Chapter 11

From DALpedia

Posted by: Xorlak on Friday December 1st, 2006

“GO AWAY!!!!”

The guard felt the ten-year-old’s fist hammer into his gut. He stumbled backwards in a daze, having to stoop to his knee. Three more guards approached, surrounding the child who was now menacingly clenching his fist before him, his black robes swirling about his small frame.

“I’LL KILL YOU ALL!!!!!”

A sudden burst of crimson flame emanated from the child, his robes waving and burning with him, though they were not consumed. His teeth were clenched with rage like some feral animal. The long strands of his black hair began to stand on end. The guards immediately gave the child some distance, though it wasn’t nearly enough, for the man to the child’s left soon felt the crimson orb planted into his chest. He screamed in agony as the explosion overcame him, sending him a good five feet backwards, the flame engulfing, burning his body as he twisted on the ground, tearing at his useless armor.

“Lord Draven, he’s gone completely mad!”

“Stop him! STOP HIM!!!” Came the reply from the back of the room, quickly approaching with the clanging of metal boots.

It was no use, for the other two guards were dropped with no less ease. And two no less explosive displays.

“Lars Edgar Draven! Stop this AT ONCE!!”

Lars’ eyes narrowed into slits at the hateful form of his father. The man approaching was tall, walking with impending authority, draped in a regal cloak that waved with the lengthy black hair tied behind his neck. The golden pointed crown atop his head reflected the burning flames emanating from his son.

The child clenched his fists, his aura of flame growing brighter.

“I HATE YOU!!”

Suddenly the child sprinted forward, jumping up at the last second and landing a forceful right hook into his father’s jaw. The king was taken entirely by surprise, stumbling backwards from the blow like a drunken fool. He would have tumbled over entirely if he did not catch himself on the wall.

“Son, stop this! Stop this immediately!!”

Lars was quick to follow up.

“You are NOT MY FATHER!!!”

A second dash, but this time his hand clutched a dazzling orb of flame.

It would not hit its mark, however, for a mere two feet from his father’s face, Lars was struck from both his right and left by blinding beams of cerulean light.

“AHHHHH~!!!!”

He fell to the ground as the bitter coldness engulfed him, the two darkly clad mages steeping out of the shadows, both hands outstretched and amplifying the intensity of the freezing spell. The child withered and screamed in agony as the frost congealed about his arms and legs. But even through this a semblance of the crimson aura burned, melting the relentless ice as it accumulated.

King Vlad Draven stooped down to his screaming child’s face.

“Why!? Why do you fight me?”

“Because I HATE YOU!!!”

Lars extended a burning yet frozen claw like hand at his father’s visage, missing by a mere inch due to the man pulling it back in time.

The king scowled, retorting with a strong backhand to the boy’s cheek. The child went flying as the mages cut the spell, landing on his back as broken shards of ice flew from him. The king was quick to his feet, nearly upon the boy even as he hit the ground.

“Why do you resist me? Stop it! STOP RESISTING!”

The boy sat up, answering with a hatefully insubordinate glare. His frozen limbs began to thaw as the flame around him began to rekindle.

“STOP IT!!!”

Another forceful punch, this one straight into the boy’s face. He slammed into the floor, his head striking the ground.

Still the child defiantly pulled himself back up, his face a bloodied mess and tears streaming from his eyes. The blood lust in his eyes… But his father was quick to deliver a final strike, one that sent his child sprawling back upon the floor.

This time the child did not move, the dim flame engulfing his body flickering out like a candle. The king fell to his knees, his mouth gaping as he tried to catch his breath.

The two cowled mages approached him from behind, one of them bending down to help the man.

“You’re right…” he mumbled, barely audible, “he is a monster…”

----

What in blazes…?

Draven felt the sensation of falling, but landed on his feet in a crouch, steadying himself by leaning forward and catching the dusty ground in his gloved hands. He slowly opened his eyes as his senses returned to him. All around was a foreign landscape. A crimson sky peppered with blackened clouds. The dismal rocky ground offered no sign of plant life, save a few brown dead shrubs scattered about.

“It worked! I can’t believe it worked!” It was the voice of one of the two cloaked figures standing before the Crimson Emperor, faces shrouded by cowls and the general abysmal darkness of the terrain.

“Is that all of them?” The second slightly shorter figure had an older man’s voice.

“Who in blazes are you and what is going on here!?” Draven interrupted, demanding through clenched teeth, curling his right fist into a ball and standing up straight, though he was still dizzy. Of course… the Dark Emperor’s spell… the seal…

The younger cloaked man was taken aghast. Though his eyes were not visible his gaping mouth clearly conveyed the emotion.

“It’s… you…!”

“What of it? Talk or die!”

Draven outstretched his hand, curling the fingers like a claw.

The two cloaked figures seemed more worried about keeping their voices down as they glanced about the dismal landscape nervously.

“Listen! We have to get out of here… right NOW!”

Both turned and began to run towards an enclave of jagged rocks some distance away.

“Hey! Wait! … Blasting!”

Draven darted off after them.

“All of you… hurry!”

---

Posted by: D. Ein on Friday December 1st, 2006

"Finally, the day comes. This is the day when all my underling townships sent their tribute to the great Sovereignty. The gifts were piled in a warehouse some distance away from the main palace, and I was waiting upon my cleric to come and assist me in my duties. At last, I heard him come in... but it seems he had company.

-"...and then, just after the cannonball struck the tower, I clutched the child and pulled him from the path of the falling boulders!"

Amusing.

-"Istvan, still your wagging tongue before I cut it off. You did no such thing, for there were no children in Aterra."

-"My lord, how did you...?"

-"I'm blind, not deaf. Now send her away, for we have much to attend to."

The blindfold fools everybody. Even though I cannot use my eyes as I once could, my hearing is rather good. Then, of course, there was that druidic technique I was taught a while ago, which allows me to sense certain things as though I could see them.... alas, I have yet to perfect thus, and before I do, I cannot rely on it.

-"Yes, my lord. Currently, you have six large lordships, which control most of the continent. They are the most important ones."

-"I trust the lesser ones were tended by the lesser clerics?"

-"Yes."

It did not matter to me much, for the lesser houses were not as important as the six big ones.

-"Good, good... now, what did the main monarchs send me?"

-"Well, Baron Vasburg dispatched ten of his best black dragons; Graf zu Heltzer sends his regards in the form of five hundred of his healthiest slaves; Marquis de Kollhoff pays with a rather nice-looking set of five giant war arbalests, able to punch through castle walls; the Doge of Lowith sent a good six tonnes of iron, copper and tin for golem building; and Lord Victo, in a fit of extreme generosity, sent us a vial of his new elexir - "The Master's Will", he calls it - and his excuse is that it's the first prototype. The only one we have not heard from is Count Vandrin of Vandrin County."

-"I'm sure he'll come around. In the while, why don't you go oversee the construction on Qim?"

-"Yes, m'lord."

The cleric left. I knew that I had many things to do, such as write the invitations for the annual feast held in the capital of the expansive Sovereignty. Even now, I amaze at how I could make this new body work as fine as it does, as if nothing has happened on the day of the accident. The eyes were but a side effect, and I'm sure I will be able to use the druidic technique to its full effect soon."

//I'll wait for some more updates from people before updating Ein and Horus.\\

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Friday December 1st, 2006

"Duilin!" Called a woman's voice, sounding a bit scared.

"Yeah Mom?" He replied.

"Come look at this."

A young Duilin, who looked about 20 years of age, came to the window of this small cottage home, outside there was an army of soilders on horseback heading towards them.

"What the hell?" Duilin muttered. "Where is father?"

"I don't know. He left again, just before I saw the army."

"Damnit, dad..." Duilin growled. "I'll go out there myself then." Duilin then ran out the door.

"Don't!" His mother cried as he left.

"Mommy, what's going on?" Said a small girl to her mother.

"I don't know."

Duilin saw the army come right from the hills. Several of the townsmen were outside as well.

"It's the Dark Empire. Why are they here?" One man said.

In front of the army was a large, very large man, wielding two swords that looked to heavy for Duilin to use properly. "KILL THEM ALL!"

The army charged into the village, they began throwing torches at the cottages, and slashing their swords at villagers running away.

The large man was Darion. He ran into the town, heading towards Duilin, who was too scared to even move. Darion stopped right infront of Duilin and jumped off his horse. He then grinned at the young man and laughed, he readied to swing one of his swords at him, but a scythe blocked the blade.

A man, wearing a series of tattered robes and a horrific metal helmet covering his face, was holding the scythe. "Not this one. He lives."

Darion looked at him. "Sorry, General Nex." He then sheathed one of his swords and picked up Duilin by the shirt. "Which one is your house!?"

Duilin was silent, he he broke into a sweak of terror as he looked at Darion.

"Speak." Nex ordered sternly.

Duilin pointed behind him. "Th-that one..."

Darion grinned, and dragged Duilin. He blacked out, he then saw his mother get killed right before him, he saw his two brothers and younger sisters bodies fall right next to her mother, in a pool of blood and guts. He was laying on the floor, he walked, and he picked up steel, cold steel, and sharp blade. He swung the blade, he hears a clanging and the felt pain in his arms and the blade was gone.

"You're a plucky little one aren't you? You're coming with us now."

----

Duilins eyes kept shut, he felt angry. The Dark Empire was back, they thought they were gone but they aren't. He felt dizzy.

It didn't work. His stun orb didn't work. Draven...Draven called him weak...

That man will die...

As Duilin viewed a void of darkness he saw a golden rod jab through the void and then tear it open like paper. He saw feathery wings flap away and then he woke up.

"Aegidius?" He asked. He then stood up; he head ached, a lot. "Where am I?"

He was laying in a pile of garbage in an alleyway in some city of some sort. He walked forward a bit. There was a cobble stone road and a horse pulled carriage rolled by. He looked around, soldiers were patrolling the streets, and the people seemed really quiet. In the distance he saw green flag with a strange design of a bird on it. The colour looked out of place.

"Hey, you. Winged Mutant guy." Said the voice of somebody beside him. Duilin looked at person speaking to him. It was a soldier, wearing some more out of colour armour. The green just didn't go. "All winged mutants are supposed to be at the airbase."

"Huh?" Duilin said, but then he decided to play along. "Oh..uhh..yeah. Where's that?"

The soldier glared at Duilin. "Man, you mutants really are dumb. It's next to the barracks, which is just down this street, and you take a left then a right. It's a big building with flags with use sword-holding guys. Now get!" The soldier then gently struck him in the arm with the back of his hand.

Duilin then walked down the street. His head really hurt. All of his memories were rushing back to him. He slowed his pace and put his right hand on his forehead and groaned.

Suddenly he was nudged out of the way by some man wearing, some heavy clothing. A lot around the head but he noticed some short blond hair on him, really light skin too.

The man was walking next to a similarly dressed person. They seemed to be going the same way Duilin was, as they turned left on the next corner. The blond man then stopped, and stepped backwards to take a double check on Duilin.

"Was is it Marshall?" Asked the other man.

"Oh nothing, Firstman. Thought I saw somebody I knew..."

The two continued walking, and Duilin continued slowly towards the airbase...

//Just to let you know I wanted to do that flashback before I read Xorlaks post, so don't be all like "u only did a flashback cuz Zorlax did lol!!1"\\

----

"Iss it alive?" Said a raspy lizard voice.

"Lookz like it." Said another reptilian voice.

"Let me see it." Said a deep lizard voice.

Gorus, picked up the red winged person, with his large hands. "What is it? Some sort of midget dragon man?"

"I think it iss an imp." Said one of the lizardmen. "They are a legendary creature from Hell."

"Pfft." Gorus spat. "It looks like a red noob!" He commented. "How could anyone find something like this scary?" He put the imp down; it seemed to be unconscious, but alive. "Well I guess a human could. But even a human looked stronger then this...stupid thing."

The imp mumbled something. "It'z awake!" Said the other lizardman.

"Duilin...Zeros'...Zion...where?" The imp opened it's eyes. "Where am I?"

"You're in a worse version of hell, that's where." Gorus growled, he then picked up the imp and violent threw him across the room. The imp smacked against a rocky wall. They were apparently in some cave.

"Where did you say you found this?" Gorus asked.

"Around North Point, near the dezert area."

"Interesting. North Point is it? I could have sworn I saw something this size fly into Retan's vortex about 18 months ago."

"18...18 months!?" Rink cried. "Where is...where are my friends?"

"Well what do you know? I think this might be the same one."

"Sssirr...Do you know what this might mean?"

"What?" Gorus asked, looking at this lizard man.

"If thiss is the ssame imp with the group of the outlawss then perhapss the otherss are here too."

"Perhaps." Gorus replied. He looked at the imp. "We'll just keep it alive then. If they are alive, then they'll be able to find him with their magical aura detection. He will be bait." He grinned and licked his lips. "Until then we'll just have a little fun. Get some rope and some darts."

----

Vandrin had sent one of his new mutants to deliver the little present to the Marshall, Kronos of Kandarin. His gift would be a sample of his "Secret Chemical" in a vial, and the mutant delivering it. He would also have the effects of it the chemical and how he could use it, if he wishes to. It would all be on a note...

----

Dear Lord Kronos, Marshal of Kandarinian Sovereignty

Here is a sample of my Secret Chemical. I've kept this project completely secret from nearly everyone, and only me and my chemists know about it, however the general public already knows the outcome. As you can see, I have mastered creating mutants. There are three types of mutants...

-Type 1- Large built humanoids with superhuman strength
-Type 2- Athletically built humanoids with wings
-Type 3- Medium built humanoids with magic abilities

I have also noted that there are some that are a combination of two or even all of the types, which I employ as commanders of the other ones, some also have some deformities which I usually terminate, the success rate of using the chemical is only 85%. The one delivering is of Type 2 and you may keep it. This chemical has been tested and it appears it only works on humans. Use this however you wish.

Enjoy,

Count Theodore Vandrin.

----

//You can assume this arrives at your next post, Ein.\\

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Friday December 1st, 2006

Time? Was it already that time again? It seemed to Alex that it was only yesterday that Asgarnia fell to the Kandarinian Sovereignty. It baffled him that eighteen months had passed in the blink of an eye.

Alex's status among the rebel scientists and the refugees from the city had skyrocketed, as far as giving him messianic names such as "Alex the Great." The emblem on his jacket had grown to represent areas held by the rebels within and outside the city.

His suit, dented and bruised, had seen many battles with Kandarinian soldiers, and his grown-out goatee and facial hair distinguished him as someone who meant business. He himself, however, had been a little worse for wear. Several times he had been injured in fights, whether it be sword lacerations, fractured bones, or whatever method the Kandarinians wanted to use to extinguish the rebellious firebug. Fortunately right now he was in good health.

Asgarnia had changed drastically over the past year and a half, as the Kandarinians had actually made an effort to clean up the tainted landscape, though these efforts soon died out after the threat of an imminent rebellion was realized. Alex and the rebel scientists had so far made astounding headway with helping citizens out of the city and avoid Kandarinian detection. Alex himself referred to the oppressors as "Kandies," but they were anything but sweet.

The consequences of rebellion, which Alex knew, were held as high treason with the Kandarins, which either resulted in death or a lifetime forced servitude under them.

Despite Alex's best efforts to free citizens, the folk trapped within the city did not see much hope in the near future. These poor people were depressed, hopeless and terrified of the higher power that had taken over their great city. The golden age of Asgarnia was over, replaced with stone.

Alex pondered his next mission route in the rebel headquarters, stationed on the outer rim of the underground tunnel system. Over the months, Alex and several scouts were able to eventually draw up a map of the entire city, and mark areas that were due for emancipation. Alex's job was to travel to these districts and locate any citizens, and bring them back to headquarters. Other brave citizens had set up outposts for those so inclined to escape themselves, almost like an underground railroad. Any Kandarinian resistance Alex met, he destroyed. It was as simple as that.

Alex stood up and looked at the map. The Commerce District of Asgarnia had yet to be investigated. Aware of his role he played in the rebellion, he loaded up on yet another mission of freedom.

---

Posted by: D. Ein on Friday December 1st, 2006

"I was taking my walk around the palace premises when the courier reached me.

-"Lord! Lor--" The courier was out of breath, and he stopped to catch it.

-"Yes, yes, what is it?"

-"Lord, we recieved Count Vandrin's tribute."

The courier took out a small vial out of his pouch. The vile-looking liquid inside was bubbling noxiously. The courier also handed me a note that came with the vial.

-"That's great, but would you mind reading it to me?"

Even though I could sense general objects and movements, reading was far beyond me at this point.

-"Oh... yes, of course, my Lord. My deepest apologies, I seemed to have forgotten."

The courier read the note out loud. I sighed.

-"Vandrin, Vandrin, Vandrin... Who does he take me for? What am I supposed to do with a single vial that only has an 85% chance of working? What if this liquid happens to be regular coloured tap water? Of course, he could just blame the 15% of failure."

-"Could I possibly make a suggestion, my Lord?"

-"No. Now go take this vial to the chemists at Qim. Be careful not to trip on any of the rubble there - the factories aren't gone entirely yet."

I detected a bow from the courier, and he ran off to Qim. The disappearance of the factories was a heavy loss at first, but golem-building compensated tenfold for everything those factories provided. A silent, filthy industrial area before the disappearance, it is now full of pits where golems are made every day. There are alchemical centres scattered across the peninsula, which are mainly used to strengthen existing golems. I'm sure they can be used to analyse the contents of the vial, though.

Truly, at first, I was apalled by the idea of animating matter that has never been alive into a manageable creature. That is unholy, even by my standards.

Soon enough, though, I began to see the perks. Golems were completely obedient, but at the same time sentient, which relieved my mind of controlling twice as much as I had to normally. Stone golems and iron golems were particularly durable, while the magic-saturated atronachs made perfect heavy assault soldiers, replacing the mechanical scorpion machines. No sword or bow could cut or pierce solid rock.

Unfortunately, since golems came after the conquest of the continent, I've never field-tested them. Luckily, there was a particularly large wave of resistance in the never-surrendering Asgarnia. At the time, dispatching two atronachs and one stone juggernaut seemed like a rather good idea to me..."

--- --- ---

Asgarnia was hiding under a thick layer of clouds, as it has been ever after the Kandarinian invasion. The gloomy sky had some holes here and there, and the light shining through them cast an occasional ray of sunshine down onto the wrecked city. These fissures were quickly mended by the sky, but it was only a matter of time until new ones ripped. It was as if the clouds were trying to stay over Asgarnia...

Today, however, something seemed amiss. There was a large armed convoy approaching Asgarnia. Usually the convoys were small troop reinforcements, and occasionally supplies, when Asgarnia's resources were completely drawn out. The convoy today, however, was gargantuan in size compared to the previous ones. There were three enormous carriages, covered with thick black cloth. The carriages were pulled by six undead ogres on each car. Unless Kandarinians were planning to stay for a thousand years, supply carriages were never this big...

---

There was a large convoy around the carriages; Bert knew that for a succesful raid that should cripple the Kandarinian oppression, the attack had to be carried out in an ambush. The rebel forces were already planted at both sides of the normally small road, made wide by the supply cars going in and out of the city.

-"Alright, folks, you know the drill: take out the undead ogres first. They will crumble quickly under a well-placed shot of Kandigun, but they'll do a hell of a lot of damage if left untended." Bert clutched his own weapon. Kandiguns referred to the Kandarinian spearguns captured in battle and previous ambushes. "These carriages are too big to be food rations - they must be some sort of weapons. If we capture these, or even destroy them, it should give us an upper hand in battle."

The rebels silently nodded.

-"The convoy draws near. Everyone, to your positions. Hide!"

The ambushing party ducked into two ditches on the either side of the road, while others hid behind a few trees on the roadside. They sat tight, and waited.

---

The stopming of the undead ogres was shaking the earth beneath the ambushers. They were really close... Really, really close... but the party had to hold to let the ogres pass a bit in front. Then they could strike from behind, and use the moment to dispose of the ogres effectively, while they were just turning around to retaliate.

The ogres went into the trees... and slowly passed. This was the cue for the ambushers.

With wild screams, they exploded out of the ditches, and concentrated all fire on the 18 ogres. Quickly, the heads began to roll; carriages stopped one by one. The living Kandarinians were quick to react - they opened fire onto the attackers, with little to no effect. The Asgarnians were wearing protective armour designed specifically against spearguns. Most of the Kandies returned their weapons onto the sheathes on their backs, and drew their wristblades. Thus, the crimson blood began to flow through the mockingly white stone road...

Surprisingly, not all Kandarinians were fighting. Three of them crawled into the carriages, one in each, while their fellow fighters were defending the precious cargo inside - whatever it was - from the attackers. Some were slain, many were wounded. It was about time for a miracle to happen to shift the battle either way.

Suddenly, a blood-chilling roar came from the depths of the middle carriage, stopping both the ambushers and the defenders in their tracks. It was the attackers' guess that not even Kandies themselves knew what was the cargo they were defending with their lives.

The black fabric ripped open, and an enormous abomination crawled out of the carriage. It seemed to be made of chunks of marble, which were floating in mid-air - held together by nothing, it seemed, other than sparks of electricity zapping between the stones. The arrangement of the rocks on the head was made to eerily resemble a human face.

The golem let out another feral roar, and begun cutting through the mass of the attackers. Its weapon looked like it appeared out of nowhere - an axe, seemingly made of pure, blinding light blue shine - which was nevertheless more effective than any other weapons ever held by ordinary soldiers. The axe went right through armour, without even putting a scrape on it - but left a trail of necrotic flesh wherever it touched the body. Essentially, the weapon was pure death. It did not cut, it did not crush, it did not pierce. It simply killed.

With the Atronach's appearance, the Kandarinian fighters relaxed a little bit. Soon enough, the other two golems were charged enough to walk into battle. There was another golem looking a lot like the first one, and then there was the stone juggernaut - an awe-inspiring creation, seemingly shapeless due to its huge size. The juggernaut did not bother itself with weapons. All it had to do was step on a human, and the next second, all that was left of it was a perfectly flat bloodied pancake on the ground.

Needless to say, the attackers stood no chance. They were wiped out in a matter of minutes, and as soon as the resistance seized, the three golems turned to Asgarnia, and advanced towards the distant, half-ruined city...

//A quick note on these golems - they look pretty cheap, so I came up with this idea. They can only be active for, say, five posts until they fall apart in need of another recharge. In order for this to happen, a magically-inclined [sic] individual (which could be an NPC) needs to drain a good three quarters of his power, which has to take at least two posts (this being an exception, as it was meant mostly as an introduction). After that, the golems are bound to whoever charged them.\\

---

Posted by: Burton_projects on Friday December 1st, 2006

Nick watched with folded arms as the courier passed. He turned into the room Kronos was standing in. "Sir what happened?" Nick said unfolding his arms. "What did Vardin want?"He continued.

Since Nicks battle with Galak he had not even touched his swords. For the next time he'd have to draw them would hopefully be his last. He wanted peace between nations, but this dream was unrealistic. He had consentrated on his demonic powers forcing all his power to his mind trying to connect with his inner demon.

Nick was treated well in Kandarian it was like he hada family-if he even had one-He had gotten his own room and was able to do work about the districts. Everyone knew him around the districts. Nick snapped back to sense as he looked back at Kronos.

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Saturday December 2nd, 2006

A thump was heard.

Zeros' groaned, bodily hitting the rocky area of North Point. His eyes were closed and his hair was matted with sweat. His clothes looked the same as when he had disappeared. His wings were folded inwards, resting against his back.

He lay there for a moment before he let forth another groan, slowly sitting up from his position on the ground. A small *clang* was heard, as his sheathed blade hit the rocky ground. He brought his left hand up and rubbed his temples, his right hand grasping the hilt of his sword. He used the sword as a 'cane' of sorts and slowly pushed himself up and onto his feet.

He looked up into the sky, from where he fell. Those eighteen months were definetly not the most pleasent days he had ever experienced, but they certaintly weren't the worse, either.

He shook his head and strapped his sword back in it's rightful place - at his left hip. He ran his hand through his hair, feeling the sweat-covered locks stick to his hand. He opened his eyes briefly for a moment before closing them again.

"W-Where is everyone..." he rasped, his throat raw. He opened his senses, scanning the planet. He growled, sensing the condition of his beautiful Gaian.

Someone would pay for this... but first, he needed to find his friends.

He opened his senses again. The first people he found were Rink, Draven and Duilin, as they seemed to be the only ones back. He knew Draven and Duilin would be fine. He turned in the direction he sensed Rink's aura and extended his wings.

He flapped his brilliant black wings experimently before he crouched low, jumpping into the air, starting to flap towards where he sensed Rink's aura.

((Where is Rink exactly, DM?))

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Saturday December 2nd, 2006

Several miles south of Bandervil was an unnatural looking rocky mountain. Around it were large walls built of stone and metal, and between the mountain and the walls were several buildings and tents with mostly lizardmen inside and around them. Along the wall posts were guns towers, with magic powered cannons. Technology ripped right from the Aspyes.

This was the new fortress of Lizaberg, the mountain itself was a rocky structure, just to High General Gorus' likings. Strange mazes and traps were inside the mountain, only Gorus, Retan, the other High Generals and Grous' elite guard knew they way through. Getting through would be quite a task, for anyone.

----

Meanwhile inside Rink was tied onto the wall, with his arms and legs stretched out, he had several darts stuck into him.

Rink was feeling really weak, perhaps it was the turbulence of the vortex, but he didn't know for sure.

"Okay, that's enough." Gorus ordered. "We don't want to kill it. Soon, those freaks will come here, I'm sure of it." He walked over to Rink, and plucked the darts out of him and ripped the ropes off, but there were still a bit of the rope tied around his wrists and ankles. Gorus picked up a small birdcage. His room was quite messy it had a nice looking bed for Gorus however, but it too was very messy. Piles of random junk were in the corners of the room. The only thing that looked appealing were the weapons hung up on the wall...one of them included Duilin's mace that he got from Abodahon. //remember that.\\

Gorus locked the imp in the cage and then tossed him on the bed. Rink groaned in pain...no matter how hard he tried he couldn't use his magic...

"Out...of....em...pee...." Rink mumbled.

--------

Marshall and Firstman had arrived at the main barracks of the Vandrin County. Vandrin's Kandarin warriors were about it, as well as some large brute mutants.

"I'm never going to get used to those abominations. I can't believe how sick this Vandrin person is..." Marshall said.

"I'll say. In ways he's more sick that Kronos." Firstman replied.

"Nah." Marshall shook his head. "That guys way worse. Anyways, you got the expolsives?"

"Of course, why the hell wouldn't I bring them?"

"No, I mean you have them ready."

"No, not yet. Let's try and get inside first." Firstman and Marshall looked at each other and nodded. They then walked towards the barracks, however the entrance was guarded. They didn't want to make a scene, if they were caught then likely every soldier would charge right at them.

----

Duilin found the barracks and next to it the airbase. He still wasn't sure what this place was. He saw those two strange men again. He wondered what they were up too. He had a feeling that perhaps they were attempting on doing something unlawful. Should he stop them? Maybe they were Aspyes, it might be a good idea. Then again maybe not. Maybe he should just ignore them. But where is the fun in that?

"I'll talk to them." Duilin walked towards the two men, who seemed to be trying to find a way into the barracks. "Hey you too."

"Shit..." One of them whispered.

"What are you too doing."

"You know." The blond man said. "You don't look too much like one of them Air Mutants, you have hair and your skin looks…softer. If I didn't know any better I'd say you were half human and half something else, maybe demon perhaps."

Duilin walked towards the man talking to him. He defiantly recognized him. "Have we met?" He said.

"Perhaps. What's your name?"

"Duilin."

"I'm Marshall."

"Yeah, I know you. What the hell are you doing here?"

Firstman hushed the two. "We can't talk here somebody might see us."

The three men then went into an alleyway next to the airbase.

"Marshall, you know this guy?" Firstman asked.

"Yeah sort of. His name is Duilin, he's one of them flyboys that allied with the Crimson Empire."

Firstman glared. "It's people like you that lowered our numbers. You have any idea how hard it's been to try and spread our message?"

"Just doing my job." Duilin smirked. "But I've kind of changed my business sort of. I've been doing some thinking, and well. I'd rather eat ogre droppings then aid the Dark Empire, and Draven and me got into a little scuffle a bit earlier. So maybe I'll help you guys out...for now."

"Draven?" Marshall said. "Draven disappeared, around um...18 months ago, and well so did you."

"I'll be damned..." Duilin chuckled. He looked at Firstman. "So who's this kid?"

"Patrick Firstman." He said.

"Patrick? I used to know a guy named Patrick, funny guy, his head fell off a couple times."

"Anyways, you wanna help us or not?" Marshall asked Duilin.

"Yeah sure. What's the plan?"

"Okay, Firstman here has got some explosives, he's going to plant it inside the barracks. But we need to get in somehow, and we can't get noticed or else every soldier will come after us and we'll get killed. Perhaps you could cause a distraction somehow?"

"Well, sounds okay. But what about getting in the barracks? You'll need soldier uniforms if you want to move freely around the base."

"Hmm...I've got an idea..." Firstman said...

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Saturday December 2nd, 2006

The younger cloaked figure peered out from behind the massive boulder.

"I... don't get it... Where are the others? The seal is broken, right? I mean, all we got was him!"

The older one rubbed his chin.

"It is possible they rematerialized in different places... or..."

"...Or what?"

"... They didn't survive the confinement..."

The younger one gasped.

By then Draven had caught up with the hiding cloaked duo and leapt over the rocks, landing behind them, effectively trapping the two.

"All right!! Answers! NOW!!"

Ven Hyul threw off his cowl, taking a step towards the Crimson Emperor and clenching his fist.

"We were trying to save our friends, but all we got was you!"

Draven tapped Ven in the chest with his pointer finger, sending him flying back into the rock behind him with a clang.

"Don't get curt with me, peon."

King Henri removed his cowl as well, speaking in a much more hushed tone.

"What he means is, we just broke the seal on whatever spell the Dark Emperor cast on you. And for the love of the gods, please keep your voices down!"

Draven raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

On cue, there was a tremendous screech as something landed in the middle of the barren field where the trio just came from.

"That's why..."

There were two of them. Large muscular dragons, perhaps some 10 feet tall with gray scales and black wings. And the claws... oh the claws... the pair of Dark Dragons sniffed the air and pawed around. Something was amiss, they knew.

With his back to the rock, Ven drew his blade, just peering over the top.

"Those things..." He whispered. "The Dark Continent is infested with them, and other things worse still... It took us a good ten men to bring a single one down, and half of them died in the process..."

Draven wasn't paying attention...

He was floating some twenty feet above the two Tjedians, his fists and teeth clenched, seething with rage.

"RETAAAAAAAAAANNN!!!!!!!!"

He bellowed as a brilliant blast of crimson flame exploded from the man. The heads of both dragons snapped towards him.

"Get OUT HERE!!!!! I'M GONNA KILL EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU MISERABLE REJECTS!!!!"

His fiery aura flared as he shot straight down towards the pair of dragons.

Ven and Henri watched, mouths gaping.

"Oh... my... god..."

The closer dragon opened its mouth to strike, but instead received a massive punch straight to the jaw from Draven's superheated fist. The beast tumbled to ground, causing a tremor as dust flew up into the air. The second dragon had its mouth gaping, plumes of violet energy sparking within it...

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Saturday December 2nd, 2006

Alex kicked down a rotted wooden door and scanned the room with his rifle. When he deemed it clear, he moved in. What he found was a typical domicile suitable for a few people. However, it had seen better days. Furniture was crumbled and dilapidated, the walls cracked and riddled with spear holes from Kandigun fire, and a thick layer of dust covering every last little furnishing. Whoever lived here was not a favorite among the Kandies.

"Hello?" Alex called, his voice sounding hollow and distant through his helmet. "Is anyone here? You don't need to be afraid, I'm here to help you."

A young man of about twenty or so crawled out from under a table and laid eyes on the metal man that had knocked down his door.

"Oh no. OH NO! They're here to finish me off! Don't kill me, I don't know anything!"

"No, no, that's not it!" Alex cried. "I'm with the resistance, I'm here to get you out! The Kandies in this area are all dead. It's smooth sailing from here to Asgarnia South."

Asgarnia South was a codename the rebels gave to their underground base, seeing as it lied to the south of Asgarnia proper. Unfortunately, that was all the way across town.

"You'll want to come with me."

"You are a fine man, sir," the scared little man said. "What if the Kandarinians find us? They'll shoot us on the spot!"

"Not to worry," Alex replied. "We have scouts stationed every few miles or so that can direct refugees into the tunnel network. From there, you ought to be pretty safe while you escape."

"Well, what are we waiting for, let's go!" cried the man, taking cover behind Alex's imposing figure. The suit itself boosted his height to roughly seven feet all.

Alex and the refugee took cover behind a crumbled building. "Wait here," Alex commanded the man as he stepped up onto a pile of rubble to scan the burbs ahead.

The Commerce District was once a gleaming section of the greater city, where one could essentially find anything he was looking for. The Seven Hour War converted this area into a maze of collapsed buildings and toxic soup that made it one of the more dangerous regions of the city.

"All clear," Alex motioned the man up. "Head down this block and make a right turn. A rebel will show you into the tunnel network. Keep running, and no matter what, don't stop."

"Oh, thank you sir, bless you!" The man was overjoyed. "May the light of God be with you!" He took off sprinting towards freedom.

"Let's see," Alex muttered to himself. "That makes him the 17th guy I've saved today. That's gotta be a record."

The ground shook. From experience, Alex knew that ground shaking was generally a bad thing. Alex climbed up on top of one of the crumbling walls and peered over the cityscape. Nothing seemed amiss...

The ground shook again, this time much more violent, nearly knocking Alex from his perch. An ear-splitting roar emanated from the lands to the north, outside the city gates. Alex turned his vision there and saw something most unsettling.

Three enormous abominations were slowly but surely thundering into the city. Alex looked down the scope of his rifle and saw that they were golems. Animated rock monsters. It seems that the Kandies had taken some interest in testing new ways of waging war, and decided to kill two birds with one stone by letting the golems loose on the rebellious population of Asgarnia. From the looks of these beasts, Alex judged that conventional weapons fire would be ineffective. From the electricity arcing between the levitating rocks that made up their bodies, it would seem that magic would also be a futile effort. What else could be used?

Cannons. Weapons that used an explosive powder to launch a heavy projectile at high speed. Perhaps a salvo of cannon fire could cause enough structural damage to prevent them from ever rising again.

...Of course, they could always wait until the magic ran out, Alex didn't see hopes of surviving that long. Perhaps somewhere in the city was an military weapons depot containing cannons used before Asgarnia discovered magic. It was an astronomical gamble, and could result in complete emancipation of the city, or total annihilation.

Still unsure of his plan, Alex got down from the wall as it collapsed behind him from the earth-shattering footfalls of the golems. Another deafening roar echoed throughout the air, even causing a minor fracture in Alex's visor. It was only then he realized that one golem had seen him, and was approaching him.

As the megaton monstrosity drew ever closer, only one word found its way from Alex's lips.

"Shit."

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Sunday December 3rd, 2006

Since they saw him as one. Duilin pretended to be one of the winged type mutants and entered the Airbase. He had his wings folded around him; he was carrying the explosives under them.

Marshall had explained to Duilin, that this place was the Vandrin County. A subgroup of the Kandarinian Sovereignty ruled by an evil count, known as Vandrin. Vandrin is the most known to be the most evil of the Kandarinian sub-monarchs and owns the most land of them. This Vandrin seems like quite a tyrant.

From what Firstman told him, the mutants are pretty dumb, so they may not be able to tell the difference, also likely only officers would be able to spot him out, since most foot guards and peasants don't spend much time with mutants. A lot of officers were in the barracks, so getting in the front door wouldn't be the best idea, plus mutants aren't allowed in the barracks.

The airbase had a lot of explosive bombs in it already; he barely found the need to hide the one he was holding. Apparently they used these winged mutants to fly over cities a drop bombs down on them. Duilin also saw some quivers, arrows and bows so likely they had them be aerial archers. Not a bad idea.

The building had a roof, which seemed to have some gears and pulleys around them, likely showing that the roof could be opened. It was mostly just one big open room, with mutants drooling around. There were three stories of catwalks along the walls, and windows too.

Duilin flapped his wings and flew up to the third catwalk; none of the mutants seemed to notice, even though Duilin barely fitted in, if at all.

He put the explosives down and opened up one of the windows. The barracks wasn't too far away, if he could find an open window then he could sneak in...

-----

"You sure we should trust this guy?" Firstman asked, leaning against the wall of a building across the street of the barracks.

"Sort of..." Marshall replied. "But he's really strong, I've seen him in action."

"Well, it just seems strange giving our trust to some guy we just met who used to be an enemy of the Aspyes."

"Yeah, well, he hates Sovereignty and Imperialism too." Marshall replied. "Yet I think he's probably more of a kingdom kinda guy."

"I never liked kingdoms. They are usually nicer since kings tend to be better people, but...well you know how it is."

"Yeah, well anyway. I guess we could trust him. When I first met him, he seemed like an okay guy."

"Okay. But you better be right about this."

"Don't worry, don't worry." Marshall grunted and then looked around. "So yeah, lets get moving I think these jerks arrest people if they loiter. Let's just circle around the block."

---

Posted by: D. Ein on Sunday December 3rd, 2006

The atronach heading for Alex drew out his signature death-axe. The other atronach changed course for someone else as well, while the juggernaut simply continued stomping towards the city. The old town wouldn't stand a chance against a behemoth golem this large... the question was whether or not the golem would be able to do enough damage before its energy resource died out.

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Sunday December 3rd, 2006

Zeros' frowned, as the area where Rink's aura originated from came into view. He saw the defenses and the technology taken from the Aspyes. He landed about a hundred yards away from the main area and hid behind a rock, crouching down and brushing his hand through his hair again.

It seemed that this would be harder then he thought. He wouldn't have much trouble with the lizardmen. He was more worried about the technology. While he'd fought it before and survived, it was more risk then he wanted to take.

He slowly stood and turned towards the towers, observing his options. He could rush in and be gung-ho, but he assumed Rink was inside, so, he'd have to be careful. He couldn't just rush in and hope everything came out swell.

He closed his eyes and tried sending a telepathic message to Rink. Rink... Rink... Can you hear me?

---

Posted by: Coriko on Sunday December 3rd, 2006

//For my new character Druid i have pre written some post, in my boredom, to get his story started. I would appreciate if no one interacted with him till my pre written posts were over. This is much appreciated, thank you.\\

Roger was out walking, like he had done for the past 13 years. He walked the same path, at the same time every day. He had every pebble memorized. He had a name for every little creek and knew all the trees. It was very much a routine, and today he was to break that routine.

Walking passed the first bridge he started into the forest. After about ten minutes in he came to a clearing. He stopped and took in the sights, like he had so many times before. This time, however, he noticed something out of ordinary. A very, very slight red glow was forming in the clearing. Roger, being a simple man of few worldly sights and not knowing of the horrors of Kronos or Asgarnia, figured it was the sunlight on dust. Soon the light glow grew less faint and more intense. Slowly Roger walked forward. He stuck his hand threw the now formed cloud of dust. It went right through and nothing happened. The cloud was getting a lot denser though.

Just as he was leaning forward to stick his head inside, an arm jetted out of the cloud and grabbed his neck. Gasping Roger put his hands on the unknown arm and tried to pull it off, but quickly withdrew his hands. There was some sort of acid on the arm because it burned to the touch. Looking down at the arm Roger saw that it was grey and cracked. The skin was peeling off and the bone was slightly visible. A tattered blue sleeve fell out of the cloud and a deep, soul burning voice spoke.

“Yes, you’ll do. An eye for an eye. Well, not quite. Replacement, yes replacement. No dirty secrets, I know what you’ve done. That’s why you’ll do. Outwitted him, thinks he is so smart. I’ll show him and you’ll help me pull it off.”

These words made no sense to Roger, yet he knew that they did make sense to someone. Then a ripping sensation. All his nerve endings go the same ripping sensation, then nothing. Roger was gone and so was the cloud. All that was left was a man on the forest floor, gasping for air.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Sunday December 3rd, 2006

Draven crossed his arms before him as the beast let lose an eerie violet orb from its mouth, striking the defenses Draven through before himself and resulting in a massive explosion. The enraged fire mage was thrown backwards, tumbling on the ground.

He rolled out of the way as the first dragon struck back with its claws, having regained its footing. Both dragons were upon him as he rose to his feet, snapping their ferocious fangs as the Crimson Emperor hopped backwards, left, right, left ,right...

"AHHHHRRRGHH!!!"

The scream was from behind. Taking a longer leap, Draven glanced behind his shoulder. A third Dark Dragon had found the two left behind in the rocks, and was now flying away with Henri clutched in its claws, a frantic Ven running behind.

"Sire!!!"

With a leap, a gust of visible wind materialized under the black robed silver knight, and he rode the aerial blast skyward, chasing after his liege.

One of the two dragons attacking Draven (the one who felt his punch in the face) thought this was more entertaining and broke away to join in the chase.

Draven clenched a burning fist as the other dragon towered over him.

"Blast it...!"

He slowly subdued his rage. Clearly blindly assaulting the Dark Emperor would get him no where. On the other hand, that king with the third eye which can "see" things, would prove his usefulness once again.

Jumping clean over a tail strike, Draven flipped over the dragon's right shoulder and clutched its scaly gray back. The beast began to buck and rear, lashing it neck around to snap at the unwelcome rider. But Draven was quick to stop it, thrusting a quickly formed crimson blade into the back of the monster's neck, the burning sword sticking though to the other side. The dragon crumbled with a crash.

Removing the sword of fire, the maniacal fire mage darted skyward wrapped in a fireball, after the dragon who was after Ven who was after his liege.

Things would get interesting indeed...

---

Posted by: Coriko on Sunday December 3rd, 2006

After catching his breath he stood up. His long black cloak flowed down his legs. His hood was up and his face was hidden. In his hand he had a black staff with a massive ruby on top.

“You god damned son of a bitch! Get your ass back here you bloody coward.”

It was no use and he knew it. Breathing deeply in and out he tried to calm down, but to no avail.

“AAARRRRRRRGGGGHH!”

He lifted up his staff and slammed the end into the ground. A massive shockwave flew outwards from the tip of the staff. It spread out in all directions but ended at the forest’s edge so no one in the village knew what happened. Anything living in the area of the wave died. Birds dropped out of the sky, mighty trees withered away. He felt a little better.

“Well, best get started on this new world.”

He started walking at a random direction out of the forest. He felt badly for the first town he came across.

---

Posted by: D. Ein on Monday December 4th, 2006

General Zjott zu Heltzer, son of Graf zu Heltzer, was out inspecting the citizens of Asgarnia. Ever since Kandarin took over Asgarnia, Zjott was put in charge of affairs on behalf of the Sovereignty. Unfortunately, he couldn't see his father anymore because of this - the pesky underground resistance left Zjott little peace.

The citizens seemed to be behaving quite innocently today... even that one house Zjott memorized specifically for insubordination. He had his suspicions that the family residing in that house were a part of the resistance, and he put the house under surveilance. Perhaps it was wise not to execute the family before finding out everything he could about them... maybe this could open a loophole in the resistance, which would let him get rid of it once and for all...?

Just then, he heard the wails of golems. This was new to Zjott, for he left Kandarin before golems were introduced and widely used. He left the patrol party to themselves, and hurried towards the outer city walls.

Luckily, the house he was inspecting was located right next to the city limits, so Zjott got to the walls rather quickly. There, he saw the two Atronachs slicing through the resistance soldiers, as well as the Stone Juggernaut inevitably approaching the city with every intent to crush it.

And then, he saw him. The man that eluded him for so long, whom he only knew from wanted posters and descriptions from his soldiers... Could he have been mistaken...? No, the armour and the weapon both match the description.

He seemed to have been busy observing an Atronach coming right at him. Zjott ducked, and carefully eyed Alex from behind a corner.

---

On the other side of town, in a relaxed inn...

-"Haha! Yeah, and then I totally smashed that Kandie's face in!"

-"Pfft, bull. You had to smash through the glass visor first, idiot! No human hand can break through that without some kind of an obvious injury to the hand. Stop making stuff up."

-"Yeah, but it was a really dumb Kandie! He opened his visor because he was eating."

-"Like hell."

-"Do these muscles lie to you? DO THEY?!"

-"..."

-"That's it, you're gettin' it just like that Kandie did."

When a bar brawl seemed imminent, the inn doors slammed open. A figure completely covered in torn, ripped cloth entered with a slight limp. It did not stop for anything, it just stumbled straight to the barman.

-"The vilest booz' you haff. Now."

Without any comments, the barman filled a glass full of transluscent liquid. The mysterious stranger drank the whole thing and asked for another one, and that's when the barman's eyes started to widen.

-"Most people don't keep standing after one glass, and you want another?"

-"Ve ar' not like mozzt peeple. Ve demand anozzer glas'."

With a wild look, the barman complied. The stranger emptied that one as quickly as the first one, but did not ask for a refill. Instead, he slammed a ruby as big as a human fist down onto the table, which he produced from a fold in his cloak. The figure headed out.

-"Keep ze change."

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Monday December 4th, 2006

The dragon Draven was tailing streaked as the Crimson Emperor suddenly landed on its back, earning the same fate as its companion, though slightly lower in the neck. Ven and the last dragon were quickly making distance though, and Draven sped off through the skies after them, flaring his crimson aura brighter as he strained to catch up with the wind riding knight.

"Look what you did!" Ven shouted over his shoulder, angrily alluding to King Henri's predicament in the claws of the smaller yet faster dragon speeding up ahead.

"You mean, look what your miserable weakness and general incompetence in paying attention to your surroundings did." Draven shot back as he pulled up along side the knight.

Ven clenched his teeth and began to retort, but he knew the fire mage was right, as manically twisted as he was. He had failed to protect his liege... He sucked in a deep breath and cast the wind spell stronger, begining to speed up, but Draven caught him on the shoulder.

"Listen. That thing's taking King Three-Eyes somewhere, and I'm willing to bet it's not some grimy cave. Taper back and follow it for a while. Let's see where it's heading..."

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Monday December 4th, 2006

Nearby, Allen was also hiding from those three, huge dragons. He wasn't like everyone else. He didn't have enormous ammounts of power at his disposal, like the other people he knew.

The 18 months had been good to the old alchemist. He didn't look any younger, all the wrinkles of his face seeming the same since he was last seen, but his eye held a wariness in them. A wariness from the constant battles had seemed to exhaust his old bones. He was only human, after all.

He had started to study some basic martial arts, only enough to help him survive.

He quietly walked up to Draven and Ven, clearing his throat softly.

"Ahm... If I may speak, my liege?"

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Monday December 4th, 2006

(You of course realize Ven and Draven are flying through the air, after the last dragon. Heh... Perhaps Allen is riding one of those disc things?)

Still soaring through the air, Draven turned, seeing Allen approaching. Hearing himself called 'liege' was reassuring, a testament to the now long forgotten Crimson Empire... A bit of sanity left in this world now truly gone insane.

"Well, well, long time... Speak, Allen, your wisdom is always welcome."

He was perhaps a bit nicer to the old man than usual. He should be after all, as this could very well be his last follower in the entire world...

Ven clenched his teeth turning his head back towards the dragon and the captive Henri and towards Allen. The old alchemist's aid in Tjed was crucial the past year in a half, so his words should not be taken lightly. His speed slowed a bit, but he made absolutely certain that dragon did not fall out of sight with his king...

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Monday December 4th, 2006

Rink's eyes opened as he heard Zeros', he was still feeling dizzy and woozy.

He tried to send a message to Zeros'...

"Zeros'...help...b...lizard..."

----

The barracks, in the Vandrin County, was large building, with several large tents in front of it. The back of the building was facing the air base.

One of the windows of the barracks opened up.

"Man, it stinks it in here..." Commented the soldier opening the window.

Duilin, who was in the airbase, decided to take this opportunity and he climbed out the window keeping one hand holding on to the bottom rim. He hand his feet against the wall, he then jumped from the wall and flapped his wings to gain height and then grabbed on to the bottom rim of the open window in the barracks with one hand still holding the explosives in the other.

The soldier about to leave the room turned around as he saw Duilin climbing up. "What the..." He walked towards the window. "What the hell do you think you're doing!? Get ba--"

Duilin cut him off with a swift slug across the temple knocking him out. Duilin shook his fist; he sniffed the air and grimaced. "It does smell in here."

The opened the door and looked around outside, there was a hallway with several other doors and a staircase. He needed to set the bombs were it would heart.

He sneaked trough the hallway and down the staircase. Not very many people, he assumed they were mostly all in the tent. One this floor was a larger room, with a statue of some handsome looking but old guy, and there was one guard. He was wielding some sort of weapon that looked like it launches a spear. Around his neck was a whistle. He'd probably blow on it and alert a bunch of people. He was looking at the statue, if he turned around he shifted his head he'd actually be able to clearly see Duilin if he wasn't crouching. It seemed pretty tough to get by him...unless.

'Hey buddy, come here. I found somebody.' The guard heard a voice from behind him, it sounded like the solider that got knocked out by Duilin.

"Tray? 'Dat you?" The guard turned around and walked down the hallway at the end of the room.

Duilin had sent a telepathic message to him, using the soldier's voice and threw the 'sound'.

Duilin then walked into the larger room, it had several other doors and a map on the wall facing the statue. Duilin looked at the map, apparently the rooms in the building were either officer's rooms or armouries. He then saw another room. Cannon storage.

"Heheh. God, this is going to be too easy."

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Tuesday December 5th, 2006

(Er... Yes! Of course. That's what I meant. <coughs>)

Zeros' frowned, hearing Rink's unsteadiness. He knew that Rink must be weak now, possibly dying. He had to get to him fast, but he couldn't be sloppy. One mistake could alert the lizardmen to his presence and put Rink's life in danger... Well, more danger then it was already in.

He peered up, seeing the sentries atop the walls. He closed his eyes and concentrated. He felt his body lightly shimmer, as hi aural signature disappeared from the senses. He smiled and adjusted his clothes and his weapon, making sure not one thing was out of place.

He stepped out from behind the rock and set a steady pace towards the enterance. The cannons didn't move to turn and fire at him, so, he assumed he was safe, at least for now. He shimmed along the enterance, quietly slipping into the gates, unnoticed, for now.

(And now, Duilin, you can give me a picture of the inside. Or is it just the rocky mountain as a fortress?)

---

Allen nodded and adjusted his glasses. He steadied himself with his feet and hands on his flying disk. He was used to riding these, but not at the speeds Draven and Ven were traveling. He could, at least, stay with the two.

"These... dark dragons work directly under Retan, correct? If so, the first place we can assume they'll be taken is straight to the source, which means, North Point," he said, pointing towards the direction the dragons were flying. He wasn't sure if that was towards North Point or not.

"If they're not going towads North Point, another logical area is somewhere that would be very difficult to access, either it was heavily guarded or they had another kind of defense. It's safe to assume, though, that any attempt at retrieving King Henri won't be easy," he said, voicing his thoughts.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Tuesday December 5th, 2006

//Heheh, Zeros' called me Duilin.\\

Around the mountain (which is just the main part of the fortress) are several buildings with Lizardmen, training, resting, eating or amusing themselves as they wait for assignments. There is an open doorway that serves as the entrance to the mountain. However inside the mountain is a specially designed security system (a series of puzzles, heh).

Getting into the mountain may be a little tricky as the entrance is guarded by two large lizardmen, but if you could get passed the turrets then getting past them might not be to hard.

Inside the mazes of the mountain, it is filled with Anti-Mana gas (so no using invisibility, teleportation spells or any sort of magic to get past). There are three rooms you must get through security system has

//Guess we'll start with my little mini-game now.\\

After you enter the mountain there is a hallway, leading to door, which must be opened with a password, next to the door is a jumble of letters that must rearranged, to open the door.

ABPWLINTHOREUBE

Hints:
-5 words
-It has something to do about a place that serves drinks
-Remember one letter does not belong and may be left out

//Let's just let Zeros' try this for himself, if he can't do it then you guys can help out, but I'd like him to give it a shot first.\\

----

Duilin had arrived in the cannon room. Lots of gun power so this should make a big kaboom. The explosives were a series of various types of bombs all jumbled together, and a long wick to detonate it.

He held the wick next to his right pointer finger, which he lit a small plume of flame on with his fire magic. The wick was lit, and began to sparkle.

"Now to get the hell out of here." He said as the put the bomb on crate of gunpowder.

He then dashed out of the room. He looked around, to make sure nobody was around, he didn't hear anyone, so he ran down a hallway and up a set of stairs that led back to the main room, the guard was back. He looked annoyed. Duilin sent another message towards him.

"I'm over here you dummy!"

"Okay WERE!?" He shouted going back down the hallway, sounding angry.

Duilin then ran up the stairway.

The guard turned around. "Who was that!?"

Shit. He saw me, guess that wasn't too smart.

He ran back into the room, he started and then jumped out the window and grabbed onto the open window on the other side, which he came from and climbed back into the airbase and shut the window.

The guard looked out the open window, and then at the guard lying down on the floor, who was rubbing his forehead as he woke up.

"What happened?"

"A mutant I think...hit me on the head, he jumped ou-"

Suddenly a loud booming sound came, and a large part of the barracks exploded in a burst of flame, and the building began to burn...

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Wednesday December 6th, 2006

"Would make sense."

Draven said as he turned forward.

"Uh guys..." Ven ventured, "Which way is north even? I can't make out the sun at all..."

Indeed, the dead crimson skies showed no sign of the sun though their thick clouds, only a dull glow, from no particular direction.

Suddenly, the dragon up ahead dropped from the sky, disappearing behind a ledge.

"Blast it, it found what it's looking for all right..."

Draven sped ahead of the other two and landed at the crest of the ridge, peering over the jagged rocks. Before him was a steep valley, walled in on all sides by pointed rocks, almost like a crater. Resting in the center of the valley was a massive black airship with jagged jutting wings and fearsome cannons. The Crimson Emperor recognized it as similar to the warships designed in Redvik, though this one seemed slightly larger and altogether more intimidating.

Sure enough the dragon was flying down towards it, a group of scaly lizard men pointing up at the creature and advancing towards it. Draven smirked...

Ven landed at Draven's left.

"What are-- oh, geez..."

"Close, Allen, a moblie base... Much better for us..." Draven commented, his smirk glinting on evil.

Ven took note of this.

"You think we can get him out of there?"

"No need. I'm going to steal it."

"St-steal it?!"

Ven's eyes widened at the massive black structure. He could at the very least make out a hundred of those scaly lizard things moving about down there... No telling how many more were inside.

"How, pray tell, do you intend to pull that off?"

"We sneak on board and kill everyone after it takes off..."

Ven pressed a gauntlet over his forehead. With beads of sweat dripping from he brow, he watched as the lizards tied and bound King Henri, leading him to a ramp that ascended into the bowels of the ship. His gauze then strayed to a small figure standing off to the side. He thought the black robed figure was wearing a gray helmet at first, but then saw its tail...

"Oh, gods..."

Ven clutched Draven's shoulder with his right gauntlet, pointing the figure out in the crowd of lizards.

"It's one of those gray demons..."

"Huh?"

Draven found the figure. It was definitely calling the shots, pointing at the lizards around him and directing where they went, thought he was much shorter and far less imposing than the fearsome beasts.

"Velken. Only one, though. What's the big deal?"

Draven knew little about the silver coated fox like race, of course.

Ven shook his head, visibly shaken.

"You don't understand... I lost an entire legion of men to those things... And there were only ten of them... They work in small groups, with deadly precision. There's never only one..."

"Feh, I'll handle the fur balls, then..."

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Wednesday December 6th, 2006

Zeros' looked around, scanning the vacinity of the area. It wouldn't be too difficult for him to get in. He kept himself quiet, sneaking around and ducking out of sight, even if he was invisibily, when a lizard patrol came. He might be invisible to the ki and normal senses, but he still had his smell and, if he guessed right, the lizardmen probably had an remarkable sense of smell.

He continued this routine until he reached the two guarding lizardmen. He hummed in his mind. He could just slip past them, probably unnoticed and get inside. He reached inside of his jacket and took out a very small, but very sharp dagger. He made a shallow cut on his thumb and sucked on it. Then, he went to either side of the lizardmen and looked around.

He spotted what he wanted. The released his thumb from his mouth and splashed his blood on the sharp rocks he had found. He did the same to the other side. He silently thanked his luck that the mountainous formations weren't very smooth.

Immediately, the lizardmen smelled blood. The both spoke to each other quickly and went to investigate the smell. As soon as they left their posts, he quietly slipped inside, sucking on his thumb to keep the smell in. The two lizardmen returned to their posts, brushing off the scent of blood as a small animal being cut or some such.

He stepped inside of the mountain, his heightened senses allowing him to 'see' the dank mountain. He felt his invisibility drop and nodding. Some sort of anti-magic substance.

"Smart..." he murmured to himself. He came to the first puzzle and blinked.

He blinked again.

He let out a silent groan.

He wasn't one for word puzzles.

---

Allen nodded his ascent and followed the two much stronger men. He didn't go quite as fast as them when they sped up, but he managed to keep them in sight. He dipped down and reached them during the tail end of their conversation.

He floated behind Draven and adjusted his glasses, calcuatingly looking down at the ship. Interesting design...

"What do you want me to do, sire?" he asked, silently floating beside the two, his wrinkled face looking at the ship in interest.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Wednesday December 6th, 2006

//Give up already? Fine I'll put another hint in my post.\\

As Marshall and Firstman noticed that the barracks had blown up they went back to check it out. They passed through a crowd of peasants.

"What happened? Did the castle blow up?" A peasant asked.

"No Leon, I think it was the barracks." Replied another.

"And to make matters worse the pub has no beer left." Added another.

//Heheh...Think you can do it now?\\

----

Rink was started to gain back his energy. He saw Gorus and the other two lizards playing cards, so he thought he should take the opportunity to teleport out of the cage. Yet for some reason he couldn't, he just made the cage rattle.

Gorus turned around. "Hahah!" He laughed. He looked back at the others. "Its a good thing I bought a bunch of anti-mana gas."

"Yeah, but ssir, what if you want to uses magic? Like transsform?"

"Oh, transformation stuff works just fine actually. At least the way the geparti's practice it." Gorus replied tossing a card into a pile of others.

"Zir, you can't burn twozz..."

"You can't, I can!" Gorus snapped.

"What do you want with me!?" Rink yelled, getting their attention.

"Shut up you." Gorus snapped without even turning to look at the imp.

"Who knows how long I'm going to be here, and if you're going to kill me the least you could do is tell me what you want."

"Yeah, well the least you could do is shut the hell up!"

Rink smirked. "I don't even think you know what you want from me."

Gorus turned around and growled. "I don't think you even know when to SHUT UP!" He then turned back and continued playing cards.

"Zir, it wasn't your turn."

"Yeah. It. Was." Gorus snarled.

Rink laughed and then leaned back in his cage. What an idiot.

----

Several Mutant Mages were blasting water spells onto the fire trying to put it out, the fire was already spreading onto other buildings and most of the entire county was in alert.

Duilin, kept quiet and he slowly stepped from the airbase. A few winged mutants had left to go search, so he didn't find much harm.

He spotted Marshall and Firstman, not to far from the alleyway he started from. Firstman motioned him to come over and the three of them stepped into the alleyway.

"Okay, odds are is that somebody likely saw us." Firstman said. "So we've got to get out of here. Any plans?"

"Well how'd you guys get in?" Duilin asked.

"We sneaked in on a supply carriage in a convoy." Marshall replied. "How'd you get it?"

"Hell if I know. I got sucked into a huge vortex and eighteen months later I'm here." Duilin replied. "Well, I do have an idea, actually."

"There they are!!" Shouted a voice. "I saw that haired mutant jump in and out of the barracks!" It was a peasant, with two guards. "And those two were loitering!"

"Oh...bloody hell..." Duilin groaned.

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Wednesday December 6th, 2006

All Alex could do was stand there was the massive rock monster stomped closer and closer, leaving crater-like footfalls. His weapons were useless, and the golem's stride was far longer than Alex could cover in time to escape. He needed a plan.

"Maybe if I hide somewhere..."

That hardly seemed a viable option. The golem clearly had the power to level any building he saw fit. Hiding above ground would be just as affective as Alex shooting at it. Seeing no other viable options, Alex decided to track down the munitions depot.

Alex had two back-up plans. The city was a maze of tall buildings and narrow streets. Alex, only seven feet tall, could weave through them far easier than a hundred-foot tall behemoth, who would be forced to knock buildings down. Plan one was to stay in a tight area full of buildings until he found an entrance to the underground, which was plan two. However, his key priority was locating a gunpowder cannon.

Alex clomped through the alleys of the Commerce District, emitting heavy metal on concrete stomps as he ran. The golem stalked him inevitably, but then soon became encumbered on the grid of buildings between him and the armored rebel. Seeing no other way to get to Alex, the rock monster roared and brought his huge stone fists down on an apartment complex, causing debris to fly everywhere. The thunderous crash echoed throughout the district and soon the sun was eclipsed in dust and rock. As Alex kept dashing, a torrent of pebbles and gravel soon bombarded him, filling the air with the ringing of the rocks bouncing off Alex's armored body. Convinced he was far ahead, he stopped to turn around and look. The golem was preoccupied with knocking down buildings. Not exactly a civil tactic, but at this point in time, civility was as dead as the decaying shield spire. Interestingly enough, the Kandarinians had not yet disposed of it. Perhaps they had a plan to salvage it?

Despite the golem's slowing down, Alex kept going to gain all the more distance on the beast. He had gotten intel that perhaps on the other side of the Industrial District there was a weapons cache to be plundered. If Alex could get there, he could commandeer a cannon and thwart the golem...that is, if its magical power had not yet subsided by then.

The Industrial District was an often-avoided part of town, and for good reason. Nearly the entire district was submerged in about three feet of stagnant soup that could even erode Alex's tough outer shell. Thankfully, some gracious citizens had taken the time to construct a network of platforms and walkways that would keep any passersby out of the deadly mix. However, the toxic lake was not the only danger. Malfunctioning machines damaged in the Kandarinian attack still operated, sometimes knocking down walkways and platforms, and even going as far as detonating and demolishing a wall where an unfortunate Alex might be standing. It all seemed to be one big puzzle that had yet to be solved.

"Well," Alex sighed. "I knew this wouldn't be easy."

The golem had apparently lost interest in the rebellious metal man and decided to destroy another part of the city, thankfully. Alex climbed over the fence to the Industrial District, and landed at the shore of the stagnant lake.

It seemed solving this puzzle had two prizes. One was the weapons cache, and the second... Alex would still be alive at the end of it.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Thursday December 7th, 2006

Draven turned to Allen.

"We're probably going to have to split up once we get inside. You stick with knight boy over here and see if you can get this thing under control. I doubt they changed the inner designs much..."

He then turned back to Ven, grabbing him by the collar of his armor and jerking his face up to his.

"You hear that knight boy? If anything happens to my alchemist, you die. Clear?"

"But I--"

Draven began shaking the man.

"Clear?"

"Erm, uh, y-yes sir!"

He dropped the knight, who began to clench his teeth.

The lizards were beginning to file into the ship, and a humming noise was audible.

"Time to go."

Draven hopped over the boulder, and began to slink down the slope, weaving in and out of the rocks as he approached the black airship. Ven sighed before following behind.

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Thursday December 7th, 2006

Zeros' rubbed his temples with his fingers and peered at the word puzzle again, starting to think more on the strange combination of words.

"Hmm..." he tilts his head and starts to rearrange the words inside of his mind. "Let's see her... No... That's not right..." he sighs and grumbles, rubbing his eyes. "When did lizards get this smart?" he asked to no one in particular, raking his hand through his hair.

Then, he frowned and said five words, "No beer with a pub?"

//Not sure if that's it, but it's five words, has something to do with a place that serves drinks and has one letter left out.\\

---

Allen nodded and looked over towards Ven.

"Yes sir," he said, making a small salute towards Draven before following behind the two stronger men, as they drifted closer towards the ship.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Thursday December 7th, 2006

//Really, really close. Here is another hint, if you don't get it from this hint then...I don't think I can continue.\\

Gorus dealt a few more cards.

"Ack!" One of the lizards groaned. "Look at thiz, thiz hand iz awfull." he showed the other lizard his hand.

The other lizard looked at his hand. "That hand is ass ussefull as a pub with no beer."

"That's an odd metaphor." Gorus said, narrowing his eyes, looking at the lizard oddly.

"Yeah I know, it jusst came to my mind, for ssome reason."

//I practically just gave that to you.\\

----

"You're coming with us. Put your hands on your head." Said one of the guards drawing his sword, as he walked towards the trio.

Duilin pointed his hand at the guard walking towards them, lightning energy sparked from his finger tips and a bolt of lightning blasted from his hand, striking the guard in his torso, the metal armour he was wearing didn't help him at all. The life was nearly jolted right out off him and he fell to the ground unable to move.

As the second guard witnessed this he lifted the whistle he had chained around his neck and and blew on it, making a high pitched a loud sound. A second later a loud bell rang from a nearby tower. A group of four winged mutants flew to where they heard the whistle, and began circling around the area. Soldiers from all around a half-mile radius who heard the sound grabbed their weapons and began running towards the commotion.

A bullet covered in a large amount of ice, was shot from Marshall's MagiPistol, it jabbed right into the second guard's chest, breaking through the armour. The guard then fell dead on the ground.

The peasant who reported them backed away and ran, Duilin went to run after him yet Marshall grabbed his wing. "Don't! He's only an innocent.!"

Duilin shook his wing from Marshall's hand, spun around and swung his fist right into Marshall's face. Marshall grabbed his nose and stepped back a few feet.

"Don't touch my wing!" Duilin growled.

Marshall glared at Duilin. "You almost broke my nose!" He cried.

"Suck it up." Duilin snapped back.

"HEY!" Firstman shouted, grabbing the sword from the barely conscious guard laying on the floor. "Quit screwing around, let's get the hell out of here!"

"Alright. You two run. I'm gonna take out those mutants, they're giving us away."

Duilin jumped into the air and flapped his wings, and flew up until he matched the height of the flying mutants.

"Hey freaks! Come and catch me!" Duilin taunted, waving his middle finger at the mutants. He exaimed the group, they were definatly mutants, and they were holding spears.

The spear-wielding mutants flew towards Duilin, he shot a fireball at one of the mutants, and knocked it away, its spear caught fire so he threw it at Duilin. The half demon caught it and threw it back, and impaled the mutant and it fell to the ground. The three remaining mutants circled him. They growled and made some strange noises.

"You no mutant. You die." One mutant dove towards him, with his front facing the ground, and his spear pointed forward.

Duilin flew upwards avoiding the strike and dove down and smashed his elbow into the back of the mutant, causing it to rotate head first downward and drop his weapon. Another mutant came towards Duilin and jabbed his spear towards him. Duilin grabbed the spear right under the blade, and broke it off. The third one came up towards him from the other side, he jabbed the blade right into the mutant's heart killing it almost instantly. The first mutant then tired to grab Duilin yet he grabbed the winged creature's wrists, and squeezed them. The mutant however showed no sign of showing pain and just glared at Duilin oddly, and then kneed the half demon in the belly. Duilin let go, and flew back, and few feet. The mutant with the broken spear then struck Duilin in the chest, with the wooden pole and then in the face.

Duilin lost his flight control and began to fall, yet he gained backed his balance however and the flew towards the mutants, coving himself in lightning energy, he then stopped and then blasted the energy into the sky, then a series of lightning bolts began to rain down, striking the remaining mutants, and taking them to the ground below.



Meanwhile down at the floor of the city, Marshall and Firstman had been running from the army of guards, chasing them. A few of them were armed with shotguns and fired at them the occasional times, and Marshall shot back with his magipistols blasting fireballs and ice chunks.

Suddenly Marshall and Firstman found themselves surrounded, as they were in a small street with two large groups of guards on both sides.

"Damn. Maybe we should just surrender." Firstman suggested.

Just then the shot gunners then aimed their weapons.

"I don't think they want us too." Marshall said. "Wait I've got an idea."

"On three!" Said a voice from one of the crowds of guards.

Marshall then holstered one of his MagiPistols and then held on to his amulet.

"One..."

The sapphire then began to glow. "Grab onto me."

"Two..."

Firstman rolled his eyes. "Not this again, you know how much this bugs me."

"Three!"

Just before the guards fired their weapons, a large puff of blue smoke, came and then sucked into a mass under Marshall and Firstman, a brown skinned wyvern then smashed from under the ground and flew the two people away.

"Damnit." Snapped the guard captain. "They're too high now..." He crossed his arms as he watched them get away. "Guess we'll leave it to the Aerial Mutants."

---

Posted by: Coriko on Thursday December 7th, 2006

“Hey mister, what’s with the clothes, you some sort of evil over lord? My name’s Timmy, my dad is Jerry and my mom is Marie. I had a dog named Marie; she died when I threw her out the window. I actually didn’t; really, I just say I did to seem cool. Do you lie to be cool, mister? I do all the time. Like this one time, when I was with my friends and we found a frog and we were like ‘no way’ and then I said I’ll eat it. And they were like...”

A loud bang interrupted the child’s prattling and then it started to rain Timmy. Walking forward the man started to wipe flecks of skin off his cloak unaffected by the past five seconds. He thought of this as a necessary loss. A man was standing a few meters a way looking where Timmy was and his wife was crying against his shoulder. The cloaked figure stopped and looked at the pair.

“Was he yours?”

Jerry slowly nodded.

“You better hope that kind of behaviour wasn’t picked up from anyone else in the town.”

With that the figure kept walking through the town. Picking a door at random he walked in.

“AHH, what are you doing?! Get the hell out of my house.”

“My sincerest apologies ma’am.”

The figure bowed slightly and left the house. Once in the street he turned around facing the house. He raised his staff up to the house. The ruby started to glow. He lowered the gem to the ground. A red ring formed around the house. He then lifted the staff up the skies. A deep rep blast came out the ground and enveloped the house cutting off all visual view. Slowly he lowered the staff towards the ground and the pillar lowered and disappeared. His staff dimmed in colour and then the light went out. The house was gone, there was absolutely nothing left. It was like the house was never there. Shouting in a loud booming voice the figure addressed the town.

“You will call me Druid or Sir. Druid is not my real name and if you’re lucky you will never know what is. I will inhabit your town for a few days while I get re-oriented. You will show me the utmost hospitality or you will end up like that woman.” He said thrusting his staff in the direction of where the house used to stand. “I will ask you questions and you will answer to the absolute best of your abilities. I will you know if you are lying and you will pay dearly. Don’t annoy me and don’t speak unless spoken to. Do not break that rule or you will end up like Timmy. If I need anything else I will let you know.”

With that he concluded his address. He then picked another house at random and entered. A few minutes later a family walked out without a fuss.
_______________________________________________________

Druid got out of bed and stood up. Slowly the sun was creeping into the room. As soon as it got to Druid’s feet it stopped, leaving space a reasonable space between it and his feet. It didn’t want to risk illuminating Druid’s war scarred body. The foot stepped forward, the sun moved back. The foot stepped forward, the sun moved back. Anyone watching this would have been shocked and amazed, but after seeing it several hundred times, it gets annoying.

“For god’s sake Sun. We’ve had this conversation before. This is my room. Outside is your world and you have the power there. We have had this conversation on my world and now this one. Now, either grow the balls and come forward in my domain or piss off till you do.”

Slowly the sun shrunk away thinking it may be best to try again tomorrow.

“Damn pansy.”

Druid muttered to himself and was about to get dressed. He had been in this town a day or two now and had found out some interesting things. For one he was on a planet called Gaian or something to that avail, he wasn’t sure. People here summoned creatures and used fire and over elemental powers. His powers were classified as shadow magic here. And… his train of thought was interrupted. Something wasn’t right. He stopped moving and looked at his surroundings. His cloak had been moved, the door was ajar and a lamp was lit in the hallway. His cloak was on a blue wicker chair instead of on the desk where he had put it on top of his staff. Then it hit him, his staff. Rushing over he grabbed his cloak and headed for the door. Walking outside he saw that the town had gathered. All were standing behind a muscular man that was holding his staff.

“You slow minded imbeciles. You think that staff is the source of my powers? That staff is a conductor and only serves the purpose as a way to channelling my powers. I don’t even need it for that,”

With that he shot a small beam from his index finger right at the man holding his staff. The man gasped and fell backwards with a tiny hole right between his eyes.

“as you can see. Thank you for your hospitality. If you hadn’t pulled this stunt I would have walked away and never returned. Since you did however, I will annihilate anything that so much as moves in this town will make sure nothing will ever be able to live here again.”

While he was talking his hands started to glow the same colour as the gem on his staff. Then he lifted his hands up in the air which seemed to spark and smoke. His hands fractured into millions of pieces, absorbing into the dust. As soon as this happened he plunged his hands downwards into the ground. A massive wave erupted around him moving outwards, like in the forest but more intense. When the wave would come across anything living it would cause that thing, human being or animal, to be destroyed at a molecular level. They would agonisingly be ripped apart atom by atom. This entire process was over in a blink of an eye.
The town was completely empty and most building knocked over in ruins and there was nothing but quietness. Slowly Druid stood up, his hands had reformed. He stood there in the vast emptiness slowly breathing in and out. He walked over and picked up his staff, and then started walking eastwards for whatever may lie in his way.

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Friday December 8th, 2006

Zeros' slapped his forehead and groaned. Now it was obvious, since he said it outloud.

"A pub with no beer," he said, feeling dumb for not getting it last time.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Friday December 8th, 2006

Duilin met up with Marshall and Firstman who were riding on the back of a wyvern. They hovered in the air, so they could talk.

"Duilin." Marshall called. "How are we going to get out? They have magic cannons on the walls surrounding the county. We won't be able to fly out of here, without getting shot down."

Duilin rubbed his chin. "Well I might be able to get by the cannons." He said. "Well, then again no. Zeros' was always better at that then I was. I'm more of the uh..."

"What?" Firstman asked.

"Anyways, let's just get to lower ground." Duilin said as he swooped downwards. "We're too easy to spot way up here."

Marshall flew the wyvern down, following Duilin through the city.

----

Vandrin was sitting in his chamber room, reading a large book, titled "How to Get Even More Stinking Rich Then You Already Are." written by somebody named Dill Rates. As he was in the middle of reading a sentence a messenger dressed in a green and burgundy suit came in.

"Count Vandrin." Said the messenger in greeting. "I have troubling news. Apparently three rebels broke in the county, they have destroyed one of our main barracks and they are still at large."

"Do you have a physical description of them?" Vandrin asked, putting his book down.

"Yes, two of them have been identified as white males, likely between the ages of twenty and twenty five. One was wearing a thick blue suit with a black coat, and the other wearing similar clothing but with coloured brown."

"And the third one?"

"He's described as a 'rouge mutant' he has wings and is about the height as most of the winged mutants. Yet he has a full head of hair and is wearing a grey martial arts suit."

"Interesting." Vandrin said getting off of his chair. "Very interesting indeed." The count picked up his katana sheaths and strapped them on his belt. "I'll take care of this one."

"They could be very dangerous sir."

"So could I."

---

Posted by: Coriko on Friday December 8th, 2006

Breathing in and out, Druid sat up in a tree. He had been walking for a few hours and came across nothing but the occasional bandit. He dealt with them according to how he believed the law would. This is according to the law back on his home world of course, and since he was ruler, well he did what he believed to be right. So he sat in a thick branch meditating over the past few days. He thought about the revolt and the trick that bastard Silas pulled. Jumping down from the tree he started to walk. Where he didn’t know, but he was getting worked up and needed to calm down. He was walking for about five ten minutes when he saw a man and woman wearing white arguing with a man and woman wearing blue. As Druid got closer he started to hear their conversation.

“You are on the path to moral corruption. Join the Karmax we offer inner peace and absolute equality.”

“That’s no true my brotherin. You will parish in the flames of eternal pain sooner than I will unless you repent and come to the right side, the Jarmaloos.”

“Look an impartial, we shall see who is right.”

The two pairs rushed up to Druid, unaware he was not looking for inner peace and spiritual enlightenment and that he had also just massacred a town of about 100 plus people. As Druid was ready to vaporize the hell out of the two groups, he heard a booming voice.

“My, children you are all sinners in the eyes of god. I am his messenger here to tell you change. Repent or pay the ultimate price. He is not without judgement and will condemn your immortal souls.”

At first Druid couldn’t place the voice of this new preacher to any body. However soon he saw a man dressed in a black suit, a white tie and white sunglasses.

“Please, children come to me, embrace your life for what it is. Live in his favour for all of eternity or die in your false faith. I preach the message of our holy lord he is not with out the act of vengeance.”

“Please preacher, we were here first.”

The man in black looked over at the man dressed in blue. The man in blue who made that last remark gasped and started having convulsions. He grabbed at his chest. Blood started to drip from the corners of his mouth and then he collapsed.

“Carrey, oh please no.”

The woman in blue knelt down beside her partner and started to cry. The woman in white knelt beside the woman in blue trying to comfort her. The man in white turned to the man in black.

“I am not a man of violence, but what was that sir? Did you see no way to solve this conflict with out the act of aggression.”

The man in white lifted up his hands to make the action of posing a question. The preacher grabbed is wrist and lifted it up in the air. The man in white was lifted off the ground, yet the preacher wasn’t even stretched all the way. Druid hadn’t noticed how tall he was until he saw this.

“My friend you have sinned and you will now be absolved.”

With that the preacher moved his arm back and opened his hand up. Then he rushed it forward, yet he didn’t touch the body. The man in white’s heart was forced out of his back and he went limp. The discarded heart lay on the ground a foot or so in front of Druid. Druid saw this and realized the preacher was using telekinesis.

“You have been rejected by god. You shall burn forever in the pits of hell.”

The preacher dropped the man’s body and made a sweeping motion at the women. They were knocked several meters backwards and lay limp.

“You have felt the touch of god. Although you have been rejected, consider yourself blessed you have felt it at all. And what of you sir? I have dealt with the non believers and have not heard your story.”

“Your one twisted preacher man, you know that? Those religious freaks were mine! I saw them first I claimed them, I was even working out how I was gonna kill them. And then you came along and stole my kill in name of your god? Please, I kill for respect and you kill because you believe you are god’s messenger? I have news for you, I am god and your not my messenger. Whoever your working for tell them to get off their ass and talk to me directly.”

The preacher stunned by this stood there. Then, recovering his wits almost immediately, the preacher rushed Druid, who was ready. He had been waiting for this and had gotten himself in the right stance. As the preacher was rushing forward, Druid stuck out his staff and the preacher ran into it impaling himself. Once the preacher was secure on the staff Druid lifted up his staff and flung the preacher over his shoulder. When the preacher was off the staff flying through the air Druid flipped the staff around so the ruby was pointing at the preacher and fired a concentrated blast of shadow magic. The preacher was blown even further back. When the preacher hit the ground he kept rolling backwards. Druid turned and started to walk away when he was blown forward by a force against his back. Taking the roll he jumped to his feet and turned to face his attacker. To his surprise it was the preacher.

“God…”

The preacher sputtered and spit out some blood.

“… is unforgiving.”

With that the preacher once again charged at Druid. Once he was close enough, Druid swung his staff and it collided with the preachers jaw, knocking him back.

“Shut the hell up!”

Druid ran and jumped forward towards the preacher. His knees were out and his legs were bent back. The knees collided with the preacher’s chest knocking him backwards again. Druid then walked forward to the body of the preacher, who now quietly rambling to himself god’s message. The bottom of Druids cloak was sopping against his legs, he looked down and saw that this was because it had the preacher’s blood on it. He ripped off the bottom part of his cloak and through it at the preacher.

“Where’s your god now prick?”

With that he kicked the man’s head and heard a loud crack. Druid turned and walked away.

“I hate religion.”

Latter that evening a figure stood up in the field. He straightened his tie, picked up his sunglasses and headed after the cloaked figure.

//Please note, I don’t hate religion. This post is not making fun of any religion or trying to make a point. I just have seen a lot of evil priests in shows and wanted to put one in myself. If any one is offended I am sorry. \\

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Friday December 8th, 2006

The door opens up, as Zeros’ enters in the correct password. The next room is a large hallway, about twenty feet long, five feet wide and eight feet high.

On close inspection, and likely a man with as great senses as Zeros’ wouldn’t have much trouble spotting this, there were raised plates all over the place, only three inches apart from each other. There were also many openings on the wall, and it appeared there were several trip wires close to the floor in the middle of the room, it would be tricky to get over them and not land on a raised plate.

And what anybody could plainly see, are several swinging blades swinging across the room. Obviously whoever made this didn’t waste any time (or had to much of it.)

If the plates were stepped on they would likely trigger a highly lethal projectile covered in poison. It was the same poison that Haraldur used to kill Abodahon, so likely even Zeros’ wouldn’t be able to endure.

And with the anti-magic gas in the place, the challenger of this security system wouldn’t be able to rely on any magic to help him. (Or ki or chi or whatever the heck else.)

If he couldn’t do that then he could try out another word puzzle to get disable the security system…

INFIGOUCAHENMFYYEONYOURHATOUNDSURISOUTHAVEETHTOMHUCTI

No hints, and there is likely several combinations that could do (I think) but you have to guess the exact one I am thinking of.

//So yeah this one isn’t much of puzzle. (unless you want to try the word scramble, but I doubt you do.) This one is more of a creativity test, just try and have it make sense and easy for me to read. Have fun.\\

---

Posted by: Coriko on Friday December 8th, 2006

“Silas, once I get my hands on you I am going to make sure you suffer,”

Druid had been muttering to himself for a while. He had gotten all worked up after his fight with the preacher.

“Damn, I hate this desolate rock, these humans who are weak and powerless.”

With that he fired a beam of shadow magic at a passing traveller, who in turn screamed in agony and disappeared into dust.

“Sigh, I need to be proactive. Let’s see how much my powers can be used here.”
Druid stopped and looked around at his surroundings. He was in a big grassy field, a patch of trees to the north. Next he saw a small pond with some people sitting beside it to the east. He could just make out a crowd of people in the west where he had just come from. Finally to the south he saw a small village to the south.

“Ok, let me try a few things, and these people will help me”

Druid knelt down and looked towards the west. He then fired three single shots of shadow energy towards the crowd. Four people were hit by these bolts and fell down. He then walked slowly towards the remaining three people.

“What seems to be the problem my fellow travellers?”

“There’s been an attack! We were walking and then three of the people in front of the group fell forward and had black smocking out of their heads. One of these bullets, or whatever they were, went right through one guy and killed David as well.”

“Wow, I have good aim. I mean three head shots and a double kill. Thank you very much for the information gentlemen.”

With that Druid lowered his staff and raised it up towards the heaven and a deep red pillar enveloped them like it did to the house. He then whipped his staff half way down and then to the side. The pillar lowered but it was still prominent enough to restrain them. Two of the men had lacerations all over their faces and arms; however the third looked almost un-phased. He looked confident and arrogant where as the other two were scarred. Druid noticed this but he didn’t care.

“Now watch this, my friends.”

Druid stood with his right hand side facing the pond and pointed his arm, which was holding the staff, towards it. He opened up his left hand and it started to pulsate and glow. Then once there was a massive aura around his and he closed it into a fist and the aura seemed to be released and flew towards his right hand and then out his staff. The gem glowed red as he aura hit it but nothing seemed to come out. Druid smacked the crystal on the ground and a massive blast blew a hole in the ground. The three men looked from one to another with a questioning look on their faces.

“Interesting, this is quite interesting. Don’t you guys think so?”

Druid turned and looked at the men. The aura seemed to return from his right hand to the left one. He cupped his hands together and then opened it back up. One of the pillars of shadow magic contrasted and expanding around one of the sick men and then completely obliterated him once Druid opened his hand up.

“Now, let me try that again.”

With his hand still pulsating the aura, Druid refocused his attention to the pond. He then once again allowed the aura to go from his left hand to the right. Unlike the last time, the aura shot out of the end of the staff on the first shot and flew towards the people beside the pond. However just before killing the people the beam fizzed out.

“What the hell, ok so on this world my powers are limited. Let’s see if this works.”

Druid then closed his fist and reopened it causing the pond and all of its surrounding to explode. Druid then turned and killed the other man with cuts on his face. He walked forward eyeing the man with confidence.

“You didn’t have anything to do with that attack on the pond. Cause you know it never ever fails normally.” The man said nothing. “Fine, that’s perfectly okay.” Druid looked over his shoulder towards the town. “You see that town? Take a last look.”

With that druid launched himself in the air, streaking behind him a deep blood red cloud crackling with black electricity.

“Hmm, didn’t think I would be able to do that here” Druid though to himself.

The man watched the cloaked figure streak through the sky, knowing what was sure to follow. The figure reached the top of his arch and then started his downward dive towards the town. The impact force was immense and a loud crack cried out from the town just before a massive red cloud went along the ground of the town towards the outer limits. Then as if following a flight plan, the cloud arched up and down in a circle back towards the centre of the explosion. Once the cloud reached the centre it then shot upwards and expanded and slowed as it climbed until it dissipated. The dust was thick and so the restrained man couldn’t see anything and assumed the Druid died in an attempt to show off. Just as he was thinking this a silhouette could be seen emerging from the shadows. The man tensed up but soon saw it was a survivor. The survivor was limping and grabbing at his chest. The survivor saw the restrained man and started to move towards him. The survivor was just about at him when he exploded, dust flew at him. Behind he saw the Druid with his open palm.

“Why did you do all this? What possibly could you have gained from all of their deaths?” the man questioned.

“This was all an experiment. I am from another time or place or planet for all I know, and I just want to know the limits to my power in this…” he paused thinking for the correct words “…desolate wasteland you call home. Now that I have seen my powers I have no use for you.”

Druid was about to strike the man down when something caught his attention back at the village ruins.

“I’ll deal with you latter.” And then Druid launched himself towards the town.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Friday December 8th, 2006

Just at the massive airship was lifting off, the trio made it to the gargantuan black wall that was the hull. With a single bound, Draven flew up the side of the ship, his cloak unfurling as he landed on the deck, pressing his body against a cabin wall to avoid detection by a group of heavily armored lizard men on the other side of the deck.

Shaking his head, Ven leapt and latched onto a ladder on the side of the now flying ship as it roared upwards, an amber glow emanating from nooks in its steely black sides. Making sure the alchemist was with him, he scurried up the latter, not wanting to look down. Ven was no expert in flight, and a slip would likely be his doom.

When he finally arrived on the open air deck, Draven was nowhere to be found.

"Argh! Great, just great!"

He sat down on the black metal floor, waiting for Allen to join him.

"Look, I don't know a thing about airships, let alone how to take one over... So, uh, lead the way. Just as long as we can get King Henri out of this mess..."

(Feel free to have Allen 'lead' Ven around. Just make stuff up. Heh...)

----

Draven waited in the shadows as the two lizard guards walked his way. Walking too close to the edge, they were... He was going to wait for Allen and the knight to catch up, but this was too good a kill to pass up. As the lizards glanced in his direction, Draven sped forward, striking the one closer to the railing with a clothesline left, sending the reptile spiraling over the edge of the ship, squealing as it fell.

"H-Hey!!"

The other was quick to draw his weapon, but Draven turned upon the larger reptilian soldier, grabbing his thick scaly neck with his right hand. The beast lashed out with its tongue as flame consumed his neck, unable to scream. In a moment it keeled over, dead, as Draven tossed it's useless smelly head aside.

"Better buckle up boys and girls, here comes payback..."

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Friday December 8th, 2006

//Hey is it just me or is almost every single post pretty long?\\

"Okay, I think we lost the guards." Firstman said, looking around.

"Yeah, it's pretty quiet." Marshall replied.

"Yeah...a little too quiet." Duilin mumbled. (over used phrases ftw!)

Duilin slowed down and landed on the road.

Marshall's wyvern passed Duilin and then made a U-Turn and landed in front of Duilin. "Why are we stopping?" He asked.

"I sense a strong aura, along with a couple of others." Duilin answered.

"Recognize any of them?"

"Nope. But one of them is pretty strong."

"Stronger then you?" Firstman asked sounding concerned.

"Maybe. I don't know." Duilin shrugged "I've never been too good at this aura detection thing. Auras like Retan's and Haraldur's, I can tell are way stronger then me, but ones a bit closer are a bit tricky. At least I know it's not too much stronger then me."

"Well, let's just get out of here." Firstman said looking around rapidly. "We need to get back to the base camp. We aren't worth anything to the resistance dead." He looked behind him. "There, uh, Duilin, shoot one of your thunder bolts at that wall, I don't see any magic cannons near by."

Duilin shrugged. "Okay, but I think we should keep moving, they're bound to find us sooner or later. These peasants seem to be pretty sucked up to the oppressor."

Duilin pointed his fingers at the wall, and lightning energy sparked around his hand and began to swirl around, he then focused his demonic energy into lightning and his eyes got noticeably brighter.

"I don't think you should do that." Said a voice from behind them.

"Damnit they found us." Firstman shouted. "Marshall, let's split!" He patted the wyvern on the side, but it didn't obey him.

Duilin turned around, pointing his energy filled hand at the enemy behind them. "Well, who might you be?" He saw the group, it was an older man, and looked a lot like the guy in the statue he saw earlier. To his left, there was a pair of large burly looking mutants, they were unarmed yet from what it looked like they didn't need to have any weapon to cause a lot of damage. To his right there were smaller looking mutants, yet they had a greenish glow around them and green flame in their hands, obviously magic users.

"I'll ask the questions! Now identify yourself and surrender or you will be eliminated!" Snapped the human in the middle.

"Oh me? I am Haraldur, The Aspyes Revolutionary. I'm here to spread my barbaric word, pillage your houses and rape your women." Duilin smirked.

Marshall and Firstman glared at Duilin as he said that. They were not amused with Duilin saying things like that about him.

Vandrin laughed and then scowled. "I know for a fact that you aren't. You look nothing like him. I can also see that you are not one of my mutants. You look more like a human and…demon crossbreed." He then unsheathed his swords. "I will ask you again, who are you?"

Duilin grinned at Vandrin. Marshall jumped off the wyvern and took out his other magipistol.

"It's none of your business. Now let us leave or else you will highly regret it." Marshall said.

Firstman jumped off the wyvern and held out his sword. "I don't think this is a good idea Marshall." He said quietly.

"Very well then." Vandrin sighed. "You leave me no choice." He then pointed at the trio with his swords and the four mutants ran towards them.

Duilin with his energy still contained in his hand jumped over the group of mutants running at him, he then pointed his hand forward, as he was flying in the air and closing in to the ground, towards Vandrin. A large orange bolt of lightning then shot from his fingertips towards the Count, hitting him directly in the chest. The count nearly fell down, yet surprisingly seemed to have not been to badly hurt by the attack Duilin then landed in front of Vandrin and the two glared at each other in the eyes.

The two brute mutants then came towards Firstman. One ran towards him attempting to plow him, yet he sidestepped out of the way, avoiding the mutant he the slashed the creature in the back with his sword, digging into the thick protective tissue around the mutant, and drawing some dimly coloured blood.

The mutant grabbed his back and stepped forward a few steps, wile arching backwards. The other mutant then came at Firstman and swung his fist at him. Firstman then slashed his sword at the oncoming fist, yet the weapon was knocked from his hand by the large fist, yet the mutant’s fingers were nearly cut off.

The mutant stepped backwards looking at it's damaged hand. Firstman then picked his sword up. The first mutant then came at him. He then stabbed his sword at the mutant’s chest, and dug in almost right through to the other end. Firstman grinned, expecting to see the mutant die, yet he found him self grabbed and then tossed several yards away. The mutant roared and the plucked the sword out of him and then tossed it away.

Meanwhile the two magic mutants were having a fireball shoot out with Marshall. The mutants were able to make short work of the wyvern by bombarding it with poison fireballs, causing the poor winged creature's skin and organs to melt leaving a burning pile of goo. Marshall was running side to side blasting fireballs and ice chunks at the mutants, wile dodging the odd poison-fire projectiles coming towards him. Marshall then stopped, he side stepped out of the way of an oncoming shot and then aimed an ice bullet shot at one of the mutants shooting in the neck. He aimed for the chest, but just as well.

The mutant mage then fell to the ground, with a chunk of bloody ice stuck in its neck. The other mutant looked at it's fallen comrade. "You die!" It snarled and then empowered it's aura and then dashed towards Marshall...

---

Posted by: D. Ein on Friday December 8th, 2006

//Heh. Nice work, DM. "a pub with no beer" is my Quake 3 screen name <img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /> \\

It would've been a rather amusing situation if Zjott did not know that the golems were, in fact, under his command. While the Stone Juggernaut was smashing the city apart, the two Atronachs were finished with the remaining resistance in the area. Just then, Zjott noticed the unmistakable Kandarinian symbol etched on one of the stones of the Atronachs.

The golems retracted their shining weapons, and advanced further into the city. Zjott hopped down in the path of one of them.

-"Hey, you! Thing! You are Kandarinian, no? You are under my command, yes? I order you to stop!!"

The golem seemed to understand what Zjott was shouting. He looked down, and his face almost seemed to somehow twist into... a grimace? He instantly swooped Zjott from his legs and both of them vanished into the thin air, leaving only traces of crackling static electricity...

The remaining two golems were still rampaging through Asgarnia, although the arcane cohesion between the individual stones seemed to weaken just a little bit...

//last post before they deactivate. DS, you can take one (or both!) out your way, if you want. I won't use them for the one post until you decide what to do with them.\\

--- --- ---

General Arlin was busy vanquishing a very violent outbreak of freedom fighters in a conquered city. His whip was slicing through the raging insurgents, blood splattering on his face. His eyes had a battle-crazed look to them.

-"WHITE FLESH!!! MWAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHA! DIE DIE DIE!!!!"

The corpses were piling up rather quickly around Arlin. He had to fight atop of the pile, as to not give his opponents an advantage.

Suddenly, Arlin heard a whoosh behind him. He turned around to find a battleaxe heading right for his chest. Damn... the whip was not going fast enough to deal any damage, and the opponent was too close to use it anyway. Arlin prepared for the worst.

Contrary to all expectations, the axe did not come down on Arlin. Instead, the fighter fell down onto his knees, the look of pain stuck on his face. Arlin finally noticed a spear sticking through the fighter's chest.

-"Finally, reinforcements..."

He dove into the battle with new spirits, when one of the Kandarinian soldiers approached him.

-"Sir, the Marshal requests your immediate prescence at the palace."

-"Can't it wait?"

-"Sir, I don't think you understand. He requests your prescence there..."

It was too late when Arlin understood what the soldier meant. The three-clawed amulet embedded into his skin painfully zapped him with electricity, and Arlin was gone, just like that.

--- --- ---

Lord Victo, the overlord of the Borr region, was dining peacefully when a servant knocked at his chamber doors.

-"Come in."

-"My lord, the Marshal of Kandarin asks for your prescence at his capital palace."

Victo put his eating utensils down. What would Kronos possibly want with him? He sent his tribute, and it was recieved... He did not get any complaints, so there should have been no problem.

-"Did he by any chance state the reason for his request?"

-"No, my lord. He did, however, ask you to arrive as soon as possible."

Something urgent? What would a figure close to the status of emperor want with a minor lord?

-"Has the Marshal sent someone for me?"

-"Yes, my lord. There's a Kandarinian servant waiting for you outside, atop a fully charged Storm Atronach."

-"Tell them I will be out soon."

The servant bowed and left the dining chambers. Victo sighed, looking at his unfinished food, and headed for the door.

--- --- ---

The trio of the high commanders was together making further plans for their allotted land.

-"GAWD!!! WHY in the name of the MARSHAL do you HAVE to HOG all that AWESOME land??!!"

Hasterb shook his head impatiently.

-"Soghol, the land was agreed upon to be split into parts of our involvement..."

-"GAWD! Look at the DAMNED map, you IDIOT! That rat VORREN is stealing ALL my LAND! LOOK! 50% for Vorren, 30% for you, and 20% for ME!!!"

-"Ah... you added in that zero there, Soghol..."

-"WHAT?! 2%?!?!?!?!?!?!??!!??! !!!!!!!!GAWD!!!!!!!"

Vorren smiled his nastiest smile.

-"Yep. The 18% goes to the training of our Sovereignty's soldiers."

"!!!BUT...!!!"

A knock on the door interrupted the commanders' constant bickering. A senior officer entered.

-"Sirs, the Marshal sends for you. Please be down in his chambers immediately."

The commanders knew better than to keep their master waiting, so they left for the door right away. However, they continued their territorial disputes even on their way down to the Marshal's chambers.

-"2%?! What bloody VERMIN are you, VORREN?!"

-"Oh, just shut up."

-"This is NOT over! I WILL talk to the Marshal about this! MARK MY WORDS!!!"

-"Soghol, shut up."

-"GAW...!!!"

-"Soghol, shut UP."

...

--- --- ---

Zjott ended up in an unknown room, but alone. The Atronach was gone without a trace. Was Zjott the victim of a clever plot of the ever-scheming Asgarnian insurgents? No... nobody would dare replicating the holy icon of Kandarin, other than Kandarinians themselves...

As he looked around, however, he found his suspicions to be false. He was in a very rich-looking room with only two openings, both doors. Way too rich for Asgarnia. One of the doors was very large and gilded with white gold, the wooden parts painted into Kandarinian colours. The rest of the room looked just as luxurious as the door, with an expensive-looking chandelier hanging down from the ceiling. There were a lot of other signs of richness, such as matted dark red rubies stuck all around the room, but Zjott didn't have the time to analyze the rest.

The air around him started crackling, and another person popped out of nowhere. This one had fair blonde hair, tied in a ponytail. He was holding a bloodied whip, and wearing a blood-covered leather trenchcoat.

-"Eh... you were summoned here too, then? General Arlin here, at Marshal's service."

-"Yes... Marshal's service, yes, of course. I've been long absent from the truths of Kandarin... perhaps the Marshal wishes to punish me. I'm Zjott zu Heltzer, by the way."

-"Zjott zu Heltzer? The zu Heltzer? The one that has conquered eight cities with one legion, all while under pressure from the deceitful Asgarnia?"

Zjott felt the blood rushing to his cheeks.

-"Why, yes, that's me, heh..."

-"Wow... I... I don't know what to say... this... this is such an honour..."

In truth, Zjott didn't know what to say, either. His deeds were heard of all across the Sovereignty, while he was barely aware of its existence. It's like, he knew it was there... He knew it was real... but it was as if the whole empire was from another world, something that didn't concern him at all. To him, it seemed that the Marshal betrayed him - they just threw him into that hellhole of a city and forgot about him.

Then, the second, smaller door opened. Out of it came a well-dressed man with rough features and some scar marks on his face.

-"Good afternoon, gentlemen... Has the Marshal not sent for me? Why is he not here now?"

The two generals looked over at the newcomer. Arlin was the first to answer.

-"Hell, I don't know... You were invited as well, right?"

-"But of course. That's what I just said."

-"I see... So, who exactly are you?"

-"Lord Victo of Borr at your service, gentlemen."

This day was getting more and more exciting for Arlin. First, he met Zjott, the legendary conqueror, and now...

-"The Lord Victo? The one that created the Lord's Will? Damn, half of our victories were only possible thanks to you..."

-"But it gets better. As my tribute, I've sent a new prototype which I call the Master's Will. An ordinary soldier drinking that will now be able to stay stealthy for 2 minutes, instead of the previous 1 minute for the Lord's Will."

2 minutes of invisibility... Victo was a genius. Unfortunately, Arlin did not have the time to tell Victo how great he was - there were sounds coming from the other door again.

-"Look, Soghol, we can do this the easy way, or we can do this the very easy way... I take the 50%, Hasterb gets the 30%, and you get the 2%, or I get the 51%, Hasterb gets the 31%, and you get a knife through your heart."

-"GAWD! So NOW it's THREATS, huh? I'm SO telling the Marshall exactly WHAT you were telling me!!"

-"Go ahead, I'm not stopping you."

-"Well... umm.... I WILL tell him, and you WILL be punished! YEAH!"

-"Whatever..."

Arlin threw a dry look towards the three commanders.

-"Gentlemen, meet Soghol, Vorren and Hasterb... the senior commanders of the Prime Divisions..."

The talk fired up, and everyone went back to talking about their own matters, without paying attention to each other. Eventually it sounded as loud as at a marketplace, until...

-"What is all that racket?"

Immediately, everyone went quiet. A younger-looking fellow entered the room. His clothes seemed to be made of leather as well, and he was petting the unmistakable dragon skull in his hands...

---

Posted by: Coriko on Friday December 8th, 2006

An arrow flew threw the creatures skull as it was about to hit Marshall. The creature halted, but it didn't die. It turned to look where the arrow had come from. Against the sun it saw the silhouette of a man. The figure shot a heavily concentrated blast at the creature burning a hole through its centre. It crumpled to the ground. The figure jumped down off the building and walked up to Marshall.

"I've been trying to find you all day."
____________________________________________________________

Druid’s cape was whipping against his legs. The air streaming passed his face and body, yet he seemed untouched by it. He felt good to be flying again. He would fly every day back in his own dimension, yet here he felt heavy, probably because of a higher gravity. He assumed he would be unable to perform flight before. He could fly but the added gravity affected his performance. It made him unsteady and locked. He couldn’t manoeuvre well and once he hit a certain speed of flight he couldn’t change direction or any movement at all. He started to slow down when he got close to the town. This would allow for a better landing. He figured play it safe till he got used to it. He slowed to a crawl and straightened himself. He lowered to the ground. He had been on the ground for a millisecond when a massive force pushed him through two buildings and a well.

“Son of a bitch!”

Druid was back on his feet in less than the time it took for him to be knocked down. He stood to his full height to try and intimidate his attacker. He couldn’t see the attacker but assumed it was a mage of some sort, because he wasn’t pushed over by a physical being. A figure emerged on the other side of the two houses and well where Druid landed. It was unmistakeably the preacher.

“No living being can stop god’s message.” The preacher charged him.

Druid got into a solid stance. He crouched down a little and had his arms ready for the impact. He summoned some shadow magic to hold his feet in place down and act as a wall behind him. The preacher hit him sending him soaring backwards, shattering his wall and restraints. Tumbling head over heels Druid crashed into a stone tavern. He sat there thinking.

How could he have knocked me over? I was planted down and restrained. Maybe I’m not as powerful as I thought.”

Druid looked up; it was in ruins from his attack. He looked around houses were fallen over, statues piles of rubble.

What am I saying, of course I’m powerful.

He took a deep breath and stood up, composing himself in an authoritative manner.

The two stood, eyes locked on, waiting for the other to make the first move. The preacher wisped his hand upwards and disappeared.

“Neat trick, you can become invisible.”

Druid was knocked from the back and he quickly spun around. Then he was knocked form the other side. Druid stopped crouching and stood up. He stood perfectly straight with the exception of his hand on his staff. Druid reached to his left and caught a hand.

“Tsk, tsk, you have to be quieter than that.”

And Druid threw the invisible figure forwards and returned to his stance. He then heard the figure behind him breathing; quickly he spun around swinging his staff, it colliding with the preachers face.

“Now is that your best effort? You’re getting sloppy.”

Once again Druid stood up straight, hand on his staff. He heard nothing. He strained his ears to pick up the slightest sound. Still nothing. All of a sudden the hairs on the back of Druid’s neck stood up. He swung around just in time to knock an air born preacher down. The sword the preacher had picked up skidded of to the side.

“Now, is that really fair? Trying to convey god’s message when I’m not even looking?” Druid kicked the man in the stomach. “That’s not very noble of you, and besides, where the hell did you get the sword? No matter, seeing as normal methods cannot kill you I guess I’ll have to take extra measures.”

Druid looked at his downed foe and he sighed. Turning around he walked away. His mind was wrestling with what he just did.

What are you doing? You are showing compassion, you can’t do that. You are ruthless and evil. You kill for fun!
I know that, I just don’t feel like killing him. Other disrespectful people or people who stand in my way of taking down Silas will die.
Like the towns people?
Yes, exactly like the town’s people. Besides, I fight with honour and that is why I couldn’t kill him.

From behind Druid heard the battle cry of the preacher. He was running at him from behind, again. The preacher jumped and lunged for Druid. Just as the blade was about to pierce Druid, the preacher and the knife exploded into dust (his particles were ripped apart causing him to appear as dust).

That was killing him with honour. Druid declared in a triumphant manor to himself. He turned away from his inner thoughts and said aloud, “Okay, I’ve screwed around enough with these people long enough. Now to find who’s in charge around here.” Druid decided walking was better than flying, at least for now, and headed north.

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Friday December 8th, 2006

//D. Ein: Noted. I'll think of something...\\

Alex moaned as he picked himself up off the ground. A platform had collapsed out from underneath him, nearly dunking him into the sludge. As he brought his armored frame upright, his thoughts of pain immediately turned to relief...

...He had reached the armory.

"Okay then," Alex grunted. "A jumping puzzle like that....NEVER again." He soon noticed that the golem was catching up. He realized that such a monstrous being would be unaffected by the stagnant mix that would kill all else. He had a few minutes, tops.

Turning back to the armory door, Alex busted the lock with the butt of his rifle and kicked the door down. He scanned the area through his scope, and deemed it safe. He strolled in, weapon at ease along with his mind. He surveyed what he had to use.

The warehouse contained a barrel full of gunpowder, a box of fuses, a ramrod, a pile of ten or so cannonballs, a tinderbox and one 24-pounder cannon, like the ones seen on pirate ships and whatnot. Alex had never used a cannon before, but he knew the basic idea. He loaded some gunpowder in, packed it in with the ramrod, slid the heavy 24-pound cannonball down the barrel, and loaded the rear with a fuse. All he had to do now was roll it into position and aim it. He was unsure of how much gunpowder was enough. Too little, and the cannonball would come up short. Too much, and the cannon barrel might detonate. He didn't have time to decide, the golem was now wading through the waste that he had just worked so hard to jump over.

Alex wheeled the massive gun outside and did his best to level it. All he had to go on was a primitive ironsight, and that didn't compensate for the cannonball's possible trajectory. It was a gamble.

To keep the colossus from moving too much, Alex did his best to get his attention.

"Hey, hey you! Eat lead you rockhead!" Alex never was too good at insults.

The golem, turning towards where he heard the rebel's meager call, emitted a supersonic roar and stomped towards the armory.

Alex lit the fuse. He had mere seconds to aim before the cannon--

*BOOM!*

A deafening blast filled the air as the cannonball launched from the barrel at terrifying speed. Alex watched desperately as the 24-pound ball of lead arced straight towards the golem's chest. In a spine-chilling impact it ripped through the golem's torso. A shockwave rippled through the rest of the golem's stony body. The bonds were overloaded. In an amazing light show of crackling electricity, the once-terrifying monster collapsed into a pile of rocks.

One down. One to go. Could Alex do it again? The other golem was across town. He also noticed something about the cannon.

He had apparently loaded too much gunpowder. The rear of the barrel was slightly cracked. Would Alex dare another shot, or locate another cannon?

He didn't have much of a choice. This was the only armory he knew of. He'd use this cannon until the last shot was fired.

Finally, the second golem had caught sound of what had happened to his brother in the Industrial District. Obviously irritated at his ally's death (to say the least), the second golem now was thundering towards Alex.

Hands somewhat shaking, Alex proceeded to load the cannon once again. In his anxiety, he overlooked how much powder was loaded into the cannon, an obvious mistake.

He waited for the rock monster to get into range, and lit the fuse. Carefully he aimed, but then--

*BOOOOM!!*

This time the cannon had done more than just fire. The cannonball flew out on a ballistic trajectory as the cannon itself detonated from too much powder. Alex, immediately hailed with metallic shards, was thrown back from the force of the explosion, and was slammed into a wall. Despite this mishap, Alex was able to keep his eyes on the ball...as it flew, flew, flew and...

...missed. The ball hung a little to the right of the golem's right shoulder. Amused at this pathetic attempt of counterattack, the golem emitted an earth-shaking laugh. Alex seemed doomed, until...

...The golem's laughter was winding down. As Alex faded in and out of consciousness, he saw the electrical bonds between the golem's rocky components start to dissipate. The golem moaned and emitted one last ear-splitting scream as it fell apart into a rain of boulders, smashing buildings below.

Alex struggled to pull himself up, but to no avail. Cannon shards had lodged themselves inch-deep into his armor. The shockwave from the explosion had resulted in two broken ribs and a fractured leg. His visor was cracked in several places and his HUD flickered as a result. The white magic proceeded in its treatment, but until the pain was dulled, Alex would be immobile.

Thankfully, the white magic could be detected by rebel mages who could pinpoint his location and send a scouting party. All Alex had to do was crawl inside the warehouse and wait for assistance. Ignoring pain temporarily, Alex used what little strength he had in his arms and gripped his way along the ground. Once inside, he leaned up against the back wall and groaned.

"Well..." he said to himself, coughing. "Not precisely according to plan...but, hey, one less thing for me to worry about in the future."

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Friday December 8th, 2006

//Ein, will Roland and the Elder be at this meeting thing? <img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /> \\

"Coriko." Marshall said in relief. "It's about time. Where the heck have you been?"

"Hey! Doesn't anybody want to give me a hand here!?" Firstman yelled cornered against a building with two brute mutants heading towards him.

Marshall shot a couple magic blasts from his pistols at the mutants, which flew by them hitting the wall of the building beyond them. The one that was impaled, and had a bleeding hole in him, turned around and looked at Marshall.

"Come on...focus..." Marshall murmured to himself as he aimed his gun at the hole in the mutant's chest. He then shot a fireball from the gun three times. Each ball of flame hit right on target, directly into the hole in the mutant's chest. The creature roared in pain as it burned up.

The second mutant came at Firstman he rolled out of the way and dove for his sword. He grabbed the weapon and then threw the blade at the mutant, impaling it right through the neck. The mutant gargled a bit, before it fell down to the ground.

Firstman sighed. "Coriko, where the hell have you been?" He said as he ripped the sword out of the dead mutant.

//Let's assume they know each other already to save time, it was an 18 month interlude between chapters so it'll make sense.\\

"We've had to mostly depend on that guy." Marshall said pointing at Duilin, who was fighting with Vandrin. "Let's just see how this turns out, don't jump in."

--

As Marshall, Coriko and Firstman finished off the mutants Vandrin and Duilin were engaged in a mighty duel.

Vandrin swung one of his katana down at Duilin. The half demon jumped back avoiding the oncoming blade. The count then swung his other katana. Duilin then spun to his right dodging the blade and ended up beside Vandrin's arm. He grabbed his wrist and twisted it causing him to drop his katana. As it was falling to the ground both Duilin and Vandrin reached for it. As Duilin reached for the blade he swung his foot back into Vandrin's gut, pushing him back. He caught the blade, just in time to face Vandrin and block an oncoming swing.

Duilin swung his blade horizontally across, attempting to get him across the neck, yet the count smashed at the swinging katana with his own and pushed the blade back. Vandrin then went for a slash at the chest, yet Duilin arched back his sword and blocked the strike. Vandrin then quickly spun around Duilin, cutting him across the wing.

Duilin growled in pain, and then smashed his sword down at Vandrin, yet the count shifted backwards away from the mighty swing. The count the spun around again, cutting him across the arm. Duilin was starting to get angry; he fiercely began smashing his blade, down several times, yet the agile Count was able to block each strike.

"I've been practicing with these probably longer then you've been living young man." Vandrin said mockingly. "You have no chance."

Vandrin could tell by the way Duilin fought, that he mostly used crushing weapons, likely a mace. He showed some sword skill, yet not nearly as much as Vandrin did. The two fighters clashed swords for several more minutes. Duilin was nicked and scracthed yet the skilled count remained untouched.

A few peasants had actually begun to watch the fight, as it was the first time they saw a public figure actually battle an outlaw.

"I've had it." Duilin snarled. "No more dinking around." Duilin then wiped his hand across the blade of the katana, enchanting it with demonic and wind energy giving it a golden glow.

"Oh you want to play that way do you?" Vandrin then preformed the same motions, yet he enchanted it with poison magic, giving it a lime green glow. "I can see that the gift of magic is with you, young one. But you're not a master of it yet."

The two enchanted glowing blades were then clashed together. Duilin and Vandrin glared at each other. "Come on boy." Vandrin taunted. "Put more into it. Only your hatred can defeat me."

Duilin the kicked Vandrin in the chest pushing him back. "What the hell are you talking about?!" He said lowering his blade, looking at him oddly.

"Heheh." Vandrin laughed. "I can tell you're demon. I've done some studies on them. Quite a manipulative bunch they are. The half breeds can be usefull, especially your type."

"Just shut it." Duilin snapped stepping towards him, and swinging his blade downwards at him. Vandrin blocked the blade with an upward swing of his; he held his katana with both hands, pushing the blade back yet Duilin was pushing quite hard himself.

"I heard about some of the stuff that happened around Bandervil." Vandrin said weakly, pushing the blade back. "Those Aspyes like to spread words around. They said that Haraldur gave his life to destroy the Grey Empire."

"Yeah I was there." Duilin said. He then looked at him in the eye. "Wait, why am I telling you this?"

"Because you're a fool!" Vandrin yelled, he let one hand go and then shot a blast of poison magic; Duilin then let one hand go of his blade, and blocked the blast with a protective bubble on his hand.

Duilin then went to grab Vandrin's blade yet his hand was grabbed by Vandrin's hand. The two had a one-handed mercy fight as they had their katana locked; the magic mixture was begun to make a bright eerie glow were the two blades met.

Duilin ended out to be the more physically strong as he twisted Vandrin's hand, causing him to squak in pain. Just as Duilin twisted it a bit more, Vandrin glared at him. "Time to die." Vandrin's hand began to glow a lime green.

"Oh shit." Duilin then let go of the counts hand, and the immediately backed away.

Vandrin shook his hand and then blasted a large stream of poisonous energy at Duilin. He blocked the stream of energy with his blade, the lightning energy then faded out and then sword began to melt.

"My sword!" Vandrin shouted. He greatly valued those katanas they were very valuable but only as a pair.

Duilin laughed.

"You cretin!" Vandrin roared he then dashed at Duilin and the swung down his blade, Duilin then jumped backwards, flapped his wings and then front flipped over Vandrin. He was about the land on the ground headfirst yet he pushed down on the ground and then dove backwards driving his feet into the counts back, pushing him to the ground. Duilin landed standing right over Vandrin, he stepped on the counts hand, holding the katana, causing him to let go. He picked the blade up and then grabbed the old man by the neck, and held the sword into his back.

"You won't get away with this, you know." Vandrin said.

"Yeah, yeah." Duilin whispered. "You tell yourself that. Now I'm gonna make you a deal old man. Yeah, listen up. Me and my buddies, you see those two...and..." He looked at Coriko. "Who the hell is that!? When did he get here!?" He shook his head. "Anyways, let the kids fly outta here. They need to get home. I don't want anyone following them. Got it?"

"Yes." Vandrin said, he didn't believe what was going on; he just kept his eyes closed.

Marshall looked at Duilin. "Thank you. We owe you one for this." He then held onto his amulet, and summoned a regular ole' green wyvern. "Try not to hurt the man too much." He said grinning. He looked at Coriko. "Yeah, that's Duilin an old...friend I guess. Okay, so yeah Firstman and me were able to blow up the barracks, well Duilin...helped. So yeah, you want to just get out of here? This place is making me sick."

Firstman hopped onto the wyvern "Let's get the hell outta here!"

Marshall looked at Coriko, as he hopped onto the big lizard. "Coming, Coriko?"

---

Posted by: Coriko on Saturday December 9th, 2006

"Sure, why not."

Coriko hopped onto the wyverin. He still wasn't used to these things.

"So you want to hear why I was late?"

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Saturday December 9th, 2006

"Yeah sure tell us on the way." Marshall replied. He then patted the wyvern, and it took off, towards the south...


"Alright!" Duilin called, several guards had already formed a large crowd around him and Vandrin. "Me and my buddy here are gonna go for a walk, anyone follows us, and the old man dies."

Duilin, dragged Vandrin to one of the wall gates. Duilin pressed the katana blade against Vandrin.

"Open the gate!" Vandrin ordered, he then lowered his voice and spoke to Duilin. "I'm warning you. You can not get away with this." Vandrin said sternly. "You have any idea how many bounty hunters are going to come after you. I've planned for things like this to happen. One million gold pieces will be on your head and another two million for the rescue of me."

"Well it ain't gonna happen." Duilin replied, as the two walked through the gates, and into the wasteland beyond. "As soon as I see anyone come towards us you die."

"Well it'll be your life, because I've also planned for that. A ten million bounty is on the head of my killer. I'm sure every able-bodied magic-using fighter on the planet will come after you. The word of this has likely already spread to Kandarin and North Point."

"Well good for it." Duilin snapped as he through Vandrin on the ground. "Now do you have any idea were the hell we are?"

"Yes, the norths centre part of the northern peninsula of Terian." Vandrin replied. "What are you trying to get out of this." He said getting up and dusting himself off.

"To be honest I'm kind of making it up as I go along." Duilin said with a grin.

"Oh god. I've been kidnapped by a complete idiot..." Vandrin groaned.

"Hey listen." Duilin growled grabbing Vandrin by the collar. "I'm probably your worst nightmare here. I've killed tons of wannabe mages like you. So I'd shut up if I were you." Duilin pushed Vandrin back on the ground. "Now anyways...off with the belt."

Vandrin looked at Duilin in disgust. "What exactly do you have in mind!?" He stood up and removed the belt anyway, fortunately his pants still stood up, just fine.

Duilin turned Vandrin around and grabbed his wrists; he tied his hands together with the belt. He took the sheath and strapped it onto his own pant leg and sheathed the katana. "I don't want to have to poke with the sword all day, so we're gonna walk peacefully." He said grabbing Vandrin by the arm and continuing to walk.

"What's happened in the past 18 months?" Duilin asked.

"Uhh...well..." Vandrin looked at him oddly. "Let's see, most of the liberated cities have now been taken under control by either the Dark Empire or the Kandarinian Sovereignty."

"Kandarinian, eh? I heard about those guys, they were a pretty quiet bunch, never thought they'd want to take new land. So who are you with?"

"I'm one of the Kandarinian monarchs."

"So I'd assume you'd be the Count of the Vandrin County then. What's your name?"

"Vandrin."

Duilin blinked "...Right..." He sighed and continued walking. "Where is the nearest harbour?"

"North. Why...where are we going?"

"Tjed. I guess. Is it still free from imperial occupation?"

"I assume. Do we have to go there?"

"I've got good relations with those guys. I'd probably be the only place I could call home right now. What's your problem with Tjed?"

"It's uhh...I used to live there. Got banished."

"Heh, how about that." Duilin snickered.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Saturday December 9th, 2006

There was a tremendous vibration as the airship kicked into overdrive. Standing on the deck was no longer a comfortable experience, due to the fierce, cold winds. Though there was no immediate danger of falling off. The ship was really moving now, cutting thought the bottom layer of thick dark clouds.

But Renard had to stay up there, for it was his turn to supervise the lizards. They were such an oafish dopey sort, and needed to be told what to do constantly. Renard pulled his black cloak tighter over his body to fight back the chilled air. He idly wondered how the cold blooded lizards got along up here, for they didn't even have any fur.

His right ear suddenly swiveled around, picking up that screaming sound... like one of the stupid lizards actually fell off the deck. It would be an unpleasant death, for it was a long way down. The lizards would occasionally fight each other in petty arguments, the ones that weren't genetically engineered and were capable of conscious thought, at least. He would probably have to discipline the winner. The fox sighed irritatedly. It was an annoying job, commanding these lizards. Soon his shift would be over, at least.

The silver fox stepped down the black metal walkway, trying to hold his head high and look somewhat authoritve, which was hard to do in the fierce winds. Judging by his superb hearing he was reasonably sure where the fall had occurred, and stepped in that direction quickly.

And then it happened. The cargo box to his left suddenly exploded in a violent burst of flame, a burning man jumping out with an outstretched hand, tackling the much smaller fox, pinning a flaming hand to the Velken's chest.

"Game over, fur ball."

Renard yelped as he was jettisoned clean off of the side of the airship as if shot out of a cannon, a burning crimson orb raging against his chest. Farther and farther he flew into the deep dark sky, helplessly pushed by that vile orb. Ice! Ice! Cast the ice! Put it out! It BURNS!!

Then it exploded.

Red hot pain engulfed his entire body, from the tips of his ears to his tail. The Velken's instincts kicked in just enough to shield part of the blast, but not nearly enough. Down and down he went. Spiraling out of control. The power of flight, the levitation he commanded so easily would not come to him. Just the drowsiness. And the pain. And the darkness...


Draven threw his head up in laughter, his aura of flame doubling in size. There was no more need for stealth. He clenched his right fist as a crimson glow intensely burst forth from it.

"All right you miserable little insects. Come get me..."

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Sunday December 10th, 2006

Zeros' raked his hands through his hair, walking downt he corridor that had opened for him. He arrived at the room and tilted his head, raising an eyebrow. Raised plates and deadly pendlums. Interesting...

Someone obviously didn't want intruders. There's traps were obviously made for a normal man, but he was no normal man. Infact, he wasn't even human.

He shook his head. He knew solving the puzzle nearby would be easier, but the traps looked fun. His eyes sweeped the corridor in front of him, eyeing any of the plates he could see. He counted one at least every three inches apart. This would be interesting.

He then silently counted the momentum of the pendalums. One... Two... Three... he said to himself.

Then, he nodded. It would be risky, but, if he was lucky, he'd make it across in one piece.

---

Allen nodded and looked around where they had landed.

"Let's see... If this is anything like I think it is, we first need to find a way to either the bridge slash control room or the bowels of the ship, where the furance that powers th ship is. It's your choice..." he said, turning back to Ven.

"Which do you think would be better?"

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Sunday December 10th, 2006

Rink had a good feeling somebody was on the way, he had a good feeling it was Zeros'. He'd likely know if Duilin was on the way since he'd likely start attacking rather then sneak in. It could be Zion or Xenai, but he wasn't too sure about them.

He hoped it was Zeros', he was strong, and he’d likely be able to put up a good fight for this monster Gorus. Yet he did hear the two other lizards call him High General, a couple of times. The lizardman also has the Dark Empire symbol tattooed on his arm, so obviously this guy had to be a very skilled fighter, comparable to Draven.

-----

"So, when are you going to let me go, young man?" Vandrin asked, sounding more bored then scared.

"I don't know if I can just let you go. You see, me being my foolish self I told you that I'm going to Tjed and say if you managed to get back home, then you'd tell everyone where I am and then attack Tjed."

"Well, you're not as dumb as you look." Vandrin sighed.

"Also, I don't think letting you go before we are even out of sight of the walls of the county would be too bright." He then looks off into the distance. "Oh look rockey hills, let's go over there." Duilin picked up the pace and tugged Vandrin harder.

"You know it's dangerous out here. Wild beasts or raiders could attack us. I hear the Dark Empire have dark dragons flying about in the sky."

"Well, seeing as I beat the ass of the toughest Kandarin monarch, I don't think even a dark dragon can stop me."

"Aren't we the cocky one."

"You know, I wouldn't be talking like that." Duilin said feircly tightening the grip of Vandrin's arm as they continued walking.

"Arg, okay. Sorry, sorry."

The two then got closer to the rocky hills, after a few minutes of walking. For a darkened wasteland, the place was quite nice and quiet.

Duilin looked up the hills, if they could get over them it would defiantly get them out of sight. "Now we climb."

"It's going to be very tricky for me to get up there, with my hands tied behind him back." Vandrin said almost smiling.

"Nice try..." Duilin said, he then lifted up Vandrin. "But you're not getting away that easy." He then held him in both his hands, and then jumped up and flapped his wings. He then flew up to the top of the hill. "And just for suggesting that..." He then dropped Vandrin and he began to roll down the hill. Duilin let himself slide down, reaching to the bottom. Once they both did, Duilin helped the bumped and bruised Vandrin back on his feet.

"You okay?" Duilin asked.

"What do you care?" Vandrin hissed.

The two continued walking. "Hey, man. It's nothing personal; it's just that I got myself in a sort of situation you know. I've been...in a comma for 18 months."

"How'd you even get inside my county in the first place?"

"Beats me." Duilin replied. "I'm just trying to figure out what's going on. I don't know where any of my friends are, so I'm probably going to be by myself."

"Aw, and you wanted me for company." Vandrin mocked.

"Hey, shut up." Duilin snapped. "I captured you, because I know people aren't going to follow me around if it means getting you killed." He then took a deep breathed. "Trust me, if I could let you go and not risk anyone attacking me when I'm gone I would." He looked around and arched his face forward to see into the distance.

"Yeah, so where is the shoreline harbour?" Duilin asked.

"Um...just up ahead." Vandrin said. "You see that building right there..." He pointed his head in the direction.

"Hmm..."

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Sunday December 10th, 2006

They were very quick to respond...

A number of gray blurs darted though the air, above Draven's head. He was surrounded in seconds, five on the deck and four in the air. The other Velkens...

"Who is that?"

"Fire mage."

"A human?"

"Wait... where's..."

Virmir was the last to arrive, making the tenth, notable by the long swords strapped to his back.

"Where's Renard?"

Draven answered the question directed to the others.

"Don't know. It probably hurt though. A lot."

His face contorted into that maniacal grin.

All of the foxes' eyes glared at the human. Virmir stepped forward.

"Who are you?"

"Draven, the Crimson Emperor. I owe Retan some... favors, so I thought I'd stop by and pay him back..."

"That's a lie. The Dark Emperor cast Draven away to whence there is no return."

The burning mage did seem a little familiar, though.

"Retan's full of it. And now you get to die..."

Draven brought both hands to his sides, his fists exploding in vermillion fury. If he could lure these fur balls or whatever they were away from the ship, Allen and that knight should be able to take it with no problem...

All of the Velkens assumed a fighting stance, the four remaining mages' hands crackling with energy. Virmir rested his hand on the hilt of the longer sword strapped to his back, the Wind Serpent. If they could lure this human or whatever it was away from the ship, they wouldn't have to worry about destroying its cargo...

All at once Draven and the Velkens soared into the air, disappearing into the dark surrounding clouds. The airship sped on without them...

----

Ven leaned close to Allen, so that his voice could be heard over the roaring wind.

"The bridge sounds like our best bet if we want to take this thing as quickly as possible, but I'm worried about my liege..."

Henri of course was still being held captive on board. Blast it, if Draven hadn't run off like that, they could have formulated a proper plan or something!

A large number of lizard men suddenly ran past, and Ven ducked down and threw himself against the wall. They were obviously distracted by something...

"Of course, I don't suppose we have any idea where he may be held... The bridge it is, then."

He began to scoot across the outer cabin wall he was pressed against, finally finding a door which opened with a latch. Protected from the fierce exterior winds, the inside was a great deal warmer, though kind of dark...

---

Posted by: Coriko on Sunday December 10th, 2006

"Okay, so I was walking to meet you when I figured I was to early. I stopped into this tavern to get something to drink. I sat down and ordered and as I was waiting for my drink a man walked in. I know what your thinking but this guy seemed different. He seemed arrogant, and powerful. He walked up to the barman and ordered a round. The drunks up front thanked him. He touched them to say your welcome, but when he did they slumped over. I watched intrigued when the man turned around. He yelled something to everyone. He said ‘My brotherin’; you are on a path to moral damnation. Repent now and you will be spared in the hour of judgement.’ The drunks laughed and this man got angry. He made a sweeping motion across the bar and as he did the bar ripped apart. I am pretty sure he was using some form of telepathy. I seeing it coming be on the far side of the bar I jumped up and grabbed onto the rafters. I then dropped down and kicked a table up for shelter. ‘You cannot hide from god’s message.’ I then fired flaming arrows over the top of the table to try and hit him. I heard nothing. I sat there for a few seconds waiting for something to happen. I heard nothing, so I burned a small hole in the table to see. There was no one there. I stood up and the man was gone. I then realized I was late for our plan and I bolted here, and you know the rest.”

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Monday December 11th, 2006

"Interesting story." Firstman commented. "I wonder who that guy could have been."

Marshall then landed the wyvern down to the ground. Everyone hopped off of it. They had arrived near a seemly pointless, large mountain of rocks.

Marshall walked up to where there was this suspiciously flat rock, near the bottom, and an odd hole in one of the rocks. Marshall look a small key from his pocket and then put it into small hole and turned the key. The flat rock then slid to the side, revealing a dark stairway leading downwards.

"Let's go." Marshall said, motioning to the others.

Assuming Coriko is following, he put the key into another keyhole on the inside, turned it and then the door slid back, after the three had entered.

As the three went deeper down the stairs the area got significantly lighter, until they arrived in fair sized underground building.

This was the Aspyes Underground Bunker, it had four floors, and the two middle floors were evenly divided into several rooms, for people to stay in. The top and bottom one. The top one was mainly empty; it was mostly used to store random items. The bottom floor is where the liberation planning was. The number of Aspyes had significantly lowered. About a month after the return of Retan, there was genocide on people with the Aspyes. Both the superpowers had found them to be a large threat and annoyance to there newfound domination, so anyway suspected of being an Aspye was killed. However a man named Peter Kropotkin had organized an Aspye meeting to flee everyone to the wasteland, were he had once found this lost underground bunker. The place had been fixed up of course and moddified to suit their needs.

"Well, let's get to the bottom floor." Marshall said. "Kropotkin likely has another assignment he'd like us to do."

The trio then went down a second staircase, passing the two middle floors.

There was Peter Kropotkin along with a couple other revolutionaries, around a large table with a map of Gaian, a few weapons were laying against the wall.

"Ah, how did the sabotage go at the Vandrin County?" Kropotkin asked.

"Better then we thought, actually. Yet we were detected, a friend of ours helped us out and was able to kidnap Count Vandrin himself."

Peter smiled. "Haha, excellent. With Count Vandrin kidnapped they'll surely focus too much on getting him back. It won't be long before we can liberate the place."

"I'm not sure if we should rush into that just yet." Marshall said.

"Why not?" Asked Kropotkin.

"Well, it seems the place is still fairly well guarded, we almost died trying to get out of the place. Plus the mutant activity is getting higher."

"I feel so sorry for those people who became mutants. They'll never be able to see out better way now that Vandrin took away their freedom of thought. Wait, where is your friend, it might be good if we had Vandrin here."

"Sorry, we had to leave without him. They would have killed us." Firstman replied.

"Who is this friend?"

"Well, he's not actually a friend. Actually it was Duilin Talonscar." Marshall said.

"What the hell are you doing even talking to that fascist!? He's been opposing our cause ever since we started!"

"I don't know. He's changed a bit. I'm not sure if he's an Aspye just yet." Marshall said in defence.

"Very well. I always thought it was mostly that Zeros' who was the problem. Anyways, there is this small village that some of our scouts had found. It's not to well guarded, so we might be able to quickly liberate it, it only has a couple guard stations. We only need a couple people to go for this; if we can spread the word we may be able to have the people join our cause and take the place down. We've got some weapon supplies for the people to use. Marshall can summon something to carry it around; we've got some rope as well, if you need it. You up for it comrades?"

"I don't know." Firstman said. "I think I need some rest."

"We'll I'm game." Marshall said. "What about you Coriko?"

----

Duilin and Vandrin continued their way towards the building in the distance. It was becoming more and more clear.

"What the hell? I don't even see the shore anywere?" Duilin said. "Are you lying to me!?" He growled as he lifted Vandrin up by the collar.

"N-no. I don't know, maybe I, maybe I'm a bit confused about where we are." Vandrin stuttered.

"I'm on to you old man."

'Sure you are, dumbass.' Vandrin thought. He was barely intimidated by Duilin really; he didn't believe half of what he was going to to. He thought he was mostly talk, although he knew for a fact that if he tried to escape he wouldn't let him go. He didn't think he'd kill him however, but he doesn't want to get maimed or crippled. He has his physical image that he doesn't want to mess up.

Both Vandrin and Duilin then saw some strange ghostly images in the corner of their eyes wisp by.

"Did you see that?" Duilin asked.

"See what?"

"Hmm…"

---

Posted by: D. Ein on Monday December 11th, 2006

Victo, Arlin, Vorren, Soghol, Hasterb, Zjott and Jacob finally got to know each other well, when the Elder and Roland entered. Arlin scowled, and bent towards Zjott.

-"Shh... those guys are undeads... they have a really bad temper, they do. Don't get on their bad side."

Fortunately, Arlin did not have to endure their prescense for long, because...

---

"The large gilded doors swung open, and, as expected, my most loyal servants stood before me.

-"Good day to you all. I'm sure you know who I am, for if you don't, you would not be standing here."

I watched my subordinates bow, and suddenly I realized that someone was missing.

-"Where is Necirrejel?"

Hasterb was first to speak.

-"He is gone, my lord. The way he was and the way he is somehow said goodbye... He did not only say goodbye because it felt so easy for him to say goodbye, in a way that I knew. This is the last time."

As always, listening to Hasterb could be compared to reading poetry: even after so many words are spilled, the information is hardly of any value.

-"Alright, does anyone other than Hasterb know what happened to Necirrejel? Or must I send out wyverns to hunt him down?"

Vorren, looking rather distraught, said:

-"He left this morning, my lord. It seems that after a year of being in the Kandarinian shock troop squad, he finally got sick of it. We found several guards slaughtered, and one hydrojump transport stolen."

There were deaths that I did not sense? What is this? Are my Necromantic powers dulling? ...no, that cannot be. The sly fool must've devised some way to block my mind away from the fleeting souls of the recently deceased.... or perhaps Vorren is lying. Either way, I will find him. Sooner or later, I will find him.

-"Anywho, let us get to the reason why you were brought here. I have recently heard word of a book called the "Necronomicon", which contains the deepest secrets of the Necromantic practice. There were three copies made, but two of them were destroyed by the heretic Blue Minotaur." Roland and the Elder visibly flinched. "The last copy, entitled "Simon's Necronomicon", was stolen by the offshot group which calls itself the "Black Dragon". Similar in practice to the Blue Minotaur, but employing much more radical and extreme methods of achieving their goals. They are bent on preserving what they call the Original Arcane, and Necromancy happens to be a part of that. This is why they preserved the final copy."

Victo was first to raise concern.

-"But what of the cult itself?"

-"The events I am citing, my friend, have long passed. I imagine the cult to now be a little less than small piles of dust."

Vorren was still unsatisfied.

-"Not to sound overly egotistical, but we are your best. Why us? Why not just assemble a legion of expendable undeads to take the tome?"

Roland and Elder flinched again, at the mention of "expendable".

-"Don't question the Marshal's motives, fleshbag, or ... or else."

Vorren scoffed and was opening his mouth for another remark, when I intervened.

-"All three of you, stop this nonsense! You are acting like children! At any rate, there is a reason why I chose you over a legion of undeads. This job has to be covert. No one must know that it ever took place."

-"But why?"

-"Enough talk, all of you. Pack up and off you go."

--- --- ---

Ein hurried away from the tavern, and hid behind a house, panting heavily. The accent might have fooled them... It might have not... nobody must know that Ein is here. Not even Ein must know. No one. Absolutely no one.

With a constantly ripping thread of thoughts, Ein got back up and continued running towards a nearby forest.

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Monday December 11th, 2006

Zeros' nodded. It was about six seconds for full swing of the pendalums. Between those and the three inch-spaced raised plates... this was definetly made for a normal man, not for a half-demon.

He watied for it to return to the front of it's swing. He counted to two before jumping. He zoomed through the air and landed on the top of the pendalum, balancing himself on the flat edge. He stood there, using the wooden pole that it swung from for support.

He smiled. This would be easy.

---

Allen nodded and ducked behind with Ven as the lizardmen came by. He followed Ven and blinked into the darkness of the inner cabin. He frowned. He could make and change things, but he couldn't make light, sadly.

"Well... At least it's not totally dark," he said lightly, his older eyes making it harder for him to see in the darkness. He looked behind him, as if trying to make sure no one was following him.

"Lead on, Ven... You're the one with all the man power," he said.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Tuesday December 12th, 2006

Aura burning dimly, Draven touched down in some foreign landscape, the ten fox creatures following suit, completely surrounding him. They were in the middle of some sort of barren desert. There was absolutely nothing around, save for endless miles of rolling yellow-gray sand. Thunderclaps boomed in the distance, illuminating sections of the red-black sky.

Draven folded his arms.

"You're one of Retan's new high generals, aren't you? I caught a glimpse of you at the banquet a while back. Tch, Retan's getting weirder and weirder in the help he seeks..."

Virmir raised an eye (he didn't really have eyebrows). So then this really must be Draven...

"Kendo Virmir, High General of the Dark Empire, Skyward Division. I've held this title for over twenty years."

It was Draven's turn to raise an eyebrow. Twenty years?

"A question before I kill you. How long ago was that banquet?"

"Stalling will get you nowhere. You were sealed for well over a year. I don't know why, but it was the Dark Emperor's will, so that is what I will enforce right now..."

Draven brought a gloved hand to his chin. Of course... Retan's reach extended well past Gaian... but how could he not have known? Obviously he was not trusted with that information... Just how big is the Dark Empire?

He chain of thought was interrupted by the silver fox drawing that wickedly long blade...

"Detain him."

----

"Uh, right..."

Ven began to tiptoe down the corridor. There were torches up ahead, so the visibility wasn't too bad. Then again, staying in the shadows would probably be a good thing for them...

They made it to a fork in the road, a hallway intersecting the one they traveled down. The humming of the ship was constant, but distant, so Ven guessed they probably weren't near the engine room or whatever. That was good, since they didn't want to go there.

Ven brought his gauntlet to his chin, rubbing it contemplatively for a moment.

"So... uh, any idea where this bridge might be...?"

Suddenly there were footfalls ringing against the black metal floor.

"Gah~!"

A figure emerged from around the corner down the left fork, his hands tied behind his back but his legs quite free, running for his life towards Ven and Allen.

"K-King Henri!!"

"Ven! RUN!!!"

"Fear not my liege! For I will save you!!"

With a flash of silver from his drawn blade, Ven jumped out from the shadows into the center of the hallway just as Henri ran past him. He could definitely hear something coming around the corner in front of him... Ven held the silver sword with both hands tightly, charging it with a brilliant white radiance.

"Take THIS!!"

Pointing the sword down the corridor, he let lose a jagged beam of brilliant white energy blasting down the corridor. Just then, a large number of lizard men turned the corner. The light arrow slammed into the leading lizard, causing it to stubble backwards a bit and cracking off the left pointed shoulder section of its black armor. They all stopped, the hit one snarling but not exactly hurt...

"Well... crap..."

Raising jagged blades, spears, and the sort, they all charged like feral beasts.

"RUN AWAY!!"

Ven and Henri bolted down the opposite fork.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Tuesday December 12th, 2006

Duilin and Vandrin arrived at the building. It was small building made mostly of wood; it had that ugly symbol on the door. As soon as Duilin saw it he glared at Vandrin. "You think you could stop me by leading me to one of your sheds?"

"Wha-" Vandrin grinded his teeth, he was caught. "I didn't know that was there, um, somebody must of uh..."

Duilin punched Vandrin across the face and knocked him to the ground; he picked him back up, grabbed his shirt and then punched him again. "This is your LAST chance!"

'He has no idea...'

Then surrounding the two were several blury shapes, on close inspection they appeared to be in a humanoid shape.

"What the hell is this!?" Duilin snapped, looking at the figures.

Suddenly the ghostly figures took shape into grey skinned mutants.

"That's it!" Duilin drew Vandrin's katana from the sheath. "Now you die old man."

Vandrin looked shocked as he saw the blade reach down towards him, then suddenly the sword was shot out of Duilin's hand by one of the mutants. Duilin growled in rage and then violently smashed Vandrin down on the ground, suddenly one of the mutant mages blurred right in front of Duilin and swung a fist full of shadow energy right at Duilin knocking him to the ground.

"Damnit!" Duilin snarled, he jumped back up kicking the shadow mutant back, knocking it to the ground.

One of the shadow mutants untied Vandrin's wrists, and the picked him up and began to rush back to the County walls at great speed.

"No you don't!" Duilin shouted he jumped in the air flapping his wings and then flew after the escaping mutant, however three others tackled him in the air.

These mutants were special kind of the Type 3 mutants. They are Type 3 mutants trained by Shadow Mages, Vandrin temporally hired from the Dark Empire.

The mutants began beating down on Duilin with fists full of dark energy, smashing down on him. Duilin suddenly snapped and around him exploded a large ball of demon flame, knocking the mutants back several yards.

Duilin aimed his right hand at one of the mutants on the ground, fire surrounded his hand and he then shot a ball of flame at the creature, finishing it off. Another mutant came at him from the side, he swung his fist in an uppercut into its jaw and as it fell back he shot fireball at the mutant's chest, blowing right through.

Three mutants remained they stood in front of him in a fighter stances.

The flame in Duilin's hand was then sucked away; the half demon focused his demonic energy into his hand and created his already famous demon flail, made of the energy demon bones. He swung the flail around a few times, and the mutants dashed towards him. He threw the demon flail and it smashed into the first one's face that was coming towards it. The mutant fell to the ground, as the demonic poison began to burn away at his face, killing it quickly. As the other two came towards him he jumped into the air over them. As he floated, he pressed his hands together focusing his energy and began packing it together, he then stretched his hands apart and then created a small orb of electric energy. He then smashed the orb down on the ground, creating a shockwave stunning the two mutants. He landed on the ground and picked up Vandrin's katana, he then dashed towards one of the mutants and slashed the sword across the mutant's neck, cutting it's head off, as it was motionless, the dead body was still standing for a few seconds, before it fell to the ground. He then ran towards the other mutant and impaled the blade right through its upper chest.

He stopped; he let go of the blade and took a deep breath. Maybe that was a bit too much. Vandrin got away. Likely they'll send more of those things after him, so he best get moving. He folded his wings and then began walking off...

---

Posted by: Coriko on Tuesday December 12th, 2006

"Sure I'm game. It would be nice to be out in a small town for once. C'mon Firstman. I'm going so is Marshall. It won't be the same without you. What do you say? I mean, what could go wrong?"

---

//This is my final prewritten post for Druid, so feel free to jump in at any time now\\

Druid was bored. He expected the ruler of this realm to have a giant castle and city devoted to him. Statues every few miles, signs everywhere. However there was nothing. Druid realized finding this guy will be harder than he thought. He had been walking along a cliff for a few miles now. He was tired and so he sat down. He watched the water crash against the cliff’s side. The raw surging power gave him a feeling of home. A gust of air rushed past Druid and he drew his cloak closer. His cloak was warm and made of a strong fabric found mainly on his world. Druid’s mind started to wander. He tried not to be a bad guy. He just came off like one because of his harsh punishments and views. Although he didn’t want people thinking of him as a ruler they could push around. It was shard to show some if any compassion while still maintaining his dignity and reputation.

“You ready to repent?”

Druid knew recognised voice and didn’t want to take any chances in case he was right. He launched himself several meters upwards. He spun around as he flew upwards and his assumption was confirmed. It was the preacher. He landed facing the preacher. His cloak rippling in the wind, his hand clenched on his staff.

“What do you want? No, better question; how are you even here? I have killed you so many times, and the last one, cannot be undone. And why would you come back and fight me? Why start something you know you can’t finish?”

The preacher just stood there smirking. He didn’t move at all, he just stood there. Druid didn’t want another fight. He was tired and bored of this world. He wanted to get off it. All these fights were distracting him from finding the leader, who probably has a way off this rock. Druid lowered his staff down to the ground. He then raised it up again and a deep red pillar surrounded the priest. The shadow magic started to slowly rip apart the preacher’s skin. As this was happening the preacher just stood there smiling. He just stood there smiling as his body was being ripped apart. Once he was completely ripped up druid walk towards the pillar carefully. He saw there was nothing left and lowered the pillar.

“How could he have come back? I ripped him apart by his atoms, I snapped his neck. I broke his spine. When I explode someone, I have practised this so there is nothing left. How could someone bring back him if there is nothing left to work off of?”

He turned around to go back to the waves when he was punched in the nose. Druid stumbled backwards clutching his nose.

“Son of a bitch.”

Druid was patting at his nose, it didn’t seem broken. He held his hand up to his nose cradling it. Here he was; all powerful ruler of his dimension, one of the most powerful (if not the most powerful) shadow mage, and he gets sucker punched in the nose by some annoying priest.

“I don’t know how you came back, but I’m gonna make sure you stay gone this time.”

“When god is determined, nothing will stop his message.”

The preacher started to walk towards Druid. Druid closed and then reopened his free hand causing the preacher to explode. The preacher died but was seen as soon as the dust settled. He once again started to walk forward. Druid did it again and the preacher increased his pace walking through the cloud this time, not waiting for it to settle. The preacher started to jog and Druid did it again. This time the preacher started to run. The preacher was almost at Druid when he did it once more. Nothing came forward, then a fist caught Druid in the cheek. Druid stood up and spit out some blood. He was mad and ran to meet the preacher. He dodged the preacher’s attack when he got to him and delivered an attack of his own.

“Why…” Druid caught the preachers jaw with his left fist “won’t…” Druid smashed the preacher in the side of the head. “you…” Druid put his hand on the man’s chest and fired a concentrated beam of shadow magic. “die…?” Druid put his hands on the man’s face and caused it to explode. The body crumpled, yet behind was the preacher. He stepped over the body and smiled at the bewildered druid. The man wound up for a devastating punch, and Druid stood there. The attack was delivered and Druid flew backwards. Druid’s head rested on the edge of the cliff.

Druid stood up, he was tired of being pushed around. Sure he couldn’t kill this guy, but he could let him live as a vegetable. The preacher’s boot was coming at Druid’s chest. Druid caught the boot and twisted it. The preacher was caught off guard and his leg was broken. He yelled and pulled back. Druid glared at the man. The preacher started to get up and Druid kicked him as hard as he could in his ribs. The preacher was lying on his back breathing. Druid went over and knelt down beside the man. Druid put his face right up against the preachers and whispered.

“I am your better; I am your god’s better. Walk away while you still can and don’t bother me anymore”

Druid pulled his face away so he could see the man’ reaction. The preacher spit in Druid’s face. Druid put his left hand on the man’s neck. He then moved his right hand back and then plunged inside the preacher. Druid was then kicked under his chin. He fell backwards rubbing his chin. The preacher was standing unharmed where his dead body was. Druid lay on the ground and the preacher ran at Druid. He dived at Druid, who in turn caught the preacher with his legs and flipped him over his heels. Druid then stood up. He was tired and was going to end this.

The preacher stood up just as Druid caught his throat. Druid chucked the preacher as hard as he could over the cliffs edge. Druid then sprinted over the side and dived after him. He unbuckled his cloak which flew back upwards onto the cliffs edge. Druid left his staff up there was well. He caught up to the falling preacher and grabbed his chest. Druid then launched himself into flight so they were travelling at an even faster speed.

The preacher was yelling he gave up, but Druid just had a stone cold look on his face. The force heard when the preachers back hit the water went on for miles. The preacher was screaming under the water as Druid kept moving downwards. They were getting quite deep and the light was starting to fade. Druid was starting to feel tired. He could always hold his breath for along time, but this was pushing it. Druid then made a bubble of shadow energy around the preacher so he wouldn’t die. He then blasted the enclosed preacher downwards. The preacher would sink down to the water’s depth and he would be unable to die. He would not be able to resurface because his weight was holding him down. As soon as Druid blasted the preacher downwards he rocketed himself upwards. He was gaining ground quickly but he was feeling weaker. He rocketed out of the water but he was still tired and weak. He started to slow down as he got to the top of the cliff. He was almost there. Druid was just about to grab the cliff’s edge to pull himself up, but instead he grabbed a root which pulled out. He didn’t have the energy to fly upwards and he started to fall back down towards the water.

“no,” Druid whispered. “no, I wont die like this.” He started to get louder. “NO!” Druid with a sudden adrenaline burst rocketed up over the edge of the cliff. He then stopped and started to fall back to the ground. He hit the ground with a thud. Druid lay on the ground near his cloak. He sighed to himself.

“I guess I got to keep going.”

Druid then passed out.

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Wednesday December 13th, 2006

Zeros' swung with the pendalums motion, counting to himself before swiftly jumping to the next pendalum. He kept doing this. Counting and jumping... counting and jumping... counting and jumping...

He did this until he was on the last one. He smirked and looked back, counting three inches before he reached his position. He nodded and then jumped off, deftly landing on the stone and righting himself. He had passed the trail without activating one of the traps.

He briskly walked forwards, striding through the door in front of him.

---

Allen blinked, but obeyed. If Ven could do nothing against these lizardmen, well, what choice did he have against them?

But, he stopped for a moment, an idea popping into his head. He quickly turned back to face them, concentrating his energy through his body. He closed his eyes for a moment before slamming his hands into the floor of the ship. Immediately, a metal wall sprung up between himself and the attackers, streaching the length of the hallway.

He then turned around and caught up with Ven and Henri.

'I don't know how long that'll last, but it should be long enough," he said, wiping his brow.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Wednesday December 13th, 2006

The five Velken blade knights were upon Draven like locusts, five cold flashes of steel striking out at him in blurs. With a wide crescent of his crimson blade and staggering footwork, all were blocked. But they were so fast... the retorts were immediate and Draven had to expand and intensify his aura greatly to keep the fine points from tearing into his flesh...

Then all five backed off as Draven was hailed with four blue blasts of ice from above as the four remaining mages had their turn. The ice pillars came down fiercely and all Draven could do was retort with a single blast of fire skyward. The spells collided with devastating force, bright flashes of red and cerulean blasting away the dead sands of this desert battlefield.

Then it was the knights again, and the cycle continued, the Velken's Dual Attack relentlessly chiseling away at the maniacal fire mage... Virmir held the Wind Serpent poised, for he knew how dangerous this foe was and was ready to intervene should the pattern of this delicate dance of death be broken. But it seemed they were actually wearing Draven down...

Until one of the Velken knights went flying from the circle... It was a lucky shot, perhaps, the vulpine warrior flying into Draven's random punch, but the force was genuine and the fox was sent flying some twenty five feet backwards due to the lightness of his body and down into the sand. Draven immediately followed with a quick slash of his burning blade, taking advantage of the break in momentum. The slash found home on another knight's chest, a spray of crimson blood soiling the air. He flew backwards as well with a yelp, the other three knights backing off just slightly...

The chain was broken... Draven flew skywards, stopping in-between the four floating mages who regarded him with shock in their eyes. Their half formed ice spells useless... With an angry glint, Draven thrust both hands outward as a fiery explosion ripped the air, sending the four flying...

----

Ven and Henri stopped as the metal wall formed. They could see a small dent bulge forth as the lizards undoubtedly slammed into it, a crashing noise and muffled reptilian curse words coming from the other side.

"Yes!!"

Ven threw his hands in the air, pointing his sword skyward.

"Showed them!!"

He then realized he didn't do anything and his posture slumped.

Henri crouched on the ground, completely out of breath.

"Nice work, Allen."

Ven crouched next to his king.

"Are you all right, my liege?"

"Fine, fine..."

"Hold still."

With a flash of his blade, Ven slashed though the chains on the old man's wrists. The man rubbed them, glad to be free of the heavy cold steel.

"Now we just need to find a way out of here..."

"Draven wanted us to try and commandeer this ship. I don't know where he went, though..."

Henri chuffed at this.

"Is he crazy? Those things are everywhere..."

"Yes, I believe he is, actually..."

"Listen, Allen, how familiar are you with these airships? Do they have some sort of escape mechanisms or anything? I think its best we got out of here..."

----

A metal boot nudged Druid in the side.

"I think he's dead."

"He is not dead you morons. Get away from him."

"Ohhh, master. Can I eat him? Pleassse?"

Jayce backhanded the giant fat lizard in the mouth, the drool dripping from his jagged crocodile like teeth spraying the ground.

"There will be no EATING until I say so."

"But he looks sooo tasty..."

Jayce raised a black gauntlet again and the six foot tall tub of reptilian lard flinched.

Melface resumed a standing position, for he was crouching over the unconcious man. His sliver hair waved in the winds. He looked like a twelve year-old child, except for the long pointed ears. And the red eyes. And the fangs...

"I would have to agree. I don't think he's human."

Jayce walked up to the unconscious lump, grabbing him by the back of the neck. With one hand, the burly black armored Draken lifted Druid up so high that his legs dangled on the ground, his limp body swaying in the breeze. Jayce smelled the man slightly.

"Smells human, but you're right. There's something different about him... And we all saw what he did... Could be fun..."

Jayce smiled that maniacal grin, small fangs appearing in his teeth.

He tossed the body to his side, where it was caught by a rather classical looking demon. A tall demon, with brght red skin and two jutting horns piercing through thick black hair.

Jayce waved behind him.

"Take him back to camp and make him comfortable... I want to have a little chat when he wakes up..."

"But my lord, do we really need--"

"Do it."


Druid was placed in a black linen tent, upon a large cot of moderate comfort. The inside of the tent was mostly barren, except for his staff laid to one side. Reptilian guards circled the exterior of the tent...

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Wednesday December 13th, 2006

"No, no. Really I'm fine." Firstman said, gesturing with his hands. "Besides I promised Gustoph and Ramón that I'd join them for a card game."

"Don't you think this is more important?" Marshall said trying to encourage him.

Firstman rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Okay, okay." Marshall said taking back his statement. Firstman tended to get tired out pretty quickly. He also feared death a bit more then Marshall did, and craved adventure a bit less. Marshall understood this. "Well, let's get going Coriko." He said. "Who else will be coming with us?" He asked Kropotkin.

"Just a few other people, they've already left I told them to expect you and/or Coriko to join them soon, they'll likely be waiting, since you two are the most skilled fighters we have, right now."

"You've told me that before." Marshall said grinning. "But I can't help feeling highly about myself when you say that." He looked back at Peter "Anything else we should know?"

"The supplies are up on the top floor, they should have your names labelled on them. Also, intelligence says that these people may join our cause pretty quickly, if we just give them a hand. Don't force them to do anything they don't want to. I don't like to spread that kind of image about us." Kroptkin explained.

"Of course" Marshall looked to Coriko. "Once more onto the breach my friend." The duo then walked back up to stairs. At the top floor Marshall looked around and saw the crate. "There it is." He said pointing. "Help me carry it outside..."

----

The door slammed shut behind Zeros'. He was in a dark room, only lit by a couple of torches, if they went out then the room would be totally dark.

The room looked empty, yet it did have some strange rectangle designs on the walls, at least they somewhat looked like designs. A few seconds after Zeros' entered the room, the rectangles began to fall off the wall, revealing small holes on the walls, each housing a small green drake. There were many of them all over the room. The door at the end was locked. Likely unknown to Zeros' but now known to us one of the mini dragon had the key inside it. (We will assume the key will be in the LAST dragon you kill.)

On a close count, one could see that there were 40 Mini Dragons in this room. They haven't eaten in days and Zeros' looks like a great meal to them...

----

Vandrin arrived back to his castle, he immediately got to worked he signed the forms to triple the entire security of the county.

"Sir, is the bounty still on for your kidnapper?" One of his assistants asked, as Vandrin was resting on his bed in his chambers.

"You're damn right it is. I have never been so insulted and embarrassed in my life! But I want him brought to me alive so I can deal with him myself!" He then sat up on his bed and punched the palm of his left hand with his right fist. "I want that freak castrated and crucified. Then set in the middle of town hall for everyone to throw rocks at him, then when he dies I want his body parts nailed on the outside walls for every worthless savage freak like him to see!"

"I'll write up the warrant, Count Vandrin." The assistant said. He bowed to the count and then exited, before Vandrin went even further. He was feeling sick to his stomach just thinking about what he said.

----

Duilin didn't want to fly, for a couple of reasons. One, he didn't want to get spotted. Who knows what those guys would have done to him if he were captured. And two, he was feeling rather tired from all the work he had done and plus it has been about 18 months since he's eaten or drank, or at least remebers doing that.

He has no idea where he has been, but he knows that it's true that he was somewhere else. It didn't feel like an hour ago he was fighting Draven, it felt like several months ago. It was all in the back of his memory, but with a large nearly empty void in the front.

He felt really tired. It struck him almost suddenly. He thought back to that great feast at Tjed and that surprisingly great banquet at the Crimson Palace. He'd dine with Draven or even Valos, because he was so hungry.

He saw a snake run past him a big, raw, juicy snake. Duilin jumped at the slithering creature, grabbing by the tail with one hand and grabbing its neck with the other. The snake struggled to get free; Duilin watched it squirm as he tried, enjoying the sight. The snake then bit his hand with its sharp fangs the teeth dug into Duilin's skin. He dropped the snake on the ground, and the creature started to slither away. He underestimated the little creature. Duilin smirked and then snapped his fingers lighting a flame in his hand, he then tossed the fireball at the snake, toasting the creature. It was a tough little critter but it was still to weak...

Duilin crawled over the snake's burning corpse he tossed sand onto the flames. He liked his meat a bit more rare but this would do, he ripped a piece of the snake meat off, and chewed it. It tasted pretty bad but he needed to eat. He sat in the sand, and continued munching away...

---

Posted by: D. Ein on Wednesday December 13th, 2006

...and so, the group gathered their essential belongings, and was off. They took a hydrojump transport across the ocean splitting Kandarin and Terian, landing at a sandy beach. Their maps showed that their destination lie through a series of forests, deserts and swamps; indeed, it was not an easy journey.

--- --- ---

Absolutely nobody heard the body bag being dragged through the streets. The city slept a deathly sleep, abandoned long ago. The cloaked figure dragging the body bag did not seem to mind the silence. It simply dragged the bag on, towards a half-destroyed house.

The door opened and shut, letting the stranger inside. He heaved the bag through a fissure in the wall, dragging it down a staircase. The person inside the bag was trying to resist, but without much success.

Finally, the cloaked stranger came up to an eerily-glowing red door, with a carving of a thin dragon on it. A creepy voice whispered,

-"What is the colour of the night?"

The answer followed immediately.

-"Sanguine, my brother."

The door slid open, and, dropping the cloak, the man walked inside. He continued dragging the body bag on the stone floor, ignoring muffled screams. There were others like him in this strange place; the man was greeted by occasional quick jealous glances at the body bag. He only sneered in return.

After another few minutes of dragging, the assassin finally reached his target. A simple but sturdy wooden door, with yet another dragon-like carving on it. He carefully opened the door, entering the room on the other side.

The pale glow of the burning oil barely illuminated this room, darker than the rest. The light was coming out of two vases, sending soft eerie light through the whole room; although dim, the light penetrated every shadow.

Between the two vases stood a stone altar-like slab, over it the carving of the omniprescent black dragon. There was another man awaiting, carefully inspecting a dagger in his hands. The bag carrier stopped.

-"Greetings, brother."

The man turned around, and a wide smile cracked through his face.

-"Ah... I see you have brought me... a gift..."

The assassin smiled glumly, and silently nodded.

-"The die is cast; the means of sacrifice shall be determined."

The priest produced a six-sided die out of his robes, and threw it down on the altar slab. Another grin penetrated his dry face, and he slowly looked at the assassin.

-"Sharpen the knives, and prepare the Eviscerator for a new... volunteer..."

The slab came apart, revealing a hole. Mechanic noises were coming out of it, as well as a swooshing very indifferent from that of a swung sword.

The assassin opened up the body bag, letting a very angry-looking pirate out of it.

-"Threats to the Brotherhood... Pillaging protected villages... and the assassination of a fellow Brother. Unacceptable, captain Karnov. Goodbye."

The priest kicked the pirate into the hole, and the slab quickly slid together, nicely muffling the agonized screams. The priest looked up at his guest.

-"Well done, Brother Grief. Your tribute is fullfilled; the Father is pleased. Here is your next target."

The acolyte handed Grief the dagger he was holding.

-"She is a virgin blade. Your target is inscribed on the other side."

The assassin flipped the dagger and read the inscription.

-"High General Arlin..."

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Thursday December 14th, 2006

Draven pointed his burning blade forward as he landed back in the dusty sand.

"Ready to fight your own battle?"

The uninjured rushed off to help the injured warriors, all looking up with worried anticipation at what their master would do with the fire mage.

Virmir was never one for words.

With a single bound, he was off, speeding towards Draven like a rocket, the sands parting before him. In an instant his image split in two as Draven's crimson blade bore down on the silver fox, leaving a wave of flame in its wake. But it was just a trick, and Virmir struck from behind, Draven just flipping his blade up to match that wikedly long sword with a shower of sparks, preventing it from slicing open his neck. The Wind Serpent was indeed an enchanted blade, for it had little trouble slicing though Draven's thick shielding aura of flame.

The Velken style relied heavily on speed and precision, delivering minor blows to fatally sensitive areas in quick blurs that mere human eyes couldn't even follow. Virmir was no exception, except as being labeled the greatest Velken warrior alive he took it to the extreme. He spun around Draven like a tornado, kicking up sand as he struck high, middle, and low from all directions randomly. He was fast-- way faster than anyone Draven had ever faced... the Crimson Emperor just barely able to parry the incoming stabs and slashes with his crimson blade...

----

There was some rustling in a bush near Duilin...

A short dark figure suddenly stumbled out, panting heavily and clutching his left arm... Pain was Renard's world... Every inch of his body hurt, his head especially... The silver fox took a step towards Duilin and fell to his knees...

He was simply a mess. The hastily thrown up protection spell had indeed saved his silver fur from being burned clean off, but still his black robes were tattered and singed, his body covered in bruises and lacerations. Part of his left arm had been outside the area of the protective spell and here the skin was charred and broken, blood flowing freely. Thank the heavens his lush tail had been spared, for that would have been the ultimate disgrace...

His blurred vision followed the path up until he could make out the silhouette of the winged figure there... Who was this? A friend or foe...? Gods, please Lord Virmir... save me!

But it had wings... demon wings...

It could not be... the angel of death had come for him...!

He weakly held up his right claw. No! Go away! Ice! Cast the ice! Put out the fire!!

Cerulean sparks fizzled around his outstretched hand, but faded into nothingness. The world turned. So dizzy. So very tired...

He collapsed face first, his muzzle smacking into the sand. His breathing was heavy and troubled, a pool of crimson blood slowly staining the ground beneath him...

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Thursday December 14th, 2006

Zeros' entered the room and looked around, noting the rectangles. He titled his head for a moment before scanning the room. One... Two... Three...

He kept counting until he reached fourty.

"Hmm... Fourty little drakes... And greens ones at that," he sighed and shook his head. He didn't want to have to kill these dragons, but... He knew, from the look in their gleaming, sltited eyes, that he was a meal to them.

He put his hand on his sword, drawing it out from it's scabard. His sword flashed, illuminating the room. The blade lengthened and dipped lower, the blade forming from the katana shape into a scimitar of sorts. The plain hilt transformed from leather into a brilliantly white fur, made from the god Fenrir.

He hefted the sword and rested it on his shoulder. He would wait for the small creautre to make their move.

---

Allen shook his head. He wiped sweat from his brow. He wasn't as young as he used to be. Doing quick alchemy like that used up more energy then if he did it using a transmutation circle.

"No, sadly. The only sort of exit we have here is the docking bays, but those are used to move supplies from the bay to the airship. There's a door that drops from the side, but at this height(?), we'd just drop off into nothingness," he sighed and shook his head.

"So, the only way to get off is... to fly."

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Thursday December 14th, 2006

Duilin noticed something stumble out from a near by bush. It looked like an animal, a silver fox. He noticed it reach out just before falling to the floor. It had apparently noticed him. He stood up on his feet and walked towards the fox, on the ground. It was humanoid. He's never really seen anything like this before.

Duilin was still really hungry, he wasn't sure if it was dead. But if it was he may as well put the dead animal to good use. But it was pretty human like, and it felt a little uncomfortable thinking about eating it. He knelt down and then poked the fox man, with his pointer finger, a bit more then gently, but not to roughly.

"Uh...hello?"

---

Posted by: Burton_projects on Thursday December 14th, 2006

Nick realizing he was being totaly ignore found something pecuilar. His surrounding began to move and the blanket of lies revealed a dark room. A light flickered on putting Nick in right in its ray.

"So this is who you are now?" The voice was Drakes.

"Where are you?" Nick asked trying to spot his foe.

"Right in front of you." Drake appeared before Nick. The room was lit up by four more lights at this time. The rooms walls and floors were an off-white. "Get up!" Drake demanded with a booming voice.

"This is going to be our last encounter you do know that. It either me or you leaving this world." Nick took out one of his blades and held it ready.

"Thats exactly what I planned for..." A vine ran down drake's arm to his hand. "Thorn Blade!" The blade flowed from his forearm toward Nick's chest. It just missed by a few inches. Close one Nick thought. Nick ran to the side of drake and pulled out a quick attack. He flipped sideways and slammed his blade downwards. Drakes vine broke apart and Nick landed on his knees. "You've improved..." Drake's eyes where set on Nick watching his every move.

---

Posted by: Coriko on Thursday December 14th, 2006

Druid opened his eyes but he didn’t move. He saw he was in a hut or tent of some sort. He had been moved, but by who.

“They kept me alive, which probably means they know what I’m capable of.” Druid whispered to himself. “I could level this entire camp ground, yet they probably will be more of a challenge then highway men. I’ll see what they want and then decide.”

Druid swung his legs over the edge. He saw his cloak was resting on a chair along with his staff. Druid stuck his staff into his belt and put on his cloak. He walked up to the flap of the tent. He didn’t know what awaited him. He prepared himself for the worse and stepped outside.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Thursday December 14th, 2006

Marshall and Coriko carried the crate outside. Marshall did his normal gestures, of holding the amulet and casting a blue spectre from his hand, which took the shape of a wyvern. He then repeated the same motion two more times and three wyverns were ready for flight.

"Okay, then." Marshall said, looking at the creatures. They then put the crate on one of the wyvern's back. It was a flat crate so it shouldn't feel much different from wearing a backpack to the thing. Marshall tied the crate onto it. "Alright, let's get going."

They hopped onto their wyverns and they were off...

----

The little dragons circled around Zeros' for a moment preparing to swarm their pray. Suddenly five of the drakes then pounced at Zeros', two at the legs, two at the torso and one right for the face...

//Feel free to control them, to speed things up.\\

---

Posted by: Burton_projects on Thursday December 14th, 2006

The earth shifted and Nick lost his balance. Drake saw his oppourtunity. He struck with great percision. Nick's arm bled..blood flowed down his shirt. Nick pushed up with his right leg dodging a second attack. He swiped his sword at Drake's leg. Drake jumped over Nick and attacked from behind. Nick rolled over just missing getting stabed.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Friday December 15th, 2006

Ven clenched his fists.

"Fly... I can cast a wind spell, but I've never done it with three people before. I don't think I could carry us all... Isn't Draven supposed to be...?"

Henri's third eye had already appeared on his forehead, a bright green shimmer radiating from it.

"I don't think Draven is still on the ship... the fog is too thick for me to tell anything else..."

"Still that bad?"

Henri nodded sadly.

Ven brought his silver gauntlet to his chin.

"Hmm, well..."

There was a loud THUMP. A visible bulge jutted from the newly formed metallic wall. Ven turned to it. Another one, the bulge growing larger, the wall almost tearing...

"... I think it's time to leave...!"

They began to make their way down the hallway once more, ducking down a random intersection so they wouldn't be seen.

"I think the docking bay's our best bet right now!"

----

"Game over, fur ball."

Then that face... That burning twisted sneer...


"AHHH!!!"

Renard felt a painful stabbing in his back, his skin still sensitive and body quite sore. He flinched and angled his head to the side, forcing his eyes open. The angel of death!!! Was... poking him...?

Up close, it didn't really look that horrible... Was he hallucinating...? His injuries were that bad... His head throbbing... It looked more like one of the Gaian natives with it's smooth pink skin, kind of like the form the Dark Prince hid himself in, except this one had wings, which didn't seem natural.

"Ergh... hello..."

He clenched his teeth, forcing the words out.

"... are... you..." He paused, searching for the right word... "... hu-man...?"

----

Two jagged blades crossed in front of Druid's chest, the two tall reptilian guards coldly staring down at him.

"Hold." Came a thick voice from across the camp. It wasn't a large settlement at all, just a few black tents, set up in a small forest clearing. Woods surrounded all sides. The lizards immediately took back their weapons.

Jayce was making his way towards the recovered man from across the camp, his burly form impossible to miss. That massive black armor and that huge scimitar across his back. He stopped in front of Druid, taking a moment to size the man up.

"Feeling better? Good, good... I'll cut to the chase. The reason you're here is because I saw what you can do... and I like it. I'm looking for a few good warriors, you see. City razors, purifiers, wide area destruction masters... Looking for a job? It pays well..."

He snapped his fingers. An armored lizard that was hobbling behind him dropped a small chest, a foot wide and a half deep, in front of Druid's feet. The wooden box burst open, obviously stressed by the weight of its contents, revealing glittering gold inside... Dark Empire gold... outlandishly large coins, about an inch and a half wide, emblazoned with the draconic symbol of the Dark Empire...

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Friday December 15th, 2006

'So it speaks, I guessed so, seeing how the animal is clothed.' Duilin thought as the Velken spoke to him.

"Yeah, I'm human..." Duilin said, he didn't think it was necessary to say his other half, people tended to dislike him when he announced when he was half demon. "What's the matter?" He added. "Didn't you know that some humans have wings? It's uh...rare, but it happens sometimes. Really."

Duilin was rather curious of why it was in its wounded state; perhaps this might lead him into some adventure. He was still hungry, but he wouldn't mind jumping right back into action. He then asked the fox, "What happened to you? Did you get mugged or something?"

---

Posted by: Coriko on Friday December 15th, 2006

Coriko jumped onto the wyvern. He never was good at flying these things, but he was better then when he first started. As they took off into the air Coriko called to Marshall.

“Hey Marshall, so where exactly is this town?”

---

Druid didn’t look at the chest. He never took his eyes off of the man in charge. The man was a tad bit taller than himself. Druid could probably fight his way out of this place, but he was still sore from his fight with the preacher. Druid quickly ran through this proposition in his head. Druid did need a way to get by. He had to put aside his vengence for a while. Even though he wasn’t a mercenary who was paid to fight, he probably did need money to get around on this world as well. Druid knew he had been thinking for too long already and so he replied.

“Alright I’m in. So what do you have in mind for me…, I’m sorry I don’t know your name.”

---

Posted by: Burton_projects on Friday December 15th, 2006

Drake's aura grew and had a green luminisnece. He took off his hood and revealed his grayed hair and scared face.

"This is the last time we'll meet!" He yelled before striking the vine blade down. It made a thump as it hit Nicks palm which was covered in black energy. The vines quickly grew around him placing him in a cacoon. After a few moments of the cacoon twisting and turning it stoped....A black energy covered the cacoon and made the vines snap outwards. The energy disappated after moving outward a few inches.

"Your right it is!" Nick said as a darkness cocealed and killed Drake. "Now i know I will never put my sword down untill every person like you is dead or cowering before me!"

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Friday December 15th, 2006

Help had not yet arrived.

The white magic had run its treatment, but Alex was still ailing. The suit's power was only flickering at this point, and no more medical treatment could be administered. He was aware of his injuries, if the shock didn't get him, the internal hemorrhaging would. He would bleed to death on the inside.

Alex was embarrassed as to how helpless he was. In the course of eighteen months previous he had managed to keep himself out of danger, but with three massive rock monsters show up, he can't seem to keep it together. All he could really do at this point is sit and wait.

And even that proved to be a chore. Alex was fighting a losing battle against unconsciousness, and he would soon lose. If he did, he might not ever see the waking world again. Alex never thought this would be how he would die, in a rotting industrial park, bleeding to death on the inside. There HAD to be someone nearby who could help.

Finally, Alex lost the fight. He plunged into the void of unconsciousness.

...Though he was not dead.

Alex appeared to regain consciousness into what appeared to be a dream or a hallucination. He, cast in an ethereal glow, scanned a quick look over his new location. It looked like the old sparring arena his old mentor, Caulus Zalridge, had trained him in. It was large, round indoor room, with plenty of space to spread out and fight. Lining the walls were some of Caulus' magical charms and runestones he so wanted Alex to use in battle. Unfortunately, the stubborn child Alex desired the brutish excitement of melee combat.

Though glowing, Alex noticed that his form was still corporeal, as he could feel the ground below him. Opposite him across the large arena was the ghostly form of Caulus Zalridge, the wise old mage who had found Alex abandoned as a baby. He appeared in the same way Alex did.

Caulus was an old man, of at least seventy, at least, when he departed. His long white beard and hair displayed him as a man with experience, and his robes covered with a variety of runic symbols showed his magical prowess.

"Young Alex," Caulus called. "What brings you here? I thought you were off saving the world and whatnot."

Alex swallowed a lump in his throat, and replied, "Uh, to be honest, I don't exactly know how I got here...I was fighting this golem one moment, the cannon I was using backfired, and then..."

"Hush, child. That was a rhetorical question. I know exactly why you're here. You're just barely hanging on to the threads of life in the real world, son," Caulus replied. "All of this you are seeing, feeling, hearing, is my departed soul contacting you. I believe you remembered what happened last time, at the Borderworld."

"So how do I get back to the real world?" Alex asked, obviously concerned for his physical form.

"That, my friend," Caulus went on, "Is something you will have to learn. Alex, look down."

Alex obeyed. When he did, he saw his body, laying limp against the ordinance warehouse wall. From an outside view, Alex got a good idea as to how bad he had been beaten. His armor was dented, his visor cracked, and various parts of the armor had been chipped off completely. Alex tried to approach his body, but went nowhere fast.

"A common mistake of those experiencing near-death," Caulus seemed to chuckle a little bit. "You see, you can't just float back into your body and be good as new. It doesn't work that way. Someone has to put you back."

"Okay...so can you do it?" Alex asked, feeling a little selfish.

"I wish I could, child, but I cannot. It takes a being of the twilight to do such things," Caulus sighed. "I know one."

"Who, WHO?!" Alex cried, knowing he had limited time.

From Caulus' lips escaped one word.

"Midna."

Suddenly, a blinding flash filled Alex's vision, and he appeared next to his body. Aware he himself could not return to his physical form, he turned back to his former mentor.

"Okay...Midna. Got it. And where do I find this Midna?"

"The last time I heard from her, she was investigating the Kandarinian activity in Asgarnia. Perhaps you could find her spying on them in the Kandarinian citadel."

"And how do I get there without a body?!"

"Alex, you're looking at this new form as a curse. However, there are many things you can do in this spirit form that would be impossible for a human. In this form, you are invisible to all but those well versed in the magical arts. Midna is one such person. Seeing as you have little corporeal form, you can pass through most solid objects by only thinking about it. Also, your senses in this form are greatly heightened, you will be able to hear, see, and smell things you could not previously. Remember, Alex, this is not a curse, but a blessing. Find Midna, and she will restore you to your proper form. Now, I must go."

"Wait!" Alex cried. "How will I know what she looks like?!"

"Use your senses, child. You will know her when you see her." Caulus chuckled, and seemed to vanish into thin air.

Alex looked back at his body and sighed. He couldn't ask for help. No one would hear him. He could not get attention, no one would see him. He was alone.

"If only Ein or Marshall were here...maybe one of them could be able to see me."

Alex turned to the looming Kandarinian citadel. Over the past eighteen months, the Kandies had modified large buildings to their liking. Alex had previously done his utmost to avoid that part of town, but it seemed at this point, he had no choice.

So off Alex went, in search of this mysterious Midna that Caulus had so lightly mentioned.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Saturday December 16th, 2006

"Yeah, remember when he pointed it out on the map?" Marshall said (not noted in earlier post). "It's a couple miles from Lawessov. Shouldn't take us too long…"

As Marshall was flying towards the location of his next mission, he thought back to his previous mission and his encounter with Duilin. He wondered if he'd ever want to join the Aspyes. If he hates Draven, he may not alley with him again; then again there is the problem with Zeros'. From the day he spent with them, 18 months ago, he could tell that Duilin seemed to follow Zeros', but it was more like an older brother relationship going on, rather then a soldier following his Emperor. And at times, that can be a harder bond to break.

----

Vandrin had identified the man who captured him as Duilin Talonscar, he was a former member of the Dark Empire. Five years ago he was charged for killing several officers and soldiers in the Empire. The charges were dropped eighteen months ago when he helped the Crimson Empire fight the Aspyes. Vandrin also learned that Duilin was not recorded to have wings until around the first appearance of the Aspyes.

Vandrin has issued a bounty on Duilin Talonscar of Three Million Gold Pieces to the person who brings him back alive. Wanted posters have already been posted in several towns, outposts and bases in both Kandarin and Terian.

---

Posted by: Coriko on Saturday December 16th, 2006

Coriko was flying beside Marshall. He was about to say something to make conversation but he noticed that Marshall was thinking. Coriko thought he should leave Marshall to his thoughts. Coriko turned his attention to the surrounding landscape. It was a lot of green and red. He then looked in the direction of the town and saw smoke.

"Some one got there first!" Coriko yelled this aloud to Marshall to get his attention. Then he pointed at the smoke so Marshall would see. Coriko nudged his wyvern to go faster so he could see the cause of the smoke.

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Saturday December 16th, 2006

Zeros' springs into action, seeing the small drakes starting an assult. He bats away the one coming for his face with his non-occupied hand before slashing with his sword, killing the small dragon instantly. He says a silent prayer for the drake, before returning to his task.

He kicks away two of the drakes heading for his legs, his sword slashing and killing those two. The drake heading for his torso is met with a swift punch to the face, causing the tiny skull to collpase, blood leaking out of it's ears, showing the small dragon to have died.

With these four dead, another drake heads for his torso. A quick slash fells him as well. Seeing five of their brothers die, the small drakes cry out in anguish All thirty-five fly out from theri hiding potions and fly at Zeros', who frowns and readies himself.

---

Allen nods and follows the two, ignoring the lizards pounding into his wall. He didn't give a thought, guiding the two to the docking bay.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Saturday December 16th, 2006

"Son of a draken!" Marshall snapped. "Go! Go!" He hits his wyvern and it starts to fly faster, and he motions to the third one carrying the crate to fly faster.

"I hope the civilians are okay. Else, this mission is a failure!" Marshall was really worried. He hopped it wasn't Duilin or somebody, he hopped that it was just a group of warriors or something. He'd rather battle troops then have to combat one really powerful mage. Those sorts of people never give up.

---

Posted by: Burton_projects on Saturday December 16th, 2006

Nick was teleported back to Kadarin he was outside near the ports. Nick was in a daze, moving around dizzily he reached a ship that was about to leave with crates. Nick climbed aboard and it started on its way to the mainlands.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Saturday December 16th, 2006

Human. Probably not a good thing, Renard thought. There was a chance he was from the Kandarinian Sovereignty, but that was unlikely, considering this winged version here was alone. No, this guy is probably one of the very humans the Dark Empire is exterminating like so much vermin...

And he was at his mercy...

Blast it. Renard struggled to lean to his side. Obviously the human was weary of him, considering the questions. He couldn't blame the man, of course. Luckily the Velken did not have anything on him that would specifically link him to the Dark Empire. There was the Welkin heraldry on his amulet, of course, but only Dark Empire officers knew what it meant. Technically Welkin was a separate nation, but the government had been assimilated completely by the Dark Empire in time...

Finally managing to lean on his elbow, Renard began coughing violently, a bit of blood dribbling from his muzzle. He wiped it off with his already ruined sleeve.

"Mugged... yeah... something like that..."

He wished. Try getting blasted off a freaking airship...

What could he do? Ask the human for help? Blast it, where were Lord Virmir and the others? He tired to reach out his senses, to try to detect their life forces... but it hurt too badly...

"You wouldn't... have any water would you...?"

----

Jayce's grin grew more crooked.

"Jayce, Prince and High General of the Dark Empire, Gaian Division. Glad to see you're interested... I'm sure you will enjoy all the little benefits of... working for our fine little establishment... This isn't a standard platoon I'm running here. This is a small group of elites I've organized to tear up and pillage this land to assess if I want it enough to invade. Those that do well in this little program of mine find themselves in rather comfortable commanding officer positions later on..."

"What?! You're just gonna let him in?"

"Is there a problem, Boron?"

There was a tall red skinned demon making his way past some tents. A classical demon with two jutting horns and a small goatee. His armor was shiny black.

"I mean, we all worked so hard..."

"I think Boron doesn't want to split another share of the loot." This deceivingly deep voice was from the child-like Melface, who appeared to Druid's right.

Jayce stroked his chin. "Yes, we should organize a test. Thank you for volunteering, Boron."

"Huh?"

He pointed at Druid.

"You two, fight." He leaned closer to Druid's ear. "Kill him and you're in."

Boron heard that. "What?! Fine! I'll gut this little man and eat him myself."

He licked his lips while drawing one of his two katana blades.

"Food?! Who's eating?!"

That huge lizard appeared out of one of the tents, barring its crocodile like teeth.

"NOT now!"

Jayce pointed to the edge of the cliff the camp was near.

"You will fight down there. I expect a good show..."

"Pah!"

Boron took off into the sky floating down the edge of the cliff. There was a grassy clearing at the bottom, surrounded by thick trees. A good spot for a match, especially for any spectators on the rock above.

---

Posted by: Dippy on Saturday December 16th, 2006

In the small farming community of Honckringe, which is one of the places used to supply the Imperial Forces with food, a foul stench flowed through the air. But this was not the normal stench of pig shit; it was the smell of evil!

"Zeak! C'mer! A fire gone done start burin' in the field!" A lean, well-weathered farmer shouted to his companion.
"Whoa! Now how that?" He responds (barely) to his friend "Let's check it out."
The two run toward the fire. When they get there they see it had totally engulfed a large tree. Then from the giant thick firewall a man stepped out. The man had deep red skin, two horns and his legs looked like they came of a giant goat. Although he had such a Demon like body he was clearly something different, his smile seemed surprisingly pleasing and his eyes looked as if they had never seen evil in their existence.
"Wha... what in Slim Peat are you?" The skinnier of the two asked in shear astonishment.
"Ace!" The Devil snaps both his fingers and gives a nice grin. Just then two streams of fire burst from his fingertips and burn the farmers to ash. Almost as quickly as they died there bodies blew away in the wind without a trace and the Devil moved along with a chipper skip in his step.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Saturday December 16th, 2006

"No actually, sorry." Duilin said. He examined the bloody fox man; he looked around the desert area, and took note of a few things. This animals wounds looked fresh, so the mugger must be close by, however as he examined the area there was nobody else in sight.

It could have been one of those Shadow Mutants, but what would it want with this guy? Perhaps that amulet, but still it didn't add up. He likely would have spotted the commotion going on. He looked at the animal in the eye. "I might be able to help you. But first, what happened to you...really?"

----

As Marshall and Coriko arrived at the village, they landed near by, were they spotted the Aspye party waiting for them. They landed near by them.

"What's going on?" Marshall asked, hopping off his wyvern.

"Some friggin' devil is torching people in the village. We thought we'd let the Imperials handle it, but I don't think they can." One of the rebels said.

Marshall looked down. clenched his teeth, then sighed and looked back at the rebel. "Well, what are we going to do about it then? Should we just call it off."

"I don't think we should, I'd say the best option would be get the people armed and then escape as soon as possible. I wouldn't suggest picking a fight with the devil if I were you."

Marshall shrugged. "I'll fight it if it comes at me." He looks into the village, he notices soldiers running towards the commotion. "Okay..." He points to a couple of rebels, ready to take the leadership role of the mission. "You two get the crate." The two agree and head towards the wyvern hulling the crate. "The rest of you, carry the weapons into the town and arm everyone willing to fight. Don't force them into anything, escort them out and fend off any of the troopers that attack you. Me and Coriko will distract the devil from attacking the people." He looks at Coriko. "You ready? Perhaps you could find a good sniper spot and distract it, maybe I can summon up something big to fight it."

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Saturday December 16th, 2006

The Kandarinian Citadel loomed high above the rest of the city in its center. It was originally the Asgarnian shield spire, captured and retrofitted by the Kandies for their dastardly exploits. A phantasmal Alex stood outside the perimeter. Since he was essentially invisible, he could walk right in and find Midna.

Alex released an echoed sigh and looked at himself again. He was cast in an unearthly bluish glow, as well as being partially transparent. He noticed that in this form, he was not wearing his P.C.S., but rather, his old jacket and pants.

He started down the hill towards the primary portcullis that kept unwanted visitors out. Any who wanted in would have to convince the hardened Kandies to lower the drawbridge over the stagnant moat that circled the spire, and then let him across. Many citizens knew that so much as approaching this structure was suicide. The Kandies were trained to spear anything that moved.

Luckily, these external defenses would be simple for Alex to bypass. Prior to arriving at the citadel he had done his best to get used to how to move and perform actions in this new ethereal body. While no veteran, Alex was convinced he could cross the wide moat without the need of a bridge. While appearing a daunting distance, Alex set his light feet down on the ground and concentrated.

He thought long and hard about being on the other side, about avoiding the moat. Before long, his feet had risen off the ground and he was drifting slowly to the other side. He softly landed without any noise at all. The Kandies were none the wiser. In fact, Alex was so confident in his stealthy approach, that he casually walked straight through one Kandie and into the spire gates. The Kandie shuddered as he felt a feeling of ice course through his body.

"What's with you?" The other Kandie asked, turning to his comrade.

"Urgh, nothing. Must be the wind or something."

Alex passed through the wrought iron gates and appeared in the foyer. He had never been inside the shield spire before, but its enormous structure was intimidating. He had no idea where to start to look.

He then remembered what Caulus had advised him to do, about using his senses. Trying his best, Alex tuned out all outside distractions, and thought solely about locating Midna. No sooner after he did this a bright spot showed up in front of him. Briefly floating for a second, it flew over to the stairs and spiraled up the helix. Whatever it was, it wanted Alex to follow, so he did.

Through many tiers of Kandarinian war rooms, prisons and barracks Alex followed the strange orb, sometimes passing through the occasional Kandie. Alex chuckled a little bit as he saw them shudder a little from having a feeling of icy daggers.

Soon, Alex could go no higher. He was at the top of the spire. The view from the balcony was amazing, the city of Asgarnia sprawling out for miles in each direction. Down below rebels and Kandies scattered like ants, engaged in a street war. The rebels were most likely planning an offensive on the citadel in order to regain control of the city. Alex turned his attention to the orb. As if by magic, it began to speak.

"So, you're Alex, huh? Caulus told me about you, how he raised you and such. It's such a pity, human life is so fragile. I suppose you want me to help you out."

Alex was dumbstruck. "Wait, so you're..."

The orb sparked, and took the form of an impish creature.

"That's right. I'm Midna."

What Alex saw could best be described as a floating female imp, roughly a meter or so tall. One eye was obstructed by a tall stone-like helmet she wore, the other was an eerie red eye. She had long, pointed ears and one fang-like tooth among other human-like teeth. Her skin was a combination of dark and a pale-blue color, her arms and lower body covered in glowing green markings.

(For those with difficulty to visualize it, here's an image)
<img src='http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/7479/midnata3.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Alex was aghast. This...thing was supposed to help him return to his human form?

"I can see you're perplexed...allow me to explain. Somewhere along the line, you've suffered a near-fatal injury and your spirit was jettisoned into limbo. It's here you will remain until someone either revives you or someone, such as myself, deposits you back into your body. I know your old mentor, Caulus. He was a good man, while he lived that is. It's quite fortunate that you were raised by him..."

"Listen, can you get me back into my body or what?" Alex barked.

"It surprises me that you wouldn't treat someone such as myself, your only lifeline to the waking world, with a little more...respect. Perhaps I should reconsider this."

"Listen, and listen good, you whatever-you-are. I'm coordinating a massive uprising effort against the Kandarinians, and without a leader, they won't be able to do jack-shit for themselves."

"Ah, so you're with that rabble in the streets?"

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

"Surprisingly, no. You see, it was a Kandarinian sorcerer who cursed me to this fate I'm in now...I was once a beautiful young girl, the destined ruler of Asgarnia, until that...that...URGH! He challenged me for my spot on the throne, and when I backed down, he turned me into this imp and took it anyway. What he doesn't understand is that his power is false."

"So, let me get this straight. We're both working towards a common goal..."

"You need your body, and I need my throne. Maybe we can help each other out. If I do restore you to your former self, you must vow to front all effort into fighting those...those..."

"Kandies?"

"For lack of a better term, yes. If you can help me reclaim my spot on the Asgarnian throne, perhaps I'll have an even greater reward for you. So how about it? Do we have a deal?"

Alex was silent for a moment, until finding the guts to come up with that one binding word.

"Deal."

Midna raised her tiny hands, glowing and crackling with unknown energies. With one motion and one grunt, these energies enveloped Alex. His vision flickered, and then faded to black.

Alex came to lying on his back on the ground. He made the effort to lift his arms, which was now possible. Even more relieving, he saw he was again cocooned in his protective armor, which had mysteriously been repaired of any damage. He was able to get up, he felt no pain, no aching, no nothing. It was as if he had never engaged those golems mere hours before. Midna drifted down next to him and giggled.

"See? I told you I could help you. Now you have to help me, yeah?"

"Yeah," Alex said, his voice again hollow and distant through the suit's helmet.

"Great," the little imp replied. "You know, just to prevent raising panic, I can hide in your shadow until you need me."

Midna flew down onto the ground and manifested herself into the form of a black silhouette of Alex.

"See? No worries. Now, on with you! We DO have a deal, remember?"

Saying nothing, Alex pulled himself over the brick walls of the Industrial District and back into Asgarnia proper. Midna then instructed him to return to the citadel. Rifle in hand, Alex charged in a one-man/one-imp assault on the Kandarinian capitol.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Monday December 18th, 2006

Down though the airship the trio went, twisting through winding corridors and black hallways. There was always some ambient sound wherever they went, whether it was the mechanical grating of gears, the magical hum of the cores, or the scraping of reptilian nails on metal. Often some combination.

The cargo bay finally appeared before Ven, Henri, and Allen. It was a very large room, filled with wooden boxes. On the far end was a very large door, the wind howling though the small cracks on the edges. Clearly it lead outside...

By now, Henri had time to think of a plan.

"Allen, if you can find something in this room to transmute into something... glider like perhaps, Ven might be able to propel it with wind magic."

"Right. We'll have to get that door opened first..."

Ven nodded towards a huge mechanical grating device with a crank that attached to the door.

"WHO GOES THERE?!"

It was a single lizard coming from behind, alerted by their voices.

"Great..."

Ven's blade was out in a silver flash. He spun to face the lizard man entering the doorway the trio just came through. It was huge... some eight feet tall, horns, scaly dark green hide with curling black armor.

"Humans... How lucky I am..."

He licked his lips.

Ven brought his sword up in a ready stance.

"Ahhhh, great..."

He waved back to Henri and Allen.

"You guys get to work... I'll distract him..."

With that Ven was off, meeting the monster's jagged sword with a shower of sparks. Henri ran off towards the door crank, leaving Allen to his own devices.

----

Renard tried to sit up a little more, but the pain was too much.

"Fire spell... hit me real quick... didn't get a good look at the guy... probably a demon..."

He did see that face... that maniacal twisted face... for just a split second... He really couldn't tell what that guy was, though, wrapped in flame like that. Demon was his best guess. Though there were demons employed by the Dark Empire, they were violent disgruntled beings, often unpredictable and loose cannon. The silver fox rolled over on his back, slipping his tail out to the side, as he stared up at the red and black clouds above, trying to dislodge that awful sneer from his mind. Blast it, where could Lord Virmir be?

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Monday December 18th, 2006

Duilin thought for a moment. The only other demon he knew of that was alive, was Zeros', yet he wouldn't attack somebody just like that, or would he? Perhaps this animal is with the Dark Empire?

No, it couldn't have been Zeros', he's not a strong user of fire magic. Perhaps another demon is around? He remembers that the Dark Empire employed some. Or maybe, it's not a demon? Maybe it was...Draven.

He could sense the crazed fire mage's presence, yet only dimly, and he wasn't totally sure, if it Draven’s aura exactly. He is likely, in the sky somewhere, he could go check, but he can't just leave this animal here, and besides he himself needs some rest.

"So, I assume you were battling this demon in the sky?" Duilin said, as if he had figured something out. "Because I would have seen this happen." He narrowed his eyes. "But why would you find the need to lie to me?"

He looked back to the Vandrin County, which was mostly fades in the distance; he thought he could make out more shadowy blurs coming towards him. There better not be anymore mutants comming.

He looked back at Renard and then reached his hand down to him. "Tell you what, I'll take us somewhere to rest and you can tell me what's going on."

----

Several more of the drakes begin to circle around Zeros'. Seven of the mini-dragons then flap their wings as they take off towards the majestic half demon and dive down at him, ready to tear him open. The rest of them begin to charge towards Zeros' ready to eat...

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Monday December 18th, 2006

Alex stood atop the same rocky hill he did when he was a spirit, overlooking the entrance to the Kandarinian citadel. Without those mysterious abilities he had as a spirit, getting in wouldn’t be easy.

He was silent for a moment while he thought of an ideal approach.

“Are you always this quiet?” Midna inquired, floating next to Alex, and seeming to recline on air. “Why not just barge in? Those Kandarinian defenses aren’t so tough. You of all people should know that.”

“True, but if I raise the alarm, they’ll be all over us,” Alex replied, his facial expression obscured by his reflective visor. He turned to look at Midna. “Unless you have a better idea.”

“As a matter of fact, I do.” She floated up to a girder protruding from the side of the megastructure. Strangely, her glowing orange hair seemed to extend, and form a human hand, beckoning Alex. “I know a secret entrance. Simply jump up here and we’ll be in.”

Alex bent his knees and forced himself away from solid around as hard as he could. Amazingly, Alex cleared the ten-meter high jump with ease. What did Midna do to him?

“It’s right through here,” she said, floating through a window. Alex pulled his heavy frame through, and landed on the ground with a loud clunk.

“Keep it down!” she whispered to her armored follower. “You want them to hear us?”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Alex grumbled. “YOU try wearing two hundred pounds of armor and see how easy it is. All right, you got a plan?”

“Actually, no.” Midna admitted emptily. “I was hoping you would have an idea on where to go. I don’t exactly know this place in and out.”

“Great, so we’re flying blind.”

A pair of Kandies were walking up the spiral staircase from below. If they saw Alex, their goal would be exposed.

“Quick, into the shadows!” whispered Midna. “I’ll do the rest.”

Alex quickly rolled his frame into the shadow cast by the next stairwell leading up. Midna provided a quick jolt to Alex’s P.C.S. that made him blend in to the shadows.

“…So I’m out on patrol, right?” One Kandie said to the other.

“Uh-huh.”

“And there’s no one around for miles, right?”

“Uh-huh.”

“So I turn around, and the next thing I know, it gets really cold! And I mean, REALLY cold! I nearly froze inside my armor!”

“Uh-HUH. You know, you ought to ask the shift foreman for some leave time. I think that helmet’s cut off circulation to your brain.”

“I’m telling you, something is in the citadel! If we’re not careful, we could be overthrown!”

“Oh, PLEASE. I’m sure it was just a cold gust of wind or something. You should be less concerned with imaginary ghosts and more worried about the rebels planning to advance on the citadel.”

“What if there’s an inside man?”

“No wonder you’re put on guard duty. You’re paranoid as hell.”

The two soldiers kept bickering back and forth as they ascended the next series of spiral stairs. Alex stepped out of the shadows and into what little light permeated the citadel’s interior.

“They didn’t even see us,” Alex said.

“Of course not,” Midna replied jauntily. “I cast some low-level twilight magic on your armor there. Whenever you move into the shadows, you’ll blend right in. You’ll be perfectly invisible. It only works in darkness though.”

“Neat stuff,” Alex commented.

“All right, let’s get going before some more of those goons show up.”

The two had been going for a while until they encountered a large set of double doors.

“Those guys are too confident in their poor security,” Midna remarked. “The doors aren’t even locked!”

Alex gripped the door handle, and had to pull with all his weight to get it to open.

“They’re so damn heavy, they don’t need locks,” Alex shot back.

They entered a massive chamber, taking up at least half of the citadel’s interior. The large round chamber extended up and down for several hundred meters, with a small series of staircases lining the outside. In the center of the chamber was something unimaginable.

It could best be described as some enormous and ancient machine. It occupied a major part of the chamber. Alex had heard about this colossal device. It was formerly the Asgarnian shield generator.

Alex leaned over the guard rail to get a better view. On scaffoldings and on the surface of the machine were Kandie maintenance crews. They seemed to be converting the machine into something else. But what?

“My God…” Alex muttered. “What are they doing to it?”

“They’re reworking it,” Midna mused. “The shield itself is powered by Borderworld energy, applied in a defensive way. From the looks of the new additions they’ve made to it, I’d say they’re making some sort of weapon.”

At the base of the structure, some hundred meters below, a massive swirling portal structure had been built. This weapon would have a direct power draw from the Borderworld, providing boundless amounts of potential annihilation.

“You know what we have to do,” Midna said.

“Sabotage.”

Suddenly, alarm klaxons filled the air with deafening buzzing. The alarms echoed throughout the chamber and the rest of the structure. As they did, some seemingly omnipotent voice thundered.

“Attention all Kandarinian personnel. We have confirmed reports of rebel presence in the lower levels of the citadel. Number at this point unknown, but it has also been confirmed that they are armed with Asgarnian energy weapons. All soldiers are hereby ordered to retaliate. Kill all insurgents on sight!”

Alex again needed a place to hide. Unfortunately, glowing power conduits connected to the ancient machine cast the chamber in a dim red glow, eliminating all shadows.

A group of Kandies run down the stairs and straight into Alex.

“Hey, it’s the rebel leader!”

“He’s here to sabotage the weapon!”

“Seize him!”

Alex, seeing nowhere to go, leveled his rifle and prepared for a fight. As he did, Midna flew back into his shadow and sighed.

“Well, I suppose it wouldn’t be an infiltration without a fight. Just don’t die this time…”

---

Posted by: Dippy on Monday December 18th, 2006

With the arrogant smirk still on his face, Ace walked through the field. No one was there to witness the crime that just took place, and if they did, what could they do?
Ace saw that he was coming up on the market were the Dark Empire would buy (or steal and leave petty change behind.) The farmers' food. There are many armed soldiers guarding the caravans and making sure no one (Except them) steals the food.
"Hmm... this looks like a good place to try my skills." Ace mutters to himself as he runs into the shrubbery and hides.
Ace starts to glow in a black aura (like those disco black lights ) And takes the shape of a brutish farmer. Afterwards he summons a firewhisp and catches it in his strong grip.
"Stop Devil! There it is!" Two human guards shout as they spot the transformed devil.
"What? You fellers must be m'staken. Ain't nothin' but a lil' fire'hisp who got pissed off, tell ya what." Ace tries to speak in a buck toothed yokel tone.
"Ohh... is...is that so... sorry to bother you... heh." One of the guards manages to sputter out.
"I told you there's no such thing as Devils!" The other guard smacks the other in the head as they leave in embarrassment.
"Sometimes it just seems too easy..." That arrogant smirk returns as he walks into the town.

"Sir! The 'Devil' we have been worried about was nothing more than a spazzed out firewhisp, we can continue as usual" The guard reports.
"You Idiot! What do you think a firewhisp can burn a whole field, AND TWO FARMERS!” The officer roars and throws a book at the guard "leave five guards to look around but you can call back the rest."

---

Posted by: Dippy on Monday December 18th, 2006

The Aspye rebels, remained hidden in the near by bushes and tress outside the village. One of the rebels was looking into the town with an old fashioned looking telescope (but somewhat modern for this time period). "I can't seem to find that devil." He said, to his comrades next to him.

"Well, let's just get in. That house, right there, looks like a good place to start." Replied another rebel, pointing to a house a bit to the right of the group.

"I don't know. I'm worried about that devil too." Said the third one.

"Marshall will worry about the devil!" The second guy snapped. "We've got to arm the people."

The three looked at each other and nodded. The first rebel put the telescope back onto the strap on his belt, and took out his machinegun, him and one of the other two sneaked over to the back of the house. The third rebel came with several guns strapped over his shoulders. One of them tapped on the back window.

A woman opened the door. "Go away." She hissed.

"Madam. We're sorry to bother you, but we're with the Aspyes. We're not here to hurt you, we are here to help." Said the rebel.

"Okay, go on."

"We spotted a demon, on the loose, he's going to start attacking any minute. So we are going to help everyone leave the village, and try to avoid the Imperials. You interested in helping?"

"I'm not a fighter, but quickly get in, my brothers have actually been hopping for you guys to come." She whispered.

She helped the three men sneaking inside through the window. Apparently similar things were going on with several other houses along the rim of the villages...

(Dude Man: That was me. Dippy didn't log off.)

---

Posted by: D. Ein on Monday December 18th, 2006

Ein rested atop a tree, peering at Asgarnia. He watched and watched and watched.

It had been a good year since he last saw it. Likely, nobody remembers him. Surely, nobody cares about him. Nobody, that is, except for Mursh, who was sitting on a branch next to him. He reminded Ein of Marshall a little.

-"So, it seems as though we're going back to the civilization, eh, Mursh?"

-"After a year, eh? Finally."

-"Damn right. They're not gonna expect us."

-"They've probably forgotten about us."

-"Probably."

-"Worth a try, though."

-"I concur."

Ein and Mursh hopped off the tree as if it were but a stump, and came into the nearest inn, on the outskirts of Asgarnia. It soon turned out to be not an inn at all, but a local Kandarinian allocation centre. The allocation officers were peacefully sipping some drink, feet on the desks and all. Ein apologised for his intrusion, and was about to leave...

-"Hey! Who the hell are you?"

One officer finally noticed Ein.

-"Umm... well, you see, we used to live here... until we left a year ago, and now we don't know where to go. I'm ... umm, Kein, and this here is Mursh."

-"Wow, living alone for a year and staying sane all that time... well, almost sane." The officer peered right at Mursh, then back at Ein. "So what are we going to do about you, eh?"

-"What will they do to us, indeed?"

It was Mursh's turn to speak.

-"I say we kill them."

-"Kill them? Why? They didn't do anything bad."

-"Didn't they?"

-"No."

-"Remember... a year and a half ago... does the name "Kronos" ring a bell to you? Sometimes, I think you can be a total idiot."

-"Whatever."

-"Kill who?"

The officer was a lot more cautious now; others have risen and drawn their weapons. Mursh was not pleased.

-"Shut up, you goddamn Kandie! Wasn't talking to you! Ein, kill them!"

-"No! I don't want to!"

-"Oh, yes you do."

Mursh lunged at Ein, and tried to take the crossbow from him. Mursh was strong.

-"Ein... give... me... the... crossbow..."

-"Never!"

Although Ein was strong, too, Mursh was stronger. The last thing that the confused officers saw was Ein trying to take his own crossbow from him. Unfortunately for the officers, Ein happened to accidentally pull the trigger a few times, before all four officers lay on the floor with a crossbow bolt sticking out of their forehead. They were too confused to try to do anything against Ein, and that's what Ein was playing at. He grinned to himself, and stashed his crossbow behind his cloak. So what if it takes a few minutes to get into character? More often than not, his acting skills crush even the stoutest of minds...

--- --- ---

The Necronomicon hunters were on their way through a dense rainforest, Arlin clearing the way with his whip, when something quite odd happened. Victo's backpack fell off.

-"GAWD! Big goddamn DEAL, your stupid little FANNY PACK fell off! just PUT IT BACK ON!"

Without words, Victo stretched his hand to show Soghol, Vorren and Hasterb the backpack. One of the belts holding it on his back was completely severed. Jacob carefully inspected the belt.

-"Well... I don't see how even an idiot as retarded as you can purposely cut his own backpack... maybe it was one of these dumb plants?"

Roland looked around, observing the flora.

-"No, the plants couldn't've done this. Even if they were, I don't know, Ents or something, they would need sharp parts on them to cut through leather. Look - just leaves."

-"Guys, come over here."

Zjott was sitting a small distance away, looking intensely at the ground. Jacob crouched beside him.

-"What is it?"

With a careful motion, Zjott pulled out a strange object. It was a three-sided shiruken, of sorts... the "teeth" parts were made of some strange red transparent rock, while the middle was metallic. In all his days of commanding, Zjott has never seen such a weapon.

-"Think this may have been the reason for the slashed belt?"

At that time, Roland pushed through in between Zjott and Jacob.

-"Here, let me see th--"

It was then when Roland noticed a symbol on the metallic tang. A thin, slithering snake-like dragon... Could it be?

-"Men, if this is what I think it is, it is likely that we do not have much longer to live. My advice to you is to turn back. Maybe the other guy would know something about this... the one with the whip? Come to think of it, where is he? He was here a second ago..."

--- --- ---

"I wandered around Sizri without a solid destination. Ever since I told the group to depart for the holy Necronomicon, there was this feeling... something was amiss. The group was not complete. Somebody was missing.

Then it hit me.

Nick.

I rushed to the nearest house, and grabbed the M-grid orb.

-"Nick, damnit! Get your demonic ass to my courtyard in Jovil, NOW!"

--- --- ---

Deep in the bowels of hell, Iban sat watching over his underling demons. A mortal man could easily mistake him for a corpse that some fool dressed in red robes. He barely moved at all from his throne, and yet, he was not idly resting. He was planning, and preparing. Preparing for the Day.

Ever since those idiotic Aspyes tried to shove their nose where it didn't belong, ever since Iban crushed the weak-minded minions that fell prey to the Aspyes' venomous lies, ever since that very day, Iban was preparing for a great revenge. This attitude saw the birth of many new demons - gigantic caterpillars, overly fat purple demons with metal maces for arms, ten-headed wyverns, and other things too grotesque to describe. Unfathomable has been fathomed; unimaginable has been imagined, and unrealizible has been built. Hell was no longer a torture place for sinning souls. It was a demonic factory. One large factory.

[charging 1 out of 25]

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Tuesday December 19th, 2006

"HYAAAHHH!!!"

The sands shook as the pillar of flame surged skyward, ripping forth a huge blast of superheated air in all directions. Virmir was blasted back some hundred feet, the hilly dunes parting in his wake, before using his blade to cleave the winds, sending a residual shockwave diverted to his left and right, digging more holes as it rained the grainy yellow grit. It was a climactic finale to an intense five minute long sword dance, the Wind Serpent versus the Crimson Blade. A brutal draw.

Virmir was panting heavily, fighting the urge to let his tongue all the way out like a dog. His speed advantage was definitive, but he was having trouble cracking Draven's raw power. A lot of trouble...

By now the nine Velken warriors had collected themselves, huddled in a group well off to the side, swords poised and spells ready. They normally surrounded their opponents when waiting, but in this case it was not a good idea. Their injuries were not fatal, the only serious one being the slash across the one blade knight's chest, the warrior resting on his knees in the sand.

Draven floated a foot above the bottom of the crater he had created, crimson blade burning in his right hand as his red aura glared about him. He was breathing heavily as well, but he still had that god forsaken smirk about his face, the silver fox noted has he slowly floated back towards "the ring". He was enjoying himself... The lunatic...

As Virmir made it to the edge of the crater, Draven thrust his burning blade before him with both hands. He was chuckling to himself... With a bright flash the blade lengthened, extending to over six feet in length... well longer than the Velken's blade. Virmir's eyes widened. The Wind Serpent was ridiculously long, but this... this was madness! Draven was cackling madly now.

----

Renard reached up to take the human's hand in his claw.

"Th-thank you, stranger..."

He struggled to his feet, wincing as he did so. Duilin was a good foot or so taller than him. His strength suddenly failed him, and he fell against the man's shoulder. Blast it! Why was he so weak? Curse this weakness! Always depending on others, even now. He was getting sick of it.

"I... erm... I'm not sure how far I can walk..."

If only he could levitate like normal... This was so frustrating... A single hit. A single mistake and he was left a worthless invalid to die in the sand... He stumbled a bit, regaining his balance. At least he had stopped bleeding... so much.

"Where... where is the closest settlement... Asgarnia?"

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Tuesday December 19th, 2006

"Asgarnia..." Duilin said, trying to remember the place. In fact the Vandrin County was close, yet no way is he going back there. He remembered the city of Asgarnia was near the Glacia Mountains, which at the north. He looked around, and in the distance he saw the Glacia Mountains. "Yeah, I guess so." (Hope I got that right.) He started walking, along side the Velken. "I haven't really seen one of your kind before. Where are you from? Do you have a name?"

----

<a href='http://www.darkagegames.net/dalpedia/index.php/The_Malefactors' target='_blank'>A group of four people</a> are sitting at the bar of a pub. One of them is a tall man, in black armour with silver trim, grinning at this piece of paper as he sips his ale. The fat orcs, chugging down his fourth ale, he spills some on his shirt but doesn't even notice. One man, an elf, who looks like he'd be a tribal, is smoking a pipe, he doesn't seemed to have an ale with him. And the fourth one, another human, he drinking down his ale, as he looks over the first guy's shoulder, at the paper.

"This is gonna be one good job boys." Says the armoured man.

"Yeah, but Brice..." Says the young one, to the armoured man. "A job with this good a pay, the dude has to be one tough son of a bitch, ya know?"

"Don't be so sure, Elliot." Brice puts the paper down on the counter. "I've been told I'm one tough sonofa bitch myself." He smirked and chugged down his ale.

The tribal elf looks at Brice. "Yes. But you have realize that no bounty be on you, Brice."

"Well yeah, but you have to realize Rufokanno that I don't get people Vandrin ticked off at me." Brice replies, to the tribal. "You'd have to be a moron to get somebody like him on your back. That single man is almost as rich as the super nations."

"I think we can take him." The orc says wiping the foam of the beer off his lip. "There's four 'a us, and only one 'a him."

"No duh, Scrums!" Elliot said, mockingly to the orc. "Way to state the obvious, loser!"

"Shut up Elliot!" Scrums growled back.

"Alright, enough already!" Brice said lifting his hand. He then handed the paper to Elliot. "We're gonna find this, Duilin Talonscar, we're gonna bust him up and then bring him back to Vandrin. But remember, he wants him back alive!"

"Anyways we should getta outta here." Scrums said, getting up. "The lizards might come lookin' for us."

The group then paid their tab and exited the pub...

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Tuesday December 19th, 2006

After several minutes and thirty-five drakes later, Zeros' stood over all of the small corpses, a key clutched in his hand. His body was covered in small cuts, bites and bruises, but other then those, he was fine. He sheathed his sword and walked over to the next door.

He inserted the key and turned it, hearing the small click, indictating the door being unlock. He took and breath and opened the door.

---

Allen nodded at Ven and the king and quickly set off to work.

He searched around. A glider of some sort... He could transmute the framework out of metal around here, but he needed some sort of substance that he could transmute into a sort of paper material.

He searched around, but he couldn't find the material he wanted.

"Damnit," he cursed and walked over towards Henri. "Do you see anything we could possible used for the sail?" he has explained to Henri once how the laws of transmutation work.

What he wanted to transmute had to have some of the same elements. He couldn't trasmute sand into water, but he could transmute blood into water, simply because of the similiar components.

Gliders had a paper-like sail to use in flight, but sadly, he could't find anything that fit this description.

---

Posted by: Coriko on Tuesday December 19th, 2006

Coriko took off through a side street of the town. He didn't like snipping much, but he was good at it, very good at it. He did like a good hand to hand fight everyonce and a while. It gave him a chance to pull of some really cool moves with his fire hands. Coriko noticed a bell tower of some sort after a bit of running.

"Perfect."

Coriko ran a bit past it. He then turned around and got a running jump for the tower. He got some good air and was about one third up the tower. He started to climb.
---
Druid walked to the edge of the clearing he looked down at the demon. He was ready for a fight.

"Hey Boron, why are you so eager to die?"

With this taunt said and out of the way Druid jumped over the edge. His cape rippled as he fell downwards. He landed with a thud and didn't roll to absorb the impact. He just landed in a crouched postion. As much as it hurt to just land, he needed to be intimidating. To scare his opponent, and to show what he is capable of to the spectators.

"Alright, lets do this."

---

Posted by: Burton_projects on Tuesday December 19th, 2006

"Crap!" Nick said remembering he had a job. "Eh, Yes Sir." Nick jumped from the boat that was departing. He landed on the docks making a hollow sound. He ran hastily to Jovil. He almost tripped a few times before reaching a small wall dividing sectors. He leaped it and kept running.

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Tuesday December 19th, 2006

//DM, the Glacia Mountains are actually northeast of Asgarnia, but for your purposes, it doesn't matter.\\

The Kandies surrounded Alex on both sides of the catwalk, pointing primitively dangerous spearguns at him.

“Please tell me you have a plan,” Midna whispered to him from his shadow.

“Watch,” Alex said confidently.

He leveled his rifle at one soldier and fired. The electro-magic beam fried his nerves and sent him flying over the edge of the catwalk to fall to his death. At that moment, two Kandies opposite from each other fired their spearguns simultaneously, nearly skewering Alex. He pulled the spears out of his armor and promptly used them to impale his two new attackers. Stunned, they fell limp as Alex cracked their skulls together and tossed them over the edge. Four Kandies remained.

Alex dashed up the catwalk, kicking the speargun out of one Kandie’s hands, sending it careening into the abyss. The three remaining Kandies immediately retreated to call for reinforcements. The Kandie punched back at Alex, knocking the rifle out of his hands and across the room. Alex withdrew the scythe on his left forearm and swiped, missing by inches. The Kandie ducked his head and kicked Alex in the chest, knocking him over onto the unstable catwalk. His falling weight of about four hundred pounds freed the catwalk from its riveted constraints, causing it to swing down at about a sixty-degree angle. Alex grabbed on to one of the guardrails and hung on. The Kandie was dangling by one hand gripping a jutting pipe. Slowly, but surely, he began to inch his way up the broken section, determined to reach Alex’s rifle and finish him.

Though he wasn’t about to let that happen.

Alex let go of the guardrail, his massive weight crashing down on the Kandie’s skull with full force. His neck broken, the Kandie fell like a limp ragdoll to the floor a hundred feet below. He landed with a distant metallic thud. However, Alex was now hanging in the Kandie’s previous position.

Using all of his might, he forced his weight up the broken catwalk until he had a semi-solid surface to stand on. He picked up his rifle that had slid across the room and shouldered it.

“And THAT, is how it’s done.”

“Don’t think it’s over yet,” Midna warned. “What about those three guys who went for reinforcements?”

“That’s why we get the hell out of here before they come.”

Alex made his way towards another series of massive double doors, again tugging on them with all his might. Surprisingly, the other side was empty. Alex was expecting reinforcements to have already arrived. All that was in the room was a stone spiral staircase leading up and down. Midna directed him upwards. Occasionally the stairwell had a window, and Alex peered out. The city below was growing ever tinier with each step. Undaunted, he continued up. Soon, he came across a set of double doors even more massive than those leading to the shield generator chamber.

“This is it,” Midna said, a little bit of fear filling her voice. “This is the throne room.”

Alex clamped his gloved hands to the door pull and tugged as hard as he could. After half a minute of pulling and overall soreness in his arms, the door had budged just enough for Alex to fit his bulky frame through.

Upon entering the throne room, Alex saw a large opulent chamber, almost every furnishing was gilded in one way or another. At the far end of the room was a massive balcony overlooking the city. A dark, cloaked figure stood at the balcony, watching the scurrying rebel insects below.

“Midna,” the figure said. “I expected as much. Here again for a futile attempt to reclaim your throne?”

“Your days of power are numbered,” Midna growled, coming out of Alex’s shadow. The armored rebel remained silent.

“It’s almost a shame,” the figure went on. “Even with your friend there, it will make no difference. I’ve defeated you once, I can do it again.” He approached Alex. “And YOU. Word has it that you’re behind this little rabble. Tell me, what are you possibly hoping to accomplish? You should have realized long ago that your efforts would be hopeless. Tell me, Alexander…”

Alex’s blood ran cold when he realized this man knew his name.

“…You have destroyed so much. What is it exactly that you have created? Can you name even one thing?”

Alex said nothing.

The man scoffed. “I thought not. When I toss your fried, dead body from this tower, those urchins in the street will see that their cause is a lost one, and will submit. You, my friend, are the perfect leverage.” He turned to Midna. “As for you, you dishonoring little wretch, I can make it so that you never return to your true form ever again. Without this radical’s help here, you, along with every other rebel in those streets, are doomed.”

“We’ll never submit to you,” Midna hissed. “Your power is false. Even if you defeated us, you would not be able to fully rule Asgarnia.”

“Asgarnia?” The man chuckled. “My, my, you ARE a naïve little girl. Only fools would stop at conquering a city. I desire the continent.”

He approached Alex further, extending one long, robed hand to grab him by the neck. Amazingly, he was perfectly capable of lifting the four-hundred pound rebel three feet off the ground. Alex felt his windpipe closing, gasping desperately for that precious recycled air the suit supplied.

“How ironic that you, the leader of the rebels, would be the one to eventually cause their demise! It’s a pity that you won’t live long enough to feel the guilt.”

“Alex!” Midna cried. “Put him down, now.”

“IMPUDENT WENCH!” the man roared. “You are in NO position to make demands. Each word you say further increases your friend’s fate. However, it has already been decided.” He began to charge up some unknown energy in his other hand, raising it to roughly the level of Alex’s chest. Through the reflective visor, Alex was still choking.

“He shall die.”

“NOOOOOO!” Midna screamed.

The man brought his charged fist down on Alex’s chest. An agonizing scream emanated from the voice filter. Lightning played along the suit’s grooves and circuits. The figure brought his hand back, and hurled Alex, still arcing with electricity, over the edge of the balcony. In his preoccupation and elation of his apparent victory, Midna had managed to escape.

“Now, for you…” He was interrupted by the sight of Midna’s absence. In a sort of growling laugh, he said, “One day, imp. One day.”

Outside, Alex plummeted to the city floor in a wordless scream of terror. To Midna, he appeared to fall in slow motion, terrified for the well-being of the man she had so selfishly conned into a deal with her. After nearly a minute of free-fall, Alex slammed into the ground in what seemed to be for sure a fatal blow. Rebels crowded around him, hollering and moaning, checking to see if he was okay. As Midna grieved, Caulus came to her as a voice in her mind.

“Do not worry for him, Midna,” Caulus said in a terrifyingly calm voice. “He is alive.”

How anyone could be alive after such a horrifying defeat was beyond even her. “No human could take such a fall, even with that suit…”

“Exactly,” Caulus replied, his ethereal voice echoing in Midna’s mind. “He is no mere human.”

---

Posted by: D. Ein on Tuesday December 19th, 2006

Even though Hell was boiling //no pun intended\\ with activity, up at Iban's summit it was deathly quiet. The silence was only occasionally disturbed by a demonic warlord reporting on the progress of the preparation. Iban still needed a way to reach his means of vengeance, somehow... He couldn't simply open a portal out of Hell and walk into the mortal realms. If he could have done that, he would have done so long ago... and the land above him would be his. Since this was unachievable, however, he needed a conduit, of sorts, to allow him to channel his energies from Hell to the mortal land. He already had a target in mind; he has had one ever since Felix and the Iron Wing perished under the collapsing cavern. The only challenge left was to reach the target...

[charging 2 out of 25]

--- --- ---

"By the time Nick got to the courtyard, I was already waiting there.

-"Nicholas, Nicholas, Nicholas. How ironic is it that you have been in my sovereignty for a good one and a half year, and yet you did so little for me in that time?"

I faced Nick, clearly sensing him in front of me.

-"I was going to send you with nine others for a little tome to retrieve for me, but I'm afraid that it is too late for that. Now, why don't you go to Asgarnia, and bring me... ah... a souvenier, if you know what I mean...heh heh heh."

Deeming the discussion over, I headed back towards my palace. Halfway there, I shouted back.

-"And do be quick about it!"

I had a new nifty little spell I wanted to try... need a live one for that."

--- --- ---

Once again, the silence of the town was broken only by the distant sound of a body bag scraping the ground. Arlin wasn't even resisting - he was knocked out cold. The assassin dragged the body bag towards that very half-ruined house.

--- --- ---

Ein looked around. Asgarnia hasn't really changed since his leave. Same occupation-torn city; same tired citizens, same bored Kandarinians. All this time... they've been here for one and a half years. Asgarnia, by the looks of it, has been sucked dry of everything it used to have. Why would they still be in the city? Perhaps there was something else to it... something Kandarinians haven't quite gotten to yet...

A matter most worthy of investigation.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Wednesday December 20th, 2006

"Oh, blast it."

Henri turned his attention from the crank he was having trouble budging.

"Sail. Right, right..."

His eyes wondered to Ven on the other side of the room, fighting that lizard monster. Henri was pretty quick to think on his feet, so his aged visage didn't have the worry it perhaps should have. Suddenly he darted across the room to the side, drawing his longsword from his cloak as he jogged. There were many metal boxes here, but in the corner some of them were wooden.

He jammed his blade into the nearest five foot cube, bending off the lid. He wasn't interested in the contents-- just the wood.

"Paper sails... Paper is made from wood, right? Could you perhaps use these crates?"

He continued prying off some more lids, throwing them into a pile in the middle of the room.


"HEY! What's THAT?!"

Ven pointed behind the lizard.

"Hssss, I'm not sstupid--"

Then Ven delivered a huge upward slash to the creature's chin with a blinding flash of light, falling back down on one knee after the leap required to reach.

"Yes, you are."

"HSSSSSS!"

The thing was enraged, blood dripping from it jaws. It began slashing frantically and angrily, putting huge dents into the black metallic floor, destroying crates, contents of random weapons spilling on the floors as Ven leapt and dodged for his life.

----

Renard fell in step, still clutching his wounded arm. At least his legs were uninjured, though he was so tired...

"Renard. From... Welkin. It's... a rather distant land... And you?"

He doubted the human ever would have heard of the name of his home world. None of the other worlds ever do...

----

"Oh ho ho, confident eh little man?"

Boron began cracking his knuckles, the moved his neck and shoulders around.

Jayce, Melface, and the fat lizard man stood at the edge of the cliff, a small crowd beginning to gather around. Among them was another humanoid man, with bright cerulean hair and long pointed ears who stood behind the short Melface.

"10 gold on the new guy," Melface challenged.

"What? Boron is no pushover."

"Boron knows, like, one attack..."

"You're on."


Jayce had found a large rock to lean on, folding his arms. "BEGIN!"


Down in the valley, boron brought both arms to his sides, assuming a wide stance.

"All right! Let's see how you like my DEMONIC FLAME!!"

A twisted red and violet aura burst forth from the demon, surrounding plants and shrubbery disintegrating into blackened debris. The ground vibrated as he laughed.

"AH HA HA HA HA!!!! Tremble in fear at my awesome powah!!"

Melface shifted his eyes. "And he's retarded."

Boron suddenly cupped his hands to his right side, a sickly black orb of darkness materializing between them.

"And now... YOU DIE!!"

He thrust both hands forward, sending an intense pillar of blackness outlined with vermillion surging towards Druid...

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Wednesday December 20th, 2006

Allen looked over and Henri and nodded. He took out a small piece of chalk and started ot draw complicated patterns and designs on the floor. After a few moments, he completed his work and took the lids, starting to pile them in the middle of his chalk circle.

He stood and looked around. He spied where Henri was and walked over, testing and tearing off some pieces of metal from the metallic boxes nearby, walking back to his circle and using them to make a pile, along with the wood.

If he had enough materials...

He could make a glider.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Wednesday December 20th, 2006

Duilin thought for a moment, I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell him his name. "I'm Duilin, I'm from Helternia." He replied.

He looked forward. He could see the city in the distance. "It's going to take awhile for us to get there." Duilin said. "Maybe I could fly, I don't mind piggy backing you if need be. Unless you've got any magic abilities, and are able to use them, despite your wounds."

----

"Okay." Marshall said to himself. "Let's get this show on the road!" He held his amulet, which began to glow and blue mist began to swirl in his hand...

Meanwhile the people in the village had readied to escape. Some of them were armed, and even ready to fight...

----

"You...killed Aegidius didn't you?" Rink said, finally speaking.

Gorus turned around and cocked his brow. "Possibly, I've killed a lot of people, what did he look like?"

"He was an angel, white feathered wings, toga." Rink said.

"Oh you mean pretty boy. Yeah I remember him, first sucker I killed on Gaian." Gorus laughed. "So, I guess this confirms that you were that imp that I spotted before. I had a feeling."

"Well, you better watch yourself, because you're really going to get it once my friends come."

Gorus and the two other lizards began to laugh. Gorus shook his head, and clicked his tongue. "Listen ya little mutant pixie, I could chew up and spit any of your little friends that come here. They don't pass the position of High General to weak little runts like you."

----

As the door opened for Zeros', behind it stood what appeared to be barracks room. Several brutish looking lizard men were sitting about, playing with oversized decks of cards, which fit their large hands just fine, and others arm wrestling or eating. As soon as the door opened they all turned and saw the intruder.

A small lizard man wearing a grey robe, likely an A-Class one, was the first to speak. "What iss thiss?"

"Lookss like an intruder!" A larger lizard man said standing up and picking up his battle-axe.

"I'll inform Goruss." The A-Class lizard said getting up and dashing up the stairs in the next room.

All twenty-five of the brutish lizards all stood up with their weapons ready.

Around the room were several large bunk beds, crates, tables and one the wall near the end of the room with a large heavy rusted metal switch, with a metal sign over it saying DRAIN GAS DO NOT PULL. (If doing so it would drain the anti-mana gas, which would take one full post to do so.)

----

A loud knocking was on Gorus' door.

"What!?" Gorus barked.

The door opened, and a small lizard wearing a grey robe ran in. "High General, ssomebody managed to get in!"

Gorus growled. "Obviously he's gotta be tough to get through the defences!"

Rink grinned. It must be Zeros'.

"What sshould we do?" Asked the robed lizard.

"Let the troops take care of him first, if he drains the gas, then join in and use your magic to fight him." Gorus said. "I'll help too."

"Don't you think you could juzt take him now zir?" Asked one of his elite lizards.

"Yeah, but I got a feeling he's here for the imp." Gorus replied. He looked at the robed lizard. "Take the cage and get it out of here." He ordered.

The lizard man picked up the cage with Rink inside. "Where?"

"Um, the basement, don't walk through the barracks, since he's probably in there. Take the lift down the first hallway down the stairs.

"Yes ssir."

"What about uss?" Asked the other elite.

"You two get down there." He ordered. The two lizards then left, leaving Gorus in the room alone. The High General looked at the wall of weapons. He took his grappling blaster. He rubbed his bottom jaw, trying to choose which other weapon to take. He then picked up the black bladed mace. He found this right after the vortex sucked up those flyboys. It looked like a decent weapon, one of the blades was slightly bent, but he could probably do a lot of damage with it...

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Wednesday December 20th, 2006

Renard cringed at the thought of riding on the winged human's back. He'd simply look ridiculous.

"Um... I'm not sure..."

On cue the fox stumbled and fell to his knees.

"Erg... but I guess I don't have a choice..."

Blast it. At least he'd get to town and into a bed faster. That and some elixir. He could down a full case about now... The stuff was ungodly expensive, but luckily he had his gold pouch on him.

The Velken wasn't heavy by any means, only seventy or eighty pounds. Shouldn't be too much of a strain for Duilin.

"I'm actually proficient in self levitation, but I'm in no condition right now..."

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Wednesday December 20th, 2006

"Hmm..." Duilin sized at Renard, he wasn't too big, and Duilin was quite stronger then he looked, he could probably slowly drag Abodahon for a few minutes. He really didn't mind carrying people around, nor did he ever feel too embarrassed if he had to be carried. Even though he can only recall being carried around once, by Haraldur when they were looking for the weapons. Now that he thought back, he could barely stand thinking about it. But whatever...

"Well, actually I think I can just carry you, it'll be easier for the both of us." He helped the Velken into his arms, and lifted him up. At least he was heavier then Rink.

He flapped his wings and lifted himself into the air, he was careful not to be too sudden in movement, so he wouldn't hurt Renard. He then arched forward and began flying towards Asgarnia. He got closer and closer to the town quite quickly.

---

Posted by: D. Ein on Wednesday December 20th, 2006

//AAAAAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAHAHA LOL MUTANT PIXIE AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH LOL LOL AHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAAA\\

-"Hey... is it a statue?"

Two boys, about 11 years old, were jumping on a very big, yellowish-looking statue. The colour was very faint now, indicating the statue's age. It looked something like a jackal warrior leaning on a very big hammer. The boys were playing atop the hammer, exploring the statue.

-"OOOOooh, look what's on its back!"

There was a circular hatch, of sorts, on the statue's back. The bigger boy was trying to open it, without any success.

-"Ah poo, it's stuck. Wait... I think I hear something..."

He leaned close to the hatch. Indeed, there were ticking sounds inside the statue... Tick-tick, tick-tick.

Suddenly, the horizon lit up with a purplish-red glow. The ticking suddenly became very fast, quickly becoming a solid hum. However, the boys were too entranced by the glow to notice the hum, nor the fact that the statue's eyes lit up a deathly red colour, before quickly dimming back to black...

The boys' trance was broken, as slowly, the statue's jackal-like jaw dropped open.

-"Hey! It opened! I wonder what's inside..."

The big boy crawled in first, followed by his smaller friend.

---

The power surge from some kind of aural discharge was enough to awaken Horus. He slept for so very long, such a long time away from the Crimson Emperor. The last thing he remembered was fleeing the all-consuming vortex, then his power running low... then... just darkness.

He was mildly surprised to find out that the juicy little humanlings would crawl inside him as soon as he opened his mouth; he would've devoured them either way, but there was just too little power left. In fact, a simple jaw movement was all he was good for. At least now, though, he had some nice tender food in the Converter... His sensors detected their distorted voices, coming from the hollow Converter.

-"Huh? Wha...? Why is this thing closing? AAHHH!!!"

Slowly, Horus felt his strength coming back to him as the Converter devoured the young flesh. The Kao glyphs lit up, slicing the twilight around him like a knife. He tried to move his hand a little. It wouldn't budge at first, due to the long period of inactivity. Applying lots of effort and recieving lots of creaking, though, the limb slowly rose the gigantic maul up in the air...

--- --- ---

-"Wow. Arlin's gone. Well, this is just grand, isn't it?"

The group, having looked all over for Arlin, did not find a trace of him. Roland and the Elder quietly shuffled to the side of the group.

-"Roland, you do realize what this means, right?"

-"Yes, master. The Black Dragon are still alive, despite all expectations. Alive and active, it seems."

-"The damned heretics... in either case, our goal is clear. We must find the tome that the wretches are hiding, and bring it back safely."

-"Well then, let us not waste time."

Roland came back to the rest of the Kandarinians, announcing:

-"This is just a minor diversion! The Black Dragons have Arlin. They have the Necronomicon. Let's go! FOR THE MARSHAL!"

--- --- ---

At last, Iban has decided on the conduit. He will have to transfer some of his essense into an inanimate object, which will later have to be directly next to the conduit for Iban to be able to channel his power. The object has been decided upon as well, and it was being forged in Hell's hottest pits...

[charging 3 out of 25]

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Wednesday December 20th, 2006

Alex was motionless as he lay unconscious in the crater resulting in his thousand-foot fall from the Kandarinian citadel. His energy rifle had shattered into thousands of pieces after impacting the ground. Midna drifted down to his side, worried for him.

“Oh, Alex…” Midna said softly. “I never meant for you to get in this deep…”

Despite his horrifying defeat, Alex himself seemed untouched. His armor had taken much of the impact force of his fall, breaking only his legs. However, he had received an innumerable amount of electricity across his chest. It was a wonder his heart didn’t stop.

Midna remembered what Caulus had just told her. Alex was alive, perhaps only in a state of deep unconsciousness, similar to a coma. Caulus had also told her Alex was not merely human. But what did that mean? She was at a loss as to how to resurrect the rebel, as his spirit had not appeared from his body. All she could hope for is that Alex would regain consciousness on his own.

Unfortunately, for him, that would be easier said than done.

Suddenly, Midna heard approaching rebels. She hid behind a wrecked wall so as to not scare them.

“He’s over here!” one rebel called. “I saw him fall over here!” Standard attire for rebels was their street clothing underneath, wearing Asgarnian combat vests over them, gloves with the fingers cut out, and usually some type of headwear, such as a knit winter cap.

“My God…” a second rebel sighed. “Will he be okay?”

“Well, I see no exterior damage…” the first rebel said, running his gloved hand over Alex’s armor. “Though his armor’s a little hot. I would say he was struck by some sort of energy attack, but that would at least result in charring on the armor…”

“We should get him back to Dr. Kleiner,” the second rebel returned. “Maybe the medics can help him.”

“All right then,” the first rebel replied. “Get a stretcher out here, ASAP!”

Midna watched as they loaded the unconscious metal man onto a stretcher and took him into the tunnels, back to the rebel headquarters. Right before the doors closed, Midna floated through and stuck to the shadows.



Alex was still comatose two hours after he was found. Dr. Kleiner paced back and forth as he thought what he could possibly do for a condition like this. White mages stood at his command waiting to administer healing magic.

“Great Scott, I’ve never seen such a severe case of energy scarring… All we can really do is administer the white magic and hope he improves.” He motioned to the mages.

In their hands bright incandescent spheres of white energy began to glow. As they set them free, they lazily drifted down to Alex’s stone-cold body and were absorbed. He promptly glowed shortly as they did.

“That is all we can do for now. We had best leave him alone.” Kleiner and the mages exited the room. Midna drifted in through an air duct and sat at his side.

“I feel ashamed of myself,” Midna complained. “I had no regard for his safety when I dragged him into this. I owe him.”

Suddenly, as if by a miracle, Alex began to stir. Inside the helmet, Alex opened his eyelids, heavy as stone. He emitted a moan and actually managed to sit up. Midna was speechless. He took off his helmet, revealing his sweaty face and matted-down hair.

“Urgh. Wha—Where am I? Midna? The last thing I remember is that guy…he choked me, fried me, hurled me from the citadel.”

“Alex!” Midna cried, overjoyed. She floated over and hugged his heavy metal frame. “For a minute there, I thought you wouldn’t make it.”

“What the hell happened?”

“Since you’re in this deep, I guess I owe it to you to give you a full explanation. That hooded man in the throne room, his name is Damien Roth. The Marshal of the Kandarinian Sovereignty, Kronos, sent him to take control of Asgarnia after the Seven-Hour War. That job was originally meant for High General Zjott zu Heltzer, but after he went out of contact of Kronos, the Marshal became suspicious. Kronos then sent Damien Roth to monitor the High General, and also to take his place. The High General is right now only led to believe he controls the city. Rather, it’s Damien calling the shots. As you have seen, he’s an extremely powerful sorcerer, who has managed to take control of any region he wanted. What you saw was only a fraction of his power, next time he sees you he won’t hesitate to kill you. It seems to me that we can’t take him as we are, we need a more powerful weapon.”

“But what?” Alex asked. “I don’t do magic. I only know extremely rudimentary spells, like a basic fireball, and I can’t even get that right half the time.”

“That’s good enough,” Midna replied. “Air elementalists like Damien are adverse to fire magics. A fireball is the most basic spell someone can learn. Anyone with a clear mind can cast it.”

“Well then, I guess we know what we’re going to be doing,” Alex mused, getting up from the table.

“Alex?” Midna asked, before he made his way to the door.

He turned around to the floating imp.

“Thanks for helping me out with this,” she said, sincerity filling her voice.



Alex walked out of the room, Midna taking his shadow. The group of scientists gasped at seeing the rebel so…alive.

“Alex?!” Kleiner cried, surprised. “Great Scott! I never expected you to make such a quick recovery! The white magic was more effective than I thought. Pray tell, Alex. What in the world happened up there?”

“It’s a long story,” he replied. “I’m not sure you’d want to hear it.”

“Oh, but we do,” Kleiner replied. “We need all the intelligence we can get on that tower so we can attack again.”

“All right,” Alex began. “When I got in there myself, I saw the Kandies working with the shield generator. It seems they might be making some sort of massive weapon to use against the city. I don’t know what it’s going to do, but I have a feeling it’s bad news for all of us.”

“My goodness,” Kleiner said. “That shield utilizes pure Borderworld energy. If that were turned into a weapon, the results could be disastrous! We have to bring it offline immediately! Alex?”

“I’m sorry. I have more urgent business,” Alex replied, climbing up the ladder to the city’s surface.

“A-Alex? Is there something wrong?” Kleiner was suddenly worried.

“Something happened up there I’d rather not mention,” Alex said. “I have a score to settle.”

He climbed up the ladder and closed the manhole. Midna promptly came from his shadow.

“Why didn’t you tell them about Damien?” Midna asked, obviously a little irritated.

“If they knew a mere mage defeated me, that would shoot down their morale, and that’s the last thing they need right now. They can go ahead and attack that weapon, but I want to finish Damien myself.”

“I hate to say it, Alex, but you seem to be far from using magic effectively. You said it yourself, you don’t get it right half the time. If you went up there now and tried to challenge him, he’d kill you in a second.”

“Ugh, I wish Caulus was still here!” Alex shouted. “ When I was a kid I had rejected learning magic, thinking it to be for wimps. I can see now I was wrong.”

“Don’t beat yourself up about it,” Midna said, trying to console him. “You were a kid, you couldn’t have known you would be in this position. If you want, I can teach you the basics.”

Alex thought silently for a moment before coming up with a reply. “Very well then.”

Midna flew out to a vacant lot where a building once stood. She motioned Alex over.

“If you want to learn this stuff, I suggest you take the armor off. It’ll inhibit your movement.”

Hesitantly, Alex cast off his metallic outer layer, revealing for the first time since Midna met him, his human form.

“What?” Alex asked, noticing Midna was staring at him.

She shook her head. “Nothing, nothing. Let’s get started.”

---

Posted by: Burton_projects on Wednesday December 20th, 2006

//What would that mean? want me to get ein?\\

"Yes M'Lord.." Nick said as he disappeared into the shadows. He ran swiftly for the coast. He knew he could not screw up, not like last time. As soon as he'd reach the coast he'd take a small boat to the main land. From there he'd go to Asgaria. He had the whole plan in his head.

---

Posted by: Coriko on Wednesday December 20th, 2006

Druid had a ball of shadow energy behind his back. When the pillar came at Druid he stuck out his hand catching the blast and cancelling it out. The blast was more intense then he thought so his hand flung around behind him, but that was the only part of his body that moved.

"You shouldn't be so arrogant. Because you have nothing to back it up. I can taunt you because I took over my entire world by the age of 28, and what were you doing then? Playing with your little friends? I mean you're just a common demon. Whats your specialty, what can you even do?"

While Druid was talking he had his hands behind his back and was walking forward. He was charging up a ball of shadow energy. One he was only a metre or two infront of Boron he stopped and asked the final question. Then once he was done he launched a massive wave of shadow energy at Boron. Then as the blast was flying at Boron he launched himself up in the air a bit and and arched back down towards Boron with his staff now pulled out, ready to smash it down upon Boron.

---

Coriko was a top the tower and was looking for any sign as to where the demon was now.

---

Posted by: Dippy on Wednesday December 20th, 2006

Ace, still standing in the field watched the Aspyes and armed civilians mount their pitiful defence against him.
"Tsch, I at least wanted a challenge on my first day." The cocky Devil mutters to himself.
He summons up a small fireball and throws it into the air. It explodes into a rain of sparks all over the town doing little more than make a cool effect. After a little chuckle he summons up two more and tosses them directly at a few Aspy militants.
"All right you worthless pinkies, prepare... no... Stop, human scum..." He practices his words wile he makes his way into the battle, smiting a few Lizard men on the way.

---

Posted by: Coriko on Wednesday December 20th, 2006

Coriko saw someting in a field to his left. It was fairly big and look demonic. This thing definitley wasn't on their side because it just sent a fire ball towards a couple Aspyes. The demon looked full of himself, why did everyone who was evil think they were incinvible. Oh well no matter for Coriko. He pulled out two arrows from his quiver and launched them through the air. They whistled as they went. He did this to get the demon's attention. Because Coriko then fired 7 arrows straight at the Demon. So when the Demon looked up, he would be skewered from the side. Coriko got down, waiting for what happens next.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Wednesday December 20th, 2006

Marshall continued to summon the large creature; a giant misty figure began to take its shape in front of him.

It had been a wile since he'd summoned one of these bad boys; he was already getting excited about this.

A few lizard men had spotted a few people escaping the village.

"Ssstop them!!" One shouted, chasing after them. Just then a group of Aspyes hiding behind a building the lizard men were passing, opened fired their machine guns on the lizards.

As the bullets tore through them, it was too late for them to retaliate as the constant stream, was too much for them to handle, and the mighty lizards fell lifeless to the ground.

----

"So uh, Brice where da ya think this dude is?" Scrums asked the Ice Warrior.

"Well, let's see. According to the wanted poster, they said he was last seen, moving north from the Vandrin County." Brice replied.

"And?" Elliot inquired.

"Well, there isn't much else around Vandrin, 'cept for Asgarnia and a couple of docks at the shore." He answered.

"Me, think he at Asgarnia." Rufokanno stated. "Population high at Asgarnia it is. Likelihood of him being at Asgarnia quite high. Meet friends he may."

"True, or maybe he's leaving Terian." Elliot said. "That seems like the smart thing to do."

"True that may be." Rufokanno replied. "But Asgarnia closer then any ship docks. Likely he stop there to rest before going to docks."

"I agree with Rufo." Brice said. "I say we check Asgarnia first. Besides it's pretty close for us anyway."

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Thursday December 21st, 2006

And they were at it again…

Virmir blurred as he shot at the fire mage, the two magic swords clashing once more in rapid succession. Though now with Draven’s much longer blade, he was keeping the Velken at a distance as he swung the sword wildly about. Virmir was unable to get close enough to score a hit, however the fox was much too fast for Draven to strike as well…

----

“What about these? Would these help?”

One of the boxes contained a multitude of jagged metal swords, and Henri began taking them out, tossing them on the floor.


“HYAAH!!”

With a blinding flash, Ven disarmed the lizard, his blade radiating a bright white light. The lizard man reared and hissed before realizing he had lost a hand. Ven was quick to capitalize, and stabbed his glowing blade through the lizard’s side. The huge beast fell over in a lifeless slump as the light elemental spell on Ven’s sword faded. The knight threw up the sword in triumph as he realized it was over.

“Oh YEAH!”

Just then two more lizard men entered through the doorway…

“Oh, crap…”

Ven took several steps back.

“Uh, guys…? Better hurry it up…”

----

Renard mumbled something incomprehensible as he was carried off.

Argh, he was sick of being so dependant on others. Even his training required him to be part of a team. His magic was meant to be cast along with the other mages in his unit, weaved together as a whole. Alone his spells left something to be desired, as he hadn’t completed the individual course yet. When the madness was finished here and he got back to Welkin, he would request to take the course. This would never happen again. If he was lucky, Lord Virmir himself would train him. That would be nice. He really respected that fox.

If he ever got back home…

The injured silver fox closed his eyes, just for a second he told himself. But he quickly drifted off to sleep in the human’s arms.

----

“WHAT?!”

Boron thrust his hands forward, meeting the intense blast of shadow, though it pushed him back, his heels tearing through the ground. But Druid’s staff was too quick in coming, and it slammed into the demon’s head, sending him tumbling some ten feet away in a crumpled mess.

“How DARE YOU!”

Dizzily ascending to his feet, he drew the katana blade at his side, which began to burn with a violet flame as soon as the metal hit air.

“For that, I shall consume your liver and use your spine as my toothpick!”

He dashed forward, the blade before him blurring as he slashed it forward, at Druid’s stomach…

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Thursday December 21st, 2006

Duilin noticed Renard fall asleep. He smirked. How cute. He flapped his wings faster to pick up speed, but he was careful not to wake up Renard.

He was a bit surprised with himself on helping a complete stranger, but he realizes that he's not heartless. Ever since Abodahon convinced him to turn on his friends and that fight against Draven, he has been a little more selfish and battle hungry. He was worried himself about becoming corrupt, he thought to himself what he would do to Renard if he just sprung out and attacked him.

Like say, he just tried to take a bite out of his neck, wile he's flying, he'd grab his jaw and remove the weak animals mouth off of him and then slam him down on the ground, and then dive down feet first on his chest and knock the wind out of him. Or maybe right down on his neck and break it. Then burn up the body with his magic.

Duilin rapidly shook his head. He told himself to clean that image out, he convinced himself to hope that won't happen. Yet he realized he could destroy this wounded little creature in a matter of seconds. But Duilin wouldn't, only if Renard tries first. Not that he will. Hopefully. Right? Of course. Now enough think about something else.

He thought about where Rink, Zeros' and the group are. Hopefully they are okay. He'd like to join up with them again, but maybe it would be nice to spend some time alone, he could probably use it. He needed to work on his independence. Having Rink and Zeros' supervise him all the, wouldn't be good.

He then thought about that bounty that Vandrin promised would be on him. Likely there will be people coming after him sooner or later. But he was ready. He could use a good fight against some decent and evil opponents. Maybe Draven will take the bounty, now THAT would be interesting. He longed for the day when finally he'd defeat Draven in combat, have him on the ground. To have Draven's life held in his hot sweaty hands and ultimately decide whether or not to give it back to him.

He wasn't totally sure why he wanted to defeat Draven so badly. He already has his revenge on Darion, Nex and Abodahon. But Draven hasn't even killed anyone close to him. He always knew Draven thought of him as just the weakling of the little group of heroes, the loser. But Duilin almost had him at North Point, he almost proved his power to him, but that damned protective aura he has just pissed away his victory. He knew that Draven doesn't fear his power, but he wants him too.

It's too bad he didn't get a chance to fully prove he was stronger then Valos. It would have been great to ultimately kick his ass. But in the end he didn't have too. Valos found out by himself. He was too weak to hold his power he had so he destroyed himself. Suicide is the ultimate sign of weakness.

Yet Draven, oh he'd never do something like that, he'd probably combust on his own energy before committing suicide. Draven clearly had a very high opinion of himself, that damned smirk he had on his face, he's probably fighting somebody right now, got his big ass fire blade out, swinging it around, with that damn smirk on his face. It pisses him off that it was the last thing Duilin saw before he got sucked into Retan's vortex.

Now that he thought of it, maybe if he defeats the Retan or the ruler of the Kandarinian Sovereignty, he'd prove himself worthy of the big book of ass-kicers. He'd need to do it himself however. Not with Zeros' help. Yet he couldn't even imagine having Retan fall without the help of Draven. That bastard Retan, killed Iduran. It'd be selfish to hog the defeat of Retan. Zeros' deserved a piece.

He looked forward. The city wasn’t too far now.

//Now, that is a fine example of how to increase a one liner! <img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /> I rule.\\

---

Posted by: Coriko on Thursday December 21st, 2006

Druid tried to deflect the blade but was a tad slow. He knocked the blade so it avoided his organs, but the blade stabbed him in the side and went right through his body. Druid grabbed Boron's wrist and held it tightly in place so that he couldn't pull away.

"You're quick," Druid took a deep breath in. "I'll give you that." Druid said this through gritted teeth. Trying to ignore the pain.

With his free hand Druid wound up. His hand started to glow a deep, deep red. He charged it up with shadow energy. Druid then swung his fist forward, hoping to send a devastating punch to his opponent's face.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Friday December 22nd, 2006

(Very nice character development, DM.)

Virmir was blasted back by another explosion, his feet sinking in the sand several feet away from the maniacal mage as he landed. He brought his lengthy blade crossways before him, pressing the flat side against his left palm so that he may block any additional attack. None came, and there was finally a lull in the battle.

The silver fox straightened out, his bushy tail slowly flicking to and fro like a predator.

"I concede that you are the stronger of us."

Draven's aura dimmed as he relaxed a bit, bringing his overgrown sword up to his shoulder and tapping it.

"Good. Kneel down so that I can kill you honorably then."

Virmir bore his teeth slightly. Gods, was this man arrogant.

"I still have my job to do..."

A flash of light from Draven's rear. He turned. The five Velken blade knights stood at the edge of the crater looking down upon him, their swords now glowing a bright cerulean. The mages enchanted them with water magic during their break... Draven's eyes widened.

With no warning, all the Velkens descended upon him at once. The five blade knights, the four mages, and Virmir himself... Draven had just enough time to grab his sword in the middle, splitting it in half so that he wielded two normal sized crimson blades, one in each hand.

While the highly coordinated Dual Attack could possibly be described as a thing of beauty to the more sadistic, that which followed could only be described as pure chaos. The Velkens swarmed the Crimson Emperor like angry wasps, their blades nicking his armor and cape as his he flailed the two burning blades about, spinning round and around madly to deflect the massive multitude of onslaughts...

----

Renard mumbled something as he slept, his ears twitching occasionally. His sleep seemed distressed, as if he were dreaming...

----

Boron smirked at his scored hit, but scowled as he tried to free himself from Druid's death grip. The blasted human-like man was strong!

"ARGH! Let go!!"

The verbal retort was cut short by a devastating fist to the forehead. Boron's sword fell lose in his hands and he was the one to let go, flying backwards some twenty feet and slamming into a tree. His left shoulder gear flew off as the bark shattered, the tree falling over in the opposite direction. He was down for a few seconds before he staggered back up, both hands clutching his head just in front of his horns, cursing incoherently.

"AAARRRRGGHHHH!!! I'LL KILL YOU!!!!!"

Thrusting both hands forward, he sent forth a volley of demonic plumes of flame. Though each tiny fireball was rather weak in potency, there was a huge number spread out in a widening area as they traveled farther from his palms. Grasses withered and died as stray plumes found earthen targets...

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Friday December 22nd, 2006

Zeros' tilted his head and looked around the room. noting all the various items scattered around the room. He then looked over at the anti-magic release switch. He grinned. If he could get there, this would be a joke to defeat these lizard men.

He shifted on his feet. placing one hand on the hilt of his sword. "Well, well... How are you doing, gentlemen? I trust you're well this evening?" he asked quizically. Then, he shifted again, unsheathing his sword, it transforming - without the use of magic - back to it's larger, scimitar-like form. He hefted it and rested it on his shoulder, shifting his stance again. He was relaxed, open, but ready to strike at the moments notice.

It was then...

That he disappeared.

He used his speed - pure speed, no ki or magic enhancement - and ghosted around all the lizard, slashing them with teasing cuts to their skin, trying to rile them up, but also test the skins toughness. While also doing this, he made his way towards the anti-magic release switch, which, he reached with little resistance, due to his intense speed.

He grinned, his sword resting on his shoulder and threw it.

---

Allen nodded.

"They will. It's still metal..." he heard Ven's cry and gritted his teeth. He wiped his forehead. This should be enough. He closed his eyes and pressed his hands down on the circle. In his mind, he imagined a glider... one big enough for three people... sturdy, with a firm, but light metal frame.

The transmutation circle glowed a soft whiteish-blue, the air filling with a gentle hum. The parts started to glow white before a flash emminated from them.

The mess of spare parts slowl changed shape, until sitting in front of Allen, there was a sturdy, three-man glider with a shining, but light, metal frame, designed to be aerodynamic. The sail was big enough to propel them through the air, but not so big as to catch more air then was needed.

There were two places in the front of two people to hang onto, while one in the back.

In short, the glider was just what they needed.

"Whew..." he wiped the sweat from his brow and called it. "Ven! It's ready! Let's get moving!" he cried out to the knight. After he said that, he quickly moved around towards where the docked bay release switch was, motion the two over. "

You two have to carry the glider. I'm not strong enough," he said loudly, hoping that the lizardmen would be too stupid to react. He turned again and drew a transmutation circle on the ground again, this time much quickly.

He pressed his hands against it. The circle glowed before thousands of two to three feet metal spikes rocked through the ground at the lizaedmen, traveling towards them like a shard through water, jagged, metal spikes jutting out of the ground.

(Basically, a wave of spikes is flowing at them through the ground.)

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Friday December 22nd, 2006

The broken city of Asgarnia conquers Duilin's field of view; he slowly comes to a stop and lands at the main gate of Asgarnia. He notices Renard mumbling in his sleep. "Hey, Renard wake up, we're here." He said, gently shaking him, and tilting him a bit so he can easily get his feet on the ground.

-----

"Well, well, well." Gorus said appearing from the staircase after the other two lizards.

The lizard men warriors looked at Gorus as he spoke and then at were Zeros' was, clutching their weapons.

Gorus stepped through the group, the lizard warriors stepped back as he walked forward. Gorus flexed his huge muscles and looked at Zeros' in the eye.

"How did a shorty like you make it into hear." Gorus said sizing the intruder. Gorus was nearly double the size of Zeros'. "You some sort of angel, boy?" He asked. "I suspect you're a friend of the little imp we've got."

"I've actually been expecting one of you freaks to show up. This is most interesting." Gorus said, licking his teeth after words. "Once I destroy you, you'll make a good meal, I'll send the leftovers to my emperor, he will be most pleased to see I already got rid of a you before he even knows that you got back."

He lifted his left hand, and motioned towards the elite and robbed lizard. The two stepped forward. "Let's see what you can do, shorty."

Gorus stepped backwards and his two elites came forward. Both of them were around seven feet tall and had pitch black spiked armour, with dark green trim around the shoulder pad and the Dark Empire symbol over the heart. The lizard men were probably of the B-Class They both wield large broadswords, yet by the lizards' size it looks as if they could swing them with ease. As soon as the gas wore off, Zeros' would be able to sense that they have a minor magic ability.

The rest of the lizard warriors stepped forward and lifted their weapons. Yet Gorus lifted his hand again.

"Let them handle this. If they fall, dive in." Gorus ordered. He then crossed his arms, holding the demonic mace by the pole, and his grapple blaster was strapped to his belt. He stepped back to the other end of the room. The lizard grunts they stepped back and began cheering, and rooting for the two lizard officers.

"Letz get thiz on!" One of them said, the dashed towards Zeros' and swung his sword at him. The other one stood in a defensive pose.

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Friday December 22nd, 2006

“All right then,” Midna said as she set up a few targets for Alex to blast. “An essential rule of thumb to any magic is that you eliminate all outside distractions. If you become distracted, the energies forming as a result of your concentration will disperse and the spell will fail. Some spells tax the mind more than others, but for the purposes of your training, we’ll begin with a simple fireball, the most rudimentary of all battle magic. Simply form your hands into a loose ball and focus on it.”

Alex closed his eyes and obeyed. He had taken off his jacket, revealing a white undershirt. He cupped both of his hands and held them, palms facing each other, one on top of the other. He thought long and hard about fire, heat and burning forming into a tight ball between his hands. After a while, his hands tingled with the sensation of heat. Strangely, the forming fireball seemed incapable of burning his bare hands. As he continued his concentration, the ball got larger and larger, until it was about the size of a baseball.

“That’s good,” said Midna. “Keep at it too hard and it’ll keep growing. If it gets too big, you won’t be able to control it, and it’ll backfire. Now, to launch it, simply force it away in the direction you want it to go. The strength you force it with will determine its speed.”

Again, Alex followed the imp’s instructions. Opening the palms of his hands, he extended his arms quickly and forcefully towards a tree Midna had found to use as a target.. The fireball raced away from him, leaving a burning tail behind it. Within moments, the flaming ball of magic struck the tree and promptly ignited it. As Alex regained his posture, his hands smoked a little bit.

“So there you have it, it’s as easy as that!” Midna giggled. “Of course, there are more powerful fire spells, but try to master this one first. It’s a start!”

“Yeah, thanks,” Alex said, dusting himself off. “Had I known it was this easy, I would’ve considered it twenty years ago.”

“It’s actually very simple once you get the hang of it,” Midna replied. “A second technique is to try to form one in each hand and fire them individually. You can go ahead and try it if you like. Instead of cupping your hands together, keep them apart and close them about a third of the way.”

Alex, holding his hands about two feet apart, closed them slightly and thought hard. Before long, two separate fireballs found themselves forming in each hand. Once they had reached the size he wanted them to, again baseball sized, he forced one away, followed through by spinning, and swinging his second arm as he finished the spin. One flew straight toward a second tree and incinerated it, and the other followed a curved path into a wall, detonating with the force of a six-pound cannonball. When the smoke cleared, an eighteen-inch hole had appeared in the brick wall.

“Wow, now I know why these Asgarnians used magic to make their lives easier,” Alex said, astounded at his feat.

“Yes, magic is a very effective means of combat,” Midna went on, “but it is important not to grow dependent on it. There are sometimes certain things you just can’t force out of your mind, and that can disrupt your concentration. It’s always helpful to keep a sword or something on hand.”

“A sword, eh?” Alex was intrigued. He had been well-versed in using his scimitar, but he had since left it at rebel headquarters. He had also lost his rifle in the fall, its delicate components shattering upon slamming into the ground from a thousand feet. Thankfully, the rifles were in plentiful supply, he could always pick up another.

“Well, I guess that’s it for now,” Midna said. “We ought to get back to that camp those rebels set up.”

Alex put his jacket back on and re-donned the P.C.S. He could’ve sworn he heard Midna sigh as he did. Was she annoyed that he hid his humanity behind a cold, hard outer shell? Thinking nothing of it at the moment, Alex proceeded back to the base, Midna taking his shadow as he did.



“Alex, we need you to investigate some activity we’ve picked up in the Residence District,” Kleiner briefed Alex as he stood in front of the city map. “We’ve picked a Kandie supply convoy moving in from the city’s south gate in order to render aid to the citadel. We need you to raid that convoy, bring it to a halt, and see if you can salvage anything. Whatever you can’t bring back, destroy. The less those Kandies have, the better. Got it?”

“Of course, Doc,” Alex said, shouldering a new Asgarnian Energy Rifle. “Out of curiosity, how many are in this convoy?”

“Our scouts have counted at least thirty. The majority of them are simply armed soldiers, but we’ve received confirmed reports of Kandie vanguards. I would suggest you exercise caution.”

Vanguards were the Kandie heavy soldiers. They were often armed with magic mortar launchers stolen from Asgarnian weapon stores. They were shoulder-fired tubes that launched arcing balls of explosive magic energy. They were roughly as powerful as a medium- or large-sized cannon. They were also plated with thicker armor than their infantry comrades. While the heavy equipment slowed them down, they could fire off a shot once every fifteen seconds or so. If one were to hit an unprotected person, they could very easily be disintegrated.

Alex stood atop one of the residential complexes as he watched the convoy come in through the gate. He stood silently, planning his strategy.

“Well?” Midna asked, coming out of his shadow. “This seems like the perfect time to try out your new magic experience. Why not give it a shot?”

---

Posted by: Coriko on Friday December 22nd, 2006

Druid saw the blast coming and new he couldn't roll out of the way. He did see a way out. Druid fell on his back so the bals flew over top of him and fired a heavy blast of shadow energy at Boron's Stomach. After he fired the blast he then rolled over and hopped back up. Druid then pulled the sword out of his chest. He then stood facing Boron, staff in one hand, the sword in the other.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Friday December 22nd, 2006

Ven did a graceful flip backwards, vaulting himself over the incoming jutting spikes as they surged forward, impaling one of the lizards with a scream. Two spikes wedged around the other’s left leg, drawing specks of blood as the beast struggled to free himself. Bounding off his left hand, Ven landed on his feet with a clang and began running back towards the others.

Henri clenched his fists.

“Yes!”

But then he turned and realized he still didn’t get that door opened…

“No!”

Running to the crank, he tried to turn it, but the older man was having some trouble. Ven was there quickly and his youthful muscles made short work of it. The large bay door slowly opened from the bottom up, a vast suction of air blasting through the room as the doorway gaped wider, revealing the red and black skies outside. The winds became so fierce that it was difficult to stand.

“My liege,” Ven yelled over the noise, “you and Allen position yourself in the glider. I’ll handle taking off…”

Henri nodded and jogged back to the glider as Ven was finishing up turning the crank. The injured lizard man was now free, and snarled as he hobbled towards his prey, jagged sword skyward…

----

Renard yawned, but then clamped his muzzle shut embarrassedly as soon as he realized he dozed off.

“Oh, sorry…”

He set his feet on the ground running his right claw over the longer tuft of silver fur on the top of his head. It was a little like human hair. The nap did good for him and he was feeling a bit better. But the burned patch on his left arm was still dreadfully painful.

Asgarnia looked very different from the ground. His squad had passed through on a Dark Empire cargo vessel to trade some materials with the Kandarinians about a month ago, but he had stayed on the airship, so never got a chance to look around. Apparently the city was still rife with rebellious activity, which is why the Velkens were assigned to protect the ship on that particular mission. Shameful the Kandarinian Sovereignty was so sloppy…

There was a convoy of some sort making its way through the gates; he and Duilin had arrived just in time to see the tail end go through. Finished flagging the convoy on, one of the Kandarinian soldiers noticed the two mismatched travelers and walked in their direction, reciting protocol from memory in a bored tone:

“All right you two, what business do you have in Asgarnia?”

Last Renard heard, Asgarnia was allowing people to enter and exit the city freely, thought it was still under martial law. They shouldn’t have any trouble getting in, especially since he was visibly injured. Renard could try and use his pull as an upper ranking warrior of the Dark Empire, but the Kandarinians had no idea the Velkens even existed, save for perhaps their highest officers. So he thought it best to keep his mouth shut and let Duilin do the talking.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Friday December 22nd, 2006

"Uh, yeah." Duilin said looking at the Kandarinian soldier. He looked at him in the eye, he just stared blankly back at him. He supposed that the trooper didn't know about the bounty on him, or perhaps Vandrin didn't even issue it yet. "This guy here, he got attacked by a um, rebel. He needs an elixir to help heal his wound, do you think you could let us come in?"

"Yeah. We normally allow people to come and go." He replied, still with his bored tone. "However we've been having a few troubles with the rebels."

"Well, this guy right here was just attacked by one." He said pointing to Renards wounds. "He'll likely die soon if he doesn't get attention on them."

The soldier yawned, and stared blankly at Duilin. "Well, I suppose we could let you in. I can clearly see you're unarmed. Just stay out of trouble. But if you do try anything we'll have to terminate you." He yawned, and then smiled to show he meant no offence.

He looked at Renard. "Alright, we're going in." He said tilting his head a bit. The two of them then walk through the main gate of Asgarnia...

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Saturday December 23rd, 2006

"Not bad."

Renard didn't exactly feel like he was going to die anymore, but he certainly looked like it.

Asgarnia was quite the run down city. Signs of former wealth and prosperity were evident, but the current decay was visibly taking its toll, though Renard did not know if this came about before or after the Kandarinian occupation.

Though it looked like a residential district, there were a few shops strategically positioned near the outer gates and the fox pointed out a general store. A hospital is really where he needed to go, but again he did not know how well he would be received. Especially given that this place was swarming with violent militants. So he thought it safer to pick up some basic medical supplies and just get a good rest discretely at an inn.

The shop wasn't large, but had variety, especially in curative items. Probably a testament to the violence wrought in this city. Most importantly there was elixir behind the counter. The haggard looking fox asked for three vials while he shopped around, eventually picking up some white bandages and some salve.

The shopkeeper looked hesitant to deal with this strange looking animal until he plopped down several outlandishly large gold coins on the counter. The large man's eyes widened and he smiled with glee, treating the foreigner with sudden friendly professionalism.

Done shopping and exiting the building, the sliver fox offered one of the expensive elixirs to Duilin.

"Take it. I owe you. I can tell you're a warrior; you'll need it someday."

It was the least he could do. He couldn't down them all safely at once anyway.

Outside the shop was a wooden bench. Renard sat down. Ouch. Blasted human furniture... He shifted his tail to his right side. Setting his supplies beside him, he applied the salve to his left arm and wrapped it tightly with the white bandages, leaving just his fingers free of the wrap. He then placed his spare elixir in his cloak for later and popped the cork in the last one, thirstily drinking the sweet liquid.

Elixir was amazing stuff. The energy provided was spectacular, enough to give a buzz. It also could heal light flesh wounds and bruises instantly, though Renard's were much too deep for it to do much, as well as partially restored one's magical reserves. Of course you couldn't drink too much. The result would be similar to getting drunk, though much worse, and death wasn't uncommon for those who overdosed on elixir. It would be safe for Renard to drink the second vial tonight, though he possibly might save it for the morning.

The fox leaned back and relaxed, sipping the remaining half of the magical drink.

"Ever been here before, Duilin?" The fox inquired. "I'd like to find an inn and crash..."

He watched that convoy beginning to disapear around the far corner of the street before him, moving further into the city. His eyes darted to some sort of movement he thought he detected on the rooftops across from where he was seated, but shrugged it off as his tired eyes playing trick on him. (Or the elixir.) Strange through, he thought he sensed a magical presence. His heart skipped a beat as he initially thought it was Velken, but no, this was different... an imp or something...

He shrugged it off as he took another swig. Maybe not.

----

Boron took the hit straight to the gut.

"Ooof--"

He flew backward, again smacking into another tree. Blast it! By now his armor was cracking and falling off. He stood up again, clutching his stomach, a bit of blood dribbling from the corners of his mouth, enraged at the man now wielding his very own weapon.

"Blast you little man, BLAST YOU!!!"

He lowered his shoulder and began what looked like a mad football tackle, barreling right at Druid. Reaching behind his back, his right hand produced a second sword, though this one was much shorter-- more like a long dagger-- and he held it with the blade down. His left hand began to crackle with the now familiar demonic energy as he dove towards Druid...

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Saturday December 23rd, 2006

"Thanks." Duilin said, taking the elixir. He was pretty starved so he popped the cork, and took a sip. He nodded, when feeling the effects. He then sat next to Renard on the bench, folding then stretching his wings behind it.

"No, I haven't actually been here before." Duilin replied. "I've spent most of my life in Helternia, but I've made a few visits to Terian, lived in Laus for a couple months."

He looked around at the town surrounding him. "Likely there is an inn somewhere around here. Perhaps we could go look for one." He then noticed Renard's eyes darting. He didn't make much note on it, he then thought he could pick up an aura or two somewhere.

"I could help you find an inn. If you want." Duilin said. "I'm kind of trying to get adjusted to this place."

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Saturday December 23rd, 2006

Midna had a point. If Alex was ever going to be able to challenge Damien Roth, he needed practice. He shouldered the rifle and freed his hands. Casting magic would be more difficult with armor on, but Alex wasn’t about to take his chances with the vanguards. Unsuspecting, the Kandie convoy continued through the main thoroughfare leading to the citadel.

“Now’s your chance!” Midna whispered. “Charge up a blast and nail that group of vanguards down there!”

Alex brought his metallic hands together and charged up a fireball. It took slightly longer to form, due to the armor, but it reached ideal size eventually. He fired the sphere of flame into the center of the group of vanguards accompanying the convoy, and he saw about two or three spontaneously ignite. As they scrambled to extinguish themselves, one accidentally misfired his mortar, causing the majority of the group to go flying. Through hollering and cursing one vanguard was able to get a bead on Alex. He let fly with his mortar launcher, producing an arcing ball of crimson energy that drew ever closer to Alex. Though nearly panicking, Alex was able to roll out of the way in time, as the mortar obliterated the archway he was standing on only a few moments ago.

As he picked himself up from underneath fallen rubble, he withdrew his rifle. The Kandies were well aware of his presence now. The convoy stopped, and a few infantry soldiers stepped forward.

“Don’t move! We’ve got you covered,” one Kandie shouted. “Drop the weapon and surrender.”

Alex hid behind the ruined arch. “Over my dead body,” he whispered. He broke from cover and fired off three shots, eliminating the three leading Kandies. Two others stepped forward and fired spears in his direction. One nicked him across the shoulder, but bounced off without much damage. The other lodged itself in a wall inches away from Alex’s skull. How could he possibly take on all of them at once?

“Midna!” Alex cried. “I need some help here!”

The imp floated down in front of him. “All I know to do is to perform a fire wave.”

“A what?” Alex said, ducking to avoid another spear.

“A fire wave is a wide-spreading fire attack, though considerably more difficult to cast. Start with charging a fireball, but then part your hands to disperse the attack.”

Alex shouldered his rifle and began to charge another fireball. To provide better coverage, he charged it up longer than normal. Finally, he stepped from behind cover. At the moment of critical mass, Alex brought his hands apart, the fire racing towards the Kandie soldiers in a shockwave of heat. When the smoke cleared, one lone Kandie was left guarding the convoy. He dropped his speargun in fright. Alex walked towards him.

“If you want to live, you’ll tell me what you know,” he threatened the soldier, grabbing him by the chest. “What’s in this convoy?”

“Err, um, it’s supplies and weapons for the citadel!” His voice quavered. “Three weeks of food and water as well as three tons of stolen Asgarnian weapon technology!” He was terrified of his attacker. “Please, don’t hurt me! I don’t know anymore than that!”

Alex scoffed and tossed the soldier aside. “Now get out of here and don’t ever let me see you in this part of the city again, got it?!” The soldier dashed away, yelling and screaming in terror. Alex made a motion towards some dark corners, and Asgarnian scouts revealed themselves.

“Very well done, Alex.” One scout said. “These weapons will be quite a step forward in the uprising efforts. We’ll take it from here.” He motioned his mates over to assist in pulling the cart full of supplies back to headquarters.

Alex shouldered his rifle, a sense of confidence filling his mind. Midna followed him.

“You scare me sometimes,” Midna said. “I’ve never seen anyone cast a fire wave successfully on the first try!”

“Eh, the mission had to be done,” Alex said, feeling a little modest.

“Caulus was right,” Midna continued, “you’re no mere human.”

Alex stopped in his tracks for a moment. “What?”

“When you fell from the tower,” Midna started, “Caulus came to me in a vision, reassuring me you would be all right. He said you weren’t merely human. I’m not sure what he meant by that, but whatever the case, you survived.”

“Was it really that bad?” Alex asked.

“Alex, Damien electrocuted you across the chest with who knows how much voltage, and then hurled you off the top balcony of the citadel, which is a thousand feet off the ground. Even with that suit you have on, no ordinary human being could survive that kind of thing.”

“Okay…” Alex replied, a little confused. “If I’m not just human, what else am I?”

“I wish I knew,” Midna replied. “If we knew your other side, it might give us a huge advantage against the Kandies. If Caulus was still here, we could ask him, but…”

“No. No way. I’m not nearly dying again. Twice in twelve hours is enough.”

“I’m not asking you to do that. I just wish we had a lead.”

“All in due time, I guess,” Alex muttered.

As Alex rounded a corner, he could’ve sworn he saw something moving out of the corner of his eye. When he looked again, it was gone.

“Something wrong?” Midna asked.

“No, no,” Alex replied. “I just thought I saw something.”

“ALEX!” a voice hollered up ahead. A rebel came running up to him, panting.

“Is there a problem?” Alex asked.

“Hurry, follow me! The Kandies have found one of our underground access points!”

Suddenly things were far more serious. If Kandies were to reach the headquarters, the entire rebellion could be compromised. Alex followed the frantic rebel to the source of the problem.



“Excellent,” Damien Roth muttered, watching the performance from his balcony. “Everything is going according to plan. We lure Alex back to headquarters, capture him, and bring him back to the citadel. That whelp will think twice when he tries to stick his nose where it doesn’t belong. I shall finally get the chance to do away with him once and for all. After all, the last one to try to help Midna cross me wasn’t so fortunate.”

He watched as Alex and Midna did away with some Kandie soldiers, and charged into the underground tunnel network.

“And as for that wench, Midna… well, let’s just say she could benefit from a vacation…to the Borderworld.”

---

Posted by: D. Ein on Sunday December 24th, 2006

A Kandarinian officer walked into the shield chamber, seeing Damien at the balcony.

-"SIR! There has been a lot of activity in the city lately. We have reports of winged humanoids and foxlike creatures entering the city! Shall we send squads to apprehend them?"

-"No. Watch them, and meanwhile request six smaller Atronachs from Kandarin, as well as reinforcements in soldiers. Make sure to note that they are live soldiers, not undeads. Hate the stink."

-"YesSIR!"

The soldier ran out. Soon, Damien thought, so very soon... Soon they will have forces unmatchable by the rebels, and with the location of their underground hive known, it will be so easy to wipe them all out...

---

Meanwhile, Kandarinian soldiers took positions at rather high houses across from the tavern where Duilin and the Velken were positioned. There were only five or six, as they were not meant to take the targets out - just keep tabs on them. They attached scopes to their spearguns and began watching.

--- --- ---

Hell's armies continued to grow at an alarming rate. Iban thought to himself, isn't it so damn ironic that it takes such a short time to grow gigantic armies, but it takes so long to create a competent soldier to go to the mortal realms? Then again, the soldier being created was beyond anything else that Hell had to offer. He had to be strong enough to survive the voyage to the world above; cunning enough to mix in with the population, all the while looking like them; and smart enough to actually find the target once he is ready. What a bother, Iban thought.

[charging 4 out of 25]

--- --- ---

The Black Dragon assassin brought the struggling Arlin to the priest at the Dragon Chapel, where the captive was to be sacrificed. However, the priest stopped Grief with a motion of his hand.

-"No. We need this one alive. Father requests that we bring all nine of them in before... before they make the voyage."

-"I understand, brother. What is my next target?"

Without any words, the priest lifted up his hand, which seemed to flare. The assassin's dagger started to burn his thigh, so he took it out. The name "Arlin" was gone, and in its place, there were new glowing letters.

-"Zjott zu Heltzer?"

-"Yes. You are to take him away from the main group by any means necceseary, and then bring him here.

-"Understood, brother."

--- --- ---

Horus creeped up to the fight taking place in a lizard camp near him. Mmm, so many fleshy targets... and the nice aural cloud hanging all around them was giving Horus additional energy. Perhaps it's time to stock up on flesh for the next little while?

Remaining hidden, Horus began charging his black glass cannon. It was unlikely that the lizards would see him right now. However, what Horus didn't realize was that his cannon was creating quite a hum, and will continue to do so until it is discharged.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Sunday December 24th, 2006

"Well, that was... interesting..."

Renard commented as he watched the remnants of the fire spell flicker out well down the street, idly scratching the back of his ear. The convoy had been hit hard, their Kandarinian guards totally routed. The silver fox quietly watched far away from the sidelines, obviously not wanting to get involved. "None of our business," Virmir would have said.

He didn't want to admit it, but amongst all of these violent humans he was afraid... Ridiculous, he told himself, a warrior such as he. But he was away from his squad and very much alone... He hated it. Not so much the being alone, but that he was so vulnerable alone... He didn't want to trouble the winged human anymore, but he did feel safer around him, even if he wasn't one of his own. He did owe Duilin his life, after all.

"Hmm, yeah. I'm sure there's an inn around here somewhere. Assuming it hasn't been firebombed or whatever."

He smiled lightly, hiding his nervousness.

"Might as well take a look around."

He tossed the empty vial at a large cylindrical can positioned at the street corner. It looked like it was going to miss, but at the last second the glass bottle changed trajectory, hovering over the garbage receptacle and falling neatly into it. Not that it made a difference, as the streets were already lined with filth.

Standing, he flexed his bandaged left arm, wincing slightly, then began to make his way down the street, taking a left turn to head away from the chaos associated with the decimated convoy.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Sunday December 24th, 2006

Duilin stood up off the bench, he still had a bit of his elixir left, and so he continued sipping it. "Okay, well let's get going. Sure it won't be too hard to find one."

They then walked through the messy city. Duilin looked around, he felt like he was being watched. He shook it off and paid it no mind and continued walking about. After walking a couple blocks they arrived at an inn. The sign appeared to have had a blood stain hastily wiped off, the door had a small blade stuck in it, which looked like it was attached to a spear of some sort at one time.

"Well..." Duilin alleged, shrugging. "I guess it's better then nothing." He looked at Renard. "Or do you want to keep looking?" He asked.

---

The Malefactors were walking through the streets of Asgarnia, they just arrived after a good few hours of travelling.

"Allright boys." Brice said, while chewing on a piece of beef jerky. "Look sharp..."

---

Posted by: Dippy on Sunday December 24th, 2006

Ace looked up at the two arrows. 'Man this guy has terrible aim.' He thought, not noticing the other seven. Then they caught his eye. Ace loudly cursed in demonic and quickly made a fire wall to block the arrows. Unfourtunatly he didn't have enough time to make a hot enough flame.
"Great, now there on fire..." Ace moaned just before two of the seven arrows stab into his thick devil hide, again he curses even louder.
"I'm gonna kill that son of a bitch!" Ace roars as he pulls out the arrows. Ace starts glowing red and gysers of flame burst off his furius body. He begins to run into the heart of the battle hoping he might get close enough to get a clean shot at the ranger.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Sunday December 24th, 2006

The giant Minotaur took shape. The beast stretched his arms and flexed it's large muscles.

"Alright boy." Marshall said. He jumped from his hiding spot, and into the main view of the city. "Got get 'em!" He said, pointing towards the village.

The minotaur stomped into the village. Several Dark Empire troops spotting the large beast.

"No way am I fighting that!" One of the cowardly troopers yelped. They dropped their weapons and dashed away for their lives.

Marshall laughed in amusement. He wiped the smile off his face and tried to hold back the laugher and give more neutral tone to his voice. "Okay, now let's find that devil."

The minotaur scanned the area and spotted the Ace, the devil. It narrowed its eyes and clutched its hammer and then stomped towards the devil...

---

Posted by: Dippy on Sunday December 24th, 2006

Ace, still in his angry dash into the city, noticed the gigantic beats stomping toward him.
"Ohh, finally. Something that can at least put up a fight." Ace was merely amused by the minotaur.
The beast smashed it's hammer down at the ground in front of him causing him to lose balance. Not to be shown up he blasts a stream of fire at the minotar and it lets out a menacing roar.
"What's the matter ugly?" Ace taunts.
He shoots it with another two fireballs. The minotar doesn’t take it lightly though and readies a swing of his hammer. Whack! Ace is knocked a quarter mile if it was an inch right into the side of a house.
"Okay... That's IT!" Ace blasts in fury "Now it's party time!"

(I'm probably not gonna post tomorrow, but i can't say the same for my nerd brother Dudeman. Merry Christmas! <img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /> )

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Sunday December 24th, 2006

//Probably won't post tomorrow for obvious reasons. Merry Christmas!\\

Steam rushing from a broken pipe fogged Alex’s visor. The headquarters had been ransacked. Scientists and rebel leaders were being led out and towards the citadel for questioning. Among them was Isaac Kleiner.

“Doc!” Alex cried, seeing his colleague clapped away in chains.

“Alex! You mustn’t let them win! Fight as hard as you can, for all of us! For the good of Asgarnia! For the good of--”

A Kandie clubbed Kleiner in the back with his speargun. “Shut up and keep moving,” he barked.

Strangely, the Kandies leading the rebels away made no effort to restrain Alex, nor did any who were rushing in or out of the hallways honeycombing the underground of the city. It was as if he did not exist.

“I don’t like this,” Midna said, emerging from his shadow. “They’re not paying us any mind. Damien must want to have the pleasure of fighting us himself.”

“I don’t think so,” Alex replied. “I haven’t seen any trace of him since we got in here.”

Soon Alex reached the rebel war room, the nerve center of the uprising operations. When Alex surveyed the damage, it looked like a hurricane had torn through the tunnels. Tables were overturned, weapons were stolen, and maps were torn up. The rebel plans were, at this point, unsalvageable.

“This is bad,” Alex muttered. “They’ve stolen our plans. They knew we were going to hit the citadel’s primary weapon. Without those plans, the attack would be fruitless.”

“Don’t give up yet,” Midna pleaded. “Your friends may be captured, but as long as you don’t go down, the rebellion still has hope! The fact that their leader has so far avoided capture could be a great boost in morale.”

“Morale seems to be the least of their concerns,” Alex shot back. “They’re being taken to the citadel for questioning. Who knows? They might even be executed!”

From the shadows something lurked. Alex felt a shiver go down his spine and turned around.

“What is it?” Midna asked.

“Nothing, n-nothing. Probably just the wind.”

He kept making his way through the ruined war room. Whether he liked it or not, something was in here with him. As he kept walking, he heard a telltale chattering sound.

“O-Otis?”

The headcrab leapt from behind and clamped onto Alex’s back. He crawled up Alex’s head to sit down on a table. He shook his body in excitement.

“Otis! Am I glad to see you!”

“Is that a headcrab?” Midna asked, a little worried.

“Yep, I found him during my trip to the Borderworld. Little guy decided to follow me back home.”

Midna got a little closer to the alien, looking him over. “Actually, I think I recognize this crab.”

“Wha--?” was all Alex could say.

“Yeah! I remember you. You helped me escape the Borderworld as soon as Damien banished me there.”

“What?” Alex turned to Otis. “You never told ME about this.”

Otis simply chattered in reply.

“Okay, you got me.” He turned back to Midna. “How did HE help you?”

“Otis is a unique headcrab, Alex,” Midna started. “He’s able to open small dimensional portals for brief moments, just long enough for someone to travel through. He sacrificed his escape from the Borderworld to allow me through.”

“But why would he want to escape?” asked Alex. “Isn’t he native to the Borderworld?”

“That’s what I was wondering too. He wanted out for some reason, and it turns out when you came, he was freed. I don’t know why, because I don’t speak his language, but for whatever reason, he really likes you for it.”

Otis swayed his body back and forth.

“Otis, listen,” Alex began. “The rebel base has been compromised. I want you to get out of here as fast as you can, find someplace safe to wait out this whole ordeal. When it’s over, I’ll come find you, got it?”

Otis chirped and leapt up into a culvert, scampering to safety.

Before Alex or Midna could say another word, a Kandie grabbed Alex by the arms and pulled them behind his back. He affixed some kind of wristband to each one. Though the two were not connected, Alex felt his small magical prowess become suppressed.

“That’ll teach ya,” laughed the Kandie as he made his escape.

Alex brought his hands back in front of him. “What the hell?”

“Anti-magic binders,” Midna answered. “Whoever wears them has their magical abilities suppressed. Meaning you can’t cast those fire spells anymore.”

“Can’t you unlock them?”

“The binders only respond to the magic that locked them in the first place. In other words, this is Damien’s doing.”

“Knock me down and kick me,” Alex muttered under his breath. “He doesn’t want ANY threat of opposition from anybody. …He was aware I was practicing fire magic to resist him.”

“But how did he find out?” Midna asked.

“Beats me,” Alex said, reaching for a nearby crowbar to try to pry off the binders. Unfortunately, the crowbar bent in protest as Alex forced the binders.

“So much for being a free man,” Alex said.

“This doesn’t make any sense,” Midna went on, “Why would the Kandies let you in here, restrain your magic abilities, and simply let you go? It would seem to me that Damien would want to take on the thorn in his side at full power…”

“He wants to test us,” Alex said. “He wants us to fight up to him the hard way, so he can judge if he wants to actually deal with us or not. He’s messing with our heads.”

“You might be right,” Midna said. “But there’s only one way to find out.”

Alex pulled the rifle off his shoulder. “And I know what it is.”



A Kandie addressed Damien.

“Sir, we’ve located the Insurgent and have attached the binders. He’s approaching the citadel now.”

“Well done, lieutenant,” Damien said. “Give him no mercy.”

“Sir.” The Kandie walked away.

“I’m disappointed as to how easy this is becoming. At this rate, it won’t be worth my time to deal with that rebellious little fool. No matter. He’s had the pleasure of my company once, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind it again.”

---

Posted by: Coriko on Monday December 25th, 2006

Druid saw the desperate demon charge at him, and he was preparing for it. His hand was still glowing and he then charged up the sword. Also the ruby on his staff turned a deep blood red. When the demon was a closer to Druid, he hurled the glowing sword as hard as he could over his shoulder at the demon. As soon as he had released the sword he dropped down on his knee ready to fire a blast incase the sword didn't kill Boron.
---
Coriko saw his arrows hit the demon. His plan worked, but he only got 2 out of 7. Coriko was mad, because that was terrible for him. He stood up on the edge of the tower. Coriko jumped of the tower. He hit the ground with a roll and bolted forwards. Coriko saw the demon fighting a minotaur.

"Must be Marshall's work" he thought.

Coriko climbed up top of a nereby building. He had clear shot of the demon. Coriko pulled out his bow and had an arrow ready. Instead of firing though, he stood there watching the two creatures fight. It looked like the minotaur was going to loose. He fired a rapid stream of arrows. He fired about six or seven flamming arrows at the demons various body parts. Most were at the creature's head.

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Monday December 25th, 2006

Zeros' sighed and shook his head, but he could feel the magic gas slowly retreating. He brought up his right arm and simply grabbed the sword.

The lizardman blinked and struggled, trying to remove the sword, trying to rip it out of Zeros' iron grasp. As soon as he strated tugging it away from Zeros', Zeros' released the sword, causing the lizardman to tumble backwards, falling on his butt. The lizardman growled and scrambled up, retaining some of his dignity.

Zeros' shook his head and held out his right hand, flexing his fingers before grinning. He could feel his magic and ki coming back.

"Well now..." he said, flexing his fingers once more, turning his palm upwards. A ball of ki slowly started to form in his upturned palm. "It seems that the magic gas is finally receeded," he grinned.

---

Allen nodded and scrambled over towards the glider, taking a position at the back, turning his head to try and get a better view. He grinned, seeing the lizardmen slowed down by his efforts.

"VEN! Let's get moving once you get that hatch open!" he called out.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Monday December 25th, 2006

The lizards seemed to have noticed that too.

The second lizardman grinned, he then sidestepped to get a clear shot. He then arched forward his lizard claw and aimed his hand towards Zeros'. The lizard warrior hissed as his hand was surrounded in a plume of flame. Then from his palms shot forth a high-speed ball of fire towards it's target...

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Tuesday December 26th, 2006

Ven stopped turning the crank when the door was open just high enough for the glider to slip safely though. Looking over his shoulder, he gasped when he saw the lizard man almost upon Henri and Allen. He dashed back to the glider, beating back the lizard with one arm while hanging on the railing Allen had provided in the rear position.

“All right, let’s GO!”

He summoned the gust of wind like he had done before to ride below his feet, but this time directed it to the flaps around him. The glider blasted forward with ease as the lizard angrily followed, stopping short of the edge as the three took off into the dark skies.

“Whoa~!”

The turbulence was heavy as Ven’s spell propelled them along and King Henry was hanging on for his life with gritted teeth.

“Gods, Ven, not so strongly!”

“I-I-- can’t! There’s some kinda updraft or something!”

They blasted forward, cutting through the thick black clouds, the airship disappearing behind them within seconds. After careening blindly through the fog for a few moments, they cut down trough the cloud barrier, the darkened rocky landscape coming into view below them. By down Ven hand ceased his spell, but there was a strong natural gust pushing them along.

“Blast it, Ven! Can you not slow us down!”

“I, uh, only know how to cast wind forward!” Ven yelled back.

In the distance some sort of mountain fortress came into view, and they were headed right for it…

----

Renard ran his right claw though his “hair” as he leaned over the wedged spear tip. The scent of human blood hung in the air.

“Gee, I don’t know about this...”

He turned to look at the sign. Underneath the word ‘INN’ was affixed a second smaller sign that read ‘Not Dangerous’. The fox shifted his eyes.

Blast it. He was too worn out to think.

“Let’s just run with it…”

The lobby wasn’t quite as bad as the outside. A small room with an old man behind the wooden counter. The Velken paid for a room before Duilin could say anything and ran up the stairs with the key, looking better than ever. The room was small and barren, but it had two beds and a window. A tad dirty but good enough. Renard dove into the bed closer to the door face first.

----

“Hrr-QHKK!!”

The sword pierced Boron right through the heart… He fell to his knees, eyes and mouth gaping…

“Im… pos… i… ble… !!”

Then the blast slammed into him, his lifeless body spiraling backwards and landing in a crumbled heap, a black flame consuming it as it crumpled away…


There were cheers from the cliff top. Obviously it was an entertaining match.


Melface held out his hand expectantly.

“I… uh… left my money in my tent…”

“Then get it!”


Jayce clapped calmly, the metal clang of his dark gauntlets ringing dully through the clearing turned battlefield below. A dark chuckle filled the air.

“Not bad…”

---

Posted by: Coriko on Tuesday December 26th, 2006

Druid levitated off the ground up to the height of the cliff. He then stepped slowly onto the edge of cliff. He looked at the spectators and then turned his attention to Jayce. Druid walked up to Jayce and looked him in the eyes.

"Well, Jayce, am I in?"

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Tuesday December 26th, 2006

"Whoa, what's his hurry?" Duilin asked himself, he then took some coins from his pocket.

"Uh, what is this?" The Innkeeper asked.

"Oh, sorry." Duilin said, he remembered that these were angelic coins. "Yeah, these aren't normal coins, but they're pretty rare, only a few of them left on Gaian."

"As far as I'm concerned you just forged those yourself." The innkeeper snapped.

"Well, come on, these is legit gold, it's worth quite a bit."

"I'd bite it to see..." The old man said as he grinned and showed his teeth. "But these can barely peirce an apple in my day. So I'm only excepting Kandarin or Dark Empire currency."

"Well, maybe I can borrow some money from my friend." He went to walk past, but the old man stopped him. "No going past without paying your money!"

Duilin rolled his eyes, he had a good mind to knock the guy out, or at least threaten him, but it looked like the old guy stopped caring about anything except money. Why couldn't have this guy been a coin collector like the clothing shop manager.

----

"Hey, I thought I just seen him go in ta dat building!" Scrums said, pointing down the block.

"I as well." Rufokanno added. "Let us go."

The four then walked down the street towards the inn...

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Tuesday December 26th, 2006

Renard appeared at the top of the stairs.

"Oh! Uh, he's with me..."

He produced another one of those large gold coins and tossed it the innkeeper's way, who caught it and accepted it with a grin after a brief inspection. He smiled down at Duilin.

"Uh, sorry about that. Got a little ahead of myself. Room's on me."

Shoot, that was rude. But blast it, he was just so worn out. He had intended to pay for Duilin on the way over but somehow forgot when a rest was finally within his grasp. The guy did save his life and all!

Hmmm, at this rate he was going to run out of money very quickly. But after a good rest he should have enough of his strength back to go looking for the others himself anyway.

----

Jayce nodded once, still leaning against the rock.

"Impressive. You'll fit in nicely here..."

He paused, reflecting that he didn't catch this warrior's name yet.

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Tuesday December 26th, 2006

“Alex, I hope you know what you’re doing,” Midna said, floating alongside the armored rebel.

“He’s had this coming,” Alex replied coldly.

Somehow, it had started raining. Strangely, the clouds grouped around the citadel only, leaving the rest of the city untouched. Raindrops pattered and bounced off Alex’s smooth outer shell. Thunder echoed through the ominous skies, and lightning illuminated the landscape, causing Alex to appear as a dark silhouette when the bolts played through the clouds. An ill wind was blowing.

“At least they were nice enough to leave the door open,” Midna muttered, noticing the citadel’s primary drawbridge was lowered, and the portcullis raised. Alex heard the clattering of equipment and shuffling feet behind him. When he turned around, he laid eyes on an expansive legion of rebels, following him.

Sergeant Sven of the Asgarnian Guard stepped forward. “Alex, we want you to know that we’ve got your back. This is your city, too. It’s about time we got it back.”

“Thank you, Sven. That means a lot.”

“I understand you have some unfinished business with the current ruler, Damien Roth. You go on ahead. I’ll lead the teams to attack the weapon.”

“Did you ever find out what it was for?” Alex asked.

“Unfortunately, yes. They’ve converted the emitter systems to project a huge wave of Borderworld energy. We’ve observed the energy levels in this system, and we’ve measured them to be at least ten times as powerful as the initial shield spire explosion. If this weapon is activated, a fifty-mile radius will be saturated in Borderworld energy. The dimensional instability of this weapon is unimaginable. If it doesn’t wipe Asgarnia off the map, it would forever lock it into the Borderworld.”

Upon hearing this, Alex’s blood ran cold. The thought of the city he and his allies had fought so hard to protect being annihilated was too much. The emitter had to be stopped.

“You have your objective, Sergeant,” Alex ordered.

Sven turned to his vast ranks and addressed them,

“Listen up. We’re about to make a last-ditch attack directly on the Kandarinian citadel. Hopefully our vast numbers will be enough to overwhelm them. It is important that you all understand that some of you may not survive this. Should this be the case, the citizens of Asgarnia, and those of Terian, greatly appreciate your sacrifice. Should you survive, you’ll be rewarded with a prize greater than any medal. Now, who’s with me?!”

The ranks cheered thunderously, rivaling that of the thunder booming above.

“Prepare yourselves,” Sven continued, “for this is our judgment day!”



A soldier reported to Damien.

“Sir, the rebels are preparing to attack!”

“I see. Lieutenant, gather your men. Do whatever you can to repulse them. Protect the Borderworld emitter at all costs. And should you see a black-armored rebel, hold your fire.”

“Sir?”

“I want to have the pleasure of destroying him myself.”

“Yes SIR!”

The Kandie lieutenant reached his platoon.

“Listen up, men! The rebels are coming! PREPARE YOURSELVES!”



“ATTACK!!!” cried Sven, motioning the ranks forward.

The massive army flooded over the immense bridge connecting good and evil. In a thunderous wave the wrought iron gates of the citadel warped and bent out of shape, finally rocketing off their chains. Almost immediately Kandies and rebels engaged each other indiscriminately. Soon bodies on both sides began dropping, surviving soldiers paying them no mind. The crackling of energy weapons and the whooshing and ringing of spearguns and shotguns filled the air with a deafening cacophony. Through the smoke and blood, Alex had managed to force himself into a side passage, which lead directly to the shield chamber.

“This isn’t a war, it’s a slaughter!” Midna cried as Alex roadie-ran through the tight catacombs.

“It should be right up ahead,” Alex called as he bashed down a grate, revealing the massive emitter some twenty meters across an enormous chasm between it and the catwalk Alex was standing on. Even here, the rebels coursed through the doors and windows like leaking high-pressure pipes, erasing any Kandies they could find.

“So what do we do?” Midna asked as a rebel fell to his death immediately in front of Alex, making a sickening sound of shattered bones. Nothing could be done to help him.

“Sven said we had to overcharge the weapon,” Alex replied. “The surplus magic energy would cause it to shut down.”

“But how do we do that? Your magic abilities are locked!”

“The energy rifles emit a small amount of magical energy with each discharge, we’ll have to use it.”

High-tension cables launched onto the emitter, and soon rebels rappelled from the ceiling and affixed themselves to the weapon’s armored hide. One rebel knocked an access plate off, the resulting gush of heat causing him to lose his grip and fall. The opened port revealed a blinding magical furnace deep within the weapon’s core. Huge plumes of dark smoke choked from vents on the side of the massive cylindrical weapon and its spherical center. A voice came over the citadel’s klaxon.

“Attention. Borderworld emitter is now charging. Eight minutes until firing.”

Alex now had to work quickly. In eight minutes Asgarnia would be wiped from the face of Gaian unless he did something. A rebel ran up to him.

“Sir! You’ll have to board the weapon in order to disable it! Here, take my clawshots and grapple your way to the weapon’s core! Hurry, you don’t have much--”

A spear rocketed through his skull before he could finish. Bleeding and lifeless, his body slumped over the guardrails and plummeted.

Alex shouldered his rifle and slid a clawshot onto each hand. A clawshot was a mechanical device that could shoot a chain out at high speed with a grappling claw on the end. It would then retract and pull Alex to whatever he shot at, providing the claw could get a solid grip.

“Hey, there he is!” a Kandie screamed as he spotted Alex.

“Alex, are you sure you can do this?” Midna asked.

“Not at all,” he replied as he cocked the clawshot and fired onto one of the handholds on the weapon’s core.

The Kandie’s spear just missing his boot, Alex was yanked hard across thin air, towards the weapon. Upon arrival, Alex clamped to the weapon’s ball-shaped core and detached the clawshot. Carefully gripping the handholds, he began to shimmy his way around to one of the weapon’s primary exhaust vents.

An off-angle spear nicked the back of his armor, causing him to lose balance. He reached for one of his clawshots and fired directly onto the grated surface of the emitter’s exhaust vents. He pulled with all of his might, and the vent tore off, sparks flying. Regaining his equilibrium, Alex reached for his rifle and brought it to bear directly into the glaring furnace within. Alex pumped a few bolts into the furnace until a white-hot jet of flame rocketed out of the vent, slightly damaging the rifle’s barrel guard. There where two more vents. But could his rifle stand up the repeated exposure to plumes of fire hotter than the sun?

It would have to, as another rebel clamped to the core soon found a spear impale him through his midsection, falling to his death. His rifle’s strap, however, had become caught around a handhold.

Not taking any chances, Alex set his rifle to overload and hurled it away from him, landing on a catwalk below. The rifle detonated, eliminating a squad of Kandies and knocking the catwalk off the wall. Alex reached for the new rifle and continued climbing. He reached up with his clawshot and ripped open the second vent. The infinitely hot gases and flames churned within, drawing ever closer to doomsday.

“Attention,” the klaxon rang out, “Three minutes until firing.”

At the rate Alex was going, he would not be able to stop the weapon in time. He had to speed things up. He pulled his new rifle up and fired in. The weapon’s core belched white smoke for a second before launching out another flare, destroying further components.

Alex had not drawn his hands back in time, and his bound wrists are subject to the intense heat. The anti-magic binders exploded off his wrists in a shower of metallic shards. He pulled his hands back and inspected them. Once again he felt his meager magic energies return. In the thrust of the flare, Alex had been hurled from the core, his rifle falling down to the growing pile of bodies below. Alex pulled his clawshot and grabbed onto the final vent. He rocketed back up to the core and hung on. He had no weapon this time to destroy the final vent, and so he would have to rely on his own power to sabotage it.

“Attention. One minute until firing.”

Sixty precious seconds and counting. Alex quickly scrambled up and ripped the final vent from its hinges. He looked deep into the fading core that was losing power, but still was powerful enough to destroy the city.

“You don’t have long!” Midna cried. “Hurry, before the weapon fires!”

Forty-five seconds.

Alex brought his hands up and began charging the largest fireball he could muster. A Kandie rappelled down behind him, preparing to finish him, only to be cut down by a rebel on the opposite catwalk.

Thirty seconds.

The fireball grew larger and larger, as Alex reached his hands deep into the core’s final vent. The energy within was gathering to fire.

Twenty seconds.

The citadel began to shake noticeably as an enormous set of blast doors at the top of the shield chamber, nearly two hundred meters above, slid open, and the weapon itself began to rise.

Ten seconds.

“HURRY!” Midna hollered over the deafening roar as Asgarnia’s ruined cityscape soon came into view thousands of feet below.

Five seconds.

In a wordless holler of force, Alex thrust his hands as hard as he could, the magical energies coursing deep into the core, charring it horribly. Pipes burst. Cables snapped. A final jet of flame erupted from all vents on the weapon’s spherical core, including the one Alex was in front of. He gripped his hands onto whatever surface he could as the emitter went into its death throes, and finally shut down. The raging fire subsided, the steam from the pipes stopped gushing.

One second. That was once the time until doomsday. Alex’s intervention had prevented the city’s Armageddon. The chamber stood in silence for a few moments. Both Kandie and rebel alike stood in awe of the cataclysm that had been averted.

All Alex could do was dangle hundreds of feet above death. He finally found it in him to reach for his clawshot and grapple back to the main catwalk system.

Suddenly, both the Kandies and rebels noticed that the fray had stopped. Without so much as a word between either side, the titanic battle continued once more. Alex silently opened the double doors leading up to Damien’s balcony and passed.

Midna was speechless. She had just witnessed one solitary being halt the destruction of millions. “Alex, I—”

Her words were cut short as two Kandies cracked Alex over the head with the butts of their weapons. Midna was also forced to the ground by a third Kandie.

“Damien said he wanted to see the Insurgent, right?” one Kandie asked another.

“Orders are orders,” he said.

Saying nothing more, the soldiers dragged the rebel and imp up to the throne room of the tyrannical ruler, Damien Roth.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Wednesday December 27th, 2006

Duilin really didn't seem to notice Renard's rudeness for not paying for him, he was too busy being ticked off at the innkeeper. Plus he's never expected somebody to be kind enough to pay for a room for him, since most people that are kind to him tend to be poor or mysterious rouges, like Zeros'. Now that he thought of it, Zeros' actually would qualify as poor, but it's not like the guy needed money. Crazy immortals. Duilin shook his head to get out of thought and then went up stairs.

"Thanks, that innkeeper wouldn't except my coins." Duilin replied, sitting on the bed. He opened his coin pouch and took out one of the coins. It wasn't nearly as big as one of the Empire coins, but it was very shinny and had a beautiful angelic design on it. A work of art, really.

"I don't know why he wouldn't. I mean, gold is gold. Plus take a look at this coin." He handed the coin to Renard. He was about to tell him an angel gave him the coins, yet generally angels are never seen at all on Gaian, and it was quite the rarity of him actually meeting one. "A, uh, friend of mine gave them too me. They were used in ancient times, people say they're actually angelic."

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Wednesday December 27th, 2006

Renard plopped down on the other bed, inspecting the coin. It really was a work of art, containing a degree of intricacy he’d never seen.

“Angels? You mean like, from Asgard?”

He’d heard of that place. A world in the clouds, much like his own. Only his was shrouded in darkness, the other in light. Welkin wasn’t always like that. It used to be blue and bright as well, or so they say. That changed well before he was born…

Welkin… home…

“I like it… wanna trade?”

He tossed Duilin one of his gold coins from his dwindling supply. It was larger and more valuable by it’s size and weight, but the engraving was less impressive, stamped on with less attention to detail. Upon one side was engraved the insignia of the Dark Empire, that four winged dragon against a diagonal sword. Upon the other were five elemental symbols arranged in a circular pattern. A plume of flame for fire, a crystal for water, a bolt of lightning for the air, a planet for the earth. The topmost one, resembling shadow, was larger than the others, a sort of vortex with lines drawing inward. The six element, light, was missing.

Renard made his way over to the window, resting his arms and chin on the seal as he gauzed out, running his thumb over the grooves of the coin. The sky was that same shade of black and red as was across the rest of the Dark Continent. Slowly this world was being reshaped by the Dark Emperor Retan’s will, that darkness spreading outward from this continent as he extended his reach outward across new lands, the light dying and decaying in his wake. Welkin had no choice but to accept the Dark Emperor, but this world was different. He was conquering it. The fox remembered coming into this world and feeling the warm sun on his fur. It was pleasant. But now it was a rarity, only existing in those far off lands, but even there the dark are clouds follow. Why does Retan hate the light so?

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Wednesday December 27th, 2006

"Sure, I've got a quite a few of them so yeah." Duilin replied catching the coin. He examined the detail, he lifted his left upper lift in disgust of the stamping. He was half demon and this coin looked evil to him. Yet the coin was worth more and I guess that’s what’s important in this day.

He looked up at Renard, who was looking out the window. "So, uh. What's your opinion on the Dark Empire and Retan?" He finally decided to ask.

----

The door of the inn was kicked open.

The innkeeper looked frightfully at the four malefactors that just stepped in.

"Wh-what do you want?" He asked stuttering.

"Where is he?" Brice snapped.

"Who?"

"The winged guy! He came in here? Where is he!?"

"Oh yeah, uh, he's upstairs. Um, you're not gonna hurt me are ya?"

"No, just as long as you don't get in our way." Elliot said, grunting afterwards. "Let's get em."

The four then stomped upstairs...

---

Posted by: D. Ein on Wednesday December 27th, 2006

"Why, why, oh why are Asgarnians so damn protective of their filty hole that they affectionally label a city? They are the definition of "poor loser": they cannot see that I have won, and they have lost. Why can they not simply accept the fate that is upon them? Their city is beyond saving. That will be proved to them. By me.

The loss of the Borderworld Feedback Device was a heavy one, indeed; but it was not the main reason for my anger towards both Asgarnians and Kandarinians in the occupied city. It is the unacceptable amount of deaths my troops have suffered. Why is it that me, a humble Lich, must always clean up their act, whether their deaths be the result of heretical Aspyes or the wayward Asgarnians? Why, oh gods, why do my blinded eyes see more than theirs?

When fuelled by my anger, I sometimes make rash decisions. Such is the case now; whether it is fortunate or not remains to be seen. I quickly headed down to the throne room, and from there, towards Sizri.

Upon arriving there, I found an absolutely nil amount of work done by my good-for-nothing mages there. Instead of either charging golems or doing research upon the blighted eleven orbs of Nightshade, they were chasing skirts and stuffing their faces. As I arrived, of course, this has changed; but the point was taken. I descended to the central tower built inside the ruined Enigma complex, looming over the rest of Sizri.

Inside, I found the head wizard, Balathazdrar, chewing on a chunk of bintmeat. He quickly hid it, hoping I wouldn't notice. I suppose he was relying on the blindfold.

I turned my head in disgust, and was very close to turning Balath into a small smoking pile of electrified ashes. Just at the right moment, though, my objective side got the better of me.

-"Balath, don't pretend I didn't see that. Anyways, I want you to gather 500 slaves in one of the golem pits at Xim, as well as three fully charged Atronachs."

-"Sir?"

-"Mass sacrifice. Ask no more, and comply."

--- --- ---

All in very odd situations, the members of the Necronomicon crusade disappeared one by one. Eventually, all that remained were the Elder, Victo, and Jacob. Despite the events, they simply quietly marched on and on and on...

---

The lack of speech greatly unsettled the assassins. Arlin was the only one talking; the rest sat quietly in their cells, making not even an attempt to escape. Something was very amiss.

--- --- ---

Horus continued charging his cannon, now a little more aware of the noise it was making. He slid closer to the ground to dampen the hum.

--- --- ---

Ein suddenly stopped walking towards the central Asgarnian spire. The air was crackling with energy he has encountered before. It was on the tip of his tongue... where did he feel this energy before?

--- --- ---

The live part of the conduit was finally completely trained and adapted to both the hellish environments and the mortal realm. He was made to look somewhat like an average human, though his inner anatomy was drastically different from that of a man. Now it was time for the inanimate part of the conduit to take its form; the forges in the hottest depths of Hell were already finished creating a metal specifically suited for that function. Now it must be forged into an approperiate shape; Iban was unsure of the form just yet.

[charging 5 out of 25]

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Thursday December 28th, 2006

Zeros' shook his head at the pathetic double attack. Instead of moving, he simply ducked his head to one side, avoiding the claw. Then, he simply moved his shoulder, causing the plume of flame to reflect off of the swords large blade.

He turned himself back into the poistion, the two lizardmen retreating to regroup. While they were doing this, he shifted ever so slightly and slashed down with his sword, blades of ki rippling from the edge of the blade. Five long, deadly beams of cresent energy tore through the air, heading straight for the lizards.

---

Allen gasped and looked on in fear. Multiple alchemic formulas ran rapidly through his head, trying to think of one that could help him...

He then nodded and reached behind him, barely taking out his small, curved dagger without dropping it. He leaned forwards and started to carve a transmutation circle into the frame of the glider. He should of thought of this earlier!

"Get ready, Ven!" he cried out.

He closed his eyes, resheathing his dagger and concentrated. The frame of the glider started to glow. Suddenly, they seemed to be rocked directly to the left.

If either of them looked on the right side, they'd notice that Allen had all, but removed the gliders wing on that side, making the air catch the left and propel them that way.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Thursday December 28th, 2006

One of the lizard warriors was sliced across the torso by two energy beams and the creature fell to the ground bleeding. The other one dodged two of the energy crescents but was forced to block one with his sword, damaging the blade, yet not fully cutting it.

The lizardman looked at his fallen comrade and then glared at Zeros' and hissed. His left claw was engulfed in flame, which he splashed down on the blade. He then violently chucked the burning sword at Zeros'...

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Thursday December 28th, 2006

Another explosion. The Velkens shot away from Draven to avoid the flame, many of them now sporting minor injuries. Draven looked much the same. Virmir held up a claw.

"Enough."

Another lull... the silver foxes slowly began to circle Draven, eerily drifting through the air...

"What's the matter freaks, had enough?"

Virmir stiffened up.

"A stalemate. This is a battle we cannot win."

Draven's smirk widened. He was loving it.

"Aw, too bad."

"But you are alone. We will simply return with more allies. You have no chance, Draven. We will meet again soon."

With that, all ten of the shot skyward before darting off into the distance as blurs... They were so fast...

Draven's eyes widened.

"Hey! You can't DO THAT!! GET BACK HERE!!!"

Another explosion ensuing from the burning man as his aura intensified, he soured through the air in raging pursuit like a fireball.

"DO YOU HEAR ME!?!? BLAST IT!! YOUR HEADS ARE MINE!!!"

It was no use. They were way ahead of him and rapidly gaining distance...

----

"Whoa!"

Ven and Henri held on tightly as the glider veered.

"Are you sure that was a good idea?!"

Henri pointed to that structure formerly in front of them.

"Better than crashing into that... fortress?"

Lizaberg loomed to their right now, scaly lizard men scurrying about the tops of the walls. They've been spotted...

Suddenly explosions ripped the air around the glider.

"They're SHOOTING at us!!"

"Ah crap..."

By now they were close to the ground, and the right wing clipped the edge of a rock formation. They were spun about, and forced in a rather ungraceful landing among the flat stones below...

----

Renard's right ear turned towards Duilin. He was sort of surprised by the question. He turned his head to look at the human.

"... Retan will control this world eventually. There's no use fighting it. I wish people wouldn't... they're only killing themselves..."

He turned to stare out the window again, his tail drooping somberly.

"First to go will be the nations that resist. I hear he used to enslave the populace, but not anymore... Something happened that caused him not to trust humans. So now he kills them... Every last one...

"Then there're his 'allies'... Right now they're independent nations... but that won't last long. He'll infiltrate their governments with his agents. Either that or bribe them. Eventually they'll just be a shell with a name, just another extension of his empire..."

His ears swiveled again as he picked up some stomping of people coming up the stairs in the hallway. They did that a lot, his ears, making him seem a very alert, if not jittery, creature.

---

Posted by: Dippy on Thursday December 28th, 2006

In the chaos of the battle ace regains his balance after the stunning blow from the minotaur. He lights up a fireball in each hand and throws them at two lizard men. Then an Aspy solider fired a bullet at him but missed. Ace winked at the lean man and snaped his fingers like he did on his first moments on Gian and two streams of fire blast the man to ashes.
"tsch... Guns." He mutters.
The minotar smashes through a few lizard men and stares at ace, he seems to really want to kill him.
"Wow, big guy. I am two things right now: A devil and pissed off!" Ace blasts two fireballs at its face causing it to roar in pain.
He charges up a bigger one and throws it at its chest knocking the beast to the ground.
"Ha ha!" He gloats.
Then he sees in the corner of his eye a blue glair. It is coming off the neck of an Aspy.
'Hey, thats a blue minotaur cystal, he must have stolen it off one' he thinks 'He probably summoned ol' ugly over there.'
"Hey! You with the fruity necklace! Bring it on!" Ace taunts and moves in for the kill.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Thursday December 28th, 2006

Duilin felt kind of offended with Renard response. "That sounds rather pessimistic. Retan may be powerful, but he is evil. He may have massive strength, power and intelligence, but he doesn't have one thing..."

He paused for a little bit.

"...Karma, and destiny on his side. This may sound kind of silly but, those who become that powerful eventually become overthrown. Maybe it's by another evil, but that just starts everything over again. Like, Retan was defeated six years ago and Draven took his place. He ruled then Melkoth and his Grey Empire took him down, then the Aspyes wiped the Grey Empire out, yet then Retan came back."

He thought for a bit, as his point wasn't exactly clear.

"Um, here is a better example. Just before I was born there was the war of Helternia. It involved a few nations clashing war; the Dark Empire and the Helternian Armed Forces. The Dark Empire was trying to expand at Helternia, yet a group of seemingly harmless townsmen were able to drive them out. Helternia didn't even have a major kingdom defending it like Tjed did, yet they were unable to take the place over."

His father once told him about that battle. Although it wasn't a large force lead by a High General like the War of Romme, but regardless, evil failed that day.

Suddenly the door was kicked open. And four men stepped into the room.

Duilin turned around and looked at the men, and raised his eyebrows...

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Friday December 29th, 2006

Alex’s head cleared up as he found himself restrained by heavy chains. From his suspended position he saw a magical barrier confiscate not only his energy rifle, but his clawshots. A Kandie soldier promptly took them from him and placed them on a table behind the dark, robed figure, Damien Roth.

Alex, suspended on a large mechanical board, was swiveled around on a rail and brought directly in front of Damien. The dark lord chuckled a little bit.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the rebellious little firebug. I thought I did away with you. It’s a shame. In my old age my aim must be going bad. No matter, I shan’t miss this time.”

“Where’s Midna?” Alex demanded.

“The girl?” Damien quipped. “Well, let’s just say she’s bound for an extended leave.”

As the restraint mechanism rotated Alex, he saw Midna bound to a magical energy cage, in front of a portal leading to the Borderworld.

“As you know personally, Alex, interlopers are not welcomed in our affairs. I’m afraid your sweetheart there is going for a little trip. You yourself might take the same voyage if you refuse to comply with me.”

Alex was appalled. Sweetheart? He thought to himself. Hardly. “And what would this request be?” He asked aloud.

“Alex, I look at you and I see more than just a human being,” Damien continued, “If you are strong enough to withstand my power, imagine what others would do to prevent facing you. With you as leverage, I can negotiate any terms I desire with any powers that oppose us.”

“Please,” Alex said, “I’ve got more worthy causes to be part of.”

“Like what?!” Damien bellowed. “That RABBLE in the streets? You may have been able to sabotage the Borderworld emitter but let me tell you here and now. The idea of Asgarnia being wiped off the map is still very real, my friend. And there’s nothing you can do to stop it. Now, I’m being lenient and giving you a choice in this.” He motioned the Kandie to release the chains holding Alex. He dropped to the ground with a thump. “Either join me, or join Midna in that empty world.”

“That’s not going to happen,” Alex said sternly, standing his ground.

“Very well then,” Damien sighed. “You have forced my hand. If you will not willingly join me, I suppose I shall have to force you. The rules are simple. If you win, my Kandarinian soldiers will finish you off. If I win, I gain the ultimate weapon.” He cast off his cloak, revealing a tall, slender man with unnaturally grey skin, as if he had not seen sunlight for decades. Glowing red marks ran up and down his arms, and under the cloak he wore simple black robes, and some charm around his neck.

Alex, realizing that Damien specialized in air magic, hit a button on the wrist of his armor plating. Heavy as stone, the armor shed itself from Alex’s body, clattering to the ground in a loud assortment of clanging and ringing. Below the armor Alex simply wore his jacket and slacks. He hardly looked worthy of fighting. Somehow, he had hidden his crimson scimitar within his jacket. The Kandies approached him to confiscate it, but Damien motioned them away.

“Stop. It would disappoint me to gain an ally so easily. Let him keep his blade.” The Kandies backed off.

“Alex, don’t do it!” Midna cried from within the cage. “You can’t fight without any protection! It’s suicide!”

“I know what I’m doing,” Alex said coldly. “It’s time to settle the score, Damien.” His hands smoked with fiery energy. “Your move.”

Damien took no time at all to bring a massive bolt of lightning to bear, and to bring it down upon Alex. Though the bolt traveled at the speed of light Alex was amazingly able to sidestep it.

“Hmm,” Damien mused. “Perhaps you are more skilled than I thought you to be. Let’s see how you like THIS!” The air within the chamber began to swirl as gale-force winds mounted, nearly ripping chandeliers off their hooks. Alex planted his scimitar into the floor and braced. What Alex failed to notice was that his immense concentration had shot his sword with the power of elemental fire. As it shot out in all directions, the cyclone became a burning vortex. When the flames cleared, Damien stood, smoking.

“Well, my child. You seem to be aware of the weakness of an air elemental. It’s a shame you won’t live long enough to exploit it.” He cast yet another lightning spell, which struck Alex straight from above. However, he had not yet removed his scimitar from the floor, and the lighting coursed through the makeshift conductor without any damaging effects. He withdrew his scimitar from the ground and twirled it through the air, causing it to ignite again. He had an idea.

“Alex, please! Save yourself and get out of here!” Midna pleaded. “I can find my own way from the Borderworld!”

“No way,” Alex replied. “You helped me, so now I’m returning the favor!” He grunted as Damien swung his staff at him, nearly lopping off his head. Alex brought his sword to bear and brought it down in a vertical attack against Damien’s staff. The two weapons created a shower of sparks that flooded the room as one tried to force the other.

“Give it up, Alex!” Damien growled. “It’s no use, you’ll never be able to save this wretched city! Your cause is just as lost as your parents.”

Suddenly something snapped inside of Alex. In an amazing feat of strength he forced Damien to the ground, his staff breaking in two.

“Yes, that’s it,” Damien continued, “Let the anger consume you. Soon you will be an empty shell of your former self, ripe for the picking.”

“It’s not how angry I am,” Alex said. “But it’s how I USE THAT ANGER!” He screamed, impaling Damien through the chest.

Nearly in shock, Damien stumbled back, trying to gain equilibrium. Alex grabbed onto the handle of his sword, and, with a clench of his fist, ignited the blade while it was still embedded in his foe’s body. Damien’s wordless scream of agony pierced the city air, rebels and Kandies in the lower levels of the citadel looking around to see what the noise was about.

Satisfied, Alex ripped his serrated blade from Damien’s chest and sheathed it. Where he had impaled him a coal-black scorch mark was apparent. The defeated tyrant fell to his knees.

“You…” he coughed violently. “…may have won the battle…but you have NOT won the war! You think you have defeated me, but let me assure you, this is a minor inconvenience for me. One day, I shall return, and on that day, I WILL get EVEN!” His body seemed to fall into ashes, which a sudden wind gusted out of the window and out into Terian’s winds.

Alex picked himself up and cracked his neck. He turned back to Midna. “No, THAT’S how it’s done.” He walked over to the binders that restrained Midna, and with a few quick cuts of an ignited sword, freed her. Seeing the opportunity, Alex also severed the cables powering the Borderworld portal. The swirling purple vortex faded into nothingness, only showing the opposite wall through its circular threshold.

Midna was at a loss for words. “Alex…” She tried to gain her composure. “I…can’t thank you enough… I’m dreadfully sorry I’ve dragged you into this… But until we defeat Damien once and for all…the curse still stands…”

“I understand,” Alex said. “We’ll find him, and we’ll finish him once and for all, the both of us. …But what was that he said about Asgarnia’s destruction…?”

“I couldn’t tell you,” Midna replied emptily. “But I do know this. Our job here is done. We need to leave the city.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” Alex mused. “Though, I want to help them see this through to the end.”

Out of nowhere, the citadel’s klaxon erupted through the corridors. A nameless Kandie made an announcement.

“Attention,” the voice rang out. “The citadel has been set to a self-destruct cycle. All personnel still inside will have ten minutes to evacuate. The use of deadly force for all interferences is authorized. Should you encounter the man known as ‘Alex,’ you are hereby ordered to kill him on sight. Failure to do so will be considered an act of treason, punishable by death. Please note that the citadel’s primary power plant will yield a fifty-megaton Borderworld-inversion detonation. It is advised that all evacuees seek underground shelter or clear a fifteen-mile radius. Ten minutes until detonation.”

“Don’t let your guard down,” Alex said, reclaiming his rifle and clawshots from the table. “We’re not out of this yet.”

The citadel rocked violently. Self-destruction was definitely on its way. The Kandies had gone out of their way to, one way or another, wipe Asgarnia off the map.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Friday December 29th, 2006

"I don't know, Duilin, that just seems like a bunch of wishful thinking to me..."

Renard's thought was interrupted when the four men burst into the room. He turned to face them; two looked human, the other two not quite...

"Uh... friends of yours?"

Definitely not freindly looking...

There was something else wrong too... some sort of power emanating from the center of the city that weighed sourly in his stomach... Blast it! All he wanted was a nap!

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Friday December 29th, 2006

The four people were defiantly NOT friendly looking at all. The one who kicked down the door was an orc, with a large stomach and he was holding was appeared to be an automatic shotgun.

Duilin stood up and the orc stepped towards him, pointing the gun at his chest. "Sit back down!" The orc demanded.

The one wearing black metal armor with white trim stepped towards Duilin and adjusted his gauntlet.

"So, Duilin Talonscar I presume?" The armored man asked.

"What's the meaning of this?" Duilin asked hastily.

"It seems that you haven't been behaving around some towns..."

"Let me guess." Duilin said with a smirk. "You're here for Vandrin's bounty?"

"Heh. Yes, indeed."

The other two, were guarding the door, one was a young looking man, holding two daggers, and the other was an elf, with patterns tattooed on him, looked like a tribal.

"We'll tell you what Talonscar." The armored one said. "If you just come with us back to the county, then we won't have to kill your friend here."

The orc then pointed his shotgun at Renard.

Duilin stood up. "You leave him out of this!"

"We, will. If you just come with us..."

---

Posted by: Burton_projects on Friday December 29th, 2006

//Been so long..\\

Nick was near the mainland. Mist sprayed in his face as he looked down into the sea. He wiped away the crystaline water with the sleeve of his shirt. He sent a message to kronos; So whos this guy you want? He waited patiantly for a reply he passed the time with thoughts. Thoughts of happiness.

---

Posted by: D. Ein on Friday December 29th, 2006

//Burton, he meant anyone in general, a slave. And besides, that was supposed to be for a matter at hand, it's too late now. You can have Nick forget about it, if you like. Hell, I don't even remember now why I had Kronos do that.\\

-"Damien, dead? Already?! The idiot..."

Once again, I am disappointed by my servants.

-"Well, you can't really kill him like that, and he isn't really dead, so I can't resurrect him. Looks like he's on his own for now."

The messenger who brought the news was twiddling his thumbs behind me. I handed him a silver coin.

-"Here's for your pains. Now, please, go to Xim and report on the status of the sacrifice."

The messenger bowed and left. I was still in the Sizrian tower, although now I was at the top floor, observing the work being done at Sizri. They have really disappointed me with their... for the lack of a better word, lax effort to get things done. Perhaps there will have to be some kind of measure put in place to make sure that they aren't slacking off while there is work to be done. Overseers... Why didn't I think of that before?

Just when I was exploring the possibilities of having overseers control the work being done at Sizri, I heard a quiet "whoosh" behind me. Without turning around, I said:

-"Hello, Damien."

-"We appear to have an... issue at Asgarnia."

-"Of that I am aware. You were taken down by some whelp brandishing a toy too dangerous to be kept by children like that."

-"Yes, but there were special circumstances."

Like a twig, something snapped inside of me, and I bellowed right in Damien's face:

-"WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES ARE SPECIAL ENOUGH THAT YOU CAN'T TAKE A PATHETIC, DUMB REBEL OUT WITH YOUR OWN FORCE?! I don't keep you for dying, Damien, and you had BETTER clean up your damned act if you want to remain in command!"

-"He's not just a rebel. There's something different about him... His easily-learned abilities in magic are not something any normal human being could master."

-"He's shaped like a human. He bleeds. He can be killed. What more is there to say?"

-"That's just it, he seemingly CAN'T be killed. He survived an electrocution AND a thousand-foot fall."

-"Well... I can see now that you've at least tried to do something about him... I will have to look into the matter myself, then. Meanwhile, there is a convoy containing six golems on its way to Asgarnia. If you wish, you may assume command over them."

-"Knowing those incompentent soldiers I have there, they probably started the self-destruct cycle. Sometimes protocol is not meant to be followed to the letter."

-"Hmm, yes... and knowing most Kandarinians in general, I'm sure one of them probably ended up somehow screwing up the cycle and preventing it. Go check it out anyway."

-"Yes sir. I will take the golems immediately and be on my way. And, this time, I WILL NOT FAIL."

-"Good. Don't disappoint me, Damien."

Without a reply, Damien turned to dust once again and dissipated out of my room. Let us hope, then, that he will be successful this time."

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Friday December 29th, 2006

Renard drew his lips back in a snarl as he stared down the barrel of that gun, the fur on the back of his neck sticking out straight. Bounty? Just who is this Duilin guy anyway? Blast it! If his squad were here he would have nothing to fear at all. The Blade Rush, the Dance of the Winds, the Climhazzard… all of these techniques were lethal against an unorganized group of foes, but alas, all of them required one or more partners to execute.

What to do?! Was there nothing he could do? All of his spells took too long to cast. Blast it! He would have to make something up… But what? It was a total breach of protocol. Stick to what you know, follow the given formula and use the techniques that have been proven to work…

But blast it, his friend was in trouble. He was in trouble!

“Hrarrghhh!!!”

The Velken suddenly shot through the air as a silver blur, right over Duilin’s head, then the orc’s. He slammed into the wall just above the door frame, planting his feet firmly there as if the wall were floor, and remained floating there over the four intruders’ heads.

“Duilin, run for it!!”

The sleeves of his robe opened more widely as he outstretched his arms, revealing his right claw and his tightly bandaged left, cerulean sparks shimmering from each. Thrusting his hands downwards he sent forth a shower of brilliant blue jagged icicles down upon the bounty hunters. It was a malformed spell. He simply did not have the time to cast it properly. It would look impressive, but the effect would be lacking, possibly harmless. Hopefully the targets would not realize that…

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Friday December 29th, 2006

Brice's head darted as the Velken jumped across the room, he shielded himself with his arms to block the icicles. Scrums was about to fire his gun, but as the icicles flew down at him he found it would be better to avoid the attack, so he rolled through the door way. Elliot also slipped through the doorway to avoid the attack, yet one of the icicles pricks him in the arm. Rufokanno, simple lifted his hand and waved it across the room, the icicles flew away from him.

Meanwile Duilin had jumped through the window, feet first smashing the glass. He landed outside, on his feet, crushing the glass under him, some of the shards stuck into his boot.

"Elliot, come with me. Rufo, stay with Scrums and deal with freak." Brice commanded. Brice jumped through the broken window, as he passed through he performed a wall jump on the building behind the inn and landed on the floor. Elliot followed, jumping out the window, yet simply landed on the ground beneath. The young man clutched his leg in pain.


Duilin faced the Ice Warrior and his young friend. He thought that maybe he could run, but from what he could sense of this guy's aura he wasn't too much stronger then Count Vandrin, if at all. The younger guy looked like an easy target, Duilin could already see this basically being a one and one fight with the Ice Warrior.

Brice then casted an icy blue aura in his hands and spread them apart making a long blade of ice.

"Of course, I was wondering if you were going to do that." Duilin said, almost laughing.

"I can do a lot more, demon boy!" Brice then chucked the large blade of ice at Duilin. The half demon then jumped to the side, completely avoiding the blade.

"You're kidding right?" Duilin taunted.

Inside Rufokanno, looked at the Velken. "Me can tell from here you power is weak. This no be a hard victory for Rufokanno."

Rufokanno then waved his hand at the broken shards of glass that landed on the inside of the room and then waved his hand towards Renard, the shards of glass then flew towards the Velken...

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Saturday December 30th, 2006

Again the citadel shook as Alex and Midna proceeded to make their escape from the thousand-foot tall structure. Why the Kandies were going to proceed with the destruction of Asgarnia was questionable, as the city’s benefits hardly seemed harvested. Perhaps there was a miscommunication. Regardless, no regular means would be able to stop the chain reaction.

“What about the rebel leaders?” Midna queried, floating out of the way of a falling girder. “We can’t just leave them here!”

“One of these corridors has to lead to the cellblocks,” Alex called over the blaring klaxon.

Soldiers were trampling over each other to get out of the ticking time bomb they once called their home. Eventually, one or two found themselves accidentally pushed over the guardrails, falling to their deaths.

A vague idea began to form in Alex’s head. If he could somehow stop the chain reaction, he could have time to liberate the rebel leaders. But first, he would have to find the citadel’s power plant. Going entirely on a hunch, Alex began spiraling down the helical stairwell leading to the levels below ground.

“Wait, where are you going?” Midna asked.

“Even if we find the cellblocks,” Alex said, “We wouldn’t have time to bail them out and escape. We have to stop the countdown.”

“But how? We don’t even know how the power plant works!”

“Trust me. I’ve been winging it for 28 years,” Alex said confidently.

Soon, the two found themselves at the top of a large chamber, though smaller than the shield chamber. In the center was a massive Borderworld portal with an assortment of conduits, cables and pipes hooked up to it. The intelligence WAS true, the Kandies drew their power directly from the Borderworld itself. Though, cutting the power here would not be enough to halt the detonation.

“Seven minutes until detonation,” The voice on the klaxon echoed.

On either side of the portal there were large tank-like structures, catwalks crossing the tops. Upon climbing the stairwell, it was seen that within these tanks were a great number of long thin rods submerged in pure Borderworld water. Some were extended, others retracted. These rods were lined with an unknown crystalline substance that seemed to absorb the energy from the portal. Alex noticed that most of these “control rods” were retracted, and so Borderworld energy was flowing into the systems unregulated. An overload would result in detonation.

“I think I know what we have to do here,” Midna said.

“Well, the way I see it, these rods prevent too much energy from powering the citadel. Most of these rods are retracted. All we have to do is extend them again, and then lock it so no one can start this cycle again,” Alex replied.

“Sounds good, but how do we do that?”

As they spoke, another rod rose from the tanks, sparking with energy until it dispersed. As it did, the conduits leading up to the ceiling and the rest of the citadel surged with purple lightning bolts. Every minute another rod was retracted, and so Alex could use them as a clock. Each rod he could extend would add another minute to their time.

“I don’t see anyway to lower these rods automatically…” Midna mused. “You’ll have to force them down. I’d also stay away from that water if I were you. Though normally it heals, when it becomes oversaturated with dimensional energy, it can have the opposite effect.”

“Noted…” Alex said. He positioned himself in front of one of the control rods, and tried to force it down. Surprisingly, it didn’t budge. He searched the sides of the rod to find some kind of unlocking mechanism, but to no avail. Seeing no other option, he withdrew his scimitar and sliced the clasp off. The rod clunked into the water and began absorbing energy. The lights flickered slightly, showing a reduced power flow. Another minute had been added to the countdown.

“I see five pairs of rods,” Midna said. “Though I’m sure with that rod being slid down, the Kandies know something’s up. You’d better work fast.”

Alex noticed that the control rod he knocked down could no longer rise back up. He had damaged the mechanism in doing so. However, a certain amount of rods needed to be raised in order for the system to go critical. Of the other ten rods that remained, eight were risen, and the ninth began to move into position. Alex inched his way over to the incriminating rod, and forced it down. Just as he did, another raised, all the way across the tank. Surely the Kandies had some way of repairing these rods? Alex only needed to activate a few more control rods to halt the detonation entirely. It seemed like such a flawed mechanism, but, then, the Kandies never did anything right…

Alex nearly lost his footing on the slick catwalks, stumbling forward and his blade slicing the rod. As it fell, he caught himself on another rod, which too was forced into the solution. That was four. Six remained.

As Alex lowered the rods, they began to glow brightly. It was anybody’s guess how long they could withstand continuous energy exposure before finally failing, but with all ten lowered, it should take a considerable amount of time, at least a few days. He lowered the eighth rod, slightly alarmed at how easy this was. Apparently the Kandies were unaware of the gradual defusing of the reactor, and most of the Kandies were probably out by now. Rescuing Dr. Kleiner and the others would be much easier.

The ninth rod clunked down. The citadel lights nearly blinked out into darkness. Alex realized this: one rod had to be left raised, or the citadel would not receive any power at all. He left the tenth one up, to allow for lighting and such. Still, most of the citadel was cast in darkness, and Midna’s shadow cloak effect on the P.C.S. had not yet worn off.

“That’ll do,” Midna said. She floated back up to the door. “Come on, we have to save the rebel leaders!”

Alex hoped that Kleiner and the others were still alive, and hadn’t been tortured for intelligence. He would soon find out whether he was right or wrong.

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Saturday December 30th, 2006

Zeros' looked at the incoming sword and titled his head to the side, making the flaming blade inch by his head, making it impale into the wall beside him, the flames licking at the side of his face. He stepped away from the flaming sword.

"Well... That was amusing..." he said. Then, he disappeared. He reappeared behind the remaining lizardman, his sword slashing down towards his head, the blade shining.

---

Allen groaned and crawled out from the glider. He rotated his arms and ran a hand through his graying hair.

"Well... That wasn't what I was expecting to happen... but, it worked, didn't it" he asked, rolling his shoulders.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Sunday December 31st, 2006

The lizard warrior then sidestepped, to avoid the swing, yet his large size and slowness wasn't much of a match for Zeros' rapid speed. He avoided the blade getting at his head, yet his arm was sliced clean off. The lizard grabbed the bloody armless socket and hissed. He backed away from Zeros' and snarled.

"Tisss but a sscratch!"

He then weakly pointed his other arm towards Zeros' shooting a fast moving ball of flame at Zeros' aimed for his torso...

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Sunday December 31st, 2006

"Blast it! BLAST IT! BLAST IT!!!"

Draven screamed at the horizon. It was too late. His adversaries were gone. Aura flaring, he threw his clenched fists to the clouds above cursing the skies.

"Fight me!! Blast it!! FIGHT ME!!! RETAAAANNN!!!!!"

His echo sounded across the empty dead desert. There were no ears for it to fall upon. His cry was only answered by the distant cracks of thunder.

Seething with rage, he clenched his fists before his face as they glowed an ethereal crimson, the flame swirling around him.

"That's IT!!!"

He threw two open palms to the sky, an orb of blinding crimson materializing above his head.

"EVERYONE'S GONNA DIE!!!!"

The orb swelled, doubling in magnitude with blinding flashes.

"I'll rip this entire continent in half!! Don't think I won't!! Do you hear me RETAN?!?!"

A tornado engulfed him, swirling the sands beneath upward and outward. The orb doubled again, crackling with vermillion flame.

"I will tear a hole in Gaian so big, all the planet's life will bleed out. I will turn it into a dead shell that even YOU cannot USE!!"

The ground below tremored. Still nothing. No response, no sign of life...

Breathing heavily, Draven finally slowed down. The tornado subsided, the flames faded... The crimson orb which had climaxed at over fifteen feet in diameter began to shrink, sparks of red returning back into Draven's essence as it faded. He let his arms down and slowly returned to the ground, setting foot in the center of the crater of sand his rage had wrought. His aura faded and dissipated.

The Crimson Emperor brought a gloved hand to his chin. Hmm. Though he didn't do anything, he actually felt a whole lot better. Yes, best to save one's energy for where it counts. Sometimes you just gotta yell.

----

Shrouded in blackness, the Dark Emperor leaned back in the throne as the images from the glowing sphere subsided, his burning red eyes narrowing into slits... He touched the tips of his gloved fingers together in the most brooding of manners.

Interesting...

----


Virmir suddenly stopped in mid air once the entourage of ten Velkens had put so much distance between themselves and the pursuing Draven that the burning madman was no longer visible upon the horizon. The nine students hovered around their master in a circle.

"The airship, can we catch up?"

"We'll have to meet it at it's next port."

"What about Renard?"

Virmir held up a claw, silencing the hushed conversations that sprung up before addressing his warriors.

"Renard is now our number one priority."

"What about the ship--"

"Don't we have to protect--"

The older fox hushed the comments with a claw.

"We find Renard first. For better or... worse..."

----

Blast it! Floating in the air, Renard covered his face with his arms. Shield!! It had been like an involuntary reaction. The shards of glass tinked off of the translucent green half dome that materialized before the silver fox, breaking further as they slammed into it with force. When the attack subsided, the Velken dropped to the floor, landing nimbly on both feet.

Good gods was he huge! To the much smaller Renard anyway. His adversary looked roughly human, but not quite, not with those strange stripes and pointed ears.

He was going to pull this off... one on one without anyone's help. Blast it, too bad he didn't know why he was fighting. He never did. Although this was the first battle he had ever stepped into of his own accord...

But how to take him out? Use your own strengths, he told himself. Your speed, agility, and... ease of flight...?

The sliver fox suddenly clasped his hands before him, wincing slightly as his right claw struck his bandaged left. He then drove both hands down to the wooden floor, the very foundations of the old building rumbling as the earthquake spell manifested. It was a minor spell, but it wrought havoc when applied to mere wooded frames holding up the floor. The wood paneled ground in the entire room splintered and cracked, falling apart in a manner of seconds. Everything plummeted, the beds, the nightstand... Everything except Renard, who remained floating where there was solid ground a mere second ago. Hopefully his opponent could not fly!

----

"*Cough* I suppose, so..."

Ven was in the middle of uncovering himself from the torn sails. He then rushed to King Henri, who was thankfully unhurt.

"So, what now?" The knight ventured as he dusted himself off...

"We still haven't found Zeros', Duilin, or the others. But perhaps it is best we returned to the Posidon X..." Henri commented glumly.

"Hsssaa!!! HOLD IT!"

Ven turned, though he didn't really need to, because they were all around. The three of them were surrounded by lizard men... Ven's blade was out in a flash. But there were some two dozen by his count... way too many for him to face. And to make matters worse, he was the only fighter in the group...

"Great..."

"Drop your weaponsss!"

After a moment's hesitation, Ven's silver blade clanged upon the smooth rocks below. Henri complied as well, unbuckling the longsword strapped to his waist.

"Good good... Take them to Lizaberg. And inform Lord Gorusss of my catch!"

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Monday January 1st, 2007

As the derbies of the inn flew across, Rufokanno a skilled telepath, focused his mind towards his energy and pushed away the derbies flying towards him.

However, the orc was covered in several planks and bricks. He weakly pushed over the derbies. He dropped his gun, he got up and looked around, if he could find his gun then it would be easy to take this guy down. Hopefully Rufo, would be able to hold him off, plus it would also be good if Brice and Elliot were able to get Duilin.

"Hmm, skilled you are young animal." Rufokanno said looking up towards the Velken. "You know levitation." He then pointed towards himself with his thumb and then leaned his head closer to Renard. "Rufokanno no afraid."

The elf wasn't. In fact he could do some sort of flight himself, it was hard for him to move himself like he does objects, yet that doesn't stop him from being on objects that he's moving around...

Suddenly one of the beds lifted up from the ground, as Rufokanno lifted up his hand. He then jumped up onto the floating bed, and assumed a fighters stance...

----

"Lemme at 'im obviously magic won't work!" Elliot said swinging his daggers and running towards Duilin.

Brice rolled his eyes and sighed, but he thought he'd let him try it out.

Despite him being rejected as a soldier, Elliot's really full of himself, he believes that ever since he got rejected he's become a much stronger fighter better then the average Kandarian Warrior...

"Die you demon scum!" Elliot taunted jumping in the air towards Duilin, swinging his daggers down.

Duilin stood there and scratched under his chin, as the man landed on the ground four feet away from him, bashing his daggers into the pavement below.

Brice groaned and rubbed his temples. "Brice...you can't jump that far, please stop trying. You're embarrassing me."

Elliot got back up. "I 'aint done here yet. Ima just...warmin' up ya see." He twirled his daggers. "Come on man, gimme your best shot, man."

Duilin yawned. "I take it, this guy's the tag along kid" Duilin said to Brice.

"Don't you frigin' ignore me!" Elliot yelled. "Ima cut you up so bad that...that you're gonna wish...you're gonna wish...that I hadn't cut you up so bad. Yeah!"

"Elliot, just let me handle this!" Brice yelled.

"You...you...shut...I mean...no...I mean...I can do this!" Elliot stuttered, still looking at Duilin.

Duilin snapped his fingers, and flicked a small fireball at Elliot's mouth as he was talking, the fireball went right in and burnt his tongue.

"Ahhh...you...fakging azzole!" Elliot shouted wile grabbing his tongue, yet wile talking he inhaled to much saliva and began coughing.

Brice then sat down on the ground, if he didn't know Elliot he'd probably be laughing his head off, but all he was doing was making a bad image for his bounty hunter team. He didn't want to get in the way, one time Elliot accidentally stabbed Brice, when they were going after somebody. Their target would have escaped because of that if it weren't for Scrums and his shotgun...

Duilin almost pitied this pitiful little jerk. He was probably THE weakest opponent he's fought so far, and that includes that fist fight with the late Pophin...

Elliot then dashed towards Duilin, swinging his daggers several times, each swing either missing or being avoided completely.

After Elliot's little rain of death was finished, Duilin then kicked the childish man in the chest knocking him to the ground. He really didn't want to have to kill this guy, he was just too pathetic.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Monday January 1st, 2007

(I think you want Rufo to specialize in "telekinesis", rather than "telepathy".)

Ah crap! Renard backed away through the open air as the odd man bed-surfed towards his position. Cupping his claws to the right side, he conjured a small fireball and thrust them forward hadoken style, sending the plume of flame surging towards the projectile his opponent was riding.

"Animal? Is that what you think I am? I could say the same for you!"

At that moment, the innkeeper appeared in the room below, finding it to be in shambles, the ceiling to be twice as high, and two flying mages flinging magic at each other above.

"You dumb kids!! What do you think you're doing?!?!" He screamed, yanking his graying hair out.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Monday January 1st, 2007

(Whatever. Telepathy, telekinesis, same shit different pile.)

Rufokanno swiftly shifted the bed he was riding to the left, avoiding the fireball.

"You have fur, you resemble fox. You are animal. Perhaps Rufokanno add your hide to my wardrobe after me skin it from you dead corpse!" He threatened pointing at him, although it probably didn't sound to threaten considering his terrible grammer.

He ignored the old man yelling at them. Keeping his mind focused on the Velken. He pushed the bed forward towards Renard at a high speed. He shifted himself and the bed on a near 90-degree angle as he passed by his adversary and swung his fist at his face...

----

Elliot got back up and shook his head. "I'm good. I'm good." He glared at Duilin. "That's the best you got, kid?"

"Kid?" Duilin said. "From what it looks, I'm like twenty years older then you. Yet from how you act, it seems more like thirty."

"Thirty? You're like old, man." Elliot sneered. "Go home old man go play with the--"

Suddenly he was cut off with Duilin's fist right in his face, again knocking him to the ground. Causing him to drop one of his daggers.

Brice noticablly laughed, at the sight, but covered his mouth.

"The wind shifted..." Elliot went on, recovering himself again. "That's all...that was a cheap shot anyway." He went to pick up his dagger, he Duilin kicked him in the back, and again he met the ground.

"Don't turn away from your enemy!" Brice shouted.

"Yeah, I know, I know." Elliot said, as he got back up. "I just expected him to be too stupid, 'cuz he's a demon."

Duilin didn't even take offence, this guy was too stupid to be offensive.

"Yeah, you stupid demon!" Elliot sneered again, reading his daggers.

"Spell it." Duilin said.

"Wha?"

"Spell demon."

"Uhh...." Elliot shook his head. "'Nuff o' you!" He then thrust his dagger in his left, then followed by his right, yet both attempts were dodged.

Duilin then stepped forward to punch him to the ground, yet Elliot made a surprising move, he shifted himself to the side, and then swung his dagger into Duilin's side, cutting deep into the skin on the side of back.

"HIIYYAAA!" Elliot called in triumph. "Give up yet!?" He said as he hastily stepped back away from Duilin...

Duilin clutched the small wound on his back. "Not bad, not bad. You've forced me to use forty percent effort!" He chuckled.

"Oh you ain't seen nothing yet." Elliot said, as he rushed towards Duilin, arching back his daggers, as he came closer to Duilin, the half demon then grabbed him by the arms and then flipped him over and the man smashed onto the ground.

"No, I haven't." Duilin commented mockingly as he turned around to see his nearly knocked out enemy.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Tuesday January 2nd, 2007

Renard clenched his teeth. What was this nutcase babbling about? He must resemble some sort of Gaian animal. There didn't seem to be any sentient creatures with fur on Gaian after all. The tattooed man probably would make good on his threat too, considering the skins he was wearing...

Pausing to think was generally not a good thing in battle, and Renard felt the fist graze his nose. The silver fox flew backwards snarling, planting his right foot upon the wall behind him. Blast it! His turn...

His image blurred as he sped towards the vile elf, hooking a quick right just before impact with the floating bed. Around and around he sped, circling Rufo as gusts of wind billowed upward. The spell intensified as the Velken became a gray blur, the forming tornado beginning to blast the already airborne bed upward and contributing even more to the torn up inn. He was going to blast this guy right through the roof...

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Tuesday January 2nd, 2007

Rufokanno attempted to fight off the mighty tornado, but the force was too strong. He was blasted right through the roof, just as Renard intended. The bed was tossed into the air and smashed into a building across the street. Rufokanno was nowhere to be seen...

Then, almost suddenly Scrums, the orc emerged from the dust left over from the damage. He found his Automatic Shotgun.

"Now, now, now." Scrums snarled. "Where were we." He then aimed the shotgun at Renard. "Oh yeah, that's right. I was about to kill you!" He then fired two shells from his shotgun, as they were fired the shells exploded releasing a large spray of small burning pellets all over the place...

----

"Okay, so are you don't getting the life beating from you?" Duilin asked.

Elliot made some grumbling sounds and weakly got back up on his feet, only to fall back down again.

"Well, that's one down, then." Duilin said with a smirk.

Brice then jumped into the air pointed his hands down at Duilin and blasted two beams of ice right down at him.

Duilin turned around and created a shield out fire energy, blocking the ice blasts coming at him. "What the hell? Attacking me from behind? You're so cheap."

Brice gracefully landed on the ground. "With a three million bounty on you. Can ya blame me?" He replied.

Duilin shrugged. "Guess not." He then swung his hand forward arching his fingers in Brice's direction and fired a bolt of lightning at him.

Brice jumped out of the way and then pressed his hands together and then swung them forward shooting a large high pressured blast of water at Duilin, hitting him directly and knocked him several yards back and stopped when he smashed into the wall of a building...

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Tuesday January 2nd, 2007

Zeros' twisted to the side, but, at a close range, he couldn't completely avoid it. He grazed his chest, barely touching his, skin, but it was enough to burn a hole through his shirt. He scratched the spot where the fireball hit.

"Hmm... It seems you're compitent... but..." he disappeared again, directly behind the lizard, a swirling ball of ki in his free hand. "But... You're not good enough..." he murmured and shoved the ball at the lizard's back.

---

Allen peered at them and frowned. Hmm... He raised his hands in the air like the other two, but he wasn't going to give up. He stepped close to Ven and Henri and whispered them.

"On my command... get ready to run..." he said quietly out of the corner of his mouth. He closed his eyes and sighed, making himself look defeated.

He waited for a few moments before suddenly slamming his hands in the ground. There was a great rumbling and before long, a giant stone wall errupted from the ground, sliding up between the two parties.

"And now, would be the time to run," he said, promptly turning in the other direction and dashing off.

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Wednesday January 3rd, 2007

//Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. I'm totally addicted to Gears of War right now. Hopefully I make up for it with this 12.5 kb post.\\

Precious little light shone through the windows as Alex crept through the citadel’s shadowed corridors. He kept to the darkness as much as possible, utilizing Midna’s shadow cloak spell to its fullest. Despite these efforts, the citadel seemed utterly empty.

Most of the citadel’s soldier compliment had evacuated in the imminent danger of self-destruction. Now that the cycle was halted, they would be forced to spend time and resources repopulating the tower. Alex had a few hours at best. He had to find the cellblocks, hopefully with Dr. Kleiner and the remaining rebel leaders still detained. Alex would bail them out and get them out quietly. Alex had been roaming around for the past twenty minutes or so trying to find the prison blocks.

He moaned in exasperation. “This is the fourth time we’ve passed this stairwell. I know it’s on this level, but where the hell is the corridor?”

“Are you sure you were looking at the right floor of the map?” Midna asked.

Alex had previously broken into an intelligence room which contained a full floor plan of the citadel’s hundred-something floors. To search every room of every floor would be like attempting to find a needle in a thousand-foot tall haystack. Alex reached into a pocket on the P.C.S. and withdrew the map. In a stroke of seemingly coincidental convenience, the prison was clearly earmarked on the map. It was on the 42nd floor.

“Know which floor we’re on?” Alex asked. Most of the room layouts for a lot of the floors looked alike. Standing near the stairwell, he looked around for sign or plaque or something denoting what floor they were on. He found it. Etched on a brick near the stairway’s threshold was the floor’s number in Roman numerals.

“XLII.”

“Forty-two,” Alex said to himself. “This is the right floor. So where the hell are the cellblocks?”

As Alex leaned back against the brick wall, he felt some of the bricks buckle under his weight.

“What the…”

He pushed against the bricks. The entire wall crumbled to the ground. When the dust cleared, he saw barred cells.

“Well then,” he mused. “That’s…clever.”

As Alex walked into the cellblocks, his metallic footsteps fell hard against the floor. The prisoners began to rouse from their sleepy states.

“H-hello?” called a clearly terrified voice. It was higher-pitched voice, with a little bit of inflection. It was Dr. Kleiner.

“Doc?” Alex called back.

“My goodness! Alex, how did you get here, and when?” He walked to the front of the cell, looking worse for wear. His lab coat was torn in several places, and covered in dust from the dingy cell. If Alex had not seen him before, he wouldn’t have realized it had once been white. One lens in his glasses was cracked, the other had fallen out.

“Doc, sit tight,” Alex said. “I’ll get you out. Who else is here?”

“I believe the other leaders are here as well. That means you should find Vance, Savant, and Fenix in those cells.”

Sure enough, they were. The locking mechanisms on the doors were strangely simple for a Kandarinian installation. With little effort he busted the locks.

“Izzy,” Alex said, handing him a Kandigun, “I hope you know how to use one of these.” “Izzy” was Alex’s nickname for Kleiner, whose first name was Isaac.

“Oh my,” Kleiner complained. “Is there no other way to get out peacefully?”

“This is just for precautions in case we do get confronted,” Alex said. “The rest of you, pull a Kandigun off the wall and follow me.”

Obeying, the frail and wiry scientists armed themselves reluctantly. It had seemed that none of them had combat experience. As they returned to the stairwell, Alex disappeared into the darkness.

“Dear me!” Kleiner cried. “Alex, where did you go?”

“Take it easy, Izzy,” Alex said coolly. “I’m still here. The P.C.S. turns invisible when I step into the shadows.”

“Interesting,” Kleiner said. “I don’t remember adding that feature.”

Alex stepped into the dim light, and became visible again. “Quick, I can get us out of here before the Kandies come back.”

Alex led the scientists down the spiraling staircases, occasionally stopping behind a wall or two to check if the area ahead was safe, and then motioning them on. In half an hour’s time, they had covered thirty floors.

“Sit tight guys,” Alex said. “I’m gonna scout ahead.”

As Alex ran ahead and around a corner, Midna emerged from his shadow.

“Alex, this is too risky,” she complained. “Even if you get them out of here, the headquarters is too unsafe to head back to. Where will they go?”

“The rebels always have redundancies,” Alex said. “There’s a secondary base on the north side of the city, a mile or so from here. It’s in the commercial district, which is essentially a maze of buildings. It’s very difficult for even me to find, much less those Kandie bastards.”

“If you say so,” Midna said. “Also, the bald man, Kleiner?”

“Yeah, what about him?”

“He’s not like the others, he actually has a brain. I’m a little concerned that he might find out that you’re doing all this for someone like me.”

“Why would that concern you?”

“What if they thought that you had no interest in their affairs? I mean, I know you do, but you put forth so much more effort helping me. Why?”

“Well, I guess it’s because you saved my life,” Alex said. “Also, you’re the only one I’ve ever known to willingly help me. I guess it’s because of my past.”

“Oh really?” Midna said. “What happened?”

“I’m not sure you want to know.”

“Now that you’ve said that, I do want to know. Please tell me, I promise not to judge.”

“Very well then. Eight years ago, there was a huge war, far larger than the one now. I was hired by multiple sides as a hired gun, though when I finished serving one party, I immediately went over to the opposing party and destroyed what I had created for the side I had been on last. I did this a number of times, garnering huge amounts of money, and I had to keep my identity secret. I was never found out.”

“I can see that your past is not one you’re proud of,” Midna said. “What motivated you?”

“I guess just to be wealthy,” Alex said emptily. “I didn’t really care who won the war, just so long as I was paid. To this day I haven’t spent my vast earnings. I try not to. That would only confirm how wrong rigging the war was.”

“Don’t beat yourself up about it,” Midna said softly. “That was long ago, and now you’re a different person. I look at you and I see more than just a human being. I see someone who’s willing to risk life and limb to help someone, and you definitely show it. What happened in the past can be forgotten. When I revived you from near-death I knew that you would be a trustworthy person, someone I could look to for help. You’re a unique person, Alex. Not many people are as selfless as you are. Many people come from checkered pasts, and they simply learn to jump the pieces that get in their way. Alex, I--”

“Alex!” Isaac called, “Are you there? Is it clear?”

Alex turned back in their direction. “Yeah, move on up!” He turned back to Midna. “Sorry to cut this short.”

“I know, I know,” Midna said, becoming Alex’s shadow once again.

The scientists ran up behind Alex. “Let’s go,” Kleiner said.



“Are you sure they’re headed this way?”

“Positive. The citadel’s self-destruct sequence was stopped by someone. Probably Alex. He’s most likely freed the prisoners and is on his way.”

Two rebels conversed in the underground bunker that was the secondary base. In comparison to the first one, it was smaller and more unkempt. Equipment was strewn every which way as other rebels scampered around the base. Amazingly, both Lamarr and Otis, Kleiner’s and Alex’s headcrabs, respectively, had managed to survive the ordeal by hiding in the pipe network.

The doors above slid open, followed by those telltale metallic footsteps. Alex and the other rebel leaders had reached the base safely.

“Alex!” A rebel stepped forward. “We’re glad to see you and the other leaders made it.”

“Yeah, so am I,” Alex yawned. He hadn’t slept all day. “Tired.”

“Perhaps he’d like some off-time,” Kleiner said.

“Are you mad, Izzy?” Dominic Fenix piped up. “We’re in the middle of a war and you want our most capable fighter to stop fighting?”

“Oh, look at him, Dom,” cried Ilia Savant. “He’s faced far more in one day than any of us have our whole lives! Let him take a break.”

“Yeah,” Samuel Vance spoke up. “He’s earned it.”

“Fine,” Dom said begrudgingly. “But only for a few hours.”

As Alex stood, watching scientists argue back and forth over him, he finally got a good look at the other scientists he had saved.

Dominic Fenix was a large-built tall man. He was a man of about fifty, with relatively short grey hair that had white streaks running through it. His face was chiseled and hard, its features greatly standing out.

Samuel Vance was calm-natured black man of about seventy, his scalp dominated by snow white hair, and his chin ruled by a ruffled beard. His left leg had previously been amputated below the knee after a poisoned Kandigun spear skewered through it. In its place was a crude prosthetic that allowed him to walk.

Ilia Savant was a beautiful, slender young woman, far younger than the other scientists, but just as intelligent. Across her shapely body her white lab coat simply hung off her shoulders. Her black hair flowed down to her neck, and her icy blue eyes pierced through many of the rebels who approached her with flirtatious moves. She herself was a flirt, though not to the extent of how the rebels attempted to flirt with her.

“You three can keep quarreling if you like, I’m going to show Alex to the scrapyard,” Ilia said, tugging on Alex’s arm for him to follow. In front of Ilia Alex was a little uncomfortable, and didn’t say much. As she led the armored rebel to the set of double sliding doors to the scrapyard, they were scanned up and down by salvaged Asgarnian scanners, ensuring no hostiles were present. As they waited for the cycle to complete, Alex was still quiet.

“You’re a man of few words, aren’t you?” Ilia finally said after about half a minute.

“Sorry,” Alex said. “I suppose it’s my combat attitude getting the best of me. I try to be quiet when I sneak around and stuff.”

The cycle was complete, and the large metal doors slid open. On the other side was a large lot full of junk and scrap.

“Here we are,” Ilia said. “The scrapyard.”

“It’s, uh, very nice,” Alex said. The sky was a deep blue as the sun went down. Lamps began illuminating the yard. “So what are we here for?”

“They say you ought to take a break,” Ilia replied. “Why don’t you? You can toy around with one of our experimental weapons.”

“Oh, really?” Alex said, suddenly curious. “What’s that?”

Ilia opened a large compartment on the wall, and produced an interesting looking device. It looked like a clawshot to some extent, but various tubes and other odds and ends were attached.

“A clawshot?” Alex asked. “I already have two of those.”

“Not quite,” Ilia said. “Put this on your arm.”

Obeying, Alex took the strange weapon and applied it to his right arm. “Okay, now what?”

“Focus a little magic on it,” Ilia replied, “And point it towards that box.”

Alex put forth a little magical effort, and, amazingly, the box sprung off the ground and hovered in the air.

“Amazing!” Alex cried. “It’s like some kind of…gravity gun!”

“It amplifies a user’s magical energy tenfold and turns it into psychokinetic energy, allowing the moving and throwing of inanimate objects. We originally designed it for the handling of dangerous materials as well as heavy lifting, but we believe you can put it to better use. Just surge the gun with more energy to launch the crate.”

Alex did so. The crate rocketed across the scrapyard and smashed into tiny wooden bits against the opposite wall.

Alex chuckled a little bit. “This is neat.” He didn’t care how it worked, just that it worked.

“You can also pull things over from a distance,” Ilia tutored. “All you have to do is make your energy reach out further, and that barrel over there ought to slide towards you.”

Again Alex followed instructions, and again they yielded a favorable result. The barrel found its way over in front of the gun’s claw, and was hovering.

“If you cut off power to the gun,” Ilia continued, “You can just drop the barrel gently.”

Alex released his magical grip on the barrel, and it fell softly to the ground.

“See? You’re getting the hang of this,” Ilia said. “You can stay here and play around with it some more if you like. I have some things inside to take care of.” She went back through the blast doors.

Midna immediately burst from Alex’s shadow, examining the weapon.

“Interesting…” Midna said thoughtfully. “Why don’t we see what we can do with it?”

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Wednesday January 3rd, 2007

//Sheesh, second longest post. I can't believe I was able to read that...\\

The severely wounded lizard was smashed into the ground as the ki blast was shoved into his back. He lay on the floor motionless...

Gorus laughed. "Not bad." He then put his hands together and cracked his knuckles. "Then again, that's not saying too much. They may have been elite, but they're literately nothing compared to me." He stepped closer to Zeros'. "I think I've heard some stories about you. People say you're the leader of this little band. Some call you the Gaian Defenders, or the Romme Avengers."

Gorus then made a bit of a smirk (I guess as much as a lizard could make). "I prefer the Band Of Freaks if you ask me." He looked a bit away from Zeros'. "Demonic half breeds and...humans...I hate every facet." He then looked back towards Zeros'. "Well none of this impresses me! If you want your imp back you're either gonna have to surrender yourself to Emperor Retan, or defeat me in combat!"

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Wednesday January 3rd, 2007

Renard was dizzy from spinning around like that and stopped to rest about in the center of the smashed out room, floating somewhat uneasily. He was almost pelted by the bullets, as he wasn't paying attention to his second opponent, but managed to thrust his claws downward just in time to re summon that translucent half dome. The shrapnel ricocheted wildly across the disheveled inn. By now the innkeeper gave up, and was fleeing the crumbling building for his life.

The floating silver fox recognized this gun touting monster as an orc. Some of them were employed by the Kandarinians, though this one was probably a renegade of some sort. Needing a quick counter, Renard launched the translucent half dome straight at the green man. As it flew downward, it would continue to deflect the bullets and hopefully smash apart his weapon if it connected...

----

Ven and Henri's mouth were agape for a second.

"Sounds like a plan!"

Both recovering their weapons, the two dashed off after the alchemist, who was heading into a gap between the higher rocks. Ven dashed ahead of Allen just as a lizard made himself visible in the way, smacking him across the side of the head with his sword. The lizard stumbled aside just enough the three to slip past, and angrily began pursuing after they did so. By now the other lizards had found their way around the artificially created wall and were perusing at full speed.

Continuing down the jut between rocks, the three soon found themselves running through a very narrow and steep canyon of some sort. On both sides the walls rocketed twenty to thirty feet high, composed of a yellowish rock too steep to climb. There were twists and turns in the crack they scurried through, giving it a maze like quality. Their pursuers weren't visible behind them, but the echoes of their angry hisses and curses resonated through the walls.

Henri seemed distracted as he ran, constantly looking up at the rocks above.

"Allen, if you have it in you, an avalanche might help..."

He turned and looked at the narrow pass they just wedged through...

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Wednesday January 3rd, 2007

Zeros' righted himself and turned, facing Gorus.

"I think I'll take what's behind door number two... I rather don't like surrendering," he said, tapping his sword on his shoulder. His stance shifted and he made a 'come-hither' motion with his fingers.

---

Allen panted, as they ran and then blinked, from Henri's request.

"An avalanche... huh?" he looked up and around and then nodded. He took out his small dagger and began slashing the alchemic circle pattern into the rock face. He finished and resheathed his dagger, closing his eyes. He took a deep breath and placed his hands on the circle.

Immediately, the canon above them started to rumble and then, the sides and walls started to collapse in on themselves, creating a huge avalanche, which, successfully blocked off the three's path. Angry hisses and spitting could be heard from behind the rocks.

Allen groaned and wiped his forehead.

"Damn... My old age is catching up to me..."

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Wednesday January 3rd, 2007

As Scrums sees the translucent half dome flying towards him and he braces himself and puts his weapon in front of him. As the half dome smashes into him his weapon breaks apart and he flies back several feet and lands on the ground grunting in pain as it made contact with him.

The orc gets himself off the ground and sees the pieces of his gun over the ground, he growls and snarls and leers at Renard in rage. "You damned demon lover! Ima gonna rip yur arms out and beat ya ta death with them!" He shouts. He then dashes towards the Velken and dives at him attempting to tackle him onto the ground...

---

Brice walked up towards Duilin, who was sitting nearly out cold against a building. It worked, he usually lets Elliot fight them first, just to lower the enemies expectations.

"You're such a moron. Now let's cool you down for shipment!" Brice said chuckling evilly afterwards. He points his hand towards his downed opponent, and rapidly cooling water energy begins to gather in his hand.

Duilin then suddenly sprung back up on his feet, he swung a kick right at the bounty hunter's hand. Brice was swung back and his energy explodes in his hand freezing it solid. He howls in pain, as the shock from the freeze flies through his hand.

"You're dead!" Brice shouts in rage. With his other hand he swings his fist at Duilin, yet the half demon catches the fist and twists, getting his other hand pretty hurt. The bounty hunter then swings his frozen fist at Duilin, yet it was also caught, yet the force of his other punch was much stronger, straining Duilin's wrist.

With his opponent in a lock, Duilin lifts his feet into the air and begins delivering a series of rapid kicks into Brice's chest. He then lets him goes, swinging a final mightily kick into his torso knocking him to the ground. As his enemy is laying on the ground he swings his hand towards him and begins shooting lightning at him delivering a shock through his body...

-----

"Have it your way." Gorus says. He lifts up the mace which he his holding, and he swings and twirls the weapon. It seems like quite a small weapon, compared to when Duilin used it. Zeros' would most likely recognize the distinct weapon, it might be a good idea to get that back as well, Duilin liked that mace.

Gorus then roared, as he dashed towards Zeros' he then swung the mace at a high speed, on a downward angle upon Zeros'...

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Thursday January 4th, 2007

The Velken simply darted backwards in evasion. Luckily this orc was rather rotund and sluggish. But unfortunately he was beginning to wear out himself...

Renard zipped around the right side of the orc until he was near ground level and at his adversary's back. Holding out his two claws, he forcefully caused them to glow with amber sparks.

"Harrrgh!!"

With a mighty push from the small fox, a sharp stream of electricity shot forth, snaking towards the orc...

----

Ven wiped the sweat from his brow. Henri took the time to lean against the canyon wall, even as the dust still settled, quite out of breath.

"So, what now?" Ven ventured.

"We obviously need to move away from here..." The old king replied.

"Right. Where is here, anyway?"

"Judging by the terrain and that fortress back there, which I believe may be Lizaberg, we're likely smack dab in the middle of the Dark Continent..."

"Great..."

"It's going to be a long trek to get back to the Posidon X, which we left in the shallows on the north eastern coast..."

With that, they began to venture deeper into the twisting canyon. They were down deep enough so that they were constantly covered in shadow, the dark skies not giving any hint as to the direction they were going, although Henri judged they were likely headed north.

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Thursday January 4th, 2007

The orc was stunned by the electrical magic attack. Orcs were not mages in the least bit, however they were resistant to all elements, so the magic attacks weren't too damaging. As he recovered from the electricity he didn't show much wounds.

The place was quite messy and cluttered with derbies. The orc then picked up a plank of wood and then violently chucked the object at Renard.

---

Meanwile the rubble of the building which Rufokanno smashed into was pushed away and the telekinetic tribal elf stood up after moving the derbies off of him. He looked very annoyed.

---

Duilin stopped pumping Brice with lightning. Surprisingly, Brice was not dead, yet he was highly damaged.

"Don't mess me." Duilin boasted. He then walked off towards the remains of the inn.

"Hey! Where do ya think you're goin'!?" Elliot's voice shouted.

Duilin sighed. "Haven't you had enough of me mopping the floor with you? A man can do only so much cleaning." He said turning around to face him.

"This ends here! Only one of us is walkin' away." Elliot twirled his daggers. "You ready!?"

Duilin blinked, as he stared bored at Elliot. He just wouldn't give up. Elliot dashed towards him swinging his daggers about as he reached closer to him. Duilin jumped into the air over the wannabe and landed back on the ground back faced towards his enemy's.

[slowmotion]The two turned around to face each other. Elliot glared at Duilin in rage and dashed once more at him. He jumped in the air and as he was up he threw one his daggers like a dart at Duilin. The half demon caught the weapon, but waited Elliot to land down at him. The young bounty hunter held his single dagger with both hands and lifted it above his head and harshly and crudely swung the dagger downwards reading to stab the dagger right into Duilin's skull. The half demon did the obvious and shifted his body to the side, folding his wings around himself, so they wouldn't get harmed. Elliot's lack of combat skill, was unsurprisingly to be the end of him, as he landed on the ground, he slipped, and due to the speed of his swing he stabbed himself in the liver...[/slowmotion]

Duilin almost felt sad for the pathetic death of the fighter. Elliot's body was laying in a pool of blood.

"Sweet dreams." Duilin said, trying to hold back a little chuckle.

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Friday January 5th, 2007

//Damn! I took two spots on the Top 10 Longest Posts. Neat. Unfortunately, this one isn't as long.\\

Alex chuckled to himself as he picked up another crate with the telekinesis gun and stacked it on top of what appeared to be a tower of boxes.

“You about done?” Midna asked, slightly impatient.

“Gimme just another sec,” Alex said, completing the box tower he had made. He stood back and lit up a fireball. With the launching of the crimson sphere the entire pile of wooden boxes ignited in a bright pyre.

“Impressive,” Midna said, her impatience subsiding a little bit. “Hey, you think you could use that thing as a weapon?”

“I’ve always wanted to throw a crate or a barrel at one of those Kandies,” Alex muttered. He was surprised how easily that amused him.

“Here, I have an idea,” Midna replied, going through the junk pile. She produced a strange metallic sphere that rolled out of her small hands and to Alex’s feet. It made some kind of warbling noise as it did.

“Is that thing alive?” Alex asked, stepping away from it. The strange ball followed him around the junkyard.

“It looks like Kandie technology,” Midna said. “Though usually that kind of stuff hurts people.” She took a closer look at it. “A-ha! I know what this is.”

Alex had climbed on top of a large tank to get away from his metallic follower. “Yeah? Humor me.”

“This is a rollermine. The Kandies use it to flush out infantry. Normally it’s energized and will give a jolt to whatever it rolls into. This one’s apparently not charged up, which is why it didn’t electrocute you.”

“Huh. One of the scientists must’ve fooled around with it or something.” He was forming an idea. Round things are usually good to play catch with…

He stood up and grabbed the mine in his TK gun’s invisible clutches. It warbled in protest as it floated off the ground.

“Hey, Midna!” Alex hollered. “Catch!” He punted the poor rollermine across the yard, it beeping in terror all the way. Midna reacted quickly and used her own telekinetic powers to catch the ball and hold it in her glowing orange hand that seemed to replace her hair.

“So that’s your game, is it? A game of catch? Sounds like fun.” She whirled her hand back and catapulted the grey sphere again across the yard. Rollermines had basic intelligence, but they were smart enough to know when they had become someone’s toy. Alex caught the mine with the gravity gun once again and punted it back. This cycle repeated for some time until something caught Alex’s attention, and the mine knocked him on his chest, sending him falling unceremoniously off his perch on top of the tank and onto the ground. His heavy body landed with a THUNK.

Midna giggled a little bit. “What’s wrong, Alex? Can’t keep your eye on the ball?”

He got up and picked the gun back up. The mine rolled over to him and appeared to emit a warbling laugh.

“Oh, ha-ha,” he grumbled as he delivered a swift kick to the rollermine, sending it careening across the yard and back into the receptacle Midna had found it in.

“Alex?” Ilia called as she came back through the blast doors. “Alex, dear, are you out here?”

“Crap, hide!” he whispered to Midna. The imp took refuge behind a stack of barrels.

“Alex, I was just going through some things and--”

She saw the smoldering stack of ash that was a few boxes minutes ago.

“My goodness, Alex. I had no idea you were such a…firebug.”

“What can I say? It was fun.”

“Alex, I can see you like that device. Would you like to keep it?”

“Err…what about the other scientists? I don’t think they’d like that. Besides, didn’t you say this thing was experimental?”

“Now, now, sweetie. There’s no need to worry. The other scientists are well aware of your prowess with weaponry. They, as well as myself know that you could put it to good use.”

Alex was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable again. Though it was obvious to him that she was trying to flirt with him, he tried to not make that apparent. Thankfully, his full-face helmet prevented anyone from seeing his blushing face.

“Don’t you ever take that suit off?”

“Not really, always gotta be ready for combat.”

“But Alex, you’re on R & R! Why let the constraints of military duty interfere with your leisure? Surely it must be stuffy in that old suit. Wouldn’t you at least like some fresh air, why not remove the helmet?”

“Um, I’m okay for now, thanks. I-I have no p-problems with recycled air…”

“Nonsense. A breath of fresh air will do anyone a world of good. Now please, Alex? Take off the helmet? For me?”

Now he was DEFINITELY sure she was flirting. He didn’t want to seem too obliging. What would Midna think? He heaved a sigh. “Fine.” With a hiss of air, he removed his helmet and let it clatter on the ground. Underneath was a human being, his hair matted down.

“Now, isn’t that refreshing?” She said in a heavenly voice.

“Err, I think I hear Dr. Kleiner calling me…” he approached the airlock, only to be cut off.

“Oh, please Alex!” she begged. “Please stay and chat…”

Damn, she was good. Alex now began to feel bad for thinking of deserting the gorgeous scientist.

Midna watched from behind the barrels, not seeming to be too worried about what Ilia’s motives might be.

Luckily, Ilia seemed to only be interested in asking Alex where he came from, how he got here, and so on. Satisfied, she again left the scrapyard, leaving the unmasked rebel.

Dr. Kleiner was heard coming through the airlock.

“Alex?” he asked in his elderly voice. “Are you finished out here? It’s getting late.”

Midna became his shadow one again. As Izzy came out, he saw Alex using the gravity gun to levitate a box.

“Hey there, Izzy.” Alex said in a casual tone. “What’s up?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Where you doing something? I hope I didn’t interrupt.”

“No, not at all,” Alex lied. “I was just finishing up here. I’ll come back in now.”

The two returned to the airlock, as the cycle scanned the two.

“Well, well, Alex! It would seem our colleague, Ilia, seems to think highly of you.”

“You don’t need to tell me twice,” Alex replied. “I think she likes me.”

“More than that, you lucky old chap. It would appear she might be smitten.”

“I wouldn’t go as far as to say that…” He almost told Izzy he was spoken for, but restrained himself.

“Nonsense, Alex. You’re a likable person, even with the ladies. Ah, the cycle’s complete.”

The two returned to the common area in the lab. As they did, Dr. Fenix walked up to him.

“I hope you know what you’re doing with that,” he said in his gruff voice. “The Psychokinetic Energy Field Manipulator is no toy. It can be a very dangerous weapon if in the right hands.”

“Don’t worry, Doc. I’ll be careful with it.”

The ground shook violently.

“What was that?” Ilia said in a nervous, but still charming, voice.

“Ah, shit!” Fenix growled. “The Kandies must be passing through here.”

“Alex, you can’t stay here,” Dr. Vance said. “You can take that tunnel down there to reach the Mining District. No one goes there anymore.”

“Why not?” Alex asked.

“Immediately after the resonance cascade, a large amount of headcrabs were released into the town. From what we know, there were no survivors. There might still be some crabs there, so I’d watch out if I were you.”

“Noted,” Alex replied.

The ground shook once more.

“Dammit, Alex! Get out of here before they find us! We can handle ourselves!” Fenix hollered.

As Alex made his way to the tunnel, Ilia stopped him.

“Alex?” She asked in her sweet, alluring voice. “Be careful.”

“Don’t worry,” Alex said. “I haven’t met a crab yet I couldn’t crack.”

As he walked through the dank tunnel, Midna emerged.

“What’s with her?” Midna asked. “You save her, and get to know her for five minutes and suddenly she likes you.”

“Must just be her,” Alex muttered indifferently.

“I just wish I had the guts to be that open,” she said to herself, under Alex’s level of hearing.

As she thought about her feelings for Alex, the two continued into the dark tunnel.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Friday January 5th, 2007

Huh? Why didn't it work? He put so much effort into that last attack... Blast it! If only he had gotten that rest he so needed. Renard was really feeling drained at this point...

So it came as no surprise that he got hit with the sudden plank of wood turned projectile, the blunt object striking his bandaged left arm.

"OWWW!!"

Not there!! Blast it! He floated backwards, his feet landing on the ground as he clutched his left arm, snarling. He then extended his right claw as it began to glow with a crimson hue. This one has to work...

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Friday January 5th, 2007

Zeros' grinned. Finally... Maybe he would be smarter then his lackeys. His sword was brought up in an instant, locking his sword with the orcs mace. He noted what mace he was using and silently told himself to return it to Duilin.

While his sword kept the mace steady, his other hand curling into a fist, launching a high-speed punch at Gorus' livers.

---

Allen nodded. He looked around and wiped his brow. He followed the two and stuck to the shadows as well. He was becoming exhausted from the constant, big-scale alchemy.

---

Posted by: Coriko on Friday January 5th, 2007

"So Jayce what excatly do you do here." Druid walked around Jayce and looked at the camp. It was small with a lot of lizard men. They looked very unfriendly. Oh well he would handle it if someone tried something violent. Druid turned back to the party of spectators. "You may want to introduce me to everyone."

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Friday January 5th, 2007

//Gorus is not an orc, Zeros'. He's a lizard man.\\

Gorus lifted his weapon and jumped backwards avoiding the comparatively small fist coming towards him. He didn't even find the need to avoid it, but why hold back?

The Lizard High General, arched back the mace and then smashed it forward, blocking the hit would probably deliver quite a shock wave of pain through the weapon, due to the massive force of the swing.

------

Scrums looked at Renard oddly. "Crazy, magic! Go ahead, gimme your best shot, ya weakling! It's free!" He then spread his arms out, and looked at the Velken mockingly...

---

Brice then sprung back up from the ground. "You're gonna pay for killing him, you little freak!" He growled in rage.

"Hey, he messed up, it was his own fault. Really, I didn't do anything..." He then lowered his eyes. "Wait, I don't need to defend myself to do. Bring it on punk!"

They dashed towards each other, Brice swung a fist full of ice magic at Duilin, the punch was blocked by Duilin pressing his hands together and quickly creating a small shield bubble.

Brice then swung a kick across Duilin's torso, striking him. The half demon stepped back and shot forth a small bolt of lightning, pushing Brice back a few feet...

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Saturday January 6th, 2007

The nerve! Renard clenched his right fist tightly as he brought it closer to his chest, the red hue glowing more fiercely, indicating an increased influx of magic. If this guy wants it so badly…

Suddenly he thrust his right arm forward, extending two claw like fingers. Rather than a wide blast of flame, the Velken sent forth a thin concentrated beam of crimson energy a mere inch in diameter. The piercing laser sliced the air, raging toward the orc’s prone chest…

After loosing the attack though, Renard's knees felt very weak. He crumbled to the floor in a crash, totally exhausted...

----

The trio continued on through the winding canyons, going deeper and deeper into the dead rocky terrain. Canyons were carved by water of course, but there was no sign of it anywhere, save for the dry river rocks crunching at their feet.

“I’m sorry, but might we rest a bit?” Henri finally called out. The old king was looking tired.

Ven turned around. Being much younger than the other two he of course had recovered much more quickly from the run, but he realized the older king and alchemist very much needed a break, judging by their tired glances.

“Of course.”

There was no immediate threat from the lizards and there were plenty of flat stones to sit down upon, which Henri quickly took advantage of.

Ven’s survival instincts kicked in. There was a fair chance they would have to spend the night out in the wilderness, possibly in these very canyons. He started to pace around, looking for signs of something to hunt for food possibly, keeping his liege in his sight at all times of course. Alas, there was no sign of life anywhere. Not even any dead shrubs to use for firewood. Of course, building a fire probably wouldn’t have been a good idea anyway. Not in such close proximity of a Dark Empire fortress, at least.

Ven rested his right gauntlet upon the monolithic stone that was the canyon’s wall, glancing back upon Henri, Allen, and the path from whence they came. He pressed his weight against the stone, relaxing for a bit, when it suddenly gave way. Startled, the knight pulled back. The stone where he had placed his hand receded back into the rock in a perfect square with sides of a foot and a half. Years of yellow dirt fell from the cracks of the stone, revealing symbols hieroglyphic in nature along with intricate circular patterns and such. Ven wiped a bit more of the dirt off to get a better look.

“Uh, guys? You might want to take of look at this…”

(Do feel free to take this in any direction you want. I’m sort of running out of ideas here. Heh…)

----

The burly Jayce smiled a sinister grin, falling in step with Druid, touring the camp.

“As I mentioned, I’m putting together a small group of elites to gauge the defenses and ultimate usefulness of lands. Your duties will mostly involve mindless destruction…”

He stopped, resting his hands on his belt.

“Melface, show him.”

Melface didn’t come walking or appear in a puff of smoke or anything. He was just there. Standing to Druid’s left as if he always was. What looked like a sliver haired twelve year old boy stepped in front of Druid, bowling lowly and holding out his arm.

“A pleasure to have you aboard, Sir Druid.” The boy spoke in an incredibly low but refined voice. When he looked up again his eyes flashed red and he smiled through fanged teeth. His robe was an off white, or a very dull yellow perhaps.

“Melface, Nightmare Demon from the dark land of Thanatos, servant of Iban. Mortals call my homeland ‘Hell’, but I assure you, the weather is actually quite pleasant this time of year.”

He turned, flipping his cloak in a flourish. There were some gold coins in his hand which his quickly pocketed. The demon child then extended his now free hand out towards the open space before which the three stood. A sort of translucent map materialized in the space there, displaying a large green island.

Jayce explained. “This is the land of Rygar, upon which we stand, well off of the southwestern coast of the Dark Continent. The government here has not submitted to our… messengers, and has been flagged as an enemy. I am here to decide if there is anything to be gained by pillaging its resources, or possibly enslaving the populace… or if it they should be totally annihilated…”

The map fizzled away as Jayce folded his arms.

“Though I’m personally leaning towards the latter. We’ve wiped out three pathetic villages already and found nothing of interest. We will be staging a foray into what appears to be their capital next. Then I will make my decision…”

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Saturday January 6th, 2007

Instead of parrying the mace like his last attempt, he dodged to the lizardman's right side. Then, he ducked behind him, his slimmer body being much more agile then the lizardman's larger form. He grinned and feinted a blow towards the lizards left side before immediately ghosting towards the right, stabbing towards the lizards exposed side.

---

Allen nodded and rested on a rock for a few moments, wiping his brow. Then, he heard Ven's statement and stood, streaching and walked over towards the much younger man. He peered down at the symbols and frowned.

"Hmm... I can't ready any of these... It's way too dark outside, but... I've seen similiar figures somewhere else..."

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Sunday January 7th, 2007

Gorus was actually pretty agile for a lizard man, his build was far more human like then the normal lizardman. He slid himself back completely avoiding the first strike. However Zeros' ghostly move was too fast for him to avoid.

The cut wasn't very deep. Other then a small grunt of pain he didn't show much. He still didn't like getting hit. The mighty beast then swung his spiky boot across, whether it hit or not he then quickly smashed down the mace on to his enemy.

------

Scrum's eyebrows raised, as he saw the oncoming projectile. The crimson blast was direct and the orc was blown to the ground...

//Too tired to update others. Maybe tomorrow.\\

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Sunday January 7th, 2007

Renard was spent. He drifted off into blissful unconsciousness for a while. In his dreams, he heard voices. Familiar, comforting voices… He felt himself being scooped up off of the cold ground, warm claws gripping him in stark contrast to the callous rubble he passed out upon. He blearily forced his eyes open, blinking as that gray, black, and, white visage came into focus.

Virmir was a hardened Velken warrior but his hazel slitted eyes were deep windows to his soul, displaying a tender kindness towards his fallen student.

“Renard. Welcome back. You gave us quite the scare…”

Renard would have hugged his master if he could have moved. The faces of the other Velkens hovered over their comrade. His squad, his friends…

Virmir handed the limp body over to two blade knights, who took their comrade with the utmost care.

“Everything’s going to be all right now…” Virmir whispered quietly…

The High General spun on his heels, the vulpine mages and knights parted out of the way, forming a clear path to that felled thing on the other side of the torn up building… The Wind Serpent was out in a flash, an invisible stream of air cycling an inch around the obscenely long thing blade. The kindness in Virmir’s eyes was gone, replaced by an icy detachment…

The silver fox simply walked towards his prey, that hateful orc, his tail flicking to and fro…

(Is he dead? Can I kill him? Hehehehe…)

----

“Really? Can you remember where?” Henri seemed intrigued.

Ven began to wipe more of the layers of sand from the edifice, revealing more of the odd shaped circles and runes. Blast it, if he had some dead branch or something, he could make a torch by casting fire on it.

Henri was a step ahead though. A small white orb appeared in his hands, casting illumination upon the runes. More shapes were revealed, including circles that seemed alchemic in nature, through the king was no professional in the subject.

----

(Chapter 11 ends in 3 days, unless there are objections. Kind of burned out myself. The break will be short, though.)

---

Posted by: Dark Spartan on Monday January 8th, 2007

//I don't have any objections, but I'm gonna wrap things up in this post. School starts tomorrow and my computer's having a little bit of trouble with its sound card and stuff. I might as well finish things up. I just wanna know how long the time lapse will be between chapters?\\

“Why do you think they don’t go to the Mining District anymore?” Midna asked.

“Beats me. All I know is that I could really use some hot food,” Alex said, his stomach protesting.

“Kind of bad timing,” Midna replied, “Considering you had a chance to get food back there.”

“Don’t remind me,” Alex grumbled, forcing himself to press on. “Izzy said that the mining district was infested with headcrabs.”

“Yeah, and?”

“I’ve never had to fight one before. I don’t know how they attack.”

“Headcrabs try to leap at someone’s head and take control. Once they do, the victim is turned into a shambling zombie.”

“Nice,” Alex quavered. He climbed up a ladder and kicked down a door. He was once again on the surface, the full moon illuminating the streets in a ghostly bluish glow. As Alex continued walking, his footsteps echoed hard against the cobblestones of the street. The gaslights had long since burned out. Alex stopped for a moment as he saw something speed across the roofs, leaping with incredible speed and height. It emitted a heart-chilling howl as it did.

“Did you see that?” Midna said, herself a little worried.

“Yeah,” Alex sighed. “I did. Kinda wish I hadn’t.”

The two kept going. Soon corpses littered the streets, some half-eaten. One in particular caught his attention.

“What…is THAT?” Alex said, shocked at the state of the corpse.

The corpse was indeed human, with a headcrab resting over the victim’s head. His clothing was violently bloody, as if he had lost most of his blood already. His hands were elongated and bony claws. Down the middle of his torso was the most disturbing feature. From neck to groin an opening was present in the chest and abdominal cavities, cracked ribs protruding and internal organs clearly visible.

“Oh no…” Midna despaired. “This is a zombie.”

“Wha?”

“The victim of a headcrab attack. When the crab takes control, it horribly mutates the victim into a form it can use for combat. Judging by the blood, I’d say this man’s a fresh victim.

The zombie began to stir. With clumsy coordination he soon found himself back on two legs, approaching Alex.

Though that was not what made Alex’s gut churn.

Underneath the headcrab Alex thought he heard the cries and screams of the poor man, begging and crying for help.

“Alex…there’s nothing you can do. The best thing to do is to put him out of his misery.”

Reluctantly Alex leveled his rifle and pumped a shot into the zombified man. The body flew back and slammed against the wall, while the headcrab popped off and approached Alex.

Confronted with an alien creature, Alex waited for the crab to attack. With a high-pitched shriek the crab leapt off the ground toward Alex’s head. Alex caught it in mid-jump and held it by its two front legs. With a grunt he hurled the headcrab against the opposite wall, it falling limp as it let out one last death cry.

“….Nice….” Alex muttered, wiping the blood off his visor.

“Okay, that’s quite disgusting,” Midna protested. “Let’s just get through here as quick as we can.”

“Why the rush?” Alex quipped. “These things aren’t exactly a threat. We might as well see what’s here.”

“I don’t see it,” Midna replied. “This place hasn’t been inhabited for at least a year. Last contact I heard from this place was one survivor who had escaped the headcrab attack. He told us that the rest of the town had become zombified. Then he went BACK into the district!”

“Why?” Alex asked, perplexed.

“How should I know, he was a religious nut. Though he did have a shotgun with him when he came to us.”

“Who was he?”

“I think he said his name was Grigori.”

Alex heard the same howling sound he had before, this time behind him.

“BEHIND YOU, BROTHER!” A gruff voice shouted, followed by a shotgun blast. As Alex turned around, he saw a zombie on the ground. This one was different.

It had been stripped of almost all of its flesh as well as internal organs, exposing the skeleton within as well as muscular tissue. The head was nothing more than a skull. The headcrab on the ground next to it was leaner than the standard kind, lacking the beak that normal and poison headcrabs had. However, it did have long spindly legs with sharp claws at the end. Perhaps, Alex thought, that was how it gained control.

Alex turned back to where he had heard the voice. On a balcony above stood a bald man of at least fifty, wearing a ragged jacket and pants. He wore a religious symbol around his neck.

“Ah, what is this?” He asked. “Another life to save? I will keep my eye on you, more than that, I cannot promise!” He went back inside, chuckling in an almost insane manner as he did.

Alex turned back to Midna. “Was that the--?”

“Yeah, that’s him. Father Grigori he calls himself. When he came to us for help, he wasn’t this insane, but he was well on his way.”

“Wait, so you KNEW he was cracked?”

“Yeah, and because of that, we didn’t render aid to the Mining District. Seems it was in our error.”

“I’ll say,” Alex grumbled.

“So what now?” Midna asked.

“Well, he might know the way out of this place. I say we follow him.”

“You sure? He seems a little off-kilter.”

“Okay, think about it for a moment. Wade waist-deep through zombies, or ask the psycho with the shotgun for help.”

“You raise a good point. We’ll follow him.”

And so they did. Though the buildings in the district were tightly packed, making most zombie encounters unavoidable. Soon they came to a large graveyard.

“We should be safe here,” Alex said, taking cover behind a tombstone.

“Clearly. What zombie would set foot in a graveyard?” Midna retorted.

Before long, legions of shambling mutants were soon approaching the rebel and imp. More than outnumbered, Alex began blindly firing into the group. In a cascade of body parts and fire, the zombie numbers began to fall.

“I’m surprised this is actually working,” Midna said, taking cover.

“Of course! Why wouldn’t it?”

Fast zombies were why it wouldn’t. With the fifty or so zombies that made up the first wave dead, a group of the terrifyingly fast skeletal monsters dashed towards Alex at a disturbingly fast gait.

“Fear not, brother! I have come to save thee!” Father Grigori kicked down a door and began firing at the lean zombies, delivering a shell into each head. Finally, the undead hordes were laid to rest.

“So you are the one I have heard so much about!” Grigori chuckled. “As you can see, my congregation has grown rather unruly! I am sure you are wishing for a way out of this unholy place?”

“That would be nice,” Alex replied.

“My apologies, brother, but the only escape is through the mines! I myself have not ventured in there, though you seem more than capable of laying the dead back to rest.”

“That’s all right,” Alex said. “Any help at this point is good.”

“I will show you to the mines, but it is here I must stay. The shepherd must tend to his, err, flock!” He chuckled again.

The shotgun-toting monk wasted no time leading Alex to the entry to the mines.

“It is here that I must bid farewell to you, brother! I wish you luck in the mines ahead!” As he waved to Alex, a final horde of zombies converged on him. He turned around and began firing, knocking one lit gaslight to the ground, surrounding him in flame, laughing insanely all the way. Forcing himself to look away, Alex looked down the dark shaft leading to the Asgarnian mines.

“Alex…” Midna scolded. “I hope you’re not thinking what I think your thinking.”

“What?” Alex said. “Unless what I’m thinking is jumping down into the shaft, and landing in the deep pool of water below…”

“Exactly!” she cried. “I won’t let you.”

“If you see another way down, be my guest. I myself can’t float.”

Midna sighed. “Fine.”

Alex positioned himself on the ledge, and looked down. He could see water in the bottom, but he had no way of gauging how deep it was. “I got it. How about you go down and tell me how deep it is?”

“It’s better than you taking a chance.” Midna drifted down into the tunnel and hovered above the water. The pool was about ten or so feet deep, just barely enough to cushion Alex’s fifty-foot plunge.

“Go right ahead,” she called back up.

Alex strapped his rifle onto his back, and stepped into thin air. He plunged like a lead weight into the water below, and splashed down. His splash echoed throughout the cavern as his picked himself up on the side of the pool.

“Well…” Alex said. “That was fun.”

“He said that we wouldn’t have to go far into the mines to find a way out. He told us that one of the catwalks leads to a ladder that would get us back up to Asgarnia proper. Question is, how do we find it? It’s pitch black down here.”

“Don’t worry,” Midna said, holding her hand up and casting a strange spell. A bluish sphere appeared in her head-hand, casting the cavern in a soft blue glow. “I’ll light the way.”

Unfortunately the mines were just as infested as the town itself, sans zombies. All that was down here were headcrabs, all three flavors. Normal, fast, and poison. Defeating them wasn’t too much of a problem, but their numbers were. The normal kind, without speed or poison, were merely a nuisance. The fast ones, Alex had to chase down and kill, and the poison ones he tried to avoid completely. At the end of the tunnel the moonlight cast down from a large opening where mining carts were rolled through.

“Finally, out of there!” Alex said, taking off his helmet in relief. He turned back to Midna. “Now we just need to get back to Rebel HQ and see if the Kandies found them out. Hopefully not.

As the two made their way through the wrecked streets, one wayward poison headcrab from the mines stalked Alex.

“Oh, hang on, gimme a moment,” Alex said, as he checked his gun. “There we go.”

The stop had given the crab enough time to reach Alex. It emitted the spine-chilling hiss that Otis made those eighteen months ago when he stalked that bird.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t Otis.

With an ear-piercing scream the headcrab launched forward and clamped down on Alex’s exposed neck, injecting massive amounts of the deadly toxins into his bloodstream.

“Alex!” Midna cried as she pried the crab off and zapped it with a fireball to ensure its death. Alex had lost his footing and slumped to the ground.

He moaned as Midna examined the clear bite marks on his neck. While the poison was rarely fatal, it would seriously inhibit Alex’s health. If a Kandie found him in this state, he would be as good as dead. The neurotoxin immediately brought Alex’s body functions down to bare minimum, the absolute least exertion he would need to stay alive. In this state, his was immobile, weak, and incoherent. Midna drifted down to his side and embraced his cold metal body.

“Don’t worry, Alex. I’ll find a way to help you, I promise. I won’t let you die. Not after all you’ve done for me. Not after all you’ve worked for. We made a promise to defeat Damien, and we will. Together. Alex…”

She paused for a moment as a tear sprinkled in her exposed eye.

“I love you…”

//End Chapter 11 for Alex and Midna.\\

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Monday January 8th, 2007

//I'm not too sure about 3 days. I don't know how long the fight between Gorus and Zeros' will take. Can we wait until the fight is done?\\

Scrums got back up, he spotted the Velken with the long Wind Serpent sword. "What da hell is this!?" He orc sneered. "More a you freaks!? I'll teachya a few things!"

The orc picked up another plank. "I may not have my gun. But I can swing this pretty hard. I once killed a draken wit my bare hands ya know!" He boasted. (Which was obviously a huge lie).

He dashed towards Virmir. "Chew on 'dis scumsucker!" As he reached closer towards the Velken he clutched the plank with both hands and smashed it down towards his head, hopping to crush his skull...

//Yeah, go ahead kill him. By the way, did you get Wind Serpent from FF3? I recently got the game for the DS and I noticed a sword of the same name in it.\\

---

"Time to finish you off!" Brice yelled. "If I have to kill you, by the name of Gaian I damn well will!"

"I thought Vandrin wanted me alive? You gonna risk loosing the money." Duilin snickered back.

Brice growled. "It'll be more then enough of a reward posting your ugly demon head on pole outside my house! I'd serve you right, for what you do in your little hell pot, you demonic son of a bitch!"

Duilin glared at Brice. "Don't you dare say that." He clutched his fists and fire began to swirl around his locked hand.

Brice spat. "Or what? You're just a stupid manipulative demon. A weak demon at that!"

Duilin roared and then shot forth his hands and they began to spew flame out like a flamethrower. As the flame flowed the hue of it became a darker orange, almost brown.

Brice smirked and did a similar technique, but shot high pressured water to fend back the flame. "Heheheh..."

---

Posted by: Zeros' on Monday January 8th, 2007

Even with his uber fast movement, Zeros' wouldn't be able to completely dodge the attacks at such short range, especially with how small this room was. Instead, he twisted and dodged the spiked boot.

Instead, he reached up with his hand and grabbed the mace, by the large ball. He winced, feeling the spikes drive into his hand, but he didn't let go. He sheathed his sword and quickly reached up to the mace, grabbing the shaft near the head, grasping the mace in both hands.

He started to push against the lizardman with both of his hands, putting his demonic strength behind the weight of his body. He felt warm drops of blood starting to trickle down his hand, but he ignored them, focusing his strength in overpowering the lizardman.

---

Allen nodded and started to examine the symbols closed, adjusting his glasses. He rubbed his hands over the symbols and frowned.

"This is... some kind of opening key..." he murmured, placing both of his aged hands on the symbols. He concentrated on the symbols, trying to siphon his power into them. He symbols started to glow softly and he could swear he heard something moving nearby...

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Tuesday January 9th, 2007

(I was going to do the standard one night break storywise, but there doesn't have to be any time lapse at all. In fact, it'll probably be better that way. Let's start 12 as a night chapter.

I thought up the Wind Serpent myself, but I was going for a Final Fantasy-ish name. So I guess I got it. (Heh...))

----

Virmir flicked his wrist up, sending the long blade diagonally to his left. Even with the insidious length of the sword, it seemed to be a miss because the orc was too far away. But then the orc dropped the vile plank of wood in mid stride, both his hands cut cleanly off... It was the very air that sliced his hands, the invisible stream sent forth from the blade...

It took the orc an instant to realize what had happened, but it didn't matter, for the Velken's next move was a vertical slice downwards. Scrums managed a few steps forward, then fell in half. The two pieces falling left and right... But that was not enough. An act of indignation, the silver fox's final motion was a horizontal slash, so forceful that a massive gust of wind burst forth seemingly out of nowhere. The broken orc was slammed through the far wall, which was torn apart itself from the violent blast of air The frail inn could take no more and began to collapse upon the Velkens...

All of them shot out at once through the opening in the roof and into the black night sky with the injured Renard in tow. They congregated above the building, watching it crumble as it billowed great plumes of smoke...

----

There in fact was a rumbling. A very deep one, that shook the very ground, growing louder and louder... Far to the right the rocks seemed to move, collapsing inward and sideways. It was a massive door, some fifteen feet high, built into the canyon side...

Henri watched in rapt fascination.

"My word..."

He wondered over to it, holding out the light in his hands. The darkness was impenetrable, the light only revealing that it was a deep tunnel of some sort.

"My liege, I don't think you should..."

"Come now, Ven, have you no sense of adventure?"

Ven's eyes widened.

"Adventure? Well, I, uh, I mean, we've been doing quite the bit of adventuring already..."

Blast it. Him and his big mouth. Really, they needed to get back, and now he's gone and distracted his liege. It was of course impossible to turn the king's attention back once he stumbles on something remotely magical and/or mysterious.

"I don't know. Allen, what do you think?" Henri asked as he turned to the alchemist with a slightly mischievous smile.

(Chapter 11 ends tomorrow. Unless Zeros' and Dude Man want to keep at it. I need a break though. Heh...)

---

Posted by: Dude Man on Tuesday January 9th, 2007

//Well, maybe we could end it. I mean tons of shows have a To be continued... right in the middle of a fight. I suppose if Zeros' is cool with it then yeah. I just don't want Gorus to be knocked out so quickly. Or maybe Zeros' could escape.

And Zeros' if you saw the picture on Duilin's DALpedia page, you'd notice the mace isn't the typical ball with spikes. It has a sort of blade thing going on (one of those maces) but I suppose the same effect would happen, if he grabbed on.\\

Gorus was surprised by the small being's sudden strength. The sudden burst of strength from the noble half demon pushed the mace right from his hand. The weapon hit the floor and slid across the room, a couple of lizardmen backed away as the weapon neared them, bumping into the wall.

Gorus jumped back, so he was a couple yards away from Zeros'. The weapon was out of his reach, and going to pick it up would leave him open for an attack, luckily he had his grappling blaster. The lizard general took the grappling hook off his belt.
All of the lizard warriors backed up right to the wall or left the room, he was really dangerous with that thing. The head of the hook had four prongs at the end, Gorus held it under the prongs, and lightly pulled the trigger of the blaster, and reeled it out, until there was a good four feet of chain. He let go of the head and then spun the chain around, like a flail.

"Okay, now put up a real fight." Gorus snarled. "I want to start trying now..."

The lizardman then swooped the hook over his head and then slid forward towards Zeros' and swung the hook with strong force downwards at his foe...

------

Brice was winning the magic force blast contest...

"You're out of your element demon!" Brice sneered. "You're super flame is no match for my water attacks!"

"I can't believe how stupid you are." Duilin laughed. "I guess my previous shock messed up your brain."

"What?"

"Unlike you, I took my time mastering two elements. Fire and Air, which includes lightning!" //Cheesy lines FTW!\\

Duilin then jumped up and arched himself on an angle, keeping his force pushing back on the water blasts. From his readied hands he shot bright yellow lightning blasts with full force pushing through the water blasts and right to Brice...

As any magic user would know, water and ice mages are weak against lightning attacks. Since Brice was already weakened by Duilin's previous dose, he couldn't handle Duilin's second stronger blast.

Brice shuddered like a jackhammer as the lightning flowed through his body, just as Duilin stopped. His smoking body fell to the ground lifeless...

---

Rufokanno had recovered from his little crash landing in his fight with Renard, he stood on the top of a tall building to get an over view of the combat against Duilin and Renard. He got up just in time to see the violent death of his allies, Scrums and Brice...Revenge will soon be his...

---

Posted by: Burton_projects on Tuesday January 9th, 2007

Drew left the pub in a hurry. His hair blew as a small gust came. As he walked through the town people stared at his insignia. Everyone in the town knew what luna was and most where part of it. He knocked on a house casualy. *knock* "..." *knock* "..." "..." *knock* The door opened slowly creaking with every inch. He strolled in and the door closed behind him. A lantern lit and banished the shadows in his path. He walked up a spiral staircase. There was the sound of chatter above Drew. As he rose into the attic it became silent. It was time for a meeting.

"So, why did you call us here, Drew?"

"No special reason..."

"What!?"

"This may seem crazy but I think its time we take a side in this war." The crowd talked amongst themselves.

---

Posted by: Xorlak on Wednesday January 10th, 2007

The dark robed man spat the stew out as if it were poison.

"Bah! This is perhaps the worst food I've ever consumed."

The waitress was visibly annoyed.

"Worse than the other three you sent back?"

"It's even cold!"

"Here, I'll set it over the fire."

The black cowled man waved his hand as if he were swatting an insect.

"Pah, screw it. Go away."

She left to tend the other customers, rather indignantly.

The man grabbed the side of the bowl, and the stewy contents suddenly began to steam and bubble. He took another taste. Edible now, at least.

Draven of course did not belong with the commoners, eating their wretched food. But it would be a temporary sacrifice. For his time would come once again...

To be continued...