P.S.S. "The Legend Of The Primal Keys"::Ch.1- A Bit Of Deception [Completed IC]

[Chevaleresse]

A twinge of sorrow flashed across Matrim's heart. I didn't want anyone to die. If I hadn't been here. . . He shook it off. Reality was calling, and fortunately he would be making a lot of profit tonight - assuming these guards didn't decide it was more lucrative to split the loot among two, rather than three. "Well then, let's not tarry. I don't see it being particularly fun if whatever, ah, removed your employer comes back." The bard hurried over and quickly began gathering the small, light valuables, leaving heavier objects behind, while keeping a wary eye on the newly unemployed fighters nearby.

[Supernovae]

Maximus nodded silently at Esmerelda. It was an intriguing tale, but Maximus could sense disdain and distrust in her voice. He knew the sound all too well from the Drake Vale. Many men knew the tale of his father, how he'd betrayed everyone's trust. He looked back towards the holy grounds a bit of sadness in his eye. "Thank you for sharing your tale," he began trying his best not to let on his own disappointment.

"Not every day you threaten a former magistrate," he let out. He hadn't thought of it before when he stood up for the thief in the bar. He'd taken the two for sub-par warriors at best, they were just a bartender and a waitress. But, now the realization had dawned on him, if he had actually fought them, he likely would be severely wounded, if not dead.

He turned back to Rodriguez, "So tell me, what do you expect the Sky Slayer to do? The man may be powerful, but if he attacks Azuaqyar in front of all of these people I can't imagine him walking away alive."

[Sutoratosu]

K_H

"What the hell are you yelling about?" asked Marculo as he walked over to the door and stared at the knob from over Ko'Luki's shoulder, seeing that there was indeed a strange sigil on the brass handle. "Step aside," he continued as he lightly elbowed past Marculo, moving the other man out of the way as he knelt and examined the knob... this was a binding sigil... no question about it.

He stood suddenly, pulling his leg back and letting a harsh kick loose as he did so, the wood of the door's surface giving off a loud Thump! as it connected squarely with it's mark. Marculo glanced back at Ko'luki

"It seems that this door has no protaris on it..." he began, stepping away from the thing as he spoke "Why don't you try another HED?" he thought for a moment about what he had just said "After, I'm out of the blast zone, that is." he added quickly, walking back to stand beside Ko'Luki.

Masterweavile898

Aaron slowed his chair's pace as he spotted the household just up the next street, two figures could be seen speaking on the stairs leading to the front door, torches lighting the way up from the street, casting an angry orange glow upon the two men.

"Samiel," he called out as he again picked up the pace "I need to discuss something with you!" little did the young man know, however, that now following closely behind him was a man dressed in loose, all black clothing, the glint of a knife in his hand, the patch of the Church Magicks department emblazoned upon the small patch of leather on his right breast, much like the one on Aaron's own chest.

"Aaron!" a voice called out loudly from above as a flash of silver was seen from a rooftop overlooking the street, a second later a shrill whistling sound filled the air, followed by a gruff voice crying out in pain suddenly. the boy glanced over his shoulder, seeing a man in all black crumpled on the cobblestones of the street as a small pool of blood began to form beneath the body, the shaft of a silvery, white bolt protruding up from the back of the corpse. a knife lay on the ground near it's hand, still glinting in the light of the full moon.

"W...What's going on?" he asked haltingly as he looked down at the man's body, completely unaware of how close he'd come to death... or worse. Marshall appeared before him, as if having simply materialized out of thin air.

"Don't ask questions!" he ordered as he loaded another bolt into his bow, pulling the string back and bringing it to a ready "Get to the house hold, Now!" the boy didn't need to be told twice, he hurried off towards the two figures standing on the porch. Marshall turned his head and body as he heard the faint sound of footfalls behind him, bringing up his great bow and preparing to fire, but stopping himself from releasing his fingers grasp of the bolt when he realized that it was the Young woman from the library... then his eyes darted off, looking at something behind her.

he lifted his weapon once again, completely silent as he honed in on his intended target, another man in black approaching from behind the young woman. seconds later, he unleashed another silvery bolt of death from the bow, the projectile flying through the air in Milly's direction, it's passage through the air letting out a shrill whistling sound as it closed in on it's target, flying a few inches past Amelia's ear and embedding itself deep into the neck of the secondary assailant, the man letting out a screech of agony as the force of the missle's impact send him off his feet and sprawling to the ground, where he then went limp. Seeing no other immediate threats after silently scanning the area, Marshall lowered his weapon again, only then did it occur to him how loud his warning shout to Aaron, along with the second would-be killer's death rattle, had been... surely it would've been loud enough for Derick to hear back at the Library... and if not for him, then surely it should've been for Samiel and Atton to have, they were far closer... but as the man looked to the road leading back the way Aaron had came, he saw no one running to assist them... no one scrambling to get here to find out what was going on... And Samiel and Atton were still on the porch, now looking over at Aaron as he rushed over... it was as if neither of the two of them had heard anything from this commotion...

and the moment of this observation, was the same moment Marshall noticed a rippling in the air, as if someone had established a barrier of some sort around the area of the incident... and Marshall had a feeling that he already knew what is was meant to block. forgetting that Amelia was there for a moment, he slung his bow over his shoulder by the string, and withdrew a bolt from the quiver on his back, walking over to a nearby window along the street level and and smashing the length of steel against the glossy reflective surface, the glass shattering in an explosion as thousands of tiny, shining shards rained onto the stones of the street. that alone should've been loud enough for Samiel and Atton to hear from their distance... but the two still seemed to be oblivious to whatever went on here as they began speaking to Aaron in the distance, Atton stepping down from the stair to listen to him. Marshall returned the bolt to it's place in the quiver, gazing up towards the sky and seeing the same ripple effect from a few moments earlier.

"A sound barrier..." He muttered under his breath as he looked back down to the street, looking at the man who'd try to kill Aaron for the first time since he'd stopped him with a shot to the spinal cord. He walked over to examine the corpse, this whole thing made no sense, why would these men have attacked, they bare the crest of the church... and who was the one who cast this sound protaris, and why? for discretion during the murder? but that lead to the same question as before: why attack them at all?

all these questions flowed through Marshall's mind as he stooped near the body, examining the face to try to see if it was someone he'd seen before... maybe someone who'd been a passer by in the crowds of the night...as he knelt, however, he felt a wetness spreading on the knees of his right pant leg, and looked down, realizing he'd just crouched in the pool of the man's blood..

Damn... he thought as he stared at the stain That's gonna be a bitch to try to get out of the fabric... it was only then however, that he actually noticed the color of the blood, standing up suddenly in shock

"Blood...is not black." he said silently to himself as he stared down at the body, regarding it much differently then he had before "And men don't have Eye's the color of smoldering coals... nor hair made of writhing shadows..." he paused as he evaluated the complexion of the thing "nor do they have skin the color of tarnished silver." he observed as he backed away slowly from what ever the hell this thing was, glancing over at the second one he'd kill in order to protect the young woman, and seeing it had the exact same qualities as the first: Eyes that were pits of darkness, like smoldering coals, hair of writhing shadows, skin the color of death, and blood that was blacker than night. he remembered that Amelia was even there at all as he forced himself to look away from the corpses. there was only one thing these things could be... they were exactly as the old legends and nursery rhymes had described them as

"Mam," he began, still trying to remain mindful of the honorific despite the situation "these are no humans... they are Nix-" he stopped mid sentence as he noticed the one behind the young woman slowly turn it's head to look at him as it lay on the ground. a grin of pure evil spread on it's face, and Marshall could see flashes of the Lustrous, scarlet teeth in the thing's mouth. still laying where it was and smiling, it slowly brought it's hand up to it's neck and gripped the bolt that had been lodged there, beginning to pull it out... the one that had gone after Aaron was twitching it's fingers, but it seemed to be incapable of doing anything more for now...

"For the love of God," Marshall said quickly, snapping his attention back to Amelia, his voice and eyes full of urgency as he spoke, his hands reaching up and pulling out two more steel bolts from his satchel "If you want to live, then you need to run. and you need to run now. don't ask questions, just go, follow Aaron." he pointed to the porch as he spoke, specifically at the giant of a man standing there speking to Aaron, his shoulders draped in a white cloak "That Man, the one with the white cloak," he continued "Is the Arch Magistrate of this City, Atton, when you get to the house hold, say these words to him: The Night Lives Again; he will know what they mean, all magistrates do, now Go!"

Murdoc

"Go on," Cestor said simply when he noticed Martim nearby as he and Tryilus began counting out the coin they were rightly due for their service... and a lot of extra. "take what you can carry away from here, we won't stop you..." Tryilus broke in at the point

"We've no reason to now, so you'd might as well do so before whatever the hell attacked comes back for seconds-" as if on cue, a familiar, inhuman shriek could be heard in the distance, rattling the two young men as they collected what they could carry. Tyrilus tossed a quick glance over at Martim "And I suggest you do it fast!" he called out as both him and Cestor took off down the road as fast as they could, each of them carrying three bags full of Myta on their shoulders, their loot jingling loudly from the motion of them sprinting. soon they both disappeared into the night, leaving Martim standing at the sight of the wreckage alone. in the distance, the shrieking grew fainter and fainter, as if it were moving away... though, as for whether or not what ever was making the sound would be coming back, remained to be seen...

Supernovae

"I would not write him off so lightly," Rodriguez began whimsically "He's clashed with units from the church army several times in the past, both large and small... and it never ended well for any of them." just then, a flash of white caught his attention, and he shifted his gaze over to a Roof top near the Holy Citadel complex, seeing none other than Stratos himself in the distance, monochromatic spear in hand as he stood there, waiting, his hair and cloak blowing in the cold night breeze, his harrowing, glowing eyes of gold trained on the masses below, seeming to almost be shaking his head in disgust. "As for what he'll do," Rodriguez began, looking over at Maxwell and nodded his head in the sky slayers direction in the distance "I imagine he intends to use that roof top over there as higher ground, from where he'll once again cast his spear into Azauqyar's heart while the Sky Lord is distracted, just as he did the first time."

Edited July 20, 2014 by Stratos

[Chevaleresse]

"Perhaps the city is the best bet for not being horribly murdered at the moment," Matrim thought aloud as he finished scooping up his loot. He climbed over the wreckage of the merchant's cart and dashed into the brush at the side of the road. Let's take this slowly. The highwayman crept through the brush as quietly as he could, hoping to avoid whatever the source of that shrieking was.

[K_H]

"You know what, i have an idea. remember how the Door was protected by that Barrier? you get behind that Barrier, and then i'll light the Fuses and get behind it."

Ko'luki then wedged fifteen Loaded HEDs between the Door and its frame, and waited for Marculo to move.

[Shamitako]

(OOC: There, poofed this. Will make an actual post a while later)

Edited July 23, 2014 by MasterWeavile898

[Sutoratosu]

Murdoc

as Martim crouched in hiding in the bush, another Shrieking sound echoed out from the slopes up above him, joining in a deafening chorus with the shrieks off in the distance. a few minutes later, the sound of huge, flapping leathery wings sounded. from where Martim hid, the wreckage of the wagon was clearly visible, and out of the sky soared a man atop a large bat-like creature, the beast turning it's ears and opening and closing it's mouth idly as it's master directed it's flight path, bringing it in to land just a few dozen meters away from where Martime lay crouched on the side of the dirt road, the rider dismounting and retrieving an unkwon object from his pocket as he sound of Flapping wings again filled the night air and another bat-like creature, this one rode by a young woman, came in to land next to it's companion. she seemed to be displeased as she dismounted her beast, walking up beside the man.

"Your barbarism proceeds you, Brutus," She said, her voice half between a sigh of disappointment and one of disgust. the conversation was faint, but twas quite windy tonight, and Martim could easily pick up bits and pieces of the two's exchange whenever the wind blew in his direction.

"Do not even begin with that," the man, Apparently Brutus, Chided "that fat Merchant I just killed? He was the one I told you off earlier; the one who had a...unnatural fondness for Children..."

"Oh..." the woman responded simply, obviously at a loss of what to say

"At a loss of what to say for once, I see. you may think me to be nothing but a barbarian, but it's fine, we were only partnered a week ago, afterall. you will soon find that while I do go all out when I commit my violence, I never commit violence simply for the sake of doing it. there is always a reason the carnage and bloodshed that I inflict."

A few seconds of silence dragged on, from his perch, Martim could see the young woman shifting uncomfortably, the silver cloak around her shoulders casting a glare in the moon light, underneath, a jacket of black and gold along with pants the same color were visible.

"Forgive me," she said, finally breaking the silence "Perhaps I was too quick to judge"

"There is nothing to forgive," the man said as he pulled what appeared to be a pocket watch from the inside of his own jacket, in fact, it seemed as if Brutus and the young woman wore matching uniforms. he checked the time, changing the subject. "I see no man matching the face of the bill here, do you?"

"No..."

"Then let us continue searching for this 'Martim' we've still got to canvas this entire area by sunrise, or Gilwyn will flay me living... and he'll do things unspeakable to one as pretty as you..."

"Do not exaggerate his anger like that. simply because you dislike the man does not mean you have to slander him."

"What, you believe that he wouldn't do it?" the sound of Brutus sighing echoed out on the wind as he shook his head disappointedly "You are new here, girl. recruited... what, month ago?"

"Yes..."

"Then do not assume I exaggerate anything about Lord Gilwyn. that man is a monster in men's clothing. he may seem well and kind to you, yes, but that is only because he does not wish to give you cause to leave, as he does with all new recruits... just mark my words, don't ever fail to follow his orders, or you will see his true colors... if more within the unit knew what our lord commander was truly like... well, they wouldn't have to wonder why I hate him so anymore."

Brutus hopped back atop his mount, griping the reigns as the beast came to an attention, it's beady red eyes lighting up as it sensed it's master getting back into the saddle. it flicked it's long, barbed tail, as if happy to about to be ridden again. the woman, more of girl really, as Brutus had called her, she barely looked to be twenty years, simply stood there for a few more moments. gazing at the wreck, some bags of myta still lay scattered on the ground, lighting up like diamonds in the night air.

"Are you coming?" Brutus asked. the young woman glanced over her shoulder, then without a word, turned and mounted her own beast, gripping the reigns tightly. within minutes, both of them were again soaring off into the blackened sky, leaving Martim undisturbed and undetected in his spot behind the bushes.

K_H

Grudingly, Marculo walked behind the barrier

"Go on..." he said, sighing a little... he was beginning to hate explosions.

[K_H]

Ko'luki lit the HEDs, and then got behind the Barrier. A couple seconds later, the HEDs blew up with an explosion that was one-and-a-half times bigger than the last one.

[Supernovae]

Maximus eyed Rodriguez. He couldn't quite tell his desires. Did he wish Stratos would slay the Sky Slayer or was he just accepting reality. Maximus sighed, he was never really great at reading people. He was a man of virtue, not deception. And so he decided he'd just go ahead and ask the former magistrate. He stared into the distance still eyeing the Sky Slayer as Rodriguez had pointed out earlier, intent on keeping his eyes on the man, "Tell me," he began, "What's your opinion on him? He said he wasn't evil. He acted just as I had earlier in defending the thief girl. So tell me, do you think of him as an evil man or is he in the right to try and slay Azuaqyar once more."

[Sutoratosu]

K_H

As the smoke from the blast cleared, a creak was heard as the door to the shop slowly swung open... beyond it was nothing but darkness, then within seconds, the inky black of the space beyond flickered, and the interior of the Store again became visible... but there was one thing wrong; where the front door of the shop should've been, there was only a stone wall...

"Step aside," Marculo said hastily as he rushed past Ko'Luki and into the Shop Foyer, glancing around and noticing that the front door was now a brick wall "Damn it all..." he muttered under his breath as he sunk down to his knees in despair... he didn't know what kind of black Magicks was at work here, or who was doing it, but at the way things looked now... the two of them might damn well be stuck in here for a long while... it was bad enough he'd miss the resurection because he had the night shift... but now there was the possibility that Marculo would never see his wife and daughter again...

and that was one thing that the man simply could not accept. he didn't give a damn what was going on in this place tonight; it was going to end. and it was going to end NOW.

"here is my letter of resignation..." he muttered silently under his breath as his hand blazed in a soft light, his eyes taking on a milky hue as he gathered energy from the Aria of the Dawn and conjured it into a sphere of lightning, thrusting his palm outwards and propelling the orb towards the wall, the thing letting out a sharp crackling sound as it soared through the air, homing in on it's target...

But instead of bursting against the stones and blasting an entrance in the wall, as Marculo had intended for the sphere to do, the ball of electricity flew straight through the wall as if it weren't even there, leaving no trace... but a few seconds later the pained cry of a man echoed out suddenly, along with a loud Boom!

"What in the Sky Lord's name..." Marculo began as he stood back up from his knees, picking up a small crystal from a shelf nearby as he did so... He had the sneaking feeling that this wall... was not a wall...

"Only one way to find out" he thought to himself as he reeled his arm and tossed the Crystal, and just like the sphere of lightning, it phased right through the wall as if it wasn't there... that confirmed it, this definitely was not a wall. Marculo took a few tentative paces forward and stuck his head out towards the bricks, closing his eyes, still not one hundred percent sure about his theory... after a few seconds he forced himself to look around, seeing the street outside the shop, just as it had been when he'd entered earlier in the evening to start his shift... well, except that the crowds were all gone... and there was a young man dressed in full plate armor lying motionless on the stones, a large, black blast mark scorching his right shoulder pauldron and the side of his breast plate... that explained where Marculo's lighting conjuration had gone, as well as where the boom from earlier had come from...

"Damn it all..." He again cursed under his breath, chances are that that young soldier was dead...being struck with electricity with that much metal on his body... well it was highly unlikely he'd survived...

"good god..." the young man muttered suddenly, his voice strained as he lay immobilized by the shock. seeing that he had lived somehow, Marculo rushed out of the illusion wall an knelt at the soldiers side, inspecting the damage he'd unintentionally caused...

"T...Terribly sorry about that..." Marculo began, stuttering a little

"Sorry about what?" the young man asked, obviously dazed "What hit me? all I recall was walking down the street towards the Holy Grounds... and then there was this flood of light and a Crackling noise...then something like an explosion knocked me on my back... I still have no feeling in my body..."

Marculo merely sat there upon hearing this... right now, as far as this soldier could remember, this whole thing was some freak occurrence... but if Marculo told him what had occurred...well, there was a good chance that Magistrates could get involved, and he may get charged with attempting to kill this young man...

"Sorry that this happened to you, I meant..." he said hesitantly, "Not every day that Lightning falls from the skies and strikes someone out of the blue..."

Back in the hallway, Ko'Luki began to hear strange whispering voices as the interior of the shop again flicker and faded to inky blackness as soon as Marculo had pushed past him...they seemed to be cackling as they spewed out streams of incomprehensible words...

((go on, Kenny, ask who they are...))

Supernovae

"I will say but this, my friend," Rodriguez began in response to the young Ekarder's question "It honestly does not matter whether the Sky Lord lives or dies, at this point, whether he is present in this world or not, there will still be relative peace in the globe... when he fell the first time, the world did not fall into war, nor did it even once in the four hundred years since then..."

He leaned back and rested the back of his head on his palm as he lay on the shingles

"Basically, I think that his time of need in this world, is over. his presence is no longer necessary to preserve the balance... the church can do that just fine without God directly leading it, it's proved that simple fact time and time again, also, do consider the fact that all the self governing countries of the continent today; they were once territories of the Theocracy... but I'm not going to sit here and bore you with history that your parents probably told to you as a bed time story... Here is my hypothesis though: If Azauqyar rises again, the Theocracy WILL restart, I think that is beyond the shadow of a doubt. and if the Theocracy comes back to power, then they will want their lands back, as any Empire would. now if they want their land back, what makes one think that the Countries of the modern era will want to relinquish their sovereignty? The church Army is vast and the mightiest in the land, yes, that much is true; But, this is ONLY true when one speaks in terms of having to face two or three countries in battle... if all the nations of the continent were to come together in a Resistance Coalition.... which I am quite certain they will, then there will be world war, and the church and probably many other things will be destroyed, and many people will die who probably do not deserve to die.

So you see, my friend, If Stratos succeeds in Killing the Sky Lord once again...well, I will for one will have no objections...at least then the peace we've known will remain intact for the most part... but if he fails...Well, assuming he is still alive of course, I will leave this city with him tonight, and I will travel at his side and aid him until he DOES succeed in his mission... and if he is dead, then I shall take up his mantle and try to find a way to kill Azauqyar and preserve the world's peace myself."

Esmerlda glanced over at him, a bit annoyed it seemed

"You Promised you would not speak of such in public, If any devoutees hear you, they will form a mob and burn you alive on the stones of the street"

"Calm down, Esmeralda. They'd have to find me and then disarm me before they could even hope to do that... and by the time they do, I would probably have cut them down to barely nothing of their original number... anyways, where was I, Ah yes, As for whether I believe him to be evil... that is a no... he is hated and despised by most, but he is not evil. at the end of the day, he is a warrior advocating for the greater good."

[K_H]

when Ko'luki heard the voices and saw the interior of the shop start to fade, he started to freak out. He gave out a yelp, and then sprinted towards the end of the Hall that the store was at before it faded.

((Stratos, if Ko'luki does go into the Store, the first thing he'll do is to ask Marculo about the voices. If he doesn't, he'll ask the voices themselves. I give you my permission to Bunny him for that bit, as long as you make him seem scared.))

[Sutoratosu]

K_H

As Ko'Luki dashed out of the hallway, his feet hit the inky blackness and he found himself unable to move at all as the voices faded away into nothing and the sole light filtering into the hall, the torches which lined the corridor behind him, dimmed and then died out entirely, leaving the man in complete darkness as the doorway through which he had come only moments ago vanished from sight, as if it had never existed there at all.

"..."

Ko'Luki was suddenly aware of a Presence behind him as his body turned on it's on, as if he were under some type of levitation. as he finally turned about face, he saw standing before him an apparition of a man with a crown of platinum atop a mess of auburn hair, a pair of piercing eyes, one a hot scarlet and the other a cold green, boring deep into Ko'Luki, as if peering into his very soul. as the man stepped closer, Koluki could make out more of his features, a strong set jaw, height almost six feet. muscular and built like an elite warrior, but the most eye catching thing was the blood red cloak draped over his shoulders, a strange sigil of some unknown house hold visible as the thing rippled in an invisible wind, casting a red glare upon the regal, Pure gold breast plate and gauntlets the man wore on his person, a sword bathed in blinding light at his side. Ko'Luki's panic was beginning to rise even more... he could feel an immense amount of power resonating of this man, so much that the air was thick with it, he had the feeling that if this man wanted to strangle him, he could do so just by thinking it... but this was not a power like that of Magicks...no, this felt far more powerful, far more primal and magnificent...

"Who...who are you...?" Ko'luki barely managed to chock out in terror as the man's eyes continued to bore into his soul... he could feel some force probing the deepest edges of his mind. he tried to scream out as an aweful pain filled his skull, as if something were trying to burst it from the inside outwards. his hand's shot up, clutching his head as the apparition Scowled at him, apparently displeased by whatever he found within Ko'Luki's soul, or didn't find, it was impossible to know which for sure. Then as suddenly as the pain had began, it faded away to nothing... Ko'Luki realized he'd been clenching his eye lids shut, and opened them slowly, feeling a hard tiled floor beneath him as he slowly came to, glancing around and realizing that he was back in the shop, the door to the corridor standing wide open... "

"was...was that all a dream" The Alchemist thought to himself as he tried to stand up, failing as his legs gave out under him, still weak and shaking in fear from the encounter just now... no, what just happened was not a dream, could not be a dream, for no nightmare, no matter how foul, could've caused the pain he'd felt only moments ago, could cause the sheer, blood chilling terror that he'd felt right down to the very foundations of his soul... whatever had just happened, had been very much real... Ko'luki tried to steel himself in vain as he reached out and grabbed an iron staff off a nearby stand, using it to hoist himself up, his knees gradually beginning to stop their quivering... but as he stood, he noticed one thing that had changed about the shop; where the front door should've been, was now a brick wall...

((Kenny, curiosity won't kill the cat for now...it might even help a little... *Cough* "Inspect the wall" *Cough* who said that?)

[K_H]

Ko'luki went over to the Brick Wall, and attempted to poke it with the Iron Pole, wary as to whether or not his eyes were playing tricks on him, seeing as he remembered a door being in the exact location of the Brick Wall.

((Nicely done, Ethic!))

Edited July 30, 2014 by K_H

[Sutoratosu]

K_H

As Ko'Luki poked at the wall with the pole in his hand, he could see that the length of iron disappeared beyond the red bricks, the entire wall rippling in waves like the disturbed surface of a pond, as if the thing were some sort of mirage or phantasm... which would explain it... but there was only one real way to find out the validity of that theory, wasn't there?

Edited July 30, 2014 by Stratos

[K_H]

After thinking that, Ko'luki started to walk through the Brick Wall, and realized that it really was a Mirage, as he'd thought.

[Sutoratosu]

K_H

"Do it already, put me out of my misery!" Ko' Luki heard someone shout from down the street as he passed through the fake wall and stepped back out onto the cobblestones of the small side road. in the distance, a familiar figure in an alchemist guild uniform was kneeling on the ground, his back turned to Ko'Luki. and in front of him, was a man dressed in full armor lying on the ground. all throughout the avenue, a strange charred scent wafted in on the night air, it smelled of smoke and soot, like one would smell in a refinery or a smithy.

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

"N-no!" Marculo shouted at the young soldier on the ground before him, slapping away the dagger the young man had been trying for the past few minutes to get him to take and use to kill him... he honestly couldn't help but feel quite a bit of guilt at this, he had been the one to launch that lightning conjuration and strike this young man, even if only by accident... it had left the armor clad lad fully paralyzed, and the warrior's thoughts had turned to pure despair after he realized that he couldn't move; he'd begun panicking, shouting on about how his career in the church army was over, how he'd have to live the rest of his days on the Myta of the public taxes... and to him, such a fate was not only shameful, but it was worse than death. and for the last five minutes or so, he'd been trying to convince Marculo to take the knife from his belt and slit his throat, give him the peace of death since to continue to live would be a curse....

And for the past five minutes, Marculo had been vehemently refusing to do as he asked.

"Please, just calm down," Marculo implored, again trying to reason with the suicidal young man "This is not the curse you think it to be! All you need is a healer, and you'll be fine!"

"No, Damnit!" the soldier yelled in response "there is no healer yet trained whom can cure full paralysis, stop your attempts to give me false hope about my fate and just end me already!"

Marculo cursed under his breath as he looked up, seeing the Holy Grounds in the distance, an Idea coming to his mind as he did so

"You're wrong," he said simply "and you're a fool for keeping up this facade of Despair. There are healers who can accomplish such, and lucky for you, they'll all be assembled nearby... we just have to get you over to them..." That was easier said then done, however... this man's armor had to wiegh several dozen kilo's at least, and it would be a hell of a fight on Marculo's part to drag him from here to the Citadel... though perhaps if there were two people on the job...

"Anyone!" Marculo called out into the night, hoping that someone would here him and come to their aid "Someone, anyone, please, there's a wounded man here and I need assistance carrying him to a healer!!"

little did Marculo know however, that such shouting was not nessacary, as all the help he needed was nearby, in the form of the man who'd came into the shop earlier...Ko'Luki.

Edited July 30, 2014 by Stratos

[K_H]

Ko'luki heard Marculo shout out for help, and ran over to help.

"Marculo, it seems that we will be able to see the Rebirth after all. now, let's get off to the Citadel and get this man some help!"

and with that, Ko'luki prepared to help Marculo carry the wounded Soldier to the Citadel.

[Supernovae]

Maximus listened intently. It was almost insane hearing the words flowing from his lips. I mean sure, Maximus never placed religion highly in his life. In fact being sent here by his mother seemed a punishment to him at the time. Maximus couldn't care less about Azuaqyar. But, to think of him as a villain? Maybe not an intentional one, but if what Rodriguez was saying was true he'd effectively be destroying the world. It was hard to believe the truth in what he was saying, in fact it seemed a little out there. The whole world may unite against the church, sure, but if Azuaqyar himself was leading the charge it would be doubtful that anyone would dare challenge him.

Despite having these thoughts Maximus kept silent. He agreed with Rodriguez to an extent. Stratos didn't seem evil and he was likely acting in what he believed was for the better of mankind. And Maximus didn't know as much of the world as Rodriguez, perhaps there was truly wisdom in his words. But, there was one factor that influenced what Maximus would say next the most. Maximus had spent almost a full night in this city and only a few people had even taken the time to say words to him. These people were Rodriguez, Esmerelda (thought not entirely through her own will), and Stratos. Some people may think it was destiny to aid Stratos and Rodriguez, but Maximus didn't care for such a thing. These people were the only people with decency and honor in the whole city. He turned to Rodriguez and began to speak. "Alright," he said still mulling over what he'd say next, "If Stratos fails tonight then I'll help you with your quest." Maximus wasn't entirely sure what he was saying, he knew he'd have to return home soon, to fulfill his duty. But, there was something telling him to help Rodriguez, he couldn't put his finger on it, but it was there. He looked at the bartender, or magistrate or whatever he was, and extended a hand. Knowing full well he was ready for whatever happened next.

[Sutoratosu]

K_H

"Ah, Good." Marculo said simply as he grabbed the man's arms as Ko'Luki came over and took hold of the legs as the Soldier tried in vain to squirm and break free of their grasp... perhaps he would've had more success if he could move his body still...

"Put me down and just kill me!" he protested loudly, realizing that he'd be more likely to succeed by lashing out with his words than his arms and legs. Marculo glared at him, he was beginning to get annoyed with the young man's suicidal thought processes.

"shut it," he began "Or I'll shut it for you" with that he looked at Ko'Luki, making sure he had a firm grip on the man's arms

"now let's get going." with that, the two men started off down the street, carrying the injured warrior between them, heading towards the holy grounds.

((End of scene for now))

Supernovae

"I am afraid that I can not allow that, my young friend" Rodriguez said, politely refusing Maximus's offer "You must understand one thing; If what I say I will do is necessary, that means I will take up Stratos's mantel and all that comes with it... or traveling by his side. both of those things would have the consequence of becoming the most hated person, or the second most, in the world. wherever I were to go, people would damn and curse my name, just as they do his... they will hunt down and kill anyone who is kin to me..." he tossed a wary glance over at Esmerelda, who refused to meet his eyes as she pulled up her knees, sitting with her arms around them as she continued looking out into the night.

"Do you know what happened to the House Valgiri following Stratos's actions four hundred years ago?" Rodriguez continued, directing his attention back to Maximus and deciding to take the hint that Esmerelda wished no to speak of the matter... they'd had quite the disagreement about it in the past, best to just let sleeping dogs lie... "The people of the drake veil formed masses and assaulted the family manor; the church army had a hand in it as well, they were there, don't think that they weren't. it was a God Aweful mess, as the historians now call it. a moment of sheer barbarism that will forever stain the honor of the people of the nation Wyrmfell as well as the Army of the Sky Lord. they dragged all of his family members and the hired hands of the manor out and assembled them in the town square... Stratos's lord father, Centaros, and Stratos's two elder brothers, tried to stop the massacre they knew would be coming to everyone they cared about. the fighting was like complete war, the patron and three heirs of the house Valgiri raining down death from the skies on the heads of the Church soldiers... but there were hundreds in the unit that had been dispatched... they and their soulbounds eventually were struck out of the sky, and they were rounded up and put with their family members... the whole skirmish lasted only twenty minutes...

They then torched the whole family, and the servants, burnt them alive. once the deed was done, they torched the household, nothing but charred ruins remain to this very day. it is said that Stratos heard of the event only a week after it happened. and do you know what he did? he hunted down every single man and women who were apart of the Church Army unit sent to his family's home. he kidnapped them in the night one by one. and he would kill them and then send the severed heads straight to the doors of the Holy Citadel... and when all three hundred men and women who were apart of the unit were finally dead by his hands, Stratos sent a message to straight to the homes of the Church Army Arch Commanders... and in this message, he said that he would hunt them all down and scorch them with the fire of Thead... and only a month later, he did just that, he found them when the three were gathered in a pub for drinks. and he captured them all and took them out of the city. and he found a clearing along the road and burned them all at the stake. the only difference between what he did to them and what they did to his family is that he gave the Arch Commanders the courtesy of being killed before the burning... and his actions of vengeance led to him being hated even more than he already was."

he cast another glance over at Stratos, whom was still standing on a roof top in the distance, his spear blazing with contrasting light.

"If you set off at my side for this journey, the world will hate you, you're family will die, and there will be no haven from the wrath of the people. everywhere you go, they'll spit at you and damn you and fling manure and hot coals at you whenever you pass. If you go off on such a journey as I am comtemplating, it will undoubtedly be the end of your life as you know it. you will NEVER be able to return. and one so young as you, it would be a waste to throw away all the years you have ahead of you... I, on the other hand, am getting to be old... I've no family except for Esmerelda, and she is grown now, she no longer needs me to watch over her-"

"Just stop." Esmerelda said, breaking into the conversation and cutting off Rodrigeuz. Tears were visible streaking down her face for the second time that night

"Es..." Rodriguez began, sighing... "I already told you why I must do this... you've grown up to be a strong young woman. you're completely independent, to the point of being stubborn...you don't ne-"

"Just stop. Everyone I've ever cared about has been taken from me... my father, mother, and brothers were stolen by some she-bandit... and now you're going to be taken from me by this stupid quest to save the world...I should've known that I'd lose even you some day as well." with that, Esmerelda rose from her spot, walking off out of sight, and a moment later, she was gone... simply vanished.

"ES!!" Rodrigeuz called out, standing bolt upright as he scanned the area, failing to locate her... he realized that even if he could, it would just be best to leave her to herself right now... there was nothing he wanted to do more right now but run off to find her, but he knew that's exactly what he shouldn't do in this situation... he'd only make it worse, and so it was that he had only one real option, to stay right here... at least he was somewhat comforted by the fact that he'd taught her how to fight... she'd be fine on her own, even on a night like tonight when pickpockets and thieves and murderers were abound in the shadows of the festivities.

"I should've never taught the girl how to Lightwalk..." he muttered under his breath as he sat back down...

((Super, there's nothing Maximus can do about this. it's best to leave Esmerelda alone for now and not pursue her...))

Edited July 31, 2014 by Stratos

[Supernovae]

Maximus again listened intently as Rodriguez talked and Esemerelda seemingly vanished. He wanted to chase after her, but since Rodriguez hadn't made a move, he decided to stay put. Besides, Esmerelda's disappearance was hardly the first thing on his mind. Rodriguez's words had cut deep. Maximus had very little family and friends. Sure some of the other Ekarders had bonded with him, but none could truly accept him, not after knowing who his father was. His family consisted of his mother and no one else. But, still despite having very few people in his life, Maximus knew he couldn't risk their well-being. He leaned back and looked back over at Rodriguez.

"The House Steele, my house, it's almost in complete ruin. My family consists of myself and my mother, and friends are few and far between, especially due to the actions of my father. But, still, you're right I couldn't risk my mothers life or the people that have shown me friendship. But, remember this Rodriguez, you're also someone who has shown me friendship, so if your journey with the Sky Slayer begins tonight, just know that you'll always have an ally in the Drake Veil."

[Chevaleresse]

Matrim crept off toward the city as quickly as he could manage without making noise. What the hell were those things?

[Shamitako]

(OOC: Kill me now)

Amelia didn't bother to question Marshall's command. Not in the rush of the moment. Not when she could have died. Not when she had absolutely no idea what in the pit was happening and was really only just obeying because she was to confused and fearful to do otherwise. She ran over to the man, Atton Marshall had called him, and quickly recited as best she could:

"Lives night the again. Um, I mean, The living night again? No, Night again living the. Er..."

Her thought were to jumbled to speak clearly, she went through several combinations of the four words before landing on the right combination.

The night lives again!" She exclaimed finally.

She realized that she was scratching her stomach, as she tended to do when she was nervous. She consciously moved her hand to her side, suddenly conscious of how unkempt she looked for someone addressing an important official. Of course the conscious effort made the urge to scratch herself all the stronger. Still she held fast and awaited further instructions, risking a glance over her shoulder to see how Marshall was doing.

(OOC: It's so bad, I'm sorry ;n; I don't even remember in she knows Marshall's name...)

[Sutoratosu]

Masterweavile898

Atton said nothing upon hearing those dreadful words, simply drew his blade and stared fiercly in the direction that this...somewhat familiar looking young women had come from. Down the cobblestone street he saw nothing but a hooded man leaning against a wall, Clutching his left shoulder as if it were badly injured. There were no Nixeferians in sight... but even still, there were obvious signs that there had been some type of altercation. Atton decided it was worth investigating further, and to ask questions later. He sheathed his great sword, keeping a weary hand on the hilt just in case. His Cloak billowed in the wind as he walked off down the road, tiny pebbles being crushed under his stride as stooped next to the fallen man and pulled the hood back, his brows rasing in confusion when he saw his face. Laying there on the cobblestones, badly injured and bleeding from the shoulder and ribs... was none other than Marshell. Atton looked over at Amelia in the distance.

"What happened he..." He began, his voice dragging off, however, when he saw the pillar of light erupting from the Holy Grounds. the prophecy was about to be fulfilled.

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

"Enough..." Eros muttered to himself. He held up his right hand, palm facing outwards and cloaked in a strange silvery light, in his left sat an ancient tomb, the pages fluttering a the gentle night wind kissed their weathered, yellow faces. This was the first successful experiment he had had with this Taboo knowledge he held in his hands, the first one that hadn't resulted in near catastrophe.

"So the legends were true..." he muttered to himself as the Nix he had called forth began to dissolve into shining shards, forming themselves into flares of silver temporal energy, writhing and coiling as they arced through the air, returning to his hand, just as they had come. he quickly snapped his palm closed as soon as the very essence of Time itself had returned to it, overseeing what his handiwork had done on the street below. Marshall lay on the cobblestones a grievous wound in his Shoulder and side. It was obvious the man would bleed out in a matter of minutes if nothing was done; Not that Eros wouldn't intervene, he had only set out to test what he had learned, not to rack up a body count. this man would not die tonight... at least not because of his doing.

"The Chronomancers indeed existed" he continued, noticing a figure approaching the dying man and kneeling beside him. "And they left behind them this power... this tool fit for God himself" He slammed the book shut as the glow in his palm faded to nothing. " A tool that could well prove to be devastating beyond comprehension."

"Indeed, Eros, They left behind a terrible power, one that could easily end the world in the wrong hands."

The Guild master leapt back upon hearing the remark, startled on two accounts, that someone had so silently approached, and that whoever this person was, they were able to identify him.

"It was quite clever, I'll give you that." The voice continued. Try as he might, Eros had no idea where the hell it was coming from.

"What was Clever?" he asked rather defensively

"Oh, don't play dumb now. you're about to die, after-all," It was a different voice this time, and he could tell it was from behind him. he turned sharply, his eye's flaring white for a moment as he gathered the Sphere's Light within him, ready to conjure death and destruction at a moment's notice. There was no one standing there, however.

"So you may as well let that intellect shine one last time," the voice that had spoken before picked up. a flash of motion caught his periphery, but before he fire off a spell, an abnormally powerful gust of wind broke his focus, both causing him to lose the Sphere's light and Knocking the tomb he was carrying out of his hand, the book tumbling off the roof and falling to the stones of the street below. He again tried to call up Light from the Spheres, only to be hit by an even stronger gust, this one threatening to take him off his feet. As suddenly as it come, it vanished. he opened his eyes, having clenched them shut to protect from debris, and lowered his hands as he saw his current situation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRERZyvvhwY

"What's wrong, old friend?" Gilwyn asked. his eye's blazed a multitude of Colors, as were the eyes twenty other cloaked Magi surrounding Eros. it was clear they were preparing for a heated battle. "What?" he continued, almost playfully... like a lion toying with it's prey. "did you really think we'd never find out?"

Eros merely smiled ominously at that.

"What gave me away?" he answered, his own eyes now glowing every color of the rainbow. He had been wrong, there would be casualties tonight... Many, many casualties.

"That little library stunt you pulled not long ago." Gilwyn said simply, his anger rising "You bribed a librarian to switch your reading records with someone else... A man named Martim. I was ordered to kill His family and smear his name for his transgressing the old laws. That Librarian saw his face on a wanted bill and turned himself into me not long ago." Gilwyn paused for a moment, reaching up to his collar and undoing the chains holding his cloak in place. he held out the cloth and then let it fall loosely to the shingles. Eros said nothing as he listed the charges against him.

"You're time has come now," Gilwyn began. "for one count of hollowed treason, twenty-five counts of using the forbidden arts, several counts of obstructing me and my men from enforcing the old law, one count of attempted Pre-Regicide, and at least three counts of accessory to murder. You will have no trial. you will receive no due process. I, Gilwyn, Lord commander of Chimera White, and Disciple of the middle hand path of our Lord, hereby sentence you, Artel Erosin Noches, Class Five Sorcerer and Fugitive to the Law of GOD, to the fate of death for your crimes against mankind."

"Oh, very nice," Eros mocked "You got yourself an official rank and styling now, I see. You truly have come a long way, Gil, I'll admit that, but just remember, I taught you everything you know. I was your master. I plucked you out of the gutters of Redrashire and gave you a future. If you're really going to repay your debt to me for that by killing me, Then go on, give it your best attempt." He held his arms up, making his chest a perfect target for a spell to hit. he had no doubt that Gilwyn would really do it, would really kill him. It was what he himself had trained the boy for, after all. Ah yes, he could recall it now. it was how many years ago? ten? yes, ten is about right. oh, how things were different a decade ago. him as the Lord Commander of the notorious "Chimera White" unit, and Gilwyn as a scared little shit barely eeking out an existence in the alleys of a harsh city. He had given the boy a chance, he had given him purpose, a reason to live. he had taught him everything, all his skills, all his knowledge about magick, Gilwyn had been taught by Eros. and now here they were, ten years later... Him now a sorcerer, that god awful name given to those who chose to venture into darkness in order to gain knowledge of the light, and Gilwyn now the Lord Commander of Chimera white... now his Replacement. and here they stood, surrounded by men and women whom he himself had probably trained and led at some point in time. It was Ironic, really, how everything got this way. it had all started with an open book he had happened to glance at, and from there, it had escalated. he had wanted to find the knowledge he was supposed to guard against. not for power, but merely to take it out of the hands of those who would miss-use it. Yes... this whole situation was Ironic to an extreme. he had ended up doing exactly what he set out to prevent.

But Eros didn't care. he was so close to the truth now... the ultimate truth...the truth that would prove Azauqyar to be a false God. Even if his little decoy ploy by bribing the Library worker hadn't worked, he wasn't going to let this end here. It was tragic that this "Martim" fellow lost so much because of him. but that was collateral in the greater scheme of things. sometimes for the Greatest Possible good, a few innocents have to die; Sometimes for the Greatest Possible Good, Many had to die. And Gilwyn and all twenty of the fools surrounding him... were about to join the many.

"Very well then, Lord Commander" Eros called over a gale. Gilwyn wasn't sure... but it sounded like a bit of respect was in his old master's voice just then. "I just want to say this before the night is filled with all of your horrified screams: You, boy, you were like a son to me.

"I'm saddened that you were never able to see things as I do, and I'm even more saddened that I'll have to strike you down now."

"And you were like a Father to me," Gilwyn admitted. despite his trying not too, he could feel his eyes beginning to burn with tears. "I'm saddened that you chose to leave the forthright path, and It saddens me even more that Either of us would be poised to Kill the other at a moments notice. But when this night is over, the world will be changed for the better.... Because there'll be one less sorcerer in it."

He raised his index finger into the air, high above his head. The Cloaked Mages standing on the nearby roof tops took their cue, unleashing their Conjurations one by one. within seconds, Lightning sparked and crackled in the night air as countless tendrils of electricity arced toward Gilwyn and Came together in a Sphere, the smell of Burnt Ozone thick in the air as he seized control of the power crackling at his fingertip, willing it to mold itself into the form of a Lion with the additional head of a Goat and a tail that was a snake. He made no effort to stem to flow of tears streaking down his solemn face as the fearsome Construct leapt from his palm and to the roof below, shattering the shingles and letting out a roar that could be heard across the city.

"CHIMERA!!!!" Gilwyn called in a battle shout, rushing forward alongside the Construct he had just crafted, Twin Flames flickering to life in his palms, soon growing to cloak his entire forearms.

"CHIMERA!!!!!!" the other mages echoed out as they unleashed pure hell, so loud that it dwarfed the roar that the Lightning construct had let loose moments before. and not a single person on those rooftops at that moment noticed the pillar of light breaching the heavens in the distance.

Hukuna

"Sinbad, Look!" Boho called, pointing to the holy grounds, but more specifically, to the pillar of light piercing the heavens like a needle. "The main event of the night's starting!" as he spoke, he reached out his hand and placed it on sinbad's shoulder, a moment later both men vanished from sight, reappearing on a roof overlooking the Holy Grounds.

"Sorry bout that," Boho began. "Just thought I'd get us a better veiw." as soon as he finished speaking, some type of commotion sounded in the distance... he couldn't quite make out where it was coming from, but it sounded like some type of... war cry. "Sinbad..." He began, still trying to find the source of the noise. "Do you hear that too, or is my mind just playing tricks on me?"

Snap Crackle Pop

"We need to hurry the pace!" Erick called to Olivia, taking her hand in his and running to make it in time. Overhead a pillar of white energy pierced the heavens like a gleaming sword thrust through the heart of a dark giant. They were late,but if they hustled, they might make it before the Sky Lord re-arose. he had to admit, it was strange... so much had happened tonight... the shop had been robbed during his shift... he'd hunted the bastard who'd hit the place, only to become a drone under his control... damn near killed Deputy Boho... what else... Oh yes, he had found out that his mentor, Muya, had actually been alive all these years, even though every shred of common sense said that she should be dead...oh right, and know he was running to catch the Resurrection in the company of a lovely young woman.

Wait... he thought... Lovely? where the hell did that come from? I don't have any interest in her... do I? He cast a wayward glance back at Olivia, not really sure of that himself...maybe whatever that "Thief King" had done to his head had some lingering effects now? yes, that made sense. how could he have any interest in her, He barely knew this chick, only had met her about an hour ago, and had spent the better part of that hour wanting to strangle her along with the Burglar who had hit the shop. yes, it had to have been the effects from what ever that 'Lupai', fellow had done... how the hell else could it have been explained?

Supernovae , Typhlosionrulez, DobbyTheElf, Chimchain, Exlinx32, Kenny,

All fell silent in the Hollowed Grounds as soon as the Pope, Leanore Eeree, ascended the tower over looking the public square, beginning his address of the crowd as a pillar of light bloomed forth from the Holy Citadel, firing into the sky, straight and true like an arrow. the crowd roared in approval as he entered the final stages of his speech:

"For over four-hundred years, the world has waited for his return! for over Four-hundred years, the Sky-Slayer has walked the earth with near impunity! But the Lord Azuaqyar returns tonight! and when he does, Stratos shall Crumble before his divine might! Bellum Mandi Eccilum Adventicia!!!!!"

"Bellum Mandi, Eccilum, Adventicia!!!" the Swooning masses echoed.

As Ko'Luki and Marculo finally made their way into the Grounds, they found themselves quickly blocked by the mass of cheering bodies in the public square... there was no chance they'd get any further like this.

"Stay with him," Marculo ordered. "I'm going to find a priest. he'll have to be treated out here." With that said, he disappeared into the crowds.

King Murdoc

As Martim stood there on the lonely mountain road, ( soon to be a no longer a wanted man, though he did not know that,) A pillar of light blossomed forth from the spires of the Holy citadel, visible even this far away. the moment had come... the moment that the resurrection was finally going to begin... though, not like that mattered much to Martim, all things considered...

STRATOS

((Hell on Wheels))

"Unlock the damn door!" Stratos Ordered in a fury, his blade held to the neck of a young church soldier as another looked on in terror. the corridor was littered with the bodies of soldiers and officers who had been foolish enough to resist The Sky Slayer's Wrath.... These two were the only survivors out of the thirty men assigned to guard this entry way, and luckily for them, they were absolute cowards. "Do it now!" he continued, putting pressure on the blade, just enough to draw a little blood to let the boy know he was not playing about this. at the sight of the tiny streak of scarlet dripping down his friend's neck, the lad quickly stooped next to the dead body of his former Commanding Officer, fumbling at the corpses belt for the ring of keys there. try as he might, he simply couldn't get it loose, his hands were trembling far too much. "You have to the count of Five to have this Fucking door open!" Stratos hollered "Five...Four...Three...TWO..." the young soldier began to weep as he kept trying to release the keys from his COs belt, knowing that if he did not do it, and NOW, then they'd both be deader than dead. he had just managed to undo the latching mechanism when he heard the dreadful words from the Sky Slayer's mouth.

"One! Times Up!!!" He bellowed

"Wait!" the lad pleaded, holding up the ring of keys and unlocking the door, thrusting it open and then standing out of the way of this mad man. Stratos immediately shoved the soldier he had in a choke hold to the stone floor, the boy sputtering and gasping, having had the wind completely knocked out of him. Without a further word, the Sky Slayer stormed up the staircase on the other-side of the doorframe, it was not long before he encountered soldiers who had been sent to check what the commotion below was about, but they met the same ends their comrades had, cut down as if they were merely saplings. He reached the landing of the second story of the Citadel, trying the knob and finding the door locked, probably by the soldiers he had cut down on the way up here. this would not stop him, however. nothing would stop him... he had a monster to put down. He took a quick step back, holding his sword out before him as he tuned the Aria of the Sun, his eyes flaring an angry crimson as he gathered energy from the Fire of the Spheres within his body. A moment later, he had willed the energy he'd channeled into his blade, and The steel cut through that door like it was made of hot butter.

"Halt there, fiend!" a voice ordered from down the hall of the second story wing. Stratos recognized it immediately. he had encountered one of the Arch Commanders, along with three dozen soldiers assembled in a phalanx, blocking his path further in.

"I will only tell you this ONCE!" He thundered, Sheathing his blade and redirecting the Energy he'd been resonating in it to manifest in a Conjuration, twin fires erupting on either of his fist. "Stand down, NOW! If you resist, I show no mercy this night!"

"I'd sooner burn in a bout of hell-fire then surrender to a whore son like yourself!" the Arch commander responded. Whether he thought so or not, he had just successfully signed the death warrants of himself and all three dozen of his men. A dark grin spread on Stratos's face, his Golden eye's flaring with ferocity that most people died after they saw from him.

"Be Careful what you fucking wish for then!" As soon as the words left his mouth, he flared the Flames in his fist, sending out a torrent of hot, Ethereal flames that tore through the ranks of the phalanx as soldier after soldier fell to the floor, screaming in horror s the stench of burning flesh issued into the area. He stormed down the corridor, only stopping when the Arch commander reached up from the floor and grabbed his leg, the man's face was severely burned from having been at the fore front of the spell. Stratos was actually surprised the man was still alive.

"Whore...Son..." He wheezed, the man's hand went limb the next moment. it's a damn shame really... Stratos thought to himself as he continued on, coming up fast on the door leading to the next flight of stairs. all the things he could've said with those dying breathes, how much he had loved his wife and children, how he regretted that he could but die once for his cause... and he chooses to waste them insulting me... he was almost to the stairs now... only three more levels after this. he once again drew his blade, calling up more energy from the Sphere's Fire, his sword taking on a hot scarlet glow as he initiated a resonance in it. the next moment he was slashing apart the next door way, rendering it to nothing but burnt splinters as he crashed through into the next flight of stairs.

The blood of the Four-Winged One would flow through the streets tonight... that much was certain...

Edited August 12, 2014 by Stratos

[Felicity]

As the proceedings marched on, Darius was swept away by the euphoria amidst the crowd, and when the pillar of light burst into life, he could not help but cheer alongside those surrounding him. A small voice in the back of his head lamented his actions, but it was drowned out by the roar of the masses. Besides, who could blame him? a beloved god was returning, there was nothing malevolent about that, right?

[Aurorix]

As the the people cheering and celebrating this moment, Zolivar didn't. He never really believed in god. The only reason he came to the ceremony is to see of his disbeliefs held any weight. He just sat in his chair gazing at the shining light coming from the sky, while also drinking his ale.