The Elemental Legacy [M] [PM] [B] - Page 2

Chogan Gale

Lucerna the land of light. Chogan knew this place all too-well. In his journies with his late master they would always return to the human homeland. Aside from his violet eyes Chogan was completely indestiguishable from the humans. Chogan was a seller of oddities and treasures, while he may not look it at first Chogan is a very strong individual. Often times Chogan would venture off into 'forbidden' areas and such and find various goods to sell. He seldom had to worry about bandits as he well-versed in hand to hand combat and being able to fly if neccessary.

A human approached his portable stand.

The human spoke out "That's an interesting looking sword.."

Chogan responded "Oh this? That's an ancient dwarven blade I'll have you know! Haha yeah, I found it in some old dwarven ruins out of continent." This part was true.

"Hmm how much is it going for?" The human asked.

Chogan put on a big smile and responded. "Well I had to fight a few Minotaur that were guarding the place. They were quite tough, so I'm probably going to charge a bit more than usual on this thing if only because of the Hazards I had to go through." What he was saying was a complete lie. He waited to see if the human would take the bait.

The human sighed. "Do you take me for a fool Shifter? You're so scrawny! How could you take on one Minotaur!? Let alone two!?"

Chogan responded "Tell you what, just for you 4 pieces." Chogan was staring at the golden currency the human was holding.

The human replied "I wouldn't pay more than 2 for the thing."

The bartering continued.
"How about 3?"

"2."

Finally Chogan had and idea "How about this, you seem pretty tough. And you don't believe I took down a few Minotaur.. so how about a little contest?" The grin on Chogan's face got a little bigger.

The human took some interest "I'm listening."

"We fight, if you win you can have it for 1 piece. But if you lose you pay 5."

The human had a nice hearty laugh. "You're kidding right? That's a bargain I can't refuse!"

A circle of citizens surrounded the two and a knight tried to intervene. After Chogan explained the situation the Knight agreed to be a judge and mediator to make sure things don't go too far.

Chogan spoke out "The rules are simple, landing a clean hit gives you 1 point. Anyone who is knocked out loses. First to.. 10 points? Yeah that'll work. First to 10 points wins. Our judge will tell us when to begin."

It wasn't a large town so something small like this instantly became a big event as more and more people flocked, some to see the fight others to see what the buzz was about. The arena was a small ring formed by people circling, a flat dirt surface free of rocks is where they would fight.

The knight counted down "3... 2.. 1..." Both Chogan and the human awaited the call.. "Start!" The human started by trying to tackle Chogan, but all Chogan saw was two weak spots. He took advantage of the charge by slapping the back of the mans head and putting his leg in front of the man's foot. The man fell and hit the ground.

"That's 1 point for me." Chogan exclaimed.

"You fight like a woman." the human replied.

When the human got up he went for an uppercut, it was a sloppy punch and Chogan was able to move out of the way. Chogan placed one of his hands on the man's left hip and the other hand underneath his chin. Chogan pressed the hand on the chin forward while making it circle to the right side of the human's face. The other hand pulled the man's hip towards Chogan. The human completely lost his equillibrium and at that moment the hand on the human's chin slid downwards and chogan used an open palm thrust to drive the human into the ground.

"I believe that's 2 points." Chogan said with confidence.

The human looked completely shooken. He was unable to recognize Chogan's fighting style.
"Dammit! I'll get you for that!" The human yelled.

Outraged the man jumped back up and threw a powerful haymaker at Chogan, unfortunantly for him Chogan ducked underneath it and grabbed the man's arm. He continued the momentoum of the haymaker forward and used it along with his own strength to pull the man's body over his shoulder. Chogan used one of his free legs to help push the man the rest of the way. The man flew a couple of feet forward and tumbled. He was unconscious.
The knight announced his verdict. "The winner by knockout is Chogan."

The man woke up about a minute later. Chogan talked with him. "Sorry I was a little rough there. Anyways, time to honor your deal."

The human was still in a daze. "Deal?.. oh yeah.. 6 pieces.." The human handed the coins to Chogan and took the sword.

The human wandered off "My head hurts.. I think I need to rest a bit.."

The knight approached Chogan and asked Chogan a question "That's a pretty impressive fighting style, is that unique to Zephyru?"

Chogan replied "Actually no, my master who taught me was human."

The knight continued his inquiry "Oh really? Do you mind if I meet him? I wouldn't mind learning a few tricks like that."

Chogan looked a little down "About that he's.. well.."

After a short awkward pause the Knight caught the hint "Oh.. I see.. sorry."

Chogan instantly put on his trademark smile "Ah no worries, the old man went out with a smile."

The knight sighed in relief "That's good to hear, just don't go starting too many fights, everyone wont be as leniant as I was."

Chogan shook the knight's hand "Thanks for the advice.. oh do you mind checking out my goods? Maybe there's something you or your wife would like!"

The knight took a bit of interest "Hahaha really?"

The knight decided to check out what Chogan had to offer.

"What's this?" The knight pointed to an amulet of sorts.

Chogan replied "I honestly don't know how much it's worth, I found it in the same ruins I found the sword I sold to that man. Ya know what, you got me more than I asked for on the sword so for you.. only 2 pieces!"

The knight laughed. "My wife will love this." He bought the amulet and Chogan went on his way.

Chogan couldn't help but think of his homeland of Zephyru and the mansion of his family. He wondered how everyone was doing. He wasn't even able to be present for his father's funeral. Chogan decided to stop thinking such things and went on his way to other towns in Lucerna, his goods weren't going to sell themselves!"

Chinday Gale

Chinday recieved some documents regarding the allocation of the family's funds. The gale family recieved money from various sources. Taxes on people living nearby, various nearby businesses, and exports of various goods. The family is a major benefactor in certain groups outside of the continent, they're taxed as well. Overall the Gale family has a lot of authority and Chinday is at the top of it.

Chogan spoke "Adopt the same policy as last year but cut off the miners in Lucerna."

His assistant looked a little shocked. "Are you sure sir? Atleast 40 workers will lose their homes!"

Chinday glared at his assistant. "Are you arguing with me?"

The assistant trembled "No sir. I'm just curious as to why."

Chinday sighed "Each year they've brought in less and less ore, we need to cut them off before we lose money."

"Your father always protected our own even when times were do-" The assistant was cut off.

Chinday yelled "I AM NOT MY FATHER! DO WHAT I SAY AND LEAVE MY PRESENCE!"

His assistant left to carry out the decision.
Chinday thought to himself "(Honestly!, I'm your superior. That means you're my 'inferior.' Your opinion means nothing.. know your place... You better not question me again..)"

He walked through the halls and was greeted by several maidens.
"(Who should I bed tonight? I'll need a kid at some point..)"

The maidens knew their purpose. They were selected as potential wives for the family head. He walked up to the silver-headed one. "I'll give you a chance." He flashed a tender smile that completely contradicts his character. Not because he felt tenderness, but rather he felt that it would be the best expression for the situation. "I'll meet you in my chamber tonight." The maiden blushed and bowed. The maidens dispersed and left.

He walked out into the courtyard, he glanced towards the dozen or so red Camellias.

"(Interesting, after taking in that blood they actually retained the color..)" The red spot on the garden merely served as a token of sin upon the family's symbol.

Some kids were running about and one bumped into him.

Chinday thought to himself "(Why that little!)"

A woman ran up to Chinday. "I'm so sorry Master! I promise he wont do that again!"

Chinday bent over and pat the kid's head while smiling. "I'm sure he'll grow up to be a fine young man."

"Oh, thank you for your mercy!" the woman responded.

"No problem, be on your way."

Chinday thought to himself once more. "(Indeed, that child may be free now, but one day he'll be my servant like the rest.. he'll get his dues one day..)"

Chinday talked with a few other nobles before returning home to bed the maiden he chose..

When the carriage cam to a complete stop Ezra quickly grabbed her things and made her way onto the wooden pier. She took a look around, nothing had changed since her last visit. People from all over were here looking for passage to the different continents, some were running shady business in the pubs, others she could see, were just fishing or looking for work. Thankfully, the queen on Nymphe had already arranged things in advanced for her.
"My Lady!" The couch driver called. She walked over to him and he gave me a an envelope. "Here is the names of your captain and some money for your journey."

"Thank you," I nodded my head, "Please pass on my regards to the Queen."

"Will do, My Lady." He nodded in return and with that he whipped the reins and down went the seahorses, dragging the carriage with them.

----

Okay, finding This so called, "Captain Merdock", Was not as easy as she thought it would be. She had checked several different pubs, Captains, Sailors and just random people she pass by on the street if they knew where she could find him, but no one knew. She was told to go check out this one Put called The Alley Cat, but they said he wasn't there and to go check the a bar named, Sally's Bucket, but no luck there either. Hell, they even told her to take pretty behind back to The Alley Cat, but when she explained to her that he wasn't there either, they suggested an other place. This continued on and on till she had been inside each Bar, Pub, and Brothel house in the whole damn port!

"Where the Hell is this BASTARD!?" She finally screamed. Though when she did this, it was already dark and she was on the street. So she caught the confused eyes of all the passers that came by, but she didn't care. Hell, let the whole world hear her! Maybe they'd know where he was!

Finally After giving up the she decided to and turn in at this bed and breakfast place called The Cove Inn. It wasn't bad, quite decent actually, considering the strange people around. The strangest she saw actually was in that Inn. There was a group of many races sitting together at a table. It consisted of a human(he was beautiful), an elf(which was drop dead Beautiful!), and a shifter(she wasn't bad looking either). The whole scene was odd, especially to see them all together like that, eating and talking.

Though before Ezra could think of why such a scene was there, she heard, "Oh Merdock! You crack me up!" Ezra quickly spun around to find two largely overweight men and laughing like the drunks there were.

Ezrawalked over to them, "Merdock? As in Captain Merdock?"

The one with the large grey wire like beard turned to her, "And who would be a askin' Lassy?"

"Ezra of Nymph," She glared, raising a brow. Yig was on her shoulder doing the same.

"Ahhh, yes! The girl that was to head to Tenebra! I've been looking for you all day! People were-"

"YOU were looking for me? I was looking for YOU!" I yelled, "Do you have any idea how many places I went looking for you!? How many-"

"Easy Lass, I know. I was running after you half the day, but I figured it was no use, especially at the pace you were going, so I decided to wait here, figured you'd have to come here eventually." He smiled a toothy grin. He was missing a lot of his teeth, and the ones that were still there were yellow as can be. She tried not to stare.

With an angry sigh, she just said, "Fine, fine. So when do we leave for the dark continent?"

"Tomorrow. Meet me at-"

"Excuse me." A tired Male voice came from behind me, "Did you say that you were giving this woman here a passage to Tenebra?" It was the same odd group she had saw when she walked in.

Captain Merdock just smiled, "Who's askin'?"

The moment Ostel's sword went through the skull of the first human; Alicia determined the fight as far game and decided that she would kill them as the very thing they hated. Without any hesitation, she leapt at the closest one, shifting into a large white tiger as she did so, a loud roar escaping her. As she landed on the human, he let out a terrified scream that was soon cut off by her jaws ripping out his throat, leaving him to choke on the bloody mess for the last five seconds of his life as she prowled over to the next one. To those who were watching her, it was obvious through her actions that she was angry as she pounced on a second, though this one she did not lock her jaws around their neck, instead, she locked her jaws around the arm that held the weapon and tore it clean off. The gruesome sight made Summer's eyes widen as she turned away from Alicia, the young elf had never thought someone so kind could do such cruel things to another living being.

After brutally killing at least three other humans, Alicia noticed one trying to get the drop on Summer as no one seemed to be paying attention to the other girl. Summer saw the white cloaked man approach her with a wry grin on his almost saint like boyish face, "To bad elvish sluts are so pretty. Are you ready to die whore!!" he said raising his mace on high. Summer could only hold out her dagger with her head down, eyes closed, She silently prayed that the blow and death would be quick, and then stepped forward ... she felt ah slight impact on her hands, but nothing impacted her head.

The elf opened her eyes, and saw in horror at her dagger had struck the young boy in the neck, his crimson blood splattering onto her face and on Alicia's blue cloak. With a cry she fell back in fear as the boy tried in agony to stop the bleeding but only seemed to squirm like a squirrel getting injured by a hunter. She couldn't tear her gaze away from his withering as he finally fell forward, a puddle of red soon spilling and adding to the already reddened floor. Summer cradled herself against the wall of the inn, her gaze never leaving that boy, almost dead to the world around her.

Alicia, still in tiger form, moved over to Summer to protect her while still doing her best to give the Elf something solid to hang onto. Every time someone would target them, Alicia would make it so Summer could not see what was done even though the death she dealt out was never a merciful one. Eventually she got tired of the tiger form and switched to one that match Snow's form exactly, not much caring if Ostel got confused in the process. By the time the battle was over, a majority of the humans were dead, many by Ostel’s sword as his were clean cuts while those killed by Alicia were torn to shreds or simply had body parts missing and their throat torn out.

Ostel seemed transformed from the bumbling oaf from yesterday, Alicia saw him take many of the white cloaked cultists in one fell swoop. However as good as he was, Alicia saw a mace smack him in the face, and knife nick his armor, and even a stone glanced off his head. However despite all of this he kept his footing and fought on like a man possessed by a demon of the ancient world. He would impale one man, and drive him through a crowd of his comrades skewering two more before twisting his bastard sword and ripping the blade out, with blood, guts, and bone flying everywhere. His wolf seemed just as vicious, crashing into the mightiest of the crowd and tearing off as many exposed limbs as possible. Snow's red eyes began to match the fur of his master's foes, with a beastial look on the normally lovable canine.

Ezra herself brandished a pair of ruthless bladed circles that she gracefully used to dance a circle of death into the Puritans. The look on her face was one of sheer anger at these freaks who demanded that they "inspect" her. The long haired Sage of water would send one Chakram up a woman's front, cutting her all the way up to her shoulder while sending another Chakram into a man's stomach before twisting and shredding his insides. Seeing the display from the blue eyed women a few of the white cloaks backed off and stood unsure of what to do. It was then that Ezra merely waved her hand and with the drinks of the spilled patrons, she formed deadly ice shards which she then launched into the crowd, sending a few back with shards in them and the rest scattering

Figuring she wouldn't get this chance again for a while, Alicia pounced on one more and bit his head clean off his shoulders, ignoring the blood that stained her white fur and mixed with her own from the blows she received from knives and other weapons. Feeling content with that last kill, she snapped at the heels of those who ran by her, but did little else. "Well, I do believe we taught them a thing or too." Alicia stated her voice a soft brush against Ostel's mind as even she could not speak as an animal.

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OOC: I changed my profile picture... was too childish XP

Ezra have never used her Chakram like this before. Of course she has been in fights and probably killed a few people here and there, but never just a full on slaughter. She didn't know what came over her, maybe it was how the ugly white robed men and women were looking at her or even how they were looking at the other girls in the group. She didn't know, only that she didn't like how they way they said "inspection." Hell she could feel their eyes undressing them just standing there.


"*bleep*ing Pigs..." Ezra muttered to herself. It was then that she realized Yig was hiding in her shirt. She felt the poor little guy trembiling up against her. Thank God he wasn't hurt.


As their fellows fell by the attack of her, the shifter, and the human, the white cloaks began to run away out the door of the inn. "Well, I do believe we taught them a thing or too." The woman, Alicia announced. Ezra doubted it, but hopefully she was right. She didn't want to have to deal with something like this again.


Behind her, Ezra saw the elf girl standing-- actually she was bent over with her back against the wall and looked as if she was having a heart attack. She couldn't blame her. Ezra was flipping out, too. Well, at least on the inside. She walked over to her and put her hand on her back and shoulder, trying to support her. "Are you okay?" she asked.


Looking up to her the golden haired elf seemed as if she was trapped in her own private nightmare. Summer then looked to the nearby boy garbed in the white cloaks, with Ezra following her gaze. He had a knife in his neck, and Summer's hands were bloodied. Summer was shaking pretty bad, and all she could manage to do was say was "Wh... I just ... jhe wouldn't ...." she then merely stammered off and began softly weeping, the her long elf ears barly peaking over her arms as her head sunk in fear.


"Shhh, shhh." Ezra hugged her, leading her head to the curve of her neck. It was odd, comforting someone she barely know, but she wasn't about to leave this girl crying on the floor. God, she wasn't that heartless.


"Are you two okay?" The Shifter, Alicia, walked over to them, along with the human, Ostel.


"Yeah, I think we're fine," Ezra nodded, "This one's a little shooken up though." The poor thing was still whimpering.


The human then sighed, picked up a fallen chair and slumped into it. Resting his brusied and battered figure on his sword he muttered, "Unfotunatly that's not all of them. They have friends outside. See ... Look there." He said pointing his sword towards the windows of the inn.


There indeed the group saw the battered and bloddied white cloaks, along with fresh new faces galring at them. They weren't inside the tavern yet, but merely building up their nerve to try again. Ostel then looked to Summer and Ezra holding her, "Well Ezra, welcome to the group. Sorry about the mess. What's wrong with Summer, is she hurt?" He said looking concerned.


"Doesn't look like it." Ezra raised a brow, "She looks like she's just not used to these kind of situations." She directed her gaze over to him, "And frankly, neither am I. So do we have a plan on how to get out of here? If not I suggest that we break for a boat and make our own way to Tenebra."


The human than began looking around for a way out, but it was at that time that the white cloaks began cheering outside the inn, bolstering their spirits for another assualt.

“The Dark Thane and his Shadow Stalker”

Keirana stood out looking upon the dark starry sky She was at an inn called the Crooked Mast. It was about 3 hours outside of the port of Nadar. Thinking about her conversation with Adonis before he left. They were out travelling and he was hired for a job in Lucerna but for her safety he didn’t tell her the exact details. The people who he was dealing with were very dangerous. Earlier in the week she had sent a note to their friend a mercenary named Arvin about what was going on. She had yet to receive a reply from him.

Keirana felt that something was wrong with Adonis she sensed it. Adonis and Keirana had a special connection he was her maker. So, whenever either one of them felt an emotion or something happened to each other they would know. Deep down they could feel it and sense it.
“Adonis...” she whispered to herself. “What has happened?”

“Darling... In case you feel that something happened to me I need you to promise me something...” Adonis asked Keirana. His voice was soft and tender.
“What is it?” she replied.
“I need you to find Thomas and explain to him what happened. Then you must stay with him.”
“But I can-!” Keirana started to debate.
“I know you are very capable of taking care of yourself. I’d rather be extra safe. If something had happened to you...” His voice trailed off.
Keirana touched the side of his face with her hand. “I understand. Although, if something does happen to you. You can not expect me to not pay them a visit.”
“Keirana-” Adonis began to say.
“Will not go alone.” Keirana finished his sentence with a grin. Keirana shook her head after remembering that conversation and went back into her room. Thomas was a fellow Dhampir that Keirana knew in her human life. He was born half vampire and half human. The three of them often traveled together helping innocent people when they could. Thomas often worked for Keirana's father when he could.

She sat down on the small sized bed and was about to take a book out that she was going to read when Natalya came busting through the door.

“Thanos is outside!” she said in a rush.

Keirana shook her head and went flying out the inn. When she got outside she saw Adonis’s dire wolf Thanos packing back and forth nervously. Thanos was an enormous black dire wolf. He wasn’t mean at all except when threatened. He was an excellent dire wolf to guard and protect those who needed it. Although he was fierce when he had to fight other than that Thanos was relaxed.

Trailing behind Keirana was her brown and grey dire wolf; Fenris. He seemed happy at the sight of Thanos. He went over and barked happily at him. Fenris was also a good protector. He was even more fierce in battle but he was a big baby. He loved the attention he would get from anyone. His favorite thing in the world was being scratched behind the ears. He would constantly get chased by Keirana’s cat; Scrappy. Fenris would run from a mouse if it came near him.

Scrappy was a big white cat that Keirana took in when he was walking alone and hungry outside. Scrappy could be lovable but he had a very bad temper on him. He often liked to sit by a window sill looking out. One night Adonis made the mistake of closing the window where Scrappy was sitting. Scrappy had followed Adonis to the chair where Adonis sat down at. Scrappy gave him a mean glare, jumped on Adonis and started attacking him. Keirana to this day still laughs at the memory.


Thanos stopped and stared at Keirana and began barking frantically.

Keirana’s heart stopped and she said in a worried voice “take me to him.”

Before leaving the inn. Keirana and Natalya geared and grabbed their weapons making haste with Thanos, Fenris and of course Scrappy out of the inn.

To anyone who knew or heard of Adonis and Keirana knew of them by their nickname; The Dark Thane and The Shadow Stalker. It was name they were given quite a while back when they travelled the continents helping the innocent and taking down the unjust and evil. They were unlike many vampires they knew. They weren’t mean to innocent people, they protected them. They also did not go around killing random people just for fun or for their blood.

Keirana and Adonis still remember perfectly their human lives. They had vowed to not change their attitude just because they were vampires. Although when faced with enemies, people who acted and treated others badly, they made sure those who did so would regret it.

About half an hour the later the party came to the port Nadar and before entering Keirana sensed Adonis’s presence there strongly and also sensed something else wrong was going on.
The company crept closer and to Keirana’s shock she saw Adonis chained and surrounded by many people in white cloaks. He was being dragged over to the bigger part of the group.
She knew immediately that they were part of some cult, and looking at the bigger part of the group she saw an elderly woman standing on a platform yelling.

"And We Humans Shall Drive the Scourge of the Lesser Races from Our Shores!"

The crowd outside The Cove Inn cheered.

"We will show our Conviction as we Bring Forth a New Age of Peace and Purpose, no Matter the Strength of our Foes!"

The crowd howled in agreement.

"And to Ensure Our Supreme right to Rule Divus. we shall slay one of these Vile Beasts and prove our power! Bring Him Here!"

Keirana shook her head furiously. “Not if I can help it.” She muttered. Adonis was brought over to her and was yelling at the cultist. As the argument kept going on her anger grew as they hit Adonis and she was eyeing her surroundings carefully.

She heard the woman yelling again.
"Vampire, In your Pride You Shall Light our Path to Glorious Salvation! Let us rejoice As We Offer This Fiend to ...."

The woman never got the chance to finish her sentence as she was suddenly hit in the shoulder by an arrow. Keirana looked around and saw a broad man standing by the inn and he was accompanied by two beautiful women. One of the women then touched the group and the sandy shore turned to ice and for a split second Keirana almost had lost her balance. Immediately after that the other woman produced a strong gust of wind.

After the three exchanged words the women went back inside the inn and the man stayed out. About a moment later the man started to charge into battle and that is when Keirana and Natalya bared their fangs, took out their weapons and joined in on the battle.

“Stupid cultists” Keirana muttered as she began to charge.

Alicia seemed to lose control of herself as she fought a look of rage on her face as she moved swiftly and with a deadly grace that not many in Zephyru could manage. She didn’t even seem to care that she no longer had a scrap of clothing on, as she had shifted straight into her human form in order to use her magic to its full capacity. Soon enough though, she shifted into a large wolf and let out a howl before tearing into the nearest Puritan, her rage over what they had tried to do blinding her from her actions. She cared not for her own well being, but the moment they had made Summer a target, something had taken over, throwing the Shifter into a blind rage.

As she mauled the human beneath her, exposing his intestines to the surrounding air, a second human buried a knife hilt deep into her right shoulder. Surprised by the attack, Alicia let out a howl of pain and turned towards the human who attacked her, a pair of mismatched eyes trained on the Puritan. Furry seemed to illuminate her eyes as she moved towards the female Puritan, the knife stuck in Alicia’s shoulder doing little to slow down the Shifter as she was running on pure adrenaline now. Slowly, Alicia managed to shift back into her human form and pull out the dagger, the furry still present in her eyes as she held out her hand with the blade in it.

“You’ve made two mistakes human,” Alicia growled her voice nothing like the shy or kind woman she had been before all of this, “Your first one was targeting the non-humans and your second was not killing me when you had the chance.” Alicia closed her eyes and murmured something that the other woman did not understand, not that it mattered because once Alicia opened her eyes there was a visible gust of wind that looked like blades headed straight for her. Once the wind collided with the Puritan, it seemed to disappear and the female looked around in confusion as the Shifter moved up to her. With a smile bordering psychotic, Alicia gently pushed the woman in the chest and watched as she fell to pieces at her feet.

Covered in blood, she shifted into a panther at this time and moved through the confusion that had been brought on by the fighting. As the soldiers and other members of her dysfunctional group fought the Shifter slunk by unnoticed, a slight limp in her step from her still bleeding wound. From time to time she found herself dodging attacks meant for other people, not that she minded in the least because it gave her a chance to snap at some legs when they belonged to those she viewed as an enemy. At one point she got hit with an arrow through her hind leg, causing her to let out a roar of pain, her warm blood creating a pool where she was forced to stand for the time it took for her vision to clear.

Alicia made it over to Summer and Snow only to collapse next to the female vampire that had come rushing out of the tavern, the loss of blood causing her to shift back to her human form, covered in blood that was both her own and her enemy’s. With slow movements, Alicia broke the head of the arrow off before pulling the shaft out of her leg, causing her to cry out in pain. The arrowhead itself had not been barbed, but it turned out that the shaft had small thorn like splinters that were barely noticeable. Tears were running down her face at this time, her adrenaline fading causing her to feel every ounce of pain that she had been oblivious to only moments before.

“I really hate this continent,” she said, her voice weak and her eyes half closed, “To think those that have a mastery over light act as such… slaves… killing other races and viewing themselves as above everyone else? Should Bonketsu rise… this will be the first continent to fall under him willingly.” Alicia let out a small sigh, unaware of the Vampire who had taken a protective stance near her and the white cat that had perched itself near her, scratching at anyone who came close.

"The Rage and The Sorrow"


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Havard sang through the night, ending another life of a cultist who tried to defend herself from Ostel's onslaught. She never even had time to scream as the bastard sword cut her down from the shoulder through to the waist. Two bloodied heaps of once used to but a young dark haired woman fell to the icy sand, staining the unusual ground with another crimson red puddle.


The icy sand made it hard for Ostel to maintain his balance, but his anger drove him. He was so far gone into his rage that he wanted nothing more than to slay every bigoted hated fool on this beach. For so long in Castle Ravencrest he felt powerless to stop the maltreatment of the elvish slaves, only forced to watch. When he did dare to argue the veterans of the old elvish uprising would explain to him that he was wrong, that elves where meant to be ruled and they didn't know how to handle power.


For so long he could do nothing to help the elves, and now that he had the power to deliver it back to the apex of fools, Ostel didn't hold back. He was angered that he didn't do this earlier, he hated his own kin, he hated humanity for the shadow it had become.


He slipped a few times, hurting his already beaten form, but he didn't care. Whenever he got to a stumbled form of a white cloak, he would run them through without almost a thought. He felt vindicated on his prowl. A man clubbed him in the hip with a mace, he ran his sword through the man's mouth and slit it through the right side. A woman then jumped on his back, stabbed him in the back of his shoulder with a kitchen knife, screaming curses at him as she withdrew the knife to stab him again. Ostel spun on his heel, throwing himself aand the mounted woman to the icy sand. He then crawled over to her and cut the woman's throat before she could recover, as a mugger would silence a victim.

In pain or agony, or rage he howled as he righted himself up and cut down a charging pitchfork white cloaked figure. His face was again mattered with the red paint of a former life. Not even stopping Ostel began swinging Havard sword around wildly as if he was attacking everything around him. His eye's hurt from the blood, the sweat, and the sand. He imagined he was surrounded on all sides, with the Puritans merely binding their time as hunters would watch a injured lion.


So lost was he in his unhinged mind that he never heard the sounds of the hooves of warhorses behind him as Ragnar Ironside and the Knights of the Lionsmaw routed the rest of the Puritans and townsfolk. He never heard his own mentor calling out his name. Ostel only kept charging around with a wild cry and look in his eyes that screamed danger to any who would approach.


After another few seconds though with him hitting nothing Ostel then wearily forced himself to stop swinging and look at his surroundings. He was standing on actual sand, which to him meant he wouldn't worry so much about his footing. He was near the shoreline now, with the nearest white cloak being ten feet from him with a lance stuck through him...


A lance? A knight's lance? What in the name of the six ...


That was when he turned and saw the company of knights clearing out the remainder of the white cloaks, disarming them and arresting a few. He saw the ever moving figure of Ragnar moving among the knights, directing them with an old familiar face Ostel knew.


He struggled to take a breath and uttered a harsh chuckle, "Figured Ser Gerald Victor would be around *gasp* Holy hells. Alright that hurts." He said feeling like breathing hurt the more he tried to take a deep breath. Fearing a broken rib Ostel placed his hand on his chest and simply concentrated, though his throbbing headache didn't make it easy. The warm sensation of the healing light coursed through his body, and it became easier to breath. Fearing he'd pass out from the effort and his increased headache Ostel left it at that, trying to ignore his other pains and aches.


Well better go head back to the Inn ... No more ... Wait ...


The Grimward bastard then saw under a dock the flap of a white cloak. HIs mind focused and his gaze tightened as the anger came again. With a sense of a hunter's control Ostel cautiously stalked towards the dock with Havard held at the ready. He stopped just above the dock, controlled his breathing, and then leapt down with a roar and his sword drawn to deal out death again ....


And then he saw them ... a blood redden white cloaked woman cradling three boys and a girl in her embrace. The woman seemed middle aged, with a peasant's cap and dark hazel eyes shee seemed suffering from a wound she took from the conflict. The woman then locked gazes on him and she grew stiff, a struggled breath escaping her lips, a dried stained blood line coming just beyond her right eye. The children as well saw him and looked from what Ostel assumed to be their mother.


The sight then struck and unnerved Ostel to his very core, all anger from him seemed to dissipate, and yet he couldn't move from the woman's gaze as she tried to breath again, and then with a last attempt she muttered, "M ... Mur... derer ...." She then went stiff and never breathed again. The children then themselves closed their eyes, as if going into a long sleep.


Astonished at what he just witnessed Ostel stood there for second unsure of what to think or do. Forcefully batting away the woman's last words he wiped the blood off Havard and then sheathed it into it's scabbard. He then sadly walked to the woman, and knelt down to check her life signs, but to no avail. She was gone ... and her children were now orphans.


This was something Ostel did not expect, he almost couldn't fathom that he just witnessed someone die like this. Again he shook his head to clear his mind, "Focus Damn You Grimward. Get the children outta here." He said trying not remember the woman's last words.


He then shook the shoulder of the red-hired girl, "Come on little one, we have to go. Come on we ..." His eyes went wide feeling no life from the little girl, "no .... No No No" He then checked the three boys, two dark haired just as him and a dark-brown lad .... all had no life signs. Ostel's eyes then managed to see beside the gathered family a cluster of vials.


His hands shaking Ostel looked to what he now beheld ... and he couldn't shake his head to refocus himself this time. The woman's last words and the death of her family, caused by him and his companions brought the stout warrior's to his knees in utter disbelief. For what seemed like ages he just stared, mouth dropped in shoxk at the scene that lay before him.


And then Ostel Von Grimward, the Sapientis lux, did something he never did before ... he ran.


He scrambled out of the dock's, too terrified to even scream or cry out. He ran away from the family of the dead as fast as his legs could carry him. So panicked he was that he never saw the fallen white cloak, tripping over the dead corpse and falling. Expecting sand Ostel's head came crashing down onto the head of another white cloak's corpse.


Winching in pain the Grimward then looked around him and saw he was among a sizable part of the fallen white cloaks that must of been killed. Her and their he saw among the faces men and women, all in their death gaze.. And to his mind they were all staring AT him, muttering the woman's last word, "Murderer"


Overcome in the terror in his own mind Ostel turned over and buried his head into the bloodied sand, "No .. No No ...I'm not ... I'm .." The sight of his actions finally unhinged the once confident young man. And there among the slain white cloaks, a lone black cloaked figure did softly cry and weep among the slain.


-----------------------


Ragnar Ironside stumbled off Ser Victor's horse in front of The Cove Inn with a annoyed look on his face, "Damn I leave Ostel alone for a few hours and he goes and starts a damned riot ... but the worst part is that I wasn't Here! I'm almost insulted!" He said with a moopy look as he approached the front of the battered inn.


As he got closer though he saw Alicia's naked form as well as Summer in the arms of a dark-haired beauty and the new companions of theirs. Being respectfully of Alicia's naked form Ragnar kept his gaze focused on the newcomers, "Well I guess introductions are in order. Ragnar Ironside of the Dwarven kingdom of Hammerfell in Batillus, and if you helped out that shifter there then rest assured I mean you all no harm." The assembled group seemed to relax their guard just a bit.


Behind them came Ser Victor rode on his black warhorse, "And I am Ser Gerald Victor of the Knights of Lionsmaw. I can see that Ragnar was not jesting when he said that the Puritans had a big target. I deeply apologize for the rough night you have all had. And also I fear I must ask that you accompany me to the Lionsmaw Castle as soon as posible for your and Nadar's protection. Fear not as I am not taking you as prisoners, but you riled up a hornet's nest in Nadar. You have my knight's honor that you will be treated as honored guests." He said truly.


Nevertheless the dark-haired woman holding the trembling elf in her arms then shot back, "What makes you think after seeing this that we would trust "Human Honor," She said with a look of defiance. As if to add onto that one of the pale skinned women responded as well, "She does have a point Ser Victor, not that we doubt your intentions but you can understand our doubt."


Sighing, Ser Victor dismounted from his warhorse handed the reigns to a subordinate, and then took off his steel lion's helmet, showing his gray haired head and beard. His tired eyes came toward the group and bowed his head, "I plead with you to accompany me to the Castle, It's not safe in the city after this riot. And the city wouldn't be safe with you. If you know Ostel Von Grimward then know I taught him much of what he knows. You must believe me that I mean no harm to you. Bring Ostel forth and he'll vouch for my honor." He pleaded with the group down on one knee.


It was then that a worried Ragnar looked around, "Wait an arse's second ... where is the lad?" The dwarf said looking around almost in a panicked demeanor.


The dark-haired woman holding the trembling elf then said hurriedly, "H .. He charged the throng of them and ... but I don't see him standing."


At that moment Ragnar Ironside then felt something he hadn't felt in a long time, a twinge of fear. The autumn bearded dwarf took off in the direction straight out from Inn calling his pupil's name, "If that dolt got himself killed I Swear to King Daren's arse I'll Kill him again! OSTEL!! Come out Here you Fraking Bastard!" he said running as his legs could carry him on the icy shore. He slipped a few times with his feet being unused to such magic but he kept sprinting, praying and hoping he would see his pupil's smug grin standing among the carnage alive.


Because he planned to level him good into the ground for charging a host that large.