NationStates Jolt Archive

The guards eyes lit up momentarily. "I wish I could eat it...but the magic in your cell prevents me from doing so..." the guard replied, before realizing what he was saying. "No, I am not allowed to take food from prisoners."

Kalzog laughed as he pulled apart his cow and ate grusomely. "Then how do you get rid of all this?" he asked, motioning towards the already eaten segments of his meal.

"The next cell..." replied the guard.

"I dunno what yer talk'n 'bout, mage, but my steaks are great," commented the dwarf.

"They may taste good, but I'll give you excellent odds they've been tampered with. I doubt that I've pissed the guards off enough that I'd be the only one they tried to bump off, or otherwise mess with. Also, I'm guessing these guys work for Inzikai, at least at some level and I'm sure he'd like us all dead and buried." Lorathin commented not touching the food.

Harlin lifted his plate to his nose and took a deep sniff from it. Ah, he thought, the smell of home...wait... He looked at the guard, and smiled. "Thought you could beat me at my own game, eh? The food has been tainted with a Phrexian weariness draught. Really, trying to poison a Jiltakin?" Harlin asked mockingly at the guard.

The guard looked in confusion at the group. "I honestly haven't a clue about what's going on!"

Kalzog laughed. "I didn't detect anything wrong with my dish, so to speak," he replied with a full mouth, blood splattering around him.

The dwarf coughed out what he could. "Vile scum! Get in 'ere, an' I'll teach ya a lesson yer'll never ferget! I'll give ya a taste of what I'll do ter Inzikai when I see 'em!" growled the dwarf.

The guard backed away looking from side to side. "Don't make me get the others in here! Settle down, maybe these other dishes won't be poisoned..." he said, pointing to the other servings.

Harlin leaned back in his chair and sighed, "I wouldn't trust any food they bring us. It's a pity too, I was looking forward to this meal."

"Wait wait wait. You forgot something very important. Notice how I said specific details and names. You forgot your name," Inzikai replied with a smile. "Then, I'll let you rest."

"Also, let it be known, Sarik is not truly my nemesis. He is only misguided by the real puppeteer. The Patriarch is not who he may seem..." Inzikai said, once again swirling his soup.

"Ah, my mistake - must have slipped my mind," Ar'mai responded honestly. "My name is Ar'mai."

"Well then you shouldn't condemn the puppet for the puppeteers actions," she rebuked before taking a shot at him, "you wouldn't want anyone to condemn you for Valtrox's faults."

"Why don't you just go fetch us untainted food." Lorathin said to the guard.

"Pleasure to meet you, Ar'mai," Inzikai bowed slightly. "Actually, It would be an honor to be blamed for Valtrox's decisions, for when they come to fruitation, they are truly a sight to behold..."

Inzikai seemed lost in thought for several seconds, before once again flipping through the notes.

"Tell me, Ar'mai. Do you like gladiator tournaments?" he asked upon flipping to an invitation.

"Tell me, Ar'mai. Do you like gladiator tournaments?" he asked upon flipping to an invitation.

"If the combatants are fighting for honor... sure," Ar'mai said, though expecting that they wouldn't be. "If they merely fight for life... then I find them a sick and brutul abuse."

"We shouldn't mention the details of the treasure room to anyone," Maverion said. "Who knows what that vampire or anyone else would do if they hear about it."

Teralynn asked, "And if they ask?"

"This was all we found," said Mave as he piloted the carpet back toward the scorching ground.

Tera's eyes went distant for a moment. "Rothargot is here." She pointed to one of the larger entryways at the base of the ruins.

They flew in that direction and when in, noticing immediately the group of frightened people.

Jerking her chin deeper into the ruins, Tera said, "In there."

The carpet and its two passenger floated toward Rothargot and the new member of their group in order to rejoin them.

"I suppose these games are a little of both. The gladiators tend to be prisoners, fighting for their life. And if they believe themselves falsely accused, they probably would fight for honor as well. Ahh the feeling of seeing adoring fans every step. To hear the crowd cheer your name..." Inzikai smiled. "This competition is supposed to be quite special. Millions are going to attend it. It says here, 'exotic animals, beastly creatures, dashing soldiers, and much more'. I have been invited to sit in a special booth, all to myself..."

"I would be honored if you were to go with me," he said, as he handed her the pamphlet full of pictures of strange and exotic creatures, the seal of the Imperium, and pictures of the spacious and luxorious private boothe they offered Inzikai.

**********************************************************
Rothargot continued down the passageway, looking for any signs of his comrades. Something growled in the distance.

"They aren't here," Rothargot hissed. He saw something move. Something massive. Suddenly, red eyes flickered up ahead.

"Close your eyes, dark elf," growled Rothargot. He waited for her to comply with his orders before summoning a small amount of power. He blasted out a fireball towards the direction of the monster. The monster moved with incredible speed out of the way of the firebolt, but the light created gave Rothargot the image of a massive snake coiled up.

As the fireball hit the wall, the snake slithered speedily down a hole nearby.

"Let's find the others before it comes back..." rumbled the demi-god.
**********************************************************

"Why did they assign me to this post?" the guard asked himself.

"Hail, guard! I have been asked to replace your post," replied another guard, who walked out of the shadows. He seemed tall and slim, definitely not the figure of a Skizzarish.

"Thank the Judges!" replied the guard as he walked off.

"Hey, can you pass me the other cow?" Kalzog asked the new guard, who opened the door and pushed the heavy cow in.

"Loraf, is that you?" the guard whispered.

"Eh? Who are you?" Loraf asked suspiciously.

"It's me, Ixair, friend of Chief Higsthor," replied the guard, taking off his helmet, revealing a handsome elvish face, bright blue eyes and medium-long silky blonde hair.

Sudden realization hit the dwarf's face. "Ixair, ya sneaky elf, you! How'd ya-"

The elf put a finger to his mouth. "Keep it down, Loraf, if they see me talking to you, they'd surely put me in the same chamber..."

"How'd ya get in 'ere?" whispered the dwarf.

"About several weeks ago, I killed one of their guards, and had to work my way here..."

"YA IDIOT! I COULDA BEEN FREE LONG AGO!!" growled Loraf loudly.

"Shut up, Loraf! I don't wanna be stuck in there with-with..." The elf looked in the cell. "two humans, a skizzarish, an ogre, a massive elf, and a beautiful one. Excuse my manners," he said bowing low to the ground. "I am Ixair Riftdreamer, leader of the Rogue Defenders."

"Well, since yer on our team, get us some proper food...none of this poisoned stuff..."

"Will do," he replied, taking a look at all their dishes, and leaving them alone to retrieve their food.

"I suppose we may be in luck," said Sarik cheerfully.

"Doesn't seem much like honor to me," Ar'mai mumbled as she took the pamphlet from Inzikai.

She looked through it, admiring the beasts though knowing they were being used in a cruel, sadistic and deadly way. "Fine... I will go," she said eventually, with very little enthusiasm. But I won't enjoy it... she wanted to add, but kept to herself.

"Appears we are, but it could be a trick to try and mess with our heads." Lorathin commented

"Ar'mai, you sadden me. I thought you would love to come with the leader of a powerful nation to a great tournament, where a great hero will fight valiently. Surely you fantasized about such things as a child?" chuckled Inzikai.

"Speaking of which, do you have a family? Aren't you about that age of looking for a suitor and starting a family? Why are you out exploring instead of doing such activities?" Inzikai asked as he got up from his chair and back to his desk.

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


The elf returned with several guards, clearing away the previous meals. They brought the new meals through the door and left without a word.

"Any better? The chefs may not yet know of my switching of posts..."

Shara blushed at the attention from her fellow elf and said, "Oh, no excuse neccessary."

Meanwhile, Harlin stood in the corner and inspected Minos, who hadn't moved for some time. Then, his eyes moved up and found the relic placed in his staff. It resembled a small stone eye. That's when he realized what it was. The Jiltak Eye!!!, his mind screamed in utter suprise. It had been lost many decades ago when the Jiltak that it had been entrusted to, the great Jentar Haliyun, never returned from a mission. It was rumored to be the most powerful of the Jiltak Pieces.

As if he could read Harlin's thoughts Minos said, "Aye boy, 'tis the Jiltak Eye. It allows me to draw upon a nearly bottomless store of energy when neccessary." Minos' voice was the same inhuman rumble from before; it seemed to emmanate from the very earth, air, and water around Harlin.

"How did you get it? It was lost to my people long ago."

"Not so long as you might think. Forty years ago, I, too, was a member of the Jiltak Order. On that fateful day when Jentar was dispatched to retrieve the Lost Book of Arcturus from the fabled city of Narandia, I rode after him. I beseeched him to allow me to accompany him on this, the most important mission ever set before a Jiltak.

"If you never heard the stories when you were young, the Book of Arcturus provided the first Jiltak Master with the intimate knowledge of shadow. That knowledge has been passed down for millenia, yet the course of time has corrupted the skills. Jentar was to attempt to retrieve the book from its fabled resting place across the Great Sea.

"Sadly, Jentar fell ill, and on his deathbed entrusted the Jiltak Eye to me, in the hope that I would be able to complete the mission. I have been searching since that day."

"Why was this never revealed to me in my training?," asked Harlin in disbelief.

"If you were the master of the Guild, why would you reveal to your disciples that the skills you were teaching them were imperfect?"

Harlin frowned, "Centurus is far too honest to ever keep anything from any member of the guild."

"It is not just Centurus. Every Guild Master for the past 500 years has known of this degradation of our trade. Centurus was only the first to realize that something had to be done to stop the crumbling of our order."

Harlin slid down the wall, a look of amazement and fear on his face. "Minos, when we have stopped Inzikai, I will accompany you on your quest."

(OOC Plot idea for a possible continuation after this story is done?)

"Ar'mai, you sadden me. I thought you would love to come with the leader of a powerful nation to a great tournament, where a great hero will fight valiently. Surely you fantasized about such things as a child?" chuckled Inzikai.

"Speaking of which, do you have a family? Aren't you about that age of looking for a suitor and starting a family? Why are you out exploring instead of doing such activities?" Inzikai asked as he got up from his chair and back to his desk.

"Why would I fantasize about imprisoned men fighting desperately for their lives for the amusement of others," Ar'mai said with a sickened tone in her voice.

"I believe our question and answer session is over," she replied without much emotion.

OOC: Sounds fun! :D
"I suppose so..." replied Inzikai, moving stacks of papers around on his desk. He was relieved that she refused to answer the question, considering his earlier outburst about elves and how much he may have revealed to her about his past.

He brought out his key and opened the drawer. He paused suddenly and slowly looked up at the elf.

"Are you done with the soup?" he asked, suspiciously.

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

Ixair jumped as Minos' voice seemed to come from everywhere. "Err...could you keep your friends voice down?" he whispered, pointing towards the door the guards came from.

Loraf looked at Shara as she blushed. "Sure, sure, no snappy come back for the elf, but one for poor ol' Loraf who has gone through so much..."

"Yah, and no death threats like she gave the poor little ogre minding his own business, taking the brunt of all the insults..." grumbled Kalzog as he bit into a leg of the cow.

"Loraf, I don't see you greeting anyone kindly...And you, Ogre. You're just plain ugly," replied the elf, grinning mischieviously.

Sarik laughed at the comment.

"Eh, at least I can handle anything in a fight..." replied the Ogre. "You elves are so skinny, I could break your bones just by touching you..."

"If your bulk could catch us," chuckled Ixair.

"Ask him." He gestured at Harlin. "He seems most familiar with poisons."

Minos' voice came again, this time softer, but still appearing to come from all sides, "My apologies, Master Elf, I am tuning myself to the elements of this arena."

Meanwhile, Harlin inspected the food. "It's safe," he said before taking a bite of his meal.

"Finished," she replied calmly as she leaned back deep in the abundance of plush pillows. Her body taking on the air of a heavenly angel as she lied delicately in her tight and revealing clothing. "So... when do we leave?" she inquired slowly not bothering to get up or face him.

(OOC Plot idea for a possible continuation after this story is done?)

(ooc: Sounds great!)

"Many thanks, great sorceror," replied Ixair with a smile on his face. "So, how did you guys get caught? All of Lustria's been buzzing about this great celebration..."

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

"Eerrr..." Inzikai replied as he examined Ar'mai's body. "Umm... Well..."

Inzikai cleared his throat and looking down at the papers in the drawer. "Umm...When do you feel like going?" he asked, feintly. He coughed again as he observed the elf.

Harlin laughed and indicated the now bloodstained ogre. "Need I explain more?"

"Well that would depend on when the battle is to be held, wouldn't it?" she asked, not taking any notice of Inzikai's 'examining' of her exposed and vulnerable body.

"I wouldn't want you to miss any of it," she commented. "So, if it is soon... then we should go soon."

Ixair chuckled. "I suppose Ogres can be hard to carry along..."

"You better be happy you're out there, elf. If you were in here, I'd snap you in two!" growled Kalzog.

"Aye, and if I was in there, I'd probably be dead from your stench..." rebutted the elf, who seemed as though he were enjoying this.

Sarik and the dwarf chuckled a bit.

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

Inzikai closed the drawer door and walked up, quietly, behind Ar'mai. "Well..um...The invitation said it starts tomorrow... In the evening of course...Perhaps we leave tomorrow...morning?" He continued to observe the elf, taking in every detail.

For the first time in nearly an hour, Minos moved. Stood and looked over at the ogre, more specifically. His eerie voice said, "What is your problem with elves?"

Inzikai closed the drawer door and walked up, quietly, behind Ar'mai. "Well..um...The invitation said it starts tomorrow... In the evening of course...Perhaps we leave tomorrow...morning?" He continued to observe the elf, taking in every detail.

"Well, if you think that is best..." Ar'mai commented as she sprung up from the mound of pillows with hew usual agility.

"For now though, I think I will be retiring..." she said, expecting him to fill in where she would be sleeping.

"Too snobby for my tastes," replied the Ogre, finishing up his cow. "They aren't that great in close quarter combat, either..."

"You must've not seen many elves fight then," replied Ixair, watching the old wizard.

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

Inzikai smiled as he flicked his tongue out, slightly surprised when she jumped out of the pillows. "Of course. Follow me..." he replied, walking to one side of the tent. He opened the flap, revealing a massive luxorious bed. His bed... "You may rest here. I'll be at my desk should you need me...Anything else you'll need before you sleep?"

Lorathin's face took on an air of disgust, steadily increasing to revulsion as he'd return to his nap.

Shara was watching Lorathin and saw the expression on his face. "What's wrong with him?," she asked.

Inzikai smiled as he flicked his tongue out, slightly surprised when she jumped out of the pillows. "Of course. Follow me..." he replied, walking to one side of the tent. He opened the flap, revealing a massive luxorious bed. His bed... "You may rest here. I'll be at my desk should you need me...Anything else you'll need before you sleep?"

"Peace and quiet," she said in jest.

She reached for the flap and pulled it back to close the opening before spinning and laying herself out on the bed.

"Maybe he's smelling the Ogre?" responded Ixair.

"You're really pushing it, elf," growled the Ogre. "Now bring me the next cow..."

The guard pushed the cow through the doorway and stood back, taking another look at the group. "Does anyone want anymore of anything?"

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

Inzikai sat back in his chair, and watched the tent flap, in which Ar'mai had walked through. He smiled slightly before getting back to sorting through all the papers on his desk.


Two hours had passed, and the fire was dieing out. Inzikai stood up quietly and was about to feed the fire more wood, when he decided against it. He'll get some rest himself.

Inzikai quietly walked over to his previous room, where the elf now slept, and peeked inside. It seemed the elf was sleeping silently...like an angel he thought with a smile.

He quietly walked back to his seat, and relaxed, watching the tent flap where Ar'mai slept.

Suddenly, the tent flap moved and the beautiful elf walked out, smiling.

"Ar'mai?" he asked as she walked closer, seductively. She stroked his chin, and brought her face close to his. She broke off, and walked out of the tent, looking back and winking.

Inzikai chuckled and got up and hurridly followed her. As he walked out his large tent, he could see her walking towards the massive stones. Inzikai ran faster to catch up to her. "Ar'mai, wait!" he called out to her, but she continued to walk, occasionally turning back, the same seductive smile on her face. She blew a kiss in his direction before continuing towards the stones.

Inzikai stopped a patroling guard. "Help me catch that elf," he ordered the guard, pointing at the distant elf.

The guard looked in the direction and squinted. "Sir...what elf?"

"You imbecile, that elf-" Inzikai looked in the direction he last saw the beautiful elf. There was no sign of her. "She must've hidden. Carry on."

Inzikai continued to walk towards the direction he saw her last.

"Inzikai, over here!" replied an excited voice.

Inzikai followed the voice and was awared the view of the elf. She stood, radiant as ever, her arms outstretched, and a smile on her face.

"Ar'mai...you're so...beautiful..." Inzikai whispered. He walked over to her, putting his arms around her slender waist.

"I am, aren't I?" she replied. But it wasn't her voice. It was a deep, terrifying voice.

Inzikai pulled back, just in time to see fiery wings sprout out from her back. Three horns formed out from her head, her hair turning into long strings of fire. Her eyes glowed an unnatural yellow as her teeth grew into sharp fangs.

"Surprised to see me, Inzikai?" came the all to familiar voice.

"M-m-m-master Valtrox!" stammered Inzikai as he fell to his knees. "B-b-but, I was not even asleep! How are you in the mortal plane?"

"I am getting good at this, aren't I?" replied the vile god, as he examined his body. " I am in your head. But this is no dream, as my previous visits have been..." Valtrox struck a seductive pose, chuckling sadistically. "You know, Inzikai, I never knew you had a soft spot. Especially for elvish girls. I always thought you were the cold hearted person I pictured you to be..."

"Master? What do you mean?" replied Inzikai.

"You dolt! Don't test me, mortal...Your captive. You've fallen in love with her. I've seen through your eyes, I've heard your thoughts," continued the demonic figure of Ar'mai. "Hence the way you treat her."

"You make me jealous, little Emperor," replied Valtrox as he brought his fingers together, pressing in Inzikai's cheeks as he spoke, with pursed lips, in a childish voice. "I thought I had all your devotion. Now I realize you've fallen in love with someone allied with a god who would oppose me to the last."

"But master...She is beautiful, strong, loyal, lively, devoted...all valuable qualities in anyone. You cannot disagree with that!" replied Inzikai.

"Maybe I wish she was my devoted minion, and you the captive. It would make things easier," growled Valtrox. "Inzikai, I want you to kill her...tonight...There is still an hour or two before daybreak, I want you to take this knife-"

"No master, I beg of you, I cannot kill her..." cried Inzikai. He lay on his knees, his face all the way to the ground, but Valtrox could see the tears falling onto the snow.

"What's this? You challenge my authority?" growled Valtrox. "You fool!"

Suddenly, great pain shot through all of Inzikai's body. The bumps on his head began to ache even more, as blood began to pour out of them. Inzikai tried his best to remain silent, so as not to wake anyone, but failed at it. Soon he was bawling and screaming. "Please master!"

"I will make my gift to you more painful than you can imagine!" Valtrox said through clenched teeth. Suddenly the beautiful elven body seemed to split down the middle, as Valtrox rose out of it, his massive body exploding out of his previous body like a volcano.

"Master! Please...I have...an Idea!" pleaded Inzikai. Suddenly the pain cooled off slightly.

"Tell me through your mind...You're pathetic screaming probably woke up half your camp," growled the giant dragon, as he perched himself on one of the large stones.

Master, What If I were to convert her to a faithful servant? You'll have two servants willing to fight and die for you! Inzikai thought.

"No. You said it yourself, she is devoted to her goddess. It will not work..." Valtrox replied gruffly.

"Please, master, a chance..."

"Fine. You have until Rothargot comes back. When he does, I will have him brainwash her or kill her. Whatever he's in the mood for....You remember what happened when Skrangor helped you in your campaign against the elves? Remember how he dealt with those vile creatures?"

Inzikai did remember. So long ago, before Valtrox lost Skrangor to the ogres, Skrangor helped Inzikai kill the elves. But Skrangor did so in the most gruesome and tortorous ways possible...

"I will do my best, master, thank you for your kindness"

"You're lucky I didn't take my gift from you..." Valtrox replied, smiling slightly. Suddenly, the god exploded from his perch into a thousand different sparks, much like a firework.

"Ar'mai...the things I do for you..." sniffed Inzikai. He looked at his body. It seemed slightly more muscular, as there were rips in his skin, revealing reddish flesh underneath. He could still feel blood pouring out from his forehead, and Inzikai felt for the nubs that were once there. Instead, he felt short, sharp horns. Three of them...

Shara glanced at Minos, who had resumed his crouching position, and Harlin who sat with his back to the cell wall and his eyes closed, and then decided, "I think we're alright."

"Wonderful!" replied the elf, cheerily. "What is your name, fellow elf?"

Lorathin continued to snooze, as he awaited the rotation.

Sure enough, a click was heard shortly after.


"Agh! But I'm not done yet!" shouted Kalzog, scrambling to get to the door. "Quick! Toss me the remaining cattle!"

Ixair ignored the Ogre, and waved at the prisoners as the cell began to slowly revolve.

"I'll meet you guys at cell one!" he called out to them, winking at Shara. As they disappeered from view, Ixair donned his guard outfit again, and walked to cell one...

Lorathin opened his eyes and commented, "Finally. How long does it normally take from this point to get into the arena?"

"I'm not sure," replied the dwarf, yawning. "Depends on the battle going on right now...If they take a while, we'll wait longer. It also depends, I 'spose on if all the guests have arrived an' how late in the day it is. If it's already evenin' we'll probably 'ave ta wait for tomorrow..."

"My dinner..." groaned Kalzog.

"Kalzog, there is an opening over there to toss out your remains. How about you throw them out so we don't have to smell them for the rest of the time we have this cell?" chuckled Sarik.

When the room stopped revolving, Shara was presented with Ixair's smiling face in the window. Smiling at him, she said, "My name is Shara Okoln. It is a pleasure to meet you!"

Meanwhile, Harlin looked around at the new surroundings. There was a vast assortment of weapons now displayed on the walls. A grin began to creep across Harlin's face as he walked over and chose to identical short scimitars. "Perhaps you won't need my blade now Bael'ther."

"Kalzog, you ate multiple cows, surely you're not still hungry." Lorathin groused

"It is an honor to meet you, Ms. Okoln," replied Ixair, as he bowed regally. "Prince Ixair Riftdreamer, at your service, beautiful. And who are your friends?" he added motioning to everyone else in the cell.

"Only three...Us Ogre's eat a lot as we have large appetites..." responded Kalzog to Lorathin's question. He then turned to the Ixair. "I am your worst nightmare elf..."

"You most certainly are," replied Ixair, a broad smile on his face, yet he kept his eyes locked on Shara.

"Sir Sarik, paladin of the Order of the White Serpeant," replied Sarik, bowing lightly.

Shara smiled at Ixair's compliments; his charm was hard to resist. "Well," she indicated Minos, "that's Minos Praetal, he was our guide through the Durangars, and is an accomplished elementalist." She moved her hand in the direction of Harlin, "That's Harlin." She smiled again as she said his name, "He's a Jiltakin, if you know of them."

Bael'ther ignored Harlin's comment as he was busy examining all of the weapons. He needed massive blades to fight to his full potential, and good ones were hard to find.

---

"Excuse me lady," a guard said as he entered the closed sleeping quarters of the elf. "Master Inzikai was busy tending to something and so he asked me to wake you up... he says you will be leaving soon."

Ar'mai lay comfortably in the bed and merely waved her hand at the guard to show she understood. What a sleep! she thought - his bed was quite comfortable, much more so than the beds she had slept on throughout her recent travels.

She got out of bed only a minute or so later and was soon her same bright and alive self. She readjusted her clothes that had become scrunched together as she slept and then walked to the entrance of tent.

There was a decent amount of light for the morning hours, though certainly nothing like home where you would wake up to the warm feeling of the sun on your face. Oh well... it will have to do. It was still cold and the Elven princess shivered gently as the effects of the whether hit her. Oh yeah... almost forgot. In but a moment she had revived the Inner Warmth spell and her body began filling with warm and heat.

"Azreal." Lorathin said by way of introduction to the pseudo-guard elf.

"I've heard marvelous tales of the Jiltakin, Sir Harlin. But I've never truly met one." He looked at Minos. "I could tell he's a figure of power, just by the way he spoke.

Ixair looked at Azrael and bowed again. "Pleasure to meet you Azrael. I can detect something special about you, but I can't place my finger on it..."

He then turned to Sarik. "You as well..Pleasure to meet you Paladin of the Order."

"Who's the other elf?" asked Ixair, motioning Bael'ther.

"He's a good friend of ours, and devoted bodyguard of an elven princess who was recently kidnapped...He can't speak though..." replied Sarik, a hint of sorrow in his voice.

"My sorrows, friend. If I may help in any way, I will do so as best I could..."

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

Inzikai was stripped down to his shorts, as he stood in front of a full length mirror. He was definitely more muscular than before. Many skizzarish would kill just to get a form like this...

He had sent a guard to awaken the elf, as he did not wish to be seen as such.

Inzikai probed a patch of red skin underneath. He winced a bit in pain. He raised his hand up to the small horns that jutted from the back of his head. He sighed as he slowly pulled on his pants, gasping when the garments would touch a patch of new skin. He pulled on his shirt, along with his robe, all resulting in the same fashion.

"Pain is going to be a common occurance..." he muttered to himself. He silently cursed the horns jutting from his head. He pulled up his hood to cover them and walked outside, noticing the beautiful elf standing in front of his tent.

"Good Morning, Ar'mai. I trust you slept well?" he asked quietly, managing a weak smile.

Harlin smiled at Ixair, the two scimitars glimmering in his hands. "The pleasures all mine, Master Elf."

Walking over to Minos, Harlin patted him on the shoulder. "Wouldn't you like a weapon Minos?"

Ixair turned his attention back to Shara, and smiled brightly. "So tell me, sweet Shara, you don't look completely elven, mind me, you're still very beautiful. Are you a half elf, by any chance?"

"Good Morning, Ar'mai. I trust you slept well?" he asked quietly, managing a weak smile.

"Marvelously," Ar'mai replied with delight in her voice. "I hear that we are to be leaving soon for this gladiatorial event?"

"As soon as you're ready. Just say the word...Would you like a coat, Ar'mai?" asked Inzikai, slowly walking closer. "I'm glad you enjoyed your sleep. I find that bed most comfortable."

"As soon as you're ready. Just say the word...Would you like a coat, Ar'mai?" asked Inzikai, slowly walking closer. "I'm glad you enjoyed your sleep. I find that bed most comfortable."

"Well I am up... so I am ready," Ar'mai replied. "And no, I will be fine, but thanks for offering," she said as she was beginning to feel the intense warming affects of the passive spell she had cast.

"Then let's get to it," replied Inzikai, as he walked towards the stables, wincing at the pain. He brought the hood farther down his face, so it not only covered his horns, but also his eyes. "I had thought you would be freezing in this weather, but you come up with more surprises. I am truly excited to see what else you have up your sleeve, Ar'mai..." he rasped, before clearing his throat.

"I'll bet..." she said, with a hint of knowing in her voice. It was hard for an elf with her senses not to notice the way he had been looking at her on occasion.

However, she did not press the matter, but instead stored the information away as she followed Inzikai to the stables.

Inzikai led Ar'mai back to Blight, his favored dragon. After speaking a few words in Skizzarish to his mount, he bowed to Ar'mai and flourished his hands. "Ladies first," he said, wincing at the pain the simple gesture caused him.

"Something the matter?" Ar'mai asked as she gracefully climbed onto the Dragon's back. She had noticed his odd movements and apparent wincing and was wondering what could have caused it since she last saw him.

"Nothing...nothing at all...just a..slight wound," he responded as he attempted to climb to his seat. After several failed attempts, as well as terrible pain, Inzikai nudged Blight on the side and cleared his throat. Blight brought her wing close by and Inzikai used it as a step into his seat, behind Ar'mai. He smiled at the small distance of the two...If there were any sudden jolts, or inclines, Ar'mai may just slide onto his lap.

Inzikai chuckled aloud at the thought, but stopped short as he was pained again. "Let us be off!" said Inzikai as Blight took off into the air.

"The situation is being dealt with." Lorathin commented, "And may resolve itself sooner than expected." He added cryptically.

The elf cocked an eyebrow at Azrael and smiled. "I don't think I quite got that, Azrael. What do you mean?"

"I meant exactly what I said. You'll have to excuse if I choose not to go into further details, I'm still not entirely convinced that this isn't a set up." Lorathin replied, "It seems somewhat too convenient."

In the darkness of the local ruins, Rastilia had no problems seeing the local terrain this to her was almost like her home. She noticed the lack of people around here in this lower level and this sudden conjuncture started to make her think silently about this for a minute ignoring Rothargot's question about being a princess. One of her survival skills in the underdark taught her if normal creatures avoided an area that usually meant trouble but Rastilia did not think about that until after the Rothargot's sudden attack against the massive snake.


Rastilia quickly followed behind Rothargot and said, "To answer your question, In the overall scheme of things in my homeland. I am a princess but I am just a puppet of the real ruler. The Shadow Emperor Alfred Von Antheron, My noble title is just more or less a facade to let the commoner Dark Elves think that the Dark Elf nobility has some self-rule. The truth would be devastating to the masses."

Ixair turned his attention back to Shara, and smiled brightly. "So tell me, sweet Shara, you don't look completely elven, mind me, you're still very beautiful. Are you a half elf, by any chance?"

"Yes, my father was human."

Ixair smiled at Lorathin. "Why, My gang and I are always convenient..." he chuckled softly. He turned his attention back to Shara.

"Ahh, a union of the best races, I say. But I also like gnomes, dwarves, elves..." Ixair started counting on his fingers. "dragons, griffons, skizzarish..."

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

"What do you think would happen if the commoners learned the truth?" Rothargot asked, inspecting the area that the large snake was previously coiled. There were several skeletons, along with fresher corpses, all seeming to be the filthy inhabitants of the ruins. Rothargot was relieved to notice none were his comrades.

"What do you think would happen if the commoners learned the truth?" Rothargot asked, inspecting the area that the large snake was previously coiled. There were several skeletons, along with fresher corpses, all seeming to be the filthy inhabitants of the ruins. Rothargot was relieved to notice none were his comrades.


OOC: Are the skeleons whole or are they scattered bones?


Rastilia also looked at the area and noticed the skeletons. She wondered if she could animate them. It would be nice to have a few undead servants while heading down here especially with monsters like that giant snake.

Rastilia finally snaped back into reality and said, "The commoners would most likely start a large revolt and try to kill off the rest of the nobility and their leaders would try to ascend and proclaim new houses. That is usually what happens when a group of commoners successfully defeats a noble house. I do however believe that they would not get very far however considering the large garrison of undead soldiers guarding the city."

OOC: A little of both lol

Rothargot inspected the whole in which the serpant slithered through. He couldn't fit in it...

"That is good news for you, Princess. We wouldn't want anything to happen to your family," replied Rothargot, as he inspected Rastilia's body, determining if she would fit through the hole.

"Nothing...nothing at all...just a..slight wound," he responded as he attempted to climb to his seat. After several failed attempts, as well as terrible pain, Inzikai nudged Blight on the side and cleared his throat. Blight brought her wing close by and Inzikai used it as a step into his seat, behind Ar'mai. He smiled at the small distance of the two...If there were any sudden jolts, or inclines, Ar'mai may just slide onto his lap.

Inzikai chuckled aloud at the thought, but stopped short as he was pained again. "Let us be off!" said Inzikai as Blight took off into the air.

"How did you get this 'slight' wound?" she inquired, emphasizing the word slight in a manner that obviously told that she didn't believe it was just slight. "I was only asleep a couple of hours... what could have happened?"

OOC: Only the corpses of those that were intact could rise. Could you tell me how many would be risen from this spell?




Rastilia Da'Logure was more interested in the various bodies that were somewhat whole. She smiled and decided to ask her goddess for a little Divine power to make these people walk again this time however without a soul or a pulse. Rastilia began to invoke her goddess's power of death and dark magic, "Lady Minax, your servant and loyal priestess seeks to allow the dead to once again walk this land. By your divine and mighty power allow them rise from their eternal sleep."


A large amount of vile energy had started accumulated from the Dark web. It started to taint the area the corpses lay. The black energy then seeped into the bones and the rotten flesh of the dead corpses. A second after this had occurred the sound of various bones, joint, and other ligaments started to snap together. The eyes of the dead corpses turned into a dark red and some of them began to rise up from their eternal sleep.


Rastilia watched this event with mild interest this type of spell was hardly new to her and she never really cared about watching the dead rise. She knew they were now her mindless puppets ready to serve her until they received true death again.

OOC: 4. Although it would be kind of interesting to see a pair of legs walking about...lol jk


Rothargot watched with interest at the rising undead. "Lord Inzikai is known to be able to raise the dead. Perhaps the two of you would enjoy a conversation together," rumbled Rothargot.

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

Inzikai lowered his hood slightly more, and hoped it wouldn't blow off in the wind. "I...slipped. Slipped and fell. That's what I get for not watching my step in the icy spots..." he managed a fake chuckle. "I'm sure you elves don't make that mistake."

"Not that most of us ever get the chance," she replied as most elves didn't live where there was ice to be slipped upon. "But no... not often."

Ar'mai enjoyed the ride as the wind whipped through her hair, reminding her of her rides upon Gael'kadar. It temporarily saddened her as she realized that flight was something she no longer did freely, but as a captive. Ironic, she thought, So often flight is a symbol of ones freedom...

However, she decided not to dwell on the matter for too long as it would do no good, except put her in a bad mood. "How long until we arrive?"

The hooded figure sat on the sidelines of a busy thorough fair near the arena. His eyes scanned each and every individual with precision and discrimination looking for his new boss. His hefty blade hung off his back taking up the entire bench at the dismay of tired passerbyers. Not exactly subtle but discretion wasn't Cadeyrn's strength.

"Where is she?" He asked himself impatiently still eyeing the mob.

"Blight will bring us there in an hour or so...But before we arrive, I have a surprise for you," Inzikai replied with a smile.

Soon enough, Blight began to descend upon a tiny valley in the mountains, secluded from civilization. Blight landed softly in an open plain, right before an expanse of a thick forest.

"Since there aren't many forests I think you would enjoy near Zlatlan, I thought I could bring you here. A little bit of home, perhaps? Probably not as nice, but I think you may like it," Inzikai said softly, watching Ar'mai with curiousity. "But you must return to me, if I call your name. I'm trusting you to not escape. As strong as you are, I don't think you'd make it far if you traverse these mountains on foot..."

"Is there anything you dislike?" Lorathin asked with a faint scowl. Ixair was starting to be annoying, in a negative way. He was just too peppy.

Rothargot watched with interest at the rising undead. "Lord Inzikai is known to be able to raise the dead. Perhaps the two of you would enjoy a conversation together," rumbled Rothargot.


Rastilia finally took note of Rothargot and replied, "Is he a priest or just a necromancer?" She finally noticed the hole that Rothargot was looking at and asked, "Is this the hole the monster used to escape?" The four newly undead corpses started to shuffle to their new mistress as she made a mental command to them to protect her...

"Blight will bring us there in an hour or so...But before we arrive, I have a surprise for you," Inzikai replied with a smile.

Soon enough, Blight began to descend upon a tiny valley in the mountains, secluded from civilization. Blight landed softly in an open plain, right before an expanse of a thick forest.

"Since there aren't many forests I think you would enjoy near Zlatlan, I thought I could bring you here. A little bit of home, perhaps? Probably not as nice, but I think you may like it," Inzikai said softly, watching Ar'mai with curiousity. "But you must return to me, if I call your name. I'm trusting you to not escape. As strong as you are, I don't think you'd make it far if you traverse these mountains on foot..."

A forest up here...?

"Escape... perhaps not. But don't think I couldn't hide in there for a very long time," she smiled as she dismounted Blight and began walking slowly and calmly towards the forest.

She took a step in before turning around. "See you soon..." was all she uttered before taking another step and effectively disappearing into thin air.

She had no intention of trying to hide or escape; both options would be futile. However, she did have something in mind now that she was alone and unwatched. She quickly and agilely made her way through the forest to a deeper and thicker part.

Once there she began uttering a quick spell in her native Elven tongue. In no time at all a light-green owl manifestation appeared out of thin air. It looked like a normal owl except for its color and its odd appearance of being partially transparent. When it rose into the air, it became very hard to see against the sky...


About thirty or forty minutes later, Ar'mai came dancing out of the forest to the exact spot where she had disappeared from. "Ready..." she said as she walked over to Blight and leapt back on.

Empress Rimoru rode in her private carriage towards the intersection she told the new body guard to meet her. She was greatly interested in the man.

Rimoru's true race is not known. Being such a powerful figure, nearly god-like, as her people believe her to be, she has taken many forms, depending on who she is planning on recieving. All these forms had the same thing in common...A beautiful female body.

For this occasion, she believed her elven body would do. She stood at six feet, with shoulder length golden hair. Her pointed ears jutted slightly out behind her hair. Her skin was slightly tan and her body had an hour glass figure. On this occasion, she wore a thin blue dress, slightly revealing her lucious curves, but not quite explicit...

She looked out the window in a bored fashion, waiting for the carriage to stop. She watched several men stare at her, and smiled seductively at them. Her tall slender body always attracted the looks of men, and the jealousy of other woman, no matter the race.

The carriage stopped near the side of the rode, and the driver opened the door for the Empress. She walked out gracefully and met the man.

"You must be Caderyn Bran," she said, a sly smile on her face.

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

"Several things, actually. I dislike Lord Inzikai, for example. Same with Empress Rimoru..." replied Ixair, still grinning.

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

Inzikai had left Blight in the field, shortly after Ar'mai walked into the forest, watching her move into the forest with a sense of longing. He snapped out of his trance as he walked into the forest himself, brushing past shrubs and trees until he came to a small pond.

Inzikai knelt next to the pond, breathing heavily at the pain it caused him. He slowly took off his upper clothing, revealing his muscular bare chest, as well as his horned head. He observed himself in the cool water. The torn skin reminded Inzikai of a striped tiger or zebra, as his new skin was red, while his old skin was dark green. "She'll never love me..." he finally said, a tear escaping from his eye and falling into the still pond.

He dressed himself and returned to his waiting mount. He walked up to Blight and whispered something in skizzarish. Then, he slowly and painfully got in his seat and waited for Ar'mai.

Soon enough, she arrived.

Inzikai smiled warmly at her. " I had expected you to remain longer, but it is no matter. We shall arrive in the Imperium shortly."

As soon as Ar'mai was seated, the decaying dragon took off into the air. As Blight flew higher and higher, she began to increase her angle, just as Inzikai asked her to.

Inzikai smiled, wondering if Ar'mai will end up sliding closer to him.

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

"Both. He is the High Priest of Valtrox, but a necromancer. Valtrox is not a necromatic god," replied Rothargot. Rothargot himself disliked the undead. Brittle and weak he always thought. "I find undead only useful if you require a large amount of troops to buy you some time..."

Rothargot then looked towards the hole. "Yes, the snake escaped through there, but I have decided against hunting it. We should find the others before we do so."

"And why do you dislike them?" He asked

"Inzikai ruined my elven nation many many many years ago. My ancestors made a new home in Iskan as Inzikai massacred out peaceful villages. I was not alive, not even a thought, at that time, but I still hold a grudge against one who wishes to obliterate a whole race. Yet, in Iskan, it is ruled by the prostitute of a leader, Empress Rimoru. Always surrounding herself with men. Don't get me wrong, If she were to come to me, I'd probably fall to my knees and wish she would at least touch me. But she does not worship the gods. Instead, she lets her people worship her. Blasphemous. She is also rather arrogent, but being as powerful as she is, not many can stand up to her..." replied Ixair sadly, finally losing his smile.

"It's nice, but it is no home..." she replied as Blight took off into the air with tremendous speed and skill.

As the dragon began increasing its angle more so every moment, Ar'mai found herself having to grip its side with her slender yet powerful legs. However, she could not hold on forever; her legs would eventually become tired and it was no easy task to lock one's legs against the slick surface of a dragon's side.

Eventually, when she was unable to hold much longer, Ar'mai relaxed her strained muscles and slowly slid into Inzikai. She simply turned her head slightly and gave him a seductive and mischievous smile over her shoulder. "Hope you don't mind..."

Inzikai smiled widely, wincing very slightly. He brought his face over her shoulder.

"Of course not," he whispered in her ear, still grinning.

As Cadeyrn stood up his massive blade clanked against the bench. He was unsure as the regulations when it came to interacting with a boss of such high prestige, but he just assumed she was like all the others. Judging by the ellogance of the entry he assumed he had found his new boss.

"I am Cadeyrn Bran at your service." He said delicately bowing. It was hard for such a brash and rough guy to be polite and gentlemanly.

"Rise, Cadeyrn," she said, walking up close to her new bodyguard. She felt along his face, with her soft, slender hands. "I hope you are up to protecting one as important as I?" she asked playfully.

Cadeyrn was caught off guard by her touch and quickly blushed. This mercenary spent too many years on the battlefield as his lacking in social faculties clearly showed.

"Of course your highness it's what you paid me for." He boasted arrogantly.

Truthfully he was confused. Don't people of such high status have their own personal armies. Oh well, the pay is good so I won't question it.

"Come, Cadeyrn. We must make haste," she smiled as she turned around, back into her carriage. "Sit with me...we have much to discuss."

**********************************************************
Inzikai enjoyed the rest of the trip to the Imperium, more specifically, Ar'mai's closeness. They made relatively short time to get to the Imperium, thanks to the undead dragon's unlimited stanima. The dragon arrived nearby a massive field, cleared away for the massive match in the Arena. An Imperium Soldier guided Blight to a landing spot, extremely close to the Arena entrance.

Soon after landing, Inzikai smiled. "Time to get to our booth," he said quietly, in Ar'mai's ear.

Rastilia quickly replied to Rothargot's first comment, "Interesting, I do not have much knowledge in the Arcane but in the area of Divine magic, I have considerable power."

The dark elf then began to inspect her new servants carefully and finally she said, "I must however disagree with your assessment about the undead. The undead themselves vary from different classes each with different abilities. To give you an example, while zombies and skeletons are useful only for massive assaults against your enemies to usually overpower them or distract them. A Lich or Vampire can have the power to be a very devastating force by themselves. I have also seen other undead creatures that could probably rival a dragon or ogre in strength. I have also seen creatures that could sneak up right behind you and end your life before you had a chance to even turn around."


Rastilia then looked at the hole for a few seconds and said, "Very well, lets continue with our hunt for your friends. This place can not possibly be that safe while that creature is about." The Undead creatures just stood their guarding Rastilia they merely stood there in their mindless state.

"So one because he was responsible for destroying a nation that was dead before you where born, the other for being a hedonistical and powerful woman?" Lorathin asked

Soon after landing, Inzikai smiled. "Time to get to our booth," he said quietly, in Ar'mai's ear.

"Is that a secret or something?" she asked, wondering why he was whispering into her ear a very basic and obvious statement.

She dismounted and stood idly before watching Inzikai take his time getting off. After that she would follow him to the booth. Well if I am going to be here, I might as well have a good seat...

"The whore," was Sangradeen's nickname for Rimoru when she first came to power. Being raised by his master, Ratio Tile, had taught him very well that sex and blasphemy was no way to run any kind of country. He's had dreams of anarchy, but he also knew that he was no good in politics, either. That, and maybe because he's modest. But still, there was an urge.

But who was Sangradeen but a lowly tailor passing by slower business days by creating golem recipes. Even in his modesty, Sangradeen knew that he should make a name for himself. By entering small and underground gladitrorial circuits, he had made an underground name for himself. One day, he thought he might just be able to use his influence to bring down Rimoru.

Hoping to enter the mainstream, he had acquired friends that could enter him into the Imperium Gladitorial Circuit. With a few legal tweaks here and there, Sangradeen's acquaintences could turn him into a criminal or a hero in a suprisingly short time. He knew his life was at stake, but his golems could bring him back. After treking the deserts of Iskan, he had finally arrived in Imperium.

"Today is the day, Sangradeen," said Heerall while awakeing. Heerall was one of Sangradeen's more special golems. Entirely made out of cloth and steel. He was made to be a tailor and help analyze Sangradeen's fights. "Don't think I'm not ready, Heerall," said Sangradeen. "Speaking of being ready, was Damien practicing the whole night?"
"Yes. I made sure he was," answered Heerall. Damien is a golem made out of an especially absorbent clay. "Of course, he annoyed most of the other criminals in here."
"Well then, let's go."

Heading to the front of the cell, he noticed a very noticable lizardman with an intimidating party. He ignored them for the most part, and continued to wait.

"I appreciate the wisdom you impart on me, Princess. As I have said before, I have only recently been born into the Mortal Plane."

"A question if you will. How did you hear of Valtrox? And what do you think of him?" Rothargot was quite curious as to Rastilia's views on many of these subjects, being of a completely different nation than the others. Rothargot began to walk the path he came from, but turning into different passageways, into the maze that the ruins were.

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

"Partially, Azrael. I respect my god, and wish that all people respect the gods. Rimoru has no respect for any of them and is an incredibly vain figure. Inzikai has done things you would not understand. Horrible things, along with a demi-god of his beloved Valtrox. My family was forever scarred by it. My ancestors knew Inzikai's father, who lived peacefully with us elves. When Inzikai killed one of the greatest leaders of all time, his own father, he killed innocent families in their own homes..."

As Ixair was reciting history that Sarik already knew, Sarik had begun to grow bothered by a small object stabbing at his stomach. Sarik felt inside his armor and pulled out a crystal.

"My communication crystal! Zavers has blessed us with good fortune!" he whispered excitedly, hoping any guards hadn't heard.

Sarik immediately walked towards the weapons rack and spoke something in Skizzarish. The crystal glowed. "Andrazlia?" he whispered. A distant whine could be heard.

"Andrazlia, take me to a nearby guard!" within minutes, a guard could be heard, asking Andrazlia what she was doing out of her stall. The guard found the crystal.

"Guard, this is Sir Sarik, it is urgent that I speak with The Patriarch immediately!"

"Sir, it may be hard, but I'll attempt to get you there," came the reply.

For ten minutes, the crystal remained silent. Suddenly, a very noble and gently voice could be heard.

"Sarik, what is it? How fares the mission?" the Patriarchs voice asked gently.

"Master, I fear the mission is not going well. Ar'mai, our elven friend has been kidnapped by cultists. And we are stuck in the Arena...we are to fight very soon," replied Sarik apologetically. "But I beg of you to aide us. I have been notified by a guard that all the Skizzarish leaders have been notified of this event. I plead that you come to rescue us, master!"

There was an uncomfortable silence. "Alright, Sarik. But you must explain these things to me when we meet again," the Patriarch finally replied. "Sarik, may Zavers guide you."

"Thank you, my master..." replied Sarik as the crystal began to lose it's glow. He stuffed it back in it's former spot underneath his armor. "Hopefully we won't have to fight."

"Hopefully? Pah! I'm looking forward to this!" chuckled the Ogre.

Ixair noticed the strange looking man and golems arrive and jumped slightly. "Greetings! You must be the one who entered into the tournament then? Who's side do you fight on? I find these criminals have the hardest fight in store for them, but you cannot be so sure. If I were you...I'd fight alongside these guys," he said with a wink and a nod.

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

"You seemed somewhat quiet during the remainder of the trip," replied Inzikai as he painfully dismounted. He led the way to the entrance, where a guard stopped him.

"This booth is reserved for Lord Inzikai. We need proof of Identification."

"What do you mean proof? I am the one and only Inzikai..."

"Sir, at least take off your hood. Then we can see your face and if you at least resemble him..."

As the guard reached for his hood, Inzikai grabbed the guards arm, and noticing his strength for the first time, forced the guard to kneel by pressing the guards arm into the guard himself. Inzikai let go and stared at his hand, amazed by the strength. He knelt down and placed his face right up to the guard. "Do you see the resemblence? I can dissolve you if you want..."

"L-l-lord Inzikai! We are so dreadfully sorry...please continue!"

Inzikai walked into the doorway and up a flight of stairs into a large rectangle shaped room, a plush couch set in one side, next to several chairs. On the other side were tables of fruits, vegetables, various meats, and a variety of other foods and drinks. All around the box were windows.

"How do you like it?" he asked kindly, wishing he didn't have to crush the guard's arm.

Sangradeen turned around to reveal his gruesome frame. "I admit that your group is intimidating," he replied, "and I am aware of the experience of some of these criminals, but I don't want to bother you with my own goals and ideas. I am sorry to say that I overheard your friend speaking here. To what? I don't know. From what I see, he might as well be schizophrenic." He ended with a rare smile that seemed to say that he was aware of their plans.

Ixair looked away slightly as Sangradeen faced him. "Are you here to participate in the tournament or to observe the battles?" he asked, noticing the creatures smile.

"How do you like it?" he asked kindly, wishing he didn't have to crush the guard's arm.

"It is quite nice," Ar'mai stated as she walked about the booth, thinking about how Inzikai had needlessly crushed the guard's arm. He could have just showed him proof... he was, after all, doing his job. I doubt he would like it if the guard let someone pass just because he said he was Inzikai; then anyone could come up here, she thought as she examined the fruit.

She grabbed a small link of grapes and plucked them off, dropping each one into her mouth.

Ixair looked away slightly as Sangradeen faced him. "Are you here to participate in the tournament or to observe the battles?" he asked, noticing the creatures smile.

"To participate," said Sangradeen. "Why would I be in here if I were to watch?"

Inzikai looked out the window. The arena was massive, probably capable of holding several armies in it at once. He noticed a small panel with arrows pointing different directions. Curious as to what it did, he pushed the one that pointed forward. Slowly, the booth lurched forward, making Inzikai nearly lose his balance.

"Whoops...sorry," Inzikai said sheepishly. He moved the booth back to where it started at and sat down in a chair, realizing his wounds pained him even more than usual. He looked at Ar'mai, who seemed busy examining the fruit.

With the knowledge that she wasn't looking, Inzikai rolled up his robe sleeve, inspecting the arm that he had just used against the poor guard. It felt as though it were on fire. He also noticed more of his older skin had shedded, revealing more of the reddish one. Inzikai frowned. What is happening to me? he wondered as he prodded the hard flesh underneath his green skin.

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

Ixair chuckled. "If you were lost. People usually don't come down here unless they wish to speak with the prisoners. You may stay down here if you wish, but that means you wish to fight with these people, not against them, which I believe is the better choice..."

Kalzog looked at the newcomers and grunted. "Hey ugly, I suggest you fight alongside us, unless you want to die..."

Sarik gave a scolding look at Kalzog. "Ignore the ogre. He tends to try to get people to fight him or something like that...He's wierd that way..." chuckled Sarik.

"Perhaps everyone should choose a weapon now," Harlin said, looking towards Sarik, and Kalzog.

He walked over to his old comrade and asked him, "What of you Minos, would you like a backup weapon?"

"I require nothing... Damn this old magic...I have been trying to tear down this arena from its foundations, but it has been imbued with ancient powers beyond even my comprehension. Hello neighbor, those are nice golems that you've built yourself." Again, the voice appeared to emanate from the rock walls and the air, coming from all directions at once.

Harlin walked over to the small window in the cell and looked across into the other to see several large 'mechanized' humanoids talking with their creator.

"Very interesting," he muttered. "Hey there, what's your name buddy?"

ooc: Are the windows openable or just pains of thick/magic-enhanced glass?

"No problem..." Ar'mai commented between grapes. When the booth had first lurched, Ar'mai's natural instincts as an elf kicked in: her legs slipped slightly farther apart, one in front of the other, she lowered herself slightly and reached one hand down, ready to brace herself.

When she realized what had happened, she quickly returned to her calm and usual state, standing regally near a window, gazing out on the growing masses.

Sangradeen laughed roughly at the ogre. "Look who's talking! Anyway, I am convinced. I shall fight along side you. Always good to have connections. I'm sure we'll get along just fine."


Originally posted by Regenius II

"I require nothing... Damn this old magic...I have been trying to tear down this arena from its fondations, but it has been imbued with ancient powers beyond even my comprehension. Hello neighbor, those are nice golems that you've built yourself."

Harlin walked over to the small window in the cell and looked across into the other to see several large 'mechanized' humanoids talking with their creator.

"Very interesting," he muttered. "Hey there, what's your name buddy?"


ooc: Is he talking to Sangradeen and his golems?

(Sangradeen)

OOC: They are thick magically sealed glass. Much safer for the occupants that way. The door they came through, however can be opened anytime...bad flaw in the Imperium's part...lol

Inzikai unrolled his sleeve and looked out the window. Suddenly, something white caught his eyes. "No...can't be..." he whispered to himself. He stood up faster than he anticipated. Pain shot through his lower body and he sucked in air. He stumbled towards the window to get a closer look.

"Blast...he is here..." Inzikai groaned as he noticed the Patriarch in the booth across from them.

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

The Patriach entered his booth, along with several of his guards. The Patriarch was covered in white plate mail armor, and a beautifully decorated sword was slung at his hip. Behind the Patriarch stood the Imperium Judge of the Games.

"Judge, Sarik couldn't done anything wrong...he wouldn't have..."

"He didn't, Patriarch. He was capable of stopping a party member from commiting a crime. Therefore he was taken into custody."

The Patriarch sighed quietly as he looked out the window. How could he save Sarik and the others?

"Thank you, Judge of Games..." he finally replied. The Judge bowed and left.

**********************************************************
Sarik walked over to the weapons and picked out a short sword and sheild. They will do until he could get hold of his own weapons... "Good Idea, Harlin. Thanks," he replied.

"I don't need one of these weapons," growled Kalzog.

Loraf had already put his hands on a large warhammer.

Sangradeen turned around at a voice and saw a man through the window. For having ingnored him intially, he replied politelly, "My name, sir, is Sangradeen. How may I help you?"

Heerall looked around for guards and, when the coast was clear, stuck two hands into his the cloth that made his body. He pulled out two oversized needles and a longsword. He beckoned Sangradeen and gave him his weapons and kept the smuggled long sword for himself. Damien recieved nothing.

Ar'mai noticed a vast change in demeanor on the part of Inzikai followed by, "Blast...he is here..."

She was of course curious as to he meant, and followed his vision across the arena to a booth that laid directly opposite them. The Patriarch! she exclaimed in her thoughts - perhaps her luck was changing. She had met the Patriarch once or twice before; the first time was when she returned with Sarik to their lands and was greeted by the Patriarch himself.

ooc: I doubt Sangreen would need to smuggle in weapons... they are not prisoners - they volunteered to fight.

Lorathin listened with half an ear, thought he was more dozing as he communicated with the simulacrum and observed the situation of the arena.

ooc: I doubt Sangradeen would need to smuggle in weapons... they are not prisoners - they volunteered to fight.

ooc: They volunteered to fight under Imperium's conditions. He arrived at the arena seemingly unarmed, knowing, because of security reasons, that he would have weapons taken away from him. After all, if they had let them carry weapons, Sangradeen could flip out while guards are escorting him or something.

Harlin looked at the man's self-made companions and said, "It is my idea that you won't be doing to well in the Arena if your only specialty is golem-making."

OOC- Here's my debut.

IC- A powerful Skizzarish walked up to Inzikai. In his hands he carried a mace and a shield. Several spears, used for throwing, were on his back. "Inzikai, I am here to offer you a request. My name is Tlaxkrox, of the Blood Pyramid, a land located in Valtrox. Perhaps you have heard of it. I am a mercenary, and I wish to extend my services to you. If you need proof of my skills, then sign me up in the Arena."

Harlin looked at the man's self-made companions and said, "It is my idea that you won't be doing to well in the Arena if your only specialty is golem-making."

"My specialty is making golems," replied Sangradeen, "but I have some limited experience in some elemntal magic if you can call it magic when you know the principles of it." Sangradeen put his hand on the window sill and slammed down softly. A burst of heavy wind blew back Harlin's short hair and caused his eyes to squint. "That is not lethal and most wind isn't, but heat and fire is. I can't give any examples of fire for you seeing as we are about to fight and I do not want to harm anyone presumably my ally."

OOC: You can pick any side, Breitanburg. Depending on what happens during the battle, all RPers may end up on the same side...

Inzikai smiled at the newcomer. Idiotic guards...I thought they were there to prevent wanderers from coming in here...Oh well, this guy appears to know a leader when he sees one... he thought as he scanned the mercenary. "Valtrox is the greatest of gods. His power extends to the far reaches of the universe...I suspect your land is named off of him? I would like to see your proof of skills in the arena... Tell the guard awaiting outside which team you wish to participate in, and I'm sure he'll escort you to the arena..."

Inzikai gave the skizzarish another smile and escorted him out the door. Inzikai turned his back on the door and smiled as he watched Ar'mai. Suddenly, another knock was at the door.

"I thought this was a private booth?" he asked aloud. He opened the door and jumped back.

"Greetings, old friend," replied the Patriarch, a broad smile on his face. He invited himself into the booth, Inzikai slowly backing away.

"What are you doing in here? I didn't ask for you to be in here!" growled Inzikai.

The Patriarch studied Inzikai for a minute in silence, towering over the the Lord of Zlatlan. The Patriarch was five inches taller, and slightly broader than Inzikai. "You've...changed. Inzikai...your robe will not hide your secrets for long..." the Patriarch said somberly. He turned, realizing they weren't the only ones in the room. "A girlfriend, Inzikai?"

Then, realization hit his face. "Ar'mai? The one with Sir Sarik? My apologies, Lady Ar'mai. I've-" suddenly, the Patriarch remembered that she was the one that was kidnapped. He turned back to Inzikai, his kind look replaced by one of seriousness, but not quite anger.

"Is this what you resort to now a days? Kidnapping innocents, holding them hostage? Don't think I don't remember how you delt with those-"

"Quiet! That was long ago. I learned my lessons. Apparently, you haven't changed for the better, still sticking your nose where it doesn't belong! Get out of my booth!" Inzikai snarled, pushing the Patriarch out. He closed the door, wheezing quietly.

"I'm sorry...for the rude interrutions..." he spoke in between breaths.

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

"It's almost time, I think," spoke up Ixair. "Sangradeen, I believe you'll need to follow me to cell zero when the prisoners revolve. Should be soon...Last I checked, the arena was getting packed, and several leaders have already arrived."

"Lord Rothargot?" Maverion called down the long tunnel and its maze of branching hallways.

The two had sensed the general in there, along with something else, shortly followed by four more creatures. In all likelihood, Rothargot could more than take care of himself if those other creatures turned out to be hostile. Nonetheless, the two had their hands on their weapons, ready to draw and move in quickly if needed.

As the carpet slowly moved into the darkened tunnel, Tera said softly, "I sense undead in here."

"The vampire?" asked Mave.

She shook her head. "Definitely not him."

They tightened their grip on their weapons.

Rothargot heard a someone calling his name from somewhere nearby. He recognized the voice of Maverion. He followed the voice through several more tunnels. He spotted the two familiar faces and brought up a small smile.

"Greetings. I was wondering where you had gone..." Rothargot replied as he walked towards them. He noticed they were on top of a floating carpet. Not knowing much of the mortal plane, Rothargot did what Inzikai often did when confused. He cocked an eyebrow and looked at the rug.

"Is that a horse?" he asked. He knew they rode on "horses" earlier, but he did not know if this was another breed of the animal.

Mave and Tera were silent for a moment, wondering if Rothargot was serious or not.

"Um, no, my lord," Maverion said. "It's a magical flying carpet we found."

Tera spoke up, "With this, we should be able to travel much quicker than we did with the horses."

"I appreciate the wisdom you impart on me, Princess. As I have said before, I have only recently been born into the Mortal Plane."

"A question if you will. How did you hear of Valtrox? And what do you think of him?" Rothargot was quite curious as to Rastilia's views on many of these subjects, being of a completely different nation than the others. Rothargot began to walk the path he came from, but turning into different passageways, into the maze that the ruins were.


Rastilia replied, "I did not set out to found Valtrox. I was on a divine mission from Minax to start a new wave of death and destruction through out the various lands. I think she is trying to expand her influence. Well anyway I heard about Valtrox during my travelers and decided he would be my best bet for performing my sacred mission. I have no real personal opinion about him. I am just working for him to expand my goddesses personal goals."

Rastilia and her undead cohorts continued to follow Rothargot through this terrible maze.

"Ah..." Rothargot replied, crouching low to observe the carpet. "I see the resemblence to the rugs Inzikai has within his castle. His do not fly, however."

"Speaking of finding things, I found another member for our excusion. I would like you to meet the High Priestess Rastilia. She does not worship Valtrox, but rather a necromatic god, Minax. Although not quite as esteemed as our great lord, treat her with respect. She has provided me with great information."

"Now, I would like to know where you found this carpet," he rumbled in his deep, rolling voice.

"Well finally." Lorathin commented from behind closed eyes.

"My thoughts exactly. We've been laying in here this whole time, and I'm just itching for a fight..." growled Kalzog, getting up and stretching.

"Aye. I told ya that wait'n for the next match was the hardest part!" commented the dwarf.

"Whoa whoa whoa. Settle down all of you. The match is very close, but It isn't starting yet. We need all the leaders to arrive...You'll know when it's time..."

Mave and Tera loosened their grips on their weapons upon finding out Rastilia's alignment. Mave gave her a slight bow while Tera nodded in greetings to the dark elf.

Returning to Rothargot, Maverion said, "We found it here, in the ruins. But the chamber it was in collapsed and got completely buried by the desert's sands. We barely made it out ourselves." As evidenced by the layer of dust and sand still covering parts of their bodies.

"It's almost time, I think," spoke up Ixair. "Sangradeen, I believe you'll need to follow me to cell zero when the prisoners revolve. Should be soon...Last I checked, the arena was getting packed, and several leaders have already arrived."

"Very well. Anticipation is seemingly starting to grip me. I wonder how much longer it will take."

Rastilia looked upon Mave and Tera and nodded in their direction. Her undead servants just stood their ground. Rastilia then began to look around for signs of any thing that was out of the ordinary. Life in the Underdark had taught her to look for signs of danger especially when you're not on the move...

"I see..." replied Rothargot, examining their clothing. "That's a shame...It would have been a pleasure to observe. You must tell me the whole story in detail sometime soon. For now, I suggest we prepare to leave. We encountered a large snake creature in one of these rooms. I would not want any of you to get hurt. Plus, I have promised Rastilia to do what she likes with the inhabitants."

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


Ixair smiled at the hunchback. "Sangradeen, where do you come from? What did you do for a living and why do you wish to fight in the arena? That is, if you don't mind me asking," he asked, studying the golems and their maker.

"Yes, my lord," Mave said with a nod. The carpet spun around to go back in the direction from which it came from.

A slight grin formed on Tera's lips as she wondered what Rastilia had in mind to do.

(OOC: Gone for lunch.)

"Why can't they be early." Lorathin commented in annoyence.

Ixair smiled at the hunchback. "Sangradeen, where do you come from? What did you do for a living and why do you wish to fight in the arena? That is, if you don't mind me asking," he asked, studying the golems and their maker.

"No, I don't mind you asking," answered Sangradeen. "I come from Iskan, basically, and I was raised by my master, Ratio Tile. We've had our major differences in living out our lives. He followed the Wish Power while I simply adored the essence of life and how capable and giving it is. This means that I studied necromancery, golem-making, and the commonly misconceived zombieism while Ratio Tile's Wish Power said that only faith and prayer should command life. Ratio Tile died when I was fairly young: 17. Having been raised in such ways, I was, by then, already a hardy man and was able to live by myself in the deserts of Iskan. While I was walking by an abandoned building one day, I saw how much cattle could be raised in the desert for leather. Desperate for money, I entered the leather business and, later, tailoring in general. I created Heerall, noticing that it was a pain the kneel down for smaller clients. That is basically a summary of my life in straightforward terms. I am currently working on a complete living being.

"Those plans were interrupted by Rimoru's coming to power. The whore's empire of sex, lust, and blasphemies dumbfounded me. I fight to gain the influence I need to start a revolution against her and one day I shall rip off her face and reveal it in its true form."

ooc:Heh... Ratio Tile... Wish Power...

Rastilia was thinking about what she should do to the inhabitants. Her divine mandate was to cause death and destruction across the lands of this plane. She however wondered if she should perform a ritual to sacrifice them or should she systemically kill them with her whip causing them to suffer an agonizing death by draining them of their life energy. She could also kill them with her considerable power easily enough. Rastilia then looked at her undead cohorts and thought you may get some new comrades soon...

Cadeyrn slid into the elegant carriage after the Empress. He had never been treated to such expensive tastes. He was used to animal skin blankets and raw wooden chairs.

"Shall we get straight to business then Empress?" The mercenary asked as politely as possible.

Ixair smiled. "It's as if you've read my mind. I too hate Rimoru for the same exact reasons. Yet I don't think you can waltz up to her and attempt kill her. Believe me, I've seen many of my people attempt it. In one occasion, the poor man was turned into an animal and used as a farmers barnyard animal, to later be devoured by a hungry family. She is too powerful for one of us to kill her. But I know that someday, the gods will bestow their wrath upon her."

The ogre laughed at Lorathin's comment. "These leaders are too arrogant to arrive in time..."

Sarik glared at the Ogre. "The Patriarch would arrive as soon as possible. Just wait, we'll see him..."

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

Rimoru smiled as she scooted forward on her chair. "I love a man who desires to get down to business," she answered as the door closed.

"I am to arrive in the Imperium Arena today. Being the Arena, there tends to be thieves, hooligans, and all those sorts there. I need someone...strong," she looked him in the eyes and scooted a little closer. "And brave..." Closer, until she was right up to his face, smiling, her lips mere centimeters from his. "And someone willing to protect their beloved Empress," she finished, scooting back and reclining in her seat.

Ixair smiled. "It's as if you've read my mind. I too hate Rimoru for the same exact reasons. Yet I don't think you can waltz up to her and attempt kill her. Believe me, I've seen many of my people attempt it. In one occasion, the poor man was turned into an animal and used as a farmers barnyard animal, to later be devoured by a hungry family. She is too powerful for one of us to kill her. But I know that someday, the gods will bestow their wrath upon her."

"I know. But all I need is an established base of followers to bring her down together and instate a new kind of government. If thousands of peasents can bring down a monarchy and comepletly rid it of any way it used to be run (in the aspects of government, religion, and even how many days there were in a week), why can't I and thousands of fighters? I can't wait for gods."

"Because I've tried, fellow Sangradeen. I lead an organization that is trying desperately hard to rid our nation of her. She is nearly godlike in her powers. People fear and love her..." replied Ixair.

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

Rothargot watched Rastilia curiously. "Do you require assistance, Rastilia?" he asked.

Cadeyrn's face was flushed completely red during the conversation. Something, however, didn't seem right.

"If I may be so forward, but I think you didn't hire me to defend you from meer thieves and hooligans. Do tell me what you really hired me for because it will make my job much easier." He said with a slight break in his voice. "Call it instincts, but I have the feeling there are more than theives and hooligans after you."

"Power of a mage means nothing to a blade." Lorathin commented

"Because I've tried, fellow Sangradeen. I lead an organization that is trying desperately hard to rid our nation of her. She is nearly godlike in her powers. People fear and love her..." replied Ixair.

"I am sorry, but it is fruitless for us to discuss Rimoru. I'll simply continue to stay with my mission and you'll continue to persuade me not to and will eventually take us nowhere. I stand by my mission because I know that there is no such thing as being god-like. People can die and souls eradicated from existence. I shall try to kill her. And if I die and life be generous enough to me to continue my journey in another body, I shall." Sangradeen seemed to take on the look of a primordial beast in his eyes and his face was bathed in red.

"You believe me to be lieing, Cadeyrn?" she asked innocently. "Actually, you're right..."

She took a deep breath and looked out the window. "As you may know, I've lost my popularity with the people. What with my powers, my separation from the gods, and my...pleasurable lifestyle. I fear someone may attempt something while I am there," she replied sadly.

She looked over at her new bodyguard and smiled again. "That is where you come into play," she said as she tapped Cadeyrn playfully on the nose. "You will protect my back from anyone who would attempt to do the dishonorable act of murdering poor little me. I should be relatively safe, being in a private booth. I tend to be alone in these games, but if someone were to enter my booth..." she looked innocently at Cadeyrn.

"So when we arrive, it will just be you...and I. Together...alone," she said seductively. "If anyone enters my booth without my knowing...you will be there to protect me. Right?"

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


"Ahh..." muttered Ixair, stepping away from the hunchback. "So be it."

"Ha ha! What's this? The puny elf can speak rudely to the ones that can't touch him, but he loses his fangs when they are right next to him!" chuckled Kalzog.

"Blades are good. Clubs are better. Makes more of a mess...How about this. I go to Rimoru, kill her, and then you guys live happily ever after in a government free territory in which Inzikai would take over."

Ixair looked at the Ogre surprised.

"He does have a point," Sarik replied. "Rimoru is probably the only one that prevents Inzikai from just walking right in and claiming the territory for himself..."

"I rarely have the time to keep up with political affairs you highness. Usually I'm too busy cutting people to ribbons and charging into the heart of battle. This is why you hired me, it's because I'm the best mercenary around, it's because anyone who would dare attack you would soon find themselves in many pieces." The mercenary boasted arrogantly again.

He looked out the window through the public and looked back at the empress.

"I promise that as long as I am around no one will harm you." He said putting his hand over his heart.

"Blades are more concealable, and efficiant." He replied with a grin at the ogre's bloodthirstiness. "Then you just kill Inzikai and anyone else who tries to take power."

"And this is where Rimoru's 'god-like' status is my weapon. If the common man worships her for her powers and she is beheaded by a man who could not compare in Rimoru's beauty, they would choose the god-killer. Of course, if I ever wind up controlling the government, I will have my own share of anarchists. But has that stopped the most benevolent empires?"

Rothargot watched Rastilia curiously. "Do you require assistance, Rastilia?" he asked


Rastilia was sent back to reality with that question. She looked over at Rothargot and replied, "I am merely thinking about how to best accomplish my mandate." The undead zombies and skeletons began to follow Rastilia as she began to start moving towards the entrance were her victims were sure to be…

"That's why you hire a consummate professional assassin. Then they populace will not have the knowladge of the 'god-killer' as you termed it." He replied

"Quiet! That was long ago. I learned my lessons. Apparently, you haven't changed for the better, still sticking your nose where it doesn't belong! Get out of my booth!" Inzikai snarled, pushing the Patriarch out. He closed the door, wheezing quietly.

"I'm sorry...for the rude interruptions..." he spoke in between breaths.

"You don't seem happy to see the Patriarch," Ar'mai said after the man in question had been forced out of the room. Most likely fearing any act of his would cause an unbearable battle that would escalate into a war... a war he could not win.

---

Whilst the others in the chamber were arguing and having what seemed like a pointless discussion, Bael'ther, the giant warrior elf of untold strength, was busy selecting his weapons.

He had found the two largest ones he could and pulled them off the wall. They were still considerably smaller than his own personal colossus size swords, but they would do. He sat in the corner, preparing himself for the battle, and sharpening his blades, one against the other.

*Shiiinnnk* *Shiiiiinnk*

"Bah! I grow tired of words. Rimoru's death will come one day or another." At that, Sangradeen receded to a wall and sunk down telling himself not to fall asleep.

Rimoru smiled and hugged the veteran warrior. "It feels good to have loyal servants such as you around," she giggled. "Are you ready to leave for the Arena now?"

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

"More concealable. But efficient lies in the eyes of the beholder. A club will splatter the guts of the victim, giving me the joy of smelling their death, of feeling the euphoria of killing an opponent as powerful as her...and my god of chaos will grant me the fury of taking out the rest of the residents of her palace..."

"And you wouldn't have to worry about me taking over. I'd kill her and continue on my journey, as I have done in the past. Assassins are too expensive, too snobby, and easy to kill in my view."

"Inzikai would be fun to smite as well, I suppose. While I'm at it, I'll kill the judges of the Imperium, and the Patriarch," he said, glancing at Sarik from the sides of his eyes.

"You wouldn't dare, Kalzog. Every citizen in Iluminata would stand against you..." growled Sarik.

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

Inzikai looked up and his face softened. "The Patriarch and I have not been on terms with each other for...a long time..."

"I'm surprised he knew you by name. I figured he'd have to play a game of Questioning with you to get it," he chuckled.

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

Rothargot followed closely behind, to observe Rastilia's powers.

"I am ready whenever you are your highness." he said embracing her wondering if it was even allowed to physically contact royalty.

"I will protect you for as long as you wish." He added.

Inzikai looked up and his face softened. "The Patriarch and I have not been on terms with each other for...a long time..."

"I'm surprised he knew you by name. I figured he'd have to play a game of Questioning with you to get it," he chuckled.

"No... I only do that to people who kidnap me and hold me captive against my will," she replied indignantly before turning back to the window.

Rimoru giggled. "Then let us go..." She whispered as she snapped her hands. Suddenly, the carriage dissolved around them, as well as the scenary that was Rimoscura, the "Jewel of the Desert".

After what seemed like forever of vertigo, the two reformed near an entrance. "Come, Cadeyrn, I will need you to look after me. I must see...a previous lover of mine..." she chuckled.

"Your identification please-" began the guard but as he looked up, he saw the beautiful image of the Empress.

"Uh...please proceed, your highness..." he replied, bowing low.

Rimoru chuckled again as she proceeded up the stairs, until she came to a black door. "My sweet, would you open that for me?" she asked sweetly.

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

Inzikai smiled again. "You must admit, I give you plenty of freedoms, right?" he asked. "Come, sit with me, Ar'mai. These seats are quite comfortable."

Cadeyrn was shocked as the magic transported them to the arena. As soon as his perception recovered he followed his boss up the stairs and at her command ripped the black door from its hinges and placed it against the wall.

"The Empress Rimoru requests your attention." He barked into the room with a powerful voice. His massive blade clanked against the door as he entered.

Sangradeen's hands started to shake very violently. His breathing became very loud and rapid. Even among this, Sangradeen said with sanity, "She is somewhere near. Do not worry, though. She will live today. I still have my sanity. All that will happen to her is that she will learn."

Inzikai smiled again. "You must admit, I give you plenty of freedoms, right?" he asked. "Come, sit with me, Ar'mai. These seats are quite comfortable."

"There is only one kind of freedom... total freedom," Ar'mai replied. "And I am fine where I stand."

Rothargot followed closely behind, to observe Rastilia's powers.

OOC: let me know how many are under the effect of the spell. Blastit could you R.P. as the Inhabitants.

IC:

Rastilia and her minions had finally found the first of their victims. They had remembered almost instantly who she was and they were cowering in fear. Rastilia shrugged at the thought of their fear as far as Rastilia was concerned it made them easier to kill.

Rastilia summoned the powers of her staff to cast a mass hold person spell on the group of people. Once the spell took effect she could begin sacrificing some of them to Minax.

The others would be used to create ghouls and zombies. She would however need to use some of her more powerful spells to kill the stronger inhabitants in case they were not held by her spell.

Rimoru chuckled at the display of power.

"What in Valtrox is going on here?" growled Inzikai, immediately jumping from his seat.

"Hello, darling," replied Rimoru, walking in and laying down on the couch in a seductive position.

"Erm..." Inzikai looked away, towards Ar'mai's direction, but deciding it didn't help with his speech, he looked towards the food. "Rimoru, I demand that you get out right now!"

"Why, my love?" asked Rimoru as she scanned the room.

Then, she noticed the elf near the window. Her playful face immediately turned into a serious one. "Who are you?" she asked. She got up from her position and walked next to Ar'mai, looking in her eyes. She walked around her, inspecting her body.

"Why do you bring such rabble here, Inzikai?" she asked, glaring at Ar'mai.

Then, she noticed the elf near the window. Her playful face immediately turned into a serious one. "Who are you?" she asked. She got up from her position and walked next to Ar'mai, looking in her eyes. She walked around her, inspecting her body.

"Why do you bring such rabble here, Inzikai?" she asked, glaring at Ar'mai.

"I could ask the same of you," Ar'mai replied without answering the question, obviously not in the social mood.

Cadeyrn stepped towards the alarmed man and ordered. "I suggest you sit down and listen to what the Empress has to say."

He crossed his arms showing off his muscular form staring like a predator at the man.

Rastilia and her minions had finally found the first of their victims. They had remembered almost instantly who she was and they were cowering in fear. Rastilia shrugged at the thought of their fear as far as Rastilia was concerned it made them easier to kill.

Rastilia summoned the powers of her staff to cast a mass hold person spell on the group of people. Once the spell took effect she could begin sacrificing some of them to Minax.

The others would be used to create ghouls and zombies. She would however need to use some of her more powerful spells to kill the stronger inhabitants in case they were not held by her spell.

About five citizens were held down by the dark elve's power. They screamed and pleaded to her to give them mercy.

A group of six stepped out from a hallway nearby. The rabble's militia more likely.

"End your spells before we kill you," they barked.


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

Rimoru gasped in surprise. "You dare to call me, an Empress rabble?" she looked at Inzikai and Cadeyrn, before turning her attention back at Ar'mai. She slapped Ar'mai in the face before walking over to Inzikai.

"Don't you dare order me around, servant!" growled Inzikai, not knowing what to do with the interruption.

Ar'mai took the slap in the face, but seemed not to show any bother from it. Instead she turned to Inzikai, "How pathetic are you? You push the Patriarch out with a single sentence and yet you cower in fear of this woman."

Cadeyrn reached out and put his hand on Inzikai's shoulder before focing him down into his chair.

"I said sit down!" The mercenary barked.

The two secret police followed on their carpet. Maverion watched as the people were virtually frozen in place. It was hard to miss the fear that was radiating out of them. He then looked over at Rastilia. Killing soldiers and brigands were one thing; Mave had no qualms with that. But most of the people here were tired and hungry, defenseless and probably had their share of victimization from the group of thugs who surrounded him and Tera when they first arrived here. It was clear that Rastilia intended to torment them even more...

Mave shook his head briefly to clear his thoughts. If Rothargot allowed her to do this, then so be it. Loyalty and discipline was what mattered most.

Tera, meanwhile, was interested in seeing what would become of these inhabitants of the ruins, and could hardly wait for something to happen.

When the group of six people came out, Mave's hand instinctively moved toward the hilt of his sword, but he did not draw it out. Unless Rothargot indicates otherwise, he would let Rastilia and her undead minions take care of the people's militia. She was the one who wanted to torture them, after all.

Lorathin went back to napping and was treated with the sight of Ar'mai being slapped. While it was slightly enjoyable watching the elf get hit, he was more concerned that nothing was going be happening that was problematic.

Cocking one eye open he looked at Bael'ther and motioned him over.

Inzikai looked sadly at Ar'mai.

The Empress looked at Ar'mai as she walked towards Inzikai. "Because, you ignorant little pest, Inzikai and I are dating..." she replied, feeling Inzikai's chest. "Wow, you've gotten more muscle..." she said seductively.

"Get off me! We were dating, long ago! We've broken up! Can't you accept the fact!" growled Inzikai as he was being pushed into his chair by Rimoru's bodyguard.

Rimoru only chuckled. "Why do you wear this hood, Inzikai? Were you trying to hide from me?"

She glanced at Ar'mai again. "Cadeyrn, would you be a dear and kill her for me?"

"NO!" Inzikai shouted, pushing off Rimoru, and jumping out of the couch. "Get out NOW!" he growled at Rimoru and her guard.

"It looks as though we are not wanted, sweet Cadeyrn...Come, let's go to our own booth..." With that, Empress Rimoru led Cadeyrn out of Inzikai's booth and into hers.

Inzikai looked sadly at Ar'mai. "Are you hurt, Ar'mai?" he asked softly. "I'm sorry...Rimoru and I had a...fond relationship, but our beliefs drove us apart..."

Inzikai looked down to the floor. He was in so much pain from the encounter. He realized that he was bleeding....Where Rimoru's guard pushed him down, where Rimoru herself groped his chest. All were beginning to bleed through his robes.

They must have taken off skin that wasn't ready to be taken off... he thought.

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

Rothargot noticed the two officers close by. "Stay close to me," he said quietly, extending his wings as far as they could go in the small corridor, so Maverion and Teralynn couldn't get farther. I would not want Rastilia to mistake you two as some of these mortals..."

Bael'ther looked up to see the odd mage known as Lorathin beckoning him over. He stopped sharpening his blade and the noise disappeared from the cell, leaving only its faint echoes fading into nothing. He stood up with a massive blade in each hand and crossed the cell to where the mage sat.

He stood towering over him, waiting to see what Lorathin wanted.

Rastilia smiled and asked, "Why don't you make?"

She then recited an incantation to Minax in her native tongue, "Lady of Destruction, I call down your divine fury of fire and destruction upon those that threaten your most humble servant."


A vertical column of dark flames falls down upon the group of six men from above. Rastilia wondered if any of them would be strong enough to survive such an attack. She then started to concentrate upon her undead servants. She ordered two of them to get a victim to be sacrificed to Minax. The other two were to kill any surviving militia members...

Inzikai looked sadly at Ar'mai. "Are you hurt, Ar'mai?" he asked softly. "I'm sorry...Rimoru and I had a...fond relationship, but our beliefs drove us apart..."

Inzikai looked down to the floor. He was in so much pain from the encounter. He realized that he was bleeding....Where Rimoru's guard pushed him down, where Rimoru herself groped his chest. All were beginning to bleed through his robes.

They must have taken off skin that wasn't ready to be taken off... he thought.

"I am fine... but you do not seem to be faring as well," she replied as she continued to look at the blood staining his robes.

She was now caught in the moral dilemma of whether or not to help her captor.

Cadeyrn smiled when he was given order to kill and readied to strike until Rimoru led him out of the booth and into their own.

"That is exactly why I don't participate in relationships because it always ends up with me killing somone or beating them to a bloody pulp." He mused following the Empress.

The militia screamed in terror as the dark flame burst right in the middle of the group. Two of them ran out of the way, but four of them were caught dead on by the flame.

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

"I'll be...fine..." Inzikai gasped, stumbling into his chair. He smiled weakly at Ar'mai. "Again, I am sorry for what just happened..." Inzikai felt bad for the poor elf. He also felt hatred for himself...


I am a coward...I could have protected Ar'mai from Rimoru. Then, perhaps she would love me... Inzikai thought sadly as he examined Ar'mai.

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

The Empress chuckled at Cadeyrn's comment. "I love your humor, Cadeyrn," she replied as she walked into her spacious booth, similar decorations adorning the room as Inzikai's. She walked over to the couch and laid down. She brought her hand forward, making a pear like object to float into her hand.

"'Tis a shame Inzikai is no longer my lover...He was quite a fun lover..." she mused as she bit into the fruit.

"Eat whatever you want, my sweet," she said cheerily.

Once Bael'ther arrived Lorathin stood and whispered into his ear, well actually the elf's shoulder what with the height differences. "She is here and safe." He gave Bael'ther a bit of advanced warning so he would not berzerk and do something suicidal when he saw his protectee.

Ar'mai continued staring out of the window, waiting for the massive battle to begin...

---

It had been true - long ago Bael'ther felt Ar'mai's presence arrive in the arena, but now that someone else had confirmed it, he knew it was true and not just a manifestation of his hopes.

On the outside the giant warrior elf remained calm and collected, but inside he was burning up. His eyes were alight with burning flames and his fury was beginning to overtake him again. His rage would soon burst out in a Feral Rage...

Cadeyrn smiled as he began digging into a plate full of various meats. Like a vicious predator he tore the flesh from the bone with incredible force. In a manner of minutes he had eaten roughly seven pounds of food before he fell satisfied into a chair.

"I must admit you are becoming my favorite boss." he said cheerfully patting his stomach.

"And you wouldn't have to worry about me taking over. I'd kill her and continue on my journey, as I have done in the past. Assassins are too expensive, too snobby, and easy to kill in my view."

Harlin snarled at the comment, "You would find me far from easy to kill."

"Calm down, you won't do anyone good if you berzerk." Lorathin said in a sharp, but quite, voice as he saw the look in the massive elf's eyes.

The militia screamed in terror as the dark flame burst right in the middle of the group. Two of them ran out of the way, but four of them were caught dead on by the flame.

The dark flames seared their skin and smashed down upon the four unlucky militia members. The dark flames after about ten seconds dissipated leaving Rastilia's poor victims either dead or seriously wounded…

The Zombies that were ordered to attack the militia chased after the two members that had escaped from the dark flames. They moan and shuffled after their prey their jaws practically unhinged to prepare to bite down and devour the flesh of the living.

The skeletons however grasped a frozen man and took him from the other four. The skeletons move him towards their mistress and drop him at her feet.

Rastilia looked down upon her victim and said, "Your lucky, The time for your suffering is at an end."

She then began to invoke Minax's attention to her sacrifice, "Queen of Death and Lady of Destruction, I offer you the life of this man to appease your great hunger. I humbly hope that you accept him and grant your servant the power needed to survive in this world."

Shortly after that Rastilia noticed that the area was starting to seep with divine energy. This was the critical time of the sacrifice. She had to use this energy to cast the spell Disintegrate by drawing power from her hungry Goddess. The man's fate was as good as sealed…

Rastilia focused the green and destructive energy to her right hand and pointed her right palm at her frozen victim. The green energy turned into a green ray that struck her frozen victim in the chest. The spell would instantly turn the defenseless man into dust on the floor…

"Calm down, you won't do anyone good if you berzerk." Lorathin said in a sharp, but quite, voice as he saw the look in the massive elf's eyes.

Bael'ther ignored him - Lorathin didn't know what he was feeling.

And it would certainly be most useful when it came time for battle...

Despite the fact that Rastilia was speaking in Drow part of the time, and that Teralynn did not know Drow, she somehow found herself understanding what Rastilia was saying. She watched on with curiosity.

Rimoru smiled at Cadeyrn. "Thats what all my bodyguards tell me," she chuckled.

"Come, sit with me," she replied, patting the end of the couch where her head was.

**********************************************************
"Ah, I had forgotten we had one with us. But, I still go with my comments..." Kalzog challenged, his maniacle grin on his face again.

Suddenly, a glorius fanfare to signal the coming battle blared throughout the arena, and even down to the cells.

Ixair looked to the ceiling and frowned. "That's the cue. Good luck, all of you. Hopefully, I'll have something for you guys when your finished with the fight..." he said with a smile.

He Shara in the eyes. "Be safe, Ms. Shara. I would love to see you again..."

Click...

"Ahh! The glory of battle is at hand!" roared the Ogre as the cell revolved to a bare room.

Suddenly, where the wall of weapons once stood, was a hallway, bright light at the end. The roaring audience could be heard clearly, as well as the blaring fanfares.

Sarik smiled weakly, the adrenaline at it's peak in him. It was like the saying "Butterflies in the stomach" but this wasn't butterflies. More like dragons. His heart pumped faster and faster as he looked at his comrades. "Who's going to go first?"

"I will!" growled the Ogre happily as he walked hurridly down the corridor.

**********************************************************
Rothargot let Teralynn watch, but put a hand on her shoulder to prevent her from getting close.

The few remaining militia men were devoured by the horrific zombie, suffering a frightening death.

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

Inzikai held onto his chest, blood seeping onto his hands. "Ar'mai...you seem quite interested in the game, yet yesturday you seemed uninterested. Have I uncovered a secret of yours?" he gasped, smiling as best he could. "If you want a better view, you may move the booth to where ever you please. However, I must beg of you to keep it away from The Patriarch or Empress Rimoru...

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

Ixair looked somberly at Shara's fleeting figure. He sighed as he turned back to Sangradeen. "Come, friend. If you wish to join the fight, we must hurry!" he said as he hurridly walked out the door, towards the direction they revolved. Partially because he wanted to see Shara one last time before the battle, just in case they never see each other again...

"If no body minds, I'll go next. I could use a little fresh air and sun." Lorathin commented as he stood.

Cadeyrn approved to his boss' order and sat down next to her. His stomach was full and because of his werewolf blood pretty much made him drunk from the meat of other creatures.

"Tell me Empress, do you treat all your bodyguards with such kindness?" He asked curiously.

I wonder what happened to her previous bodyguards...I hope they all were slaughtered. It'll make this job much much funner.

Harlin looked down the hall to the bright light at the end of the tunnel. "I see some irony in this situation...Either way, let's go. Shara?," he extended his arm to her.

Meanwhile, Minos had stood and was being wafted out on a gentle wave of sand. The voice said, "Finally." Then, only in the ears of Sangradeen, "We shall see about your minimal knowledge of elementalism."

Ar'mai turned her head slightly so that she was looking over her shoulder at the weakened figure of Inzikai. She gave him a slight nod to show her understanding and then moved over to the booth controls.

She examined and experimented with them for a minute before comprehending how to use them. With a touch of a couple of buttons, the booth began descending and moving forwards so that they were closing in on the arena's floor.

Now they were not that far from the battleground itself...

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

As the wall disappeared, revealing a hallway filled with a bright light, Bael'ther turned and began slowly marching towards it. His hands gripped the massive blades tightly as he entered the hallway and closed in on the arena. The bright light shimmered and shined off of his armor, seeming to dance on the walls as he passed through the corridor.

His keen Elven senses were picking up all sorts of things that were happening in the vicinity as he neared the battleground. The swords leaned heavily against the armor of his shoulders as he finally reached the partition between hallway and arena. Bael'ther stood there for a moment, staring out at the crowd. The giant warrior elf was not feeling butterflies in his stomach... he was feeling an unrivaled hatred.

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

"Oh my god!" Ar'mai exclaimed as she saw the figure appear at the entrance to the arena from what was apparently the prisoner's holding cellblock. "Bael'ther!" she screamed loudly, though it was deafened by the thick glass that protected the occupants of the booth from any danger. She had felt his presence before, but now she saw him in the flesh...

"Not all of them," Rimoru replied, setting her head on his lap. "Only the handsome ones," she giggled.

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

"Of course," replied Sarik. Suddenly, the bar's that had kept them in for so long, began to move forward, as if to push them all out. "I guess we all go out then?"

He began to walk towards the light. The anouncer's voice boomed all over the stadium.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Races of all kinds. Today marks the celebration of the Griffon! A joyous time of year, when the Imperium beat back the dragon hordes that once plagued this area!"

"Back then, the horrible beasts commonly took whatever it pleased, ruining the land with their fire, and killing innocent people. Yet Ozden the great and wise gave our good Judge Zakan the creature's needed to fight the beasts. The griffon, a creature who's speed is unmatched by the behemoths!"

"In honor of our national animal, we are pleased to present a group of violent, blood thirsty monsters. They arrived to the Imperium several days ago, craving blood. They killed innocent children as they slept. They raped poor women before their husbands, as the poor husbands themselves were strung up to the wall with their own innards! These beasts deserve no mercy!"

Kalzog laughed. "Indeed...I don't..." he waited as he noticed the others following.
**********************************************************

Inzikai was startled at the outburst. "Was that a sneeze?" he coughed, laughing softly.

Inzikai was startled at the outburst. "Was that a sneeze?" he coughed, laughing softly.

"No! It most certainly was not!" She shouted strongly and angrily at Inzikai.

"That is my friend down there!" Ar'mai was steaming with anger now that she had seen Bael'ther was to be one of the contests in this bout.

"Handsome?" Cadeyrn questioned while he ran a finger across the bridge of his nose. "Heh, thank you, it's not rare that I am complimented on my looks. It's usually 'hey Cade! Way to cut the horse and the guy in half!' or 'hey Cade! You have an arrow in your neck!'".

He reflected over the decade of bloodshed and vain glory as he place his hand on the Empress' cheek. Suddenly he forgot all his battles as he admired the woman he was protecting.

"Stupid puppet announcer." Lorathin muttered as he listened to all the alleged mis-deeds they'd done. "Guess that this time the griffon, or whatever's representing them, will end up on the losing end." "Thought, no that's not going to be necessary."

Rimoru chuckled at Cadeyrn. "You are so brave, Cade. So strong. I knew you were the right one to hire," she smiled seductively at him. The announcers voice boomed throughout the stadium and Rimoru perked up, and ran to the window. "It's starting! This will be a good match...I can tell...even The Patriarch is here..." she smiled dreamily. "Come, watch with me!"

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

As the prisoners walked out into the field, the audience began to boo and heckle them. They tossed tomatos at the group, hoping to be the one that hit the 'blood thirsty beasts'.

"About time," Kalzog rumbled to the others, as tomatos flung around him, several hitting him. Overall, the ogre ignored it.

"Tough crowd..." replied Sarik, holding his sheild above his head to protect himself from the tomatos.

"And to battle these foul fiends, will be our very own, very loved Imperial Guard, Regiment Three!"

The crowd roared in delight as they tossed flowers at the massive army taking position on the other side.

"I guess they know I'm to tough for a small group of people to handle," chuckled the Ogre. "Too bad they don't know they're gonna need more than that..."

"Ok, everyone follow me. Follow my every order and we'll make good timing and be safer. Even you, Kalzog. I don't want my plans to be foiled by your lack of restraint...

"So be it," smiled the Ogre, his eyes glowing a dull red.

Sarik led the party in between the two sides of the audience. Slightly closer to the opposing army, so they have more space to give space, if needed.

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

Inzikai got up from his chair and walked over to Ar'mai. "I'm sorry, Ar'mai. Do not worry...I know they'll survive..." He wiped the blood off his hands and gently placed them on her shoulders.

Actually, he hoped they all died. Especially since he noticed Sarik down there as well...That's why the Patriarch is here... he thought.

The sand Minos stood upon bore him directly to the area where Kalzog and Lorathin stood. He appeared to take no notice of the audience, it was as though he were deaf and blind. In a way, he was. He now experienced the world only as the base elements of which it was composed.

He viewed the earth, air, and water in terms of power, seeing the strong bedrock below the relatively soft clay the arena floor was covered with. He began to mold the bedrock underneath the surface intospikes of assorted size. His efforts could be seen from ground level as gentle shiftings in the ground level. He smiled when his preparations were complete. The bedrock now resembled a bed of needles.

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

Shara walked out of the tunnel into the light, and drew her sword and prepared her shield. She walked over and stood to the right of Azreal, before dropping into a fighting stance that had been taught to her called Lotus Blossom position.

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

Harlin ran out into the arena at full tilt, and jumped and seemed to walk on air as he landed lightly on Kalzog's shoulder. His swords gleamed as he drew them from their scabbards.

Patting the ogre on the head he whispered, "Hope you don't mind if I hang out here for a while."

Cadeyrn walked to the edge setting his massive blade against the wall.

"Ah a fight." He said joyously. "This should be interesting. I haven't even seen one in weeks."

He paused at the word Patriarch.

"Who's the Patriarch?" He asked ignorantly.

As the prisoners walked out into the field, the audience began to boo and heckle them. They tossed tomatos at the group, hoping to be the one that hit the 'blood thirsty beasts'.

Bael'ther ignored the tomatoes for the most part as they collided and splattered on his armor. Their juices seeping out and running down the metal gear, making it shine even more in the light.

As he walked forward slowly, a tomato came flying at his head. When it was only three feet away from smashing into his faceguard, his blade moved with lightning speed and cut the fruit perfectly in half...

Inzikai got up from his chair and walked over to Ar'mai. "I'm sorry, Ar'mai. Do not worry...I know they'll survive..." He wiped the blood off his hands and gently placed them on her shoulders.

Disgusting... Ar'mai thought as she rolled her shoulders, knocking Inzikai's hands off.

The next moment she moved with incredible speed. She dashed around Inzikai towards the portal that was a broken door frame, and ran out...

Lorathin frowned as he got smucked by a tomato. "We get to fight an army, what a waste of life. Well lets get this overwith." He made a quick gesturing and a circular disk appeared over his head. As another tomato came flying at him, it his the disk and was sent back to sender.

Damien blocked most of the tomatos flying towards Sangradeen and Heerall. Wtih people knowing that he was the volunteer, he seemed to be a target for everyone with a fruit in their hand.

The tomato splattered against an invisible forcefield surrounding the audience.

"Ah...protection for the audience...I was hoping to have more fun," growled the Ogre.

"Kalzog, throw large rocks at them like a catapult. Minos, see if you could bombard them with rocks or something like that as they advance!" barked Sarik.

"Things may get a bit shakey, Harlin," Kalzog said as he pulled a large rock from the ground.

"What would you like me to do?" Lorathin asked, though he had some ideas as to what would be 'fun' already.

While Sarik was attempting to organize the party and use superior strategy and tactics to overcome the larger opposing force, Bael'ther was being consumed by his internal fury. A flame burning deep within him was growing hotter and was about to boil over...

He snapped.

Out of the corner of his eye, Bael'ther had witnessed Ar'mai, his sworn protectee, leap out of a viewing booth and land gracefully in the stands. She had caused a slight commotion with her entrance, but soon the spectators were back to watching and waiting for the beginning of the battle.

His rage over came him and he began sprinting forward across the large arena to where the enemy army was formed up in ranks. With armor glistening in the light, and swords swinging with deadly power, Bael'ther crashed right into the enemy ranks, much to their dismay. He was upon them with an intense hatred and his unmatched skill had cut down the first fifteen unprepared soldiers that stood shaking in his path.

His blades swung from side to side, laying waste to everything in his path as he cut through the lines. Soon the soldiers realized what was happening and began encircling him, pushing forward and closing the gap from which he just entered. They were now in a tightly nit group, moving in on the berserker warrior elf. The outer few lines were still protecting their back from the other members of the party, but the inner few ranks had descended upon the giant.

Most didn't dare get within range of his swinging blades as they decapitated and severed the limbs of numerous soldiers. But eventually they made their way in close. The overwhelming number of them swinging their swords at him, eventually proved to work as they cut and stabbed him in his armor's weak spots. Had it been possible, Bael'ther would have let out a deafening roar of ire and pain as blood dripped from his swords and armor alike.

And with a loud and unmistakable thud, the giant warrior elf collapsed to the ground. The soldiers had done their jobs and their countless blows had taken their toll. The elf lay defenseless on the ground as he neared death... the soldiers descending upon his massive form, ready to strike the final blow...


[ooc: Do not save Bael'ther. You can have your people attack the formation and try to get to Bael'ther, but don't have them succeed in saving him. I have plans...]

Cadeyrn's arm twitched as the show began. He watched the warrior slaughter nearly an entire regiment before falling.

Fool, you never rush into the center of file. You attack the perimeter slowly widdling away their numbers before attacknig the thick of the soldiers. Oh well, like all hasty warriors, you will pay the price.

He watched on analyizing every factor in the battle. His eyes moved from every combatant, instinctively scanning everything. His breathing picked up and his blood was pumping as the battle progressed. He was tempted to jump from the ledge into the fray, but he was restrained by his duties to the Empress.

"Bael you idiot." Lorathin yelled as the elf berzerked and charged into the enemy lines and was swarmed under. "Ar'mai will have my head, at the least, if he goes and dies."

He began weaving an incantation to rescue the foolish, silent elf.

Damien began to panic. His feet were stamping on the ground and he started to grunt and eventually shouted at the regiment. His shout was bloodcurdling and resembled something that sounds like a bear. He looked like a child throwing tantrum even with his huge stature. The audience started to laugh at the golem.

ooc: Remember, dont save Bae'ther. Theres a time for everyone...
Sarik looked after the elf. "Bael'thor, NO!" he shouted as several rocks flung at the regiment, smashing into the soldiers.

Kalzog laughed at the chaos he felt inside the furious elf. "That's it, elf! Give in to chaos!" Suddenly, a tomato smacked the ogre right in the eye. "Agh! My eye!" he roared as he stumbled around, knocking into Lorathin.

Sarik watched as his formation fell apart. "Charge! Everyone, take out as many soldiers as you can!"

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

Rimoru chuckled as she watched the prisoners fall apart before her eyes. "My bodyguard wouldn't let that happen, now would you, Cade?" she asked sweetly, rubbing her hands along his neck as she walked behind him.

As Bael'ther lay on the ground, nearing death, he could see the white light approaching him. In a daze, he reached his arm out toward it, seemingly in a different world from everybody else. As the soldiers raised their swords to lay the final blow upon the warrior, Bael'ther was seeing images of the journey into the next life. A peaceful place of pure rivers and grassy fields where Elune would watch over him in bliss...

But the light was not the light of Death.

Quite the opposite - It was the Light of Life. A beam of pure white light was descending from the Heavens towards the vulnerable figure of the elf. It hit his outstretched arm first. It was warm and comforting as he lay on the dirty ground, expecting his death to come any moment. But it was not to be...

As the nearest eight soldiers brought their blades down towards the elf, they found they were unable to penetrate the light. They tried again and again, hacking at it, stabbing it, and trying to move through it, but the light was protecting Bael'ther. The giant closed his eyes and blacked out as he was fully enveloped by the healing and protective power of the light...


"Look!" Sarik shouted as his attention turned from the mysterious white light to a figure jumping from the stands into the pit of the arena. "Ar'mai!"

Sure enough the Elven princess was crossing the arena with amazing speed as she ran towards the party. She knew Bael'ther was now safe... but there was still a battle to be fought.

The large mercenary smiled as the slaughter continued.

"Whatever you order boss is my obligation." Her gentle hands put an ease into his voice. "If you keep me around, however, you're garunteed to see a lot more gore than that."

Damien ran frantically toward the regiment roaring as he went along. For some of the soldiers that haven't seen it all, he was a horrific sight running towards them. Yelling he hit the front part of the regiment in a partial body slam. One soldier swung a mace at him only to have it stuck inside the golem.
Heerall generally kept a distance. Not having much experience in fighting, he did as good as his limited body could to protect from becoming surrounded.
Sangradeen first focused heat energy just enough so the light flame could stun a couple of soldiers before sticking his weapons into the necks of unlucky soldiers.

"Damnation Kal." Lorathin barked as the ogre almost fell on him. As he cast a spell and extended his fingers, ten glowing white darts shot out, each unerringly seeking out a soldier's weakest point and striking them down.

As the bolt of healing light struck the elf, he was inspired and began casting a doubling spell, aimed not at himself or any other of the group but at the hostiles. As he finished, the shadows of some of the soldiers detached themselves and began fighting thier former 'hosts'.

When Sarik gave his order, Minos suddenly raised his hands and 50 razor sharp needles of stone shot out of the ground piercing any soldiers standing above them and shooting them high into the air before they sank back beneath the soil. Then, he began to weave a wall of air together, slowly forming it into a compact sheet of wind before sending it towards them. It knocked down the first few ranks, and disoriented several more.

Meanwhile, Shara was charging the enemy. "Now you will taste blood my dear," she whispered to her sword. As she hit the front of the line, she dropped low and hit the first soldier from under the shoulder, where his armor was weak. She parried a blow from another as she danced down the front of the line and dispatched another soldier with a swift blow to the neck. The blood gleamed on her sword as she blocked a sword swing with her shield, and stabbed the owner through the slits of his platemail.

Harlin, on the other hand was working more steathily. He had long since left the ogre shoulder, and had slipped out of the visible world. He was sneaking through the lines killing as he went. The he saw his target, the captain who was controlling the regiment.

Even if he was doing a poor job commanding, to kill him would create much confusion among the ranks. Creeping around and up from behind him, Harlin drew a stiletto from inside his armor, and stabbed it down through the chainmail on the captain's neck, directly into his heart. He left his blade there and flitted back into the ranks.

Inzikai screamed as Ar'mai was lost into the crowd. "Ar'mai! Get back here!" Just like a child! he thought angrily.

You seem to be having a losing battle, Inzikai... growled a familiar voice.

"Master Valtrox! You bless me with your appearance more often..."he said, bowing.

"Indeed I do...And you realize that you should have listened to me before. You should have killed the elf...She has caused you more trouble than you expected..."

"Master...I...I don't regret my decision...I still love her..."

"But she doesn't. She shrugged off your hands. She wouldn't sit by you...

"What about the ride here? She didn't mind sitting on my lap."

"One event, Inzikai. And now she has left you. Will she ever come back? If her elven friend doesn't die now...she won't come back...

Valtrox's words echoed in his head. "I see. I thank your wisdom, master..."

Inzikai walked to the control panel and attached his booth back onto the audience. With unholy energy, He ran down several flights of stairs, down to the creature room.

"Hey! You're not supposed to be in here!" barked a nearby guard.

Inzikai extended his hand, pointing at the guard, who dissolved into a red paste. Another few guards brought out their weapons and began to charge at Inzikai. Out of his sleeve came three knives. With incredible speed, he threw them at the guards coming from one side, each hitting them in the neck. With his other hand, he pulled out his sword, perried an attack from one, stabbing another through a gap in his armor, and kicking the remaining guard, buying him time to pull out his sword and stab the last guard through the neck. As the guard fell, Inzikai continued walking as if nothing happened.

He passed by thousands of beasts, all snarling and roaring, he approached a large panel of levers. Smiling, he moved all the levers to the opposite position, opening all the gates...

Excellent, Inzikai. Let's see them get out of this one...

Inzikai raised one of the guard corpses as an undead creature who's soul purpose would be to pull the levers at timed intervals. Soon, Sarik, that meddling male elf, and all the others will be dead.

He walked back to his booth and smiled sinisterly as several of the creatures raised up into the arena...


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

The Patriarch had been chatting with a kind old figure, who was known as the High Mother. Speaking of the prospect of furture alliances. Suddenly, the audience roared with delight.

"And it appears an elf has joined the battle below! How strange is that?! Wait...this can't be right...Other creatures are rising up from the pit! Wow, folks, this will certainly be a match to remember!" commentated the Announcer excitedly.

The Patriarch looked worriedly at the High Mother. "Forgive me, High Mother," he said hurridly as he looked out the window. Several strange creatures were coming from behind Sarik's group, following an elf. These creatures were scorpion men (http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/Blastit52/Clash%20of%20the%20Gods/scorpion-man.jpg), and their long legs carried them across the field fast...

They stood at about 3 feet off the ground, but they were about 9 feet high, with their large poisonous stingers.

"I must save them..." The Patriarch said as the scorpion men were closing in on Ar'mai and the others. The regiment of the army had lost interest in the elf and had begun to march towards the prisoners from the front...They were being surrounded...

"General, get the booth over the Scorpion men. You two, pry open this door..." ordered the Patriarch as he moved towards the door.

"What should I do?" asked the Holy Mother.

"Forgive me, Holy Mother. Stay here where it is safe. We will continue our business later...

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

Rimoru watched with glee at the battle unfolding before her. "Isn't this great?" she asked excitedly, as she leaned up against Cadeyrn. "And now that bugger of an elf will meet her end..."

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

The Judges booth was buzzing with shouts of anger and confusion.

"Stop the games! We can't have someone from the booths jumping into the pit! What if that was someone important to Inzikai! This could be trouble!" whined the Judge of Foreign Affairs.

"No, no, no, Look! The audience is loving every last second. With the addition of the scorpion men, this is bound to be a good battle!" retorted the Judge of the Games.

Judge of Fate, the one who chained the ogre in the first place, continued watching silently...

"Wow," remarked Sangradeen. He ordered Damien to ignore the regiment for now and to attack a scorpianman. To give Damien a little help, Sangradeen clapped his hands together once. The intial clap grew into a louder hum and eventually became a roar in a couple of seconds. When it ended, the scorpianman was stunned and half-deaf.

Damien slammed into the stunned scorpian man. Using his giant fists, the clay golem slammed the scorpianman in the head and main body trying to attempt to knock him down.

Cadeyrn wrapped his arm around her as he watched on excitedly.

"This is pretty much the sum of my life Empress Rimoru so I am glad you are taking pleasure in its bloody glory." He said with pride. "I take it this elf is a problem?"

"Oh bloody hell." He cursed as he noticed the scorps. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on who you where, he'd had experiance with the Drow driders. These were essentially the same thing, without the magic and with a tail. Speaking quickly, he conjured up a large whitish ball and hurled it into the midst of the scorpion men.

Upon impact the ball burst into a massively sticky web that was nigh impossible to navigate and difficult to cut through, with out a very sharp blade.

Bael'ther continued to lie on the ground, protected by the white light of unknown origin.

Ar'mai, meanwhile, had regrouped with the rest of the party and now stood next to Sarik. "I have no weapon... what can I do?" she asked urgently.

"Of course she is," she replied, a hint of anger in her voice. "She treated me as a commoner...Me, the Empress of Iskan. She even called me rabble...I would smite her if I wanted to...but I will let the Arena take it's course..."

"Tell me, my sweet, were you alive when I had taken half of Lustria? You would have loved that battle..." she asked excitedly, looking innocently up to his eyes.

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

The Patriarch and two of the templar pried the door open, leading to the sandy arena floor.

"Master, Don't do this! Sarik is only one paladin. At least make one of us go instead. You are too old for this!" pleaded the General.

"Watch me," the Patriarch dared as he jumped out the booth, aiming straight at the heart of the scorpian army.

The audience roared, many being from Illuminata themselves.

"Wow! The Patriarch has joined the fray! REPEAT! The great leader, The Patriarch has joined the fray! Place your bets people! Place them fast!" roared the announcer.

His long white cape trailed behind him as pure white light formed around his sword. He smiled as the ground closed in on him. With several twists of his body, the Patriarch landed on the floor, sword pointed downwards, as the Patriarch landed in almost a kneeling position. An explosion of pure white light radiated from him, sending a large bulk of the scorpion army flying into the walls of the arena. Most died, but there were still many more. The Patriarch pulled his sword out of the ground and began to spin his sword in a deadly dance of death, hacking off scorpion limbs, claws, and whatever else got in his way.

One scorpion attacked with his venomous stinger, plunging it into the ground the Patriarch had been a second earlier. With great speed, he chopped off the end, sending the venom spewing all over, burning parts of the Patriarch's cape.

Speaking in a strange tongue, a very large scorpion man barked something. Judging by the looks of things, they were regrouping. The Patriarch looked at the group, the massive regiment closing the distance fast. He ran as fast as he could towards the group, looking back once in a while to make sure the scorpions hadn't charged yet.

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

The Patriarch has joined the fray...three birds with one stone...Your gift is nearing completion, and I bestow the gift of lesser pain on you for finally trusting my knowledge...

"Master Valtrox, your wisdom is greater than any other..." droned Inzikai, as he controled his booth to move closer to the fray. He closed his eyes as he felt his muscles expand, his horns grow, moving his hood a little higher, his fangs growing slightly. Skin fell to the floor, the red flesh underneath was the dominant color now. His pain had even ended. He enjoyed the battle, watching their impending doom. Suddenly an elf running towards the group caught his eyes. Ar'mai.

"No..." he whispered.

Four birds with one stone...

"No..." he muttered again. He directed the booth to hover above Sariks group.

What are you doing, Inzikai?

"Ar'mai must not be hurt..." was all he replied, jumping out the booth and next to Sarik.

"Inzikai..." he growled, crouching low, and preparing to attack. "You seem larger than I last remember you...

"Attacking me would not be your best interest right now..." he said, pointing towards the scorpions following the Patriarch.

Sarik followed Inzikai's directions, carefully walking backwards so Inzikai wouldn't be able to pull something on him. Indeed, what he said was true. "We're being surrounded!" he called out.

As Ar'mai walked up to Sarik, he smiled. "Ar'mai! It is good to see you again! Weapons are hung along the wall. I'm sure you'll find a bow and a quiver of arrows somewhere around there..."

"I'll go with you, Ar'mai," called Inzikai.

OOC: The Necro-Field spell can only work if the victim is still alive and surrives the transformation to a ghoul. Blastit since you are rping as the victims. Let me know if any die before they can be properly turned..

IC:

Rastilia looked at the pile of dust on the floor. This was all that remained of the poor man that had been sacrificed to Minax. The Goddess had devoured his body and soul in one gulp so to speak.


Rastilia then looked at the frozen people and pulled out her whip. Rastilia then cracked the three-prong whip to give the clear indication of what was going to happen. The sound of the whip crack alone would have frighten most people but what would really frighten the people was the crackling negative energy that was imbued upon the whip. This also gave it a nice touch to harm her enemies.

She then raised her whip and struck her frozen victims. The whip was fast and the negative energy would literally damage a living person's life energy. The target would be suffering from both the painful lashes of the whip and the devastating dark magic that added to the weapons already lethal strike. She continued this deadly attack until all four victims were at the point of near death…

Rastilia finally put her whip back on her belt and started to invoke her staff to create a Nerco-field in this area. Necromantic energy started to radiate from her staff. The energy seemed to invigorate the Zombies and Skeletons. The dark energy began to make contact with the people that were frozen and dying from their terrible wounds. The energy was starting to mix with their weaken life forces and attempting to turn them into Ghouls another dreaded undead creature…

"I'll go with you, Ar'mai," called Inzikai.

"I will be fine..." Ar'mai replied, her voice fading as before she completed her sentence she had already dashed off from the group to the nearest wall in search of some weapons.

Soon she arrived at the wall after just a few fleet steps. Once nearing the large stone walls she began running parallel to it, making sure not to be heading towards the enemy groupings. She passed by numerous weapons: axes, hammers, clubs, swords... and then she saw it: a bent, straight shaft bow.

Ar'mai leaped up and snatched it off the wall along with the quiver of arrows that hung next to it. She swung the quiver around her shoulder and began testing the stringing of the bow. It was slightly tighter than she was used to, but she would manage.

Turning on the enemy, she was now prepared to unleash a deadly torrent of arrows...

"Inzikai, what has your master been doing to you?" Lorathin commented with a virulent smirk, "And what are you doing here, trying to worm your way into our confidence?"

He was almost positive he had the advantage of knowing more about Inzikai than Inzikai knew about him. As he talked he sent out a arc of flame from his hand that kept a continous beam like emination as he tracked it onto a variety of the foe.

ooc: Ooooo... getting interesting!

Damien grew frantic as he himself was surrounded my scorpianmen. Knowing that Sangradeen would be surrounded as well, he went berzerk trying to find Sangradeen and Heerall. While getting to the main group again, Damien killed at least six scorpionmen.
Meanwhile, Sangradeen was having a frustrating time trying to figure out the anatomy of the scorpionmen. He was trying to find the heart of the scorpionmen so he wouldn't have such a hard time trying to retreive his needles when he threw them.
Heerall tried his best not to get himself disassembled. He timed his sword sweeps correctly to chop up the tails when the came and chopped the legs to imobilize the scorpions for a final blow.

ooc: Roger that!

A once healthy young man gasped suddenly, as he died, eyes open in terror, leaving only three left.

Rothargot continued to observe. "Enjoying yourself?" he asked quietly.
**********************************************************

Inzikai bared his now larger fangs at Lorathin. "I don't know what you're talking about, human..."

He pulled out his sword and flourished it, spinning it around him.

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

The Patriarch was making his way to the main group when he saw a strange hunchbacked man trying to kill a scorpion man. He diverted his course, so he would aide out the poor figure.

Running next to the scorpion, the Patriarch hacked diaganolly upwards on the first leg, and taking out most of the other leg, making the creature lean towards the Patriarch. "Friend, aim next to the right arm. It is in nearly the same place as a human!" he shouted.

"Ah..." replied Sangradeen to a brilliant looking Skizzarish, "Thank you, kind sir!" Immediately, Sangradeen jumped up into the air using air to push himself up to a height that the needle would hit the scorpion's right arm and dig itself into the ground for easy retrieval. While in the air, Sangradeen recognized the face of a certain little empress in a certain little booth.

Rastilia had a look of disgust that the lad had died that quickly during the critical moment for the transformation. Rastilia then decided that one will make a nice zombie as soon as the other three finished their transformation.

It must have felt terrible as their bodies were becoming warped by the necromantic energy to become horrible monsters. Their hands were turning into claws. Their minds were losing some of their higher functions and becoming more predatory and hungry.

Rastilia took her eyes of the sight and looked at Rothargot and said, "I am just following my orders to cause death and destruction across the land. I am merely creating help to further that cause."

The Zombies and Skeletons with their new vigor moved about looking for more victims to bring back to their mistress…

"Yes you do, but we'll get into that when this little tiff is sorted out." He replied as he gestured and sent a bolt of electricity bouncing between the scorps, but avoiding the 'good guys'.

Minos hadn't moved since the beginning of the battle, and wasn't about to start as a large scorpion man charged forward at him. When he was just five feet from the old man, the earth underneath it suddenly shot upward 10 feet and then abruptly back down. Sending the scorpion man directly upward fifty feet while its forward momentum carried it straight over Minos into a group of soldiers.

Next, Minos began to systematically remove the air around the scorpionmen. It became thinner and thinner as he began calling upon the energy of his staff in order to support the largest amount of matter he had yet moved. Within seconds, the scorpion men were standing inside a literal vacuum. They began dropping dead after several minutes.

Harlin, was standing inside the vacuum in one of the bubbles of air that Minos had created for all the friendlies in the area. He charged a scorpion man with his two scimitars drawn. Dropping down and springing into the air, he flipped over the foe, and sliced off its head while he was flying upside down over it. Landing, he continued on the the next, running nearly horizontal to the ground. He reached out his swords as he ran under it and sliced off its legs. Ending his charge with a roll, he slowed and surveyed the audience. Enraged, he yelled, "Are you not entertained!"

Shara was also fighting hard. She had already wrought nearly a score of death by her sword, and was not slowing down. She left the scorpionmen to her mates, and continued slaughtering the soldiers. Running up to the first one, she bashed him in the head with her shield, knocking him to the ground, and then stabbed him in the neck. Then, she spun to her right and decapitated the two standing in that direction. She looked up then and noticed that the immediate field of battle and noticed that it was clear. She was breathing hard and stood still to rest for a second. Sitting, she wiped her brow of sweat and then cleared her sword of blood. What next? She wondered.

After Ar'mai had retrieved a bow and quiver of arrows, she took aim from a distance and began firing arrow of arrow. Her mastery of the bow gave her incredible aim and the ability to notch an arrow and fire it in the flash of en eye - her arm would literally become a blur as she moved it from quiver to bow and back again over and over.

As the arrows were let loose, she touched with a Blessed Aim spell that caused them to target the enemy's weakest point and have the accuracy to hit a flea standing on the tip of a pin.

Ending his charge with a roll, he slowed and surveyed the audience. Enraged, he yelled, "Are you not entertained!"

OOC: Ah, quotes from Gladiator.

OOC: Ah, quotes from Gladiator.
OOC: I felt it appropriate...:D

OOC: I felt it appropriate...:D

OOC: Most certainly is. (Gladiator is one of my favorite movies - it also has some of the best quotes, and lots of them).

IC:

That battle seemed to be winding down, with the coalition of the original party and some added members (The Patriarch and Inzikai) on the winning side.

"I believe I was hired against you for that battle your highness. Nonetheless we still lost battle after battle; driven back to the point of annihilation. Luckily mt boss was killed in combat before I could leave the futile war with my life and my purse." He said smiling looking back into her beautiful innocent eyes. "But that was some time ago and I try not to hold grudges."

He remembered that better than he admitted. He lost a lot of comrads in that war, a lot of good men he had fought beside most of his career.

The lizardman warrior walked up to the guard. "I will be fighting in the next battle." He siad calmly and cold as he swung his mace around in practice.

ooc: Just get your guy in the battle, I'll g2g somewhere real fast, but i'll post later ;)

IC: The guard nodded and walked to a massive gate, stairs leading downwards into the pit. "What side do you choose?"

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

Kalzog smiled as Inzikai took to the field. He had grown tired of tossing the rocks, and both sides of the once formindable surrounding armies were whittled down to less than one hundred.

"Is this all you have?" he roared at the audience, who were cheering their respective leaders names. As if in answer, doors on the sides of the arena opened slowly. A hooved minotaur walked out, axe in one hand, sword in the other. He was well armored and he snorted dust from his nose.

"Easy..." Kalzog chuckled. Suddenly, other minotaurs came out from the shadows behind the first. He turned around as he heard a challenging roar. Cyclopes...

"Infernal undead...I should have remembered..." he growled to himself.

"Remembered what, putrid lizard?" Kalzog asked, a smiling playing across his lips.

Inzikai glared at Kalzog. "Shut you insolence, ogre, before I dissolve your flesh from your bones..."

Kalzog put his arms up. "Oh dear, Mr. High and mighty going to kill me!" he said sarcastically. He brought his face close to Inzikai. "Remember the people who sent your god back from where he came from..." he growled with a smile.

Inzikai burned with hatred, but decided not to punish the ogre. He would need all the allies he could get for the impending battle...

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

Empress Rimoru cheered excitedly as the Patriarch took to the field. "That's the Patriarch, Cade! I have been in love with him since he was born!"

Then Inzikai jumped onto the field. Rimoru smiled gleefully. "This is a great battle!"

She turned to Cadeyrn and smiled sweetly. "Cade, would you like to join the frey in my honor?" she asked seductively, bringing her face close to his.
**********************************************************

Rothargot watched the undead shuffle around. "I suggest we hurry. Our primary objective must not wait much longer..."

ooc: Just get your guy in the battle, I'll g2g somewhere real fast, but i'll post later ;)

ooc: I will got to go somewhere real fast... That's something the chinese would think up... ;)

ooc: I will got to go somewhere real fast... That's something the chinese would think up... ;)

ooc: Heh, I was thinking there was something strange with that too.

ooc: Hey quit you making fun of english mine!

Edit: Post edited!

"More beasties." Lorathin muttered, "Inzikai, how many cages does this arena hold?" He called out as he tossed a fireball into the midst of the newly arrived creatures.

"How would I know, you imbecile? This isn't my arena!" barked Inzikai as he sliced through a charging Imperium soldier.

"I'm going to need a weapon..." growled Kalzog as he scanned the walls for signs of his club. He noticed it on the far wall...after the horde of Minotaurs walking out into a formation. He cursed under his breath.

The Patriarch walked to the group, rather calmly. "Good to see you out of the clutches of Inzikai," he smiled at Ar'mai and gaver her a slight bow.

"Imbecile...I treated her with respect!" responded Inzikai, who perried another attack from a soldier, digging a dagger into the back of his neck.

"Inzikai...why did you come down here?" He asked, watching the remaining scorpions beginning to close in on them.

"I have my reasons," he responded, jumping back from a lunge before diving his sword into the mans back.

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

"This has got to stop!" growled the Judge of Foreign Affairs. "Imagine, if one of them were to die? Chaos would engulf Lustria!"

"So? That means we can be the heroes and unite Lustria..." smiled the Judge of the Games.

The Judge of Foreign Affairs smiled wickedly. "Ah...point taken..."

The other judges agreed and continued to watch with obvious interest.

"Ya, lecherous ones." Lorathin muttered as the disk reflected a hurled stone back to smash into one of the minotaur.

Kalzog began to laugh at Lorathin's comment. "Good one, human!"

Inzikai blushed slightly. "Why in Valtrox's name would you think that?" asked Inzikai, letting Loraf the dwarf take his place.

Originally Posted by The Blastit Empire
Rothargot watched the undead shuffle around. "I suggest we hurry. Our primary objective must not wait much longer..."




Rastilia finally finished up her spell and raised the other corpses. She now had a small force of undead consisting of 3 Ghouls, 6 zombies, and 4 skeletons. These undead creatures were now fully under Rastilia's clerical control. She mentally commanded them to follow and protect her while following Rothargot. She had personally enjoyed her time but she would never admit it to these people. It might unnerve them to the point of alienating her from the group and as a dark elf she did not want to put up with that right off the bat.

"Let's just say I know quite a bit more about you than you might think." Lorathin commented as the ogre laughed.

"You and your sick thoughts human...Why would I ever think of such a thing..." Inzikai growled. "And just who would I have these foolish ideas of?"

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

"Is that all, Rastilia?" Rothargot asked as he observed the undead.

Rastilia looked over her new band of undead servants and thought about Rothargot's question and finally replied, "I think we have enough rank in file undead."

The undead continued to follow behind Rastilia. They were slow thanks to losing some of their motor functions but they kept moving.

"Let's go. The fury of Valtrox is one that should not be invoked...not even on those that are our enemies..." Rothargot replied as he walked through the ruins. Before he stepped outside, he noticed the sun had not quite set. "Priestess, you may wish to summon your cloud. The sun is still quite bright."

"Because you think you're in love." He replied, "As to who, I'd have thought that was obvious, even to an addle-brained god worshipper like you."

Rastilia held out her crystal that contained the cloud. She merely invoked her divine energy, which released the dark cloud. Rastilia then noticed that the cloud was out but now she would have to summon another nightmare to keep up with her comrades. That was not the problem. It was transporting her minions across the desert. They could not survive in the light yet there was no way they could keep up with the nightmare. An extremely taxing dilemma for Rastilia to decide on what to do next.

The Patriarch smiled. "Inzikai...I thought Valtrox forbid you to love. I remember your previous relationship...Kind of ended in tatters, did it not?" he asked.

"Silence! We shouldn't be here speaking these lies about me, when I've come to save all of you."

"Agreed, the Cyclopes have begun to approach!" Sarik yelled, pointing towards the group of one eyed giants, all armed with various weaponry. There seemed to be about 100 of them total.

The Imperium soldiers had retreated a bit, to regroup their now small numbers. The scorpion men, numbers much smaller as well, numbered about 30, yet were still a force to be reckoned with. The small group of prisoners were truly surrounded this time...

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

Rothargot walked outside, unknowing of Rastilia's problem. He spread his wings greatfully and breathed out a cloud of smog. "This mortal realm is wonderous!" he boomed cheerily.

Cadeyrn looked back at her curiously. "As much as I would like to jump into the battle, I'm afraid I cannot. Doing so would leave you vulnerable to an attack and if you were to die under my protection I couldn't forgive myself."

He looked down at his feet and sighed. "If you really wish me to battle, who is it you would like me to kill first?"

"Perhaps we shall talk about this later Inzi." Lorathin commented, "And about your god." He was tempted to throw in a jab about his skin condition, but decided instead to toss a blinding spell in the cyclopes' direction.

The Cyclopses had made the foolish mistake of walking over Minos' spike field. He once again raised his hands, and the large spikes shot out the ground and impaled several cyclops was well as created a large obstacle for them. Kneeling swiftly, he slammed his hand into the sand, and an enlarged imprint of it began to rise out of the ground near the lead cyclops. The earthen hand grasped the monster and pulled it underneath the earth, where it was crushed by the weight of the dirt. Minos slammed his other hand into the ground as well, and began repeating the process, slowly and steadily.

While this was happening, Harlin was jumping from cyclops to cyclops, and was stabbing each one in its giant ugly eye. He was too fast and too samll for the creatures to grab him. Suddenly though, he heard a scream and looked over to see Shara cornered by four minotaurs. He hesitated momentarily, weighing his options, and in that pause, was grabbed in the giant fist of a cyclops.

It laughed at him, a slow, dumb chuckle, "Go'cha now puny man. I bet'chew would taste good." It began to lift it to his mouth, but before it could get there, Harlin slid out of his grasp, and began running up his arm.

"Ey, whatcha doing there little man," the cyclops said as he tried to swat Harlin away. But then Harlin was upon his head, and driving his scimitar through the top of the cyclops' skull. As it dropped to the ground, Harlin jumped off and began running to where Shara was fighting for her life.

He yelled to his friend, "A little help here Minos!"

Minos looked over at Harlin, and then to Shara, and the grey fire burned in his eyes as the skin began to melt off of one of the minotaurs.

Then, Harlin was upon them, and nothing could stop his wrath as he tried desperately to save Shara. One Minotaur dropped before his blades before the others realized what was happening. Shara, meanwhile was busy frantically parrying and blocking the slashes from the opponents who not only outnumbered her, but also outsized her.

The minotaurs were temporarily distracted by Minos' conjured fire, before his attention was drawn back to stopping the cyclops from advancing. Still, Harlin was able to dispatch the remaining minotaurs with the help of Shara.

When they were once again relatively safe, Harlin grabbed Shara in his arms, and kissed her passionately. Breaking the embrace and holding her at arms length, he said, "Don't worry me like that again." He kissed her again and ran back to the fight, with her running swiftly behind him.

Rimoru looked pleadingly into her bodyguard's eyes. "Don't worry about me, Cade...I'll move my booth towards the middle of the Arena...Not only will it give me a closer view to watch my bodyguard in action, but it would be hard for someone to try to get in from the audience..."

She pressed her body against his and stroked his neck. "I want you to show the audience that Rimoru's own are the best in Lustria...no...the best in the world."

"I don't know...pick a target," she smiled seductively, walking her hand up Cadeyrn's chest. "Just don't kill Inzikai or the Patriarch...I still love them..."
**********************************************************
"Perhaps, we'll arrange your funeral arrangements as well," Inzikai answer angrily.

Inzikai heard the scream. He immediately looked in the direction. Another elf? He frowned as the human and the elf creature kissed.

They are allowed to love...Why shouldn't you?

"Why...shouldn't...I?" he asked himself. He slowly raised his hand in their direction, preparing to dissolve them with the deadly spell he was famous for.

Suddenly, someone pushed his hand down.

"No. I won't let you..." the Patriarch said quietly.

"Don't interfere, Vadiuz..."he growled quietly.

The Patriarch stood back, shocked. "Inzikai, don't speak my name...It is not proper..." he whispered.

Inzikai laughed maniacally. "Always so proper..." He flourished his sword, his fangs bared.

The audience gasped as they realized Inzikai and the Patriarch may try to end their rivalry right now...

That's right...kill him Inzikai...kill them all. Make them suffer for taking away your love...

Suddenly, a large hand gripped him around the waist and picked him up.

"No time for in-fighting..." Kalzog growled as he set Inzikai down in front of a line of charging minotaurs. The deadly line would surely impale most, if not all of the prisoners if they weren't stopped.

Inzikai snapped out of his deadly trance and his mind raced as to what to do.

Kalzog's fist glowed and he opened both, sending several dust devils strong enough to toss several of the charging minotaurs around the arena. That would only take out some...

Cadeyrn smiled. "I can hardly refuse my highness."

He grabbed his blade and hurled it into the dirt of the arena. He rolled out of the booth and landed with a thud admist the action.

His eyes breezed through the combatants waiting to pick out his first victim.

Rimoru looked pleadingly into her bodyguard's eyes. "Don't worry about me, Cade...I'll move my booth towards the middle of the Arena...Not only will it give me a closer view to watch my bodyguard in action, but it would be hard for someone to try to get in from the audience..."
ooc: Oooo...

Damien charged into two minotaurs as he screamed and roared. Knocking both of them out, he got up at lightning speed. As a cyclopes charged at him, Damien reered back and, when he came close enough, slammed him in his head. Damien noticed a minotaur charging at him on all fours he reered back, but he was too slow. He was slammed into and his clay form was distorted. He fell down and started to very slowly re-materialize.

Sangradeen looked up. He saw the booth of Rimoru slowly come close. As it was, a figure rolled out of the booth and onto the arena. Now was his chance. He beckoned Heerall, who knew the message and took out a special needle. It was black and had white writing which stated simply that she was not a goddess. He was not going to kill Rimoru but try to get the needle stuck in the glass or forcefield. He reered back and threw it at the booth.

Caedyrn saw the motion and dug his gargantuan blade out of the ground. He swung it as the dirt on the end of blade clouded a portion of the field. With his attacker blinded he swung The Dragonslayer through the thick of the dust with incredible force.

"Wonder if he's a pro or con." Lorathin mused as he cupped his hands, muttered a word them opened them up, causing an arcing wall of flames to burst from his palms.

Sangradeen's eyes were watering. He ignored it and protected himself as well as he could. While on his way to protect his chest, Sangradeen's needle touched something. The object was moving fast and slammed his needle into his ribs protected by hard leather. The force of the sword pushed him back and knocked him down with his sides in pain.
Having no real eyes, Heerall was immune to the dust. Heerall saw Sangradeen go down. Seeing where the sword had come from, he swung into the dust at where the hands should be...

Cadeyrn fell backwards trying to dodge the attack. He had been away from battle in a while and dropped his blade in the attack. The dust was starting to settle revealing the shadows and outlines of some figures. The mercenary drew his throwing darts and began hurled one at the figure he believed attacked him.

Heerall was pierced with the unexpected dart. Fortunately, the dart only passed through the cloth portions of the steel-and-cloth golem. As the dust settled, he saw the head the dart thrower glaring angrily at him. He charged and slashed barely above the head to trick him into standing up in the way of the blade.

Cadeyrn put up his left arm deflecting the blade away from his head. In the same motion he rolled to his feet charging at his opponent.

As the battle raged, Bael'ther remained unconscious and sprawled out on the dusty ground, protected by the power of the white light.

Ar'mai had remained back from the immediate battle, staying out of close quarters combat, and instead launched arrow after arrow that the minotaurs and cyclopses - especially aiming for their eyes.

Eventually and soon, she would run out of arrows and be forced to only utilize her healing powers.

Lorathin noticed that Ar'mai was running short on arrows. Gesturing, he cast a spell to create a bundle of pyro-arrows to appear at her feet. "Hope these help." He called over as he noticed the melee between the guy who jumped down and the others.

Inzikai remained stunned a moment longer, before snapping back to reality. He looked at the corpses surrounding the group.

"Ogre, get me all the corpses and line them up about five feet in front of us. NOW!" ordered Inzikai. Kalzog looked confused, but did so anyways.

The minotaurs were approaching ever closer, the wall of armor, and deadly horns ready to tear the group apart...

Inzikai walked up to the corpses and scanned the minotaur line. He walked backwards several steps and smiled. Suddenly, with a gut-wrenching rip, the bones of all the corpses assembled themselves into a bone palisade, deadly spikes pointed towards the incoming Minotaurs.

"Stand back...that wall will only handle the first wave," Inzikai said cooly as he walked pasted Kalzog.
**********************************************************

The Patriarch was engaged in a fight between two scorpion-men, who had reached the group. One picked him up from the cape, dangling him from the sky. The Patriarch laughed as he swung himself around the creature's claw, slicing the joint all around. As he reached the point he began, he dropped to the floor, the claw wrapped in his cape. With a burst of speed, the Patriarch slammed his sword into the beast's heart, killing it instantly. Propelling himself off the scorpion man's body, he dug his sword into the second's head. Again jumping off the falling corpse, he landed on the ground, observing any more trouble spots. Apparently someone had fallen from Rimoru's skybooth and had begun to battle the hunchback.

The Patriarch ran to the man and pulled him backwards on the cape, as he was about to ram into the golem. "I think you're fighting the wrong people," he grumbled.

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

Rimoru was admiring the battle below, when a dart smashed into the forcefield. It had begun to descend, but the Empress noticed some words on it. She used her power to bring it around, into the door. Holding it with her hands.

"Rimoru, not a goddess?" she read out loud. She looked out the window, her eyes squinted. She opened her palm, and let the needle rise up. It began to implode as she willed it to. Soon, it was a small ball of metal. "We'll just see about that..." she growled as she scanned the field to find out who threw that...

ooc: Looks like the bitch is pissed...


Heerall was bracing himself for the blow until the patriarch came in and took the man away. Without thinking, he continued to run to the man and attempted to stab him.

Sangradeen was on the ground and his needles were to his side. Wondering if the empress noticed that he threw the needles. He quickly tucked them into the dirt while he was down and marked the spot with a circle.

Tlaxkrox entered the arena to see all manner of people fighting for their lives. He saw Inzikai, making a wall of bones to attack the minotaurs. He decided to show his strength now. He hurled a spear at one of the minotaurs. It hit him in the chest. Before the Minotaur could react, Tlaxkrox rushed up with his shield and mace in front of him, slamming into the Minotaur, sending it flying. He lifted his mace and brought it down on it's skull. "Inzikai, I believe I have shown my skill. Now, who shall die first?"

ooc: LoL Rimoru is spoiled, and gets mad when things don't go her way..watch out for her ;)

Inzikai noticed the young gladiator, taking on the minotaurs by himself. "Get over here before they surround you!" he barked.

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The Patriarch brought his sword out and deflected the attack. "No. We need all the help we can get," he said.

Lorathin felt weak, as he sent a lightning bolt into the cyclopes. He realized he was out of shape, at least in the meta-magical department, as he knew he shouldn't be feeling the drain at this point. With a shrug, he went back to casting.

"Losing your touch, Azreal?" Minos whispered through the air into Azreal's ear. As he said this, He raised a wall of earth to support Inzikai's bone palisade.

Harlin, meanwhile was again taking care of the cyclops. He was running through them and cutting their Achilles tendons, and dropping them like so much grain. Shara was doing the same, in a different portion of the mass. Will it never end? she wondered.

Tlaxkrox heard Inzikai yell for him. He swung his mace at another minotaurs kneecap, tripping it, and rushed foward to him. "Inzikai, what is it that you need? I am busy making death."

Cadeyrn ripped himself from his cloak and sprinted for his blade with a neat roll he ended back in his fighting position. Looking down the length of the blade he pointed it at the fellow who was just dragging him.

"Attacking the wrong people? Hah! There's no such thing, whatever gets me paid." He said smiling grimly.

Lorathin looked over at the old wizard with a scowl, he might have been more weary than the old man, but he'd been also using a much more varied and larger number of spells than Minos.

He then sent out a conical spray of rainbow lights, each beam travelling through the various interferences, with a number of different effects, including burning, freezing, and petrifying the sections that were touched.

"Wasting one's life in the name of money..." the Patriarch muttered, shaking his head. "Who is paying you?"

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Inzikai growled. "I order you to get over here this instant!"