NationStates Jolt Archive

Lord Arithon sat upon his throne of tortured souls, not paying attention to their screams of agony as he conversed with his newly appointed demon lord. It had been quite some time since the last attempt, yet another failure. Because of the likes of Kain Shentavo and Rave Shentavo, his plans had been foiled, and the humans still possessed their world.

It would be different this time. The source of the problems was the target, the source of all his problems. Once they were eliminated, things would be much easier. The humans would be next.

Nez'gah stepped forward in his full demonic glory and bowed toward his master.

"You have a plan master?"

"Indeed. It shall require much work, but the results will be worth it. The death of those two cursed Shentavos!"

Lord Arithon howled with a demonic roar of laughter as he contemplated his plan in action and finally ridding himself of the biggest problem ever to face him.

The demon hordes of Arithon massed around the lake of ancients, awaiting their master's orders. They would taste the blood of many within the near future. Darkness would fall over the human world.

Tinkling laughter filled the air around them as a dark figure stepped out of the air. "Oh, bravo, Arithon. Bravo. The Master would be so proud." She looked around at the Hellish place. "See you haven't gotten any decoration done since I was last here."

She looked at Nez'gah. "You. Stop staring, and stand up straight." Moving decisively forward, she rested a hand on Arithon's throne. "Still as ugly as ever, Arithon."

Arithon almost dropped his massive jaw at the new arrival. The last time he saw this one, she was sealed within the bounds of another dimension. This was unexpected. Gathering his wits, Arithon grinned at the new arrival, displayed his arsernal of razor sharp teeth.

"Taliya, I see you've decided to join the rest of us. How was your time away?"

The sarcasm was detectable, even under Arithon's demonic tongue. He was never especially friendly with this servant of the nameless one, but he didn't hate her either. She would prove to be a useful ally. Nez'gah stood straight as Taliya addressed him. He could tell she was definately one of age, far stronger than he. Nez'gah was too young to know her, and so he stood silently, waiting and watching.

TAG: I'll wait till Rave and Kain post...

Taliya started back. "I'm not here to bandy words with you. Mephisto is dead. You realize what that means, surely, Arithon?"

At his start, she continued. "It means we're in danger. We're not invincible. We can die. And, more importantly, we can fail. For, you failed. On numerous occasions. So, what's the plan this time, Ari?"

Arithon was well aware of Mephisto's death. Yet another problem created by the Shentavo pair. So Taliya was the replacement, this would prove interesting. Losing his smile and matching gazes with the demoness, Arithion spoke.

"Well my lady. This time is different. The source of our problems shall be emliminated first. It all starts with the two named Izual and Balfar, both formers of our ranks. I shall leave it to you to capture this one. You have my minions at your disposal. Now prove your worth."

OOC: Is this before or after the "The Return of Nez'gah" thread?

OOC: Yes it is..... Check you tg's

Let me make this clear.....

If you want to participate in this RP, you must tg myself or Roania. This is strictly INVITE ONLY! Please do not post asking to get in.

(OOC Alright. This is Kain, just Kain Irenicus no longer is Kain's name, and I do not want to change my damn profile again and again and again! Gah, I have lost 4000+ posts this way. Nevermind. Time for an update for all you people who don't know what happened with Kain.

Kain's fledgling died, Daniella, due to starvation from Qui.

Kain was bound to the demonic sword, the Brighblade, because it sustained him, because of Qui's curse prevented him from killing mortals and his thirst was far more than a normal vampire due to the curse.

Kain went to Rave as she called him and this (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=116640&start=0) happened. I suggest you read this, because it will explain A LOT. It is only 3 pages too, and you only really need to rad the first and half way through the second page, but the more you read, the more of Kain's past you will discover.

Kain then was sleeping and recovering, and he awoke to find his body changed, and his curse removed. the dmeon had been banished, and he no longer had to rely upon anything. He was within the Shentavo acadamy, and he sought out Qui.

The two fought, and Kain lost, but Rave came in to help him. Rave and Qui spoke, and Qui went away. Then Kain was allowed back in the Shentavos, a massive breaking of clan rules.

It had to be said, so people understand. also, Kain's memory is a little hazy. I will write an intruction soon.

this is what he looks like, without the irenicus symbol his his Cloak, but with the Shentavo:

http://ewancient.lysator.liu.se/pic/fanq/a/s/asti2/raziel.jpg)

(OOC If any one is confused over details, please ask and I will explain. Also, it would help me GREATLY if you told me of people's relationship with Kain, because my memory is not exactly great... :? )

The sea water was around this solitary figure, the fresh salt air filling his lungs wonderously. The sound of the water's lazily flowing all around him was peaceful to Kain, he was in the middle of some tropical ocean. He did not care where he was, he was simply meditating, floating upon the sea, aided by magic.

The pale white orb within the sky glimmered down below, putting a sparkling shades of purple upon the midnight waters, as the watery citizens of the ocean where asleep. Kain's eyes where closed, he was lying on his back upon the waters, kept afloat by his own absent minded magic. He was just drifting along, enjoying the new found freedom of not having a cynic chatting away in his mind, the demon which had haunted every waking moment was gone, and his vision restored. But most importantly, so was his name, the name which meant that he was accepted and that he was redeemed by his family.

Kain Shentavo.

The previous mark of Irenicus upon Cloak had faded, replaced by the heart with a sword within it. Currently, the symbotic Cloak, a magical entity which had served Kain throughout his years, was a deep purple, reflecting Kain's state of mind. He was meditating upon these ocean waters, without a care.

Kain had changed.

His white skin had replaced his previous green leathery one. Kain realised that his new skin no longer held the properties of dispeling weaker magics against him, but he did not miss it. He enjoyed this new smooth white skin which was so less striking. He always got attention simply from his looks. Although, his cloven hands were still there, he had grown rather fond of those, if he could still not play the piano. His white hair had been cut shorter, and many who knew him before, would not recognise him immediately. But people would know who he was when they were around him, he had some of the qualities that he did have before....with added ones.

Kain breathed out and continued to drift along, meditating and thinking about a few things. He was weaker than he was before with the sword, that he knew. Yet....he was stronger. He had independance, and he still retained the magic which the demon had imparted to him. Although he did not know if he could could summon the energies which he had before, he was curious to find out.

But later. Now....now he simply wanted to relax....and catch up with news from his old ally, Cloak.

Tag: waiting for Rave too.

<tag>

"My message has been clear to me," a voice said softly within the moonlit night. "As I hope it will be to you."

"It is." another replied, the voice smooth and complimentary. "With the passing of times since Mephisto's death...I know they are coming for me."

"They come in strong number, more than you would imagine."

"I can imagine quite a lot..." the other replied as the two figures were dimly lit upon the shores of the ocean by the moon. There seemed not a soul on the beach at the time. "They don't know of you, it is best if you stay out of it."

"You think that I would not fight by you're side?" the other smiled. "Humor me for old times sake."

"The memories are fleeting me," she sighed. "It was so long ago. The rising of another seraphim can not be brought into attention. They don't know who you are. They don't know what you are. They don't know why you're here. They don't know where you are. You are non existant to them---"

"Which gives me even more reason to fight by your side, I---"

"Enamarcia!" she snapped. "I do this in your own interest. If I should fall, there needs to remain one upon earth to take my place."

"I am not your fledgling or apprentice, my sister. I am of the same rank as you, in case you have fogotton. Such hostility was never spoken towards me before. What is wrong? You can defeat them as you did Mephisto..."

"You don't understand," she replied softly. "I had something then I do not possess now..."

"But you have something now you didn't posses then, Rave" Enamarcia countered. She held out her hand in offering, to which Rave accepted by taking a firm grasp of it.

"Awaken my son," Ravelyn said softly. "No others. It is to only be myself, Qui, and you... We are the most able and strongest out of them. While Gene gives me reason to bring, I need her here to watch over the others.

Flashes of light…
Shadows of darkness…
Two forces blend in fire,
Intertwined in battle
Slashing, stabbing, murdering,
Where light now stands, Darkness comes to steal..
Darkness falls upon the land…

Gasping, he awoke as the last of the prophecy repeated itself in his mind. Sweat beads slid about on his forehead as he considered the words.

He was called.

Getting up, he flipped on the stereo, turned the volume low and began to listen to Creed’s “Young Grow Old” play quietly in the room.

He said he's falling to pieces, fighting the boy and the man…

Skadi lay asleep, next to his spot on the bed in his bedroom. He walked silently over to his closet, and opened the door. His hands reached in, pulled out his draconian scaled armor, and slipped it onto himself. Soon to follow was his twin Elven Daggers, strapped to his back. Finally, Glamdring was pulled out, and he held it to the light. The blade was pulled slightly out as he admired the fine craftsmanship of the Elven sword. His ancestors definitely knew how to make weapons of high caliber. He sheathed the sword, and looked into the closet, his mind thinking about his journey he was about to undertake.

He stood there momentarily, fully armed and covered in his instruments of war. His mind began to refresh itself on his now-extensive knowledge of Elven magic…magic that was granted only to the bloodlines. A sigh escaped his lips as he turned back toward the bed. He bent down and kissed Skadi gently on the cheek, and watched as she awoke immediately.

“I must go. Darkness threatens the world.”

“What is wrong, my love?” Skadi questioned him, a look of concern upon her face.

“I had another prophecy, perhaps the most grave of all. I am called to protect and fight for all that is good in the world. So have I been told…by the spirits of the Elven Elders.”

He paused momentarily, as he let Skadi take in this.

“I fear I shall face my greatest challenge yet. I may not return… ‘Andelu i ven’”

So driven by his fear of weakness, That's his key to understand…

“The path is dangerous.” Skadi whispered, completely understanding him.

Skadi stood next to him, her strong, yet fit and attractive body still youthful even after nearly 2000 years. 1297 years together; ever since he was given the Kiss by her; had taken the two of them through trying times, and thus, they held to each other in love and companionship. She held him close, savoring his presence before she kissed him tenderly upon the lips.

“Fight well, Maximus, fight the good fight…I love you…”

A tiny tear escaped her eye as she spoke this. Maximus’s finger gently stroked it away. Reluctantly, he let go of her, keeping his eyes locked upon her face, burning into memory her face, her beautiful face.

Trading places in the circle. Turn the glass, spill the sand. They say that time can make the difference, But age doesn't make you a man..

He walked out to the small balcony of his apartment, and sent a message for his dragon, Pyros. Within minutes, the beating of its powerful wings upon the night air was heard approaching him. Maximus stood upon the railing, looked back at Skadi once more, and stepped off, falling quickly out of sight. A moment later, Pyros shot upwards with Maximus holding on tightly.

He did not know where to go, but he knew that he was heading in the right direction. Words formed within his mind, words issued from the Elven:

“Seek out Ravelyn and Kain Shentavo…they are your allies.”

Pyros was directed to head toward the Shentavo Academy, where he knew the others would probably be.

Take a look now, see the boy is weakened. Watch him fade, watch him fade away. Take a bow and the boy is defeated. Is this the way, this the way? So far in a distant land, There's a fight between boy and man. See the light through the open door. Sit and watch as the young grow old…

Taliya kept a close watch upon the darkness of the earth. Besides her, Nez'gah sat in all his horrificness. She rounded on him. "What are you doing, you idiot? Get the hell in human form! They're coming!" She could hear Izual's voice with her sensitive ears.

Nez'gah glared at the demoness, but he submitted to her will. She was his superior. In a dull flash, Nez'gah appeared as tall, muscular man. He stood around 6"3' and possessed long dark hair over his shoulders. He was clothed in complete black, and his skin was a pale contrast. He looked completely human.
__________

Izual and Balfar stood at the edge of the forest. There was definately demon activity in there, by what they could sense, not too much. Treading carefully into the forest, they spoke in hushed tones.

"Things have been strange of late. The other angels and myself have found very few demon of Lord Arithon upon the earth."

Balfar nodded.

"Indeed, I haven't seen any. He must be up to something......."

The pair continued into the forest, oblivious of what awaited them.

OOC: This is basically an introduction; Kazar-Tiyon won't be involved in the plot quite yet.
IC: On a dusty road, two travelers were fighting. One, dressed in a simple tunic and brigandine armor, was armed with an ordinary broadsword. The other was clad in black steel from toe to fingertip. A cloak that seemed to draw the light out of the air floeds down his back, and his face was hidden in the shadows of its hood. His weapon was even stranger than his outfit; a black hilt with a large ruby set in the pommel,and a dull gray blade, slightly curved on the edge and saw-toothed on the back. The black-clad fighter's name was Kazar-Tiyon; his sword was called Shadowfang. The other traveler was a wandering hero, who had made it his life's work to wander the countryside, protecting the weak and fighting evil. His name is not important....
Sparks showered as the two enchanted blades clashed; most swordsmen wouldn't have lasted a minute in that fight, but it had been going on for almost ten. Suddenly, Kazar-Tiyon froze, his head tilted slightly to one side, with the look of one listening to a distant voice. The hero stared in amazement for a moment, spent another moment wondering if honor required him to let his opponent recover, and then decided not to pass on what could well be his only chance of survival. He swung.
At the last moment, an instant before the blade struck, Kazar-Tiyon whirled about. Shadowfang's blade knocked aside the other weapon and darted forward without pause, shearing through the ex-hero's armor as if it were mere cardboard. The hero screamed in agony as the blade sizzled, then collapsed off of it. Shadowfang showed no sign of blood, except for a few drops that quickly vanished. Kazar-Tiyon's red eyes flared brighter.
-The news?-
-Nez'gah is on earth.-
-We owe a debt to him.-
-Yes. Besides, working with him will be... entertaining.-
Shadowfang replied only with the mental equivilant of a sigh; it had only awakened recently, but its personality was set long ago, and reflected a time when Kazar-Tiyon's goals, and interests, had been slightly different.

Kazar-Tiyon sheathed the sword, shifted into his traveling form, leaped onto a disc of shadow that condensed out of thin air, and soared off in the direction he new would take him to Nez'gah. The spy system used by Kazar-Tiyon was considerably more effective, and faster, than virtually any government organization.
OOC: Is that all right for a start? It will take him a while to get there.
For more information about Shadowfang's awakening, see the "Return of Nez'gah" thread. If anyone has any other questions about K-T, just ask me.

OOC: Hi. Tarlachia knows me, so talk to him if you want to know who I am. Any chance of an invite?

Qui frowned at the information given to him. "If they want hell," his eyes were a scarlet red as Ravelyn's, and it seemed that if hell itself were inside of them. "Then I will bring it to them." He slammed a fist into his palm and looked at her, a rage within them. "They took you from me once, and it will NOT happen again."

"Calm yourself, I'll give them everything that they ask for, and everything they never would expect me to do."

"What?" he said in confusion. "You're going to surrender!?"

Rave let out a laugh. "No, no, no...not in a million years. Have you heard nothing I told you? I am not detectable by heaven or hell! I am off their radar. They thought I was dead. That's the whole reason Enamarcia is here. If I was brought to fatality, she would be the one to take my place...however, it was much to her suprise to find me. Don't you realize? I can be hidden by a cloak, and they would neither sense presense of angel nor devil inside of me. I will go to them...I fancy the challenge any day."

"You scare me sometimes," he murmered, to which he knew she had heard. "Alright...so it's the two of us against their forces?"

"Why not? Like begets like, while opposing forces can draw quite a battle. Darkness can be quenched by light, Qui."

"I'm not of the light, if you haven't noticed..." he smirks, revealing his fangs. She looked at him with a plain stare.

"Spread your wings Qui, then tell me you then deny your heritage." She stood up, slightly upset by the comment. Qui looked at his bare back and scars upon it from everytime his back was torn open by his merciless wings."

"Let's see yours Rave..." Rave turned back around. "I forgot...hellspawn don't carry angelic wings. The demonic blood runs through you now since it was in Sage's blood. I see your fangs, but have never seen your wings. I have heard such tales of the four seraphims, and one stands before me right now. I have heard such stories of magnificant wings of six upon their backs...yet I see none upon yours."

"I see none upon yours, but they're there." she retored. Qui stepped back a bit, realising now what she had to go through to bring about her angelic state. Six tearing through the skin was incomparable to only two that he possesed. He could not imagine it. The manipulations master's eyes narrowed.

"We leave tonight. Prepare yourself..."

Daniel Able walked, and walked and walked.

The sky began to grow darker... colder. Fiery Red.

And he walked. He was not sure if he was walking to, or away frrom somewhere.

The wind picked up, blowing around him, threatening to suck him away into some nameless void.

He walked.

He walked, he walked, and he walked...

Above him, the sky fragmented, and opened up a gaping hole. Screams, curses and moans could be heard.

And he walked.

"Agent, wake up?"

Daniel shook his head and looked up. Standing above him was Lee Natarin, head of the Valient Department of Extranormal Operations. Daniel sat up and looked around at the bunk. Though it was a small room, it was perfect for the helicopter.

Daniel looked up at Natarin. "Yes, sir?"

"We're almost at the Shentavo Compound. I have been informed by the UN to fill you in on the rest of the classified information."

Daniel nodded. he remembered where he was going now; the Shentavo Academy.

"Alright. The UN has enlisted the help of the DEO. You are the best agent we have, Able, and thats why you're going to be our man for this mission. Remember, you are mortal's representative in this conflict."

"Right..." thought Daniel, "that, and the fact that I'm the only human on this planet that has had personal experience with some of the mission's players."

Natarin handed Daniel a folder. "Read up. We're in final approach.[/i]

Daniel peeled the file open and flipped through the file. "Rave Shentavo... some sort of powerful entity... originally thought dead, but reports are often wrong."

"Maximus... the VRO leader."

"Kazar-Tiyon: file erased... strange."

"Kain Irenicus, though now going by Shentavo."

"And the other faction: Lord Arithon of a hell of sorts, and a woman named Taliya."

Daniel closed file and stood up from the bunk. He slipped on his trench coat and checked to see if his desert eagles were in their shoulder holsters. They were, with DEO standard .50 silver bullets.

Suddenly, the helicopter lurched and came to a stop. they had arrived. Daniel walked out to the sliding panel of steel and shook Natarin's hand.

"Good luck agent. The human race depends on you to represent us well. Oh, and don't forget this."

Natarin handed Daniel a short sword, which he instantly recognized as a Upir sword.

"That's courtesy of Alexander of the Hyraphore."

Daniel nodded, and then leapt out of the helicopter. Shortly after, the chopper lifeted off and away, backed by a bright evening sun.

The helipad was abandoned. Daniel sighed, and walked towards the Shentavo Academy.

He walked... and walked... was it still a nightmare?

Nez'gah glared at the demoness, but he submitted to her will. She was his superior. In a dull flash, Nez'gah appeared as tall, muscular man. He stood around 6"3' and possessed long dark hair over his shoulders. He was clothed in complete black, and his skin was a pale contrast. He looked completely human.
__________

Izual and Balfar stood at the edge of the forest. There was definately demon activity in there, by what they could sense, not too much. Treading carefully into the forest, they spoke in hushed tones.

"Things have been strange of late. The other angels and myself have found very few demon of Lord Arithon upon the earth."

Balfar nodded.

"Indeed, I haven't seen any. He must be up to something......."

The pair continued into the forest, oblivious of what awaited them.

Taliya scowled. "You could have chosen a more attractive form. Now, let's go." She led her unwilling associate out towards the darkness of the path. "Remember, mask your demonic powers and essence. I've already done so."

She listened. "Okay. Try to rape me." She winced, and sent out a thought to Nez'gah, making it quite forceful. Actually doing so will result in you being turned into the lowliest imp, and then added to the Nameless One's meals. Ready? "HELP!" She yelled.

OOC: For everyone's reference, any thoughts that can be heard by an outside individual is done with <<text>>...and if it is a private thought then it is >>text<<. :wink:

IC:
Pyros swooped low over the fields surrounding the Shentavo Academy, before dropping suddenly near the front entrance. Maximus effortlessly leapt off the dragon, patted its snout a few times.

"I will be back soon, stay near."

Just then a helicopter approached a nearby helipad, and a lone figure stepped out. Maximus watched this figure with interest as he stood by the front entrance. His sharp eyesight soon made out the details of the man as he approached. The man noticed the immense dragon and his eyes widened slightly. A thought floated through the air, and was heard by Maixmus.

<<Never have I seen a dragon like that before...and especially not in person...>>

Maximus grinned slightly, amused by the human's wonder. He made out a patch upon the man's uniform, revealing him to be of the DEO of Valient.

>>From Valient eh? This should prove interesting.<<

He waited upon the steps as the man continued to make his way toward the front entrance. Shortly before getting there, the man finally noticed Maximus standing there, intently watching and studying him. Maximus's presence sent a chill down the man's spine, giving him the impression that a figure of power stood before him.

A figure stood at the front gates. It was a tall woman of slender build with bleach blond hair and deep blue eyes. Genesis Shentavo awaited what the Veruki had predicted. Seems we have visitors, Seth, she said softly. The psion watched on, awaiting their decention.

They rarely had unscheduled visitors that were unwelcome there, and she new from instinct the grounds on which they came.

(ooc: sorry for post...must go)

Taliya scowled. "You could have chosen a more attractive form. Now, let's go." She led her unwilling associate out towards the darkness of the path. "Remember, mask your demonic powers and essence. I've already done so."

She listened. "Okay. Try to rape me." She winced, and sent out a thought to Nez'gah, making it quite forceful. Actually doing so will result in you being turned into the lowliest imp, and then added to the Nameless One's meals. Ready? "HELP!" She yelled.

Nez'gah grinned at the prospect, but his thoughts were quickly cut off by Taliya's threat. A threat she could easily carry out. The demon cloaked his presence as he shoved Taliya against a tree and held her shoulders in a firm grip.

"Hold still wench!"

The demonic minions awaited the commands of their superiors.
_____________

Izual's angelic senses picked up the sounds of the struggle before Balfar did. He broke out, into a spring whilst Balfar followed shortly behind. The pair dodged through bushes and trees, straying from the path several times. Balfar could now hear the struggle and was ready to take action, they were close. He could already make out the shadows of the two involved.

Before he could introduce himself to the approaching man, Maximus sense an old, familiar presence.

<<Gene, my master under whom I studied. It is good to see you again. Do you recognize me?>>

Taliya ripped away, stumbling. "HELP! Wait, no one listens. FIRE! FIRE!" Hmm... I wonder if you can carry yourself in bed like you do with your hands? she thought to Nez, adding a subtle innuendo to it. "HELP!"

<===========>

This is a distant place. The man sat on the floor, worn out from practicing. How long have I been here? Days? Months? He looked up, and at the immense glowing eye in the far distance. His rapier clattered to the ground. "I knew the risks when I signed the contract... when I entered that temple."

The man who had been Alexander Black, and was now an unwilling servant of the Nameless One, threw that thought aside. The time will come when I take my revenge on the Light.

Nez'gah grinned.

"Perhaps you will find out one day?"

He moved toward her, his arms grabbing around the waist and shoulders, struggling to pull her back.

"Stay still and it will be over soon!"
________________

Izual and Balfar stepped forward, angelic sword and staff at the ready. The angel stepped forward, still in his human form and spoke.

"Release the girl or you shall face a wrath far worse than you can imagine."

Balfar stood silently, his staff ready to unleash any kind of spell he could conjure.

She laughed. "Yes, yes indeed." The very earth shook and flames of fire shot from her hands at Izual. She twisted. Black wings spread from her back. I am Taliya! Mistress of Chaos!

Nez'gah burst out of his human disguise, the weak flesh covering nearby trees as he returned to his natural form. The black skin was rough and dry with several spines protruding from his limbs.

The demon's eyes glowed red as he moved forward, claws outstretched and ready to snatch Balfar into his painful grasp.

"You will regret the day you turned your back on Lord Arithon, human!"
_______________

Izual dropped to the ground and allowed the fire balls to pass over him. Levitating back to his feet, an aura of golden light erupted around him as she shifted into his angelic form. Wings sprouted from his back and his muscles grew whilst his skin took on a supernatural gleen.

Pointing his sword at the demoness, Izual spoke.

"I shall rid the world of foul beings like you. You are a plague to this world, one in need of extermination! Prepare to meet your death foul creature!"

At the end of his words, deep blue lightning lept forth from his blade and arced towards Taliya.

Balfar was not so fortunate. As he did not possess supernatural reflexes, he was unable to prevent Nez'gah from leaping onto him and digging his massive claws into his back.

The human mage screamed in pain as the demonic claws bore into his muscles and drew blood. In retalliation, Balfar summoned a wave of holy energy and released it from his staff, completely engulfing his body.

The blast seared Nez'gah's claws and caused him to jump back, giving Balfar enough time to recover.

Taliya welcomed the blast, as the lightning just crackled against her. "Fool of a man..." She said. "Go, go to one who can punish you worse than I."

The very earth, the air, everything started to spin around him. Her laughing face could be seen everywhere he looked. A bluish tinge of energy could be seen, and it shot into him.

Everything went black.

<=========>

Alexander laughed as someone entered his domain.

Izual felt the transportation spell charge around him. He was about burst out of the field when he was truck by a bolt of demonic energy.

Darkness.............

The angel awakened to the sound of insane laughter. Staggering to his feet, Izual held his side where the bolt had hit. Still clutching his sword, he used it to support him as he moved toward the laughter.
___________

Nez'gah was not about to take such defiance from a traitor. Raising his demonic powers, darkness began to flow around Balfar. This was no normal darkness, but the shadow of hell. It complete engulfed his senses, making the human mage defenceless.

Before Balfar could think of a spell to free him, he was hit hard across the stomach. The pain coursed through his body until he finally fell into darkness.

Nez'gah grinned as he performed the same spell as Taliya. Balfar was now a captive of hell.

OOC: This post should come before Rave's last one.

As Daniel walked up to the door, he studied the man who stood by the door. He was Maximus, of the VRO, and though he looked the same as he did years prior, when they first met, he seemed more... hardened. More assured of himself.

Powerful.

Daniel made his way to the entrance and nodded at Maximus.

"Agent Daniel Able, Valient DEO. I believe that we have made aquaintances before..."

OOC: In the cob thread.

http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=119124&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=520

Prince Alexander Black began to walk towards the noise, his sword in hand. His eyes narrowed when he saw who it was. "You." He said, coldly.

<=========>

Taliya rolled her eyes. "Quit playing with your food. Kill him!"

The demon stopped.

"We are not to capture him as well?"

Taliya's tone made the answer obvious. Leaving the spell incomplete, Nez'gah moved toward the human and grabbed him by the right arm. The arm with the staff. Bracing his other clawed hand upon Balfar's body, the demon yanked.

Balfar screamed in surprise and agony as his arm was pulled clean off his torso. The blood poured out of the gaping hole and the limb, staining the forest floor red. Snapping the staff under his foot, Nez'gah proceeded to pull Balfar apart, limb from limb until the human died of blood loss. The screams of complete agony echoed throughout the entire forest. In his last efforts, Balfar sent his call of distress over the planet, searching for his trusted friends.

The traitor was dead.
____________

Izual stood wide eyed. He had heard of this one's death, but to end up here, as a servant. He had obviously been twisted by his demonic experiences, but it was definately him. Izual finally gathered his wits and spoke.

"Black! How could you do such a thing?"

Within the coeans of nowhere, Kain shuddered for some inexpicable reason. He sat up, upon the cold waters which he felt no chill upon, and tried to make sense of that strange sensation. It was something he had felt before. Well, he had been taught to sense, not by Rave but by the Brightblade. The demon had advantaged itself by telling Kain this, the demon cared nothing for it's own race. A renegade which told some of the most potent secrets of the demons to this one being, surely must be facing an eternity of torment within hell Kain thought.

And indeed he was.

But Kain could not use many of the secrets now, for his body would not be able to handle the stress of many of the spells. He doubted that he ever would....but he knew what they were. He knew them oh so well.

Politics have shifted in the demonic realms. I fear that enemies of the past have risen up again. Cloak quielty informed Kain, who was still trying to understand the sensation.

Oh God...and in this form... Kain replied and shuddered again. He was vunerable now to thier hordes. He was weaker than he was when he had the Brightblade, for the Brightblade was a demonic sword, and when fighting demons, it helped him in many ways. It gave his counter-spells, ones of banishement, and infomation about the demon he was facing. He remembered all of it....but he seriously doubted he would be able to cast the spells to defend himself, let alone others.

He got up completely, standing upon the waters under the moonlight. Cloak was still purple, representing Kain being thoughtful, considering what could be happening here, and what he might have to face.

Better practice. Good things never last....

Kain said a silent prayer to God, something he had been doing recently, he had become rather religous. Something triggered it, and now he was quite the preistful figure. He wore those logn white robes of his regulary, plain ones with a plain wooden staff with a white orb on top. Kain thought to himself that he should have enchanted them....

Kain chanted words of a teleportation spell, an arcane circle growing from beneeth him. It spiraled around Kain, the blue ritual circle consuming him, and then.....the cold waters were alone once again....

----

The Shentavo Acadamy gained a new figure, within his own private room Kain formed. He gathered some supplies...he had been caught unprepared last time, he would not be this time.

Rave...any idea on what has occoured? I have felt something, and I have been told politics have changed in the lower realms. Is this like last time?

Before he could introduce himself to the approaching man, Maximus sense an old, familiar presence.

<<Gene, my master under whom I studied. It is good to see you again. Do you recognize me?>>

"Yes," Gene replies, opening the gate for Maximus. "Of course Maximus." She raised her eyebrow momentarily to him. "no...Maximus, Rave is not here." She said, answering his question before he needed to ask it. Seth appeared from behind a column, who had be originally out of view from anyone. He followed behind Gene as he slipped out of the gates.

"But I can take you there," Gene said softly. . Seth gave a nod to Maximus in recognition and greeting, but said nothing more.

Maximus beckoned for Daniel to follow but to remain silent.

"Gene, I know you are familiar with predictions of the future. I am troubled by one prophecy I had not too long ago. In the dream, I sensed a strong change that could possibly destroy the Earth as we know it. This has been revealed to me by the spirits of my ancestorsk of whom you may know I have, the Elves of Lothlorien Forest of Middle Earth. I have come to listen to these revealations with an open mind. This one has come to bear the greatest burden upon my mind. The prophecy has told me of the importance of Rave and Kain, yet I do not know why they are so important. I...I feel so...obligated to stand by them, to assist them in this situation, that I yet wonder if it has begun...

The prophecy spoke these exact words to me in my dream:

Flashes of light…
Shadows of darkness…
Two forces blend in fire,
Intertwined in battle
Slashing, stabbing, murdering,
Where light now stands, Darkness comes to steal..
Darkness falls upon the land… "

His voice trailed off as he tried to figure out what he was missing. Something was important...something he did not know. Something he needed to know...

(OOC Rave, I am sure you are aware that Kain asked Rave a question? Don't mean to nag, but you know...)

(I know...problem is she's not at the academy now ;-) She can't get ANY messages telepathically at this time...I'll explain later.)

"Rave is in trouble?" Seth asked Gene as he noticed the concerned expresion upon her face.

"When is Rave not in trouble?" Genesis replied, as she analyzed his dream. "A seraphim is one of the purest forms of light, Maximus. Do you find it hard to believe that two are earthbound at this moment?" She noted his reaction. "I will get into that later. Now a seraphim has a job when they are on earth, and that job is to protect it with their life. That is what their power is meant for. Six wings denote the mark of a seraphim, brilliant wings, some darker than other...There are only four of them, Maximus. One is fallen, one is of the heavens at this point, and two are on earth; Enamarcia and..." she paused slightly. "...Azrael."

"Ever wonder, Maximus," Seth said to him. "How Ravelyn stands before every threat before her students, her school, and her nation with no shred of fear. She's willing to die for you all... Don't you ever wonder where she came from?"

Well that's a LONG story Seth... Genesis interjected for him to not get into it. It was too complicated to explain. He nodded to Genesis.

"As long as a seraphim stands his or her ground on this world, then the darkness can not over come it. It can get close, but it can not until it destroys the light---" Seth said.

"The previous seraphim mentioned, Azrael," Genesis cut Seth off getting to the point. "Is Ravelyn's true name. Rave is her alias Maximus."

#tagged (OOC: Should I be here, Arithon or is my character's battle with Nez'gah later on?)

Maximus stopped dead in his tracks as he heard the words.

He spoke slowly as he muttered his thoughts aloud:

"Rave?...a seraphim? Yes...it makes sense, she was always one that stood ground in any situation. I have never figured this, despite all the signs that were there! But...wait..."

He looked back up at Genesis, a look of confusion upon his face.

"You said that Rave...err...Azrael, is a seraphim, yet she bears the traits of a vampire?? Would this not corrupt her being, her purity? Would it not forsake her of the gifts of a seraphim?"

Maximus's mind struggled to comprehend the true magnitude of the situation. Suddenly his mind connected the dream's meaning, and his eyes widened as he stammered:

"There is going to be a battle, a very large and decisive battle over...Earth...over all......and we are called to fight for ourselves, for each other...for the Light."

Maximus remembered the words spoken to him by Skadi:

“Fight well, Maximus, fight the good fight…I love you…”

If she only knew how true her words rang...

Daniel understood that Maximus beckoned him to be quiet, but he could not remain so any longer.

He turned to the Genesis figure and flashed his id.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I'm Agent Daniel Able, and I have been sent by the UN to assist in this matter to the best of my abilities. For me to do this, I need to be part of this discussion. I will not be cut out simply because of my human status.

I need know more about Ms. Shentavo. I need to be assured that this... seraphim will stand up for us mortals..."

And he turned to Maximus.

"And what do you mean by this...large and decisive battle over Earth? You see, I've been having these dreams too..."

OOC: I have looked for a sign-up thread link, but could find so such thing. I apologize for such a direct approach, but I would like to partake of this RP. Is that possible?

Izual stood wide eyed. He had heard of this one's death, but to end up here, as a servant. He had obviously been twisted by his demonic experiences, but it was definately him. Izual finally gathered his wits and spoke.

"Black! How could you do such a thing?"

Alexander's eyes flickered red. Then they returned to the normal, cold, emotionless blue. Darkness whirred around him, and he threw aside his cape. It burst into flame, and the light framed his warped figure. The arm which held his rapier had hardened into black ebon, and one of his eyes was set into a rock hard stone. "Deals were made. Ironic, isn't it. I, who trained as an Inquisitor, am now here. And you, who were a demon, now face me as an opponent. Treacherous dog, behold your master!"

He flung his hand up, towards the blinking red light high above. In a flash of lightning, the face of the Nameless One became revealed. Just for a second. But that was enough. Mad horror began to course through Izual's mind at that placid, horrific face. Terror drove him back.

Alexander smiled. "Yes... oh yes... feel your fear... give in to it..." All of a sudden, Izual could feel a tugging at his mind. It grew stronger, and stronger.

Someone was trying to take his mind from him.

Izual was not ready for such an attack. The appearance of the Nameless One spread complete and utter horror through his mind. The sheer evil of such a being shocked and beat him around. He knew such a being existed, but to actually witness it...........

He screamed in agony as the fear coursed through his mind, burning away his sanity. He could feel the tug on his mind, the pull that would relieve him of such pain, but at a cost too much to pay. Fighting off the pull, Izual droppped his sword and brought his hands to his head, attempting to fight back the mind thief.

His screams echoed around the demonic prison......
__________

Nez'gah finished consuming the remains of the once human mage, Balfar. Cleaning the gore from his face, the demon looked over at Taliya.

"What do we do next?"

#tagged (OOC: Should I be here, Arithon or is my character's battle with Nez'gah later on?)

It's probably better if you turn up a little later.

Alexander stared, amused. Then he drew his sword, and held it up. Spiral of darkness! A black crimson light spread around Izual, trapping him. "Sit. Stay. Good worm."

He turned, and began to scribe. Then he pulled out a needle. "I'm going to need some of your blood..."

<=======>

"Now? Now, my companion, we wait." She reached up, and ruffled the hair on his current form's head.

Izual merely stared at Alexander. He was powerless to do anything. He couldn't move and he was using all his strength to keep his mind intact. He did not know what the ex-prince wanted, but it could not be good.
__________

Nez'gah sat as he returned to his human form.

"The mage sent out a distress signal. It is bound to get Kain's attention."

Maximus held his hand up for Gene to wait a moment with her response as he turned toward Daniel. His eyes bore into the man's own. All Daniel could see in Maximus's eyes were eyes that had seen more than any normal being should have. They were pools of darkness, bearing testimony to years of war, bloodshed, pain. As he was drawn further into the deep recesses of Maximus's eyes, Daniel could also make out one other thing deep within his eyes, one thing that kept Maximus moving forward in life, that served to be his motivation.

"Listen to me Daniel Able. I finally understand what is about to happen. This world is about to enter a war of immortals. The good of the world shall rally behind Ravelyn Shentavo, but the few that will be notable will be us. You, me, Rave, Kain...we're the ones that must stop this dark force about to unleash itself upon the world. Even you, Daniel, albeit a mortal, can have an influence that can turn the tide of war. Now...are you with us, or do you wish to return home and wash your hands of this? It will not be held against you, if you decide this, but choose carefully. Fate has a strange way of toying with all, my friend."

His eyes did not let go of their powerful lock with Daniel's, a brutal look of reality and determination set in them.

"You're right Maximus," Genesis said. "That's what we've been trying to find out for years. She's died, her blood has been mixed, yet she still retains the full soul and power of a seraphim. She is very complex...I'm not sure if anyone has figured her out."

She led Maximus, and raised an eyebrow at the one questionin her if she would stand up. "You look into her eyes, and you'll know she'll die to save a stranger from the darkness." He left it at that.

"Come with me Maximus," she said, heading away from the mansion. "I'll show you to her."

Maximus followed Genesis as he silently began to fully grasp the gravity of the situation.

Should they fail defeating the dark....

Maximus shuddered slightly, and made a determined look upon his face. Not if he could help it!

Alexander slashed at Izual's wrist. He leant down, and began to suck in the blood. Nothing happened, except that his body began to look slightly more human. "Damn it... not... enough." He stepped back, and a blast of darkness healed the wrist.

"I need something..."

<=======>

Taliya sighed. "We might as well return to Arithon."

"Listen to me Daniel Able. Are you with us, or do you wish to return home and wash your hands of this? It will not be held against you, if you decide this, but choose carefully.

Daniel looed on as Maximus and Gene walked away. He shrugged his shoulders and thought to himself for a moment.

He could go home. He could call up the DEO and say simply that his assistance was rebuffed.

However, should he really do that, and this battle between good and evil really take place, he could not never look at himself the same way again.

"If earth should fall, would I go to Heaven or Hell... or would I walk between the lines forever?"

Daniel sighed, and ran to catch up to Maximus and Gene. He did believe in fate. However, to Daniel, one shapes his fate by making the decisions that create one's destiny.

Perhaps this was his... However, he couldn't escape the feeling that something was reaching, grabbing for him...

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0YwCjAkohhdkX0hdT!h5dgEbDFXAQgVF60O2GmVOI7JhuYPF*VLLmP2rV81BsCGlMww!kQQZZX60EMLSduWHOZaZJZ25akzv9zqs lMjWreEjVrgLjZWs*ikgCE4LAthvIftjUAm8rXZ8BGrHbWkr0AA/hellblazer-john-constantine.jpeg?dc=4675461816972138072

Alexander slashed at Izual's wrist. He leant down, and began to suck in the blood. Nothing happened, except that his body began to look slightly more human. "Damn it... not... enough." He stepped back, and a blast of darkness healed the wrist.

"I need something..."

<=======>

Taliya sighed. "We might as well return to Arithon."

Nez'gah nodded. There was no reason for them to be there. Wave a clawed hand, Nez'gah easily summoned a portal to the underworld, leading directly to Lord Arithon's throne room. Bowing his head, Nez'gah stepped back.

"After you lady...."
____________

Izual was powerless to stop Alexander. He couldn't move and he still devoted his will to keeping his mind. Reduced back to his human form to save his energy, Izual stared into his captor.

"Don't do it Black. You can still be forgiven. Release me so I can warn the higher forces."

Taliya stepped through, smiling at Nez'gah sweetly. "Thank you, Nez'gah. We'll make a gentleman out of you yet."

She bowed mockingly towards Arithon. "Mission accomplished. Izual is in the hands of the Torturer, and Balfar is dead. You owe me dinner."

<=======>

Alexander stared, sadly, for one brief second. Then he turned back, and walked into the darkness.

Nez'gah flashed his perfect human teeth and stepped through the portal, ermerging before Lord Arithon. He stayed silent as Taliya spoke. His demonic master's voice boomed around the hall of the dead in reply.

"Good. Our plans go well. We must allow the angel to call for help. Prevent his power from reaching the heavens, but let it reach the human world. It will attract our targets."
__________

Izual almost passed out from exhaustion. The force had finally released his mind, yet the angel still kept his guard up. Black had gone, but for how long?

He needed help, if only he could reach his allies.

Kain received no answer from Rave, he waited for long moments within his own room within the Acadamy. Only the sound of the flickering candles in the dark places of his room. He sighed, things were rapidly going downhill if Rave was not here. He picked up a small, simple dagger and toyed with it in his cloven hands, looking at the shine of the metal for a little while, thinking of the possibilities.

Shrugging, he placed it within his robe and as he did so, looked at the pockets which held other items of importance. Mostly spell components which Kain relied upon for some of his spells, mainly jewels which sparkled and smelt faintly of sulphur.

Cloak, was now upon the back of his white robe, currently that same deep purple as before. it shimmered from the enchantments which vibrated upon itself. Right now, it was Kain's most powerful item. He only had an ordinary shortsword, dagger and his own plain staff. It would have to do.

He walked out of his room, shutting the door. As he did, the candles extingushed themselves.

---

He walked out unto a balcony, which overlooked a small garden. It held a fountain which played it's midnight tunes to Kain as his ears was filled with the chresendo of water upon the white stone which populated the acadamy.

He stared out and looked at the moon with those brown orbs of his, anmiring the silver rays which fell upon the land. He sighed gently again,wondering why these wars always had to happen and why he had to answer the call constantly. But then he knew the answer already, as infurating the source of his enlightenment was.

"Qui," Enamarcia said in suprise to find Rave no where near him. "Where's Azrael?"

Qui blinked several times. "She's not with you?" he asked confused, and slightly panicked.

"Nor you?"

"No." both looked at eachother. What has she done...
_________

Gene lead both followed by Seth into a forest toward a hidden hill . There seemed to be a large well in the middle of it. Gene looked at Maximus. "Jump," she said as if it were nothing. "It will take you to her..."



Random note of pronounciations:
Ravelyn: Rave-eh-lin
Enamarcia: En-a-mar-cee-a
Qui: Key
Azrael: Az-ray-el

Maximus looked somewhat hesitantly at the well and at Genesis.

"That is going to take me to her??"

Genesis nodded, and held her hand out toward the well. Maximus stepped toward the well, got up onto the stone walls, looked downward, and said as a joke:

"Remind me to tell Rave to update her portals!"

Maximus chuckled, then leapt downward, hurtling into pitch blackness, with the top of the well above him, it's ring of light rapidly shrinking. He kept his limbs close to himself as he fell, protecting against possible injuries.

Daniel looked on as Maximus hurled himself down the well. He leaned over the edge, but could not see his ally, nor the bottom of the darkness.

He turned to Gene. "If you think I'm jumping down there, you're crazy. Maximus is a vampire. I'm just a mortal... albeit a VERY angry one."

"I demand that you give me an answer. I need to see the Shentavos."

Kazar-Tiyon arrived at the spot where the fight had occured, the shadow disc vanishing as he jumped off of it. He examined the ground, and scanned the magical residue in the area.
So... Nez'gah was here, and another powerful demon or demoness. They fought very briefly with another group... probably just two. Then they left by portal; it has a touch of the underworld in it. That seems like a lot of effort for just a few deaths, so they'll probably be back... most likely, here.

-We will wait here here, and see if they return?- sounded Shadowfang's voice in his head.

-For a time. If they do not come back fairly soon, or if I hear that they are elsewhere, we will continue to search for them.-

Kazar-Tiyon strode silently into the forest. The shadows around him darkened slightly, concealing him from view.
OOC: Feel free to find him there if you want. He doesn't have any idea of what exactly is going on, and he isn't putting anywhere near his full effort into concealing himself from magical senses. He wouldn't be obvious, but he might be noticed by someone who was actively searching for others.

OOC: Either that or you can attempt to contact Nez'gah. He'll prob be back on the earth soon.

Alexander walked in the void. Darkness flared at his very passage, and the myriad creatures dwelling in it fled or hid. He paid them no heed, lost in the memories.

His father yelling at him for not paying attention to the ceremony; his father slapping him for deciding to leave the Inquisition; his father chasing all his friends away because they were low-born; his father cursing the girl he had loved since he had first met her, and only accepting her when Alexander put his foot down for the first time...; his father not caring when he learnt his own wife, Lucy, had died; nor congratulating him for keeping the country running while he was convalescent.

Alexander shut the memories out. His father had never loved him. Nothing he had ever done had been good enough for that old fool. Wherever you are, Father, I hope it's as unpleasant as you made my life.

Even the old man's last words mocked him. Sometimes, in the darkness of night, while Alexander had been alive, he mused on them, and now he said them out loud, spitting them with mingled sadness and fury. "Would that Rachel was here, in your stead," he said, feeling that old anger welling up again. Alexander shouted, and crushed the memories, the way he had crushed them all, his emotions, his enemies... a whip-crack of lightning appeared, in this place, where his powers were especially strong. "I will see them all pay!"

(OOC: Set up for my character's entrance in the near-future)

In a distant land, stood a mountain of tremendous height, purported to be the tallest mountain in the world, Mt. Skyfire, home of the last of the dragonlords.

Atop its peak, sat exposed to the elements, the current dragonlord, Omnus Stormrider, meditating. Two weeks earlier, Omnus had received a form of psionic shock which coursed through him and sent him reeling. Recovering, Omnus knew that some evil had descended once more upon the world. Resolved to discover the nature of this new evil, Omnus began to meditate atop the peak of the mountain, exposing himself to the elements for a long period of time.

Standing nearby, Amistad Crusade, Omnus's sole disciple and chosen successor, watched, afraid for the health of his vulnerable master. Nearly two millenia old, Omnus was no longer as he once was.

During the two weeks of meditating, Omnus had mentally conversed with the many dragonlords who had preceded him, including the first of his vaunted predecessors, a man become god, Azkala.

And as he meditated, Omnus knew that he was getting closer to the end of his quest. As his mind journeyed throughout the world he finally discovered one of its source, an evil creature known as Nez'gah. A millenia earlier, Omnus had battled this creature and had nearly died in the process. Now, Omnus knew that his destiny beckoned him to battle this vile corruption once more.

With a gasp, Omnus came out of his meditation. Extremely worried, Amistad ran towards his master, draping a heavy cloak upon his shoulders.

"Master, are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine... I just had a slight shock coming out of the meditation..."


"What did you see, master?"

"I saw my destiny, both the end of the old and the beginning of the new... I have seen my death and have seen my life..."

"I don't understand, master..."

"A powerful evil has returned to corrupt this land... I must stop him..."

"Master, please... You are no longer as you once were... You're over two millenia old..."

"Stop this nonsense, Amistad. I must stop this threat or everyone will pay for it..."

"But, master... You said, you foresaw your death?"

"Yes..."

"Master..."

"Amistad, upon my death, you will become the new dragonlord and continue the interminable line of power..."

Omnus sighed...

"I only wished your father were here, Amistad..."

"My father!?!"

"If your father were here, the evil one would never have dared to return to the mortal plane... But, alas, your father was murdered..."

Amistad stood in shock at the message...

"Enough of this... My resolve is set... Amistad, you will stay here and continue our vigil upon the world, while I journey to eliminate the source of this evil... This is my final request Amistad... Please accede to it..."

Amistad bowed in reluctant acquiesence, acceding to his master's request.

The next day, Omnus descended from the mountain on his final journey to meet his death and his fate...

OOC: Same as 5CN.

IC:

Xyorph stpped off the plane and walked onto the land he now called home. It had been a while since he had returned, and he had spent the time reacquaiting himself with the world he had been trying to hide from for so long. All in all, man hadn't done a bad job of it he had decided.

Once out of sight, he transformed himself into a phoenix, and set off above the city. There were a few friends he wanted to call in on. He swept around with his mind, and was dissapointed to find no one. Well, no one except Skadi. He sighed. Ah well, he had to face her sometime.

Still unsure of why she hated him, Xyorph landed neatly on her doorstep and returned to human. He reached up and knocked on the door. On the inside he heard the latch click, and the door swung open.

(OOC: When you are ready for me, perhaps the appropriate person could RP Skadi telling me how to find Maximus or Kain. Cheers.

"It's not a portal Max," she waited several seconds until she heard a splash. "It's a grotto." She looked at Seth with a slight smile. "And if you want to see a Shentavo, look in front of you. Genesis tilted her head, then looked down. Seth had jumped as well. She looked back at Daniel, "You can stay here if you wish. I guarentee if you jump you won't hurt yourself. But...I'm going to see my master..." She jumped as well.

The water was warm and seemed lit by a blue-green light. Both Seth and Gene climbed up upon a marble ledge after Maximus and looked before them. THere was a long grey marble tiled hallway in what appeared to be a fountain. There were two figures there.

"Yo," one said, lifting his head up to meet the others. The other looked up, wings upon her back, but said nothing more. Her angelic face seemed to glow with the relection of the water. As they neared, the other was made out to be Qui.

"Where's Azrael?" Gene asked in concern.

"Gone," Qui replied. "She went off with out us..." Gene sighed heavily, and continued to view Enamarcia. Seth was a bit taken back by her. He had been so used to Rave's Seraphic form, that he didn't notice it much.

"It's not a portal Max," she waited several seconds until she heard a splash. "It's a grotto." She looked at Seth with a slight smile. "And if you want to see a Shentavo, look in front of you. Genesis tilted her head, then looked down. Seth had jumped as well. She looked back at Daniel, "You can stay here if you wish. I guarentee if you jump you won't hurt yourself. But...I'm going to see my master..." She jumped as well.

The water was warm and seemed lit by a blue-green light. Both Seth and Gene climbed up upon a marble ledge after Maximus and looked before them. THere was a long grey marble tiled hallway in what appeared to be a fountain. There were two figures there.

"Yo," one said, lifting his head up to meet the others. The other looked up, wings upon her back, but said nothing more. Her angelic face seemed to glow with the relection of the water. As they neared, the other was made out to be Qui.

"Where's Azrael?" Gene asked in concern.

"Gone," Qui replied. "She went off with out us..." Gene sighed heavily, and continued to view Enamarcia. Seth was a bit taken back by her. He had been so used to Rave's Seraphic form, that he didn't notice it much.

Daniel sighed as both Seth and Gene jumped down, leaving him alone above.

"Now what..." thought Daniel. "I can't very well go back. Not when I'm the only one here representing mankind. WHo knows what these angels and devils will do..."

He sighed again, and stepped from the edge. He closed his eyes. He wasn't sure if he was dreaming again.

***********

Daniel landed in a pool of water, warm lit by strange lights. He immediately climbed to his feet, trying to wring out his trench coat.

Useless of course.

He climbed to where Seth, Gene and Maximus were and heard the tailend of their conversation with two others. They vaguely held human forms.

"Where's Azrael?"

"Gone. She went off with out us..."

"Great," thought Daniel. "No what do we do..."

Skadi flicked the door open, sword raised and ready to impale the intruder. As she noticed it was the mage friend of Maximus, she halted the blade mm's from his head. Staring at him for a few moments, she spoke in a cool tone.

"What are you doing here?"
_____________

Lord Arithon clapped his massive hands, resulting in a loud echo around the hall of the dead. At first it seemed rather pointless, but then Alexander Black stepped forward and kneeled to his master.

"Black! What have you learned from our new prisoner?"

Alexander kneeled. "Absolutely nothing. Except that his blood is disgusting." As he spoke, the cold, dead eyes glared at Arithon with an intensity enough to make even the demon lord feel nervous. Dark energy spread around Alexander at the slightest movement, and his transformed hands glistened with blood.

Most of the smarter demons had long ago decided against asking where that blood came from, in case Alexander turned around and said, 'people like you.'

"Perhaps my lord would care to go pay a visit to his old servant?"

Skadi flicked the door open, sword raised and ready to impale the intruder. As she noticed it was the mage friend of Maximus, she halted the blade mm's from his head. Staring at him for a few moments, she spoke in a cool tone.

"What are you doing here?"

Xyorph ducked under the blade and embraced Skadi with a mock bear hug.

"Its good to see you again as well friend" he laughed. The embaressment and hatred was now eminating off Skadi. "Can you still not find it in your heart to like me?" The cold stare answered.

Xyorph gave up, and sighed "Fine." He reached past Skadi and closed the door. "So...Where's Maximus? I couldn't detect his presence."

Skadi only barely restrained from beheading Xyorph on the spot. She did not like strangers embracing her. Sheathing her sword for the safety of the mage, she spoke in a tone full of controlled rage.

"Do not touch me mage. Maximus is gone, he has prophecised and departed for the Shentavo Acadamy."
___________

Arithon nodded. He was not intimidated by Black, but he knew not to cross such a close servant of the nameless one.

"Very well, I think it is time the beast encountered his master once again."

The massive demon lord rose from his throne and made his way toward the torturing chambers.

Xyorph realised he had gone too far and bowed in apology.

"I am sorry if I make you uncomfortable. I am not used to having friends. If you will allow me to call you that"

Skadi scowled.

"...which I'm guessing you won't. So how can I find Maximus? I presume this is where Kain has gone as well?"

After he had been waiting for some time, a thought came to K-T's mind....

-Perhaps I can contact Nez'gah. It would probably be useful to prepare for what this new campaign will be....-

-A good plan... Also, it would be wise to tell him we will be helping.- replied Shadowfang.

Kazar-Tiyon concentrated, and a sphere of swirliing shadow took shape in his hands. Firy red light flickered through it. Staring deep into the sphere, he whispered "Nez'gah...."
The thought was sent forth, tuned specifically for reception by the demon lord.

-Nez'gah....-

Skadi became impatient.

"I assume you can sense his presence? Either contact or follow him. Kain is most likely there as well."
__________

Nez'gah stirred as the thought reached him.

Kazar-Tiyon

He quickly responded with his mental abilities.

"What do you want?"

-I noticed you had been back on Earth, though you seem to have remained fairly quiet. I'm sure there is a reason for that. Might I be of assistance?-

Taliya stared across at the unmoving bulk of Nez'gah. Impling. She thought venemously. He thinks I can't hear him

<======>

As Arithon stepped through the dimensional warp that would lead to Izual, Alexander turned and walked to one of the demons. He picked the pathetic creature up with his ebony arm, choking it. The creature squeeled, but only for a second. Then it relaxed as its essence floated through the arm, energising Alexander.

The black-stone like growth spread a bit more over Alexander's body. He paid it no heed as he stepped into a nearby shadow, instantly traversing the distance to Izual's side. As Arithon walked through, Alexander bowed. "May I reintroduce... Izual. Izual, Arithon. Arithon, Izual."

Alexander bowed, and then stepped back into the shadows, going to The Nameless One alone knows.

"Well can you at least give me a general direction?" Xyorph asked. "Its much easier to find someone whilst flying, but I can't simply fly all over the world looking for him. How did he get there?"

(OOC Kain is just waiting, staring out by the balcony. Feel free anyone to meet up with him.)

Gene knelt before Enamarcia, as did Seth. Enamarcia shook her head, and they stood. She wasn't used to such respects, and found them unneeded.

"Where has she gone?" Seth asked.

"No clue, but I'm seriously considering tagging her or something," Qui retorted, just as frusterated as Seth.

"Would you show some respect?" Gene shot at Qui. The two rivals were about to intensify their bickerings, when Enamarcia stood.

"If Ravelyn left us, which is four hours ago, she is travelling alone....and against an army, she won't last long. I suggest we leave...." She walked toward one of the corriders. "If she dies...there is no hope...not even for you Qui..."

"There was never hope for him," Seth said with a laugh, then looked at his unamused expression. A crash was heard as Seth took a violent impact to the face with Qui's spiked gloves. He pushed it into Seth's face, blood streaming down as the spikes penetrated his skin easily. "aggh..." Seth grunted as Qui with drew it from him.

Now is not the time to be fighting you two...i don't know how Rave puts up with you...

Qui raised his eyebrow. He didn't want to go against Enamarcia, so he kept his mouth shut...for now.

"Come," Ena said softly, and led them down the elaborate passageways..
______________


A shadow stood perched atop a great tree, scanning the area with a smile upon her face. Her blood red hair was blown back in waves as the wind swept past the area. She raised her eyes to the sky, matching the sanguine moon. She discared her trenchcoat, and let the breeze sweep past her bare skin atop her shoulders. She pulled on leather gloves reaching up to her forearm, and rumaged through her bag, dropping down to the ground. She pulled on what appeared to be some type of metal claw. There was a sharp metal nail for each of her fingers, and a clamp around the wrist. That would cetainly do some damage.

"Alright..." she said to herself, cracking her neck. The last seraphim of the realms called fire to either hand and lit the ground ablaze. She quickly submerged herself within the darkness, and was gone. The smoke travelled up the sky toward the scarlet moon, able to be seen for very long distances.

(OOC: Going to be joining us on MSN, Rave? Either me or Arithon needs to speak to you.)

Maximus got up from the kneeling position he had quickly adopted from the others toward the seraphim. He followed behind Genesis and Seth, who was rubbing his cheek lightly. Maximus looked over at Qui, and decided to see if Qui would warm up to him.

"Hello, I'm Maximus, I've heard of you Qui, but have never really gotten the chance to talk to you in person even when I joined the Academy years ago. I'm glad I have been able to finally introduce myself to you."

Maximus held his hand out offering a handshake politely.

Daniel looked on as Maximus proferred his hand. He grunted to himself: mankind was on the verge of destruction, and these... beings were making nice?

"HEY... I hope you don't mind my interrupting, but should we not be out there looking for whoever it is we should be looking for?

"I hope i don not need to remind you the urgency of this operation..."

-I noticed you had been back on Earth, though you seem to have remained fairly quiet. I'm sure there is a reason for that. Might I be of assistance?-

Nez'gah pondered this. He knew this one could make a powerful ally. He shall take the matter up with Lord Arithon.

"I shall see what can be done. Stay where you are, and I shall come to you in due time."
__________________

Skadi glared at Xyorph. He was stalling, and she didn't like it. Arm stuck out, pointing in Maximus' direction.

"He went that way upon his dragon. Are you done?"
________________

Arithon glared at the filthy human figure of Izual. The traitor could barely stop himself from trembling in fear as his master caught up with him after all this time. Stepping forward, Arithon picked Izual off his feet, with one of his massive hands.

"Well Izual. Was it really worth it? Betraying me? You could have gone far within my service. Look at Nez'gah, he is now a Demon Lord himself. But you, a lowly angel. It is time for me to collect my retribution."

Arithon traced his razor sharp claw over Izual's exposed flesh until he found the heart. With a quick thrust, his claw bore through the flesh and into the blood pumping muscle.

Izual screamed in pain as he felt his heart being prodded. Arithon grinned.

"The good thing about having an immortal victim is they can be tortured far longer than the mortal ones. But have no fear angel, you can die, and you will."

The echoes of pain continued to fill the torture chambers of the demon world.

Taliya sighed.

That's enough, Nez'gah. She thought to him, sharply. I am the Demon Lady in charge of this. And I say, he may join us if he can reach us.

She closed her eyes, and started to shut the contact down, losing concentration on her body so that her clothes disappeared. Her breasts were large, but they defied gravity in a way that made them disturbing more than attractive. Her perfectly proportioned body was also worrying. It was too perfect, too cold and chiseled.

But damn, it was sexy, and she knew it.

<======>

Arithon... first of my servants... a great voice sounded within the demon lord's head. How goes your efforts to release me?

OOC: Do I know I'm supposed to be coming, or do I just know the connection was cut off suddenly?

Xyorph could take a hint (finally). He nodded in thanks.

"Thank you for your time. I appreciate it".

Xyorph turned and walked out. Looking in the direction that Skadi had directed, he flew off in his phoenix form. He opened his mind and looked for Maximus. He found a weak thread, presumably the path Maximus had taken on the dragon.

Deciding that it would take a while simply flying, Xyorph focused his mental energy behind him and pushed, giving a burst of speed to his flight. In a moment he was out of view, speeding off toward whatever Fate had waiting for him.

Qui took Maximus' hand with his blood stained glove from the blow to Seth with a wry smile. It was unclear if it was mocking or genuine. He withdrew. "Well...it depends where she is on how quick we should get there."

"Time for you to work, Qui." Enamarcia said softly, looking toward the young ancient. Seths' wound on his face was closing up, and he scowled at Qui.

"Always working, no time for play?" Qui asked sarcastically. He reached in his pocket and took out a vile. Taking a small pill from the vile, he swallowed it. His presence seemed to grow as his eyes turned a bright white, he paused momentarily. Gene watched on...his powers had grown. The psion folded her arms.

"Where is she Qui?" Ena asked.

Qui waited a few moments. "Carnerasen ti vernli con siaca." He said to her softly.

"Velistina creao il?"

"Ni," he replied lightly, chuckling to himself.

Enamaracia turned toward the others. "She's a great distance from this point, and we need to get there soon. She's about to cause quite a stir."

"Just a bit further, then I'll take you there," Genesis said firmly.

"How do you plan to do that?" Qui challenged.

"Psion." she said in reference to herself, to which Qui rolled his eyes.

(OOC: Somewhere over Western China)

Omnus glanced around as his dragon flew over the blasted lands below. Sighing deeply to himself, Omnus attempted to picture the surreal, green terrain of his home, but could not as his mind could not take away the final sneering words Nez'gah had said...

"My life will be over soon and yet I cannot enjoy any of the great joys and pleasures of life..."

So Rave was about to engage in battle...

Maximus had an idea, and quickly revealed it to Gene.

"Gene, if I may, I would like to offer my dragon Pyros to transport us to Rave. Pyros is not far from here, and will be here momentarily upon my command. I suggest we use him, for it is a much faster method of transportation than by foot, and the use of anyone's magic will only drain them for battle. Pyros is large enough to carry all of us with no trouble at all.

Not to mention, he will come in handy during battle..."

Maximus sensed Daniel's uneasiness about the whole affair. Smiling inwardly, he spoke to Daniel telepathically. Daniel jumped a little when he heard Maximus's voice in his head.

"Daniel, relax, we are among the best..."

He implied that to include that each was the best in their respective race, or skills.

"No," said Gene with a smile. "My method may prove quicker." They then came to a large platform with a symbol in the middle. It was Rave's sanctuary, so it said Azrael in enoch.

"Come on," she beckoned them closer. Enamarcia did not step on the platform, but both Seth and Qui did.

I have my own way Gene..i'll meet you there... the seraphim disappeared into the shadows.

Maximus sensed Daniel's uneasiness about the whole affair. Smiling inwardly, he spoke to Daniel telepathically. Daniel jumped a little when he heard Maximus's voice in his head.

"Daniel, relax, we are among the best..."

He implied that to include that each was the best in their respective race, or skills.

Daniel relaxed after hearing Maximus's voice. He was correct. They were the best. If they could not do the task ahead, then... que sera, sera.

He vowed to not be so skittish anymore. He would be a proud mortal. He would prove that he could defend himself and his people.

"Come on," said Gene. They had arrived to a platform, some sort of transportation device.

Daniel pulled out the Upir Alexander had sent him. It seemed the same as the others he had seen the vampire use during their various encounters, but there was some sort of... strangeness about it...

Strange and powerful...

The DEO agent stood and waited for the rest to step on.

Taliya sighed.

That's enough, Nez'gah. She thought to him, sharply. I am the Demon Lady in charge of this. And I say, he may join us if he can reach us.

She closed her eyes, and started to shut the contact down, losing concentration on her body so that her clothes disappeared. Her breasts were large, but they defied gravity in a way that made them disturbing more than attractive. Her perfectly proportioned body was also worrying. It was too perfect, too cold and chiseled.

But damn, it was sexy, and she knew it.

<======>

Arithon... first of my servants... a great voice sounded within the demon lord's head. How goes your efforts to release me?

Nez'gah gawked at Taliya's lack of clothing. He may be a demon, yet he could still appreciate the human female body. He nodded to and sent out one last message.

"You have permission to enter this world, if you can. I must go."
_____________

Arithon withdrew his claw from the bloodied body of Izual and replied to his master.

"Master. They go well. We have one of the traitors, and the other is dead. This one will lure the Shentavo's, then we shall destroy them and use their power to weaken your chains. Afterward, there will be nothing to stop us."

Xyorph could take a hint (finally). He nodded in thanks.

"Thank you for your time. I appreciate it".

Xyorph turned and walked out. Looking in the direction that Skadi had directed, he flew off in his phoenix form. He opened his mind and looked for Maximus. He found a weak thread, presumably the path Maximus had taken on the dragon.

Deciding that it would take a while simply flying, Xyorph focused his mental energy behind him and pushed, giving a burst of speed to his flight. In a moment he was out of view, speeding off toward whatever Fate had waiting for him.

Skadi was pleased that the mage had finally left. He was lucky to leave intact, if it were not for him being a friend of Maximus, things would have been different.

Moving back into her room, she returned to a state of hibernation.

Taliya snarled at him, unconscious of her own nakedness. "Get in human form when you're with me. How on earth do you expect us to capture the Shentavos if you look like a demon? You need to practice controlling your transformations." She leant back, staring him in the eye.

<===========>

Good... soon... I will be free... return to your hell.

Nez'gah couldn't help but grin at her unknown hypocracy. Shifting back into his human form, he continued to stare at her.

"Perhaps you should make sure you are in full control of yourself before you criticize others."

Nez'gah looked up and down the bare flesh whilst he awaited Taliya's response.
___________

"Yes master. The day shall arrive."

Arithon went back to his task at hand. Izual. The screams commenced once again.

Taliya blinked. Then she looked down. And slowly, very slowly, she looked back up. "You're finding this pretty amusing, aren't you." She said, baring her unusually pointy teeth. Her yellow eyes showed not a hint of mirth. "At least I know what to do with my human body." She raised an eyebrow, but made no mental effort to clothe herself.

<=====>

Alexander appeared behind Arithon. "That's enough, my lord. We need him to be reasonably intact." What an unskilled dog.

Arithon stopped. The torturer was right. The angel needed to live. Enough pain had been caused for today.

"Very well Black. I believe it is time we lured the Shentavo's."
_________

Nez'gah continued to grin. He had always wanted to see what the fuss with human bodies was.

"I guess I'll have to learn then."

The platform was used for no form of transportation, Genesis' staff, however, was a different story. She held the staff before her. It twisted like a snake to the top where a white gem lay. It was the staff of portals. In a flash, tendrils of whitte light swirled around them, and in ten seconds, they were gone.

They arrived at the edge of a forest. A little ways of they could see a torrent of fire risinig from the center. She's been here... the psion thought to herself, and looked at the others.

Xyorph picked up Maximus' mind a distance ahead. He put on a final burst of speed until he was over where Maximus should be. The phoenix landed and looked around. Strange, no one here. Xyorph concentrated harder on Maximus' signal. He seemed to be beneath him.

Suddenly, the signal went. Xyorph felt it zooming past him. Because of the pyschic link it knocked the phoenix in to the air. Being a rather large nd dignified bird, this was not pleasent. Xyorph screamed in irritation, attracting the attention of a passer by. Xyorph hissed at them and flew off. So close and yet so far. Where on earth was Maximus going?!

"You have permission to enter this world, if you can. I must go."
Kazar-Tiyon smiled grimly, and let the shadow-sphere evaporate. He concentrated on the mental trace that remained...
Shadow gathered around him, and a column of pure black rose slowly in the underworld. Abruptly, the shadows vanished in a flash of crimson fire; when the flames died down, Kazar-Tiyon had transfered from one to the other.

The night air was cool, and combined with the moons gentle radiance upon the night park area, it gave it a mystic property. All was completely treasured and appreciated by Kain, who was smiling as he looked down from the balcony. He hummed a song to himself absent minded, tapping his cloven talon upon the white marble balcony.

Politics have changed.

The female voice of Cloak sprang suddenly within Kain’s mind. He ceased to hum, and now focused on this presented information.

I cannot explain fully, but something has changed within the Abyss. History repeats itself. Well, some things have changed but the ultimate premise remains the same

Kain stroked his chin gently contemplating the words that the spirit within the Cloak told him of. It was an astral creature, capable of limited passage through the realms. Obviously it had received information, however it did that. Kain never asked it how it did get its information and stay with Kain, but he did not doubt some good explanation would be given should the question be posed.

We need to obtain an item. I do not know what exactly, but I know where it is. It is within those forests to the east. I know an area around it, I can guide you.

He never doubted Cloak. It was completely truthful in all respects….yet the informants to which told Cloak could have lied…..greater powers were subverting Kain’s informants. And this time, with tragic consequences. It was not easy to do, but the other powers had ensured that Kain received the wrong information. Knowledge is power, and false knowledge was weakness.

Alright. We shall go. Shouldn’t I wait until Ravelyn or-

No time, and also, they are already doing their own tasks in order to prevent the important pieces of the playing field doing their moves.

Irony seemed to be prevalent in Kain’s existence, the darker powers seemed to have an acquired taste for it.

Alright then…. Kain said slowly, and took a few slow steps from the balcony.

He looked around at the park to which the balcony observed, taking in the sights of beauty, slightly regretful that he had to leave this sight to which he so recently retrieved the ability to see in its beauty again. Raising his hands upwards, his vampire form faded into mist, his white robes fading into a low hanging fog, which proceeded to stream towards it’s destination….


Their trap.


(OOC Feel free to descripe the area where you want Kain etc, and it would be helpful if when Kain sees someone, you tell me a little description of appearance. Thanks. Do what you want with this, implement your own ideas and go wild. Your move :D)

--Somewhere over Azerbaijan--

Omnus Stormrider sat atop his dragon, thinking... Thinking about his disciple, Amistad Crusade, left behind at Mt. Skyfire. Thinking about his best friend, Lance Crusade, murdered by government officials jealous of his power. Thinking about his battle with Kain, in which neither prevailed. Thinking about the battle with Nez'gah, where Omnus was tested to beyond his limits and was nearly killed. Thinking... Thinking.

As he thought, his thoughts streamed back to his creation, a hybrid of of a dragon and a human. A byproduct of errant "genetic engineering" (not modern GE, but magical GE). Omnus was created by his predecessor, Azal Telas, as an experiment. And yet, he had grown beyond his creator's wildest dreams, granted long-life, power, and the ability to command the most sacred creature in the world, the dragon...

Glancing down at his dragon, known as Ori, Omnus could only think with affection...

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/asian/dragon.gif

Although Omnus was filled with thoughts of happiness, Omnus felt a sense of foreboding. His predecessors had prophesied that he would die at the hands of some evil... Omnus was wary of believing in the prophesies, but he knew that they were all engrained in some truth in the world.

Sighing, Omnus said, "I cannot change my course, but maybe I can change the course of the world..."

Maximus could smell the strong stench of the forest burning, as well as see the pillar of fire from the edge of the forest. He knew that Rave was a fire element, which meant one thing only. She was near.

"Well, let's get moving, shall we?" he suggested, and began to walk into the forest, his eyes instantly becoming accustomed to the darkness that enshrouded the trees. He looked back at the others, and wondered why they hadn't moved yet. Suddenly, he felt the presence. He knew that presence all too well.

Kain...

Walking back to the others, he looked about, searching for Kain.

Must be doing that mist trick again...

"Kain is near, I can feel him."

The wind shifted direction, ruffling Maximus dark brown hair. His trenchcoat flapped slightly, revealing the hilt of Glamdring at his side. His black eyes continued to diligently search for the reputable being.

OOC: Here's the stats on Maximus: http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2816901#2816901

(OOC: Um... In what general country are you guys in?)

Daniel swung his sword around, getting a better feel for it.

Kain... ths last time he saw him, he was conjuring monsters and demons with the attempt to kill them all.

*In Change of Blood.

Daniel walked up to Maximus and spoke quietly to him...

"Kain... I have heard that he has been changed... redeemed of sorts.

"How is this so? How has he changed?"

A low hanging mist soon billowed into being, condensing upon the grass of the forest which swayed gently from the night’s cold breath. It gathered slowly, in a circular motion, growing into a column of gaseous essence. Soon features were distinguishable, long white robes that fine chiselled snow white face, those three talons for fingers and toes which Kain had, that great mane of white hair.

He became fully formed, breathing in slowly, and then opened his eyes. He saw the forest in all of its presence, he saw through the darkened shroud as though it were plain as day, his vampiric abilities were extremely useful; his ability to form into mist had saved his life many times before.

Wearing those great clerical white robes, which were plain and practical, Kain was rather a different sight to what he had been. His green flesh was gone, replaced by that white marble face which looked eloquent and sophisticated, his eyes held knowledge which few could obtain. He knew Demon Lore; from the knowledge the renegade demon had informed him of, he knew their weaknesses, their strengths, their minds, their weapons. He held within his right hand a long oak staff, simple and plain with a small white crystal upon it. It did not glow; there was no need for light for Kain.

The moon glittered downwards upon Kain, a opening in the forest canopy allowing those silver rays to filter through. His long white hair seemed to glow with it’s own energy, as if light were coming from within it. It appeared like quicksilver, it was a shimmering veil of liquid metal.

He looked like some holy marble pillar within this dark and shadow filled wood.

He took a step forward, extremely slowly like all of his movement. He had an aura of extreme calmness and inner peace, as if a war could have been breaking around him and he would simply observe the entire scene with a observing, unconcerned nature. It was as though he could tell time to slow down so he could be this slow, although….Kain seemed to those who could detect magical presences, lost his old strength. His skill with the arcane had dropped dramatically, yet his knowledge had not. He wore no magical items, apart from Cloak, which was draped upon his back, a deep purple. Upon it was the symbol of Shentavo.

Cloak within itself was unique. It’s form moved with the same slowness that Kain did, if the wind flowed around them, Cloak would move as though gravity had no authority over it, it moved as it chose. It took a second or two to react to wind, as though it was playing with it. It was noticeable…but only if you observed Kain for long periods of time, and if you believed in such a thing as magic.

Kain studied his surroundings with those orbs of brown which held the knowledge of the demon world…

Maximus glanced at Daniel momentarily, before continuing his search. His mind extended its invisible probing tendrils, searching in an ever-widening radius for Kain.

"Kain has changed, yes, but it is a long story, now is not the time. Perhaps he can be willing to tell you himself when he reveals himself..."

The probes became excited as they penetrated the trees in the forest, swirling about every object, seeking, sensing, probing. Despite the slight fog trapped under the canopy of the trees, Kain's own misty form differed from it, but was hidden in the natural mist.

"He's in the forest, but I am not sure where he is exactly." Maximus reported to the others, before calling out to Kain, "Kain Shentavo! REVEAL YOURSELF!"

They waited...

Qui's eyebrow raised. Maybe i can finish what I've started... he thought to himself at the thought of Kain. Maybe kill the little bastard this time...

Gene shot him a glance. You're not here for Kain. Settle you're differences later. "There will be no blood shed between you and Kain..." she said to both Qui and Maximus. "Kain is a Shentavo, therefore protected by us and Rave. There will be nothing between you. You're personal matters are not our concern.

Suddenly, Qui fell back on the ground, and winced. She's near... he grunted. And she doesn't want us here... As he stood up, blood trickled down from his forehead. She doesn't want us hurt. He said silently to Genesis.

I know.

Maximus laughed heartily as he heard the words from Genesis.

"My dear friend, I am not here for bloodshed between Kain and I. Our differences have been settled long long ago. We are now allies and friends. I am merely making sure he has heard my call."

He gave a wide grinning smile, before he cut it short when he saw Qui collapse. A look of puzzlement crossed his face.

"Qui? What is wrong?" he asked solemnly. Something was up, he could sense it. "Speak to us, Qui..."

Taliya smiled. "Well... we will have to fix that, won't we..." She concentrated. Nez'gah's human form suddenly found itself without any clothes. She stepped forward. "Hello, big boy..."

<===>

Alexander nodded, and watched as Arithon slunk away. Then he looked at Izual. "Pathetic. Now... what will you give me if I released you?"

(OOC: Can I make an entrance? I dont wana crash a party, but this seems like a good moment. TG me if there's a problem, otherwise I'll join up).

Xyorph sped over the ground. Beneath him the traces of civilisation became a blur. How wondeful it was to fly! His troubles were gliding behind him, weightless on his wings. Thre had been a time when he had considered giving up human life and becoming a bird.

But times had changed.

Ahead of him were traces of fire and smoke. But also Maximus. He searched out. Maximus was not alone, but he wasn't feeling hostile. Good, hopefully he waited with potential friends then. Xyorph also felt something else. A strange prickling on the back of his neck. Odd, most odd.

Finally, he gained visual confirmation of what he had been looking for. Below him, Maximus stood with a small group, obviously waiting for something. For me? Xyorph mused. He laughed to himself. Unlikely. Perhaps he was about to walk into danger, maybe they had sensed an enemy.

Cautiously, Xyorph approached. He swooped down in ever decreasing circles. probably shouldnt land unnanounced. He sent out a thought.

Maximus. Its Xyorph. Are you with friends. May I join you?

Maximus sensed him well before he received the mental message.

Looking upward, he spied Xyorph descending in a radius above them.

Xyorph! What brings you here?! I was not expecting your arrival. Tell me, how did you find me?

Maximus was slightly unnerved with how Fate had been pulling all of them together. It meant only one thing then...his prophecy was perhaps true or about to become set in motion, if not already. Maximus shifted his eyes back toward the forest once again as he waited for Kain.

Taliya smiled. "Well... we will have to fix that, won't we..." She concentrated. Nez'gah's human form suddenly found itself without any clothes. She stepped forward. "Hello, big boy..."

<===>

Alexander nodded, and watched as Arithon slunk away. Then he looked at Izual. "Pathetic. Now... what will you give me if I released you?"

Nez'gah's grin broadened as he stepped toward Taliya, examining every curve of her unnaturally perfect body. Pressing up right against her, he looked into the demoness' eyes.

"What is first my teacher?"

Xyorph's landing wasn't brilliant, and he hit the ground hard, landing on his feet as he changed from bird to man in mid-air. No one looked particulary impressed. Never mind, he thought.

He held out a hand to Maximus.

"It is good to see you again. I returned 'home' and found that you had gone, so I came in search of you. I followed your mental trail. Tell me, what am I getting myself involved in?"

"Just my mother's sense of humor," he replied as the wound closed. "She should know by now that inflicting pain only pushes me on." And it was true. He clenched his fists. "Come on...I have no time for family renunions..." With that he took off into the forest. There was a slight flash to the side of them, which Gene turned around to see a glimpse of Enamarcia. It was only a quick moment, but she caught it.

Seth looked toward them. Rave had given them specific orders, and they needed to follow them. "Genesis and i must leave you now..." he said hesitantly. "We need to protect the young ones as well as the mansion and her daughter." Rave had a daughter? Yes. Sarah...Sarah Vaughn. "Follow the flames, you'll find her..."

--Somewhere over Greece--

Omnus Stormrider rode his dragon, the massive Ori towards his end. Omnus began to think about his life... His friendship with Lance Crusade, his uneasy relationship with his master and predecessor Azal Telas, and his mutual grudging respect with Kain Irenicus. Rubbing a long scar received during battle when Omnus first met his murdered friend Lance Crusade, Omnus could not help feeling remorse. And with that, Omnus's thoughts turned to that of his adopted son, Liu Guang, who was killed trying to stop the corrupt government from terrorizing the terrified populace.

"My life has all been naught, if I couldn't even protect my friends and loved ones from harm."

With tears running down his face, Omnus tightened his hands upon the reins. Omnus continued onwards, weeping...

"Follow the flames, you'll find her..."

Daniel Able nodded and looked on as the lithe figures dissappeared into the forest.

He turned to Maximus and Xyorph. "The flames... any idea what that means?"

For some reason, the Upir sowrd in Daniel's hand felt... warm. He did not notice it.

"Follow the flames, you'll find her..."

Daniel Able nodded and looked on as the lithe figures dissappeared into the forest.

He turned to Maximus and Xyorph. "The flames... any idea what that means?"

For some reason, the Upir sowrd in Daniel's hand felt... warm. He did not notice it.

“Kain Shentavo! REVEAL YOURSELF”

The words carried to Kain’s sensitive ears. The sounds seemed to overlap one another, almighty merging of crescendo of the waves hitting his fine pale ears. Kain reminded himself that like before, he was just getting used to his new vampiric body, and his own senses slightly confused. He remembered on how to separate the words, to make sense of them, to make sense of the merging words. It was simply Kain not being used to his body, he had mastered the other elements of himself….well almost. The arcane still presented a challenge to which Kain had not raised to yet. It might be fatal…

He turned upon the spot slowly, his hair whipping around the moonlight shining off of it. He peered into the tangled mess of the wood, his eyes seeing the forest as though it was day. He did not see anything; it took him few seconds peering at those shadowy forms which hid themselves. He suspected something, he had been caught by an ambush once before by the demonic bastards which haunted his existence with an obsessive fervor. He narrowed his eyes, tapping his staff against the grass. He heard what others normally would not; he heard the grass scrunching, the wood thudding against the soil moving the atoms of the dirt.

The orb of his staff flickering into life, a very faint blue light swirling within it, like a fairy dancing away, trapped within a glass prison. Cloak changed color from its deep purple, to a brown greeny colour reflecting his mood. He was cautious of these forms which new his name…more importantly, his new name. It had barely been a week and already he had been known for his change…..word spread damn fast Kain cursed inwardly. Couldn’t he have a little bit more secrecy?

Kain spoke into the forest, his voice soft and slowly spoken, yet perfectly pronounced. His voice had an accent of Latin and French to it, the words seems to be sophisticated and intelligent.

“My reputation precedes me. Who knows my name? And who asks that I reveal myself to a stranger who hides within the safety of shadows, I seem to be disadvantaged in this regard; I do not know who I am speaking to.”

Kain’s eyes narrowed further, trying to distinguish a new figure who had just come down from the sky. He gazed upon the form of some kind of wings, angelic or demonic he could not tell. But he was not taking any chances. He took a step backwards, and faded from view, his being turned to fog.

Yet the two who stood there at the edge of the forest knew that Kain was watching, they felt his presence still within the forest, the low hanging fog invisible under the night’s cloak of disguse.

Finally words flowed from the recesses of the forest. Kain had still refused to reveal himself. He had good concern, but Maximus knew why he did as he did. He understood Kain's mindframe, how he thought.

"An answer I would expect from you Kain. I am however, surprised you do not remember my voice. It is I, Maximus. With me are Genesis; Qui; a human, Daniel Able, and Xyorph. You know us all, some personally, others by acquaintance. Step forward and join us."

Maximus silenced himself again, as he waited. Kain was a careful one, but he knew that Kain would reveal himself once he saw the truth in his words.

The shadows shook unnaturally by Taliya and Nez'gah. "Well, well, well..." Alexander stepped out of the darkness. "Isn't this fascinating." He waved his ebony hand dismissively.

Taliya stepped back, as she drew upon her mental strength to reclothe herself and Nez'gah. <Looks like the lesson will have to wait, at least until this creature leaves.>

Alexander watched her, coolly. "I've been watching that location. Kain is there. I'm sure of it." He shook his head. "But if you two imbeciles would prefer to play..."

Taliya hissed at Alexander. "Don't you talk back to your betters like that, worm."

Alexander stepped back, revealing the portal he had stepped through. In the far distance, a single eye flashed red. "You tell *him* you'd rather play than do your job."

Nez'gah sighed as they were interrupted by Black. He was about to say something of his own when Black revealed the portal. Looking away, infuriated that Black always hid behind the Nameless One, he noticed a column of darkness formed several metres to his side. It must be Kazar-Tiyon.

Taliya patted Nez'gah, warningly. "Well... Alexander, we'll keep an eye out... shut the portal after you, will you?" She pushed him out, and then shut the room off from any further intrusions.

She dropped the illusion of clothing, and smiled up at his naked frame. "The first lesson..." She moved upwards, pushing him gently down onto the ground, and feeling his body and hers start to join together. Jolts of pleasure suffused her essence. More than anything else, the two of us enjoying ourselves will keep the torturer away. she thought to Nez'gah, her breasts pressing against his chest.

Things became hectic after that...

<===Ahem... nothing to see here, people...==>

Start the clock...[i] Ravelyn said softly to all whom were in distance of her speech. Another spark emited from her hand as another section of the forest began to go up in flames. [i]If they want me so badly...they'll have to catch me first. She clenched her fists, the metal gleaming upon her knuckles and down her fingers into a crafted metal claw. The gauntlets stopped just below her elbow. The unleashed rage was being build up inside of her.

At the mansion...a clock was started without a hand to touch it. It was deep within the core, the purpose of it not being entirely known.

She leapt off from that site and began to travel once again, closer and closer to her target.

Daniel jumped as part of the forest just a ways off burst into flames...

"The flames..."

The DEO agent turned to Maximus and Xyorph.

"We need to find Kain and move out. Now."

Nez'gah warmed to Taliya's touch. He could definately get used to this. He could feel his heat beat rise as she pushed him to the ground and connected. There were distinct advantages to a human form........

*curtin closes*

"To what purpose?"

Kain was had formed behind the DEO agent, in a second, the mist forming his white form. His presnace would have never been known if he had not spoken. His eyes were critical, and he seemed very cautious.

"It is interesting to see that you carry authoirty over them, or at least think you do. My memory may have been lost in many places, but I can remember that these two individuals would not take orders from you..or is my memory that mistaken?" Kain said slowly, his staff close to his side. The blue orb had many sahdes of blue swirling within its glass surface.

His eyes had the swirling brown substance that it had before, although they were not terrorfying to look into as before. Just as hypnotic, one could stare into those oceans of brown for hours, lost within the complexities. It was the effect of having such a existance tied with magic, his race before his trasformation, the Psi, were dependant on magic, and everyone knew how to use it to an amazing degree.

The lake of ancients surged forth, spewing large amounts of molten rock. At the centre of the 9th circle of this hell, the lake had always existed. Suspended by the shadow chains of the ancient lords, lay the demon once known as the Brightblade.

Lord Arithon hovered in front of the tortured figure. Barely conscious, it could not recognise its past rival directly in front of it. Arithon grinned as he witnessed the obvious displeasure and suffering of this demon. After all this time, even after the effort he went to, to get rid of this demon, it still found ways to cause him grief.

"Finally, you have returned. Welcome back, to my realm. Did you actually think you could get away with your past actions? Helping that vampiric scum! You have no idea the extent of suffering you will recieve."

The demon lord spat, covering his captive in an acidic slime. The sizzle caused the demon to twitch as it burnt through his bloodied hide. The screams of agony filled the vast cavern as his demonic organs felt the touch of the acid. Swirls of flame and shadow leapt forth fromt the lake, cursing and burning the betrayer.

"The Nameless One is not pleased with you. None of us are. You have made your mistakes, and now you shall suffer the dire consequences!"

The laughter of the demon lord filled the cavern as hs directed the molten rock to flow over his captive's already injured body.

"To what purpose?"

Kain was had formed behind the DEO agent, in a second, the mist forming his white form. His presnace would have never been known if he had not spoken. His eyes were critical, and he seemed very cautious.

"It is interesting to see that you carry authoirty over them, or at least think you do. My memory may have been lost in many places, but I can remember that these two individuals would not take orders from you..or is my memory that mistaken?"

Daniel blinked, and then blinked again.

He looked up at Kain and found himself floating within Kain's gaze. However, there was another force he could feel, and it was not Kain.

He shook his head, and bowed to Kain.

"I am somewhat surprised that you remember me, Kain. The last time I saw you, you were trying to murder me. However, I hold no authority over anyone save myself, Irenicus, or do you prefer Shentavo now.

"What I mean by us needing to move out is the fact that Ravelyn is somewhereout there, and needs us. I may only be human, but my understanding of urgency is no less greater than yours.

Daniel turned to Maximus and Xyorph.

"We are all here. So may we leave? Now?"

Daniel's eye's flashed black for a single instant, but then reverted back to normal.

Alexander watched, amused, as the party of heroes argued amongst themselves. He wished he could go out there, to speak, to kill. But he was trapped here.

However, there was one thing he could do. He concentrated, and a portal opened. Then he moved, and stared at Izual.

His hand closed, and he tore at the creature's life essence, causing a loud, terrifying scream to float out and towards the party, making it sound like someone was being tortured deeper within the forest.

Maximus caught the color change in Daniel's eyes, but spoke nothing.

Something's up... he thought silently to himself.

Suddenly a tortured scream echoed from deep within the forest. Maximus instantly whipped in the direction of the sound. Drawing Glamdring, he urgently spoke to the others,

"We've got trouble, let's go!"

Maximus took off in quick jog toward the forest, entering the trees, darting silently forward. He hoped the others had followed. Suddenly he stopped.

Darkness falls upon the land

Fire counters darkness...Rave!

He took off again, but more slowly as he began to search for Rave. He needed to get to Rave, to tell her of the support that had arrived. The heat from the flames scorching the forest increased as Maximus made his way swiftly toward them.

As Omnus Stormrider flew towards his destination, he found a firestorm ahead. The fire quickly and hungrily ate up the surrounding forest. As a protector of nature and the natural order, Omnus steered Ori quickly towards the growing forest fire, intent upon stopping it.

With Ori over the epicenter of the flames, Omnus dived down into the flames. Because of his hybrid nature and his origins, Omnus was unhurt by the flames. Examining his fiery surrounding, Omnus derived that the fire was produced by a "pyromanic."

Deeply disturbed, Omnus roared into the sky. The roar quickly permeated the air suffocating the flames. Although the roar slowed the flames from spreading, Omnus knew he was unable to put it out...

With a roar, Omnus yelled into the night, "Who dares to set such a verdant forest to flames!?! Who!?! Show thyself!!!"

After his first lesson in the human body had ended, Nez'gah's attentions became focused upon the happenings within the forest where Balfar had been killed. The Shentavos and others were present. Jumping to his feet, he spun around and began the shaping of a portal.

"It seems our activities have caught the attention of our enemies. Shall we act?"

A speck of red light darted into a deep shadow, and Kazar-Tiyon emerged.
"By all means. What exactly are we doing, if I may ask?"
OOC: He didn't want to intrude on your privacy. The spy reported your last statement to him.

OOC: Fair enough.... :lol:

IC: Nez'gah turned as Kazar-Tiyon appeared behind him. Still in his human form, he nodded in acknowledgement.

"Ah, Kazar. Nice of you to join us. We have business to conduct, this includes the capture of a certain two Shentavos. And the destruction of all remaining. State your intentions now. You are welcome, but only if you wish to provide help."

The portal grew to full size, ready for the party to depart.

"Of course I plan to help. I owe you, after all. Besides, I'm sure it will be fun...
Should I be a bit less... unusual... in appearance? I can't help but notice that you are in disguise."
Drawing Shadowfang, Kazar-Tiyon strode toward the portal.

Xyorph saw Maximus take off. He turned to Kain and Daniel.

Xyorph raised an arm to the sky and a small dragon flew down. It was a deep emerald green, and about the size of a horse. He looked at Daniel.

"I do not mean to offend, but I am unsure whether you are able to keep up on your own. This is Gisc, she will be your steed if you need her."

Xyorph extended an arm, holding out an emerald ring. As Daniel took it, it readjusted to a perfect size for him.

"Keep this on. If you need her then call and she will come, but only whilst you are wearing this. If you do not need her, tell her to rest and she will go."

Xyorph turned to Kain.

"It is good to see you again. I hope you are well."

Without a further pause Xyorph turned back into the phoenix and streaked off after Maximus. Gisc turned round and looked at the ring on Daniel's finger. The small Dragon snorted and bowed as a recognition of the ring in Daniel's hand.

Rave chuckled to herself. Apparently others have seen the fire, though are they the ones that come for me? Well...we'll find out. She stood next to a tree as a spark was seen. In minutes, the tree was in flames once again. Strange...none of the fires had spread from the tree it was originally sparked from. Maybe they were beacons, maybe she was setting up a battle ground in her favor.

She took something out of her pocket and threw it up in the air. IIt was a small orange orb, and it exploded above her location, then vanished with no debree. She was ready, and her body was highly overcharged. She needed to finish this now, or would her strength hold until later?

I'm waiting... a voice whispered to the ones in range.

Omnus unsheathed the Hellblade and with savage ferocity slammed it blade down into the earth. Omnus sat down on the floor and began to meditate, chanting. Soon the sword grew bright...

"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand..."

Pausing briefly, Omnus opened his eyes and roared into the sky.

Continuing once more, Omnus closed his eyes and chanted, "Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star..."

Omnus slowly began to trace the stars of the constellation Draco.

"It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop..."

Omnus stopped and his eyes began to flash as he continued chanting...

"He who knows others is wise; he who know himself is enlightened... He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know."

"I do not mean to offend, but I am unsure whether you are able to keep up on your own. This is Gisc, she will be your steed if you need her."

Xyorph extended an arm, holding out an emerald ring. As Daniel took it, it readjusted to a perfect size for him.

"Keep this on. If you need her then call and she will come, but only whilst you are wearing this. If you do not need her, tell her to rest and she will go."

The small Dragon snorted and bowed as a recognition of the ring in Daniel's hand.

Daniel looked at the dragon and nodded in recognition. Without a sound, he jumped onto her and flew after Xyorph and Maximus.

He smiled, but he was not quite sure why he was...

Meanwhile, Ori disappeared into the night...

"I would have imagined Rave would have gone and done something vitally important....she always is doing something monumental. Can someone care to tell me what Ravelyn is doing, or where she is?" Kain asked softly. his arms crossed as he walked along with them.

"It is good to see you again. I hope you are well."

"I am surpised you even recognise me. The green form I had before is rather different from this pale skinned vampiric one, so liberating to be free of it..." Kain said, trailing off his voice rather calm and peaceful. The latin reflections in his voice were more evident.

Tree branches were brushed aside without effort as Maximus made his way deeper into the forest. Suddenly he saw her.

A little hothead aren't you Rave? he spoke to her silently. Nevertheless, I'm here to help you. I know why you are here, and have come to stand next to you against the evil. There are others here as well, all are friends to me, and hopefully yours as well. We are all here, together we shall defeat the darkness...

Maximus stepped out into the small clearing, looking upwards at Rave. She glowed with a fire tinge in her skin, with the woods around them burning in flames caused by her hand. He held his sword, watching the forest around him. He focused his mind, and soon was levitating above the ground heading toward Rave, but maintaining distance for safety. Maximus had finally become capable of flight a few hundred years ago, but primarily used it to cover short distances.

He whispered to the air around them,

"Come on, show us what you've got..."

Maximus sensed Xyorph behind him, on the ground.

Xyorph, get yourself and the others surrounding Rave and I in a large radius. If the enemy shows we can surround them when appropriate. And keep your silence...

There was a beast behind her eyes, no doubt the demonic and vampiric blood catching up with her. He could see it in her vicious stature, ready to kill at a glace. A low growl emited from her throat, and no wings were visable upon her back. There was a metal contraption over both her hands to act as vicious claws as the metal followed along the contours of her hand and sharpened at the end.

Then, a light was shown behind her eyes as she looked at Maximus here. Maximus... the angel said from within her. Get out of here...it is too dangerous. They came for me, and I would rather burn in hell than it be my fault of others fatalities. Her demeanor changed into a protective one momentarily, and Maximus caught a glimpse of her amber eyes. The deep amber, beneath the red stain. Her eyes had originally been that color...

I do not want to see any of you hurt...get out of here while you can. I can handle myself... Rave had no knowledge that he knew of her past. Some of it at least. No one could really tell the entire story for sure...it was a mystery. Azrael, however, did not have time to be a protector now...she needed to fight.

Listen to me Rave. I came here of my own free will. I had a prophecy a short while ago that said that the forces of light must stand together against the darkness lest they fail, and the darkness overtakes the world. And I'll be damned if I sit back and watch you try to take them all on by yourself, even if you're a seraphim!

Maximus noted the look of surprise upon her face.

Yes Rave, I know who and what you are now... I'm not leaving you! And I highly doubt the others here will do so as well. Trust me Rave, you will come to find that you will need us.

My sword and my skills are pledged to you, and to all that is good. Do not underestimate me Rave.

*waiting for Roania.......*

Xyorph relayed the message onto Kain and Daniel. He was unsure whether they had understood properly, but he figured as long as they were spread out roughly around Maximus and Rave...

Xyorph himself returned to Maximus' side and transformed back into a man. There was something very strange about the one he was talking to.

"A Seraphim..." he muttered to himself. His eyes grew wide as he realised what had been disturbing him.

He fell to his knees in front of the higher being, his staff lying on the grass in front of him.

"I pledge mine services unto thee, highest of the angels."

I dont' underestimate you Maximus, Azrael said drawing her light eyes upon him. I believe you underestimate the situation. In past, I had slain one of the greatest of demons, Mephistopheles. In that time, I had given my life to do so. I'm not supposed to be alive right now. I'm not supposed to even be restored. But something is drawing me from the eternal sleep I had prayed for. This is why I was here to begin with...but who knows and more.

"I know very well I can't take down all of them, but I can take down a lot of them, including Alexander." she said softly. "He and I have some unfinished business. I ask you now to leave." Fire flickered in her eyes. "It's about to get extremely hot in here." He could then see her darker side, one of which he had not seen before. She was an anomoly. No one could explain it. It was just there...in her eyes.

A man then fell to his knees, a staff set down by his side. She walked to him quickly, her hand protected by a metal claw bidding him to rise from the ground. She handed him his staff, and looked into his eyes, as a silent communication occured between the two.

"You must be mistaken...." she said softly, shifting her glance to Maximus for him to keep his mouth shut. "I am no seraphim. You pledge your allegence to a vampire. Pledge it to the people, and fight to save them. Don't pledge yourself to me on words..." She rose from the ground by his side, and looked at Maximus. In a slight hesitation, she ran and leapt into the darkness, and vanished through the trees, drawing nearer to her target.

Omnus Stormrider stood and freed the Hellblade from the ground. Sheathing it in its sheath, Omnus spoke with light-demon within.

Xuanyu, where is Nez'gah, our target?

Unknown... I cannot sense his presence. His power should be awesome and I shall sense him, if he draws near...

Good... We will continue on our journey...

Omnus, you and I have been companions for nearly two millenia now... Although I have grown wearily of existing as thy weapon, I cannot see myself surviving as a separate entity. I fear that with thy death, I will dissipate into nothingness...

Xuanyu, your power is great, greater if not equal to that of the power of the Brightblade... And yet, you cannot live if I die... This is not right. Enough, now... Let's concentrate on our task ahead...

Omnus looked up at the moon and roared one last time. With a sigh, Omnus disappeared at the a run, north...

Daniel landed the dragon shortly after Rave had fled again into the forest. He looked at Maximus and Xyorph and smirked.

"So that is the Lady Shentavo, eh? Funny, I was expecting someone more powerful..."

Maximus turned and glared at the agent. "DO not speak of her that way. She is much more powerful than you shall ever be. DO not disrepect her."

"I meant no disrespect, Maximus. I only mean that she does not yet look like someone who is able to protect mankinds interests. Are you sure she is a seraphim?"

"Yes. What has gotten into you, mortal? Why do you speak like this?"

Daniel got back onto the dragon.

"NOthing has gotten into me. NOthing that I don't want anyways..."

With that, he took off after Rave. "I am here for mankind's interest. Nothing else."

Xyorph stood up and brushed the grass off the front of his trousers. He turned to Maximus looking slightly worried.

"I am sorry if I have done the wrong thing. The last Seraphim I met was rather full of himself, and got very annoyed everytime I didn't grovel to him. So I thought I would try to engratiate myself with this one. Alas, a mistake a fear."

He laughed.

"I am curious to know how a seraphim is also a vampire; a most unusual event."

He could see Maximus did not particularly want to discuss this. Xyorph looked after where Daniel had just flown off. Kain was also emerging from the greenery around them. Xyorph phrased an open question.

"Where now? I am afraid I am lost in this land, so I will follow your lead. Rave said to pledge myself to humanity, and so I will. Are we of best use following a seraphim that does not want our help, or can our abilities be of better use elsewhere? I know that you want to follow your friend Maximus, but perhaps for now we should make our own way?"

OOC: Fair enough.... :lol:

IC: Nez'gah turned as Kazar-Tiyon appeared behind him. Still in his human form, he nodded in acknowledgement.

"Ah, Kazar. Nice of you to join us. We have business to conduct, this includes the capture of a certain two Shentavos. And the destruction of all remaining. State your intentions now. You are welcome, but only if you wish to provide help."

The portal grew to full size, ready for the party to depart.

Taliya stepped through, briskly. "Coming, Alexander?" She called to a shadowy corner of the room.

There was a growl of anger. Sensing she had crossed a line, the demoness walked slightly faster. "Come on, Nez, Kazar."

Nez'gah indicated to Kazar and they both stepped through the portal. In a swirl of colours and energies, they emerged within a dark forest, not far from where Balfar had been killed.

The grove was deserted, yet nearby fires illuminated the area slightly. Rave was nearby. Nez'gah still remained in his human form, cloaking his demonic pressence. He quickly looked around, physically and mentally. Familiar spirits were close indeed.

"The seraphim is close. She has companions."
______________

Izual saw his chance. He sensed the breach of the dimensional barrier and took advantage of the oppurtunity. Using his trained, angelic mind, Izual broadcasted his distress signal through the portal and into the human world. His pain and desperation tagged with his spiritual signature. Someone was bound to find it.

Then it was cut off. The portal had closed.

Alexander snarled and spun about. "So, little worm, you seek help? Good. Good. I hope it comes." The former prince disappeared into the shadows, sealing the cage into the total darkness.

Nearby, another rasping laugh came. "So... <hee...> the Torturer has another subject..."

<========>

Taliya groaned. "I hate nature..." She looked around. Once this is done, I'm going to transform this place.

Kazar-Tiyon glanced about the area warily. His magic seemed to fade away; nobody would be likely to notice it until quite close.
"Capture or kill?" he asked.

Nez'gah nodded at Taliya's comment.

"I assume the first target is Rave?"

He spun around to answer Kazar.

"Kill is always first priority. But sometimes, that is not possible. Then capture is desirable."

The demon lord continued to search the area, attempting to determine an exact location of their enemies.

Maximus smelled them and could feel their evil presence almost immediately.

They're here...

Glancing back at Xyorph he spoke in silence,

They're here, be alert...

Maximus turned and leapt into the trees, silently moving toward the dark ones. He stopped high above the ground, and shielded his presence. He spoke within his mind, concealing his thoughts:

amin quella.

They would not find him, for his body and his articles instantly blended perfectly with the surrounding trees. His mind was closed off to their probes. He watched as they moved slowly into view obviously searching for them.

Nez'gah nodded at Taliya's comment.

"I assume the first target is Rave?"

He spun around to answer Kazar.

"Kill is always first priority. But sometimes, that is not possible. Then capture is desirable."

The demon lord continued to search the area, attempting to determine an exact location of their enemies.
Kazar nodded and drew Shadowfang. He allowed a small quantity of magic to escape his shielding, so that to magical senses he would seem a low-level mage, or a very minor demon. Tiny specks of red light, very hard to notice unless one was looking for them, started floating through the trees. K-T also joined the search, his shining red gaze shifting quickly back and forth.
Someone is near... I can feel a presence... but where?

Maximus's observant sight noticed the emissions of the red specks from the one being. He waited until the others from the group moved away from him.

Very well then, surprise is an advantage...

With a sudden burst of speed, he leapt down, landing softly in the grass behind the being. He swung Glamdring with a heavy thrust toward the being's neck, a slight whine as the blade sliced the air, hurtling toward the target. His other hand pulled out one of his elven daggers in the same fluid motion.

Maximus kept his invisibility spell active, making it considerably harder for the enemy to visually locate him. He moved about quickly and silently as well, never staying in one place for too long.

Nez'gah noticed one leap out of the trees towards KT, his demonic vision allowing him to see the creature. A lowly vampire. KT would not need assistance, and Nez'gah had other priorities. Omnus.

He had picked up the presence of his old nemesis, the dragon lord which had been present at his ascension. This time he would die. Nez'gah plunged into the thick growth, plants dying as they came into contact with him.

Kazar-Tiyon flung himself to the ground the moment he heard the sword blow, rolled, and came to his feet facing his attacker. To his surprise, even his magically enhanced eyesight could detect only a slight blur of motion. He drew his knife with his left hand, and advanced carefully.
This must be a mage, of one sort or another... best not to use any more magic than is necessary; surprise may well be a greater advantage, if I need it...

Kain could hear a whisper behind him. "So, Kain..."

The vampire spun around. There was no-one. The voice sounded again. "How have you been?"

<==========>

Taliya took off into the sky. She was seeking Rave's essence. But it was difficult.

Maximus moved quickly in response, slashing with both weapons skillfully, using his sword to lead the attack, the dagger moving to counter any countermovements of either the body or the weapons of the enemy.

He leapt upwards, hardly a glimmer of movement detectable due to the spell's rapid ability to blend quickly with the surroundings. Maximus could see the partial confusion on the man's face.

Good...he doesn't know who or what I am now...

Glamdring swung downward as Maximus flipped forward, turning 180 degrees to face the man, landing surely upon his feet. However the man was fast himself and countered several swings of Glamdring, the blades sending sparks in every direction as they bit angrily into each other.

He's doing well, I'm impressed...

That meant only one thing. This one had something hidden, something not shown yet to Maximus. He suspected the man to be a mage or a demon, but could not be sure.

The two swords clashed together, the smaller blades countering each other as well. Suddenly, the two locked and drew close to each other. At that moment, Maximus muttered a few elvish words and the invisibility spell ceased, revealing a grinning pale face vampire with crimson eyes staring deeply into the man's face. Maximus caught the brief surprise in the man's face. The pearly white fangs shone ever so briefly as Maximus spoke quietly but with a deadly tone.

"Hello there..."

The two pushed off from each other once again.

"And what may your name be, dear enemy of mine?!" he asked as he parried the shots given by the man.

OOC: KT, do you have MSN, AIM or YAHOO? If so, TG me with your contact info. Thanks!

-A vampire... this may be interesting.-
-We shall see.- Shadowfang replied.
-I'll let him see, as well...-

With that thought, K-T dropped his own disguise. Maximus found himself staring into two points of red light, glowing steadily in a face that seemed nothing but shadow. Black armor gleamed slightly, from intricate gauntlets to steel boots. Even as he spoke, only his eyes were visible within the hood of his cloak.
"I am Kazar-Tiyon. Who might you be, if I may ask?"
Shadowfang's strange, shineless blade was nicked whenever its edge met that of Glamdring, but the metal was repared... or healed... almost instantly.
OOC: Check TGs.

Maximus bowed slightly, while still blocking the sword of Kazar.

"Maximus is my name, vampire am I, secrets I hold." he replied mysteriously, and with a grin upon his face.

"Your weapon is most interesting. It reminds me of another I know of that belongs to a friend of mine. Perhaps you know of it? It was often referred to as BrightBlade. Is yours demon enhanced as well?"

After a few more clashes and sparks flying, he continued,

"This blade here, Glamdring is its name. Forged long ago by ancestors, you see. See how your blade strikes the metal, yet does not damage? A finely forged sword this is, and has served me well all these years."

Maximus had the glean of the fire of battle in his eyes, as the two increased their attacks toward one another. The sounds of their battle rang shrilly in the forest, echoing amongst the trees.

"Demon enhanced? No, I forged this blade myself... including the life within it."
Kazar turned aside a thrust; his sudden chop glanced off Maximus's upraised blade....

Can't find me can you? her voice spread out over the land to those in distance, including Taliya. As was said, neither world could trace her now. It had something to do with the restoration and resurrection, though no one could be sure. Sorry to dissapoint you, love, but I'm off both heaven and hell's radars. It will take a lot more than your telepathy to find me. Or maybe you could just open you're eyes. There is quite a lot of fire rising within the forest randomly...perhaps it's not that random.

With that, the connection was broken between the two. Rave's eyes searched though the darkness as if it were day time. This is why she was here afterall. To bring neutrality between good and evil, and make sure that darkness does not get the upper hand. Not once has a seraphim had been killed. It has been attempted, but other than in Rave's battle with Mephistop, not one seraphim has died.

She knew it would be time soon. Tonight, she would spread her wings.

Xyorph, as a snake, was watching Maximus' duel with the being from the tree Maximus had emerged from. Slithering silently as snakes only can, he moved to the edge of a branch and looked down on the battle.

The black figure was holding back magical abilities, Xyorph could tell. It was briming beneath the suface like a coiled viper. He was not sure that Maximus had realised.

Maximus, this creature holds back his magic. I do not want to interrupt the flow of your momentum, so I will stay out of it for now. But I am prepared to counter anything they throw. I do not think they have realised I am here yet. Tell me if I can assist you.

Some creature draws near master… It is a dark one, a powerful one at that…

Understood, Xuanyu…

Omnus stopped running, turned around and stood, sword blade in the ground as he waited for his nemesis…

Come Nez'gah... I am Omnus Stormrider, Dragonlord of the Lands. You will feel my wrath...

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

INTERLUDE

***The Commonwealth of Valient, Hyraphore compound***

"You gave him a WHAT?"

"A Upir sword. What else would I have given him? Please Mr. Natarin, sit down before you hurt yourself."

Lee Natarin, director of the Valient DEO glared at the figure in front of him: Alexander Kelsing, master of the Hyraphore guild.

"I will not sit down Kelsing."

"your choice."

Natarin's hand reached out and swept the papers off of Alexander's desk.

"Tell me the truth... about the sword!"

Two guards standing beside Alexander moved forward, but Alexander waved them off.

"All right director, the truth then.

"The sword that I have lended to our dear friend Daniel is what I call a Strigoi Upir. It is a sword latent with the powers of the Strigoi..."

"The what?"

"The Strigoi. They are... half vampire, half mortal and more than the sum of their parts. They are even more powerful than I. The sword that I lended Daniel acts in a very simple manner: hours after Daniel has touched it, he will become a Strigoi?"

"Just by touching it?"

"Consider it magik, director."

"But why. Why did you do this to him.?"

"He is in a battle for his lofe, director, and for all of our lives. Daniel was just a mortal - he would have little chance. I have just increased his power, his agility everything, including his chances."

"But what happens to him? Will he stay a Strigoi?"

"That... remains up to him. He has a choice, whether or not to embrace the powers of the sword, the Strigoi. If he does not return to you, do not be surprised.

"Now if you excuse me, director, I have some work to do. Would you like an escort out?"

Natarin looked at Alexander, shook his head and turned around and stalked out of the room. Alexander loked at the piles of paper on his floor, and spoke more to himself than to his guards.

"I'll take that as a no..."

END INTERLUDE

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

***The Forest, unknown***

"Sorry to dissapoint you, love, but I'm off both heaven and hell's radars. It will take a lot more than your telepathy to find me. "

"Sorry to disappoint you, Madam Shentavo, but I've found you."

Daniel brought in the dragon to a one-hop landing near Rave. Rave looked at Daniel, who no longer looked that the mortal she had just met. His hair was longer, his eyes.. flashed dark and his skin had a pale pallor.

"The gentlemen I assume are capable of handling themselves. I am here to offer my services to you."

Daniel bowed deep.

Come Nez'gah... The time to settle old scores has come...

Omnus drew his sword from the ground and sheathed it in its sheathe strapped to his back. With great agility, Omnus moved toward from hence he came, eager to began the battle.

My destiny awaits...

Kain could hear a whisper behind him. "So, Kain..."

The vampire spun around. There was no-one. The voice sounded again. "How have you been?"



Kain span, the whipping of his crimson Cloak making himself look larger than he actually was. He had his plain staff by his side, his eyes narrowed at the wind, trying to detect what was around him.

"Free. Evolved." Kain simply said, his tone defensive yet with the concise slowness that kain had adopted. his staff shimmered slightly, the blue spheres of light dancing more rapidly now.

Ravelyn straightened. Get out of here before it's too late, a sweet angelic voice rang in his head as she looked at him. It's not safe for you here... Enamarcia appeared by her side, stepping to stand next to her. Qui had ran into the small clearing they were in and was at the edge, as all three were together.

Qui eased up, and stood straight, and Enamarcia did not stop Azrael as she went to the center of the clearing. Qui reached out his hand to bid her to stop, but she dismissed it with a light glance, and a light smile.

And it's always little things
That to the surface brings
The comfort in the pain
The fear behind the smile

Inside, she had a twinge of fear within her. It was surpassed, however, by her sence of destiny, and her strong will. She would not give up easily. She would see on this night how much the restoration had worked, and if it had, a great burden would be lifted from her shoulders. It would be that night that the angel would spread her wings, and risk everything. She had no choice.

We lose along the way
The things we leave behind
Along the precipice
Of things we should not climb
And I'm the first in line

She lifted her eyes to the sky as the stars seemed to shine at her in the reflecting of her lightening eyes. She bent slightly, and leapt into the air. She froze in mid air, and slowly levitated there. Qui and Enamarcia remained silent, jaws slightly parted. Was this even possible?

Her fiery auburn hair glistened in the moonlight as it fell slightly tossled down to her mid back. Her crimson eyes were lightening significantly...though only one was. it was beginning to turn a light yellow color while the other remained scarlet. She closed both her eyes and let herself be lifted into the air. Small fragments of light no bigger than a quarter shone and flickered like fireflies as some went through her and faded while others tapered off from her.

And it's always little things
That to the surface brings
The space you need to breathe
Before the curtain call

A light smile crossed her face as she let the soothing feeling wash over her. Qui and Enamarcia watched stunned. Even Enamarcia had not seen such calmness and serentity. She had never seen this change take place. In this she would understand how Rave remained a seraphim with vampiric blood in her veins.

It was never my choice...

Both drew in a breath as they watched the beauty in this, remarkable. It was so pure. The angel bent her head down for a moment as her teeth clenched as wings tore through the skin on her back; six in total. She lifted her head up and took a deep breath as her wings spread out in a brilliant display. A few drops of her blood fell to the ground as the wounds from her back began to close around her wings. All the while she said nothing.

The light that leads the way
Before you hit the wall
The mountain that you climb
Just to take a fall
For blind among the blind

A light passed around her, shooting toward the sky like a beacon to both worlds; good and evil. It lasted for only a few seconds, but was seen throughout. There was a white staff which appeared in the angel's hand which she brought around her self in a clean motion, her eyes remaining closed as if she had been programmed to do this. She had been. She exhaled lightly. Her hair twisted in tentrils, changing into a very light brown and becoming soft waves. A jewel could be seen upon her forehead; as clear as crystal. She turned and brought her staff in front of her and twisted it in her hands in an effortless dance.

There's an anchor around my heart
Dragging me down
Behind the waves in silence I fall

She threw her staff up into the air as it scattered into the same small lights which had been seen around her. She fell from the sky, and landed on the ground upon one knee. She raised her head and stood. As she opened her eyes, both were a brilliant amber color.

[i]There's a halo above my head
Spinning me 'round
'Cause I don't know if I'm alive or dead
A dagger in my hand
Bleeding me dry[i]

She took a step forward, then fell to the ground, her hands gripping the terrain. The metal claw like accessory around both her hands dug into the dirt. Her hair immediately shifted back to it's darker state, though the waves still held. She stood up, supressing it. Her wings and eyes remained. And the jewel upon her forehead had not left her.

Qui knelt before her, as well as Enamarcia. She placed a hand on Qui's shoulder and he stood up. Why do you kneel before me?

A tear was Enamarcia's eye. Because...I can't tell. Are you real? Or did you die six years ago.

Rave looked down. I don't know.

tell me Ravelyn.

I wish I could. I am alive enough for them to start this battle. I intend to finish what they've started...

You can't do it alone... Enamarcia persisted. Rave reached within her pocket and tossed her a small orb.

"I am alone." she said, her angelic voice now becoming apparent underneath her natural tone. She rose into the sky, and contracted her wings, taking up toward where the beacon of light had been, and she took off in silence.

Enamarcia looked at the sphere in inquizition. "Its..." A white energy flowed within it's marble hard surface. She closed her eyes, and it unlocked.

Qui and Ena watched as a vision flashed before them. What is this? Qui asked. There were two beings, a man and a woman. One was clearly Rave. She looked out over the land as the man wrapped his arms around her from behind and held her closely. She smiled.

The vision flashed again, another it would seem. The man fell before them into darkness. Qui recognized him. Vaughn... he noted in suprise to Enamarcia, who nodded. Neither could tear their eyes away. They watched as tears fell from Rave's eyes as she watched helplessly.

It changed again, to her destiny day. A sword through her chest as she watched the demon crumble before her. She as well, falling to her knees...and disappearing.

That was the last of it. Qui exchanged a glance with Enamarcia, and took the orb within his own hands, placing it within his pocket.

"I had no idea," she said softly, looking at Qui. "We'd lost track of her so long ago...i had no idea...."

"Neither did I..." Qui said indifferently, however a tinge of emotion could be shown behind his eyes. "Come on...if she's alone...she'll need help." Both nodded, and rushed off through the woods in Rave's dirrection.

Maximus heard Xyorph's concerned voice within his head. Without visually acknowledging the communication, he replied,

I am aware. Thank you anyway. However, I daresay I have a few of my own tricks. (chuckle is heard in Xyorph's mind) Stay near and keep an eye out for the other demons.

Maximus's attention once again focused completely on the battle.

"Forged the life within did you? Most interesting... A magic weilder you must be."

Maximus's eyes glowed with an intense blood red color as he snarled.

With a renewed effort and with high spirits he suddenly picked up his speed and power of his attacks, driving powerful blows towards Kazar.

"Come Kazar, show me your skills of the blade!"

Glamdring flew as a blur, gracefully and yet deadly arcing towards his opponent. Time and time again, Maximus kept up the pressure, tiring little, driving Kazar backwards.

Maximus laughed heartily.

Daniel looked on as Qui and Enamarica ran off in pursuit of Rave.

From behind him, Daniel heard a snort. He turned around and saw the dragon with his held cocked to one side. It's eyes looked balefully at Daniel.

Daniel did not say a word to his steed. Instead, he got back on and flew after them. He made sure to keep a respectable distance from them.

Even if she did not want it, Rave would get his assistance...

"Aye, a user of magic I do indeed be..."
Kazar-Tiyon had been using Shadowfang far longer than most civilizations had even existed, but Maximus was very skilled. His speed and strength kept K-T busy blocking, and even forced him gradually back... until he sensed a tree behind him.
Dropping suddenly to one knee, Kazar ducked a slash and thrust toward Maximus's chest with his sword.
OOC: Jump back, if you don't mind...

Kain span, the whipping of his crimson Cloak making himself look larger than he actually was. He had his plain staff by his side, his eyes narrowed at the wind, trying to detect what was around him.

"Free. Evolved." Kain simply said, his tone defensive yet with the concise slowness that kain had adopted. his staff shimmered slightly, the blue spheres of light dancing more rapidly now.

The voice twisted, becoming more familiar. A shadow of a figure appeared beside Kain. Prince Alexander Black "My, you are different, aren't you?" The spectral form looked around. "You're in grave danger... quickly, come with me."

A portal simmered in the air suddenly. On the other side was a blinding white light, a peaceful sound. Harps playing, perhaps.

<========>

Taliya snarled. Then she looked at the forest. "Forget this nonsense." Fires burst from her hands, scouring the forest. They didn't burn, they just crumbled the trees to ash and spread to the next one. Soon, Rave would be revealed.

Maximus was quick to respond, and leapt out of range of the vicious blade of Shadowfang.

He had jumped back quite a number of feet, and had landed upon his own feet, sliding backwards, with a hand lightly touching the ground and holding the dagger at the same time. Clouds of dust swirled about his feet, partially enveloping him in their grainy cloudiness.

He snarled once again...

OOC: KT, turn on IM...thanks.

Now K-T had a moment to act, and that was all he needed. He charged, Shadowfang flashing quickly; he did not seem any more tired than Maximus. At first the vampire countered without the least difficulty... but Kazar-Tiyon accelerated, each blow coming faster and harder than the one before it.
Soon the direction of the fight had reversed, with Maximus gradually retreating, and K-T didn't even lower his acceleration.

Xyorph saw the creature pushing Maximus backwards. In his mind Xyorph began to open a summoning portal. He also slid delicately down the tree, and rested at the bottom, preparing to return to his form as a man and join in the fight.

just say the word Maximus

Nez'gah continued to calmly walk through the forest, his touch leaving a path of death behind him. He could sense the dragon rider was close, he would have to settle this. Little did his enemy know that hundreds of years had passed within his realm, allowing him to become even more powerful.

"Omnus, do you not remember my warning at the end of our last meeting? You must grow tired of this existence. No need to worry, I have a new one waiting for you within the circles of hell."

Power began to surge off the demon lord, black waves eminating into the forest, speeding up the death of the surrounding environment. Within minutes, Nez'gah was surrounded by black. Either the black of dead matter or the charcol of burned plants. Omnus was close, within minutes.

Maximus was surprised at Kazar's renewed offensive, yet also pleased.

"Very good, very good. Now this is a fight worthy to be called honorable!"

Maximus's retreat backward gradually halted as he increased his own strength in his defensive blocks.

Just say the word Maximus...

Maximus redirected part of his attention to Xyorph once again.

I've got this under control, he and I are well matched. Stay out of sight.

When Maximus slowed, Kazar-Tiyon realized something had distracted him. He didn't pause to wonder what it was...
Instead, he flung himself toward Maximus with greater speed than he had showed before. This reckless tactic was enough of a surprise to the vampire that, distracted as he was, he did not have time to dodge. Glamdring and Shadowfang crashed together and bounced to the sides from the force of the collision. Maximus's elven dagger scraped on K-T's armored arm... but Kazar's dagger struck home, its blade sinking deep into the vampire's chest. Maximus collapsed as the two crashed together.
Kazar-Tiyon pulled the knife free and got to his feet, his red eyes glowing brightly...
http://66.0.193.113/isroot/www11650/ProductImages/mrl1702.jpg
Kazar's knife looks much like this, though black handled.

Maximus's hand lay over the gaping wound, blood rushing out quickly. He grimaced as he let out a roar of pain. Kazar stood over him, a look of victory upon his face.

Kazar looked triumphantly around at the woods, as if he were imagining an audience cheering for him.

A battle between gladiators within the Roman Coliseum . Swords clashing together, wounds inflicted, even death came to the unfortunate.

Kazar had made a mistake, and Maximus saw it. Suddenly, despite the incredible pain in his chest that threatened to knock himself unconscious, he gripped the handle of Glamdring tightly and thrust it forcefully into Kazar's chest. A screeching noise filled the air as Kazar's armor gave resistance for a brief moment, before emitting a shrieking sound as the Elven blade slid sharply through the metal and deeply into the torso of Kazar.

Kazar's smile vanished as he felt the blade within his chest. His eyes stared downward at Maximus in surprise.

Maximus used the leverage to get up unsteadily onto his feet. He yanked vertically, the blade slashing through the armor and flesh.

Kazar gasped in extreme pain.

"Those who live by the sword, die by mine..." Maximus muttered to Kazar, finally drawing the bloodied Glamring and slumping to the ground once more.

Maximus! came the cry from Xyorph.

I'm hurt Xyorph, I am, but stay where you are. I can take care of this wound...

Kazar-Tiyon screamed in agony as Glamdring's blade ripped through him. He collapsed to a sitting position, then fell flat on his back. Black blood poured from the gaping wound, forming a pool on the ground around him. Suddenly, red and black flames flared up from the bloody earth. An even louder scream, both physical and psychic, filled the air as the ten foot column of fire roared. Then the sound died out... not in the manner of a noise that grows quieter, but sounding as if the being that made it was being torn away some vast distance, in a direction unimaginable to normal minds...
When the flames died out, nothing remained except a blackened spot on the ground and an area where the plants had all been killed by contact with the blood of Kazar-Tiyon.
For a moment, silence filled the area.

Maximus's head swam as he tried to keep focused on the world around him.

Kazar had died, and his body had simply disappeared. Where to? Maximus did not care, he was more concerned about himself.

A pair of strong arms suddenly held him up. Maximus looked up into the face of Xyorph. His mouth opened to whisper:

"Xyorph...it hurts...so f*cking bad..."

Maximus's arm and clothing was drenched in his crimson colored blood.

"Xyorph...help me up..."

"No Maximus, you need t--"

"Damn it Xyorph, just do it!"

Xyorph helped Maximus sit into a vertical seating. A wave of pain seared Maximus's entire body.

Slowly Maximus looked about the clearing, eyes resting upon the bloodshed, the burn marks from Rave covering many of the trees and foliage.

Maximus whispered something, to which Xyorph did not catch, but sitll heard.

"Speak louder Maximus, stay conscious my friend!"

Lema ed' templa

Maximus vanished from Xyorph's hands. Xyorph panicked as he frantically searched for his friend. Suddenly he heard a message within his mind coming from Maximus:

Xyorph...I will be all right...it will take time...Take this advice from me: Andelu i ven...The path... is dangerous...

OOC: All right...I did this disappearing act for a reason. It's called Spring Break! I'll be back on the 22nd, so go ahead and continue this thread if you want. I'll catch up when I return...

Also, I will probably do one more post, this time mentioning of Maximus' beginning of his healing (yes, he's coming back into the thread!)

Rave's eyes narrowed as she saw fire approach her dirrection in the distance. Taking her hands before her, a white light entered as it seemed to be drawn from the landscape. The orb flickered, and she cast it down upon the forest as it erupt in to flames; a white hot fire. She raised her arm up, and the fire took off toward the other at an increasing rate.

Enamarcia looked up and swore to herself silently. "Qui?" she asked, both in a cold run. "Can you fix this?"

"Water is Gene's thing, not mine. It's a good conductor of electricity though..." A bit surged on his arm. "We can get it to rain I can fix in. Time for you to open the sky."

"I don't know if I can. Water is Genesis' thing, not mine."

Xyorph looked around. On his own. Completely on his own. He knew that out in the forest were Kain, Daniel and the on called Rave. If they were still alive of course.

He looked down at the blood staining his shirt-it was fortunate Maximus is a vampire he mused. In a moment the stains were gone.

Xyorph bent down and touched the scorched ground where the creature had disappeared. The grass grew back as it had been before, no trace of the burn was left.

Xyorph looked around. The forest was burning around him. Such a shame. The destruction of so much life. He changed back into a phoenix and rose into the sky; a phoenix from the ashes of the burning world aounrd him.

Time to go make a difference

Master, his power growing...

Do not worry Xuanyu. I have grown far more powerful than he can ever imagine. He will be surprised.

Master, you are no match for his dark powers...

Even with you Xuanyu?

Perhaps... If I can siphon his dark magic into my blade I can perhaps defeat him...

But Xuanyu, you run the risk of corrupting yourself...

A small price to pay to protect you...

Daniel flew onward, but slowed when he heard not one, but TWO psychic cries echo trhoughout the forest.

"Maximus..."

Daniel continued on, after Rave.

The voice twisted, becoming more familiar. A shadow of a figure appeared beside Kain. Prince Alexander Black "My, you are different, aren't you?" The spectral form looked around. "You're in grave danger... quickly, come with me."

A portal simmered in the air suddenly. On the other side was a blinding white light, a peaceful sound. Harps playing, perhaps.



Kain raised his eyebrow at this apparation, his rbown eyes trying to see who this figure was. He recognised it, yet he did not. His memory was still fuzzy upon figures, due to his "Rebirth" as Kain coined the experiance. But then, his memory came together to form a slightly blurred painting.

Had Kain still had the demonic blade, and his previous mind set, he would have been far more cynical about this entire experiance, he would suspect something from every quarter. But gone was that from his mind. For once, it might have been beinifical.

Kain, with his realisation of who this was, this person who had been an ally....of sorts with him, trusted his preconception of him. Yet the current Alexander was far different from the one which had assisted Kain.

"Alexander?" Kain said, rather astonished at this apparenation which came before him. The sounds of the harps and trumpets seemed very odd, but when magic was concerned, what was odd in comparison? Alexander could be in a higher plane right now for all Kain knew.

Kain walked through the portal, and half-way through his transending into whatever place had been prepared for Kain's containment, Cloak bellowed, filled with the relevations that Kain did not know.

Stop! It is a tr-

But by then, Kain's white robed form had entirely gone through that decieving portal, and into his prison, at the mercy of his captor.

(OOC I can edit that if you want to decieve him when he goes in or something)

Alexander stepped forward as Kain entered. The portal closed. "Welcome, Kain. Welcome...," the peaceful surroundings twisted and faded, becoming replaced by a dry, harsh, salt pan. The sky became as black as coal, and vision became difficult, "to my afterlife. And your death."

Alexander turned so his entire body was visible to Kain. His left arm seemed to be made of black stone, of ebony. The left half of his face, as well. His eye on that side was little more than a glowing flame set inside a cavity of the rock. In the transformed hand was a rapier, which shifted and twisted, seeming to be more alive than the man that held it. On the hilt, a single eye blinked.

And far away, so far away that it seemed to be almost an illusion, a single red orb floated in the air.
<============>

Taliya laughed, and absorbed the fire as it returned. She saw the path it had come from, and swooped down. She heard a voice then, a voice which also spread to everyone in the forest.

WE HAVE KAIN!

Alexander stepped forward as Kain entered. The portal closed with a loud flash. "Welcome, Kain. Welcome...," the peaceful surroundings twisted and faded, becoming replaced by a dry, harsh, salt pan. The sky became as black as coal, and vision became difficult, "to my afterlife. And your death."

Alexander turned so his entire body was visible to Kain. His left arm seemed to be made of black stone, of ebony. The left half of his face, as well. His eye on that side was little more than a glowing flame set inside a cavity of the rock. In the transformed hand was a rapier, which shifted and twisted, seeming to be more alive than the man that held it. On the hilt, a single eye blinked.

And far away, so far away that it seemed to be almost an illusion, a single red orb floated in the air.
<============>

Taliya laughed, and absorbed the fire as it returned. She saw the path it had come from, and swooped down. She heard a voice then, a voice which also spread to everyone in the forest.

WE HAVE KAIN!

We Have Kain!

The voice echoed through his head, causing the demon to smile. Things were going well, even if a few unexpected factions had arrived.

Nez'gah could now see the shadow of Omnus in the distance. He would be ready for him, his power surging forth in anticipation. The demon grinned as he ran through several ways to kill Omnus, ways that would involve large amounts of pain.

Rave took in a breath as she heard the proclaimation. Kain had come as well?! No no no...this was all wrong. No one was supposed to come. No one was supposed to die on their account. "NO!" She screamed in frustration. Her neonate had been taken. Her cry could be heard throughout the forest.

Qui swore to himself. "She's gonna loose her grip..." he barked at Enamarcia as they ran.

"No..." she said, stopping to look at the seraphim who had stopped before them in the night sky. "No...she's...taking her restoration into herself."

Rave growled, her fangs baring as she saw Taliya. Her hair brew back from the winds that were gathering. It returned to a darker auburn state. Her eyes flickered crimson as her wings turned a brilliant ebony. The metal over her hands had also blackened. The jewel on her forehead remained a brilliant white. And through this darkness, she could be seen. This is who she was. A seraphim; a light to some, a darkness to others.

She raised her hands, the sharp ends of the metal gleaming upon each hand. Her eyes singled out Taliya. Hell's angel stared her down, her eyes raging with fire.

Enamarcia's eyes went wide, and Qui's jaw dropped. Enamarcia gritted her teeth, and spread her white wings to leap into the air. Her icy white hair trailed with blue undertones. Her silvery eyes fell on Taliya as she stood before Azrael.

Rave was not shocked by this gesture. They protected each other to no end. [i]Enamarcia...let me deal with her.

Enamarcia cast Rave's request away with her hand. Go... Ena ordered. There are far bigger demons you have to deal with.

I can handle her---

I know...Now go! Ena ordered. Ravelyn nodded to this and sped off through the fire towared Alexander's location.

Enamarcia turned to Taliya. "Hello....Taliya." She said in a melodic voice. "I've been waiting a long time for you.." A white staff was in her hand, and she raised it in front of her.

Qui swore once again, and took off after Rave.

Taliya laughed. "Enamarcia, dear. It's been so long, hasn't it. Ever since you sealed me away... but I'm not bitter." The woman drew a pair of oriental swords from behind her. The katana burst into hot flame, and the wakisazhi glowed with a phenomenal coldness. "Not at all..." she laughed. "Make your move!"

Rave, Kain is with my master... he's lost to you... just like you took Mephisto, we have taken Kain. An eye for an eye...

OOC: Before you do anything rash, check with me first, Rave. Remember the plan...

The massive figure of Lord Arithon appeared before Kain. Although it didn't seem possible, the darkness seemed darker, the air more stagnant and a feeling of impending doom filled the dungeon. Stepping out of the shadows, Arithon grinned, displayed several blackened or yellow fangs as he looked down upon the small figure that was Kain Shentavo.

"Kain Shentavo. For too long you have hindered the efforts of my kind to consume your world. No more! Your time is nigh and there is nothing you or any of your kind can do about it!"

Arithon's voice echoed off the chamber walls, making it sound as if he was speaking with multiple booming voices.

Kain simply looked on to this figure, with wide eyes, realisation seeping in as Cloak's words came to him. The warning had come too late.

He closed his eyes and breathed out. His staff was raised and it shone a brilliant white, and Kain opened his eyes with the resolve of a being who knew that he could nto win, but he would be damned if he wasn't going to try.

Kain span his staff around in a clockwise motion, speaking as he did so. Kain had the knowledge of the demonkind, one of the small blessings of having a demonic guardian.

The shield began to raise around Kain, the sphere of crimson light, covered with demonic runes of power came over. Arithon could see that this was a rather powerful shield, one which many lesser demons would have difficulty with.

But then, something happened. Kain's eyes changed in thier emotion, something had gone wrong. The sheild began to flicker, the shield was breaking down. The staff became a column of flame, and Kain screamed as his hands were consumed by the devil fire.

His mind was racing through the possibilities, betrayal, a counter spell, anythign at all. But the final sickening conclusion that was...

"I am not powerful enough without him!" Kain gasped out in horrified revelation of his current state. Without his demonic companion with him, his powers were severely reduced. Before he would have no trouble with such a gathering of energy, but his mind seemed clumsy now, the swift mental disciplines which he would have enactyed upon the spell, now eluded him. He felt enraged by the entire situation, looking at Arithon's mocking face of victory.

He fell to his knees as hellfire consumed his hands, they crept up them, the enrgies which he had summoned had turned upon his weaker mind and body. He felt the scorching flame, like acid upon his pale white flesh and was close to passing out from the agony.

"No.....I will not allow this!" Kain screamed in defiance, his white hair snapping back as he looked at Arithon, his white marble face lit up fantasticly in the flames which raged against his hands, the battle of wills continuing in all of it's dramatics. Only Arithon had not even made an attack, the fact maddened Kain, like a thorn inside his mind.

Cloak was wipping around, feeling the frustrations and anguish Kain was enduring, it's own colour snapping from black, to red, to white in a storm of emotions. It was trying to raise it's own magic, yet...it could not for some reason.

Kain's defiant words had no conviction, he could not summon a counter spell. He fell onto his hands, gasping for breath as the flame consumed his arms now, his mind desperatly trying to scratch out of this infuriating prision. He knew what the infomation was, yet he did not! The paths were blocked it seemed, like when a word is on the tip of your tounge. It drove Kain mad with his own inferior form, yet he would never had had the demon as his company again.

His arms shook, his entire body convulsed as he barely kept the flames at bay, upon his hands at knees. He stared at Arithon, holding onto conciousness, looking at those mocking eyes. Kain was persistant in his struggling....

"It wasn't I who condemned you," Enamarcia snapped at Taliya in a melodic voice. "It was your actions Taliya then sent you into eternal fire. What did you do? Whore your way out of hell?" Ena challenged her. She knew well how strong the chains were, but with outside help it could be accomplished.

Her white staff glowed in a white aura slightly, as she prepared a counter attack. "After you..."
__

Rave took off toward Alexander, not knowing who nor where she was going. Qui had a hard time keeping up, and stopped momentarily.

"Screw this..." he remarked as his muscles contracted black wings tore through his back. The difference was, he reveled in the pain. The only part of his mother he had in him was his mind and his wings. They were torn and blackened. Feathers fell to the ground. He leapt up into the air, and caught sight of Rave. He sped towards her, though six wings are faster than two. It was clear he was on the darker side of things, embracing his vampiric side given to him by his father rather than the angelic side given by his mother.

Omnus Stormrider stopped. With a sigh, he sat down upon the ground and assumed a meditative stance. Breathing slowly, Omnus released the multitude of fear that he possessed, steeling himself for the upcoming battle with Nez'gah.

Come Nez'gah, you will feel the might of a true dragonlord. You will meet your defeat and I shall fulfill my destiny...

With a grunt, Omnus sent the Hellblade exploding out of its sheath. The Hellblade spun in the air and landed blade down in the ground. Chanting softly, Omnus sent the Hellblade out of the ground. The Hellblade began to spin around Omnus, as Omnus utilized his ultimate defensive technique, the Infinity Swords Skill...

Daniel slowed down the dragon as he approached the battle scene of Taliya and Enamarcia. Even from the sky, he could see that their magik auras were being readied for battle.

Daniel landed the dragon and bidded it to fly away, only to return at his behest. He saw it take off, and then went to the edge of the forest clearing.

"Enamarcia, dear. It's been so long, hasn't it. Ever since you sealed me away... but I'm not bitter."

"It wasn't I who condemned you, it was your actions Taliya then sent you into eternal fire. What did you do? Whore your way out of hell?"

The agent smiled. Nothing like a good cat fight, he alwasy said.

He would not intervene, unless it looked like the battle was not going towards Enamarcia's way.

So he watched...

Taliya flew towards Enamarcia, her swords blazing with blue and red light. There was a hiss as she stabbed them towards the angel's wings. "Whore is not a word for seraphim, Taliya."

<===========>

Alexander coughed. "Lord Arithon, I believe we will soon have a guest. Remember the plan, my lord. I will take this pathetic creature to the cells, and then, once we have the other Shentavos, you may kill this one."

"Yeah," Enamarcia said, her staff coming up to meet the sword swiftly. "No kidding." Enamarcia had never been in love. She wasn't capable of the "love" that another seraphim was. She was programed. However, it would be a lie to say she felt no emotion. She wasn't originally hard tounged. It was a trait she had picked up from Azrael.

She pushed away from Taliya, and quickly formed an orb of white light in her left hand. She whipped it at the woman in front of her. If anything could defeat darkness, it was light.
___________

Rave landed swiftly, her crimson eyes searching about the small clearing. Something was there, and she knew it. What she didn't know was where. The angel was at a high, surpassing Enamarcia by quite a noticible amount. But why?

Qui took cover in the woods and darkness, folding his black wings behind him. He was never one for the light, and was probably more similar to a demon rather than an angel. His vampiric side was completely dominant in that respect.

Taliya idly batted the ball away with her swords, not noticing the pain. "Bitch." She pointed the katana at Enamarcia, and a bolt of fire shot from it. At the same time, she began to recite a spell.

From out of nowhere, a black force shot into the seraphim.

As the fire rushed toward her, she brought her staff up as it froze before her. She was much suprised, however, when tendrils of darkness reached for her. She leapt back, but a ray sliced easily through her shoulder. She winced as her precious blood fell to the ground.

Arithon nodded as Alexander turned up again.

"Very well Black. It seems I have other matters to attend to for the moment."

In a gust of swirling darkness, Lord Arithon disappeared.
__________

Without warning, a dark portal tore its way through the dimensional barriers and sprung to life within the clearing near Rave. Demonic power crackled around it as it consumed the living environment around it, creating a clearing of desolate black.

The portal widened until it stood twice the height of the seraphim, and easily twice the width. A sense of pain and suffering could be detected from the opening, screams of tortured souls could be heard echoing through the demonic tunnel.

Then they appeared. Horrific images. At first they were random souls having their essence stripped away by the cruel masters of hell. Finally the images melded into two familiar faces. Izual and Kain. Izual's face was contorted in pain as he was hung to a wall with stakes through his angelic wings whilst attempting to keep prying demons out of his mind. Kain lay on the ground, suffering searing pain as demonic flames engulfed his arm and spread over his body.

As if the pair knew Rave was there, they both turned and stared toward the angelic figure.

Help us......... Rave....... we need you.....

Their tormented screams continued to echo out of the portal, reaching Rave's ears.
______________

Nez'gah stepped out of the growth and into the clearing. Omnus stood there, swording swinging around his figure.

"Ah Omnus. I did warn you last time about the consequences of us meeting again. Your actions are foolish, you will not live past this day."

Shadows flowed around Nez'gah as he summoned demonic energies. His ash black hair swirled in the force of such power as lightning began to surge around his form.

"You will suffer the consequences!"

Taliya smirked. "Ah, that's a first... soon, you will die!"

<=======>

Alexander slammed Kain into the wall. "Get into your cell," the man said, as tentacles unfolded and held the vampire.

"NO!"

Daniel leapt out into sight of Taliya.

She looked at him and smirked.

"And who are you, little man?"

Daniel drew his Strigoi-Upir and held it before him.

"My name is Able, Agent Daniel Able of the Valient DEO. Step away from her now." Pointing at Enarmarcia. "I don't want to hurt you..."

Get out of here Daniel. Run. Rave needs more help than I. You must find her, help her... Enamarcia cringed as she felt the darkness seep into her body. She looked at her hands, which seemed to be fading in and out before her. Now she knew how there were two seraphim on earth at the time. She was never there to begin with. Am I a vision? A simple memory? How can I affect things if I am thus... She trailed off, an looked toward Taliya. She raised her staff and swung it around her as ice surged up from the ground for her to stand on. She brought her staff forward the wound getting increasingly worse, but her essence holding. A blinding white light seared toward Taliya. It had been the attack Rave had used to defeat Xzar...

Another shot out as the seraphim made her last attempts.

Ravelyn stood strong, not by these vision nor souls. "Just visions...Nothing more." She held her ground, knowing very well that the images before her were simply that.

Omnus spoke loud and clear, without opening his eyes.

"This battle was fated to occur... There was nothing we could do to stop it... I am ready for you Nez'gah, let's see who is the better of the two of us..."

Opening his eyes, Omnus revealed eyes without pupils and filled with golden light.

"Come Nez'gah, let us finish what we began so many years ago...

And with that Omnus exploded into the sky. Hovering above Nez'gah with his Hellblade whirling around him, Omnus's hands began to trace several shapes. His right hand traced the shape of the dragon in the Chinese zodiac, while his left hand traced the shape of the Draco constellation.

Slowly behind Omnus it seemed two shapes formed, two dragons, slowly melding into one and then slowly disappearing into Omnus.

"What is your inane fascination with this repetitive-" Kain struggled with the words are the swirling pillars of fire consumed his arms. They were held at bay, in fact, Kain was gaining some ground upon the demonic fire.

"reptitive situation...you constantly....seem driven to...place me in." Kain said to Arithon, trying to get his body back in check, his mind numbed by the pain which surronded and crushed it.

Taliya brushed the attack aside, contemptuously. "Who do you think you are, Enamarcia? You don't even exist on this plane!" The demoness clasped her hands together. "By darkness's wrath, and as lights bane, as servant of truth, and shadowy blades, let all illusions become unmade, and allow the world to be as it was truly made!"

A wind blew towards Enamarcia, and as it passed, magic became unravelled. Taliya then wheeled about, and faced Able. "So, the little man thinks he can hurt me?"

She paused, and then closed her eyes. Blackness came from the very sky around her, and then...

there was this... blinding darkness, which held and tore at all... until Taliya reappeared, in her true form. Red flames crackled along every inch of that scarred and pitted body. Two cinders looked out beneath full, curving ramshorns, and a slit of a nose was made entirely of fire. Huge, leathery wings unfolded, larger than Rave's wings, blacker than coal. HOW ABOUT NOW?

<============>

Alexander sighed. "Kain, it will be easier on us both if you, you know, called Ravelyn in here. Otherwise, I'll be forced to enflict pain upon you, and..."

the former Prince snapped his fingers. Izual appeared beside him, bound, his body wracked with wounds and bleeding from many places. "And put him out of my misery." Alexander floated into the air, settling back as if a chair was under him. "We have so much to catch up on, don't we, my friends... and do stop resisting, will you? Otherwise I might just show you my master in all his glory..."

Daniel Able looked up at the whole of Taliya.

He couldn't help but think that perhaps he had gotten in over his head. He took a look at the Demon's huge wings and KNEW that he had.

However, another part of his psyche revelled in the thought: he was Strigoi. He could handle this...

Daniel stepped forward one step and closed his eyes. He reached out one hand and clenched it into a fist.

On the far side of the clearing, a large tree uprooted itself and hovered metres above the ground.

ABle swung his hand in a short arc.

The tree hurtled toward Taliya's large, grotesque form...

Taliya batted the tree aside with her hand, and faced Able down, menacingly. She reached forward, and contemptuously slapped him.

The images continued to play, shifting around Rave. Darkness. Absolutely nothing. The portal merely sat there, open and blank. Without warning, a beam of crimson light shot out of the portal and struck Rave in the face. It seemed to have no effect. Vision left the angel.

Finally able to see once again, Rave was surrounded by the demonic environment of Alexander's torture chamber. Kain and Izual lay on the searing rock floor, steam pouring off their singed skin. Eyes full of pain and anguish, they looked up to Rave simultaneously.

Rave...... help us....... we need you Rave........ they'll kill us!

The stench of sulphur filled the air as Rave felt the heat of the intense flames around her. It was all so real, the smells, the feel, the pain.
__________

Nez'gah grinned.

"You will have to do more than a few Chinese New Year tricks to get yourself out of this dragon rider!"

The demon lord levitated into the air, darkness completely engulfing his form as demonic energy was released from his stores. The power surged through the darkness, imbuing Nez'gah with his true form. Muscles bulged as the demon's skin turned into a thick hide and massive wings exploded out of his back. Transformation complete, the shadows melted away to reveal the sword bearing Nez'gah.

http://www.digikitten.com/playhousev2/files/evilwill/Nezgah.jpg

OOC: Sorry, stupid internet connection.

IC:

Xyorph saw the dragon he had given daniel flying off into the distance. He searched around with his mind. Everyone had gone. Kain was off the radar. The one called Rave was out of sight. And Maximus was, unavailable.

In the clearing below he saw Daniel taking a slap from a demoness. Rage bubbled up within him. The world was collapsing around him, and he wasn't going to stand by and watch.

He flew down into the clearing behind the demoness. He made eye contact with Daniel.

it is time for chivalry to be put aside. We cannot take her individually, but maybe together!

Xyorph raised an arm and tendrils began to reach out of the ground up at the demoness. Behind him he opened a portal and brought through two large rock-fire golems to back him up.

ooc: Please please please do NOT pre-empt. It's one of my pet peeves. You don't know how my character will react, nor others. Some may suprise you, and that is what makes an rp interesting.

Qui watched intrigued at what was going on. He watched as Azrael was taken into the light. He knew where she was going. "Taking hell's angel into hell, eh?" That was possibly the worst thing they could do. There was a reason that hell guarded itself well from keeping the seraphim out. Seraphim can do quite a lot of damage in total darkness. They can bring light to it.

Qui leaned against the tree, his wings withdrawing. He hated them so. He lit a cigarette with the flames from the burning forest and inhaled deeply.

There was a reason that Rave felt no fear in this. First being that she didn't fear darkness, the vampiric side of her embraced it while her angelic side stood strong against it. The second being....it wasn't the first time she had been there.

She looked around to see Izual and Kain on the ground. She was about to start towards them, but haulted. She had thought of all the times Kain had asked for help and not once has he begged his life. Not once has he put himself before any one.

She removed her whips from her side and unfurled each of them in either hand. She lashed out, both trying to encompass around a wrist of either.

"You waste your time with false images and broken demons..." she said, seemingly knowing something that wished to be kept secret. "If this is the best you think you can do...hell may freeze over. And I thank you for the invitation. You saved me a lot of trouble." She hissed.

___

Enamarcia was thrown back and nearly fell to the ground. The darkness was taking it's heavy toll upon her. She had to fight...she couldn't stop now. She raised her staff and closed her eyes. A blinding light was sent out through the air like an encompassing sphere. It was not something that could be brushed aside with the back of the hand.

Omnus grinned at Nez'gah's stupidity.

"This is no cheap parlor trick Nez'gah... You will see my power soon enough..."

And with that Omnus descended, his palms extended, outlining the shape of a dragon... With a roar, Omnus began to change...

Daniel closed his eyes and opened both of his hands. Immediately, a silverhaze surrounded he and Xyorph.

He sent out a thought-message to his ally "Do not worry. This is a simple shield. It will protect us from whatever she" pointing to Enarmarcia, "is doing."

The blinding light grew ever brighter.

"Not now... not yet. We cannot do anything to her yet. Only Enarmarcia can.. the lady does not know how to quit..."

Taliya screamed in anger. "Bitch!" The light energy slashed through her essence like a knife through butter. "So cowardly as to not face me with your true form?"

The demoness retaliated with an attack that bolted through the air, and into the seraphim. Black lightning shot from the sky, and the very air around them seemed to contort her essence. Taliya then looked at Able. "Pitiful mortal, your death is soon."

<========>

Alexander decided to take matters into his own hands. Arithon couldn't get a mouse to eat cheese.

A portal appeared beside Rave. This time, it was a simple blackness, not the trap he had used on Kain. "Greetings, Ravelyn Shentavo... you are to be congratulated. I see that the death of your beloved has... sharpened your instincts."

Alexander paused, and continued. "Yes... do you remember Vaughan's death, Rave? I know you do... oh, the pain... but... I see now, that you have gotten over it... yes... you have forgotten him..." The voice hissed around, burrowing into them all. "And remember how your own son, how he killed your other fledgelings? How he is turning to the darkness? I know... I know... I understand... and now... your other fledgeling... the protector of balance... he is mine... all mine." The attack, when it came, was fatal, final. A massive outpouring of grief and rage, bursting into the minds of everyone in the forest, forcing them to live through all the pain they had ever suffered, all at once. Memories wafted through, slicing apart the minds.

In the air, Taliya paused, her mind returning to that agony of imprisonment, of total darkness and an unending sleep... and that day when her master had been imprisoned and she and all her ilk had as well been imprisoned.

And through all the pain, and anger, and sadness, the voice of Prince Alexander Black, the master of sorrow, could still be heard. "I am your friend, Rave. Please, step into the portal, into the cleansing darkness..."

OOC: Sure. Sorry about that. :oops:

IC: Arithon cursed from behind his portal. The seraphim was far smarter than he had anticipated. He had sat idle within his world for far too long. Best let Alexander handle things. The portal remained open, but the images faded into darkness. He merely watched Black do his work. Once inside his realm, the seraphim could not match him, it would be over.
__________

Nez'gah lay against a tree as Omnus began to chance, slightly bored. He wasn't intimidated by this enemy. He had been stronger than Omnus many years ago and he was now even stronger. There would be no challenge.

The wave of agony hit him completely unexpectedly. The pain and anger of his banishment from this realm filled his head. The day when the combined forces of inquisitors and Kain had destroyed his physical form and sent him into the depths of the demonic realm to be ridiculed by others for centuries.

Black......

The pain subsided as Nez'gah realised the source, the black prince was doing his part, even if it did effect his allies. The demon lord retunred his attention to Omnus.

"So dragon rider. I have many methods to employ, which way would you like to die?"

A portal appeared beside Rave. This time, it was a simple blackness, not the trap Alex had used on Kain. "Greetings, Ravelyn Shentavo... you are to be congratulated. I see that the death of your beloved has... sharpened your instincts."

Rave immediately turned to Alexander, flicking her whips back for her to lash out again if needed. Her crimson eyes sharpened on Alexander. She could not be fooled easily by images; she had a clear sense when it came to that. Words, however, invoked a different type of feeling.

Alexander paused, and continued. "Yes... do you remember Vaughn's death, Rave? I know you do... oh, the pain... but... I see now, that you have gotten over it... yes... you have forgotten him..." The voice hissed around, burrowing into them all.

Her fists clenched tightly around the grip, her left eye tearing slightly, though she did not let it be seen. How dare you even mention his name to me. she snapped at him, and Alex could tell her rage was building. Vaughn is one name that shouldn't be allowed to pass through your vile lips.


"And remember how your own son, how he killed your other fledgelings? How he is turning to the darkness? I know... I know... I understand... and now... your other fledgeling... the protector of balance... he is mine... all mine."

"That is highly doubtful," she said with a twisted smile. "If it was true, then you wouldn't of had to attempt to fool me with some fake images. I know very well that your hold around him is not complete. Oh no, even more than you could ever comprehend." her eyes flickered, withdrawing from the thought of Michael. No...she had never forgotten. She never would.

She paused for a moment to let him finish. "Cleansing darkness? You've got to be kidding me." She chuckled to herself, and raised her hand slightly still holding the whip. "Seraphim." she said, her smile fading She looked around slightly. Where are they? she was expecting for Alexander to throw something at her in another form. He never did do his own work.

"Just how nieve do you think I am? I am no fledgling, I am an ancient of the order." It was strange. She looked only twenty five...she would never change... "Come on Alex," she taunted slyly. "Let's dance." Her whips cracked out toward him with her sheer strength behind her.
__________

Enamarcia laughed slightly at the title Taliya had given her. She was pushed back further with the force, and cringed as the pain ricochetted across her body. howver, her prayers were heard once again, and a blinding light shot out once again from her in Taliya's folly. This could not go on for long. The pure light would fade with her essense.

OOC: Someone kindly remind Kain he needs to post, at least occasionally! Rave, how about you?

IC:

Alexander snorted. "You wish to face me? Please... kindly step inside, into the darkness. I could compell you to, my power is stronger now than ever. But I wish only to speak to you, m'lady. I can not leave this place. And I assure you, I do have Kain. It matters not to me whether you believe it or not. He is here, and he is my prisoner."

The voice became steely. "It is only our previous friendship that keeps me from striking him, and you, down. Don't make this hard on yourself." He didn't even flinch as the whip flew towards him. It went into the portal, and became stuck, slowly being sucked within. Alexander counter-attacked, a wash of misery entering Ravelyn, sapping her will.

"Hmmm... perhaps, if you enter, you might find your precious and beloved Vaughan? Perhaps, if you enter, you might find peace..." Alexander stepped back, and another image appeared beside him, an image of her beloved. Not as she had last seen him, but as he had been when they first met.

Even as she watched, though, Alexander reached out, and slammed his fist through the image's head. It exploded in blood. Another image appeared. This one Alexander eviscerated, leaving only the head staring in agony. "I know I'm hurting you, Ravelyn. And there is no reason for it. I only want to talk."

OOC: Someone kindly remind Kain he needs to post, at least occasionally! Rave, how about you?

IC:

Alexander snorted. "You wish to face me? Please... kindly step inside, into the darkness. I could compell you to, my power is stronger now than ever. But I wish only to speak to you, m'lady. I can not leave this place. And I assure you, I do have Kain. It matters not to me whether you believe it or not. He is here, and he is my prisoner."

The voice became steely. "It is only our previous friendship that keeps me from striking him, and you, down. Don't make this hard on yourself." He didn't even flinch as the whip flew towards him. It went into the portal, and became stuck, slowly being sucked within. Alexander counter-attacked, a wash of misery entering Ravelyn, sapping her will.

"Hmmm... perhaps, if you enter, you might find your precious and beloved Vaughan? Perhaps, if you enter, you might find peace..." Alexander stepped back, and another image appeared beside him, an image of her beloved. Not as she had last seen him, but as he had been when they first met.

Even as she watched, though, Alexander reached out, and slammed his fist through the image's head. It exploded in blood. Another image appeared. This one Alexander eviscerated, leaving only the head staring in agony. "I know I'm hurting you, Ravelyn. And there is no reason for it. I only want to talk."

<======>

Taliya took a step back, but then considered her actions. "Your prayers are answered... lacking faith in your own power?" The demoness laughed. "Unholy One, blessed be you! May it be in your dark plan that the powers of unending night come to my aid, once more, as they did in the past. May the cleansing begin!"

Taliya started to call up a huge summoning of dark power.

OOC: Is Xyorph stil out there with Daniel and Taliya? Cos if so, I hate to be irritating, but Taliya has an attack to respond to...

IC: Xyorph continued to raise the vines out of the ground and around the legs of the demoness, who appeared not to have noticed.

Behind Xyorph the two rock-fire golems stod, awaiting commands. Smoke was rising gently off them as they drew their swords and moved to the side of their master.

The very instant the vines touched her, they shrivelled and died, as the pure evil and unnaturalness seeped through her and into them.

In her true form, nothing of nature could harm her...

OOC:... and you need to get MSN messenger, Ed.

OOC:... and you need to get MSN messenger, Ed.

I'm working on it lol.

In her last breath she rushed at Taliya, blood falling only to vanish on the ground like it were a hologram. Her staff was driven toward her stomach in a blinding white light, and Enamarcia cringed, and fell from the sky like a broken dove. She fell upon the ground, her white feathers stained with blood. Her hand gripped the earth, and a tear fell from her eye.
________

"Rest assured," Rave said, her tone becoming quite harsh. Perhaps it was the mention of Vaughn, or perhaps she just hated Alexander. Probably the earlier of the two. "You can not compell me Alexander as you would another. My mind is something you don't want to get into right now." And this was true. As much as she hid the pain completely on the outside, there was so much inside, and her mind was quite a confusing place.

She released the whip as it was drawn. She needed no weapons at her side. She kept the other one in her left hand. An image of Vaughn appeared beside her and rage filled her within. "He's not in hell, Alexander." She snapped at him. "He wouldnt' belong there!"

As Alex striked, she hissed at him, baring her fangs quite viciously. You could see a flame reflectesd in her eyes. "Fuel for the fire, Alex..." She claimed as her anger started to grow.

Alexander wasn't at all worried. "Please. I can not be harmed until you enter the portal." A caring tone came to his words. "Dear, sweet, Ravelyn... look at you, you're crying... you made the wrong decision, Ravelyn."

He paused, and continued. "I once thought like you, but then I saw the possibilities... all..." he clasped a hand to his forehead, and swayed. "Uch. It is tiring to hold this open, Ravelyn. You can come in here, and save Kain, or you may never see him again."

<========>

Taliya also fell to the ground, her black blood staining the earth and poisoning it. "I... won't... die... before I see you dead, Enamarcia!"

Daniel dropped the shield covering him and Xyorph. He looked at his ally and nodded.

Daniel used his telekineses to launch a huge boulder at Taliya

Arithon decided to leave matters into Alexander's hands and pursue his own task. Closing the portal, he launched his awareness into the world until he found the location of another Shentavo. Qui.

The demon lord watched the son of Rave, waiting for his oppurtunity.

"Well that would be a shame," her demeanor hardened instantly, as if he had said something to trigger it. He did. "As much as I care for Kain," she twisted her words. She did care for him, but that was well hidden from prying minds. "I've prolonged his life so many times by saving him that it's just become a nussaince." She stretched slightly, her magnificant wings shifting behind her. "Oh and if that portal is so hard to hold open, then I should leave you there." She began to walk away.

OOC: Sure. Sorry about that. :oops:

IC: Arithon cursed from behind his portal. The seraphim was far smarter than he had anticipated. He had sat idle within his world for far too long. Best let Alexander handle things. The portal remained open, but the images faded into darkness. He merely watched Black do his work. Once inside his realm, the seraphim could not match him, it would be over.
__________

Nez'gah lay against a tree as Omnus began to chance, slightly bored. He wasn't intimidated by this enemy. He had been stronger than Omnus many years ago and he was now even stronger. There would be no challenge.

The wave of agony hit him completely unexpectedly. The pain and anger of his banishment from this realm filled his head. The day when the combined forces of inquisitors and Kain had destroyed his physical form and sent him into the depths of the demonic realm to be ridiculed by others for centuries.

Black......

The pain subsided as Nez'gah realised the source, the black prince was doing his part, even if it did effect his allies. The demon lord retunred his attention to Omnus.

"So dragon rider. I have many methods to employ, which way would you like to die?"

Omnus stood and turned to face Nez'gah, his eyes blazing golden and dark light.

"I am no mere dragonrider, Nez'gah... I am the Eternal Dragon, something thou cannot ever hope to understand. Thy art nothing but a short impediment to my progress. Come Nez'gah and feel the pain thy felt when Kain obliterated you!"

With a narrowing of his eyes, Omnus sent the Hellblade screaming through the air towards Nez'gah. As the Hellblade neared Nez'gah, it disappeared replaced by thousands of golden and dark swords lacing towards Nez'gah.

"Let us see if you are powerful enough to defeat Xuanyu..."

Alexander slammed Kain into the wall. "Get into your cell," the man said, as tentacles unfolded and held the vampire.

Kain was slammed into the wall, his Cloak shimmering a slight gold. And then, he looked straight into Alexander's eyes, and he chuckled darkly to himself, even as he was held by those horrible tentacles.

"You seem to me, as though you are infuriated by me, my simple presance in any realm. I find it highly amusing, that that demon which kept me alive and prisoner, was the one one of your kind who came close to killing me." Kain shuckled some more to himself, his tone mocking yet slow.

Kain was hurled into the prison, and was kept there, his own thoughts his company. Cloak was silent, unable to speak in such a place.

(OOC Sorry for lateness)

Nez'gah stood upright and focused on the incoming objects. He waited. Just before the small blades came into contact with him, the demon lord released a wave of darkness, surging forth from his body and pushing the blades back. The force knocked over smaller trees and the blades landed far in the distance. Nez'gah grinned as he moved toward Omnus.

"You have no understanding of what I have become."

The light began to fade even though flames surrounded the pair. Tendrils of darkness stretched forth, seeking to wrap around Omnus and drain his life.

"You are a fool, Nez'gah... Do you know what I am? I am a hybrid of the darkness and the light. A melding of the dragons and the demons. Something beyond your wildest dreams... You shall see soon enough."

With a roar, Omnus slammed his right palm into the ground, sending a massive shockwave out and splitting the ground in half. Muttering a swift incantation, Omnus sent waves of molten lava screaming towards Nez'gah...

OOC:

For those who may be interested, Cousin Eddie now has MSN!!! :mrgreen:

If you want to talk to me, then TG me for my address. Yey, I'm in the 21st century!

Xyorph looked at women strewn across the floor. He could smell the black blood, poisoning the earth. He prepared to move his Golems in for the kill.

To Daniel, he sent a though

Should we do something

"Well that would be a shame," her demeanor hardened instantly, as if he had said something to trigger it. He did. "As much as I care for Kain," she twisted her words. She did care for him, but that was well hidden from prying minds. "I've prolonged his life so many times by saving him that it's just become a nussaince." She stretched slightly, her magnificant wings shifting behind her. "Oh and if that portal is so hard to hold open, then I should leave you there." She began to walk away.

Alexander coughed, his voice seeming cold and terrible. "You wish me to leave this place?" Alexander smiled. "Very well... but first, I want to show you something."

Alexander snapped his fingers. The first portal disappeared, and a second portal appeared directly in front of Rave. It began to slowly bend around her.

There was no way for her to go anywhere else, but into the portal.

Alexander tied the spell off, and then looked at Kain. "Is that anyway to talk to an old friend, Kain? I'm hurt. After all the times we had, everything we did..." For a brief second, Alexander seemed human again. "I'm sorry about this, Kain. Truly. But it is neccessary."

"Oh...really?" Kain said without emotion, sitting at the corner of his cell. The light cast great shadows accross his pearl white face,making him appear like he was before with his green demonic apppearance. His eyes were still shining through that darkness, that brown ocean of emotion frozen, revealing nothing.

"We seemed to have evolved somewhat since we saw each other last. I see that you, have changed considerably. And what was thew catalyst to such events I wonder?" Kain asking how Alexander came to be how he was. His eyes seemed to shift a little, a change in thought perhaps.

(OOC can Kain see Rave? If so, I will edit)

"You are a fool, Nez'gah... Do you know what I am? I am a hybrid of the darkness and the light. A melding of the dragons and the demons. Something beyond your wildest dreams... You shall see soon enough."

With a roar, Omnus slammed his right palm into the ground, sending a massive shockwave out and splitting the ground in half. Muttering a swift incantation, Omnus sent waves of molten lava screaming towards Nez'gah...

Nez'gah looked glared at Omnus as the molten rock hit his tough hide and fell to the ground, not having any effect. He almost collapsed laughing as he noticed the stunned look upon Omnus' face.

"Dragon rider, what do you hope to accomplish with hot rocks? I live in a world made of such! You are far out of your league if you think that will stop me!"

The tendrils of darkness drew even closer, beginning to grab hold of Omnus' legs and establish their firm grip. They plunged into his very being, attempting to steal the energy that provided Omnus with life.

Rave raised her eyebrow and free fell through the black portal, her hands hitting the ground first causing her abdomen to contract to complete the flip, her wings spread out viciously as Alexander entered the portal next.
She then heard the mention of Kain. Drawing her eyes up from the darkness, she stepped forward to reveal herself, all the while keeping her eyes on Alexander. She couldnt' have heard Kain...it must have been another trick.

"What's wrong?" she said to Alexander mockingly. She stared him down, her piercing crimson eyes driving into him. A vicious whip curled in her left hand. She lashed out at him, drawing her summoning strength to her. "You seemed so confident before." he did. As his fell, hers had built up substantially.

"Yes, we should do something."

Daniel drew out his Upir sword and stepped forward again, Xyorph beside him.

"Again, I heed you to stop your attack on this lady, lest I find enough reason to stop you..."

Omnus felt the darkness attempting to steal his life energies. With a grunt, Omnus slowly began to accept the darkness and slowly melded it into his being.

"Do you believe a dragonlord cannot handle darkness? Dragonlords walk a thin line between light and dark. We see the world in shades of gray. We possess the power of the dragons, the protectors of the world, and of the demons, the destroyers of it. We are both the yin and the yang."

"Yes, we should do something."

Daniel drew out his Upir sword and stepped forward again, Xyorph beside him.

"Again, I heed you to stop your attack on this lady, lest I find enough reason to stop you..."

OOC: sorry, are you telling me to stop?

Taliya didn't look up, instead breaking free of the restraining light. "Now... die... Enamarcia..." Black energy shot from every portion of Taliya's body, into the air, and everywhere.

She slowly faded out of sight, her body broken. She was stronger than I anticipated...

<=======>

Alexander stepped back, letting the whip lash into his stony arm. It coiled around, but then Alexander pulled on it, ripping it from Ravelyn's hands. He smiled sinisterly. "Ravelyn Shentavo. So glad you could join me..."

There was a loud voice, coming from all around, and entering into Alexander's, Izual's, Kain's, and Rave's minds. AZRAEL... PLEASE... TAKE A SEAT!

An immense will, more powerful than anything Ravelyn had ever seen, bent upon her, attempting to force her into a cell. Alexander moaned and clasped his hands to the side of his head. Do... as... he says...

In a flash of lightning, the Nameless One's visage was revealed behind Alexander, directly before Ravelyn's eyes.

Omnus felt the darkness attempting to steal his life energies. With a grunt, Omnus slowly began to accept the darkness and slowly melded it into his being.

"Do you believe a dragonlord cannot handle darkness? Dragonlords walk a thin line between light and dark. We see the world in shades of gray. We possess the power of the dragons, the protectors of the world, and of the demons, the destroyers of it. We are both the yin and the yang."

Nez'gah displayed his razor sharp fangs in malice.

"There is much you do not understand about the way demonic power works. You may think you bear such power and knowledge as I, but you can't even begin to grasp what you meddle with."

The darkness still under his control, Nez'gah pushed forth his final command to the demonic energy. Expand......

The energy ripped forth, tearing through muscle and tissue that combine to form Omnus' legs. In a shocking burst of power, blood and tissue covered the grove as the energy was freed and dissipated. The demon lord laughed at the misguided dragon rider.

"Fool. You cannot control what is mine! I am demon lord. This is my power and my knowledge. It cannot be harnessed by beings such as yourself! You have no demonic blood within you, it is not your heritage!"

More powerful than anything Rave had ever seen before? That was doubtful. The creation was not by a weakling. Her strong will remained, providing her much assistance. But it wasn't only her that was there...

"You have quite the nerve..." she forced herself to say. It was as if he did not wish for her to speak. "To call me Azrael..." Her wings tensed and flared outward as if she were about to attack.

She glared at Alexander intensely. She looked directly into the demon lord's eyes, not moving. Behind her crimson eyes, a seraphim stared back with equal intensity. "How nice of you to join us as well..." she hissed. What was she doing? Wasn't this their domain? Nuh-uh. Not any more.

"You must be quite intelligent to allow a seraphim access to your wonderful portals and hells..." It was a fact that angels or beings of the light were not allowed into hell, for pure light there could do quite a lot of damage...let alone seraphim. "So what do you want with me?" She shook her head. "No, I know that answer." she smiled softly. "What of Kain then?" She shook her head once more. "I know that one as well..." She chuckled to herself.

"Well...if you really want me to take a seat..." She cracked her knuckles, the spiked gloves menicing in their way. The steal claws of the angel were sharpened at each finger tip. They could surely cut through bone. "You'll have to get me in a chair."

Her aura rose. "Com'mon Alexander!" she beckoned. "Show me what you got."