NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Read through, we have something set aside for you. It will occur after the final battle, but before Cougar and Kaelis Ra

OOC: SE...I was going to have a little heart-wrenching scene...but no. Instead, we do something else. There is METHOD to the madness.

IC:
Renor nods. "The time to grieve will be later...at this moment, the battle begins."

Mith oversaw the setting up of the field hospital, but something was bothering her about Rhenna. Asking one of the slivers to get the body, she began to work on other injured that were coming in.

During a brief lull in the inflow of the injured, Mith began a standard autopsy on Rhenna. First the mage began to remove the razors which had imbedded themselves in the girl's skin. Blood began to trickle forth from the wound.

She's bleeding? That's impossible, the dead don't... "Give me a team of two Essence Slivers...this one's still alive."

They began to work...bringing up and stablizing Rhenna's almost non-existant life signs.

As the call for medic was sounded, Mith herself teleported to the middle of the field. Using a direct teleport method, she took the bullets out of the woman and bound the wounds, then took her from Watt and teleported the both of them back to the hospital.

Renor, spent though he was from the battle with S'gart, knew the day wasn't over. He traveled through the battlefield, raining death upon the demons as though it was that he was trained to do, instead of magick.

OOC: Ohhhhh...I'm sorry, Balrogga *hugs*...But I have a definite part for you in my rp that's going to be coming up. It won't get off the ground without you.

OOC: Oh well, it can come after the battle. How was I meant to know... lol. Check TG's. And Balrogga, I am sorry bout all this.

IC: Cougar felt a hammerblow hit him square in the chest. One of the more powerful demons had attacked him, and he had breifly let his guard down.Motherfucker! he thought, striking out with the Flame, a huge spurt igniting the carapace of the demon where it stood. With a thought, he commanded a large group of Muscle and Toxin slivers, along with a Reactor Sliver, to attack the lines directly, and try to get behind the demons, try to encircle them...


SHADOW were now pinned down. HAving made it to the trench, they were having serious problems getting out. Dead Cell were having a comeback, led by their commander, who was fighting with them. Bodies on both sides were strewn everywhere, their blood staining the snow crimson. Konig offered a silent prayer to Leviathan, praying that they would make it through the day.


Several miles away...
General Adama and his armoured division were slowly moving through the pass, having found a way to dislodge chunks without damaging the structure so much that it collapsed. He only hoped that the Predators and Challenger's would make it there in time...

OOC: BTW Warhaven, you have control of the kaelis Ra Avatar for this part, coz I can't keep up at night (GMT) coz of time difference

Demon to the right of 'em, demon to the left of 'em, demon to the front of 'em, demon behind.

So thought Renor as he walked through the demon horde. Fighting demons had recently become so familiar as to be boring. He briefly wondered how Mith was faring, with so many dead bodies/injured warriors coming in. But it mattered little at this point. All that mattered was the battle in front of him. Gods of Chaos...does this never end?

No. War never ends. War is everlasting. thought Cougar as he smashed demons asunder, his heart beating heavily in his chest. All the time, images of Rhenna's body floated in front of his vision, but he pushed them aside, ashamed of doing so as he did. But he still had a job to do, and grief must not overcome him again. His skin was slick with perspiration, his clothes sticking to him.

Suddenly, the demons stopped. The group Cougar had dispatched were attacking the trenches. This threw the demons into confusion, and allowed the Sliver's to take advantage. They crashed into them once again, forcing a breach, and pouring through it. They were now in a position to win this war...


SHADOW were still having a rough time of it. Nearly 1/3 of them were either dead or wounded, and Watt still hadn't returned. Konig glanced at his watch, the battle had been raging for three hours already! He moved slowly, delibratley, releasing his magazine and inserting a fresh one. The fighting on this side was dying down slightly, the volume of fire reduced to pot-shots....

Adama saw the pass end a mile in the distance on his scanner readouts. All weapons were primed, and soon the tanks would swarm over their enemies...


EDIT OOC: OK, this battle is basically over. Balrogga and Warhaven, RP your battles at your leisure, we cannot finish until you are done. Then, I will R Cougar Vs Kaelis Ra, and then we will mop things up, before moving back to the White Tower. Go kick ass guys!

OOC: Alright, here goes the battle with the Avatar.

IC: Warfare was watching the Avatar closely. She had long since warned everbody that the Avatar was not the real Kaelis Ra. With a Hiss that made everybody and everthing turn to look. Warfare Divebombed the Avatar, driving him 500 feet under ground. Great quakes were felt as Good ands Evil fought underground. Without warning, A section of the Ice crumbled, and out shot Avatar. Thunderclouds gathered, and the wind picked up. Rocks were flying in from far distances. The sun shined brighter, and gravity grew more forceful. Fertility picked up 198% and the sickly feeling of Death permeated the air. The planet was shaking from the sheer pressure of the gathering forces. Warfare shot up from underground, now humanoid and clad in her armor. A titanic swordfight ensued as Lightning began to randomly strike the Ground. People dodged the flying rocks, and water surged forth from deep beneath the Frozen wastes. Both Avatar and warfare were bleeding from uncountable wounds, inside and out. warfare paused, and gathered all her powers into a single blow All the elements gathered into her fist. the Avatar began to run, knowing what was to come next. Warfare was not even going to bother chasing him. She turned and Aimed for the temple itself, and fired an elemental blast at the temple. The Avatar darted in front of it to save his master. As the blast hit him his scream could be heard around snake eater Prime, and possibly beyond. A great black Column of elements shot up from his body, The temple took a beating from the blast but it still stood. As the Avatar disentigrated into nothing, one final Command escaped it: "Apollyon, slay them all." Warfare healed the elements and everything resumed its normal condition, except for the 500 foot hole in the ground. A few unweary Dead cell members did not notice it, and fell, screaming to their deaths. Warfare's male body appeared, and the two merged, into one androgenus body. Warfare fell head first into the ice and did not rise. A team of Essence Slivers hovered over the body. The rest of sliver kind, Launched themselves at the Hordes as one, and began slaying with utter vengance, no one killed their God and got away with it.. The Demons were responsible, and the Demons would be destroyed. SHADOW Resumed their attacks as well. When two Gods fight, it is a sight to behold. Suddenly a demon almost as powerful as the Avatar arose, its name was Apollyon, and he looked like a Nightmare from hell. He wanted blood, and Nothing could stop him...

OOC:Is Warfare dead? The world, may never know. Balrogga, this is it, this is your part. You need to Slay Apollyon so that Couger can freely enter Kaelis Ra's temple and end this. This how it was planned from the beginning. I know someone should have informed you, but Kay did say she had a key part for you in her RP. Only Galvenor can defeat Apollyon.

News spreads swiftly from the battle to the medics, especially of the wounded and fallen. Mith would be out there herself, now, if she had half a second to breathe. Wounded slivers were everywhere, punctuated every now and again by a human. A lone drow lay in the middle of it all. A heat barrier was up around her...one of a higher energy than that around the humans and slivers. She'd been left out in the snow too long, and her body temperature had been dangerously low when she'd been brought to Mith. How she hadn't died upon contact with Renor's spell was puzzling, but Mith wasn't complaining. She just hoped the young mage woke soon.

Word reached Mith about Warfare's fall, and she teleported out to assist the Essence Slivers. While she doubted that Warfare was dead, she figured s/he'd taken a hell of a lot of damage. The death on this battlefield had left fashka running rampant. Mith gathered as much as she could possibly handle to begin with, and began infusing it directly into the god, draining more and infusing it as fast as she drew. The Slivers could take care of the physical damage...but gods require vast amounts of energy...and the ability of the Grey Class mage centered around restoring the natural balance of energies in a patient. So many thought that the class merely worked with healing...but that was only part of it...a by product of the true work of the class.

The battle was drawing to a close as Warfare and the Avatar fought. All stopped to watch the titanic battle overhead, and many of the Slivers cried out as Warfare crashed back into the ice. Sensing their distress, Cougar rallied them for one final charge. It broke the back of the demon lines, and many began to flee."THEY ARE FALLING BACK! LEAVE NONE ALIVE!" he shouted, both physically and and mentally. As the Sliver's exploited their advantage, Cougar watched the dominating form of Apollyon rise from the ice. His sense told him what this was, an Archdemon of Hell.

His mental anguish was indescribale. He did not have the strength left to fight an Archdemon, such as his defeat of Legion in Drescon. As he panted, he screamed out Galvenor! We need you NOW!

OOC: Soz to double post

IC: Tom Thorvald walked out of the triage centre. He had taken a phaser to the leg, and suffered third degree burns along it's length. Looking out over the field of battle, he saw the devastation reaped by the battle. In the distance, he saw the Xenos... Slivers he believed they were called, pursuing the remenents of the demon horde. Over on the other side of the temple, he could still hear the occasional pop of gunfire, as SHADOW dug into their positions, and waited for reinforcements to arrive. And arrive they did.

Coming over the ridge, less than a mile away, was a stream of tanks. Even from this distance, he could tell the makes. Predators and Challengers, the pride of the armoured divisions. On the lead tank flew a flag, two barrels cross over a crucifix. Adama! he thought, and a smile crossed his long, pointed face. Adama was the best general SE had to offer, and he would deliver. As Thorvald watched, the 120mm main guns of the Challengers and the Phaser Cannons of the Predators opened up, firing into the midst of the Dead Cell forces. Many would die at the hands of Adama and his men, that was for sure. But Tom still had a more important job to do: find Col. Cougar, and tell that the Drow girl still lived...

*About 45 minutes later*
Thorvald approached Cougar from behind,"Colonel?"

Cougar started, then calmed down,"Yes, what is Lt. Thorvald? Shouldnt you be fighting with Dead Cell?"

"Got injured. That woman in the strange mask and cloak patched me up"

"Ah Mith. She can do wonders with her magick. Tell me, why are you here?"

"That Drow girl...."

Cougar stared at him,"Yes?"

"She's alive Colonel. Mith asked me to tell you"

Cougar turned away, tears streaming down his face, but these were tears of relief and joy, not unhappiness

"Are you O.K Sir?"

"Yes, I'm ok Lt. Return to the triage centre, create a list of SHADOW casulties" Cougar's voice was choked with emotion

"Yessir!" Thorvald snapped a quick salute, then turned away and walked, slowly, back towards the hospital

Cougar took his swod from it's sheath, and drove it into the ground. He knelt before it, and prayed. He prayed for Rhenna's safety, and prayed for strength in his upcoming battle. All the time, tears streamed down his tanned features..

Warfares thoughts eeped into Miths. He caused her to remember the moment he handed her the scroll containing the ingredients to the Wizards potion.
"Mith, I need one. I need a Wizards potion. Mith, Energy and physical healing won't do me any good. Mith, I need the healing of a Wizards potion made by a skilled healer. Mith, your the only one who can save me. Please, I have the ingredients within extradiminsional pockets within the cloak I am on. Find them, make one. You can do it. Don't worry about time, I am stable to the point I won't die, be I will never be able to return without the aid of a Wizards potion." He told to her telepathicly.

"Well, if that's all..."

Mith conjured a complete potions table, and then grabbed what ingredients she needed from the pockets in Warfare's cloak. Five hours, the scroll said...I remember it precisely...this step can be shortened, and this step skipped, without lessening the effect of the potion...I bet I could make it in three.

Working with all possible haste, but complete accuracy, Mith began to create a Wizard's Potion.

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

Y'know, thought Renor, Now would be a perfect time for a sign from this world's god. I doubt it's happening by his hand...so let's make it happen, shall we?

Energies of all colors began swirling around the kneeling Cougar. At first, they flickered like tongues of fire from the ground, but grew steadier and more vivid as the spell continued. Just when the colors could get no brighter, they swirled up and around Cougar, healing his injuries and replacing the energy he'd lost throughout the battle, then up into the sky, where they converged into the Symbol of Leviathan. It glowed brightly for a moment, and the Snake Eaters soldiers felt filled with strength and courage, and the demonic horde felt deathly fear. The symbol faded.

Well, I haven't used a spell that complex in a long time. That was fun.

OOC:

Sorry, just got home from work. I will type a post and get it up here as soon as I can.

Working two shifts on Friday's with only 8 hours in between really blows for posting.

Again, please forgive me.

EDIT: I will start off from my last post. I thought the demon would be going back to the demon who I was supposed to fight, not Ra. I will adapt my plans accordingly and leave Ra for you to fight.

As the Demon flew away, Galvenor began his preparations. He first cast Conjuror’s Sphere to boost his power. He then threw up Psudo-Immortality. He could feel the world around him and the flow of energy. He was in tune with the very essence of the Power.

Galvenor felt magic being manipulated with him as the target. After determining the source and effect of the spell, Galvenor allowed it to affect him unopposed. Galvenor was teleported deep within the Temple.

As his awareness adjusted to his new locale, Galvenor saw the demon he spoke with earlier standing in the corner of the vast room. Dominating the center of the room stood a large figure, easily towering over the spectral mage.

The tall figure looked at Galvenor and spoke in an even voice.

“Tell me, what is it you want?"

“What is it I want? Didn’t that worthless piece of offal cowering over there tell you anything?”

Galvenor turned to look directly into the demon’s eyes. He let a little red light filter into his image. Without looking at Ra, he spoke in a low voice.

“My demands just went up higher for your inefficiency. I want the right to do with that whatever I wish, completely unopposed. I want to own it body and soul. Forever. I will show it what I do to those who waste my time.”

Galvenor turned to Ra. He kept all knowledge he already knew completely hidden. Galvenor carefully modulated his “voice” so it grew louder as he spoke. His eyes slowly glowed brighter in crimson intensity. He let his power levels leak out, strengthening his aura so it could be felt. He gave an accurate and believable impression of a very pissed off arch-magi who was capable of turning on his comrades.

“Now, as I said to my new play thing over there, I am sick and tired of being made the fool of. I am tired of my so-called friends dragging my ass to whatever epic battles they feel the need to join without asking my opinion. I am tired of being made the fool of while they go on their merry little pansy-assed quests and being left behind. I am tired of being laughed at.”

Galvenor gestured at the cowering creature in the corner.

“That worthless pile of shit told me you would be able to give me the chance to show my so called friends what I really can do. I told him to tell you I would also need a “bonus” in addition to wiping out your advisories. I’ll even take command of your demon army and take them right to the pitiful mortals. In return for this, what can you offer me to join you?”


OOC:

Had to get this out of the way first. I will post once more to finish it.

OOC: Wow...much bitterness....

IC:
Renor's eyes narrowed as he felt Galvenor's distinctive magickal signature within the temple of Kaelis Ra. What is he doing? Is he switching sides, too? Or is this a plan to help in the defeat of Kaelis Ra? Can we defeat an arch-demon and Galvenor, too? Mith's busy...and though my magick may be as powerful as ever, physically I am on the verge of exhaustion. Cougar needs to save himself for the battle he is about to fight...Rhenmet's dead...and I can't call in any of my other apprentices. The slivers also have their talons full. Damn.

I can offer you demonhood! Imagine it, your powers would grow tenfold. You already rival Apollyon for power, but imgaine how it could alter! You could become more powerful than many gods, and you could destroy those who used you as a plaything for so much time. Your revenge could be to wipe these pitiful races of the face of the universe!

“If you can take the command of the Legion from Apollyon, they are yours to command. He has been showing some bad judgment lately. His tactics are pitiful, almost non-existent.”

“The reason he is doing so poorly is they beat his ass in their last crusade. He had to run away like a cur with its tail between its legs. He shall be no problem. I can take anyone on this pitiful ball of dirt. They are no match for me, especially since they have been wasting their strength. I shall return with Apollyon’s traitorous head to adorn your walls. I will then lead the army against those pitiful mortals and enact my revenge. After I slay every last one, I shall return for my reward. Remember, without a body I cannot die. I will return.”

Galvenor disappeared with a loud clap of thunder that shook the walls and caused debris to clatter from the walls. Ra remained deep in thought.

“What if he should actually succeed?”

Across the battlefield, Galvenor appeared with a loud thunderous boom. Apollyon paused mid-swing to look around, searching for the cause of the sound. Spying Galvenor, he threw the Shadow warrior over his shoulder he was using as a bludgeon. The corpse flew several dozen meters before crashing into the ground.

“What do we have here? More warriors of Light?”

“No, I am an emissary from your Master. A bearer of Judgment for crimes you have committed against him. You have failed him in your poor tactics and you are being replaced. I am your Executioner. Prepare to be flayed to your soul, you now belong to me.”

With those last words, Galvenor threw up a Temporal Arena, stopping time outside their immediate area and preventing anyone from interfering. Galvenor approached the shocked Apollyon.

“You lie! I have served my Master faithfully.”

“You have served your Master inefficiently. You have lost many battles because you cannot keep your wits about you. You are committing foolish mistakes and you are costing your Lord the battle. You will either leave or you will die by my hands. Oh, I forgot, you cannot leave the Arena. I guess it is time for you to die.”

Galvenor gathered Power and shot Eldritch Blasts at the great creature. The beams struck one of the wings as the demon dodged to the side. Power coursed through the wing, burning the membrane leaving nothing but ruined spines and raw flesh. The abomination screamed in pain and swung his huge flail at the mage. The spiked ball passed through the image of Galvenor.

“What are you, a ghost? I shall strike you down where you stand, ghost. I have command entire armies of undead; I can deal with a single ghost.”

Apollyon began casting Control Undead.

“Lets see you fight me when I can control you like a puppet on strings!”

The creature finished casting his spell and Galvenor stood still. Apollyon held his hand out like he was holding the strings of a puppet.

“I want to see you dance. Dance for me at your own funeral.”

Apollyon began to move his fingers as if he was controlling a puppet. Galvenor began to hop around. He danced away from the Demon Lord and then towards. Apollyon was laughing manically while he jiggled the strings and saw his foe move about as if he was in control. Galvenor danced closer to the immense beast and stopped moving. A puzzled look crept across the face of the demon. Then realization dawned upon him.

“Now look who is laughing. In your pride and conceit, you have blundered. I am not a ghost. Necromancy spells cannot affect one who doesn’t possess a body and have never died. You allowed me to get too close to you. I can now destroy you with but a touch.”

Galvenor summoned the Power from within and his body began to glow with a white pulsing light. The light filled out the image of his body, solidifying until it was as solid as Apollyon’s own. Galvenor leapt into the air and struck the demon in the center of his chest. His hand pierced the demonflesh and went into the beast. The light flowed from Galvenor and disappeared within the demon. Galvenor flew backwards a short distance and watched.

“What did you do to me? What was that?”

“That was a little trick I learned from a Goddess. Actually it is a combination of two tricks I learned. I combined Fieros and Ultima into a single attack. In a couple moments you are going to feel a lot of pain.”

Galvenor let the Temporal Arena drop so others can witness what was about to happen. Light began to flow across the demon’s body from the hole in his chest.

“Noooo! I cannot die. I am Immortal.”

“Well, I guess you won’t need your Immortality anymore.”

White fire began to burst out of the hole, eating a bigger cavity into the Demon Lord. Galvenor reached out a hand and made a grasping motion while uttering one of BelDragos’ sacred enchantments. The Immortal Coil unwound from the screaming creature and flowed to Galvenor. The Immortal Coil was absorbed into the essence of Galvenor. Deprived of its immortal form, Apollyon burst into fire and burned with the brilliance of a star.

“I find you Guilty. I sentence you to Death. You can die now. By the way, leave your head. Ra wants it for his wall.”

Galvenor made a few gestures with his hands and Apollyon’s head was severed from his body before the white fire could consume it. The head flew over to Galvenor and hovered.

“Demons, by Ra’s own words, I am now your General. You are commanded to assemble for immediate attack. You will follow my words exactly or you will die the same way your inept firmer General did. Form ranks and hold your position. I must first deliver Apollyon’s head to Ra.”

Galvenor disappeared.



Inside the Temple:


Galvenor appeared and tossed the head upon the floor at Ra’s feet.

“The deed is done. He experienced his Final Death. Your judgment is carried out. Give me my reward and I will go out and lead your army. I have a victory to win.”

Ra stared at the head for a moment before chuckling.

“You certainly made short work of him. I have half a mind of keeping you as my General, if I thought you would settle for a subservient position. Take your reward and finish your job.”

Ra tossed a small bag to Galvenor. Galvenor made the bag disappear and then teleported back to the battlefield.


“I have a mission for each and every one of you.”

Thousands of demons waited in anticipation.

“DIE!”

Galvenor threw a mighty spell of Fieros at the demons crossed with Chain Lightning. The Fieros Lightning jumped from demon to demon, incinerating each one it touched. Within seconds nothing stood from the Demon army, except for the original demon he first met, which was cowering behind a large rock.

“You are mine to do with as I please, remember? You have several millennia for me to play with you. Wait right here. I will return.”

Galvenor teleported to Cougar.

“The way has been opened to you. The demon army has been destroyed and Apollyon has experienced Final Death.”



OOC:

Tag!! Your turn.

Cougar stared at the form of Galvenor in front of him,"Galvenor...I'm sorry about all of this. However, I thank you for forgiving me of my transgressions against you"

He looked at the temple,"Summon the others. I have some words to say before I enter that place"

"There have been none. I had to make them believe what they most wished for. That is their downfall and weakness. I just exploited it to the fullest extent."

Galvenor gestured at the Temple in the distance.

"Ra awaits his fate. The way is open to you and his defenses are shattered. There is a demon over by that far rock that I will be putting to good use for several thousand years. I am going to make it clead sanctified relics. The pain of touching them might even whip him into shape..."

Galvenor teleports to where Warfare lay. The demon is teleported to him wearing shackles.

OOC: Methinks you misunderstood. I need all of the main chars together, so thts: Warfare, Galvenor, Renor, and Rhenna is knocked out, Mith is to busy

Mith finished the potion and administered it to Warfare. Leaving the god to deal with the aftereffects, she walked toward Cougar, and Renor joined her. As they're walking:

M -- By the way, Renor...your apprentice lives.

R -- How?

M -- I don't know.

*Renor starts laughing. It is a humorless laugh...but there isn't much to do but laugh*

R -- Her dragon blood. Some little bit of the spell would have been diverted to S'gart...and I only put enough power behind that spell to kill her.

M -- So she wouldn't experience additonal pain.

R -- Exactly.

M -- It appears that's what saved her life, then. The only thing that worries me is that she hasn't come to yet.

R -- Give it time.

Cougar looked at the outlines of two figures come towards him. As they approached, he recognised them. Renor and Mith.

"I am glad you came, I have some things to say before I go in. But we must first go to Galvenor and Warfare"

He turned, and began leading the way, his boots cruching in the crimson snow, his figure outlined against they dying light of the sun...

OOC:

It might be easier for Warfare if you went to her...

That is why I went there. Warefare is the one that cannot move.

OOC: He ought to be able to. After all...Mith just gave him a taste of his own medicine, lol.

Cougar approached Warfare, and knelt beside her, motioning to the others to form a circle...

"My friends, I have a number of things to say, and a number of things to ask of you"

The mages stood, adopting the same posture. If not for the wind that stirred their cloaks, they'd have looked like twin statues. They waited for the human to speak.

Cougar looked first at Renor,"Renor, you have taught me much in these past months, but I must enter this final battle alone. I ask of you one thing," and as he spoke, he reached up to his neck, and removed the pendents,"Keep these safe. Should Rhenna reawaken, give them to her. If I do not return, they are yours to do with as you wish."

Next, he turned to Mith,"I merely ask that you help Rhenna to recover, and tell her that I love her, and always will"

Galvenor,"I have nothing that I can truly give you, except my immmense personal gratitude and the gratitude of billions of lives"

Warfare,"And finally, Lady Warfare, I thank you for the help that you have given us. I have no more left to give, but should I perish, I feel you and I will find one-another someday. Recover quickly my friend."

As he finished speaking, he unstrapped his holster, letting it fall to the ground. He also removed his rank pips,"I go into battle not as James Cougar, but as Nightshadow, the angel of death to Snake Eater's enemies. Remember me as I was. And now, I take my leave of you, for my final duty approaches"

He turned away, walking into the gathering night. He stopped, threw them a salute with his right hand, and then continued to walk towards the Temple, the Black Flame burning with a fierceness and a brightness never before seen by anyone present...

R -- I have one thing left to tell you, that might aid you in this coming fight. Creatures such as that are damaged immensely by Holy power. Generally, this is called Divine magick, used by clerics. However, if granted by a god, as Rhenmet's research showed that yours was, that magick also has the potential to act as holy magick. I do not deal in such magicks, so I do not know how to awaken the Black Flame's holy aspect. If you can figure it out, victory is yours. If you cannot...the evil do not spare anyone...even the injured.

OOC: How's that for motivation, lol.

OOC: Pretty darn good!

IC: "Thank you," called Cougar, trepidation edging into his voice. Every step he took closer to the temple, he felt an ever growing weight on his heart. It was if billions of souls were chasing him, chasing him as he moved inexorcabliy forward....

Inside the temple, Kaelis Ra sat and waited for Cougar to arrive.Soon, my young nemesis, you will learn the true meaning of pain! And then, I will destroy your body and your soul. You will never see anything again!

OOC: I'm gonna have to double post for this, it's gonna be huge!

OOC: I may as well start this now.

IC:

Rhenna awoke in a dimly lit tunnel. On closer inspection, it turned out to be a corridor. "Is this the afterlife?" she wondered. "IS there an afterlife?" Looking around, she decided against it. "If this were the afterlife, it'd either be a whole lot better or a whole lot worse. In any event...this isn't Snake Eater Prime...or at least...not where I died. If I died. May as well start walking." She began walking, on and on and on, in a series of corridors that never seemed to end.

"This all seems familiar...and yet, I'm sure I've never seen it before..."

Cougar strode up the steps into the temple. It was blackened form all the damage it had taken, and pulsed an aura of pure evil. The entire sensation made him naseous, but he pushed it away as if it were nothing. He simply stared ahead of him, his jaw set and determined, his hands loose around him. The Black Flame burned, lighting the way for him. He was truly alone in this matter, but still he moved. Up ahead was a doorway.

He froze. This was it, the final step on his jounery. He took a deep breath, and stepped through the doorway. What he saw before him stunned him into silence. It was a large room, circular in design, with a pattern groved into the floor. Cougar looked, it was a eight-pronged star. The symbol of Kaelis Ra was under his feet. In the centre of the room was a large chair of sorts, in which sat a dark cloud. Beneath a deep cowl, hidden in darkness, burned a pair of red eyes. Even from this distance, Cougar couls see the hatred in this demons eyes,"Kaelis Ra, I presume?"

The shape shifted slightly,Why do you presume that which you know to be true, human?

"Simply making sure that I knew what I had to destroy"

Kaelis Ra chuckled,"You are proud, and foolhardy. Two qualitites that have killed many over the centuries," He paused, and studied Cougar,"How ironic. The last one was a priest, a holy man. I sense you are not such?"

"You could say that," said Cougar, drawing his sword from it's sheath, it's balde hissing with the flame surrounding it.

"You wish to fight? Then come, let's FIGHT!"

And with that, Kaelis Ra moved. He crossed the room in the blink of an eye, and unleashed black, crackling lightning that roared towards Cougar, leaving searing afterimages on the air...


OOC: Gimme a while to write the next part

M -- Do you think he'll be all right?

R -- He has learned much, and can handle more power than I thought he could. However...will he come out of this alive? It is impossible for me to say.

OOC: And this is it ladies and gents

IC: Cougar turned to face his enemy, absorbing energy all the time. As the lighning hit him, he reeled, then responded with a tidal wave of flame. But Kaelis Ra was moving to fast for him. He needed to slow him down, but he didn't know how. Then, it hit him like a slap in the face,Why slow him down when I can speed up?. He became a blur, moving as fast as Ra, but seeing with all clarity what was happening. Back and forth these two titans fought, determing the fate of an entire world, an entire empire even. It was so ironic, as if Good and Bad were exemplified in these two combatants. The battle was tiring, and lasted for many minutes. However, Kaelis Ra had much more expierence in these matters, and waited until the correct time. As Cougar brought his sword down, the blade leaving flames in the air, Kaelis Ra struck once, twice, THREE times in one fluid motion.

Cougar collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath. The attack had left him winded, and feeling half-dead. He knew in his heart that if he didn't get up, he would die. As he struggled to his feet, Ra hit him again, this tall dark shadow flinging him across the room as if he weighed next to nothing. Cougar slipped in unconciusness as soon as he hit the wall, feeling bones snap beneath his skin as he did so...

He looked around. He did not recognise anything around him. It was white, pure, much like the snowfield before the battle. Emerging in the distance was a wizened old man, leaning heavily on a stick that he carried in his right hand. He came up, and stood next to Cougar. "How goes it? By your very prescense here, I sense all is not well" With silence greeting him, he smiled,"Then I am correct. Listen to me my son. Go now, and defeat Kaelis Ra. You have but one chance, and it is rapidly closing." With these words, the man cast off his cloak, revealing Leviathan in all his glory. His genderless face beamed down onto Cougar, as if encouraging him...

Cougar came to, only to see Kaelis Ra leaning over him, victory within his grasp. Cougar did not hesitate, and plunged the blade of his katana up to the hilt into the demon's chest. Kaelis Ra felt the burning sensation as it entered, and gaped wordlessly at him.

Cougar smiled at him, and pushed energy into the blade, pure holy power. The light within Kaelis Ra changed from Black, to White. The transition was complete. The Black Flame was only a precursor to the true power: The White Flame. Holy to the core, it was a weapon that would defeat Kaelis Ra once and for all. He levitated them off the ground, and began to fill the chamber with White Flame.

"You fool! You'll die to!" Ra cried, fear obvious in his voice

"Maybe so, but I'm making sure you go with me" roared Cougar, as the energy exploded, the shockwave speeding across the plains, knocking many to their feet. The very foundations of the temple crumbled, and as it collapsed around them, James fell. A smile of contentment was across his pale features. Kaelis Ra was nowhere to be found...

As the Temple collapsed, the mages started moving.

M -- Do you know where he is?

R -- He's my student, of course I know where he is.

*Renor began moving huge piles of rubble telekinetically. Mith joined in. After several minutes, a form began to be uncovered.*

M -- There. *She moved the last of the rubble off of the human, and Renor levitated him so she could work, being very careful to not shift his position.*

M -- Wonderful...broken bones, internal injuries...looks like a concussion...he's lucky he didn't smash his skull. Human, it's a very good thing for you that you're unconcious for this...*she utilizes a spell to snap all the bones back into place, and a different one to mend them. She then stops the internal bleeding, and fixes the internal injuries. Last of all, she gently coaxes the concussion away.* You can move him now. He's going to feel pretty groggy when he wakes up, but he'll be all right.

*Renor nods, then puts the pendants in his apprentices hand and closes the hand around it. Picking up the blade, and shoving it back into Cougar's sheath, he teleports him to Mith's little field hospital, and sets him on an empty pallet on the ground.*

Cougar stirred, then groaned. His head felt like shit, and his legs and arms felt numb. He cautiously opened one eye, followed by the other. He was looking upwards, into an unclouded sky. He raised himself on his elbows, aware of something in his right hand. Looking down, he saw the pendent gleaming in the morning sun. He looked around him, and saw that he was in the middle of the field hospital. Renor was nearby,"Renor? Is this real, or am I dreaming?"

R -- *dryly* No, it's not real. It's all an illusion, and you're dead.

"OK, better go back to sleep then" said Cougar wryly, feeling a throbbing pain between his temples,"What happened? I don't remember much"

You went in, the aura of a struggle between two magicks was so thick you could take that blade of yours and cut out a huge chunk, then a white fire flared out, and the temple of Kaelis Ra pretty much collapsed on your head. Then Mith and I found you, she patched you up, and now you're here.

"White fire? I don't understand. I carry the Black Flame, I didn't use Fieros. Very strange," he paused, looking at his hands. They no longer glowed with black, but white. White Flame. Realisation dawned on him,"The White Flame? It cannot be!"

You're denying a fact while staring it straight in the face...if fire can be said to have a face. Do all humans do this, or is it unique to you?

You don't understand. Although the Black Flame is shrouded in mystery, the White Flame is even more so. Legend tells us, although Leviathan was the god who gifted us with the Black Flame, the White Flame was an unexpected consequence. It was only gifted to those pure of heart, those who defeated Kaelis Ra. But, no records were ever kept, as no-one has ever survived before. Looks as though the legends are true after all

Maybe. I can't really claim to be familiar with Snake Eaters legends. You'd have to ask Rhenna...if she's awake, yet. *at the latter words, a bit of concern tinged his voice, but it vanishes with his next words.* I was about to leave you to check on her, when you woke up.

"I'm coming with you," said Cougar, swinging his legs over the side of the pallet, planting his boots firmly on the ground,"Theres no way in Hell I'm staying put at this point"

Fine. But if Mith tells you to go back, you better do as she says. *He moves off toward the center of the "hospital."*

She'd been walking for hours. Only within the past fifteen minutes had she come to anything other than blank wall. The text was foreign to her...and yet she felt that she could read it. None of it was map..."What is this place, anyway?"

Mith is checking Rhenna's vital signs as Renor and Cougar approach. "Well, I see you're back on your feet already, Col. I'll let you remain up so long as you lift nothing, you walk, not run, and you don't move around too much. You still have healing to do, as I'm sure you can tell."

OK. I'll do as little as I can*looks at Rhenna's ashen face* which is currently all I'm good for. I can still feel the recent joins in my bones... not a nice feeling

M -- I wouldn't doubt. She's all right...her vital signs and brainwaves show almost all the signs of REM sleep...however, you can wake a patient when they are in that stage of sleep...we've tried waking her. It's as if she's stuck...or lost.

Cougar looked at Rhenna,"The question that rises is what is holding her back". He made a move towards her, but refrained. It was an unwritten rule never to touch a patient without the doctors permission. Cougar looked at Mith, his eyes questioning

"...ack" Rhenmet looks around. "What?"

M -- I'm not going to bite, and she's not in any sort of condition that your presence would endanger her.

Cougar approached Rhenna, summoning up a chair as he did so. He spread out tendrils of thought...

"It's as if... she's not really there. Her body is, but the soul is somewhere else. All I'm getting is an empty void"

M -- Actually, no...it's not like her soul is somewhere else. It's more like she's trapped inside her own mind.

"...e's....ere. Her body...soul...lse.... All...void" Rhenna turns down the corridor she thought she heard the voice coming from. "Keep talking, Cougar...I can hear you."

OOC: Sorri, check ur tg's 4 explanation

IC:"Strange. I've never heard of anything like it, and I've travelled the width of this galaxy. I just wish we could help her"

Mith shrugs. "I've done what I can. It's up to her now if she wakes or not. I can't stick around here all day, though...I have other patients to tend to."

She leaves. Renor has long since left, having checked Rhenna's vital signs and not finding her awake.

"Stra...eard of anythi...travelled the width...laxy. I...wish...help her" Rhenna's stride had picked up, she was almost running. "Come on...just a bit further...I know I'm getting closer."

Cougar took Rhenna's hand, which was warm to the touch, and grasped it,"Rhenna, I don't know if you can hear me but if you can, come back to us. Please. Everything else is finished, and I'm not leaving you"

"Rhenna, I don't know if you can hear me but if you can, come back to us. Please. Everything else is finished, and I'm not leaving you." For the first time, the message was clear enough to understand the whole thing. Rhenna was travelling toward the voice as fast as she could. "You beat him? Good. Woulda been there if I could...but..." Walking a few more steps "And I'm glad you're staying with me...it's kind of lonely in these halls...and kind of hard to navigate."

Cougar looked at her, and stroked her forehead. He remembered why he loved this Drow, and planted a kiss on her forehead...

OOC:TAKE IT!

All sound stopped, and the hallway, which had been dimly lit, became dark. It was a TrueDark...she could not see. Then a pair of green eyes opened...eyes filled with malice, and hate. "Enter my lair...it is time."

As Cougar was coming up from the kiss, Rhenna's eyes snapped open, and at the same time, reflexively, she sat up. Fast. Her forehead connected with Cougar's, and she was knocked about halfway back. "Oww..." her hand went to her forehead before she fully realized who it was she'd bumped into. "James? What are you doing here? Are you okay? What happened?"

OOC: She remembers very little...only the eyes.

"God damn it, I already had a headache!" laughed James,"As for your other questions: I'm here because I refuse to leave, you just woke up from some sort of coma which nothing Mith did could wake you from, and Kaelis Ra is defeated." He winced in pain as he righted himself, Rhenna's headbutt must have caused some damage again,"As for me, I was crushed by the temple collapsing, the Black Flame is gone, and I only just woke up myself"

A building collapsed on you and Mith let you stay? Are you sure you're all right?

Yeah, I'm OK. She fixed me up, but I'm restricted to the lightest of duties. However, the more pressing question is: how are you

Physically, I feel fine...Mith knows what she's doing. Mentally...I don't know...that was the weirdest dream I've ever had...and I think it may have been set off by the spell S'gart cas -- *she cuts off as she flashes back to what almost happened* -- Gods of Chaos...I was about to kill you...*her hands go cold as she remembers what happened just before Renor faced S'gart, and she begins to shake, almost impercepibly.* I'm glad Renor killed me, first...

He embraced her, and rubbed her back as he spoke,"Look. Don't worry about it. I'm fine, you're fine, that's all that matters. That traitor is dead, he cannot bother us again. What you did was not of your own free will. I love you, that hasn't changed"

She buries her face in his shoulder and clings to him tightly.

He was surprised at her strength, but he returned in kind, holding her there, until she wanted to let go

I'm glad you're all right.

"And the same to you. This entire expierence has changed a number of things, including me..." As he spoke, he lit up the White Flame, engulfing the two of them, a symbol of their unity

"White...it's more powerful than the Black Flame...I didn't come across this in what we have of your country's mythology."

That's because it's never happened in recorded history. Even among the clergy, it is spoken of in hushed tones in absolute secrecy... which reminds me, we have to check the database before we leave, see if theres anything on the Black-class. If there is, we delete it

She nods.

OOC: She'd mentioned that it was the oddest dream she'd ever had...what about the dream?

You meantioned a dream? Tell me, what do you remember about it?

There was a hallway - a series of hallways that went on forever. I was trying to find my way out...I was following something...I don't remember what. Then it went dark...and I saw a pair of eyes...they were filled with so much hatred...a voice said something, and that's about when I gave you that bruise, there.

Hmmmmmmm... the series of hallways might refer to the pathways of your mind, and the voice and images are an old, surpressed memory of some kind

I don't know what it means, if anything. *thinking* I was following a voice...it was faint, and garbled at first...but the last message was clear. Something about "come back."

OOC: Check TGs.

OOC: Already done. Gd'night

IC: Actually, the voice who heard may have been me. I was here for almost 10 minutes talking to you, not knowing if you could hear me. Don't worry about meaning right now, we'll figure it out later," he kissed her, and clasped her hands,"Don't worry. It's all ok now. Get some rest, I've got stuff to do.If you want me *taps his temple* It's all in here"

Wizards Potions take a little longer to work on gods. Without warning, warfare flashed brilliant colors never seen by mortal eyes. A pulse of Divine power went out, negating the Anti-Divine Magic Field. In a voice that bespoke Eons of knowledge Warfare said:
"I am Warfare, God of Knowledge, Goddess of Skills, who has summoned me back to this place."
Calming down, and regathering Her/His/Its wits, warfare shifted into Female Form, then she Shifted into Male form. Warfare Reached out with his mind. He floated over to Couger.
"Congratulations old chap on your victory. Vefore I left Paradise, Leviathan filled me in on the Flames. You must have achieved the White Flame. Fieros and the White Flame are two diffrent Manifestations of the same power. that you have both speaks of the Divine Favor that follows you. Rhenmet. I am glad to see your back. Galvenor, thanks for Defeating Apollyon. Mith, I am glad you heard me. Allow me to clean up this mess, it is the least I can do." warfare said.
Warfare Reached forth with a single hand, The frozen wastes glowed a bright white, and all signs of battle disappeared. Knowing couger would need to know who died, warfare summoned up a parchment containing all the names he needed, including exact time of death, method of death and what caused it. It also included exact location of Death. A more thourough report awaited if he wanted it. The slivers simply turned into AEther, and vanished to Riptide and Mirroden, the newly arisen Spectral Slivers vanished into the afterlife, for their fellow sepctral Slivers to initiate. the Slivers still living were healed with a wave of warfare's hand. The members of shadow that still lived were also healed, with lost body parts regrowing. Warfare went to each one of these soldiers in these instances and instructed them on how to get their new body parts up to par with the rest of their body. Warfare then shifted Female, walked over to couger, planted a Kiss on his Forehead wheter he wanted it or not, and returned him to the physical condition he was in before even the battle with S'gart, minus of course, the Black Flame, that still remained the white flame.
" I believe I have no more purpose here, so I shall simple vanish, and dwell for a time in paradise, that is, until I am needed again." warfare said. Then with a smile, she simply faded away.

On a planet, long forgotten by civilization, Cerberus, Guardian of the Afterlife, let out a howl of glee, following Death's orders, he had found the planet upon which Merlin was buried. Now the only thing that remained, Death ordered, was to find the tomb, and have an innocent child remove the artifacts. On Cerberus's back, a small boy rode, having the time of his life, the doggy had promised him a great reward for helping him with something...


OOC: Sorry, at a festival all day.

Actually, the voice who heard may have been me. I was here for almost 10 minutes talking to you, not knowing if you could hear me. Don't worry about meaning right now, we'll figure it out later," he kissed her, and clasped her hands,"Don't worry. It's all ok now. Get some rest, I've got stuff to do.If you want me *taps his temple* It's all in here"

I should be the one telling you to get some rest, Cougar. From the looks of it, I'm in slightly better condition than you are.

***********************************
M -- So, that's the effect a Wizard's Potion has on a god...

OOC: 2:30 in the morning...just got home from the cast party...exhausted. And Warhaven...can your rp wait until after mine?

OOC: Get sum sleep. LOL, 10:06 here.

Cougar looked at the parchment in his hands, and then it registered. Another 20 were dead. That left 40 members. 40 of 156. He couldn't help himself, he simply sat down heavily. In his minds eye, picutres and details of those who were dead flitted before his eyes. Reaching into his chest pocket, he withdrew a small padd, and tapped in a few details. Hw would have to let Adama return the bodies...

He looked at Rhenna,"Looks like Warfare already did my job for me. And gave me a little additional information to boot."

Apparently the news isn't good. *She shifts positions to sit beside him, and slips an arm around his shoulders, embracing him gently.* I'm sorry.

OOC: That's the way I was planning it. It needs ti wait so that I have the added knowledge of Rhenna's powers/identity before it starts, but like I said at the white tower, this is going to take at least 2 RP's to resolve.

Apparently the news isn't good. *She shifts positions to sit beside him, and slips an arm around his shoulders, embracing him gently.* I'm sorry.

"No, it isn't." He felt the arm slip round his shoulders, and was grateful to her for her comforting words,"And don't be sorry. We all knew the risks. It's just... only 40 left, from 156! Now, we have less than 10 teams left. Many will have to be almagamated until we can fight again"

OOC: I like the idea of a further RP. These chars have such history now

OOC: Good.

IC:

Rn -- Loss is always hard to accept. That's why we try not to lose too many things we hold dear. This holds true for all races...from the ants, to the gods.

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

Mith walked through the section of the field that she'd set off to be a hospital. It looked like Warfare had done her job for her...There were just a few final checks to make.

"I don't know Rhenna. What should I do? I can return, and leave my countrymen to find their way, or I can stay and lose you. Neither is a good choice" He looked out at the field, at the way it sparkled in the mid-morning sun, and thought...

R -- *had approached silently from behind them, and now speaks* It's the lesser of two evils, then, I would suppose. Rhenna, here's D'anthe. *He tosses her a metal cylinder* I had to deactivate him because he wouldn't shut up.

Rn -- I'm not surprised. He has a tendency to get overly excited.

R -- That sounds about right. You should have seen him trying to drill a hole in Cougar's head.

Rn -- That would hurt. I know from experience that he has a hard head...but that would still hurt.

OOC: OK, excuse me if my posts get a little depressing, coz I just got dumped :(

IC: That thing is a vicious little bugger. And yes, it does hurt, quite a bit actually. Anyway, I've made my decision: Watt can take over in my place. I'm going to suspend my commission, or see if this is considered SHADOW work.

OOC: Awww...*hugs*

IC:

Rn -- He's not vicious. D'anthe, phor. *the cylinder assumes a raven form.* He was just trying to get a point across.

R -- Maybe it will, maybe it won't. In any event, I have responsibilities back in Kaymiril. Rhenmet, let whoever's going to inform him what he can or can't do get back to him, and then come back. If you bring him back, we'll continue his training, if not...life goes on. *He teleports away*

OOC: I know Renor sounds harsh...but that's actually the motto of the Black Class..."Dro Gos Pholor."

A rare Black Lotus grows just outside of the field hospital, from out of it springs Warfare, female form.
"Couldn't stay in paradise, I'm just to ready from the last battle. Couger, was that report thourough enough, It does list everyone and a coroners report. Would you also like to know what their last thoughts and feelings were? Hey Mith, I didn't miss anyone when I was healing them did I?" Warfare asked. She bends over and picks up the Black Lotus sniffs it, enjoying its fragrance, and throws it in the air where it turns to raw magical power that begins to restore the balance of power within the local region.

OOC: Thanks, I should have chosen a better time to listen to the song really, lol

IC: "I'd prefer not to talk about it any further, Lady Warfare. And no more," said Cougar, a bitterness in his voice. he couldn't help it, and his eyes were aplogetic to her for his rudeness*to Rhenna*"I'm going back to the city with my remaining men, you're welcome to join us, but if not, then fly alongside"

M -- As far as I can tell, you didn't miss anyone. *she has a parchement that lists all the dead.* So many...and quite a few because we couldn't get to them in time.

Rhenna looks at Mith, who nods. "Just don't use too much magick. Your memory seems to be intact, so your magick is likely to be really messed up while your mind resets itself from S'gart's spell."

Rn -- Siyo, Usstan orn. I think I'll join you and your men, Cougar.

OOC: Yeah...I didn't realize when I sent it to you that you'd be in a depressed mood already, or I'd have waited a bit.

OOC:Well, I'm nipping off to breakfast then. We'll say warfare isn't doing anything special, just tagging along in some unusual fashion.

OOC: Oh no, she literally dumped just before that post.


"The way of war," said Cougar, his voice now filled with the wisdom of a solider who had seen it all and much more besides,"Some live, some die. As a young man, I was a field medic. Triage insist's that you treat some first, and don't even bother with others. It is the way of the world"

He looked at Rhenna,"Fair enough. The rest of Alpha Team will be with us, but that's it."

"And Mith, I'll keep an eye on her for you" He winked

"The way of war," said Cougar, his voice now filled with the wisdom of a solider who had seen it all and much more besides,"Some live, some die. As a young man, I was a field medic. Triage insist's that you treat some first, and don't even bother with others. It is the way of the world"
M -- Young man, I've been doing this for almost seven hundred years now. I've taken my people through epidemics and attacks from the outside, not to mention the Threat three hundred years ago. And don't keep an eye on her for me...I'm not the one that'll be skinning you alive if she comes to harm.

Rn -- That's not funny. *she stands up.*

OOC: Mith really had to fight off the urge to call Cougar "child"

M -- Young man, I've been doing this for almost seven hundred years now. I've taken my people through epidemics and attacks from the outside, not to mention the Threat three hundred years ago.

OOC: Mith really had to fight off the urge to call Cougar "child"

He smiled,"You really wanted to say 'child' didn't you? Oh my dear Mith, say it as you please. Compared to you, I will be a child when I die, let alone now. And I'm scared of you AND Renor, so she won't"

He turned to Rhenna,"Sorry, couldn't resist it"

He smiled,"You really wanted to say 'child' didn't you? Oh my dear Mith, say it as you please. Compared to you, I will be a child when I die, let alone now"
Rn -- Actually...were you a drow child, you'd practically be an infant. She also didn't mean that to be funny...Renor mad can get pretty nasty...Mith mad...let's just say that if you'd failed, I have no doubt that Mith would have bound Kaelis Ra up, lectured him good and hard about how stupid he was, and then killed him.

OOC: They aren't kidding when they say beware of Mith. You (someone) ought to give her something to actually fight some time. Freaky.

Stop reminding me. Shan is older than me, and he looks like a teenager! And of your second statement, I have no doubt. Luckily though, I did not fail, so alls well that ends well*beeping in his ear, Codec call*

"Excuse me ladies"

He stood for a moment, and then looked up,"Ok, Adama and his vehicles will be here soon to evacuate the wounded. He said about half-an-hour

Shan isn't that much older than you are. A mere eleven years.

M -- We don't have any more wounded...just exhausted people.

Thats not the point is it. The fact is each species ages differently, it's just nature

*turns to Mith*Well, they are being taken out from here soon. Don't worry, we'll get them ready to move

M -- When talking to a Black Class Mage, you never know what the point is until well after the conversation's over, especially if it's a vague and arbitrary subject like that. Unless, of course, they're trying to tell you something, in which case, they'll tell it to you straight. *She walks off*

Shaking his head, Cougar checked that his pendents were secure around his neck, before leading Rhenna on a tour of the field hospital, finding the men and ordering them to get ready.

After a half-hour, the low rumbling sound of anti-grav projectors came into hearing. The line of tanks pulled up outside the makeshift entrance, and Adama dropped down. He approached Cougar, his maroon beret sitting upon his greying hair,"Colonel!"

Cougar saluted him back,"General!"

They stood for a moment, then embraced. These two were old friends, having fought alongside each other many times,"Your transports are ready, and we can leave in ten minutes"

"Thanks Chris."

"No worries. We'll be slower on the way back, have propaganda to spread*grimaces show on both men* so could be around 4-5 hours."

"No worries"

The teams loaded up, Cougar taking Rhenna's hand and leading her to the nearest one. They sat down, and he put his arm around her shoulder. The vehicles moved off, and the gentle rocking motion swayed them as they rolled over the plains

Rhenna slips into thought as the transports start moving.

That text...where have I seen that text before...I'm sure I can find it in Rendelmar's library...it looked so familiar...like a language I know...what languages do I know that have a written system looking like that...I can't think of any...was it just dream text?

Are you OK? You seem very distant

*Rhenna blinks* H'mmm? Oh, yes, I'm fine.

"Thinking about that dream again? Don't try and deny it," he said, his tone one of question. He looked around the interior of the Hammerhead, at his team sleeping, or so it seemed,"What's up?"

There was writing on the walls of the hallways...not down the whole length, but as you got closer to the center...or the exit, whichever it was...I could read it as though it were drow...but I can't recall ever seeing that text before.

*She draws a few of the symbols in the air*

"That which is always." I've only ever seen the text in the dream, that I can recall, but these letters spell out those words. I don't know what's causing this...and it bothers me.

OOC: Check TGs.

OOC: Done

IC: "I suggest you don't fret about it. I'm sure Rendelamer has something on it, somewhere"

A voice sailed from the back,"Will you please SHUT UP!"

Cougar started,"Konig, shut the fuck up!"

"How can I sleep with you babbling on to that hottie all the fecking time"

"Push off southern-boy"

Cougar had feared this. SHADOW were notorious for their piss-taking, and Konig had started the landslide. Soon, the whole team, even Charlotte Grey, the Medic (OOC:geddit, geddit! lol) was on the warpath. Cougar smiled, retorting with his own insults. This was the source of many fond memories for him, but still...

"Guys, shut the fuck UP!"

They did

"It's my choice as to what I do at the moment. OK? So, all of you, take something to knock you out, or I will knock you out, understood?"

It was. They all muttered their apologies, both to him and Rhenna, and then returned to sleeping. Cougar turned to Rhenna, "Sorry about that"

*Rhenna shrugs* This was expected...these are all in the military. It's not much better in Kaymiril...It'll be worse in Rendelmar. Not so obvious, and no direct attacks...you'll probably get it worst from the kids.

OOC: Brilliant.

"Still... oh well. It could never be kept a secret forever could it. Oh well, lots of whispering and pointing, just like at the acadmey all over again..." he trailed off. The academy... not good memories

For the first six months, kids had pointed and openly laughed at this boy without any parents, despite the fact he excelled at everything he did. He had almost gone insane and commitd suicide, but he worked through it, and became respected. The worst had been Flashman, but James had put him in his place. Flashman had pushed him too far, and was breathing through a hose for the next six weeks

OOC: The violence within a solider, the beginnings of the stain...

"Actually, no. Renor had a love intrest before he became Menalth's chosen...I definitely remember how that works."

Rhenna's hand had been on Cougar's arm, and she noticed the tension increase.

"It's behind you, James. Let it go."

I'm fine, just a stray memory. Sorry... Renor and a lover? I know that the Black-class master is not allowed to be married, and the rest having relationships is frowned upon, correct me if I'm wrong at all

Renor didn't become Menalth's Chosen until he was almost two hundred. His...you couldn't really call it a lover...was nice enough. Me being the intelligent hundred year old (OOC: Translate that as "intelligent twelve-year-old," and you'll have the rough translation) that I was, gave both of them the hardest time I possibly could. She was sent out on a mission about a month before Menalth Chose Renor...all we got back was her head.

Relationships aren't encouraged for people of my class of mage, it is true. If any relationship wound up in children, we'd have to foster them off before they were old enough to remember anything. That would be very difficult...harsh though we may be, we are fond of our children. Everyone takes care of everyone...and to give up someone would hurt so much. However, it's allowed. I had two "childhood" romances. One with Vedt, but that broke off when he became Renor's Chosen, almost a century ago, and the one before that was with a guy that was killed in Derscon recently.

I never had childhood romances. I didn't mingle, just perfected my skills. I don't know whether that stunted me emotionally, but I don't care. I've now found someone, and something I can do without fearing for what people may think of me. And if it's any consolation, I'm sorry about your other relationships. Any of them could proberly have been better than me...

OOC: Depression setting in

OOC: *gives you a hug*

IC:
Well, I wouldn't be the best judge, but aside from putting on this "I'm tough as dirt" facade, you seem to be a normally developed human. And neither of the other two relationships were serious. While they'd have had longer lives, it was more like hanging out with friends more often. Aside from that...you kiss better than either of them.

OOC: brb, lunch.

OOC: Thanks for the hug. I mite be gone when you get back, tea is soon

IC:He smiled,"Thanks. For everything. As for the facade, I don't really have a choice sometimes, it's just the job. It's drilled it into me. As for kissing... well, I'll say this... wow"

OOC: Very intresting Kay, check your TG's.

IC: Warfare smiled to herself. She could see the love growing between Rhenmet and Couger, if they ever got married, she would give them a gift that would certainly surprise both of them, but never the less, make them happier all the same...
She went back to the tedious task of righting the magicks in the area. If left unbalanced, who knows what might happen.
"Leviathan, I kept my end of the Bargain. Kaelis Ra has been defeated and you can come back if you want." Warfare called out to seemingly no where. Nevertheless, her voice transended the planes, and reached Kaelis Ra's ears.

Leviathan lounged around, his fingers fingering the new drink he had concoted. That Tangleberry wine was surely one of the best things he had tasted in a long time...

My thanks to you Lady Warfare. I will remain in Paradise, feel free to vist. I have the new concotion ready, do you wish to sample it? As for you Kaelis Ra, you know the deal. If the White Flame emerges and the bearer survives, you are beaten until his family line is extinct. Have fun in the 18th Plane!

OOC: Thanks for the hug. I mite be gone when you get back, tea is soon

IC:He smiled,"Thanks. For everything. As for the facade, I don't really have a choice sometimes, it's just the job. It's drilled it into me. As for kissing... well, I'll say this... wow"
Rhenna smiles briefly and lays her head on his shoulder.

OOC: Well, I can see plot bunnies forming here, lol. And you sounded like you needed a hug, SE.

Rhenna smiles briefly and lays her head on his shoulder.

OOC: Well, I can see plot bunnies forming when I see them, lol. And you sounded like you needed a hug, SE.

OOC: My thnks to you Kay. And maybe we should push this story further... lol

He looked down to her head on his shoulder, to his arm on hers, and couldn't help but smile as well. He leant his head against the bulkhead, and for the first time in almost a week, he slept soundly...

The next thing he knew, Charlotte was shaking him awake,"Wakey-wakey! we're back!"

Cougar squinted in the light, and led Rhenna from the transport. He took her inside, and together they moved towards the archives,"Time to check the archives. What are we looking for?"

Good...he needed sleep. Rhenna then looked to D'anthe. "Ouhyll nindolen jhunai xuil jala dos inbal keffal p'los nindel lor saph mina."

The glider began working. After several minutes, words flashed across the screen. Nau ouhyll muth.

She sighs. "I thought not. Harl." Sighing again, she activates a different program -- a game, of sorts.

OOC: You're welcome. And as to the game...think solitaire, only about a thousand times harder.

IC:
***Later***
Anything that is even vaguely related to my class, any appearances by them, or any individual within the last thousand years.

"Thats easy to find" said Cougar, approaching a solid adamantium door. As he approached, they were scanned, and a computer announced in a female voice,"Colonel. Cougar and Unknown Drow. Please confirm identification"

Cougar simply pressed his thumb to the pad. The print was scanned, and as it was registared correct, a small keypad was shown. Having tapped in the codes, Cougar allowed for his eye to be scanned, before having to give further voice recognition. Snake Eaters took it's intelligence gathering and data very seriously. If anything had been wrong, the phasers mounted on the walls would have incinarated them.

Cougar led Rhenna through the door, and showed her the wonders of S.I.O.N (Snake Intelligence Optic Network). The room was quite small, but in the center stood a single supercomputer. It stretched down six stories, and hummed with energy. Stepping up to a control console, he pulled up the holographic display, which showed everything that Snake Eaters knew of Kaymiril. He tapped a few keys,"OK, theres a search running. If it comes up with anything about the Black-class, it will flag it, then display it to us.

OOC: Rhenna reacts if she sees anything

It seems to mostly be from the time you came to the White Tower on. What th -- How the hell did that get out?

Seeing the balance of power restored, she reached across the planes and accepted a glass full of the new concoction. It was marvelous. Warfare layed down a scrap of Parchment next to Leviathans table, the exact atomical formula for Tangleberry wine, incase he ever wanted more of course. Warfare zoomed back to the transport at the city. Knowing every civilization will need dwellings of some sort to live in to regrow and expand, she begins rebuilding the buildings as best she can, drawing on the memories contained within the buildings themselves. It was like Puzz3-d extreme.

OOC: Like Puzz 3-D, only hundred times harder.

"What is it?" said Cougar, freezing the search. The advantage of intravenous nanomachines, they allowed him to maniupulate technology from a distance

Only a handful of people are supposed to know about it. Not even many of my class are fully informed about it. This file. *She won't say anything more on it, and is obviously very disturbed that any other government had that particular bit of information.*

He scanned across the file, not able to decipher it,"Looks as though the infiltration was huge! But even so, I never heard of anything like this. Want it deleted?"

I want it deleted the day before yesterday.

"Difficult to do by anyones standards. But, it's gone," he said, snapping his fingers. The file dissapeared from the screen, and he resumed the search pattern

OOC: I don't think the day before yesterday is possible...

IC: Warfare finally got a building complete, but it still looked like a giant jigsaw puzzle, waving her hand, she fixed the cracks and the building was as good as new. Going to another building she began work on that one.

Everything else looks like what you've learned about us since you came to the Tower.

*She rubs her forehead, wondering how information about the Black Class' participation in the extermination of the Necro Cult could have possibly gotten out.* We were so careful...

Fair enough. I'll encrypt that... done. No-one can access it without tripping the EMP pulse. It would wipe the data out. *looks at her* Are you OK?

OOC: Why not have her collapse or something?

OOC: Nah. Rhenna does that when she's thinking hard after a shock. Seeing that wouldn't make her collapse.

IC:
I'm fine.

"Ok, so long as you're sure," James said, shutting off the display, and leading her from the room. He couldn't get the feeling in his head out that something had gone seriously wrong in that room. The door sealed behind them, and he stopped,"I'm going to my rooms. I have some stuff I want to get, and things I have to sort before I leave. What are you going to do?"

Rhenna shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I'll take a walk. I shouldn't be too hard to find...I'm currently the only drow on the planet. Here, take D'anthe. He'll be able to find me faster." She transfers the raven-shaped machine to Cougar's shoulder, and leans up to kiss him. "I'll see you when you get done."

OOC: If you want Warfare to find some survivors, now would be it, while she's puzzling together the main city of Snake Eater Prime, this should tell you just how immense a Gods mind is. She has one body in male form testing someone there to learn Runes, and she just stepped it up and turned the air within the arena to Poison Gas, and, she's here puzzling together an entire city.

IC: Satisfied with the outcome of this building, she goes to one that's still partly standing and begins piecing it back together.

He kissed her back,"Alright, I'll see you later" As she walked off in one direction, he went up the grand staircase. Pushing the door of his room open, he walked to the mantelpiece, when he heard a click.

"Welcome back Colonel"

He spun on one heel, only to see Religious Secretary Lockic leveling a pistol at him,"So you defeated my master? Well, now I will have the pleasure of killing you!"

Cougar couldn't help but laugh, at the same time drawing his own pistol. His hand was steady, the barrel pointing at Lockic's heart,"No chance scumbag!" He pulled the trigger. The round flew into Lockic's chest, splattering the far wall with blood. Lockic slumped against the way. Cougar approched with caution, and put another round into the mans skull, just to make sure. The noise would have no doubt reverbrated around the building, but it didn't matter. Self-defense.

He bent down, and picked up a photoframe. Looking at it, he saw his parents smiling back. However, something was different. A small slip of paper was just visible. He drew it out, and read it. Then he read it again. And again. He picked up the items he wanted, which wasn't much, and walked out, calmly re-reading the letter, for what seemed like the hundreth time,"D'anthe, lead me to Rhenna. You know the drill"

OOC: D'anthe knows everything about Rhenna...and will probably show you almost anything you want to know about her, SE.

IC:
The glider took off, leaving Cougar behind. Less than five minutes later, Rhenna walked back up, the glider on her shoulder.

"D'anthe told me someone tried to kill you. Are you hurt?"

OOC: If you want Warfare to find some survivors, now would be it, while she's puzzling together the main city of Snake Eater Prime, this should tell you just how immense a Gods mind is. She has one body in male form testing someone there to learn Runes, and she just stepped it up and turned the air within the arena to Poison Gas, and, she's here puzzling together an entire city.

IC: Satisfied with the outcome of this building, she goes to one that's still partly standing and begins piecing it back together.

Some ragged survivours emerged from the building Warfare was working on, their mouths agape at what was happening. Before their very eyes, the building was reforming. The Icarus Building, the greatest scientific labratory in Snake Eaters, was becoming whole once again

OOC: D'anthe knows everything about Rhenna...and will probably show you almost anything you want to know about her, SE.

OOC: He only wants to know what Rhenna sees fit to tell him, and if she loved him, she'd tell him anything

OOC: He only wants to know what Rhenna sees fit to tell him, and if she loved him, she'd tell him anything
OOC: Her entire class has a pretty much "don't ask, don't tell" policy. She'd tell him most anything he asked...but if he didn't ask...It's how she's been raised, much like he's been raised to be a soldier. BTW, I edited my last post.

OOC: I noticed. Check ur TG's

IC: "No, I'm fine. Lockic was a traitor, that's how Kaelis Ra knew we were coming for him. He's dead in my room. I found this though*shows her the letter*

Dear James,
If you are reading this, then you have found the message your father and myself, written for you, and only you to read. I know that some things may not make sense to you, but remember what your father used to say to you when you were very young and hurt yourself, or something went wrong,'Straighten up little solider.' I am sure that you have gone onto marvellous things in your life, and we are always watching over you,
Josie and Robert Cougar

*she looks at it.*

They must have loved you very much.

"How are you gentlemen? Are you hurt? Do you need anything? After I finsh patching this building up I'll be happy to help you." Warfare called.

Within minuets the Building was up. She walked over to the men that had wandered out of the building.
"So, was there anything you needed? If not, perhaps you can help me, you see, I'm trying to rebuild Snake Eater Prime's main city here, but I don't know which Buildings to grab first and rebuild. You are residents here, so surely you'd know which ones should be rebuilt first.

"How are you gentlemen? Are you hurt? Do you need anything? After I finsh patching this building up I'll be happy to help you." Warfare called.

Within minuets the Building was up. She walked over to the men that had wandered out of the building.
"So, was there anything you needed? If not, perhaps you can help me, you see, I'm trying to rebuild Snake Eater Prime's main city here, but I don't know which Buildings to grab first and rebuild. You are residents here, so surely you'd know which ones should be rebuilt first.

OOC: Kay, check my other post

IC:The men drew up a crude map of the city, indicating to Lady Warfare locations that needed attention, most pressing was the defense positions and the space-port. The locations included the entirety of Assembly Squarem and also Icarus Boulevard

Warfare copied the map and sped off. working faster than one could blink each location was rebuilt within 15minuets a piece. Any and all survivors she brought back to the men, it would be easier if everyone was at one location. She returned, after some rest, to the men, and the small group of whatever survivors she found, and inquired where to next having brought them undeniable proof that each location was rebuilt.

*she looks at it.*

They must have loved you very much.

"I guess they did. But, I'll never really know," said James, folding the letter up and placing it close to his heart. He took Rhenna's hand, and together they walked along the rivers edge, which flowed behind the Assembly building.

After perhaps 5 minutes, Cougar's ears pricked up, human voices close by...

"And the Colonel? Whadda reckon?"

"Oh, he's in there. I bet she's real good, if you catch my meaning" said a second voice, followed by chuckling.

"Wouldn't say no to that, damn sure!"

"I'd giver her one!"

"I'd give her many!"

The men, obviously SHADOW, laughed heavily. Cougar was seething,"How...dare they!" He ground the words out through gritted teeth,"I'll sort this one"

No...if you go in and bust them up, they'd just be embarassed. I'll scare them out of their wits. Just watch.

*Rhenna's eyes change, the green deepening and the pupils lengthening, becoming dragon eyes. She steps closer into the room, and the temperature drops about ten degrees (ooc: whichever system you prefer) with each step she takes. As the men look to see what's happening, electricity flickers around the room, and as Rhenna steps into view, her wings and tail sprout. She looks evenly at the men.*

Warfare copied the map and sped off. working faster than one could blink each location was rebuilt within 15minuets a piece. Any and all survivors she brought back to the men, it would be easier if everyone was at one location. She returned, after some rest, to the men, and the small group of whatever survivors she found, and inquired where to next having brought them undeniable proof that each location was rebuilt.

They told her their individual addresses, all in the suburbs. With the transport infrastructure devastated, they had no way to get home. So, they requested that she take them there, if it wasn't too much trouble

She picked each one up individually, held them tight against her chest, and flew them all home one by one ensuring they had enough supplies to last them awhile, Warfare turned her attention to locating survivors.

No...if you go in and bust them up, they'd just be embarassed. I'll scare them out of their wits. Just watch.

*Rhenna's eyes change, the green deepening and the pupils lengthening, becoming dragon eyes. She steps closer into the room, and the temperature drops about ten degrees (ooc: whichever system you prefer) with each step she takes. As the men look to see what's happening, electricity flickers around the room, and as Rhenna steps into view, her wings and tail sprout. She looks evenly at the men.*

As they felt the temperature drop, the men shivered. They jumped at the sparking, before looking at the door. The captain who had cheeked James before the battle dropped his cigarette,"OH SHIT!"

Directly disobeying what Mith had told her, Rhenna caused sonic vibrations in the air. What the men would hear was "Now, what were you boys talking about?"

Her mouth did not move, and she did not stop looking at them with those cold reptilian eyes.

"ummmmmmmm.... lads?" ventured a lieutenant, who was shitting himself at the sight before his eyes

"We were just discussing the Colonel, and the Drow." said the captain, his voice shaking,"Who are you!"

Are you blind? Who does it look like I am?

"NO FUCKING WAY!" shouted the captain, his hands fumbling with his pistol

Rhenna's eyes flashed. The Captain's gun jerked its way out of his hand and positioned itself so that it was pointing right between his eyes. A click was heard as it prepared to fire.

"Isn't there anyway I can get out of this?" he grovelled, cross-eyed staring down the barrel of his own weapon

"No."

The gun fired, and a bullet sped toward the captain's forehead, only to stop the barest half centimeter from him.
The gun crumpled itself like an aluminum can under a foot, and dropped to the floor, and the bullet hovered there.

"Speak no more of things that do not concern you."

Reassuming her own form, she turns and walks away.

OOC: Well, that was cruel, but effective. :)

the captain slid to the floor,Twice in as many days! What is the world coming to?

Cougar strode up to the door, and peaked inside,"Consider yourselves on probation. That told you didn't it" He walked away, laughing at them,"Brilliant. That captain needed a shock, oh that was funny to listen to! Although, I didn't expect the bullet"

OOC: Well, that was cruel, but effective. :)
OOC: You don't start to point a gun at Rhenna and not expect her to not get just a tad irritated.

Cougar strode up to the door, and peaked inside,"Consider yourselves on probation. That told you didn't it" He walked away, laughing at them,"Brilliant. That captain needed a shock, oh that was funny to listen to!"
As soon as they were out of sight of the room, Rhenna leans against the wall, closing her eyes. "I wasn't going to hurt him...I just wanted to shake him up a bit."

"Are you OK? You really shouldn't have used that much magick, and you know it," he said, holding her arm and looking at her

Warfare felt a nearby drop in temperature, investigating, she found rhenna and couger walking off, and what appeared to be a Shadow operative that had the shit scared out of him, literally. Smiling to herself, she flew ahead of them and dived back down to the city continuing her search for survivors.

Yes, I know...I'll be fine in a minute...as soon as my energy levels balance back out. Still...it made for an impressive display to two humans who had no idea what it was I was doing. Aside from the wings and tail, Shan could have done that.

"Here, have some of this," he pushed energy into her, just enough to balence her out

She smiled at him briefly, then straightened back up. "Thanks."

Good. I believe the transport I requested should be ready by now, unless you want to travel via portal?

She shakes her head. "Mith'd flip if I opened a portal...she's probably watching to make sure I don't. So I guess we just take the long way."

As you wish. Daunbe runabout it is then. If you will follow me *bows graciously, a smile on his face*

She smiles at him and takes his arm. "Lead the way."

Cougar smiled at her,"It's not far. Unless you want to get D'anthe to give us a ride?"

We can walk. We only use their transportive capabilities if the distance is greater than a couple of miles, or there's a good deal of urgency that we get there as fast as is possible.

That's fair. It's only a klick away. By the way, I was very impressed back there. That won't happen again, let me assure you of that

She snickers. "I hope they make that one guy clean up his own mess. But that's really standard scare tactics. Renor and Vedt are better at it than I am...then again, they prefer to use illusions...and I prefer to use effects."

Either one is good in any situation. And he will clean up his own mess, I'll have Watt see to that one

That was probably really unfair of me, though...he probably isn't even forty yet. Since we're just walking, care to play tour guide?

"He's older than me, he's 30. Proberly can't hack it that he is older, and yet I outrank him... As for tourguide, why not," he said, smiling at her,"If you will look to your right, you will see the famous Snake Bridge. Built by the original Assembly, the bridge was destroyed in the civil war. However, the master builders were able to improve the design. If you look closely, you will see a serpent is along the length of the bridge. That is a representation of Leviathan, who is in the form of a Cobra, the national animal of Snake Eaters"

I'd noticed that. Amazing that they put in so much detail, though, when so few people actually look.

OOC: Check TG's

IC: To our left, you will observe the Icarus building. A recent construction, recently rebuilt by Warfare*gestures upwards*, the Icarus Building is the foremost scientific lab in the whole of Snake Eaters. Within those walls lie secrets that even I am not privy to, although I do hear of a brand new energy source is now in development, one that will revolutionise power infrastructure and space travel for our citizens

Interesting. *Rhenna allows her gaze to wander around the square, and a house catches her eyes.* This house must be older than the rest...the architecture is different...it's beautiful.

Cougar shot a look at the house, and turned away,"I am afraid I cannot speak of that house. My knowledge is limited." He led her quickly away, his face downturned. He didn't speak again.
They turned the corner, and the space-port came into view. Gleaming in the dying sunlight was a beautiful runabout. Sleek, nearly 50 ft long, the Dauntless was the latest off the production line. She had all the usual refienments, plus some additional modifications. Normally, runabouts were unarmed. Not this one, she carried twin phaser cannons slung into the warp nacelles. This ship also boasted coaxial warp drive, which until recently was thought impossible.

He knows that house...all his reactions say so. ...it is probably a painful memory, though. Rhenna decided against prying, and let him walk in silence.

OOC: That song I sent you earlier is stuck in my head!

Cougar sat in the pilots chair, and tapped the controls,"I'd sit down if I were you. This could get a little bumpy" He tapped a few more buttons, and the engines began to whine, their power increasing. He lifted the runabout off the pad, and pushed it through the atmosphere. As the craft ripped through the atmosphere, he dropped a beacon, telling Warfare where they had gone.
He set the controls, and then turned to Rhenna,"I'm sorry about down there.That house... has a place up here," he tapped his temple

Warfare, having found all the survivors she could, returned them home, and gave them all supplies for two weeks. then she simply disappeared, merging her bodies into one.

Rhenna sat down while they lifted off.

"I could tell that something about that house is familiar to you...and painful."

Didn't I ever tell you why I became an orphan?

The Helghast shot your parents because your brother stood up to them. Was that your house, James?

He sat in silence, then reacted,"Yes. That was, and still technically is, my house. It's been in the family for centuries. I haven't been there since the attack. The last memories of that house are ones that I've tried my hardest to suppress" He turned away, his hands flying over the controls, setting course for Kaymiril,"We could be some time, it's quite some way to the planet" If she looked in the tinted glass, she could see him crying once again

Standing up, Rhenna put a hand on his shoulder and kissed his cheek.

"We all have demons that follow us, Cougar. If we are very lucky, we defeat them, someday."

Walking further back, she looked out the window. The stars seem so much brighter from this point of view... Rhenna let her mind wander, and a voice spoke...Cougar wouldn't be able to hear it.

Come into my lair. It is time. She starts and looks around.

He noticed her starting,"What's up?"

Nothing out of the ordinary registered on her magickal senses, so she shook her head.

"Nothing. I must have just heard a sound the ship makes and thought it was something else."

"Fair enough. This is brand-new, still gotta work out the kinks," he said, pressing the button. The ship blurred, and shot into warp...

OOC: Back to the Tower, this thread is finished

"Since everything seems to be done here I will get back to the school. I have students waiting."

Epilogue
Snake Eaters would recover from the devastation. Her people were hardy, and had seen worse. But, things were still unfinished. What would happen to Cougar and Rhenna? What of Kaelis Ra, could he return? Could Warfare fulfill her promise of a Gunblade for Cougar? Only time would tell...