NationStates Jolt Archive

"Rimoru, this cannot wait! Confusion abounds around here! Unless you want to wait until after breakfast Cadey." Karasu whispered to him, "I know the whole story. You are an honorable man. People change and you have, however, I would like to talk further about this, as you do not seem to believe it." Karasu looked at him sadly.

"I tried to make you feel better, and only made you feel worse. The thing is, I was right all along. You are a very honorable man." Karasu stressed this to Cadey.

"So do we talk now, or after breakfast?" she asked.

"Now would be fine, I've just about had my fill." He said glancing over to a part of teh table where every plate was bare.

Opprimus you idiot, you never told me anything outside of fighting and churchly stuff and a good looking girl stumbles in and squeezes my history out of you in 10 minutes flat.

Rimoru watched with some annoyance as Karasu took Cadeyrn away. Why are you so mean to me, Karasu? The Empress wondered to herself as she stuffed her mouth with waffle, not even realizing she did so. Her cheeks were puffed out slightly as her eyes widened, realizing what she did.

She gulped it down slowly, coughing after she did so. "It's...very...good...Azy," she coughed, growing red as she realized how goofy she may have looked.

Indeed, Sarik was attempting to stiffle a laugh, hiding his mouth with his reptillic hand.
**********************************************************

Kalzog nodded, a wicked smile on his face. "It may work, however you'll lose a great many warriors."

Beau smiled again almost as if he had fallen asleep. "That is the cost of war dear Ogre, you and I know it all too well. In the end, there can only be one." He said fairly calm and relaxed.

"Thank you, thought maybe you shouldn't eat them so fast as I can always make more." He replied with a slightly amused smile as both her blush and what had caused it.

"Great... please follow me." Karasu asked him. When they were out of earshot of everyone else, Karasu began.

"You are every bit the honorable valiant man I thought you were. The past is the past, and you have changed. That is what is important." Her eyes were smiling at him.

"Cadey, you must drop this needless guilt! You have more than made up for your terrible judgement. Opprimous told me everything about how you grew up, and such things." Karasu was grinning. "How could you expect anything different. Had I found you then, I would have killed you." Karasu looked at him with a joyful smile on her face.

"Cadey, you are no longer that man! So drop the guilt! You are an honorable man. You are the type of person I would try to protect. You switched polar opposites. I admire you for that. Not many do change, so you have that in your favor as well." Karasu continued. "Please please forgive yourself. I forgive you, and you even killed a... Well, being as judgemental as I am as an assassin, you would never be a target. Understand: You are a different man! And I demand that you take that weight off your shoulders!" Karasu grinned at him, and spontaneously hugged him. "I am so proud of you. You have done what most cannot do; change."

She let Cadey go and her eyes were twinkling. "Now, lose that misplaced guilt! You are a valiant, honorable man! I was right!" Karasu grinned at him.

"Now, make yourself believe it! Because it is the truth! When you get that weight off your shoulders, you will have more energy to fight Beau as well. You are not going to die fighting him. If you do, dammit, you will die a hero. If you die, I will be by your side fighting as well." Karasu intoned: "Let go of the guilt." She smiled at him again. "Please!"

Karasu looked back at the dining room. "Shall we go back to the dining room? I did not mean to starve you, but to try to knock some sense into that hard head of yours." Karasu chuckled and smiled at Cadey.

Cadeyrn was speechless almost embarressed by his attitude from before. "I am sorry Karasu, I let my self pity get the best of me." He said lowering his head to the side as she held him. "I was actually afraid to die, not to leave this world but to loose Marlene forever."

Suddenly he began sobbing.

"Still I can see the look in her eyes as she was dragged away by that demon. I never had much in this world, I wasn't even born by my mother in a sense; the bandits killed my father when he was deathly ill and her while she was in labor. The bastards cut her open and took me as one of their own." He added holding her tighter while he sobbed even heavier. "I save Marlene because for a single moment I saw myself in her and I couldn't wish that fate on anyone."

He pulled himself away from her losing his grip from the crutch and met the ground hard. Growling, his eyes rolled into the back of his head with tears fresh in his eyes. He opened his wrist cannon and fired the shell through the ceiling as his body was engulfed in a furious fire. The gashes across his body peeled away at the heat of the flames, steadily his wounds completely recovered.

Slowly standing to his feet on his own he felt his metallic hand that somehow didn't melt during the inner fire.

"Tungsten boy, incredibly high metling point." Opprimus yelled from around a corner smiling before carrying in his new blade.

"Do not cry... you will not lose Marlene." Karasu said to Cadey. "I am so sorry for what you suffered." Karasu was a bit teary. "I hate it when I have no words to convey what I am feeling."

Suddenly Cadey hit the floor.

"Cadey!" Karasu yelled.

When he revived so quickly and stood, Opprimus came around the corner with Cadey's new blade and a smile on his face.

"Looks like you have a new toy Cadey." Karasu grinned along with Opprimus.

Karasu wiped away what tears were left on his face. "You are going to be fine." She smiled at him with admiration and caring.

"Opprimus, you must be starved! Hit the dining room, my man! ... as should we Cadey. New sword, new outlook, no guilt. Got it? Those are Karasu's orders, Cadey!" She chuckled and giggled.

"Come on Opprimus." Karasu put her arms around each man and escorted them to the dining room.

Cadeyrn held the sword, it was heavy, very heavy. He tried holding it out with his left arm at eye level steadily, but it shook a little.

"What the hell is in this thing!?" He barked propping the massive thing over his shoulder.

"Silver enlaced runes along the center of the blade, werewolves and the undead will get sick if they even come near it. Diamond coated edges for the perfect slash backed by the toughest combination of metals I've ever created." Opprimus said while cleaning his glasses proudly. He pointed down to a scripture along the edge.

Doomed is the man who carries his burdens, Cursed is the man who forgets them, but Divine is the man who seeks to redeem himself. Bahumut's Wrath

"Thank you...dad." Cadeyrn admitted as he dropped his blade and hugged his former guardian.

"So, I see you've met a nice lady friend here Cade. So you too uhh, well you know..." The smith began fiddling his fingers together as the mercenary simply spun and marched towards breakfast before Karasu could see how bad he was blushing.

Opprimus turned to Karasu "Keep my boy safe, he may seem like a big lug but deep down he's a soft hearted child."

"Yes," Karasu agreed. "Cadey is a sweetie... and by the way, the inscription you carved is absolutely perfect!" She grinned at Opprimus. "Food for you? The dining room is right around the corner. I think you deserve something to eat after all that work!" Karasu smiled, thrilled with the new inscription. Cadey truly was a sweetie.

As people conversed and walked around talking and whispering to one another, Ar'mai sat quietly eating the delicious breakfast Lorathin had prepared. She was mostly overlooked, but she was listening to what everyone was saying...

Opprimus smiled as he slung the massive pack over his shoulder full of various metal gadgets.

"I can't eat, I'm fasting for the next seven days as part of my faith. That's right, grumpy old smith is also a man of the cloth." He admitted before turning and heading back to the forge. "Don't tell Cade about his bloodline ok? It might create problems."

As the smith walked down the hallway to the sound of his pack clacking within itself Cadeyrn swiftly returned.

"I'll never understand him." The large mercenary claimed with his metal hand clamped down on his new weapon.

*-*-*-*-*-*

Marlene managed to fall asleep on the cold marble floor with the rusty iron collar still aggitating her neck. Beau had went somewhere and Kalzog was particulary unmoving.

Her guardian faced down with the raging demon ever still as the monster grew and grew into a massive freak. As it lunged for her hero a blinding light devoured the beast leaving nothing but Cadeyrn victorious. However, a dark figure had been killed during the battle, someone dear to him. Suddenly her champion morphed into the very same demon he had just destroyed and began laying waste to everything in his path until there was nothing but rubble.

During her sleep she had actually muttered the entire outcome outloud.

Rimoru looked at Lorathin, wide-eyed, as she slowly took a small bite of her waffle. She began to giggle as she chewed slowly. "Is that slow enough for you, Azy?" she asked as she gulped down the food.

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

Kalzog was satisfied with his meal, and was lightly sleeping at the base of a pillar, near the ascending staircase. He awoke to the pre-teen's mumbling.

"What are you babbling about?" he asked, before he realized she was sleeping. A prophecy? the ogre wondered as he listened carefully. Dark figure? Beast? Kalzog's brow furrowed. This is serious...Where's my club?


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

Several of Rimoru's guards came down the corridor, carrying a thin elf-like figure. Relthor.

"Hey guys," he said smiling sheepishly.

"What was that bang?" asked the guard captain as he looked towards the ceiling, noticing a hole there. "What did you do?"

"Yes, it is." He replied with a smile, "So do you have any plans for after breakfast?"

"Actually...no! I tend to improvise," she laughed putting another piece of waffle in her mouth. "And how about you? Did you have any plans?"

"Not as such no." He replied as he took a bite of eggs and ham.

"Hmmm..." Rimoru replied quietly as she rested her chin on the palm of her hand. "Sarik, do you have any ideas?"

"How about a visit to the Libra-"

"Nope...we could play a game..." she replied mischieviously, finishing up her waffle.

Maverion and the guard headed back to the storage room to return the unused pharmaceuticals.

"So her highness seems to know you already," the guard commented as they were putting the items back into their cupboards and cabinets.

"Is that a good or a bad thing?" Maverion asked.

The guard shrugged a bit. "It could go either way. Just don't get on her bad side, or she will turn you into a frog."

"I'll try to remember that," Mave said with a chuckle.

Closing the cabinet, the guard said, "No, I'm serious. She really will."

"Um...ok, thanks," said Maverion. "And thanks for your help too. I'd better get going and see if I'm needed for anything else."

"Sure, kid," replied the guard.

The secret police officer quickly read the guard's mind as they headed out of the storeroom for anything that may prove useful. After going their own way, Maverion headed back to his room. He still could not sense Rothargot or Teralynn anywhere, and that was starting to worry him.

Shortly after reaching his room, a servant came in with a tray of breakfast food. Thanking the servant, Maverion read that person's mind as well for any knowledge of Rothargot's or Teralynn's whereabouts, but it appeared that the only thing the servant knew was that no one was in Teralynn's room when breakfast was brought there.

He started to wonder if Rimoru might have anything to do with their disappearances. Though, whether she did or not, Inzikai would not be pleased if Mave allowed this to completely jeopardize the mission. He would have to retrieve the book himself if the other two never show up again. Luckily, the guard's mind contained some knowledge about the library, of its layout and its defenses...

***

Teralynn glanced over at Rothargot. First the question about whether he was dead or not; now the question of what he was talking about. Clearly Valtrox was not all-knowing...or, at least, was pretending not to be. But that did not seem like Valtrox, to pretend not to be omniscient.

Conveniently making it so that Rothargot neither saw her mouth move nor heard her as she spoke, Teralynn said to Valtrox, "You were saying how loyal I am. I am merely guessing, but maybe he wanted to remind you of Inzikai's and Maverion's loyalty as well? But, my lord, if I may be so bold as to say, he should already know that you need not be reminded of such things, for you already know full well how loyal they are. In lieu of you answering his question, I very much long to hear what you have to explain to me, my lord."

Lying to a god... Well, if all went well, Tera hoped, Rothargot would not bring anyone else to be blessed by Valtrox, and perhaps Valtrox would make her even more powerful than Rothargot. The risks may just be worth it.

"What kind of game?" He asked as he saw her mischievious smile.

The god's eyes seem to lose focus as he looked at Teralynn. "Explainations...explanations..."

"These are dark times, mortal. The gods know of my plans, my plans to escape to the mortal plane. They'll stop at nothing to keep my imprisoned."

In the blink of an eye, Valtrox closed the distance between Tera and himself, his teeth bared. "Find me that book!" he roared, smashing the wall with his fist, dissolving it into nothingness, making the platform they were on creak and list.

Suddenly, as if ignoring his anger spurt, he reclined again. "Have you seen Inzikai recently? I have given him a gift...a gift he doesn't seem to like very much. Any other mortal would adore such a gesture. Perhaps I should rethink my choices..."

The god's eyes turned to Teralynn, as a large smirk graced his face.

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

"Oh...I don't know...some gossip and giggles game..." Rimoru replied, smiling as she took another waffle.

"What's a gossip and giggles game?" Lorathin asked as he noticed Rimoru seemed to like his waffles the most.

"Something like that truth or dare game," she replied innocently, taking a small bite of her waffle.

Teralynn had to quickly find her balance as the platform shook in order to avoid falling down. "I swear to you that I will get that book for you, Lord Valtrox. But Rimoru, who has powers nearly rivaling those of gods lesser than you, has not allowed us to enter her library and retrieve that book..."

"I have not seen Inzikai, but if he does not appreciate your gift, then may I be so bold as to say that perhaps he does not deserve it? Perhaps your gifts should be given to those who would appreciate it. To those more loyal. Perhaps, Lord Valtrox, I may be able to take your book from Rimoru if you so grace me with your gifts. For certainly Rimoru could not even stand up to but a fraction of your power, and so would not have a chance to delay me any further from retrieving that book."

She had no clue what such a gift entailed, but figure that in all likelihood it involved more power.

Valtrox smile widened. "Such a gift requires your eternal devotion. You will be my eyes into the mortal plane. You will gain great powers, nearly that of a demi-god, yet you will be mine to do whatever I please. If you fail me, you will suffer a fate worse than death..."

"Teralynn, I will not take Inzikai's gift from him, however...I could always use another pair of eyes, ears, and power in the mortal plane..."

"What kind of limits will be set on it?" He asked

"You and your limits," Rimoru chuckled. "No limits...what fun is truth or dare with limits?"

Sarik raised an eyebrow. "Your highness, don't you have an...empire to run?"

"Quiet you party pooper," smiled Rimoru.

"Then I will not fail you, my lord," Teralynn said. "I will serve you in that capacity if you will accept me."

"Bow your head, Teralynn. Prepare yourself for my blessing. It will give you incredible pain...pain unbearable, until you lean to cope with it. Your figure will grow slightly different. You will gain the ultimate symbol of your loyalty, three horns on your head. You will grow slightly taller, slightly broader, more muscular. Your pale skin will crawl as you begin to turn reddish as the blood of the divine courses through your veins."

"This is your last warning. Beyond this, there is no turning back," Valtrox spoke as he leaned in towards the awaiting human.

"So if someone dared you into giving them unrestricted access to your elusive library..." He said with a twinkle in his eye and a smile.

Rimoru's eyes widened. She moved her mouth as if to speak. "Imagine that...I did not anticipate such a move...however I would need to select dare..."

"Yes. If I were to select 'Dare', then you can ask me that question," she replied, as she looked into her plate of waffles.

That...does not sound too appealing. But if the eternal devotion thing is a hint at agelessness, much as Inzikai appeared to be, and combined with the powers of nearly a demi-god... But still, pain that did not go away, but which one could only learn to cope with? And then there would be the disfiguration, although she would have a way of dealing with that, hopefully...

Teralynn bowed her head, her heart pounding hard in hopes that she would not regret this huge decision. Bracing herself for the pain she was warned of, she said, "I am ready."

"I'm tempted, but nervous as to how far you may choose to take it. If we agree that certain questions and dares can be denied..." He suggested as he was worried at what Rimoru might ask.

"Then let no one but your own tell you what to do. You follow Rothargot, Inzikai, Habdebza, and I. No other demi-god, god, or mortal alike will take charge of you."

"Let your newfound powers, fire and strength, be my arm, crushing anything that opposes me. Let your horns show your devotion, let yourself be mine," he chanted.

A dark red glow formed around Teralynn. She would feel a terrible burning sensation from the inside, as well as a terrible headache from the horns. And this was only the beginning...

"Teralynn, as the days past, you will grow taller and more muscular, not by much, but it will happen. Your skin will tear and rip, as this happens. Terrible pain, but worth it, for you're eternal life and your new powers. Perhaps once you do reach Rimoru's Library, you should take a book of fire spells..."

"Do not attack Rimoru. She is powerful, and I doubt even with my blessing we can rid ourselves of her. Instead...pursuade her kindly...It seems that is what Sarik is doing, along with his partners..."

"Now, go forth, Teralynn, go forth, stronger than ever before. Complete my mission, do my bidding, and you will find more than enough benefits of your decision..." Valtrox said as he began to dissolve into the lava.

Rimoru raised an eyebrow. "What kinds of requests, Azy?"

Rimoru herself had a few that she would deny. Access to the library, presence of Valtrox's minions...

"Certain personal questions or services." He replied simply.

"I...suppose..." Rimoru said as she finished her waffle quietly.

After a moment or two of silence she looked up at Lorathin. "You're silly," she giggled, before grabbing yet another waffle.

"I guess I am." He replied with a smile. "If you don't mind me asking, how come the library is so off-limits?"

Teralynn's heart was beating faster and faster with every word that Valtrox spoke, until finally she was encompassed by the red glow. She cried out in pain, collapsing to her knees, barely able to hold her body up with her violently shaking arms. She gritted her teeth, but that did little to ease the pain she suddenly started going through.

Following what Valtrox was saying was difficult through the pain and headache, but not to listen would have resulted in something much worse. Once the god had finished talking, she struggled back to her feet, legs wobbling a bit, but otherwise she tried to hide the weakness.

"I...understand," she managed to say. "You can...count on...me..."

Rimoru wiggled her pointer finger at Lorathin. "We haven't started our game yet," she replied in a sing song voice. "I think I should start. Is that agreeable?"

Sarik shrugged his shoulders. "What have I got to lose..." he chuckled.

"Sure, but do you mean start by asking someone truth or dare, or being the first to answer a question or take a dare?" Lorathin asked

"I had better, Teralynn. For your sake..." came the disembodied voice.

"Come, Tera, let us return to the mortal plane," Rothargot said quietly. He scooped the barely standing Teralynn in his large arms and started walking through the destroyed tunnel, towards the area in which they came.

"I would like to congratulate you on your gift. I was surprised, considering Valtrox had thrown you into the lava...No matter, within time, you will get used to all it has to offer..."

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

"Being asked, silly!" Rimoru giggled, eating little more of her waffle.

"Do you want to ask first or would you like me to Sarik?" Lorathin asked

Sarik thought for a moment, watching Rimoru eat.

She giggled as she noticed Sarik watching her, making the lizardman blush slightly. "You can ask, Azrael," he finally said.

"Alright, truth or dare?" He asked Rimoru.

"The lava..." Teralynn murmured. "This feels like...the lava...but with no end..."

She was grateful to Rothargot for not needing to put energy into walking, but did not say anything about it.

"W...what are all...that it has to offer?"

"Power, inability to age, and skill over fire. If you shine, Valtrox will reward you with more power...A demi-god, "
" Only one that I know of has ever done such."
***

"Truth!" Rimoru said confidently.

"What is your favorite activity?" Lorathin asked

"Oh? Who?" Teralynn asked. She was not so much interested in who, really, as she was in having some distraction from her burning body and pounding head.

Karasu ran into Relthor and the guards in the hallway. "What is wrong here?" She asked, concerned. "We were all on our way to the dining room.

"Relthor, what happened? Are you OK?!"

"Cadey, wait for me!" Karasu asked. She did want to get back to the dining room, but she also wanted to bring Relthor.

What in the world? *sigh*

"We are taking him back with us to the dining room." (which was just a few feet away). "Perhaps he needs food?

"Relthor! What is wrong?" Karasu asked as they went into the dining room, only seeing the occupants playing a silly game of Truth or Dare.

Oh I have a few truths to ask, Karasu thought.

ooc: Lup... TG

Cadeyrn stared puzzeled at his dragon companion as he walked over to help.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Marlene snapped awake by the sounds of roaring and growling. It drowned out any other noise and was absolutely defening. Thousands of Varvul filed outside marching to battle. Beau walked in from his inspiring speech smiling from ear to ear.

"Why not play an unrestricted version," Ar'mai suggested just as the game began. "It is much more fun that way. Otherwise you could just deny anything you wanted to... and that defeats the purpose of the game."

What does Lorathin think he is doing? If he were to play unrestricted we could simply dare her to let us into the library, Ar'mai thought as she sat daintily in her seat. If worst comes to worst he can just deny the request and end the game...

As Karasu was trying to find out what was wrong w/Relthor, she overheard Ar'mai and her 'rules' for the game. Unrestricted so Rimmy can sleep with Azrael or Sarik or Relthor or anyone. And when it comes to library access, she will end the game. Karasu was getting more and more disillusioned with Rimmy. For God's sake, she stuck her tongue out at Marlene. she thought to herself.

For now, finding out what happened to Relthor was priority, although no one seemed to answer her when she asked.

"Relthor... Relthor! Are you OK?"

ooc: TGs Blastit and Theao

ooc: Hyper, I think you mean Rimoru, lol.

"Don't worry about me," Relthor replied, a little smirk on his face.

"He was caught going somewhere he was not allowed to go," A guard replied simply, pushing Relthor towards Karasu and Cadeyrn, before walking back to where ever he came from.

"That's strange...I began to walk up a stairway, and guards appeared out of no where...this palace truly is a maze!" he said with a smile.

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

Rimoru smiled at the question. "Sex," she replied simply.

"No...that can't be," Sarik replied, his eyebrow raised.

"Have you not had the pure bliss experience of-"

"Forgive me, your highness, however I would not want to think to deeply into it," Sarik chuckled quietly.

"Well...okay...I do enjoy swimming, jogging, and most games," the empress giggled. "Not quite sure what my favorite activity would be."

"See, your elf friend here knows how to play!" she winked at Lorathin.

She noticed Karasu, Cadeyrn, and Relthor at the door. "Kara, are you playing?" she asked brightly.

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

"Is it time, Beau?" Kalzog asked as he stretched his arms. He was curious and slightly nervous as to what the battle had...if the child was truly telling a future event the night.

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

Rothargot remained silent after Teralynn asked the question. "Skrangor. Although he was the general that disappeered. A frightening figure to say the least..."

Rothargot had stopped at the point where they entered. "Brace yourself, Tera. The mortal world amplifies the pain you are already recieving," he said as he stretched his wings around Teralynn and himself.

"Oh, thank God Relthor! For a moment I thought you were injured. Let us join the others in the dining room." Karasu gave him a kiss.

"Sure Rimmy, why not." Karasu would play Rimmy's childish game, although she knew it was just so Rimmy could sleep with Azarel and Cadey. She would consider Sarik a triumph. This might get ugly. Karasu thought.

"All right, go on then... are you in Relthor?" She hesitated in asking him this as she knew Rimmy would demand to sleep with him.

"N-no, I'll just watch," Relthor said, as he began to put some cold toast on his plate and eat it quietly. He smiled at Karasu, a warm twinkle in his eyes, as if saying 'I love you'.

Rimoru looked at Karasu, a challenging glimmer in her eyes. She began to remember what Karasu had told Rimoru earlier, about her being with other men. Rimoru will have to drill her on this after one or two questions to Lorathin... "Ok, Azy..."

"Remember, somethings can be denied, as were the rules of Azy," she added, addressing the other players.

"Azy, Truth or Dare?"

"Truth." He replied as he met her gaze.

"Was our passionate kiss the best you've ever had?" Rimoru asked, a mischievious smile on her face.

"The best passionate kiss, yes." He replied, omiting non-passionate kisses from his answer

Karasu met Relthor's eyes and both tried not to laugh. Rimmy was so predictable. Please feed my ego...

Amplify the pain? Great. Teralynn bit down on her teeth, as screaming out in pain for everyone in the palace to hear was not something she wanted.

***

Maverion had just about finished eating his breakfast when he felt the presence of Rothargot and Teralynn again. He jumped up from his seat and rushed out the door, following the sense to Tera's room. The door was unlocked, so he simply opened it and stepped through, quickly closing it behind him.

What he saw was Teralynn practically convulsing as the demon held her. Mave locked the door behind him and approached the two.

"What happened-" he started, but stopped himself. -to her? he finished in Rothargot's mind.

Relthor chuckled quietly, putting a napkin in his mouth so that he wouldn't spray chewed toast across the table.

"Sarik, your turn?" Rimoru asked as she smiled at Lorathin.

"Truth or Dare...Rimoru..."

"Dare. Give me something good," she smiled, her eyes glittering.

Sarik thought for a moment before letting out a good laugh. "I dare you to...transform into a bunny," he barely managed to say, as he remembered the bunny ears Lorathin gave Kalzog in the Arena.

Rimoru furrowed her brows. "You're not serious, right Sarik?"

"Quite serious," he laughed, wiping a tear from his eyes.

Rimoru stuck her tongue out at Sarik, as her ears grew out, her nose growing pink. She shrunk down to a small size, as whiskers grew from under her nose. Soon, a little white bunny with big ears sat in Rimoru's chair."Happy now?" she squieked as she hopped onto the table, as she could not see anyone on her chair.

Relthor had to join in laughing. I never thought I'd see the day...

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

She has recieved the blessing from Valtrox. Rothargot replied as he walked towards the bed. Do not fear for her. She will become more powerful than most mortals could.

Rothargot gently set her down on the comfortable bed before looking to Maverion. Water will cool down the pain, however it will not stop it.

Cadeyrn leaned on the hinge of the door watching them play the game. Doing such chilidish things at a time like this, oh well they'll find out soon enough.

If the Varvul Army is coming this way, then Beau is probably with them, no he wouldn't risk himself again. The fight with me last time was too close, and now that I know his strength...

*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=

"Yes it is." Beau replied smirking. "Roughly 3,000 of my warriors are heading to the palace as we speak. It should be quite a slaughter, one for the records."

"Cowardly dog, you would send your friends off to die while you the supposed god of them sits here boasting about their triumphs. You are noth-" Marlene was interruped by the wolfman's crushing grip on her skull.

"You're just not old enough to understand how wars work child." Beau said examining her chain. He grabbed the girl and tossed her out the window, the chain tightened hanging her by the neck helpless. "Tell me, what do you know of combat now child?" He added leaning out the window mocking her futile struggle. He wrenched the chain and tossed the girl back inside who was unconcious and purple.

"She'll be fine." Beau reassured Kalzog.

Karasu laughed so hard tears came out of her eyes. "Aren't you cute Rimmy!" She said in a baby voice. "Awwwww...."

Pretty much the whole table was laughing.

"Good one Sarik!" Karasu grinned at him.

She looked at Relthor and they broke out laughing again.

"Ok, wise girl...your turn to ask," Rimoru told Karasu, wiggling her nose, sitting awkwardly on the table.

Relthor adored Rimoru's bunny look. He just wanted to pick her up and snuggle with her...But then again, most guys wished that when she was in her humanoid forms as well.

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

"Good. We don't want to ruin our only potential attack on Rimoru, nor our bargain chip out of a mess, should we need her..." Kalzog replied.

Teralynn crawled into a fetal position in the bed, doing her best not to whimper or show any other signs of the pain from her being burned from the inside out.

There's a bath over there, Mave jerked his head toward one corner of the room before heading over there himself. He plugged up the drain and started filling the tub with cold water. There may be a few salves that I can "borrow" from Rimoru that may help. He made his way toward the door.

Mave? Teralynn's voice came in weakly through the other two's minds. Do not let anyone else know of this. We can- she paused from a bout of pain, we can use this to our advantage if we keep it a secret for now.

With a nod, Mave thought, Agreed. Lord Rothargot, if you would lock this door and let no one else but me enter, please.

Maverion then went out the door and headed toward the storeroom that the guard showed him earlier.

"Ok, wise girl...your turn to ask," Rimoru told Karasu, wiggling her nose, sitting awkwardly on the table.

"Isn't it supposed to go that the person who was asked then gets to ask," Ar'mai interposed. "So that since Sarik asked you, now you get to ask someone and then the person you asked gets to ask someone..."

"You are correct, Ar'mai." Karasu answered.

Of course, Rothargot replied as he locked the door after Mave. He turned towards Teralynn.

This cold water should aid, somewhat, but most of the pain from the inside will remain. However, drinking water may help as well. He looked towards Teralynn with a twinge of guilt.

You could have denied the gift, Teralynn. It hurts me to know you are in such pain.

"Well, that works for me as well," Rimoru replied, turning her rabbit face to Karasu, her little mouth curling upwards into some sort of smile.

"Truth or Dare, Karasu?" she asked.

"I will go with truth. After laughing at you turning into a bunny, I do not risk a dare!" Karasu giggled!

"Bunch of children." Cadeyrn muttered angerly before walking out of the room. He proceeded to the balcony he had seen earlier and looked over the horizon, there was a dark figure standing in the sands about a half mile out. Running from the front gate the mercenary went to meet this shadowy figure.

*=*=*=*=*=*=*=

"No doubt Kalzog, I may be vicious and ruthless but I am not stupid." Beau shot back sitting into his throne. "They should be about halfway there now."

He began laughing deviously.

"I sent our best assassin to deal with Cadeyrn before he ever recover, Infritus probably arrived sometime yesterday. I wonder what kind of sovenier he'll bring back to me." The Varvul King said smiling.

Rimoru smiled at Karasu's joke.

"Ok then, How many people have you slept with- No...how many important people have you slept with?" Rimoru asked. Rimoru expected Karasu to say none, so that the empress could brag about her several experiences with Inzikai, several of the judges of the Imperium, and several other figures...including Relthor.

Why, I did not know you could be hurt, Teralynn tried to tease despite her current situation

***

Maverion reached the storeroom he was at not too long ago. No one else was around, so he tried entering, but the door was locked. Using his mind to sense the locking mechanism, he mapped it out, triggered the right turns and bolts to unlock the door, and went in.

"Well, I do not have an exact count, and I would rather not name names, but maybe," Karasu sighed, she did not want to sound like a slut, but she feared she would. When she slept with these men, it was not because she ran after them and flirted with them. "... well it depends on what you call important, but given your examples, perhaps 20?"

Karasu felt like a whore.

"Surprising, Karasu! You've been busy!" Rimoru chuckled, which sounded like a bunch of squieks. She wiggled her nose. I expected less...Karasu is not as shy as I expected!

"Your turn, Kara," Rimoru said.

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

Even Demi-gods have feelings, Rothargot replied, although his face showed no emotions.

But I cannot be hurt physically he added, smiling slightly.

"Truth or Dare Rimmy... now think about this... do you want to have to turn into an Elephant?" Karasu giggled...

Rimoru chuckled again. "I suppose I wouldn't want to trash my palace...Truth."

"Why did your guards prevent Relthor from going up the stairs he was headed to. They stopped him and said it was off limits. Why was that?" Karasu asked. I wonder if she will lie. Of course she will.

As Cadeyrn approached the figure he saw a body laying before a werewolf's feet. Closer and closer he saw more details of the lump before the Varvul kicked the body over revealing Opprimus' sad lifeless face. Immediately the mercenary drew his blade and swung at the werewolf only hitting air, surpirsed Cadeyrn turned in time to see the real assassin explode from the sand with his knives drawn. The wolf moved faster than Cadeyrn could react and reliquished the giant blade from the human. It flew through the air and stuck in the sand a few feet away.

"Nothing personal human, but this is business, I've got a kid to feed too ya know and the King isn't exactly kind on failures. So please do me the favor of just surrendering and I'll make this quick and painless." The assassin said rather geniunly as Cadeyrn fell to his knees accepting the consequences.

"You're pretty good, it's a shame I'm going to have to do this." The mercenary growled as his wrist slung open and fired a slug ripping the assassin's right arm from his body.

"You cheap bastard!" He yelled before sprinting into the distance leaving a a trail of blood.

Cadeyrn fell to his knees holding on to corpse of the only parent he ever knew.

ooc:TG Luporum

"I have other guests in there that would rather not be bothered," Rimoru replied sweetly, nibbling on a piece of lettuce that she found on one of the dishes.

"Karasu, Truth or dare?" she asked.

Would I be impervious to physical weapons too? Teralynn asked. She did not want to move much, but the idea of being immersed in cold water finally persuaded her to make her way to the bath.

***

It was dark in the storeroom after he closed the door behind him, and Mave had neglected to bring a torch. It was no matter, though, as Mave could use his mind to sense things in the dark. Plus, having read the guard's mind earlier let him know what was where. That information was limited, however, as Mave was not interested in this information at the time of reading the man's mind, so all he got out of it were the surface thoughts; namely, the potions and herbs and whatnot the guard was planning to use on Cadeyrn.

One of the herbs had juices that could soothe the pain when applied to open wounds. Although Teralynn had none that he noticed, he grabbed some of those just in case. Another was a potion that would dull pain to some extent, and Mave grabbed a few of those as well. Those were the only things Mave knew to be of help for Tera from reading the guard's mind, and since he knew little about these things himself, he dared not take anything else, as they might harm Tera more than help her if used improperly.

With that, he first checked with his mind to see if anyone was in the hall, then went back out.

Lorathin smiled as he listened to them ask each other questions, slightly surprised Rimoru hadn't tried to target him again.

"Truth again Rimmy." Karasu answered.

"Name your favorite partner..." Rimoru asked, an anxious look in her rabbit eyes.

Sarik adjusted himself on his chair. Isn't this getting a bit personal? he thought to himself.

"My current partner of course..." Karasu paused. "Relthor."

Truth or dare Rimmy?

Rothargot moved towards Teralynn, scooping her up again, and setting her into the cool water.

You will only pain yourself, Teralynn Rothargot thought to her as he put her into the bath tub. Physical weapons will hurt you, however your new layer of skin will protect against some blows. I would still suggest armor and good skill with a weapon

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

Rimoru's eyes widened slightly. Relthor...and Karasu? She looked at Relthor, who blushed, smiling at Karasu.

"Dare," Rimoru replied, wondering what Karasu will think up next.

"I dare you to bring all your other guests down here to meet us. The ones who want their privacy." Karasu asked, looking straight into Rimoru's eyes.

Father, you always tried to make me something I was not; a good hero. I will be what I have decided for myself. Annihilation awaits those who would challenge me, them, their family, and the people who knew their family. None shall be spared from my wrath except those who warrant themselves decent.

Cadeyrn uttered a quite prayer as the pyre burned incredibly high into the late afternoon sky. The smell of burning flesh was masked by the incense.

*=*=*=*=*=*=

The assassin stumbled past the advancing army and received medical attention for his missing arm. Immediately he continued past into Varvulheim and ran into the palace stumbling to the King's feet.

"My master I have failed you." He admitted tearfully holding onto his missing arm. "The human is stronger than you sai-"

Beau raised a finger silencing the teary assassin before throwing him hudreds of feet out the door. Marlene watched trying to keep herself from bursting out laughing.

"Denied," Rimoru said casually. "I respect their wishes of being left alone, and I believe you should too, Karasu. Now it is my turn."

"Truth or Dare, Karasu?" Rimoru asked

Wow...theres definately something going on between Karasu and Rimoru... thought Sarik.

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

"Looks as though Cadeyrn lives, Fido," Kalzog said as he watched the assassin die.

"OK, that is understandable. I will go with truth again." Karasu responded.

I wonder where Cadey is?

ooc: I have to go to a silly banguet soon. Will be on later tonight, once you see me offline ;) I'll try to get this part over with before I go
"Name another of the important people you slept with. One that I would know. If I wouldn't know any of them, just say one," Rimoru said, obviously getting interested in Karasu's love life.

"Are you two just going to ask each other, or is this still a group game?" Lorathin asked with a faux yawn.

Beau pounded his fist on the arm of the throne shattering the precious marble. The King's fur flashed blood red as he revealed his fangs.

"Good, this time I will rip him into hundreds of pieces and burn them." He growled to the ogre.

"I think after this, we will make this a group thing." Karasu told Azrael.

"OK, no names, just a description: Skizzarish, 7'6, white, very kind... was with him for 2 years. That is all I will say." Karasu responded.

Rimoru went through the details in her mind, eyes widened as she realized who this was. "No..." she muttered.

"It can't be!" growled Sarik, immediately standing up, knocking over his cup. "The Patriarch has never had a girlfriend. Never! And He's never slept with anyone!"

"He was so kind. He loved like anyone else loved. It was clandestine the whole time. We were truly in love." Karasu looked at Sarik. "Remember when I told you my last love and I were separated because of ideals and we spoke of them, and you said he sounds like the Patriarch?" Karasu sighed.

"Please do not blame him for being a loving individual. I never seduced him. We were friends for quite a while and then it turned into something more. Do not think any less of him. He is as wonderful as everyone says he is." Karasu stated.

A damned game... and it has turned into a debacle.

"Now I have my beloved Relthor. People need love. Real love. They should not deny themselves of what they have to give." Karasu intoned.

ooc: Last post for a bit
"You...you...." Rimoru growled...more like squieked in her bunny form. How could she sleep with one that would not sleep with me? she thought angrily. She must have known that I loved the Patriarch...she wanted to get someone important that I have not...

"You...floozy!" growled Rimoru as she changed back into her elven form. She jumped off the table and stomped off to her room. "Karasu...this is not over!" she called, before turning around and continuing her walk.

Relthor noticed she had forgotten to get rid of her bunny tail, and had to prevent himself from chuckling at the sight. It was actually, kind of sexy...

"No...the Patriarch...has lied to us all!" Sarik growled, holding his head with his hands, unsure of what to think.

Teralynn tried to let the water soothe her overheating body, hoping too that the water did not ruin her clothes. She closed her eyes and relaxed her hurting body as much as possible.

How long does it take for everything to be made manifest?

***

When Mave made it back to the room, he knocked on the door and thought to Rothargot, I'm back.

Lorathin stood and followed Rimoru. A woman scorned was a very unpleasent thing and that's what it appeared to be between Karasu and Rimoru. He was hoping to be able to diffuse the tension or at least mitigate the damages.

"Rimoru, wait up." He said as he chased after her.

You will notice a definate growth by tomorrow. You will also grow several bumps on your head by tomorrow as well. It could be from a week to a full month until it finishes. Rothargot replied.

Rothargot opened the door, letting Maverion in before closing it immediately.

"You have the nerve to call me a floozy? If that is not twisted, I do not know what is!? It was nothing like your bed a guy bed a guy. We were in love."

Karasu turned to Sarik, "He is no liar. He loved. He loved like anyone else and he is the kind man you all believe him to be! I swear... he is probably kinder than you even believe! Do not let this change your opinion of him."

Tears began to run down Karasu's face as she stood up to go to her room.

"By the way Relthor, I saw you looking at Rimmy's ass." Karasu glared at him angrily.

"I am going to my room. None of you understand, and you still have the hots for Rimmy, do you not Relthor? You are always gawking at her. Well, we will see how this turns out!"

Karasu stomped out of the room.

ooc. I need a break as well. Hopefully I shall wake up later! Last post for a bit. :D

I picked up a couple of things, Maverion told the others. This should help the most, he held up a phial with a bluish liquid in it. According to one of the guards, who seemed to know what he was doing, this would help numb the pain you feel. He handed one to Teralynn, who quickly downed the drink.

Mave held up the herbs he pilfered. I think you're supposed to break this plant and apply its sap to any open wounds. Not sure if you had any or not, so I took some just in case.

After taking several deep breaths, Teralynn thought, The pain is stymied, but not by much. Drinks and salves might not be enough for this.

Cadeyrn was meditating by the pyre in the desert with his sword draped over his lap when he heard the distant roar of howls and barking. Thousands of them...

By now he could make the faint outline of the entire line, at least 3,000 strong and well equipped.

Should I tell Rimoru and them? Let them know? Nah, they'll figure it out.

The mercenary smiled as he slowly walked towards the distant army with his blade at the ready. A large brown wolf nearly ten feet in height ran up to the human warrior and bowed.

"We do not wish to fight, we only wish to be free of that tyrants grip over us. If needed we will carry you to the capital ourselves. There need not bloodshed." He said elegantly laying his hammer before the mercenary.

Cadeyrn's twisted laughing shocked the troops within earshot. "Blood need be shed tonight, yours!" He yelled while cutting the massive Varvul clean in half. "Listen to me dogs! Fight as if your very pups were on the line because when I reach your homes not a one will be spared!"

Charging the lines in a berzerk rage the soldiers in the front tried fleeing only to be trapped by the ones behind them.

Karasu was furious. She knew her eyes were turning black, therefore was glad to be out of the dining room. She was having second thoughts about Relthor as well. She did not trust him the way she thought she did. Especially since he was always gawking at Rimoru.

Fuck it... Let him have her.

ooc: Luporum, are Beau and Kalzog with the army right now, or still in Beau's palace/castle?

You are taking it quite well, Teralynn. I've seen many who killed themselves in this grueling process. Rothargot thought to Mave and Tera. I believe you would enjoy the gift, once it comes to fruitation...Incredible power, nearly a demi-god.

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

"No, Karasu, wait!" Relthor called as he ran after her.

As he caught up to the crying beauty, he held onto her tightly. "Karasu, I am loyal to you, and to my mate."
"I looked at Rimoru's...hind quarters because, she had a bunny tail. Come on, Karasu, you have to admit that is funny," he said, lifting her chin slowly, smiling as he looked into her eyes.

"Karasu, you are one of the most unique individuals I've ever seen. Staunch, loyal, and brave. You take no one's dirt, no matter who it is. And I love you for it."

He wiped off her tears, as he pulled her close.

"Although...that bunny tail was kind of cute," he joked, winking at Karasu.

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

Sarik was walked outside angrily. Like a child in a tantrum, he kicked at rocks, flowers, and even little creatures in his way.

All this time...our virgin ruler...a lier...a criminal... he thought angrily.

Suddenly, Sarik gripped his head in pain as a horrendous headache pounded in his skull. Distant voices spoke from within, gory images filled his head.

Sarik fell down onto the ground, gasping as it felt his head would explode. Suddenly, it all stopped.

Sarik sat gasping. "What in Zaver's name was that?" he asked out loud.

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

Rimoru was walking fast to her room, not even noticing Lorathin, despite his calls. Tears were flowing down her face as well.

Look at how miserable I am... she thought, pitiful at herself.

"Of course you thought it was cute... all you ever do is look and gawk at her! I am 'unique, staunch, and brave' she is 'hot and sexy'. Fuck you! I should have known better. For the record, Relthor, I do not trust you the way I thought I did.

"She is angry at me, because she is a spoiled child, and for that, she will make sure to bed you. And I know you will cave!"

Karasu looked up at him with solid black eyes, and tore herself out of his arms. She marched to their room and kicked the door in.

Lorathin picked up the pace till he caught up to Rimoru. Tapping her one the shoulder, he said a again, "Wait up."

"I was only joking, Karasu! Karasu, I remain loyal. Look at it this way, I have not yet even made contact with her. I have barely talked to her. Everyone else in this whole party has. Even Kalzog. Even Inzikai. But I have not, Karasu...I have not," he said as he tried to fix their door.

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

"Oh Azy!" she cried as she threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. "Why am I having so many problems? Why are things not like they used to be?"

"Because things change, it is the nature of time. I'm not entirely sure about the reason you are having problems, but I think that you've lost your true self in the image you portray to the world, and to quote, to thine own self be true." He replied as he held the crying woman in his arms.

"But Azy...I don't even know my true self...I am no high elf as I make myself to be...I don't have an ounce of elven blood in me...I do not even know what I am...why am I so powerful? Why did I have those nightmares? Why are my old friends becoming my enemies? What is the world coming to?" she sobbed, slowly falling to her knees.

"Yet." Karasu said. "And you know her as well as I do, she is going to make every attempt to, besides, you still see her as some sexy whatever, and me as some dyke warrior. I have seen you staring at her. Why do you not just go to the one you really want in bed?" Karaso spat.

"I am sick of watching you stare at her, and I know what will happen. I am sick of being lonely here all the time. I never have anything to do or anyone to talk to for more than five minutes before they run off with that attention craving witch! I may just leave now. There is no reason for me to be here whatsoever. Rimmy and I are not friends anymore. She has gotten pathetic, childish, selfish, and if she does not get her way, vindictive. She was somewhat that way, but not like now. I want no part of this trash." Karasu glared at Relthor.

"I am quite sure you will be happy to stay here. No one needs me for anything. The only two people other than you that even bothered to acknowledge my existance are gone or hate me. I am not even here as far as everyone, including you, is concerned."

"It is the start of what may lead to the end of the world." He replied as he sat down beside her, a serious note in your voice. "You can continue to live as you have been, or you can take the incredible powers you have and use them to aid the world. I know I'll never be able to tell you what to do, but I also know that you know what the right thing to do is."

"But you are, Karasu! I have told you many times already, that you the most beautiful woman I've ever seen! I do not stare at her either! I may look at her for a few moments, but never have I stared longer than five seconds. You have to admit I give watch you for more than a minute, and that is only when we are silent."

"Karasu, we cannot depart! We will be together now! You are carrying my child!" Relthor begged.

"But...Azy...I don't know where to start? If I leave Iskan...those too greedy for their own good gobble up my throne. Azy...I can't trust anyone anymore..." she whispered, a hopeless tone entering her painful whispers.

"I will depart if I wish to depart. If you continue the way you have been... ignoring me, gawking at Rimoru, etc., you will never meet your son. The hell I will have my son meet a treacherous father. I would not do that to him. Do not tell me I do not see you watch her for longer periods of time." Karasu said as she turned around.

"Aside from that, I have nothing to do here, and no one to speak with. When I speak with anyone, Rimoru gives me dirty looks, if anyone bothers to speak with me at all. Why should they bother when slut-face is all over them?"

"Can you trust yourself?" He asked, reaching over and gently lifting her head so she was facing him and wiped the tears from her eyes. "If so, trust yourself to make the right decisions. Trust those who you believe you can trust."

ooc: still at the palace.

Mountains of corpses followed in Cadeyrn's wake as he cut a path straight through the center of Beau's grand army. Drenched in wolfen and parts he was completely encricled by cautious soldiers eyeing their demon like enemy.

"You prey on humans so often, what is stopping you now!?" The mercenary barked before cutting through more warriors like nothing. Hundreds upon hundreds were obliterated, so much so Cadeyrn had actually lost his way through the files and became turned around several times. The rest of the army knew they were under attack, the screams of howling pain and horror stretched on for miles. The other end of the army's line continued forward closing in on Rimoru's palace.

Varvul limbs and blood soared through the air as the mercenary slashed and hacked his way through the ranks with great ease. Eventually the soliders were pushing to get out of his way.

Relthor frowned at Karasu. "Karasu, I have not yet been treachorus. I look at Sarik for periods of five minutes or more, yet I am not blamed for anything. I speak with Cadeyrn, and I am not belittled. Karasu, you are taking things too seriously."

He walked up to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "My love, let's tone it down. Let's get more comfortable with each other. Let's talk about the happiest moments of our lives...let's know each other even more than we already do..." he smiled reassuredly at her.

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

"I...dunno..." she sniffled. "I don't even know if I trust myself...I seem to have already made the wrong decisions...I've lost my best friend...I've lost my empire's respect..."

"You may have lost your empire's respect, but that means that you'll just have to work hard and make sincere changes to regain it. I also know that you know what to do in regards to your best friend." He replied as he held her to confort her.

"Oh Azy...you always know what to say..." she brought her quivering lips to Lorathin's and began to kiss passionately, wrapping her arms around Lorathin, pulling both of them closer together.

The blood, the gore, the fire, all drove the berzerker to his heaven. The pain of a dagger driven into your back is returned back by a slash that kills six terrified enemy. Their bodies, or what's left of them, fly through the crowd of soliders landing on their horrified comrads as you approached smiling because of that look on their pathetic face even though they're much taller than you. A sword drives into your right leg making you fall away from it, you line up your cannon and fire in the general direction it came from but your opponet was right next to you. The blast sends you flying against the coarse desert sand as a wave of heat engulfs you, but you love the fire and it drives you even more so you stand undeterred and continue killing your enemy.

Caderyn was becoming uncontrollable as he seemingly stepped outside of himself and became a killing machine.

One of the guards along the wall saw the rest of the advancing army and ran through the palace screaming the alarm.

He returned the kiss as he pulled her over so she was sitting on his lap. He hoped he'd helped her figure out her problems.

"It is the way you say "yet", as if you are expecting it, Relthor. And you are not looking at Cadey and Sarik the same way and you know it, so do not even make that comparison!" Karasu told him angrily. "You told me point blank in the desert that it would be difficult to stay out of bed with her! And now she has more reason than ever... revenge... revenge because of her idiot ego.

"Aside from that, at least the others talk to you. Every time I talk to someone, Rimmy shows up and slobbers on them and they leave. Why should I take that? That is precisely the type of woman the Patriarch despises. I am tempted to tell her so, but she is so stupid. She has no real friends or loved ones anymore. She drove them away with her vanity.

"If you think I am going to sit in this palace doing nothing and being lonely, because, truth be told, you do not talk to me all that much, you are wrong. I am closer to leaving than to staying.

"Perhaps our relationship was wrong to begin with." Karasu turned around.

"As far as the library goes, I know she has our enemies upstairs... Valtrox's people. She is being far to cryptic about who is up there.

"She lost her friends because of her own actions, and she is so vain that she will let the earth die before she will help or admit she ever made a mistake in her life." Karasu was more irritated.

"No, there is no reason for me to stay here. I am having a terrible time. I have friends and people who love me all over the countryside. Why should I stay where I am ignored?"

Karasu looked around the room to see what things she may have left sitting around.

"Relthor, I do not feel that close to you any more. All I have seen from you has made me feel less confident in us."

"Karasu...I have not done anything wrong. Nothing. I also told you in the desert that I will remain loyal to you, as I have. I have not talked to anyone but you and the occasional exchange of a few words with Sarik."

"I don't know what more you want. You have my devotion, my dignity, my child, my love. Karasu, I am giving you everything. There is nothing left of me to give," Relthor felt a twinge of anger. What more could he give? He rarely talked to anyone, excluding Karasu, in which he talked to most often. Whenever he felt they were closer to each other, Karasu began to get more controlling. Why? Why is it so? he thought sadly.

"Karasu, I think we were great partners, in every way. Meant to be with each other. At least stay so we can aid Cadeyrn in his battle...he has lost too much...."

Suddenly, a guards alarm echoed through the palace. Something bad was happening....

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

Rimoru pulled away slowly, looking deeply into Lorathin's eyes before holding onto his cheeks and kissing him again. "Azy...would you bring me to bed? Any bed...I have to...think things over..." she said sadly.

One last exahusted swing revealed opened desert for miles. He looked over his shoulder at the Varvul fleeing from him towards to the castle, probably not the best place to flee too.

"I'm leaving the rest to you guys." He said waving good bye to the palace and the hills of dead werewolves before he ran into the desert towards Varvulheim. Cadeyrn had killed enough of their soldiers to make a drastic difference in the battle, also he dropped their already low moral to zero.

*=*=*=*=*=*=

The girls words hung in Beau's ears as he growled getting reports of a lone figrue decimating half his army. Suddenly he ripped the girl from her collar and sprinted from the palace.

"Keep up Ogre, battle awaits!" He yelled back to Kalzog.

"Of course." He replied as he picked her up and began carrying her to the nearest bedroom he knew about.

"I see... WERE great partners. That is good enough of an answer for me. Apparently you do not see us that way anymore. The truth is I cannot stand being anywhere near Rimoru, and I do not care about the fight anymore.

"Get as angry as you want. You DO gawk at Rimoru. I see you, so you cannot deny it. You swore to be loyal to me, not that you wanted to be.

"It is this place, I hate it, and I am leaving for home... my palace on the cliff, are you staying or going?" Karasu asked Relthor.

"No, Karasu. You don't see us that way...You told me yourself."

"You judge to quickly. You dislike Ar'mai after one or two comments. You blame me for your problems, despite my obvious devotion to you. I glance at someone and you automatically assume I am disloyal. Why do you act so cruel? Especially to me?"

"Karasu...I'm going to remain. I don't break promises. I won't let Caderyn fight alone. I will aid him even though Marlene did not come to me for protection."

Depositing Rimoru in the bed he asked, "Are you going to be alright?"

"It seems as though your people are cut down like wheat..." Kalzog groaned. "Let's finish this now."

****

Rimoru looked at Lorathin as she sprawled herself out on the bed.

"Azy...are we still friends? Nothing more?"

"YOU see us that way... you said it. And why should I not dislike Ar'mai after snide, rude comments. Your comments also are a little more cutting than you think they are."

Karasu sighed. "I do not judge too quickly. I have had years to judge Rimoru, and I know when someone is giving me dirty looks or when someone is gawking at someone else. You have even told me so." She said.

"You stay, I am going. I see where your priorities lie. You never loved me. You felt stuck with me. Have a nice life and tell the others the same."

Karasu grabbed her bag, climbed to the roof from the balcony, jumped in the air and with rainbow glitter, turned into The Black and Gold Dragon.

She flew straight up. Far above the clouds so no one could see her, and she flew to her home high on a mountain cliff over the ocean.

Rimoru had destroyed everything for her. Karasu never believed that Relthor really loved her anyway, or he would not have constantly made comments regarding Rimoru.

This was unlike Karasu, but this was the first time in her life she had too much and wanted nothing to do with any of them. All of them who just left her because Rimoru wanted to sleep with them all. Well, let them. And let them fight the wolves alone as well.

I have my own child to be concerned with now. And I will never go back. I will continue my life as I had prior to meeting them. How unfortunate for me. Karasu smiled, but I am going to have a baby!

She flew out over the ocean on her way home.

"We are still friends, nothing more." He replied as he leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Nothing more..." Rimoru repeated sadly. "I'm guessing you would not want to bed with me then?"

"If not... please... fetch Karasu for me. I would like to apologize..."

~~Earlier~~

Koryl Tarethon had almost reached the place of Rimoru (assuming that the library would be the best place to search for scholars) when he heard the yell: "And what if they do happen to revive your other half? He'll seek his revenge and may provide some distraction."

Darting swiftly into hiding, he waited... but not for long. Moments later, he was startled by the sight of an enormous wolf-creature ((he's never seen a Varvul before)) and a massive ogre, the former dragging a young girl behind him. These two were obviously very dangerous indeed, but Koryl couldn't make himself ignore the situation. Along with pointed ears and slit-pupiled eyes, he had the infamous curiousity of a cat.

Swiftly producing a jeweled ring from his belt pouch, he gazed after the girl and gave the mental command that activated the artifact. In an instant, the lock was formed. Now, he would be able to sense the direction of this target, no matter how far she was carried, as long as the ring was in his possesion. Only the strongest or most subtle of enchantments could block the spell.

Slipping the ring onto the little finger of his left hand, Koryl slipped quietly after the rapidly departing group. He was, he knew, very lucky that he hadn't been noticed... but that wouldn't stop him from following.

~~Now~~

The direction was changing again, and quickly. Studying the mental feelings for a minute, Koryl realized that the girl was moving back toward the palace - and almost certainly the other two, as well. Turning, he raced back towards the palace and the sounds of battle.

((He was taking an indirect approach, so he wasn't in the path of the attacking army.))

"No, I respect and like you to much." He replied as he nodded, "I shall go and see if I can convince her to come, be safe."

Exiting, he closed the door and went looking till he found Relthor. "Do you know where Karasu is?"

Coming his way he saw two figures, both fairly large approaching quickly. The merenary smiled as he stopped running and began reloading his cannon before attaching the crossbow to his artificial arm.

"Should be worse than last time." He mused. "At least I can say I tried though."

Tired, wounded, and Kalzog is with him. Yeah I don't stand a chance in hell and maybe that's why I'm out here.

"Why is she so stubborn? Why could she not see past her own feet?" Relthor asked sadly. "She broke her promises. She flew back to her mountain home, after I tried to open her eyes. After I told her I won't abondon those who have helped me, those I promised to save...And she left, breaking all her promises, as if it were all a cruel game."

"Damn, damn and thrice damn." Lorathin cursed as he heard Relthor. "How fast are you in dragon form, fast enought to catch her?"

Forty yards never seemed so close as Cadeyrn drew his obscenely large weapon. The diamond serrated edge gleamed brightly in the setting desert sun as it comfortably rested on the Brutish Mercenary's shoulder. He knew the score; win and Marlene and the others will be saved, lose and Marlene will certainly die as well as a few of the others before Relthor, or one of his stronger companions stops Beau.

"It's been a while, Cade." Beau shouted from the distance between the two. "I'm glad to see you met my friends, it seems they treated you well."

"Are you kidding me?" The human responded angerly before changing to a soft and gentle tone with a smile. "I'm having the time of my life right now."

"I'll remember to put that on your tombstone." Beau growled as the human's casual behavior was unexpecting. To the wolves he was a demon from their past, a true monster. Both Beau and Cadeyrn, so it was a lose-lose situation for the Varvul as they desperately pushed into the castle's defenses.

"Well Cadeyrn, as much as I would like to finish you myself I'm afraid I just can't risk that. Liuetenant Kalzog! End this miserable human's life and make sure you devour him. Don't want this pest returning." Beau ordered with Marlene still hung over his shoulder.

As the Ogre stepped between them the human almost wanted to laugh.

"Hey, Kalzog, if you take Marlene back to the castle I promise I'll fight you later on our own terms." Cadeyrn challenged with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. As soon as his eyes shifted Marlene freed herself from Beau and grabbed onto his leg.

"Take the girl." Beau barked "That way when I come holding both your heads she knows the true warrior among us!" His fury was growing fast as crimson runes danced around the Varvul King.

As Karasu was flying home, she snapped back into reality. What she did was not her.

Her anger at what Rimoru had turned into... Rimoru, her best friend, had enraged her to the point that she could not tolerate being at her palace any longer.

I will apologize to Relthor, but first, I will help Cadey. I promised. I will help him in dragon form but will not let anyone know it is I.

Karasu swung around and flew at breakneck speed just below the clouds... virtually invisible from the ground. It did not take her long to reach the palace. She saw Cadey nowhere and realized he must have gone after Beau, however there were tons of wolves around the palace.

Suddenly, even in the dark, a huge shadow covered the palace and everything around it below. The Black and Gold Dragon had descended, eyes changing from black to red.

She hoped she would not damage any of the property; however, this was more important. Karasu scanned the area and saw none of her comrades, thus she roared so loud it knocked the wolves over and shook the ground. The palace itself shook.

Karasu buzzed the wolves low, creating a huge wind. At the point that they were somewhat dazed, she rose, and breathed a huge amount of fire, covering all of them... all that fur on fire. Every one of them was ablaze, as far as she could tell. She rose straight up and circled, making sure to see that they were all on fire, and if any managed to stay alive, she would kill them.

This is the real me. When I am done with my dragon business, I shall apologize to Relthor. He is the only one who will know it is me.

Karasu felt terrible about the things she said, and the promises she broke. She was loyal to the car, but Rimoru's behavior had so rattled her. She had become an intolerable, vengeful, spoiled, attention-starved brat.

It is too bad. We were such good friends. I do not think she has a real friend at all... not a woman whom she can talk with anyway. Almost no men cared about her. They just wanted to sleep with her. If she could only feel love along with making love, she would see that sex was far beyond what it was without that love. All those men... trying to get rid of her loneliness.

Karasu would have felt sorry for her, had Rimmy not insulted her and behaved vengefully toward her.

Karasu continued to circle the palace, frying any stray wolves she came across. She roared several times... mostly so Relthor would know she came back.

He alone would know it was she.

As soon as Kalzog stepped from his path a shadow covered the land, the moment it passed both warriors smiled and lept into battle. Neither one of them managed to strike the other successfully, it was blow for blow until Beau jumped on Cade's sword in mid swing. Immediately he threw the wolf straight into the sky and as he came down Cadeyrn struck the wolf proppelling him back. In mid air the wolf dug his claws into the passing sand until he came to a stop. The silver laced rune's on the mercenary's sword glew brightly in the shadows.

"What is it that is making you stronger." Beau asked craking his claws.

"I don't want to tell you." Cade immediately replied cocking his sword back. "Let us settle this with a Percutio Sanguinii, a single bloody strike."

The wolf grinned as a red aura exploded around his claw. "I couldn't agree more."

Cadeyrn's massive blade burst into a grand white flame and slowly grew as he drew in more energy.

The Dragoons protected and served as keepers of the Dragons for thousands of years. Ultimately worshipping Bahumut as their idol, the grand dragon represented a vengeful form of justice while granting care to htose he protected. Annihilate those who oppose, forgive those who deserve it, and protect that which is worthy.

Cerberus, the three headed guardian of hell, the Varvul god himself represented the darkest form of justice. Killing all that were unpure and unworthy.

Karasu followed the path of blood to where she saw Cadey and Beau.

After hearing what they said, Karasu dropped gold dust on Cadey, and struck Beau with ice.

What is Kalzog up to? I want to get Marlene!

Karasu dropped low enough to dust Marlene with gold as well. She was not sure enough about Kalzog, so she avoided dusting him.

Karasu did not want to roar and knock Cadey over, so she circled and burned the other wolves around Beau, waiting...

ooc: Cade and Beau are alone at this point. Lightening wouldn't exactly kill something called The White Lightening Wolf of Death either.

Red electricty surrounded the mighty wolf as the sand below him glassed for a radius of fifty feet. The bright flash made Caderyn avert his eyes and when it died down the wolf was still standing.

"That would be the gods telling you to stop Beau." Cadeyrn growled.

"I'll show you my god!" Beau yelled charging and swung his claw releasing a wave of crimson energy that took the form of a three headed dog.

In response Cadeyrn swung his sword, engulfed in the white flames. The enrergy released took the form of the grand dragon himself. When the two forces collided there was a blinding light that surrounded everything.

A gold shower embraced the victor while the charred corpses of thousands of wolves were piled just outside the palace walls.

Cadeyrn admired the fruits of his revenge. Beau's painful shadow was embossed on the glass before him. The twisted expression on its face satisfied the berzerker letting him know that it wasn't quick and painless. A gold rain fell on top of him as he looked to the skies seeing nothing but a large black cloud.

Slinging his sword over his shoulder he quietly thanked the gods for their help and headed back toward the palace. Again he was relieved to see that the army had been annihilated, from the looks of it Relthor burned their sorry hides into oblivion, unless of course there was a second dragon around, which was immpossible.

Marlene looked up and smiled at Kalzog before leaping into the arms of her champion. She looked to the skies and saw something strange about the cloud cover, it was moving, not like clouds, but like they were all one.

Karasu gently lowered herself and dusted all of them with gold dust and made a somewhat high pitched sound....

The Black and Gold Dragon lowered itself to the point where the three of them could see Karasu very well. She faced them, her eyes spinning rainbows, a look of satisfaction on the dragon's face.

Karasu rose and flew over them and showered them with gold dust again.

She smiled inside. At least I could help at the palace, which reminds me, I must go there now. She lifted herself above the clouds and flew to Rimoru's palace. She slowly let herself drop to the roof and, in a burst of rainbow dust, turned back to her human form prior to landing to avoid destroying the palace.

She jumped down to the balcony of Relthor and her room and walked in.

Karasu was overjoyed to see Relthor. "Relthor!" She ran and hugged him. "I am so sorry. I do love you, and I am loyal and could not ignore my promise to Cadey."

Karasu kissed Relthor passionately. "I will not let one self-absorbed person ruin what we have." She said after their kiss.

She held him tight. "By the way, Cadey was victorious! Kalzog never betrayed Cadey, he was faking it with Beau!"

Karasu was looking forward to seeing him, Marlene and Kalzog.

"Karasu, you're back!" smiled Relthor, tears rolling down his cheeks. He held Karasu in a tight embrace.

"I knew Cadeyrn would win. As well as Kalzog," smiled Relthor. " I should have bet with others."

"Oh Karasu, I was worried you would not come back...I'm glad you did!" Relthor picked up Karasu and twirled her around in his arms, kissing her passionately.

"I was worried I would never see your beautiful face ever again. Never hear your soft, yet strong voice. Never feel the passion in your kisses. Never be with the one I love," Relthor kissed her passionately again.

"Karasu, I cannot tell you how much I love you."

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

Kalzog stomped towards Cadeyrn, his face stoic, no emotion at all from the ogre.

"Cadeyrn," he growled, his muscles flexed as his massive hands closed into fists.

"Surprised to see me, Cadeyrn? We had a job to finish..." He stopped inches from Cadeyrn, bringing his face close. "And you finished it," he smiled slightly.

"Congratulations Cadeyrn. I knew you would," he patted the warrior on the back.

"Hello Karasu, would you please follow me?" Lorathin asked as he looked at her as they began kissing in front of him.

"I am so sorry Relthor. I love you so much. I couldn't let Cadey down either." Karasu told Relthor.

"I just became so angry. That has never happened before. When I was on my way home, I realized that it is against my code to break promises and loyalties, and that I would never forgive myself if I lost you!" Karasu told him excitedly.

"I am so happy you are not furious with me and are forgiving me. I was just pushed over the edge before. I have never been so angry. I do not like it here. When our job is finished, let us go elsewhere right away." Karasu smiled.

"Oh, thankfully I came to my senses!"

"Hello Karasu, would you please follow me?" Lorathin asked as he looked at her as they began kissing in front of him.

"Uhh... Azrael... where? I guess." Karasu told Azrael.

"I will be back soon Relthor." She kissed him one more time and followed Azrael out the door.

"What is going on?" She asked him.

"I will be waiting for you, Karasu," he laughed at his little rhyme.

"Something important, which is why I'm happy you've returned and I didn't have to go chasing after you." He replied as he lead her to the bedroom. "You're wanted in thier, and please don't tear the furniture apart."

"hmmmm... I wonder why..." Karasu said aloud.

"Just trust me that it's important." He replied as he opened the door for her.

Rimoru waited in the room, the tears slowly down. She stood up slowly, walking to a mirror. She turned sideways, and followed her lean body with her hands. She finally noticed a small bunny tail on her hind quarters, bringing a small smile to her face.

It soon disappeered before she went back to the bed, curling herself up, feeling so lonely.

Karasu rolled her eyes. "Yes, what is it?" she asked Rimoru.

"Karasu..." Rimoru said sadly. "I'm sorry...I have acted childish...I have become jealous of some of your loves..."

"Karasu, my friend....would you forgive me?" she asked quietly, tears dripping down her pale cheeks.

Lorathin had closed the door so they would have thier privacy as he decided to head to the kitchen for a snack.

"Rimmy, not only childish. You must realize you have become spoiled, jealous, and vindictive as well. You aren't the Rimmy I remember." Karasu told her.

"You stomp off, call me a floozy, because you did not get your way. You stuck your tongue out at Marlene. Look what you have become." Karasu did not feel bad telling her the truth.

"You flirt with men and bed different ones every night, yet, you rarely, and I bet never, experienced deep love. You have driven your last friend away because you were being a brat." Karasu told her.

"Can you agree with this? Do you want to go through life lonely? Oh you may have lots of men, but it is just sex... you are still lonely... trying to rid yourself of it. You will never have women friends who care about you when you behave like this, and a man, who is good in bed, but also loves you, will be out of the question as well, if your attitude continues.

"Do you understand?" Karasu asked?

"I...I do..." Rimoru sobbed. "Karasu...will you ever...forgive me?"

"It is not that easy to change, but if you want real happiness, not just diversions so that you do not feel alone, these changes will guarantee just that you know." Karasu smiled.

"Yes, I forgive you Rimmy," she hugged her friend. "However, you must not treat me in such a horrible way again. I will not forgive a second time, but now I will."

Karasu smiled at Rimmy.

"Thank you Kara...thank you," she smiled, as she embraced her old friend.

"You and Relthor...my two old friends...imagine that," she said quietly. "You both make a good couple!"

"Thank you Rimmy. Relthor and I have more in common than we could have imagined." Karasu responded.

"I am glad I have my friend back." Karasu smiled at Rimmy.

After he'd gotten a sausage sandwich, Lorathin began wandering, in the general direction of where he'd left the girls, to see if he could find anyone, and failing that to make sure they hadn't tried to yank each others hair out by the roots.

Cadeyrn walked into the palace with Marlene wrapped around him tightly in a never ending hug. Place the girl down he noticed she had grown taller, much taller.

"You must have matured since the last time I've seen you." The mercenary mused relieved everything was alright.

"I was strong like you told me to be." She responded smiling trying to keep her heart from jumping out her chest. Yesterday she had thought her heroic love was dead and doomed to a life of tortured slavery. Now everything was perfect, even better than before. She noticed his metal arm and frowned. "Grandpa made that for ya? Where is he? I haven't seen him in years."

He frowned at the girl "Grandpa...Opprimus was killed during the fight." He said lowering his head. Marlene began to swell up as she hugged him even tighter than before.

"I want to apologize to Rimoru Cadey." She added between her gentle sobs.

"As am I," Rimoru smiled at her friend. "Please, make sure to visit me more often, Kara. I have missed my old friends for so long. Perhaps that has driven me into what I am now..." She looked to the floor sadly.

"Oh well, Kara. I need to go take care of some business. I'm sure Relthor would love to be with you right now," Rimoru said as she wiped the last tears up.

"Thank you again Kara. You are a true friend..."

Kalzog strolled in, shortly after Cadeyrn, walking over the dead hunks of wolfman. "This stentch is going to pollute the air for many years..." he growled as he stepped over a particularly charred body.

Relthor wouldn't do this...he's to...weak...pacifist... Kalzog suddenly thought. Perhaps it was Rimoru?

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

Sarik had joined battle, as the wolves swarmed in. He hacked and slashed at the closest wolves.

Soon, however, they were all on fire, yelping and screaming. Sarik noticed a dark shadow up ahead, wondering what that was.

No matter...I should apologize to Karasu. I had made her sad, and I know the Patriarch would not do such a thing as to make another cry.

"I will make sure to come by more often Rimmy! Maybe we can have just a girls night sometime... I bet it has been a long time since you have done that!" Karasu laughed jokingly. "You know... like the old slumber parties we used to have. I have missed you very much as well. When I ran into these people in the desert and found that they were coming here I was overjoyed! I could not wait to see you, Rimmy!" Karasu exclaimed.

"It is too bad we both have our business to attend to. Unfortunately, even though I do not run a kingdom, I am probably as busy as you are, but we will have to make time to see each other."

Karasu continued... "You have never seen my home. I have my own palace now. It is not nearly the size or the labyrinth this place is, but it is comfortable." She said.

"Well, I will get going so that you can get to your business. Take care of yourself and I will see you later." Karasu smiled as she opened the door and left.

Well how about that? she mused as she walked back to the bedroom.

"I don't know about you Kalzog, but personally I could get used to this smell. It smells a lot like victory." He said slightly chuckling.

To some extent Kalzog and I are the same, only we have different things to fight for. My sense of duty and his chase for immortal glory are really one and the same. We are both warriors in the truest sense.

As he walked away with Marlene he turned and thanked the ogre. Flexing his metal hand a tear rolled down his cheek remembering his kind father.

Thanks old man, now you and my parents can be together again. You won me that battle.

Marlene saw her hero tearing up and she immediately followed.

"Marlene, Rimoru's room is over there, I have to go find someone and thank them." He said pointing to a door down the long stretch of hallway.

Rimoru hugged Karasu for the last time. "Karasu, I'll make sure to have a slumber party...it will be so fun," she giggled. "Perhaps we can switch off on who holds the slumber party! I would definately enjoy seeing your own palace!"

Rimoru laughed quietly to herself as Karasu left her alone. Karasu...why did we ever leave each other? she thought sadly as she tried to picture how the both would be if they had not parted.

Rimoru got up and stretched before walking barefoot out of the room. She had to speak with a certain Demi-god...

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

As soon as Karasu turned a corner, Relthor pounced on her, throwing his arms around her. "So? How was it?" he asked as he bombarded her with kisses.

Marlene quickly intercepted the empress. "Miss Rimoru, I-" She paused choking down her pride. "I want to say I'm sorry for how I acted earlier. It was stupid and childish of me, you hired him as a bodguard and rightfully so. Thus, I have no right to be angry at you."

Even if you are all over him... She growled in her mind while keeping an apologetic face.

*=*=*=*=*=*=*=

Cadeyrn wandered into the forge where he sat down on the stool and remorsed closely holding and examining all the scraps that remained. Underneath one was a crude drawing of Cadeyrn doing some unsavory things with Opprimus' signature at the bottom. The mercenary chuckled stuffing it into his pocket.

Lorathin arrived at the bedroom as he finished his sandwich to find it vacent and not in ruin. "Guess it went well." He commented to himself as he decided to explore the palace.

Karasu laughed as Relthor jumped on her.

"You wouldn't believe it! Rimoru apologized for everything! We are going to try to become the friends we used to be and see each other more often." Karasu smiled. "She even said you and I made a great couple!

"I could not believe it. She admitted to the horrible things she has done, and apologized profusely." Karasu told him, quite surprised. "I did not think she had it in her to be humble. I am very happy... and joyful that I came back to you! By the way, Cadey, Kalzog, none of them know that I am... you know, so do not say anything." She grinned at him seductively.

"After all this is over, you will have to come and stay with me at my palace. You would love it... high on a mountain on a cliff over the ocean... it is perfect, my love!"

Karasu tackled Relthor while giggling and kissed him passionately, her weapons clanking...

"Surprised to see you sorry," Rimoru smiled at Marlene. "Cadey told me you enjoy reading. That is good to know. I have enjoyed reading, myself, hence the Library as well as the several colleges of magic outside!"

"Perhaps one day, I'll let you get in to the library. And perhaps at age, if you show the aptitude, I'll get you into the college of your choice for free, if you wish to study machiniks or magic," She offered, a smile on her face as she walked along with Marlene.

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

"Oh, Karasu..." Relthor gasped. "Perhaps...we should...go to our room?" He laughed as he kissed along Karasu's neck.

"Plus...this belt of weapons...worries me," he laughed as he put his hands around her belt, keeping himself slightly away from it, before kissing her lustily.

"I'm not a fan of magic exactly, I want to be a doctor that way when Cadey gets hurt I can repair him. I already years of experience." She laughed remembering all the times she patched him up. "Regardless of what he says I'm going to marry him one day. He needs a good woman to keep him stable... Wouldn't you agree?"

"I just thought of something, Relthor... we have all the time in the world... let us find Cadey and congratulate him and Kalzog for his amazing ruse!" Karasu said.

"We have plenty of erotic time for later," She looked at him making him want her more... being a bit of a tease.

Karasu ran out the door.

After walking around, they found Cadey at the forge.

"Cadey!!!" Karasu ran up to him and wrapped her arms around him, kissing him on the cheek. "I knew you would kick Beau's sorry ass... and the rest of them! I am so proud of you!" Karasu yelled excitedly.

She then looked sad... "I am truly sorry about Opprimus." A tear rolled down her face.

"You know what Cadey? He is up with the gods gloating about his sword, and likely wishing you could hear him ranting about any mistakes you may have made!" Karasu giggled trying to cheer Cadey up.

"Where is Marlene? I trust she is OK? She is one tough young woman. I really admire her." Karasu smiled.

"And that ruse Kalzog pulled! Holy shit! I never would have believed he was faking!

"I am sorry, Cadey. I am not letting you get in a word edgewise. I am just so excited and proud of you, most valiant, honorable one." She smiled at him knowingly.

"Why do I not run you a bath, so you can clean up? Later, you can tell us the story of the battle! Is this OK with you?" she asked.

"Also, where is Marlene? I want to hug the guts out of her!" Karasu intoned.

"Relthor, I am so thrilled. We can go back to our room after I run a bath, if you would like one Cadey."

She waited for his response.

Rimoru raised her eyebrow at Marlene, before picturing Karasu scolding her again.

"All men need a good woman to keep them stable," she laughed. "You will have to promise me that you'd keep him together, and to make sure he doesn't get bitten by any more dogs."

Relthor held onto Karasu a moment longer, giving her as long a kiss as he could, before letting her go. "You tease me too much," he gasped as he got up to follow her. Part of is primal self had gone out of it's cage, and now he desired Karasu more than anything.

"Erotic time later? I hope so...I don't know how much longer I can keep myself restrained from you, Karasu," he laughed, desiring more.

"Cadeyrn, I knew you would succeed! I just knew you would," he smiled as he walked behind Karasu.

"Opprimus would be proud, I think, as I am of you. You have defeated your inner evil, your inner demon. It is truly an honor to know you."

He put his arm around Karasu as she said they could go back to their room later. Later...I hope it means within minutes he thought happily.

Karasu always managed to find ways to cheer him up, such a gorgeous young lady who kept her faith in him. There was no way of repaying her, if she hadn't shown up he may have not even fought the wolf dog.

He could tell she was genuinely excited, he couldn't put a word in otherwise, which he didn't mind. He wasn't much of a talker anyway.

"Don't worry about the old guy; I'm sure he's up there chasing around the females and getting drunk off his feet." He said feeling the pocket he put the picture in.

"A bath sounds excellent, I'm still covered in wolf blood and ashes." He said rubbing his fingers with the blood he rubbed off his armor. "Hey, if you want to see Beau he is still engraved where we faught adn Marlene is apologizing to Rimoru now."

He looked at Relthor and remembered the god like energy he summoned to kill Beau.

A Dragoon...

"Relthor, thank you for your praise, also I would like to speak with you later in private for a bit." Cadeyrn said.

*=*=*=*=*=*=*=

"I think he's going to avoid dogs for quite some time after this." She replied chuckling. "You ok? You seem different Empress."

"Why do you two not go and talk and I will run you a bath in the large room down the hall? That way, Cadey, you will have a nice hot bath waiting, complete with candles," Karasu giggled, "and Relthor, we can then go back upstairs. I am off to start your bath Cadey... you two talk to your hearts content." Karasu smiled at them both and walked out to the whirlpool tub room.

"I've had a talk with a good friend of mine. Marlene, keep your friends close. They will guide you through dark times. Hopefully I will be changed for the better," Rimoru smiled.

"If you'll excuse me Marlene, I must do some business. I'm glad we had this little chat. Perhaps another time we can do so again, when we're not walking," she chuckled.

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

"Of course Cadeyrn. Whenever you want!" He smiled at Karasu. "Well, when...we're not...busy," he chuckled quietly.

"Marvelous idea, Kara," He laughed as she walked away.

Relthor pulled up a chair and sat next to Cadeyrn. "So, what's the scoop?" he asked happily.

"Thank you Empress, I can sense you have become better, otherwise I wouldn't have apologized." She said looking over her shoulder.

*=*=*=*=*=

"Sounds lovely Karasu." He thanked with a warm smile.

When Karasu left, Cadeyrn's smile turned to a stern look. "You remember the Dragoons Relthor, the group of people designated to protect the Dragons?"

"Somewhat, yes," Relthor replied with a small smile.

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

Rimoru continued down the hall, and down a staircase, before descending up another staircase, entering another hall.

Several guards were stationed at the halls entrance, who immediately saluted as Rimoru passed. "Your worship, they are all in Tera's room," replied Teralynn's new guard.

"Lately I've been having dreams about the dragon god Bahumut, at first I played it off because it was just a dream. Then while fighting Beau he summoned the energy of Cerberus; for some reason I heard a dragon's voice in my head and I blacked out. Next thing I know I swung my sword and the energy looked like a dragon." Cadeyrn said pacing back and forth.

"Still I didn't quite figure it out until Opprimus left me a picture marked on the back with the seal of the Dragoons. Then take into count my immunity to fire and the last piece of the puzzle falls into place." He fell to a knee before Relthor.

Lorathin arrived in a garden, that had a few stone benches scattered about. Finding one that looked like it would remain in the shade for a while, he laid down and began napping.

Kalzog slowly walked up to Azrael as he noticed him beginning to sleep. He picked the mage up and roughly brought him to his face. "Surprised to see me, Azrael?" he asked wickedly.

"It wasn't so nice to mess with my meals...It was hard enough to avoid losing my dinners when I was near that wolf..."

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

Relthor looked wide-eyed at Cadeyrn. "I'm...not...sure I understand," he replied, looking around to see if someone else noticed this strange event.

"I am the last of the Dragoons, servants of the Dragons, I have sinned against my blood for betraying one of your kind and now I must atone." He said still kneeling. "Your order now supercedes anything else, even Rimoru's."

"Hello Kalzog." He replied, "Now would you mind putting me down. I wasn't messing with your meal, Beau was, the spell on him was effecting you, not the spell on you effecting you."

"But...Cadeyrn...when did you betray my kind?" Relthor asked as he stood up. "And...if Rimoru finds this...she may be furious!"

"I killed one of your kind eight years ago and made a blade from its tooth in my pathetic glory." He admitted ashamed. "Rimoru can be what she must, I have shed my blood for her, she will understand. My father was a dragoon and died because of it, I wish to carry on that legacy."

"Oh, but Cadeyrn," Relthor began. He knew of the dragoons who fought valiantly with dragons for so long. "I am no longer a vicious beast. I no longer fight.

"Cadeyrn, the most exciting order I would probably give you is to...I don't know...lift heavy items or...Massage Karasu's feet," he laughed. "Do not worry, You have redeemed yourself in my eyes.

"Now get up off the floor," he laughed again.

Karasu ran the hot bath for Cadey and set out some soothing aromatherapy candles as well as some fluffy towels and a big robe and slippers. Looks good.

As she neared the room where Relthor and Cadey were talking, she got the gist of the conversation. Wow! she thought.

Karasu knocked on the side of the door before entering. "Are you two still talking? If so, I will go up to our room and wait for you Relthor.

"By the way, your hot bath is read Cadey... it will remain hot for quite a while, so if you are not done with your conversation, please continue." Karasu smiled and looked for one of them to answer.

Cadeyrn stood to his feet adn smiled before whispering to Relthor. "You may not be vicious, but I am. There are those who have done you wrong, and I am the one to vindicate those misdeeds."

"I hope it it is boiling hot." He exclaimed walking towards Karasu and the door.

Karasu giggled after he walked out... "He will probably think the aromatherapy candles are girly, but they are lavender and very relaxing." She kissed Relthor. "Back upstairs?" She said with a seductive look.

"Perhaps you can tell me of your conversation on the way, unless it is personal and private that is, my dear Relthor." Karasu looked at him smiling.

"Quit talking," he laughed as he set the mage down. "It was annoying however...don't think I won't repay your kindness."

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

Relthor smiled at Cadeyrn. "I will keep you in mind, Cadeyrn. Thank you," he said, before getting up.

Karasu's sweet voice rang in his head, and immediately he began his lusty thoughts. He walked briskly towards Karasu and wrapped his arms around her.

"Is it time now, beautiful? Let us go upstairs," he whispered in her ear, before kissing her on the neck. "I'm aching for you..."

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

Rothargot heard a knock on the door, and Rimoru's voice on the other end. I will get it he thought to the others.

"Rimoru, what brings you here?" he asked her quietly.

"Rothy, you must be getting the hang of loosening up!" she laughed. "I just wanted to check up on you guys."

"We're fine, however...I would like to talk to you, your highness. Important matters."

"Well, let's do it then," she smiled as Rothargot walked outside, letting little of the situation behind him be revealed.

"Maybe, so what else is up." Lorathin asked as he was set down.

"Nothing, just...wandering...So, has anyone even spoken to Rimoru while I was gone?" Kalzog asked as he walked behind a large tree, and sitting down next to it, relaxing.

"Quite a few people, why?" Lorathin asked, "And she's soaked my shirt more than once."

"Soaked?" Kalzog chuckled. He pulled a large pink orb from one of the many pouches in his belt and began to play with it.

"Why, I would too if I saw a man as ugly as you walk towards me!" he roared with laughter, as he scratched something on the orb with a small knife.

"Same old Kalzog, same old wit. So what was working with the wolf like?" He asked

"It is time," Karasu grinned at Relthor. "So, what did you discuss... we have to wait until we get to our room anyway!" She kissed Relthor passionately.

Cadeyrn threw off his bloody armor and clothing and slide into the steaming tub. Immediately the water turned a murky red as he slide until the water was at eye level.

So peaceful and quiet. Too much room for thinking.

Suddenly Marlene just about kicked open the door with a wash cloth and soap.

"What the hell are you doing Marlene?" Cadeyrn asked concerned making sure the water was unclear.

"Everytime you bath you always do a half assed job leaving blood around for weeks." She growled slowly approaching her helpless prey. "Now hold still!"

"Oh, nothing...just how beautiful you are...how much you mean to me..." he laughed. "Well, that's what I was thinking right now atleast..." Relthor could barely take a step without her in his arms. So, to satisfy this need, he picked her up and kissed her again.

"Actually, Cadey wanted to be forgiven from killing a dragon so long ago. How he felt he needed to serve as our own bodyguard and hitman. He wants to be like his father, a Dragoon. I told him that since I'm a pacifist, the most he would do is help us move large objects or massage you feet," he laughed again.
**********************************************************

"He was interesting. Self-centered, and stunk horribly. You could tell he was related to Cadeyrn," Kalzog replied. "So...what made Rimoru cry? And why you of all people?"

"Oooh! I love foot massages!" Karasu replied. "So he is a dragoon? Well, when he finds out I am also a dragon," she whispered, "because of what I do, well, I am the one who fried all those wolves, but that is not a job for a dragoon." She had a thoughtful look on her face.

"Foot massage sounds good!" Karasu giggled looking forward to getting to their room and not being bothered. She kissed his neck.

"Why me, I'm not sure, possibly because I refuse to sleep with her, but will sleep with her. As to why she was crying, beside the little tiff with Karasu, that's her buisness to tell, not mine." He replied

"Well, being a pacifist, I tend to know quite a few good massages," he winked at Karasu.

Relthor stumbled up the stairs and opened their door, closing it hurridly and setting Karasu down gently, before smothering her in kisses, while taking off her weapon belt. "So? A foot massage?" he asked as he carefully took off her boots.

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

"Oh? Some sort of chaotic event between Rimoru and Karasu?" Kalzog asked as he rolled the orb on his arm.

"So...you sleep with Rimoru, but don't? Don't tell me you don't want to bed with her. I know all your kind love to do so," he laughed.

"I've slept with her, but naught but sleep happened." Lorathin replied, scowling faintly at the ogre's innuendo. "And no, I do not want to bed her as you put it."

"Mmmmm.... a foot massage sounds heavenly! Perhaps a full body massage to follow? Of course, I will reciprocate." Karasu looked at him seductively and kissed him passionately.

The big mercenary sat in the tub while the young girl washed his heair.

"See? Don't you feel better?" She asked giving him a cocky grin.

"I feel like I've been taken advantage of." He quickly replied.

She threw the rag in his face and stormed out.

"Be nice to someone and they throw it right back in your face, god!" She yelled sarcastically while leaving.

"What a surprise," Kalzog replied, smiling. "So, have we gained entrance to the Library?"

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

Relthor massaged Karasu's feet, kissing them gently. "You have such dainty feet!" laughed Relthor as he messaged them.

"A full body message? You've got it, my love," Relthor replied as he began to undress Karasu. "I'll just need to take these off to maximize the affect," he laughed, kissing Karasu gently on the lips.

"Nope, the library is still as off limits as ever." Lorathin replied, "Thought you could try playing truth or dare to see if you could get in." He added, with a faintly diabolical smile.

Kalzog raised an eyebrow at Lorathin. "What's that smile for? I have nothing to hide..."

"Relthor, you are such a pleaser! I wonder what other things I can get you to do." Karasu winked at him as he removed her clothing...

"Hopefully I will not fall asleep. Massages are so relaxing for me. However,I have a feeling you will wake me up." She said in the sensual, husky voice she has had since she was about 17.

Oh yes, this is going to be fabulous!

"Oh, you'll see if you get dared, one dare resulted in someone becoming a rabbit." He replied with a chuckled at the memory of Rabbit Rimoru.

Relthor messaged her neck, as he kissed her from behind. He kissed down her neck as his hands shifted down to her waist. "I'm sure you could get me to do many things," Relthor laughed quietly as he moved down, kissing her along the way.

"Oh, you may fall asleep, my love. But when I'm done...be ready for a good laugh," he smiled mischieviously as he messaged around her back.

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

"Not to be a party pooper, but I tend to not change into things. My tattoos prevent me to, and I do not turn myself into bunnies," Kalzog replied as he put the pink orb back in it's pouch.

"Enh, so what were you doing with that orb?" He asked

Kalzog smiled wickedly at Lorathin. "Marking it. Do you know what it is?" he asked as he let his head rest on the tree trunk.

"If I knew, do you think I'd have asked?" Lorathin commented

"I suppose not. This, my friend, is one of the rarest items you'll ever see. It's the most effective and perhaps most powerful way to get rid of something...anything," Kalzog replied, closing his eyes.

"It just...sucks up whatever it hits. For example, if I threw this at you...you would forever be imprisoned within the orb. However, if you were to use magic to stop it, say good bye to daily use of magic, and perhaps some memories along the way. You may keep the bulk of your memories, along with very weak powers, however you'd have to be quite lucky. This orb is the bane of all powerful beings. Excluding gods. They are unaffected by this little beauty."

"A good laugh?!" Karasu replied. "What in the world are you doing? Well, it does not matter anyway... it feels too good." She smiled, feeling so relaxed.

What in the world is he doing? Karasu was far too relaxed to really care.

"There are other ways to avoid it, but why where you fiddling with it, what if you dropped in and got sucked up yourself?" Lorathin asked

"Don't worry, just sleep, my beauty, just sleep," Relthor cooed as he put his hand gently on Karasu's cheek and stroked. "You'll see soon enough," he kissed her gently, before continuing with the full body message.

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

"Then it's too bad for me. Sure, there are other ways to avoid it, but it will only suck up one living creature with lots of power, however it could take out several minor powerful creatures. So, if you are confident in your speed, dive for the orb and send it back to it's owner."

"You could bat it away with a club or so, but you would no longer have that item, as it would be sucked up."

"As for what I was doing to it, I was only writing my name on it. It will be the last name a certain Demi-god will see," Kalzog smiled. "Or someone else, who may happen to put a spell on me...man or woman, seducer, or make-one-sick-with-spells-boy."

Before Relthor even finished talking, Karasu was sound asleep.

Relthor chuckled to himself as he continued massaging his love. He kissed her lightly down her chest to her stomach.

I wonder how long she will have until our son begins to show himself Relthor wondered to himself, as he stroked Karasu's bare stomach. He watched her sleep silently, admiring the rise and fall of her stomach. So calm and peaceful. He stared at her beautiful bare body a moment longer before getting a nearby pillow and smiling.

He pulled out a long white feather and moved back to her feet. "A good laugh," he chuckled as he began to brush her toes with the feather.

"I was just protecting you from Chaos." Lorathin replied with a chuckle.

Karasu felt something ticklish on her feet. She looked down to see Relthor tickling her feet with a feather.

"Hey! I get all relaxed and you do that?!" she exclaimed, trying to move her feet away from the feather.

"You are in serious trouble mister! If you think you are getting a massage now, well think again!"

Karasu was laughing yelling at Relthor to stop the entire time.

"Oh? Is that so?" Relthor replied with mock anger. "Well, I'm going to have to continue then!" he laughed as he chased her foot with the feather.

"Now, I'm never going to stop!" he laughed as he took hold of her foot with his hand and began to tickle it.

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

"Oh? Chaos? Beau was ignorant to call himself chaos," growled Kalzog. "He was somewhat chaotic, yes, but he had nothing more. Besides, I live for chaos."

"Anywho, anything you want to talk about?" He asked

"Do not think I will not get you back, because I will!" Karasu was near tears from laughing. "You big jerk Relthor!" she yelled jokingly.

"I will get you back, you know!" she yelled, as she tried to remove her foot from his grasp.

"How old are you, Azrael?" Kalzog asked, his eyes still closed as his head rested against the tree.

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

"Not if you can't free yourself first!" laughed Relthor, as he continued tickling her. "Now tell me that you love me! And that you will message me! Then maybe I'll stop tickling you!"

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

Inzikai smiled at Ar'mai. "So tell me, if you do get the book that Sarik is so worried about, what do you think he will do with it?" he asked.

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

Rothargot was walking down the hall with Rimoru, as she wrapped one of her arms around his massive one.

"So, Rothy, what is it you would like to talk to me about?" Rimoru asked.

"The Library," Rothargot replied.

"Nope. Can't go in..." Rimoru said with a smirk.

"I thought that if you could 'loosen me up' as you say it, you were going to allow us into the Library."

"But you aren't loosed up. Not all the way at least," she replied, a smirk appearing from ear to ear.

"What do you have planned?" Rothargot asked curiously.

"You'll see, Rothy...you'll see..."

"You know, I'm not exactly sure anymore." He replied with a shrug as his age had never been that important to him anyways.

"I love you and you know I do Relthor! Now stop with the feather already!" Karasu was laughing hysterically.

"Ah, you and me both. Then tell me, have you ever been to Lustria before?" Kalzog continued with his questions.

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

"Now now, my love, you still haven't told me that you will massage me!" Relthor replied, laughing as well. He had not seen Karasu laughing so hard before, and finally seeing this made him laugh as well. She truly was remarkable...

"I'm pretty sure I haven't." Lorathin replied

"Tis a shame. You would have seen my masters battle Valtrox in his previous attempt at coming to the mortal plane...what a sight that would have been..."
Kalzog replied.

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

Rimoru led Rothargot to a dead end and pulled on a torch. She smiled as she snapped her fingers, the world seeming to spin around them until they appeared in Rimoru's well furnished room.

"Rothy, I want you to do something for me," she replied as she immediately ran to a large cabinet and opened it. Bottles upon bottles of strange liquids lined the shelves of the cabinet. She searched among all of them, a look of thought crossing her face.

"Ah!" she yelped as she picked out a long slender bottle filled with a pinkish liquid. "Drink this Rothargot."

"Your highness, I don't need to eat, nor do I need to drink. I do not think I would like this anyways. I must-"

"Just drink it!" Rimoru laughed as she opened the bottle and swiftly poured the contents into Rothargot's throat, who pulled away as fast as possible.

"What did you do? What was that?" he growled as he clutched his throat. He began to feel a strange feeling, as it slowly coursed through his rock hard body.

"I'm loosening you up, Rothy...believe me, you'll like it," she smiled.

Rothargot began to grow angry at Rimoru and took one step towards her before falling to his knees. He felt pain as he lost contact with much of his body. He was being paralyzed..."Rimoru...why..." He lost consciousness.

"I'm almost certain I'm not that old, unless Valtrox tries this every few years." He replied, "Oh, and are you hungry?"

~~A short time ago~~
A Varvul leaped at Koryl, snarling; drawing Stoneclaw, he sliced the creature's head off with one swift blow and stepped aside. Three more were approaching, though, and he would not surprise them so easily. Drawing a dagger with silver set in the blade, he prepared himself for the fight...

And then there was fire, crashing out of the sky to strike down the wolf-creatures. Koryl flung himself to the ground as a huge shadow rushed over him. After a moment, he got back to his feet and continued on. Clearly these strange beings had made an enemy of a dragon, and Koryl certainly didn't intend to question his good fortune.

A short time later, he came within sight of the place.

~~~~~
Taking advantage of the night to scout, Valerith heard Rothargot's voice inside a window. Hovering silently outside, he looked cautiously in.

Cadeyrn awoke and dried himself off, it had been a while since he had such a relaxing bath. He put on some fresh clothes and dragged his blood drenched armor into the room cleaning it into the already crimson water. His blade was expecially tough as some parts were coated with an inch of gore.

What now? There isn't much left to fight for, both my masters are fairly peaceful. My only guide and mentor was killed, all I have left are the children, and only one is with me. Should I find a female and raise a family like I had always dreamed? Become a kind farmer with a glorious past of heroics and redemtion?

His armor was the blackish material it was before. He sighed as he walked outside, he hadn't realized that he had slept for quite some time.

There was a strange figure that had hovered its way and peered in through a window. Without his blade Cadeyrn drew his throwing swords and approached carefully. However, he could smell werewolf blood stained on it.

"Hey pal, see something you like?" He asked the shadowy figure.

Kalzog smiled at Lorathin. "You must have read my mind," he laughed.

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

"Rothargot...Rothy...wakey wakey..." called a distant voice. He felt soft warm hands shake his arm.

"Rothy..."

Rothargot slowly opened his eyes and saw Rimoru, sitting next to him.

"What in Valtrox's name was that stuff?" Rothargot growled as he picked himself up. Something didn't seem right, however.

Rimoru walked around her bed, and brought both arms around Rothargot's one arm, and looked into his eyes. "Rothy, I thought you'd never wake up..."

Rothargot opened his mouth to answer when he noticed something quite peculiar. One thing, Rimoru was never able to fit her arms around his. Secondly...Rimoru was never that tall, nor was Rothargot short enough to see Rimoru without looking down. Finally, his voice was an unusually higher pitch than he knew.

"You shrunk me?!" he growled as he broke out of her grip and ran to a mirror. "No..." he muttered in horror. She gave him a transformation potion. Rothargot was now an elf. He was still well muscled and incredibly lean. He had a very dark red hair, and his eyes had red irises.

"No! Rimoru! I demand that you change me back immediately!" he growled at her.

"I'm sorry Rothy...But I don't have any demi-god potions," she replied with a sly smile.

"Rimoru, I will count to three before I am forced to-" Suddenly, Rimoru pressed her lips against Rothargot's.

The Demi-god has never felt such a feeling before. It was ecstacy, bliss...lust...

Rimoru pulled away slowly. "Wow...you are a good kisser," she replied, slightly dazzled. She rubbed his shoulders when Rothargot finally noticed he was naked.

"R-rimoru, I need...to be back in my original form!" he said as he pulled up pillows, covering up his lower half. "If Valtrox were to see me in this, we would both be doomed! I'm supposed to-"

"Rothy, Valtrox won't see us...And the potion doesn't last more than three days," she laughed as she walked up to Rothargot. "I told you I would make you loose...and I have. She pinched his arm, watching him wince.

"Rothargot...you're...handsome..." she giggled as she closed in for another kiss.

"Rimoru, no, I cannot I nee-" Again, her kiss. The pillow fell away as he wrapped his own arms around her.

Rimoru gasped for air afterwards, smiling brightly. "Rothy...I knew you were not as tough as they said you were...all we needed to do was...crack the outer shell..."

Rothargot fell down, as he grew weak in the knees. Rimoru giggled as she helped Rothargot up.

"Rimoru...please," Rothargot began, but he knew it was hopeless. He fell into Rimoru's trap. And he was beginning to like it. "Another..." he said, a smile forming on his face....

"Then let's go to the kitchen." Lorathin replied

"Ah, excellent!" Kalzog replied as he got up. "Beau did offer me several tasty humans, however. I thought of you for atleast three of them."

"Hey pal, see something you like?"
Valerith turned to face the stranger and settled to the ground.

"I heard a voice I thought I recognized. I was looking to see if he was in there.

Now, who do I have the honor of addressing?"

Inzikai smiled at Ar'mai. "So tell me, if you do get the book that Sarik is so worried about, what do you think he will do with it?" he asked.

"What he will do with it?" Ar'mai repeated. "I don't know... hide it, barter with it, store it... anything so that you don't get it," she smiled.

"If you keep that up, I'm not going to feed you." Lorathin replied as he stood up as well.

"Cadeyrn Bran, Rimoru's Bodyguard, and the cause of most of the dead Varvul out there. Might I ask who you are while we're on formalities?" He asked slightly suspicious of someone who could float. "You're rather lucky, if I hadn't smelled werewolf blood on you I would have pegged you with one of these swords."


woot the Quad 5's!

"Your so mean to me," Inzikai joked. "What would I do with it, anyways? If I am no longer with Valtrox, I couldn't really use it...plus, Rimoru would probably send goons after me."

"But what if Sarik doesn't want to give it up? Remember when Valtrox said that should watch Sarik? What if he uses it for his own purposes?"

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

"I was only telling you about my adventure in Dog land," Kalzog replied.

"Well come along now." Lorathin replied with a shake of the head at the ogre's general actions.

"That is why I don't plan on letting someone from Lustria keep it," Ar'mai commented. "It would be safer with Lorathin or someone like that... or just destroy it."