Thursday, January 20, 2005
Rune Aeterna 21
Posted by Avatar Deathscythe on 10-27-2002 01:02 AM:
Ivernes Chapter 21
(It's really Chapter 2, but we have to humor AW....)
~AD
AW edit: Grr...
AD edit: *sticks tongue out at AW* Neener neener neener.......
AS edit: *separates the two of you*
AD edit: *glomps AS*
__________________
"Words are powerless to express one's feelings, and sometimes they become a silver knife."
Posted by Avatar Deathscythe on 10-27-2002 01:05 AM:
Asheri Chapter 21
Keep it coming guys! There are still plenty of loose ends that need to be taken care of.
~AD
__________________
"Words are powerless to express one's feelings, and sometimes they become a silver knife."
Posted by Avatar Deathscythe on 10-27-2002 01:06 AM:
Gran Adageros Chapter 21
I've run out of witty comments, so just keep posting.
~AD
__________________
"Words are powerless to express one's feelings, and sometimes they become a silver knife."
Posted by Apollo Vigil on 10-27-2002 01:12 PM:
earthbound
Apollo watched the setting sun over the small cave. Nightfall was approaching quickly as the moon rose in the twilight sky. Warm ocean blue eyes glided over the spring green grass that billowed underneath a gentle breeze. His sandy blond hair gusted underneath the breeze as his white sun bleached robes waved in time.
Many thoughts had crossed his mind since the events that had trasnpired days ago. He had always felt something deep inside him. Like a candle that could not be doused. Yet now he found he enjoyed the earth more. Normally he would have never even thought of sleeping in a cave. Yet now it was like home. It was more then the simple earth it was everything. Green grass that he held and felt the life of. Gentle hills that made his mouth smile with warmth. Dirt that blew up with the breeze to scatter amongst his wind swept blond hair.
Now he could use earth magic in different ways. Sometimes he thought it was just illusions. The way the earth rose to catch him when he fell. The land that padded his footsteps. A knowledge that where ever he walked there was a gentle and curved path to guide him. Somtimes he didn't even walk but let the earth move him to his destination. Lately though he had tried odd combinations of his magics. Trying to heal the tattered earth the shadowspawn had created. Yet mixing his healing magic with earth magic was quote difficult and very tiring.
Now that he looked upon the black cave it appeared harsh. The jagged edges around it. Smooth finishes and a door upon the front of it. Obviously a creature lived there. Apollo was saddened though. Sad to see mother nature cut and beaten upon.
His warm voice carried to his backpack were a small shadow creapt on his shoulder,
"Well little one I don't know where we are going to go or what we are going to do but we need help. People are war torn and tattered. They need help".
A little squeak from his arm nodded as the shadow returned to the backpack. Setting his bag down he knocked strongly on the sturdy wooden door inlaid with green runes.
__________________
You look but do not see. You hear but do not listen.
Posted by Keiru Opal on 10-28-2002 01:36 AM:
The land of Zhu'Yuan passed quickly, too quickly for Zander. After learning that Ling was a skilled Holy Mage midway through Lantrell, he had asked the man to teach him some of what he knew while they still had time together. When they parted company at the boarder to Nyren, Zander found that he had learned far less than he had hoped, though far more than he already knew.
He had learned a most effective speed increasing technique that Ling called "Divine Intuition" that did not so much increase ones physical speed as much as it showed him what his opponent would do a moment before he did it. The only flaw that Zander could find in it was when an opponent couldn't decide what to do, he would feel a slight throbbing in his head until his opponent had decided. He had tried it out with Sekirah several times and had only lost twice.
Of course, there was another flaw that he learned as well, but left him flat on his back with a minor mana burn. When he was using the spell, he could not draw for another one. Alex had found a way around this, though and offered to draw through Tarubeth, if need be.
Still, Zander was left wanting to learn more, and not sure where to go to learn it. Thankfully Ling had told him that Nyren was full of Holy Mages of even greater skill and that they would be eager to teach a student such as the young Holy Knight.
Sekirah, however, was unsure about other matters and he let the others know it as they left the company of Ling and Chang and entered Nyren. "What are we to do now that we are without a guide?"
"We do have a map," Tiffarah said.
"But maps don't show where dangerous areas or people are," Amanda said, agreeing with the silver haired lunari.
'You likely won't have to worry about that so much here' Alex said so they all could hear.
"He's right," Zander said. "I feel a very small presence of shadow in this land."
All of them were weary from the long months of travel they had endured. A silent agreement was made that they would tarry for a few days when they reached the next city, if more to learn of this new country than to rest.
They did not have to wait long. Within hours, the city of Redwyr appeared on the horizon. It didn't surprise them, for there were many travelers about on the roads, which could only mean that they were close to some economic hub. And so they were, for it was not long before they were traveling a long strip to the city between fields of fertile farmlands.
__________________
A fire from within can be seen from without.
ni meltye alta vanyanya...
Posted by Erik Wendell on 10-28-2002 02:28 PM:
Hard Times......
"This is not good....." Bart said, stroking the stray red hairs of his beard down. "This is not good at all....." The floating woman before them continued to talk, her voice fading in and out rapidly as she spoke of some undetermined task that they needed to fulfill. Erik pulled forth a small book from his pack and opened it, leaving it to float in the air in front of him. The woman's words were magically recorded for later reflection in it's weathered pages. Behind him, Moira was tending to Garrett's wound, her glowing gold aura becoming slightly less shiny as the red line on the monk's wrist disappeared. Garrett flexed his hand experimentally, almost forgetting that the previous injury on his arm was not real and that it did not hurt.
"This is far creepy, man. Anybody understand what that crazy bitch sayin'?" Garrett said finally, his broken slang ruining the mood of the group.
"Garrett..... Shut the hell up. Call someone that in the game and you're toast. And keep to character. The guild stores this whole story in viewing crystals, so others can watch later. You better not screw it up." Garrett grumbled quietly, but stopped talking. Erik nodded his appreciation, then continued. "And I think she's saying something about a death cult....... something like cursing magic..... perhaps even evil magic. I believe I heard her mention something about an old religion...... voodoo?" Erik checked the book, then affirmed his assumption.
"Never heard of it." Moira said, her eyes still focused on the apparition.
"Neither have I. Everything I'm getting out of this is right here on the pages, but I think I remember some old stories. Burning people, torturing avatars of them...... some pretty creepy stuff. I think a part of it also involved some resurrection, so I'll bet grain to gold that we're going to be meeting some zombies. That means Moira is going to be our biggest player so far. Keep her alive at all costs." Bart looked back, his gaze flickering over a junk pile. He hesitated a few more moments, then shrugged and turned back. "Also, we're going to be getting a few more players for the party in a little over a day, so expect to have to do some saving to keep alive. Otherwise...." He stopped. The image above them vanished, the sound of a rending scream shattering the air. The book in front of them snapped violently shut and fell to the ground, a single scarlet feather floating softly down on top of it. Erik grabbed both and stored them quickly in his pack, then moved his hand to the pommel of his sword.
"Eyes open, gang. Dina, front and center. You're a thief, so they'll have a harder time seeing you. Scout ahead, then report back." Dina nodded and took off, her steps silent and smooth. She disappeared around a corner and Erik moved up, taking cover behind a large piece of scrap. Minutes stretched on forever, the collective people in the group breathing softly. Dina reappeared moments later, her breath ragged.
"There's a man just around that large mountain of junk, but he's not a man....... he's beast-like and quite dark-skinned. He was chanting, I think....... and I was scared. Horribly. Not because of him, though. I think he was casting a spell, and perhaps that's why our 'Angel' disappeared. He also had a peculiar bone staff that was..... glowing black? It was like a void was surrounding it. What do we do?" Bart tilted his head and twitched slightly. Erik got the message.
"Then we attack." Erik drew his sword, ignoring the fact that it he could hear the ringing of the metal, even though beneath the illusion of real steel he was holding a padded weapon.
"And don't hold back."
The group leapt to their feet and charged, roaring battle cries. They rounded the corner, and did not balk as the Shaman on the junk mountain raised his staff and howled, his voice growing more and more inhuman.
Here we go............
__________________
"Whatever doesn't get solved through words, do it with the sword."
Posted by Keiru Onyx on 10-29-2002 01:29 AM:
New Momentum is gained
It was a cold and damp day in Militus. Rain and drizzle seemed to materialize out of the thin air leaving all things outdoors coated in a fine sheet of moisture. Nonetheless, no element of nature could drown the spirits of the fanfare, which had assembled from those most loyal to the empire.
Banners flew high, draped from the tops of every building in the city, all proclaiming the return of the emperor. Militus had long awaited the return of her leader. Ever since the emissaries had arrived from Gania Aramus had been preoccupied with the retrieval of the young princess, Scarlet of the Rose Blade. Militus had served as the key city in the revival of the old empires return, and for that reason, they lived to serve he that had just then arrived.
Aramus’ carriage, once black, now tarnished with Nylian soot and soil, rolled to a stop in perfect formation with the red carpet that had been spread in wait. Gregorynn, humble servant, loyal body guard, and one true friend to Aramus, dismounted his post atop the carriage. Shouts of warmth bathed him as he stepped towards the soiled door. Militus’ populous was well aware that Gregorynn was as a shadow to Aramus, hence they loved him dearly, keeping their emperor safe at all times.
The door krept open slowly, allowing the darkness held within to spill out into the awaiting eyes of the fanfare. From the shadow melted the form of Aramus VanVehementi much to the crowds delight. Now surrounded by his brethren and beloved citizens he felt it prudent to carry out his signature trait, a Nylian Imperial Address.
“My my my… I assure you as certainly as we stand here in the mist of our creator’s joyful tears, the very spirit of our great forefather, Tyrannus Stromguarde, is in tremendous ecstasy at the site of his children’s children gathered under our proud crest. You have worked hard my friends. Hard and long to create this new world and future for your children in return. With the fall of the council and the annexation of Lunari soil and populous into our own, our empire flourishes with new talent and monetary prowess thanks to your new tax paying brethren of Lunis. It is in this happiest of moments that I ask you to join me in a moment of silence and prayer for the souls of our brothers and sisters that have died to bring us this future. And also, let us pray for the souls of the valiant Lunari soldiers that fell honorably, following their orders to defend hearth and home. We are all grateful for their sacrifices in addition to our own. They long have proved themselves worthy advisairies, but it is now that we deem their remnants worthy of the Nylian crest. So without further delay, to the creator we pray to vouchsafe our proudly deceased and theirs.”
A grim hush fell over the masses as heads bowed in unison to honor the dead. Both sides had fought valiantly and that was a virtue the militaristic Nylian brood admired the most. After what turned into many moments of dead air, the people once again raised their brows to Aramus to bring them cheer.
“Noble children of the Nylian sect, you have paid your ancestors great tribute upon this day. Our fallen shall always be loved and remembered and those that served Lunis will just as nobly be remembered and respected. It is with this closure upon the past that I now announce the future of our fledgling empire. My dear friends of Nyliam, I say fledgling for our wings have yet to spread and display our might. The disenfranchised peoples of Balanum have kept to their toys and their secrecy long enough. The time has come for their technology, their minds, and their spirit to be assimilated into that of our own. Even as we speak, our brothers of the Lunari state march through Farai to deliver an ultimatum to their leadership. Proud soldiers as we all are, we will accept unconditional terms of surrender with no blows exchanged. They will be welcomed into our host with open arms, and with their taxation, will be protected at any cost. That is the blessing of what it is to be a Nylian. However, should they decide to resist us, I have devised a little surprise for them.”
Aramus nodded to Gregorynn. The young bodyguard, knowing his task, strode to the luggage rack of the carriage and drew a bow and signal arrow. After a moments aim he loosed the banner trailed arrow heavenward. After a moments pause and curious glances exchanged within the fanfare, the very earth began to tremor. It was slow to develop but soon the tremor grew to a violent shaking. Teeth jarred against one another as the vibration reached its climax and a massive airborne structure appeared on the horizon. It drew upon the crowd with alarming speed and was soon followed by another, and another and then many groups of smaller vessels. The newly completed Nylian Aeronaval fleet was soon in triumphant dominance over the Nylian sky. Though they moved with incredible speed, for their sheer numbers it took some time to clear the cityscape, and some time longer to stop the shaking as the massive propeller driven fleet sailed overhead. Once the calamity had ceased, Aramus concluded his address.
“You see my brothers and sisters. As we grow as an empire, we achieve newer and greater things. Imagine what is yet to come. I shall now leave you to ponder that, gentle children of the empire. Serve it well and it will show you splendors beyond comprehension. Our time of victory approaches and for it I must now depart to oversee its success. Work hard my brethren, and surely as I now retire to the military offices, I swear that I will not cease working for you!”
With that, Aramus made his way through the now teaming masses, uproaring with applause, as he followed Gregorynn that cleared the way for him. Much work was ahead as usual, but as long as he held the will of his people in high spirits, there would be no stopping the Nylian Empire.
OOC: The Lunari forces have just departed the Lunis/Farai border and are making haste along lake Asheri.
__________________
Onyx, the blackest of Aeternal stones, is renown for its omnicient properties...
Posted by Indigo Grei on 11-01-2002 11:55 AM:
Reunion
Indigo paced back and forth in the great hall of Castle Rosenblade. Since Scarlet had left, he had done a great many things, and he had changed. He had filled with rage and power, and stripped of both, he had been left a different man.
He was older, and wiser. But in a way, he was more Indigo than he was before. The scion of Salamander's wrath had vanished, and the legend of the Dolensirion no longer dwelt in his heart.
But would Scarlet still welcome him back?
The telltale footsteps told Indigo that someone was approaching the door to the king's hall. He turned and looked at the King and Queen. Their faces were hard to read, so he turned and looked towards the massive oaken doors.
Guards pulled the ornate door handles back, and the doors swung open with an ease their size belied.
There stood about six guards, and behind them...
"Scarlet."
The guards parted for the once and possibly again lovers, and nothing stood between them. The court hushed, and Indigo was frozen with uncertainty. He didn't know what to expect. Would she run to him? Should he run to her? Did she even want to talk to him?
Run to her!
But what if she doesn't want me?
She has to!
I miss her so...
Do something. Anything. Say anything.
Instead, he stood there, each second an eternity. It did nothing to ease his mind that Scarlet was just standing there looking at him. It never occured to him that the same thoughts were running through her head.
Run to her. This is my final mission for you, and the flame will leave you forever.
Salamander... Indigo complied, and at his first step, Scarlet also stepped forward, and such was the force of their embrace that the court erupted in applause.
As he threw his arms around her, he whispered the words she needed to hear, and he needed to say.
"I love you, Scarlet..."
__________________
Tempered in fire, strengthened by hardship, love is forever.
Posted by Damion on 11-06-2002 08:31 AM:
The ship landed at the small port of Southdale. The sailors began to unload the cargo, and passengers disembarked from the crammed vessel. A sailor dropped a large crate on it's side, not caring if the contents inside were broken or not. The sailor walked away, mumbling about not being paid enough for this kind of work.
Damion peered through the small peephole, checking if the coast was clear. When he decided that there wasn't any risk of being caught, he drew his short sword and pried open the lid of the crate he was hiding in. The crate toppled over, dumping him onto the wet floorboards of the port. Near him was another large crate, which was violently shaking and moving. Damion smacked his forehead with his right hand.
Could she be any more obvious? he thought to himself, then went over to the crate to help his partner out. Zera's head zoomed out of the crate, gulping in as much air as possible. She turned her head to Damion, her eyes full of hatred.
"Any other brilliant ideas you have to suffocate me?!" she yelled as she heaved herself out of the box. Damion shrugged, regaining his silent attitude. He looked around, and nodded. They were finally at Gran Adegeros, away from the Shadowspawn that hunted Zera. He looked at her again, and shook his head in disapproval. Zera had fallen on her face do to lack of moving for the las 3 weeks.
This is going to be a looooong journey.....
__________________
There is no such thing as an innocent person, only naive ones.
What would you give to know the truth? http://brokensaints.com/
Posted by Avatar Worldmaker on 11-07-2002 01:25 AM:
Koshiro stared with eyes filled with intent towards his Sensei, as they stood facing each other in the center of an open grove within the Livendale. The Shinsen Dojo stood several meters away, hidden within the dense forest, though it was still visible through the small path that led from the practice grove to the dojo itself. The other three students of Kenkido had been told to stay within and practice their forms by Kojo, while he administered the final test of mastery to his protege, Koshiro.
"Shiro, you are prepared, are you not?" The master's voice was filled with a calmness, but a great pride shone through.
Koshiro's black hair wavered a bit in a small gust of air that wafted through the grove. His eyes were like daggars, and he did not reply.
"So be it. I shall test you now. I shall not hold back any of my strength as I have in any of our previous duels. This time, it shall be you and I in true combat. The first one to fall to a knee is the winner. You must defeat me to progress to the rank of master," Kojo's eyes turned akin to ice, "Though you have little chance against my master Kenkido techniques,"
The pair stood silently for a moment, the master's grey hair and beard hanging about him like some great wreath to symbolize his power. Kojo slowly drew his paired kodachi and katana, the "Dancing Duet", and fell into a high Ryuken stance, preparing to attack his student with the most powerful of the traditional techniques within Kenkido. Shiro laughed a bit, and thumbed the guard of Migite out of its' scabbard just an inch.
"You will never be able to defend yourself out of the Iai!" Kojo muttered as he strode forward with lightning speed. Harnessing the art, he moved blindingly fast, but his movements were clear to Koshiro.
There was a great sounding of steel on steel, and Shiro turned to face his startled sensei as he replaced Migite within its' scabbard. Kojo turned from his overextended stance and gazed on his student with wonder.
"You have truly studied the master's scrolls, Shiro. I did not anticipate that you were using the Iai as a defense," Kojo laughed in a good hearted manner.
Shiro's eyes were still cold as ice and hard as the honed steel of his blades, and he still did not speak, though he once again thumbed Migite out of its scabbard. He extended his right hand and simply motioned for Kojo to come.
Kojo reconsidered his plan of attack, and shifted into a low Senryuken stance, intending for a defence and a quick counterattack. Again he rushed in, but he was stopped short when he felt the steel of Migite bite into the flesh of his chest, between his ribs, and under his arm. He could see that Koshiro had intentionally pulled the Mitsuryugen strike, had he not, he would be dead. He had not even seen the blade leave its' sheath, and he had not felt the pain until after the blade had already penetrated far into his chest.
Kojo sank to one knee, conseding to rank of master to his protege, and sputtered lightly as blood began to flow from the wound, "How.. Koshiro?"
Shiro's eyes were filled with a great peace, "Becasue, Kojo, you allowed me to learn the most powerful secrets of Kenkido,"
"I told you not to look upon the secret scrolls, Koshiro! Their power is too great for this world any longer," Kojo took his breath with difficulty, and his face was wrought of fear.
Koshiro looked upon his former master with no pity as he drew Migite slowly and pointed it at Kojo, "It is not that I would wish to betray your trust, Sensei, but your trust is something I no longer have a need for,"
Kojo rose to his feet and leveled his blades into the master stance of Senryusenken, the most powerful defensive stance he knew, but its power paled in comparison to the secrets that Koshiro had gleaned from the archaic scrolls of the lost times, and Kojo had little hope should his student wish to truly defeat him. This time, Shiro was the first to move, but Kojo saw and heard nothing before his body was literally shredded by the great power of Shiro's assult. His blades dropped to the ground and there was a small clattering as they finally came to rest in a pool of their bearer's blood.
A fire raged in the Livendale that afternoon, and a lone ronin walked the road east, towards the capitol. His dark hair flowed in the wind like shmmering strands of silk, and his clothes rippled in the same breeze. Two swords hung at his side, bouncing gently from his hip as he strode on, the sun at his back. His name was Deguchi Koshiro, a Ronin Samurai, the last practitioner of the art of Kenkido.
__________________
I Am Alpha and Omega.....
The Beginning and the End.....
The First and the Last...
Posted by Tyr Aulnay on 11-09-2002 09:30 AM:
She stood on the deck looking out on the ocean as she held the map at her side. She had made the most best lie as possibe to get the shipmaster off her back and sailed off as fast as she could. The place seemed boring to her and her intuition was leading her to another place. She looked down at the compass, which hadn't glowed since the battle and was becoming duller everyday. She held the map to her chest and then opened it to examine where she thought she may be going. A hand was place on the back of her shoulder, but she didn't turn for she knew who it was.
The sound of metal was behind her. Her eyes widened as she had found out she had mistaken. The sharp cold metal was slowly brung around her neck. Her hands didn't move she wanted to know what the person wanted first.
"Let us out of here." Came a manly whisper to her ear.
"Tell me where exactly you would want to go? You have no idea where you are. This might be a land full of killers and thieves."
"We'll take our chances. Now let... us out of here!!"
Her eyes darkened and her voice slowly became deep. "I'll let you go alright.... and live out in the sea!"
She forced her elbow into his stomach and snatched his dagger as he knelt over. Grabbing the back of his clothes, she pulled him to the rail and tossed him into the sea. Her compass lit up with a blaze of light and gave her an even stronger force than before. It sent her from where she once stood across the deck and almost making her fall overboard. She held her hand on the rail pushing herself against the force. It seemed to be almost too strong. She lifted her hand and pointed in its origin.
"H..head That way!!"
__________________
Come friends who plough the sea, truce to navigation take another station, lets vary piracee with a lil birglary!
Posted by Cybele Ariadne on 11-09-2002 11:18 AM:
She had slept in the same tree for days now pondering what where she should be headed. Her senses before had told her to keep on the road but it seemed as if she wasn't trusting them fully now. She jumped off the tree only to roll the ground. Her legs were weak from the lack of usage and she slowly rised to get the blood flowing through them again. She slowly walked down the road towards the bridge and streched her arms out.
From the bridge she looked down at the water, to her reflection. The water wasn't as clear as her lake was but she could still picture her mothers face to it. It seemed to be telling her to keep going, to keep pushing forward to find the key answer. She didn't bother trying to take a bath, for she feared the water would be too deep. She walked over the bridge and began to search again for her next clue.
***
Her foot stepped upon yet another city. The streets were almost crowded with people some of them sailors the other reguliar people but they all seemed to be doing something. A few stood beside a platform while a man stood waiting to be hanged. From a far distance she could see the man looking slightly fimiliar to someone she had seen before. Her feet moved closer to meet the crowd that was now throwing rotting food upon him. His black shiny hair and deep blue eyes reminded her of a nusance from the past. But this person was different. From his facial features he resemebled someone from her childhood. Her concious dissapeared and from her memories was plucked this..
***
She rolled out of the wagon onto the dirt street and then stood to dust her dress off. The curls from her golden hair had now fallen and her light blue dress was tattered with small peices of which it had burnt. Her eyes had done all the crying it needed on the way here and now her eyes were stained with red lines and her face with trails of tears. She began to walk down the road into the next town before her. Although she had made it through most of the Wolf trail she was still afraid of the distance she had left. Her pace quickly became faster and then to a run into town.
She fell face first onto the ground in town. Not realizing she had made it she quickly got up and ran looking behind her into the arms of another person. The arms shook her a tad bit as her head turned a boy a couple of years older than her with black hair and blue eyes.
"Whats the matter with ya? What are you running from?"
***
Her eyes made a rapid blink taking her back to reality.
"Seve....?"
__________________
"I want to know everything about everything!!"
Posted by Palin Freeborn on 11-09-2002 09:52 PM:
Chapter 6: Symphony of the Silent Evil
Tygan awoke slowly, his eyes adjusting to the dim light as he willed his eyelids open. He tried to sit up and felt his stomach drop. Tygan began to retch painfully, but was able to stifle a coughing fit long enough to push to off a rock onto his feet. The swirling fog around him made him even more sick, his dizziness amplifying the effect.
Around him, the fog was eerie, and hung like decaying white shrouds from the trees. Surrounding him in the distance was a purple hue, glowing marshlights that flickered enticingly. Tygan closed his eyes and massaged his temples, ignoring the instability he felt in his legs. He called forth the magic and drew his dagger, hoping to find a hint of something that would point him in a helpful direction. He tossed the dagger and threaded the magic through the blade, then gasped.
The dagger clattered to the ground without influence, and Tygan stepped back in confused dismay.
His magic was gone. He couldn't summon it. Something was blocking his ability. He picked up the dagger and sheathed it, then began to walk up the steep hill, hoping to get a view of the surrounding land from it's zenith.
*******************************************
Noah Lantier walked quietly through his new home, his mind on the future. It hand been weeks since he'd returned home with the others to Akaros, where his parents had greeted him with open arms and concerned voices. The Akaros military had not believed him when he had reported threat of the shadowspawn attack, even when group of the creatures had attacked the defenseless city in the middle of the night. Noah flinched self-consciously at the memory of that night, and why he had not helped in spite of his experience with them. It was too late to be of any use, though, and few people had been seriously injured anyway. Freya and Sidd stepped up next to him, both gasping silently. Noah appreciated then moving in with him after his parents became over-protective. They had offered to help pay the mortgage, even after they were forced to check Adaiva into an asylum. Noah glanced at Freya sidelong and checked his desire to hold her as she moved indifferently away from him, searching the house in her curiousity.
“So, what do you think?” He asked. Freya took a few minutes to answer. Noah felt embarrassment creep up and flush his cheeks. After all, if she wouldn’t respond to him, then would she return his affections?
Freya’s yell startled him out of that thought.
“Oh! I’m going to use the garden out back for my studies! I call it, I call it, I call it……” Freya skipped off merrily to the second floor, chanting the phrase over and over in a sing-song voice. Noah grinned, and settled his things on the floor, then returned outside to grab the rest of their belongings from the carriage. Sidd joined him and together they gathered the chests and bags, placing them on the floor of the new house.
Welcome to the rest of your life, Noah Lantier, He thought. It’s going to be pretty calm from here on out.
They continued to the second floor with Freya to choose their rooms, leaving their possessions on the downstairs floor.
No one noticed the magic sword beginning to ring in a low tone, it’s blade vibrating and glowing softly.
No one saw the writing near the hilt appear to catch flame, like an oil torch flickering to life.
No one heard the evil laughter emanating from it.
*******************************************
Carla slumped to the ground, disappointed at the lack of changing scenery. The fog had enveloped them for what seemed like days, although it was hard to tell since their surroundings never reflected changes between day and night. The same eerie purple light that surrounded them continued to so, never flickering or faltering. Adam stopped beside her and unslung the lute from his back, plucking the strings gingerly.
“Well that’s a small bit of comfort.” He said, his eyes still downcast.
“And what’s that?” Carla replied, her tone devoid of hope.
“The lute is still tuned.” He broke into a grin. Carla, despite herself, laughed out loud. It was a refreshing noise, but it was pained. He followed up the joke with a semi-serious comment. “Well, I’m just happy it didn’t break on me.” He then, with several swift, dexterous movements, began to play a song. He sang joyfully and fast, the tune uplifting Carla’s spirits. She joined in at one point, even though she didn’t know the words. The overall effect was cheerful, and afterwards, both were feeling significantly better. Carla thanked Adam, then continued walking, not realizing that they were being followed.
**************************************
Palin stopped walking, tilting his head sideways. Brand scuffed his feet loudly behind him, and grunted an inquiry. Palin hushed him and placed his eye to the soft forest loam beneath them. The ground rumbled slightly, Palin’s terra magic-tuned senses picking up violent vibrations.
“It’s an army.” He finally said, standing up. Brand raised an eyebrow.
“An army? And you can tell that because you decided to play Ranger and listen to the forest?” Brand replied, his annoying sense of humor biting at Palin’s patience.
“No. I can tell because I’m dedicated in earth magic and because I recognize the sounds of purposeful footsteps and war chants. Here…” Palin pulled Balderk from it’s sheath and drove it blade first into the ground. The metal hilt hummed, the vibrations previously unheard suddenly filling the air around them. Brand opened his mouth in wonder, then snapped his jaw shut in agreement. It was an army.
“I just wish I knew what was going on out there. Maybe then I could have some hope that when we finally leave this fog, we won’t be the only ones left.” Palin said, grabbing Balderk. Something like a jolt of electricity ran up the length of his arm, and Palin screamed in pain, falling backwards to the ground. The blade suddenly began to vibrate again, glowing green for the first time since they’d awaken in the fog. An eerie voice reverberated off the trees around them. Palin felt his heart jump in his chest.
Yes……closer……come to me………
The two men looked at each other. The voice faded into whispers, then died. Balderk uprooted itself and clattered to the ground. Palin sheathed it and inhaled deeply.
Alright. We follow.
They continued deeper into the forest, breaking into a run a few steps later.
__________________
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 Keiru Opal on 11-12-2002 12:31 AM:
OOC: Sorry Erin and Claire. I know we were planning on writing a bit together, but I haven't had a chance to really talk to either or you, except for very briefly, about what was comming next. Therefore, I have decided to continue without you. If you want, we can hook up later.
IC:Sekirah strolled through the streets of Rylthi, having left Amanda and Tiffarah behind at the inn. The four had arrived in Nyren's capital city a week prior and since then, Zander had spent his evenings in the company of the High Priestess, discussing his plans for the New Order. The days he spent with Tiffarah, nurturing their relationship. This night was no different except that Tiffarah and Amanda had taken up a rather female conversation and so, Sekirah desired escape.
He missed having Zander to talk to more than he realized he had appreciated it and his old loneliness was setting in. Amanda had done well to quelch that for a while now, and they were becoming very serious about their future together, but with her friendship growing with Tiffarah, Sekirah had to be set on the back burner from time to time.
His thoughtless strolling lead him, eventually, to the magnifficent park at the center of the city. There were great gardens with tall topiaries and white statues carved like angels; white flowers of many different kinds glowed in the moonlight and intricate pathways wove their way through the well tended beds. Almost as though under a spell, Sekirah found his way allong the paths and came to a large pool with a statue of an Aeternal with a sword in his right hand and a Meshai held up in the other. His crystaline wings shimmered with the reflection of moonlight upon the water's surface.
Nearby there was a bench with a young woman seated upon it. She was dressed in a flowing white gown that looked something like what one would wear to bed. It was a warm night for autumn, but it was still too cold for such light garments. She had the same lonely look on her face that Sekirah had worn so many times before and he noted to himself that she was, indeed, beautiful. 'Perhaps she is a spirit or some other supernatural being,' He thought, and wasn't far off.
Amanda was concerned about Sekirah when he left and when he didn't return in a few minutes she decided she would go and look for him and find out what was wrong. She was sure she had done some new thing to annoy him, or worse.
"I'll be back in a few minutes," She told Tiffarah. "Hopefully I'll have Sekirah with me."
"No, I'll come with you," Tiffarah insisted. "Out on the streets alone at night is no place for a young woman, holy city or not."
"Have it your way. We may be able to find him faster that way anyhow."
With that the two women went out into the dim streets of Rylthi as well and began to search for Sekirah. Keeping each other within eyeshot, they checked taverns and streets as far as they thought he might go and still could not find him.
Near ready to give up, Amanda asked, "Where else would he go to think and reflect?"
Both women thought for a moment, standing in the middle of the nearly empty street. All at once Tiffarah had an idea, "Maybe he went to the park. Where better?"
Sekirah walked slowly toward the young woman and she did not look up at him until he was very close. He found her eyes to be deep and intoxicating, almost inviting him to draw closer, but he did not; not yet.
"Are you cold?" He asked, almost startled at how loud his words seemed in the near silence of the park. "It's not exactly the best night to be out alone, especially in a night gown. You never know who could be hiding in the shadows," He said, a little quieter.
"Why? Would you like to keep me warm?" She said in a clear sweet voice. Any other time he would have taken it as a blatant sexual approach, but this felt different for some reason.
"No, but you can borrow my coat if you want it and perhaps some company," Sekirah offered.
"That's alright, I don't need the coat," she replied. "But I would like some company on this lonely night."
With that, Sekirah sat down next to her on the bench. Little did he know that his own actions were less by his own choice than by hers. She turned toward the pool again, peering into it's dark depths, trying her hardest to ignore the warmth of the man beside her while still manipulating him into her trap.
"Why are you out here all alone anyway?" Sekirah asked. "Isn't that dangerous?"
"Maybe... for you," She said, smiling slightly and turning to him, locking him in her gaze.
For a moment, warning flags went up in Sekirah's mind but they were quickly crushed by the young woman's hold on his mind and she leaned forward, kissing him gently and delighting in the warmth of his skin. 'I won't kill him,' She reminded herself, insisting that she not kill an innocent unless she had to. 'He's very beautiful, and his hair... He must have been born to be like me. Maybe I'll turn him.'
Sekirah was startled at how cold her lips were on his own, but he attributed it to the night air and his own seemingly heightened warmth. Other than that, no thought entered his mind that he was doing anything other than what was right for a man to do with a young lady he's just met. Indeed, no thought of Amanda entered his mind at all.
Tiffarah lead the way through the park and kept her hand close to where her dagger was strapped to her thigh. One could never be too careful. Amanda followed behind with the same caution.
Most of the park's maze of paths were found to be empty save for the occasional bum sleeping on a park bench, but as they drew near the pond, they could hear the soft sounds of love making. Not wanting to disturb the young lovers, Amanda and Tiffarah, snuck arounf the pool stealthily. As they came close to the opposite side, Tiffarah couldn't help but sneak a glance at the passionate couple and what she saw made her choke.
Noticing Tiffarah's surprise, Amanda also looked across the pond at the two young people making love on the park bench. She almost collapsed as she saw Sekirah beneath the fair young woman. His hair and trenchcoat laying on the ground more than gave him away and she couldn't bear to look at him any longer. She ran from the park, tears streaming from her eyes, and Tiffarah followed after her, knowing she would need to be comforted more than ever.
Sekirah held the slender form of the young woman close to him, and gently kissed her bare neck. His passion was coming to it's height when he felt something pierce his neck. Immediately, his body relaxed under the pale haired vampire as she continued to make love to him while draining the blood from his body.
She was careful; she did not want to kill him. No, he was what she had been looking for so long. He would be her mate and her fledgling. When all of hisblood was drained, she gave him her own. Already he had fallen unconscious, but when he awoke, there would be something new in him. Something terrible that she would have to teach him to resist: The Drive.
__________________
A fire from within can be seen from without.
ni meltye alta vanyanya...
Posted by Aurora Isaedor on 11-12-2002 08:26 PM:
The great temple in Rylthi was alive with more activity than usual. A group of four had entered the capital, claiming to be from a land far to the west. As shy as she was, Aurora longed to learn more about the strangers and the land they had come from but alas was unable to confront any of them. Instead she contented herself on learning all she could from her mother and grandfather. She learned that they had come from lands far to the west called Asheri and Gran Adageros and the leader of the group was a Holy Knight with a peculiar scar running through the silver meshai on his cheek. Her mother spent a lot of time with the Knight, whose name she could never catch, making plans for a new Holy Order within the church. When she had learned all she could, she naturally fell to researching the lands by pouring over the countless texts of history, many long forgotten and deteriorated with age, within the great library.
It was late afternoon and the sun poured lazily through the library windows, illuminating the massive chamber with warm light that made the blazing fire appear out of place. Aurora sat curled up in an oversized armchair, but was unable to keep her eyes from averting to the welcoming scenery outdoors. Suddenly the room seemed too small and stuffy. She needed to go outside; perhaps out in the garden if noone was around. Bundling the book under her arm, she tip toed quietly through the servant’s quarters in the western side of the temple and slipped out into the fair afternoon. The air was refreshing, but not too cold. It was an unusually warm autumn, but Aurora didn’t mind. The warm weather meant more afternoons that she could spend reading in her special spot in the grove just outside of Rylthi. She loved that place more than any other because it was remote and noone else in the entire world other than her grandfather knew about it. Or so she believed anyway.
In a span of several minutes she had settled under the shade of the same tree as always and began to read once more. She never heard the approach of another and when the attack came she had only a fraction of a second to scream before a hand was around her throat and a knife pressed firmly to her face. Gray butterflies swam in her line of vision, preventing her from seeing the face of her attacker. She was vaguely aware of losing consciousness as she was slammed into the tree several times, each more violently than the last. The book lay forgotten and forlorn at her feet.
As she slipped away she prayed desperately to the Creator and submitted to the mercy of Her divine wisdom. Her attacker seeing that she had been rendered unconscious and completely defenseless released his grip from around her neck and let her drop to the ground. He passed the knife along the outline of her body, cutting her dress away where he was able and let out a shuddery sigh.
There was no going back now.
CUE: Elarion and/or Finrandel. HELP!!!!
__________________
Win dain a lotica
En val turi
Si lo ta
Fin dein a loluca
En dragu a sei lain
Vi fa ru les shutai am
En riga lint
Posted by Kayabato Iyoshi on 11-13-2002 12:27 PM:
OOC: Sorry for not being around, busy busy for tests...(Note: I survived the math test!!! 
)
IC: The window flew open and a female voice shrieked through the night sky.
"Liu! Come quick, burglars!"
Loud thuds could be heard and within a few seconds a husky man stood at the window too, "Bloody bandits!" He shouted in rage and grabbed a spear, his black beard shaking in the hastle, "Take this!"
Iyoshi swung to the side in order to avoid the spear. The only disadvantage was that the violent shaking caused Eiji to fall into the depth...together with Iyoshi. They shouted then landed in a hay cart. The wheels of the cart combusted under the sudden pressure.
"You blasted bandit scum! I'll get you!" At these words the man disappeared from the window. Iyoshi painfully wretched around trying to get up in vain. Eiji did the same but was more successful the second time.
"Man! What did you have to swing like that for!?" Eiji bloated while helping Iyoshi to his feet.
"He struck a spear towards me you blind fool...anyhow, I think he's coming down...and to be honest, its not worth it, let's get out of here." Iyoshi answered and they started to walk towards the street corner and into the thick fog.
*****************
Iyoshi squinted after opening the window blinds. Kimono like clothing hung over a chair in the corner. He walked over to it and dressed. Quickly he checked his money pouch, still full, then he grabbed his weapons. Iyoshi walked down to the inn's bar and ordered a glass of water. After receiving it, he tossed some coins on the table, "That's for the night and the water...and give me some bread while you're at it."
"Yes sir!" The bartender rushed into the kitchen and returned with a loaf of bread. "Here."
"Thank you." Iyoshi gestured and turned away and walked to a table. He took out his sword and looked at it, then, with a quick flick of his wrist he halved the bread and took one half, and bit into it as if he hadn't eaten in a few days.
"Up so early?...How the hell do you do that?" Eiji questioned as he joined Iyoshi at the table about an hour later.
"This loud shouting woke me up...came from outside, but I didn't bother to look, probably just some stupid kids..." Iyoshi exclaimed, somewhat annoyed.
"Well...I had the pleasure of having a fine young lady accidentally entering my room when I was about to sleep. She stayed the night," Eiji winked, then continued, "But wasn't there in the morning. I think she wanted our money...heh, I guess she realized I didn't have any so she left...anyway, lucky you had the money."
Iyoshi grinned and then threw the left over half of bread at Eiji. He snipped his hands up and caught it, then bit into it and gulped the bites down. "Thanks!" He mumbled with a full mouth.
"Sure. What do you want to do once you're done eating?" Iyoshi questioned.
"I have no clue...slay samurai?" Eiji smiled.
"To be honest...I have a better idea."
"Yeah? What? Are you going to break our pact!?"
"No, not at all. The opposite. We should become famous...I don't care how, as long as it is somewhat honest." Iyoshi sat up and then leaned towards Eiji, "Then, become the two best samurai in the ranks of a different Daimyo, and bring that pig of Daimyo down, the one who destroyed our families..."
Eiji sat there for a moment, and didn't move. The seconds seemed like hours until Eiji replied. In cases of this manner, he was rather reluctant...his father really, was not the only death of Eiji's loved ones under the Daimyo. "That...sounds..."
Iyoshi sighed and thumped his back against the chair lean he was sitting on.
"Good!" Eiji exclaimed, and slowly, but surely a smile formed on his seconds ago frowning face.
"Great! Now, where's best, and most of all, how's best to get famous?" Iyoshi blurted.
"With swords." Eiji commented.
"In a contest of somesort!" Iyoshi added and tugged his mouth-nose mask tighter.
"I say, we ought to look for a contest...then, take up jobs. Not assassination, that's too boring! I still want good old open action."
"Alright, so hirable swordsmen. Well then...finish your meal and let's get going!" Iyoshi said and ran a hand through his spikey hairdo.
__________________
Love accompanied by eternal guilt. If one's guilt is not deleted, his soul will not be forgiven, not even of a good person. Even less the soul of a murder.
Posted by Master Saotome on 11-13-2002 03:41 PM:
No Rest for the Wicked
No rest for the wicked. In one of the largest workshops of Balanum, among the loud noises of machinery and assembledge, a rotund man in overalls who stood on a metallic catwalk over the machines barked out orders to his underlings. Further back in the shop, behind a thick brick wall, was his Master's office, and it was empty. This was natural, however; he sometimes went for days at a time. His Master had been, instead, giving his Mistress a tour of one of the other workshops; one that had been constructing Arthur's army of deathmachines. It was hard to hear over the machinery, so the Master stuck to pantomime for certain of the things he wanted to show her; he would explain when they were in a more quiet place.
Raven prowled besider her lover, catlike and dangerous. As intrested as she was by his wonderful machines, something else held her attention more. She watched his men; how they looked at him, reacted to his presence, how they moved, and spoke. If even one of them was unloyal, she would see it, and he would die. She was more than her King's consort, she was his agent of death, his protector. It seemed his men were either loyal, or afraid, but not one of them dared an action that would prove unloyal. In fact, it seemed as the Master's presense neared, the human fervor of construction heightened. He had been taking her down one of the construction lines from its start to its finish. He pointed off to his right, and made a gesture with either of his hands. He hid his thumbs behind his hands and stretched his remaining fingers out, then curled them; a spider.
She smiled and noded. He had told her about his plan for the great machanical arachnid. It would scare the life out of those foolish enough to oppose him, and what it did not, she would. The thought of the rivers she would lay at his feet pleased her. She had been tame for far too many days, her blades ached for blood. Still. She would do nothing to interfear with Arthur's well laid plans. She would wait, watch, and kill as he directed her. For in him alone had she found her equal.
Following that, he gestured to his left, and made the same gesture, then held his hand down lower. This one was producing copies of his original prototype, also to be used as smaller soldiers. Only afew giants would be needed, but he was severely lacking in footmen. Again he pointed, this time over the line at his left, and made a gesture with six of his fingers; an ant. Then over the line at his right, and made another gesture, this one flying through the air; a flying insect of some kind. Knowing Arthur, it likely packed some kind of nasty punch. Raven smiled her dark smile. He was brilliant, of that there was no doubt. If he could only find the materials and men, he would own the world. Some men drempt of power... Arthur took hold of it with both hands and made it his own.
Arthur turned from Raven and went down the lines, indicating that she should follow. As they went, inner parts were assembled, mounted and covered, limbs were assembled and attached, and weapons too were added. For now their ammunitions would not be loaded, such being an inconvenience and a danger at this stage. When they got to the end, they arrived with the metallic husks of an ant, a wasp and a spider, as well as one of the many parts that belonged on the Master's Arachnid. They were assembled, but the parts were all lifeless; seemingly wasted material and effort. But still, the husks were carried away by another belt, and the Master lead Raven through a set of doors. This place was somehow sheilded to the noise, and conversation was now made possible. Being that they were now alone she wraped her arms about his neck and pulled him in for a kiss, ending with a little bite upon his lower lip.
"You, my King, are amazing, and brilliant. Nations will fall before the might of your great swarm and beg you for your mercy." Her dark green eyes held a delighted gleam, "How soon before your great army is ready to march?"
The Master held Raven in his arms and looked down at her for a long while before he spoke, "We do not march now. from the intelligence returned, something brews in the southwest. These mechanical soldiers are to hold off any attacks that might be coming while I ready a conquering force that, it seems, will be needed."
"You think someone comes to take back the city?"
"It seems so. It is good, however, that we are protected in the shield range. Certain of these passes can be protected by a man and his dog."
"Ahhh..." she said, walking over to the table to the right of the door. She poured them some wine and lounged on the edge of the table.
"Perhaps it would not be a bad idea to construct a passage from these tunnles to my home. Then we have a quick escape if need be."
"There is more to the process; if you are interested, I will show you the animation of the husks later," he spoke as he went, slipping into a seat across from her, "An escape route would be prudent, yes. I will allocate some laborers for the task."
"What do we do in the mean time? Wait for the Empire to fall on us? I know that they will not be content to let you rule here forever. They have always wanted Balanum... and if what I hear is true, they no longer have that dark tower to keep them occupied. Soon, the eye of the Emperor will be turned this way." She smiled to soften her dire words. "I trust you, my love. I know that you have far reaching plans you have not told even me, and I have all faith in your power. I just think we had ought to be wairy. Time is not our friend."
She sauntered over to where he lounged in the chair and sat on his lap, long legs draped over the arm of the elaborately carved chair, "I know you have everything in hand, my King. I gust wish to be sure you have concidered all angles. She tilted her head, aprasing him with dark green eyes. "Where to next?"
His arm slipped about her waist and his other hand rose to her chin, stretching out two fingers beneath it to touch and stroke, "When the time is right, we shall march on Miltus. And when it has been razed, we will pay the Emperor a visit. But for now we must hold back as I have said. Prudence is the better part of Valor."
She nodded, laying her head on his strong shoulder. "I need to do something... Anything. I feel so... restless lately, Arthur." She raised her head again and looked him in the eyes. "Not to say I am not happy, I am... I'm just not used to waiting around. I am a creature of action. The bird of prey is never at home in a cage."
"Perhaps I should see what my little flight has learned about our enemie's movements. What we cannot take out bu outright military force, I mat be able to undermine from within. If I could bleed the Empire of a few key players... they will far more easily fall."
"You have men in Miltus, do you not? Perhaps you may get your action and further the cause," he thought, considering what she had just said, and he nodded, "That would greatly help indeed. However.. any man in power is replacable, and sometimes it is for the better that he be replaced. It is a matter I am willing to risk, however.. Perhaps they will quail to strike if we hit them at home before they can ready a strike. An army will be seen a long time coming, though, and is far too expensive to lose in a failed strike. But to attack them from within.. " his brow furrowed and he frowned in thought, remembering the ammunition explosion inside his own golem some time back, "Perhaps a strategic, covert strike on certain key buildings, or perhaps to send them poisoned grain."
She smiled viciously. "I will have messages sent. I should have answers for you in a few days. My Flight will let me know who is in charge, their movements, weaknesses, and defences. as soon as we have that information, we should be able to formulate a plan of action that will strike them hard, and sliently." She laughed chillingly. "The Emperor will wake one morning to find all his fellows drown in a pool of their own blood. That should send him a wake up call."
(OOC: Yes yes, very big things, but all of their conversation only exists in theory. It's pretty much what you'd expect from a pair of psychotic strategists. I'll obviously have to talk with the right people before anything tangible is done.)
__________________
Not a man to be lightly crossed.
There was never a genius without a tincture of insanity. -- Aristotle
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. -- Arthur C. Clarke
Posted by Seth Harding on 11-13-2002 08:14 PM:
The Saga Begins......
Seth looked up from his paperwork nervously, starting so badly that the paperwork on his desk fell off. The teacher who had called on him, Mr. Erman, stared at him sternly, tapping his foot expectantly. Seth gathered his papers and straightened his glasses, then stuttered a greeting as he bumbled to the front of the classroom. Mr. Erman raised an eyebrow as Seth placed his paperwork haphazardly across the teacher's desk and grabbed the piece of chalk nearby.
"Mr. Harding....... if you are done making a fool of yourself, kindly help illustrate to the class the proper way to assemble a reverse-lock." Seth remembered something about it from the textbook and lessons he'd been given, then proceeded to write a diagram on the board. The finished product was something to behold: clear, concise, and well-designed. The teacher was impressed and made a show of his approval. The clockwork bell overhead rang, and the class filed out of their seats and out through the door. Mr. Erman grabbed Seth before he left and spoke to him when the last of the students was gone.
"Mr. Harding....... I don't understand you. You're such a smart student and a dedicated learner, but your social skills and poise leave something to be desired. Do you spend all of your time studying?" Seth swallowed the lump in his throat and shook his head.
"No, sir. Not all the time, but most of it." The teacher inhaled slowly and bit the inside of his lip.
"Well, then perhaps you should get out more, young Seth. It will do you good. Perhaps then you won't be so uptight in my class, eh?" He smiled. Seth reluctantly returned the smile, shook his teacher's hand, and left.
With a little bit of luck and the provided time of the extended weekend, I expect I'll be getting out and about just fine...... I hope.....
And with that in mind, Seth walked home, thinking about how he'd look in his explorer's garb when he entered the ruins in the Shady Eaves forest.
(Note: Perhaps you can delete this later, but thank you for leaving all the information for newbies around the website. I really appreciate it. Made me feel like less of a novice as I was typing this post. Thank you.)
__________________
"Which switch? Left or right?"
LEFT!
"Okay! When do we jump past the sawblades?"
NOW!
"Last one. How should we fight the Guardian?"
RUN!
"Sounds good."
Posted by Keiru Opal on 11-14-2002 03:21 AM:
Sekirah awoke only ten minutes after loosing consciousness, but somehow, when he awoke, he felt more conscious than he ever had. Indeed there was something burning inside of him, a new hunger, one might even call it a presence. As he noticed the fair vampire laying, still, on top of him in nothing but her pail white gown, he was driven immediately to great anger, and threw her off of him.
He was surprised at his own strength as she was flung ten feet into the air and nearly fifteen toward the pool and she landed with a splash into it's, now, disturbed waters. Within seconds she was at the surface again, for it was no more than 4 feet deep and covered her only to mid breast. The rest of her chest and shoulders were bare to the night's cool air and yet no hint of a shiver could be seen on her lithe body, only a smile that grinned mischieviously back at Sekirah.
He glared at her fircely and became aware of his canine teeth lengthening slightly. Something deeper than a new strength and consciousness had changed in him, and he knew it.
"What have you done to me?" He demanded.
"You're even beautiful when you're angry," She replied. "I think you know what I have done to you, or, I think you will find, for you. You just don't want to admit it."
"I can admit it right enough," Sekirah said. "You have turned me. I am a child of darkness now; a vampire." At once, he realized the totality of her treachery. "You decieved me... You manipulated my mind until I would sleep with you, and then, you turned me."
"Indeed, I did manipulate you, but the desire was there, all I had to do was magnify it," she said, walking up out of the water now, revealing more of her shapely body, the pale gown clinging to her naked form and indeed a desire all of it's own sprung up in Sekirah's heart, (if you could call it that anymore with the dark blood that now ran through it). "Of course, I had to get rid of any thoughts of that red haired friend of yours, too."
Suddenly, as though the heavens opened and rain poured from the sky from a ghastly wound, memory of his love flooded back to him and he looked stricken. The fangs shrank back to normal size and he lay his head back on the park bench, staring at the stars. 'She will never love me again,' he thought. 'Indeed, she must never see me again, or Zander, for that matter, or he will certainly kill me at his first chance.'
"Speechless?" She taunted. "Let it not worry you. You have a new life now, with me as your Warder."
He was torn from his thoughts by her words and he sat up. "No," he said vehemently. "I will never stay for you. I would sooner kill you."
"No, you couldn't. Not yet anyway," she assured him. "You will not survive without me, and you have much to learn before you can match me."
"Maybe it would be better that I die, then..."
"No, you couldn't do that," She said, matter of factly. "The drive would become far too strong for you, and with your longing for Amanda, (was that her name?) and your hunger for blood mixed together, you might end up killing her; something which neither you nor I could allow you to do. If I had heard that you had killed anyone, I would have to kill you myself, and if you killed her, you would torment yourself for all eternity. Far more than the fires of hell could in any case."
His face fell, knowing what she said to be truth, for already he could feel The Drive growing in him. If he didn't follow his Warder, he would certainly do something rash. At least for now, she was a necessary evil.
"Now, come. You must feed tonight, or starve, or worse. I will need to teach you how to restrain yourself from killing your prey."
__________________
A fire from within can be seen from without.
ni meltye alta vanyanya...
Posted by Avatar Worldmaker on 11-15-2002 04:17 PM:
Elarion and Finrandel crested another hill, just outside the Capitol of this holy land called Nyren. The land had been comfortable and easy traveling, beautiful and inspiring all at once. As they crested this hill, however, they were met with a most disturbing sight. Just within a small grove of trees, was a dark cloaked man, hunched over a young woman whom he was cutting the clothes from in a meticilious manner. There was a dark, ritual order to the way in which he was proceeding, and in an instant, both Finrandel and Elarion were charging at full steam towards the grove.
As they closed, the hood of the cloaked man sprung up and gazed towards them with the blackness of the hood penetrating the Elwain's eyes, but they would not back down their charge, and they bore down upon him with preternetural swiftness, both aided by their harnessing of Nish'talle A'diron. Seeing the great will of the pair of elves bearing down on him, the cloaked figure ran for but a moment into the grove, until he was out of sight, hidden by the shadows within the small, but dense, grove.
As they arrived upon the scene, the first observation was simply that the young woman was alive, if wounded rather badly. Elarion knelt beside her gently, pulling her cut dress back about her to hide her pale, lithe form, and covering her with Vilisil to warm her. Finrandel held his blades at the ready, guarding over the Elder Elwain and the young girl.
"Do you see anything, Finrandel?" Elarion's voice was soft as he pressed a small white nandi kerchief against the small cut upon the girl's cheek.
"There is nothing. I cannot even sense another presence nearby. He has most assuredly fled," Finraldel's words were with a bit of relief as he slid his baldes back into their respective scabbards.
"Well, then, all we can do is wait. I have bandaged her and stopped the bleeding through my magics, but it is best to let the body heal itself. She should regain conciousness by nightfall," Elarion's eyes were piercing as he slid his soft pilow beneath her head.
Finrandel plopped down next to the girl and built a small fire, and the pair enjoyed a small meal as they watched over this young girl, and waited for her to come back to the world of the living.
Cue: Aurora.
__________________
I Am Alpha and Omega.....
The Beginning and the End.....
The First and the Last...
Posted by Avatar Worldmaker on 11-15-2002 04:35 PM:
He had walked for days, wandering. He, wandering as a true Ronin, had taken no road and seen very few others so far upon his path. His food had run out just earlier this day, and his feet were beginning to hurt from his long sojurn. For so long he had walked, that he knew not where he was. His thoughts still tormented him, and the murder of the others at the dojo still was wearing hard on his soul. What had compelled him to do such a thing? He bore none of them and ill, especially kind Kojo, that had taken him in.
But there was a deep seated need for him to act, and to kill. then, afterwards, there was a great need for him to travel east, but after only a few days time, it had dissapated into a small tug back to the west. It still nagged at him a bit, but it was not nearly so strong as it once was, though the urge would come back from time to time. Clasping Migite with his right hand, he drew in a deep breath, and looked towards the sun, that was setting to his back. Koshiro looked about for a bit, until he saw a large tree nearly a mile off, farther to the north and east.
Taking to his feet in a sprint, he covered the ground unnaturally quickly, harnessing his inner power and focusing it through his art. As he closed quickly on the tree, he focused his inner Ki once again and sprung into the lower branches, then again up higher, utilizing the spring from the branch, until he was nearly to the top of the great tree. The leaves had all but fallen from the ghost of a tree now, and even from the top of the truck, where he stood, he had a clear vantage for miles around.
Again his thoughts tortured him as they turned to his past. His unknown past that tormented him. The past he could feel, but could never know. Before he had come to Kojo and the Dojo, he had dopne somehting that caused both himself and others great pains. He could feel that this had happened. He had casued hurt to many, and hurt himself in return. His eyes looked to the horizion as he tried to drive the thoughts and passions from his mind and heart.
He peered all about, taking in all of the land that surrounded the great skeleton of a tree. Even farther to the north and east, smoke rose from a great city. It was strange, for great spiriling white towers reached towards the heavens, in a style much different from that which Koshiro had grown used to in Zhu'Yuan. Marking these great spires, he decided he would take his path to wander into this great city.
It was in this manner, that the Ronin, Deguchi Koshiro, the last master of the lost art of Kenkido, made his way into the the capitol of the Holy Land of Nyren, Rylthi.
__________________
I Am Alpha and Omega.....
The Beginning and the End.....
The First and the Last...
Posted by Keiru Onyx on 11-18-2002 07:39 PM:
Of peace, or of war...
“Company halt!” Thousands of troops still within their lines siezed movement and watched as the dust and soil they had been stirring floated overhead. They had been marching for well over a week and though their energy was greatly drained, their spirits were high. Once their objective was done here they would be able to rest again. The order had been made clear, Farai was to be left alone, a deserter’s state, so now only Balanum stood in the emperor’s way.
“We set up camp here. Balanum lies another 30 miles down this valley. I and Antridyus will ride ahead and deliver the terms of surrendor or war. General Bjorn. You are in direct control of this army. See to it the camp is complete by nightfall.”
“Of course General Sir.” General Bjorn accepted his orders dutifully from the newly appointed General Rivell, his compatriot General Onuess’ replacement. Onuess had never taken it upon himself to carry the burden of the empire. He simply loused around awaiting his orders from higher up. Worst of all, he didn’t command respect the same way Antridyus did. Rivell had done well for himself by taking New Dargent all of those long months ago. Such valor and tactical ability no doubt had its roll in his rapid advancement from captain to Imperial General. Bjorn felt a sting of jealousy that Antridyus had taken Rivell directly under his wing but he would do as ordered. Though not a brilliant charismatic leader like Antridyus, or a fearless soldier like Rivell, he was loyal. He returned to the men without incident and began the construction of the Balan basecamp.
“How do you suppose they’ll react to our presence here sir?” Rivell spoke casually as he rode on horse back towards the capital city Balanum.
Antryidyus paused for a moment as he was curious himself, “I’m not exactly certain of that. You do know, there is a reason why our emperor has decided to approach this province last, don’t you?”
“No sir, I’m still reading higher level field reports. I have not yet reached the level of awareness that my rank dictates.”
Antridyus laughed the laugh he was best known for, a warm and comforting chuckle that hinted at complete understanding. “My young boy, your promotion was so acute and the time so short, I hardly expect you to know every detail of our endeavors. I can, however, educate you further in these matters. Aramus fears Balanum. Their technology is unparalleled and to complicate matters, there has recently been a coupe there not unlike our own. The new leader is ambitious to say the least. Such wills that are to the like of our Emperor VanVehementi and this King Arthur, are quite turbulent when they are conflicted. We may see the worst of this war soon enough, though I pray that we needn’t. I have a feeling this man would prove to be a powerful ally. I suppose, though, we shall have to wait and see for ourselves. Here are the gates. Let us dismount and carry out our duty.”
“By your command sir.”
CUE: King Arthur, the terms are stanard Nylian protocols. Declare allegiance to Aramus, submit monthly taxes to the Empire, and fly the Imperial banner over your city. Other than that nothing changes. But, call me crazy, I have a feeling we're not gonna be going that way so if that is your mindset, just give Antridyus or Rivell your answer and send them on their way. Here we go...
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Onyx, the blackest of Aeternal stones, is renown for its omnicient properties...
Posted by Palin Freeborn on 11-21-2002 03:08 PM:
Chapter 6: Symphony of the Silent Evil
They had been marching for over two hours before Carla halted their hike. Adam exhaled in pleasant appreciation. The walk had been taxing on them both and the fog had been getting thicker, if that were possible. The fog was almost equivalent to the consistency of a thin soup and it was halting their progress. Somehow, though, they were able to breathe normally.
"We'll wait here for a while and rest. I need to get these rocks out of my boots." Carla said, bending over to empty out the unwelcome contents of her boots. Adam dropped wearily against a tree stump, tossing one of the stray rocks through the fog in the direction they were heading. The hollow echo of two stone striking each other rang out, the sound slightly muffled. It was followed by the sound of other rocks tumbling downhill.
"Carla.... think the hill goes downward up ahead. I think we're almost there." Adam said, his voice hinting at his excitement.
"Hmm. Alright, then. Let me just put my boot back on..." She replaced the boot on her foot, then threw herself to the ground as something large and quick flew over her head, it's attack miscalculated. Carla started and threw herself against a tree trunk reflexively, her hand fumbling for the dagger at her hip. The creature charged at her. Adam grabbed her and pulled her hard. The creature slammed into the tree trunk and bounded backwards, unfazed by the shattering impact. Behind it, tiny creatures were beginning to gather, their sharp spears, grotesque features, and sadistic faerie laughs biting at Carla's courage. The imps began to hurl tiny rocks at them, while their other companions spurred the tiger-like creature with their spears. It roared in fury and charged again, leaping at Carla's jugular.
Tygan ran out of the mist, his speed almost meta-human. He leapt and slammed into the creature feet-first. It buckled backwards and flew through a batch of thin trees, the thin wood snapping on impact. The creature leapt to it's feet and roared. Tygan drew Lun'delneth and E'vnshaldar from their sheaths and charged. The beast leapt at him and Tygan countered by rolling under, the rapier whipping out at the creature's exposed underside. It landed hard, but continued to attack. Tygan parried at the creature's sharp fangs and striking claws with his blades.
Tygan parried too late, though, and one of the paws caught him across the chest, tearing his shirt open. Tygan fell back and ran. The beast followed. Tygan ran up the side of a tree and leapt, flipping backwards over the creature. It roared in annoyance, then balked as Tygan came down on it's back, his dagger driven through it's skull. It continued to claw at him, but it's strikes were weak and slow. Tygan side-stepped the dying animal's strokes and sheathed his sword, watching in pity as the creature shuffled weakly towards him and died. He pulled the dagger from it's skull, wiped the blood off on the beast's fur, then walked over to the others.
Carla leapt to her feet and embraced him, smattering his cheeks with kisses. Adam stood nearby and tossed rocks at the flying gremlins and hobgoblins, trying to stop their snickers and jibes. They eventually flew off, leaving the three in silence.
********************************************
Palin was the first to reach the downward slope. Below them, untouched by the fog, was something that appeared to be a castle, yet was not. The towers and facade was distorted and the stonework seemed to be made of hardened bile and blood. Palin approached and waved his hand out of the fog, his curiosity deepening when it passed through the unseen barrier without incident. He stepped through completely and found himself free of the fog. Behind him, Brand was stepping through, exhaling an annoyed, but comforted, sigh of relief.
"Well, Brand, I guess we go into the castle." Brand nodded, to exhausted to argue.
"Alright, but you go first.....ya' bastard." Palin shrugged off the comment and approached the open gate, his eyes brigthening as he saw Tygan, Carla, and the bardling exiting the fog nearby. They cried out in recognition, then ran to catch up with him, smiling and laughing the whole time.
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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 Aurora Isaedor on 11-22-2002 03:21 PM:
Aurora was awake, but she did not show it. Being careful to avoid any sudden movement that would give her wakeful status away, she studied the two figures by the fire carefully through her fair colored lashes.
Other than being awake, she was terrified.
Elarion's eyes sparkled in the firelight, as he sat just a step from the young girl. Finrandel took his place opposite of Elarion, and was tending to a small rabbit that was roasting atop the fire. It did not seem that they had noticed that she had regained her consciousness. She listened to them speak and was surprised to hear a form of elvish that was different than what her mother or grandfather spoke, but very similar.
They're Elwain?
As if on cue, the Elwain sitting closest to her turned his head, revealing the delicate features accustomed to his race and smiled.
"Hello, young one, I see that you're finally awake," Elarion's common was of a thick dialect compared to what Aurora was accustomed to. Her eyes flew open when he addressed her and her body grew stiff and rigid with terror. She opened her mouth but all that came forth was a barely audible squeak.
Finrandel laughed a bit at her reaction, and Elarion's head cocked a bit to the side, "It's alright, young one, we have no intention to harm you. We ran off the creature that attacked you, but you were wounded, so we decided to remain here until you recovered,"
She thought a moment on what he said, but continued to study him as if his words had only been a farce and that at any moment he may change into some sort of monster before her eyes. Placing her hands under her body and lifted herself from the ground and cried out as pain lit into her from a thousand places.
"Don't move. You're in no condition to move. Your back and spine were badly injured. Can I get you some food, or some water?" Elarion's words were soft and soothing, and a gentle warmth grew in his eyes. Her breath hitched in her chest as she lowered herself back onto the ground, wincing in pain and trying not to let her fear of the two overwhelm her rational senses.
"Veliceatar..." Her voice was whispery and faint, but it caught the attention of the two elves.
Elarion turned to Finrandel for a moment, and they both turned to look back upon the girl with a bit of wonder. her elven had a changed quality to it, and of course, it had been spoken by a man, whom never can fully harness the full potential of the language.
"You know Elwain," Elarion reached forwards and patted Aurora's forehead lightly, and feeling that it was a bit feverish once again, he took a cold towel, wrung it upon the ground, and placed it across her hairline. She flinched from his touch, but was no longer as afraid of him as she had been initially.
"Yes. My mother and grandfather taught me."
She spoke carefully and with precise pronunciation that made her accent very noticeable, but understandable just the same.
Elarion nodded, and his voice rang clearly, "What is your name, child? And where might we return you to after you are able to walk again?" A spark of hesitance flashed in her eyes, but she saw no reason to withhold the information the Elwain sought.
"....Aurora.. Aurora Isaedor.."
"It is good that you begin to trust us," Finrandel's voice piped up from across the fire.
Elarion laughed a bit before turning back to Aurora, "So, dear, might I get you a bit of food or drink, you could use it after the healing wards I've set about your body." She glanced uneasily to the second Elwain seated across the fire, then back to the first and shook her head.
"No thank you... I.." She fell silent as her gaze was pulled into Elarion's, then let it drop.
Elarion harnessed just a bit of the powers of Nish'talle A'diron, focusing it into a form of weak compulsion and directed it through his deep grey eyes, "Eat. Your body needs the strength to recover," He placed a bit of the rabbit with some Elwain waybread upon a earthenware place on Aurora's chest, and set a pottery mug of wine punch at her side.
Seeing that further hesitation would offend him, Aurora bowed her head to him then began to eat small portions, wincing at brief flares of pain in her face, arms and chest. Still avoiding their eyes she asked softly,
"What happened?"
"You were attacked by some sort of cloaked creature,” Elarion sighed, "I was not able to get a look at any part of it other than the great dark cloak which it wore." She nodded, her pale hair falling into her face, and swallowed, her neck protesting fiercely in response.
"It was a man... It had to be.." She gingerly touched the puffed, discolored flesh on her neck as if to reassure herself of what happened.
Elarion head moved slowly, nodding, "And why could it not have been one of the elder race? Perhaps even one of Sha'van?"
"This area is Holy, and therefore unsuitable and hostile for the Sha'van. The great temple... my home is just inside the city."
"Well enough, but why do you not finish your food and take some rest. By morning, you should be able to walk with little difficulty, and we can return you to your home."
She nodded and finished, then lay down once more as the nourishment from the food strengthen her battered and bruised body. Before she slipped into the warm solitude of sleep she tentatively reached out and touched the hand of the elder Elwain.
"Thank you."
__________________
Win dain a lotica
En val turi
Si lo ta
Fin dein a loluca
En dragu a sei lain
Vi fa ru les shutai am
En riga lint
Posted by Seth Harding on 11-25-2002 08:22 PM:
The Saga Begins.....
Seth awoke the next morning refreshed and brimming with excitement. It had been well over three months since he had contacted the group of adventurers he planned to meet with today and he wasn’t quite sure if he could keep his composure in their company. After all, wasn’t he supposed to be the resident mechanic and keeper of all things knowledgeable? That and the fact that he had been a gymnast a few years earlier had helped his chances of securing a spot on the upcoming expedition.
He dressed quickly and left the house, making sure that he had brought all of his tools and weapons, whether or not he would need them. Within the hour, he reached the local tavern, The Foaming Tap.
****************************************
Seth entered through the bar door and was instantly amazed. Around him, drunkards stared sedately about, moving no more than an inch in any direction, at any time. This was not typical of the stories that Seth was used to hearing. Weren’t bars supposed to be rowdy places where the law was evaded and fights were commonplace? This lot looked like they could barely ward off a mouse if it tried to steal their food. Seth walked in and took a seat, then waited quietly as he studied the small book of utilitarian mechanical knowledge that was in his backpack.
Within a half-hour, a pair of adventurers, a man and a woman of Zhu’Yan, walked in through the double doors of the tavern. They were clean and dressed in cavalier clothes, but the way they carried themselves suggested that they were well-experienced. They sat down at the table across from Seth, the woman pulling a small leather pouch from her pack. She tossed it on the table in front of him
“That’ll cover your hiring fee. You’ll get the other half when we get back.” Seth slowly grabbed the bag and stowed it away without another glance, hoping that his appearance as an experienced mechanist and trap-expert would hold under the woman’s watchful almond-shaped eyes. Seth smiled and replied by pulling out the map he had of the landscape surrounding the Shady Eaves forest. She raised an eyebrow.
“What’s this, Mr. Harding?” She asked, the man at her side shifting out of boredom.
“It’s a map of the surrounding landscape of the Shady Eaves forest. It also includes notes about the landforms and what to expect travel-wise. And that’s Seth to you, Ms. Yamura.”
“That’s Captain Yamura, Seth, though you can call me Mei if you want. This is my brother, Hiro. I trust you’ve met?” Seth shook his head.
“We didn’t. You never brought him to the contract appointment.”
“An oversight on my part. He doesn’t like details, just the adventure.” Hiro coughed in the background, but it was more to confirm the fact than contest it. They continued their conversation for a little while longer before the doors to the tavern opened again, revealing an incredibly large man. He was bulky and muscular, his appearance a charicture of the typical strong man, with broad expansive shoulders and a body that grew less thick and more muscular as it went down. He was the epitome a strong man’s man, a fighter’s fighter…. Seth knew he did not want to be the reason that his sword was drawn. The man sat down and introduced himself in a moderate Gaelic accent as Ignatious Loren, although it was “Okay if ya’ call me Buck.” Seth shook his hand and introduced himself as the final member of the party arrived.
It was the other woman that he had met at the contract meeting, the one that had not spoken. She was not very tall, standing a full head underneath Seth himself and she was of average build, considering her size. She appeared to be in her early twenties, with brown, short-cut hair pulled up in a braid behind her head. Seth could see semi-hidden daggers placed in the less obvious places of her person, all the way down to her boots. At her waist hung a small belt of wire-thin tools, among various other objects of the thieving trade. She turned the chair around backwards and sat down, introducing herself as Maribeth Delfin. She was a thief by trade and a fairly new one to the profession (though if anybody asked, Seth was to tell them that she was a ranger….).
They ate and studied the cartographer’s map that Seth had provided, then gathered their supplies, saddled up on the horses, and traveled north on a barge across Lake Ivernes to begin their journey into the Shady Eaves.
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"Which switch? Left or right?"
LEFT!
"Okay! When do we jump past the sawblades?"
NOW!
"Last one. How should we fight the Guardian?"
RUN!
"Sounds good."
Posted by Keiru Opal on 11-26-2002 01:03 AM:
Thick fog hung in the night air as Sekirah and Elaina, (as he learned her name to be) emerged from the underground storage shelter that had long ago been abandoned by the city of Rylthi. Though it had been built outside of the city, as it grew the city eventually overtook it and now it lay just inside the walls with an opposite entrance on the outside as well as the one inside. Why it was abandoned in the first place wasn't totally lost to Sekirah. Though she never told him outright, Sekirah had guessed that the place had still been in use when Elaina decided to take up residence and probably convinced the city guard to abandon it rather forcefully.
By now Elaina had cleverly disguzed both enterances and the shelter was forgotten by all but her. Inside it was more comfortable than Sekirah had first expected. The ceiling was held up by thick and sturdy stone pillars of a polished pale marble that gave Sekirah the feeling that it must have been used as an underground treasury. The only four exterior walls were of a hard oak that was not quick to rot.
In her 200 years of residence, Elaina had the time to do some interior decorating. Most was done in pale whites and creams that added some light to the dark hole. There were partitions of draping semi-transparent material between rooms and there was only one bed, which Elaina insisted they share, though she had not been successful in seducing Sekirah since he was turned.
He desperately longed to be with Amanda again and see her soft smile. Thoughts of his lost love were not far from her that night as the two vampires strained to see through the milky haze.
"Can see in the dark but we can't pirce this blasted fog," Sekirah complained.
"Probably not a good idea to try flying tonight," Elaina advised. "As such, your free to do whatever you want, I won't have anything to teach you till the fog clears up. But I would like it if you kept me company." She crept up behind him and pressed her cheek against his, forced to levitate several inches off the ground to do so.
Though Sekirah could not bring himself to love her as she wanted him to, he still had come to care for her and fought the urge to just walk away, to find Amanda.
"Not tonight," Sekirah said. "I have something I want to do."
She drew back as though she had touched something hot. "You're going to see her aren't you?," Elaina said, sounding disappointed. "Just hope that Holy Knight doesn't have your head for the venture as well."
Sekirah had told her of his friendship with Zander and he hoped that it would stay the young man's hand long enough to explain himself. Hopefully he wouldn't look at him like any other vampire. If he did, Sekirah was confident that he could at least escape. He had done it once before in Helilal, when they first met.
Zander sat lazily on a plush couch in the lavish room that he and Tiffarah shared. She was laying with her head in his lap, asleep as he han his fingers through her hair. The firelight danced in his eyes as he thought of his situation.
The High Priestess had been most welcoming of him and they made plans for the new order that would soon be put into motion. Unfortunately, the news of Sekirah's disappearance and, seemingly, his betrayal in the park, had disturbed Zander enough that he did not want to set out right away. He was supposed to travel to Corendell and climb Tor'Ravidar so he would know the way to lead his young hopefuls, but he was thinking of postponing that for now.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Tiffarah and Amanda; he was sure that they had told him the truth about what they saw. Zander just wasn't sure that what they saw was the whole truth and he hoped that Sekirah hadn't totally abandoned them. If he had guessed the truth at that point, he probably would have set out for Corendell all the sooner. Either that or he would hunt him down, using his sense for darkness to track Sekirah down and kill him. Truly, it was Sekirah's only glimmer of hope that Zander did not know what had happened the night he had been turned.
__________________
A fire from within can be seen from without.
ni meltye alta vanyanya...
Posted by Lynn Kuyama on 11-28-2002 09:53 PM:
Lynn sat quietly on the sill of her window, glancing out at the darkened streets from her luxurious room, the moonlight dancing gracefully with the shadows of the night. She stirred from her quite peaceful thoughts, spotting a cloaked figure within the realms of the darkened alley leading off from the inn. Though she knew of that cloak, it being hers, the one she had given to Kane to enter into the guild unsuspected.
Suspicious, she grabbed her silken black cloak from a pratically barren closet and tossed it around herself, the soft maroon velvet on the inside warming her instantly. She grabbed her twin daggers, Opal and Onyx, and sheathed them, conveniently hidden in her boot. She then climbed out the window, simply by securing one end of a rope to her bedpost and tossing the other end out the window, dangling lifelessly to reach the ground. Once she had climbed down the rope, she ran off to follow Kane, wondering where he may be going.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She followed him silently and curiously, intent on finding out what he was up to. They walked to a large manor, where he snuck in, the guards unalert to his presence. She followed him simply, therefore being no point of guarding, for by far, two of the most talented assassins had just passed through without being noticed. He walked down the hallways quietly, Lynn hot on his trail but lingering far enough behind him to not notice her. He seemed to be looking for something or someone, she wasn't quite sure, but his eyes were observing with great interest.
Somehow, he managed to spot his prey, leaping into the room in which the man had just entered. She slid into the room hastily after him and hid herself in the dark shadows, as she witnessed him slice the throat of the man right before her eyes, blood splurging across the beautiful wooden floor.
"Simple kill...why couldn't this be harder? What a waste of energy and time." he whispered under his breath, staring down at the lifeless body, his back turned towards her.
Now was her chance. She sprung out behind Kane and tackled him to the ground, stabbing a dagger into his mid-back, his face splattering into a dark pool of crimson blood from the nobleman's dripping body. He gasped and turned his head to look at her, his eyes wide with surprise and anger. Though, his knife being thrown a ways away from the fall, he pushed her off of him and unaware she had another dagger, was thrusted in the chest once more with the other blade. He growled slightly before blood began to gurgle from his mouth. His eyes rolled back in their sockets as his heart was pierced by the sleek blade, his head dropping, and last breaths fading away right before her eyes.
He now lay lifeless, beside his own assassinated victim, as she yanked the blades from his body. Now stained with his blood, she cursed at herself for allowing him to slay an innocent person. Now he lay slain, by her own doings though she believed of good nature. He seemed too cocky to care about the guild and its business, just seeking the item which was rightfully his to be returned to him. She growled in anger at her eager trust in him and wiped her blades clean with her now ruined burgundy cloak which still clothed his sinister corpse.
She stood up from his corpse and the corpse of his victim hastily.
"What have you done......??" a servant suddenly shouting at her, glancing at the two corpses on the ground, one which of belonging to his nobeleman.
OOC: Ut oh...sorry so short.
__________________
"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 Kane Tallon on 11-29-2002 10:15 AM:
Kane felt a dagger thrust into his back, then instantly after turning around another in the chest. As he glanced up he caught a glimpse of Lynn's face.
"Guild pig!" Slipped from his lips as blood started to erupt from his mouth. As his head fell back he saw his life rush through his mind. He saw himself as a little child, the invasion, the killings, Merelania, Fang, and everyone else he met. Before the last few memories, he though ~I am so sentimental?~.
Everything went black and thus it was the end of this young life. He living by the rules of nature, kill or get killed. Sadly his roll was to lose in the end. His path seemed destined...or was it simply a stupid mistake? No one will ever really know, all anyone will know is that he at least had some nice memories although his life was filled with death.
The End~
Kane----
__________________
One single hit.
In a single hit there is so much:
Energy, talent, sweat, history, and philosophy...
Posted by Keiru Opal on 12-03-2002 05:32 PM:
Zander had finally taken Tiffarah to bed that foggy night in their luxurious suite when he felt a presence near that confused him. He felt a creature that bore a dark aura, and yet, he could sense no ill intentions. On the contrary, it seemed to radiate a sense of sorrow, love and compassion. More than that, it had entered the building and was quickly coming closer.
Not sure what to make of it, or if the creature was somehow able to mask it's intentions, Zander leaped out of bed as quickly and silently as he could, without waking Tiffarah. Leaving Tarubeth, he took only one of his katanas as he pulled up his trousers and threw on a tunic.
The hall was silent when he left the room to investigate. If he had not his sense for dark power, he would have been at a loss to find where the creature had gone. But he could still feel it, so near, accross the hall; in the room where Amanda lay sleeping.
Sekirah looked down at her, listening to her even bteathing as she lay comfortably. She looked so warm and peaceful; so human. Something he wished very deeply that he could again share with her. And to think that he had taken her for granted.
He knew that Zander was awake. He could sense his Holy aura as he was sure the Knight had sensed his. It would not be long before he was found out, but he hoped against hope that it needn't become violent. He wanted to at least explain what had happened before Zander had a chance to run him through.
It was then that the door creaked open and Sekirah spun around to face the Holy Knight. He stood with his Katana ready in a defensive stance which he dropped when he saw that it was Sekirah.
"You're back," Zander whispered. "I hope you can clear a few things up, but first, I need to have a look around. I felt something dark coming from this room." At the moment he said the words he realized that the dark aura was coming from Sekirah, and he stood speechless then hesitantly gripped his katana a little tighter and began to raise it. "You're not Sekirah. You can't be."
"If you would allow me," Sekirah whispered back, eyeing the katana. "I can explain without a confrontation."
"Why should I trust you?"
"Because, I could have killed you a moment ago if I had wanted to, but I didn't, and I think that our friendship owes me at least that much. If you're not satisfied with my answer, then you can have at me if you will."
At this Amanda awoke and saw Sekirah standing with his back to her and Zander with his katana still clutched in his right hand. It was the first she had seen of him since the park and as much as she hated him for it, she forgot her pain when she saw that his life might be at stake.
"What's going on here?" She yelled rather loudly. "Where have you been and why does Zander have his sword drawn?"
"Looks like you've got your chance to explain," Zander said. "Use it wisely." He set his katana on a nearby table and sat in a chair next to it.
Sekirah sighed and thought back two weeks to the night when he was turned and explained how he had been seduced by Elaina when seeking a bit of solitude in the park. How she had ensnared him in a net using her vampiric power, and how she had turned him as they made love.
"I'm so sorry, Amanda..." Sekirah finished. "If only my will had been stronger."
"It has very little to do with your will, Sekirah," Zander explained. They block the part of your mind that would tell you to use your will in the first place. Not even the strongest will could resist the seduction of a Vampire."
Sekirah cringed. "And that is what I am... If that means you will hunt me to my death, then kill me now. I'll spare you the trouble."
"Not necessarily," Zander said. "You may be a dark creature, but I can tell that your will is strong and you can suppress the evil. But I am interested to know how you survive. You need blood to live, right?"
"Yes, I do..." Sekirah said. "It's not so bad as you might think. Blood is vital for life for all creatures. I just can't generate my own. I need not kill to obtain it. I don't even need human blood, though it is preferred."
"Still, you can't just go on preying on innocent people to survive," Zander pointed out. "I would have to hunt you down if you have made that your habit."
"No, not at all," Sekirah replied. "I only prey on briggands and thieves and other foul people. Humans are not all as innocent as you might think. And I only take enough to sustain me and make them week enough that they won't try to rob or rape someone for a week or so."
"So, you weren't leaving me for this Elaina?" Amanda looked hopeful.
"No, I wasn't, and wouldn't," Sekirah said, looking over to her tenderly. A relieved look came over her face and she got out of bed to embrace him. "You're so cold."
"Yes, I haven't fed for two nights, and I need to, but the fog is very thick."
"Then you'll just have to walk," Zander said.
"So you're not going to kill me off?"
"No, not yet anyway, but come back tomorrow night, I'll need to talk to you. First I need to make a visit to the High Priestess and get up to date on my vampire lore."
__________________
A fire from within can be seen from without.
ni meltye alta vanyanya...
Posted by Avatar Worldmaker on 12-04-2002 05:53 PM:
The lone samurai had long wandered the golden, lamp lit streets of Rylthi, seeking for an accomodation that suited his taste. The Sevi style of architecture, so prevelant in the capitol of Nyren, was not suited to Koshiro, and he had passed many of the larger inns, with their spires and grandiose stained glass, on his search for something that was more akin to home. However, the night drew on, and it was becoming late. Wit a small sigh, the wanderer decided he would take his rest in the next suitable establishment he came across. Rounding a corner in the temple district of the great city, he saw a wooden sign inlaid with gold leaf hanging above the doorway of a large, elegant inn built in the Ivendi style. It was in this manner that Deguchi Koshiro came to the Hallowed Swallow.
He shook off the briskness of the evening air as he entered the large, elegent common room, and looked about. The room, though late, was still filled with many men and women of all types, though they all had some sense of nobility about them. The green brocaded window shades and great tapestries that hung from floor to ceiling only added to the splendour of the room, and a young valet come to the Ronin's side and extended a hand, offering to take Shiro's mantle.
"No, child, I shall keep it," Koshiro looked down to the child and dismissed him, before continuing.
He made his way across the room, towards the small desk with an elderly man sitting behind it, working furiously with a quill. He looked up slowly and squinted as Koshiro approached him, before cracking a toothy grin.
The elderly man stated very matter of factly, "I'm sorry, but we usually do not quarter common folk here. This establishment is reserved for foreign dignitaries and heads of state. Unless you can prove, of course, that you are an emissary from the Zhu, in which case I can only assume you have come under the guise of a warrior to avoid unneeded conflict. Nonetheless, please either leave, or state your business here and we shall get you an accomodation,"
Koshiro looked towards the man coldly for a moment, then dropped back a step, resting his left hand on Migite, "I am Master Deguchi Koshiro, of the Kenkido Ryu. I have come to this city of my own free will and wish to purchase lodging here,"
"You will just have to go somewhere else, young sir, we do not house your kind here. We..." The man stated blankly with a tired expression before being interrupted by a younger man within the room.
"Hey, Zhu! Get out of here before we make you get out, Old Grimbor doesn't want your business," The younger man was boisterous and drunk as he stood and clasped the thin, basket-hilted longsword that hung at his hip.
Three other men were quick to rise behind the first, and the elderly man gasped quickly, "We don't need any trouble here, outlander, just be on your way," Then the old man leaned towards Shiro a bit and lowered his voice, "Please go, before Durgen starts a fight here,"
Koshiro took several steps back from the small desk, and openly defied both the elderly Grimbor and the young Durgen by crossing his arms across his chest, "All I wish is a room, I have no desire to fight you. I have plenty of gold and will pay for a simple night of rest,"
"Your gold doesn't mean anything if you're dead," piped up one of the men behind Durgen, as he drew his blade from the scabbard, after which Durgen and the others were quick to follow suit.
As many of the other patrons rose from their seats to observe the spectacle, Grimbor made his way quickly towards a door on the back wall of the room while Durgen and the other three nobles approached Koshiro, fanning out as if they had faught at least a few times before this. Koshiro responded by dropping down into a low Iai Stance, and his mantle billowed out around him as he lowered himself closer to the ground. The men were within striking distance now, though they simply circled him. Sensing that they would likely attempt an attack from behind, Shiro harnessed his Kenkido-Ryu training, and focused his own inner fire into the Hayassa-Ki, enhancing his already impressive speed to unnatural levels.
"We told you you should have left, outlander, and now you'll pay for it!" Durgen yelled from ahead of the Ronin.
Koshiro immidieately turned about, and faced a blade bearing down on him, but the speed of the noble-blooded brute was no match for his own, and drawing Migite from its saya, Koshiro lashed out with the godspeed slash attack, "Kenkido-Ryu, Raikouissenouda!"
There was a spray of blood from the man's chest as he fell backwards, and Koshiro calmly turned, his mantle billowing out about him, to meet the remaining three assailants. They fell back a bit, seeming to regroup as a pool of blood spread beneath their friend. Koshiro responded by whipping the blade downwards to rid the surface of the man's blood.
The three came at once, towards Shiro, and he dropped into the Kuraima Stance. Dodging low left as the first man swung high, he pierced the leg of the second assailant with his blade, and with a quick twist of his hand recoiled the sword, and placed the point within the man's chest. Looking up, however, Koshiro was just in time to dodge a strike from Durgen by jumping to the right. He rose again, just long enough to casually reestablish himself into the Kuraima stance, before Durgen came at him again, followed by the last of his friends. Durgen swung recklessly and with a furious anger, using little technique, and his strikes were easily avoidable for Koshiro with the Hayassa-Ki. His friend did no better, and recieved a deep slash across the abdomen. Falling to the ground, the man bled furiously, his crimson life spilling out onto the floor in steady spurts. Durgen faced Shiro once again, and though he was drunk and tired, he had no intention of losing to an outlander, even one so skilled and obviously most powerful. He rushed the lone samurai once again, and Shiro simply looked him in the eye as he harnessed the Ken-Ki and the Hayassa-Ki.
There was but a small smile on Shiro's lips as Durgen let out a battle cry and charged. Koshiro stood steady, holding the Kuraima stance, until he yelled at the top of his lungs, and unleashed the technique that only a few weeks ago had won him the mantle, "Kenkido-Ryu, Makijinouda!!!"
Durgen's body was shredded by the power and speed of the attack. His tattered body fell to the floor, and the spray of blood settled all about him. Koshiro shook his head slowly, as he once again whipped the blood from Migite's blade and wiped it with a kerchief before placing it back within its saya. About him layed four dead men, and their blood stained the wooden floor and the rugs that covered the area.
He wiped himself with the sword-bloodied cloth, removing the spray from his face, before looking back towards Grimbor, who huddled near a rear exit to the building, "I would like a room for the night. Now,"
__________________
I Am Alpha and Omega.....
The Beginning and the End.....
The First and the Last...
Posted by Seth Harding on 12-05-2002 08:06 PM:
Almost there......
The journey was easy, easier than Seth had anticipated. Even in the moist beginnings of Spring, the marshlands that peppered the landscape surrounding the Shady Eaves forest were navigable and more than often quite solid. Even when Seth’s horse, Jim, had stepped on a large rock and bruised the soft underside of his hoof, the group ceased to worry. Everything was going as planned, thanks in part to Seth’s maps, and they soon reached the Dig Site’s entrance to the underground caverns by nightfall.
A small mist had gathered around them as Maribeth lit the campfire. The moon was full in the naked sky, a wolf’s grin among stars. Around them, it’s canine brethren howled in response. Seth curled up protectively in his heavy coat and watched with a childish glee as his breath came out in curling puffs of smoke. His grin faded, however, as he caught Ignatious studying him.
“Ye look a little cold, lad. Ye going to be okay?” He asked finally, his huge, hulking figure creating a monstrous silhouette.
“Yeah. I’m just having a little trouble getting warmed up.” Ignatious, the man who liked to be called Buck, smiled and responding with a gentle movement, something Seth would not have thought possible.
“Just go sit over near Maribeth. I think she’ll warm up nicely if ye’re near.” He laughed, a deep, booming sound reminiscent of rolling thunder. Seth’s mouth worked soundlessly.
“What?….. I….. What?” Buck cut him off.
“Well, since ye’re so uncomfortable, maybe ye can have first watch. G’night, Seth.” He chuckled again as he rolled over. Seth soon found himself alone and awake, with only the sound of popping wood on the campfire to keep him sane. He sat that way quietly, his hand on his rapier, for hours, thinking about the adventure he was on and how things would be in the morning, when they traveled down into the crawling network of caverns in the dungeon underfoot. Mei awoke after a long while relieved him of duty, her knowing touch on his shoulder bringing instant sleep.
(I know it’s supposed to be longer, but I’m sorry. My internet has been on the fritz. I’ll post again soon.)
__________________
"Which switch? Left or right?"
LEFT!
"Okay! When do we jump past the sawblades?"
NOW!
"Last one. How should we fight the Guardian?"
RUN!
"Sounds good."
Posted by Avatar Worldmaker on 12-05-2002 09:10 PM:
Seth, I would worry not so much about length, but content. Thus, if your characters are doing a lot in few words, it's okay, so long as what they're doing is explained. Detail comes into the picture when you truly want to illustrate your characters, their abilities, their surroundings and their interactions to the fullest extent.
AW
__________________
I Am Alpha and Omega.....
The Beginning and the End.....
The First and the Last...
Posted by Keiru Opal on 12-07-2002 03:12 AM:
"A vampire..." Amanda repeated to herself. "If I ever find the animal that did it to him..."
"Something tells me that he wouldn't let you harm her," Zander said.
Amanda turned from the window that Sekirah had just dissappeared out of. The fog was beginning to thin and he had decided to risk flying, albiet very slowly.
"Why? You think he really has feelings for her?" Amanda asked with an expression that boardered on hurt and anger.
"Not necessarily. Not as anything more than his only means of survival," Zander assured her. "I think he would be much more afraid of what she might do to you in return."
"Oh... Well I can take care of myself, and I still have a few tricks up my sleve." She held her hand before her face and watched as small tongues of flame danced about on her fingertips.
"I'm not sure that even your Ki would be of much advantage," Zander said. "Vampires are very powerful creatures. In some ways even more powerful than Holy Knights."
Amanda nodded and was going to say something further, but the sounds of a dispute downstairs had interrupted them both. When it was clear that it was more than a simple argument, Zander stood and grasped his katana.
"Wait here," He said.
"What if Sekirah comes back?"
"He won't, not tonight."
With that Zander hurried downstairs to find several bodies littering the floor and blood pooling and staining the expensive carpets. He also saw a young man, quite obviously from Zhu'Yuan. All eyes of the patrons were on the Zhu and Zander quickly read what he could of his character.
It was obvious, at the very least, that he had not intended to fight and likely had not started it. Zander guessed that it was honor that kept him from backing down to the challenge, and likely the confidence that he would come out on top, judging by the bodies splayed about.
He was obviously a very skilled swordsman, but Zander could also sense something else more intriguing. He wouldn't have called it a taint, but there was something a bit... off about him. At any rate, he didn't seem to be a threat unless cornered.
"I would like a room for the night. Now," He spoke to the inn keeper, huddled near a back exit.
"Having some trouble obtaining a bed for the night?" Zander asked politely.
"Indeed, and I would appreciate it if you didn't give me any more," the young warrior said, eyeing Zander's katana.
"On the contrary, I probably would have offered you a hand if I had been here sooner. But it is aparrent that you had no need of any service anyway."
"The only service I am in need of is an adequate bed for the night, that I might rest tonight," he shot a glance at the inn keeper.
"Well, I can at least offer you that seeing as no one else was so generous. Gimbor, he will be staying as my guest tonight. I trust that you don't have a problem with that."
The old man shook his head and slowly inched back toward the counter. "W-will he be needing his own room?"
"Your generosity is unnecessary," the Zhu said to Zander.
"Indeed, but at least allow me to give it to whom I please."
"I can respect that. In my country, one never refuses a gift. Only pity," he said. "Allow me this time for introduction. I am Master Deguchi Koshiro, of the Kenkido Ryu."
"Well met, Master Deguchi," Zander bowed. "I am Revered Sir Zander Kohen, of the New Holy Order. If you would like, we can speak more upstairs."
__________________
A fire from within can be seen from without.
ni meltye alta vanyanya...
Posted by Arboreal Prowler on 02-16-2003 10:35 AM:
Lost
The Arboreal Prowler gazed at the landscape around him. He was in the green fields northeast of Forestre. He looked off to the west, and saw the vague shadow of the Evisis Woods. Deep in his heart, he knew he would never return there again.
Storm clouds were rolling in from the east like a great blanket. The Prowler felt another cloud approaching from the west. His pursuers were drawing ever closer. After one last look at his forest, he rode off to the east, into the coming storm.
He didn't know where to go next. He didn't even know why he was running anymore.
Halar stopped running. The other black wolves stopped and looked at him questioningly. His lieutenant, Prang, walked up beside him. “What is it, Halar?”
“The Prowler is turning south.”
Prang sniffed the air dubiously. “He is still moving east.”
“He has a mercenary friend who keeps a fortress south of Forestre. He will go there for safety.”
Prang snarled viciously. “That’s it! I’ve had enough of this. You haven’t fooled anyone, Halar.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’ve been leading us astray this whole time! You keep losing him on purpose. We won’t follow you any more!”
Halar growled. “I should have let those hunters kill you. I knew you were no good.”
Pushnak got behind Prang. “I’m with him, Halar.” The rest of the black wolves got behind Prang as well.
“Traitors! Filthy dogs! I will have your heads for this treachory!”
Urek and Vang leapt forward and attacked Halar.
__________________
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.
