NationStates Jolt Archive

A few years ago:

The world, known only as Ri-an, opened to Creation. They had invited all peoples from accross creation to come and join in celebrating this occasion. They were looking forward to three days filled with meeting new people, and making new friends. Sadly, this was not to be. For as they broadcast their invite to society, another force was released. It came from the moon, and its name, was Shadowlord. The people of Ri-an new him, and new him well, for long had he tried to force their favor through acts of violence, and Always, they kept him at bay. This time however, he had stolen into the minds of those visiting, and tried to sway their favor with lies. Soon though, even they knew the truth. Enreaged, Shadowlord attacked during their annual Battle ceremony. All united against the Shadowlrd, and drove him away. And so, he fled back to the Dark Moon of Remora.

And time passed...

Shadowlord studied the Dark Arts of the past, and discovered a way to gain an Army, molded after his own powers. All he needed, were Women of Child bearing age, capable of bringing life into this world, andnot currently with Child.

But he was weak, so for a time, he waited, and bided his time, studying the Dark Arts, and growing in strength.

Today.

Shadowlord stood atop his castle on Remora. He would need to surprise those fools below him. So he would go elsewhere, and take those he required from other places, after all, who would miss a single person?

With stealth, he left. He Made no grand entrances, he did not appear at all. Instead, he only took them, as the blinked their eyes, in as long a stretch of time.

A great colum of Inky Black Shadow swallowed his victem, and then both were gone. the only clue, was a faint trail of energy, leading to Ri-an.

Ri-an.

The Sorcerers and Aquamarinians scurried around looking for Marill and Lady Ri-an. Seconds ago, they were simply siting beneath a Shade tree, enjoying a cup of tea together, when they disappeared.

Schotty stopped, he felt something, and it lead to the moon. He knew what must be done then, and so he called some Aquamarinians over, to begin organising the new Clam Shuttles to take a small skilled team to the moon.

OOC:This is Closed, open only to those who signed up. If you want to join, fine. Wait for my three part adventure about The Master.

for those who joined, start from the point at which I kidnapped the person from your nation.

Manor design curtesy inspiration from the following music artists:
Midnight Syndicate
Nobuo Uematsu
Yasunori Mitsuda
The Black Mages

Magesha was Angry. He was the Emperor. All Kamji Blood Mages had sworn Fealty to him. Not Even the Kami would steal his daughters.
Yet somehow, a force had kidnapped his daughter, Michiko. One instant he was relaying to her, some news of court she was intrested in, and the next, something Black took her away.

"Fetch the Crown Prince!" Magesha Bellowed.
His eldest son, the crown prince, had taken to the path of Kanji magic, as well as the Katana Blade.

"Yes Father?" said the crown prince, arriving a minuete later.

"Tell me how a Cloud of Black can envelop and take your younger sister away." Magesha ordered quietly.

The crown prince tried, but could not figure it out.

"There is only one i know of who could figure this out. He does owe you his life." The Crown prince said.

Magesha nodded.

A few hours later, An Ogre came strolling in to the throne. He wore a white Loin Cloth, and at his side was a spiked bone club. Horrendus Scars covered his body, each one diffrent, yet all forming a beautiful Chaotic pattern. This being was perhaps the best Kanji Blood mage in all of the Empire.

He bowed, as was proper, his manners though, seemed to have been left behind.

"What do you want old man, I almost went to fetch me a new student?" The Ogre asked. His skin was bronze, and his naturally white eyes Gleamed at the thought of extending his best curtesies to a new student. He hoped this one didn't scream as loud as the last one. A massive burly hand stroked his white hair. A necklace of teeth was around his neck, and in his belt, a single knife.

"I summoned you, because a Cloud of Night has stolen my Daughter. Return her to me, and I shall releave your debts." Magesha said.

The Ogre smiled, a frightening act.

"It'll be my pleasure. Show me where it happened." The Ogre said.

So The Ogre was shown where.

"A world far away. The Name Ri-an is strong. but how do I get there from here? It is an entire Galaxy away." Hidetsugu wondered.

"My Patron Kami, the Myojin of Night's infinite Reach has agreed to help you get there." The Prince said.

The Ogre nodded. Hands flew out of Shadows. Disempodied Hands that knew no owner. The picked the Ogre up, and carried him through the World of Shadows to Ri-an, leaving him in the open.

Hidetsugu stood up, and looked around.

"Tha wimminz is missin'!" Came the cries of a helpless Goblin who ran screaming its head off down the halls of the great palace where the Lord King rested, he was sent to his back by a guard who wanted this rather annoying menace quieted.

"Wazziz tha Problimmz?" Asked the fiersome looking Ork guard, The Goblin simply whimpered and so the Ork took him off the floor and grabbed the scruff of the neck and roared "WAZZIZ THA PROBLIMMZ!!!" The Goblin attempted to free itself but gave up and instead told the Ork that the masters child and wife were missing, the Ork suddenly felt a mass pang of guilt, "Eysiz gonna getz tha blame fur diz! Youz Gobbo are gunna go an' getz 'em wimmin bakk!" The Ork shook the Goblin but eventually rested him to the ground, "Fin' tha plaz theyz gone and getzem bakk, Eyziz gonna go inter hidin', you 'ave deez!" The Ork passed over two small weapons, "Theyziz ancient butz theyz gunna get yezz froo diz!" The Ork kicked the gobbo across the hall and he left rubbing his now sore bottom.

The Goblin Girtzky wandered the lands looking for the Women and eventually came across a Necromancer who felt their life on another planet, far away, the Necromancer took him to a Portal, it shimmered and reflected the two Goblins, the Necromancer told him that this portal would take him one way to where he was headed....

Both Hidetsugu and girtzky appeared infront of a large palace made entirely out of Sea Corral.

A group of Aquamarinians noticed them. Aquamarinians were all octopus like creatures who wore suits filled with water so they could breath. Advances in technology were meking this a thing of the past, but for now it was necessary.

They were all males. This was easily visable because they were all the exact same medium Grey color, and all Aquamarinian males were always Medium Grey. It did not vary in the slightest from male to male, nor did their voices.

They came over to the intimidating Ogre and the Goblin.

"We are with the Department of Defence and oversee the Departments of inqusition and Research. Who are you and why are you here?" Asked one.

Schotty pushed his way through.

"Oh back off. I can feel the magick they used to get here. Let me guess, someone went missing from your nation and the trail lead here? I sincerely hope not." Schotty said.

It had been a very confusing and lonely time for Arel. She'd been married to a Warhaven citizen...a musician, much like herself.

When the nation had disappeared, its citizens with it, it had left her all alone...she didn't even know if she should still keep his last name.

It was all an illusion.

She'd travelled with him for an entire decade before he'd asked her to marry him...and until she'd agreed, he'd never kissed her.

And the two weeks they'd been married had been one thing after another...wild and wonderful...chaotic and confusing...they'd parted for a bit because her health had required her to remain in Mithdelmar, Kaymiril's medical city...and he had disappeared without ever coming back to her.

Illusion...

She was only certain any of it was real because of the two linked harps she still had...harps that his mentor and friend had bequeathed to her then-fiance at his death. Or had he even proposed at that point?

She'd learned how the harps worked their magick, and could control it -- to an extent. But she felt lost...and maybe a little betrayed.

She felt something, suddenly, as though a darkness was gripping at her, and then --
_________________________________________________________________

"XSA!"

A dark-robed figure looked at his pupil and right-hand man. "I suppose from your outburst that you felt it, as well?"

When the younger Drow nodded, his master reached out towards a communications tablet, only to have it open an incoming transmission.

The gray figure on the other end wasted no time.

"One of my patients went missing. The one with --"

"The one with the DNA problem. Do you know where she's gone?"

Gray-robed Mith nodded. "The information should be with you. If it is possible, I think you should send one of yours there...I believe one of the younger ones has already gone there once before."

"I will see what I can manage."
_____________________________________________________________
Let me guess, someone went missing from your nation and the trail lead here? I sincerely hope not." Schotty said.
A tint of magick popped into and out of existance, and in its place was a black-robed figure, gloves covering his hands and a mask covering all but his slim mouth and dark eyes.

"From very near here, at the least."

His voice was cold and quiet, but it fairly crackled with power, as did the area around him.

OOC: A point Kaymiril reminded me about. i post this here as a point of refrence. My world has extreme magick. All powers are enhanced. So, take that into account.

IC:

Schotty started and turned.

"You seem familier. another of your kind came here years ago. Only he must not have been as strong as you." Schotty said.

Indeed, the Mages robes seemed to bleed into the air around him, tossing and turning like a storm tossed ocean. Bolts of power darted randomly. a gareen grew frightened, which was bad, because Gareens go into a Bloody Rage when frightened, or attacked, or even greeted in the most peaceful of manners. Without even turning, an aquamarinian back handed it and knocked it out cold.

"Anyways, that confirms our suspicion then. Shadowlord has been busy.
He lives on the moon. We even snapped pictures of his castle. I can only imagine what he's doing up there. would you three come with us to rescue them. Seeing a face from their own nation should help calm them down afterwards." Scotty said.

Meanwhile....

Shadowlord walked in from taking his latest victim, a drow from Kaymiril.

She seemed to have some magick about her, so he put her in an Anti-Magick cage.

"Well my dear. it seems you've found yourself in a bit of a scrape, now haven't you? Don't worry, I'm not going to harm you, i want to be your friend. That's all i've ever wanted, and as I've come to understand friendship, that means taking from others. So i'm going to take from you something I need, something No man has., which means you'll be my friend, and then since Ri-an is such a good friend, taking from me my Sanity, my the one woman who voluntarily became my friend, and any chance of living on a beautiful world like the one they live on, I'm going to return the favor, and with your power to bring forth Life, i'm going to create an Army of Demons, molded after my own Shadow powers, and i'm going to take their lives, and be their bestes friend forever. Doesn't that sound like fun?" He asked the yound woman. Then he walked off, hooting and hollering in a deranged sort of way.

He went to Marill, the Grand sorceress of Ri-an. The Screams coming from her Cage were not pleasant. But they in a private room.

"Yeah well, I don't think I would be reassuring so much as alarming. I'm not really known for being all that sociable. Unless you count sticking the heads of my visitors on pikes outside my hut sociable. Its only because I owe the Emperor a very large debt that i'm here at all. So lets quite the talking and get to scooting. I think the Emperor would enjoy the head of the one who stole his daughter." Hidetsugu said with a growl.

The world began to effect him. His Kanji glowed with all the power, a fact which visably scared him, as some of those could kill very many if powered in an uncontrolled manor.

OOC: A point Kaymiril reminded me about. i post this here as a point of refrence. My world has extreme magick. All powers are enhanced. So, take that into account.

IC:

Schotty started and turned.

"You seem familiar. Another of your kind came here years ago. Only he must not have been as strong as you." Schotty said.

Indeed, the Mage's robes seemed to bleed into the air around him, tossing and turning like a storm-tossed ocean. Bolts of power darted randomly. A gareen grew frightened, which was bad, because Gareens go into a Rage when frightened, or attacked, or even greeted in the most peaceful of manners. Without even turning, an aquamarinian back handed it and knocked it out cold.

"Anyways, that confirms our suspicion then. Shadowlord has been busy.
He lives on the moon. We even snapped pictures of his castle. I can only imagine what he's doing up there. would you three come with us to rescue them. Seeing a face from their own nation should help calm them down afterwards." Scotty said.

Meanwhile....

Shadowlord walked in from taking his latest victim, a Drow from Kaymiril.

She seemed to have some magick about her, so he put her in an Anti-Magick cage.

"Well my dear, it seems you've found yourself in a bit of a scrape, now haven't you? Don't worry, I'm not going to harm you, I want to be your friend. That's all I've ever wanted, and as I've come to understand friendship, that means taking from others. So I'm going to take from you something I need, something no man has., which means you'll be my friend, and then since Ri-an is such a good friend, taking from me my Sanity, the one woman who voluntarily became my friend, and any chance of living on a beautiful world like the one they live on, I'm going to return the favor, and with your power to bring forth Life, I'm going to create an Army of Demons, molded after my own Shadow powers, and I'm going to take their lives, and be their best friend forever. Doesn't that sound like fun?" He asked the young woman. Then he walked off, hooting and hollering in a deranged sort of way.

He went to Marill, the Grand sorceress of Ri-an. The Screams coming from her Cage were not pleasant. But they in a private room.
The mage's eyes narrowed as he pulled his control over fashka inward enough to calm the tempest raging around him.

"I was sent here to rescue the woman taken from Kaymiril. Get me to that moon and then let me be. It should then be easier for the rest to go through."
------------------------------------------------------------------
Those screams...

Arel knew those screams. Arel knew the intentions of this creature...and this couldn't be tolerated.

She could tell that there was a barrier around the cage...against the manipulation of fashka, no less.

But she was an entertainer, in Kaymiril. She had no magick power of her own, which meant that she was forced to learn to do her routines by pure physical training.

She stuck her hand through the bars, seeing how far she could get through.

Not nearly enough.

She tried chipping at the base of the bars with her knife...nothing, not that she'd expected it to.

Lock-picking would also be unadvised.

So she returned her knife to its sheath and moved to the next bar, pressing her ear against it and tapping.

She would find this object's resonance and use the harps to break out.

"Eyziz 'ere ter getz bakk tha Kinz wimminz befor eez notiziz deyz gone!" The Goblin had his weapons held ready, though to be honest he had never had much experience in weapons but it was in his blood so he was sure he could manage.

*A girl was galloping along the wide plains of Avarhierrim.*

"Wait up Chria!" * A boy was coming up behind her, he was slightly younger, and had dark hair whereas hers was pale* " Your going to close to the border!"

"come one Falcon! it's perfectly safe!"

'Then what's that?" *Falcon pointed to a black cloud coming from tthe border towards Chria*

"Chria!" *Falcon yelled galloping towards her, but he was too late, the cloud enveloped her and then disappeared.*

"Now, there is no point in being hasty. I want to get them back just as bad as you do, at the least. But Shadowlord has had 1,000 years of solitary confinment to prepare a manor for defense. We don't even know for sure what's inside. Though the accounts of a brave hero who went to rescue his true love in a similar situation do say that the halls are twisted by the Chaos of Madness. Also, we know for fact he has painstakenly made a small army of Demons modled after his powers. I'm sure your all capable of handling yourself, but at the very least try and plan. The Aquamarinians have pictures of the outside." Schotty said.

A 3-d illusion filled the air.

It showed a Picture of a large white manor on the moon. There was a door on each side towards the front, as well as two main doors. There were many windows, and some pics showed many dark shapes within. There were three floors, and it was big enough to house a small village of maybe 25 huts.

*Remora*

A few minuets later, and the screaming stopped. He reappeared, and went to a golden cage that was a small room. It was completly blocked off, and nothing escaped it, no sound, no light, no magick, nothing. He closed the door behind him, but not before leering at Arel in a dirty suggestive manor.

I call my Lord, from far away.
I have no home, for me to stay.
I only Roam, please take me home.

The demons come, to obscure the path,
please come down, and and show your wrath,
you are my light, please guide my life.

I have been lost, for many years,
things I've done, have brought me tears,
I found the way, through the maze.

Please here my Call,
before I fall,
I ask you Lord, please take me home.

It came, almost to quiet to hear, even for a drow, the singer seemed sad, and full of despair.

"Every moment that slips by increases the risk to each and every one of his prisoners. And if it is true Chaos, then there is little need to know what lies inside. I just need to get there...I doubt, that as a Chaotic creature by nature, he knows how to deal well with any sort of Order."
____________________________________________________________

Arel listened to the song, and then pulled out her lyre...it had been a long time since she'd played on it, so intent she'd been on learning the harps.

She started playing a song...hopeful, powerful...and reassuring.

Gaer's natha yorn wu'suul udossa
Nindel tessoe udossa xusst dal ditronw
Neera natha Yorn wu'suul udossa
Ulu tahh tarthe l' Isto.

She let her voice carry...but she also listened...listened for the slightest sound from the bars to hint at their resonance.

The bars resonate at carious frequncys.

A hidiously ugly person comes in the room. Its so ugly, its a crime against nature for it to exist.

"Well hello darling, I heard some pretty singing, and came to enjoy it. My name is vanity, and I'm the prettiest thing there is, aren't I? please tell me I'm pretty, I worked very hard on my makeup." Vanity said.

Compared to Vanity even gargoyls seemed attractive.

The Light cleared though, with Shadows continued absence in the Gold box room. Arel could clearly see all manor of weapons adorning the wall. Vanity just stood there though, just trying to absorb the pretty out of Arel's music.

________________________________________________________________
Ri-an
________________________________________________________________

Schotty sighed. So much for planning.

"Well, what about you two?" he asked the Ogre and the goblin.

*A girl was galloping along the wide plains of Avarhierrim.*

"Wait up Chria!" * A boy was coming up behind her, he was slightly younger, and had dark hair whereas hers was pale* " Your going to close to the border!"

"come one Falcon! it's perfectly safe!"

'Then what's that?" *Falcon pointed to a black cloud coming from tthe border towards Chria*

"Chria!" *Falcon yelled galloping towards her, but he was too late, the cloud enveloped her and then disappeared.*
The Girl would find herself in a Dark Void. There was no light, anywhere. She could feel steel. There was also no sound. No even from herself. She would be able to scream, but her cage was both anti-magicked, and slienced, so she would never hear it, nor would anyone else.

Arel looked at Vanity for a bit...and then an idea struck her.

Returning her lyre to her knee, she started playing certain notes loud and hard.

She just needed to shatter two of the bars...two. And she was going to come close as she could to doing it as she could.

Even with an 'audience.'

She figured if she was stopped, she'd be punished...but she wanted them to think she was a clumsy escape artist.

Three bars towards the middle began to crack. a good swift kick and they would shatter.

How to do this...Perhaps...I should play to its...vanity. She set her lyre down and moved towards the cracked bars.

"You know...I've been having a skin problem. Could you come tell me how you get yours like that?"

Vanity perked up immediatly.

"Well darling, I use a little aloe Vera every day. I wouldn't hope fore miracles if i were you, bnut then, great things can take time. Its just ashame not everyone cane be as beautiful as me. Maybe some Eye shadow, and a few neutral tones, here and there." Vanity said. She she snapped her fingers and makeup appeared in her hands. She was right up against the bars.

"I see...you know...I've always heard something."

Arel's hands had been on the bars, and she'd been leaning forward.

Suddenly, ribbon snaked out of one of her long sleeves, and she caught it deftly with the other hand, using it to force Vanity's face to smash into the bars again and again until they shattered.

"And that was 'too much makeup KILLS complexion.'"

She stepped out of the cage, grabbing and securing her lyre while pulling out one of the twin harps and her harp string.

Vanity fell on the floor, but made no move to get up. she sobbed a second, then began to scream and wail at the top of her lungs, in a single unending note. It was less of a scream, and more of a siren. Still, Shadowlord did not come out of the box.

Arel whipped around, bringing her harpstring to bear.

With an extremely swift and delicate motion, she sent it spinning into Vanity's mouth and into her throat...another motion went towards ripping out vocal chords.

Vanity was silent, but still the not echoed on, and on, down into the lower parts. Something rumbled down below, but the note stopped.

Vanity faded away like a black dark mist, as did her organ parts. Something rumbled again, down below, only closer.

Shu

She played softly on her harp. a Song of Shielding.

So long as she had the harp (within the duration of the spell), she'd be within its shield.

She looked towards the door, and took off running, still holding her instrument.

And found she was at the top of a balcony, on a very tall castle, on a moon, facing a world she had probably never heard of before, in a galaxy she had probably never been in before.

Down below, she could see the white moon rocks, and all around the castle, a really stong sheild.

Something was flying up towards her. Yet the safest way down, was steps around the outside of the tower.

She was facing a cylinder...no ability to jump down from level to level.

So, thrusting herself to the stairs, she flew down them as fast as she possibly could, skipping three or four steps at a time in her haste to escape.

She would get maybe halfway down, before IT caught up tith her. It completly surrounded the tower, and blocked off further escape. It had no definate form to call its own, and the parts that could be seen in the dense supernatural night looked like something from a nightmare. Its voice was deep, and resonated the very walls.

"I am The Faithful Servant of the Shadows. I am as old as Sin, yet I am stronger. Return, or else. Choose or else, I haven't had a suitable toy in years."Shadows servant said. It crackled and rippled.

Fear.

It choked her so badly that she almost gave in.

The last time she'd been this afraid, she'd had someone there for her.

Now she was alone.

She retreated back a step...but then remembered something.

If this combination didn't work, then nothing would.

She played a Song...one that combined Light, Order, and Holy. It was the best attack she had against anything among the forces of Darkness.

Shadow's servant visably shrank, but Arel was also treated to his full form. It was real, but it was also from her nightmares, by way of magick and Psionics. Then, the Darkness, and Shadow returned. Shadow's servant was actually laughing.

"Hehe, Thank you." was all it said.

Shadow's sevant began to speak. These were the kinds of words no written language could contain. These were words many mages worked many lifetimes to obtain. These were magick words, and as he spoke, they took effect.

First, strange symbols began to form, As they formed, they hurled themselves at arel. Each one was no bigger than her, yet they weighed like a grand piano by Steinway and sons. Their purpose was to shatter Arel's sheild.

The sheild started to buckle, and Arel glared.

"You'll never take me alive."

She jumped from the edge of the stairs, letting herself fall.

Schotty sighed. So much for planning.

"Well, what about you two?" he asked the Ogre and the goblin.

"Good Kami lets just move it. Theres probably a whole bunch a something behind that main door. I'll go through there if I have to, a side door, Hell, I'll go in through the top, lets just move it. Do you have any idea what the Emperor will do to me if he learns I wasted to much time standing around instead of rescuing his daughter?" The ogre said irritated with the man for holding them up.

The sheild started to buckle, and Arel glared.

"You'll never take me alive."

She jumped from the edge of the stairs, letting herself fall.
The words swerved and hit Arel from the bottom, like a tennis player hitting a ball.

The words swerved and hit Arel from the bottom, like a tennis player hitting a ball.
"Sussun, be prepared."

Deft hands prepped a smoke screen, and when it was done, she threw it so it would collide with one of the "words," creating a cloud so big and thick she wouldn't be seen until she was out of it.

"Sussun, alu!"

The glider unfolded, letting her grab it, and sped towards the sheild.

Arel held her harp...when they neared the shield, she would play a teleportation spell, getting her to the other side, and hopefully away enough to think of a way to get home from wherever she was.

Shadow's servant stopped. He decided to let her find out what would happen if she tried to leave the forcefield, by any means. She just made his job a whole lot easier.

Meanwhile,, Shadowlord walked out of his Cage, saw the empty cage, then rushed outside.

Remora was his world. no one left unless he willed it.

Meanwhile, the sheild simply sat there. If she did use her teleportation song, she would be thrown against the castle in a rather violent manner. If she tried to move through it, she would become as trapped as a fly in a spiders web. If she tried to dispell it, she would surely die.

She picked a point outside the shield and decided she wanted to be there.

She played the song, focusing on where she wanted to be.

Ussta ssinssrigg...ussta ssinssrin...
Sslig'ne uns'aa nin dal jivviim.

The Sheild glimmered. Anti-magick was focused upon her, and a force threw her against the castle.

Shadow's servant just ast there, and Shadowlord sat down, to watch the days diversons.

"I wonder how many times she'll try before she gives up." Servant said conversationally.

"I don't know, but I'll have to remove it soon. Their morons, I mean, uh, their countrymen should be here to rescue them soon. I laid as obvious a trail as I could without outright giving myself away. Maybe I should see if theive reached my new servan'ts planet yet. I mean, I don't have all day to wait. The seeds of life from one, the soul from another. The army should suffiecently wear them all out for me to take their souls from their living bodies. Then it'll be complete, and I can crush Ri-an under my fist. I'll pay back everyone of course. I don't go stealing women for nothing you know. A few gold bars to their families should more than cover their loss." Shadowlord said.

"A most generous offer indeed my lord." Servant said.

"I thought so, and I'm the only genious in creation, so who cares?" Shadowlord said.

They turned to see what Arel would do next.

She sat up and shook herself.

She was Kaymirilian...not ignorant about magick or about how it worked...and she knew she couldn't get out on her own.

She pulled out a couple of flasks, and selected one, before standing on Sussun.

"YOU!" She indicated the Shadowlord.

"It's my ability to create children you want, is it not?"

She held up the flask and uncorked it.

"Never." She tilted it toward him in a mock-toast, and downed it.

It was meant to change skin colors...if applied to the skin.

When consumed...it damaged liver, kidneys, lungs, thyroid, pancreas, potentially brain...and completely disintegrated reproductive organs.

She fell to her knees in genuine pain as the toxin took effect...but she would not be a tool.

"Oh darn, guess i'll have to use another woman." Shadowlord said dryly with mock disapointment.

The two laughed. Then Shadow became shadow and darkness. He grew, he expanded, he filled the entire area inside the Sheild.

A strong spell filled the air. A side effect of being in his Shadow. It was a sleep spell. One that could only be removed by a healer with skill. Shadowlord focused on it, and it became stronger.. Shadow's creatures were naturally immune to it.

Even if Arel used a countersong, it would still be there. A stronger mage might be able to completly counter it, but certainly not one with Arel's strength.

Arel didn't have the ability to concentrate enough to counter the spell...sheer agony worked to keep her conscious for a few moments as the spell took effect...but then she, too, crumpled unconscious.

Shadow was risking something incredible without realizing it.

Arel's body had taken a HUGE shock. Sleep was the worst thing for her at the moment...it could send her into a premature death.

She didn't care, she was living on borrowed time, as she saw it.

But if the Kaymirilian mage brought back a corpse...Kaymiril would move against Remora in force.

The Shadow disapated, leaving Arel in a state of complete suspended animation, no life, no death, just endless dreamless sleep. She was in her cage, again.

"I must now wait for him to arrive. we must ask the Dark Master to intercede on her behalf." Shadow said.

Girtzky listened to the Ogre and nodded, "Eyziz ina saymez perzishun!" The Goblin stated after the Ogre had finished, "Ifz tha Kinz finziz 'iz wimminz gon denz 'ell kum afta mez!" The Goblin was fully ready to fight anything and really didn't need a useless briefing...

The woman who's name she couldn't remember, paused as she floated into a villiage. There was a general appearence of a nest of ants as everyone seemed to be looking for something. As she paused, still sitting on her air ball, a young man spotted her. "Miss, you are a wizard, please come with me."

Getting off the airball, it disappating at the same time, she followed the man to the castle that was the center peice or the villiage.

"Miss." The lord of the castle said. "I must request your services. My daughter has been kidnapped..."
"M'lord." A man said, dressed in flowing robes, "Something has spirited your daughter away, and while I can't get her back, nor travel there myself. Another could go thought."
The lord turned back to Jane. "Then I wish to commission you to rescure my daughter, fee is no issue."
"Really?" She asked, a faint smile gracing her face, "Then send me on the way."

The mage opened a gate, and Jane travelled through it to see about getting the daughter back, and earning her fee.

*Fingal went speeding back to the Mage Thrael's palace. He told him what had happened. The Mage Thrael's wizards prepared a gate to where the foriegn magic indicated*

Another Sorcer came over. His robes were impossible to adequately descirbe, because they seemed to come from nearly every time period at once, making it seem always a year or two out of date, and a year or two ahead of fashion at the same time. Time seemed to skip and jump forwards and backwards around him, with the end result that one never really was sure what time it was. Schotty's robes did nothing spectacular, and nither did he.

"Greetings, I am the Time Sorcerer, but that isn't important. What is, is that soon after you get up there, you will be joined by others in similar situations. I ask only that you make plans, as not all will be as strong as the Ogre and the Drow here, and I would hate for the Department of diplomacy foreign relations to have to try and explain why two people died under our watch." he said. He was actually 300 years old, but he looked no older than 50.

Laet, the space sorceress stepped up beside him.

"Gaze into my robes, and upon the Dark Moon Remora. See before you, the great front doors to Shadows Lair. get lost in the sea of warmth that is my voice." Laet said. As she spoke, all there, were drawn into her robes, and lost in a sea of warmth, upon which her words floated. a second later, they found themselves, outside the castle. All 8 Sorcerers were there, as well as 5 Aquamarinians, and a small troop of Gareens.

The wind sorcerer cleared his throat.

"It would be advisable to cover every entrance. who knows where they may or may not be." he said.

Hidetsugu shook his head.

"Alright then, good plan. Just, don't do that agian, its disturbing, though not nearly as bad as what the Myojin did. I tell you what, I'll what five minuets for everyone to go to the doors on the side, then I'll bust in through the front and create a disturbance, that should allow everyone else enough of a chance to go find this freak's victims. Afterwards I'll catch up." Hidestsugu said. He unhooked his bone club, and hefted it with a grin. Then he activated a sheild Kanji engraved on his chest.

The black-robed mage nodded.

"Do that...I see an entrance I will take.

Allow this one to go through loudly, while I take the quiet path...it may be effective.

From far up, Shadowlord watched, and grinned.

"Their falling for the bait old boy. She had better play her part well though, as had they all. Take the victims to the Train, we don't want them finding them just yet. Leave Marill and Ri-an though. I'm done with them, for now, well, them and that Drow. She practicly killed herself." Shadowlord said.

The servant nodded. And took the victims away. Shadowlord grinned, and kindly had the front doors unlocked.

Having had lost her left arm in an ill advised trip through the Draconian jungles at the age of twelve, the now twenty-five-year-old Major Samantha Cutler, now of SeaQuest DSV, had gotten used to the artificial one that had replaced it. The blonde haired women watched as her life-long friend, Jai, splashed through the waters of Ba'ku. Jai'Lori'Talix'Natri, his full name, and the Major, had met when they were very young. In fact, it had been Jai who had rescued her when she had stumbled into the Vilgax nest and lost her arm to the creatures that called that particular nest home. He had also been the main driving force that had gotten her the artificial replacement arm. After the incident with the Vilgaxs, they had performed an old-fashioned cerimony involving cutting their palms and pressing their hands together to allow the blood to intermingle, thus creating a blood bond between the two. While not genetically related, they were family now.

Thus, when Jai'Lori'Talix'Natri saw the black shadow snatch Cutler from the beach, he had raced to the spot as quickly as he could. Using his enhanced senses, biological and otherwise, he picked up the traces of a dark magick he had only heard of before. Luckily, the Draconian he had heard of this from was a member of the crew he and the Major were supposed to board the next day, the I.S.S. John Sheridan (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/SeaQuest_Sim/Schematics/SeaQuest/Sheridan.gif), the original ship to visit Ri-an in her pre-refit days.

Quick as a flash, he got in his personal runabout, the Winged Avenger, and launched up to the giant ship ahead of schedule.

I.S.S. John Sheridan - Main Bridge - 1 hour later

Jai strode onto the bridge in his smaller, Alteran-like form, and glanced at the new Captain, the ship's former Security Chief, a Draconian by the name of Alir'ang. The look conveyed the fact that the younger Jai wanted to talk with Alir in private. Alir'ang caught the glance and nodded.

Observation Bridge - 30 minutes later

Alir'ang asked, "So, Jai, what is it? Why are you aboard early?"

The younger Jai'Lori'Talix'Natri related the tale of Cutler's abduction and what he sensed when he had gotten to the spot. Alir'ang growled when he heard Jai's description of the dark magick he had sensed.

"I only sensed something like that once before, when I fought the minion of the Shadowlord back when this ship first visited the capital world of Ri-an."

"That was when Vice-Admiral Sinclair was Captain and still in command of this ship."

"Correct. We'll be making on stop en route, but we're going to Ri-an."

"One stop?"

"To pick up an old friend."

"I see. Someone who was with you on Ri-an the last time."

"Correct."

Jai snorted.

"Now that this ship has been refitted with the latest, travel time will be cut down to only a fraction of what it was the first time."

"Agreed."

Exterior - 45 minutes later

The Sheridan had peeled from orbit around Ba'ku and had reached the outer edge of the Briar Patch nebula. A Hyperspatial Window was formed. The nacelles of the great ship flashed brighter for an instant as she dived into the window.

Ri-an Orbit - 24 hours later

The Sinclair dropped to real space. Jai's ship emerged from her hanger and descended to the surface. She touched down just as the others arrived from the surface of Ri-an through magickal means.

The aft hatch of the Winged Avenger hinged open. Alir'ang and Miho Karasuma (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b91/SeaQuest_Sim/Character%20Pics/miho.jpg), two of the original party that had visted Ri-an the first time as representatives of the SeaQuestian Empire. Both were wearing armor and carying various weapons. They strode foward and waited to see if the Ri-an natives would recognize them. Meanwhile, a pair of piercing mercurial silver eyes stared out from the shadows of the runabout's interior, before the owner of them, Jai, stepped out onto the surface of Remora in his Alteran-like form.

"Now," Jai snarled, "where's the fool who's behind this mess?"

Alir'ang inquired, "The Shadowlord again?"

OOC: Just so you know, the Sheridan and her crew will be minor characters. Jai is my main one for this RP and will be used the most.
Note: Using Fluid Time, I'm setting myself to arrive on Remora just as everyone else is.

OOC: Ok

IC: The Time sorcerer's robes fluttered with unseen unfelt wind. He looked at the three new arrivals.

"Yes. I would like you to meet a nameless mage from Kaymiril, a nameless Goblin and a nameless Ogre from other places. The Ogre here plans to offer distraction in five minuets by going through the front door to spring what ever trap they have planned. The one Aquamarinian and ten Gareens will go with him. The Healing sorceress plans on sneaking along. The other sorcerers plan on going in through a side door on the right side. There is another on the left side that needs covering. I do not speak for the mage or the goblin, but I am sure they have plans as well." The Time Sorcerer said.

"There are many kidnapped victims in the castle, they could be anywhere. Lady Ri-an, and High Priestess Marill are also within, both were also kidnapped." The Space sorceress said.

The Sorcerers went off to the right, and all but the Aquamarinan and ten Gareens going with Hidetsugu went to the left. The Sorceress of healing also remained.

Hidetsugu nodded.

"I can live with that, just don't expect me to play babysitter."

"Oh yes, we never have introduced ourselves. My name is Hidetsugu,and I'm an Ogre, Kanji Bloodmage." he said.

"If your going to go to your other paths, go now." he said. He went to the front doors, and since the Shadowlrd had them unlocked, opened them and stepped inside.

The Sorceress and the others going with Hidetsugu followed.

Inside were 4 rows of six statues. Each one diffrent. Each one looked convencingly real, some seemed surprised, others seemed angry. Some seemed poised to attack. in the center towards the back stood a really big statue. It looked like Medusa, and had a piercing gaze. It had massive claws, but no real defining features on its body, which was serpantine in nature, but clearly in a humanoid shape.

At least, that's what one could see if there was light to see. Currently, there was none at all, so it was dark.

Sorcerer group, right end of castle.

The Sorcerers entered the castle, and Schotty drew a crystal of light out of his poket. It glowed with the power of light energies. He too a stick out of his robes, at one end, it seemed designed to hold something. He put the light crystal there, and light shone accross the room.

The Room was of stone, and great red carpets were on the floor. Nearby, a table and chairs sat, holding a rather surprised guard, who appeared to have some rank. There was a dark mist about him, as though he was under another's power. A common guard stood infront of a weapons rack, also surprised, next to him, was a statue of the Lady Ri-an, kneeling in a servile position Guards were scattered accross the room, with a black Shadow in the center that just did not seem to want to go away. Two glowing green eyes peered out from the center of it. Just behind it, a Table holding a dead rose sat.

The Guards immediatly kicked into action, the Commander leaped out of his chair, and pulled his weapon.
Wind Sorcerer Blew him back against the Shadow Demon
The Fire Sorceress set the weapons rack and the sentry on fire.
Others rushed forward but a sudden wall jutted out of the ground, and
Liquid Nitrogen washed over them all, the demon flew up to avoid it. The Guards cracked into many many pieces. The Shadow demon dived at them, but Shotty took a gun out of his pocket. It had Crystals of all kinds in there. He pulled the trigger and a lightning bolt shot out at it. It dodged, and schotty shot a tornado at it. The Demon was blown downwards and backwards, and fire erupted out of the nearby fireplace to engulf it. Shadow demon screamed loudly and slowly burnt to a crisp.

"Well!" Schotty exclaimed.

The Sorcerers moved on.

Hidetsugu activated a light Kanji. Then he burst out laughing.

"Hahaha, is this their big trap? A bunch of statues to frighten children?" Hidetsugu said with a laugh.

He walked up to the statue.

"What are you looking at Ugly?" he laughed to himself, then turned to go examine the statues.

'Nameless? It functions.'

The mage's eyes narrowed sharply, and he tried to see back to whatever had happened before.

He saw a Drow woman running down the stairs spiralling the tower.

Perfect.

He teleported from his location to the highest spot on the stairs he could see, then proceeded up the tower (utilizing levitation to 'fly' up), and intending to enter as soon as he could.

"You." came the reply. It sounded like a snake hissing.

The statue began to move. The Healing sorceress, started, and the Aquamarinian had to hold the Gareens in check.

"Come my children, 12 of you awaken, serve me welll, and protect from stupid and his Ri-an escorts. Now you shall die ogre, for I Stonegaze, The Archshadow demon shall destroy you." Stonjegaze said.

The two middlerows came to life. Some melted into Shadow Demons, some simple began to move. The Aquamarinian released the hold on the Gareens, who immediatly whipped themselves into a rage and began attacking.

The Sorceress, teleported away to a safer area, not being very strong, and attacked with holy magick.

The Aquamarinian used its powerful Psionic powers, and threw one against the wall.

Stonegaze herself came for Hidetsugu.

'Nameless? It functions.'

The mage's eyes narrowed sharply, and he tried to see back to whatever had happened before.

He saw a Drow woman running down the stairs spiralling the tower.

Perfect.

He teleported from his location to the highest spot on the stairs he could see, then proceeded up the tower (utilizing levitation to 'fly' up), and intending to enter as soon as he could.

Shadowlrd was there, but everything was empty. No no Arel, no victims, nothing. Just great dark Shadows.

"Ahh, so you've come to find her? well, alright, I give up. You can have her back." he said.

"But you gotta catch me first!" he shouted as he disappeared into the shadows on the floor.

Shadowlrd was there, but everything was empty. No no Arel, no victims, nothing. Just great dark Shadows.

"Ahh, so you've come to find her? well, alright, I give up. You can have her back." he said.

"But you gotta catch me first!" he shouted as he disappeared into the shadows on the floor.
"As you will it, then."

He phased himself -- halfway between two dimensions -- and allowed the wake of the creature's power to drag him along after it.

He was ready to fight...and wondering why this creature would give up his prize so easily.

The mage would find himself in a village. The village was on the moon, and there were many people. Some women, some men. Shadowlord was nowhere to be seen.

They ignored the man as though he didn't exist. They all had a crazed deranged look on their eyes, as though they were under a strong influence. Some sat, some stood. Only one person noticed vedt, and she simply nodded. This one had robes of midnight on. Around her neck stood a blank disc, as though some symbol were intended for it, but nothing was put there. Here hair was black, but her skin white. Her eyes were gree, and as were her finger nails. She simply stood there, watching him, with a gaze that seemed to both catch everything at once, and nothing at all. She had a staff in her hands, though whether it was for support, or a weapon was unclear.

Vedt unphased himself, turning to face the woman.

"Tell me where to find the creature, or if you've seen a woman with black skin and white hair. My mission is urgent."

He felt that speaking would be pointless...but best to try, first.

"I am not your enemy, but I am not your friend, the woman you seek, is near, yet far away. Dwell with me yet a moment longer, and I shall tell you what you need to know." She said. She went to a house, and motioned him to follow.

The SeaQuestian trio watched the others depart. Jai'Lori'Talix'Natri snorted and walked up to the wall. He ran his hand over it as he searched for minute imperfections in the material. He walked someways before stopping midway between two doors.

"We'll go in here," he said.

Jai closed his eyes and focused. Glowing cracks began to spread over the wall from beneath where his hand lay. After a few moments, the cracks had spread to cover a sizeable area. Jai opened his eyes and snarled as he clenched his hand into a fist. When his fist was fully closed, the section of the wall covered in cracks exploded in a cloud of dust. Miho sneezed as a little bit got into her nose. When the dust settled, Miho and Alir'ang had to scurry to catch up with Jai'Lori'Talix'Natri.

Alir'ang noted that Jai's eyes had a tinge of red to them. He knew that do to Jai's origins, the Blood Rage that every civilized Draconian fought to suppress was closer to the surface in Jai. Alir'ang knew that if Jai's eyes turned pure red, the best thing to do would be to run and get to a safe place. A Draconian in the middle of the Blood Rage was dangerous. Jai many times that. Alir'ang decided to keep an eye on Jai just in case.

~snip~

OOC: Where are you? if you mean the front doors, their already open, if you mean the doors the sorcerers went in, their open as well. I'm going to have to assume your close to the other end.

IC:

Inside they found a small horde of soldiers, and one shadow demon.

The floor was covered in carpet.

The Shadow demon growled, and the soldiers whipped out their weapons.

Then, they rushed as one at the intruder.

"I am not your enemy, but I am not your friend, the woman you seek, is near, yet far away. Dwell with me yet a moment longer, and I shall tell you what you need to know." She said. She went to a house, and motioned him to follow.
Vedt didn't trust, but he did follow.

This would turn out useful for him, either way.

Hidetsuge stopped cold. A talking statue had surprised him, but not for long. He turned with his club, and decided to crush the things head in with his club.

The inside was small and simple. A bed in one corner. A pntry in another, and a stove in the third. A table sat in the on;y remaining corner. it was round, and made of aspen. She sat in a chair. Another was availible for the mage.

"I would have you sit, but we both know a meeting of strangers usually leads to much standing. Especially when you have no reason to trust me. I have no wish to see innocent people suffer though, and so I tell you plainly Do not chase the Shadowlord like to children chasing each other through the feild. You must act swiftly, and with purpose. In addition to the many minor Shadow demons in this castle, there are four Arch Demons whos existence bars the way further. One is currently being fought by an ogre, one shall soon be beset by the sorcerers of Ri-an, one is destined to meet the Sequestrians, and one is here in the Village of the Moon Tribe. The four servants must first die. To you I beset the task of defeating the Librarian. He will try and talk you out of it, in order to continue his research. You must not listen to him, for they only serve to stall. After the four fall the Nursery will open, in which The lost Soul is trapped, with the innocent soul Someone must help them find their way, beyond. After these five tasks are completed, The gret central Tower shall arise out of the center of the village. To go up, one must go down. It is upon its second floor, you will find the path to the Alter, upon which the woman you seek is trapped, in a state of Cryogenic Sleep. Five hours are all that remain open to you and the others, before those kidnapped simply die, and shadowlord vanishes on his long black train." She said.

She had a pot of Earl Grey sitting on the table.

"Tea?" she asked.

"One, and swiftly. I'd rather not risk lives other than my own."

The tea would be good. On the wall were two pics. One of Kajeenith, one of Warfare, in black leather.

OOC: Kajeenith:
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i10/Rahegalhoff/Kajeenith.jpg

Warfare:
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i10/Rahegalhoff/WarfareinBlackLeather.jpg

"Those two...where do you know them from?"

"Them? oh, the one with white hair harmed me. The one with red hair healed me." She said.

Stonegaze dodged the ogre's club, which was now made of stone, Granite, to be exact.

"And both were selfish egotists."

Vedt sipped at his tea, having ascertained there was nothing toxic in it, before setting down the empty cup.

"I thank you for your hospitality and your help. I take my leave of you now."

He went to seek out the library, to fight his adversary.

"Them? oh, the one with white hair harmed me. The one with red hair healed me." She said.

Stonegaze dodged the ogre's club, which was now made of stone, Granite, to be exact.

Hidetsugu looked at his club, then at stonegaze, than at his club. He tisted one spike, it was still sharp, just, heavy. Hidetsugu lifted it, and swung at Stonegaze again, though, this time, he stepped forward to ensure at least, a glancing blow.

"And both were selfish egotists."

Vedt sipped at his tea, having ascertained there was nothing toxic in it, before setting down the empty cup.

"I thank you for your hospitality and your help. I take my leave of you now."

He went to seek out the library, to fight his adversary.

The Library was to the northeast. This was obvious, because it was one of two big buildings facing the center of town, and from where The mage was, he could see the small plaque over the door that read "Library"

He entered, making straight toward where the Librarian should be.

There was a single man, with grey hair. he was surrounded by mountains of books. A glance at the titles said this man was intrested in deadlier pursuits.

"Can I help you?" he asked in the friendliest tone one could imagine.

He gathered a crackling blue energy into his hand and launched it at the Librarian.

It combined several types of destructive fashka with more magickal power in it than most lower mages could handle in their lifetime.

"I want you to die."

The Librarian teleported away.

"But why? I am a simple man, it is merely my wish to study peacefully. That woman sent you here, didn't she. you know, The Dark Preistess, the one with the blank Medallion? She's just jealous because I'm going to become better than her. It makes sense of course. Use another to get rid of me, she looks innocent. Listen, what's she paying you, I'll double it to leave me be, triple it to get rid of her." The Librarian said. He put his hands behind his back, preparing a nasty spell he had learned through reading.

Vedt cast an anti-teleportation spell thoughout the room, while preparing a defense.

"I don't care for money."

"Well, everyone has a selling point. Shadow's was knowledge. He wanted Revenge, he wanted the warmth of friendship. I gave him my firendship, and opened to him, the dark Arts. What's yours? You look like you've never known a womans touch, to have their soft, gentle hands, caressaing you, to feel their embrace, and know your love. I can give you such a woman, and she would be yours forever. No good? Power, many desire power. I have power that can shake the very pillars of heaven itself. Maybe knowledge. Yes? I desire the same thing myself. The knowledge of just this creation, this reality, it is not enough. I want to know more, I want to know what lies outside, in the infinite Nothing. I want to know what's on the higher realities. I want to know How the diffrent realities are kept sperated. I want to know more." The Librarian said.

He raised his hand, there was nothing there, literally. No air, no energy, no nothing. It was as though that section of creation didn't exist.

"Leave, or I will use powers even I fear to use." The librarian threatened.

"Perhaps it is for the best I kill you...for all concerned."

The mage stood absolutely still, but the energy around him intensified, pulling from the far corners of the room to him, so that he crackled with power.

He hoarded the energy...the fashka...it would be for him to use, and not the other.

No energy to use magick meant the battle would be swift.

And energy tended to stick to itself, meaning that he'd have the advantage in a 'tug of war' over it.

"Hahahaha, FOOL!" he laughed. "Did you not think my research would include alternate energy sources? Did you really think me so limited in the depth of my understanding?" The Librarian questioned.

He clenched his fists, the entire room went hazy, and indisting, but nothing could be seen beyond it. The back of the library disappeared, revealing an infinite expanse of nothing.

Then, as the opening attack for the real battle, he cast Shadow Flare.

Great Fire filled the room, burning all the books. only no light came from it. It also seemed to burn the Fashka, reducing how much was availible, while still being able to harm the mage.

OOC: for our readers, their on the edge between Creation, where the NSverses are, and complete non-existence, A.K.A. Nothing.

"Aluve'"

The mage seemed to disappear...a great flame was pulled up around him...and he was gone.

"You're still here, you cannot leave unless I wish it." Said the man.

He cast another spell, it was disruption, it caused magick to temporarily cease to function. There were many Bookshelves in there though, and the mage could be anywhere. The Librarian drew out a dagger, and begun to hunt down the Mage.

Vedt was prepared for the Librarian to do this...so when the disruption spell took effect, he slammed his own dagger (more like unto a short sword) into the area at the base of the man's skull...right where the spinal cord enters the brain.

The Librarian was not prepared for this, with his last sentence, he cried out in one sentence "MASTER!" as he fell to the floor.

If vedt turned, he would see the scene had abrubtly changed. There were now to very large, very familier eyes staring at him from out of the darkness.

Yet, nothing happened.

OOC: For size refrence, their about the size of the original Military grade Hummer, not civilian, Military.

Vedt met the gaze for a few moments, before willing himself back at the castle.

He'd find these other fiends and take them out...on his own, if need be.

He found himself in the room facing the body those eyes belonged to.

It was Kajeenith.

"Tell your mistress, the Queen, I apologise for the greif I've caused society, and the Real world. It was wrong of me, and nothing I do can ever repay it. I have found a place, that I fit in, that I can do as I will. As my brother, I too, left creation. Only I didn't make my own. The infinite Nothing, is what you make of it, and I made paradise in my own vision. Go now, with the peace of mind that I will no longer attempt to interfere with the will of Creation. But even I, must answer the call of those who call upon me. Keep that in mind" He said. His voice, was gentle, even kind. There was no blood on his clothes, there was no sword in his hands. He looked noble for once. Like the sort of person that could be trusted around children.

Kajeenith waved a hand. Black swirled around vedt, and he was standing in the courtyard.

OOC: Where are you? if you mean the front doors, their already open, if you mean the doors the sorcerers went in, their open as well. I'm going to have to assume your close to the other end.

IC:

Inside they found a small horde of soldiers, and one shadow demon.

The floor was covered in carpet.

The Shadow demon growled, and the soldiers whipped out their weapons.

Then, they rushed as one at the intruder.

OOC: Sorry about not being clear. Its technically a random spot half-way between two doors (neither of which are the main ones) that Jai choose as the weakest point with the most imperfections in the building material he could exploit and make his own way in.

IC: Jai snarled and cracked his knuckles.

"Time to have some fun," he growled as he waded into the fight with a razor sharp Trinium 'rang in each hand.

The other two sighed and joined in. Alir'ang using his artificial retractable claws, which had by this point in his life, been replaced with ones made of a Trinium/Tritanium/Duranium/Adamantium alloy that was one of the hardest, strongest, and most durable materials known to the Empire. Miho had opened a case she had been carrying via a shoulder strap and started blasting with the sonic laser inside.

The mage wiped his blade clean, and then proceeded through the open doors, looking around to orient himself.

OOC: Its cool.

IC: The Soldiers were not really much of a match against advanced firepower. They would go down quickly. It was the Shadow Demon Flying around the top that woulde cause problems. He screeched and dived for Jai, both claws ready for an attack.

The mage wiped his blade clean, and then proceeded through the open doors, looking around to orient himself.

He saw the other really big building at the other end of the village. The town was quiet, yet if the mage listened, he would hear the wail of an innocent baby coming from the other building. This raised the question of how a baby could possibly survive in a place like this.

He saw the other really big building at the other end of the village. The town was quiet, yet if the mage listened, he would hear the wail of an innocent baby coming from the other building. This raised the question of how a baby could possibly survive in a place like this.
His ears twitched, and various instincts fought within him.

A baby crying was a baby unattended...which was bad for the baby...

But every moment he wasted was another moment a Kaymirilian woman risked dying...and this could be a trap.

Eventually, the nurturing instinct won over the duty instinct, and Vedt rushed to find the baby.

Vedt found the crying coming from the large building. It was dark inside, but so was the crying.

He was a Drow...he didn't need light to see.

Undaunted, he headed in.

The door closed behind him.

What was this place? It looked like it hade once been a nice mansion. However, the furniture was worn with age, glass was broke, and cobwebs and mold were all over. The crying was coming from upstairs.

He headed on up, habit making him stealthy.

Stay away

The words were nothing but a haunting whisper.

Stay away from my baby

They words, were both a warning and a threat.

Still the baby cried.

"Tend to the infant if you don't want it cared for by someone more responsible," was the irate reply, and he continued toward the wailing.

I WARNED YOU SHADOWLORD TO STAY AWAY! YOUR WORDS AND DISGUISE CANNOT FOOL ME! NOW PERISH FOR KILLING US BOTH!

The ghost of a rather misguided woman appeared. In her arms, was the pure innocent soul of a baby. Both had perished of malnutrition. For centuries she was stuck here. for a long time, she defended her child, even after both were dead, from the Shadowlord. She had done it for so long, she could not comprehend the fact that this was not the Shadowlord.

its okay, baby, the daylight will come eventually, and the shadow will vanish into the light.

She went to a nearby nursery, and put the child in a crib, then she pulled out a ghostly sword, and returned to the hall, prepared to face down the man she thought was shadowlord.

~snip~

Jane found herself in a room in a castle. There appeared to not really be any way in, and no way out.

She would also find, a cage, containing, woman, that looked like the one Jane came to rescue, but then Shadow energy came down and obscured it. Heavy anti-magick filled the room.

There were two statues on either side of the room. One held a cup adorned with three blue jewels, one, a cup with seven blue jewels. Behind Jane, was a basin filled with water. On the back of the wall, was writing, but from jane's distance, it could not be read.

OOC: Logic puzzle. Figure it out for yourself, no questions. You are in one of three such rooms. It was just your blind luck to find yourself there.

Jane was troubled not one whit by the anti-magick field as her arts relied not at all on the energies of the mage or wizard. As she looked around, she spotted a basin with water and two cups with gems within.

She decided to try the simplest solution to begin with. She walked over and took the goblet with the seven jewels and walked over and poured two of them into the other's cup to balance the stones before returning the cup to it's statue.

Jane was troubled not one whit by the anti-magick field as her arts relied not at all on the energies of the mage or wizard. As she looked around, she spotted a basin with water and two cups with gems within.

She decided to try the simplest solution to begin with. She walked over and took the goblet with the seven jewels and walked over and poured two of them into the other's cup to balance the stones before returning the cup to it's statue.
Jane would find that the Jems were a part of the cup. There were no jems in the basin, but it glowed with an eerie light at the bottom. As jane got closes to the statue, she would be able to see more clearly, the writing on the wall.

Day 35,
I have found at long last, that Shadowlorrd is currently obsessed with the number five. Finall, a clue to the grand puzzle at the end of the hall under the moon.
Day36, I found a jug with three blue gems, in one hall, and in another, i found a jug with seven.
day 37, I found a basin that looks as thou it originall had 10 gems on it, though what kind, I do not know.

OOC: Its cool.

IC: The Soldiers were not really much of a match against advanced firepower. They would go down quickly. It was the Shadow Demon Flying around the top that woulde cause problems. He screeched and dived for Jai, both claws ready for an attack.

While Alir'ang and Miho kept the lesser soldier's at bay, Jai was able to focus on their immediate leader.

"You ready to play with fire now, sissy?"

Jai snarled the question at the diving creature. Alir'ang, noting the crackling energy that was building up around Jai as he created an imbalance between the negative and positive Chi energies. Alir'ang tackled Miho and dragged her behind a large chunk of debris for cover just as Jai unleashed a bolt of blue lighting at the Demon.

Now, no one knew exactly why lighting was the ultimate attack available to one who was of the Element of Fire, nor why it was blue instead of the yellow of one of the Element of Electricity. They only knew that, unlike regular Fire, which is powered and fueled by emotions, it took a calm and centered mind to use the Fire Lightning.

Jai wouldn't be able to use this powerful and potent ability for much longer as the Blood Rage continued building inside him.

OOC: can someone help me come in?

I WARNED YOU SHADOWLORD TO STAY AWAY! YOUR WORDS AND DISGUISE CANNOT FOOL ME! NOW PERISH FOR KILLING US BOTH!

The ghost of a rather misguided woman appeared. In her arms, was the pure innocent soul of a baby. Both had perished of malnutrition. For centuries she was stuck here. for a long time, she defended her child, even after both were dead, from the Shadowlord. She had done it for so long, she could not comprehend the fact that this was not the Shadowlord.

its okay, baby, the daylight will come eventually, and the shadow will vanish into the light.

She went to a nearby nursery, and put the child in a crib, then she pulled out a ghostly sword, and returned to the hall, prepared to face down the man she thought was shadowlord.
Starvation? Both dead?

Vedt cast a light spell, illuminating the area.

"If I were your enemy, why would I come back here for a couple of souls? I came here to resolve the infant's cries."

Jane read the scrawlings, and decided to try to take both cups and dip them into the water with the hope of the gems in the cups shifting to the basin. Taking the two cups, she dipped them into the water, making sure not to touch the liquid.

*Fingal went speeding back to the Mage Thrael's palace. He told him what had happened. The Mage Thrael's wizards prepared a gate to where the foriegn magic indicated*

Fingal would find himself standing atop an observation tower in the south east section of the town Vedt also happened to be in. He could see many houses, and everyone seemed to be under the influence of something.

While Alir'ang and Miho kept the lesser soldier's at bay, Jai was able to focus on their immediate leader.

"You ready to play with fire now, sissy?"

Jai snarled the question at the diving creature. Alir'ang, noting the crackling energy that was building up around Jai as he created an imbalance between the negative and positive Chi energies. Alir'ang tackled Miho and dragged her behind a large chunk of debris for cover just as Jai unleashed a bolt of blue lighting at the Demon.

Now, no one knew exactly why lighting was the ultimate attack available to one who was of the Element of Fire, nor why it was blue instead of the yellow of one of the Element of Electricity. They only knew that, unlike regular Fire, which is powered and fueled by emotions, it took a calm and centered mind to use the Fire Lightning.

Jai wouldn't be able to use this powerful and potent ability for much longer as the Blood Rage continued building inside him.

The demon landed. Its form twisted and shifted, and it seemed to teleport away.

In its place, was the woman Jai was after.

"Help me Jai, please. He wants to hurt me, he wants to hurt me real bad Jai." She said. It was all of course, an illusion designed to drive him into a complete rage and make him do something stupid.

The woman seemed to be bleeding down her legs, down her back, and had gained a black eye.

Starvation? Both dead?

Vedt cast a light spell, illuminating the area.

"If I were your enemy, why would I come back here for a couple of souls? I came here to resolve the infant's cries."
You do it all the time. your approach is new, I admit, but it'll still end the same. You want my baby, my precious innocent baby, so you can give it life, and raise it into a killer. This time, will you dare to cross swords, I might be lost, I might be dead, but I'm going to kill you, and find my way to the light. Its your very existence that obscures the path.

OOC: You can do all you want to her, she'll still come back. The real solution lies with the child.

You do it all the time. your approach is new, I admit, but it'll still end the same. You want my baby, my precious innocent baby, so you can give it life, and raise it into a killer. This time, will you dare to cross swords, I might be lost, I might be dead, but I'm going to kill you, and find my way to the light. Its your very existence that obscures the path.

OOC: You can do all you want to her, she'll still come back. The real solution lies with the child.
"Very well."

The mage sighed, conjuring a blade that should be good against her attacks.

"If it is battle you desire, I will give you battle."

Why would the child's soul have lingered? There is no logical reason for it...they get recycled...too innocent to have done or witnessed any real wrong.

The Ghost came at him in a screaming rage, intent on seperating his head from his body.

You've never let us leave, to go on. Every time we try you block us, you hold us back. Damn you and your desires for revenge. At least let my baby go, but that would defeat your desire wouldn't? let go of the one thing you desire, the one thing keeping me here, the one thing with which you would destroy cities, even worlds? No, you'll never let me and my baby cross over. But I wait for the day you die. Death doesn't like anyone thwarting its powers, and I'll personally volunteer to be condemned to hell just for the chance to torture you as you have me for so long. I think starvation would be a good opener.

He blocked her blow, forcing her away.

"Remind me...why am I keeping the two of you here?"

The ghost grew even angrier.

Your torture will be sweet, oh yes it will. you want my Baby, I keep stopping you from taking it, living or dead. you plan on resurecting it, and raising it and torturing it, until it becomes a loyal destructive servant, with which to destroy those who oppose you. Everytime I try to sneak out with my baby, you always stop me, some how. Its as though I cannot even leave this house. I go out the front door, only to enter the back, I go out a window, only to enter another. I even tried going down the drain in the bathtub only to com out the faucet in the kitchen. Let me go!

Vedt teleported then, going from the mother to gently pick up the child.

He held his blade aloft and between himself and the mother by telekinesis, and, considering a moment, pushed back the cowl and removed his mask, revealing dark eyes, dark skin, white hair, and pointed ears.

"Tcha, tcha, lothra uss...tcha...be calm."

You look like a normal being, this, this is unusual. But, please, don't take my baby.

"I am a normal being...mortal as you once were. Your child should not be here...if you out, if you want him out, you'll both come with me."

The ghost followed in surprise and wonder.

Vedt started walking towards the door, reaffixing his mask and cowl.

A shadow darkened the doorway, not just any shadow, it was The Shadowlord himself.

"I cannot allow you to take that child away from here." he said.

"Too bad, I have need of this child."

A few tables lifted themselves and threw themselves at vedt.

"Leave it here now." Shadowlord said.

Vedt created a gravitic anomaly around himself, making the chairs slingshot around him and head back toward Shadowlord.

He then turned toward the mother, handing her the child.

"I'm going to need both hands and full concentration for this...so hold him a while, if you please."

The Chairs slamed into Shadowlord and he disappeared into the moon.

But he's gone.

"Nadorhuan."

Vedt took the infant back and walked through the door.

She was outside, she was, free.

I'm free. But, I don't remember how to go on.

"Maybe you're trying too hard."

please may I have my baby now. I think, I think I can go on, with him in my arms.

He handed the baby to her.

"Think of somewhere you want to be...and just keep thinking of that place. Go in peace."

The baby looked at vedt.

"Da." was all it said, almost in question.

Then, the entire village seemed to shift and change. What lay before vedt now was a powerful illusion.

Millions of Kaymirillian children, some he might know, some he might not, were crowded around his legs. They were thin, even for drow, and looked like they hadn't eaten in weeks.

"We're so hungry, won't you feed us?" asked one.

It was a powerful illusion...one that threatened to crush him.

Instead, he shunted it aside and looked around, trying to decide direction from there.

They were all around him. Some looked like they were about to die.

"Do you not care about your own countrymen? Then DIE." said one child in particular who looked alnmost as fat as a stuffed ham.

It shifted, and grew darker, and taller. It became a demon.Its mouth was disproportionatly large, and it was almost as fat as a stuffed elephant.

"You look like you would go good with a side of roasted garlic potatoes, but what to stuff you with, oh I know! Dressing! and yes, I think I'll enjoy a nice blood pie afterwards." Hunger said. He cast a spell, The temperature around vedt grew very hot, and three large potatoes surrounded him, large enough to feed several hundred people, They did nothing but bake.

________________________________________________________________
Stone gaze chiped a little stone could not hurt it.

The Gareens were occupied by the statues and Demons, all four rows of them.

Stonegaze turned the healing Sorceress to stone.

Hidetsugu looked at the sorceress, looked at Stonegaze, looked at the club, then the chip. He activated two Kanji, one for Chaos, one for metel, His club turned into a Club made of Chaos Metal, a rare metal that tends to disrupt the the law holding bodies together.

He swung straight for the chest.

They were all around him. Some looked like they were about to die.

"Do you not care about your own countrymen? Then DIE." said one child in particular who looked alnmost as fat as a stuffed ham.

It shifted, and grew darker, and taller. It became a demon.Its mouth was disproportionatly large, and it was almost as fat as a stuffed elephant.

"You look like you would go good with a side of roasted garlic potatoes, but what to stuff you with, oh I know! Dressing! and yes, I think I'll enjoy a nice blood pie afterwards." Hunger said. He cast a spell, The temperature around vedt grew very hot, and three large potatoes surrounded him, large enough to feed several hundred people, They did nothing but bake.
"What is it with your kind and fire?"

Vedt walked out of the heated surrounding area, taking his blade and slashing at the demon's belly.

"And it's not that I don't care about my countrymen...it's not that I don't care about starving children...it's that an illusion that shoddy is of the type we use to entertain toddlers."

"Well, now how else do you propose I cook potatoes, freeze them?" Hunger asked while skipping backwards

He hauled out a pan the saize of a lear jet, and attempted to crush vedt with it.

"Hold still darn you. Your ruining my second dinner." Hunger whined.

*Stonegaze*

The Mace crushed her ribsection, revealing living flesh. Stonegaze gazed at the ogre, and began turning his stone to flesh.

"I don't care how you cook potatoes, I don't even know what one is."

Vedt darted in, too close to be hit with the pan.

This time, he unleashed a powerful destructive spell...one of his master's, laced with his own modifications against this creature.

It's sole function was to destroy completely anything that it was unleashed at...and thus a spell that only few students were taught.

Hidetsugu paused, living flesh under stone was rather creepy.

Then he felt his feet turning to stun, he hurled himself at the Oni called Stonegaze. He landed underneath her, and wounded himself. He traced the Kanji for burst on her skin, then rolled away.

Hunger was protected from many things, and the spell worked, but not completly. Hunger burst into ten million very small demons, that swarmed Vedt and began eating him alive.

Stonegaze burst, and the statues crumbled, all except the sorceress.

The demon landed. Its form twisted and shifted, and it seemed to teleport away.

In its place, was the woman Jai was after.

"Help me Jai, please. He wants to hurt me, he wants to hurt me real bad Jai." She said. It was all of course, an illusion designed to drive him into a complete rage and make him do something stupid.

The woman seemed to be bleeding down her legs, down her back, and had gained a black eye.

Jai sniffed the air. He had known Samantha long enough to have her unique scent ingrained in his memories. Thus, he realized that this wasn't her as soon as he took in a breath. Though, he knew the Demon wouldn't know that he knew, so he decided to play along, for know, and see what he could learn. If it tried anything, he would have a spare ace up his sleeve. But first, he was going to play it safe.

"If its really you," he asks, "then what happened during your trip through the wilderness of Draconia?"

"Xsa," hissed the mage.

He drew in a deep breath and let it out, releasing any emotion he had and calling upon his self-control.

A spell rose through his skin, one without a name, but its effect was contentment.

It would satisfy whatever it touched...and if what it touched was greedy, it would glut it...glut it and glut it until it was destroyed...consumed by its own greed.

The sound of ten million demons screaming in unison as the die is not pleasent, and Vedt was in the middle of it.

The heat disappeared, and the potatoes were done baking. The townspeople wandered over. This wasn't an illusion, they really were thin from hunger.

"Are these your potatoes?" asked one.

"If not, can we have them? they look delicious." said aother.

"If they are, at least share one with us, their so big you'll never notice one." begged a third.

Jai sniffed the air. He had known Samantha long enough to have her unique scent ingrained in his memories. Thus, he realized that this wasn't her as soon as he took in a breath. Though, he knew the Demon wouldn't know that he knew, so he decided to play along, for know, and see what he could learn. If it tried anything, he would have a spare ace up his sleeve. But first, he was going to play it safe.

"If its really you," he asks, "then what happened during your trip through the wilderness of Draconia?"

The woman got up and embraced Jai.

"I don't know Jai, he took my memories. It was so horrible." she said with tears.

Her hand reached down his backside, a quick flash of steel, and a hidden dagger came plunging down into the man's back.

_______________________________________________________________
Jane (Theao)

Jane now had an empty basin. The Jugs were magick in nature. The automaticly filled to the max. A nearby basin was common, and never seemed to be full, never seemed to be empty.

In the basin Jane emptied,she would now notice a piculier glint around the middle.

"Take them. They are of no use to me."

The mage's eyes were still closed -- a spell of that proportion, combined with energies used earlier in the day was exhausting.

He would need time to meditate -- and perhaps rest -- before he could be assured of success in his mission. He would not eat until he returned home.

In his mind, he clicked off how much time he'd used.

Half an hour.

He had four and a half left.

The half an hour had felt more like an eternity.

"You look tired." said the familier voice of the dark preistess.

"You've done so much, and others are about to fill their roles as well. come rest. it'll do you some good. I'll even try to fix you something from your homeland if you'd like, though I cannot promise success. Besides, bad things happen to those who linger in the air out here very long." she said.

Jane did what was natural and took the two filled cups to the nearby basin and set the jugs on the edge before returning to examine the strange glint that was coming from the now empty basin more closely.

The woman got up and embraced Jai.

"I don't know Jai, he took my memories. It was so horrible." she said with tears.

Her hand reached down his backside, a quick flash of steel, and a hidden dagger came plunging down into the man's back.

*Snip*

Moving so fast he appeared as only a blur, like the name sake of his sub-species, the ancient mythical Quicksilver Dragons, he had grabbed the knife arm, moved behind the 'illusion', and had the knife blade pressed against the transformed Shadow Demon's throat.

"The real one wouldn't have allowed this to happen," he whispered softly in the the transformed beast's ear before allowing the blade to plunge into its throat.

"You look tired." said the familier voice of the dark preistess.

"You've done so much, and others are about to fill their roles as well. come rest. it'll do you some good. I'll even try to fix you something from your homeland if you'd like, though I cannot promise success. Besides, bad things happen to those who linger in the air out here very long." she said.
He opened his eyes and turned to her.

"I will accept your kindness long enough to rest, but I will not request you make food. I will eat again no sooner than I return home."

He readjusted his cowl around his head...he really had nothing to fear from the air, or toxins therein.

*Kaymiril*
Her home had changed slightly. Warfare's picture was gone, and now Kajeenith was sitting on a throne of white stone, with nothing more than a shafot of light to illuminate him. She indicated a spare bed, and sealed the door against the outside.

Then she sat on her bed, and began to meditate as well.

*Theao*
Jane would find nothing remarkable about it, infact it was gone now that the water was gone. But there was that ring around the middle. It was completly ordinary, and served mor as a marker than anything.

*Seaquest*
The demon died. A door opened. Inside could be seen a golden cafe, with two figures inside, one was weeping.

*Kaymiril*
Her home had changed slightly. Warfare's picture was gone, and now Kajeenith was sitting on a throne of white stone, with nothing more than a shaft of light to illuminate him. She indicated a spare bed, and sealed the door against the outside.

Then she sat on her bed, and began to meditate as well.
He ignored the picture, sitting on the bed and closing his eyes, finding the peaceful center within him from whence he could regain his energy and focus.

Jane returned, took one of the goblets and poured water into the first basin till it reach the marker line, wondering what the point of this seemingly pointless room was, if it even had a point.

*Snip*
*Seaquest*
The demon died. A door opened. Inside could be seen a golden cafe, with two figures inside, one was weeping.

Jai squatted and whiped the blood of the foul creature's blood from the blade on the deat beast's body. Removing the seath from the corpse, he inserted it inside and hooked it to his belt. Something that potent could be useful later.

Alir'ang and Miho got up from behind the the debris they were watching from behind. Miho noticed what was on the other side of the door and jogged over and Alir'ang followed. They slowed to a walk as they passed through the opening.

Standing up, he glanced around and saw that Alir'ang and Miho had taken out the less minions of darkness. He noted that they were already through the door and that Miho was adjusting the setting on the sonic laser so that it could cut through and free the two trapped women. He calmly walked over and joined them.

Inside, was Marill and lady Ri-an.

"Hurry up and get us out of her." Lady-Ri-an. said.

Marill just stiffened, and pointed behind them.

Fog obscured the cage, and took it to another point in time.

Behinfd them was a wraith. It was light blue, and nothing could be seen of it.

"Greetings folks. I'm the wraith of things to come. I'm afraid this is as far as you come, because Shadowlord created be, and I must serve his will. The three fools may have been beaten, but I will not. Thus, I destroy you, with a terror from the future, the great Demon of Elru, known far and wide, only, as Id." The wraith said. The cloak fell, to reveal a man with red hair, and red eyes. White skin, and black leather. He seemed unnatural strong, and the mists of time rose from his body.

In a new voice, a voice that was barely more than a whisper, yet clearly heard by all, he said "heh, fine, you shall be my playthings for tonight. Are you strong?" he asked.

He punched a wall, and great cracks appearen in the floors and ceilings.

Then, he moved with great speed. He chose Jai to kill first. He puched the head, then the stomach, then the neck, then roundhouse kicked, and finall jumped up and came crashing down for a final blow to the groin.

OOC:
Planned order of attack. post accordingly.

*Theao*

If it was the seven, then she would find even if she stopped at the line, it would progress past until it hit the equivalent of seven ounces. The trick of course, was to get the basin to five, without going over ten.

If it was the three, then it held three. Thus was revealed one secret. The three cup either added, or took away three. nothing more, nothing less. The seven took or add seven ouces, no more, no less. It was automatic too. The basin, could only hold ten ounces, the marker line was at five.

Fingal would find himself standing atop an observation tower in the south east section of the town Vedt also happened to be in. He could see many houses, and everyone seemed to be under the influence of something.

*Falcon after looking around the town walked to the stairs and went cautiously down them*

Inside, was Marill and lady Ri-an.

"Hurry up and get us out of her." Lady-Ri-an. said.

"It would help if I knew what these bars were made of," mumbled Miho as she continued working at the controls for the sonic laser.

Marill just stiffened, and pointed behind them.

Fog obscured the cage, and took it to another point in time.

Behinfd them was a wraith. It was light blue, and nothing could be seen of it.

Jai and Alir'ang followed to where Marill was pointing and only noticed the cage's dissapearance from the corner of their eyes.

"Greetings folks. I'm the wraith of things to come. I'm afraid this is as far as you come, because Shadowlord created be, and I must serve his will. The three fools may have been beaten, but I will not. Thus, I destroy you, with a terror from the future, the great Demon of Elru, known far and wide, only, as Id." The wraith said. The cloak fell, to reveal a man with red hair, and red eyes. White skin, and black leather. He seemed unnatural strong, and the mists of time rose from his body.

"Oh, shove it," said Miho leveling the sonic laser at the Wraith and pulled the trigger.

In a new voice, a voice that was barely more than a whisper, yet clearly heard by all, he said "heh, fine, you shall be my playthings for tonight. Are you strong?" he asked.

While Alir'ang and Miho moved to safety and ducked out through the door, Jai just looked Id in the eyes with his own silver ones, only slightly redder than before.

"Strength lies not in how much muscles you have," Jai replied, "but in how you use them."

He punched a wall, and great cracks appearen in the floors and ceilings.

"That's it," taunted Jai, "pathetic. All those muscles and all you could do is make it crack."

Then, he moved with great speed. He chose Jai to kill first. He puched the head, then the stomach, then the neck, then roundhouse kicked, and finall jumped up and came crashing down for a final blow to the groin.

Moving with his own speed, Jai avoided most of the blows but still came away with a black eye. He whiped a trickle of blood from the right corner of his mouth.

"Ahh," he snarled, "at last, a worthy opponent. Or," he added tauntingly, "are you just another pushover."

Moving rapidly, he aimed a sweep kick at Id's legs followed up by a quick slam of the other heel into the muscle-head's solar plexus after he went down.

Then, Jai back-flipped to get back up on his feet. In a flash, he had grabbed one of Id's legs and started twisting while planting one of his own feet on the being's throat.

OOC:
Planned order of attack. post accordingly.

OOC: Understood. I'll expect the same thing from you when you get back.

falcon found himself at the corner of said town.It looked like there was supposed to be a tower in the center, but there was none.

*SQ*
ID would be a being of great strength, however, this one was not.

He kicked Jai with his other leg, kicked out of the hold, and begun to move faster to keep up.

He went for the head, then the chest, a leg sweep, followed by a roundhouse kick to the chest.

Jane smiled, she might not be able to remember much about her past, but she did remember the fun she had with mental problems.

She utilized the goblet with seven gems to empty the ringed basin. Once both cups were empty, she walked over to the water full basin and filled the three gem cup. Taking it to the empty basin she poured it in and repeated the process two more times. The basin with the ring was now almost filled with nine units of liquid in it.

Dipping the seven gem cup into the nearly full basin, she filled it and walked over to the basin that seemed never to run out of water and emptied her cup, before re-filling the cup with three stones set into its surface. Walking back to the basin that was ringed, she poured the water in, so that the water level rose to the line mark.

*SQ*
ID would be a being of great strength, however, this one was not.

He kicked Jai with his other leg, kicked out of the hold, and begun to move faster to keep up.

He went for the head, then the chest, a leg sweep, followed by a roundhouse kick to the chest.

Jai managed to block some of the strikes, but he let others land. Enough, in fact, that he was knocked onto his back.

Tilting backwards so that his weight was on his shoulders, he twisted rapidly with a spin-kick like move that brought him back to his feet.

Raising an eyebrow, he continued taunting Id.

"That's it? Pathetic."

He spat a red-tinged blob at Id's feet.

"Now, its time to show you what true power is."

With that, Jai dive tackled the beast. Grabbing both legs and twisting so that they were interlocked, he wrapped his legs around Id's throat and squeezed. It would only take ten seconds of pressure to cut off the oxygen flow to the brain redering the target unconsious(sp?).

falcon found himself at the corner of said town.It looked like there was supposed to be a tower in the center, but there was none.

*Falcon cautiously went towards the centre of the town*

Light shot out of the basin and dispelled the shadow. The cage slowly lowered to the ground.

It swung open, and there was a woman inside, who looked like she had been a prisoner.

*SQ*
The wraith dissapated into mist.

"Remember, I am not but a shadow of things to come, the real one shall be much worse. MASTER THE FOUR ARE DEFEATED, THE FUTURE IS NO MORE!" wraith shouted.

The words rang throughout the castle....

*Aveirhiem and Kaymiril.*

A low rumbleing began, somewhere deep within the ground. The people fled to the edge of town.

From out of the center, the spire of a tower broke the surface, and quickly rose to the sky, It was thick, almost as wide as a small mansion, and it appeared to have three floors.

A single door swung open, with stairs going up, and stairs going down.

Jane followed the light beam to where it dispelled the shadows and revealed a lowering cage. Walking over she asked, "Are you alright?"

The woman grabed Jane by the throat. She began tosqueeze, as she did, she changed forms somewhat. her skin grew leathery, she grew claws, which would pierce Janes neck, and fangs grew from her mouth as wings boomd out behind her.

"I am now precious." the half-demoness said as she threw Jane against the wall.

*SQ*
The wraith dissapated into mist.

"Remember, I am not but a shadow of things to come, the real one shall be much worse. MASTER THE FOUR ARE DEFEATED, THE FUTURE IS NO MORE!" wraith shouted.

The words rang throughout the castle....

Jai got up from the floor and brushed himself off.

"Damn," he growled, "that was no fun at all. Far too easy."

Miho exclaimed, "You call that easy! Seriously, out of the three of us, you were probably the only one who could have handled that thing."

"True," agreed Jai, "but it wasn't very satisifing. Far too short of a battle and the enemy was vanquished too quickly."

Alir'ang cut in, "Shouldn't we be worried about that last shout that thing sent echoing through this place?"

"I'm not," replied Jai.

"Figures," sighs Miho.

"So," asks Alir'ang, "where to know."

Jai shrugs and picks up the sonic laser that Miho had dropped. With a few deft manipulations of the controls, he then fired at a wall blasting a whole through it.

"I say we go that way," he said with a laugh.

Hidetsugu went to the sorceress. He used a softening Kanji based upon water to turn her to flesh.

"I don't have time to babysit." he said softly.

Hidetsugu felt the rumbling of the castle.

"Its this way!" he said.

The hole lead to the town center. there were three partially eaten baked potatoes, and very large ones at that, and a Tower rising into the center of the village.

Hidetsugu and the sorcerers would all wind up together at the same place, five doors.

When opened, each lead a wall. But on the door, was a reflection, of another part of the castle.

"Lets take the first on the left. The second one looks like that spot we passed in the east hallway, the third contains that one chamber with the screamin meanie, the fourth contains that dasterdly whirlwhind maze, and the fifth leads to a pit in the lunar caves beneath us." Schotty said ofter examing them all.

By this point, all the Aquamarinians and Gareens had regrouped and were there as well.

So, they all took the first door.

OOC: Time to bring everyone together for the final challenge, then the showdown.

Hiidetsugu followed as well.

Jane twisted so as to avoided the brunt of the intended impact, utilizing her air bending to generate a cushion of air. Landing lightly she snapped a kick, sending a wave of blue fire streaming at the demoness.

"Didn't your parents ever teach you manners?" She asked, following on the heels of the fire at the demoness.

OOC: Hidetsugu's part posted with the permission of The Black Lotus Society. Worked out through a few quick e-mails.

IC:

The Earth Sorcerer was the first to notice the sudden change.

"ACK!" he screamed as gravity shifted.

They were in a room, a normal room. Carpet was on the floor, enchanted weapons racks were on anotherm a door lay between them.

Suddenly, gravity shifted not towards the floor, but away from the weapons racks.

This was a bad thing, a very bad thing, becuase the weapons fell out of the racks, and hurtled towards the large group of people.

"Oh boy, just how I wanted to die, with a weapon falling on me." he muttered.

He activated a sheild Kanji to protect the group. Wind cast a levitation spell.

It seemed to be going good, until the racks changed, and started throwing such small minor items at them like grenades.

The sheild fell, and they had to start all over again. Hidestsugu swore a colorful oath, and cut his arm. He drew a long series of Kanji with his blood and began muttering some prayers.

Water created an ice sheid, and everyone looked at him strangly, for they did not expect him to cut himself open and do that.

Suddenly, an unstable Vortex opened up, and from it, came a beast with a great many mouths, and three eyes on the end of three stalks.

"My Lord Oni, The All Consuming Oni of Chaos, I beg of thee, servant to master, to protect us from this attack." Hidetsugu said in prayer.

The oni broke through the sheild, and began eating the weapons. The sorcerers cheered, and began teleporting the group up again.

They quickly escaped out into the courtyard where the village was. hidetsugu threw the Oni his club, and it disappeared, munching on the club.

"What was that?" Schotty asked.

"My master, my lord. Some worship Kami, I worship Oni."

"Your club." said the healing sorceress worriedly.

Hidetsugu laughed, and with what little blood was left, drew a Kanji on his leg. He kneeled in minor pain, as his leg bone divided into two exact duplicates the same size of the original. Then, one fitted itself back into the skeletal system, while the other worked its way through the flesh, which closed itself as the bone popped through. The Ogre's leg bone was massive, and it narrowed at one end, and widened at the other, the two parts became one, and great spikes jutted out of it.

The sorcerers looked sick.

"I would ask what that spell was, but I'm afraid you'd make me learn it and practice it." said the Fire Sorceress.

"haha, you chumps couldn't handle it. It may have looked like it wasn't causing that much pain, but I went through alot worse to learn it. none of you are strong enough to learn what I know." he said while hefitted a spare leather strap to it and hooked it to his cloth.

Jane twisted so as to avoided the brunt of the intended impact, utilizing her air bending to generate a cushion of air. Landing lightly she snapped a kick, sending a wave of blue fire streaming at the demoness.

"Didn't your parents ever teach you manners?" She asked, following on the heels of the fire at the demoness.

I was made out of the Malice and power of The Shadowlord. what about you?" asked the preistess, making a sheild of Ice, and sending a massive wave of water at Jane.

I was made out of the Malice and power of The Shadowlord. what about you?" asked the preistess, making a sheild of Ice, and sending a massive wave of water at Jane.

"I've been sending wetheads packing for years." She commented as she brought her left arm, the bladed one down, generating a vertical wave of air to split the water while launching another blue fire blast to melt the ice, still moving rapidly forward.

The hole lead to the town center. there were three partially eaten baked potatoes, and very large ones at that, and a Tower rising into the center of the village.

Hidetsugu and the sorcerers would all wind up together at the same place, five doors.

When opened, each lead a wall. But on the door, was a reflection, of another part of the castle.

"Lets take the first on the left. The second one looks like that spot we passed in the east hallway, the third contains that one chamber with the screamin meanie, the fourth contains that dasterdly whirlwhind maze, and the fifth leads to a pit in the lunar caves beneath us." Schotty said ofter examing them all.

By this point, all the Aquamarinians and Gareens had regrouped and were there as well.

So, they all took the first door.

OOC: Time to bring everyone together for the final challenge, then the showdown.

The three SeaQuestian's blinked as they emerged into the bright sunlight.

"How? We were just..." wondered Miho as she tried to reconcile going deeper into the building and yet coming outside in a place that looked nothing like the lunar surface.

Jai transferred the sonic laser back to Miho. He then began looking around while Alir'ang sniffed the air cautiously.

The preistess took to the air, and laughed as the light faded away. The darkness was her home.

*SQ*

The ground was dirt, no life grew here. The sky was a dark blue. Some of the people looked at the three in fear.

The Dark Preistess came over.

"I am not your enemy, nor am I your friend. If you wish to succeed in rescuing those who were taken, then come with me, otherwise the Tower of Shadows shall elude you forever." She said, without another word, she turned and walked off. She noticed the Sorcerers and their entourage.

"I am not you-" she started.

"Stuff it, we've heard that so many times its not even funny. What do you want this time?" Schotty asked irritably.

"I was simply going to say that I knew the secret of the Tower of Shadows." She said. She walked away.

Schotty growled, and motioned for everyone to follow him

She chuckled, darkness held no terror for her, thought it did make fighting more interesting. She decided to reveal the coward who choose to fight in the dark.

Spinning in a circle, she began generating a whirlwind which she then, with a breath out, infused with flames, developing a burning cyclone centered on her which rapidly spread across the room.

*Aveirhiem and Kaymiril.*

A low rumbleing began, somewhere deep within the ground. The people fled to the edge of town.

From out of the center, the spire of a tower broke the surface, and quickly rose to the sky, It was thick, almost as wide as a small mansion, and it appeared to have three floors.

A single door swung open, with stairs going up, and stairs going down.

Falcon was a little shocked by waht had just happened, but walked slowly towards the mansion. He hesitated a while at the open door, then went up the stairs.

Theao:

The fire spread accross the room. The demoness hid behind the overturned cage.

It was now completly dark.

She attacked with claws from behind, from the front, from the left side, from the right side, from the top, and somehow, from the bottom, as she circled Jane.

Avarhierrim:

Falcon would keep going up forever. If he turned to go back down, he would find he had never left the doorway.

Vedt stood from his meditations, going outside to where the Dark Priestess stood after having been spurned by the Ri-an forces.

"Thus far you have not misinformed me. Speak to me, and I will see that it is done."

Airbending focused on elusivity*, avoidence and defence and all this was coming into play as she bent, moved and deflected the demoness's blows firebending light into the room.

All she need was one good sight of the demon...

ooc: * made up word, root elusive

"Alright, well, I was simply going to give you the secret of navigating. To go up the tower, you must go down, for up leads to the never ending stairway. One soul already ventured up.

On the second floor, you will find a great maze indeed, but none so tough it cannot be solved.

First you must find the laughing God, for he shall point the way to the Golden Key. Then, find the snake in the pipe, and pull it free. Follow its path to the empty arch, but be not decieved. Walk through the arch to the mirror, and step through to find the Peacful demon. Retrieve from him, the door sheild, and return once again to the hall. Once there, find the Cross by way of the pit, and it shall take you to the rippling wall. Through the wall lies a few last misguided guards and a shadow demon. defeat them and you will be at the alter, but to get in, you must set the sheild on the floor keeping with the smooth curve, and lock it in place. Use the golden key, and the rest, you must do on your own. I am sure though, that for that, each has a plan or two in mind. It would be wise to make them all into one.

From you master mage of Kaymiril, I would ask for my troubles, only that you give me a note to show your healers, to bring them to Ri-an, for the one you seek lies on the cusp of Death and shall surely die without quick masterful care." The Dark Priestess said.

"But, surely I can-" The healing sorceress began, but then flatered.

"It is not that I distrust your intentions, young one, it is that I distrust your skill. Much you know of human medicene, and much you learn of other soecies, but truely, what do you know of the medicene of his kind? That which you deem helpful, could end up killing her." The Priestess said.

Airbending focused on elusivity*, avoidence and defence and all this was coming into play as she bent, moved and deflected the demoness's blows firebending light into the room.

All she need was one good sight of the demon...

ooc: * made up word, root elusive

IC The demoness dove stright at Jane, Fire illuminated her dive, making her all the scarier.

The demoness had made a quite possibly fatal error in attacking her directly. With a smile, she utilized one of the more difficult attributes of Firebending to send a powerful bolt of lightning into the demoness's face.

The demoness died.

A wall began to vibrate. if Jane walked into it, she would find herself at the preistesses house, with nearly everyone but Falcon, who went up the never ending staircase.

Jane smiled. She knew she didn't know much about her past, but knew her bending combination was excellent. Walking over to a wall that was not behaving as a wall was suppose to, she touched it, and finding it not solid, stepped through into a house with many people inside.

She immediately took a defencive stance incase they proved hostile like the demoness had.

"Well hello child. So nice of you to join us. They were about to go fight the terrible person that kidnapped all everyone's women, care to join them and take part?" The Dark preistess asked.

"And is there some sort of assurance that you won't attack me like that demon bitch did?" Jane asked

*SQ*

The ground was dirt, no life grew here. The sky was a dark blue. Some of the people looked at the three in fear.

The Dark Preistess came over.

"I am not your enemy, nor am I your friend. If you wish to succeed in rescuing those who were taken, then come with me, otherwise the Tower of Shadows shall elude you forever." She said, without another word, she turned and walked off. She noticed the Sorcerers and their entourage.

"I am not you-" she started.

"Stuff it, we've heard that so many times its not even funny. What do you want this time?" Schotty asked irritably.

"I was simply going to say that I knew the secret of the Tower of Shadows." She said. She walked away.

Schotty growled, and motioned for everyone to follow him

Jai cracked his neck and replied to the Dark Priestess, "If you are not a friend as you claim, then why help us? That would be the sign of an ally and not a neutral party as you claim to be.

"Now, either tell the truth, or get out of my way. I have no time to stand around listening to bull."

Miho sighed. Jai had a point, but he was very blunt about it.

"Alright, well, I was simply going to give you the secret of navigating. To go up the tower, you must go down, for up leads to the never ending stairway. One soul already ventured up.

On the second floor, you will find a great maze indeed, but none so tough it cannot be solved.

First you must find the laughing God, for he shall point the way to the Golden Key. Then, find the snake in the pipe, and pull it free. Follow its path to the empty arch, but be not decieved. Walk through the arch to the mirror, and step through to find the Peacful demon. Retrieve from him, the door sheild, and return once again to the hall. Once there, find the Cross by way of the pit, and it shall take you to the rippling wall. Through the wall lies a few last misguided guards and a shadow demon. defeat them and you will be at the alter, but to get in, you must set the sheild on the floor keeping with the smooth curve, and lock it in place. Use the golden key, and the rest, you must do on your own. I am sure though, that for that, each has a plan or two in mind. It would be wise to make them all into one.

From you master mage of Kaymiril, I would ask for my troubles, only that you give me a note to show your healers, to bring them to Ri-an, for the one you seek lies on the cusp of Death and shall surely die without quick masterful care." The Dark Priestess said.

"But, surely I can-" The healing sorceress began, but then flatered.

"It is not that I distrust your intentions, young one, it is that I distrust your skill. Much you know of human medicene, and much you learn of other soecies, but truely, what do you know of the medicene of his kind? That which you deem helpful, could end up killing her." The Priestess said.

Alir'ang appeared not to be listening, but he was, in fact, actually memorizing the directions being given in case they turned out to be needed.

"If I wanted you dead, you would not be here. You would not be anywhere. I would have taken you to the Lower plane, and loosed you in the infinite maze. Don't try to figure out what I speak of. You haven't been there." TDP said.

Jai cracked his neck and replied to the Dark Priestess, "If you are not a friend as you claim, then why help us? That would be the sign of an ally and not a neutral party as you claim to be.

"Now, either tell the truth, or get out of my way. I have no time to stand around listening to bull."

Miho sighed. Jai had a point, but he was very blunt about it.



Alir'ang appeared not to be listening, but he was, in fact, actually memorizing the directions being given in case they turned out to be needed.
"I am not but a servant. The Handmaiden of Kajeenith, Reformed God of the Void. My actions are his decisions, his decisions are my actions. If you wish the truth, afterwards I'll take you to him and you can ask him yourself." She said.

"As you wish." Jane replied, unintimitated by the woman's threats. "So what can you tell me of this terrible person?"

The demoness died.

A wall began to vibrate. if Jane walked into it, she would find herself at the preistesses house, with nearly everyone but Falcon, who went up the never ending staircase.

*Falcon finally decided this was the wrong way and turned back downstairs, finding himself at the doorway again, he blinked*

In the Depths of the moon...

"Their coming. Just as I planned. Put up meager resistance and they gain over confidence. Lost the army, but ohwell. Their a schilling a dozen these days. These women have served their purpose, Now they can all die. But I'll be nice, I'll wait for them to find me, and when they do, down comes the knife, and there goes their life. Soon they will enter my tower, my domain. There is no light for them there, only the twisted shadows, and from them shall I lead them astray/ Its marvelous. To think that there are those that think they can actually equal me. I am light, I am darkness, I dwell in the infinite darkness forever, and in time, even the gods shall do my bidding. Come servant, let us greet our guests properly." Shadow said in a rant to his servant. They vanished into a crack in the ceiling.

Lady Ri-an pulled a diamond file out of her pocket, and proceeded cut a few bars off. Then she opened her cage, and opened all the others.

She also freed Arel, though with her being asleep, that didn't really matter.

Free of magick restricting cage, she was able to do more effectivly.

"Now listen, I might have freed you, but don't think about just running off. If you want to survive, then you have to use your head, and stick with me. He fears me so long as I am not made helpless, after all, I'm stronger than him. First, we have to get this one to her own kind. And for that, let me." Lady Ri-an said.

Marill nodded as Lady Ri-an walked over to Arel

She picked up Arel. the Aquamarinians had taught her much of Psionics, so she entered Arel's mind, but only deep enough to find where the healers of her kind were. Ri-an was strong, and in good helth, Arel was weakened by her own actions, in kept in deep sleep, even still, she let Arel know on a sub-concious level why she was there.

Finding what she needed to know, she teleported away for a few minutes.

Kaymiril, Mithdelmar...

From the memories in Arel's mind, she knew the large temple to be their center of healing. So she carried the poor girl's body there, up the steps, and inside. She stopped the first healer she could find.

"Pardon me for just walking in like this and all, but I believe this one needs help only you and the others here can give her. You see, this girl was kidnapped from this place by a criminal from my world, or rather the moon that orbits my world. She's in a state of Cryogenic sleep, niether living nor dead, and she drank something that did her grevious injury. If she awakens without being in the hands of a skilled docter who could heal her wounds inside, then she might die, and I certainly wouldn't want that." Lady Ri-an said.

Back at the hut:

"Nevermind, its being taken care of. That only leaves me one other task. See you around then." She said. She raised her hands, and great energy began to crackle in her hands, it bounded all around the town, a sudden flash, and everything was gon, the only things that remained were the heros come to rescue the kidnapped, The tower, and of course Shadow's tower and castle. The village, and villagers were gone.

* suddenly the mansion in front of Falcon and indeed the entire village and its occupants had vanished. Falcon looked around in shock*

In the Depths of the moon...

"Their coming. Just as I planned. Put up meager resistance and they gain over confidence. Lost the army, but ohwell. Their a schilling a dozen these days. These women have served their purpose, Now they can all die. But I'll be nice, I'll wait for them to find me, and when they do, down comes the knife, and there goes their life. Soon they will enter my tower, my domain. There is no light for them there, only the twisted shadows, and from them shall I lead them astray/ Its marvelous. To think that there are those that think they can actually equal me. I am light, I am darkness, I dwell in the infinite darkness forever, and in time, even the gods shall do my bidding. Come servant, let us greet our guests properly." Shadow said in a rant to his servant. They vanished into a crack in the ceiling.

Lady Ri-an pulled a diamond file out of her pocket, and proceeded cut a few bars off. Then she opened her cage, and opened all the others.

She also freed Arel, though with her being asleep, that didn't really matter.

Free of magick restricting cage, she was able to do more effectivly.

"Now listen, I might have freed you, but don't think about just running off. If you want to survive, then you have to use your head, and stick with me. He fears me so long as I am not made helpless, after all, I'm stronger than him. First, we have to get this one to her own kind. And for that, let me." Lady Ri-an said.

Marill nodded as Lady Ri-an walked over to Arel

She picked up Arel. the Aquamarinians had taught her much of Psionics, so she entered Arel's mind, but only deep enough to find where the healers of her kind were. Ri-an was strong, and in good helth, Arel was weakened by her own actions, in kept in deep sleep, even still, she let Arel know on a sub-concious level why she was there.

Finding what she needed to know, she teleported away for a few minutes.

Kaymiril, Mithdelmar...

From the memories in Arel's mind, she knew the large temple to be their center of healing. So she carried the poor girl's body there, up the steps, and inside. She stopped the first healer she could find.

"Pardon me for just walking in like this and all, but I believe this one needs help only you and the others here can give her. You see, this girl was kidnapped from this place by a criminal from my world, or rather the moon that orbits my world. She's in a state of Cryogenic sleep, niether living nor dead, and she drank something that did her grevious injury. If she awakens without being in the hands of a skilled docter who could heal her wounds inside, then she might die, and I certainly wouldn't want that." Lady Ri-an said.

Samantha watched quietly. While she didn't know who everyone was, her military mind was telling her that it would be prudent to stick together as a group, for now.

Back at the hut:

"Nevermind, its being taken care of. That only leaves me one other task. See you around then." She said. She raised her hands, and great energy began to crackle in her hands, it bounded all around the town, a sudden flash, and everything was gon, the only things that remained were the heros come to rescue the kidnapped, The tower, and of course Shadow's tower and castle. The village, and villagers were gone.

Miho and Alir'ang blinked in surprise.

"Interesting effects," remarked Jai, "Was the village even real in the first place?"

"Alright, well, I was simply going to give you the secret of navigating. To go up the tower, you must go down, for up leads to the never ending stairway. One soul already ventured up.

On the second floor, you will find a great maze indeed, but none so tough it cannot be solved.

First you must find the laughing God, for he shall point the way to the Golden Key. Then, find the snake in the pipe, and pull it free. Follow its path to the empty arch, but be not decieved. Walk through the arch to the mirror, and step through to find the Peacful demon. Retrieve from him, the door sheild, and return once again to the hall. Once there, find the Cross by way of the pit, and it shall take you to the rippling wall. Through the wall lies a few last misguided guards and a shadow demon. defeat them and you will be at the alter, but to get in, you must set the sheild on the floor keeping with the smooth curve, and lock it in place. Use the golden key, and the rest, you must do on your own. I am sure though, that for that, each has a plan or two in mind. It would be wise to make them all into one.

From you master mage of Kaymiril, I would ask for my troubles, only that you give me a note to show your healers, to bring them to Ri-an, for the one you seek lies on the cusp of Death and shall surely die without quick masterful care." The Dark Priestess said.

"But, surely I can-" The healing sorceress began, but then flatered.

"It is not that I distrust your intentions, young one, it is that I distrust your skill. Much you know of human medicene, and much you learn of other soecies, but truely, what do you know of the medicene of his kind? That which you deem helpful, could end up killing her." The Priestess said.
Vedt listened to the instructions carefully...he would remember them when the time came, but as he was sending off for the mage, his transmitter bipped at him.

"The woman is already in the care of our mages. She will be well, or she will die. It really depends on her. In any event..."

He looked at the others.

"Will you follow me?"

"And who are you that we should follow?" Jane asked the strange grey man.

The Sorcerers nodded their genera ascent.

"It was real. Her path took them to Ri-an, I think. I never can tell with her." Laet said.

Elsewhere.....

Lady Ri-an returned. She sat down, uncharacteristicly worn.

"Whew. I'm not used to going such great distances." She said.

Marill stepped forward.

"You rest, we'll turn our focus upon the room." Marill said.

"Alright, there has to be a way in and out of here, but how?" Marill asked.

The Room was Round. The walls were smooth. No door appeared in the walls, one of which was flowing Lunar Lava, held back be Shadow's will, away from what was the central support Column. A trap that would destroy his entire Castle in a minute if things went wrong. In the ceiling there was a hole, but no ladder. Light Glimmered from somewhere way at the top.

"And who are you that we should follow?" Jane asked the strange grey man.
OOC: He's all in black.

IC:
"I am, quite literally, no one. But you stand a better chance with me than without...and the best chance of all with a leader than without. Committees get nothing accomplished."

"Without a name, a leader is naught." Jane replied, "Once I get your name I'd be willing to follow, to an extent at least."

ooc: Sorry 'bout that.

"Then call me Noamuth, if you must have a name."

"And who are you that we should follow?" Jane asked the strange grey man.

"Simple, I have Power too, but I'm not familier with the kind being used by the Shadow Freak. I don't mind following for now, so long as I don't have to babysit anyone. You, you might be strong, but I don't think you could swat a Fly much less confront a being bent on as much destruction as this creature is. Theres the Military trio over there. They couldn't even tell that this village was real, for large groups we need someone who won't be easily decieved by tricks like children in a kitsune forest. I don't know for sure what he can do, but he doesn't look like he'll get fooled by very much. Then there are the Sorcerers and their small army. I'm sorry, but Commitees have never accomplished much unless guided by a strong centralised focus. At the moment, all they really are, is a commitee. The sooner we accomplish this the sooner we can all get on with our daily lives. Now don't get upset or insulted, this is just what I see, and I can see much." Hidetsugu said.

*Back with the group.*

"Its ashame the Pillar wasn't closer to the hole, I could climb out it and drop a rope back down. I'm not a good builder, but something tells me we're in trouble if the column gets knocked over." The Princess said.

"Then Noamuth, what are your plans?" Jane asked, not paying attention to the unnamed, or at least not much.

"Hey, we get things done." Schotty said.

Meanwhile...

A chill wind blew from the tower. A voice could be heard upon it.

First came the Dawn, bright and wonderful, and with it came the origin. Then came the Afternoon, and with it came learning, and with learning came opinion. now comes the Evening and behind it the dark Eternal night. It flies with Dark Gossamar wings, and upon it rides the destroyer.

O ye of little faith, do not yet depart from the Shadow, for it shall protect you. Flee not away like the scare little rabbits you quickly become. do not scurry into wholes like the Vermin you envy. Walk boldly and proudly forward and find that the thing you fear most is really yourself.

"Simple, I have Power too, but I'm not familier with the kind being used by the Shadow Freak. I don't mind following for now, so long as I don't have to babysit anyone. You, you might be strong, but I don't think you could swat a Fly much less confront a being bent on as much destruction as this creature is. Theres the Military trio over there. They couldn't even tell that this village was real, for large groups we need someone who won't be easily decieved by tricks like children in a kitsune forest. I don't know for sure what he can do, but he doesn't look like he'll get fooled by very much. Then there are the Sorcerers and their small army. I'm sorry, but Commitees have never accomplished much unless guided by a strong centralised focus. At the moment, all they really are, is a commitee. The sooner we accomplish this the sooner we can all get on with our daily lives. Now don't get upset or insulted, this is just what I see, and I can see much." Hidetsugu said.

Overhearing this, Miho had stealthily walked over behind him.

"Actually," she said, "We're following Jai on this one. His instincts haven't led us wrong yet."

Alir'ang and Jai came over and joined them.

Alir'ang said, "She's right. With the bond between Jai and the Major, one of the captive this yellow-bellied coward called the Shadow Lord took, it could be equated to telepathy. As long as I've known them, they've always seemed able to find each other no matter the distance," he paused for breath, "so, I would follow him knowing that. Someone else can lead the group if they want, I don't care, but he'll guide us true no matter the twists or turns in our path."

*Back with the group.*

"Its ashame the Pillar wasn't closer to the hole, I could climb out it and drop a rope back down. I'm not a good builder, but something tells me we're in trouble if the column gets knocked over." The Princess said.

Samantha asked, "Then why not move the pillar?"

"Hey, we get things done." Schotty said.

Meanwhile...

A chill wind blew from the tower. A voice could be heard upon it.

First came the Dawn, bright and wonderful, and with it came the origin. Then came the Afternoon, and with it came learning, and with learning came opinion. now comes the Evening and behind it the dark Eternal night. It flies with Dark Gossamar wings, and upon it rides the destroyer.

O ye of little faith, do not yet depart from the Shadow, for it shall protect you. Flee not away like the scare little rabbits you quickly become. do not scurry into wholes like the Vermin you envy. Walk boldly and proudly forward and find that the thing you fear most is really yourself.

Jai snarled at the challenge.

"Bah," he growled, "They think they can scare me away that easily. Pathetic fool. Time to show this arrogant bastard what true fear is about."

He unclipped his equipment built from around his waste and handed it to Alir'ang. Alir'ang nodded as he guessed what Jai's plan was.

Jai took off his shirt and tossed it to the ground. With a look of concentration on his face, and a few flexes of muscles, he appeared to double over in pain. In reality, however, things were starting to change. His skin took on a scaled pattern and become more and more silver in color. At first, the scale pattern was just a pattern. However, eventually they shifted to become actual scales. The seat of his pants ripped out as the end of his spine lengthed and a massive, scaled tail shot out. Then two wings sprouted from his shoulder blades. His snout lengthened. His teeth became sharper and serrated while the tip of his tounge forked as it took on a more serpentine appearance. His hair stiffened and joined together. It formed the first of a row of a spinal crest of quill-like spines that ran from the top of his head and down his back. Two prehensile tendrils sprouted from the end of his altered snout where a moustache would be. Under his chin grew two more similar trendrils.

After a few more moments, and a few more slight alterations, he now stood on all fours in his true Draconian form. As he was younger than Alir'ang, he should technically be smaller. However, in reality, Jai was, in fact, four times the size of Alir'ang, and Alir'ang was considered one of the largest Draconians to ever live.

"So," hissed Jai, "What are we waiting for?"

'Noamuth' looked at Jai, then at Miho.

"That one is young and needs control, mainly of himself. Waelin uss," he was now addressing Jai, "you cannot guide your people anywhere if you cannot fit inside the building."

He turned back to Miho. "I have lived many centuries, and have been on many more missions similar to this in nature. While this one may know the direction to take to get to the one you lost, his instincts will not be up to some of the challenges you will find here. If he would confer as to the direction we take, that would be acceptable. But a young man in a passion seldom has the necessary rationality to undertake such a task."

'Noamuth' looked at Jai, then at Miho.

"That one is young and needs control, mainly of himself. Waelin uss," he was now addressing Jai, "you cannot guide your people anywhere if you cannot fit inside the building."

"No offense," replied Miho, "but you try telling him that yourself."

Alir'ang added, "While physically young for a Draconian, Jai has all my memories up to a point as well as the memories and experience of several other leaders in their feild. The whole Quicksilver Project was to create a genetically created soldier that could operate independently out in the field during 'special' missions no one else could accomplish."

He turned back to Miho. "I have lived many centuries, and have been on many more missions similar to this in nature. While this one may know the direction to take to get to the one you lost, his instincts will not be up to some of the challenges you will find here. If he would confer as to the direction we take, that would be acceptable. But a young man in a passion seldom has the necessary rationality to undertake such a task."

Jai snickered.

"Size," he said with a slight twinkle to his eyes, "was never a problem."

With that, his face took on a look of focus and concentration. Within a few moments, his serpentine body became the size of an average sized snake. With a few deft moves, he peered at the Drow from a perch atop Miho's right shoulder.

"For me," he said, "size doesn't matter. In this form, even at this size, I'm far stronger, faster, and more durable than in my other form that you first met me in."

"Well, lets go. Here's how it sounds then, Noamuth leads the way. Jai makes sure we stay more or less on track, and us, we use the years of experience we've had to point out traps and paths and the like. Hidetsugu, and the rest, muscle. Knowing all that, lets get going, but then, mr leader should go in first." Schotty said while looking at Noamuth.

Down below.

"Move that pillar and the castle begins to destabilise. As it destablises it collapses. I do not wish to be beneath a collapsing castle. Above it or beside it, maybe, but beneath it, never. We utilise a similar system ourself in certain buildings. Now, as to getting up there, I believe I can help with that." Marill said.

She concentrated, and a rope shot up towards the hole, and embedded itself in the side.

The Princess would only be able to get half way up before defenses kicked in.

Princess Michieko jumped on the rope and climbed up it as quickly as a monkey might. She was halfway up before she sensed something was wrong.
Rather than risk her life, she began to return to the ground.

*Falcon looked around the flat plain that had once housed the village*

Falcon can see the group getting ready to enter the tower.

Down below....

The top of the tunnel began to close, and it moved downwards quickly.

After it closed, a powerful sleep rune was activated.

"Sleep attack!" Ri-an warned before falling asleep.

Marill put up a vigorous fight launching several spells at it, but to no avail, she to nodded off.

Marill fell asleep in Ri-an's arms, almost like a Mother holding her daughter.

"Well, lets go. Here's how it sounds then, Noamuth leads the way. Jai makes sure we stay more or less on track, and us, we use the years of experience we've had to point out traps and paths and the like. Hidetsugu, and the rest, muscle. Knowing all that, lets get going, but then, mr leader should go in first." Schotty said while looking at Noamuth.
*Snip*

"Sounds all right to me," said Jai.

Miho looked at the Kaymirilian mage and said, cryptically, "Its not about anger, its about peace."

OOC: Ehh, I just finished some research on RL martial arts and associated mysticism.

*Snip*

Down below....

The top of the tunnel began to close, and it moved downwards quickly.

After it closed, a powerful sleep rune was activated.

"Sleep attack!" Ri-an warned before falling asleep.

Marill put up a vigorous fight launching several spells at it, but to no avail, she to nodded off.

Marill fell asleep in Ri-an's arms, almost like a Mother holding her daughter.

Samantha gritted her teeth. Using her military training, she would do her best to stay awake.

"Use pain to stay awake," she shouted, "it tends to cause the body to fill up with natural stimulants and its near impossible to fall asleep when your body is all tensed up with them."

She turned towards a wall and muttered, "I'm going to regret this later," before punching the wall as hard as she could.

Gritting her teeth to keep from crying out, she let nature take its course and allow her body to fill with natural stimulants. It wouldn't keep her awake forever, but it would allow her to also focus on the pain and let nature do the rest to stay awake as long as she could.

OOC: Its a RL fact. For example, ever tried going to sleep with a headache?

Falcon can see the group getting ready to enter the tower.

*Falcon decided to cautiously see what they were up to, and quietly came up to them*

All eight sorcerers and two Aquamarinians barred his path. They could easily spot a Shadow Supporter from someone that had somehow arrived here by other means. This was their field of expertese.

"Who are you that you come from yon tower, where our enemy awaits our arrival with many traps and words?" They asked.

Spells threatened to kill Falcon on the spot if he was a supporter of Shadow. If he lied, they would kill him anyway. If he told the truth, they would simply fade, but not before finding out if he was lying or not.

The only visible part of all this, was that the Sorcerers eyes glowed slightly, and the two Aquamarinians were an inch off the ground.

They were all quite serious, and none of them felt now was the time to be playing games.


Below:
The longer they were awake, the stronger the rune got.

QUOTE

* Falcon went white at all the powerful mages surrounding him* "I-I-just got here, I'm looking for my half sister, I swear I don't know anything!" *Falcon hoped they would believe him*

All eight sorcerers and two Aquamarinians barred his path. They could easily spot a Shadow Supporter from someone that had somehow arrived here by other means. This was their field of expertese.

"Who are you that you come from yon tower, where our enemy awaits our arrival with many traps and words?" They asked.

Spells threatened to kill Falcon on the spot if he was a supporter of Shadow. If he lied, they would kill him anyway. If he told the truth, they would simply fade, but not before finding out if he was lying or not.

The only visible part of all this, was that the Sorcerers eyes glowed slightly, and the two Aquamarinians were an inch off the ground.

They were all quite serious, and none of them felt now was the time to be playing games.


Jai watched the proceedings through barely open eyes. He was not only studying Falcon, but also the Ri-an natives and their magick.

Below:
The longer they were awake, the stronger the rune got.

Samantha gritted her teeth. Almost jokingly, she wished for a nice hot cup of coffee. As the pain in her hand began to fade, she could feel herself continue to get tired. Gritting her teeth, she used the iron will that had led her into the trouble that had lost her her arm when she was younger.

With a yell, she grabbed a loose stone and tossed it as hard as she could at a random spot in the soft. By pure chance, she used her replacement arm without thinking and thus the stone would probably bury itself around a meter or so deep into the stone. Determined to keep busy, she began to move around. While she was not gifted magickally or psychically like Jai and some other people she knew, she was a SeaQuestian, and they don't give up until the end. Military personnel doubly so.

The spot the stone landed happened to be one of the many runes in there. Striking it caused it to activate.

In another section of castle...

Shadow's servant looked up. The train was ready to go, Shadow was in the tower tiying with the vermin. So why was he also summining him to where the witches were kept?

Curious he went to investigate.

He appeared in a dark mist, and stopped cold. They were free, Most were asleep. Two however, seemed awake.

He turned to Miho.

"How did you get free?" he asked in a threatening manner.

Their taking it easy on him. - Hidetsugu thought watching the sorcerers investigate the newcomer from the tower.


Below...

Princess Michiko crouched into a fighting position. She reached into the long sleeved of her dress, and pulled out a Sai out of each one. The way she held them, the way she stood, she clearly knew more about fighting than a she let on. Normally, she was as delicate as a flower. Now she was anything but delicate.

"YOU! You have done nothing to free us. Clearly you are our enemy. Die." She said with a very horrible accent.

She moved in on Shadow's Servant, One Sai going for the top part, one for the bottom.

The spot the stone landed happened to be one of the many runes in there. Striking it caused it to activate.

In another section of castle...

Shadow's servant looked up. The train was ready to go, Shadow was in the tower tiying with the vermin. So why was he also summining him to where the witches were kept?

Curious he went to investigate.

He appeared in a dark mist, and stopped cold. They were free, Most were asleep. Two however, seemed awake.

He turned to Miho.

"How did you get free?" he asked in a threatening manner.

OOC: Ehh, Miho's outside with Jai, Alir'ang, and everyone else's characters, so I'll take it meant Major Samantha Cutler due to the wording of the rest of your post.

IC: Samantha glared with firey determentation into the eyes of the servant.

"Freedom is only state of mind," she replied cryptically.

It would be easy to tell that it was taking all her strength and will-power just to stay concious, so she wouldn't be much of a threat if the servant tried to get rough. She was also trying more psychological intimdiation techniques. But of course, appearances can be decieving.

"Finally," she growled, "I was getting bored."

She reached down to her waiste and removed her belt buckle. She pressed it to the top of her artificial arm just above the wrist and hit the center symbol. From the long sides sprouted 'legs' that wrapped around her forearm to lock it in place and from the short side in front sprouted a blade to a surprising length. Molecular compression technology had allowed the blade, now currently twice the width one of her hands in length, to be stored in compressed form inside the buckle.

With a quick slash of the blade, she went for his dangling parts.

Michiko's sai struck in both, but it was just a scratch. The only thing dangling off of Shadow's servant was his hair, because shadow's servant was a Eunich.

He growled, and stopped the Sleep Rune. He would stop them on his own, without magick.

He spoke magick, the walls trembled, and bowed out dangerously, as he disappeared.

Rising from the floor, was two large eyes, they were blue, following them was a hideously deformed head, and many sharp teeth. There was a body, and slight tremors came from where its heart was. But then the hands came out. Both were several times larger than a human head. Bothhad very sharp claws. Nothing else came out of the floor, for Shadow's servan't truest form was so large, it could not all be contained within this room. He had traded all his magick, for great strength. He would either kill them, or die himself.

One hand went for Samantha, one went for Michiko

OOC: Ri-an, you just had to ruin my fun of castrating the bad guy.

Roffle-sauce.

IC: Samantha blinked as she noticed the force that was sapping at her strength to try to get her to sleep vanished. With a frown, she also noticed her blade only cut cloth as apparently this being had nothing below the belt, so to speak.

She continued the motion she had started with the swipe of her blade earlier and rolled between the creature's legs. Spinning around, she smoothly flowed into a defensive martial arts stance. With wide eyes, she watched as he vanished, only to reapear in a more dangerous form.

"Bah," she thought sarcastically as she jumped backwards to avoid the hand, "Magick. As if I didn't have enough trouble as it was."

Aloud, she taunted, "What? Didn't you have the balls to face us without resorting to such a foolish move?"

OOC: Try to think really hard about why Shadow's servant might be a Eunich. If yo can't, I'll TG you later about it.

IC:

Shadow's servant turned to Samantha.

He spoke, but his words were nothing but growls and roars.

He brought one hand crashing down on Samantha.

Michiko stopped, stunned. Then regained herself. Yet another Oni that would die. She ran around to Samantha.

"You might need these. Don't worry about me." She said, then she gave Samantha her to Sai. She Ran back to the otherside, and picked up one of thye many Iron bars Lady Ri-an had left lying around from their escape. She gathered them all, and quickly put them in a spot she could quickly grab them. She had seen its heart tremor. The skin there must be weak. She picked one up and began beating on him with it.

OOC: Sorry about the delay. Been kind of busy.

IC: Samantha rolled out of the way of the fist. Beings of that size tended to be a bit on the slow side do to simple physics.

When Michiko tossed her the sai (OOC: How many? I'll assume one, for now. Correct me if I'm wrong.), she caught it with her free hand, the one without the make-shift 'gauntlet' on the wrist, and went for the Servant's eye, the one closest to her in particular.

OOC: There's two, one for each hand. Michiko is trained in the secret ways of the Ninja, and knows many diffrent styles. Thus, she can use anything as a weapon. Knowing that Samantha would probably need a weapon she chose to give hers up, and fall back on other things, such as long heart piercing bars.