Curse

Vixtrola Rock · Jul 17, 2008, 06:27 AM // 06:27

Chapter 17 - Meetings and Ale Go Well Together

Danika opened her eyes to see two heads, one lying on each side of her legs. One head held a neatly trimmed and well-kept afro, while the other was a long flowing strand of white, with a hint of blond. She knew who the heads belonged to, of course. Danika tried to raise her own head, but as she tried, her vision became blurry. With a groan, she plopped back on the pillow which stirred the afro.

"Is somebody awake?" the afro asked.

"No."

"Ok, well stop moving then."

"Roger."

A couple hours passed when Danika tried to rise again. This time her vision remained clear. Both heads were gone, but a plate of food sat at the edge of the bed: shredded beef, corn, sweet potatoes and tea, yummy. Danika worked her tongue over her lips in anticipation of the great feast that was about to begin. She rose up, smiling, and reached for the plate. Just as she was inches from victory, Kiruna strolled in.

"Oh, good, you're up! We have to talk." She grabbed the plate of food, placed it on the floor, and sat beside her, much to Danika's dismay. She threw her head back in the pillow in defeat. "Stop acting like a spoiled princess. I have some information you'll find interesting," Kiruna said.

"Does it go well with sweet potatoes?"

Kiruna tapped her manicured fingers on Danika's legs impatiently. "You were almost assassinated the other day, Dani. Chaklin was under direct orders from Varesh to kill you if he spotted you. Varesh knew we would be taking this route to rally the towns. She also prepared the spells for the wizard to use against you," Kiruna reached into her pocket and pulled out a parchment with runes scribbled on it. "He used Rend Enchantments, Power Block, and Deep Freeze on you, among others that had no effect. I'm sure you know which spells affected you and when," Kiruna paused and let out a sigh. "I was unable to speak to the wizard who used the spells, he took his own life when he found out that we knew. Before he did so he left this parchment on top of his bedroll," she handed the paper to Danika.

She looked over the runes before letting it fall out of her hands and onto the floor. "Lovely. How many more attempts will she try, I wonder," Danika asked looking up to the ceiling. Kiruna had no answer to give. Danika had another pressing question. "What of the man who ordered the soldiers to target me?" Kiruna's smile told her that his fate wasn't going to be a good one. "Mezu relieved him of command and formed an escort to take him to Gandara where Kahyet will lay out a sentence. The General will not be lenient with him, I assure you."

"That's all well and good. Where are Mezu and the others?"

"Mezu went ahead to Jahai yesterday with a contingent of soldiers to prepare the capital for your arrival. Sousuke and Tahlkora went with him. Mezu wanted everything to run smoothly in the capital if this alliance is to become permanent, and also because time is an issue. He assured us by the time we arrive that the papers will be drawn up, the Chancellor will be in agreement and the only thing missing will be your blessing."

Danika smiled at Mezu's commitment to her and the cause. "I do not doubt the Captain will deliver on his promise. We can use a few more like Mezu around here." Kiruna was tapping her fingers on the bed again, not listening. Danika rose up and leaned her back against the wall. "Is something bugging you?" she asked, quizzically. Kiruna stopped tapping and looked into Danika's eyes. "What I am going to show you can only be accomplished by myself and the Arch Magus. The spell is extremely dangerous and must not ever fall into the wrong hands."

Danika steeled herself for the answer to her next question. "What are you going to show me?" Without answering, the First Mage rose off the bed and closed the door to the room. While cracking her knuckles she scanned the room, visually measuring the height and width. "Help me move the bed to the window." Both women pushed and shoved the bed frame until the posts were against the walls on the opposite side of the door. The middle of the room was now wide open. "Stand back against the door," Kiruna said. Danika's heart was thumping out of her chest. What was her sister going to do? Kiruna raised a hand but stopped and turned to Danika, who was standing against the door in her undergarments. "I think you should get dressed first," Kiruna chuckled. Danika didn't find any of this funny. Once she was done she was back against the wall. Kiruna took a deep breathe and let it out slowly. "Ok. Here goes."

Using her right index finger she slowly drew a rectangular box in the air before her, tracing the box as tall as she was. When she finished she took a tentative step back towards Danika. "Watch," she whispered, excitedly. The air she traced before began to hum in Danika's ears. She heard air escaping, like someone who let the air out of a balloon. Silver lines appeared where Kiruna ran her fingers moments before. The silver turned to black, and the space between the vertical rectangle began to blur. Danika blinked. The blurry image of the room began to turn clockwise like a water funnel, distorting everything within it. Danika braced herself against the door. "What's happening?!" she yelled. The funneling distortion expanded out like a bubble towards her and fell back in itself with a boom, shaking the room.

Danika's jaw hit the floor, and her eyes exploded out of their sockets.

The image inside the humming rectangle was no longer the hospital room, but a portrait of the council doors inside Kamadan. Danika dared to move closer for a better look. She could see the manicured grass on either end of the walkway that led up to their chambers. She slowly moved her fingers closer to the picture. "Can I touch it?"

"You can walk in if you like," Kiruna beamed proudly. Danika slowly placed her right hand through the image. When her hand passed by the vertical lines, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She could see the light from Kamadan reflecting off her wrist. "I wouldn't keep my arm through there very long," Kiruna warned. Danika quickly pulled her arm out as if a lion was about to bite her. "The people in Kamadan may begin to wonder why an arm is moving around with no body attached, "she laughed. Danika realized how humorous it must have looked and joined in the laugh. Danika stepped back a few paces to marvel at the creation.

"It's called a gateway," Kiruna said, moving to stand next to her sister. "This was the most difficult spell I've learned, took me years to master it. The runes that make up the spell have long since been destroyed. Only the Arch Magus and the First Mage know how to create gateways. You can see why we don't need this kind of spell ending up in the wrong hands." Danika nodded, without removing her gaze on the open gateway. Sensing that Danika needed more information she continued. "We can use gateways for quicker traveling. After what happened at the front gates here I think it's prudent we start using these. We will also be able to cover greater distances, obviously," Kiruna stopped to clear her throat. "The only drawback against this gateway is that in order to create one safely, I would need to know what's on the order end, be it landmarks, towns, something that I can recognize and picture in my mind. This also acts as a safeguard."

"That's fine," Danika answered, perfectly content with the new tool in front of her. More than content, she was ecstatic! Plans were already beginning to form in her mind on how to use the gateway. "How large can you make a gateway," she asked Kiruna. The First Mage folded her arms under her chest. "As large as I need it do be, I guess. Why?"

Rubbing her hands together, Danika's mischievous grin sent a shiver up Kiruna's spine.

"I have a plan, let's get the gang together." Kiruna nodded and opened the door. Before she left Danika stopped her and asked one last question. "By the way, have you been to Jahai?"

Ω Ω Ω

Squirrels have always been a curious lot. Even though they run when humans approach, danger doesn't stop them from satisfying their curiosity. They are daring and fearful at the same time. Take this one particular squirrel for example: he just found a hearty acorn to eat, and was making is way back home up the tree when a humming noise caught his attention. He stopped and looked around nervously. Nobody around, good. He rose up on his little hind legs and sniffed the air. Nothing out of the ordinary, even better! Then he saw black lines begin to appear right before him on the rocky hilltop. Curious. He instinctively sniffed the lines. Nothing, interesting. The rest of the hilltop seen through the lines began moving. The squirrel moved back in apprehension. He didn't run up the tree, just gave the swirling thing space to...well swirl! He had no clue what it was, but he was still curious, as are most squirrels. The hilltop suddenly popped out at him which did scare him and then it was gone, replaced by …something? He didn't know. What he did know was that the dark skinned man, walking out of the thing carried a huge axe which could cut trees; his home included! The squirrel had seen more than enough. Off he ran, up the tree with his acorn…for a better view!

Koss stepped out slapping the axe in his palm, ready for action. "Run away squirrel!" he shouted up the tree. He took a quick scan of the area. The gateway opened up on a rocky hilltop about five of six long bowshots from the fortress. He could make out the flying red and brown flags on the towers in the distance. Koss wore a set of sleeveless gray plate armor with matching greaves which suited him perfectly. He turned back and shouted into the open gateway. "All clear!"

Doran was next out, adorned in his full battle armor including the intimidating squid-like helmet. His famed Gothic sword hung easily on his hip, and his shield hung over his back. Sevian was next through with her white hair pulled in a bun. She carried a tall brown staff that had a small sculpture of a winged raven on top; Sevian gave it the obvious name of Raven Staff.

The next person through the gateway was none other than the Spearmarshal herself. Once again wearing her yellow cotton attire with the two waxed mud cloth strips on her shoulders, Danika looked revitalized, ready and determined all at once. She re-adjusted the grip on her Tengu spear, and scanned the countryside. Jin was next through and she was holding her bow easily off to the side, ready to fire at the first sign of trouble. Last one through was the First Mage who closed the gateway with a wave of her hand.

Before they left, Kiruna made a quick stop home at the Raisu Palace in Cantha using her gateway. She now wore her noble attire: a purple, black and silver dress that came up to her jaw line and ended way above her knees in the front. The back of the shimmering silk dress cascaded down to her ankles, and the edges of the garment were encircled with white silken ruffles. The dress was made to accentuate the curves of the wearer, and while adorned on Kiruna's voluptuous body, it achieved perfection. Koss thought she was even bustier in an outfit that showed nothing, which boggled the mind. The First Mage also carried the Rago's Flame Staff: a wicked looking snake-skinned staff that split towards the top with two snake heads on either end.

Everyone was gaping at Kiruna as she walked through the small band towards the capital. "C'mon folks, let's get moving. I would like to be in Tihark by tomorrow," she said, slightly rolling her eyes. Danika could do nothing but smile at her sister.

Ω Ω Ω

The Capital City of Jahai was basically a fortress turned landmark. Many smaller villages dotted the countryside around the city. Jahai was the famous setting of the Battle of Jahai where Palawa Joko, lord of the undead, lost a challenge from Turai Ossa who then led his troops to victory. Only a handful of elite troops were now stationed here along with the Chancellor and his servants. Captain Mezu was surprised to see the Spearmarshal seemingly appear out of nowhere, and he ran to the group who were now at the front gates. None of the forward scouts mentioned seeing a group of six walking through.

"That's because we didn't walk," Danika replied, clasping the Captain on the shoulders. "I also want to thank you for saving my life and the lives of my friends. Your heroic deeds will not go unrewarded." Mezu gave a deep bow for the compliment. "My duty is my reward Spearmarshal. Come, follow me. We were not expecting you until tomorrow, but everything is ready. The Chancellor has planned a great feast in honor of the re-forged Alliance."

As Danika and company walked through the fortress, Kournan soldiers stopped and saluted the Spearmarshal by pounding fist to chest. Danika tried to recognize as many salutes as she could. Mezu led the group past a series of buildings to the largest one in the fortress, which was in the middle. Two soldiers stood before two massive green and blue double doors. On Mezu's command they both grabbed a door and swung it open.

As soon as one entered the building, you found yourself in the waiting room; which consisted of a circle of relaxing chairs in the middle with a fireplace behind them. The room had a strong scent of incense and musk. The lighting was dimmer inside, Danika's eyes took a minute to adjust. There was an open entry-way off to the left of the fireplace that led to the massive dining hall. Another door to the far right led to the kitchens. Dozens of servants with white uniforms carrying covered dinner trays hustled back and forth between the kitchen and the dining hall. Licking his lips, Koss tried to peer through the covers like he could see through aluminum!

An older gentlemen wearing a brown sleeveless tunic, dark greaves and a long black robe walked through the left entry way. He had broad shoulders, thick muscular arms, a thin mustache and streaks of gray running through his short cropped hair. Despite his age, the man's eyes still showed the intensity of a soldier ready for battle. "Well met Sunspears, my name is Chancellor Martell. It is a pleasure to finally meet you all. You have been expected," he gave a bow and motioned for everyone to follow.

The dining hall table could easily have held forty patrons. Glowing chandeliers hung over the hall with dozens of lampposts lining the walls. Danika spotted Sousuke and Tahlkora already seated to the far end and waved empathically. Servants rushed in and pulled the chairs out for the guests. Chancellor Martell pulled a chair out next to his own and motioned for Kiruna to sit, with a wry grin she complied. Coming up closer to the Chancellor, the First Mage gave a bow. "How pleasing it is to see you again, Chancellor. I trust everything is well?" she asked in sultry, sweet voice.

"Well enough for now, Kiruna, but there are matters that can use your personal attention later," Martell gave Kiruna a smile that stole her breath. From across the table, Danika rolled her eyes. Koss sat to the right of Danika. He leaned in and whispered: "She boinked him too? Damn, that girl is good!"

Danika chuckled. "I bet those gateways come in handy when it's time to go," she whispered back, causing Koss to erupt in laughter. Kiruna shot Koss a scowl that promised unbearable torture later, which made Danika laugh again.

Glasses of water were placed along the table in front of the guests while they waited. Danika grabbed one and started drinking. Seated to her left, Jin playfully elbowed Danika in the ribs, leaned in and whispered: "You sure her title isn't First Harlot?" which made Danika spew water out across the table. Koss was laughing so hard even the Chancellor began to chuckle. Kiruna leaned back in her chair, boiling with hate for the three jokesters across the table.

For a while, everyone was engaged in their own lively chat. Sousuke and Tahlkora talked about their findings in Jahai, and how excited the Kournan people were that Istan were united again. Koss and Doran exchanged war stories, Sevian and Danika exchanged healing recipes. Jin and Martell spoke about politics in various nations. Danika and Kiruna talked about supply chains and troop movements. As the dinner trays were placed on the table everyone began eating in earnest. Meats of all types were on the menu: steak, lamb chops, beef and pork. Danika dove into her favorite vegetables; corn, cabbage, celery, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, pickles, and onions. Let's also not forget the wine and ale!

Waving a pickled fork out in front of him, the Chancellor got Danika's attention. "So Spearmarshal, what are your plans with the Alliance?" Danika swallowed the food she was chewing and wiped her mouth off with a napkin. "Well, the first step was to re-establish the marketplace in Gandara, and we have done that."

"Indeed you have, you have my thanks," the Chancellor replied. Danika took a sip of water and continued. "Next, I wanted to establish a supply chain from Istan to the Kournan mainland which is in operation as we speak. I have seven battalions of Sunspears holding in Nundu Bay and the Dajkah Inlet awaiting further orders. And our comrades from Cantha are holding in Gandara." Martell nodded on all her points. Kiruna continued to eat but her eyes never left her sister.

He put his fork down, leaned in and folded his hands. "And what are your plans for my Kournan troops?" Danika noticed the tone of his voice grew serious, so she chose her words carefully. "I have not yet made a decision if Kourna will engage the Margonites. I am the leader of the Istan army, and nothing more." Martell leaned back in his chair with a wisp of a smile. "The greatest leaders in this world knew their limitations immediately and worked around them. They felt for the walls, and smashed them. I like what you have done so far, Spearmarshal Danika, in your short time as Istani's leader. I always found Kormir to be a bit….hasty in her decisions. I presume you still have not found her?"

Danika shook her head. "Nothing yet, and I fear the worse."

"We'll let's keep the mood light today shall we? You and I have much to celebrate!" Martell stood up and raised his goblet in the air. "To Istan, Kourna and the unity of peace!" Everyone raised their glasses and shouted: "To unity and peace!" With the toast done, it was time to drink and be merry. Servants constantly replaced empty goblets of wine with full ones. Four minstrels walked in the hall playing lively tunes from Kourna, Istan and Vabbi. Tahlkora and Sevian got up and danced, holding hands and twirling around. Koss, Sousuke and Doran held various drinking games. Soon everyone was drunk and falling over themselves in laughter. Danika heard her favorite tune from Istan and jumped on the table, dancing.

With a drunken Danika leading, everyone belted out the lyrics:

Sing all ye joyful, now sing all together!
The wind's in the tree-top, the wind's in the heather;
The stars are in blossom, the moon is in flower,
And bright are the windows of Night in her tower.

Dance all ye joyful, now dance all together!
Soft is the grass, and let foot be like feather!
The river is silver, the shadows are fleeting;
Merry is May-time, and merry our meeting.

Sing we now softly, and dreams let us weave him!
Wind him in slumber and there let us leave him!
The wanderer sleepeth. Now soft be his pillow!
Lullaby! Lullaby! Alder and Willow!
Sigh no more Pine, till the wind of the morn!
Fall Moon! Dark be the land!
Hush! Hush! Oak, Ash, and Thorn!
Hushed be all water, till dawn is at hand!

The minstrels played on and on throughout the evening. Danika fell over more than once, only to be picked up by Koss, who wasn't too steady himself!

It was late into the night when Martell took his leave of the guests." When you are done with your food and drink, my servants will show you to your rooms," he announced. Before he left for his chambers upstairs, he took Kiruna's hands in his own. "My lady," he said, kissing her fingers lightly." He left Kiruna blushing fiercely.

"Ooooo... yushz in trouble nowz, he he he..," Danika said to Kiruna, slurring her words and slumping out of her chair. Laughing himself, Koss grabbed the drunken monk and straightened her up, only for her to fall again!

Ω Ω Ω

Vixtrola Rock · Jul 17, 2008, 06:31 AM // 06:31

Chapter 18 - The Morning After

The bright rays of sunlight slipped through the open curtains and assaulted her eye lids. In a show of defiance she turned her back to the windows. But it was too late, the damage was already done and she was awake. Despite the burning oils, her bedchambers still had the overpowering smell of sex. "How long did we go for?" she wondered, flipping onto her back. She guessed more than a few hours, judging from the serious lack of sleep. Every inch of her naked form was sticky with sweat and saliva. Her thighs and back muscles ached, and her head was in a complete fog from previous nights wine. After her fifth glass the rest of the night became a blur. One minute she was flirting with Martell, the next moment she was sitting on Mezu's lap twirling her fingers in his curly hair. And why was Danika so intent on watching what she and Mezu did at the table anyways? Every time Kiruna glanced across the table, Danika's piercing gray eyes were dead set on her.

Cursing and stretching her aching limbs, Kiruna rose out of bed and freshened up before donning her purple and silver dress. Before she left her chambers she reached for her flame staff.

Remnants of breakfast were littered across the table when Kiruna made it down. Only the servants picking up the dirty dishes remained in the hall. She fixed a plate and ate in silence. After she was finished, Kiruna walked out of the hall and into the waiting room, still nobody. "Probably out training," she figured. Outside the dining hall, it was a different story than what she guessed.

Soldiers in full battle armor ran back and forth grabbing weapons, shields, arrows and supplies. Kiruna's head darted left and right, searching for her friends among the sea of soldiers. She grabbed one guy by the shoulder plate and asked him what was going on. "Rilohn Refuge is under attack, First Mage," he said before breaking her grip and rushing off. Kiruna tightened the grip on her staff. There was a major sense of urgency in the air and Kiruna quickly adjusted to the intensity. She was about to give up searching outside and check the hall again when Danika called out to her. "Kiruna, over here! Hurry! We need to leave at once through your gateway."

"Who's attacking Rilohn Refuge?" she asked, catching up with her sister. Doran and Chancellor Martell stood beside the Spearmarshal outside an armory. Danika's jaws flexed as she answered her sister. "We don't know. All we know is that it's huge, made of stone, and vicious. There are a handful of other monsters about. Doran says his minstrel friend back in Gandara may know what it is and how to defeat it. So that's the first place where going."

"Well we are close enough now we can check the..." Danika raised a hand silencing the First Mage. "You will take us to Gandara now," Danika said in a flat tone. "We will find a way to defeat the monster, and then we will be on our merry. Is that understood?" Kiruna was shocked by her sister's tone of voice. "Yes, that's fine," was all she could voice. Danika glared at Kiruna for a few moments before turning her attention over to the Chancellor. Her face visibly softened as she spoke to Martell. "If you insist, Chancellor, on sending some of your troops with us that would be fine. Form a garrison to rendezvous with my Sunspears at the front gates in two bells." Martell nodded and took his leave to form the party.

Danika switched to Doran. "I'm sending everyone to the Rilohn Refuge now Commander. There is no need for everyone to gateway jump with us." Doran nodded in reply. Kiruna and Doran followed the Spearmarshal to an open expanse where Kiruna could open a gateway safely. Once she had it prepared, the three of them walked through.

Ω Ω Ω

Finding the minstrel wasn't too hard for Doran, seeing as how his childhood friend always enjoyed being the center of attention, as it with most minstrels. The trio found him playing a flute to a melody which involved three funny and promiscuous female ritualists. The small group of soldiers he was playing for on the docks were stamping their feet to the tune and clapping their hands. On their way through the city, Doran said his name was Gerald Allen Seaguard (3rd son of the royal Seaguard family in Cavalon) and his stage name was Voltaire the Forgiving. When Danika laid eyes on him, she found his features to be quite attractive; he was clean shaven with a strong jaw line, tall and slender but with broad shoulders, his short brown hair was combed back, and his glittering blue eyes seemed to reflect everything that was still good and pure in the world. Gerald's blue and green button up suit was both fancy and charming, it fit his outward persona well.

Gerald turned around while still playing and missed a note badly. His blue eyes lit up when he saw his longtime friend.

"Doran, what a surprise! I was not expecting you back for a few days. Who did you bring with you," he stretched his neck around Doran and noticed two more with him. "First Mage, how nice to see you again…and," his words caught in his throat. His free hand worked the syllables his mouth couldn't release. Finally, he spoke in a reverent tone, "You must be Spearmarshal Danika…it is a pleasure to finally meet you," he said, giving a bow usually reserved for kings. "I have been anxiously awaiting the day in which we could finally meet," he exclaimed. Gerald reached for her hand and kissed it lightly, turning Danika's face a bright red. "My name is Gerald Seaguard, at your service," he said, still holding Danika's hand. Doran knew Gerald wanted to meet the Spearmarshal since he docked, and he wasn't going to spoil the moment.

Kiruna felt it necessary to speak up. "I hate to ruin this, but people need us right now." Danika's attention snapped back to the present moment. "Yes, you're right. Gerald, we need to know any information you may have about one of Abaddon's servants."

He tilted his head in curiosity. "Abaddon's servants? He has many. Which one would you like to know about?"

"Well, we don't know which one exactly," Doran added in.

"I listened to firsthand accounts, Gerald. There were two types of creatures inside the water plant." Danika tried to describe the beasts with her hands. "The ones that seemed to do all the damage were these huge, mushroom-headed, beasts with large teeth..."

"Hm... mushroom headed, shambling mesas maybe."

Danika furrowed her brows. "Maybe," she replied. "The big one had two stone wings and a long neck..."

"Long neck, you say?" Gerald asked, rubbing his chin.

"Yes, and they took over Rilohn Refuge in central Kourna."

"Water…stone…shambling mesas…ah!" Gerald snapped his fingers, grabbing everyone's attention. "The Drought lives underwater in the Realm of Torment. She is always guarded by a group of Shambling Mesas. She does very little fighting herself, you see, but when she's provoked she can wipe a force with ease."

"That's helpful to know," Kiruna replied, sarcastically, finding no patience with the humorous minstrel. "How can we kill it?"

"Kill it?" Gerald blurted. "Why would you want to kill it? Nobody can get close enough to harm it. And besides it's in the Realm of Torment."

"I did say they were in Rilohn Refuge, didn't I?" Danika asked, losing patience herself.

"Rilohn Refu--," Gerald's jaw dropped open with realization. "How…it's not…"

"Possible? Well it is, and we need to know how to kill it!" Kiruna snapped. Gerald looked down, his eyes darted left and right. He racked his brain desperately, trying to remember how the Drought was banished to the Realm of Torment in the first place. Abbadon claimed the creature as his own and brought it to his own Realm thousands of years ago, he remembered. The minstrel's eyes popped open. "Ok, ok. The Drought was beaten by a team of fire mages thousands of years ago. The wizards had a battalion of warriors and monks backing them up you see. We'll have to rally..."

"You're looking at the rally, Gerald." Doran pointed out.

Gerald raised his chin with sudden chivalry. "If this is to be our end, Doran, then I will join you on this mission." he said. "We shall need a team of the fastest horses Gandara can find. I'll grab some supplies--, " Danika raised her hand, silencing the quick talking minstrel. "None needed. Kiruna, open a gate here. We leave now."

Without delay, Kiruna opened a gateway and Doran quickly passed through. Gerald's mouth gaped open at the hole rectangular hole in the air. "What is that?!" he yelled, waving a shaky finger at the portal. "Are you going to take me to the Underworld?"

Danika chuckled at his silly question. "Just go through, you'll be fine. Trust me."

"If you say so. I guess it's a good thing I brought my sword with me," Gerald proclaimed with a huff, before stepping through the portal.

Danika darted her eyes at her sister before stepping through. Kiruna was once again stunned by the way he sister was acting towards her, and before this day was through she was going to find out why. She walked through the gateway, letting it wink out after her.

Ω Ω Ω

Vixtrola Rock · Jul 17, 2008, 06:34 AM // 06:34

Chapter 19 - The Battle for Rilohn Refuge

Acolyte Jin was the first to notice the gateway opening two long bowshots away from their gathering point. She had led the Kournans and Sunspears to the front gates of Rilohn Refuge, and awaited here for Danika's return. When saw she the gateway opening, she motioned for the others to follow as she moved in. From the gateway, Doran was the first out, followed by Gerald, Danika and Kiruna who waved her arm and sealed the portal. Doran gave everyone around him a quick introduction for Gerald before Danika took lead. The air among the groups was crackling with anticipation for the pending battle.

"How many soldiers do we have with us Jin?" Danika asked.

"We have three dozen with us. Chancellor Martell's finest, he proclaims." Jin replied, proudly. Each Kournan soldier held his head high, weapons at the ready and armor shining. Danika nodded, looking over the men Martell sent to help take back Rilohn Refuge. She still didn't know how to defeat the Drought, but they had to get in there right now. There was no more time to discuss strategy. From where she stood, Danika could see the front gates barred closed. The workers who were able to escape had long since left. Danika wondered how many didn't make it out. She called for everyone to move in closer.

"Sunspears and Kournans! This is our first fight together," she yelled above the towering plate mail and helmets. "Whatever assailed Rilohn will be sent back to the Realm of Torment by our hands, today!" Cheers exploded up from the ranks around her. "Let us show Varesh that we do not fear her minions, and that we, as Elonians, can fight off whatever comes our way!" Danika finished by thrusting her spear in the air. A cacophony of cheers met her act of defiance.

"Elonians, with me!!" Danika screamed, breaking from the group and leading the charge to the gates. Koss and Doran took her flanks, while Jin, Sousuke, Kiruna, Sevian and Gerald covered her rear. The Kournans fanned out behind the Sunspears, turning the formation into a flying V. The inner area leading to the gates was flooded, but they ran through, splashing water as they charged in. Danika was the first on the steps and motioned for Koss and Doran to open the gate. Kiruna and Sousuke stepped up and assumed battle stances, fireballs ready to immolate the first thing not human.

The doors swung open and the band was met with an eerie silence, except for the sounds of rushing water. A strong gust of putrid stink and human decay escaped the open doors. Everyone's face turned grim when they caught the scent. Koss held his axe so tight you could hear the leather on the grip move.

Danika raised an open hand, calling for a hold position. Nobody moved an inch. She then made an opened hand slash across her neck calling for silence. Using hand signals, Danika ordered Jin to move in using stealth to locate the shambling mesas, and report back. With a nod, Jin crept in through the doors. Danika watched Jin's every move like it would be her last. If you were a visitor to Rilohn Refuge, once you entered the front gates you came face to face with a great wall. You either turned left or right into the outer terrace.

Jin crept to the wall and stopped. She flattened her form against it and moved to Danika's right, side stepping one foot at a time. Jin stopped at the edge and cautiously peered out. Danika had to crane her neck to see Jin from her position at the open doors. Tense moments passed before Jin moved back into the middle and began flashing hand signals. She held up three fingers and fanned left…two fingers and fanned the middle, three fingers and fanned right. Danika gave a nod and relayed the signals for the troops behind her. Danika cupped her hands together and fanned right, ordering everyone to go right. Letting out a war cry she ran through the entryway and banked right, everyone falling in place behind her.

At once, the terrace was filled with scores of blood-thirsty soldiers hell bent on revenge. Dead bodies lying in pools of their own blood scattered the concrete terrace. Each of the bodies looked as if a giant foot squished them flat. Danika's eyes shot out of her head when she spotted the first creature: a towering behemoth, with cracked stone for skin and razor sharp teeth that protruded from a lipless mouth. The creature had no eyes and short stubby claws for hands. Danika was unnerved to see the eyeless monster turn its grotesque head and charge in towards the approaching squad. The creatures she saw were wandering aimlessly in the water workings of the Refuge, but no more. The creature's speed was uncanny. At once, they turned their stone-faced heads and quickly assailed the visitors.

Kiruna fired a massive ball of flame straight for the first mesa, knocking it off its feet which sent a wave of water out of the pool when it collapsed. Koss ran headlong into another, axe chopping. The mesa bent down and sent a rocked fist for Koss. He easily dodged the attack and scored a hit against the creature's side, creating a gash which oozed a thick brown liquid. A second arm came down on his shoulder slamming him to the ground. A fireball from Sousuke sent the creature sprawling backwards, but the Mesa kept its balance and lunged down for Koss again. He raised his shield and parried the strike, then rolled to the side to regain his footing. The mesa struck his shield again and again, each time forcing Koss back on his heels. He used its forward momentum against it for another strike, hitting the same spot he did before. With quickness that belied its stature, the mesa backhanded Koss in the chest sending him flying out of the fight. Another fireball struck the Mesa in the chest, knocking it back into the pool where it stopped moving.

A loud cry snapped Danika's attention right where a mesa broke through the Kournan ranks charging straight for Sevian and herself. Without thinking, Danika darted toward Sevian's direction throwing a protective shield over herself and the other monk. "Move Sevian! It's coming straight for us!" She screamed over the pounding feet of the Mesa closing in fast. Danika reached the main wall and banked right at a dead run. Sevian broke her attention from Doran and turned right to see a Mesa charging after the Spearmarshal. The blood drained from her face in an instant. "Danika, behind you!" Sevian shouted out to the fleeing monk. The mesa was mere paces from snatching Danika. She turned about and ducked - just as a massive stone arm swung over her, and smashed against the wall. Debris flew into Danika's face temporarily blinding her. She kept her balance and rolled out of a foot stomp, breaking into another run. "Fuego, hit it!" Danika screamed out, rushing back towards the groups. Her answer came as the Mesa was smashed in the back with a ball of orange flame. The mesa didn't miss a beat closing the distance to Danika. She had to hop over dead bodies as she ran back towards Koss who just took down another Mesa with Doran's help. Both warriors turned and made a beeline for Danika, their faces contorted with rage. Danika heard a loud 'whoosh!' and felt a gust of heat smack her shoulders. She turned back to see the Mesa engulfed in flames. Its mouth hung open in what could have been called snarl, but no sound came out. It flailed its stubby arms trying to fan the flames. Danika missed a step and fell over, quickly turning on her back with an outstretched hand and a white light held above her. The fiery beast took a final step in and lunged for her - only to take another fireball in its side, toppling the flaming mesa over in front of the prone monk.

Danika rose to her feet, panting for breath, and scanned the terrace. The fighting was over for the time being. Scores of the massive stone creatures lay in ruins, along with over two dozen Kournan soldiers. All the Kournan healers were killed. Doran walked up to Danika, sheathing his sword. He no longer had his helmet, as it was torn off his head and crushed by a stone foot. He was lucky his head wasn't inside! "A Kournan scout says the inner terrace is completely empty, no dead bodies or anything. He also heard the beast in the main water plant. It's sitting across from the falls.

"Very good work Commander, let's form up and move in."

Ω Ω Ω

The trip through the inner terrace served as a brief respite against the upcoming challenge. A beast which was previously banished ages ago, now sits in the water that the Kournan populace drinks from. She really had no idea what this beast's plans were, and if it even had any. Poison the water supply? Maybe. If Varesh wanted to poison the water supply, why not send a few men in with a liquid vial to do the job. Her instincts told her this beast served as an obstacle and nothing more. Whatever its purpose, Danika wanted the being out of her way, immediately.

The remaining Kournan guards followed the Sunspears into the main water junction. From this high up Danika spotted the creature near the steps leading out of the pool, on the opposite end. Most of its stone red form lay above the shallow current. The Drought was red stone. It had a duck-shaped head with massive snapping jaws; its neck was more than six-feet in length, with two monstrous fins protruded from its torso. The Drought's overall appearance was not grotesque or horrific to look upon. This was a beast which lived in another realm, but was moved here to serve another purpose.

Two massive fountains poured water into the pool from either end. The group atop the encircling ridge fanned out around Danika. Gerald moved up alongside the Spearmarshal and whispered into her ear. "The beast is vulnerable to fire. I've spoken to the First Mage and Acolyte Sousuke, they await my signal to release the fireballs. We must keep the beast contained in the pool. I do not think it can fly, but the Drought can easily destroy this complex with its earth based attacks. It has the power to unleash powerful earthquakes among other spells."

Danika grimaced and nodded back. "On my signal, the archers will attack," she said. Gerald nodded and moved towards the steps. From her vantage, she watched Gerald descend the steps like a man walking towards a snake pit. A very small part of Danika wanted to laugh at the amazing turn of events. Here she was sending a minstrel, of whom she just met today, to engage a beast who could easily rip the ground out from under his feet. He was a brave one indeed.

Four flights of stairs separated the Sunspears from the mighty beast. From Gerald's perspective the creature looked to be sleeping, its head was cast down and its massive fins lay motionless in the rippling current. Water splashed against its red stone skin, and receded back into the pool. Gerald unsheathed his sword and held it out with both hands in front of him. "Blade be true this day," he whispered. Danika barely registered his next move: a lightening quick, one-handed sword thrust out towards the sleeping beast. She signaled for the archers to attack, and at once, a volley of arrows flew for the unsuspecting beast's head.

A purple light also flashed in front of its beaked face, and two beady eyes shot open in reply. The mighty creature let out a deafening scream, forcing everyone to cover their ears. A bright flash of orange light caught Danika's attention as Sousuke fired the first ball of flame. Danika followed the trail of smoke down, as the arcing ball exploded over its neck, sending flames and smoke everywhere. Another fireball followed, smashing its face dead center. Danika heard a monstrous crunch as the beast fell back against the stone wall.

Gerald jabbed his sword continually at the beast, sending out every hex he knew. The beast growled and shivered against the fire blasts and hexes. It raised is massive fins in the air deflecting the fireballs. The fireballs exploded on impact but didn't leave any noticeable damage. Soon, enough smoke and mist rose up from the defending creature to blanket the area. Danika could no longer see over the ledge, the air was so thick with smoke and mist. Danika heard a loud crash from the lower steps, and her heart stopped.

"Kiruna, keep firing on the creature! Sousuke, aim low and in front!" Danika screamed through the mist, racing down the junction. The steps were barely visible and she prayed she didn't lose her footing. As Danika flew down the steps, massive balls of orange flame arced over her head down through the white mist and exploded over the beast.

The Drought was forced into a stoic defense, and hunched low against the barrage. Danika's stomach lurched when she found Gerald, lying motionless face-down on the steps. She crouched low to turn him over and scan his wounds but found none. She checked his pulse, weak but still there. Danika's plan up until this point had worked, but she didn't factor in the Drought's ability to defend against elemental attacks. She could only see the creature now two bowshots away: hunched in a ball, with its fins defiantly raised in the air. Danika watched in slow motion as balls of flame sailed from on high to explode harmlessly against the Drought's impenetrable fins. She knew any warrior that charged the beast would perish. Her hopes that they could kill the beast quickly, were now dashed. She looked down to the minstrel who stirred in her protective arms.

"It… broke my hexes… all of them… the ground below me, flew up..." Gerald was forced to stop and coughed from the thick smoke and mist. "Next moment I was flying back….landed hard…" he coughed again and sighed. Danika placed a gentle hand on his damp forehead, soothing the minstrel. "That was a brave thing you did, Gerald, I will never forget it," she said, mussing his hair. "We have to get out of here and think of something else, while the ele's have the thing cornered."

"Don't worry Dani, I have a plan," Jin countered, descending to Gerald and Danika's level of steps. "What are you going to do?" Danika asked, rising to her feet. "I'll distract the thing long enough for Fuego and Sousuke to finish it off," Jin replied, holding her longbow in one hand, and raising her cloth mask up over her mouth. "Give me some enchants Dani." After Danika shielded her, Jin charged into the pool.

Danika would never forget the sight of her best friend running straight for the biggest creature either of them had seen. A lone ranger, running straight for death's embrace. Jin's long loping strides covered the distance between herself and the Drought immediately. "I'm right here beasty! Come and get me!" Jin taunted. She stopped a few paces away, shooting two arrows between its outstretched fins scoring a hit against its neck. The arrows connected solidly with a crunch, and the beast closed its fins to engage the fearless ranger. The Drought lowered its head and opened its mouth, issuing forth a massive spray of stone particles. She banked left just as the blast hit the pool, causing a massive wave of water to splash over Gerald and Danika. The creature followed Jin's escape and kept blasting. Keeping a good distance between her and the beast, Jin bent her bow back and sent two more arrows leading straight for its outstretched neck. The beast smashed its fins into the water and ambled faster towards the ranger. She stopped running and held her ground on the opposite end, pulling arrow after arrow out of her pack and letting them fly.

"Jin, NO!!"

It was at this very moment, that Danika now gained complete access to the Diviner. The spirit of Dwayna filled her form with a tidal wave of power. Her vision turned crystal clear amidst the chaos of smoke and ash. In a split second, Danika knew the Drought's weaknesses and strengths. She knew it was 726 years old, and the only one of its kind. She knew that by killing the creature here, the Drought would be banished back into its own realm. All of this knowledge and more opened up to Danika like a book.

Danika hit the water at a dead run, one hand clutching the Tengu spear, the other hand a ball of light outstretched in front. The beast lowered its head and smashed into Jin, throwing her back against the wall ten paces away. Danika heard the sickening sound of bones snapping as Jin hit the wall hard and slid unconsciously into the current. The shields she was able to cast on her friend prevented immediate death, but Jin still took a beating. Danika flew past the creature and skidded in the water grappling her fallen friend in her arms. She darted her head up towards the charging beast and shot up her Protective Spirit shield over the two of them in an instant. The Drought didn't care two bits about the monk. It opened it's massive jaws and an explosion of rocks and sand hit the shield like a sandstorm. Danika growled out of exertion from the impact of the blasts. Her vision was covered in debris flying off the translucent shield.

Danika risked her life to save Jin's, and now they were both trapped in a sandstorm of death. The concussive blasts of rock, sand and stone made it impossible to hear anything, but Danika screamed out to her friends out of sheer desperation. "Hit it now!"

The barrage continued. Beads of sweat trailed over her temples. The longer the barrage continued, the longer Danika had to hold the shield. Which also meant that Jin's life was slipping away. The shields on Jin were long since shattered from the impact, and she lay motionless on her side, her head resting on Danika's bent knee above water. "Hit the beast!" she screamed again, over the barrage. The barrage sputtered, but Danika still couldn't see out. She did hear another loud explosion followed by falling red stone and ash over the shield. The blasts came to an abrupt end as another ball of orange flame connected solidly against its neck. The Drought lurched to the side and smashed against the wall in front of Danika. The beast let out a growl and slumped against the wall, losing all will to fight. Pieces of stones fell from its head and neck, splashing into the pool. The beast fell apart piece by piece into the pool, forming a small mountain of red stone.

Danika wasted no time in healing Jin. The Sunspears and Kournans rushed into the pool and formed a defensive perimeter around their Spearmarshal. Many tense moments passed as Danika used a host of condition-removal and health-regeneration spells on the ranger to snatch her from the brink of death. Danika ordered Jin to be carried to the steps and out of the murky water. When the ranger finally opened her eyes, she gave Danika quizzical look. "I don't remember you having blue eyes, Dani," she said. Danika self-consciously raised a hand to her face. "They're not blue, Jin, I've always had brown eyes. You know that."

"Not anymore you don't," Jin replied, smiling back. Danika turned to look at Kiruna who shrugged her shoulders."What can I say? She's right, sis."

Gerald walked up and patted Danika on the shoulder. "Congratulations, Danika." She looked back to the minstrel, incredulously. "Congratulations for what, changing my eye color?"

Gerald nodded his head. "The eyecolor change is an after-effect. I wanted to be the first person to congratulate you on becoming a Diviner, Danika."

Ω Ω Ω

Rothan Celt · Jul 30, 2008, 10:11 AM // 10:11

5 stars =)

(have to prolong message.....dum de dum)

Vixtrola Rock · Aug 07, 2008, 04:04 AM // 04:04

Sorry for the delay everyone! The story is finished and can be downloaded in PDF format Here.

Chapter 20 - The Forum Highlands

Hundreds of nobles were in attendance to celebrate the completion of the Bokka Amphitheater, in Tihark Orchard. The lavish palace adjacent to the Kodash Bazaar was chosen as the place to host the event. The blue and yellow banners of Vabbi soared high above the towers in the Kodash Bazaar next door to the palace. Actors and actresses from across the continent were also here to congratulate the Prince on his accomplishment; and to inquire about possible roles the richly famous Prince Bokka may have in the works.

Kehanni swiped a hand over her damp forehead, squirming her way through the throng of Vabian nobles and servants. She was not sweating from the dry heat that covered the land like a blanket, but rather from the seriousness of the news that she just received from a scout. Basalt Grotto was just overrun, and very few escaped with their lives. As princess to the ruling merchant in Vabbi, Kehanni had readily access to all civil and military comings and goings. In her mind she worked to piece together a plan for a quick defense, and evacuation. Her thoughts were broken when she crashed headlong into a servant causing him to drop his empty tray. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” Kehanni blurted out, bending down to help the servant. He nodded back, picking up the tray. “Quite alright I suppose dear Princess. You are obviously in a hurry, I should have given you more room to get by,” he said with a smile.

Kehanni started walking away but turned her head back to the man. “By the way, have you seen my father?”

“Yes, I just gave him a fresh glass of wine,” he said, angling his chin in the direction she could find him. “He’s talking with Prince Bokka and a group of visitors on the upper terrace.” The servant bit back the word ‘visitors’, giving Kehanni the impression the guests arrived unannounced. Unannounced guests forced the haughty Vabian servants to work harder than they wanted to. Kehanni gave a bow and ran for the stairs leading to the 2nd level. She bumped shoulders with nobles left and right, hearing curses whispered behind her as she took the stairs two at a time. Banking right she spotted her father; always the tallest in a crowd, with round shoulders and a strong angular face. Even though Prince Ahmtur retired from the Vabian Elite guard six years ago, he kept his lean physique through continuous sparring. Kehanni caught the look on his face, and the faces around him, they already knew.

Prince Ahmtur raised a hand in front of the visitors asking for a moment as he waved his daughter into the group. Kehanni bowed in deference when she reached the circle, and then took in the visitors; a broad shouldered man wearing a set of plate mail that resembled a coral reef; a tall, rail thin woman with short ruddy hair; a equally tall, overdressed man who could only be a minstrel judging by the colorful button up suit he wore; and a short, curvy young woman with long black hair tied into a bun that hung over shoulders. The shorter of the two women looked to be no older than Kehanni, but her crystalline blue eyes spoke of experiences beyond her years.

“Father, are you aware of the assault on Basalt Grotto?” she asked. Ahmtur nodded and looked back to the young woman in front of him; once more asking for confirmation that their dire news was in fact true. The woman pursed her lips and nodded in reply. He turned his gaze back to Kehanni. “Basalt Grotto has been overrun by an army of Margonites,” he said.

“Spearmarshal Danika has placed their numbers over twenty five thousand.” indicating Danika with his chin. “She says this army is just the expeditionary unit.” Arching her eyebrows, Kehanni bowed graciously towards the young woman. “Spearmarshal Danika, it is an honor to finally met you, my name is Kehanni,” she greeted warmly.

Danika bowed in return. “Well met Kehanni. I am told you have extensive knowledge of the Vehjin Mines, south of the Grotto?”

“Yes I do; most of our iron ore comes from those mines. We have a small town next door called Jennur’s Horde. The two areas are separated by a large rock outcropping; only way through to the mines is by a twelve foot gate in the middle."

Danika nodded to herself, halfway lost in thought. “We need to provide stopgap at that gate. How far is Jennur’s Horde from here?”

“Jennur’s Horde is one mile north of here, give or take. Use the exit west which leads to the Forum Highlands,” Kehanni instructed. “Half of the Highlands are covered by rocks and mountains to the south, but there is a wide open area about a mile wide outside these walls.”

Danika folded her arms and studied Kehanni. “Are there any other exits out of the Vehjin Mines?”

“Well, there were two others, but they have been closed due to rock slides,” Kehanni said, wondering where these questions were leading.

The broad shouldered man in the coral reef armor cleared his throat. “From the sound of it, the entrance creates a natural bottleneck. If we held the Margonite army at the gate for a time, we may be able to map our soldiers here for a defense.” Prince Bokka snorted loudly: “We are only delaying the inevitable. The Margonites will break upon this palace like water over rocks!”

Prince Ahmtur shot his friend a ferocious scowl. “How dare you Bokka! Many of our own men have already died today due to our inability to act. How long have we known of this gathering force in the Realm of Torment?” Bokka had no answer. “Spearmarshal Danika sent word two weeks ago with news of an impending attack, and we did nothing!” Nobles and servants near to the group turned to the shouting Princes with worried glances. A few guards moved and stood around the group.

Prince Bokka’s massive double chin shook angrily as he spoke. “The first message said the attack would happen at Dzagonur Bastion, and then the second message said it’s not Bastion, but no location was given! What do you want me to do, send my troops on a wild goose chase?”

Danika raised her hands in the air begging for peace. “Now wait a minute please. Varesh fooled all of us by telling General Kahyet about Dzagonur Bastion. She knew he would ally with us, and she purposely gave him false information to throw us off. Varesh has kept us all guessing up to this point, but her plan was not wholly successful,” Danika assured the wary group, looking around to everyone as she spoke. Ahmtur motioned to Danika continued. “I can give our armies enough time to map here.”

“That doesn’t make any sense Spearmarshal! We have no men here!” Bokka roared. “It will take days for the Vabian armies to reach us.”

“Not entirely true my jolly good Prince,” a sultry sweet voice replied. Everyone turned to see Kiruna saunter over to the group. “I just found a way to expand my gateways over a larger area. Danika knows that; that’s why she can give us time. I can open the portal wide enough to allow twenty men standing shoulder to shoulder to walk through at once. I can teleport your battalions within two hours, provided they can form up properly.”

Bokka didn’t seem convinced. “That’s well and good First Mage, but we have already heard of demons rushing through the mines. We can very well be fighting for our lives within the hour!”

“That’s why we are here Bokka, to buy our men and women time to map in and form some semblance of a defense,” Danika reiterated. “Doran, Sevian, Koss, Sousuke, and I will hold the demons at bay inside Jennur’s Horde. Kiruna will open gateways to allow troops from Dzagonur Bastion and DeJarin Estate to map here quickly. We can…” Danika’s voice trailed when a young Vabian soldier ran up the steps and straight for the group. He stopped in front of Prince Ahmtur, and bent over to catch his breath.

“My Prince, the Vehjin Mines have been completely overrun. They are winding through the trails leading to Jennur's Horde as we speak!”

Prince Bokka let out a wail of defeat. “We are doomed! The enemy is already here, dear spirits save us! What are we gonna do?!” Ahmtur stepped forward grabbing Bokka’s ruffled collar with a fierce look in his eyes. “Get a hold of yourself man! The fight hasn’t started and you already resign in defeat. You should be ashamed of yourself!” He let go of his collar and Bokka stepped back hanging his head, whimpering.

Ahmtur turned back to the monk in charge. “Danika, do what you can at Jennur’s Horde. We will have to sacrifice the town, so be prepared to retreat. We’ll mark the northern part of the Forum Highlands as our formation point. There are very little trees, and a handful of bushes in that area. We’ll have no trouble lining up our men,” Ahmtur said. “I will go and gather what troops we have in the Kodash Bazaar.” He turned on Kiruna with a grave look. “I trust you Kiruna, with the lives of my men. I do not know if this gateway you speak of, but if you can get my men here quickly and safely then you have my thanks; and the thanks of Vabbi.

Kiruna accepted Ahmtur’s words with a curt nod. “Give me two hours to map both armies here Danika. You must hold them until then.”

Danika smiled back; her blue eyes sparkling with excitement. “Consider them held Sis.”

Ω Ω Ω

Outside the palace gates of Tihark Orchard, Danika found Koss and Sousuke eating alongside a handful of guards down the dirt path. Giving them a moment to finish, she quickly briefed them on the situation. Danika noticed a pair of messengers on horseback racing north for the town; horns also began blaring from all over; the call for all citizens outside the walls of Tihark Orchard to run back inside. Following the messengers trail, she led her friends through the open area of the Highlands for Jennur’s Horde. Before they reached the town, miners were already streaming out; fleeing the impending battle.

A Vabian soldier ran up to the group and saluted Danika when they entered the gates. “Spearmarshal, I have ordered an evacuation of the town. There are not too many here, so this town will be emptied very shortly. I also have twenty men with me that can assist you.” Before he could finish Danika was already shaking her head. “No Commander, I need you and your men to begin forming a defensive perimeter south of here in the northern highlands. We’ll be there soon enough,” Danika raised her voice above the commotion from the fleeing miners. “You make sure our retreat is secure!”

The Commander gave a salute and motioned for his men to move out. Danika waved Sousuke, Doran, Sevian, Koss and Jin over. She looked each of them in the eye with a devilish grin; “It’s time to go to work! Doran, Sevian and Jin take the right flank. Koss and Sousuke with me, let’s move!” The party separated into two groups and raced to the front gates leading into mining area. The tall, green gate was barred shut, but Danika knew it wouldn’t hold. Matter of fact, she was hoping it wouldn’t. She could hear the guttural growls and shouts coming from the other side of the gate already; the ground trembled beneath her feet; the grip on her spear tightened. Koss stood in front of Danika to the left of the gate, with Sousuke alongside her. She looked over to Doran, Jin and Sevian. All three were in the same position with Jin behind the monk.

Danika looked back to the closed gate and smiled inwardly. This was the moment she had been fighting to reach for the past two months; to be here, in this spot, before the gates splintered and Hell was unleashed. A loud boom echoed off the door as the Margonites reached the entrance.

“Come on! Come and get it!” Koss yelled through the gate. His taunt was met with another crash, as pieces the gate blew apart. Axe, swords and spears hacked at the door, with larger pieces f wood smashing into the ground. Doran unsheathed his Gothic sword with a flair. He then turned around and embraced a startled Sevian in a hug. “Know this Sevian: I love you, and if we are to die on this day, then I will die a happy man because I had you in my life.” Doran proclaimed, planting a firm kiss on her lips. Sevian’s look back to her partner was different. “You will live to see another day my love,” she said looking up into his eyes. “We will both live to see another day.” Doran smiled and turned back to the gate. Danika watched the brief exchange between the two lovers, and her heart went out for them. She would not allow either to fall this day or the next, if it took everything in her power to prevent it.

The final remnants of the gate split apart and the Margonites poured through. Danika’s face turned grim when she laid eyes on the demons. The Margonites have the torsos from both men and women; all the men were covered with wicked looking plate mail complete with long sharp spikes and gauntleted hands. The women had the same type of armor, only of a lighter variety. Danika noticed the paragon types were without feet, their legs ending in a pointy stump hovering above the ground. These types of demons had a set of purple translucent wings on their back, giving them the look of a grotesque fallen angel. Each demon wore a silver spiked helmet with the likeness of their God, Abaddon.

Danika found these Margonites to be an intimidating force to look upon. She stood her ground without fear.

The first group through the gate met Koss and Doran head on. Sousuke was already sending fireballs up over the group; exploding amidst the throng of demons trying to push through the broken double door gate. Jin fired shot after shot, aiming for their exposed necks. The first line of demons fell immediately, only to be replaced by another. Koss and Doran were engaged in a deadly dance; their weapons slashing and hacking with precision. They struck hard and they struck to kill. Dead Margonites quickly piled up around the ferocious warriors.

A paragon margonite broke from the group and ran towards Danika. Without the slithest hesitation, she charged the demon, flipping the spear in front of her. The demon feigned left and slashed down for her neck; Danika ducked under the swing and jabbed her spear up through its exposed throat, sending out a spray of blood across the dirt. The demon fell in a heap clutching its torn neck just as two more took its place. Danika growled and engaged the two demons, parrying sword thrusts, and countering with her own deadly strikes. Danika made short work of the demons, but she noticed Koss had become encircled, and his protective shield was taking a beating. Koss hacked the demons into pieces, but still they pressed. Doran’s shield was coming under heavy pressure as well despite Sevian’s efforts.

“Koss, Doran, and fall back to me!” she screamed out, coming under pressure from a Margonite warrior. The demon swatted Danika to the ground with his shield and aimed his sword for a killing blow, only to hit dirt. Danika rolled left bounced to her feet and ripped its neck open with a desperate swing. “Sevian, come to me!” Danika retreated back and called upon her Protective Spirit shield. Spreading both hands she expanded the shield forward and out encasing the Sunspears and the margonites that already through the broken gate. Danika’s blue translucent shield effectively blocked the entrance to Jennur’s Horde, preventing any margonites through. The hole was plugged for now.

Sousuke continued to send fireballs through the shield and over the stone wall. Massive plumes of smoke rose from the mines. Jin picked her targets inside the shield, careful not to hit the warriors. Sevian stood Danika, casting heals alongside the Diviner. The number of fighting margonites began to lessen, and when the last demon fell to Doran’s blade, both warriors took a knee, catching their breath. Both f the warrior’s armor had dents, scrapes and blood splotches.

“They’re quick, and smart,” Koss said between gasps for breath. “If it wasn’t for your enchantments, I would have been done for.” Doran nodded in agreement. “If it wasn’t for you to brave men holding the hordes back, Sevian, Sousuke, Jin and I would have been overwhelmed,” Danika replied, patting both warriors on the shoulder. “When you two are ready I’ll open the shield again.”

“Well the whole entrance area in Basalt Grotto is on fire. These margonites have to pass through the flames in order to reach us,” Sousuke commented. “One ele is not going to hold them back for long.”

Sevian wearily ran a hand through her long, white hair. “That wasn’t the plan. We have to hold them for another hour or so. I think...” Sevian stopped talking and rushed to Danika’s side. Danika fell to one knee and extended her arms out, holding the shield. “They’re…..trying to break the connection between the shield and I,” she growled through gritted teeth. Doran and Koss looked to each other and nodded. “Dani, release the shield, we’re ready.”

Ω Ω Ω

The floor below Varesh was a sea of black. Varesh stood on a cliff overlooking the mining floor which was bursting with Abaddon’s elite fighting force. One road led from the mines to Jennur’s Horde. The dirt road was wide enough for 10 men to stand abreast, but wasn’t enough to hold everyone. Half the army still waited up the trail leading to Basalt Grotto. Each demon stood at attention, weapons drawn, waiting for their chance to kill. Varesh stepped closer to the ledge and craned her neck down for a closer look. She was enjoying the view.

If Varesh had to choose a favorite a class it was the reapers with their cruel scythes; the margonite women were the deadliest among the hordes. Not all the demons had wings, and some had feet like the reapers.

“The Diviner has dropped the shield again, Varesh,” General Doriah said in, standing alongside the Warmarshal on the ledge. The demons spoke common tongue but carried a heavy guttural ascent.

“Same plan as before, sent in the ascendants and executioners first, followed by bow masters. Aim for the monks! They cannot hold out for much longer, even with their breaks.” Varesh growled at the generals around her. General Tirraj did not seem pleased. “This is the third time the Diviner has raised her shield against us. My seer’s cannot break it,” Tirraj fumed at the humanoid Warmarshal. General Nimtak and Kumtash looked over to the Warmarshal, already doubting her ability to lead. Varesh knew the four generals would not allow too many of their brethren to die needlessly.

“General Tirraj, order a pair of portal mages to open a rift behind the Sunspears,” Varesh commanded. “Send your reapers through at once; kill them all.” Tirraj nodded and strode down the path leading to the ground. Varesh turned back to the sea of demons and smiled.

Ω Ω Ω

The First Mage sat on a smooth rock with a handing propping her chin. Eight thousand men and women, all soldiers were forming ranks outside of Tihark Orchard. From a birds eye view, two massive boxes were taking shape. Mezu and Kahyet were in charge of the Kournan army, Melonni and Thalkora were given command of the Sunspears. Prince Ahmtur assumed command of the smaller Vabian forces which numbered a little over five hundred. Three massive gateways stood open to Kiruna’s right. Soldiers poured through the portals and ran for their designated areas with purpose.

Kiruna looked up to the sun and counted off the time. “Two hours passed, and still they hold strong,” she thought. To her right she could easily see massive plumes of smoke rise through the sky north of the allied defense. Soldiers who passed through the portal looked right and saw the smoke. They all knew the six people that were holding thousands of demons back, giving them time to form. Kiruna heard many soldiers offer a prayer for the brave few who held the hordes, and she silently gave her own as well. Her sister was one of those few. Each time she gazed at the rising smoke a chill ran through her spine.”I’m pulling you out of there Sis, don’t you worry.”

Kiruna stood up and shouted for Melonni and Kahyet. When the two commanders reached Kiruna she asked for a status. “I have eight hundred or so men left to jump through,” Kahyet said, slightly out of breath. “I’ll need another fifteen minutes, if you can spare it.”

Kiruna nodded approvingly, and then turned on her dervish friend. “How much more time do you need Mel?”

“We’re pulling the last few now Kiruna,” Melonni replied, holding her scythe. “You can close our gateway when you close General Kahyet’s.”

“Very good Mel, good job to the both of you. This maneuver wasn’t easy, but we’re pulling it off,” Kiruna addressed the pair. “I’ll give a warning to each group, and order men not coming through to block the gateway while it closes. I don’t want anyone to lose their life before we start.” Melonni and Kahyet nodded and went back to their groups. Kiruna looked back to the plumes of smoke took a deep breath. “Hold on tight Sis, I’m coming for you.”

Ω Ω Ω

Vixtrola Rock · Aug 07, 2008, 04:10 AM // 04:10

Chapter 21 – The Bloody Calm Before the Storm

The fighting outside the splintered gates of Jennur’s Horde was furious. Three times Danika raised the spell to shield her friends yet, she knew even with the breaks they could not hold any longer under such overwhelming pressure. Whether the defense was ready or not, Danika had to call for the retreat soon. Every few moments, Danika checked behind for any sign of an opening gateway. “Damn it, where is she,” she cursed to herself. Two margonites broke for Sevian and Danika cut the demons off, tripping one over with her spear and sweeping the feet of the other. Before Danika could finish them, the demons were engulfed in flames, writhing in pain on the blood soaked ground. Danika nodded to Sousuke, who she ordered to protect their rear and to forget the margonites behind the stone wall.

“Sevian, it’s time we get out of here!” Danika screamed above the din of the fighting. Still crouched in her battle stance, Sevian swiped a handful of damp hair from her forehead and nodded. Before Danika could call out to the warriors she felt a shift in the air behind her. Assuming that Kiruna arrived, Danika sighed in relief, turning around.

“Well it’s about time...” Danika was cut off by a flying body which smashed her squarely in the chest, blasting the air from her lungs. She hit the ground hard, and the limp body rolled over twice and lay motionless on its back. Coughing up dirt and blood, Danika crawled over to the body. “Sousuke!” Danika screamed, cupping a hand over her mouth. His robe and tunic was ripped to shreds,with long bloody gashes running the length of his chest.

Danika peered up from Sousuke’s battered form to see four margonite women carrying long, cruel scythes approach her. Danika watched a spirit rift close, but not before three more scythe wielding margonites jumped out, running for Sevian. Danika curled her lips in a snarl and allowed the sweet essence of Dwayna fill her body as she became the Diviner. Her muscles were taut and her spear begged for action, she issued her protective shield and greeted her new guests. “Come and get me, you evil bitches!” Three scythes hit her at once like a stone wall, sending her flying back into the dirt alongside Sousuke. Danika growled and rolled over to one knee, illuminating her free hand. Another scythe swung for Danika, pulsating light shot out from Danika’s hand and hit the dervish squarely in the chest, knocking her off her feet.

Danika rose to her feet and charged the remaining three. One after another the margonites were blown off out of action as the enraged Diviner transformed her divine energy into exploding balls of white hot fury. After finishing the four dervish margonites in bloody fashion, Danika charged the two who were hassling Sevian. Before she could reach the battered monk, Danika felt a sting of pain hit the back of her right shoulder. Instinctively reaching over, she felt the shaft of an arrow protruding out. Danika grunted and pulled the arrow out, healing the wound, just as a second arrow smashed into her right shoulder again, spinning her into the dirt. The world began to flicker and time slowed to a crawl.

With monumental effort, Danika gingerly rose to a knee and felt a nerve searing tear as a cruel tipped sword ripped into her side doubling her back over. Danika felt warm blood seeping into her shirt and down her legs. Danika was dimly aware of being face-first in the dirt, scrambling on hands and feet towards Sevian who just fell to her knees, clutching a pair of arrows in her midsection. Koss and Doran were heavily engaged and could not break out. Koss glanced at Danika and his heart stopped. He let out a war cry and ripped into the margonites with unbridled fury. If this was to be the end, then he would murder as many of the demon bastards as he could. He took hits of his own but no longer felt the pain. “Fight on Doran, fight on! Today is a good day to die!!” Doran growled in response, hacking and slashing, standing back to back with the enraged Sunspear warrior. The piles of dead margonites increased as the warriors cut the horde to ribbons. The demons pressed on, expertly containing the warriors as a handful sneaked around the back to slay the healers and the pesky ranger with her deadly longbow.

Danika futilely reached out for Sevian, gasping for air. Another pulsating wave of pain shot through body as a sword ripped into her back, puncturing a lung, and stabbing the earth underneath her. Danika arched her back, howling in mortal agony, as the world turned black. Dwayna refused to allow the Diviner to perish. Completely unaware of her own actions, Danika curled into a ball and called upon Divine Intervention before another stab of white hot agony ripped through her stomach, splashing warm blood over her ragged tunic. The spell immediately kicked in, sending blue sparks flying over her battered form, closing her mortal wounds, preventing Danika’s death. Using both hands Danika batted off the sword strikes as best she could, but many slipped through and hit home. White balls of holy energy exploded above the defending monk, clearing the margonites around her. “Now I’m really pissed!” Danika’s lips were curled back in a vicious snarl as she snatched her weapon off the ground and rose to her feet, looking for a fight.

Koss and Doran both turned their heads as they heard a roar, followed by a series of rocking explosions. The number of demons lessened around the pair of warriors as Danika the unhinged cut through the teeming masses of murderous demons. “Get behind me now!” Danika screamed before she plunged into the front of the mass holding at the broken gate. Koss and Doran looked at Danika in bewilderment; she was cutting through the ranks like a hot knife through butter. She quickly became surrounded and Koss feared this would be the end. She had to know a move like this would get her surrounded. “Dani, NO!”

The Diviner dropped to her right knee, lowered her head and whispered a prayer to Dwayna, producing a flashing white supernova blast and incinerating everything around her. The earth groaned and ripped open in waves, shooting huge gouts of flame and rock high into the sky. Margonites were lifted into the air and torn asunder. The stone wall separating Jennur’s Horde and the mines summarily exploded into pieces. Shards of stone impaled scores of demons killing them instantly. There was nothing left of the barricade, or the hundreds of demons who surrounded it just a few seconds ago.

Varesh and her generals, who were blown off their feet as well, began arguing. “Kill the Diviner now while she’s weakened!” Doriah yelled at Varesh. The Warmarshal shook her head. “Look how many she just killed Doriah! No, we hold back our forces for now.” Varesh looked over to Tirraj. “Get me the titans, Tirraj, I need everything here, right now. We finish them today, once and for all!”

A palpable silence brushed over Jennur’s Horde. Rock and ash fell from the sky like rain as the Vabbian Commander rushed in to rescue the injured Sunspears. Koss and Doran pulled Jin from under a pile of rocks and dead margonites, who were tossed in the air like rag dolls. Danika directed the explosion at the demons, but the sheer power of the blast ripped the ground from under everyone. The Commander snaked his way through the massive chunks of missing earth to pick up Danika who struggled to her feet in the middle. A gateway opened off to the side and Kiruna stepped through along with Tahlkora and Gerald.

“Dear spirits, look at the carnage,” the minstrel whispered, holding a trembling a hand over his mouth. Dead bodies were strewn everywhere and the ground was soaked with blood. Gerald bent over and spilled his lunch onto the red dirt. Covered in blood and gore from head to toe, Koss walked by the pale minstrel and gave him a pat on the shoulder on his way to the open portal. “It only gets better, Gerald!” Danika leaned heavily on the Vabbian Commander for support as the pair meandered through the wreckage of the front gate. Tahlkora helped Sevian through the portal after she closed the wounds in her stomach.

Doran walked up to Kiruna who stood transfixed in the middle of the wreckage. Kiruna’s arms were folded over her breasts and he noticed her jaw muscles flexing. She darted her eyes to Doran and back to the opening between them and then at the front of the Margonite ranks. “They are not moving against us,” she commented when Doran sheathed his sword and stood next to her, gazing out at the demon army. They were a good four long bow shots away, but a charge now could have proved fatal to the rescue. “What are they waiting for?” Doran asked, confused with their tactics. Why they were not taking advantage of the weakened defense was beyond him.

“Varesh is smart, she’s been planning this invasion for a long time. She’s willing to wait a few more minutes to begin her massacre.” Kiruna’s grim words sent a chill down Doran’s spine. For two hours they fought and killed at least a hundred of the beasts, and staring into the sea of black demons his heart sank, they had barely nicked the surface.

Kiruna sighed and dropped her arms to her sides. “I’m afraid we’ll be fighting more than just Margonites now,” Kiruna remarked, walking back to the portal. Doran followed her lead. “I’ll have to spread the mages farther out in case a spirit rift opens among the ranks. Jin and Gerald have to kill their portal mages, those will be our primary targets. Next will be their healers and so on and so forth.”

Doran seemed unsure of the plan. “What of Varesh and her Generals?” he asked.

“Leave the Generals to me, I will deal with them personally,” Kiruna stopped before the gateway and turned around to gaze into Doran’s piercing gray eyes. “Varesh remains the wildcard in this war. I don’t know if she’ll sit back or engage. Either way, we have our work cut out for us. This will easily be the largest battle anyone has ever seen in Elona.”

Ω Ω Ω

Vixtrola Rock · Aug 07, 2008, 04:53 AM // 04:53

Chapter 22 – Splintered Shields

The sun dipped into the western horizon, painting the darkening sky a pale orange hue that blended with the blacks and blues who awoke to claim their time amongst the stars. Many hours passed and the threat from the Realm of Torment hadn’t moved into Jennur’s Horde. Danika walked along the front line giving nods of assurance, offering words of encouragement; making herself visible for front of the men and women she was going to lead into a battle. The Sunspears were sorely outnumbered but Danika could look into each soldier’s eye and tell they were ready. Standing shoulder to shoulder, chins held high and weapons bristling, Danika could not have been more proud of her fellow comrades than this very moment. Tonight it didn’t matter which country you were born in or whose army you trained for. Danika declared all Elonian military personnel to carry the Sunspear name henceforth; a bold move, but move that immediacy promoted a sense of solidarity.

Danika reached the end of the line and walked over to the circle of commanders huddled in private conversation around Kiruna’s favorite boulder. She was the first to notice Danika approach and waved her in the group. “My goodness don’t you look sexy in that outfit Dani. Three months ago you wouldn’t have dared wear such an enticing outfit, now look at you,” Kiruna joked, giving her sister a nice, long appraising look. Koss whistled in approval putting some color in her cheeks. After the tumultuous battle in Jennur’s Horde, Danika’s clothes were half torn to shreds and caked with dried blood and gore. Prince Ahmtur prepared a gift for the Spearmarshal as a show of thanks for her efforts in defending Vabbi and Elona. When he caught sight of the battered monk his shouted for an assistant to bring the gift from his palace immediately. When the assistant brought the gilded box Prince Ahmtur released the security enchantment and presented Danika with the gift.

Danika pulled out the most incredible outfit she had ever laid eyes on: a glossy black and white Obsidian suit with matching tunic, greaves, bracers and sandals. The outfit was a mix of obsidian and ectoplasm which are the most expensive materials in the world. There was only one person capable of crafting a suit such as magically imbued this and his name is Arch Magus Xeries. The shapely tunic was cut off at the shoulders, and had a predominant stripped collar, which rose to her neck and was accentuated with a series of obsidian shards embedded around the edges. The top also featured a front-to-back square cutout design, which prominently displayed the curves of Danika’s ample bosom. Obsidian shards were also crafted along the bracers, waist and greaves. The inseam was black with the outer leg painted a dazzling white. The front of the greaves featured an elaborate stitching of the long forgotten Diviner insignia.

“Danika, you look absolutely regal,” Gerald proclaimed, grinning ear to ear. “You are wearing attire fit for a queen.”

“I must correct you my good friend,” Doran cut in. “None of the queens I know – and I know a few – can say that they own a costume crafted by the Arch Magus himself.”

Gerald conceded with a nod. Danika placed a foot on the rock and leaned over to Kiruna smirking. “Ok Sis, why don’t you tell Varesh and her cronies that we don’t have all day?” Kiruna laughed heartily, stepping off the boulder. “It will be my pleasure.”

Kiruna adjusted the grip on her staff and began the ritual of a spell she rarely had the chance to use. Dancing flames appeared above her form with transformed into a ball of liquid fire. Spreading both arms wide, Kiruna rose from the ground, lowered the staff north, and directed the swirling ball of flame towards the demon encampment. The ritual lasted only a few seconds, but Kiruna expelled a load of energy in casting it. Resting both hands on her knees Kiruna addressed her peers. “Hold onto your butts: Varesh will be hit with a meteor the size of Jennur’s Horde itself any second.”

Gerald was the first to spot the meteor soaring in from high above. “Look, here it comes!” Everyone cupped a hand over their eyes, watching the meteor’s descent. The massive rock left a trail of debris in its wake, picking up speed as gravity took a hold. The meteor was half again the width of the Vehjin Mines.

Ω Ω Ω

“General Tirraj, as soon as the titans are here I want to -” something caught Varesh’s attention in the sky. Her eyes widened and her jaw slacked when she saw what was speeding towards the encampment. Grabbing Tirraj’s robes Varesh led the confused general down the embankment screaming for everyone to take cover. “Retreat, there’s a meteor heading straight for us! Get out of the way!” Margonites scrambled back up the mines, falling over themselves in panic. Varesh and the wizard general cleared the embankment at a dead run, racing up the trail. The pair ducked behind wagon cart just as the meteor smashed where they stood moments before, launching a tremendous wave of fire and debris into the air. The concussive blast wiped out scores of the fleeing margonites. The ground shook violently as the meteor tore a gaping hole into the earth. Varesh cringed and doubled over as the blast pulverized her makeshift shelter. After the blast receded, Tirraj and Doriah helped a dazed and furious Warmarshal to her feet. “Send forth all legions! Do not stop until they are dead!” Varesh pointed south screaming to her generals. “Kill them all! And where are my titans?!” Varesh grabbed Doriah by his plated collar, curling her lips back in a snarl. “Doriah, you know what to do. Do not fail me.” the General tipped his helmet in a salute. The massive warrior rested his spiked hammer comfortably on a shoulder. “I will break the Diviner and her feeble shields, do not doubt.”

Ω Ω Ω

Danika felt the earth shake under the blast and jutted a fist in the air. Cheers erupted up from the Sunspears as a mushroom cloud of smoke rose from the mines. “Melonni picked up her scythe and motioned her head north. “Here they come, over the Crestline.” Danika heard a faint but growing sound of growls and screams charging in her direction. “Ok, here we go. Everyone knows what to do. Let’s get this bloody fight over with.” At once the group broke off, assuming their designated positions.

Danika flipped her spear and strode to her place behind the archers, barking orders. “On my signal, archers advance and loose arrows.” The ground trembled and moaned as a stampede of demons ran through what remained of Jennur’s Horde into the highlands. A sea of death poured out of Jennur’s Horde, Hell bent on retaliation. Danika’s breath quickened when saw the line of demons break the crest line. “Dwayna please guide my spear,” Danika knelt in prayer, while enchanting herself. Rising to her feet, Danika heard Koss breathing heavily next to her, and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Stay with me Koss, I will need you before the end.” He turned his head and clasped a hand on her shoulder in return. “I’m with you Dani, you know that.”

The horde was now three long bow shots away and closing fast. Danika thrust her spear in the air and called for the archers to advance. In unison, four lines of long bowmen stepped in front of the warrior holding the front, nocking arrow to string. “Release on my command! Ele’s get ready!”

Danika could see the sun bouncing off their grotesque helmets; they’re wickedly spiked armor, the contorted faces of rage unleashed upon the innocent. Closer they came, faster, larger than life. A breaking wave of destruction and chaos; Danika and her Sunspears would stem that tide. “Loose arrows!” She pointed her spear north; sending a shower of feathered shafts into the files of demons, decimating their front ranks. “Wizard’s prepare casting!” Arrows sung into the sea of death, pitching the margonites to the floor. Danika invoked her translucent blue shield and encompassed the army in an impenetrable bubble. The sea of demons broke over the shield like water on rocks, but could go no further. Arrows continued to sting their front lines. Mass confusion set in as the margonites were held at outside the shield. No amount of hacking or slashing was going to bring this shield down; Danika was much too good now.

Varesh soured her face at the sight of the impenetrable shield holding back her new elite army. The shield bubble rose over 100 feet in the air, encapsulating over eight battalions of Sunspears. Each strike against the shield produced a shower of blue and white sparks, which from her distance made the shield look like a giant exploding firecracker. Even though she knew Danika would use her shield – and Varesh already had a counter for it – the site of her loyal subjects futilely attacking the blockade grated her nerves. Scores of demons were falling to arrows, spears, fireballs and meteor showers. Judging by the duration and sheer damage the meteors were inflicting, more than a handful of highly skilled wizards were at work. For every demon that fell another took its place, only to share the fate of the previous. The margonites felt no pain though, or fear. They did not favor broken limbs or gaping wounds: they fought until they could fight no more; the will of Abaddon drove their broken minds. As the piles of demons rose around the shield, Varesh spotted scores archers taking up positions around the inner perimeter. The warriors formed a massive circle around the wizards and healers with the paragons and rangers mixed in between. The combined forces of Kourna, Istan and Vabbi were not enough to block the width of the Highlands, so they chose the best tactic available to them; a mighty defensive ring.

“Where is Doriah, he should be there by now!” General Tirraj gave Varesh a concerned look. “He’s on the way Warmarshal. I know you are inexperienced in the ways of Abaddon. Spirit Rifts are not easy to conjure on this plane,” the demon mage explained carefully. A few of the more highly trained demons spoke English, but their deep guttural tone still made compression difficult. Varesh opened her mouth in retort but snapped her jaws shut when Tirraj pointed towards the battle. “There, they have arrived.”

Three swirling puffs of smoke appeared above the Sunspears, quickly opening into a pink flaring light. The smoke turned into hardened rings and expanded into a massive oval. The oval rifts flipped downwards, expanding further out covering a quarter of the battle ground underneath. The soldiers raced out from under the widening rifts, taking up positions around the edges. Danika stepped through the rings of men and appraised the rift. “Archers forward! You hit whatever falls out from under those rifts and retreat to the outer perimeter! Warriors stand fast! Danika was mindful of the shield she held around her men and wisely stepped back a few paces allowing more suits of armor to stand in front. All three oval rifts halted their outward progressed and blasted the ground with a flash of white light. The ground shook the ashen titans landed on the material plane. Volleys of arrows soared in the cluster of monstrous demons, felling many, but still they poured through the open portals, killing anything that stood in their way; titans of all shapes and sizes, many over thirty feet high covered in fire and ash breathing flame onto the files of defenders.

The tightly knit circle of defenders within the shield became their own private war. Danika was unable to peel her gave off the monstrous beasts as they ripped through her ranks. Dwayna already filled her core to bursting, but she wanted more. Every fiber within her soul burned with the desire to vanquish her foes. Her white knuckles immolated into white balls of flame, her lips curled back in a snarl, her eyes shown like a searing blue flame of hate. The very air around her crackled with holy energy. Danika’s feet moved without command, the grip on her spear tightened as walked towards the circle of beasts within her sanctuary. She brushed off hands that grabbed her shoulder, ignored the panicked streak calls to stay back.

Danika could not hear the cacophony of battle, nor could she see the bodies of her fallen comrades around her. Her Tengu spear glowed as bright as the star, as the poured every ounce of holy wrath into its core. Danika quickened her pace as they rushed by rows startled men, all too eager to allow the mighty beasts to die from afar. Many soldiers were trapped between the titans, dying by the dozens. A paragon launched his spear connecting with a hulking beast, lodging itself in its head. The enraged beast issued a guttural roar and smashed the paragon to the earth, snapping his neck in three places, killing him instantly. A shower of arrows felled the creature, but not before it opened its mouth and reduced another file of defenders to smoking ash.

Danika raced past the fleeing warriors, coking her spear over her head. “For Elona!” Danika growled with the effort of launching her spear in the air, coasting over a smaller ashen hulk, aiming for the biggest in the fray. The brilliantly lit spear smashed into the beast with such an impact, that the mighty titan toppled over onto another crumbling to the ground. The might titan’s eyes closed, and its body fell to pieces, leaving only ash and rock. Danika’s smoldering spear stood out among the rubble like a beacon. The color had returned to its normal copper. Danika threaded her way past the rubble, planted one foot on the rock and dislodged her glowing spear. She noticed small tendrils of smoke wafting from between the rocks. She could not find any sign of flesh or bone; the very stolen itself was bent in the shapes of arms, legs and torsos. A wild notion raced through her mind. The titans were held together with fire. Danika’s eyes snapped back into focus and she desperately scanned the area where the mages were holding. Cupping both hands over her mouth she screamed at the First Mage.

“Fuego, use your water magic! Douse out the beasts, fire holds them together! Mighty fountains of water flew into the murderous band of titans like a geyser, splintering the demons into pieces.

Ω Ω Ω

The portals closed, but a smaller one opened in the midst of the chaos. One hulking margonite jumped through and landed on the earth gripping its war hammer with gauntleted hands. He wore dark green double plated armor which was covered with elongated spikes. Leather straps wrapped over his massive chest and legs. Doriah wore no helmet, and his ashen gray skin bore features that were still humanoid, although his eyes shown with a deep red glow. The massive demon towered over his assailants, and used his spiked hammer to swipe away his obstacles with ease. General Doriah found his target and lowered his shoulders charging ahead at full speed. From across the circle of battling Sunspears Jin spotted the rushing demon and gazed over to his intended destination. Danika was bent over a fallen Sunspear, healing his broken leg. “Dani look out!” Jin screamed, bending her bow and firing two arrows into the towering margonite. She only had time for another shot before nimbly dodging a line of molten fire. Jin rolled over twice and bounced to her feet sinking two arrows into the titans head attacking her.”Dani will have to hold her own on this one.” Jin muttered dodging another molten blast.

Doriah growled and leaned in further as arrows and spears bounced off his rigid plate mail. The ground trembled beneath Danika as she heard the mighty demon growl behind her. Doriah closed the distance unbelievably fast for a man of his stature. Danika quickly enchanted herself before a spiked hammer twice her width splintered her shield like glass, staggering her back. Standing on wobbly legs Danika shook her head vigorously trying to shake off the hit. Doriah quickly flipped his hammer and crushed Danika in the face with the butt end. He allowed her to fall harmlessly to the earth, bleeding profusely from her mouth and nose. Doriah’s hammer rested easily on his shoulder as he bent down, grinning over the shaken monk.

“So, you are the great Diviner huh? Not much of fighter, are you?” Doriah grunted with the effort of kicking her in the ribs; tumbling her over twice before she stopped face down in the dirt. Danika slowly rose up to all fours, blood seeping out of her open mouth. “Get the RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GO up, I’m not finished with you!” Bones snapped as Doriah’s plated boot smashed into her ribs again. Howling in agony Danika rolled to her back, her face contorted in anguish. She gripped her midsection, fighting back the growing darkness around her. “I said get up!” Doriah effortlessly snatched Danika by her collared neck and hoisted her off the ground.

Eyes rolling in back the back of her head, Danika gripped his meaty fist with both hands in a meager effort to break free. She felt her windpipe crush under his brute strength. “You are a pathetic excuse for a savior, and I shall enjoy squeezing the life out of your pitiful body.” Danika’s arms lost all will to fight, and they flopped listlessly to her sides.

“That’s it, let it go,” Doriah growled slowly through gritted teeth. His gray knuckles turned white as he choked the life out of the Spearmarshal. Danika clung to the last vestige of life which stood out in stark contrast to the blackening world around her. The last sliver of light was all she had left. Danika poured what remained of her strength into that sliver and changed the color to blue. The blue slash of life expanded out, covering half her vision, then completely. The essence of Dwayna filled her form to bursting, replenishing her strength. Doriah’s face was a picture of bewilderment when Danika’s hands shot up and gripped his fist with renewed power.

The Diviner smiled up wickedly at her towering opponent through blooded teeth. “My turn, asshole.” A white hot ball of holy energy exploded between the entangled pair staggering Doriah back, forcing him to release his death grip. Danika bent over, clutching her throat and gasping for air which sent a shockwaves of pain through her chest. Doriah looked upon the monk with a new sense of respect, and let out a slow growl.

She picked up her spear and focused her raptor gaze to the towering hulk before her. “You want a fight tough guy, you got one.” Doriah charged in swinging wildly, missing half the time and smacking against a shield when he didn’t. Danika backed off, ducking under the flailing hammer, and raised another shield. Cocking her spear back Danika screamed and attacked into the demon. Doriah’s two handed weapon was much too slow to parry the quicker spear and he accepted stinging hit after hit. Danika attacked the demon with everything she had, opening wounds across his chest and arms. She deftly ducked low under a wild swing and slashed across his stomach opening a ghastly wound. Doriah shoulder charged in, but Danika nimbly spun out, scoring a nasty hit across his back. With the Spearmarshal so close to the mighty demon nobody dared fire into the fight. Even with her shields, Danika was physically no match for the behemoth. Doriah expertly flipped his hammer and smashed Danika’s spear arm with the butt end; Danika howled in pain dropping her weapon in the dirt.

With unbelievable quickness Doriah connected with her midsection, doubling her over in agony, and kicked her away. “Varesh sends her regards, Diviner.” With all his remaining strength Doriah swung his mighty hammer with lightning speed, landing a devastating blow across her chest, shattering the remnants of her shield. Danika flew in the air and crashed to the ground in a heap. Coughing up globs of blood, Danika slowly turned her side groaning, but limply fell back over unconscious. The world that she knew had faded to black. Doriah soon collapsed to the ground alongside the fallen monk, succumbing to his wounds. His part in this play was over.

The shield winked out and the demon horde pressed in, much to Varesh’s delight.

Ω Ω Ω

Vixtrola Rock · Aug 07, 2008, 05:10 AM // 05:10

Chapter 23 - No Mercy

With his black and purple cape billowing against the wind, Xeries paced in front of Kodonur impatiently. Too much time had passed, and Xeries didn’t know if this plan would be effective anymore. The battle could have been finished hours ago, and he wouldn’t know. Still, he had to try: for Elona, for the world, for himself.

Xeries stopped pacing and watched the sun settle into the shadows of the western mountains. The glimmering sun gave one last triumphant flash of hope before succumbing to the oppressive darkness. This night will serve as the indisputable turning point for either side in this war.

“They have been at it for six bloody hours at least,” Xeries cursed. “Some help we turned out to be, old friend.” Dunkoro heard every word and nodded solemnly. Xeries looked over to the wily monk leaning against a wall. “Dunkoro, tell General Morgahn we are out of time. We have to leave now.” Dunkoro nodded and walked down the steps. Xeries resumed his pacing and looked across the expanse of steps, out to the marshalling Kournan army below. Six thousand strong, pulled from every agonizing corner of the region.

But would it be enough?

Ω Ω Ω

Sevian’s raven, Thera, flew stealthily among the blackened sky, no longer visible from below. Her long feathery wings collapsed and expanded pushing herself higher into the night. She banked left and collapsed her wings in, turning against the wind. She cleared passing cloud and dove in towards the battle.

And what a battle it had become. Thera cried out back when the translucent shield dropped and the demons pressed in. From that moment the battle had turned against the defending Sunspears immediately. Thousands of bodies encircled the furious battle like ants stepped on by a giant. High arcing fireballs continually flew out from the center of the circle and exploded into the black sea, killing many, but never enough. Raging fires dotted the landscape like candles. From her perch in the stars Thera watched the Sunspears fighting in a ring formation, with the casters in the center. Even at night, the shimmering copper mail of the Elonians stood in stark contrast against the black sea of Margonites who now had them hopelessly surrounded. Thera spotted its master gazing up directly at her. She relayed what she had seen telepathically, and then Thera disappeared into the night yet again.

Sevian broke her connection to Thera and bent over Danika’s unconscious body again, with grave look. She patted away the dampness on Danika’s forehead, and ran a small hand along her angular cheek.

“C’mon Dani, we need you,” she whispered, fighting back another bout of tears. “Dani, if you can hear me, please wake up.”

Thalkora used every cure and condition removal spell on Danika before she was needed again in the fight; yet still Danika was out cold. Healers could not revive the unconscious. Sevian left her position behind Doran and Koss to revive the monk if she could, yet still Danika lay motionless in the bloody earth, her eyes closed to the world around her. A Margonite broke through the line and charged towards Sevian. Jin deftly tripped the demon up with her bow, and stabbed the beat in the eye with an arrow.

“There’s beginning to find holes in our defenses,” Jin remarked to Sevian with a grim look. “We may not live out the night at this rate. We cannot hold this horde back on our own, there’s too much pressure on the monks to keep the men up.” Sevian turned back to Danika and sighed audibly. “We’ll have to think of a way out of here. Jin, find Kiruna: we’ll need to escape plan.”

“We’re not going anywhere…,” a hoarse voice replied from the earth. Sevian rushed over to Danika who groggily sat up. Danika curiously turned over to a body that was lying on the ground alongside her, and nearly fainted. Melonni’s green dust cloak was wrapped around her mid section, drenched in blood. “No, no, not Mel, Dear Spirits please no,” Danika pleaded checking her pulse with trembling fingers. Melonni’s face had turned ashen and her skin chilling to the touch. Danika lifted the cloak and grimaced, closing her eyes. She began casting spells over her lifeless form when a sympathetic hand gripped her shoulder. “Melonni’s entire garrison died, Danika. She was slain defending your body. We weren’t able to pull you both out in time,” Sevian choked back a sob and took a deep breath before finishing. “She was beyond any of our help when we found her; I’m so sorry. Gerald has also gone missing, I’m afraid.” Danika plopped back in the dirt in a daze; mouth hanging open, eyes wandering aimlessly.

The center of the ring was no more than 15 paces wide, and Danika saw scores soldiers writhing on the ground, clutching various wounds. The handful of monks who were left healed who they could and offered prayers for those they couldn’t. Danika couldn’t hear herself think over the deafening battle. She sat next to her friend for a moment staring into the abyss of war.”Is this how it’s supposed to end for me?” she thought wearily. Her confidence hung off the edge of despair. With Sevian holding her waist for support, Danika rose to her feet on weakened knees. She found Jin a few paces away and waved her over.

“Call out orders for everyone to bunch in, I’m throwing the shield up in thirty seconds.” Jin nodded grimly and rushed back to the outer ring of defenders barking out orders.

Danika took her hand off of Sevian’s shoulder to pick up her spear. Turning back to the wiry healer, Danika’s face was picture of resignation. “I’m sorry Sevian to get you and Doran involved with this. I’m afraid, this may be end for all of us.” Sevian gripped the Spearmarshal’s shoulders tight embrace, looking into her deep blue eyes. “If this is to be the end, Danika, then let’s make it an end worthy of a Diviner. ” Danika clenched her jaws, and tightened the grip on her spear. “Let’s make them pay Sevian, for every life they have taken. For every inch they have gained in our world.” Danika dropped to one knee and punched her spear in the dirt violently, kicking up dirt. The air crackled with magic as the translucent shield took form around the remaining Sunspears. A handful of stunned soldiers who didn’t retreat quick enough were caught outside the shield. They turned their back to their brothers and attacked the demons with their remaining strength. Sadly, the brave few caught outside the shield were drastically outnumbered immediately cut down. Half the demon horde was within the shield, and they fought on fiercely, pressing the Sunspears further together. Despite having their numbers cut in half, the Margonites still had the Sunspears sorely outmatched.

A high pitched voice cut through the battle like a fiery blade. “Sunspears, fight on! Fight for your lives! Fight for your freedom! We will win this night!” The men heard their fearless leader and fought with a renewed sense of purpose. Danika gathered the surviving healers and re-focused their healing efforts. The fighting soldiers open wounds began to close, their aching limbs replaced with fresh bouts of stamina. Men who fell to wounds were drug out of the circle, and healed as best as Danika could manage. Many of men who fell though were beyond healing. Even with their second collective breath, the Sunspears found themselves outnumbered six to one. Danika did her best to direct men where the lines were dire, but soon she had no more places to pull.

Moments later, she watched in horror as three Sunspears were cut to ribbons by a score of demons. The Margonites found no more resistance and charged into the rapidly shrinking center. Danika shot a glance to Koss and Doran who held off scores of demons literally by themselves. Danika knew couldn’t pull them away. She cursed to herself and rushed to meet the assailants. Raising her left hand forward, Danika’s palm ignited into a ball of white holy fire which quickly grew in power. The surrounding air was sucked into the fire of energy as the light intensified. The demons spotted the lone monk and howled, raising their cruel weapons for the kill.

The world slowed to a crawl.

Danika dropped her left arm and ignited the ball of white flame, blasting away half the group with a fantastic shower of white flame as she spun into the fracas, using her deadly spear to tear into flesh and bone. Danika somersaulted away from a slashing demon and buried her spear into another. A flying roundhouse kicked knocked another to the ground as she pried her spear from the demon’s lifeless body. Danika made quick work of the group, and as the last one fell, Danika watched another line break apart a few paces away. Danika had no time to shore up the newest break as more charged in her direction. She had to keep this hole plugged until the reformation was complete. “Crowd in more, everyone to the middle, now! We fight back to back to the end!”

“Nobody will enter my domain,” she whispered. Holding out a fiery white hand before her, Danika crouched low in a defensive stance, awaiting the next wave, with a rare sense of eagerness.

Ω Ω Ω

Black vertical slashes appeared atop the easternmost plateau overlooking the highlands. The lines quickly formed into a box, allowing a broad shouldered man with a black billowing cape to step through the opening. Xeries strode to the edge of the cliff and peered down to the smoking chaos below, wrinkling his gaunt features disgust. The translucent blue shield, which stood out in stark contrast against the blackened night, held back over half of the demon horde; still the defenders were still sorely outnumbered from his vantage. The sea of Black Death was very close to swallowing the Elona’s only chance for freedom. Xeries clicked his tongue and yelled over his shoulder through the open portal.

“Dunkoro, get out here. We have a slight change in plans.” The traveling monk walked through gate and stopped alongside the Arch Magus. He leaned over the edge, trying to see the battle below. The smoke from the fires covered most of the battle, but what little Dunkoro saw was enough: the Sunspears were losing the war.

“Dear Sprits save us,” Dunkoro prayed, covering his mouth in terror. Xeries found the look in his friend’s eyes unsettling. He placed a reassuring hand on the traveling monk’s shoulder. “We’ll save who we can good friend. You have my word.” Dunkoro nodded absently, unable to break his gaze from the massacre below. “I will lead the first group from the south,” Xeries pointed to the southern most of the battle. “Dunkoro, you and General Morgahn will lead the second group from the north.” Dunkoro followed Xeries’s arm north to a smaller group of Margonites who were holding back from the melee. “We will create the hammer and the anvil in two places,” Xeries clapped his hands together to accentuate his point. “We’ll make them pay for their transgressions!”

“Yes we will,” Dunkoro replied grimly, walking back to the gateway.

Xeries stole one last glance at the tumult below, and whispered a prayer to the Gods. “Hold fast, Danika, help has arrived.”

Ω Ω Ω

Another blast of blazing white fire erupted amongst the sea of death, but still they pressed in, surrounding the Diviner. Danika was cut off again from Doran and Koss, as the enemy pressed in around her. A viscous spear bit the side of her suit, but her enchanted armor magically turned the stab away. She was engaged with a dance of death, and her spear was a frenzied blur of parries and thrusts. Danika growled swinging hard, knocking two demons off their feet. She backpedaled to her friends, using her weapon as a flying defense. She stopped retreating when her back hit against another she recognized. With a quick glance over her shoulder Danika checked on her favorite axe master. “How you doing over there, big guy?” Danika ducked under a wide and axe swing swept the demon’s feet from under him. A quick thrust to his neck kept on the turf. “Never better Dani! Argh…” Koss growled as a sword tip found a seam between his plate mail. Danika’s enchantment over him prevented most of the damage but he still felt the stings. A large demon leaned forward sending a spiked hammer down from on high. Danika spun out of the hammer’s trajectory, flipped the spear behind her back and slashed forward, opening the demon’s throat, launching a spray of blood into the night. Without stopping, Danika parried a neck high sword swing from another. Catching the blade and batting it away, Danika deftly switched spear hands behind her back, and stabbed forward catching the demon in the jugular. Grunting with effort, Danika pulled her spear back sending another fountain of blood into the air. Danika only had a moment’s respite before a chorus of horns sang in the air. A chill ran down her spine when she realized who they belonged to.

Shooting her friends a triumphant smile, Danika gave him the good news. “Those are Kournan horns you two!” Doran gave an emphatic nod and resumed fighting. Koss finished off his opponent with a hard slash down across its chest, opening up its rib cage, topping the demon to the ground. He lowered his axe and pushed his dreads out of his face. “Damn right Dani, the cavalry is here! And not a moment too soon, I’m thinking.”

Ω Ω Ω

Varesh realized her error and sighed deeply. She wasted too much time before she engaged the waiting Sunspears. Time which was well spent organizing a formidable defense; despite the lack of a fortress to hide behind. She heard the shouts and cries behind her and quickly ordered a re-formation with the main force.

But it was too late.

Her bodyguards were swallowed up by the wave of newcomers, all too eager to exact their revenge. Varesh then looked upon her mentor standing before her; spears pointed at her, and lowered her scythe in defeat. Morgahn held no sympathy for the treacherous Warmarshal. Still, he decided, Varesh would stand trial for her crimes against Elona.

“Kneel in the ground Varesh, and do not attempt anything stupid, or so help me God I will run my spear through you.” Morgahn growled in a deep throaty voice. The veteran General cocked his head to his second in charge. “Jared, I want a perimeter around the Warmarshal, and send the rest of the troops into battle. We need to reach the survivors immediately.” The young sergeant saluted fist to chest and bellowed orders. Morgahn leaned over Varesh, unbridled hatred encompassing his veteran eyes. “You will be held personally responsible for every single death here today, Varesh; Elonian and Canthan alike. I will watch you die for this betrayal.” If Varesh was moved, her stoic impression didn’t show it. “This is not over Morgahn, and you know it. Nightfall will come, whether by my hand or another.” Morgahn stood back up and strode off with his men to join the battle. He had some payback of his own to give.

Ω Ω Ω

Three thousand Kournans poured out of the northern gateway and broke upon the horde like water over rock. Morghan cunningly held his men in check and formed a box, preventing their escape back north. Slowly they pressed in, reducing the Margonites numbers, forcing them to fight with their backs against the impenetrable shield. The same tactic was employed on the southern end with greater effectiveness. Xeries and his wizard’s unleashed Hell upon the teeming masses; fire storms and lightning bolts rained down from the night and scorched hundreds of Margonites, softening their lines, as three thousand more Kournans charged into the sea of death. Watching the events unfold from outside the shield, the defending Sunspears fought on with renewed hope. They fought, and died for their country.

Nobody knows how long the battle lasted. When Xeries’ men reached the shield, Danika opened it halfway to allow them through, immediately bolstering their numbers. As one army, Danika led the charge north, pressing the demons against the half shield; which is what Morghan similarly accomplished to the north. Slowly the armies closed in, hacking and slashing with a singular purpose: to avenge their fallen comrades. Danika dropped the remnants of the shield, and the hammer met the anvil with a bloody ending. The thrill of victory pumped through her veins, as she fought on among her comrades. Melonni’s ashen face flashed through her eyes, and her spear responded with supreme hostility against the demons that faced her. Every thrust, every slash, every spin, every step brought her closer to home. Danika saw Kournan’s fighting across the demons that were left standing and cried out. “Finish them off, every last one! Show no mercy!!” Cries rang in the air as the splintered horde fell to the bloody ground in droves.

The end had come for the Margonites as Danika pulled her spear from its bloodied torso. She joined her comrades in victory cheer, because the Sunspears had won out the night.

Ω Ω Ω

From her kneeling position, Varesh couldn’t see through the group of Sunspears holding her prisoner. She did hear the high pitched screams and guttural moans of her dying minions lessen over time until there no more left to scream. Varesh heard the cheers of victory and the cries for those who had fallen. Later on she heard the hushed whispers of their leader approaching the group. Varesh did well to conceal her fury for the Diviner. The surrounding group opened up slightly to allow General Morgahn in, grim faced and favoring his left side. A tall lanky ranger followed along with a barrel-chested warrior she knew to be Koss. All shared the same look of hate for the woman kneeling in the earth.

The last person to enter was the shortest of the group, yet she stood above everyone. Her glimmering obsidian suit accentuated the young woman’s shapely curves well; however, Varesh found it curious that a monk would be covered head to toe in blood and gore. Varesh then knew that this monk led her men with her spear and her voice, and not just her healing. The two leaders exchanged a long glare before Danika stepped in closer. Crouching low, and rocking on bent knees, Danika locked eyes with the Warmarshal. Danika worked her tongue over her teeth, moving her lips wordlessly. No words were exchanged, and a awkward hush fell upon the crowd. The air became thick with anticipation. Varesh stared into the Spearmarshal’s ocean blue eyes, waiting for her to make a move; but she never did.

Varesh had enough of the staring, and broke the palpable silence. “You want to strike me, don’t you Spearmarshal?” Varesh bit back the last word, and Danika narrowed her eyes dangerously. “I’m here, Diviner, strike me down, and finish it off!” Danika’s breaths quickened; her face darkened. “What are you waiting for?!” Varesh spat into her face, and gasps rang out from the audience. Danika wearily wiped the saliva off her cheek, un-amused. Varesh’s lips curled back in a snarl, ready for the strike to happen. Danika leaned in, and spoke in a venomous whisper.

“There is nothing more I would rather do, at this very moment, than murder you in front of these people, woman. “ Danika purposely left out her name and title, showing Varesh that she has become less than nothing among her own people. “I leave your fate to the people of Elona, and I am confident that justice will reach you swiftly.” Varesh growled, wanting nothing to do with the sad state of affairs in this wretched country. Danika noticed Varesh’s reaction and smiled. “You will be executed in front of the people you once called your friends, and we will all rejoice when you have passed from this realm.” Danika stood up and turned to Morgahn. “Take her to the Grand Court of Sebelkeh. I want a battalion of able bodied men to escort her under chains. Xeries will cast an enchantment over the Warmarshal, preventing her from using her own spells. The First Mage and her wizards will accompany you, as well.” Morgahn saluted hand to fist and stepped out of the group.

Danika looked back to the kneeling Warmarshal, her face running through a gamut of emotions. Danika lifted her voice and feigned a smile. “We shall talk again Varesh, before the end.” She walked out of the group, and left an enraged prisoner to her own personal demons.

Ω Ω Ω

Vixtrola Rock · Aug 07, 2008, 05:45 AM // 05:45

Chapter 24 – The Grand Court of Sebelkeh

Danika placed the pen on the desk rubbed her weary eyes. The stack was half gone, but Danika knew she would have to come back later to finish. From morning until dusk she had been signing the last set of death certificates. Three days worth of penning her name on the bottom of the saddest letters she ever had to read had placed Danika in a dark, brooding mood. Hey nights had been plagued with nightmares and other demonic dreamscapes, with daytime bringing its own arsenal of darker thoughts and emotions. Danika wondered if it was stress from the past three months finally catching up to her; what else could it be?

She looked out the window and noticed the sun dipping its head in the west: it was time for the ‘talk’ with the prisoner. Prince Ahmtur and Xeries tried speaking to the imprisoned Warmarshal to no avail. Varesh remained uncooperative. Danika requested she be the last to speak with Varesh before her execution in the morning. She wasn’t looking forward to facing the once leader of Kourna without her weapon handy, but rules were rules inside the jailhouse. Even a Spearmarshal had to abide by them every once and a while. Danika finished her glass of water and rose out of her seat, leaving her office. Vabian servants and soldiers saluted and smiled as the Spearmarshal walked down the marble tiled hall towards the entrance. She stopped at Dunkoro’s door, knocked twice and entered. Closing the door behind her, Danika leaned against the entryway and sighed. The veteran monk placed his own pen down and leaned forward smiling.

“So, it’s about that time huh?” Dunkoro knew where Danika was headed. She looked around the plush office, noticing how Dunkoro’s office was lavishly furnished while her own consisted of a simple desk, a lamp, some chairs and a dusty window. Dunkoro had his office for years, while Danika just received her own. In time she would spruce it up, if there would be a time for that.

“I’m not looking forward to it, Dunkoro. I really don’t like the woman.”Danika attempt at deadpan humor wasn’t lost on the man. Dunkoro chuckled softly, understanding full well Danika hated Varesh with a passion. After the trial, the Vabian grand jury granted Varesh one week of solitary confinement so she may “reflect” on her actions and beg forgiveness from the Five Gods. From Danika’s point of view, the extra time seemed more like stalling than anything else. “Vabian justice is not fast by any means,” Dunkoro once told her. Since her imprisonment, Varesh refused to speak to anyone, and Danika was sure she wouldn’t get through to the dervish. Dunkoro; however thought Varesh was waiting for someone to approach her. “Be careful in there, Danika. Varesh spent many years in the political forum, watch she doesn’t get over on you.”

“Thanks for the advice, Dunky. I’ll definitely keep my guard up.” Danika took a deep breath and left Dunkoro’s office. She walked out of office building and across the paved road to the jailhouse. She wanted this conversation over before nightfall.

Walking up the stone pathway, Danika was forced to stop as a wave of nausea rolled over her. She thought she heard a voice to the left and turned curiously, only to see rustling leaves swirling around a tree trunk. Danika shook her vigorously and continued up the path, reaching the door. Two guards stood on either side an ushered her in. The waiting room inside was packed full of elite guardsman and jailors.

When news reached Sebelkeh that Varesh was to be held here, all current prisoners were moved to a secured building deeper in the city. Only one prisoner was held here now, and Danika hoped she would be gone by the morning.

She spotted Kiruna talking amongst a group of wizards, and she allowed her older sister to finish. Kiruna concluded her briefing and motioned Danika to follow her in the jail.

“Xeries placed another Aura of Disenchantment on Varesh this morning, which will last until her execution tomorrow, “Kiruna explained waiting for a jailor to open the corridor gate. “She’s been deathly silent all day, refusing to eat or drink or anything.” Danika nodded, peering inside the corridor. The jailor opened the gate allowing the First Mage and Spearmarshal inside. Four more fully armed guards greeted them inside the dimly lit hall.

“Which one is hers?”

“Down the hall, second to last cell on the right.”

“Alright, keep the guards here, if I need them I’ll shout.”

Kiruna looked uncomfortable with the idea of leaving Danika so far away from the guards. She playfully jabbed her older sister’s shoulder. “Don’t worry Sis, if anyone needs protection it’s going to be her.”

Kiruna burst into laughter. “You’re right on that one Dani. I’ll wait inside here as well, just in case.” Danika smiled and strode down the hall. Halfway down the corridor, another bout of nausea washed over her. Danika stopped and placed a hand on her midsection, breathing heavily.

“Danika, are you ok?” Her sister shouted from the entrance. Danika waived a dismissive hand behind her. “I’m fine, just a little dizzy spell.” Danika refocused herself and finished the walk.

Ω Ω Ω

A wooden chair and a glass of water sat outside the cell. Danika sat nervously and reached down for the glass. She took a few swigs and wiped her chin, placing the glass back on the floor. Clearing her throat she looked into the blackened cell. A gray cot sat on top of three covered wooden crates to the right with a wash basin and privy on the fare left corner. Danika could make out a tall shape outlined in the shadows resting comfortably on the bench along the back wall. The dark shape made no move when Danika arrived and still didn’t. The Spearmarshal leaned back and crossed her legs.

“Varesh, I would like to have a chat with you.” Danika shifted uncomfortably when her voice echoed off the walls. She made a mental note to lower her voice from now on. “I want to discuss you father.”

A deep, almost masculine voice resonated from the shadows which chilled her to the bone. “You don’t know my Father, yet. Leave me be.” Danika took a deep breath, calming herself.

“I know your father was a Warmarshal, like you. I know your father stayed in the same cell you’re in. I know you’ll be executed tomorrow morning.” Danika was met with silence for a few moments before an answer came forth.

“You would do well to stick to your own affairs, Diviner.” Varesh arrogantly bit back her title which caused Danika grit her teeth. This was not going to be easy.

“Look, I’m not here to ruffle your feathers; I’m here to offer you a deal. It’s one of those take it or leave it deals.” Danika heard the bench squeaked slightly as Varesh changed sitting positions.

“What kind of deals would Diviner have to offer? Safe passageways to Hell? Hah! You have nothing I want, be gone. I look forward to death.”

“I offer you a chance to live out your life in turn for information regarding Abaddon and his Margonite army.” Varesh cackled in laughter. The guards instinctively reached for their swords before Kiruna angrily waved them off. The First Mage put one foot against the wall and folded her arms, paying close attention to the conversation, and to her sister’s behavior.

Danika waited for Varesh to finish her insulting laugh before continuing. “This is your last chance at redemption Varesh. The fight is over for you, whether you will admit it or not. Help us undo the wrong that has befallen this land.” Danika couldn’t believe the words that were streaming out of her mouth. “Help us stop Nightfall, Varesh. You know more than any of us what we can expect.”

“I’m not interested in helping any of you, Spearmarshal. Abaddon will feast on your eyes soon enough.” Varesh growled in a clear authoritative tone that pushed the Spearmarshal over the edge. Danika growled, rising up and grabbing the chair. She threw it against the cell bars splintering it into pieces against the magical shield, issuing sparks everywhere.

“You will die soon enough you traitor; I only wish it was me doing the killing!” Danika pivoted and stormed back up the corridor.

“Do you hear the voices yet?”

She stopped in her tracks, looking up at the guards who had their swords at the ready. Kiruna mouth hung open, just as surprised as she was at the question. Danika slowly turned head around.

“What did you say?”

“Has He called you yet, Danika? Answer me!” Her breath quickened, and beads of sweat ran over her temples. Danika turned back to the cell and saw Varesh gripping the cell bars. The Warmarshal’s was face drawn back and tired, yet her eyes shown with a burning flame of intensity that she would carry with her to the grave. “You can hear Him, can’t you?” Varesh whispered. Danika stood inches away from the crazed Warmarshal, trying futilely to mask her surprised expression. “Yes yes, I can see it in your eyes; I can feel it in your presence. You have been touched. He has called on you, Danika.” Varesh purred. “You’ve had the nightmares, and the daydreams; just like I did. We are not so different then, you and I. We will both serve the same Master soon enough.”

Danika teetered on the edge of blind rage. Her knuckles turned white over balled fists. The essence of Dwayna washed over her form like a tide wave. Danika didn’t realize her fists illuminated until the light reflected on Varesh’s gaunt features. Still gripping the bars, Varesh leaned her head back, basking in the warmth of the light. “That’s it Danika: give in to hate, give in to anger; fulfill the prophecy that has been laid out before you.”

She felt muscular arms pry her away from the cell bars.”Prophecy?” Danika angrily brushed the arms away and gripped Varesh’s cell bars, snapping the wards placed over the cell without a care.

“What prophecy, Varesh?! Speak to me: what do you know!” Varesh released her own hold on the bars, stepping away from the enraged monk, doubling over in laughter. “It was you in the prophecy, Danika. How could I have been so blind? I should have realized who I was facing out there.”

With unbelievable strength, she destroyed the cell bars with one fiery explosion of holy magic. She stepped over the smoldering remains and approached the prisoner. Varesh stumbled over her feet and clumsily fell onto the cot. Danika growled, jumping on the cot and choking the life out of Varesh.

“What…prophecy!!” Danika spat in her face, completely unhinged. Varesh gagged on her own spit unable to draw breath. Danika felt a block of air knock her to the wall. She collapsed on the bench groaning. Through her blurred vision she watched a red faced First Mage bark out orders, while holding a ward over Varesh.

“Guards, escort the Spearmarshal out of her! And find me a set of chains to bind Varesh. Move it!”

Danika felt two sets of strong arms pull her out of the broken cell. She was dragged by her feet halfway before she angrily batted their arms, walking the rest of the way on her own volition. Danika stormed out of the jailhouse, oblivious to the world around her. Although nighttime had settled in, the fiery hatred raging inside Danika was enough to light up half the city block. She threw open the door leading into the administration office, brushing by servants and nobles alike. Jin had to brace against the wall or Danika would have run her over for sure. She rounded a corner and blasted Dunkoro’s door open with her foot. Xeries stood up from his chair with a face of shock and confusion. Dunkoro rose slowly, looking at the furious Spearmarshal with a similar.

“What are you two keeping from me!?” Danika growled. Dunkoro cut his eyes to Xeries. “Cast a ward over the door please.” Xeries nodded and waved a hand in front of the splintered door creating an invisible but solid shield. When Xeries looked back Dunkoro nodded his thanks. He walked around his desk and leaned against the edge, folding his arms. “Can you explain to me Danika just what the hell you’re talking about?”

“I said,” Danika hissed taking a threatening step forward. “What the hell are you two keeping from me?” Dunkoro’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about Danika.”

“Damn you Dunkoro, enough of your games! I’ve been used as a puppet since day one! Today I take matters into my own hands. You both know what happened to the last Diviner, and you’re going to fill me in on the parts you conveniently left out!”

“Whoa hold on there, Danika. We’ve told you everything we know already,” Xeries responded holding up his hands for peace. “I don’t know what Varesh told you…”

“You can fill me in on this ‘prophecy’ for starters, Xeries.” Danika caught the nervous glances between the two men, and a very unsettling feeling washed over her. “So, you two know about it, huh? And when were you going to tell me? When I became a raving lunatic!”

“Now calm down, “Dunkoro replied heatedly raising his voice above Danika’s. “This prophecy has been passed down for hundreds of years: we don’t even know if it’s accurate. It may not have anything to do with you.”

Xeries quickly chimed in before Danika opened her mouth. “The prophecy is incomplete anyways, Danika. The scripture only says what the Diviner will do, not when and not where. For all we know this is a foretelling of a Diviner three hundred years from now. We don’t know for sure! The scripture foretells an event that we can hardly see coming to fruition.”

“And why is that?” She asked pointedly, crossing her arms under her breasts. Two men exchanged another look before Dunkoro answered. “The prophecy will lay dormant until a Diviner enters the Realm of Torment. After that event, the prophecy becomes active, setting off another chain of events.”

Xeries waited for Dunkoro to finish then he spoke up. “We don’t know exactly what those events are yet, since the prophecy remains closed. Should a Diviner gain access to the Realm of Torment, we’ll have a better understanding of what is to come. That is all we know.” Danika lowered her head in resignation. Dunkoro walked up and embraced her in a warm hug, Danika returned the action. “We’ll get through this together Dani, you have my word.”

“And mine as well,” Xeries added.

When the two parted Danika took a deep breath and collected her thoughts. “I need to visit Gandara, there are some old books there that may help. I’m leaving tomorrow morning.” Dunkoro nodded sympathetically. “We understand.”

“Until then, Varesh is to remain in her cell. I am postponing her execution until I return. Is that clear?” Danika’s tone left no room for argument. Xeries smiled back warmly. “Well the Vabians have already delayed her execution, what’s a few more days going to do?”

Ω Ω Ω

Vixtrola Rock · Aug 07, 2008, 05:53 AM // 05:53

Chapter 25 – Information is Power

Bad weather had never been a stranger to the harbor city of Gandara; and today the skies were painted gray, like a cloudy day nearing the end of summer. The sun was usually noticeable through the dull gray ceiling, though. That minor detail lost among most of the inhabitants of Gandara, save one bony librarian. Elder Wistah had been in a dour mood ever since he looked out his bedroom window in disgust. He knew what the gray skies meant; and didn’t posses the courage to tell anyone. Even if he did speak up, Wistah was sure nobody would believe him. Nightfall was a myth in these parts, a story parent’s tell their children at night. For the first time in years, Wistah felt like his withering age. The library served as his sanctuary from the busy, unattractive people in the city, and today he needed his solitude more than anything.

Wistah would have to wait until tomorrow.

Creaking and cracking down the steps, Wistah heard feminine voices bouncing off the walls of the third floor. He recognized one, but two were alien to him. “Who’s down there? Show yourselves, I have a staff and I know how to use it!” Wistah held onto the balance beam trailing down the steps for support. “I have no patience for scoundrels or children or anything related to rubbish!” Wistah descended down the last of the steps, pushing his glasses back up his nose. Besides the magical candles which stayed aflame during the night, two additional lamps were going to the far end of the hall, on the last table nearest the stairs leading to the second level. Two women, both tall; one copper skin, shapely, with a bushy afro, the other, fair skinned, and thin with short ruddy hair, were bent over another who sat down at the table. Wistah recognized the one sitting down with a large braid hanging over her shoulders.

“Spearmarshal Danika, how good is it to see you again!” Wistah exclaimed, clapping his hands together. All three women peered up at once, and suddenly Wistah felt a twinge of hesitation with three sets of incredibly intense eyes bearing down on his poor frame. He slowed his walk to a crawl. Wistah took note of how Danika’s ocean blue eyes had aged since he last had the pleasure of gazing into them.

“Is something wrong ladies?” he asked, nervously.

“Not at all, why do you ask?” the copper skinned woman replied curtly.

“Well, I don’t receive many visitors down here you see. And with everything that is going on…,”

“Do you know something we don’t, Elder Wistah?” she asked in a firm tone.Wistah stopped short of the lady’s table, wringing his hands nervously.

“Well sure, I want to help you, see…,”

“Then come on over here and help us, we won’t bite,” the thinner woman replied with a smirk. Wistah walked over to the table and stood on the opposite side of Danika, facing the trio. The first one who spoke to Wistah offered her hand in greeting. “Greetings Elder Wistah, my name is Kiruna Del Ray, First Mage of Capital.” Jin offered her hand as well, which eased Wistah just a bit, but not too much. The old librarian couldn’t help but notice how the First Mage’s silken black and purple tunic accentuated her round curves nicely. Kiruna’s low cut v-neck top showed enough enticing cleavage to stir a painful fire in his lower extremities. Wistah cleared his throat trying to pull his wandering eyes away to no avail.

“Well let’s see, what boobs...I mean books…uhh you ladies have here.” Kiruna and Jin shared a humorous look before they bent back over Danika’s shoulders.

“I’ve pulled all your books concerning Diviners and prophecies Wistah, and they aren’t telling me much. I need to know the correlation between the two, if in fact there is one. I need to know what’s happening to me, more or less. Oh and the book is down here,” Danika teased the nervous, retired monk.

“Are you going to scoot in for a closer look?” Kiruna asked.

“Closer look at what?”

“The book!”

“Oh, yes yes, the book, right.” Wistah stuttered and stammered all over the place. Kiruna scooted closer to Jin to allow Wistah to fit behind the Spearmarshal. The elderly monk was very short in stature, so when he meandered next to Kiruna, he found her bosom nearly resting on top of his head!

“Oh my,” Wistah remarked, not daring to look up.

“Down there, kind sir,” Kiruna said, jabbing a finder towards the book. Wistah adjusted his glasses, reading a few lines. “Sorry, yes. Well, that book goes over Diviners and the Gods who posses the ability to control them, blah blah the end. I think what you’re looking for is their plans for the Diviners.”

Danika looked up, scrunching her face in confusion. “Plans, what kind of plans? I thought prophecy was about chance occurrences happening in succession.”

"It is to a degree; however, the Five Gods rarely leave anything to chance, especially Dwayna. She’s a meticulous one.” Danika nodded absently, not fully understanding. “Let me explain: the five true Gods would never lay out their plans openly for anyone to find. One has to decipher their intent, and follow the paths. Follow me, all three of you.”

Wistah led the trio down the steps to the 2nd level. After passing half the shelved rows, Wistah turned right and walked to the end, stopping at the wall. Trailing a bony finger along the spines of the books, he stopped on one in particular and pulled it halfway out. A loud cranking sound reverberated off the shelves as the walls creaked open, revealing a dark winding staircase. Wistah pulled a torch from the sconce inside the wall and pointed the top towards Kiruna. “Will you do the honors please?” The First Mage smiled, waiving a small flame over the tip. The torch caught fire immediately and Wistah lead the trio down the steps. Light from the torch bounced off the lime encrusted walls painting images of their dancing shadows. After some time inside the stairwell, Kiruna noticed runes carved into the walls. She brushed her painted fingernails along a design she recognized. “Fire.” The brushed lines illuminated yellow over the wall. Danika recognized another to be a healing spell. Tracing her fingers over the intricately carved outlines, the rune illuminated with a wonderful blue light.

Turning back to face his guests, Wistah gave a brief explanation of the runes and their meanings. “A flew more flights down and we will reach my personal archive. These runes here serve as a defense against trespassers. I have dispelled the runes temporarily so they will not trigger and kill us.” Wistah ran his hands over the inscriptions reverently. “They were a gift from the previous Arch Magus. He valued books over the spoken word, and entrusted me with the duty of preserving their lives.” Wistah led the trio down the last flight which ended in front of a stone wall. Danika couldn’t see any door leading in. Wistah quietly chanted a spell, and a bright yellow slash appeared on the top of the ceiling which expanded horizontally, then vertically, outlining a door. The yellow slashes split the wall into a rectangle, and the stone within the lines winked out.

“Ladies first,” Wistah motioned the trio in with a flair. Kiruna, Jin and Danika looked around the massive archive with amazement. Magical lights lined walls of the expansive hidden library in grand fashion. Oaken shelves reached up to the ceiling and stretched down the halls which lead to more rooms lined with shelves. Two tables sat in the middle piled high with books. Danika walked up to a shelf and traced her fingers curiously over the spines. “No dust, how?”

“Welcome to the Library of the Five Gods. The entire archive has been shielded against age and dust,” Wistah yelled over his shoulder, making room on a table for his guests to sit. “Give me a moment while I grab the book you need Danika. Make yourselves at home.”

“Look, a book on earth magic! The spells in this book must be a thousand years old.” Kiruna couldn’t contain her excitement over the plethora of spells and enchantments once forgotten, but simply tucked away for safe keeping. “This book gives the designs for earthquakes!”

Danika wasn’t surprised when Jin found a section that perked her curiosity. “There are books here about Melandru, and her lost teachings. Some of these preparations I have heard rumors of, but the rest are astonishing….”

“Borrow what you need and return them when you can, I trust each of you.” Wistah remarked, carrying a thin black book with gilded edges. The symbol of Dwayna was on the cover outlined in spun gold. “Come here Danika, I’ll show you what Dwayna’s design looks like.” Danika peered over to his shoulder. “It’s a drawing,” she said, furrowing her brows. She sat in the chair next to him and listened.

“Yes, an elaborate design of forks, clauses and dead ends. The question is where are you now in this design?” Wistah noticed the confused look painted on Danika’s face so he answered for her. “Well we know from this fork here,” Wistah pointed to a large two pronged path which was in the middle. “This has to be the major battle that took place a week ago. Notice how the lesser fork ends abruptly, and the major path continues on to other forks.”

Danika nodded, catching on to the diagram. “Yes, I understand that part. It seems from this spot,” Danika traced a finger to the next fork. “From here I have another...decision to make?”

“Yes, whatever it is, it’s going to be big. Notice how the lesser fork ends, but not for a while,” Wistah replied. Danika studied the lines and intersections closely; tracing her finger over the lines that would determine her life. The role of being a Diviner suddenly felt like a job, in which if she didn’t produce – Danika blinked hard, stopping that line of thought. She felt strangely fortunate that a roadmap existed, showing her the twists and turns of a Diviner. She had no clue what choices would lead her where, but a lot of the lesser forks ended rather suddenly, which she found unsettling to say the least.

“Has anyone else seen this design?” Danika asked. Wistah leaned out of his chair as one would lean away from an incoming blow. “Varesh was down here once, and had a scribe copy the design onto another parchment for her.”

“What?!” Kiruna slammed her book shut and stormed over to the table. Her eyes were wide open with alarm. “When was she down here?”

Wistah’s lips worked furiously trying to diffuse the matter before it exploded, presumably in his face. “This was before ...all that has happened…you must realize! She walked into my library one day asking for books on Diviners,” he held his palms up in surrender. “As Warmarshal she had knowledge about this archive, and a right to visit. I had no choice but to show her!”

Kiruna clicked her tongue loudly, not breaking her gaze off the frightened librarian. “And you just happen to let her copy one of the most important designs in the world, without a word?”

“She came in with her bodyguards, First Mage! Big, hairy brutes! I had no choice! I asked that she not leave with the design for fear that it would fall into the wrong hands…”

“She had the design copied, and traced it back to us on Istan. That’s why she visited our training yard, and that’s why the Corsairs invaded our homeland. They were there to kill Danika and anyone who might be her!” Jin added, slamming her book on the table to prove her point.

Wistah whirled on Jin with a fury. “Now look here! I did what I was told do under certain duress! I forbid armed guards in my archive, yet they pressed me.”

Danika sighed deeply, resting her head in a hand. “Yet you allowed them in, Wistah. Varesh had the game plan before any of us knew anything. Dear Spirits, this is making more sense to me now.” Danika finished by rubbing a weary hand over her face. “Varesh knew the future Diviner was on Istan, yet she didn’t know the person specifically. The raids were meant to draw me out in the open, and they succeeded. But if I didn’t explore Fahranur when I did...”

“The Corsair assassins would have found you and killed you,” Jin finished in a grim tone. Kiruna silently nodded her agreement, folding her arms under her chest. “We can only assume her masters know of this design as well.”

Danika lifted her head off the desk, holding a finger in the air. “If Varesh knew what my next move was going to be, why am I still alive?” Wistah leaned over the table, regaining some of his previous compsure. “She didn’t, that’s the reason why you are. It wasn’t until after you claimed Gandara that Varesh knew your identity. “

Jin caught onto the grand scheme of the attacks. “That would explain the assault in front of the Dejarin Estate. The demon, as well, which was left for us in Rilohn Refuge. These were not obstacles to slow us down, but rather attempts to kill you, which happened to fail.”

“Lives were still lost in Rilohn, so she succeeded in that aspect.” Danika was quick to throw in. “So far, based on this design, I have made the right choices. The question becomes, now that I know what lies before me, will my future choices become tainted with foreknowledge?” Danika’s question hung in the air for many moments before Wistah cleared his throat and attempted to answer.

“I would say no, Danika. You now understand you are part of an ancient design that was created thousands of years before you. The forks are not labeled as you can see; and who is to say that even if you take the path of a lesser fork, you will not have the power to bring the path back into the main root? Who is to say you haven’t done so already?” All three women looked at Wistah incredulously. He merely shrugged and continued. “Think of this design as a set of guidelines, a blueprint to the past. The present and the future.”

Danika heard enough for one day. There were pressing matters in Sebelkeh that required her immediate attention. She now had a better idea of what to do with Varesh. “Thank you Wistah, for the invaluable information you have given us,” she said, rising from her seat. The wily librarian rose up and gave the best bow he could with his bent back. “I’ll show you back to the surface, follow me.”

Ω Ω Ω

Vixtrola Rock · Aug 07, 2008, 05:59 AM // 05:59

Chapter 26 – One Final Act before the Curtain Closes

Varesh smiled inwardly, listening to the commotion outside her jail cell. The people of Vabbi were here for her and Varesh didn’t want to disappoint. From the sounds of it, she guessed that half of the country was packed into the city of Sebelkeh to watch her execution. She could imagine the tiny streets of Sebelkeh bursting with onlookers; all eager to witness the death of a tyrant. She promised to give them a show they would not soon forget. Varesh glided to the front of her cell when she heard footsteps approaching. Danika moved in front of the guards and locked stares with the Warmarshal. Varesh noticed Danika carrying her spear and smiled broadly. “Is the spear for decoration, Spearmarshal, or have you gathered enough courage to finish me yourself?”

Danika avoided the jab and motioned for the guards to open her cell. She stepped back a few paces to allow them room to maneuver. Varesh was bound with her hands behind her back, and led out by a score of fully armed guards, with Danika in the lead. The group's footsteps were drowned out by the raucous noises from the streets outside, wafting inside the jailhouse. Another set of guards, along with the First Mage and Koss, joined the procession heading out of the jailhouse, with one more group waiting outside. Varesh shunned her eyes and turned her head against the sudden influx of light. The sky still held the grey stillness of the approaching Nightfall, but it was still a major improvement over her darkened cell. She turned back to the streets, squinting through half-opened eyelids, gaping at the angry mob fighting to reach Varesh, and kill her themselves. The once peaceful city of Sebelkeh had turned into a boiling cauldron of hate for their former leader. Unspeakable curses and promises of vengeance assaulted her ear drums, as the procession snaked their way towards the jailhouse front gates. Soldiers peeled from the group and exited the gate, forcing the mob back, screaming to make room.

Danika stood relaxed and emotionless throughout the wait. Her eyes scanned the mob of Vabbians, as did the rest of the guards surrounding the Warmarshal. Lack of sleep was evident in her drawn-back features and heavy eyelids. Sleep had become a stranger to Danika, and it was physically taking its toll on her mind and body. When enough space was cleared, Danika was motioned to exit the jailhouse terrace. The guards cut a swath north towards the Grand Court, pushing and shoving the milling masses of people who traveled from all over the region to witness the ending of a nightmare. Varesh stole their husbands, their brothers, their sons and nephews; families forever splintered and scarred. The allied forces lost over three-quarters of their men in the Forum Highlands, which left the women, children and elderly to carry on and endure.

The crowd slowly parted for the soldiers, and their pace towards the Grand Court quickened. Danika ducked suddenly as an apple sailed over her head, aimed for the prisoner behind her. She turned around and saw fruits and vegetables arcing out of the crowd and crashing into Varesh. Tomatoes exploded over her shoulders, back, and head repeatedly.

“Clear the way! Get moving, go!” Danika screamed in front, waving her spear frantically. She heard a muffled grunt as Varesh was smacked in the face by a rotten apple, splitting her lip open. Blood dribbled over her chin and onto her colorless prison garb. Another apple connected solidly with her left eye, blackening it over. Cursing to herself, Danika grabbed Varesh roughly by the shoulders and hauled her the rest of the way to the Court gates. Nobody dared assault the prisoner while the Spearmarshal was so close. After the group reached the front gates of the Grand Court, a score of guards blocked the mass of onlookers from entering behind them.

The Grand Court was the finest building in Sebelkeh, so much so that people refer to Sebelkeh simply as The Grand Court of Sebelkeh. The name was enough to remember, if you were from out of town. The highly decorated building was not tall, and consisted of an open terrace. There was one entrance leading into the Court, and that was from the main street. The air outside the roofless courthouse was warm and humid, despite the blockage of the sun. A light breeze from the surrounding lake whirled though the seated audience, ruffling hair and swishing expensive gowns. Watchtowers lined each corner of the Grand Court with various arrow slits along the walls. The Court itself was detached from the rest of the city. If there was trouble outside the city, the Court could defend itself while help arrived. The Grand Court was the one place in Elona where true justice has always been carried out; and today, the people of Elona hoped that would ring true again.

A small platform was constructed with a set of steps leading to the base where the noose and sliding floor were placed. The rope hung off a long beam which spanned the length of the platform. A line of grim-faced guards lined the Court’s perimeter, with a handful of selected nobles and lords seated in front of the platform. Danika spotted Dunkoro, her sister Kiruna, Arch Magus Xeries and Prince Ahmtur in the audience, among other notables.

A Vabbian commander escorted Varesh up the steps where two guards stood on either end of the noose. When the rope was tied around her neck, Prince Ahmtur stood up and walked to a podium alongside the structure. Danika chose not to sit with the audience for her own reasons. She chose to lean against the back wall, which gave her a good view of Varesh. She rested one lazy foot on the wall and crossed her arms, waiting for Ahmtur’s speech to begin.

The Vabbian prince cleared his throat, stole a glance towards Varesh and began.

“People of Elona, Cantha, and Tyria: we are here today to carry out the execution for the convicted Varesh Ossa. She was once our golden child, our Commanding General, and our Warmarshal. Varesh has proven, over the last six months, to be nothing more than a killer for hire. A sell sword; a mercenary for evil. With the help of many people from across the world we discovered her true intent and met her new demonic allies in combat, winning out the night. The death of over six-thousand men and women lie at her feet.” Ahmtur pushed his notes aside and leaned forward. “I once considered Varesh as my friend and ally, but she has proven me a fool.”

Outside the Courthouse, over the bridge, and up an unknown leading from the mountains, a spirit rifted opened. Two scores of Margonites snaked along the path, and down towards the city below. The last demon through was just as tall as General Doriah, only leaner, deadlier, and more cunning. He wore a black and red cape, with a distinctive red and gold mask. Lord Jadoth had come to rescue his daughter.

“Today we end the nightmare that Varesh Ossa has cast upon this land. We will mete out justice, and condemn a murder to the Abyss!” Cheers rose from the audience, emboldening Ahmtur to continue.

“A vile and treacherous person such as the woman before you should not be allowed to live out the night! We have to show the demonic foes before us, that Elona has the courage to do what is necessary!”

The guards standing outside the bridge fell to arrows before they were able to free their swords. A Vabbian Gypsy was cut down and tossed in the lake. The Margonites raced over the bridge towards the Courthouse.

“The war is not yet over, but today we will exact Elonian justice upon the guilty!” Prince Ahmtur’s emphatic words were greeted again with a cacophony of cheers and yells for the execution to begin. The Prince smiled, slowly backing off the podium.

The Grand Court was rocked by a series of explosions. The watchtowers on the south and west blew apart in a shower of smoke and fire, while a portion of the western wall exploded inwards, sending large chunks of rock everywhere into the audience. In the blink of an eye the Grand Court became a pitched battle as demons poured through the opening, cutting the unsuspecting audience to ribbons. The Vabbian guards were cut down before a defense could be formed, leaving the innocent civilians to flee in terror. Xeries and Dunkoro were forced to retreat against the sudden onslaught of demon warriors, pressing them from all sides. Margonite archers held their places over the rubble and fired volley after volley in the scrambling nobles.

Danika saw Koss take two arrows in the chest, falling out of his chair. “Koss!” She had no chance to help him as she dove and rolled out of a fireball’s path, just as it exploded over the wall behind her. She came out of the roll in a dead run for Varesh. “Get her out of here! Call in the guards outside, we need help now!” Another fireball missed Danika by a foot, but the blast was close enough for Danika to lose balance and crash over a set of chairs. Kiruna stood in front of Varesh, defending the prisoner. Kiruna targeted the wizards and soon had them lying on the floor. She caught a pair of rangers taking aim, and sent a fireball towards the archers, but not before she was hit in the arm and chest with their own volleys. Kiruna limped behind a structure, missing another volley of arrows which bounced off the edge. The First Mage began casting a blanket fire storm over the remaining archers, but a mighty fist clamped over her throat from behind lifting her off the ground.

“That’s enough from you, Kiruna.” Jadoth growled. With a monstrous heave, Jadoth threw Kiruna into the chairs in front of the structure. Kiruna toppled over a handful of chairs before her skidding body came to a halt, mere paces away from Danika who was fending off a pair of foes. She caught a glance of Kiruna flying through the air and cursed. The demons knew who they were fighting and respected the monk's prowess with a spear. They slashed, feigned and back away in perfect harmony with the other. One of the demons jerked suddenly as a pair of arrows stuck out of its neck. Before the demon fell, Jin already had another pair sailing into the second demon attacking Danika.

“Go for Varesh, I’ll cover you!” Jin stepped over one of the mortally wounded demons, firing her arrows in rapid succession over Danika’s shoulders as she broke for the group converging over Varesh. Jadoth watched a pair of Margonites pulling Varesh from the noose when a charging woman caught this eye.

“Get my daughter out of here, I’ll deal with the Diviner,” Jadoth snarled, pulling his spear from a dead Vabbian guard. Jadoth’s stilted feet barely touched the ground as he strode for the charging monk. Danika narrowed her visors as the massive demon flashed his spear before him. His viscous wings beat against the harsh air propelling Jadoth forward, flashing his bloodied spear before him. “C’mon, face a true foe!” The mighty demon whirled his spear like a sword, cutting the air with alacrity. Jadoth swiped low and fast, clipping Danika on the shoulder. Danika rolled out of Jadoth’s range, bringing her spear to bear. From the corner of her eye, Danika saw a handful of margonites pulling a dazed Varesh out of the Courthouse. Danika knew this was not the time to engage the Lord of the Margonites; and Jadoth seemed content with just keeping Danika away and out of the rescue.

Danika growled and charged into Jadoth, holding an upraised fiery-white hand before her. Jadoth prepared for the blow, screaming for Danika to attack, swiping his spear in front of him. The two leaders collided in a thunderous boom of white fire and raw power. Jadoth took the blast squarely in the chest, staggering him against the wall in a daze. Danika took a hard shot on her shoulder herself. She rolled on the ground slipping a hand underneath her tunic and felt the open wound over her collarbone. Jadoth shook off the white tendrils of smoke wafting off his chest and looked over to the monk writhing on the floor in pain.

“We will finish this fight another time, Diviner.” Jadoth said, before walking out of Courthouse. Danika eye’s shown with unbridled hatred towards the fleeing demons and her prisoner, and she knew they couldn’t be allowed to escape. Kiruna helped Danika to her feett, and motioned for the opening. “I can see it in your eyes, Dani, what you’re going to do…just make it back to us. We have too many injured to retrieve Varesh, go now!”

“Take lead while I’m gone, that’s if I make it!” Danika embraced her sister quickly and broke into a dead run towards the blasted wall. She dashed around the rocks and leaped over the pile and out of the Courthouse, never breaking stride. Jadoth caught Danika chasing his party and ordered a pair of soldiers to slow her down. Danika crossed the bridge and met the pair running down the dirt path. Danika couldn’t call upon her Signet of Rage, and was forced into a melee fight. Parrying a sword strike and batted the weapon away, Danika dropped low and swept its legs from underneath. Danika crouched low and brought her spear high for a defense. She rose up and spun around with a roundhouse kick, knocking the demon into the water. Another pair broke from the group and rushed in to stop Danika; this time her Signet of Rage was ready for use again. Jadoth‘s attention was turned back to the path below, as an explosion rocked the terrace nestled along the lake, stone and bodies flying everywhere. Danika blew out of the tunnel and rounded up the path, her arms and legs pumping furiously.

“Jadoth!!”

“She never quits, does she!” Jadoth growled. “You three, slow her down! The rest of you jump through the portal, go!” Jadoth was the first through the rift, followed by Varesh and the rest of his troops. Sprinting up the beaten path, Danika blew through the demons with another fiery blast, their enflamed torsos sailing alongside the charging monk as she made a beeline for the rapidly closing rift. “Can’t get rid of me that easily!” Danika dove for the opening just before it winked out, leaving a bloody trail of margonites in her wake.

Ω Ω Ω

Vixtrola Rock · Aug 07, 2008, 06:02 AM // 06:02

Chapter 27 – The Ravenheart Gloom

Danika opened her eyes to black. No moon or stars, only the black pitch of the Gloom. She lay on her back overwhelmed with nausea, her darkened vision an eerie, swirling green haze. She quickly lost all control of her bodily functions and rolled over vomiting. Danika already regretted jumping through the spirit rift behind Varesh. It was a foolish move, but she couldn’t allow Varesh to escape, not when she was this close to ending this horrible chapter. She curled her hands into a ball and felt the dirt and loose rocks collect under her fingernails. Swinging her right arm out slowly, Danika hoped against hope she wasn’t blind. The tips of her fingers grazed against her spear, and she sighed audibly. Wrapping her hand around the shaft she brought the spear to her face and smiled. “Oh, thank the spirits," she exhaled, seeing the gilded edges of the handle. This much she knew: she wasn’t blind and she had her weapon. Now for the real question: where did the rift send her?

When the nauseous feeling passed and the blurring vision dissipated, Danika gingerly rose up to her feet and looked around. She narrowed her eyes, forcing them to adjust. Eventually her sight adjusted to the dim setting, and Danika found she was surrounded by green grass stalks about three quarters her own height. A slight breeze bent the tops of the grass, producing a constant rustling sound that filled her ears. On hands and knees, Danika crept to the outer ring, gently spreading apart a handful of stalks, and peered out hesitantly. Fields of grass dotted the sloping hills as far as she could see. She considered illuminating a hand for light, but quickly dismissed the foolish action. Anything could be out there.

She stayed on all-fours, motionless, for what seemed like an eternity. Fear gripped her chest like a vice. Her heartbeat thumped in her ear like a drum.

“Well I can’t stay here forever,” she surmised, trying to convince her legs to obey. “I have to find Varesh, which is easier said than done.” Just as Danika rose back up, the edge of a sharp dagger pressed up against her neck.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” a feminine voice remarked casually from behind. “Drop your spear and put your hands where I can see them; slow like.”

Danika straightened up and did as she was told.

“Well now,” said the woman. “It’s not every day I get to see a woman fall from a spirit rift. Quite the show!” She said, pushing the spear through the dirt with another sword.

Danika nodded. “I was just thinking that myself, how I would look falling through a demonic portal like that, I guess you had a front row seat.” She looked back over her shoulder. “What are you doing here?”

“I was about to ask you the same question,” the voice replied. Her tone was casual, but held an edge which Danika didn’t want to push over.

“Look, I don’t know who you are but I mean you no harm,” Danika reasoned.

“I’ll be the judge of that,” the voice said, sarcastically.

The woman sheathed her long sword and began frisking Danika. Her hands turned from casual to erotic exploration, starting down her calves and moving up her thighs. “Nice strong legs,” she said, moving her hand up and over Danika’s backside. “Firm, round butt,” she continued over Danika’s waist. “A slim waist to compliment these lovely hips,” she glided her hand over Danika’s breasts and squeezed one through her shirt. “Full, round breasts. Most enticing,” she whispered into her ear. The woman trailed the tip of her tongue over the outer lobes of Danika’s ear while she pinched one of her nipples, causing it to harden. “Are you enjoying my hands, little one?” the woman breathed huskily into her ear.

“Just finish your search and be done with it,” Danika replied heatedly. Panting for breath, Danika started to turn her head, but the sharp edge of the dagger bit into her neck. She could feel the sting as the metal separated her skin, and she decided it was better to hold still.

“That’s a good girl,” she said, clearly noticing her discomfort.”No moving till I say so.”

When the mysterious woman was done with her exploratory search, she unsheathed her sword and laid is casually on Danika’s shoulder. “Now listen real good, miss,” she whispered into Danika’s ear. “I’m gonna release you. And you’re gonna turn around. But before you get any bright ideas about sticking me with that spear of yours, just know that I can kill you in a heartbeat and not lose any sleep over it.” She bounced the sword on Danika’s shoulder. "But I would rather not. I would like to have you over for dinner later, if you catch my meaning.” Her last comment sent a chill down Danika’s spine.

The blades slipped away from her neck, and he could feel her step away. She didn’t make any noise as she moved.

“Turn around,” she said, “and keep your back to the grass.”

Doing as she was told, Danika turned around and finally got a look at the woman who had held her at knifepoint. The woman was tall, over a foot taller than she was, with a horned helmet fashioned with the likeness of a beast she couldn’t recognize. The mouth opened up with teeth jutting from the bottom. The helmet from this distance looked as if a beast just swallowed her head whole.

This woman was the epitome of feminine toughness; overlapping black plates covered her entire left arm, but she wore no chest mail. Her small breasts were covered by a leather bra, while her right hand was wrapped in the same worn leather up to her elbow. The battles she must have been in to lose her whole chest piece! At least her plated greaves and boots were still intact. Danika could clearly see her abdominal muscles expand and contract when she breathed. Her arms were well defined, but she still had a small feminine layer over her muscles. A few more years of swordplay and that layer would be gone.

Danika found it hard to speak up. “So what should I call you?” she asked, finally finding a voice.

The woman found her question amusing and smiled back for a moment before answering. “Names are not important right now, miss…” she stopped talking and narrowed her eyes. They both heard loud, guttural noises coming from somewhere out in the open. The unmistakable sounds of footsteps crunching on the ground were soon heard, along with the effects of something large being dragged in the dirt behind them. These footsteps were far too heavy to be human. The woman crouched low and snatched Danika’s free hand. “If you want to live, you come with me now,” she whispered dangerously. Danika had no choice but to follow this mysterious woman, but to what end she did not know.

The story continues with The Apotheosis due out in November!