NationStates Jolt Archive

Seeing that no one else was taking any action, Braun flung the door open.

"Arthur will take us all there." As Gabriel said that, there was a small flash and Gabriel's sword hovered in front of him. Gabriel took it and attached it to his belt. "OK everyone, here we go."

When the three of them reappeared, it was without the tank, and they were standing in the middle of a windswept, dusty plain. Both Kurt and Talia now had small devices attached to their belts. One was notibly missing from Gabriel's.
"Those are miniature forcefields, they'll protect you and filter the air."

OOC cant take the suspence aye? lol


IC: As the door opened, a young elf stood there, but not just any elf. The elf had wings.. wings of an angel, one black, one white. The elf had his head bowed down. His hair was silver, and it coverend enough of his face from having his head bowed you could not see any facial features. The elf looked like a teen almost, standing at only 5'4. He wore a simple set of clothing. A voice they had all seemed to reconize spoke slowly, "Hello.. Braun.."

Vor'en just stared in wonder, not knowing if it was who he thought it was or not. The rest just did the same, except Aurora moved up next to Vor'en.

"The air is that bad?" Kurt asked, looking around.

"Kaz?" Braun asked with some confusion.

"Kurt, this entire planet is radioactive enough that you could microwave a live chicken in about ten seconds. Be grateful all the chemical and biological weapons expired long ago." Gabriel glanced up at the sun, it was bigger than it should have been, and glowing a fierce red. But Gabriel merely nodded to himself at that.

"Oh," Kurt said, he shuddered as he had heard what chemical/biological weapons had been like and the fact the entire planet was radioactive made him feel very uncomfortable. "What happened here?"

The elf slowly raised up his head, looking at Braun. The old scar diagional across the elf's face was identical to Kaz's. He had one red eye, and one blue eye. He spoke slowly, "Yes.. It is me.. in soul."

Vor'en stared, "Is it really you brother?"
The elf simply nodded, "Yes, it is." His white and black wings rustled slightly.


OOC like the twist lol

OOC: Nice twist, though I have to admit to being slightly annoyed, I had a whole story line laid out with a surprise ending. But that's what happens with these things.

IC: Braun took several hasty steps back. "Then you had best not get near me Kaz, without a body to protect it, the soul is especially vulnerible to the staff, and I fear my darker side still lurks just beneath the surface."

"You know what happened here Kurt, Arthur told you not so long ago. I never really thought I would be given the chance to return home in my last days.

"Oh," Kurt said, realising they where on Gabriel's homeworld. After that, he didn't know what to say.

OOC sorry about that then

IC The 'new' Kaz merley shook his head, "Im sorry, let me rephrase that.. This is me in soul, not body, This is a corpreal body, this is the, well, new me.."


OOC gtg for a while, should post later, figure an hour, if any of u are still on then.

A walking stick appeared in Gabriel's hand and he leaned heavily on it. "I have some things to show you Kurt, and then you will have to make a decision, perhaps the most importent one you will ever make. I had hoped to delay the time when you had to make by a few years at least. So that I might have had more time to teach you, to share my motivations with you. But circumstances have prevented that from being possible. So whether or not you are ready, the time is nearly upon us. Talia, you may follow us, or stay here as you wish. Whatever happens, Arthur will see you both home safetly."

"I'm not staying here alone," Talia remarked.

"I don't want to leave Talia by herself," Kurt said.

OOC: Must go now, see ya tomorrow.

"It suits you well then. And I am glad to know that you are back among us. Even the living may only walk up The Paths of the Dead once, if they do so a second time, they cannot ever return. Myself and Marciel have already traveled that path once before. It would have been a one way trip for us. But come in, you should not have to stand there on your own doorstep. And the rest of you should close your mouths before a bird decides to start a nest in them."

"Then join us. This shall be my last journey, it will be good to have companions to travel with me."

Kaz walked in and closed the door behind him. Braun, I have something to ask you, why did they not let me go through? Dont get me wrong, I love to be alive, just now I have a new body.. an 18 year old body.. I get to restart my life. I just want to know why they said I had a purpose still.. they said that you could tell me..

Kaz then looked at Aurora with his red and blue eyes, and he shook his head slightly, and a tear fell down his cheek. All the rest still stood in awe, then Vor'en walked up to his brother. "Welecome back brother."
Kaz looked up at Vor'en, "It is good to be back new. But my father's soul has also left me, he will no longer house in the same body as I."

"I know no more than Gabriel told me. Suffice to say that you are an important factor. Until another factor comes, it is you and others who hold togeather this world. He knew that you were vital to this world in other ways as well, but he would say no more than that."

Kaz nodded, and his wings rusteled slightly against his back. Vox went up to Kaz, "You know.. the people are never going to believe your Kaz.. if you even are Kaz.."
Kaz looked up, "Your saying i'm not Kaz?"
"Well.. you are so different now.."
"If the people believe in the old Kaz they will believe in the new.." He looked to Aurora as she left the room, and he sighed.

Vor'en smiled at Kaz, he was glad he had his brother back. But something still felt strange about him other than his new form.

"Should we tell him?" Marciel asked.
"I don't know, Vor'en would be a better judge than I. Perhaps we should ask him." Braun thought back.
Braun recieved a mental nod and the message went out. "Vor'en, should Kaz be told the price that was paid?"

Vor'en jumped for a moment, and got a strange look from everyone and he laughed, then returned the mental messages, "I would say so.. It would be good if he did.. But im not telling him, and stop with the mental stuff it scares me, i dont expect it."

Kaz just looked around and saw Mitch, his red eye glared hard at him, "You assassin.."
Mitch raised an ear and stepped back, "No no no dont hurt me im free now, Miss Aurora said so."
Kaz shook his head, "I'm sorry.. your free yes go whatever.. just.. keep on my good side.."

Braun pulled a heavy bag from under his cloak. From the way it clinked, it was obviously full of money. Braun tossed it lightly to Mitch. "Mitch, I'd suggest you find another line of work. This one pays well, but a dead man can't spend his money. There's enough there for you to start a new life use it wisely."

Braun then turned back to Kaz. Before speaking he took a deep breath. "Kaz, you left before I learned this, but I think you should know. When Gabriel dragged you back from the brink of death, he didn't merely age. He greatly sped up the aging process. Instead of the millenia he should have had, at most, he only has a few hundred years. He's dying. He knew the consequences of his actions, but he still went ahead with them because he believed you were importent enough to make that sacrifice. He traded his life away for yours, use it wisely."

Kaz stared at Braun, his eyes seemed tolook right past him, "You mean.. Gabriel is going to die? Where is he I need to talk to him then." Kaz then focoused his gaze. "I get to now restart my life, and hold ties in the world while Gabriel dies, this is just not right, where is he I need to talk to him."

"The last I knew, he was staying behind to act as Kurt's teacher. I suspect he's still there. If you wish, we can go now."

"Yes we must now" His wings rusteled. "I need to ask him more about why I am so conencted to the fates and whatever else i dont know about yet."

"Then we shall go." Braun said.

Reaching the palace, Braun found a servant and from him learned the location of the door to Gabriel's residence. Knocking on the door had no effect, and then it suddenly swung open.
Arthur's voice greeted them. "Come in, please. Braun, Kaz, what can I do for you?"

"Two things," Kaz sighed, "One, How did you know it was me, and two, where is Gabriel, I must speak with him."

"I recorded your genetic code the first time we met. And as for the second, Gabriel,... Gabriel isn't coming back again." Arthur finished, pain in his voice."

"..What do you mean Arthur.. where is he? I need to talk to him now " Kaz looked around the room waiting for his response.

There was a catch in Arthur's voice. "He's not here, and he's not coming back. He took Kurt and his sister for a trip to another dimension, but an old enemy, one we didn't even realise was still around, he locked down the dimension. Gabriel managed to get him to agree to release the lock down so that Kurt and Talia could come back. But the condition was he had to fight. Had it been when he was younger, he could have beaten his opponent easily. As it was, he managed a good fight, but the combination of dealing with Nerul, and then bringing you back had weakend him too much. He managed to win, but only by using nearly every last ounce of energy he had left. He has only enough strength to complete one last task, a task that must be completed. He will complete that task, and then he will end his time back wher it all began. For his final rest he has gone home."

Kaz shook his head, "No damnit no where is he. He cant go yet.. He has answers i need.. Arthur is there any way I can get to him?"

"No, there isn't. What he is doing now could be far more importent than even the fate of an entire dimension. He cannot be disturbed, he hasn't the energy. Besides, you wouldn't get more than five feet before you dropped dead. And what makes you think he'd tell you anyway? He always firmly believed that people need to find their own answers. He had a way of just knowing things about a place after a while, but that didn't mean he shared everything with me. I would suggest you both make yourselves comfortible until Kurt and his sister return."

Braun, towering over Kaz, laid a calming hand on his shoulder. "Kaz, as I know full well, there are some things we ourselves must find the answers to. It may not be fair, it may not even be right, but that's the way it is."

Kaz growled lowly, "Damnit Gabriel.." A light tear ran down his cheek, "Bring me back to life and you end up dying in the end milenia sooner.."

"He's a good man, he knew the consequences of his actions when he made the decision. Don't think it's easy for me either. I'm been with him since the very begining. We've been through everything togeather. Live the life he gave you to the best of your ability, and nothing would make him happier." Arthur said.

OOC sorry got to call it a night

"Ok," Talia said.

"I'm afraid we'll be walking. I don't allow machines here. This planet deserves to be able to rest in peace."

"I'm afraid we'll be walking. I don't allow machines here. This planet deserves to be able to rest in peace."

"That's Ok, where are we headed?" Kurt asked.

"That's Ok, where are we headed?" Kurt asked.

There was a note of reverence in Gabriel's voice. "Home Kurt, but there are some things to see on the way. For starters, this dusty windswept plain was a forest before it all happened. Come, we'll make good time. there's nothing left on this planet to slow us down."

"Nothing could survive a place like this," Kurt said. "How far from your home are we?"

"Nothing could survive a place like this," Kurt said. "How far from your home are we?"

"A few miles." Gabriel said as he started off.

"Ah, not far then," Kurt said as he and his sister followed.

OOC: I see the server is up to its old tricks again.

"Ah, not far then," Kurt said as he and his sister followed.

OOC: I see the server is up to its old tricks again.

A short time later, odd mounds could be seen to either side of the path they were taking, and then odd bits and pieces of wall. Gabriel stopped in front of one for a moment. The silouettes of several small children could be seen burned into the wall, at one spot a ball hovered in the air, off to the side an adult stood watching over it all.
A far off look came to Gabriel's eyes. "This was a school once. They had just come out for recess."

'Shit,' Kurt thought to himself. This seemed much worse then he could have imagined.

A tear rolled down Talia's cheek.

Gabriel nodded sadly. "This is merely the begining, there's much more still to see."

Kurt instantly knew that what they'd seen here would be little compared to what Gabriel was proberly going to show them.

As they continued walking the ruins gradually became more complete. Here and there a crumbling building could be made out. Old fences hung at crooked angles, here and there the rusty remains of cars cuold be seen, skeletions of entrie families sometimes entombed with in.
Gabriel's voice was hushed as he spoke. "The lucky ones died in the blasts, the unlucky ones died of radiation, germs, and chemicals."
They came over a small hill and found themselves looking over a large bridge. It was jammed tightly with hundreds of cars, all with their own macabre residents.

Kurt suddered at the sight of call the cars on the bridge, it sort of reminded him of a scene from a film he'd watch, T2. This had been the aftermath of the judgement day of the people from Gabriels home country. He looked toward his sister who has completely silent, she was just staring almost expressionless at the bridge.

'Could this happen to my home as well?' he thought to himself, shuddering once more.

"It could happen to any world at any time. This is what I'd dedicated my life to preventing from ever occuring again. Can you begin to understand exactly what it is that drives me now?"

"Yes I do," Kurt nodded.

Rather than try and cross the jammed bridge, Gabriel took them a short ways upstream and crossed at a small ford. The center of the city they passed through was nearly as bad as the bridge, streets clogged with old cars, crumpled, halfdressed skeletons lying helterskelter on the streets. Many of the buildings had begun to fall apart, a few had collapsed across the street. Stores had their windows blown out, and glass littered the street. Passing by one department store, old mannequins, still wearing the clothes they had been designed to display looked out emotionisly at the group. Seeming far more life like than anything they had seen yet.

Talia wasn't liking what she saw, but she did make the decision to come with them as she hadn't wanted to be left behind all by herself. The mannequins worried her, they looked so lifelike compared to all the skeletons they kept seeing.

Talia wasn't liking what she saw, but she did make the decision to come with them as she hadn't wanted to be left behind all by herself. The mannequins worried her, they looked so lifelike compared to all the skeletons they kept seeing.

They left the city behind. Finally, in front of a large old run down house Gabriel turned down the cracked driveway. Walking around the house he stopped for just a minute in the backyard. The house was situated on the side of a hill, and the backyard looked out over it, one could see mountains in the distance. A large stone lay in one corner of the yard. As they approached it, they could see that there had once been words carved in it, but weathering had reduced them to the point of illegibility.
Gabriel knelt down on one knee in front of it, eyes focused on something only he could see. As he ran his free hand over the stone, and the worn words it had once displayed, he spoke, so softly that one had to strain to hear him.

"I am the last one left, everything else is gone. Beneath this stone have I laid my family to rest. May they represent all those who died in these horrible days and shall remain unburied. I am the last one, and soon there will be none, and until the sun eventually consumes all, this world will stand as a testiment to the consequences of greed, hatred, and war. Death and Darkness have claimed all here. But I leave with the hope of preventing such from ever occuring again. My name does not matter, nor do the names of those buried here. The mere fact that they were once living breathing people, with the cares, pains, and loves of all those who live, that is what matters, that and the fact that their time ended long before it should have."

Both Kurt and Talia stood silently, neither knew what to say.

Gabriel slowly and gradually stood up, and even doing that was obviously a great effort. He turned to look at the two siblings. "I wrote that just before I left here. Talia, would you please go out front? I'd like to speak to Kurt alone for a minute."

"Alright," Talia nodded and walked out to the front.

Gabriel leaned heavily against the house. "Kurt, I'd really hoped this wouldn't have to happen for some time. But for once, time is the one thing I don't have. You've seen what's driven me so far and so hard. But once I'm gone there'll be none to carry on that work. When I met you I saw a spark, a potential there. I've done my best in the short time we've know each other to flame that potential. I think you would be capable of taking over for me. Don't get me wrong Kurt, it's as much a curse as a blessing. I can transfer this power once, and only once. If you choose to refuse, neither myself, or anyone else will think any less of you. It's a hard road to choose, but I also believe it's the right road. I'd give you more time to think about it, but the decision must be made now because of circumstances. Will you accept Kurt? Will you accept on behalf of an old man who merely wishes to see that peace eventually reigns?"

OOC Damned server

Kurt didn't know what to think. It would be a huge responsibility and he had alot of that alread being the crown prince. Then again who else did Gabriel have to pass it onto. It was just him as it was in him who Gabriel had seen the potential.

"Well you seem to believe that I am capable," Kurt began to say, "I have no reason not to trust you, so I'll accept."

A slow smile crossed Gabriel's face. "Thank you, you don't know how comforting it is for me to know that there is another to carry on. You'll prove to be a good ruler Kurt. The lack of aging comes with the package. You'll rule long and well, and in time, you'll step down for another to take your place and then you can pick up the task where I left off. Arthur will help you. We have already discussed it. It will take time, but your new power, and your ability to use it will grow."
Gabriel moved forward, leaning heavily on his staff. His free hand glowed a soft white. He clasped it to Kurt's shoulder. It grew slightly in brillance for a second before disappearing.
"It is done, go now. I will spend my remaining time here, the sun will consume this world in no more than a few days, and then the last of my race will be gone. All trace eliminated, as if we never existed. And with it, the end of a legend. You are young yet, the old legend has finished, and now a new one shall start." Gabriel's voice was strained and weary. Slowly he collapsed until he rested against the stone. His eyes looking at the mountains in the distance, unseeing.

"Shit," Kurt swore.

He no longer had Gabriel to guide him, only Arthur would be able to help his sister and himself get back to their own dimension.

"Talia?" he called what.

"What?" came her reply as she returned, she hadn't been far.

"We have to go," he told his sister.

Gabriel looked up. "Kurt, one last thing."
With great effort Gabriel removed his sword and offered it to Kurt. "This sword has been with me for longer than I can remember, in all that time it never broke, or cracked. It will cut through anything when wielded properly. Take it, I have no need of it any longer."

He leaned back and spoke softly to himself. "Peace at last, the voices, the old ghosts, they're finally gone."

Kurt took the sword from Gabriel and looked at it. He knew it would forever remind him of Gabriel and of what he had seen of this world.

"How do we get back?" he asked.

"Arthur will handle it, he does the jumping, only a computer could manage everything necessary to make it work. OK old friend, it's time to send them home, take care of them, and watch after them for me."
"I will, goodbye Gabriel."
A flash, and then Gabriel was alone, and in the sky, the sun continued to grow.

OOC: Just a note, Kurt and Talia will be being transported back to Gabriel's place where they should run into Braun and Kaz.

OOC: That interdimensional place he had a door to near their bedrooms?

OOC: Yeah, that's the one.

Kurt and Talia found themselves in a now familiar place. It was one of Gabriels rooms and it was just as they had left it before that fateful trip.

"Not here," Kurt sighed, "Anywhere but here."

"Come on you two, there are some guests waiting in the lounge, and they're anxious to hear what happened to Gabriel."

"Ok," Kurt sighed as he and his sister followed Arthur out of the room.

"Ok," Kurt sighed as he and his sister followed Arthur out of the room.

OOC: I think we have to wait for Drognan now.

OOC: Yeah, might have to save him from the clutches of RL though

OOC: lol I hear you on that.

OOC: Yep definitly have to save him from the clutches of RL :?

OOC BREAKIN OUT FOR ONE MINUTE! lol

IC The new Kaz jumped up at Kurt, "Where is Gabriel?" He twitched his wings for a moment.

OOC: DN, you want to field this one?

"He's dead," Kurt said glumly looking at the floor.

OOC: Field?

OOC: Well, technicaly Arthur could have replied.

IC:Braun merely nodded. "I take it he died doing what he saw as his duty?" He asked Arthur.
"He did, the person he fought, and I finally identified him by the way, was lying when he said he'd let Kurt and Talia leave. Gabriel was good enough at reading people to know that, so he took the only option open to him to ensure their getting back. He gave his word that he would protect these two with his life, and when the time came, he did just that. He would have wanted to go that way I believe. Giving everything he had to protect others, it was the way he lived, and it was the way he died."

Kurt could only nod slowly, He didn't say anything more.

OOC: Comments, quieries, quips on how this story is going anyone?

OOC: I can't believe you killed Gabriel :cry:

OOC: I'd been leading up to something like this since first introducing him, though I wasn't entirerly sure whether I'd kill him off or not until a couple days ago. And don't worry, I have a few ideas to keep this going a while longer.

Death to double posts everywhere!

OOC: Do you think his death was suitible though? Not to mention the whole passing of the torch.

OOC BREAKS RL GRIPS AGAIN!
hey DN, no suprised reaction from the 'new' kaz? not like it really matters i guess, i just noticed that.

and btw.. THIS SERVER IS MAKIN ME MAD!!!


ok.. time for IC..

IC: Kaz Sat back down in a chair, looking down at the ground, and quietly spoke, mostly to himself, "As long as his life was not in vain.. but still... damnit.."

A tray appeared in the middle of the room loaded with glasses, hovering. "I would like to propose a toast." Arthur said. "To the death of a great man, and a legend, and the birth of a new legend. To quote, "There are those who must be protected, and those who protect them, it is my destiny to be one of the latter. I shall do my duty, and woe be to anyone who would harm one of the protected so long as I stand as a protector; for my wrath is as hot as the heart of a sun, and my fury as cold as the depths of space." May Gabriel at last find the peace for which he fought for, and sought for so long."

OOC ::KICKS SERVER!!::

IC: Kaz slowly takes a glass, "Yes.. to Gabriel.." He held up the glass, then brought it bqack down, not taking a drink yet.

Both Kurt and Talia took a glass, "To Gabriel."

As Braun picked up his drink, Arthur simmered into view, a shifting huminoid shape of glowing energy. He too took a drink from the tray and raised it high. "To Gabriel, my old friend."

"I must go, I have homework to do," Talia said, excusing herself. She left the room as quick as she could.

Arthur drained his glass and waited for the others to do the same. "Kurt, when we're finished here Gabriel had a message recorded for your parents in case of his death. Would you be so kind as to deliver it and then come back here?"

Braun tapped Kaz on the shoulder. "I think we had best be going unless you have further business here."

"Ok," Kurt nodded. "What form is the message in?"

A small disk popped into existance and dropped into Kurt's hand. "Full holo, simply set it on the ground and push the button on the side. It will play by itself."

A small disk popped into existance and dropped into Kurt's hand. "Full holo, simply set it on the ground and push the button on the side. It will play by itself."

"Right," Kurt replied, he didn't wait for Arthur to say any more and left the room to find his parents.

Kurt soon found his parents out by the pond. By the looks of his mother, she had been in her wild garden again. The young prince said nothing and his parents silently watched as he placed the disk on the ground and pushed the button on the side.

Kaz looked at Braun, and he still spoke quietly, "Yes.. it is time to go.."

OOC Quick question, was Braun a Demential Shifter or a Planar Shifter?

OOC: Braun wasn't a shifter of any type. However Gabriel was both a dimensional and temporal shifter.

IC: A fullsized hologram of Gabriel sprang up from the disk facing Kurt's parents, It gave a slight bow. "Sir, Mad'am, if you are seeing this hologram, it is with my deepest regrets that I must inform you that in the course of executing my duties to your son Kurt that I fulfilled the clause in my contract stating that I would protect his life even at the cost of my own. I am unable to say exactly how, where or why this may have happened as I hope this message need never reach you. I have discussed with my companion Arthur what would happen should this occur. We both agreed that he would continue to act as Kurt's mentor despite my loss. Before this message ends I would just like to say that your son is something special, and that it was an honor to serve both him and yourselves. End message."

With that the hologram flickered once and then disappeared.

Braun nodded. "We still have to find you that familar."

Kurt had already gone by then and it was left to his father to pick up the disk.

"I think I'll have to talk to Arthur," the King told his wife.

OOC my bad, i meant Gabriel lol, just got mixed up there..


IC: Kaz looked at Braun as they left, standing outside the castle. "I dont think I need it anymore.. at least yet.. Remember, my fathers sould has been set to rest now in the true afterlife." He looked down at the ground, whispering a few words, then looking back up to Braun again, talking in a normal voice, "Yet something tells me that i may still need a familar, because im only 18 again.. so who knows?"

"You wished to speak to me sir?" Arthur popped into existance in front of the King and Queen. Once again in the form of an armored soldier, hands clasped behind his back.

"Yes, we recieved the holo message," King Kurt I said, "I wish to know what happened to Gabriel."

Arthur nodded. "Because of a decided lack of interest by your children where German was concerned Gabriel arranged for a field trip to Germany to show them the useful applications of it and expose them to German culture. As arranged it should have been perfectly safe." Here Arthur frowned. "Unfortinately someone showed up who shouldn't have, with technology he shouldn't have had, and he managed to trap the group. Gabriel fought for their release but while he would have been able to deal with any number of normal opponents with ease, this one had managed to augment himself both biologically and cybernetically. Gabriel was not quite the fighter he was when he was younger, in addition he had drained himself almost completely of energy while protecting your son before you enlisted our services. Seeing that he was losing, he took what energy remained to him, including the remander of his own life force and detonated it all at once, eliminating the threat as well as signing his own death warrant. He had not made the promise to you sir to protect your children with his own life lightly."

OOC: I cast magic missile at the server!

IC: "Yes, we should most definately find you that familar." Braun stroked the back of Marciel's neck and she purred in response. "Even if the bond you form bond is not as close as mine and Marciel's, I think that you will find it a most enjoyible experiance once the inital difficulties are resolved."

King Kurt I nodded. "I fear that my son may very well blame himself for Gabriels death then," he said with sadness in his eyes.

King Kurt I nodded. "I fear that my son may very well blame himself for Gabriels death then," he said with sadness in his eyes.

"Gabriel foresaw that might happen and took some steps to see that the problem is taken care of. Even after death, he intended to watch after your son as best he could."

"What steps did Gabriel take?" the King then asked with interest.

Queen Wanda meanwhile had gone back to her wild garden.

"I know that he left a message for Kurt in case of his death, and that at least once he talked to Kurt about something like this happening. I have reason to believe he took other measures. Unfortinately, I can't be entirerly sure what they may have been. Gabriel was a man who shared many of his thoughts with me, but he kept even more of them to himself. And from the few times I've had a glimpse of them, I believe it was well for all concerned that he did. He knew things that no one else did, and it was best that they remained secrets. As he told Kurt once, there are some things that once buried should never be unearthed."

OOC :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: SERVER SHALL DIE!


IC:: Kaz looked up at Braun with a slight smile, "Well how do you suppose we could possibly find one? Or is it more of a task of time?"

OOC :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: SERVER SHALL DIE!


IC:: Kaz looked up at Braun with a slight smile, "Well how do you suppose we could possibly find one? Or is it more of a task of time?"

"We can only hope that my son will understand," the King sighed, shaking his head, "This vould not have happened if I had not pushed them into learning a language that they didn't want to learn."

OOC: Server from Hell, I strike at thee with all my rightous wrath! Return to wence you have come!

IC: Braun shrugged. "Marciel and myself were a special case, I highly doubt that it would apply in your circumstances. But I believe you said something once about the fact that your familar is already around. I suggest we return to your home and try a few things."

"Do not hold yourself responsible sir. You could not have known what would have happened. And had it not occured there, it would have happened elsewhere, perhaps when Gabriel would not have been able to respond so quickly." Arthur paused for a minute before continuing. "He was already dying at that point sir, and though he never told anyone, I could tell that he was in a great deal of pain constantly. And we should not forget that he succeded, both your children have mastered German, even if they haven't mastered the accent."

Kaz looked confused, "Did I?" He looked at the ground trying to think, then he looked up, "That makes me think, where did I get this scar across my face from? And why does Kurt only seem faintly remembered? Unless.. Have I lost some of my past memories?" He looked down trying to think about things, only getting partial ideas and memories in his thoughts, "I did.. Then that means.. or maybe i do need that Familar.. for my memory.." He still stared down at the ground, trying to draw up memories he once had.

OOC: Put in a good word for you in the other thread.

IC: "Don't force it Kaz, having one soul ripped from another in the way that happened to you does not happen without a price being paid. In time it will come back to you. Until then, all you need to know is that you have friends to watch after you." Braun hesitated for a moment before continuing. "And Kaz, I would like to apologise for what happened on the ship, I'm afraid, that I am still very much my father's son deep inside, despite what I may wish."

OOC I saw, i wasn't plannin on Kaz tho, I have a 2 real DnD guys i was thinkin of usin one, a level 5, and a ECL 17 one


IC Kaz looked up at Braun, "What ship?" He tilted his head to the side, with a wondering look upon his face.

Braun grimmaced at the memory. "If you do not remember that, it is probibly best that you don't learn what happened there. Suffice to say that what occured was enough to bring out the worst in both of us."

Kaz shook his haed, "It was destructive?" He waited for a moment, then shook his head again, "We better get back to Drognan."

"One teleportation spell coming up." As Braun said that a portal opened up in front of them. Braun looked down confused at his unused autoharp and then up at the portal.
"Hmm, that's odd, the power should have faded when that part of me was surpressed again. This bears looking into. Whatever's happening, we should be going Kaz."

Kaz looked confused, but he stepped through the portal after Braun to appear inside the main hall, it was fixed and rebuild after the big wars that had gone on, Kaz barley even remembering them. "Interestering, seems like its different here.. wait.. this was a fight here.." He looked around, a little bit of memory flashed in his head, the part as he walked down the hall to face Teron in the throne. Kaz ran down the hall to the throne room and opend the huge double doors, and there were no people inside. He sighed, and walked up the stairs, wondering if Braun had been following.

Braun followed after Kurt at a slightly slower pace. "Sergat! That seperation did more damage than I thought."
Braun felt a mental nod from Marciel. "We should probibly keep an eye on him until he finds and finishes bonding with his familar."
"Yeah, he's definately confused. Well fortunately, we don't really need to rush anywhere at the moment."

OOC I think u mean KAz not Kurt.. lol



IC:: Kaz walked up the throne stairs, taking a seat in the chair, then jumping up, thinking to himself, 'Why does this all feel so.. i dont know its so weird..' He looked around the room more, trying to remember anything he could of whatever happened here.

"Do not hold yourself responsible sir. You could not have known what would have happened. And had it not occured there, it would have happened elsewhere, perhaps when Gabriel would not have been able to respond so quickly." Arthur paused for a minute before continuing. "He was already dying at that point sir, and though he never told anyone, I could tell that he was in a great deal of pain constantly. And we should not forget that he succeded, both your children have mastered German, even if they haven't mastered the accent."

"Well even I have lost my accent," the King replied.

"Perhaps because you fought for your life here against the traitor Teron, and it was here that you unleashed the power that would have eventually consumed first yourself and then the world." Braun said.

"That happens with time."

The King nodded in agreement, "Now I have a Draconian accent," he said, "I used to think it was a strange accent when I was younger."

"I don't really notice sir. When it was just the two of us, Gabriel had a tendency to switch accents and languages constantly, sometimes several times in a single sentence. He said it was a good way to keep in practice."

The King gave a small smile, "Not many could do that," he remarked.

"He was certainly one of a kind. Now if you'll excuse me sir, I should be going, with his death, there are a lot of loose ends I need to tie up."

"Yes, I understand," the King replied, "I must go and find my son."

"As always sir, I am at your service." Arthur bowed once, and then disappeared.

King Kurt I sighed, this was not going to be a good day. Somehow as he headed towards his son's room, he doubted that he would find him there.

Arthur finished gathering the last of Gabriel's personnel effects, old pictures, recordings, and the like. But he couldn't bring himself to destroy them. With a sigh he transported them to one of the spare rooms and sealed it. "Just this once Gabriel, I can't go through with your request."

Kurts room was empty, the princes wasn't there. This meant that King Kurt I would have to send people out to look in all his hiding places. There was one easy place to look and that was the tavern known as The Red Cow.

"Arthur?" he asked out loud, hoping he would appear just as he had out by the pond.

"Yes sir?" Arthur asked materializing.

"Can you search the Palace for the prince? he is not in his room," the King asked.

OOC: He's no longer in the palace and has gone to the Circus

OOC: Kill the server.

IC: Arthur closed his eyes for a second in concentration. A second later he opened them. "I'm sorry sir, he is nowhere within the palace. I apologise for taking so long, but I don't normally moniter people's private rooms and it took me a while to check each individually."

Kaz looked around confused, "You mean I fought Teron..? Didn't He just run away?" He looked around some more, "Wait.. We found him.. in some trade town.. but.. I don't know.." He looked around some more, trying to remember.

"You found him in in Sabina, my hometown. We fought him, and killed him. But Nerull brought him back and you slayed him here in this very room." Braun said.

Kaz still wandered his red and blue eyes around the room till he focoused on braun for a moment. "What is keeping me from remembeing my past. Or at least a good section of my past..?"

"Not again," the King grumbled, "Thats alright, thanks for your help. I have an idea as to where else he might be. If he comes back before we find him, let me know."

"Not again," the King grumbled, "Thats alright, thanks for your help. I have an idea as to where else he might be. If he comes back before we find him, let me know."

OOC: This server is driving me crazy.

IC: Braun shrugged. "I don't know for sure, but if I had to guess I assume it's an affect of having two souls that were combined into one ripped apart."

"Of course sir, and if you find him, could you let him know I would also like to see him at his convience?"

"I will," the King nodded, "At the moment its just a case of sending a few guards out in civvies so the locals don't get suspicious."

"I will," the King nodded, "At the moment its just a case of sending a few guards out in civvies so the locals don't get suspicious."

OOC ::shoots server with a shotgun:: DIE!!


IC: Kaz looked up, "I guess so.." He looked back to the side of the room, "Do you figure I will ever get any of it back..?"

OOC ::shoots server with a shotgun:: DIE!!


IC: Kaz looked up, "I guess so.." He looked back to the side of the room, "Do you figure I will ever get any of it back..?"

"Thank you sir, I'll begin my own search at once."

OOC: Runs the server over with a steamroller.

IC: "I don't know Kaz, I really don't know. And as a Bard, it pains me to admit that."

OOC: Damn server, this is why another RP I'm involved in died. *Smacks server with a dead whale*

IC:

King Kurt I nodded. "I hope you can find him," he said before walking off in the direction of the guards house.

If it was plugged in or connected in some way, Arthur could use it. He spread his consciouness outwards through the country, cameras, motion sensors, news reports, computerised ticket booths, ATMs, computers of all sorts, all showed negative as Arthur pushed his search ever farther afield.

Kurt had snuck into the Circus Draconis Maximus undetected. First of all he had infact teleported straight to the Royal box and had activated the shield so no one could see inside. There were security cameras in there but he took no notice of them.

"Ah ha, there he is!" Arthur thought to himself when he finally found Kurt.
He materialised behind Kurt, leaning against the doorjab, arms across his chest.
"Enjoying the show?"

"Go away," the young prince replied, he didn't turn to look at Arthur, instead he looked at the empty arena below.

Arthur raised an eyebrow at that. "Your father's looking for you, he's worried."

"I want to be left alone," he then said.

OOC: Last post for tonight, the servers pissing me off.

"I want to be left alone," he then said.

OOC: Last post for tonight, the servers pissing me off.

"If that's what you really wish, I'll leave. But you should know that Gabriel would have never wanted you to feel responsible for what happened. When it's conveint for you, please come see me." Finished, Arthur faded out.

Kaz just looked down with a sigh. "Hey Braun.. they told me something.. while I was I guess.. dead.. that I had to do with Planes.. and Planar works.." He looked up at him, "What is that supposed to mean?"


OOC you may think i took this idea from your gabriel, but i didn't, i actually had a planar champion that died.. (damn Astrial Dreadnought ate her..) and i wanted to keep the idea going with Kaz, and if you read the D&D Manual of the Planes, thats where a lot of this is coming from.

Kurt silently watched as a huge cheer came from the crowd, the gladiators had gone out into the arena.

His father meanwhile sat by the large pond, fearful for his sons safety.

OOC: Yeah I did, but it was a while back.

IC: "There are several different planes of existance, there's this one, the mortal plane, there's a plane for each of the elements, there's the demon plane, and there are a few others, but those are the major ones. Occasionally different planes will interact naturally, but more often they are brought in contact by powerful magics. Travel between the planes is possible, but it is not something I would do without good reason, compared to the foes we face on this plane, those on others are far more dangerous."

Arthur appeared next to the King. "I've managed to find Kurt sir. But at the moment he wishes to be left alone. I'd recommend against sending someone to get him right now. At least where he is I can keep an eye on him, if he goes somewhere else, I can't guarrentee being able to do so."

"Alright," the King nodded, almost letting out a sigh, "I'll call off the search, but I must aske where he is."

"At the circus sir, in your private booth."

"Should have known," the King said shaking his head. "My son loves the circus, I've been so busy recently I'd forgotten it was on tonight."

"It happens sir. Perhaps there's something I can do to help you with the workload?"

"You've done enough already since most of its down to the upcoming terrorist trials."

"Well, you've got enough evidence to see that they're all convicted. Though there might be questions about how some of that information was obtained. But the computer records alone should be enough. They made a very big mistake the day they put Gabriel on their trail."

Kaz almost smiled, but didn't looking at Braun still, "Well then.. I guess im going to have to persue this idea then.."

"Unfortunatly not everyone is happy about having a Monarchy," the King sighed.

"As Gabriel pointed out to me many times sir. The type of government doesn't really make a difference. It's the people in charge of that government who make the difference."

"Well you can count me and Marciel in."

"I agree," King Kurt I nodded. "Before I became King here the government was horrendous, they killed innocents for no reason."

"It's not an easy job, Gabriel ended up in similar positions more often than he cared to think about, and usually managed to escape them as soon as he was sure it wouldn't all fall apart without him. But this country could certainly do a lot worse than having you as a leader, and Kurt and Talia could certainly do a lot worse than having you as a father."

The King slowly nodded, "Running a country is alot of hard work," he said, "Well I have an evening meeting to go to, can you watch my son and make sure he stays at the circuis?"

The King slowly nodded, "Running a country is alot of hard work," he said, "Well I have an evening meeting to go to, can you watch my son and make sure he stays at the circuis?"

Arthur nodded. "I'll do my best sir, so long as he doesn't teleport, I can track him."

Kaz smiled, "The only problem is that I have no clue how well i can fight, and I have not a weapon yet. Unless I am more than enough of a weapon and I need to learn how to unlock it... But then again we also need to find that familar.." He sighed, "We have a lot to do.."

A small smile came to Braun's lips. "I think I may know where a weapon lies that would suit you very well. If you would be willing to accompany me to Sabina, we can pick it up."

Kaz raised an eyebrow, "Really now? Well then shall we go?"

"Of course, let me just play a-" Before Braun could finish the sentence or finish his move towards his autoharp a portal opened up.
"I am begining to get more than a little concerned about this." He said as he stood eyeing the portal. "I wonder if the fact that the other side of my personality managed to achieve complete control for a time opened up abilities I'd kept surpressed because they came from my father's side."

Kaz eyed the portal and Braun "So do we trust that portal..? Because Im not so sure about what may be going on.."

"I'm not concerned about that, the spell went off just fine. It's merely that I shouldn't be able to use it like that. But if it makes you feel better, I'll go through first."

"Dont matter to me, lets just go," Kaz steped through the portal.

"If only there was a way to stop him teleporting he would be so much easier," the King remarked.

OOC: Finally the server is being nice :x

When they emerged from the portal they were standing in front of a large house at the outskirts of Sabina. A stone path led between a garden on either side to the front door. Overhead a full moon shone from between the clouds. Braun walked up to the door and knocked. It was opened by an elderly man whose eyes lit up upon seeing Braun.
"Braun, you're back, it's good to see you."
"And may I say the same Master Julian. Kaz, I would like to introduce you to Julian, he was my master before I set out on my own path, he taught me everything I know about music."

"Perhaps, but one should learn to use whatever skills they are born with or may aquire. Only then can one reach their full potential."

The King let out a quiet laugh, "That is almost the exact same saying an old Professor of mine once told me," he said.

OOC: Bedtime

A small smile crossed Arthur's face. "Then your professor knew what he was talking about."

When they emerged from the portal they were standing in front of a large house at the outskirts of Sabina. A stone path led between a garden on either side to the front door. Overhead a full moon shone from between the clouds. Braun walked up to the door and knocked. It was opened by an elderly man whose eyes lit up upon seeing Braun.
"Braun, you're back, it's good to see you."
"And may I say the same Master Julian. Kaz, I would like to introduce you to Julian, he was my master before I set out on my own path, he taught me everything I know about music."


Kaz smiled, "Hello Julian, pleasure to meet you." He gave a slight bow.

"I suppose so," the king replied, "Now I'm afraid I must go."

"A pleasure to met you Kaz. Will you be staying long Braun?"
Braun shook his head. "No, I'm afraid not, I'm simply here to pick something up."
"Well do you at least have time for a cup of tea?"
"I always have time for tea."
Entering the house, they walked past a small entrance alcove and found themselves in a large lounge. Against one wall a roaring blaze burned hot in a giant fireplace. In front of the blaze rested a large wolf that looked up a Braun once and nodded before dozing back off.
Braun seated himself in on of the lounges chairs and gestured for Kaz to do the same.

"Have a goodnight sir."

"You too," the King replied before leaving.

"Well, that's one less person I have worry about blaming themselves for Gabriel's death, but I suspect he was the easiest of the lot." Arthur thought to himself as his hologram faded away.

Kurt wasn't enjoying the show. Today, the circus was just too boring.

Arthur monitered Kurt, and did his equivilent of shaking his head. "Mere entertainment will not satisfy his need to forget. Only time will help."

All around the arena, there were chants of, "Kill him, kill him." Kurt however didn't feel like joining in. Instead he just sat there and closed him eyes.

Arthur sighed. "Best give him something to do or he's lkely to turn suicidal if this trend keeps up."
With an audible pop, a holodisk appeared behind Kurt, falling to the ground.

Kurt tried ignoring it, he'd told Arthur that he had wanted to be left alone.

Gabriel's voice came from behind Kurt. "You really should take a look at it you know. I certainly didn't record it merely to hear myself talk."

"I told you to leave me alone," Kurt replied, he kept his eyes closed.

A hint of disapointment colored Gabriel's voice. "I didn't come back from the dead to be ignored, but if that is your wish, merely say so and I'll leave for good."

Kaz took notice to Braun's action, tucking his wings in and he sat down next to Braun, observant but silent.

Kurt almost jumped when here realised it wasn't Arthurs voice, but that of Gabriels. He turned around to see if it was him.

"I thought it was Arthur bugging me again," he said.

Braun gestured at the wolf lying on the rug. "That's Ottis, my ex-apprentice. He'd be somewhat more conversational, but I'm afraid it's a full moon tonight. You're currently sitting in a house that contains three Master Bards, Julian was my Master, and I was Ottis's, and Ottis only just finished training his first apprentice, but they went elsewhere."

Gabriel was leaning up against the wall, arms crossed across his chest. The merriment the smile on his face contained carried up into his eyes. But a second looked revealed that his feet were a couple of inches off the ground and that the outlines of the wall could be seen faintly behind him. For once he carried no weapons and looked completely relaxed.

"So your just a holographic projection I take it," the young prince said.

Gabriel chuckled at that. "Hardly a hologram my young friend, it is in fact the real me."

"A ghost then."

Gabriel's smiled broadend. "That's right, not a bad bit of deductive reasoning there."

"Now I'm being haunted by a ghost," Kurt remarked.

"You're hardly being haunted Kurt, I'm not staying long, I can't stay long in fact. There were just some things that I needed to say and I didn't have time."

"Ok," Kurt replied.

A huge cheer erupted from the arena, but the prince took no notice of it.

Gabriel gestured with one indistinct hand towards the arena below. Small tendrils of energy trailing behind. "You'll quickly grow to dispise and loath such bloodlust. The task you accepted from me will be far harder than you can imagine right now. There will be times when the deepest pits of Hell will seem to be a better alternative. You will make mistakes, mistakes that cost other's their lives. But so long as you remain true to your task, and to your heart, you'll manage. I suspect that you'll do a far better job than I ever did. You don't have old ghosts and fears and prejudices dictating your actions. You're smart and levelheaded, traits that will only improve with time. Above all remember, you are no better than anyone else. All the power and knowledge in the universe do not make your life more valuable than anyone else's. You are now the shield behind which the innocent may shelter, and you are the sword that strikes in their defence."
Gabriel clasped his hands behind his back. "The most peace I have ever known Kurt was when you accepted this task, this power. To know that another is there to do what I no longer was capable of ment that I could leave this mortal plane without worry. I thank you for that, it means so much."
Gabriel's image wavered and started to fade out. "Take care Kurt, listen to Arthur, he knows the path that must be followed. You are now the shining light that holds back the darkness. Those who would harm the innocent don't have a ghost of a chance."
Gabriel's image faded until only his joyful laughter remained. ANd then that too disappeared.

Kaz looked at Ottis, "So is he a lupine then?" He had a confused look on his face.

"A Were actually. Not long after I took him on as my apprentice we were attacked by a werewolf. He got bitten before we could drive it off. He can normally control the changes, but whenever theirs a full moon this happens."

"Well lupine, were, almost same thing." he said quietly. he looked about the house for a moment, then focoused his gaze back on Julian, then to Braun, "So..your all master bards?"

"We are." Julian said. "Though Braun is easily the best, with both music and magic."
Braun took a sip from his tea. "Please Julian, you exagerate."

"I'm not ready for this," Kurt sighed as he sat back in the seat.

"No one ever is, Gabriel certainly wasn't when he chose to accept the responsibility. But at least you have time to learn, and you have me. I may not be Gabriel, but I was with him through everything, I'll do what I can to ease the burden." Arthur's voice said.

Kaz just sat back, laughing to himself and rustuling his wings a bit.

"Ok," Kurt replied.

He closed his eyes once more, guessing that this was sort of a punishment for diobeying his parents ans sneaking out.

"I owe Julian here my life. When my mother abandonded me to lead my father away from me, Julian found me and took me in. The half breed son of a demon."
Julian chuckled. "You forget to add that I was ready to kill you myself, your being a demon for all I knew. But Maria convinced me otherwise. A decision I've never regreted." Julian cocked an eyebrow at Kaz. "Braun is the most requested Bard in Sabina. Back when he performed for a living, he was making enough with each performence to buy a small city. Not that it ever kept him from giving improvo performences in the various dockside taverns. What the merchants paid so much for, the sailors got for free."
"Psha, most of the merchants and nobility are fat greedy unappriciatyive pigs who wouldn't know a good performence if it bit them on the ass. I played for them because I needed the money. I played in the taverns for enjoyment."

Gabriel's sword and sheath materialised in front of Kurt. "Take this, you have earned the right to wear it, and the son of the King should not go about unarmed. I know that you have much to think about. When you are done, please return and we can speak."

"I will," Kurt promised.

"Even death cannot keep me from doing what must be done. I shall be there when needed Arthur." Gabriel had said to Arthur some weeks before his death."
"And to think that I doubted his words for even a moment. Though this isn't exactly how I thought he would do it." Arthur thought to himself.

"Even death cannot keep me from doing what must be done. I shall be there when needed Arthur." Gabriel had said to Arthur some weeks before his death."
"And to think that I doubted his words for even a moment. Though this isn't exactly how I thought he would do it." Arthur thought to himself.

"interestering.." Kaz said, as he looked at the two, "So you were the most requested? Thats amazing."

Braun rubed one of his ears. "Well I have to admit, I do have something of an edge compared to either Julian or Ottis. But that doesn't really matter any more. Julian's retired, I left to travel the world, and now Ottis handles the majority of the work in this town. At least the more important jobs. But I'm afraid that all this talk has nearly made me forget our origional reason for coming here."

After a couple of hours or so, the fighting died down. By then most people had left as it was only lesser gladitors fighting badly. Kurt had grown bored and teleported back to his bedroom.

Arthur buried himself in the task of retrieving and sorting the information that had come in during the day. Maps and estimates were updated, and experiments were checked. But he kept thinking to himself how pointless it all seemed.

Changing his shirt, Kurt guessed that he should proberly go and see Arthur. His stomach rumbled as he walked out of his room, it was late and he had skipped dinner. Fortunately the hallway was deserted, no parents, no sister and especially no servants were around. He quietly ducked into Gabriels old lair.

Changing his shirt, Kurt guessed that he should proberly go and see Arthur. His stomach rumbled as he walked out of his room, it was late and he had skipped dinner. Fortunately the hallway was deserted, no parents, no sister and especially no servants were around. He quietly ducked into Gabriels old lair.