Lionguard, The Human Capital.

[Ignitedstar]

Kirin kept close to the Chapel, in the event that one of the Holy Knights unhonorably attacked her if she were to stray too far. They were watching; it wouldn't have to necessarily be the exact five persons whom she saw at the Church that were spying, but someone affiliated with them was performing the surveillance. I have no secrets to hide, Kirin thought to herself, only leaving for the occasional snack.

When Kirin thought about it, Alduin had finished his trial. Was it because Kirin was not there? The question crossed her mind, over and over again. Now that she had pondered about it, Alduin had never mentioned his trial. She would have to ask him, later.

Kirin entered the Chapel well before dusk. She was not nervous, only impatient. "The less time I spend here, the more time I have to find Tanis before we leave." Tanis was a priority at this point. Even to find Syldaine would be fortunate. Kirin walked alone within the carpeted foyer of the Chapel. The priest that had locked her within the circular room was waiting, as expected. "We knew you would come early," the priest smiled, and opened the chamber.

Kirin did not stop. "I can only move forward," she said to the priest. He nodded with respect, locking the door as Kirin walked in.

"So you've come," Mexillian was the first to answer. He stood as the door greeter. Kirin found this rather excessive. This was not how Kirin remembered Ruputan's trial. His was much more... alien. "Oh, but I'm not the first. He is. Mexillian was pointing to one of the knights that Kirin didn't know.

"I am," the armored one agreed. It was a man... a young one, at that.

"So young," Kirin mentioned. "You must be talented."

"Thank you!" It sounded too happy for a warrior. "I have always admired you."

"Which one of us doesn't, Thomas?" A voice whispered in the background. It sounded like Jerhin.

"My name is Thomas Arlin," the young man introduced himself. "I will be your first opponent. But, just because I'm the first, doesn't mean you should take me lightly."

"One must never judge a book by its cover." Kirin smiled.

Mexillian moved from his door greeting position to the side of the room. "Get ready, you two." Kirin drew her sword. The Judged glimmered slightly in the darkened room, lit only by the candles and torches that sat lazily. Thomas unsheathed his sword, as well. It produced a deafening screech as he revealed it. A couple of seconds passed. "Begin!"

Thomas charged first, lodging his sword towards his chest. That position isn't effective if you run carelessly, Kirin watched closely. It was a very terrible stance. So many errors... He was the fifth strongest? When Thomas came to striking range, he held his sword overhead. As he withdrew it, the sword sparkled with light. The entire room flashed momentarily as it dived to the ground. Kirin had already gone behind Thomas. As the tip of the sword hit the tile, holy aether screamed from the impact. Kirin was impressed. That much aether in that little time?

It didn't occur to Kirin at first, but it eventually came. When Thomas turned around, realizing that Kirin was already out of sight, she laughed. "You learned that from me." Thomas admitted it; Kirin was the first to perform that. "Focus the aether at the tip of the blade, instead of the entire blade itself. Then you achieve an explosion effect upon impact." He wasn't trying to hit Kirin; he was trying to be a show off.

"It's your technique," Thomas readied himself to charge again. His stance was completely different from the last. He hilted his sword forward, pointing forwards instead of upward. He could move from a sweep to a jab easily. He pivoted his feet, allowing him to change his swiping direction if Kirin avoided. "But I improved on it. After awhile, I realized that its easier focus the aether at the hilt of the blade instead at the tip. Then when you attack, the aether is overcome by the force of the blade, and does the work for you. You can concentrate much more aether this way." Thomas ran forward again, his sword flashing.

He intends to hit me, this time. There was no point in striking sword with sword, Kirin would lose. Avoiding it wouldn't work, either; even if Kirin swayed to the side or backed away, Thomas was ready for it. When he approached closely, he lunged his blade forward. Kirin didn't have an option; when Thomas slowed down to make the hit, Kirin feigned to counter with her sword. Thomas was expecting them to hit, but Kirin withdrew it quickly, running past him during the momentary confusion. It came as a surprise, and it left Thomas open, so with Kirin's free arm, she bashed Thomas on the helmet. It wouldn't hurt, but the sound would echo.

Thomas puts all of his strength into one hit, but he's always ready to guard... This was bothersome. "Come on, do something!" Mexillian growled at Kirin. They wanted her to act first... It seemed that Thomas wanted that, too. He waited too long for her attack back, because that's what he wanted. "This is not a show," Kirin replied, grumbling. She sighed; this had to end, but she wanted it to be at Thomas' fault. However, it appeared that Kirin wouldn't get what she had wanted.

Kirin stood still. She's planning something! Thomas prepared himself. She was waiting for that. Kirin ran towards Thomas with blistering speed. She decided to copy Thomas: she rose her sword as she charged, and it flashed. It caught his attention quickly as his stance changed to block an overhead attack. Kirin had hit him earilier as a sign that she uses her free arm as well as her sword, but Thomas didn't catch on. He would pay dearly for that. Kirin swung her blade at Thomas', and they glowed together, dancing in a sea of aether. Thomas was trapped, he used both of his arms to hold the sword to block the attack; the heavy blow was faked. Kirin made no effort to even bother overwhelming his strength. She readied her free arm and smashed it onto Thomas' shoulder, and he flinched, wide open. Quickly, Kirin shifted her weight to her other hand, swinging her sword towards Thomas' flank. The only way he could survive the lethal blow is to fall to the ground and hope for the best, so he did.

Time stopped. Kirin was very still. The Judged had touched Thomas' armor. It was merely a scratch. She couldn't see Thomas' face, but something told her that he closed his eyes, regretting something. "Victory is mine," Kirin said. "One must not judge a book by its cover."

Mexillian sighed heavily. He let his arms fall to the ground, appearing as though they weighed several hundred pounds. "That was pathetic... Come on, Kirin. I was expecting something flashy, like how you killed Ruputan."

Kirin did not answer. This trial was finished. The priest was obviously watching from the other side of the door, for when Kirin decided to leave, the door clicked, unlocked.

[Makon]

Tanis 'woke' to find Murzon's face at his. First instinct kicked in, and Tanis punched the reaver square in the jaw. While it wasn't the most 'appropriate' thing to do...it felt too good. "As I once heard from a wise man some centuries ago, it's always darkest before the dawn. Evil will always continue, but so shall the good. One may reign while the other only lingers, but in the end, the cycle continues. That is why we Dhampir were created, to be the counter-weight to a great evil." said Tanis, getting away from the wall where he was leaning from during his rest. It was midnight now, well after dusk. At dawn, just over one day from this moment, they would ride out.

Walking away to try and ignore some rebuttal from Murzon, Tanis crossed paths with a fellow Dhampir. The younger warrior bowed his head, "Lord Degail..." the younger one began with which Tanis abruptly cut into. "I am no 'Lord'." he interjected swiftly. "My apologies sir, I am Ardal. The assembly of the main Dhampir host is mostly complete, but we have a problem. Elder Janos has gone missing. His aids say that he simply walked out of the Hall one night, and never returned." the younger warrior said.

Tanis stood and figured it out mentally; Janos was one of the few remaining Elders, and had fought alongside them at the Battle of Gul'den. It was peculiar for an Elder to just 'vanish', without some bragging group to say that they killed them, or demand a ransom or something. "Keep searching. If you do not find anything by dawn of the next day, abandon the search and prepare with the host." Tanis instructed. Ardal bowed his head again, and departed.

[Ignitedstar]

OOC: This kind of sucks. I didn't even get to touch the computer, yesterday...

---

Just because Thomas had been beaten, did not excuse him from not seeing the rest of the trial. The church wished for as many spectators as possible, even though the trials are held as a private event. "For confirmation," so they say. It made even more sense as to why the Holy Knights of the church were dying; what will happen after this war when peace ensues? There is no need for the military, then. Or, at least that is what Kirin liked to think.

The second trial started at daybreak, when the sun reveal itself to the east. "Jerhin's turn," Mexcillian announced. Kirin found his voice aggravating. From the shadows of the chapel, Jerhin stepped forward, clad in armor. No matter how many times Kirin saw it, it was hard to stare a suit of armor, knowing that there was a person inside. Perhaps not always an individual in themselves, but a person...

"Jerhin Ingor," the man said his name, "I've been waiting for a time like this, Kirin. We can't normally turn swords against one another."

"Unless you want to be dispatched," Kirin commented. It was true; any Holy Knight that turned on another, no matter the occasion, was sentenced accordingly. The trials are the only exception to that rule.

A short silence fell within the church. "Start!"

Kirin didn't want to waste time this round, and gave the initiative. There was a reason why Kirin didn't do much against Thomas. She still had four more opponents, and they were all watching. The idea for the Holy Knights giving the trial is to reveal as much flaws of the opponent as possible. No one expects the first member to win, and the second member has little hope; the skill level escalates after the second Holy Knight. Thus, Kirin suspected that Jerhin's only plans to have Kirin do things that she otherwise wouldn't.

Attacking Jerhin with her free arm was no longer a viable option; Thomas lost because of that, and Jerhin wouldn't repeat that failure. Each fight would force Kirin to reveal something, but she was confused as to what order to reveal them in. She still wasn't sure if she had fully recovered her aether abilities, and Kirin was sure that the others had already received the word that she had completely lost the ability to manipulate holy aether. To her knowledge, Kirin did not know the extent of her capabilities under a new vow, even if Shydrias accepted it.

When Jerhin saw Kirin coming for the first attack, he seemed to have laughed, and charged foward, each of them locking blades as they collided. He was expecting a bash from Kirin's left arm- as she expected- and pivoted his feet, moving to the right, far enough so that it doing so would only cause her to stumble. Kirin took note of it, watching his foot movement with the corner of her eyes as he moved, retaliating with a sweep of his sword coming from the left. It was risky to stay too close to him, so Kirin blocked the blow with the Judged and used the force of the attack to back away from Jerhin.

It wasn't a very good idea. Jerhin used the oppurtunity to rest and began to whisper inaudible words. He finished very quickly, his rune blade glowed a brilliant light. He charged foward, raising his sword for a overhead smash. It was simliar to Thomas': it would be insanely powerful, perhaps enough to cut though her sword. Parrying was not an option. Backing away would be risky; she had done that to Thomas already, and Jerhin may feign a slash and thrust, instead. Kirin was right on her part, as his sword came down, he stopped midway and jabbed it foward. However, Kirin was stuck. There wasn't enough time to kneel, and she would be injured for backing further. She wasn't in the position to side-step, either. Damn it! She decided to block the stab with the Judged.

When the tip of Jerhin's sword tapped the Judged, Kirin was literally blow away from him. Her body hit the wall of the room, feeling numb for a moment. It didn't make sense; why be pushed, and not pierced? Perhaps that was why he decided to thrust. Kirin shook her head to recover from the slight concussion, and looked at the dent of her sword.

There wasn't one.

Kirin took upon herself to think about this while standing back up, watching Jerhin enchant his blade, once again. Not even a slight crack on the Judged... Maybe... Kirin wondered, There's no power within the attack at all. He's converting his strength into the impact his sword has on the subject, not how strong it is. It wouldn't be right to test the hypothesis; Jerhin would catch on and and change his strategy. It'll have to do, Kirin prepared herself for it again, this time, pouring holy aether within her own sword. If my assumption is true...

Kirin charged forward, eventually meeting with Jerhin. He wanted her to be stuck to the wall, then he may have enchanted his sword for power. It would have been impossible for Kirin to escape an attack. As Kirin closed in for the final attack, Jerhin swung his sword upward. It was intimidating, and it's how Jerhin planned for it to be, but Kirin couldn't back down. If she failed, she would die, anyhow. As Jerhin's sword came down, Kirin swept the Judged into its path, attacking it from the side. The two glowing sword struck eachother.

Within the explosion of light, Jerhin's sword split in half.

He had thought that Kirin's reign had been taken down, but he realized too late that his sword had broken. Kirin began to strike again, and Jerhin pivoted his feet. It was predictable, so Kirin withdrew her sword before her attempt to attack and interrupted his evasion by simply placing her food in his path. Jerhin couldn't stop himself, as he lost his balance and fell to the floor. His armor made a metallic thud.

"Stop!" The girl with emerald eyes came out of the shadows, coming to Jerhin's aid. "That is enough." Kirin wasn't planning to kill him, anyhow. She would try to avoid that for the rest of the three. She kneeled and took Jerhin by the arm, taking him back within the shadows. As she left with Jerhin, she heard, "Kirin figured you out on the first try. Either you're really bad, or she's just that good."

"Awww," Mexillian moaned, "That was pretty sad. Oh well, maybe next time."

[Ignitedstar]

Kirin insisted that she would stay the that cathedral this time. The priest that usually locked the door to ensure the trials would go smoothly led her to a guest room on the same floor, in the left hallway near the entrance. Kirin thought of it as friendly, so it would be impossible to get lost, but it was also their way of making sure she didn't leave before the next trial. There was no point in wondering who the next member was; Kirin simply fell asleep, waiting for dawn.

---

"Care to shake things up more, this time?" Mexillian grinned, greeting Kirin as she came into the dark chamber, once again lit by only by so many candles. Kirin remained distasteful of his comment. What was he expecting out of her? There were still three contestants, left. "The first two are usually the easiest."

"Don't tell me something I already know," Kirin walked passed the man. She rolled her eyes slighly, becoming tired of Mexcillian's repetitive comments. He obviously wanted something exciting. It wasn't happening anything time, soon.

"I am next," the girl when emerald eyes spoke, walking up towards Kirin. "My name is Arshitah Eryei. I am honored to do full battle with you, Miss Tersota." Arshitah stopped talking for a moment, "I've always admired you, because of how hard you have worked, and what you've done. Not only as a full fledged warrior, but because you are a woman, most of all."

Kirin smiled. "I see." Kirin looked at Arshitah. It still seemed to early to assume anything...

"You two ready?" Mexillian announced. Each of the combantants nodded to him, and he yelled, "Go!"

Arshitah took the initiative, slicing the air with a rising arc. The slash of the sword produced a wave of light, speeding towards Kirin at intense speed. It came as a surprise as Kirin countered the attack with a sphere of holy aether. Arshitah did it too quickly; this would be dangerous. The Holy Knight charged forward, her following attack being parried by Kirin's sword, and the two engaged in a short sword play. Kirin stayed on the defensive, waiting for Arshitah's flaw to appear. The tactic was not difficult to discover, and Arshitah backed off. Kirin was wasting time.

Arshitah's momentary retreat was Kirin's cue to turn the battle into more of her favor. Kirin advanced towards her opponent, trying to confuse Arshitah with mind tricks. She summoned aether into her sword, and fired holy aether at her, following up with a fake thrust and landed a punch against Arshitah's flank with her free arm. Arshitah flinched, and Kirin bumped the hilt of her sword against her, eventually falling to the ground.

There wasn't time to say anything. Arshitah backed away, recovering from the hit, dashing backwards to avoid Kirin's flurry of sword swipes. When Kirin looked at herself doing it, it made her somewhat envious. She has seem Tanis and Variel do the same, but there were times when the frequency couldn't be seen. Speaking of which, Kirin remembered that Tanis may have been waiting for her. What if he had already gathered all of the Dhampir, and are waiting upon her return? I don't have time for this... Kirin said to herself. This had to end.

Kirin hesistated, however. If she was careless now, she wouldn't be able to leave, anyhow. Kirin would rather be late than never come at all. But... would Tanis see her actions in that manner?

Kirin's mind leaned upon, "No."

Arshitah took another step back, proceeding to close in by running around Kirin. The Holy Knight launched a barrage of shockwaves. Kirin had an idea. If she could block them just right... It was risky. It was better than her previous plan, though. As the vacuums continued, and Kirin stared at them, ready to defend. The first one came, and Kirin held her sword up, pointing lazily at the ceiling of the church. The shockwave made a ravenous noise, reflecting off of the Judged, redirected at the marble walls. The next one came, bouncing back at Arsitah. It was unexpected; Arshitah wasn't ready to dodge, and made a desperate move to prevent her from dying from her own attack. Her late reaction punished her with a burning slash on the stomach.

"HAHA!" Mexillian laughed. It sounded sarcastic. "She found 'it'." Jerhin and the Holy Knight Kirin had not identified yet ran to help Arshitah as she fell to the floor. They didn't need to say anything; this fight was over. Kirin look at her blade with a inquiring face. What had happened there... It wasn't intended. She had hoped that the Judge would absorb the blows, not deflect them.

"What're you still standing there for?" Thomas called to Kirin. "Go on, go do something until the next trial." Kirin didn't realize how much time went by, trying to discover what exactly had happened.

"She got lucky," said the masked knight.

"It doesn't hurt as much as it looks," Arshitah managed to say, still in pain. "I'll be okay. Just get ready for the evening."

[Makon]

The day past to dusk, and Tanis gathered his Dhampir forces at the main plaza of Lionguard. The teams from Ironhammer and Arasyl were already on their way, having passed through. The Lionguard teams however were seen as the capital force, and waited for their leader to make ready. He was ready, so was everyone else, but one person was missing.

It wasn't like Kirin to be late, let alone for the...event that was to unfold. She was normally very punctual, and knew her role well. Now, Syldaine had gone out looking for her. In a way, it was almost ironic; the Shadow Knight had gone out to search for the lost Templar.

--

Syl immediately went to the one place she instinctively knew a Templar to go; the Church. She had seen Kirin come here during one morning as Syl made her rounds around the city. She also knew, however, that the Church wouldn't really take a strong liking to her.

As she approached the Doorway to the Church as dawn came, the Templars at the entrance crossed her path. A bad call. "This Holy ground is not for one of your kind, fallen one. Leave now." The senior of the two called to her as she kept walking towards them. They both started walking towards her as she neared the steps, the lead one reaching out with a hand to hold her back. She broke it. In one swift, fluid motion, Syl bent the man's arm in an awkward way with enough force to produce a sharp crack of bone, followed by a swift kick to the leg to bring him down.

The next man made motion to grab his sword. She slammed her fist into the man's face, easily crushing his nose. grabbing the top rim of his chestplate aftwards, she threw the guard into the street behind her. As both Guards lay incapacitated, she delivered a swift kick to the door blocking her, send it flying open. The eyes of the priests inside was almost enough to make her smile. Smile a fanged display as her eyes turned to bloodshot.

Grabbing the nearest Priest by the collar, she pulled the praying man right infront of her face with no more then about six inches between them. "Where is Kirin?" Syl growled to the Priest. "T-the Chambers of...Trials..." the Priest whispered hoarsely to her, frightened for his life. Casting the Priest from her grasp, he landed on his butt a few feet away from her and scurried away.

As she walked the hall towards the Chambers, another Guard tried to stop her by an over-arcing swing of his two handed sword. Syl dodged to the side in a quick motion, then grabbed the man's hair and slammed his face into the stone wall to knock him cold. As soon as she arrived, she saw the Priest holding the doorway closed and peering inside. Syl didn't conceal herself at all, walking straight towards the Priest. The look of shock he gave her as he recognized her was almost memorable.

--

Kirin was inside the Chamber once more, making this her fourth match. Time became more of a desperate commodity that she had none of, but craved. Now, the Masked Knight stood in the Chambers as she had entered some few moments ago. She knew nothing of this one, and without even a face to look to it was a bit disturbing.

As Mexillian was about to shout the order to fight, the sounds of grunts, thuds, and a brawl in general occurred from the other side of the door. The sounds caught the attention of all within the chambers, for no fights were permitted within the church, let alone at this area and time.

With a sudden rush of shock, a large two handed pummel slammed into the door to knock it open. Underneath the weapon, Syl grabbed the attacking Templar with her hand at his neck, and flipped him straight over her back and slammed him to the ground. Recovering from her slam, Syl stood upright and observed the Chambers she had stumbled her way into. "About time I found you, Tanis is waiting for us." she called to Kirin.

"Fallen one! Your kind are not permitted with this holy ground, be gone and let us commence with this Sacred trial or we shall remove you!" The masked bellowed at her. Syl narrowed her eyes to a beaming glare at the Masked knight. "I think he said the same damn thing..." Syl snarled at him, while giving a swift kick to the prone form of the Templar on the floor before them. "Do not cross blades with me, Templar, or I shall see you regretting it." she threatened.

The Knight did not back down, but instead readied his large two handed claymore. Sighing, Syl drew her Longsword and charged her abilities. Her blade glowed a dark shadow all of itself, and she felt her eyes become completely black. There was truly no trace of mercy or humanity in this creature as she bared her fangs.

The Knight swung in a horizontal arc to cleave Syl's head from her shoulders, but she darted backwards and dodged the swing. In a fluid motion, the Masked one altered from the end of his horizontal swing to a vertical slice. Syl side stepped as minutely as she need, feeling the blade as it slid past her face by mere inches. Spinning in a near complete circle, she slashed out with her blade. The swing caught in the Knight in his leg.

Jumping backwards towards the wall in a leap, Syl's foot hit the wall then propelled her up and forward at the same time. This bounce from the wall let her deliver a swift kick to the Knight's face. The Masked man landed on his back about five feet from where he stood, and slid for about another five. The concussive force from the kick had clearly knocked him cold.

Syl, having landed cleanly on her feet, immediately looked over at Mexillian. The man grew an anger filled expression, one which turned a bit fearful as he noticed her gaze...or lack there of. With a blur, she hurled her Shadow-charged Longsword at Mexillian, slamming into the stone wall next to him. "Let that serve as the sign of my declaration, Templar; The Order of the Shadow Knights is being built anew. Upon my return, it shall be put into an official charter and declaration. Until then, you can begin to think upon what has occurred here." Syl spoke.

Turned around, Syl began walking towards the doorway as she sheathed her blade. "Kirin, let's go. We have a duty to perform."

[Ignitedstar]

Hehe... Pretty nice post.

---

The remaining three Holy Knights weren't in any condition to being a brawl against one such as Syldaine. There was nothing they could do. Jerhin managed to whisper, "Interrupting a private trial organized by the Church is a dangeorus felony." The fallen Shadow Knight that stood before them stared with cold eyes, eventually turning away to Kirin. "Kirin, let's go. We have a duty to perform."

"I understand," Kirin nodded. Slydaine turned around, already ready to leave.

"Hold on." Slydaine and Kirin paused. Arshitah was speaking with minor groans. "Think about what you're doing..." Syldaine looked at Kirin. She knew was the former knight was thinking.

There wasn't a choice. "There are more important things at hand," was Kirin's final statement. She would see these five knights again in the future, but not in the manner that Kirin would like to meet them. Doing this... I've no regrets. Kirin thought to herself as she followed Syldaine to meet Tanis.

Kirin and Syldaine traveled quietly to the main plaza of Lionguard. Many of those affiliated with the Church let them pass by without a word. Were they unsure of what to do, or perhaps they were conspiring for something in the future? Kirin would have liked to have hoped that they were afraid of the fact that Syldaine had single handedly forced her way within the most private sectors of the church building.

"I am present," Kirin announced to Tanis, as his figure appeared within sight. Although Kirin had said it from almost a hundred meters away, Tanis, as well as all of the Dhampir could hear Kirin as if she was standing next to them. Actually, all Tanis needed was to hear their footsteps. As the pair came closer, Tanis and Syldaine shared eye contact for a few seconds. Within that amount of time, Kirin believed that an entire conversation had occured. She assumed that it was about the Church. It it was, then it was true; there was nothing to say.

[Makon]

Tanis caught the explanatory gaze from Syldaine, it was all the story he needed to know something had occurred, and judging by the two of them, it probably involved the church. Looking to Kirin, Tanis saw a somber gaze fill her visage. Definitely the Church...

"Time is running short..." Tanis's own voice took a silent edge it, a dark time surrounded him on all sides. Stepping towards the center of the crowd of Dhampir, he raised his right fist into the air. "Arcanists! Send us out!" he shouted for all in the crowd to hear. The Dhampir Arcanists began casting a ritual of mass teleportation, taking some time to safely move them all to the desired location.

The few moments that passed while the Arcanists wove their spell gave all a moment to give a good long look to their surroundings. Around the Plaza that all the Dhampir occupied, a mass of people gathered. Some looking with awe, others with sadness. Tanis understood what they felt, some of them felt a fear still of the Dhampir. Others perhaps recognized some of the faces amongst the immortal crowd.

The final cantrips were woven into the ritual, and the spell fired off. A swirl of energy passed over everyone to be transported, and a brilliant light enveloped all. As suddenly as the light enveloped, so did it fade, leaving all in a barren valley in the mountains. Surrounding them all were rocky mountain peaks with a few trails leading down the mountains. The area they gathered in was a large valley, devoid of all life of vegetation or animals. It was all just barren rock. Surrounding the Lionguard group was the Dhampir Warhost.

An army of a thousand strong, all of pale flesh and blackened varied armor. Some bore the Obsidian Platemail of a Guardian, others wore the Black Leathers of the Assassin, and even others wore the Dark Robes of the Aether-Wielder. It was a fearsome sight in earnest, but even they all knew it wasn't enough as is. Ardal, the warrior from Lionguard, was one of the first to make mention of this.

Tanis stepped forward to a rock Altar, placing him at the head of the host, and high enough for all to see. "We are not the only combatants here fighting alongside us, we merely have to call upon them!" he shouted. All of the host was silent, almost unnervingly. Tanis looked to the Altar, noticing it's intricate designs. It was engraved with dozens, if not hundreds of incantations, symbols, and prayers. It was a shrine dedicated to the very fabric of the ties between the Mortal realms, and the Netherworld. Upon it's surface lay a gavel, equally as intricate in design as the altar it rested upon.

Tanis took off both the rings he had acquired from the Netherworld, looked at both of them as he noted their similar design, then placed them upon the surface of the altar. Grabbing the Gavel, Tanis looked down at the rings that lay before him, and then struck down in one swift blow, crushing both rings. A single massive burst of energy ripped forth from the twin objects upon their destruction, visible rays of gold and red spewed forth from the rings. The rays then merged together into one cohesive beam that fell from the skies and focused on a single spot upon the earth. As the ray focused, a bright light enveloped the entire host, blinding all. As the light faded, so too did go the sense of despair and dread all felt.

Before the Host, and the eyes of everyone, stood another large warband, more numerous then the Dhampir. This army, however, was clad in three different kinds of metal. The first was made of gold and mithril, forged together into a graceful, delicate, and fluid design that blended the twin metals into a graceful battle armor. The warriors who bore this armor were faces of the dead and dutiful, the noble and the watchful. These warriors were the warriors from the heavens, with wings of white feathers spread and able. The second army was clad in all black and red, jagged armor lines noting a very durable yet harsher design. Those whore bore this armor were of pale flesh, sharpened fangs, and bloodshot eyes. These were the warriors from the Hells. The third and final army was glad in a shimmering gray metal that Tanis hadn't seen before. It was very large and sturdy, the design noting for efficiency then appearance. The faces there were of those looking to preserve law, bring out justice, and preserve all. These were the faces of the Judicators.

Leading this army was one sole man. His face was known to Kirin, Tanis, and Murzon, though it had since greatly been restored. The last time anyone had seen this one, he wore agile leathers, concealed his jaw, and vanished before anyone could question where he was to be. Now, he stood before them in a suit of white stone armor that doubled his true bulk, and stood him a foot taller then before. His shield as well was made of pure stone, and his Longsword of the finest metal anyone could ever have seen. All of his armor had engravings upon it, engravings of order, balance, life and death, honor and instinct, pleasure and selflessness. The man that stood before them all, leading this eternal army, was none other then Raziel.

Tanis and he stood face to face and bowed. "Tanis, Elder of the Dhampir." spoke Tanis in a respectful tone. "Raziel, Avatar of Order." the Avatar of the Nether-realm responded in kind. The two leaders then discussed in quiet their strategies for a few moments, speaking of the battle ahead. Tanis nodded, then stepped back towards the Men and Women that followed him. "Commanders, war council!" he called. All of the main leaders of the Dhampir army, Kirin and Murzon, and Tanis steped up to the cliff that overlooked their end of the valley.

"Raziel is beginning to cast the spell that will force all the Fel abominations, and Karthran to the other end of this valley, and onto this plane. Once the Fel army is here, we will have to fight our way to Karthran, and kill him. Once he has suffered his final death, the Fel army should fall apart and destroy itself. Now, the main Guardian teams will take the middle ground of the valley and push up the middle. A few secondary teams will take the high ridge paths and push there as well. Archers and Aether wielders will take to these Ridge Paths to use their distance more effectively. Rogues will move with the main Guardian force up the middle, providing combat support as they go. Raziel's army shall be following the exact same strategy, and will have units available to assist anywhere on the battlefield at any time." Tanis directed, pointing out into the valley as he went.

The main valley floor was a straight path towards the other end, but on both sides there was ridge paths and outcrops that overlooked the main valley floor. It would provide and excellent kill-spot for ranged attackers, and a way to push to the enemies flanks. At the other end, a shrine of dark magicks could barely be made out, it's form barely visible to any. All knew, however, what it was. It was a Portal Shrine to the Void where Demons dwelt, and Chaos grew. With a dark spark, the Shrine ripped to life as Raziel called out great words of power mixed with his own abilities. He was grounding all of the Fel here, through that shrine, onto this realm.

Tanis looked back to everyone, saw their faces of slight worry. Standing up tall and proud, the Dhampir Elder began his battlecry. "Dhampir! Today, we see the ending of this world! We can see it here, even now, at the other end of this valley! If not for us, the waves of horrid abominations of life that will crawl from that dark nexus would envelope ALL of Sylan, leaving no being left. That is why we are here though, to prevent this. We were all created some six centuries ago to aid the Gods as their mortal tools. We have strayed, we have erred, but we have always remained faithful and dutiful! There is a saying amongst the Elves as a title, 'Thayle lyse Danaise'. It means 'Champions Over Death'. Here, now, and upon this battlefield's eve, I ask for us all to strike down our old name, one used as a slander, a curse, and a mockery of our former lives, and ask you all to become Champions! For those of us that shall leave this battlefield with victory in hand, I ask you all to no longer be known as the Dhampir, but as the Thayle! As Champions, for we face here what no others would or could dare to face! Now, Thayle, assume battle-lines, and die with honor!"

With his cry at it's peak and end, a rallying cry from the newly identified Thayle erupted, echoing down and through the valley as the first of the Fel-Spawn came through the Dark Rip. Tanis lead the way down into the center of the main valley floor, standing at the head of the main melee army. Celestial Angels, horrific Vampires, noble Judicators, and determined Thayle manned the lines. "Now, let us fight..." he whispered as the Fel charged ever near, their numbers beyond count. It was as if a tidal wave of Fel green and Shadow black enveloped the land...

[Continue in the Alkavian region post.]

[Ignitedstar]

Kirin's execution was carried out immediately as she entered Lionguard. They were waiting for her.

However, her execution was not public. It was hidden from their eyes, in the cathedral. Her death was promised to be quick and painless- it was the only thing that anyone inside of the cathedral wanted. Kirin's ability and masterful skills were revered as the best of the Holy Knights. Today, she falls to the disgraced. An oath of unswayed loyalty she took, never expecting any of this to happen... Yet, well over the regrets, was the pride that she upheld valiantly. Kirin looked at the ceiling, staring at the painted angels and guardians of the church, only able to tell them, "This was a life well lived."

The executioners were getting ready. "Aythilia will be sad," Kirin's regrets said to her. Her daughter... a very beautiful daughter. She was glad that she was able to raise her former Lady's child. Kirin gave her daughter one last hug before leaving her behind, to take care and be cared for by her memorable neighbors. The small town that she come from had been fully repaired when Kirin returned home to see them. However, the Elders had received the grave news that spread quickly amongst the town. "We will never forget you, Kirin. Your legacy lives with us," they said before Kirin departed to Lionguard. "We know you've done nothing wrong."

Then Kirin remembered Tanis... She never saw him after the battlefield in the Alkavian Mountains. More thoughts started sink in... The entire time Kirin was a Holy Knight before meeting Tanis, she had thought that upholding what the church found true and worth fighting for was all she needed, but after joining Tanis in his arduous journey for peace of mind- and probably even a little redemption, she met her old master, Yozerith. He is alive and well now, but after becoming witness to life given anew, Kirin wanted to think that she could do the same.

... But nothing came out of it. Why did Kirin feel that Syldaine was trying to tell her that? Kirin had shed much blood, and after breaking her oath to Shydrias, it wasn't until now that she and Slydaine were quite alike in position. However, this was only at the time... Slydaine did not make a new oath, which Kirin has now twice broken. Where did all of these mistakes come from?

But Kirin knew the answer to that. One of the knights asked, "Is there anything you wish to say beforehand?" She made a faint smile, and told herself, "It's because I wanted love." She didn't before, and was at the top of her career. However, things changed after Kirin adopted Aythilia... after she met with Tanis and Variel... when she saw Yozerith, again... after discovering Syldaine's pain... Once all of that got in the way, Kirin had to admit that she had begun to fail.

But, if that's true... Why wasn't Kirin so upset? It was because a little love had gone a long way. Kirin felt... different. She had touched hearts, where previously she had ruined them. The battlefield that had wrecked her own heart was finally able to share peace and sow some seeds. She a family to care for and friends to look after. Though they were strange friends, it was comforting. They pushed the sun out into the sky, and pastures began to grow. Now was when Kirin began to think, "This is the kind of light a Holy Knight should give."

The world Kirin envisioned, should be a brighter place... but it needed to be greener, too. "I valued ideals, in which there is nothing to grow... It's so wrong."

Although she was going to die, it wasn't the end... She wanted to learn more about this brighter, greener place. She made another smile. "Perhaps Variel can take me there."

[Makon]

Sylaine heard the Temple Bells chime. She knew what it meant, and it weighed on her in her own ways. Kirin had been a strong, virtuous ally to Tanis, one who had kept him steady and had made him seem more 'Human' then he had thought he could be. Now, her own strict order of zealots had demanded her blood to answer for her actions. She had committed more acts of Valor and Justice then that entire Order would do for a century, and yet they put her to the sword. Such were the ways of the blinded simpletons. They fought for 'purity' and to 'cleanse' the world of evil. When would they cross there own lines? Would they put themselves upon their blades when they did? Sylaine doubted it.

Sylaine now stood before the Church of the Nine. Previously, this place had served as the base of all Templars, and Templars only. Things were now to change. New Guards stood at the doors leading inside, ones eager to open the doors for her after hearing what happened to the last group of Templars who tried to bar the Shadowknight her entry. Inside stood Grand Master Artellious Orius, head of the Order of the Nine. At his flanks were Temple Guards, the most highly trained, devoted, and equipped of all Templars.

Following in Sylaine's wake was Rourke, the first of a few who had shown Leadership potential amidst his band of Shadowknights. As much as she didn't want to take command of this group, and end up leading the Order of the Shadow, it seemed an injustice for it not to exist and be recognized. Sylaine measured her surroundings and chances in case of some cowardly attack. Against Soldiers and Battle-Hardened Adventurers, Templars would fight honorably and fairly. Against something that they deemed Sub-Human and unworthy, or worse, foul...they would be less then so honorable and fair.

"Grand Master Artellious, I am Sylaine Aliera, first of the Everdane Shadowguard. I come here announcing that under my order and call, the Shadowguard of the Nine will be reborn here, and fulfill their duties to Everdane, and the people of Sylan." Sylaine made clear from the start. Artellious stood his ground and instead looked Sylaine up and down, as if casting judgment. "Legends of spoken of you, Sylaine. they say that in your time, you were as honored and decorated a Temple-Guard as any of us could aspire to be. The legends also speak of how you Fell. That you renounced your oaths to our Lords. Now, after having pried your way from the Hells themselves, you demand station and authority amongst us? What makes you think you can claim that right?"

Sylaine grew furious at the pompous man's remarks. Even while knowing that these 'Legends' were real beyond measure, his argument showed the pure arrogance that the Templars had followed blindly for so many years."I know I deserve these rights because it is through my skill, training, and experience with my Shadowknight abilities that I have found myself amongst this world once more. I also know that this Order will see Shadowknights amidst its' ranks, for even the Nine themselves decreed us as their Mortal servants. Just as they had you and yours."

Artellious smirked. "Yes, yes you have. I apologize for the display, but I wanted to test your conviction, even if only so little. It is true that both the Light and the Dark are, combined, a unyielding force of the Nine, for the people of Sylan. That is why I have denied those that came before you. They lacked proper devotion, skill, and courage to do what is required of them, no matter the cost. You proved that you hold no fear and have complete devotion to your task by how you came here the last time. I now do so decree that the Order of the Nine will accept Shadowknights under its' banner. They will follow you and those that you appoint. Me and Mine shall have no say in how you run the affairs of the Order of the Shadowguard."