Isle of Eden

THE ISLAND OF EDEN

DESCRIPTION - LOCATION - PEOPLE - CLIMATE

FLORA - FAUNA - RESOURCES - MYTH/LORE

Eden is an island or a continent which is not located in the world of Gaia, at least not in the same way one could equate a normal existence. How it can be reached is still a great mystery, however, due to several reports of different travelers who managed to leave Eden it seems now confirmed that the isle indeed exists. It seems most likely that it can be only accessed through magical means...

• Description:

From a distance, it appears as a massive object, somewhat triangular in shape (three dimensional), giving off a pulsing gleam. Attempts to see within with every method of observation will only reveal that it is a solid crystal mass. Only those who can reduce the glare of it upon coming within 500 feet of it, can truly discern it's true nature: a structure of ever-increasing fractal complexity as one moves from the center to the exterior, with an apparent hollow interior.

Spans of crystal-like substance, hundreds of miles long and thousands of feet wide, pulse with a languid cadence of brilliance. The spans form the 'edges' of what resembles, for lack of a better description, a drill-esque object of titanic proportions. Specks of actual land mass can be spotted orbiting the crystalline-structure, with the actual isle itself lodged within the center of the entire formation.

The entire back end of the structure contains spans of a more opaque crystal, with strange glyphs and insets inscribed all along its surfaces.

The 'break' in the center of the structure, where the Isle itself is lodged, is covered by a faint shimmering dome that is powered by the glyphs from the back end. Upon entrance of the dome-- the subjective directional gravity that exists outside and all around the structure does not apply here. Within the crystal formation, gravity if objective--- the floor is down.

Once past the Crystal barrier and within it's interior, observers will note that the entire landmass before them is made up of what could have once been a grand city of sorts.

Remnants of a massive outer wall can be seen, as well as the remaining ruins of the city itself, with the crystalline properties of the outermost shell having slowly crept in and taken over. Faceted crystal surfaces glow softly with the hues of precious gems (from this world and apparently other ones). Within the streets and even in former houses, clear, crystalline trees sprout thickly from the floor, laden with brilliant points of white light.

The sound of thousands of crystal leaves constantly chiming like soft bells fill the entire atmosphere.

In the far distance, pass the maze of broken city streets and quartered off sections, the broken tower of what appears to be a large castle can be seen, with a daze of muted light shining from it.

Location:

Modern scholars have no viable proof as to where Eden (if it even exists) was situated on the Gaian World Map. After all, it was only spoken of in fables and old wives tales.

To those who would take these kind of stories to heart, Eden is located within what is known as the Void, where it was supposedly chained as punishment by the Gods.

However, these same stories often describe Eden as being a mobile object, having appeared to people over the centuries in various locations without rhyme or reason.

With so many purported sightings, it would appear that Eden has the power to transport itself over vast distances... so who's to say where it can truly be located?

People:

In all the fables and legends written about Eden, there has never been mention of it's inhabitants. There have been vague, offhand references to a people once living there of course--- but no known scholar worth his salt has ever dared to try and prove the existence of this race.

What scant resources there are-- reveal that a highly advanced race of 'men descended from Nephilim' lived here. According to the words of individuals who have claimed stepping foot on the Isle, the fact that there are ruins of a great city, prove alone that some form of man did exist here at some point.

Climate:

Anything less than five feet away from the exterior of Eden suffers from individually subjective gravity, becoming weightless and orbiting around the structure. It is wholly possible to touch surface by 'imagining' down near one's feet.

Within Eden itself however-- gravity is objective and everything weighs as it should. The only source of light comes naturally from the impeding unnatural ecosystem of the crystal structure surrounding the landmass of Eden. The air is breathable, albeit stale-- and carrying with it a sense of 'history'.

Flora:

The crystal trees which inhabit Eden can grows as high as 30 feet, and become thick with slightly glowing branches, crystal leaves, and clusters of strange 'fruit' that appear as pinpoints of white light. The trees are more than strong enough to climb on. Each of the leaves on a tree is a perfectly formed teardrop, and their constant movement creates a concerto of many bells throughout Eden.

Entire groves of these trees can be found scattered through Eden, some of them even capable of grazing the very ceiling of Eden with their branches. The trees also seem responsible for creating the haze of light 'mist' that seeps into areas, obscuring far vision in some places.

There is no other known or recorded documentation of plant life within Eden.

Fauna:

Whatever natural ecosystem had existed within Eden is no longer in existence, and as such--- travelers should not expect to run into any cats, dogs or even vermin... but rather expect the quite unexpected presence of...other things.

Such as inhabitants of the Void, or even creatures that have wound up in Eden for whatever reason.

Resources:

The only viable resource within Eden would be the crystal-like substance that surrounds the landmass and grows within it. There is no direct evidence as to how this crystal-like growth first took to Eden, yet it is apparent that prolonged exposure to the Void (and it's subsequent existence within it hereafter) has caused the crystal to form a symbiotic bond with the landmass (as crystals are known to take on the properties of the minerals around them often).

As such, the crystal itself has proven to have some remarkable properties by those who are lucky enough to come by mere fragments of the stuff.

The crystal substance has proven to be unbreakable, impenetrable to magical/psionic means, and unresponsive to magical or psionic methods to even learn of its alien nature.

It's impenetrability means that those within Eden cannot call upon outside sources of energy (nixing teleportation, summoning, and channeling of different planes).

Myth/Lore:

Quote:** Wrote:

what have we done?

a shadow of betrayal as memories shudder.

once we savored paradise,

innocent and childlike,

but our devotion died.

a vengeful vision of darkness -

memories follow hate, follow bitterness,

paradise taken away.

in a storm of hubris,

the world rejected.

-Excerpt from the fable 'Lost Paradise'

Legends tell of a singular point in the world where life first flourished...others claim this not as the source of life, but as the turning point of man as a species...still, many would agree that this focus of interest is referred to as 'Eden'.

Every now and then, Scholars will identify some ruins or artifact pertaining to a long lost culture within the medieval periods, and perhaps dating even farther back...however no records exist for such a lofty claim.

After all...who could honestly believe that long ago, there existed a continent which housed a magnificent city state... one that sought in their hubris, to challenge their own makers and take control of their destiny...but in so threatening to do such an act of defiance...were simply scooped up from the earth and toss into nothingness.

Such things are reserved to put children in their place, or to entertain friends around a fireplace, after all.

Nothing save the gentle flickering of candlelight permeated the atmosphere of the room. Yellowed eyes stared out from the a slightly slanted viewscape.

He simply sat there, watching some scene or another play out within a sphere of concentrated energy. The events that took place in Babel were being shown.. much to the apparent chagrim of the viewer.

The smile on his face only served to really heighten the mood, before the silence was broken.

"No one told me that there were people there." The soft echoing footsteps betrayed the presence of another figure within the chamber, though cloaked and hooded he was. His vestments were a rich red hue, and the manner in he spoke held a form of respect to the man before him.

"Each of the districts contains a "key" that serves to seal in the given element. In Agrinna, that key was the Holy Flowers." Yellowed eyes remained fixated on the sphere.

"Yes, but what do the people have to do with the key?" Again the hooded figured questioned, treading on dangerously thin ice.

"The Holy Flowers drew on the life force around them to produce their blossom. This releases a perfume that neutralizes the 'leakage' of the element and cleansed the air."

"Life force? Is that what you meant when you said sacrifices were needed?"

"Ezekial... don't be a fool.! They are the chosen ones, proud martyrs... Now that the city has long been laid to waste-- we have gotten what we needed.

The planet is just one massive power source, if you look at it in a scientific nature. Everything around us is composed of all the natural elements... and the pressure of that power is contained within the planet itself.

To regulate and maintain that power... 'pressure valves' were created naturally scattered all across Gaia. Acess points to unbelievable amounts of raw elemental power.

For each one we release, Eden can gather into her the necessary energy..."

"And to do force open each valve, the life force keeping them closed must be forcibly extuinguinshed, causing it to gush out."

"Something like that."

"I just wonder how different you humans really are from us. Even though you profess to doing this all to help your own race, you don't mind killing a few thousand."

"......"

"Forgive me, Master."

"It's quite alright. Now-- the rest of your report?"

"Your brother has resurfaced again... with Henry's son, as you susspected. However... someone interesting has also made contact with your brother."

"Oh?"

"Her name is Owle..."

So far to go to reach absolution;

My sanity, my soul runs thin...

Things had come full circle in the past year. Since her departure from Eden a little over 12 months ago, Ra'kar had busied herself with the monotonous task of whittling away at Sierra's sanity.

After she'd been abused, ravaged & raped at Victor's hands, lost her children and her lover... had everything stripped painfully from her once again, She had finally shattered. She'd withdrawn into the deepest recesses of her mind, isolating herself in an alternate plane of conscientiousness. Leaving Ra'kar to do as she pleased with the abandoned vessel.

After the first round of Heaven or Hell, Sierra had chosen to confront Vahn, and he'd played right into Ra'kar and Victor's hands.

A swift departure from the Crimson Hawk Hotel had left the demoness with some unfinished business to attend to...

Blue.

The faces of two different blue haired women filled her mind.

Tellus Leviathan...

A smile caressed her lips as she thought first of this one. The daughter of Leviathan. A woman whose potential and power was boundless if shaped by the right hands. Her hands. Ra'kar had fashioned a bond of Synmalthin roughly 4 months ago... The woman was blindly devoted to her, and would follow her anywhere, do anything she asked of her, content just to be near her mistress. Ra'kar too enjoyed her company, loved seeing the undying worship and loyalty play across those pretty features... enjoyed overseeing her training, honing her talents with the greatest of cares.

Ra'kar was Deity, Mistress, Teacher, Lover and Mother all wrapped up into one.

She had promissed Tellus that she would not abandon her, and she hadn't forgotten her promise... she would collect her cherished pet shortly.

And the other...

Owle Isohos.

A most interesting individual... interesting enough to capture the Scion's attention and affections.

That had been Ra'kar's first knowledge of this woman... She had been the one present in Vahn's guilt ridden mind when he and Sierra had reunited briefly at another tournament. His feelings of shame had been so clear, lifting an impression of the woman's identity had been simple. Instantly, Owle had been incorporated into the demoness' plans to break Sierra's will. Leverage.

She wasn't quite satisfied however. She would see the Scion pay with everything...

Owle's usefulness had only just begun.

Victor too it seemed, had his eye on her...

She had all the reason she needed, she would go and meet this woman for herself. Owle had formerly been a Goddess, that in itself held promise.

Her attention turned from her thoughts to a man standing in front of her.

Old John Tomorrow.

She smiles at him brightly, a hint of fangs glinting as she grins daintily.

She sits relaxed, with her legs crossed on her throne, a highbacked seat carved of dark stone. An elegant copy set to the right of the Victor sat on.

The man looked at her curiously, his face holding unspoken questions. She had not spoken to him as she crossed through the void with Victor, but now, her strange gold eyes rested on him in interest.

"It's been a while..."

She had last seen him 2 and a half months ago as he rampaged about Levi. Of course it had been Sierra he'd spoken to then... But he might remember a certain darkness that had lurked behind those luminous eyes.

It was that darkness whose presence he was in now.

And the darkness smiled at him.

Ra'kar rises from her throne with a boneless grace. Moving down from the dais, she slips behind John and rests a hand gently on his forearm, staying the massive war hammer.

It was eerie. She was so petite, so delicate... yet that one touch held so much strength, so much power. But it was not threatening or abbrasive, it simply, was. She didn't know that John had seen her tossing the Scion about like a broken ragdoll... But he she knew had at least an inkling of what she was capable of.

As he cries out in aggression towards the lesser demon, Ra'kar smiles at him, her touch still light on his arm. Her voice soft yet strong, a velvetine caress in the silence.

"Stay your weapon my friend, do not whet Stormbreaker with the blood of one we would call ally."

Her eyes shine up at him as she smiles. Ra'kar wasn't very tall to begin with... but next to the giant of a tribal she looked downright miniaturized!

"We are in the Great Hall. Do not let them unnerve you John, they mean you no harm. Quite the opposite really... they will help us. They will help you."

The funny thing was, it was the natural way of her voice. No tricks or slight of speech. Hers was one of those voices that could warm you down to your toes. Sierra's was a more of an inviting and reassuring warmth, while Ra'kar's offered a different kind of heat entirely.

She let him pull his arm away, she'd expected this sort if reaction and didn't try to restrain him.

She shrugs her petite shoulders nonchalantly, her face easygoing as she she leans against a wall, and tilts her head back, staring at the ceiling.

"You have seen for yourself how easily the balance of a world may be upset yes? We must not tip the scales until the appointed time, or all of our careful planning and patience will be for naught."

Lowering her gaze so that her eyes settle on him, following him she continues...

"You wish to save the world do you not John?"

She steps away from the wall now, closer to him, but not touching. Her eyes searching as she gazes up at him.

"It is a Hero's responsibility to understand when restraint must be exercised. The Leviathan will be yours in good time. Do not rush your course of action John. Be patient and you shall triumph... I promise you this."

She simply smiles.

She did not raise her voice in protest, she did not push back although she easily could have...

She just watches, listening as he vents.

As he finishes she simply raises a fine brow at him and asks,

"Are you finished? Don't be so quick to assume that you're the only one who has suffered losses my friend. And do not presume to know the extent of those losses."

He would feel it, the weight of her eyes. What was a thousand years to one who had existed as long as she?

Ra'kar had known every kind of betrayal that a being could experience. She had known every loss... and then re-experienced everything anew when Sierra's people betrayed her too.

She could stand here and throw her pain, her losses in his face... tell him things that would reduce him to the most primal of instincts and emotions. But instead, the darkness stood there smiling.

"I will let it go this time my friend... but I advise against you speaking so ignorantly toward me again John. I do not take kindly to your condescension. And -my- PATIENCE runs thin."

Patience.

It was what spared him now.

She understood his outburst, but she did not condone it.

She takes a step forward, one full stride that would force him to back up or else leave him standing nose to nose with the woman. Dark markings scrawling over her doll-like cheeks as she stares at him.

"How old do you perceive me to be John?"

She simply stares at him, her eyes said it without her mouth having to utter a single word. They shone up at him and said 'Oh really?'.

Ra'kar shrugs. His entire demeanor was condescending... to say nothing of the assumptions he continuously made about her. As if his mind could not comprehend that others had existed longer than him... that others had suffered the same atrocities and more--

She would not lower herself to bickering with the Tribal giant. He was after all the brawn not the brains.

"Perhaps I should explain now, that I am not Sierra. Not quite... My name is Ra'kar. Sierra and I are something of a kindred spirit if you will. I talked to you through her briefly at the stadium when you and she first met."

Smiling she pushes her bangs out of her eyes and continues,

"Sierra herself is a third generation Ancient from a world older than this one... As for me, I am first generation creation of the goddess and the elven people. I have seen the rise and fall of over several tens of millennia John... I understand all too well, the meaning of patience."

She smiles gently and adds.

"Maybe someday, I will tell you about my past... But for now John, please. The world faces more than one kind of danger... It won't do us any good to only stop one threat and let the other destroy it."

Quiet footsteps in the background would break the mounting tension between the two, even as a slender figure made his way forward.

It was Ezekiel, by himself as usual.

The young boy, looking no older than 14 was probaly the same as Victor or Vahn would have looked like at that age.

"Lady Ra'kar, and Master Tomorrow... if you have the time... Master Victor has instructed me to tell you that the location of the Leviathan's home can be found through his daughter-- she goes by the name of Tellus. The only way to gain entry to such a sacred point on the earth would be through her...

However, Master Victor has informed me that Ra'kar can lead you to Tellus."

Vahn Kyonuske Wrote:

Quiet footsteps in the background would break the mounting tension between the two, even as a slender figure made his way forward.

It was Ezekiel, by himself as usual.

The young boy, looking no older than 14 was probaly the same as Victor or Vahn would have looked like at that age.

"Lady Ra'kar, and Master Tomorrow... if you have the time... Master Victor has instructed me to tell you that the location of the Leviathan's home can be found through his daughter-- she goes by the name of Tellus. The only way to gain entry to such a sacred point on the earth would be through her...

However, Master Victor has informed me that Ra'kar can lead you to Tellus."

"Tellus is waiting to make her debut... But there are two who will witness her unveiling... The change they see in her, will impact their minds incomprehensibly."

She grinned lazily.

"I will bring Tellus back shortly... first I have a few loose ends to tie up. Then my synmalthin will join me."

She had spoken this for both Ezekial and John's benefit. But she turned now to Ezekial soley.

"Thank you Ezekial. Would you please let Victor know I wish to speak with him?"

After the other man would leave, Ra'kar would turn back to John for a moment.

"Berserker.... You speak the Norse warrior and not the mental state I presume?"

Ra'kar herself knew exactly how fatalistic an enraged berserker could be. She herself entered something akin to that blind state of reasoning quite often. She recognized it as her Blood lust or blood frenzy. A frenzy in which friend or foe mattered little.Flesh and blood all looked the same regardless of alliances when it painted the earth crimson.

"Your tribe took it's Arcana quite seriously?"

The curious lilt in her voice would be matched with an inquisitive smile as her lips formed a small 'o' at his remark.

"I don't?"

That sweet smile. The smile of another...

Something new... on something so old.

True words they were. Eden was ancient, preserved in its fall from grace, never able to reach its potential on its own. As was the power behind the sword: ancient, fallen, and unable to execute its great power on its own. Thus was the sword, the something new that served as a catalyst for change.

Then came the pull.

There would be no resistance. It would be like Arthurian legend, the destined holder grasps the hilt and the weapon of legend slid through the solid ground. The weapon was perfect in Victors hand, crafted to the groves of his grip, weighted to the style of his swing. Every indication screamed that this was a gift specifically made for the ruler of eden, and not a weapon thrown from one hand to the next as owners were consumed. Like all great powers the sword's had consumed lives, sealed dooms, and set minds to ruin. To most, the loss of ones mind or even life would be minor in compare with the unleashed forgotten power.

A power that was now taylor made for Victor. Potential that was altered enough that even if one of the former Avatar's rose to wield it again, they would see the sword was something new.

A black wind, an unnatural breeze, circled around Victor after his grip claimed the sword. Kicking up the fabrics that clung to him, rustling the strands of his air, stinging his eyes, and penetrating his mind.

Did madness consume him at that moment?

The Gods are fools... They will oppose you with their armies and heroes until the universe itself ends.

The voice was unnervingly calm to say the least. To say the most would be impossible, as somehow only by implanting the words directly into ones mind could one understand the paradox of subdued strength. Forceful submission.

Heroes are not defeated by equals. They are overwhelmed by inferiors who have nothing to lose. Forced to fight until they have no hope, until their ideals become meaningless in the struggle

Victor would be able to feel the power overflowing from the weapon. Not as if, but in actuality he had acted as the key that opened a long sealed gate. If only briefly, and if only a crack.

Then what happens when those with everything to gain battle against a hero? They refuse to understand, they send their own false-profits, they overwhelm the dream with inferior versions.

Those with the power to change the world...

Rarely have the power...

To save their dreams from corruption...

Will you be overwhelmed?

Or can your dreams overwhelm the world itself?

"Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history,

is man's original virtue.

It is through disobedience that progress has been made,

through disobedience and through rebellion."

-Oscar Wilde

What is this feeling...? Yellowed eyes stared down even as he held that blade. This feeling of deja vu... A sensation that this had happened once already.

That forlorn wind swirled up around him, his hair flying to the side as he tested the new blade in his grasp. He seemed captivated, mesmerized by the mere act of holding it.

Never in my life have I seen such.... a weapon...Never in the halls of my father or even in the treasury of Babel...

How many hands had it passed? Why was it forged? Why here? So many questions flooded his mind...

His eyes closed, even as the words began to edge themselves into his mind. His heart seemed to quicken, breath coming a bit slower, and beads of sweat running down his neck.

The hairs on his body stood on end, even as the unnatural wind finally began to subside.

Victor's body and soul were 'built' to absorb mass quantities of power, "whether voluntarily or not." This was thanks to Draeger's conditioning and the seal placed on him by that witch over a 1000 years ago. So the sudden wave of 'power' that filled him began to slowly fill him.

But once his hand met the sword, he quickly came to wish he had not been curious at all. Because this blade seemed to be a sentient power, ungovernable by any who have not been born to wield it -- and even difficult to those chosen before it. And Victor, despite his extreme cool, his self-possession, and his strength, could not bend the blade completely to his will. In fact, with the voices that seemed to flood his mind, it would seem the blade controlled him.

"My dream..."

Victor believed in the power of the human will and that through sheer force of will almost anything can be accomplished. He also had the belief that all life is chaos and that the control of life is fleeting at best. These beliefs have proven themselves time and again throughout his life-- and even right now, as he seemed to sway back and forth on the apex of control and full blown madness. "....will become reality."

Ancient Tomorrow narrowed his eyes as he looked about him...before down to the girl once more. "Initially, to talk him into going into exile...keep him away from the sea. But, failing that, i was going to..."

He suddenly stopped himself abruptly, taking a half-step back as he looked away from her to the throne, his left hand letting Stormbreaker slip slowly down his palm as his other hand reached behind his back. "...Kill him."

He looked away further, his slightly wrinkled face sullen. "If i ever get to go find him...once we find Tellus, i'll have more of a chance to find him..."

The Old man grimaced at her words, looking away from her.

This was not the place he wished to be. The entire setting made his skin crawl, and this beautiful creature pouring her honeyed words into his ears was not making him feel much better.

But...this was all he had. He had to make the best of it.

So he looked back to her, his face blank as he spoke. "Please, Ra'kar, call me Tomorrow. My first name is of no consequence now. I have extended you the same privilege, please grant me the same." It wasn't an attack, simply a correction. John Tomorrow did not exist, and had not existed in many a century...there was only Ancient Tomorrow now.

He reached his hand out from behind his back to place it into his pocket, pulling out the beaten pocket-watch, flicking it open to look at the time, the item tiny in his massive calloused hand. "You expect her soon?"

Ra'kar nodded her head in acknowledgment. As he spoke, smiling softly she replied,

"As you like my friend."

Her golden eyes study him intently. Her expression brimming with innocent curiosity. A mask... she was a master of many masks. If he caught her staring, she would look away sheepishly, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"The setting I desire for my sweet Synmalthin... is the closing ceremonies. You will not have to wait much longer. We will leave for your quest as soon as I have introduced a few choice people... to the reborn being they used to know..."

:: Please bear our separation a little longer my dear... you will rejoin me at my side soon. ::

The sigh was felt more than spoken, seen more than heard, but there nonetheless. ::Time cannot fly fast enough.:: But Tellus busied herself with other things, mainly looking at the dress that had been chosen, chuckling over it's cut and the things it revealed. She then moved over to another article, that she had chosen as well...Whatever Ra'kar had in mind should be very....interesting...She hoped she could live up to her lady's ideas.

She lifted the locks of white, blue and black hair up off her head, trying to decide upon a style. It was as she twisted her neck that a edge of a shape caught her eyes. She moved closer and turned her neck, trying to get a closer look at what appeared to a be a small tattoo on the back of her neck.

"A mirror...!" She ran around the room, flinging cushions left and right, though more from a sense of impatience then anything. Finally she found a small hand mirror and went back to the the larger mirror, using the old reflection of a reflection technique...and what she saw, made something small and warm curl inside her stomach. It made her feel just a bit happy.

"Yes... my dream... the dream of this planet, that I have seen!"

He raised the blade on high, a thunderous clap sounding across the entire island, as a calm blue sky spread above. There was no sun, no light-- yet that clear blue sky came into existence.

The space all around Eden began warping, even as Victor plunged the blade back earthward.

"Time is of the essence. Time is the key."

Reality folded, the lines blurring heavily.

"And it's time to act."

Eden would begin slipping through the very fabric of the Void, like a great vessel passing through crashing waves, to emerge into calmer waters.

The power that coursed through that blade would bleed into the very core of Eden itself, as a series of hieroglyphs and unknown language appeared in a several circles around Victor. The sounds of mechanical gears became audible, as he created something on the spot-- a mechanism through which he could use the blade to manipulate Eden (think access point).

And the moment that the island broke into our reality, like a beacon, those attuned to the Forgotten would come to know that it's great power had suddenly been birthed.

"Let those who would uphold my cause know my existence."

Eden would be in the Northernlands, right over a certain group of ruins...

"Let those who would uphold my cause know my existence."

And they would.

Eden entering the physical world so intimately connected to the Forgotten acted as a beacon. Within moments agents of The Forgotten would know the location, and not long after that they would be bathed in their masters power. The Forgotten called, and they would come no mater how large the path of destruction in their wake.

A cackle of warp would rip through the ground near the crater, a second storm bringing agents of the first. Humans, all wearing red and black robes, all wearing masks the colour of jet, all perfectly obedient. They were silently gathered around the one obviously non-human figure silent and still. That creature was one of power, one of strength, but no less obedient to its great master The Forgotten.

That creature was known as Alpha, the first Shadelord.

Like all shades, Alpha was made of the black material spawned by The Forgotten. That matter was hardened into metal like plates, giving the Shadelord the look of an armoured knight. Furthering that image was the mantle it wore draped over it's armour like shoulders. It was uncomplicated and practical, the colour of rust with a hood to keep the elements off. A cape off the same material draped down to its calves, trimmed with a softer crimson material. If the Shadelord was not so proud it could wear the hood, pull the cape across its shoulders, and masquerade as a dark knight. The reason it would have to hide like that was as clear as the lack of nose on its non-face. Instead of the normal features decorating a human skull, the Shadelord had a single red eye, oversized and glinting oddly in the tundra's light.

It alone would step forward, taking proud strides towards the crater in which victor stood. Alpha would loom over the edge and look through Victor with his one optic. Then without a mouth it spoke with regal voice loud enough to for all nearby to hear.

"Champion of the sword. I am Shadelord Alpha, commander of the armies of the Forgotten. I serve the entity that has aligned itself with your cause, and by that alliance I now serve you. I am yours to command Champion."

Lady Sierra Wrote:

"I've never seen it before no--"

Ra'kar smiled pleasantly, an intrigued curiosity shining on her face as she inspected the time piece from where she sat before holding out a hand hesitantly.

"--May I?"

The woman's body tingled with the sensation of their descent. It was almost time...

He placed the timepiece gently into her hand. The thing had been abused to the point of collapse - but somehow it remained intact. If she could, she would even still feel it ticking in her palm.

The clasp was a little fiddly, the silver cover having been warped inward a little, but if she managed to open it, she would see the cracked glass, the slightly bent hands twitching around the face...and an engraving on the inside of the clasp.

I will love you until the sun no longer sets and the waters upon gaia dry. No matter the way the winds flow in our lives, know and treasure the time we have together.

A finger would suddenly be placed against the engraving, and she would look up to see his old eyes narrowed as he looked down to her.

"This...is power." He growled down to her. "I have never fixed this, i've never tried to keep it safe...yet its remained with me, it still works. Its closer to me then anything else...it is my one possession."

His eyes narrowed further, cold slits which dug into her skin. "A woman gave it to me, many, many years ago...a testament to our love. I carried it on me always, from that day forth, through other lovers and trials you cannot imagine."

He suddenly leaned forward, his breath warm against his ear. "It may mean nothing to you...but think about what i've said...and ask yourself if you have someone who can say the same for you."

He would slowly lean back, dragging his fingers across her palm to retrieve his watch, slipping it into his pocket. "Ask yourself this, Ra'kar. Love conquers all. Time. Space. Flesh. Even dreams...if the love is strong enough. Do you have that love?"

And the doors to the center chamber would be flung open, heavy groans of protest echoing out, as the shadows seemed to come to life.

Footfalls were heard, many in unison, as a lone figure appeared. Soon the many that followed behind him made their presence known as well.

Shades, the formless given shape; the shadows given life. The masked followers, the so called 'Devils' of Victor's group, watched wistfully, intrigued. They had been at some point or another human-- but through Victor's manipulation of the same binding spell that Ashe had created to imprison Efreet within Vahn, they all demons merged within themselves.

Thus the birth of so called 'devils', fallen sons and daughters of man.

However, for the few succesful merges that had been made, there had been countless failures... and it was these that lurked and toiled in the backdrop of Eden, relegated to nothing short of an enslaved workforce.

A workforce which was gladly given up to the Shades. They would be worked over, perfected where imperfection lay.

And backing him, were the pure Shades themselves. Followers of this so...called... 'Watcher'. This.. Forgotten One.

"Alpha... the Island is as old as the books claim. Fortifications may be necessary, for any unwanted guests."

What force... what ancient force is this... that even I would have overlooked... yet here it is in my grasp...! And I can do such marvelous things brother... they think me foolish... coy enough to tamper with and use as they see fit... but it is I--- who shall be the victor in the end!

"Ra'kar... it's time you made use of your diplomacy. We are at my father's old grounds... I have need of something within the family vault."

Ancient Tomorrow watched Ra'kar alight to Victor, the man surrounded by wraiths and demonic figures. Indeed, to the old Tribal, he looked like a demon lord. What have i gotten myself into... He thought to himself, watching the mis-happened figures skulk around and away from Victor.

John could not feel 'energies' easily - he barely had a magical bone in his body - but he did sense something different in the man from when they'd spoken earlier. A sense of determination.

Pulling his shades from his pants pocket, he placed them onto his face and ran his fingers through his long ashen-blond hair, letting it fall naturally around his face. He tried not to let his unease show - he was bonded to the man now, he had given him his boon - he had to see it through.

He sighed inwardly as he watched Ra'kar's slight form slink to Victor. Quite obviously she had missed his point about the watch.

Just how long did Victor need them...

"It appears this part of the world hasn't been left as alone as people were led to believe... evil thrives where light can't touch it... or so they say."

He stood there, his clothing radically more different than before.

He seemed to be wearing a form fitting armor made of the same things the Shades around him were. The armor seemed keener in the moonlight, if that were possible, the blade sheathed at his side claiming its own pull--- an emotional gravitational force which captivated those near him.

"It's actually my father who I need.... or at least what's left of him.. imprisoned within his very own fortress.

But I doubt whomsoever decided to take up residence there will kindly allow us to simply walk in."

Evil did thrive where light would not find it, though it was not Eden that nurtured the evil throughout the ages... not alone. It was the awakening of the old power upon this land that drew the servants of evil from their hiding and into the hated light.

"Rho. Rho... gehee..."

The creature drew back its clawed hand and shrank back to the ground once more; clamoring in three separate directions as its body became distended and elongated. It took swift steps to the side as naturally as a crab scuttled, and though the Norseman charged it showed no fear.

The single putrid green eye that stood out as the only feature upon its black form narrowed, while the shade shrank into itself; the neck completely disappearing and the haunches thinning as all of its mass seemed to flow up into the swelling torso.

"Gee... hee... you... strong? Geh hee hee..."

The woman's eyes flickered as her lips formed a small 'o' of curiosity.

"Interesting--"

She breathed as she pressed her lips to his and then leaned back a little to examine his facial features as they were bathed in moonlight.

"You intrigue me also however... I will claim you all to myself for a little while on our return."

As she had drawn back however she had caught a glimpse of the strange shade from just over the top of Victor's shoulder, from behind she heard Tomorrow's thunderous movements and simply pulled Victor tightly against her, dancing him off to the side and moving the sword further from the creature in the process.

Her eyes flicked to Tomorrow and she fought the urge to smile. For some reason, his awkwardness had pleased her. Even though she knew that having the man's trust would be more efficient.

His point hadn't been missed. She simply had buried it for now. Ra'kar had the amazing skill to file a thought away for a more convenient time to consider it. 'Love' wasn't a word that surfaced in the woman's vocabulary very often.

She watched the tribal now, as he squared off against the Shade Lord and she continued to watch with a keen interest, as Victor bellowed at the two would-be combatants. Admittedly, she was a little disappointed... that the potential bloodshed had been halted... but what awaited her posed a much greater thrill.

"Most Excellent. I'm going to get dressed then. Be back in 15."

And with that she departed for her chambers.

Vahn Kyonuske Wrote:

((Damn I'm getting old. I overlooked your post Josh.)

(( 's all good... I just wasn't sure what to take of yours and just figured it was overlooked after nothing you had applied to mine.

Also, I edited Omikron to Alpha in your post. Omikron is the good-guy. ))

The creature unleashed a shriek like a dying animal and leaped suddenly backwards into the air as Victor shouted his commands. Its body seemed to melt into a shapeless form immediately and splashed down against the edge of the dais moments later like a puddle upon the stairs.

"Gee! Gee! Rho!" the creature cried as arms and legs peeled themselves away from the floor in the form of a solid body once more. It did not approach again onto the dais but instead lurked around the outside; edging its way around the very last stair as its single eye stared unblinking at the hand closest to that forgotten relic.

"Yes, yes, the preciousss.... does it hear them? Gee hee Rho Rho."

This shade, 'Rho', was not composed and controlled like the others. It was not patiently awaiting orders nor did it make promises of alliance like Alpha... but it seemed to hold Victor - or more appropriately the sword itself - in reverence.

The Sword of the Forgotten One and Rho would forever have their destinies intertwined.

The hulking cycloptic warrior was following close behind Victor this whole time. Silent and stoic, not even moving when Rho made an appearance. Alpha understood his and Rho's place in the world. They had both come under the command of the Forgotten in very different ways, but they were both vital to their unseen masters plan. Alpha had no choice but to let Rho be, as the other shadelord would never listen to Alpha unless it was a command from the Forgotten itself.

When Victor asked for power Alpha would respond. When he wished for armour once again the shadelord granted. Just as the first two times, when Victor asked for defences Alpha would comply. Silent commands sent by the lord would cause errant souls to be smashed into fragments of energy, those lost forever would then grow into a mass of shadowy pawn shades across the island. Diligently the red-eyed workers would gather whatever resources they could, and begin to turn Eden from charred garden to fortress starting with Victor's citadel outwards.

It was when Tomorrow spoke that Alpha finally broke his silence. A soul that had been preserved an unnaturally long period of time, one such as his own... This was the one of air.

"Do not be so quick to judge us Warrior." Alpha spoke not as a demon but as a general, more command than forebodance and more confidence than malice. But voice was deceiving, even Lucifer had the most charming voice.

"We are not one with the petty demons that spread evil and corruption throughout your world. Nor do we walk with the angels that do much the same. We serve a higher power, and like you Warrior have chosen to aid a greater cause."

It was those reasons that Alpha was the perfect creature to accompany Ra'kar into the darkness that was Sorrow's Keep, or a holy land for that matter. Shades were composed of a material birthed from void and emanating nullifying energies. Positive and negative energy would not phase Alpha, he would simply convert it back to its raw arcane form and fuel his own fires.

With his peace made, Alpha would be ready to travel with the one of fire when she returned.

Ra'kar was in the process of fastening an obsidian and gold cuirass in place over a crimson, padded blouse that bared her stomach. The light armour formed to every curve sensually, and as with most elven things... it was tooled with intricate designs and knot work.

The pauldrons, layering over her shoulders and encircling the top half of her upper arms. Belted gloves and bracers traced up her arms, mirroring the strange boots that hugged tight to her long legs.

The skirt she wore was essentially, a glorified loin cloth. At the front it reached halfway down her thighs, the back however, was a good deal longer and swept along the ground in her wake. The front flap of the armoured half of her ebony skirt, was a mere inch shorter than the red cloth beneath it, and the back half reached just below her buttocks, the two sides belted together around the hips.

This would be the image that befell Tellus' eyes as her tail reached out and caressed the surface of the mirror behind her, bringing Tell's reflection into view from the other side.

"Yes, love?"

Ra'kar smiles at the petite woman before her, her hand itched to twine the tri-coloured strands of hair around her fingers and hold her close. It had been half a week since she'd last been with Tellus.

"I know my pet, and I'm sorry for making you wait but events have not unfolded as I would have desired."

She stood in front of the full length mirror, twisting ankle length strands of crimson into a complicated ponytail that trailed down her spine. Her hair was ornamented, gold, onyx and garnets accenting the circlet that crowned her forehead and and encompassed the back half of her head.

"The ones who must see you, and at one time together... are Vahn and Sunstrike. I would have them see what you have blossomed into. Let the knowledge of your reborn self weigh upon their minds, knowing that they forsook you..."

Her ears and neck were traced in gold finery as she sheathed Eleven Fire at her left hip. And smiled longingly at Tellus, her eyes holding a scorching heat that would warm her body even from here.

"I will come to you in your dreams tonight dearheart. And I will ease your loneliness."

"Nothing? In that I think you are quite wrong my dear. I will punish them for making you think such thoughts."

She was ready. Besides Eleven Fire, she had her daggers sheathed, and her tail blade, but the spine blade was left on her weapons wrack in the corner of her room, as were her throwing blades.

Why all the lavish finery? She was after all elven royalty. Diplomacy was an ocassion to stand on ceremony. It just so happened, that her gown, was armoured... and her accessories included tools of blood letting. She would at least make an impression before she smashed skulls in.

"I will see you tonight precious."

The demoness blew her Synmalthin a kiss before her image would dissipate leaving the mirror, just a mirror once more.

She exited her chambers, returning to the center hall to confer with Omikron and Victor before leaving with the landing party.

Vahn Kyonuske Wrote:

"As I have given you power, so to do I need power of my own. After all, I'm not so naturally gifted as most of you..."

He turned his yellowed eyes towards John.

"I am the last of my race. The only thing I know how to do is fight,a but there is little I can do with my fists alone. These are just part of the sacrifices that have to be made... If selling my soul to the devil is what it will take to save this world, then I'll give it away."

"Your words do not make me feel better, Djevler! So shut up!" Tomorrow roared to Alpha - before turning back to Victor.

"That is sinnssyk, insane! When you deal with devils, they always croup the deal!" He growled to his benefactor. "There are better ways to save the world then selling your soul!"

He stepped forward, lowering his hammer to place a hand on Victor's shoulder. It was obvious he was trying to restrain the anger billowing within him. "Hjelpe meg hjelpe du - help me help you. We'll find Enki together, and sort this all out in one shot. With you, me and Ra'kar he will be easy! We dont need these djevler, Victor. All you need is three people - three! - to end this before it even starts."

He obviously wasn't in the loop. His voice got lower, almost soothing, like a grandparent instructing a grandchild. "These djevler ooze honey, but they will poison you. Trust me, we can beat this by ourselves."

At that moment, with Victor's hand on his shoulder, John looked so old, so tired, so desperate...

He'd been fighting for so long that even now, as the climax of his journey was to be reached, he fought harder. Victor's words caused a blossoming well of hope to spring in Tomorrow's heart - a well that had run dry centuries ago.

"...If you say so, my friend..." Old John whispered down to him with a slight nod.

After all, all those centuries ago, before the Catyclysm, Tomorrow had waged his own war in a large city, adopting the enemies' tenacity and brutality to fight it. Victor's words made John remember an old saying that a Crow told him once - in order to fight demons, you must be willing to become one yourself. And he had taken that saying to heart, in that whore of a city.

Who was he to judge?

He placed himself on one knee before the smaller man, their heads almost level now. "Then what would you have of me, Victor? My boon is yours, to do as you will. What do you want me to do for you?"

When Ra'kar returned, it seemed the atmosphere had grown thick with seriousness. It was as if she could reach out and cut the tension with a knife. She didn't disguise her presence as she returned, she was among 'allies' whatever that was worth... She simply slipped back into the chamber, with the silent stealth that elves were so well known for. And sat listening to the exchange of words.

Sunstrike Wrote:

> HonoRaven Wrote: > > Sunstrike Wrote: > > > HonoRaven Wrote: > > > Again there was a clunk as Sun tapped Silver on the head, this was repeatedly now. He was debating what to do with the young man. The spell on the staff would only work so long, and Sun really didn't want to kill Silver. He hadn't thought the stun rune would be very effective due to his morals on the whole shake em and break em method. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > But right now, it was the best he could do to hold all the angry energy leaking off the young man. It was flame based...and catching to like magicked creatures. No wonder Sun had gotten pissed off. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Right." He beckoned Hono Raven over and started speaking if she came closer. Gods I'm a sorry coward for doing this...forgive me. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "I need you to transport him to a location, sweetness. It'd be best for all if he got out of the way and where he actually belongs in all this." > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > A hand reached up and swiped across his lower lip, coming back bloody. "I wouldn't really want you to stay there as well, but I'm not up to sending him by myself. Plus, I know you can handle yourself." > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Vahn will be back soon, I won't tell him...he wouldn't be impressed... > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Would you do this for me, Hono?" He actually managed a grin, like he was sending her to the park or something. > > "I can keep him out of the way...." Rave gave a nodding glance of farewell to the boys and snapped her fan closed again as she quickly moved over to Sun and Silver. > > > > > > > > > > She knelt beside them and looked Sun in the eyes. "Take care of yourself Sunstrike, I honestly don't know what I would do without you around!" > > > > Again there was a clunk as Sun tapped Silver on the head, this was repeatedly now. He was debating what to do with the young man. The spell on the staff would only work so long, and Sun really didn't want to kill Silver. He hadn't thought the stun rune would be very effective due to his morals on the whole shake em and break em method. > > > > > > > > > > But right now, it was the best he could do to hold all the angry energy leaking off the young man. It was flame based...and catching to like magicked creatures. No wonder Sun had gotten pissed off. > > > > > > > > > > "Right." He beckoned Hono Raven over and started speaking if she came closer. Gods I'm a sorry coward for doing this...forgive me. > > > > > > > > > > "I need you to transport him to a location, sweetness. It'd be best for all if he got out of the way and where he actually belongs in all this." > > > > > > > > > > A hand reached up and swiped across his lower lip, coming back bloody. "I wouldn't really want you to stay there as well, but I'm not up to sending him by myself. Plus, I know you can handle yourself." > > > > > > > > > > Vahn will be back soon, I won't tell him...he wouldn't be impressed... > > > > > > > > > > "Would you do this for me, Hono?" He actually managed a grin, like he was sending her to the park or something. > Sunstrike leaned forwards and kissed her softly, leaving a small taste of blood and cinnamon on her lips. > > > > > Internally he pulled slightly along the strings that bound them and gave that power focus. A place. An island. > > > > > Eden. > > > > > "Good luck sweetness, try not to get sucked in." > > > > > And he moved out of the way, blowing a second kiss, the spells already fading around Silver and building around Hono. > > > > > Two more players were shifted into a role. And Sun rubbed his eyes after they left, leaving him in the middle of a huge mess of rubble. > > > > > "Today's been too long a day..." > > > HonoRaven Wrote: > > Again there was a clunk as Sun tapped Silver on the head, this was repeatedly now. He was debating what to do with the young man. The spell on the staff would only work so long, and Sun really didn't want to kill Silver. He hadn't thought the stun rune would be very effective due to his morals on the whole shake em and break em method. > > > > > > > > > > But right now, it was the best he could do to hold all the angry energy leaking off the young man. It was flame based...and catching to like magicked creatures. No wonder Sun had gotten pissed off. > > > > > > > > > > "Right." He beckoned Hono Raven over and started speaking if she came closer. Gods I'm a sorry coward for doing this...forgive me. > > > > > > > > > > "I need you to transport him to a location, sweetness. It'd be best for all if he got out of the way and where he actually belongs in all this." > > > > > > > > > > A hand reached up and swiped across his lower lip, coming back bloody. "I wouldn't really want you to stay there as well, but I'm not up to sending him by myself. Plus, I know you can handle yourself." > > > > > > > > > > Vahn will be back soon, I won't tell him...he wouldn't be impressed... > > > > > > > > > > "Would you do this for me, Hono?" He actually managed a grin, like he was sending her to the park or something. > "I can keep him out of the way...." Rave gave a nodding glance of farewell to the boys and snapped her fan closed again as she quickly moved over to Sun and Silver. > > > > > She knelt beside them and looked Sun in the eyes. "Take care of yourself Sunstrike, I honestly don't know what I would do without you around!" > > Again there was a clunk as Sun tapped Silver on the head, this was repeatedly now. He was debating what to do with the young man. The spell on the staff would only work so long, and Sun really didn't want to kill Silver. He hadn't thought the stun rune would be very effective due to his morals on the whole shake em and break em method. > > > > > But right now, it was the best he could do to hold all the angry energy leaking off the young man. It was flame based...and catching to like magicked creatures. No wonder Sun had gotten pissed off. > > > > > "Right." He beckoned Hono Raven over and started speaking if she came closer. Gods I'm a sorry coward for doing this...forgive me. > > > > > "I need you to transport him to a location, sweetness. It'd be best for all if he got out of the way and where he actually belongs in all this." > > > > > A hand reached up and swiped across his lower lip, coming back bloody. "I wouldn't really want you to stay there as well, but I'm not up to sending him by myself. Plus, I know you can handle yourself." > > > > > Vahn will be back soon, I won't tell him...he wouldn't be impressed... > > > > > "Would you do this for me, Hono?" He actually managed a grin, like he was sending her to the park or something. o.0?"Sucked in....?" She could feel the tug inside that meant she had a definite place to go... hell she could have easily taken Silver to the other side of the world itself and left him there to find his own way back... but apparently Sun had something else in mind as she tasted the blood on her lips and placed one hand against Silver's chest, Onyx and Ruby nails almost glowing against the paleness of her skin, the pair disappeared in a puff of black sparkles even as Raven kept looking at Sun in confusion.

> Sunstrike Wrote: > > HonoRaven Wrote: > > Again there was a clunk as Sun tapped Silver on the head, this was repeatedly now. He was debating what to do with the young man. The spell on the staff would only work so long, and Sun really didn't want to kill Silver. He hadn't thought the stun rune would be very effective due to his morals on the whole shake em and break em method. > > > > > > > > > > But right now, it was the best he could do to hold all the angry energy leaking off the young man. It was flame based...and catching to like magicked creatures. No wonder Sun had gotten pissed off. > > > > > > > > > > "Right." He beckoned Hono Raven over and started speaking if she came closer. Gods I'm a sorry coward for doing this...forgive me. > > > > > > > > > > "I need you to transport him to a location, sweetness. It'd be best for all if he got out of the way and where he actually belongs in all this." > > > > > > > > > > A hand reached up and swiped across his lower lip, coming back bloody. "I wouldn't really want you to stay there as well, but I'm not up to sending him by myself. Plus, I know you can handle yourself." > > > > > > > > > > Vahn will be back soon, I won't tell him...he wouldn't be impressed... > > > > > > > > > > "Would you do this for me, Hono?" He actually managed a grin, like he was sending her to the park or something. > "I can keep him out of the way...." Rave gave a nodding glance of farewell to the boys and snapped her fan closed again as she quickly moved over to Sun and Silver. > > > > > She knelt beside them and looked Sun in the eyes. "Take care of yourself Sunstrike, I honestly don't know what I would do without you around!" > > Again there was a clunk as Sun tapped Silver on the head, this was repeatedly now. He was debating what to do with the young man. The spell on the staff would only work so long, and Sun really didn't want to kill Silver. He hadn't thought the stun rune would be very effective due to his morals on the whole shake em and break em method. > > > > > But right now, it was the best he could do to hold all the angry energy leaking off the young man. It was flame based...and catching to like magicked creatures. No wonder Sun had gotten pissed off. > > > > > "Right." He beckoned Hono Raven over and started speaking if she came closer. Gods I'm a sorry coward for doing this...forgive me. > > > > > "I need you to transport him to a location, sweetness. It'd be best for all if he got out of the way and where he actually belongs in all this." > > > > > A hand reached up and swiped across his lower lip, coming back bloody. "I wouldn't really want you to stay there as well, but I'm not up to sending him by myself. Plus, I know you can handle yourself." > > > > > Vahn will be back soon, I won't tell him...he wouldn't be impressed... > > > > > "Would you do this for me, Hono?" He actually managed a grin, like he was sending her to the park or something. Sunstrike leaned forwards and kissed her softly, leaving a small taste of blood and cinnamon on her lips.

Internally he pulled slightly along the strings that bound them and gave that power focus. A place. An island.

Eden.

"Good luck sweetness, try not to get sucked in."

And he moved out of the way, blowing a second kiss, the spells already fading around Silver and building around Hono.

Two more players were shifted into a role. And Sun rubbed his eyes after they left, leaving him in the middle of a huge mess of rubble.

"Today's been too long a day..."

> HonoRaven Wrote: > Again there was a clunk as Sun tapped Silver on the head, this was repeatedly now. He was debating what to do with the young man. The spell on the staff would only work so long, and Sun really didn't want to kill Silver. He hadn't thought the stun rune would be very effective due to his morals on the whole shake em and break em method. > > > > > But right now, it was the best he could do to hold all the angry energy leaking off the young man. It was flame based...and catching to like magicked creatures. No wonder Sun had gotten pissed off. > > > > > "Right." He beckoned Hono Raven over and started speaking if she came closer. Gods I'm a sorry coward for doing this...forgive me. > > > > > "I need you to transport him to a location, sweetness. It'd be best for all if he got out of the way and where he actually belongs in all this." > > > > > A hand reached up and swiped across his lower lip, coming back bloody. "I wouldn't really want you to stay there as well, but I'm not up to sending him by myself. Plus, I know you can handle yourself." > > > > > Vahn will be back soon, I won't tell him...he wouldn't be impressed... > > > > > "Would you do this for me, Hono?" He actually managed a grin, like he was sending her to the park or something. "I can keep him out of the way...." Rave gave a nodding glance of farewell to the boys and snapped her fan closed again as she quickly moved over to Sun and Silver.

She knelt beside them and looked Sun in the eyes. "Take care of yourself Sunstrike, I honestly don't know what I would do without you around!"

Again there was a clunk as Sun tapped Silver on the head, this was repeatedly now. He was debating what to do with the young man. The spell on the staff would only work so long, and Sun really didn't want to kill Silver. He hadn't thought the stun rune would be very effective due to his morals on the whole shake em and break em method.

But right now, it was the best he could do to hold all the angry energy leaking off the young man. It was flame based...and catching to like magicked creatures. No wonder Sun had gotten pissed off.

"Right." He beckoned Hono Raven over and started speaking if she came closer. Gods I'm a sorry coward for doing this...forgive me.

"I need you to transport him to a location, sweetness. It'd be best for all if he got out of the way and where he actually belongs in all this."

A hand reached up and swiped across his lower lip, coming back bloody. "I wouldn't really want you to stay there as well, but I'm not up to sending him by myself. Plus, I know you can handle yourself."

Vahn will be back soon, I won't tell him...he wouldn't be impressed...

"Would you do this for me, Hono?" He actually managed a grin, like he was sending her to the park or something.

Raven and Silver Alexander appeared in a cloud of black sparkles, the little elemental quickly taking her hand off the strange young man as the world in front of her eyes preceded to spin in a very annoying manner, she cupped her head in her hands and closed her eyes to try and figure out why the hell this bounce had made her want to throw up...

Hono turned her attention to their surroundings, the desolate landscape had a slightly familiar feeling to it that required more study.

The fact that Sun had managed to send her someplace was still annoying, but the thought that he had sent them someplace that she had been before made scene. Raven tilted her head to the side and stared at the horizon, witch appeared to be a heck of a lot closer than it should have.

Ra'kar smiled her fanged smile at Victor as he acknowledged her return and nodded to Alpha as he did the same.

She had watched with keen interest as the shadowy eye formed even as Victor seemed to lose one of his own-- Now that was an interesting trick. One she didn't recall her comrade possessing. Something else she'd have to inquire about. But later.

For now, her nimble tail slid beneath the eye to lift it before her as she tilted her head in devious curiosity.

"Neat trick."

She stated simply as she she waited for some further instruction. She wasn't really one to take orders, but this was unknown territory, she hadn't a clue where she was headed-- yet-- she started to feel a pull, a pull towards? Victor had just said the eye would lead them--

This discovery however was pushed to the back of her mind for a moment as something flickered in the woman's eyes.

"We have company."

On the outskirts of Eden, close to the ruins of the tower Babel, An exasperated Hono stood chiding Silver's unconscious form. The upstart brat had been no end of trouble lately and had become a problem too big to ignore. However, that wasn't what brought this young man here. Durranis had eyes only for the fiery red head who'd been stuck baby sitting. He was concealed head to toe in a shade cloak, suppressing his light and healing energies and muddling them to register him as just another lowly shade worker in case anyone was 'watching'. He observed Hono for roughly 10 minutes before he emerged from behind a crumbling pillar.

He spoke in a hushed voice, arms held open to the sides to convey that he meant no threat. His face was heavily shadowed by the deep hood. It was as if the depths of the cloak devoured all light and left one peering into nothing but shadow. He had to admit, he probably looked rather ominous... but it was necessary camouflage.

"Lady Raven?"

The voice was young, but rich and masculine. It would brush over her ears like the sweetest of musics, a strange contrast to his shrouded appearance.

"I mean you no harm my lady."

You couldn't see it, but his soft voice sounded like a smile, and beneath the shadowy veil, he was indeed smiling. She was as beautiful as rumoured! Lucky him! Amara had been sent after a half-crazed wolf, but whatever, stuff like that seemed to do it for the young lycanthrope. Not he. Durranis, was a connoisseur of beauty!

"I was sent to guard you to safety, as is my Lady's will. The young Alexander also."

He took a step forward and then hesitated.

"If it is all right with you m'lady, I will approach you?"

"Of course."

The cloaked figure bent in a gentlemanly bow, hinging from the waist. Before stepping forward, keeping his hand in plain sight. As Rave cracked her shields, she would feel the energy signature of a 'shade'. But as subtle as she was, Durranis felt the gentle brush of her.

"Why my lady, there is no need for being coy. Please, do not be unnerved by my disguise. I'm afraid, if I did not wear a shade cloak, I would stand out like a beacon to our enemies. I fear that you two shall as well... please. I Have a cloak for each of you, may I?"

He was asking permission to reach into his cloak and produce the aforementioned items. If that permission was granted, then he would reach very slowly into his cloak, pulling something from a pouch at his hip area, it was hard to tell under all that fabric. Hands re-emerging he would hold out two rolled up cloaks identical to the one he wore on his own person.

"They will disguise your energies and conceal you by marking you as a 'shade.'"

"Sunstrike? No Dear lady, another one of our operatives is guarding his back. I am all yours."

The voice held an air of flirting as he handed her one cloak and began rolling the KO'ed silver into the other, burrito style, covering him head to toe.

How DID he know where to find them?

"I have a friend who's a rather skilled pre-cog who told me where to wait to pick up my gorgeous date."

He hefted silver into his arms with a grunt.

"No end of trouble this one."

He muttered under his breath half-heartedly.

"I believe you've met my employer though... the Lady Sierra Ethel'stan?"

"No, I'm not a GSF agent. Believe me, had I been... we would have met much sooner my dear. I don't make a habit of ignoring beauties like yourself"

He shifted Silver into a more comfortable position. As he would take Hono's hand gently, pressing a chaste kiss to her knuckles in a silken caress of soft, strong lips.

"Durranis, 1st GUARDIAN squad Seer at your service M'lady."

Durranis chuckled softly, the hooded head shaking.

"Fear me not Lady, you will find that I am rather resistant to your touch. At least in that sense."

Again, the good natured flirting lilt to his voice.

"It's part of the reason why I was sent to you and not someone else. You can touch me and I will up give nothing that I do not want to give up willingly."

He turned to face her, or at least, turn in her direction. With both their faces concealed, it could hardly be described as 'facing' one another.

"Will you do me the honour Lady Raven, of accompanying me to the Dark Sakura? Before you ask what, the DSG is, it is Sierra's estate and the base of the organization I am employed by. We have staff who can teach you how to control that hunger that's coiled in the pit of your stomach... train your touch. We can also take care of the brat."

"Of course my Lady. But I'm afraid we must hurry... She is not even attempting to conceal herself, which bodes ill things for us all should she choose now to descend upon us."

By she, he of course meant Ra'kar. The demoness was apparently confident enough at the present moment, not supress her energies at all. Knowing what he did of the princess' alter ego... He took Ra'kar's warning for what it was.

She knew they were there. And she was letting them know it. The thought of that monster bearing down on them like this, was enough to send a shiver down his spine and hurry him in his task.

Straining around his grip on Silver, Durranis clutched at a bracer, tracing over a series of runes. The runic code activated in a shimmer of silver light, as the gate to the DSG formed. The silvery tendrils, weaving to form the passage back to the Dark Sakura.

He turned to Hono.

"If you please m'lady, hold onto me for but a moment and we will be on our way."

Once Hono was holding onto him, as much as she would more than likely despair at the idea of touching him, he would lead them through the gate. It would be like stepping through a water fall... except dry. Dry liquid as they stepped through the liquidy surface and through to the DSG, the gate closing behind them.

Ra'kar closed her eyes for a moment, unmoving and silent. Golden orbs, slatted with obsidian flick to Alpha as she reopens her eyes and shakes her head.

"Gone. Two of them... but they'll be back."

She had only sensed Raven and Silver, Durrian had eluded her. However, she had her suspicions that there had been a third party, for they had left by a different means from which they had arrived.

"Shall we then?"

She said smiling at Alpha and Victor. She was bored and she ready to smash some skulls.

The demoness smiled as she regarded the shade lord thoughtfully a moment. Courtesying, she steps through the portal and to where ever the metaphysical door opened to.

Alpha then stepped though the portal, and the wound in the world closed behind him. It would open right up again moments later on the surface, at Sorrow's Keep.

---

Victor was never alone anymore. From the moment he grasped the sword the eye of The Forgotten was on him. Plans needed to be made, movement needed to happen... Energy needed to be consumed.

Perhaps it is time to make your presence known.

The voice would echo through Victors mind.

There are those that will be preparing for your arrival, and there are those that are preparing for my return.

It would be a fools move to let them gain too much strength.

And you gain power with ever move made.

The best show of force is a tactical one.

There is work to be done. Good work. If they refuse to use their wills, we will take that will and use it for them.

The woman...

Has atempted to interfer with plans in the past.

She can be found, as her mind has been touched

How she is still well

is

very

strange

Not imposible if she is of a powerful mind.

Perhaps

then she would recognize agents of The Cult.

Prudence.

Says she would be blind to your agents...

Unlike the

other.

Though the centuries The Forgoten has consumed millions of lives, taking their memories and power into its whole. Considering his exploits through the ages the chances were high that at least one of those victims had known of the man in the pool. The problem wasn't finding one, it was finding one that didn't conflict with another. The Forgotten had to rely on the fact Victor had such a strong conection with his brother, a destiny bond, to discover the true name of the man in the pool.

Kas...

Vahn

...uske... Ky...

Fah

You know where he is

I have an agent

Apt for dealing with him...

and his allies.

A subjugator of the elements

A softer touch than

Alpha

Not obviously

One like Alpha either

not as proud

Though the plan is yours

Tellus reclined against the lavish bedpillows, curling one crimson one against her chest. She knew Ra'kar would keep her promise, but she had no idea whether 'tonight' was a few moments away or a few hours. For that matter, the formerly blue haired Leviathan child wasn't even sure how much time had passed since she'd come to this little corner of the void. It could have been days or even longer.

On the trail of that thought, came another that caused her a bit of panic. Her children. James could and would take care of himself and Gabi, and they were lucky enough to have expense accounts, but something about Gabi was making her worry, and it was connected to her own inherent connections. What was going on; out in the real world?

Her fingers slid along the fine Durem sheets, caressing it as one might a lover, the texture of them playing on her senses. The sheets clenched as she tightened her fist around a loose piece. "Damn, Damn and Double Damn..." Tears threatened to fall as she sat there frustrated and angry. Even the flickers of flame from the fireplace didn't warm her, it seemed too cold, too impersonal.

The Isle itself had slipped back into the reaches of the Ethereal Void, seemingly without anyone realizing it and perhaps even without Victor having initiated it.

However none of the Nephilim had the courage to go ask about it--- they were bound in service to the man, so what he did mattered little to them unless it directly involved them.

Victor was still on the terrace, the ebony blade being spun in one hand as he moved about with the sword. He made several slashing motions, and long sweeps, turning with his heels and bending the knees ever so slightly to keep the rhythmic bounce.

He kept this up until the sword became an extension of himself, confident in its weight, ability, and reach.

There was an unmistakably darker aura about him now, ever since claiming the sword... as if some sinister presence were always about him, unseen by normal eyes.

The events that had transpired within Sorrow's Keep had not gone unnoticed by Victor. The shaded eye had returned before the two emissaries were due to arrive, through a word of recall--- thus giving Victor the appearance of two full eyes again.

He had his left hand extended out, the shaded eye dissolving into nothingness, ember by ember of shadow as he pressed it against the left side of his face. Running the hand long the side and brushing past locks of ebony, he breathed outwardly.

Apparently it took a great deal of concentration to have kept the eye stable.

"Barton... not exactly an ideal start, but no use in trying to change whats been done."

He mused on sending any support or not and decided against it. The city was more or less already fallen, and if his new allies couldn't keep it then perhaps he had misjudged them.

Maybe it was the thought of his name that finally made Victor see the man, sat in one of the larger cracks of the wall, arms folded carfully as he inspected the void outside.

Henry always was hard to spot in a crowd. But there was a trace scent of licorice and spice that surrounded him much like clothing on an ordinary person.

The robes he wore shifted much like the outside sky, showing him to be far more abstract then mortality could pin on a person, but for Victor and the others benifet he always pulled most of himself together when his presence was felt.

As it was, he'd been silently keeping vigil on the events that were unfolding, leaving the larger players to do their own parts. Any forward questions were givin answers that left Victor thinking for himself about the direction he needed to go in.

A smile quirked his lips at the sword Victor held, as well as the quiet servent he spoke with.

"Greetings, Lord Fah...have you need of me?" Inky, blue eyes blinked in casual amusement.

"You know I never interfere in your aquisitions. Had I more conscience, I might have been pressed to save the elf maiden, if that were the case." Still the amusement as he watched Victor step closer.

"No Victor, I simply gave you the road, how you pave it is up to you. And I must say, the going is smoother then I expected." It was a compliment of sorts.

"Where I've been," He started, then barked a laugh. "I had to rediscuss some terms with a certain, lady friend."

"Too proud to dig a little deeper into the muck, eh?" Henry closed his eyes and leaned back. The next was said without a hint of sarcasm, as if it were nothing but a statement.

"You've found out the easiest, now you want someone else to do your work for you, how very noble."

He sighed softly, looking away. Henry was quiet for a long period of time, almost so much that he might be accused of ignoring the other man. Finally he frowned and looked sideways at Victor.

"You'll have to make them...the humans or meta's that contain traces of the avatars are far too..." He searched for the right word.

"Diluted. You could probably find people it can be brought about in, but as far as actually sleeping gods..." He held his hands up.

"I'll make a list of likely candidates, and we'll go on from there.

With a sudden gasp of air, Old Tomorrow was re-admitted into the current dimension, the old man falling to his hands and knees. The shock had been so sudden, so unexpected.

What had happened was a time skip. Somewhere in Old John's past, in this dimension, the oppertunity of death arose. That oppertunity was so close to completion, that Old John's body wasn't considered fit to remain in the timeline as it was - and so was yanked out by whatever physics deemed it nesserary.

But the oppertunity of death had passed by, seemingly without consequence - and the dimension had spat John back into reality.

Now he was on the floor, his hand clutching chest as his heart spasmed wildly, gasping for breath as his eyes squeezed closed...before gritting his teeth, pushing himself to his feet, and leaning against the bookcase.

This wasn't the time to die.

Soon he'd caught his breath, his heart calming. his white-knuckled grip on his shirt would relax, and he would stand tall.

A heart attack, killing a Tribal? How absurd...

He didn;t know how much time had passed, but obviously nobody seemed to have noticed, or even if he'd been gone. Whilst John didn't know what had happened, having very little knowledge on the conception of time travel, he had an inkling of what had just happened, almost on a primal scale.

Scooping his book back up, he began to read once more, devouring the knowledge within. He needed to know before he could act. His old friend had told him that, long ago...

Her hands slid along the walls, as if silently reassuring herself that things were indeed real. This was Eden? This was what so many fought for? It was so cold...so empty...Tellus felt even more the child, despite the elegant tricolored braids that hung down her back, or the form fitting gown that she wore. Perhaps that was the problem, she would never understand the motives of the 'adults' in her life.

The hand that touched the wall moved up, sliding across her face to brush a stray hair from her face. A chill slid up her spine and she spun on her heel, ready for an attack...

..and faced yet more emptiness...

"...Is this Eden...Is this perfection?" She whispered, her hand at her lips; her voice barely a whisper in the empty hall seemingly louder than a trumpet to her own ears. A deep breath to calm herself, and she turned once more, back to her path, looking perhaps for a door, or somewhere to lead her out of this cold hallway. If she would find such a door, she would listen at the door for noises first, much like a child, afraid of getting in trouble.

The ruins were perhaps cold and foreboding... but then again, you can't exactly expect the place to look like the Ritz when it's been abandoned for so long and its people have long since died off.

The beauty spoken of in many a religion or legend was there--- it just wasn't to be found in a dusty library or some broken down hall.

Eden was rife with plant life, long since become something unto its own, hybrids formed via exposure to the void, as well as even some natural species of flora being somehow preserved in places--- one of which would be the garden that Tellus herself was going to find as she found such a door that she seeked.

The atrium was of a primitive yet exotic level. While not exactly built like your modern day greenhouse, it did show a rudimentary if not rustic grasp on the basic concepts of a greenhouse.

If anything, the beautiful view of the void afforded via the hewn glass ceiling, which was lined with stone and quarry did justice to the place on its own. The plants to be found here were of a unique quality... one looking like a simple rose, yet from its petals were secreted a dew that seemed to freeze a tiny area of space around itself.

The sounds of running water could also be heard, suggesting that a source for the nutrient of these plants existed... yet no other life could be heard within.

As for the library.... the Tribal had busied himself with text after text, so absorbed in his readings, that it would have been hard to notice the widely arched room gaining a new occupant to begin with.

Instead of bookcases--- the walls of the room itself had shelves upon shelves hewn into the wood and stone, which lined the entire room itself with material, from floor to ceiling. Unnatural flames bounced upon worn out candle jacks, giving way to the source of light for the room--- and it was upon the uppermost section of the room, that the source of laughter could be seen.

It was a young girl by the looks of it, her legs swinging carefree even as she smiled, auburn hair bouncing from shoulder to shoulder.

"Hello~"

But there was something else in the garden. It would first be identified by it's voice, and then by the profound sense of the void that emanated from it. This strange presence was one of the shadelord that had just returned from Sorrow's Keep, Alpha. It craved a bit of solitude so that it could command and organise the forces of the forgotten. The speaking aloud was only because the prime shadelord often missed the sensation.

It stood before a wall of relays, a subspecies of shades so to speak created only to transfer information. To act as the eyes of the forgotten. That really was all that there was to them, a large eye about the size of a softball, the colour was varying colour from relay to relay, and other than that a mess of black tendrils swarming behind the floating eyeball.

"Ensure the cultists arrive at the Keep."

He changed focus and pointed a gauntled figure at another relay.

"Mana absorption is progressing well. Ensure that new matter is being made at a reasonable rate.

The finger went to a blue eyed relay.

"Lord Fah must know the plan is ready to proceed."

With a dramatic swipe of his hand horizontally through the air, the relays took this as the cue to scatter. Each flew off in a different direction to deliver their message. Alpha stood there a moment enjoying the moment, this was what he was created for. Not this pomp that Fah had surrounded himself in. Alpha could do without the rendering of impressive armoured flesh, he could do without the deep red cloak draped across his shoulders, and he could do without the intricacies of this plan.

But this was the Forgotten's game now, and Alpha loyally served his master... What was that feeling though. So much like a shade but not quite, it could not have been... He could not control this one.

--- Victor’s Chamber --- --- --- ---

Moments later a blue eyed ball of tendrils would find its way to Victor. It would swirl and entwine for a few moments as it waited for Victor to ready himself to receive a message. The relays were not strong enough to force thoughts into ones head such as the Shadelords. Still, the idea of letting the shade in would be one of his first thoughts.

Could this be the influence?

The agents of the Forgotten are prepared to retreive your brother. We wait on your plan and cue.

Alpha didn't take chances. He had felt something and even the sudden disappearance of the essence he had felt did not make him rest any easier. Rather it caused quite the opposite, the shadelord was now quite a bit more paranoid.

He turned around to face the most general direction he could remember that feeling of void came from. As the cape spiralled around him Tellus would have a rather warped sense of the inhabitants of eden. What may have appeared to be armour at first was now clearly the matter this creature was made of, the way the jet black material was stylised could not have possibly be made by any human armorsmith. Too smooth, too fluid, too menacing, and not to mention it would be near impossible for something to move inside with the way the "pieces" were connected. Then there was the most prominent feature, that one red eye taking up a good deal of where the creatures face would be. It scanned the area looking for any trace of a threat.

Yes Fah had said that this island was inhabited by his forces alone, but as it stalked forward to check he doubted his master's chosen one.

"I know something is in this garden." His voice was hollow, yet somehow panged of an elevated sense of self worth... Arrogance even, "If you side with Victor Fah, Ra'Kar or any of their allies show yourself. Otherwise I am not so attached to this place to destroy it in finding you."

A simple stern message.

Existence as a right. Funny that the creature she was talking to held non-existence as the ideal.

"Formality." The shadelord's voice rang out flatly. It wasn't flustered by her disappearing act, rather he just calmly turned around once more to face the tiny woman against the tree. Not a clunky armoured movement, but a controlled, calculated and even bordering graceful type movement, "The masters of this island are fond of grand material objects and grand gestures. Clothing, structures, this garden. The cloak makes me normal in these settings. The attitude, as you call it, stems from the fact the setting and grandeur are not my concern, rather the tasks I have to complete within other's ideals."

It seemed like so many more grand villains Alpha had fallen into the trap of monologuing. That of course was not the truth. This strange girl had already shown that she would rather have a dramatic chat than have a surprise attack. Why else would she sneak around only to announce her presence. Alpha could take those moments to observe her strange essence. Not bound to one element, but at the same time not an abomination in their eyes. There was a note of harmony to this garden dweller.

"Thus like yourself." the shadelord planted himself, "I feel no affection to the other party in this conversation, and unlike yourself I feel no affection for this location. I ask again child of shifting essence, is your business aligned with those I have mentioned... Or are you here to interfere?"

"The red was chosen for me, and as the cape would be useless in battle that functional purpose of hiding the blood is moot." His red eye flashed in the light as it followed her gestures, "Red or purple, the garment would be shed."

"No, no one sees themselves as the villain child. Self-righteousness and arrogance prevents that, and the unyielding confidence that history is written by the victor..." His eye stopped darting and looked Tellus straight on, "Thus absolving them of the proclaimed... Villainy."

There was a note of distaste in Alpha's otherwise hollow voice.

"This is of course a fools opinion. Victors are often overthrown by those they believed defeated, as their position of power only made them appear even more villainous." Showing more emotion than even Omikron there was the single note of a sneering laugh, a 'ha' and nothing more, "Existing beings are fickle creatures in that respect."

"Thus I hear your statement that there is more to the masters than formality, but remember that they are just playing the part of hero in their own minds. As they are more than likely villains to others it is but another layer of formality." He made note of all the girls movements and radiations, then as he could, acted on those, "Then child of shifting essence, as you are a servant of the demoness, has her heroism or villainy affected you? Or perhaps since you claim to be different merely by getting your knees dirty, you do not see yourself nearly that deluded."

Alpha himself had made very little reaction to her movements, and very little movement on his own vocation. He stood there with hands folded behind his back in a rather military position. It was harder to tell with his features, but if he had a nose he'd be constantly looking down it.

"You grasp the concepts child, but you do not understand the application entirely." A neutral tone despite Alpha's normal hint of self worth, "This world is not so simple that cause of winning equals the effect of reward. That would require a balanced, as you called it, world. This universe is inatley unbalanced, as the few have convinced the many the balance they beleive in is the only balance worth thought."

Old John narrowed his icy blue eyes at the girl - before turning back to the bookcases, running his fingers up and down the myriad of spines, resuming his search.

The appearance of the little girl had been exactly what he had been expecting - typical demon trickery. What kind of place would this be, to have children roaming the halls?

No, the old man knew better then that. So he tried his best to ignore the little girl, not answering her, and kept his eyes on his goal.

"And if you believe that, I pity you, Sir. There is no such thing as balance and yet at the same time, that's all there is, and if you can't see that, you don't see anything." But her words were barely whispered. It was likely he wouldn't even hear it.

"Poor being. Every choice we make moves us further and further from the beginning and back towards it. Everything is a cycle. Even if his balance is restored, it would not last long, and not because of anything anyone does, but because of the nature of itself." She was really talking to herself, as she bent to kneel beside a plant that someone had carelessly torn, healing the minor wound with as much care as she would for a fellow Gaian.

Maybe her thinking was skewed, but then again, so was everyones, based one how they grew up, and their influences. It was by realizing that, that one was able to see past the fact. By realizing it, you can not claim ignorance when next the choice comes up...unless there is nothing there...but even the nothing is something.

Tellus sat down, reclining in the plants, simply enjoying the presence of such unpretentiousness. You can remain ignorant of your actions and how they affect others for only so long, Tellus.

There was much to be done, yes, very very much to be done still before things could begin. The new Knight was busy busy working to collect the elementals together... not a small task as Rho would know as he had killed many to do the same in ages past when he held it.

"Gee... hee... Rho. Rho."

The shade slunk along the ceiling of a dimly lit chamber; watching as Murmillion troops passed back and forth through the hall and wondering with each new face whether or not he could take one and have it not be missed. The Victor did have so many, after all, and Rho could only eat one or two at most.

Rho did not like the Victor. Rho never liked the new ones. Rho never liked the way they held his sword as if it was theirs, as if they were the only one who ever had. But even Rho saw why the Victor had been chosen by them. It was his lust for the power to overcome evil. It was his pride that had been broken at the hands of those whom the world loved in his place. It was all the ways in which the Victor was the same as the others, the same as Jon.

If the Victor truly wanted that power, he would not be disappointed. It was time for the world to change again, and the voice would guide the Victor until his task was complete.

Cackling like a stony brook, Rho slunk across the ceiling and into the darkness; finding a fissure in the Void to take him back to Gaia.

Rho was hungry and bored.

Exit Alpha.

Enter Ra'kar.

The demoness had long since returned from their little envoy to Sorrow's Keep. After freshening up she had come to seek out her Synmalthin as promised, only to find her engaged in some semblance of deep conversation with the Shadelord.

:: Interesting. ::

She had thought to herself. Ra'kar as usual was silent in her arrival, not making herself known unless she wanted to be.... and in this instance she had decided to eavesdrop. It would prove useful to her, to hear what Tellus would say without her pressence. How much had the bond strengthened? How loyal was the blue haired girl really?

As Tellus and Alpha exchanged wit, Ra'kar listened. A test.

And that test was passed.

Alpha left, to find Victor most likely... and Ra'kar emerged. Slipping behind Tellus and wrapping her arms around the blue haired girl's waist. Placing her head over her right shoulder from behind and kissing her cheek she purred.

"I missed you pet."

Tellus froze, not saying a word. She didn't feel guilty about what she'd told Alpha, but she also hadn't expected to 'invade' what she was becoming to feel was her 'space'. The multi colored braids fell in front of her face, covering a deep blush as she responded.

"Mistress...", her smile pleasant, if perhaps a bit distant as her hand came up from the soil, and she dusted her hands so as to not sully her mistress's skin. "I hadn't realized you were back already."

"It would be foolish to say that Eden was inadequate," Alpha's had long realised that Victor was much better at resisting the influence than past wielders, "This device would work in tandem with our considerable resources, not replace them."

Alpha stopped a comfortable distance from Victor, not enough to make it seem he was asserting dominance but enough to loom. The relay wasn't content to hide behind the shadelord, upon Alpha's pause it began to float and dart once one. It ran circles around the pool, observing both Victor and Alpha from a variety of angles and distances.

"But more importantly Lord Fah, would be the tactical blunder of leaving the device where it stands." The one red eye looking down on Victor narrowed, "It is a device that could potentially interfere with Eden's method of travel, an aspect of the island vital to you finding your target. I do not think it prudent to leave such an item in an enemy stronghold."

Tellus turned and pressed her face into her mistress' arm, hiding the tears that formed but would never fall. "I want to go home. I want to see my mother, my son, my daughter, my brothers." Once she felt she'd gotten control of herself, she pushed away from Ra'kar.

"I can't tell if what I feel for you is real or not..."She motioned to the plants all around them, from the exotic to the ordinary. "These plants...some of them have been extinct on Gaia for eons...but here, trapped and guarded, they are kept away from anything that might harm them. But they aren't really alive. They're just pieces in a museum." Her hand reached out, even as one rested on Ra'kar's knee, that need to touch the demoness still there even as she tried to explain why she had to leave.

"Life is for the living..."

Ra'kar smiled softly, drawing Tellus back to her and stroking her head soothingly.

"Shhhh, darling. It's okay... I was going to ask if you'd like to go on a little trip with me? There are some things I need from home, and I believe your mother is visiting there this very moment. I'm sure she'd like to see you also?"

The demoness drew back from Tellus enough to look her in the eyes and smile at her, letting the girl see her concern over her distress.

"I don't want my beautiful flower wilting, shall we take a stroll in the sun pet?"

Cupping Tellus' chin gently she added,

"We can visit your children as well if you like? I'm sure they'd be proud to see how strong their beautiful mother has become."

"You're welcome."

Things couldn't be working out more perfectly if Ra'kar had wished them to. Well... almost anyway. There was the pressing issue of Sierra who had inconveniently gone MIA. Right now her soul should have been locked away in a prison of grief, yet the elven woman's presence had vanished nearly entirely. What faint hint was left, was so obscure Ra'kar couldn't pinpoint her location. Those fools at GUARDIAN were no doubt searching desperately for their beloved leader... Maybe they'd found something she had missed. Either way, a visit home was in order. The fact that Fae had chosen to go to the Dark Sakura and Tellus would be able to visit with her mother made it all the better.

The bond between the elf demon and her Synmalthin was a strange one. Ra'kar generally didn't care for anyone other than herself, yet she seemed to take Tellus' well being and happiness into consideration despite how out of character it was for her to do so. True, it was made easier to be generous when it coincided with self-gain... but the tendril of caring that tied both women together was there all the same.

As Tellus showered her with affection, Ra'kar laughed and hugged her, pleased at the girl's reaction. So much so, she kissed her back and then grinned at her.

"We'll leave in two nights. First we'll visit your children and then we'll head to the Dark Sakura. Until then, we will prepare for our trip and pick out gifts for your loved ones, does this please you pet?"

The demoness simply smiled and pressed a quieting finger to the girl's lips.

"Shh, you're fine. But if you'd like to go clean up, by all means. There should be some nice things in your wardrobe. If you don't like them, then we'll pick out some new garments for you as well before our trip."

She noted her synmalthin's suddenly flustered state and hugged her gently, soothingly almost.

"You really enjoy cooking don't you pet? Yes, if you'd like I'll take dinner with you."

She smiled and kissed Tellus forehead.

"I'll join you in two hours? Is that enough time for you to prepare or do you need more pet?"

"A wise choice Lord Fah." Alpha's face disapeared into blackness as red eye closed and head bowed. A sign of respect, however temporary and however false.

"Your brother will undoubtedly be inspired soon enough. We will disguise cultists as a false militia to assist him in his fight against the... shadow demons." Alpha spoke without feeling towards the topic. With his arms folded at his stomach and his footing distibuted at shoulder with, the shadelord looked rather disconected from the implications, while sounding utterly confident in the plan. "Once he is far enough in the city we will bolster the cultists with shades, then the favour of numbers will shift to our side. Our sleeper agent will remove the blocks barring most magical location within the city, and that will allow for location of the device."

Alpha took his steps forward now as the shadelord knew the topic of one Vahn Fah was a delicate situation, but one that needed to be treated with dominance on The Forgotten part. His movements were all too fluid for such an armoured figure, too casual and not nearly clunky enough to appear physicaly possible. Much closer to Victor, but still in his casual general pose, Alpha spoke once more.

"By that time your brother will have claimed victory."

Tellus stared at Ra'kar in shock. Wasn't Victor and Eden her ally? Then again, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Cliche's about friends and enemies ran through Tellus' head, and so she responded with a nod. " Of course, Mistress. I just didn't know--"

And then Ra'kar explained that she'd provide for some food, though how on Gaia she'd get it, Tellus didn't know. "If we're only going to be here long enough to prepare to go home, I won't need much. Maybe some steak, some cheese and bread would be nice." And at that point, she became almost like her mother, ticking off things on her fingers as she thought about what she'd like to make for Ra'kar...."Oh, and I'll definitely need the ingredients to make my infamous Death by Chocolate cake...it's my mother's recipe, but I make it even better than she does."<3

To say that Tellus was stunned at the appearance of Tandrae, dropping the two outfits she was trying to decide upon when the Fyre Salve had arrived. For a moment, she just looked at him as he stood there with the items she had requested from Ra'kar, finally finding her voice.

"I..I...I've seen the likes of you before in my dreams..." She stuttered, her hand moving to cover her mouth in shock. But the sight of the food eventually made it's way into her brain and she processed.

"I'm so sorry...I didn't mean to be rude." She looked at the bowing figure and was nothing short of confused. "Please don't bow. I'm nothing to bow to." Even more frightening aspects of that dream coming to mind. "My mistress sent you?"<3

Tellus sighed, again with that term. "I still don't understand what that even means..",she vented in frustration as she pointed out where she wanted him to put things. She'd specifically ordered stuff she could cook over open flame...well, except the cake. Now she needed to find a way to cook that too. "And what's a Jhadia Eilaras?" Maybe she'd finally get some answers out of him since she was always too busy trying to please Ra'kar to actually find any real answers from the demoness. She really should work on that.<3

Joseph Brown Wrote:

"A wise choice Lord Fah." Alpha's face disapeared into blackness as red eye closed and head bowed. A sign of respect, however temporary and however false.

"Your brother will undoubtedly be inspired soon enough. We will disguise cultists as a false militia to assist him in his fight against the... shadow demons." Alpha spoke without feeling towards the topic. With his arms folded at his stomach and his footing distibuted at shoulder with, the shadelord looked rather disconected from the implications, while sounding utterly confident in the plan. "Once he is far enough in the city we will bolster the cultists with shades, then the favour of numbers will shift to our side. Our sleeper agent will remove the blocks barring most magical location within the city, and that will allow for location of the device."

Alpha took his steps forward now as the shadelord knew the topic of one Vahn Fah was a delicate situation, but one that needed to be treated with dominance on The Forgotten part. His movements were all too fluid for such an armoured figure, too casual and not nearly clunky enough to appear physicaly possible. Much closer to Victor, but still in his casual general pose, Alpha spoke once more.

"By that time your brother will have claimed victory."

He focused inwardly for a moment, calling upon reserves of willpower that seemed to be just within reach yet always underneath the surface...hidden.

It was at that moment that for the briefest of times, a tiny tug of aura would be present, like a pin drop. It would have come from around Victor's collar, as if within his breast... or against it.

The family heirloom he wore around his neck, underneath his clothing... within it's layered center was the glyph of the House of Fah, a word of power in respect. And it seemed to be the source which tethered Victor to sanity, keeping him from becoming completely overwhelmed in the sea of darkness that was The Forgotten One.

However, even Victor himself was unaware of the properties of this amulet, having long since destroyed his brother's and keeping his own out of sworn duty for a people long dead.

"I'm sure my brother is in for a rude awakening..."

He withdrew the ebony blade, the waters turning murky upon trying to reflect its surface.

It was no small task when the requirement for travel was needed... at least when the need for the entire landmass to move was called for. It was by the will of the 'heir' that it was able to move, if moving were what it could be called.

A great expenditure was needed to focus and to tear forcefully into the fabric of this realm, and create an ethereal jaunt on such a large scale....And with much expenditure of Eden's resources already on the tapping and containing of Gaia's elemental leylines...

"I will make the finishing touches in readying this Isle for full preparation...After all, every type of transportation needs it's fuel..."

And the means to receiving access to that so called fuel would be arriving shortly...

It would be subtle at first.

A ripple that gently made itself know to everything else around it. However, this was different than all the rest that normally transposed all over the island.

When the blade of the forgotten had plunged into Eden's ground, it had "infected" the broken earth, spreading itself through the ruins of the once holy remains, creating an intricate web or network of shade to run it's course slowly through every vein of the isle. The Murmillion glyph that Victor then sealed over the sword's entry point further enhanced this.

This in turn allowed Victor the ability of being alerted to movement or activity on the island... as well as giving the Shades that very same alert. In fact, Victor wouldn't be surprised if it had been meant primarily for the Shades use and he was just an accidental side-effect.

And it was with keen interest that this sudden ripple of newfound presence that Victor would cant his head to the side.

Ezekiel would be seen stepping forward, yellowed eyes staring hollowly forward, even as he was firmly upon Eden's soil once more.

Out of all the Nephilim, it was Ezekiel who had been blessed with the host body of what surmounted to the combined genetic data of the only tweo surviving pure blooded Murmillions. As with all Nephilim, bounded to human form and warped into something else entirely...

Of course there were those nameless devils who were more than happy to show their displeasure...or mocking gestures at the seemingly "special treatment" that Ezekiel received...

But it was trivial to Ezekiel himself, at best.

"Master... forgive me for interrupting... but as you requested of me... I have brought him."

The movement of Eden, was something that no singular man or entity could do...not without vast stores of power behind it... and that was something that Victor by himself was sorely lacking.

But he did know of a way to get the power needed...without having to tap into the elemental leylines that would be fed instead for a different purpose...

The dimensional tear would widen, and Moonblade would find himself at his destination.

"You have come seeking the means to an end... have you not."

It was less a question and more statement, even as Victor stepped forward only a little, letting the shadows scant themselves against his features--- adding tot he mystique of it all.

It was important that from the start, who the master was and who the servant was. It was Moonblade who came seeking and not the other way around...eve if Victor had still sought this individual in a roundabout manner.

The illusion of having had a choice in the matter was important, to keep feeding the darkest desires... making Moonblade more susceptible to both Victors charm... and what was about to transpire.

"One who was defeated by the very ilk of beasts you are supposed to have dominance over."

The irony of a dragoon being killed by a dragon was not lost on Victor. Let the remark bite deep, churning the hatred for dragonkind...

"Become a true Dragoon and wield the power you so rightly deserve." Victor swept out his arm to the side, beckoning Moonblade's eyes to look in the direction that he was implying.

A hewn gap in one of the large stone edifices surrounding the garden could be seen. It seemed almost as if someone had shewn a large gap into the rock itself, splitting it with unknown means.

"In order for me to utilize the elemental leylines of the planet... the ancient magics protecting its boundaries must be sundered. The first was that of the Elven kind...and with Ra'kar the corruption of that racial bond was allowed."

Victor lowered his voice now, as he walked towards the gap.

"The last...is that of the ancient guardians of the planet; the dragons."

He had thought it a simple matter when he first began this task... but how wrong he had been. Henry had warned him the road would not be a light one to travel upon...but undoing thousands of years of...work...was it? Just so he could do what should have been done so long ago....

It was as if the planet itself was content to live on in blithe ignorance.

And that won't do, will it.

"You see... the world itself can be abstractly seen as being composed of nothing but layers and layers of locks... peeling away each lock allows one to see what shouldn't be seen... the bane of existence itself, and the disease of the planet. The affliction of Destruction."

Victor would now have passed through the gap, expecting Moonblade to follow.

"I have made it my promise to destroy this affliction...but it is not something one man can do alone."

Victor came to a stop... and he would lower his head, a booted sole resting atop a jutting bleached edge...of bone.

"Eden...they call it. The lost continent of a race far superior to any other in its own time...or so they say. The stories say that this race had become so...enamored, I suppose, with itself that they dared to defy the 'gods'."

Victor laughed loudly, which was eerily out of place...as if some sort of irony were hitting him.

"If you ask me... I think it was their own foolish doings that blasted them to Kingdom Come... Either way, this broken land is all that is left to show any sign that they even ever existed. Those who have stumbled upon it within the void, wrote of it... creating around it the center of other stories...creation stories..." Victor waved a hand, smirking now.

"Either way...Gaia has changed so much since....who knows... But Eden... itself is a piece of Gaia that has remained unchanged... a literal historical timepiece, carrying with it the lore and 'make' of the true world... the old world."

A reason why it was so easily able to place itself anywhere in the world... being a part of it...yet at the same time always forced to be apart from it.

"Whatever had decimated the architects of this land, also forced the land to be torn apart from Gaia, made to be as if it had never existed... and shunned into the void to be forgotten.

Forgotten by all...but those willing to seek the truth."

"Gods or no... the people who dwelled on Eden... were forced to forgotten as well... and their executioners... were nothing short but the guardians of the planet itself."

Now what Victor was standing upon could be more clearly defined...and understood... for miles and miles.. as far as the eye could see...nothing but a literal graveyard of broken, shattered, weathered and cracked bones of enormous proportions could be seen....

The bones...of Dragons.

"The reason for why there is so many people with power on Gaia...is because there is so much power in Gaia...The leylines are the key. Yet that key is obscured... "

Now the pieces would come together... If the Dragons were the long forgotten guardians of the natural order of things... and the leylines that Victor needed to tap into were being 'stoppered' up by the Dragons... then it was necessary to remove the dragons from the picture... or find a way around the stoppage.

After all, even the smallest crack in the largest dam can cause a chain reaction.

"You have seen the place that withholds the full potential of the leylines... I am asking you to help me throw out the ancient order of the world, and help birth a world where we mortals are the architects of our destiny.

And in exchange... you will have the power. The respect. The glory."

Yellowed eyes narrowed.

"And you will pay the price."

"And so the unborn son has accepted..."

Victor's lips seemed to move, but it was as if the words that were suddenly heard could not have come from him at all.

They were words of pure unadulterated power. It reverberated throughout the bones of both mortals present, ringing in the ears and carrying on for a distance.

"...as the father passes away." Underneath Moonblade's feet, a faint glow would be seen, even as the dimmed light seemed to stretch, twist and weave itself all about the grounds.... the entire hidden chamber seemed to catch alight....as the enormous glyph came to life.

In Murmillion magic... glyph's were the key, the way of tapping into the leylines that existed in the planet, as small or tiny as the threads were. A way of emulating the way that the leylines were 'hewn' into the planet itself-- so did one place glyphs on what they were focusing on... or perhaps even placed them on themselves.

Yellowed eyes closed, even as Victor took hold of the Blade of the Forgotten. He knew their would be a price for the amount of power he was asking for at this moment...but he had already made up his mind on paying it. This was necessary.

"Come...fallen one..and be reborn."

Victor beckoned for Moonblade to step forward, into the depths of the glowing glyph.

"....." Without hesitation, as soon as Moonblade had stepped forward, Victor would have run the man through, letting the ebony blade bite deep. There would be surprise and perhaps shock..maybe thoughts of betrayal to be sure... but Victor never paused even as he continued a mantra in the long dead language of his people.

The grounds of Eden they were in was the site of a battlefield. And not just any ordinary battlefield, for it was one in which the hallowed races of dragons had fallen.

And the death of a dragon was no simple thing...as their deaths affected the world on a metaphysical plain. And it was, Victor surmised, the final massive conflict of the dragons and the doomed people of Eden that forced Eden itself to be thrown into the void....

The blood of dragons still stained the ground that refused to grow any life...and the bones that littered the landscape were still full of the remnants of ancient power...

Combining that with the natural lust of TFO, Victor was rebirthing Moonblade just as he had promised...

Bathed in the cursed blood of dragons, and tainted body and mind by the Forgotten.

"Do not fear death...you have passed beyond that gateway...now and forever." Moonblade had died once already..resurrected even, and now further perverted, as the power of the Shade would course through his blighted body.

It was something entirely new...neither human...nor shade...or undead.

"You will be my sword...and sunder all those who stand before me..." Victor leaned in close now, as he made sure the ebony blade remained engulfed in the innards of the lancer. "And you will have the power of darkness itself...you will be the end of dragons... my Death Knight."

And with that, Victor would step back, yanking the blade free of Moonblade's stomach, forcing the other to fall to a heap on the wet earth. Blackness from the blade and combined with the spell power of the glyph seemed to wash over Moonblade's body, cocooning him tightly, until it seemed as if nothing but a giant, pus-filled and bloody eye engulfed him, as if placing him within a womb.

The unnatural skies of Eden darkened, forcibly made clouds roiling in a slow and steady circle, even as thunder seemed to crackle....

The ground would rumble softly at first... before the many bones laying around began to free themselves from the earth itself. Long strands of inky blackness seemed to stretch out from where Moonblade lay, affecting and slowly turning everything around him into a dullish gray. His influence was reaching to the power that lay dormant...

And the first frightening shrieks would tear out.

Silvery irises peered out from the surrounding darkness of the glyph, even as the shrieks grew in number now.

Victor could see them clearly, even as he stepped back, his act more than taxing him at the moment, as Ezekiel quietly supported him, having walked on in the middle of everything.

The forms of the creatures vaguely resembled dragons, what with their ghostly wings, jaws and talons. Their shape shifted constantly, however, they remained appearing insubstantial and ephemeral. Vibrant colors shot through their pale bodies, as they were composed of both the void and the Forgotten energy and were only partially corporeal.

They were beings of chaos.

Yet one thing stood out amongst all the rest... all of them had only one single eye...

It was beautiful...in a morbid fashion.

The creatures had no memories of their previous lives nor of the world beyond death. They were intelligent beings, quite capable of strategy, tactics, and deception, but they had no understanding of their past dragon heritage..a dual edged sword to be sure.

Victor watched with both fascination and success as a number of the petrified and bleached bones surrounding Moonblade stirred. True undead dragons, warped into being through willpower alone with help of the Forgotten energy.

The remains of these fallen dragons themselves were now rising, as if to greet their new master...and it was not Victor they were standing attention to.

For perhaps the greatest fallen of their kind had took it upon itself to raise what had once been Moonblade.

The tainted dragon in question was much more concentrated in form than the shaded ones, and much more physical than the undead ones. It was a large, thick-built creature with a massive chest and a long, sinuous neck. Its hide was a rich, lustrous black with large scales that were supple yet hard as rock. A crest made of peaked bone spikes ran from its head and down its back, and each one seemed to bristle with each rancid breath the beast took. Its fangs shined a coppery-red, and deep within its mouth a constant sulfurous light emitted a faint glow.

This was the appointed mount of Victor's Death Knight.

Even in its fallen form... it was as regal as it might have been in its natural life span.

"Moonblade is dead. You must choose another name now... for knowledge of your true name will be your undoing... and any who discover it will be able to defeat you much easily than if they didn't know you at all."

Victor spoke, knowing that even in that state of being...whatever was left of Moonblade could hear very well...through the creatures that were now an extension of himself.

Much like the Forgotten corrupted Victor slowly...so to would the tainted dragons be by Moonblade himself...irrevocably linked with him.

Moonblade would retain whatever humanity was left in him..but his soul...was corrupted by the Forgotten, and twisted to Victor's sole use. The dark pact was sealed now...as the abomination...would now serve as Victor's greatest weapon.

Tei Kae Wrote:

"Fire and darkness?" She looked down at her own hand, the blue, white and black flames sparking up almost as if just the mere thought summoned them, curling around her hand harmlessly. Although one could tell if it was anyone but herself, it would not be so harmless.

"That would explain much.", muttering into the flame before catching herself and looked back at the Fyre Salve. "Fascinating...can you tell me more about this...Fire Court?" Her interest in cooking her mistress food gone for at least a moment, while her vixen nature sought more information on the one she was so fascinated by.

He eyed the multicoloured flames as they flickered to life, cradled in her palm. The radiant blue of the sea's waters. For she was child of Leviathan, and could not escape her tie to water's call and pull of the tide. Her ancestry was reflected here in the 'colour' of her magicks. The shining white of shore's soft sands, or perhaps it was the white of the white capped waves. The black, flames flickered almost as if it were the deepest depths of the sea herself, where light did not reach. So much water... yet she wielded the hand of fire. And not natural fire! But she was strong enough to sustain her own flame. A fire that burned within and of herself.

"The Jhadia Eilaras has chosen very wisely with you my lady. I can feel your power and I acknowledge it with admiration. You are strong and you will become stronger."

Bowing slightly in deference, he licked his lips as if his mouth were dry. The young woman was powerful indeed, and bound to the Jhadia Eilaras... she would only grow in strength and skill. She outranked him, in skill and in title. Her potential... rolled about him like rolling waves. He could feel the pull of her. If one was not strong enough, they would be lost to call of the sea that echoed in this girl. Yet it would not be waves that crushed them, but fire. Those who fell before her would perish in flames. Ra'kar would surely see to it. She was a skilled judge of potential. She would not have taken just anyone as her Synmalthin. He was certain, that the demoness had seen all this and more, lurking within Tellus when they first met. One such as the Jhadia Eilaras, could not have passed up such an opportunity.

He came back to himself with a start, realizing he'd been silent longer than he should have been. She was asking him a question and he should be answering.

"The Fire Court..."

And he seemed to regain his composure. The pull of the girl's power still washed about him, but it seemed to draw back slightly, the ebbing tide. Feeling more himself and less fascinated with her watery flame than he had been a moment ago, he met her eyes cautiously. His face, as always. A neutral mask. It was something all his kind had drilled into them from infancy.

"Has the Jhadia Eilaras, told you about the lands she hails from?"

A rebirth, it was indeed.

Using the same binding technique that Ashe had developed, and backing it with Murmillion arcana, with the cursed blood of killed dragons as the catalyst and the full moon as the condition-- Victor had fused the power of The Forgotten into the already undead shell that was Moonblade.

The resulting blend was a being impervious to death itself, existing outside scope and reach, and with unlimited potential... which was severely limited by the fueled rage against one thing: dragon-kind.

It could possibly be considered a new breed of Shade if anything...but the former Moonblade was definitely the first of his kind, as Victor had created him much like he had gone about creating his Nephilim... but TFO had never influenced his personal vanguard.

It was a gamble... but Victor was sure he could reign control over the Death Knight for the time being.

"Beautiful." His voice was soft, even as he watched... there was something to be said about the exhilarating feeling of being responsible..for creating something. Giving life to something--- Victor smiled grimly and shook his head.

No. That's what my father would be enjoying..and I have no doubt it's what you want me to be feeling... He stared down at the ebony blade gripped in his hand, the fingers tightened and unable to loosen their grip.

He had used quite a bit of personal power in the ritual, and it came at the expense of allowing the TFO's influence to encroach upon more territory within his mind.

But it doesn't matter of course...as long as I can keep to myself in even this small a corner of my mind... I can still win.

Yellowed eyes stared up to watch, as the darkened shell of an eye finally began to give way, simply hissing and bubbling in inky black jets. The Death Knight's formerly nude body was now being 'clothed' in the blackness of the shade-flesh, lacing itself into plated armour of it's owners choosing and design.

One point in front of the Knight seemed to tent, before cracking and giving way. There was something coming into being alongside the Death Knight...

Much like Victor had given the old Thunderer a weapon fashioned from the Void, so too, would this new herald receive an instrument of destruction.

It was a long, broad-bladed spear constructed from a sheer, black metal. A metal which defies detailed examination. The greatspear was indeed fashioned of nothing but pure void.

With a range of over 9 ft, and a weight of 9lbs, the greatspear was a item that could be proficiently wielded by someone with Moonblade's talent-- but the skill the Death Knight would now have would seem to surpass that.

The Death Knight would retain most of his skills from his former life, such as his undead status and more notably key Dragoon skills such as flame resistance (to a degree) or breath evasion, and movement speed. But there were a bevy of new skills available to him now, as well as more to be learned along the way....

"Ruination... your spear of destiny." Victor finally moved forward of his own power now, taking in the whole sight. The spear that Moonblade had once wielded in life, had now been twisted into a foul conduit of negative energy...namely void energy. The weapon would deny afterlife to anything it slew, even turning those it killed into undead servants.

"Who do you serve?" Victor stood there, standing in front of the newly christened being that now commanded a horde of undead and chaotic wyverns.

Somewhere within the vast holding, Henry sat, contemplating things. In some respects, this whole situation was getting dangerous, even for him. He was taking some time out to reflect on this and weigh his options.

He was situated in such a way, that he could watch a lot of the comings and goings of the shades fortifying Eden. Even if the place did fly, and was psychologically formidable, it was full of holes.

These were very efficiently filled by creatures that didn't need rest, which meant speed as well as fortitude. He could see the benefit of having such a force.

But calling the Forsaken....that was far from what Henry had expected Victor to do. He'd actually assumed the man would create his own army, but there was a lot of flash to the man that kept the old god guessing and no ends of amused.

He'd dropped a few names to keep Victor amused as well, but kept a few in reserve, just in case. There was a catalyst to be had, but at the moment, Henry wasn't so sure about the reliability of the boy...so he'd let Victor play with his toy soldiers for a while longer...

Tei Kae Wrote:

Tellus was thoughtful as the 'man' took his time answering. Although she didn't know his exact thoughts, she figured it was something distracting and was patient. But when he spoke again, she snapped her hand shut, the flames dispersing as if they'd never been there at all.

"We have not had the time to go into depths about our pasts. It is still a ...new relationship." Her face flushing as bright as Ra'kar's hair, but it would be the best way to put things, would it not? Her expression was as open as a book, and as innocent of a child, despite what she must've done...

The fyre slave seemed to make sense of her words easily enough...

"It is not unusual, for any relationship with the Jhadia Eilaras that was not founded in her homeland would be considered new. And Only recently founded, quite young in your relationship are you both. Yet you possess power that will transcend world and the millenniums that delayed your meeting."

He was not in authority to tell the woman overly much. She could of course command him... then he would have an obligation to tell her a set amount of information... but nothing that Ra'kar was saving to tell Tellus herself could be spoken by a mere slave. And he remembered the stories of the Jhadia Eilaras's displeasure.

No long couches here.

It had been quite a while since Victor had last been seen in the graveyard of dragons, having needed to recuperate after creating the Death Knight. A task that had been largely more arduous in it's undertaking than the binding of the devils that served him.

These were dangerous games he was playing, to be sure... but there was nothing worth ventured, worth gained.

Or so they said.

reserved: post coming soon

Tellus grinned as she looked down at the food. Her mind had been rather jumbled if she'd overdone it this much. A roast of beef, stuffed with garlic, and simmering in it's own juices, a vegetable medley, a root soup , bread that she still wasn't quite sure how she'd made, a salad, and of course, her death by chocolate cake...

...How many hours have I been working?", she thought to herself before she heard the knock at the door. Well, I guess enough that Ra'kar was here already. Except, it wasn't her mistress, but another creature like the one before.

"Yes", she replied as she opened the doors, her expression disappointed, but pleasant. Was the servant here to tell her that Ra'kar couldn't make it? It wouldn't terribly surprise Tellus it had happened numerous times before. Perhaps it was a bit immature of her to think like that, but life was full of disappointments, and Tellus was starting to wonder if that's all it was.

Tellus tried to smile, but the disappointment was still there, even though she knew Ra'kar had not just abandoned her. She instead waved the servant towards the massive amount of food she had prepared; enough to feed ten people really, let alone two small eaters. She wiped the tears away and then did manage to smile. A small orb of water appeared in front of her face, and she checked it, her mistress would wish no sign of sorrow there. Once satisfied, the orb disappeared and Tellus nodded.

"I will go then. Thank you. And thank your brother for me again, for his assistance." She had time to change, although she didn't remember doing so. Everything for the last few hours was in a haze. But her hair was flowing in soft waves down her body, reaching almost to her knees as it had when she was younger; still the tri colors of blue, black and platinum, but she'd been in this place so long that her hair had begun to grow again, quite well. Either that or she'd been here longer than she'd thought.

Her fingers reached up to caress the markings along the base of her throat gently. What was she? Why was she questioning things? Everything seemed so overwhelming, and yet so comforting as well, she thought as she made her way down the hallway towards Ra'kar's rooms.

"M'lady?"

The kiss settled her into a warmth that Tellus was slowly becoming used to, even as the hug shattered her shields again. Tellus fought back the tears that wanted to come as she twisted in the taller woman's grasp, her face burying in the cleavage, like a male, or just a small child seeking comfort.

"M'lady", she choked out, making sure the tears did not come from her eyes even if they couldn't be stopped from her lips. "Every moment I'm away from you seems like years, and every moment you are near, but seconds fleeting."

Tellus did nothing at first but stare at Ra'kar's face. She knew she didn't weigh much, but the idea of someone just carrying her like a child or lover was...something Tersiel would do when she'd just done too much. It broke a little something inside of her, but she didn't say anything, just clung to Ra'kar a little more before she was placed on the bed.

"Strata?" She looked confused, that had been the last place she'd seen Vahn and Sunstrike really. And Hono...well, Hono had been at the bachlorette party where she'd met Ra'kar...but...

"What's in Strata?" her mind filling with doubts of things, she didn't even begin to understand even as her body trembled under Ra'kar's touch.

"Alright"

As odd as it was, Tellus simply accepted Ra'kar's answer. It was just how Tellus was made. Then just being an affectionate minx, Tellus leaned up and stole a kiss from Ra'kar's lips.

"They should be bringing the food soon. It's a bit much."

A shy smile as the two entered with the food. "I think we'd ruin the sheets if we ate here, Mistress. They may mostly be finger foods, but they are still a bit...messy." She smiled, everything had been planned carefully, so that Ra'kar could feed her, or so she could play servant and feed Ra'kar, whichever suited her mistress. The beef was in small slices, the salad small chunks of vegetables and so on. She'd wanted a truly intimate dinner. But the bed might be going a bit far.

The smile was weak but genuine as she took in the amount of the food again. "My mind was troubled, mistress. And when it is so,I cook to unwind, and so I cooked everything they brought me." There was even a faint color in her cheeks at the pleasure Ra'kar seemed to show.

"Would you wish that I serve you, Mistress?"

The blush didn't diminish as Tellus stood, and began to portion out the food, reserving the best parts for her Mistress, of course. The food was beautifully prepared and even Tellus was a little proud that she could do such things to please Ra'kar.

Once all was done, she looked at Ra'kar, at her lips, her slight fangs, her eyes, her cheeks, and blushed anew at where her thoughts took her. Her beloved Mistress. The woman she would do anything for. A small frown and Tellus pushed the thoughts from her head, wishes were for fools and dreamers. Even simples ones, she was beginning to believe.

"Is there anything else you desire, Mistress?"Asking permission to sit back down. Perhaps a bit selfish in doing so, merely because if she remained standing near her, she would want to sit at the demoness lap and be fed like the pet she wished to be.

And every move was indeed followed. She was touching, and was content. So when her Mistress chose to feed herself, Tellus watched a small piece of gravy being licked from her lips and had to repress a shudder of desire.

As Ra'kar fed her, Tellus found herself licking the demoness' fingers clean. "I'm glad to please you, Mistress." And she found it was indeed true.

"May I be bold, My Mistress?" There were questions on her tongue, and she didn't wish to intrude on the private time, but her own curiosity demanded to be fed as well.

She wanted to squeal with happiness and Joy. Just because it seemed she had pleased Ra'kar. She couldn't understand the feeling, but as with all of her feelings, she just accepted it as such. She took a moment, trying to phrase things in her mind.

"I wish to know my part in this..."She waved a hand around, meaning to encompass everything around them. "You've been training me, but for what purpose? Am I to be a tool?" Or a fool, she silently added. She'd been there before, people only wanting her because of what she held within her soul. She wanted to believe that Ra'kar wouldn't...but her own doubts and insecurities would not let it lie.

Tellus nodded, even as she took a sip, reverently as if she were sipping from the grail itself even if she wouldn't see her motions as such, it would be obvious to anyone looking upon her.

A foundation. A beginning. She sighed as she thought upon Alpha's words. She wondered if Ra'kar knew of Alpha's logic and beliefs. But as she looked at that porcelin skin, she realized she was a fool, of course Ra'kar knew what she was up against.

"Your wish is my desire, Mistress." She laid her cheek against Ra'kar's shoulder. For Ra'kar and for herself, she would become stronger. It was an acceptable reason, even if a bit less than clear. Perhaps it had started as because Ra'kar had seemed to actually want her, even if it was as a tool., she had come to adore the woman beneath the armor, though she was no fool to think she knew all her Mistress was.

She nodded, more to the silent statement rather than the spoken one. But then Ra'kar spoke of something else.

"Rys os Thosi?" Even as she said it, her tone whispered of reverence. If it was important enough for the demoness to show Tellus, it must indeed be important.

"Land of flame?" She couldn't grasp the concept at all. Yes, all elements were one, and yet separate, but flame was the element of destruction and rebirth. But how could....Her mind began spinning and the mere idea and her head tilted, nuzzling into Ra'kar's warmth, her tongue flicking just barely against the skin at the demoness' neck. Perhaps bold, but it also gave comfort. So many things to know.

Tellus shivered, her body tensing in anticipation. "As my mistress commands." her voice husky with the pleasure just the touch of Ra'kar's lips against her flesh already induced. With everything going on, it was so rare that she got time with her mistress and who knew when it would happen again.

Time is made up of a gathering of moments.

A collection of fleeting places and things.

This is but one such moment in time.

One of the demoness' favourite things about days gone by, was the luxurious baths that were once common place. Baths that would now be considered 'pools' by today's standards. Big enough to completely submerse yourself in, float about and fit several tens more people in as well--

Two handmaids stood by the door with silks and towels draped over their arms, ready to wrap their mistress' wet body when she stepped out of her bath. Ra'kar was lounging on a 'step' in the hot scented waters as another woman, also nude knelt by her, washing her hair.

She looked like some exotic treasure. Pale skin that glowed like the moon, the dark markings playing across her flesh in stark contrast. And all that lovely hair, drifting about her like ruby spun silk.

Music echoed softly through the steamy chamber which was decorated with silk drapes and many mirrors illuminated by the gentle glow of candlelight.

Few things escape the ears of an elf let alone an elf-demon. The fallen avatar felt the press of power at her back and turned her head to look at the scene.

'Useless mortals.'

She raised a delicate hand, and with a flick of her wrist that sent droplets of water through the air, She willed the shadow bonds to part unceremoniously dropping her servants to the ground. The masks over their mouths however, she left in place with a disgusted smirk.

"Get out, you too." She said to the maid washing her hair. The woman looked ready to scream, but intelligently didn't. She nodded mutely, dropping her eyes and quickly left the room after the others.

Ra'kar let the silence hang in the air a moment before addressing Henry himself.

"Do you always walk in on women without knocking?"

Not that she cared, Ra'kar was hardly 'modest'. But it still amused her. Here he was acting humble, feigning subservience, and yet he had barged in here and laid power down against HER people.

"If you insist, but you may as well come over here. I'm not going to strain my neck to look at you. I'd like to still enjoy what's left of my bath."

And as the second little challenge of power was presented, so it was dismissed. Not because she couldn't, but rather that she wouldn't. Instead she let this man see her as she was, confident and comfortable in her own skin and power.

Instead she sank deeper into the water, letting it lap at her chin as he made himself at home. Rolling her shoulders to loosen them as the heat soaked in soothingly. Baths were one of her guilty pleasures.

"You flatter me sir."

She replied with the same kind of courtly manners and composure he had seemingly brought into play with his presence.

Her eyes drifted shut as she enjoyed the gentle lap of the water ebbing subtly too and fro against her skin as she lounged, the water stirred by her occasional movements.

It wasn't until he spoke again that she paid him much mind.

"It would give me great pleasure in hearing what you have heard my friend."

Holding her hand out, a gold flame danced in her palm before elongating and taking on a set shape. The flame gave way to a blackened bottle, corked and unlabled. Holding out her other hand, two goblets appeared in the same fashion. Elvish in design, yet tainted. THe artistry was not a celebration of light, but of darkness. The firekissed metal was blakened and inlaid with rubies. The elaborate designs that the elves were famed for, etched into the drinking vessles' dark surface.

Sitting up, her expression giving nothing away, she filled each goblet, setting the bottle aside and offered Henry one.

"Please, Drink m'lord."

She raised her glass to him in a salute of sorts before raising it to her lips, in show that the beverage had not been tampered with, as her glass had been poured from the same bottle.

She let the wine splash over her tongue, pouring down her throat in a sensual taste of fire and spices.

Her golden eyes rested on her guest.

"Fyre wine from the court I rule, a dimension not of Gaia. It tastes of what fire is."

Passion. Lust. Destruction. Heat. Rebirth. if these facets of flame could be given taste--

Continuing, the demoness lips quirked into a thoughtful smile.

"It is true, that I gather unto myself valuables of sorts. At one time, my collection as you call it.... was quite vast. I am looking to re-establish it... selectively."

Leaning back once more she added,

"What is it you want?

In return for your creation, my dear Henry."

Smiling pleasantly, she returned his compliment with one of her own.

"Credit where credit is due my lord. He is truly a remarkable creation and you, a gifted craftsman. I would not waste my time on anything less."

Her expression flickered, her features boasting of absolute confidence and assuredness.

"Bind him I can. Break him I shall enjoy. The way you constructed his persona is of much interest and enjoyment to me."

It was her turn to pause now, listening intently to the creator's predicament.

"What do you propose to maintain this balance? I could of course keep him at court and not on Eden at all... but that would be inconvenient. Where would you go, should I indulge myself and bring him here?

As to his well being, nobody would touch him except for myself. To touch him would be to offend me and I would withdraw my support.

Something dear Victor cannot afford."

Rising to her feet she made her way up the steps and out of the bath. Her ankle-length hair clinging to her body as water streamed in rivulets over pale and shadow traced flesh.

A slight swing in the hips as she padded forth, the soft smack of bare feet the only sound aside from the drip drip drip of beads of water falling away from her hair and body.

She made no attempt to conceal herself. Indeed modesty had no place with this woman, a creature who seeing her like this-- natural and comfortable that naturalness, it would seem a shame to cover her, letting her be anything other than what she is.

She held her hand out to him, smiling with what, could almost be mistaken as endearment.

"Before you go, Is there anything special you would like to share with me about your child my dear Henry?"

She bowed slightly, but didn't lower her head. Respect but no deference. She deferred to none.

Yet she was grateful for all that he imparted to her. It was a gracious gesture and he shared more than she had expected him.

She extended her other hand forward, cupping his cheek as she leaned down and pressed a heated kiss to his lips, her small pink tongue flicking out and running over his lower lip before she bit it, teasingly.

He had gained her favour in this visit.

"Thank you my friend," She whispered against his lips... "we will meet again. Until then, be well."

Eight hours before the Invasion:

Argon sat comfortably seated at what he had been using as his 'war table'. Hand-drawn maps, combat strategies, and diagrams were scattered across the surface as the undead shade went over his plans again and again. Every step had to be flawless; no detail could be over looked, no weakness forgiven. He would exploit every advantage at his disposal.

Every moment on Eden since his rebirth Argon spent in his quarters, planning the inevitable assault on the Continent of Angara. He only ever really left to sedate his hunger on the souls of the living, slowly increasing the number of recruits in his abominable, undead army.

...and to further his own skills.

The Angarian Breeds are a unique set. Their draconic forms often share physical traits and abilities of many 'common' Dragons. Like all dragon types, they have very keen senses. However, the Angarians have explosively potent elemental abilities that far exceed the strength of most wyrms. Furthermore, they usually masquerade as human beings, where many of them master a variety of weapons and fighting styles. Their sheer power of adaptability was admirable.

Argon's was an enemy that couldn't be taken by sheer force alone. It would take superior tactics, knowledge, and skill. The time he spent planning his assault would be crucial to his success. Even if they proved to be futile, there would be no turning back; he was soul-bound to this affair in its entirety.

To the mission.

You have seen the place that withholds the full potential of the leylines... I am asking you to help me throw out the ancient order of the world, and help birth a world where we mortals are the architects of our destiny. And in exchange... you will have the power. The respect. The glory.

To Victor, his dark father.

And you will pay the price.

To Decruda, the man who owned him.

These people exist to keep you down. They are the shackles that bind you. They personify your weakness. Remove them, and you remove your weaknesses.

Argon laid his right arm out in front oh him, gazing over his corrupted body oncemore.

Moonblade was weak, and thus he failed... I don't have such weaknesses.

He flat hand became a determined, tightly clenched fist.

Soon you will have your key, Worldslayer... and my pact will be fulfilled.

After all, his real objective was to abolish the dragon's planetary seal. If this could be accomplished so easily, however, then Victor would have no need for the Death Knight. The alternative would be to annihilate the draconic population on Angara; if there was a massive genocide of the guardians, then there would be nothing to left to protect the seal.

Of course, that's an alternative that Argon would have no quarrel with, given his personal vendetta against the dragons... and him.

This will all be settled in one, fell swoop.

With that he would begin to eat the meal he had prepared for himself today. He may not need to eat food for nourishment, being an undead apparition, but it was one of the subtle enjoyments he got out of life (rather, unlife). With oh-so-proper etiquette, he sliced himself off a small piece of the freshly cooked meat. With his new body, he could taste every flavor, feel the heat of the meal, smell the intoxicating aroma. He wouldn't be exaggerating if he said that this was one of the greatest meals he ever had.

It didn't matter if he was truly cursed. Steak kicks a**.

The fate...of destruction...is the joy of rebirth.

Long locks of black hair swept backwards even as water was sent flying in all directions. Waist deep in the center of what appeared to be a circular pool, Victor lifted his head and let out a breath.

It'd been a while since he could relax, and while showering was simple and fast-- there was no beating an old fashioned wash.

He shut his eyes and slid back down into the water, even as he thought back on recent events.

! At the sound of the door, he started, lifting his head up as his eyes opened.

"Who's...." He seemed to stop and settle back down upon realizing it was Ezekiel. Several moments seemed to pass, even as Ezekiel had already raised his head, and simply stood there near the doorway in silence.

"Are you having second thoughts?" Without even looking at him, Victor could feel the undecided feelings that were churning within Ezekiel.

"It can." The reply came back coolly, even as he didn't miss a beat. He stared towards Ezekiel, his voice unwavering with the resolve he had undertaken. "No, it must."

He could see Ezekiel lower his arm, his standpoint faltering, and Victor chose to press on.

"Will there be sacrifice?

Yes, and not just you devils, but innocents, as well." Victor lowered his head, even as Ezekiel gained confirmation of what he had suspected all along; Victor meant to use them all as far as he could...and when his goal was completed...they would be...

"Even so-- no-- because of that, I cannot stop. Even if I need to cheat or to hurt others, I must persevere." He stood up from the pool, facing Ezekiel fully.

"To that end, I must become destruction incarnate. I must spill more blood, so the blood already spilt will not be in vain." He smiled, even as he turned a bit away.

"But, --------, no one is forcing you to stay."

"Ezekiel, if you wish to leave....now would be the time."

Victor turned his back to the devil as he began stepping out of the pool, dripping all along the hardened floor.

A smile clung to his face even as he kept his back to Ezekiel.

Just as planned. He clenched at the keepsake kept around his neck, even as he finally reached down for a robe. And now the rest of the pieces should be moving... yes... with this...all of this in place...

He set his face grimly, even as he turned to face Ezekiel.

"I assume the Finals are over?"

Meanwhile, as Ra'Kar, Malachi, Malice, Alpha, and unknowningly, Victor and Tellus are in the Dead Forest and Stadium...

Whump whump whump whump whump THUNK!

That's the sound Matthew Rice would make as, once again reassuming material form, he would let go of Rae's arm, and get thrown forward with his momentum. He bounced (in the mundane sense) and rolled across the ground, before crashing into a conveniently placed tree, landing upside down, eyes spinning.

"Orrooo...."

Falling back so his keister was upturned, presented for everyone to see, he would slowly sit up, shaking off the effects of the rough landing.

"What in the name of Gaia was that?!" he would exclaim, not expecting the transfer to be... anything of that sort.

Alarmed, he would look to the left, then to the right, then to the left again, then over his shoulder, finally spotting Rae.

"Is... is this Eden?" he would ask, crawling over to her in an effort to keep his head down. Suddenly, he would raise a finger to his lips.

Time to power up, for GREAT JUSTICE!

Quote:** Wrote:

"Scent of Running Water" - A gift that is always active, and can be turned on and off at will. At the user's discretion, they can mystically hide their scent, making them much more difficult to track by scent alone.

Quote:** Wrote:

"Rabbit Run" - By spending a gnosis trait, the user's running speed is doubled for the entire scene.

Quote:** Wrote:

"Master of Fire" - By spending a gnosis trait, the user of this gift heals Fire damage as if it were bashing damage. This gift lasts for either the rest of the scene, or for one hour, whichever is longer.

Gnosis remaining: 6/8

"Stay here while I have a look-a-round, okay? I'll be back before you know it."

Winking to Rae, Matthew Rice, a.k.a. Xochipilli Fools-the-Reaper, turned to head into whatever constituted as the base on this island: City, castle, cathedral, it was all greek to him whatever it was. He knew he would know what it was he was looking for when he found it.

As he would get up, he would activate one last Gift before going on his way...

Quote:** Wrote:

"Blur of the Milky Eye" - This makes the gift's user much more difficult to percieve with natural, unmagical vision. They are blurry and tend to blend it to their surroundings, and generally aren't noticed until they make themselves visible by interacting with the environment. Once noticed, they remain noticed until they can escape notice or the viewer is otherwise distracted for a moment. The user is not invisible, but simply much harder to percieve, like a chameleon. (System: Manipulation + Stealth, difficulty 8; 1 success needed, 3 for complete success).

Partial Success: Should be harder to notice for people who aren't actively looking for Fools-the-Reaper.

"Well, that was eventful."

He smiled even as he stood there for a moment, getting his bearings back on track, before moving to the side to give room to the people coming right behind him.

Ra'kar stepped through the tear in dimensions, exiting the Dead Forest and returning home to Eden. Coming through the gate behind Victor, she was smiling as Tellus carrying a KO'ed Teira brought up the rear.

"Eventful? Oh very. But it's early yet, the party's not over... right?"

She smirked contently as her mind sifted through everything that had just unfolded, and what was yet to come. She savoured it on her tongue like a luxurious chocolate that melted in her mouth and brought her the tastiest of pleasures.

"What of your knight?"

Moving towards where the thrones were situated, he turned on his heel mid-way, sweeping his arm out to the side. "Awaiting us of course--at the appropriate stage." He smiled wide, even as the long furred coat he wore flapped to either side, falling and draping itself along his chair.

With everything falling into place... Victor grimaced inwardly, even as he felt the murmurings within his head rise up to the fore. Too much!

I've relied on far too much of it's power... Canting his head to the side, he snapped his hand shut, looking to Ezekiel now.

"Make sure Malachi and Alpha know we're ready and done here." He seated himself, leaning back fully as his eyes darkened in thought. Henry... you were probably right to caution me against playing too much with them...but it can't be helped now!

Within the audience chamber, a vanguard of Shade Knights stood at attention, as regal and shapely as full plated Knights were meant to be.

"......." Ezekiel waved a free hand over the crystal node, even as he began directing Eden away from the Forest.

"I don't want you to harm the girl just yet..." He spoke as an after thought to Ra'Kar, finally taking notice that Tellus was still standing in the center of the Chamber with Teira.

"Yes, Mistress." Tellus inclined her head as well as she could, with the dead weight of Teira over her shoulder. The words felt both odd and comforting on her tongue. There was just a moment of confusion as to what she was doing, but the meeting of eyes merely reaffirmed things, and she simply readjusted the girl on her back, and exited, her mind reeling. There had been a moment of hesitation because of what she'd thought she'd sensed about the girl, but there was no way possible..

...despite the fact she'd done it to a man who looked much like Victor once, and another time to her now step father, although that had been much simpler...

No, it isn't possible.

The thought left her mind, as she thought of her beloved mistress and walked down the halls. She thought no more of it, even as a small tear fell and trailed down her face.

They arrived at the nicest guest room Tellus knew of shortly thereafter, and Tellus gave much care to placing Teira on the bed, taking great care to loosen any bindings upon her clothing, so she could sleep as well as she was able to, although she did not release the bindings of light around her arms and ankles. Instead, she separated them, and then rebound them to the four corners of the bed. The strands of light energy would be enough so that she could move, but not so much as Teira would be able to touch any other extremity.

"Bring me cool water, and a cloth" She commanded to the empty air and a few moments later, three sprites appeared, two carrying a bowl of water, and the third the cloth, which they sat down beside the bed. She soaked the cloth in the cool water, and wrung it out, placing it upon Teira's head to ease the pain she would feel when she woke.

"Thank you, friends." and she smiled as each disappeared once more. In some ways, the sprites had been her eternal friends, and they served her still, even if they did not approve of the manner in which she behaved.

When her mistress had bid her to be made comfortable, Tellus had every intention of it being so, her own anger at the girl evaporated as she watched her sleep. She was beautiful. And so passionate. Tellus stroked the shadowling's cheek, forgetting for the moment she was to continue onto the baths.

"You fight for many things, but ultimately you are alone. Only when you fight for something higher than yourself, can you be free. " Tellus recalled the lessons her mother had taught her. It was why so many killed, it was why so many were killed. There were too many directions. Too many 'ways'.

"Each way is imperfect, as it is created by an imperfect being. You can only strive to do the best that you can and never stop trying."

--- Earlier --- ---

A trail of black ichor led to the stone device nestled in a room no other creature on Eden dared to go. It was one of the prime examples of how infected Eden had become with the machine of the Forgotten. Everything was out of place compared to the rest of the architecture. It was recently built, inscribed with foreign runes, and there was that foreboding feeling that each channel, plate, or altar had a purpose.

A purpose dealing with that floating ancient stone in the centre of the room.

The stone with a figure in black armor leaned up against it, no, practically pressed against the thing. One gauntleted hand scraping down the orb, the other hanging loosely. One cheek pressed against stone as if the figure was listening to something being whispered from deep inside the structure. Its single red eye looked idly into the darkness, betraying no pain or even emotion. Simply a look of thinking. Thinking...

"More than you expected?" The voice was from a figure bathed in shadow. It was of course refering to the fact the armored shade had not yet healed and was filling the chanels with black liquid.

"No." The figure spoke in a quiet hollow tone, "Exactly as they should be. Strong without realization of how. They do not stand a chance."

"That so?" In the obscuring shadow one could see a robe forming about the figure. Magically woven from what was available, and covering all. "You could have destroyed them easily. Didn't even have to take that scratch."

"It was not time."

"That's a strange reverence for prophesy coming from you." The figure stepped into the pale glowing light of the runes circling around the stone orb. A figure in a bath of blue fabric. The archmage of the Forgotten, "I thought...

"I chose to follow this path. I know the end result." More hollow words as a single red eye shifted focus to the other

"I'm not talking about the end. I'm talking about the fact you're privy to so much knowledge and are doing nothing about it. The dreams, the arm, their growing strength..." The last on the list was just implied as the robed figure spread it's arms to expose itself, "You could stop it all here."

"..."

The robed figure dropped it's arms to its side, and stood there for an hours-long few seconds. The armored figure didn't move an inch, just kept staring from its semi crumpled state. Spilled out over the Tyr'Kana's Moam gate. Somehow even with one's face obscured by robe eyes were clearly locked.

"It is not the time."

More silence as the robed figure turned.

"Then I'm going to find the girl." Another pause, "However unlikely... They could win this one."

"Then I will show them the cost of victory... Temporary at best."

A heavy sigh from under the robe.

"Force a hollow victory, eh? I thought this wasn't about petty revenge? I thought you were the agent of the end."

"It is my end too."

"... Do what you must.

"..."

Once again the red eyed figure was the only one in this lonely room. The darkness eating the edges of the room making it seem like it went on forever. Alone on an island of light with nothing but a stone remnant.

"This path chose me... I just chose to walk it... Destroyer...

--- Now --- ---

Briefly after Victor's beckoning a dark scar in the world would open to allow Alpha passage. He was restored, and in full shadelord form. Unnatural amour draped with that stark red cloak. The warmachine. The destroyer.

"I assume your wish is a report on my actions." Alpha wasted no time, "They are broken in body, and most likely in spirit. The large man taking the brunt of the physical, and the shadow taking the most severe shaking of convictions."

Results. Alpha put weight to his words with successes, not with threats.

"May I suggest a blanket mobilization." Efficiency, "My forces can begin to collect the elemental energy unnecessary. This is of course in conjunction with the council's actions as well as the efforts on Angara..."

Making his business all business.

"Which I must inquire about. As I have potential stratagems to discuss."

Most would lay in darkness and drift.

Teira would lay in darkness and find solace. Find comfort. Darkness was mother. Darkness was all.

But this was not the pure and untouched darkness, this was not the womb of shadow that she lay in now. It was bright and painful and it caused her to writhe in pain.

She could not see, for everywhere she pointed her head that she might direct her sight, she was overcome with the blinding and searing white. A light so great that it was if the sun were upon her person, searing her to the core.

She was descended of an Avatar of Fire and Darkness. She was created of Shadow. Light was her kryptonite and she had been heavily poisoned. She had never known such pain. The pain of the very thing that could undo her. Her truest opposite.

She was deep in a feverish sleep as her limbs twitched and her hands and feet strained against the bindings of light that stretched her form across the bed where she had been brought by the very one who'd struck her down, caused this infliction. But she had been hit from behind, and it had been swift, the shadowling knew her attacker not.

The spidery cracks that ran out from the hole punched in the back of her skull from the staff of light, should have started mending by now, but the hand of light upon her held off the advance of shadow and she did not heal.

She moaned long and low, a ragged and pained sound, even as the black blood ran from her eyes, staining the pillows she lay against restlessly.

Much later...

The stillness of the room betrayed the rhythmic breathing of the lone figure pressed up against the side of a wholly intact wall. Both hands were draped alongside his face, shading his eyes as he hung his head down.

This was Victor's bedroom, one of the few chambers within the main ruins of Eden that remained intact-- saved from the miserable state that everything else had fallen under over time.

So loud... each voice... each word... each one being offered as sweetly layered as the last.

Not even in my sleep can I simply ignore them...the endless muttering of the darkness that I myself invited in.

The Murmillion lifted his head, dark locks matted and all strewn about in an unkempt fashion. His eyes were darkened from lack of sleep, and his cheeks were flustered with the after effects of downing strong alcohol, which he had found had the strange side effect of cutting himself off from The Forgotten's whispers... or perhaps it simply made him believe that it did so...

And yet, there isn't a single thing wrong with that, is there, Vahn?

We were born from darkness itself... no ray of light to ever shine down upon us. Not even so much as the tender touch of a mother to stain our war scarred memories...

For children of war we were-- bloody battle after battle.

He slowly lifted himself up off the ground now, using the wall for support as he lurched, his face contorted into an angry visage.

And for what?

For a b*****d's need to exert his control over others? For religion? For land?

Freedom was the only light we had to chase... the only thing we could place all our hopes and dreams on!

Yet in the end, you decided to find something else to believe in; love.

And what is love? Nothing more than a game. A pack of lies that fog up the truth of the world... to distract lesser men..to..to..

He swatted at the air as he shook his head, heading towards the table that held numerous bottles and glasses.

I'll change it all... for the better.

I have to... it's all I have left.. isn't that right?

He stared sidelong at a nearby mirror, as if he could directly see the dormant darkness within himself. "I'll play the bloody puppet...dance the meaningless tune... but in the end... the light will blind everything... the darkness will have nowhere to hide... nowhere to go.. but into oblivion itself..."

He raised a glass, even as he swore he could hear what sounded like laughter echoing within his room.

Earlier

"Interesting."

Victor didn't care about anyone else that Alpha had to report on-- they were meaningless before the power he held in his grasp.

They were nothing... simple fools trying to stop their own salvation; how could they know any better?

But Vahn...Vahn was blood.

Family.

If there was any chance to bring the man back into the fold... to see reason... then Victor would be sure to take it.

"I have already sent an advance scouting force to Angara. Eden is already en route, and once we are within range, you should be able to use the shade tainted beings that were sent ahead to see what needs seeing.

From what I was able to gather from what little sources we had--- the entire island is a relic of the old world. It is steeped in so much of the planet's very energy that it might as well be considered the very heart of Gaia."

He smiled to himself.

"Have you ever been able to give an entire planet, the equivalent of cardiac arrest, Shadelord?

Because it will be quite the new experience for myself."

And Eden continued on...towards the doomed island.

"Yes... my words."

Victor stared blankly for a passing moment, as his mind wandered over what the Shade Lord had spoke about Vahn. However fleeting the thoughts, they didn't take lingering hold as he just as soon seemingly stood up, his coat flapping open.

"They have no idea what I offer. They cannot possibly understand what is truly happening around them.

Let them squabble.

Let them mingle amongst the masses.

Plotting.

Scheming.

Frightened of what tomorrow will bring!"

He raised both his arms now as he began channeling and bringing to bear the eldritch powers that coursed throughout the whole of Eden, the infectiousness veins of Forgotten Matter pulsing throughout it all.

"I will be the one to bring Paradise! I will be the one and save our world! I will bring an end to the madness that has consumed and driven those who would stand against me!"

Yellowed eyes glowed with a fierce hue as he began forcing and wielding the countless amounts of energy through his body. Before him, levitating so that it was eye level, was the Blade of the Forgotten.

The sword would act as a literal keystone for the whole of Eden--- the needle pointing north in a compass if you will--- and the blade wasted no time in twisting and pointing towards their destination; Angara.

"Go, Alpha.

Let those who welcome blissful ignorance know that the world has no need for them any further."

The very whole of Eden would move into the void, as the sky itself was rent open--- letting the Isle travel through, cutting an otherwise lengthy journey to almost nothing, and depositing within sight of the Dragon Island.

Ra'kar sat elevated on the dais, seated on her throne alongside Victor. But where as she sat, regally, a picture of dark elegance-- he seemed withered. Her golden eyes flicked about the room. Loyalty was a word that many of the lesser devils present, did not know. What they understood however, was leverage. Many of them would not be subservient if it weren't for something binding them into submission. Such contracts took tending, the more a master could tend, the greater their mark of power. For a long time now Victor had maintained more than most humans who knew of occult practices, had ever fathomed. It was one of the things that had drawn her to him. His ambition. But lately his focus was divided. His energies more than halved.That division was taking a toll.

When she had first met the son of Fah, he possessed no magicks of his own. And yet, here he was using great and ancient arcana. But the cost was clear, and it was a dear one. Just as the lesser devils had sold themselves into his service, it seemed that Victor too had contracted with a greater power. The question was, did he realize what it meant? Did he realize he'd even done so?

Naive.

Not the nativity that his brother displayed on a disgusting level. But the nativity that can often be found in one, who's conviction and fervor for their beliefs blinds them to their folly.

'Who would the devil sell his soul to? I wonder.'

Beings such as herself and those greater than her... 'There has to be something in it that caters to our own interests. Reprieve from boredom? power and various wealths... what is it that his benefactor desires?'

Such thoughts were kept hidden as her face was, as always, a mask of controlled emotion.

Turning in her seat, she leaned over the arm of the throne and took Victor's hand in hers. The other extended to his face, cupping and stroking his cheek, subtly guiding his gaze to her face. Her lush, crimson lips curved into a smile. The sort of smile that exists only between lovers.

"If only they could share your vision my dear Victor, they would understand the slight they have done their mother the earth and all their brethren.Only after they have been redeemed will their eyes be opened to their sins."

She held his eyes, drawing him into herself as she spoke softly.

"They are but children. Misguided. Too young to understand the peril they have derrived for themselves, nor the pain they cause the planet to suffer. But you will grant them understanding. You will give this world the guidance it needs. You will be the strength of the weak and the shepherd of the lost. You will save them and lead them to Eden."

She glanced out of the corner of her eye to catch Ezekiel glowering at her when he thought she would not see. 'Oh?' She smiled inwardly. 'Interesting.'

She thought as she leaned forward, her bosom spilling over the arm of her throne as she pressed her lips to Victor's passionately. Biting his lower lip, commanding his lips to part as she thrust her tongue into his mouth. And as she thrust herself into him, she thrust also her power into him. Not a large amount, but enough to chase away the weakness in his limbs.

Drawing back slightly, her lips brushed against his as she spoke,

"Take strength in me, Victor."

Purring, her voice, like the softest velvet upon his ears as she gave his hand a comforting squeeze.

"While you are their strength, I shall be yours."

And she kissed him again. But this time it was just a kiss. A deep and lingering kiss as her hands played over his body.

'Let him think that he will save them... They plunder this planet without care. They have made her sick with their poison. Raped and defiled her... such filth is not worthy of Eden... He WILL save them-- from themselves. He will be their end.'

Just as she had razed End'arah. She would see this world purged as well.

As Ezekiel spoke, she leaned back in her seat. Letting her gaze fall on him as she listened, smiling with satisfaction as she sipped at his emotions. Her smile, maddening. Taunting.