Tales of the Second Great War, The Downfall of Avalon

[Laucorn]

Several soldiers, warriors and adventurers were ushered, bound into the ring by several Stormknights and a howling Reaper. Their bonds were loosed and they were allowed some moments to stretch and get feeling back into the limbs.

Judah turned toward them, as the Stormknights threw extra swords, pikes, spears, crossbows, katars into the ring. Slaughter was fun, but slaughtering prey that tries to fight back was far more fun to those of Stormrage. Judah rests his axe like weapon on his shoulder as he waited.

Several of the men and women did grab the weapons, a few simply cowered, and either was welcome to the Convictor.

Before he could react an explosion erupted on the left flank of the 30 odd warriors in the battlefield. It blew six of them into pieces of flesh and gore instantly, and injured several others. The blast leveled all of them left as well knocking them over from the sheet force.

Judah looked back over his shoulder to see Walking Joe lowering his arm.

“My trajectory was off. Recalibrate.” Die Panzer Ritter ordered.

“Wind is coming from the East at 4kmph.” Spoke the second knight with a slight accent.

Judah looked back to see most of those that had survived and gotten to their feet. They had enough sense to scatter. Some charged directly at him, others ran along the sides of the arena at high speed. He was pleased these warriors all had some cunning and fight in them.

About 7 of them drew close with spears, swords and pikes. Judah let them get close before suddenly blocking their attacks, his strength great enough to knock all of them back. Some even fell off his feet. He didn’t waste any time posturing any longer; within an instant one man’s body was cut through with his huge axe, his torso falling in twain at a 45 degree angle. Judah grabbed one of the fallen and hurled him into a rushing comrade. He felt a blade hit his back, and shatter. The attacker looked stunned only to get a back-fist from the Convictor’s spiked gauntlet that fatally injured. He brought his axe down bisecting another man with symmetry. He slahed out to his side hitting another with a deep gashing cut. Slamming his axe into the ground he grabbed yet another that decided to attack and held the man over his head. He brought the man down upon his knee breaking his back, dropping him at his feet. Judah then punted the man across the arena, killing him if he wasn’t already. All his victims faces were white with horror and agony.

The crowd had gone wild in their fervor and chanting for death.

Other warriors were trying to rush the Cannon Knights. They converged on them from all sides. Knights one and three rammed into their attackers and shattered bone with the sheer ferocity of their shoulder charges.

Walking Joe let another warrior stab at his armor just to watch to blade crack and slide off; it didn’t even scuff his armor. The warrior backed up going pale, and was soon propelled upward spewing blood, and wailing in agony.

Walking Joe watched the man for a moment before aiming his right arm, using his left to crush another random attacker. His eyes began to glow red. “Range: approximately 150 meters and rising. Elevation: 85 degrees. Wind: is now moving at 3 km per hour from the east, locked.” He fires a blast of mana from his arm and the man was consumed by a horrible white light blowing apart in flames and gore. The crowd was ecstatic.
“Sir, one is trying to scale the wall.” Cannon Knight two mentioned as he was recalibrating his aim after trying to blast a more mobile target.

“Understood.” Walking Joe stated turning toward the would-be fugitive, who indeed in sheer will and panic was climbing the wall desperately. The man was climbing up toward the bleachers of the audience. This didn’t factor into the mindset of Walking Joe.

Judah had killed all but one of his attackers holding the man in the air as he was crushing his neck slowly, when he noticed the Cannon Knight aiming right at the audience itself.

“Max, stop you crazy bastard!!” Judah screamed calling the Cannon Knight by his birth name.

“Range: 200 meters. Elevation: 65 degrees. Wind: maintains previous data indicated.” Walking Joe fired, the crowd’s cheering stopped and half the crowd scattered as he fired.

The man turned around to see a strange light then his world was dark, the blast tore through the bleachers and killed several, and sent others flying on fire. This blood sport was truly a crazy game.

Judah looked in shock for a moment. He had forgotten Walking Joe would shoot at a general area regardless of whom or what was standing by if he was targeting. Judah enjoyed carnage with his psychotic bloodshed, but Joe was different. To Joe it was as simple as lighting a candle. The man was a sociopath, to say the least.


Klaus looked from his end of the stadium, “They must be crazy to let him fight. Do they all want to be blown to bits? I don’t think Lord Melior will be pleased. We’re supposed to make troops not blow them up.”

“These guys are crazy!” screamed a soldier in the arena. “That man just blew up his own allies.” He didn’t get to say anything else as Judah rushed him grabbing him with his massive hand and smashed him into a wall…soaking it red with the soldier’s blood.

Cannon Knight three looked as his superior worried. “Lord Panzer Ritter…I’m not sure that was wise to use that much power.”

Walking Joe didn’t reply to that he simply looked about his sensors scanning for remaining mobile targets. “5 remaining enemy targets; begin to recalibrate. ”

His knights said nothing, and were about to obey but they had no chance to act as Judah had rushed the other mobile soldiers and took them down quickly…he even spared a few for the sake of Walking Joe not firing at the audience again.

“The man scares me…and that’s not easy to do.” Judah thought. “He more like a Reaper than a Cannon knight.”

Walking Joe simply stood there and watched Judah rebind the last few prisoners, the crowd was quiet not sure what to make of what happened. Judah looked around and held up his axe and roared in victory…a few moments later the crowd emulated his action.

Walking Joe finished his scanning. “All enemy targets neutralized, resetting cannon protocols.” He turned and waddled off slowly, his knights followed.

Melior simply watched…tapping his fingers on the arm rest of his throne the other hand to his chin.

Judah walked up to below Melior and Adrian’s box and held up several heads of those he had slain. “For milord Melior, milady Adrian and for the glory of Lord God Temonta, all hail!”

The crowd hailed their rulers…Judah hoped he could distract Melior’s possible anger over the Sociopath Cannon Knight’s rash actions.

Klaus simply smirked. “How silly it all is…”

This post has been edited by Laucorn on Dec 19 2011, 10:52:59 PM

[A-Man]

Melior took his seat with a grin as he looked out over the arena. He watched as the one he called for jumped out to meet the challenge. The brute knew how to make an entrance to be sure. Yet when the wall in the arena exploded Melior tilted his head in curiosity. He watched the Cannon Knights enter and just laughed nodding his head. "They do like to have fun." He said and scratched at his chin with a thought before watching as they moved into action.

The fighting was brutal and with each passing moment more died. The blood and carnage fueled the party in the crowd and only made Melior laugh out even more. He was having quite a good time, he always loved watching a test of skill to see who came out the better being. As Judah went on a rampage throwing these slaves around like toys Melior gave a chuckle of approval, as he expected of one of his army.

Keeping an eye on everything Melior watched as one of the slaves tried to escape by climbing up... which didn't seem to make sense since their were a lot of large angry people up there he would have to get through. It didn't matter much as suddenly the man exploded killing a few spectators around him as well. The sudden carnage he hadn't really expected brought a wide grin to his face as he looked to the large Cannon Knight causing such mayhem.

As Judah quickly finished off the last of the men and approached Melior let a thought run through his head as he looked down at him. He then smiled and clapped his hands before rising up to his feet. Looking to his side to Adrian and than back down he gave a small laugh that soon grew louder until it thundered across the arena. "Yes, all hail Temnota! I am proud of you... and you're friends. But to fight slaves is... no challenge. Nobody outside Stormrage can challenge one of us!" Melior said as he grinned rather... scarily.

"So, since you have warmed you're blood and tasted death let us have the true challenge begin!" Melior said as he suddenly stepped off the platform. Instead of falling though he started to descend through the air as if walking on steps. With each 'step' he took what looked like small sparks of lightning sprang from his feet. Once more he continued to laugh letting his voice fill the arena... his descent having made it quite silent.

This was a spectacle none wished to meet... for none had truly seen their lord fight... his will alone could make men shake... to face him in combat was a terror... yet an honor. "Judah Bloodstroke and Maxwell Eichmann, prove your perfection. Prove your superiority. Stand and fight when others would wallow." Melior called out his voice booming as he came upon the arena floor.


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


As Aonair continued making marks on his papers he felt eyes boring into the back of his head. Becoming a beast who hunted constantly he could feel when he was being watched. He tried to ignore it at first but with each minute it went on he started to lose control as his foot started to tap. He felt like he was being hunted... he hated it. He was never going to be the prey again... he was only the predator.

"Do you have a question? Is there a reason you're staring so intently at me?" Aonair said suddenly as he turned his head to look over his shoulder at her. "Last I remember of society it was rude to stare so intently." He said his voice portraying his annoyance.

[Alarai]

Adrian smiled gently from her position in the stands. She sat, legs crossed, and her fingers toying at a glass of wine that had been given to her during Judah and Joe's fight. Her eyebrow quirked when Melior descended into the ring of battle. Intrigued, she waited, sipping at the blood red liquid in her glass, and watching as she could practically see the thirst of battle oozing from Melior's skin.

[Laucorn]

“Fight you?” Judah questioned, it did intrigue him. “As you wish…”

He said no more and rushed at the tall lanky Melior his axe raised he tried to blitz him to close the distance as fast as possible.

Walking Joe had almost exited the arena when he stopped and pivoted on his axis slowly turning around. “…New orders received.”

“Fighting Melior?!” questioned the third knight named Grogan.

“That’s madness…” Vargas the second knight spoke.

“Can we even begin to harm him?” wondered the first knight named McDonald.

“Range: 345 meters. Elevation: 86 degrees. Wind: approaching at 4 km per hour from the west.” Walking Joe answered with his aiming calculations. “Mana charge set to full. Fire.”

He fired a huge shot that flew through the air and arced downward at Melior. He simply watched to see if his aim was correct.

[A-Man]

As Judah answered his call and charged at him Melior laughed nodding his head in approval. "Yes, let the fun begin!" He yelled with more laughter as he looked over a little at Walking Joe. As the Cannon Knight fired at him Melior raised his hand and as the magic infused shell came cascading at him a bolt of lightning shot from his hand exploding the shell in the air. As a grin crept onto his face Melior looked back to Judah as the large man came rushing forward at him. Meliors eyes became pure black voids as he raised his foot and gave a roar.

Bringing his foot down lightning sparked form his feet just as it connected. The ground started to shake and Judah lost his balance just as he was about to swing his axe. Stepping to the side Melior evaded the large axe and before the large man could correct another attack Melior put his hand against his side and appeared to push. Yet as he did lightning sparked from his hand and Judah was sent flying and sliding across the ground. Laughing in enjoyment he looked over as Walking Joe fired off another shot while those Cannon Knights who were with him had escaped out of the arena.

As the shell came racing down Melior raised his hand once again and a bolt of lightning shot out. This time however the shell did not explode, it only stopped in mid air surrounded by sparks of lightning traveling around it. "Let me give you a taste of you're own medicine friend." Melior said with a laugh as he waved his hand and the shell turned around shooting down back at Walking Joe. Melior watched idly to enjoy the aftermath but was drawn out of his idleness as Judah came rushing forward jumping into the air slightly to bring his axe down with more force.

Once more Melior eyes became blackened pits as his whole body suddenly was wrapped in lightning. Just as Judah brought his axe down a bright flash shined out and when he could see again he found that his axe had hit only the ground. Sensing something behind him Judah rolled to his right and watched as a bolt of lightning went flying where he had once been. It crashed into the wall of the arena causing an explosion though nobody had been killed. Judah looked back to see Melior standing with lightning still surrounding his body, his black filled eyes staring straight at him.

"Good instincts." Melior said and after those words he raised a hand to his right and as the lightning spread out from his hand it stopped another shell that had been fired. Melior looked over to see Walking Joe who apparently had not been hit from before. Melior laughed and turned his open hand into a fist causing the shell to explode. He lowered his hand and stared from one man to the other before laughing out. It appeared as if his eyes were getting darker with each passing second if it were at all possible. Yet for those above in the stands they got an even stranger sight. For his shadow, which had before matched his form, was now growing large and taking the form that none could explain.

And for those considered of a higher status, beings considered greater. Such as those Dracorde that watched, something else was in the air as well. Whispers, almost silent whispers. They could not be understood, except by one, the Dracorde closest to Melior in the seat next to where his had been. To her, the whispers were able to be heard completely. "A requiem for the Lost One." The whispers said but soon quieted as Melior himself quieted. He looked from Judah to Walking Joe before nodding his head slightly. "I've had my fun.. for now. Wouldn't want to kill those that have earned life." He said as slowly his eyes returned to normal as did his shadow.

"Well done, Judah Bloodstroke and Maxwell Eichmann. You were willing to strike at me... and able to survive the reprisals. As a reward..." Melior said as he thought about it, rubbing his chin slightly. "Ah, yes. As a reward, when our conquests are done I will let you chose which city to take as you're own!" Melior said which the crowd cheered to. It wasn't as simple as it sounded really, for many knew that only Generals and other high ranked members close to Melior were allowed to rule cities in his stead after they were to be conquered. So in effect, the two that had attacked him were given the status of Champions.

[Laucorn]

The battle was over, and the crowd was silence as they listened to Melior congratulating the two.

Judah feeling in awe of the avatar’s power kneeled before his master in respect. His body ached, but he liked the pain. It was the pain of a worthy foe. “I thank you for your mercy, milord Melior; and I thank you for offering us such a chance.”

Walking Joe had crossed his arms in an X in front of his face. His armor was smoking and a bit scuffed, but surprisingly it wasn’t noticeably damaged. He lowered his arms as he heard Melior’s words; it appeared the fight had ended. The idea of a city interested him somewhat, but nowhere near to the level of Judah.

“An enemy that cannot be easily blown apart.” The Cannon Knight thought to himself. “I must consult with the mages, blacksmiths and my peers. Those powers seemingly dispel or alter the trajectory of my shots.”

Walking Joe stood there for a moment his mind working, finally he replied to Melior. “I am honored, Lord Melior. I see, I must refine my weapons in the future.” With that he turned and simply left. He had to finish working on the weapon; the weapon he and his brother cannon knights planned to level Avalon with at the time of the attack.

“He isn’t one for making small talk I’m afraid, milord…” Judah apologized for what could be deemed curt of Joe’s actions.

“Quite the show.” Klaus thought, sitting with his legs crossed, one hand resting on his hand. “I’m glad I didn’t get involved in such a farce.”

The crowd cheered, in their zealous, insane chants. They loved it, this would be a day to remember at the arena.

This post has been edited by Laucorn on Dec 21 2011, 06:00:12 PM

[Alarai]

As she sat high in the sky, watching the skills of her master unfold, she failed to stop smiling; his skills and power something she could appreciate in full. Sipping at her wine, she observed and watched in earnest, as Melior seemed to manipulate the world around him to his benefit. She chuckled softly at the seemingly playful nature she saw within him as he battled with Judah and Joe, until she felt a sense of confusion and alarm settle deep within her chest.

At first, she thought it was Melior's call that she felt, but when she felt a more primal response within her, she knew she felt the unsettling feelings of her fellow Dracorde. As leader, when she gave her soul to Melior, to manipulate and use to do with it whatever he so pleased, it linked the souls of the Dracorde to her; thus allowing to feel when something was wrong. She could feel the growls of her people within her, and rose from her seat moments before one of her Dragonkin landed in the stands beside her.

"What is going on?" she asked, turning to the young woman with sparkling emerald eyes and long tendrils of ebony hair. "Why are the others so unsettled?"

"Do you not hear them, my Queen?" the Dracorde asked, looking around momentarily before settling her eyes back on her leader. "Can you not hear the whispers?"

Then, suddenly, a chill ran up her spine, and it felt as it two cold hands had wrapped around her upper arms. She felt breath on her neck, and heard a sharp whisper; hissing to her "A requiem for the Lost One," before departing and allowing her arms to warm once more. The young Dracorde looked at her with interest, a perfectly sculpted eyebrow quirked. "Adrian, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Maria," Adrian whispered, turning to look towards the finished fight, and the crowds that were cheering in its aftermath. "Just...tell the others not to worry about it."

"You heard them," Maria stated without censorship. "I mean...you HEARD them. What did they say?"

"That's none of your business," Adrian snapped. "You need not worry about such trivial things," she finished, dismissing the young Dracorde with a wave of her hand. "Now go. Wherever you should be...it isn't here."

Maria huffed, and left her leader; allowing Adrian to fully turn towards Melior, who had turned to look up at her.

I'll ask him about it later...

[Lady Nicole]

Wendolyn tilted her head, her cold blue eyes unblinking, as she spoke calmly. "Is it? I have not lived in society in a long time." Her tone darkened. "Prey often keeps an eye on their predator, no?" She had lived more as a beast than woman for long enough that it was almost instinct. Perhaps a part of her was looking for weakness or perhaps she simply was annoying her captor in the only way she could.

She smiled after a moment, her tone returning to normal. "A question, yes, I have one. May I have some clothing?" Her smile was not large or joyous, but of someone who was slightly amused.

[Lord Ares]

Caddy wasn't going to argue with walking. It certainly felt a great deal easier than trying to get the hang of commandeering a horse. The Magus giggled to herself, at her companion's question. "I like them all really, but that's not a real answer… mm." Cadence thought about it for a moment and it was clear to her. "Ah… well, I like the teardrop belle the most. You know the purple flower that droops over?" She was describing a less common flower in the courtyard, not due to rarity or anything; it just didn't fit in well with most of the other designs and was used sparingly. "I don't know why, I just always liked it. It seemed almost like a sad little kid or something, often alone in the garden."

She then scratched her head nervously. "Erm… how about you?"

---

Henn glanced at Marshal, who glanced back. "They know you." He said in his usual calm tone, causing the young noblewoman to stare down at them carefully. "I… may have seen them once or twice before… err, ahem, you may stand. Though I require to know your identification and why you refer to me… someone who is dead to my people."

Marshal shrugged to himself mostly, he recognized them a bit more. It was his job to never forget a face after all. They however, probably would never recognize him, despite himself. No one ever remembered Marshal.

---

Elea was once again amazed with her sister's control of nature. Elea had often admitted to herself that she wished she had been born with a talent like her sibling; it was far more interesting than stringing a bow! She tried her best to never let it weight on her… after all, in her eyes, her sister deserved better for her hard work. And yet, she never got that recognition she deserved. It was exciting though and worth everything, she felt, to see her sister this driven and this energetic.

It reminded her of when they were still young… and the same.

[Alarai]

Emery thought on the question, and tightened her hold around her horse's reigns. "Lillies," she answered, her voice slightly more hushed than it had been before. "Tiger lillies specifically. They are almost never seen in Avalon, solely because they clash with the royal family's crest colors, but...they were my sister's favorite, and have been mine for quite a while."

[Lady Nicole]

Bratu stood and opened his mouth to address the two, only to have his sister hop up and wrap her arms around Henrietta's waist."Oh Lady Arterberry! I knew we'd find you!" Bratu looked at Henrietta and Marshal awkwardly. "Ah, um, my Lady, we are Bratu and Danica, your loyal servants from the Kasun family." His face hardened. "Though our family name means little now."

He chose not to elaborate and instead took his sister's shoulder and pulled her from Henrietta. "We came to continue in your service, Lady Arterberry." He bowed his head and his sister did as well. "Yes, we found you because we knew we couldn't serve the new masters! It's... Just not right!" Danica said with a smile.

---

Though they ran for what seemed like forever, the two could still not see the edge of the forest. Aria seemed to lose her steam after a while and the two stopped. Breathing heavily she caused a tree to sprout and grow under them, lifting them off the dangerous floor of the forest. She sat on a limb for a while and was silent except for her breathing.

After she caught her breath, she sighed. "I guess I should have thought this through a bit more." Aria looked around, but she didn't seem discouraged. "How far have we been hidden in these woods? How much did the world reject us, or how much did they hurt us?"

[Alarai]

Resting peacefully by her oasis, Cyradel dazed; her eyes glowing a deeper blue as she seemed to meditate on the past. She envisioned the lives of the Ancients when they still roamed the earth. Sure, it was never 'peaceful', but it was never war infested like it was now. There were no real quarrels for supreme power. If war broke out, it was a quick fight to keep peace, not to completely destroy it.

Cyndargosa rested beside her master, gently brushing her paw around the fish that swam in the oasis; unaware of the surroundings around her, before she quickly raised her head and stared deep into the woods. The panther's shackles rose, but her hair didn't rise in danger. She began to rise, but Cyradel rested her hand on the giant cat's head and nodded.

"I can feel them," the druid whispered. "They manipulate the woods around us, but they are wise enough not to destroy it. They are not a danger to us, dear friend of mine, and they will join use soon enough. Do not worry."

The panther grumbled, and rested her head near the water again, but instead of being focused on the fish in the pond, kept her eyes trained at the opening that led into the only path that led to them.

[A-Man]

Melior looked from one man to the other and laughed a bit as he nodded his head. He watched the Cannon Knight leave the arena before staring down at Judah. "No need for apologies or reparations. This is a time to be merry, to be drunk on conquest. To look down at our enemies and laugh as we have them driven before us!" Melior said clenching his hand into a fist. Lightning started to swirl around his shoulder before it slowly swirled down his arm. "We are one Judah." Melior said looking down at him with serious eyes.

"There is no single being... there is no single belief... save one." He said raising his hand up and pointing around. "Stormrage... Temnota's paradise on this mortal plane. We are one, we are Stormrage. We are Temnota... and we are perfect." He said as he brought his hand down and grabbed onto Judah's helm. The lightning fired down from his arm and straight into the large Tyrant. The first thing was the pain, excruciating pain that seemed like it would never end. Yet it soon brought through into a feeling of pure power, a primal strength and need for more. It was the Blessing of Temnota, a gift given to few.

Feeling that Judah had gotten more than he had deserved Melior nodded to himself and turned away. Walking back the way he came he slowly started to rise up into the air before getting back to his seat. When he arrived he smiled to Adrian and extended a hand to her. "I believe we have had our fun. Let us go back to my quarters." He said taking her hand and leading her back to the Citadel.

After some time they arrived in his room and he walked in letting her go. He went to his desk and started to look a few things over. As his hands moved over the papers they suddenly stopped and his form seemed to stand still, not an inch of his body seeming to do anything. Not even his chest moved from breathing, it was as if he had been suddenly frozen in time.

"No escape, binding spirits." A voice called, Melior's lips moved yet the sound of the voice seemed to come from everywhere at once. It was indomitable, it was inescapable. "No escape, bound in time and space. Ragged descendants of the Black Rune, directing the summoning of the stolen soul." The voice said and Melior turned around, his eyes pitch black as empty voids as his body seemed to shift between his own two forms. "The Reaper shouts, the Specter comes and combined they will open the eye of fire reminiscing majesty. The wild hearts run, letting loose the guided. And the abysmal eye will find the vessel. Opening his hand in your hand, holding your eyes to the future. Letting go of primal instincts to make way for omnipotence. The warning is final, with the demon with eyes of deeper. The demon skin is covered, in dark mist of transcending light."

The voice rang out, it was final. Yet it's words were unknown, nonsensical. And with each sounding it was as if the room itself got smaller and tighter against her chest. The darkness that swirled forth from mere syllables from lips unseen was unimaginable. As it cleared Melior shook his head as he returned to his own kind of normal. Looking around he shrugged slightly and went back to looking through the maps on his desk. "That was odd." He muttered to himself.


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


Aonair growled at her words and looked away. Even though he knew it was the truth he still disliked being called a predator... an animal. A beast to stalk the land seeking out those that still have life so that he may take it for himself. Somewhere deep down in the pit of his stomach it sickened him, yet he couldn't fight it. This was what he was now, and he would go on living like this as long as he could. His thoughts were interrupted when she asked him if she could have any clothes. Growling his annoyance he quickly got up and walked over to the cage.

He was getting tired from all the questions and having done what he had already done that day. Staring down at her in the cage he shook his head and walked over to where he kept his armor. He took off his armor and after making sure it was all set down right looked back at her. Reaching down he took off his shirt revealing his body covered in what looked like chains as well as scars. Throwing the shirt at the cage he stared at her for a minute before walking over to his bed. "There, now let me rest." He said falling onto it. In his times between large feedings he usually got pretty tired. His body feeling achy from the need.

[Alarai]

Adrian sighed softly as he claimed her, and allowed him to take her hand once more. They walked to the Citadel in companionable silence, and watched as the citizens of Stormrage drank and discussed the fight between Joe, Judah and Melior animatedly. Barely noticeable, she tightened her hold on his hand, and allowed him to lead her up the winding staircases until they reached his quarters. His hand fell away from hers, and silently she moved to the balcony; crossing her arms over her chest as she listened to the rustling of papers that were scattered across his desk. Suddenly, a feeling of terror settled over her, and she turned to see Melior looking at her with empty, black eyes.

She could hear the words, but couldn't really hear them. Instead, she felt each word digging into her flesh; the flesh that wished to fall away to the strong bones of her dragon form. Her hands shook slightly, and her eyes remained wide as this omnipresent voice seemed to swirl around her without any intention of leaving her be. She felt fear much stronger than her own build up, and soon the terrifying voice that seemed to suffocate her was filled with multiple others.

The first she could recognize, was Silas - a dracorde that was always loyal to her and her father, and was a strong military influence to this day. The loud booming of his voice sent shots of pain through her head, which, when coupled with the hissing whispers of this demonic entity, was enough to make her believe her head would split entirely in half.

"Adrian, what the hell is going on?"

"Nothing, Silas. It's nothing."

"Don't start that bullshit with me. Something is seriously wrong. I felt it back in the arena, and it's even stronger now. Where are you? I'm coming to find you."

"Do, Silas, and I swear to Temnota I will kill you," she spat from her mind, the sweet nothings being whispered in her ear enough to make her feel blood thirsty and angry. "Just...just listen to me! As of right now, there is nothing to worry about. Trust me, you'll know if I need you.

He never responded, and soon a much louder, and more crippling voice slammed into her mind with a force she couldn't explain. She grasped at the edges of the balcony and gasped in pain; her knees buckling slightly and straining to hold the weight of her body up. She felt scared; like at any second she would be consumed by this never ending darkness that would tear at her skin and gnaw her at her bones until time itself stopped. Tears streamed down her face as pain wracked her body and the dying, screeching voice of her mother sent her to her knees.

"WE WERE MORE THAN THIS ADRIAN! WE AS A PEOPLE, ARE MORE STILL! YOU DISGRACE US! AND WHEN THE DAY COMES THAT YOU FALL FROM YOUR HELL-STAINED SKIES, NO MERCY SHALL FALL UPON WHAT REMAINS OF YOUR SOUL!"

Without heed the voices stopped, and Adrian instantly flushed when she noticed that Melior was no longer looking at her with eyes consumed by a void. Her chest clenched, and with her pride shattered, she moved to stand; but froze when she pulled her hands from her ears and noticed that her ivory flesh was painted crimson with her blood.

"What...what is going on?"

This post has been edited by Alarai on Dec 29 2011, 09:37:45 PM

[Lady Nicole]

((Inactive for a while, closing and archiving, PM if you wish for it to be reactivated.))