NationStates Jolt Archive

(OOC: PLEASE DO NOT POST UNLESS YOU ARE INVITED!!!)

Lance Crusade sat quietly in a little tavern within a small valley, called the Valley of Tears, listening halfheartedly to the other travelers talking and gossiping, while sipping the mug of warm Alerisa wine. Lance was waiting for two travelers to arrive, two friends from long ago. And they were late…

Downing the contents of his mug in one gulp, Lance signaled for the bartender to give him another drink. Within seconds, another mug filled with Alerisa wine sat before Lance. Suddenly, Lance’s eyes began to tear up, as his thoughts turned to a mournful act that had occurred years earlier.

Years ago, Lance along with other Heroes of the Ages had been brought back to life, returning to the mortal plane to battle a new threat that threatened to consume the land. But the Heroes of the Ages were barely successful, finally stemming the enemy deep within the seas of the east. But the cost was horrendous… Thousands of civilians had been devoured by the Dyphon, a cannibalistic and amphibious lizard species that had emerged out of the depths of the sea. And many vaunted and legendary heroes had died. Among them, was Lance’s only son, Amistad, who had reappeared only to die in Lance’s arms. Although Lance was not responsible for the deaths of so many innocents and so many friends, Lance felt responsible for each and every single of the deaths. On the day that his son died, Lance lost his taste for battle and vowed to put down his sword and seek a life of nonviolence. To fulfill his declaration, Lance took the two swords that he possessed, the ancestral Sword of Cala and the divine sword, known as the Heaven’s Will, along with other swords of dead heroes and formed a circle of swords, to serve both as a memorial to those that had died and as his vow to never fight once more. With that done, Lance departed from the memorial, leaving several guardians to protect it, to wander the mortal plane.

However, Lance never stopped mourning the loss of his son and the loss of many friends and innocents. To him, the loss would always stay with him, never departing, never disappearing.

Lance’s thoughts turned to another incident that happened two years earlier. Still in a state of shock at the losses suffered against the Dyphon, Lance wandered aimlessly, arriving at the border of two warring kingdoms. Residing there for several months, Lance discovered that the dispute between the two sovereignties was over a trivial and irrelevant dispute over how to deal with a larger kingdom, threatening invasion. Incredulous, Lance attempted to mediate a truce between the two kingdoms. But, however hard Lance worked to negotiate a settlement, matters only got worse. When Lance finally gave up, exhausted and aggravated by the inability for the two sides to parley, hostilities grew to the point that the two kingdoms were at war. With deep sorrow, Lance left the area and continued on his journey, extremely mortified that he had caused the new round of bloodshed.

With the added guilt upon his conscience, Lance arrived at the Valley of Tears and drank endlessly, waiting for arrival of his companions.

A woman with dark brown hair travelled along the dark path lit only by the light of the moon; the light illuminating the glossy strands with an almost ethereal glow. Her starlight grey eyes sparkeled in every ounce of light that hit them. There was something different about her. Her skin was fair, but flawless as well. A black shirt hugged the contours of her body tightly, though only a glimpse could be seen as a black cloak was pulled about her body.

She was around twenty five years of age, and seemingly travelling alone. A cold wind swept past her, but she continued on towards the Valley of Tears. Occasionally she would see someone passing by, and would not turn her eyes towards them. She could hear the echoing of their heartbeat loud enough to know where they were.

Arleni stepped back from the once-injured dog lying at her feet. The dog had stepped upon a nail that had been lying in the street, and had been limping about for what appeared to be the last two days. Smiling she watched as the dog got up, looked at her appreciatively and walked away, heading home now.

A few words of Elvish were sung to the air, blessing the canine, keeping him safe from any harm for the next several days. She strolled down the path once more, and soon deliberately walked off it, preferring to be in a more natural setting, untouched by mankind.

I fear that mankind will one day destroy the world, to a point even we cannot mend...

Before her, lay the Valley of Tears, and upon consideration, decided she would stop by there for a little bit. She had no real destination, nor task to do, but rather she was wandering the Earth. This Valley currently seemed to call to her, beckoning for her to arrive within its bowels.

An osprey screeched overhead as it hunted the nearby river for its prey, seeking the reflective scales of the fish within. Arleni's eyes intently watched the creature as it floated with an air of dominance high above the earth. As she watched, memories of another hunt passed through her mind, one she had been part of not too long ago. She had been severely injured in that hunt, and had almost died, but by a stroke of Elven miracle and determination, she managed to hold on to her life, and defy Death.

Her hand brushed over the tall grasses, slightly causing waves to flow behind her outstretched hand. She closed her eyes, breathing the fresh scent of the world around her into her lungs, savoring its richness.

Lance's head descended to the table, as he groaned from the pain within his heart and the guilt weighing down upon him.

Raising his head, Lance roared, "I am responsible. So many deaths! All my fault!!! I have killed so many innocents... Guilt... Oh guilt..."

Dropping his head once more, Lance continued to weep.

The other people in the tavern glanced up and muttered, considering Lance another drunkard...

Arleni found herself casually walking through the double doors of a tavern, her eyes scanning the crowd inside, but not all too carefully. She didn't sense any hostile behavior, and it seemed that the locals were already getting drunk. One was even crying, his hair covering his face. She sighed, shaking her head slightly as she headed over to the bar.

"Aft'noon ma'am, what kin ah git ya?"

"Give me a Brandybeer please."

"Commin' right up."

The barkeep poured it and slid it down the row to her, which her hand caught idly as she sipped it. She minded her own business as she sipped the drink, thinking over her travels over the last couple of weeks...

Lance turned his head, so that he could see the ground, when the door opened. His eyes watched the legs of the person walk in. They seemed oddly familiar...

Lance raised his hands and when his eyes focused on the newcomer, he nearly fell off of his chair in a dead faint.

Muttering incoherently, Lance said, "Its a ghost... A ghost... Nothing more... A ghost... Oh help me... Arleni has come back to haunt me... To punish me for my culpability in her death... Oh... A ghost... A ghost..."

Lance's head dropped once more to the table and his eyes misted once more in mourning and terror...

TAG

(sorry, looks a good read though)

"Such a baby," I mutter to myself, turning my eyes upon Lance. Although I did not know his name then, his nature was apparent to me. I wrap a strand of brown hair around my finger as I wait at the counter for my drink. It might have taken them a while to prepare given the circumstances.

A shrill cry could be heard from the back, but it faded away as if it was the wind. I chose to disregard this, as I heard it every night when I came here. I really wished they wouldn't kill. I was taught other ways to survive. Ever since he vanished, the thought that he is dead has crossed my mind too many times.

The bartender set a wine glass filled with a red liquid in front of me. He leaned forward. "Anything else ya need, Sarge?" he said softly. I shook my head in reply, but grasped his arm before he turned from me.

"I need information," I say as quietly as he had. "What do you have for me?"

"bout the usual?" he asked, cleaning a glass at the same time. I pulled him closer, a bit of my strength showing as I grabbed the collar of his shirt. It was strange to see a woman like myself handle the bartender in such away, but I set him down. I did not want to draw attention to myself. He was not taken back; it wasn't the first time.

I felt eyes upon me, and looked back toward the bartender in front of me, my face hidden by the dark black hood of my cloak. He then continued, "I got nothin' to tell you. No one has seen 'em here. They've heard rumors, but that's 'bout it. What is it with you and him anyway? He related to you?"

"Well," I say softly. "You could say that. Thanks, Mac." I say softly. I start to turn from him, but he catches my attention again.

"What is your real name anyway? Who the hell are you?" he says. I turn back to him, and say nothing. "You've been coming here for ten years and haven't aged a day. You say to call you Sarge, but what type of a name is that? You in the army or somethin?"

The question provoked an irresistible response that waited on the tip of my tongue. I suppressed it, however. "You could say that." I pause for a moment, thinking what to say to him. "Mac, you don't need to know my real name. If you dislike Sarge so much, why not just call me Kay?"

"Kay?" he asked. "That your real name?" I said nothing to him. I heard that blasted man start crying and moaning on about something. I turn to look at what was causing all the ruckus.

Kay cringed at the sound, my sensitive ears driving me mad. I reached within my cloak, drawing out a pistol. A click was heard and I was inches away from the drunkard. The barrel of the gun was an inch from his head.

"Now we don't want any trouble Sarge," Mac persisted, straightening up. "Just get out of here. He's drunk---"

"He's annoying," I persisted, my ears paining her from the yelling and moaning. The click of the gun was heard, and then I placed her finger tip on the trigger. I was now ready to shoot it, and showed no signs of hesitation that would tell otherwise.

"It's a bar, not a slaughter house!" he said firmly, stepping back as my glance fell upon him. The room seemed to be entirely silent as eyes looked up upon the mysterious figure with the gun. The black cloak shrouded my identity. I curse silently under my breath. I couldn’t deal with this right now. “Just leave Sarge!” the bartender persisted.

Reluctantly, I concealed the gun once again inside of my cloak. I storm past the lot, grabbing my drink from the counter as I left. I opened the door and stepped outside, the night air soon to be dawn. I down the rest of the glass instantly and smash the glass upon the ground.

Mac came out a few seconds later. “What the hell are you doing scaring my customers like that?”

“He was hurting my ears,” I reply. “And if he was in that much pain it would have been best to put him out of his misery.”

“You really are heartless, aren’t you?” Mac asked. I turn to him with bitterness in my eyes.

“My heart died ten years ago,” I reply, a bit of emotion showing. I stifled it quickly. I curse once more as the sun was beginning to rise on the horizon. The rays fall upon my face, and I turn away immediately.

“Come on,” Mac said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder toward the bar. “Looks like you’ll have to stay here…” Stepping in the fading shadows of the bar, I enter the back door, and sit down in the back room, my image not visible to those in the bar. “I’ll be back after we close, which should be pretty soon. You can stay here on one condition.”

“What?” I ask doggedly, putting my feet up upon the table in front of me.

“I can deal without knowing your real name, but I’ve never seen your face. Not once. How do I know you’re not a demon?” he paused for a moment. “Let me see who you are.”

I hesitated with this, and then sighed. I would be outside if I did not show him. I would kill him, but then I could get no information on him. I slowly pull back the hood of my cloak.

(OOC: Sorry if I didn't make it clear, Rave, its fantasy RP, so no guns, etc...)

TAG

Arleni froze completely as she heard the voice.

Lance...

She turned to suddenly see a mysterious figure walk up to Lance and draw a weapon out at him. Arleni was about to come to his aid when the barkeep convinced the figure to leave. Her Elven eyes carefully watch the figure move out the door and moments later the sound of breaking glass is heard.

Paying no more attention to the strange one, Arleni took another swig of the brandybeer and walked over to Lance carefully. His head was still down on the table, as he mumbled to himself. Arleni set the drink down, then stood to the side of Lance, resting her hands just above his head as she muttered an Elvish spell:

"Dina Lance, mellonamin, Entula a' moinayamen'..."
"Silence Lance, my friend, recall...

Lance's mind was captured in the grip of his memories, clearer than ever before, as they focused on Arleni's supposed 'last minutes' of her life according to him. What he saw revealed the truth as he watched the scene unfold before his eyes.

Arleni, attacked, wounded severely. Lying still upon the ground. Lance's finger failing to catch the faint pulse, leaving her for dead. Arleni opens her eyes, pulls hand over torso wound muttering a temporary healing spell...

The memories ceased, and Arleni pulls her hands back as she awaits Lance's reaction to the truth...

Lance stopped crying pitifully and gazed up into Arleni's face.

"You lie! I saw Arleni fall on the shores of Algorith... She is dead. Begone, servitor of darkness. Cease your torment of my soul... Or you shall feel the wrath of Lance Crusade, the Hidden Dragon..."

But in his heart, Lance knew that he no longer had the wish to fight. Lance was in reality powerless.

(OOC: I'll something later... Its the end of lunch and I need to get to class... :roll: )

Arleni looked down at Lance, watching as she noticed he tried to hide behind his false personality, his shell of his being.

"You are mistaken. See for yourself."

With that, she pulled the shirt upwards from her abdomen and revealed her skin to him. Upon it a long, jagged scar ran diagonally from the left to the right, ending below her belt. The old wound had gone farther, but she would not reveal this to him. What was shown, she knew would be enough. She cast her eyes back to Lance.

"Touch it for yourself, see that my wound from the blade that slit me deep is true and real. You think I am a demon, I tell you otherwise, for I am very much alive..."

Lance raised his head, bringing his piercing deeply unsettling gaze upon Arleni's eyes. His gaze trapped Arleni in a powerful spell, transmitting the deep sorrow and pain that Lance was experiencing.

Releasing Arleni, Lance looked back down upon the table and said simply, "That was but a mere fraction of the suffering that I feel... Even if you are alive Arleni, you have witnessed what I have seen. You do not possess the guilt that I possess..."

Sighing deeply, Lance raised his head and brought his gaze up to the ceiling.

"I have become changed... No more am I a dealer of death and destruction... A so-called champion of light, but no more than a killer... I have become only a husk of my former being. I seek only peace and tranquility... Nothing more... I find this strangely lightening... Arleni, if you are truly alive, then you are truly the blessed being that I recognized when I first saw you..."

Lance chuckled painfully as he continued, "You have not seen your only child die within your hands... You have not seen innocents murdered before your eyes... You have not the horrors that I have witnessed... And as a being that I am, I cannot forget what I've seen... I cannot transcend the pain... I cannot..."

Lance stopped as the tears began to flow swiftly from his reddened eyes. Gazing back imploringly at Arleni, Lance's face grimaced in terrible pain, "Please, leave me to my pain..."

Tag. Will post asap...

Arleni tilted her head as she lived the torture that plagued her friend. Finally, he released her, and she took a deep breath, calming herself once again.

"You are mistaken. I have seen many loved ones die, and still, even I could do nothing to stop this. You forget that I am nearly three thousand years old. I have seen plenty die...including innocents...

You must learn that although what you have done has indeed been murder, you did so for a good cause. A cause that was worthy, and still is. I will not lecture you on this, but rather tell you this, a lesson I was taught by the wisest of Elves:

We live in parallel worlds. One world consists of hills, lakes, barns, and mortal creatures of many kinds. The other world consists of sinister forces and the whole spiritual realm.

You and I, we are frozen between these worlds, an unstable position in the cosmos, but one we must live with. Thus, we must learn to cope with the burdens that come with it. Do you not think that the Greats (being that of the ones who are considered 'gods') would have given you this role in the worlds, if they thought you were incapable? The same is true for me.

And as such a condition is set before us, I will stand by you. You will never be alone, for together we are the warriors of old, the warriors that children dream to be. We are the protectors that cannot and must not falter from our mission. So drop your pessimstic attitude and that drink, and let's get going. This is not a good place for either of us. Think about it, what you are doing right now is exactly what the enemies want you to do. They know this is the only way they have to defeat you. Are you going to just sit there and roll over and die?! I'll have you know that I won't!!"

Arleni finally fell silent, breathing faster, feeling the surge of energy within her body as she looked about the room with a defiant look, staring down those that had dared to look over at them. She returned her gaze back to Lance, her eyes emblazoned with a fire of determination, of life, of strength.

Lance sighed and said in a shaking voice, "There is no hope... No one to pass on my fighting skills... No one to continue the Crusade bloodline... No one to become the Duke of Cala... There is no hope for me..."

Lance held Arleni's gaze without flinching and continued, "You have not seen your only child die your hands, powerless to save him, even though you claim to be strong... I have seen my own child, Amistad, die slowly and painfully within my grasp... I have seen the wounds my son suffered... I am a powerful fighter and yet unable to save the ones that I truly love... What am I??? How can I claim to be the Hidden Dragon? How can I claim the birthright of my ancestors? How!?!"

Lance dropped his gaze and mechanically brought his hand forth and picked up the mug of wine. Taking a deep drink, Lance continued, "I am no longer who I originally was... I have been changed inexorably by the horrific events... Lance Crusade is no longer... I will revert to what I originally was, a nameless orphan, found on the plains of death..."

Sighing, Lance brought his gaze back to Arleni and with a calm voice said, "I have only one wish that I hope can be fulfilled before I die... And now, Arleni, come... You must see the entirety of my grief, my pain..."

Arleni sighed. Lance wasn't going to make this easy for her. With a soft whisper, barely heard by Lance she spoke:

"Forgive me Lance, but this must be done...[/i]

With lightning speed she flipped the table away from Lance, and moved to lift him by the shirt, easily done so, and walked quickly over to the wall, scattering other patrons as she slammed his body somewhat heavily into the wall. There he dangled, somewhat surprised at her strength to lift his body clearly above the floor.

"DAMN YOU LANCE! COME OUT OF YOUR SELF-PITY! STOP LOOKING AT THE DARK TIMES OF YOUR LIFE AND LOOK TOWARD THE GOOD!..."

With a softer voice she continued:

"You cannot do this to yourself. I will not let you kill yourself. If you do so, the world will remember you as the COWARD that ran!"

The barkeep came running over and tried to intervene.

"Ma'am, put the man down! Or I'll forcibly have you removed!"

Arleni turned to him, her eyes glaring hotly at the man. She whispered in a deathly tone,

"If you wish to remain alive, you will do no such thing. Get back to your bar...NOW..."

The man's eyes widened as he saw that Arleni was far out of his league to meddle with. He held his hands up in self defense.

"I'm sorry, but please, take it elsewhere, out of my pub..."

"Fine." Arleni replied, and carried Lance out the door, before she cast him to the ground with force.

"Now, you cannot wallow in your drink, Coward! How does that sound? A good name for you? Is that how you wish to be remembered?"

Rarely had Arleni ever gotten so furious, but this had become one of those time when it was necessary...

(sorry about that. My nation is fantasy modern. I never knew it was past settings. Ah well, picture a serated sword then. :-D )

IC:

He drew away from me, and I knew he was in shock at the sight of my face. I hadn't seen my reflection for quite a while...I didn't know what to expect. I do remember how i looked before though. "Not what you were expecting?" I ask him, trying to read his expression.

"N-No," he stuttered. Before him sat a woman with a young face, probably of only nineteen years old, with piercing grey starlight eyes. her straight brown hair framed her face perfectly. He could tell that only a few pieces were shorter as the rest was pulled back in her cloak. Her skin was virtually flawless and possesed an alabastor hue to it. Her lips were stained from her drink, and there was an unusual flush to her pale cheeks. It was clear that she had taken in nuroushment recently.

He moved closer, as if to figure out if I was real or an illusion. In a blink of an eye I was behind him. He jumped from me, and I smiled. "Don't worry Mac," I said in my usual tone. "If you want me out of your life, simply get the information I desire."

"What interests you about this man so much that you would come here night after night asking about him? You've been here too long, Kay. You're not in a position to be making threats. I could throw you out in a heartbeat."

"Could you?" I said, lifting my eyebrow towards him. The answer I could see in his eyes. I sat down in a chair, letting my body fall into it. I look at the floor, thinking of how to answer his question. I do owe him something. I cast my eyes back up to him. "I'm linked with him." I say finally after several minutes. "And I love him. That is all you need to know." I say, dismissing the thought with my hand, wishing to move on.

"I'll accept that for now..." he said thinking it over. "Well, do you have any family waiting for you somewhere?"

"No," I say softly. After a few minutes of passing silence, I look to him. His glance at me tells me to go on. "I killed them. Not just my parents, but my older sister and little brother as well." Mac was taken back by this, inching a way slightly. I cast a disapproving stare over him. "You know what I am...I didn't know. I was confused. It took me a lot of time to be able to control myself..."

"And you call yourself controlled now?" By the next expression on my face, he apologized quickly. Then I here quite a commotion outside. I tilt my head down and Mac stood up.

"One of the other barkeeps," he said, looking out from behind the door to look at the commotion. He looked at me then, and I shook my head.

"No way am I getting myself involved with petty arguments. Let them fight to the death, I---" A sudden pain rushed through my ears from the yelling. "Argh..." I cover them quickly, then bring my hands to my side, clenching my fists so tightly that my nails dig into my skin.

"You want that sound to stop take that woman OUT of my bar," he said, persuading my quite effectively. But he knew I wasn't fully convinced. "I know you're still hungry. The hunger never dies does it?"

I slam him against the wall, my hands clenching his shirt. In frustration I let go, a scared look entering his eyes. I regain my composure. "No...it doesn't." I look at him with a soft grin, only half though. "But it will cost you."

"Cost me what?" he asked me, gaining back his original tone. He noticed my expression again. "How much?"

"Twenty," I say softly.

"Deal." he says, and I offer my hand. He grabs it, but retracts quickly at the deadly coldness. I roll my eyes and get up myself. I put the hood back over my face, my black cloak covering around me; the blood-red satin lining caressing my skin, as I open the door, and step out.

I walk to the edge of the bar, opening up the small gate to get through to the general public. I look at this woman has the other in a grip. Lance... The other bartender is quite unsure of what to do. She takes him outside and casts him to the ground. I follow slowly, looking out toward the two. I know they were outside, but I found reason to get this woman away from this man and this pub.

"I suggest you leave him alone and get out of here," I say to her in my usual tone. It was directly to her. I looked her straight in the eyes though she could not see mine. "Before it's too late," I say with inflection in my tone. So faintly, I could hear her heart beating....and more slovenly; Lance.

Arleni turned slowly to the voice that spoke at her. She smelled the air discreetly.

Vampire...haven't seen once since Maximus or Kain...

"Mind your own business vampire... I will converse with my friend as I wish."

Arleni was tense, keeping an ear upon Lance, listening to his movements. Her eyes were upon the other one, a woman obviously. She didn't know who it was, but this one was intruding on a conversation that was none of her business.. Arleni silently began to think of a spell to be used if necessary...

"I don't think you heard me correctly, so let me repeat it again; Leave him be," I repeat in a commanding tone. I could deal with more than this. Though I do admit, the timing was not in my favor. The bloodline was, however.

A few people lifted their heads and looked through the doorway as they heard the words exchanged between the two. A vampire? In this area? The thought brought a half smile to Sarge's face.

I hear those silent words passing through her mind as soft whispers; nothing more. I wished he were here. I wished that he was by my side at this moment. This conversation would have lasted two seconds. Don't test me with futile spells, elf. I reply in the same silent words. They echoed through her mind as I advanced my ground.

My cape concealed me well from the fading light of the sun. His insignia was right around the neck of the cloak. It was small yet elaborately detailed. I never tear my sight from this woman before me.

"I don't think you heard me correctly, so let me repeat it again; Leave him be," I repeat in a commanding tone. I could deal with more than this. Though I do admit, the timing was not in my favor. The bloodline was, however.

A few people lifted their heads and looked through the doorway as they heard the words exchanged between the two. A vampire? In this area? The thought brought a half smile to Sarge's face.

I hear those silent words passing through her mind as soft whispers; nothing more. I wished he were here. I wished that he was by my side at this moment. This conversation would have lasted two seconds. Don't test me with futile spells, elf. I reply in the same silent words. They echoed through her mind as I advanced my ground.

My cape concealed me well from the fading light of the sun. His insignia was right around the neck of the cloak. It was small yet elaborately detailed. I never tear my sight from this woman before me.

That symbol...

Arleni squinted her eyes. It had been over a thousand years since she had last seen him...

"Drac..."

Arleni turned to the woman, squaring off with her, blocking Lance's view of her.

"How are you related to Drac? He is an old friend of mine..."

I know you can read my thoughts, but you forget that I can do the same with you. And I strongly recommend you do not test *me*, lest you incur my wrath, wrath I am sure you have never seen the magnitude of...

My eyes widened as I drew a vicious blade immediately at the mention of his name. It was a brilliant black sword sharper than diamond with the same insignia upon it. It had rubies embedded on the hilt in black metal that wrapped around the hand. It was beautifully crafted, and something not of current day; but of ancient times.

"And you don't want to test me, elf!" I growl as his sword is weilded skillfully within my hands. I was his eternally, and I was part of him in a sense. Step towards her, the blade drawing nearer to her with each step.

I rotate the blade once in my hand and glare at her, my grey eyes not lifting from her for one moment. "How the hell do you know Drac!?" I yell at her. I notice a hesitation. "Speak!" I order, a fury building within me.

In a movement that was smoothly fluid in its execution, Arleni had drawn her sword as well. An elegant, yet simple Elven blade, with a finely carved hilt of leaves, that gave way to a finely polished blade, smooth and strong. It was obvious to see the fine care given unto the sword, keeping it in its best condition possible. One could not have known the numbers of foes whose blood had been spilt unto the ground. She had carried the weapon ever since the first fall of Sauron long ago, when he had fallen under the courage of the Men. Never once had the blade failed her, and it felt as if it were a part of her. Deadly was its bite, deadly was she with such a weapon.

However, Arleni had only drawn the weapon for self-defense. She did not wish to engage in fighting with this vampire. It would serve no purpose. At least, not now...

"Drac was once an ally of mine in a battle long ago. A battle against a fanatical group of men known as the Southron Raiders, during a time when both of our kinds were being persecuted by them."

And that was the truth, the two had indeed fought long ago, together. Yet...time had a way of changing some things...

"Now you. Answer my question. I told you what you wanted to know, tell me what I want to know..."

Lance rose from his fetal position upon the ground. Standing ramrod straight, he scrutinized the two antagonists. Narrowing his eyes in annoyance at their interruption of Lance's mourning and grieving, Lance shifted into a barely perceptible fighting stance, ready to strike at any point. With tears still streaming down his face, Lance spoke up, addressing the two fighters, one vampire, one elf.

"Can you not let a man mourn in peace? Can you not let one suffer alone?"

Turning his head towards Arleni, Lance said, "I know that you mean good in trying to help me out of my daze and recover what I once was. But I am beyond hope... I have experienced my son die in my hands... I have seen innocents killed, eaten by cannibals... I have seen comrades, compatriots, friends die for me... I should have died many times, but I have somehow survived... It is my duty to mourn them... It is my duty to suffer for my survival..."

Moving his gaze to that of the vampire, Lance continued, "Vampire, I don't know who you are and what you want, but if you continue to threaten my friend, you will pay. I've made allowance, when you threaten me for I am no more than an empty husk of who was once a great man... But, you have gone to far in threatening a friend."

Bringing his gaze back so to see both antagonists, Lance continued, his voice suddenly toneless and cold, "Sheathe your weapons now. I will allow you to see something that no one else except me have witnessed..."

Without another word, Lance wheeled on the heels of his feet and exited the tavern. Without a backward glance, Lance trudged swiftly north, out of the Valley of Tears...

Arleni growled slightly to herself... then sheathed her sword, casting a final look over at the vampire.

"I expect an answer on the way to wherever he's leading us..."

She didn't wait for an answer, but followed Lance northward. She didn't care if the vampire came along as well, it was up to her. Either way, she would be keeping her eye out for the vampire. She didn't sit right in Arleni's mind. She also was...sly...

But then again, she herself could be as well...

Kay lowered her blade only after the elf had put hers away. It was concealed again beneath the black robes. I did not answer her at all. I debated whether to go with them or not. She would be my only connection to Drac. I could not accept the idea that he may be dead. I never thought that the source could have perished. I couldn't think that I would never see him again.

She could expect all she wanted to, it was known that I would not answer her. Mac peered out of the door, and I walked to him. "Are you going with them?" he asked.

"Yes," I say hesitantly. After a while, I continue. "You owe me twenty."

"It will be here when you get back. Give me time," he said in reply. Without a word, I turn from him, and follow the two. I can not yet lift my eyes nor remove my cloak as the sun is still there, and it would be a hinderance to me until nightfall.

I did not like this elf one bit. I didn't like the way she spoke of Drac. I didn't like the way she disclosed no information to me of him. Yet again, I suppose, I had disclosed no information about myself. I had Drac's sword and cloak in my possession, and she had only noticed the insignia on the cloak. Perhaps I should keep my eye on her.

I would expect the same from her, especially after the sun goes down.

Arriving at the northern end of the Valley of Tears, Lance stopped abruptly. Turning around, Lance scrutinized the unlikely duo following. One, a beautiful elf, the other, a sinister vampire. Not sure of what to expect of them, Lance decided to calm their evident hostility.

In a clear, but toneless voice, Lance said, "We are going on a journey to see a memorial dedicated to those killed over the years through their camaraderie with me. Dedicated to the multitude of innocents murdered, dedicated to the countless heroes who fell to preserve justice and honor."

Stopping for a moment, Lance looked into their eyes and continued, "Your feuding must stop now. I do not know of and do not care about the hostility that exists between you two. But if you are to come with me on this journey, you must forget your enmity. The memorial is sacred, a memory to the dead. Disrespect will not be tolerated. Set aside your enmity and see the truth behind the facade of life..."

Without another word, Lance turned and began to head east towards the formidable mountains...

Memories of the dead? I think to myself, a smile drawing across my face though neither could see it. Neither had seen my face. I should feel quite home there I believe... I continue on, letting him lead the way.

"Emnity," I say softly, my tone possessing a remarkable clarity. "Is not the same as sheer dislike." I do not say anymore, I simply followed. If the elf wanted a fight, she would start it. I wasn't one to waste my energy on elves.

Arleni didn't say anything. She simply followed Lance as he led the way to their destination. She worked to clear her mind of the anger that had clouded her thoughts, had almost spurred her into action. In part, she scolded herself for not using the patience she was often well known for.

She would have to keep extra attention to her own reactions to the vampire. She couldn't let herself get carried away again. She thought guardedly to herself, preventing the vampire from hearing her thoughts.

And yet, she bugs me...

Lance stopped when he reached the mountains of the east. Glancing back at his two unlikely companions he sighed deeply, more in exasperation than in sorrow or mourning. Slowly, during this fateful trip, Lance's fury and sorrow had slowly disappeared to be replaced by annoyance.

Carefully, Lance checked the ground around him. Satisfied that everything was in order, Lance continued to walk forward. Stopping suddenly, he turned around and said to the two following him, "Continue walking forward. Do not stop if I disappear..."

Without another word, Lance walked forward and after several steps was swallowed up by some gelatine-like wall...

Lance stopped when he reached the mountains of the east. Glancing back at his two unlikely companions he sighed deeply, more in exasperation than in sorrow or mourning. Slowly, during this fateful trip, Lance's fury and sorrow had slowly disappeared to be replaced by annoyance.

Carefully, Lance checked the ground around him. Satisfied that everything was in order, Lance continued to walk forward. Stopping suddenly, he turned around and said to the two following him, "Continue walking forward. Do not stop if I disappear..."

Without another word, Lance walked forward and after several steps was swallowed up by some gelatine-like wall...

Arleni widened her eyes in surprise as Lance simply melted into the gelatin-like wall. She kept walking though and soon enough, she herself walked into the wall.

It was a strange feeling, as if all her movements were sluggish, and the wall was cold to the touch. It didn't bother her though, she had trained herself in a variety of climates, dealing with a multitude of conditions. She continued her walk forward, waiting to see where she would appear...

When the mortal beings walked through the barrier that had loomed hidden through some trick of magic, they arrived in a land sharply contrasting to that which they had left. The land was beautiful, filled with luscious greenery, trees, shrubs, bushes of all types, contrasting greatly with the cold, barren wasteland in which the travelers had just left. Near the barrier, a pair of massive, opulent fountains sent water streaming in an arch of a small pathway made of crushed gravel and rock. The travelers could see a pair of statues, depicting heroic figures in fighting poses flanking the path. In the distance, the three mortals observed a line of massive, beautiful obelisk, rising into the sky.

With a sigh, Lance dropped to the ground, his face covered by his hands as he lamented and prayed for his return to a secret world, hidden from the outside known only in legend as the Graveyard of Heroes and alternatively as the Circle of Swords...

Suddenly out of nowhere, two men appeared wearing ceremional halberds and swords. Walking forth, they challenged the three travelers. Lance stood and in a monotone voice said, "Stand down, face dancer guardians... These are my friends to see the wonder that we have wrought in such a barren land..."

Bowing, the two guards retreated back into the darkness from whence in came, allowing Lance to proceed onwards. Gesturing for his two companions to follow him, Lance walked slowly, but purposefully down the gravel path towards the massive obelisks looming in the distance.

Kay followed willingly. The wall did not prevent or withstrain my movement. I am dead afterall. As I reached the other side I groaned. I liked the former land better. The sun was still upon this land, and I did not remove my cloak. Neither of my two companions had seen my face, and I thought it interesting that they still trust me.

Trust me enough, at least. I follow. All I needed was the information on Drac, and I would leave these two in piece...or perhaps pieces. I haven't decided.

Arleni kept silent, keeping her eyes open, and subtely keeping an eye upon the vampire. She followed Lance, remaining silent as she did so. She watched the sentries appear, then disappear upon Lance's command.

Interesting...

OOC: Sorry it's a short post, I've got little time right now...

Lance walked swiftly down the gravel path, glancing now and then back at his two unlikely companions. Muttering sharply under his breath, Lance cursed when he noticed the hostility still brimming around the two figures. Quickly, Lance signalled subtly with his hands to the hidden face dancer sentries to prepare to move in at a moments notice. Unwilling to sacrifice his life's work to the ravages of hatred and anger.

Arriving quickly at the first obelisk, Lance turned around and addressed his two companions. In a deep booming voice he said, "This is the obelisk dedicated to the first conflict that I found myself intertwined... Carved on the obsidian obelisk are the names of all who have died in the conflict in which Kain Irenicus regained his homeland from the foul rule of Jared... Countless innocents were killed in that fateful conflict, albeit, Kain regained his home..."

Arleni cocked her head to the side slightly.

Kain Irenicus...could it be?

"Lance, tell me, is this Kain Irenicus now known as Kain Shentavo?"

She remembered her friend Maximus appearing in the Lorien Forest hundreds of years ago. Another by the name of Kain Shentavo had appeared as well, and together, they had trained Maximus in the use of his Elven magic. Was it possible that the same Kain could have been known as Kain Irenicus? Irenicus, an interesting name for him, one Arleni knew meant "shattered, exiled one."

There was one other question that ran through her mind as well. If Kain was the same as the other alibi, what was he exiled from, and why?

OOC: A simple TAG for reading purposes, nothing more...

If you need another, I have a character in mind.

I will do my best to keep up with the story, few of the current RP's have decent content nowadays...

Sitting on the horizon, far from view of those at the obelisk, sat Nez'gah. He watched as the pitiful creatures gazed upon the shrines to the fallen, many of which had become slaves to his realm.

A time would come for intervention, but not yet.

"Hm... Kain Shentavo?" Lance thought slowly as he considered the thought, "I know only of a Rave Shentavo, but no Kain Shentavo, although I do believe Kain Irenicus was no more than one of Rave's offsprings..."

Thinking quickly back to events that occurred more than three quarters of a century in the past, Lance frowned as he thought.

"You know of Kain? If so, I must see him one more time. It has been many years since I last saw him, as I departed from his homeland, to return home..." Lance grimaced at the thought, his mind thinking back to another massacre in the past..."

"It has been a long time since I have seen him. I do not know where he is anymore. I'm sorry."

Arleni looked about the landscape, taking in the details carefully. She could faintly hear the slight breathing of something nearby, something that required more thought to its existence than a mere animal. The creature, whatever it was, was obviously trying to keep out of sight, but it wasn't doing too well with keeping out of hearing. And her kind had excellent hearing...

Evil... came the quiet whisper within her mind. She narrowed her eyes, glancing carefully about. It wasn't the vampire she knew, but something else...

For now, she kept quiet, and didn't say anything. She had also carefully guarded her mind from the vampire's own, shielding her thoughts with great skill. It wouldn't do to have her read something that was unintended.

Arleni turned her gaze back to the obelisk, and leaned in to read the names of the thousands carefully inscribed. None looked familiar to her, as she had expected.

Lance slowly traced the intricately carved names upon the obsidian obelisk, as tears flowed slowly from his eyes. Blinking back his tears, Lance gestured for his two companions to follow him.

Walking briskly, Lance arrived at another obelisk, much bigger than the first obelisk. Gesturing mournfully at it, Lance said, "This is my most important monument, dedicating to the hundreds of millions known people killed by the foul Dyphons, who invaded from their underwater lairs... Countless more were killed and disappeared, and thus we have no true count of the lives lost. As you can see, a part of the obelisk has been left blank, commemorating the nameless victims." Blinking back tears, Lance turned to one of his best friends, the aging fighter Garithos, who fell in the invasion... Loathing himself for bringing about some an event into passing, Lance had mourned interminably, blaming himself for the murderous events occurring throughout the world, throughout time...

“Shentavo?” Sarge thought to herself for a moment. She then scoffed. “Rave Shentavo, hardly worth my time or effort. Their hybrid clan is not even worthy of being called a vertex. Sooner or later, they’ll all die.” I said it as I meant it. I had no time dealing with hybrids. Her white magic would not be strong enough. Seraphic vampires don’t exist. And if they did, it certainly wouldn’t be her. She should just drop dead and save me the trouble.

“They don’t concern me anyhow,” I continued. “The pure blood will get to them sooner or later.” I continued on, following. I raised an eyebrow at Lance’s mourning. I longed for the sun to go down, but it still shone.

I turned to the elf. “Listen, I know you don’t like me, I’m Ok with that. I don’t care. But, if you just tell me what you know of Drac, I will leave you two lovebirds in peace.”

Arleni nodded in understanding to Lance. She remembered that fight. It was a strange one, one that she had almost lost her life in as well. She had been struck down and perhaps had been counted as dead.

Perhaps that is why he acted as if he had seen a ghost...

"Garithos was a good fighter, Lance. Do not blame yourself for his death. He came of his own free will, he died with honor."

Arleni heard the question by the vampire and turned to her, cold in her demeanor, but still civil.

"Drac...interesting fellow I must say, but alas, I do not know much of him. I believe he was one of the top vampires in your clan, if not the first one. Although he and I had a strange alliance long ago, we were still somewhat uneasy around each other. Perhaps its something between our races, perhaps we just couldn't fully trust each other. Either way, we at that time had the same interests of importance, and so we fought alongside each other. I do not know where he is nowadays, but I do believe he was headed to a land called Transylvania. Somewhere north-westward of Middle Earth, if I'm not mistaken."

As a final word she spoke to the vampire with her thoughts:

I think you may want to stick around here. I sense a greater evil lurking nearby, but I cannot pinpoint it. And I'm getting the feeling it's none too friendly to any of us...

Lance frowned at the exchange between the two companions. Exasperated, Lance decided to ignore once more the conversation. Quickly, Lance moved to a tiny obelisk, jutting six feet out of the ground. Lance's voice slowly became more and more mournful as Lance approached. Suddenly, Lance dropped to the floor and began to cry ever freely.

Slowly crawling to the obelisk, Lance slowly traced the sole name carved upon it, surrounding by figures of the Chinese zodiac. The two companions could only see part of the name clearly, the part that said Crusade. Obviously, this was the grave of someone very close to Lance, an obvious relation... Suddenly, Lance began to speak, his voice cracked and mournful, "This is the grave of what was my only son... The human that possessed the meaning of my life... The hope of a new future... With his death, I have felt that my life has begun to lack any true meaning..."

I know you told me not to but damn you guys write good. D&D freaks I'm assuming? That's okay, more power to ya. My boyfriend is so I'm used to it. Love what little I read, keep at it!

(OOC: Um... Okay... Thanks... But I hate D&D...)

OOC: I'm terribly sorry about this, but I've gotta withdraw out of this rp. Summer vacation for me is here, and that means a very limited time on NS. Once again, my apologies. Good luck with the rp! I'll try to keep an eye on it and see how it develops!

IC:
Arleni suddenly gasped loudly as she fell to her knees clutching her head. A moan of agony escaped her lips as she struggled to fight the cascading terrifying effects of the mysterious predicament that now clutched her mind. She struggled to mutter several Elvish spells against it but they failed to complete themselves and so, Arleni collapsed to the ground.

"L...Lance! I...I..."

Suddenly, an explosion of light and magic encircled Arleni's body, blinding even those with the hardiest eyesight and defenses. Then, as soon as the blast occurred, it disappeared.

Only one problem...Arleni Greenwood was gone as well... All that remained was a small piece of parchment, upon which a note was written : Lance, I'm sorry, I'm terribly sorry...I'll tell you another time...

But, before Arleni could have finished the magically written parchment, she had disappeared ending her note without a signature... But, Lance would recognize the handwriting...

Kay sighed softly. Drac was not one of a clan. He made few vampires, possibly one every few hundred years or so. His last had been Kay. That was so long ago... It had all stopped with her. A greater evil? Sarge thought to herself. A greater evil than what?...me? Eh... She shrugged. Even if there was a greater evil, what were these two people to her? Absolutely nothing. Would it make a difference if they died right now?

"My entire family died," Kay said indifferent to it. She did not mention that she had been the one to kill them. "The pain lessens each growing day. however, you can not mourn over the past too long, because you'll miss your own life."

Kay sighed softly. Drac was not one of a clan. He made few vampires, possibly one every few hundred years or so. His last had been Kay. That was so long ago... It had all stopped with her. A greater evil? Sarge thought to herself. A greater evil than what?...me? Eh... She shrugged. Even if there was a greater evil, what were these two people to her? Absolutely nothing. Would it make a difference if they died right now?

"My entire family died," Kay said indifferent to it. She did not mention that she had been the one to kill them. "The pain lessens each growing day. however, you can not mourn over the past too long, because you'll miss your own life."

Lance blinked as he wiped hte hot, mournful tears from his face. Glancing up at the cold, remorseless vampire, Lance narrowed his eyes into dangerous slits.

"You have no feelings vampire... You are a fae, an outcast... Do not lecture me on emotions..." Lance said, his tone cold and filled with venom. "Do not forget your place upon this mortal plane..."

Without another word, Lance rose from the ground and quickly brushed the dirt from his clothing. Glancing up, he noticed a pair of face dancer guards suddenly appear out from behind an obelisk.

In an exasperated tone, Lance said, "What now..."

The lead face dancer bowed to the ground and said, "We have a problem, sire... Something is here... Something evil..."

Lance swore when he heard what the face dancer said. Quickly, Lance whirled upon the vampire. "You have brought evil into this land... This is unforgivable... If my life's work is destroyed, I will hold you personally accountable..."

“I have no emotions?” Kay said, not at all surprised at the accusation. “I conceal mine. Take nothing at surface value, young one.”
Sarge paused, listening to the rest of his accusation. “I caused all of this? Evil?” Kay immediately revealed her blade once more, this time revealing her arm. There was a ring on her left hand on her ring finger which shone softly in the light. It seemed to be the hand of a woman no more than nineteen years old. In a quick movement, the cloak was shed to the ground.

The light burned for a moment, but the ring around her finger seemed to intensify momentarily as she adjusted to it. She was far from the vile woman he had perceived her to be. Her brown hair curved around the frame of her face almost perfectly at an angel in whom the back traveled to the end of her rib cage and the front only to just past her shoulders. Her pale skin was interrupted by a slight flush in her cheeks: making it obvious she had fed recently. Her starlight gray eyes looked directly toward Lance. As she parted her berry satin lips to speak, a glint of her fangs was revealed. Leather was wrapped tightly around both her wrists and traveled up the arm to the elbow. It seemed that underneath the black corset was some sort of metal, as if some form of armor. The straps curved around her neck, a metal ring just below her clavicle. She was beautiful in simplest terms; however a sense of danger had loomed around her.

“Go ahead,” She said, bringing her blade up in defense. “Hold me directly responsible. See if I give a damn…I didn’t bring it here. You can blame me all you want to, because it’s just easier that way, isn’t it Lance?”

"If you were the true cause of this evil that has begun to plague this land, you wil not live to leave this land..." Lance replied, his tone filled with venom. "You'll die here and become another nameless vampire slain by good... However... I will deal with you, later..."

Suddenly, Lance disappeared in a blur of motion, as he ran towards the evil being, perched atop an obelisk...

Nez'gah sprung to his full height, blades in hand as he watched the smaller figure move towards him. His presence had finally been noticed, it wasn't exactly hard to miss.

The demon lord displayed his yellow fangs as he awaited the attack from his enemy.

I lowered my blade and tilted my head to the side to view this so called "evil". It was a demon no doubt, probably a lesser lord. I couldn't be sure. I don't really know how Lance expects to deal with a vampire as my self. He is only mortal. The elf-girl doesn't worry me either. I look up toward the demon, and instead of attacking it, I simply lock with it's eyes, exposing my white fangs to him.

What exactly are you doing? I sent to the demon, pressing forward toward him. I'm the only one who can toy around with my food. I laugh to myself, but don't break eyecontact. I debate whether I should fight him, or join sides with him. This girl has given me all she knows of Drac, so she is of no value to me anymore. This demon, though...could be different.

Lance moved swiftly down the road, his face contorted in anger. In his mind, everything was block except for an urge to kill the evil intruder. This demon obviously does not know who he is dealing with... He will pay for this impudence...

Lance stopped in front of the obelisk, his face impassive, with his palms extended. Slowly without warning a sword appeared from behind Lance. With a sudden deft move, Lance caught the sword and slammed it into the ground, sending out powerful tremors.

Finally, Lance Crusade and the Sword of Cala, go back to war...

Raising his head, Lance glared at the massive demon standing atop the obelisk. From its size and the dark power emanating for it, Lance believed he was facing a powerful demon lord. Narrowing his eyes, Lance said, "Demon, depart from this pure, beautiful land, while thy can, or thy will fall under the blade of the Swordmaster Lance Crusade!"

Nez'gah directed a small portion of his attention to the vampire as she communciated with him.

"I have no qualm with you vampire and you may indeed toy with this one if he survives, but he seems so intent on playing with me. I'll try to be nice."

The sarcasm was even obvious in the mental speech as Nez'gah refocused upon Lance. The demon lord produced yet another yellow grin as he looked down at Lance.

"I do not think so human. You do not command my actions, nor shall you ever. I do as I please, and I don't intend to be moving anytime soon."

Lance laughed as he glared at the demon. He said, "Then, you have underestimated my power... Leave now, or I personally do it... Trust me, you do not want that to occur."

Swiftly, Lance dropped into a subtle combat stance and drew his sword from the ground. Clutching it loosely in his right hand, Lance prepared to destroy this foul being that had dared to enter his beautiful paradise...

Lance merely recieved a low, threatening growl from Nez'gah as the demon casually swung two fouls blades through either taloned hand.

"Try me human. You'll soon find out what mistake you are making."

The demon remained still, appearing to be idle yet Nez'gah was ready for anything Lance would do.

Lance warily twirled his Sword of Cala around in the air as he eyed the demon. Sure it was large and ugly, but Lance could feel tremendous dark, demonic magic emanating from its being. Lance had not felt such strong demonic power since he fought the redoubtable Omnus Stormrider. Now this sent chills up his spine as he pondered his next move.

His mind set upon driving this foul being away from his life's work, Lance flew into the air, his sword flashing brilliantly in the sunlight. With barely any effort, Lance sent the Sword of Cala flying into the air. Stopping in midair, the sword exploded in a fury of golden light, as streams of brilliant dragons flew out and headed for the demon.

Let's see if you can stand against that, demon...

I watched with a slight interest, neither humans nor demons proved much interest to me. I found it interesting that this human decided to take on this demon. This demon was of clearly higher level. I did not care. Vampires consider themselves very much above demons. A demon would not be accepted into the world, they would not be able to hide themselves without stares. I chuckle to myself. Such ignorance, and such stupidity these humans had. They were simply cattle, a slaughter was always in order. And this man, aged and emotionally challenged decides to take on this demon lord. I find this very very amusing. However, I turn toward Lance. I have made my decision. I side with the demon.

I draw Drac's sword, it's glittering black blade bringing a smile upon my face. My eyes, a starlight grey, search over Lance. The golden light emits from his sword as rays of light soar toward the demon. I take my stand bringing my blade in front of myself to shield me from the golden light, rays now hitting Drac's sword as it absorbed and broke down the rays of light. It was with force that I repositioned my footing twice, my strength not ready to give out on me. The ruby on my hand glowed softly, and a wicked smile crossed my face.

My fangs were now exposed, but I hid them quickly. I felt my hand tingling slightly from shielding myself and the demon from the last blow. I realize that this human's magic had quite a force to it. "You'll deal with me later?" I address the matter of his speech right now. "I think not. I'm feeling pretty up to dealing with you," I run my fingertip along the balde. "Right..." The blade cuts lightly into my finger. "About...." I carefully bring my finger tip to my lips, tasting the sweet blood. "Now."

He was not very wise to have threatened me. Perhaps I would have helped him. I love it how what other people do affects who their allies are. I have no allies, and am thankful for it.

I step to the side, giving the demon an open shot at Lance once again. How nieve you are Lance[i] I say softly to myself, and reach within my pocket. I reveal a black orb that possessed a haunting omen around it. I smile. I throw it up into the air as it breaks in the sky, darkness sweeping throughout the air. No, it was not darkness, it was night. The light had vanished but from the stars. [i]Let's make this a slow death...I do not like being insulted.

A pain shoots through my stomach. I look down, now realizing that there is a rather large amount of blood beginning to seep through my shirt. I falter slightly, my nerves finally reacting to the blow. I did not see the light which had hit me, searing straight through the kin to open up a wound on my abdomen and my back. I cringe slightly, but do not take my eyes of Lance.

(OOC: Rave, you are kind of godmodding a bit by absorbing my golden blast... There were a thousand streams of golden power, and there is no way you could have possibly stopped them all...)

Edited. Wasn't clear that there were thousands of lights. i was thinking maybe five rays.

Lance called the Sword of Cala back to him. Catching it effortlessly with his hand, Lance glared at the vampire who had dared to interfere with his business. Growling dangerously, Lance challenged the vampire. "Get out of my way, or you will never see the light of day ever again! Do not do something that you will regret..."

Lance slowly raised his sword and crouched down, preparing to leap forth and strike the vampire. Levelling his sword at the vampire, Lance began to concentrate his magic and chi into the swordpoint, making it glow with brilliant golden light...

Nez'gah dropped back off the obelisk, avoiding the first few rays of light. Darkness exploded around him as the light surged forth, threatening to sear his demonic hide.

A backlash of energy from the meeting of light and dark caused Nez'gah to take a step backward, but he quickly recovered and kept moving, avoiding the human's attacks.

"Tell me human, do you think you could defeat me, let alone the vampire as well?"

Crimson lightning began to arc around the demon's blades as he advanced towards Lance, preparing to deliver an attack of his own.

"Monster, lose your presumptuousness for you are in my land, my creation, therefore you have to play by my rules..." Lance retorted.

Quickly Lance leapt into the air and began spinning, his sword pointed straight up above his head. The rotations soon reached about a thousand per second. Levelling himself at the demon, Lance struck, moving forward at blinding speed, his swordpoint glowing brighter and brighter...

The demon remained silent as he brought up the twin demonic blades, placing them in defence as Lance moved toward him. Nez'gah realised the human may be speaking truth, yet he still had a demonic advantage that few humans had ever seen the true power of.

As Lance continued to spin, moving towards his head, Nez'gah ducked under the blade and made a swipe with boths swords from opposite directions directly at Lance's abdomen. As the blades came near, the crimson energy licked off the blades and arced toward him.

Sarge instinctively dropped to the ground, the spinning sword sweeping over her toward the demon. She immediately got back to her feet, and watched as the two engaged. There had been a very good reason her name was Sarge. Sargeant seemed more adequate. As the human lunged at Nez'gah.

"You're concentrating hard, aren't you Lance?" she asked innocently as she watched the golden light grow within the sword. Her starlight grey eyes settled upon him and narrowed. He could hear voices coming from every side of him as if someone was whispering in his ear. Some grew loud while others remain hauntingly soft. She tilted her head, and smiled.

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

As Lance flew straight towards Nez'gah's twin demonic blades, Lance mentally steeled himself for the pain that would come. Swiftly, bringing his sword back to a defensive position, Lance managed to block both of Nez'gah's sword. But the attack sent Lance flying upwards.

Twirling around in midair, Lance stopped his momentum and hovered slowly above the ground. Slowly and warily, Lance landed upon the ground his sword raised as he glared at the demon. It was then that the voices hit...

Lance nearly fell under the onslaught of the pain and suffering that suddenly smashed into the core of his being. But luckily, Lance had already suffered such anguish and distress, Lance did not fall. Instead, a lone tear slowly streamed down his face, destroying his angry countenance.

With an effort, Lance mentally blocked out all the noise and his eyes flashing with anger, he turned towards the vampire, gnashing his teeth in anger. Glaring at the vampire, Lance growled menacingly and said, "Stand aside and stop this annoyance, vampire... You will be dealt with in time. Your time will come soon enough..."

Disregarding the vampire, Lance turned back to the demon and said, "You nearly had me there, demon, but you have failed in underestimating me... I am more than meets the eye..."

Nez'gah now kept a straight face as he realised Lance spoke truth.

"That may be so human, but I am for more than you can comprehend."

The ground shook as Nez'gah displayed a portion of the ground. Black mist began to burst out of cracks within the surface, filling the air with darkness and the wailing of tortured souls. Souls under the command of Nez'gah.

The mist began to hover towards Lance, naggin at his mind and his body, relaying images of suffering whilst the lethal mist attempted to enter his lungs and devour him from the inside.

The demon lord grinned as the mist approached Lance, awaiting the death of his enemy.

Lance swore when he saw the demon shake the ground, cracking it open. With horror, he watched as a black mist emerged and moved swiftly towards him. Concentrating, Lance sat down, placing his two hands upon the ground, as he slowly began to heal the land. Within seconds, the cracks had been sealed up.

Turning his attention to the dark mist that seemed to move to engulf him, Lance raised the Sword of Cala and slowly began to fuel its already enormous power. Smacking his palm on the pommel of the sword, Lance sent it flying towards the dark mist. When the sword made contact with the mist, the sword unleashed a ferocious blast of golden energy, which began to counteract the lethal mist, draining the darkness away, leaving the mist as it was...

Nez'gah watched with some surprise as the sword plunged into the mist and unleashed a wave of golden energy into his soul mist. Almost all of the dark spirits were banished from this realm and the mist began to dissipate.

Three souls still remained and their anger was obvious as the pitch of their wails began to grow louder. The remaining mist began swirl at high speeds as it moved even closer to Lance, pumping horrific image upon image into his mind of the torture they had endured within the dark realm.

Whilst the spirtis attacked Lance, Nez'gah began examining the obelisks around him.

Lance mentally steeled himself from the inevitable onslaught, but the torment and anguish that the souls within the mist exuded was almost too much. Lance almost staggered as the souls came dangerously close. At the last moment, Lance recovered…

With lightning speed, Lance moved backwards, keeping the darkness away from him as he considered his limited options. Deciding on of one of his choices, Lance hurriedly called back his Sword of Cala as he evaded the souls threatening to destroy him.

But before the sword could return to Lance, the three remaining souls engulfed him. With a shudder, Lance dropped to the ground, tortured and tormented by the agony and pain that the souls had felt. Slowly, the souls began to invade his body…

When it seemed that Lance would fall once more, he recovered, the reborn and blessed soul within Lance, expelled the darkness that had threatened to neutralize Lance as a threat. The darkness disappeared, flowing back towards the ground. Standing up once more, Lance caught his sword and turned his attention back to Nez’gah…

Nez'gah hadn't noticed Lance defeat the last spirits as he was still examing the obelisks. Looking closely at the one next to him, Nez'gah placed his clawed hand upon the polished surface.

Cracks began to shoot up the side of the structure as the demonic essence tainted it. Pieces began to fall as Nez'gah dug his claws into it, ripping out large chunks. Finally the obelisk could take no more. With a final snap, the massive structure came towering down and thudded into the ground directly behind Nez'gah.

Looking up to see Lance, Nez'gah grinned.

"It seems your craftsmanship is not so sturdy human."

Lance stared in horror as the obelisk commemorating the dead of a conflict long ago was crushed by the power of the demon. Lance groaned inwardly as he watched the obelisk collapse to the ground and the demon turn his head and grin wickedly at him.

Angered, Lance moved quickly into action, his Sword of Cala twirling brilliantly in the air as he moved to prevent any of the other obelisks from being destroyed.

With a subtle hand gesture, Lance signaled for the face dancer guards to see to the destroyed obelisk. Within a minute, twenty face dancer guards had surrounded the obelisk and were slowly piecing the destroyed obelisk back together.

Facing the demon, Lance bared his teeth as he moved to kill this being that threatened the safety and security of his creations...

Nez'gah couldn't help but laugh as he saw the horror upon Lance's face. He had definitely touched a nerve, a nerve he could continue to touch until it snapped.

"Come on human, let's see what you can do."

Nez'gah remained calm as he brought his blades up in defence and leapt back, away from a charging blow. Summoning his dark forces, Nez'gah pointed his twin blades at the furious human and unleashed two black streams of living flame.

The flame flowed off the blades and soared through the air, directly toward Lance. The spirit within the flame yearned to catch a living creature within its intense flame, consuming the living into itself.

A bright flame fired into existence as a brilliant golden aura suddenly encircled Lance Crusade. Especially brilliant was the light glowing from the Sword of Cala, its glow overpowering the normal light and bringing a blanket of brilliant light to shroud the land.

When the light receded back whence it came, Lance growled menacingly. Suddenly the dark flames slammed into Lance, as it attempted to eat away at Lance's living flesh. But, Lance only glanced down at the fire and chuckled.

Turning his gaze upon Nez'gah, Lance said, "I am not a mortal, demon. I have transcended death twice... If the fell armies of the Azakjdk could not keep me dead, than how can a lowly demon?"

"Brain, n. An apparatus with which we think that we think."—Ambrose Bierce

BUMP

Nez'gah did not expect such and was taken back a little when Lance was perfectly fine. But he soon recovered and began formulating another attack.

"I see. Even immortals can die, there is always a way."

Nez'gah shifted forward by sheer will and unleashed a swinging attack of blades directly toward Lance, hoping to outdo the human with his demonic strength.

Lance dropped immediately to the floor when he saw Nez'gah swing out with his deadly blades, attempting to defeat him with his sheer demonic strength. The deadly blades managed to miss Lance, catching a piece of his cloak, pinning it to the ground.

Releasing the clasp of his cloak, Lance lashed out with his feet, propelling himself towards Nez'gah with a mightly push of his arms, as he attempting to slam his feet into Nez'gah's chest...

Nez'gah was not expecting the sudden attack from Lance and had little time to react. As the kick made contact with his chest, the demon lord cursed at the surprising amount of force behind the attack. As he stumbled backwards, Nez'gah brought his blade swinging around and slammed the flat of it directly into the side of his human opponent.

Landing upon his thick, demonic backside, Nez'gah immediately turned his attention to Lance.

"You shall pay for that with your life human."

As Lance slammed his feet into Nez’gah’s chest, he swiftly used the momentum created by his attack to propel him away. But he was too slow. One of Nez’gah’s foul blades had slammed into Lance’s side. Lance felt the air pushed out of his body, as the blade hit his body. Lance couldn’t believe the pain that he was so suddenly experiencing. Breathing difficultly, Lance dropped his sword and fell to the floor, groaning in pain, as he grasped his aching side. Standing up, he grimaced in pain and stood and faced Nez’gah.

Growling in anger, Lance called back his fallen sword and caught with his hand. Eyeing Nez’gah ferociously, he prepared the demon’s next attack.

Suddenly, Lance raised his sword and leveled its blade at Nez’gah. In an imperious tone, he called out and challenged the demon, “Speak your name demon… I am Lance Crusade, Duke of Cala, Son of the Old Duke, Friend of the Dragonlord Omnus Stormrider, Champion of Gods, and Guardian of Life… I demand that you speak!”

Nez'gah's grin widened at the mention of Omnus. Omnus had died in a battle involving him and the forces of the underworld.

"I be the acting lord of the underwolrd himself, Nez'gah."

The demon lord did a distorted bow towards his opponent.

"I believe you need to make a correction to your introduction. If I recall correctly, Omnus died whilst I stood upon my feet, watching the life seep from his weak form."

OOC: If this is set before DF, I'll edit it.

Lance narrowed his eyes into dangeorus slits as he glared at the demon. In a tone filled with venom and anger, Lance spoke, "You did not kill my friend... A creature... A traitor killed my friend... You had nothing to do with his death..."

Still glaring at the demon, Lance continued, "I do not care if you are the lord of the Underworld... You are in my land, my creation... All must abide by my rules... Even you!"

Levelling his sword at the demon, Lance challenged, "Leave this land now while you still can or you will find leaving difficult..."

The demon lord's delight was obvious as Lance's anger rose.

"I did not say I killed him, but I was most definitely there and was indeed battling with your so called friend before he came to his timely end. The fact that I didn't kill him matters not, what matters is that he died and I survived. I won."

Nez'gah began stetching his limbs in an act of boredom and disrespect towards Lance.

"Come now human. I think you know little of what you say. No human orders me around."

"You forget that I am no mere mortal... No mere human for you tear asunder..." Lance retorted in anger.

With a howl of rage, Lance unleashed the power of the enchanted land upon the demon. Without warning, the ground beneath the demon became a great quagmire. Meanwhile, Lance slowly raised his sword towards the sky, above his head. Suddenly a great stream of heavenly light poured from the sky and into the Sword of Cala.

Turning his attention back to the demon, Lance said, "You will regret ever threatening me and this land..."

Nez'gah grunted in anger as the land beneath him changed and the light was called down. Slightly surprised and but scared in anyway, Nez'gah merely squinted as began to call upon his own demonic energies.

Within seconds the ground began to shake in a terrible fit of pressure. Jet black clouds began to fill the sky, only leaving the source of light uncovered and jets of molten lava began spewing out of the ground, quickly flooding the land.

Darkness swirled around the demon lord, covering his from sight upon every rotation. The demon merely grinned as his power was present and began corrupting the land, absorbing life into death.

"Perhaps it will be you that regrets my presence human!"

But Nez'gah did not reckon with the magical nature that was adherent to the land itself. Immediately, the land began to heal itself, combating the corruption that Nez'gah sought to spread. Grinning mirthlessly to himself, Lance chuckled at the inability of the demon to spread his corruption.

Composing himself, Lance hardened his handsome features into a dark grimace as he advanced on Nez'gah. To the demon it seemed that with every step Lance took, he grew tremendously in both size and power. Lance stopped in front of Nez'gah, easily towering over the demon. Suddenly, the dark sky began to blaze with lightning, as bolts of electricity screamed through the sky. The hair on Lance's head began to change, the once lucious black hair gone, replaced slowly by white...

Lance growled menacingly and addressed the demon. "I will teach you the true meaning of pain, of suffering, of anguish... You think you are pinnacle of your dark power, but you are not... You are but a mere inkling on a page of words..."

Nez'gah spat at the healing ground as he realised he would need to use far more power if he wanted to corrupt it. Deciding it was better to use the dark energies for himself, Nez'gah raised his arms and called forth even more energy.

A ball of shadow seeme to fall out of the sky, landing upon the demon lord and increasing his size to meet Lance. The intensity of the thunder and tremours grew as the demon lord shook with power. Eyes now glowing a deep crimson, muscles bulging and rage filling the beast, Nez'gah spoke in a voice that spread terror amongst the living.

"You teach me of pain and suffering? Ha! You know nothing of these things, they are my domain! I know well where my abilities rest and you are correct. I am not the pinnacle of my power. I am merely a demon lord acting as the master of darkness. There are those that have power far beyond your imagining, beyond your comprehending. Consider yourself lucky you only deal with me. Tell me human, can you deal with your own criticism? Can you say that your ego does not blind your rational thought and lead you to believe you are far stronger than you truely are?"

Bump...

I believe it is your turn to be posting.

Lance colored significantly at the insult, the demon had thrown at him. Angered, Lance slowly twirled his hand, forming something that seemed insignificant, but wasn't.

Meanwhile, Lance spoke, "I have witnessed much in my lifetime. Although I may only look in my late forties, I am in fact older than you think... I was born in the turmoil of life, the storms that created civilization... I was brought completely to awareness in the horrors of warfare of the Warring States Period... In my youth, with little supernatural power, I nearly defeated the hordes of millions, the King of Qin possessed. Although I was killed, I was brought back to the mortal plane in response to a grave threat that engulfed the land. I have lived through thousands of conflicts, faced countless evil, and lived an interminable existence... You do not know what I have endured... Begone, demon and let a tired, but ageless man live out the rest of my experiences..."

The methods of which Nez'gah would kill the human flashed through his demonic mind, going over the most painful and grusome. Before he could make a decision, a force he had not sensed in much time sprung to life. Arithon was active upon this world. Ever since his curse of human form, Nez'gah had been unable to find his master. This may be his only chance to find him before the demon lord migrated once again.

Extending his demonic consciousness, Nez'gah came across a school. Children were everywhere, the school was modern, yet the subtle work of demonic magiks was quite obvious to him. His master was there, and by the looks of things had established himself.

Nez'gah sighed as he came back to his current situation. Now torn between his desire to taunt and kill the human or move to his master before he lost him again. The demon lord's growl of frustration suddenly broke the solem silence.

"You are lucky today human. You won't be upon our next meeting."

When the demon finished speaking all that could be heard was the booming laughter of Lance Crusade. Tears brimming at the corner of his eyes, Lance could not help but laugh at the absurdity of Nez'gah's excuse.

"Going so soon?" Lance queried through his laughter. Finally composing himself, Lance continued, somewhat exasperated, "This is absurd demon... You seek to flee on the eve of the greatest battle that you will ever experience?"

changed it.

(OOC: Posted!)

Nez'gah fought the urge to strike Lance down where he stood. He could take the mockery knowing that he would return and wipe that smirk off his face.

"I know you were so keen to die human, but I must depart. Keep this to remember me by."

The demon lord pointed a finger to a nearby obelisk and unleashed a thing stream of demonic energies. The power laced around the obelisk until it was completely engulfed. Within seconds it was gone, yet change had occured. Certain sections of the obelisk had been replaced by a large symbol in demonic script, 6 symbols in total upon the tower.

"I am called such in the written language of my kind, I'm sure you won't forget it, but you won't be able to remove it either."

Lance laughed at the stupidity and the short-term memory of the demon. Sighing to himself, while shaking his head to stop the laughter, Lance looked at the demon and began to smirk. With a concerted effort to suppress his amusement, Lance spoke in an extremely patronizing tone, “You have a very short-lived memory, demon… Let me remind you of what I said earlier…” Swiftly, Lance drew himself up and continued, “This is my land… I control what occurs here… You have no say, while I still live.”

With a contemptuous toss of his head, Lance turned his attention to the defaced obelisk. Frowning slightly to himself, Lance raised his open left hand. Slowly, Lance closed his raised right hand, forming a fist. Soon, the obelisk began to shake, as cracks began to appear. Slabs of blue obsidian began to drop to the floor, shaking the ground. Lance slowly turned away as the obelisk crashed to the floor. Shaking his head remorsefully, Lance turned his attention back to the demon…

Nez'gah too shook his head. Lance had misinterpretted his words as foolish humans did, he wasn't surprised.

"I said nothing about you not removing the obelisk. But my name shall remain upon it until I choose for it not to be. Do with it as you wish, for I have more important issues to deal with than your 'land'."

Nez'gah spread his wings as he readied himself to depart Lance's creation and live him in peace for the time being.

Lance smirked at the demon’s uncomprehension. Slowly Lance turned back to the fallen obelisk and with subtle movements of his fingers slowly began to rebuild the obelisk piece by piece…

As Nez’gah prepared to leave, Lance called out, while he worked and said, “Come back whenever you will… I’ll be waiting…”

The demon lord's powerful wings beated the air, lifting the large figure into the dark sky. He hated leaving a battle, but Nez'gah would not give up the chance to find his master after his banishment. Taking one last glance at Lance, Nez'gah roared and stormed off through the sky.

OOC: What happened to Rave? Also, I think we should do some planning next time we do something like this.

(OOC: I honestly don't know where Rave went... But I do agree that we should seriously plan this out next time...)