Topic: Chaos Rising (Read 13507 times)

OnewingedDragon · « **Reply #135 on:** October 19, 2007, 10:04:03 PM »

"No, I don't." Daemon answered him.

"As your King I demand.."

Daemon cut him off. "Shut up."

The silence in the inn was palpable.

Quickly and quietly everyone slinked out of the building as The King and The Commander of the Home Guard stared each other down for what seemed like an eternity.

Everyone that is, except for Nyx and Jake, who was currently wondering what the hell was going on. And said so.

Fortunately, that was able to break the staring contest between the two men. For a moment no one said another word, then Daemon finally spoke.

"While I do not feel need to explain my actions, I will nonetheless. But before I do that," he turned to Jake, "Do I need to explain what will happen if any of what is said here ever leaves this room?"

Jake shook his head.

"Good." Daemon nodded. Looking back at Lance he said, "When you and Nyx got involved with each other I turned my head, regardless of the oath that was sworn when we became your homeguard, an oath I would remind you that I have kept for 150 years. However, when it became apparent that you're ruling was being ruled by your relationship, I decided to intervene."

"That was not your decision to make you son of a bitch." Nyx spat.

Lance quieted her with a gesture. "While it seemed ill informed at the time, it actually was Daemon's decision. There's a certain level of autonomy that comes with his position, and with that comes the power to decide whether or not the King is acting with the interest of the people in mind. And unfortunately I would say that Daemon is uniquely qualified to understand the innerworkings of the court."

Daemon nodded, "Three different Kings will give you that insight."

Lance nodded.

"Wait a second." Nyx sputtered. "You are actually taking HIS side?!

The King avoided looking at Nyx, which was all the confirmation she needed to go off on him.

"Of all the inconsiderate, Ill-mannered, egotistical pricks I have ever met, you officially take the cake! You mean, selfish sonuvabitch! How could you! After all the-" she was abruptly cut off by a fist to the side of her head, knocking Nyx to the floor.

Looking up she saw a livid Jake standing over her. "I do not know who you are or what your relationship to King Lance is, but I will NOT tolerate this complete lack of respect."

He turned to The King, "I beg your pardon your Majesty, but what the hell is going on and who exactly are these people?"

Lance shook his head and smiled. "Do not worry Jake. I too would be understandably frustrated without past knowledge."

He sighed, and began walking around the room. "I need you to understand. Your relationship will change greatly with everyone from here on out. Can you deal with that?"

The Commander nodded.

"Very well. You are familiar with the Home Guard?"

Jake nodded, "I am, but I thought they were only rumor to keep potential enemies from sending assassins."

Daemon and Nyx both laughed out loud, but quickly caught themselves when they realized who they were laughing with.

Lance smiled and shook his head, "Jake I'd like you to meet the second highest ranking member in my court."

Daemon bowed, "Daemon Laren, General of the Homeguard and protector of the kingship at your service."

Jake's jaw dropped.

Lance continued, "And Nyx here was a former commander of the home guard. She broke her oath and was cast out of the guard, and the court, by Daemon.

Jake's jaw dropped even farther.

After taking a moment to compose himself, Jake asked "What did she do the be cast out?"

Lance suddenly became preoccupied with the hem of his shirt while Nyx tried to unsuccessfully melt into the floor.

Daemon, however, had no such reservations. "They were lovers."

"I need to sit down." Jake said as his head began to swim with the newfound knowledge of the last few seconds.

"I know this is a lot to take in," Lance said, "but it is best you know."

Jake raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

Lance looked back at Daemon, who grinned. "Because," he said, "we want you to become a member."

koRi watched Kristen fly away, cursing himself.

"Damnit!" he thought, "she's getting away. I must have that book!"

He summoned a wyvern into creation, under an illusion of Kori transforming into a drake, and took off after Kristen.

Kristen looked back and saw Kori behind her and she waved at him, slowing Crystal down enough to let her friend catch up.

"Come to keep me company?" She shouted at him over the wind.

koRi responded by firing off ball of negative energy at her.

"Oh shi-" Kristen began, but was cut off as Crystal stopped flying and dropped like a stone towards the ground below.

She held on for her life as her mount snapped out her wings and abruptly broke off the dive and started heading back towards Port Lovis.

"You want me... to become...a member? Of the Homeguard?!" Jake had a bewildered look on his face.

Daemon nodded.

"But... all the arguments, the fighting... You broke my armor! I don't get it."

Daemon scoffed. "I broke your chain shirt. As for everything else, it was a test of who you were. If you had responded any other way we wouldn't be having this conversation."

Lance looked back at Jake. "Do you want to do this?"

Jake pondered for a brief moment, "Yes, I would gladly sacrifice everything to serve you my liege."

"Very well. Let us begin." Lance said

Daemon held out a hand to Nyx, who was still on the floor. She looked at it like it was a venomous snake, but eventually took it and hauled herself to her feet.

They gathered in close as Lance and Daemon began chanting.

"Bring us to the place of trials. Bring us to the site of oaths. Bring us home."

The inside of the inn wavered, shimmering like a desert mirage, then disappeared entirely. For a moment, everyone was surrounded by darkness, then slowly a new room formed. Rocks wavered and solidified, a soft green and orange light began to brighten as the group's eyes adjusted to the light change. A few lanterns, nailed into the stone, let off a yellow, flickering light. Somewhere in the gloomy distance the constant drip drip of water falling from a stalactite echoed. Algae suffused the area with a soft green glow to compliment the flicker flame of the lanterns. Before the party stood a silver chair with matching rod laying across it. Runes ran across both objects, in a language known only to a few people.

"Where are we?" Jake asked.

"Halyia." Daemon responded. "My home plane."

"Wait. We're on a different PLANE?!" Nyx shouted. "Nobody told me that the first time!"

"That's because you didn't ask."

"Oh."

Jake looked back and forth at Lance and Daemon. "What happens now?"

Daemon walked over and took the rod, handing it to Lance.

Motioning Jake to kneel before him, the King held the rod out over the Commander's head and began speaking.

"Long have the Guard protected the Royal line. Long have they fought and died to protect us without regard to their wellbeing. Now we come before you again to beseech your permission to add another to our ranks."

As Lance finished, smoke began billowing out either end of the rod. It moved as if it were alive, wriggling through the air like a snake to cover the chair, where it began to coalesce into a seated being.

At first look, it was an exact copy of Daemon, but as the being became more solid and opaque, it became apparent this was a much older Halyian. An old scar ran down his chest, the flesh still puckered from a botched healing. Crow's feet spiderwebbed out from the corner's of the man's eyes, melding seamlessly with the wrinkles on his face. His arms were wiry and gripped a staff, not unlike the one Daemon carried. A simple loincloth covered his lower body.

The most shocking thing however, was his hair. Fine feathers grew from scales, coarse hair next to much softer hair. A small fin jutted from the center of his head and ran all the way to the base of his skull.

Finally, the last bit of smoke vanished into the Halyian's body. AS it did he looked up, first at Lance then his eyes widened a bit at the sight of Daemon.

"My child, you have returned after many years. I see you have lived up to all we have expected of you."

Daemon bowed low, "It is good to return, if only for the briefest of moments."

Looking over at Lance, "You come before me seeking an addition. Has he proven himself worthy?" Lance nodded. "His CuthalÃon heritage also lends greatly to our decision."

The being seemed pleased. "This is very good. Let the ceremony begin."

With a wave of his hand, a faint chant started in the background. It was in a language no one, not even Daemon, could understand, but they could all feel the power flowing from the unseen voices.

Slowy, pinpoints of light began appearing in the darkness. As they grew closer, the group could see they were will-o-wisps; pure energy given form. They frisked and frolicked, buzzing past one another, and soon around everyone. Jake watched in fascination, Lance simply smiled and followed the movements of one. Daemon moved his staff around, teasing them, and Nyx tried, and failed, to hide her joy at seeing the wisps again. Suddenly they all grew still, and about half of the entire group moved as one to hover over Lance and Jake. Then, one by one, they sank into rod, filling it with their energy as it glowed brighter and brighter. As the last one infused the rod with itself, the chant suddenly increased in tempo and volume. Threads of light came out from either end of the rod and wrapped themselves around Jake, who had by this time closed his eyes. As they finished covering him from head to toe the glow suddenly vanished into Jake, who gasped and struggled to stay on his knee.

"Repeat after me" The King directed.

"Yes sire."

"I shall forswear all previous ties. I shall put my king's life ahead of any other, including my own. I will not betray the royal line in anyway. To do so would mean my death. This I swear."

Jake repeated the words and as he finished, he felt a sudden tightening in his chest that loosened with each passing breath.

Lance lowered the rod and sighed in relief. "Welcome to the Homeguard. After we have returned home, Daemon and the others will get you settled in. For the meantime you will retain your command until this war is fin-" Lance cut off as the remaining willowisps suddenly sprung into motion. Instead of flying into the rod though, this time they wrapped themselves around Nyx as they were, absorbing into her until her entire body was glowing like the sun. Suddenly she screamed and everything went white.

Crystal pumped her wings as hard as she could as koRi continued to fire blast after blast of energy from his 'mouth'.

On they flew towards Port Lovis, Crystal dipping and rising, doing everything she could to avoid the magic, while Kristen flung fireball after fireball at koRi's form, who either dodged them or seemed to absorb the damage entirely.

Soon, she saw the port city come into view.

"I can make it, just have to get to the city then there will be enough to protect us."

Just as she cleared woods and was over the gates of the city, a blast hit Crystal, causing her to fall unconscious and tumble towards the earth. She hit with a bone jarring impact, sending Kristen, and her bags, flying.

As she hit the ground she saw Kori land and start to approach her when he stopped and looked past her. As she craned her neck, she saw that the bag with the Book in it had come open and the Book was sticking out.

"No!" she cried as she tried to get up and get to the book, but her legs wouldn't respond.

koRi gleefully walked over and grabbed the book in his 'teeth', but Kristen saw the truth of it. As he reached down to grab it, for an instant, Kristen saw a black gloved hand reach out and grab the book.

She watched koRi vanish in a ball of darkness, and just before she passed out, heard the shouts of people running towards them and her own voice.

"Gotcha."

As the light subsided, the foursome found themselves back in the inn, with everything as it was before, except that Lance still held the rod.

"What the hell just happened?" Daemon asked.

"I have no idea," Lance responded, "that's never happened before."

Before anyone else could talk, a commotion outside prompted the group to see what it was.

As the door closed, a white slash appeared in the middle of the common room and grew into a doorway. Kori stepped through, still dressed in his grey attire, and shut it.

"It's good to be back."

Roki appeared in front of Aidan in Raven City, looking triumphant.

"I take it you got the book." Aidan asked, clearly annoyed.

"Right here." He held out the book.

Aidan opened it, looked for a moment, then closed it and threw it at Roki. "Is this some kind of joke?"

"I have no idea what you mean."

"Take a look." Aidan pointed at the book.

Roki reached down and grabbed it, opening to the first page.

If you are reading this, then I am most likely dead. If you work for the cult and you have this, then you probably killed me but I have the last laugh. How does a fake work for you?

Roki threw the book down and screamed in anger.

Chevalier-Ange · « **Reply #136 on:** October 19, 2007, 10:04:37 PM »

Kori looked around slowly, and headed out into the streets of Port Lovis. He then immediately found himself surrounded by soldiers, guards, and dragoons alike, including Captain Bellew.

"Kaze Tatsuo Kori." The Captain said harshly, "You are under arrest." And motioned several guards to approach him.

Kori lowered his grey hood, and assumed a defensive posture as he stepped back away from the approaching men. Raising his hands he spoke in a demanding voice.

"Arrest? What am I under arrest for if I may ask?" as four guards quickly stopped his movements from behind.

"For that?" Captain Bellew said pointing to Kristen who was now being attended too by Ravi, Quinn and Kirin.

"KRISTEN!!!" he said loudly as he tried to free himself from the guards grip so he could go to her as well, "Let me go at once or else?" he added in a rather commanding and very angry tone.

Lance, Daemon and Nyx arrived just as Kori was summoning a wind to aid his release.

"Exactly WHAT is the meaning of this?" he ordered.

"Is that Kristen?" Daemon asked feeling the wind picking up.

"What the hell happened here?" Nyx added in an angry tone as well.

"My Lord." Captain Bellew began, "She was attacked by Kori My Lord."

"WHAT?" Kori responded as his concentration broke and the wind subsided, "I was nowhere near here, and better yet, why the hell would I do that?"

"Kori?" Lance demanded, "Explain yourself...now." he added as Daemon, Jake and Nyx glared at him.

"Lance." Kori began, "My Lord, I was no where near this place. I just arrived moments ago, I swear it."

"You swear it?" Daemon spat, "Like you swore to protect all when you gave Tristan's sword away to the enemy?"

"I did what I though was right at the time." Kori said in his own defence, "But this." He added pointing at Kristen laying on the ground, "I had nothing to do with this at all."

"And why the hell should we believe that?" Daemon again asked in anger, "Once a traitor, always a traitor right?" he added as he felt Kori's fist in his face now.

"Seize him." Jake ordered, "NOW!!!" he added as the guards and soldiers once again tried to grab Kori and place him under arrest.

"No" Kori said as he began to summon his wind again, "I will not go, I have done nothing wrong."

Kori quickly stepped back and pushed the men out of his way that were standing there. With the forest behind him, and everyone else in front of him, he reached deep inside, and called upon a wind to aid him. Not an injuring wind, but one that would provide his cover so he could leave without harming anyone, or without himself getting harmed as well.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the worried look upon Ravi and Quinn's faces as they tended to Kristen. It was then he decided that he would take Kristen to safety as well. Quickly he formulated a plan, and began walking towards her slowly.

"Oh no you don't." Daemon said as he reached into his bag and removed the Aura Sword from within it, "At least I know this can stop you." He added as he charged Kori quickly.

Kori's eyes widened, and quickly let out a roar and changed into his drake form. Kirin quickly stood up, preparing to help...Daemon.

"Snow...I beg you to not do this." She said as she too changed into a drake.

Kori roared something to her in draconic, and stepped closer to Kristen as Ravi and Quinn stepped back out of the way.

"Kori, no...why are you doing this?" Quinn asked sadly, "She's you're friend."

"And it for that reason I am taking her with me." He replied as everyone saw a portal of light form. Kori's enhanced Dimension Door spell to be exact.

"Over my dead body." Daemon stated as he swung the sword at Kori in a rapid downward fashion.

Kori moved aside quickly fearing the strike of the blade he felt once before, and swung his tail fiercely and hit Daemon square on the leg causing him to stumble.

"You sonofabitch" Daemon spat as he swung the sword once again only with less precision this time. Kori then released a small concussion blast and knocked Daemon off is feet.

"Get him now." Daemon commanded as he saw Jake running over and grabbing the sword from his hand.

"Forgive me Kaze Tatsou Kori, but you must now pay for you treason." He said as he attacked with a form that even Kori feared.

Several minutes went by, and the two combatants lunged and parried with grace and ease. Kori however was more concerned about Kristen, and decided he would just get her and quickly go. With a quick swing of his tail, he hit Jake unexpectedly, and moved quickly to Kristen's side. With his dimension door now fully open, he grabbed Kristen in one of his talons, and began to step through it.

A split second later, he felt the coldness of the Aura Sword once again, and released his hold on Kristen, as he fell to the ground. Half in the d-door and half out of it. Jake with sadness in his eyes, pulled the sword out, and plunged it deep into Kori's back as Kori roared in extreme pain. As Jake then removed the sword once again, he stared at Kori as the drake breathed his last breath. Simultaneously, Kori's Dimension door vanished, and Jake held his head down in sorrow.

Falling to his knees, Jake released the sword and watched in fall to the ground between he and Kristen, who now had Ravi tending to her once again. With a tear falling from Jakes eyes as he realized the drake was now no longer moving whatsoever.

Mike Caron · « **Reply #137 on:** October 19, 2007, 10:19:15 PM »

"Clearly, if you need something done right, you have to do it yourself." Aidan muttered, taking a few steps away from the man who just screwed up her plan.

"You're getting a rather large head, aren't you, girl?" Roki said, crossing his arms. Aidan stopped, and spun around to face him.

"That's Commander Dellcaine to you, Roki. Our Master put me in charge of this operation, and my plan was perfect. You had to screw it up, however."

"..."

"Had you lured her here, as I requested, then we could get the real book, and then deliver her personally to our Master, something he would appreciate." Roki remained silent. "Now, we have to go back. Did anyone see you?"

"See me? Only as the drake."

"Kori. His name is Kori." Aidan gritted her teeth, and Roki rolled his eyes. "Then you'll come with me. Let's go."

"We killed him!?" Daemon exclaimed. "How..."

Illyas, who had been at the back of the ever growing crowd, pushed his way to the front of the crowd.

"Hey, Daemon. Where'd you get the sword?" He asked, not impressed.

"What? That's none of your business." Daemon moved towards the sword Jake dropped, and stooped to pick it up, but then a hand threw itself forward, grabbing the hilt.

"I think not." A voice said. Daemon looked up, and saw that the hand belonged to Kristen, who had crawled a few feet to the sword.

"Kristen... You're awake?"

Kristen used the sword as a crutch, and pushed herself to her feet. When she was upright, she pointed the sword at Daemon.

"Hey, watch where you're pointing that thing!" He said, backing up.

"Why did you kill him?" Kristen asked, flatly. She took a few steps forward, still pointing the sword.

"I didn't kill him, Jake did!"

"Right. And, you didn't take the sword either."

"Kristen." Jake said, clearing his throat. "He's right. It was me."

"Ok, then, why did you kill him?" She asked Jake, still pointing the sword at Daemon.

"I did not mean to, but after seeing how he attacked you, we were being overly cautious."

"Well, two things. First off, that certainly is Kori. However, the person who attacked me... was not."

A gasp ran through the crowd, and Jake's eyes bulged.

"Not Kori? But, we saw... Who was it?"

"I don't know. I just got a glance. But, he was from the cult. That's for sure. He wielded Shadow magic."

"Kristen, why are you still pointing that thing at me?" Daemon asked, now up against a wall, with the sword inches from his face.

"Because I now trust you even less than I did before. I'm considering how best to put you over my knee for a good spanking."

"..."

"Everyone!" Jake yelled. "Enough. We need to see if Kori's really dead. Maybe he can be healed. If not... well, let's get him out of this place."

Immediately, people began to move. Kristen withdrew the sword, much to Daemon's relief, and walked over to Crystal. Kirin joined her, and they tended to Crystal's wounds. Everyone else began to help move Kori.

Suddenly, a chill wind began to blow through the crowd... an eerie wind that sent chills up everyone's spines. Everyone looked around, as if there was a particular cause for it... And, there was.

A black flame had sprouted in a clear spot. It began to waver, and then flatten into a tall disk. It then became clear that it was a gateway of some sort, as two people stepped through.

"What the... What's going on?" Aidan hissed at Roki.

"I... This was not how I left it." He whispered back.

"Aidan!" Kristen shouted, seeing who it was. "What are you doing here?!" Kristen had readied the sword again, but she was not the only one. Everyone who currently had a weapon on them was now wielding it, and in defensive positions.

"Kristen. Good to see you again." Aidan replied, frowning.

"What do you want?" Kristen asked, gritting her teeth.

"I want the book. The real book. If I don't get it voluntarily, I will take it forcefully. And, that's never a very tidy affair."

"You'll never get it. That, I swear! No matter who else you kill!" Kristen narrowed her eyes, as she held the sword ready, as she was taught long ago. Though she specialized in spears, she did have training in the ways of the sword, so she felt confident. Aidan smiled.

"If you're that confident, then I shall prove you wrong myself. Roki, kill them... Wait... what do you mean 'else'? Did we kill someone else?"

"No." Roki replied. "Not that I know of."

"Then what-" Aidan was cut off mid sentence as she caught sight of a blue shape laying on the ground. The shape of a dead ice drake. "Kori...? Kori's dead?!"

"It was not me, Aidan."

"You!" Aidan pointed at Kristen. "You must be to blame!"

"Me?! Why would I-"

"Enough. Roki, I'll deal with this one personally! Die!"

"Aidan, I've learned a few new tricks since we parted ways!" Kristen jumped forward, slashing the sword as she went. But, Aidan was just as fast, and out of nowhere, a sword forged of shadow appeared, and Aidan blocked.

"That's funny, actually, since you'll find that I have too!" They fought like in legends of old, sword clashing against sword. Aidan swung at Kristen, but she dodged to the side, and countered with a stab of her own. Aidan fell to the ground, but quickly twisted around, and tried to knock Kristen's legs out. A quick jump avoided that, luckily.

"Grr, you're a persistent little rat, aren't you?" Aidan growled. "But, gnaw on this!"

Aidan jumped backwards, and fired a bolt of dark energy at Kristen. The dragoon jumped aside, before countering with a fireball of her own. Aidan just laughed, and absorbed the energy. She fired another spell at Kristen. It moved so fast that all Kristen could do is raise the sword for protection.

To her surprise, the spell was absorbed into the blade, turning it all black. Both Kristen and Aidan showed surprise on their faces, but they also recovered at the same time. Kristen jumped forward, redoubling her efforts to strike the witch.

"Oh no, I'm so scared!" Aidan mocked. "What am I going to do??? she's attacking with a blade infused with SHADOW!" As Kristen slashed at her chest, she brought her own sword up to block. Amid a shower of black sparks, Aidan continued her taunt. "Oh, that's right! Nothing!"

At close range, Aidan fired a blast of energy, most of which was not absorbed by the sword, and Kristen went flying. She struck the ground on her back, but her armour absorbed most of the shock, so she quickly jumped to her feet. As she got up, she saw that Aidan was preparing a large spell.

"No!" Kristen exclaimed, but to no avail. The spell was released, and Kristen extended the sword, hoping it would work.

It did.

The spell was entirely absorbed into the blade, which was now glowing with a black aura. She could feel the energy radiating from the sword, at which point she remembered her other magical art.

She began to channel energy out of the sword, trying to mimic the spell Aidan used. But, just touching the Shadow energy was like immersing one's entire body into a pool of sludge... Poisonous sludge... made of fire.

"Grn... How can you do this all day...?" Kristen muttered as she tried to control the evil power.

"Ha ha ha... You're attempting the impossible..."

Without warning, Kristen released her spell, and it struck Aidan in the chest, knocking her back.

"Gah! How-?!" Aidan exclaimed, striking a wall behind her.

"Ha, that's... that's what you... Unh..." Kristen, having over-exerted herself doing what she did, collapsed to the ground, totally unconsious.

"... This is a joke, right?" Roki said, glancing back at Kristen. He himself had his sword being pushed back by three knights simultaneously, and was hardly breaking a sweat.

"Roki. We've got her, we've got the book. Let's grab her, and get out!"

"Aw, but I was just having fun." Roki glanced at the increasing pile of NPC corpses and sighed. "Very well." With a push, he knocked his assailants back, and then jumped back to where Kristen was. He quickly opened a Shadow gate, and they both vanished.

"Kori...!" Then, Aidan too vanished through a Shadow gate.

Once the dust settled, everyone looked at eachother.

"What... just happened?" Jake asked, rhetorically. He slowly walked over to where Roki and Kristen vanished, and picked up the sword which had been left behind.

"Just what do you think you're doing now?" Daemon asked.

"I'm keeping this. As Kristen demonstrated, this sword is best left in the hands of a channeler."

Edit: dealing with the sword

WhiteRoxie · « **Reply #138 on:** October 20, 2007, 08:23:06 AM »

"Kori!" Aidan screamed as she fell out the other side of the portal and into the dining hall of the Kingdom or Darkness. Rouge, Thalaas and Tear all stood suddenly at the appearance of Roki, Aidan and an unconscious female. Roki half-dumped Kristen on Thalaas who in turn carefully placed the KO'd dragon rider on a chair. Aidan started making another portal, but Rouge was faster and grabbed her wrists painfully hard.

"What are you doing?" Rouge questioned, looking both confused and angry.

"Kori's... Kori's.." Aidan suddenly found that she just couldn't say it, "I think Kori's dead."

There was a deafening silence that fell on the room. Aidan subtly struggled to summon darkness to her hands, but nothing came. Rouge let out a harsh laugh and sneered at Aidan.

"About time, wouldn't you say?"

Aidan's eyes widened and she snapped her wrists out of Rouge's grip. Roki looked up from inspecting the Tome just as Aidan's fist came into contact with Rouge's upper cheek. Rouge stumbled backwards and glared up at Aidan who fumed.

"Crazy bit-"

"Shut up! What the hell do you know?!" Aidan called forth a dark sword, but it was weak and slipped away quickly. Tear made a noise of annoyance and calmly coughed.

"Commander Dellcaine, you will calm down this instant."

Aidan turned on the female general, flaming eyes slightly glossy with slowly forming tears. Thalaas looked between the two and decided it would be better if he stayed out of this and made sure Kristen didn't fall out her chair. Tear continued talking as if Aidan was glaring sharp pointy glares at her.

"Whatever the past may have held, you now hold allegiance to Kingdom of Darkness. This you have approved. We have put up with your childish running around and trying to play both sides, but it ends now. You are to bring back the Dark Lord in mere hours. You will not be going any where!"

"I won't do it" Aidan hissed, her hands curling into tight fists, "if you don't let me go now, I promise you, I won't do it.

Roki narrowed his eyes, but before he had chance to speak and heavy book on various summoning techniques flew across the room and collided with the side of Aidan's head. Her eyes rolled back and she slumped forward, Rouge only catching the now unconscious shadow mage before she hit the floor. Tear dusted off her hands together and glared at the remaining conscious people in the room, daring them to say anything.

"General Roki, please inform Lord Ancel that the summoning can begin as soon as Commander Dellcaine wakes, in the meantime, General Rouge could you please bind her wrists and Prince Thalaas would you be so kind as to help him escort Commander Dellcaine and Kristen Arthas to the dungeons." She smiled fakely and left the room swiftly.

--@--

Kristen woke slowly. Her head ached with such ferocity that Kristen tried to go back to sleep. Then, she suddenly remembered collapsing. She opened her eyes, ignoring the stab of pain, and took in the dark, dank room with it's grey rocky ceiling and what appeared to be a cell door in the corner of her vision. Sitting up slowly she stifled a yell when she noticed Aidan curled up in the corner, wrists encased in heavy handcuffs that glowed dully. Aidan's eyes were barely open and she was seemingly staring intently at the wall on the other side of the cell. Kristen scowled and opened to say something to the shadow mage. She stopped before she started, then tried again.

"Why are you here?" she demanded.

"I tried to hurt Rouge. I tried to go back for Kori." Aidan's voice was hollow and her gaze didn't move from its spot on the wall.

"He might not be dead," Kristen whispered, trying to reassure herself more than Aidan, but there was little optimism. There was an uncomfortable pause.

"I screwed up, didn't I Kristen? Screwed up big time."

Kristen laughed cruelly. "Only a few times." The sounds of quick footsteps passed the cell door, echoes of loud voices that were lilted with excitement. Aidan looked up at the door.

"I'm out of time. I'm gonna bring back the Dark Lord soon."

"I have to stop you. I promised, remember?"

Aidan nodded and bit down painfully on her lip. Kristen looked around the cell, searching in vain for a weapon. Aidan noticed and shifted to stand up. Kristen watched her warily.

"What are you doing?"

"I may be sorry for what I've done, but I won't let you kill me," Aidan said forcefully. Kristen tried hard to remember the Aidan she'd first met, seemingly ages ago. Kristen stood as well. Aidan was at a great disadvantage. Not only were Kristen's arms not bound, but she was a much more capable hand to hand fighter. Kristen was fast and lashed out with her leg, but Aidan was faster and twisted out of the way to dodge. Kristen caught her shoulder and forced her into a wall, the shadow mage's back now to her.

"I don't need you to let me kill you," Kristen hissed in Aidan's ear. Suddenly, the cell door bolt clicked and the door swung open. Two guards pulled Kristen off and clapped her in handcuffs too. Aidan straightened and nodded to Roki who stood in the doorway.

"Feeling a little better now, Commander Dellcaine?"

Aidan flicked a glare in Kristen's direction. "Much better, thank you," she said dryly, "I would like to apologise for my previous actions. I was way out of line."

Roki accepted his apology with a stiff nod and released the cuffs. "You may also wish to apologise to General Rouge. But don't worry, we'll be meeting him in the Crystal Chamber now."

Aidan stiffened. "It's starting now."

"We're just waiting for you."

--@--

Aidan hadn't been in the Crystal Chamber, but what she saw amazed her. In the centre of the large chamber an outcrop of black shining crystal ran from ceiling to floor where it spread out in spikes and curving shapes. In the centre a seemingly naturally occurring flight of stairs led up to a throne similarly carved in the black crystal. Aidan noticed that Roki was carrying the Tome, while Tear held the sword and Rouge; the pendant. Aidan touched her neck wondering why she hadn't noticed it missing earlier.

Finally, Lord Ancel turned around and smiled at the arrivals.

"Aidan Dellcaine, Kristen Arthas... welcome to the rise of chaos!"

Nufufufufufu....

Chevalier-Ange · « **Reply #139 on:** October 20, 2007, 07:34:51 PM »

In all seriousness, if anyone has a problem with this post, please let me know right away. It's a bit over the top, and I do not want to appear like I GodModded, so...if you do not like something, or it's too much, let me know.

“…oh, and Roki, send the hoards if you will. I do not want any interruptions by anyone thinking they can rescue our guests here.” Lord Ancel added with a sly smirk.

Roki only bowed his head.

Mira looked around confused as everyone and everything around her stopped dead in their tracks. Suddenly a portal not of her own making appeared, and she tilted her head sideways looking at it, then she realized where it had come from “Kaleyn!”

A fog thicker and heavier then anyone had ever seen before suddenly began to form around Tristania rapidly. As Tristan himself appeared, he noticed the body that now lay on the ground just before him as it faded away to nothingness. Also, he quickly noticed that all was motionless. Closing his eyes and feeling the area, he opened them in quickly when he sensed an old soul “Guardian?”

The ancient one quickly ran to the edge of the cave. Not a thing was moving anywhere that he could see, except the swirling of the portal that now appeared before him. Reaching inside his head for a memory, his smiled in his own draconic way, and entered slowly. “Where are we going this time mage?”

“pots emit” the cloaked figure said as he stepped through his own dimension door in Port Lovis. Looking around quickly, he saw the remnants of a battle, a group of rather confused looking and motionless people, and a drake laying on the ground with several wounds.

“Dammit…” he said quietly to himself.

“What the hell did you mess up now Junior?” a sarcastic voice said from behind him.

“I didn’t mess up anything I’ll have you know.” The cloaked figure spat back just as sarcastically, “but Kori acted faster then I anticipated.” He added as he lowered his head and pointed to the drake.

“Indeed.”

“Don’t indeed me Kale,” The cloaked figure all but yelled as he faced the man talking to him, “and where the hell have you been?”

Kaleyn Montanue slowly walked towards the smaller man in front of him “keeping your corpse from rotting Jake” he answered with a deep glare, “Or have you forgotten you’re over 700 years old now?”

“No, I haven’t forgotten.” Jakob Montas retorted glaring back the same way, “you did after all get me into this situation.”

“Let’s not dwell ok?” Kale replied, “let’s just deal with the situation at hand shall we?”

“Fine.” Jake replied hastily, “If Grey and Fione were here you know…”

“Well, they aren’t so…” Kale began but was cut off by Jake rapidly.

“Lucky for you no?”

“…”

“Heh…” Jake laughed, “nice look.”

“Shut it.” Kale retorted, “I’ll grab the guards and them” he said as he pointed to Nyx and Kirin, “and you meet me in Tristania as I’m sure that stupid Elf is pacing back and forth by now.”

“Hahaha” Jake laughed, “you know he’s gonna be pissed at you right?”

“…”

“Heh…nice look.”

Kale furrowed a brow, and walked over to Nyx and Kirin and placed his hand in theirs. Raising his hands in the air, he chanted a few words, and he, Nyx and Kirin, and the Kings Special Forces Guards all vanished.

“Bloody show off.” Jake said as he opened his own portal and walked through quickly. As he did, the remaining people in Lovis started moving once again.

“What the hell?” Daemon asked even more confused, “and where the hell is Nyx and Kirin?”

No one answered him, but amidst the sounds of surprise and awe, everyone stepped back a bit as they saw the drake vanish into nothingness before their eyes.

“No…no” Quinn said sadly, “Jake? What’s going on here?”

“I don’t know exactly.” He answered as secretly, he could feel the remaining magic of an old old friend.

Mira stood beside Tristan as the ancient one walked out of the portal. Seconds later, the fog moved to form a shroud, and two other portals opened therein. Tristan wore a deeply troubled brow, as he saw dozens upon dozens of soldiers in black appearing before him. But, recognizing their crest, he relaxed and waited for the one person who could explain all this. Kale. Who, wearing a smirk arrived seconds later with Nyx and Kirin. Jake then appeared from his own portal, and he, Kale, Nyx and Kirin walked towards Mira, Tristan and the ancient one.

“Don’t say it you bloody elf.” Kale immediately said when he got close enough to Tristan, “I know exactly what I’m doing.”

“…”

“No, really, I do.”

“I somehow doubt that Guardian.” Tristan replied furrowing a brow.

“What?” Kale asked in a sarcastically hurt fashion, “You? Doubting me?”

“Clearly” Tristan and Mira replied together.

“Ok, not you too alright?” Kale said directly to Mira, “It’s bad enough you two act the same, but please, keep some sense of individuality ok?”

“If it were warranted Kaleyn, I might, but Maion is correct after all.”

“Heh…they have you there Kale.” Jake laughed out loud.

“Shut it Junior.” Kale retorted with a snap, “Let me explain a few things here now ok?”

As Kale spoke, Tristan paced back and forth listening very carefully to the words his old friend spoke. Every now and again, he would lift his head up, and stare at the soldiers that lined the field behind them. Kirin and Nyx, Kale explained had been made Captains of this elite force, answering only to their Commander, who was not present at this time. They had been trained, and skilled in the art of Subterfuge, magical displacement, and of course, close quarters combat as well. Kale further explained, that during the weeks they spent within his ‘time’ door, they had been trained by only the best, and that to him at least, they were his combination of the old “Order of the Dark Wing”, and the superior fighting style of the long since dead, Commander Rom.

Pausing for a moment, Kale further explained that he had only a few slight problems with his ‘Shadow Warriors’ as he now called them. Kirin was a drake in human form, and her spell was going to wear off sooner or later, and thus he requested the ancient one make her changeling skill permanent. Also, he wished for them to be ‘holy’ fighters as well, but knew only Maion and Mira could enchant them as such. And lastly, he was actually quite unsure if their Commanding officer was still alive.

With a quiet pause, Kale turned around and admired his army. After all, this was the first and only army he had ever truly banded together in any real way. All the times before, the armies he commanded or interacted with, were those of the Kingdom and the allies he fought with. Looking at Nyx and Kirin specifically, he noticed a bright light encircle her briefly. Seconds later, he saw every weapon, every soldier carried begin to glow white.

As he turned around with a smile, he saw Mira and Tristan on one knee each, basically praying, as an intense ‘holy’ white light emitted by both shown in his eye, he bowed to his friends in thanks.

Jake smiled wide-eyed as he remembered a time, when this kind of cooperation would have been commonplace. As he chuckled to himself as well, he thought about how proud his old friends would be for this moment, and how Lady Fione would have no doubt had some sort of witty remark to make.

When the light stopped, the weapons continued to glow slightly for a few minutes. And as all were admiring the sight, a very large flat-line portal formed in the distance and a lone individual walked out holding a sword high in the air.

“They have sent a hoard or undead soldiers to march upon Port Lovis this night.” He said, “I bid thee my friend, release my men from their trance, and allow me to introduce them to the King at once.” He added with a polite bow.

“Consider it done Commander” Kale replied as he raised his arms high in the air, spoke a few chants, smiled and nodded to Tristan, then he and everyone but the ‘Shadow Warriors’ and their commander vanished.

“Come.” The commander ordered, “we have a King to protect.” He added as he watched the ‘Shadow Warriors’ walk into the portal stream and disappear one by one. When Nyx and Kirin approached they smiled.

“I hope this works Commander.” Nyx said as she unsheathed her sword rapidly, “Oh, and it is good to see you again.”

“That it is.” Kirin added with a smile as she and Nyx walked into the portal, followed by their Commander.

When they arrived on the other side, Nyx, Kirin and their Commander saw that the fighting had already begun. The hoards arrived sooner then he had figured, and the Kings forces in Lovis were having a hellofatime with the various undead creatures that were now attacking.

“Captains…if you would please?” the Commander requested, as they nodded and began yelling orders to the men quickly.

“Hey is that Nyx and Kirin?” Jake asked Daemon as they attacked undead after undead that approached.

“Yup” Daemon replied as he beheaded the undead creature closest to him.

“And who is that in that back ground?”

“No idea right now actually.” Daemon replied as he took another head, “And why don’t you worry about that later ok, right now...” he added as he again removed another head.

“Indeed.” Jake replied as he attacked the two undead that were directly in front of him…Aura sword in one hand, and his Katana in the other, in perfect Tristanesque fashion.

Nyx and Kirin were quick to order the men about. And as the shadows popped up here, and then there, undead were falling at a rapid pace. The soldiers in Lovis were pulling back gradually, as they noticed the new force basically were in control of the undead they fought. With every shadow that appeared, and undead fell rapidly, and as the shadow ‘folded’ back upon itself, it would appear elsewhere just as easily, and took down another undead.

Lance, Jake and Daemon watched the goings on with great interest. Neither of them knew what exactly was happening, but they had no objections to it either. And when the last undead fell to Nyx’s blade, she and Kirin looked about quickly, and then relaxed and sheathed their weapons.

“Impressive to say the least huh Daemon?” Lance asked rather rhetorically.

“Yes” Daemon replied, “But who the hell is that person in the back ground is what I want to know.” He added, “and…he never even lifted a finger to help.”

“Hmm, yes.” Jake said out loud, “I noticed that as well.”

As the ‘Shadow Warriors’ formed ranks next to their Commander and Captains, Nyx and Kirin looked at their Commander and smiled.

“Shall we Sir?” Kirin asked as she saw Lance, Daemon and Jake approaching.

“I believe it is time, yes.” He replied as he, Nyx and Kirin walked towards the approaching men slowly.

Once they were face to face, Daemon glared at the hooded person before him.

“My King?” Nyx said with a bow, “I am glad to see you are well.” She added bowing slightly.

“And I you and Kirin as well Nyx.” Lance responded, “But…”

“Exactly who the hell are you?” Daemon demanded of the cloaked man as he interrupted.

Sighing deeply, the cloaked man spoke sombrely “I am the Commander of Kaleyn’s ‘Shadow Warriors’ Daemon.” He answered as Daemon and Jake pulled a face at the sound of the voice they now heard, “And…” he added as he lowered his cloak to everyone’s surprise, “I am Kaze Tatsou Kori.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“We…are at your service My King.” Kori said with a bow, “But I must ask you Sire…where did Kristen and Aidan go My Lord?”

Mike Caron · « **Reply #140 on:** October 21, 2007, 12:18:26 AM »

"Ancel... Steven Ancel! How... How is this possible?!" Kristen exclaimed. She broke free from the arms of the guard restraining her, and took a step forward before she was restrained again.

"Kristen Arthas... It's been a long time, hasn't it?" Ancel replied, smirking.

"Not long enough, you monster. Ever since you-"

"Now now, let's not waste time with pointless, if true, accusations. We'll have all the time in the world for this once my plan is fulfilled."

"Aidan, now is when we need you the most." Rouge said, gesturing forward.

"Yes, come, don't let us down." Tear said, nodding.

"I... I..." Aidan stuttered. She looked at Kristen, and then back at the four standing in front of the crystal. She thought about the good times she had before getting involved in all this stuff, and all the death and misery she'd seen since she defected to the cult...

"Aidan. You don't need to do this." Kristen said. "The Dark Lord is an incarnation of evil and chaos. His revival may spell the end of all humanity. He must not be restored to power!"

Aidan thought about the sacrifices made by the heroes of old to keep the Dark Lord from completing his plans. About the fact that the Shadow power that flowed in her veins was based in chaos, insted of the order she was used to with regular magic.

But, then, she though about the fact that it pulsed within her in the first place. She was chosen, but not by the people before her. The Dark Lord touched her, and she was meant to do this.

"I..."

But, then, didn't she believe in free will over fate?

"I..."

Aidan looked up, past the four, and gazed into the crystal. She could see the reflections of the cult leaders in it, and if she looked past them, she saw her own reflection. Then, she saw her reflection look straight at her, and for a second, it wavered and turned into Kegan.

"... will do it." Aidan said, finally.

She slowly walked across the floor, and took her place.

"Very good!" Ancel said, clapping his hands together. "Finally, the stage is set! All the players are in place, and as this act closes, a new one is ready to begin!"

"Aidan, take the pendant." Rouge handed her the pendant, and she placed it around her neck.

"Now, the sword." Tear gave her the sword, and she held it in her right hand.

"Finally, the book." Aidan took the book from Roki, who had opened it to a page for her.

"Aidan, please, you must not do this!" Kristen pleaded.

"Kristen... I'm sorry. But, this must be done."

Aidan began to read the spell. It called for a focus (she guessed the sword) to be used to hold the energy for the spell. So, she began to fill the sword with energy. As she did, a faint glow sprung up inside the crystal. It was very faint at first, but as Aidan worked, it began to pulse in time with the glow on the sword.

Soon, the glow was like a small sun in the chamber. Aidan turned to face the crystal, and plunged the sword into it. The crystal, which was solidified magic collected for this very purpose, melted into the sword, which glowed with such an intensity that it hurt to look at.

"Nepo laes! Drol krad eht eerf!" Aidan shouted, in a tongue with which she was not familiar. She pointed forward with the sword at the empty space where the crystal had been. Its power had warped and bent the fabric of space around it for such a long time that it was more suceptible to what she needed than anywhere else.

And, to that effect, a black circle began to spread from that spot. It was not quite a portal, but it was more like a chunk of another world super imposed upon theirs. It grew and grew, until the entire chamber was engulfed.

"Yes! I can feel his presence!" Ancel shouted, raising his arms.

The architecture around them seemed to shift before their very eyes, as the ambient energy pervaded the physical world, corrupting it with its chaotic pulse.

"What... what is this place?" Tear asked.

"This is the Chaotic Realm," Roki replied, gesturing around him. "Normally, entering it is certain death as ones composite particles are torn apart at a rapid rate. However, she's super imposed it on our world, allowing us to be within it safely."

However, Aidan ignored them all, and continued to work. With the sword, she traced a fine pattern in the air. When she was done, it began to glow of its own accord. Aidan turned to face everyone watching.

"Thy will be done." Was all she said. She backed up slowly into the pattern, seeming to vanish with every step. When she was gone, the pattern seemed to melt, contracting into a singularity.

The single point of light then stretched out vertically into a thin white line, and then it seemed to rotate into a rectangle of pure white light.

"His seal! It's broken!" Ancel exclaimed.

"It... can't be..." Kristen said, quietly.

Ever so slowly, however, something happened to the rectangle. Part of it seemed to darken a bit, as if it were a brightly lit silk screen, and there was someone behind it, moving forward.

But, the shape was not human. In fact, it was a fluid shape, writhing and twisting randomly as it moved towards the gate. And, shortly, it had arrived.

It seemed to try and push its way out, but it came slowly. Seconds stretched to minutes, and minutes seemed to be hours, as this amorphus shape pushed its way through an interdimensional gateway. Once it was through, it melted into the floor, vanishing from sight.

"What?! What was that?!" Roki cried out. "Where's our Lord?!"

Right here. A voice seemed to whisper out of nowhere. The voice was dry, as if its owner had not spoken in quite a long time.

A dark shadow formed underneath Roki, but nothing seemed to happen at first. But, then, suddenly, a dark column of energy burst up out of the ground, going all the way to the cieling.

"What the... arrgh... No! Stop! Aieeeee-" Roki screamed from inside the column, but he cut off sharply.

"Roki!" Rouge shouted running up to the column, but he stopped as he got close. "No..."

Slowly, the column began to fade, and standing where Roki used to be was another man. He was tall, and wore a long black cape with silver shoulder plates. His hair was short and black as well.

"My... my lord..." Ancel fell to his knees, and Tear and Rouge followed suit.

The man grabbed the edge of his cape, which wrapped around to his front, and threw it back, spinning in the process. As he faced the rest of the group, they could see his pale face, and the black armour he wore underneath.

"Ha ha ha... It feels good to take mortal form once more... There was a surprising amount of vitality in that weasel."

"You're the Dark Lord!" Kristen exclaimed.

"Hmm? Why, yes, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Dekentor, the Dark Lord."

"My Lord, we are honoured to bask in your presence!" Tear said, nearly touching the floor.

"Heh heh, and so you should be. You have served me well. Incidentally, this black space is a bit drab. Let's return to my new kingdom, shall we?"

With a wave of his hand, the black area snapped shut, leaving them back in the crystal chamber. Aidan was somehow laying face down on the floor, totally unconscious.

Jake and Tristan's heads snapped up, and they looked around, almost in unison.

"Did... did you feel that?" Jake asked, shuddering.

"I did... A feeling as if a great evil has returned..." Tristan replied, narrowing his eyes.

"Damn, I was hoping it was just me..."

Kori shuddered as he talked to Lance, prompting him to stop.

"Kori, what's wrong?"

"Aidan... Kristen, they're in trouble. I can feel it..."

"Ah ha ha ha, so much has changed since I walked this earth last, and yet one thing has remained the same... It all belongs to me!"

"No! I won't let you continue!" Kristen exclaimed, breaking free from her guard once more.

"Hmm, that's another thing that never changes. Pesky 'heroes' getting in the way. Very well, if you wish to tango, I'm up for the non-challenge."

Dark energy sprang up from both his hands, and he fired them as one at Kristen. She just barely got out of the way by rolling to the side. She ended up right next to Aidan, and she quickly got back to her feet.

At that moment, a gateway opened up right behind them, and Kori jumped through.

"Kristhuh-! Is that...?" Kori said, eyes wide.

"Yes! Take Aidan and go!" Kori responded immediately, by dragging Aidan into the gateway. As soon as they were gone, Kristen jumped through after him.

"Get back here!" Dekentor cried out, but he was too late. The gateway closed, leaving them alone. "Hmph. So, you think a bit of Deus Ex Machina will protect you? We'll see..."

Back in Port Lovis, Kori's gateway opened up once again. Out sprang Kristen, who was carrying Aidan. Kori followed her, closing the gate as he went.

"Kristen! And Aidan!" Lance exclaimed, surprised to see them both.

"My leige, I bring bad news." Kristen set Aidan down on the floor. "The Dark Lord has returned."

Everyone in the room remained silent as the grave news sunk in.

WhiteRoxie · « **Reply #141 on:** October 21, 2007, 04:52:07 AM »

Aidan woke up. Only, she didn't really wake up, because if she had really woken up she would have been in Port Lovis. Instead, she woke up floating in a strangely purple-only-not-entirely-purple world. Sort of green and purple. Like it could make up it's mind whether to be green or purple.

"Indecision," she murmured.

"Correct!" a feminine voice from behind caused Aidan to swivel in the air to face a floating youngster with long black hair tied in the two pigtails. She waved. Aidan frowned.

"What's correct?"

"Indecision!" The youngster back-flipped in the air, her purple eyes sparkling. "Can't you feel it? This is Indecision!"

Aidan blanked. "What? Where am I?"

"Technically, you're in Port Lovis in the presence of King Lance. However, after bringing Dekentor back, you fell into a self-imposed coma and came into this state of mind."

"Excuse me?" Aidan frowned, "why would I do that?"

The young girl giggled. "You're so dense." Aidan's eye twitched. "Because you're afraid of what happens next. You're afraid of the decision."

Aidan said nothing and the girl continued. "See, because when you wake up, the chances are you'll be charged with treason and thrown in jail are highly likely. The people you used to call your friends won't forgive you and you'll be rejected until your execution. On the other hand, you just brought back the Dark Lord, so the Kingdom of Darkness may come to collect you. Which leads us to the big question. The big decision. Which side are you on, Aidan?"

--@--

"Jeez, first day back and already 'good guys' are out to get me. I haven't even done anything yet." Dekentor turned around to face Ancel and narrowed his eyes. "Where are they located?"

"Port Lovis, my lord." Deke nodded slowly.

"Do they have a healer?" Ancel looked at the two generals, several metres away. Tear coughed politely.

"They have a cleric, my lord."

"Great! Take the cleric out! If there's anything I've learn about dealing with heroes, it's that they never stay dead." With that, the Dark Lord Dekentor strode from the room, Ancel trailing after him, leaving Rouge and Tear in the now crystal-less Crystal Chamber. After a moment, Tear spoke.

"What did you think?"

"I think we were safer with Roki." Tear agreed with Rouge.

"He didn't mention Aidan- or the fact she was taken- at all."

"Should we be rescuing her?" Rouge asked. Tear shrugged and pulled out a book.

"Well, what else are we going to do with her?" They both turned to look at the exact twin of Aidan pressed with her back against the wall, looking like a mouse faced with a lion. A giant, fire-breathing lion. Rouge pulled a face.

"Get her some clothes that don't smell like something died in them?"

--@--

"Which side?"

The young girl nodded. Aidan bit her lip. Everything that had been said was true. So painfully true.

"Do I have to make a decision now?"

The youngster shook her head and smiled. "We have all the time in the world."

So, Aidan made the decision to stay in indecision just a little bit longer.

OMGLOL Deke <33 XD And did you honestly think just snatching Aidan away would be enough?

Chevalier-Ange · « **Reply #142 on:** October 21, 2007, 06:32:51 PM »

“Ravi!” Kori yelled, “get over here now!!!” he added as he ran to Aidan and crouched down to hold her head, “No…no…please don’t leave me again Aidan.”

Jake immediately headed for Kori and Aidan, as Kristen was explaining a few things to Lance and Daemon. Nyx and Kirin cleared a path for the cleric, who stepped through the crowd quickly…Quinn and Illyas in tow.

“Kori?” Quinn asked as a tear ran down her face, “Is…is she …”

“No she isn’t.” Jake answered for a very distraught Kori, “But she is in a very bad state.” He added.

“Well we have to do something then.” Quinn retorted as Ravi got on his knees beside Kori and Jake.

With Kristen still talking to Daemon and Lance, the sound of Kori yelling at Ravi interrupted them quickly.

“WHAT?!? I refuse to let her go,” he said sternly, “and that’s that.” He added as he stood up quickly and faced King Lance.

“Sire, if I may,” he asked with a bow, “our cleric can not help Aidan, but I know of one who can Sire.” He added as a tear fell from his eye.

“If I say no Kori, are you going to just go anyway?” Lance asked rather sceptically.

“Yes Sire, I would.” Kori replied shamefully, “But I would rather have your blessing Sire.”

Lance looked at Daemon who looked to the ground and used one foot to remove a bit of dirt from the other. Lance then looked at Kristen, who suddenly felt it necessary to inspect her boot bindings.

“Hmm” Lance pondered. “I can see this person means a great deal to you all…no matter what she may have done already.” He added as he then noticed no one would look him in the eye directly, “And…she apparently can make loyal subjects shy as well.”

“My Lord.” Kori retorted as he gently guided Jake’s hands to replace his, “She was very different once…very different, and she does not deserve to die this way My King.”

“Hmm…very well then.” Lance finally said as he noticed heads popping up all around him, “But I want Jake to accompany you Kori.”

“As you wish Sire.” Kori replied with a bow, then turned around and opened his Dimension-Door “treahnevaR natsirT”

“Surely you mean Tristania right?” Daemon asked slightly confused, as he was well aware of how D-doors worked.

“No, I do not.” Kori replied as Jake stood up carrying Aidan and passed her to Kori. “Nyx, Kirin have the Shadow Warriors keep a sentry this night please.” He added as he, Jake and Aidan entered the portal and vanished.

Dekentor mused at his surroundings. “Hmm…I think I want my trophies back.” He chuckled to himself as a swirl of black engulfed him, and he vanished quickly.

Jake emerged from the portal first, followed by Kori who was still carrying Aidan. “Tristan Ravenheart!!!” Kori all but yelled. A few seconds later, a mist formed and through it walked Tristan with a rather perplexed look on his face.

“Jake? Kori?” He asked, “Forgive my surprise my friends, I was not…” he began but paused when he saw the limp body in Kori’s arms, and the look upon his face as well, “Why hath thou brought her here Kori? Is she not the one mine sword was taken for?”

“She is Milord.” Kori replied sadly, “I beg you Maion, please…please, what ever it takes, whatever you must do, I beg you save her Milord.” He added as he got on his knees humbly all the while still holding her tightly.

“Jake?” Tristan asked curiously, “Doth thou feelist the same way my friend?”

“I respectfully do Milord.” Jake replied with a bow of his own, “I do not know her well, but I believe in Kaze Tatsou Kori, and that is enough for me Milord.”

“So be it.” Tristan replied as he walked closer to Kori and Aidan, “I shall do thy bidding my friends.”

Just then a dark portal opened behind Kori and Jake “I don’t think so Maion.”

“DEKENTOR!!!” Tristan said as he charged him quickly.

Deke, surprised by this, pulled back a bit and raised his arms just as quickly. Tristan however, did not get past the edge of the mist he stood in.

“Haha…” Deke laughed, “Seems thou art bound no?” he added in a mocking and sarcastic way. “But I have no binds such as thee.” Still mocking Tristan as he walked towards him.

A few feet later, Deke was stopped in his tracks, “Hmm…what’s this? A ward I assume?”

“Seems you can’t get in either Dekentor.” Jake said as he unsheathed his swords and crossed them in front of himself.

“Heh…how quaint.” Deke laughed, “Your student plans to defend you Maion.”

“Stay behind the wards Jake.” Tristan ordered, “T’is not the time nor the place.”

“Hahaha…” Deke again laughed, “T’is a wise choice indeed.” He added mocking Tristan again.

“Hmm…” Deke then said sarcastically, “I did come for my trophies, but I see I will have to settle for my remaining powers back.” He added as a dark light quickly left Aidan’s body, and was absorbed by Dekentor’s hands.

“Another time, another place then.” Dekentor mused, as he vanished in a puff of black smoke just as easily as he arrived.

“Aidan” Kori sobbed as he felt her body become even more lifeless now.

EDIT: Fixed slight plot hole regarding Jake's knowledge of Aidan. Thanks OwA

Mike Caron · « **Reply #143 on:** October 21, 2007, 08:16:05 PM »

With a swirl of dark energy, Dekentor reappeared in his new throne room.

"My Lord," Ancel said, kneeling once more. "Were you successful?"

"No, I was not. However, I know that their greatest warrior is trapped, and will never threaten us."

"That is a relief, to be sure."

"Steven. My first request of you was to gather all who wielded my power together. Has this been done?"

"It has, My Lord."

"Assemble them now, it is time for my 'inaugural' speech..."

The entirety of the cult was congregated in the Great Hall. Only twice before had there been a general assembly of this scale, so this was fairly new to many of the members.

"What do you think is going on, Joe?" One of the cultists asked his friend.

"I dunno. I heard that something big happened earlier, but I'm not sure what."

Just then, at a platform high above, a few people stepped forward, so that they were visible to all. Two of the people were clearly recognizable as their Master and General Rouge, but who was the third man?

"Hey, who's that? And, why do I get a tingle down my spine when I look at him?"

"I... don't know... A new general?"

"My servants!" The man said, addressing the crowd. "I am your Lord and Master. I am the Dark Lord!" a collective gasp ran through the crowd, and half dropped to their knees. The other half followed suit, after realizing who it was.

"You have served me well up until this point, and now is your chance to serve me one last time!" The Dark Lord continued, raising his arms to underscore his words. "It's time for you to form my loyal legions of darkness!"

"Hurrah for the Dark Lord!" The crowd cheered.

Still raised, a ball of energy began to form between Dekentor's arms. It was black, and pulsed with the power that all below were familiar with. Suddenly, it shot forward, down into the crowd.

It then exploded, sending a wave of dark energy over the crowd. People began to scream as the evil magic began to take effect. One by one, each cultist fell to the ground, dead. Soon, there was not a living soul left.

"My Lord!" Rouge said, worried. "Forgive me, but I fail to see how killing the entire cult will assist us..."

"Rouge, are you familiar with my particular specialty?"

"You're a necromancer, my Lord..."

"That's correct. I value the loyalty of the dead over the trickery of the living. I would rather have an army of liches, then a cult of mages. Behold... The power of unlife!"

With a wave of his hand, the ground below began to shake. Then, each corpse began to glow with a dark light. A few seconds later, the corpses began to rise as skeletons. But, these skeletons were no ordinary heaps of bones... These were liches, the mages of the undead.

Rouge and Ancel both marveled at the sheer power of what their Lord had done, and with the relative ease with which he did it. Raising nearly a thousand liches at once...

"Now, it's starting to feel a bit like home... Ha ha ha ha ha!"

Chevalier-Ange · « **Reply #144 on:** October 23, 2007, 10:15:41 PM »

“And oh.” Dekentor added as he turned and faced Ancel and Rouge, “send a squad to take out that Cleric will you…better yet, send a few and burn the town to the ground.”

“My Lord?” Rouge asked.

“Kill everything.”

“Yes My Lord.”

“Maion please, do something.” Kori begged as Tristan watched the last bit of smoke vanish from where Dekentor was standing, “…please.”

Tristan turned his head and looked at Aidan's limp body. Then walking towards her quickly, he did what Tristan does best…he placed one hand on her head and one on her chest, and searched for the soul belonging to the person before him. A few seconds later, He, Jake, Kori and Aidan were standing in the place of light Tristan often went.

“Aidan?” Kori asked, “Are you ok?” he added as he ran to her and put his arms around her compassionately.

“Snow?” she asked confused, “Am…am I dead now?”

Kori didn’t know what to answer instead he looked at Tristan for a reply.

“Thou beist upon the wane in funeral winds, reliving a thousand winters lives within. Thy life doth unveil its weary eyes, as thy sun sets low, in sombre skies.”

“She’s still alive right?” Kori asked with a tear forming in his eye.

“Indeed my friend” Tristan answered, “alas, thy friends confusion is what keeps her here I fear.”

Kori looked at Aidan with deep feeling and a saddened heart, “Aidan?” he began to ask, “You don’t want too…”

“Kori stop…” Aidan interrupted, “please…you don’t understand.” She added as she pulled back from his embrace and looked away from everyone.

“Aidan” Kori said sadly.

“Aidan.” Jake spoke up “in this place…this is where…” he paused and looked at Tristan for guidance.

“T’is where thou decides which path thou wishest to take Aidan.” Tristan added much to Jake relief.

“What?” Kori asked confused, “No…just make her better and we can leave.”

“I can not do that my friend.” Tristan replied almost emotionlessly, “T’is her choice, not thine.”

Kori glared at Tristan and approached him very angered “JUST DO IT” he said through gritted teeth.

“Kori” Tristan began, “I can not.”

Kori’s eyes all but glazed over in fury. A split second later, he pulled his hand back and was just about to hit Tristan when a fire bolt hit him square in the chest, knocking him off his feet.

“Kori!” Aidan gasped as she ran to him quickly.

“I swear to you Kori” Jake said as he stood beside Tristan, “if you ever try that again…I WILL kill you, am I understood?”

“Jake!” Tristan said as he stepped between the two men, “his heart doth be pained my friend, clearly he…”

“Clearly he is not thinking straight?” Jake interrupted quickly as he glared at Kori.

Kori did not speak. Instead he just stared deep into Aidan’s eyes.

“I’m not ready yet Kori.” She said as if she was reading his mind, “please…just leave for now ok?”

“But Aidan…” he replied as he began to stand up, “I...I don’t want to leave you here…please…please come with me Aidan?”

Aidan stood up and stared straight at Kori, “No.” she replied, “I’m not ready.”

Kori lowered his head sadly and spoke quietly, “Keep her soul well Maion.”

“I shall bring her to May Kori.” Tristan replied, “Alas, thou must leave now.”

Kori looked at Aidan again and walked over to her and put his face close to her ear. After whispering something to her, and whipping a tear from his eye, he just said “Port Lovis.”

Seconds later, he and Jake appeared just outside Port Lovis…a Port Lovis, which now had numerous fires burning within it.

Kori and Jake quickly took in the area and the situation. Most of the port town was aflame, and in the air above the buildings, were several dragoons and what looked like some sort of undead creature flying on some other sort of undead creature.

“Undead drakes.” Jake said in anguish, “and those look like…”

“Liches!!!” Kori said finishing Jakes sentence.

UGH...this was way better in my head. I sort of lost my train of thought half way through. Thanks to Mike for bailing me out of this one.

EDIT Edit: I changed a few things in the post. None of it affects the battle of anything, so…all should be ok.

Mike Caron · « **Reply #145 on:** October 23, 2007, 11:19:17 PM »

"Kori! And Jake!" A familiar voice yelled from behind them. They turned, and saw Kristen running towards them, flanked by Kirin and a new face, one who was in full battle armour for a Dragoon. For that matter, so was Kristen.

"Kristen! What's going on?!" Jake yelled.

"Those things appeared out of nowhere about 15 minutes ago. They're very persistent in razing the town."

"Who is-"

"We've got everyone with any command of water magic on the ground, battling the fire, and anyone with fire magic riding with the dragoons."

"Where are my Shadow Warriors?!" Kori demanded.

"They've been split up with the rest of the mages. Unfortunately, their particular skills are not very useful against these foes..."

"And, what about you?" Jake asked.

"I've been commanding, but I was about to take to the air, along and Pe- Oh! This is Peter, a long time friend and Dragoon. Jake, Kori." All three nodded at eachother.

"Ok, Kristen, Peter, go. What about Kirin?" Jake followed up.

"Nyx! You're ready?" Kristen yelled at someone over Jake's shoulder. He spun, and saw Nyx running towards them, decked out in full combat gear.

"Yes'm. Ok Kirin, you're ready?"

"Yup, let's go." The two ran off find somewhere big enough for Kirin to transform.

"Kristen, before you go." Jake started. "Take this back. I won't need it for now. And, you've earned it." Jake unbuckled the Aura Sword from his waist, and handed it to Kristen.

"Oh, thank you. Um... Uh, Peter, let's go." Kristen and Peter ran off in the direction Kirin and Nyx did.

"Now, that leaves us." Jake said, frowning. He motioned for Kori to follow him, and they began to jog towards where all the mages were.

"Jake, by your leave, I wish to take off, and fight those zombies."

"No, don't do that. Kristen knew what she was doing, ice and water don't do anything to the undead. Your skills would be best used here, I would imagine."

They rounded a corner, and saw Daemon battling the fire. He waved his staff, and a gush of water shot out, extinguishing a flame. But, as he did so, two more appeared elsewhere.

"Hmm... That's no good..." Kori mused. "Daemon!" He spun around, and saw Kori and Jake. He ran back to them.

"It's no good... It's too strong... It's a magical fire; we have to kill whoever's making it to put it out completely..." He said, shaking his head.

"Hmm, if anyone would know, it would be you..." Kori said, without thinking. "But, I have an idea..."

Crystal beat her wings hard, and in short order, they were airborn. Behind them on their right was Peter. Looking ahead, they saw the dogfight going on. While the Zombie Dragons were attacking the Dragoons, the Liches were preoccupied doing something else.

"Crystal, what are they doing?" Kristen asked, leaning down low.

"They're responsible for the fire. It won't be put out until they're destroyed." The drake replied with a low growl.

"Then, let's get cracking..."

Just then, a blur went streaking past Kristen from behind. As it pulled away, toward the melee, they saw that it was Kirin with Nyx.

"What are they...?"

Very soon, they were close up, and Kristen could see them zig-zagging around, sword swinging in every direction, it seemed. She missed most of the time, but made up for it in sheer volume. Then, she struck a critical blow, and knocked a Lich right off its mount. It plummeted down towards the town, into a particularly large section of the fire.

Elsewhere, a group of Dragoons had another Zombie surrounded, and were quickly dismembering it. However, it, and its rider, was effective in protecting its head. Suddenly, in a flash, head was seperated from neck, and the Dragon crumbled to dust. Alas, the Lich had other ideas. It was now floating, and firing spells at the Dragoons.

Out of the corner of her eye, Kristen saw Peter pull away, and veer towards that cluster.

"If any could help them, it would be him... Now, to keep ourselves busy."

Kristen thought about her particular abilities, and realized that she had three things in her advantage. She could channel, she had a sword designed to aid chanelling, and she had a large source of magical energy to channel from. As a bonus, it was the right kind of magical energy to combat her enemies this day.

Drawing the sword, she cleared her mind, and began to draw from the fire below, feeding it into the sword. 'Drawing' the patterns that Jake taught her, she then drew energy from the sword. Before she knew it, she had created a large fire ball, which was now flying towards a nearby zombie.

"This could work..."

"Remind me why I'm a thousand feet up in the air again?" Daemon said, clinging to Kori's back for dear life.

"Your magic and my skills will let us keep this fire under control."

"Your skills... you can fly-"

"Shut up, and cast your magic." Kori growled, and Daemon complied.

Kori chanelled this energy into a spell of his own, amplifying the ice magic several times.

"A thousand winter winds within!" He growled loudly. As he said it, a strong wind began to blow. It was followed immediately by small white flecks being strewn about by the wind. The small flecks became medium, and then large sized flakes, and within seconds, a full blizzard was underway.

"Woah, that's... That'll do it." Daemon said, surprised.

Between all the combatants, there were only three Zombie Dragons left, and only one of them still had a Lich. However, he was the strongest of the bunch, and he wasn't going down without a fight. Many Dragoons had fallen already to his evil magic. And, now a blizzard sprung up out of nowhere, and visibility was almost nil.

"I bet that Lich summoned this... I can't see a thing..." Kristen said, mainly to herself.

"I can still sense him..." Crystal said. "I can bring you close, and then you'll have to finish him off."

"Your breath would be best for that."

"It's too risky. There's many others here, and it's not worth injuring them."

"Shoot, you're right... Ok, let's do what we can."

Kristen held on to Crystal's back tighter than usual as they flew through the blinding snow. She was cold, but she put it out of her mind, focussing primarily on the task ahead of her.

Then, all of a sudden, there it was! Kristen slashed with the sword, but the Lich raised its staff, and blocked. With its free hand, it fired a bolt of energy at her. She twisted in her seat to dodge, and then tried to swing the sword again. It blocked again, but this time, Kristen absorbed the bolt with the sword.

Crystal swivelled away, then made a quick turn to bring them directly behind the Lich. Kristen jumped off Crystal, who dove out of the way quickly. Kristen landed on the Dragon's back, behind where the Lich was. The Lich, quickly got up, and turned to face Kristen.

"You stupid human..." It taunted in a dry, raspy voice. "There are three things you forgot."

"Oh? You'll have to remind me, then."

"First, the Dragon is for convenience. Second, I can fly." The Lich raised into the air a few inches, to prove his point.

"And, the last thing?" Kristen asked, mockingly.

"Third, Meteor Swarm." The Lich pointed its staff down at the Zombie, and several fireballs shot out, striking the Dragon in the back. It disintegrated, leaving Kristen with absolutely nothing at all. At the same time, before she fell, Kristen saw Kirin and Nyx speed by, sword extended, smashing the Lich apart, causing it to disintegrate.

"Aieeee!" Kristen screamed, as she plummeted towards the earth. She closed her eyes, and waited for the inevitable. Well, at least she tried.

THUD!

Kristen opened her eyes, surprised she was still able to. In fact, she was amazed how softly she landed at terminal velocity.

"Nice catch, Ceres!" A familiar voice said. Kristen then realized that she was still in the air. And, now sitting on a drake. She twisted around, and saw Peter sitting behind her.

"Peter! You saved me!"

"Thank Ceres, not me. But, I guess this makes us even now." Peter smiled, but with all the tension that had built up inside Kristen, all she could do was glare at him. "We've mopped up all the remaining Dragons, so our job is done. Let's head back."

Chevalier-Ange · « **Reply #146 on:** October 28, 2007, 12:05:29 AM »

Peter and Ceres landed and Kristen immediately jumped off to go see Crystal who landed a few moments earlier with the remaining Dragoons. Despite all that had happened, the situation was not a total loss.

Lance was speaking to Jake getting a status report, as several of the Captains reported to them as well. Kori’s blizzard seemed to be subsiding now too, and he and Daemon arrived where Lance and Jake were talking.

“Yes, but I told you to hang on didn’t I?” Kori was saying to Daemon.

“That’s so not the point and you know it.” Daemon replied glaring at Kori.

“Oh? Isn’t it?” Kori asked in a rather humorously sarcastic fashion.

“Daemon? Kori?” Lance asked interrupting as they approached “Is there a problem?”

“No Sir.” Daemon replied.

“There is not My King.” Kori replied as well, “Daemon might have a fear of heights now though.” He added with a half laugh.

Lance and Jake chuckled a bit as Daemon tried to pierce Kori with his eyes.

“Hahaha…” Lance then laughed out loud, “Well done you two…very well done indeed.” He added.

Kori and Daemon simply bowed in response as Kristen and Nyx arrived from two different sides of the conversation.

“Report.” Lance said to them both as Kori began walking away slowly.

“Kori?” Lance asked noticing this, “And where do you think you are going?”

“I shall return momentarily My King, I…I wish to go check on someone My King.” Kori replied not looking him straight in the eye, “I will not be long I assure you.”

Lance only sighed as he heard Kori say ‘Aidan’ and them watched him walk through a dimension door.

“Damnit Kori.” Kristen said under her breath but loud enough for all to hear.

“What do you mean they were defeated?” Deke demanded.

“Well My Lord, a blizzard was summoned, and well…” the guard began, “and then the ice drake…” he added as Deke cut him off with a quick hand to the throat.

“Ice Drake?” Deke asked angrily, “and where exactly is this ice drake now?”

“No idea My Lord.” The guard tried to speak as Dekentor squeezed his throat harder, “but they live in the mountain top outside Lovis so I have been told anyway.”

“So you have been told hmm?” Deke pondered as he tightened his grip and watched the life draw from the guards face, “Well…seems I will have to introduce myself then.” He added as he let the guard go and watched him fall to the ground dead. Then, looking at the mountains that hovered over Lovis, he slowly raised his arms as a sly grin crossed his face.

When the portal door opened, Kori walked out slowly. He wasn’t exactly sure where he was, but he could see Aidan in a bed on the other side of the room he appeared in. Sighing deeply, he slowly walked over to her and knelt down.

“Aidan?” he asked hoping she would reply somehow, which of course she didn’t. As he lowered his head sadly, he heard the door to the room open and a voice speak.

“Hello?” a female voice asked, “How did you get in here?”

Kori stood up and turned around, “Oh, hi May.” He said sort of surprised, “I assume this is your home I am in?”

“It is Kaze Tatsou Kori.” She replied in a slightly angered way, “and how exactly did you get in here?”

“I portaled in actually.”

“Hmm…well, you can just leave the same way then.” She retorted glaring.

“I’m sorry May.” Kori said as he looked at Aidan again, “I just wanted to make sure she was ok, or at least…no worse then before.”

“Hmm…Maion said you might show up actually,” May then added as she walked over to the bed, “just after he brought her here.”

“Will she get better do you know?”

“Maion said it’s up to her now…he would say nothing more then that, just…I was to keep her safe in Tristania for the time being.”

“Of course…” Kori began as a loud rumbling roar was heard. “Ancient one?”

“What is that Kori?” May asked completely confused by what she was hearing.

“May, I have to go…NOW.” He replied as he opened a portal quickly, “I’ll come back and see Aidan soon…keep her safe ok?” he added as he walked into his dimension door and appeared on the mountain top just as someone wearing a long cloak appeared from the opening.

“Kirin?” Nyx asked as she saw Kirin’s face go almost white, “What is it?”

“The ancient one is in trouble,” she replied, “I have to go.” She added as she transformed back to a drake and quickly started to fly towards the mountains.

Lance looked at Kristen rather confused as everyone on the ground then noticed every drake in the army was now following Kirin as well, “Commander?” Lance asked, “Where the hell are they going?”

Before Kristen could answer Daemon spoke in a way no one really wanted to hear, “If the ice drakes are in need of aid, then we have a whole lot more to worry about then a burnt out town I fear.”

“…”

Kori stood poised as the figure came into clear view.

“What’s happened here?” Kori demanded, “And where’s the ancient one?”

“The ancient one?” the figure replied questionly, “Oh, you mean the deceased drake in the cave back there?” he added as he pointed over his shoulder.

“WHAT?” Kori retorted, “What happened?” he added as his arm began to frost over quickly.

“What happened is I killed him, that’s what happened.” The cloaked man replied sarcastically, “all of them actually.”

“…”

“Haha…you don’t approve I take it?”

“How.” Kori began as he curled his fist into a tight ball, “how were you able to do that?”

“Easy.” Was the reply Kori heard, “I am Dekentor after all.”

“…”

“And you are?”

“I…I’m going to kill you that’s who I am.” Kori replied as he raised his arm quickly and a bolt of ice shot forward towards Deke.

Dekentor side stepped quickly, and returned fire with his own magic bolt. Only his, was not ice, but rather pure dark energy. Kori quickly raised an ice shield, but it shattered easily when the Dark Lords energy hit it, sending him flying backwards rather unexpectedly.

“Heh...this is going to be easy.” Deke said as he began walking towards Kori hastily.

Kori quickly got back to his feet, angered and sore from the first hit he received. Glaring at Deke, he closed his thoughts, and concentrated deeply while watching his opponent carefully. When he saw that Dekentor was about to release another spell, he flailed his arms outward rapidly “Ice shards…and a thousand winter winds within.” He said as hundreds and hundreds of large shards of ice, and an almost gale force wind hit Dekentor square on sending him flying backwards into the cave opening.

As Kori was about to follow him in, several balls of fire and at least six balls of ice entered the cave opening from behind him. Turning around, he saw Kirin and the fire drakes quickly heading towards him and Dekentor. Smiling, he turned his attention back to cave opening just in time to see the Dark Lord appear once again.

“Impressive.” Deke said as he vanished in a cloud of black smoke.

“Dammit no” Kori said as he rushed for the spot Deke once stood.

As the drakes began landing one by one, Kori quickly ran inside the cave. A few minutes later he returned sad, and tearful.

“Kori?” Crystal was first to ask.

“They’re all dead” he replied as he fell to his knees, “all of them.”

Dekentor reappeared in his throne room. Tired, and depleted of magic. As he sat on his throne he silently cursed at the man he had just met upon the mountain-top.

EDIT: Yeah yeah...stupid typos

Mike Caron · « **Reply #147 on:** November 04, 2007, 12:29:41 AM »

"Kristen, you know them better than anyone..." Lance began. "When will they return?"

"A cry for help is a sacred thing amongst the drakes... They will even abandon their rider if it's impossible to take them along. They'll come back when they're ready."

"What could be so serious that they must all go?" Nyx asked, confused.

"Whatever it is, they have no choice but to respond. I am sure that Kirin will tell us what happened when she returns." Kristen explained, pursing her lips.

"Hmm... Until then, I think there's a lot to be talked about." Lance frowned. "Commander, bring anyone who knows anything, and we'll meet at the inn in 15 minutes... assuming it still stands?"

"Last I checked, it does." Daemon said.

"Then go."

"Yes, your majesty." Everyone said in unison.

Kristen looked around, and realized that it had been a great long time since everyone had been gathered together like this. Everyone was seated at the largest table the inn had. She was sitting at one end, and going around the table to her right was Daemon, Illyas, Ravi, Lance (at the other end of the table), Jake, Captain Bellew, Nyx and finally Peter.

She also noted that it wasn't really a meeting of everyone. Kori was absent, Aidan was missing and Kirin was away... But, it was the closest they had in a while.

"Kristen, why don't you explain what happened while you were gone?" Lance said, taking a sip from his glass of water.

"Well, after I fought with Aidan, I was imprisoned in the cult's dungeons, along with Aidan. What she was in for, I am not sure, but it seemed to be insubordination. She... seemed... different from before. But, that's beside the point now. Anyway, we were both brought to this chamber elsewhere in their base which contained a large crystal growth."

"A crystal?" Jake asked.

"Yes. It reached from the ceiling to the floor, and covered large portions of both. It was jet black, and pulsed with the same energy I felt when I fought with Aidan. Then, Aidan began to summon the Dark Lord. We... we were transported to another world. It was unfamiliar, and... and, if I had to describe it, it would be a chaotic world."

"The Chaotic Realm?" Jake interrupted again. "That would make sense. Historical studies of the Dark Lord indicate that his power is based in a plane that is rooted in chaos. All we know about it is that we cannot enter it. A few have tried, but none returned."

"Yes, actually, you're right. Ancel mentioned that."

"Who's Ancel?" Lance asked, taking over the interruption from Jake.

"Who... Oh, Steven Ancel. He's the leader of the cult. Unfortunately, I... know him. From long ago. I will tell you about him when I'm done my report."

"Very well. As you were." Lance said, leaning back in his chair a bit. Kristen cleared her throat, and continued talking.

"Aidan opened a portal inside the Chaotic Realm, and... something came out of it. We weren't sure what it was, until it took one of the cult's general's body for itself, and it transformed into the Dark Lord."

"So, it really is true..." Daemon said, frowning. "The Dark Lord has returned."

"Yes. Shortly after, we returned to the normal world, and then Kori showed up for some reason. Aidan had fallen unconsious from her efforts, and Kori carried her back into his portal. I followed him, and he shut it as soon as I was through."

"Hmm..." Lance pondered the information he heard.

"What about Ancel?" Nyx asked. "What of him?"

"What about him? Oh, right. Well... We... knew eachother while attending school. He was at the top of the class. He seemed to be born to wield magic, and was always devising new ways to cast spells, or even creating his own spells. But, he was a real asshole. He assumed that because he could use magic better than everyone else, he was better than everyone else.

"But, well..." Kristen stopped for a second, and chewed on her lip, as if she didn't know quite how to say what she wanted to. "He... was charming. Somehow. We actually... ha. We went out for a year and a half. Up until he vanished, in fact."

"Vanished?" Quinn asked, as soon as Kristen paused.

"Yes, vanished. Let me finish. It was rather... unpleasant, actually. The morning after, they found his room empty. His roommate was also gone, but his bed was filled with blood. Many of Steven's things were missing, so everyone assumed that Steven had killed his roommate, and disappeared, to cover it up. But, that wasn't quite the case."

"How do you know? Were you there? I think I heard about this case. This was, what, 14 years ago?" Jake said, rubbing his chin.

"Yes, it left the school in shock, and people were talking about it for months. But, what no one knows is that he left me a note." Kristen closed her eyes and grimmaced, as if trying to erase an unsavoury image. "He regretted losing me, he said, but he found a new master to serve.... a new passion... He hoped that we would see eachother again, but suspected we wouldn't. And, he killed his roommate, so he 'would have something to practice on'."

"... practice?" Illyas asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Yes... it seems that he discovered the art of Necromancy at some point, raising the dead. I can only assume that he's spent the last 14 years practicing this art, and figuring out how to resurrect the Dark Lord. It also seems that he somehow built a cult for this purpose."

"Hmm..." Lance said again. "Well. The first step to victory is knowing your enemies. If Ancel is the megalomaniac you describe him as, then we might be able to capitalize on this."

"Well, Ancel and the cult is no longer our prime concern." Illyas said. "They succeeded in their task, and now the Dark Lord is around. He is our enemy, and I suspect that Kristen did not date him in school."

"..." Kristen glared at Illyas. "No, I did not. However, you are correct. But, it is my opinion that as things stand, the Dark Lord is too strong for us. We need to strike through Ancel to hurt the Dark Lord."

"Well, I trust that you, Jake and Daemon can come up with a plan of action. I would like to hear back from you three by noon tomorrow. We need to deal with this new threat as soon as we can. Everyone else, the town needs rebuilding. Let's do what we can to help."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Chevalier-Ange · « **Reply #148 on:** November 04, 2007, 07:49:08 PM »

Just as the last person was coming out of the Inn the ground began to shake slightly. Off in the distance, one of the mountain tops looked as if it had literally blown off, as plumes of smoke and dust seemed to fill the air around it.

“Oh dear god no.” Kristen said as she lowered her head slightly. “Crystal?”

“No…no, this can’t be happening.” Jake added in complete and utter disbelief.

With everyone standing around awe struck, Lance looked at Daemon for an answer.

“Sir” Daemon replied in his own slightly sad way, “That’s the mountain the ice drakes lived on.”

“…”

Ravi lowered his head in prayer, and Quinn simply put her head in his shoulder as she cried. Nyx looked as if this too was bothering her, as she lowered her head is sadness as well, and Illyas said a silent prayer as well.

For the longest time, no one spoke a word. That is until, the fire drakes started coming into view, and a dimension door opened as Kori and Kirin walked through.

“Kori?” Lance asked, “What…what has happened my friend?”

Kori did not reply, instead as the d-door closed he slowly walked over to Daemon and lowered his head.

“I am in need of your skills again my friend.” He spoke softly between his tears, “like I was…that night not too long ago.” He added as he looked in Daemons eyes.

Daemon needed only to look upon Kori to understand what it was he must have felt, “Let us go then.” He said in his sheepish way. As Kori opened another d-door and stepped through, followed closely by Daemon.

“Kaze Tatsou Kori!!!…Daemon!!!” Lance spoke in a commanding way, “Where the hell do you think you are going?”

But Lances words fell not so much on deaf ears, but rather ears that were not longer present. “Dammit” Lance spat, “I swear one day I’m going to Court Martial that bloody drake.”

“Sire?” Kirin spoke sadly as she began to stumble, “You don’t understand Sire.” She added as Kristen and Nyx quickly rushed to her to hold her up.

As the fire drakes began landing nearby, Kristen smiled when she saw Crystal and Ceres “Kirin?” she asked, “What happened?”

Kirin then began her story as she choked back the tears with every word.

”What do you mean…dead?” Crystal asked confused, “and who was that person standing there when we arrived?”

“That was Dekentor.” Kori replied as he slowly stood up, “and he killed all of them…even the ancient one.”

Roars from the various drakes indicated not only their pain and sadness, but their anger as well. Kori walked over to Crystal and Kirin and told them what had happened. His eyes were completely Draconic. Cold, angry, and almost lifeless as he spoke.

“Crystal?” he asked as he put his hand on Kirin’s shoulder, “Could you please have the drakes destroy the mountain top. I do not want anyone ever coming and ransacking this place. I will take Kirin and go to Lovis ahead of you.”

Crystal bowed her head sadly and agreed.

“Kori?” Kirin then asked, “I…I want to watch it fall away Kori. I need to see, that it goes away.”

Kori reluctantly agreed, as he and Kirin then portalled to a safe spot away from the mountain. Moments later, as the drakes began their sortie of fire ball and fire bolt attacks, the top of the mountain they once called home, began to crumble and fall away to rubble and dust.

“Take me to Lovis now Kori.” Kirin spoke as she sobbed heavily, “I’ve seen enough.”

“They’re all dead?” Kristen and Jake asked saddened, yet in complete disbelief as well.

“Yes.” Kirin answered, “all of them.”

“Kirin?” Lance asked confused, “That still doesn’t explain where Daemon and Kori went though.”

“They’re gone to see Aidan.” She replied as she then lowered her head saddened once more, “…and…and, I think Kori is planning to kill her.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“And what exactly is it you want me to do now?” Daemon asked as he watched the d-door close behind him.

“Just make sure no one gets in ok.” Kori replied, “don’t harm anyone, but don’t let them in either.”

“What are you planning to do?” Daemon asked curiously.

“What needs to be done…that is all.”

“…”

Kori closed the bedroom door with Daemon on the other side, and slowly walked over to Aidan and placed his hand on his still sleeping friend, “oga gnol ton emit a” he said as he then picked her up and carried her, and walked through the dimension-door that had just formed.

“Kori?” Aidan asked looking around confused, “Where am I?”

“In the only place I could speak to you Aidan.” He said, “The only place…I knew you could hear me talk.”

“…”

“No, you aren’t dead Aid.” He then said as he noted the slightly scared look on her face, “but many people, and many friends are.” He added sadly.

“What?” she asked, “What do you mean?”

“Whatever it is that you have done, however you have done it, the Dark Lor…”

“Dekentor?”

“Yes…he lives again, and …”

“Kori?” she interrupted seeing tears forming in his eyes, “what is going on?”

Kori inhaled deeply and looked deep into Aidan’s eyes, “He has killed everyone and everything I ever cared about or loved Aidan. Everyone. All the drakes, and you…you are stuck in an enchanted sleep, not even Tristan can break you of.” He said as he placed his hands in hers, “Tristan says it is up to you to break this spell, so I am asking you Aidan please, please wake up and come help us. We need you now, more then ever…and I do too.” He added as he led her to the opening of the dimension-door once again.

Picking her up gently, he laid her back down in her bed, and covered her up. Once again, he bent down and whispered directly into her ear, hoping that somehow, she could hear him. He stood there for a moment and remembered her as she was before all this occurred. And, having a smile on his face now, he walked back to the bedroom door and informed Daemon they were now ready to leave once again.

As Kori and Daemon walked out through the dimension-door, Kristen quickly put her sword to Kori’s throat, and Jake held his own sword to Daemon’s chest.

“Please say you didn’t kill her?” Kristen asked through gritted teeth.

“What?” Kori asked raising his chin slightly to avoid the edge of the blade, “Why would I do that to someone I care so much about?”

“Well Kirin said.” Kristen began but was interrupted by Kirin.

“You said you were going to give her a choice. An ultimatum.”

“And that I did, but I would never harm her ever.”

Kristen and Jake lowered their swords, as Daemon glared a death stare at Jake.

“I’m sorry Kori.” Kirin apologized, “I misunderstood you.”

“You don’t say?” Daemon retorted as he glared at Jake once more then headed off towards the Inn quickly.

“Daemon?” Lance asked.

“I need a drink Sir.”

“…”

Nemesis · « **Reply #149 on:** November 24, 2007, 08:46:43 PM »

“They’re all dead?” Kristen and Jake asked saddened, yet in complete disbelief as well.

“Yes.” Kirin answered, “all of them.”

“Kirin?” Lance asked confused, “That still doesn’t explain where Daemon and Kori went though.”

“They’re gone to see Aidan.” She replied as she then lowered her head saddened once more, “…and…and, I think Kori is planning to kill her.”

“…”

“…”
“…”
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Nyx looked around at her friends and companions. There was such a deep and abiding sorrow at what had happened that she could hardly stand up. She and Kirin had become close and as she looked over at her friend there were waves of sorrow and anger just rolling off of her.

“Kirin, I’m so sorry. They were your family, but you know that they will be avenged right? No one here is going to let something like that stand for even an instant.”

“I know, but that won’t bring them back. That won’t resurrect my family and my friends. I just can’t do this anymore. I don’t know what to do! Plus now Kori is gone to kill Aidan. I just can’t keep losing friends left and right… this isn’t how it’s supposed to work.”

“Wait I think they’re coming back.” Kristin said staring at a Dimension-door which had just opened up nearby.

Kristin ran towards it, sword unsheathed and stopped placing the blade at Kori’s neck as he walked back through the D-door.

“Please say you didn’t kill her?” Kristen asked through gritted teeth.

“What?” Kori asked raising his chin slightly to avoid the edge of the blade, “Why would I do that to someone I care so much about?”

“Well Kirin said.” Kristen began but was interrupted by Kirin.

“You said you were going to give her a choice. An ultimatum.”

“And that I did, but I would never harm her ever.”

Kristen lowered her sword.

“I’m sorry Kori.” Kirin apologized, “I misunderstood you.”

“Kori, what happened then?” Nyx asked as she walked towards him.

“Aidan is scared.. She is stuck in her own head but she is so afraid that not even Tristan can get her out. So i begged her to help us...help me. But we’ll find out soon enough if she chose the right path.” Kori looked away and began walking towards the Inn.

“I can’t wait for Aidan to decided if she wants to quit being a little chicken and hiding in her own head. I have to do something, anything!” Kirin said as she started to pace, her face screwed up as if she was thinking very deeply.

Nyx stood there waiting for Kirin to stop pacing and when it began to look like she wouldn’t, Nyx stepped up and touched her friends arm. Kirin jumped and looked over at Nyx as if she was a cobra getting ready to strike, then recognition settled over her features and she promptly sat in the dirt.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I used to be so strong and now I’m just a bundle of nerves… Angry nerves.”

“Everything you have ever known and loved just got wiped off the face of the planet. It’s completely understandable and reasonable if you are a little stressed out.”

Nyx helped her friend stand up as they made their own way back to the Inn. Upon entering several officers came up to Kirin and bowed giving her their condolences. Kirin graciously accepted them and then let Nyx lead her upstairs to her room. After getting her settled and waiting for her to fall asleep Nyx quietly left the room, hoping that the rest may get Kirin back on board for later. As she walked back downstairs she could hear a conversation going on between Kristen, Daemon, and Lance.

“Kristin, Daemon, I need you two to watch Kori and Kirin for a few days. Their whole world just came crashing down and we don’t need them to go flying off the handle and trying to attack Dekentor all by themselves. Now, we need to plan. What are we going to do about Deke? Daemon I know you’re strong, but do you even have a chance against him?”

“See that’s the problem though, it is never just him. He always has his little minions milling about in the background.”

Nyx stayed and listened for a few more minutes before she stood up and quietly finished walking downstairs.

I have got to do something, she thought, and if that means going after Deke myself I will… Maybe I have a chance... Of not dying…

Tale of the Cave

Author Topic: Chaos Rising (Read 13507 times)

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