NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Thank's Tarlachia and all who is supporting Alexander :D

Maximus stood outside the doorway from which he had come.

Troubling thoughts plagued him mind. Alexander had given him the Upir, the one weapon of the Hyraphore that its members never gave up.........unless they died or were about to.

"No......he can't be...I've got to get everyone together, we've got to stop Kain from murdering Alexander! Don't worry Alexander, I will do my best to keep you alive..."

Beckoning the nurse, Ruby, to follow, he led the way back downstairs. He commanded her to find someplace safe to stay until the event was over.

Maximus jumped onto a nearby table, a look of determination in his eyes.

"LISTEN UP EVERYONE!" he yelled to the room full of contestants, waiting until all talking had stopped before continuing. "We've got ourselves a major problem. A murder is about to be committed, as we all know. This is only a competition to win the Lady's favor, but we do not need to resort to killing. Therefore, I implore all of you to join me to convince Kain to calm down!"

Maximus drew Glamdring once again, his eyes ablaze. He would be damned if he let Alexander die helplessly. Kain must be stopped...

As the crowd muttered amongst themselves, Maximus could sense the massive dark magic growing in the next room. Time was running short, Kain was about to strike.

"Who's with me??!!"

"I help. Dis guyn tu farr. Zer shudnd bee kyling heer."

"To quote the Book of War: 'There is no honor in combat. Those who think there is only give their less honorable oponents an advantage.' But honor is irrelevant in this matter. I am a techneurgist, not a thaumurgist, so what exactly do you propose I do to stop a vaporous demon?"

OOC: What the heck is a techneugist or thaumurgist?? Is is a sort of mage or something?

Nice quote from the Book of War. 8)

IC:
"By whatever means you think necessary." was Maximus's reply.

The darkened mist with inner blue bolts of lightning lashing out at nothing came to a dramatic conclusion. Like a mighty whirlpool it swirled around, being drawing into the epicenter with alarming speed. The crackles of the bright blue bolts increased in rate of thier discharge, raw blasts of magic being born and dying before them.

It became condensed, spiraling upwards. It became a rising pillar, one which held eyes.... Kain's brown eyes bore the memories of pain and torment, and simple obligation. More of a resigned yet adamant look.

This nightmare mist brewed for some time, and then crackled into life, the darkness manifesting into physical form. And such a form was terrible.

It was Kain, fully prepared for war.

It was a sight few saw. Indeed, he had only worn this outfit once, and that was when he invaded Velmora himself to "save" it as such. Jarrid saw this before his death...

He wore dark black plate mail, which had tinges of red within it. It had a taint of a demonic nature about it...small eyes within it if one looked hard enough. All of those eyes seemed to follow you...

He wore this darkened plate mail all the way down, it was constructed of a rare metal from another plane, one which the demon within the Brightblade helped him to obtain. It went all around his body, he even had special gauntlets and shoes for his talons. He did not need to add any runes to it, it already had enough...those eyes would serve him far better than any rune that he could enchant the palte with. Those eyes went all along the plate mail...

Kain wore in stark contrast to the shadowy cloak, a massive white cloak which dominated behind him. It was crisp and seemed to completely counter balance the nature of the armour. Indeed, Kain thought it would not be possible to use such a item in combination, but due to the Demon's and Kain's unique relationship, such a combiantion was possible.

The cloak had goldern runes upon them, which seemed to have a light of thier own. They lapped around Kain's feet, all around the border of the cloak where these runes which were Kain's own design and creation. A product of his teaching during the War...War in Velmora against Xzar...a past object.

Kain had within his left hand, a long golden staff, one which again had the same runes upon it. On the top of it was a blue crystal which glowed softly, giving a warm light. It tudded with a light ring upon the floor as Kain walked. In his other hand....

The Brightblade.

It seemed simple. A strange and exotic design, a wave like blade which curve. Totally of silver, and with a skull hilt...which within those sunken eye sockets breathed terrible life. Those burning eyes...

Kain had it upon his shoulder, the siver blade giving not shine from it. It's presnace could be felt...the fear....that terrible mind numbing fear.

Kain walked slowly forward, only the ruffle of that pearl white cloak and the tapping of his golden staff came from him. Kain's brown eyes, both of them there now, although the left one still had a cloudy quality to them as they slwoly healed with the benifit of his own natural healing and his staff's enchantments, those eyes behind his hellish helmet looked for Alexander. He knew where he was. He headed towards him....yet he found he would be stopped by the other guests. Yet Kain was totally calm. Kain's white long strwemaing hair was out against his cloak, shining a slight sliver in the light of the runes.

Kain continued towards Alexander.

Who would attempt to stop this armoured figure?

"Yu nead too kalm doun." said graazz. "Yoo ar heelyng, yess?"

-That one is overcome by rage.- sounded Shadowfang's voice in the back of Kazar-Tiyon's head. -He is calm, but it is the calm of one determined to get vengeance. If he recovers, he will almost certainly oppose your plans. As he is now, he is part of what you vowed to destroy at any cost. Someday you will probably have to fight him, and there will never be a better time than now.-

-You are right; if I can fight him without attacking, I will do so.-

Without saying a word, Kazar-Tiyon strode over to the stairs to block Kain's path. He drew Shadowfang. The sword's dark gray blade did not shine at all; the back of the weapon had fierce-looking, saw like teeth. He waited, his dark blade in guard position.

OOC: Nice combination! We'll have to make part of this a duel sequence.
It'd make an interesting animation sequence....

Kain, continuing his long strides. He met up to Kazar....he stared into his eyes, Kain's eyes giving the same portal into those coean of memories of death and torment.....and simply said behind his helmet.

"You are in my way. Alexander has a duel to finish. If he wishes to start a duel with no holding bars, he better be able to finish it. We set rules, he broke them. He tried to kill me, now I will respond to this act. It is my move. Get out of my way."

Kain's voice was deeper, a flicker of someone elses voice within it. Yet it was calm, slightly irrated by this being stopping him.

(Character descirption please, I do not know what your character looks like. I try and keep everyone knowing what Kain looks like throughout my posts. Just out of interest, does anyone know how to resize pictures?)

Picture of Kain's face, behind that helmet:

http://www.nosgoth.net/Soul_Reaver/promo/KainScowl.JPG

Just up the stairs, Alexander shivered. He was still losing blood. The blood that Sapphire gave him... he couldn't stop bleeding...

"Great, just great... I can't clot."

Alexander could feel the room grow cold. This time it was none of his doing.

kain was coming, and unless his fellow contestants could stop him, he would be finished.

Sapphire began to have a pink shade cross over her checks. She was trying to control her anger, but was failing. With a strong voice that she was sure everyone heard, "Enough." She waited for their actions to cease and their attention drawn to her. To her surprise even Kain was looking at her. She took a few dramatic steps forward, very slow, each step drawn out. "I think we need not all gang up on Kain, not that I don't think he can handle himself, but seriously. There are plenty of abled bodies here. Do not be rude and leave them out. Maybe later each of you can test your skills against him, but behave like adults and let him decide. I agree with you, I would like to see how my strageties will hold out against him. Yet, I hold back. He should decide." Her eyes connected briefly with his and then shifted to the others. "I think we need to come to a decision about this. Either he decides, or I decide. I think he would make the best decision on who to fight. If he decides he wants to fight more than one, then be it. But let it be on his terms. " She placed her hands on her hips and looked each guest in the eye. She was serious and she hoped they were serious.

OOC: I will not be able to post until late Sunday. I am going to go see Linkin Park. Whoohoo! So, if someone or you all would like me to be in this, which I should, then I trust that you all can RP her. Thank you and have a fun time with this.

OOC: What the heck is a techneugist or thaumurgist?? Is is a sort of mage or something?
Thaumurgy is the science of magic. Thus, a thaumurgist is basically you're everyday Wizard. A techneurgist, on the other hand, is someone who works with advanced technology, in this case to simulate the effects of magic. A Technomage, in B5 speak.
IC: "Well. you want me to keep a demon at bay, no-can-do. The rest of you may handle that. If there's a body left afterwards, though, it'll be short work to fix him up in a Sarcomorphus."

We set rules, he broke them. He tried to kill me, now I will respond to this act. It is my move. Get out of my way.
"Oh, come now. He didn't succeed in killing you. Even by the 'eye-for-an-eye' philosophy, the most you need do is severely wound him. But you wouldn't stoop so low as a covenant-breaker, would you?"

"Accept anymore challenges? I am continuing the current one. And yes, I am using all of my arsonal. If he wants these rules broken, let us fight as we would normally." Kain said, continuing along towards Alexander. He heard someone behind him.


We set rules, he broke them. He tried to kill me, now I will respond to this act. It is my move. Get out of my way.
"Oh, come now. He didn't succeed in killing you. Even by the 'eye-for-an-eye' philosophy, the most you need do is severely wound him. But you wouldn't stoop so low as a covenant-breaker, would you?"

"He attempted to kill me. I think a bullet to the head is rather fatal in any medical book no? He attempted to kill me, and I think all I need to do is attempt to kill him. Although, he might not survive my efforts. I break no covenant you frelling idiot, he has done so and I am simply working upon his rules. None." Kain walked away from the mage, heading towards Alexander, anticipating someone else getting in his way.

Maximus stood several feet from the two at the foot of the stairs. In one hand he held Glamdring, and in the other hand, his hand was empty but raised toward Kain. He spoke quietly, but with determination, as the Elvish syllables twisted their way out of his mouth, seeming to electrify the air around Maximus.

He awakened the magic within the sword first:

"Entula a' moinayamen',Hyandae en' luhta"

This was followed by a spell designed for protection:

"Vara 'tel Seldarine"

A yellow glow emerged itself from within Maximus's body, it's entrails reaching out, encompassed his body completely, then turned itself invisible.

Finally, toward Kain, he chanted:

"Caela ie'lle Kain...Koron en' naur!"

Streaks of fire gravitated from the air around Maximus, toward his outstretched hand, as they collected and became a ball of fire. Maximus drew his hand back slightly, and cast the flaming orb toward Kain's back!

quote="Kazar-Tiyon"]
OOC: I described him when he came in; he still looks the same. Black cloak, hood, and armor, glowing red eyes, face hidden by shadow. He has his sword out now. I won't be able to post for a couple days, so don't attack me quite yet. I was expecting some of the others to try to stop you before you got to me....
IC: "I did not see this duel and I do not know its rules. However, you do not seem to be seriously injured. I assume, since he is not here, that he was. Surely there's time to discuss what punishment he might deserve? If you convince me, and he escapes while we are talking, I can easily help you hunt him down. However, I am not yet convinced."

After a moment's pause, he added "If I was trying to kill someone, and you didn't know why, would you stand aside, or try to stop me?"
[/quote]

(OOC Just something he wanted posted, because NS was being a whore to him. I think it is a him. But anyway. I will deal with this, then reply to your message Tarlachia)

"The rules where pistols, until one yeilds. Not going to kill. I need no help from you, I can deal with bastards who think they can take me down when I am trying not to out-do him in a extreme manner."

Kain coninued up the stairs, his staff in his left hand, the orb ceasing to glow. The healing process was complete....his eye had fully healed. Kain could see perfectly with his improved vampiric sight now...

He headed up the stairs, the Brightblade upon his shoulders, his great white cloak glowing behind him, in contrast to the shadows created by the corrupt armour of blind eyes.

Maximus stood several feet from the two at the foot of the stairs. In one hand he held Glamdring, and in the other hand, his hand was empty but raised toward Kain. He spoke quietly, but with determination, as the Elvish syllables twisted their way out of his mouth, seeming to electrify the air around Maximus.

He awakened the magic within the sword first:

"Entula a' moinayamen',Hyandae en' luhta"

This was followed by a spell designed for protection:

"Vara 'tel Seldarine"

A yellow glow emerged itself from within Maximus's body, it's entrails reaching out, encompassed his body completely, then turned itself invisible.

Finally, toward Kain, he chanted:

"Caela ie'lle Kain...Koron en' naur!"

Streaks of fire gravitated from the air around Maximus, toward his outstretched hand, as they collected and became a ball of fire. Maximus drew his hand back slightly, and cast the flaming orb toward Kain's back!

Kain continued to step forward, one step was taken before Maximus cast his spell. Kain simply continued with his walk upwards, completely ignoring the brewing of fire towards his back.

The fire roared onto his great white cloak...and large crackling was heard.....the fabric of the magic was being torn apart, dispelled into useless raw energy. The Cloak still drained Kain's energy to maintain the Cloak, for it was constantly drawing from his own energies to achieve this dispelling effect. All of his other items had thier own charges...or was charged by the demon.

Kain raised his staff, not speaking a word but ordering it mentally to do as it was rquired to do. The orb glew a bright yellow....a true sight spell as it was called by many. It took Kain no effort to do so, the staff was designed to help Kain in a supportive way. Healing, time magic, protection and so on. The demonic weapons helped him attack, and currently, neither where at full awakening.

Kain continued onwards, simply saying, "Why must you people always stand in my way! I have no wish to harm you, but I will if I must! GET OUT OF MY WAY CHILD!"

Maximus had not seen Kain is enraged. It was if a God of War had stepped forth and ordered a child to move, the entire world shaking at his angered storm.

He was within sword distance, yet Kain held his golden staff to the front. He would attack should he need to, but he did not want to. The Brightblade still remained dormant upon his plated shoulder, those burning embers of eyes harrowing into Maximus...almost mocking him. Kain's eyes...the deep oceans within them boiled and frothed in a violant storm.

Maximus could not decide which pair of eyes was worse...

The Irisher had to expend effort to avoid chuckling once again.
"You see? It is useless. I've done what I could, and really this is turning out to have much higher entertainment value than I expected. Really, it's like watching ten-year olds. Carry on."
The Irisher stepped back and leaned against the wall again.

Jack absently spun the USP around on his right index finger, waiting for everyone to stop showing off their weapons and other fancy stuff. He'd come to test his considerable gunfighting skills against actual immortals, people who wouldn't die when he shot them. Jack himself was a mortal man, albiet a very lucky one.

OOC: um...Kain...I'm getting the feeling you're making Kain too powerful, as if nothing can stop him. We all agreed to have our characters reasonable, and I think you're pushing it. I'll let it go this time, being the generous and kind person I am, but next time I won't. sorry.

IC:
"Kain, I cannot allow you to pass! "Ram en' ondo!!"

Suddenly, a magical wall of stone, held together by powerful magic was formed in front of Kain, blocking his advance upstairs any further.

Kain turned around, fire in his eyes as he glared at Maximus. Maximus didn't flinch, but rather returned the stare.

"Kain! It is only a competition! I ask of you once more to cease your anger, and control yourself!! Maybe you should ask yourself why you would even bother dealing with this weak opponnent, one who has already been severely injured by you. Why do you waste your time and energy upon such an individual?? Surely, by the duel you two have fought, you have proven yourself to be more powerful."

OOC2: By the way, the wall of stone cannot be bypassed by making yourself a mist again. After all, it is a magical wall, and magic is uniform in its consistency and bonds.

Although late to the party, Magnum strides to the buffet table in his penguin suit, seeing some of the rare delicacies setting his duffel bag with his more comfortable attire, as his hostess was preoccupied he helped himself in an aloof and dignified manner as the SwordMaster TechnoMages of Mirandar are known for doing.

Magnum is armed with a Holtzman Personal Shield and various bladed weapons ranging from impressive dirks to ancient folded steel kitana once held by Jool Noret of Ginaz and thought to be lost in the seas of that watery world. Immortal mentally from a special treatment known to the scientists of Mirandar, recovery from bissection takes a very short amount of time. Anxious to see the results of the current battle on the lawn he steps over to one of the wide picture windows

OOC: Well, I said she would try to stop him, so... Kain can just push her out of the way, probably with his little finger. If he's the most powerful present, she's by far the least. She has no magic whatsoever, except a gift from an ally which has extended her lifespan and made her no longer age.

IC:
Her heart was thudding. This is insane... I'M insane! But she had vowed to stand in his way, not stand back and allow a murder to be committed. She could no longer stand in front of Kain, given the wall right before him, so she moved in just behind him, and lifted her sword, a hard, determined look in her eyes.

It was an incredible sight. A small, young and on the whole rather frail woman, queen of a nation but gifted with no magic powers, standing against... this. Inside, she was terrified, more frightened than she had ever been in her life. It was all she could do not to tremble. But she stood her ground.

"This is about fair fights!" she said loudly, her voice shaking only slightly, her sword held up defiantly. As if this blade could even scratch him... "You will not murder a defenceless man!"

(OOC I appreciate what you are saying, but I have a waty of balancing this. Trust me on this one. If you want to beat Kain, use intellegence. Consider Kain's personality. Consider his past that is, if your character knows it. Kain is not a powerful character, the item he carries is. And the more Kain relies upon the demonic weapon for power, the more his mind gets warped etc, do things he would not consider doing.

This is all part of Kain's character, I have rped with Kain for 2 years now and right now, he is the most powerful he has ever been. I have made Kain weak alone, and now that he has this highly powerful weapon he is a warmachine in combat. But....consider. Should Kain use too much of the dmeon's power, consider what this would do to him. But I take your point, I will reduce the power of Kain's magical items, the ones which he has created (Cloak and Staff). But this will be no means an easy fight. Use intellegence against him, make the right attacks. And I am not just talking magic here. Be smart. I have made Kain quite weak on his own, he is still a fledgling. Consider the nature of the beast eh?)

Kain spoke to both Maximus and Sapphire, standing his ground.

"He would have murdered me. A gunshot would to the head would have killed me, and for all purposes, I was defenceless at that point. I had not had oppertunity to bring my weapons to bear, whereas he used his own magial arsonal. He used magic against me, to attempt to kill me. Are you seriously saying that I should do nothing, if someone would try and kill me? That I can only enact justice when I am dead? This was nothing about him beating me, this was about him attempting to murder me, or is your mind too clouded to see that? Do not be absurd. And who said I was going to kill him? Lesser men have died for thier crimes, but sometimes lessons can be taught...even from those who would consider me demon. Now, get out of my way."

Kain looked towards this stone wall, constructed of stone. He was irrated by it, he would have to expend more of his energy. Energy he did not like to use. He raised his golden staff and the orb began to glow a blue colour, begining to dispel the stone wall. It would do it alone, and Kain added his own chanting and gestures. He closed his eyes, and moved his body like he was dancing.

"Il ren tiy rinith rinith opirth dicornt, terra infirmis."

Kain had gathered brown energy around himself, and then let it loose through the staff. The stone wall began to crumble, the possibility that it would came into existance, that the magic would not hold this long. Kain did not rely upon set spells, he knew how to a;ter the fabric of reality itself according to his wim, through the use of words and gestures...and most importantly, those words of ancient runic magic. Taught to him by Rave.


Kain stept forth through the crumbling stone, face to face with Maximus.

"What is it to be then. This is your final chance to back down." Kain said, his staff glowing slightly still, giving Kain a errie glow to his face, as though he was a ghoul or something. Kain held his calm and steady glare at Maximus, meaning buisness.

Maximus stood his ground, his own eyes penetrating the deep eyes of Kain. As he stared into Kain's eyes he sensed something, albight miniscule in detection, something astray. Anger? No...pain, suffering. Then Maximus had an idea, one he hoped would work.

"Kain, look into yourself. Bypass the influence of the demonic sword I know you hold. Listen to only yourself. I know you suffer, I have heard the stories, and now I know they're true. Your eyes tell me so. Even you cannot hide your past Kain. Suffering has ravaged your life, has it not? What was it Kain? Was it something you lost? Remember the suffering you endured, and find your understanding of Alexander's pain, although it is not as horrid as yours. Have a heart, Kain."

And with that, Maximus looked calmly at Kain, and lowered his sword slightly. He watched as Kain pondered his words.

Kain narrowed his eyes.

"That pain which I suffered was out of tutorlage, hard lessons of life taught to me. Justice in many cases for my previous crimes, to which I still endure. I have looked deep within myself and I understand why almost all the things I have lost have been lost. Alexander has been harmed as he participated in a duel. I was harmed just now as he could not take that defeat. He attempted to kill me. Now, I intend to teach him a lesson, that attempting to murder people, is not acceptable." Kain said and simply raised his golden staff.

the orb flashed a brillaint white, and it attempted to blind Maximus. It was a highly powerful blast of white light, intended to blind the target. Kain walked forward, and became mist. He went under the door....


And appeared by Alexander.

Maximus burst through the door, right behind Kain. Kain stopped at the edge of the bed, glaring down at Alexander. Alexander's eyes were filled with fear as he lay there in his own blood which was still spilling out of his wounds.

The room got colder...much colder...

Maximus didn't like this, and he managed to gain Alexanders attention for a split second. Alexander's eyes begged him for help, but he shook his head, and communicated to Alexander telepathically, the message only heard by Alexander:

"I tried my friend...I really did...but he was hell-bent to "teach you a lesson." Do not worry too much though my friend, I still have one last trick up my sleeve, trust me on this. It is something I learned years ago..."

Alexander's eyes broke contact from Maximus as Kain started moving about...

Maximus hated having to stand aside, doing nothing. However, Kain would have eventually repaid Alexander for his actions. It was perhaps better to get it over with, let him burn his rage out...

Kain stood over Alexander, and stared at him. He still had the terrible demoinc blade upon his shoulder, the skull hilt's eyes smoldering with restrained rage.

Kain circled him with two silent steps of his plated cloven talons going against the floor. The dark black-red plate shone dully in the light, the thousands of eyes within the plate still sloed, resting for now. The staff tapped against the floor, the golden staff giving no glow from it's ice gem. It was inactive, it had no need to protect Kain....yet.

Kain looked at Alexander, his eyes harrowing into Alexander. He had his staff by his side. he seemed like a wise old man, his eyes holding the knowledge of the world, how it worked and how it operated, as though he knew every cog within a person's mind, and how to turn it. It was a fountain of knowledge within those eyes, but not of water. It flowed smoldering lava, which formed a ocean which crashed and ebbed....remaining relatively calm, yet brewing an explosion.

With a deliberate and chilling calmness and coldness, Kain leaned over, his attention fully focused on Alexander. To Alexander, he could not escape those eyes, they seemed to draw him into that vast whirlpool that was Kain Irenicus, the one which so many had attempted to kill...even a God, and failed. Alexander saw the fire within those eyes rekindled, and he simply wanted to cower and flee. Kain said, with his deep, matter-of-fact voice, as though he could say anything he wanted and it would spring into truth, that the world was based upon his laws. He said;

"Why did you attempt to murder me, Kain Irenicus, calling me demon, what purpose would this act would have had? Many have tried, for many reasons. What was yours?"

Kain said, without a hint of anger, indeed his soft voice was most errie and Alexander did not like it. His entire body convulsed at this voice, it made him want to flee. Flee from him....

Those eyes...

Alexander looked up at Kain, and saw... everything and nothing at the same time... Fire, fire... horrible despair.

Those eyes... Alexander could not look away, try as he might. He now knew why Driretlen had acted the way he did all those years ago.

For a brief moment, Alexander broke his gaze free. He struggled and saw Maximus, who sent him a thought message,

"I tried my friend...I really did...but he was hell-bent to "teach you a lesson." Do not worry too much though my friend, I still have one last trick up my sleeve, trust me on this. It is something I learned years ago..."

Alexander struggled to respond. He managed a final thought.

"Do not worry about me, Maximus. I have brought the walls of fate down upon myself, and I will pay the price.

"Save your trick for another time... I will see you again soon... Please tell those downstairs that I am honoured to have met them"

Alexander turned back and looked at Kain. He struggled to find his voice. It was weak and thin. His blood loss... was proving to be too much.

"You know... Kain Irenicus... there is no real reason why I acted the way I did. I just... had to, you know? Haven't you... ever just wanted to hurt someone, really bad... In your eyes... I know that you understand what I am saying..."

Alexander coughed... a trickle of blood fell from his lips. Too much...

Alexander raised his right hand. Grasped in it was the desert eagle, loaded with silver cartridges. He waveringly brought it to his head.

"I've heard a lot about you, Kain... perhaps more than what you know of yourself. I wasn't able to get the job done, but one day... one day...

"I'll be back for you Kain..."

With a thin smile, his eyes never leaving Kain's, Alexander pulled the trigger.

*********************

Downstairs, two vampires entered into the great hall. The shorter one harrumphed to get the gathered people's attention.

"My name is Garrien, and I am looking for one named Alexander. Do any of you know where I can find him?"

The other, dressed in a dark suit waited patiently. In his right hand, the vampire held a Upir.

"Alexander, no!!!!!" Maximus cried out, but it was too late.

The echo of the gun's report rebounded along the walls for a few moments, until all was silent.

Maximus looked at Kain, who stood there still over Alexander's body. He hung his head, as he paid his respects to the young but brave fighter.

"Excuse me Kain, I'm taking the body." Maximus said quietly, as he gathered the limp body in his arms. He would take it to Drirethlen, and tell of his servant's courage.

As Maximus descended the steps of the stairs, his face was cold, revealing nothing.

Then he saw them, Drirethlen and another vampire next to him, obviously from the Hyraphore as well. He stood there momentarily, as he stared into Drirethlen's eyes. Words were not needed, Drirethlen understood everything. Drirethlen stepped forward, and laid a hand upon Alexander's ravaged body, as his face broke out with emotions.

Garrien stepped up, and took the body from Maximus. Maximus turned to Drirethlen once more, drew the Upir, and held the handle to him.

"He asked that I give this to one of you..."

Shadowscale sits in his meditative position on the lawn, away from the others. His katana rests upon the grass in front of him. He thinks of nothing, preparing himself mentally and physically for a duel. Shadowscale was schooled in the anchient Dark Argonian arts of swordsmanship, rising to be the master of his style.

Shadowscale drew upon his anger at his recent defeat at the hands of a younger warrior, known as Whiptail. Shadowscale was Whiptail's senior by around four-hundred years, longer than Whiptail had been alive. Still, the younger warrior's blades had disarmed him. Shadowscale had come to redeem his honor in his own eyes, his students still followed him loyaly in his teachings about the old ways of honorable combat.

OOC: Did Kain deliberately just ignore Ayane, or did you not read my post? Just to know what to write from here... :?

Kain stared at the body, his hand outstreached in disbelief. His intention had not been this! He saw the spirit rise up, chilling Kain as it had always done.

A few seconds past, Kain considering what to do. Anger built up within him, frustration.

Kain roared in dipleasure and began talking fervantly to a unseen figure, pacing around enraged at this action of Alexander. He smashed the wall with a cloven talon in anger.

"Damn you! I had not meant for this to occour you bastards! Do you take some sadistic joy in this? Huh? That anyone would might benift from my experiances, you rob from me and joy in me seeing that spectre of death which I see before me in all the life become reality you frelling traitors! You are traitors to those whom you swore to protect! I will destroy you for this when I reach your spirits in the lower breaches of hell!" Kain roared at no-one, seeming to be talking to a spirit of some sort. Everyone heard it, and Kain sighed afterwards and dropped his head,.

He tapped the golden staff unto the floor, and his items faded from view, going back to thier storage at his "home". The Brightblade faded from view, it's eyes the last thing to leave and others could still feel it's presance hang over like a disease. But it did not remove it's ancient voice from Kain's mind.

Do you presume it was them?

I do not know demon....but whatever being is writing this sick equation of death and harsh lessons to me, I will destroy them....dammit....I will... Kain left it unfinished, mentally exausted.

You are not thinking. These lessons are for a purpose Kain.

AND WHAT LESSON WAS THIS? What lessons where all of these things! Why must others die so that I am taught how to be bitter and alone? This is one of the reasons why I simply do not want to exist anymore, to leave this dimension. I cause those who exist, those who I might help, to die before me, because of this shattered corpse which is Kain Irenicus! I see them dying around me, and it gives them great joy to allow them me to see thier tortured soul rise up and curse me. Damn your lessons, I have been taught by a cruel teacher.

Time will make you see the truth Kain. It teaches it's own lessons. The demon said quietly, making Kain even more frustrated, groaning in the fatalistic nature of this all.

And that I have with you! I will have these lessons for all frelling eternity before I am released from your patronising voice Demon! Death would be a release compared to this existance.... Kain said bitterly to the demon.

Kain wept only one tear, one burning tear from one eye. But it was not for him. It was for Alexander, who he had not intended for this....not at all.

"I should have known better than to come here. I only bring Death....Only Death...." Kain muttered to himself as he came out of the door.

He appeared angry at himself, oblivious to anyone around him. He could not see them. He was walking out of all of this....he had enough of this. He was sick of all of this.

Kain simply said as he walked out.

"My apologies...I....I should never...had come. Death can only bring further death." Kain said, meaning to personify himself as Death, although some would not understand. Kain left, looking exausted from this mental battle with the demon....and himself. He was tierd of existing, and only one sleep could make him rest.

Oblivion.

Sapphire stepped back and watched the scene unfold before her eyes. She knew what she had to do, before anything else would happen. She looked at Alexander and shook her head. She then focused on Kain and called up all her strength and concentration. She had done this before, but it had been on weaker men. She hoped it would work. At least she could try. Failure is not the end, only a beginning of new possiblities. She closed her eyes and whispered in the language of her elders, much of the language of Lady Amanda. She asked for her help and thier help. She opened her eyes and they began to glow an amber color. Her outstretched hands trembled a bit. Her tongue spoke to the earth and called to it. The wind gusted around her and a flame engulfed her body. All that could be seen was her shadowy figure and her glowing eyes.

She walked slowly to Kain. She approached him in a manner that would not provoke him. Yet, all the others in the room backed off, from the heat being produced. They also shielded their eyes from the light. There was no dark to be found in the room, it was chased away by the light. She was a few inches away from him and she put her hand up and touched his forehead. Sapphire cried out and the wind joined in the song. She burned into his mind and dug up memories that only he could see. She did not release her touch, nor did she move closer. The fire burned about her, increasing in its strength minute by minute. Voices came out of Sapphires figure, intertwined they had one message. "Let us see how he can deal with memories of things he would not like to see again. Things buried under each other. Just let us see." The voices were silent and the fire lessened its degree a bit, but it still remained. Sapphire stood still and just waited.

The grin disappeared from the Irisher's face, replaced by an expression of pity. "Just as I thought. Couldn't take a bullet. Well, I don't suppose you'd let me take the body, but as I say, it's no biggy to fix 'im up in a sarcomorphus."

OOC: Eniqcir: Don't you mean that you have a sarcophagus, not a sarcomorphus?

IC:
Maximus heard the offer from the Irishner. He looked over at Drirethlen, his eyes filled with hope, as he spoke:

"Drirethlen, my friend, let him try, he might be able to pull this off, and you can have Alexander by your side once more. Go on, it doesn't hurt to try."

Driretlen looked at his former ally. He looked at the sword in his right hand, and silently slipped it back in it's sheath.

In his left was Alexander's Upir... still covered with a now rust-covered sheen of his blood. This he turned and slipped in Garrien's free sheath.

Driretlen then turned back and looked at Maximus. Driretlen reached out and clasped his friend's hand.

"Maximus, old friend... it has been too long. You are looking more and more stronger everytime I see you.

"I wish that we could have met again under more happy circumstances, but fate is not ours to control. I must thank you for looking out for Alexander in my stead. He is... a headstrong individual."

Driretlen looked at the Irishner. He reached over and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you for your offer, Irishner, but we have our way in the Hyraphore of ressurecting Alexander. It is a process... a long process, but it works. We will have Alexander back into the fold soon enough."

Driretlen turned and looked at Garrien, who still held Alexander's lifeless body and the sword.

"Garrien, you may return to the Hyraphore. Please start the Regenerative complex right away. I will return on my own accord."

Garrien nodded, and then slightly bowed from the waist. He turned on his heel and left the great hall, threading his way through the other opponants.

OOC: The Regenrative Complex is a healing process which can bring back from the dead vampires of the Hyraphore Guild. It involves using their blood and reinfusing it within the body. It only works on the Hyraphore Guild. Think... Underworld.

IC:

Driretlen looked back at Maximus and the Irishner.

"My friends, do not worry. I know that Alexander would not want you to worry so.

"I, however am in need of talking to Kain..."

Driretlen glanced over at where Kain and an unfamiliar woman stood. The woman emitted a bright light... almost a fire.

"But I will wait until she is done whatever she is doing..."

Maximus watched as Garrien walked off, Alexander's body limp in his arms. He closed his eyes, as he remembered the smile upon Alexander's face when the two first met. Opening them again, a thought crossed his mind.

"Drirethlen, why do you remain here? Alexander's business is finished. Kain is finished, and it is most likely he will not talk to you. Keep your guard up if you do decide to pursue Kain for his attention. Kain is more powerful than you may realize. He has even stood against my Elven spells quite well.(ooc: remember, Drirethlen doesn't know of these spells :wink:), despite their strength. However, I did not give him my more powerful spells, for fear that innocents would be injured."

P.S. my IM is on

Kazar-Tiyon sheathed Shadowfang and strode over to a spot near where Sapphire and Kain stood. His black cloak swirled around him as he folded his arms and waited.
He still hasn't answered my last question. he thought.

OOC: Is it too late to come in? I understand if it is, but his looks like a party that's far too good to miss! 8)

Reining his horse, Shado stared towards the great house. Sounds of fighting emanated from within, a gunshot, and then seemingly nothing. Intrigued, Shado grabbed his sword, shield and bow, and scaled the wall and sat on top, waiting to see what would happen. He had heard of this place, this event, a long time ago, but with wars in his own region, he had neaver had the time to investigate. Looking around the grounds, he saw a scaled lizard sitting in a meditative position. He jumped to the ground in a swirl of his grey hooded cape, and approached the lizard softly, so as not to disturb him. When he stood around twenty metres away, he hailed him.

"Greetings, scaled one, and may the moon light your way! What occurs here, revered Argonian warrior?"

OOC: Eniqcir: Don't you mean that you have a sarcophagus, not a sarcomorphus?
OOC: Nope. Sarcophagus==flesh-eater, a type of coffin. Sarcomorphus==flesh-shaper, a healing device.

OOC: Eniqcir: Don't you mean that you have a sarcophagus, not a sarcomorphus?
OOC: Nope. Sarcophagus==flesh-eater, a type of coffin. Sarcomorphus==flesh-shaper, a healing device.

oh...oops...sorry...

She walked slowly to Kain. She approached him in a manner that would not provoke him. Yet, all the others in the room backed off, from the heat being produced. They also shielded their eyes from the light. There was no dark to be found in the room, it was chased away by the light. She was a few inches away from him and she put her hand up and touched his forehead. Sapphire cried out and the wind joined in the song. She burned into his mind and dug up memories that only he could see. She did not release her touch, nor did she move closer. The fire burned about her, increasing in its strength minute by minute. Voices came out of Sapphires figure, intertwined they had one message. "Let us see how he can deal with memories of things he would not like to see again. Things buried under each other. Just let us see." The voices were silent and the fire lessened its degree a bit, but it still remained. Sapphire stood still and just waited.


"No...." Kain said weakly, becoming powerless to resist in this state...he began to remember...the images flashed before his eyes, his mind recoiling from them yet being forced to spring forward in all of thier horrible glory.

War.

The battle against the demon horde, he was standing undergrounf with B'jorn and Jarrid at his side. He was the leader of Velmora, very young due to Xzar's betrayal. Kain had loved his master...the two had a rare understanding. Yet here he was the Brightblade, pretending to be a holy weapon against this vast army that Xzar had raised. kain saw the carnage that ensued as he ordered the charge....the death of his people....trapping Xzar, the blood curdling scream as he was sent to the everlasting prison...

This took micro-seconds, another memory flashing before his eyes.

He was now with Rave, flying above him within the black world of the eternal prison. Xzar waited for him, for the second time. Kain held the Brightblade high, the blue energies instilling his small army with hope against the demonic shadows that Xzar had. They charged forward, to defend thier homeland. He saw the horrifying sights of his freinds dying in manners which he could not have raised in his nightmares, thier deaths where tortured. He saw Rave helping him and his people. Another flash, Kain was above Xzar, and plunged the Brightblade into his heart. His possessed body became his own, and Kain looked into the normal eyes of Xzar, and his heart wept for his former master and ruler of Velmora. It had tortured him greatly to kill him....

Another flash, and agonising pain through his body as the spirit which had possessed Xzar ripped through him, crippling and begining to corrupt him. He began to see death. Kain resigned....

And was embraced by Rave...

Another flash. this time becoming faster and more raw in their emotions.

Severe shame. He had Qui's burning eyes into him, as his sowrd was inside of him.

"I renounce you Kain from the Shentavos." Qui stated, and chanted those horrible holy words. Kain died that day inside. He felt undying shame for betraying the Shentavos...all due to the fact that he had save his love Daniella. The one he sired at such an early age to save from leaving this world, to become a corrupt spirit as a demon.

Kain felt that pain, agonising pain of his shame and failure. Of damning himself as he bled upon that stone floor, weeping bitterly. He could no longer kill....


And the next emotion, Kain began to convolse physically, trying to get away.

"No...no!" Kain pleaded feebly, still held by Sapphire's spell.

This image was clear....

It was raining heavily outside. Kain was inside his small cave upon his island, the ocean roaring outside. He was beside a bed, kneeling holding a figures hands. A female's hand as Kain looked down, tears coming from his eyes. He was whispering a phrase over and over again to this woman, who was dying upon the bed. Kain's voice was soft and deeply shamed

"Forgive me Daniella...." Kain repeated over and over, as Daniella slowly starved to death. Kain could no longer give any blood to her.....she was starving due to Qui's curse....


The rain continued...Kain's sobs continuing for many days as Daniella finally died, Kain weeping for many days...weeks even. He never got over it. And what remained for his love to Daniella, was left a burning hatred of he who had wrought this upon him and his fledgling daughter.

Qui.



"Enough!" Kain pleaded in a outburst throwing Sapphire off of him, tears coming from his eyes. As he did so, he pushed himself away and fell upon the floor in a pile of sobbing. He hammered the ground with one of his talons and simply stuggled out through his weeping, "Are you happy? Why...why do you torture me so?" Kain choked out, still upon the floor, looking at the ground, notwanting to look at the world. His mind was recovering from it.

"Enough!" Kain pleaded in a outburst throwing Sapphire off of him, tears coming from his eyes. As he did so, he pushed himself away and fell upon the floor in a pile of sobbing. He hammered the ground with one of his talons and simply stuggled out through his weeping, "Are you happy? Why...why do you torture me so?" Kain choked out, still upon the floor, looking at the ground, notwanting to look at the world. His mind was recovering from it.

Driretlen looked at Kain for a moment, and then looked back at Maximus and the Irishner.

"Well... that went well...

"Drirethlen, why do you remain here? Alexander's business is finished. Kain is finished, and it is most likely he will not talk to you. Keep your guard up if you do decide to pursue Kain for his attention. Kain is more powerful than you may realize.

"I... don't know why I am here for. You are right though. He does look finished."

"Enough!" Kain pleaded in a outburst throwing Sapphire off of him, tears coming from his eyes. As he did so, he pushed himself away and fell upon the floor in a pile of sobbing. He hammered the ground with one of his talons and simply stuggled out through his weeping, "Are you happy? Why...why do you torture me so?" Kain choked out, still upon the floor, looking at the ground, notwanting to look at the world. His mind was recovering from it.

Driretlen looked at Kain for a moment, and then looked back at Maximus and the Irishner.

"Well... that went well...

"Drirethlen, why do you remain here? Alexander's business is finished. Kain is finished, and it is most likely he will not talk to you. Keep your guard up if you do decide to pursue Kain for his attention. Kain is more powerful than you may realize.

"I... don't know why I am here for. You are right though. He does look finished."

Getting no respose from the lizard creature, Shado wandered towards the house. He pushed his way through the doors until he found someone. He looked at the scene before him, and timidly spoke up.

"What the heck happened here?! Is there anything I can do?" He pointed to Kain. "Is he hurt?"

Shado turned to the other people beside him and waited for an answer.

Getting no respose from the lizard creature, Shado wandered towards the house. He pushed his way through the doors until he found someone. He looked at the scene before him, and timidly spoke up.

"What the heck happened here?! Is there anything I can do?" He pointed to Kain. "Is he hurt?"

Shado turned to the other people beside him and waited for an answer.

Ayane had watched the whole scene unfold, holding her breath. There was more going on here than her young mind could grasp. She felt very small, very fragile and very out of place... And, for some reason, a tear trickled down her cheek...

She turned towards the newcomer, and looked at him solemnly.

"Yes," she whispered simply. "He's hurt..."

Shado went over to the girl, and squeezed her shoulder.

"Are you OK?" he asked, his young face, no more than 18 years old, looking into hers, "What happened here?"

He made a gesture that they should perhaps leave the room and talk.

Ayane gulped, nodded, and smiled at the newcomer. He was about her age, perhaps even younger... and, unlike the others, did not seem to be brimming with hard warrior pride.

“I’m all right...” she whispered.

She followed him out into the gardens, then leaned against a wall and sighed.
“We were having fighting competitions,” she explained. “They’re all so powerful, fighting with magic... One shot another, Kain, the one you saw. He... he came back to murder him. And now, Sapphire...”

She shook her head, and took a deep breath.
“I’m sorry... I think it’s all a little bit too much for me. I’m... out of place amongst these people.” She smiled feebly and looked into his eyes. “Who are you, then? If I may ask?”

The boy smiled back.

"It's OK. I'm Shado, a traveller, and a devoted defender of the peace. I seek no war, but I aid in times of need. I follow the moon wherever it leads me, and there I find those who need help."

The smile faded a little from his face.

"And it seems it has led me here. I heard of this 'competition', and was worried from the start. Murder and death...the bane of my very existance, and the reason for my extended life...I just wish I could have come earlier."

The boy sank to the ground, his sword and shield clattering against the wall as he did so.

"Truly I am no fighter, I am blessed with no magic, nor have I any strange power or strength. I can rely only on my skill with a sword and bow, and Lady Luck herself. I am not made for this sort of thing...This is far too big for me..."

Shado's head sank into his hands. He shook his head violently, and looked up at the girl. He had only just noticed how beautiful she looked.

"Is there anything we can do here?"

Ayane listened to his words, and felt a lump form in her chest. This young man, this boy, lacking superhuman strength or dazzling magical power, was, to her eyes, the most impressive person she had met today.

She sat down beside him, and placed her hand on his.
“I know exactly what you mean,” she said gently. “What is the point of a gift and abilities, or just a heart, if they are not used to preserve the lives of others?”

She sighed, and lowered her gaze.
“Shado, I don’t think we can make a difference. But… we can try.”

“Shado, I don’t think we can make a difference. But… we can try.”

"You can, and will always make a difference... as long as you try."

Driretlen had discreetly followed the two outside, and saw their interaction. He now turned to the young travellor, and picked up the fallen sword.

The guild leader gave the sword back and bowed slightly from the shoulder.

"Good sir, you and your lady-friend have seen today a conflict that has been.. somewhat raging over the last dozen years. Do not worry about today. Look towards tomorrow. One day you will find your place in this world. Magic, strength and what you deem "strange powers" do not make a man..."

With that, Driretlen handed the sword to Shado and nodded at Ayane, and then walked back over to Maximus.

"I believe... that my time is done here."

Quite suddenly, from the perspective of anyone actually paying attention to him, the Irisher faded from view. He was not gone by any means, just taking advantage of some of the interesting abilities that are a result of being ressurected by replacing most of your body cells with micrites. In any case, he, too, followed Shado and Ayane outside, and observed.

Maximus had followed Drirethlen as he himself had followed the Shado and the lady Ayane. After a few words for them, and a return of the newcomer's weapon, Drirethlen had turned back to him.


"I believe... that my time is done here."

Maximus nodded slightly, and looked into the sharp eyes of his friend.

"Perhaps so, my friend. You know how to find me if you need help. Too long we have fought side by side, and after meeting Alexander finally, I am proud to say that despite his courage sometimes getting the better of him, he is a fine fighter. I shall stop by the Hyraphore after this, and see how he is doing with his recovery. That is, if you'll allow me..."

"Of course, Maximus, you are most welcome. Thank you for your assistance for him."

Maximus nodded his appreciation, and shook Drirethlen's outstretched hand. This very action served to show the alliance between the two, an alliance that would prove to be quite difficult to break. Storms would rage, the earth would heave, floods would rush, fires would sorch, but nothing could break this unspoken alliance.

Turning toward the Ayane and Shado, Maximus walked up, and knelt down next to them. His dark eyes studied the faces of the two. Finally, he spoke:

"Ayane, I wish I did not have to be a fighter, but that is my place in this infernal war of life. Although I am a vampire, I do strive to protect the lives of others...you have seen this earlier Ayane, you know I speak the truth. Do you not think it scars me deep inside each time I kill a human for blood? This is a hard world my young friends, one that will continue to teach you many things. Let this be another lesson for you; the universe balances itself on good and evil, right and wrong, ying and yang, life and death. As such there must always be those that represent each side, countering another. You exist solely for the good. I however was fated to exist in the bad, though my soul remains in the good.

Thus, you must understand your place in this world, understand why you do what you do. You provide life for those that are dying everyday. For some, you give them peace, for others, like Kain, you simply remind them of the horrors they have committed, horrors which wound the fabrics of life.

I was once a mortal, free in the world, happy with my wife, when she was murdered. That was the first step for me toward what I am today. With my weapons by my side, I seek out justice and peace in the world, seek to destroy the evil inside us all. And now, as I sit here talking to you, I have realized that I still have yet to defeat my greatest challenge...myself......"

Maximus grew silent, as he stared past the two toward the horizon, seeing what was not there, seeing what he feared, hated, and loved all at the same time. He closed his eyes as a song drifted through his mind, the melodic beat of the music flowing through his thoughts:

"...So I held my head up high, hiding hate that burns inside, which only fuels their selfish pride. We're all held captive out from the sun, a sun that shines on only some, we the meek are all in one. I cry out to God seeking only his decision, Gabriel stands and confirms, I've created my own prison..." ***

A few tears streaked their way down Maximus's cheek as he continued to remember the wrongs he had done. How he hated having to take responsibility for them...yet, he was powerless to do anything against it...

OOC:
*** Borrowed from Creed's "My Own Prison" CD. All words' credit is theirs, not mine.

Sapphire looked at Kain curled up in pain. She knew she had not meant for this to be put upon him. She had no idea this would even work. As he cried out in pain she did. The visions that only he could see, she now saw. All the hurt and the betrayal. She screamed with him, she now understood. Her voice rose with his cry and overcame it, it was intangled with the voices of people in his vision, they spoke with her. "I am so sorry, Kain. I did not mean for this to occur. My idea, was merely an idea, never intended to be this way. Will you forgi...." Her voice was silented by the others and they wailed. They overtook her and all Sapphire was was an observer. "Kain, stop your feeling sorry for yourself. All that was done was for a purpose. You must realize that. It was to prepare you for what is to come soon. This was the plan and the plan will continue." The voices silented and the flame died down. The light remained, still no shadow to be found. Sapphire's heart was filled with happiness, she felt Lady Amanda's presence. She wondered if Kain did also. She knew her presence was meant for him. She walked over to Kain and knelt down beside him. She wiped at his tears and reached up to her check. It was wet and now her tears and his mixed. Sapphire sighed and softly said, "It will be okay. Things will be okay."

Shado smiled at Driretlen, his words giving Shado renewed hope. He turned away as Driretlen left. He looked at Maximus, and smiled.

"You know, you're right. We may not be able to stop anything happening here, but we can try to help! As my father once told me, 'He who does not try will not succeed'."

He stood, and, adjusting his cloak, he asked Ayane, "So...I...uh...You're not...um...What I mean is..."

He was slowly turning red as he spoke.

"I...uh...well...I would be honoured if...um..."

Shado cleared his throat and was about to start again, when he heard Sapphire's scream from inside. He jumped to his feet in a surprisingly acrobatic manner, and looked at Ayane and Maximus questioningly, wondering what to do now.

Ayane listened solemnly to those who came out to speak to her, their words resonating deep within her. She wanted to answer, but words would just seem hollow... She wanted to reach out to them –

“I will remember,” she quietly promised Maximus. “Always.”

Then she turned back to Shado, his words just as stirring. She was about to agree, that they should at least try, when he began to stammer and turn red. She looked at him with gentle concern.

“Shado?” she asked softly. “Are you all right? What are you trying to say?”

Sapphire’s scream split the air. Shado was on his feet in an instant, and Ayane joined him a moment later; the two looked at each other.

“Come!” Ayane said urgently, taking his hand. “You were right; we can always try…”

She led him at a run back into the room…

With his free hand, Shado loosened his shield and slipped it over his arm, readying himself. Still running, Shado's cloak swirling behind them, the pair cleared the wreckage and rubble lying strewn about the doorway, and came into the room where Kain and Sapphire were. Taking a step further forward, Shado loosened his sword in its scabbard and stood in a protective stance in front of Ayane.

"What's going on in here?" he asked, his words sounding bolder than he felt. He took another step forward, and looked towards Kain and Sapphire. "Are you guys OK? Can we help?"

Maximus had heard the ear splitting scream from within as well.

"Not again..." he muttered as he ran inside, on the heels of Shado and Ayane.

Upon surveying the scene, Maximus knew what had happened. Stepping up to Shado, he placed his hand on his shoulder. Shado didn't turn or acknowledge his presence, but he did lower his weapon, as he looked at Kain and Sapphire with a concerned look on his face.

"I do not know of your abilities Shado, but I am fairly certain that what has occured is beyond your control. It looks like that Sapphire has things under control here."

Maximus turned and walked over to stand next to Graazz, asking him:

"So, interesting time we're having, do you not agree?"

"I am so sorry, Kain. I did not mean for this to occur. My idea, was merely an idea, never intended to be this way. Will you forgi...." Her voice was silented by the others and they wailed. They overtook her and all Sapphire was was an observer. "Kain, stop your feeling sorry for yourself. All that was done was for a purpose. You must realize that. It was to prepare you for what is to come soon. This was the plan and the plan will continue."

Kain turned around, and looked hard into Sapphire as though she had insulted everything that he had been through, in a way, she had.

"YOU DARE!" Kain roared at the top of his lungs fervently, his face turning into one of complete outrage at this.

"You dare tell me that everything will be fine? That everything has a reason? A plan! You bitch! You dare after all of this, tell me that there is something better at the end of this! Why you know......" Kain trailed off, and breathed out. He paced back a few steps, composing himself..his steps fast and filled with his anger.

Kain spoke again, slightly more calmly, but he had not lost his fast toungue.

"I pity myself yes, but I pity those who face death or worse for the choices I made, yet the choices where rigged at every point! Indeed there is a sick plan going on here, one extremely well calculated to be as sick as possible, to include the most torment for the souls who play thier parts with me. I pity them more, because they have to face the reprocussions of the fate that was ordained to me, the punishment to whatever crimes I did in my previous life!"

"You saw that woman upon that bed. My love. My daughter. My last remaining hope and joy was with her. And the choice I was faced with....call it a two sided coin....but I will explain this in a way in which you will understand better." Kain said, and before Sapphire could do anything, he placed his cloven talon upon her forehead and spoke a word.
Thier worlds flowed away, going into Kain's memories.

---

It was raining from that night sky, which hung a lonely and solemn moon within it...

Sapphire found herself upon a slated roof of a house. The rain pattered onto them lightly...

It was the city of Freiburg, a port city in the land of what used to be Ienotheisa. Now, this wilderness was being carved into civilization by loggers, miners, engineers. The city itself traded mostly in raw goods and was a rough sort of place built over ancient buildings that were in recent memory heavily bombed and shelled.


"I was traveling to a location of little real importance when this city came to my attention. Normally I would avoid them, but something drew me in. A familer smell....one of a demon." Kain said.


"The details.....simply put, I fought this demon.....and Daniella came to help me. She did so, but she got serious hurt by this demon, by one of it's spines. She was impaled....and she would become a demon. The exact same occourance which occoured to me. Only this time, instead of Rave saving me, I was saving Daniella. Bitter irony....This might seem, slightly....disconnected...." Kain said, as the memories warped past them them.

There had been fighting where Kain ha dfought past a great deal of dmeon summoned by the greater. Kain had not expected Daniella to be here...he turned to face her...

Daniella saw what was happening. She slipped away from the action, and caught up to Kain. She tugged gently on his cloak to get his attention.

"Kain, you are my best friend. But in truth, you scare me. That thing . . . It drives you from what you know." Daniella said, referring to the sword

"This sword is not the source of my problems. My curse began not because of it. It would disadvantage him if he did curse me. No....there are others who do this to me."

He paused.

"You say I scare you? Good. Keep away from me. I do not want you to get hurt particulary by my actions."

Kain's voice seemed the voice of a man who is losing thier only hope. With that he began to walk away, to a place he knew about. Where he would be alone for a while.

Daniella watched Kain walk, and she knew what she had to do.

"Kain, you coward! I want you to stay away from me! I'm going to stop the demon, and if that means dying so another will live, so be it. But you, you have the greatest gift. An angel died for you! Do you need another sign?"

A tear rolled down her cheek.

"This is your mission, and mine, too. If your choice is to leave when you can be most effective, I hope I die before you return."

Daniella spun around and went to go see the men, and offer herself.


Kain thought about this. The sword thought about what Kain would do....

"I am no coward. I choose to fight my own battle as I have in the past. I have fought and won against demon legions, saved my now damned people. But now you ask of me more. My existance is my own! I live for....."

Kain stopped. What did he exist for? To live? What kind of life was this? To be driven insane by your only love being ripped away from you and mocked before your eyes? He did not know the reason why he existed.

Something stirred within Kain. he saw a glimmer of beauty again. He wanted that gift back so badly. He would do anything. He remained silent, reflective. Then he burst into action roaring.

"I do this for myself! No-one else! I do this because I choose to!" He roared as he leap into the spine and salshed it with his sword. He stood where the blow would have been and then looked back at her. he turned towards the enemy and charged forwards, Brightblade glowing red in anticipation of the kill, it bestowed Kain with new vigor, he began a battle engine of destruction, whirling, killing, blasting, draining. He fought for his own reasons. To be free of this curse. This might be one way of getting out of it.

A battle took place....between Kain and this hulking demon upon the roof. The real Kain simply watched it, as it unferled. Daniella was casting her magic, helping him....A horde had been summoned by the demon, as they fought through it. Other figures fought too...

Nez'gah, the greater demon, noticed Daniella. He aimed his long, muscled arm at her and let loose a demonic spine. The spine flew directly at her stomach.

http://www.wizards.com/leaving.asp?url=/dnd/images/MotP/Astral_Dreadnought.jpg&origin=dnd_ag_20010908a

Daniella was impaled by one of the spines from this foul demon....her body shivering for a moment, and then collapsed as the demon fell itself. It was it's last act of vengence against Kain.

The real Kain watched on, his arms crossed. The Kain of the past turned at her cry and bellowed a cry of frustration and despair. He ran over to her....

Sapphire heard the past Kain's thoughts...

Kain saw that she was hurt and returned to her again, defending her from any agressors. This meant....oh the irony of this! Who had written this fate? Who thought it humorous that I must make the same action that Ravelyn did to me? To either let her die or let her become immortal and bear the burdans she will face?

"Now is the time to choose. Die and go to the next realm, or stay here eternally!"

Kain looked hard into her, the heat of the moment, his hand outstreached to her. This action could change a nation's fate.

Daniella was in a lot of pain.

"Kain, don't let me go alone! Let me stay!"

Are you certain!" Kain called again, this was the last time he would ask. He had given her the oppertunity to deny this existance. But if she said yes, he would feel no guilt about it. He had to make sure.

Time froze at this point and the real Kain spoke.

"Here I faced a choice. A two sided coin if you will. One one side, I allow Daniella to die, keeping myself with the Shentavos yet forcing her to become a demon through the powers of the spine. On the other, I make her a vampire, yet damn myself and her to exiliation from the Shentavos, to betray the one I loved as a mother and save my love. Now you understand? The game was rigged! No matter what my choice, I cause further pain and destruction! This has occoured countless times within my existance, this was the second of many rigged choices. I see no bright future, only oblivion at the cost of others." Kain stated, looking at Sapphire.


(OOC Sorry for post size and rather....disconjointed nature of it. I was copying from another thread, so the recollection of it is crap. If you want the entire thing, and it is not the best written, go here: http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=67264&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Again, sorry for the quality, I am rushed.)

OOC: Bravo. I had intended your character to react in anger, but was not sure he would. Sapphire was ignorant on his past and this showed forth.

IC: Tears were streaming down her faces. Not for pity, but for sadness. "Forgive me I was ignorant to see. I was blinded by my own fate. Those words were false in that situation and now I realize that." She paused and allowed silence to calm the tensions between the two. "Love is twisted. You want it and then you don't. It makes you energenic and makes you exhausted. I shall never understand it. One thing though, Kain, never lose hope because if you don't have hope then why be in existence? Oblivian would ease the pain." She excused herself for a moment.

When she returned she had a white gown on the flowed behind her. It was of silk and appeared more liquid than solid. She placed a transparent veil over her face, just revealing her eyes. They had remained amber after the incantation of magic she had called upon. There was no colour to her skin, just a pale elbony white, except on her neck she wore a red ruby, encased in gold. It was an heirloom of her family, passed down from the beginning of the empire. It was said to be the encasement of the blood of Lady Amanda.

Sapphire had grown tired of this world. Even the silly little game could not excite her anymore. Her inside felt to be crumbling. Her heart frozen solid. She walked past all the guests and out into the courtyard. She walked into the woods. The braches scraping at her dress and skin. She would not flinch. The moon had come out, but no stars shown. It cast an eerie glow on her. The forest, oddly, quiet and no creature stirred. She approached a large body of water. It was the pond of the Empire of Empress Serene. She walked into the pond, no waves extended from her movement. The pond remained to be like black glass, no movement on or below. She walked in closer, her hips under the water.

It was a cold night, but the temperature had no affect on her. She was no aware of her audience and she paid only attention to her breathing and the silence in her head. Her chin touched the water. She turned around and faced them. She smiled and waved. Then she dunked her head under the water.

"Do not worry. You could not have known, I understand. And I would choose oblivion over this totrue if I could....but I cannot. I am...bound by obligation, a vow to a grudging ally, the Brightblade. Indeed....love can cause much terrible pain....yet it can offer so much for us as well....I...I would rather to know love and let it die than to never experiance this....although...it does not make it any easier...." Kain trailed off, and the world faded away....the rain, the roof...the demons everything, going back to thier proper place within Kain's memories....

---

Kain opened his eyes again, he felt slightly disorientated...coming from that dream world to this...he kept his balance however and steadied himself by placing his hand upon the stone wall. He felt the texture of the stone, cold yet sturdy. Kain shivered for some reason, he held up his cloven hand to his face trying to wash those memories, put them back to where they belonged, remembered, but not overwheming. Kain could not deal with that potent memory at the forefront of his mind every second. Those eyes and that hair, her voice whispering her last goodbyes.....

After a short while, Kain got himself composed. He was alone, silence filling the air oddly. It was peaceful to Kain, he closed his eyes a moment to enjoy this serenity. But as with all things, it could not last, he could have leaned against that wall for hours....days...it was so peaceful.....

But something did stir him, and Kain became aroused reluctantly, his eyes opening slowly to the sound. Well, it wasn't a sound really, more of a change in the mood of the air....concern. It was most odd, but one could not dipute that there had been a change. Kain relied on his instincts a great deal....he would not abandon such skills he did have.

Pushing himself off of the wall, Kain began to walk slowly, more slowly than normal, towards no-where. It was odd, it was though a tug from something pulled him on. Then it clicked into place, like some eerie puzzle.

Where was she?

Kain had been too busy recollecting his own thoughts....he wanted to say something more to her...he did not know what, but he felt he needed to.

He walked for a while, leaving the building, searching for Sapphire. He knew where she was, but he did not. A odd sense that Kain had aquired, like a compass of some sort within him to guide him to someone. A gift from the demon, Kain wondered?

Kain walked....or rather stumbled into a forest. There was a odd peace....a sadness about it. A sense of melancholy about it, as though the trees weeped thier leaves, the ground mourned the water which flowed past, the air seemed sad that moonlight was passing through it. Kain felt like this place was a holy place, one which you would not want to disturb, to keep your voice down and hused in fear of disturbing something....

Kain padded his way through the leaves, the moon giving a sublime glow to the area, the entire area did not resonate fear. Not that Kain felt that often, he felt fear from other things, far worse things.

Himself. What he could do...what he had done.

Kain walked forward and looked upon the form which was in front of him....she was in front of a large pond, yet none like Kain had ever seen...it was like a water with no life, no movement within it, like a disturbing mirror. It reflected yourself without any inperfection....and that inspired fear into many beings greater than Kain, thier true selves...

Observing this woman, Sapphire going into the pool like a siren or some other mystical creature, taking infinate time about it, like some holy rite. But Kain grew concerned....with her face. It held no hope, the finality of someone wanting....

Kain understood....she did not want to exist in this world......he understood the feeling very well. Kain simply watched as she decended, he bowed in respect as she waved towards him, and she submerged.

He remained silent...respecting her wishes....he knew what the desire was to die....to leave the world forever and enter sweet oblivion. Kain leaned against a tree, thinking about many things...

(OOC Edited due to Amanda's wishes.)

Shado felt Maximus' hand on his shoulder, and lowered his sword. His mind couldn't comprehend the struggles and memories flowing through the two figures, but he felt power, a mere echo of the feelings of Kain and Sapphire, but it was enough to make him cringe and step back. Since an accident during a curse laid upon his family, Shado had been very sensitive to magic and the supernatural, and to peoples emotions, if they were strongly enough felt.

Still standing protectively in front of Ayane, Shado sheathed his sword, and turned to her. He was about to speak when Kain shouted out.

"YOU DARE!"

Shado looked round in time to see Sapphire stand, tears streaking down her face. As she left, Shado could feel the sadness emanating from her, and was deeply moved. Almost in tears himself, he began to follow her out of the building, but he stopped at the doorway. Kain made his way past, seemingly in a daze, and Shado turned back to see Ayane and the others, and weakly he said, "I cannot help them, can I? There is nothing I can do to prevent their fate. I have no further use here. I cannot change this. I cannot help them..."

He fell to his knees and sobbed once, twice, three times, before, shaking his head, he stood again, tears in his eyes. He turned slowly, and walked out into the gardens. He was willing Ayane to follow, but was too upset to say anything.

Tears welling in her own eyes, Ayane turned to look at Kain running through the gardens, then back at Shado, and felt her heart swell with emotion. She moved over to him, and, not stopping to think, hugged him.

“Shhh…” she said gently. “It’s all right. It’s the trying that counts, and your heart is in the right place.”

Taking a step back, she brushed her fingers lightly over his cheeks, wiping away his tears, then gave him a smile.

“And we can still try.” She glanced in the direction where Sapphire and Kain had vanished. “Will you come with me?”

Shado's cheeks went bright red, and he looked at his feet for a few moments. After a while he looked up, the tears drying on his face as he spoke.

"I would follow you to the ends of the Earth, Lady Ayayne. It would be an honour and a privelidge to accompany you."

He looked out to his horse, still reined at the gates, chewing on some grass she had found. "Can you ride, m'lady?"

Ayane looked at him, startled. Then, to her embarrassment, she found herself blushing.

“Yes… I can ride.”

She struggled to find words. She looked into his eyes, and her heartbeat quickened.

“We should hurry,” she said, and blushed again as she heard a touch of shyness in her own voice.

(Previous post edited.)

After some awkward silence, Maximus looked up at Graazz.

Graazz's head slumped slightly to the side, his eyes closed, his large tongue slightly protruding from his mouth, drool gathering to drop off it.

"Well, I'll be damned, he actually manages to fall asleep while standing."

Maximus chuckled, and walked away. He walked back outside, and stared into the night sky, now with few clouds overhead. The stars twinkled back at him, as he made out the different constellations known to men. He thoughts touched upon Pyros, and so, he decided to recall him, if just to only see how his friend was doing. Maximus turned toward the mountains, and closed his eyes. Further and further, his mental probe searched for the dragon, until it found him, sleeping on the near side of the mountain, out of view.

Pyros...awaken! Come to me.

He remained there mentally, as he made sure the dragon had heard him. Soon, the dragon had stood, stretched itself, and with a roar, took off from the edge of the steep mountain, swiftly making its way to its master.

The large wings beat down, sending huge gusts of wind toward the earth, as it landed near Maximus. It growled slightly at Maximus, minature flames scorching the grass below.

No, my friend, it is not time to go yet. I merely called you to see how you were doing, see if you would like to spend some time with your master.

The dragon growled in response, as it lay down on the grass, its expansive body spread out over a large area, its wings folded backwards, looking like a version of a cape. It lowered its head to Maximus, as Maximus came up and sat on the ground.

"We have had a difficult night here, Pyros. One has died, another is dealing with his past, and the rest...well...the night's not good for them either..."

Maximus caught the fleeing of a female figure from the building, and watched as Sapphire ran toward the woods. He did not bother to follow, she could take care of herself, he was sure.

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG76.jpg

(OOC Did anyone wish to do anything further, or is this over with?)

Maximus stood, and looked once again toward the building, and shook his head. These sort of invitations always had their ways of twisting the true intentions of all, and causing more chaos and pain than planned. Such was the nature of battle, ever-changing, ever-outperforming.

Nevertheless, it was time to go. He had enough of this place, and his presence here would only serve to cause more agony than necessary. He walked back inside, and picked up his belongings, stuffed them into his bag that he had left on a table on the edge of the main room. The eyes of the other guests watched him, and soon enough, Maximus turned and addressed them:

"It is time for me to leave. There is nothing I can do anymore. Thank you all for your kindness, perhaps we shall meet again under more favorable terms."

Pulling out a pad of paper and pen, Maximus scrawled a letter of his departure to be given to the host:


Sapphire,

Your party has been rather interesting, though events have not gone as well as we all had hoped. I thank you for your generosity and hope to meet you again in peace. I will try to convince President Marshall of Tarlachia to open up trade connections with your nation, in an effort to provide each other with a trusting ally.

Once again, my regards for my departure, for there is nothing more that I can do.

Sincerely,
Maximus Destroi, Tarlachia


Maximus walked to Ayane and addressed her:

"Ayane, would you do me the kind favor of delivering this to Sapphire?"

"Yes."

"Thank you, and if Sapphire is not available, you may deliver this to the next highest in the chain of command."

He gave them a nod, tossed his sack upon his shoulder, and walked out the front door once again, and back to his waiting ride. He secured his sack, and leapt easily onto Pyros's back.

"We're stopping in Valient to see to Drirethlen and Alexander first, before heading back home."

Growling his compliance, Pyros turned and took off into the night sky, the wings gusting high winds toward the open door of the building, blasting the remaining guests with cool fresh air.

The dragon swooped in and out of the clouds, as if he were dancing with the elements, throughly enjoying the thrills of flight. After some time of flying, the came upon the lands of Valient, and soon approached the well marked home of the Hyraphore. Gliding over the high steel fence surrounding the compound, Pyros landed on the lawn, folded its wings and knelt down to allow Maximus off.

"I'll be right back in a little bit, don't go anywhere."

Making his way toward the front entrance, Maximus was approached by a half dozen of Hyraphore members. The could sense that Maximus was powerful, yet they showed no fear. They drew their Upirs and held it toward him menacingly.

"Step no further! You are on private grounds, state your business!" commanded one of the vampires.

"I come to seek Drirethlen's company. My name is Maximus." was the curt reply.

"Fine then, he will be informed of your arrival, wait here." came the response from the same vampire, who turned and made his way into the building.

Driretlen stood with his back on the door to the Regenerative Room. Alexander... so young.... and now... this?

He turned and prepared to head back to his private quarters when one of his Hyraphore Elite came running down the hall.

"Yes, officer. What is it?"

"There is a Maximus here to see you, sir. Seems powerful. He has a dragon..."

Alexander stood and pondered that.

"A dragon? Well, it's not proper to keep guests waiting."

************

When Driretelen came outside, he saw Maximus. He immediately rushed forward and clasped his friends hands, ordering his men to stand down.

"You came... I am glad. Would you like to see Alexander?"

Maximus turned and walked over to stand next to Graazz, asking him:

"So, interesting time we're having, do you not agree?"
"Yah, zatz wun wey tu put yt."

OOC: Oh, I didn't see your second post there... fun! We'll go with it. Sorry about the wait.

Maximus glanced as the vampires retreated slightly, as Drirethlen moved in quickly.

"Indeed I would. How is he?"

Drirethlen led him into the Hyraphore, and through several rooms, leading deeper into the building, until they came upon the Regenerative room.

With a nod of consent from Ayane, Shado took the letter from Maximus and put it in a small pouch under his cloak for safekeeping. He led her over to his horse, Amaris, and helped her up. Swinging himself up by the reins, he looked as comfortable on his horse as he did on the ground.

He turned to Ayane, and asked, "Are you ready?"

With a swift movement, Shado sent Amaris into a gallop towards the woods where Kain and Sapphire had last headed.

He stared straight ahead while they rode, as he was blushing brightly - Ayane was holding on to him tightly to avoid falling off the saddle-less horse.

Ayane watched with a touch of sadness as Maximus flew off into the skies above… Everything seemed to be breaking apart. But there was still Shado, and for that she felt grateful.

She slipped her arms round him as he sent his horse into a gallop, and blushed at his closeness. She wondered suddenly if he could hear her heart beating. She held on to him tight, and a part of her wished they could stay on horseback forever, galloping to faraway lands, with her holding onto him.... She felt safe with him. She felt her cheeks redden further as her imagination took flight…

They entered the woods. It was dark, but the glow of the moon cast an almost surreal light over the scene. They reached a large pond; Kain was standing beside it, gazing into the still water. Shado helped her down from the horse.

And she knew. There was only one place Sapphire could have gone. And she would not be coming back.

Tears blurred her eyes as she looked at Shado, then began streaming down her cheeks. She slipped her arms round him again, and buried her head against his chest, and cried…

Shado had no sense of Ayane's feelings as she rode behind him, but was very conscious of his own, and the question he hadn't asked earlier...

Shado felt an intense sadness as they raced into the trees, the bark of the great giants seeping heartfelt emotions at every pore.

Pulling Amaris' reins, he slid off her back, and helped Ayane down. In front of them was Kain, staring into the water. Ayane stepped over to him, and, slipping her arms round him, she began to cry. He knew not why, but he knew something important had happened here. Seeing Kain dash into the water after Sapphire, Shado could do nothing but watch.

He was no longer self-conscious about having Ayane this close to him - on the contrary, it felt as though she was part of him, and, holding her tightly, he comforted her as best he could.

"Shh...It's OK...Everything's OK...I...I don't know what has happened here, though I'm sure you do...All I know is that it was meant to happen...Here...Now...It was all destined to happen. In the words of one far wiser than I, "Do not anxiously hope for that which is not yet come; do not vainly regret what is already past.". This was meant to happen. Do not despair, good still lives on."

With these words, he held her closer, and hoped that this occurence would pass; not unnoticed, but unforgotten. Not depressing, but remembered. For as Shado himself says, "To be forgotten is a fate far worse than death."

Ayane was trembling now, and still sobbing. She held close to Shado. He was her light of hope, her strength. She gulped back tears, and nestled against his chest. With him here, somehow, everything would be all right...

“She’s gone…” she whispered. “Shado, she’s gone, and we didn’t help her… She needed… we didn’t help her… I know good still lives on, but some good has just” – the word escaped her as a sob – “died…”

Her voice an almost inaudible whisper, she added softly,
“I’m glad you’re here…”

"She's...dead..? I..."

Shado could no longer speak, his emotions finally having caught up with him when Ayane told him about Sapphire's death. He held her close, and just heard her whisper, "I’m glad you’re here…"

He blushed brightly, and held her closer. Suddenly he pulled away, and bent down on one knee, his head bowed.

"I..." he began, but stopped, embarassed. He began again. "I would be honoured to accompany you on any journeys which you may travel. In the words of the Shadostanian Warrior, 'My life is in your hands, my sword in your hand.'"

Then he stood, adding his own personal touch to theShadostanian Warrior vows.

"And my heart is in your hands."

Double post. Sorry!

Ayane looked down at him, and blushed several shades deeper. She was so surprised, she had no idea what to say. There were still tears in her eyes, but now to those of sadness were mingling tears of… joy?

She had never witnessed anything quite this touching. As she looked at Shado’s bowed head, her heart was beating wildly. He was… courageous, chivalrous, wise beyond his years, devoted to ideals she shared. And handsome. And, perhaps most importantly of all, he had the kindest heart she had ever known anyone to have.

And now he was placing that heart in her hands.

She swallowed the lump in her throat and took a moment to steady herself before she was able to speak.

“Lord Shado…” she said softly. “It is I who am honoured, and it would give me great joy if you were to travel by my side. I… Rise, my lord.”

She waited until he was standing, then took a deep breath, and went on,
“I may hold your heart, and be assured I will always treasure it as the most sacred gift ever entrusted to me. But I know now…” She looked into his eyes, and felt herself tremble slightly. “You also hold mine…”

Maximus glanced as the vampires retreated slightly, as Drirethlen moved in quickly.

"Indeed I would. How is he?"

Drirethlen led him into the Hyraphore, and through several rooms, leading deeper into the building, until they came upon the Regenerative room.

OOC: tarlachia, I'm going to end our part of the thread. Just to wrap things up. This was a very interesting thread all...

OOC2: Ribenia and Shadostan, good stuff guys :)

IC:

"He... is better. Go in. He is expecting you..."

Maximus nodded once at Driretlen and entered the huge doors into the Regenerative Complex Room.

Inside was a huge vat of Regenerative liquid, in which Alexander floated freely. The liquid was a tinged red, courtesy of Alexander's blood.

"So that was why he cut his arm... ingenius." thought Maximus.

With closed eyes, maximus stretched out his hand and placed it on the Regenerative Complex. With his mind, he reached out to Alexander.

"Alexander... it is I, Maximus..."

Mentally, Maximus could feel a response.

"Maximus... my friend... thank you... for coming."

*fade to black

A message from Chancellor Richard Willikins I, II and III.

I am not an immortal, not in the sense of a God, never aging and all powerful, but have been able to sustain my life over 100 years, whilst limiting the ageing process significantly. I am now impervious to harm, until a date in the near future, when my ascension will be complete, and i will assure in a new era. Until that time, I lead the Nation of Sasqumanja, and enjoy saturday night sit-coms.

Ta ta. -Chancellor Willikins III

Kain faded from staring at the silvered pool...his own mind considering the sweetness of oblivion. He faded away, the wind carrying him onto his course.


---

To whoever this may reach.

It is with much regret and dissapointment that the outcome of this event was reached, the souls of two people was snuffed. It is deep apologies that I do express to whoever this may reach, this was not my intention to bring more death into this event, but alas, I bring it like a disease. But...be conforted in the fact that Sapphire, died peacefully I feel, and death can sometimes be more desirable than life. The afterlife can be a sweet escape from the world's eternal pain, even if it is the nothingness of oblivion. But I digress....words cannot express my regret of this. Alexander should never have died....it was never my intent.

So, for whatever it is worth, I did not mean for any such event to occour. Me deepest apologies, I should never have come.



Kain Irenicus.

OOC: Good work you all. It was fun and we need to do this again. Infact I am thinking of having Sapphire come back as an immortal. She wasn't, but now she is. She will be the Lady Sapphire of Empress Serene, not though Empress Serene, will be explained more later. I will let you all finish what you like. Good development between Ayane and Shado. I like it. Thank you to all of you. I will try to telegram you when the new story will come out, but if I don't it will be called Immortal Pond. I will wait a bit before I start it.


IC: A message was sent along the wind, the wind and light entertained one another sometimes and the wind carried a message from the light. The song was intended for all, but more so for Kain.

The song had no words, nor words would ever describe it. It brought light into the lifes it touched and helped them understand. A song for them to heal and grow.

After the song ended, another message was sent to Kain. It held Sapphires voice, a melancholy tone, "I will be back and we will have much to talk about you and I, Kain."

I look forward to it. I will be here. I always am.

OCC: *Groggily* Did i miss something? I had a long weekend and went away and couldnt go on the computer.

The Irisher faded into view a few feet away from Ayane.
"Hm... Sad, that. I wonder if she's got some way of reviving herself like Alex, or if I'll have to do some rescuing."
How the heck did he get there?
"Oh, I know what you're thinking. How the heck did I get here? Well, it doesn't really matter, suffice to say it's one of the advantages of being deanimalized."

OOC: Looking forward to it already! You guys are great, this is like the best thread I've ever seen! YAY!

IC: Shado stood, and heard the words of the one who had captured his heart. He would stand by her side always, and would defend her and her honour to the death. Turning away from the silvery pool, he mounted his horse, and helped Ayane up beside him. Much had happened here, and Shado had found someone very special. He began to wonder, to hope against hope, that she was the one...

Turning Amaris, they slowly made their way out of the woods. They had much to think about.

Shado said but one thing to Ayane as they left;

"Where does my Lady wish to go now? Speak, and I shall follow."

He smiled, and waited. Wherever Ayane wanted to go, he would gladly go with her.

OOC: Valient, AmandaTheGreat, thank you! I agree with Shadostan, this thread is great! I’ve loved reading what all of you have written.


IC:
Ayane was happy merely sitting and holding onto Shado tight as he took her away… She had never known anyone like him, and again the idea of galloping off into the unknown, close to him forever, touched her imagination, and she smiled…

She spared a glance for the man who had just appeared, and gave him a brief smile, but all her thoughts now were for Shado.

“I wish… The destination does not matter,” she told him softly, “as long as you ride there with me.” Her heart was still beating wildly, and she felt as though she were in a dream. One she never wanted to wake from… “Ride on, Lord Shado,” she said in a whisper. “Let us merely ride, together… That is all I wish…”

OOC: Great ending Valient, provides lots of opportunity for future involvment!

I suggest we get this thread archived, as it has several important things of note: ie: Shado and Ayane, Sapphire, Maximus-Drirethlen-Alexander, Kain, etc. It was all a well played out RP, hope to see you all again soon!

By the way, check out this thread, which I've started up registrations for: The Hunt
http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2721342#2721342

(OOC Superb. Glad to have been in this one, I enjoyed it.)

OOC:I must say, what I saw of it was very good. Sorry I left with no trace halfway through, I just felt I couldn't keep up and was slowing people down. Also I'm quite new to RPing so I didn't feel that I could handle fights well.