NationStates Jolt Archive

"Dora, Dora" a tall brown hiared younf woman called, as she ran in a deslightful city, it's newbuilt temple's it's grass filed plaza's with great flowers that filled the air with sumptuous fragrance, "Dora, Dora where are you, Dora, Dora," the Woman called again, her airy robes billowing gently in the breeze, the sun was bright today.

A young girl giggled and laughed as she played under a tree with an adorable puppy, it's wagging tail it's snuffling nose it's cute little ears, it's licking panting tougue, "Stop that, it tickles," the girl laughs as the puppy jumps up to lick her nose, the flowers sway in the winds.

"Dora, Dora, oh Dora there you are, what have I told you about hiding from me, come one it's time for the ceremony," the woman sweeps forward her brown her shining in the sun as it swirls around her, blown to and fro in the winds,

"But mommy I was playing with Johannie," the little girl replied smiling up with a face seemingly woven of innocence, as she lovingly fondled the puppies ears and it whimpered in abject pleasure.

"I know Dora but we can't be late, Johannie will be here after we get back, come on now," she reaches down with a long delicately fingers hand, reluctantly the girl places her hand into it and the hurry away, the puppy snuffles a little and yips and makes to follow,

"Johannie, you stay here I'll be back soon after the big ceremony is over," the little girl calls, as she vanishes pulled by her mother behind a tree.

The day stretches on into evening, and the evening stretches on for a seeming era, for when morning came the world changed.

"What's Happening, Dora where are you, Dora where are you" the woman practically screamed, the ground shook the skies trembled the walls moved of their own accord and trees were felled in great swathes. The buildings of the newborn city shuddred and trembled, and a massive roar filled the air, as a great cracking sound penetrated the hearts of all their, it was almost unbeleivable, the sacred temple, the first built building of the city, it was flying away, it had left the city, it had left it's people.

"Mommey, Help me I can't move," Dora called, her voice pained from her bedroom, the woman rushed in in abstract terror, to behold her daughter, lying underneath a great slab, the wall had came in upon her, "Mommey I'm scared, really scared, where's Johannie?" she crised in terror her face was a mask of agony as tears ran down her young face, the mother leaning down crying herself carressed the young face, beside herself in misery.

Outside a great ominous sound could be heard, a feral roar and a great explosion, where once the temple stood there was now a great shaft, and out of that shaft was rising a great terrible creature, serpantine and terrible it had many heads joining to it's body, however a force was pulling it back, something was trying to push it back down, as the winds picked up speed and trees were idly ripped from their soils as easily as if they had been a blade of grass.

A great tempest formed, the skies clouded over concealing the morning sun behind their shadows, the whirling darkness encroached again, evening reborn, the waves crashed against the shores and the buildings rumbled and groaned, against it screams of terror could be heard, but one call could be heard above the others, "mommy don't cry I'm here, Johannie will come and scare the big baddies away then everything will be ok," even as the voice itself cracked in pain and agony.

Finally the creature was dragged back down into the depths, yet something descended upon the island, a great shadow and with a terrible scream as oneness life ceased, all at once did it, and the form of a puppy smapering towards a barely standing house lay still, in sight of it's mistress, who also lay dead.

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The Island Plunged beneath the depths, seemingly forever lost to the people who had once called it home, forever gone was Davilos, but as the Diri E I G Ignen preeched, the journey did not end at death, and death was not the end, for the journey is retraced many a time, and now as destiny comes full circle, the journey is set to begin once more, but what consequences will it have on this world, a world where the Diri E I G Ignen have been safely forgotten, well almost....


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"well why do I have to do it? send zanah instead, he likes this sort of thing," game a guttural voice low picthed with a terrible intent lurking behind it, the figure was draped in a mournful armour as it peered out with a pair of gilded bincoluars at the sight.

The man knew only pain after this, his helmet sharply clanged, resonating with a terrible din torturing his ears with the vibrations. the men around him turned round apprehensivley they were still on edge from the previous battle, "why are you cringing like that, we gave that Admiral Kenzal a good beating, he won't be back for a while yet," said the other, as he leered out of the darkness of the crevasse in which they had been concealed.

He was General Gossilev, the sucessor of General Tanghen, one of the last members of the Detzen circle, he like the rest of his men were bloodied and edgy, while yes they had managed to scare off Admiral Kenzal and his fleet he had lost his own flagship, and nearly all of his forces. he trembled in rage at the man's last offer, "Surrender and we will have mercy," he'd said, the General's only response had been an order to withdraw, the next thing he had known he had been dragged by his guards to an escape raft, the wreckage of which was still forlonly playing around in the waves far below.

There was something about this Island, it wasn't on any charts, indeed he had been sent here to investigate what he had been told was, "an Island that had seemingly risen up from the depths," The priest beside him uttered incantations, as he tended to the Scientists they had brought along, the Admiral had wanted to know more about the island, but when they had landed, "arrgh," smacking his forhead with his well muscled hand, it was still too painful to think about, he still remembered it in all of it's gory detail.

"Come on General this way I think I see a cave," his aide had said, colonel Krinzen, they had been friends since childhood, he still remembered sparring practise with him, supressing a shudder, he had ran on ahead to investigate when a terrible screaming had been heard, "MARCUS!?" he had yelled trying to get closer, trying to save the man who had been the best man at his wedding. Suddenly the screaming had ended, and a vile shadow had passed over the lands, suddenly his entire world became an infinite vision of gnashing teeth and claws, and his entire world ended, the priest had roared a great incantation, and dropped a pair of sacred symbols, "by Maljuras you will halt vile creature of Valgen," the old man had called, screaming in pain and agony the creature had given a mockery of a salute before fleeing back to the pits from whence it had came, they had rushed to the entrance of the cave, there was no blood, no body, no corpse and no sign of his best friend and trusted companion, he had kept a brave face although his heart was torn and sundered by greif and agony, he had led his men away from the pit, finding a great gash in the ground and led his men in.

And here we are now, I don't know what that creature was, but we have to find out, quickly before anybody else notices this place and begins sniffing around it, but not yet though, my men are still so weak.

The General continued his thoughts in this vein for some time, while the wind lashed the barren isle, as the skies began to brighten, it would be morning soon, and then, he would have to face the new reality, the reality of going into the unknown, with seeing the relgion which he so devoutly believed in serving as his sword, for whatever that creature was, it had fled before a priest, a priest of the Diri E I G Ignen.

January 17th, Tuesday 2006

The Screams.

The Screams.

They still haunt my dreams, or should I say nightmares, we've been exploring this island for a few days now, all it's done is reveal yet more and more mysteries, the priest passed out a few hours ago, before muttering that they had found an ancient Sacrellum, whatever that means, I honestly don't know what it is about this place, but it's so familiar, it's almost as if I could imagine this place during it's heyday, we haven't pursued our investigations of that shaft yet.

But we will, I will find out what became of Marcus, and hopefully we'll find out what's so special about this island, outside the crevasse yesterday we found a fully grown tree, one that wasn't there the day before last, how it got there we don't know.

The Scientists immediately requested I find them a place to set up a base camp, something about special properties and spectral resonance and some other techno-babble, well their the reason we're all here so I sent out some scouts to find a good place, that was well hidden, so far we've drawn up blanks, looks like we'll have to investigate down that pit tomorrow, but for tonight, we have the priest to deal with.

I only hope he gets well.

Closing the book and setting it into the pocket of his command tunic Gustav rises, somewhat tentatively, he was still hurting from his narrow escape not so long ago, at least I can look at it this way, at least I'm alive his well muscled frame heaves slightly, his best friend was gone, but he wasn't even sure if he was dead or alive, he had hopes, but they were futile at best.

"How's the priest Zanah? Has he come round yet? I ask gruffly, my men are worried, I can tell that the last time they saw me this badly was at Valjsguard but then nobody came out of that inferno looking to hot, not even the Novans and they won the blasted thing. Things have to change, the Detzen Circle must be broken now, our forces have already been villainised as evil incarnate, and the Detzen Circle's actions have done nothing to dispel that, I would give my life for the admiral but I must wonder, what does he see in preserving relic's of his Father?

"He came round a few minutes ago General, you can talk with him if you wish, Zanah responded, looking me in the eyes I could see that the priests condition had had him stumped, a few years ago none of us had truly believed in the Diri E I G Ignen gods, however though we've seen too many freaky things to not believe now.

"Come closer General Gossilev I have something to tell you, closer come closer General," the Priests voice was somewhat strange, sounds like he's had a vision they had a lot of those apparently, "Ye General that’s it, now I must tell you what that creature we first encountered here was, it was a creature of Valgen a Torkesh, however you will remember when I passed out it was when reading that tablet, yes? looking up with questioning eyes I merely nod, I remember it too well, he had fell backwards shaking and quivering his eyes moving wildly his lips moving without rhyme or reason as he screamed in the ancient tongue,

"You mentioned something about the journey having come full circle, the ancient legend of the destruction of evil, tell me, why?" I can only hope he can give an answer, grown men that have seen this much war do not just collapse back and start screaming an ancient legend, especially in the language in which is was written verbatim.

With something that sounds between a cough a groaned and a chuckle he makes to sit up, nearby Zanah makes to stop him, however when he sees the expression I just gave him he'll stop.

"You see General, down that pit is one of Hartrussen's foundries, there we will find the tools to bring about a better future, that will be what you tell the scientists anyway, it is true that it is one of Hartrussen's foundries, however though, it is their that under the auspices he created the forms of evil, for Maljuras had instructed the great craftsman that in order for man to be man he must have good, but to define good he must know evil and as such evil was created. The creatures down there have grown powerful, however though they are imprisoned behind a magnificent gateway, the creature we saw was a guardian." he coughs and wheezes again before angling himself against the crevasse wall, his skin wasn't as sickly as it was before, but he wasn't exactly a picture of health either.

"You call that thing a Guardian?" is my only answer, I mean what else could I say, the thing had taken Marcus at this the Priest laughs again, how can he laugh at a time like this?

"General, it guards over the gate, waiting for the one who shall defeat the evil and lay it low once more, for the evil in this world has grown, it's power manifested before, 7,000 years ago this island was sank beneath the sea, why it has risen I do not know, but we must go down and discover why, there will surely be carvings that I can read to discover why, Go General and prepare yourself, we will depart at dawn," Amazing, he's dismissing me, he's right though we are departing at dawn, I can rest no longer, and neither shall my men waste their time in idle luxury, though what luxury is there to be had on this rock?


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"Admiral Kenzal, Minister Izalian on line 3 sir," came over the intercom, he had been expecting this call, but he didn't yet know what would be the content of it.

Reaching Idly over he taps a key on his desk, the monitor in front of him changes, the analysis of the disastrous battle of before to the Lovely face of Minister Izalian, "Minister Izalian, what can I do for you today?" she doesn't look pleased; though perhaps however, it is not the Admiral she is displeased with.

"Admiral Reece Dau Kenzal,"

Of Perhaps it was.

"I have just been handed your report, it makes for somewhat interesting reading, you took on a force twice your size, without calling for backup, you did serious damage to the enemy while receiving serious damage in return in a battle that seemingly had no true strategic objective other than rampant destruction, would you care to explain why?" in the background behind the Minister is her windows of her office, it seems to be a lovely day in Novesia, the sunlight adding a halo of light to the defense minister.

"Well Minister, I suspected it was the same fleet from the strafing at Xirnium, heading back for a second try I couldn't call back for reinforcements, we only just got long range transmissions back up and running this morning, they hit us hard and didn't let up." Admiral Kenzal, the experienced tactical Genius of Novacom, and somewhat of a loose canon, he enjoyed convoluted Stratagems perhaps too much some people mused, it was fortunate he was in the military, though everyone agreed, it was where he best served.

"Indeed Admiral? And didn't you consider that the Xirniumites may have been expecting Admiral Kukonois to attack them and had an attack force in wait, one that was evenly matched against the force you mauled?" her voice thawing audibly, there was still a hint of rebuke in her voice, she did not like idly wasting men and women, each life was precious, to loose them in the meat grinder of war was a tragedy, she would be writing out cards to the families personally, she could do no less, in her sadness that they had had to fight yet again, but if we are left with no choice but to fight, then fight we will was her thoughts on the matter, War for War's sake was never acceptable, but when that was as a last resort, or to protect then it could only be waged with a steadfast heart.

"I have dispatched a re-supply convoy, you will remain at station keeping and salvage as much as possible, and Reece," pausing evidently wanting the Admiral's closest of attentions.

"Yes Izalian?" he replied in earnest, his tight fitting command cap perched high on his head, his high collar wrapped around his neck, his uniform in pristine condition as always, sat waiting, almost on the edge of his seat, something unusual for him.

"no more stunts like that ok, We've had reports of strange activity, similar to the ones we had from Infinite Crucible, I don't want to have to add to the list of cards I have to write out, and look after yourself. without another word she keys off, leaving the Novacom Military Emblem on the screen, and the Admiral in his chair, deep in thought, "Whatever could be going on, he mutters idly, thinking to himself well orders were orders, avoid the place unless necessary

OOC Bump

((Bump again))

(ooc tag for intrest,if not mind)

OOC: No probs and a final bump for the night.

*nudge*

"What is it sir? Kanah asked, his face a mask of confusion even as he held his mighty weapons and shield close to him, as if a shield could protect against the creatures that attacked earlier, the kid that got it is still in intensive care, In front was a massive wall of shimmering light, a drop of eternity, dream unfulfilled, what is the meaning of this place? Why does water rise up of the floor and flow to the ceiling, why, the eternal curse of man, to ask why, yet do we truly need to ask this, do we truly need to allow ourselves to devour one another with this unanswerable question, I know nothing as far as this place is concerned, but then can we truly know something about anything?

"I Don't know Kanah, I don't know but let's get outta here, I am not loosing anyone else, come on move," pointing my Kinear away from the shining wall of light, there were to many mysteries here, quite frankly all I want to do is allow the scientists enough time for Operation Requiem to be possible, then get the heck out of here. Yes, if that was a success it would buy precious time, but time for what I have always wondered, at least since I first heard about it, it was brilliant that was sure. However though do we really need to be in this place to carry it out, we're not being told something how come the priest had sealed orders for just this event, and what is the ultimate goal of our work here, I should try and forget these questions, a soldier cannot question when he pulls the trigger, he must kill without remorse, for others will kill me without remorse...

"It...Hurts..." a young man his voice cracked as his body writhes, wracked with pain, across his chest are 2 massive scratches, which oozed a green vile smelling gunk, his condition had the scientists and the doctor baffled, a wound that refused to heal and actually steamed and burned when they thought they were onto something, and we're not letting that priest near, religious murmurings have no relevance in science, and certainly not on someone who is barely hanging in there.

"Ah, Lord Priest I was just about to.." the look he gives me stuns me as I trail off, my words unspoken lying dead within my throat, "General, I have been scorned by these scientists, I believe I know a way to cure the young man near death on the table, but they will not even let me get close, he will die soon you know," his words chilled me, he would die soon, not another, what was curious however is that these creatures wouldn't lay a finger on the priest, or whatever they had instead of fingers, they've certainly not been shy of using em.

"Very well Lord Priest I will see what I can do," is all I mutter as I stalk off to the laboratory, I will get results, or I'll be taking a page out of General Drejas' book, much to my own disappointment.

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Admiral Kenzal sits, deep in thought, I have a duty to the men and women under my command, I've been ordered to stay here, he wasn't too happy about it as he continued to turn the thoughts over in his mind, wait I have been told to stay here, perhaps though someone ELSE could go there and check things out, yes Commander Anatos breaking out of his revere he taps a key on the terminal in front of him twice, with an audible bleep it brings up the main screen, "Ixion connect me through to Commander Anatos, immediately,"

Far Away

Rey was pouring over the electronics of his transport, it didn't look good, they simply didn't have the spares, destroyed by those savages, "Sir, Message from it's Admiral Kenzal sir," Rey begins to stand up cracking his masked head against the top cover of the hatch he had been working at, "Give it here then sergeant," he stalks over rubbing his head gently, Idly Saluting as he talks into the device, before of course realizing it was audio only, "Admiral Kenzal what can I do for you?"

"AH Commander Anatos, at last, yes well I want you to rendezvous with my fleet, then I have a task for you," the Admiral Called into the screen, a pity there's no visual, that man is always some place interesting...

"Uh Admiral, You'll need to send another transport over, we've been trying to get through to the homeland for weeks, some of the locals pretty much wrecked the spare parts we have, at the very least send the needed spare's over, I don't wanna loose her Admiral," Pressing against his mask slightly, his transport, Prophetess, he and her had been through a lot to say the least, he wasn't abandoning her so idly.

"Of course I'll send some people over straight away, somewhere called Infinite Crucible right? They'll be there in a few days, and Commander take care of yourself in the mean time," cutting the connection quickly, leaning back and smiling gently, he may not be able to go investigate what was going on, but Commander Anatos was not so handicapped.

Several Hours later a Parridigram would take off, loaded with spare parts and supplies, the crew were slightly apprehensive, to be digging commander Rey Anatos of all people out of trouble was not a common experience, it was almost scary that they had to do it.

"Right thanks boys, I'll see you back at the Kenzal later on," Rey smacking his hands together would call back to the mechnicians, as he sauntered back into the now gleaming interior of the Parridigram Transport that beforehand been inoperable, he sagged slightly in his uniform his countenance a mournful smile, his time here had been interesting and of course he had beacme good friends with Inquisitor Gothar, and of course taken a fair few spolis, he grinned slyly as he eyed up the spoils laying in the corner, several Blood guard and Covenant Guard Uniforms along with equipment, a fair few Battle Standards and several Admiral Kukonois Flags, a rarity indeed.

The Transport would shudder as it soared up into the air, soaring away into the skies, at the rear 4 stange metal buzzard like contraptions, "roosted" on other analogous transports in their place would be engine's but of course Parridigrams had no visible method of propulsion, an enigma indeed, he had judiciously divided up the spoils, between his men, himself and the Inquisitor, who he had gifted most generously and given a communications code through which they could exchange corrospondance they had already told each other a great many tales, with he himself having told Inquisitor Gothar the entire history of the Novan Kukonian war as well as what little he knew of Diri E I G Ignen Theology, strutting into the cockpit he notices they are 4 hours away from Xrinium, idly picking up a headset and keying in the correct code's he calls out, "Xirnium Air Traffic Control, this is Commander Rey Anatos in the Novacom Military Parridigram, Prophetess, requesting landing instructions, we are retruning an Inquisitor from a joint Mission I repeat Xirnium Air Traffic Control, this is Commander Rey Anatos" his voice contiuning again until he got a reply.


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"What is that thing?" a Blood Guard would call, a giant pair of elaboratley carved gates would stand in front of them, filling the chamber in which they had entered, a priest intently inspected it, while scientists ran instruments over it, a steady dripping could be heard elsehwere, when suddenly a great cacophonous roar would go up through the chamber, something was coming, and it didn't sound friendly.....

‘Commander Rey Anatos of the Novacom Military "Parridigram" transport Prophetess, this is Air Traffic Control for the Xirniumite HMW Warrior II aircraft carrier. Xirniumite Aerospace Authorities have at this point denied your request to enter the sovereign airspace of the Eternal Republic, but state that you are clear to make a brief landing on the HMW Warrior II aircraft carrier for the purpose of delivering Inquisitor Gothar to Holy Xirnium. Our position is at XM-Grid Coordinates FG-12. Only your transport may approach. Out.’

"Prophetess acknowledging," Rey sighed gently squeezing the shoulder of the pilot before heading back into the main cabin, "We will be landing shortly, we won't be staying long, only long enough to run brief maintence and then I will be linking up with Admiral Kenzal, something paranormal again apparantly, we would stay longer but we have Duty to attend to," Smiling at the Inquisitor before departing to his cabin, he evidently had to catch up on the news while he had been away.

The Transport continued on and prepared to touch down, it's escort had long since docked with the transport and were undergoing maintence themselves, as the Transport touched down Rey stalked back out, to assisst the Inquisitor back to his compatriots, along with the spoils that he had earned, placing a hand on the Inquisitor's shoulder he says only one thing, "Until another time Inquisitor, may destiny guide you along it's path," with this he steps back sharply saluting and informs the deck officer they will be departing in 10 minutes, anyone straying around the Transport and getting too close to the "tail" would get quite a shock as the Tokon's "Roosting" there would caw and crow loudly in their comical mechanical birdlike voices.

February 5th, Tuesday 2006

We're doomed quite frankly, somehow those doors we were examining opened, the men came running back screaming, great terrible creatures had escaped out of the thing and started killing them.

I can't beleive I've lost men to creatures that shouldn't by all of the supposed laws of nature exist, we're holding out for now, we have a fair few supplies, the men are starting work on moving the rubble from a strange passage near the rear of the chamber, the things outside seem to be terrified of the door of this cavern in which we are now, unfortunatly prisonders.

That isn't all I've heard great groans and creaking above, something is amiss and I don't like it, faith in the gods is one thing but this, this is too much I don't know how long my men can handle the strain, they've been through a lot lately anything else freaky could send them over the edge.

The priest went out earlier, tried to reason with the creatures, they simply leered at him, terrible look as well, better him than me but still they turned away and stalked off for some reason, I will find out what's happening here, even if it's the last thing I do.

The Journey never ends, there are breaks along the path, and there are several stops on the journey but it never ends, and it never shall for Maljuras great lord of Destiny ordains that Destiny is the Jorurney and the Journey is Destiny.

The Island itself now moves, buildings refomred once more, the great old stones once more form structures, however a grim cold engulfs them, the edifices once brimming with warmth and friendliness leer down with a terrifying aura of despair, the drab grey stones worn and weathered form high towering structures. Elsehwere on the Island drab greenery and plants have once more takn root, terrible creatures stalk through these places, they scream they cackle and they kill. It is not uncommon to here unholy cries and wet gurgles as the throats of creatures are ruthlessly crushed as their lifeblood pouts out painting the jungle floor blood red.

The Journey is never ending, and now a new evil walks it, where it's journey shall take it, is uknown even as the island seemingly comes back to life, engulfed in a dark forest and crowned by a sinister "city" and at it's crest, a great pit with cavernous shaft, and down beneath lie the prisoners and their jailors, but who is truly who...