Curse

Storm Crow · Dec 09, 2005, 07:01 PM // 19:01

this is the entire thing, in one sitting, no more searching through pages upon pages for certian moments of the Roleplay...

Characters (In order of appearance):
Name: Sanjinu Dalsworth
Age: 17 (in human years)
Gender: Male
Race: Elf
Class: Elementalist/Ranger
Weapons: Long Sword, Long Bow, Spells
Armor: Leather

Name: Alicia Stormcrow
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Class: Elementalist/Ranger-changes to Monk later
Weapon: Fire Wand, Flame Artifact, Onyx Raven Staff-acquired later-, Spells
Armor: Pyromancer/ 15k Pyromancer dyed black-acquired later
Bio: Growing up in a small town on the outskirts of the country, Alicia had always been a tomboy. At the age of 10 she could outrun half the boys in the village of which there were only five. At the age of 15 she could handle a horse like the best of the king’s riders, even those three times her age. Then one day, something happened she would never forget the massacre. Among those dead were her parents and older brother, Bjorn, she had always looked up to him and found his death the one she mourned of most. She prayed to Dwayna to give her the strength to overcome her brother’s death, and she replied. She, along with the other survivors, had tried their hardest to overcome the event, all watching the gate in the small wall they had built around one of the remaining houses nervously. Alicia was the strongest of those surviving and therefore watched the gate through the night. Nothing much happened here until one night she fell asleep in the watch box, she dreamed of her childhood, she and Bjorn playing in the field, and of her beloved horse, Midnyte Rayne, who was kept in a stable near the back of the wall. She awoke to the sound of what sounded like the River Drake roaring. Readying her wand with the greatest of care she sent up a flare, warning the rest of the danger, then she wondered why the drake had come from the river, which was far away, then she saw a spout of flame and summoned a storm of fire. The drake roared in pain and tried to run but could not stand on his crippled feet. She fired flare after flare, tears welling in her eyes as she tried to take out years of pain on this vile creature. The drake gave a final moan of pain and was dead...

Name: Vanatiel
Age: 20
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Class: Necromancer/ Mesmer
Weapon: Bone Staff
Armor: Tormentor’s

Name: Omega Hammerer
Age: 19, human years
Gender: Male
Race: Drow (Dark Elf)
Class: Warrior/Monk
Weapon: Twin Hammer
Armor: Platemail with Dwarven helm

Name: Malikai
Age: 4
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Class: Elementalist/Necromancer
Weapon: Fire Wand, Flame Artifact (his mother’s old ones)
Armor: Pyromancer

Name: Dac Vin
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Class: Ranger/Mesmer
Weapon: Flat Bow
Armor: Druid’s

Name: Skry
Age: 18 (human yrs.)
Gender: Male
Race: Elf
Class: Ranger
Weapon: Shocking Shadow Bow, Longsword
Armor: Leather, Black traveling cloak.

Name: Shol V’ha aka Shadow
Age: 8
Gender: Female
Race: Wolf
Class: Stalker
Weapon: Physical body / Gwen’s Flute
Armor: Gwen’s Cape
Bio: I killed that skipping child we all know as Gwen

Name: Garria Stormcrow
Age: 25
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Class: Warrior/Monk
Weapon: Onyx Longsword-Onyx-Plated Shield, Onyx Fellblade- Onyx- Plated Shield
Armor: 15k Gladiator’s dyed black

Name: Varda Stormcrow
Age: 27
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Class: Mesmer/Monk
Weapon: Onyx Jeweled Staff
Armor: 15k Rouge’s dyed black

Name: Daishi Stormcrow
Age: 28
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Class: Necromancer/Monk
Weapon: Onyx Accursed Staff
Armor: 15k Bonelace dyed black

Name: Wereva Stormcrow
Age: 26
Gander: Female
Race: Human
Class: Ranger/Monk
Weapon: Onyx Storm Bow
Armor: 15k Druid’s dyed black

Name: Cariva Stormcrow
Age: 25
Gander: Female
Race: Human
Class: Monk/Warrior
Weapon: Onyx Holy Staff
Armor: 15k Saintly dyed black

Story:

Part I – The Char Invasion

He walked toward the captain of the guards.
”Captain what are the reports?”
”We are good but we have no idea when and where the Charr will attack next”
”May I make a suggestion?”
”Sure,”
”I think we should retreat to the Castle, Garwiy. Then from there we hold the Castle with the high mountains to our advantage.”
”The captain pondered this. Some thing was not right. He heard something...wrong...suddenly fire burned as a volley of fire arrows flew onto the rampart.
”Men to your arms!” Shouted the captain

All of the guards took their weapons from their places. The sounds of swords unsheathing and bowstrings tightening filled the air. Alicia readied her wand and stared out on the dark ground. Dwayna shone no moonlight upon the open landscape before the wall and ramparts. She remembered the night of the massacre.

All the blackness reminded her of Bjorn. She thought again of the things that had killed her friends and family. Black and scarred with eyes that seemed to be black holes into their ruthless souls. She had been lucky enough to have been spared, although she had not passed with no injury. She had the scars on her arms of the creature’s nails, long and yellow, and she could still feel the burn of sweeping blades across her back. The scars made a sort of double X, one atop the other. And in the center where the bottom of the first met the top of the second, there was a mark, it was like that of a royal seal, but belonged to no kingdom, like that of a spout of flame, but belonged to no dragon, and like that of one of the pictures of village’s artist, Sheen, but on no canvas. She occasionally thought if this was the mark of Dwayna, if it was how she had been spared, or if it was a mark of how brave she would find her soul was, or if it was the mark of her brother’s soul, because she vowed to destroy the things that had killed him, or maybe if it was the evil symbol of the creatures that had made her what she was, determined and courageous. Little did she show her back, for the fear that is was a curse, the curse of the vile things that had destroyed what she loved most, the things that had killed her brother.

She lifted her face to the firelight of the torches in the rampart. She looked upon her dear friend, Sanjinu. He looked at her, the scars on her arms, her shoulders, and those on her face, which started above her left eye and continued diagonally across her face, three of them there were, one for each family member she had lost, and the pain and tears that were starting to grow in her eyes. “I’ve done this for one reason,” she said, the tears rolling from her eyes and following down her scars, “I’m serving the revenge for the death of my brother.”

He looked at Alicia half thinking about the war half thinking about her. He saw the invading army. One thought was on his mind. Save Alicia. She may be after revenge but he could not lose her to the enemy. He looked at Alicia again. Would she really be ready for war? Could she survive it? He had one choice for she would not stop till revenge was given. He had to defend her. He moved toward the rampart. Using arcane words he began a spell of fire upon the opposing army’s front line. He used everything he had. He heard his sparrow squawking. Someone had fallen in the forest. Every man must be saved. He turned to Alicia.

“Alicia, someone has fallen in the forest. You and I must seek out this person. I have a feeling that they may be what we need in this war. Every man counts” He turned to her waiting for a reply.
“I’ll go,” she said, gathering her things, “I’ll take Rayne and Garion, they’ll help.”
”No,” he said, “I can’t let you go alone.”
”I won’t be alone,” She said, “The gods and Bjorn are with me always.”

Looking on, unable to change her set mind, Sanjinu thought that she certainly could not survive. The enemies were to strong for a single person to fight, and who knew how many forces they had set in the forest? She wrapped her cloak round her scarred shoulders and mounted. He was sad to see her go and maybe even a little angry.

”Lina!” he called going to one of the resurrection monks, “Make sure you keep an eye on her. Follow her through and make sure that she does not fall. She is one of the most important elements in this battle.”
”Yes, sir.” she replied and quickly ran off to fetch a horse that could match Rayne’s pace.

He watched his beloved Alicia race off into the forest. He had no idea what awaited him. He sent his sparrow, Jinko, to follow their trial. He turned back to the gate. He looked as another volley of arrows came rushing towards him. Then they were warded off by the protection monks. The line would not hold. Another volley came in fast and there was no time. Ten men fell from their spots on the ramparts. Sanjinu fell backwards, wounded. He felt an ever-burning need for Alicia. Then almost as if this thought gave him power with one pull not even flinching he ripped the arrow out of his wounded right shoulder. He moved back to the rampart. He gazed out to try and find their general. There he was. With every ounce of strength, he drew back his bow. He drew it back and with an arcane word he made the arrow burst into flames. He released the string and the arrow flew so hard and so true to its target. The general fell with the arrow. Then from blood loss Sanjinu fell to the ground. The healing monks came as fast as humanly possible and started o heal him. His last word was Alicia. Then his spirit started to leave his body but then almost as if something reminded him. Alicia...I must save her. Then with the power of Balthazar, he rose again. However, something was new. He then found out his power had grown but at a cost. He could no longer feel any connection to his sparrow, he found no use in bows, and he could not always control his power. Great power...at a great loss. He then realized about Alicia. She was out there with only Lina and her. He knew he had to follow. He began to move toward the rampart at one last look at the front before he left. At the moment he saw the enemy his power took control. Fire burst from within him. Fifty enemies fell and five of their own. He had killed five of them. Then he regained control. What have I done he thought. However, he needed to find Alicia. He rode off into the forest.
Alicia continued through the dark forest at a walk, not being able to see but a few feet in front of her. The last of the autumn leaves had fallen and crunched under Rayne’s hooves. It was cold, and Alicia, having nothing but her hardly warm leather Pyromancer armor and cloak, was shivering. She felt something, something like a pain in her chest, hard and sharp it hit her, knocking the breath out of her. She tried to draw more but found it too hard. Panting like a dog, she held her chest and pulled hard on Rayne’s reins. She stopped reluctantly, eyeing her with one of her deep, brown eyes. She looked back at her. “Sorry Rayne,” she said with barely whispered words, “I can’t go on, we must stop.” Garion meowed and RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GOed his head. “Come here,” she said ushering the cat closer. He put his front paws on the saddle. She put her left arm around his neck and stepped off Rayne. She made her way to a rock a little off the trail, still holding her chest in pain, and sat against it. Garion came and sat beside her, his head in her lap, and Rayne came and lay down too, looking at her as if pleading her to take off the tack. “Oh, fine.” she said, pushing Garion’s head off her. She stood up using the rock as support and slid off Rayne’s bridle and snagging a bit of the autumns last grass she stood up for her to remove the saddle. Painfully she loosened the straps and slid it off the mare’s sable back. Glad to have it removed, she shook and flicked her tail. She scratched her behind the ears and laughed. “You sure are a leisurely horse, Rayne.” She said and sat back down. Gari, happy his pillow had returned, again put his head in her lap.

Sanjinu moved into the forest as fast as the horse could bear. He moved as the sun got darker. He slowed the pace. He felt something in the trees. If he were not in such a hurry, he would’ve looked. He saw her ahead. Something was not right. He quickly charged forward. She was about to fall as he jumped from the horse and caught her in his arms. “You will be all right.” He set her on his horse and sent his horse back to the castle. He moved on. He quickly found the fallen man surrounded by trolls. Arcane words once again escaped from his mouth. The trolls easily fell but he was exhausted. He put the wounded man on the other horse and sent it back to the castle. He would have to walk. He began the long journey.
She remembered being woken by one of the monks. She was still holding tightly to the pinto’s reigns. She slid off the saddle and almost collapsed from both exhaustion and pain. The monk caught her and handed her off to Sanjinu. “Make sure she rests for a minute,” She said, “I’m getting the captain.” “All right.” he said, laying her down in the fresh piled straw in one of the stables. He looked at her, and moved an out-of-place lock of hair back behind her ear. He heard a soft crack of straw and looked up. There was Garion, looking extremely annoyed at him. He padded over to Alicia and again put his head in her lap. She had enough strength left to scratch him behind the ear before she again started breathing heavily. Garion was content with that, he licked her hand and then nuzzled his head back into her lap.

The captain came with Lina and looked at Alicia. “What happened to her?” he
asked a tone in his voice Sanjinu had never heard before, concern. “I’m not sure,” he said, taking her hand and pulling her up into a sitting position against the wall.

Lina looked at her. She was breathing heavily and she was pale. Classic symptoms of many things, stress and dehydration included, and probably the most likely in the state of war. “Go get some cold water, a goblet, and a cloth.” she said taking her pulse. “I’m on it,” the captain said running off to go find the things. Sanjinu looked at her. Sweat was heavy in her hair. “Yes,” Lina said as if reading his mind, “Take those out.” He gently pulled at the rods holding her buns together and put them in his pocket. He untwisted them and let her long silver hair fall from its normal position.

The captain returned pail, goblet, and cotton cloth in hand. “Good,” Lina said taking the things. She filled the goblet with water from the pail and gave it to Sanjinu. “Let her drink this.” she said, “It’ll help.” He put the goblet to her lips and tipped it slightly. She hardly had the energy to but she swallowed it and smiled at him gratefully. Lina handed him the cotton cloth “Put that on her forehead, it’ll keep her cool.” He did as Lina instructed. She stood to leave. “Keep giving her that water and make sure that cloth stays cool.” She said, “I’m going to get a blanket for her, I’ll be back in a few minuets.”

Sanjinu looked at her. He stood up as officers came for him. “You are under arrest for the murder of five soldiers.” Sanjinu looked at him straight in his eye. What could he do? Run? Stay? He looked at Alicia. “Don’t worry,” he told her, she looked at him thinking, “Look officer, I will do more help at the front line. If you send me to jail then I will only harm your men.” Sanjinu’s mind kept racing. “I am sorry,” the officer said, “You have to come with me by rule of the king,” Sanjinu had no idea what to do. “I am NOT going with you!” He said losing control again. “By order of the King you go to jail or you die!” The officers began to draw their swords. Sanjinu moved backwards. He looked to the captain for help. He returned his gaze with no help or concern. I must be with Alicia he thought. With her, my powers are in control but when we are not together then I fail to control them. “I must be with Alicia...by rule of Balthazar!” Sanjinu spoke up. “You have NO right to speak in his name!” the officer spoke again. “Fine I will go with you but on one condition Alicia comes with me.” Sanjinu spoke. “It depends on her choice.”
“No.” Lina said, returning with a heavy blanket in her hands, “She cannot go. She is in no condition to go anywhere.” “I said it was her choice, not yours.” Sanjinu replied the rage growing inside him. “Yes.” Alicia squeaked, “I’ll go.” “I absolutely forbid it!” Lina cried throwing her hands up in anger, “She shall not move from that spot until I release her from my care!” “Lina, it’s not your decision,” she said pushing herself up further, “It’s mine. I decided I wish to go and so I’m going whether you like it or not.” Sanjinu walked over to her side and helped her up. He handed her the shiny blue rods and she quickly twisted her hair back into uneven buns. “I thank you for what you’ve done Lina, but I’m fine now. I’ll be alright.” “You are making a very bad decision Alicia,” she said. Alicia looked at her angrily. “But it’s yours to make.” Lina replied a little less anger in her voice.

“Come with us.” one of the guards said holding his hand out in front of him. Alicia grabbed Sanjinu’s hand and squeezed it. He looked at her and she smiled back. The guards followed them to the castle.

Sanjinu moved slowly helping her along the way. He saw the castle ahead. He knew the one way out was the one way in. He knew he would be tried and sentenced to death. What could he do? Run and start another kingdom? That would be the only way to survive if they ran. However, that would take to long. He could not run with Alicia in her pain. Maybe he could give her a horse. He mind kept racing. If they ran, they would have no men to hunt them because of the war. That was it. He would break out, run to the stables send her on the way out, however he would have to fight his way out. This was all he could think about. Where to run? The army was in front and mountains were in the back. East? He would ask Alicia when they were alone. He moved into a cell and she got a bed near his cell. He moved in onto the ground. The guards were stationed outside. “Alicia,” he whispered, “I am going to break out...I will escape to the east, if you want to come I can get you a horse.” he waited for a reply.
Alicia contemplated this. Running. It wasn’t an exceptionally good idea, but it was all they had. “Yes” she said, “I can get Garion. I want to try something though. Maybe I can get rid of these guards while they’re asleep. I can drain their health. They wouldn’t feel a thing.” “Sounds good to me.” he replied.

She waited for quite a while before the guards finally fell asleep. The spell took long to cast, but when set, it would drain all of their health in a matter of seconds. Carefully she made her way over and checked the guard’s pulse. “He’s gone.” she whispered, taking the keys from his pocket. She quietly unlocked the cell door. It squeaked a little on its hinges. Sanjinu stepped out into the dark hallway. “Wow.” he said, “It’s freezing out here.” “Just a sec.” Alicia said, setting a spell. “That’s better.” he said surprised. “Just a little thing I picked up from a trainer.” she said “Ward Against Elements. Blocks out the cold.” “I need to get that.” he said. “Comes in handy occasionally.” she replied. Something clanked. “Oh, no.” they said in unison. “Quick! Back in the cell!” Sanjinu said. “Just a minuet.” she put a simple resurrection spell on the guard and put the keys back in his hand. She quickly got in the cell and turned the lock with one of her blue hair rods. “That was close.” Sanjinu said as the footsteps started echoing off the stone floor and walls of the dungeon hallway. The footsteps got louder. “It’s probably another guard, coming for second shift.” Alicia thought aloud. “You’re probably right.” Sanjinu said sitting on the bed. “I can get him to leave.” she replied. “Really? How?” he asked, looking at her in excitement. “Come here.” she said. He got up and came to the door next to her and looked out into the dim hallway, the footsteps growing ever louder. Alicia pulled his head away from the iron rods of the door. “This might not be the most pleasant way to get rid of him, but it’s all we’ve got. You must remember that.” she said. Taking a deep breath, trying to calm herself, she did the one thing that had to be done. Just as the guard reached the door, she kissed Sanjinu.

The guard came and peered through the barred hole in the wooden cell door. Alicia had her back against the planks of the door, still holding the kiss. Sanjinu, even with the guard standing and gawking through the bars, was enjoying this, his heart pounding with excitement and fear.

The guard slowly backed away from the door. He sat in a chair on the opposite side of the hallway and got the keys from the peg where the first guard had put them when he had left.

Alicia was also sort of enjoying it, although the door was a bit uncomfortable. She slid off her leather vest, throwing it to the ground beneath the barred window in the wall on the opposite side of the cell. This revealed a nearly skin tight black tube top. Sanjinu was now really enjoying this.

He saw the guard look over. What now? He saw the guard look over...’Oh great.’ he thought. ’This is absolutely wonderful...well whatever gets me out.’ He saw the guard look over, watching them. He then looked at Alicia. The guard got up and turned around. The guard started to become uneasy. The guard turned to look again... “Y’know what? I’ll just open the gate and let you out miss so I can leave. “The guard moved over and opened the gate. At that moment, Sanjinu charged his shoulder into the guard taking away his breath and caused his to go unconscious. More guard steps were heard up the stairs.
“Well, that worked as intended.” Alicia said, picking up her vest and sliding it back on. “What are we supposed to do now?” Sanjinu asked, looking at her angrily. “Uh, my plan was to kill them all, but if you don’t want to do that than I guess we can surrender.” “I think I like the killing thing better.” “Let’s do this.” she said taking her wand from her pocket. “Were just going to charge into them?! What are you, crazy?!” “Some people have told me that, but I’m not, I just enjoy killing things.” “Well that explains a lot.” Sanjinu said running after her down the hallway.

By the time he got there, half of the forces were dead. The surviving wounded to the point that they wouldn’t survive without immediate attention from the healing monks. Alicia flew up the dungeon stairs, taking them three at a time. “Hold up!” Sanjinu called up the spiral stone staircase, his voice echoing off he walls. “No! We need to get out of here before the entire force finds out we’re gone!” “Have you broken out of here before?” “Not exactly, I just stole something from the king’s armory.” “Wow.” he said as he reached the top of the staircase. Another troupe of guards was down, lying in the hallway as if simply knocked over and unconscious. Alicia was out of the castle in a matter of minuets. Sneaking out the back was one of her best plans. It had worked before.

She silently made her way to the stables, Sanjinu not far behind, and had Garion’s tack on in a minuet or so. Sanjinu’s pinto hadn’t yet been unsaddled. Mounting Garion, she looked for any signs of Lina or the captain, as they were the last in the stables. No one. She quietly rode Garion out of the stables and went slowly past the guards into the forest where she and Sanjinu regrouped.

”What did you think you were doing back there?” He scowled “We could have been killed!” “I was doing what you would’ve done in my position, saving you.” “Saving me? Is tha—“ “Hush.” Alicia said. “What now?” “Shut up!” She hissed in a flustered whisper “There’s something here.”

~ ~ ~

“Ow!”

He jerked his hand towards him, jumping with surprise and pain. Looking down at his hand, he could see that his skin lay open, his black blood coming out of his finger. He couldn’t even picture himself in a worse situation.

Firstly, he was chased across a whole city, for stealing a piece of bread! Then he was nearly mobbed because he ate it, and then he was chased into these woods! Sighing he sat down on a fallen trunk, of a great oak tree. Grabbing a bolt of cloth, he tore a piece of it, and wrapped it around his bloodied finger.

He was back to his regular routine, starving and running around, which wasn’t that great. Food was scarce in this place, but he had managed to keep himself from starving, from which seemed to be the weeks he have spent running around in this cursed forest.

His stomach growled.

”Ugh...So hungry...”

Bending over, he tried to feel saliva in his mouth. But of course, there was none. After days of no water, and scarcely any food, his mouth was as dry as a desert.

His body was torn, bleeding, and scratched, from the trees, the prickly vines, man-eating plants, and all the evil insectoids of the forest.

He was pretty much dead.

Falling down, he fainted, from sheer exhaustion, hunger, concussion, injuries.

Hell, he couldn’t even list how many conditions he was suffering from, in this stupid cursed woods.

~ ~ ~

He woke up, with a start, hearing a grunt, sounding from nearby.

Jerking up, he looked around, wondering where and what the noise came from.

His yellow eyes glittered in the moonlight.

It was dark already, but the moonlight shone brightly on his necrotic armor, and his uncovered pale skin matched its color.

Smiling, he knew that he had the advantage.

He was a being of night, a Necromancer of darkness.

The darkness would help him.

A loud grunt sounded from behind him.

Twisting backwards in surprise, he ran towards the sound.

More grunts sounded, loudly. The sound seemed to come from a group of creatures. He was hesitant for a second, but rushed forward.

The only thought on his mind was, “I wonder how Troll Meat tastes...”

~ ~ ~

Munching on warthog meat, cooked to a yummy delight, he was happy. Sitting on a small log, he gobbled down the meat from the group of warthogs wandering the forest. Laughing, he ate, praising my luck.

”And to think that those were trolls.”

Chuckling, he ate until he fell asleep on the moss covered log.

~ ~ ~

”GrRRRRR!!!”

Waking up, startled, he drowsily stood up.

”Gah, I’m not hungry, go away warthog”

”RAWR!!!!”

Uh-Oh...A Warthog doesn’t make those noises...

Turning around, he met the face of an eerie, ugly, tall, troll.

”Uh-Oh....”

The last thing he knew was a huge hand, as huge as a tree trunk, slamming into his body, knocking the air out of him.

Before everything went black.

He was cold. Moving his hand on the cold surface of the floor he was on, he leaned on his elbow to support himself up.

”Argh!” He yelled aloud, hurt by the sudden rush of pain. The pain shot up his arm, through my body, like an electrical surge from one of those annoying Elementalists...

Dropping his hand, laying limp on the floor, he opened his eyes.

He drew a sharp breath, looking at the blue eyes in front of him. He could’ve stared at the beautiful girl in front of him, for hours, just staring at her eyes. If she didn’t talk, he probably would’ve done that.

”I see your doing well.” She smiled kindly at me.

”My name’s Eve. A kind soldier of the remnant of warriors, who, at this time, fight against the incoming invasions, dropped you off here. You didn’t come here pretty, mind you. You bled over my floor.”

”Uhhhh...” He didn’t know what to say.

”Uhh...My names Vanatiel...”

She looked at the scar on the side of his forehead, as he looked at hers. Her scar was crude, made with a jagged edge, looking just as a crude knife would.

”Your scar is not what like what I have ever seen before, Vanatiel. May I touch it?”

Touching scars between necromancers were common. It was like saying Hello and goodbye. We were all the same. The same group of darkness...the same group that the common people of Tyria so dislike.

He nodded at her.

She leaned down, in front of his face, coming closer. Reaching her hand out, she touched the top of his scar with her fingers.

He drew a crisp, hard breath, out of surprise.

Her hands were as cold as ice, but yet so smooth.

He felt a shiver run down his spine as she ran her fingertips along his face, tracing my scar.

Staring at her bleakly, he didn’t notice that she knew he was staring at her.

”How did you get that scar? It doesn’t seem to be that of a scroll or a rune.”

He bowed his head, remembering my dark past.

”I got it from my childhood...”

She probably knew what he meant, and didn’t continue that topic. Necromancers touching each other’s scars could also learn the thoughts, feelings, and memories of each other.

”Vanatiel, may I call you Vantie?”

Startled, he was in a lost of words for a moment.

”Uh. Sure.”

She smiled again, and captured him in her gaze. Reaching forward with her hand, she stroked his hair out of his eyes, moving in backwards.

”Vantie, you still need to recover. You have to do guard duty in the nearby prison tomorrow. Get some sleep.”

He jumped a bit, in surprise. “Huh? Guard Duty? What is that?”

She put a finger to his lips.

”Vantie, my father wouldn’t allow you to stay here unless you helped him be a guard in the prison. The captain that bought you here out of kindness had no else to bring you. He went through the whole coast, looking for someone to look over you. But because...you’re...different, nobody took you in.”

Her smile turned her face into an emotion of pity and sadness for him.

Anger flared in his eyes. “I understand.”

Casting his eyes away, ashamed and hurt, he laid back down.

Eve hugged him, and told him to get a good night’s sleep.

Before she left, she looked back at him. “Vantie, Just be careful in the prison. There’s some very dangerous criminals in there. The same man that brought you here was arrested for murder of his fellow comrades... Just, take care of yourself.”

He smiled at her, reassuring her of his safety.

What had this kind, beautiful, fellow necromancer, got him into?

He didn’t think anymore. He just closed his eyes and his mind wandered into the depths of dreams.

~ ~ ~

The prison was disgusting, and it smelled horrible. This ugly place was crawling with rats, all types of shapes and sizes. Even in his heavy guard uniform, he could still feel the cold upon his body.

As he walked past the endless row of prisoners, the endless row of cells, he could feel nothing but pity for these people. The people within these cells were half-naked, nearly starved, and were probably freezing. His hand ached for the keys he held. He wanted to unlock each one of these cells, but he knew that he couldn’t.

”Hey you! Necromancer! Who do you think you are, acting as if you were high and mighty? Go back to your little Grenth statue, and those filthy catacombs of yours. We don’t like your type.”

His anger flared. Looking around, he could spot the man that spoke those words to him. Even from the cell this damned man dared to mock him for what he was.

His joke encouraged the other men in his cell to laugh at him, mocking him with their faces.

He growled, unaware of himself. He wanted to kill this man.

”Oho, look boys. It’s a cat! See? He’s growling at us.”

That was when he lost it. He conjured a spell of suffering upon the man and the people in his cell. He watched their skin slowly shrivel away.

The man still mocked him, as he was dying. “Haha! So you show your real personality! The evil part of yourself, eh? That’s what you are, and that’s what you ALWAYS will be!”

The man wanted him to do what he was doing to him.

”Enough!” He stopped his spell of suffering upon him and his mates.

He smiled at this man.

”Death is too good for you. I don’t know what you did to get in this hell hold, but I don’t really care. I’m not going to kill you. Ill let you stay here and rot for a few more years.”

He turned around, and walked out of the dungeon.

But he didn’t get out of the dungeon quick enough. Not quick enough to ignore the words that this man threw at him, in his final act of defiance.

”I got here, because I murdered one of the filthy, dirty ones, of your kind. One of those crazed women, her disgusting daughter, and their despicable father.”

A voice echoed up the stairs, from the bottom of the prison tower.

”Change Shifts!”

He looked at his schedule, posted on the wall.

”Vanatiel...5th shift...2:30...Watch over Captain Sanjinu Dalsworth...And Miss Alicia Stormcrow...”He read aloud.

Sighing, he walked down the stairs, to their prison cell, number 53383.

As he walked down, he could hear a woman’s voice, frantically running.

He walked into the dungeon, with the single prison cell, which held number 5553 and number 5554.

He absentmindedly looked at his schedule. “Bah...25 minutes...”

Glancing at the two prisoners, he jumped in surprise.

They were kissing each other.

He looked at 5554, a pretty Elementalist woman of a decent age to his. It was a pretty deep kiss. The other Elementalist, 5553, seemed as surprised as he was.

”Ugh. Come on people, gimme a break. Hold on, I’m ‘a grab a bite to eat. Lunch Break!” He smiled sheepishly. Running out the door, he ran to grab the sandwich that Eve had made him.

~ ~ ~

”Ah...So there you are...”

He had tracked down number 5554 to the stables.

He watched eagerly as she mounted her horse, and flew off the forest.

He grinned and followed them.

”Mmm”

He was watching number 5554 as she talked to number 5553. Number 5553 seemed mad.

Uh oh.

He noticed him. Damn...He gave out too much of his aura’s energy...

Jumping out from the back of the rock he hid behind, he ran towards them.

Twisting, he levitated into the air, putting a spell of slowed movement on them.

He wished only to re-capture these “lovers”.

Not kill them.

“I don’t think so, Mister Guard Man.” Alicia said sneering at him and his useless spell. “You’ve followed us this far, and unless you want to live to see your next shift, I’d suggest not doing that.”
“Do you really think I’m scared of you Miss Stormcrow?” He laughed, coming down from his levitation.
“Don’t play stupid with me. You saw what I did to your fellow guards, you know what I’m capable of.”
“That I do, Miss Stormcrow, that I do. But frankly, I don’t really care.”
“Oh, you’ll care, when you see what we’ve found lurking in the trees.” Sanjinu pulled Eve from where she stood and took the gag from her mouth.
“Eve? What are you doing down here?” the guard asked.
“Oh, Vantie, I was walking back home, when these two scoundrels saw me and decided to tie me up. I tried reasoning with them but they’re too cold to let a woman walk home.” She said and spat at Alicia. Sanjinu tightened his grip on her arms and replaced the gag out of sheer annoyance.
“Watch it.” She said, pointing her wand at her, “Or you might not get out of here alive.”
“You leave her alone!” the guard yelled, grabbing at her wand.
“Ah, ah, ah, I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” She said looking at him and his pity for the girl. It was just when she was about to Flare the hostage that she noticed his scar.
“You’re a Necromancer? What business does a Necromancer have being a guard?” She sneered, looking at him in partial disgust. He took off his uniform to reveal his Tormentor’s armor.
“If you’re willing to listen, there’s a story.”
“Oh do tell, do tell.” She said glancing back at him. She knew he’d seen the glint in her eye.
“We don’t have time for stories,” Sanjinu said. “The army is attacking the wall we just killed others now we must keep moving. If the army finds us, we are dead. If the city finds us, we are dead. There are two horses you two,” he said pointing at the Necros “Take my horse Alicia and I can share hers .Now you can tell as we move.” He jumped off his horse “Now to make sure you guys don’t run why don’t I just Tie mine and Eve’s wrists together....wait that wont work....Eve you ride with me and tie our wrists together and Alicia you tie your to the Necro boy. There we go. Now let’s move. You can tell as we go....”he said also revealing a scar on his forehead covered by hair.
The horses bounced along too uncomfortably for Vantiel’s pleasure. The motion of going up and down, bouncing about, as if dancing on a worm, was sickening him. He felt like he was going to throw his guts out, but kept composure, as he thought about how Eve was doing.

Vantie looked at the other horse, where Eve and Sanjinu Dalsworth rode together. He watched as Eve, too, felt the same displeasure of this term of “horse riding”.

”Eve, are you okay?”

I tried to yell at them, but they were too far away, the wind blew to fast. My words were out of reach. But my own partner on the horse I rode could here me.

Alicia Stormcrow turned around and looked at me, smiling.

”Of course she’s okay. Don’t worry about her.”

I could feel her impatience, as she looked at me.

”Now about that story of yours?”

She obviously seemed interested in my dark past.

I bowed my head for a second, wondering how I should reply. Should I lie? Or should I tell her the cold hard truth. Most people that I had come across couldn’t take the truth of my past. People I knew, people I loved, had cast me out of their lives, when they heard my words.

I decided to tell her the truth, for her and I held no direct relationship. And the thought of being “Thrown Out” was ridiculous at this moment. Besides, I didn’t care what she thought. I was a wanted criminal throughout the whole land of Tyria.

”Well, if you want to hear the story, you’re going to have to prepare yourself for one of those stories that never seem right. The stories that seem like an endless nightmare of pain and sadness. The nightmares...you just don’t seem to wake up from.”

Her eyes unexpectedly caught sight of my scar, and the curiosity of what it was, and how it was made, got the best of her. This lady was not one of the faint-heart. She was strong and steadfast. If I ever was to grab Eve and run for it, it wouldn’t be easy.

And with that, I told her my life story. Every detail, every emotion, every thing I have ever killed, every curse I have yelled, and every pain that I have felt.

When I finished my story, the lady, Alicia Stormcrow, Prison Escape Murderer, #5543, didn’t seem scared of me at all. In fact, she seemed as though she had sunk into a deeper depth of reality, in which she had stored her emotions. This lady had a place of reality...a plane...in which she stored her feelings...in which she hid them from people like me. She too, had a dark past, I realized. She hid her pain, within herself, and gave out a steadfast, strong, and powerful woman.

Vantie could see the true form of this lady.

Her innermost being.

He decided not to speak about it, for he already had given her enough words of his life.

Sanjinu started to slow down, on the horse, and began to fall towards us, and match our speed. Since he was close enough, we heard his voice, like a wraith’s call through the wind. “Were almost there, Alicia. Were approaching the Wall, and the invading war bands. Be on guard, some may have already past through.”

We picked up speed again, and flew toward the great wall.

Riding to the top, all four of us jumped off of our horses.

Vanatiel could hear noises, huge noises like those of thunder.

Curiosity got the best of him.

He walked to the edge of the wall, and peered down.

”Oh my god...”

Sanjinu turned, and walked to Vantie.

”What is it?”

”Sanjinu...look down there...”

Sanjinu’s face fell to a pale, white color.

There lied what was left of the thirty men that Sanjinu had once commanded.
As well as a few hundred, or thousand men.

All were dead.

Vanatiel looked farther, near the horizon of the setting son.

”Dwayna save us....”

There, was the great Charr invasion force.

A mass of thousands were twisting and moving towards them, the last wave, before Ascalon was destroyed. But Vanatiel heard something else.

He looked up.

He saw what looked like a meteor shower, powered by the arcane force that the leader of the Charr had cast. But this was no ordinary meteor shower. These meteors were huge, and crashed into the ground, pummeling things within its large radius.

One of them was coming.

Straight for the group.

Vantie started to say “Oh...sh” But his words were lost, as a meteor crashed into his body, knocking him from the great tower, thousands of feet below, onto the ground.

After seeing the meteor exploded on Vantie, there was a big crack as thousands of burning earth balls came rushing towards the ground. After the havoc ended from the meteors, a strange warrior with a Twin Hammer was behind pulling Vantie out from under the meteor that had hit him.

”Would someone try reviving him?” he said, much to the amazement of other people around him. People are usually spiteful to the Drows due to their bad manner and aggressive nature.

”Er... yeah, maybe we should”, Alicia said as she used Rebirth on a seemingly lifeless Vantie. The dead Vantie sprung back to life muttering his first words after being hit by the meteor.

“...urrrgh...who... are... you...?”
The warrior suddenly told everyone who he was and why he was here
”Forgive my rudeness, but my name is Omega Hammerer. I was just walking to that city and then I saw someone being buried alive by that meteor. I couldn’t leave him to be buried underneath that rubble for much longer...”

”What are your professions for a living?” Alicia said “Do you craft weapons or go kill the random dragon?”
”I am a Warrior/Monk, who can destroy big boulders with my hammer and also heal people when needed.”
”Then why didn’t you revive him!?”
”I apologize about reviving him, but I used the last of my Energy upon destroying that Meteorite. If I am no use then I have other matters to attend to...”
”...WAIT!”

Vantie suddenly came rushing to him after he regained his health and came rushing to the Warrior. “I apologize for getting hit but you have saved me, so I think we should return favors. If you don’t mind, I’d like to help you out with your problems”

The Drow Turned back and raised an eyebrow. For a moment it looked like that he was about to attack them, but he eventually smiled. “Please, I’m still new to this region and I need some help with the life around here as well.”

With the newly found Drow, the party headed to their home town.

Alicia pulled Vanatiel to the back of the group.
“What do you want? Now we’re trailing.”
“I knew you could sense my dark past, just as I could yours.”
“And what does this have to do with anything?” He asked flustered that they were behind the rest.
“Well, I figured that since you shared your story I’d might as well share mine.” She said looking up at him a little sheepishly.
“I have a question.” Vanatiel said, “How is it that I could sense your past while I was behind you? Most that can sense pasts sense a Necromancer’s scar, but you have no scar. I’m sorry if I insulted you but as you can tell, curiosity sometimes gets the best of me.”
“Oh, its no problem.” she said smiling to herself, “You are correct in saying I have no facial scar, for I am not a Necromancer, simply a surviving victim of a massacre.” she shared her story as Vanatiel had shared his.
“So, you’re not a Necromancer, but you have a horrible past. I’ve never seen that before.”
“I should know, as the rest of those who survived had no injuries as they had somehow slipped past the creatures despite their looking nearly everywhere in our village. And still don’t see how I survived, lest it be the power of Dwayna.”
“You said there was a mark amongst your scars, correct?”
“Yes,”
“If, uh, if it’s no problem with you, I’d like to see it.”
“Curiosity got the best of you again now didn’t it?” she said laughing, “But no, it is no problem.” again she slid off her vest to reveal her black tube top. She pulled it up just enough for the mark to show. And when Vanatiel rested his gaze upon it he nearly fell backward with surprise.
“That isn’t possible.” He thought aloud, “No...It...It can’t be you...”
“What?” Alicia asked pulling her vest back on.
“That mark...” Vanatiel stammered, “But no...No...They told me you were dead...”
“But I’m not dead, I’m standing right here.” she said, still not understanding exactly what was happening.
“The things that came to your village,” Vanatiel said “They smelled of death for a reason. They were no creatures, they were bone minions. My bone minions.”

Sanjinu watched the shock over come Alicia and the Necro boy. What was going on? He rode over and seeing Alicia’s top up and the Necro boy with one hit he knocked the boy off the seat and onto the ground.
“Serves you right!” He said. Then he heard a grawl...”Raharara”
“The Charr followed us! Leave the Necro boy to die. He is of no use.” Sanjinu said getting emotional. “Necros only bring pain and suffering with them.” Sanjinu’s scar began to glow and show from beneath his hair. Another giant meteor came rushing down. “Balthazar’s power is against us. The char have called his great strength. We must move on” Sanjinu said.
“Wait,” Alicia said “He wasn’t doing anything I was...I was showing him my scar.”
“Make sure he stays away from you.” He then moved Alicia onto his horse and he moved onto the Necros horse. “Lets keep moving” He saw a town ahead...no it was not a town...it was ruins. Bodies everywhere...It was his home village...his scar shone ever brighter.
“You guys move on” He said jumping off the horse. “This char scum has no right to be here. They are gaining ground. I will hold them as long as I can GO!” He said “I won’t leave you.” Alicia and the Necro boy said, “We won’t leave you.” The four stood there ready for battle. As the Charr came up and they were about to begin the fight. A volley of fire arrows came rushing out of the forest and took the lives of the small char group that had followed them. “You are in luck” came a voice from the forest. “We are the army of Balthazar and these char have stolen most of his power. In an attempt to save his power he gave the rest to you” He said pointing at Sanjinu. “But...But why me?” Sanjinu stuttered. “Time will tell you.” He said as the army disappeared. “But…”

~ ~ ~

Vanatiel’s ribcage was extremely sore.

Not only had he had been hit by a METEOR in his ribcage, but this man Sanjinu Dalsworth had punched him. Vantie wondered why he had been punched. He hadn’t done anything wrong. Alicia simply pulled off her shirt to show him her black skintight undershirt.

Vanatiel was angry.

He had just took a hit by a huge meteor to protect the group, just to fall thousands of feet below, as the meteor pushed him with its power, and gravity pulled on him, like the undead pulling him down. Then....he was revived only to be hit again. The newcomer...the Drow, was good enough to him.

They both came from the same view. Both races were disliked by the humans. The humans hated necromancers, believing they were only evil, and brought only sadness and pain, just as that Sanjinu Dalsworth had. The humans also hated the Drows, the night elves, the darker side of the Elvin archers.

Vantie looked at Alicia, who was also angry at Sanjinu, for believing that he believed that she was doing something with Necro boy. Vanatiel’s thoughts were hurting him. A person from the past had come back to haunt him...
He knew who this human was....the survivor of his dark past....

She suddenly turned her head and looked at him. Vantiel cast his head down, removing his eyes from where her massacre scar was.

She started to walk over to him, wondering at his weird action. “Vantie...are you alright?” she asked.

Vantiel looked at her, slowly staring at her face. He knew that face....so long ago....He reached over and pushed a hair that was near her eyes back, with his fingertips.

”Alicia....”

She looked at him, while his eyes seem to darken, and he seemed to be remembering the past... She couldn’t make out what was happening to him.

Vantiel started to just stare at the incoming war band. Suddenly he started to cry, and then laugh for a bit, then burst out crying again. Alicia wondered if something was wrong with him.

She shook his shoulders, calming him and ushering him back from his thoughts and memories of the past, with herself.

”I know something’s bothering you Vantie.” She calmly said.

Vantiel didn’t want to tell her. He didn’t want to tell her this part. He couldn’t tell her this part of his life...

Vantie had told Alicia Stormcrow only half of his tale... He hadn’t told her about the murders he had committed out of evil, anger, revenge. Vantiel didn’t want to remember...he didn’t want to re-live...

But he knew that this human, who bore his scar, had a right to know...

”Alicia...there are some things in my past that I haven’t told you... I’ve told you everything, except the assassinations, the murders, that I committed out of revenge. Ever since I was young, I bore this scar, it was no scar carved by a rune or by a word. This scar was given to me by Grenth, when I entered the catacombs and tried to commit suicide, jumping into the cold waters of Grenth. I fainted there, due to the cold.”

Suddenly, Vantie had a flashback...

Vantiel woke up to a cavern, where only coffins and lit candles surrounded him. Vantiel was afraid, very afraid indeed. He heard a rustling sound, and the breath of something that sounded near to death...or was already dead. His mother had told him tales of Grenth, softening his appearance with her own words. She described him like Balthazar...a long beard...beady eyes...brown hair…and a great sword... It was all lies to soften the truth, as Vantiel realized, when he turned around, seeing a figure clouded in the shadows of darkness. Grenth’s eyes shone like red marks through his cloaked figure. His scar was red, jagged, and long. His feet...his arms...his face...was a skeletal like figure...

He suddenly walked up to Vantie.

His voice rasped out, like a man, close to death, saying his last words. “Child....I have found you drowning in my sacred waters...of my catacomb... I do not know your intentions....but I have already read your heart... Child...you have suffered much for your age.... and, you are hanging by a thread to life, right now... I have the power that you seek...the power that will give you revenge, and let your anger, hate, and revenge out.... Simply give me the word...

Vantiel was scared, at this towering figure of darkness. But his other emotions soon took over his fear. He kneeled down in front of Grenth. “Master...I wish to be a necromancer.” He said. Grenth smiled, apparently pleased. “And thus you shall be...my son...”

Grenth removed one of his skeletal hands out of his decayed, dark robes. He walked closer to me and lifted my face up, with a single finger. He then bit his finger, and blood trickled down his skeletal arm. With his other hand, he rubbed the blood over his hand. When his hand was dripping with blood, he somehow closed his injury, and looked at me. He motioned for me to move my head to the right. He looked at Vanatiel’s face, and found the place that he was going to place my scar.

”My son....I give you what all necromancer’s dream of...I give you the power to seek the truth...I give you the power to forgive...I ultimately...give you the power...to show the people who inhabit this earth...that a necromancer isn’t ultimately evil... My last gift to you...is half my power...”

Vantie was silent.....waiting for his scar...

Grenth pulled his arm back, and suddenly pummeled it into the side of my forehead. I flew back, and screamed in pain. The blood from his hands had formed into a scar... But this was no ordinary scar...this scar was made from the blood of Grenth... It was INSIDE of Vantiel...twisting and squirming...like a leech...who sucked his blood forever.... His scar was alive.

Then he came back to reality.

”Alicia...I know who you are. I met you in the past...when I was truly evil...and darkness was my power...I came to your village, accompanied by five other necromancers... As a child, I came there, seeking refuge, and food, only to be turned away, and mocked. As a grown necromancer, I came there, seeking revenge. Us five necromancers split up, and killed every person in our way. I couldn’t kill the women and the children of the village...as I remembered my own childhood... But I tended to the men. The others didn’t follow my example...They killed anyone. When we thought that we had killed everyone in the village...you...Alicia, you came out of a fallen home. You were near my age...young, beautiful... but my mission here was to kill everything that walked in the village... My first instinct was to kill you...but I just...couldn’t... When you saw me, you started to scream. I cursed at you, and told you to run...but you stood in place. Suddenly, another member of my party saw you and ran at you, wanting to kill you. I told him not to...but he continued to rush towards you. I was closer.... so I decided to save you. I grabbed you by your waist, and ran into the forests with you on my back. But the Necromancers followed me, and eventually caught up. They threw spells at you...but I took them. I have felt pain...so I wasn’t hurt from it, but for you, it would be a different story. The pain was both mental and physical...I couldn’t allow you to feel that emotion... I still ran, to the next city...Lion’s Arch. I ran you through killer insects...killer plants...huge centaurs...everything. But my party was smart... They finally threw a spell intentionally at me, making me drop onto the ground, letting you fall onto the ground. They walked up and wielded a Vampiric hilt. They stabbed you with it, in the same place...twice. You died on that day.”

Alicia was extremely shocked, but knew that he still had more to tell her.

”Go on.” She demanded.

”Well...I woke up the next day, to find you dead...stabbed twice. I couldn’t forgive myself, for not saving you. I cried for your death, remembering my own childhood. I had a chance to save you, and I failed. But I suddenly remembered the scar that Grenth had given me. I tried the same ritual upon you...cutting my skin...then rubbing the blood upon my hand and pummeling it into your death wound. I was surprised that it worked...It gave you life again. Suddenly, a group of the White Mantle came out of the bushes, and came towards me, with an evil grin. I was drained of my power...weak and pitiful...since I have given you half of my life...half of my power... I stooped over, and whispered into your ear the last words that you would hear, before you woke up from your dreams...and found me gone...taken by the white mantle..”

Alicia’s eyes sparkled in remembrance....

”Blood is power....”

From that story came an odd sense of remembrance, such as when you meet someone for the first time, and feel as if you’ve known them forever. She looked at Vantie. She fully did not want to believe this fact but she knew it was true. In reality, Grenth was her grandfather, as he had given Vantie half his power, and Vantie had given her half of his. She knew it was true, but did not want to cope with the reality. She wanted to believe that the only part of it that had ever happened was the massacre, and nothing more, but she simply couldn’t. She drew upon all her strength for just one minuet of time. She called upon Grenth. “Ah...Alicia, my dear child...” He spoke to her in her mind, “I sense...yes...you call upon me for my power...you wish for me to stop the Charr that are nearly upon you...And I shall do so, my sweet child.” As Grenth said his last word Alicia fell to the ground. A sharp pain struck her back, draining what little energy she had left. The power of Grenth drew her up and he began his work. As Alicia was slowly spiraling upward, the largest Deathly Swarm began to circle around her, following its master’s power through her. The swarm grew and grew until it was so thick the rest of the party could no longer see Alicia and so tall it seemed to go up forever. With Grenth’s power, she thrust the entire swarm upon the Charr. It went from row to row of the invading forces, devouring all that crossed its path. When all were dead Grenth lowered her again to the ground. “Thank you, Grandfather.” She whispered, looking out among the Charr, “Thank you.”

Sanjinu could not believe his eyes. However with Grenth at a fourth of his normal power the Charr began to steal his power as they did Balthazar. “Guys now they steal Grenth’s power....we are the last hope. There is one thing left before we begin our hard and long journey.” He turned to Omega. He then began the same ritual as happened to him at the last town. “Half my power is now in you Omega. We are the chosen. We must repair the damage that has been done. We are the Gods new army....We must call upon their direct power. We must kill the Charr and return their power.” More arcane words came from his mouth. “We must stand up...We are the last defense. We are the world’s last hope. May every Charr fall by our hands.”
“Wait,” Alicia said, “We aren’t the God’s army yet, we are missing Dwayna, Melandru, and Lyssa, and since we don’t have their power, we aren’t at our full potential.”
“She’s right,” Omega said, “I shall call on Dwayna, for my secondary is monk. Vantie, you take Lyssa, and you two, take Melandru.” They did as told and soon had all the power they could.
“Our Army,” the God’s spoke, “We give to you all the power we can spare. Use it against the Charr and defeat them once and for all!”
“For Ascalon!” Alicia cried raising her wand to the air.
“For Ascalon!” Vantie called, rising beside her.
“For Ascalon!” they cried, charging forward into what was left of the Charr.
Sanjinu did not go with them.
“We may have their power but we don’t have their experience. We have one choice, to train in secret. To disappear and train or we will waste this power.” He moved off into the forest.

The rest followed him. Through the night they traveled, jumping logs and wading rivers. These were all things they had done before, but never for this long. They soon grew tired with the conditions the things of the forest had given them. Exhaustion, blindness, loss of energy, all these and more were affecting them, making their journey long and hard.

By daybreak they had come to a clearing deep within the forest. There were many small trees and warthog for them to practice their newly found powers upon. Dwayna, Melandru, Lyssa, Grenth, and Balthazar once again spoke to their army,

“We trust that you will not take long,” they said, “Our powers grow weaker the longer we give them to you. Trust that you have much skill in all our arts and practice little. The Charr are regaining numbers for another wave on Ascalon. We do not wish it to be destroyed. The fate of Ascalon is in your hands, our children. Do not dawdle.”

~ ~ ~

It was twilight, and many moons had passed since Vantie had seen Sanjinu Dalsworth, Omega, and Alicia Stormcrow. All three of them had separated to different parts of Tyria, to practice the arts of the gods, in solitude. Vantie had taken Lyssa’s power of illusion, hiding himself, in a cave, scaring wanderers away with his illusions of monsters. Omega had taken refuge in a church, practicing as a monk, learning the ways of Dwayna. Omega had practiced so dutifully that he was appointed as an abbot. It was a different for Sanjinu Dalsworth and Alicia Stormcrow. They both had hidden off, far to the southwest of Tyria. Using the power of Melandru, they conjured huge land forms, to protect themselves from the creatures of the forest, and the humans.

But that night was the time.

That night, was when all four of them would meet again.

That night...was when the four of them would wipe out the Charr from the city and outskirts of Ascalon.

But that night, ultimately, Vantie was going to be able to be with a fellow human. Unlike everyone else, he was always a loner. Sanjinu had Alicia, Omega had his fellow followers of Dwayna, but Vantie was alone in his caves, as he always was in his life.

After 5 years of solitude, Vantie would be able to see Alicia’s smile, hear Sanjinu’s leader-like tone of voice, and see Omega’s night elf snicker.

He couldn’t wait.

When the moon came up, full, and bright, Vantiel walked outside. Feeling the fresh air of his opening surroundings, he felt his adrenaline surge and his spirits lift. Looking to the west, he turned around to have one final look at the cave he had spent a quarter of his life in.

Turning back, again, he ran off into the dark forests of the wilds, to meet up with his friends, at the last place anyone would suspect.

The catacombs, where he was found, as an infant, by Eve, when she herself was only a child also.

Eve was just a small child, about the age of four, when she found Vantie in the Catacombs. Wrapped in a sky blue blanket covered in poison stains she found him lying on the lowest stair, closest to the poisoned waters of the catacombs. “Mommy!” she called turning around and running back up the stairs, “Mommy! Come look what I found!” “Just a minuet, sweetie.” He mother said, patting little Eve on the head. She picked up what the undead had dropped and followed Eve down the stairs. “Look Mommy,” Eve said, pointing at the bundle. Her mother picked him up and looked out over the poisoned waters to the staircase on the opposite side. There was a woman wearing black, tears rolling down her cheeks. She took one last look at the little boy she had left behind, turned, and ran, her cries echoing off the stone of the catacombs.

They took the little bundle home, thinking of what to call him along the way. “Bob.” Eve said when the reached the resurrection altar outside of the catacombs, “I want to call him Bob.” “Evie, I don’t think that’s such a really good name. How about Vanatiel?” “Vanananna...What was it again?” “Just call him Vantie, honey.” “Okay, I like that better than Bob anyway.”

So Vantie grew up with Eve and her mother, never knowing that he was abandoned. At least, not until he was 12. He was snooping around in Eve’s room, as he usually did on rainy days, when he came across a little pink book with ‘Eve’ embroidered on the cover in gold thread. He opened it. (I suppose his curiosity would’ve died down after this, but you know how men can be) He flipped through the faded pages until he actually came across a page he could read. It was dated on his birthday, or what he believed to be his birthday until after he read the entry. It read, “Today is it, Vantie’s birthday again. Mom keeps swearing she’s going to tell him, but never does. Poor thing, not knowing we found him in the catacombs half dead when he was merely a baby. I just pray he doesn’t find this before Mom tells him...”. It was on this day that Vantie had gotten his scar...

He was shaken back to reality by a familiar voice.

“Vantie!” Alicia called, running up to him, “By Balthazar’s sword, I haven’t seen you in nearly forever!” she hugged him. “Where are Sanjinu and Omega?” He asked looking for them over Alicia’s shoulder. “We raced here, they still don’t believe my armor is the lightest. Poor Omega, with all his armor I’d be amazed if he made it down here at all.” Footsteps were heard racing down the last set of stairs followed by heavier steps. Sanjinu raced into view falling over and panting when he reached them.
Just then Omega came panting from the flight of stairs. “I should’ve had a head start!” he panted glaring at Sanjinu, “You know how heavy this armor is!” “Yes, I do. But y’see, you’re built to take that kind of thing.” “Oh whatever, let’s just get outta here its startin to give me the creeps.” “Yea, let’s go.”

Vantie still felt uncomfortable as Alicia offered him a chair to sit on. Sipping on his tea, his thoughts wandered. He was thinking about many things...mainly Eve, and a few other personal thoughts. His spazzing gaze was quickly interrupted as Sanjinu appeared in front of him, and started dancing, excitedly.

”Heyylooo there Vantie! Long time no see!! How’s it going? Good? Ookey, great! Ah, nice, nice. Ooh. Eve? Yeah. I remember. Uh-Huh. Yeap. That’s right. Cool”

And so the conversation between Vantie and Sanjinu continued, endlessly, until Alicia walked in.

She appeared through the door, and pouted on the spot.

”Vantie! You didn’t drink all of your tea! I made it especially for this occasion!”

Vanatiel grumbled on the couch for a bit, before he threw the remainder of the tea into the nearby plant pot.

Sanjinu, spotting the action, casually walked up to him and whispered “Don’t worry, it doesn’t taste that good anyways.”

Relieved that Sanjinu wouldn’t tell Alicia of his actions, Vanatiel settled deeper into the couch, becoming even more comfortable. It had been quite some time, since Vanatiel had ever been in contact with humans, let alone been civilized. He felt extremely embarrassed when the four had dinner, and he was unable to use his utensils.

Later that night, when everyone had said their hellos and talked about what had happened over the past 5 years, they turned off all the lights, save for the one in the living room.

But something unexpected caught Vantie’s eye.

It was Alicia’s stomach.

It was bigger than before.

Much bigger.

Vantie stared at her stomach while the other three continued to mindlessly talk. He couldn’t hold it in much longer.

”Alicia....are you pregnant?”

Pretending she didn’t hear Vantie’s question she continued talking with her old friends, sharing with them the times of the past five years. They talked for quite some time, sharing old stories and joking about some of the odd people they had met. Vantie didn’t share in the conversation. Hours went by with no words from him as he sunk back into the down-filled cushions of the couch. No one else spoke of what Vantie had noticed and he assumed that they either hadn’t noticed, or already knew.

Alicia looked up at the clock on the mantle, “Is it that late already?” she asked standing from her chair. Omega and Sanjinu looked at the clock.

“Oh jeeze, I had better get movin’, the Mrs. would’ve expected me home by now.” Omega said reaching for his coat. He thanked Alicia for her hospitality and left. Sanjinu didn’t seem that eager to go and was pouting as he made his way to the door. “Yes it was nice talking to you, too. Yes. Yes. Buh bye now.” she said closing the door.
Click! went the lock. She went back to the living room where she had left Vantie and shook him awake. “Vantie, wake up.” she said shaking him harder. He reluctantly opened one eye and looked at her. “Five more minuets.” he said shooing her away. “No, we don’t have much time before Sanjinu comes back pounding on my door.” “Okay, okay, okay.” Vantie sat up and yawned. “Have you decided that you are going to answer my question now?” “Yes, I am. Sanjinu really thinks it’s his, and he’s really excited, but...” she cut off and started to cry. “But, what?” Vantie asked. Alicia fell into his arms, “I don’t want it to be his.” she cried, “I don’t want it to be his.” “Why not?” Vantie asked. Alicia sat up and dried her eyes with her sleeve, “I want it to be yours.”
Vanatiel looked down at the girl crying on his lap, who had just told him that she wanted her baby to be his. Vanatiel always thought that Alicia had feelings for Sanjinu, as when he had first met them, they were kissing. He never realized that she actually liked him {back}.

Vantie always felt a bit jealous to how close Alicia was towards the other two guys. They were very social, unlike himself, as they had lives filled with light and happiness, and had the joy and company of the people who always surrounded them. Vanatiel lived in the darkness, of sadness, alone, as he always had, since he was a child.

He didn’t know what to say. Alicia always seemed to care for him, and his numerous pouts. Unlike the people that had shunned him from their village, from their homes, from their lives, Alicia was like a radiant aura of light that took him in, just as Eve had. But Eve was too similar to Vanatiel for his liking. His own Necrotic problems were enough.

Slowly he reached down with his gloved hand, and somehow got his fingertips underneath her chin. He slowly pulled her face up, and stared into her eyes, which were shimmering magically, with the glassy tears, like the shining raindrops that use to fall upon him while he was alone in the isolated wilds.

”I never took my gloves off, before” he said, letting her chin rest on his knee, covered with his blackened armor. Vantie slowly tugged his gloves off, showing Alicia, the only person other than his childhood mother, his bare hands. Wrought with scars and sickening lines, many people would become upset at this, but Alicia didn’t.

She remained quiet, turning her head, so that she sat on the floor while having her turned head rest quietly on Vanatiel’s knees.

Reaching up slowly, Vantie touched Alicia’s silky, beautiful silver hair, the first thing he had touched with his bare hands, for a long time. He ran his fingertips through her hair, letting his hand feel her long, silver hair.

She closed her eyes slowly, not rejecting his touch.

Finally his hands ran through the bearings of her hair, and reached her pale skin. Touching her ears, he moved his index finger, outlining her ears, before reaching her cheeks.

She moved a bit, as the sensation tickled her.

Vantie then moved his palm inward, letting his whole hand, not just his fingertips, touch her cheeks.

She too leaned inward, pressing her hands against his hand, which pressed against her cheek.

Alicia closed her eyes and they both stayed there for a long time.

Suddenly, Vantie stood up, causing Alicia to jerk in surprise.

Not realizing what he did, until he saw Alicia looking at him with her pretty eyes, he apologized.

”Uh, I had a thought, got caught up in the moment.”

Vantie started to laugh absentmindedly at his own stupidity.

He reached down and grabbed Alicia’s small, soft, delicate hands, and pulled her up.

Reaching around her waist, he put his arms around her.

And she did the same.

Staring up at him, she managed to say “Vantie...” Before he put a finger to her lips, silently hushing her.

He pulled her closer to him, squeezing her a bit.

She did the same thing.

Now, with both of them in a bear hug, Vantie spoke first.

”Alicia...I don’t know, you and I are completely different. I’m too different. I’m not like Sanjinu and Omega, you know that, don’t you?”

Vantie looked at her with pleading eyes.

Now it was her turn to put her fingers to his lips.

”Hush, Vantie. I know you’re not like them. I like you for who you are.”

This was all the encouragement that Vantie needed. This was the only person that understood who he was, and liked him for what he was. This was the only person that truly knew him. How could he have been so stupid? He had known Alicia for a long time, through friendships and through hardships. Even when they had been rival’s, when they first met, Vantie couldn’t believe himself for being so careless.

Moving his hands up her back, he ran his bare hands up her neck, through her hair and to the back of her head.

His eyes glimmering at Alicia, while hers glimmered back, they both knew what they were about to do.

Leaning forward, Vantie’s lips pressed into Alicia’s, as he closed his eyes, blindly kissing her. Moving his lips over Alicia’s, Vantie was happy, the first emotion he had felt in a long time.

Vantie pressed his lips harder onto Alicia’s and she pressed even harder still. He could feel her tongue moving over his lips, as his moved over hers, but their tongues never seemed to meet. Vanatiel quickly made good haste to eliminate this nuisance.

He let his mouth open while they kissed, and felt Alicia’s tongue meet his.

They went on like this for a while, kissing and holding each other, seemingly lost in a world made of fuzzy bunnies and rainbows. Then Alicia pulled away. Smiling, she walked over to the fireplace and revived the embers of the night’s earlier fire, and blew out the votive that had been lit on the mantle. She drew the curtains on either side of the fireplace and returned to Vantie’s arms. He ran his hand through her hair and hugged her. She pulled him towards the couch and they settled in with one of the soft, fuzzy blankets. The crackling fire soon put Alicia to sleep but Vantie couldn’t seem to drift off. So he lay there holding Alicia’s hand and watching her sleep all through the night.

~ ~ ~

The fire grew pale as dawn approached and the bluebirds started to sing in the back yard. Vantie managed to sneak away from Alicia, by stuffing a row of pillows behind her, and took a long, cold shower. The first real shower he had had since Balthazar knows when. Feeling maybe a little too light hearted, he made his way to the kitchen. Being a better cook than he was quite some time ago, he made himself a batch of eggs and some toast. At about 10:30 or so Alicia decided to roll of the couch, being fooled by the pillows she actually was awake for a while. The curtains were back and the morning sunshine flooded into the room, along with the springtime birdsong.

She made her way to the bathroom to have her daily onslaught of morning sickness, and shower. Then made some breakfast and sat down to read the scroll she had been working on. Vantie came back in at about noon with an apple in his hand. “How you feeling?” he asked sitting down on the arm of the couch. “Like I haven’t slept in weeks.” she took a bite of Vantie’s apple and went back to reading her scroll.

Things were quiet for the rest of the day, except for the occasional “Ow.” from Alicia, who had been suffering from a migraine. By nightfall she was starving and once again found herself raiding the kitchen for something to eat. A few more restless hours passed. Her migraines continued. She slept little more than a half hour when she finally did fall asleep. Vantie tried his best to help her any way he could. He was hugging her when he heard her draw a sharp breath. She pulled away. “Are you alright?” he asked. A few more sharp breaths and painful looking faces later she managed to get out, “Vantie, I think my water broke.”

~ ~ ~

Vanatiel eyed Alicia steadily, looking at her face. She shook every now and then, as symptoms of her pre-effects of labor. Her eyes were closed, her long, flowing silver hair crossing down her pale cheeks. Vantie didn’t know if she was comfortable, but she assured him that the blazing fireplace and the comfortable couch was more than enough.

Vantie slowly stroked her cheeks, with the back of his fingertips of his free hand. His other hand held her in his grasp, much like a hug, save for the fact that she was lying down and he was sitting on the floor, knees bent. Her steady heartbeat reassured him that she was doing fine. Although her breath was sometimes short and sharp, her body was well.

”Alicia, are you alright?”

Her beautiful face moved, and her sparkling eyes opened.

”Yes Vantie, I’m doing well.” she replied.

He gave her more of a squeeze, and let his head rest, and fall deep upon her bosom.

”That’s great Alicia...that’s great” he murmured.

She moved, shifting her feet, as it was in the same position for quite some time now. Her eyes remained on Vantie, while his head was turned, resting, on her chest. She had slept for hours, and days, while Vanatiel, had to stay awake, since the care that he showed Alicia, needed to be undying.

She slowly lifted her hand up and ran it through his hair.

He made a slight sound of surprise, and jerked a bit.

But soon, he was calmed by Alicia’s soft, pale hands, running through his black hair. She could hear him make another sound, something that sounded like a purr of her Melandru’s Stalker pet, Gari. She decided that his purr meant that he was comfortable, happy, and content.

”Alicia?”

She continued moving her hand through his hair, and smiled at him, though his head was turned, and his eyes were closed.

”Yes, Vantie?”

His head turned towards her, so that now his chin was against her chest and he looked at her with his two glittering, hazel eyes.

”Would you stop doing that?”

”Stop doing what, Vantie?”

”Petting me like a dog.”

She laughed, one of the laughs that always made Vantie happy, his inner thoughts of pain, slowly drift away. He marveled at her beautiful voice and the sound that she made when she always laughed. He also marveled at her scent, the scent of peaches and mint.

She thoroughly ignored him, and continued running her hands through his hair, “petting” him.

Vantie grunted a bit.

”You don’t listen to me, do you?”

She knew what Vantie was planning, a sneak attack on her possibly. Maybe she could counter it, she thought to herself.

”Why should I?” She replied.

She knew that she had just said the right words, for Vantie’s eyes appeared, fixed on her gaze also.

”Alicia...I lo—“ he began.

But Alicia put her fingers towards his lips, just as she had done, a few weeks before, on the night of their reunion.

”Hush, Vantie... I know.” She said, with her soothing voice.

He smiled happily.

She smiled back at him.

”Come up here Vantie”, she smiled innocently.

”Will do!” he replied with enthusiasm.

He crawled up towards her, inching his way toward her pillow.

When he finally reached her pillow, he sighed, and felt her body against his.

He let the pillow pull his head in.

”Ey Alicia, move over.”

She smiled and turned, so that they lay on the same pillow, facing each other.

”Vantie.”

”Yeah?”

”Vantie, I lo...” But she was cut off.

For Vantie had already scooted up on top of her and was kissing her, breaking her little speech.

After a few minutes, they let go, but still embraced.

He smiled happily at her.

”Yeah, I know”.

~ ~ ~

A baby’s cry broke the silence.

”I’ll get him.” Alicia said, rolling out of bed for the third time that hour.

”Mali, Mali, Mali,” she said picking her baby boy up from his cradle, “What is it this time, sweetheart?”

She cradled him in her arms, rocking and shushing him.

Born just a few weeks before, little Malikai had somehow acquired Vantie’s jet black hair, along with his mother’s soft, grey-green eyes.

He quieted down a bit, but didn’t drift off. Alicia put him back in his cradle and turned around, only to have him cry again. She sighed and picked him up again.

”Prepare for yet another night of baby-in-the-middle.”

”Again?” Vantie asked falling back into his pillow.

”It’s not his fault, he’s just a baby.”

”You’re right, but who could resist him? He did get my looks.”

”Vantie.”

”Yeah?”

”You scare most people.”

”You’re just jealous that you can’t scare people away just by looking at them.”

She rolled her eyes and laughed at Vantie’s optimism about his Necrotic looks.

By this time Mali had fallen asleep again, surely only to wake up again in a few hours. He was returned to his cradle for the last time that night, wrapped in his sky blue, poison stained blanket.

~ ~ ~

Sanjinu woke up hearing the baby. He walked over to where Alicia was. “I’ll take him,” He took the baby and began whispering arcane words as Malikai’s back got warm, but not too warm. As Alicia went back to bed Sanjinu sat there with Malikai in his lap. He felt something. Once again the gods came down. “You must attack the Charr by sunset tomorrow or your power not being used will well up and ye shall lose control.” “But wait.” Sanjinu said but they left. Alicia is in no condition and with the baby she can’t fight.....His thoughts were clouded. I shall go alone in hopes to hold them off and when I get back I will just.....make them use their power? No they will think I am trying to get them to waste them.......What to do?? Maybe....I could try to steal their power with a necromancer ritual. I could wake up Vantie and hold a dagger to his neck or the baby’s neck...... No.....”Vantie wake up” He said quietly. “Come with me...” He moved away from Alicia. “We must steal Alicia’s power with a necromancer’s spell” “NO! Why would you say that?” “Look it has been so long since we have killed a Charr and used our power, that by sunset tomorrow we will die if we don’t use it. Alicia is in no condition to fight...It is best for her. You can transfer it to me.” “But shouldn’t we ask her?” “No it will only make her worry. Omega and I will go fight the char and the rest of you give us your power.” “But, but.” Vantie had no way out.” Do it for Alicia and your kid.” “Fine” He gave Alicia’s power to Sanjinu and his to Omega. They left soon after to go fight the char just as the sun arose.
Sanjinu and Omega had only traveled a few miles before they saw the first Charr - a flame keeper and an ashen claw - starting to burn something on the road.

Must be an unlucky animal, Sanjinu thought, quickly running toward the two beasts. But as he approached, he could only see what it was not that...

”It’s a man!” Omega shouted. “They are burning one of our kind!”

But Sanjinu couldn’t care less about this fact. All he could see was the Charr. All he thought was to kill them, if only to keep the power under control for more than just after the sunset.

Thirty seconds later, both Charr lay dead in a pool of their own blood.

”Dwayna be blessed, he’s still alive.” Omega said. “Unconscious, severely wounded and burned, but still alive.”

”So, what we do with him?”

”Let’s bring him back to Alicia. He’s not safe here.”

So they both went back to Alicia, then resumed their journey. Little did they know.

It was the wailing of Malikai that broke the wounded man from his unconsciousness. Slowly and painfully, he got up, and looked at one of his arm, severely burnt.

Oh damn... Is this what really happened? He thought. The incessant crying of the baby was slowly being replaced by one of Alicia’s lullabies, until the melodious song what all that remained.

He quickly reached for his bag, not far away from him, and pulled out a medium-sized bottle reading:

”Troll Unguent. Use with moderation.

And he sprayed it all over his body. Within seconds, the unguent was taking effect, and he felt all the pain slowly vanishing into nothingness...

”Feeling better?” The voice nearly made him jump out his bed.

”Yea, think so.” He slowly spun around to see Alicia, who was considerably relieved that he survived.

”Our two friends brought us there after you got attacked by two Charr, you don’t remember?”

”Err, all I remember is feeling a sharp pain in my back, then I blacked out. Anyway, I am still very tired, so I’ll just go back to sleep until morning set up. But one last thing, what’s your name?”

”I’m Alicia. And you?”

”You can call me Dac Vin. Or just Dac, if it’s too long.” Dac could easily see the amused smile on Alicia’s face. She’s a real sweetheart... he thought, before falling back into dreamland...

He’s cute, ah what am I thinking?! I have a child! Alicia thought too, and then she went back to bed.

Sanjinu moved faster because the set back of some worthless mans I mean if he is weak enough to get killed by only two char he is most likely a peasant. Some how he got attacked by only two char and started to die and then Omega made us take him back. What a worthless piece of junk. Must all things be taken away from him??

First he lost his mother in a fire in the village and then his father was killed by bandits raiding their village. Then he promised himself he would always be able to defend himself. After that he lost his dog. Next he lost Ashley his girlfriend who died by hunger and they were to be wed the next week. Then he promised himself he would never love again. Then came Alicia....like an angel to help lighten the burden. However as everything around him was false hope. So was she. She was lost to the evil, stupid, uncaring, unloving, evil thing. All Necro’s are evil. None can change.

His thoughts were interrupted by the char army to the north. He saw their massive army. How could he survive? I will survive for Alicia. I will kill for Alicia...I love Alicia.

The onslaught began. The char only saw two and sent a small group after them. They were easily destroyed. After seeing this, the whole army came. Char blood was everywhere. Wave after wave came and he began tire. I must save Alicia...I must save..his thoughts were cut short by the first char to hit him shattering his arm. Not much later the char was burning and shortly dead. The army was two massive. In one last try Sanjinu summoned all of his strength and with one massive fireball he killed the last wave of the char.

He fell over in pain screaming. Hang Sanjinu hang on. He kept telling himself. You must stay alive to protect Alicia. You must. All was lost. He was in pain, anger, hunger, and thirst.........

Omega saw all the Charr fall and began to rejoice. However when he saw Sanjinu he moved and began to lift him. He moved as fast as he could. They soon came back to their camp. Sanjinu was still in his arms.

<word max met, see next post from me>

Symeon · Jan 06, 2006, 08:36 AM // 08:36

How come no-one ever commented on this?

The what, 30 page thread could just be deleted, and this made a sticky.

Well, ya know, I read the first few paragraphs, then...my eyes started rebelling against my brain so I stopped.

Just though I'd BUMPBUMPBUMPBUMPBUMP this thread, ok?

Great Uncle Monk · Jan 09, 2006, 07:38 PM // 19:38

Wow thats really good.

Symeon · Jan 13, 2006, 07:59 AM // 07:59

Mods, sticky please, it's just got to be. This is just such a good and long and bla bla bla story, it can't be lost and if it were stickied maybe some people would read it.

Ristaron · Jan 31, 2006, 06:17 PM // 18:17

Wow you guys have a good roleplay going.

Link Ironhammer · Feb 01, 2006, 12:28 AM // 00:28

Hey alicia, long time, really long time I might say. I am really sorry I have just been really busy with school.

Goats17 · Feb 06, 2006, 11:56 PM // 23:56

Wow, just Wow. Thats all i have to say

ownage of teh elite · Feb 08, 2006, 07:15 AM // 07:15

OmG haven't posted in a gabillion days.

><

School work...

So time consuming.

Well I'll have to make time for some RP'ing sometime during the weekend to boost up my writing skills.

So far I've been using up my weekends downloading music on my iPod, sleeping, eating, and all that fun stuff.

/Vantie

Storm Crow · Jul 29, 2006, 07:10 PM // 19:10

Ah, adding some more to satisfy the need of getting this in one sitting and for a friend, enjoy! Also, please excuse grammatical and spelling errors

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

“FINE!”

”FINE!” Vantie replied back

Alicia was cradling her baby, slowly rocking Mali back and forth. Her face was consorted with anger, but Vantie could see that Dac Vin’s reassuring hand upon her shoulder calmed her down. She and Vantie had both gotten into an argument about Mali’s unknown farther, and the two unwelcomed guests, in Vantie’s mind.

”I hope you have a good life!” Vantie spat out in anger.

”I HOPE YOU DO, TOO!” Alicia yelled back.

”FINE!”

”FINE!”

Vantie looked at the three people in front of him with his hazel eyes, staring at them all in turn, icily. His eyes moved from Mali, the child he had cared for, for what had seemed like years, as he already was 3 feet tall. His eyes showed nothing but kindness for him. But then his eyes moved to Sanjinu Dalsworth. His eyes flared up with anger and hatred, and he made sure that Sanjinu and Dac Vin could see that. But....Vantie just couldn’t look at Alicia. He bowed his head, not allowing his eyes to meet hers.

”I’m leaving, I’ll catch you guys around.” he said through gritted teeth.

”You do that, Vantie.” Alicia said, cooly.

”Maybe you just won’t ever see me again.”

”I don’t mind.”

Vantie lost control.

With his emotions spilling out, the emotions of his life...the only emotions that he had ever felt...anger, hatred, fear, revenge, they all poured out of him. Blind with rage, he turned around, and slammed the door down with his fist. He turned and walked towards the doors, grabbing his gloves. As he fastened the last one on his hands, his boots stomped on the green grass outside of Alicia’s house.

”Quite a show you put up there, Vanatiel.”

”Shut up.”

Vantie could feel Omega’s presence, slowly mocking him, and leering him from a distance.

”Vantie, you know, Alicia really had something for you.”

”Pfff.”

”Naw, I’m serious. That might’ve not been your baby, but I mean, we both know that you liked her pretty darn much.”

”Mali’s almost old enough to be told, how the man who raised him, left him forever.””

Suddenly a tear dropped down from Vantie’s eyes.

”I...I never wanted Mali to feel the same pain I felt when I was a child” he stammered between gasps and cries.

Omega watched as Vanatiel fell upon his knees, on the ground, his memories flooding him.

Tears flooded down from Vantie’s eyes, the same tears that had fell for the same purpose, when Vantie was still young. When his mother was gone, and he had cried in sadness, only to have his emotions turn into anger. Then, in which Vantie had tracked down his father, completed his revenge, and was left in the world, by himself. With no one, but himself. In a world where he knew no friends. Where he knew not the meaning of love. Knew not the feeling’s of warmth, the emotions of happiness, the emotion of bliss.

The only emotions that he knew, as he always had…

Were pain.

“If only Vantie knew he wasn’t the only one...”

Dac sighed. Beyond the window, he could see Vantie crying his pain to Omega.

”We know, Dac.” The voice of Alicia echoed behind him. “We know that, you told us the story countless times already. You know, you’re not really different from Mali, both never knew their father-“

”I didn’t knew my mother either” Dac interrupted. “Malikai is lucky to have you, to have one person that still loves him...”

”...And you have no one” Sanjinu continued. “Actually, that’s not even true! You have Alicia, you have Malikai, you have me...”

”You like me?” Dac quickly turned toward Sanji.

”Yes, well, I mean...” Sanjinu paused for a moment. “I think I never told you, but the first time I met you when you got attacked by those Charr, I thought you were just a simple peasant, someone without a story,”

”But I don’t have a story!”

”Not then, but now I think so! You don’t seem to realize it Dac, but you radiate an aura of mysticism. I would not be surprised the very least if you also were chosen by the Gods...”

An other-worldly voice boomed across the house. “You’re right, Sanjinu. Dac Vin is another chosen to fight the Charr. I’m surprised he didn’t tell you already!”

”But how, how?” Dac shouted. “You didn’t gave me any power, any skills nothing! How you expect me to fight?”

”Destruction is not the answer. Your real power lies in yourself, and in your surroundings. I have to leave soon Dac, but before I do, let me tell you the key behind your power...”

Remember the Druids of Maguuma...

”What? What does that mean?” shouted Dac once more.

But the gods were gone.

”Remember the Druids... Anyone might have an idea what that mean?”

”All I know is something about transcending, becoming one with nature...” That was Alicia’s answer.

”Whatever, guess I’ll see it when my time come...”

Alicia peeked through the curtains that covered the window of the back door. Vantie still sat there on the walk crying. She knew what had angered him.

”Dac,” she said, turning to face the others in the kitchen, “I want you to leave.”

”Why? I’m one of the chosen too, we should stick together.”

”I didn’t say you had to leave our lives, just my home.”

”You can room with me Dac, my house is too big for just one person anyway.” Sanjinu said, glaring back at Alicia.

”Yes Sanjinu, that means you too.”

After a bit of arguing, yelling, and protesting they left in a huff, clearly annoyed at her for wanting them out.

She pulled the back door open slowly, not wanting Mali to wake from his nap. She walked up behind Vantie and ran a hand through his hair, just as she had done the night of Mali’s birth. He turned his head and looked at her. She sat down beside him.

”I made them leave.” she said, “Maybe, we can argue about whose he is in peace now.”

Vantie said nothing.

”If it makes you feel any better I have a theory.”

Still silence, but this time he looked at her.

”Grenth.”

”What does a god have to do with any of this?”

”It was his bidding. He made you attack our village, he made you save me, because he knew what would happen.”

”Yes?”

”Mali is yours, and not because of the fact that you helped raise him. It was the ritual that made him yours, Grenth simply prolonged the effects, until we were ready.”

”How does the ritual make him mine?”

”Remember the words Vantie....Blood is power. Your blood was what gave me life again and what ultimately makes Mali yours.”

“So, did he get anything?

”Shhhh.”

Up at Sanjinu’s house, he and Omega were watching Dac’s almost lifeless body on the ground. It was clear that his spirit has left the body, but whether it would be forever or for a moment, none of them knew.

So it was with a relieved sigh that both of them saw Dac’s eyes slowly opening.

”...Blood...is...Power...” Those were his first words, still in a state of transcendence.

”Wake up Dac!”

”Yes... Give me a second...Okay!” His eyes quickly lightened up, now that he was fully awakened.

”So, what you got?” asked Sanjinu.

”About them, nothing that concerns us. But about us, and especially me, I found the answer!” Dac was clearly overjoyed.

”What is it?”

”It was them.”

”The Gods?”

”Yes!” Dac shouted happily. “It was theirs bidding! They made those Charr attack me; they sent you to save me, because they know what would happen!”

”Yes...” Sanjinu and Omega could only be amazed.

”I have my place, not because you found me, but because I and my powers belong in the team! All they did was to set the date, it could have happened sooner, before Malikai was born, like it could have happened a year after!”

”But why? What does make you think it had to happen?”

”Remember the wisdom of the druids: All that exist is all that must be. Nothing happens without a reason! Whatever happens is important, and should be considered as such!”

”I’m confused.” Omega immediately said.

”Just wait. You’ll see what I mean...”

Laughter echoed through the small house, warmed by the flickering light of the hearty fire. Sanjinu, Alicia, Omega, Vantie and Dac Vin all were piled up on the couch. But as I shall be descriptional, Alicia was lying down on Vantie, Vantie’s head lying on Omega’s lap, Omega’s elbow pressed against Dac Vin’s shoulders, and finally Dac’s leg resting upon Sanjinu’s shoulder.

They were all quite settled in their peaceful scenario, all happy and bliss. After the few past days of their meeting, in which they had all met (Vantie apologizing for his outbreak, Especially to Alicia and Dac Vin), and had grown in numbers, and in friendship. They were all drawn to each other, by one or another type of mystical force that seemed to have plans for each one of them.

Vantie was led by Grenth, the god of death. He in turn had saved Alicia from his master’s hand, by giving her life through the same ritual of blood that the god Grenth had used upon Vanatiel in his childhood. Ever since the day that Vantie first met Alicia, (his task to destroy her village) he was always drawn to her. They’re lives were intertwined together, like two ropes, slowly crossing around the other. They met at random times of their lives, not remembering or knowing the other, as both of them had their memories extinguished when they had first met. Vantie thinks that at that time they were lovers.

Sanjinu was Alicia’s leader when Vanatiel had disappeared from her life, only to reappear years afterwards. He had watched over Alicia through a Charr invasion, and had protected her in a highly secure prison in Kryta. For this he had earned Vantiel’s respect and friendship. But it was also where he and Alicia had kissed each other, very passionately on the lips. Vantie remembers this action, and replies to it with mumbles and grumbles, eventually drifting off, talking to himself.

Dac Vin...yes Dac Vin, he was a very mystical, and mysterious man. His current state of friendship with Sanjinu, had automatically brought him into the friendship of Vantie, Omega, and Alicia. Dac Vin had told Sanjinu that he was brought to him, by some unknown force, to ultimately defeat the Charr. They all accepted him, and let him join them in their task. Still yet, his goals are fundamentally unknown.

Omega, Vantie had fond memories of that name. It was Omega that had pulled him out of 10 foot hole that a meteor had made, crashing and trapping Vantie under its bulk. Had Omega not have rescued Vantie’s corpse, Alicia may not have been able to resurrect him, as his bodily remains would be....let’s say...desecrated?

Lastly, there was Alicia’s babe, Malikai. He had many of Vantie’s physical traits....Jet Black Hair, Hazel Eyes, the coolness that made women’s heads turn. But still, baby Mali was a precious gem upon Vantie and Alicia’s eyes, and was priceless in their lives. Vantie may have not made Mali with Alicia, but he felt close to the baby, and felt very close to his extremely close ‘friend’ Alicia.

But be it as they may, they’re pasts were of no concern to them now. They were all one big happy family. One big happy group of people, bound by love, friendship, and unity.

But tonight was the night.

Tonight, they all were to attack the Charr forces, who were about to plan a massive attack upon Tyria.

This time, they would not retreat into the Northernlands.

This time, there would be no Orr to use a suicidal act of defense against the Charr.

This time...the Charr had armies of the thousands, and planned to rule...the whole continent of Tyria

~ ~ ~

The wagon moved on Sanjinu steering. The road was twisty and bumpy.

His mind kept racing...thinking about the battle coming forth. About losing Alicia. The thought burned him. ‘I love her, she loves the Necro boy, and he has only pain in him. What could she do with him? All that pain. His life is pointless. Our lives are pointless. We are just one small group among the crowd. The Charr are thousands...tens of thousands in numbers. One group can not handle this. We should turn around. No we need to try. But we are too small. Maybe if I kill off the some of the others Alicia would lose hope and turn around. Yes but how to kill them? His mind kept racing. Poison! Untraceable. Easy to kill with. No I can’t! Yes, we can! No! I won’t... we must. I will later! For now let them think we do not exist!’

The rest’s horses followed along the rocky trail, kicking up dust and sweating in the hot afternoon sun. It had been a while since they had talked or seen anyone but one another, so when they reached the bustling little town of Beetletun, they had a bit of trouble. Trading things they had picked up along the way and even talking with others in the town was difficult.

Mali had never seen that many people before and was often found gawking at the warriors in their platemail, the rangers in their druids, and the Mesmers in their ‘armor’.

One of the merchants donated some food and cloth to them for their long journey ahead. Identification and Salvage kits were bought and given to everyone. A bit of charcoal was also bought, just to help the fires light a little quicker.

They spent the night outside of the little town, taking watchman’s shifts because of the wild Caromi Tengu and Gypsy Ettin that roamed the lands in this part of the world.

Vantie and Alicia got into another one of their spats, this time about the guard duty.

”I’ll be fine Vantie just go watch Mali.” Alicia glared at him, the kind of glare that told him she wasn’t in the mood to argue with him, and to do what he was told.

Vantie, as always, didn’t give any attention to this. “’I’m staying with you, my shift is right after yours anyway.”

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves enough so she wouldn’t shout at him again.

”Fine, fine. I can see there’s no way in the Underworld I’m going to get through your thick Necrotic skull anyway.”

Vantie smiled his oddly cute crooked Necrotic smile and started to laugh.

Meanwhile, the rest of the team was planning their way in the upcoming slaughter.

”Well obviously, we aren’t going to fight ALL those Charr at once!” said Dac. “That would be stupid, don’t you agree?”

”Well I don’t know” answered Vanatiel. “ Apart from you, all the power the gods gave us were centered on destruction, and-“

Alicia suddenly cut Vantie off. “Mine weren’t. And I’m sure there are more, shall I say ‘subtle’ usage of this power that you didn’t think of.”

”She’s right, Van. And it’s not with only mindless destruction that we will win.”

”I guess you’re right about that, Dac.” Vantie continued. “Anyway, It’s night, and I’m starting to get tired. So, I say we go to sleep and continue the discussion tomorrow, okay?”

”I guess so!” Dac exclaimed. “Anyway, I’m going to take Sanji’s place and control this wagon. It’s my shift now, you didn’t forget that, right?”

And on these words, Dac sat on the conductor seat, while Sanjinu rejoined the others. “We have a good week of traveling before we meet a good resistance this time, so sleep peacefully!” And then everyone but Dac Vin went to sleep.

I can’t tell them, but somehow I’m afraid for Malikai’s life... And it’s not because of the Charr!

Mali walked around the bustling town of Beetletun looking at all the people leaving. He knew why because of the Charr invasion, his mom and dad and their buddies were the “chosen”. Mali was a little afraid of watching his parents going into battle and him watching them die. Every night while he sleeps he has dreams about his parents dying in battle. He saw his mom and dad arguing about watching him. He wanted to scream “God can someone please watch me!” He thought better of it though maybe if he got the chance he could explore the outside of Beetletun.
Mail tried to find the perfect time go to escape, plus he was wondering which way he should go. “I think I will go to Watchtower coast” he thought. He asked 2 of his friends he had met in Beetletun named Jeff and Mike. “Hey do you two wanna go to watchtower coast and go exploring”? “I’m in” said Mike. “Let’s go” said Jeff. The three of them snuck out to watchtower coast and began waling down the road. “I wonder where this goes…” Mali said. “I think it goes to Divinity Coast.” said Mike “Co--.” An arrow flew past Mali’s head and barely missed Jeff. Mali was frozen on the spot as he saw undead heading straight for him and his friends. Jeff and Mike ran back to town leaving Mali for dead.

Mali couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He was staring in awe at the undead as they were getting closer to him. Arrows kept flying past his head as he stared. The undead came up over the hill, but it was a small patrol of 2 archers. Mali heard a shriek as another arrow came by. It was his mom screaming for him to get out of the way, and that same arrow hit his mom in the arm! “No!” Mali screamed he was so mad that he threw fire out of his hands at the undead. “What’s happening to me”? He thought. “That’s flare, an Elementalist spell Mali.” his mom told him. Mali kept using flare until the undead were dead, then he walked with his mom back to town. “Mom are you okay?” “Yes honey I am fine.” Mali watched as one of his mom’s friends healed her arm. “Why did fire come out of my hands mom?” “I guess you were meant to be an Elementalist Mali.” “Is there anymore spells I can learn?” “Yes Mali I know a lot of them.” “Could you teach me those spells?” “In the morning Mali, we need to get some sleep.” As Mali was trying to go to sleep he was thinking about all the spells he could learn. He couldn’t wait till morning.

As Skry drew within 100 feet of the town entrance he stepped out of the shadows and continued walking past the child and his mother, his bow and long sword hidden under his cloak. Skry made his way toward the local weapon smith to restock his supply of arrows and to have his long sword sharpened.

”A dark day in the history of this town, this is.” said the gruff voice of the smith.

”Aye, ‘tis so.” replied Skry who proceeded to fill his quiver and pay for the arrows.

”An hour it will take me to sharpen yer blade, Ranger”

”Good. I’ll be back for it.” And with that, Skry strode out of the shop.

As he made his way through the bazaar, Skry accidentally bumped into a young female Elementalist who seemed to be a bit distracted. After apologizing, he continued to make his way to the top of the hill to the guard tower where he could watch the people still there, and to contemplate his battle plans.

An hour passed. Skry went back to the weapon smith and paid him after he tested the sharpness of the blade. Skry returned to the tower, this time, to watch the Elementalist.

Finally, everybody is gone...

On these thoughts, Dac pulled a torn sheet of parchment from his bag. My little friend, now it’s the time to reveal your secret! A big smile illuminated his face. Finally, that paper he found he forgot how, that paper who intrigued him for all these years, would reveal himself to be a key!

All that exist is all that must be. And then he started reading.

Notes of Lester the Unexpected, Higher Mursaat of Janthir Isle

Bleh, we all know what a “Mursaat” is now!

On this paper I write a message of the gods, the obscure prophecy which will realize itself soon...

”The fire is not the destructive power we believe it to be.”

’The fire obviously means the Charr.’ Dac thought, still concentrated.

”The fire cannot burn the shared blood of a father, a mother and a son.”

’Vanatiel, Alicia, Malikai’. The truth was revealing itself in its best way.

”The fire cannot destroy the spirit of a body, be it bound and tortured, or free to go anywhere.”

’Bound and tortured..?’ Dac was a bit perplexed on that one. ‘Sanjinu has been acting strange lately, so I guess this is him. As for the free, no comment on that one!’

”The fire cannot attain the eagle soaring in the sky...

’Eh?’ Dac stopped here. ‘Eagle soaring... This is obviously not Omega! But then, who could this be?’

Unable to find the answer, Dac quickly put the scroll back in his back, then jumped out of the wagon. ‘I need to refill in unguent anyway, this shouldn’t be too ha-‘

Dac suddenly stopped. On the ancient watchtower, he could see something moving.

’Eagle soaring...’

He had found the answer.

We must kill them! Sanjinu thought. NO we can’t. What are these voices in his mind? Where are they coming from? Is this so form of torture ? My powers are being held back like they are bounded , but to what? Stop thinking that! No I must continue my thoughts don’t let them get me...Alicia I am bounded to her! However where does this torture come from? Char? The Old Gods? The Unseen Gods? He saw a strange man watching Alicia. He moved to get him. “Ye have no reason to spy.” Sanjinu said calmly. “It isn’t nice to watch people without them knowing now is it?”
Alicia sat next to Mali, gently stroking his hair. She knew that the next morning he wouldn’t wait to get started on his training. He would be up at the crack of dawn, bouncing up and down for no apparent reason. Just as she had when she found out, oh so many years ago.

She remembered this day as one of the best of her life. She had woken up at the break of dawn and had gotten dressed and ran to her parent’s bedroom. She incessantly started bouncing up and down on the end of the bed shouting, “Wake up! Wake up! You said you’d teach me today!”

She was sure Mali would be the same. There was no doubt in her mind whatsoever.

Shol V’ha strode into the mist-born field, slowly stalking those unaware of her presence. The corpse of the giddy child sat no more than four units away, alone, a sign of the beast’s savagery. Shol V’ha appeared confused about the whole situation, as if she was suddenly thrust upon a happening that she wished no part of. The light began to wane as the deteriorating townscape obscured the sun. Night would soon fall upon the lands, and the wolf would surely need a hovel for the time. Food was nearby, yet, more than that lurked around the corner...

The party barely escaped certain slaughter from the pack of undead, but was saved by an uncanny turn of events that left everyone drawling through their minds. Fire began to emanate from the mother’s child, but sharply dissipated as fast as it had been conjured. These times were different, but not just from the physical aspects of the searing.
The deleterious magics required to conjure such force had never been seen since the malevolent fate of Orr. These magics brought forth wrath from the skies and earth, severely disrupting the flows of energy throughout the world. The magics were left unbalanced as the energies of “fire” and “water” proved dominant over their brother powers. These magics inundated the chosen without regard to skill, and left many “unworthy” for the creatures of the night. However, there were some who retained an unseen power that could forever change the face of history.

Vantiel’s warm breath turned into mist, when he breathed. He was heavily coated, from his scar, to his boots. Not only was he coated with warm clothes that Alicia freshly washed, but also his weapons.

He was on the lookout, and on his third round for his standard watch routine. So far, for the hours that he had walked from one side of the long tower to the other, which overlooked the dense forest that leered at Beetletun, nothing had happened.. The forests were dark, shrouded with mystery, malice, and danger. Vantiel personally felt happy that he was a good twenty feet above the reaches of the forest floor.

The night didn’t frighten him, and the loneliness that he had always felt, was a common and known emotion for him. He had no problem walking in the dark, by himself, feeling the cool, crisp breeze cut into his skin. His only problem was that something had aroused his instincts. He didn’t see, but he felt something looking at him well hidden behind the forest shrubs.

He knew his feelings well enough. He depended on them for survival. His feelings never betrayed, lied, or lost his trust.

His skin suddenly prickling, the hair on his neck suddenly pricked up. He drew a sharp breath, as he literally felt the gaze of the thing pass over him. Vantie kept his cool, not letting his fear overpower him.

Smiling, at the forest, in which his watcher taunted him, Vantie mocked it back.

”Come on out, coward.” Vantie called out.

No answer.

Vantiel laughed out loud.

”Do you not have a spine, or are do you just show that much cowardice in the face of someone who defies your gaze?” He called out a second time.

No answer.

”Then, leave us. To both of our better interests, I would like to stay up here with Alicia, and the gang, and be nice and safe, than come down there and find you myself. I know my feelings all too well, watcher from the shadows. I will know when you are here. I will know what you’re doing. I will know what you are. Because I already know oh so much about you.”

Vantie smiled one of his creepy necrotic smiles, which made his eyes shine malevolently in the moonlight.

Turning away, Vantie walked down the steps, and treaded softly back to the camp, where Sanjinu awaited, as his watch was next.

Once Sanjinu saw Vantiel approaching camp, he instantly stood up, and walked towards the incoming figure.

As they met each other, shoulder to shoulder, although both were facing opposite ways, Sanjinu heard Vantie’s whisper.

”Be on guard Sanjinu. The shadows watch us.”

And then they passed each other.

Sanjinu continued walking, contemplating Vanatiel's words.

Surely he jests with me. He probably thinks I am a coward in the dark. That I myself fear the darkness, just like the aura that radiates from his filthy self.” Sanjinu thought to himself.

Laughing quietly, Sanjinu took up the same post, and same routine that Vantiel had taken.

But unlike Vantie, he couldn’t feel the creature watching him from the shadows.

He couldn’t feel the thing’s smile slowly widen in maniacal happiness.

But he did hear its call.

”Vaaaaantielll......I’m coming for you......”

The shadows remained dormant throughout the night as the creature dragged its meal towards the thick underbrush. The humans remained cautious throughout the night, regardless, and slowly stepped up the patrols that the city guard could not. The events of times passed still remained luminescent throughout their minds, and they did not want to risk breaking a shovel head in regards to carelessness. Death stalked them from beyond the hills, yet the foreboding shadows were all that drew the attention of the party.
The wolf knew the misunderstandings of men, and also of their poor judgment. Tonight would see no more loss of life of those who stumbled to close to her territory. Death was too close for the wolf to ignore, and knew but one thing: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. She knew little of these humans, but felt that by remaining in the shadows she could convince herself otherwise.
Her goal was self preservation, and would use the night to determine if these humans were worthy.

Out of the darkness Skry called out to Sanjinu,

”Your friend speaks true, you would be wise to heed his words.”

Sanjinu jumped at these words.

”Show yourself!” he yelled.

Next to him, Skry appeared. Sanjinu was quite surprised to find out some one had sneaked up on him in such a manner.

”Worry not, I am a friend. Skry is my name, and I have been watching you, your camp, and your family and friends for some time now. The one you call Vantiel is right. The shadows are watching.”

And with that, Skry disappeared into the darkness again, leaving Sanjinu to ponder what had just happened. But little to Sanjinu’s knowledge, Skry was watching him, every step he took.

“Your turn, Dac.” Sanjinu had just finished his shift, and came back to get a good night of well-deserved sleep. The event of that night had disturbed him deeper than he thought, and slowly he was consumed by his own insanity.

”Oh, and be careful. The shadows are watching.”

”I know, I know.” And thus Dac passed on, and took the same routine of usual.

But when he was away enough from the camp, he instead took a completely different direction from usual. This time, he would not do a normal shift like Vantie and Sanji. He had another thing in mind, a whole other mission.

This time, he went straight for the old watchtower. As he approached the old structure, he could see the person whom he had business with, waiting at the bottom of the tower.

”Come, my friend. I have been expecting you.” Skry said. And so both he and Dac entered the watchtower.

”I’ve met some of your friends that night. I must say, not a very social bunch, isn’t it?”

”Well, no one like being stalked, right?” Dac replied.

”I guess you’re right.”

Both climbed the stairs leading to the top.

”The gods contacted me not long ago, with those talks of chosen to fight the Charr and whatnot. At first I took it with a grain of salt, but when you met me yesterday...”

”I know, you told me already.”

”But my problem is, what is my power? You already told me about yours and the rest, but me? I don’t seem to have anything special!”

”All I can say is, you’ll find out in due time, like me. So, do you want to join us?”

”I guess I don’t have any other choice....”

”Then consider it done!” And so they shook hands at the top of the tower. “Tomorrow we’ll meet with the rest of the group. Meanwhile, you can arrange yourself for the night?”

”Don’t worry about that!”

”Great!” They exchanged a last glance before parting way, one going for the inn, the other to the camp.

”Your turn, Omega.” Dac said when he arrived.
The twilight hours of the night were long gone, bringing forth the monotonous droning caused by thousands of unseen eyes. Bushes came to life with unseen forces, the trees began to speak to each other in unknown tongues. The night was anything but quiet to the ones who paid her any attention.

Dac slowly lowered himself to the ground, sub-consciously dreading the fact that he may not arise the next light. Word had spread through the town that the shadows were speaking, that events had been set into motion. Unseen forces began to stir deep to the east. He chuckled at the thought that people were so paranoid about these “unseen forces” that even members of his company began to spread word of. Why should he be worried about something he couldn’t see?

Upon pondering this thought, a sharp tingle lashed down his spine. His thoughts were getting to him, and he knew sleep was the cure to all ailments.

Platinum Agent · Jul 31, 2006, 05:42 AM // 05:42

So you added some more of our old roleplay to this, eh? I guess I'm glad you did...

Link Ironhammer · Aug 16, 2006, 10:22 PM // 22:22

its nice to see this roleplay I like seeing things I wrote Thanks Alicia You ROCK!!!