Illusion Vale: A Spirit's Cry

[Wolfsister]

Largos and Len

The small settlement came into view at first as a collection of fires. On closer inspection, it was revealed that they were in fact a series of large bonfires that circled an encampment, lighting the entire settlement with a cheerful orange glow. Next to come were the small dwellings that lay inside the protective circle of fires.

There were rough dwellings, not more than six feet in height and consisted of a long rectangular shape roughly eight by ten feet. All in all, there were six of these types of buildings, built from wood gathered at the edge of the Dark Woods.

Directly in the center there was a log constructed longhouse. It could have easily fit three of the smaller dwellings along its length and two the breadth. The settlement resembled a large village but not quite a small town. A smithy was in residence, the ringing of steel against anvils a distant clang in the air as they got closer.

The longhouse was where everyone either ate, slept or made merry. It was a communal center with the other dwellings serving several other purposes. Privacy was an issue, but the smaller thatched 'houses' were there for convenience as well as privacy, should one need it.

Dry stores were also kept in a large barn like structure. It was easily the tallest building there and the fattest. There was no mistaking what it was for. Various animals were picketed around the settlement, with some coralled in a pen with a wooden fence. Obvioulsy, livestock.

Malakiel led the small party, Aaran behind who frequently looked over his shoulder at the vampire that was directly behind him, leading a horse with an unconcious Felinoid draped across the saddle. The Avian walked, a little unsteadily, on the other side of the horse, yet level with the vampire.

The rest of the scouting party followed closely behind. Some privately thought that Aaron was in the right and that the vampire could not be trusted. Some were with Malakiel... others still had yet to decide. But through all of this, the Avian was the staying factor.

Why did she stay with them.

As they crested a small rise that led up to settlement, Malakiel turned and proudly indicated the tightknit village behind him, "Welcome to Avonel, our humble home."

So, the 'village' had a name. Avonel, in the old tongue meaning 'Haven'. What a name to have. The entire settlement was like a joke on itself.

As they entered, there were stares aplenty at the party, particularly at the vampire and the Avian. As she looked about, Len could tell that there was something not quite right about these people. Something out of place.

And then she saw it. There were no children. She frowned, no, there were. She could see them, hiding behind their mother's skirts or sitting infront of the dwellings with large sombre eyes. There was no laughter, no play. Despite the cheery glow of the ring of fires around them... Avonel couldn't have been more miserable looking.

Malakiel led them up the longhouse. It was the communal center and somewhere where the strangers could have eyes kept on them. He trusted them... but he could not be too careful. For the safety of Avonel, himself or the strangers. Before he could speak though, Len stepped forwards.

"What's happened here?"

The pechanian avoided looking into her eyes and he waved a dismissive hand. "Later, later. For now we have shelter, warm beds and food. And," for the first time, he raked Len with an all too male look, "more suitable clothing for you,"

Then he seemed to remember the felinoid. He waved Largos over, "Bring her inside, we have a healer."

Then he turned and disappeared into the longhouse. Aaron hovered close to the strangers, still not openly trusting them and believing that the Avian was under duress. The others, however, having their own affairs to attend to, melted away into the village.

The curious, worried stares of the village folk did not abate however, even when Malakiel seemed to assure them that all was well.

 

[wolfknight20]

Eric just stared at him, blinking slowly with his feathers ruffled in the slight breeze that wafted across the plains. My, what an arrogant one this is, he thought to himself, silently. Then he hopped up and into the air, circling the two others while they made their way towards the capital city of the centaurs.

Varic said nothing on the matter, if Silverfang continued to be rude and use such behaviour, he would soon learn that it would get him nowhere in this land. He did say, however, "You'll find that here, things work a little differently. I don't know what kind of harsh world you come from... but a sign of weakness here, is death." He said it in all seriousness, his mind still grappling with the sheer hate he held for the death of Than, his previous Guardian.

Than i ask you varic in all graveness should i apolligize to eric as you know i am new to this world or vale or what ever it is known as so im afraid i will have to releran evey thing from words to edicate and manners as well

since you are a elf perhaps you can help me with that

 

[Wolfsister]

Than i ask you varic in all graveness should i apolligize to eric as you know i am new to this world or vale or what ever it is known as so im afraid i will have to releran evey thing from words to edicate and manners as well

since you are a elf perhaps you can help me with that

Varic nodded his assent as he matched strides with the four legged creature that traveled by his side. "Manners are something that can be relearnt... and are often vital to dealing with the various peoples of this world. Sometimes, a misunderstanding can get you killed, depending on the race you're dealing with.

Like the centuars we are going to visit. When you see them, its considered rufe to stare at their women. No matter how fascinating you may find them. The penalty for staring at one of their mares can be quite severe. And I'm afraid that if you make a blunder... ignorance can only get you so far."

He shrugged, after which Eric settled on his shoulder, tired of circling above and not being in the conversation. "Aye, you should apologise. But I'm not going to be rude and demand one. I'm more polite than that. And besides, we're more interested in how you deal with others on this world."

Varic nodded again, "Yes. Simply be aware of what comes out of your mouth. Sometimes, what is in your head, will not be the right thing to say. Avoid insulting people would be a good place to start."

 

[wolfknight20]

Varic nodded his assent

Varic nodded again, "Yes. Simply be aware of what comes out of your mouth. Sometimes, what is in your head, will not be the right thing to say. Avoid insulting people would be a good place to start."

eric i am sorry for insulting you but as i said where i come from was a harsh world and i truly shall endevor to be more polite in the futer as far as the other things go ill have no problems with not starein i was trained as a ninja or a special class of fighter if you will i can cantrol my self thank you for the warrning thoe

 

[Wolfsister]

eric i am sorry for insulting you but as i said where i come from was a harsh world and i truly shall endevor to be more polite in the futer as far as the other things go ill have no problems with not starein i was trained as a ninja or a special class of fighter if you will i can cantrol my self thank you for the warrning thoe

Eric inclined his head, "Not a problem." He answered Silverfang's apology with all the humility he had. Then he squawked loudly in Varic's ear and the elf grinned.

"A special class of fighter? Tell me, were you a two legged creature when you were taught your physical skills?" It was merely Varic's polite way of reminding Silverfang that he was no longer a human and that he had different skills he would need to unlock as well as learning a new economy of motion.

Not to mention the flying aspect.

 

[wolfknight20]

yes i think i see what you are getting at the tail thing when we first met well at least I'm a quick learner and i have a guide that can fly to help me with the flight and perhaps theirs some one in the centaurs city that can help with the four footed combat and if you would be so kind during are journey there perhaps you'd be willing to help me with the educate and manners varic

 

[Jedi_Khan]

In Eeth's Mind: The Agreement

"It’s about damn time you figured it out, you imbecile," said a voice that Eeth did not recognize.

Eeth sat up and looked around. He saw Van and Rolyn sitting where they had been before he had started meditate. And there was one other there that Eeth did not know. While Eeth was elven with some physical traits left over from being human to identify himself, this person appeared human with elven traits. And this person had his eyes locked on his Eeth.

"Who are you?" asked Eeth. He found it curious that both Van and Rolyn took absolutely no notice in the man. Then he noticed something about them. They did not seem as well defined as the man that sat before them, kinda like a TV with poor resolution, while the stranger was like HDTV.

"You haven’t figured that out? I’m your Magi, you moron," he said in an annoyed tone.

"I’ve figured that out already. Just, who are you? What’s your name?" Eeth said as patiently as he could. He did not particularly care for this the Magi’s attitude.

"Oh, yeah, my name is Valeros," he said, in a mock apologetic voice.

"Well, Valeros, what the hell is going on? Why’d you attack me the other two times?" asked Eeth.

"Oh, yeah, about that…I did that because you were being an idiot," replied Valeros.

"And how was I being an idiot?"

"You didn’t think like as you are now. You first thought as a human, and then you thought as an elf. You should have thought as a Guardian, which is what you are doing now."

"Well, with that accomplished, what’s going on here?" asked Eeth. "I mean, why are Van and Rolyn here in my mind?"

"You really are an idiot, aren’t you?" replied Valeros in an annoyed tone. "They aren’t actually in your mind. What you see before you is your awareness of them. You don’t have to see in order know what’s around you. Blindness is not a disadvantage for you. You’re senses are sharp enough that you can get a feeling of where things are without actually having to see them. All you need to do is calm yourself and use your senses. With time and practice, I’m sure you’ll be able to continue a fight without pause even if you lose your eyesight."

Eeth listened carefully to what Valeros said, committing it to memory. When Valeros finished speaking, Eeth contemplated the possibilities of this, but then something else came to mind.

"Are other people capable of this as well?" he asked.

"I would think so," replied Valeros. "Especially elves. But I doubt that they could do this with as much clarity as you can due to the fact you are a Guardian."

Eeth was silent as he again thought on this. He then looked around, noting that his surroundings consisted of the entire cave, including what Eeth understood to be other elves that where represented as thick shadows that seemed to have substance to them. As he was looking around, Valeros asked: "Isn’t there something else you wished to talk about?"

"Yeah, your magic," replied Eeth as he turned his focus back onto the Magi. "How do I use it?"

"You don’t," replied Valeros, with a mischievous smile upon his face. "At least, not until you best me in combat."

Eeth just looked at Valeros with a sort of "You can’t be serious" look, and in response, Valeros stood up and in his hands was a quarterstaff. He then leapt over the fire and brought the quarterstaff down to strike on Eeth’s head, had it been there.

Eeth saw Valeros tense to jump over the fire, and just as he began his jump, Eeth somersaulted backwards to get out of range of Valeros' attack, bringing one of his blades with him. He then spun around and moved to retrieve the other blade that was stuck in the rock behind him. Eeth pulled it free of the solid rock just in time to block a side-swipe from Valeros. Then the fight began in earnest.

Eeth blocked, parried, and dodged every single one of Valeros' attacks, all while delivering attacks of his own. Block, kick, dodge, slash, parry, counter. On the fight went, neither opponent landing a solid hit. The fight was made even more intense with the variety of acrobatics employed by both combatants: Eeth leaping over rocks and boulders that were in his way, rolling under or jumping over Valeros' attacks; Valeros using the staff as an anchored pivot point to kick at Eeth, pole-vaulting over boulders to close the distance between himself and Eeth.

At one point in the fight, Valeros had his back up against a rock pillar that was a good foot thick. Eeth swung at Valeros' head, but Valeros ducked, so all that Eeth hit was the pillar. The sound of metal and stone grinding together sounded throughout the cave as Eeth cut through the pillar cleanly, the smallest of gaps just barely visible in the stone.

The fight went on for a good ten to fifteen minutes, both combatants dripping with sweat. Then just as suddenly as it had started, it was done. Both Eeth and Valeros had frozen in mid motion, Valeros' staff touching lightly on Eeth's temple, one of Eeth's blades resting against Valeros’ neck. The fight was a draw. Both Eeth and Valeros had bruises on them, but Valeros was the only one with cuts due to Eeth using blades, rather than a blunt quarterstaff.

"Hm. Well, ain’t this interesting?" said Valeros in a disappointed voice. "It appears to be a draw."

"It does indeed," replied Eeth as he withdrew the blade from Valeros' throat as Valeros withdrew his quarterstaff. "Now what?"

"Well, the deal was that you had to beat me in order to use my magic," Valeros said. "And you didn’t beat me. So —"

"So, you didn’t beat me either," interrupted Eeth. "How about we comprise?"

"What do you have in mind, Guardian?" asked Valeros, slightly curious.

In the real world

It was about ten minutes after Eeth had laid back to mediate that he suddenly sat up, his eyes still closed. It was obvious that if his eyes had been open, Eeth's gaze would have been fixed on something across the fire from him. After about five minutes of silence, most of that time with Eeth looking at whatever it was that had his attention on the other side of the fire, Eeth suddenly somersaulted backwards, taking the blade at his side with him.

Van and Rolyn, along with most of the elves present in the cave, watched as Eeth proceeded to fight something that only he could see. It was obvious when he hit something, even it did appear to be empty air, for his blades would suddenly stop or be redirected. And if something was really paying attention, they could see when Eeth either took a hit or blocked an attack. Only the very observant might get the impression that whoever Eeth was fighting was using a quarterstaff, and using it quite well too.

The whole fight between Eeth and his Magi played out before Van and Rolyn's eyes, from Eeth blocking the Magi’s first attack after Eeth had effortlessly pulled the blade from the rock to the rather abrupt ending in which it seemed that Eeth just stopped mid-attack and then relaxed. After which, he went back to the fire and sat down again, placing the blades to one side. Another ten minutes went by before Eeth opened his eyes and looked down at the two blades beside him.

"His name is Valeros," said Eeth, looking up at both Van and Rolyn. "And we've reached an agreement."

 

[Wolfsister]

The Queen of the Elves

The Queen of the Elves was disturbed.

She paced back and forth in front of a single burning candle. Her brow was furrowed, her lips quivering. Her hair was dis-hevelled, her tattered, blue dress stirred with the breeze that blew in from the open window.

She flicked her gaze towards the flickering candle, her frown growing ever deeper. She continued to pace in silence, occassionally throwing her gaze back to the little orange flame.

Ilandria almost fell to her knees in relief as a deep, masculine voice broke the strained silence. the speaker wasn't present, however it was evident that the voice was issuing from the single lit candle.

"My dear, why do you look so worried?"

Ilandria rushed to the little candle, her face beaming with delight as she plopped herself down onto the floor immediately in front of the voice. "Oh, Malas, I was so afraid you wouldn't come!"

The voice chuckled, "My love, when have I ever not kept my promises?"
The Queen smiled, her eyes bright, "Oh my love, I've missed you so. And our son, Varic. When will you return to me?"

The reply was embittered, "The Spirit keeps us here. I cannot leave her service - as much as I want to - as long as she is this powerful my dear Ilandria. If I could, I would take our son and be with you."

Ilandria nodded, tears coming to her eyes. "Hush my love. I know the power the Witch holds you with,"

The voice paused, his reply long in coming. For a moment, Ilandria feared that he had gone. Then, just as her hopes had fallen, he spoke.
"I do not have much time before She returns,"
Ilandria nodded, staring into the flames avidly, "I understand my love."

"Good," there was a pause and Ilandria tried to search the flame for any physical sign of her beloved. As always, her search was in vain.
"Quickly, have you disposed of the Guardian?"

Ilandria nodded fervently, "Yes my love. I had him beheaded."
The voice of Malas paused once more. When it came again, it was deathly cold. "Do you have proof?"
Ilandria stared at the flickering light in consternation, "What do you mean, my love? I ordered my most loyal - Rolyn - to do it. He would never fail me,"
"Has he brought you the Guardian's head?"

Ilandria's blood ran cold, "What are you saying?" she whispered desparately, "Surely he could not betray me?"
The voice did not respond. Malas had left.

"NO!" She screamed, grasping the candle, ignoring the hot wax that scalded her flesh, and flinging it across the room and out of the open window. Her private quarters was plunged into darkness.

She stood there, panting, for a moment. Her mind reeling wiht the implications Malas had planted into her head. Stalking to the door, she grasped the knob and flung open the door with such a force that it made a slight 'thud' against the adjoining wall.

She caught the eye of her personal guard, her eyes were wide and spittle flew from her mouth in rage as she snarled, "Find me Rolyn!"

**********​

Arinoth closed his eyes briefly. His pale lips smiled in deep appreciation as a chuckle emitted from his throat. He picked up a pitcher next to him, pouring the thin red liquid it held into a pewter cup. He took a sip and couldn't help another chuckle escaping his thin lips. Replacing the cup on the small trestle next to him, he sat back. Long, thin fingers steepling as his eyes glinted.

Staring into the single candle that floated in mid-air before him, everything else shrouded in darknesss, he said a very simply incantation.

The candle flickered and a mild mannered voice issued from the flame.

Just as Ilandria had not been able to see Arinoth's face, he could not see his Master's visage, though the voice alone gave him chills.

"Has it been done?"

Arinoth chuckled yet again, "The seed has been planted."

 

[Wolfsister]

Kat and Asterion

“All I know about why I was brought here and my execution stayed for the time being is that my guide has told me that I am charged with finding and dispatching the others who have been brought here to protect this land. And if that is what is required of me to continue this life, then that is what I shall do. I will not go back, that is one thing I am absolutely certain of.”

Kat stood up as he loomed over her, she could hardly help her body from shivering in his mere prescence. She wet her lips again nervously. His sheer power, his prescence was something to be awed with. She looked up into his beastial face as his words finally sunk in.

Slowly... very slowly, something changed inside the demoness. The human that she once was, the woman with rules and boundaries very slowly died and faded away. A strange, excited light came into her eyes and her lips curved up into a smiled, close to contentment. She reached up and traced one of his horns, almost possessively.

"Asterion..." she whispered, awe clear in her eyes. Her blood was boiling, her body tingling and her mind screaming with all the new possibilities that had suddenly opened up to her. "Let me help you, please...." she was almost begging, her eyes pleading for him to accept her into his plans.

"Debruce is gone... I can never be her again. Why should I act like her now?" she grinned.

Lira and Rylia chose that moment to enter the small hut. They both took a look the closeness of the the two Guardians. Lira shot the demoness a filthy look as she moved close to Asterion, placing a possessive hand onto his muscular arm.

Rylia simply arched an eyebrow, drawing her her eight legs tighter to her body so as to avoid tripping on anything in the tiny hut.

 

[Mantra]

Jay

"Nightstalker.... " Coulron breathed.

*Hrm?* Jay perked up. He had been lost in his own thoughts about the Magi and what he had seen and heard when Coulron spoke up again .

*I thought it was Night -mare* he projected. Then he heard the sound, the shrill cry which caused the hair on his back to prickle and jab a sliver of ice into his heart.

*Um, Rocky...* He thought, stepping slowly backwards. * I really think we should get out of here...*

 

[rengadeirishman]

Michael sniffed the air around him, his ears perked and ready for any signal of danger. He walked into the cavern, his axe held up in a ready position and his eyes darting around the light thrown by the torch. "Where do you think it is?"

 

[Wolfsister]

Becca, Elmhand, Jay and accompanying Guides

GOD MODE (with permission)​

Becca strode purposefully forwards. Although she wasn't really sure where she was going, she trusted that Kail would not lead her astray. The relationship between her and her guide had only been strengthened with the common purpose they now served. The Night Stalker had to be brought to justice. If only to help all the other nameless victims it could kill in the future.

For Kail's part, his light was a washed out blue. He was feeling the sombreness of the moment and the purposeful strides of the dryad behind him lent him a common sense of urgency and purpose. He remembered the poor little girl back in the orphanage and his light grew dimmer still.

Looking at the grassy horizon, Mia was perched on Elmhand. She could have flown but she felt somehow a lot safer within the leafy branches of her Guardian. She was also silent, a shiver going up her spine as she realised just what she had convinced the Ent into doing. A Night Stalker wasn't exactly a nice creature. There was next to nothing known about them except that they came from another realm and that only Guardians could kill them effectively.

For his part, Elmhand was also quiet. Though he was curious, he was much more adept at waiting and listening to the world around him. His recent reincarnation as an Ent proved that fact. He knew that if he was patient enough, answers would come to him. Besides, the very land itself spoke to him and he knew the stakes he was risking by attempting to rid the land of this terrible nightmarish creature.

The sun was dipping below the horizon when a scream suddenly cut the silence. The group stopped as one, shivers running down their spines at the unearthly sound. It was neither a sound of pain or warning. It was simply a challenge to the night. A scream of pure evil.

"The Night Stalker," Brand spoke, the first words he had uttered since leaving the relative safety of the Vakare's walls. Kail blinked in affirmation, though chose to remain silent.

Becca flicked her eyes around, her vision extending out through the blades of grass that swayed at her hips. Ripples of movement caught her sight, but it was just the wind. She reached out and touched the grass around them, her hair coming alive and swaying in time with the waving field.

Elmhand broke her concentration, "The land speaks. It tells of two travelers, to the west." Mia looked alarmed, her tiny eyes opening wide.

"We have to warn them!" she cried out in dismay.

Kail blinked again, "That would be wise." He turned to Becca, somehow trusting her instincts slightly more than Elmhands.

Becca picked up on the silent pulsing of her guide. She looked out to the west, melding her mind though the blades of grass that swayed around her. Her vision was filled with green and she blinked, her sight travelling from one single blade to another. A cricket there, a strange beetle here.. she saw it all.

At first, she had difficulty controlling the vision, but she soon realised that it was not she that controlled what she saw. It was the collective mind of the grass itself. Every living thing had some sort of sentience to them, the grass around them wanted to tell her of the danger, tell her of the two travelers. Letting go and loosing her control was all that was needed in order for her to see more clearly.

What she saw made her heart race.

"We have to go." She muttered, then more urgently, "Now!"

Elmhand also 'heard' the same tale the land told and what he heard had him suddenly uprooting himself and heaving his bulk towards the rest. Becca ran beside him, both were grimly silent. Brand and Kail had no option but to follow them. All three Valians burned with questions, but the Guardians were moving too swiftly to answer them right now.

*********************​

"Um, Rocky... I really think we should get out of here..."

Coudron was rock still. He strained his ears to hear anything else in the suddenly silent night. There was no sound.

Jay neighed nervously and skipped sideways slightly, his natural animal instinct urging him strongly to bolt. Only some sort of concern for the weird boulder man kept his feet slightly steady and planted firmly on the ground. He didn't bother to analyse the feeling, it was just there. Jay was sort of getting the hang of surprises since coming here a mere day before.

"Rocky? Hey... um... what's going on?" he nickered softly. Though he was projecting his thoughts into the other's mind, he found oddly, that he also made horsey sounds on the outside. It could be distracting at times. It was something he would have to work on.

Coudron shook his head, turning towards Jay with a worried frown, "I'm not sure, horsey," he gave Jay his nickname, it was an unconscious form of trying to reassure the NightMare. He was about to say something else when another, much closer, scream ripped through the night. Coudron swung towards the south, towards the sound. It was issuing from the darkened woodland area behind them, he realised.

Then suddenly it appeared.

Standing at around ten feet, the Night Stalker's skin was tinged a slight bluish purple. It's body was completely hairless, except for a small grey patch just between its legs. Where there should have been eyes were simply patches of that tinged skin, though the skull was hollowed in two points to denote eyes. Rows of bony spikes protruded along its shoulders, easily two feet long. A row of spikes also ran from the base of its neck along its spine and ending in a long coiled, spiked tail. On the ends of its arms and legs were bony appendages, its skin stretched between each, looking similar to webbing. Long black talons extended from both fingers and feet.
It only had two 'toes' and three 'fingers' however.
When the Night Stalker saw them, it screamed again. Opening its mouth wide, there were strangely no teeth. Simply a black void, its massive chest hauling in air to expel in that rage filled battle cry with gale force.


Just then, to the east, came a soft thud, thud, thud that rapidly grew louder with each sound. Coudron turned his eyes to the east, seeing a strange group heading towards them. Jay, though his heart was racing at seeing the massive beast that came hulking towards them, also flicked his gaze towards the newcomers.

To Coudron, they looked normal, though an assortment of creatures. To Jay, however, the Ent and the Dryad that approached with speed had a strange glowing hue around them. None of the others, the snake like man in armor, the blue wisp or the tiny nimph registered with the same aura. Somehow, Jay figured that these were more 'Guardians' like himself. To Elmhand and Becca, Jay had the same aura around them, though it may have taken a different colour. All three shared a connection, and they all knew it.

His eyes rolled back into his head with relief. Maybe these guys knew what they were doing.

"NO!" Coudron was shouting, gesticulating towards them and flapping his massive arms around, pointing to the Night Stalker. The group didn't slow. Instead, the armored man drew a wicked, sawed blade as the group neared them. They all turned to see the Night Stalker taking his sweet time. It somehow managed to look even more menacing at it approached them silently with clear intent to kill. Yet it was taking its time. It was not cautious, it was simply enjoying itself.

Silently, as the two groups merged, they formed a slight line facing the beast. Jay was at the end next to Coudron. Brand was next, with Becca and Kail after him. Elmhand and Mia were on the other end.

"Okay... what now?" Jay projected, whinnying in alarm.

Coudron looked askance at the strangers, throwing caution to the wind. "If you can Jay, transform now. Only Guardians can kill Night Stalkers!" he called toward the horse. Kail's light suddenly brightened. "Yes, Elmhand, Becca... we fight with you, but only you can really hurt it!"

Coudron and Kail looked at each other, the rockman nodding grimly, an understanding passing between the two. Kail shouted out along the line, for the benefit of those that did not already know, "It has long range magic. Strongly offensive. It prefers melee though and will try to get you close. Don't let that happen!"

Brand roared, "Now we fight!"

The Night Stalker screamed at them again, silently enjoying itself and its killing intent.

 

[MilkManDan007]

Five Dark Souls

He saw the change in her eyes as she stood; the fear and uncertainty fading into the darkness, replaced by a new fire, a new lust. She slid her fingers along his horn, much the same way Lira had done when she first came to him.

“Asterion, let me help you, please. Debruce is gone. I can never be that again. Why should I act like her now?”

He stood there for a slight second, his mind pondering the two realities that faced him. On one side, he wanted to believe her, believe that she had changed. Believe that she had left herself behind, coming to this world only to stand by his side and help him to wreak the vengeance he had pent up inside of himself.

However, he knew that she was a psychologist, a woman trained to befriend those she was to treat. To get close to them so they would reveal their secrets and open the deepest reaches of their souls to her only to have their trust betrayed as she ratted them out to the very people who were caging them.

His mind was still racing as the two others entered, Lira coming to his arm and narrowing her eyes as the demoness as the two stood close to him. The two of them eyed each other, sizing one another up as lions would when fighting over a meal. He stepped from their grasp and approached Rylia.

“So, you must be to Kat as Fell is to me, correct?” he said to her, his eyes scanning her, trying to size this new beast up, assess what she might be capable of. His eyes left her and went to the deep recesses of the room, finding the darkest shadow and calling out to it. “Fell, why don’t you come join us?”

This would prove to be interesting. Two guardians, two guides, and an evil soul all collected in one place. Asterion smiled. The days ahead would be interesting indeed.

 

[Wolfsister]

Silverfang/Varic/Eric

yes i think i see what you are getting at the tail thing when we first met well at least I'm a quick learner and i have a guide that can fly to help me with the flight and perhaps theirs some one in the centaurs city that can help with the four footed combat and if you would be so kind during are journey there perhaps you'd be willing to help me with the educate and manners varic

Varic nodded, "Of course, anything I can do to help, I'm more than willing to." He smiled at the newest member of the Guardian group. "After we get to Nariel, we can take transport to Vale City where you can meet the Spirit. She'll have the answers to the more important questions that you have."

Eric squawked on Varic's shoulder, nodding his agreement. "Travel should be quick from Nariel as there is a two way portal between the Centaur's city and Vale City. The only ones in existance in all of the Vale, actually." The bird projected thoughtfully.

Varic nodded, "Well, onto your lessons I suppose. Like I said, insults can never be a good thing. I'll take the Centaurs for example. When you meet someone of prominance, which is indicated by the markings they have on their chests - I'll teach you about that later - you must first allow them to speak in greeting. As you are a visitor to their... hearth as such... they must firstly greet you before you speak. By greeting you, they give you permission to be on their land and recognised as under the Visitor's Protection."

 

[wolfknight20]

Varic nodded, "Well, onto your lessons I suppose. Like I said, insults can never be a good thing. I'll take the Centaurs for example. When you meet someone of prominance, which is indicated by the markings they have on their chests - I'll teach you about that later - you must first allow them to speak in greeting. As you are a visitor to their... hearth as such... they must firstly greet you before you speak. By greeting you, they give you permission to be on their land and recognised as under the Visitor's Protection."

Ok and again Eric I'm sorry my world was harsh and i am used to dealing harshly with things.
OK Varic i can handle that it isn't much different than my world if you had the manners which sadly most didn't what else should i know bout this world

 

[Wolfsister]

Eeth/Van/Rolyn

Van sighed and nodded towards Eeth, "Good ya. Van like Eeth more. Eeth seems smart, for Eeth being elf!" Van mewed softly and licked his paw. He was busy with that for a little while and didn't seem to be going to say anything else. Rolyn sighed and walked towards Eeth, "It seems that you and your magi need more time, but its time that we don't have."

He reached up and brought out his sword that was now strapped to his thigh, it had been since his last fight with Eeth. "I'm willing for you to use magic on me to stop my attacks. Just make sure your magi realises that I will stop before I kill you."

Then he began to attack, his arm raised high in a classic high blow with his blade coming down onto Eeth's head.

**************​

Elves were scattering in every direction, the golden mailed Personal Guard of the Queen were on the hunt for a particular elf and nobody wanted to get in their way. Neferin was in chaos as homes were searched and belongings rifled through for any sign of the now missing Rolyn.

His own apartment had been 'inspected', albeit in great haste and with not much attention to detail, also. It was obvious that he wasn't there and there was not a clue left behind as to where he was. The strange thing the Captian of the guards realised soon, however, was that not just Rolyn was missing. Perhaps a third of the great city's population was also in hiding and that made him worried.

Like most elves, he was loyal to a fault. He knew somewhere deep in his heart that there was something wrong with the Queen, but she was still his queen and therefore it was his duty to obey her. He had seen rulers come and go in his lifetime, which was considerable longer than most, and this was just another that he had sworn his life to. The next in line would be treated with the same regard. He would lay down his life for whoever was on that throne and never think twice about his orders.

And right now, his orders were to track down and arrest Rolyn Nightclaw.

"Captain! I've found another missing. His family have no clue. I don't know whether their lying or not." A junior came running up to him.

The Captain shook his head, "Find Nightclaw. You'll find the rest with him."

Just because he served blindly didn't mean that he wasn't smart where it counted.

 

[Wolfsister]

Michael and Sila

The catacombs that had stood the test of time were silent and still. There was no air that moved and it was like the party could taste the mouldy walls around them. There were no signs of dust, nor habitation as Renvir held the torch up high. The darkness swallowed the light to a mere two feet before them.

"Stay close, lad," came the dwarf's suddenly gruff voice as he moved into the darkness with a hand on the haft of his axe. Sila was completely silent as she limped by Mike's side, her tiny hands gripping his arm fiercely. She had complete faith in the werewolf, besides the fact that she was seriously injured whenever she was around him.

They seemed to walk for hours after that with no sign of any type of precious alloy. There were tombs and coffins, skeletons and bones aplenty, but nothing to indicate that a deposit of Saeriel was any where near.

The catacombs soon opened up wider and wider, with the man-made tunnels soon fading away into natural ones that wound their way around and around deep under the earth. Sila was shivering as they passed under tonnes of dirt and gravel. A strange whistling sound came to their ears, it rose and fell, almost as if the earth around them was breathing. Soon enough, Sila was matching her breath to it. Her little lungs could only just keep up though, as the 'breaths' were rather long each way.

Soon, they came to the opening of a larger tunnel. The 'breathing' seemed to be coming from directly inside the tunnel. For lack of any other clues, they decided to follow the tunnel further in. Renvir now gripped his axe with a white fist as the torch (their last) began to splutter and soon die.

When the flame was snuffed out, Sila felt a stir of air around her. Moving forwards slightly, she squinted. "I can see something!" Indeed, there was a glowing in the distance. A golden hue that seemed to be just past the next bend in the rather large tunnel.

Blinkingly, they emerged into a large, golden tunnel. Large flames were lit, much like bonfires, around the cavern, illuminating a wealth of riches. From small gems to large statues of gold and silver... it was a fortune. A hoard of a fortune.

And directly on top of it was a sleeping golden Dragon.

Sila 'eeped' and turned to flee, knocking over a spill of golden coins and watched in horror as they cascaded noisily down onto the ground. One massive yellow eye flicked open and casually observed them. A deep rumble grew from the earth and a voice issued from the massive creature. "Who disturbs my slumber?"

 

[Wolfsister]

Asterion and Kat

Rylia narrowed her eyes as Asterion turned and spoke to a deep, black shadow that had pooled beneath the window. Her eyes went wide when she realised that a shadow shouldn't actually exist in such a place and her mouth went wide with both fear and astonishment as it uncoiled itself to reveal a Shadow Wraith. And a strange one too. Unlike others, this one actually had some definition in its facial features, even glowing diamond light eyes.

Fell rose itself up and hissed towards the newcomers. It had no qualms about killing the Guardian and her guide if they objected. It was simply waiting to see what their reaction would be. It really didn't care one way or the other. But It was interested in the reason Asterion had revealed It so willingly and fast.

Kat's eyes went wide as she held in a silent scream. "What the hell is that thing?!" she uttered to herself as Lira didn't even bother to bat an eyelid. Obviously this Guardian had been born yesterday. She comfortingly patted her stomach, at least the future was insured. Well, as much as it could be. She grinned and arched an eyebrow towards the two new comers.

"So... what shall it be?" she cooed to them, pouting as she curled her arm around Asterion once again. It seemed that she wasn't about to let him go. At least, not to the Demoness, in any case.

Rylia looked askance towards Kat. She, of course, had no idea that Kat had just confessed her want to join Asterion in his destruction. But she was starting to get the idea. Perhaps her mission wasn't going to be so hard after all? "It's called a Shadow Wraith. I've never heard of one that had any features, much less eyes and a name to go with it. But they are powerful and dangerous creatures. Evil simply because they exist." She informed her ignorant Guardian.

Kat 'oh'ed and abruptly sat on the little straw mattress to collect her thoughts. She wasn't sure about Rylia's loyalty either. She had only just met the Drider and had been forced to listen to 'saving the vale' stories since then. When the spidery woman didn't attack the Shadow Wraith though, she began to see a glimmer of hope.

"I'm with you..." she murmured, keeping an eye on Rylia the entire time.

Rylia simply arched an eyebrow, "Very well, Guardian. I go where you go." She wasn't about to admit that she had lied to the woman the entire way here. The idea was to cultivate trust while destroying the land with the powerful tools that Guardians can be. She loosened her stance and inclined her head, "Do we have some sort of plan, then?"

 

[Wolfsister]

Silverfang

Varic only had to think a moment more before he continued.

"It would be best if you didn't tell anybody that you were a Guardian. I mean to say, don't advertise that you're not from the Vale. This isn't the first time the Spirit has taken people from your world. They didn't exactly turn out to be good people and instead became the bane of my - that is, the Spirit."

Varic coughed, covering up his slip of tongue. Not many knew that he called the Spirit his mother and it was probably best if not many more did either, considering the dangerous world the Vale had become as of late.

"Do not even mention Guardians. We will come up with a suitable story, should you accidently have a social misunderstanding. The Centaurs are a proud peoples, Silverfang. Though they may seem haughty, they have much humility. Don't mistake pride for arrogance."

 

[Wolfsister]

The Spirit and Malas

The Spirit fell backwards, however, before she could hit the floor, Malas was there with his strong arms around her. He soothed her hair, wiping the sweat from her brow with a thumb. "Is it done?" he asked gently, looking deep into his love's sky blue eyes.

The Spirit shook her head shakily, "No... not yet but I can do no more now." Her quivered, her throat sore from screaming endlessly in agony. Bending the law of the world had taken much from her and what little reserves she had left had beent taxed almost to the limit. Malas simply nodded, knowing that it was beyond his understanding just how she felt but also knowing that he would never stop being there for her.

"Come my love, its time to rest." He watched as her eyes rolled gently up into the back of her head and nodded with satisfaction. At least she would be unconscious for a while. She needed rest more than she needed breath right now but the Vale would not let her have the solitude he so craved for her. He shook his head sadly and lifted her up, carrying her alone to their bedchambers.

Laying her gently on the bed, he stroked the back of his hand gently along her blue tinged cheeks and smiled, love and pride swelling up in his chest to make his heart beat fast against his ribs. She was so beautiful, tragically so now as the blueness of her skin had begun to fade. She was slipping away... but definitely not quietly!

Marching from the room, he entered the audience hall where many were awaiting word from Spirit or himself. Without hinting at the morning's events, he calmly sat down, called for silence and announced that he would act as Listener to the People; The Spirit being presently occupied.

There were murmurs of speculation, but he ignored them and proceeded to call the first petitioner. Soon enough, things went smoothly as the people were more than used to Malas's gentle lead and the special regard that Spirit had for him alone. Many had come to respect the former Guardian and many more had learnt to stop hating or fearing him. He was the right hand of the Goddess herself and that would never change.

Malas sharpened his attention as a soldier began reporting news from the border. With him was a rather bedraggled looking Pechanian. He focused his attention more, clearing his worry about the Spirit upstairs away in order to better process what the messanger was saying.

"Of duty I was sir, visiting family in Avonel. My darling Tira was there," he soldier indicated the amored woman to his left, "She sa daughter of the mayor there... Malakiel you see an we're engaged," he blushed and Malas was reminded of just how young the man was. "They've been complaining, you see, about attacks at night. I'll look into I says and so's I stayed that night. We were attacked, same what they been insisting on sir. I saw what was attacked us sir. It was-"

The young man visibly swallowed, and then uttered a word that Malas had never thought to hear again in his lifetime. It ran his blood cold.

At dusk, a few hours later, a column a full one hundred and fifty blue amored soldiers were marching out of the blue tinged gates that were the only access into Vale City. They marched seven abreast onto the Spirit Road, making no effort to disguise their passage. People who saw them murmured with wide eyes. The same subject and speculation on every body's lips.

What had happened to send the Blue Guard to war?

 

[wolfknight20]

"Do not even mention Guardians. We will come up with a suitable story, should you accidently have a social misunderstanding. The Centaurs are a proud peoples, Silverfang. Though they may seem haughty, they have much humility. Don't mistake pride for arrogance."

not a problem varic it sounds like dealing with ninjas and far as not letting things slip that was part of my old life as well

if it is all right by you and if eric doesn't mind id like to work on my flying so as not to make a fool of my companions or my self should the need arise for me to take to the air

since with my odd ability's it may be dangerous for me to not test my self and learn to control them wile theres not much to damage

 

[MilkManDan007]

The Plan

He watched as Fell drew himself from the wall and welled up amongst them. While Kat seemed astonished at his arrival, the others showed no signs of shock or disdain towards the dark wraith. They knew of the dark presences in this land, had either seen them before or were a part of their evil plan. Rylia assured Kat that she would not be alone before turning back to Asterion.

“Do we have some sort of plan, then?” she said, her body seeming to relax slightly as she spoke.

He reached past her and slid the thin door shut behind her. Not that it would keep any eavesdroppers from hearing their conversations, but it would keep passers-by from glancing in and seeing things they were not meant to see.

“Now that we’re all out in the open, there is no reason to keep our intentions from one another,” Asterion said, sitting heavily upon the floor. “We are here to destroy this place, to bring down the order that has been created. Why? I do not know yet. What I do know is that I have a local merchant preparing some armor for me and the people here seem unaware of what we actually are. My suggestion is that we lay low until we are better prepared and equipped.

He stood and drew up his axe, holding the haft tightly in his large hands.

“And once that time comes, we can begin. First here, and then onward to find this Spirit, dispatching anyone who crosses our paths.”

 

[Mantra]

Jay

"If you can Jay, transform now. Only Guardians can kill Night Stalkers!"

Jay was too scared of the night-whatsit to really think of what to do.

*Transform? What the hell am I? A Zippo?!?*

(Un)fortunatly, that decision was made for him by one of the new arrivals;

"Now we fight!"

Fight?! Jay wanted to run! It was a frikkin MONSTER! A real, live, scarey-as-shit, out-of-a-horror story, gonna-eat-your-ass MONSTER! Jay wanted nothing more than to get Coudron and go, but there was an explosion of pandemonium as everyone attacked the thing,... which didn't really seem to give a rat's ass that everyone was trying to kill it by the way... Jay bolted into action along with the others, he bolted in the other direction.

For the briefest, microscopic, split second, Jay really thought he was going to run, to give into the terror he felt and just RUN, but as the Night Stalker turned towards the onrush of newcommers, Jay turned back, swinging around the other side of the monster.
With a great, mental *WHAAAAAGH!* which was as much a shreak of fright as it was a battle cry, Jay lept into the air and stamped back down again, intending to smash the beastie's tail under his own weight.

 

[Angelus]

As Largos moved further into the settlement all he could see on the faces of the people there was fear. He could smell it on them, could practically reach out and pluck it from the air. As he looked at them they cringed but he knew that it was not them that had scared them this much; there was something else at work here, something worse than him. He looked slowly around, using the eyesight that he had been given to search the area. His first thought was to head towards the hills that were very close and look around, just to see if there was some signs of what was happening around here, of what was scaring these people half to death but before he could he felt a hand on his arm and turned around to look at Malakiel. The first thing that he noticed about him was that he had a look of genuine fear in his eyes.

It was the last thing that Largos expected to see in his eyes but it was there just behind his eyes as if Malakiel wanted nothing more than to get out of there. He watched as Malakiel took a fleeting look at the hills then back at Largos.

"It is not safe there."

Largos opened his mouth to ask him why it wasn't safe but Malakiel changed the subject so quickly it made Largos wonder what he was hiding.

"One of your friends is with the healer and the other is getting some more.... appropriate clothing."

"Thank you Malakiel, I will go and see the- argh!"

Largos then fell to the ground and cursed out as he wrapped his arms around his waist. He knew that Malakiel was scared by the way his heart was beating but he knew that it would be nothing by the time Largos was finished. He began to thrash around on the ground and wondered why this was worse than he had gone through before. He felt as though every part of him was being ripped apart, only to be put together again as an elf. He felt a hand slowly and tentatively reach out to touch him which caused him to raise his head and look at Malakiel.

"Don't touch me!" he shouted before he began thrashing around again.

Several agonizing minutes later he slowly got to his feet and looked at Malakiel whose eyes were wide as he moved towards him. Malakiel reached out to touch him once again, this time with fear written clearly on his face.
"What are you? Most vampires are dead when the sun rises in the sky or is that just one of the tall tales?"

Largos shook his head, "Most of the tales I have heard are the same, that they cannot face the sun. I am something far different from a normal vampire though," he could see that Malakiel was still fearful of him and raised his hands, "there is nothing to fear from me though. I will not try to kill you. I am just a normal person so to speak. Whatever did this to me made me different."

He knew that there was no way that he could tell the truth though. He knew that the word guardian was the worst thing that he could utter in Malakiel's or anyone else's company. It was the one thing that wanted to get him killed. He moved forward and touched Malakiel's arm, feeling him flinch under the touch.

"There is nothing to worry about. I am not going to steal anyone away in the middle of the night. I am here to try and help you against whatever is attacking you, in any way that I can. Now, can I please go and see my female, um, bird companion. I need to talk to her about a few things."

Malakiel turned on his heels and didn't say a word as he walked towards the main area of the settlement. Largos knew instantly that he was meant to follow, there was nothing else to it.

They both walked towards the main area of the settlement and as they did Largos looked at the faces of the people around him and could see that there was a subtle chance. He could still see the fear that was written on them, as if it would never go away but there was something else there as well, curiosity. He knew that they were all wondering what had happened to him, especially when he was now walking around in the day time and that he was no longer a vampire. He knew that he could stop and talk to them but he didn't have the time right now and he did not know if they would either run away or just not listen to him.

Just then someone stepped out in front of him and Largos sigh of reluctance. He looked straight into Aaran's eyes which were burning with malice.

"What are you. Are you a vampire or something worse, something that is here to take the rest of us away."

Largos's hand was on his sword before he knew it and he looked straight at Aaran. He had had enough of his jibes and wanted nothing more than to kill him but knew that would be the worst thing that he could do in his situation. Aaran looked slowly down at his hand and his eyes narrowed as his own hand fell to the weapon strapped to his side.

Largos prepared himself for the fight he knew was coming but before Aaran could move towards him Malakiel appeared as if out of nowhere, picked the fox man up off the ground and threw him against the closest wall. He looked at Aaran as though he intended to kill him then and there before speaking in a low voice, "I have had enough of you Aaran. I know what it is like for you to be around him but he is our guest and has promised to help us. What have you promised me?"

He saw the fox man's eyes widen before Malakiel dropped him to the ground. As he ran off Malakiel turned back to Largos, "I am sorry about Aaran. His family was attacked by a vampire near the Dark Woods a year ago. He was the only survivor and has since then hated all vampires. If he proves too much of a nuisance for him you have my permission to do whatever you deem necessary."

Largos looked at Malakiel and expected him to laugh but when none came he knew that he was serious.

"Come. Let me take you to your friend. I expect that she will be worried about you by now."

 

[Wolfsister]

not a problem varic it sounds like dealing with ninjas and far as not letting things slip that was part of my old life as well

if it is all right by you and if eric doesn't mind id like to work on my flying so as not to make a fool of my companions or my self should the need arise for me to take to the air

since with my odd ability's it may be dangerous for me to not test my self and learn to control them wile theres not much to damage

Varic nodded, thinking to himself that this was actually a good idea. It was good to know that the Guardian had a good head on his shoulders, even if he was a little stubborn.

"Very well, I suppose that I should go hunting for something to eat. I suppose that you eat meat?" He didn't bother to wait for the answer and was soon trotting off into the distance.

Eric hopped further, choosing to stay with Silverfang to oversee his flying lessons. "Do what you did before, you should practice take offs and landings before you tackle long distance flying."