I'll take you to the Empire myself."
Indigo let go of the man. He righted his barstool and sat down. "I first met Scarlet in Xellos...
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Is this a curse, or destiny? This fire could consume us all...
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