NationStates Jolt Archive

A portal opened, and a mage, cloaked, clothed, masked, gloved, and hooded in black stepped into the room. S/he? looked around the room, then went to Anna and put his/her? hand on her forehead.
The mage's voice was as androgynous as his/her? appearence.
"Already feeling it, I see...poor child..."

S/he? straightened up, and looked over at the Czar.

"I understand you have some texts that might prove beneficial?"

OOC: If only you knew just what was happening to Anna...ah well.

The Czar nodded.

"It's okay." A portal opened up -- a crude one, but hell, it worked.

"Ah, that must be Renor." Sure enough, the ambassador returned with Renor. The Ambassador bowed low to the czar.

"Thank you, you may rise and you are dismissed." He arose and left. The czar looked at Renor.

"Welcome to my flat. I believe you were here breifly beforehand."

The Czar nodded. "Yes, I do. Well, sort of. I think you might like it a bit better, but yes, I do have some text. I'm curious, but have you ever heard of the Nexus?"

Briefly, yes. The circumstances of my last visit were...unfortunate.

The Nexus...just outside Reality...a place where dream and nightmare collide in a tangible scenario...hard to get to, although I have tried. Said to be easiest from the Twelfth plane...but to go there is all but forbidden, and has been since before the founding of our nation.

Briefly, yes. The circumstances of my last visit were...unfortunate.

"Indeed. Now, I'd like to show you something. Please follow me." The Czar led Renor and about ten Praetorian Guards down the stairwell to the portal. When they all went through it, the Czar took Renor around the same tour he gave the others.

"Welcome to the Nexus. There's a ton of enscriptions along the columns in the room -- I have no damn clue what they are. Maybe you can try."

This is...incredible. This is an arcane text I haven't seen in a long time.

*S/he? walks over to the first pillar, letting his/her? fingers trail over the writing.*

I can have some basic translations in an hour or two.

Dragon Realm

The Temple

Alexei sat on the throne when Pytor explained the Nexus situation to him. He just stared.

"Secure the Nexus. I don't care how, but secure it." He nodded.

"I shall do, father." Pytor walked outside and rounded up five Shotokan warriors, ten ninjas, and three Dragon Masters.

"You are to go to the Nexus and secure it. Don't let anyone use it, clear?"

"Yes, Your Emminence." Before they walked off, he yelled at them to stop.

"Be careful. Before you go, though, I want you to wait for a few members of The Clan." The Clan was a group of warriors who considered themselves elite, and would kill you if you called them ninjas. They lived in the far north of the Dragon Realm, in the icy tundra.
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The Dragon Temple

(OOC NOTE: The Temple and the Dragon Temple are two different places -- the former is the Palace, and the latter is the Portal palace)

Two members of The Clan joined up with the group as they walked up to the Dragon Temple. When they arrived, they were stopped by the guard force.

"HALT!"

"We have orders fros His Emminence. We are to go an secure the Nexus." He nodded.

"You may pass." With that, they placed the Kamidogu on the altar and unlocked the portal into the Nexus, and jumped in.

As the portal opened, Renor's head snapped up, and s/he? whipped around. 19...23...25. One very powerful. A sheild of a dark, crackling form of energy rose up around him/her? and the guards, and s/he? readied him/herself? for combat.

"Leave now...or face the mortal spell even the gods must fear."

Renor hoped that s/he? would not be forced to use Ultima...but this was a situation where s/he? might not have a choice.

The Nexus

Two members of The Clan nodded at each other. They both new what Renor was talking about.

"You wouldn't dare use the Ultima move. It would destroy the Nexus, and you would be hopeless against the Dragon King." A white light eveloped their hands and they shot it at the bubble.

The Clan were masters of Ice. Their beam froze the shield around them and two Shotokan warriors shattered it with their staffs.

"Get out of here. Now," the one Dragon Master ordered. The other two chanted something, and three dragons jumped out of the portal.

"This is not yours -- this belongs to the Dragon King."

Having mastered the one, I can make variations...for example...*s/he? put her hands in front of him/her?. Blue energy pulsed around Renor*

Ultimat.

*Instead of a sphere of tremendous energy, it was a beam of controlled energy...with the same destructive force as the Ultima. Renor sliced it around the Nexus...and anything in its path would be destroyed.*

Nexus

The two Clan members saw the beam coming toward them and put up a continuous wall of ice to hold it off.

"Get out of here!" the one shouted. "We cannot hold this off for long!" They all jumped back in the portal, closing it behind them, and leaving the Clan members behind. They made eye contact with each other, nodded, and went back to forming the wall. At that moment, they stopped the flow of ice....

And were vaporized.

THe beam continued until it hit the wall of the Nexus, where it stopped and disappeared*.



*OOC: It did nothing to the wall as it is protected by a Godly force from -- well, God Himself. It was designed so the Nexus couldn't be destroyed.

Renor stopped the beam. "They lied...well, now I know for next time. Fools."

With that, s/he? turned back to the columns and began deciphering them once more.

Nexus

The Czar stood up. "Well, looks like we know what a Shotokan is now. But what the hell were the others?"

Powerful mages...Elemental Ice, those particular ones. I've heard of them...they'd be the equivilant of our Blue class, just under an Uuthli. Collectively, they are known as the Clan.

Powerful mages...Elemental Ice, those particular ones. I've heard of them...they'd be the equivilant of our Blue class, just under an Uuthli. Collectively, they are known as the Clan.

He nodded. "I see. Well, they were obviously from this 'Twelfth Plane' you speak of. Anyways, we should head back. Have you finished with what you needed? If not, we can stay, if you wish."

If you want to head back, then let me scribe this down, instead of translating it here.

*Renor casts a spell on each of the columns, and the writings on them are copied down on sheets of parchement, which s/he? gathers up.*

We may head back now.

The Czar nodded. "Probably a good idea."

When they arrived back at the room, John took Renor aside to a couch, out of earshot of everyone else.

"What is going on with Anna? I'm worried about her."

Renor scrutinized the Dersconi Prince, and eventually nodded.

"She is dying. Slowly, and painfully. I said to someone that a week was generous...but she seems more suceptible than that to the curse her spell transferred to her. I give her three days, at most...and she will pursue her goal until the end."

Renor scrutinized the Dersconi Prince, and eventually nodded.

"She is dying. Slowly, and painfully. I said to someone that a week was generous...but she seems more suceptible than that to the curse her spell transferred to her. I give her three days, at most...and she will pursue her goal until the end."

The Prince went pale. "Dying?" He slumped in his chair. "But why?" Of course he knew the answer, but it was that natural reaction. The Prince wanted to love Anna, but it not only was forbidden, but in a few days it would be impossible.

Because she felt it would be worthwhile if it had worked. We have our best healers and mages working around the clock...and I made a request to a very powerful friend. We hope that by some miracle or other, she should live...but at the same time, I do not believe she fears death.

Because she felt it would be worthwhile if it had worked. We have our best healers and mages working around the clock...and I made a request to a very powerful friend. We hope that by some miracle or other, she should live...but at the same time, I do not believe she fears death.

The Prince just nodded, making no effort whatsoever to hide his feelings. He sighed.

This figures, he thought to himself. I actually find a girl that I like, and what happens? She has to go and die -- BEFORE I EVEN GET A CHANCE to get to know her a bit better! God damn all of this. God damn my dad's stupid rule about marrying within the religion. God damn the Queen of Kaymirill's rule about keeping the bloodline pure. God damn the Dragon King for making Anna have to kill herself in vain! GODDAMN MY ENTIRE FUCKING LIFE! He put his head in his hands, wondering if Renor was just laughing at him silently, and assumed he was.

All I wanted to do was try and see if we could get together. Why does it always have to be this way?

Renor leaves the Prince to his grief, and goes to speak with Anna.

"Princess, what do you make of these?"

S/he? hands the parchments to the Princess.

A -- *reading from the first text*

Once, twice, will the Lord of the Realms be slain. At his third appearance, the Realms will be larger...and...the quest will be impossible for any human attempting the mission. To gather the items alone will be impossible for any living being, as the crucial one lies in the mouth of the beast.

R -- And the meaning?

A -- This guy comes around three times, and after that, killing him is going to be about as tough as it comes. This third time, no human's going to be able to gather all the items and slay him. No living being will be able to gather all the items...as he already has at least one. H'mmm...well, I guess I'll go, then.

R -- Princess!

A -- Okay, let's face it...I'm walking dead anyway. So why not?

R -- But what if --

A -- *cutting the mage off* No what ifs. I can't do anything about it, so why not work with it? *she looks at the Czar* Unless you've got some super huge problem with me going and grabbing your item, I'll be back in a few minutes.

Warfare, having followed renor from The White Tower, appears in an unkown location, he isn't near Derscon, but all the same he knows where Renor is and speaks to him inside his mind.

"Renor, Renor it is me, Warfare. Tell me, Tell me the conditions of Anna's Curse, the forbidden spell she used, and just what curse it was, maybe, maybe I can heal her, but be warned, somethings can only be lifted by either the True Creator, or by Death itself. I am no where near you, so finding me with your mind would be futile, when the time is right, I shall appear, but not a second sooner." Warfare whispered in Renor's mind.

Joe's eyes glaze over. He just stares blankly at everyone and calls his ride in. He's had his fill of this and leaves, leaving a CM99a as a gift for the Czar.

OOC:Sorry to butt in on what is obviously a very tender time, but Cougar is kinda lost in the other thread. What with no real direction at the moment, he has asked Vhid to contact Glider, just thought I'd let you guys know

Across his/her? mind, Renor let a few thoughts flow.

I am not telepathic, Warfare...locating objects and people with my mind would be a job for T'puuli or Plak'la. And I'm afraid I know very little about the Princess' curse...you'd have better luck asking Mith. As to the spell she cast...there are three types of energy we draw upon: holy, unholy, and neutral. All magicks are cast with neutral energy...very few know how to call upon either the holy or the unholy. For those that can call upon both, it is highly forbidden to meld them...for in doing so, a weapon is created that might even dwarf the power of Ultima. Anna disobeyed this, and now she is beginning to break down. As I said...I'm not entirely certain of anything having to do with this. If anyone would be the expert, it would be Mith herself.

OOC: Snake Eaters...look in the Tower.

OOC: Thanks Kaymiril, Mith sounds good. But don't forget, if a fight looks immenent, Cougar did say he would help in anyway possible

In the corner, kenshin was speaking to BIRDY, his metal-bird-thing. After a few minutes, it flew out the window.

Warfare let these sink in for a minute. Anna had used Holy, the power of the Gods themselves, and combined it with The power of the greater demons, Unholy. She was lucky she wasn't ripped apart by the two contending powers. That is why she was cursed then, Qarfare was unsure of who cursed her, but the power to lift it was beyond him, but it wasn't beyond another...

Warfare thought back to Renor: "Anna was cursed with good reason, Such things should never be done, The Curse is truly Great, and can be lifted, but not by me, yet, however, there is another that can. Are You willing to deal with another?"

OOC: And no, I am not talking about Beldragos, Balrogga's God Either.

We know that she is cursed for a reason. We merely believe that this is a situation where the magick may have been permissible...or necessary. Who is the other that I must deal with?

Instead of Warfare, an evil Chilling rasp Comes through, the voice of the speaker sounds as if it had never lived. The Very sound of this voice was enough to make even the hardeist of soldiers pause with Fear.

"You must know that I am Death itself. Princess Anna Will be mine because of what she has done. You Yourself have admitted that her actions were forbidden, therefor, WHY SHOULD I RELEASE HER? The powers of Holy and Unholy are never to be mixed, to do so asks for uncontollible destruction. I Like death, I liked killing the Livng, I HATE anything that Lives, but, if you are willing to give up something equally precious. I will let your precious Princess Anna live." Death Rasped.

Warfare was shocked, He never thought that death would want to be so harsh, usually he asked only for a year of Slave Labor if another God was asking for help on a Mortals behalf.

OOC: Just roll with it. I have something in mind and nobody will have to give anything up, 'cept me of course. Do not Give Death anything. You can talk with him if you like, but you will be unable to get him to let her live for nothing less than an equal trade.

The voice sends chills down Renor's spine...Death itself....Death itself was after Anna...and under any other condition, Renor would have understood.

Uncontrollable destruction is what will happen if the Dragon King comes to power. Princess Annastrianna sought to prevent that. You, who hate the living, seem to have an equal loathing for ultimate destruction. Why punish those who would prevent it?

OOC: It would be a trade Renor would be willing to make. But, I'll go with your plan, I guess...

"Do you think I would want to be destroyed? If life is no more, what further use would I be? I would automatically be destroyed. I will be the one to slay the True Creator, I WILL. I will not let a bunch of Weaklings like yourselves do it." Death Rasped. There was such a Fervent Passion at defeating and being the one to Kill the True Creator that it actually scared Warfare
"The Uncontrollible Destruction would defeat the True Creator." Death continued to Rasp.

Warfare privatly talked to the Queen sliver, it was almost time anyways, and Death would only accept Royal Blood for Royal Blood.

" I will give the Life of the Queen Sliver in exchange for Princess Anna's Life."
Warfare said.

"Fine, but she will not be allowed to produce an Heir to the throne. Hehheheh.
Take this lesson seriously next time. DON'T CAST FORBIDDEN MAGICK!!!"

In a single second of time, Death itself suddenly materialized, lifted a dark ball of energy out of Princess Anna that was actually half the Curse, Her time had been extended to one month. Death also caused a small potion to appear in front of Renor, it was as Red as Blood, yet it contained none.

"Have your Princess drink this, it will smell wonderful, taste like the best thing she has ever eaten, this tast shall last for a time, when the potion hits her belly, it will give her great agonizing pain that shall subside when it hits her blood, for when it hits her blood, She will enter a state of pure Euphoria, and therefore useless. It will take 24 hours for the potion to do its job, after it has, she will be cured of any and all disease and curses, including mine, be one year younger, have reggrown any limbs she may have lost, and if she some how losses her ability to bear children befor she drinks, she will regain this potion. I give you this potion, because of the great gift Warfare Gave in exchange for her life, I have no Sliver Queens in the After Life." Death Rasped in a crisp business like tone.

"Make no mistake though, she will die someday, after all, I come for all things eventually." Death Rasped.

Death Went to a nearby door, pointed at it, and instead of leading to where it lead before, it now lead to the afterlife, for there was naught but screams from the other side. Death Walked through the Door and closed it, making it lead once again to where it lead before. The Aura of Death still lingered heavily, and would for several days afterward.

When Death had left, Anna whipped around on Renor.

"Death itself? You brought Death itself here?"

"I tell you, Princess, it was the last thing I expected...however...you will now live."

S/he? hands her the potion. "Return home, and drink this. I will call my Chosen to Coordinate, for the time being. Return when you are better."

"No. I have a month...I will see this to the end." Anna magicks the potion to a small drawer in her personal desk. It was a drawer she alone could open, so there was no risk.

Renor sighs. "As you will it, Princess."

S/he? turns away.

Warfare? In that one question, a thousand were asked. The mage was still reeling from the actual experience of Death standing a few feet from him/her?, and knew the Princess was equally shaken up, and probably all other living creatures within the building.

"Renor, it was the only way to heal her, Death does keep its word though. Pricess Anna would probably only be out a day, however I am surprised Death Gave away such a potion, Very few of those potions exist. Was there anything else you needed?" Warfare asked.

No..you've done so much for me, and my nation, and all the world. I thank you. But are you all right? While I am unfamiliar with Slivers, I can sense that the Queen was an enourmous sacrifice on your part.

"Aye, She agreed to it though, Jokes on Death anyways, The queen can't die until the Heir is at least laid, The Queen being Reptillian, Eggs are of course the way she reproduces. This is neccassary, for if the Queen did not live, the very same powers that the Slivers possess, would drive them into an uncontollable killing frenzy, if the Egg containing the new Queen is at least laid, The slivers won't kill. They will be extremly hostile and protective of the Egg, but they won't kill." Warfare said.


OOC: She Will though, When death comes to claim her for his pay, She will still not have laid the Royal Egg, all hell will break lose as the Slivers attack anything insight, and in the midst of all this, warfare will creat the Mirari, a powerful artifact, to attempt to curb there hostilities, but thats not for awhile yet.

OOC: I guess, Warhaven, since you're RPing Death, that I couldn't do anything with him. Oh well, it would have worked nicely.
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The Temple

The Dragon Masters bowed low to Alexei.

"What is the problem? And Why are you here?"

"Master, we were overtaken." Alexei was clearly angry.

"WHAT!?!"

"Some beast there casted an Ultima spell." Alexei relaxed, leaned back on his throne, and smiled. So, the elder gods side against me, then. It is for naught -- I wil become stronger than the elder gods, in which only then the One True God, the Creator of All, shall be in my path to domination of the realms.

"You have failed me yet again, but I shall spare your life. You had no chance whatsoever against an Ultima spell. Do not fear, though, your King shall overcome it. I have reached half of my full potential, and I can begin merging the realms. I ask of you, find me my son -- bring him to me."

"Yes, my Lord." A few minutes later, Pytor arrived.

"What is it you ask of me, father?" Alexei stepped down and embraced him.

"We are going on a little trip to the Nexus." Alexei removed the power mask, exposing his son to the energy flow in him. Pytor smiled.

"You are at half-power already. You are going increasing faster than expected. This is a good thing." He nodded and remasked his energy flow.

"Yes it is. As you are well aware, there are four portals already open. I can begin merging some of the realms now." Pytor shook his head.

"You do not have the man-power to do this." Alexei smiled.

"Yes I do. In each realm, there is an underground movement supporting me. you of all people should know this." Pytor nodded and smiled.

"Of course! I was the one that organized it! How could I have forgotten! So, which shall we merge first?" Alexei smirked.

"Well, I have two Kamidogus in my hands at the moment -- this realm, and the Kamidogu for Hell. I can place Hell's on the altar, and merge it with Earth. Before we do this, though, we must contact our Tarkatan allies there." He nodded.

"Indeed. I shall place the Netherrealm's Kamidogu on the altar, and send a dispatch to contact their leaders." He nodded.

"Good. Be safe, my son."

"I shall."




Pytor grabbed the Netherrealm's Kamidogu and took along two Shotokan warriors and a Dragon Master to the Nexus. When they entered, he placed the Kamidogu on the altar, opening a portal. All of the other portals were either green, blue, or white, but this was a firey red. Pytor handed the Dragon Master a sword.

"This is for protection. Daemons cannot touch you if you possess this sword. Remember -- the Tarkatan are a combination of demon and mortal spiecies, so they CAN go near you. Tell them the message, and get out of there as quick as possible. Wandering these planes is dangerous."

"I shall, my Master." With that, they were off. When they were gone, he snapped his fingers, and four members of The Clan came out of the shadows.

"Watch over this place. I need to do a few things here." They nodded.

"Yes, my Prince."

The Living Room

Prince John left up to the study to read, and the Czar scanned his new guest. Jesus. If they keep apearing, the Guard is going to have a fit. Hopefully they keep their weapons down, though. He walked up to Renor.

"Stay here for a minute, will you please? Make sure nothing goes through the portal below us. I need to head to the Kremlin to get something that I need, and you might find interesting." With that, he headed off to the Il Passetto.
============================
Kremlin Palace, Rekjyavich Andropov Military City

Coming out of the Il Passetto after a five minute supersonic bullet train ride, he ran to the center of the Palace, which also happened to be the Grande Hall, which was in the shape of a perfect sphere.

In the center hovered what he -- and the Dragon King, for that matter -- was looking for. He muttered something in ancient Dersconi and the beam of light dissolved, exposing the item. He picked it up and travelled back to the Flat.

OOC: Sorry, Nobody should RP God, the one true Creator. That is something out of everybodies League. Besides, That has the potential of offending a great many. Death itself though, has appeared in many myths and legends, sometimes as everybodies enemy, sometimes as everybodies friend. I have read a variety of ways in which Death acts, If death needs further apperances in this thread TG me and let me know. I might be RPing his actions, but I can RP him on a lot of sides on a lot of levels. I just need the Info of whats up. My nation is my homepage.

Renor nods, and goes back down to the portal, standing just on the outside, ready to seal it, if necessary.

His power is rising. His forces are gathering...and we're dithering around here trying to decipher texts.

Anna, meanwhile, takes the texts that Renor left with her and begins to work at translating them. It was an arcane language, and she'd only ever seen a few documents written in it. She struggled with the translations...but if she didn't have something to work on, she'd go insane. She could take the potion Renor handed to her...but she did not believe she could afford a day. The questions were: 1) Could she afford a day now, before all hell broke loose, and 2) would this conflict be shorter than a month? Shoving down her thoughts, the Crown Princess of Kaymiril continued struggling through the texts from the Nexus.

OOC: Sorry, Nobody should RP God, the one true Creator. That is something out of everybodies League. Besides, That has the potential of offending a great many. Death itself though, has appeared in many myths and legends, sometimes as everybodies enemy, sometimes as everybodies friend. I have read a variety of ways in which Death acts, If death needs further apperances in this thread TG me and let me know. I might be RPing his actions, but I can RP him on a lot of sides on a lot of levels. I just need the Info of whats up. My nation is my homepage.

OOC: I never said anyone would RP God, as RPing him would obviously Godmoding. :)

The Czar returned from the Kremlin, and took Renor back up to the main room.

"This here is what we need to kill Alexei, and what he needs to reform the One Realm." He unpacked the Dragon Sword and showed it to Renor. The Sword itself was actually exactly as tall as the Czar, but weighed light as a feather.

"Unfortunately, only the Chosen -- in this case, the Andropov family -- can weild it, which is why I can. My son, John Rekjyavich, cannot weild it, as he is not of Andropov blood. I was ignorant, though, by allowing the birth of Alexei into our family." He held it up.

"This is probably the most powerful weapon on the face of the Earth, which is why I only ever used it once." The Czar felt no need to elaborate on how he killed the Emperor of Greater Prussia.

"I figured you'd like to see it. By the way, along the blade, there's some writing -- looks the same as the stuff in the Nexus -- thought you might want to see it. You can't touch it, though, just read it. You also cannot cast a spell on it, either."

How your son is not of the same blood as you, I do not understand...the writing...I cannot read it. The alphabet is the same...but the language is just a little older. A rather...interesting blade, though. I would keep it away from here...it is too easy to get to, and the magickal signature of such an item is easily detectable.

How your son is not of the same blood as you, I do not understand...the writing...I cannot read it. The alphabet is the same...but the language is just a little older. A rather...interesting blade, though. I would keep it away from here...it is too easy to get to, and the magickal signature of such an item is easily detectable.

The Czar nodded. "It is understandable. You see, it is not actually blood, but DNA, as I'm sure you guessed. My wife, who died a long time ago, was completely Rekjyavich, and I was completely Andropov. What was odd, though, our two sons, John and Alexei -- yes, sorry for lying about the fact he was adopted -- got completely different genes than what was expected. For some reason, the only thing John got from me was the male hormones -- everything else was Rekjyavich blood, and Alexei was entirely Andropov. It was strange, because this is biologically impossible. I knew it was a higher power at work, but I thought it was God just having a sense of humour. Evidentally, it wasn't. After all, Alexei was the younger son -- he would not have inherited the throne, so he wouldn't have gotten the sword." He sighed.

"Oh well."

*conversation continues*

The Czar shrugged. "I know, but if Alexei gets too powerful, this will be the only thing that can kill him."

And what you have here are exactly three people who can do any good, with thirty-six others phasing in and out as they find what they're looking for and return. (OOC: by now about six more of the items would be found) And one of those three is only at about half power. All your guards are nothing more than target practice.

The Czar nodded.

"To the Dragon King, yes, but to his guards, no. Trust me on this one."

You'll have to forgive my cynicism....

*The mage's voice held a subtle, dry sarcasm. S/he? then turned back to Anna, and speaks with her briefly. She argues. S/he? then puts his/her? hand on her forehead, and force-teleports her away.*

You'll have to excuse the Princess for a time-period of twenty-four hours. She will be back then...and likely more than irritated with me.

The Nexus

Pytor was reading some of the columns when one of the portals opened. He dashed into the shadows and masked his energy until they were gone again. He smiled.

"They're doing our work for us. How nice of them." He scanned the Nexus.

"Goodie, we're halfway there. We're missing something, though." That thought troubled him greatly as he scanned the Nexus, trying to find a clue.

And then it hit him.

"The Key to the Realms! Of course!" He walked up to the giant altar in the middle of the room and examined it.

"The Key. 'Upon this Sword lies the Key to the Gods.' How could I have forgotten!" He thought to himself for a bit.

That is what my father was trying to find in the tower college. Where could it be, though? He shook it off and went over to the Earthrealm portal.

"I wonder where this leads?" He asked nobody in particular. He knew it was to Earth, but he wondered where.

"Ah, I cannot risk going there. After all, that's probably where are adversaries all are." He looked above him in wonder.

"Unlock the mortal realms, and you unlock the portal to the Heavens." He looked over the roof once more.

Amazing, but why would the gods leave something like this to exist? He shook his head.

No matter. Now, back to work. He went over to the throne and lifted up the seat, exposing a tablet. There lied the encrypted instructions to operate the Nexus and to merge realms. It was written in Ancient Draconic, but within the language, it was encrypted. While he was reading, a Dragon Master appeared from the portal back to the Dragon Realm.

"Hello, Master. The King wishes to know how you're doing." Pytor nodded.

"Quite well. I'm making a ton of progress." The Dragon Master nodded and pulled out the Dragon Realm's Kamidogu.

"Alexei wished that this be placed in the Nexus for easier travel." Pytor nodded.

"Then do so."

"As you wish, my Prince." With that, the Dragon Realm was opened to the Nexus, and the Prince continued his work in the Nexus, but he had two of the four Clan members come out from hiding and guard the Dragon Realm's portal. No one was to enter the paradise realm without permission.
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OOC: Remember, folks. Everyone thinks the Dragon Realm is a hellish place because they're afraid, but really it's a beautiful paradise.

Except the far west and north, where it's a volcanic wasteland and a frozen tundra, respectfully.

Oh yeah, in the volcanic regions, there's another group of people just like the Clan, only masters of fire instead of ice. And in the North resides the Clan.

You'll have to forgive my cynicism....

*The mage's voice held a subtle, dry sarcasm. S/he? then turned back to Anna, and speaks with her briefly. She argues. S/he? then puts his/her? hand on her forehead, and force-teleports her away.*

You'll have to excuse the Princess for a time-period of twenty-four hours. She will be back then...and likely more than irritated with me.

The Czar nodded. "No problem."

In the mean time, I will be here. You need at least one real mage in this insane mess you've gotten yourself into.

Deep within the mainland of Pschycotic Pschycos, a great stirring was beginning, causing every particle to vibrate. In the exact center of the nation, IT was taken away. What help THEY could do was of yet unknown, but THEY began to come, just in case help was needed.

Back in Derscon:

"This is getting creepy. Czar, you said that he is gaining power by the minute. Should we not go on the offensive, or is that why we are waiting?"

Renor turns to Shogun Himura. His/her? eyes are hidden beneath a mask and hood, and his/her voice is androgynous.

"We still need to know what we're facing. And I can tell you...what we face is a threat of magnificent proportion."

The mage stepped closer and closer to the Shogun, stopping a bare six inches from him.

"If all of us, the best mages of my nation, failed, how well do you think those of us here would fare on as limited power as we have at the moment?"

OOC: So, that's what you sent your Phoenix to do. Interesting.

OOC: TG me to make sure you've got the right idea.
--------------------------------------------

"I think, you underestimate the power of the mortal soul God has bestowed in each of us. The energy contained within is pure and boundless. The next part is finding how to unleash it. Your mages should work on that one." he said emotionlessly.

That is the magick my class of mage works with. Do not speak to me of unleashing magick...I've practiced it for over four hundred years. Uuthli had been practicing for six hundred years, and you see what happened to him. Do not overestimate yourself, human.

*Another mage steps into the room. He has a half mask and a cloak, and is wearing the same color and material as Renor.*

Master, leave him be. They have a marked misunderstanding of the forces they've messed with. I have the translations for the texts you sent to me.

*Renor takes the parchments held out by his apprentice*

The news gets worse and worse, doesn't it, Vedt?

*Vedt nods*

We cannot turn from them now. Let the human be for the moment...he does not know how difficult it truly is to kill an Uuthli...he has not seen the beast. We would do well to focus our energies on finding a way to weaken him.

*Renor laughs*

You sound like me. You will do well when you step in to take my place.

The Czar looked at Renor.

"What does it say?"
======================
The Nexus

He finished translating the encryption, and had it written down in a book.

"Okay, then." He handed it to a Clan member. "Take this to my dad, he'll know what to do with it. Meanwhile," he whistled and the two other Clan members came from the shadows.

"Let's go to Earthrealm, shall we?"

OOC: Chaos and Ash, it's your story and you want me to tell you what it says?

IC:
To give you the summary: Hell and earth are about to mingle in a horrible, horrible time. If there's anything you can do about it, I suggest you do so now.

OOC: Chaos and Ash, it's your story and you want me to tell you what it says?

IC:
To give you the summary: Hell and earth are about to mingle in a horrible, horrible time. If there's anything you can do about it, I suggest you do so now.

OOC: The Czar cannot read it, and you found it. :)
=================================
The Czar nodded.

"I want twenty Honour Guards to accompany Renor and two mages of Renor's choice to the Nexus. You are to take the Earthrealm Kamidogu and return it here AT ONCE!" He looked at Renor.

"Go. NOW."

*ahem* "I've been saying that. And I fully know what releasing this energy entails. As an alchemist, not only do I study laws of changing things and maintaining equilibrium, but I must study how to change these things. Where does the power to do this come from? You can guess, I bet."

"Do we fight now, or must we remain inactive longer?"

Vedt...you will come with me...and summon Rhenmet from our tower.

V -- Rhenmet?

R -- It is a proper time.

V -- Yeah...true. *He heads off to do as he's told, while Renor, ignoring Kenshin's comment, explains*

R -- Rhenmet is a halfdragon...I found her when she was little, and raised her in our magick tradition. She will do well in this case.

*A few minutes later, Vedt walks back in, and with him is a girl. She's taken drow form, but her draconic blood is evident in her silver eyes, leathery skin, and the ridges marking her forehead*

"Excuse my rudeness, but assure that there is no way that the Dragon King can...influece....her."

The Earthrealm Portal

The two Clan members and Pytor step through the portal and into Earthrealm, with their energy levels masked. Pytor is surprised. The energy levels here are extremely high, he thought to himself. Then he had a stupid look on his face.

Duh, moron, you're standing right next to a friggin' portal. He walked on, up the stone stairs, but the energy level went down only slightly. He stopped when there was a wooden barrier stopping their passage.

Energy levels are high. This is not caused by the portal. He motioned to the two Clan members to be ready, and he went to move it out of the way.
=============================
OOC: Basically, I want Renor and Pytor to open the door at the same time, both withdraw in shock, etc, etc.

She turns her head to look at Kenshin.

"A dragon will never betray its own kind. But my own kind is not my blood. My own kind are the mages who raised and trained me. He will not be able to "influence" me. And I am honored to be chosen, my master"

She kneels briefly before Renor, then stands.

R -- "We go now."

The three of them head down.

R -- Stand back.

*He opens the portal, to see --- *

His eyes narrow, thumbing the tsuba away from the sheath.

someone's here he thought.

OOC: Do you guys mind calling it a night? I gotta go now, and I don't want to miss anything. It'll give us all something to look foward to in the morning, say, 12 ish? If you start up earlier, I won't mind, but, as a polite request.

The Temple

Alexei looked over the encryption.

"Good. You," he said, pointing to the Dragon Master. "Go to my son, tell him to come back. He shouldn't be there any longer than he needs to be. It drains your energy."

"Yes, master." The Dragon Master was escorted by two ninjas and went to the Nexus.



At the Nexus, the Dragon Master was confused. "Where the hell are they?" The two Clan members at the portal to the Dragon Realm pointed to the Earthrealm portal.

"They went in there." He nodded.

"THank you." With that, they entered the portal.
---------------------


IN Earthrealm, the Dragon Master approached Pytor.

"My Prince, your father requests you return home." But it was too late, the door was open. Pytor recoiled in shock from seeing another person there, but recovered himself, and he, the Dragon Master, the two ninjas, and the two Clan members walked in the room.

"Well, good day to all of you." There was no sense of hostility in his voice at all -- in fact, it was kindness one could hear. He was on guard, though, and he knew he had the advantage -- they didn't know how powerful he was.

Or WHO he was, for that matter.

Rhenmet's nostril's flare. Instinctively, she knows who this is.

"Pytor. Master...be careful."

R -- I can sense his power, Rhenna.

*Renor does not seem so powerful to Pytor...Vedt is giving out more essence.*

Good day to you, then. So, do tell me...why are you here?

OOC: You cannot sense ALL of it, though. Besides, Pytor can tell the difference.
============================
Pytor shrugged. "Well, I happened to stumble upon the Nexus from my homerealm, and my curiosity took hold, and here I am!" He smiled and looked around.

"Nice place. Who owns it?"

The Czar looked at him kindly.

"I am." He had the Dragon Sword shipped back to the Kremlin already, so he didn't have to worry about it. "And thank you. Would you like a drink?" The czar knew who he was, basically -- he could see the facial features of Alexei in him -- but he figured it best to play along.

Vedt looked at Renor, then at Rhenmet. Rhenna was obviously agitated, but Renor seemed as calm as ever.

R -- "Rhenna, go take a walk."

Rhenmet nods and heads out.

Pytor notices the tension in the air and walks in, examining the bar.

"I think I will have one. I'd like a nuclear meltdown, please." The bartender nodded, mixing the drink for him and handing it over. He turned to the crowd.

"Great drink." He sipped at it.

"So, may I ask, who are all of you?"

Renor decides to let the Shogun and Czar introduce themselves first, and Vedt takes his cues from his master.

*Outside*

Rhenmet paces agitatedly across the grounds.

The Czar nods.

"I am Czar Rekjyavich Ivan Andropov III, Monarch of the Protestant Prussian Czardom of Derscon, Protector of the Kingdom of Burgundy, and Archchancellor of Greater Prussia. I am also the father of your father's current physical body. I entrust you are Pytor, Alexei Alexandrovich Andropov's son?"

"And I am Shogun Himura Kenshin of Pschycotic Pschycos." the Shogun said, bowing slightly, the fact that his sword was still partly out was hidden under his kimono. Who does he think he's kidding? he thought, now realizing that this was one of their enemies.

I go by Renor, and this is my apprentice, Vedt. *The androgynous voice held no emotion, and Vedt was surprised that his master hadn't acted yet...especially as agitated as Rhenna was.*

****Back in Kaymiril****

Anna heads up to her room. The geas that Renor had put on her when he'd teleported her out wouldn't have been terribly hard to break...but if he was that insistent...and maybe it would bring her back up to full power.

Opening the drawer she'd teleported the potion to, she took it out. Blood red...it was really a beautiful shade. Opening the vial, she smelled it. It had a slightly floral scent. She went over and sat on her bed, then swallowed it. This potion had a wonderful taste...and then the agony hit. For several minutes, the Drow Princess had to resist the urge to cry out. Tears of pain flowed freely, but the agony gradually subsided, to be replaced by a feeling of intense well being that Anna had never felt before. She was highly tempted to just bask in it.

Wait...every second I'm out means that's one more second he has.

Focusing her will, Anna fought the emotion.

Pytor bowed. "I'm glad to meet you." He turned back to the Czar.

"You are correct. Well, unfortunately, my father requires me back at my home, so I must depart. It was a pleasure meeting you, and Your Majesty," he says, nodding to the Czar. "You have a wonderful bar."

"Well, I must be going, so have a great day." With that, they all left Earthrealm and went back to the Nexus.
==================
The Nexus

Pytor laughed when he went through.

"That must have been Renor, the sorcerer you warned me about," Pytor told the Dragon Master. "Correct?" He nodded.

"Yes, my Prince, that was." Pytor smiled.

"Goodie. Everyone leave except the Clan members. You," he said, pointing to the Dragon Master. "Send two Shotokan warriors back here. I want the portal to the Homerealm guarded at all times." He bowed.

"Yes, my Prince." About ten minutes later, the portal to the Dragon Realm was guarded by two Clan members and two Shotokan warriors. Four other Clan members were about the Nexus, hiding. Pytor was busy reading some other inscriptions within the Nexus.

R -- Well, I rather imagine that he's attempting to figure out the inscriptions himself...I changed some few inscriptions while I was there...some key characters, if Vedt's translations are to be believed. If that doesn't confuse them, probably nothing will.

The Shogun stayed in the corner, despretly trying to pry his one hand's white-knuckle grip off the sword. "Damn, that took effort."

R -- I can imagine. They're gone, and Rhenmet still hasn't settled down. I suggest you make certain your Praetorian Guard stay out of her path while she's in this state, Czar. She'll calm down momentarily, I assure you, though.

The Nexus

He finished translating the second slab, and was almost finished with the third when he noticed something.

"What the...." some of the characters were not in their original state. Pytor smiled.

"They thought this was in ancient draconic. I'm glad it worked." The one Clan member looked confused.

"I thought they were in ancient draconic?" Pytor shook his head.

"Yes and no. If you read them straight, they are, but it doesn't tell you anything of importance. It is written in the Language of the Gods -- looks similar to ancient draconic, but it is different completely. If you rearrange the characters, they give you a completely different message. The ultimate encryption system. In fact, there never was and 'ancient draconic' language -- it is instead a codeified message of the Holy Language -- the One Language in which everyone wrote in and spoke in during the times of the One Realm." He read on and collapsed in laughter.

"What?" Pytor collected himself and explained.

"Renor tried to confuse me by scrambling the characters and removing some. What he didn't realize was that he just did my unencryption job for me!" He smiled and picked up the book.

"Take this to my father. Tell him everything is translated and he may begin merging the realms immediately."

V -- Master, you said you'd mixed up some of the runes?

R -- Symbols, Vedt. And yes, I know what it was written in. Why would the symbols in the temple of an ancient god be written in a language that's only fifty thousand years at best? No...while what I wrote will make perfect sense...they will run into a fault in their attempt...a "glitch," I believe humans call it.

OOC: :P

R -- I can imagine. They're gone, and Rhenmet still hasn't settled down. I suggest you make certain your Praetorian Guard stay out of her path while she's in this state, Czar. She'll calm down momentarily, I assure you, though.

The Czar nodded. "The Praetorian can handle her if she gets out of hand, which is why you can see that they're not letting her back inside." What he didn't say is that there were ten Honour Guards out there, just in case.

She is no threat, so long as she is not provoked. Vedt...go speak with her...this has been quite an experience.

V -- Yes, master. *He laughs* My poor little "sister." Still...I will speak with her. *He goes out*

Rhenna? Be at ease. They've left.

Rn -- Control...resist.

V -- What?

*She turns to look at him for the first time*

Rn -- There was one there...control. I...it was a frightening experience.

V -- But now you know it. Can you resist it?

Rn -- I believe so...

V -- Then try. And settle down. You're making these kids here nervous.

*Rhenmet's ears almost turn as she looks around, then she grins wryly.*

It seems as though I am an "outside" pet.

V -- Poor kid...you were an inside pet before.

Rn -- Oh well. It's nice enough out here, so long as they don't start with the collar and chain.

V -- Master wouldn't allow them. You okay?

*Rhenmet nods* Still...they are the closest to my own blood kind I have ever encountered. I consider Master Renor my father...but I do not know entirely what I am.

V -- Rhenna...if you feel them putting an influence over you, go immediately. It would destroy the Master if he had to destroy you.

Rn -- I would sooner die than force that upon him...or turn on him. Do not worry about me, Vedt.

*Vedt goes back inside* She's fine now.

*Renor nods*

The Temple

Alexei looked over the book, but he wasn't convinced. This doesn't seem like what I remember. He shook his head and got off the throne. We walked around the Temple when something hit him.

This temple is modled off the Nexus in all manners. He ran downstairs and saw the reproduction of the Nexus.

Of course! I completely forgot. He ran up to the stone tablets where everything was, but he noticed something strange.

This isn't the Language. He looked over the room, but he couldn't pinpoint the language -- it was obscure. He sighed.

"Something isn't right in this book, and I'm going to get to the bottom of this."

He sent a dispach to his son, telling him he thinks Pytor was tricked.

Valshath

Anna, after about two hours, steps into the throne room. "Mother, you know of the events?"

Queen Kaymiril VI nodded. "And you want the armor and blade. It only works in a few circumstances, Anna."

"And I believe that it would work in this situation. Surely our Mother Kaymiril I would not stand idly by while this happened."

"You may try, my daughter...you may try."

Anna goes down, into the depths of the palace she's never ventured before, until she got to a room with a sword. Above the door frame was a suit of armor...it looked leather, but it had been so heavily enchanted that it was more protective than mithril but even more flexible. The blade in the center practically glowed with the magick latent in it. Anna reached out and gripped the sword.

"I am Annastrianna d' Maril, daugther of Hrenavatrish d' Maril, daughter of Einara d' Maril, daughter of Valnestmat' d' Maril, daughter of Berades d' Maril, daughter of Nier d' Maril, daughter of Kaymiril. Hear me, all of you. The world is facing a dark hour, and as the chosen heir to your line, to our line, I request that you give me your blade and your armor, that I might help this world in its hour of darkest need."

A ghostly figure appeared in front of her...Kaymiril I.

"We have felt the chaos impending. And we will not stand idly by."

The armor seemed to come down of its own will, and encased Anna. It stretched a little, and tightened a little, to fit her perfectly. She then lifted the blade. It molded itself to her hand, lengthening, reshaping...it became her weapon of choice, the jakujou.

"I will do the duty you have bestowed upon me, Mothers."

With that, she teleports to the front walkway of the Czar's private flat.

"Rhenmet. Walk with me."

The half-dragon, now calm, nodded.

"Yes, Princess."

With that, they entered.

The Czar nodded at the two as they entered. He ordered the guards to open the door to the portal, and said only one thing.

"Godspeed."

R -- Vedt, you stay here.

V -- Master?

*Renor removes one of his/her? gloves, and puts his/her? hand on his pupil's forehead for a moment.*

R -- You now have all my knowledge...you are my equal.

V -- But Master, I should be --

R -- Enough. I ask you to stay here in case they send an attack through. You can coordinate a response swiftly and efficiently.

*With that, Renor, Rhenmet, and Anna step into the Nexus...and then, masking their energies and cloaking themselves in invisibility, stepped into the 12th Plane.*

The Nexus

Pytor perked up -- he sensed an energy increase, but it was small and insignificant. He turned around to look, and saw it came from the Earthrealm portal, he knew. So, they try to trick me, eh? Good, they fall into my trap. He turned around once more, and when the energy level decreased again, he waited about five minutes, put down what he was doing, and jumped in the portal.
================
The Temple of the Portal (The Dragon Temple)

The portal lit up, but nothing came out. When that happened, the head of security there, one of the four Patriarchs (The top elemental sages of the Dragon Realm) alerted Alexei. While this realm was one of magick, technology did not decide to take a rest.
=========================
The Throne Room

Alexei got word from the thermal imaging display in the security control center. The bio systems engaged and produced a picture of Renor and a short bio. Alexei smiled.

"Hello, there." He called down to the portal temple.

"Lockdown IMMEDIATELY!"
============================
The Dragon Temple

The Patriarch got word. He put up the thermal imaging display and saw them walking towards the opening to the outside world. By that point, the Patriarch knew that they knew that the Dragon Realm was a beautiful paradise.

"It's a shame they won't live to see it." He pressed a button and the opening was closed by an energy barrier and a huge, thick door.

-------------------------

In the portal, Pytor jumped out and came up behind the group, using the faint energy emmitting from them to find them.

"Decided to pay a visit, eh?" With Pytor were two of the Patriarchs of the Dragon Realm. Suddenly, the barrier was released, and the door was opened.

In walked Prince Alexei Alexandrovich Andropov, along with the two other Patriarchs. The barrier was reestablished and the door closed. Alexei cast a spell, removing the physical cloaking from Renor and co.

"Welcome to my homeworld, Renor," Alexei said. His voice eerily echoed in the chamber. To the sides stood walls almost as strong as the Nexus', behind him Pytor and two Patriarchs seperating them from the portal, and in front was the Dragon King and the other two Patriarchs.

It was not a pleasent sight.
===========================
OOC: I'll let Anna and the other guy escape, but Renor is MINE! *evil laugh*

Spells glittered along the Kaymirili weapon that Anna held. It could sense the tensions of its holder, and the battle readiness.

Rhemnet's muscles tensed, and everything in her entire being prepared as she stepped in front of her master.

Renor, calm as ever, put his hand on his apprentice's shoulder, and moves her out of the way. "Tesso Vedt ulu kyorl ulu l' rivvil."

Rn -- Master...

R -- *to Alexei* I thank you for your welcome...it is a lovely locale. Now...what would you with me?

Alexei no longer had any warmth around him.

"Why did you come here?" There was a definite coldness in his voice.

"You obviously came here to stop me, am I correct? If so, I cannot allow this to happen."

Anna's tone matches Alexei's for coldness.

"And we cannot allow you to continue on."

R -- Please, Princess. *slowly says the name* Alexei Alexandrovich Andropov...a strong name. However...strength is also weakness.

Renmat's afraid for her master's life, and thinks, almost a prayer, If there is a god out there that is not deaf, lend us some form of aid.

Warfare hears the prayer, and whispers in the young womans mind: "Fear not"

A Fearsom Barrier of Energy erects itself between the opposing parties, further investigations would reveal that those against the dragon king could attqack him still, with projectiles of course, while, the dragon king would not be able to attack at all.

On the barrier itself in Common appears a sentence
"Now Now Children, lets behave ourselves and play nice shall we?"

OOC: Well, I did promise Kaymiril aid if he needed it from Warfare.

R -- Ah, Warfare. Good to see you...but I would ask something different of you. Help Anna and Rhenmet complete the task we began...I will deal with these...for as long as I can. I give them to your care.

Rn -- But --

R -- Be well, Rhenmet. And do deliver my message to Vedt.

*Renor takes off his mask and hands it to his apprentice, then steels himself, gathering energy.*

OOC: I am planning on having Renor die...this is a kind of death that suits him, don't you think?

OOC: Question: Why? He has so much left to finish. But, if you are set upon having him die, then I cannot stop you. It may interest you to know Cougar is wishing to fight to protect him, having just had an outburst in Kaymiril

OOC: For every gain made, a sacrifice has to be made. Renor's last act will not be futile.

OOC: If that is your wish...

Warfare causes the Barrier to wrap around Renor to give as much of an edge as possible. Snapping his fingers, Anna and Rhenmet seem to melt away. In truth they are just fine and standing on Riptide surrounded by Slivers while Warfare transfers them by his body in Kaymiril.

"I shall see you in the Afterlife friend...

Anna looks at Warfare.

"We have to get the Kamidogi from his Temple. It was what we set out to do."

R -- *draws his wrists together, mimicking the shape of a spider with his hands* It's been good knowing you, Warfare.
Tell me, Dragon King...what's precious to you? *his gaze shifts to Pytor*...you should never let go...of what's precious to you.

*Having chosen his target, he channels as much energy as possible...drawing even tupora fashka and from Warfare's energy barrier.*

"Ultima."

The blast centers in on Pytor, completely destroying him, the creatures around him, and a good 20 square km. While the Dragon King himself may not be killed, he would take substantial damage, not being at his full power.

Renor gets to see the spell begin to take effect. Warfare's energy barrier protected him well enough that he managed to ride out the spell...although he's left with so little energy that he cannot even draw more out of the area. Blood flows freely from wounds given by the sheer strain of the spell, and Renor collapses, sure of death, and utterly exhausted.

OOC: And I don't care what universe you're from, Derscon...that's a spell that's gotta hurt. I gave up my fave mage for this effect.

"Warfare pulls them out from Riptide.
"Yes, I can see the location, it is on youre surface thoughts."
Warfare Causes a common Cloak to appear, all though this one is big enough to cover warfare, Anna, and Rhenmet. Warfare cpvers the three of them. Reality twitches around them and they found themselves without warfares cloak, standing at the Location in Anna's mind.

A -- Rhenmet, do you see them?

Rn -- Yes. *Her ears are twitching, and she keeps looking toward the direction they'd left Renor in, but she grabs and phases the Kamidogi to Vedt, while Anna fends off whatever attacks come with a blazing combination of magick and skill with her weapon. Her power is more than doubled...Death's potion had removed some old curses designed to limit her ability to use her magick, and the Princess is feeling more powerful than ever...at a time it is needed most, too.*

Rn -- Got them.

A -- Let's go, then.

" It seems some people wish to play then, Ladies this will feel quite disconcerting."

Warfare, Rhenmet, and Anna all literally Explode. The Kamidogu mysteriously disappears.

The Three Reform in the Whit Tower of Magic, Next To warfares 2nd body Asking Galvenor for Help.

Back at the flats, the Shogun's hair ruffles despite the fact there was no wind. "They got them." he said.

Anna and Rhenmet walk back in, Anna holding the final two Kamidogi.

"Correction...Renor gave himself up."

V -- What?

Rhenmet holds out Renor's mask. "His last instructions to you were 'Kyorl ulu l' rivvil'"

Vedt takes the mask, and his robes start to change, as does his half-mask.

"Alberekek has fallen, then."

"Damnit! We were supposed to stop the deaths. When will he get here?"

A -- When will who get here? Out of the three that went into the twelfth plane...only two made it out...and that was only because Renor managed to somehow make a friend who is also a god.

Warfare appears near Princess Anna.
"I bring a Learned friend who can help you greatly. He shall be here shortly. he is not a God, but powerful all the same. I cannot interfer directly, for to do so would cause the Gods themselves to get involved, therefore, I shall leave you in the hands of a truely evolced Lifeform named Galvenor. He appears to be a Ghost, but he is not, he knows much, and will be able to help you, he has a form of magick that is strang to me, yet useful all the same." Warfare said.

"If you ever need the help of a God, just pray, I will hear you." Warfare said Benevolently.

Warfare disappears with out a sound or trace, leaving behind an energy signature for Galvenor of Balrogga to find his way.

"Who? Just a friend. He's got a key for me. I hope he arrives soon though, I need that key."

*Shakes head* You look like you're talking to people when you're talking to yourself.

OOC: This crowd's just really agitated.

OOC: Balrogga, make sure that when you first appear, that you pop up in the general vicinity of Anna, thats where Warfare left a feeling of power for Galvenor to find his way. Warfare is still watching, and listening.

Reality rippled and a ghostly form materializes. The ripples smooth away into nothingness. Those around the transparent form can feel a great Power emanating from him.

Galvenor looks around him trying to locate the way to his prey. He spies Anna and flies over to her. His "voice" echoed in their minds.

“Where is this pitiful Dragon King that thinks it can usurp Creation? In the name of BelDragos, the Elder God of Magic, I will put a stop to this foolishness once and for all!”


OOC:

Unfortunately I know nothing of a Key...

A -- Currently, he's on the Twelfth Plane. *thinks how to describe it?* Renor has some little bit of life left...if you know his bio signature, you can find the Dragon King that way...but I doubt that he'll live much longer; either of them.

*Mith teleports in with Cougar shortly after this.*

((b/c this is a thread that knew Renor, an abrupt change would be too confusing, so Vedt will still be called Vedt, until and unless you speak to him, in which case you call him Renor.))

V -- And this is, Mith?

M -- Col. James Cougar, of Snake Eaters.

Rn -- Yes...we met him...you weren't there.

V -- Master Alberekek's last project, then. Tell me, Cougar...what in this world drives you...what is your goal, your purpose? ... What...is precious, to you?

Rn -- *by way of explanation* This was a question our master would ask all his pupils...he may not have gotten to that point in your training, yet.

"No he did not, but I will answer"*Looks straight at Vedt/Renor* "What drives me? A memory that still haunts me to this day. My purpose? To not allow the scene in my memory be burned onto the innocent brain of another child, or anyone else. What do I hold precious? I do not know. I have not yet found it *eyes flicker in ***** direction*

OOC: I like to keep people in suspense. Kaymiril already knows though

Rn -- He has more answers than most of us when we began.

V -- He is also further along in his life than most of us were.
*to Cougar* It is imperitive for a mage to have a purpose, or there is no reason to excel. It is equally important to have something you care about...it gives a reason to continue when there seems to be no hope. To give you the same advice my master gave me, find that thing that is precious to you, and hold to it. Never let it go...but never cast in its name.

OOC: Yes, I know. Much hilarity.

My mind is currently confused. I have a purpose, and I believe I know that which I wish to care for, but it is unlikely that the feeling is mutual, especially at this stage. I will not mention their name here, it is a matter for private conversation

OOC: Oh yes

V -- Very well. It is necessary only for you to know what matters to you.

Rn -- But it is important that you know in your heart instead of just in your head.

OOC: Check your TGs.

OOC: Done. Request fulfilled. Check urs

IC: I know it is in my heart. It is a strange feeling, and one that I have not felt before

Vedt nods.

OOC: Is that all? Doesn't exactly give me much to go on does it. BTW, got ur second TG, very nice. I think mine speaks for itself

OOC: Yes...that's pretty much it. Now you get to stand there feeling uncomfortable, b/c everyone here knows what you found. :P

OOC: Evil bastard! Thats the last time I trust you :) Oh well, secrets out, now it gets interestin...

IC: Cougar turned away from Vedt/Renor, and stared out the window at the gathering night, his hand on his katana, feeling his pistol slung in its holster underneath his cloak. The night was so dark, he had never seen anything like it before.

OOC: It would be "evil bitch." Yes, SE...you are talking to a female. Anna's really the main char here...Renor is ancillary. And I'd meant about killing the Dragon King...not the other thing.

IC:

Rn -- The night is always blackest...just before the dawn.

OOC: I suspected as much. Doesnt matter anyway, lol, but just for ur sake... Evil Bitch! Happy now:)? And thank god, we need to keep it secret until we see fit... Dont do that again

IC: Very true. I have seen many dawns, many sunsets, but never have I seen a night as black as this

A -- Then when the dawn comes, you will never have seen one so bright. To be fair...I have seen nights as black as this. Dawn is always a relief.

Very true, your Higness. Whilst you are here Rhenna, I wish to aplogise for my words and actions yesterday, they were the ones of a man whose emotions had control of him for a time

*Rhenmet nods* I felt much the same as you did. There is no need for apology.

Thank you *As they had been speaking, the dawn was breaking* Oh..... WOW!" exclaimed Cougar, as he saw the land in which he was expand beneath the light of the sun

V -- Dawn after night. A never ending cycle of light and darkness...hope and despair. One cannot exist without the other...

A -- And thus, there is balance. It is so with magick, and with life.

Rn -- For without balance, life could not exist.

Cougar stood, gazing at the beauty of the land in which he was. It stretch as far as the eye could see. A flicker in the corner of his eye brought ******** into sharp relief, but he looked away, not wishing for his secret to be revealed, at least not yet. He dimly heard their talking, and thought Renor said something like that to me once. Good luck in the Afterlife, you and I shall meet again one day

OOC: I don't have anything...

OOC: LOL, y not have one of ur chars engage mine in convo. It's difficult when no one else is online though

V -- *to Anna* Princess, with your permission...there is work I have to do.

*Anna nods, and Vedt teleports to the 3rd plane...a barren place, but safe to unleash such new magicks as he gained from his master.
Anna sits down, running her thumb over the blade of her ancestors...they had never been defeated while weilding it...maybe that would carry over to her.
Rhenmet walked over to the window.*

Rn -- How long did my master train you?

Difficult to say exactly. Without a point of reference, I loose track of time, but I would assume around four, maybe five weeks in total, before he was called away... But he taught me much in a very short space of time, more than I thought possible

*Nods* You hadn't had enough time to hear most of his sayings.
I remember, when I first began training...it was a long time ago. Praise came infrequently, and reprimand came often. But reprimand came only with a reason, and the praise made it more than worth it, in the end.

He was occasionally angered by me, but only because of what he saw. The anger did not last long, and I learnt something from it each time. He was a good teacher, and a friend

There were times when we all wondered if he wanted us to never learn anything new. Then the first one, in rebellion, cast a spell a good deal too powerful for him...and was consumed by it. It hurt him...but he used it as a lesson for the rest of us.
I wonder what sort of lesson he would turn this into.

Maybe that when presented with two evils, choose the one that makes the greatest difference to those you know and wish to protect?

Maybe...I think he knew, when he came here, that he would not live to see the end of it...he took care to keep Vedt safe. It all will continue...everything will change...but everything will also remain the same.

Maybe that is true. If it were, then it did not appear to affest his demeanour. Everything is changing, I see things in a different way to before, and it scares me slightly

If you do not learn to see things in different ways, you cannot grow. When you were a child, did you think the same way you did in adolesence? Or adulthood? We learn, and it changes the way we see things.

You have great wisdom, for someone who appears so young, yet you are not young at all

I'm not old...only three hundred. But I live in a world where you learn to think, and to understand. You will understand, too, before your training is complete.

Not old by your standards maybe, but to me you are. The average human lifespan is only round 95 yrs, in Snake Eaters at least. I am only 26 yrs old, but I have more expierence of the world than many of my peers. I am the youngest Colonel Snake Eaters has ever known

Twenty six? You're just a baby...at least, by the standards I've known.

Warfare follows Vedt/Renor, to the 3rd plane. He appears as a bright spot on the horizon, yet in no time at all is standing next to the new Renor. Calmly Warfare extends his hand in a friendly greeting:

"Greetings, I am Warfare, a God, more importantly God of the Slivers. I knew Renor, Alberekek. I am, was, still am one of his friends. I thought I should pop by and extend a friendly greeting, for I am helping you, and the other Great Mages, defeat the Dragon King, indirectly of course. If I were to directly interfer, all sorts of Chaos would ensue." Warfare said.

Vedt nods.

"You taught my master Fieros and Ultima. I am still considering these spells, before attempting to cast them. He left me with a monumental task....one I do not know if I am ready for. I wonder...if he had a different path before him, would he have chosen differently than he did?"

Twenty six? You're just a baby...at least, by the standards I've known.

Yes, by the standards you know. But remember, there is a difference in our cultures, a gap that spans decades, centuries even

Rn -- No doubt.

OOC: OK, considered your TG's. Ur chice really, makes it a bit more interestin

IC: So tell me, what is your background? You look Drow, but seem to have some tendencies of a dragon about you

I am half dragon...I don't know what my other half is. My master helped me assume the drow form when I was little, and I have kept the form ever since. It is the most comfortable. I've been learning from my master since I could walk...I don't know what I'm going to do anymore, though.

What of you? Renor would have sensed something like us about you, or he would never have even looked at you.

OOC:
Come on...think...which would work? And which is doomed to failure?

I see your predicament. You learned from the old Renor, and now that Vedt has taken on the position, how do you learn from someone you have known for so many years?
Myself, I am an orphan. My parents died in a civil uprising many years ago, and it is that memory that drives me to succeed. I was the first to see their charred, broken bodies after the enemy stormtroopers withdrew. It was after that I swore to fight to avenge my parents, and I eventually managed it. The bastard paid, but in honourable combat. Ever since then, I have noticed the Black Flame grow ever more powerful

OOC: I don't know, most likely the second one would work better

Oh, that's not what I mean. My training is complete...I do not know the highest spells of our order, but those are spells that only Renor, whoever it happens to be at the time, may know.

My master said to never let go of what is precious to you...but now I have to, and I don't know what I'm going to do.

You must sometimes let go of one thing, and find another. It is the way of the world

True. My class of mage is essentially a community of magickally gifted orphans...there are only ten dozen of us at any given time, and to have a number that large is rare.

But really, what of your background?

120 people. SHADOW (SE Special Forces) has only 156 operatives at any one time, and they are all highly-trainined, motivated soliders.
Maybe that is why Renor chose to teach me, beacuse I am a magickally gifted, and an orphan

It would provide a reason. But he never really needed a reason to do anything...it was always getting him in trouble with his master. It is also probably what made him the master all the members of my class looked up to so much. When the news gets back, it will be a hard blow to my community.

He is a sore loss to everyone who knew him, I know I will not be the same again. He touched my life, and it saddens me that a life such as his has been extinguished by almost pure evil*hint of anger enters voice*but it not go unavenged. I have killed before, and I have nearly died many times. Prehaps it would be a release

Death comes as the end. There is no second chance at life. Perhaps the reason my master went against your wishes and did not bring you here to fight is that he felt you still had too much to accomplish to die. That is why he left Vedt here, when Vedt was intent on going with him to the Twelfth Plane.

I see clearly now why I was left behind. Prehaps I was not meant to have an effect until the final endgame. If so, I do not intend to dissapoint

*Nods* All have a purpose. I would advise you, though...stay away from the more advanced magick users, or stay with a powerful mage, or you'll die most painfully. Five weeks is not enough time to truly learn control of a magick.

I will be. I doubt the Dragon-King will be fighting alone, without human support of some kind. That is my target, not the King himself. That would be foolhardy

I wonder what sort of damage he did to the Dragon King and his forces. Warfare took Anna and me out of there before he cast...we never got to see.

If he cast Ultima, then the damage would be extreme, even to the Dragon-King. It is a fearsome spell, taught by Warfare to Renor and Galvenor. I belive Warfare will also teach it to Vedt, and then we have a fearsome weapon against the Dragongaashi (Mite have spelt tht wrong). I assume you know what I found out in the White Tower libary?

Damongaashi can only be killed on his own sword. Any dragon, or descendant of a dragon, knows this. We also know that that blade has been entrusted to the Andropov family...human mages...although their last descendant has little to no interest in his inherent abilities. However, Damongaashi, after having been killed several thousand years ago, was recently reincarnated as Czar Reijyavich Ivan Andropov's son, Alexei Alexandrovich Andropov, so recent reports say. Meaning...if Damongaashi gets his hands on that sword, there will never be another bright dawn, such as this.

Correct. But, the Czar already has the Sword in his possesion. And Alexei has been revealed as the Dragon-King re-incarnated, so that basically factors him out of the equation. What with Anna and yourself securing the final artefacts, the sword is now capable of defeating Damongaashi once and for all. But, as you say, the Czar shows little interest in his ability. I do also know, through genalogy research, that Alexei is not truly of his fathers line. His blood is not his father's blood, but John does carry it. Therefore, in theory, John could defeat the Damongaashi

I think you have it backwards, somewhere along there...

Maybe I do, for I was working very late, so of the details may be incorrect. But, it may a simple mistake of placing the wrong names in the wrong places

You do have it backwards, John has no Andropov blood, oddly. He only has his mother's blood.

(OOC: In response to the key part, it's a code for something else that will help Kenshin.)

It is a crucial error...like casting a killing spell on a zombie.

Strange. That means that the Czar is the only one left who can defeat his son, if he can truly be called his son. Prehaps there is a greater force at work here?

OOC: What a random time to think about food.

OOC: But we are working to NS time, and its morning there. It aint GMT. God, I feel so knackered, but il keep goin till 11. Well...

OOC: I'm thinking situationally.

OOC: I'm thinking situationally.

OOC: I'll edit it then, just ignore it

Strange. That means that the Czar is the only one left who can defeat his son, if he can truly be called his son. Prehaps there is a greater force at work here?

Perhaps. In the past day I've learned that there is at least one god who is not deaf...who is to say, then, that there is not a higher force working somewhere?

"Warfare cannot interfere directly. He can merely offer assitance in times of great need, and I believe that even then he is bending the rules to breaking point. But you are correct, who is say that there are not others who are listening and watching us?" Cougar smiled, having found someone to talk to was a great relief, and that they were feeling similar things to himself regarding Renor was even better.

*Nods* There will be a point, very soon, when we will find out.

It all depends on when that point comes about

True.

Cougar sighed, crossing his arms on the window sill, and resting on them. Derscon was a stunning nation indeed. In fact, it reminded him of Snake Eater Prime, and he felt a sudden pang of homesickness, then the flashback started Flames licked around the door frame, and armoured Helghan storm-troopers moved quickly, efficently, blowing everyone in sight down with their LAR's(Light Assualt Rifle). Hidden beneath the stairwell, James Cougar shook with fear, as he saw his parents shot, whilst blindfolded, and knelt. The Helghast then set their bodies alight, as a reminder of their brutality. As quickly as the assualt began, it was all over again. It would be some time before Snake Eater RRF (Rapid Response Forces) would arrive, but when they did, they found a young, blond haired boy, whose eyes flickered with a burning flame that resided within him. Cougar closed his eyes, a surge of emotions welling in his chest once again

OOC: And that my friends, is y Col. Cougar is such a dark soul. Anyway, I must leave now, but I plan to continue this convo with Rhenna tmoz

OOC: Holy Crap, you've had runins with Helghan, too? PP and I tore him out and iggied him b/c of bad grammar/manners about a month ago.

IC:
Rhenmet looks at Cougar, head tilted. "Are you all right?"

OOC: No actually, its taken from a PS2 game called Killzone. That guy Helghan got his name from it, I merely lifted them, they make good enemies

IC: Cougar looks back at her, a hollowness in his eyes now apparent,"Bad memories Rheena. You wouldn't understand"

Maybe...maybe not. We all have our pains. We also all have our joys.

OOC:
Oh. Ah well.

I have little or no joy anymore. The last of my family, the rest murdered because of who they were," he froze. He was on the verge of telling her why he was like he was. Could he trust her that much?

*Rhenmet nods, understanding*

You do not wish to share this. I understand. There are many things that only my master knew about me.

*She turns her head out, looking back over the horizon*

This nation is beautiful...but its security is a bit much...more than we have, back at home. Irritating, somewhat.

I myself have seen things that should be forgotten. In 6 months, I killed over a hundred people. Something I will never be able to repent enough for.
Rapidly, the faces before death flew across his mind's eye. The blood, the organs, he had shreaded people in such a way that he would probably never see forgiveness.

OOC: O_o

By the way, thanks for killing Pytor, but I'm ignoring the vaporization, as I need Pytor.
======================
The Temple of the Portal

Alexei returned from the warp in space/time he formed to get out of the blast, but not without some physical damage. Everyone around him was -- while not dead, hanging on by a thread. He could sense Death's presence and smiled.

"Death, I order you to not take these people quite yet." With that, Death stepped out from the shadows. (OOC: Warhaven, I'm gonna take over a bit, but don't worry, after this post, he's yours again.)

"And what makes you think you have the athourity to command me." Alexei smiles and pulls out a Kamidogu.

"This." It was in the shape of the satanic star -- it was the Kamidogu of the afterlife. Death looked perturbed, and Alexei smiled.

"Do not worry, you will sow your crops, as all of these people are unworthy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. But I must do something first." He ordered people to pick up the bodies and rush them to the Temple.
==========================
The Temple

On the floor of the Throne Room, wierd inscriptions were inscribed on the floor. THe bodies were arranged in a circulat pattern around the center. Alexei went around and put a spell on each of the Patriarchs, Renor, and Pytor, touching their heart and forehead. When he was done, he stood in the middle. He chanted something in the Holy Language, and the bodies glowed brightly.

The energy from all of them came out from their bodies and formed a globe above Alexei, and is came down into him. Outside, there was massive storming.

Alexei suffered massive seizures and fell to the ground -- and everything went black.


--A Few Hours Later--

When Alexei woke up, he could feel the energy coming through him. Finally, I have achieved my full strengh. He nodded towards Death.

"All yours." With that, he walked into the Nexus.
=========================
Nexus

He looked around. Ah, they are all there, except for mine. While the twelve realms had their Kamidogus on the altars, it was not complete. Alexei went to the foot of the platform with the Throne and cast a spell to raise the thirteenth altar. He put the Kamidogu of the Afterlife on it, and a surge of energy encompassed the room --

The roof was opening up. Alexei smiled.

"The portal to the gods." But when it opened, he didn't see anything other than a ring.

And then it hit him.

"My Sword. I need my sword to open the portal to the gods." He smiled. "But I don't need it to do this." He was chanting something, and the Kamidogus from the Dragon Realm and Earth lit up. They floated in front of him, on the altar of the Key. He chanted something else -- all in the Holy Language....


And they started to combine.

My class of mage is secret from the public. We get to do the government's dirty work...no offense, Princess.

*Anna shrugs. It's a fact that occured to her several times, and it didn't really bother her.*

OOC: Renor would never, even in death, join the other side. Bastard.

AND Renor wasn't quite dead. I was going to let Alexei have the pleasure of killing Pytor's killer with his own hands...but he's too much of a bastard not to care about his own son.

Warfare tilts his head, feeling something. A ripple of knowledge flashes across the mind of every God across all Creation. Eyes widening, Warfare suddenly realizes that the time has come for the Gods themselves to get involved.

"Renor, You must now hurry and finish learning these last three spells. this is not a suggestion, this is a command, for Death is now in the thrall of the Dragon King, and all those with the Spark of life within them must now guard themselves quite closesly."

Warfare causes his voice to go long distance, and within the Room Anna and the others are in, his voice is heard: "Beware, for Death itself now serves the Dragon King. The Rules have been suspended, and I may now directly interfere, but even still, against Death, what can I do?" Warfare said, haunted.

OOC: Yay! I get to play Death. Like I said, against Death, what could Warfare possibly do?

OOC: Renor would never, even in death, join the other side. Bastard.

AND Renor wasn't quite dead. I was going to let Alexei have the pleasure of killing Pytor's killer with his own hands...but he's too much of a bastard not to care about his own son.

OOC: I know -- Renor was too weak to stand up to the Dragon King at that point, and Alexei stole his energy. Besides, if Renor was dead, his energy is gone anyways. That's Alexei's primary ability -- to steal other people's energy.

R -- I have Brittadiet mastered already...Fieros I have some grasp of, but I have not yet cast Ultima. It is...complex.

***The Flat***

*Rhenmet gets the message from Warfare, and she whips around, tensing*

They come.

*Anna stands, her grip on the jakujou tightening*

OOC: I know -- Renor was too weak to stand up to the Dragon King at that point, and Alexei stole his energy. Besides, if Renor was dead, his energy is gone anyways. That's Alexei's primary ability -- to steal other people's energy.

Renor's remaining energy wasn't anything to speak of...he used almost all his tupora fashka...he was about to die, I was just going to let Damongaashi tear off his head.

OOC: Hey Derscon, check your TGs and Tg me back your answer.

Renor's remaining energy wasn't anything to speak of...he used almost all his tupora fashka...he was about to die, I was just going to let Damongaashi tear off his head.

OOC: You don't understand the nature of what he did. Normally, you don't need to be in the Temple, but since they were all on the brink of death, he had to cast three spells instead of one.

The First would be to bind them to the giant altar that they were on.

The second would be fore the runes in the altar to replenish their energy.

The Third is to then take that energy. Through that, he finished everyone off. It was all done with the speed of one spell by combining them all.

Renor's remaining energy wasn't anything to speak of...he used almost all his tupora fashka...he was about to die, I was just going to let Damongaashi tear off his head.

Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you. Pytor's only perpose in life was to secure a stronghold for the King to come back to and to die so the Dragon King could take his energy.

OOC: Derscon, you replenish Renor's energy, you're going to have a very able mage on your hands. And he does have the ability to react while someone's casting on him, you don't get to be a Master without that ability.

OOC: Derscon, you replenish Renor's energy, you're going to have a very able mage on your hands. And he does have the ability to react while someone's casting on him, you don't get to be a Master without that ability.

Alexei knows this. Alexei also knows how much his binding spell can hold. Alexei also knows Renor's one tough SOB. Do you really think any significant amount of energy came in to Renor? After all, he could fully regain the Patriarchs and his son and still get full energy levels.

He just wanted to do it to spit in Renor's face, of sorts. I doubt Renor could have made a feather float with the amount of energy that came into Renor. Besides, once it came in, it went right back out again anyways.

OOC: Therefore...

IC:

Renor felt energy rushing back into him, and that's when he heard the spell. Using a combination of spells -- illusion, teleport, and cloak -- all in the same instant, he let Damongaashi drain the "energy" out of a "hologram." The binding spell was easy enough to brush off...by the GODS, wasn't that the first thing he'd learned to do effectively?

He teleported, much roughed up, back to the Dersconi flat.

Alexei knows this. Alexei also knows how much his binding spell can hold. Alexei also knows Renor's one tough SOB. Do you really think any significant amount of energy came in to Renor? After all, he could fully regain the Patriarchs and his son and still get full energy levels.

He just wanted to do it to spit in Renor's face, of sorts. I doubt Renor could have made a feather float with the amount of energy that came into Renor. Besides, once it came in, it went right back out again anyways.

With a little energy, Renor can do a lot. That's the purpose of his type of magick...how to do the most with the least amount of energy.

cghhhh...This is....cghhhh...STRIKE...cghhhh....requesting
permissio....cghhhh...too access Flats...cghhh....over...cghhhhhhh.....

A rough voice came over the fuzzy radio to Derscon's air defence stations.

cghhhh...This is....cghhhh...STRIKE...cghhhh....requesting
permissio....cghhhh...too access Flats...cghhh....over...cghhhhhhh.....

A rough voice came over the fuzzy radio to Derscon's air defence stations.

Dersconi Air Traffic Command

"What the heck?" The officer looked up. A major nodded.

"What's the flight signature on that?" The Sergeant looked up.

"STRIKE-class. Some Pschycotic Pchycos thing." The major nodded.

"Let them land in the clear spot -- about three miles from the flats."

"Yessir."
=============================
STRIKE, you have permission to land. The jets will guide you
to the designated landing spot. Please cooperate.


With that, four Fighting Falcons came up to the STRIKE and guided them to the clearing, where a helocoptor was waiting to pick the pilot up.

Nexus

The Kamidogu was fully combined, and he placed it on the center Altar. He chanted something for a LONG TIME, but nothing happened. THen he remembered.

"Ah, I forgot about this little clause. I can't actually combine the realms without the key. Oh well." He summons someone.

"Death, get in here." Then he remembered. Ah, Death cannot access the Void, as it is outside reality. I forgot. He went back to the Dragon Realm, back to his throne room, and noticed Renor was gone.

"So, you live to die another day." He shrugged and called out again.

"Death, get over here."

"WHAT!" Death said, quite upset that he was under control, he would have to try and get the afterlife Kamidogu back when the oppurtunity arised.

Death physically appeared, a rough humanoid looking void of black and darkness where a person should be, a full Silver Scyth held in one "Hand" It appeared a giant black cloak was covering Death, but if that was true or not remained a mystery, all the same, no actual Features could be seen, not even Feet or a face, it was obvious that any Fool that touched this body, would Die instantly. Any and all small plant life within 10 miles instantly withered and died, never to live again.

Rn -- Master! *starts to rush over*

M -- Rhenmet, don't touch him.

*The Gray class Master surrounds the collapsing black class mage in a stasis field, then teleports with him to Mithdelmah.*

***3rd Plane***

V -- He's back. How, I don't know...but my Master lives.

Alexei, quite knowledgable of the fact Death didn't like to be controlled, did something that everyone would have thought impossible, but somehow, he did it.

Alexei put his hand on Death's shoulder, and nothing happened.

"Death, I understand your frustration, but it will only be for a short while. You long for souls, and I long for power. Unfortunately, many powerful people stand in my way.

"I have a deal for you. If you can stop foreign armies from interfering with me, once I obtain power, I will relinquish my control over you. That sounds fair, doesn't it?" Alexei removed his hand from Death's shoulder.

It burned like crazy, but Alexei was ignoring the pain.

A -- Rhenna, what's happening?

Rn -- They come. It is not safe here, anymore.

*Anna nods*

Czar Andropov...I believe it would be safer for your son if he moved elsewhere...he is neither warrior nor mage...*spells glitter along her jakujou* And the situation around here is about to get fairly messy.

The Czar sends up a guard to the study to tell John to leave, and he weilds the Dragon Sword he left to retrieve. He sat down, put the sword on his lap, and meditated.

Slowly, the energy level in the room increased, and increased, and increased......

The Czar was tapping the powers he had long since left to rot --

He was going to need all of them.

Anna finds a room nearby, and kneels in the center.

She could do new things with the power she could unleash. She just needed to know what. She had been trained in all eight classes of magick. How to channel energy the best way, how to learn and use new abilities, that was the teaching of Renor. Almost all her spells, that came from the others...and the ability to channel pure energy, she had learned from her mother.

An almost-glow permeated the room as she focused, and prepared.

The Heavens

The God of Thunder looked down upon the Earth. So, the old Andropov wants to have his powers back. The Andropov's were the earthly decendents of the Thunder God, and right now, the Czar was trying to tap that power. Meanawhile, he contacts Warfare.

Warfare, this is Raidor. I'm sure you are already aware of this, but we have been authorized by the Most Holy One to interfere in the relations with mortals. Our sole purpose of existance is to ensure the existance of life and the realms, and they are threatened. Meet me in the courtyard of the building tht contains Earthrealms portal.

"Fine, I shall Blot out the light of the Heavens itself, Thus Shall I cause every Soul in the AfterLife and the demons of Hell itself to rise and serve you, surly that would keep foriegn powers busy enough, after all, how do you kill that which is all ready dead?" Death Rasped.

Truth be told, Death didn't really care who was top dog, so long as he wasn't interfered with on his never ending quest to take all life.

It was Mid afternoon now, Death let out a horrendous scream, and if he didn't have control over Death, it would have surley destroyed him on the Spot, as it was, all living things in a 50 mile radius simply died, twitching senselessly. All light slowly dimmed to shear blackness, the only thing that shone was the moon, which glowed with an evil illumination. The Sun would not shine, no matter what. Sanity would slip away, if light wasn't restored in a timely manner. Creation being cast into a never ending Darkness, Death began chanting in an ancient language, it was highly doubtful if even the dragon King new it, but what Death was chanting slowly spread across Creation, All manner of Nightmares and Horrors arose, cemetaries and Graveyards emptied their residents. Ghosts returned to haunt the living. Hellmouths opened up everywhere, all manner of demons and evil spirits escaped the Firey depths. Satan himself tried to escape but was restrained by higher powers. The only things that did not return, where those that inhabited Paradise.

"Looking at the Dragon King in a manner that would make most Gods shiver with Fear, he rasped: The Armies of the Afterlife and all manners of Hellspawn are yours to control, save for Satan, higher powers keep him restrained. If these can't keep everyone at bay, nothing can. With the Afterlife Kamidogu, you can control them. Was there anything else?" Death Rasped.

***Mithdelmah***

A team of mages worked around one. His face was exposed for the first time in a hundred years. He was in very bad condition, but Mith didn't think he could handle the pain of the potion Warfare had given her the recipe to. So they worked at this one the old fashioned way.

"Keep him stable"
"Watch the nervous system"
"I'm losing a heartbeat"
"Try *such and such spell*"

Were all heard in the deepest levels of the Temple. This was indeed a race against time.

Warfare opens a solid wooden door that was not there before, he steps through to the courtyard and closes the door behind him. The Door disappears on both ends.

"Yes I did feel that the Rules were suspended, if I am to help in matters, I shall have to concentrate my power, For now, I have it spread among my followers, the Slivers." Warfare said.

Somewhere on Earth

Alexei nodded at Death, taking no notice to the stare.

"Thank you. I will have them march on the Flat in which our adversaries stay. I suggest you stay with me -- you will have much to reap." With that, he teleported to outside the Flat Grounds.

Warfare opens a solid wooden door that was not there before, he steps through to the courtyard and closes the door behind him. The Door disappears on both ends.

"Yes I did feel that the Rules were suspended, if I am to help in matters, I shall have to concentrate my power, For now, I have it spread among my followers, the Slivers." Warfare said.

Raidor nodded.

"This is good, but they are not here. Everything to happen will happen here." He looked up suddenly and shook his head.

"Death has opened the gates of Hell. The Dragon King now has an army almost undefeatable." Warfare smiles and shakes his head.

"They are daemons, they can be defeated by holy powers." Raidor nods.

"True, but there are too many of them for priests to handle." Warfare nods.

"I know, but I have an idea." (OOC: Cue holy shield!)

Death simply runs a "Thumb" and "Forefinger" along the blade of his Scyth, sharpening it.

Anna's eyes open.

Mith...send as many of your pupils as you can spare...we're facing undead over here.
HEAR ME, MAGES...AND COME!

Over in Kaymiril, mages scrambled to get ready. Then they began to teleport in. All told, there were a couple thousand Kaymirili mages standing in that utter darkness.

A Silver Class mage shakes her head.

"This just isn't right.
Brightest Star, bring to us your light.
Star of Life, bring your light.

Several other silver class mages chanted this spell, and the darkness wavered, and began to brighten.

Rn -- I'm going out there, with the rest of my people. *She teleports*

***3rd Plane***

V -- Ultima I will master another day, Warfare...for now...I am called back to fight. *Teleports next to Rhenmat*

The Courtyard

Alexei walked in and noticed the two Elder Gods talking and hid. Crap! These ones are the strongest. But I can handle them. He creeps around the courtyard, out of sight, until he manages to get a good vantage point and can overhear them.

"They are daemons, they can be defeated by holy powers." Raidor nods.

"True, but there are too many of them for priests to handle." Warfare nods.

"I know, but I have an idea."

Alexei was angry. They know of the undead army? Wha-- He stopped himself midthought.

Of course. Raidor is the commissaar between the Almighty One and the Elder Gods. Wait a minute... He was slightly nervous.

If Raidor came down to Earth, that means the Almighty One wants to make sure he can stop me. He smiled. That means He is afraid. Good.

Alexei created a ball of energy and fires it at Warfare, starting the Battle of the Courtyard.
=============================
OOC: Okay, ya'll. There's gonna be two battles here:

The Courtyard one, and the Final Battle.

So...

FIGHT!

Warfare says a Quick Prayer to the Most Holy of Gods, God, and then slowly spreads his arms out. As he does, slivers everywher drop into Hibernation, the Holy Æther stops Glowing, and Golden Energy Feeds into Warfare from Nowhere. At his Most powerful, Warfare Raises his arms to the Heavens, and snaps them Down. A Column of Holy shoot s down from the Heaves mixed With the Holy Fire, Fieros. it Never ends, so Long as warfare remains there, The Local Area is impenertrable by Death, or Evil. Only The Agents of Good and Life may enter the Area.

OOC: Hey, ya'll, I'm getting off. Please listen,

I WANT NO MAJOR ADVANCES IN PLOT UNTIL I RETURN! This is VERY IMPORTANT that you abide by this. I have a scripted ending that I TGed Kaymiril, and I want to stick by it.

Warhaven, put up the holy shield awhile, and prepare to fight.


Ciao.

OOC: The only Character I allowed to die in this was The Queen Sliver, warfare is very dear to me, and as long as he doesn't die, I can go by most any script. The Queen sliver though, for purposes of the Undead armies, isn't quite dead yet, I'm saving that for a special RP later. You can have All the Dead Slivers you want though...

I have to leave for awhile any ways.

Anna sighs and stands up. "And this week started off so very well."

OOC: unless you have other plans, it will be Warfare and Death, one on one. I will let Derscon take care of Pytor with Raidor. I will however, direct the Undead and Evil Army against Kaymiril, I have a feeling The dragon King will have his hands full with Anna. Is this a reasonible plan of action?

OOC: You've kind of got it wrong. Anna will be leading the Kaymirili mages against the undead army. Pytor is dead. It will be the Czar against the Dragon King, and then Death vs. Warfare sounds about right.

OOC: Sorry, I forgot all about the Czar, and I did not Realize that Pytor was dead, i thought he was alive still. I thought you let Pytor remain alive because Renor still lives, or was it the other way around? My origanel thought was close though. And I ment I will RP the Undead/Evil Army While obviously you will do the Kaymirilian Mages. I am however, very excited about the prospect of Warfare VS. Death. Going back to my Character Source, the Book I am writing, Death is Actually the main Enemy of Warfare, Ruler of the Gods, Creator of All. Thats why I suggested it in the First place. Beware, There will be deceased Slivers in the army, as well as a two well known ArchDemons. Apollyon and Legion, to be Exact. After all, every Army has to have its generals.

OOC:

It seems I cannot keep up with all the postings. I have Galvenor to fit in here somewhere and BelDragos, The Elder God of Magic if you need another one. He will not play nice.

OOC: God damn it, I go away for 18 hours and everyone forgets Cougar exists! And the plot has thickened somewhat, so I don't wqite know where to fit in anymore! God damn it, I h8 living in England, for this reason anyway Kaymiril, you and I have things to discuss.

OOC:

I know what you mean. I hopped over to this Thread and was promptly burried under 4 pages of dialog. In this dialog all the "jobs" were divided up so I guess we three are Wildcards. You , Me, and BelDragos!

We should start a merc team...hehehe joking.

OOC: Me and Kaymiril had a plan sorted between us, and it was a good one, extra plot line ;) Oh well, I'm up to date now, so I'll just see what happens to Cougar

OOC: Simple, the main parts were figured out. Galvenor and Col. Couger well help Anna fight the Undead, Evil army. Infact, Galvenor well defeat Apollyon, and Col. Couger will fight Legion. This way we can balance it out, Raidor is going to be busy maintaining the Holy Sheild, Beldragos, will keep the enemies off of Raidor, because maintaing a sheild of that magantude is quite a serious Task, even for a God. Besides, there are only thousands of Kaymiril Mages. Death raised All of Hell and the Afterlife Compared in size, that is quite a daunting task for a small army of Mages, no matter their power. Death is going to direct a sizable portion of his Army against whomever is maintaing the sheild. This Climatic finish should be saved for the weekend when we can all stay up all hours of the night and post. We just have to sychronize or watches, in a manner of speaking.

After a few minutes of thought, leaving the reply window open, here are my suggested results, that, after taking all into consideration, appear to be correct:

The Czar VS. The Dragon King
Raidor Maintains the Sheild
Beldragos VS. Half of Deaths Army
Kaymirilian Mages lead by Princess Anna VS. The other half of Deaths Army.
Warfare VS. Death
Galvenor VS. Apollyon, Archdemon of Hell
Col. Couger VS. Legion, Archdemon of Hell

I do believe this is correct and that I have not left anything out. I never forgot Col. Couger, Galvenor, or Beldragos for a second. Raidor is maintaing the Sheild Because out of us three Elder Gods, he is the Strongest, since he is the middle man between The Almighty and the Gods, and like I said, Maintaing such a Large Sheild is a task which requires all focus, even for a God.

OOC: Sounds good to me. Listen, speak with Kaymiril. Kaymiril, I want Warhaven in on our idea, he needs to know. In fact, TG them all, I'll do some as well, tell them all about it. I reckon it would be best at the climax, but set the scene beforehand, before the Battles, like Cougar seeking *********** out, and talking to them.

IC: Cougar gazed across the plains, knowing that soon they would be a battlefield. His hands crackled with Black Flame almost constantley, and many of the Kaymirilian mages had seen him practicing at every possible oppurtunity in order to prepare. He had been back to the Tower, and retrieved some equipment, such as his personal gear. This was what he had waited for, and he was ready.
He sat, cross-legged, on the cold floor of an empty room, the Flame emanating from his hands to his weapons, a M4 Assualt Carbine with Shotgun attachment, his SOCOM .45 Silenced pistol, and his long-range weapon, a H&K MSG-90A1 DMR. He blessed the rounds within the weapons, for he had discovered that only then could they be effective against the army of Undead Death had raised. As he did so, he offered a prayer to his god, the God of Snake Eaters, Leviathan. Great Leviathan, hear my plea. Battle is fast approaching, and I cannot stop it. I pray that you hear this and help us in our time of peril. Much has already happened, more is to come. Help us in our desperate times

High above, on a plane above that of Cougar, Leviathan smiled in spite of himself, So, finally, my Chosen has reached his destiny. Congratulations my son. May you and your Kaymirilian allies be blessed

OOC: I don't intend on Leviathan getting involved, hes an outside observer for now, but if is help is requested, then it will be given.

The Flat

The Czar turned around and saw Prince John in his outfit as a preacher.

"I thought I told you to leave?" Prince nodded.

"You did, but you're up against demons, remember. I'm a pastor -- a man of the cloth. I can prove useful." The Czar smiled.

"God be with you." John smiled.

"He is." The Czar uneasily laughed. All around the room, one could feel the tension."
==================================
The Courtyard

When Warfare put up the shield, Raidor nodded.

"Excellent." When Alexei shot at Warfare, Raidor turned around to see....

Death. Raidor looked at Warfare.

"I'll keep the shield up -- you take on Death. I've put an on-call to the General's office" -- that was the nickname the Elder Gods had for Michael the Archangel -- "So he'll be here soon. Godspeed." With that he went inside and walked over to the Czar.

"I heard your prayers. I can keep this shield up. I can keep the undead out, but not the Dragon King. The Almighty One is with you." With that, he disappeared and Raidor's presence was felt all around, keeping the shield up.
====================================
OOC: Kaymiril, you're getting some help against the armies of hell. :)
--------

Outside

In the pitch blackness around Earth, the sound of a trumpet was heard. Heavenly light poured in from the Heavens, splitting the darkness with God's Holy Light from above. Decending from Heaven was Michael the Archangel, commanding the Holy Legions of God, ready to fight the satanic monsters from the Abyss.

Michael came over, and went in to talk to the mages. The magicians were unworthy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but there is a paradise set aside for the virtuous unbelievers. Michael was confident everyone here would at least be granted entrance to that.

"Annastrilanna, I am Michael the Archangel, Commander of the Lord's Army. I am hear to fight the demons from hell with you. The Lord is with you, my sister." Angels armed with swords, bows and arrows, and shields depicting the Cross formed a defensive perimeter around the Flat, ready to take on the armies of Hell.

If one didn't know what occured, simple mortals would think that this is that fateful battle of Armageddon.

But if the good guys lose, Armageddon will never come.







And that's a BAD thing.

OOC: Dude, this is getting heavy

IC: Cougar saw the angellic host descend. Maybe Leviathan did hear me he thought. He did not approach them, but rested his sniper rifle on the windowledge, and pressed his eye to the Helsodt 6x42 sight mounted on top of it. As he levelled it, he caught a sight of *******, and a flicker fled through his body. He saw the Undead horde, at 1500m. He watched and waited...

***Before the appearence of Michael, Archangel***

A -- Glider...you're my best flyer, but this day requires a warbird...send me Stri'ya.

*While waiting*

Gray class mages, I want three quarters of you on the battlefield, and the rest of you dealing with the injured. This is going to be a long day.

Black class mages...you know your abilities better than I do. None are to escape alive.

Elemental class mages, go for those that specialize in your opposing element. I want at least one of each other element in each elemental party. That way there can be at least a sheild while reinforcements come.

*Instructions given, the mages wait.*

***After the appearence of Michael, Archangel***

Anna nods. "We are grateful for the assistance."

That said, what she thought went more along the lines of: Demons? Dragon Kings? Archangels and the armies of Hell? This day just keeps on getting weirder.

At about this point, Stri'ya, a WarPhoenix, let his presence be known. It had a bugling call, one to make most creatures tremble in fear. It swooped down in front of the Princess, and she stepped on.

"Let them come, then."

Cougar was watching steadily, but then something spoke to him. Go to the fight, go join whom you love He stopped, and then relaxed the weapon. Still with his M4 slung over his shoulder, he left the Flat, moving towards the line, searching for **********

In the meanwhile, Rhenmet and Vedt are splitting up teams of Black Class Mages. Six dozen, all told...more than half the total numbers of their class. There was a good chance that they would all die today...but really, what are demons? They rarely hold up well to the spells wrought by the Black Class mage...and there were over a thousand Gray Class Mages who would be "combative" today. Undead were destroyed by curative magick.

V -- Rhenna, you take your groups down the left center, and I'll have mine flank around right. If all goes as planned, we should catch the leaders of this battle.

Rhenmet nods. This manuver was risky...but then again, so was the whole scenario. Vedt had pre-approved it with Anna, as well...this day was beginning to come to a head.

OOC: I have an unexpectedly busy afternoon, but will be on again after 6:00, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A. Time.

IC: "Hmm, so Kaymiril has gathered its mages, Fine, I will entertain them so the dragon King can get his power." Death Rasped.

Death Simply pointed at deep space, within five seconds a meteor the size of the flat was heading for it at unclockable speeds. Warfare saw the Meteor, and opened a doorway to deep space wher the Meteor could fly in peace. Death, seeing his first plan didn't Work, yelled out:

"Go my Hordes of Dead, Go Minions of Hell, Destroy the Flat and all therein."

Warfare seeing a rather large detachment of the evil Army coming towards the flat yelled out" This is it, now is the Time to stand for all that is Good and Holy, No matter what, Now is the Time to stand together and defeat the dragon king once and for all. If you have any courage in you at all, NOW IS THE TIME!!!"

Warfare than began to watch Deaths every Move, countering as neccassary.

OOC: I will finish up when I get back later. If someone wishes, they may take over the Undead Army. I will take care of Warfare VS. Death when I get back on.

As he stalked through the battle-lines, Cougar saw for the first time fear among the ranks. The Angels were unperturbed, but those mages who were young, looked scared shitless. He comforted many on his way, offering words of encouragement. Eventually, he found Anna, and saluted smartly, "Col. Cougar, offering my services to you and your armies, your Highness."
Just as he finished, the horde cried out, and began to charge towards the side of Good. He heard the cry of Warfare, and thought Good Luck to you all projecting his thoughts in all directions

Energy crackled within the mages. A white light flickered between the points of the cresent on Anna's blade, and grew until it formed a light...a white fireball. This was pure energy...and would be more than sufficient to finish off most demons. Spells glittered along her armor and weapon, and Stri'ya's battle parts flashed in the Holy Light of the fields.

Anna nodded briefly at Cougar, then her head turned back to the situation.

She leveled her weapon at the hordes attacking.

"NOW!"

The first wave was the Gray class mages, using a combined curative attack which would destroy most of not all of the first layers of undead. They then retreated, and the Elemental mages charged forth, following orders and attacking those of their opposing element (air vs earth, fire vs water, etc), with their team mate of the opposite element providing a sheild against it. Even so, their numbers would thin, with that first wave.

The Black Class mages then blazed along the grounds, Anna at the head. The crescent part of her jakujou whipped out along its chain, slicing down any enemy in its path...but through a variety of controls, avoiding any ally.

Rhenna and Vedt split the teams of Black Class mages, heading to their respective targets.

Cougar saw the Kaymirilians move forward, and then set off on his own, along with many Grey-Class mages. His weapon was up and blazing, although the blessed rounds seemingly had little or no effect. As he closed the gap, he replaced the M4 with his katana, and crashed into the enemy lines, hacking and slashing, the Black Flame surrounding him, consuming him. He tore down many zombies, including Slivers, which he begged forgiveness for in his thoughts. Eventually, having killed many, he came face to face with his target - Legion, an Archdemon of Hell. "Legion! This ends here!" he roared, his voice carrying above the din of battle.
OOC: thats me for tonight. Kaymiril, stick to what we agreed - dont post it until tomoorow evening (GMT). Nobody else touches Legion, he is for Cougar alone

Galvenor seemed at peace. He knew he would do his part in this little war. He has seen worse during the past few thousand years. He began to calculate several strategies and tactics to use in case the situations presented themselves.

He started to cast several defensive spells: Protection from Magical Weapons, Protection from Magical Missiles, Protection from Evil, and Protection from Eldritch Powers. Satisfied in his protections, he prepaired himself for the combat. He carefully watched the nearing horde of undead.

“Anna, I will cover the Eastern flank. You and your mages cover the Western. I must go and intercept them. If I do not see you again, I thank you for the opportunity to help. I must go now or it will be too late to set up the welcome I have planned.”

Galvenor faded from view and flew to the carefully chosen spot where the Army of Undeath would have to pass. He hovered in a lotus position and began to cast Conjurers Sphere.

As the spell took hold, a sphere of black crackling energy formed around Galvenor. Ebony lightning shot from the sphere, reaching out striking everything in its path. The lightning did no physical damage but instead absorbed the inherent magical force in the area and sent it back to the Sphere. Undead who entered the range of the lightning (about 4000 meters) fell to the ground inanimate, drained of the magic needed to move the corpse. The land itself became a Magic Dead area. All the power was drawn into the Sphere and concentrated within the shadow floating within. After a short time the Conjurors Sphere dissolved, emitting a shining being made of light. Galvenor could feel the stolen power coursing through his form. With the careless flick of his Will a barrage of energy bolts flashed from his Aura, vaporizing a line of undead that were advancing.

“Phase one, completed. Phase two next.”

OOC:

I will eventually send a Calling for BelDragos but for now I am prepping the magical defenses. The Sphere allowed me to absorb all the magic in the area, doubling my Caster Level for the duration of the battle. I will check in on this in about 5 hours after school. It is 5:30 Central Time (United States)

The man in the STRIKE finally stepped out. Over his shoulders was a giant sword, longer than he was tall. In his hand, another, smaller sword was held. Very close were the sounds of battle. Finally, he saw Kenshin. Despite the swords he ran fast as any man. He met Kenshin.
"Hey, thought you might need this." he said, passing over the small sword.

"Sano! Finally." Kenshin replied. He grabed the sword. The sword had a blue hilt, with a cross tree hand guarded that bent up and fanned slightly outward. The blade started thin, but at a few inches out, hit a ninety degree angle, and the blade's width increased a few inches untill it hit its point. "Stand back." He began chanting in an ancient language."D' Aminutana jie anernt Psuthcoeks Psuthcoe, sind deryou yu, gehar iuer veio ontoni!" (Oh godesses of ancient Pschycotic Pschycos, if thou doeth exist, lend me thy powers.)......

Temple of the Heroes, Pschycotic Pschycos...

The statue of a warrior at the top of the dome exploded, and from inside it, a new statue, that of a beautiful woman with upstretched arms appeared. From it, three beams of light shot forth toward the flat...

The Flat...

The three beams of light hit the sword. Instantly, bands of pink, green and blue light began running along the length of the blade. (like the metal zinc). Then, Kenshin concentrated untill a blue flame surrounded the blade, his soul. He worked into a fever, untill his blood actually evaporated out of the skin. IT changed his appearance. Now, his kimono was light green from pink, his hair magenta from orange, and his eyes, from violet to yellow. His eyes narrowed and a frightning prescence could be felt.

"And so the Hitokiri lives ONCE AGAIN!!" he shouted, rushing into the fray. He was everyware at once now, cutting down foe after foe. Spinning, flipping twisting, his blade flinging body parts everywhere. The black blood of the undead became thick on him, but the blade was clean. "DIE UNDEAD SCUM!" he roared. He was the Hitokiri, the man-slayer, once again...

------------------------------------------------
OOC: Kaymiril should totally understand most of this (last part). As for the rest of you, don't get in his way. You have your warning.

OOC: I suddenly became unbusy.

IC: Most minor Demons were wiped out, The stronger ones didn't feel like fighting anymore, but the still Survived. All of the Undead simply grew to healthy and, er, well, um, lived???

Legion Saw the first wave crumble. He also saw the Black Flame from col. Couger.

"SO THE BLACK FLAME IS HERE??? I SHALL CRUSH THE ONE WHO HAS IT LIKE AN EGG!!! CHARGE!!!" Legion Cried.

A ,monsterous Horde of dead Slivers followed him. Warfare saw this and cried out: "No my children, don't!" But alas, they were dead, and under the command of Death. Hatred for death began to brew in warfare's heart.

Legion saw Col. Couger first, and at that moment, he was in a clear spot, convienatly big enough for a Fight.

"I am Legion, for we are many, and we shall destroy you." Legion said in an Omnivoice to Col. Couger.

The Slivers, which again, resembled Giant Clawed snakes Slither for the Kaymirilians.

Michael called out.

"ENGAGE THE ENEMY!"

The angels rushed at the undead with their swords, and the archers high above the ground.

It was a complete slaughter of the demons. Evil was no match for the Army of God.....

That didn't mean they weren't putting up a good fight, though.

A few of the undead were taking some of the angels down, and were killing them, their souls ascending back to heaven as angels that can no longer join the fight on the ground.
============================
The Nexus

Alexei was in the Nexus. While everyone was distracted with Death, Alexei was forging a weapon with his energy, which was replaced now as all of the Kamidogu were present.

When he made his weapon, he walked through the portal into Earthrealm.
============================
The Flat

The Czar sensed the Energy levels skyrocket. Damonagaashi has arrived. He leaned on the Dragon Sword, waiting for the bookcase to move.

And it did.

Alexei walked through, but his eyes flashed with anger when he saw the Czar leaning on the Dragon Sword.

"So, it is YOU that has stolen my Sword." The Czar nodded.

"And I have no intention on giving it back." With that, Alexei charged at him, starting the battle all of existance is at stake.

Mith M'elzaren, ulu uns'aa!

Two dozen gray class mages, their robes designating them as higher order, form flanks behind the Princess, and cast a curative spell. This cancels out the necromancy used to animate their corpses, and sends them to the ground, back into True Death, and unable to rise for 24 hours as undead.

Anger boiled in Rhenmet as she saw mages get struck down. These were people she had known since childhood. She saw red, and then a painful sensation ripped through her. Wings sprouted, and a tail, and the next demon she approached caught a face full of acid. Rhenmet was, for the first time in her life, halfdragon...and this fight would prove it.

Anna, noticing the Shogun's change, calls out to her people to stay out of his path.

"Wha?" Hitokiri felt the change of power, at least sub-conciously. He paused and looked at the manor(?). He's here he thought. Slashing a path, he rushed to the aid of the Czar. Even if only the Dragon Sword can kill him, I can still do good with my sword, it will at least hurt him a little and distract him.

He arrived just in time to see the battle start. He began waiting for his opening in which he could attack with out harming the Czar, physically or by distracting him.

Inside the Flat

The Sword fight raged on inside, neither person gaining the advantage.

"Do you think you can stop me, mortal! I am the Dragon King!"

"God is on my side, fool, and I have your sword." The Czar slashed Alexei across the stomach, but it healed back up instantly. Damn!

Alexei smiled as he took a swing.

You cannot kill a diety!

You are demon, and I shall kill you as one.

About ten minutes of dramatic sword fighting, the Czar got a nice blow.

It took off Alexei's arms. The Czar took his weapon and duel wielded as Alexei grew his arms back. Alexei, furious, went through metamorphisis.

Damonagaashi has shown his true form.

The Dragon King roams the Earth once again.

As a massive dragon, he really just had to stomp on the Czar, but he failed every time. He picked up the Czar and threw him across the room, making a big dent in the wall. THe Czar fell a story and a half. He laid there, clearly injured. The Czar just laid there, powerless. He is a demon. I have no blessed weapons. I cannot win. The Czar looked up in the face of his death, waiting for the final blow.


Prince John looked in horror, but he was determined to do something. He is a demon, I am a priest. He takes out a cross and walks up to Damonagaashi.

"The Power of Christ Repels thy demon from thee! The LORD REBUKE YOU!" A powerful blast came from within Damonagaashi as he fell to his knees. The Prince looked at his father.

Fight. God is with you.


The Czar, now full of confidence, swung at the Dragon King, slashing him across his scaled face. Damonagaashi clipped him in the right arm (The Czar's left handed) with his horn, disabling it, and making him drop the Dragon King's homemade weapon. Damonagaashi smirked and picked up the Czar and held him at eye level, clenched tightly in a fist was the Czar's body.

Foolish mortal! You shall die for your mistake.

Ivan could feel the energy and the life being drained from him. He tried to summon more energy, but he couldn't.

Must......fight.................. His thoughts trailed off as he hovered between conciousness and unconciousness.

The Dragon King had won.
=============================

OOC: Or had he? :)

Don't worry, God will come to the rescue again.

Continue with your battle with evil! (Or, in Warhaven's case, as evil. ;))

"Bullshit he's won!" The Hitokiri disappeared, but then reappeared with his blessed sword inches from the Dragon King's throat. He uttered one word, "DIE.", and the blade hit as he flew by.

Apollyon saw that the east was blocked, and tock a third of the army to free it, if it came down to it, He himself would fight.

Warfare saw that a third of the Army was leaving with Apollyon. but some of these were the souls of the lost who knew not where to go after death. The Anger and the hatred grew. little whisps of Black Flame and fieros began to pop up from Warfares body. In an attempt to end this early, Warfare sent a giant black and white Fireball, composed of the Black Flame and Fieros, at Death. Death simply turned and let it fly into the void. Death was not totaly unaffected though, the entire Horde stopped for five seconds. Then it began to move again. The slivers entered the area of the Kaymirilian Mages. Spells hit them, but even in death Slivers retain their powers, the ward slivers set to work and the Slivers became immunized against Kaymirilian low level magic. Wings popped out of Every Sliver, and a Hive Mind Formed. Claws Sharpened to their best, and Acid and Poison began to flow, diseases that had no name and were currently unknown where created. Faster than a speeding bullet, the slivers launched themselves at the Kaymirilian Mages. without a care for Life, the Slivers swung for the Bleachers.

Withone Horned Flaming hand Legion punched Col. Couger as hard as he could. Picking him up by a hand, Legion threw Col. Couger to a far away plain, so that they would not be interupted. Flying in front of Col. couger, Legion let out a laugh that would make most clergy men wet their pants

"Bullshit he's won!" The Hitokiri disappeared, but then reappeared with his blessed sword inches from the Dragon King's throat. He uttered one word, "DIE.", and the blade hit as he flew by.

The Dragon King dropped the Czar from the blow. He grasped at his own throat, and after loosing some of his blood (which is acidic, like the stuff from the movie "Alien"), he sealed his wound back up and shot a fireball that was so hot it almost caused nuclear fusion. A lot of the surrounding area melted a little, and flammable objects caught on fire.

And it was headed straight for the Shogun. Whether it hit or miss, he didn't know, but he picked up the body of the Shogun and flung it a quarter mile through the window into the raging battle out yonder. He picked up the Czar again.

Now I shall finish what I started.

The Czar felt some of the last of his energy drain from him, and he saw a light.

God Himself spoke to the Czar.

"My Child! Do not give up faith! Use the Sword and do My Will!"

With this divine inspiration, the Czar used the last of his strengh to drive the Dragon Sword straight through Damonagaashi's heart.

The effects were devistating, including a third story-and-a-half drop for the Czar.


The Dragon King demetamorphisized back into Alexei, the Dragon Sword on the ground. A massive energy explosion with the power of a nuclear bomb came out of the spirit of the Dragon King. As the spirit of Damonagaashi was about to kill everyone, the Divine Light from Above shined on him, and Damonagaashi ws cast in to the void once again, not to come out until the Final Judgement.




The Dragon King was defeated, yet the war raged on.

The Prince rushed to the Praetorian Guards.

"GET MEDICAL HELP FOR ALEXEI NOW!" They rushed over and took him by helocoptor to the nearest hospital, and the Prince hovered over the Czar.

"Father," he said, nearing tears. The Czar was very weak -- too weak to move, but he managed to put an arm around John.

"John...." His voice was soft and weak. John smiled, now in tears. Oddly, the Divine Light seemed to be shining on them.

"Father....you have saved all of life." The Czar smiled.

"Not without the Lord's help. May he forgive me of everything I have done to do this, though." John nodded.

"Indeed he shall." The tears were flowing from John's eyes as the Czar's muscles relaxed completely, and the Czar went off for his rest.

The light doubled its brightness, and what looked like a beam of light came out of the Czar. It was too bright to stare at -- one would go blind if one did. It enveloped the opening. A voice boomed like thunder, coming from the clouds.

"My Children, you have saved life from the demon Damonagaashi. For this you shall ever be rewarded. Do not be afraid! All those who have perished defending My Creation will earn a place in Heaven. They will be washed in the Blood of My Son and given clothes of White, and they shall be with Me forever and ever."

The darkness rolled away, and the sun came out again, flowers bloomed spontainously.

God was with all of them, looking out for them, guiding them, protecting them.

The demons still around were severely weakened, but still a force to be reconed with.

They were going to be easilly eliminated.