The Lush Forest

[Dark Warrior]

Adraelus

Adraelus saw his friend go down, and then his attacker turned to strike the centaur. Luckily, the centaur's reaction was faster, and he notched an arrow and hurriedly let it fly. It crashed into the creature's shoulder, not doing much more than slowing it, but then Adraelus saw a dagger flying through the air, and it crashed into the creature's lower back. It gave a strange noise and turned, fleeing from the centaur. He could have taken another shot at the retreating figure, but instead he turned his attention to the half-elf before him.
"Dalorian..." he muttered under his breath, stroking his goatee, considering his best course of action.

OOC: I've already exceeded my download limit for the month, and I still have 7 days left... so I won't be on for the next week. Feel free to control my character during this time, it's fine. See ya.

 

[Mirror868]

OOC: Hey, what do you say we make The Lush Forest a part of Draalen? We've already got the Man Dressed In White... See you next week. Cheers, Mirror.

 

[Mirror868]

Dalorian

Dalorian opened his eyes to the night sky, stars shining through the tree boughs; he felt the rough movements of riding horseback pulse through his body. He turned his head and looked sideways to see the forest trees sliding past. His memory suddenly came crashing back. The black shadow - "Adraelus?"

He tried to sit up only to find himself fastened to the Centaur's back. "Quiet now half-thing. Adraelus carries you from the pursuing shadow-creature. The time now is for silence and haste."

Dalorian mused on these words as he let his body relax once more. Adraelus was moving quite quickly, concentrating on navigating the forest path and Dalorian knew that his questions would have to wait..

 

[Dark Warrior]

OOC: Ok, I feel like I'm about to make a fool out of myself, but... what is Draalen? It sounds familiar, but I can't quite pin it...

IC: Each shadow that Adraelus saw made him think back to the creature that had attacked them, and that was now chasing them. Such things - things so EVIL - had not been seen in the Lush Forest for years, and it did indeed portend something dark. Perhaps the man in white had been right... no. It couldn't be. Sure, some of the factors pointed to it, but... no, it didn't seem to fit. The centaur's thoughts were broken as another shadow fell across to the path, but soon dispersed.
"Must keep alert..." he told himself, speeding up a little.

OOC: I'm keeping "it" a secret... for now.

 

[Dark Warrior]

OOC

*Blushes in embarrasment*

Okay, I just re-found out what Draalen was, hehehehe. To think I had forgotten my own creation But I knew it sounded familiar... hey, it's been a week, gimme a break

Anyway, I think that's a good idea, only the time frame doesn't really fit, at least with what is going on in "Mortal Dreams"... though, of course, this could take place in the future of the time frame in "Mortal Dreams", which would be a good idea. So that's that.

*Blushes again before running away*

 

[Mirror868]

The Man in White

OOC: Sounds good! I like the future idea. It could involve some intricate plot weaving...

IC: The Man in White stopped in front of the Vale Gate. It was made of a finely spun metal, interwoven in various criss-crossing patterns. He remembered the day it had been placed here, and the reasons. Now it finally had to be opened after all this time, but not by him. No, not by him.

He was happy that Adraelus had felt the need in his heart to help the Half-Elf. At the thought of Dalorian, he felt a twinge of love and compassion. "The things he will go through," he thought, with a slight frown on his face. "Thank All for the noble Centaur race. His journey will be made easier."

He bent over placing something on the ground in front of the gate, leaning on his solid white staff. "They should arrive at daybreak," he thought, "provided the shadows do not overcome them." A smile crept onto his face and the hint of a kind light glowed in his eyes, and had anyone been there to hear him, they would have heard a soft chuckle...

 

[Dark Warrior]

Adraelus

Adraelus stumbled ever northwards, his legs finally beginning to give way to his exhaustion. He had been moving for quite some time now, and at a constant pace, and despite the Half-Elf's build he was still somewhat of a burden. Surely the Vale Gate shouldn't be too far further. Surely...
"There..." Adraelus mentioned under his breath, his keen vision spotting the Gate not far ahead on their current path. "Half-Thing, awake. The destination of our travels is ahoof - er - afoot. Come, Adraelus is tired. Awake now, please." The centaur spoke softly, his hands scrabbling at the bonds which held Dalorian in place.

 

[Mirror868]

Dalorian

Dalorian awoke to the Centaur's soft urgings and felt the bonds fastening him to Adraelus' back begin to loosen. A moment later, his feet were on the ground and he began to raise his arms into a stretch. A sharp pain in his left shoulder made his knees buckle and he fell onto the soft ground.

He looked up at the Centaur, who was looking down at him concernedly, and immediately saw the fatigue in Adraelus' taut face and the gash on his chest caked with black dried blood.

A quick survey of the surroundings revealed a clearing in the forest with an ornate gate standing in it's center. The pre-dawn light gave a soft illumination, the violet red of dawn contrasting the shadows cast by the trees. So we have reached the Vale gate, he thought

At the corner of his vision, Dalorian caught movement in the trees behind him, and the memory of the shadow creature came back en force. "Adraelus, are we safe here? We are both in dire need of healing, but I had dreams of shadows chasing us through the trees."

At that moment, Dalorian noticed an object glittering on the ground in front of the gate. It appeared to be a stone, or more likely, judging by the way it reflected the early morning light, a gem of some kind...

 

[Dark Warrior]

Adraelus

"Now is the time for thee to accept the destiny that awaits. Open the Vale Gate. It is up to thee. Adraelus can keep the beasts away for not long, so haste wouldst be advised. Our wounds shall have to wait. Hurry!" The centaur spoke in a rushed but strong voice. He turned and notched an arrow to his bow, squinting his eyes into the trees.
"Hurry, Half-thing!" He said, unsure whether Dalorian had already moved or not. His gaze scanned the forest, and he felt uneasy at the passing shadows amongst the foliage and the tree-tops. His fingers, slippery with sweat, clung desperately to the taut bowstring.
"They are coming..." he whispered under his breath.

 

[Mirror868]

Dalorian

Dalorian quickly got to his feet and ran towards the gate. With a couple of long strides he reached it, scooping up the gem as he passed. Once in front of the gate, he studied its ornate decoration, but could not discern a handle.

"Do you know how to open this thing, Adraelus?" he said, his words rushed and louder than he intended. His only reply was the twang of Adraelus' bowstring, the sound of another arrow being drawn, and Adraelus' quick, urgent words, "Hurry Half-Thing! Time is short!"

Dalorian began to run his hands over the gate searching for a clue, the small gem in the palm of his hand.. As his eyes swept up and down the intricate carvings, something quite unexpected happened. Towards the center of the gate, as his hands searched the cool metal, the gem neatly popped into a small socket. At once the gate parted in its middle, and began to open inwards. A great light, equal to the brightest of noonday suns, shone forth from the gate, and Dalorian turned his head, closing his eyes from its brightness.

"I've done it Adraelus! The gate is open!"

 

[Dark Warrior]

Adraelus

"I've done it Adraelus! The gate is open!"
The words were like a blessing for Adraelus. He raised up onto his back hooves and beat down another of the shadow creatures with his front ones, falling back down on top of the creature with a sickening crunch. He was horrified to see it still squirming to get up.
"Do these things ever die?!?!?!?!?" He screamed out, quickly turning to avoid a blow. He charged straight towards the light coming from the gate, his strong arms clasping around Dalorian, and with a yell threw both of them at the gate...

 

[Mirror868]

Dalorian

The light enveloped them as they hurtled through the gate.

All of the forest sounds disappeared to be replaced by a loud roaring that seemed to be coming from all around, within and without. Dalorian felt like he was floating in the air. The light seemed to be nourishing him - it no longer hurt his eyes and he could feel his wounds healing. He looked around for Adraelus, but could not see him.

Then he heard a voice. "You have passed through The Vale Gate. Your future lies before you. When the time comes to choose, choose carefully."

Confused, Dalorian looked around for the source of the voice, but all he could see was the endless waves of light that surrounded him. "Wh-who are you?" he stammered.

There was no answer.

 

[Dark Warrior]

Adraelus

The centaur fell through the bright light in silence, but he could feel himself being watched. Watched by something that was higher than mortality. He shut his eyes against the brightness, and with a surprise, he realised that his wounds were mending at an incredible rate.
He felt himself collapse onto solid earth again, and his eyes flicked open, but they were not yet accustomed to the light, which seemed so dark after what he had just been through.
"Half-thing! Half-thing! Art thou there?" he called out, trying to pick himself up.

 

[Mirror868]

Dalorian

Dalorian felt himself floating through the light and two visions came to him. The one, on his left, was radiant golds and greens - his home, the Mandelenin Wood, with his family, his mother and father, his two beautiful sisters, and his friends smiling and beckoning to him. How he longed for home! The other, on his right, far below, veiled in fog and darkness, a desert-like place, with his friend Adraelus alone calling his name, but not seeing him.

He looked back to his family, beckoning him, and he felt his longing for the Wood, for home, come over him again, stronger now. But I cannot leave my friend in a dark place. If I am to find my home again, I must earn it through some other means than betrayal! In that moment Dalorian made his choice and he heard the mysterious voice again, "The choice has been made. Well chosen."

As the right vision of dark and fog became more real, Dalorian could see the beings that were his smiling beckoning family on the left become devils and demons spitting and cursing. The wood became fire and the grass frozen ice. But after a moment the left vision was gone and Dalorian felt hard cold earth beneath his supine body.

"Half-Thing! Half-Thing! Art thou there?"

"I am here Adraelus," he replied, and struggled to rise.

 

[Dark Warrior]

Adraelus

Adraelus' eyes slowly began to adjust.
"Thank the heavens... thank them for Dalorian's deliverance. Adraelus believed that he was alone in this place of inexplainable horror." He declared, standing up and letting his eyes scan around the barren environment.
"Where... where is this? Is Adraelus dreaming? Is this a nightmare most horrible? Or is this... is this what the White Man told Adraelus about?"
He turned to Dalorian, helping the half-elf up.
"What is the next course of action, Dalorian? Now Adraelus knows no more about the habitat than Dalorian does. It is the half-things turn to guide the way."

 

[Mirror868]

Dalorian

"Adraelus, I know not where we are. I remember the Man in White speaking of a frozen lake, but that is all." Dalorian scanned the barren landscape. It was rocky and brown, covered by a dull yellowish mist, creeping and crawling like a half-dead thing.

"I feel that we are in Hell, Adraelus. I have never seen such an awful place. Why have we been sent here?" Doubts began to assail Dalorian's mind. "Maybe the Man in White was not to be trusted?"

"You don't trust me?" A voice deep and sonorous voice said from behind them. The voice seemed to carry a melodious tone, making the air somehow lighter and easier to breathe.

Dalorian turned, startled at the sudden sound. He beheld a figure all in White, smiling benevolently. "So you have completed the first stage of your journey, Dalorian. And I thank you Adraelus for accompanying him - without your help, the quest would have never been completed. Your fates are now wound together.

"Now listen carefully to my instructions. Follow them and you will find all that you dream of. Travel only by the light of the moon. To travel in this land when the sun is aloft is certain death. Follow the moon and you will come to the frozen lake. When you reach the lake, you must cross it and find what awaits you upon the far side. But do not look into the eyes of the cursed spirits that dwell upon it. If you do, you will be trapped there, bound to their sins and cursed to live there until their sins have been paid by torment."

With a flash, the white figure disappeared, but in his place lay a bundle. Stepping forward, Dalorian scooped the bundle into his arms, opening it. It was full of rations and a water that was glowing slightly.

As he looked up the moon rose above the hills to the west.


OOC: Any readers wanting to join, feel free. The more the merrier.

 

[Dark Warrior]

Adraelus

The centaur looked up at the moon as it ascended into view.
"The moon... it would seem this is now the time for travel." he said. "Said the White Man that Dalorian and Adraelus should follow the moon. Still... Adraelus has a bad feeling about that way..." he said, squinting at the hills. "Adraelus does not question the wisdom of the Man in White. Follow his advice these two adventurers must. Come, let the night not be wasted. Haste, Adraelus believes, is of the utmost importance."
The centaur walked two steps forward and turned behind to face the Half-thing. "Come, Half-thing. What stays your feet?"

 

[Mirror868]

Dalorian

OOC: Hey, sorry I've been absent so long. Work is super busy.

IC:

"Nothing Adraelus, You are right. We should follow the Man in White's instructions."

Dalorian fell into step beside the Centaur, and began traversing the rocky brown landscape, following the light of the moon. The moonlight shone down on them, creating a swathe of light, like a path leading to the distant mountains.

For some time, they walked in silence, adjusting to this dead-like world, after the lushness of the forest. There were no bird-sounds, or the sound of wind whispering through the leaves. Only the dull crunch of Dalorian's boots and the clicking of Adraelus' hooves.

After several hours of walking this way, when the moon had risen high into the sky, Dalorian realised that when the moon passed overhead, they would have to change direction. But at that moment a yellow mist suddenly decended that blotted out the moon, making the world around them go dark.

Then a wailing started, painful to listen to. After several minutes of the wailing, which was slowly growing louder, Dalorian thought he would begin to go mad.

"Adraelus, I am going to cast a silence spell, but it means that we can go no farther this night, and indeed, we will be no longer able to talk until the spell's duration is over. Hopefully whatever is making that blasted sound will not come near us tonight."

He began to cast the spell.

 

[Mirror868]

Dalorian

As the silence descended, Dalorian turned looking for Adraelus. But the mist had shrouded the area, making it impossible to see. He could not see if Adraelus was still with him or not and he began to feel uneasy. Flicking the daggers from his sleeves into his hands, Dalorian crouched, ready to spring if anything unfriendly should appear. The wailing sound had disappeared when his silence spell had come into effect, but so had Adraelus. Blast it Adraelus! Where are you? he thought, wishing he could make his thoughts heard.

 

[Dark Warrior]

Adraelus

Adraelus could feel his other senses pick up as the ability of his voice was drowned away. Though the mist was thick, he could make out a slightly darker patch which must have been the Half-thing. The centaur reached out, and was re-assured when his hand brushed against flesh. It was the only communication they had, and Adraelus was happy to know that they at least could keep track of each other by this basic sense. Despite his feeling of safety, Adraelus found his other hand clasping around his bow. Something was wrong...

 

[Mirror868]

Dalorian

Dalorian felt something brush against his skin and raised his left dagger to strike, lowering his right dagger to impale whatever it was. But as he turned, he could dimly make out Adraelus' centaur shape in the mist. He began to lower his dagger, then quickly raised his arm again, and threw with all his force.

The dagger sailed through the air, piercing the mist, flying over Adraelus' right should and hammering into the chest of a menacing shadow barely discernable behind Adraelus. The shadow crumpled to the ground as the blood began racing through Dalorian's head and adrenelin surged through his veins. Dalorian felt stronger now and keenly alive. He had killed whatever had been trying to harm his friend.

He peered into the mist, trying to discern if there were any other malevolent creatures nearby, cursing the mist, and the need for silence. . .

 

[Dark Warrior]

Adraelus

The centaur saw Dalorian's movements, and he turned in time to see the shadow creature collapse silently behind him. Adraelus turned to congratulate and thank the Half-thing, when he remembered the spell of silence. Instead he just patted Dalorian in a warm manner, hoping he would understand the centaur's sentiments.
Suddenly, and without warning, Adraelus' hand flew away from Dalorian, quickly grasping around one of the arrows in his quiver and bringing it to his bow. With lightning quick reflexes, he let the arrow fly silently through the air, before it thudded into the chest of another of the shadow creatures, which stumbled backwards and collapsed.

 

[Mirror868]

Dalorian

And then all hell broke loose. Shadow creatures came swarming out of the mist from all directions. Dalorian backed into Adraelus so that he would not lose him, and began throwing his daggers at the shapes swarming towards him.

Time slowed down in the surreal silence as the battle rose to a pitch. Dalorian kept on fighting long after he had loosed his last throwing dagger and had begun hacking and slashing with his short fighting dagger. It was all he could do to remain on his feet.

After he had felled nearly twenty of the beasts he was knocked sideways away from Adraelus. This creature that was now attacking him was bigger than the others. Dalorian drew in a deep breath as he turned to face the it, trying to ignore the many stinging scratches and wounds that he had received in the fight.

With a fierce gesture, the creature gathered its strength and attacked...

 

[Dark Warrior]

Adraelus

When the form of Dalorian moved away from Adraelus, he turned to yell after the Half-elf, but the silence spell stopped his words in his throat. And he could no longer see his companion's form in the fog. Fearing the worst, the centaur flew into a rage, letting loose a storm of arrows which took down just as many of the strange creatures. When he reached for more arrows and found none, the centaur began to get scared. But now was no time for worry, as one of the creatures came up in front of him. The centaur decided it was time to use his natural defenses, and he slung his bow over his shoulder and reared up onto his rear legs, kicking the creature with his front hooves. He connected right in the middle of its chest, and sent the thing flying into more that was following it. He prepared to meet the next attackers.

 

[Mirror868]

Dalorian

Dalorian crouched as the Shadow Demon attacked. Its claws fiercely swept towards Dalorian's face and, as Dalorian fell backwards, he felt the razor sharp claws rip into his chest. Dalorian fell hard onto his back, knocking the wind out of his lungs, and the creature flung itself on top of him, its teeth going for his throat. . .