Sea of Gambino

HoH season levi. Source: valucre.net static Gaia dump.

Posts 766Pages 52Forum GaiaTopic 725360Source originalWinner —
Table of contents
  1. Vahn Fah
  2. diaper genie
  3. Akilan
  4. Maximos
  5. Akilan
  6. diaper genie
  7. Akilan
  8. Maximos
  9. Akilan
  10. Cthulhu Wish
  11. Cthulhu Wish
  12. JulioMartell
  13. JulioMartell
  14. diaper genie
  15. JulioMartell
  16. Vincent Core
  17. diaper genie
  18. Ryudo_Kazamaru
  19. JulioMartell
  20. Akira Mercuraki
  21. JulioMartell
  22. Tetrahydrocannabinols
  23. diaper genie
  24. JulioMartell
  25. Akira Mercuraki
  26. JulioMartell
  27. Ryudo_Kazamaru
  28. JulioMartell
  29. Akira Mercuraki
  30. Ryudo_Kazamaru
  31. JulioMartell
  32. Akira Mercuraki
  33. Ryudo_Kazamaru
  34. JulioMartell
  35. Ryudo_Kazamaru
  36. JulioMartell
  37. Ryudo_Kazamaru
  38. Kraun
  39. JulioMartell
  40. Ryudo_Kazamaru
  41. JulioMartell
  42. Ryudo_Kazamaru
  43. JulioMartell
  44. Ryudo_Kazamaru
  45. JulioMartell
  46. Ryudo_Kazamaru
  47. JulioMartell
  48. Ryudo_Kazamaru
  49. JulioMartell
  50. Ryudo_Kazamaru
  51. JulioMartell
  52. Ryudo_Kazamaru
  53. Maximos
  54. Cthulhu Wish
  55. Kanashimi Kurai
  56. Cthulhu Wish
  57. Cthulhu Wish
  58. Vahn Fah
  59. Kraun
  60. Maximos
  61. Vahn Fah
  62. Kraun
  63. Maximos
  64. Kanashimi Kurai
  65. Kraun
  66. Maximos
  67. Vahn Fah
  68. Kanashimi Kurai
  69. Kraun
  70. Maximos
  71. User 367130
  72. Vahn Fah
  73. Vahn Fah
  74. Kanashimi Kurai
  75. Kraun
  76. Maximos
  77. Vahn Fah
  78. Kraun
  79. Kanashimi Kurai
  80. Alexander Leviathan
  81. Maximos
  82. Vahn Fah
  83. Kraun
  84. Kanashimi Kurai
  85. Maximos
  86. Vahn Fah
  87. Kraun
  88. Akemi Mercuraki
  89. Maximos
  90. Vincent of the Fire
  91. Vahn Fah
  92. Kanashimi Kurai
  93. Kraun
  94. Maximos
  95. Lucind Varhetel
  96. Lucind Varhetel
  97. Kraun
  98. Lucind Varhetel
  99. Kraun
  100. Lucind Varhetel
  101. Kraun
  102. Lucind Varhetel
  103. Kraun
  104. Vahn Fah
  105. Kanashimi Kurai
  106. Maximos
  107. Kraun
  108. Vahn Fah
  109. Kanashimi Kurai
  110. Kraun
  111. Maximos
  112. Vahn Fah
  113. Kanashimi Kurai
  114. Kraun
  115. Maximos
  116. Vahn Fah
  117. Kraun
  118. Kanashimi Kurai
  119. Maximos
  120. Kraun
  121. Kanashimi Kurai
  122. Vahn Fah
  123. Kraun
  124. Maximos
  125. Vahn Fah
  126. Maximos
  127. Kraun
  128. Vahn Fah
  129. Maximos
  130. Kraun
  131. Tommy Zocotti
  132. Tommy Zocotti
  133. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  134. Lord_Albrecht
  135. Maximos
  136. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  137. Lord_Albrecht
  138. Maximos
  139. Lord_Albrecht
  140. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  141. Maximos
  142. Lord_Albrecht
  143. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  144. Maximos
  145. Lord_Albrecht
  146. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  147. Maximos
  148. Lord_Albrecht
  149. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  150. Maximos
  151. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  152. Lord_Albrecht
  153. Maximos
  154. Lord_Albrecht
  155. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  156. Maximos
  157. Lord_Albrecht
  158. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  159. Maximos
  160. [Silicone]
  161. Lord_Albrecht
  162. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  163. Maximos
  164. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  165. Maximos
  166. Lord_Albrecht
  167. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  168. Maximos
  169. corax311
  170. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  171. Lord_Albrecht
  172. Maximos
  173. Lord_Albrecht
  174. corax311
  175. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  176. Maximos
  177. corax311
  178. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  179. Maximos
  180. corax311
  181. Lord_Albrecht
  182. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  183. Maximos
  184. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  185. corax311
  186. Lord_Albrecht
  187. Maximos
  188. corax311
  189. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  190. Maximos
  191. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  192. Maximos
  193. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  194. Lord_Albrecht
  195. Maximos
  196. Lord_Albrecht
  197. Maximos
  198. Lord_Albrecht
  199. Maximos
  200. Lord_Albrecht
  201. Maximos
  202. Lord_Albrecht
  203. Maximos
  204. Lord_Albrecht
  205. Maximos
  206. Lord_Albrecht
  207. Maximos
  208. Lord_Albrecht
  209. Maximos
  210. Lord_Albrecht
  211. Maximos
  212. Lord_Albrecht
  213. Maximos
  214. Lord_Albrecht
  215. Maximos
  216. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  217. Maximos
  218. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  219. Maximos
  220. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  221. Maximos
  222. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  223. Maximos
  224. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  225. Maximos
  226. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  227. Maximos
  228. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  229. Maximos
  230. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  231. Maximos
  232. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  233. Maximos
  234. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  235. Maximos
  236. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  237. Maximos
  238. Lord_Albrecht
  239. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  240. Maximos
  241. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  242. Lord_Albrecht
  243. Maximos
  244. Lord_Albrecht
  245. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  246. Maximos
  247. Lord_Albrecht
  248. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  249. Maximos
  250. Lord_Albrecht
  251. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  252. Maximos
  253. Lord_Albrecht
  254. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  255. Maximos
  256. Lord_Albrecht
  257. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  258. Maximos
  259. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  260. Lord_Albrecht
  261. Maximos
  262. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  263. Lord_Albrecht
  264. Maximos
  265. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  266. Maximos
  267. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  268. Maximos
  269. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  270. Maximos
  271. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  272. Maximos
  273. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  274. Maximos
  275. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  276. Maximos
  277. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  278. Maximos
  279. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  280. Maximos
  281. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  282. Vahn Fah
  283. Kanashimi Kurai
  284. Vahn Fah
  285. Kanashimi Kurai
  286. Kraun
  287. Ruuvan
  288. Maximos
  289. Ruuvan
  290. Maximos
  291. Ruuvan
  292. Maximos
  293. Ruuvan
  294. Maximos
  295. Ruuvan
  296. Maximos
  297. Ruuvan
  298. Maximos
  299. Ruuvan
  300. Maximos
  301. Ruuvan
  302. Maximos
  303. Ruuvan
  304. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  305. Maximos
  306. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  307. Maximos
  308. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  309. Maximos
  310. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  311. Maximos
  312. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  313. Maximos
  314. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  315. Lord_Albrecht
  316. Maximos
  317. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  318. Lord_Albrecht
  319. Maximos
  320. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  321. Maximos
  322. Marissa-Gift_of_Helios
  323. Lord_Albrecht
  324. Keeper_of_Tales
  325. Maximos
  326. Keeper_of_Tales
  327. Maximos
  328. Keeper_of_Tales
  329. Maximos
  330. Keeper_of_Tales
  331. Maximos
  332. Keeper_of_Tales
  333. Maximos
  334. Keeper_of_Tales
  335. Maximos
  336. Keeper_of_Tales
  337. Maximos
  338. Keeper_of_Tales
  339. Maximos
  340. Keeper_of_Tales
  341. Maximos
  342. Keeper_of_Tales
  343. Maximos
  344. Eternal Dirge
  345. Keeper_of_Tales
  346. Maximos
  347. Eternal Dirge
  348. Keeper_of_Tales
  349. Maximos
  350. Eternal Dirge
  351. Keeper_of_Tales
  352. Maximos
  353. Eternal Dirge
  354. Keeper_of_Tales
  355. Maximos
  356. Eternal Dirge
  357. Keeper_of_Tales
  358. Maximos
  359. Keeper_of_Tales
  360. Eternal Dirge
  361. Maximos
  362. Eternal Dirge
  363. Maximos
  364. Eternal Dirge
  365. Maximos
  366. Eternal Dirge
  367. Maximos
  368. Eternal Dirge
  369. Eternal Dirge
  370. Maximos
  371. Eternal Dirge
  372. Keeper_of_Tales
  373. Maximos
  374. Eternal Dirge
  375. Maximos
  376. Keeper_of_Tales
  377. Eternal Dirge
  378. Maximos
  379. Keeper_of_Tales
  380. Eternal Dirge
  381. Maximos
  382. Eternal Dirge
  383. Maximos
  384. Eternal Dirge
  385. Maximos
  386. Eternal Dirge
  387. Maximos
  388. Eternal Dirge
  389. Maximos
  390. Eternal Dirge
  391. Maximos
  392. Eternal Dirge
  393. Maximos
  394. Eternal Dirge
  395. Maximos
  396. Eternal Dirge
  397. Maximos
  398. Eternal Dirge
  399. Maximos
  400. Eternal Dirge
  401. Maximos
  402. Eternal Dirge
  403. Maximos
  404. Eternal Dirge
  405. Maximos
  406. Eternal Dirge
  407. Keeper_of_Tales
  408. Maximos
  409. Eternal Dirge
  410. Keeper_of_Tales
  411. Maximos
  412. Eternal Dirge
  413. Keeper_of_Tales
  414. Maximos
  415. Eternal Dirge
  416. Keeper_of_Tales
  417. Maximos
  418. Eternal Dirge
  419. Keeper_of_Tales
  420. Maximos
  421. Eternal Dirge
  422. Keeper_of_Tales
  423. Maximos
  424. Eternal Dirge
  425. Keeper_of_Tales
  426. Maximos
  427. Keeper_of_Tales
  428. Maximos
  429. Eternal Dirge
  430. Maximos
  431. Eternal Dirge
  432. Keeper_of_Tales
  433. x RoyGBiv x
  434. x RoyGBiv x
  435. Maximos
  436. Keeper_of_Tales
  437. Eternal Dirge
  438. Maximos
  439. Eternal Dirge
  440. Keeper_of_Tales
  441. Maximos
  442. Keeper_of_Tales
  443. Maximos
  444. Keeper_of_Tales
  445. Maximos
  446. Keeper_of_Tales
  447. Maximos
  448. Eternal Dirge
  449. Maximos
  450. Eternal Dirge
  451. Maximos
  452. Eternal Dirge
  453. Maximos
  454. Eternal Dirge
  455. Maximos
  456. Eternal Dirge
  457. Maximos
  458. Eternal Dirge
  459. Maximos
  460. Eternal Dirge
  461. Maximos
  462. Eternal Dirge
  463. Keeper_of_Tales
  464. Maximos
  465. Eternal Dirge
  466. Maximos
  467. Eternal Dirge
  468. Keeper_of_Tales
  469. Maximos
  470. Keeper_of_Tales
  471. Eternal Dirge
  472. Maximos
  473. Eternal Dirge
  474. Maximos
  475. Eternal Dirge
  476. Maximos
  477. Keeper_of_Tales
  478. Eternal Dirge
  479. Akira Mercuraki
  480. Maximos
  481. MelissaFaulkner
  482. Designated Hero
  483. Designated Hero
  484. Vahn Fah
  485. Kraun
  486. Sutiiven
  487. Damrius
  488. Sutiiven
  489. Damrius
  490. Sutiiven
  491. Damrius
  492. Sutiiven
  493. Ryugi Kazamaru
  494. Damrius
  495. Sutiiven
  496. Ryugi Kazamaru
  497. Damrius
  498. Sutiiven
  499. Ryugi Kazamaru
  500. Damrius
  501. Sutiiven
  502. Ryugi Kazamaru
  503. Damrius
  504. Sutiiven
  505. Ryugi Kazamaru
  506. Damrius
  507. Sutiiven
  508. Ryugi Kazamaru
  509. Damrius
  510. Sutiiven
  511. Ryugi Kazamaru
  512. Damrius
  513. Sutiiven
  514. Ryugi Kazamaru
  515. Damrius
  516. Sutiiven
  517. Ryugi Kazamaru
  518. Damrius
  519. Sutiiven
  520. Ryugi Kazamaru
  521. Damrius
  522. Sutiiven
  523. Ryugi Kazamaru
  524. Damrius
  525. Sutiiven
  526. Ryugi Kazamaru
  527. Sutiiven
  528. Ryugi Kazamaru
  529. Sutiiven
  530. Ryugi Kazamaru
  531. Sutiiven
  532. Ryugi Kazamaru
  533. Sutiiven
  534. Darshendros the Eternal
  535. Tenkyl Felix
  536. Sunray Tristram
  537. Tenkyl Felix
  538. Sunray Tristram
  539. Tenkyl Felix
  540. Sunray Tristram
  541. Tenkyl Felix
  542. Sunray Tristram
  543. Tenkyl Felix
  544. Sunray Tristram
  545. Darshendros the Eternal
  546. Tenkyl Felix
  547. Sunray Tristram
  548. Darshendros the Eternal
  549. Tenkyl Felix
  550. Sunray Tristram
  551. Darshendros the Eternal
  552. Tenkyl Felix
  553. Sunray Tristram
  554. Tenkyl Felix
  555. Sunray Tristram
  556. Darshendros the Eternal
  557. Tenkyl Felix
  558. Sunray Tristram
  559. Darshendros the Eternal
  560. Tenkyl Felix
  561. Sunray Tristram
  562. Darshendros the Eternal
  563. Tenkyl Felix
  564. Sunray Tristram
  565. Darshendros the Eternal
  566. Tenkyl Felix
  567. Sunray Tristram
  568. Darshendros the Eternal
  569. Random Stranger #36
  570. Maximos
  571. Random Stranger #36
  572. Maximos
  573. Random Stranger #36
  574. Maximos
  575. Random Stranger #36
  576. Maximos
  577. Random Stranger #36
  578. Maximos
  579. Random Stranger #36
  580. Maximos
  581. Random Stranger #36
  582. Maximos
  583. Random Stranger #36
  584. Maximos
  585. Random Stranger #36
  586. Maximos
  587. Random Stranger #36
  588. Maximos
  589. Random Stranger #36
  590. Maximos
  591. Random Stranger #36
  592. Maximos
  593. Random Stranger #36
  594. Maximos
  595. Random Stranger #36
  596. Maximos
  597. Random Stranger #36
  598. Maximos
  599. Random Stranger #36
  600. Maximos
  601. Random Stranger #36
  602. Maximos
  603. Random Stranger #36
  604. Maximos
  605. Random Stranger #36
  606. Maximos
  607. Random Stranger #36
  608. Maximos
  609. Random Stranger #36
  610. Maximos
  611. Random Stranger #36
  612. Maximos
  613. Random Stranger #36
  614. Maximos
  615. Random Stranger #36
  616. Maximos
  617. Random Stranger #36
  618. Maximos
  619. Tenkyl Felix
  620. Sunray Tristram
  621. Random Stranger #36
  622. Darshendros the Eternal
  623. Tenkyl Felix
  624. Sunray Tristram
  625. Darshendros the Eternal
  626. Tenkyl Felix
  627. Sunray Tristram
  628. Darshendros the Eternal
  629. Tenkyl Felix
  630. Sunray Tristram
  631. Darshendros the Eternal
  632. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  633. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  634. AtaraRaven
  635. Hugin the Raven
  636. AtaraRaven
  637. Hugin the Raven
  638. Hugin the Raven
  639. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  640. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  641. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  642. Tomorrow
  643. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  644. Tomorrow
  645. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  646. Tomorrow
  647. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  648. Tomorrow
  649. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  650. Tomorrow
  651. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  652. Tomorrow
  653. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  654. Tomorrow
  655. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  656. Tomorrow
  657. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  658. Tomorrow
  659. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  660. Tomorrow
  661. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  662. Tomorrow
  663. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  664. Xerion-N
  665. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  666. Xerion-N
  667. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  668. Xerion-N
  669. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  670. Xerion-N
  671. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  672. Xerion-N
  673. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  674. Xerion-N
  675. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  676. Xerion-N
  677. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  678. Xerion-N
  679. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  680. Xerion-N
  681. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  682. Xerion-N
  683. Theory-Of-Xerosis
  684. Xerion-N
  685. Eternal Dirge
  686. Tres Ecstuffuan
  687. Lenne Misao
  688. Tres Ecstuffuan
  689. Lenne Misao
  690. Tres Ecstuffuan
  691. Lenne Misao
  692. Tres Ecstuffuan
  693. Lenne Misao
  694. Tres Ecstuffuan
  695. Lenne Misao
  696. Tres Ecstuffuan
  697. Lenne Misao
  698. Tres Ecstuffuan
  699. Lenne Misao
  700. Tres Ecstuffuan
  701. Lenne Misao
  702. Tres Ecstuffuan
  703. Lenne Misao
  704. Tres Ecstuffuan
  705. Lenne Misao
  706. Tres Ecstuffuan
  707. Lenne Misao
  708. Tres Ecstuffuan
  709. Lenne Misao
  710. Tres Ecstuffuan
  711. Lenne Misao
  712. Tres Ecstuffuan
  713. Lenne Misao
  714. Tres Ecstuffuan
  715. Lenne Misao
  716. Tres Ecstuffuan
  717. Lenne Misao
  718. Tres Ecstuffuan
  719. Lenne Misao
  720. Tres Ecstuffuan
  721. Lenne Misao
  722. Tres Ecstuffuan
  723. Lenne Misao
  724. Tres Ecstuffuan
  725. Lenne Misao
  726. Eternal Dirge
  727. Eternal Dirge
  728. Akemi Mercuraki
  729. C_ShadowButterfly
  730. Akemi Mercuraki
  731. C_ShadowButterfly
  732. Akemi Mercuraki
  733. C_ShadowButterfly
  734. Akemi Mercuraki
  735. C_ShadowButterfly
  736. Akemi Mercuraki
  737. C_ShadowButterfly
  738. Akemi Mercuraki
  739. C_ShadowButterfly
  740. Akemi Mercuraki
  741. C_ShadowButterfly
  742. Akemi Mercuraki
  743. C_ShadowButterfly
  744. Akemi Mercuraki
  745. Ryugi Kazamaru
  746. C_ShadowButterfly
  747. C_ShadowButterfly
  748. Akemi Mercuraki
  749. C_ShadowButterfly
  750. Akemi Mercuraki
  751. C_ShadowButterfly
  752. Akemi Mercuraki
  753. C_ShadowButterfly
  754. Akemi Mercuraki
  755. C_ShadowButterfly
  756. C_ShadowButterfly
  757. Akemi Mercuraki
  758. C_ShadowButterfly
  759. Akemi Mercuraki
  760. C_ShadowButterfly
  761. Akemi Mercuraki
  762. C_ShadowButterfly
  763. Akemi Mercuraki
  764. C_ShadowButterfly
  765. Eternal Dirge
  766. Eternal Dirge

1Vahn Fah

THE SEA

Similar to the forests in the aspect that it holds an abundance of different types of creatures, the sea is vast and separated into different areas. Around Latent, the Port of Gambino, and Gambino Island is the Sea of Gambino. Relatively calm waters, it is home to numerous types of fish and aquatic mammals. More toward the west and past the Great Wall of Gambino is the Dürem Ocean. Unlike the Sea of Gambino, the Dürem Ocean is teeming with carnivorous and aggressive beasts with a pension for attacking ships to get the food aboard, both storage and crew. Only the brave dare to travel into the Dürem Ocean... or the greedy, for a legend tells of one of Gambino's largest ships being sunk somewhere in the Dürem Ocean containing millions and millions of Gold. No one knows if it was a monster that sunk it, or a rival competitor, but those who've gone seeking the lost treasure were never heard from again

From the land at the base of the cliff outwards, the sea is only twenty to thirty feet deep, extending about 100 meters before it sharply drops off to one hundred and twenty feet, and slopes downwards from there as it extends out to sea. However, further north of the village, along the coast, is a sandbar, upon which the earth slopes down as it extends towards the drop off, rather than cutting so sharply down as it comes off of the rocks that form the cliff face.

2diaper genie

Naveah sat upon a rock looking upon devil's isle. Her cerulean eyes examined the shore softly and the pearls adorning her hair twinkled in the light. She raised her blue fin and moved it slowly. Her body was laced with pearls and her long deep blue hair covered her naked upper torso. She sang softly to herself and waited for something. Perhaps she can get a glimpse of a human or two today.

3Akilan

Far in the distance, a boat appeared on the horizon. On the boat was a full crew made out of nothing but wood, but run by magic. This crew could be seen cleaning the deck, rowing the boat from the under-quarters of the boat, and basically doing anything that the captain told them to do. Their captain was not made out of wood, but was a human. Her name was Akilan and she took her stance at the front of the boat with her arms on her shoulders, crossed over her chest. Her eyes were closed in meditation when one of the wooden crew members tapped her on the shoulder

Ma'am.

Akilan broke out of her mediation a bit annoyed at the little wooden man. Turning only her eyes to him, she replies back

Yes, what is it dear crew? Why have you disturbed me?

So sorry Ma'am, but I wanted to tell you that we are only a day away from land. We will start preparing to make landfall.

That is fine. Just do not disturb me unless we are there, or something goes wrong.

And with that, she went back to her mediation, hoping to accomplish this task before landfall the next day

4Maximos

::The ocean. Such a beautiful sight. Thousands of fishes swim below, skipping and jumping like birds beneath the waves. Today, on this quite morning, a mile head of Akilans sails...a comet flies over head.

Now, unlike your average comet, which puts forth flares of gorgeous firey hues, this comet casts a streak of violet across the sky. And in its wake, bits of black can be seen in the air behind it. It made a sort of speckled purple trail as it danced to the north.

But like most things with a shiny facade...this was not what it seemed. The fishes were the first to notice, the once lively waters went deathly still. This was no comet. The purple haze which filled the sky was none other than a graviton leak, as M4X soared over head. And the black specks in his trail...debris. It took all of 2 minutes from the chunks of metal and spar faring titanium to fall into the ocean's surface like metal rain. Until finally a very rather anti-climactic "glunk" was heard.

You see, for the past few hours M4X's Graviton Matrix had been functioning at Maximum capacity, propelling him forward but making him almost a light as air. The reason the generator could continue function was due to another technological marvel. The Nanotech Generator, this small device no bigger than a Rubic's Cube was responsible for producing thousands of tiny nanites a minute....

That generator had just splashed into the ocean. Now the effects were minimum at first. Nanites began gushing out of the machine at super speeds. In an hour there would be enough to make a ball the size of a pea. In a day, a softball, and in a week....well, you get the idea. While in M4X's body systems these nanites were slave to his central processing core his, brain, if you will. Without a direct connection the nanites didnt not know to stop producing, they knew only one command. "Reproduce, and repair." And that is what they would do...to each life form unlucky enough to ingest one of the microscopic critters.

Again the effects would be slow, with just one nanite consumed in an hour the creature would have stomach aches. In several hours, it would be showing signs of extreme fatigue....and in a day, it would be dead. It was then nanites would begin their repair phase, evoling and enhancing the fish. Altering gods design for their own more efficient methods. Not but 1 hour after its time of death the nanites would ressurect it, new and improved. A new breed of Technofish were born. It would take a little over a year to take over entirely, transforming the entire ocean into their "breed". And evolving the waters to their liking. But the food chain would forever be changed.

One could only imagine what and where the M4X droid would go finally land next. And what horrorible tragedy it would bring with it. With the Nanotech Generator gone, the purple hue had faded. The machines actual wieght was returning, and it wouldnt be very long now before it was brought down. But where...::

5Akilan

A comet flew over her head as her meditation was disrupted and one eye peeked open. It was just in time to catch a glimpse of a huge piece of debris falling from it too. She watched as it "thunked" into the ocean and a bunch of little things started crawling out of it. She knew this couldn't be good

She said as she caught one of the wooden guys by the arm

I want this ship at full speed. Go as fast as you can towards the shore, I don't care what we crash into. Just get me there NOW! I'm going to make you some more crew.

Yes Ma'am!

And with that he ran off to spread the word. Meanwhile, Akilan placed her hands together in a praying position and closed her eyes. She stood with her feet together, perfectly vertical then slowly seperated her hands until they were each placed even with her shoulders. Straighting her arms to straight out infront of her, a purple and blue ring could be seen between her hands. After one minute, the ring seperated quickly into two rings, one going up and one going down. As the rings move in their directions, a wooden crew member is formed. Once the rings are finished forming the man, he steps out and starts his tasks right away. Every minute, a new set of rings form a new crew member from Akilan's outstretched hands. Twenty crew members later, the boat is moving 5 times as fast. She really did not want to have to deal with whatever effects that debris was going to do to the ocean, and she really did not want to stick around to find out

6diaper genie

Naveah used her long majestic blue tail to propel herself off the rock. Her form took flight in the air for a few seconds and she landed gracefully back into the water. She swam about the sea watching, waiting for some type of amusement. Fishes nearby swam about her and she caressed them with her slender hands. Her cerulean eyes twinkled and the pearls glowed eeriely in the light. Suddenly she saw a ship appear up ahead, Naveah made her way quickly to the ship and suddenly saw the comet fly above and thunk into the ocean. She felt her heart beat faster and wondered what was going on...these waters were usually so peaceful.

She made her movements quicker and made it to the ships edge, her eyes widened as she saw a woman creating men...Her glistening skin shook with fright and she look behind her and saw a maching protruding out of the ocean began some type of process. A feeling of dread washed over her.

Nowhere to hide...nowhere to run..

7Akilan

Akilan stood at the front of the boat once more, eyes closed, hands together. Suddenly her eyes shot open and they glowed with a blue swirl in them. She shoved her hands in front of her, palms facing the open waters infront of the boat. Instantly rings shot out of her open hands, under the boat, and into the water. Instead of the water controling itself, now her rings, or rather Akilan, controlled the water under her boat within the rings. Her boat seemed to fly though the water now. The wooden crew did not even bother to row anymore, soon they would not exist anymore since all of her magical energy was being focused on the water rings

[About two and a half hours later]

The nanites had already eaten most of her boat, and all of her crew had been disspelled. All that was left was the last fourth of the front of the boat that she was standing on. The boat hit the shore miles outside the famous Leviathan Stadium. As the remaining pieces of wood came to a sudden halt, Akilan flew up onto the shore and hit face first in the sand. She sat up while blinking the blue swirls out of her eyes

That was one crazy ride

8Maximos

Akilan Wrote:

[About two and a half hours later]

The nanites had already eaten most of her boat, and all of her crew had been disspelled. All that was left was the last fourth of the front of the boat that she was standing on. The boat hit the shore miles outside the famous Leviathan Stadium. As the remaining pieces of wood came to a sudden halt, Akilan flew up onto the shore and hit face first in the sand. She sat up while blinking the blue swirls out of her eyes

That was one crazy ride

::There was silence, the beach was as quiet as death. The sort of quiet you hear in the final moments after you've slain you enemy. Likely right now Akilan would be hearing her own heart beat, her lungs breathing in and out, this was natural.

She had, by luck and skill, escaped uninfected by the nanotech threat...the beach was not so lucky.

Beach? What is this beach? Sand? What is this sand? Tiny particles of dirt laying still, with no function whatsoever. But they were more. On the subatomic level they were made of tiny gatherings of minerals, sand is afterall itsy bitsy pieces of rock. And what is rock, when smelted, fused together and then cooled? Metal.

In the sand the nanites found a useful tool, fuel, and stuff they themselves were made of. Processing began immediately. Akilan's boat had been a wonderful ride, to the shore. But this shore...this was inferior in many ways.

The first thing Akilan might notice is the slight rumbling. This would last for the greater part 4 seconds before the sands themselves, at the water line, began to shift. They were sifting as if they were passing through some sort of metal grating, and that metal grating was rising up from under neath them. And infact something was rising from the sands but it was far from a grating.

Suddenly, and without the slightest warning, the beach seemed to erupt. From the water line plates of metal literally flipped out of the sand and fell back upon it like the scales of a snake, each perfectly fit, replacing the once sandy beach and replacing it with a metallic wave of scales which now spaning 3ft of width...which now moved directly at Akilan.

Akilan Wrote:

That was one crazy ride

Indeed it had, but it just might not be over. If the nanites were allowed to reach farther up shore who knows what damage could be done. If they multiplied much farther what would stop them from taking over the nearest city! Or the world!::

9Akilan

Just as she had finished her sentance, the beach started rumbling. Something was happening. Not again. No more. She had had enough. She quickly glanced around and found that whatever had been in the water and eating her boat, had now started to change the sand. Now, it was starting to chase after her. She had to get off the beach, and she had to get off now. If she could get to the stadium, maybe she would be ok... But would they come after her there. She had to think fast

Slaming her hands together, and throwing them opening again, her eyes once again glowed bluw with swirls. Rings flew into the ocean, and created a wave that washed over the entire length of the beach that the nanites had taken over, washing them back into the ocean. The parts of the beach that they remade would stay metal of course, but at least they would be back in the ocean. Hopefully they would stay there and away from the beach, or at least it would slow them down

Akilan blinked the swirls out of her eyes once more. She was tired as her powers were very drained. She was lucky she had enough in her for that last spell. Turning around, she walked off in the direction of the Stadium, hoping to be there in a few hours or so, or maybe rest on the way

10Cthulhu Wish

The sea seemed peaceful and still as it seemed to rest till the next batch of explorers decided to head out. The sea began to ripple and move as a large ship glided upon it's surface like a figure skater. It was infact The Mad Killer, captained by the young rabbit Madison. The crimson sails seemed to guide them to their own path.

Upon the ship, Madison seemed rather exicted as she began to ran about on the ship trying to get the ocean closer. She had never seen something so beautiful, so precious. A few of her crew members had a grin on their faces as they watched their captain attempted to get closer to the dark and cold sea. Finally one of her crew mates stood beside her and looked at his captain eagerly, with a dirty sinister grin on his face.

"So Cap'ain, wanna take a closer look?" asked the crew mate as he looked out to the sea afterwards. His comrades knew exactly what he was planning. It was infact quite obvious, well not obvious to most who haven't been out to see a far off land like their destination.

"Oh that would be lovely! It's just so beautiful." Remarked Madi as her snow white ears seemed to bounce about happily. A Grin formed on his face much more sinisterly as he grabbed onto the collar of her coat, just enough to have a good grip, but not hard enough so she could feel it. Madi of course was completely oblivious to what was going on around her, she was too entranced by the ocean's beauty. It was as though it were a blanket of somesorts. Without Warning, the man tossed Madi off of the comfort of her own ship sending her in mid air.

"HERE YOU ARE CAP'AIN!" laughed dread man as she countinued to be flying through the air.

SPLASH!

That was all that was heard. Madi was now within the water that she thought was ever so beautiful, and began to struggle as she moved frantically within the water. She wasn't even sure what to do. She began to scream for assistance but most of the crew mates stood by and laughed, they didn't even bother to help. The rabbit slowly began to sink into the death of the sea do to the weight of her boots and clothing. Her ears fell over her eyes causing her vision to be impaired, she was drowning.

Upon the ship, laughter was let out as she countinued to sink. But it soon ceased as one pirate moved to see what exactly was occuring, it was the first mate, Johnathon Wales. His eyes widened as he soon saw the exact sight, Madi was in the water. He quickly removed his coat and handed it to the closest man beside him. The first mate scampered to find himself some rope to get pulled back in with, luckily he managed to find some. He soon tied it around his waist and handed it to six of his comrades.

"When I give you the signal....Pull." ordered Johnathon fallowed by a sharp look. They quickly nodded as he dived in after the drowning girl. Once within the depths of the sea he began to quest for Madi within the sea. The sight of her red coat beneath the dark sea caught his attention as he began to swim faster towards her.

She was still struggling with eyes dodging everywhere in fright. Madi was freaking, and there was nothing that she could really do to save herself. But once at the sight of Johnathon she grabbed onto his arm frightfully soon fallowed by a pull by his strength.

They finally surfaced and the young rabbit was coughing horribly, water must have got into some of her lungs. She looked rather scared still as she clinged onto Johnathon as though she was an infant being held by their parent. The First Mate soon whistled at the ship, causing the rope that he was attached too to move. Shortly, they were both on the ship and both on the deck.

The crew members soon began to back away from the both of them. This was not going to be good. Slowly, Johnathon stood to his feet and looked amongst the crew as Madison countinued to cough to get the water out of her system. He was not pleased, not at all.

"WHO'S DOING WAS THIS!?!" screamed Mr. Wales with every closer step he made to them. They all seemed now frightful, Who was going to take the blame. But shortly the silence would be broken, broken to reveal the identity.

"It-It Was Smith!" replied a man with a patched up eye. Sharply, Johnathon's head snapped towards the spoken pirate. Smith now seemed to have faced death in the eyes, this caused his legs to shake as Johnathon marched up to him and invaded his space. He was frightened and John was pissed. This was infact not a good sight.

"You DARE put our captain in danger!?!"

"Well...Well...You See..."

"EXCUSES!" screamed Johnathon as he smacked the trembling man across the face. Smith soon fell to the ground as he wasn't expecting that hit. Johnathon eyed him as Smith looked up at the lad, they both were not in a pleasent mood.

"Get Out of My sight...All of you" Stated Johnathon causing them all to scamper. He soon turned back around to his trembling captain. She could hardly keep still, Madi was infact petrified. He soon bent down to her level and grabbed his coat, wrapping it around her body.

"It...It...Happened so fast..."

"Come on...Let's get you out of those wet clothes...And move on from this..."

Madi soon attempted to move, but she couldn't. She was too afraid too. With a sympathetic smile he bent down and picked up and began to carry her. Madi didn't speak a word or fight. She infact curled into a ball in his arms as he countinued to carry her. And so carrying her off into her quarters, to calm her down from the event that had occured.

11Cthulhu Wish

Gossip filled the bellows of the ship The Mad Killer, rumours of the event that Smith created. Their young captain was unable to swim, this could come to their advantage but also a disadvantage. On one hand they could easily push her out off the boat and watch her drowned with much cheer. But then there was also the minor details of the first mate, Johnathon Wales. He would protect her until they arrived. They had to find a way to reclaim their beloved ships from the clutches of this young girl.

~~*

She couldn't move. She could barely breathe. Quietly she laid there, still and unmoving. Her fragile body shook violently as she was placed on the grand bed of a captain, soaking wet. Her snow white rabbit ears covered the girl's face so she could possibly no longer see. This was Madison, the new captain of The Mad Killer who was currently fearing for her life. Her chin length scarlet hair shimmered in the sunlight that seeped through her window calmly.

Slowly, she could hear footsteps marching about her quarters looking for clothing. Nice, warm, dry clothing. This fellow was infact the first mate that was possibly one of the most feared on the ship, Johnathon. His violently blue eyes scanned the large oak cabinet-like unit, he soon grinned at the discovery he made.

"AHA! Found something lovely for you to wear Captain!" announced Johnathon as he pulled the outfit out of the closet. It was a elegant gown of sorts, something as though a young woman would have worn many years back. The long sleeves seemed to be made of a black velvet material as the body of the dress was a crimson red silk. It had to be absolutely gorgeous. And yet, when the young captain looked up to view it she didn't seem very thrilled.

"Whatever." Replied the young captain as she returned to her ball sadly, this however made the secound mate very concerned. Quietly, he returned over to the young rabbit's side and lifted her head up a bit.

"Something the matter, love?"

"Unless you call being called mocked at alright, Nothing!" sharply answered Madi with a trembling voice. Shortly sobs could be heard from the depths of the small curled up rabbit. The look of pity filled Mr. Wales face as he soon moved her closely to him for a warm embracement.

"It's alright captain, they were only teasing. Really They were..."

"I'm a horrible captain! I can't take command of my ship! I can't swim to save my own life let alone another! I'm pathetic!"

"CODSWALLOP! I have known of some pretty pathetic captains, and you Miss are not one of them. Ever heard of Keel-Haulin' Dolores Dagger? Or Cap'n Argus Sharkchum? How about Trendy Javier Drake?" questioned Johnathon as the young rabbit looked up at him. She slowly shook her head as she removed her glasses from her face to allow her pale hands to wipe away the fallen tears she had suffered. She giggled a few times at the different names knowing that he was getting somewhere.

"Exactly, they didn't even survive long enough to last somesort of record. For instance; High-Pitched Faith didn't even made it out of the port because she was so paranoid that Davie Jones was going to slip out of his grave and gobble her up! Now so far I say you are doing a bloody good job of being a captain, now get changed and come face the crew." Smiled Johnathon as he soon placed the crimson gone beside his captain.

Madison smiled brightly as she watched her secound mate head to the door, before he was about to leave the young rabbit quickly scampered up to him inches away from his own face. Within secounds she met his lips and then pulled away smiling. He seemed rather clueless on what just happened and looked around in a daze.

"That was a Thank you gift...From Me..." blushed Madison sheepishly, as she seemed completely unaware of her emotions. She had never experienced anything like this before. Johnathon soon quietly left the young girl alone, with a small blush in his face but also a sinister looking grin on his flace, something was brewing in his mind...something not so pleasent.

12JulioMartell

The seas were calm so far. Water tampering here and there. Waves crashing against the rocky shore that appears to be the enterance of a cave. Zooming into the cave placed a great 9 stories above the crashing shore, there is a flicker of light that comes from a certain flame lit. "OW!"came a cry as the flame went out. There was a snapping sound and then the light came on, exposing Julio's face in view. Julio held his thumb up, careful not to let his made fire singe his thumb on accident again this time. His search is random, to find the fabled treasure everyone talked about these days back at the ruins of the stadium.

((I would like a person to person match here. Person to person combat till one calls quits or gives up. Weapons are allowed but I wish for no death to come to my character or anyone elses. Secondary goal is to find the said lost treasure first or beat the opponent who finds it.))

13JulioMartell

either it was haunted indeed or he just went in a circle and ended up back where he started. "Hmm..guess it's unreachable."His wings span out as he thinks this. Then, with one jump and dive, he plummits down till he comes back up, soaring to head to somewhere else to enjoy his time.

14diaper genie

Naveah swims out of the underwater cave and sighs gently. happy to have escaped the last horror that presented itself at sea. Her long majestic blue tail propelled her through the calm waters and she decided to explore the shore above. Her hair floated about her and the pearls in them glowed dully. She gripped the string of pearls about her body as she continued onward. Suddenly she made it to the surface just as she saw a wingged man dive into the waters. She raised a brow slightly and decided to investigate.

((im interested.))

15JulioMartell

((Hmm...gabystar with me and vincent, ryugi, akira, find a third for your party if you wish.))

Julio stood over at the cliff edge waiting for vincent and Gaby to make their way here. He stands there, tapping his foot on the rock cliff and looking up. "Wonder if they'll show up."He thought. Carbie hops on his shoulder from his back and smiles. He smiles at his pet cabit carbunkle and pats her head.

16Vincent Core

Vincent did not show. In his stead, stood Drucilla Desuni. Her arms crossed in front of her chest, she looked about the area. Although she had yet to learn a single word of the local language, she could discern quite a bit from body language. She waited and watched each person cautiously to detect whether they were friend or foe...

17diaper genie

Naveah used her long tail and propelled herself out of the water. Her slim athletic wet body glided in the air and landed beside Julio on the cliff, she flipped her tail at him and smiled her pearls glowing eeriely. She smiled at him as she began to unravel her pearls from about her body. Slowly her tail began to turn into two legs, and she stood up shakily wearing a silk cerulean, almost transparant slip.

"Hello there..." Her wet blue hair clung to her body like a long curtain and fell up to her knees. She looked at him from her 4'9 height.

18Ryudo_Kazamaru

In a cloud of black mist, Ryudo Kazamaru appeared on the scene, standing on the roof of a nearby building. He looked down at the other two fighters, recognizing one of them from some activites in Latent. It appeared they were waiting for something, and this intrigued him...

That being the case, he stood on the rooftop and watched the two beings meander whilst they awaited whatever the target of their interest was.

19JulioMartell

Julio looks back over at nervana who made ehr enterance, smiling and then he held his hand out to her. His wings sprawled in and his tail waggles gently. "Hi, nice to meet you."Carbie appears on Julios shoulder and smiles.

20Akira Mercuraki

A short person in a cloak walked along the shore waiting for the other fighters to arrive.

21JulioMartell

Julio blinks and looks to drucilla and nervana. "so..since my guys are here now.shall we begin?"

22Tetrahydrocannabinols

(( Mind if I play? ))

23diaper genie

"Nice to meet you too, im Naveah...and you are...?" she murmured softly as she held her long string of pearls between her hands, clicking them softly. These pearls may look harmless but to her they were a deadly weapon. She looked down at her delicate transparant sandals and back up at Julio, her cerulean eyes transfixed on his wings and his pet. Her eyes darted about and she felt the presence of others about. "We are not alone." she said softly.

24JulioMartell

This is Michael Wrote:

(( Mind if I play? ))

((sorry, already set up))

25Akira Mercuraki

The cloaked figure walked up them and waited for them to notice. ((You have to look down my charecters shorter then both of yours))

26JulioMartell

Julio just notices the females attire, smiling. "heh it's ok. Besides, it's oging to be a 3 on 2 match today."((ryugi wanted those odds.))He then looks back over at the other female, surprised that he is attracting so many girls. He blushes a little, looking down. "Uhm..hi...you vincents replacement?"He asks nervously.

27Ryudo_Kazamaru

JulioMartell Wrote:

Julio blinks and looks to drucilla and nervana. "so..since my guys are here now.shall we begin?"

Ryudo heard that, and he couldn't resist the urge to attack any longer.

With a graceful jump, he launched his body into the air, nearly 100 feet high with the combined hight from the building he was on. The other fighters were near the entrance to the cave, and Ryudo prepared to attack.

Wasting no time he threw both of his palms forward and launched no less than seven balls of energy towards the unsespecting enemies. The blasts would easily rain down upon them within one second, and Ryudo would use his abilities to control them to thier respective targets.

Julio, the furry one, would get 3.

Drucilla would get 2

and This, Gaby, would get 2 as well

Heh heh...

28JulioMartell

Julio looks up back at the incoming attack. His eyes bug out as he sees the barrage of balls coming at them and he gasps. "YIPE!"He yelps, then tosses his blade up which then shoots out jets from its right flat side, jumping on and his feet clamp onto it tightly for support. He then jets quick at the left as one orb misses, then jets right as the second nearly got him, and before the third got to him he jets to get Naveah out of the way of the incoming 2 orbs for her and then jet into the cave quick!

29Akira Mercuraki

Ryudo_Kazamaru Wrote:

> JulioMartell Wrote: > Julio blinks and looks to drucilla and nervana. "so..since my guys are here now.shall we begin?"

Ryudo heard that, and he couldn't resist the urge to attack any longer.

With a graceful jump, he launched his body into the air, nearly 100 feet high with the combined hight from the building he was on. The other fighters were near the entrance to the cave, and Ryudo prepared to attack.

Wasting no time he threw both of his palms forward and launched no less than seven balls of energy towards the unsespecting enemies. The blasts would easily rain down upon them within one second, and Ryudo would use his abilities to control them to thier respective targets.

Julio, the furry one, would get 3.

Drucilla would get 2

and This, Gaby, would get 2 as well

Heh heh...

Julio blinks and looks to drucilla and nervana. "so..since my guys are here now.shall we begin?"

And after that the cloaked person would use they're telekinetic abilties to try to dump Drucilla and Julio levitating over the water which then the person would let them fall 100 feet down in to the cold water bellow.

30Ryudo_Kazamaru

((Gah! This isn't working. We need a set order of turns. How about, me, then Julio, then Akira, then Vincent, then Gaby?))

31JulioMartell

((...we need a posting system. my team goes first, me first, then gaby, then drucilla. Then ryugi and akira go next, they decide which goes first between them each turn))

Julio looks up back at the incoming attack. His eyes bug out as he sees the barrage of balls coming at them and he gasps. "YIPE!"He yelps, then tosses his blade up which then shoots out jets from its right flat side, jumping on and his feet clamp onto it tightly for support. He then jets quick at the left as one orb misses, then jets right as the second nearly got him, and before the third got to him he jets to get Naveah out of the way of the incoming 2 orbs for her and then jet into the cave quick!

Though he felt a sudden tug at his body as his reach for naveah was attached after, his hover sword blowing hard below him as he begins to fall back with his hover blade to his feet.

32Akira Mercuraki

JulioMartell Wrote:

((...we need a posting system. my team goes first, me first, then gaby, then drucilla. Then ryugi and akira go next, they decide which goes first between them each turn))

Julio looks up back at the incoming attack. His eyes bug out as he sees the barrage of balls coming at them and he gasps. "YIPE!"He yelps, then tosses his blade up which then shoots out jets from its right flat side, jumping on and his feet clamp onto it tightly for support. He then jets quick at the left as one orb misses, then jets right as the second nearly got him, and before the third got to him he jets to get Naveah out of the way of the incoming 2 orbs for her and then jet into the cave quick!

Though he felt a sudden tug at his body as his reach for naveah was attached after, his hover sword blowing hard below him as he begins to fall back with his hover blade to his feet.

Taking off its robe the person revealed themselves as a short young girl((Around 5) with short blue hair, purple eyes, and black symbols((Tatoos)) all over her body. She then got tired of waiting and used here Hydrokinetic powers and almost all her energy and the energy of the two other souls within her to create a huge tsunami a wave reaching 100 feet barelly missed here and ryudo and then it hit the cave entrance and the water froze possibly trapping them in the cave.

She then collapses on the ground out of exhuastion.(She did use all alot of power))

33Ryudo_Kazamaru

Ryudo grunted as he saw the massive wave slam into the cave and freeze solid. While this was a mightly attack, it did pose one little problem for Ryudo...

How the HELL was HE supposed to attack Julio when Julio was locked INSIDE the cave by a massive hunk of ICE?!

Ryudo cast a glance over at the girl, then began to walk towards the ice wall in front of the cave...

34JulioMartell

Julio just fell unconcious as Ryugo has yet to notice Julio by now. Julio slowly just gets up, grumbling as his sword and axe lay by his side. Carbie kept onto julio's back and shivering before shaking alot and then. He gets up, brushing himself off gently and then looks at his weapon. HE picks them up and then hefts them on his shoulders, looking back quietly at ryugo and silently trying to sneak away.

35Ryudo_Kazamaru

Ryudo finally reached the wall of ice. While extremely thick, he could still see Julio running into the deapths of the cave. Luckily for Ryudo, he could deal with this situation with ease...

His body quickly turned mostly transparent, and he began to walk THROUGH the ice wall as if it wasn't even there...

Once on the other side, he looked around on the inside of the cave, and spotted Julio still moving away from him. He huffed in annoyance and began to walk after the fuzzy man. All this time, he was charging up energy to begin fighting. It wasn't strong enough for anyone to see yet, but it was there. It was only a matter of time before Ryudo attacked...

36JulioMartell

Julio just made a sudden stop as he slowly cranes his head over at the incoming opponent. "...uh oh..."he blinks. Then he made a slow smile, carbie making a similar scared face. "...........bye."He squeaked before tossing his balde forward which went hover mode again and jumps on it, shooting off into the cave quickly to run away from him.

37Ryudo_Kazamaru

JulioMartell Wrote:

Julio just made a sudden stop as he slowly cranes his head over at the incoming opponent. "...uh oh..."he blinks. Then he made a slow smile, carbie making a similar scared face. "...........bye."He squeaked before tossing his balde forward which went hover mode again and jumps on it...

At least thats what Julio had planned on, however, Ryudo had other things in mind. As Julio jumped to try and land on his hover sword, Ryudo's mind let loose with a barrage of psychic force that latched onto Julio's ankles with a force of about 200 pounds. Roughly the weight of a person was now on Julio's ankles, preventing him from moving much at all.

Since He was in the air, mid jump, the force pulled him down onto the ground before he could land on his sword. Essentially, this meant that Julio was now stuck on the ground as if two people were holding down both of his ankles. He wasn't going to be going anywhere for a while...

38Kraun

Vahn Kyonuske Wrote:

Without warning, there was movement; the steady slow rocking of the hull as the waters were being parted, steered by the rudder (and my personal knowledge of ships ends there).

There had been no clear cut indication, nor some kind of warning-- just that sudden feeling of motion, and they were off.

The vessel was leaving port... leaving the only point of civilization to go to a place many feared to go. Was this not what adventure was all about? The thrill of the unknown, the allure of fabled treasure, the-- you get the picture.

"They be all stowed away now, eh Jones?" Came the gruff mannered voice, the same as was this morning.

"Aye, Cap'n. All of 'em, just like you said." Came the hurried reply, as if the owner would have been rebuked by taking any longer.

"Good, good... set course North by North-west now. We'll want to get there not too late now." The Captain said, a toothy smile showing, as well as the yellow of his teeth.

The crew was sparse if anything... and none of them acted as non the wiser to the group of stowaways...

"Be a wee bit mad now... won't it... Zanken." Hoarse laughter billowed out, as the vessel was soon out at sea and but a mere speck to any on the harbor.

Yo-Ho! Yo-Ho!

A Pirate's life for me...

And they were off, stowed away on the pirate ship's lower decks. The swashbuckler, the dancer, and the child, each after the treasures of a legend.

Well now, all they really had to do right now was wait for the ship to arrive at its destination, though Turriens never bothered thinking as far as to how they were going to do this thing. He just simply hid behind the barrels, lightly humming a tune to himself as he waited. Hopefully, there would be no trouble on this trip.

39JulioMartell

Julio fell onto his feet but then felt the odd weight on them. He blinks and looks down, then lifts his feet. The weight felt lighter than any boulder julio could handle. He worked his feet onto the sword though and then kept onto it, the sword heaved down a bit but couldn't hold the added weight. He then sighs and then looks at his pet cabbit carbunkle. Carbie nods and then faces at ryudo, the gem on her forehead before suddenly a quick shot of psychic blast as strong as a brick wall slams right at ryudo.

40Ryudo_Kazamaru

Now, Ryudo wasn't stupid, and he wasn't unaware either. He'd known that there were forces at work in both of these beings. With his psychic abilities, and his natural abilities to sense the changes in energy and magic around him, he was able to sense the power buildup of Carbie's attack even before the jewel had started to glow.

Blocking it was easy enough. This small creature couldn't have nearly as much power in it as a Shadow Dragon. With minimal effort, Ryudo tapped into his shadow and dark elemental abilities and formed a black wedge that easily cut through the wave of force sent out by the little creature. As the attack subsided, he grinned as the little man ran away like a coward. It appeared his pet was going to be a slight annoyance, but no worries, Ryudo had his own ways of dealing with these sorts of problems...

Lethe... I may need you soon... Be ready for me to call on you...

Yes master...

Ryudo then walked after Julio. He was in no hurry. The only light inside the cave was coming from the sealed entrance. If Julio went too far into the cave, he wouldn't be able to see... And just to make that point more apparent, Ryudo snapped his fingers. As the snap echoed through the cave, a thin layer of shadow energy krept up the ice wall, blocking out the light coming through it. As a bit more time went on, the energy fully blocked out the light in the cave and crystalized, it now pitch black inside the cave.

Lets see how you do when you can't see!!

41JulioMartell

Julio notices the darkness fall upon him, his legs working off to try and shake off the feel of 200 pounds on each ankle. It was futile but he then blinks at hearing what he said. He smiles.

"not a problem."

Suddenly a snap of his finger, a fire suddenly emits from his snap and enlarges into a fire ball for him to see the way. He smiles and carbie used her mental powers to work off the 400 pounds equal weighting julio down minorly. Her mental power can lift up 650 pounds of regular weight and julio was relieved to have that weight off. He hops on his sword which was at normal capacity again and then waves.

"Bye."

Carbie giggles and waves bye too. Soon, Julio jets off with his fire ball lighting the way.

42Ryudo_Kazamaru

What Julio failed to realize was that Ryudo was now surrounded by his natural element. Darkness. Rather than haveing to charge up and take shadow energy from his shadow, Ryudo could now take shadow energy from his environment. He could sense the magical buildup from Julio's fireball, and knew the direction Julio was heading. So, rather than run around and play catch up, Ryudo decided to make use of his new shadowy home...

He walked towards the solid black wall, and disapeared into it.

Now, Ryudo was able to use the shadows around him as a portal, much like Lethe was able to use them to enter the physical realm. Ryudo entered the shadow on the wall and simply exited the shadow about 300 feet down the tunnel Julio was moving through. Knowing Julio's speed from the quickly approching magical energy of his guiding fireball, Ryudo then went to work on his trap.

He caused several shadow spikes to lance outward from the walls in front of himself, easily closing the tunnel off. The spikes were, in total, roughly 20 feet thick. This meant that the entire tunnel was sealed off with 20 feet of shadow spikes. The spikes were more than strong enough to take a person ramming into them at thirty miles per hour, and there were approximately 200 shadow spikes blocking off the 20 feet of tunnel.

That done, Ryudo then walked back into the shadows of the wall to begin the next part of his trap...

One might wonder how Ryudo was able to see if there was no light in the cave. well, as it turned out, Ryudo did not need light to see. Sure it was more difficult to see than if there WAS light, but anything was better than nothing. The reason was, to Ryudo's eyes, the shadows weren't black, they glowed a ghostly dark purple color due to his shadow abilities trying to find ways out through them. This alerted Ryudo to exactly where things were. If that wasn't enough, his mind could send out psychic pulsed that would bounce off the walls and return to Ryudo to be read by his mind. This was very similar to a bat's echolocation, and gave Ryudo a perfect idea of where things were in pitch blackness.

43JulioMartell

Julio felt like it was smooth sailing so far. His hair flickering fast in the wind as it blew against him at his pace. Julio looks back at carbie who was then looking a bit scared. He pats her on the head.

"there there, we'll make it to that treasure."

He smiles while holding the fire ball in the other hand. Carbie blinks as she sense danger ahead. By then she scampers into julios vest at the back and shivers. Julio looks back and wonders what has carbie so scared. Julio then noticed a wall in teh way at teh end. He stops in mid air on his jet, looking at the wall.

"Darn dead end....well lets see if there's another cave to go through."

Julio optimistically thought. He then turned around and slow hovers a bit. after many a few feet of back tracking he finds a turn off he missed. He smiles.

"Heh, how'd I miss this...guess when you're running for your life you miss stuff."

he chuckles, then went in and continued on his way through, speeding up his jet to 50 mph this time feeling he is loosing time doing this.

44Ryudo_Kazamaru

Ryudo could still sense the fireball given off by Julio, and therefore still knew where he was. After exiting the wall not even a second after entering the last one, he prepared another spike wall, however, he waited until Julio had zipped past the entrance of the tunnel to do it. By doing this, he officially locked himself and Julio into this tunnel. The wall of spikes on this part was 30 feet thick rather than 20.

Julio had made an error going down this tunnel, as Ryudo had stepped into the wall the first time, he'd seen the entire outline of the cave in a purple glowing maze, and he'd seen this tunnel in particular. Why? This tunnel twisted and turned for about 750 feet until it dead ended into a large room. The ceiling on this room was about three hundred feet high, and covered in stalactites, while the floor was covered in stalagmites. The floor of the room was about a thousand feet long and wide, and it formed a sort of circular shape.

The trap was set... Soon Julio would enter the massive room, and Ryudo would appear. He then began walking down the tunnel towards the room, creating more spikes behind him, and making the wall ever larger and longer...

45JulioMartell

Carbie was cowaring behind him on his back. Though as he enters into the area, He hovers to a halt then and there on his hover sword and lokos around.

"...wow...big place."

He quietly speaks. His head shot up to the ceiling, seeing so many stalagtites and looking down to see so many stalagmites. This was a bit bothersome to Julio. He looks around more, trying to see how far the nearest exit was.

"...gonna have to zoom around a bit to try and find a place out."

46Ryudo_Kazamaru

Just as the last words escaped Julio's mouth, there would be an answer...

There IS no way out... You're trapped...

If Julio was to turn around, he would see Ryudo come through the entrance into the room as it sealed behind him with Shadow spikes. Ryudo had gotten bored of walking, and instead levitated his way through the tunnel with great speed. But, he went back to walking as he approached the entrance where he'd greeted Julio.

47JulioMartell

Julio just kept there, hovering before he turned around and looks back at Ryudo with questioning eyes. He blinks, then hovered back a bit from where ryudo was now.

"What's with you, the goal is to find the treasure or have your opponent give up or beat him/her. I'm just doing the safe way and find the treasure."

He replies out to him. Hoping to maybe talk this out even if talking is beyond help at this situation. Carbie pokes her head out from beside julio on his shoulder and quivers. Julio didn't like the darkness so much so he looked at his fireball and then at Ryudo.

"..well if you want the fight so badly then let me just light this room up a bit more, I can barely see a thing as it is."

He called, then he turned and then tossed the fireball hard as he can to send it flying in one direction. Seeing the light still he then slapped his hands together and spread them wide, the fire ball growing bigger and getting brighter, bringing more light in the room till it could fill up about 300 feet around in diameter with light. Julio then turned around and faces ryudo.

"Ok. Now I want to know why are you not going after the treasure and want to fight me."

48Ryudo_Kazamaru

Ryudo watched as this man talked and watched as the fireball lit up the room. Then, he began to talk...

Well, to tell you the truth, I have no need for any treasure of any sort. I also find treasure hunting terribly boring and uneventful. You've proven to be a fun toy to play with thusfar...

As Ryudo spoke, Julio might notice the room getting darker and darker as Ryudo's psychic powers wrapped around Julio's fireball and began to eat away at it. But that wasn't Ryudo's only intent...

Whats the matter? Are you afraid to fight me?

49JulioMartell

Julio blinks and looks back at his fireball being drained of its energy. He then looks back at him and then felt a bit uneasy about the situation. he then flew back to the safety of the fire ball, holding his hands out to light the fire again and works to keep it going. The fire was beginning to brighten again, strugging and returning some light to the room.

"No..I'm not afraid. I just consider fighting to be wrong and impolite."

50Ryudo_Kazamaru

JulioMartell Wrote:

Julio blinks and looks back at his fireball being drained of its energy. He then looks back at him and then felt a bit uneasy about the situation. he then flew back to the safety of the fire ball, holding his hands out to light the fire again and works to keep it going...

Sadly, Julio's attempts to rekindle the fireball would fail. Ryudo's psychic powers made sure of that. The magical energy that made up the fireball was, like all energy, made of charged particles. The psychic force simply pulled these particles away from eachother, easily disapating the magical energy. Julio's magic wouldn't be able to do anything to the slowly dimming fireball, and soon wouldn't do much else either...

While Ryudo had been getting rid of the fireball, he'd also placed his psychic force around Julio's body, as well as that of his little pet. This meant that Julio was completely unable to use any ammount of magic to any degree that would be useful since Ryudo's psychic force disapated it before it could even get started on any magical attacks...

While this was going on, Julio spoke. "No..I'm not afraid. I just consider fighting to be wrong and impolite."

Is that so...? Fighting can have its uses you know...it isn't all bad. Many things that appear to be bad are not always as they seem...

51JulioMartell

Carbie was sensing some bad vibes coming from him but the vibes went further and further away as she was loosing the use of her powers. Julio kept trying but was getting nothing with using his magic. He then looks back at the fire as it went out. but now he just hovers there in silence, seeing nothing but dark as his eyes work to adjust to the scenery.

"...why is it you fight then? I fight only if it's needed or if I need to defend myself.."

He explained. Carbie cowars closer to julio, feeling impending doom on them.

52Ryudo_Kazamaru

Ryudo chuckled a bit, his voice dark and deep, just like the shadows that had settled on the floor of the room.

I fight for my own reasons as does anyone else. Most people have different reasons for fighting, but I fight for two main reasons. The first is my goal of human exermination. I can never forgive the human race for what they did to my kind. They killed and hunted down my kind for hundreds of years until we were almost extinct.

Ryudo paced around now, releasing his hold on the fireball and Julio's magic, allowing the room to light up again and show the features of it once more.

For that reason, I am branded as evil by the human race, and am shunned as an outcast by most other races. Even in the society of my own kind there are those who believe that what I do is wrong. Me having a different or extreme point of view tags me as evil. I do what I do for revenge. A strike back at the humans for what they did to my kind.

He then turned and faced Julio again after he'd paced away for a bit.

The second reason is for self betterment and amusement. I find it amusing to play with people and better my own skills. The lives of others amuse me, and I find it entertaining to see how they react under different circumstances. It is also a great reliever of boredom and a stress reliving activity.

He stopped walking and stood, looking at Julio with his arms behind his back.

You have your way of doing things, and your own opinions on what is right and wrong. No one set of values is correct. Try to remember that before judging how someone is. Now, you've given me all the entertainment I need for now, so I shall be taking my leave...

With a final bow and those ending words, Ryudo disapeared into a cloud of black mist, and along with him, so did the spikes. It was as if none of it had ever existed...

53Maximos

Kraun Wrote:

Yo-Ho! Yo-Ho!

A Pirate's life for me...

And they were off, stowed away on the pirate ship's lower decks. The swashbuckler, the dancer, and the child, each after the treasures of a legend.

Well now, all they really had to do right now was wait for the ship to arrive at its destination, though Turriens never bothered thinking as far as to how they were going to do this thing. He just simply hid behind the barrels, lightly humming a tune to himself as he waited. Hopefully, there would be no trouble on this trip.

::You know, its amazing how many simple things you can find to amuse yourself, if your a bored little kid. For example, the shiney in the boy's hand. This was an object of immeasurable value. Within five minutes after the ship left port, it was used as ball, rolling it along he floor and catching it before it fell into the cracks. It was used as a chew toy, though again the boy was extremely careful not to show a hint of his teeth, he simply slipped the shiney in, and took it out a few minutes later with several dents in it.

And finally it was used as a pencil, scraping it against the closet barrel, making thin carvings in the old wood. For a child his age, he drew most strange things, his drawings were definately crude at best but they seemed to stick in one subject range. He drew pictures of angels, and clouds, and people walking about with rings atop their heads. He drew large castles which seemed to be in the sky, or maybe in a big tree, it was really hard to tell with his horrid drawing skills. But it seemed to hold his attention....for now.::

54Cthulhu Wish

Over a week period of time, Madi had become closer friends with her first Mate. And soon had a feeling develop over her that should couldn't explain really. She had never experienced it before, it made her feel as though thousands of butterflies flew within her stomach. She loved spending time with Johnathon, he was ever so sweet and kind to her. But something inside her still was trying to tell her to keep her guard up, that was probably her natural instinct talking or something. Though, just by how he acted, how he treated her made her feel so much more than just alittle rabbit She felt as though she was so much more, she was a lady around him, a normal lady, not a freak. Johnathon however seemed to have other plans running through his mind for the past week about his captain. He had plans, which would soon be revealed to her.

That evening, Madison remained quiet within her quarters. Eating her dinner from the chef as though nothing was wrong. She viewed her map as though there was nothing wrong. Everything was calm and peaceful. Everything that evening seemed perfect almost....too perfect. As she soon began to review her plans, voices seemed to get louder and louder from outside. As though they were yelling and cheering. Slowly she walked over to the door and was about to graps the small silver door knob, but it quickly began to rattle. Madison quickly jumped back as the voices seemed to get louder with every vibration of the door. The sound of swords and weaponary being prepared caused Madi to quickly dig into her coat to find her Sais, They were gone. Her spoon was gone aswell. The Rabbit was defenseless. Finally, The door finally broke.

Six of her crew mates quickly ran into the room, with Smith leading them. All of them armed and with grins on her face. As they stepped forewards, Madi walked away from them. She was frightened, hardly able to move. All of them at precisesly the same moment pounced, trying to get a hold of her in some way. Two Sets of hand grabbed onto her arm which caused her to struggle.

"LET GO OF ME!" screamed the rabbit with much fear, they could only laugh at her request. Soon a force pulled her back and caused her to land into one of their arms.

"The Cap'n's gonna be pleased" Grinned Smith as he ran his fingers across her face lightly with hte back of his hand only to recieve the consiquence of recieving a foot to the stomach with her large heavy boots. He gagged and peeled over causing his crew mates to pull her out to the deck. Her crimson eyes widen at the site before her. The entire crew was there, eyeing her and watching her every movement. There was only one person missing...Johnothan. She quickly feared the worse for her beloved friend, causing her to move faster.

"Careful Captain, Too much struggling will make them only wish to slice off your pretty little ears.." The voice seemed to be coming from behind her head, she knew it all to well. Could it be Johnathon? He could be in the same struggling position as her, hopefully he was alright. The man who held the grasp against her turned to face the voice, but she could not believe what was infront of her when they stopped moving.

It was Johnathon, but he wasn't wearing his normal ragged outfit. But a proper, neat Navy Blue captain's uniform. Within his grasp, her silver Sais held tightly as though he was keeping them safe from her. She struggled more, wanting to hit him. Hot, warm tears ran doewn her face sadly. She couldn't believe what was happening it felt as though a part of her was ripped out of her chest.

"I THOUGHT YOU SAID YOU'D PROTECT ME!"

"I did, But no one's going to protect you from me...No one on this ship anyways." Smiled Johnathon as he soon walked over to her closely. Madi couldn't hit him, he was ever so kind to her. He soon gave her a deep kiss then she had ever recieved from him causing the crew to laugh madly and cheer as the kiss was soon broken. Madi remained there crying softly, she felt so hurt by just what was happening to her.

"Set her off in a row boat."

"Can't she walked the plank?" called out one of the crew mates fallowed by cheers of agreement. Which soon ceased as Mr. Wales turned to his crew and eyed them. Quickly, they moved to get things organized to set Madison off on another adventure. He soon looked down at Madison who was still in tears and speechless. She didn't want to speak to him, he hurt her, he caused her pain.

"My Dear Lass, us as pirates were never meant to love. We are creatures of the underworld, we will spend years within the pits of firery hell. Of course, if you joined us...I could make an exception for you..."

"...I'll never join you." Her timid voice seemed rather quiet and shakey, but still loud enough for him to hear. He didn't seem to get angered or phased by it, just another minor grin. He soon nodded to the young man still keeping her inplace and he dragged her over to the boat that they had ready for her.

Madi did not struggle or anything, but remained put. She was too hurt to bother fighting, it was really useless. With one quick shove she fell into the boat, hitting her head on the wood. Slowly they began to move it slowly into the water below.

"Fair Well Madison..." spoken Johnathon as she was finally placed below. Slowly, The Mad Killer began to sail away, as Madison took a look at it for the last time in her life, knowing that she had just lost something she had never felt before with a man who couldn't share the same feelings as her. She was no alone in the world all over again.

55Kanashimi Kurai

Amunet occupied herself by sitting quietly and stroking Tarik. But that wasn't all she was doing, she was silently praying to her father that this adventure did not go awry as it was sure to do.

56Cthulhu Wish

Alone. That''s exactly how things were, expecially when on a small wooden row boat. From a distance, it seemed to be simply an abandon life boat that fell from off from one of the many ships that passed through. But infact, at a closer view, it was indeed full. Inside the oat mini scooner was a body laying on the bottom of it beside the long oars. It was indeed a female, do to the shape of her body giving it all the right places. And the fact she was wearing a short black skirt. The girl''s face seemed to be covered by her red ruby hair and her snow white rabbit ears leaving the top of her head. This infact ladies and gentleman, was Madison. She however, didn''t seem to move or be breathing very much. Just, laying there, not willing to move. Slowly one of her black gloved palms moved enough to crack her delicate fingers.

Running inside the young rabbit at this moment was many different thoughts and feelings. Some she had never felt before, Madi knew that she had been hurt before...but not like this, not in a thousand years. What was wrong with her? Soon after a few moments of silence, sniffles began to start once more along with the tears. Her sclera went from a pure white to a light shade of pink, being compleletly glazed over. The tears soon began once more as she countinued to cry, soon causing her to fall into a world of darkness once more.

~

"My Dear Lass, us as pirates were never meant to love. We are creatures of the underworld, we will spend years within the pits of firery hell. Of course, if you joined us...I could make an exception for you..." That phrase seemed to echo around her as she was surrounded by darkness. Which every word made she felt as though a bullet shot right through her chest. She wasn''t even sure if she made the right choice. She was never really quite sure.

"Love? What does he mean by that? I never even heard it before..." Thought the young rabbit as it too surrounded her in echoes. Slowly, she began to feel more and more frightened. Slowly she moved her arms and wrapping them around her body. The room seemed to get darker as the sensation of coldness filled her body. Her thoughts and the phrase which her ex first mate began to incircle her mind....running constantly together in a cluster of words.

Madi quickly dropped to the ground grasping onto her hair, with a constant quivering body. She attempted to scream, but they only seemed muted as her thoughts overpowered her. She began to cry and scream louder and louder only wishing for the madness to stop, but they only seemed to get louder as she tried. Each moment her body seemed to shake faster and faster, hardly able to hold her on for her own.

She only wished the madness to stop.

~~*

Madi only seemed to be dreaming, dreaming about everything that surrounded her for the past few weeks. Her screams seemed to only be louder as no one could hear her in her surroundings. She was alone and a drifter. If she died, no one would notice or seem to really care. But that''s how things were, and she had to face it.

Slowly her ship began to countinue to sail North, ironically in the right direction to her final destination.

The Tundra.

57Cthulhu Wish

Sailing, Sailing Across the Ocean Blue, that would probably be a common tune that sea captains and their crews would sing harmonically. Well most sea folk would be anyways, but for the past few days a small row boat remained silent. Silent and still, with hardly any motion or sign of life. Well infact that would have to be a lie. Upon this tiny oak floatation device was infact a person. She didn't however seem to be really caring where she went...just sat still, gazing upon the sea. It was infact still Madison The Rabbit on her long journy to the sacred land she wanted to go to.

Hunger and Thrist filled inside her but she didn't seem to really even care. Just quietly having her arms grasped around her fragile body, trying to keep the heat in. Her scarlet coat tightly wrapped around her as she shivered more so. Why was she feeling so cold? It could possibly two reasons.

One was the fact that she felt ever so alone, a feeling she hadn't felt in a long time. Since the labratory for that matter where she first learned about what depression was and the negative feelings of life. The loss of being betrayed on The Mad Killer still made her weep inside, she didn't even know if she could trust her friends at that she had met throughout the time period since she had joined Leviathan. The feelings still lingered inside her sadly as she countinued to sit in her boat alone.

The other factor was rather simple. It could possibly be the fact that the air was getting cooler as she began to pass rather large ice caps. With every breath she could see the exhales that she made. Was she close? Who could tell, she didn't have her map that she had created earlier. Her body began to shake more so as the tempreratures countinued to drop.

Madi had finally arrived.

She Had Finally entered the Tundra.

((Next Post Shall Be Made In The Tundra of Guldor.))

58Vahn Fah

The vessel continued on sailing, the slow pitch of the yawn(??) heard, the water parting on either side as the sails took in all the air being blown against them, propelling the ship further along to the unknow... towards adventure.

It had grown quiet durring the passage of time. No one had appareltny realized that there were stowaways within the very cargo hold of the ship. Only the occasional rising sounds of hoarse laughter or the sounds of heavily booted feet could be heard coming from above, but never any nearing from within the hold itself. It seemed as if even the pirates themselves were avoiding the place.

On the top deck, the Captain remained, leaned against the railing as he calmly lit his pipe. The skies had been clear, but not steadily darkened, the farther along the vessel traveled, in its 'north by northwest' direction.

The three occupants however were not going to get the pleasent and bored trip they had been led into believing... as the vessel suddenly violently rocked to the side, and the ounds of rushing and running feet were heard above deck. The screams and yells echoed off, as the Captain began barking out orders left and right, the sound of gunfire as well as more scuffling feet heard.

A sickening lurch once more from the vessel, and the sound of splintering wood and broken beams, as a body literally came crashing through the hold's ceiling and sprawling in an awkward position onto the ground.

The pirates... marauders and dogs of the seas... were being beseiged.

59Kraun

With the sounds of splintering wood and heavy footfalls above deck, the swashbuckler's head quickly snapped up as he was suddenly wide awake. The slow trip was so boring and uneventful that he had almost fallen asleep, however no longer was that a possibility. With the action above deck complete with loud curses, it only excited the simple minded man.

Only now, this was an interesting predicament. Such eratic activity and sounds could clearly be acknowledged as some sort of fight going on, however, as exciting and interesting as it was, it only caused problems as to the goal. At sea, if one ship was to fire on another, it usually meant retaliation, and where were the group? Right in the lower decks which held all the cannons. Obviously, it wouldnt take too much time for the pirates to move into the hold and begin using the many cannons here and there in retaliation.

Now, Turriens continued to huddle in the corner behind the barrels, though he was peculiarly quiet, lost in his own head as he assessed the situation at the rate of a tortoise moving across land, just sitting there as he stroked his finely trimmed mustache and gotee in thought. He wanted to go look around, since he was curious, but if he was spot, what were the horrible consequences?

60Maximos

::Horrible! Terrible! This turn of events would be sure to send fear and panic into the hearts and souls of your average adventurers. And moreso, it was sure to scar the mind of a small child for sure!

Now thats were things started to get a bit strange...or perhaps just stranger "-er".

The sounds of combat soon filled the room. Rocking back and forth, violence, bloodshed! The body collapsed into the ground not even 3ft in front of this small boy. The shock was so powerful, that it caused the strap on the boys chest to slip, and the large object on his back to fall with a loud crash laying into the wood. The definite sound of fabric ripping was heard..

But the boy simply kept drawing...it was as if the combat around him hadnt phased him. Or perhaps it couldnt reach him, wherever his mind was at the moment. Whatever the cause, something caused the smile on his face to grow, every so slightly, revealing just a hit a glimmer of his pearly white teeth...::

61Vahn Fah

And just as suddenly as it had all begun, it abruptly halted.

Nothing but an eery silence, now took over the entire vessel, as it creaked along the water's surface, it's hull and sides seemingly intact. But the pirates... were not heard from at all. It would be safe to assume that they had been all wiped out, but by what?

Perhaps it would be prudent for a closer look...?

62Kraun

"I got it!" he blurted out rather loudly as he jumped up, breaking the dead silence of the ship. Smooth... real smooth.

Well, that was odd, especially as ecerything was quiet. It simply made the swashbuckler want to investigate, pulling at his curiosity as he placed his large plumed hat atop his head. "Well, lets go see what happened shall we?" he asked as he drew his rapier with a clean shwing sound out of its scabbard.

63Maximos

::Now THAT was interesting.

The deafening silence broke the child away from his drawing, just in time to see his captain begin to move forward. Now this little boy would never be one to simply leave someone else to have all the fun.

With one hand...he reached to the side and gripped the giant object which was once at his back, it ripped and scrapped against the wooden floors before he hopped it up, over his shoulder, and followed, simply holding it as if wieghed nothing at all.

And as he walked the torn bandages revealed tiny glimpses of what was inside the bandages, by showing tiny bits of shiny black "substance", inside. Very odd...very odd indeed.::

64Kanashimi Kurai

Amunet sighed. This could go very wrong. "Time to go Tarik..." She picked up the grey Mau and her bags before following behind the other two.

65Kraun

He walked up the wooden boards serving as stairs, his feet light and stealthy as he held his weapon at the ready. And as he neared the door, he listened for a moment, remaining quiet as to see if there was anything above deck. Without hearing anything, he had to decide what he was going to do. He could peek out subtly, or he can go barging right out. Well, if there was no one on the ship, there was no need for subtlety was there?

He pushed the door open as he hopped out of the dark, rapier flashing into motion as he looked around in his initial steps out of the hold.

66Maximos

::The young boy however did not share his captains careful reservation. Without much thought as the door was opened he ventured right in, without even a second thought, and simply began to wander around aimlessly. Of course with the huge object at his back scraping in the ground behind him, he was making quite the noise, and leaving quite the trail. But none of that mattered, he was curious, and he wanted to find answers.::

67Vahn Fah

(( Oh s**t, I so forget about this! Many apologies to you three!!))

The first thing to meet theirs eyes was the body of a pirate, being flung towards them in a very careless manner. The sort of manner in which the person throwing it could possibly not at all care for the condition of said body.

And as that body got closer and closer, if one was attentive enough, they would notice how numerous ridges, and small bumps started to spread out all over the flesh, before bursting and popping! The body literally would explode in their faces, spreading it's contents in a wide arc.

However, should the blood splatter be avoided, a better view of the ship's deck would find it littered with corpses. There were sounds of a dim commotion coming from the upmost top deck, where apparently a fight was still being put up.

It was none other than the Captain himself, attempting to fend off the attackers...

68Kanashimi Kurai

Amunet performed a simple side-step so that she was standing behind the fruity captain of their crew, thus using him as a human shield to keep from being splattered by remains. Once the splattering was done, she peeked out from behind the man to where the commotion was. Speaking as quietly as possible to the captain adventuring crew, she made a suggestion, "I suggest we go back to hiding... no matter who wins, this can only turn out bad if we're caught..."

69Kraun

In the second where the body would explode in a torrent of blood, Turriens would have his eyes close reflexively. Blood splattered all over him as his grin still plastered his face, even though his eyes were closed, his body frozen in the sudden shock of the situation for a moment.

"EEEWWWW....." he whined as he spat blod out of his mouth and wiped a bunch of the viscous substance off his face as the rest dripped off the tip of his sash and the ends of his coat.

Kanashimi Kurai Wrote:

"I suggest we go back to hiding... no matter who wins, this can only turn out bad if we're caught..."

"NEVER!" he cried out to the skies in protest, head thrown back with his arms at his sides, fists balled up. Nobody gets his clothes this drity and gets away with it. "If you must fair maiden, then do so, I have things to attend to!" He declaired as he charged up the steps towards a higher tier where the fighting seemed to be happening, his fine elven rapier flashing in mute fury, "BLARGH!"

70Maximos

:: Oh...this was bad. Blood and guts hit the small child dead on. His small body wasnt spared a bit of the gorey view. His face, his new clothes were all stained. He tripped with human sewage...and he was smiling.

His grip on the huge bandaged "paddle like" tightened, one could even hear the sound of wet, blood hands, grinding around the material which covered the object. His smile showed just the smallest portion of his purly with teeth, but even from a distance something about them seemed "off". Something about his reaction in general seemed off.

A child should be scared, scarred, and panicked. Why was this child grinning? Why was he marching off toward the sounds of battle as opposed to away?! He gave no answers, no more answers than his name would have given, if anyone had asked. Like a darkest mystery he marched forward with a look of joyous intent in his eyes as he made his way toward the battle, without a word to anyone.::

71User 367130

Silver leaned up against the side of the ship, his breath crystalizing in the frigid air. He had to keep a sharp eye out twenty-four/seven for the last few days. He had to be sure that he didn't collide with any of the ice or his expedition would be over. A northern wind started to pick up, and he wandered over to switch the newly modifed sails from ether mode to their normal function. He leaned back up agianst the ships wall, and rested his eyes for a moment, as he was exuasted from channeling the ether currents into the sails.

Modifying these sails to function in dual planes of existance was sheer genius on my part. If I hadn't, i'd probably still be in Gambino at the moment.

---fourty five minutes later later---

Silver wandered around deck for a bit. He looked around him once more. Ocean to the north, ocean to the south, ocean to the east, and (of course) ocean to the west. He sighed and walked towards the helm. He turned back to the north, and he saw a small bit of white in the distance.

Is that an Iceburg?

The figure, however, didn't stop getting any bigger. In fact, started getting larger and larger, and the object came more into focus. Revealing a shimmering landscape against an apparantly barren tundra, Silver had finally reached Guldor.

Feeling his energy restored, and ignoring the cold, he grinned and sailed straight towards the mainland. Using his magic to break apart the ice in his way, he swiftly sailed towards the frozen shores.

72Vahn Fah

(( Yeesh, seem's like this month's theme is undead! smilies/icon_sweatdrop.gif ))

Their was a sickening lurch, as something wet exploded outwards, and sprayed the top deck. The sounds of battle had ceased, all was quiet, but for the lull of the ship rocking back and forth along the waves.

It should be noted, that even through all this, the ship itself was undamaged, and it continued sailing onward to it's destination.

However the trio now faced a serious threat, perhaps the first of many to come...

Laknes they were known as, and a traditional servant of the undead were they classed as. Their legs are badly atrophied, so they walk very slowly. To counter this, they can legthen their arms at will. Fear of light usually confines them to appear at night or days of heavily overcast.

The same type of overcast that had been slowly brewing, as the vessel sailed into a darkening storm.

Human flesh was their primary diet, obviously. Laknes are not very intelligent, but possess a powerful natural ferocity.

Four in number, they turned, catching scent of the stowaways... and they cried out in unison.

73Vahn Fah

Caravel (Sailing Ship)

The caravel is a seaworthy, nimble ship that can handle long ocean crossings. It has a small forecastle and sterncastle, and three masts. A caravel is a smooth-hulled, full-decked vessel built on a strong internal frame. It is a relatively advanced design, and not every seafaring people have the skills and knowledge to build one.

This caravel is a typical example of the type, although the internal arrangement can vary greatly from ship to ship. Its notable features include:

  1. Quarterdeck: The quarterdeck is a raised, open deck at the stern. The ship's wheel is here, along with a small davit for a ship's boat.
  1. Foc's'le Deck: This is a raised, open deck atop the forecastle. The caravel mounts a ballista here; the weapon can't fire straight ahead because of the foremast. On the starboard side is the hawsepipe and tackle for the ship's anchor.
  1. Master's Cabin: The largest and most comfortable cabin on the ship is still quite cramped by most standards.
  1. Wardroom: The captain, officers, and passengers take their meals here. This room also serves as a drawing room or parlor for the officers and passengers.
  1. Main Deck: This open deck features a catapult and two large companionways that descend to the lower deck. The catapult can be fired only to the broadside; it can't train forward or aft (a typical problem with large weapons mounted on small, cluttered ships). The companionways serve as both stairways (ladders, in nautical parlance) and cargo hatches. Chicken coops and pens for goats, lambs, or other small livestock often take up any available space left on the deck.
  1. Forecastle: Most of the ship's crew sleeps here, although in good weather many crewmembers prefer to sleep on the open decks. The forecastle holds a dozen cramped bunks.
  1. Galley: The ship's galley is in the forward part of the lower deck. It has a small stove and shelving for all kinds of foodstuffs. The ship's cook and his assistant(s) sleep here.
  1. Chain Locker: The ship's anchor chain is stored here. It passes through the hawsepipe in the forecastle up to the foc's'le deck.
  1. Lower Deck: This space serves as the first of the caravel's cargo holds, as well as the crew's mess deck. Crewmembers take their meals sitting on whatever cargo is convenient. If the ship is heavily laden, this deck might be covered to within a foot of the overhead, leaving only a single fore-and-aft passage between the crates, casks, and bundles.
  1. Officer's Cabins: These tiny cabins are the private rooms of the ship's officers. Paying passengers usually bump an officer from his or her cabin to the forecastle.
  1. Ship's Office: All the ship's paperwork is kept here, including cargo manifests, pay records, and the ship's paychest (usually in a sturdy, locked chest).
  1. Sail Locker: Spare sails, canvas, and sewing gear is stored here, as well as plenty of lines, hawsers, firewood, and heavy tools.
  1. Lower Hold: Most of the ship's cargo is stowed here, as well as provisions (including as many casks of fresh water as will fit). Beneath this lower hold lies a small crawlspace where heavy ballast stones help to stabilize the ship.

74Kanashimi Kurai

Amunet was not happy, nor was Tarik. The horrible shrieking sound of the undead sent shivers down the spines of the two companions. 'This can not be good...' Amunet thought to herself.

The young dancer was not a coward, but she was not a fighter either. She had no skills in the art of combat and none of her bardic magic would have any effect on the undead monsters. She made a mental note that if she lived, she would learn some dances and songs that would help should she ever run into undead monsters again.

"Uhh... right... I'll just uhh... look for a weapon..." And that's just what Amunet did, she turned and carrying her cat and bags, headed back in the direction they had come from in search of something that could be used as a weapon.

75Kraun

Being the coward that he is, Turriens would have turned around and run so fast, that you wouldn't even be able to say 'so fast'. However, now he was in some sort of blood frenzy, not in the way as one would be looking to spill blood, but at the sign of blood dirtying his clothes.

Undaunted, he drew his parrying dagger from his lower back, normally hidden beneath the long jacket he wore, and ran towards the closest on of the monsters, aiming to stab it in the face with his rapier.

76Maximos

::Have you ever looked in the eyes of an addict, when he's placed face to face with his addiction? The desperation in there eyes, the balmy and shaky hands, sweaty brow, the look anticipation on their face as if they cannot wait to sink into this and how they pray somewhere deep in their mind that this will never end.

Like a war drum his feet slammed into the ground and launched his body forward. His right arm gripped the slender staff of the 6ft monstrosity on his back and swung it forward letting his left arm grab on just below it at about half way through the swing. This "thing" this "object" as tightly bandaged as it was, was now a weapon. It swung at the first undeads mid section with the ferocity of some sort of demon. Of some sort of beast...150lb pounds of blunt wieght aiming to crush whatever stood in its path. A little child shouldnt even have been able to lift this thing, but he wielded it like a full grown man.

Hit, Miss, attack, defend, he didnt care. Using the wieght from his first slash, and the momentum from his run, he swung the "object" around in a wide 360 using his body as the pivot, the 360 soon become a 720, as his body swung in three wicked rotations with each rotation moving every forward like a sort of wicked top slashing wide and wicked and stepping a full step farther inward with every swing.

After two rotations the objects wieght was starting to get to him, in its final swing it swung somewhat low. He really couldnt be sure how many undead were left alive, but you could be sure he didnt care. His legs kicked downwards launching his body up and flipping the "object" around his back again to bring the thing straight down with a horrendous crush on the nearest moving thing with two legs and two arms.

And while it would all pass very quickly, instead of hearing the usual sounds of grunting and what not in battle...he laughed, the type of laugh you might hear a child make when he slides down the slide at a park. Or swings on a swing. A laugh that all together did not fit the moment.::

77Vahn Fah

Splat, Splat-- boom boom.

All four were taken down with relatively little effort, and didn't do much else, except from explode-- much in the same fashion as the other body had.

By now, someone was going to have to consider taking a bath.

The vessel continued sailing onwards, moving right thick into the strom that was a-brewing. And anyone that knows anything about the seas, is that it can be as unpredictable as a ninja.

The thunder cracks, overhead, as well as the torrents of rain that started up were evidence enough of this... however, there was a larger problem at hand, other than the 6 Laknes that emerged from the flooring of the vessel, yes emerged from the floor itself, as if formed out of the ground.

The ship was without it's pilot, and as such it would be carried by the wind and waves, and as it was-- if this were to be allowed to continue, they would steer severely off course.

Now, fighting was one thing-- but did anyone one of them actually have the skill for piloting a ship succesfully out of the thunderstorm and high winds that threatened to capsize any of it's remaining crew?

Harsh waves crashed against the sides of the ship, again and again-- even as the Laknes approached, arms stretching outwards with bloody claws.

Amunet would have problems of her own, as she decided to head back to where they had been holed up originally. Unfortunately a Laknes had gotten himself into the hold, through the hole in the ceiling....what would she do....?

One thing was for certain...all this was much too much to be just a coicidence...

78Kraun

Vahn Kyonuske Wrote:

Now, fighting was one thing-- but did anyone one of them actually have the skill for piloting a ship succesfully out of the thunderstorm and high winds that threatened to capsize any of it's remaining crew?

The answer was 'No'. However, that wouldnt stop the fruity swashbuckler. Drenched in blood, he scurried up the quarterdeck and took hold of the wheel, sheathing his weapon as he wildly turned the wheel as to avoid veer away from the storm, planning on going around it or something, the thought that they were going off course never crossing his simple mind as the viscous liquid washed away like a red river in thick streams. He even had to take one hand away from the wheel to hold his overly large plumed hat atop his head, mad excitement in his eyes.

79Kanashimi Kurai

A weapon. She needed a weapon, something to defend herself. Where could she find a wea... pon... Oh s**t. One of those dead things was in the hold. 'Think quick. What do I do?' Amunet looked around frantically in search of something, anything that could be used as a weapon. She reached out her hands, fumbling, reaching for anything in the darkness that might help her and her hands came upon...... a flask! Amunet pulled the flask to her and looked down at it. The first thought that went through her head was,

80Alexander Leviathan

Alex sits atop the Great Wall of Gambino, looking out over the Sea of Gambino and D�rem Ocean. The waters were beginning to russle up at the approaching storm that can be seen along the horizon. A light wind catched hold of his cloak and causes it to flail from it's grip, to and fro around Alexander's body and the young man continues his gaze out over the ocean

81Maximos

::The large blunt and bandaged object the child had been wielding had impacted the wooden floor of this deck with horrifying wieght. The friction was enough to cause quite a few tears in the bandages, enough tears in fact for it fall apart if given the smallest prevocation.

The boy himself stood huddled over the large object in front of him. His shoulders and back shook as he laughed a most hysterical laughter. It was like a child who absolutely loved the game he was playing...perhaps too much.

Slowly the nearly insane laughter faded and only a smile remained. A smile from blood soaked ear, to blood soaked ear. The teeth he had tried to so hard to hide, were now fully revealed. Each tooth was a purest white as if they had never ever been stained in all his life, and each tooth came to a sharp point, his incissors coming to an even farther point. His mouth was a row of fangs, from one side to the other.

He heard the familiar shuffling of elongated hands and weary feet. He began to chuckle as he pulled the large object upwards. The bits of bandage which were caught on splintered wood very easily began to tear revealing what the object truly was, which by now was a secret to no one. It was a sword. A 5ft long and 5inch wide ebony blade. It didnt glisten in the light but seemed to absorb it into a dull hue.

Slowly the child turned around to face his new playmates. His eyes...those eyes were not as human as they seemed just a moment ago. His entire eye, pupil, cornea and even the white of his eye had blurred together on solid pool of black. Both of his eyes were entirely black and they stared down the oncoming Laknes. It was like he was savoring the moment for just a second longer before he lauched himself off the ground yet again and straight towards the beast. With seemingly no regard for his safety or anyone elses his sword simply away. At first he made a diagonal cut from the lower left to the upper right, using that momentum he jerked himself around in a 360, and jumped up again to slash down, then using the downed sword as a pivot he flipped over it and slashed the sword straight vertical yet again. And seemingly zero thought for himself, he swung the sword with reckless abandon. And he would likely continue as such until something stopped him, or his target stopped squishing.::

82Vahn Fah

((For those of you seeking to mellow out and slip into the mood, tonight's soundtrack is: "Ship of Fools" by Kajiura Yuki, for the Tsubasa Chronicle Original Soundtrack.

Enjoy.))

The creature was sundered, splitting apart almost effortlessly, before the boy's blade. Again and again, and again-- the slicing, the slicing, it was almost unreal that a mere child could attain such skill with a blade.

However! These enemies were not to be taken lightly. The remains splattered across the deck, the various body parts, all began slipping and pooling into one single point. Using the dismembered body parts, everything was forming into a singular whole.

A pretty common technique amongst undead. So ti should come to no surprise when an entirely new, and fairly large being came into existence.

With a screeching roar, it was slowly coming into being.... Sargasso.

The ship lurched violently to the side, as the man at the helm spun the wheel, in a most obvious direction to avoid the storm.

However, the winds had already picked up too strongly. They wouldn't exactly be in the middle of the storm, but they would very well still pass within it.

As the ship lurched, so to did the remaining people on board... which meant that the boy would have likely lost his footing, if not just momentarily.

It was at that exact moment that the Sargasso would assault with tendrils en masse, to wrap and constrict the boy's movements.

The Laknes within the hold stared at the female momentarily, before lurching out, and shooting both arms forward. It's arms hyperextended-- only to get smashed to the floor, as several crates and barrels loosened, because of the violent turn the ship had made.

The next few moments, loud crashes and splintering wood would be heard coming from the hold....

83Kraun

Luckily the boy was doing all the fighting, especially since the flamboyant swashbuckler was busy attempting to steer the vessel to the best of his ability. But by the time everything was killed, it seemed that avoiding the storm wouldnt work as the storm would come to them, kind of as if they were moving too slow towards it, or it knew they were trying to get away from it.

Now, as the ship began to lurch and his footing failed on the wet boards, he would do the only thing he really can, steer it in the same direction as the wind while holding onto the wheel in a deathlike grip, so that it wouldnt be blown all wonky this way and that or even capsize, all the while sliding around the area like as if it was a skating ring. In the moment he turned the wheel with both hands, his large hat would be blown off his head, and a second later, one hand would snag it out of the sky and secure it back onto his head tightly as he corrected his footing.

He didnt notice it before, but by the time he fixed the problem in his immediate area, he saw it. The monstrosity which towered on the deck. He grabbed whatever seemed to be handy at the time and threw it at the monster with a short aggressive cry, "RRAH!"; which just so happened to be one of his three throwing knives. However, from a spectator's standpoint, that didnt seem like much, especially in this weather and against something as big as that.

84Kanashimi Kurai

Amunet watched as the crates and barrels crashed down on top of the Laknes and she heard the creaking and groaning of the crates and barrels around her as they started to move as well. Pure instinct made Amunet drop to the floor and curl her body around her smaller companion as she covered her head and neck with her arms and hands. The cargo came crashing down on top of her and around her. There was a groan as the first heavy crate struck her and then the only thing that could be heard was the rest of the falling cargo.

85Maximos

::You know, thats the biggest problem with big weapons, they're so hard to balance. Especially when your shorter than your weapon by a couple of feet.

Theres was no hope of staying on his feet. He slipped right back, and like a person who was truly not paying attention to what he was doing, he released the Sword out of his grip before falling straight back and conking his head into the ground behind and under him, his teeth gritted and his eyes squinted. At this moment we pause in time and rewind a bit, we'll be right back.

Have you ever seen water tossed out of a bucket? You pull the bucket back so fast the water just flies out. Thats pretty much exactly what happened here as the boy let go of the sword. Out of his eyes, his face, his finger tips came "water", it was like a thin black viscous liquid which flew out of the boy and into the sword, even the boys own shadow vanished. And heres the cincher...the sword, with no one grabbing it...did not fall. No it did not. What it did do however was take a defensive position in front of the boy as the Sargasso let rip its attack.

Now granted, the creature wasnt launching a single attack, but many, and this sword wasnt many swords, but one, but it was big enough to act as sort of a temporary shield in front of the boys small frame. Big Shield, Small boy. But what it did next definitely ranks pretty high on the "strange" tiers. The moment first mass of tentacles struck the sword...it shattered.

Yes, as if it was made of glass it shattered. It would seem for a moment that this was a horrible thing but if one took a closer look at the shattered pieces they might notice something very odd. Almost each "shattered" piece was exactly the same size as the last. Each was about 2inchs long, half an inch wide, and a milimeter thick, like a razor blade. Now you can imagine how many of these shards must have come out of a jet black blade that stood 5ft tall and 5inches wide, as well as 2.5inchs thick....alot. And they were sharp on all edges. Very very sharp, just like brand new razor blades.

The shattered blades didnt simply fall as one might expect them grew close to each other, like a set of bees after their nest had been disturbed and then they attacked with a very large number.

Their first priorities were the tendrils and tentancles, in an attempt to limit its long range attack ability, next the feet, and the eyes. They moved as one unit, not like a sword but rather like a 2 synchronized clouds. The first whizzing past the Sargasso, slicing and gashing off as many pieces as it could, some razors moving touching each other to try and form a large blade and cut large pieces. The second cloud attacked those fallen pieces aiming to chop them into several smaller pieces. A seemingly well thought out strategy for a inept child.

Now lets go fast forward to our fallen child. The boy's head knocked against the floor with a unhealthy clunk, and the Hilt of his shattered weapon flopped onto his chest. His eyes slowly opened revealing themselves to be back to normal, but it seemed for the moment the impact had rendered him a bit woosy. His head was rolled back and forth along the floor as he tried to regain his bearings and his sight. Whilst his hands felt his legs and arms to make sure everything was still attached. And all while wondering where his big sword went.

At the moment he was completely unaware of the storm of shards that was marauding the Sargasso. And for the some reason it seemed the shards meant to keep it that way.::

86Vahn Fah

(( :cruises on through, while doing the robot: smilies/icon_cool.gif ))

The waves trashed and foamed against the deck, causing a fine spray of seawtaer to rain down upon the remaining "Crew". The hazards of the ship were going to become more and more apparent, as flooring would not be so secure, loose cargo would be rolling to and fro, as well as the dead bodies.

Whatever didn't get washed away and into the sea, could be definitely seen rolling about, every which way.

The Sargasso let out a behemoth of a wail, as it found one it's large eyes, punctured by....a throwing knife?

The momentary moment it took to cry out, was when the boy's "thousand blades" technique began hacking away at it's tendrils, en masse.

Enraged, it brought it's remaining stump of an arm forward, aiming to smash it right atop the boy, while aiming to fend off the"blades" with it's other arm, finding itself quickly getting cut down.

By the time it would get anywhere near the boy of course, perhaps nothing would be left of it?

87Kraun

Well, luck always did follow the weird swashbuckler around, no matter if it was good or bad. And here would be a demonstration of good luck, as his random throw seemed to do something to the large creature. He would have congradulated himself then and there if he wasnt suddenly distracted by a great gust of wind which almost took his hat off his head if he hadn't placed an arm over it to keep it secure.

However, in the wake of his good luck, it was certainly always followed by bad luck. Something slid along the deck and hit him in the shin, as as he cried out with a whiney "OOOWWWW...", his grip on the wheel slipped and he fell across the deck as the rush of sea water pushed him towards the railing, which he of course hit and held on tightly so that he wouldnt be thrown overboard.

Now, with no-one at the wheel, who was going to control the large vessel?

88Akemi Mercuraki

"This is the Avalon class AESS. Akaila preparing for launch prepare Angelan Tech Aerial Battleship Engine Prepare to set coarse for Mercuraki Corp Headquarters.

Preparing Angelan Tech Aerial Battleship Engine!!

Angelan Aerial BattleShip Engine ready!! Now take us out of here then cloak the base!!" A woman in a uniform said.

"Yes Mam!!" said one the helmsmen.

((To be continued..))

89Maximos

::Maybe? But no one could be sure.

The boy was trying to desperately to stand, and get a clear enough visage of what was making all that noise. But his eyes were still foggy from the heavy hit. He managed to work his way to his feet, but the violent rock of the boat knocked him straight back and onto his back as the heavy wad of undead flesh slammed into the spot he was standing at just second ago.

Seeing the creature fallen, the tiny blades moved with lightning speed back to wence they came. Hearing the loud clank of the swords hilt hitting the floor the boy had grabbed the hilt and was beginning to lift it as the pieces began flying back into place, first forming the outer rim, and then the inner, and just barely re-completely construction as the boy leaned the weapon forward and used it as a crutch to gain his balance.

His eyes finally cleared as he shook his head back and forth to set his marbles straight, and he took in an eye full of dead...dead. Glee covered his face! A bright smile as he thrust his big sword into the air and shouted to all that cared.::

I did'd it!

90Vincent of the Fire

Off in a particular part of the sea, where no one cared to be at that given moment, there was a boy, enjoying himself pointlessly. Sure, people were near, and the boy knew this as he heard someone screaming something about doing something. Not that he payed it any mind, nor would the other be inclined in any way to notice this boy.

Soft brown hair fell into his eyes as he stared blankly into the mists of the sea with his eyes of a soft blue hue. His slightly tanned skinned sparkled a bit with the liquid that had formed on his skin, while he managed to seem perfectly serene. The mood was set as his fragile form stayed motionless, save for his lips which vaguely moved back and forth over a harmonica, held in place by both hands. The only thing shielding him and the prying eyes of no one was a pair of shorts, and some sandals.

The music made the scene all the more relaxing and carefree, matching skills with that of mozart, or bach, or even Elwood Blues. It came as a sound that was often played out in the games which had you scuttle accross a beach, much like those squaresoft games everyone fanboyed and fangirled over. He seemed to be enjoying it, to the point that he didn't notice that the sail of his rather small boat had ripped, and that he was drifting this way and that aimlessly. Either he rather enjoyed himself, or he didn't seem to care what happened to him.

It seemed that the creatures abound and about did not cae to bother the boy, for whatever odd reason. In fact, it seemed the wind itself sat deftly still near him. of course, it was merely a vague area, making the waves soft and Serene around him, despite the large waves this around him. Of course, the waves weren't all that big to begin with, so there was no particularly strong attempt to stop them.

All in all, he seemed to be in his own little world, staring off into nothingness, playing soft music that matched the greats, enjoying his life as it was.

91Vahn Fah

Maximos Wrote:

I did'd it!

KRAKOOOM!

And that's when the sickening crack was heard, as well the steady lurching sound that one would hear when perhaps something like a tree steadily began it's descent to the ground.

The main mast had been struck with a bolt of lightning apparently, starting a spark of flames, as well as severing the mast in half, bringing sails and ropes tumbling down.

With no one at the wheel, the ship began to lurch lopsided, the waves crashing it further and further.

Should anyone have been staring out, past the foaming spray of seawater, they would see shadowed masses of rock, and spiking slabs of earth.... whicht he ship was headed directly for.

And without further notice, the pirate vessel slammed into the Pirate's Tunnel.

92Kanashimi Kurai

"Hnnn..." Amunet groaned as she pushed herself up off the floor, splintered wood sliding off her back. "Tarik? Tarik, are you alright?"

"I'm fine... though you don't smell too good... I can smell your blood..." The cat was fine, unharmed thanks to Amunet.

Amunet was indeed bleeding from several small scratches on her hands, arms, and back. Other than that, she was in decent shape. "That thing... is it still alive... or as alive as dead things can be?"

93Kraun

With a violent lurch, and a heavy spray of seawater to his face, the swashbucker instinctively went to protect his hat, which was already in pretty bad shape due to the storm. And as he did so, his grip slipped and he was tossed across the deck and sent flying down the stairs, bumping his head and leaving an unconscious body to be swept around the deck like driftwood by the washing currents which ran along the deck from one side to the other.

94Maximos

Gah!!

::Back he fell and onto his rump at which point he began tumbling back like a barrel rolled onto its side, there was no rhyme or reason to his tumbling he just rode the topsy turvy vessel, and somehow his sword managed to slide with the ship to remain near him.

After a while his "whoooaa!"'s, and "Aaaaah!"'s, were replaced with laughter as he started to enjoy the crazy ride wherever they were going.::

95Lucind Varhetel

Lucind Wrote:

Before going on board Lucind had a few words with Hul, thanking him for his guidance and also for the patience - it was easy to tell he couldn't get along with Kraun, or his aura, to be precise.

"I hope we'll see us again. You're always a welcome guest at Feimurgan^^ "

A bit later she watched the port growing smaller while the yacht sailed along the coast.

With her nose reddened by the cool wind she stared at the mainland and absently hummend some melody.

"Ah...by the way,"the woman addressed the monk who stood next to her without turning her head,"if you have any questions you can simply ask me. Can't guarantee that I'll always have an answer, but I'd do my best."

She smiled and listened to the gulls' crying.

Kraun Wrote:

Hul waved them goodbye as he stood at port, making a note to visit sometime before he turned away to enter an inn.

Kraun stood there looking across the waters like a statue, with a basket of wines in hand. Dressed in the same black robes the entire time, it would have seemed out of place that he was going on a picnic dressed in such dark garb with a basket in his arms. He listened to the woman talk, offering her help, and he felt like he should have said something. "Thank you." he replied softly.

Lucind Wrote:

She went under deck to bring the basket and her backpack into the bunk and had some of the food she'd taken with her from the monastery: smoked fish, cream cheese with herbs and bread. While eating it occured to her if Kraun wasn't hungry at all for he didn't ask for anything during her travel. Therefore she offered to share what she had.

Some time later she told him she wanted to find a nice place on deck for some hours to enjoy the night on the sea. She left it up to him to accompany her or stay in the bunk.

The Half-Siren took a woollen blanket from the bed and walked upstairs into the dark.

Near the mast she found a low trunk in which ropes where stored and made herself comfortable on it.

Kraun Wrote:

He did not eat anything that was offered. In fact, he pretty much never ate at all.

Accompanying the woman up the deck, he stopped at the railing to look across the dark waves as she made herself comfortable. "Where are we going?" he asked quietly as he removed the mask from his face, though the hood remained.

Lucind Wrote:

Lucind pulled her knees towards her chest and leaned back at the wall behind her.

"To Latent. It's where I have my store."

She added some common facts about the coastal town.

"Next to Latent, behind the so called Forbidden Forrest they're rebuilding the Leviathan stadium."

She found a hair band in her coat's pocket and tied her tousled strands.

"Hmm, maybe we should find an alternative to your mask. At least when you're walking in the town's streets. I fear people are scared of it."

Kraun Wrote:

"Why?" he asked. It was a rather plain mask. All black but for two horizontal slits where the eyes would be found, and in the outer corner of each, a single red tear shaped design. If anything the people would be scared of, it would be those acursed eyes of his.

Lucind Wrote:

"People are afraid of what they can't see. And dark things. Of course, if they met your eyes they most likely would prefer the mask."

She knit her brows. "I wonder why it is your eyes have this effect. - Is it differently when looking through your mask and directly into someone's face? I mean, do you feel something changing then?"

Kraun Wrote:

"No." As far as he knew, it wasnt when he looked at people, but when people looked at him. It was a sort of primal fear that is instilled within a person when they looked into his eyes. But for him, that was different, his vision was not normal in any sense. They never focussed and looked through everything because of what he saw.

From his field of vision, he saw everything. From his immediate surrounding environment to distant planes od existance, he saw it all. And as such, his eyes did not focus on one thing, there was simply too much to focus on. Even when he closed his eyes, he still saw; through his eyelids. For anyone else, just to see what he sees would simply drive them mad.

96Lucind Varhetel

Of course, Lucind didn't know and would never guess he had this extraordinary, weird vision, still her thoughts went something along these lines for the most remarkable fact was the lack of focus his eyes showed.

"Strange thing indeed,"she murmured. "It felt similar to a forced soul dive...kinda."

"Can you 'see' or feel a person's soul? Because it seemed you weren't really looking at me, back in the wood."

97Kraun

"Yes." he could see them as clearly as any physical body, as it existed on a seperate plane, but still existant. In his vision, it was all mixed together from the living to spirits. Unhindered by the limitations of any form of normal vision such as light.

98Lucind Varhetel

She worked on her lower lip with index finger and thumb, staring at the monk's back, then out into the dark where the waves roared and gurgled along the hull.

After a few minutes of silence she asked:

"Who are you? ...or what?"

Amazement and confusion resonated in her voice. And a touch of concern.

99Kraun

Tucking the mask into the long sleeves of the thick black robes, he gazed down the side of the yacht and watched the ripples of water spread away as the boat cut through the water.

"I am a servant of a god." the monk replied simplistically, "Io created me." Though his answer was relatively vague, leaving out a lot of information, it did reveal one thing; He was not 'natural'.

As he finished speaking, he turned his head slightly to the side as a single eye, hidden by the shadows cast by the hood over his head, would peer over his shoulder at Lucind.

Indeed, he was created by a higher power, made for a specific purpose. But that was another story altogether, a history long lost in the passing of time that he didnt even know of.

But that hardly even mattered, as in all essence, he was but one thing.

A monster.

100Lucind Varhetel

"Ah..."

The blue haired woman looked at him but the darkness prevent any real eye contact. Enough questions from my side for tonight, she thought.

His last information somehow matched the previous pieces of the jigsaw puzzle which built his existence and identity.

The boat's rocking slowly made her sleepy and she nuzzled deeper into the blanket.

She woke with a slight start when her head rolled to one side and only then Lucind realized she'd dozed off.

101Kraun

The whole time that the woman dozed, he never moved from his position standing at the railing, watching her with one eye. When she awoke with a start at the rocking of the boat which caused the body to jolt around, he spoke. "You should go get some sleep."

Though he himself did not sleep, it didnt mean that he didnt know that others had a need for rest and that he also knew that was what a bed was for, seeing many enough in the monastery.

He turned to once again look into the distance as he placed the mask back onto his face. And then he fell as silent and still as a stone gargoyle which guards a castle's walls.

102Lucind Varhetel

She rubbed her shoulder and yawned, then stood up and crumpled the blanket in her arms.

"Guess you're right." She watched his dark frame in front of her and first wanted to ask if he wasn't sleepy. But by now she'd actually figured out he most likely didn't need sleep as well as food.

"I see you later then."

It didn't take her long to drift back to sleep once she found her bed.

And it was a gently awaking with all those typical sea-sounds outside. She couldn't tell how late it was by the dim light inside the bunk. So she just lay there until her mind worked clearly.

103Kraun

The cry of seagulls could be heard as the yacht pulled into the docks of latent early in the morning, having drifted there rather placidly throughout the night. And for the entire time, the monk stood in the same spot, as if he was sleeping standing up, in the same place the whole time, only that was not the case.

As they pulled into the docks, Kraun would turn away from the railing and head down below deck to tell Lucind that they have made it to port in his usual soft and quiet voice.

104Vahn Fah

A crazy ride indeed, that would have brough thteir entire vessel, or what remained of it, crashing into the rocks and shorn up shore that made up the Pirate's tunnel. Wood splintered, bodies went flying, and the spray of seawater stung those it touched, as if the very waters were refusing to take them in.

The vessel would have ended up somewhere near the very "mouth" of the tunnel, nothing but darkness stretching on for miles on end. Decorating the small island that made up the tunnel, were nearly a hundred similar ships, both modern and vintage, all sharing the same fate: smashed upon the shore.

It was like a broken ship yard....and the wind that carried through was foul enough to ensure that the seagulls or any other life stayed away. Except of course, for the crows.

Dozens of black crows that circled and cawed issinsantly.

However, in their zeal to secure safety, would both stalwart adventurers even notice that their female companion was nowhere to be seen, let alone around for quite a while?

Mysterious and mysterious indeed....as should she rouse herself from a long sleep, she would feel nothing but softness and comfort all around her body, as well as a silken sheet of the most pleasurable cloth imaginable wrapping her body....

105Kanashimi Kurai

Amunet stirred as she felt herself floating up out of the darkness of sleep. Was she dead? Things seemed different than she thought they would be. She expected to find herself in great misery and pain, but as she started to regain consciousness, she found that she felt comfortable. Was that silk she felt wrapped around her body?

Slowly, her eyes fluttered open and she sat up, holding her head for a moment before looking around. She was on a bed, her clothes were gone, and she was wrapped in a silken sheet. Tarik and her things where nowhere to be seen and that's when she started to feel panic creep into her. Where was her beloved feline companion? He never left her side. "Tarik! Tarik?!?!"

106Maximos

::Unfortunately, adventurous as the young boy was he was not by any definition chivalrous. And after the great fun of rough housing with that giant monster, immediately followed by one of the greatest rides he's ever been on...he really didnt even remember her promise of a shiny when they land.

And while the ships "docking" experience might be more accurately described as "crashing" the light little boy most definately "landed"...on his rump.

He was having such a jolly time rolling around and playing Barrel that as the ship came to a sudden stop his "barrel"-ing body flew right off and into the air, again eerily followed by that sword which managed to flip with him. Strangely in mid air the sword managed to hook onto his clothing, and with its heavy wieght gravity took it and the child straight down letting it impale into the shore soon followed by the boys buttocks, and a stout...::

Oomph!

::He let a slight grown as he jerked himself upwards tearing out a bit of the tail of his jacket which was caught under the sword, and rubbing his soar rump, it had taken quite the beating.

Then with a heavy jerk he free'd his jumbo sword and made his way deeper into the shore. There so much wreckage...this entire place was in shambles...it brought a wide smirk to his face. Wreckage was funny. But without any people this place was boring. Really boring. Even though he had only been here a little over a minute.

About then a brilliant idea came to him! He could just call for some people! Afterall funny hat man said this is the place where the shinies where and there were no shinies in sight. And so he took a depth breath in and shouted as loud as a little kid about 6 or 7 could shout.::

HEWWO!! IS ANYBODY OUT THERWE?!

107Kraun

"Ughhh...." the swashbuckler moaned as his eyes opened into small slits, glaring up to the world above, his head lolling from one side to the other as the waves rocked the crashed ship. His brain throbbed in his skull, pounding like a blacksmith's hammer and anvil. It was sort of like having a hangover. A hangover. A hangover...

He watched as his stomach was emptied off the side of the railing of the ruined ship, the impossible amount of seawater he had seemed to swallowed draining from his body as tears stung his eyes and his innards wrung together. He groaned again as he rolled over and sat up against the railing, slowing down his unsteady panting breathes.

Where was his hat? He winced as he wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve and searched the deck for his large plumed hat. And it didnt take long for him to find it, only the plume was now very mangled looking, almost a bare stem with smidgeons of fluff still attached, though all gangly looking as they were soaked. Grumbling, he plopped the hat onto his head as he scrambled down below deck and found his way out of a rather large hole that was smashed into the hull of the vessel by the jagged rocks.

Making his way through the shallow water and onto the shore, Turriens--

Maximos Wrote:

HEWWO!! IS ANYBODY OUT THERWE?!

-- felt his ears ring at the shrill sound of a child shouting. Moving as quickly as he could, though very unevenly, he wandered over to the boy to get him to quiet down. "Oi, a little quieter please." he said as he rubbed his temples with his left thumb and index finger.

108Vahn Fah

Ahead of them, loomed the foreboding jagged rocks and peices of wreckage that decorated the Pirate's Tunnel. There was no buildings, no obvious man-made places in sight.

Should they decided to do some exploring about the entire area, they would find still nothing.

However, one thing was noticeable, and not that far from their current position.

A shorn out cave, with gaping maws of some rock hewn beast...that only offered darkness, and the flickering of distant torch lights.

Of all things, there was a tunnel....at the Pirate's Tunnel. Go figure.

Should this suspicious looking entrance be approached, they would find the opening of the tunnel was supported by slender pillars. These pillars are only a foot or two across, so anything standing behind the pillar wouldn't really be hidden.

Stabbed into one of the pillars, lay the decaying and whitening remains of a skeleton, complete with a large feathered hat. A interesting rapier, it's cup guard embossed with shining diamons and rubies, was impaled into the chest cavity of the skeleton. Hewn into the archway of the tunnel, were the words: P RAT T N EL.

Apparently most of the other words were worn away or chipped; lost to time itself.

Surrounding the walls of the cave were hewn out of stone. The rough surface of a hewn wall frequently provides minuscule ledges where fungus grows and fissures where vermin, bats, and subterranean snakes live. Rough and uneven, the hewn floor was covered with loose stones, gravel, dirt, or other debris. It would prove difficult to run or charge across such a floor.

Elsewhere.....

Upon her awakening, and her cries, nary a single sound would be uttered. Not even a mouse. She seemed to be alone..but now awake, she would be able to better examine her surroundings.

She lay upon an extravagant four poster bed, the caopy of which was a soft sheen of silk. Around her, was complete darkness, save for the four wall mounted candles that ebbed light in small areas. The constantly flickered every so often, adding to the steady feeling of the fear of the unknown.

Eventually however, the sounds of footfalls would indeed be heard.

And they grew closer....and closer....closer....

109Kanashimi Kurai

Amunet's body grew ever more tense as the sound of footsteps drew nearer. Despite the fact that whoever had brought her here had made sure she was comfortable, she did not at all feel safe. Who had brought her here and what did they want with her? Where was Tarik?

110Kraun

Well, there certainly wasnt much to look at, but the flickering of flames cast by torches in the distance. It didnt seem like there was really anywhere else to go, so why not head in that direction? Seems like someone was already there or so as indicated by the lights.

With his rapier drawn, Turriens stealthily, or at least in his mind, moved towards the many pillars in the tirchlight.

"Eh?" he spotted the skeleton and noticed the plumed hat and fancy weapon.

111Maximos

SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEYYYYYY!!!

::ZZZZzzzzoooooooooooooooom!!! In a blur the little boy dashed at the body as fast as he could. He had no mind for disease or germs or wreckage. All he caught was the jewel encrusted hilt and the sparkle dancing off the light.

He was like a black streath zipping for his target and at about 10ft he dove in the air and tackled the sword, tumbling to the ground and skidding for a bit in a cloud of dust before the dust finally receeded to reveal a little child with a rapier in between his legs and his arms wrapped around the hilt, whilst his teeth wrapped around the biggest and shiniest jewel on the hilt. He was trying to work it free with his bare teeth, while grunt and growling at it like a psychotic animal growling after fresh pray.

This was a shiney. And he would kill for this shiney.::

112Vahn Fah

The rapier removed, the skeletal remains seemed to sag along the pillar, until hitting the ground. It was then that a slight indentationc ould be seen on the pillar itself; an indentation which continued to recede within the rock.

It seems that the rapier had been lodged within the cracks, forcing the apparent pressure plate from closing all the way.

A low steady rumble could now be heard, as the entrance to the tunnal began to visibly shake. First small pebbles and peices of earth fell, followed soon by larger chunks.

If it wasn't obvious yet-- the tunnel was going to cave in. Should it be sealed up, the onlyplace that could possibly lead anywhere at all, would be lost to both of them, and trapped they would stay upon this hellish mass of rock and wreckage.

Elsewhere....

The footfalls came to a final pause, right outside the chamber doors. The handle turned....the metal and wood groaning it's solemn protest.

And the door swung open to reveal....

113Kanashimi Kurai

Amunet stared at the door, a minute tremor running through her body as she waited to see who or what was entering.

Meanwhile...

Tarik groaned as he pulled himself from the wreckage of the ship. He had lost Amunet. Tarik, guardian of the child of the gods, had lost his charge, his companion. But her scent still lingered and he was determined to follow it to her.

The Mau followed the scent along the rocky shore, right to the two adventurers that Amunet had been travelling with and to the tunnel. Now, what wasn't apparent to the humans, was very apparent to the feline, he had animal instincts, instincts that told him danger was near. Amunet's trail went into that cave and he had to follow it, even if the cave entrance was not sound. He glanced at the two male humans. "If you wish to venture further into the tunnel, I suggest you move now..." He didn't tell them why, because even he wasn't sure the entrance really would collapse, he just knew that it was a possibility.

The silver feline bounded off into the darkness of the tunnel, not bothering to look back and see if the humans would follow. His only concern now was his charge.

114Kraun

"Oh st - Oh st - OH s**t!" Turriens repeated multiple times as the tunnel started to shake, dust and small rocks shifting loose and falling down like a fine rain. "Quick! Put it back!" he called out to the boy, only to realise it was far too late.

He didnt even find it odd that a cat was talking to him, acting as if it was something very normal and happens in everyday life. However, that was only because the situation at hand was much more attention grabbing. He started flailing his hands as he tried to figure out what to do, run down the tunnel into the unknown, or... run down the tunnel.

And down the tunnel it was!

Only as he started to make a mad dash down the tunnel, he stopped after moving three feet into the distance, he turned back and grabbed the boy whilst he gnawwed on the weapon to bring him along, "Let's go!" he shouted.

Not after he took two more steps did he turn around again, snagging the plumed hat off of the skeleton before he made a mad dash through the collapsing tunnel. Cant let such a thing go to waste... especially since his looked to be in very poor condition.

115Maximos

::This was a shiney to die for...but not right now. Or at least to run with!

At first the child had cast dirty looks at Funny Hat man, this was his pointy stick and he had no intention of giving it back. Funny hat Man could stick his rapier in th hole!

When came the running he as a bit behind. But, with jewel encrusted rapier hilt in mouth, and the speed of youth the boy simply ran along as he was tugged. He had no idea where funny-hat man was taking him but, if he wanted him to go so badly, he would go!

It was only about then that he saw the shrinking doorway and felt the dire feeling if he didnt make it down this tunel he would be without anymore shinies! And so he dashed for all that he could dashed, and ran with all that he could run with. Metal clanked against the floor and walls, yet he wasnt slowed by his cargo he merely ran beside Mr.Funny-Hat perfectly content with runing off into the nothing.::

116Vahn Fah

The first thing that would hit the dynamicaly challenged duo, would be the stale odor in the air. Such a old, shorn out cavern like this, especially with apparently man-made steps built into it from lord knows how long ago-- the smell was almost to be expected.

If any of them had ever been in such a predicament before anyway.

The musk in the air made it nautious for one to take deep breaths, and the footing underneath them both was more than unsure; it was downright dangerous.

The steps were so steeply cut into the rock, that any sort of running, would lead to the runner flaling flat on his face and sliding down stone, to whatever bottom there was at this thing. Definately not a fun time.

Yet the main problem they both faced would be the lack of a light source. You see, it was pitch black, and all sunlight had been completely shut out. Sure, there were torches along the wall, but what could they be lit with?

Elsewhere...

"I trust you slept well?" The voice spread into the room, even as the door finished opening. There, in the doorway, sootd a most elegant looking figure. Even his walk had a sort of countenance to it. His voice had a thick accent to it, perhaps French, and his attire was even more out of place.

In fact, you could go so far as to say he was dressed exactly as her male companion had been, minus the plumed hat, and the fact that his clothes were much richer and elaborate in design.

His hair was blonde, and rested well pats his shoulders, giving his already physically fit stature an almost feminine air.

117Kraun

The swashbuckler squealed as he ran away from the collapsing tunnels into the dark. And then he abruptly stopped at a set of stairs as dust drifted towards their direction. The darkness was not too big of a problem for him, as a half elf, he had a weaker form of infravision which did not reach as far as a full blooded elf, but far anough for the situation. He would see be able to see heat as red outlines such as the cat's trail, and cold oulines of the stone stairs.

The real problem with his was the air. At first, he had noticed nothing as he made a mad dash for safety, panting out of his mouth as he ran. But now that they had stopped, he began to breathe from his nose, and instantly he was assaulted with a nausiating smell which made him wrinkle his nose and cover it with his arm as he sought to filter the air with the sleeve of his jacket. It could only be expected that one such as himself, who surrounds himself in the finer and more delicate things in life, was not use to the reek smell of dungeons and the like.

"Alright, where to now?" he managed to asked nobody in particular as he looked up the steep stairway and then down, both not looking very appealing.

118Kanashimi Kurai

Amunet stared at the man who entered as she wrapped the sheet tightly about her body. He was a rather handsome man, such beautiful features, and such a pleasant voice. "Who... who are you? Where am I?"

Meanwhile...

Tarik tried desperately to catch Amunet's scent in order to find her, but it was impossible, the putrid stench that hung in the air made it difficult for him to even breathe. The feline looked back at the two humans, he would have no choice but to follow them for now. "Pick a direction..."

119Maximos

Kraun Wrote:

"Alright, where to now?" he managed to asked nobody in particular as he looked up the steep stairway and then down, both not looking very appealing.

::What we had here was a dangerous situation, steep stairwell, a treacherous pit. And accompanyment spending their time in thought. What we had on the tranverse was a small child with no sort of concern for his well being what so ever. Not to mention the strange and unspoken ability to see in the dark. There was no reason why but for some reason his black eyes seemed to glimmer even in the pitch black.

He didnt stop. He didnt slow, he didnt pause. And to match his personality all throughout this quest...he didnt think. He hit the stairs with the same speed he hit the hallway. As he ran his giant sword sat in his right hand dragging behind him and hitting the edge of the stairway making a few sparks...sparks in the dark...that can be useful. And incase one wasnt sure where he was going, he was laughing.

You see to a child, games are life. To this child, life is a game. Everything was about fun, hilarity. And mean spirited frovility. His boots were still somewhat wet but the sand they had picked up gave him friction to grip the steps. Occasionally he missed a few, and occassionally some felt like they were going to snap, but when it came to be...he jumped. He could see the steps, he could see the steps perfectly, not inspite of the darkness, but due to the darkness.

There were no answers being given. But the laughter and the sparks might be a guide for anyone brave enough to follow.::

120Kraun

Kanashimi Kurai Wrote:

"Pick a direction..."

A talking cat!

It was amazing, somthing the swashbuckler had never witnessed before. So amazing that he forgot about the boy going up the steps while his face expressed a shocking wonderment with his mouth agape in an 'O' shape and his eyebrows raised.

And then the sudden sparks cast by the heavt blade grinding against stone brought him back to reality. Well, it seemed that up was the way to go, so Turriens decided to follow, nimbly moving up the stairway with all the grace of a half-elf, following the trail of small sparks that was cast, though of course, he could already see the outlining of the steps in a cold blue and a faint red where the sparks had landed and began to cool.

And no, he never though about taking one of the torches and trying to light it along the trail of sparks. He was just that simpleminded.

Up and up, he really didnt have any idea of where they were going. Nor did he really care for that matter. He just wished they'd get there fast, not really liking the smell. Hopefully, thered be fresh air at the end of the stairs... and maybe sunlight... and perhaps some food... and Shineys! That would be neat. The frivolous swashbuckler smiled at the thought as he follewed the steps upwards.

121Kanashimi Kurai

Tarik sighed softly as he watched the child dash up the stairs, the swaschbuckler following after. He had the distinct feeling that the two had forgotten Amunet even existed. He would have to remind them soon. With the grace and speed all cats were born with, Tarik followed after the two humans.

122Vahn Fah

Up, up they would go, one running without a care in the world, the other trying to keep pace and finding himself in the company of a talking cat; where they go nobody knew!

Since all three of them could see well enough in the darkness as if it were normaly lit, everything that could have been described or featured under normal circumstances would be omitted. There would be no discernible detail, or perhaps crucial clue or item of interest that the trio could possibly spot in this "zero visibility".

And a such, onward we move.

The boy would be first to arrive, considering he was the one running, and if he continued to do so, he would find himself nearly toppling face forward (no matter the dexerity of the boy) and possibly getting his foot (feet) entagled in between several thinned planks of wood, which would result in his being flung over and not hitting the bottom for quite a while.

Why?

Because the steep steps, led upwards, through a man-made rock hewn doorway, and into an equally steep, narrowed wooden bridge. On either side of it, the expansive underground cavern extended, and equally boring bottomless chasm was underneath it.

The same dank smell would persist, and the ambience would include their echos as well as the sounds of the local inhabitants: bats.

Testing of the bridge would find it creaky, flimsy, and perhaps untrustworthy. There would not be much to be made out, in the trio's "Darkvision" (black and white spectrum assumably), so... would they cross it?

Elsewhere...

"Madame, welcome to my humble abode..." With a flourish, the man bowed low, before Amunet, giving her quite the smile. "Your feeling well, I hope? I found you with quite the amount of seawater in your lungs."

Standing straight up, and acting proper enough, he went to a nearby burea and began rummaging through it's contents.

123Kraun

o___O

Nearly tripping at the heels of the boy, Turriens would reach out and attempt to pull the boy back with whatever he could grab as he stumbled halfway through the doorway.

Well, this obviously did not seem like a great place to be. First a set of smelly stairs which were difficult to climb, and now a smelly bridge which looked broken down overtop of a bottomless pit. And there were bats by the sound of it, a lot of bats. Eww... just the thought of the animals pooping around the area made his skin crawl.

He stepped back into the stairway, placing his hand against the wall to steady himself. Gagging on the nausiating stench, he wondered where exactly were they. Well, first there was a cave from the sea in, and then some sort of underground. They couldnt be below sea level, as evident by the boats in the graveyard. He figured they were in a mountain or something.

Now, he decided they needed a plan, and loudly declaired this, "We need a plan!" he called out, echoes repeated back to him.

124Maximos

Haha haa Ahahaaaa---GAK!

::Was heard as the boys laughter was quite loudly gacked short as he was grabbed. His footing was sloppy at best, what with all the chaotic running, and at this moment it was entirely lost. His feet flew up as his body fell back and landed smack on the hard stone floor. The sound of the bats didnt bother him, but not because it wasnt bothersome, rather simply because he hadnt taken the time to mentally process it.

And at this particular moment he was processing the pain from smacking flat into stone. It stung, and it stung alot, but he was brought out of his painful daze by his saviors proclaimation. He popped to his feet, pointed in the air, and said with much conviction...::

Yesh! We need, a pwan!

::And then immediately plopped onto his bottom, folded his legs, and began to think. Or rather he tried to think, of a genius plan. After a few seconds of that, he turned his head and saw the rickety old bridge and realized just what he was trying to think of a plan for! This realization led to zero ideas. He knew that with his sword, he was entirely too heavy, there had to be another way...something lighter....And so he sat, letting out the occassional "hmm".::

125Vahn Fah

As the duo come to a favorable halt, with the short cavern and stairway behind them, the child might notice a particulary rancid stench about 2 feet away, directly ahead.

Should he choose to go closer to the area where the smell is issuing from he will note that it seems to come from the depths of the chasm that the bridge spans. Upon closer inspection, with his special vision, he might note activity in the depths suggesting the movement of some creature of great size. As they both stood there, one of them may take notice of a net-like bag made of plant fibers near the chasm's edge, stuck in the warm clay-like muck.

126Maximos

::Favorable indeed! Unfortunately this stench was far from favorable. In the pitch black his eyes glimmered as if beams of light were dancing across a glazed surface.::

-Sniff- -Sniff- Eww....

::That stench was gross enough to lift him to his feet.::

-Sniff, Sniff, Sniff - Blech....Doesh anyone else smell dat?

::He stepped closer to the edge and leaned down. His knowledge of large creatures or stirring things wasnt all that great, and his intellegence level wasnt much to speak of. But he reached down and made a very hard tug on the greenish vine, as he was rather sure that it was the source of the smell.

He put both hands on it and pulled up as hard as he could, which honestly wasnt all that much, it was only about the same wieght of the average person.::

127Kraun

"Eww..." Turriens excalimed in his most whiney voice at the question 'if anyone else smelled that'. Promply plugging his nose with two fingers, he looked around, watching the kid pull at something when he would move closer to the edge of the chasm. However, something else caught his attention. Something big, and it was moving, as seen by the shifting heat signatures in the area.

"GRAH!" without a second to lose, the half-elf hurled another one of his throwing knives at the giant form, instinctively making an attack on it before it makes an attack against them, though of course, he really didnt know what he was throwing his toothpick of a weapon at with something that big moving around.

128Vahn Fah

If the characters examine the vine bag after pulling it out of the earth and rinsing it off (somehow), they note that it is burnt black in places. This was apparently someone's bag; and it was at one time filled with something.

The smell, should any of them be used to the pungent stench, would remind someone of rotten fruit. Fruit which had used to lure something to this side of the ravine (characters note a few dried lumps of foreign matter). The fruit has over time deteriorated and left black marks upon the bag (much like those that would have been noted by the characters during their travels through the tunnel, had they lit any of the torches). If the characters put two-and-two together they will decipher that the bag was once filled with fruit; that it was used for luring something to the bank (this could be considered a long shot estimate by taking into account the fruits' fragrant/intoxicating aroma and the bag's proximity to the edge, not to mention the bag's openness (i.e., its holes); and that they should get, and then use, some of this fruit in order to gain the other bank.

Something seemed to echo out an almost inhuman screech, as the throwing knife struck against the darkness (teehee).

129Maximos

::Good partys have various people for various functions. A thinker, a fighter, a mage, a thief, a red ma--well you get the idea. Of this parties members, the thinker was most certainly not the boy who had just pulled up the sack. But thankfully he did know how to deligate responsibility. He turned around and lifted the sack up and said in a confused and yet curious tone.::

I founded thisth.

::He still had a bit of a lisp, but he got the point across. He lifted the thing up over his head so that everyone else could take a look at it. And hopefully put together some semblance of what to do.::

130Kraun

Well, to Turriens it wouldnt look like much, as his vision in the dark was solely based on shifting heat signatures in the environment, so it would just look like a mess in the boy's hands. However, he really didnt like the sound made by whatever it was his knife hit, so he quickly pulled the boy back into the stairway as he hid himself.

Now, he needed light to identify what exactly the thing was, although it smelled kinda funny up close. He took one of the torches off of the wall and put it down across the ground by the stairs as he took out his last knife and began scraping, hoping to create some sort of spark to ignite the torch, sort of like the sparks produced by the boy when he ran up the stairway.

131Tommy Zocotti

$A small boat rest out on the calm sea with the tiny wave lifting and dropping it smothly. The boat was to small to be a ship but was to big to be a fishing boat. It could house sven people tops, with a square hole space for the fish that were caught. It also had to cannons at each of the left and right sides. However, the only person on the boat was Tommy. he was laying down sleeping on the deck, the bright sun woke him and he opend his round blue eyes. He was wearing a pair of long shorts and a blue robe to cover his bare chest. he hands and feet were wrapped as well. He removed his robe and to prepare for a bit of exercise.$

132Tommy Zocotti

$ Tommy enjoied the scenery as it reminded him of his homeland, as did the Tundra, He walked over and lookeed over the railing of his boat. He saw many different fish swimming around the claen, clear sea. Suddenly, Tommy held his hand out to the sea, water vapor rose from the water and formed in a ball in his hand, soon enough he sqeezed the ball causeing it to squit out as the water turned to slush then to ice. The ball had formed into a hard long stick of ice that was continueing to form. it was forming into a more defined weapon. One side of it was sharpining aand after a few more seconds it had formed into a full detailed long spear. Tommy smiled at the swimming fish which might end up in his mouth.$ "Now..which one do I want.."

133Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::Upon the boxes being put where they needed to be, Marissa goes searching for the captain to find out where their quarters would be. She pokes around finally finding him on the deck::

Excuse me sir, but where are the quarters for the three of us?

134Lord_Albrecht

starts nosing around for the mess hall, cook, or the nearest refridgerator with community food in it

Less with the work more with the eat!

135Maximos

Sssssleeep already? Its only noon!

::He says with a smile and a smirk.:::

Ahhh, I get it, ya need your beauty sleep.

::As smirk and slipper as sin, slides across his lips, and a little wink. He licks another few sips from his cup before fiddling through his pocket pulling out what can only be described as a ball of keys. Not one or two, not 20 or 30, more like 200 to 300 different keys. It takes him a few moments to find the proper keys, but with slippery fingers he pops 3 seperate keys off the chain walks to Marissa with a smile even his mother wouldnt trust. And he offers them to her.::

Here ya go cutey.

::Another wink...lick lick.::


Bwahahahaha!!

::It was one of those boisterious laughs that only a fat belly can produce. Yet it came from a 5ft 120lb man.::

Now thats the type of appetite I am being liking to see!

::There was a small chinese man behind the counter. He wore a black fighting gi, and a blask mask across his face. The type you might have seen Kato wore when fighting beside the Green Hornet. He had a spatula, a giant Wok, and a large series of ovens and stoves around him.

And he simply felt the need to impressive today. With a flick of his foot he kicked open the fridge behind him and kicked an egg into the air, gently and masterfully he caught the egg on the edge of the spatula...rolled it along the back of his shoulder and into the Wok, where a flick of the wrist tossed it up and cracked it. Again, a flip of the Wok, and egg yolk was tossed upwards seperating it from the shell, which a kung fu smack of the spatula sent to the garbage in just the exact moment as the yolk landed smack into giant wok. And it was slapped down on the stove before him.

A twirl of both hands and he drew out two different kinds of oil from the cabinets and twirled them about in a Kung Fu blitz. And he flicked them back with a distinct...and load..."Wataaaaa!!!"::

Spatjuku and Wok-Fu make you many yummy things! What will the Black Chef make for you long hair man?

::From behind his kitchen counter, he struck a sort of kung fu pose and waited for an order.::

136Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::She looks at the weird captain, takes the keys and shrugs; if he's not going to give her the location of the rooms she'll just find them by herself later. She looks around the deck and sees Mackey. She's not sure if he is what she thinkgs he is, but other than Lanhy and the old gentleman's gift he's the closest thing to home she knows right now. So she looks once more at the captain, shrugs again, pockets the keys and starts walking over to Mackey who is looking over the side of the boat::

137Lord_Albrecht

Now that's what I like to hear!

smiles broadly at the man

Wok-Fu? Must be a combo martial-art and cooking tradition... Anything with rice and tempura shrimp, preferably spicy.

Can I watch you cook? I love watching a master of anything in action, especially a chef.

138Maximos

Marissa-Gift_of_Helios Wrote:

So she looks once more at the captain, shrugs again, pockets the keys and starts walking over to Mackey who is looking over the side of the boat::

::The Cap, watches her take her step away, and quickly steps forward and around in front of her again.::

Now now, hold on dear, where ya going? Its a big ship, I could give you a tour!

::He smiled from ear to slippery ear.::

Whaddya say?


Oh ho ho! Spectator! I love spectator! You see master at work!

::Flip, a kung fu flip back, and a kick off the door and spew of spices falls down. A flip to the side and a kung fu smack and the 'fridge opened revealed a stack of shirip, and with a swipe of his spatula he sliced open the plastic wrap. This was immediately followed by several hundred karate chops, each smacking a single shrimp into the pot.

A front flip, and a black flip sucessively are used to kick closed the fridge and kick open the cabinet. And as he recovers from the flip, he shoves his spatula under a vial of red spice and rolls it along his shoulders, off his opposite wrist and kung fu shatters it in mid air, neatly letting it all land in the wok.::

Now dis, dis is wry secret part!

::It was a bit of a blur as he pulled out several unlabeled vials and emptys them into the pot with a bit more oil.::

Now...many people think this dangerous, but danger is the masters life!

::The final vial...Silver. A silvery liquid at least, and he was about to empty it entirely into the pot!::

139Lord_Albrecht

Woah! Master Chef, I should warn you that I have some allergies that might need to be taken into consiteration before adding that vial of silver liquid to the mix.

140Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Actually sir, since you didn't tell me where the rooms were that the keys went to I was just going to go around later today to find the rooms myself. And I was actually going to go talk to Mackey about the ship, this world and where we are going. So I'll let you get back to your duties, as I'm sure a ship of this magnitude needs constant supervision.

::she looks at Mackey again and goes to slip around the captain::

141Maximos

Marissa-Gift_of_Helios Wrote:

Actually sir, since you didn't tell me where the rooms were that the keys went to I was just going to go around later today to find the rooms myself.

Now now, no lady should have to wander a big ship, like this full of scary strangers all by herself.

::And the touch. As he scoots beside her he gently places his arm around her shoulder...not in an imposing way...though something of a "I can see down your robe better from here" kind of way...Though his eyes stood trained her eyes.::

Marissa-Gift_of_Helios Wrote:

So I'll let you get back to your duties, as I'm sure a ship of this magnitude needs constant supervision.

Mackey? Mackeys a boring old coot. I can show you the world, we cross it everyday...theres no bigger duty for a real man, than I beautiful woman. And I promise you, the magnitude of your beauty demands my supervisions.

::A smile so wide it could devour ships. And of course...a lick. He was harmless! Like the creatures in the ocean...::


Wha?! You not want extra supra ingredient!?

::The Black Chef slammed his black spatula down on the table, and the vial beside it.::

It making the shrimp pop and shine! How you deny it?! You crazy long hair boy?! Huh!?

142Lord_Albrecht

I'm very sorry Master Chef, I did not mean to offend you. As nice as it sounds, I'm very very allergic to a certain metal. Silver to be exact. I don't know if or how it's used here, or even if it exists on this world, but it's very important that I not come in contact with it. It can make me very ill.

143Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Umm ::looking just a liiiiiitle uneasy:: why don't you just point the way and I'll find it on my own. I mean wondering around on a big ship and finding the little nooks and crannies is a young girls dream. So, ummm ::trying to gracefully slip out from underneath his arm:: why don't you just give me a general overview as to where not to go and I'll just run off and enjoy my fantasy.

144Maximos

Marissa-Gift_of_Helios Wrote:

I mean wondering around on a big ship and finding the little nooks and crannies is a young girls dream.

:smilies/icon_surprised.gifh, he's been at this for years. He knows that uneasy look in some ones pure eyes. He loved it!::

I understand, I understand, finding lttle girls noo--I mean finding nooks and crannies is a hobby of mine as well, thats why I sail around with this huge ship.]

Marissa-Gift_of_Helios Wrote:

So, ummm ::trying to gracefully slip out from underneath his arm:: why don't--

::Her efforts to slip away are equally gracefully me with efforts to slitter back onto her shoulders. And cut he gracefully cut right into her sentence.::

We go below, and share the fantasy.


Siwer?! You think put siwer in my cooking?!

::The vial of silvery liquid was almost instantly shoved in pour Lahnie's face. Ahh the oh so familiar smell of.....sugar.::

Siwer in my cooking?! SIWER?! How daring you?!

145Lord_Albrecht

looks very, very sheepish and embarassed

I'm very sorry Master Chef. It's just that I've never seen sugar that color before. Please continue.

146Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Wellll, ::still greatly uneasy:: I guess we could go for a quick tour of the boat, where my companions and I's rooms are the eating area and so on; but then I think I will need to find my other companions before they get into any trouble. Especially the bird. So lets start the tour so we can go back to our separate duties.

147Maximos

Boss. We got a problem.

::The voice boomed from behind the two. It wasnt that it was especially powerful or loud, it was just deep, as if it came from a rather well sized pair of lungs.::

Heh?

::The snakey captain, turned to face the sound of the voice, just a second. Just a moment before he'd take the poor young kitty with him. The voice came from none other than Mackey.

The large bear sat beside the duo with a flat look on his face and spoke.::

Audi's started another fight on the 3rd floor. She's threatening to blow us up...again...

::The snakey captains eyes shot open like a window with the blinds pulled up. And he was off, off the girl and down the stares as fast as his skinny legs could take him. All the while shouting.::

Audi! Stop! You know I love yooooouuuuuu!

::There stood Mackey. His eyes drifted down toward the small girl beneath him, meeting hers for just a moment before turning around and starting to walk back to his perch overlooking the ocean view. No words. But his eyes...their dark grey eyes seemed wholey empty.::


Dats better.

::A flip of the spatula and the entire vial was dumped into the wok.::

Siwer...you crazy long haired me.

::And out came another vial of silver liquid, this time there was no pause, he just flopped it right in the pop.::

I use Mercery!

148Lord_Albrecht

the realization visibly sinks in. That officially nothing is what it seems

Ok still feeling a little silly ... I haven't heard of that before. Is that a spice or something?

149Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

:smilies/icon_surprised.gifh Luna above, the world could have come crashing down upon her head, or Watcher could have come running up onto the deck and she would have noticed none of it she was that overwhelmed in relief. But as she stood there dazed she started wondering who Audi was and if her tour of the boat to look for her room should "accidentally" take her up to the 3rd floor of the ship. She then looked over at Mackey and the look of emptiness in his eyes seemed to call out to a part of her that she had inherited from her mother who was the end-all protector of lost causes. She slowly made her way over Mackey, making sure he knew she was coming; giving him time to turn and leave if he needed to:

150Maximos

::But he didnt. Infact he didnt budge at all. He just stared off over the edge of the ship and into the ocean below. It wasnt the silver fishes that caught his eye. Or the sun on the horizon, or even the Leviathan playing in the distance...infact it really didnt look like the ocean was what he was looking at, at all. It was more than he was staring off into the nothing, maybe it reminded him of something missing in himself. Needless to say, there were no answers.::


Bwahaahahahaaa!!

::As cleche as possible, both his hands were placed on his hips and he laughed straight up at the ceiling. And then swung his masked face back down to look Lahnie dead in the eye.::

You sirry long hair man, is mercery, metal! Egyptins say it make you live forever!

151Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::She walks up to the side of the boat and looks off into the distant and the color of the sun reminds her of her bracelet. She takes it out of her pocket and puts it on and feels nothing. She looks confused and panicked for a moment and then remembers the no-magic clause for the ship. She fidgets with the braclet on her wrist and stares off again.::

Mackey, why do you work on the ship? You don't seem to enjoy it.

152Lord_Albrecht

Wow... you learn something new every day.

Remembering that the fumes released by mercury are poisonous to normal people, Lanhie quietly smiles, thanking Gaia for giving him and Marissa highly resistant bodies

It smells wonderful. What's the name of the dish that you're making?

153Maximos

::Theres silence. Its not totally, it lasts only a few seconds after she spoke. Its just enough time for him to pull himself from where his mind had wandered to right here, and right now.::

Why waste your smiles on a grumpy old man?

::He didnt look at her, not out of disrespect or offense, it was just that he felt his eyes were better fitting where they were looking...down.::


Bwahahahe...hehehe....

::He stopped mid laugh and scratched his head. He then proceeded to lift up the wok and make sure it had no dents in it.::

I no hit you with the Wok-Fu Forget-Chu Slam...you serious long hair man? You just ask for this meal?

::Flip flip, chop chop, as he spoke normally his right hand drove that spatula with the grace of the ages around the giant wok.::

154Lord_Albrecht

Right, Spicy Shrimp Tempura. I thought you may have named your recipe differently for it's... unique mixture of spices.

Note to Self: do not annoy Chef out of fear of concussions.

155Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::She looks out at the sun::

Let's just say that you are one of three thrings that reminds me of home right now. Also, you interest me; and not in the way that I seemed to have interested the captain.

156Maximos

Home...

::That word struck a nerve. For a second if possible his face grew grimmer. No one would notice a few more drops of salt water in the ocean would they? Or at least thats what he thought as two tears dripped from his eyes and immediately his claw came up to wipe his eyes and push his head away from the girl to hide the rest until he could shove them back in the dark corner of his heart he was fighting so hard to cut away.

His voice wouldnt show the tears his face had just leaked.::

Theres nothing interesting in this booring old coot. No home...nothing...


PHWA!

::A flip of the wok in mid air followed by the use of the spatula like a boomerang to flip a plate at Lanhie and just a milisecond before it was about to hit him, a flick of the wrist would flap the food onto the plate giving the plate just enough weight to slap it onto the table and to a screeching halt just in front of Lanhie. And a deft flick of the Black Chef's wrist landed a fork sticking straight up in the middle of Lanhie's food.::

157Lord_Albrecht

Looking a thousand percent impressed by the performance, Lanhie's jaw drops

Wow... the chef's back home aren't even half that good...

snaps out of it

Thank you Master Chef, you are very generous.

gives the Chef an appropriate seated bow and then digs into the food

158Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Is that why you stay with the captain? You have somewhere consistant to stay? Or do you stay on the ship because it is always moving so it doesn't feel like you are running from something when you actually are?

::She looks at Mackey straight in the face, not allowing him to hide anything from her::

159Maximos

Heh...

::A laugh. Laughter dulls the pain. He would never give her direct eye contact.::

You'd never understand...you still have a home...mine is...

::No. He wasnt walking down this road. He turned away again, sadness being forced away to carve that gruff look back on his face as he turned again to look off the ships edge.::

You told the captain you have friends to find...


Ha ha! Successeru!!!

::And a triumphant "Yes" thrust into the air.::

Eat good! Then coming desert!

160[Silicone]

Silicone's body washed up against a rock protruding from the sea. He began coughing up water. After a few moments he regained his senses. He looked around. He was on small rock the was sticking out of the sea. He could probably swim to shore, but he was too weak. The last thing he remembered was being on a cruise ship. He laid on the rock and let the sun beat down upon his face. He sighed and tried to regain his strength. A few small waves beat against the him as he laid back and sighed.

161Lord_Albrecht

Great!

eats the food slowly to enjoy it

162Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::slight chuckle::that was, unfortunately, a vain attempt to get rid of the captain. Lanhy can take care of himself, he's been doing it since he was born. The bird is on his own, I met him for the first time today. As to my home; yes I still have one, but it is so far away and I don't know if I will ever return to it ::as the memories of it come rushing home her eyes begin to fill with tears:: or if I will ever see Watcher again ::at this a few tears manage to escape and trickle down her cheeks before she notices and brushes them away:: If I try hard enough I can almost trick myself into believing that in a little bit the island will come into view and there will be Mother and Bloodclaw waiting for me and Watcher to come home and tell her how our trip was. But, alas, I don't think that day will ever come.::she stares off at the horizon and lapses into silence::

163Maximos

::He was quiet...maybe it was that glimmer of hope when one finds a kindred. She was young, granted, and he was old. But his story was...well...after she spoke there were a moments of silence for both their shed tears before he spoke again.::

I woke up...I had fallen asleep at home in the bushes under a few trees. Pinecombs made my bed, honey and hamburger were on my lips and fingers...I couldnt have been much older than you...

::He shakes his head, a grim smirk on his face. It was joy, it was shame, how pathetic was he to travel down memory lane like this with a strange little girl.::

I still feel the scar from where the car hit me when I woke in the middle of a city...I lost a love...a friends...family...I signed the contract...but we never found my home...not in...83 years...

::He looked at her, her teary eyes, and stared deeo into them. There was power in there, strength...and she would need it. His claw slowly closed into a fist as his heart close into stone. And he spoke.::

That isle is never coming.

::He said it so flatly, so coldly. And started to turn away.::

164Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Then I will find a new one. ::her eyes dried and a look of determination came across her face:: If I know I will never find my island, my home, my friends, my family, my ::a look of sadness briefly washes over her face but it is gone but a second later and the determination is back:: lover; then I will find my niche in this new world and I will find a way for my spirit to survive. I will not let myself fade into nothingness and let my spirit sit inside a husk of a body until it one day collapses. There is something to do everywhere one goes, good that needs to be reinfused into the world; or at least that is what my mother believed and lived by. And if she could survive 8,000 years by always finding something new to do, someone who needed her help, then so be it so can I. I know it will be hard, you need not tell me that, ::she stares at him hard:: but I won't let myself become a hollowed out person who just sits and stares into nothingness everyday in hope that one day he will look out and truly feel nothing.

165Maximos

Keep that spirit. Keep fighting...

::He stopped. His fists clenched. His back turned and not a glimpse for his eyes dare look at her.::

You need not tell me that one should fight, I've fought all my life. I sailed across Gaia longer than you've sailed in messy undies...

::His fist raised up and slammed into the railing beside him, breaking and cracking it in about half a feet. His claw opened and ripped up the broken wood and tossed it overboard before spitting out his final comment.::

Earth is never coming...I'll never hear Gaia's voice again.

::There was no pause, he hated anger. And he hated both this Gaia and the other for letting him be tossed her. But he ignored could always shove his anger away, as he started to walk away.::

166Lord_Albrecht

finishes his dinner

Thank you again Master Chef. What do you have in mind for desert?

167Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

So because you've lost your connection to the Mother you have let yourself become a hollowed out old man? Just because you do not feel her arms around you, her presence near you, or her voice ringing in your head does not mean she has turned her back on you. I don't know where I am in the spirit world but I know that she is somewhere, and should I die I know I will be reunited with her. Until then I am going to follow both my physical Mother and my spiritual Mother's teachings and will live by their codes. s**t happens old man, and sometimes not even the all powerful celestines can right it. Sometimes it takes the smallest, most insignificant person to tip the first domino cause a drastic change and if I have to be that insignificant person then so be it.

168Maximos

::He was going to walk away. He was going to scrap this meeting and this conversation and go back to servitude. But no. Something told him otherwise. And he turned around.::

As I said...you'd never understand. You signed a contract it read "Voluntary service is terminated the moment the volunteer reaches their destination." My destination, is never coming...I'm never leaving...

::He had to stifle a depressed laugh.::

Thank you for trying little one.


Wha!?? Me?! No no!

::He flipped his spatula around and pointed it at Lanhie.::

YOU! You pickeru, I not want to run into "special allergy".

169corax311

:: Searches the lower decks for the captian ::

I wonder where he got to??

170Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::for a brief moment she seems to perk up at an idea, but it passes so quickly only the most perceptive would notice it::

I am truly sorry for your loss. If there is ever anything I can ever do, let me know. But I need to find someone really quick. Rest assure that I will talk with you again.

::she hurries away towards the living quarters specifically a set of stairs to the third floor::

171Lord_Albrecht

French Toast Sticks would be nice.

Vales used to make Marissa and Watcher French Toast Stick whenever one of them wasn't feeling well. I would steal a few while she was making them.

stops himself for a second

Gaia help me... I hope I get to see them again. They're the only family I ever really had.

172Maximos

O-ok.

::Mackey says as she runs off.::


:: On the third floor a man can be see exiting a room with a very angry red headed lady dressed in little more than skimpy underwear and a damp towel. Most of the crew give her the proverbial "cat calls" due to her rather visible "assets". Breasts barely fitting in her top, a figure than melts the eyes of the poor deck swabber that ran by...only to give him a kick to the forehead.

The door to her room had swung open just infront of a certain bird man.

The man is highly recognizable, he was the captain. The woman, was giving him a look of pure death. If looks could kill an army of reapers would be descending on the captain right now.::

Au-audi I-I told you I'm sorry! Mackey told me you were going to blow the ship up!

::The woman practically snarled back.:::

Why would I blow us up?!!

::He tried his best to slip out of this gracefully, but his tongue slipped literally and figuratively. He tried to say this as sheepishly as he could..but..::

You know...sometimes you get in those moods....

::Her red hair quite literally exploded into roaring flames and the towel holding her diginity was disintegrated instantly along with her underwear leaving only flame to cover her unmentionality parts as she looked the snake dead in the eye.::

Mood....Mood you say...I'LL SHOW YOU A MOOD!

::He lunged at him, only to miss by a fraction of an inch as he dashed past the Raven and down the corridor leaving a very angry female staring down the Raven who shouted directly at him::

WHAT'RE YOU LOOKIN' AT?!


Fwa?

::He folded his arms across his chest and tapped his forehead.::

I not know this frenshn...toasted stick?

::He idly flipped the spatula::

I do not cook wood crazy long hair man. You find that yourself.

173Lord_Albrecht

Looks confused for a second, then laughs lightly

Oh, it's not wood, it's actually bread prepared in a certain way and then served with powdered sugar and butter. I can make it for you to try if you like.

174corax311

:: jumps sideways to avoid the door ::

Nothing milady, I was simply wishing to speak to the captain.

175Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::hearing the captain screaming and a female voice in reply she ducks into a dark corner, the captain runs by as if a Caine himself were chasing him. Marissa feels a smirk grow on her face, this plan may work better than she could have hoped. she looks down the hall and sees the bird::

Oh Luna please don't let his mouth ruin this for me ::she mutters under her breath, she waits in the shadows hoping the bird leaves soon::

176Maximos


You want the Cap'n....eh chicken?

::She said as he right hand balled into a fist. The fist growing progressively hotter and bigger as an aura of flames enraptured it. And it was suddenly tossed forward at the bird. It would char half the hallway with a billow of flame as she screamed out.::

'Den run after 'em!!


Fw-fwa? Make it?

::Kick, kick, kick, flip, toss. Three kicks opened the door beside the kitchen counter, a flip of the spatula so that the Black Chef had the tip not the handle and then a toss...He tossed it to Lahnie.::

You have powerful appetite, I would being honored to be taught.

::There was a formal Japanese bow.::

Me kitchen is yours. HAI!

::A flip, and a jump and he dove through the tiny window which he served the food through, grabbed the stool, flipped in place and landed on it facing Lanhie.::

177corax311

well, since you put it that way

::cartoon poof of smoke and he is chasing after the captain::

178Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::she tried her best to muffle a laughter as the bird went running by. She waited a minute, taking off her bracelet and putting it in her pocket. Then with head slightly bowed, shoulders slightly curled forwards she walked slowly up to the woman.::

179Maximos

WHAT!?

::The woman spun around at the sound of footstep, the flames around her bathed the walls and scored the floors, but wait a minute...that wasnt a man. Like a candle snuffed out the flame poof away.::

Oh.

::And there stood a completely and totally naked woman. Granted she was in front of another woman so it didnt matter. But she leaned forward and smiled.::

Whats up?


::Nothing runs like a snake. Nothing at all. The Captain shot down the hall and up the stairs so fast he caught airtime before hitting the ground and taking off again into a room with a jet black door. The door made of metal...namely...fire-proof metal. And the sound of 53 different locks clicking into place could be heard. As the Raven came up.::

180corax311

Uhh... sir, I'd like to speak to you for a moment... that is... if uh... you don't mind ulocking your little fortress there. ^_^

181Lord_Albrecht

catches the Spatula

And I would be honored to teach, thank you Master Chef.

Takes a second to get oriented with the kitchen, pulls back his hair, and washes his hands. The he starts grabbing the ingredients while he's tells the Black Chef what he will need

Alright, we need one loaf of bread, six eggs, a third of a cup of milk, 1 ounce of ground cinnamon, half of an ounce of ground nutmeg, and a little butter.

starts the burners up again, sets a pan approperate for cooking french toast on it, and grabs a mixing bowl and describes what he's doing while he's doing it

You mix all six eggs with the cinnamon, nutmeg and milk in a bowl and blend it together with a whisk while the pan heats.

cleans as he goes, then goes back to the pan

Once the pan is heated, you add a little butter to the pan to prevent sticking and to add flavor. Use as much as you like, but usually no more than a tablespoon will be needed.

while the butter starts sizzling

Then you slice the bread into one inch wide strips and dunk them in the egg mixture to coat them completely. Then place them in the pan to cook on each side for about a minute or until it's a golden brown.

while the batter dipped bread starts cooking, Lanhie grabs the powdered sugar and the butter as well as a plate and utensils for the Black Chef

I try to do it about six strips at a time to not get overwhelmed, but you're much more skilled in here than I, so once you get comfortable with it you can do however many you feel comfortable with.

once they're done, Lanhie takes the cooked french toast sticks out of the pan and places them on the plate and smears the butter and powdered sugar over them while preping another set

Here you go!

slides the plate over to the Black Chef and hands him a fork

182Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Umm, I don't know how exactly to ask this, so please bare with me. I've gathered that you and the captain are close and I was just wondering if you could help me with a slight, quest I guess you could call it, concerning a crew member.

183Maximos

Close as can be 'luv. 'Course Kitty, come on in.

::The woman was naked. Even on Gaia thats not normal. So she stepped into her room and gestured for Marissa to folow. She wouldnt wait for Marissa to finish, she would dress while she spoke. Tight green pants, a shirt with a slit straight down the middle from neck to belly button, and a large flamboyant hat with a large red feather. Fingerless gloves followed, and were inturn followed by long black leather boots. And she sat upon her bed waiting for Marissa to finish up.::


Ehhh, who are you? Oh yeah, Birdbrain...uh hold on.

::After another 53 unclicks a giant door slid open leading into a pitchblack room, and a single semi-glowing snake eye could be seen and a hand gesturing for him to come in.::


::He took a bite and there was a pause. A hint. A wait.::

Fw-fw-fw-fw-fw-fwa!? It cannot be!

::He finds himself launched back several feet with nearly visible stars floating around his eyes.::

It cannot be. I owe you very big great time giant favor!

::He bowed several times and scooted back up to the chair.::

How can I ever repay you Master Long Hair Chef Man!

184Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::she follows the fire spirit into her room.:: it is in refernce to the contracts the captain makes all workers signed. If he deceived a signer about the location of a destince, is there any way the contract may be broken?

185corax311

:: walks into the captain's room ::

I just wanted to ask you a few things.

186Lord_Albrecht

a Huge, happy smile crosses Lanhie's face

You've done more than enough, Thank you Master Chef. And please, call me Lanhie. smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

Bows to the Black Chef

187Maximos

He-he-he....hahahahaaa...your cute kitty.

::She said as she folded her legs.::

You dont know how many times I hear that. The cap'ns a snake. Outside and inside, you should see his room.

::She shook her head, assuming she'd figured this whole situation out, patted Marissa on the head and started making her way out the room.::

A lil' time on board'll do alot for ya. We cant be making a buncha extra stops luv, you three get off in Guldor, its only a couple days away. You'll survive, your a big girl, I saw...we all saw.


--SLAM--

::As the giant door shuts with 53 locks engaging again.::

Uh-huh?

::A flick is heard as the lights turn on and....snakes. From from to back. Snake-skin boots, books, wallpaper, and not painted, REAL SNAKE SKIN. Over the giant bed shaped liked a coiled snake was the head of a giant snake leaning downward. Beside the bed were 3 pythons in rather large tanks, waiting to be fed.

...Their tanks filled with feathers.

Lick, Lick.::

Whats up Birdy?


No!

::He bowed again several times.::

Master Long Hair Chef Lanhie! Thank you to eternity!

188corax311

I was wondering how you've managed to operate a ship this large all on your own? How do you keep the crew in check? I've always had a problem with such things and was wanting your person experience on the subject.

189Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Its not myself or my two companions. Its one of the old crew members, Mackey. Is there anything that could be done to break Mackey's contract?

190Maximos

::Now that was interesting, Audi stopped in mid stop and turned around, with a look of curiousity smattered across her face.::

Mackey? He's been here forever, no ones ever asked about him...why would you want to do a thing like that?

::Her arms folded across her chest as she awaited an answer.::

191Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Mackey reminds me a lot of home. Also he may well be from my home, its just not on Gaia and the captain did not inform him of this so he has been on this ship for 83 years. Also Mackey has a lot of potential that needs to be tapped, but I haven't come across anyone so far who has that capability; please take no insult from that.

192Maximos

Aye, I know. The Cap'n got him good. But he got us all pretty good. Sure, I'm here now on my own will but...

::With a wave of her hand, her hand finds itself enveloped in flame and then snuffed as she clenches her fist.::

I wasnt always so...agreeable.

::She shakes her head.::

The Cap'n preys on beasts with honor, and those that dont know where they're goin'. I was going to "fire land". There aint a fire land.

::She laughs, the memory of her own naivity.::

He might let someone else fill Mackey's place, but Mackey would have to agree. What can I say? I dont agree with the Cap'n but Mackeys a good worker...he wont be easy to tear out of his coils.

193Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Thank you for your advice. I have 2 days to come up with something so I will leave you, find my room and think. Again, thank you. ::she leaves the fire spirits presence and goes to find her room and think::

194Lord_Albrecht

looks confused for a flicker of a second

Suit yourself on the name thing Master Chef, but you're welcome for the french toast sticks recipe.

finishes cooking up the mix while thinking

I wonder if Marissa would like some of these. Then again, I don't want to upset her. She's really easily upset right now, and we haven't even been gone a day.

looks to the Black Chef

What do you think I should do?

195Maximos

Uh....

::He scratches his chin, and looks completely and utterly confused for a moment until a loud thump smashes into the kitchen. Well, not literally, but the mans foot kicking the door sounded akin to a thundercrack.

As the door flew open a loud man stepped through. He was bout 8ft tall, 320 lbs, and had about 8 arms. Most of the wieght came from the muscle and extra muscle mass around 8 muscular arms. Each rested on his "hip/shoulder", and he boisterously shouted.::

China Chef! Wheres's the shrimp!?

::The Black Chef suddenly got a bit jittery but stood up the 8 armed man.::

I uh, I ated it myself Hachi-son.

IDIOT!

::The voice shouted back across at him four arms performed a unified smack across the mans face, chest, and torso sending it flying to the side and into a wall with a loud thud which K.O'd the poor man.::

You!

::The 8 armed man pointed directly at Lahnie.::

Whaddya think yer lookin' at!?

196Lord_Albrecht

No disrespect intended, but an eight armed person who just knocked out the one person on a ship you shouldn't do that to.

casually but quickly moves to help the Black Chef

Give us a few minutes, we'll whip up a new batch of shrimp for you.

197Maximos

Lanh_Kim-ly Wrote:

No disrespect intended, but an eight armed person who just knocked out the one person on a ship you shouldn't --

::Trying to be as much of a muscular badass as he can be, he flips a few chairs out of the way and gave his most intimidating look at Lahnie.::

You tellin' me what to do, ya long haired sissy?!

198Lord_Albrecht

starts shifting to Glabro form, doesn't even flinch when the chairs zip by

Look, you can start getting all angry, or you can relax and wait a few minutes for me to wake him up and we can start making you dinner.

199Maximos

Lanh_Kim-ly Wrote:

starts shifting to Glabro form, doesn't even flinch when the chairs zip by

Look, you can---

YOU LIMEY FUZZY TWIT!!

::That was about all he said before 8 chairs were in hand and in the air. Granted the chairs were wooden, but they still were present and all 8 flew into the tiny kitchen space Lahnie was currently trapped/ cooking in. Hachi, was angry.::

200Lord_Albrecht

Thinking faster than the chairs could fly, Lanhie leaps through the window right at the chairs, his form blurs to his smaller wolf form. Lanhie lands just outside of arms reach his eight-armed aggressor and well away from any flying shrapnel from the chairs. The second his feet touch the ground, Lanhie's form begins to grow massive. Lanhie speaks in a growling voice, in full crinos, all ten and a half feet and three quarters of a ton of clawed and muscled fury.

I didn't need this today...

201Maximos

And I dont need no limey fuzz ball tell'n me--.

::Hachi turns to face the rather large Lahnie, even as he's speaking. His teeth grinding, as he opens his mouth to reveal the rack of fangs in his mouth. It was something like what you might expect to see in a shark, several rows of teeth that slide up a bit as he talks.

Without chairs in the way the lower half of his body was quite visible, that being the set of black lock pants which draped down from his exposed and waist. And which seemed to cover the majority of his foot leaving only his sandals exposed and the very long toes which seemed to extend from those.

He hadnt paused in his sentence. He turned as he was speaking and two of his 8 arms to his right decided to up the scale as they flew for a table and without a blink of warning chucked it at Lanhie like a rather large 6ft round frisbie flying horizontally toward Lanhie's chest. As he threw it, he could be heard shouting.::

---WHAT TO DO!!

202Lord_Albrecht

You know what? I really hate --

Lanhie moves out of reflex and catches the flying table like one would catch a frizbee and throws it back at Hachi like you would throw a chakram. As the table whizes towards Hachi, Lanhie zips after it, bullrushing the eight armed freak, claws first

-- having stuff thrown at me.

203Maximos

::There were options and a brawler such as Hachi had wieghted them when he saw the fuzzy man catch the table. There was the option of catching it again, blocking it or...

Ducking. And Hachi did just that, he and 6 of his arms hit the ground like you might expect a spider to. The problem now, for Lanhie, was that he couldnt see Hachi...Hachi was under a table, and it was unlikely he could see through tables. Granted, the table would only be over him for a split second, but that what all the time he needed. He ducked, and launching himself off of both legs and 6 arms he lunged forward at Lanhie aiming to hit him like you might see a football player hit one of those practice dummys and tackle him back to the nearest wall. All of 4 feet back...a step or so. This would involve of course smacking into Lanhie just at the waist, lifting up a few feet off the ground and taking two steps forward.

Hachi wasnt so much of a pushover. In the great Drunk Dock Incident the captain refuses to talk about, this very AirShip was parked...4 feet from the actual dock, thusly flooding the engines stranding the ship. It was Hachi who managed to swim and push the boat to shore, and through a great strain that blew had him sitting in the lap of luxury for the next week...he managed to hoist the giant air ship onto the dock. By "great strain" of course we mean that he groaned and moaned so as to ham it up for the ladies.

He was alot stronger than he looked. A simple slam into the wall wasnt too hard.::

204Lord_Albrecht

watching Hachi duck was enough to let Lanhie know to look out for attacks from below, so Lanhie shifts to lupus, using his decreased body mass and temporarly increased speed to land on top of the table as it hits the ground and slides towards the wall. The table spins around and Lanhie's wolf form stands on it on all fours, glaring at Hachi, and growling.

205Maximos

::Air!

8 Arms grab...air. He watches as he sees the large body was reaching for shift and collapse into a little wolf, the b*****d then lands on the table and skids away.::

GRAAAAAHH!!

::Needless to say, Hachi was pissed, he turned around with teeth growling and face filled with rage and pointed at the little wolf lanhie with angry gushing from his being.::

STAND STILL YOU MUTT!!

::He had enough. His feet stomped, his teeth gritted, his fists (all eight) clenched and unclenched. And he made hjs way to Lanhie. Not running, just stepping, very angry steps.::

206Lord_Albrecht

Lanhie rushes at Hachi, using the speed that Gaia gave his body and through rage, plus the strength of his blood. With the phoenmonial speed, Lanhie leaps at him in the charge, shifting to Crinos in mid flight to increase the impact area, teeth lashing out and claws grabbing for flesh.

207Maximos

Lanh_Kim-ly Wrote:

Lanhie rushes at Hachi, using the speed that Gaia gave his body and through rage, plus the strength of his blood. With the phoenmonial speed, Lanhie leaps at him in the charge, shifting to Crinos in mid flight to increase the impact area, teeth lashing out and claws grabbing for flesh.

::Finally! An attack work waiting for! Thank Gaia its a big crew or Hachi would be out of weapons. He's been in enough fights with enough big thinks to know you dont let them bite you, or bad things can happen.

As the little wolf went airborne Hachi immediately recognized that he surrendered freedom of motion. Without wings you cant change direction in mid air. Lanhie was now a flying baseball. Hachi needed a bat. Thankfully for him, he was a bat.

All eight arms reache forward slapping together and spiralling around each other making what looked like one giant flesh arm. It wasnt really fused, but it looked like it. The rest was a matter of timing. Lanhie was moving fast, even for Hachi's speed the wolf was flying.

Lanhie's right claw tasted flesh, but only just as Hachi swung with his massive bat of an arm, in one massive whipcrack at Lanhie's exposed side. If his aim was right that should send the wolf flying directly into the kitchen, and into the hot stove and pointy objects that filled that room. That small window could not stand up to 3/4's of a ton, but Hachi was thankfull that with all 8 arms he could toss a car, so smacking this wolf wouldnt be very hard.

As for the claw that sunk into Hachi, it would rip a clean chunk of his flesh clean out. It was unlikely Lanhie would let go when he flew. And of forms Hachi had seen none of them seemed like they would grant Lanhie the room or speed to move.::

208Lord_Albrecht

when Lanhie feels the impact against his ribs, he ralizes that he let his anger get the better of him, but not before his free hand grabs ahold of what hit him. Without thinking and before he goes sailing on his own, Lanhie twists sharply to whatever he grabbed, shifts his limbs and starts trying to throttle whatever he can reach with his other arm, dragging his four inch long claws, fully imbedded, along the length of Hachi. When Lanhie starts flying towards the kitchen, he does his best to brace for impact as he hits the wall.

209Maximos

::Hachi's reaction showed shock before any expression of pain. Inside he really kicked himself for not thinking about that possibility before swinging. But then again, Hachi wasnt know for his fore-thought. Next came the realization of how cool those scars would look. He could tell the ladies he was mauled by a bear and sent it flyin' but it messed up his arms good. Lastly came pain.

This was less of a scream of pain, and less of a shriek. And more of a "GOD DAMN THAT STINGS!". Though he didnt say that his face sure did, and the fact that he kicked a piece of wreckage as 4 mostly un-injured arms tried to nurse the four shredded ones.

Yet they werent truly shredded, it wasnt that bone and sinew were torn. It was just the give of the flesh. Lanhie would have torn through him the same way the Black Chef's teeth tear through sushi. No resistance, just flow. It was less that his arms were shredded and more like shanks of flesh had been torn off and were still dangling from Lanhie's claws. It was like cutting jello of sorts and yet not. Strangely a black inky substance came from the wound instead of blood. And Hachi did his best to play it off as he gave Lanhie a stiff look and shouted back at him..::

That all you got, mutt?!

::And he started at him once more. Not a run, another steady attempt a badass walk at Lanhie's face.::

210Lord_Albrecht

That's cute, Jell-o man. Real cute.

Lanhie stands up and waits for Hachi to close the distance.

211Maximos

::And he's about to!

His steady walk breaks out into a full run and he launches himself into the air, all 8 arms at the ready....but wait.

A rip could be heard in mid air as his pants slightly tear and the two sandals fly off of his...hands? Those werent really long toes at all. They were an extra pair of arms! 10 arms! And a massive torso, began twirling in mid air as a swarm of arm. His goal would be to put two arms on each of Lanhie's limbs and start to pummel his face, but would be if he wasnt interupted in mid air.::

212Lord_Albrecht

Lanhie waits until the absolute last second before shrinking to homid to slip under Hachi's mad grab, placing lanhie directly underneath him. As the arms go sailing by, Lanhie shifts back to crinos while grabbing Hachi at the torso and throws him upwards as hard as he can, using his shifting momentum to it's max while using his blood to enhance his strength even more.

213Maximos

Lanh_Kim-ly Wrote:

**Lanhie waits until the absolute last second before shrinking to homid to slip under Hachi's mad grab---

::That would give him the perfect view of what could only be described as a swath of black. This blur of motion moved as if Hachi was standing still in mid air. In a flash of black a loud SMACK. Was heard followed by several repeats of the familiar sound one hears when flesh is smacked almost 42 times in a momentary blink.

Hachi flew, and as Lanhie burst upward he would feel a loud "DONG", as his claws were struck, it was a strike to the back of his hands, with the sole purpose of pushing them away from the cieling and off by a bit.

What he would see is a black clad finger standing on Hachi's back. Hachi was very severally K.O.d and there was a spatula being pointed down at the back of his hand. The shape and texture of the spatula matching several of the smack wounds all over Hachi's body. In his other hand was a massive black wok...on the back of wok was the massive engraving of a giant chinese dragon coiled around itself and wreathed in flames.

A single voice shot out.::

I take hit from him erryday! I pretend knocked out, he run away. But I not let anyone destroy my kitchenu!!!

::He was not a happy camper which he showed as his massive Wok gonged against the back of Hachi's head and with a flick of his foot he kicked him up, and followed up with a spiral kick which sent him flying out the kitchen area.::

YOU!

::The spatula pointed directly at Lanhie.::

You help me clean up?

214Lord_Albrecht

shifting to homid and shaking his head with slight confusion

Sure, sorry about that. I was just worried about him pushing the fight after you were knocked out, or I thought you were knocked out, or whatever. Thanks for helping me with him.

starts picking up the scraps of what was broken around the kitchen.

215Maximos

Hai!

::He flipped the Wok and the Spatula onto a nearby counter and smiled.::

I sure you could have taken Sushi-Head, but I would losing my Kitchenu!

::And the Black Chef went along with repair work. Thankfully, only the sheet rock and wooden framings were shattered and the stove and fridge were in relatively good standing. And of course one could expect an unecessary amount of back flips and kicks and such.::

Thank you for help Master Long Hair Chef Lanhiru!

216Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::not knowing where to start but needing time to think, she walks up the stairs to the fourth floor of the ship. One by one she knocks on the doors, and if there is no answer tries the knob, if locked she tries the key.::

217Maximos

::While the vast majority of the doors were locked. A few simply had "Do Not Disturb", signs hanging from the doors and yet a few more people simply responded to her knock with a stream of obscenities. Of course out of the 89 doors on this floor a good 12 or so opened, revealing things such as walk-in linen closests, public bathrooms, public showers, a sauna, a simple but vacant sparring arena, a spa with heated tubs, a vacant kitchen. And a yet another room with the door baracaded short and a very large amount of crashing coming from within it. Thankfully Marissa had chosen the middle of the day to perform this search and not the night and most crew members were involved in other things on different floors.::

218Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::Upon finding nothing of use, at least nothing useful now, she memorizes the layout of the fourth floor and goes down to the fifth figuring she might as well start at the beginning. Starting with the rooms closest to the stairwell she sees if the layout of the fourth floor matches the first that way she knows where all of the storage, bathing and exercising areas are. Also during this time she is searching for her rooms::

219Maximos

::Strangely, and yet in a most expected way, the fifth floor matches the fourth almost entirely. The exceptions being that the sauna and public bathrooms are more in use, resulting in Marissa getting more than a few invites to join the sauna, and the shower, and the bathroom. A few room doors opened as well, some simply slamming back shut in her face, and others simply walking back away and then kicking the door in her face. It seemed that those that had chosen to rest preferred rest to the company of a beautiful girl. For the most part the floor was exactly the same, with the exception of what would be the descending stairs. As opposed to a welcoming stairway there was a rather large baracaded metal slab with a single faintly glowing green circle in the center. ::

220Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::gritting her teeth with great annoyance she trudged up to the third floor. If she didn't find the rooms soon she would be trying to find someone with a sleeping potion instead and lacing a bunch of tacks with it and melding them to the stupid captains chair. An evil grin came across her face at the idea of tieing the sleeping captain up, tieing the rope to the side of the ship and throwing the captain overboard that way he dangled about 5 feet off of the water's surface. The evil grin widened at the thought of all of those lovely silvery fish taking little nips out of him and him waking up to that pleasant sight and screaming for help. Actually he would probably be demanding to be pulled up, which of course she would do ohhh so slowly, what with how small and weak she is. And of course it would be expected that the rope might slip one or two, or 10, times while she does it. But that can't exactly be blamed on her, now could it. With this lovely picture floating in her mind, she went throughout the third floor with an evil grin on her face and a soft song on her lips::

221Maximos

::At first notice she would see that all the doors on the 3rd floor are infact made of metal. Unfortunately this was coupled with the realization that all the doors on the 3rd floor were welded shut infact creating one very large super room for a one Audi Pyru. Ladies need room for all their shoes right?

This left the 3rd floor almost entirely vacant with the exception of the main wooden door to Audi's room which had been severely scorched but was tightly locked, as Audi herself was infact not home.::

222Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::still slightly singing to herself and with the image of the captain still playing in her mind she traveled up to the second floor. The evil grin had lessened to now being a sligth secretive smile and she had slipped into her usual stalking step::

223Maximos

::And there it was in all its glory. A beautiful gold encrusted black metal door about 6ft tall and 4ft wide. One could tell that the metal was originally coated in snake skin, but the majority of it had been scarred right the bleep off by whiplashes of angry flame. The extremely tacky and gold encrusted number "1" was still highly visible, as was the giant sign over the door reading "Captains Quarters". Voices could be heard from inside, but as they passed through solid steel they were somewhat distorted. And yet beside the giant room were 9 smaller rooms. Directly next to the captains room sat a room with a steel plate reading 2. This corresponded to one of the keys Marissa was holding. The same could be said for room 3 and 4, and each opened quite easily to reveal the exact same thing.

There sat a bed, about a queen size with nightstands on either side, a desk across the room, and a golden snack attached the wall. It appeared to be a spiralling snake with its head pointed at the bed. A matching snake was placed in the bathroom. And there was a full size bathroom in each room.::

224Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::can someone say obsessed? this thought went running through her head, disrupting the song she was singing. it was a good thing she didn't find snakes repulsive. She stepped out of the fourth door, looked at the other two and glared at the captain's door. The image of him bound had all of a sudden become veerrryy appealing. I think I will be sleeping with Lanhy, or I'll just try to stay awake for the next day and a half. Food will help and off she went for the kitchen, humming a small war song she learned from David.::

225Maximos

::Back down on the 4th floor sat the kitchen, a large room able to easily fit half the crew of the ship...and the ship been fully stocked. As it stood now, the room had quite alot of dust gathering in it and was somewhat dim. But there was food! The kitchen area was home to...black. Which is to say there was a small window on the right side of the room where it seemed food was served, and there were a set of stools in front of that window, but behind it was black.

And yet not in the normal way, the black seemed to move as if it was a cloud of smoke, or perhaps tar? Something seemed off about that pool. And yet the room was silent.::

226Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Ookay. ::walks toward the small window:: Anybody home? ::steps a little closer to the window and waits::

227Maximos

::Nothing. Not a thing. Not a responce, not a blink, not a sound. How boring...The rest of the room was empty and while people perodically walked passed the door to the galley no one actually looked inside.

There were many chairs, and yet if Marissa turned around she'd notice the room might seem a bit smaller...and a bit darker. Or maybe it was just her imagination. A trick from the lack of light, cob webs and creaky floor boards.

It was funny how everything in this room seemed so aged, so untouched....odd.::

228Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::the fact that no one was coming in here to eat and it didn't look like anyone had done that in a while peeked her interest greatly. She went from table to table blowing away the dust and looking on and underneath the tops for any writing the crew may have done to it. Maybe this would tell her why it wasn't so well used and for how long::

229Maximos

::It was odd. Because she was randomly picking tables this shouldnt have happend and yet it did. In order as she blew the dust off the tables these words appeared, not randomly, but in this exact order.::

"Far"

"From"

"Home"

"Kitty"

"Strays"

"Here"

"With"

"Me"

"Kitty"

"Stays"

::As she picked her head up from the last table, she get that odd shrinking feeling again. The feeling that the room had gotten a tiny bit smaller perhaps, or just a tiny bit darker...But no one was there.::

230Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Okay, this is weird even for home. ::she looks at the door, then bolts for the kitchen window. Grabbing the upper ledge inside the kitchen, lifting her feet up and pushing through (she would probably feel sorry if she nailed someone in the face but that was only an afterthought). Then the rest of her came speeding through and she landed in a crouched position on the other side::

231Maximos

::Strange, the door was still open and people were still walking by, yet none were walking in, or looking directly in. Why? It didnt matter, she bolted straight for the window, hands on the counter and....

DONG.

...Painful as it might be, the feeling she would feel would be equivalent to banging feet first into a solid wall. No give, and yet there was no wall. The surface hadnt changed from swathing black nothingness. And yet again, the room...seemed smaller. Chairs were missng, darkness was encrouching. Right?::

232Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::if it wasn't for the fact that she was on another world she would have sworn Lambeche had come and was playing a trick on her.:: Well this isn't fun anymore, nothings happening ::and she waltzes towards the door, singing once more::

233Maximos

::And there was the door. Creaky, wooden, old, and open. She walked toward it, closer, and closer, each step bringing her closer, to the door and the people walking outside of it until....BANG.

Just a second before she'd actually step into it, it slammed shut, and the words.

"NO!"

Was carved violently into the door, yet still the wood was dripping blood. and the carvings were being blown away. Perhaps this was just a very unhappy door? The gash in the door continued to bleed...more...and more, as soon the seams of the door began to bleed violent, gushing blood from every seam. The room itself began to bleed. From the window of black rumbling came as a torrent of the red life liquid gushed from the window and began flooding the room.

The walls screamed, not a human scream but the scream of creaking wood and from the dusty grains poured yet more of the red liquid...::

Marissa...

::The decrepit and sicky voice called forth from not a single place but everywhere around the room. The voice seemed racked with agony and pain as if tortured for a thousand years and left dying in this ever shrinking room. Right here right now.

The shrink was no longer minimal, but noticable, the walls were shrinking as the darkness incrouched and the blood was pooling closer and closer and closer...::

Marissa!

::The voice shouted from directly behind her. Familiar and yet lost, distant.:

234Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

(empty)

235Maximos

::The events of the room continued without remorse or response to her terrified cries. The blood slid and slithered around the floor with faces emerging from its red surface to emit screams of sheer agony. Hands gripped up at her doing their damnedest to pull her down into the muck.

The voice! The call! The blood on her robe did its damndest to climb up her form and drag her down into the depths. The feeling of dread the room broadcast could only be equated to the feeling one must feel before being dragged into the gates of hell. And then...the call. Her name! As she spun around, there he was.

The room was completely devoid of any of the previously mentioned horrors. It was as if they were never there. But he was. He stood about 8ft tall and yet he was rather lanky, a loving smile was persed across his lips as he looked down at her with his brown here gusted by the gentle wind.

Wind, indoors? No. They werent indoors, they were outdoors. But how? This wasnt the airship, this was home, a warm cave in the den realm and there was Watcher. Smiling at her, and holding her warmly in his hands.::

Its ok Marissa, you had another nightmare.

::And he reached forth to hold her close to his chest. There were a few scrapes across his chest from her subconcious thrashing. But all and all the crinos bastet was home, and Gaia felt as if she was sitting right next door.::

236Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::looks around, the panic causing her to shift back into her human form. She looks widely around her and then down at her robe, seeing her robe completely cleaned she inserts her hand into her pocket, feeling for the bracelet as she backs away from Watcher::

237Maximos

::Nothing,

Bracelet was entirely missing.

Watcher looked confused, his head tilted slightly to the side.::

Marissa? Its ok, its ok, it was just a dream. Come, its ok.

::He leaned forward yet again to go for another hug around her chest, the wounds she inflicted already almost entirely gone. The Watcher seemed as worried as he was confused.::

238Lord_Albrecht

After a good long working spree and doing his best to repair the kitchen, Lanhie walks out into the hallway and starts looking around for the crew quarters.

I guess I should find someone in charge. That slippery captain probably knows where our rooms are.

shifts to lupus and starts sniffing around for Captain snake oil

239Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::she looks at Watcher once more, shifts to feline and goes running out of the cave. her only thought is that she must find Grandfather, Eyroke and Bloodclaw. If this was another dream then something has gone dreadfully wrong. Also, how did she end up here in the Den-Realm from the Moon Bridge? Things were confusing, emotions running every which way. Oh how she hoped someone would know what to do::

240Maximos

Wait!

::Watchers voice cried out as he lunged forward and gripped her arm.::

Marissa before you go, theres some, I just need to ask you.

::His voice had change entirely from joyous love, to deep sadness. It might even seem odd he was suddenly so overcome with sadness. Maybe it was watching her run away so scared when she didnt confide in him. Maybe he just had something on his mind that couldnt wait.::


Whoa there shuga, where ya off to so fast?

::A voice called out from directly behind Lanhie. She wore a large pirates cap with the insignia of a skull and crossbones set ablaze across it. Her hair was as red as the hottest fire, and her face was as kind as a little candle. She wore an eye patch, across her right eye and the outfit you might most expect from a pirate maiden. A long jacket with a slit from the neck to the belly button exposing all clevage that was legal.::

Cute fella like you dont need to run. You need a tour.

::She said as she seductively made her way over to Lanhie, her hips swaying, in her sexiest walk.::

241Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::due to Watcher's size there was no way she would be able to get away, and she could never bring herself to hurt him:: What is it? I need to speak with Bloodclaw about the dream. Please let me go to him ::her tone would make most rocks melt with pity and that is what she was hoping for::

242Lord_Albrecht

shifts back to homid

Nice outfit... honestly, a tour would be nice, but I'm beat. The squabble I had with that ten armed, muscle-bound freak, the clean up of the room that we wrecked in the process, plus all of the information that has been crammed into my head over the past fourty eight hours has left me a little... well, alot tired. Can you just point me to where I can catch a quick fourty winks?

243Maximos

Marissa-Gift_of_Helios Wrote:

::due to Watcher's size there was no way she would be able to get away, and she could never bring herself to hurt him:: What is it? --

::He wouldnt let her continue, this just couldnt wait. It may be out of the norm for him, but he needed to have this said. Yet his lip quivered and he seemed about to tear up.::

W-why Marissa...

::His hand squeezed around her wrist yet tighter. It may hurt, but that wouldnt be the first odd thing he did.::

Why did you let me...

::Something wasnt right here. He was only 16 and yet...he was getting old? Right before poor Marissa's face Watcher began to age. His face growing aged, his skin crinkling and drying...and then came the cuts and lascerations. The flesh on his hand began to slowly peel free as he screamed out at her a scream not filled with anger but filled with the saddes of tears drenched in despair.::

WHY DID YOU LET ME DIE?!

::As he screamed he would jerk her towards him aiming to pull her face to closeness they only shared right before a kiss. And yet no one would want to kiss what his face had become. Aged and torn, half skeletal and rotted away. This was the face of a corpse left rotting in the middle of no where for years on years left alone.

His sobs echoed across the den realm before his rotted hand snapped off at the wrist as he tried to pull her in yet one more time and then....

Black.

Her vision would be clouded with nothing put pitch black. It was as if she was standing in nothing but unending pitch black. No where to go, no where to run. The feeling of Gaia was stripped from her...only the void...::


'Course, shuga, I know just the place to catch a great sleep.

::Her hand sly and seductively slips forward and scritches him behind his ear as she walks by.::

Follow me puppy.

::And a wink.::

244Lord_Albrecht

raises an eyebrow

Sure... Lead on.

starts following the woman

245Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::Now she knows where she is. She's in a small little realm that was created just for her, to punish her. The Moon Bridge crumbling must have happened and they both ended up dying. But if Watcher is blaming her then there must have been something she could have done if she could have just held on tighter. Her own mind must have made up the airboat world to try to escape this place; but Watcher is, or rather was, strong enough to break through a simple fantasy world. This is the way Gaia is punishing her. Putting her somewhere where she is to be forgotten, never to rejoin the cycle, never to rejoin her family, never to rejoin with Gaia. If she let Watcher die then she deserves all of this, and with that thought she crumbles in a heap and cries::

246Maximos

::And then he comes. From the void that was the pit around her, came a swirling and swathing of the icky black...like a certain window in a certain kitchen. And from the swathing came the sight of two glowing blue eyes, each larger than her entirety. Both looking directly down at her in a most dull fashion.

And then a voice. There was no mouth but there was a voice. It sighed a long and heavy sigh.::

Pathetic...toys dont last as long as they used too...You broke already?


::And she continued to lead him, right to the 3rd floor. Her hips swaying ever so teasingly. The 3rd floor was home to many doors, and only one that wasnt smelted shut. It was wooden and somewhat scarred.

The woman pulled a key from her pocket and slid it into the door, pulling it open and standing on the outside of the door with a slight bow. The sort of bow that causes her to bend over, and with her clothing leaving very little to the imagination.::

Afta you.

::She says with a sly seductive smile.::

247Lord_Albrecht

looks for the nearest thing that even remotely resembles a bed and shambles towards it, very much 90% asleep

Thanks. Um, where's the key? Cause Marissa's gonna need one. She'll be getting tired soon.

Oh... what's with all the doors being welded shut?

248Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Broke? If that is what you want to call it then sure. ::look of absolute murder flashes in her eyes:: If that was what you call entertainment, then bravo. ::every word drips with acid potent enough to go through any metal:: Obviously you haven't felt love in so long it has become only a toy to you, or you have never been blessed with such a gift. You are PATHETIC. ::this last word is spit out at the shadow as a look of pure disgust takes over her face::

249Maximos

::Laughter fills almost every corner of the void. He's been spit at before, venom had dripped from bigger badder mouths, but he was sure she was down and out, and she still had a bit of kick.::

Hahahahahahaheheheheheee, your cute. Eat up.

::Click.

Like turning on a light switch, or like turning off a TV, like turning the ignition on your car. Just a click.

Marissa would feel baby soft skin against her arm as she lifted her head from her arm and felt the tiny bit of spiddle down her cheek. She would be host to an odd feeling, a feeling most people get when waking up in the morning. The feeling of napping and awaking to only remember shattered bits and pieces of there dreams. For her, she would remember the feeling of being in a very boring room. And then bits and pieces of something about blood, and Watchers smiling face, and tables...there must have been alot of tables. So wierd.

Directly infront of her was a dish with ice cream, covered in sugar, 3 cups of coffee, one a double shot, two slices of cake. A steak dinner, a ceaser salad.

And behind that, an odd looking old man dressed in mostly black with very flaky skin, which is to say that almost everything around and under him was covered in sand. He looked her in the eye and smiled.::

You ok there kiddo? You looked like you were having a bad dream.

::As odd as they were, and as much as she might not remember falling asleep...it just seemed to fit. It was so wierd! So odd. There was this lingering feeling of something gone wrong, but it was quickly fading.

What had happened?

Nothing Happened.::


::As soon as he is fully into the room, she enters behind him and clinks the door shut.::

Dont worry shuga, I'll keep it open for ha'

::He stumbles directly into bed, and sexily walks directly behind him. She reaches to a blue bottle on the table nearby and clicks the top open and begins pouring the liquid on her hands. Almost immediately the smell of sweet nectar and incense engulfed the room. For Lanhie it was the smell of home, and worst off the smell of his loving wife as she lay beside him in bed.

Gently as can be he pushes him forward.::

Lye down shuga, and dont you mind the walls, we like our privacy on dis ship.

250Lord_Albrecht

he winces, then he starts crying

Chelsea... I miss you. It's been almost a month...

Instincts take over as he shifts to Crinos, a sorrowborn look on his face even in that warform, and he howls the pain in his heart out for the world to hear, a song of pain and loss pours from his lungs.

251Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

I...I guess I was. Unfortunately I have them often and I always remember only bits and pieces, except for one but that was a while ago. ::looks puzzled at the food in front of her and shakes her head, trying to clear out the cobwebs:: Thank you for the food ::as she moves the steak closer:: Do you have to start preparing supper or do you have time to sit with me? I would like someone to tell me about this world and there is more than enough food for me here :waving at the large amount of food on the table::

252Maximos

That usually means it wasnt an important dream.

::He said as he shoved his little kitchen stool up the window. And served himself a little glass of warm milk and a bowl of ice cream.::

I have all the time in the world.


::That touch. The hands on his back, sliding down from the lower portion of his shoulder to the small of his back.::

Its ok my love. I'm here now...nothing else matters.

::No. It was not mind control. His senses demanded that this was the truth. Eyes, ears, nose, the touch of her fingers gently pushing him into bed. Could it be that he was home, that this room let him be with her once more?

His senses would overide logic. He was home. This was love.::

253Lord_Albrecht

relaxing to homid, too tired to do anything else.

I've gotta be dreaming, or I fell into the umbra again.

shakes his head, trying to shake out the cobwebs, looks towards what touched him.

254Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Well :settling in and starting to eat:: I guess the first question would be who runs the world. Where I'm from there are a triad who runs everything, just different aspects. So how did this place come into existence and who supplies the power to the worshippers?

255Maximos

Heh heh.

::He laughs a bit, sipping his warm milk.::

You ask wise questions for a such a little girl. No one runs Gaia, no one has and no one will.

::He took a spun from his ice cream and played with a few of the stars hanging down from strings on his black painted ceiling.::

This is a safe house, nuetral ground for all gods and all men. I'm pretty old, but even I'm a child next to this place. I really couldnt tell you where it all began.

::Another sip of warm milk slips passed his old lips, as he carefully speaks again. Each word is so calm, so peaceful.::

Faith makes the god go round, their power, their influence, gods walk amongst men here and hand their powers out to whomever they deem fit. Its how its always been. I assume your not from around here. Where are you from?


::And there was Chelsea, her flowing brown hair. Her golden tanned skin. It matched exactly what she looked like in his wettest of dreams. Her top had been peeled off and she was rubbing some type of oil on her body.::

Its ok, its over now. Are you ready for bed?

256Lord_Albrecht

Oil... Chelsea hates oil on her body, she's a neat freak

Wait a minute...

Just enough lie slipped into Lanhie's senses to make him see though what ever he was in the middle of

No, I'm not ready. Who are you?

257Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

From what I've gathered I must be on the other side of the spirit world. I come from a world called Earth. We have supernatural creatures of all sorts, but until recently we stayed hidden. The primary ones are vampires and shapechangers. The Triad I spoke of controls the areas of birth, formation and destruction; all of which are essential in any world. There are also other gods, or celestines depending on who you talk to. There is one all powerful god but he hasn't been seen in quite a while and no one is sure who made the world, either this one god or the triad. Most think that the one started the ball rolling and the triad was accidentaly created out of the mix and took over when the god left. We have spirits, who teach us. We have normal humans, but their numbers have decreased rapidly in the last decade. We were somewhat technologically ::she stumbles over the word a bit, like she's not used to saying it:: advanced but a lot of it went away when the human numbers were decreased. We pretty much lead a simple life now.

258Maximos

Earth!

::He lets out a quiet laugh, the laugh is slight, but one can tell that with his past volume this was infact loud for him.::

Its been forever, your talking the Weaver, Wyrm, and Wyld...those kids were always interesting.

::The laugh ended as he shook his head in sweet nostalgia and took another spoon of ice cream.::

Your a long way from home arent you? How'd you get way over here?


::Uh oh, it wasnt audible, but she thought it. The Oil lathering didnt stop, it just continued as she tried her best to play it off. Lanhie's mind may have said things didnt make sense, but the room around him said this was the truth.::

Love, dont be cruel, I bought this today I thought you would love the scent. I know its messy but I'll clean it.

::High maintenance woman? Something? She would be sweating if she could, thankfully physically she could and if she could the scent would have been masked. But she continued.::

What? You dont like it?

259Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

I was with Watcher, a childhood friend, and we had to do a bit of traveling because of that one dream I told you about. On Earth we can get around by Moon Bridges. They are these long silvery bridges that can take you to spiritual hubs. Watcher and I were on one going home and somehow it broke, I never knew one could do that. We tried to hold onto one another but we weren't strong enough ::she starts tearing up a little, but no tears fall:: and we fell apart and then I woke up in the middle of a grove and when i went running for help I ran into Lanhy. He happens to be Watcher's father, so at least I know someone here.

260Lord_Albrecht

Lanhie moves quickly away form whoever the woman is. He's looking wide awake now

It's not the scent of the oil, the oil's fine. It's that you're not Chelsea. There are some things that only a husband would notice.

placing himself as close to the door as possible

Garou are just like wolves, we mate for life.

261Maximos

Hmm. Well, at least you have friends!

::He said with a smile. The old man was horrible with secrets and had this problem of leaking them in places they definately shouldnt be. So he did his best to cap his yap on that one. And nod. Though he did let out a sincere "Oh no", when she mentioned the bridge and he offered her a soft hankerchef when she began to tear up.::

At least you have friends here, some come with far less. This Lanhie, he's strong right?


Tck.

::The temperature in the room rose a bit as the oil was literally burned off the red headed womans skin. She plopped her topless self down onto the bed with her head in her hand and let out a very long sigh.::

Another faithful dog...geez...gettin' laid on this hunka'junk is harder than the captain after a lil' girlie walks on deck...

::She signed another long sigh and made a deft motion of her wrists.::

Ya go on to your room, its room numba two 2nd floor...doors locked, right next to the captains. Better to keep your friends close and your enemies...whateva...just go.

::She made another deft wave of her hand for Lanhie to keep on truckin.::

262Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

He is in all ways. He went through a tough childhood and then with the help of my Mother he's become one of the greatest warriors Gaia has. He seems to be coping well with the situation although I know he's worried about Watcher. ::sigh:: I don't even know where exactly we are going, its why I've been trying to talk to people about this place. Lanhy's looking for something, that stupid raven who was plopped in front of Lanhy is looking for something. I'm just tagging along so I don't become lost. I only had one thing that was really important to me and I'm having to cope with never seeing him again. Life was made really easy and really hard on me all at once. ::she pauses for a moment and lets out a slight chuckle at her situation. Then seems to shake herself out of this mood she always seems to talk herself into. she straightens up and looks at the old man:: So how is it you have come to work for the captain? did you come voluntary or did the captain swindle you too?

263Lord_Albrecht

Sorry about that... Loyality comes with being a werewolf. It's part of the breed.

Lanhie slinks towards the door, but stops for a second.

I've very flattered. I'm sure that if things were a little different on my side, it would have been fun.

starts moving again

Good night, ma'am.

leaves the room

264Maximos

Good, then I'm sure you'll be all kinds of safe.

::He nods triumphantly, and then looks at her in an almost grandfatherly way and smiles brightly.::

If I've learned anything in my line of work, its that all things really do happen for a reason. I can tell you for certain, everything is going to work out in the end Marissa.

::Crap! He slipped again! He would have kicked himself if that wouldnt have made things more suspicious. He just played it off as if he'd already heard her name before and continued right along.:

Oh no no, the captain in his best day couldnt swindle me. I swindled him! I bet him I could make him a meal so good it could only exist in his dreams. And if I did he would provide me free room and board for as long as I wanted. And well...you can figure out what happened.

::He did it again! But he covered it better this time. He nodded triumphantly and proceeded to continue spooning the ice cream.::


Yeah yeah....

::She said from her disappointed perch and she let out a long sigh as she laid flat back against the bed just giving up all together. Though as Lahnie left, having not closed the door a few voyuers tried to peak around the corner, and from behind him Lanhie would be treated to the sound several small explosions from down the hall and the sight of two grown men with their clothes partially aflame rushing past him. They'd be ok, their other pants and perfectly unsinged crotches.::

265Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

(empty)

266Maximos

He-hehe-hahahaha...

::He chuckled a bit and slurped a bit of milk.::

Now why o' why would you like to do a thing like that little girl? I mean sure the Captain is a bit of a snake...well I guess thats self explanitory...hehehe...why does...I mean who're you looking to take?

267Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Mackey

268Maximos

Ahh yes. Sadness haunts that poor bear like it haunts no other.

::He sat back a bit and pondered to himself, a hand on his chin, another across his chest.::

Its a wonderful notion, but I doubt the captain would fall for my trick again, knowing who and what I am. Why does Mackey interest you so?

269Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Because of the suspecion you just confirmed. He's a bear. ::she looks him hard in the eye, gaging his reaction:: He has a lot of potential and no one here can, or probably will, let him know it and help him achieve it. I want to take him traveling with me so I can teach him. Also, what exactly are you?

270Maximos

Marissa-Gift_of_Helios Wrote:

Because of the suspecion you just confirmed. He's a bear. ::she looks him hard in the eye, gaging his reaction:: He has a lot of potential and no one here can, or probably will, let him know it and help him achieve it. I want to take him traveling with me so I can teach him. Also, what exactly are you?

I am...

:: Oooooh she asked the 10 million dollar question. A flick of his wrist tossed a streak of sand across the counter, dodging her food entirely. A second wave of his hand and the lights started to flicker just a bit as he pushed himself up and off the chair. His black clothes sparkled for a moment revealing the golden stars which slowly faded into view.::

...the Sandman! Master of the Enigma's which haunt the mind! Leaker of Secrets! Silencer of the Inner Struggle!

::A few tingles and a few sparkles swirled about him as he continued his epic speech.::

I am Morpheus, God of Dreams!

::Poof! The sand relaxed the lights flickered back off and old Morpheus sat in his chair and scooped up another spoon of ice cream.::

...And I'll help you. For a price...

271Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::Look of complete wonderment during the lightshow, then slightly relaxes when he sits back down. cocks her head and thinks a moment:: So that would explain all of the dream comments you have made. Wait a minute ::a look of realization, and she stands up:: You're the reason why I had that dream when I came in ::wagging a finger at him. glares at him for a moment and then seems to run out of energy and sits down:: oh well, I guess the spirits, gods, celestines whatever you creatures want to be called, has to get entertainment somehow. So, what is this price you are thinking of.

272Maximos

::He nods fully accepting every bit of the blame.::

I am, I am.

::And then she asks his price.::

Its simple, though for some its the hardest in the world. I ask for....your forgiveness.

::He nods and looks down to his hands scooping up two balls of sand, on in his left and one in his right, the right quickly fades to black icky sand. And he tosses the two balls between each hand smashing them together and blending them into one swirling ball.::

You see, I was trying to get a bit of work done between the lunch and dinner rushes and you trotted in.

::His hands seperate and the balls begin to sift and seperate. But the shift is not direct its violent, and two sides thrash wildly trying to seperate.::

I sort the bad and the good dreams and try to make sure the right dream reaches the right person and gives them the right motivation for the right situation.

::He smiles and nods a bit.::

But sometimes in trying to pry these two apart, pieces fly hither and tither and then well it makes a general mess. You stepped in just as I was swirling the nightmares and terrors. Terrors are and uncontrollable, they latch onto whatever curious mind is closest and...well...there you were.

::The two scoops of sand swirl and fly back behind him into the pile on the floor.::

I am sincerely sorry.

273Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Due to your admittance of the event and you seem to be genuinely sorry, I do forgive you. Magic is hardly a certain thing at times and it is understandable for some of it to go awry. I do have one question for you, which might lead to one more; but, do you affect all dreams or just the dreams on this world?

274Maximos

::He thought for an moment, with a sparkle in his eye.::

All.

::He folds his arms across his chest and rubs the side of his face.::

I am a living loophole to the faith rule, people may not believe in me, but they do believe in my work. Who can deny they have dreams?

::He leans forward a bit.::

Why?

275Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

The dreams I remember. I thought they were only dreams, but some say they are links to past lives, both mine and others. Which are they? If you're needing an example, the one dream I told you I remembered. I dreamt I was a reptilian shapechanger. I tracked down a memory walker and we went back into my memory for a clearer view. We saw it, but was this just a clearer view of the dream or was it myself being linked to someone else's life?

276Maximos

You see a Nagah, you see yourself in her shoes and your wondering how or why you have these visions?

::He folds his arms across his chest.::

Let me ask you this, I know their were tragic events on Earth in recent history, but have you ever sent a letter, or message to someone without actually handing it to them?

::It was like trying to explain the concept of a sunset's color spectrum to a blind man.::

There was a whole service for this purpose called the postal service, have you heard of it?

277Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Yeess, ::looking very confused:: I vaguely remember someone mentioning such a thing. Today we send such things by spirits. It can be expensive but it works very well.

278Maximos

Well...

::He says with a smile.::

...Dreams can be the same. Dreams are our way of communicating to you what you need to know, or what you need to know. I remember that dream, Gaia kept sending it. The sisters were really persistent. She wrote the letter, I delivered it.

::He leans in a bit closer to her ear and whispers::

I did take a peak at the letter.

::And then leaned back on his stool::

But thats our little secret, I can tell you this. There is "something" she really wants you to do. Something...south of the Mythral Mountains...

::Wink. He winked just a bit. Not a "I want in your pants" wink, but rather a "Heres some candy, dont tell mom" type of smirk.::

279Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::the small secretive smile crept back to her lips, and she winked in return:: of course. ::she ate the last of the food in silence and actually ate everything:: those three cups of coffee should keep me up for a while. thank you for the talk and I will be more careful when I walk in here.

280Maximos

Oh indeed.

::He smiled and waved. A bit of a rush came in and he was doing his best to whip up all the food he could, whislt the B kitchen was under repair. And after she was done, he would smile and nod and slide her dishes into the sink. But he had a final bit of advice.::

You'll be up for a few days, but I suggest spending most of the night in your room, or someplace safe. Some of the crew members are not very...well mannered.

281Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

thank you for your advice and the food. Both have been quite helpful. I will go to my room now, for I'm sure Lanhy has been looking for me. Again, thank you. ::she leaves a goes searching for Lanhy::

282Vahn Fah

Turrien's attempt at sparking the torch to life are succesful, as a small blaze starts up.

It would last for little over an hour, clearly illuminating a 20-foot radius and providing shadowy illumination out to a 40-foot radius. With that in hand, the swashbuckler would surely be able to see the bag that his child companion had dragged out from the edge of the abyss.

The screeching would persist, off and on, as the heavy off-beats of leathery wings were heard.

Vahn Kyonuske Wrote:

If the characters examine the vine bag after pulling it out of the earth and rinsing it off (somehow), they note that it is burnt black in places. This was apparently someone's bag; and it was at one time filled with something.

The smell, should any of them be used to the pungent stench, would remind someone of rotten fruit. Fruit which had used to lure something to this side of the ravine (characters note a few dried lumps of foreign matter). The fruit has over time deteriorated and left black marks upon the bag (much like those that would have been noted by the characters during their travels through the tunnel, had they lit any of the torches). If the characters put two-and-two together they will decipher that the bag was once filled with fruit; that it was used for luring something to the bank (this could be considered a long shot estimate by taking into account the fruits' fragrant/intoxicating aroma and the bag's proximity to the edge, not to mention the bag's openness (i.e., its holes); and that they should get, and then use, some of this fruit in order to gain the other bank.

Something seemed to echo out an almost inhuman screech, as the throwing knife struck against the darkness (teehee).

283Kanashimi Kurai

Vahn Kyonuske Wrote:

Elsewhere...

"Madame, welcome to my humble abode..." With a flourish, the man bowed low, before Amunet, giving her quite the smile. "Your feeling well, I hope? I found you with quite the amount of seawater in your lungs."

Standing straight up, and acting proper enough, he went to a nearby burea and began rummaging through it's contents.

"I... yes... I'm feeling well... I gather from what you've told me, that I would be dead, were it not for you?" If this was true, then she would owe the man her life. A shiver ran down her spine at that thought. No matter how nice the man seemed to be, she did not trust him and she did not like the thought of being honor-bound to return the favor.

Amunet watched the man was he rummaged through the contents of the drawers. Her mind was swirling with a chaotic mass of questions. Who was this man? Why had he saved her? What did he want from her?

284Vahn Fah

"Quite so. Unless you have the ability to breathe underwater?"

He had long since turned around, a single eyebrow raised as if to punctuate his point. Everything about him was simply charismatic; from the way he dressed to the way he moved and talked.

It all flowed, as if he were of noble blood or upbringing. His attire was pretty historical as well, befitting that of a grand sailor of the seas... A spanish conquistador.. or... simply... a Pirate.

"It has been quite some time since I've had visitors."

285Kanashimi Kurai

"I thank you then... I owe you my life. As for guests, I can can't imagine why no one would come to visit you... You seem like such a gracious host..." Charismatic or not, the fact that he hadn't had guests in quite some time and that he was dressed as a pirate was reason enough to not fully trust him. But for now, Amunet would play the part of the grateful guest and at least him give him a chance.

286Kraun

"Huzzah!" the swashbuckler cheered as the torch lit up and his vision shifted for normal light in the close proximity of the torch.

Now, using the torch's light to take a look at the object in question, Turriens really didnt know what to make of it except that it had holes in it and smelled. He wiggled his nose as he puzzled over this odd item for several seconds...

Until he decided to go explore the bottom of the stairs instead.

So, down he went, careful of his steps so that he didnt trip and then have a nasty fall all the way down to the bottom. Maybe there would something more interesting at the bottom than on the top.

287Ruuvan

Ruuvan was standing towards the front of the airship now, moving after it left Latent and moved up into the air. The distance between the airship and Latent Docks didn't stop him from hearing a distant rumbling that one could mistake for gunfire, but it was too far away to warrant questioning; he had something else to get done before worrying about some small Pirate attack on the docks.

"How long does it take for something this fast to get to an island?" Seeing as he had figured out a way to get to the ground, using the bow and that marvelous green arrow to stop himself being crushed into the ground, Ruuvan just wanted to get it over and done with and find this Windmill place. Everyone he had asked about the dark figure, mainly that one Hotel Manager, gave him the impression it couldn't be anyone else except Maximos, hence why he was so anxious to find out who it was.

288Maximos

:: D simply shrugged his shoulders and continued peering over the edge of the ship.::

289Ruuvan

Ruuvan exhaled sharply and pushed himself away from the edge of the ship, turning around and walking off in an attempt to find the Captain of this vessel, all the while thinking about the distance he'd need to fire the arrow in order to safely get him in the area of effect and not cause whiplash or anything, but that would all come later.

So, after a few minutes of wandering about the deck with his bags in hand, Ruu ventured upon the guy standing over a rather unconventional-looking steering mechanism, obviously the thing that controlled the ship's direction, but it looked a hell of a lot different to that on other sea-orientated ships he had seen.

"Hey there." Ruuvan smiled at the man and nodded to him, waiting for some kind of reply before continuing with his question, "How long until we're over the island with the Windmill?"

290Maximos

Ruuvan Wrote:

Ruuvan exhaled sharply and pushed himself away from the edge of the ship, turning around and walking off in an attempt to find the Captain of this vessel, all the while thinking about the distance he'd need to fire the arrow in order to safely get him in the area of effect and not cause whiplash or anything, but that would all come later.

So, after a few minutes of wandering about the deck with his bags in hand, Ruu ventured upon the guy standing over a rather unconventional-looking steering mechanism, obviously the thing that controlled the ship's direction, but it looked a hell of a lot different to that on other sea-orientated ships he had seen.

"Hey there." Ruuvan smiled at the man and nodded to him, waiting for some kind of reply before continuing with his question, "How long until we're over the island with the Windmill?"

::Thankfully, Ruuvan had stumbled upon the Navigator.::

1 day!

::He said with a triumphant nod, and a smile, and continued steering the ship::

291Ruuvan

"Alright, thanks." Ruuvan said with another smile and a nod, turning around to move back to D peering over the edge. Seeing as they'd be stuck on this thing for a while, one day to be precise, so what better opportunity to ask the bow about the arrows again? Now that she knew his memory was wiped clean and he couldn't remember anything, Ruu was sure he could get taught the basics again.

"How about we try again, eh?" Ruuvan switched back to his thought-talking as he slipped the bow into his hands, after placing the bags on the ground of course, and placed the quiver in front of him so he could see the arrows, "What type of arrow does what?" Unless there was an easily distinguishable way of telling them apart, Ruu would have to rely on luck more than anything.

292Maximos

::Laughter could be heard from the bow, as the arrows sat idly in the quiver.::

The ones with bottles are labled for such, as for the rest they dont do much.

::There was a pause, a riddled and rhymed answer...that much be Ruuvans favorite kind. The bow could be heard laughing a bit more before she spoke again::

The arrows fly, thats all they do. I do the rest, I make them boom.

293Ruuvan

Riddles were never Ruuvan's strong point, seeing as he preferred to shoot first and figure things out later, but he had been faced with many riddles and such in these past few days that he had started to try and figure them out without resorting to brute force. So, with this new riddle taking a foothold in his mind, Ruuvan decided to take the arrows out of the quiver and lay them in a way so he could see the shapes and such of every one.

"Well, seeing as I need to know one type for when we get to the island, which one would cause that Emerald colour? You know: The one that lifted the boat into the air and then lowered it; it might be useful to slow my descent."

294Maximos

Your silly Ruu Ruu, you dont remember anything do you?

::She laughed again.::

You hold more power than you know...all you do is think. I make it go.

::As she said that Ruu would see one of the more normal looking arrows, glow a faint green and then fade back to normal. Ruuvan laid out exactly 30 arrows. 20 of them liked entirely normal, the feathers were wooden, the arrows themselves were a dark ebony and the feathers were a bright green like the strange grains in the bow itself. However the remaining 10 were nowhere near normal. Several of them didnt even look like arrows, they were long stalks with feathers or balls, or even rings on the end of them. 3 of the arrows had 4 seperate arrow heads, and others had strange bottles which surrounded the heads. The bottles read things like "Luxos", "Darkus", "Pyrus", "Diath". Things of that nature. Quite odd.

The bow could be felt waiting silent for Ruuvan to scan over the arrows.::

295Ruuvan

It was true: Ruuvan didn't remember a thin, except the name of the world he came from, what his true form was and who he was fighting with again against, but this bow and its accompanying arrows were a mystery to him. Images were starting to flash in his mind of when he used to use the bow, each one showing a different scene depending on the word the Bow was saying.

Anyway, once she had finished talking and Ruuvan had time to look over the arrows, he slowly put the plain ones back into the quiver and stared at the bottle-top and strange-looking ones.

"So, aside from these strange ones here, I just have to think of what I want them to do? Like making a gust of wind slow a fall, or fire to make an explosion?" After whatever answer she gave, Ruu went on to ask about the other ones, "What do these strange ones do and what do the bottles say?" It was all going to be a quick learning curve, or slow depending on her answers, but Ruu really wanted to know what it all meant.

296Maximos

Ruuvan Wrote:

"So, aside from these strange ones here, I just have to think of what I want them to do? Like making a gust of wind slow a fall, or fire to make an explosion?"

No my love, thats not it. I see what you need, and I make it. You see fire, I make it freeze, you see a climb, I make it ease...I give what you need in dire times...plus a few rhymes.

::There was a sense of satisfaction in her voice. A bit of pride at describing her more powerful features. What women isnt proud of their features?::

Ruuvan Wrote:

"What do these strange ones do and what do the bottles say?"

::She paused for a bit releasing a few sparse, "Hmm's" all followed by a single long "hmmmmmm". And then she spoke. It was short and to the point, but it would get the answer across that Ruuvan needed most. And of course, that which was most truthful.::

I'm not an elf, I'm a bow....I do not know.

297Ruuvan

It was now that Ruuvan realised the full power of his bow, what with it having a mind of its own and all, but it was able to figure out what his target needed and do it for him; AI eat your heart out!

"That's pretty amazing..." These would be the first words he said outloud, both in answer to the woman in his bow and to clairfy to D that he wasn't ignoring him in any way, "It'll be a day before we reach the isle, D, so you might want to find a place to sleep on this ship." Ruu figured that the crew quarters would only be for those who ran the ship, what with it being a cargo transport and not a cruise ship - as the man at the docks wanted to make clear - so they'd have to find a way to keep warm over the night, but that would come later. For now, Ruu would just look out over the edge at the sea, cradling the bow in his arms and thinking about their task.

298Maximos

Ruuvan Wrote:

"That's pretty amazing..."

::She laughed a pride stuffed laugh. And spoke aloud.::

Of course, of course, I am, I am. God I'm such a ham.

::She chuckled again::

I kid I kid, you know me....speaking of kids, I think we need a bed for lil'D.

Ruuvan Wrote:

"It'll be a day before we reach the isle, D, so you might want to find a place to sleep on this ship."

::Its true, Ruu said these things so that D wouldnt feel left out, but he didnt. With a bit of a sleight of hand, D had snatched one of Ruu's arrows and held it in his hands as he went to peer over the deck of the ship. Sadly, it was reaching noon and it was naptime...and so D began to nap....right there. He slumped forward partially leaning on the border, and partially kneeling on the floor, with the arrow safely clutched in hand. He was a child holding a souvenir from his favorite super hero. And a smile was plastered across his face.

Of course, despite the serenity of his position, he was teetoring over the edge of the deck, and a strong enough jostle, could knock the sleeping, snoring child right overboard.::

299Ruuvan

It was quite something to see D entering the land of nod whilst still standing, or half-standing at least, clutching the arrow so very tightly in his hand, but that didn't stop the fact he could've fallen off had Ruuvan not done anything. So, taking off his jacket and placing it on D's shoulders, Ruu tipped him backwards and cradled the child in his arms. With D now wrapped in his coat and all snug, Ruu turned his back to the side of the ship and slumped down against it, placing D down beside him so his head wrested on his knee. There wasn't much else he could do now but close his eyes and attempt to sleep himself, though he didn't find it as easy as a child.

"Goodnight." The last things he said to the bow and D before falling asleep himself.

300Maximos

'Night, night.

::She said. And night brought nothing but the sound of the crew sleeping. Some waking, a few sparse people passing by the location of the group until finally the crack of dawn, and quiet voice in Ruuvans mind...::

Wake up my love the sun rises, with bits of love for your eyes, and wake up my love you've gone and slept the whole night, now open those eyes, and see the light...

::She sung to him, like a mother to a child, not a lullaby to wake him, but a melody to pull him from what would have been the absolute most restful sleep he'd had in years. It was as if once, and for all, he had rested entirely, both body and mind. He would feel knew, fresh. And he would hear....the pit pat of feet. The Captain made his way to the group, again with a clipboard.::

Alright, we're here. The island is coming up. At our speed you've got 2 minutes to make the fall, aim right, or you get wet. And he meant just what he said. Just off the port bow a tiny speck of an island was coming into view.

D was totally into the idea. He had been awake before Ruuvan, and had take to playing with his make-shift toys, until the captain came. And when he the captain spoke, the little boy immediately hoped onto the thin barrier of the ship, and smiled at Ruuvan before leaning forward....and free falling. Or at least he seemed to be...for now. His arms and legs extended, his baggy clothes flapping in the wind, and his laughing voice fading as he fell farther, and farther...::

301Ruuvan

How could falling asleep on the hard deck of an airship be the best sleep he's ever had? It was beyond this warrior, but he was grateful he had been given such a refreshing and peaceful sleep. So, with D already jumping over the barrier and falling towards the island, obviously with his own method of not hitting the ground at speed, Ruuvan was left with little to do but get his gear and follow suit off the front of the ship.

"Thanks again for the lift." It was at this point that his mind drifted back to the cheque at the docks, which would take a considerable time to clear, so Ruu would have to phone his bank and have the item cancelled; a kick in the nuts to the annoying dock master he had the encounter with, but at least it would be a small victory.

So, with the black duffel bag and case strapped to his back, the bow in his hands and a plain arrow notched, Ruuvan took a running start to the same place D jumped off and leapt into the air. Now, most people would like an assurance they wouldn't die from a fall, be it a parachute or being strapped to someone who knew what they were doing, but Ruu had to place his trust in a bow he had obvious strong ties with; so on reflection, about a safety measure being strapped to someone, Ruu had his own little lifesaver in his hands.

"Here's to hoping it's not a rough landing." Even though the wind resistance stopped him from smiling, what with the skin being pulled back onto his face, an internal smile would show to the Bow as they came closer to the island. Ruuvan drew back the string and aimed towards the spot of ground they were heading towards - 'they' being him and the bow - as he mentally measured the time before they hit the ground.

Not long now, the ground was getting closer and the clouds had long since been passed. It was almost show time. Almost... not yet... what day was it again? Now! Ruu released the string and watched was the arrow flew towards the ground, waiting for the bright flash of green to come before the magic wind came to stop his descent; this life was in her hands now and he trusted her with it too.

302Maximos

::Free falling was not flying, and D was infact free falling. At first he flailed his arms around wildly causing him to flip and flap around rather chaoticly, but from his laughter he seemed to love it. It took a few seconds but soon he learned to use his body as a kite. He kept his arms and legs out at either side in order to semi glide. This was by no means flying and the impact would still have been fatal, but the drag from his baggy clothes, and his lighter weight would soon cause him to begin floating above Ruuvan. Which is to say that he was falling at the same speed, but above Ruuvan, even though he jumped first.

This would be followed by several flips and turns and Ruuvan being treated to the sight of a boy with his legs beside each other and his arms folded across his chest, like a torpedo zooming past him at rediculous speeds and poofing into a cloud.

What was most odd was the sound of loud crackling as Ruuvan himself entered the cloud and as he exited...D was nowhere to be seen. There was no sight of him, or his body on the ground, or, any big obvious splashes in the ocean.::

Ruuvan Wrote:

Almost... not yet... what day was it again? Now!

::That moment. That irreplacable split second timing, only, indeed only, possible to the hardest of warriors. It had to be beyond thought, it was training, it was instinct. It was now. Ruuvan pulled his bowstring back and...

Darkness.

Ruuvan would likely notice a very dark shadow hovering just above and behind him...and getting closer. It is a sad truth, but the advanced hearing provided to the elven race, works two ways. They are gifted with the wonderful ability to hear even the smallest sounds in the farthest distances...this also means that the louder, closer, sounds are far more powerful. Like the vicious and powerful gust of air rising up around Ruuvan, or rather air rushing past his ear as he falls through it.

His intense skill as an archer, and a sniper would train him to drown out any outside noise in aiming his shot but...this was more than that. If Ruuvan were to look up, he would see that their were infact 4 very large crates falling directly beside him, and one of them, was just about a foot away from smashing into his back. Though it was impossible to tell without actually being hit by it, the box did wieght a good 2400lbs...and it was hurdling down at Ruuvan. Granted, he had the room to dodge...but did he have the time to line up another shot...?

It seemed the Captain had the last laugh, as he had let the cargo go, directly on Ruuvan and D's heads! Speaking of which...where was D?! What's a hero to do, to keep from becoming a stain?!::

303Ruuvan

With D vanishing into a cloud of black smoke and a crate now aiming to fall on top of him, Ruuvan was left with little option but to fend for himself for the time being. He had seen D take out a room of Salamander lizards and a huge dragon, so he figured he could take care of himself, but that didn't stop the crate.

So, seeing as he was still falling to the same place he fired the arrow and was going the same speed, meaning he'd land there as intended, the only thing he had to do was switch positions between himself and the crate. Shifting his weight to his right and opening his arms slightly, Ruuvan twisted in the air to face the crate and drifted towards it. Once he felt the wood brushing against his hands, he quickly grabbed onto the sides of the object and pulled himself around to the side and then onto the top, turning the crate into a mid-air ledge of sorts. Now he had the high ground, not to mention being able to maintain the direction of the crate by shifting the weight on it, Ruu didn't have to do anything besides aim for the location the arrow was about to impact and bring himself, plus the crate, safely to the ground. Once again, it was all in her hands.

304Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Marissa's last action

305Maximos

::There was of course, the expected moment of silence. One crack on the egg shell does not necessarily define a hatching, and Mackey heart was locked in quite a shell. But after a few moments of staring into the silvery ocean below, Mackey spoke.

His voice was just as before, calm, steady, saddened. And just as before, his eyes layed locked on the ocean below as he spoke.::

Its getting late, shouldnt you be going to bed?

306Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::cocks an eyebrow and a slight sarcastic/questioning tone:: Adopting my father's duties now, are we? ::smiles at the end:: You remind me a lot of my teacher back home. ::Looks right at him, knowing he can tell out of the corner of his eye:: Do you ever give into the rage that overcomes you? Do you ever cry out all of your frustration to the moon and sun? Have you ever let yourself ride an emotion to the end? Have you ever let yourself let go? ::this last sentence barely above a whisper and spoken with great reverance as she looks back out to the moon::

307Maximos

::As expected his responce was silence. He said what he did less out of a desire to care for her resting needs, and more for a desire to be alone. Yes, he knew she was looking at him, but he wouldnt turn to face her. She asked question followed by endearing question, that harmless veil of curiousity in her voice. A veil he could easily see through. He didnt answer each question, as they all came from the same vien he instead only answered the last, as a whole to encompass the rest. It was a calm answer but as he spoke his head snapped to looking Marissa dead in the eye. There was a look of absolution across his face as he spoke.::

No.

308Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Pity. Not all emotions are bad. True, to let the rush of anger and pain rush down an unhindered path is not the best of things to do; but to keep it all locked up is just as bad. I'm stubborn, and I usually bash by head against the walls longer than most will; but I do stop myself before death. I will leave you alone and I won't bother you anymore. Go about your duties as a faithful and honor-bound one and I will undo my actions. Just remember that I will be here for only so long. ::she sighs and it is filled with sorrow and disappointment. she looks at Mackey one last time and turns to walk farther down the deck railing::

309Maximos

::And as she turned to walk away, so did he. He was quiet, no words, he just stepped away and made his way down the steps and quietly went to his, and too bed. No words.::

310Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::she waits about 10 minutes, giving Mackey plenty of time to get to his room and then she walks down the stairs; destination is the fifth floor. She has to speak to Morpheus before he sends the captain any dreams.::

311Maximos

::And there Morpheus was, a green ball swirled in his hands and a bit of arcane chanting could be heard as she entered the room. There were a few screams heard eminating from the ball, some pleasurable, some violent. He seemed rather busy and actually managed to miss Marissa's entrance this time.::

312Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::Vaguely remembering the feelings last time she came in unannounced, she silently backed out of the room. Concentrating on the instincts that all animals are ruled by. Slowly her bones break and mend with lightening speed, hair sprouts and she bends to all fours. After only a few seconds of pain she is in the form of a large panther. She silently stalks the hallways, waiting to see what events her actions will bring about. Slowly she paces her way up to the deck and roames the railings.

After an hour (or two) all the day's activities finally take their toll and she goes into the third door from the captain's, curls up in a ball under the bed and goes to sleep, shifting back to her human form. Her dreams are a jumble of everything that has happened and pieces of old dreams glide easily through her troubled mind.::

313Maximos

::Have you ever had a sleep, a restful peaceful time at which the body was so at peace time seemed to cease being? Marissa's eyes would gently close and it would likely seem as if they had just closed when a request was being made for them to open.

The request was worded as a very loud voice not but 3 rooms over. A voice almost recognizable. It was muffled, but the words were audible.::

No. I'm taking the contract NOW!

::A smash was heard, and a second voice almost chittering could be heard in the background. Even from this distance fear could be heard in it.::

WHOA?! Could you stop breaking things? You know I cant give you that!!

::Smash! Smash! One could swear that there was a girly scream.::

NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!

::Gacking could be heard, like someone being lifted up by their neck and wrung. And a coughing voice spat out a few desperate words.::

F-gack-fine! You dont h-ack-ave to be so ro-ack-ough!

::A loud thump was heard, followed by a series of clicks and the ruffling of paper. A frustrated voice spat back.::

Fine! Here take it! Damn Mackey, when did you become such a beast!?

::There was a moment of silence. And then a calmer, farm more recognizable voice.::

Lets say...an insignificant little voice, told me it was time to wake up and take action...

::This was immediately followed by the loud slam of a large metal door. And footsteps marching off.::

314Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::upon waking up to the yelling she scrambled out from underneath the bed and ran to the door to listen more closely. Recognizing Mackey's voice she opens the door quietly (although it really isn't necessary with all the noise Mackey and the Captain were making). When Mackey slammed out of the room Marissa was standing in the hallway, opposite of the Captain's door, a look of true concern on her face::

315Lord_Albrecht

Wakes up to the yelling and sits up in bed

What the he..

Quote:** Wrote:

Lets say...an insignificant little voice, told me it was time to wake up and take action...

Sounds like I slept through something important. Hope it doesn't involve me beating the tar out of that eight armed freak. I suppose that I should go check on Marissa.

Pulls on his clothing and steps out of his room.

316Maximos

::Marissa would be greeted by the somewhat fuzzy face of Mackey exiting the Captains room. Despite the shroud of glum which Mackey seemed to always wear there was a glimmer of joy in his eyes as he tore the paper in his hands to shreds. He was sure to do so while he was still in the view of the captain.

Marissa's presence was noted by Mackey, which is to say he looked at her, and he tried his damndest to stifle the smile that attempted to etch iself across his face. But there was no stop or any such, he looked at her, turned left, and started making his way to the stairs and to his quarters.

After all, he had alot of packing to do.

Lahnie, would really see the same sight, only from his vantage point and time frame, he'd likely just catch the bear as he was turning down the hall heading in the opposite direction.::

317Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::Her interest definitely piqued, she follows Mackey. Earlier he was a block of ice, now he was tearing up his own contract and threatening the captain. Something had happened and she wanted to know what and how.::

318Lord_Albrecht

Marissa, anything I should know about?

319Maximos

::Mackey was rather silent, or perhaps as his big feet trotted down the hall, and across the second floor, his mind was so wrapped up in something that he didnt notice her stalking his steps. Afterall, he had just done something completely and totally against who he had been for the last 83 years. And even he didnt completely understand why.::


Lanh_Kim-ly Wrote:

Marissa--

YOU!

::This was not a friendly "you", not a "Hey whats up!", type of you. This was a single word dripping with enough acid to burn through the ship. This was a slithering, slimy, and most of rage filled You. Bellowed from the darkest part of mans soul, the type of word that snaps forth the moment he's simply had e-fleebing-nough.

Lanhie was treated with the vision of a giant fore-arm slamming in front of him and taking up his view. As a slithering snake of a man stood before him. Two green snake eyes staring into Lanhie's, and currently what looked to be a scale covered green arm with matching claws digging viciously into the wooden paneling of the ship.

And it snapped.::

YOU, YOU EAT MY FOOD! BEAT UP MY FIRST MATE! AND THEN DESTROY MY PRIVATE KITCHEN!? I DONT KNOW WHO YOU THINK YOU ARE FIDO! BUT I WANT YOU OFF MY SHIP! NOW!

::You could tell he was pissed. Though the word pissed was as about as fitting a name for the captains rage as "Spot" would be a name for Lanhie. As the captain shouted you could see the slithering green aura that surrounded him. And hear the pops of his right arm growing a bit larger, a bit scalier. A bit more angrier...::

320Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

::as she follows him she makes no effort to hide her steps but he seems to be lost in deep thought::

Mackey? Can I help? ::said very tentavely and only slightly above a whisper. She is unsure about how to take the hidden smile he passed her way and so she steps as carefully as possible with her words, trying not to bring about his rage::

321Maximos

::A bit more silence. Marissa's words were like a person, pulling a bucket up from the well, she had started the process but it took a few more seconds for Mackey to reach the surface. And once at it, she would find that she had actually managed a feet twice, that most people couldnt manage once.::

No, dont trouble yourself.

::It wasnt a rude, or cold, or shunting voice that Mackey used. It was almost...cheery...almost. Cheery for Mackey isnt much of a step above depressed. And yet there was a hint of sadness in his voice. He knew Marissa had quit his cause, and not out of any cruelty he didnt want to drag her back into it. She had her whole life ahead of her, and in his mind not a second more of it should be wasted trying to help a grumpy old man, who should have helped himself very long ago.

And so while he wanted her to know he was alright, he really didnt want her to strain herself for his sake. Honestly, at this point if she helped much more there wouldnt be any way he could repay her.::

322Marissa-Gift_of_Helios

Mackey, ::again quitely, almost soothing:: if I pushed you to this I'm sorry. All I meant to do was show you another way. I guess I didn't stop soon enough. Trully, if there is anything I can do, you will let me know; won't you? ::still following. Unable to stop. She had her mother's trait of not wanting to let a creature go if it was possibly wounded. Sometimes she honestly wished she didn't come from two "perfect" creatures; but that was her curse in life.::

323Lord_Albrecht

Frustration crosses Lanhie's face.

Man I am so tired of this...

First of all, Hachi started the damned fight. Second, all I did was ask for food, I didn't know it was yours when it was set in front of me, and third I cleaned up the mess and offered to repair the room. So, if you even think about kicking me off this ship before we reach the island, you'll be able to captain more ships that you ever bargined for by virtue of body parts alone, snakeboy. I don't appreciate being assaulted by an eight armed freak, having a half of ton of your ship forcibly reorganized on my head, and then getting yelled at by someone who hasn't the slightest clue who he's dealing with. My suggestion, captian, is go back to bed before I put you in it, permenantly.

still maintaining his grip on his cool, but not very tightly

324Keeper_of_Tales

---Anyone looking up to the sky over the sea would find a patch of the sky suddenly becoming glittery in appearance. It flashes and a pale, black-winged woman comes falling through it. Indeed she is falling; wings spread, arms reaching for the sky, hair flying every which way due to the wind currents and she is gaining speed and does not seem to be correcting herself. This dear little angel is sure to meet her death in the silvery sea below.---

325Maximos

::A most beautiful thing falling from the heavens. A thing of wonder, a thing of awe. An angel falling to her certain death and only because of fates cruel sense of humor...fates boundless faithless evil.

She falls, and the winds soar past her ebony wings singing her eulogy. No, death had not chosen to grace her with his presence. But in what would flash as a second, several gallons of water had chosen to flood around her like children flooding around Santa Claus.

She was emersed. As the silvery waves splashed about her and overtook her in a silent wisp of nothing. And such is what she truly became...nothing...

...Nothing more than the vicious tearing as thousands on thousand of tiny machines reduce her to nothing...but her base proteins. Was their pain, was their horror, was the shrill cold as life is sucked, sapped and torn from her fleshy carapace...none would know. The only sign the ocean gave that their was ever anything fallen within it was a the single black feather which floated to its surface, and slowly dissolved away.

Away...away a place of infinite cold, and infinite black. She was enraptured in a feeling of nothing. No flesh, no blood, no touch, no sense, just a feeling of being, and yet a feeling of being nothing. Such is death. Death is many things, death is the finality of all things. Death is the end for all things, and the beginning of others. Death, is also a hooded figure in an ancient and ragged cloak draping over his form. His pale almost boney fingers are clasped around the wooden handle of a scythe most old. Its blade plain, and yet emits a feeling of infinite finality. His bare feet press gently against the cold black floor. Such is death. And he spoke.::

Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is like a broken winged bird that cannot fly...

::Keelan would feel her body given warmth and form. Her flesh returned to her along with her flowing ebony wings. And she stood before the hallowed figure of Death. His hand extended slightly to her, and then gently it fell as he spoke again.::

You are broken little bird...darkness surrounds you...

::And truly it did. While the figure of Death was visible in a pale light, Keelan herself was lost in this pit of darkness. In this pit of death.::

And yet...all the darkness in the world cannot put out a single candle...

::Such is truth. And truth forms the world around lie, as light swirls around dark. Light was shed on Keelans naked form. And again, death spoke. Sympathy filling his most ancient voice.::

What do we do with you, little broken bird?

326Keeper_of_Tales

---Keelan looks in wonder upon the man she has sent so many too, the man she had just moments ago wished to meet. She looks at this man who she has in someways revered and in others feared. Ever so softly she whispers, her voice filled with her own emotion for the first time ever. A single sentence that tells so much, two words that are filled with so much longing, desire and despare. ---

Release me

327Maximos

As you wish.

::Death, as claimed by of our modern day poets is nothing but the slave to the whims of the mortals. To rush to their side, at their time of death. To be shoved away as they are saved, to be dragged to and fro across existance by the wishes and follies of little children...such is the work of a slave.

A Keelan wishes, he releases her. With a slight wave of his hand, she is both removed from being. And int he same instant she is brought into being. Several beings.

Death is fair. To end all the bits within her just for the wishes of one, is simply not fair.

Keelan truly wouldnt feel anything, but the fragmentation which was her growing, the pieces which forged her moved yet farther apart from each other and their they stood...

Not one. But several. Veronica, Micheal, Anthony, Sherie, and the one Keelan. Keelan left mute as a simple spectator. Oblivion is infinite, and eternal, it can wait for her, as she can wait for it. And Death spoke, his hand resting again at his side.::

And of you? Which of you desires my sweet release?

328Keeper_of_Tales

---Anthony looks around, stunned. He looks at his hands, spreading them before him. Amazement painted upon his face. His eyes then fall to Keelan who is sitting their stunned. He walks to her and wraps his arms around her.--- Come little one, come away from here and don't look back. No regrets, remember.

---Michael looks around, looks at Death and lets out a shout of joy. He twirls around and faces Death, determination chisled in his features.--- We get a choice as to where we go? Mine is anywhere but here. I have been trapped in a body with a child who wishes never to listen to my council. I wish to find a place where I am appreciated for my proper use.

---Veronica, evil, malicious grin on her face, looks upon Death, walks fearlessly up to him and kneels upon one and bows her head.--- I wish to serve you and your cause. Let me be the Angel of Death that I am supposed to be. Let me serve my purpose through you.

---Sherrie looks around lost and innocent, but sheltered children often look this way. She walks on soft tip-toe to Keelan and looks longingly at Death.--- Please return me, I am not meant to be out on my own.

---Keelan just looks around, her eyes fill with sadness upon settling on Michael and Veronica. She bows her head, nestles in Anthony's arms and a single tear falls from her eyes.---

329Maximos

::Death is fair. Here stood before him not souls, but fragments, each of one soul, and yet of different minds. But the true soul, the one soul. Can, and will only be cast in one place. How does one fairly decide where to place such a thing...

He heard their voices, and nodded in turn to each. His face forever hidden in the black of hood. And yet his ears forever open to those that would be his saved or his victims. He spoke, his eyes shifting down to Veronica.::

I need not wanton slaughter, for I do not judge. To be a reaper drone, a...Angel of Death, you would need to strip yourself of all that makes you you, but your blade and a shell of a soul. You have fire, passion...bloodthirst, you are a being and I will not snuff that out for my own uses. But you word have been noted, and will be wieghed.

::He turns to Sherrie, and as his attention is taken from Veronica she would feel herself grow silent, and still as Keelan was. Her time to speak had passed. Using his scythe as a bit of a crutch he kneeled down in front of Sherrie, whilst only the bottom half of his face is visible, it did smile. And his ancient hand would reach forward to pat her on the head.::

Child...but a child, fear not. We are never alone...I am always watching. I understand you fear, your words too will be wieghed.

::And in turn Sherrie would feel herself, fall into that same quiet bliss as Veronica, still, and silent. And next he would turn to Micheal as the faux viel of kindness is shed from his face like a snake ripping off his skin. And he turns to Micheal with his gaze as heavy as stone.::

You are trapped no where but in the cage you have chosen to see as a cage. No where in life or afterlife will you be given the choice to do whatever you please, neither will you always been the eternal counselor. The child here boy, is you. You say you give council, and yet your council and your siblings constant bickering has this young one...

::And he gestures to Keelan.::

...Wishing for damnation rather than hear your vacant council. I wish, you to find a place where you will learn to give true council and attain a use to be valued for. There just happens to be such a place...you were born in it.

::Micheal would feel himself not slip, but be shunted into the silent stillness. As Death turned his eyes gently, and sympathetically to Keelan and Anthony. Some concepts exist beyond words, an artist knows that. And Anthony depicted it simply by holding Keelan and speaking nothing to the Grand Reaper. He cared not for himself but for her, and to rip him from her would be a sin most unholy...and unfair. He spoke.::

Judgement has been made. Fly free my broken bird.

::While his responses seemed to hint in a certain direction. Death infact listened to everyones words. Veronica wished to go. Micheal, wished to go. Sherrie wished to stay, as did Anthony. And Keelan most definately wished to stay with Anthony. 3 to stay, 2 to go. The decision was clear.

And with a wave of his scythe, Keelan was doused in black.

She would feel her presense awaken in a place most cold. A place most bright, a modern day city of brightest gold stood before. And what was more, amongst the normal people and beasts walking about were several winged...men and women. Each with golden wings, she found herself in the midst of a crowd of people rushing past her like children rushing into an amusement park. And a single of the winged people came to a landing directly before her. A smile on his face, as he dusted a few feather off his white suit, and ran his hands through his blonde hair.::

Hi, you look lost. Is this your first time in Heaven?

330Keeper_of_Tales

::All five had immediate and different reactions, it was a contest of will to see who was atually going to be able to speak. This can't be happening, this just can't be, filled with rage and hatred as eyes lock on golden wings and ears lock on "Heaven." We are so going to get it, and you deserve it, speaking to the others but mainly Keelan. Sherrie just dropped her head in her hands and cried softly. Anthony throws both Veronica and Michael to the back before either can get close to influencing Keelan's reaction. Keelan stands there, looking around in complete bewilderment. She cocks her head to the side and in a voice once again devoid of emotion,:: Where are we?

331Maximos

Where you've always wanted to be!

::Said the boy as he fluttered his gorgeous golden wing and fluttered a few feet above Keelan. He swirled around as he landed again before her. His small cargo shorts, and sports jacket being caught in the wind. Again he had to fix his golden locks of short hair before his eternal blue eyes were set on Keelan.::

Didnt you always wish you would go to Heaven? Where there is peace? Where there is kindness? Where there is beauty and love?

332Keeper_of_Tales

::At that Keelan lets out a maniacal laugh:: Peace, kindness, beauty, LOVE?!?!? ::another maniacal laugh as Keelans slate gray eyes turn drastically to a glowing red.:: I don't know what Heaven you are talking about but where I'm from it is nothing but a jail, one meant to be broken out of with all of the wardens served to Death himself on a golden platter. Your Heaven is a falsehood and a joke. There is no such place that could ever exist anywhere and if you knew what was good for this place you would let me out NOW!!

333Maximos

Let you out?! Let you out.

::He seemed so very dissappointed, the Angel fluttered down before Keelan and smiled, as he neared so very close to her face one would swear he was going to kiss her. But instead, he just smiled, a row of fanged teeth filled his mouth as he spoke, his breath filled with the stench of brimestone and blood.::

I CANT!

::The veneir of white and gold burned off the walls with unholy flame. Blacks and reds stained the sky as it was churned from the purest city to the darkest....Hell. This was no longer the city of dreams...this was the land of screams, and indeed there were more screams in the air then their was air...

Thousands on thousands of blood curdling cries filled the air. As the scenery from the farthest point to the nearest rotted away into little more than a firey pit of damnation. Finally, there stood Keelan, she stood before a boy, in white...bloodstained clothes...with crimson caked and bloody wings flapping, and blood hair which had long been stained brown by eons of blood shed and torture. And yet his face....was just as pure as the day he was born. His horns slowly cracked through the surface that was his skull sticking up a few inches from his face and dripping blood down it. Blood that was immediately lapped up by his long...serpent like...tongue.::

Heaven....is Hell. And our Hell....our little girl, in our Hell, we'll be your Heaven.

334Keeper_of_Tales

::The red light dies in her eyes as Veronica is for once in her life stunned silent. Sherrie screams in pain as the death of all of Keelan's victims are replayed in fast forward in her mind. Thousands upon Thousands of screams barrage her in a matter of a minute. She huddles in a dark corner, crying tears of blood and water and begs all that is holy for it to end. Anthony shoves Keelan to the for-front, prodding her until she finally is able to take it all in and ask the one question that plagues them all.:: What is hell?

335Maximos

Punishers_Hand_Maiden Wrote:

::The red light dies in her eyes as Veronica is for once in her life stunned silent. Sherrie screams in pain as the death of all of Keelan's victims are replayed in fast forward in her mind. Thousands upon Thousands of screams barrage her in a matter of a minute. She huddles in a dark corner, crying tears of blood and water and begs all that is holy for it to end. Anthony shoves Keelan to the for-front, prodding her until she finally is able to take it all in and ask the one question that plagues them all.:: What is hell?

:smilies/icon_surprised.gifh....Sherrie saw something a bit more than Keelans victims. Yes that was the first thing to visit, her but for all with the ability to envision or enrapture their mind around things that are not part of their self...Hell, held special prize. She had the ability to see...and she would. She would see all, all forms of torture and pain currently occuring in this most horrid place. From the woman in the corner of the 9th level, with her skin being peeled from her flesh, to the child on the last level who was doomed to constantly have his teeth ripped from his mouth and then forced back and ripped again. Or perhaps, what might stick out most was the poor little boy on floor 3 who in life took pleasure in tripping people and making them fall. While the boy himself died a most atrocious death after tripping off a roof, he was doomed for the last 43 years to constantly stand and be tripped by a singular demon.

And constantly he fell right on his face...after 43 years his face had not been allowed to heal. And the massive wad of twisted and warped, bruised and battered flesh had not been allowed to grow fatal. Sherrie would see this. And she would see so many things that made this most horrid torture seem as peaceful as morning tea.

By means of Sherrie's power visions had shafted their way into everyones mind. It was like opening the back door...while the main door was locked. Veronica didnt see the glory of killing, she saw the horror of her victims...from their point of view. She saw her blade stabbing into herself. She felt their pain, heard their cries...and the wounds wouldnt heal.

Anthony...was dumped into a mental pit of nothing. No sound, no motion. No art. No one. He was alone. Not slightly, but entirely. While he went no where his presence was blocked off from the rest.

Micheal lived in his Hell. And Keelan, should she have the mental fortitude to be standing...was answered. The demon, fallen so low, extended his bloodstained hand and pointed at her head and said quite simply...::

Ask them...

336Keeper_of_Tales

::One ability Keelan had with the others was they were able to show her what they saw, heard and felt. Sherrie was never made to withstand such emotions. She never told Keelan but it was because of how powerfully she felt everything that she had to experience it through Keelan, so someone else took part of it. With the visions, Sherrie felt herself begin to fracture, she couldn't hold it all in and she forced it out on Keelan before she would crack completely. Keelan, who had never felt honest to god emotion herself, and just by herself, felt it now what felt like a dam had broken in her mind. Rushing through her mind was all these terrors that Sherrie was being forced to experience. Keelan then felt the first emotion that was honestly all hers, anger. It would figure that the one emotion she rode so often would also be her first to experience on her own. But, no matter, she felt it. How could this nothing of a creature do that to such a harmless, innocent child. Sherrie had never done anything wrong. Sherrie was one of the ones that kept her from fully succumbing to Veronica. And here this man was, out of nowhere, and for no reason was subjecting this small, innocent child to such horrors. She let the fury take over her and she lunged at the boy with all her might which was fueld by uncontrollable rage.::

337Maximos

::She lunged, and as she did. The boy, with a powerful flap of his wings was blasted a good 30ft back as the feathers fell from his wings revealing the half decayed and burned bat wings beneath. She was very very fast, as was he, but for him this wasnt a race. This was...a game.

And quite literally with a snap of his fingers. It was gone. Not Hell, obviously, the visuals were still their. But the visions and screams were gone. And as the boy did his best to retreat, he spat out one single sentence.::

That...is Hell.

338Keeper_of_Tales

::As the visions were ripped away from everyone, Keelan felt a very familiar, very painful agony overtake her. In the back she could still hear Sherrie's screams as the child held her head in pain. It was like lightning had struck her mind and was riccocheting in her skull. The pain wouldn't stop.:: WHY!?!? ::The pain was growing, fueled by the visions that were showing over and over inside her mind. She knew they should have stopped by now but something kept making her experience them over and over again. The lightning then seemed to branch off and split her mind in two. From an observer's point of view, Keelan was on her knees, holding her head and screaming in pain; never taking a breath, as if she feared if she did the pain would become too much and kill her. Her eyes kept flashing from their usual gray to bright violet and a deeper, darker purple. Inside, Keelan was truly terrified for the second time in her life, the first being the one and only time she thought she would experience this. Sherrie was still screaming, her voice leaking over into Keelan's and the lightning continued on and on and on. What had she done to give her this torment, this pain and anguish. And then she felt herself snap. It felt like one would imagine the tree branch feeling as it was snapped cleanly in half. If one was watching close enough, they could see two images suddenly over-lay with Keelans. Two little girls about 9 years of age, looking like identical twins with slight builds, curly brown hair and peaches and creme complections, and violet eyes. But physically is where the similarities ended. The clothing on one was of a white Sunday school dress, bright violet eyes and a beaming smile. The clothing on the second was a tattered and worn black dress, dark purple eyes and a face devoid of any happy thought. Then the images seemed to merge into Keelan. For Sherrie and Keelan the pain stopped, but that was the end of the relief as a new voice echoed in their minds, Hello. This new voice dripped happiness and sunshine and belonged to the bright, chipper young girl. Who are you my dear? asked in Anthony's usual calm, soothing voice. Why I'm Cheryl as a slight girlish giggle escapes her lips. Everyone then turns their attention to the dark young girl with the haunting purple eyes and a slight, dead smile crosses her face as Keelan recognizes Sherrie's darker aspect in this second girl. Keelan embraces this second child, brushing back her hair "Oh child, what have I caused?" as a tear is shed and disappears into the brown locks.

All an observer would see is the screaming stopping and a single tear fall from Keelan's eyes and disappear halfway to the ground.

339Maximos

::That was more than enough to cause the boy to slam on the perverbial "brakes", in mid air. Evil was this boys name, his soul, his existance. In his first breath he tasted hellfire and brimstone, in his first thought of suffering, and with his first words he uttered curses. He was evil, and yet compared to most evils haunting this place...he was just a boy.

But this opportunity, it just couldnt be missed. You see, the boy was born of the infernal. And so as villianous torture, his wings were formed infernally, thusly they were made themselves to be a torture...he could never truly fly beautifully. This was his own personal Hell, within Hell. It was for this reason...that he simply loved admiring wings. That was why he so frequently took the mocking form of the peaceful angelic child...and why he envied the two black feathered beautys that protuded from Keelan's back. They just had to be soft...and the Silver tips...oh how it reminded him of purity just waiting to be taken away...to touch them...to feel them...to wear them. For this reason, he silently, carefully, fluttered back towards Keelan. And for this reason...he drew a small black rusted blade from a sheath behind his back...and he went in for the cut, a surgical slice to try and remove her flight. Maybe the girl wasnt looking, maybe she was. Maybe that would make it hurt all the more....

He simply couldnt see a bad side to this particular choice of action. He wanted. And so he went in to take.::

---3 Days Earlier---

Oh of course dear brother, its not worth entering if everyone doesnt know you've entered!

::Lucifer said as he descended the stairs, and the stoney stairs unmade themselves behind him. There was a moment in the journey in which the path was dark and black, but bright shiney rocks still lit the path.::

Good intentions pave the road to Hell you know?

::He said to Nathaniel with a smile on his face. He couldnt help but smile, who wouldnt smile at regaining a long lost family member. As they stepped further down the heat began to rise, at first it was only minimal but soon the very rocks surrounding them began to boil and melt, churning in a sort of living oven, and yet the pathway before them remained wide...and clear. There was more than enough room for the brothers to walk side by side. And honestly, Lucifer would have it no other way.

Though he seemed content to simply smile and walk, and reminisce on the stories various demons had to share about the many times they tried to escape the gates of Hell and were cast back in by Nathaniel and Harbinger. He recited these tales with humor, and laughter, and would even periodical slap Nathaniel on the back in a sort of joking brotherly way. In this way, Lucifer would honesty have been more a brother to Nathaniel than most other Angels...such is the house of God. Divided amongst themselves, united under him.

And finally, after what had to be a very long walk...Lucifer turned to Nathaniel with an honest look of concern on his face. His eyes shifted to the burn mark around Nathaniels neck, and the yet still fresh cuts on his back from whence his wings were removed. His hand rose and lovely came to rest on his brothers shoulder, yet slightly on his back toward the protruding stubs of bone. And he asked a single question...::

Do you miss them?

340Keeper_of_Tales

::Keelan snapped out of her stunned silence when Veronica screamed in her mind. She knew Veronica did not care about Sherrie so would not care about what was happening to her. Due to this she quickly looked around and noticed the boy was no longer in front of her. She lept to her feet and took flight, twirling around to look behind her. There she saw the boy with metal in hand.:: "Never" ::is all she screamed as she looked down on him with glowing red eyes.::

341Maximos

Punishers_Hand_Maiden Wrote:

"Never" ::is all she screamed as she looked down on him with glowing red eyes.::

::One would think he'd get the idea. That would be the gentlemanly thing to do, that would be the nice thing to do...But he didnt. No, her resistance made it all the sweeter. There was visibly a line of black drool slipping down his face, his black forged tongue slipped out to quickly lap it up with almost primal hiss.

The blade...more accurately described as a rusty shard of sharp metal twirled in his fingertips. His grip was so tight on its "handle", that it sliced deep into his own hand, but the pain enthralled him. His eyes fluttered for a moment as he absorbed every once of the sharp ecstasy of blood slipping betwix his fingers.::

Never is a long time...

::He flipped the blade in his hands before assuming a lowered stance and opening his wings wide behind him.::

Lets play!

::He shouted as he flapped his wings back down as hard as possible, lauching him forward with pure evil filling his glowing eyes. He didnt want both, even one was a prize. At this instant he reached forward, thrashing and grasping for the space just above her left shoulder. He didnt have much time for thought, but what bit of mind existed beyond madness and instinct told him that maybe, if he jumped above her, he could stop her from opening her wings to fly away. And he mayhaps he could tackle her to the ground and do this...manually. Oooh...he loved it when they played hard to get.::

342Keeper_of_Tales

I know what eternity is like ********> This said as she darts around. It wasn't so much as she flew fast, although she could, is more more like she down-right teleported to different spaces. Nothing more than 50 or so feet away, but enough if the opponent didn't have that kind of reach and had to fly after her as this idiot was originally doing. Upon seeing the blood flow from his hands, Keelans, or rather Veronica's, eyes seemed to glow brighter as it became apparent that even though this was serious, she was also enjoying the game. Besides, what was the joy in the kill if there was no chase before hand to make it gratifying?

343Maximos

::One could swear that if the child wasnt consumed with the desire for blood and beautiful wings he would have had an entirely other set of desires the moment her words admitted her acceptances of an eternity...with him. Oh yes, as twisted as his body was, his mind was even more so.

Its true. The joy of the chase creates all the more joy when one attains the prize. To him, this was the grandest pleasure, oh and to have a competent prey that did not cry and scream....it brought out "something" within him.

His hands wrapped around the blade in front of him, both hands letting it taste his putrid flesh, and blood did fall. Sizzling smoke rising from his smoldering hands. 5 drops fell to be exact and the bow was very sure, to be sure, that the drops fell in 5 different spots. And he spoke. He had a bit of his fathers silver tongue...::

The multiplying villainies of nature do swarm upon him...And fortune, on his damned quarrel, smiling, showed like a rebel's whore...Disdaining fortune with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution...

::And they came. Five of them...no, they werent a them, they were more...a him. Five of him, identical in almost every way but with one except, their eyes were each a hallowed soulless black...and they flew.

Together as a team they charged or the black winged beauty. In formation they flew, and they were indeed quite fast. Not instantaneous, but definitely, and while their prey could teleport...they could cover more ground, and they simply new the terrain better. Eternity is a long time...she would have to stop eventually...::

344Eternal Dirge

Nathan could not help but smile all throughout the walk, thinking back on the past. He had never even given that a thought, had just been content with what he had been doing. This was entirely alien to him, and it was all he could do to not walk behind Lucifer as he had God on so many occasions. He hardly noticed their surroundings, eventually letting himself float over the ground. He didn't necassarily need wings after all it seems, and thus he was suprissed when such an odd question asked on whether he missed his wings or not. His eyes narrowed before they went back to normal," Miss what dear brother?" He asked with all honesty, cocking his head to the side slowly and arching an eyebrow as he lowered himself back to the ground. Why was Lucifer speaking so frankly to him? Was he not angry at Nathaniel for stopping his many attempts at escape? It puzzled yet gladened him.

345Keeper_of_Tales

::She smiles maliciously.:: I always like a challenge. Try it little one, your toys are nothing to me. ::As in the middle of one of the teleports she reappears near one of the conjured ones as a red mist. She "flies" around him and then moves onto another, leaving behind gashes in his skin as if she had cut him with her own blades. While Veronica is doing this, the young boy feels a slight knocking in the back of his mind, the question being, is Sherrie strong enough to break through to him.::

346Maximos

Nathaniel_Graves Wrote:

"Miss what dear brother?" He asked with all honesty, cocking his head to the side slowly and arching an eyebrow as he lowered himself back to the ground. Why was Lucifer speaking so frankly to him? Was he not angry at Nathaniel for stopping his many attempts at escape? It puzzled yet gladened him.

::Lucifer found himself drawn to touch the burned stub which once was a wing. He meant nothing by it, it was just that Nathaniel was the first of the newer fallen he had ever seen experience such torture at Heavens Hands.::

Your wings...

::His head cocked to the side as his hand slid up slightly, just a finger touching the burned scar on Nathaniels neck.::

...Your Halo...

::It had just been so long since he had, been graced by either. And by his own choice. He made his curious thoughts vocal.::

...its been so long. Sometimes I actually think I miss it, soaring through the sky, my mace bringing mornings light...the feeling of His presence...then I remember what he did and the vacancy within me is filled with rage.

::His hand slid back by his side as his red orb found its way into his hand, and he clenched it his hand quivering with said rage for just a moment before he looked back to Nathaniel.::

I can give you something new, if it would help. I want nothin more than my brother to feel at home. He comes at a time most...opportune.

--2 Days Earlier--

::Their reactions were most strange. One would take a wound and writhe in pain, whilst another moved in, and it seemed for a moment their only focus was the act of moving closer...and closer. They were more than illusions each dripped rich crimson blood, and seemed to love the pain as much as they were hurt by it. Some even let out a cry of pure pleasure as they were cut.

And then came the knock. And like the strangest of horror movies, as she knocked, the door swung wide open. And inside, nothing was secret. She was greeted by....nothing. It was as if his mind was hallow and devoid of thought...except the chant, the chant from earlier echoed in the darkness seemingly echoing from a door or open window far far in the distance. She was treated with the vision of a mansion or manor at deep midnight, completely empty yet fully furnished. Cobwebs in the distance an the chanting somewhat muffled by the walls and doors. But would she move to investigate?

It didnt take long for the Legion to reach simply forsake defense and as their prey reached in they aimed to simply grab whatever appendage she tried to attack with. Growls, and moans filling the air as they moved.::

347Eternal Dirge

" I already feel more at home on the ground......and you atleast got to use your wings dear brother." He said, his tone slowly slipping into that most natural tone, one empty of emotion yet portraying his anger and rage. " But I am sure you would not harm me, am I right?" He asked, wincing at the feeling of someone touching the stubs of his wings. They burned, oh God how they burned even when no one touched them.

348Keeper_of_Tales

::Sherrie seeing the mind thrown open so readily was probably with good reason wary. She looked at Cheryl, this new creature that was once part of her and she grew angry. She grabbed Cheryl and threw her into the darkness. Cheryl's first reaction was one of surpise and so her control on her emotions slipped and everything good and happy and bright escaped into this dark void. In a split second's decision, seeing everything become right for her, she shunted images of Heavan that she had gleaned in this short period of time from Anthony's mind. Images of purity, wholeness and beauty. All these were projected around her in an effort to push back the darkness.

At the same time Veronica was grumbling and griping and quickly coalesced back into her angelic form.:: "I've had enough" as the glow dies from her eyes and they turn to a hard, stormy gray. Light extends from fingers, toes, eyes, and silver tips and her skin begins to glow. This light wasn't an ordinary 'turn on a light bulb light.' This was the healing light she managed to keep ahold of after she evolved past Healer. One thing the council never knew, that she never dared tell them because her refusal to set down Punisher was bad enough, but she had maintained a good deal of her powers from every position she had held. She hoped that this one would not fail her now. This light grew brighter and brighter as she flitted in and out of the figures quickly; making sure to be close enough to touch them with the light, but far enough away so they wouldn't get a swing in on her.::

349Maximos

Good, I could stand for nothing less than your complete comfort.

::Lucifer said with a smile. And a smile from The Devil is a smile indeed. The once Morning Star laughed a bit.::

Of course not brother, not unless you asked me too.

::But quickly his laughter was silenced as a look of concern fell upon his face. He rubbed his chin just a bit and slid his fingers through his hair taking a bit of a deep breath, it was as if he was preparing to say something he wasnt sure he should say...and yet he stood silent, something preying on his mind.::

---2 Days Later---

::In this place the images filled the dark room with a bright light, and in the corner of the room could be seen the image of a small boy, on his knee's pray...He prayed the same chant that had filled the room earlier, and he seemed to be crying, and yet his sounds were so low they were barely above a whisper.

Outside...

There are some gas filled places in which you do not light a candle.

There are some important rooms in which you do not say the word "bomb."

There are some precarious moutaintops where you do not scream.

Keelan had done all of these, and more. So much more. It was out of the boys hands now. Here cast so far below Lucifer had ordered that for as long as he was not allowed in his fathers home, his father would never be allowed here. Healing arts, holy magic, such were the equivalent of drawing a gun in a UN meeting.

The boy was powerless...Hell itself acted. Keelan was not shunted out. No, any pure being capable of being so very pure even in this place...had to be treated "specially".

Needless to say, she felt no solace from her healing spell. But she awakened in a room. A beautiful room with shining red leather furniture, and a beautiful fire place. This room was most spectacularly designed, and truly had she not landed here she would have felt the almost instant wrath of each of Lucifers other fallen brothers descending on a reminder of home.

Her arms were bound by firey bands to both sides, extending like a cross with her feet tied by similar painful bindings. And her form was quite literally trapped on a cross on the wall of this most beautiful room. The red light of the flame danced about her face. And there was much...much...silence.::

350Eternal Dirge

" Something troubles you Morning Star....What might that be?" He asked, using Lucifers proper title. It was a trick he had learned from turning Beezlebub away, use titles or other such things to gain their favor or make them complient. Nathaniel arched his eyebrow slowly as he felt true concern for once, crossing his arms over his chest slowly and letting Harbinger rest upon his shoulder.

351Keeper_of_Tales

::Cheryl did not feel the detachment as the others were shunted to another part of Hell, mainly because she had not grown used to them yet. Seeing the small boy in the corner though tugged at a part of her, the nurturing side that Sherrie had lossed and Cheryl had gained. Wrapping herself in all the glow and warmth happy thoughts can give, she started walking up to the boy. When she was about 10ft away, and the light started to fall on him, she whispered,:: Boy, tell me what is wrong?

::To say the others were happy with the predicament was an understatement but at least they weren't being chased around by 6 stupid little boys, or so was Veronica's opinion. Keelan felt something different, anger yet again and she intended to ride it out.:: "LET ME OUT!!!!" ::she screamed at the top of her lungs as she thrashed against her unbreakable bonds.::

352Maximos

Nathaniel_Graves Wrote:

" Morning Star..."

::The audible vibrations rippled through Lucifers ears like liquid gold. The look on his face was something downright near eroticism. And he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.::

Oooh...how I miss the old names...

::He let out a slight hiss as his senses returned to him. And he snapped himself free of the momentary bliss. His head rolled around his neck in a moment of bliss.::

Sssssssnot nice. Flattery will get you everywhere.

::He smiled, and the smile lasted for a few moments before it slipped away. Again it was pushed back by the look of concern.::

I fear my brother...

::He paused, this was obviously very difficult for him to say.::

I fear you've come at the end of my great kingdom...

---1.5 Days Later---

::The small boy wouldnt budge, but continued to chant...his voice shivering as he spoke.::

She's lost...she's lost...she's lost it all. She's come...she's come...she's come for you...

--

Her body was host to something entirely different. The bed turned a bit as a single figure slipped from the red sheets. Its body was hidden as it pulled the sheets with it, and it spoke. Its voice slow....seductive...sultry. Its face hidden, but its long black hair could been seen flowing down the back of the red sheets. It was just husky enough to be male, but just sultry enough to be female...::

...Must you scream?

353Eternal Dirge

" How so? Everything seems fine." He said, looking around concernedly. " I see no disruptions." Lucifers obvious 'moment' didn't bother him at all, by then he was quite used to shows of emotion. " And you should keep Beezlebub far away then, For It was from his trickery that I learned to silver my own tongue."

354Keeper_of_Tales

::Cheryl walks a little closer, projecting the glow a little farther out.:: Boy? Who is lost, and who has come? Please tell me? ::As a vaguely familiar feeling starts creeping into the back of her mind. The feeling that usually warns of coming visions.::

::Keelan looks to the bed, which in all honesty she had not given much thought to, and stares at the figure getting out of it.:: "Yes, I must scream. It had the effect I wanted, didn't it?"

355Maximos

::His hand gently rose to glide his fingertips along the side of Nathaniels face.::

Ooooh...we'll put that tongue to plenty of good use....

::And quickly his hand snapped back by his side as a smirk glided across his face. But alas, fun was for later, now was a time for seriousness, and his hand slid back and through his crimson stained hair.::

I've learned my greatest trick from Him, dear brother. Just as I have convinced them I am not here, as has he tried to convince me that he is not watching...

::His left hand rises to glide along the stair wall releasing a bit of a sizzling sound as his flesh is smoldered by hot magma and his black blood streaks across the wall. And quickly his hand whips into a fist his bloody fingertips causing the blood to slip betwix his fingertips, and catch his eye..::

He is about to march on my gates. My scouts and spies have brought forth undeniable evidence that He is coming...And we...we shall fall...unless...

::He paused and slowly opened his hands, the blood sizzling into nothing, the wounds closing almost instantly.::

No, nevermind. You need not concern yourself with such things...

---36 Hours Later---

Please dont look...

::The boy said as he curled farther into the corner.::

Please dont see...

::He said as he pulled his legs closer into his chest, and whimpered yet more.::

I dont want to see....please dont make me see it....

::His hands wrapped around his head as he tried to shove himself into the dark wooden corner and away from the glowing purity that approached him.::

--

Mmmmm....

::The sort of moan you hear when someone sips their favorite drink after 2 days of thirst. Its slender fingers, each with nails painted black, pulled back on the sheet tugging it around itself and using it as sort of a robe around its shoulders, with its right hand underneath it, and in front of its chest covering it.

With its back yet turned, it tilted its head forward and its rich black locks flowed forward over its face blocking it from view as it slowly...turned around.

Slender, pale legs slipped out from the sheet, just slightly as it took steps toward Keelan, its walk carrying just a slight feminine shift of the hip. It spoke, again that sultry voice. Like ice over exposed flesh...chilling, and yet enthralling.::

An effect...yesss...

::With the slight his a tongue slipped from its lips, forked and red, it extended a good 6inches lapping at the air and then retreated back into the red lips from whence it escaped. A slight flick of the beings wrist, and the cross began to shake...it spoke again.::

...theres somethig I want...

::A sharp motion of its graceful left hand downwards, and the cross fell. Keelan would feel as if she was laying on her back as the cross infact layed down, shifting from a love post, to a lovely...bed? And the being stepped closer letting out another slight moan as a smirk formed on its lips, its eyes and cheeks still covered by its long black hair.::

356Eternal Dirge

"And why does it not concern me?" He asked, a tone of slight annoyance slipping past his normal calm facade. One hand closed over Harbinger, making the orb of light extend into what most people saw of it, or used to see of it, a Spear. " It should, now, atleast concern me alittle should it not? I am here after all, and unless you shunt me out of this place I have no intention of leaving." Nathaniel said, drawing himself up to stand alittle straighter as he frowned darkly. He now veritably towered over Lucifer, he was rather tall for an Angel and one had to be if you had to protect the gates of hell from escapees. " And besides.....I'd like to help." He said, the frown fading to smile so totally devoid of joy it seemed a black hole on his face," If only to sate Harbinger and myself of our blood lust."

357Keeper_of_Tales

::Cheryl just looked confused as the boy begger her not to come closer. Why would one cower away from such pure light. She just didn't understand.:: Come child, embrace it. It will make all the pain go away. Just come to be and let me tend you. ::And she extends a hand out to the boy, a hand wrapped in glowing white light.::

::Keelan let out a slight shriek as the cross then dropped and turned to a bed, confusion didn't exactly warrant anything more. What was this person doing? She knew of seduction, some of the angels used it as a tool but she had never bothered with it, and surprisingly neither had Veroncia. She did not know what to expect next.:: "What do you want? I'll try to give you anything you want, I just want out of this place you call Hell."

358Maximos

::His eyes twinkled a bit at the sight of the spear and at Nathaniels comforting words.::

Your sweet...

::. A hand rose to of course touch it, as he spoke. Two fingers slide from the shaft up, as he spoke.::

We need...

::His fingers slid up a bit farther.::

...to take...

::And finally, they peaked at the blade of the spear, and he quickly swiped his fingers along the blade making two long cuts across his finger tips.::

....action.

::As the blood began to flow, he slipped the fingers into his mouth and licked the blood clean.::

Mmm, impressive weapon...I hope you know how to use it...

::He said with a bit of a smirk. As his fingers escaped his lips, the wounds were gone, but Lucifer seemed appeased for the moment. And he continued. His tongue as always, slippery as snake oil.::

Because we need a general. We need to strike before He even knows we're armed. And I need someone I can trust at those doors...beating them open from the other side, and cutting a bloody swath through the pearly gates...

::And immediately he turned his face away.::

But, I couldnt ask you to risk your life like that...

---35 Hours, 48 minutes Later---

::A shriek of agony filled the room as the boy turned to face Cheryl. His arms opened wide and shoving against the floor, as his feet kicked away.::

I CANT SEE IT!

::He screamed, and thats about when his eyes became visible. Or rather, the twisted and bloody sockets that were supposedly eyes at one point. As of now they were sick and twisted wounds, dripping with bloody tears. The boy was thrown into panic as he tried to shove himsel farther into the wall. But to no avail.::

--

Anything...?

::It said as it reached the foot of the cross bed. Its lacey thin hand resting gently on Keelans foot. And slowly it made its way up from the foot of the bed. Its hand sliding up her leg, gently, just a bit above a tickle.::

Anything at all...?

::Its hand made a small spiral as it reached her more sensitive spot, and danced just a bit around her belly button.::

I have what I want....

::It said as its hand slipped up yet further gliding between her breasts, being sure to stay over her clothes, for now. And then finally, its fingers came to rest on her lips, pushing over so slightly, as if to silently say "Ssshhh". And it leaned in, its face just inches from Keelans, its forked tongue slipping out curiously to inspect her face, without ever actually touching it.::

...I'll make sure your...released...

::It'd wait. Carefully, for Keelans next breath. Her next words.::

359Keeper_of_Tales

::Cheryl let out a pained cry and wrapped the boy in her arms, pushing the warmth of the light around him. If he couldn't see the goodness and purity of it, she would damn well make him feel it. She would let no one be denied such a feeling just because of one disadvantage.::

::As the figure stepped closer and closer Michael slowly made his way forward. Slyly, slowly, sneaking inch by inch closer to getting out. When the figure leaned close and let its tongue out to mock caress her Michael knew what he would do. He would damn well make Keelan and Anthony's life "interesting" since it was due to them he was still trapped here. After the creature seductively whispered release, Michael sprung free, eyes changing from slate gray to a brilliant, crystalline blue and 'he' lunged and kissed the creature. He had learned about passion from watching Veronica and others like her and dammit he could fake it now::

360Eternal Dirge

His nose wrinkled alittle before he spun Harbinger deftly, the Weapon sinking back into a small glowing orb, setting it afloat around his head." Please tell me you have not debased yourself so by falling into what the sheep call 'lust'? I thought We were above such things." He said with a voice dripping with scorn and disgust. His Aura seemed to flare again, still gold but starting to turn silver at the edges it seemed. " But to reply to your challenge and your obvious attempts to goad me into doing something incredibly stupid, I will fight for you. Not because of any true hatred of them, but for kinship. I owe you plenty as it seems that you hold no grudge for me rebuking your Demonic hordes over and over again. If you will let me, I will be your general." He said, his tone going back to cold in an instant as he straightened slowly, Harbinger settling into his hand and turning into a spiked war gauntlet that went up to his elbow, perfectly silver with only a black cross gracing it on the forearm. This he extended towards Lucifer, as if to a seal a pact.

361Maximos

::Cheryl, was being very mean. She wrapped the boy in precious light, glowing agony, blissful torture...it was purity at its greatest, and he was beyond terrified. Where her arms wrapped around him she would visibly see the scars and burns being ripped open by her glowing grip.

The chanting in the background immediately fell silent as the glow no longer eminated from Cheryl along, the room itself had been turned on, purified...by something. There was a deaf silence, as even the boy was now too scared to make a sound. And then it came.

The cant from before but repeated by something louder, stronger, more assured and yet more proud. A single voice boomed forth from behind Cheryl.::

The multiplying villainies of nature do swarm upon her...And fortune, on her damned quarrel, smiling, showed like a rebel's whore. Disdaining fortune with her brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution.

::Cheryl, should she not move, would see and hear, steel as it was drawn from its sheath and pointed directly at her back. The voice came from the golden lips of a woman. A woman exactly 5ft 11inches, with flowing blonde and long hair, a white chest plate, and most noticably a set of glowing feathered white wings, and a shiny glowing white Halo atop her head.::

Release the boy, demon. Or taste my steel.


Passion. Yes Passion was part of it. But this was more....lust. It moaned, oh, it moaned. And didnt show even the slightest bit of resistance as it slipped its tongue into Keelans mouth and began to play, exploring every little crevice it could.

And it pulled back. Letting out a long moan followed by a seductive laugh as it slurped both sides of its face.::

I felt that...theres a man in there...isnt there?

::Its hand slid up to her chest again, but this time...it had less grace, more...desire. And with a fraction of a thought, it dug in. Not into flesh, but more into spirit. Keelan might feel that strangle tingle, as if something was writhing around inside her head. It was like digging around in a fish bowl, but it knew exactly what it wanted. And it immediately plucked free justthat.

Micheal and Anthony, two men...two fragments. And with a plop, it wretched its hand back out of her chest holding two small glowing shards of glass, and immediately deposited them into a glass jar nearby the bed. It smiled and winked at the jar.::

You boys wait your turn...

---35 Hours 20 minutes Earlier---

::Lucifer smiled, and seemed most proud to bow.::

Lust, Greed, Envy, Pride, Sloth, Gluttony...Wrath...

::And he rose.::

The mortals were so much more boring before I brought those toys about. You'll have to excuse me if my...methods...make you uncomfortable. Perhaps Wrath is more your forte... But dear brother, you are on a stairway descending into Hell...you are not above anything.

::But...Nathaniels answer was most pleasant. With a flick of his wrist the orb in his right hand transformed into a 7ft long, Pitchfork, and it gently tapped Nathaniels war gauntlet.::

I would goad you into nothing but taking a step beyond your own reservations. But if such is what you desire, such is what you shall recieve. First...you'd understand if I had to...test you...wouldnt you?

::He twirled the pitchfork about before him, awaiting Nathaniels answer.::

362Eternal Dirge

" I'd only be insulted if you didn't." He said with a smile as the Gauntlet changed into the Cross blade it had been when he had made his crash landing. Spinning it in one hand, he took a step back and set it at low guard, very nearly in no stance at all as both arms were at his sides. This was deceptive though, and his relaxed posture only heightened that sense of weakness or inattention.

363Maximos

Nathaniel_Graves Wrote:

" I'd only be insulted if you didn't." He said with a smile as the Gauntlet changed into the Cross blade it had been when he had made his crash landing. Spinning it in one hand, he took a step back and set it at low guard, very nearly in no stance at all as both arms were at his sides. This was deceptive though, and his relaxed posture only heightened that sense of weakness or inattention.

Good.

::He said with a smirk. He took note of his brothers choice of weapon, but as he had said earlier, he wouldnt stand for anything but Nathaniels complete comfort. This of course meant that as Lucifer loved to indulge in all 7 of the "Deadly" sins, at all times, whenever the whim came about...he wouldnt force that upon his brother. Though, as he said before, he would only try and lead him outside his own inhibitions.

And so, despite the giant phallic shaped equipment Nathaniel held in his hand, Lucifer made no lude comment, and gave it almost no special notice. It should be expected that a being who spent the majority of its existance as anatomically correct as a Ken Doll, should infact want to make up for certain...inadequacies, with a large weapon. The simply gave the blade, and Nathaniels stance a bit of a puzzled eye, and then spoke.::

Really Nathaniel...right here?...right now?...With me? You have quite the blood thirsty streak, dont you? I mean honestly, we're on stairs...theres barely enough room to...

::He shook his head a bit as his hands gently tapped his temples.::

Nevermind, I'll keep that in mind when your given your test. And if you pass I swear I'll reward you with your own private room swarming with...children, or something for you to slice at...something squishy...yes...for now...

::He didnt touch him, rather he resumed running his hands along the superheated magma wall, scalding his fingertips with the seething pain and ever so often letting out a short hiss as he pulled his fingers from the wall for a few moments, to take in the painful pleasure of the wound before resuming his torture.::

...For now, we've got a ways to go, why dont you tell me about yourself? What inspired you to this lovely need for boundless slaughter?

364Eternal Dirge

He arched an eyebrow slowly, lifting the blade up and setting it along his shoulders slowly." What, you don't know? Looking into your home, For millenia after millenia, slaughtering thousands upon thousands upon thousands of your blood kin in all their various forms would drive any being crazy, why do you think God put me in charge of that?" He asked, his voice fueld by anger now, his eyes lighting up with a kind of inner fire. " I hate that the most.....that God would willingly set me into that kind of torture...the blood of millions will stain the Earth before I will ever forgive him." He snarled, knuckles white around the hilt of Harbinger, his very tone and stance one of pure Hatred and anger. Had God made another mistake with putting this one in charge of the gates? He just might have.

365Maximos

::The devil could only smile, and laugh. His left hand moving to pitchfork to twirl just a bit. Some sentiments truly have no verbal counterpart. This was one of those. Any words would simply serve to cheapen the moment. It was simply a moment in which Lucifer quite simply, understood. He saw himself in Nathaniel.

He too swore bloody murder for being cast out. But over the millenia rage deepened into something more permanent, something more vicious, a seething disgust for all things related to his father. He planned to strip Him, of His joy, by taking away His most precious toy...humans. His second born sons, and as inferior as they were they were handed everything. He wanted to break God, not over his knee or his blade, but by shanking him in the heart where the wounds take longer to heal...

Really, all he could do in this moment...was laugh. And he did so, in a most maniacal way.::

366Eternal Dirge

He said nothing, only walked along beside his brother, unknowingly following in his footsteps somewhat. Harbinger lowered to his side again, then became the energy ball like before. " Hn....hell.....Guess I won't be welcomed with open arms 'eh?" He asked with a slight chuckle of his own, one of true amusement and not insanity or dementia. That would come in time, but for now he was content to hate.

367Maximos

Nathaniel...

::Lucifer said in a most serious tone. All jest and jolly put aside as his hand tightened around the hilt of his Pitchfork.::

...You have done horrible things to your own condemned brothers and sisters. You've slain countless of my infernal creations, and you've even cost me the life of one of my sons...

::As he spoke his index and middle finger were pulled back from the wall as the entirety of his fist met the wall, yet his voice remained the same.::

...These things are horrible atrocities, they are painful at the least, and down right atrocious at the worst...Some would say you are a monster, for slaying your own kin so heartlessly under the guise of "righteous service".

::Lucifers fist opened as he dragged his hand, fingers bent inwards, along the wall. It was like an animal dragging a claw along its prey. But he remained calm.::

...And you are a monster.

::He stopped dead in his tracks and lifted the pitch fork about in front of him, a demonic red energy beginning to surge around its 3 blades. He could be heard audibly hissing as the embers which slipped out of his mouth with each breath danced about the weapon.::

...of course...you monster...that means...

::He spun around immediately, red fire blazing across his eyes. Black viens coming into view around his cheeks and neck area.

But his face...it carried a huge smile from cheek to cheek. And there was a chuckle in his words, waiting to break out into a laugh. His arms were infact wide open, and actually stepped forward to try and hug Nathaniel. And he would lest Nathaniel stop him.::

...you fit right in brother. Once you've passed through those firey gates, we all forgive the sins of your past and look upon you with infernal recognition.

::It would just be a quick, welcoming hug before he backed up again, not wanting to make his brother "uncomfortable".::

You've killed more of us than Wrath! You should be proud! And we forgive all the wonderful good deeds you've done before. My home is your home...

368Eternal Dirge

Nathaniel blinked in suprise, his grip tightening on the sword for amoment before a quizical look spread on his face, his eyebrow arching slowly." You are odd dear brother." He said softly, meaning every word as his head slowly tilted to the side in an oddly doglike expression. " Very, very odd. But how do you know that I will not have to kill many before I become accepted into your 'merry' home?" He asked cautiously.

369Eternal Dirge

He eyed Lucifers widespread arms with some trepidation, seeming to lean back alittle before shrugging some and ignoring them entirely as it wasn't threatening. Harbinger sunk into a energy ball and floated around his head as a satellite orbits a planet. " And can you honestly say that you even cared about those countless fallen? Can you honestly fault me my place in the world?" He asked, not even realizing his anger was rising alittle until he put it back down and blinked in suprise and then a look of disgust with himself.

370Maximos

::Lucifer, quite honestly, was insulted. And across his face, Nathaniels response gave him quite the shock. His eyes widened, his jaw even hung open a bit in honest, utter, surprise. To be insulted for partaking in sin, thats one thing...Nathaniel himself had just broken free from Heaven a few days ago, sin was still bad to him. But, to insult his concern for his family...his friends...his children...

In a solitary moment, he had to stop himself from lunging at Nathaniel and giving way to Wraths bloody glory. But he hid his anger very well by simply turning around and continuing down the stairs as he spoke.::

Nathaniel, you have much to learn.

::He took a very deep breath, and let it out slowly to relax himself.::

We are the damned. We have been sent to this hot hole, and told to sit their or all eternity for simply thinking different. We wallow in our "punishment", in order to figuratively smack the face of the one who damned us...but....

::The firey red energy crackling around the pitchfork, swirled around his hand and up his back.::

We. Are. Damned. And as is miserys true nature, it loves company, we are always more than excited to see a new face. Suffering together is always better than suffering alone...

::It seemed Lucifer actually had emotion on his voice. He would not turn around to face Nathaniel and instead seemed to make it a point to avoid direct eye contact with him, his words were spaced out, and spoken very slowly and carefully. A breath was carefully inserted between each sentence.::

Each of us you killed, you've only served to set free. Free from the torture, from the pain, free from the Hell. You've done them a blessed service even God denied us. How could you be hated for it?

::His fist clenched tighter around the pitchfork, audible cracking in its shaft could be heard. And silence, for a full 5 minutes before he finally spoke again.::

And Nathaniel, should you ever doubt my loyalty to my kin again, or question my love for my family, I promise you, I will end you in ways that will make this Hell seem as pure and wholesome as Heaven.

371Eternal Dirge

Nathaniel tensed alittle before slowly relaxing, watching him closely with narrowed eyes before smiling." I'm glad, Lucifer, That I am not completely on your bad side, for fear I would lose my life and only end up here again." He said before sighing, " And that you are not completely without honor."((same goes for you Maximos))

372Keeper_of_Tales

::Michael was not expecting this...intense...of a reaction from the creature. Keelan and Anthony were in the process of grabbing Michael and throwing him back in his cage. Veronica just sat there with a bemused smile on her face, taking notes. And Sherrie was in a corner with her hands over her eyes and her head between her knees.::

Quote:** Wrote:

I felt that...theres a man in there...isnt there?

::Michael felt a cold child down 'his' spine, so unsure was he about wheither this was a good or a bad thing. Then the creature puts its hand into Keelan's chest and grasped Michael and Anthony. They both felt the pain of being taken from their host, but while Michael also felt relief due to it, Anthony felt anger and a deeper pain for not being their to protect Keelan and Sherrie. Keelan tried her best to hold onto Anthony but she wasn't strong enough and she hated herself for it. Her reaction was her one emotion, but its form wasn't that of Veronica's bloodlust meets dark passion; no, her's took the form of cold, calculating fury. With Michael ripped from keelan her eyes returned to gray, but they now held an edge to them.::

Quote:** Wrote:

You boys wait your turn...

::This thing wouldn't have anything to do with her if Keelan could do something about it. Obviously someone loved, or hated, the white, pure light of the Healers; if not then she would still be playing with the boy. Well it was about time she found out which it was.:: No one takes them away from me," ::as Keelan once again concentrates and projects the Healer's positive, pure energy.::

::Cheryl became startled when the boy's flesh started breaking out with bloody lesions. She started to move away when her attention became focused on the chanting. When the voice became distinctively behind her she tilted her head slightly and saw the glowing woman. All thoughts of the boy in her arms temporarily went running out of her mind.::

Quote:** Wrote:

Release the boy, demon. Or taste my steel.

Cheryl looked confused for a moment and then looked back at the terrified child in her arms.:: I'm sorry, ::as she slowly releases the boy.:: Is he yours?

373Maximos

Nathaniel_Graves Wrote:

Nathaniel tensed alittle before slowly relaxing, watching him closely with narrowed eyes before smiling." I'm glad, Lucifer, That I am not completely on your bad side, for fear I would lose my life and only end up here again." He said before sighing, " And that you are not completely without honor."((same goes for you Maximos))

::A serenade of silence met Nathaniel from Lucifers lips, and after several minutes more he had calmed himself enough to speak calmly again. Wrath had infected Lucifers mind, and Wrath was one of the seven sins he had the last several thousand years learning to induldge in.::

To be honest, I grow weary of this walk. Damn the Reapers, I feel like going home. There are many people I want you to meet.

::With a flick of his wrist, and a stomp of his Pitchfork the two were enwrapped in a dark flame, and as the flame faded the two were standing before a very large, very red, leather door. And the door opens.::

Punishers_Hand_Maiden Wrote:

No one takes them away from me.

::As she focused on the light, out it came, and yet only to have the reverse effect and instead douse the cross in whipping flames. While the flames hurt, they would not leave any actual burns. But glow lasted just long enough....for Lucifer to see, and laugh.::

No no angel-spy, your bright light will not avail you here.

::His voice caught the air, the creature beside the bed jumped into action. It spun on its heels, dropping the sheet, revealing a sleek femine form, its slippery black tail spanked the floor as she ran at Lucifer, calling his name letting it echo across the room.::

Morning Star~!

::Lucifer nearly melted in his pants right then and there...oh how he loved the old names. The woman, and her lover met with a warm....wet, embrace and a few rather wet, kisses. And finally Lucifer pulled back, and smiled, looking her in her black empty eyes.::

Lilith! You started playing without me?! Its bad enough you made edits to the bible to put yourself in it, but this...come now this is the first invader in years!!

::She shyed back a bit and smirked.::

I'm sorry lover, I'll....

::Her hand slipped across his chest, and down to his...::

...Make it up to you...

::Lucifer smiled and let out a laugh before finally slipping back to business. He turned to Nathaniel, and spoke.::

You've killed hundreds on thousands, mortals, angels, the like whats one more? For your test...kill this one.

::And he made a deft gesture toward Keelan.::


Cheryl Wrote:

I'm sorry, is he yours?

Yes.

::And her wing reached forward to shoe the boy behind her. And there she stood, Cheryl cornered, her head tilted to the side as she analyzed the girl...judged her.

And then without warning or a thought thrust her sword forward to impale her against a wall. Saying, not shouting.::

Now die, demon.

374Eternal Dirge

" Why?" He asked softly, arching an eyebrow slowly and looking from one to the other slowly before looking at Keelan. " Can't you use her?" He asked curiously, walking towards the prone Angel none the less while at the same time turning Harbinger into a Cross Sword. Nathaniel stood next to the bed, looking over at Lucifer curiously and gently tapping the blade on his shoulder. He didn't seem to worried though, as if this was nothing more than business as usual. One more dead Angel in the midst of the many to come? Just dust in the wind.

375Maximos

::Another peck kiss on Lilith's lips, and he turned back to Nathaniel. Sure the would be victim was speaking, and likely pleading, but for this moment The Devil truly wasnt interested in anything she had to say. And he did his best to speak over her, just for Nathaniel to hear.::

Of course dear brother, we are using her--

::Lucifer found his face snatched back by Lilith for another kiss, and had to pull away again just to finish his sentence.::

--As a message. Her body deposited on those Pearly Gates will state our feelings toward spies very very clearly. Now Brother, let Him know that your not His pawn anymore with the sound of your blade.

376Keeper_of_Tales

::She was very much talking, but it would sound like mere whispering compared to Lucifer's strong, resounding voice. But at the statement of being left at Pearly Gates (whatever those were) and left as an example for Him she very much made her reaction vocal.:: "Him? The council is behind this? Death will visit them and they will taste my blade!!!" As her eyes glow brightly with grays, reds and violets. All three of them were making their distaste for the council known and NO ONE would take their vengeance from them. During the last statement, the white light that Keelan had been projecting, and upon which the flames had covered up, now turned a red. Not a simple firey look, no it now looked like she was encased in flames made of blood. Veronica's fury was now in full effect and nothing Keelan or Sherrie could do would stop her now.::

::Cheryl knew enough of the powers to protect herself. As the blade came forward, Cheryl teleported 10feet behind and 10feet to the right of the angel.:: I am an angel, get it right.

377Eternal Dirge

" Shut up." Nathaniel snapped before slugging her in the face with his free hand, frowning darkly down at her. If there was one thing he didn't like, it was those that raged or cried out in the end. They were going to die, why not just accept it? He then turned back to Lucifer " Wouldn't it be easier to just control her and send her back up there? Sabotage them from the inside?"

378Maximos

::After quite literally prying Lilith from him, and tossing her onto the bed, he turns to Nathaniel. Taking his first steps toward the Angel and honestly giving her next to no eye contact. To her, she had been reduced to the level of "Thing", not "Her". Such was the treatment for spies, for those that sneak into others ranks without honor.::

Indeed dear brother, it looks to be.

::He says with a wide smile as he smacks her. Nathaniel certainly did not lack the ferocity necessary for a position as general. But Lucifer spoke.::

But, the easy path is not always as easy it seems.

::He gestures to her wings, and the rapidly shifting glow of her eyes, making specific note to point when her eyes shift the firey demonic red.::

You see? Black wings, firey red eyes, to serve Him, they have to cast His so called "glory" away. Listen to Her denouce him. They take on such demonic qualities just to serve Him, and yet for their faith He tosses them to the wind. Such is the "love" of our father, that He should send His children....to die. You remember what happened to Micheal dont you?

::Assuming bringing up such harsh memories of their father would enrage Nathaniel, he gently tapped Nathaniel on the shoulder. Not near the wings, no, but higher and simply took a step the side to let him do his work. Letting out a final word on the subject.::

To be honest, your doing her a mercy by setting her free. Listen to her fervor, she is so intent on serving Him even if it means denyings Him, but He'll never let her back in His fold now.

::He shakes his head in most honest pity.::

Truly, slipping her back into Heaven would be akin to slipping you back. You'd be recognized on the spot, and taken down. This is for the best.

::And he fell silent, standing calmly beside the cross his hands folded behind his back, and his glowing crimson ball floating to and fro about Keelans head.::


This is my home little demon.

::The Angel said as Cheryl came into being yet again after the teleportation completed.::

My doors.

::And as she said the word doors, the doors in the room simply vanished.

My walls.

::And as she said it, the rumbling began. The walls, once steady in the room began to move. Closing...collapsing. As the Angel turned to face Cheryl this large room had formed itself in to a hallway. And as the angel lifted her sword yet again and prepared to dive forward, a wall arose behind her. Stone solid.::

Now, die demon.

::And again she lunged forward. This time, the room was far smaller, there was no where to -port.::

379Keeper_of_Tales

::Oh,someone is going to die. Someone is going to die a horrible, painful, looong death. Keelan's eyes retain all of the colors but the deep violet of Sherrie's becomes a little more pronounced and Keelan's voice takes on a softer edge:: Excuse me sirs, ::looking back from the angel to the suited man back to the angel:: but may I at least know who I am dying for?

::This wasn't how it was supposed to end. She had to get home, she had to get back to them. She felt herself reaching out, faing glowing webs projecting from her, visible due to the fact they were all nothing more than souls right now. Those that had physical bodies and were unable to see souls would have no idea these spiderwebs were moving at lightning speed from the boy, through the layers of Hell to find her host, all the while screaming out for Sherrie. When the woman lunged at her, Cheryl teleported onto her back.::

380Eternal Dirge

" You don't die for a 'who', you die for a 'what'." Nathaniel said, glaring down at her before placing the sword tip against her breast, feeling her heartbeat coursing up through the blade. For Nathaniel, everything seemed to slow down. He stopped for only amoment to turn more towards her, both hands clasping the sword so that it if one were to look at him from the front, the sword would be running down his middle with the sword hilt at his chest. He paused for just a moment after that, taking a deep breath before thrusting the sword down, peircing her heart just before the next beat took place, his face just as emotionless as it had been when he had killed demons in His name. His own aura flared up around him and Harbinger, caressing the two in flames of gold. This time they created their own heat, hard to notice really but still there. They licked hungrily at the air before coursing over Keelans prone form, sucking the life out of her just as well as Harbinger. Nathaniel, Harbinger, and the aura all went a pure black, almost seeming to be voids in the fabric of reality, sucking all light and life from Keelan and anything else not stronger than they out of the room. The black man form that was Nathaniel tilted it's head back before letting out an unearthly wail, filled with all the sadness, the pain, the fear and the rage of the world and every demon or angel he had ever killed. Nathaniels turning point had passed, and he had made his decision.

381Maximos

::That was a horrific display of power. The evil howls were like a demonic orchestra to Lucifer, and he quite honestly loved every second of it. The lighting, the sucking of life, and indeed it all would likely feel very painful to the poor Keelan. And yet...when it was all said and done the only thing left changed was the massive shiv in Keelans heart, and the sharp pain as the two severed sides of her heart continued to beat.

The relaxitive feeling of healing...gone. That just hurt...alot...

And then Lucifer, oh slippery Lucifer...began to laugh. Granted it was rather mean to laugh at something like that. And infact while it was a laugh at Nathaniel, it wasnt for the display of power, or for actually stabbing her. He would begin to explain after a few seconds of maniacal laughter. His words fighting through chuckles to be heard.::

I'm, he he hah hah, I'm so sorry brother, but I did have to test you.

::Lucifer then proceeded with the very mean act of running his index and middle finger around the rim of the wound. As one might expect touching a few wound would hurt.::

This fair winged woman, is not a one of our sisters. She was a soul condemned her today by Grimm himself, and well...she hurt my poor boy and so she had to pay.

::He lifted his hand up gently licking off the bit of blood from the wound.::

That is a very nice cut though my dear brother, I would expect nothing less from you. But souls condemned here are condemned for all time, suicide is not an option. They retain their wounds and pains to carry about for all eternity...BUT.

::He gave Nathaniel a very swift pat on the back.::

You passed your test! You proved you are most willing to kill, even family, for your cause. I respect and value that beyond measure. I will never doubt your loyalty, and loyalty is eternal. Now, if you'll let my lovely wife here assist you...

::And as he spoke Lilith rose from the bed, this time tying the red sheets around her, and in a flash of black flame forming a bright red suit, much like Lucifers...though with more clevage, and with a skirt. Lilith was after all Hells cheif partaker in the unholy sin of Lust. And she made her way to Nathaniel with a deepLucifer continued to speak though.::

...She will take you to meet your army. I shall be there shortly. And as for you...

::He looked down at Keelan with a disgustingly joyful smile on his face.::

Your a good sport. Have you learned your lesson about hurting little boys or...

::And Lucifer proceeded to reach into the jar beside the cross and pulled out two...glowing...fragments of glass. That being Micheal...and Nathaniel. And he gently slid them betwix his fingers as he continued his sentence.::

...do we need to continue?

382Eternal Dirge

Nathaniel stared at Lucifer with a confused expression, his face paler than usual under his grey hair. Even his eyes seemed confused and somehow pained. Harbinger slipped from his grasp to hit the ground as the Fallen Angel fell to his knees. That had hurt. Alot. It was something he could hardly comprehend, this pain, and it shook him to his very soul. Harbinger seemed to notice that it's wielder was in some kind of pain, as the sword went to an orb and floated around his head in swift circles, sometimes bouncing off his head. He glanced up as Lilith approached, blinking dumbly before rising and nodding, " Yes....Lucifer...." He muttered, shaking his head alittle as if to clear it. " Hn....why did that happen?" He asked no one in particular, just seeming to voice his thoughts aloud as he followed after Lilith.

383Maximos

::Lucifer had seen a similar reaction in the past, but was currently a bit pre-occupied with the winged woman. Lilith was quick to respond, as Nathaniel fell to his knees she immediately knelt down before him lacing her fingers around his chin. Her voice was ever so kind, and ever so lacy.::

Awww, poor boy...

::She slid her hand up the side of his face.::

...You just took in a little to much Black this time, we'll work that...right...out.

::Her long nails and slender fingers ruffled through his hair.::

You dont even have your horns yet silly. Dont wear yourself out before we get to....play.

::And of course, she was very sure to hint on the word play, a bit extra, and toss Nathaniel a wink.::

Come on, we're gonna get you some more bad boy points.

:smilies/icon_surprised.giff course, she was kidding. Hell wasnt a game, there was no evil point system. But still, being so very pure and doing something so very dark had to have SOME penalties. Even if they were temporary. Or at least that was what she was assuming, there really was no telling what had happened for sure.

Though, she spared to no time in standing up and gesturing for Nathaniel to follow as she made her way to the very large black doors at the opposite end of the room.::

384Eternal Dirge

He followed along, as if he had never heard her coy words or the playful tone they were put in. Not that he would have cared in the first place, but still. His grey eyes racked over the doors as he straightened his back alittle, straightening his hair for appearance purposes and crossing his arms over his chest, what looked like the lower half of a samurai's armor materializing from his waist down, Harbinger floating to complete the look by making it'self into a katana. He seemed to collect himself swiftly, casting away the confusion that had so clouded his mind not but moments ago." Lead the way then." He said, his tone just as deep and commanding as it had been, just as ominous as the voice of Death himself, and a terrible reminder of what he had been as this was the voice that had rolled out from behind the Gates of hell for centuries untold.

385Maximos

He he he.

::She giggled a bit. He was so tough looking. It was perfect. The black door opened into an elevator, and of course being in Lucifers home on the bottom floor of Hell. They could only go up, and up they went as Lilith tapped the 4th floor button, and the elevator began to move.

Strangely, it didnt move with a grinding sound like most but with a rather vicious burning sound. Here they sat on the ninth floor and as they rose they were given a view of each floor. Something of a glimpse of the tortures of this unholy place.

On the 8th floor was The Void. A blank nothingness, souls wandered within it, forever alone, forever forsaken, forever lost. This was a kind torture.

On the 7th was a massive dining room table. Massive because it seemed to extend for miles on miles and strapped to the table were what could only be described as tubs of lard and flesh. Each of these lards being fed through the bloaded oraface called a mouth, and each chained to the table as food was constantly served, and constantly being force fed by lesser demons. At the end of the table, a large looming figure looking something like a mountain of jelly could be seen. And while it seemed inanimate, it seemed to actually lift its massive hand and wave as Nathaniel and Lilith rose up. Lilith waved back and spoke.::

Gluttony, you'll have to meet him one day. He makes the best pie, ever.

::The 6th, a place of boundless riches. This seemed less like Hell and more like a pirates lost storehouse. Riches on riches beyond measure, flowing moutains of gold. And with them were people. People held on leashes by demons being constantly tempted with gold, and either having their hands sliced off should they actually touch it, or being pulled back the moment before they can reach it. Such was the punishment for Greed. And one singular demon dressed in only the fanciest robes, and covered in jewelry made his way through the midst of the torture, simply supervising.

On the 5th, were several billion coffins. This seemed like a graveyard, but it truly wasnt. In each coffin was a person, not dead but very much alive. And in the distance a very large bed could be seen with some figure stirring within it. You see, in life each of these people were so lazy, they used absolutely none of their time for anything useful. So in death, for being such Sloths, they were condemned to literally do nothing...not even sleep.

Finally came the 4th. As the elevator burned its way up the shaft the screams were already audible. Screams, roars, battle cries and the constant furious clashing and gnashing of blades, blood, and bones. This was the sound of war. And as the elevator came up over the horizon, War was all Nathaniel would seen, for miles on miles, on miles. Constant war. The soldiers had long since been mutilated beyond recognition by the Demon Army they were in constant conflict with, but they were refused a second death. Their wounds would never heal, and their hands had long since been grafted to their weapons.

The elevator came to a stop. And for a moment, the Demon Warriors stopped their onslaught. The Hellevator hadnt been here in millenia, not for a stop. Few demons dared stop here lest they be caught in a violent spree of bloody combat. But today, the war was put on hold. The stench of rot and blood wafing across the still air. It didnt take long for the countless demon hordes to pull themselves from their victims and focus on the Elevator shaft as the glass doors of the elevator slid open and Lilith stepped out and shouted.::

Alright you dogs! This is your new lord! Now, BOW!

::As vicious as these demons were, none would raise a hand against Lucifers own wife. But still they refused to bow. This section of Hell lived a life so different from the other that it barely considered itself a fraction of Hell. Sure, Lucifer had respect but...he was not their boss, and they did not fear him...

In the far rear of the army was a single demon that stood up above the rest. His wings still retained a few feathers yet they had been died a blood red from millenia of bloodshed. His armor was much the same, as dinged and rusted as it was, it was covered in a constant red...wet...sheen, as it was frequently doused in the flesh of his victims. He wore a full demonic plate of armor. This included a helm covering almost all of his face with the exception of his glowing red eyes, and with a barred mask over his mouth letting only the black embers which escaped from his heavy breaths drift through.

In his hands was a massive battle axe, on it was still caked the blood of countless fallen. His massive form stood at least 9ft tall. And not another demon in all of the floor, would even give him eye contact. Perhaps the wet slabs of flesh yet still dripping from his armor were partial responsible. No one could tell. None were brave enough to challenge it.

And forward he stepped. His massive feet pounding across the battle field as she shouted back at Lilith.::

I HAVE NO LORD!

::To which she quickly countered.::

Quiet Wrath! You know the deal! Lucifer guided us hear, Luci--

::Wrath snapped back. his voice booming forth causing many of the demons to shutter in fear.::

LUCIFER IS WEAK, HARLOT!!

::With a single powerful flap of his wings he vaulted himself up, and forward, and with a massive slam that shook the ground he landed not 20ft from Nathaniel and Lilith, his words slipping from his mouth frought with rage.::

He is nothing more than a coniving, pathetic pervert. He had no power. Had he any honor we would have STORMED the gates of Heaven CENTURIES ago, and this WEAKLING--

::And he immediately pointed his gigantic axe directly at Nathaniel.::

Would have been crushed like a bug under our feet!

::With a flick of his wrist he flipped the giant axe and slammed it into the ground cracking the ground around him as he turned to face Nathaniel.::

You pathetic, upstart cur. You. Make. Me. Sick.

::A ball of red spit could be seen striking the ground beside Nathaniel and almost immediately sizzling away.::

You'll lead, over my STINKING CORPSE!

::And without hesitation or thought, the giant axe was off the ground and in a full swing toward Nathaniels head. His vicious demonic aura lashing out with his powerful weapon. Wrath was never known for his patience, he was known for his prowess in constant battle over the last few millenia. It was that prowess, and that quick temper he planned to use to smash Nathaniel to bits, right here and right now. He would not stand even the thought of being challenged.::

386Eternal Dirge

" Fool." Was all Nathaniel said before he drew his own sword, dropping to one knee and slicing the blade horizontally for Wraths' stomach, letting the axe whip over his head, taking only a few hairs with it. " I've sent greater beings than you screaming from my home, and if I have to kill you to take over then SO BE IT!!" He roared, his first strike not even hitting home as his body was encased in the same darkness as before, a void in the light with only white points of light to mark where his eyes were. Nathaniel knew no fear, knew none of his earlier confusion, knew only the burning rage of his fall, of the countless eons of slaughter that he had been born to, and fed off the rage of this place. Wrath was only another demon to be killed, but no one insulted the master he served now as no one insulted the master he had served. Let them come in waves, let them come one by one, it didn't matter. They would all fall before him.

387Maximos

::In a moment of more clerity Wrath might have been able to recognize the power enrapturing Nathaniel, but today...he knew only his rage. He would not be pathetic enough as to fall with one strike. As the blade of his weapon flew over Nathaniels head, he positioned the shaft of the Axe to block the oncoming sword. Nathaniels powerful arms halting the axe in mid strike, directly over his head. There was a violent spark as Harbinger and Redeemer met, and a violent roar escaped Wraths mouth as with a twist of his wrists, and a jerk of his arms, he brought the massive axe straight down, trying to cleave Nathaniel in twain like a log. Sparks flew as Redeemer was scraped against Harvesters blade.

There was no voice to his madness. Just the frothing roar of his blind rage, and the drops of blood red spit that flew sprayed from within his helm. He refused to fall so easily.

The other demons sat completely still. In War only two things mattered, Victory, and Honor. And they upheld both. Whoever won this fight would lead them into battle, and to victory. And so they gave this furious combat the honor it deserved and merely spectated.::

388Eternal Dirge

" No...." Came the hissing whisper as Nathaniel spun out from under the giant axe, one leg lashing out to slam into the taller combatants jaw while harbinger was sent flying into the air, it's wielder following after. The Fallen Angel and sword met in mid air, Nathaniel holding the blade aloft for amoment before he began to plummet back down, black streaks of shadow following him as his arms went out to either side, Harbinger clutched tightly in his right arm. He looked like a falling star, The white lights that were his eyes creating the only light from him. Harbinger suddenly flashed forward, above and all the way to tap against Nathaniels thigh as both hands went up to grasp the hilt. The mouth of the black void opened, and all the hate, all the pain of that particular realm seemed to flow fourth in one bellowing scream, the blade of Harbinger going just as black as it's weilder, but with a scattering of what looked like stars following it.

389Maximos

::The kick connected with a metallic clang as Nathaniels foot met Wraths helm shattering it on impact. Shards of tainted metal fell to the ground as Wraths battle frenzy overtook him. His long red hair flowed from his scalp like fire as his demonic aura overtook him. His forth blurring as the waves of energy took form, and substance, kicking up smaller stones and giving him the appearance of being lost enveloped in flames. Yet still the glow of his eyes, and the light from within his mouth stood very visible, as did the silohette of his armor...and the primal growl which escaped his gaping maw. Words bellowed forth.::

You think you know...POWER.

::From his forehead his horns extended, from two little lumps to two large pikes, his hands could been seen crackling as his viens began to glow through his skin, ripping and tearing as his body expanded. It didnt take long for his armor to crack and shatter, leaving his body from the waist up exposed. A glowing red core visible in his chest, his heart, and it pumped forth fire through his viens.

Wrath was his sin, and he filled himself with it. He looked more beast than man, what with massive claws for hands, glowing red eyes and what seemed to be hellfire burning about him and across his axe. He lifted the gigantic weapon up, holding it across his chest as he stared down at Nathaniel.::

...SHOW ME HOW EASILY YOU BLEED!!

::He shouted forth at Nathaniel, a blatant challenge. Demons retreated back several steps just to give the two combatants the room they needed.::

390Eternal Dirge

" Promises promises." He said softly, Harbinger changing again, this time to a spear with a foot long metal blade. " Have at thee demon." He muttered, spinning Harbinger in one hand before he began to pace a circle around the larger being. He was not afraid, but he was indeed wary. " You know, I can do that to, it'd just look even funnier on me than it does you." He called, taunting Wrath, goading him into a charge.

391Maximos

::Yet to no such luck. Wrath turned his back to Nathaniel, or so it seemed as he spun away on his claw-like feet, shifting his weight to his heel before suddenly jerking back around with powerful roar, his mighty arms hurdling the axe at Nathaniel, the giant blade spinning horizontally like a giant disc as it flew for the Fallen.

And as it flew Wrath caught his balance by slamming his foot into rocky ground beneath and hunching forward, he looked something like a sumo wrestler as he caught his balance. And at the moment he gained that sturdy footing he kicked off the ground charging directly at Nathaniel just behind his weapon. He would wait or the weapon to reach Nathaniel before acting, but something about the glowing grin on his lips said that he had some sort of plan...::

392Eternal Dirge

" Moron." Nathaniel muttered, simply jumping into the air and somehow using the spinning axe like a platform, standing on the spinning shaft and holding onto Harbinger with one hand, spinning it in lazy circles. He didn't seem unduely worried with Wraths style. The darkness slowly slipped away and down into Redeemer, slipping over the entire weapon and stopping it dead in the air, the haft pointing towards the Charging Demon.

393Maximos

Nathaniel_Graves Wrote:

" Moron."

I could say the same!

::The weapon wouldnt be commanded any more than Harbinger would bend by the will of Wrath. Redeemer was mounted, and as all demonic and angelic weapons could, it immediately and instantly took the form it needed most. Shackles. Not the pleasant chain kind, but rather a very special kind Wrath had nick named, Hatebinders. It was basically two ankle cuffs with a single bar locking the ankles in place. But it would be completely ineffective without one ingredient...a part of the being whom it was locking.

Wrath skidded to a halt mid run as his feet kicked up a cloud of dirt and his hands flew through the dirt grabbing his prize. His demonic aura's voilent nature had sent the hairs fluttering away, but now they were safetly in Wraths giant hands.

And the demon, began to laugh. You see it really wouldnt have been possible if Nathaniel hadnt played along so nicely and mounted his weapon, placing his feet, exactly where they needed to be. Wrath had assumed Nathaniel would simply dodge, and then he would have to grapple him and force him to touch Redeemer...but fortune smiled.

He didnt run anymore. He walked. The hairs grasped firmly in his hand, and his victim's mobility hindered by his feet bindings. All Wrath had to do was reach Redeemer now, and he could attempt to extend the shackles into a full restraint. But he had time, time to laugh.::

394Eternal Dirge

The Fallen Angel stood perfectly still for amoment before frowning," Well isn't this magical." He muttered before hurling Harbinger at Wrath with all his strength, aiming for the larger Being's heart. His legs might have been bound, but his arms were not, and he could still fight if those were free. The darkness from before didn't return this time.

395Maximos

Wordy down to the end.

::Wrath watched as Nathaniel tossed his blade and tended his hand, as if he was going to catch it. But a few moment before it was slated to reach him he turned at the hip letting it slide just slide right past.::

And I get the honor of sending Graves, to his grave.

::He let out a sickening laughter.::

Pride would be so jealous.

::But enough delay. He was no stranger to the idea of weapons returning to their masters, and again he broke out into a full run. This time aiming to reach the somewhat trapped Nathaniel, stand over him, and simply begin pounding away, unless interupted. In his mind, he had all of eternity to take his frustration and wrath out on his brother. Some demons just didnt share the same respect as Lucifer did, some just knew how to kill and how to hurt, and how to get revenge. This was one of them.::

396Eternal Dirge

Nathaniel shrugged alittle and smiled," Be that as it may." He said before jumping, just before Wrath reached him. His timing was careful, and he very nearly missed his mark. As he leaped into the air, he bent his legs just enough for the chain between his ankles to hit Wraths' throat, and twisted his body violently to twist the chain into a tight garot/noose around his enemies throat, falling to nearly smack into one of Wrathes feet thanks to his running, Nathaniels' hands gripping Harbinger as his weapon flew back into his hands. He took a swipe at his enemies ankles as he hung behind, jerking his body to tighten the Chain around Wraths neck.

397Maximos

::Wrath, in all honesty, was entirely surprised. Pleasantly surprised at that. The look on his face was not one of anger, but was instead a rather large smile.

Nathaniels strategy was mostly flawless. The garot of a chain caused Wrath to let out a gacking sound as he was choked. If anything Nathaniel might have over-estimated Wraths ability to react to surprises. You see, he was used to fighting demons that were too afraid to even fully try and beat him. Or pathetic mortals that simply cowered and tried to flee. Today he faced a true foe, a true opponent. And in his moment of surprise, as Nathaniels wieght was added to Wraths neck, Wrath was jerked backwards right off his feet.

This would have been a good thing if not for the fact that he was about fall flat on his back. And his back, was exactly where Nathaniel was. Needless to say Wrath was rather heavy, though not life threateningly so. If Nathaniel as infact caught underneath him, it would feel more like he had taken a very big punch to his whole body, or whatever parts of him were under Wrath.

And it really wouldnt take long for the demon, thrilled with the joys of battle, to grab the chain around his neck with the full intent of using it as a handle as he rolled to his feet and tried to use the chain to slam Nathaniel over head, and into the ground in front of him. Sort of like swing a giant chain mace, that was tied around his neck.::

398Eternal Dirge

Nathaniel seemed to realize this the instant before it happened, as his exact words were, " Aw ********." as he tried twisting himself out of the way somewhat, Jamming harbinger into the ground next to him, hilt in the ground with the blade pointing up. This was all he could do before Wrath fell, hopefully on the Angelic blade and It's wielders left side. He had atleast gotten that far.

399Maximos

::And indeed he was impaled right through where his kidney would have been. His black blood spilling back and onto Nathaniel like boiling water. But wounds such as these, just as was proven a few floors below in Lucifers chambers, wouldnt be fatal. Such injury as painful as it should have been, simply brought a sickeningly maniacal laughter forth from Wrath.

And despite the pain, and the further injury he would inflict upon himself, Wrath yet still attempted to sling Nathaniel overhead by the chain, and smash him into the ground in front of him.::

400Eternal Dirge

Nathaniel winced and groaned upon impact with the ground, wincing alittle before glaring at Wrath," Damn....wish you had come to the gates a long time ago, might have had a better fight there. Least there you'd be dead." He grumbled, rolling over and onto his feet, even if his ankles were chained before dropping his knees directly onto the demons throat and summing Harbinger into his hand, through his opponents flesh.

401Maximos

::And yet Nathaniel would find something quite odd about his ability to roll over onto his feet. His feet werent bound any longer. As he rolled onto his feet, he would witness Wrath pulling Harbringer out from his gut and dropping it idly onto the ground beside him. Before dropping to his knees. No, not in pain, the smile on his face said that it definately wasnt pain that motivated him, but rather something else entirely.::

You've fought well, and with honor.

::He said, as a black glowing ball began to hover around his bowed head.::

It would be my honor to fight beside you....Lord Graves.

::And with his acceptances of Nathaniels rank, and his obvious bow, the legions around the two bowed in turn. The demons in rank each fell to one knee, their weapons placed on the ground beside them. It would be like watching the tide roll back and bow before one man.::

We are yours. May our march on the gates of Heaven bring you the slaughter you were denied today. With you as our General, we will paint the pearly gates red with angelic blood...

402Eternal Dirge

Nathaniel blinked afew times, looking around himself slowly before looking at Wrath and blinking one more time," I feel like kicking you as many times as I could, In the groin." He said, his voice exasperated and tired sounding before he turned towards the bowing demons, frowning," And who told you to stop fighting?" He yelled out.

403Maximos

Uh...

::Quite literally almost every demon, had either that exact word, or a look matching that word on their face. A dead lull for a moment as the supposed change of the guard passed so very quickly, and things were back to normal. And...they attacked, as if there was absolutely no fight between Wrath and Nathaniel at all! They simply went back to mindless slaughter as if it was nothing new, just a little thing they do...and it was.

Death. Death. And gore.

And Wrath stood firmly, dusting the last of his wounds off like dust off the edge of table, literally healing with almost instaneous speed. A gift given to the demons when here in Hell. And he turned to Nathaniel, his demonic battle armor forging back into being as he asked one, simple, question.::

When do we launch our assault?

404Eternal Dirge

He glanced up, arching an eyebrow," Don't know, when Lord Lucifer says so." He said, turning towards Lilith," Come with me though, my Liutenant(sp?)." Nathaniel said, walking along towards Lilith while Harbinger turned into a ball of energy to float around his head. " We need information."

405Maximos

Nathaniel_Graves Wrote:

He glanced up, arching an eyebrow," Don't know, when Lord Lucifer says so." He said, turning towards Lilith," Come with me though, my Liutenant(sp?)." Nathaniel said, walking along towards Lilith while Harbinger turned into a ball of energy to float around his head. " We need information."

::Lord Lucifer...Wrath was going to be getting used to hearing that anytime soon. He cringed a look of disgust, though it was hidden beneath this helmet. If he could have spit without wetting his own face, he would have. But he was content to pick up his rather large battle axe and slug it over his shoudler as he followed Nathaniel, to Lilith...

Lilith, who was of course, doing her best to fondle a fallen tortured human soul who had lost his arms and legs. He was useless in battle, but she assured him of other uses, whispering in his ear and what not. As she heard Nathaniel approach, she lifted her hand with her index finger raised and pointed it at him silently, as if to say. "Wait". Without saying wait.

Wrath could be heard audibly grumbling at the sight of this.

You see, the man was pleading to be let die. He said he was dead, without reason to live, and fully repentent for all his sins. He said he never meant to cheat on his wife, and he missed her more than anything now that she was gone. And he wished he could see her. He told Lilith, as she caressed his face, and slid her hand gently down his chest, that he had no reason left to exist, not even here. He could no longer pick up a sword, and so no demon even bothered to attack him....he was useless. Without reason to live.

She seemed to be so interested in his concerns, she had layed down beside him. Her had caressed his belly and gently slid down lower...and lower...For a moment, if one didnt know better they would swear she was an angel again. She was trying her best to "help", this lost soul.

Finally, after a good 10 - 20 seconds, she spoke, though she spoke lightly, he heard her as she said...::

There there....no reason to give up...you've got plenty of reason to...live...

::Her had was unseen beneath his belt area for a moment, leaving...ungodly things to the imagination. Things only shown by the looks on the mans face and then.....

Riiiiipppp.

Her hand was seen ripping through his pant area with a bloody mound of flesh in toe, which she neatly deposited beside him as she stood up, and dusted herself off. No words need mention what she removed, save to say that several other mortals buckled over grasping their crotches happy it wasnt them. Just as kindly, just as nicely, she called back to him.::

Now, you've got no reason to live.

::And bounced off to Nathaniel and Wrath, with a satisfied smile on her face, and a bouncy cheer in her voice.::

Soooo, whats up? You guys done..."playing".

::And she made a quote gesture with her hands as she asked.::

406Eternal Dirge

Nathaniel only stared at her for amoment, his eyes carefully emotionless as his entire body tensed, nuckles going white as he gripped at the nothingness in his hands. Those same grey eyes went from Lilith to the Poor soul she had hurt then back. " That......was unneeded....." He said softly, but in that same tone Wrath, atleast, could hear all the rage Nathaniel felt. And there was a great deal of it. Ignoring her for amoment, he walked over to the man laying on the ground, crouching for amoment," Close your eyes.....ignore the pain....and wait." He said before returning to the Daemons, a slight twitch in his cheek now. " Now then....when do we attack?" He asked, his voice carefully nuetral but once again letting his anger through. Nathaniels hands went from fists to claws as they opened and closed in a steady rythm.

407Keeper_of_Tales

::As metal pierced her chest Veronica, Keelan and Sherrie let out a stream of profanities that rattled around in her mind for her jaw was locked as she did her best to deal with the pain of death. She had been wounded before, but nothing like this. But that is a Punisher's life; to eat, breathe, live and die combat. She was only vaguely conscious of the angel, the woman and the suited man talking. Slowly lucid thoughts returned as she learned to deal with the pain and the fact she was still alive. She heard the winged one and the woman leave and the suited man touched her and murmured something that she couldn't make out in the haze of pain. After a few minutes she blinked the blood tears away and looked at him playing with Michael and Anthony.:: "Why did you do that?" ::Eyes back to her usual sleet gray::

408Maximos

::Lucifer was intrigued. You see, he had asked her a question this is true...but...he had all of eternity. And if the Devil was anything he was patient. If she wanted to dally around, he could always drag the conversation back on track after..oh..another few centuries.

He smiled, embers slipping through his lips with each calm breath.::

Why wouldnt I do it?


::Lilith was far less concerned with what Nathaniel just said, and more with his body language. The anger in his voice, the seething, the claws, the look on his face. As Nathaniel spoke she was silent, she seemed honestly confused. Seriously, the look on her face was dumbfounded. It was persumably because Nathaniels body language made it seem like he wanted to attack...her...and in countless millenia no one here in Hell DARED threaten Lucifers wife.

Wrath spoke up, his voice actually showing honest concern. And yet still it held back half a laugh.::

Lust, I think you pissed him off.

::Lilith, Lust, but Lilith as she had chosen her given name over her title, like Lucifer. She lifted her blood covered right hand, and stared Nathaniel directly in the eye. Not off to the side, not lustfully, but directly. And she lifted her right hand to lick off bits of blood and....other substance, on her hands. And she spoke. Directly, firmly.::

And who, do you plan on attacking Nathaniel?

409Eternal Dirge

this time, it was an entire body twitch, his head nearly hitting his shoulder before he seemed to calm down, not a lot but enough." When do we attack?" He asked again, Harbinger floating around his neck, then around Liliths neck, then around Wraths head.

410Keeper_of_Tales

::Look of confusion passing over her face briefly:: "I don't know, that's why I'm asking" ::every few seconds pain flitting over her face as her heart beats even though it is sliced in half.:: "The only things I can think of, is you are a jealous man. In which I am innocent of having done anything with her. Or for the boy I attacked, which I had good reason and in which I would do again. Punishing the guilty is one thing, torturing the pure innocents are another."

411Maximos

::Lucifers head tilted slightly to the side and he began to ruffle through his pockets looking for something as she spoke, he even nodded as if he was listening. And as she finished, he spoke..::

You know, your a silly little girl. I ask why I wouldnt do it. Ah ha!

::He pulled from his pocket a glowing golden ring of what seemed to be...light. A Halo. He flicked it around his fingers a bit, and then set it atop his head...and it seemed to float there for a few moments.::

The word "wouldnt", asks you to define the reasons I would choose not to act. You've listed the reasons why I would, granted each of those reasons are beneath me, and for even suggesting them, and maring my name, you should be tortured 1000 times worse...but we have time for that later.

::And the Halo fell, with a tiny jingle it dangled from his right horn, bringing a smile to Lucifers face as he asked.::

Again, why wouldnt I do this?


::Lilith was simply not in the mood for floating glow balls, or upstart siblings.::

Good boy.

::She said, recognizing Nathaniels efforts to calm down.::

Remember your place.

::Her fist balled, letting out a series of pops as her bones snapped into place. There was a reason, Lilith did not have a glow ball. But she was making no confesssions.::

This is Lucifers plan, lets ask him.

::And she made her way to the Elevator, Wrath of course, could not follow. And the rest of the demons simply continued their rampage.::

412Eternal Dirge

" One moment." He said, holding a finger before marching towards the masses of fighting demons and sinners before jumping into the fray with a roar, becoming a fighting mass of fists and feet as he vented his rage upon them, not bothering to get Harbinger from where it was near Wraths shoulder. Nathaniels battle cry could be heard from different points of the battlefield, bodies flying into the air to accompany it. This took, at most, 30 minutes before he walked back over, his body only slightly bruised and blood dripping from his arms. " Now we can go. And just for the record, I remember my place. Someone else is standing in it, a mockery of what I was, and I want my vengance." He snarled as he walked towards the elevator.

413Keeper_of_Tales

::Her eyes follow the odd golden circlet and the very familiar look of confusion comes on her face as he hovers it above his head. Her face clears as she pays attention to his words again.:: "My apologies for misunderstanding you. As to why you wouldn't want to torture me, well for one you do not know my capabilities. It is probably safe to say you know nothing about me and my kind." ::Her eyes show a slight red tint:: "Also, as you can tell," ::looking down at her body:: "this is my first battlescar and I'm not fond of them." ::Inside, Veronica is back-handed for that insane comment by Sherrie.::

414Maximos

Intresting. Well, you shouldnt have let yourself get stabbed then.

::Lucifer said. Because infact, she was right. He had asked her for a reason...she gave him one. With a flick of his wrist, the flames which bound her wrists and ankles were released and she was...free. Well physically at least.

Honestly, Lucifier was entirely sure he had nothing to fear. He didnt jump back cautiously, he just stood.::

So show me, what makes you so special?

::He leaned against the cross bed, and spun his Halo around his finger. No threat in his pose or voice, just curiousity.::


::Alone. As Lilith was in none the sort of mood to wait for a boy to finish playing with the other boys. Nathaniels, bruised and bloodied form exited the battle....as a sworm of demons hurdled back around him dragging mortals, in an effort to simply drag him back in.

This was Hell, whats more it was the level ruled by Wrath. Sure, Nathaniel was angry, so was everyone around him. He was a "leader'", should the demons be asked to leave and mount a war...here, on this battle, this endless war. He was just another of the soldiers. No one meant any offence, why would they? They werent thinking beyond the act of venting anger.

Leaving the brewing War, was like trying to get dry while doused in water. It wasnt very easy...::

415Eternal Dirge

He roared in rage and spun, backhanding the nearest demon and diving back in, using his entire body as a weapon as he had before. Harbinger came to him again, turning into a sword as he roared his way across the field, coming back slower and this time lunging from the crowds before he was completely out and rolling, coming up to his feet beside Wrath," Take my place for amoment."

416Keeper_of_Tales

"I will be more than happy to show off but the body covering flames everytime I enact them will need to stop." ::She then cocks her head slightly, as if listening to something and then she stares intently at the door, her eyes going a vibrant violet:: Cheryl ::Wisps of white stream through the door, slowly wandering towards Keelan::

417Maximos

::Lucifer made a deft wave of his arm.::

The bed did that, it was my own form of....crusifiction.

:: Of course, as it passed through the door, Lucifer reached his arm out interupting the stream, and snatching another glass shard from the glowing white, and twirling it around with the other two.::

No no, no unwelcomed guests. Now...

::He rolled the shards betwix his finger tips.::

Do your best.


::Wrath, had his arms folded across his chest. Unfortunately, even though Nathaniel was in charge of Wrath, this was Wraths home. He made this place from his boundless rage and hate. He knew the rules.

Even as Nathaniel pulled himself from the crowd they rushed forward. They pilled over each other like a wave of flesh and people bearing down for blood.

Wrath, spoke, directly and firmly. His eye never even looking down at Nathaniel.::

As you so eagerly took it from me, this wieght is yours to bear...

::There were a few seconds of silence before he looked Nathaniel directly in the eye, the glowing red spheres he called eyes, shining through his helm. And he spoke firmly, practically commanding Nathaniel. Though it was more like an obvious command, like yelling for a dead animal to "die". Its already been done, it cant be undone. And he in similar light, commanded Nathaniel.::

Bear it.

::And he stood, arms folded across his chest, axe strapped to his back, and feet beside each other, like a stately centurion. Even as the wave moved to descend on Nathaniel yet again.::

418Eternal Dirge

" Son of a b***h!!!" He roared up at Wrath before charging back at the crowds," If you so badly want to be shredded then so be it!" He roared, Harbinger suddenly gaining a serated edge, further shredding the countless bodies he cut through, leaving even more painful cuts. All thoughts of leaving left him as he further emersed himself in the savagery, no thoughts but the kill.

419Keeper_of_Tales

"I have managed to keep most of my powers from my other positions. Keep in mind these are merely demonstrations, I know how to keep my own in combat." ::And with that the fun begins. She teleports around the room, something so simple and easy. Then she encases herself in the glowing white aura, this she has linger just a little longer then necessary.:: "Those are the ones that can be shown, without weapons and people of course. I am a Punisher and Judge, I hold two positions, the first time ever in the history of the angels. I am a warrior and I can hold my own in a fight. I am an angel and where I come from, we are the best." ::looking quite defiant for him to tell her otherwise.::

420Maximos

::Lucifer actually managed a yawn. And seemed more interested in his Halo than in her powers. He didnt respond vocally, but as she stopped there was a look on his face, a look of dull, as if he was about to yawn again. She said she needed weapons.

With another flick of his wrist there was a dry clank as her weapons...all of them, landed on the ground in front of her feet. A second flick of his wrist and a gust of flame brought a poor pathetic soul into being not 5ft away from her. It was just a boy about 14 years old, and he looked very tired. Infact he was directly from Sloth's level. The boy had been asleep from the last 48 years. His frail entropized form held a katana, and chains still bound him to the floor so he couldnt run.

In a second gust of flame Lucifer manifested a small red crystalline goblet and sipped deeply from it before speaking again. His voice dull as he repeated himself from seconds ago.::

So show me, what makes you so special?


We share the same father, Nathaniel.

::Wrath said, standing still as Nathaniel charged into battle, his cries lost in the waves of matching cries. Such was the way of Wrath, he built this place to let out his undending fury. Demons and mortals meant to attack him, and each other, so that he can be locked in one large combat and flush away all other things...Nathaniel just stole that from him. Now it was Nathaniels to bear, all the demons raging on him. And raging on him alone.

Were they shredded? Yes. Did they scream and die? Yes. But their ragged torn bodies rose and attacked yet again...it wasnt meant to end...ever.::

421Eternal Dirge

Nathaniel roared out with the joy, with the constant pain and rage he felt at that exact moment. This was bliss, pure, unadulterated bliss. The constant slaughter, the splattering of blood and the high pitched screams of the seconds dead." Let me rip, let me tear, come to me, my sheep, and LET ME KILL!!!" He roared in excstacy, blade and body melding into one constantly whirling form, becoming an angel of dispair, of pain and sacrifice, all in one moment of letting it all go. It was glorious.

422Keeper_of_Tales

::She looked at this simple, young boy who looked like an innocent child woken up in the middle of the night. But Keelan knew different; even young children can commit the most abombinable crimes. She looks at him and it takes less than a second to know his crimes. While Keelan does this, Veronica takes over----completely. Keelan's eyes go the familiar dazzling ruby red but the silver streaks in her hair also go a deep blood red, her skin darken to a lush tan, a mark appears over her right eye looking like a blood red jagged scar and her build becomes just a little more muscular. She then leans over and picks up Mindripper, her obsidian longbow. It is in fact made of purely obsidian stone, but in her hands it is as flexible as a wooden one made of the youngest and supplest tree. She also picks up her two daggers, Eurydice (Justice) and Cleisthenes (Glory-Strength). All of these she picked up as if they were the most precious things in the word, and caressed them in the same way lovers caress each other. And as she was fitting the daggers on her hips a voice was heard,:: He is guilty, Death will have another. ::Veronica's lips never moved, except now in a slight smile as she looked at the boy again. The white aura that had settled to a sheen on her skin now changed to what looked like blood drops hanging off her skin, a red mist surrounded her as she sized up this seemingly helpless opponent. Where possible she loved to take her time so she could relish the end as much as possible. But first order of business, blood needed to flow (other than her own of course). At this the enveloping red mist seems to get thicker, to the point of concealing her and then is thins out and flies at the boy, Veronica nowhere to be seen. The mist flies around and lashes out at the boy, leaving paperthing cuts that start dripping blood,:: Yessssss. More, I want more. As the blood trickled down, it disappeared, almost as if someone were taking it from him. After making a few circles around him, Veronica reformed about 10 feet from him. Her eyes glowing brightly and a look of bloodlust on her face, this is why she rode the waves and why Keelan would never be able to get rid of her. Ultimate power and destruction were everything.::

::Meanwhile bouncing around Lucifer's hand, three minds shuddered at what was happening. Michael always hated watching Veronica kill, she took too much joy in it. Anthony was wondering what Keelan was going through, no doubt riding the waves of emotion Veronica was feeling. Cheryl just watched in complete shock, her fragile, innocent mind unable to grasp fully what she was seeing.:: You know we are probably never going to get out of here, especially with this show. If he doesn't kill her, he is probably going to keep Veronica out permanently. We don't know that. I don't know if I prefer the woman or this one, I can't see his motives in this. He looks bored so why is he humoring us? How should I know. I told you we should have tied Veronica down a long time ago; if we had done that we would still be in Heavan. But no, Keelan wanted to feel and you had to take her precious side. You two make me sick. You also wanted to tie Keelan down because you viewed her as a weakness. If I ever find a way to make you disappear or die, believe me Michael I will do it. ::This last statement said with such venom, which is so unlike Anthony, that Michael for once in his existance shut up without a retort.::

423Maximos

::And no one stopped him. Well many tried to stop him, layer on layers of people tried their damndest to destroy Nathaniel, but they were destined to fall. This was survival of the fittest, surviving because he was stronger, because he had more power. And infact he did. And it showed, countless bodies falling by his wayside showed his power...but for every body that fell...thousands more rose up around him to continue the bloody war. And as those fell, the original fallen rose, their bodies held together by shards of cloth and chain. No forms looked human any longer, even the mortals were warped and distorted beyond recognition. They were meant to be slaughtered, fuel for the rage, Boundless rage...anger...Wrath.

Wrath stood and watched, for the first time in countless years the army had its back to him. They attacked Nathaniel, for a moment he was left alone to his thoughts, he was left to calm down...and he was beginning too.::


::That....transformation. That moment in which Keelan had changed...Lucifer had been present for countless transformations. Beasts into men. Innocents into guilty. Angels into Demons....but this transformation was wholly different. Keeland didnt change forms, she changed selves and forms. This shift caught his eye, and he stood up. His arms folded gently across his chest as she took small sip of his red wine, his eye was slightly cocked. This...soul shift...he had to see more.

--

The child, innocent as could be stood waiting. He was sure this was just another horrid nightmare. When the woman changed forms, he was caught a bit back, fear coursed through him as he realized...this wasnt a dream. She red the boys crimes, and what she saw was a list of nothing...not that he was innocent, he was guilty of inaction. When people needed him, he didnt move, when he could have helped he didnt, when he had the opportunity...he let it slide. He lived as if he was asleep, now in death he was let to sleep, except for this exact moment, in this moment...he was let to live again...to live another dream, a nightmare.

The red mist, just the very look on the womans eyes was enough to quite literally make the boy crap his pants. He dropped his weapons and did his best to retreat into a ball. His arms wrapped around his legs, his head tried to bury itself in his knees. He kicked off the floor, and thrashed his arms about screaming, in pain at wounds that hadnt even come yet. He had never been very active, but he was very actively panicking right now.

Then came her attacks, he screamed as if each was a mortal wound. Really they werent, but he didnt know that. He cried teary shrieks of agony, and wrapped around himself, begging....praying...that it would end.

And then it did. As Veronica came back into being, Lucifer had taken quite an interest in the show. He had stepped forward, and was tapping his finger against his chin. He watched her seeth, and a smirk rose on his face as he spoke. He knew this wasnt the same woman that was bound to that bed. Not physically, not at all. She reminded him so very much of Wrath, his dear brother.::

You...

::He said, extending a finger toward Veronica.::

...What is your name?

--

::In Lucifer fist, were the 3 shards of Micheal, Anthony, and Cheryl, and he could hear them bickering, and honestly it was quite annoying. Like a fly buzzing in the corner of his head, a fly he simply couldnt properly swat. His flench twisted, squeezing the 3 shards against eachother making a slight grinding sound.

While his outside, his body, didnt change, a loud voice boomed across the soul scape where the 3 spirit shards spoke. As loud as it was, it was indeed calm, and even friendly.::

Hi! My names Lucifer, I'll be your captor for all of eternity. Now, if you would please be very very quiet, I'll do my best not to expirement with fusing you into on little soul, and giving you to Envy as a play-thing.

424Eternal Dirge

He ripped his way across the field of battle, feeling wounds cutting into his skin but ignoring them entirely as he let loose his rage, his vengance. Let them come, let them all come, none would stand for long, this he knew, and he let loose his power. Harbinger reacted accordingly, but unexpectadely. The serrated blade glowed brightly, blindingly, and seemed to screech as it was swung, Nathaniel slowly being enveloped by that same light, starting at his head and sliding down to his feet. It slowly faded from his body, armor taking place of the light. He wore no helmet, but his armor resembled samurai style armor with huge kite shields on his shoulders, completely and utterly black, all but for what looked like stars on the armor, constantly moving as if he were a tv with a video of the universe running. It was beautiful and somehow disorienting, as it was hard to pin point his exact location, or that of Harbinger, which had done the same thing as his armor.

425Keeper_of_Tales

::Veronica stops. She straightens up and looks at this man in the suit.:: My name... ::she licks her lips, almost as if she could taste the blood that was taken from the boy.:: ...is Veronica the Deathbringer.

::All three were a little shocked by this man, but Michael recovered first and Anthony could feel the glare that was coming from him. But all three did obey the man's wish and stayed silent.::

426Maximos

::Hack, slash, a little more hack, a little more slash. A bit of slaughter, you know, out of control, crazy...rawr. Nathaniels armor and weapon transformation did catch the hordes of Wrath a bit off gaurd, for a moment they were reminded of their more....noble beginnings...but...this only increased the fervor for slaughter and death.

And Wrath, had reduced himself to rather deep contemplation near the elevator door.::


Veronica...charmed, I'm sure.

::Lucifer said with a slip of his tongue across his lips. He could taste it too, not really, but yet still the feeling was there. He took a quick sip of his wine and stepped forward yet again.::

And before, who was that?

:: Of course, mentioning the persona which preceeded her. He didnt know its name, and really it wasnt the name that interested him anymore than her history, or her power to kill...it was...something else. But he couldnt quite place his finger on it. Yet still he swirled his finger a bit while pointing at her, sort of symboling that there was a sort of...rolling change there.

He gently set the 3 tiny shards down and made his steps toward her. The 3 glowed beautifully. But they no longer had his interest.::

427Keeper_of_Tales

Her? ::This said with complete disgust.:: That was Keelan, but trust me, she's not important. ::Veronica was going to use this situation to her upmost advantage. This obviously powerful person was interested in her and she wasn't about to let him go without getting something good from it.:: If you're needing something, ::walking a few steps to him and suggestively caressing Cleisthenes:: I will be more than happy to oblige.

::A collective groan came from Michael and Anthony.:: Oh yeah, she is soo going to get us killed. Next time I want to tie someone down, you better let me; because if you don't I'm going to remind you of this situation right here. Michael....just....shut....up.

428Maximos

Punishers_Hand_Maiden Wrote:

Her? ::This said with complete disgust.:: That was Keelan, but trust me, she's not important. ::Veronica was going to use this situation to her upmost advantage. This obviously powerful person was interested in her and she wasn't about to let him go without getting something good from it.:: If you're needing something, ::walking a few steps to him and suggestively caressing Cleisthenes:: I will be more than happy to oblige.

...Really?

::Lucifer said with a cocked eyebrow. He loved being stroked, especially when it was a woman, and even more-so when she was stroking his ego. He stepped forward, taking another sip of his wine before setting down on teh table beside the 3 glowing shards. His voice slipped from boredom to...interest...of a different sort. His silver forked tongue slipped out for a bit rolling across his pale lips, lapping up a bit of wine that had missed its mark.::

...Hmmm...I think I can conjur a few...needs.

::He said with a slight smirk.::

--

::What Lucifer missed was the slight creak as his bedroom door crept open behind him. A set of tiny hands reached around the door and gently pushed it open just enough for the creatures tiny frame to fit through.

No "creature" was far too harsh for this being. It stood only about 3ft tall, and had short and curly, bright blonde hair. Funnily enough, it was dressed exactly like a catholic school child of about 6 or 7 years old. The look was even completed by the halo yet still floating above its head, and behind his back were two tiny wings looking barely able to hold its wieght, and yet the wings fluttered letting him glide silently forward. He looked something like what you might imagine a cherub to look like. He was small, the very definition of cheek pinching cuteness, and a bit of a glow surrounded him. And he seemed to be trying to keep the thngs in his pockets from falling out and alerting anyone of his presence.

Fluttering as carefully, and silently as could he, he made his way to where Cheryl, Micheal, and Anthony, were sitting. Lucifer, completely unaware.::

--

I know....

::Said Lucifer, with a grin on his face that simply meant he was up to purely no good, at all. His right hand gently glided forward as if he was going to reach for Veronica, but instead pointed straight past her at the boy in chains she had attacked earlier.::

...Finish him.

429Eternal Dirge

" Your turn." Nathaniel said suddenly before making a break for it, headed right at Wrath, not even bothering with the hordes anymore. He wanted their attention, surely, but he wanted out for atleast amoment. Yes....this place would need to be fixed if he were to rule.

430Maximos

::The hordes of course followed, their angry hands reaching for Nathaniels arms, legs, hair, any bits of him that were enough to grab onto. They didnt intend on letting go without a fight.

Wrath, on much the contrary, did not move in the slightest. He seemed so into his very own world inside his deeply contemplative head, that he didnt even but barely breathe. Only the sound of his armor grinding even showed that he was breathing at all.

He simply sat, arms folded across his chest, and thought...and thought...and thought....the question for the day being...."Why?"::

431Eternal Dirge

" No we're not doing that." Nathaniel said, darting away and diving into Hells Elevator, tossing little bits of metal on the ground back at the people trying to catch them." Back, Back you monsters!!" He yelled, laughing some.

432Keeper_of_Tales

Ohhhh, s**t. ANTHONY!!! Evil child alert!! ::and one of the small balls start bouncing off the table.:: NOO! Help ::One of the two still balls emits small white webs from it, launching them at Keelan. The last ball starts rolling off of the table, away from the winged creature.::

If that will please you, ::smiling provocatively and turning around to face the child.:: Now...child. Your crime is inaction, which believe me it is a crime. And for that... ::Raising Mind Ripper ever so slowly until it was level with the boys forhead.:: ...your punishment. ::The blood red film coalesced onto the bow.:: Mmmmm....yesssss. Finish....it. ::Veronica's hands pulled ever so gently upon the weapon, no arrow knocked but the red blood seeped over the bow and solidified into one. She then let go and the bow released a bloodlusty roar. The arrow fired into the boys neck and split in the middle to come out either side of his neck, decapitating him. The arrow then merged back together and returned to the bow with an orgasmic scream. Veroncia stood their, relishing in the blood spatter, licking just the tiniest bit off of her lips...just for a taste.::

433x RoyGBiv x

Seth had appeared on apart of the boat in the Pirate's tunnel that was still above water. He blinked a few times before getting up off his back and looking around. "Where Am I.." He asked himself as he looked around and saw water. "This sure isnt good.." He said before fulling standing up and jumping off the boat to get a better look under water.

434x RoyGBiv x

Seth had Removed his crystal from his bag before closing his eyes and transforming into a fish person and diving under water to examine what this cavern had in it. "Let's see.." He thought as he looked around to see dead bodies little fish and a little underground pathway but decided to stay away from ti at first.

435Maximos

::Hells Elevator, or as Lilith called it, the Hellevator. The Elevator doors stood 40ft straight up, and 180ft wide. Here on in the War Zone, the door was spattered and rusted with the blood of countless bodies. Some of the caked on flesh even added a bit of a give to certain parts of the doors surface. Some of the poor denizens even believed that these were weak points, they were not. These door were made to keep even the worst of villians, exactly where they were, in Hell.

The doors, were currently shut. And Nathaniel would feel the "gong", should he choose to slam into them. But the doors wouldnt give, and the Elevator was not currently on this floor, Lilith had taken it when she left.

Nathaniels words still carried in the right direction, toward the right set of ears.

A clang was heard as Wrath's giant battle axe, stuck the ground. And he spoke, not rageful, but actually somber.::

No...why would...why did...we ever?

::Funny, a moment ago Nathaniel joined that vicious slaughter, but now, they were monsters to him...Monsters...::

Monsters...

::Said Wrath as he looked down at his blood stained axe.::

...No, we were the...chosen...His first born...his Ang--

::Wrath stopped dead in his sentence, the red glow which once filled his eyes now faded away.::

Why?

::Nathaniel, had placed his back to the wall, thankfully he had not been given the chance to actually enter the Elevator lest he quite literally place himself in a box. As it stood, he merely placed his back against a wall. A good point, at least no one could sneak up behind him.::


::Lucifer watched intently, cocked eyebrow, folded arms, and that simply evil grin across his pale lips. This was going to be quite the show, or so he hoped.

The bow, immediately recognizing a weapon tried to throw himself into the corner of the room, he begged apologies in a dead language once spoken on Gaia, ages ago. But it was sure that his terrified cries would fall on deaf ears. The sight of blood alone causing him to gag up bile, as he hadnt eaten in centuries.

Lucifer, loved every minute of it. His arms folded, his grin growing wider an wider. He could see the fear in the boys eyes, he could taste it wafing across the air, swirling with Veronica's bloodthirst. Even the usage of blood caught the Devil's interest, a blood arrow...and it cut so nicely.

The boy had a frozen moment of shock, before gaging and twitching a short while and finally dying. Caught up in the moment, Lucifer entirely missed the events behind him.


As one bobble of a soul tried to fall off the edge, the boy lunged forward, a powerful flap of his tiny wigs, jumped him ahead just in time to let him catch the falling shard before it fell. With quick reflexes and surprisingly strong usage of his tiny wings, he swiped his hand through the air, snatching the two fleeing soul bits, just like one might snatch spiders or flies from the air. As he pulled his treasures in he did his best to hide a giggle, as he murmered beneath his breath...::

My shiny toys, Lu Lu gets all the shiny toys, I want shiny toys...mine...mine...No fair...Lu Lu gets friends...I want friends...

::He repeated this over and over and over, different tone, slightly different word usage but the rest was just the same. The boy said, as he started his stealthy flight out towards the door.::


::Lucifer, let out a boisterous satisfied laugh as the arrow pierced flesh and the boys body fell over limp. It'd take a few minutes before the child rose again, but the Devil found himself more concerned with "other" things.

He clapped and he laughed as he spoke.::

Very good show, very good indeed. A wonderful shot, a clean kill you. You are most definately skilled at what you do. Now...

::The clapped stopped as his pale finger wrapped around the wine glass yet again and he took another sip.::

...let me see that other person, Keelan was it?

436Keeper_of_Tales

Nooooo!!! As the white web shot toward and embraced Keelan. The webbing then started pulling the ball from the boy's grasp. A wave of colors burst one of the soul balls grasped in the boy's hand and coated the doorway in vibrant, hypnotic colors. If the boy were to go through he would feel light-headed and vision would be severely impaired. ::

::At hearing Cheryl's scream, Sherrie shunted Veronica into her corner without a second thought. The tatoo faded, the red mist settled once again upon Keelan's skin as a white glossy light, her eyes darkened to a deep amethyst as did the blood red stripes in her hair. Her skin lightened considerably to an almost translucent snow white and her stature seemed to shrink and grow smaller. The appearance now seemed to be that of a lost little girl. Keelan's body disappeared and a flicker of a second later appeared between the boy and the door, hands on the hilts of Eurydice and Cleisthenes, wings spread to block off the way as much as possible and a look of determination upon her face.:: No

437Eternal Dirge

" Well then...." Nathaniel said, blinking alittle as he spun around to face the multitudes, looking alittle confused before shrugging. " Can't be helped I guess.....something wrong Wrath?" He asked, clutching Harbinger tightly in one hand as the orb became a cross sword again." You seem alittle more insightful than I original would have given you credit for."

438Maximos

::Yank!

With the webbing tied to the boys prize, and the prize firmly secured in his hand, he could hardly jerk keep moving. In order to keep moving for the door he would have to release his prize, in order to release his prize he would...no, it just wasnt happening. It wasnt that the boy had the strength to pull the soul shard back, rather, it was akin to trying to take a boys favorite toy from him while he's playing with it...Theres going to be a more than a few issues.

A first he started yanking on the webs making small whining sounds, which slowly grew both in number and volume. He tried his best to fly toward the door but the sight of the nausiating blast of colors immediately spun his head back to Keelan.

Fully frustrated, as most children get rather easily. Did his best to flap his wings against the pull of the soul shard, but to no avail. His frustration finally grew until it bubbled over entirely and he simply shouted.::

NO! MINE!

::Needless to say, the shrill sound of a childs voice echoing across his room. The disturbance caused by his subjects obvious distraction, the noise the little soul shards were making...Lucifer had simply had enough.

He was able to pass the little webs off as Keelan's soul reaching for the other shards, but now all of this?!

He spun around rather quickly, a very firey gaze in his eyes, his horns pumping some sort of black into his veins, the contrast against his pale skin being highly visible. And an aura of purest evil flaring up around him like candle landing on dry timber.::

You!

::His finger pointed directly at the little cherub causing him to quite literally freeze terrified in place. Lucifer wasnt done...Knowing the boy wouldnt dare defy him, he kept his finger extended and turned back to Keelan.::

Y--

::But she was gone. Having vanished to stand between the child and the door. Highly frustrated he turned back...Only to see the small child in a veritably blur of motion had dropped down to the ground and ran behind the little girl...you see the little girl was armed. And they were so pretty...such nice....NO! He had to focus for now, hide. Behind her soft plushy wings.

Lucifer, was far, far, from happy. Although intrigued by this newest tranformation, to change ones self into a child...he would have to have a serious talk with this one, had she truly reverted back to different time. Perhaps a time before the sin of the others? It could possibly be that this person now before him truly didnt belong in Hell at all...

Possibly, but the fireball manifested of blackest flame, and swirling in the palm of hand, said that he had other issues to attend to first. As did his tone of voice as he met the girls eyes with his own firey red, and said...::

...Move.


Wrong...

::The words slipped from his lips as if the very life was being choked out of his lungs. They barely managed to glide free from his gasping lips. His right hand rose to his chest, placing itself over his heart...his dark heart, as Nathaniel, had given him the most correct answer to his question possible. He had asked why....the answer?::

We...were...wrong...

::As if someone had just smacked him over the back of the head with the god of all wieghts, Wrath fell forward onto his knees. He saw it now, like he was too blinded to see before. He saw the pain, the suffering he had caused. He saw the anguished faced of his victims, screaming and saw himself as the merciless monster that cut them down...for nothing. For nothing but the selfish desire to fuel his rage or another second, another instant. Instants turning to minutes, minutes to hours, hours to days, to years, to millenia.

His dulled eyes looked out at the oncoming horde and he saw an eternity of pain, pain he had caused.

The wieght was too much to bear. It crushed him from the inside where he could wear no armor. His hand fell into blood stained hands as he tried to shove it all back, but it wouldnt go. He couldnt distance himself from this...not anymore. Thousands on thousands of years of building up, and it had all come crashing down...now.

He would not, could not bring himself to cry. Tears were for those that tried to wash away sins, but if he spent the next millenia's crying he'd never wash them all away. In a moment of strength, he asked for what he saw as the only answer. And he had no doubt, it would come. He spoke, his words without rage, or emotion. Just direct, though weak.::

...End...me...

::He wasnt speaking to the horde, they heard no voices other than Nathaniels. He was speaking to Nathaniel himself. One, final request.::

439Eternal Dirge

Nathaniel blinked once, his eyes going wide. How long had he heard that same tone, spoken to him in the same way? He could feel the words wanting to come out, the respone he had always given. Would it be right now? Would it be the correct thing to say to his fallen brother? The fallen angel didn't even see the horde, but walked towards Wrath," I'm sorry......That it took your defeat to show you what was within." He said softly, his voice devoid of emotion even as his face grew tired and sad. Nathaniel slumped alittle, feeling very tired just then, before straightening up." Do you repent of your sins?" He asked softly, his tone cold enough to make a puff of mist come from his mouth. Harbinger was lifted slowly into the air by his powerful arms, the sword glowing.

440Keeper_of_Tales

Quote:** Wrote:

::But she was gone. Having vanished to stand between the child and the door. Highly frustrated he turned back...Only to see the small child in a veritably blur of motion had dropped down to the ground and ran behind the little girl...you see the little girl was armed. And they were so pretty...such nice....NO! He had to focus for now, hide. Behind her soft plushy wings.::

::At the little boy trying to move behind her, Sherrie was having none of that. Most of them were quite protective of each other (Michael being the exception, but even he was afraid of what would happen if one shard died), and no one was going to take any of them away. As the little boy skittered to go around, Sherrie made sure to stay between him and the door and she drew her weapons.::

Quote:** Wrote:

Y-- .... Move

::Amethyst eyes raised for a flicker of a second off of the boy to look at this suited man.:: No. ::The others may have been disoriented by the pain of the winged one's assault, but Sherrie couldn't feel it anymore, and so she had heard all of the suited one's questions and comments, especially concerning the young winged one they had originally been fighting. She did not trust this man to not let the little boy go, and she would not let him go while the others were still clasped firmly in his hand. Hardened eyes flickered back to the boy as the white aura rose off of her and enveloped her in a blinding light. It dissapated after a milisecond and there were now 4 little girls blocking the door, all with wings spread, the two middle ones with Mind Ripper pulled and a gleaming white arrow knocked, the outer two with Cleisthenes and Eurydice still in hand.::

441Maximos

::With a voice almost devoid of life or reason to continue breathing, Wraths helm clanked to the floor as his head bowed down.

In that moment, he felt his crimes as they truly were...sins. Sins against his father...In that moment he missed home. In that moment, he had an answer to Nathaniels question both true, and heart breaking...::

Yes...

::His head bowed, begging to be split by the powerful blade.::


::Lucifers main reason for wanting the girl to leave as to get at the boy trying to get behind her. But as she was more skilled at preventing his escape than Lucifer expected, he need'nt be so rude. He was honestly so very intrigued, here was a child! A child which seemed more brave than the woman he met earlier. This child outright defied him while the woman before wanted to....service, er...serve, him. He had a very...odd...mind, with several diverse deviant tracks. But that was neither here not there. It was Fathers servants that liked small children, especially boys, not Lucifer.

He was about to put his fireball away when...

That light! And the split into...4!? This was bad.

A few clanks were heard as the shards were tossed to the ground behind the boy. Why would he want broken pieces of soul when he could have his own little friend, HIS AGE! He paused and stared for a moment, simply making a loud "Whoooooooooa." And then, without warning he switched from trying to get past the girl to straight on tackling the closest one shouting...::

MINE!

::At the top of his lungs. Lucifer wasnt nearly as blind, in a poof the fireball vanished and he folded his arms across his chest and rubbed his temples. He could see the arrows and the blades...he knew this was going to hurt. But sometimes you can only learn the stove is hot by putting your hand on it and getting burned.::

442Keeper_of_Tales

::Again, just one word left Keelan's lips as the child rushed forward:: No ::As the young girl on the far right teleported behind the boy and Cleisthenes and Eurydice could be seen by the other three as they protruded through his chest. They are mine. And a slight twist of the blades.::

::During this time, Cheryl's soul shard started flying towards Keelan with Michael and Anthony enacted the power to follow suit.::

443Maximos

Punishers_Hand_Maiden Wrote:

::Again, just one word left Keelan's lips as the child rushed forward:: No ::As the young girl on the far right teleported behind the boy and Cleisthenes and Eurydice could be seen by the other three as they protruded through his chest. They are mine. And a slight twist of the blades.::

::During this time, Cheryl's soul shard started flying towards Keelan with Michael and Anthony enacted the power to follow suit.::

::The boys eyes shot open as a spurt of blood flew from his mouth smattering onto the face of the girl directly in front of him. There were a few slight spasms of pain as the "life", left him, and then he fell limp. With his last gasp, the word...::

...mine...

::Barely slipped passed his pale lips.::

Tch, tch, tch.

::Lucifer said shaking his head and deftly reaching his hand out to catch the 3 shards. Sure, the boy was done with them, but he wasnt...

He walked forward between the 4 girls, and grabbed the boy by the back of the shirt and unsanctimoniusly tossed him outside the bedroom door. As the body hit the ground the clinging and clanging of a myriad of stolen treasures striking the ground could be heard.::

...Envy, such a pain. I want, I want, but values nothing he has. He'll be back...if for no other reason than how badly he "wants", to live...but thats irrelevant...

::Lucifer twirled the shards in his hands once again.::

...Who're you little one?

444Keeper_of_Tales

::She looks down at the blades in her hand and shakes her head sadly as she resheathes them, the blood seeming to have been absorbed by the blades themselves. She then looks at the 3 glowing orbs in Lucifer's hand and shrugs her shoulders. The three girls start walking toward the one:: I... ::one girl walks into Keelan:: am... ::the second girl walks into Keelan:: Sherrie ::and the last girl walks into Keelan. Now just one, lost little girl stood in front of Lucifer.:: And you want to know how we work, don't you? ::Looking up at this suited, formal man with wisdom and knowledge reflected in her eyes that far surpassed even Keelan's age.::

445Maximos

::Needless to say, Lucifer was intrigued. While the rest of this womans shards acted like children, the actual child seemed to be the wisest among them. Such was simply not seen very often. And indeed his curiousity was peaked.::

Indeed I do.

::Lucifer said with a wide grin, somewhat excited, grin on his face.::

Come, lets sit.

::He said, gesturing to a nearby obsidian table beside the fireplace. He made his way to the table, and even was gentlemanly enough to pull out a chair for Sherrie before he himself sat down. And he simply waited, his legs folded beneath the table and his hands laying with fingers interlocked in his lap, covering the 3 shards.

It wasnt odd to him that just a moment ago a small boy was shanked or that another teenager was laying dead a few feet behind him and spilling blood all over the ground. It was like it was really nothing new, but this girl. But this girl, she had stolen his interest.::

446Keeper_of_Tales

::The white aura seemed to settle on her skin as gently and softly as if it were now silk, and at this point in time it could very well have been. On her appeared a simple white formal dress, if it wasn't for the underlying knowing look in her face she would have looked like a little girl playing dress up, but on her is just looked right. High collared, sleeveless, wrap-around waist with a pleat on one side and ankle length; she looked like a child bride. Small white barrettes formed to pin her hair back and pearls formed in her ears and on her wrists. Feet remained bare. In all ways save one she looked like the perfect image of innocence; her eyes gave her away though, they remained too hard and too knowing.

When Lucifer pulled out the chair she walked so smoothly and lightly that she seemed to glide on air. She expected the courteous jesture with such grace and she waited for Lucifer to seat himself before she spoke.::

"I know your question for two reasons," ::her conversational voice was smooth with just a small hint of childish laughter,:: "one, you could say I'm..." ::a small secretive smile appearing on pale pink lips,:: "...too insightful for my own good. Second you were bored with Keelan's show but your interest was obviously piqued when Veronica came out. At the moment she had done nothing to warrant attention so I watched you when I cam out. And so now you're wondering how and why." ::This last line worded as a calm statement rather than a question.::

"Well its all quite simple, in order for Keelan to survive her power she had to split. She did not know this of course, but her True Self did." ::As she is talking she closes her eyes for a few seconds, opens them and holds her hands, palms down, above the table. The white light flowed smoothly from them and slowly coalesced into a teapot, 2 cups with saucers, 2 plates, a sugarbowl, a small cream pitcher and a platter of hot teacakes.:: "After such barbaric actions I believe in reinstating some civility. Cream or sugar?" :: As she pours two hot, steaming cups of green tea.::

447Maximos

::She was positively beautiful, honestly. She was so pure that it stung the eyes, and the look on her eyes distorted and warped the purity into something....off...something wrong, something different. That warping of something so precious was positively beautiful.

Even her speaking voice reminded him so very much of his conversations with Father. Though father never took the form of a little girl, should he ever, this would be exactly how she would act. It was splendid! He had to focus himself so as not to be caught up with what was speaking, and not with what was being said.::

Punishers_Hand_Maiden Wrote:

"I know your question for two reasons, one, you could say I'm...too insightful for my own good. Second you were bored with Keelan's show but your interest was obviously piqued when Veronica came out. At the moment she had done nothing to warrant attention so I watched you when I came out. And so now you're wondering how and why."

Your good.

::Lucifer said with a grin as he twirled the soul shards betwix his fingers.::

Such calm observations dont usually make their way into or out of the chaotic inner workings of the fledgling mind. Therse no way your actually a child. But we'll get back to that, you've guested correct, you've stolen my curiousity, please continue.

::And he resumed silence, his legs folded, his hands returning to their clasped state and his ears ever open.::

Punishers_Hand_Maiden Wrote:

"Well its all quite simple, in order for Keelan to survive her power she had to split. She did not know this of course, but her True Self did." ::As she is talking she closes her eyes for a few seconds, opens them and holds her hands, palms down, above the table. The white light flowed smoothly from them and slowly coalesced into a teapot, 2 cups with saucers, 2 plates, a sugarbowl, a small cream pitcher and a platter of hot teacakes.:: "After such barbaric actions I believe in reinstating some civility. Cream or sugar?" :: As she pours two hot, steaming cups of green tea.::

Cream, please. And thank you, such a well mannered guest serving me in my home, its quite lovely, I do enjoy a measure of civility.

::Lucifer said with a friendly smile, not skipping a beat. A lag in conversing shows a lag in thought, a lag in thought shows a lazy mind, and a mind plotting domination and damnation is not lazy. As Lucifer showed when he continued.::

Yes, it all seems simple enough but simplicity is but the viel behind which our deepest mysteries hide. What would give a being such power, if it would risk its destruction? This...Keelan, seemed very proud of her station, but what sort of station requires this...

::He twirled his hand a bit trying to find the exact wording.::

...Chaos, to invade the mind? No. Not invade. To overtake and infact become, the mind.

::He lifted the 3 shards in hand, yet still twirling them about. He glided across words like a skater across ice, each syllable sliding into the next and the next, not a single misplaced pause or accidental stutter. And that grin, stood ever painted on his face, though not threatening, instead more...intrigued.::

These 3 bicker like children, yet the child, yourself, is the most wise. Such...madness. And while I can truly appreciate the value of a bit of madness...well...I'm sure you can understand where my confusion lies. Where has this "True Self" gone?

448Eternal Dirge

" Dear brother....for all that it means, I atleast, forgive you." He said softly, tears streaming down his cheeks as he sliced the blade down in one swift motion, the blade hitting Wrath at the base of his neck and going straight through. " May you find your peace." He said, praying that he had infact killed Wrath. Nathaniel completely ignored the coming horde, just watched his brother, tears dripping from his face to patter onto the bloodstained ground. Why was this his job? Why did he have to be here to do this? Pain wracked through his mind, and he fell to his knees next to the body of Wrath, not knowing if he was truly dead or not.

449Maximos

Nathaniel_Graves Wrote:

" Dear brother....for all that it means, I atleast, forgive you." He said softly, tears streaming down his cheeks as he sliced the blade down in one swift motion--

::And he struck...something solid. Strange though, Wraths neck was at least a four foot swing away, but the blade was stopped as it pointed directly forward and struck something completely ungiving.

Light has this odd way of moving faster than most things can see. And there it was, in a flash of pure brilliance Nathaniel would not only see "something" take form beneath his sword but the beings presence actually forced the blade to return to its orb shape and fall to the ground. For the moment it was cold, as the being rose.

It seemed human, two arms, two legs, and wings...beautiful white wings as pure as fresh winter snow. It had been those wings that had deflected Nathaniels blade. The figure was kneeling beside Wrath, its arms lovingly draped around Wrath's shoulders, a single hand risen to wipe the tears from his blood strained face.

The Horded nearly immediately halted in place, backing up several feet and taking defensive positions. They recognizes this being, his presence was there when they were cast down. For Nathaniel he might have noticed him pass through the pearly gates once....just once.

It took a few seconds but the light began to fade and the beings face came into view. He seemed as if he had just walked out of a middle eastern country. His hair was brown and long hanging about the hieght of his shoulders, his skin was darkly tanned and his beard was fluroushing as always. He wore the standard angelic golden combat armor draped covered in engraved images of light and blessings and holyness. Even in the bitter light of Hell he sparkled, and the flowing white robes beneath his armor seemed to glow. Slowly, his head tilted upward at Nathaniel and his full face came into view.

For any Angel, or former angel who remembers their beginnings, and truly with the exception of the doorman of the Pearly gates they would have only see him at their birth, they would remember Micheal. The Archangel, first born of the Father. Though the mortals knew him by a different name due to his sacrifice on Earth many years ago. He spoke, his voice, soft, yet rigid and unforgiving.::

He is not yours to forgive, demon.

::Harbinger was cold. Because Harbinger was a weapon handed to Nathaniel when he was charged with the duty of guarding the gates of Heaven by the weapons creator...Micheal. Micheal hadnt called Nathaniel a demon out of insult, it was a proper title. He was a fallen angel under Lucifers service that had welcomed the energy of Hell within himself for power...he was a demon. As such he was addressed.

Micheal rose, whispering gently into Wraths ears, causing the downtrodded man to stand, and Micheal spoke, his voice aloud rebounding off the walls for all to hear.::

Gabriel, has repented, truthfully and wholly he regrets his sin. Our father has extended to him the same mercy as he has extended to each of you.

::He looked around the room as he said "you", but he ended his glance on Nathaniel. And there was a pause, for a moment of reverance as he spoke, tugging Gabriel in closer holding him as he cried. Not tears of sadness, but tears of unworth. For all the sins he had commited, all the years he had so blindly followed his rage. And now, even after all this, Father welcomed him back. Not with bland doors, or holy light, but by sending his own son into the pits of Hell to reclaim a lost sheep. Wrath...no, Gabriel, Messenger of the Almighty...had been forgiven.

There is a certain impossibility that forges in the back ones mind as they dig into a set rhythm of life. Like the monk that accepts that he is alone in the universe. Like the killer that knows his purpose in life is to end others. Like the demon, driven to the edges of madness for milliena. It seemd impossible he'd ever see his past glory, but here, it was being handed to him. Micheal spoke...::

He's going home.

::Micheal paused again as he took pity on these fallen.::

...Father and I can only hope you each will too...

::And in a single blast of explosive white soothing light, they were gone. The very ground where they stood cleansed of even the caked on blood. The Horde fell silent, looking upon their new commander, at this point they honestly knew not what to do. Not even what to think, could they go home too? Should they? They were lost sheep...Nathaniel was who they lokoed to, to be their shepard.::

450Eternal Dirge

Nathaniels jaw had dropped open as he stared at his exalted brother, eyes wide throughout the whole ordeal. His mind computed the words, but he never noticed, just stared till Michael and Gabriel had left. He was still on his knees, hands just grazing the ground as he sat there, dazed. " Michael.....Gabriel....." He muttered softly, blinking repeatedly before looking around slowly, looking at the assorted demons, sinners, and the like. Could they ever be redeemed? Nathaniel shook his head slowly," If this is His way of making us repent, I don't want to be ruled by such a God." He said softly, but his voice carried out over the masses," If you wish to repent, to join them, I don't know how, but I won't stop you." He said, turning away from them stiffly, like his legs didn't work quite right, and began to walk away. They could have hacked him apart at that moment, and he never would have cared. His mind was in turmoil over this, and it would take some time to sort through it all. Right now though, he just wanted to lay down and rest, forever if they would let him. He didn't want this anymore, and he knew that was a selfish thought, but after an Eternity of thinking of others, he felt justified in having at least one. " One of you can Have Harbinger, if it will listen to you." He called back over his shoulder.

451Maximos

Nathaniel_Graves Wrote:

He didn't want this anymore, and he knew that was a selfish thought, but after an Eternity of thinking of others, he felt justified in having at least one. " One of you can Have Harbinger, if it will listen to you." He called back over his shoulder.

::Ding!

Literally, a loud ding, as the two Hellevator doors opened up and there stood a woman, in a red suit, with flowing black hair, and long fingernails dripping in some red substance, presumably blood. She was licking something off of her fingers in her usual seductive manner, such was Lusts way.

At the moment Micheal had departed Harbinger rose back up and began swirling around its masters head. It wasnt its fault, its not that it wanted to disobey to was simply...shut down, for a moment.

Perhaps...no such thoughts were irrelevant. Irrelevant like the identity of whatever substance Lust had finished licking off her fingers as she made her way to Nathaniel with a wide, and evil grin on her face.::

Congratulations!

::She said in her most excited tone, she would leap to hug Nathaniel but she'd seen his aversion to physical contact and he was infact covered with demon blood...and flesh...and other things she honestly didnt want to think about, but she continued none the less.::

You actually did away with Gabriel, we knew he was ticking on the edge but you pushed him off. Lucifer really did pick the right man for the job. Theres only one question left, which do you prefer brother...Nathaniel, or Wrath? Theres quite the void left to be filled, and only one person with the right stuff to do it.

452Eternal Dirge

He looked up at her for amoment before sighing," I don't want to do this." He said simply, looking up at Lilith for amoment before shaking his head," Find someone else for the job and banish me from this place, but I just don't want the job." Nathaniel said slowly, emphasising each word before reaching up, catching the floating ball gently in his left hand and cupping it to his cheek gently, closing his eyes and feeling it's warmth. " I'm sorry, dear friend....I did not mean what I said. None shall ever take you from me."

453Maximos

Nathaniel_Graves Wrote:

He looked up at her for amoment before sighing," I don't want to do this." He said simply, looking up at Lilith for amoment before shaking his head," Find someone else for the job and banish me from this place, but I just don't want the job."

Oh come on!

::She said, stomping her feet. Lilith was a bit spoiled as her mate did infact own Hell and she was used to getting her way. She knew this wouldnt be that easy but...old habits die hard.

She ran up beside Nathaniel, making sure to put her back to the Horde, the Horde of course was deep in the act of bowing as Lucifers wife was present.::

You skewered an angel, overthrew a level of Hell, found a new home...

::And her tone quickly shifted from angry, to almost depressed as she met him with a pair of sad puppy dog eyes.::

...and now you want to go? But we love you here, your perfect! Its like you fell out of the sk---alright, thats horrible wording but you know what I mean.

::She leaned in closer, pushing the boundaries of touching him, yet not, just walking beside him.::

We've all felt that first splice of guilt, but think about, Wrath was stupid, he had no point to his existance...you do, you can. And whats more, you chose it! Do you really want to go back to them. They banished you, tossed you aside after you showed just the slightest bit of originality...is that what you want for yourself again?

::She seemed honestly sincere, mostly because she was. She stood directly in front of him.::

Do you really? Dont let Him, guilt you into throwing away your future, because you forsook his past...

454Eternal Dirge

He looked down at her for the longest time, just staring into her eyes before closing his own and letting out a shaky sigh. His body seemed to deflate with it, everyone seemed to be lying to him. He was sure these people cared no more for him than those above did. Why hadn't his fall ended his existance? Maybe then he could have rested for alittle while." Nathaniel.....just call me Nathaniel...." The Fallen Angel muttered softly, bowing his head slightly and letting Harbinger free to float around his head in comforting circles. He'd never say it, but the presence of that little orb was more than a reassurance. He stopped walking to do all this though.

455Maximos

Alright! Now we're talking!

::She jiggle for a bit, a little bit of a hyper school girl dance. What? She just had alot of sugar! But, through this she pressed the issue a bit.::

So can we put you down as Nathaniel the Angery...The rageful...Nathaniel the Wrathful?

::She paused, her finger tapping against her chin as she cycled through names.::

What about...Wrathaniel! Or Nrathiel! Oooh, thats a good. What do you think?

::She seemed sincere enough, though very hyper.::

I mean, you worked for this title, you slayed Wrath, you've got show your deeds somehow, no?

::But something was wrong, she could see it in his face. He didnt have the excitement or the aire of excellence he had moments ago...hours ago, when she was here. He seemed...calm. And Wrath, or the new Wrath, being calm before he was even crowned as Wrath...this brought up questions...obvious questions like...::

Whats wrong?

456Eternal Dirge

He didn't seem suprised by the question, just shrugged slightly before straightening," I need no title....Just Nathaniel, as I can be no more and no less than that." Nathaniel said softly, turning to look at the assembled masses with a sigh. Reaching up, he ran a hand through his hair, leaving bloody streaks in the grey. "Hn....salvation......lies." He muttered, more to himself as he was once again lost in his own thoughts, and she was right, the rage, the excitement of battle, that was all gone from him, to be replaced by a feeling of such sadness that he had never known. Did he envy Michael and Gabriel? Yes, he realized, he did envy his brothers their positions in Heaven. More that they could return, and he could not. It would pass, he knew, but for the moment it still hurt.

457Maximos

Nathaniel_Graves Wrote:

"Hn....salvation......lies."

:: Oh, she knew that look. She knew that look all too well. You dont become a demon and not at least once or twice look up and regret what you lossed. They werent wiped out, they were left to suffer with the memory, and the constant visage before them. Lilith stepped into the Hellevator and gestured for Nathaniel to follow. She was quiet as she aligned her words.::

If he cared...if he really cared, dont you think he would have taken you two? If his forgiveness is infinite, then why does it time and time again end just short of reaching us? Heaven is a lie. Salvation is not...

::She actually wasnt looking at Nathaniel, she peered out the Elevator windows, just speaking as she gazed. She spoke from the heart, not from the mind, or from the sugar.::

Salvation is a state of mind. The state of being saved...I would say you've found your salvation in finding a home that wants you for what you are and not what someone else feels you should be...you were "made", to be.

::She actually made a set of air quotes as she said that. She turned to him, folding her arms across her chest and leaning against the Hellevator door.::

Your home Nathaniel, your the only person who doesnt see it...why wont you let us show you...? Its just a title, just words. Buts our gift to you.

458Eternal Dirge

" Because I am tired Lilith....very, very tired, and all I want to do is rest. I never though what I did would have rewards, but I just want to sleep for as long as I can, even unto the apocolypse, jihad, Ragnarok, whatever..." He said, not looking at her but gently rolling Harbinger in his hands in its' energy ball form, " Have you ever felt that way? It's funny...I don't care if he doesn't forgive me, I just want to be away from it all." Nathaniel said, cupping both hands around the orb in his palms and sighing.

459Maximos

::She sighed, funny that he should mention wanting to sleep as they glided past Sloth's domain. If one wanted to sleep...that was their home.::

Felt like running away? Always.

::She giggled, giggled not cryed. Because crying is something you do when your alone, giggling is what you do when you find someone else who shares the same feelings as yourself.::

Felt like if I left now, I wouldnt be missed, and if I stood...I would do nothing of value...

::She giggled again.::

Everyday. But there a reason you stay, or you would have left already.

::Lilith would have cuped her weapon as well, but it...oddly, wasnt present. She did play with her hands a bit though.::

460Eternal Dirge

He looked down at her, as if seeing her for the first time, then nodded," Although, for us, there really is no place to run. Either side would be on us like, well, Michael Jackson on a small boy." Nathaniel sighed softly before leaning against the hellavator well," How long till we reach the top?"

461Maximos

We can always run to the mortals, they seem to be accepting. But dear Nathaniel, we're going down...not up.

::She laughed a bit. But she ended up coming back to the MJ comment. Lilith cocked an eyebrow.::

You know he's innocent, right?

::She said in a fully honest tone.::

462Eternal Dirge

" I don't care, He's still guilty of something, all humans are." He said with unrestrained hate. He didn't really like humans, though not all were bad. " But regardless of where we are going....you get the point."

463Keeper_of_Tales

Maximos Wrote:

These 3 bicker like children, yet the child, yourself, is the most wise. Such...madness. And while I can truly appreciate the value of a bit of madness...well...I'm sure you can understand where my confusion lies. Where has this "True Self" gone?

::She cocked her head and sipped her tea, lost in momentary thought. Then she gently put down her cup, not a single tink was heard.:: The "True Self" is still there, it is the underlying oneness that we feel with each other. It is why we are afraid of what would happen if one of us actually died. As to Keelan's and the others' immaturity in nature, they are dealing with a highly irregular situation right now. Veronica is always like that. Michael is just...well...Michael. Anthony is the moderator of us all, and also the one that has kept Keelan free from bonds Michael would love to put on her. I am the quite, insightful one who pipes up every once in a while with a little gem of wisdom. The only one really bickering,:: pointing to the three glow balls in Lucifer's hand:: is Michael, and Anthony is just trying to keep him in line. That isn't Anthony's place which is why he is incapable of doing it...smoother... more eloquent. ::She pauses to sip her tea, in thought once more for a flicker of a moment.:: As for why power would be forced on someone not ready, well our power is not exactly given to us. You see where we are from, angels are evolved humans and our powers evolve during our life time. Keelan was born with her powers, and they evolve when the powers are ready, not when Keelan is. Your next question is? ::And she reaches for a tea cake and takes the smallest little nibble, closing her eyes with obvious relish. She then opens them again, looking at Lucifer with eyes that would pierce weaker souls and pin them to walls.::

464Maximos

Nathaniel_Graves Wrote:

" I don't care, He's still guilty of something, all humans are."

Guilt...

::Lust paused for a moment, snagging the mention of that one word out of the group.::

...We dont have a demon for that.

::She mentioned flatly, and then paused as her mind rolled deeper into the subject.::

But isnt guilt subjective? What I see as a crime, you may not, and what you do not, I may...correct?

::It was more of a rhetorical question as she didnt really allow time for an answer before continuing.::

For example, these humans, they're guilty of many a crime. And for that, they should be punished...but...

::She took a few steps toward him, gently placing her finger on his shoulder.::

You, are standing here in Hell. Banished, from Heaven. Doesnt that make you...

::Her finger slid gently down from shoulder, to chest but she'd stop at his stomach as she seductively slipped out a word.::

...Guilty.

::She stepped back, folding her arms slightly in front of her chest.::

...Do you need to be punished too?


I love it!

::Lucifer said with a smile, trying to hold back his excitement and keep the meeting as formal, and classy as it should be.::

Your broken, and yet you function not worse, but better off for it.

::He twirled the shards betwix his fingers a bit more.::

Your a standing testament to the flaw in His creation, he creates beings with one soul, one mind. And yet you my dear, you have survived Hell, and even managed a friendly tea session with The Devil, himself.

::Click, click, click, his fingers tapped the shards ever so gently atop the table as he sipped the tea.::

You know that gives me a wonderful idea. What would happen if--

::Click, his index finger and middlefinger lifted and fell letting Micheal and Anthony's shards rest directly beside each other.::

I--

::His ring and pink fingers rose and fell letting Sherrie, sit beside the others. The rough edges of their shards, just barely fitting, like a sort o damaged jigsaw puzzle. Lucifer continued.::

--fit you all...back...together.

::She smirked a most devilish smirk as his red eyes met Sheryl's dead on. True, her gaze was intense, an intensity he enjoyed.::

465Eternal Dirge

" Don't you realise something Lust? I already am being punished." He said coldly, " I can honestly think of nothing worse than being so far from my post, even while I hate the one who took me from there." Nathan said, taking a step away from her hand after amoment, struggling not to glare at her. Hadn't he made that matter quite clear already?

466Maximos

Nathaniel_Graves Wrote:

"--While I hate the one who took me from there."

I get it!

::She said triumphantly, though oddly it seemed as if her realization was not based on the current subject.::

Thats why Lucifer was so sure you'd make the perfect Wrath.

::She laughed trying her very best to force the laugh down from the somewhat boisterous tone it had taken.::

Gabriel hated Father, it was that hate that fueled his rage. But, we were made to love him...to serve him, it was only a matter of time before his design won out....but you...

::She paused running a long slender finger across her bottom lip.::

...oh you...

::A slight flick of the finger, as it moved down her chin.::

...You hate...yourself. I mean it was you who lifted that sword against the mortals. You who abandoned the post you held for millenia. You who took it upon yourself to play judge...knowing full well that that is His job. You hate yourself and that hate fuels a rage with not be so easily snuffed.

::That damned laugh, quite literally so considering their location, rose up again and for a moment she induldged it, bending over just slightly to slap her hand against her thigh.::

...oh dear sweet Morningstar thats beautiful. Wrath could kill anything that angered him. You cant kill the one thing that angers you so because it'll cost you your life! Infinite rage! Infinite self loathing! Its beautiful really.

::She laughed off the final few chuckle, and then ran a hand up adjust a few stray strans o hair.::

Yet still, your position was an afront to your potential, your free now, your torture has finally ended.

467Eternal Dirge

" Freedom....." He snorted, " I'm not that big a fool to beleive that i'm any more free here than I was up there. If I back out now, Lucifer will kill me, and if he doesn't, then HE will." Nathaniel said, shaking his head some.

468Keeper_of_Tales

Quote:** Wrote:

I-- --fit you all...back...together.

::A look of horror crosses Sherrie's face as she hurredly puts down the tea cake.:: Combine us?....Put us back...together? ::She stands abruptly, how the chair was not knocked over is anyone's guess. She staggers back a few feet, right hand flying to her chest.:: Tha....That would break her. We'd.......be lost. That can't happen. ::Sherrie suddenly screams in agony and falls to the ground holding her head, inside her mind a brief white light flashes and the images of all of them starts floating in front of her and she is baraged with the horrible realization of what would happen if they were combined. Who said futuristic sight was fun?::

---At the same time---

WHAT?!?!?!? No. That can't happen. Has he lost his mind? I have a feeling he didn't have it in the first place. Now be quite or he will do it just to spite you. Of course,::sneer audible in his voice:: always the patient one, always the one who could sit by and wait for his demise. Well I'm not going to have it ::and with that blue streaks flash off of Michael's orb, arcing towards Lucifer.::

469Maximos

::Lust shook her head back and forth sending black locks of hair gently cascading over her pale face. And with a gently motion of her dainty hand she pulled the locks back behind either ear and smiled.::

Is that what you want Nathaniel? Freedom?

::She laughed, the concept of true freedom was a joke for most angels. They were born, and lived, to serve. But the smile on her face was born of an entirely different realization.::

You've denied the position we offer, and you've denied the position given to you above. I see no reason why Lucifer would want you dead, and you just moments ago stood before Micheal himself, the Archangel...if He wanted you dead, dear brother you would be only a memory.

::Her fingers danced in the air to a beat only she heard in the back of her mind.::

So is that what you want? Life amongst.....them?

::And she deftly gestured upwards to the mortals scurrying about they're day to day lives.::


::Ahh, the shrill scream of a little girl. Soothing as the first day it trickled into his dark ashy ears. His free hand rose up and began dangling across the air as if play playing to a dark symphony. Civility had begun to slip, until the blue tentacles reached toward Lucifer face, from his palm.::

My dear little one, I do believe your others severely lack your flourishing manners. Like this one here...

::He held up the blue shard, it resting between his index finger and thumb, whilst the others stood in his palm. Its fibers reaching toward him. Pushing through his aura, but moving none the less and he spoke.::

He needs to learn, to keep his hands, to...


::The words above and the following words were made quite audible in the little world the group of aspects had been placed in. This most final word was spoken with a more firey, aggravated tone.::

...himself!

::Thus began the most audible cracking sound, like glass being pushed and crushed against glass. Perhaps crushed is too harsh a word. More like...fused. As Lucifers grip on the shards tightened, being as glass shards the inner of his hand was deeply gashed as he squeezed them, and that blood itself hardened into a sort of crystalline glue to hold the shards together.

In their tiny world, they would quickly see their reality shatter, it was as if the world had been rammed into by another world, a dark red world as twisted and warped as can be. Literally, what was once their in their view was peeled away and was replaced with a sickening twisted version of itself.

The table just before them quickly moved from a beautiful table, to a rusted shaft of metal dripping with blood and covered in jagged edges. The table didnt truly look like this, but perception was being warped as they were being...corrupted, so to speak. It was once believed that the psychotic mind sees the world in a very different way then we do. As the shards would soon be sharing one mind, they shared Lucifers vision of the world.

And then suddenly it stopped. Their reality half twisted and mangled and half normal, as normal has Hell can be. The shard would find their...inner visions of themselves literally tied together but as of yet not forced to be one. Lucifer had stopped. Perhaps this was just a warning...::

470Keeper_of_Tales

::The images of them floated in front of Sherrie, then they started overlapping, becoming ever so slowly transparent. Then they started combining. Cheryl and Sherrie's images melded, making the innocent little girl Sherrie once was. Then she saw herself meld with Anthony. From that came a young thirteen year old boy, feminine features, slight build and a look in green/violet eyes that belied his physical years. Then that image faded and Michael came into view and then Veronica and the process repeated themselves with them. They melded and standing was a six-foot-tall muscular woman, red eyes glowing with blue lightning coming from the inner depths. Then the boy came back in view and the images became transparent and they started to meld but the second the two images went to overlay blinding white light bounced off the two, as if the two were in such contrast to each other that the simple touching of the two caused lightning to be made from the friction. Then Keelan appeared between the two, softly glowing white. The two reached out and touched her, and melded into her. Keelan's stature stayed the same, her wings and hair remained silver but her eyes, oh how her eyes changed. The base changed to a startling spring green that slowly faded to a dull seafoam which changed to a flat lilac which slowly changed to a brilliant royal purple and then back again to green, this repeated itself over and over, never stopping. And then lightning bolts appeared scattered in these calm colors, playing out from the pupils, alternating from flashing ruby to electrifying cobalt. Her eyes always in motion, always hypnotising with its mesmerizing pattern. And then, finally the entire image faded and Sherrie was once again looking at Lucifer, holding Michael in one hand and Cheryl and Anthony in the other.:: Please....please let them go. ::Sherrie for the first time since she became two, honestly looked like a lost seven-year old girl. Her face wet with clear, crystalline tears that were hardening into the purest of diamonds the second they hit the ground, her eyes holding a haunted look that spoke of past hurts and pains done to her.:: Please... just leave us in peace. And then Sherrie could stand no more and allowed herself to sink into the black, restful void that awaited her. As she let go, the white dress, hair clips, shoes and pearls unformed and settled once again on Keelan's skin; the purple faded once again to silver and her body changed back into Keelan's slim womanly figure. And there she lay.::

471Eternal Dirge

" I don't know how long there would be mortals if I was released up there....and I couldn't bear giving up Harbinger." He said, reaching up to take the little floating orb out of the air. " And besides, would I not implode if made mortal?"

472Maximos

::Lucifer paused. The look on his face quite literally dumbfounded. Its like peeling the sheets of your bed only to find a duck and a monkey sleeping beneath. The duck grunts, and the monkey quacks and then both run off leaving you with exactly the sort of expression which sat upon Lucifers face. A look which one could say painted the words "What the hell?", but the pun in painting such words would be to great, all things considered.

It wasnt the images themselves, just as a duck and a monkey themselves are not odd things. It was the order and violent nature of their coming. Like visions bombarded across the poor girls mind and all he did was ask a question. How could a simple a question have that sort of--

Oh, thats right. He was doing it as they spoke. How silly of him to forget. He almost missed the fact that the tiny girl had suddenly grown into a full woman. He was bathing in the blood seeping from his hand and wrapping around the shards forming was seemed to be a partial ball, or rather...3/5th's of a ball. He still need a bit more to make this mission complete.

He had to admit that adding a bit of himself to the mix was a most devious idea. But, after being so viciously, and yet voraciously bombarded with such images he couldnt restrain his curiousity. Which of those beings would he see, what would become of the woman before him? What of the firey warrior before? Or the wise child after? Questions, questions and so little patience.

Keelan had taken to the floor, her voice weak...her spirit aching. Her mind quivering. Lucifer slipped from his chair and around the table, he crept ever closer holding the partially formed red crystalline ball in his hand, with the 3 shards so delicately placed within it. She begged him to leave her be, and a look of concern came across Lucifers face. What seemed to be only the most honest look of deep worry. His ashy dark lips slipped open letting free embers and a single, simple, word....::

Why?

::Without further adu or further warning his right hand shot forward at the womans chest. The hand yet still held the partially completed soul ball, but as it stood he couldnt complete it with the other pieces still in another vessel. This wasnt meant to be a deep dive but rather a quick burst. For a moment his arm seemed to go semi-transparent as it aimed to enter, and almost immediately after exit, the womans chest. On exiting, the remaining shards would be ripped free from their home, and make a new home in Lucifers left hand.

Of course, without a soul most bodies die. This is usually a painful process and takes quite a few minutes of unending agony to be finalized, but the Morningstar wasnt going to stay and watch it. With a clap, he would smack both hands together aiming to squish the newly acquired soul shards into the corrupted soul ball, and forge a new...unbroken, single soul. A soul heavily corrupted of his own foul iccor of a personality. In a single, dark, heavy tuft of putrid smog from his hands, a single red ball would remain where fragments once were. Whether or not corruption had take place was yet to be seen, red was simply he color it took because of Lucifers influence.

With his prize completed, Lucifer shoved the new soul into Keelans writhing body, and waited to see who...or what, would awaken.::


::Lilith laughed, oh she laughed quite the laugh.::

Oh dear brother, your "mortal" now. I could kill you, if I really truly desired it. Only He has ever been a true immortal. You'll learn to live with them, killing all that you see is quick way to join the piles of bodies you create.

::She stifled a giggle, a battlefield full of dying and dead angels...a beautiful thought. But highly off topic.::

The decision is really yours to make. But father gave us each free will when he cast us out. Far be it from me, or Lucifer to remove that...

473Eternal Dirge

Nathaniel arched an eyebrow slowly before snorting," Whatever....I will be a soldier in his army, but not the general. I don't like being in a position of leadership. To much at risk if you die." He said, shrugging alittle, Harbinger bobbing some with the shrug.

474Maximos

Nathaniel_Graves Wrote:

Nathaniel arched an eyebrow slowly before snorting," Whatever--

::Lilith almost seemed insulted.::

What do you mean, "whatever"?

::Though she mosty controlled her more...demonic nature, a few embers could be seen sifting from her quickly drying lips. The once lucious red faded as the familiar hellfire glow beamed from within her mouth with every word.::

You want to revenge but you wont lead. You want power, but you wont take it. You want bloodshed, but you walk away from it! Whatever?! You know, I dont think you know what you want! I dont think you know anything at all!

::Yeah, she was insulted. Funny though, no floaty ball appeared around her as it had Lucifer and even Wrath.::

475Eternal Dirge

" You're right, do you? Can you know my mind? I prefer to get that which I want with my own skills, not because someone sat there and decreed it so. Wrath could have ripped me apart, but he backed down for some reason. Why? What made him do that, do tell me madam. You claim that I am the perfect wrath, yet I fell no anger at anyone but myself. How does that make me a good wrath? Shouldn't I hate everyone else then?" He asked, walking forward and pressing her back against the elevator wall, glaring down at her. Nathaniel knew he couldn't intimidate her, but he would damn well try, even if it meant his death.

476Maximos

::Indeed he leaned, but this was Lust. She was no stranger to close physical contact, or at least she was no stranger to being in close proximity to people, be they male, female, demon, or worse. She didnt move back, not an inch, even if it meant a fight.::

Clueless...

::She spat the word dripping with disdain.::

Gabriel was anger at his life. His choice, and Hell itself for being wrought. And worst off, that he could do nothing to fix it. So he induldged in his hate.

::Her hands opened and closes rythmically, with each tight fist and open palm a series of snaps were heard as her knuckles popped continuously.::

If he destroyed Hell, if he stopped to take responsibility or his actions he would fail. You hate "the person responsible" for you losing your position. Thats you. That anger enthralls you, I believe it was you who said you'd destroy all the mortals a moment ago.

::Strangely enough, as if they had simply built up just that much friction, her hands were beginning to glow a very very faint red.::

We knew he wouldnt kill a brother, especially not one wasnt responsible for his position, or disposition. Why would he worsen his sins? You were used to remove a weak link. Get used to it. If your a solider or a general, you take orders. Like a DOG. Now BACK UP before I have to put the dog to SLEEP.

::Liliths right hand now glowed a very deep red and was lifted slightly as if it was a claw of some sort. Yet her painted nails really didnt seem like they'd make good weapons.::

477Keeper_of_Tales

::Fortunately only for Keelan she was not awake for this, lost in the void that is her mind. When Lucifer placed his hand in her chest to grasp the shards he felt something surprising, especially when he only pulled out 2 orbs; there was no "soul" within Keelan. Here she was, laying there alive, breathing, non-forming, yet there was no "spark" within her.

The 5 orbs melded easily within Lucifer's grasp, screams of pain and horror emitting and combining into one continious wail of anguish as the red orb is thrust into Keelan's chest. As the last touch of Lucifer's hand fades from her skin, a bright, blinding light erupts from her chest and fills the room. At first it flashes white, then in the light starts appearing swirls of emerald, and pale and dark amethyst. The colors consume the white and then the light turns into a fog and surrounds Keelan, making her body temporarily concealed. When the fog thins a boy of about 13 is lying on the floor, looking exactly like in Sherrie's vision. As the boy slowly starts stirring, a scintillating orb the colors of the fog erupt from the boy's chest and the fog flashes to cobalt and ruby, once again concealing Keelan. When the fog fades this time the female warrior is sitting, weapons crossed in her lap and glaring at Lucifer. Suddenly a look of pain crosses her face the the fog turns into the blackest of shadow as everything in the room is enveloped by it.

Nothing is seen.

Nothing is heard.

No shriek of pain, no whimper of anguish.

Then a slight russle of chain and two small glints of light

The shadows start rushing back to Keelan, but it isn't Keelan standing there. It isn't Michael, Anthony, Cheryl, Sherrie or Veronica. It isn't even the tall warrior or the calm, quite child. Standing in the middle of the room where Sherrie had fallen stands a woman 5'9" tall; pale, clear skin; lips a fiery red like the setting sun; eyes like two obsidian rocks, no white, no color; shadows draped around her like an evening gown made from the deepest voids; wings holding no silver to them, and they also seeming to be made of the shadows that surround her; hair pitch black, as if it is sucking in the light around her and letting none of it back out; no weapons; and then tink, tink, tink. The shadows clear and shackles are seen on the girls wrist, arms shoulder width apart with a chain running up to a collar attached to her neck. Two orbs dance above her head, the one from the boy and now one from the warrior. They hover and then meld into her, but the woman does not change. She takes just one step towards Lucifer, kneels with complete grace in front of Him, face void of any emotion; and with shadows swirling around her, eyes glistening from an inner, untapped force, she says in the calmest and quietest of voices...:

And what do You wish of me?

478Eternal Dirge

" Then do it." He said, holding his arms out as if crucified, practically daring her to. Nathan would be out of all this one way or the other, and he really didn't appreciate being called a dog. At all. So he would end it this way, pissing someone off and letting them kill him, easy enough in hell, where everyones anger could be ignited with a few well chosen words.

479Akira Mercuraki

Terran stood there waiting for his life to end. He had heard of the big wave that was coming, and he was hoping to drown. He was unsucessful in life, and he just wanted to end it. Despite a few people supporting him, most just insulted him and even hurt him physically.

Terran just wanted it all to end and he didn't deserve to die on the solid ground he loved so much. Tears and rain rushed down his body, as he waited for death to come, and end the pain.

480Maximos

Akira Mercuraki Wrote:

Terran stood there waiting for his life to end. He had heard of the big wave that was coming, and he was hoping to drown. He was unsucessful in life, and he just wanted to end it. Despite a few people supporting him, most just insulted him and even hurt him physically.

Terran just wanted it all to end and he didn't deserve to die on the solid ground he loved so much. Tears and rain rushed down his body, as he waited for death to come, and end the pain.

::And yet to no such luck. As with most people obsessed with their problems they lack the detail to see the smaller intricate designs in the weaves and fabrics of existance. For example, the nanite plague infecting Gaia' oceans over the last year and a half...the silvery hue the water had begun to take. These things were missed as currently all Terran was likely looking at was his hopeful demise.

There was no way he could have expected what he recieved. With a sudden rushing sound the wave came crashing down. Terran wouldnt find himself crushed, though for a moment he might feel like he was tossed into the spin cycle of a washing machine. He was being knocked against several surfaces and none of them were wet.

After a few seconds of blacknesss and mindless spinning, the ride came to halt and the waves could audibly be heard relaxing. About then the lights came on, or rather, the prison Terran found himself in became transparent. For all intents and purposes he was in a bubble several hundred feet below the surface of the water. Silvery machinated fishes could be seen swimming by and the oceans surface could be seen gently churning above.

The bubble felt glass, and infact it might have been. Though all that was definately known was that there was transparent bubble surrounding them man giving him just enough hieght to stand.

And then he came. From the bubble itself came a voice. It sounded a bit like the voice of a child, innocent yet intellegent. It was obvious who it was speaking too at this point.::

Being. What is your function?

481MelissaFaulkner

The kilo submarine surfaced in the sea of gambino at night. The lights of the Gambino casino glitering on the horizon, at the end of the long string of lights along the bridges that followed minor islands to the resort paradise. Yaits city had tried to be a casino town, only to remain second to the isle of Gambino. It had tried to be an industrial center, but it was still a distant second to Aekea. The hatch opened and a clean shaven captain, weary from a long practice dive in stormy waters of the ocean, emerged. He took a deep breath of the fresh air and lit a cigarette, covering the light with his palm. Not that anyone would notice, technically, the world was still at peace.

If war did break out, his sub had orders to work with the 3rd flotilla and close off the sea of Gambino from the ocean. This kilo was specially equipped with lighter, faster, smaller, torpedoes to take on Gaian comercial shipping as opposed to other wardhips, and more like it were being assembled in Western Port along with the regular version.

Let's see how the heathen's like a blockade, the captain thought.

482Designated Hero

"Sorry, kid, we can't take you any further."

Athan was at the prow of the boat, staring over the vast expanse of the Ocean. From where Aedin's waters ended, about a hundred yards in front of the boat, there was a thin silver line that began to make up the...water?

"What the hell is this, anyway?"

"Dunno. We haven't been able to send tradeships past this point for quite some time. Kind of a pain in the a**, really. Didn't you hear that the King was worried this was going to affect our own waters soon?"

Athan furrowed his brow, staring down at the waters in front of their boat. He was fairly upset. He had spent the majority of his funds chartering boats back and forth between the main continent and his homeland, and now this happened. He really had been gone for awhile.

"Alright, well..."

Athan looked to his right, then ducked back into the belly of the ship. When he emerged, he had the two family heirlooms, Kel'Drin and the Mercurial Greatsword, strapped onto his back, and the Chaotic Sword hooked to his waist. A dufflebag was thrown over his shoulder.

"Guess I'll just go there myself."

"Look, Athan. I know you miss all the adventure over there, but this is suicide. Our biggest ships couldn't make it past that metal sea! Somethin's changed the fish there, boy, they'll take you down the moment you enter their territory."

Athan didn't say anything. He threw his duffle into one of the spare lifeboats, then loaded up some water and food. He entered the boat, then looked back to the ship's captain.

"How long of a trip is it?"

"Rowing? You can't be serious."

"How long of a trip is it?"

"It'd take three men a couple months to row that far. Listen to reason, boy! You won't make it."

Athan ducked back into the ship's galley, emerged with a couple more bottles of water, and then loaded a fishing rod into the boat for good measure.

"Just do me one last favor and you can head back. Lower this boat."

Athan hopped into the lifeboat, looked to the rather distraught captain, and waited.

"...Lower the damn boat."

And with that, the captain retired to his quarters while a few crewmen came to lower the life boat. Before he hit water, the captain came back and tossed something down to him. Athan caught it, then looked at the round object. It was a compass.

"You want to go west!"

Athan nodded, then severed the ropes from the main vessel, and started rowing.

He really had a long ways to go, but he'd be damned if he didn't make it.

483Designated Hero

"Sir, you aren't going to believe this...but he's almost made it to the sea of Gambino without any problems."

"What? Impossible, give me those."

The captain snagged the binoculars from the hands of the first mate and readjusted the lenses before focusing on the tiny dot that was Athan and his lifeboat. Sure enough, one could just barely make out the sight of the oars splashing against the water.

"Well I'll be. Alright, guess we don't need to hang around here anymore. Set a course for Port Einhasad, he's on his own now."

The captain turned around, and the large vessel eventually unfurled her sails and took off in the opposite direction, back to the homeland that Athan would probably never see again.

Or maybe Athan wasn't on his own. Strangely enough, the currents of the ocean were actually in favor of Athan. That, coupled with his fervent rowing, had pushed him a considerable distance further than even he himself knew. He was actually creating a little bit of wake with the way he plunged the wooden oars into the water. Any harder, and he'd probably break the things off in mid-stroke. Sweat began to collect on his brow as he rowed, only stopping to take a drink of water when he was thirsty. There was no point to rest while he had a rhythm going.

484Vahn Fah

(A Pirate's Life for Me~ The Aventure of the Pirate King-- continued)

Kraun Wrote:

Well, to Turriens it wouldnt look like much, as his vision in the dark was solely based on shifting heat signatures in the environment, so it would just look like a mess in the boy's hands. However, he really didnt like the sound made by whatever it was his knife hit, so he quickly pulled the boy back into the stairway as he hid himself.

Now, he needed light to identify what exactly the thing was, although it smelled kinda funny up close. He took one of the torches off of the wall and put it down across the ground by the stairs as he took out his last knife and began scraping, hoping to create some sort of spark to ignite the torch, sort of like the sparks produced by the boy when he ran up the stairway.

And lo' and behold, a spark would ignite indeed, small at first, but furiously growing until it lit the torch and illuminated the darkness with light.

And with that light came the horrible screeching once more, as the sound of parting air gave way to the sight of a not so normally large bat.

An extremely red-eyed ugly, stinking bat.

And it was attracted to the light.

485Kraun

He stood there for a moment, having gotten up after lighting the torch to stand up straight on the stairs, letting his eyes adjust to normal vision with the light. And then he saw it.

"AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Time to get away from it. And so, the swashbuckler extraordinaire would begin running down the stairs. He didnt care if the bottom steps would seem slippery from the seawater, he just wanted to get away from that ugly thing that suddenly appeared.

486Sutiiven

Sutiiven walked along a small spit of sand that separated great cliffs to his one side and the sea on his other. It was a pleasent day, and he was walking along chatting idly with another man that appeared about his age.

"Ahhhh... I tell ya, this is the life." said Sutii, putting his hands behind his head and looking out into the ocean.

"For humans like yourself maybe. I prefer the mountains and skies myself." calmly replied the boy's travel companion.

"Hey, just because you can fly in your true form..." grumbled the swordsman.

"Dragon jealousy, perhaps?" cooed the polymorphed Silver Dragon happily.

"Bite me, Ornisk."

"Don't tempt me."

"What's taking Dame so long anyways?"

That was the true purpose of the man's standing there - he had challenged his friend to a fight. Though as he thought about it, challenging a lightning elemental to a fight on the beach wasnt the smartest move. Oh well, that's life.

487Damrius

Damrius stared at sutiiven from behind. He had followed him here almost, and tried to keep as far as possible from his senses.

Mmmm. So, who's Ornisk? From what I caught, a dragon? Or dragon spirit?

Damrius pulled in a charge, preparing for the match. The beach might give him an advantage, but the sand would work against him. He might be able to heat it up enough to turn it to glass, but that could work two ways.

Sorry about being late. Suprised you didn't notice me earlier though...

488Sutiiven

[1] "ERK-!"

Sutiiven didn't jump, but he was startled slightly. His face then grew slightly exasperated.

<You knew he was there the entire time, didn't you?>

<You know it.>

<Dammit, Ornisk...>

<Love you too, buddy.>

Despite being a Silver Dragon, Ornisk could be a little cheeky at times. Ah, the joy's of being young still...

Sutii turned around, and knowing that Dame would probably already be starting the fight, he drew his twin blades and began the charging process himself.

"Yeah, he's a dragon. A Young Silver Dragon, to be exact. Nice travel companion, but, uh, can be a bit of a trickster despite the usual rep of Silver's being more of a serious type."

"I think I have a Bronze Dragon in the bloodline somewhere."

"Anyways, let's get this fight started already." said Sutii with a smirk, shifting into an en-guard position.

489Damrius

Damrius Grinned. His eyes were lit up with joy, and for once he wasn't wearing his sunglass. Or his white suit. It was a suit of a brown leather coat, and leather pants. Most leather pants were restricting battle, but these kind were used for battle purposes, as was the coat.

Everything else was practically the same. His armor was showing, his gloves where underneath the sleeves, and the sword was in it's usual spot.

Hrm. Well, bronze/silver is all the same to me. However, i'm not in the realm of calling you all overgrown lizards with wings anymore... Learned that the hard way....

Damrius pulled in another charge. Following that charge, two circular objects appeared behind him, one blueish white, one black. They were commonly referred to as Ball lightning. Very dangerous, and unpredictable. But these were obviously controlled.

He drew his sword, and brought it up into a defensive stance.

490Sutiiven

[2] "... I'm not sure whether I should take that as a compliment or what. Just be glad it's not in my nature to hurt people."

"You gonna be standing there yackin' the entire time, or are you gonna give me some room?"

"Oh right, sorry."

The dragon then walked a short distance away to watch the fight idly.

Meanwhile, Sutiiven was already trying out some new tricks.

Quote:** Wrote:

Energy Swords: Sutiiven activates the special enchantment on his swords, causing them to alight with a flame like aura of energy, increasing attack power. Can be canceled at will. (Spiritual Ability).

With a quick muttering of some words under his breath, the weapons became alight with energy.

"Now I won't have to worry about the Silver becoming a lightning rod - "

"Say what?"

"Not you, you idiot..."

"Oh."

" - AND it adds to the damage. Just like back in HoH." said Sutiiven. "You wanna take first strike or do you want me to?"

491Damrius

Damrius lunged foreward, pulling in a charge, as Sutiiven and Ornisk were having their little talk. Swining his sword side wasy at sutiiven's, he would use that was a way to get the swords out of his way, and thrust a side kick into Sutiiven's arms. His boots were steel toed, as they always had been.

If the hit landed, it would probably give Sutii a dead arm, not literally, but the kind of numbing pain. But, sutiiven was strong, and Damrius had never really seen his full strength. Who knew?

492Sutiiven

[3] Distractions we're a pain - fortunately, Sutiiven had kept his eyes on Dame the entire time - one did not need to look at someone to talk to them. He smirked, and easily blocked the weapon with one blade, then came straight down with a counter attack using the open weapon. Only a few people had faced Sutii with dual weilding swords before, but he was a force to be reckoned with - especially when the swords were flaming.

493Ryugi Kazamaru

Three figures looked on as the couple did battle, the wind from the sea gently blowing across their forms and causing their white capes to flutter. The tallest of the trio spoke and looked down below...

It would seem even in the Lands of Man there are fighters who possess magical and elemental strength... And this one appears to have made a pact with a dragon no doubt...

It is interesting to watch these two fight, wouldn't you agree? It looks as if the other is pulling energy from the lightning elements for his attacks. I can sense the energy within him...

But what drives their fight... Fighting without a reason is madness...

Hmm, you forget that not all warriors fight for a reason... Some simply fight for the thrill of battle.

That seems foolish...

Perhaps... But who are we to judge that which we do not understand...

Perhaps a test is in order...? We shall see what drives these people... You two will watch, I will test...

With that, the tallest armored figure jumped from the cliffs to the sand below, off to the side of the two fighting warriors. If they were paying any attention to what was around them, the appearance of a stranger would easily stop their fighting... Much less a stranger who suddenly brandished a large weapon with energy already within his body...

494Damrius

Damrius pulled his arm up, the coat being cut, and the metal plate halting Sutiivens sword completely.

He ripped his body free, and turned around, facing the newcomer.

Who are you? Why are you interfering?

His voice was cold. There was a resoudning evil in it that would most likely shock sutiiven - He had never heard damrius angry. Pullin in another charge, just in case the mystery person was here to watch, Damrius also absorbed the energy balls back into his body. His glare was even colder than his voice - He didn't like his fights interupted. Especially one that would prove to be promising on his training aspects.

495Sutiiven

[4] Sutii shifted back as a man of intense power suddenly came into the fray. Dame wasn't his primary concern at the moment.

"Son of a - just WHO the hell are you?!" He said, shifting back into position. He stood in an en guard pose as he awaited some sort of notification to what the heck was going on. He glanced at Ornisk, who had stood up off of his rocky seat, and stood at the ready in case he was needed.

And so the stare down began, it seemed - unless the man attacked suddenly.

496Ryugi Kazamaru

Who I am is not important young warriors. I am here to test you... I am here...to see what drives you... I must apologize for my sudden intrusion, but I shall not be leaving until I can gain the answer to my question...

The weapon in his hand was a massive sword unlike anything either of the fighters would have seen before. The weapon was longer even than Ryugi's Ragnarok, but not as wide, and the metal shimmered, seemingly being made from the same material as the man's armor. The blade seemed to glow in a golden red aura around the edges, not dissimilar from a glow Damrius might have seen long before around Ragnarok before a glowing Ryugi struck Ramiel on the Continent of Angara...

If they looked closely they would see the man's mail was dark, and thick, connected by strands of what appeared to be a silvery metal, while the metal of the armor itself was also shimmery and seemingly glass smooth... Dame might recognize the design of the mail, but not the armor... And both of the fighters would suddenly feel a jump in the man's power as he took up a fighting stance... [6]

Come at me with everything you've got, young warriors...

497Damrius

Damrius backed up a step, and then held his sword ready.

He's stronger than Ramiel or even Volt! Who the ******** is he!!?

The armor caught his attention. It was familiar. THe mail, at least. It seemed almost like.

Dragonsteel... Well.... I hope you prove more of a challenge than Volt did. Not that that was very easy... But hey, let's hope.

As he started that sentence, and pulled in a another charge.

As he finished it, he slid his left hand down the bottom of his swords hilt, and pulled a little gem from beneath it.

498Sutiiven

[5] Sutiiven smirked that cocky smirk he got whenever he knew he was screwed, but was willing to go down fighting.

"You want... to know what drives us?" He said. "Well, that's a challenge if I've ever heard one." He smirked. 5 turns of charge till he could go Overdrive. It was time to get creative.

He rushed forward at the man with weapons blazing. Once in range, he attacked with his right hand blade, keeping the left hand open for defensive purposes, and only hoped that Dame would be wise enough to help him out, be it with cover fire or mele back up.

<Ornisk - we're gonna need some back up PDQ - make sure you're ready to fight, heck, you might wanna make sure you can go into Dragon Form at a moments notice. I'm gonna try to get Dame's attention so we can plan a three way attack.>

<Roger.>

And thus began the fight.

499Ryugi Kazamaru

Sutiiven rushed in, Damrius prepared, and the armored man was ready...

His left hand shot up and a massive wall of rock rose into the air, not only blocking the young man's rush, but preventing anything Damrius might have hoped to accomplish in his next turn. As the rock rose, the man jabbed his sword into it, and was launched away from the ground by it. Soon the rock wall came to a halt at a height of roughly one hundred feet, and the man pulled his sword from the side of the formation, his momentum causing him to shoot up to the flat surface on the top of the wall where he struck a pose with his sword over his shoulder, and looked down below at the two young warriors...[12]

500Damrius

Damrius saw the rock wall come up, and pulled in another charge. As it did so, he noticed it kept going up. Only one reason for that, at least only one in battle standards...

As the wall kept rising, Damrius jumped in the air, and bascially began to wall run it upwards. It was challenging, being as the movement of it. But, nothing was going to stop him. As the wall stopped, he forced his boot into it, and pushed himself upward, ready to strike, sword slashing at the man as he made his stance at the top. It was futile, yes, but it was worth it.

Charge - 5

501Sutiiven

[6] From behind the man, a Silver Dragon suddenly rose up into the sky - Ornisk, in his true dragon from.

Quote:** Wrote:

Alternate Form: A silver dragon can assume any animal or humanoid form of Medium size or smaller as a standard action three times per day. This ability functions as a Polymorph spell cast on itself at its caster level, except that the dragon does not regain hit points for changing form and can only assume the form of an animal or humanoid. The Dragon can remain in its animal or humanoid form until it chooses to assume a new one or return to its natural form. (Transformation)

He rapidly soared up the wall in an attempt to gain som altitude, then when fully airborne, did a quick loop around to come straight down on top of the man with a power dive in attempt to knock him off of his feet - and riding on the back of said dragon was Sutiiven, blades at the ready, about to jump onto the wall and take the fight to the man if the power dive was successful.

502Ryugi Kazamaru

[18] The pose of the man's sword lasted only a second before he stabbed the mighty weapon into the center of the massive wall and the weapon pulsed with magnificent energy. Then, the massive wall suddenly split and shattered into thousands of fragments, the man moving down into them, protected form the assaults by all three attackers. As he fell, the chunks of wall split farther, and upon reaching the bottom of the massive structure, a titanic rune appeared on the ground where the weapon stuck dirt.

Prometheus' Rage!

As he spoke, the rune erupted, sending a massive shower of rocks, fire, lave and brimstone into the air, shattering the pieces and causing them to spin around in a maelstrom of power, heat, and destructive searing force. The spinning blast shot into the sky and then erupted outward, sending fire energy and earth energy spiraling away from the center pillar. If the searing heat, massive chunks of rock, and flying magma weren't enough to damage the three warriors, the long fall back to the ground would certainly take its toll on them as well. Afterall, without the wall, they wouldn't have anything to support them... [8]

503Damrius

Damrius pulled in another charge as soon as the sword was moved. And the rune appeared...

********!! I hate those marks... Definately a dragon though...

He twisted himself in the air in a way that he was bulleting towards the ground. He was like an arrow falling from the sky. And then he heard the explosion. And felt it.

The force of it is what did the majority of the attack on him. It had thrown him far enough that he was well over some of the water, and falling. This time, uncontrolled.

504Sutiiven

[8] Sutii knew this was no time to be messing around - this was time to get power quickly and start going all out.

Quote:** Wrote:

Energy Transfer: Sutiiven can force his body to allow for extra energy per turn, but at the cost of self-damage (Charge: +1 per 100 HP sacrificed)

He grunted as the extra energy came to him - he'd need to do it one more time to reach Overdrive, and he hoped that he was making a wise decision.

Quote:** Wrote:

Breath Weapon: A silver dragon has two types of breath weapon, a cone of cold and a cone of paralyzing gas. Creatures within a cone of paralyzing gas must succeed on a Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d6 rounds plus one round per age category of the dragon. (Range: 40ft Cone)

Ornisk was handling the falling rocks as they came, dodging the ones that weren't molten and freezing the ones that were.

<This is becoming a right mess, Sutii...>

<Tell me about it... who the hell is this guy?>

<I don't know, but from what I can tell, he's got something to do with dragons, I think... powerful enough to be, anyways, never sensed a non dragon with close to this much power.>

<I felt the same... figures. I get a little match set up, and someone crashes the party - since HoH, I've 've been on everyone's hit list - what the heck is going on?!>

Now wasn't the time to ask questions though. He returned to the battle, holding on to Ornisk as he flew threw the debris.

505Ryugi Kazamaru

[14] The man simply stood up, hefting his weapon into a ready position, and gathered more energy. Though Dame would suddenly find himself slamming into a chunk of rock that shot up out of the water to catch him, albeit more painfully than hitting water. At least he wouldn't risk drowning... But the landing wouldn't feel any better.

506Damrius

As the rock...."Cushioned" Dame's fall, he let out a grunt. Falls were fun. Something he learned to deal with after being blown around via flaming concussion balls.

He jumped up, and sheathed his sword. THe gem was still resting in his hand, and he switched it from the left to his right.

He waited and stared at the man, breathing heavily. His eyes were like fire.

507Sutiiven

[10] Sutiiven grimmaced one more time as he called upon energy, sacrificing his HP in order to push himself to the brink - enabling him to activate his special ability.

Quote:** Wrote:

Energy Transfer: Sutiiven can force his body to allow for extra energy per turn, but at the cost of self-damage (Charge: +1 per 100 HP sacrificed)

He quickly turned off the enchantment on his weapons and sheathed them, allowing him to fully concentrate on what he was about to do. Now maxed out for energy in this form. He began glowing faintly as the energy coursed through out his body as he attempted to achive his special form.

Quote:** Wrote:

Overdrive: Sutiiven unleashes his stored energy to Ascend to the height of his energy's potential, increasing his skills and abilities 50%, doubling charge rate, and unlocking new abilities. (Charge: 10 Turns) (Spiritual Ability) (Transformation)

As he charged, Ornisk flew over the top of the newcomer attacker. With a quick barrel roll, he dropped the charging Sutii down towards the attacker, and a moment later:

"KURRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

His body flashed with a brilliant light, then came to a glow that stated he had achieved Overdrive. As he continued his descent, he drew his weapons, reactivated the enchantment, and came down with intent to slash the man with both weapons.

It was either that, or get reeeeeeeeeeeeealy hurt from that fall and/or a counterattack.

<Lady Luck, don't fail me now...>

Charge Wrote:

[0] (10)

Status Wrote:

Overdrive

508Ryugi Kazamaru

Sutiiven Wrote:

KURRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[20] The cry gave it all away, and as the young man fell towards the ground, the armored warrior leapt up and away into the air, and with a mighty swing of his sword, a large rune appeared to float behind he form before it pulsed with fiery energy and the air around the warrior blurred from the tremendous amount of heat that suddenly erupted from the glowing rune.

Prometheus' Hammer!!

In a frightening burst of energy the rune erupted forward and outward as dozens of fireballs the size of beach balls shot from the energy rune and towards Sutii's landing spot. Each one streaked towards the ground, and upon contact, exploded with a thunderous blast, the heat turning the sand of the beach into glass where they met. If that didn't do some serious damage...well...

[14]

509Damrius

From Dame's veiw, as soon as Sutiiven came down towards the new attacker, he would pull in a charge, and jumped in that direction. He put some energy into the jump, but not much to have a large effect on his charges.

As he jumped, he was aiming for Sutiiven. As he reached about the right length, the gem sparked to life, and grew into the shape of a broad sword.

As he reached sutiiven, he landed on closest flying rock and used it to boost his way closer to the falling sutiiven.

As he did so, he reached out towards sutiiven, and grabbed him by the collar of his jacket. Sutii's weight wouldn't bother Dame, but that' was barely the purpose of this. As soon a Dame's hand landed, he would maneuver himself in such a way as to protect sutiiven from some of the meteors coming at them. Sutiiven had already accessed his Overdrive, which gave him more strength than Damrius at this point. Whcih meant he would have to be safe as possible.

As Damrius felt the heat of one, he threw, yes, threw sutiiven in the opposite direction of them. It would ge thim away from their opponent, but with this opponents attacks, that was probably the smart idea right now.

510Sutiiven

[2] Sutiiven was slightly startled as he was grabbed by the oncoming Dame, and even more shocked when the elementalist hurled the swordsman out of the way of the oncoming attacks. Not as surprising was that he slammed itno something else that prevented him from losing his upward momentum and heading back to the ground - namely, one silver dragon, who intentionally used its stomach as a pillow, then grabbed the fighter by the shoulders. With a quick roll, Ornisk flipped Sutii up in the aid, thus allowing him to land on the dragons back.

Quote:** Wrote:

Reiki: Sutiiven can focus his energy for minor healing purposes.

(Charge: 1 Turn per 100 HP recovered) (Spiritual Ability)

Once seated, he sheathed one of the blades (thus canceling the enchantment, which required both to be active) and used the now open hand to recover some of his wounds. He had just enough spare energy to recover the damage he had caused himself in the energy transfer process. Once finished, he grasped on to Ornisk tightly, and flew around in hopes for an opening.

Charge Wrote:

[0] (10)

Status Wrote:

Overdrive, Recov200

511Ryugi Kazamaru

[20] The armored warrior landed a slight distance from Dame and Sutii, admiring the conviction of the young lightning elemental to throw a stranger from harm's way and receive that damage from the attack himself. A selfless act of courage. He grinned behind the confines of his helmet and moved his sword into a preparatory position before unleashing a massive pulse of heat energy aimed directly for Dame, the searing heat distorting the air around it...

If it hit, the blast would do a solid 200 damage to the lightning elemental...

512Damrius

Ryugi Kazamaru Wrote:

[20] The armored warrior landed a slight distance from Dame and Sutii...

As the armored creature landed in a little bit from damrius, he pulled in a charge, and started to laugh. As he was laughing, energy started going around his body in a berserk motion. It was flashing between two different colors - Black and Red.

As the powers swirled, they lashed towards Damrius's opponent, the red lightning absorbing the heat. If this man recognized it, he would see it as superheated lightning. But hte black lighting was a different story. Running off of dame's darker emotions... And he was not happy that a training session with one of his friends was completely interrupted.

This energy was carrying enough to match up with 20 charges. But, on the side note, if the man could read emotions, he would be overwhelmed with hatred, pain, and sorrow on some of the darkest and highest levels.

You interrupted my fight....

You are so ignorant as to the reason we fight...

You... are...

Unable to complete his thougths, Dame's head crashed down onto the ground, his eyes still watching, his fighting drive drained.

513Sutiiven

[2] "HOLY SH- !!!"

He never completed the explative, as he was enraptured by the emmense power that was eminating from Dame. Sutii was familiar with "berserk modes" that pretty much everyone had - the emotions of a living being were not to be mocked, especially the powerful ones like pain, sadness, or rage. Obviously something was causing Dame to become uncontrolably enraged. Ornisk kept Sutii at a distance from both Dame and the attacker - if either of the two compainions got in the middle of this attack, it wouldnt be pretty. It would be a miracle if Dame survived the thing, seeing all the power he was drawing in one unstoppable attack, putting every part of his being into it. If the man dodged, blocked, or survived, he would be ungodly powerful beyond Sutiiven's previous comprehension.

"Dame... I hope you know what you're doing..." he muttered.

Charge Wrote:

(10)

Status Wrote:

Overdrive

514Ryugi Kazamaru

[26] The armored man didn't miss a beat. Lighting, even lightning of pretty colors, was STILL lightning. It was nothing more than super heated electrical energy, capable of turning sand into glass from its intense heat and shocking an individual. And Damrius had apparently forgotten this man's talents he'd showcased earlier...

The sword spun around from its quick burst of heat, and then quickly collided with the ground, and as it did so, a massive burst of force could be seen traveling towards Dame among the sand, until suddenly the sand erupted upwards in a thick thunderous blast hiding the armored man in a thick sand-screen, as well as encompassing the area between the men in a wall of sand.

The fireworks would end, however, when Damrius hit the ground, and the sand settled to reveal something absolutely amazing... There, between the two fighters lay a long, root-like formation of rock that looked like a solidified lightning bolt, at least it looked like rock... But looks were deceiving. Infact, this mighty formation was something known as fulgurite. Quite simply...sand that been melted into glass by a lightning strike. The massively long structure had formed from the heat of Dame's kamikaze blast of energy. And at the other end, stood the armored warrior, unscathed, perhaps for a few sand grains that fell from his form...

The sand that erupted into the air had prevented the massive lightning bolt from reaching the man by soaking up the energy, containing the electrical charge, and converting it almost all into heat, which was transfered throughout the sand, causing it to melt, and almost instantly harden into solid glass. With no energy other than the power of his sword, the man had rendered the massive attack inert while using his thinking power to overcome Dame's brute strength. The warrior looked to Sutiiven, and back to Damrius before speaking.

You are drained, warrior... You have defeated yourself...

515Damrius

Ryugi Kazamaru Wrote:

[26] The armored man didn't miss a beat. Lighting, even lightning of pretty colors, was STILL lightning. It was nothing more than super heated electrical energy, capable of turning sand into glass from its intense heat and shocking an individual. And Damrius had apparently forgotten this man's talents he'd showcased earlier...

The sword spun around from its quick burst of heat, and then quickly collided with the ground, and as it did so, a massive burst of force could be seen traveling towards Dame among the sand, until suddenly the sand erupted upwards in a thick thunderous blast hiding the armored man in a thick sand-screen, as well as encompassing the area between the men in a wall of sand.

The fireworks would end, however, when Damrius hit the ground, and the sand settled to reveal something absolutely amazing... There, between the two fighters lay a long, root-like formation of rock that looked like a solidified lightning bolt, at least it looked like rock... But looks were deceiving. Infact, this mighty formation was something known as fulgurite. Quite simply...sand that been melted into glass by a lightning strike. The massively long structure had formed from the heat of Dame's kamikaze blast of energy. And at the other end, stood the armored warrior, unscathed, perhaps for a few sand grains that fell from his form...

The sand that erupted into the air had prevented the massive lightning bolt from reaching the man by soaking up the energy, containing the electrical charge, and converting it almost all into heat, which was transfered throughout the sand, causing it to melt, and almost instantly harden into solid glass...

But, that would only be the cause of the super heated lightning. The black lightning was a different story, which is the reason damrius had let it unleash in it's full fury.

As the peice of glass formed, the black lightning was still swirling around madly. But, just as teh man started to speak, it would explode in a mad fury. The force of it would knock all three of them back, and most likely shock them. But, the brunt of it would be focused on those closest too it... that being Damrius and the challenger.

As damrius was thrown like a rag doll, slamming and rolling onto the ground, the energy that was hitting him was absorbed. Dissappated. Giving him back some energy. Not much, but at least a little less than half of what he lost.

Hey lay there, his eyes unfocused, and panting. More life in him than just a moment before.

516Sutiiven

[4] Sutii watched the fight from a distance, not sure how to get back into it for fear of getting caught in a deadly struggle. He wasnt afraid - he'd put his life on the line for many reasons - but he knew better than to get between a person berserking and his target. Still, he fellt a little antsy, wanting to get back into the fray to help his friend. Ornisk circled around the others for the fighter on his back.

He watched as his friend dropped and recovered. Dame was an unusual but powerful fighter - who knew what he had planned next.

Status Wrote:

Overdrive

517Ryugi Kazamaru

[32] The explosion's force would be heavily dampened by the man's suit of armor, and due to that fact that half of the force of the attack had been absorbed by the sand. He'd be cast through the air, but flip into the force from the explosion as a large chunk of hillside broke away and moved quickly to catch him. He landed on his feet, and was now atop the floating chunk of hillside. His armor had been blackened a bit by the explosion, but that was the only foreseeable damage that had been done, and nothing a good polishing later wouldn't fix...

The armored fighter's eyes narrowed, hidden from view by his helmet. The young fighter may have been courageous, but he was too impulsive with his abilities, allowing them to erupt and rage forth as they pleased with the ebb and flow of his emotional status. A talented fighter ruled over his emotions in a fight, he did not allow his emotions to rule him... However, emotions were not to be ignored in a fight, for without them, intuition was impossible. And to harness the power of emotions in a controlled state could prove useful. But this young fighter still had yet to learn all of these lessons. And the armored man was still clueless as to what drove this young man to lash out in such an uncontrolled fashion. If only he'd control his power and use it wisely... But all in due time.

The other fighter seemed to be waiting on the sidelines, looking for an opening to strike while his ally acted as the main fighting force. Or was it, perhaps, that he was too worried to come in and assist his partner due to his partner's lack of control over his element? He had to wonder at the strategy of these two fighters. One, trapped in a berserk rage and attacking wildly hoping for a hit with his energies, the other, quiet, calculating, assessing the situation at hand while he gathered his energy. Yes... The second fighter was on a better train of thought at the moment. He was attacking a stronger opponent, and therefore had to be sure of his strategy of attack, he was using logic to look into the situation, while his partner tossed masses of charged energy towards his opponent in a rage of emotion, hoping to score a hit. Though while the second fighter had his head in the game where it counted, the armored man was still clueless as to his driving force. Perhaps if he desired an answer, he'd have to take the fight to the next level...

518Damrius

Damrius rolled onot his stomach, and pushed himself upwards. He was wavering as he stood, almost like a drunk. Setting his hand on his head, he started some minor conversation.

Damn... Headrush.... Whoo.

Shaking his head, Damirus looked at the other fighter.

You said you wanted to know what drives us? What drives you? What drives you to be a totally assenine and interrupt a fight between two people? It's simply rude. Asside from that, you are scary powerful, and I know you are a dragon. Stronger than your council members, that's for ******** sure. But I ask again. What. Drives. You?

Damrius stood their, blood dripping down the side of his head. He had been cut, but would ignore it. A cut is a cut, at least to him. He stared at the man, drawing his sword. He lost his crystal sword... Oh well....

519Sutiiven

[6] Sutiiven continued his contemplative state whilst Ornisk held his circular pattern a round the fighters. He wasnt afraid of the fight, nor was he the type to stay in a state of contemplation for so long (overcontemplation usually led to double guessing himself, which could result in bad decisions), but he was curious as to the behavior of both Dame and the man. Never before had he seen the elementalist so intent on besting his opponent, nor had he seen an opponent so intent on testing someone they had never met before. He was strong, and growing stronger by the minute. He had long since stopped calculating the energy increase of the man, it was rising so rapidly that he had more important things to focus on. One shot with all he had could easily slay Dame if it was so intended... so what was the man wating for? He was obviously displeased in Dame's rash attitude, but he was just toying around... much to Dame's furious chagrin.

There was nothing to do at this point - just sit, watch, and wait.

Status Wrote:

Overdrive

520Ryugi Kazamaru

A quest for knowledge and an oath to protect. Those are what drive me, young warrior.

[38] The armored man prepared for the young man to lash out, while keeping an eye on the second warrior at the same time. Had he the urge, he could end this fight quickly. But he was in no rush, and a defeated opponent will not divulge their driving force while unconscious... The armored man then began to walk towards the electrical warrior, as if to spurn him on, to get him to unleash his power so that he might show the young warrior what he was really up against. Perhaps then he would not be so rash... And with an energy close to DOUBLE what Dame's teacher commonly held, and rising, maybe brute force wasn't working...

521Damrius

As the armored man walked towards him, Damrius pulled in a charge and smiled. That crystal of his was important. Very important, mostly becuase of such a thing.

he had dropped it where he was laying, of course. And his opponent was walking right over it...

Well, not exactly. With his left fingers twitching slightly, a massive pike would shoot towards the Armored Man's Ankle. It was meant to incapacitate, not kill.

522Sutiiven

[8] Sutiiven watched carefully as the man spoke to Dame, approaching him with conviction as if he were going to pull something out of his hat - his energy was increasing steadily. That didn't seem to stop Dame from wanting to pull something outrageous that'd probably never work. Sutii watched as his friend activate a "trap" that he had intentionally or unintentionally laid. It would be interesting to see what happened when it hit the man.

The odds were against the three of them, especially Dame.

It was a good thing Sutii liked to gamble. He quietly resheathed the sword which he held in his hand, and gripped tightly onto Ornisk. He was almost at full power - the time biding had paid off. However, the question was whether or not he was preparing to attack soon, or just let Dame and the other person duke it out as was the case currently.

Status Wrote:

Overdrive

523Ryugi Kazamaru

[44] If Damrius thought he had any chance of hitting this man with an attack coming from the GROUND, he had another thing coming. As if the countless GROUND AND EARTH attacks didn't give it away by now, this man was an Earth and Fire Elemental. The man simply hopped the the side as the pike shot towards him. And then took off towards Dame, energy now pouring from his person, his cape trailing behind his speeding form.

So the young man wanted to play with ground based attacks eh? That could be arranged! Without warning, the ground directly under, and in a diameter of ten feet around Damrius would suddenly shoot upwards with enough force to slam the young man to the ground with nearly five G's of force, or five times the force of gravity. In other words, if Damrius weighed 100 pounds, he would suddenly feel as if he weighed 500 as he was tossed skyward as the mighty pillar of rock suddenly ceased, Dame's momentum causing him to rise a total of 150 feet into the air as the man shot towards and touched the base of the pillar.

As he touched it, the ground underneath his feet glowed with another rune of light and before Dame would be able to react, his voice would echo out once more.

Pillar of Burning Might!!

The pillar of rock suddenly burst into a tower of glowing runes, and then, with a mighty explosion of force, an eruption of heat and fire rocketed into the sky towards Dame's helpless figure, easily large enough to encompass him and do some serious damage...[34]

524Damrius

Oh sh ---

Damrius was barely able to say anything before he was slammed into the rising pillar, and before that even happened, he felt the explosion, and was encompassed by it. Damn his luck...

After it hit Damrius, he came crashing down onto the ground, limp as a rag doll. Out of it too.

525Sutiiven

[MAX] Sutiiven watched as his friend recieved what could best be described as "ownage" by the armored man. He sighed. Dame had fought well, but victory was just not ment to be, it seemed. No matter, it was the swordsman's turn to take a stand.

<Ornisk... take me down.>

<Are you CRAZY?>

<Just do it.>

<... Okay...>

The dragon complied, letting the fighter close enough to the ground so as he could jump off and face the warrior in armor before returning to its circular pattern above. He stood silently in front of where Dame was, eyes closed, in deep concentration, but fully aware of his suroundings.

"So... looks like it's my turn." he said.

He opened his eyes.

"What drives me to fight? Well, I've never thought about it really. It one of those things you never get the chance to think about until you're asked about it, and then it takes forever to figure out the right answer. But while I was up there, circling, I thought about it. Sure, I fight for money, fame, power, and glory. Any young fighter who doesn't admit that they fight for at least one of those is lying. Maybe it's a little bit material, but that's why we train so hard to achieve a higher state of being beyond such things... But I digress. You want to know why I fight..." He paused took a deep breath, closing his eyes again.

"I fight to better myself. I fight to make my master proud. I fight for my friends and family. I fight I fight those who cannot fight for themselves. I fight because I enjoy it, because it's what I want to do. I fight because I am human, a child of light, a child of darkness, a child of chaos. I fight for freedom. I fight for life itself." He paused, then opened his eyes once more, and smiled.

"I fight... because it's my destiny. I'm the chosen one."

He smiled, and shifted into an unarmed combat stance, awaiting the man's next move. He was full health, full charge, full spirit - he was ready to take whatever the man threw his way.

Status Wrote:

Overdrive

526Ryugi Kazamaru

[40] The armored man turned and sped towards the fully powered Sutiiven. Perhaps this warrior would prove to be more of a challenge for the man than his previous opponent... His body pulsed with energy and his sword glowed furiously as he charged towards Sutiiven.

Then show me your strength so called "Chosen One" and we shall see if you're deserving of that Title!!

527Sutiiven

[MAX] Sutiiven smirked, and drew his swords rapidly, enacting the enchantment on the blades a short moment after they were free of their sheathes.

As the armored man approached, he smirked, then threw one of his weapons into the air.

Quote:** Wrote:

Flash Bomb: Sutii hurls a small orb of energy from his palm, causing an explosion of light, which can be used to momentarily blind or stun an opponent. (Charge: 1 Turn) (Spiritual Ability)

He quickly swung his open hand down, which caused a massive flash capable of disorienting any within range. In the mean time, he had used one of his Overdrive Abilities to get him some distance quickly in an upward direction, where he had launched towards the airborne weapon caught it in its empty hand.

Quote:** Wrote:

Extreme Speed: Sutiiven launches himself forward in a high-speed dash. Overdrive must be active to use. (Spiritual Ability)

When the light subsided Sutii would not be found at the location where he stood previously, but in the air, coming down right on top of his hopefully stunned opponent, right blade first with the left one open ready defensive manuvers.

Charge Wrote:

[9] (10)

Status Wrote:

Overdrive

528Ryugi Kazamaru

[46] With a flash, the battlefield went dark and Sutiiven sped across the ground and into the air. However, the armored warrior wasn't down and out yet. He might have been temporarily blinded, but his other senses were still working JUST fine. As Sutii jumped into the air and over him, he could hear and feel there Sutii left the ground, and could sense where he was going. The armored man quickly jumped to the side, to avoid the falling Sutii as his ears caught the minute flapping of his uniform as he moved through the air.

Once he was out of range, a mighty pillar of stone would shoot upwards from the ground, aiming to launch Sutiiven into the cliffs on the upper shore of the battle zone...

529Sutiiven

[MAX] It was a good thing that Sutii had left that second blade open for defensive manuvers, since that, combined with the attacking weapon, and the power of the energy coming off of them due to their enchantment, easily rendered the pillar in half.

Quote:** Wrote:

Sonic Slash: Sutiiven launches a shockwave with a swing of his weapons. (Charge: 3 Turns) (Spiritual Ability)

As soon as he landed, he wrenched up from the crouched position of foot to ground impact and swung his right hand blade quickly, launching a rapid shockwave of energy from his sword through the air directly at the man a distance away.

Charge Wrote:

[7] (10)

Status Wrote:

Overdrive

530Ryugi Kazamaru

Sutiiven Wrote:

[MAX] It was a good thing that Sutii had left that second blade open for defensive manuvers, since that, combined with the attacking weapon, and the power of the energy coming off of them due to their enchantment, easily rendered the pillar in half.

> Quote: Wrote: > Sonic Slash: Sutiiven launches a shockwave with a swing of his weapons. (Charge: 3 Turns) (Spiritual Ability)

As soon as he landed, he wrenched up from the crouched position of foot to ground impact and swung his right hand blade quickly, launching a rapid shockwave of energy from his sword through the air directly at the man a distance away.

> Charge Wrote: > [7] (10)

> Status Wrote: > Overdrive

Sonic Slash: Sutiiven launches a shockwave with a swing of his weapons. (Charge: 3 Turns) (Spiritual Ability)

[7] (10)

Overdrive

[52] The pillar shattered, but the armored man was one step ahead of Sutiiven as the pieces of rock shot out from the force.

Aerial Barrage!!

The pieces of shattered rock shot off, spun around, and then quickly sped towards Sutiiven as he landed on the ground. The rocks would come from all angles moments after Sutiiven had landed once more, and attempt to batter him with the shards made by his own attack. His shockwave was unleashed and rocketed forward, but the man was not without a defense of his own.

This man was so in tune with his earth powers, he rarely had to use energy to shape it as he pleased. However in bigger circumstances, only energy would do for manipulation on a greater scale. Sutiiven's shockwave would fire towards the man as his hearing sensed the whooshing and rushing of the attack directed at him. He quickly erected a wall of rock to absorb most of the shockwave and ducked off to the side as his vision began to return. His sight would be no use to him until it returned fully, so for the time being, he kept his eyes closed. The shockwave would hit the rock wall and blast it into many pieces, pieces which would then be sent hurling towards Sutiiven's position.

A darker golden energy was now spiraling around the man as a red aura of energy now swirled along with it, showing the sheer power of the energy the man held within him as bits of sand were blown away by the heat and earth auras surrounding him. The sword in his hand glowed with a spectacular golden aura of its own as he stared down Sutiiven, a massive rune appearing on the ground beneath his feet, but this was different from any rune he would have ever seen before. While it was still a rune, the outer edge was surrounded by a massive ring with three more circles, forming a triangle whose edges rubbed against the center summoning symbol and spun around it as golden and red light shot upwards into the air, parting the clouds to allow light to shine brightly over the battlefield. Whatever the armored man was planning, it was going to be big as more additions to the rune began to slowly glow into place...

531Sutiiven

[9] Sutiiven smirked as he tried to get him with the incoming barrage of stone. Assuming they had no homing capabilities, it was of little concern. Especially due to the fact that he had a little ability for emergencies like this.

Quote:** Wrote:

Uncanny Dodge: Sutiiven is a lithe young individual that is self-trained in many acrobatic maneuvers which gives him an edge when it comes to dodging. When luck is on his side, he can perform a dodge that would otherwise be considered impossible. This ability can only trigger after a certain period of time and only during certain situations. The more this ability is used during a battle, the less effective it is. This ability’s effectiveness returns to full after the battle.

Quote:** Wrote:

Extreme Speed: Sutiiven launches himself forward in a high-speed dash. Overdrive must be active to use. (Spiritual Ability)

With a grunt, he used his speed boosting ability to push him off towards a section of sligntly smaller stones, and used his blades to cut any larger ones into pieces. He gained minor scratches from the rocks, but nothing that would be of critical damage. Using his dexterity to twist and evade anything undefeatable by normal means, he managed to remove himself from the barrage, and land facing his opponent. He didnt like the look of the massive rune growing beneath the armored man, but he was full charge again, and hoping that whatever he had could help him in this oncoming attack.

Status Wrote:

Overdrive

532Ryugi Kazamaru

[58] The rune suddenly grew larger and more massive, another set of concentric rings forming outside the already massive circle and triangle as another triangle took up a place around the whole thing at a different angle. The light suddenly grew brighter and brighter as a massive ball of gold and red energy began to form in the center of the circle as the rune started to spin, faster and faster. The energy practically pouring off of the ball as it grew. But what happened next would be beyond anything either Dame or Sutiiven would have ever seen before.

As the energy rose, the ball suddenly shot into the sky, energy trailing off of it as it spun into the sky, taking the armored man with it!! Upon reaching the clouds, the ball suddenly stopped and a massive copy of the original rune appeared on the sky, spinning lazily before the ball of light glowed bright white and a vortex of energy quickly formed around it, streamers of power forming into the center until a mighty voice rang out across the battlefield as the sky surged with power.

Sword of Prometheus!!

As the words echoed, the energy shot forward as a massive energy form of an armored warrior, falling from the sky with a sword of blazing gold and red energies shot towards the position of Damrius and Sutiiven. Flames trailed from the back of the massive warrior as it fell, energy sparked away as the intense power released caused the clouds themselves to ripple from the sheer magnitude of fore that had just been unleashed. The armored titan would close in at rapid speed as it slammed its glowing weapon into the ground, a titanic explosion being created that would carve a massive crater into the ground between the sea and the shore, mirroring a crater formed by another thunderous blast of energy several months back...

[08] As the dust and debris settled, the armored warrior would be seen on the rim of the crater, watching as it filled with sea water, causing it to vanish from sight as if it had never existed in the first place. The power from the explosion was so immense, totaling nearly 5000 damage, easily capable of defeating Ryugi two times over, and then some. If the young warrior was still somehow able to battle after the blast, the armored man would have a few words left to say...

533Sutiiven

[MAX] Sutiiven grimmaced as the massively powerful attack came his way. He focused his energy in one last ditch attack - perhaps all in vain, but he would go down fighting.

Quote:** Wrote:

Eclipse - Chaos Requiem: Sutiiven unleashes a great torrent of energy, bombarding his opponent and inflicting massive damage. Overdrive must be active to use. (Charge: 20 Turns) (Spiritual Ability) (3 Turn Recovery)

Sutiiven dropped his blades to his side as the energy coursed through him, charging it to be unleashed in one attack. As the oncoming blast came closer, he grimmaced as he pulled more and more power from his store into the move. Finally, with one quick flourish of his arms (going up from his side, then coming down into a cross, then finallly shooting out to the sides) he let out a single cry:

"CHAOS REQUIEM!!!"

And from him launched a powerful torrent of energy that hurled itself directly at its target - the energy form which assumably held the armored warrior. The torrent flew at the powerful oncoming mass, causing its usual explosions of energy as the multiple blasts of it hit, but to no avail - a 5000 damage attack could not be detered by one of only 2000. However, the brave lad kept the attack going straight until it hit him.

The explosion was indeed massive, encompasing the fighter and the dragon and god knew what else. The blast hurled at least the two of them high up into the air.

When the dust had cleared, the two of them could not be seen anywhere. Suddenly, a single thud emminated from near the warrior - the left hand blade of Sutiiven. A second later, the right hand blade followed suit, this time slightly closer. Then came the sound of a dragon slamming into earth even closer to the man's location.

And if the man wasnt startled by any of those, he could look up to find Sutiiven, trying with all his might to fall right on top of him, burnt, bruised, and grimacing all the way. Not screaming, surprisingly enough, either because he couldnt or he didnt want to give away his position. What he intended to do was questionable, but one had to credit him for the spirit he had going for this after being utterly defeated otherwise.

However, the lad would not see the results of his attempt, as he blacked out in mid fall, seeing only the man and the ground before unconciousness.

Charge Wrote:

[0] (0)

Status Wrote:

Overdrive, Exaustion(3), K.O.

534Darshendros the Eternal

Somewhere in the high seas...

A deep sea fishing boat sailed into a bank of thick fog. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but then sonar began picking up the signs of another ship up ahead. The fog was too thick, so the fishermen wouldn't see it until they were at least 10 feet away from it. It was a cruise ship, likely a derelict from the poor condition it appeared to be in, and that there were no lights on anywhere.

"Ahoy!" called one of the fishermen, but there was no answer. After several more attempts at trying to hail anyone on the cruise ship, they assumed the ship was a derelict.

"Hey Cap'n, how much you think we could get for salvaging her, eh?"

"We're fishermen, Smee, not salvagers. Leave the trash collecting to the salvagers. I'll radio her in to get a crew out here."

There was nothing but static over the radio though. None of the frequencies worked, even the emergency one. "What the hell?"

"Capta--!" he heard Smee scream out before hearing a splash.

"Damnit. How many times to I gotta tell you..." the captain started as he walked out of the wheelroom to throw Smee a lifeline, but didn't see him in the water. Now that he thought about it, it was eearily quiet. Where was the rest of the crew?

Thump.

The captain turned around at the sound of something falling onto the deck. It was a body! Not any of his crew that he recognized. Did it come from the cruiseship? The captain, against better judgement, crept over to the body to see if the person was still alive. It didn't look to be breathing...

The captain nudged the body with his boot, then knelt down to get a look at the person's face. He pulled the head back to see the face of a twisted corpse, its last expression that of frozen horror before probably dying. The captain's heart nearly jumped out of his chest when the dead eyes suddenly opened.

"Mother of Christ!" he cursed, letting go of the corpse's head and shuffling back across the deck on his hands and feet, crossing himself over and over.

The corpse rose up to its hands and knees, looking at him and groaning.

"Smee! Chris! Guys! Where are you guys?!" the captain screamed as the corpse crawled over him, making an eerie crackling noise from its throat before taking a chomp out of his neck. He screamed for a few seconds more, and then all was silent.

535Tenkyl Felix

Sunray Tristram Wrote:

As Sundrea stretched her arms over her head, she looked back at him. "Limited, hm? Maybe I could teach you some things then." Her own knowledge of dancing was a bit limited as well but she could at least show him a few things that would count as a good workout. She then smiled, tail twitching. Dancing had also helped her fight in close combat, some of the moves helping her avoid a stray knife or punch to the kidneys. "It'd be fun, I think. What do you say?"

He grins softly as he watches her and snickers a little bit. "Ya, maybe one day you can teach me something..." he says a little hesitantly. Tenkyl may be agile but he definately was no dancer. The anthro-lynxs ears twitch as he looks back and sees thick clouds forming in the sky slowly, cocking an eyebrow up at the sky.

536Sunray Tristram

Sundrea raised a brow at him, wondering exactly what that statement had meant. She would have asked but she didn't think she'd get a straight answer. Or if she did, she might not like it. Better not to ask and simply find out later. "Something...sure." Arms stretching over her head, Sundrea's eyes followed Tenkyl's up to the sky. "That doesn't look too pleasant..." And she was right. Right when finishing her sentence, a bright flash of lightning jumped from one cloud to the next then, a few moments later, a rumbling boom of thunder.

Ears flattening against her head to keep out most of the sound, Sundrea growled softly. "Of course. We certainly can't go out to sea without a storm! Where's the fun in that?" Flash and boom. Sundrea kept her ears flat. "That's too loud for my comfort..."

537Tenkyl Felix

Sunray Tristram Wrote:

Sundrea raised a brow at him, wondering exactly what that statement had meant. She would have asked but she didn't think she'd get a straight answer. Or if she did, she might not like it. Better not to ask and simply find out later. "Something...sure." Arms stretching over her head, Sundrea's eyes followed Tenkyl's up to the sky. "That doesn't look too pleasant..." And she was right. Right when finishing her sentence, a bright flash of lightning jumped from one cloud to the next then, a few moments later, a rumbling boom of thunder.

Ears flattening against her head to keep out most of the sound, Sundrea growled softly. "Of course. We certainly can't go out to sea without a storm! Where's the fun in that?" Flash and boom. Sundrea kept her ears flat. "That's too loud for my comfort..."

Tenkyl looks over to her and frowns a bit before standing up and looks back to the clouds, watching the lightning and seeing the wall of rain as it quickly makes its way toward their boat. "Best get under the deck before it hits us," he says before nabbing up a lantern and lighting it, opening up the hatch for the Sundrea.

538Sunray Tristram

As much as Sundrea like watching the rain, when she was in the mood, she really disliked getting caught in it. Having no argument, Sundrea hurried below after he opened the hatch, her eyes adjusting to the dimmed light. The boat was already starting to rock when she got inside. Thank the Gods she didn't get sea sick. "I wonder how long this will last," she said out loud, more to herself than to Tenkyl. It would certainly delay them, she was sure.

539Tenkyl Felix

Tenkyl starts going down the steps under the desk, turning back to look once more at the clouds which were almost right overhead already. As he closed the hatch the rain started pitter-pattering on the boat which turned into an almost constant chatter of thick drops upon their boat. "Not sure how long this will last, but it doesn't seem like it's going to let up anytime soon..."

540Sunray Tristram

Sundrea tugged lightly on her ears. The rain falling over head would sound a bit annoying for a little while but she was sure it would drown out if it were to continue for a long time. While glancing around, she tried not to sigh. There wasn't enough room to dance so now she had to find something else for entertainment. "Well, if we're going to be stuck down here for a while, we might as well find something to do," she said to him while moving over to her bag to look through it. Entertainment wasn't something she usually carried with her.

541Tenkyl Felix

Tenkyl reaches into his pocket and pulls our a small ocarina, smiling over to her a moment. "Well, you can't teach me to dance right now, but perhaps I could teach you to play?""

542Sunray Tristram

Sundrea glanced up from her bag. "Right now?" She looked around the tiny room. The bed took up a lot of the space while other little bags and such took up others. Luckily, most of their things were in storage. "I don't think we've got enough room in here. We'd be tripping over things and bumping into the bed."

543Tenkyl Felix

Sunray Tristram Wrote:

Sundrea glanced up from her bag. "Right now?" She looked around the tiny room. The bed took up a lot of the space while other little bags and such took up others. Luckily, most of their things were in storage. "I don't think we've got enough room in here. We'd be tripping over things and bumping into the bed."

He cocks an eyebrow at her question. "Tripping over things while playing instruments...?"

544Sunray Tristram

"Eh?" Sundrea blinked at him then gave a little laugh. "I heard you say dance first then playing an instrument. Guess I'm not yet used to the rain." And it sounded like it was picking up, the boat rocking to one side, causing her to sway where she stood. She might have had good balance but it got too rough then staying on her feet wouldn't be easy. "Alright, you can try and teach me. Can't promise I'll be your best student, though."

545Darshendros the Eternal

Thump. Thump, thump.

Something in the water bumped up against the hull of their boat...

546Tenkyl Felix

Tenkyl just smiles and sits down against the hull, holding the small instrument out to Sundrea and patting the spot next to him. Before anything else could happen, Tenkyl hears the Thump. Thump. Thump against the hull. Cocking an eyebrow, he sets the instrument down and gets up, wobbling a bit from the rocking of the small ship. "I'm going to go see what that is. I'll be right back." The feline goes up to the hatch and quickly slips out of it, walking over to the bow and looking over to where the thumping was coming from.

547Sunray Tristram

Moving over to Tenkyl, Sundrea was just about to sit down when the thumping occurred. What the hell was that? Her ears twitched a little while Tenkyl went to investigate. Her natural curiosity wanted to go with him to see what it was but getting soaked to the bone while listening to the cracks of thunder didn't sound like too much fun. "Alright. I'll just...stay here." Wasn't like there was anywhere else she'd go.

548Darshendros the Eternal

Thump.

A drowned, bloated corpse bumped up against the hull of the boat, floating along. There were several corpses floating in the water all around the boat, floating idly as the boat passed through, occassionally bumping into one or another. It looked like the tragic scene of a shipwreck, yet there was no ship in sight; just a thick fog clinging to the surface of the water up ahead.

549Tenkyl Felix

Tenkyl looks around at the bodies in the water as the rain pours down on him and the thunders cracks and shines in the sky. He turns back and head down into the hull of the ship once more, shaking his fur off before going and sitting back down next to Sundrea. "I wouldn't go out there if I were you..."

550Sunray Tristram

Sundrea glanced up when Tenkyl came back inside, her head tilting. Damn her curiosity. "Why not? Other than because it's pouring outside." Seeing as he was still dripping all over the floor, she leaned over to one of the drawers under the bed and opened it up. Pulling out a fresh towel, she handed it to him.

551Darshendros the Eternal

Rain would continue to pour heavily for a while and every now and then another body would bump into the boat. Something loomed in the distance, but the rain and gloom made visibility poor. It was only in flashes of lightning that it would be visible, if only for an instance. It was a ship. A huge cruise ship. It was floating idle, dead in the water or just derelict, but that would be all that one would be able to make from it all, if they even bothered looking.

552Tenkyl Felix

Sunray Tristram Wrote:

Sundrea glanced up when Tenkyl came back inside, her head tilting. Damn her curiosity. "Why not? Other than because it's pouring outside." Seeing as he was still dripping all over the floor, she leaned over to one of the drawers under the bed and opened it up. Pulling out a fresh towel, she handed it to him.

He takes the towel and starts drying off his body and clothes, his fur standing on end from the quick dry-off. "Dead stuff. Lots of it." He said almost apathetically as the storm continues to rock their little boat, tossing it around in the waves.

553Sunray Tristram

"Dead stuff?" Sundrea raised a brow at him while trying to resist laughing as his new appearance. Now she really wanted to see for herself, the thump thump against the boat about to drive her up the wall. Finally, she pushed herself to her feet. "Call me morbid but I want to see." She didn't bother waiting for any sort of reply as she made her way back on deck, the rain instantly soaking her through. Trying to keep a steady footing, Sundrea looked over the railing, eyes widening at the sight. "These are people... What the hell happened..." As she continued looking, something in the distance caught her attention, causing her to squint in attempt to see what it was. "Is that..." Flash. The sky lit up, allowing her to better see the object, if only for a very brief moment. "A ship?"

554Tenkyl Felix

Tenkyl tosses down his towel and follows her up, his fur once against drenched in almost an instant. His arm quickly goes around her waist as she tries to gain footing, looking over the railing with her at the bodies floating in the water. "Ya, I have no idea. They're bloated, so they've been here for some hours now," he says, speaking a little louder then normal due to the rain and thunder. He looks up at about the same time as she does, seeing the ship, barely noticeable through the WALL of rain and fog. "I... I think so..."

555Sunray Tristram

Though Sundrea was no stranger to dead bodies, water-absorbed and floating ones were just disturbing. The sight of them didn't make her feel too well yet her eyes wanted to continue straying to them. "Do you think there was an accident?," she asked him when he came up next to her. The arm around her waist didn't bother her this time since it felt more safe there than not. As for the people and what they thought might be a ship, an accident wouldn't surprise her...but how would have so many gotten into the water while the ship stayed afloat?

556Darshendros the Eternal

The ship loomed closer, carried by the corpse-littered waves. It would be barely visible now through the rain and fog. There were no lights on, no activity on the deck. The ship looked in poor condition, beaten by the elements. Faded lettering near the stern of this ship depicted its name, "Sea Orchid". By all appearances, it was just a derelict cruise ship. But what was it doing all the way out here?

557Tenkyl Felix

Surveying the damage, Tenkyl checks out the bodies and the ship as closely as he can. "I don't know... but we are near the Dürem Ocean. Some very unexplained things have happened there."

558Sunray Tristram

In a poor attempt to wipe the rain off her face and out of her eyes, Sundrea leaned a little over the railing to squint at the ship again. Even with a feline's keen sight, it was still hard to make out. The harsh rain and fog weren't helping. "You'll have to tell me some stories of the ocean later," she said to him. "It looks...sorta old. I mean, like it's been here a while. That or the rain's confusing me."

559Darshendros the Eternal

The ship was closer now and they would be able to make out some more finer details about it, though it was much too high to see anything up on deck. Some of the cabin windows alongside the hull were broken though, with rust formed around the round porthole windows. There was a rope ladder hanging over the side of the ship, looking very inviting.

560Tenkyl Felix

Tenkyl turns around and grabs a long rope. He ties one end to their railing of their boat and looks up as the rain starts to die down, deep rumbles of thunder still lurking about the air. "Stay here... I'm going to go tie this off..." he says as he hops up and grabs onto the rope ladder. He climbs up, holding onto his rope and reaches the top, slowly looking over about the deck. As he is surveying, he ties the rope to the railing of the large ship and motions for Sun to come up.

561Sunray Tristram

Sundrea watched the ship as they got closer. Yes, it had to have been her for a while. With each glance, her curiosity shifted. Feeling Tenkyl leave her side, Sundrea turns and stops, watching him with the rope. A smile came to her lips. An exploration sounded like an interesting idea. After he was ready, Sundrea grabbed onto the rope ladder he had used and climbed her way up, careful with each step on the wet rope. "My first ship exploration. How exciting," she said out loud once up on the ship's deck.

562Darshendros the Eternal

The deck was littered with trash and debris, as if the crew and passengers had all left in a rush. Broken glasses littered the floor, having toppled from tables that had been turned over. There was a pool in the middle of the deck, but the water was black and brackish. Some of the beach chairs sitting around the filthy pool still had towels on them, dirty and soggy from having been left outside for gods know how long. It looked like the typical luxury cruise ship, except there were no people, no music... nothing. Just the silent wind, the dark, and the cold.

563Tenkyl Felix

Tenkyl cautiously climbs onto the deck and looks around a bit, cocking an eyebrow at the debris and completely empty ship. Something really didn't match up here, but Tenkyl couldn't quite figure out what is it.

564Sunray Tristram

Trying to keep thoughts to herself, and not out loud, Sundrea nodded a little as her mind worked, her feet moving her around the immediate area. She kept away from the pool, however, not liking the dark murkiness of it...not the smell. Thinking some sort of accident happened might not be too far off but from what she could see of things, it was like everyone had just vanished. "Mm.." Sundrea moved along the deck, away from Tenkyl, to see what else she could find other that just a creepy still life.

565Darshendros the Eternal

Moving toward the cabins, she would see much of the same - debris and trash strewn everywhere, not a sign of life. All of the windows had been broken, and more than a few of them had dried blood staining the broken shards still attached to the frame. The room inside looked to be a banquet hall, with some of the cloth covered tables flipped over, glass and silverware scattered around the floor. All of a sudden...

A rat scurries across the deck! It headed through an open doorway into the banquet hall.

566Tenkyl Felix

Tenkyl follows closely behind Sundrea as she wanders out of her own curiosity into the large banquet hall, looking around a little bit. His ears suddenly perk up as he looks over and spots a rat scurrying quickly across the flooring. Tenkyl makes his way further into the room, surveying the damage.

((BONUS POINTS! Screams like a little asian schoolgirl)

567Sunray Tristram

The broken and blooded windows caught her attention, more so than anything else at the moment. She moved over to them to get a closer look, making a mental note of them. Some sort of fight, maybe? Sundrea shrugged, her ears turning towards the light movements of the passing rat. Not that unual to have rats on a ship. The tip of her tail twitched as she watched it. Maybe it could lead her to something. "Only one way to find out," she muttered to herself as she turned and followed the skittering rat.

((o-O Schoolgirl squeals aren't attractive coming from you~ And I do hope you weren't thinking of calling me Beverage from now on.))

568Darshendros the Eternal

The rat scurried along, oblivious to the pair now following it. It only had one thought on its mind, and it was getting to where it needed to go. It hooked a left, going down a hallway leading away from the banquet hall, and into what looked like the First Class deck quarters - similarly trashed like the rest of the ship, with the doors to all the rooms either ajar, hanging off the hinges, or completely missing. There was an abundance of blood splattered across the walls and carpet. The rat scurried into one of these doorless rooms, where it would join the rest of its pack, writhing and wiggling over something laying on the floor.

569Random Stranger #36

There was a tranquility, a peace, in an existance just off from the smaller islands, on one of the bigger ones. Not exactly raped by civilization, but a peaceful place made of hand-built homes, restaurants with fresh cooked food, and a currency system all to it's own, there was... repair. And Nexxus saught this, as life was so fresh, and raw, experiences so new.

He had come in the middle of the night, and had made himself a home within the first few hours, and had been regarded with speculation by the locals as he worked a fire like some blacksmith, but using his barehands. Making stuff. He had voyaged inward of the small town only once, to fetch physical sustenance, a concept he didn't know, but knew he needed.

Hunger had gripped the child, though he looked to be in his thirties, fourties atleast. The white hair threw it off greatly. Regardless, he was an impressive, impressive man. He leaned against a pillar of glass, made of sand and heat, and watched outward, just relaxing before he had to get back to work.

In his hand was a cucumber, being eaten whole, rather than sliced.

570Maximos

Shadow Island had passed over this island before. It was quickly growing from barren, to inhabited to downright civil. Maximos decided to check it out, maybe he could assist its economy and save Walter and himself unnecessary trips Latent or Barthavros as the need may be.

Twin purple and black streaks tore the sky, as Maximos zoomed over, the streaks bringing themselves ever closer to the island before extinguishing entirely.

The extra momentum carrying the Shadow forward, and landing him on the island with a loud thump. Just a hundred feet or so outside of town. He wore his standard travel clothes, a dark blue pinstripe vest over a long black shirt, and a set of black pants and boots.

Shops and such...thats what he was looking for.

571Random Stranger #36

Nexxus would blink, as the man landed just a stones throw away from him, as he himself was a few yards from the blossoming town. He would watch the man from his safe distance, continuing to munch on his cucumber.

(For the sake of describing the place I'm going to be roleplaying from, I'm gonna describe the spot Nexxus has made his own.)

His haven, though slightly large, was simple. Pillars of sand had been lifted and heated, making up the outward supports, appearing to be entirely made of glass. The hovel was in sand, yes, but it was solid, secure, and about Twenty feet long, and Ten wide. As you went in, towards the land, The roofed building got deeper, and at the back was a firepit and simple living neccessities... A cot, his possessions, and his recent purchases. Variety here, not just one particular food, but many. Curiousity had grabbed his palette. The supports hold up a roof of less pristine glass, obviously made pellmell, by raising dirt and flash-heating it. It fell in jagged spears, and but served. This one was not seethrough, covered on top by dirt and foliage, keeping it peacefully.... Dark inside.

As the man, dressed in black drew closer, it was quickly realized that the newcomer was not a man, but a creature. Nexxus had flesh of a black so dark it was tainted blue, and where one bore hair and sweat from his pores, Nexxus bore no hair, and seeped a constant black mist from beneath his flesh. Many common people had pupils, whites, and irises, but Nexxus' eyes were simply... yellow, and they left trails on ones eyes when he moved his head. (Much like tail-lights at high speeds.) His hair was white, and his body was muscled, enough to be obvious what he was intended for. He wore a simple, rough spun shirt that was ripped half-way down the front, but sewn up with a simple thin strip of leather. He didn't wear his weapon beneath the shirt at the moment, but instead it rested at the back of his hastily made hovel. Legs were covered with brown leather pants, somewhat baggy and relaxed in a manner that the clothing should not be. Feet were barren, revealing two, thick toes, as if the man wore some badly stitched tabi-socks. Boots, too, resided in the back.

As the other visitor drew closer, Nexxus would finish his current bite of cucumber, raise a hand, and speak a soft greeting. "Hello."

572Maximos

Oh, hello!

Maximos said with the friendliest tone and the warmest of smiles. He had a way of engaging a person in which it almost sounded and looked as if he had known this person for years! Even if they had just met.

He could see, taste, even smell the darkness dripping from the lads body but didnt flinch in the slightest, acting no more surprised than one would act if they saw a squirrel run up a tree. Perhaps he didnt want to be rude, perhaps he pitied the boy. Or perhaps...

Would you happen to know where I can find a good market?

Perhaps, he wanted to find a good place to go to market. Either way, he was very friendly.

573Random Stranger #36

Nexxus would motion to the survivng village.

"There's a fairly decent concept of a main street. People set up stalls, and stuff. Local produce, some meats that are cured... There's a restaurant too... It's not much, but it's cozy. I can share if you're interested in some tourist-on-tourist company. I'm new. I don't even know what these are called."

He'd hold up the cucumber keenly, rather fond of the vegetable.

"They're nice and juicy, though."

574Maximos

Maximos smirked.

Oh! Excellent.

He'd tilt his head a bit in the direction he was gestured too, a light scan and he could see a few people arranged in a market type of location. It was indeed quite cozy, it reminded him of home...what without the shadow curse, and pain of the plague...he turned back to his new dark accomplishment and nodded gingerly.

Sounds like a plan...

He said taking a few steps and then turning back.

...shall we?

Another step or two, and he would turn and gesture toward the vegetable in the boys hands.

Oh, and thats a cucumber. Mr...

He would hang the sentence out a bit leaving space for a name.

575Random Stranger #36

"Nexxus. With two Xs." He followed his name with the defensive words much as a child might, defending the only solid thing he could really hold onto. Immediately chomping into the cucumber, he'd follow the man in relative silence, pausing as his feet felt the difference in the textures as what he was walking on changed.

"And you are?" He paused as they began to walk onto the beaten path of a very rough road, the start into the village. He wiggled his feet, and even stomped them a little bit, quirked by the packed dirt.

576Maximos

Maximos.

He said with a smile, nodding as he let the mans named roll around in his head a bit, making sure he got the right pronunciation.

One X. A pleasure to meet you Mr. Nexxus.

He could hear the scrunch of gravel under his boot, and see the rather easy going towns people selling wares. He wasnt actually sure they could give the sort of supply on the scale he was looking for but...looks can be deceiving.

So, Mr. Nexxus, did you mean you were new to this island, or new to this world?

577Random Stranger #36

"New to life, Maximos. I'm only a few hours old."

If he was trying to feed an army, this was obviously not the place to look. They had enough to supply a ship, if such a requirement came, though they did lack a harbor of any type... But... Give them time, eh?

His eyes drifted back towards his modest hall, before he'd follow Maximos into the town again, smiling charmingly at the villagers as they passed and went about their lives.

"What about you? What brings you to such an obviously under established place? ... And for that matter, how did you arrive? It was most curious, to see you land. You didn't seem to be using any of the modes of transportation I have seen."

578Maximos

Hours? Really?

Maximos said with a quizzical look on his face. He had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and this being was certainly something he could learn about.

And yet you've mastered the common tongue so quickly. And easily. I'm impressed.

He seemed a bit embarrassed, he hated to reveal his inventions before they were perfected. He sort of nervously tapped one of his boots against the other.

Its a basic enchantment gather and expelling basic dark to create the illusion of flight. I was really looking for a market closer to home than Latent or Barthavros. We tend to eat...big meals.

He smirked, laughing to himself a bit.

Under established...interesting, have you been to other places perhaps, or had other lives that allowed you to compare?

He was just so very curious!

579Random Stranger #36

"I have been created with a purpose intended, and so have been gifted with various knowledges to suit those needs. the basic languages come easy for me. As well as combat, which is part of my primary point in existance."

His arms crossed behind his back, one hand grabbing the opposite wrist as he walked, and for a moment, he felt very naked without the possessions he had been birthed with...

"I have been to two cities, so far, though only briefly. One, I believe is called Barton, if I remember right, and I never learned the other's name."

He listened to the curious explination of.... enchantmentsm and expelling of flesh, and illusions... And likewise, his intrigue was piqued.

"You shoot your life force out of your feet to produce the mirage that you are a bird? .... Most curious... I... Open doors in the shadows, and walk through." A simple explination, for what he did. He didn't know how else to explain it.

580Maximos

Very interesting...

Maximos said folding his arms across his chest, his right arm gently tapping his chin. He was very much the listener, taking in information and remembering as much as he could. A being created, and for combat. And even more so, created from nothing but darkness.

Combat....hmm....

Just a small notice to show he was indeed paying attention. And like a proper friendly gentlemen he would wait for Nexxus to finish before interjecting. That is of course after chuckling at the creatures description of his enchantment.

Not quite my friend. But close enough. If I may ask though, who created you, and what is your purpose?

581Random Stranger #36

"An entity, known to me as the Void. A large, dark, dark place. The Void is displeased, because creatures it had graced long ago have given darkness a name for evil. The void is displeased because it's gifts are tarnished by such creatures... I have been sent to dispose of those who would use darkness to achieve evil ends."

He pauses, at a stall, motioning to the varieties of vegetables.

"This is where I got most of my vegetables. They were fresh, generally unbattered, and were the best choice I could find." He says, smiling to the woman who ran the stall.

"... Though I am meant to destroy those who abuse the Void's gifts, I do not seek them out openly, but confront them when I find them. It is wrong to accuse, without proof."

He yawns and stretches, huffing a sigh as he falls slack, slouching almost entirely; his fingers tickled at his knees for a moment, before he'd straighten, turning at the waist while keeping his legs planted, a motion that would usually pop ones back, but did not emulate the noise as the man emulated the action.

582Maximos

An entity out to give darkness a good name...

He paused, tapping his chin for a moment. It was an interesting quandry, the idea of something usually associated with malalignment being unnerved and wanting its name cleared. Not impossible but interesting.

Dispose of how? If I may ask.

Maximos took the moment, to test squeeze a few of the fruits and vegetables, testing for strength size, that sort of thing. They were rather fresh, and rather ripe. Of course in the back of his mind, he had to how they grew these without a viable port. Island sand is not usually culpable for growing crops. He of course, waited for an answer before speaking again.

583Random Stranger #36

"Execution."

His voice is simple and calm at the statement.

"After Interrogation of course. If they can't be turned to the side of good... Well, I've also been well versed in the methods of the execution of various creatures of darkness."

Nexxus would smile at the vendor, and buy another cucumber, not bother to check it as Maximos did. He had an eye for these things.

"For the sake of espionage and sabotage I've also been gifted with the ability to change my appearance and physical and unnatural abilities to fit that of the variety of creatures that use the Darkness' power."

584Maximos

I see...

Maximos' eyes scanned the ground. It was more than obvious from the look on his face that he most certainly did not agree. With this methodology. He had no real intention of buying anything right now, to do so would empty this poor mans stock and he had no way of carrying it all.

No God, Mortal, or Being, no one at all has the right to decide who should live and who should die, no matter their actions.

He picked up an apple and handed the shop keeper a small gem in payment. A ruby, about the size of a quarter, likely more riches than this shop would ever see.

Interrogation...obedience...or slaughter. No offense Mr. Nexxus, but your tactics are no different than the people your slaying.

He took his first bite of the apple, chewing it rather quickly and swallowing.

If you serve the source of the darkness, that source should be able to remove said powers without having to murder someone unfortunate to be introduced to it.

He shook his head, snapping off the stem of the apple and tossing it to the round.

I think your purpose is flawed, Mr. Nexxus.

585Random Stranger #36

"Nobody, and Nothing, is Perfect, Maximos. And please, just Nexxus."

He would smile as Maximos made a purchase, thought also writ in his face.

"You say that nobody has the right to choose who dies... But we do have the right to choose whether or not we allow the innocent to be slain, and the guilty to survive."

He would pause, extending his hand forward to Maximos.

"I want to say... That you have killed someone... That you regret it... Is this right?"

His face was contorted, lost within the very thing that had spiked such a thought.

586Maximos

Perfection does not necessitate the need for life or death.

The apple...really wasnt as good as he was hoping. So he just sort of stood a few feet from the shop gesturing with the apple in hand.

No sir. We do not have the right to decide who is guilty and who is not. That is all simply a matter of opinion...

Maximos just sort of eyed the hand, almost expecting an attack for a moment. Taking a moment to place the apple near his lips...before remembering the bitter taste and just moving it away again.

Many...people...but regret has nothing to do with my opinion, to be honest.

He had that same smile. It never really wavered much, or for long.

587Random Stranger #36

Nexxus frowned and watched the man, saying nothing before he motioned.

"Would you like to come back to my hall with me, for a while? I feel it would be better to rest in the shade with our meal... Plus, I don't feel too safe being this far from my equipment, anyway. Not even here." He says with a calm sigh, running a hand through his hair.

588Maximos

Your...hall?

Maximos said, cocking his head to the side after scanning his eyes aross the area looking for anything that might pass for a "Hall".

589Random Stranger #36

Nexxus laughed, and merely began to walk away, walking a yard or two before pausing to see if the man was following. If he was, Nexxus would lead the man back to the glass, open-walled, pillar supported "Hall."

Down into it he would go, sitting upon a crate next to the fire and resting his hand on the leather-wrapped handle of a large piece of crystal, stuck into the dirt.

"So."

He states simply, looking into the fire.

590Maximos

Maximos followed with a partially interested look on his face. He ventured into the "Hall", and followed Nexxus to where the man perched on the boxes. And...well...he quite honestly did not know what he was supposed to say or do. He was in an odd strangers domicile, and so he fidgeted a bit looking rather uncomfortable. Last he knew, their conversation had led to an offer to accompany the..."man", here and now that they were here....? Wherever here truly was.

As his host spoke, he just sort of turned his head to face him, eyes attentive.

Yes?

591Random Stranger #36

Nexxus would look upward, slowly, causing the streak from his eyes to be chased by their tail a few inches, before he motioned. "Sit, sit." He says with a small nervous chuckle. "I apologize.... I was assuming you'd just relax with me. Make small discussions, and such. Where did you come from, to get here?"

His hand tightened on the sword-in-the-sand, before he'd pull it up and place it infront of himself, back in the sand. It was glass... Mirror reflective, but... dark. Dark as Nexxus. And it seemed alive, in the fact that beneath the purplish-black surface, shadows moved, following objects as they were reflected. If asked, Nexxus would call the weapon, "The Looking Glass."

592Maximos

Oh, Alright. Thank you.

Maximos said searching for something that didnt seem to fragile, and he sat. It wasnt Nexxus' fault, it was more Maximos and his comfortability with new foreign or uncertain locations. After years of adventuring he was just funny that way.

No no, my apologies. I came from an island about a mile north of the island we were just on. It's floating above the ocean, I had come to island looking for a place I could pick up fresh food stuffs for by butler to use. But to meet the scale he requires. I'll probably need to continue frequenting the larger markets.

He nodded. There really wasnt much more to that. His eyes sort of scanned left to right before settling down on the weapon Nexxus pulled from the ground. Maximos wasnt really very good at small talk.

Thats a very interesting weapon, what do you call it?

593Random Stranger #36

Nexxus blinked.

"Floating? ... Another one of your... enchantments, I suppose?" His eyes drifted again from the fire, to Maximos. At the topic change, however, he shifted his gaze to the weapon, before pulling it out once more, and giving it to the man.

"I call it The Looking Glass. Sand, Heat, and the stuff from inside me made it." His eyes drifted acrossed the blade, reflected back to his vision as a murky greenish-grey.

594Maximos

Yes indeed it was. It took quite a while to make.

His hand sort of nervously fidgeted around as he scanned the flame, his "host", the weapon.

I see. Its very nice looking.

He was simply not a conversationalist. It just wasnt in Maximos' character. And so he just seemed highly out of place.

595Random Stranger #36

"You seem agitated. Would you like to do something else? .... I currently have no other purpose, so... I'm game for whatever."

The weapon would once again be placed in the sand.

596Maximos

Both of Maximos' hands rested on his knees. His bicolored eyes meeting Nexxus' yellow, lights.

My apologies, I'm being a bad guest.

He rubbed his palms against the fabric of his knees.

I'm simply not much of a conversationalist I'm afraid. I'm decent with adding a few interjections here and there...and well...

He looked around the room, his eyes hanging on the fire for a bit before returning to Nexxus.

...this is a lovely home you have here its just...well...I dont really know you. And I do happen to be practitioner of "The Darkness", as you so put it. I'm honestly expecting a trap, and to be suddenly attack for not listening to your "void".

That was really the gist of it. Only after a second or two he realized how bad that sounded, and scratched the back of his head.

...Sorry.[/code]

597Random Stranger #36

The Hall was not, in any real sense of the words, a home. It was glass pillars supporting a slab of rough-hewn glass over it, and dug out slightly.

Nexxus laughed, and actually rubbed the back of his head, bashfully.

"I wouldn't attack you! You're not doing nothing wrong that I've seen. It is the deed, I require, to dish judgement. And only after the deed has infact been proven done in ill. Using the darkness does not make you bad. To what ends you use it, that decides what I feel I must do...."

After the Sorry, Nexxus would look upwards, eyes soft, emotion obvious in them.

"I'm not some mindless drone, Maxi. I have my will, as all creatures here do. The Void merely gave me... A suggestion, if you will. Right all the wrongs that the Dark-gifted do. Past deeds do not matter to me. Future deeds, undone, shall not be acted upon. What you do in the here and the now... That is all that matters to me." He'd smile, softly, and motion upwards.

"Can you show me your place of enchantments? Can you teach me to control what makes my very existance, Mister Practitioner of The Darkness?" His smile became a playful grin, and he'd even laugh a little bit.

"Lighten up." And even then, he'd laugh at the irony of that statement, a full on, humor-found belly laugh.

598Maximos

Oh. I understand.

Maximos completely, didnt agree with the idea of killing anyone for any reason. Ever. But, he was in this mans....residence, and so he couldnt really say that out loud, or show that in the slightest without being extremely rude. And so he didnt. But then he wanted to see his home...despite his manners he had to speak up.

I'm sorry but its entirely too dangerous. I...

He rubbed his hands on his knees again.

...I cant teach anything to someone who might use the knowledge to kill. Or anyone that would kill to begin with.

He shook his head, still trying to maintain civility.

Its just against who I am. I'm sorry Mr. Nexxus.

599Random Stranger #36

Nexxus would frown slightly, but nod.

"I understand, as well. So why the pacifist mind, Maximos? ... Surely you must understand my need to exist, to even the scales in the favor of the weaker hand.... I'm not trying to coax you, I assure you. I'm just curious."

And then, nails on chalkboard.

"Please, I've told you once, I'll tell you again. Just call me Nexxus."

600Maximos

Using a proper surname was just a very bad habit Maximos was stuck on.

Of course, Nexxus.

He immediately corrected himself before continuing. His opinions were completely open to those that were curious about them.

I do believe the supposed "weaker hand", requires assistance from time to time. However, I do no see why that assistance necessitates killing. Which is to say, that anything that exists to "dispose", of others...

His arm twitched once.

...need not exist. Not all problems require violence, to solve them.

601Random Stranger #36

"They say... That we should do unto others, as we want others to do unto us. If you want love, you give love. If you seek hate, you give hate. But see, this is flawed. People can be set in their ways. You give love, but you recieve anger. I believe none of it..."

He'd pause, rising, plucking the blade from the sand. Walking a little ways away, he'd begin to move through the motions of combat. The weapon was beautiful, the jagged edges singing in the wind, a haunting, wobbling sound. Eerie. After a few one handed slashes and jabs, he'd turn, place the tip in the sand, and rest his hands on the hilt looking to Maximos.

"You do, as others do unto you. If you meet someone, you treat them kindly until they give you a reason not to. If a man rushes you with a blade, you meet him with equal force. If he desires to take it from you, or someone else, He must be willing to lose his own as well."

He'd sigh, looking down.

"You have a point, though there is weakness to it. Pacification of a hostile target can be done, to investigate their means and reasons. But what if during that pacification, trying to do everything you can to stop an attacker... What if the very thing you interrupted this man doing, was done while you were walking the motions of a peaceful approach?"

602Maximos

Honestly, that was very simple. It may have sounded like a cold answer, but it was honestly the best.

Then you did not try hard enough.

His eye scan over the blade in the sand.

Ending life is easy...

His words hung for a moment as he turned back to Nexxus.

But are you strong enough to save it?

603Random Stranger #36

"To ask that of yourself is to become Atlas, and carry the whole world upon your shoulders. Am I strong enough to save lives, without flaw, without fail? No, but I can do my damnedest to try."

Nexxus would lift the blade, nimbly, pointing at Maximos.

"There is no ease in taking life. Everyone has potential. Every life has a promise, and a purpose. It is a heavy thing, that weighs your days like sand in your shoes, and to think otherwise is folly. You ask me if I am strong enough to save lives... The strength I gain from carrying death on my shoulders, day in and day out, make sure that I am."

"You ask if I am strong enough, to protect those who matter. I answer you yes, because I walk both sides, not just one. You've walked both, and you're disgusted with yourself because of it. Death is part of life. It's hard, to resign someone to that, but it must be done, for the greater good."

Nexxus was not a barbarian slaughterer of evil. He prayed over the corpses of those fallen, opening a respite in death. He carried the weight on his shoulders, rather than just blowing it off as a "Rough day at work."

604Maximos

Random Stranger #36 Wrote:

"To ask that of yourself is to become Atlas, and carry the whole world upon your shoulders. Am I strong enough to save lives, without flaw, without fail? No, but I can do my damnedest to try."

Nexxus would lift the blade, nimbly, pointing at Maximos.

Maximos' eyes locked on the blade. He didnt hear any of the other words the man spoke beyond that. In Maximos' experience...that was a threat. His eyes slid from the blade to Nexxus.

That kindness was beginning to slip away.

Please do not point a weapon at me Nexxus. I dont see a reason we should fight.

605Random Stranger #36

Nexxus lowered the blade, slightly away and to the right.

"There isn't. Nor should you consider me a threat, if you truly believe in what you believe in."

Nexxus would sigh, looking upward at the ceiling.

606Maximos

Random Stranger #36 Wrote:

Nexxus lowered the blade, slightly away and to the right.

"There isn't. Nor should you consider me a threat, if you truly believe in what you believe in."

Nexxus would sigh, looking upward at the ceiling.

Really, why is that?

The Shadow said cocking his head to the side.

Simply because I wont kill you, does not mean you would not try to kill me.

He stifled a laugh, shaking his head.

I said that I do not kill, that no one should. Not that no one would. Afterall you said your purpose was to dispose of a certain kind of individual wasnt it?

607Random Stranger #36

Nexxus would laugh. A deep, hearty thing, though not the love of humor that tainted his tone, but sweet anguish and desperation, frustration and irritation.

"But you see, right there you hold the ticket in your hand! You are of pure heart, so obviously, You refuse to use the darkness to kill, one of the greatest evils. You believe no man should raise his hand in violence."

"Where in there, are you an agent of evil? Where in there, do you write your name on your death certificate?"

608Maximos

Meanwhile confusion reigned across Maximos' face. He didnt understand what was so funny, but at the same time he didnt understand the confusion. One man was against killing, the other was not.

But Nexxus, if I hold the ticket in my actions, what is our trouble? I simply believe no many should have to raise his hand in violence to solve a problem. And that no one at all, should have to kill.

He tilted his head to the side a bit.

My point was that as your purpose is to kill those that abuse the Darkness. Another's purpose may be to kill me. I was simply trying to state that just because I do not kill, does not mean people will refrain from trying to kill me.

609Random Stranger #36

"Don't worry. If someone tried to kill you... I'd kill them. You're really too kind to deserve to die, even for your beliefs. I apologize if that lessens me in your eyes. We differ, yes, greatly in our views of Life and Death, but I hope that won't wound our potential friendship."

He'd swirl in a circle, causing the blade to hum with that eerie note, before slashing and jabbing at ghosts towards the front of the over-glorified beach-patio.

610Maximos

Now THAT was funny. Maximos had to laugh, he tried to stifle it but it broke through that was rather hilarious. He held his hand up to his mouth trying to keep from being rude. Very slowly it died down.

Oh no, that wouldnt be necessary. I prefer not to fight, but I can defend myself quite well. Their are passive methods of combat. As much of an oxymoron as that seems to be.

With a bright smile, he placed his hands back on his knees.

No, I dont see why it would. Unless of course you feel the need to murder someone in front of me.

He seemed to laugh, as though trying to laugh that off.

611Random Stranger #36

"Murder? No. Murder is a most evil crime. I do not murder." He'd meet blades with some invisible foe, pulling the blade up close and using a second hand to brace it, before pushing and lifting a leg in a graceful set of snap-kicks, onetwothree. He'd sigh after this, resting the blade at an angle in the sand, relaxed in his hand.

"Maximos, I am bored."

612Maximos

I suppose that is just part of my "opinion", ending lives before their time is something I consider to be "murder".

But, he wouldnt delve deeper into that. But if they were going to agree to disagree he would certainly mention what exactly he didnt agree with. He watched Nexxus' katra. He seemed something like a bored child. He was bored so he started playing with his toys, his skills. Which was most interesting, though understandable as he was only hours old.

He finally voiced that he was bored though, and the Shadow had no real viable response except.

Oh...I'm sorry. Is there something you would rather be doing?

613Random Stranger #36

"Learning. I am hungry, though these.... cucumbers... They do not sate my mind." He would toss the object, the vegetable upward, bringing the weapon gracefully left, right, left, right, using a turn of his wrist to draw the singular, sharp edge acrossed each return, the hunk of fruit diced evenly into the sand.

"I'm sure some beggar would rob me of my possessions if I left, and he can use them more than I... Atleast the common ones." Nexxus would move back within the circle of light of the fire, pulling off his shirt and picking up the Reels, in silence. "I doubt, muchly, that a beggar would find these of use." The armor piece would then be donned and buttoned and clasped and buckled in the front, before shirt was pulled back on. "But the food, they can have that."

614Maximos

Well...

Maximos said with a smirk.

You can never tell what sort of things a pawn shop would buy. I hear there is a real market for unique and or legendary weapons.

He smiled in that odd manner, sort blurring whether or not he was joking or serious.

615Random Stranger #36

Nexxus frowned and snorted.

"And a beggar would be scammed. These are more useful owned, than put at a high price."

His eyes drifted over Maximos.

"Do you know of a place with life? Vibrant, throbbing existance?"

616Maximos

Then whoever buys it would certainly have come into something good.

He cocked his head to the side, a bit confused by the statement that followed.

I dont believe I understand, the nature of your question. Are you asking me if I know a place full of life?

617Random Stranger #36

"Somewhere fun. Where nobody is worried, and there are.... games." His eyes drifted, towards the sunset, towards the sea.

"Where I can fight, if I want." His lips practically purred the words out. He was tired of fighting ghosts. He wanted to devestate something fleshy and vulnerable.

618Maximos

And thats exactly what Maximos saw. The desire to devastate something fleshy and vulnerable. And he did not like it not at all. But there was a place for people like that, and while the shadow had no problem directing to it.

He pointed north.

Far in the north past Barton there is a place called the Leviathan Stadium. There you can fight all you like, whomever you like. And their are plenty of fighters there that can give you a challenge.

619Tenkyl Felix

Tenkyl follows after Sundrea and the rat, looking around very cautiously at the hallway. The blood on the walls and carpet is quite disquieting, to say the least. He looks into the room that the rat scurried into, trying to get a good look inside before actually heading into the room.

620Sunray Tristram

Blood had never bothered her before but seeing and smelling so much of it was making her feel a bit nauseated. As they got further into the ship, Sundrea's eyes adjusted to the dimming light so she could see just as well as she did in brood daylight. It was a good thing too. She had continued to follow the rat but stopped when seeing it join a pack of several more. She wasn't see she wanted to know exactly what they were doing.

621Random Stranger #36

Nexxus frowned, seeing what the man saw in hind-sight, and knowing, on some level, how unattractive it must have seemed to his beliefs.

"I apologize, for being so distastefully hungry for the hunt. I will remember what you have said, and attempt to keep such options open as well. After all, I am fresh-born, and have the ability to make my own choices... I will acknowledge what advice you have given, Maximos, I will acknowledge and heed it, where I have the chance."

622Darshendros the Eternal

There was a sound of something tearing. Several rats scuttled away, carrying between them what looked like a mottled and stiff human arm. More rats carried away other limbs, leaving a dried, mottled, chewed up torso and head of what looked like a dead fisherman behind, with tatters of a plaid soiled shirt draped over his chest.

Somewhere down the hall came a sudden loud clamor, like pots falling to the floor.

623Tenkyl Felix

Tenkyl watches carefully as the rats tear and scuttle away with this battled and ripped corpse, looking up at the sound of the pots and pans down the hall a bit. He looks over at Sundrea, then back down the hall a bit.

Nothing about this smells right... be careful.

624Sunray Tristram

Sundrea's stomach churned when the rats hurried off. This wasn't the sort of adventure that she was looking for. "I don't think this has smelled right from the beginning," she replied, backing away from the body and back into the hall. She almost wasn't sure that she wanted to check out the sound down the hall...but she wasn't going to wimp out now. Tugging on Tenkyl's coat, Sundrea started towards the other room, moving slowly in case rats came running by. She didn't want to step on them.

625Darshendros the Eternal

Silence.

And then, a low moaning sound, coming from a room up ahead; the room the noise came from.

626Tenkyl Felix

Tenkyls claws unsheath as he slowly starts making his way toward the room with the moaning sound in it, looking around as his ears perk up.

"Stay close..."

627Sunray Tristram

When hearing the slow moan, Sundrea instantly thought someone was in need of help. She could never resist the urge to help someone who needed it. Rather than listen to Tenkyl and stay with him, Sundrea hurried past him and ahead toward the sound. "Hello? Is someone there?," she asked out loud when getting closer to the room, stepping almost in front of the doorway. She wasn't too stupid; just in case the moaning was to lure them, her dagger was ready to be unsheathed.

628Darshendros the Eternal

The door was slightly ajar, the room inside dark. A faint voice, female by the sounds of it, weak and barely audible, came from inside.

"Is somebody there? H... help... me..."

629Tenkyl Felix

At hearing the voice, Tenkyl rushes past Sundrea and into the room, his claws unsheathed as he looks around quickly for the source of the voice.

"Hello? Who's there?"

630Sunray Tristram

Sundrea's ear perked at the voice but before she could move, Tenkyl had hurried past. She followed quickly, her eyes darting around while adjusting to the new darkness. "Are you hurt? We can help you... Where are you?," she asked out loud while looking for the source of the voice.

631Darshendros the Eternal

((Sorry for the delay.))

"Help me, please!" the voice cried again, and then she screamed. The scream was accompanied by a feral growl. Something was in there with her!

632Theory-Of-Xerosis

"...How long have I been flying..?"

"...It seems like days now..."

"...My body feels so numb..."

"...Is there any land at all..?

"...Am I even going the right way..?

Words floated through Jacks mind as he flew through the skies above the sea of Gambion. Sanity had long been taken from his mind and all that was left was the will to make it to land. How english was still running through his head is unknown to him as he has indeed been flying for days, maybe weeks, with no socialization at all. All of those seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks of non-stop flying would be enough to kill a man, but Jack was not a normal man. But that did not matter, it seemed impossible for anybody to survive that long without any rest, food, water or anything. And that's when it hit. The days had taken its final toll and Jack fell from the air. Falling he headed towards the fast incoming water.

"...What's happening..?

"...I can't move..."

"...Is this the end..?"

"...No, not yet..."

"...I've gone through too much to die now..."

As words flew through his mind Jack finally hit the water sending a rather big splash out around him. He didn't even know if anybody was in sight when he was flying, he was just doing it without thinking. For all he knew there was a boat just ten meters from where he just landed. Hopefully there was as Jack wouldn't be able to survive underwater and unconcious.

633Theory-Of-Xerosis

Luck was on his side as a boat was actually close by and had now came up beside Jack. The crew memebers pulled him onto the ship and began giving him food, giving him a bed and all those nice things. They said that they would be in Gambino in a day, maybe more maybe less. So without further adu Jack fell asleep and waited to awaken in the isle of Gambino.

634AtaraRaven

Grace jumped out of the ragged slash that appeared on the empty beach and staggered in the sand, wondering if it was even worth the time to ask her companion why she had not bothered to warn her about the unstable footing...and she decided not to bother as she dropped her staff and happily walked towards the waves, smiling and whispering a soft elven greeting to the ocean.

'Andi stepped daintily onto the sand and closed her fold behind her, the rip in space disappearing as if it had never been there. "Well, that was fun, wasn't it?"

smilies/icon_stare.gif "No, as a matter of fact I have to tell you 'Andi, that was one of the least 'fun' things that I have ever done..." Grace turned away from the soothing lap of the waves as they crawled up and down the face of the beach. "What the hell was that all about anyhow? We didn't do anything besides almost get ourselves killed...and what was with that deal I made with old lady 'Blind Fate'?"

The blond woman dipped down to pick up a broken sea shell by her feet, brushing the sand off the sparkling fragment. "If you think about it I am sure that you can see several different advantageous reasons for our little foray into Barton... We did not achieve any monumental goals, but you made some new friends!" 'Andi stood back up and ran her fingers over the scalloped edge of the shell with a smile.

Grace sighed and picked up her staff again as she shook her head and brushed the sand off her weapon... The elf did not understand Verandi, the woman was always doing things that appeared to be completely without forethought or reason and this was no real difference, although the hint that perhaps 'Andi had put them through that task for the express reason of allowing Grace to make friends was rather shocking...Trying to understand her companion was exhausting most days smilies/icon_xp.gif "Can we go someplace where I can clean up and rest for a while?"

"Certainly...There is a nice little town just up the way..." Verandi dropped her shell back to the beach and headed away from the ocean towards Gambino, leading Grace towards her hearts desire smilies/icon_whee.gif

635Hugin the Raven

Across the unforgiving desert he flew, high above the merciless sands.

Across the ocean the black-winged scout glided, searching for something it could not entirely define- at least, not unitl he saw him, her, or it. No message, just a search, a trace. Far below it looked, eyes seeming to zoom in and out like miniature binoculars, unti...

Ah, there. On that shore. It shone brightly, it did. Shiney thing... oooh...

The bird wheeled in closer. People were usually not shiney, which meant this was not a person. Well, not entirely. Who was to say?

If she looked upwards before she left, 'Andi would look up and see the raven circling high above her head. Whether she still knew the signifigance of a raven or not depended on whether or not all of her memories were intact from 'that time'.

636AtaraRaven

'Andi looped her arm through Grace's as they headed into town and looked back over her shoulder for only a moment, and winked at the raven!

Come visit dear boy, I have all sorts of interesting things to tell you... She gently implanted her message on the bird and turned it back towards it's master, mentally placing another piece in her personal puzzle...not too many more and I will have everything that I need! smilies/icon_whee.gif

637Hugin the Raven

And the bird did indeed fly back the way from whence it came...

Well, not before landing in a tree and preening its feathers. After all, it had just had quite a long flight! Some things just had to wait- this was more important. But the message was given, and the raven that was sent had to return with it sooner or later.

So she wanted him to come and get her? That was fine. Perhaps she could help him with a few things in the process...

638Hugin the Raven

A dark-skinned man with purple eyes and wearing mostly white, due to the seasonal temperatures of the Isle de Gambino, was seen walking around, inquiring about where exactly a blonde-haired woman with an odd 'feel' to her was staying. It wasn't like he could do anything else, though his other persona definitely knew where she was.

The only answers he got were "There are a lot of people like that."

Of course, he stopped at a hotel and got himself a room for a few days, fortunate that he had told Adele to hold his calls due to a meeting. She did so of course, without asking why.

Sighing to himself, he wondered where exactly the person he was looking for was on the island, but then shrugged to himself and said, "I suppose she'll find me if I can't find her. Look for something when you don't expect to find it, and it will come to you."

With that, he lay down on one of the two beds in the room and closed his eyes. Sleep? No, too early for that. He was just relaxing, that was all.

639Theory-Of-Xerosis

An hour or so of flying and Jack arrived at the shore to the Gambino Sea. The last time he was here wasn't very fun, starving and about to drown and all. But he was not here to go for a little fly, no not at all, he was here to train for the upcoming Heaven or Hell Tournament. With the little ranged attacks he had these upcoming training sessions will focus on ranged attacks. Nobody will see Jack for around three days when the SEFO vs Leviathan tournament starts. After that Jack will return here to train, train and train!

Walking upon the hot beach Jack makes his way to a cliff that looks over the sea is. Instead of going ontop of the cliff he makes his way below where a cave is. Outside the cave is about thirty-fifty feet of sand. This will be where he will train for fighting.

Once in the cave Jack looks around at the cool shaded cave. It wasn't a very big cave, just thirty meters from the entrance to the end, and it had nothing inside it. Jack whispered to himself. But then he thought of how more intense the training would be if he just used what he had on him. Smiling at the idea he began his training.

Removing his leath top and various things on him, including his cigarettes. Now standing in only his pants and single gauntlet Jacks body was revealed to the world. His torso covered in bandages from a recent fight, his left arm was also covered in bandages. Within the cave he began doing stretches for the upcoming training. Stretching most of his body, except his left arm incase od interupting the process it is going through currently, Jack was ready for training. Walking out of the cave and onto the forty or so feet of sand infront of him Jack looked to the sky. The cliff behind him covered the sand with shadows allowing the training to be not as hot as it could be. Pretty handy.

Walking out half way to the middle of the beach Jack looked around to see if anybody was around. Seeing nobody he began to see if he could preform the 'spirit gun' attack that Yusuke had used. Since Yusuke was fighting in the upcoming HOH Jack would have to counter the spirit gun attack if they ever fought. Holding up his right arm his fingers got into a gun like position that little kids do when they are playing cops and robbers. Breathing out Jack began focusing his energy into the tip of his finger. Energy continued to pour into his finger till it was glowing red, but a ball was not forming at the tip. Yelling out in fustration all the energy was released in an explosion erupting out of the finger tip. Flying back from the explosion Jack grunted and stood up again. This was going to be a long three months.

640Theory-Of-Xerosis

-Day I; End-

A day had passed of training and now Jack was within the cave. His bandages were hanging loosely and covered in burn marks. Infront of Jack a fire burnt brightly while a fish of normal sizes was slowly being cooked above it. While Jack watched the fish he pulled out an orange cylinder with tablets inside. Taking out three he popped the pills into his mouth and continued to wait.

Outside the sand was filled with black scorched holes everywhere. But there was on scorch mark that was longer than the others. The mark wasn't as wide as some but whatever caused it had gone foward about five meters before exploding. Jack had so far done one Spirit gun attack, a crappy one at that. But at least there was one to be proud of.

641Theory-Of-Xerosis

-Day II-

Overnight Jack had changed clothes to a black robe, red on the inside. Stretching once again jack prepeared for another day of training. The previous day he had done one spirit gun attack, which only last five meters before exploding like the previous attempts. But now Jack knew how to create a solid form of the attack, yet in a different looking style to Yusukes. So with this new found knowledge Jack set out this day to find out how far he could shoot the attack, instead of having it explode five meters away.

Heading outside once again Jack stood in the middle of the sand, but a bit to the left away from an explosion hole. The sun was nearly upon him so the coolness of the shade around him would only last so long. Sighing Jack held his left hand up in the fashion of a gun. Focusing a small ammount of energy into the very tip of the pointing finger a small marble sized red coloured ball of energy formed. Adding more energy the ball grew and grew till it was the size of a softball. Last time it was at a softball size the gun was released straight away. The power of the open energy began taking effect on Jacks bandages and clothes. His right armed bandages began flapping around while his black and red robe began fluttering around also. Jacks left arm wasn't being held up so the bandages weren't being hit by the wind, just incase the evolution process ******** up.

Focusing Jack pushed a blast of energy into his finger which released the spirit gun type attack. Instead of being a ball of energy like Yusukes the red ball was surrounded by red and black electricity. Getting ten meters away from Jack the ball exploded in an okay sized explosion of red energy. Smiling at getting this far with just a day of training Jack continued to use that type of spirit gun, trying to get a tiny bit further away every time. Maybe tomorrow he would focus on adding more power.

642Tomorrow

"Interesting technique you have there..." A deep voice rumbled behind Jack, like a low roll of thunder.

The boy had been concentrating ferociously, but even then this man's presence would've been hard to detect. He'd suddenly appeared, as if from thin air, as if he had stepped out from behind the wind like one would from behind a curtain. He stood a few meters behind Jack, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked down on him.

Like a mountain, he obstructed the sunlight flowing down upon Jack, his long blonde hair hanging limply around his head, an untrimmed beard covering his face. He was dressed rather simply - black trousers and a white shirt. They looked tailored.

He regarded Jack impassively, almost like a teacher watching his student, or a critic watching a performer.

643Theory-Of-Xerosis

Just finishing another mini Spirit Gun Jack heard the voice of a man behind him, a low one at that. Lowering his hands the Jack turned slightly followed by his head turning to look at the man behind him. The six foot seven Jack Looked over the large man behind him with a lazy gaze.

"Intresting, yes, mine, no."

Jack replied to the mans comments. It had been over a week now and the spirit gun had barely made any progress. Jacks eyes wandered over the man, the left blood red eye mainly checking out the mans physique and such. The right, icy blue, simply followed with the red. It had been quite a while since Jack had interacted with anybody.

644Tomorrow

"Not...yours?" The large man echoed curiously, tilting his head slightly to one side as his mouth curled into a slight smile. "Then where did you acquire it?"

The giant chose his words carefully, his icy-blue eyes regarding Jack with sublime interest.

645Theory-Of-Xerosis

"A person who I fought with used it, so I watched, wondered and tried it out."

Turning fully around now Jack revealed his front. His black and red robe still sat upon his body, sleaves ripped off. Bandages covered all skin apart from his face, which would be his arms and revealed chest. A black and red gauntlet lay on his right hand to finish his dressing off.

646Tomorrow

The man's left arm swung around to scratch his nose, a metal hand shining gently in the sunlight, before he placed it behind him again. "Mmn..." He murmured to himself, as if satisfied with the answer Jack had given him.

Walking forward, he approached Jack...before walking past him, moving to the area behind him and crouching. He seemed to be inspecting the explosion area, running the fingers of his right hand, his flesh hand, through the sand and scorched glass created by the explosive force.

"What else can you do?" He called back to Jack, almost as an afterthought.

647Theory-Of-Xerosis

Jacks eyes followed the man as he walked to an explosion crater. As the man ran his fingers through the scorch marks Jack watched with a wonderous look. Quite a different man this one.

"What else? Eh, a s**t load of things. Too much to say, even though I have all the time in the world to do so."

With all of these questions, thoughts began to form in Jacks head as they did usually. Deducting all the things the man either wanted a fight or something else, the fighting at the top of the list as usual.

648Tomorrow

"A 'shitload' you say..." The man echoed, picking up a piece of scorched glass with his auto-mail hand, lifting it to inspect it with those icy blue eyes.

"Can you differentiate between an annual or perennial tree? Could you paint a portrait? Perhaps write the great Gaian novel? Can you father children, raise them in your image, and feel pride at their accomplishments?"

649Theory-Of-Xerosis

As the man talked of children a glare formed on Jacks face. Jack has children who have grown up to adults, but they are his no more. His wife left him and took their children with her. So with just the mention of children an anger began to rise within Jack, as his emotions are rather unstable.

"So what the hell do you want? Just to ask pointless questions or something else?"

Though Jack did not yell, his anger was clearly shown in his voice. Rather Bi-polar.

650Tomorrow

The man discarded the piece of glass he'd been inspecting, tossing it to the floor with the deft flick of the wrist, before standing fully upright, opening his arms out wide and breathing in the sea air.

"I've been in a void for a while...going through some changes." He remarked, turning to face Jack, placing his hands behind his broad back once more, his warm right hand gripping the wrist of his cold metal hand. "Thinking about the myself...and the world i live in."

He smiled at Jack, casual, seeming to ignore the anger that had welled up in him. "And in order to understand this world again, i have found that it is best to start small, and work my way up. And maybe help some people along the way as i do."

He approached Jack once more, walking to stand beside him, turning to face he direction that Jack was facing. "This power you have...how does it work? Can you explain it to me?"

651Theory-Of-Xerosis

"A void..?"

Jack thought to himself before listening to the question on how Jacks 'power worked'. The way the power worked was unknown to Jack, it had been with him since before he could remember. Energy stored up within him then unleashed on his call. It was a strange thing that needed many questions answered.

"My power? Even I could not tell you that. I may want to, but I can't."

652Tomorrow

"If you don't understand it, then how can you control it?" The man asked, brushing a lick of hair from his face with his auto-mail hand before placing it behind his back again. "You don't enter the deep ocean before learning how to swim. You don't perform heart surgery without knowing intricate knowledge of the circulatory system."

The man turned his head to look down at Jack from the corner of his eye. "And you don't mess with spiritual powers without knowing exactly what it is doing to you. He looked forward after that, looking over the destruction that Jack had caused so far. "Personally, i don't think it's a good idea to mess with the spiritual at all...too annoying."

He found a need to explain himself. "For example, say this power you're using isn't infinite. Say you use a part of your soul every time you use it." He shrugged, lifting his eyebrows. "I don't know about you, but i don't know what a soul looks like. I cant feel my soul. So i wouldn't know it's been spent until its...gone."

653Theory-Of-Xerosis

This man before Jack did have some kind of a point though. Hundreds of years ago Jack did lose most of his memory in a rather bad assault with a war hammer. When he came to he could still do what he could do before and also gained powers as he grew and grew. Maybe before the war hammer attack Jack might of been an extremely strong fighter who could use the energy extremely well, but the advanced usages are still to come to him. But to this day life had been going well for him during the use of the spiritual energy, always has.

After this little mental wave Jack returned to the mans sayings.

"I don't know where it comes from or how it happens but it does. I've been using it all my life, well the life I can remember, so I don't really think anything is goin' wrong. s**t happens, but I don't care. Life is life and I've lived my good share."

Jack responded before stretching his arms about. Sometimes loosing memory can be a ****** pain in the a.

{[Been on camp for a week, post may be crap.]}

654Tomorrow

"Life is life...and you've lived your good share." The man echoed, a touch of sadness in his voice, almost as if it was sad that Jack didn't care anymore.

Lifting his hand - his good hand, the normal one, the one closest to Jack - the man held his palm out, facing skyward. A sharp crackle began to sound as blue static slowly laced it's way down his arm to the palm, focusing on it, building slowly. It snapped and spat in the cool sea air as a ball of electricity formed, crackling and screeching.

"Do you value your life, Jack?" The man asked quietly, watching the ball slowly grow to the size of a soft ball.

655Theory-Of-Xerosis

"My life...I've lived a pretty ****** up one, done quite a bit. Some st has happened, and so I've started a new life. So yeah, I have a small value in my needless life."

Jack replied as he watched the man raise his arm and form a ball of electricity energy in his hand. But Jack didn't flinch nor did he care for the ball that was being formed, instead he kept his eyes upon the man. If he was to use that ball of energy to attack then Jack would retaliate.

"And do you value yours?"

656Tomorrow

"Of course." The man replied - before the ball suddenly shot forth with great speed.

It sparked and spat energy the entire one second of it's existence in flight - before hitting the sand and detonating, showering them with sand. The area where it had exploded sparked and screeched for a moment, melting some sand into glass, before everything died down, the only sound the quiet hisssss of the sand falling back to earth.

He lowered his hand, before brushing the sand off his shoulders and out of his hair. "You said you have a 'needless' life. Why do you value your life if it is needless? Are you existing simply because you are alive?" He turned his head to blow some sand out of the crooks and crannies in his auto-mail arm. "What do you pursue? Aside from your obvious martial skills..."

657Theory-Of-Xerosis

Well that was useless in some way.

As the sand showered down Jack did not move or anything but continued to watch the man. "I'm hoping for something better to happen then just seeing friends, family and lovers die around me. Out there in the world is a place just for me to be happy in, whether it be death or something else." Jack said then realised he had not yet gotten this mans name. Quite unpolite. "So anyway, what's your name then?"

658Tomorrow

The man smiled down to Jack. "I've had many name over the years...some good, some bad. You can call me...Donner. Thats fitting for now."

He lifted his right arm, stretching it, pulling it tight across his chest. "You're a rare beast, Jack. You've lived a long life, that much is certain. I can tell from your mannerisms, the way you speak, the way you act - but you have felt the years. You've tried for a normal life, you've fought to be as 'normal' as a person can be - but longevity and immortality is nowhere near normal. I cant believe how many immortals I've met who simply don't seem to care about the years."

Donner looked down to Jack again. "You've lost loved ones. You've felt the years. And, although I'm not completely sure yet, but you seem to have the majority of your sanity intact." His eyes narrowed, shooting cold azure into Jack's gaze. "...A very rare beast indeed."

659Theory-Of-Xerosis

"Mhmm...I'm not really Immortal, just live a long time. How long, I don't know, but in time I will pass away from this world. And you, Donner, seem to be rather old also in both speach and look."

Jack replied before blinking slowly, as if tired and trying to make the tiredness leave him.

660Tomorrow

Donner laughed, reaching his hand up to scratch his beard. "If I shaved this off, you'd speak differently!! But I'm like you, I'm not immortal - I probably haven't even lived as long as you. But I'm sure you know that age does not determine wisdom."

His smile broadened as he looked out to the sea, watching it slosh and roll, endless and timeless altogether. "...I fear I'm keeping you from your training, Jack. I apologize for that. It's been a while since i talked to a Gaian...its nice to talk to someone who isn't interested in death, or is in such melancholy that they bring you down with them."

Turning to face Jack, Donner placed his real hand on his shoulder. It was warm and heavy, the giant's hand seeming to engulf Jack's entire shoulder - but it would also feel familiar, like a father squeezing the shoulder of a son he's proud of, a feeling of sublime contentment pulsing through the grip. "I'll leave you to it." He said finally, before turning to start walking away.

661Theory-Of-Xerosis

"I've seen people who have supposedly lived since the beggining of time. No idea how, but they somehow did. But I've only lived about twothousand years, half of it I can't even remember due to a little accident."

Jack said with a slow nod added. But as donner placed his hand on Jacks left shoulder and squeezed he would find the shoulder would not move under the pressure. Bandages covered his left and right arm, but the left arm was covered the most. Under there was a special arm that needs a long time to tell somebody of how it was gained and what it did.

"Mhmm..."

Watching as Donner walked away Jack thought for a bit.

"Hey, Donner! Ever need a talk, I'll probably still be here!"

662Tomorrow

Donner didn't even turn. He simply lifted a hand, waving goodbye, as he walked.

"I'll be keeping an eye on you, Jack. Don't disappoint me now."

And he would suddenly disappear, as if walking into a hall of invisible curtains, the waving horizon flicking around him, bits and pieces of him seeming to dissapear before reappearing - before he simply vanished completely.

663Theory-Of-Xerosis

{[The next posts are for character development, no interfaring please, apart from Fo.shiz. ^-^.

-A day or two in the future-]}

Standing ontop of the Cliffside that looked over Jacks training place the man himself looked out into sea. During a recent fight Jacks power had changed. From the destruction of his Silver necklace all the darkness in Jack was released to try and defeat his opponent. And with that unleashment all Jack was left with was his 'better' side. After resting Jack's new energy filled his tanks and he had a talk with a man named Xerion, who was none other than his brother. Xerion then told Jack to meet him upon this cliff side for a special talk, away from listening ears. So here Jack is.

His icy blue eyes look over the sea and into the setting sun. Everything seemed different to Jack now. His change in person, finding his long lost brother and what was to come up. Hopefully sometime soon all of this would end happily without anymore bumps.

664Xerion-N

+[Time for lots of posts!]+

Behind Jack Xerion stood covered in his black cloak. Stepping foward beside Jack Xerion looked out over the setting sky, but it wasn't as good with the blue glasses Xerion wore. Raising a gauntleted hand he removed the sunglass/goggles and looked over the setting sun. "Jack...As you know, we are brothers by blood. We may not have the same mother, but we have the same father. This father we have is rather famous, as you should hopefully know by now. But now he lies dead. And all of his spoils of killing have fallen into my hands. And so I have come to fight you to see if you deserve your part to the treasure. Though I have seen you fight I am still not sure of your skills unless I feel your punch right in my face." Xerion told Jack before putting his goggles in his cloaks pocket. Pulling down his hood revealing his dark blue hair to the dimming light.

Both Jack and Xerion have the same powers in a way. They both control Spiritual Energy but Xerion controls water and ice while Jack controls Flame and heat. If Jack was like he was fighting before then the two were to have one hell of a fight, that is if Jack accepts the challenge.

665Theory-Of-Xerosis

{[And I meant a day or two after the Fight with ShadowdragoonVX. ^-^.]}

Looking at his brother beside him Jack sighed before turning around and walking back towards the Isle of Gambino. Jack no longer needed personal posetions on his hand, he didn't need money. So Jack decided to end the conversation here, there was no point to fight for such things as gold, jewels and posetions of fathers who abandon people.

"I don't need his money or anything. All I need is time to think about things to come and things that have happened. There is no point in fighting for no reason but money, there are better things in life than money."

Jacks words floated across the wind to Xerion. His words were of truth, it showed in his voice. But then he turned around slightly, facing sideways to Xerion. A smile formed on Jacks face. A breeze caught up as Jack stopped blowing his open black shirt.

"But I will fight you for the following reason...To test you. If I see it worthy you may be accepted into my Heaven or Hell team, and you could also give me the money as a thank you gift."

666Xerion-N

A frown formed on Xerions face as Jack dropped the offer and began to walk away. He was given instructions that Jack was to fight for the gold, whether he liked it or not. So as Jack walked away Xerion undid his cloak and let it drop to the floor revealing his muscular body. Abs burst out of his gut and his Biceps showed themselves to be rather big. Blue tribal tattoos covered his body, well what was shown that is. Below Xerion wore a pair of black baggy jeans, much like Jacks, and a pair of dress boots. His hands are also covered by a pair of blue and gray gauntlets. But just as Xerion was about to go after Jack Jack turned around.

Listening to what Jack had to say Xerion grinned. A fight between brothers, how original. But also to join Jack's Heaven or Hell team, what an excuse. But that didn't matter it was time for a fight. Flexing his muscles Xerion held his right hand out infront of him and gestured Jack to 'come, b***h'. This should be fun. "Then let's rumble!"

667Theory-Of-Xerosis

{[Dinner time, BRB.

Also, people may watch and all, just no interfaring. ^-^.]}

Grinning also Jack moved all the way around to face Xerion head on. Jack didn't know at all how strong Xerion was, but if they were related he should do rather well.

"And beware, I won't be holding back!"

Jack called out to Xerion before his new blue Spiritual energy rose up around him. First his body as a whole began to glow blue as a shield of saughts. After that was done spiritual energy began to rise from the ground around Jack. But now he only wore a pair of Black Baggy Jeans and a black shirt, no armour at all. At least his left arm was some kind of armour.

"Here I come!"

Jack yelled out before he ran towards Xerion in a sprint closing the short distance very fast. Cocking his right arm Back Jack would unleash a strong right hook towards Xerions face as soon as they were in range. By the look of Xerion he was rather strong in physical appearance, but what of spiritual?

668Xerion-N

+[Okay!]+

As Jacks Spiritual energy made its appearance Xerion's did also. His spiritual energy, also blue, surrounded his body. But with this aura mist began to form at Xerions feet. And with that Xerion also charged at Jack with large steps. As the two came together Xerions right fist flew foward towards Jacks face past Jacks incoming fist. Being the same size and length the two fists would hit at the same time. So when Jacks fist hit Xerion Xerion flew backwards and over the smallish cliff. And Jack would also feel equal power of Xerions sending him back, unless he somehow dodged the attack.

669Theory-Of-Xerosis

{[Back.]}

With the colision Jacks fist hit Xerion on its mark, but Xerion too hit its mark which sent Jack flying backwards. Flying for a few feet Jack would come crashing down into the sandy and grassy ground. Sliding a few more meters Jack would breath in deeply. Xerion was very strong. So to not delay the fight Jack would stand back up and move towards the cliff side. Looking over the edge and downwards Jack would see where Xerion would of ended up.

670Xerion-N

+[Sweet.]+

As Xerion fell the mist that was beneath his feet at the start of the fight would harden up and change into a solid form of ice. Landing on the floating ice Xerion got up onto his feet and shook his head. It had been a while since he had been hit in the face so hard, and there was more pain to come. Shaking it off the ice began to take Xerion back up to the top of the cliff, gaining speed quickly. Just as Jacks head would pop up over the edge Xerion would be flying up to give him a punch right at the chin. After the punch Xerion would continue to go up further on the ice, a few meters, then stop in mid air and watch Jack.

671Theory-Of-Xerosis

Just as Jack looked down a fist wrapped in a gauntlet would collide with his face sending him skyward and back. Landing on the ground on his back Jack would look up at Xerion with an angry frown. Blood dripped from his nose from the heavy punches he had just recieved, which was not a good sign. Wiping the blood away Jack stood up quickly then took another deep breath.

"No more going easy..."

And with that Jack was off! Closing the distance to the edge of the cliff Jacks legs would glow a slightly brighter blue than before.

"Here I come!"

He would then yell before launching skyward at Xerion, both of his arms being cocked back. Once in range Jacks right fist would fly out for a hook towards Xerion once again!

672Xerion-N

A chuckle came from Xerions lips as Jack launched himself upwards. There was no way Jack could keep up in the air with nothing solid to move on, so Xerion did the easy dodge. The ice under his feet moved to his left and out of Jacks way. A second later and the fast Jack would blast by compleletly missing his target. So with Jack in the air Xerion decided to attack. His feet glowed slightly brighter as a spike of ice shot out at Xerion from the block of ice beneath Xerions feet. The spike would then split into three parts as it honed in on the flying Jack. "Is That all you got, Jack?!"

673Theory-Of-Xerosis

"Gah!"

Jack flew right past Xerion and out into the sky. But thinking quickly Jack flung his left arm around to spin him around in mid air. After the spin the left arm would then shoot out towards Xerion and grab ahold of him. If there was a successful grab the arm would bring Jack back towards Xerion quickly to land another punch to Xerion's face, or whatever got hit first. But to block the incoming ice spikes the left arm would form a wall infront of Jack as it shot down towards Xerion. The wall would stop the three ice spikes before the wall would come back into the arm, holding the ice also. The spikes may just be useful in the future.

674Xerion-N

Seeing Jacks left arm shoot out like that startled Xerion quite abit, allowing his arm to get caught by the incoming hand. But as the ice got swallowed into the arm Xerion smiled and closed his left fist. With the fist closed inside Jacks arm the three spikes of ice would suddenly all explode outwards to rip Jacks arm off completely. In turn Jack's arm would release Xerion and allow greater movement. "Still not good enough, Jack!" Xerion taunted Jack, not very appeased with how Jack was doing at all. In this case it should be Xerion testing Jack, not the other way round.

675Theory-Of-Xerosis

As the ice exploded outwards Jacks lower left arm would rip off completely, but Jack did not wince nor did he yell out in pain. This was because the arm was not really attached to his shoulder at all. Just something very helpfull at times. But that did not matter now as Jack was still flying foward towards Xerion, now closer than ever. During the short flight the left arm would begin to reform once again. As he reached Xerion the arm was back to normal, well as normal as it gets. So to get Xerion out of the air Jack flung his arms off and attempted to spear tackle Xerion off the ice and back onto the cliff.

"I might need to use my wings if this keeps up..."

Jack thought to himself as he came in on Xerion. It would help quite a bit.

676Xerion-N

And the mark hit! But Jack showed no signs of pain at all and continued foward! How could this be? But before Xerion could think about it he was completely knocked down by a spear tackle of Jacks. Thinking quickly Xerion used his strength to turn the tides around. Grabbing Jack around the waist Xerion began to twist around so that Jacks left shoulder was behind Xerion. Veins popped up on Xerions arms as he forced Jack around. The force behind the stretch and pull would easily rip a mans arm off, maybe even more. But in the end with momentum Xerion would spin around in the air so Jacks head was going foward to collide with the cliff. And that would hurt.

677Theory-Of-Xerosis

Jack would feel the force of Xerion twisting him around. In respond Jacks left arm would move around Xerions waist till it came back to the other side again. There the arm would connect together, not allowing Xerion to flip Jack around. But then Xerion would spin Jack and himself around in the air, which would be a problem. With just seconds to spare Jacks left arm would unattach with a whiplash giving Jack the momentum to spin back on Xerions back once again. And with just under a second to go the two would collide into the Cliff leaving a rather big dust cloud after the collison.

678Xerion-N

"Huh?!" Just after Xerion switched himself and Jack around Jack spun more and flipped them around. And then they would collide with the ground, Xerion first. The dust cloud would explode outwards from the impact, and would leave Xerion face down in a small crater, not moving. He was still breathing though but that impact was rather heavy and would hurt rather bad in the morning.

679Theory-Of-Xerosis

Within the dust cloud Jack would release Xerion and stand up with his eyes slited to keep dust away. Stepping back out of the small crater and out of the dirt cloud Jack looked on to see if Xerion would come out of the dust. In the mean time Jack would rub his face and click his jaw back into place. Xerion was related to Jack in strength, and had a rather lot of strength at that. And if Xerion were to walk out of that dust cloud then Jack would know they were related, as Jack showed excellent endurance during battle, and could take alot of pain.

680Xerion-N

By that time the sun was just about to leave the world of Gaia for today. Inside the dust cloud Xerion would roll over and look through the gap in the dust Jack had created. Grinning Xerion raised his right hand. On the knuckles of the gauntlet the ice on the edge would begin to freezen up and grow slightly longer. Then the ice would form into one long blade and shoot out of the dust cloud at Jack, just stopping as it touched the tip of Jacks neck. Standing Xerion would walk out of the dust cloud, his arm still out, and a grin still on his face. The blade would get smaller as he drew closer to Jack. Stopping about three meters from Jack Xerion smiled warmly. "How 'bout we end this little spar here and head into the city for a bit, get a bed and some food. I need my sleep and I bet you do too. But anyway, what did you think of that? Good enough for your tastes?" Xerion then said, explaining that he would like to call the match a draw for now, as he was tired and just wanted some sleep.

681Theory-Of-Xerosis

Jacks eyes popped out of their sockets as the icy blade touched his skin. Following the blade was Xerion, who looked to be pretty fine, minus the grazes, blood and dirt everywhere on him. At the question of calling it a draw for today Jack simply nodded before pushing the icy blade away.

"We'll call it a draw, for now. Now, let's head back for the Isle of Gambino. And yeah, you did well."

Jack replied with a smile before walking foward back to where they came from, expecting Xerion to follow.

682Xerion-N

Smiling the blade of ice melted away into water which fell to the ground. Turning Xerion picked up his cloak and wrapped it around his body once more. Pulling out his goggle/sun glasses he put them over his icy blue eyes and followed after Jack. Catching up to Jack he pulled a letter out of his pocket and handed it to Jack. "Here's the gold in cheque form, about five million there, don't lose it or anything." Xerion said with a smile before his hands returned to the coats pocket.

683Theory-Of-Xerosis

"s**t, five million?! How rich was he?!"

Jack asked Xerion before pocketing the letter. Five million was sure as hell alot of money, but what to do with it? The first thing they should do with it though is get some feed and a bed.

{[Yeah, time to go now! Can you post an entrance post for the both of us in the Gambino city, wherever that is? But yeah, see you in school tomorrow.]}

684Xerion-N

+[I'll go do that now, see you tomorrow!]+

"Pretty rich, he was a king after all. But half of what he had went to his wife, so I'm guessing he was rich as." Xerion replied before continuing to walk to Isle De Gambino!

685Eternal Dirge

So many days, so many battles, everything blending together into one long nightmare. He'd ground the bones of ages beneath his feet, killed so many men only to have them rise again, horrible masses of flesh seemingly bound together by nothing more than their hate. Blood made footing slick as he fought his way through the masses, stepping on flesh that still pumped sticky blood out onto the fallen steel armor. His own skin was coated in the stuff from hand to elbow, foot to knee.

Tattered robes drifted in a breeze that didn't exist, snagging blades and creating more rips as Nathaniel, the current demon lord of Wrath, walked through his battle zone, his realm. His body had long since ceased to emit any holy glow, instead replaced with an aura of anger only intensified by the numerous wounds that refused to heal correctly, the few that had being twisted white scars on his flesh. In his right hand he clutched a longsword of nondescript design, likely something he had picked up off the ground, and in the left he was planting a spear into the torso of what could only be described as a monstrosity. The flesh of the creatures arms were fused into the blades it had once held, it's body twisted and mutilated beyond belief.

" Out of my Way!" The fallen angel screamed, snapping his sword arm around to seperate the creatures upper body from it's lower and free his spear. Blood spurted into the air like a fountain as the creature screamed and toppled, sword arms waving around ineffectively before it impacted the ground. " Off my Throne!!" He was on a roll here, moving through the horde was getting faster by the day, but if there was one thing Nathaniel couldn't stand it was when little upstart shits like the one sitting on his throne right now. The little imp seemed quite pleased with his seat, alble to see everything across the vast realm from its' perch.

" Just cause you're up there," Damion paused to spin, slicing the head off of a damned man and kick the body away, " Doesn't make you Wrath!" That was HIS job, after all.

686Tres Ecstuffuan

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

'Damn that was a riot

Tres thought about the Elemental Kings tournament. He let the salty winds blow through his dreaded hair as he leaned on the railing of the cruise boat set to take him back home to the Isle of Gambino. Though, judging by the news his home would be nothing as how he left it. Once again a great calamity had befallen Durem and he may not be able to go back there for a while.

Another thing that kind of bugged Tres was that he hadn't heard from either of his parents in a while. He knew that they could take care of themselves but as a loving son he could not help but worry.

His parents safety and the tournament that he had been preparing for all this time were the only things presently on his mind besides the usual. The heaven or hell tournament was soon approaching and he hadn't even thought of a team.

He would turn around and lean his back on the railing looking towards the deck that featured classy people enjoying themselves and the gorgeous weather.

LIKE THAT DRAGON LAST WEEK

687Lenne Misao

A young woman stood aboard the cruise boat looking out over the ocean lost within her own thoughts.

What a strange place this is, it's not like where I grew up...

The womans sleek toned figure stood at 5ft6 in height, she had long silky black hair that reached down to the small of her back. Her eyes were ice blue with swirls of grey, she had slightly tanned soft smooth skin. She was gentle looking, almost fragile and delicate. Her body had no flaws, it was fit for a Goddess.

Why was she here? Who was she? ....

The woman stared peacefully out over the ocean, as if searching but searching for what?

688Tres Ecstuffuan

Lenne Misao Wrote:

A young woman stood aboard the cruise boat looking out over the ocean lost within her own thoughts.

What a strange place this is, it's not like where I grew up...

The womans sleek toned figure stood at 5ft6 in height, she had long silky black hair that reached down to the small of her back. Her eyes were ice blue with swirls of grey, she had slightly tanned soft smooth skin. She was gentle looking, almost fragile and delicate. Her body had no flaws, it was fit for a Goddess.

Why was she here? Who was she? ....

The woman stared peacefully out over the ocean, as if searching but searching for what?

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

There was some hot chick near by, though just as she saw the woman also looking out into the ocean seemingly in deep thought he saw another female less clothed only in a bathing suit. His attention was stolen by this nameless woman and Tres would move over to speak to that one, quickly losing interest in the one who was in truth more interesting.

The woman would walk over to the center of the deck to sit in the one of many beach chairs. Tres would walk over to her, confident in his own looks and swagger and would begin to talk to her. From the perspective of the young woman who stood aboard the cruise looking out over the ocean, it would go something like this.

Tres: Blah Blah Blah

Woman: Blah Blah Blah

Tres: Blah Blah Blah

Woman: Blah Blah

Tres: Blah Blah Blah Blah

Woman: grabs her drink and throws it in Tres's face

Woman's Husband: walks over, WHAT THE ******** DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING!

LIKE THAT DRAGON LAST WEEK

689Lenne Misao

She would continue to stare deep in thought ignoring all the people around her including the young man that was leaning on the railing, it was only when she heard the young man who had now had a drink thrown over him that her attention and focus was now back and within a second she had spung around to see what was going on.

Her ice blue and grey swirled eyes looked over at first the man then the woman then back to the man, she could see his face was wet and saw the woman with an empty glass.

Oh dear...

A slight grin appeared upon her tender pink silky lips.

"That will teach him".

Her voice was gentle and soft in tone but with that comment it held a slight amusement to it, she would continue to watch and focus as this place was all new to her and she wanted to take it all in. Her arms come up from her sides to be crossed over her chest.

690Tres Ecstuffuan

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

"How about you back off my wife dickhead!"

" 'the ****** are you calling dickhead ******>

The woman sat up as her husband came near. The man would stand on the opposite end of the chair as Tres and would reach over his wife to attempt to shove Tres in the chest in an attempt to move him away from his love one. Tres however reacted without thinking or hesitation, snatching up the mans right hand with his own right and putting him in a wrist lock.

He would not wait for the man to tap out and would twist the limb in such a stark turn that the husband would not have time to succumb and ease his pain to the compliance hold. He would suddenly throw the knee into the mans face as his head was coming down to instinctually attempt to ease the pain of the wrist lock. Tres's knee would smash the mans jaw, causing the man to fall flat onto his wifes lap bleeding profusely.

Tres would quickly walk away and towards the woman who was now watching the scene, just as she would finish the words "that will teach him", Tres would move towards her and slide his arm around hers as if they were a couple walking together. Tres was hoping to hide from the security guard who would soon see this.

He would begin walking away, forcefully pulling the woman with him but trying not to make it too obvious. He hoped the womans wife would be too shocked to scream for help too quickly, giving him the chance to hide amongst the crowd as an adult with a wife.

LIKE THAT DRAGON LAST WEEK

691Lenne Misao

Watching as the scene unfolded before her the grin she once had upon her lips faded to leave her with no expression but just as she was about to move forwards to stop this getting even worse than it already was the young man had come towards her and before she knew it he was with some force taking her along with him. At this moment in time she was startled by his actions but that all soon seemed to fade away.

Once they were safely away she had gone from stunned to pissed, her voice was sharp and had an anger to it.

"Who the hell are you and what do you think you are doing grabbing me like this?"

Just as the last word was spoken she would suddenly clench the fist of her free hand and would aim a hook to the side of his face with her free arm, now if it would of caught him and his grip loosened upon her she would pull free and shuffle back with her eyes firmly fixed upon him given him a stern angered look.

".......Well?"

692Tres Ecstuffuan

Lenne Misao Wrote:

Watching as the scene unfolded before her the grin she once had upon her lips faded to leave her with no expression but just as she was about to move forwards to stop this getting even worse than it already was the young man had come towards her and before she knew it he was with some force taking her along with him. At this moment in time she was startled by his actions but that all soon seemed to fade away.

Once they were safely away she had gone from stunned to pissed, her voice was sharp and had an anger to it.

"Who the hell are you and what do you think you are doing grabbing me like this?"

Just as the last word was spoken she would suddenly clench the fist of her free hand and would aim a hook to the side of his face with her free arm, now if it would of caught him and his grip loosened upon her she would pull free and shuffle back with her eyes firmly fixed upon him given him a stern angered look.

".......Well?"

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

Tres would block the hook, and then transition his blocking right arm into a overhook. Now he would have a double underhook with his chest turned to face hers, he would push her forward onto the railing of the left side of the boat and then look to his left quickly to see if he was being followed. As he expected the ship security was following him though they seemed unsure if he was the one who caused the disturbance...there were lots of men with dreads on this ship.

Tres would attempt to dispel the suspicion by shoving his mouth into the unnamed womans as she would say, "well". He would attempt to force a make out session in hopes that the security would assume that he wasn't the one sense he was with someone and they wouldn't be able to look longer at his face, which was somewhat distinctive.

He would pull away from her face and look to the right, and let go...

He would then go the other way to his left, hoping that the girl liked what she just got and wouldn't call those security guards back.

LIKE THAT DRAGON LAST WEEK

693Lenne Misao

Her hook had been blocked and within a matter of seconds he had countered and the young woman was pushed onto the railings, looking at him she was slightly stunned.

Before she had any chance of attacking back he had looked around and then stuck his mouth into hers.

".........................."

Her slender body tensed up, her eyes widened and shock filled her. She had never had anything like this or been in any kind of thing like that with a man before she had only fought them, the young woman was 17 and not had any sort of dealings with men apart from her training.

The young man would then pull away, she was still tense and frozen by his actions. Her piercing ice blue eyes stared at him as he looked about. He then turned to go, she managed to loosen up and took a step forwards.

"......Where are you going?...."

Her voice was soft and smooth as she spoke with a gentleness to it but then that soon changed as she regained her composure abit more.

"Who do you think you are doing that to me?"

Her tone was sharper now, letting out a slight growl as she finished.

694Tres Ecstuffuan

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

Tres was an unnaturally attractive male. That however, made him stand out. He had no time to talk to this woman, even though what he had done was a bit personal. He would walk off without saying anything, digging in his back pocket and heading into the mens restroom on the inside of the ship in one of the ships massive eateries.

Tres did seem unnaturally fearful of what may happen to him if he got caught, and that was because Tres had not paid his way on this ship and he needed to make sure that he was not caught lest they throw him off.

Once Tres arrived in the rest room he would put on his head wrap to conceal his brown dreads, then he would take off his jacket, which did seem a bit odd since the sea temperature was quiet warm.

He would tie the jacket around his waist and throw some sunglasses on.

He would then go and sit in the stalls, hoping to stall for about an hour and let them forget about him.

LIKE THAT DRAGON LAST WEEK

695Lenne Misao

Watching him walk off another softer growl escaped from her lips, she watched him as he went inside.

"Men...strange especially that one...."

Calm had began to take back control over her as she sighed softly then began walking slowly, her footsteps were so light and barely made a sound. She was walking as the same direction the man had gone in, her mind started to wonder back to her thoughts.

After abit she came to a stop and looked about, seeing security guards walking about. By the look on their faces they had practically given up, seeing this she smiled softly.

"I think you may be safe mister..."

She whispered quietly as she stood watching with a smile upon her lips, it seemed that he had got away safely. But who was he? Where had he gone?

Standing not too far off from the stands she would lean up against the railings a soft gentle smile upon her lips as she enjoyed taking in the sun upon her soft skin and the warmth it provided.

The woman was wearing a thin strap deep red babydoll top, which clung tight around her bust and from just under her bust it was nice and loose. A tight pair of dark brown three quarter length pants and a pair of red knee high boots, her outfit wasn't too bad in this heat.

"Where did you go...."

696Tres Ecstuffuan

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

Embarrassing.

This was one of those cruises with the all you can eat buffet that was intercontinental style. There were also restaurants on the ship too but Tres wasn't going to go there, to many people who you didn't want to get seen by. The buffet's were just perfect though, you could go in, eat your fill and get out and find somewhere to sleep for the night. Luckily, Tres wouldn't have to go through this bullshit for too much longer, soon he would be back in mainland.

The only problem then was finding a place to sleep, since he wasn't going to be able to get to his dorm. He thought about which places he could go to hide in as he scarfed down a plate full of food, which was strange since judging by the mans figure it would seem as if he ate very carefully.

LIKE THAT DRAGON LAST WEEK

697Lenne Misao

On thinking more she started to stroll about looking as if she was looking for someone, had she gone mad? Why was she looking for him?

She would weave her way in and out of people, smelling food she made her way towards the smell but just as she was about to give up her search her senses would pick up on him.

"Gotcha...."

The young woman stalked through the people following her senses until he came into her sights, she began to walk more carefully now so she hardly made a sound, her ice blue eyes stuck on him as she sort of stalked him like a predator would stalk his prey.

Creeping up she would make sure to be ready to defend as she never knew how he would react, on getting closer she whispered softly to him.

"Looks as if the coast is clear, where will you go from here? .....I can help...."

What the hell...

Had she gone mad? What was she thinking?

This guy assualted another guy infront of her very eyes, took her along with him by force and stuck his mouth into hers. Now most people would think she was nuts but that was not true, she was a kind caring person but had alittle bit of cheekiness to her and a nasty temper if someone made her mad...maybe even abit fiesty you could add.

698Tres Ecstuffuan

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

Tres looked behind him while slirping up several long strings of noodles into his face. Some woman had walked up behind him while he was eating and would tell him that the close was clear and then ask of his destination. Tres would look at her for a while.

She was attractive and that meant a lot to Tres by itself. She seemed familiar but because Tres could not recall much, she must have been someone unimportant.

After Tres slurped the last noodle into his mouth he would say.

" 'the fu-, I meant...Who are you?"

Tres had obviously forgotten this woman the woman he frenched only hours earlier.

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699Lenne Misao

The woman looked at him, now she would take in more of his details. Her eyes would after given him the once over make their way back to his eyes and on hearing his question she replied in her gentle manner.

Who was she? A good question indeed.

"I'm Salina..Salina Misao and may I now finally have the pleasure of knowing your name dear sir? Especially since you grabbed me to take me for a walk to escape then pushed your mouth into mine".

Her ice blue eyes would sparkle just slightly as if they had just got the light as she stood looking at him, calmness would be fully upon her. Her hands hung down by her sides as she waited for his answer.

700Tres Ecstuffuan

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

"Oh...Um...I don't know what your talking about lady but if you want to take a seat, be my guest.", Tres said. He was obviously lying, not knowing if it was safe to trust this person. He didn't know her from a can of paint, and she could be anyone. However, Tres was not one to turn away a beautiful girl and it was not in his nature to treat any woman wrong...well...usually. Tres's nature was somewhat suspect.

"So your name is Selina...I'm Sieg...Sieg Ecstuffuan.

So you here for anything in particular or just needed some company.", he was lying again. Though he was good at lying, as a warrior he had mastered deception. It may have been a mistake to use his fathers name but that was the first one to come to mind and the only people who would know of the name were people in the fighters circles, which weren't too big these days.

He would pick up some kind of dumpling with a set of chopsticks and shove it whole into his mouth.

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701Lenne Misao

After hearing him denying about what he had done she would smirk just slightly but not really enough to be seen, she knew he knew what he had done.

But for now she would let it be and take a seat by him.

"Thank yo......

On hearing the next comment his next words about his name being Sieg Ecstuffuan her words cut off, Salina turned to face him.

"Sieg Ecstuffuan...thats strange?"

She paused for a moment and kept looking at him thinking for abit, then she continued.

"It's just pardon me for being rude but my mum knows Sieg Ecstuffuan and well I may have never seen him as this is my first time I have ever been to Gaia but she described him...umm...differently....."

For her mum was a fighter too and Salina had been brought up training and fighting, her mum would tell her all about Gaia, the reasons she left, the fighters and of Salinas father.

702Tres Ecstuffuan

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

"Oh...heh..."

Tres's plate was clean and he was full. He would lean back and slump in his chair, spreading his legs to make himself more comfortable. He would look at the girl closely for a while and then say,

"Well, what did dear old mummy describe me as looking like?"

He would reach forward for a tooth pick and would remove it, he would lean back again and begin to pick his teeth uncouthly as he listened to the girl.

(sorry for the slow post)

LIKE THAT DRAGON LAST WEEK

703Lenne Misao

Salina wanted to rip into him but she remained calm and she sat back relaxing in the chair not wishing to watch him picking his teeth.

"Hmm well for starters polite, kind, caring and a nice gentleman..."

Looking across at him for a moment she grinned the rested back and continued.

"She said he was an all around good guy, who remained calm and had a happy caring bubbly attitude. You could just tell it was Sieg she said, chocolate creamy skin soft gazing kind eyes and helping people...."

Salina sat there thinking more and more about it, he had basically been caught out well thats what it looked like. She smirked some as she sat there relaxing

((No Problem))

704Tres Ecstuffuan

Lenne Misao Wrote:

Salina wanted to rip into him but she remained calm and she sat back relaxing in the chair not wishing to watch him picking his teeth.

"Hmm well for starters polite, kind, caring and a nice gentleman..."

Looking across at him for a moment she grinned the rested back and continued.

"She said he was an all around good guy, who remained calm and had a happy caring bubbly attitude. You could just tell it was Sieg she said, chocolate creamy skin soft gazing kind eyes and helping people...."

Salina sat there thinking more and more about it, he had basically been caught out well thats what it looked like. She smirked some as she sat there relaxing

((No Problem))

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

"Wow. The way you make it sound...You sure Siegs not your father?"

Tres had a big grin on his face. His dad told him that he was just like him when he was a kid but, damn Tres didn't think they had been that similar. He and his father were so different now. Tres loved and respected his dad but he had concluded that they were so different that he didn't even try to be like him. His thoughts dwelt on this girls mothers relationship to his father, and though what he said was in jest...that was kind of deep.

"but no, I guess I'm not Sieg"

Tres wasn't going to tarnish his fathers good name with his own evil deeds.

"I'm Tres.

Tres Ecstuffuan.

I hope we can get to know each other a little better salina, you certainly seem interesting.

So I guess thats where you learned how to punch. Your mom must have been one of my fathers students at some point."

LIKE THAT DRAGON LAST WEEK

705Lenne Misao

Hearing what he had to say she let out a soft laugh and shook her head then she replied.

"Hmm he could be...."

She looked deadly serious at him for a moment.

"No i'm pretty sure he is not though my mum has not spoken of my fathers name as of yet"

Who was Salinas father?

When Salina heard his name she gave a soft smile and a nod and once he had finished she would reply softly.

"It's very nice to meet you Tres, yes I would like that. I don't know where my mum is yet, she said I will find her soon enough and i'm like new here so have no friends. My mum said she will introduce me to friends of hers at some point, but I would certainly like to get to know you alittle better as well as I can tell there is more to you than meets the eye.

Thats correct my mum taught me from a very young age and had people around me who were my teachers as well, from your moves back there I can tell you must be a good fighter indeed Siegs son as I know for sure Sieg is a great fighter.

Mom told me that and yes my mum did have spars and practise with your dad......"

Salina knew abit more but was not sure if now was such a good time, Tres seemed like he could be a really nice guy and she would love to get to know him better but for now she would keep it to a brief outline.

706Tres Ecstuffuan

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

Tres's right eye would twitch for a short instance before she would allude to how they might be more closely related then an old friend of relative. Suddenly the possibility made her somewhat less attractive in his eyes.

Though as he thought about how weird it may be that he had tongue'd his sister, the thought did arise of why this attractive female was so interested in him. This question would take into account of how he had not to long ago disrespected her.

Tres's narcissm quickly answered his internal monologue with 'Damn, I must look that good', and suddenly her attention was fueling his ego. Tres then realized that in his pondering he hadn't listened to a word she just said...

"Umm...Yeah, so you said your new here right. Where are you from?"

If she thought Tres was a nice guy. She had no idea...

but he had his redeeming qualities, he wasn't a complete a** hole.

LIKE THAT DRAGON LAST WEEK

707Lenne Misao

Salina sat looking at Tres, she could sense and tell that what she had said may have troubled Tres abit but this was not her intension at all. She would correct the situation if possible, on hearing what he had to say she raised a thin brow.

"I come from a place far away from here, it was my mums homeworld before she came to gaia..."

On pondering for a second she nodded and then spoke in a gentle tone while looking at him.

"Tres...ok. My mum when she first came to Gaia was a good, calm, freindly caring person. Lots happened to her and slowly but surely she changed especially when she was taken as a daughter to a very ancient Vampire king, he took her mortal life, her sorrow, her anger, her darkness andturned her making the darkness increase within her.

After quite a few troubling events my mum arrived at Lu Bu's where at first she was alittle overwhelmed by it all, she began settling in. More upsets occured and the darkness was getting worse and worse. Trouble was my mum was losing the fight, pain, hurt, anger, lust were all born and after such horrible events guilt, pain and memories would not go away. my mum and your dad Sieg grew closer but as the darkness over took my mum more and more her evil grew and the closeness between Sieg and my mum was over.

A great pain was inflicted upon your dad because of my mother, she is deeply sorry and lives with the guilt and the pain everyday I know it does not make up for it as does she. She always told me what a good man your dad is and that she never deserved that happiness no matter how brief.

After abit she got together with a man named Ertai and my mum was pregnant, Ertai disappeared and oneday my mum was attacked by assassins. She thought she had lost me and told Ertai the same, later she found she was still pregnant and with no Ertai around she decided it was best for her to leave and go back to her homeworld so she could make sure I was safe. And now i'm here.....That was alot shorter than it could of been if I went and told you every little detail"

Salina contined to llok at him.

708Tres Ecstuffuan

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

The story was interesting to say the least. Tres found out more and more about his dad from others as he stayed in Gaia. The thought occured to him though that this girl may be making all of this up for a nefarious reason, until she said something about Ertai. Ertai was someone whom Sieg spoke about before.

When Tres was a small child, Sieg used to tell him stories of his adventures in Gaia and Ertai judging by what Sieg told him was some sort of powerful wizard who wanted to destroy Gaia but eventually settled down and started living in it with everyone else. Tres found that story funny, especially the way Sieg told it. Sieg made it sound at first like Ertai was this terrible entity capable of wiping out reality as they knew it, and then suddenly Ertai was just another guy albeit with an ego.

Mentioning Ertai was the only thing that kept Tres from starting to talk to this girl like she was a crazy woman who wanted to be a groupy for his dad or something.

Tres would not be rude, and say what he really wanted to say, 'So why are you telling me your life story again?'...

Instead he would say:

"So your the daughter of big bad Ertai Vexic. My dad told me he was some Wizard or something who came to Gaia with the intention of destroying it and eventually just ended up like all the other people who trained and lived in Lu-Bu.

So if your Ertai's Daughter.

Do you know some of that big bad magic my dad made such a big deal of.", the reason Tres said this was because it was very rare that Sieg made anything in Gaia out to be stronger than the Ecstuffuan Style Martial arts or even in its league.

LIKE THAT DRAGON LAST WEEK

709Lenne Misao

Tres Ecstuffuan Wrote:

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

The story was interesting to say the least. Tres found out more and more about his dad from others as he stayed in Gaia. The thought occured to him though that this girl may be making all of this up for a nefarious reason, until she said something about Ertai. Ertai was someone whom Sieg spoke about before.

When Tres was a small child, Sieg used to tell him stories of his adventures in Gaia and Ertai judging by what Sieg told him was some sort of powerful wizard who wanted to destroy Gaia but eventually settled down and started living in it with everyone else. Tres found that story funny, especially the way Sieg told it. Sieg made it sound at first like Ertai was this terrible entity capable of wiping out reality as they knew it, and then suddenly Ertai was just another guy albeit with an ego.

Mentioning Ertai was the only thing that kept Tres from starting to talk to this girl like she was a crazy woman who wanted to be a groupy for his dad or something.

Tres would not be rude, and say what he really wanted to say, 'So why are you telling me your life story again?'...

Instead he would say:

"So your the daughter of big bad Ertai Vexic. My dad told me he was some Wizard or something who came to Gaia with the intention of destroying it and eventually just ended up like all the other people who trained and lived in Lu-Bu.

So if your Ertai's Daughter.

Do you know some of that big bad magic my dad made such a big deal of.", the reason Tres said this was because it was very rare that Sieg made anything in Gaia out to be stronger than the Ecstuffuan Style Martial arts or even in its league.

LIKE THAT DRAGON LAST WEEK

Salina sat and listened to what Tres was saying she was thinking about everything she had just said, he didn't really need to hear all of that and probably did not want to.

Damn Salina you should think because you start talking, the poor guy I probably bored the crap out of him...

When Tres had finished talking she spoke softly.

"Yes I am Ertais daughters, my mum said to be careful..."

Salina looked down and after a second continued with her head lowered.

"As for powers I know I can do a few things but i'm still learning, my mum worries about how much power there might be in me...."

She let out a soft sigh and thought some.

"I was wondering....Are you going to Lu Bu.....and if so....can you take me please?"

710Tres Ecstuffuan

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

"Well. Only if you do something for me. See, this year I want to do something for my dad. I know he is getting a bit too old for the HOH and I know he probrably won't compete. The Heaven or Hell can't be the same without Lu-Bu and I'm gonna go in and keep the legacy going.

Your a legacy too. You said your mom's name was Lenne right? I know I've heard that last name some where. Lenne was a fighter on Team Lu-Bu, now I know if we train together we can get up to stuff.

Being Ertai's daughter had to leave you with something. My dad told me Ertai was capable of eating entire dimensions, besides your hot as ******** and Lu-Bu needs a face lift.

So if you fight for me on Team Lu-Bu, I'll introduce you to my father and get you the best training that money can by."

There were few things that Tres was passionate about. One was Combat, the other was family. It pained him that he could never be as a good a man as his father and the only way to avoid that pain was to not try at all and drown himself in the excesses of life. When he spoke about continuing his families legacy, he almost sounded like Sieg who always spoke about everything with such passion as if he were commanding an army. That was what attracted Athena to Sieg in the first place.

"Selina, Tres, Roja, and now we just need one more person."

He said to himself, looking down at his empty plate.

"Hey Selina, better go eat up if you want to join me tonight.

I'm gonna get throwed...", Tres looked at Salina with a smile on his face. She didn't seem to be the smartest broad ever, but hell be damned if he wasn't going to try and take advantage.

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711Lenne Misao

Salina looked up as Tres began to talk, listening to his every word she felt a buzz of excitement run through her. Her crystal ice blue eyes would sparkle, she knew what her answer would be and continued to listen until Tres had finished.

"I remember my mum saying about HoH, it sounded so exciting and such a good way to learn and grow plus test out your fighting skills. So my answer is- Yes, I would be honored to be in team Lu Bu. I'm sure I can come up with something......"

To this Salina knew she could, afterall she was the daughter of Lenne and Ertai so it was a mixture of both of their powers and strengths as such. And at his next comment about her hotness factor well she wasn't used to that sort of thing and only had close contact with men fighting so she wasn't too sure what to say.

"Thankyou..You're not too bad yourself I guess.."

With this she smirked abit and then moved quickly on

"It would be nice to meet your father and see Lu Bu"

Yes Salina had picked up a few of his flaws but no one was absolutely perfect, she on thinking had seen a good side too, cheeky.

I'd better keep my eye on him..

"Ok will do.."

With that Salina would make sure to grab some food and start eating up, a few thoughts popped into her mind but at this moment in time she was calm and her focus was coming into play.

712Tres Ecstuffuan

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

After a night of frivolity and fun, made complete with certain indecencies - the next morning was all serious. Tres had met the third member of his team. He and Roja had decided to put aside there differences to carry on the Lu-Bu name in the next years heaven or hell. This new woman, Selina Vexic was least to say too good to be true. She was attractive and apparently she knew how to fight, which was everything Tres was looking for right now...

but he had to make sure. He had to make sure that she wouldn't be a weak link.

The salty moist air rushed through his dreads as he stood atop the third floor deck of the massive cruise ship. It would be just he and the girl, who stood not too far away.

"Selina. Come, I hope your not hung over or anything. Its time to see if you really are the child of a monster."

Tres would hop a few feet away and land in his boxing stance, left lead forward, bouncing lithely on the balls of his feet.

LIKE THAT DRAGON LAST WEEK

713Lenne Misao

((o.O Lets try and shake this rust off.))

On waking Selina sat up with thoughts of what Tres and her had spoken about, Team Lu Bu and the HoH which gave her quite a rush of excitement inside. Though she had been trained to fight and had fought many of times, she had never really been in any tournements so if she was going to be on the team and remembering what her mum had said she knew that she would have to train hard.

Getting up she would shower, dress and make sure she had all she needed before leaving the room and making her way to Tres. On approaching she came to a stop near him, her crystal ice blue eyes fixed upon his form as she listened. All the time she would of calmed her mind and focused her mind, taking a hop back she would and land in her stance.

Her right foot back just slightly, toes pointing outwards with her right hand coming up to be positioned by her right cheek, her hips would twist so that they would be square on with Tres. Her left hand would also come up to be positioned roughly level to her chin with her left foot still pointing forwards towards Tres, should would lightly bounce on the balls of her feet.

"Me hung over..No way, lets hope you're not...."

714Tres Ecstuffuan

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

"Your opponents will attack you with everything with everything but the intent to kill you, but don't even depend on that. Throw everything at your opponent, rip them apart mercilessly because that is what they are going to do to you."

Tres would move forward towards her with the shuffling footwork that revealed him to be a seasoned martial artist. He did not run or throw his momentum forward only to have it be manipulated against him. Tres was a big guy but he was also fast and dexterous, Him being larger than Selina was just something she was going to have to learn to deal with because Tres wasn't going to be the biggest guy in this tournament.

Upon getting in hand to hand range, Tres's hands would come up in a higher guard and his chin would go down. Tres would open up with a jab to the throat with his lead left hand and then follow immediatly with a right low thai round to the outside of her lead left leg. Tres wore knuckle dusters and greaves and his large hands and armored legs would deal a large amount of damage to the girl if it was left to hit.

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715Lenne Misao

Selina gave a nod to Tres's words as she contiued focusing letting her Qi flow through her body as he spoke, she watched as he began to move forwards. Her crystal ice blue eyes taking in all before her, an air of calmness could be seen about her.

Lets Mix things up.

Timing was important here so as Tres came into hand to hand range Selina was prepared. Now was the time, release the Qi. As Tres went to throw his jab Selina left leading hand which was up by her chin would instinctively move just slightly to block the jab now at the same time she would lean back from the hips just slightly while pushing up and lifting her left leading leg up bending the knee and bring it swiftly around as if she was doing a 'K' block, her left foot would briefly touch the ground and as it did her right would be brought up to swing around in a low swift kick aimed at his left leg as the kick would be unleashed it would immediately be followed up by a powerful left palm strike to Tres's abdomen, now as she released the palm strike she would allow Qi to flow through her arm into her palm hence making it nice and powerful as she performed the other arm would be at the ready to defend if need be. Her actions were swift as she was using Qi or focused energy. Selina would be wearing arm guards that reached to just below her elbows and had light weight metal plates running down the front to protect her arms this was also the same on her boots, she had on black fingerless fighting gloves that had metal studs on each knuckle.

((Sorry about that had to do a few things, now I know exactly how this move works as I have used it but just trying to explain it correctly. Hopefully you get the idea what Selina is up to. A mix of martial arts including Xingyiquan)).

716Tres Ecstuffuan

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

Tres would take the right low kick. He would eat the kick, turning his left foot slightly in a clockwise turn to get the sensitive part of the thigh away from the shin as it collided into the leg. He would bend his knees so that the shock of the blow would meet less resistance, reducing the damage.

The waist would turn along with the lead left foot in the same direction. He would flex his left arm while the turn of his body would place the massive flexing left arm in front of the left palm strike, protecting his abdomen from the attack. The bending of his knees would lower his center of gravity , preventing him from being pushed back from the attack.

The turn of his body would briefly move his right hand from view, leaving it hidden behind the left arm. Tres would twist his hips in his counter clockwise turn in the opposite direction, thrusting his right hand forward as if he was throwing a right cross. Yet, as the hand flew towards Lennes left shoulder, she would notice that in his right hand was a small one inch push knife that had been drawn outside of her site in an attempt to catch her by surprise.

Because she was slightly leaning back, it would be tough to dodge it and because it was aimed at her left shoulder, it would be hard to block.

LIKE THAT DRAGON LAST WEEK

Tips

I think for the K block, you can just say, 'Checks the low kick with the lead leg'. People who know hand to hand will understand you perfectly and those who don't can simply ask, but at least then, you don't get too descriptive.

Too Descriptive = Boring.

717Lenne Misao

After Selina's palm strike was block her arm retreated back in but little did she know what was just about to happen, just as his right arm had gone behind his back her right seemed move closer to her left. As Tres right hand thrust forwards she lifted her body up slightly from leaning and slide stepped back just as the one inch push knife came at her shoulder, the blade would cut into Selinas flesh just slightly and with her moving backwards the blade would cause a small cut to be made across the top of her left arm.

Now remember I said about her right hand moving closer to her left, there was a reason to this. Now it just seemed Selina may of been getting back into her stance but this was not true, inside her armguard on there is a small three inch throwing knife sheathed inside. As Tres thrust his right hand forward and Selina dodged to a certain degree she had quickly pulled the knife out with her right and sweep her right arm around as if she was pulling out a sword in the middle of the sweep Selina let the knife fly from her hand to shoot forwards towards Tres left shoulder.

As the knife flew out Selina stepped back into her stance focused and at the ready, a small trickle of crimson blood had started to trail down her left arm.

"Damn man you cut me..."

((Thanks for the tip ^^))

718Tres Ecstuffuan

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

Tres made sure to fight with everything. Hand to Hand, Knife Fighting, Grappling, everything went into his style. As the blade missed its mark, barely drawing blood Tres did not think but would continue to move flowing with the opponents actions. His knee's were already bent with his center of gravity low and that meant he had set the opponent up for the next move.

Tres would lean forward lowering his position and the knife would fly over his left shoulder. The shoulder would be scratched by the blade if it were not that he was wearing a leather jacket. Immediately after leaning forward he would shoot in low for the opponents legs as she back pedaled away from him. Because she was moving backwards, sprawling would be hard.

The shot, if she did not remember, was the sudden acceleration of the body in a tackling like movement by pushing of the lead foot. The rear shin slides along the ground forward to place the lead foot forward at the end of the shot.

The shot would have Tres ram his left shoulder into her lower abdomen with his head at the side of her left hip. This would knock her backwards and cause her to double over his back. If the shoulder hit its mark, Tres's arms would wrap around her legs and suck her knees into his underarms.

Tres would then lift her up and drive her towards the railings with the intent to ram her into it.

LIKE THAT DRAGON LAST WEEK

719Lenne Misao

Selina kept close watch on his every move, let her Qi flow freely through her body as she stepped back she would see Tres lean forwards then shoot forwards. As he shoot forwards she move just at the right second to have her right foot slide to the right while moving her left leg upjust slightly from the ground and around anticlockwise quickly bringing her left foot back down so as Tres performed the shot she would just about manage to dodge.

Instead of Tres smashing into her he would just move past her, as he did this she reached swiftly with a burst of Qi to move her left hand up to her right and pull another throwing dagger. The speed would be increased as like before Selina had increased speed due to a release of Qi, her left arm would swiftly swing to the left and release the dagger aimed at the back of Tres's left thigh.

Once the blade had been released she would turn to face Tres in a guarding stance, it was like this was a bull ring or something. Selina had performed a move just like a matador would with a bull, waiting till the last few seconds to move the only thing was she threw one of her daggers after.

"I should have a red cloth or something red, that is normally whats used must be by animal magnetism"

Now would he keep going and bang into something, that was the question.

720Tres Ecstuffuan

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

As soon as Tres missed his target he would slam his right hand fingers into the hard material of the ship, his fingers would break into the material as if they were made of steel.

This was the Ecstuffuan technique known as Sei-ken which must be learned before one can learn the higher technique of Te-Ken. Tres would use that hand planted into the surface to swing his body around to face the opponent in a clockwise turn. This was a fascinating display of strength and agility.

Because of the sudden turn of the body the daggers would miss the thigh.

Tres would stand while simultaneously lifting up the tile that he had dug his fingers into and throwing it at Selina.

LIKE THAT DRAGON LAST WEEK

721Lenne Misao

Selina stood in her guarding stance as energy pumped through her slim toned body, there was still a calmness as she watched Tres went past her then slam. His fingers on his right hand had gone straight into the hard metal of the ship, with this Selina was quite amused by the display of strength and agility.

"What the ********?"

As Tres come to stand he had lifted up the tile he had dug out and suddenly it thrown towards her.

"s**t......"

STEPPING UP A GEAR

At the same time Selina had spoke her raised words she had dropped down into a low stance and opened her hands, she was calm and focused so she would suddenly release another skill. While she dropped she her focused and calmness would pay off, her hands would glow a light red/orange. Suddenly a fireball would form infront of her hands and within a split second of it forming it would be shoot off straight towards Tres's abdomen, it would slice through the air like a speeding bullet. As the fireball was shot off the tile would just glide past Selinas head.

722Tres Ecstuffuan

I SHOULD HAVE SLAYED YOU!

Tres would see the stance and then fall over in a fit of laughter, the fireball would fly harmlessly over his head. Tres would continue the laugh on his back, seemingly leaving himself open if it weren't for the fact that he was a ground fighter as well as a stand up fighter.

"HAHAHAaa...aaaa, You know Selina. I'd break your leg if it wasn't for my stomach killing me.

but anyway babe.", He sat up.

"The only stance you will ever need.

Is the boxing stance, that and the level change but you will only change levels for a moment before you shoot the double leg takedown.

Oh and if you happen to be in a knife fight, it is pretty much the same thing but bent over forward. If your opponent is armed, knife in lead hand. If your opponent is unarmed, knife in rear hand.

What powers do you have again?"

LIKE THAT DRAGON LAST WEEK

723Lenne Misao

Watching Tres fall over laughing she too began to laugh softly and shook her head, she contiued to watch and listen as he spoke. As Tres continued Selina found it highly amusing and would get back up to stand her full height while watching him, always at the ready.

Once Tres had finished speaking she gave a small nod with a gentle smile and then spoke softly.

"I hoped that would amuse you...What are you like?"

A grin would play across her soft silky lips as her crystal ice blue eyes stayed on him the whole time.

"I got ya big guy. Hmm...my powers?

Well I could say wait and see but for you i'll play nice for now and tell you"

Her voice slightly playful as she said the last comments.

"I do not know my full extent or what my powers fully are but I know that I can use Psionics to a certain degree though still training in that as it takes alot of focus, I guess you could say I specialize in psychometabolism in a way".

724Tres Ecstuffuan

"A Psion. You would be with him as your father. That will come in handy but we need to get you some new clothes and a new attitude perhaps.

I'm sure deep down inside though your not as nice as you come off to be, if the stories that my father told me were true your father was supposed to have a real short fuse."

He crossed his arms in front of his massive chest and he thought for a moment.

"The psychological game will be important this year.

The blood panda's won not because of any special skills or powers, but because people were afraid of them. Are job in the first round is to make them so scared of us that the rest of the rounds will be easy. You need to become a monster if you want to be on this team.

To get the goal we will have to destroy our humanity.

To be human this year is weakness. We must become monsters."

725Lenne Misao

Listening to what Tres had to say she would look at her clothes for a moment then raise her eyes to stare directly into his eyes, he was right. Her mum had told her about her father, yes he did have a loving side but that was mostly behind closed doors, infront of his opponents he would be different. She had to adapt to this but she still had her mother in her as well so this would be tricky but not impossible.

"I agree with you Tres......

For as like you say it is needed especially in this tournament, then it shall be so".

Thoughts flashed inside Selina mind, with this her face lost it's gentleness. For she could not show such emotions to her opponents, a sinister grin creeped upon her lips as she stood staring at Tres.

What was she thinking? What now ran through that mind of hers?

726Eternal Dirge

What keeps all the power in Gaia from destroying it?

This was the thought that filtered through Damions head as he perched on flat, hot peice of rock that extended from his small island, peering down into the water at the multitude of creatures that swam about in the water. Some where brightly colored, others darker and obviously predatory but no less beautiful in their simplicity. He'd had alot of time to think on this matter, and had yet to come up with a suitable answer.

Is it because the forces of good outweigh the evil? or does some kind of guardian force exist?

He didn't think that was it, he hadn't seen any kind of force like that, or really any kind of organization from those you could call 'good'. It was perplexing, especially since those with power technically COULD destroy everything. Damion was happy the hadn't, don't get him wrong, but....it was a quandry.

" Well hello there..." Down the earth elemental crept, places for his hands to grip appearing as he lowered himself down to the water, moving with as much care as he could so as not to frighten the sea creature that had so garnered his attention. " I bet you don't have any worries of your world being destroyed." He said to the bright yellow fish that swam between the small peices of rock and coral, the creature no bigger than his little finger. Little black spots lined it's tail fin.

I wonder if all the peoples of Gaia are catalogued....

He slipped his right hand down into the water slowly, watching as the fish fled from the sudden disturbance, all the creatures around it swimming away aswell, a quick flash of color to Damion's eyes. He loved his Island home, Far enough from the mainland to make it secluded, small enough for just him, and surrounded by a reef which made it hard for large craft to get in and out and offered him tons of places to explore. Satisfied with his examination of the local sea life, he began to climb back up the rock face, only the work of seconds before he was walking on the sun hot sand of his islands beach, feeling it squeeze up between his toes with each step, looking back to see his footprints in the sand.

" Such a lovely place..." and it truly was, the sky was nearly always blue, Clouds always a distant dream or a momentary shade maker. The lapping of waves, the biggest ones losing strength thanks to the reefs, made for a lovely background noise. Yes...here his life was most peaceful.

727Eternal Dirge

And despite his peace, something chose to encroach on the solitude Damion had found, an itch, a tingling in his scalp that told him something was off in the world. He wasn't the most powerful of individuals, but sometimes it just didn't matter. His head turned, eyes peering out into the oceanic depths." Something....just died." It wasn't necessarily correct, but it what he felt, like a presence was somehow missing that hadn't even been aware of.

" Wonder why." For amoment, the islander stood still, watching the waves, eyes glazing over as he lost himself in the waves for amoment before reality snapped back into focus around him and he resumed walking the beach, clasping his hands behind his back as he did so. " Probably...something big and important."

728Akemi Mercuraki

It was an unusually beautiful day out. But something was off.

You It was like the eye of the storm near by. There was no storms around, but anyone near by could probably feel a massive pressure coming from somewhere.

A tall and athletic man who wasn't overly muscular Sat down onto edge of the Cliff Calmly as if he weren't worried about his weight causing the cliff to break This man had wild long black hair and piercing dark blue eyes. He wore Water Proof Jet Black T-shirt along with matching water proof Jet Black Jeans and Water Proof Jet Black Sandals. Contrast to his other wise plane appearance he carried Eight Seemingly Identical Katana sheathed on his back and was carrying the weight easily. The guy seemed kind of youthful except for his unusually wrinkled forehead.

729C_ShadowButterfly

The waves rolled up slowly onto the golden sandy shores of the beach, the gulls cried loudly as the flocked togeather in a large group. The greenish sea water would gently crash onto the beach making a soft off white pale seafoam, a pale hand would emerge from one of the waves and soon a whole arm and the body attached would be dragged by the waves onto the golden sandy shores. The body would roll further onto the shore after rolling back and forth amongst the waves like a yoyo, soon landing further up onto the shore.

The body would be that of a young woman, her skin would be very pale and was just a few shades darker then the sea foam, her eyes were softly shut so the sea water did not get into her eyes. Her long raven colored hair was being dragged amongst the water that dragged along the shore like a halo. Her clothes consistng of a pair of beige caprees and black T-shirt were tattered and tore by the fierce waves that raged from the middle of the ocean. The seagulls began to circle around her body, even if they didn't ussually feed on a human corpse they ate whenever they could get food.

However to their dismay this girl was far from dead and washed up from god knows where.

730Akemi Mercuraki

The man had noticed the unconscious girl and was worried about her condition, so he didn't bother getting down to the beach from the cliff the normal way.

"Orochi no Ichikashira, Fuuhebi no Mai(First Head of the Orochi, Dance of the Wind Snake!)!" He whispered as he took out the upper most right Katana which glowed with an Emerald Green Aura which quickly had over taken the man's body. He then ran down into a straight path off the Cliff's side and instead of falling it look more like was running down an invisible hill with incredible speed. When he got down onto the ground he was right next the strange girl. He gave her his special CPR treatment. He reaches down to kiss her lips and if he wasn't stopped by her, he would infuse his breath with the first head's emerald wind. To help quicken the spread of oxygen to the girl's body.

731C_ShadowButterfly

The girls eyes would open wide as she woke up from the strange dream that had consumed her mind. Her arm had moved on it's own and had slaped the strange man's face. As soon as she saw the strange man's head lean forward to kiss her's, her hand pressed against his cheek, she jumped up and began to scream, throwing punches left and right.

She was pretty strong for a human girl the fact that she was managing to throw such blows after being unconcious for so long was remarkable. Her almost pitch black eyes stared at the man angrily after throwing her fair share of punches in panic. Her face would be blood red as she shouted out at the man.

"What the Hell?! How dare you take advantage of a girl who is unconcious! What did you think you were doing?! I ought to..."

Her eyes would widen as she heard the crying of gulls. She then began to stop panicing and began to look around wildly. The last thing she remembered was falling into the pool at the high school she attended. Why was she on a beach now. She would speak softly and sounded very confused, "Where... where am I...?"

732Akemi Mercuraki

"How dare you imply that I am into children. That was just simple magic enhanced CPR! Oh, and we are in in beach near the Barton Sea. I sensed the Presence of a piece of something I lost once and was came here to try and retrieve it." The man replied with an offended look on his face.

733C_ShadowButterfly

She looked very confused as she sat up and looked around at the golden sands of the beach which was laced with a ton of broken sea shells, which could be proven by the scratches and cuts that covered her uncovered skin area's. Her arms, legs, back and stomach stung from the sea water that kept rolling onto her cut up skin.

As soon as she heard the man tell her she was at a beach near Barton Sea she looked even more confused, "What's a Barton? And How did I get here...?"

She looked even more confused as she rubbed the back of her head which had a large bump on it. She looked over at him looking a bit annoyed as she heard him say the word "Magic". Where she came from there was no such thing. However she did not realize this was no where near where she had come from at all.

"Quit lying... everyone knows there is no such thing as 'Magic', that is the lousiest excuse I have ever heard from a guy to try and cop a feel... You can't possibly be that much older then me, your skin looks way way too healthy. You already insulted me once already, How DARE you call me a child? I'll have you know I am graduating next year from Pendragon High School! And I will be 19 in a month... I swear foriegners are such pissants... I bet I am on the shores of Canada or such nonsence..." (No offense to anyone by this statement this character is british, and I share no opinion as she does Thank you!)

She caughed loudly and then leaned over spitting up sea water from her lungs. She looked around and sighed giving him an annoyed look,

"So what exactly are you looking for?"

734Akemi Mercuraki

"Oh, so your from Earth then. Since I am being completely honest with you I will tell you my Birth name not that I've used it for Eons. My Birthname is Ankou."

He said as he started speaking with a Highly Outdated Breton Dialect of a French Accent. He then did then revealed no one in his home region ever knew about because it hadn't existed until sometime after he left his homeland. The massive wrinkles on his forehead moved apart to reveal something quite gruesome. He had had opened his Third Eye! It was a Jet Black thing both in Iris and Pupil and yet he could see from it in perfect color.

(( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankou

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brittany ))

735C_ShadowButterfly

She looked a bit confused by this, she was born in Great Britan in the year of 1991, so she would sincerely have no idea as to what he was saying at the moment however she caught the words Ankou and soon caught on that he was using a french dialect. She then began to speak to him in the language he had used.

"Ankou? What does that mean...?"

She then looked even more confused as she heard him say you must be from earth. In her mind she had not left her highschool as far as she could remember so how did she end up in the middle of a beach in some land she had never even heard of.

"If this isn't Earth... then what is it? It looks like earth and it smell's like earth then all logic states it must in fact be earth... Especially since you just used a French Dialect..."

She sighed and held out her hand to him.

"My name is Alice Von Hellsing... it is a pleasure to meet you?"

She wasn't quite sure what to think as far as wether to be happy or angry at the moment. However as soon as she saw him reveal a third eye she nearly jumped out of her skin.

"What the bloody hell is that?!"

736Akemi Mercuraki

"I don't have to explain to an Ignorant brat." Ankou while starting to get annoyed at the strange girl.

737C_ShadowButterfly

She looked annoyed as her attempt to be friendly was pretty much thrown in her face. She looked at the strange eye again and then walked away pretending not to care. She would look stoic and very calm.

"What ever..."

She'd slowly walk away from him acting not to care, counting down in her head.

'3...2...1...'

738Akemi Mercuraki

"You can leave, but your the one who has no idea where she is. For all you know their could be Rapist or worse around" Ankou replied with a sincere look of worry on his face for the girl.

739C_ShadowButterfly

She'd turn around and smirk, and would say looking annoyed, trying to hide her fear, "Really? You mean guy's kind of like you? Who try to cop a feel on unconcious or possibly dead girls?"

She'd look up and notice that he looked sincerly worried and then her expression turned into surprise.

"You really are worried about me aren't you? Why should you be worried for someone you just met?"

740Akemi Mercuraki

Ai Enma of Hell Wrote:

She'd turn around and smirk, and would say looking annoyed, trying to hide her fear, "Really? You mean guy's kind of like you? Who try to cop a feel on unconcious or possibly dead girls?"

She'd look up and notice that he looked sincerly worried and then her expression turned into surprise.

"You really are worried about me aren't you? Why should you be worried for someone you just met?"

"I am not into children besides their is nothing to cop on your flat chest. Oh, and I am happily married I have you know." Ankou replied while looking the girl straight in eyes and not looking at her breasts as he had been doing the whole time.

741C_ShadowButterfly

Her face grew bright red, and burned with both embarrassment and furry. As she looked down at her very much overly developed chest. She reached down and grabbed the nearest large looking object and threw it aiming directly at his face. However what she did not know was that the object she had thrown was nearly 100 times the weight she could normally carry and to the poor sap's dismay Alice had very good aim and was a very well known Cricket player at her school. The item in question was a giant boulder that had fallen from the cliff, she didn't bother to even look at what she threw nor cared to know.

"You Perverted creep! Go and feel her up then! Instead of some innocent girl!"

She would run away angrily through the golden sand's of the beach, tears nearly blinding her eyes. Who the hell was this creep telling her she was a child! Why did she even care? She was far away from her home and she didn't ever have to hear those people talk filth about her parents anymore or about her being her father's child in question. She never had to hear those awful girls talk about her behind her back anymore or had to hear the stupid boy's make comments about how cold or ugly she was.

She would trip over a piece of drift wood as soon as she got far away from him, falling face down into the sand. The golden colored sand would get into her wounds and cause them to sting. She would begin to cry out of frustraition.

742Akemi Mercuraki

Ai Enma of Hell Wrote:

Her face grew bright red, and burned with both embarrassment and furry. As she looked down at her very much overly developed chest. She reached down and grabbed the nearest large looking object and threw it aiming directly at his face. However what she did not know was that the object she had thrown was nearly 100 times the weight she could normally carry and to the poor sap's dismay Alice had very good aim and was a very well known Cricket player at her school. The item in question was a giant boulder that had fallen from the cliff, she didn't bother to even look at what she threw nor cared to know.

"You Perverted creep! Go and feel her up then! Instead of some innocent girl!"

She would run away angrily through the golden sand's of the beach, tears nearly blinding her eyes. Who the hell was this creep telling her she was a child! Why did she even care? She was far away from her home and she didn't ever have to hear those people talk filth about her parents anymore or about her being her father's child in question. She never had to hear those awful girls talk about her behind her back anymore or had to hear the stupid boy's make comments about how cold or ugly she was.

She would trip over a piece of drift wood as soon as she got far away from him, falling face down into the sand. The golden colored sand would get into her wounds and cause them to sting. She would begin to cry out of frustraition.

Suddenly a giant snake head formed out the water and ate the Boulder before it could come in contact. "Finally I've found you again, Orochi no Rokukashira(Sixth head of the Orochi). see you've gone feral on me. Well I guess will have to knock some sense into you. Orochi no Nikashira, Kiba no Raihebi!(Second head of the Orochi, Fang of the Lightning Snake!" He said as Upper Left Sword glowed with a yellow aura and arced with electricity. He then cut the eight head's water body and shocked it into sense. Then a Second to Bottom Left Katana glowed blue briefly. He then went to get the girl and when he had noticed what had happened to her, He walked up to hr and had the First Head use it's wind to blow the sand.

You kind of remind me of my granddaughter though I would be lucky if she was as sweet as you. Just the other day she threatened to light me on fire!" He replied seriously.

(mod edit: i just couldn't stand that block of annoying brightness. the original post is supposed to be in yellow. -x)

743C_ShadowButterfly

((God! Did you have to use yellow?! First off I hate it it's a nasty color and second I think I have gone blind! lol jk...))

She looked at the strange water like snake being destroyed and her eye's widened. She hadn't even seen herself throw the boulder so why wouldn't she be surprised. She saw the sand blowing away from her wound's and she picked herself up and began to dust off her wounds, wiping her tears away trying to keep her cool demeanor. She looked at him and said cooly.

"Granddaughter huh? Light you on fire? That seems a bit odd don't you think? Your her elder shouldn't you be the one throwing around threats like that...?"

Her face reverted to it's stoic form and she blinked. Her eyes were getting a bit blurry and she would rub them. As soon as she opened them again the strange man would see that her eyes were now a deep yet very vivid blue. She would blink a few times at the man and then walked back over to the ocean shore.

She would look back to the water and a sword sheathed in a crimson sheath with black raven emblem would be washed up on the shore. The handle would be in the form of a lotus with a tassle connected to a round clear gem. She went over to it and picked it up, hugging it tightly. It was very clear that the blade was a chinese sword, she seemed to be inspecting the sheath for injury. She then turned to the man and smiled softly.

"Perhaps you should learn to listen and think before you decide to speak, it saves you from future conflict..."

She'd then turn her back to him, her sword would seem to glow with a black aura about it. Alice could now see the aura that had surrounded the blade but decided to leave it up to being an over active imagination.

744Akemi Mercuraki

" I am not that kind of Grandfather. Oh, and there is no way for me to avoid conflict." Ankou replied and then tall bald headed man with serpent like deep blue eyes appeared from beneath the water. His teeth looked unusually sharp and pointy. He was wearing nothing but Dark Blue Swim Trunks.

"Grandfather I did not expect you to be here hanging out with a child." He shouted out and when he did one could see his tongue become forked briefly afterwards.

745Ryugi Kazamaru

((Suddenly!!

And just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone...))

746C_ShadowButterfly

((LOL I was just waiting for someone to do that... in fact I was very much tempted to do that.))

747C_ShadowButterfly

Hey eye's narrowed as she heard this and she turned around and looked at the man who spoke. She noted his tongue becoming forked, and clung to the blade with her right hand. She looked back to the strange man with the third eye and then raised her eyebrow at this. She had heard legends of such beings and strange creatures before of course non of this was true except for the few her father had told her stories about as a child. She studied them both for a second then wisely chose her words.

"I am reminded of an old saying my father would tell me as a toddler...

Beware of what the serpant says for it may one day kill you..."

Her voice had changed for a second to that of a woman older then herself (no not an old woman just older). Her deep blue eyes, which seemed to match the color of the waves which were crashing on the shore, would blink and then look away from the two men. She would give a half bow and went to walk away from the two men, "Good day gentlemen..."

She would walk slowly through the sand, which would feel like it was on fire to normal humans, but for some reason she could not feel the scorching sand beneath her bare feet, as she began to walk away.

748Akemi Mercuraki

"She doesn't know this world, so it's way to dangerous for her to go out on her on. Jor stop her. Suddenly Jor Vanished into a Portal and reappeared in front of her after walking out of another portal.

"This is a dangerous world. It's not safe for a offworlder such as your self." Jor told the girl out of honest worry.

I must be scary her with my unusual appearance, so good thing Fen isn't here or she would really freak. I mean I love my older brother, but all of that hair tends to scare women. Jor thought to himself while getting annoyed that he might not be able to help the cute stranger. He just realized he found her Cute, so things were getting awkward.

749C_ShadowButterfly

Alice would raise her eyebrow at the man, still clutching the sword tightly in her hand. The black aura would seem to engulf her arm slowly as she clung to it. When she heard the worry in his voice, she stopped and looked confused for a moment. Why did he care? Since when did strangers care for other's well being without wanting something in return. Her grip on the sword began to loosen as she looked at the strange man in front of her.

"Why would you care about such things...? Is this world really that much more dangerous then the world I came from?"

She stopped and waited for his reply, and wondered if she even consider mentioning that she was shoved off the roof of her highschool gym by a group of guys as a mean joke, and then fell into a pool. For all she knew she was already dead, or dreaming this all up. She looked down her dark blue eyes filling with tears.

750Akemi Mercuraki

"Because your another living being and you there for deserve my respect." Jor replied with a honest look while staring deep into Alice's eyes.

751C_ShadowButterfly

She would look into his eye's and feel a bit akward for a moment. She couldn't help but blush from embarrassment. She had been behaving like a horse's rear end and there for felt angry at herself. She looked up at him and said softly,

"Your respect shouldn't be wasted on someone like me who does not deserve it. My father taught me that respect should be earned no a right to a person..."

She would look up sadly to Jor, "I'm sorry for my behavior... "

752Akemi Mercuraki

"You're a living being, so you automatically deserve my respect until you prove you don't deserve it." Jor replied with a frustrated look on his face.

"Why did you leave your little Sister Helan alone? What if she get's lost in woods or something?" Yelled Ankou as he was worried for his granddaughter's life.

"There is no need to use that name with her she'll have no idea what mean if we use Hel's true name. Just like she won't know if I call you Níðhöggr! If she gets lost in the woods what is going to happen? A forest fire? Too bad for the animals, but at least she'd survive that." Jor replied while pretending he didn't care for his sister.

(( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Níðhöggr

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hel_(being)) ))

753C_ShadowButterfly

Alice would blink as she heard those names, for some reason she knew she had heard of those names before but wasn't quite sure where. The sword she was clutching in her right hand would start to give off a red aura.

Alice's oddly colored eyes would look over to Ankou and over to Jor. A strange symbol would appear quickly in her left eye and then disappear as quickly as it appeared. She studdied over Jor carefully as she heard his regaurd towards his own sister, it wasn't too often she heard someone take no heed to the saftey of their own blood. This must be the way of the world she had found herself in, wether it be a dream or some odd twist of fate, it still didn't seem right. She'd sit down on the sand cross legged and watched the two for awhile. Was his sister a pyromaniac? Or was she able to light things on fire with sheer will power. She wondered as she watched the strange man claiming to be older then he looked and the strange man that stood before her with odd colored eyes and a forked tongue.

"In that case... shouldn't you be more concerned with the safety of the poor forest and the many things that live there...? That is if all living beings automaticly deserve respect? Wouldn't that also include you sister?"

She would speak softly and it was more a direct question to herself then to anyone around her.

754Akemi Mercuraki

"My sister wouldn't let it that happen in the first place." Jor replied with a serious look on his face.

755C_ShadowButterfly

Alice shrugged, and began to ponder again in her own thoughts. She thought she must obviously be way younger then Jor, for him to call her a child. Second why was there such a debate over his sister? If she wasn't in any danger and if she wasn't a threat then why would "Ankou", if that was his real name, even be worried? The man named Jor had made it obvious that his sister was in nor danger, nor was she a danger to those around her.

She twiddled her tumbs as she held her hands together and reached into her pockets. Her eyes widened as she felt a box in her pocket and pulled it out to find a box of strawberry pocky in it. She opened the sea water soaked box and poped out of the strawberry coated cookies into her mouth and began to nibble it in delight. She then seemed to go back to her thinking, and looked out to the vast ocean that lay before them. If she was infact in another world... then how would she get home? 'What a bother...' she thought to herself. She wouldn't make it home for her after noon tea and her tea maid said she would make chai tea today. 'curses...'

She then thought seriously about the situation. Where would she go? And where would she get the money to take care of herself here? Do they take the same currency they spent in Europe over in this world? Thousands of questions rushed through her mind like a school of frightened fish.

She munched on her pocky slowly, then she looked over to "Ankou" and Jor. 'Hmm I wonder...'

756C_ShadowButterfly

((And then he said "LET THERE BE SQUALL"

He then saw that this was not good. So with that he said "LET SQUALL DISAPPEAR!" Thus Squall was temporarily place here, and is now no more LOL))

757Akemi Mercuraki

Ai Enma of Hell Wrote:

Alice shrugged, and began to ponder again in her own thoughts. She thought she must obviously be way younger then Jor, for him to call her a child. Second why was there such a debate over his sister? If she wasn't in any danger and if she wasn't a threat then why would "Ankou", if that was his real name, even be worried? The man named Jor had made it obvious that his sister was in nor danger, nor was she a danger to those around her.

She twiddled her tumbs as she held her hands together and reached into her pockets. Her eyes widened as she felt a box in her pocket and pulled it out to find a box of strawberry pocky in it. She opened the sea water soaked box and poped out of the strawberry coated cookies into her mouth and began to nibble it in delight. She then seemed to go back to her thinking, and looked out to the vast ocean that lay before them. If she was infact in another world... then how would she get home? 'What a bother...' she thought to herself. She wouldn't make it home for her after noon tea and her tea maid said she would make chai tea today. 'curses...'

She then thought seriously about the situation. Where would she go? And where would she get the money to take care of herself here? Do they take the same currency they spent in Europe over in this world? Thousands of questions rushed through her mind like a school of frightened fish.

She munched on her pocky slowly, then she looked over to "Ankou" and Jor. 'Hmm I wonder...'

((How do you a wet british girl have dry non salty pocky?))

758C_ShadowButterfly

((Simple... the post was ment to be random, as well as a bad impersonation of L from Death Note. Second it isn't uncommon for different countries to have imported goods much like the US of A. Second have you ever had Pocky? It's always sealed in an aluminum like bag or individually wrapped in plastic. Meaning even if the box was soaked the candy itself wouldn't. However the only argument you could have used would be how the box didn't end up drifting out of her pocket while she was drifting in the ocean. So really there is no valid argument here. LOL not to mention it would end up being a silly arguement...))

759Akemi Mercuraki

((Ok, but no death note references for the Anti Notard please.))

"Your being really quiet miss are you alright?" Ankou asked Alice out of honest concern. She reminded him a lot of his wife Isis, but not nearly as scary I mean after all The Women who married into this family and those that were born into were perhaps even scarier then the men they just didn't show it as much. Especially his Daughter in law who while she was a beautiful genius to match her husband in most ways she wasn't nearly as flamboyant as her husband who made the color black look equally stylish and gaudy at the same time. His whole wardrobe was in fact black.

760C_ShadowButterfly

She would lift her head up as her eyes snapped out of the weird daze they were in, looking directly at him. She slowly finished the pocky stick that was in her mouth and swallowed it, her swallow sounding very loud. She then stood up and dusted the sand off of herself and looked directly at Ankou. She then began to put her cutest face on and began to act scared, her eyes starting to water.

" Monseir Ankou... you came from Earth, right? Do you know if this world takes Euro? And how much it would cost to stay at a near by inn until I find some work? Or do you know if there is anyway to get back there?"

Her face would drain of color completely, as she heard her stomach growl. She had not eaten since the morning she was shoved into the school pool. And really all she had to eat right now was the small box of pocky she was holding.

761Akemi Mercuraki

"I haven't visited France since the area of france I was born in was called Little Britain and I was feared as a Psychopomp. My friend Jack from england had a similar problem, but his powers are far harder to control, so does my Son, but at least his power his limited to his hands and touch. His control is also the greatest of all of our little group. Anyway sorry for getting off topic, but how do you expect the modern national currency of Europe to be accepted in another land much less a word out side the existence you know of. I don't know of any Inns around here, but I do know of this place in the city of Aekea. I know the owner personally and I probably get you a free room, but you'll probably have to work there in exchange. It's called the Dryad Inn and despite it''s name is very unusual, but pleasing mix of ideas. " Ankou replied hoping Alice would be able to take all of that information.

762C_ShadowButterfly

She'd blink as she heard the name Dryad, which she knew to be the name of a mythical creature, which was considered a forest nymph. She began to wonder how any place with such an unusual name be casually addressed as ussual. She also began to ponder of how strange the place would have to be if this man thought the place in itself to be considered unusual. Her thinking process was then once again was distracted by the growling of her stomach, and the pains that came along with it. She cursed herself for not packing a lunch to school that morning and looked at Ankou oddly.

She was quite surprised that someone who exsisted all those years ago could still look so young and also lived to see his future generations. She auto maticly assumed he had ment Jack the Ripper, when he reffered to a Jack. Her father had told her many story's about how her great grand father fought with that man, she guessed that Ankou did not know that alot of what Jack had done was actually done on purpose according to her grand father. Although her grand father never told her any details of what had happened when she had asked.

She had already guessed that her money would not work here in this place, but thought she could give it a shot. She knew it never hurt to ask. She then once again heard her stomach growl and then frowned. She sighed and the looked at the man looking a bit annoyed, but then relaxed and said softly.

"Lead the way..."

763Akemi Mercuraki

Suddenly Jor tried grabbing alice by the waist with both hands tightly after forming a portal to the place's exterior while shouting "Hold onto me tightly we are going to take a short cut.!"Of course he could go into the Interior, but that would be rude,.

764C_ShadowButterfly

Alice's eyes widened as she felt Jor grab at her waist. Her face then began to burn bright red as she turned to shout at him and smack him with her palm. That is until she realized what was happening and her eyes widened again, this time in fear. She then yelped and jumped over to him and clung onto him tightly, her heart pounding in her chest as she paniced on the inside. She clenched her mouth shut and clamped her eyes shut tightly as she clung onto him, shuddering by how scared she was at the moment. She would not know when they had reached the place being that her eyes were sealed shut.

765Eternal Dirge

Darkness on the mainland was nothing like darkness on the ocean. There was no hope on the waters, no promise of safety or protection from those things that creeped in the night. Your voice and the lapping of the waves on your boat were the only sounds so far out in the waters, but then again you were a fool to go out all by yourself. Or Damion H. Headly, Guardian to the last temple to Dagon and current hunter of large fish. The full moon light up the water around him in dazzling gold and illuminated his rickety little craft.

Damion had traveled a great distance from his home in search of materials, materials for what he was still unsure of so far, but his God commanded and in this he obeyed. So he had gone to the north to find sinew, hunting across the tundra and braving Worgs to find the perfect creature, carving from its' hide the muscle strips he would need. From there he had gone south, heading to the shoreline and stealing a boat for his next mission.

Perhaps he should have done some research before hand though, maybe not trusted to much in his own intelligence and come out so far. He had sailed for a day, hiding under a blanket to avoid the cursed sun until night had fallen, slipping out to start his hunt. His enhanced vision was quite blinded by the moons reflection however, and he had no idea how to actually HUNT sharks, just avoid them. Quite the conundrum indeed.

Luckily his issues were soon answered, the curved shape of a fin rising from the water to his left, a dark shadow on the gleaming surface of the water. It cut through the water silently, a small wake trailing behind it as it got close to Damion's boat and dipped under, disappearing beneath the water. The elemental scrambled across his boat, leaning over the edge to stare into the water for amoment, " Frag...where'd it go..."

A bump against the underside of the boat rocked Damion in his seat, threatening to unseat him as the shark brushed against his small craft. His hands gripped the edge of the boat tightly to keep him from being thrown off, feet wrapping around the seat until the rocking stopped and he could dump the bucket of chum he'd brought with him into the water.

766Eternal Dirge

The water boiled where the chum touched it, a dark sharp snaring the bigger peices of flesh and shredding it in teeth strong enough to pierce steel. Roughly scaled skin brushed the bottom of Damions boat, threatening to capsize it until he leaned over, jamming both knives as deep as he could into the giant beasts back, hooking them as the creature dove, dragging him off the boat and into the water. His stomach was rubbed red from where it slid across the sharks back and tail, water shoving him from side to side and testing his grip on his knives.

His body converted the salty water to oxygen as they drove up and down, circling the boat in a frenzy of motion as Damion tried stabbing and tearing, pushing the knives deeper as a deep gutturl roar came from the creatue, mouth opening wide as it bent almost in half to get at the elemental on its' back. For his part, Damion clung on, lifting his left hand up with the knife clutched in it and driving it down further up, pulling himself forward foot by painful foot. With a horrid splash they ruptured out of the water, flying over the boat to impact hard, nearly blasting the islander off his precarious perch.

Blood ran in dark ribbon out of the nearly black skin of the shark, clouding Damion's vision painfull as he stabbed more, the creatures movements becoming slower. They slowly began to rise higher in the water, breaching gently into the surface. His left arm moved in a quick flurry as his arm and brain finally caught up, bloody spurting out as they floated along.