NationStates Jolt Archive

There were only three demons, and the added fifty only increased their pleasure of killing, easily smashing into copies or orginals alike and shredding it to pieces. Occasionally some female would attempt to slash at them, and succeed many times, but the demons were made for combat and could suffer deadly wounds as if it were only minor. They could also heal if not killed...

And so they healed each time they ascended into the sky.

Yet now, the demons were concentrating on the people firing the cannons. One by one, they lifted up the sailors and ripped them apart. They noticed several of the same women as before, and ignore them for now, dispatching of the other sailors.

One demon soon dropped onto the deck, in front of the real Karasu and screeched loudly, before launching itself at her, in attempt to slash her to ribbons as it had the other sailors.

Harlin eyed the demon with dread. Terror iced the blood in his veins as he did the only thing that came to mind. With Marlene still in his arms, he entered the Shadowfold... and she came with him.

It was known among the Jiltakin that to attempt entry to the Shadowfold with a non trained companion meant certain death for the passenger if not the Jiltakin as well. Many had lost their lives in pursuit of this knowledge, and thus it was no longer considered feasible.

Still, the two of them now stood in the murky, swirling darkness of the Shadowfold. The lines of the plane they had just left remained, but they lacked definition.

Harlin let go of Marlene in his surprise, and looked and asked quietly, "How is this possible?" Then, he felt a small amount of heat radiating from the pendant that hung from his neck, lifting it up, he saw the last traces of silver light bleed off of it.

"So that's the power of the Jiltak Hand; the power to carry others into the Shadowfold."

Meanwhile, Minos was battling the demons circling in the sky. He knew that because they were the spawn of Valtrox, it was unlikely that they could be hurt with fire. Ice on the other hand...

Minos summoned up a huge ball of water, froze it, slowing the individual molecules to a near stand still while keeping it suspended in spherical form. When it had frozen solid, he raised his hands, and the ball followed their motion. Heaving his hands to the side, the ball flew at incredible speeds, and hit the demon currently preying on Karasu head on.

He smiled, and yelled to her, "You owe me one!"

Karasu dispatched with the demon copies, however, she left all the copies of the others. When the demon tried to kill her, she used the pendant Rimmy gave her, and put a shield around herself, while more Karasus were created and attacked the demon as best as possible.

One of them stabbed him in the eye. The real Karasu backed off and stood against a wall area, protected with her pendant, but growing tired.

ooc: A little question of curiousity: Can Minos enter the Shadow Fold?

Rothargot roared as he picked up a nearby table and threw it at the wall where it shattered into thousands of splinters.

"Where are you, coward?" he barked as he picked up a bed and tossed it where he saw Harlin last. "Show yourself! I want to watch your skin melt from your body!"

The other two flying demons now swung down and lifted several of the Karasu copies into the air, as they were still distracted with the demon on deck.

"Karasu!" shouted a new voice as a silver plate armor-clad man smashed into the demon, sending it sprawling on the floor, where it was swarmed by more Karasu clones.

"Are you alright?" Sarik asked as he kept his sword pointed at the demon, in case it did happen to burst out of the Karasu pile. He slowly walked towards Karasu, but keeping his eyes to the demons in the sky.

"Sarik... thank you. I am losing strength." Karasu replied. "I do not know what to do ... unless I ... transform...."

Sarik studied her and felt along her sheild. "Stop using the sheild, Karasu. Once the sheild is gone, you will slowly regain your strength," he said as the demons grew eerily silent.

"But Sarik! I will be left without strength or defense!" Karasu was terrified at what Sarik said. She did not know if it was really him or not.

"Trust me Karasu. I'll be your sheild, I'll be your sword," he replied with a confident smile. "Trust me on this."

Karasu decided to trust him, but to be ready to put the shield up in a millisecond if necessary.

"OK". She said, and dropped it.

Sarik smiled as he turned his back to Karasu and watched the sky. Nothing happened. "Where did they go?"

The remaining sailors continued to watch the sky, the booming cannons having stopped long ago as sailors feared to man them, should the demons attempt to rip them apart.

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

Inzikai waited patiently as the demons flew back to the ship...one casualty.

"Not bad...now we need to get out of here quicker," he said as the ship was still gaining on him. "Where's Rothargot?"

"Sarik... I think they had orders to leave." Karasu replied. She was sure H-Boy was inside Sarik, trying to gain her trust.

She hated to think that... she cared so much about Sarik, and telling them apart was becoming painful. Karasu feard that Sarik had no control anymore.

One of the demon's had caused a chunk of wood to smack Lorathin in the head, stunning him for close to the entire battle's duration. Rubbing the growing knot on the back of his skull, he looked around to see what was happening.

"Why? We're still gaining on them?" Sarik asked as he sheathed his sword.

"I hope it's not a trap..."

Somehow, he felt that Karasu was lieing to him. That she still did not trust him. Now that he thought about it...what if it was he who was lieing to Karasu?

He felt better than he had been...even under control...but was that just Habdebza playing with him? He suddenly felt bad...for everyone

What if he was living a lie?

Sarik looked sadly in Karasu's face, tears falling from his eyes, immediately he turned so she would not see him in such a state.

"No Sarik! I know you are confused. It is not your fault. All of a sudden you are too calm and collected. I am afraid for you!" Karasu ran up and hugged him, beginning to cry herself.

Sarik wrapped his arms around Karasu, only a friendly hug, however, and held her tightly, but not tight enough to cause uncomfort for her as she was leaning on his metal armor.

"Karasu...I don't know what to say...I don't know if my thoughts are mine anymore..." he whispered.

Karasu only sobbed, as she had no answers for Sarik. "I am sorry... I wish I could help."

Lorathin looked over to Sarik and Karasu and asked, "What happened?"

Sarik smiled as he lifted Karasu's chin. "You are helping, Karasu. You have helped from the beginning...and I love you for it. Maybe a little more than we would like to let each other know...but for now, I'll say that I love you like a friend," he whispered as he gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. He desired more, he knew, and he guessed that Karasu did as well, but he was in control.

Yes...control...I am in control, Sarik thought confidently. No more demons inside of me...this mission will succeed no matter what happens...

ooc: I guess, but I never really planned to have him use it...

Harlin winced as the image of the table flew at him. He knew that it couldn't hurt him while he was here, but flying tables are kind of scary.

Walking over to Rothargot, he made a face, and then returned to Marlene.

Just then, hazy white shapes began to form around the room. The weight around Harlin's neck began to feel hot again. The white blurs began to gain definition, and eventually formed into men. The ghostly projections stood around him and Marlene, their silence slightly oppressing.

Then, Harlin recognized them. That one, by the door, was Grandor Pilt. He had been a great leader of the guild six centuries before Harlin was even reading of the history of the Guild. And the one immediately to Grandor's right was Naomi Cilaz, the only female Guild Leader in their history. She was regarded as one of the greatest thieves ever to walk the earth, some claimed she was second only to Arcturus Jiltak himself.

The Former Guild Leaders stepped forward, and Grandor spok for them. "You have discovered part of the power of the relic you possess," the ethereal tone of his voice furthered Harlin's belief that they were ghosts. "We spirits have come to show you the second and final part of that power."

Naomi now stepped forward. "It has often been said of our people, by outsiders, that we can teleport. To them, that is not too far from reality. The artifact that you wear around your neck is part of what was once the only statue of Arcturus Jiltak. Since he passed from this earth, and settled in his rightful place among the stars, the souls of dead Guild Masters have been stored in the fragments of his statue. We are those who took up residence in its hand. Now we are here to carry you elsewhere."

Harlin looked at the spirits for a moment, and then realized what Naomi had suggested. "You mean I can teleport?"

Naomi nodded, "There are conditions though. You may only perform this magic in the Shadowfold, and only in times of great need. Now is one of those times. You only need to focus on your destination, and will yourself to be there, and you will be transported."

Harlin started this process, and then halted. "Will the child accompany me?"

Grandor nodded.

Harlin closed his eyes, and envisioned the Jiltak Guild Hall, and will himself to be there. Suddenly, it felt as though hands were pulling him and then he opened his eyes, and he stood in the Shadowfold representation of the Guild Master's Chamber. Several others who were also in the Shadowfold at the time looked startled by his arrival.

Immediately, he grabbed the child and left the Shadowfold, a faint popping sound the only noise to mark their entrance. Shortly there after, several more faint pops sounded as the Jiltakin who had seen his arrival entered the real plane.

Centurus Froms who had been sitting at his desk looked up from a stack of papers and saw Harlin and the young girl, and cocked an eyebrow. "How'd you get here Harlin?"

Harlin pulled out the Jiltak Hand. "This. But that is not important right now. I must leave this girl in your care. Keep her under guard lest she try to escape, and beware the large mercenary who will come to find her. He is a greater threat than you imagine."

Centurus frowned, "Harlin, what danger have you brought upon this house?"

"I can't go into it now! I must return to the battle."

With a pop, he re-entered the Shadowfold, leaving Marlene in the Jiltakin Guild's care. When he was sure of his destination back on the Steam ship, he focused his mind. Picturing the exact spot on deck, he willed himself there and with the same sensation of being gently carried, he suddenly was. With another small pop, he exited the Shadowfold amidst the remnants of battle.

Centurus Froms looked at the girl standing in front of him. "What has he gotten us into?" The question was so quiet that few of the Jiltakin even heard it.

Rothargot roared as the rest of the furniture was torn apart in the room. With a great spring, the demon smashed through the deck, his wings spread out so he caught air. "Cadeyrn...they stole Marlene," he growled as his eyes rested on the steam ship.

Rothargot roared again, the surviving flying demons converging on his location, before all three took off towards the opposition.

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

Sarik smiled at Lorathin. "Nothing really, Azrael," he replied.

Harlin looked at the other boat, and the large black shape looming towards them. "Sorry to ruin your respite guys, but I think I made them mad. They're coming back... with Rothargot. Someone get Kalzog!"

Sarik turned his head. "Harlin! That was..." he slowly followed Harlin's sight and noticed Rothargot's form.

"Blast! Kalzog!" he shouted as he began to search for the ogre.

"Already on it!" came the reply as the ogre was climbing up a ladder.

"Why don't you just shoot the ball out from the cannon?" Sarik asked as he watched the shapes get closer.

"What are you brainless? If I miss the orb is lost forever in the debths of the ocean!" Kalzog growled. He was also testing Sarik for any signs of possesion...

Sarik remained silent for a bit before nodding. "And what if you miss? When the orb comes back...will it suck up this ship?"

Kalzog stopped and rubbed his bald head. "Good question..." he mumbled before continuing to climb.

Soon, the smoking form of the demon was hovering above the cannons. "I will tear this ship apart piece by piece and I shall send your corpses to Valtrox to play with!" he roared as sailors began to scramble for cover or for weapons. Several rifles fired, the bullets only ricocheting off of the demi-god.

The demon opened up his hands and several fireballs blasted into sailors, dissolving them instantly. Rothargot growled as he set foot onto the ship, several sailors rushing to his side, before being grabbed or tossed off the ship.

Rothargot looked at one sailor in the eyes. "Behold my wrath...and the wrath of Valtrox!" he growled as he pushed his large finger into the man's skull, blood gushing out as he drilled the sign of Valtrox into his head.

Surprisingly the man was still living, despite the downpour of blood from his head. Rothargot set the man down, who was screaming in agony, before his eyes bulged when he began to dissolve, leaving nothing but a charred skeleton.

The demon did the same with the other sailors until he took off to the sky again. Constantly launching fireballs at the ship, setting parts of it on fire.

Minos exerted his will, and held the fire at bay, even putting it out in some spots. Meanwhile, he brought the ice ball around and slammed it into Rothargot, hoping to distract him long enough for Kalzog to get a clear shot on him.

During the treacherous attack of the flying demons, Ar'mai had unloosed her arrows on them, though they seemed to have little effect. Many of them could not catch the demons, even with a tracking spell. Most of those that did reach their targets, bounced off harmlessly, and the few that managed to pierce the demons' strong hides, seemed to be ignored.

It was after she had launched a couple hundred arrows - a couple of minutes - that she realized these arrows were futile. It would take something much more powerful and potent to bring down the flying nuisances who were currently decimating the crew of the ship. A few faint words escaped her lips and soon a hot white arrow appeared in her hand. It was radiating a divine sense of power and purity - a bolt from god.

She notched it onto her bow, closed one eye and began tracking one of the flying demons has it made its way from the stern to the bow of the ship. Oblivious to everything else, she was concentrating intently on downing the bastard. Steady... Steady... Steady... she told herself, remembering to be patient. Steady... FIRE!

Her mind commanded her arm to let loose the arrow, her muscle tensed to its extreme.... and then a demon flew through her, slashing her from behind with its massive claws. Her shot went wild, missing the other demon by a hundred feet or more, and the elven priestess was fallen. Her bow clattered against the floor as she became disoriented and dizzy. She stumbled momentarily, blood gushing out from the colossal wound... and then there was darkness.

[ooc: As you know, I will be leaving tomorrow and not returning for 10 days (or so), thus I have decided to knock Ar'mai out and leave her in a pseudo-coma for the duration of my trip.]

Rothargot roared as the ice ball smashed into him. He wrapped his hands around it, melting it completely, before continuing on wrecking havoc on the ship. Sailors were scattering, moral was completely lost as they ran below deck.

Kalzog was hanging off the rope ladder to the crows nest, where he spotted Rothargot handling the ice ball...no he couldn't toss the orb yet...

"Minos, try to get the demon towards the middle of the ship, so if I miss, it only comes right back down!" he shouted as he watched the demi-god.

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

Ixair was trying to get his men back in their places, but to no avail. "Come back here! Do you run like cowards in the heat of battle?" he shouted as they stampeded past him.

Suddenly, he heard a sickening crash, along with a thump on the ground. Ixair turned a corner, his eyes opening wide with horror.

"Ar'mai!" He shouted as he ran to his fellow elf's side. The demon turned around and screeched at him...it had scars along one side of it's appendages...his old nemisis it seemed...

With a shout in his native tongue, he dashed forward, spinning his sword around until it met demon flesh. The beast growled and struck with it's scythe, barely missing Ixair. It would have split him in two, had it not been for his elvish reflexes.

Ixair grunted as he attempted to pull his sword from the demon, but it was stuck to deep in the muscular demon. It thrust both it's dagger like arms at Ixair, skimming his flesh, creating a long red gash along his torso.

I've got to hurry...Ar'mai may already be dead! he thought with worry. He was in a bad spot...no sword, no allies nearby other than one who looked to be near death...and a vicious demon who knew nothing of the word pain.

With a threatening shout, he leapt onto the sword handle, pushing upwards on the creatures bones. With a satisfying crack, Ixair leapt off as the demon writhed and coughed dark red blood that smoked on the deck. Yet it still kept coming.

It charged the elven prince, who sidestepped the beast again, this time pulling out his sword with ease, as there was more space for it to move after he leapt on the hilt.

With a quick spin, Ixair hacked off the top portion of the demon's wings, along with sinking his blade in it's neck.

With a growl, the demon attempted to fly away, only to writh in pain again.

"This is for my ship!" he shouted as he hacked again at the creatures neck...not quite taking off it's head.

Already the demon was healing it's chest wounds.

"This is for my crew!" he shouted again, again hacking at the wound in the neck, which had attempted to heal itself.

"And this is for Ar'mai!" he growled as he put every ounce of his wait behind his sword, hacking off the demon's head.

The headless demon stumbled about, it's limbs thrusting and spinning in each direction in attempt to get one last shot at Ixair. It slowly inched it's way to Ar'mai's body.

"Get away from her!" he growled as he shoved his sword into it's chest and slammed it against the railing. Barely out of the way of it's arms, he kicked the beast, pulling his sword out. The beast flipped over the railing and went underwater with a loud splash.

Immediately, Ixair ran to Ar'mai's side. "Ar'mai! Ar'mai! Can you hear me?" he asked as he tore off his shirt, throwing away the bloodied part and wrapping it around her wound. "Ar'mai, please stay with us!" he cried as he cradled her head.

Where are the healers? Where's Shara? I remember she was a healer

"Shara! Healers! Over here!" he shouted to anyone who could hear him. He was worried the healers would already be busy attempting to save those caught in the demi-gods wrath.

"Ar'mai, let's go find a healer," he whispered, several tears running down his face. He picked her up gently, avoiding the long gash on her back as best he could. He carried her to the nearest safe spot, the captain's quarters. He gently laid her down on her stomach, before running back out of his cabin and searching for someone who could heal.

"Healers! Please help!" he shouted as he picked up his bloody sword. How would his voice carry through when there were most likely others crying for help?

He realized he knew what he could do, even though it seemed somewhat selfish, he had to do it, for the sake of Ar'mai. He ran to the now unmanned wheel and pulled a tube like thing to his face. "Shara, please report to the captain's quarters immediately! First Medic, please do the same!" he shouted into the tube, immediately hearing his voice echo throughout the ship.

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

Inzikai grinned wickedly as he watched their ship slow down and lose its course. "Kill them all..." he whispered to no one in particular. He was beginning to like this day...

"You, again!" Koryl snarled, standing near the mast. "Leave the helpless alone, you coward!"
His right hand went to his belt and came away with a temporary duplicate of the five-spoked metal wheel, which he send buzzing toward Rothargot. Brushing his left hand across a small pendant that hung around his neck, the wanderer prepared to dodge or fight...

Meanwhile, Verton was lashing at the flying demons with fire, lightning, tangle-spells, and anything else he could think of, trying to find a weakness. Boliad and T'zark waited on each ide of the wizard, ready to take on any enemy that approached.

Shara ran hard and fast down the passageways, and finally came to rest outside the captains quarters. Opening the door, she stepped inside, still trying to regain her breath. "Oh my God," was all she could manage when she saw the damage that had been wrought on Ar'mai. She turned to Ixair and asked him, "How well equipped are you for conventional medicine? I fear that my bond with Westera is too weak to accomplish this entire feat of healing."

Still, she rolled up her sleeves and laid her hands over top of the center of the wound. Her mouth moving too fast for it tohave been coherent speech ran through the most powerful prayer that the High Mother had taught her. Instead of the normal slow flow, this time the white light shot out of her hands, and forced its way into the wounds, pulling flesh together and knitting it closed as it went. Shara convulsed with the amount of energy coursing out of her. After several moments, the light stopped leaving a fairly sized gash the only wound left on Ar'mai. With the spell having depleted her energy, Shara collapsed and slammed into the bulkhead.

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

Minos heard Kalzog's request and began pulling on the stone of the sea floor. Soon, large cracking sounds could be heard, and large amounts of bubbles began to rise from a spot fifty yards to port. Suddenly, a giant fist made of black obsidian rose from the depths. Water sheeted off its bulk as it glinted in the light.

Still holding the fires down to a slow burn, Minos swung his other fist in the direction of Rothargot, and the giant obsidian fist followed his action. Gaining incredible speed relative to Minos' fist, the stone rammed Rothargot like a freight train.

Still with a large knot on the back of his skull, a slightly groggy Lorathin saw Ar'mai fall and as he rushed over, something easier said than done considering the ship's condition, he saw the captain dispatch a demon and Shara appear to heal the elf. Arriving after she'd passed out, he prepared to defend the two comatose lasses.

Rothargot roared as he was slammed into the ship, smashing into a room, leaving several unlucky sailors as a bloody pulp. Kalzog immediately leapt onto the deck with a loud thud and smiled at the demi-god, who attempted to get up.

"Well well well, now we see who's about to be killed," laughed the ogre as aimed the ball. He had begun to sweat as he neared the demon and it's infernal heat. "Any last words?"

Rothargot stared at the ogre and smiled, before suddenly falling through the deck, a massive scorch mark around the hole. With screams and shouts, the sailors below deck attacked the demi-god with whatever they had available, but to no use. Rothargot bashed away the few and rammed himself through the neary doorway, out of Kalzog's sight.

With a growl, Kalzog leapt into the bloody room and ran after the demi-god. Listening for the screams of surprised sailors, the high pitched screech his horns made on the ceiling, or even the slamming through the wooden walls...

What Kalzog didn't anticipate, was that the demi-god was setting fire to the walls as well. As the ogre ran into a nearby room, he just missed Rothargot as the demon burst through the deck again.

The ogre looked around, the hallway was on fire, as well as many of the rooms...

"Minos! We need fire control down here!" he shouted, not knowing if Minos could hear him.

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

Ixair frowned as Shara had fallen down and sported a nasty bruise on her forehead. "Oh no, Shara, not you two," he mumbled sadly as he carefully picked up the half-elf and set her next on the captain's chair. He poured some water he had in a nearby glass onto a towel and gently brought it to her head, where the bruise was.

"Two elves with me...I hope-" Suddenly, Lorathin walked into the door, looking slightly disheveled as well.

"Ah, still don't trust me?" he asked as he remembered that Lorathin didn't trust him in the Arena.

"If you're still on your 'Rimoru is evil' kick, then yes, I don't trust you." He replied, "But I didn't come here to quibble but to protect these two."

Minos heard Kalzog's yell, and ran into the room that the demon had crashed into. Jumping down through the hole in the floor, Minos cushioned his landing with a pocket of air. Looking around at the inferno raging through the belly of the ship, he began to quell the flames. Forcing the fire back into embers, as well as bringing water from the bilge up to douse the more persistent spots.

Minos saw the ogre standing a ways down the hall. "If he sets the whole ship on fire, I'm not going to be able to stop it without drowning everyone on board. Try and keep him pinned down!"

Rothargot roared as the rest of the furniture was torn apart in the room. With a great spring, the demon smashed through the deck, his wings spread out so he caught air. "Cadeyrn...they stole Marlene," he growled as his eyes rested on the steam ship.

Cadeyrn's head tilted forward as he gritted his teeth in disgust. Fumes of a sick fire bellowed from his lips while every muscle in his body tense. The world became a white blur as his visions gave way to his blinding rage. The berzerker let loose a roar that quaked the very ship spewing a dark red flame from his mouth. He ran to the back of the boat before sprinting back with almost inhuman speed. Desperately he lept off the bulkhead towards the other ship falling incredibly short, suddenly a pair of fiery wings shot him high into the air where he drew his massive blade and prepared to smash into the attacking ship.

The mad warrior looked like a comet falling from the sky with his giant blade ready to strike whatever was unfortunate enough to be beneath him.

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

Marlene sneered wickedly at the confused guard. "I believe your friend has carried death to this place by bringing me here. My guardian will come for me and slaughter anyone who comes into his path."

Centurus Froms raised an eyebrow at the girl. "I would hope your friend has more sense than that. If he can find us at all, he would be wise not to come barreling in like that. Do you know where you are girl?"

"A graveyard." She snickered. "I know that you kidnap young women, and that is enough for me to conclude that you are all pathetic."

Centurus smiled. "Draw the conclusions that you like, but," he snapped his fingers, and several fully cloaked Jiltakin dropped silently form the ceiling around her, "we are far from pathetic. Your kidnapping is an unfortunate result of events beyond our control. I can only guess why Harlin brought you here, but I'm sure it has something to do with Valtrox. Either way, you will be staying with us for as long as we deem neccessary. You should make yourself comfortable. These men will show you to your room."

After being drained of all her energy using the defensive shield, Karasu crawled back into the nearest room while all the chaos was going on. She was too tired to stand and she just lay on the dirty floor, completely worn out.

Mostly, she feared for her baby. She was feeling isolated. Others were injured worse than she, but her son. A tear fell down her face.

Cadeyrn smashed onto the deck sending large splinters rocketing everywhere. The fiery warrior stood tall wielding his massive blade with a wicked smile.

"Where's Marlene!" His voice boomed scattering embers onto the deck.

------

"Whatever." She huffed before shaking herself away from the guards. "Once my guardians show up you will all pay dearly for taking me away from him."

Damned fools, can you not see I am trying to bring him back to your side.

Eventually, Karasu passed out from the exhuastion.

Teralynn already felt like she was about to explode, what with the intense heat raging inside of her body. Her head was pounding, Inzikai was going to kill her earlier until she had to flirt with him to save her skin, and then he came back to ask for more. She was feeling too sick at that point in time, though, and before much else could happen, the ship was under attack. The vessel rocked hard from the enemy ship's projectiles, causing Tera to tumble back and forth and knock into a variety of objects in the ship.

In short, she was not having a good day, and she was pissed.

When she had finally gotten herself back up without her stomach trying to empty all its contents, Rothargot and Cadeyrn were already on the enemy ship. She stumbled back to the deck and held onto the mast to help keep her balance as she stared angrily through the distance to the steamship coming after them. Her breathing grew heavy and her fingernails dug into the wood she was holding onto.

The heat inside of her intensified. If she was burning up, then so would those that made her already awful day get worse. Her mind spanned the distance between the two vessels, reaching across the rolling waves of the sea and into the thoughts of the people on the pursuing ship. They would start sensing fires all around them to add to the ones Rothargot already created. They could feel the heat, see the flames, smell the burning wood, and hear the crackling of the fire as the whole ship appeared to be consumed.

Rothargot's and Cadeyrn's minds, of course, she left untouched. Not that it mattered, as the both of them seemed to be doing just fine surrounded by fire as it was.

Karasu awoke to the smell of smoke. She was able to stand by this point. She poked her head out the door and saw the ship in flames.

No one was manning the cannons. Well, there would be now... two Karasus for each cannon. All began firing at once baraging the other ship with holes and fire.

Karasu noticed that Rothergart was on the boat. Well, I will give it a try.

She did one transformation jutsu and she was Rimmy in every way. Karasu had heard Rimoru catch herself calling Rothergary "Rothy", so she had a pretty good clue.

The Rimoru ran up to where Rothergart was fighting. "Rothy! What are you doing?!" she called to him, her eyes teary and wide. "Rothy... wh-why? You are hurting my friends... and you are destroying my ship! I don't understand, Rothy?" 'Rimoru' began to sob. "Rothy, I thought... I thought..."

'Rimoru' was dressed as usual, showing all her curves and looking to 'Rothy' like a kicked puppy dog.

Even just a distraction may help Kalzog. Karasu thought.

Meanwhile, the jutsu copies continued firing on the other ship. This ship was not wood, and would last a good long time.

Cadeyrn's body fully engulfed with flames proceeded to slash and hack at everything that moved. The remains of deckhands flew from his path as he stomped his way towards the gallary that was firing on the enemy ship.

"Maaarrrleeeen!" Hr roared cutting his way towards his targets.

A brutal slash skimmed the deck floor aimed at the jutsu copies. If he wasn't in his rampage, the mercenary would have realized that Karasu was still alive.

Cadeyrn smashed onto the deck sending large splinters rocketing everywhere. The fiery warrior stood tall wielding his massive blade with a wicked smile.

"Where's Marlene!" His voice boomed scattering embers onto the deck.

------

"Whatever." She huffed before shaking herself away from the guards. "Once my guardians show up you will all pay dearly for taking me away from him."

Damned fools, can you not see I am trying to bring him back to your side.

Harlin stepped into view, and said to the enraged Cadeyrn. "She's safe."

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

The Jiltakin stepped to Marlene's side, and ushered her out the door, and down numerous passageways. Finally they arrived at a wooden door. Opening it, a sparcely furnished yet comfortable room was revealed. There were no windows in the Jiltakin Fortress, but the rocks of its ceilings emitted a pale daylight glow, like a waning sun. This light was augmented by several torches around the walls that burned without smoke.

After showing Marlene inside, the three Jiltakin stepped out. One walked back up the hall and then disappeared. The other two took places on each side of Marlene's door, but they left the door open.

ooc: No, we don't realize that she's trying to bring him back, we can't read thoughts and we haven't been privy to her actions on board the other ship. So, it seems a little unfair of her to accuse us of being fools doesn't it?

As Cadey slashed the Karasus, she just made more to take their place... like shark's teeth, one falls out and there is another waiting. They continued their barage at the other ship, quite flaming by now.

"Rothy?" 'Rimoru' asked again. "Please don't!"

ooc: Regenius, Marlene doesn't know that either ;)

Rothargot continued his rampage, not caring for the loss of his demon brethren...now he had a fully enraged Cadeyrn at his side...

With a smile he stomped across the deck, fire sprouting where ever he went. It seemed several braver sailors were howling and yelping, calling for fires to be put out around them...even though there were no fires nearby... Teralynn...

Rothargot reared back and belched deadly fire at them, dissolving their flesh from their bones, as well as lighting the ground on fire.

"Rothy," came a painfully familiar voice nearby.

"Rimoru?" he whispered, turning slowly. There she was, dressed as always, her sweet face, her soft lips, gentle curves...Rimoru in all her glory.

"Rimoru..." he whispered as he walked up to her. His wings flared up but settled down..."I...Your...my..."

Rothargot looked about her ship and frowned. "Valtrox...my love...your friends...stand in the..." he trailed off as he continued to watch Rimoru cry. He gently put his arms around her and gave her a slight squeeze before backing away.

He bowed his head in discomfort, before taking off to the sky.

"Cadeyrn! Let's go...we'll finish this later...we'll give them a few days to give us back Marlene...if they don't, it'll all be more painful for them..."

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

Sarik had been battling the remaining demon on board, ramming himself into it, yet not recieving the desired effect. It only back away slightly before slashing at him with it's scythes. Sarik used his sheild to block the blows, before thrusting his blade at the creature, only skimming the beast's skin. With a screech it took off into the sky, along with the fire and smoke form of Rothargot...

Suddenly, the whole ship lit afire...like one big apocolyptic fire...Sarik shouted as he sheathed his sword and searched for the others, in hopes they remained alive.

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

Ixair pulled a small lever near his desk, where water poured into a bucket. He turned off the water and poured it on the incoming flames.

"You don't know her like I do...but I suppose you slept with her, did you not? She has the ability to easily persuade people, and even easier for the male gender..."

"Blast! This whole ship is on fire! It just appeared out of no where! I don't suppose you have a water spell?"

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

Kalzog climbed out of the stairwell, only to find something very strange on the ship...

He scanned the strange sight with interest. He could feel, smell, see, and hear fire all over...yet if he stared or squinted, it was not as catastrophic...

The ogre put a hand to his head and could feel the steady power eminating from the tattoos...Someone is messing with our heads...but how? No fire...or fire all over?

Kalzog searched the ship for the demi-god, only to hear him shout to "Cadeyrn"...

Something about Marlene getting back to them and pain.

"I've missed my chance..." he growled as he watched the demi-god circle around the ship a few times, Rothargot's path jagged, so it was harder to hit him with any projectile...

"I did sleep with her, but not in the sense you mean." He replied, "And I know her pretty well."

Looking around, he began muttering a spell to cause the winds to increase in speed to effectively cause waves to wash over the ship to put out the flames, at least that was the intent.

"I doubt you even know her age," Ixair smirked as he checked up on the two girls. "They both seem alive...however they're both knocked out badly..."

"I did call for another medic, I believe...I wonder where he went?" the elven prince muttered as he continued to attempt to drown out the flames.

As one small patch of flames began to die out, Ixair's eyes fell on someone very familiar...some who he stood against.

"Rimoru? On our ship? Since when?" he wondered out loud as he stared at her on the deck, in the middle of the flames...

"Did you know about her?" he asked as he pointed to the seductive figure in the fire...

A part of Ixair wanted to go save her...yet another part just wanted to leave her to die...she was his enemy, after all...
***********************************************************

Kalzog jumped as he felt water splash on him...the winds were picking up and the water was lapping onto the ship...

The ogre darted to a nearby ladder and climbed up on top of the captain's quarters and watched Rothargot carefully...

Excellent... they are all falling for it. Meanwhile, the many Karasus continued to bombard the other ship with cannonballs. Having so many extra people manning the arms was quite useful. Karasu smiled.

Ixair leapt next to Rimoru, landing nimbly next to her. He was sweating with all the heat that had engulfed the ship. Not to mention, he still did not have a shirt on...

"Rimoru, I don't know how you got here...but I'm not going to allow you to die in this fire," he said as he lifted Karasu-Rimoru up and ran back to the captain's quaters. "Not to mention Azrael may be flooding the ship!"

Even though Ixair disliked Rimoru...he could not help but feel special...or love, as he held who he thought was Rimoru in his arms.

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

"Karasu!" Sarik shouted to whichever Karasu could hear. "Water is getting on the ship! Let's get to high ground lest we get carried off!"

"Good idea Sarik!" Karasu followed him up to a higher area.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

'Rimoru' stayed in the Captain's area for a while. She was not going to blow her cover, in case Rothergart would come around. "I am not in any danger, Ixair. Do not worry about me." 'Rimoru' said.

"I don't even know my own age, so what's that got to do with anything?" He asked the smirking elf. "He could have run afoul of the flames or one of the demons."

"No, and I don't....." Lorathin had been about to say he didn't think that that was Rimoru when Ixair had gone to rescue her. As it was, he remained where he was with Ar'mai and Shara.

Sarik smiled at Karasu as he helped her up. He let his eyes scan the ship as water began pouring on deck. "Well...we seem to have lost the edge we have...we're not as close to Inzikai as we were..."

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

Ixair looked away from Rimoru and opened up his nearby closet, pulling out another shirt. "Yeah, being a goddess, I'm surprised you didn't destroy them..." he mumbled as he went to each of the unconscious elves sides and gently checked to make sure they were still alive.

"I don't even know my own age, so what's that got to do with anything?" He asked the smirking elf. "He could have run afoul of the flames or one of the demons."

"No, and I don't....." Lorathin had been about to say he didn't think that that was Rimoru when Ixair had gone to rescue her. As it was, he remained where he was with Ar'mai and Shara.

Ixair smiled at Lorathin. "Well, if you knew Rimoru, you'd probably know her age....I know that she atleast knows her age in Lustrian years..."

Rothargot's words pierced his frenzy as the fires engulfing him died down. Looking over the dismembered ship he smiled, satisfied that their destructive rampage was enough. The berzerker flipped over the railing before a single powerful flap of his transparent fiery wings carried him back to his ship.

The trading vessel was riddled with holes, but it wasn't on fire. If the good guys couldn't manage to dose the flames they would be sunk in a matter of minutes.

"They'll be able to keep that hunk of crap afloat, but even if they do Rothargot and I will raze it again." Cadeyrn said proudly he had not even remembered that Marlene was captured.

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

Marlene slumped onto the bed with ba disatisfied grunt.

ooc: Don't take it personally, she's just angry she was taken away from Roth and Cade. Not to mention she was never about being fair.

"Indeed..." Rothargot agreed as he set foot on their trading vessel, the remaining demon minion following suit. His mind wandered to Rimoru and Marlene...

Why did you follow them, Rimoru? And where is Marlene? he wondered as he watched their flaming ship.

Suddenly, Inzikai cut into his thoughts.

"They'll keep that piece of junk afloat...trust me...but I know of something that will get rid of them..." Inzikai smiled wickedly as he spread the map out on a nearby table. There were lines drawn on it, their current general area and their destination, the Zlatlan docks...yet in between both locations, was a circled area in the middle of the sea.

"In my childhood and even today, I've, and mostly every other Lustrian individual, heard of a rumor of some sort of sea creature down there...a titan who's gone to the bad side of the gods...yet he was cast into the sea and made into a sea monster."

"I do not recollect any sea monsters..." Rothargot rumbled as he looked into the map.

"Hence the rumor part...but it's enough to keep traders away from that area, despite the fact that it would be simpler and faster if they did use it."

"So we pass it? And what if they follow?"

"As long as they don't board us, we should be fine. And if there's a sea creature...well, we'll see it first hand as it rips apart their ship..." Inzikai grinned.

"Let them board us, they've already shown that they can't overwhelm us with pure force. However, seeing Harlin devoured by a see titan would be more than enough to cheer me up." Cadeyrn grinned leaning on the railing watching their enemy ship ablaze.

"Harlin? Is he the one that stole Marlene?" Rothargot growled as he stared at the enemy ship, slowly being overcome by water... Are they sinking?

"Only if she choose to tell me her age, as it's not polite to ask a woman her name." He replied

Karasu smiled at Sarik... "Well... we could have the advantage, eventually.

"The Rimoru ruse worked well enough... Ixair is suspicious, but he is her enemy, so who cares... It is Rothergart I needed to distract." Karasu explained.

"I think we may reach our destination before them." Karasu looked at Sarik and grinned slyly.

Minos stood on the deck of the ship, and began to put out the fires. The water that Azrael had put onboard was a big help, as he used it to dowse flames. There were still some hot spots raging below decks though, so he took that fire and formed it into a fireball, before launching it at the other ship.

"I assume he took her, he told me she was safe as I came out of my fury." Cadeyrn said to Rothargot while admiring the flaming ship.

"Sarik? It does not appear that we are sinking, but their shitty wooden ship fucked us up good. We will never get there before them." Karasu looked up and told him. His eyes still entranced her. She still had feelings for him, despite everything that happened.

"Do you have any ideas? Perhaps take the map, which I memorized, and have us stake out the stone alters?" She asked.

"Will we have a difficult time getting in Inzi's city? I know, sounds like a dumb query, but there may be ways around it." Karasu stated.

Given the size of the waves needed to splash the deck of the ship to douse Teralynn's fires, Lorathin was doing a better job at crippling his own ship than she was. No doubt his immense waves would toss the vessel about and wreak havoc on the ship, and even flood the lower decks to help it start sinking.

Tera let the water extinguish her fires, leaving only a few stubborn ones around to let the mage continue crippling his own ship with waves before letting the last of it fizzle out.

She slumped down to her knees from this recent exertion, as she was already putting much of her energy into fighting the pain raging in her, but not before seeing the ball of fire coming toward her direction.

"Rothargot!" she shouted, certain that the demi-god would have no problems in handling his own elemental powers.

As the flames fizzled out, Lorathin dropped the wind back to the gentle breeze it had been before he began messing with them. He watched the fireball arc out at the ship they were chasing, wondering how effective it would be.

"Not their ship, Karasu...but they did...next time we have to be bette prepared," Sarik whispered, as she noticed her looking into his eyes. He smiled weakly before turning away.

We still feel for each other... he thought to himself as he watched the other ship escape.

"No, Karasu. I hope we do not have to get to Zlatlan...we must get on board their ship and defeat them there...the book must not get to Zlatlan," he said quietly. Absent-mindedly, Sarik slowly moved his hand around Karasu's slender waist and gently pulled her closer to him as they watched the fireball approach Inzikai's vessel.

"How are you feeling? In regardes to your pregnancy and otherwise," he asked quietly, not taking his eyes off the enemy ship.

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

Rothargot watched as the fireball approached, before it just dissapated in the air with little affect on the ship. Then, Rothargot turned around and gently scooped up Teralynn, as he had with Marlene and walked down the steps, past Marlene's destroyed room, to another room. "I noticed your handiwork on the sailors," he said with a small smile.

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

"Well...I certainly did not anticipate attacks from demons and demi-gods," Ixair muttered as he brought another damp towel to Shara's forehead and checking up on Ar'mai, constantly checking her breath and her pulse.

Inzikai smiled as he heard that Marlene was stolen...by Harlin...Excellent...Cadeyrn will show his true rage everytime he meets the others in battle...and then...they'll die! he thought gleefully as he ordered a demon to take the helm.

"Cadeyrn...I'm sorry..." he said quietly, in regards to Marlene. "We'll get her back soon..."

"Now I know I made the right decision by join you. They made the same mistake as Beau, and they will suffer the same consequence!" He growled watching the enemy ship slowly extinquish itself.

No one takes her from me, not after all I've suffered to protect her. I won't let anyone keep me away from her, no one.

The veins in his fist clenching the blade stuck out threateningly as he could still feel his internal rage boiling.

Lorathin walked over to Minos and Harlin, "So what did you do to piss Cadeyrn off?"

The heat in Teralynn was continuing to build up, causing her flesh to become more red and small droplets of sweat to form on her forehead. Rothargot's body heat was not helping much either, but she was in no position to do much about it. "I could have...done more...if it were not for this blasted-"

Her sentence was interrupted as she screamed out in pain. Three bulbs began pushing out the top of her head, stopping after they had grown an inch or so. Her pupils looked as if they were being consumed by fire, but that died off as well. The pain was intense, and all she could do once it stopped was shake uncontrollably.

Tera thought she heard Valtrox's voice, but she was having trouble concentrating on anything at the moment. She thought the process was supposed to go slower than this, that the pain would be more spread out throughout it. But perhaps her attempts at controlling the fire had sped up the process, or perhaps Valtrox himself was speeding up the process. Either way, the pain she felt before was child's play compared to what she went through now.

"Relax, Tera..." Rothargot said as he quickly lay her on the bed. He looked in the nearby drawer and pulled out some sailor clothes. He opened the window and let the clothes drop slowly, picking up the cool sea water, before bringing it to Teralynn's scalding body.

In Tera's eyes, the large form of Valtrox appeared next on the far side of the room.

"Boo," came his incredibly deep voice as his yellow eyes stared at Teralynn. Rothargot didn't seem to notice his master.

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

"If you want, Cadeyrn, I'm sure Valtrox will let you torture Harlin as much as you want, once the mighty one rises from the underworld..." smiled Inzikai.

Tera gasped very slightly and froze in place, her eyes large and staring unblinkingly at the image of the dragon.

"My Lord Valtrox," she managed to utter as she tried to sit up and do a bow from her bed. Everything else in the room went unnoticed by her, including Rothargot.

Rothargot searched around the room for Valtrox as Teralynn claimed to be seeing him. "Tera, settle back down," Rothargot said quietly as he gently pushed her back down on the bed.

Silence, mortal...only you can see me...and that is because I am gracing you with my presence. Speak to me with your mind, Valtrox replied as he shifted slightly, getting up, and walking with all fours to Teralynn's side.

How is 'Inzikai's gift'? he asked with an amused expression.

Hmm, maybe Valtrox was a little more all-knowing than Teralynn had thought. Crap.

Forgive me, my lord, she thought to the dragon while Rothargot pushed her back down on the bed. He probably thought she was delusional, but at the moment, she did not care.

It is...good. She did not want to appear weak, but then seeing as how Valtrox was able to know things... Painful, but I can handle it. You will not regret having me as your servant.

Have I regreted so far? Valtrox asked as his long tail wrapped itself around Rothargot, who didn't seem to notice at all. Then, as the demi-god moved, Valtrox's tail unwrapped itself and continued on it's own like it had it's own mind.

Ah...excellent...I have heard your moans and groans...so I decided to speed it up. You wish to ursurp Inzikai, do you not? Valtrox continued as he rested his chin next to Teralynn. Or do you truly wish to be Inzikai's queen? Your thoughts are truly...insidious and I wish to learn more.

Teralynn was still sweating profusely, but she took little notice of it while talking to Valtrox. She was just asked a dangerous question, and she would have to proceed carefully.

I will do your will, whatever it may be. That includes usurping Inzikai, or being his queen, or anything else you wish of me. Personally, my lord, I believe I can be more effective than Inzikai is in fulfilling your wishes. Forgive me for saying this, Lord Valtrox, for you have chosen a powerful servant in Inzikai, but in the short time that I have known him, he has shown himself to be easily distracted by certain things...certain...people.

I know all this, Valtrox growled, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He was once betrothed to Rimoru, I'm sure you've heard. And your recent 'show' did not help end his thoughts for her...

But do not worry...Inzikai will not lead the Cult after I am risen...that is the reasoning of my question. he smiled widely. And you have answered...

Teralynn, you've shown quite a large amount of endurance...I'll admit to enjoying the sensation of making your pain...stronger than others...but I am creating someone to be ready once Inzikai is dispatched. He who dispatches Inzikai is powerful and well known...

The Patriarch, the Soldier of Light, the Angel...whatever you may call him, Valtrox continued as he created a lifesize image of the Patriarch out of fire. You know he has thwarted several attempts of mine to escape from the underworld?

His swordsmanship is unmatched, his devotion knows no limits...Rimoru may be a god to mortals, but the Patriarch has to be like a demi-god...I know Zavers was attached to him...

Teralynn, Inzikai will no doubt battle the Patriarch. And he will lose. I was going to make sure that didn't happen, until you came along. You will rule the mortal plane, Teralynn, as I rule the heavens. The Patriarch will die under me...but you must make sure he does not interfere with the portal. Valtrox said as he examined Teralynn's features, his eyes lingering on the growing nubs on her head.

"Harlin won't live long enough to see Valtrox rise." Cadeyrn growled as the leather off his sword hilt squeeled under the pressure of his mighty grip.

"I hope not...but that doesn't mean Valtrox couldn't raise him from the dead," Inzikai replied, his smile getting wider.

"Cadeyrn, tell me...how far does this cannon arm of yours shoot?"

When Sarik put his arm around her, Karasu instinctively leaned in to him.

"I am having some 'all-day' sickness," she chuckled, "some vomiting, but not too bad. Being worn out by that barrier was far more devistating to me than the sickness." Karasu added.

"How do we get on their ship Sarik? They will have us in flames before we get near them." She asked them.

I wish I could just transform and land on them, sink them, leave them and the book in Davey Jones Locker. She mused, and chuckled.

"Good catch," Sarik mumbled as he took off his helmet with his freehand. He couldn't help but feel comfortable with Karasu next to him like this...in a way he envied Relthor...who disappeared without a trace.

"Karasu...what happened to Relthor?" he asked quietly as he gently stroked her side.

"Relthor left to find his mate. She comes first, of course. So I will be raising my son alone." Karasu looked down, feeling miserable... that the future was going to be very lonly. A tear ran down her face, but she quickly wiped it away.

"You see, Relthor does not know if his mate is alive or dead and cannot seem to find her." Karasu looked up at Sarik and gave him a phoney 'Everything is OK', smile.

"I have my villiages and my clan..."

"Karasu, if you are left alone, I'm sure the Patriarch will help you care for your child. He would make a grand teacher!" Sarik replied. "I'm sure he'd be more than willing to help out an old friend and lover."

"And even if the Patriarch couldn't take you or your child in, Ikara and I may be able to...Ikara loves company, and would love to meet you, considering you two are alike in many ways!"

"I would not want to stay with the Patriarch. We disagree on so much." Karasu explained.

"However, you are really inviting me to stay with you and your wife?!" Her eyes lit up and she hugged him. "Thank you Sarik, as long as it is OK with Ikara. I could take you both, and any children, to my mansion on the cliff overlooking the ocean. You would love it." Not thinking, she kissed Sarik on the cheek. "Thank you, you are too kind."

Yes, I still have feelings that are more than friendly for Sarik... but they will go away. Karasu thought. The idea that they would 'go away' was actually ridiculous, but she would not let herself thing that.

Sarik closed his eyes as he felt her soft lips kiss his cheek. Oh how he would love to show her his true feelings for her...But he had to remain strict and in control of his now wild emotions.

"What can I say? I would hate to see you trying to care for a child alone, should Relthor not be able to remain with you," Sarik replied with a wide smile. How can I resist your beauty? Your charm?

He turned to her and closed his eyes as he nuzzled her neck gently.

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

Kalzog was grumbling as he watched the water seep below deck or off the sides. With nothing more to do then wait for the water to leave, he looked around for any more demons.

No demons...just two lovebirds...Sarik and Karasu.

It was not hard for Kalzog to know Sarik's continual resistance to Karasu, but he also, surprisingly, understood how someone could easily succomb to one as good looking at Karasu.

"Oh thank you Sarik! That is so kind of you." Karasu said sweetly.

When he nuzzled against her, she felt feelings that were very difficult to hold back, but she managed. All she wanted to do was kiss him passionately, and she did her best to get that idea out of her mind, however, she could not control her increased speed of breathing.

Sarik pulled away and gave her a warm smile before giving her a passionate kiss. Just one...don't want this to escalate out of hand he thought as he felt her full lips against his. With the kiss however, he couldn't help but press against her...he couldn't stop as felt himself melt to her...

Suddenly, a strong hand pulled him away. "That's enough, you two," Kalzog said gruffly, giving both a frown.

After he'd gotten Minos's or Harlin's answer, Lorathin looked around and caught sight of Sarik and Karasu on what appeared to be the verge of making out, and Kalzog watching them.

With a stretch, he headed down to find something to eat and a place to nap.

Karasu was burning for Sarik, and when he kissed her, her she kissed him back with all the passion she had, pressing up against him, moaning quietly.

Then Kalzog tore them apart. Karasu looked at Kalzog. What is his interest in constantly tearing us apart? He is always doing this? It makes no sense.

"Kalzog... what is? I do not understand." She stated as he kept acting like their chaparone. Granted, what her and Sarik were doing was illicit, but why is Kalzog so interested?

With a roast beef sandwich in hand, Lorathin wandered back up to find Karasu, so he could ask for more of that stuff before going to take a nap.

"Karasu, could I ask you for a favour?" He asked as he noticed she seemed to be glaring at Kalzog.

"Sure Azrael, what is it?" Karasu replied. Nap related, I am sure.

"Could I get some more of that ointment?" He asked

"Sure. You know it is just baking soda and water..." Karasu informed him. She promptly made a jutsu copy to accompany Lorathin to the kitchen and make his sunburn remedy.

"Ready to go Azrael?" 'Karasu' asked?

"It may be, but I don't know how to make it." He replied, "And let us be off then."

Once away, he commented, "Rimoru?"

"Transformation jutsu." 'Karasu' replied. "It is the transformation into the form of any other being. We thought it may distract Rothergart, and it did seem to work." She smiled at Azrael. "You know something is going on between the two of them, do you not?" 'Karasu' asked.

"Yes, and I have reason to believe Kalzog's grudge-mate is also a future father." He commented

"What are you saying?" 'Karasu' asked.

"OH! I see... the father of her baby... is Rothergart? No wonder she was so elusive about it." 'Karasu' replied. "This does make things difficult, does it not?"

"What are you saying?" 'Karasu' asked.
"You did know that Rimoru is in the same state as you are, didn't you?" He asked, "Well I have reason to believe that state happened in much the same manner for Rimoru and Rothergart as for you and Relthor."

He paused for a moment, "It'll be interesting to see a half-dragon hybrid." He commented

ooc: Blast, three of your characters have names starting with R, why?

Lorathin walked over to Minos and Harlin, "So what did you do to piss Cadeyrn off?"

Harlin looked at Lorathin, and said "I kidnapped Marlene. She's in Fandar with my Guild right now..."

"I am aware of her condition. We spoke of how we were both pregnant." Karasu told Azrael. "She only told me I did not know the father. I am sure she was afraid to tell me that it was our enemy." Karasu sighed.

"That still does not explain why Kalzog keeps getting in my face."

Lorathin had nodded in response to Harlin before departing.


"Technically she both did and did not lie. Technically it isn't Rothergart." He replied, "As to why, can you really not think why?"

"Also please don't mention this to anyone else." He asked

"It was Rothergart... she had been calling him 'Rothy' for a long time." Karasu remarked.

"And what business is it of Kalzogs what happens between any others? Why would he care?" she asked.

"It was not Rothergart, at least not the one you know, and please just leave it at that." He replied, "Well there's the fact that Sarik is engaged, and an affair might have psychological reprecussions, but the other reason, it's not my place to mention."

He was guessing at the last reason, but was pretty certain he was correct in thinking Kalzog had a wee bit of a crush on Karasu.

"I am sure Rimmy did something to Rothergart, but it was still him." 'Karasu' responded.

"I do understand that Sarik is engaged... but you know, this sort of thing is against my principles as well. The problem is the situation we are all thrown in. It is almost impossible to avoid bonding with people." She said.

"And what is the second reason Azrael?"

"For my second reason, either ask Kalzog or figure it out yourself." He replied, "Bond yes, have an affair with, no." He added as they arrived at the kitchen.

"But you see Azrael, I have fallen in love with more than one... not just some physical thing, but true caring. I know it is wrong. You do not have to tell me that." 'Karasu' began mixing up the soda and cold water.

"It is unlike me to behave this way, but I have very real feelings for Sarik. I care about him so much. I shall try to think of his fiance any time I feel things are getting out of hand." She told Azrael.

"As far as Kalzog is concerned, I cannot figure it out and I am certainly not going to ask him. He is always so grouchy. I do not know what to expect, but he seems so angry. I do not want to make him any more angry." 'Karasu' explained to Lorathin.

"Shall we go to your room and I can paint this on for you?"

"I can understand you falling in love, thought only from an analytical stand-point." He replied as he took a seat while Karasu brewed her cure.

"You just have to remember it is not only Sarik and yourself that would be effected by a liason between you two."

"As to the reason concerning Kalzog, he's not grouchy, just unsociable if you don't know how to approach him, and while I know it would be easier to tell you, it is not my place to tell." He replied, "But that sounds like a good idea." He added as he stood and prepared to head to his room.

"Do you not think I know that Sarik's fiance would be hurt?! I feel guilty enough!" 'Karasu' yelled at Azrael.

"Here's your slop! Put it on yourself!" She screamed as she stomped out of the room then disappeared.

Lorathin blinked at Karasu's outburst, he hadn't been thinking of Sarik's fiancee when he'd mention she'd be hurting other, but rather Relthor and possibly Kalzog. He quickly headed to the door, but saw that she'd vanished, making explaining impossible till he found her.

Setting the bowl down, he headed to where he'd last seen Karasu.

"I am keeping you both safe, that's what I'm doing," Kalzog replied with a grunt as he began to drag Sarik to the ladder.

"Wait, wait, Kalzog...how?" Sarik asked as he tried to gain some footing.

"You may have gotten rid of Habdebza, but you have not gotten rid of your temptations," Kalzog replied. "Now come with me...I have something important to tell you."

"What? Where? Wh-wait wait...I can take care of myself," Sarik replied, feeling very much a child with a school crush being scolded for being to hasty.

"But it's apparant you cannot take care of others," Kalzog growled. "Now get down there..."

Sarik looked at Kalzog for a long while.

Kalzog only stared back, searching his eyes for any changes...

"Kalzog, I-"

"Get down there now...Important information," he reminded the paladin. "Boy talk, Karasu," he added with a nod towards the woman.

Sarik looked sadly at Karasu, giving her a face that seemed to say "I'm sorry." Then, he walked down the ladder slowly, Kalzog jumping after and landing with a thud.

"So...what is this talk?" Sarik asked as they walked through the halls, passing through sailors mopping blood stains or replacing burned wood, or even carrying corpses above deck. It smelled horrid...like death...

"This talk is about you, Sarik. And you must listen to everything I tell you," Kalzog said urgently as he opened the door to his room, which remained, save for a few scorches and wet objects, untouched.

"What about me? What don't you know about me that I don't?" Sarik asked in an annoyed voice.

"More than you can imagine," Kalzog replied creepily, his eyes a bright red in the dimly lit room. "And I am bound to not tell you...a bond I cannot break, no matter the costs."

The ogre looked around then got closer to Sarik. "Heed my words, Sarik. Temptation will lead you to a path that I chose long ago...that I regret ever having...temptation made me into what I am now. A cold blooded killer..."

"Kalzog, Karasu's a close friend-"

"I don't care!" Kalzog shouted. "If you succomb to any temptation at all...ugh...I wish...I wish I could just tell you." The ogre was clearly frustrated as he made a fist and made to smash through the wall, but decided against it.

Sarik watched with interest, before his eyes narrowed. "Are you jealous?"

Kalzog gave the paladin a cold stare, one that could burn the hearts out of many. "In more ways than one..." he growled.

"Are you in love with Karasu?" Sarik asked curiously, leaning back on Kalzog's flattened bed.

"No...when I was...created...I was denied the feeling of love. That's why I killed my parents...my friends...I didn't care..." Kalzog said quietly, his large hands on his head, nervously rubbing his tattoos, along with the three scabs.

"A servant of Valtrox?"

"Another time, Sarik this is about you..."

"Kalzog, Karasu and I are only being playful...clearly you-"

"You will both be hurt. You will hurt her feelings when you return to your fiance. If you turn from your fiance, then she'd be hurt-"

"And if Ikara doesn't know about it?"

"Then you're no holy warrior..." Kalzog growled, his eyes clearly showing signs of a challenge.

"There's nothing you can do about it, Kalzog. I have already offered a sort of joining of our families, and we shall live with each other. And you won't be there to pull us apart," Sarik replied before he stomped out of Kalzog's room.

Kalzog sighed, as he sat down on his bed. His body wracked with pain.If only I could tell... He shook his head slowly as a sense of failure came over him...along with terrible memories.

"If it had enough range to hit their ship I would have been using it long ago." Cadeyrn growled as an empty pit filled his stomach. "They're going to hurt for taking Marlene from me: I'll bend Harlin in half treasuring ever crack before the final snap lets his small frame give way. Karasu will know the feeling of watching Rimoru devour an explosive before herself being dismembered and tossed into the ocean."

Lurching forward he fell to a knee using his sword for balance.

"Now I see exactly why this world needs to be purged, lest those disgraceful cowards continue to breed and spread their moronic ideology." The berzerker said crushing the wooden railing with his hand.

Minos laughed. His eyes glowed their familiar brilliant white showing that he was using his powers. "I wish you could hear this... Cadeyrn is talking about how justified it is for him to set up a new world order with a totalitarian fire god as the ruler."

Harlin looked at Minos for a second and then said, "You can hear their converstions?"

Minos nodded. "Aye, I can here anything on the air.

"It's odd that Cadeyrn sees a world under the rule of Valtrox and the Cult as preferable to the world we live in now. How can he imagine Marlene having a bright future in that world. To sacrifice her future so that he might have more time on this earth with her... that is truly selfish."

Harlin nodded, before pulling out his pipe, and packing it with diced kinga root. He turned to Minos and asked quietly, "Can I get a light?"

Minos moved his finger a little, and a small flame lit the root on fire, and soon Harlin was puffing out small clouds of the sweet, aromatic smoke. "I really don't understand him Minos. I told him the Guild could protect her... and now they will. Maybe they'll even teach her, and adopt her as one of our own. I'm not really sure how she'd take that though."

Minos toyed with the floating smoke, making it into small patterns and designs. "I don't know either Harlin... We can only hope that Cadeyrn comes to his senses, and realizes that nothing that Valtrox gives him comes without a price."

~~Back during the fight~~
T'zark took off his black cloak and began using it to try to smother the flames. Of Crimsonscale make, the cloth did not burn easily. Verton and Boliad did what they could to help get the ship back in order.

Koryl smacked his fist angrily into his palm. Again, the wretched demon had gotten away - and this time, he hadn't seemed to affect it in the slightest. This was becoming a definate nuisance.

~~Now~~
All four of the adventurers from Dar-Kavryn had found cabins and gone to sleep. The long journey, followed by this struggle, had left them quite tired.

Karasu stood looking at Kalzog and Sarik as they left. Something is wrong and it is not only that Kalzog wants Sarik to stay away from me. There is some reason other than honor. She surmised.

She decided she would go and talk to them. She wanted to know what was going on, as she knew it concerned her. It was not right to keep her out of it.

Karasu reached Kalzog's room where Sarik and Kalzog were arguing.

"Listen to me!" Karasu got their attention. "Obviously this involves me and something more. I feel I have a right to know." She turned to Kalzog.

"Azrael said to ask you why it is you keep interfering. I understand that if anything were to go any further, it would be wrong, however, sometimes people have feelings... they just do. I would not do anything to hurt Sarik's fiance', however, there is a hell of a lot more to this, isn't there Kalzog?"

Karasu stood there, arms crossed, tapping her foot, glaring at him. "I demand to know what is going on. And why do I think it has to do with evil somehow. I am not evil. Sarik is not evil. You constantly keep interrupting us no matter what we are doing. I think I have the right to know why, and so does Sarik.

"Kalzog, we have always gotten along. You have cheered me up many a time when I was very down, and I like having you around. Please tell us what is going on, because it is strange."

Karasu glared at Kalzog waiting for an answer.

Lorathin shrugged when he was unable to spot Karasu. Heading back to his room, he applied her concotion and took a nap.

"You're right, Sarik is not evil. Neither are you, for the most part. But if Sarik falls to temptation he has a large chance of becoming evil. And that is all I will say," Kalzog growled, pushing Karasu out and shutting his door.

Sarik noticed Karasu standing by Kalzog's door and smiled. "Karasu! There you are!" he laughed as he walked to her. He had taken off his armor and was in his white robes again.

"If it had enough range to hit their ship I would have been using it long ago." Cadeyrn growled as an empty pit filled his stomach. "They're going to hurt for taking Marlene from me: I'll bend Harlin in half treasuring ever crack before the final snap lets his small frame give way. Karasu will know the feeling of watching Rimoru devour an explosive before herself being dismembered and tossed into the ocean."

Lurching forward he fell to a knee using his sword for balance.

"Now I see exactly why this world needs to be purged, lest those disgraceful cowards continue to breed and spread their moronic ideology." The berzerker said crushing the wooden railing with his hand.


"I thought you killed Karasu," Inzikai said with a raised eyebrow.

"No matter...I want to take care of her myself...chain her up for eternal torment," Inzikai said with a broad smile.

"Hi Sarik... just hang on a minute!" Karasu started pounding on Kalzog's door... "What the fuck do you mean I'm not evil for the most part?"

She banged on his door harder. "You shove me out the door... physically shove me, after implying I am in some way evil? Why would... ? Sarik is here too... Please tell us why. I will not do what you asked me not to do. I know it is wrong. But he is my very good friend. My comrade here. The one I can talk to about anything. It is not as if you give a shit what my problems are!" Karasu started to cry...

"You just have not explained the why of the matter! And why am I EVIL Kalzog! I know you have been through shit, and you know more, and how can someone heed your advice when you give no reason!!! Come out here and tell us! And quit shoving me around! It is not like I am big like you are. Why are you so mean to me? I thought you were my... friend." Karasu was sobbing.

Sarik was likely wondering what was going on.

"Kalzog! Answer me! I am not just what you see here as you are not what I see there. We must talk... Why would you call me... evil?" She sobbed again at the thought.

"Sarik, Kalzog says I am slightly evil!" She cried. I want answers!

"For one thing, your language is not so lady-like," Kalzog grinned behind the door. "For another, you are tempting him."

"And your right, I care not for anyone else's feelings but mine," came the response from behind the door."

"And the reasons are for me to know. I am bound by oath and magic not to tell them."

When Karasu said she thought he was her friend, Kalzog's hard features softened just a bit. He sighed and rubbed his face. "I don't have any friends," he growled. "Now go away..."

Sarik furrowed his scaled brows, before putting his arms around Karasu, and pulling her to him. "Now now, Karasu...Kalzog is just a grumpy ol' ogre who's gotten sea sick...let's just leave him to his cryptic messages," Sarik said quietly as he wiped away her tears.

"I am not tempting him. I am his friend. Like I thought you were my friend. I hoped some day you and I could chat together." Karasu said through her tears.

"Kalzog, if you care about no one else's feelings, then why are you interefering as you are. You lie. You have feelings too!" She retorted.

"Let us go Sarik. He gave me information, however no reason. And he is mean to me. I always liked him. He always put me in a good mood." Karasu said to Sarik while still outside the door. "I want to be his friend, despite what he says." She still had tears running down her face.

"Don't worry Karasu...he must've eaten something bad," Sarik whispered. "Come on, let's leave these things behind us..." he said quietly, giving her a small peck on the forehead, while wiping away her new wave of tears.

He slowly guided her to his room, which was surprisingly untouched. Not even a scorch mark.

The Paladin gently picked up Karasu and laid her on the bed. "Rest, Karasu...you are probably tired..."

Sarik sat himself on the chair Karasu was in earlier, and picked up one of the books he got from the Library.

"Sarik, he said I was slightly evil... I-I I do not understand and he will not explain. He did say if we were ever intimate that you would become an evil being, however he did not explain why." Karasu continued. "I cannot stand not knowing! I think I am going to go and bother Kalzog again. I want to know why I am slightly evil!" Karasu jumped up, determined to find out what was going on.

"I think he was only joking, Karasu," Sarik replied, standing up slowly. "Relax...I don't know how being intimate would make me evil," Sarik laughed.

"I've been intimate before...and I never got any more or less evil than I am today!" He put his hands on Karasu's shoulders and looked into her beautiful eyes.

"Just relax, Karasu, you've had a hectic day...it's not good for your child," Sarik said softly, moving his hand to gently stroke her cheek.

"I know he was serious, Sarik. He knows something we do not." Karasu replied, a bit frightened. "You are right. I should lie down. I have to think of my son. I am currently thinking up names for him. I know it will not be Kalzog!" She chuckled.

Karasu lied down on the bed and took off her weapons and boots, as well as her gloves. She lied down on the bed. "Thank you for letting me rest here. Your room is not messed up. I bet mine is. Thankfully I put my bag with my other clothing on a high shelf." She looked at Sark. "Thank you for being such a wonderful friend. I am truly grateful." She smiled.

"And I'm grateful to have a friend like you, Karasu. You have been kind, compassionate, and caring to me. I feel that I should atleast let you rest in here," he replied with a small chuckle. He couldn't help but fall in love with her. And the way she was laying down didn't help...

"Well, I'll help you think of names..."

"How about your best friend Inzikai?" he teased

"Well, Sarik, Inzikai was first on my list of names! How did you guess?!" Karasu laughed.

It was so nice to have a friend like Sarik, however, she felt more than friendship, yet she was terrified at what Kalzog said. She was truly afraid.

"So what book to you have there, Sarik?"

I will, my lord, Teralynn promised. He will never get near it. But perhaps I can be even more effective if I understood how the portal functions, that I may better ruse him?

Ruling the mortal plane... She was determined to allow nothing to interfere with the return of Valtrox and her just rewards. Nothing whatsoever.

***

Maverion felt like he was falling...falling down a dark, unending pit. There was nothing he could do about it; he was completely helpless in his state. He tried to use his powers, but it was as if they no longer functioned. All that he could do was fall...deeper...farther...colder...

Mave awoke with a startle. He looked around, and found himself alone and in the medical ward of Rimoru's palace once again. Images, voices, words; all sorts of memories began flooded back into his mind again.

He opened his mouth to take in a deep breath and found that his lips were parched and starting to crack. Then he noticed that his stomach felt strange as well. A sensation like...hunger, yes, that must have been it. He was hungry. Sitting up in bed, Mave then tried to get off of it and stand, only to have his knees buckle, sending him to the floor.

Grabbing onto the bed, he slowly got himself back on his feet. Using tables and walls as support, he gradually made his way into the hallway in hopes of finding the kitchen, or at least someone who could tell him the way.

Sarik closed the book and read the cover to himself, with a rather bored look. "Lullabye's for Karasu," he smiled, glancing at Karasu after the answer.

Sarik could feel himself desiring Karasu again...but he felt surprisingly concerned. His eyes fell from hers, falling to her full lips...he just wanted to kiss her passionately again...finish what began on above...

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

Opening the portal is not an easy task, Teralynn. It requires several powerful spellcasters...and the knowledge of reading the Valtroxian tongue... Valtrox's image spoke as his neck rose over Teralynn's head, as his claws began prodding her head. This language requires more than the time we have...the ritual cannot be done by you. It requires the use of Rothargot, Inzikai, and possibly Habdebza...

But once this portal opens, make sure it does not close...I will be the one that closes it. If it closes too early, then it will suck as much as it can, before it closes...

There is also the key that is needed to begin to spell...but do not worry about it...We already have it...

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

Rimoru was alone, in the lobby, warming up to the fire. Signs of a faint bulge on her abdomen.

"Mavey? You're up! Here, let me help you!" she smiled, as she slowly got up and walked to her, gently placing her arms around Maverion, holding him up.

Karasu rolled on her side and smiled at Sarik. She still hungered for him. It was as if it was boiling through her veins. Why is everything so complicated? she thought wanly.

"If you want me to get out of your bed, I will. I cannot let you sleep in that chair, Sarik. Just say the word." She grinned. "I know there has to be somewhere else to sleep on this tub." Karasu smiled. "I do not want to put you out, and you need your rest as well Sarik. Aside from that, I do not want to sleep in leather." She laughed. She already had another Karasu coming in the door with her bag.

"How is the room?" Karasu asked 'Karasu'. Then she looked at her clothes. She was soaked knee deep. "Never mind." Karasu said and the jutsu disappeared.

"Maybe on the roof under the stars somewhere with a dry blanket or something?" Karasu mused aloud. "Besides I kind of feel like singing, and when I do, I like to do it outside. I need to change as well." Karasu added.

"Please take your bed back, Sarik, you need your rest." She looked into his eyes and smiled. She definitely felt the same about him...

Sarik answered Karasu's smile with a warm grin. He could feel his yearning for her. The way she now laid herself across the bed was even more seductive and Sarik was indeed barely resisting the urge to go to her...

"Karasu, don't worry...I've slept in worse conditions before," chuckled Sarik. "Please, keep the bed. My treat." Sarik continued to smile at Karasu, each second becoming longer as his desire grew.

As the other Karasu came in, Sarik laughed as he noticed her legs wet from the knees down.

"Oh, under the stars...that would be pretty," Sarik smiled. "And if you need clothes, feel free to take one of my extra robes. They are quite comfortable and made with a smooth, soft, yet strong material."

He got up from the chair and knelt next to Karasu and brought his robe sleeve to her face and gently rubbed it against her cheek.

Harlin was patrolling the ship, and heard Sarik and Karasu's voices coming from Sarik's cabin. Poking his head in, he laughed and said, "Keep it classy you two!"

"Harlin, you are silly!" Karasu laughed.

"Actually Sarik, a robe would be nice... What I have to sleep in is not really appropriate here. Thank you. It is soft." She smiled at him.

"Are you sure you do not want the bed Sarik?"

ooc: Karasu...transformed to Aeschia! ;)

Sarik chuckled at Harlin. "We haven't done anything!" he laughed as he stood up slowly.

"I am certain, Karasu. I could sleep on a bed of rocks, for all I care," he replied as he pulled another robe from a small pack by his armor. He walked back and knelt back down to Karasu, at eye level. "It may be a little big, but I think it will stay on."

"Harlin, why aren't you asleep? You've done quite a lot as well, going on the enemy ship and all that..."

ooc: Changing into other RP chars is another jutsu power. :p

"Thank you Sarik." Karasu replied when he handed her the robe.

To Harlin and Sarik she asked, "Could you two be gentlemen and turn around until I am changed please?" She knew they would.

Karasu changed into the rather large, but comfortable robe. "OK, I'm dressed, you can turn around... and no comments on my fashion sense or sizing issues!" She chuckled. "I get enough crap about my size!" She said looking at Sarik, referring to her dragon form.

"Thank you so much. So what is going on Harlin?" Karasu asked as she got back into bed.

Harlin shrugged, "I'm running a buzz from kinga root. I'm a little wired. I should probably go try and sleep though... I have to say though, I'm surprised by your modesty, Karasu."

"Ahh... Harlin the junkie!" She grinned at him and winked. "Perhaps walk it off and then try to sleep." Karasu suggested.

She felt dumpy in the huge robe. She could not help but look at it and laugh.

Harlin shrugged again, "They say that it's not addictive, but I like the flavor and it certainly makes you more alert... Would you guys like some?"

As Karasu dressed, Sarik wanted to take just a little peek, but was able to resist.

As he turned around he chuckled slightly as his robe was quite large for her. The neck whole occasionally shifted over one of her shoulders, do to the imbalance of the robe's weight. The sleeves were passed her hands, and the bottom of the robe ended in a pile of cloth at her feet.

"You look so much like a child, Karasu," Sarik chuckled.

Too Harlin's comment, Sarik shook his head. "No thanks, Harlin. I'd prefer to get a good night's sleep," he laughed.

Harlin smiled at the two "lovebirds", and then said, "Alright then. Goodnight you two, and don't forget the classiness."

He strolled away down the hall, finally reaching the room he and Shara shared, to find her asleep on the bed, placed there by someone from the ship's infirmary. Removing his armor, he slid into the bed next to her and began counting sheep.

"I would love some for tomorrow Harlin. Can you give me some tomorrow? Not addicting huh? Hmmm... I really like a relaxing flower that you smoke, and it is not addicting either. It is called Opium. They should have called it Heaven. I do have some with me. If you are wired, or anxious, it will put you exactly where you belong. Would you like some Harlin? I believe you would enjoy it. I have not met anyone who has not loved it!" Karasu grinned excitedly.

"I have some in my bag, and the smoking pipe. Would you like some to calm down? It will relax you for sure. Bliss-like is what it is..." She waited for his answer, while digging around in her bag.

"By the way, after that comment on my attire, perhaps I should reconsider." She laughed.

"I know I look dumpy, OK? I do not need it pointed out!" Karasu stuck her tongue out at Harlin.

She turned to look at Sarik, quite sure he was trying not to burst out laughing at the way she looked.

ooc: Just switch those last two posts around... :rolleyes:

As soon as Harlin left the room, Sarik burst out laughing. "Karasu, you look cute in that," he laughed, blushing a little. "Just don't trip around. Long robes tend to trip people," he laughed as he walked towards Karasu and inspected his robe on her, making slight adjustments, but not really helping in any way.

"I feel like I am wearing a giant potato sack!" Karasu smirked at Sarik.

"Thank you anyway. I do appreciate it. I did not really bring any appropriate night clothing. Now if I do not trip and kill myself, all will be well." She smiled and layed down on her side, trying to keep the shoulder covered, but it was useless. Ahhh, forget it. She thought.

"So Harlin does not want to try the opium? I thought he might, considering he is trying to relax... Oh well."

Karasu put her head on her hand and her elbow on the pillow and asked Sarik if there were any interesting books there at all.

Sarik laughed at Karasu. "A giant potato sack? I think that was an insult to my clothes!" he laughed as he pulled out a few books.

"Nope...they all read like textbooks..." he said as he set them down, before smiling slyly.

"Except for the story of Karasu," he chuckled as he crept up to her, and knelt by the side of the bed, his face inches away from hers.

Karasu smiled at Sarik, and asked; "How does that story go, other than that she wears ill-fitting clothing!" She burst out laughing.

"Well, she is kind, caring...and she has a fiery temper," he whispered as he got even closer. "And she was quite beautiful...and a seductress I might add," he chuckled.

"Even if she dressed in clothes too big for her...she still looked amazing," he continued, before kissing her gently on the lips.

Karasu felt herself burn up in an instant when he kissed her. After the kiss, she looked in his eyes, "You flatter me Sarik... it is you who is the kind and wonderful one, even when no one else was nice to me, you were. I appreciate that so very much." She looked over his face, her heart pounding.

"It's just my nature," Sarik laughed as he kissed her again. He couldn't resist anymore...It was as though she was waiting for this. He listened for her quickened breath, her pounding heart...her uncontrolled moaning...Then he knew that he could continue...

"Oh Sarik," Karasu gasped in a whisper. This seemed unstoppable. She wanted him so badly.

She wrapped her arms around him, kissing him passionately, then moving down to his neck, moaning, loving every moment.

There it was...

Sarik slowly moved onto the bed with Karasu, all while kissing her and recieving kisses in return.

"Karasu...if you don't like the robe...then just take it off," he chuckled as his hands began to work on undressing her.

Karasu smiled and let Sarik remove her robe, moaning loudly as she felt him against her. "Sarik..." was about all she could gasp, as they kissed passionately and explored each other's bodies. Karasu was breathing heavily, and kissing Sarik all around his neck, as she felt his hands on her skin. She was aching for him terribly.

Sarik was in bliss as he had a night of passion with Karasu...

Not truly comprehending that there will be more people hurt than most would expect...

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

Kalzog was going to check up on Sarik and Karasu, right next to the door...when he heard loud moaning...

His face went white. "Blast..." he whispered angrily, before walking back to his room. I'm doomed... he thought to himself.

"How close are we to sinking that damned ship?" Cadeyrn growled growing very impatient.

The mercenary began coughing very violently into his cupped hand as trickles of blood dropped from the side.

Karasu put her head on Sarik's chest and cuddled up to him and fell asleep after they were both spent, but not before telling him what a wonderful night she had.

"It is so nice to be in your arms, Sarik. I have wanted this for so long." She finally felt the release she needed from the one she cared so much for.

Sarik wrapped his arm around Karasu's warm body and kissed her on the cheek. "Me too, Karasu. I had a wonderful night..." he whispered as he stroked her soft smooth skin.

Soon, she drifted off to sleep, her soft breathing warming up Sarik's chest. He didn't mind, and only held her petite form closer.

He took one last glance at her incredible beauty, before looking up at the ceiling. Why was Kalzog so desperate on us not being together? Why did he not want us to sleep with each other? Karasu wanted it...It seems I have reduced her stress incredibly...as she did mine. Ikara won't know...Relthor won't know...He's already having a child with her. It's just Karasu and I...

He smiled as Karasu shifted lightly, still cuddling with Sarik. He kissed her on her head before he himself drifted to sleep.

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

"I don't know...Pretty close from where I was-" Inzikai began when he was interrupted by Cadeyrn's loud coughing. "Are you alright?" he asked as he noticed the blood dripping from his sides.

"I'll be fine." The mercenary barked flicking his hand to fling the blood off while wiping his mouth with his artificial hand. "I'm surprised Karasu is alive as well, but it will due them no good."

It's spreading internally, I was told it would work from the outside in...

"Are you sure?" Inzikai asked, his eyebrow raised. Now he began wishing they had a medic on board...

"I'll live." He replied doubling over. It felt as if his intestines were eating his other organs. An empty cold filled his lungs as he scowled in pain. "Let's just...hurry to Zlatlan."

"Let's hope they don't catch up and attempt to kill us again..." Inzikai muttered as he watched the demon continue steering the ship to Cultist territory.

"With how badly damaged their ship is, they'll be lucky to even keep up with us. Although our ship is pretty beat up too." Cadeyrn admitted leaning over the railing, gazing at a chunk of the bulkhead blow out.

"Did you happen to damage whatever moves it at such a speed?" Inzikai asked as his eyes fell to distant shapes...draconian shapes...We're not close enough to cultist territory for the dragon patrols...

After his rest, by which time his sunburn had healed into a nice tan, Lorathin woke and headed out to the galley to get some food, wondering if he'd meet Kalzog eating as well.

Kalzog was indeed in the kitchen, but he was only eating a stale piece of bread, as his strangely dark eyes stared blankly at a wall.

Lorathin looked at the strangely behaving ogre. "Uh, Kalzog, you still in there?" He commented, waving his hand in front of the ogre's face, "What's so facinating about that wall?"

Kalzog slowly turned his head until he was facing Lorathin, before he suddenly snapped from his strange trance.

"Well...hello Lorathin," Kalzog said as his eyes returned to their burned charcoal color. "What have you been up to?"

He crunched down on his stale bread, before tossing it behind him.

"Sleeping." He replied, "BUt what was up with you?"

ooc: Gone fro night.

"Did you happen to damage whatever moves it at such a speed?" Inzikai asked as his eyes fell to distant shapes...draconian shapes

"I killed a bunch of crewman from what I vaguely remember." Cadeyrn said while looking for whatever Inzikai was staring at. "I damaged a few of the cannons but nothing internally."

"Yeah, I figured you'd be sleeping..." Kalzog said quietly.

"I've just been thinking about nothing that you should care about," he replied.

"Now did you come here to eat or to bug me?"

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

Inzikai instinctively pulled out one of his throwing daggers. "I hope Rothargot did some damage on the inside then...because they could still ram us..."

"Cadeyrn, get your cannon ready..." the Cultist Lord growled as the five dragon riders were closing on on their position.

Karasu awoke prior to Sarik, and put on her favorite silk black kimono with the gold dragons and kanji. She put her hair up and held it up with gold sticks with onyx in the center, as well as adding jewelry... gold and onyx of course.

She kept her battle clothing on a table where it was easy to change if necessary, however, she wore her weapons belt below her obi. It looked odd, but she did not want to be caught off guard.

Karasu looked at Sarik sleeping peacefully and smiled. She decided to head to the kitchen.

When she arrived, Kalzog and Lorathin were there. "Lorathin, that burn has turned into quite a nice tan." She grinned. Then she looked at Kalzog... "Uhh... are you dieting or something?" she asked, as he was not stuffing his face with food.

"Nothing I should, is still something that might interest me." He replied with a grin, "But I came to eat, and with you here, to find out what's upset you." He added as he got something to eat.

"It always does, and about the other night, I apologise for pissing you off, it wasn't intended." He commented to Karasu.

"Oh, no problem Azrael." Karasu smiled and looked through the pantry.

"In a sense, yes," Kalzog responded to Karasu. "For now..."

"You'll find out nothing, Lorathin," Kalzog growled to the mage, before turning back to Karasu.

"Did you sleep well?"

Lorathin looked between Karasu and Kalzog and decided here wasn't the best place to be at the moment. Grabbing his food, he departed, with the comment, "Play nice and no hitting."

He headed up to the deck to watch the water.

"Fine and you Kalzog?" Karasu asked, wondering if this was about yesterday's rant which he refused to explain.

"Decent..." Kalzog muttered as he looked long and hard at Karasu.

"Did you guys get...intimate?" he asked quietly. The ogre knew they did, but his last glimmer of hope was something he could still hold onto.

Karasu was shocked. "How could you ask such a personal question Kalzog? I do not understand what is going on with you... I really don't. Perhaps you ought to explain what this is all about." She stated.

"Not unless you answer the question," Kalzog replied gruffly.

"And why would I believe you would answer the question? You refused to answer my questions yesterday." Karasu glared at Kalzog.

Cadeyrn cocked back a bolt on his iron arm as it slung open. Running below deck he came back with what Marlene had been working on and sat the bag full of explosives on the deck. The shell slid in easily making that sweet noise he had grown to like.

"What exactly are these things?" He asked keeping his arm pointed at the distant shadows.

I understand, my lord, Teralynn thought to Valtrox. I will make sure that no one will interfere with the portal.

***

"Empress..." Maverion said, allowing her to help him. The slight growth on Rimoru's abdomen was unnoticed by him, especially in his still slightly dazed state. "Thank you."

"I was...looking for something to eat, and drink..."

"Dragon warriors...They tend to patrol the skies of their territories...but whose warrior's these are, are beyond me..."

"The Imperium rarely uses dragon warriors, and the Iskan's have lost most of their dragon warriors in battles, while I rarely send cultist warriors down this far."

"Which means...it can be Barbarian warriors...or Order warriors, who are supposedly the best there are. No matter who it is, they won't attack until they see who we are. They don't tend to attack unknown travellers...atleast not at sea," Inzikai said as he pulled out a throwing knife.

The dragon warriors were not truly riding dragons, but drakes, due to the quantity and the uncommon appearances of true dragons.

The five shadowy figures continued to come in close, the flapping of wings reaching Inzikai's ears. "Now we have a choice to make...do you want to fight them...or do you want to let them pass?" he asked quietly, his eyes trained on the lead flyer.

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

"Ah...you certainly know some tricks, Karasu," Kalzog smiled. "Because I won't tell you."

"However, I'd bet my next meal that you did get intimate with Sarik," the ogre said, his smile disappearing.

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

Excellent, Teralynn. I have high expectations for you...and if you achieve those, you'll become more powerful than anyone can imagine... Valtrox smiled as he plodded back to the shadows of her room.

Just don't try to kill Inzikai...you are not yet as powerful as him, and he has to complete his current task. He blinked, before his figure exploded in a fireball, flying straight at Teralynn.

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

"Of course, Mavey...follow me please," Rimoru said softly as she took his hand and gently tugged at him to the dining room, where she made a motion with her free hand, making the gigantic table into a two person table.

She led him to one chair, while a servant pulled out a chair for her, in which she sat down in and smiled at Maverion.

"What do you feel like eating, Mavey? Anything you desire," she whispered, her eyes glittering.

"Dragons you say?" Cadeyrn asked as his eyes grew big, his left hand reached back clutching onto his massive sword. "If you are not up to fighting then I'll stay on deck and manage them."

The only thing keeping the warrior on his feet was his pure hatred for dragons and the rest of their ilk. Blood slowly ran from the corner of his mouth as he rested his cannon on top of his leveled sword.

"Your call." He said to Inzikai.

"Oh, I had no intention of running from battle...It's just if you didn't feel up to it...well, then I'd have to go below deck so they don't see a wanted man," Inzikai grinned.

"But you seem eager enough for battle....so, let's have some fun," Inzikai's grinn widened, revealing his deadly row of sharp teeth. He spun suddenly and pointed his hand at the lead rider. Soon, pieces of rotted flesh fell from the creature as it struggled to stay alive.

The whole drake, and the rider, atleast what remained of them, crashed into the water, sinking into it's murkey debths.

The other four riders shouted and charged at the damaged trade vessel, firing several balls of fire at the ship as they glided close to near the sails, threatening to rip them apart.

"Then let us have some fun." He said grinning.

A defening blast rang out as Cadeyrn's cannon took fire at the nearest rider. The mercenary ran straight up the center mast with bizarre agility before flipping high into the air, almost level with the riders.

"Come on!" He beckoned the next patrolman while reaching a peak height.

One of the drakes noticed Cadeyrn on the main mast and immediately dove for him, letting loose a blast of fire.

Inzikai was training his eye on a circling drake warrior, waiting for the opportune moment when the rider exposes himself. And then it came.

With incredible accuracy and speed, Inzikai threw his dagger, which dug itself into the head of the warrior, ending his life quickly. The drake continued to flutter about, unsure of what happened.

Cadeyrn quickly reloaded his weapon and blasted the drake into mist and chunks, which rained onto the deck and water.

Just as he was beginning to fall the fireball washed over him only energizing him. The mercenary sprang through the air with a quick burst from his fiery wings he collided into the drake, wrestling the tumbling beast, clawing his way to the mount.

"Leave one alive for questioning," Inzikai commanded Cadeyrn as he searched the skies for the last one.

As he stepped in plain sight of the rider, they seemed to make eye contact, before a fireball was launched at the Cultist lord. He winced as he brought his hand out before him, the fireball slowly disolving to nothing. "Excellent..." he gasped. Although he was becoming dead tired from one deadly spell and one new spell, he dared not show it in public.

He got up and pointed his hand at the drake, which began to dissolve. It shrieked in terror and pain as it's wings fell apart, before the pitiful beast made one last ditch effort to reach it's target. It crashed on deck, dieing instantly, however the rider leapt up and sprung into action immediately. A demon that Rothargot summoned in the earlier fight ran up to it and made to grab the rider with it's four burly arms, however, the rider only ducked out of it's way and kicked it over, before leaping up again on the poop deck with Inzikai.

"I've waited all my life for this," came a feminine voice, surprising the tired Inzikai.

"You'll have to wait a lot longer," he panted as he pulled out his falchion, nearly dropping it to the floor.

The drake steadied itself as Cadeyrn climbed beside the rider who was surprised at his human border.

"Hi there." Cadeyrn mused sharing the ride with his enemy before headbutting him repeatedly. The pilot unseathed a small blade as Cadeyrn awkwardly defended with his massive sword in the crowded fighting area.

The woman laughed as Inzikai dragged his weapon on the floor.
"Is this the famed swordsman of the Cult? Undefeated in every duel he's been in? The favored of Valtrox?" she giggled as she pulled out an elegant elven sword.

"Elves...I should have known..." Inzikai panted.

With a growl, the elf warrior thrust at Inzikai, who barely dodged out of the way.

"What's wrong, Inzikai? Lost your touch?" she laughed as she kicked Inzikai onto the railing, nearly falling overboard as the railing immediately crumbled.

Inzikai growled as the elf stepped over him, her sword flipped in the air, before she grabbed onto the hilt, the blade about to be thrust into Inzikai's abdomen.

With a snarl, Inzikai kicked upwards, sending her flying back. Her sword clattered to the lower deck. Now it was Inzikai who stood above her.

"I don't even need to use my sword on you, elf," Inzikai growled as he pulled her up from under him, before punching her in the stomach, sending her sprawling on the floor.

"Cadeyrn, hurry up with that one...I've captured one myself...but if you need a toy...feel free to take that one," Inzikai called out to the warrior fighting on the drake.

The rider's blade pierced Cadeyrn in the shoulder as he only smiled. A brutal slash of his sword cut the drake's hind almost competely off as it spiraled into the deck of the ship. The dragon like creature rolled limp over the railing and into the sea leaving the mercenary and the rider face to face.

A swift backhand knocked the pilot's helm clean off.

"A woman?" He said confused at the elf's unconcious form. His giant sword swung overhead and stopped inches from her neck. His hands trembled as something kept him from finishing off his foe.

Why? Why can't I go through with it? because it isn't right to kill a helpless foe

Frustrated he slung his weapon and his defeated opponent and carried them both to Inzikai.

"Doesn't this seem particulary odd to you?" Cadeyrn asked.

"Why would this seem odd?" Inzikai asked as he sheathed his sword and picked up the elf again and pulled off her helm, revealing silky long blond hair. The elf had fair skin and beautiful green eyes.

"Perhaps you should take a look at this one as well, I think I hit her a little too hard." Cadeyrn said dropping his foe to the ground; she landed right next to other elf. "Never seen two female swordsmen fight beside each other, let alone elves. They're usually archers or mages, but never close range fighters."

Inzikai let his eyes go from one to the other, studying them intensely for several minutes.

"Elves are elegant in their attacks and tend to have good footwork. Are you going to kill her or not?" Inzikai asked as he kept his eyes on the still conscious elf, her eyes wide with terror.

"I say we leave them alive, they're drake riders so they must know something about the dragons and maybe even dragoons." Cadeyrn said with a slight grin on his face. "Although I'll interrogate this one personally, the little bitch stabbed me in the shoulder."

She's pretty, like Rimoru or Karasu.

"What do you want to do with em before hand?" The bezerker said swining his blade and stopping the massive weapon just centimeters above the concious elf's nose. The sun flickered off the diamond edge dividing her face ebtween bright light and shadows.

"She's mine, Cadeyrn," Inzikai growled, as he pushed his large blade away. His tongue flicked across his lips and his eyes were a faint red. "You can have some fun with the other. You do deserve a reward, don't you?"

With startling speed, he wrapped his hand around the conscious elf's neck and picked her up, while she kicked and screamed.

With his other hand, Inzikai pulled out a dagger. "Now now, my dear. I hope you don't have a family...because when I'm going to be through with you, you won't have any eyes to see them."

The elf began to whimper as tears fell down her cheeks.

Cadeyrn moved the blade onto his shoulder and watched Inzikai torment his captive and twitched at the subtle mention of other things.

"Fine, if you want when you get bored you can trade for mine." The warrior mused while slinging the elf over his shoulder and headed below deck. He tossed her in the cot Marlene was staying and sat on a barrel nearby keeping a clsoe eye on the unconcious fighter.

He sighed as he removed his badly repaired chest plate. Dead grey skin ran halfway across his broad chest.

Sleep well elf, I'm sure you'll need your strength for when you wake.

Cadeyrn began coughing again falling right out of his make shift chair. Blood spattered onto the floor as well as a few chunks of vague and indescribable meat. His vision crossed for a minute before going black.

Inzikai nodded to Cadeyrn as he walked below deck with his prize.

"Now, I have many different ideas planned for you, elf...and I'm sure you want to know all of them," Inzikai said quietly.

The elf shook her head. "Get away from me, murderer!" she screamed as she kicked him away and landed on her feet, immediately darting for her dead drake. Suddenly, she felt a terrible pain in her leg.

With a quiet thud, the elven woman fell to the floor with a soft thud and a loud yelp. She was crying immensely now as she pulled on the knife in her leg.

Another sickening crunch and she cried out in pain as her hand was now sporting an elegant dagger handle, the blade poking through the other end of her leg.

"You monster!" she cried as she tried to crawl away from Inzikai.

"Demon, take her away and chain her up to my room...I will be there very soon..." he smiled wickedly as he saw the horror in her face as she was dragged to the captain's quarters.

Cadeyrn slowly lifted his face out of the puddle of blood and vomit. Strings of the sick pile still stuck to his mouth as he lifted his head up facing a rising elf.

The shocked woman drew a hidden dagger from her waist and slashed right across the mercenaries face. He staggered back holding his wound in pain, she had cut his left eye wide open. He fell over a stack of crates crying in pain holding his eye in agony.

She made a run for the door only to find in was locked. She lobbed the weapon and it found its way right into the side of his neck. Looking around she began throwing everything at the hulking warrior still lumbering towards her. She clutched his massive weapon and failed to even lift it from the floor. Soon the mercenary planted a boot in th center of her chest that shot her back into a wall.

"If you try anything like that again, I'll cut your legs off." Cadeyrn said taking his hand off his eye revealing a sick mess of white and red.

The elf was chained up to the bed, her limbs spread apart from each other. She spent the time healing the deadly wounds in her leg and hand, leaving only scar tissue in it's place. But she began to have doubts of doing that...she was now drained beyond belief and wouldn't be able to save herself from many of the Valtroxian Servant's torture...

Suddenly, the door opened and Inzikai walked in, as he casually tossed a bloody dagger in his hand.

"Ah...good...you've healed yourself!" he said cheerfully as he sat next to her.

"After some thinking...I've decided that you should keep your beautiful eyes," he whispered with a small smile, as he stroked her smooth skin.

"I knew a few elves in my time...but the latest was...a heartbreaker..." he said as he lay himself down next to her. "I loved her and treated her with respect..."

He slowly brought his lips to her pointed ear. "Tis a shame she ran off with my enemies," he whispered as his forked tongue gently felt around her ear. The elf quickened her breath and swallowed hard as she attempted to get away from the bindings and Inzikai.

The elf slid away in disgust as Cadeyrn revealed his decimated eye.

"Don't feel bad, I lost all feeling and sense in that eye in a fight with my once mortal enemy. You just did me a favor by taking it out." Cadeyrn said jamming his large fingers into his eyes socket and flinging the gooey remnants at the warrior elf.

"You sick son of a bitch!" She growled before charging him. She ended up head over heel and on her back before she knew what happened. Immediately the mercenary's metal boot found its way pressed against her throat.

"Now we're going to play a game called how long do I get to keep breathing. Every time you answer a question I released my foot a little more, but everytime I don't like your response or lack thereof you stop breathing a little more. Got it?" Cadeyrn said as blood dripping from his eye, neck, and shoulder into one stream down his chest.

The elf fighter only squirmed trying to twist the barbarian's ankle futily. Her hands stretche dout to the side as his heel dug into her neck.

"Ah ah, no struggling." He scolded smiling.

"Kalzog, I would answer you if you would explain all to me, but I know you will not. I have no guarantee. You refused yesterday, why would I believe you would tell me today?" Karasu asked.

"Kalzog," Karasu sat down. "You say you have no friends, no feelings, and all of that. You have a friend. It is me. Whether you like it or not, I am your friend." She looked at the surprized ogre.

"You see, you, until recently, have been very good to me, and have always been so much fun, and always had something to say that made me laugh and brought me out of my worst moods. I would do nearly anything for you. But you have to see that I do not understand this." She sighed.

"It drives me out of my mind when Someone says something and refuses an explanation. Why will you not tell me what this is about. I swear to you I will answer you." Karasu looked kindly into the ogre's eyes. "I like you. You might not like me, but too bad, because I still like you." She grinned.

"Can you please tell me what this is about. I will answer your question if you will give me some answers. I promise."

The elf stared back at him with fierce eyes, as if the moment he let her up she would rip his face clean off.

"First, tell me your name." Cadeyrn asked. Her stubborn silence was met by the iron heel slowly pressing into her throat.

I won't talk, I promised myself I wouldn't.

Eventually, everyone likes to breath.

"Momoki...Rin-" She gasped as the berzerker's heel eased a bit letting her finish. "Momoki Rin Ai Lilith Hikari, Lieutenant Drake Ryder."

"Oh ho, a lieutenant. You must possess some knowlege of dragons, what do you know of the Dragoons?" He asked crushing into her neck mercilessly.

"Your the one he's looking for." She said gasping like a fish trying to pull the boot off her neck. "The sin upon the dragoons, Caderyn. A human that was never meant to be and a servant of Valtrox to boot."

"Who is he?" He growled pressing his foot even harder making a faint cracknig sound.

"The Battle Lord, Dragoon King Xenocrates." She squeeled under the immense pressure. "He's not too far...to bring back the sinner."

She scrambled away as he lifted his foot off her neck gasping for air.

"That is all I wanted to know." He said grinning.

Kalzog stared at Karasu and sighed. "I can't tell you. If I could, believe me, I would. But I am bound by oath and magic not to tell."

"That is my answer. You either take it, or leave it. I think I already know the answer to my question," Kalzog grumbled.

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

Inzikai smiled at the frightened elf as he got off the bed and circled around her.

"What to do?" he asked sinisterly. "Tell me...what are you here for?"

The elf remained quiet, except for the frightened whimpering.

"Ah...let's see how long-" he suddenly threw a dagger into her side, a definate crack resounding along the walls of his quarters. The elf screamed and writhed in pain as the dagger pierced even though her rib.

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

Rothargot heard some scuffling above deck, but it died out, and he was sure Inzikai, Cadeyrn, and the demons could handle it.

He stared at the unmoving Teralynn as she remained quiet. Suddenly, a feminine scream pierced the night.

"I will be back, Tera," Rothargot rumbled as he walked out the door and walked up to the captain's quarters...

"Mo-mo-key. Did I pronounce it right?" Cadeyrn asked wiping the endless amount of blood pooling from his empty eye socket.

The elf only made an arrogant huffing noise turning away from the mercenary at the other end of the cabin.

"If I have to stand on your neck everytime I want to talk to you it's going to be a long boatride." He said smiling tossing the bloody rag to the side. Suddenly he had another coughing fit as violent as ever, blood spattered all over the floorboards in the same spot as last time.

Momoki leaned her head at the large man who had a waterfall of blood draining from his lowerlip.

"So, I see Dragon's bane affects half breed abominations such as yourself." She smirked at the weakened warrior.

"Tease all you like, but as soon as I die you're Inzikai's next chew toy." Cadeyrn snarled looking up at the woman.

She couldn't help but realize that maybe she was better off with this one than the other...

"Ah...now you just cannot stop, can you?" Inzikau chuckled as he pulled out his dagger, making sure to take as much flesh as possible.

"You monster!" she shouted, before receiving a backhand slap.

"You know, I was worried you would have destroyed our ship...then we wouldn't be able to complete our quest...you know...to raise Valtrox," Inzikai smiled as he let his dagger point drag across the elf's chest, scratching her armor, before he stopped at her neck.

"Now will you cooperate?" he asked as he brought his face to her's and kissed her cheek gently.

"Never!" came the pained gasp from the elf.

"So be it..." Inzikai raised his knife, and smiled wickedly.

Suddenly, the door burst open and Rothargot squeezed himself through. "What was that scream?"

Inzikai narrowed his eyes at the demi-god, who looked around the room, his eyes falling on the bloody elf.

"Get out...I am doing my work," Inzikai growled.

"This is certainly none of Valtrox's orders," Rothargot replied as he stepped towards the quivering elf. Goosebumps showed all over her pale skin, as blood continued to pour onto the bed.

"Oh? And what if she was to interfere?"

"She won't. She is under my custody now," Rothargot replied as he gently snapped the chains with his immense hands.

"Get away from her!" Inzikai shouted as he threw his knife at Rothargot, imbedding it within his rock-like body. The girl screamed as Rothargot turned around and growled. He reached his arm across the bed and wrapped it around Inzikai's neck, before slamming him to the nearby wall.

Inzikai responded by pointing at the demi-god, watching some of the fire die out.

"That doesn't work on me," came the demi-god's response as he only pushed harder. "I am a magical form, in no way a mortal..."

Inzikai stopped and grasped Rothargot's neck as he squirmed.

The demi-god let Inzikai fall to the floor, gasping for air, before turning around and picking up the dieing elf.

As they walked out the door, the frightened elf looked at Rothargot. "Why-Why did you save me?"

"Rest now...you are in no position to speak. You're wounds are bad. I suspect you canc heal?"

The elf only nodded slowly.

"Then heal as best you can..."

Rothargot passed Marlene's old room, where he heard some shuffling...but no screams. Perhaps Rothargot may visit to see what the commotion is about. The demi-god opened the door to one of the last unused room and gently placed her on the bed, while getting some towels.

After much squirming and whimpering, the demi-god managed to get the towel around the elf's waist to prevent too much blood loss.

"Now it is your job to heal yourself," Rothargot replied, unsure if she would or not.

"Tell me, which of the dragoons is your parent, are they still alive?" Momoki asked with curiosity.

Cadeyrn thought for a moment; he knew well who his father was, and what the consequences for having such a sinful child would be. No trial, no jury, straight to execution.

"My father left before I was born, and as far as I know he's dead with the rest of the bloody race." Cadeyrn growled hearing Rothargot's thumping outside.

"You make it sound like they are all dead..." The elf replied curious about her keeper

"How many are left?" He asked expecting a number between one or three.

"600 I think." She said as Cadeyrn nearly spit out the water he was drinking. "However, since the great dragon hunt, almost none of them have left their master's side."

"and the Dragoon King himself is coming to kill me? I'm honored." He chuckled sewing his wounds together.

"Well Kalzog, then you get no answers. And it is cruel to tell someone they are evil when they are not. I am not and never have been evil. It is also cruel to tell someone something is going to happen but not why. It makes no sense. So I will forget it." Karasu walked out the kitchen door but not before turning her head and saying, "My friend." and smiling at Kalzog.

Karasu proceeded to look out over the water. She sighed. We will never catch up to them.

If Karasu looked toward the prow, she might notice a pair of feet sticking out from behind a tarp, with the feet belonging to a comatose Lorathin.

Kalzog grumbled a curse as he shook his head. "Naive kids..."

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

Inzikai was laying on his bed, angry beyond belief.

Why does he need the elf? Why did he interrupt my fun? he thought as he massaged his head, including around his horns, which had grown even more.

He would have his revenge...

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

The elf was desparetly trying to cling onto her life, healing herself little by little, blacking out multiple times.

She was sweating perfusely as her wounds healed very slowly.

"I can't...continue," she panted.

"But you must. Life is not something to waste," Rothargot replied quietly, as he wiped the sweat from her brow with a towel.

"Why? What do you want from me?"

"I want you to live," he rumbled in a near-whisper, gently moving a lock of long blond hair out of her face.

She stared at the strange demi-god without a word, before attempting to heal herself again.

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

Sarik awoke with a loud yawn, as he felt around next to him for Karasu's warm body, only to find an empty space.

She must have woken up and gotten breakfast... he thought as he got up and put on a clean robe, before walking out on deck to a new day...one where he hoped they'll finally catch Inzikai...

Lorathin woke from his nap on deck, a happy smirk on his face as he looked out over the ocean again and yawned.

Getting up he decided to seek out Kalzog.

"Hey there Lorathin! I did not see you down there. Just do not fall asleep in the sun again today." Karasu grinned at him.

"I won't." He replied with a satisfied smile.

"What if I kill this Dragoon Lord?" Cadeyrn asked having finished cleaning all the blood from his face.

"You can't, unless you can kill something that hunts demi-gods for a living." She rebutted sharply.

"I hit a demi-god so hard that his shadow is embedded in the desert on top of the glass that was once sand, the dragoon lord is no match for me." He replied lifting his sword in the crowded place.

"He uses a weapon similiar to that, but it's much bigger...you kinda look like hi-" Her jaw nearly dropped as the pieces began to fall together. "So that's why he's hunting a lowly human!"

"Now I'm probably going to have to kill you so you don't rat him out." He growled raising his sword overhead.

"I am bored Azrael... entertain me or something..." Karasu looked at him seriously, then burst out laughing. "I really want to go swimming, but no one will let me." She sighed.

"If we do not catch up to them today... well I do not think we will..." She looked at the ship wanly.

If I could transform, I could get there in two seconds, divebomb it and sink it and everyone and the book in one shot. I cannot take a chance transforming while pregnant. I do not know the consequences.

"Well, if you can get Minos here, I think I know a way to get this ship moving far faster than that gnome ever dreamed of." He commented

The elf reeled back as the massive weapon threatened to split her in two, she could hear the giant blade wing through the air before clattering beside her. Opening her eyes she saw Cadeyrn leaving and locking the door behind him.

The mercenary locked the door before sliding to the floor against it.

Marlene...please be safe; I want to see you again so that one day I can explain this whole mess. It isn't my fault...

Sarik walked around a bit, watching the remaining sailors attempt to patch up the damaged ship. Some floor boards have already been put on the holes but there were still a lot of work to be done.

Soon enough, he walked into Karasu and Lorathin. "Good morning, you two," Sarik said cheerfully.

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

The elven woman was dead tired, her clothes were wet and sticky from sweating so much, not to mention she was laying on a puddle of her own blood. Her armor sat in a heap at the corner of the room, as she asked Rothargot to remove them.

She was still panting terribly as she looked at Rothargot. "I...I think it's done..." she whispered. She slowly rolled to her side and felt along her waist, cringing slightly. There was still a small wound there, but not nearly as bad.

"Rest now, elf. I will remain close by," he rumbled as he walked over to the shadows.

Why is he doing this for me? A close servant of Valtrox...

Cadeyrn could here Rothergot's deep voice from fown the hall and smiled. He stood and walked towards the room while leaning his head against the door.

"Hey Roth, mind if I come in?" He asked through the door.

The elven woman's eyes widened and she shook her head at Rothargot.

The demi-god only shot her a glance, before turning to the door. "Of course not, Cadeyrn," he rumbled, not moving out of the shadows.

The elven woman only covered herself up more with the bed sheets, trying to make herself invisible.

Cadeyrn stepped in smiling that the elf had made herself hidden. Suddenly his face turned serious.

"So you did take her; I was about to do the same but the other one cut my friggin eye out." He said opening his left eye revealing a cavity of red tissue and small pools of blood. "I was blind in that eye since my fight with Beau, but still..."

He let loose a deepened sigh.

"What are your plans with this one?" He asked. "I'll keep the other one from Inzikai as long as I can."

The elf under the covers shivered slightly as she stared in the open gap that was Cadeyrn's left eye.

"Perhaps Valtrox will reform your body, so you will once again have your eye," Rothargot assured Cadeyrn.

"As for this one...I do not know. I do not even know why I rescued her," Rothargot said quietly, his eyes lingering to the elf.

"Good Morning Sarik!" Karasu smiled. "I hate to say it, but I do not think we will catch up with the other ship with this one so badly damaged." She smiled wanly.

"Have you eaten? If so, perhaps you would want to go for a walk around the deck area?" Karasu asked Sarik.

"I would also like my hand back." Cadyern chuckled raising his sluggish metal limb. "Human fighters don't live long as you can very well see."

"You saved her because there's a difference between being loyal to Valtrox and just being a maniacle asshole. Inzikai is the latter. I was convinced after meeting our master that he wasn't entirely evil."

Sarik smiled at Karasu. "I have not yet eaten, and I would enjoy a relaxing walk around the deck," he said cheefully. "And do not be so sure about that, Karasu. Although we are not as fast as we once were, the wind could die out at any moment, stranding them, and we are still faster than them as long as the wind isn't very strong...which it doesn't seem like it."

He brought his hand out to Karasu, palm up, waiting for her to take it for their little walk.

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

"That is a good thing, correct? There is no such concept to me. It's Valtrox or not. He is wise in his councils and has me perform his decisions," Rothargot replied with a small grin.

"Inzikai will have his time..."

"Yes, because if Valtrox were like Inzikai..." Cadeyrn shuttered before smiling again. "What's her name?"

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

The 8 foot cloaked figure stayed three miles distance behind the two vessels unwanting to give his position away. He could hear drakes dieing wails from this distance and clenched his massive fist.

"Thank you Sarik. By the way, if Kalzog is still in the kitchen, he is furious with us. Somehow he... knows," Karasu whispered. And yet will still not tell me of these horrible consequences.

"By the way, how far from the other ship are we?" Karasu asked Sarik.

"Do either of you know where Minos is?" Lorathin asked after listening to Karasu and Sarik for a moment.

"No, I sure do not Azrael. Have you seen Minos, Sarek?" Karasu asked.

"If Kalzog is in the kitchen, then let's not go in it," Sarik smiled as he began to walk around the deck, Karasu by his side. "As for the other ship, I cannot tell...maybe a day or two."

"I have not seen Minos since the attack, I'm afraid."

"Did you sleep well, Karasu?" he asked with a smile.

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

"I do not know," Rothargot replied. He turned to the elf. "What is your name, little elf?"

The elf looked out from under her covers and spoke in such a soft voice, that it was barely audible. "Nienna...Nienna."

"Don't be afraid of me, Nienna, I'm pretty much harmless." The mercenary said tripping over her name. "The other one is named Momomki something Lilith uh...well I forget the rest, but Momoki is what I've been calling her."

He looked at the frightened elf. "My name is Cadeyrn Brahn and this here is Rothargot."

"Darn, as if he were here we could probably catch up with the other ship." He commented

Minos stepped amongst his compatriots, surprising them. "Sorry bout that," he apologized, "Still a Jiltakin, you know?"

He looked at Lorathin, and asked, "You were looking for me though?"

The elf remained quiet under her blanket as they introduced themselves. She had no clue whether to trust them or not.

"I think she is too tired. Inzikai nearly killed her and she passed out several times as she healed herself," Rothargot said quietly. "I do not know if we have another bed or sheets...the one she is on is bloody and wet."

"Yes I was. How good are you at bulk water manipulation?" He asked

"I figured as much...he reminds me a lot of Beau." Cadeyrn growled holding his hand over his throbbing eye. Without even knowing it his ears began to bleed.

"The other one made mention of the Dragoon Lord coming this way, when he shows up...no one is to intervene."

I under- Teralynn began, but stopped abruptly as the fireball came at her. She had little to do anything but wonder whether this was an illusion or not, whether Valtrox really meant it when he said he enjoyed watching her suffer through this trial. The sounds of fireballs from the drakes above deck coinciding with this moment did not help much either. She cringed back and lifted an arm to protect her face, but clenched down on her teeth to prevent herself from screaming out.

***

Maverion watched with amazement what transpired before his eyes. Then he remembered that Rimoru had great powers.

He was lucid enough, however, to know that he ought to start off eating something light. "Thank you, Empress. Some bread and soup would be wonderful," he said as his stomach started growling.

"Well, I do not want you to starve, Sarik... and I doubt you intend to catch a fish from up here." Karasu smiled at Sarik. "I slept well, and you?

"I fear we will not catch up with the other ship. I want to transform," she whispered, "however, I do not know what that may do to the baby... if it is ok or not... or I would be over there in two seconds and sink the fucker and everyone, and the book with it! One dive bomb and they are all in Davey Jones Locker!" Karasu giggled, and then turned red, realizing her language.

"Oh, I apologize for my unladylike language." She was still red. "Even Kalzog said my language was not ladylike, however, I guess I get carried away sometimes." Karasu grinned still blushing.

Valtrox's chuckle could be heard in Teralynn's ears as the illusionary fireball dissipated around her. You are not the only one with the powers of illusion!

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

"Well...I slept wonderfully, to tell the truth," he laughed.

"Hmm...that is a predicament...it would definately come in handy," he sighed. "But do not worry Karasu. I somehow get the feeling we will catch up to them!"

"You look good in red," Sarik laughed as he noticed her blushing a very dark red. "How did you get to using all that language?"

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

"Bread and soup?" Rimoru chuckled quietly as she waved her hand over the table, immediately a hot bowl of tomato soup in front of Maverion, along with a small roll of bread.

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

"Cadeyrn, if he threatens to ruin this mission, I will intervene. Otherwise, he's yours," Rothargot rumbled.

The demi-god continued to stare at Cadeyrn before finally saying something about his ears. "Do all mortals bleed from their ears after they lose their left eye?" he asked curiously.

"He has already threatened Marlene and his sheer vicious tendencies jeopordize our mission as is." Cadeyrn growled before running his fingers below his ear feeling the thick blood.

"Gah! It must be this damned sickness again, I swea-" He was interrupted by another more violent coughing fit, clutching his chest he began growling in pain while his stomach felt like it was eating itself.

"Then you must do your best to make sure the final ritual is completed unhampered," Rothargot said as Cadeyrn began to cough violently.

"Are you sure you will be able to complete your mission for Valtrox?"

"I'll be fine!" He shouted as a mist of blood shot from his mouth. "I've suffered worse than this and bounced right back."

I'm in no condition to fight if our old friends catch us, and even less if my father shows up. I can barely see straight and haven't eaten in days.

"Perhaps when one of the elves feel awake, they'll heal you or atleast prevent such a rapid spread of your disease," he rumbled as he looked towards Nienna.

She was still under the covers, but under Cadeyrn's violent coughing, her breath had slowed considerably. Surprisingly asleep...

"Do you really think one of them would help me?" Cadeyrn asked spitting what remained.

----------

Marlene trudged around her room infuraited at the current situation.

"God you friggin theives piss me off!" She yelled throwing a chair out the door.

"Well Sarik, I guess when the mood strikes, I swear like a sailor." Karasu grinned.

"Perhaps it would be wise to go to the kitchen and get some food. I left with just some juice as Kalzog was angering me, but I think we both need our strength, and I have to remember I am eating for two." She patted her belly, which was not yet showing. I have never been pregnant and do not know if this is the way it is with us dragons.

As he awaited Minos's answer, an idle thought crossed his mind. Namely the mental bond he'd created between Cadeyrn and Marlene. The link was usually only temporary unless intentionally made permenant, but had been known on occasion to become permenant without the caster's volition but with the sub-consious of the recipients, thought it usually took a while to solidify in any manner.

He shrugged and saw seagull poop on a sailor, he couldn't do anything about it either way.

"Well...if you gain their trust," he replied in a hushed whisper as he kept his eyes on the slow rising and lowering of the delecate form of the elf in the bed.

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

"Oh, please do, Karasu. I would be honored if you came with me," Sarik smiled as he watched her pat her muscular stomach. She still showed no signs of a child, but she didn't have the same spring as before. She still had her perfectly sculped...not to mention tempting...body.

"Karasu...do you feel miserable about this whole pregnancy thing?" Sarik asked quietly as they were walking near the kitchen, no signs of the ogre nearby.

"Oh Sarik, no... It is just that I have never had any children and I do not know what to expect, nor do I have anyone to consult. I do not even know how long the gestation period is! This is how much I have paid attention to this sort of thing in the past." Karasu answered. "Why, does it bother you Sarik? Is there some concern?

"I have to say that we may be in a bit of a mess... you inviting me to live with yourself and your future wife. To be honest, I feel guilty." Karasu's eyes teared up. "I feel it was my duty to back off, as you are engaged, and I know that." A sad look crossed her face.

"However, it does not change how I feel about you." Karasu started crying.

"Oh no, Karasu. It doesn't bother me at all," Sarik replied to her first question about the baby.

"Oh, don't cry, Karasu. It is not your fault. It is as much your's as it is mine," he whispered as he gently wiped away her tears, pulling her to his chest. "I still give you permission to live with us, and I'm sure Ikara wouldn't mind."

"And I still love you, Karasu," he said even quieter, holding her tighter.

"I still love you too." Karasu buried her head in Sarik's chest and tried to stop crying. "I am sorry Sarik. I feel I have caused you a great burden." She sighed. "I feel so comforted in your arms." She whispered to him.