NationStates Jolt Archive

Stephen woke hoping to find himself in his bed next to Emma. Instead he was still hung to the plumbing tube in a basement. But the vampires weren't there. Thank God. He now had time to rest and gather his thoughts.

He first thought of his comrades. Khan, Clarke: Dead, Whiptail: Unknown, Zakli, Daniel. Oh SH*T! He had forgotten about them. The last time he saw Zakli was at the manision. Daniel it was at the pub. I went to get a beer, Daniel went to find Zakli. I hope thier better off then I am.

Stephen's mind drifted to the possiblity of rescue by the Rangers. Emma would get worried after, how long had it been since he last called her? If any attempt to find out where he was got past General Astin (OOC: Emma's father thus his father-in-law), it would be sent through the channels to, Aw, f*** the vice pres. Stephen had meet the V.P when President Green invited the General, Emma and Stephen to a dinner. It all came back.

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"I have to say General your Rangers did an execllent job getting Mendez." the President said.
Stephen, Emma, Astin, Green, Mrs. Green, the vice president and several other military and administration members were sitting around a massive table enjoying dinner. Stephen wore his Class A uniform, this was still one week before he left.
"Thank you Mr. President." Astin said. "I hope you enjoyed your honeymoon with the first lady while this was going on."
"Yes indeed. Sargent Malone, I understand you were there."
"Yes I was Mr. President." Stephen was a bit taken aback. I was addressed by the president.
"How do you think it was handled truthfully."
"It was FUBAR sir."
"Why?"
"While you were away the V.P only allowed the use of ONE company. It was stupid. 130 men against about a thousand or two? The V.P is full of sh..."
"That is enough sargent!" The V.P bellowed he turned to the president. "From we collected on Mendez, one platoon could have done it!"
"Bull SH*T! You weren't there! We did not have proper intel, not enough LAWs because you said there was no armour to speak of! There was! I know General Astin went against using one company on such small intel. You sir ordered it to go anyway and cost 13 men thier lives!
Your a lying son of a bitch! While you were reasuring everyone who heard the gunfire everything was fine and it would be over soon, my friends were dying! I might of gotten a Bronze Star for 'bravery in trying to save another man's life' but no amount of medals you hand out will cover up the bodies. 130 men, 13 dead, 71 wounded in varying degrees. Does that sound fine to you!?"
Stephen dressed down the V.P for the rest of dinner. Noone stopped Stephen and it seemed to him and everyone, the President and Astin were enjoying it.

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That motherf***er would love nothing more then see me fry. The only way I'm getting out of here is if Emma and the General go over his head, otherwise I'm screwed. Stephen's thoughts were inturputted when the door slammed.
The lead vampire walked forward.
"You didn't think we left, did you? We wouldn't want to keep you bored. Let the fun begin." Stephen tried to dodge the wet sponges but they touched. Stephen cried as the electricty ran through his body.

"Rein your anger, it will consume your mind..."

Alexander stopped in his tracks, and studied Whiptail for a moment.

"Anger... is my life. I embrace it, love it... need it. One does not fight his nature, Argonian. One... relishes it."

With that, Alexander jumped forward and landed close to Whiptail, slashing out the Upir at his knees.

Xyorph walked out of the front of the mansion, the door slamming shut behind him. He took a deep breath to remove the stench of the place from his lungs, and looked around. Everything appeared to be quiet. He searched with his mind, but couldnt find Maximus. It would probably take something drastic to get his attention.

Xyorph opened his arms wide, creating a secure circle in front of him. The cirlce rose off the floor, glowing with a pale blue light. A roar burst out of the heavens above him, and a large blue green dragon swooped down out of the sky and landed in front of Xyorph. The creature bent his head down, and in one swift movement Xyorph jumped onto the Dragons back.

"Off we go" he muttered. The Dragon unfurled its its enormous wings, and flew off over the city. Time to find out what had been happening.

http://ew2.lysator.liu.se/loth/a/u/audrey86/bluedragon.jpg

Stephen sat in the flatbed of a pickup truck heading back to the capital. The vampire leader and another sat in the front. Stephen had gone unconsious thinking he would wake up dead. Instead the vampires had shoved coffee down his throat till he choked, it seemed to him they wanted him to be awake for the ride and torture.

Stephen made up his mind he wouldn't let that happen. The pickup was moving at about 45mph and it would be a hard hit. So before any of the vampires could grab him he had jumped out and landed on some leaves. The pickup screeched to a stop and Stephen took off into the woods. The leader tackled Stephen after about a hundred yards. Stephen's good right hand felt the metalic handle of the SPAS, he looked and saw the graves of Khan and Clarke.
"You've caused us enough trouble, I'm hungry so I guess I'll eat you." As the leader opened his mouth Stephen shoved the barrel into the vampire's mouth.
"Eat this." The 12 gauge slug took off the entire back part of the vampire's head. The second vampire ran into the woods, but just before Stephen shot him he fired off a red flare high into the air. Damn it!

Stephen grabbed the vampire's FN FAL assualt rifle and ammo pouches. He also grabbed his tiger camo jacket which had remarkably no blood on it. He ran over to the leader and grabbed his ammo pouches, knife, matches, map, and compass. He scurried around the leaves and pulled out the radio. Luckly it was a backpack kind. He put on the pouches then the radio. He check the compass and map.

The border was almost 90 miles away North North West. Stephen decided to go for it. It was his best chance at survival. His priority was to get away from the area ASAP, for all he knew the enite VRO could be coming to investigate.

"Rein your anger, it will consume your mind..."

Alexander stopped in his tracks, and studied Whiptail for a moment.

"Anger... is my life. I embrace it, love it... need it. One does not fight his nature, Argonian. One... relishes it."

With that, Alexander jumped forward and landed close to Whiptail, slashing out the Upir at his knees.

With a deft side-flip, Whiptail evades the potentially crippling strike, coming down with both blades to trap Upir against the concrete surface of the building's roof. While balanced, he throws another pair of kicks at Alexander, one at the face and the other directed towards his stomach...

OOC: Sorry for the delay, my ISP has been difficult as of late.

Maximus and Skadi finally found their way to the fire escape doorway. At first it wouldn't budge, so Maximus stepped back, and kicked hard, watching as the door swung open, and broke off its hinges, creating a booming noise upon the rooftop. Maximus held Glamdring out, as he began to search for Alexander.

It is time, you bastard...

The sounds of fighting could be heard from behind an AC unit upon the roof. The two vampires headed that way, carefully remaining out of sight, until they could observe.

Maximus's eyes widened as he saw Alexander fighting that Argonian, Whiptail. He watched momentarily as the two continued fighting, oblivious to the new arrivals. Suddenly Whiptail moved acrobatically about, and kicked Alexander off his feet, a heavy kick to Alexander's face and stomach. Whiptail brought his swords about, and began to direct them toward Alexander's head.

Growling, Maximus bolted to the fight, drawing one of his Elven daggers with his empty hand, and holding Glamdring with his other.

Metal clashed with metal, causing sparks to fly, and a terrible screech issued. Alexander had closed his eyes, but opened them to see that Maximus's blades had blocked Whiptail of a sure kill with decapitation. His eyes widened as he quickly used the moment to move away from immediate danger.

Maximus glared at the Argonian, "This fight belongs to me, Argonian. Leave or spectate, but do not interfere any more than you have...Alexander has his honor to defend, as do I, and this does not include you. I am sure you wished to deprive me of this fight and gloat of your possible victory afterwards. But this will not happen. Alexander is mine to duel, mine alone. Surely you understand?"

As an afterthought Maximus spoke:

"I have no fight to pick with you Argonian, and you are still welcome to take up a secondary home within this nation, as our mission has succeeded. Please, for both of our sake, either leave and go about your travels, or stay and watch this fight, and consider my proposal to you. Your alliance would be a good thing for both of us. Consider what you can gain from it. I would be in a high position in this government, thus giving you more possibilities for assistance in any means."

Maximus pulled back his weapons at the same time the Argonian did. He watched as the Argonian moved aside, sheathing his weapons. Turning toward Alexander, he growled, his fangs brightly reflecting the light of the full moon.

"Alexander...you just could not wait could you? Nevertheless, get up, take up your sword, and prepare to battle!"

Maximus sheathed his dagger and held Glamdring out, his mind concentrating upon every movement Alexander did.

Alexander opened his eyes... slowly.

"Alexander...you just could not wait could you? Get up, take up your sword, and prepare to battle!"

Alexander did not move from his spot on the floor. He was bleeding from various wounds, and bruises had formed on his face. He was a mess, and he knew it.

He sent a thought message to Maximus, though his thoughts were jumbled.

"You fool... I still have the power to... stop you. You think... that... I will beg... you... Never..."

Alexander started to crawl to the Upir, never looking up at Maximus. He sent a thought to Skadi, who was standing beside her lover.

"You... look what your lover has wrought on me. On this city... know this. as long as he lives, any of you live, I will never know peace."

Alexander stumbled up to his knees, and then to his feet. He closed his eyes, and stood. Silent.

Suddenly he opened his eyes. They flashed dark red, and Alexander seemed to be more powerful than seconds earlier.

"Let's do this..."

Skadi took a position against the AC unit and watched as Maximus put forward his challenge to Alexander. This would be interesting. Alexander deserved to suffer for his actions, and that he would.

Maximus gave a grin of anger, as his own eyes began to change in color themselves, to a pure white shade. Such was the effect that it made him look more fierce as his eyes stood out from his black hair.

He swung Glamdring a few times, loosening his muscles, as he set into a defensive fighting stance.

"Come and face your judgement..." he snarled toward Alexander. Lightning flashed behind him, instantly sending a powerful sound of lightning crackling unto them.

The fight had begun...

Skadi watched lazily, it was obvious that Alexander would lose such a battle. He had already sustained damage from the previous fight. For the first time, Skadi examined Whiptail thouroughly. She didn't like him.

The Dragon tore along the rooftops, until Xyorph finally came across the sight he had been looking for. Below him were four very distinct figures, two of whom were duelling.

The Dragon responded instantly to Xyorph's silent command, and drifted down towards the roof. As it drifted just over head height Xyorph leapt off and landed hard on the roof next to Skadi. The Dragon disappeared off into the sky.

Xyorph turned to Skadi.

"What have I missed?"

Skadi didn't turn from the battle as Xyorph arrived. She still didn't trust him and it was unlikely that she would. However, being an ally, she gave him some courtesy.

"That one, Whiptail was battling with Alexander. Maximus has now broken up that fight and challenged Alexander. The president is now a night walker."

Her indifferent tone displayed Skadi's cold feelings towards Xyorph, but she didn't care.

Alexander blocked out all sights and sounds from his vision; Skadi... Xyorph. All things that mattered little to him now.

All that mattered was Maximus... and his death. Alexander sent a though message to Maximus.

"Look around you, Maximus. You finally got what you wanted: your own country to worship and praise you..."

Alexander paused, and then continued. "And you have Skadi to love... must be nice... but tell me, what makes you more worthy of love than I?"

Alexander did not wait for an answer. He charged towards Maximus with a pained, yet blissful look on his face.

In a quick black flash, something came to being. It was Gravechill. Although it was almost impossible to see from his being, it was obvious that he was much older than the last time he had been here. The burning of his eyes had become much less intense, and his robe hadn't been able to resist the effects of time.

"Damn you, Lich Queen! Damn you, Lord of the Underworld!" he screamed, after which he looked around him. The place seemed strangely familiar, and so did the people close to him.

"I understand now... This place was in the future. I was being controlled. I was merely a pawn in their sickening games, I see it now. They used me... They used me!"

The red color of his eyes suddenly turned black. Countless years of torture in the Underworld had made him lose parts of even his undead identity, and of his sanity.

Laughing, Maximus replied to Alexander in thought-speak:

"Fool! Did you really think I carried on this mission for my own good? Where is your sense of belonging? I find mine in a community that equally respects one another, and look past the flaws. As for Skadi, her love, I earned. I showed her the respect and caring that she deserved of which she returns back to me. You cannot be worthy enough of this love, for your mind is weak! You do not think through the situations and approach every angle, but rather take the one that you feel best suits your own agenda. Julius Ceasar once said:

"Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind. And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed, the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader and gladly so. How do I know? For this is what I have done. And I am Caesar. "

Caesar was no idiot, my dear Alexander, and there is one thing I refuse to do, and that is become another Caesar. Yes, I have led the masses, but they have done so of their own free will. I have allowed them the right to step down. They stepped forward. They wanted this for themselves. I merely am here to give what I can that they may seek."

He charged forward toward Alexander, Glamdring held at the ready. Sparks flew as the swords clashed with one another in a deadly dance of blades. Which would sweep the other off its feet, rendering it helpless? Which would prevail?

Maximus broke the struggle, and did a quick roundabout, connecting the heel of his foot with Alexander's face. Landing back on his feet, he growled as Alexander stumbled back.

"Come on Alexander! You wanted this fight, now give me one I can call decent!"

The blood of war, of battle, boiled in each vampire's veins, pumping fury, strength, and courage into every attack, every maneuver, as the two moved about, deftly dodging some each others attacks, and taking the hit for others.

Where have I seen this before? came the thought within Maximus's mind. Finally his mind grasped upon what he was thinking of, and so he focused even more upon Alexander as he challenged him:

"Alexander, drop your weapons, and I shall do mine. Let us fight as true fighters do....that is, unless you are afraid?!"

Stephen was tired, stiff, sore, but most importantly of all hungry and thirsty. He had discarded the radio considering it usless and kept walking. He didn't know how far he walked until he reached a desolate gas station at the edge of a field.

Stephen opened the door with the FAL and walked in. Noone was there. He found the owner in the backroom. His throat slit, but with no blood. VRO got him. Stephen made a chili dog and got a beer before sitting down at a table. He pulled out the compass and checked a map. He still had about 70-80 miles before safety. He knew he couldn't walk that far. He checked the station's pickup, it's engine was totaled.

He picked up a phone and dialed his house. Maybe he could explain the situation to Emma, but leave out the vampires. Emma would be sleeping but it would do her and him good to hear the other's voice.
"Hello?" a tired voice said.
"Emma? It's Stephen."
"Hi dear."
"Who's on the phone baby?" Stephen heard a voice in the backround.
"Quiet!" he heard Emma whisper.
"Who's that Emma?"
"Stephen, I have to be honest. Marrying you was a mistake. I thought I would be happy but I wasn't. It isn't you, it's me."
"We've been married five years, how long has this affair lasted?"
"Four."
"So Jessica, isn't mine?" Stephen's eyes began to water.
"Sorry Stephen. I think it's for the better if we divorce. Look Stephen I..."
"You whore! You bitch! Go rot in hell." Stephen hung up.

He walked over to a cooler and grabbed a bottle of vodka. He sat down at the table and poured a glass. He looked up at the ceiling.
"Why me Lord? Why is this happening to me? I've tried to live a good life, I've always been fateful to Emma. Why is my life collapsing around me? Please, tell me. Why me?!"
Stephen bent his head and cried without stopping. The one woman he loved, the one thing that kept him going through this thing was gone. He pulled off his wedding ring and put it aside. He couldn't belive it. Emma would divorce and he couldn't do anything. She would get the house, everything he had and wanted gone.
"Why me Lord? Why me?"

Stephen poured himself another glass. He looked at the FAL. For the first time, he seriously began to consider suicide.

Whiptail returned his blades to their respective sheaths seating himself upon the aforementioned AC unit in a meditative pose. He had had no intention of killing Alexander, only to teach him the lesson of humility by disarming him.

'A second home... clearly this man is mad. I would sooner kill him than Alexander, but this Maximus has shown himself honorable, and may be worthy of a truce such as I have with the one called Kain. As is a saying among the soft-skins 'Keep one's friends close, but one's enemies closer.'

He watched the anchient dance of battle from his perch, throwing out various proverbs after a blow would connect. Then, the one called Maximus offered to settle the outcome the 'old-fashioned' way. Whiptail had spent many years among the Quickclaw family, learning their anchient art of unarmed combat to serve as a non-lethal hunting tool during his expeditions. As such, he was a skilled unarmed fighter, his tail was idealy suited for such combat. With renewed intrest, he leaned forward to watch...

OOC: I'm Rping Alexander in a specific way in order to finish the story. He isn't really a sadistic psycho. Later, he will be an ally he hopes you can trust.

Unfortunately, this is now... :wink:

Alexander looked at Maximus, and then laughed.

"Free will? Such noble thoughts... Caeser would have been proud."

Alexander 's eyes flashed red... but dimmed to a pale fuschia.

"However, I assume that you know how Caesar met his end, do you not?"

Alexander dropped his Upir and raised his hands in front of him. Suddenly, the wind began to pick up. Behind them the fires from the white house still burned strong, though now much more embers than anything...

"Alas, I will choose not to stab you in the back. I'll settle for a bullet in your head. Tell me you could not have seen this coming."

Alexander closed his eyes and concentrated. Maximus realized what Alexander was doing and tried to charge. However, he movements were slowed... Alexander's stop time magik was affecting him. Alexander however, was too weak... he could barely slow down Maximus.

Still, he hoped that it would be enough. Rather, he knew that it would be enough.

Alexander drew his Desert Eagle and fired a single shot at Maximus...

Time slowed slightly as Maximus charged forward at Alexander. His eyes saw the hand pull the gun and aim at his head. With a strong burst of will and strength he moved his head far enough to the side to escape the bullet traced past his head, grazing his skin on his cheek.

Time sped up again to its normal pace as Alexander's spell wore off.

"Alexander...you are honorless...What would Drirethlen say now if he saw you like this? You're a disgrace to all that makes up the Hyraphore!"

Snarling, he jumped forward, and grabbed the gun, aimed it away from him, and squeezed tightly. the barrel of the gun eventually crushed under his powerful grip. He yanked the gun out of Alexander's hand, and gripped Alexander by the throat, lifting him up until his feet dangled.

"Damn you Alexander!"

With a great thrust of energy, he threw Alexander into the AC unit, watching as Alexander's head smashed and destroyed a large portion of it.
A moan was heard from Alexander, as his unfocused eyes looked upon Maximus's approach.

Maximus unleashed powerful kicks into the vampire's body. As he was about to issue a blow to Alexander's face, another leg stepped through quickly, and took the blow harmlessly instead. Growling Maximus looked up at the owner, and saw Skadi standing there, a look of determination in her eyes.

"I want my piece of him." was all she stated, her eyes turning dark red.

Breathing heavily, Maximus reluctantly backed away, picked up his weapons and sat down on another AC unit. His attention remained upon Alexander and Skadi.

Alexander's eyes crossed... but he managed to lick his lips and laughed a dry, throaty laugh.

"Go ahead... do what your lover longs to do..."

Skadi didn't take her eyes off the injured vampire. For many long minutes, she simply stared at him, her face stone blank. Not a single person there could tell what Skadi would do, but the malice was obvious. She took one step back and continued to stare.

Finally, in a movement only an ancient could perfom with such speed, Skadi withdrew her blade and thrust directly into Alexander's abdomen. He moaned in shock and pain as the attack was far too fast for him to stop.

His vampiric blood flowed freely from the wound, pouring over the blade and the roof of the building. After letting the silver blade burn Alexander's flesh for a few minutes, she yanked the blade out and began to clean it with a rag drawn from her coat.

Switching her attention back to Maximus, Skadi moved towards him and sheathed her blade. Alexander was no threat, the wound would take some time to heal because of the silver.

"It is done."

Alexander felt the blade thrust in, but did not feel it coming out.

He found that odd, and mildly amusing.

"Str...ange..."

As he slumped onto the rooftop, he thought back to the events that led up to his untimely exit... Kain, Stephen, Clarke, Khan, Daniel, and the rest... He wondered what had happened to them.

He closed his eyes, and let out a breath. He wondered what had happened to himself. He was so... sure.

So sure...

OOC: Xyorph, I've got one last job for you! :D

IC:
Maximus looked over at the bleeding body of Alexander. He knew that with that much blood loss, it would be nearly impossible to remain alive. Giving a grunt of satisfaction, he nodded toward Skadi, as he got up and slowly walked over to the unconsious body of Alexander. He bent over and lifted the body of Alexander effortlessly, and turned toward the stairs. Although he had almost genuinely hated Alexander for what he did, at the same time, he felt pity for his ignorance.

Drirethlen will not like this...but once I explain to him what's happened, he'll understand. He must, and he will...

Realizing that he would be incapable of delivering the body in person, he decided to call upon Xyorph. Setting the body down on a table nearby, in an adjacent room, he sent out a thought-message to Xyorph, requesting that he arrive:

<<"Xyorph, I have one last thing I need you to do for me, please come quickly.">>

Xyorph responded instantly to the call. He banished the dragon which was still hovering over head, and flew down the stairs.

"How can I help?"

"Hello Xyorph, it is good to see you again. Listen closely. Over there is the body of Alexander Kelsing. He is of the Hyraphore guild within the nation of Valient. I need you to transport his body there, and deliver it to one known as Drirethlen. Tell him this message:

"Alexander foolishly challenged my power. He cowardly took upon himself actions that are unforgivable. I hope you will understand. If you have any questions regarding him, you know how to find me."

Stephen decided that he would go back and get Daniel's body. He wandered around back to a small barn. Inside he found an old dust H-13 helicopter on a platform attached to a tractor. (OOC: The chopper from MASH) He drove the tractor out and climbed into the chopper. He looked over the controls and pressed a few buttons.

The prop groaned in protest before finally turning. Stephen pressed the throttle forward and the chopper was thrown off the ground. Hell of a time to be drunk. He was still feeling the effects of the vodka. Stephen turned south and headed for the capitol, but he left his FAL and ammo back at the station

He spotted the president's compound and decided to land on the roof. He failed to notice the thin white line moving towards him. He finally saw it. RPG! The RPG hit the rear rotor and the H-13 was thrown into corkscrews. It hit the back end of the president's house and threw him out the window.

Stephen's head missed the blade by a milimeter, he hit the AC unit with a thud. He felt his head, a small gash allowed blood to flow freely down his head. He tried to get up but his left leg was broken.

He saw several vampires around him holding rifles at him.
"I've come unarmed. I wish to ask a favor of Maximus."

Xyroph nodded.

Xyorph picked up the body and summoned a dragon. He draped the body over the back of the dragon.

"I'll be back shortly. I presume there is nothing special I need to know? Go in, drop the body, thats it?"

Gravechill shrieked like only an undead could. The beasts obviously ignored his presence. He felt anger. They had no right, nor would they be powerful enough to just ignore him. The Lord and the Lich Queen were more powerful than him, but not these powerless specks of the future.

Unnatural blackness surrounded his dead hands. Suddenly, a multitude of beams of black light came from his hands, hitting the ground. At least thirty longdeads came from the land. He turned ethereal and he started to float.

"You dare to ignore me?!"

He said two words: "Tangle vines." All the vegetation in the area suddenly started to move towards the group. He also, just out of spite, hovered over Alexander and mumbled something. Suddenly Alexander's wounds started to regenerate, if not exactly at the best possible speed.

OOC: I get so confused. I take it you are now within the buidling. One question, if we're in the building where did the vegetation come from? Just a thought.

For the sake of not being eaten by the dragon you are now attempting to perch on, I suggest we ignore the fact that I summoned one. Either that or you are now lunch.

IC:
Xyorph raised an arm and released a flash of dark light. Black flames consumed the vegetation and burnt it back towards its roots. He began to open portals behind him for creatures to be sumoned through (OOC:the portals are invisible and have no effect on anyone else).

"Uh, Maximus. What now?"

OOC: -- For the sake of not being eaten by the dragon you are now attempting to perch on, I suggest we ignore the fact that I summoned one. Either that or you are now lunch.

(OOC: The vegetation came from outside, of course, but it getting inside the building isn't that weird. It's not unheard of or anything. And nope, your dragon can't even eat him. He's ethereal, which means noncorporeal, which means his body isn't really... Physical at the moment. There was a reason why he did it. Only magic and magical weapons work on him for now.

Although I read the things that happened before, I might've been a bit... Out of it anyway, so I'm sorry for any inconsistencies.)

IC:

Xyorph raised an arm and released a flash of dark light. Black flames consumed the vegetation and burnt it back towards its roots. He began to open portals behind him for creatures to be sumoned through.

Gravechill, being a demilich of ancient age now, sees Xyorph's attempts to summon something. It would have been impossible for him to see it the last time he was here. But now... Things have changed. He has changed.

He screeched, "Ah, a mage of these future times. I understand it all now! You could be a descendant of the few Pythians who evaded our wrath by fleeing from their homeland! For that possibility, you must be dealt with!"

He hovered behind the longdeads. Although he had lost much of his raw power during the course of time, he now had more control over what he had left.

He started to shriek in a way that would make even the bravest of humans to flee in terror. It was almost like he was... Summoning something.

"It is not that I escaped your wrath. I agreed with what you were doing, and so killed my brethren. I now regret that however.

I am now the only disciple of a demi-god, and so have more power then any of my kind you will have faced in the past. But if it is a duel you wish, that is waht you shall get"

OOC: I will post as soon as I can. Have to go for the moment.

He stopped his shrieking. The black light of his eyes intensified for a second.

"Oh, so you are not from Pythium. I am mistaken. You are not of their descendance. Ah, yes... It is possible that they do not exist as Pythians anymore. How many years have passed? A hundred? A thousand? Ten thousand? I do not know. But Pythians were strictly human. You are obviously not. You mimic one, but you're not. Much like these... 'Vampires'. You are as much a Theurg as I am an Arch Devil."

He chanted something.

"But our hate only grows with time. We have no need to mimic their kind. We slaughter them. They join us. That is all."

From one of the portals, a man stepped forth. The dark, heavily cloaked figure stepped out into the light. Pulling back his hood, the figure revealed that he was none other than Zakli Estaria, the former Elven Ranger.

Advancing with his diamond-obsidian sword clutched in his right hand, the elf formerly known as Zakli raised his sword and pointed it at Xyorph. The sword was different somehow, with crudely drawn runes engraved on it. Maximus recognized that the sword, once a proud weapon of an Elven Ranger had now been corrupted into something unspeakable...

Pathetic creature, why have you called me here? Answer me!!!

OOC:

........

Okay, everyone here is the thing. Myself and Maximus have discussed the best way to end this thread... Xyorph is supposed to escort Alexander's body back to the Hyraphore guild.

van we let him do that? :P

(OOC: My character has been corrupted for a future storyline, he's basically here to join in on the fun... :twisted: )

OOC: What the hell is going on here? Ermor, why is it that every time you post the thread takes a completely different direction? :?

(OOC: Ermor, and why does it seem like every single one of your posts seem like your godmodding?)

OOC: Mine wrath upon thou! I am not a happy person, can you see I'm not a happy person??!! This thread was moving along and closing up beautifully, then we all got thrown a loop! This is freaking getting on my nerves, because I was trying to close this thread out, for several reasons: (1) My goal for it was completed. (2) We were keeping the Alexander-Maximus relationship to work in one particular way, because of future threads that have occured (3) I am in too many damn threads already, 18 as of right now, and closing this one out was gonna be the start of me cutting back on my number of threads.

Now, Ermor, I understand you are wanting to join in on this thread. Great, really I enjoyed your postings, but up to a point though. You don't seem to like having ANY losses, even if they are minor. Also, what the hell is up with you having all this nearly god-like power?? You say that a part of him is elsewhere in the world, and that in itself keeps him alive. Great, dandy, now how the hell are we supposed to get you to die, or at the least be very injured????

Nevertheless, the damage is done, continue on with your little skirmish. Zakli(5CN), you are welcome to quickly get what you need to have done, done. KEEP THE BATTLE REALISTIC!!!! I cannot stress how much I hate godmodding............... Ermor, you are granted this last battle, but keep it short, and have your departure something like being called back to the netherworld for some reason.

One last thing, Xyorph is to remain alive and well enough to transport Alexander back to the guild. Maximus, Skadi, Whiptail (yes I remembered you), President Marshall, Kain, Stephen.....they are all to remain alive and for the most part, undamaged (except in cases that the thread says that injuries were done).

Now, my ranting is done. On with the thread! And do remember, for the sake of not incurring my wrath a second time, that you do NOT stretch this out.........

Whiptail left his perch upon the AC unit, walking over to Alexander's body. He said a few words in his own language, then released a handfull of dust and ash across the bleeding form...

"Ka'Thrall Tell Ka'Thrall, Hadaas Tell Hadaas. Amen..." (Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.)

After he had completed this small ritual, he knelt by the body, folding the arms across the chest, closing the open eyes, and resting the Upir upon Alexander's chest, his hands folded across the hilt...

"Rage consumes all it touches... it has consumed you, as it did me long ago..."

He rises, then returns to his perch upon the AC unit... Maximus would return for the body soon...

OOC: If the body has been moved, simply ignore the portion about the AC unit, the roof, etc.

On the note of godmodding, this is why Whiptail rarely uses magic, even then the spells are trivial ones that tire him to a degree, such as a limited invisibility spell, a fireball, a counter-spell, and a healing incantation. Whiptail suffered little damage at the hands of Alexander simply because he kept his head and acted only when acted upon, fighting with a defensive attitude against an angry opponent.

OOC: I was quite happy to take the body and go. To put it bluntly, all I wanted to do was get Xyorph on the map. I am happy to wrap this up quick, provided Ermor will let me.

Just out of curiosity 5CN, what are you doing? I have not summoned you, and you cannot simply walk through a summoning portal. Otherwise the world will be swamped with Demons every time a creature was summoned. I'm prepared to accept this fluke event, but please don't make this duel drawn out by anymore then neccessary. Without meaning to belittle you, the walking corpse of an elf isn't going to last too long. If needs be Maximus can deal with you.

IC:
Xyorph turned to the voice behind him.

"What the f*ck?! That's never happened before. I have no idea who you are, or why you are here, but I have no interest in you. And I don't take kindly to swords being pointed at me!"

Xyorph swung his staff which connected hard with the blade and snapped the sword. He then thrust out with the staff and blasted the creature into the wall (I dont mean to Godmod, but I'm trying to avoid the wrath of Tarlachia :wink: It is up to you how much the blast hurt).

"Maximus, perhaps you would sort it out?"

Xyorph turned back to Gravechill.

"As for you abomination, I guarantee you have bitten off more then you can chew. As for what I am? HA!" Xyorph laughed an inhumane, mad cackle, "lets just say I am a human with a few magical abilities and a grudge. And I will NEVER join you."

He paused.

"To business then?"

He raised an arm and fired an ice cold jet of lightning at the demilich, whilst preparing a sumoning in his mind.

(I wont predict your moves, but please be reasonable. Xyorph is not just a mage as you keep saying. He is the sole surviving disciple of a demi-god. This makes him a little more powerful :wink: )

Behind him, the air became very warm, and a dark red glow began to eminate from the floor.

"You may return to where you came form peacefully, or my demon will take you there personally. Its up to you, but decide quickly. Hell awaits for your kind, it is the only place that does!"

*** Somewhere in the far distance, a indescript helicopter files away, back to Valient...


OOC: Wrote out from the story Daniel Able. :D

Skadi was not about to get involved with the petty arguments of the mages. All they seemed to do was bitch about who is ignoring who and who's honour has been violated.

She had enough. Walking off the side of the building and landing on the grass below with a soft thud, Skadi went in search of the newly turned President.

Stephen was dragged off the roof and was being dragged across the lawn until the vampires dropped him and ran back for some reason. Stephen didn't know and he didn't care. He spotted a Jeep Liberty a hundred yards away over the fence. With his broken leg he couldn't run. So he started to crawl. Everyone appers distracted by the comotion back there. I'll get away scot free. Maximus and Skadi still don't know I put that booby trap for them.

Stephen relished the thought of almost killing them, but he put that out of his mind and kept crawling.

OOC: Wandering Argonians has restarted his vamp-hunting thread, 'The Great Hunt'. Thought ya'll might wanna know, last time it died due to lack of vamp players. And before you ask, it predates the current 'The Hunt' thread by Tarlacharia.

Thanks for your time, my hijacking is done for the day.

Stephen decided that he would go back and get Daniel's body.


OOC: Just for everyones knowledge, Daniel didn't die. If you red back around pg 24 or 25, he was going to go back for Stephen.

He is alive and kicking in Darkness Falls

Maximus had had enough. He was short on patience, and the arrival of the two new arrivals only furthered his irritance. He knew that Xyorph would get the job done as requested, and so he turned and followed Skadi off the rooftop and onto the soft grass, now stained with the blood of the battle. All around them the place lay in ruins, it looked like a full-scaled war had occurred. He sighed slightly. It would take some work to clean up the mess.

He knew where Skadi was going, and followed her until he caught up to her and walked by her side.

And so, we begin the next phase...the stablization of the new regime...

Skadi glanced over at him, a slightly amused look upon her face.

Regime? I thought that this would remain a democracy?"

Maximus chuckled at this, having been caught using incorrect words to describe the situation. His thoughts on the other hand were focused on the limited training he would give to the vampire president.

Skadi swtiched to speach.

"Hopefully things will work out for your homeland. The President is still safe and the resistance has been crushed. We have won the battle."

Forcing open the hidden passage, Skadi walked into the room where the President sat, awaiting his sire.

Out of the red mist behind him a demon was forming. At first just a random black shape, it slowly swelled to be the maximum size it could physically be within the room. The room was becoming warmer, and all felt slightly weakened due to the presence of the demon.

"Your time is almost up..."

(OOC: The problem is that no one has ever even *tried* to destroy his body. He has "godlike powers" only over magic, but his body is very fragile. No one even tried to put him on fire, even. Trying to have your way against a demilich *magically* is about as wise as trying to fight an Abrams with an AK-47. And what have people done up to this point?

His body *can* be destroyed, and I guess I forgot to say that his immortality is bound to Ermor now. Which this place surely isn't. He *can* be destroyed very permanently, everyone just seems to have this weird habit of "Let's find out who's better... Let's use MAGICK!" But things don't work that way. "Attack him and shred his body into pieces" would have worked, BUT did anyone even try it? NO. Or "use a flame thrower and burn his body into ashes." Did I forget to say that Demiliches, like Liches, burn very brightly? I'm not doing this because I specifically want to continue this thread, it's because it's in a way required by the fall of Ermor story.

Gravechill lost easily in the powerstruggle against the Lich Queen that waited in the Sepulchre of Eldregate, and was casted into the Underworld. He was punished by the Lord of the Underworld, and "waited" there for time to pass in its strange way, and he's now hundreds of years old. Earth years old. In the Underworld time doesn't work right. And in the end, he was casted back into the place his own personal fall had started, weaker and not immortal. But after the years in the Underworld he doesn't really care anymore. He's of the "ancient" Ermorian breed of mages, and back then they tended to be more powerful than in these "modern times", partially because of Inquisition-sorts and because tech has made much magic obsolete. Should sound plenty feasible.

I haven't failed to take any losses, it's just that no one, absolutely NO ONE has done anything of any worth against him. Physical attacks work, magical don't. At least to the same extent. Magical fire works, if it hits him. A vampire can't win against a Lich in a contest of magic, but a vampire could easily just DESTROY HIM. Physical might against magical might. Vampires, at least the older and more trained ones, are quite fast too. Kain had his chance to destroy his body and NOT take Gravechill inside of his house, but he didn't.)

This should teach everyone a valuable lesson: "If your character is physically mighty enough, DON'T TRY TO MAGICALLY FIGHT OFF A LICH! Attack him physically!")

IC:

His ethereality began to fade and the vampires had disappeared as well. He saw them leave, but did not care much. They were already dead, after a fashion, and had joined the ranks of the undead horde. Even without knowing it. They might not exactly hate the living, but everything the vampires have done here has turned against them. Their contact to the Underworld might be weaker, but they still have it.

He felt the anger inside him grow steadily. Blood magic user! Although he apparently does not use bloodslaves to use it. Or maybe he only summoned this thing from his hiding place? No matter.

"Demons... I have seen things far worse than demons. Far worse than the Demon Lords themselves. I *AM* a thing far worse than a demon!"

His eyes flashed green. The longdeads still stood there.

(OOC: And remember, some of the things he says aren't even true. He could say he's the One True God ffs, but it doesn't make it true!)

Stephen finally made it to the Jeep. He climbed inside and pulled out a screwdriver from the glove compartment. He looked at the wheel houseing and put the screwdriver at it's seam. He pulled down and broke part of the plastic off with a loud crack.

A vampire who was walking patrol stopped. Stephen ducked further into the SUV and waited. Come on, go back on your beat man. The vampire stood there for another few seconds before walking again. Stephen looked at the jumble of wires and relised he didn't know how to hot wire a car. First time for everything. Stephen began to look at the wires and hoped the two he connected weren't for the car alarm.

(OOC: Xyorph, I've had enough of your godmodding... A) You can't snap someone else's sword unless they say it... B) You've made your character so strong that it can probably challenge any god or demigod and win... So, either you clean up your rping skills or I'll just ignore you...)

OOC: You can disable an Abrams with an AK-47. Simply ambush it by jumping on top of it, jump around a bit and wait for the crew to open the hatch. When it's open, kill the crew off with your assault rifle and presto! You've disabled the tank. :lol:

I'll agree with 5CN, anything that directly affects a character other than your own is a godmod. Instead, use statements like: 'Bob caught hold of the sword, and attempted to snap it.' It informs your opponent of what you did to stop his attack, as well as launch your own. Your opponent will decide if the sword breaks or not. This is another instance that demonstrates why I am against pre-made characters torn straight from comic books, computer games (except RPG's), and novels. Their RP'ers believe that they are invincible, relying on the professionally-written backstory to make up for their poor RP skills. Kain Irencius is the only person I've seen pull this off without relying on the backstory.

IC:

Whiptail waited near the body, pondering his next move...

(OOC: Xyorph, I've had enough of your godmodding... A) You can't snap someone else's sword unless they say it... B) You've made your character so strong that it can probably challenge any god or demigod and win... So, either you clean up your rping skills or I'll just ignore you...)

OOC: 5CN you have my full apologies, I was merely trying to wrap things up as Tarlachia requested. I retract my statement about breaking the sword. Again, I am sorry for the GODMOD. :oops:

As for Xyorph being indestructable, I would like to point out I havent had the chance to flex his muscles at all yet. HAS ANYONE ATTACKED HIM?? NO! He could not challenge a god or demigod. I stated that he is the sole disciple of a demi-god, which gives him a slight edge over other magicians. I'm fighting a demi-lich for Christ's sake! I need all the f*cking help I can get!

I also wanted to get across the point that he isn't just a mage as everyone keeps referring to him. He does not rely upon summoning spirits to do his bidding. Nor does he use magic words (wizard). He draws his power from energy around him and from his God: this makes him a sorcerer by definition. I take such definition from authors like Daivd Eddings. If you want to read about a real sorcerer read Belgarath the Sorcerer. That is real fantasy.

Anyway, my point to you is that I am sorry for godmodding. I have been asked both publicly and privately by Tarlachia to wrap things up, and that is what I am trying to do. I ask for your forgiveness in this matter. I would like to say though that if what I did was Godmodding, how come walking through my summoning portal was not? hmm...

Ermor: if you must know I am an author (currently unpublished <sigh> :( ) and a long time reader of fantasy (I read The Hobbit when I was 4, and havent stopped reading fantasy since). I do research from the best authors around the world, so to understand the background of my charater you need to do a lot of reading. To name a few: Eddings, Tolkien, Hobbs, Brooks, Martin, MaCaffrey, Morwood, Rowling, Pratchett.

It sounds unfortunately like I am copying you lol, but Xyorph too has physical vulnerabilities. His reactions and strength are improved slightly by magic, but he is at the end of the day an old man with a magic stick. I have been waiting for someone to attack him so I can prove this. Sorcery is also limited by personal strength (mental and physical). But he has not been challenged yet, so this has not yet been proven.

I regret any examples of godmodding, and apologise to all who have been affected by it. I ask for your kind forgiveness, and plead that we can just continue this thread and give it the ending it deserves.

Xyorph grunted at the comments made by the demi-lich. It had been so long since he had called upon his demon to serve him. He had forgotten how hard it was to bring it through the portal!

Worrying suddenly that the creature would notice, or that the elf pulling itself out of the wall would spot the sweat on his brow, Xyorph pointed a palm towards Gravechill and released a purple thunderbolt, followed by a stream of pure white flame, designed to keep the creature moving and unable to fight back (OOC: I know they are both still magic and so won't hurt that much, but the physical force of a thundebolt would probably knock you off balance? I am not sure what you define as physical assault lol)

He knew that he could not defend front and back whilst raising a demon at the same time. He raised his voice,

"I do not understand why either of you attack me? I am merely trying to return a body to its rightful place of rest. We are all honourable me..." he paused"...creatures here. Can you not see that this being deserves a burial. If you have personal vendettas with me for whatever reason, then track me down later. But will you not allow me to do what is right here?"

He continued the jet of fire at Gravechill, whilst keeping an eye on the elf behind him; praying that it would not realise its sword lay half buried under the rubble next to it (intact :wink: ). Sorcerer or not, a blade through the ribs would hurt.

Ermor: if you must know I am an author (currently unpublished)

I need to speak to you (it is Kain Irenicus' new profile if you are wondering). I have my own ambition to become an author and I am extremely curious to see how you are going about it, so please, do you have MSN?

(OOC: I'll let it go this once, since I myself have godmodded in the past, i.e. that vampire hunting thread that WA was referring to... BTW, WA can I join that rp?)

The one known formally as Zakli was sent flying into the wall. His sword broken at his feet. A bit annoyed and hurt, the corrupted elf attempted to stand up, picking up his broken sword and using it as leverage. His eyes flashing, the corrupted one connected the broken shards of the blade and using the regenerative powers of diamond-obsidian, the sword was reformed.

"Good as new..."

Satisfied, the corrupted elf glanced at the two fighters and began to laugh, his voice a haunting echo of his past life...

OOC: 5CN what happened to Zakli?

IC: Stephen picked up two wires and briefly touched them. There was a small spark. He twisted them together to recive, instead of a rumbling eingine, a car alarm. SH*T! Before he could untiwist them there was a crecendo of automatic fire that ripped through the Jeep.

Where's a tank and air support when you need them? He swquirmed out of the Jeep and his hand hit the sun visor. A spare set of keys fell down. Stephen stared at them, before gettting out the rest of the way and hobbled about ten feet before the Jeep exploded.

Stephen fell down on his face. He turned his head at the flaming wreakage that was his ticket to freedom. Cucking Bell (OOC: What rhymes with it? :) ) He crawled into an alley and sat down. Stephen decided instead of sitting on his butt and waiting to be killed he was going to find another car and try again, this time he would look for a spare set of keys first.

(OOC: An interesting side-effect of diamond-obsidian kicked in. It drew power from both Kain and Gravechill and sent streaming into Zakli. Zakli couldn't handle the power and went down unconscious. When he woke up, he couldn't remember his name and sent Valient's character Daniel Able flying away. A lot of the power came from Gravechill and thus both Zakli and his sword were corrupted by Gravechill's power... He'll come back to normal, once the power is removed or someone knocks him really hard on the head...)

OOC: All who have participated in this thread without complaint, or that I know are decent RP'ers are welcome. For now, enough hijacking.

OOC: DAMMIT! WHOEVER WAS SUPPOSED TO RP ALEXANDER HOME TO THE HYRAPHORE, GET HIM THE HELL HOME!!!

NOWWW! :evil:

OOC: Okay, just calm down a bit... Impatient aren't we?

IC:

Mysteriously, the body of Alexander appeared upon the doorstep of the Hyraphore guild's manor, posed in a burial position with the Upir sword held to his chest in a death-grip... A dark shape can be seen striding away from the building, disappearing into the night...

OOC: That work for you?

Driretlen hurried out to the front of the building when he heard Garrien call out for him.

Once he had arrived, he wished that he had had more time to prepare himself.

"Alexander my boy... what have you done to yourself this time..."

Driretlen turned to his aide. "Garrien, take Alexander and ready the Regenerative Chamber... this could take awhile."

Garrien nodded, and gathered the body. He rushed back inside.

Driretlen slowly followed behind.

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

Maximus and Skadi walked through the halls of the White House, their White house, when Maximus stopped and pressed a hand to his head.

"What is it?" asked Skadi.

"Oh, nothing. It was... nothing."

It wasn't really nothing. he had just recieved a message from Driretlen.

"Maximus, I have just recieved Alexander's body. I am assuming that he had finished whatever mission he had in Tarlachia, and thank you for ensuring his body was returned to me.

Alexander always told me how much he valued his friendship, Maximus, and I value yours. I have heard through the winds of change that Tarlachia is yours.

Congratulations."

Maximus and Skadi walked on...

The vampire silently tracked the movements of Stephen until he sat down in an alley not too far from the flaming wreckage. They moved, with a blinding speed.

They jumped down off the nearby rooftop and landed in the puddles next to him. Before Stephen knew what happened, they had siezed him. One sent a powerful enough shot to the face, knocking Stepehen out.

"Now back to the capital. Maximus should be pleased." commanded one of the vampires. They bound him, holding his hands and feet while they moved into vampirc speed as they sprinted toward the White House with Stephen in tow. Soon they would reach the leader, and bear his praise.

OOC: Stephen sure has a hard-ass time in this RP. Perhaps he could do with a bit of help?

OOC: No, he'll be fine, we're wrapping things up now...this thread is almost done.

EDIT: I must also add that he has also brought upon himself a lot of the things that has occured to Stephen, especially while alone during certain times of the thread.

OOC: Ok. The bodies gone. Now I'm at a loose end. Ermoe, if you don't RP by tomorrow I'm afraid I'm gona assume you guy has gone, cos this duel does need to end.

Thankyou for your generosity 5CN. I'm afraid I still dont see what your guy wants with Xyorph though.

IC:
Xyorph turned and noticed the body had gone. Damn! Let Maximus down again. Not really a good start to a new life, but oh well.

Gravechill had been knocked off balance by his fire attack (OOC: hope this is ok, but I needed some sort of response), so Xyorph turned to the elf.

The sword was back in his hand; undamaged. It glinted revenge in the dim light of the building. The sword itself was annoyed for being broken. Not a good sign, Xyorph thought.

He raised a hand in preparation to defend himself, and gripped his staff more tightly.

"What do you want elf? I do not know you. If you wish to be sent back to whence you came then tell me, and I will do so. What is it that you want with me?"

OOC: Yeah MS Stephen sure has it rough. I think it was Tarlachia's character Clarke who said to the extent of "They hunt ignorant people like you." The only thing that has kept him going was the thought of going home to his wife, but then he learns she's been screwing some guy for four out of their five years of marriage. So that hurts.
Tarlachia, why does Maximus hate Stephen? I'm afriad of what he'll do to him. Here is a list of what they did to each other:

Maximus to Stephen:

1. Break his arm

2. Almost cut him in half

3. Knock him out.

Stephen to Maximus:

1. Threaten to torch his girl (aka Skadi)

2. Burn his hand with a siliver coin

3. Almost blow them to bits with a grenade

I don't think the last one counts because it was a guard who bought the farm not the vampires. I thought of that grenade thing from what my dad (he was in the 82nd All American Parachute Division. AKA surrounded and need ideas to live.) told my of puting Claymore AP mines at waist/head height in trees, and when the enemy walks throught. It's a great partisan tactic. BAM! The unit is shredded.
At least Skadi and Maximus still don't know it was Stephen, do they?

IC: (Not much, considering he's knocked out. I'll post again after Tarlachia post.)

OOC: When you mess with close relations, "explosions" occur. :twisted: And if you're seen anywhere near her when the guy (Maximus) found her (Skadi) again, he naturally thinks that you had a hand in her abduction. Now...let's have a little fun shall we?

IC:
The vampires continued to carry Stephen along until they approached the white house. They made their way past the dead bodies, past the destroyed machinery, past the blood zone.

"Elder Maximus, look what we've found trying to escape!"

Maximus turned around from his discussion with President Marshall.

"Escape? That one?" he asked, a slightly amused look upon his face. He walked over to Stephen who was now coming back to consciousness, but was bound and tied. His strong hand gripped Stephen's jaw as he spoke quietly:

Maximus's mind bore into Stephens, eventually retrieving what he wished:

"Stephen...yes, that is your name. Tell me, why did you try to escape? And why....and you better answer this truthfully....why did you threaten to torch Skadi here? I advise you to choose your words carefully..."

Skadi stepped closer watching as Stephen's eyes widened in fear.

"Well? Speak up mortal!" she hissed.

As Maximus waited, he sensed...anger..pain...betrayal...from Stephen. Intrigued, he asked, "What troubles you? I sense pain and anger but it is not toward us..."

Stephen tried to talk but a gag in his mouth prevented it. One of his captors removed it.
"It is the duty of every soldier in hostile territory to escape. I, tired to raise hell up north to draw as many of your forces out of here as possible. I wanted to give the women and children a chance to escape." Stephen thought about his next choice of words.
"She seemed pretty high up in the chain of command. I wished to break the chain. The general might control the army, but without the junior officers who carries his orders out?"
"What troubles me is none of your business. It's personal."

Maximus remained thoughtfully silent as he took in what Stephen had said.

"Breaking the chains of command was a wise tactic, but that is where you must realize that should such an event occur, the command adapts and goes to the next man in line, or, they take it upon themselves to get things happening. Junior officers, although nice to have, are not all that runs an army or even any organization. It is the will and motivation of the masses that will determine the outcome of the fighting.

You say that it is a duty of soldiers to escape. I agree, that is true. Yet, I am not one that tortures women and children. I may be a vampire, but I'll be damned if these innocents will be harmed. I only strike out at those that attack me, and in some very rare cases, I will be the first to strike out at them. I do not seek conflict, but conflict still comes. It is almost unavoidable.

I suggest that before I lose my patience with you, you reveal to me what is personal. You are my captive as of right now, you will give me what I want to know, one way or another. I may be a vampire, but I do have a heart, I know you suffer personally. Perhaps I can help you deal with it... Do not underestimate me, Stephen...

If you wish to survive and leave this place alive, with none in pursuit, you will tell me what you know. In exchange, I request that you not call upon your nation's armies to come upon us. We do not seek conflict with other nations."

Maximus noted the look of surprise upon Stephen's face.

"Do you really think I am that stupid? You are a soldier, Stephen, and soldiers will go for backup, it is protocol for anyone. If you bring more trouble upon us, then you will have the blood of the innocents in your hands. YOU will be held responsible for escalating this any further... Would you want to die knowing that you have directly caused the sufferings and deaths of many innocents, the women, the children? Can you live your life, with the spirits of these people haunting you?

I would say that this is a reasonable request, is it not?"

"What the hell. I've been married for five years to the most lovely woman in the nation. Well, for four out of those five years that bitch has been f***ing some other guy. Alright? Do you know what makes it worse? To find out my daughter, my only child isn't mine. Do you know how it feels after spending several weeks in the mud to be in a bed with the woman you love? Then you find out while you were gone she had warm company."
Stephen noticed Maximus's expression changed slightly.

"I doubt any soldiers will come looking for me. If they did you would be facing battlehardened Rangers. I doubt they'll come. Emma is most likely getting a divorce in order. She'll take the finances, house, everything. And if you do let me go, I'll have nothing to go back to. Well execpt joining my brother Janni's Viper Team.
The only problem I see for you is if any of Tarlachia's army got away. They'll come back. Tanks, aircraft, and maybe mercs. Also my brother. If you or any of your subordants kill me, he'll go after them. Not the whole, just the murderer. He chased down the murderer of his girlfriend, and well the murderer did not resemble a man when he was finished. Did you like that greande I planted for you?"
Stephen saw the look of surpise on Maximus's face.
"Yup, I did it. It works better with Claymores. I live with a spirt haunting me. Three years ago I killed a friend, left his wife widowed, his kids fatherless. It was an accident, but I've never lived it down.

I've been wondering about you since I've heard of you. What did you throw away to become a vampire? Why do this? When daylight comes and you vamps are in your holes, the populace will figure out what happened and attack. What makes you think you can subdue an enitre nation with a few dozen troops who don't know jacksh*t about military tatics?"

Maximus chuckled at the man's arrogance.

"You know, you amuse me. I like ya kid."

Maximus ruffled Stephen's hair.

"As for myself, I shall tell you why I became what I am. Long ago, I had a wonderful life, with my wife and plans for children in the near future. One night, we were walking back from a party when my wife was snatched from my side, and drained completely by a vampire. That was the day I began my trip to this point. On that night, I managed to escape from the vampire. On that night, I swore I would find the murderer and kill them. On that night, my life died. A year later, I was still searching when I came across Skadi. After some tense moments of conversing with her, I went to take my leave when she pounced upon me, whispering that I had been chosen. At first I fought back, but she convinced me that I would not die. Intrigued, I allowed her to finish giving me the Kiss. Fate has a funny way of giving us the pearls of life within the darkest of objects and events. I found my second pearl in her, and have come to realize that this was perhaps for the better. I no longer was living as a mortal, I was merely a shell, a shell of hate, of pain. I still hurt from my first wife's murder, and I still continue to seek the murderer. I know he's still out there, he's still alive, and I will find him..."

Skadi's hand gently touched Maximus's shoulder, her hand caressing the back of his neck. Maximus ceased talking slightly as he calmed himself back down, before he continued with Stephen.

"And Stephen, my foolish friend...do you not realize the populace changes that have occured? The VRO knew that if they did not change the majority of the population to become vampires as well, the coup would fail. I merely have inserted myself as a visible leader for these masses, one they can rally behind as necessary. When you have the majority of the population, including the military all as vampires, they are then obligated to fight in favor of the one thing that they had originally hated. Many have come to enjoy the newfound vampire abilities, and are glad to now possess them. There is one other thing as well. President Marshall here, before this conflict was extremely popular with the masses, and knew what they wanted. I merely am keeping this together by allowing him to forever represent the people and live as we do. He is my first and only fledgling. Thus as a vampire, he will now be more compelled to personally represent the vampires of Tarlachia."

President Marshall shifted in his seat as he came to realize how intelligent Maximus's plan had been. Maximus was smart, he was using a system that had proven itself, and thus would remain successful.

Stephen sat there stunned. So Maximus isn't the pysco I thought he was. But most of a country vampires? Can't be. Impossible, none of the nations nearby will sit on thier butts and do nothing, they'll attack or put up a wall sperating them. Stephen looked at Skadi in the eye. He had a question he was dying to ask but the vampire frightened him.
Alexander said she used his master to get her fledgeling Honda, Hondru, something like that. That means they have done this before. Which would only mean there was another vamprie revolt. Another vampire revolt. Impossible, it would have hit mainstream. Stephen looked at Maximus who was standing there smiling broadly showing his fangs. Dear God in heaven.
"You can read my mind."

"That is correct, Stephen."

Maximus grinned, enjoying the look of shock upon Stephen's face.

"Oh, and one other thing, you really ought to learn how to shield your thoughts...You are quite easy to listen to when you think. Vampires being a majority of the population is an entirely possible concept. Hell, look at us now, it has already happened! Foreign nations will not intervene as long as we do not have hostile behavior toward them. They have enough of their own problems to worry about. Vampires living peacefully in another country is not exactly going to be on the top of their list.

Maximus spoke telepathically to Skadi. She replied with her own silent positive words. He turned back toward Stephen who was still bound and tied.

Now...Stephen, I have a proposition for you. Considering that you in essence no longer have a family and that you will lose alot of your belongings to your wife, you are welcome to take up residence here in Tarlachia. All grudges held against you will be dropped on one condition. You must remain friendly to all vampires. Now I know you're now thinking, "What about them? Won't they come after me for blood? I assure you, they will not, and if they try, I shall personally hunt them down and have a rich meal of my own, courtesy of themselves. If you prove yourself to be friendly, loyal and most of all, honest with me, then I shall consider possibly having the honor of siring you, allowing you to join us completely in the world of nightcreatures. What do you say?"

OOC: I think MS was referring to a little divine intervention in the form of a .300 WinMag from the rifle of Peter Zion, his special operations sniper, later a vampire.

IC:

Whiptail watched as the body was dragged inside the manor, then turned to leave. His good deed for the century was done.

Stephen leaned back against the wall. He originally thought of contacting Janni and asking him to send the Viper's plane to pick him up. But Stephen dismissed the thought. Janni had hated him since he almost let him drown in their family's swimming pool when they were kids. He hadn't known Janni was drowning.
"Sure. Can I get my left leg fixed? It is at the moment broken." He looked out the window at the battered area around the compound. “After I left the Rangers I worked as a construction worker. So I’ll help rebuild what I helped wreak. It's only fair. Do you know something that stops the burning from a vampire bite?" Stephen showed him the tiny bite marks which appeared to be disappearing.

Gravechill had lost his balance and he dropped on his knees, although, strangely, the longdeads still stood there, waiting for his command. He felt a burning sensation, but quickly stopped it by casting an ice spell onto himself.

He shrieked, "I have a quarrel with all living!"

He mumbled something and got back onto his feet.

"Your 'friends' left you here, alone. I only seek to kill the living. You are alive. Thus, you must die. Who you are does not matter. What you are does not matter either."

The burning of his eyes intensified. His hands started to burn with black flames.

"Let us end this..."

"Nether darts."

Maximus smiled slightly, his fangs exposing to the artificial light. He pulled out one of his elven daggers, a menacing blade to look at, and the temporary fear was seen in Stephen's eyes.

"Relax, I'm taking your bindings off."

Suddenly the blade swished through the air, slicing the ropes and plastic cuffs on Stephen. Stephen jumped a little, surprised at the speed Maximus had done so, so close in proximity to his body.

"I am a master swordsman, and let that be your evidence."

Maximus sheathed the dagger, and focused his attention upon Stephen's wounds.

Your wounds I can take care of...but that bite, I must look at it. Let's get this leg fixed up, I know of a healing spell of my ancestors that will do the trick..."

Maximus took hold of Stephen's leg, pulled it straight, despite Stephen's whimper from the pain, and ran his hand along the leg until he found the broken bone. Holding his hand just above the leg, Maximus took a deep breath, imagined the wound as if he could physically see it and chanted:

"Tanka harwar"

Several popping noises could be heard as Stephen screamed in pain as the bone pieces moved about snapping back into place, fusing themselves back together. Two of the vampires reached out and firmly held Stephen down as the wound went through the worst of the healing. Then, it was done, the leg was fully functional again.

"Now, show me your arm."

Stephen complied and held his arm out for Maximus to see. Maximus took grip of the arm, and looked at it carefully. He sniffed the wound, analyzing it.

"Hmmm...stay still for a moment, I need to check your plasma."

Maximus pulled a dagger out again, and sliced it along Stephen's wrist, instantly causing blood to rush out of the wound. Several of the other vampires shifted a bit, to which Maximus glared at, before he brought up Stephen's wrist and sucked the blood lightly, before pulling away. His thumb clenched over the wound, preventing the blood from fully escaping. Maximus tasted the blood in his mouth, both enjoying the taste, and analyzing it. After a moment he slit his own wrist, allowed some of the blood to cover the wounds on both the wrist and the bite. They healed over quickly, which surprised Stephen.

Maximus looked up at Stephen, and pulled him closer, tilting his head back as his fingers forcibly widened Stephen's eyes, as he studied the pupils. Satisfied, Maximus leaned back, letting go of Stephen while he spoke:

"You were bitten just over two hours ago by a female vampire. Because the vampire did not drain you, you have been slowly transforming already into a vampire yourself. However, we still have time to reverse the transformation, if you so desire to remain mortal. Another two hours and you would have been beyond the point of no-return. You must make the choice to remain human or become a vampire. I cannot make the choice for you it is your decision only. However, your time is running out, so I advise you to choose quickly."

Skadi stood by Maximus' side, watching the conversation with the human. Another one she did not trust. At least it was over, soon she could go back to her travels and resume a life that didn't concern human politics.

The vampire slowly twisted her blade upon the floor whilst she watched the others. It did not appear that she would need to use it, but it was always possible.

Stephen rubbed his leg. He was quite suprised by the speed, though it hurt like hell that Maximus fixed his leg.
"Thanks. You should become a doctor."
He thought, many people back home would have said "Take it live forever." Stephen belived that everyone wasn't suppose to live forever. It would just go against God.
"I rather stay mortal."

OOC: If there's anything special about your darts then let me know and I will adjust the consequences.

Xyorph felt something moving behind him, even before he heard the dreadful words. As an instinctive reaction he fell to his knees and grasped his staff in front of him with both hands. A white cylinder formed around him, but he had been too slow. Some of the darts were stopped, but the majority simply passed through.

Because of the sudden fall to his knees some of the darts went over his head towards the elf. But those who did not missed, and were not stopped by the barrier, hit him. They had all ben slowed slightly by the appearance of the shield, but this did not stop the pain.

(OOC: He was facing the wrong way, so his face was undamaged. And the back of his head was protected as this was where the shield had formed strongest. If you picture someone as crouching, his 'vital regions' would also have been surrounded by his legs).

He screamed with anger and pain as his limbs were sliced by the atomically thin blades, and he was splattered by his own blood. The lower part of his trousers were vapourised, and the back and sleeves of his treasured coat hung from him in tatters. The shirt underneath his coat was non-existent.

A sorry mess, Xyorph raised himself to his feet, and span to face Gravechill. His eyes were now indistinguishable; being mere areas of darkness and light. There was a slight red tint to them - a result of his blood being shed. He pulled the slight tatters of his shirt away from his chest to reveal a vest of white elf chain mail.

(OOC: As many of you know I am relatively new to this. I was unsure whether you are supposed to reveal everything at the start, or whether you are allowed a few tricks up your sleeve. I hope this is ok.)

The mail was stained with blood, both old and new. And whilst it was dented and scratched, it had prevented the darts from doing more then superficial damage to his chest. With his left arm coiled into his chest, Xyorph raised his voice.

"Viscious little b*gg*r aren't we?! "

The corruption known as Zakli rolled expertly away from the approaching darts. His sword held tightly in his right hand, the elf known as Zakli came out of his roll charging swiftly and lightly towards Xyorph, his deadly blade, thirsting for blood...

Xyorph heard the elf hitting the floor, and turned to see if he was alright. He was greeted by the sight of a sword being levelled at him. Unable to use his left arm, Xyorph relied upon swinging the staff to block the sword.

It worked, and the blade meant for him swung off course. Xyorph pulled the staff back quickly and swung at the elf's legs, trying to knock him to the floor.

"Then mortal it is." Maximus replied quietly.

His mind went through the various methods that could be used to halt the turning. Turning toward the leader of the small group of vampires, Maximus spoke a command:

"Go to the kitchen. Find garlic. Then go to a church and get a glass of holy water. Bring them to me, quickly!"

The vampire looked at Maximus questioning him,

"But...won't we become injured by the items we retrieve? I don't want to do that, sir..."

Maximus growled, suddenly moving to pin the vampire up against the wall, his fingers buried into the vampire's neck and holding him off the floor. Maximus hissed, his eyes become blood-red.

"You will do it. Another word out of you and you shall die."

The vampire simply nodded in response, and was let go of. He ran out the door followed by the other vampires in his group. Within a half hour they had returned, with the items in their hands, their faces twisted in agony.

Maximus took the items, crushed the garlic until it was a powder, sprinkled the garlic into the holy water and shook it to mix it up. He handed the cup to Stephen and spoke:

"Take this. Drink it all. It is holy water and garlic mixed together. Like this, it become a stronger solution that works against the turning effects. When you drink it, you should be expecting a fire-like feeling coming from your bowels, and spreading through your blood as it is absorbed into your bloodstream. It will hurt because the vampire blood will fight to stay alive, but in the end it shall fail."

The corrupted one jumped easily over the swinging staff, dropping into a roll. Smirking to himself, the corrupted one slammed the sword, blade down into the ground, sending a seismic shockwave towards Xyorph...

"Let's see you beat that..."

At the same time, the corrupted elf drew his sword out of the ground and jumped into the air towards Xyorph, his sword dancing in front of him.

"Of course we are! We are of the Ashen Empire!"

He shrieked, and the longdeads (skeletons), armed with rusted swords and wearing rusted armors, attacked. Not too many of them, but they would work as a distraction anyway.

His eyes burned with pitch black light, if you could call it that. He still looked at Xyorph, and said the words... "Bane fire." He knew he would become exhausted from all this casting, but he had no other choice. It would also be possible for him make a tactical retreat in the confusion if that is required.

(OOC: Edited it, then. Bane fire is green. It consumes life force and has a nasty decaying effect if it hits. Although if it hits a mage, I guess its effects will be quite limited...)

The seismic shock knocked Xyorph off of his feet, and he hit the floor hard.

"Why did I ever come out of the shadows?" he moaned.

Seeing the sword swinging in his face, Xyorph rolled and jumped to his feet.

"You still havent told me why you are attacking me!" Xyorph roared. "And if magic is what you want to fight with, magic it will be!"

Xyorph uncurled his weakened left arm from his chest, and fired a volley of lightning at the elf. He followed this up with a blue fireball, designed at blinding rather then burning the elf.

"Of course we are! We are of the Ashen Empire!"

He shrieked, and the longdeads (skeletons), armed with rusted swords and wearing rusted armors, attacked. Not too many of them, but they would work as a distraction anyway.

His eyes burned with pitch black light, if you could call it that. He looked at the demon, and said the word... "Shatter". He knew he would become exhausted from all this, but he had no other choice. It would also be possible for him make a tactical retreat in the confusion if that is required.

OOC: Xyorph never finished raising the demon, so you may want to change this.

The hissing lightning slammed into the psionic energy that laced around the corrupted elf. Snarling, the two energies dissipated. Then the elf's eyes were blinded by the fireball. Landing unevenly on the floor, the elf began to swing wildly around him trying to hit something...

Seeing the blinded elf staggering around, XYorph pulled back from the blade. Seeing a gap in the swing, Xyorph swung out with the staff at the elfs head. He concentrated hard. If the staff succeeded in hitting, it would now tie the elf up in energy bands, leaving Xyorph free to deal with the now awakened Gravechill.

OOC: Cousin Eddie looks around and realises everyone else appears to have gone.

<hmm. They must have lessons. Isnt it nice to have no lessons on a monday afternoon. Ahhhh...>

Cousin Eddie sits back in his chair, sips a cup of tea, and delicately finishes off a pack of m&ms. Through the headphones of his cd player, Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast" is playing. He turns it up to irritate the people sitting next to him, as it is now coming through the headphones.

He waits for someone else to post.

Stephen took the glass and smelled the liquid.
"It smells but down the old hatch." Stephen pinched his nose with his other hand and gulped it down. True to Maximus's words Stephen's bowels began to burn like crazy. He looked at Maximus. "Why are you doing all this? Not the country, but giving me this anit-vamp drink?"

Maximus nodded appreciatively, he had been waiting for Stephen to ask that question.

"I do this for two reasons. One, I may be a vampire, but that doesn't mean I am a ruthless, uncaring hunter. I am still in spirit a human. I still place myself upon certain limits, an effort to...retain my humanity if you will. The second reason is because you have been reasonably competent of all the hunters I've met up with for the last several days that will actually listen to why we did what we did. And to refresh your memory, it was so we vampires could have a place to call home, a place where we can reside without much fear of the government or the people breaking down our doors and trying to slaughter us. You see...you and I are not that different, except I happen to need to obtain blood to nourish myself."

Stephen smiled.
"Yeah, I was a peer mediator in middle school. It was my job to listen and try not to be bias. You have a point there Maximus. My dad told me that sometimes I'll meet someone who seems just wants you to be dead. But if you sit and talk to them, you get a better understanding of who they are. In a way I think us "hunters" were the evil ones. You seem like the guy who tries to do things peacefully. Well I think we humans were the ones who provocted this fight and cause many people to lose thier lives.
"We're not that different. Besides you needing blood to live and the mental powers. Vampires and humans are just the same. Vampires are still homo sapieans, just a different kind. If we hadn't interfered, this would have been peaceful and humans and vampries could live in harmony."
His hand moved down his leg and touched something. He put his hand inside his sock and pulled out a thin flask. He screwed the lid off and smelled the whiskey. "Thought I lost this." Stephen took a small pull from it. He offered it to Maximus. "Want some?"

Maximus declined, explaining,

"Vampires are only capable of digesting blood, any other organic substance eaten will simply sit in the stomach for such a time until one felt the need to simply uphurl it to get it out for the sake of getting it out. The only exception would be very small amounts of meat that is rich in blood, such as beef."

Stephen showed a look of surprise at this, while continuing to down the alcohol.

"Well, I'd say that you met up with your fair share of people who want you dead now eh?"

Maximus and Stephen laughed.

"Now, what do you say we start getting this hell hole a proper cleaning? No better day to start than today."

Skadi intervened at this and spoke quietly but with a commanding tone.

"The sun rises soon Maximus."

Both men stood, and Maximus faced Stephen again. Only now was he aware of the coming danger of the light. Momentarily he longed to see a sunset again, to enjoy the bliss that could be found in the array of colors of the sunlight.

"Ah, yes, she is correct...well Stephen, you have the option of resting during the daytime as well, and then join us as we clean up when night falls again. I can offer you one of the suites here in the White House to rest in. Unfortunately all the servants who worked here have seemed to disappeared, so you will have to make your own food from the kitchen. Feel free to take as much as you want.

One last thing...let this be the beginning of our friendship, yes?"

Maximus held his hand out, dirtied from the fighting, but still held sincerely.

Stephen stood up. And shook Maximus's hand.
"To friendship. Thank you for your hospitality. I was the one who usually cooked, Emma's cooking was black and hard as a rock. I saw a help wanted sign for a company called Capital Construction Company. I'll head down later on and sign up. I'll go by my hotel room and pick up my stuff. My lawyer will probably get my personal affects out of my ex's hands. There's a comfy apartment complex not to far from here, and there's vacanys. Thank you so much." Stephen turned to Skadi.
"I'm... ah.... sorry for any rough times we've had. I wish to thank you for being so kind." He took her hand and lightly kissed it. He could have sworn he saw her blush. Stephen walked to the entrance and bowed to all of them. "I hope humans and vampires can co exist."

Stephen walked into a suite and layed on the bed. Thank you Maximus. Your a true gentleman.

OOC: Hey Golden Simitar, I'm wondering if you have MSN IM, AIM or YAHOO? If so, TG me with your contact info, I'd like to add you to my list and invite you to be part of our little community that chats daily.

Skadi nodded to the human as he kissed her hand. Out of all the new faces she had encountered, he anoyed her the least. Skadi bowed her head ever so slightly in acknowledgement of Stephen.

OOC: Xyorph never finished raising the demon, so you may want to change this.

(OOC: Very well. Edited it. You'll have to react to it before I can do anything.)

OOC: 5CN, I need to act on Ermor's attack. Can we say the staff hit, leaving your character temporarily stunned? I leave the effectiveness of the energy chains up to you.

IC:
The elf slumped to the floor with the force of the staff.

"Now think about what you've done" said Xyroph jokingly.

"Bane fire", he heard the words uttered from behind him.

"Oh b*gg*r." he moaned. Xyorph spun anti-clockwise on his back foot and held his staff up in front of him horizontally with both hands to block the spell.

The green flames tore into the staff, and the wood started to decay. The staff fought back by literally swallowing the flame. It shone with a blinding white light, and was fully repaired.

Unfortunately Xyorph hadn't quite spun quick enough, and a section of the green flame had hit his arm. The skin on his left arm became tight and grey, like the skin of the undead. The wounds on it sealed over with grey scar tissue.

....................

(OOC: I will finish this later. Give me an hour.)

Sorry bwt that. Dam chemistry. Who cares about the cis-trans geometric isomers of hydrocarbons?! Aagh!

..............................

Xyorph flexed his mutated arm out in front of him.

"Strange..." Xyorph muttered. The arm seemed to respond fine. It no longer hurt which was a good thing, but it did now unfortunately look like he had been cooking himself.

He looked up and saw the exhausted Gravechill staring at him in curiosity. He had obviously not seen that as a consequence either. Xyorph grinned to himself. Briefly, he had an advantage.

The longdeads surrounding Gravechill were lumbering towards him. Xyorph raised an arm and released a bolt of energy, which rattled the longdead, but didn't stop it. Pausing slightly for breath, Xyorph opened the portal behind him and brought through the two stone golems he had summoned the day before. They went crashing into the first two longdeads, imoblilising them instantly. The others paused and began to put up a fight. Xyorph left the Golems to it, they could handle themselves.

He raised an arm and once again released a volley of fire at the creature. Gravechill neatly dodged the volley, which is what Xyorph had wanted. He began to run towards the creature. Just as Gravechill was raising an arm to release a spell, Xyorph jumped into the air and turned into his phoenix form. As the large bird he crashed hard into the demi-lich. He twisted one of his brittle legs as he did so, but it was worth it to knock Gravechill to the floor.

Acting fast, Xyorph turned into his other alternate form of the snake. He bit hard into Gravechill's neck (the taste was not pleasent), unsure of whether it would have any effect on the undead. He then wrapped around the neck, and twisted hard in a desperate attempt to break his neck.

(OOC: I know you are undead, but presumably (if the neck is broken) your physical form will no longer function?)

(OOC: Umm, what happened to the longdeads that attacked you? It's not like you can run straight at him with them in the way. Nor cast anything straight at him, since one of the longdeads would take the hit instead. He controls them and they would go out of the way when he casts something, plus they would go back to their position after the spell has been casted. They are basically skeletons with rusted weapons and armor...)

(OOC: Umm, what happened to the longdeads that attacked you? It's not like you can run straight at him with them in the way. Nor cast anything straight at him, since one of the longdeads would take the hit instead. He controls them and they would go out of the way when he casts something, plus they would go back to their position after the spell has been casted. They are basically skeletons with rusted weapons and armor...)

Sorry Forgot about the longdeads. Will be dealt with shortly. My bad. :oops:

EDIT: Hope that is ok...(see above).

Gravechill took a firm grip of the snake with both of his hands and he said the words "Drain Life." His neck was close to being shattered, but it was still intact. Barely.

That was all he needed. To touch the being. He could feel energy flowing into him from Xyorph. He took his right hand off Xyorph's body.

"Did you think I would fall that easily?!"

He tried to catch Xyorph's head with his now free right hand.

Xyorph felt the energy draining from him. Not good, he mused. He felt himself going weak; slightly light-headed. He needed to react, now.

He twisted and bit the oncoming hand, managing to slide out from under Ermor's fingers. But his energies were now very low. He felt weak. No longer able to maintain his snake form, Xyorph hit the floor as a man. He landed hard on his back; and felt something strapped to his belt. Of course, the gun. The compact shotgun he carried with him for emergencies; if this wasn't an emergency he didn't know what was. He had barely enough energy left to do magic at all, let alone duel!

Xyorph rolled slowly to his feet, reached behind him into his coat, and pulled out the gun. He aimed it at Ermoe and snarled;

"Here's some modern technology for you asshole!"

He pulled the trigger three times, sending a triple volley of silver pellets at the creature.

Gravechill easily dodged the first shot, but the second one hit his left arm slightly and the third one tore it apart. The fact that they were of silver made no difference. His undeath is different from that of a vampire.

It hurt, he knew of his own mortality. If his body was to be destroyed, it would be the end of him. But he still had one of the boons of his long gone immortality with him. His undead body would regenerate over time. It would be a quicker process than it would be for a human, and he can even regenerate complete limbs.

He let out a chilling scream, but he quickly regained his composure. He mumbled something and disappeared into the darkness. It was not yet time to return to the Underworld. No, not yet. He chose to leave Tarlachia, to seek a place where he could rest for the moment... And if he had died, his true Ermorian heritage would have died with him. It was not an option.

He was one of the few self-aware and powerful undeads who came to being before the fall. He was also Ermorian before his change. Unlike many of the others, he had embraced undeath by his own free will.

Xyorph stared in slight amazement and amusement at the spot where Gravechill had been standing. Cautious of creatures seemingly dissapearing on him before, Xyorph swept out physically with his staff and mentally with his mind. Nothing.

He prodded the limb that Gravechill had left behind with the butt of his staff. It crumbled into nothing.

Xyorph wiped the sweat off the handle of his gun and returned it to it's pocket. It had proved to be even more useful the he had thought it would. He needed some new pellets mind.

He turned and looked at the elf, who was shaking off the blindness and coming back to his senses.

"Now then." Xyorph said aloud. He lowered his staff at the elf with both arms. "I ask you again, who are you? And what do you want?"

"Something that shall not be named... Something that thou cannot understand... Something... Something..."

The corrupted elf glanced at Xyorph and grinned.

"Be assured, that thy will see me again..."

And with that, the elf backflipped into a dark portal that appeared out of nowhere...

Xyorph stood there, stunned. He lowered his staff to the floor.

"How very odd" he muttered to himself.

He looked down at the injuries to his legs, and at the remains of his tattered clothing.

Guess I need some new stuff, he thought.

Xyorph left the building, closing the door behind him.

A new day had begun.

Maximus was standing in the presidential quarters, Skadi by his side. Marshall had already gone to sleep in another room. All the windows in both rooms had been carefully sealed up to block the sunlight. Maximus held Skadi's hand, looking over at her. She was tired and dirtied from the fighting, but a look of peace was upon her face again. Maximus knew that face well, and so he smiled. He kissed her before speaking,

"It is finally over. Our mission is done, is a success...Come, let's rest now."

Skadi nodded, and together the two slipped under the covers, falling asleep in each others embrace. A new day had risen, peace was once again upon Tarlachia...

OOC: Ok guys, this thread is finally over. Thanks for such a great thread, even though we had a few road bumps. Nevertheless, I'm proud to say that this went better than I thought, and thus, I shall go and see if I can get it archived!

(OOC: lol, I would doubt it, because of the multitude of godmodding involved. Maybe we could get DF archived... Hm... Intriguing...)

ooc: Despite that little bit of trouble we had, this thread still is a major part in the history of my nation, so..yeah...archiving is being sought... 8)

OOC: Perhaps an invite-only sequel is called for?

WA, It's an idea....I'll think about it... :)

OOC: It's been fun. Stephen lived, has taken up residence in Tarlachia, and learned that vampires aren't as different as one may think. A few pages ago Maximus wanted to skin Stephen, now they have some sort of a friendly relationship. Tarlachia, if you have (as WA said) a sequel in mind, TG me. I'll be more than happy to send Stephen back into the line of fire, this time on Maximus's and Skadi's side.
Thanks for letting me join.

Golden Scimitar: Glad to have you, you were great. I will definitely keep you in mind if a sequel spawns itself from the recesses of my mind.

*thinking* "Hmm...that could be an idea...what else can I think of?"

:wink: :D

Also...not to be rude or anything, but please stop posting in this thread...so time can pass before I ask for it to be archived....thanks!

((Pity I seemed to have missed this. Perhaps I can weasel my way into the sequel, if there is one. :wink: I need to develop David more, and this would have been perfect. Well, taggishness for this if it gets archived.))

(OOC: lol, I would doubt it, because of the multitude of godmodding involved. Maybe we could get DF archived... Hm... Intriguing...)

(OOC: Doesn't really matter if people *accept* the godmodding, and it's not really even godmodding if no one begins to whine about it. It's all good, and it could get archived. Hell, I got my "Alliance to end all alliances!" thread to the Archives, and it just had comic value.)