War of the Immortals

Garath felt the curse go around him and knew what it was meant to do so he lowered his hands, looked at the muscular man and said, "And just why did you come into my castle, blast my gate to bits, kill one of my guards and attack me for. I am just dying to hear this one."
 
"Do not talk like so with the Emissary of Belial, Emperor of Taros. Power Demons, Uncloak", Lokken said and the Power Demons materialized. Standing the length of a bus on it's end, they could rip through Titanium like paper."We were sent by the Great Belial to find out what exactly you are doing on this plane.It seems you are trying to overthrow the Gods. And what God do you worship, anyway?" asked Lokken.
 
"God, I serve no god. I want to see them destroy along with this miserable plane of existence. I came here to do one thing and one thing only and that is to destroy everything. And there is nobody that is able to stop me."

Garath then looked down at the ground and said, "Oh, and by the way. I lied, I serve the only dark god on this plane and he is quite helpful, especially in times like these."

A great wind suddenly came out of nowhere and lifted the man up off the ground as if he were a leaf.
 
"Belial, grant me power", shouted Lokken, praying out to the God of Death. The wind stopped and Lokken landed with a vengeance. "Power Demons, rip this place apart", he shouted, watching a Power Demon rip out a section of the walls. Suddenly, Garath chanted again. This time a lightning bolt flew out of the sky and struck Lokken. His Power Demons were thrown into the Lightning Bolt. The Bolt then took them and placed them 400 miles away. "Damn", cursed Lokken.
 
Ether looked up and into the distance. An familiar energy was in the air. A familiar energy, reminding him if unfinished business. "Oh great god of Ice, Lend me the strength to stand up to my rival" He prayed, and set off in that direction.

He had learned everything he needed from the imortal. He would have spent more time with him, but was driven with an ironic need to be alone, Ironic because of his other desire to meet people and learn what they have to tell. Thoughts of this brought back memories of times past, when he was mated with, of all creatures, a fire siren. Oh boy was that a time to remember. But then he got taken back to a time even further, when he was just a young adventurer. The unfinished destiny, as he's learned to call it, was when he was recruited by his god to stop the evil quest of another god's champion. There was no glorious battle though. There was no etherial intervention nore any complete thoughts. No, the moments before his confrontation with Lokken, the quest simply ended, very suddenly. Like a great song that stopps just before the climax, and never finished the tune. Other songs, and other adventures have been substituted, but there was allways that feeling of unfinished business.

His thoughts and travels took him through the streets of a city. Seing some food vendors on the side made him hungry, so he exerted his will to creating an icicle to munch on. A man and his daughter were crossing Ethers path when he created the icicle. The man noticed it and stopped to stare at him in horror and suprise.

"Excuse me, but h-how did you do that?" he asked hesitantly.

Puzzled, Ether said "I simply exerted my will to freeze the air. I'm sure youve seen much more powerfull magic done before though."

"B-but.. noone can cast magic around my daughter! she's cursed with a magic dispell! the greatest of mages couldn't cast the most powerfull of spells in her presance, yet you did a simply cantrip!"

Ether sudenly understood the situation. "I understand. No, that wasn't magic I used. you see, I'm half elemental, so my power is natural and not affected by the magic of this world." He explained the rest of his situation to the two. All the while though, he sized up the girl. Having a magic nullifyer would greatly aid his struggle with Lokken, if it ever occurred again. "Hey listen. I was wondering if you would mind me tagging along. I'd like to learn about your daughter some more"
 
Adriana had just finished putting the last of her things into her traveling bags when the door opened and in walked the wizened mage followed by her father.

Standing there, not moving, but waiting for one of them to speak, she could hardly contain her excitement. She was going to leave this place and go out into the world among other people. She knew they had some hidden plan but did not care. Right now all she could think of was her freedoom.

The mage looked her up and down and nodded.
"You are ready then?" At her nod, he continued. "Good, we have no time to waste. You are going on a journey that will use your 'talent' to undo an evil being that is trying to destroy the balance of magic in this world and thus destroy this plane of existence."

Adriana could not help blurting out,"But how am I to go against a force like that?"

Her father gave her a look which had her shrinking back from his gaze and the mage shook his head.
"Such is not for you to know at this time."

Taking a scroll from his robes, he handed it to her and said,"There is a lone tower some ways from her where you will find the person that you are to deliver this scroll to. Your father will take you and deliver you to the gates of the tower. Once there you will give this scroll to the master of the tower and then you will do whatever he says. I have given him all the instructions there. Without another word, he turned and left.

Adriana clutced the scroll in one hand and picked up her small pack in the other and followed her father down the stairs and out of the tower. Standing for a moment and taking in the pleasure she felt at being out of her stone prison at last, she started when she heard her father's grunt of impatience.

Hurridly she walked after him, trying to keep up with his long strides. As they were walking through the village, the met a magic user who seemed unfazed by her presence. She stared at him with puzzlement as he and her father talked then she heard her father reply.

"Come if you wish," He said gruffly,"But do not blame me if her curse overcomes even you."

With that she was running to catch up to him again. They traveled like this for several hours. The silence around them almost tangible. Stopping only once for a cold lunch and then setting off again.

Finally she could make out the spires of a tower in the distance. Her steps slowed a bit thinking that she would now be required to go into this stone structure having been free of her own for such a short time.

They came to the huge gate in front of the tower all too soon and her father approached it and pounded on it until he could hear footsteps. Once he knew that she would be recieved, he turned and, giving her one last glance, strode off the way they had come.

Watching his back as he got further away, her attention was captured once again by the opening of the heavy gate. She held her breath not knowing who or what would come out of the gate to greet her.
 
Isolde was making good time when she was thrown to the ground by a flash of brilliant lightening. She threw her hand up over her eyes to shield them and, when she brought them back down, a man stood before her. "Damn!," She heard him call out to the skies.

Her natural ability to sense magic told her here was a great magic user. What she did not know was if he was good or evil.

Scrambling to her feet, she whipped up her bow and placed and arrow into it-aiming at his back. Being an honorable warrior, though, she refused to shoot a man that way and so called out to him.

"Who are you and what are your intentions," She yelled-trying to keep her voice calm and steady.

The man turned and looked at her and something in his eyes made her shiver so that the bow dipped down a bit. Still, she would see this thing through even if it ment her death for it was the way her father had taught her and she would not abandon those beliefs.
 
Cristian sat down in his chair, unable to think. Why had his magic disappeared and at such a crucial time as this. He looked up at the gods and screamed at the top of his lungs, "Why have you done this to me! What have I done to you that gives you the right to take away my magic, my very life!"
All that he received was silence. Just then Ralthus rushed up to where he stood and said, "Master, there is a person, a woman standing outside saying that she has a scroll for you and you alone."

Cristian looked up, "Tell her to leave. I need my peace right now for what good am I to anyone?"
Ralthus was taken aback by the change that had overcome his master, for he had become a mere shadow of his former self and was no good to anyone, much less a world that needed someone to save it.

Ralthus turned and left the room, not wishing to say anything before going down the steps that led to the main door. When he reached the door he looked upwards for a second, shook his head and slowly opened the door. He looked at the woman that was standing there and said, "Yes miss, what can I do for you?"
 
Adriana

Adriana looked at the man who opened the door, her eyes wide and frightened. She had never been left alone like this before and she was trembling a bit.

Her voice quaked when she spoke,"I...I need to see the master of this tower, please. I have a scroll for him and I must deliver it."

When the man insisted that his master wished to see no one, her heart fell and she put out her hand to place on his arm.
"You do not understand. I cannot return to my village until I complete the task set on these scrolls and the wise mage of the province has said that only your master may read this scroll."

It was not as if she wanted to go back to her tower but she really did not know what she would do should the man of the tower refuse to see her.

"Please," She begged-despiration in her eyes.
 
Ralthus looked at the woman and said, "You may go and see the master. Follow the steps to the door at the top of them, he is in there."

He took a step back and watched her as she walked up the steps and hoped to all the gods that his master didn't kill either of them.

Cristian was still sitting in his chair with his head in his hands when he heard the door open. He turned his head but instead of seeing Ralthus he saw an extremely beautiful woman standing there looking at him in pure terror. He got to his feet, "Who are you and what are you doing in my tower."

"I- I came to give you this scroll. The master mage of my village told me that I was to give it to you and nobody else."

"Go back and tell your- tell your master mage that he has made a grave Arrggghhhh!!!!"

Cristian then fell to the floor.
 
Adriana

Adriana was shaking even more now than she had been at the door. They had sent her to a mage! Surely this wasnt the one he had been talking about but then why did they choose to put this man in danger?

Before she could say anything more the man crumpled to the floor before her eyes. "Oh, no!,"Adriana thought,"my curse has gotten stronger in the tower. This has never happened before."

Going to the door, she shouted for the servant who had let her in that his master was in trouble. Turning back she stood uncertain what to do but in the end she could not just leave the man on the floor.

Running up beside him, she tried to raise him and was grateful to see that his chest was still rising and falling. At least she had not killed him.

Brushing her hand along his face she called out for him to wake up. "Please wake up," She cried,"I'm sorry. I didnt know..honest I didnt know. I would never have come here if I had known. Please, please be ok."
 
Cristian opened his eyes just to see the woman's beautiful face above his with concern clearly evident on her face. He reached up and placed one hand on her face and smiled. It was then that he heard it, the voice of his magic- it was back clearer than ever.

Just then he heard the hurried footsteps and saw his apprentice standing over him, concern evident on his face. He looked at Ralthus and said, "Get me one of my spellbooks."

"But master, you can't-"

Cristian looked at Ralthus and said, "Just please bring me my spell book."

Ralthus walked over to the bench with all the spellbooks on it and brought one over to Cristian who took hold of it and began to chant the words to a spell.

Seconds later a bright light filled the room and Ralthus said, "How?"

Cristian looked up at the woman and said, "I think that I have her to thank. What is your name?"
 
Adriana

Adriana looked from the spell book to the mage and back again. His question slowly filtered into her brain.

"A..Adriana," She said her eyes steadily on the spell book. What she had just witnessed was not possible,"But..but how did you do that."

He chuckled at her and said,"I am a mage, my dear. That was a very simple spell."

She shook her head almost violently.
"You dont understand. You did it while I was around and thats just not possible. Since my birth I have carried a curse that prevents any mage from working even the simplest of spells while in my prescence."

She started backing up against the wall, her heart almost leaving her chest, it was pounding so hard.
"Who and what are you? And why has the wise mage from the province sent me here?," A horrible thought crossed her mind,"Are you going to finally kill me because I had something to do with the evil that threatens the land?"
 
Cristian looked at her in puzzlement, "What do you meant you have something to do with the evil that is threatening this kingdom. I can see that you have a pure heart and that there is no way that you can ever willingly help evil."

As he moved closer to her Cristian saw the woman, Adrianna looking around like a caged and frightened animal, "No one and nothing in this tower is going to hurt you. I swear on my honour"

Adrianna looked at him, "I do not trust the honour of a mage. They do not trust me and there for hate what I am and what I can do."

Cristian then backed away and sat back down, looking at Adrianna then moved his hand and willed one of the other chairs in the labratory to him. As soon as it had stopped in front of him he looked at her, "Please, sit down. We have much to discuss and I would very much like to read this scroll that is so important that they have sent the only person that is the only thing that can stop this war to me."
 
Adriana

Adriana approached the mage slowly and, keeping her eye on him the whole time, picked up the scroll where it had fallen on the floor as she rushed to his side.

Handing it to him with a shaking hand, she then sat down on the edge of the chair, ready to bolt at a moments notice. Crossing her arms to stop herself from shivering uncontrollably, she started talking, almost to herself.

"I did not say I did anything willingly. But what other reason can they have to send me to you but that I caused this unbalance between the mages. My curse must have grown even though I was imprisoned in the tower."

He did not seem to be listening as he was reading the scroll. And she quieted down and spent the time looking around the tower and at the boy that the mage had called Ralthus. She felt the stone walls close in on her and she was finding it very hard to breath.
 
Cristian

Cristian looked up from the scroll in his hands and saw the expression that Adrianna had on her face and said, "Ralthus, would you mind to take Adrianna to the room through that door. I think that she will like it."

Ralthus walked up and said, "Yes master." He looked at Adrianna, "If you would follow me."

Adrianna looked at Ralthus and Cristian, fearing where she was about to be taken and what was about to happen to her but Cristian just looked at her, "Do not worry my dear, you will like this room. It has taken me a while to build it to perfection."

This seemed to calm her down but still when she stood she kept her distance from Ralthus, unsure of what was going to happen to her as Cristian went back to his scroll, a smile on his face.
 
Ether

It wasn't coincidence that he was led back to this tower. The gods don't play coincidences. This was the place where he first witnessed the white mage strike down the black mage.

Ether watched as the cursed woman was admitted, than waited a few moments before attempting his own enterance. He stepped up to the door and knocked.

"Damnit, can't you people realise that My master is unwe* ULP!" the alcolyte sucked in his breath on sight of the blue skinned man.

"I wish to speek with your master" Ether said
"Ulp... He is unwell.. plus he is already in a meeting of importance. C-come back another time" with that, the scared apprentice closed the door. Fate had brought Ether back to this place, and he would be damned if he missed what was taking place here. Recalling what he's learned before, he tried his luck again.

*Kock Kock Kock* "I-I thought I told you, my master will nto see anyone else today!"

"I think he would like to see me. Your master was in a battle recently, in which a black mage was killed. am I right?" the aprentice's facial expression had not changed significantly, though he did pale a little. "and if I'm not mistaken, he finds that he has no magic at the moment." The comment struck home, as the apprentice went into shock, his face turning completely white. "I think he will see me now" The apprentice hesitantly admitted Ether and went to inform his master...
 
Cristian

Cristian was studying the scroll when he heard a noise behind him and turned to see his other apprentice, Ric standing there. He looked at him and said, "What is it?"

"There is a person here to see you master."

Cristian looked at him and said, "Well then let the person in. I can't have anyone that wants to see me standing down stairs now can I."

"But master, you should know something about this person, he is-"

"I don't care- get him!"

As soon as Ric had disappeared out the door he said to himself, "I will never finish this scroll."

OOC: Nice bit of manuevering there, I must admit.
 
Ether

"My master will see you now..."

Ether smiled to himself as he stood up and followed the apprentice to his masters Study. He stepped in with composure and confidence, even though he did not know what to say or expect. His calm face belied his inner shock at what he saw. The wizard in front of him had a striking resemblence to a man he once knew from an adventure long past.

"Echem. Good evening great mage. My name is Ether Melt. "
"Good evening. I am Cristian Cofaldeon. What business do you have with me that merrits Scaring the whits out of my apprentice?"
"I would assume that you know about the disterbance in the balance of the world, as you seem to be one of the sources of it."
"Go on"
"I am sent by the gods, or mine peticularly to restore the balance in the world."
"and what god do you worship?"
"Why, the neutral god of ice. I am his champion"
"You don't appear to be... quite human, and you are definetly not a mage, How d you hope to stand up to the most powerfull of evil wizards in this world?"
"I have magic" he created another icicle for emphacis "and it is independant of the natural order of magic that you so depend. Besides, I have a trump card that you and I have both just recently met..." there was no question as to whome he was talking about.

"Well, why would you come to me then?"
"The gods to everything for a reason. Not only was my path the one that met up with this woman, but following her took me here, to the place where I watched you kill that black mage!"
Cristian winced at the reminder of his nephew, whome he was forced to kill in self defence.
 
Cristian sat back and looked at Ether, "What makes you say that I am one of the sources of the disturbances?"
"You have lost the use of your magic, haven't you," Ether said.
Cristian looked at him, now knowing that this person knew more than anyone else in the room and said, "What do you know."
 
Adriana

Adriana followed Ralthus through the tower at a safe distance. She did not know what was going on. She was confused and scared and totally exahusted.

The man stopped in front of a large door and opened it for her. She scooted inside, avoiding contact with the man and placed her small bag of belongings on a chair in the room.

She looked around. It was luxurious. There were chairs and a table of rich wood. A desk and ink pot sat in a corner and the bed was huge and the sheets were of silk and the bed covers and pillows looked to be of softest down.

She walked forward and stared in wonder at the richness of the room before being startled out of her thoughts by Ralthus moving around and lighting the lanterns in the room.

Without a word, he went about his task and then exited with a nod to Adriana, closing the door to the room. She climbed slowly up onto the bed and sank down on the softness.

She sat there with her hands in her lap waiting for whatever would come next. Time passed with no one disturbing her and she felt herself getting sleepier and sleepier until her head fell forward and she dropped onto the bed in a deep sleep.
 
Garath

Garath walked back towards his tower with an evil grin on his face. So, someone thought that he was powerful enough to send someone like Lokken after him. As he walked towards his labratory he noticed a shadow that seemed to be moving of its own free will across the wall. He stopped and looked at the shadow, "Tell me who you are know or I will destroy you."
"You can not. I have come here for one thing, I have come here for Lokken. He and I have a little rivalry and I was told that he was here."
"He was but he isn't anymore. He is a far way away from here I should think," Garath said, "now, would you be so kind as to tell me your name."
"My name is Torin. I was once a powerful warlord until Lokken destroyed me and I was reduced to this pitiful excuse. I am after him to repay the compliment."
"You might be of some use to me, follow me. I have a proposition for you. Something that you will find most interesting."

The two of them walked down the hallways to Garath's labratory where Garath drew a circle on the floor and asked Torin to stand in it.
"What will this do to me?" Torin asked.
"Just wait, this may take a while," Garath said.
He picked up his black tome and stood before Torin then began chanting words to a spell. All of a sudden Torin was enveloped by a black mist and he started to thrash about.
"You have betrayed me sorceror! I will destroy you for this."
Garath didn't respond he just raised one hand as he continued chanting, causing the mist to get darker still.

Three minutes later he had stopped chanting and the mist was beginning to clear. When it had cleared the shadow that was the warlord Torin had disappeared and in its place stood an extremely tall, muscular looking man who looked at Garath with a malicious grin.
"How did you do it?"
"It was very simple Torin. Now, I wish to have a talk with you. I think that we can be partners and I have a plan that will help you."
"I am listening."

Garath turned and walked out of the labratory without a word, leaving Torin standing there in puzzlement until he decided that it would be best to follow this mage and followed him through the door.
 
Ether told Christian about what he's learned. Well, most of it anyway... He told him about the balance of the world, the suspected sources of the evil, and the effect the distruction of balance would mean. What Ether failed to mention is the dream that he was able to witness without being affected by it. He had not told him about his past confrontation with one of the evils. Christian had no clue that he was leaving anything out.

"THat's all good and well" said christan when Ehter was finished, "But I allready know most of that. My question is how you learned it all, and why"

"A number of times in the past, the balance of nature was shifted and needed correction. In these cases, I have been called upon to.....Arbitrate the situation. Unlike the clerics of Misal-lasim or Belial, My deity has instructed me to know what I'm getting into, instead of plunging headfirst into the frey blindfolded."
"I have been travelling for weeks now, investigating the situation. My earthly sources tell me that Gareth, the head of the order of black, is instigating the purge of white mages on this realm. My Etherial sources tell me that an evil named Torin, supposedly killed many years ago has been revived and holds a key piece to a puzzle. My instincts tell me that Lokken," there was a phisical change in Ether at the mention of belial's champion. "is also playing his cards at this table.
 
Cristian stood up and walked over to a window, looking out of it.
"So, what you are telling me is that there are all these elements everywhere and if things are to be put right then either one or all of us must die. If you here to restore the balance then why didn't you just destroy me as I am one of the causes of this imbalance."
"I knew from the first time that your heart is pure and I only destroy beings that are evil or have had dealings with evil. I can not tell you what is going to happen, I do not have that power- all I can tell you is that in order to restore the balance there will have to be some sacrifices made."
Cristian turned to Ether then looked at the door where Adrianna was sleeping, "What sort of sacrifices. I have had to kill my nephew already. I think that that is enough of a sacrifice but now you tell me that I will have to sacrifice more, maybe even my very existence to restore the balance."
Ether looked at Cristian and saw that a great weight had now been placed straight onto his shoulders, "What I am saying is that some sacrifices are going to be made but not necessarily by any of the major forces at work here."

Cristian turned to the window again but before he did he pointed one finger at the door to Adrianna's room and smiled, I hope that she likes waking up in a forest
 
Adriana yawned and streatched lazily. She had spent a dreamless night and she felt more refreshed than she had in a long time. She slowly opened her eyes and then bolted upright.

Looking wildly around she was suddenly very disoriented. She knew she had fallen asleep in a bed-it had been at that mage's tower-and now she had woken up in a forest.

She looked underneath her where she had lain. She had not felt that she slept on hard ground and, sure enough, the grasses where she lay had woven themselves together to make a plush bed here in the forest. When she stood she saw them unweave themselves and settle back into the ground. "Magic!," The thought crashed upon her and she looked around for those who were responsible but could not find anyone.

Her eyes did light upon a stream flowing by and she realized she was very thirsty. Walking over to it, she cupped her hands and drank heavily after which she splashes some on her face to refresh and cleanse herself.

She dove her hands under the water yet again and then froze as she heard a noise behind her.
 
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