NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Alright, here we are again, another off-shoot to the White Tower. This one is obviously centered around Cougar, and anyone I have invited is welcome to post IC. Tagging because of interest is fine, just so long as you don't interfere. IC statements can start soon, once I finish what myself and Kaymiril are doing in The White Tower. It all leads up to something good. Enjoy ppl :D

OOC: Tag for now.

Gangsta Tag

"What?" Rhenna can almost feel her blood turn cold. ((Don't laugh, yes, she is reptilian already.))

Shan comes running up, and speaks to her for a moment. "Tell Vedt to take over for now, Shan. I have to go."

So saying, she teleports to the Tower and walks in.

"I'm looking for a human that calls himself Eldrad."

Eldrad looked up,"Yes, I am he. What is it you wish for?"

Rhenna's head snaps toward him. "What do you know about the River of Sorrow?"

Eldrad looked at the strange Drow woman,"The River of Sorrow? Why do you want to know about a Snake Eater myth?"

I want to know because my husband went there, and I have to find him and bring him back before he gets himself killed.

He started,"In that case: The River of Sorrow is a myth in Snake Eaters'. It's said that when a Snake Eater is compelled to go, he or she must go to the River, and walk up it, encountering extreme sorrow, hence the name. At the end, they end up as one of three things: either they die, they become a hollow, emotionless living being, or finally, they live a life full of happiness, and then when they do finally die, they ascend to join the ranks of the Angeli, those who serve Leviathan by fighting alongside them"

But where is it?

The beginning of the Cobrian river, on Snake Eater Prime. It runs for many miles across a flat plateua, by methods we do not understand. They walk it from there... but it is guarded day and night by the Pretorian Guard"

Human guards mean little to me. D'anthe.

*She holds up her wrist and the 'raven' perches on her wrist with what looks to be bone shattering force.*

Thank you, Eldrad.

*She teleports, winding up in Cougar's living room on SEP. From there, she cloaks herself and D'anthe in invisibility, and starts flying toward the mouth of the Corbrian River.*

On Snake Eater Prime, James Cougar was pushing hard. He knew that he had to reach the River soon, but he didn't seem to know exactly where he was going. He had been flying for what seemed like forever, but in fact it had only been a few hours. Not all that long. In his mind, he burned with shame at having left Rhenna, left home, so suddenly.

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

At the River of Sorrow, three ghostly forms came from the mist. They were nameless, faceless. They were Cougar's Spectres. They would be the ones haunting him

Rhenna gets to the Mouth, and waits for Cougar to show up.

Anger and worry vie for places within her.

ooc: Tag. Sorry for posting late. Or what it seems like for me.

OOC: Kool. Those who have been invited, if you want to RP, then just post getting to the mouth of the River.

IC: Cougar looked down, seeing none other than those assigned to guard the gate. He dived down, coming to a slow landing before standing tall before the gates that seperated him from the River of Sorrow. They were dull-grey, as if muted by their surroundings. At each side, a number of men stood, weapons raised at him. Carved, in intricate flowing writing on the archway,"Enter here if you wish. Once you are through, the way is shut"

Costh, sensing Rhenna warp in then warp out of the Tower, knew something was amiss. He went where Rhenna had come running from and saw someone new. He went over and inquired of the man what had happened to cause Rhenna to leave in such a hurry and finding out decided to go see if he could help.

"Now how do I get there? Oh ya, I've been to S.E.P, so the it shouldn't be that much of a problem." So saying he used a rune to warp to S.E.P and once he arrived, pulled a superman, and flew the to the mouth of the river

Cougar looked up as Costh, and shook his head. The man wanted to find out what was wrong, and Cougar accepted that in his heart. But he also knew no-one else could truly understand what was going on here.

He signalled to the guards, who lowered their weapons. The massive wrought-iron gates opened, and the highest ranking officer there said,"You have come to walk the River. It is a test of the utmost degree. Are you sure you want to do this"

C -- Yes. I must, in order to find the answer

G -- Then continue. And Good Luck

Cougar nodded, and walked through the gates. As he passed, he nodded to the guard. Anyone who wanted to pass... would pass.

**********************************************************
The Spectre's all smiled ghostly smiles on their faceless faces. He was coming. Soon, they would destroy him. A fitting end for a man so filled with sorrow

Rhenna, still invisible, followed along behind him.

Costh touched down just outside the gate.

The water sloshed around his boots, reaching up to mid-shin on Cougar. He felt it gush into his boots, soaking his feet. He noted it, and pushed along. He had the distinct feeling he was not alone on this journey... but he didn't pursue the idea.

In his head, all the shame, fear, sorrow and guilt that had lain dormant began to rise. He felt immesne shame for leaving Rhenna behind, fear of what was to come, sorrow at things he had done in his life... and guilt at so many things... most of them his fault.

As he walked, the first image began to rise. It was a familar scene, one that plagued him every so often. It was a warm day, sunny. The light streamed through the windows, and his mother was holding the six-year old Cougar's hand, as if leading him somewhere. He felt himself smiling, then suddenly felt the blood drain out of his face.

There was an explosion, and the front door flew off it's hinges. Gun shots rang out, and suddenly armed troops poured into the building. There was his mother, trying to protect him, and his father, a look of horror on his face. Cougar watched as his younger self let go of his mother's hand, and ran to the alcove at the base of the stairs, huddling down, trying to make himself as small as possible.

The attack was swift, methodical and brutal. Classic Helghast tactics. Cougar felt tears of sorrow and guilt begin to flow. Why hadn't he done anything? He was useless, he had failed his parents. They were dead... all because of him.

The image dissolved, leaving Cougar looking around wildly for its source. He thought he saw something... but no, it was just the mist that covered the landscape on either side

Warfare had been waiting for Cougar at the tower. It was there that he happened to spy Rhenna talking to another person. With his hearing, he heard the conversation, and felt Rhenna teleport away. He followed her trail, and found she was at Snake Eater Prime.

"The River of Sorrow?" Warfare thought to himself.
"I had better go. While I will not interfere with Cougar's journey, I can at least make sure no outside influence tries to stop him." Warfare decided silently.

Warfare departed, and arrived at the gates of The River of Sorrow.

The guards didn't seem to mind if he entered, so he did, keeping behind Cougar, far enough away to not interfere with his journey, yet close enough to ensure his journey went unimpeded, no matter the end result.

As Warfare followed Cougar, memories were unlocked, memories Warfare thought he had sealed away for eternity. The mist seemed to swirl, and suddenly, he was back to his very first days as a deity. He saw the young girl hanging on by a thread, he could have saved her, but he didn't know how. She died in front of him on the battle feild whimpering in pain. A tear rolled down Warfare's cheek.

"I didn't know how to heal her, I didn't know how to use my powers yet. It wasn't my fault." warfare said silently to himself, defending himself from the guilt he had carried with him. He never forgave himself for that day.

"I understand now, any action is better than no action at all." Warfare said to himself silently. In his minds eye, the girl sat up, and faced him.

"It's still your fault, you could have saved me. I'll never forgive you for what you didn't do." The Girl said.

"I was young, foolish, I didn't know how." Warfare said to the Girl.
"Liar, Gods are supposed to know everything." The Girl said.
"But, when we first come into existence, we know nothing, how was I supposed to know I could have healed you with a wave of my hand?" Warfare asked.
"You should have learned before you walked onto that battlefeild." The Girl said, she disappeared, and Warfare found he had been talking to the silent uncaring mist. He shook himself, and continued on.

Cougar looked behind him, and sighed. Even Warfare was affected by the River's power. He was now glad that he had chosen to come alone... he's already put her through more pain than a husband ever should

The halls of Rendelmar. It didn't look like much, but it was home. She saw herself -- much younger...maybe eighty...still a student herself-- and another student. Gathering what magickal energy he could, he attacked. "I hate you," he said coldly. "I hate you all."

Rhenna turns her head away from the scene. "It isn't real..."
She remembered that scene all too well. Her first kill...it hadn't been a Necro, or an enemy of state. It had been one of her fellow students...one of S'gart's, if she remembered correctly...and he had once been a close friend.

Warfare noticed that Cougar had saw him.

"Cougar, I'm not going to interfer with your journey, but I'm going to make sure that your journey goes unimpeded by outside forces that might use this occasion to do something. I, I just wasn't prepared for the effects is all. Forgive me." Warfare said.

"Don't worry about it Warfare. I had no idea of what was coming, I just have to push on. I'm glad I left Rhenna behind now... I've put her through so much, I'm amazed she still loves me

"Love is a wonderous and mysterious thing, even to Gods. Not even the Gods of Love know everything about it. Did, Did you see my memories? Or did you just hear me talking to the mist?" Warfare asked, curious. He got a little closer to Cougar.

No. I cannot see what you see... just as you cannot see what I see. That is the nature of the River. It is unique to each individual... you can turn back now, if you want*looks at Costh*And you as well

No, I will not turn back. I have had these emotions and feelings locked up for longer than I care to remember. Perhaps its high time I dealt with them once and for all, the river will help me deal with them.

It is your choice... the River is also capable of destroying even the most resolute individual... that is what makes me nervous

Well, life is an adventure, lets press on.

OOC: I won't post a sorrow until you do.

OOC: Sorrow's can hit at anytime. In Cougar's case, these beings known as Spectres are causing it. They are facets of his personality. Guilt, Fear, and Chaos

IC: Cougar walks on,"Warfare... did I do the right thing?"

Leaving Rhenna behind may not have been the wisest of decisions no, but, if you have been having problems as of late, and this is the only way to cure them, then no matter what it is the right thing to do. I wouldn't be surprised if she tries to follow you here. Besides, do you really think she would want the love of her life to suffer forever? This is the right thing to do.

I feel so guilty for doing this to her... first there was Metal Gear before we were married... then there was the torture were I blocked her out, unintentionally... and now this. I don't deserve her... and yet she sticks by me. That's why I love her as much as I do. Nothing is going to stop me from doing that

The mists swirl together. Warfare can see it again. The first time he encountered a Dark God. His name was Kajeenith, and he was a Dark God of War. The village was burning. The innocent were dead. Warfare and Kajeenith eyed each other. A mutual Hatred sparked right then and there. Kajeenith drew his blade, and him and Warfare fought like two mad dogs. In the end, Kajeenith was a dead God, and Warfare was filled with regret that he did not get there sooner.

Warfare shook himself.

"Kajeenith. I'm glad he's gone." Warfare muttered. He then turned his mind back to Cougar.

"Well, marriage usually starts out a little rocky, with both parties unintentionally hurting each other. Your past lives still have a hold on you two. Don't worry though, eventually you two will get it all sorted out in your own time. I'd say maybe within the next hundred years or so." Warfare said. He joined cougar by his side.

A body bumped into Cougar's leg. He looked down, and recoiled, wretching as he did so. It was the image from his first dream... Rhenna, lying face down in the river... if she had a face. There was no head. He was physically sick at this point, not able to control himself for that brief moment in time.

Not that... anything but that

**********************************************************
Above Cougar, the Spectre of Guilt watched him, grinning sadistically,"So, I am having success with him? Perfect. I shall make him feel guilt such as he never felt before"

Rhenna, cloaked still in her invisibility, watched Cougar be sick, then the image flashed to that one human that she'd recently killed...Danny Thomas, his name had been, during a torture session. Swiftly, she blocks it out.

And he expects this place to help him?

"Its okay cougar, everything will be allright." Warfare said. Offering comforting words, but knowing they would be of little help.

Cougar nodded, wiping his mouth,"I'm fine... just a particulary nasty one that time."

He straightened up, and began to push on irregardless of what he saw.

Well, I imagine they'll get worse for both of us as we get closer to the end.

Cougar continued to walk, before stopping, and holding up his hand, signalling the others to stop.

Up ahead, a shadowy figure stood on the air. It's face was featureless, it's body mostly formless... but when it spoke, Cougar's voice came from it,"So, you managed to survive the first wave did you? Pitiful human"

C -- Who are you?

G -- I am Guilt... your guilt

C -- What?!

G -- I have plagued you since that very first day. And I will continue to do so until your Death... at Aras' hands

C -- She is doing a job, nothing more. Is there anyway to continue on my journey?

G -- Only past me can you continue. And you will not succeed against a being such as me

OOC: Comments. They can all see Guilt

"Hmm, so this is what your guilt looks like huh? Intresting. No matter, I know you can beat it Cougar, I have faith in you. Your to intelligent to let Guilt plague you forever." Warfare said.

Cougar nodded,"If you are my guilt... then if I do not feel guilt, you do not exist!"

G -- WHAT!?

*Stepping forward*C -- If I didn't feel guilty about anything, ANYTHING, you wouldn't be a problem

*Laughs*G -- You cannot do that. You can never beat me

C -- Oh no?

He stood there, his eyes closed. He began going through all his memories... ridding himself off all the guilt that he felt. He had to find the answers... and this was the first true step

Guilt felt himself weakining at this physic assualt. Gradually, he shrank into near nothingness... then with a slight 'pop', he was gone. Cougar wavered slightly, then went down on one knee,"It is done"

Warfare conjured a staff, and offered it to Cougar. With his other hand, he offered to help Cougar up.

"Need a hand?" Warfare asked.

Rhenna nods, still invisible. Other visions tried to spring up at her, but she blocked them as illusions. Well done, Cougar.

Cougar waved the staff away, but took Warfare's hand, hauling himself to his feet,"I'm fine... just wondering how many of those things there are waiting for me"

It's been a year, and he's still as stubborn as on the day we met.

"I couldn't possibly say. I wouldn't know how many faucets of your emotions this river could play on you." Warfare says. He throws the staff. It lands in front of an elderly gentleman, on the far side of the planet, who needed a staff to walk with right about then. Picking it up, and thanking whoever made the staff, the elderly gentleman continues on his way.

Sorrow watched from above, amused with Cougar. He looked at Chaos,"He is stronger than we thought possible for a human. Very few ever survive even an encounter with their Guilt... he seems fresh.

Ch -- Wht do you make of that Drow following him, yet staying hidden?

S -- She is looking out for him... but I am surprised that she has not come to his aid yet.

Ch -- Maybe we should try and weaken that god as well... Warfare. He is an Eldar God, I am sure there is much that we could use against him. How soon before Guilt returns?

S -- Momentairly

Ch -- Perfect. We will wait until then, and then we attack as one

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

Cougar looked around him,"Theres more of them out there. They will come"

More are expected, yes. But will you be able to handle it?

OOC:Let me take care of the spirits for Warfare. I know how to do them to get maximum effect from Warfare.

Costh struggled under the weight of his fears, managing to face and overcome each one of his memories, during his struggles he came up against Guilt.
"So you think you can overcome me with guilt?"
"I am the spirit of your guilt, so yes."
"Then you do not know me," As he was saying this he was plunged into the memory of his greatest period of guilt, the time he let a friend die. As the scene played out, Costh's knees began to buckle before, with a force of will he stood upright and turned to Guilt, "That memory has lost all power over me as I know he would forgive me for acting as I did. Your 'flashback' has actually helped me as I saw something in his face that I did not remember seeing last time around." So saying he walked into and throught the spirit of his Guilt.

Ramick was walking along the river. Most of his memories would seem sad to most people, but he can get past them. He's been to places like this. Not where memories are recalled, but where they are made. Walking along the river, he observed glimpses of the death of Mae. When he did, he panicked and ran away from them. He eventually caught up with the Cougar and the rest. Before advancing, he observed Costh walking into a heavy cloud of smoke with a face. He immediatly recognized it as Guilt, something he has seen manytimes. He remembered where he was again, and thought to himself, "They can't be this crazy."

OOC:Let me take care of the spirits for Warfare. I know how to do them to get maximum effect from Warfare.

OOC: Yeah, thats kool.

IC: Cougar looked round, seeing Ramick and Costh being affected by the River's power,"I told you all, you can turn back now. This place will destroy you if you are not wary... but whatever your choice, I will continue"

He turned back, and began to walk long and hard. This river seemed never-ending, and yet everything must have a beginning and an end. In his heart, Cougar knew he had done the right thing in leaving so suddenly... but his mind was telling him otherwise.

Doubt, a Spectre that had decided to join in on the fun, flowed through Cougar's very soul, forcing him to doubt himself at every turn.

Why should she forgive you? You have done nothing but hurt her from the start of this marriage, however hard you tried. You are ignorant of her past, because you refuse to ask. Why?

Warfare was walking along, when he saw his own guilt arise. It looked much like his son. It had brown hair, green eyes, and would rival Herculese in a male beauty contest.

"Well, hello Father, its been a long time. I am the personification of your guilt." Guilt said.
"I have let go of the past, I feel no more Guilt for it." Warfare said.
"Oh really? Lets recall the past shall we? Lets take it back to paradise, shortly before I was thrown out. Remember, remember the destruction, remeber the flames. Remember her body laying on the floor. Remember me standing above mother, my sword dripping with her blood as I grinned Maliciously at you." Guilt said.
"NOOOOOOO, That wasn't my fault, you had kept me away by siding with Death and having Death destract me!" Warfare cried.
"Was it really my fault? You had, still have great power, you know as well as I do that you could have stopped me, but you had to trust me, didn't you? You made a mistake of letting an enemy in." Guilt said.
"And I've lived with the guilt ever since." Warfare said. He rid himself of the Guilt. Guilt felt itself weaken, it switched to another scene.
"Shall we advance a bit then? Remember, 250 years later, remember, as Death once again delayed you while I mercelessly slaughtered every living soul on Ephseus? Don't you rmember that?" Guilt asked.
Warfare had a foothold, and he wasn't going to give it up now.
"I cannot change the past. You are not really my son, and you dishoner his memory. Awful things have happened, but they happened for a reason. I will not hold guilt any longer for the things that I could not help." Warfare said.
Guilt disapated into so much mist.

"Well, I feel refreshed." Warfare said.

"Lucky you," muttered Cougar under his breath. This mist was annoying him now, he could barely see three foot in front of his face. His hand crept towards the handle of his Gunblade, but he resisted. He had to do this without magick or weapons... at least as far as he possibly could.

Still Doubt attacked him, trying to find anything to cause Cougar to doubt himself even further. This Spectre was smarter than the others, it would not risk a direct confrontation until it knew Cougar could be destroyed easily. Much better to allow him to destroy himself than try and fight him

**********************************************************
Guilt rematerialised next to Sorrow and Chaos, looking crestfallen,"I cannot believe I failed so quickly"

S -- It is done occasionally. He is stronger than we anticipated.

Ch -- Doubt is working it's way into the human's mind as we speak, playing on his emotions.

G -- Is that not what we do?

S -- Doubt is a powerful thing. If the humand doubts himself, he will loose faith, and not be able to complete the journey

Ch -- Would you be dissapointed if he does not succeed?

S -- *Pauses*I believe he would prove a worthy adversary... still, our Masters are to be his true downfall. And I would not like to rob them of something they have wanted for so long

The others mused slightly. It was true, the Masters of this were to be Cougar's eventual downfall... if he survived Doubt that was.

**********************************************************
Cougar was starting to stagger slightly, as if he were drunk. Never ahd he felt so strange. It felt as though he had been walking for many miles, but his mind told him he had walked only a few. Everything screamed for rest, for an unbeknowst reason.((Did I mention the River saps energy as well?)).

In his head, a small voice began to speak to him,You are weak. All your training has been for nothing. The others are not as tired as you, and yet you are a solider. Elite solider? Pah, you do not deserve the rank that you have been gifted, nor the talents that you recieved at birth, by the very mutation of your genes.

Doubt smiled, knowing it's words were slowly having an effect on him. Where Guilt had failed, Doubt would succeed

OOC: Alright, post something that the others notice

He's weakening fast...probably due to the drain energy field this place emits... Rhenna searched for where the energy drained off to, and found it in the mist. Makes sense...

Taking some of the energy from the mist, she fed it into Cougar, sending him a feeling of encouragement. She kept her invisibility, though, for the time being.

Faces seemed to rush at her out of the mist...people she'd killed while out on assignments, students and friends she'd had to kill as their evil sides won out...friends that had died because she couldn't save them.

Will you be unable to save him, as well? Answer that, Rhenmet Half-Dragon. Answer us that, Rhenmet Black Mage.

Go away.

Cougar felt the energy enter him, and a small sense of encouragement reach him. He smiled slightly, wondering if she was trying to help him from afar. In any case, he continued to move, Doubt still plaguing him at every step

Warfare felt the energy drain of the river get to him. Luckily Warfare had lots of energy, but that didn't mean warfare was ready to go out and party like it was 999 all over again. Wild times, wild times.

Doubt began to creep into his mind:

"All that Divine power, and for what? You play around with mortals, thinking mortal thoughts, feeling mortal emotions, trying oh so hard to help out mortals in some manner. What has it been for? What has it gotten you? Do you think the mortals your with now really like you for you? You really think that their not using you? your pathetic." Doubt played around in Warfare's mind.

By now, Cougar was truly at Doubt's mercy. Silent tears were rolling down his cheeks as he walked, blurring his vision. But he continued. He would not fail his task.

**********************************************************
D -- It is time

Doubt came into existence, another Spectre came into existence in front of the group,"You shall not continue on this path. Turn back now, before I destroy you all"

Cougar started, seeing a vision of himself, of Rhenna leaving him for someone else... and for some reason the word Vedt floated across his mind. Doubt looked at him, and laughed, a high, cruel laugh,"You doubt yourself in the completion of the task before you. You will never succeed with that attitude"

C -- *Shouts* You cannot beat me!

D -- *calm*No? I already have you at my mercy. I could destory you like that

Cougar thought, fighting through his hallucinations,It's not real. It's not real. It's not real... I can do this

With that final thought, he opened his eyes, white light pouring from them,"Screw you"

D -- What?

C -- You heard me*unleashes beam of White Flame*Screw. You.

The beam crashed into Doubt, and Cougar funneled all his resolve into it, fighting this malignant Spectre. Doubt screamed, a silent scream. He disintigrated. Cougar found a nearby tree, and sat down.

"Good job cougar." Warfare said.

Silently, Warfare wrestled with his own doubt, but his experience with the giant caterpillar and mushroom took Warfare's most powerful doubts away. Thus the little ones that were left were easily abolished. Warfare sat beside cougar.

"Boy, a little walk like this really takes it out of you." Warfare said.

Cougar looked at his friend, a haggard look that spoke volumes of what he was going through,"Little walk? I wonder about you sometimes Warfare?"

Hey, back in the old days, we didn't even ride horses, we walked everywhere. You know, walking accross an entire continent can really build stamina. Of course walking is my favorite mode of transportation. But, the sooner we get started, the sooner we get done.

"Five minutes, then we move out." He reached into his webbing, and drew out a bar of chocolate. He took a bite, feeling it's warmth run through him. He offered it to Warfare,"Care for a bit?"

I appreciate the offer, but I have no need to eat. That's one of my advantages.

*after a few seconds*

You know, its kinda pretty here, in a spooky haunted hell kinda way.

If that's your scene, go for it. Personally, the sooner I get out of this god-forsaken place the better

I never said I wanted to stay here, just that it was pretty.

Costh dealt with his doubts, thought it took effort.

ooc: Warhaven, I'd have thought Warfare would have taken exception to the term God-forsaken, as he is a god and he is there.

He raised an eyebrow at Warfare, then muttered,"Gods. All as odd as the last"

He rose,"Let's go. It's still some way"

Warfare rose to his feet as well. "Your right, sitting around isn't going to get us to the end.

OOC: Theao, Warfare would have said something if he had said Warfare forsaken. Since God is thproper name of, well, God, Warfare didn't do anything, as he wasn't really in a position to say much of anything.

The Spectres watched the group. Sorrow cursed an unspeakable curse, before turning to Chaos,"Take him down. I don't care how you do it, just DO IT!"

"Yes, Sorrow"

Chaos moved off, heading towards the group. Soon, chaos and dischord would spread in their minds. And it would break them... or so the Spectres hoped

Chaotic thoughts entered Warfare's mind.

"Why should I wait here by him? I can move much faster on my own. Hell, while I'm at it, why don't I simply take over and rule them all with an Iron fist? I'm a God, their mortals. I'm much more fit to rule than they are. Wait, why am I thinking these thoughts? I'm his friend, friends don't abandon each other, even if one can move faster than the other. Their quite capable of ruling their ownselves. They did it before I arrived, and I'm sure they can continue to do it with out any help from me." Warfare thought. He shrugged, and continued on, chaotic thoughts plagueing him.

Cougar saw much in his life that had been chaotic. His childhood had no real structure. From the ages of six to twelve, he'd been a child solider. Illegal, but they were a phenomen that had come about form the children whose parents had been killed or died of natural causes, and no-one was willing to take them in.

He had been responsible for killing many Helghast soliders, men who had deserved what he gave them: death. But his memories were choatic. As a young boy, he had essentially been born on a battlefield, raised on a battlefield. Gunfire, sirens and scream... they had been his lullabies

The phantasms that had been trailing after her swirled around her in a frenzy, screeching things at her in various languages.

This sudden shock threw away any effects that Doubt may have thrown at her, and she looks each of the hundreds of phantasms in the eye, and brought her thoughts around to Order.

She let an anti-chaos spell filter out in a circle around her, engulfing her little group.

Chaos watched. It spied Costh and Ramick, someway behind the others, and decided to use them as a demonstration of it's power. Swooping down, invisible to the naked eye, Chaos stirred up feelings of hatred towards the others, trying to make Costh and Ramick attack their companions

As Costh walked down the path/riverside, he began fluctuating between curiosity and anger. The conversation in his mind went something like this,
"Kill them, kill them all."
"Why?"
"Because they look down on you."
"But why?"
"Look, just do it."
"But why?"
"Because."
"But why?"
"Because."
"But why?"
After about three minutes of that Costh said out-loud "Would you two just knock it off."

"Knock what off?" Warfare asked.

More thoughts raged through his mind.

This is a trap, their going to take your power. Defend yourself.
Their my friends though.
Your third mother was your "Friend" she took your power.
But she was power hungry, and I wasn't terribly intelligent at the moment.
Why should now be any diffrent?
Your right I guess but...
THEN KILL THEM!
WHY?
Look at the one with all the runes. He wants your powers to increase his own weak barely perciptible powers. The other one next to him, his Aura magic amounts to a pile of Fluff compared to yours. He wants your to make his Aura stronger, to be able to crush any that oppose him. The one next to you, you think a Gunblade forged by Gods is enough for him? Do you really think he would be happy simply serving an elder God? Why should he when he can take your powers and BE and Elder God. Look at how they close in on you, their going to take your powers and kill you.
Me your right, they are going to kill me and take my powers.

Warfare gathered his powers to a head, drew his blade, and prepared to attack...

"Oh just two little people arguing in my head. They've gone far past being useful and are being pointless now." Costh answered as the two 'people' kept up thier pointless "Because." "But why?" argument. "So Warfare, what's with the funky blade?"

Cougar turned his head, and saw the danger. He drew his own blade, and moved quickly, moving to block Warfare's strike,"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

"Your after me. This walk has made it clear. There is no point to this river, you all just want my powers. I can't believe I didn't see it before. I can't believe I was tricked this long. Mortals don't want to be nice to Gods simply because they want to be, Every last one of you simply want my powers. I'll destroy you for that, I'll destroy you ALL!" Warfare declared.

The chaos voice in his head went on.
"Yes, Yes, destroy them all!"

The River had stripped him of his senses... which emotion could do this... wait, not an emotion. Chaos!

"Warfare, we're not out to get you, any of us. You chose to come here, of your own free will. If we wanted your powers, then we would have tried when you where reborn! You're not thinking straight! Chaos is affecting you!"

Chaos cannot affect me. I am a God of Law and Order.


Warfare threw a fireball at the other three river walkers, completly misguided by Chaos.

Chaos made the mistake of appearing.

"YOU, your after my powers too, I'll destroy you. Your a being of Chaos. I will destroy you with the energies of Pure law." Warfare declared.

"What? No, not that!" Chaos started, but it was quickly taken by a sudden feild of Law. It filled everyones minds, and banished Chaos.

"What? but I, I, I was affected too? How can this be? Ive visited planes where Chaos reigned supreme, and was never affected. I just don't understand." Warfare said, at a loss.

Cougar absorbed the fireball, but the remenents singed his hair and face. However, he saw the confusion on Warfare's face,"Sit down, and stay there. You're no good to anyone in that state. Screw the nut, and get a grip!"

Warfare took a seat, and drifted along with the current so Cougar could keep moving.

Cougar smiled, and turned to continue walking. His mind was clear thanks to Warfare destroying Chaos, at least for the time being. In his minds eye, it felt like the sun was creeping through the mist.

In fact that was exactly what was happening. The slope had been so gradual that it had been unnoticable, but they had been rising.

"What exactly happened back there?"

I, don't know. This really conveincing voice told me that you Costh and Ramick were after my powers for diffrent reasons.

Chaos has that sort of effect on people. It depends on the person, so in your case it seems to be natural paranoia, backed up by the fact that you are still, in any terms, fairly young

"No offence Warfare, but I wouldn't take your powers if you forced me. I have enought problems in deity power myself." Costh said

And I have enough problems wielding powers that even Gods have never seen before.

Well, My body is young, but my soul is exactly 563,982,345 years of age, come the 25th of May.

You know what I mean Warfare. And face it, you are a paranoid god

Only because so many people I've run accross want something from me. If its not my power than its a wish, or a powerful sword that can scile through anything, or battle skill unlike any I've ever seen.

Cougar shrugged,"So you've had bad expierences. That's a good enough reason I spose. Still, in some cases you've given those things out. Take Fieros and my wish for example. You taught me Fieros of your own free will, and I've never tried to take anything else from you"

Oh aye, I've given plenty out. The most powerful thing I ever gave was the one and only suit of invincibility. Unfortunatly, a bolt came loose, and it wasn't so invincible any more. It eventualy shattered into a million pieces. It was the only one like it too.

Cougar stifled a laugh at this last comment, before turning his face upwards,"I get the feeling she's watching me all the time y'know"

Maybe she is. Maybe she found Scry and is watching you from a calm tranquil pool of water this very minute.

He smiled, although it was thin and haggard, befitting his physical state, which was still delapidated following his recent torture. It was because of that he was here, and he intended to finish what he had started.

She'd proberly call me stubborn... which I am, and mostl likely brash and foolhardy... which I am

"Maybe she is"

I wonder what's next, Depression?

I doubt it... maybe Anger... or Hate. Hate would be a bad one to have right now

Oh yeah.


OOC: My goodness this is really depressing. Maybe I'm just to IC.

OOC: Hey, The ROS is a depressing place. Just wait until the end... you aint neva gonna see this one coming

OOC: I bet, what's at the end?

Watching you? You're closer than you'll probably ever realize, Cougar. Now we just wait for the next attack...

Focusing a bit, she sent a thought along to Warfare.

You really need to trust us a little more...seriously, what would your mother think?

Which one?

The most recent one.

Simple, she'd understand due to the circumstances.

I'd speak with her about that before you sound so certain. No matter the circumstances, she trusts her close allies with her life.

Not everything is simple as always doing it no matter what.

It is merely a matter of knowing who to trust. Had it been Anna where Cougar stood, would you have struck at her as you did at him?

More than likely yes. Had you been visible, instead of trailing us silently and invisible, I would have tried to hit you too. I lost all semblance of normal coherent Lawful thought.

I guess this serves some purpose, then. Don't let him know I'm along for the trip, all right?

I haven't yet. Since my senses extend far beyond mortal senses, I knew you were along for awhile now. The only reason I didn;t say anyhing, is because if you felt like letting Cougar know you were here, you would have.

OOC: I bet, what's at the end?
OOC: *Cackles insanely*Not telling

OOC: Meanie :(

OOC: I had no idea what was coming at the end of FOD, so now its my turn to keep a secret

OOC:Which one, Mith/Aras's acencion into the role of Death, or Warfare's Death? By the way, I did just send you a PM over at the forums. I do hope you'll respond BEFORE I go to bed.

OOC: Both. Kay tormented me because she knew, but I guessed any number of things. I was close on the Death, but Warfare's death was new to me. But in any case, I'm not telling what happens at the end of this one

Cougar looked around him. The light was definatley growing, but there was something odd about it. It was brighter, much harsher than normal. The air was also starting to get thinner. But still no end was in sight,"Warfare, you're a god, how far do you reckon it is to the end of this place?"

OOC: Give it a resonable distance, one that mite take say... eight hours for the average human to cover

Hate looked from above, the latest and among the more deadly of the Spectres. The last before Sorrow itself would confront these 'people'. It saw many things, but most pertinatley, the bond between Cougar and Rhenna. It grinned inwardly. The previous Death had tried something similar... but where he had failed, this Spectre would succeed. Make the two lovers hate each other, and neither could continue.

It waved a ghostly hand, causing hatred to creep into their minds, working its way towards their feelings for the other.

"Oh, I can see very far. My particular vision extends for 50 miles. About half that distance the River stops." Warfare said.

Cougar nodded,"About twenty five miles then. That's alright, we can cover that before nightfall."

As he spoke, Hate filled his mind for those around him,What do they do for you? You give everything you have for them, and they give nothing in return. Your wife included

That's a damn lie!

Is it? We shall see

Tell me, Rhenmet Half-Dragon, why are you even here? He left you back in the "safety" of Rendelmar, to go gallivanting off with his friends. He can't stand your personality. He only married you for one reason, and you know that reason: desire. You don't even know why you love him. Shouldn't that set some sort of alarm? And then what happens after a few centuries, when he's seen all the people that he's ever held dear die? What happens when he takes that gun he's always carrying to his own head? Three days later, you DIE. Half of Rendelmar scorns you for having wed a human, even your master. You'd be better off without him.

Rhenna had recognized that this internal monologue was not originating from her, though she felt anger...and indeed, some small amount of hate, begin to burn within her at her husband. Tracing the source of the emotions, she levitates on D'anthe to face Hate.

"I don't appreciate lies being run through my head...so dance with me, specter...dance until you die."

Hate laughed at her,"I do not lie Rhenmet Half-Dragon. I merely tell you what you are afraid to admit to yourself. You just need coaxing. Deep down, you hate him. He turned half your home against you, left you behind and struck out on his own, after saying that each of you would share in the others troubles, and one day, he will want to follow his friends to the grave, and that will kill you"

It had lied to her, but this was not something she would know, at least not at first glance.

Warfare merely gave a slight internal shudder at the feeling of hate going through him. He had nothing to hate at this point in time, thus Hate had no footholds to enter his mind.

"Turned half my home against me?" Hah. "Deep down, I hate him." Again, hah. The dragon heart cannot love someone that it hates...and if there is one thing that I know for certain about my husband, it is that I love him. Desire is shallow. Desire quickly fades. You're wrong....and so...misguided. Go away, and leave my husband and myself alone. We've no room for you in our lives, and I speak for both of us when I say this.

Hate, why should I hate any of those here? The only one who I might have a reason to hate wasn't himself at the time and while it doesn't excuse him, it does aid in providing an acceptable reason. Costh thought as the spirit of Hate entered him and found little to attempt to grab onto.

Hate looked at Rhenna, impressed with how she had taken this view,"Well done. You would make a good Spectre... but you have missed one crucial element. He does hate, maybe not you, but even you must be able to tell me what he hates. If not, then can you truly claim to understand him?"

Whilst it was saying this, it was also frustrated with Costh and Warfare, both of whom seemingly had no weak points to him. No matter, Sorrow would make sure that at least one of them would break, or so they hoped

He hates...yes, he hates. I do not claim to fully understand him, or to know everything he hates. When he hates, he hates deeply, where he hates, he would revenge. But there is nothing now for him to hate, and while he hates, I know he also loves. Leave now...or die.

"You would threaten a Spectre of the River with Death? A few moments is all we are gone for, and then we return to plague those who travel this way once more. I died once already... I cannot die twice. So, try as you might Rhenmet Half-Dragon, you can never truly destroy me

Hate, why should I hate any of those here? The only one who I might have a reason to hate wasn't himself at the time and while it doesn't excuse him, it does aid in providing an acceptable reason. Costh thought as the spirit of Hate entered him and found little to attempt to grab onto.
OOC: Just a note, you can't talk to Hate like that, only face to face speech.

ooc: he's more thinking it to himself rather than talking to Hate.

"You would threaten a Spectre of the River with Death? A few moments is all we are gone for, and then we return to plague those who travel this way once more. I died once already... I cannot die twice. So, try as you might Rhenmet Half-Dragon, you can never truly destroy me
She brings up her hands, and a golden web starts to crisscross around hate. It tightens until the Specter can no longer move.

"But I can seal you...and I do seal you."

Hate struggled against the bonds holding him in place, and cursed softly in the Snake Eater tongue,"You may have sealed me for now Rhenmet, but hate always returns! You cannot run forever!"

ooc: he's more thinking it to himself rather than talking to Hate.

OOC: But the way you phrased it made it sound as if he were talking to Hate, so keep an eye on it

Hate struggled against the bonds holding him in place, and cursed softly in the Snake Eater tongue,"You may have sealed me for now Rhenmet, but hate always returns! You cannot run forever!"
"But you are out of the way for now."

She left him and returned to the group.

Hate cursed, knowing it had been beaten. Hanging it's head, it waited.

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

Throughout this entire exchange, Cougar couldn't rid himself of the feelings hate was stirring... but Hate's words hadn't struck at his feelings for Rhenna as was intended, but instead at the darkness in his soul regarding the Helghast.

Many times over the years, Cougar had killed Helghast troops, but never the one who had shot his parents. These deaths, trying to avenge his parents, had left a stain so large on his soul, it was hard to see what he could have been. His hatred for them ran deep, for they had robbed him of his childhood, and his innocence. No-one should have that taken from them at such a young age he thought to himself, when Hate's whispers suddenly ceased. He did not know how, he did not know why, but they simply stopped. He shook himself slightly, and carried on. It was only a matter of time before they reached the end of the River... and then he could find out why he was here

Warfare gave a sigh of relief when Hatred left. He feared sorrow. Out of all the possible spirits, Sorrow would affect him the greatest.

Sorrow would have put its fist through something... but it was noncorporal, so doing so in the sense it wanted was in fact quite impossible. Instead, it merely cursed loudly, but not so loudly as the group could hear it,"They have defeated by any number of methods... but they still must deal with me"

He waited until they had almost reached the end, and then swooped down, making himself visible to all of them,"Welcome to the end. I am Sorrow, and whilst the others claimed you couldn't pass them, I gurantee you that it will not be so here. All are affected by me"

...Sorrow...closely related to despair...Warfare should be able to take this one on, because of his bloodline if nothing else.

Sorrow turned its 'face' towards where Rhenna stood, and smiled, although the rest of the group could not see this

So, you are the one who bound Hate to a single position? You have sorrows of your own, of that much I am assured. Let us see what these are...

With that, Sorrow began to pry into Rhenna's mind...

Blood everywhere...smoke and flames rising toward the sky. "Why?" she had wondered. Her first true pupil...why? Dead bodies, killed without distinction, littered the ground, before she found him, laughing maniacally.

"Why did you do this?" she asked him. "Didn't you realized that you would have to be stopped?"

"And you think you have the power to stop me? Do you realize what they did to me? Vengeance was the only way, Rhenmet."

"DOES YOUR VENGEANCE MAKE YOU FEEL ANY BETTER? TELL ME, DOES IT? DID THE CHILDREN KILL YOUR FAMILY? DID ANY OF THEM? No...you've begun to kill for the joy of it....you cannot be allowed to continue."

So I killed him. She was shaking, but she forced herself to let it pass. I have sorrows, I have regrets...but we must go on, must live on, must accept and continue. My sorrows cannot vanquish me, because I have come to terms with them long since.

Sorrow smiled,You can do it... but can he?. He extended a ghostly hand, and pointed at Cougar,"You have many sorrows... let us see what they are, and make them public"

It forced its way, searching for something that made Cougar sorrowful. It probed in the depths of his subconcious, never touched by his concious mind. Finally, it came upon one that suited the requirements.

It was if the mist turned into a giant projector, as if they were seeing the world through Cougar's eyes...

He was only twelve years old, but already he was a combat veteren, with more blood on his hands than most men have when they die. And now, he was arguing with his friend, one of the only girls in the platoon. She was a section leader, and his friend. Her sleek black hair was cut short, and in her arms she cradled the assualt rifle which never left her arms,"Why me James?"

"You're the best one for the job, we need to hit this column!"

"Eight people is not enough to hit a convoy that size on a major road! Theres no cover!"

"You'll have to make do, Jo. I can't do anymore than that"

"You're an idoit, you know that! You are sending us out, and we are going to get killed"

"THATS A RISK I'M WILLING TO TAKE TO BEAT THESE B******S BACK!"

She froze, tears in her brown eyes. He realized what he had done, and tried to amend it, but she brushed him off, saying coldly,"You've made yourself quite clear"

*Two days later*
He ran over the crest of the hill, and came upon a sight that made him wretch. Burst corpses, vehicles, and smouldering rocks littered the scene before him. He searched quickly, and found her, lying, crushed under the remains of a Helghasr APC. Her legs were both fractured, and her face was badly burnt"

Ja -- Jo? JO!

Jo -- *Weakly*It is done, James. I completed the mission.

Ja -- But not at this price

Jo -- You said so yourself, it was a risk you were willing to take to get the job done

SHe fell back, dead. He sat down heavily, his back to the burned out hull of the vehicle, and cried. He'd killed his best friend... all because of his hatred for the Helghast...

Sorrow laughed as Cougar fell to his knees, the water splashing up into his face,"You are weak, your sorrow rules you everyday!"

He turned his gaze to Warfare,"Now you, Eldar God..."

Reality rippled around Rhenna as her invisibility dropped. She was standing beside Cougar, standing in water to mid-shin.

"Get up."

He looked up, startled, before standing up and looking at her,"So you followed me then"

"What else was I supposed to do, James? Let you go off and get yourself killed? You didn't come all this way to be defeated by your own past, did you? The past is done and over with. The only things you can do about it now are accept, learn, and move on."

I'd locked that memory away... never even touched upon it until just now, and even then I was forced. But, I'm still going to the end of this... then I'll know why I'm here

"If I were you, I'd just be glad that you didn't pull that stunt on Renor's time. I'm not happy about it, but there's less I can do about it."

He looked away,"I don't know why I did it... I just had to."

"Save it until the end, Cougar."

He didn't look back at her. She was angry, he knew that... and she had every right to be. Instead, he looked to see what would happen to Warfare

Warfare felt sorrow creeping into his mind, but couldn't stop it.
Memories rose unbidden.

There was blood everywhere. What had happened? What could have made all this blood in their home? They were Elder gods. Warfare stepped into his mansion. He found her crucified to the wall, upside down. Blood was dripping everywhere. His son was looking at him, a grim terrible smile on his face.

"Well father, it looks like you caught me." Warfare's son said.
"Maelithik, Why?" Warfare asked, tears falling down his face.
"Because there is no justice in Creation. Because God is a cold uncaring being who does nothing more than sit on his throne all day long day after day letting terrible tragidies befall the innocent. Because If I gain enough power, then I will destroy Father God, and I will reign forever more with a Just hand." Maelithik said.
"This is madness." Warfare said.
"No, it is the only way, I need your powers father, I'm going to have to kill you now." Maelithik said.
"Your not my son. You no longer have the right to address me as your father." Warfare said. With a single act he destroyed the mansion, and sent Maelithik far away.

Eons passed by. With each day, his loneliness, his sorrow increased. He was alone. He could not take it any longer. He could not bear another day without her. He was flawed for not figuring out his son's evilness sooner. Warfare had caused much destruction and sorrow over the course of his life. It was time to end it.

Full of misery, full of sorrow, full of depression, warfare drew his Dagger, and prepared to kill himself, it was all too much to take at once. The River had beaten him.

Rhenna reached out with her hand and shot an energy lance out at Warfare, disintegrating his dagger.

"Don't. I don't want to be the one to have to bring your head back to your mother."

The Energy lance was meaning less to the dagger, it was a Gods dagger, not a common blacksmith's dagger. Warfare went to plunge it deep into his heart, but was stopped. Kestral appeared, and it manifested, as white energy radieating from Warfare's body.

In order to understand how Warfare managed to summon Kestral while being at the point of hoplessness and ready to commit Hari Kari, one must understand how a Gods mind works.

Most Gods minds are split into multiple parts. One part, is for self-preservation. This part, quikly utilized the one thing that had a chance of saving Warfare, it immobilized his arms, and summoned Hope. Hope washed over Sorrow, and filled the local area. Hope filled everybody, showing them, that despite all that may have been, there was always hope for a brighter future. It was the candle in the darkness lighting the way home.

Warfare stood up and sheathed his dagger.
"I understand now. I will no longer be bothered by the past from this point forward. From now on, I will not carry emotional baggage with me through the Eons. I will live each day full of hope. Begone troubling spirits and plague us no more." Warfare said. You could hear the new found hope in his voice. Warfare was truely a new god now.

Sorrow cried out, Hope washing over him, taking it apart bit by bit. As it disintergrated into the mist, it cried out,"I will return... we Spectres can never be forgotten"

C -- *whispers*But you can be ignored

OOC: It's spelled Hara Kiri. Also known as seppuku, and it happens when you slice open your gut when you've failed, not when you stab yourself through the heart out of depression.

"Not ignored. Accepted...and released."

OOC: I always thought it was Hari Kari, oh well, this proves why I'm not paid to think.

Warfare looks ahead and says "Well. it looks like we're almost at the end."

He nodded mutely, not saying a word. At this point in time, talking to her would only make her angrier... something he wanted to avoid. instead, he looked around him,"Let's go, it's not much further now"

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

At the start of the River, two figures stood. Waiting for the group... and one in particular

"It would appear we're expected." Warfare said by way of warning. He didn't do anything obvious or visible, but he mentally readied himself for battle.

"So it would seem," he murmered, stepping into the clearing. The water was shallow, and clear. The mist had gone, and they could see for many miles, nearly three hundred to the naked human eye. Atop a raised platform stood two figures, whose features were hidden beneath heavily cowled robes. And yet, Cougar felt something strange about them. He stepped to the front of the group,"Who are you?"

As he did so, an azure field came into being. The magickal energy coming off it was immense, it could easily block any attack that either party threw at each other.

C -- I asked you: who are you?

1 -- We are beings from your past

2 -- A time you would rather forget

1 & 2 -- A time that is forever burned onto the pathways of your mind

C -- There are many of these. You could be from any of them

1 -- But this is special

2 -- It took place on this planet

1 -- So long ago, and yet the memory is if it happened only yesterday, is it not?

C -- *pauses*It can't be.

The figures pushed their hoods backwards, revealing two humans. One woman, who was tall and blond, and a man, who by contrast was strikingly dark, but his blue eyes shone out of his face. Before the group stood Mary and David Cougar... deceased of nealry twenty one years.

C -- But you're dead!

D -- Dead... but still kicking. We had some buisness to finish before we finally go the Land of the Dead

M -- The final part of our little arrangement

C -- Arrangement with who?

They laughed in unison, as if sharing in some secret joke,"You mean you never figured it out? Why you were left, but we were killed?"

C -- What are you talking about?

M -- Don't tell me you don't remember. You see it everyday... but do you really think they would have just killed us, and left you? They didn't do that in any other home, so why ours?

D -- I'd have thought your enhanced higher brain functions could have least considered the possiblity

C -- WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!

Again with the laughing. His father looked down on him from the top of the steps,"It would be cruel to keep you in suspense too long, so I shall not do so. Did you never wonder why the Helghast penetrated the outer defences so easily? How they managed to bypass Phoenix Station? How they managed to make their landings in the Straits uncontested?"

C -- It can't be...


D -- Oh, but it can. You see James, WE gave the Helghast the defence codes to Snake Eater Prime, and in return, the Helghast promised to spare you

If this is more than some illusion...it could destroy him.

After hearing the message Costh thougth, I wonder how Cougar will take this? I hope he can take the news.

Cougar stared in disbelief at the spirit of his father, his mouth slightly open. After what seemed like an eternity, he spoke,"Why?"

"Why? A hilarious question James," said David Cougar, laughing as he did so, a cold, high, mirthless laugh,"Why did the Greeks besiege Troy? Why did Death ravage our world? Why are you here?"

C -- That doesn't answer my question

D -- Of course it doesn't, that is the nature of the world, you never get a straight answer

C -- JUST TELL ME!!

His father paused briefly, a smirk crossing his thin, pale face, as if considering what his son had asked,"Because Snake Eaters is weak! That fool, Barbarossa, has made our great nation a mere shell of its former self! The Helghast could rebuild that power, restore us to our former glory!"

Now it was James' turn to laugh, deep and throaty, but again without humour, as if born of contempt rather than actual amusement,"You really believe that? You're more foolish than you sound. The Helghast would have made SLAVES out of us? Is that how you percieve Snake Eaters, as slaves?"

F -- Maybe it would be for the best, our own politicians are spineless cowards

C -- You're insane

F -- Am I? Or I am the only sane one left, in an insane world?

C -- No true Snake Eater would even think along those lines! No Cougar would think like this

F -- Then maybe you are not a true Cougar. You are NOT my son!

At this, Cougar staggered backwards, unable to believe what he had just heard.He just disowned me he thought. For a moment, all was silent in the clearing, then, slowly a look of determination came across Cougar's features,"If that is true, then I have no father... which means I have no qualms about finishing the job that they started!"

He laid his Gunblade down, and let the Flame consume him. His pupils turned white, and he stood his ground,"Come, let's fight!"

OOC: Spot the James Bond quote!

ooc: Am I? Or I am the only sane one left, in an insane world? this?

OOC: That's one... theres another buried in there

He isn't ready to deal with this...when...if...when...he makes it out...he'll be even more of a mess than he was.

David Cougar shed his robes, revealing himself as a Spectre. A good two inches taller than James, but with much less substance behind him,"You think you can kill your old man? I somehow doubt it"

With that, he lunged for his now estranged son. To those watching, the fight was a whirl of White Flame, grey mist magicks, and simple blows. It was as if these two had been fighting all their lives, simply to lead up to this moment in time, something that would be fixed in each persons memory for all time.

Back and forth these two men raged, each of them trying to gain the upper hand. The fight travelled on the ground, in the air, even in the water. Neither could gain the advantage over the other, until David Cougar knocked his 'son' flying, making him crash into the azure field. Bones splintered as he impacted solidly, knocking the wind out of him.

James' vision blurred, and as he saw this Spectre glide towards him, he fought to get up...

Warfare merely stood there. This was cougar's fight, not his. Cougar needed this to put a lid on his past once and for all. Warfare crossed his arms, and stood to one side of the river, out of the way. He knew his help would be innappropriate in this matter.

"Good Luck James, I know you can do it." Warfare said encouragingly. Kestral had long since departed.

Rhenna steps up behind her husband and helps to haul him to his feet. She puts a hand on his shoulder, and a spell flowed through him, repairing some of the damage.

Her cold green eyes fixed on her 'father-in-law.'

"Go and meet your master in Hell."

Costh stood his ground believing now, like in the battle between Tellyron and Rhenna, that Cougar would feel insulted and it would be inappropriate to aid.

Cougar felt the hand on his shoulder, felt the spell, but most of all, he heard the words of encouragement from his friends. He stood, unwavering in the face of this enemy. An enemy that needed to be laid to rest.

D -- You have good friends... and an odd choice of wife

Mary Cougar zipped over to Rhenna,"You! You corrupted my son! If it wasn't for you, this wouldn't be happening"

James turned his head, and his father's 'fist' crashed into his jaw, sending him reeling,"Fool. Never turn away from an enemy"

He rose, the bruise on his cheek a deep purple, the blood dripping from his mouth. He wiped it away, and smiled a tired smile,"You underestimate what I can do"

D -- What?

J -- The White Flame. You cannot fight something like this

D -- Liar!

J -- I don't lie, which is why I have this

He let Fieros run through his veins, tapping its power and adding it the orb in his hand,"Only two mortals carry this... and I'm one of them"

David Cougar's eyes widened in fear,"You couldn't.... you wouldn't...."

J -- Try me

With that, he unleashed the orb. It spun on its own axis, crashing into david Cougar, slamming him backward into the field, and holding him there, all the time growing in power. James stepped forward, and plunged his hand into the orb. He leaned close to his father's ear,"You are released"

The orb exploded, destroying the field as it did so, but all the energy was focused on a single point. When the light faded, David Cougar was no more...

Rhenna looks over at the specter of her husband's mother.

"Me? Corrupt him? What room have you to speak, traitor?"

Turning towards Mary, she begins to stalk over to her. Her wings and tail unfurl.

"The time has come for you, as well, to meet your master. You can make it a fight, or I can just kill you."

"Good job Cougar." Warfare said in encouragement.

Rhenna would never get the chance to destroy Mary Cougar, for her son came up behind her, and grabbed her hair, a look of disgust on his face,"By all rights, I should let her finish you off, but I'm giving you a choice. Leave now, and never return, or I will ensure in any way I can that Death destroys you, or, you can fight husband and wife who are bound in such a way that when we fight together, we are that much stronger"

Mary Cougar hung her head,"I choose to go. I wish to follow him to the grave"

J -- He is completely gone. You will never see him again

M -- Murderer!

She struggled free, and tried to strike him. He simply 'grabbed' her, and plunged his free hand into her chest,"You too are released from this life"

Warfare simply nodded. Cougar was now able to put a lid on his past.

Black wisps of energy (recognisable by any who really REALLY knew (which isn't Costh, I know that much) as a Necromantic type spell) gathered around Rhenna's fingers.

"Quortek ichl verve yvalm,
Athiyk ichl verve elghinyrr,
Sevir."

She plunges her clawed hand into Mary Cougar's head, releasing the spell designed to send a stubborn spirit to the Underworld.

Mary Cougar screamed in anguish, as her soul was forcibly dragged into the belly of the world, where is would reside for all time.

James watched her disintigrate, then knelt before the alter,"We pray for sould adrift on the tide..."

As he prayed, Leviathan appeared,"You have done well, young one."

C -- What do you mean?

L -- You completed what you set out to do, and now I can grant you immortality... after a fashion

C -- What do you mean?

L -- The Angeli. By doing what you just did, you are eligible to join their ranks, whenever you please

Cougar had to pause,"What about Rhenna?"

L -- She, unfortunatley, cannot become one

C -- Then neither do I.

L -- WHAT?!

C -- I'm not spending seven hundred years with her, the woman I love more than anything else, then loose her for eternity. So, either both of us go, or I don't join you at all

L -- You are placing me in a very difficult position. A person of your power would bolster the Angeli, become their leader with ease, but your emotions will be your undoing

C -- You have a choice to make

"Cultural clash...Your people and mine die differently, live differently, choose differently. After ten or twenty thousand years, you would forget."

Warfare let out a friendly wave to Leviathan. Then he continued to stand there quietly.

Cougar looked at her in disbelief,"Are you telling me, you think I'd forget? Love trancends time... and I don't want to lose that"

"Time fades everything. Such is its nature." She reaches out to touch his cheek. "Aside from that...he isn't my god, and is not likely to ever be."

He placed his hand on hers,"Then I have no choice"

He looked at Leviathan,"Nice offer... but I'm not going anywhere"

L -- The offer is always open should you change your mind

With that, he waved at Warfare, caused drinks to appear in everyones hands, and dissapeared

Warfare took a sip of his.
"Good. I swear, one of his domains must be drink mixing. That's all there is to it." Warfare said.

"...His attitude, you'd think this was some sort of party."

Cougar took a sip of his own drink, and then spoke,"Maybe it is a cause for celebration. I can fnally move on from that incident... there is one more thing I want to do though... and I want you with me for this one"

She nods, her wings and tail disappearing.

Cougar stooped, picking up his Gunblade from where he had dropped it. He looked to Warfare,"Take Costh back to the Tower... I have something to vist before I leave here"

He took Rhenna's hand, and closed his eyes. Suddenly, they were in a graveyard, standing in front of a double grave,"Care to read the inscription?"

Warfare took Costh and Ramick by the hand. He took a single step forward, and all three of them were in the tower.

OOC: That's it for me Theao and Adias for this thread then.

She looks at it.

"David and Mary Cougar, died 2366. May the Light they Showed us Never Fade."

"Ignorance is bliss. My parents were percieved as great philantropists when they were alive... and that is how they should be remembered, even though they were traitors to their country.. and to their son"

His hand had grown cold as he had been speaking

"Let the past be the past, James. Deal with it in whatever manner you best are able."

She grips his hand gently.

The past is the past.

His free hand flew to his pendant whilst his other squeezed hers gently,"'Nothing is forever'. Rhenna, lets go home" There was a finality in his tone that suggested he just wanted to leave, go home, and sleep

Reality shifts around them, and they are standing in Rendelmar once again.

He sighed with relief at being home, before turning to her,"I know you're angry... so I'll take whatevers coming"

"Just go to bed, James. I have a class to teach."

He didn't smile, but kissed her on the cheek before heading back to their room, taking a very quick shower, and collapsing into bed

Whenever he woke, she still wasn't back.

He lay on his back, just staring up at the ceiling. He knew why she wasn't there... anger was something that she didn't take out on him, although in this case he wished she would, but she'd proberly end up doing him more damage.

He just lay there, not knowing what to think anymore,Why did they really do it?

"Padded swords, Rhenmet? We normally spar with real ones."

"Padded, Vedt. You'd like to keep your head, wouldn't you?"

"One of those sort of days. Very well, come then."

For an hour they battled with the swords alone, barely visible, save when one or the other landed a blow hard enough to send his or her opponent reeling for a moment, but just as quickly, they would be back in the fight. After this, magick began to come into play in the battle, from minor spells to deadly ones. After an hour of this, they stopped by an unspoken mutual agreement.

Sitting against the wall, somewhat battered and bruised, they summoned a beverage.

V -- "Renor's energy drink. "

Rn - "Works wonders."

V -- "True. And he only made it to --"

Rn - "To help me get over that addiction to caffeine."

They laughed briefly, sharing the memory.

V -- "So, tell me, what happened?"

Rn - "Where to start?"

V -- "Someone very wise once said 'Start at the beginning, and when you get to the end...stop."

Rn - "Okay, but remember, you asked for it."

V -- "Just so."

Rn - "He was gone for a month, as you know, and he was being tortured."

V -- "As I also know."

Rn - "Was I acting that badly?"

V -- "Worse."

Rn - "Ah...In any event, he'd been having these strange dreams for half a year or so...nightmares, some might call them...others might call them visions. When he gets back, they're worse than ever. He said something, once about the 'River of Sorrow,' which was apparently some death-myth his people had. Thing is, it was real. Is real, I don't know. It was like a weird sort of dream."

V -- "You're getting out of your order."

Rn - "Yes, I know. So, his dreams are worse than ever, and he's now feeling summoned. From all I can gather, he thinks it's similar to what I went through with Tellryon."

V -- "Your father's call."

Rn - "He is not my father. He may have sired me, but Renor, Menalth, S'gart, and Avari raised me."

V -- "Yes, yes, I know. We've been over who your family is before. It's kind of odd...S'gart was my primary teacher...I knew he was bitter that Renor was the Right Hand...but I never thought of him as a traitor. I know you stopped liking him at about the time he returned from his experience with dragons...then again, he stopped liking you."

Rn - "Just so. In any event, he goes, leaving me a note, so I have to track him down. I stay invisible through almost the entire river, and I watch what he goes through -- "

V -- "Because he didn't have the decency to bring you along after he's taken so much psychological trauma that he hardly knows up from down anymore."

Rn - "Exactly. Then we finally get to the end, and it's the ghosts of his parents that have been calling him."

Vedt puts down his glass. "What?"

Rn - "That was my reaction. His father disowned him, and that hurt him so badly...I don't know if he knows it yet...and then he had to kill him...or be killed in the process. After that, we had to kill his mother...well, send them to True Death...how do you kill a ghost?"

V -- "No wonder you aren't with him now, then. I wonder, sometimes...do you doubt your decision?"

Rn - "On very rare occasions. But on the whole...I am certain I chose correctly. I know...it seemed so sudden...too fast...almost...hasty. But I am sure that I have made a good decision."

V -- "So long as you're sure. Then again...it is too late to turn back."

Rn - "Yes." She stands. "I'll get to the library. There's always --"

V -- "Something to be done. True. I will speak to you tomorrow...or later today, as the case may be. I also have a way to deal with your husband, with your permission of course."

Rn - "Should I prepare for the funeral?"

V -- "Not quite. He is my pupil...it is high time he started attending classes with the other 25-40 year olds."

Rn - "Sounds good...might just do him good, as well. Go ahead, Vedt."

Vedt nods, and they both leave.

What drove them to it, really? Theres got to be an underlying motive to the whole thing

You're over analysing things, thats a bad habit of yours

I don't need my own mind giving me a lecture on how to think, thank you very much

Oh for f***ks sake, you idoit. Why are you clinging to it? When what really needs sorting, in the here and now, is for you to talk to Rhenna, aplogise for what you did, and explain as best you can

Explain how?! I don't have a clue how that thing worked, all I know is that I had to 'kill' my parents, turn down the oppurtunity to become one of the Angeli, and above all the fact that I left her behind. I didn't even have the common decency to tell her face to face... just a brief note. I made a promise over a year ago... and then broke it less than three days ago. Why should she forgive me? I'd rather she kicked the living s**t out of me than let me stew like this

You and I both know that what you did was foolish... something you seem to be very good at. However, we also know that she loves you, and you love her. You haven't been yourself recently, ever since you came back from that mission, and you know it. She knows it too. All you can do, is pray she forgives you

And you? What are you going to do?

Simple. I'm going to return to being your subconcious mind, and you are going to sleep somemore, because you haven't had enough, comprende?

Si. Sleep would be a good idea

OOC: And so we reach the end of the River. Cougar is now able to put his past where it belongs, and truly move on with his life... greatly extended or otherwise.

The others? Well, thats for you to decide isn't it?