Oh brother, where for art thou?

[-Bane]

He sat as silent as a cat against the cold, stone wall. The spikes that protruded out of the stone were slowly cutting his skin, the blood from these wounds dripped to the ground. An eerie silence was at hand and Bane knew that one sudden movement would end his life at once, that was why he did not move.

His blades at his side he knew he would not be killed, he knew that if he fought hard enough, he could still be alive at the end of the day! His blood would be spilt on the dirty, infested ground of Akara; The Demon City. His blood would show righteousness, he would kill all in his way with a sweep of his sword.

He chanced a peep outside his window, he chanced it and then peeled his body away from the spiky wall. He felt the urge to cry out in pain as rock splinters found their way into his skin. The only way to stop crying out was to bite his lower lip, this caused even more pain but he then forgot about most of it, "My blood shall be spilt, i shall not give up!" he murmured to himself as he pushed himself up into a standing position.

Bane looked into the face of a lesser demon, its piercing eyes did not look around for he had already whipped his blade out and sliced its throat. It managed a small 'eek' before it died and that found the attention of the rest of its squad; another 2 lesser demons and a large berserker. He forced himself to roll out of the way of a strike as the berserker's blade crashed down upon the cracked and maimed stone, shattering it into Bane.

Stone splinters gashed into his skin and this time he did cry out for the noise of the sword crashing down was loud to muffle it. He then rolled out the door and kicked into a standing position. Smirking slightly he turned on his heel and smashed it into one of the lesser demon's faces, it screamed in pain and fell to the ground. The blood streamed out of the demon's mouth and Bane stabbed his sword through the body of the unclean thing.

His sword passed through its body like butter, he then felt a strange coldness sweep over him. He cut down the other demon and looked at the berserker, it was about to raise its heavy sword in an attempt to hit Bane. He waited until the sword was raised at full height, and then he struck.

He plunged his blade into the belly of the beast and with agility it fell back, its hands clutching its wound. The sword had fallen out of its hand so Bane jumped in the air and stabbed his sword into the triceps of the beast. It screamed in pain and its knee hit the ground with a thump. Bane then sent his sword flashing across the air and it streaked through the berserker's head, it fell to the ground and lay there, motionless.

At this moment he began to run towards the Temple, his feet carrying him as fast as they could. He felt his pulse rising and he knew he had been sensed, he needed to get away from there as fast as possible. He lunged into the building and then laughed slowly, he had just defeated 4 demons in a matter of minutes. He scanned the room and saw nobody, he would soon have to face the demon lord who had approached here. One of them atleast; Phiem of the Peridot and the Twins had arrived.

[Denica]

OOC: Guys, this battle is not goint to be easy, I tell you. This is only a start, the only way is to stick together in one group and do not seperate at all costs. Those of you who want to listen, stick together and don't get carried away at personal fights, teamwork is all we need to win this.

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

Their howles, their screams, their urge to spill blood, it was obvious. Their undead hearts, were beating to the rythms of insanity that grew among the warriors and the demons. Each wanted to protect it's own, each trying to, but inside themselves, they all knew that they would perish, they would burn in hell forever. He watchedas they fought, and as his plan slowly faded away into nowhere. Careless of their own lives, they were yet to witness their own death and demise upon this time.

James stood up as the warriors scattered around, sadness ran through his spine. They were all going to die, neverless they didn't even listen to him. It was too late, and he knew it quite well. Standing to his feet, James grabbed his katana, and threw the sheath away, he wouldn't need it anymore today. Glaring what was happening not far from him, James looked into the skies as the crows enclosed with each second. The wretched creatures followed their orders, as they had no other choice, they were inbound with the demon lord itself.

Why do we all have to suffer...- James asked himself, looking back as the warriors fought demons one by one. It was pointless, there would be more and more coming each second as he spoke these words. It was only a matter of time before they were all were all dead, but there was one way. They might all suffer, but the other option had it's own trick. When one can suffer...- James ended his thoughts with the last words as he spoke. Three hounds came running right at him, and James looked right back at their crystal red eyes, the wretched dogs were about to confront their end, and they didn't even know it. Taking on the first dog with his fist, James punched it as hard as he could, sending it flying away, while the other two got hold of his katana with their teeth, and wouldn't let go. More imps were coming from behind him, and it was all beggining to get critical.

Swinging his sword as hard as he could, James sent the two demon dogs away, crashing unto the ground, perhaps dead or unconcious. Now grabbing his katana with both hands, James gave an uppercut right behind him, before two imps could get hold of him, and capturing him inside the large crowd. They were about 20, and more were coming as he fought each one off. This would never end if James had to do something, now. Kicking withall his might from the ground, he flipped into the air and flew right back at the group of imps below him, basically landing on top of their heads with large explosion force, coming from the sword. Dealing with thefirst group, James ran through the crowds of demons, avoiding each one with skill, making his way to some sort of statue that stood in the middle of it all. Climbing up with a smooth jump, James amde his way to the top, his arms hurting from the recent battle he had just done with Caspian and his angels. Looking at the scene, it was hard to see through the fog that rested among the surface, but the energy's pulse was coming closer as he continued looking. The demon lord was lurking somewhere here. It was then when he spotted it, she stood there, roaring, her mind incredible powerfull to erase everyone from the earth's surface.

James continued gazing at her, studying each breath, each move she made, his head moved as she moved, but his body kept still as a stone figure. He wanted to know what the demon was, and where it came from.

Tell me...- James sent a psychic boom into her head, his eyes almost tearing as he tried to transferinto her powerfull mind. You wretched demons are all the same...? Or have you another purpose but to destroy everything...? Little did he know that his bag and the egg that was inside, was accidentaly left down, just where he has started his entrance to Akara. A small demon grabbed the bag, lurking tino the inside, but as soon as it came grabbing the egg, it was momentarily killed by something in the shadows. The small figure held a large wand, with three skulls attached to it on the top. It was hidden from the view, but it was someone yet familiar. It grabbed the egg, and fadded away in the shadows again, heading off to somewhere far away from violence, for now.

You have served me well...- the small thing spoke out and vanished this time for real.

[-Phiem]

OOC: You guys reeeally want Phiem to step in don't you.

IC:
Linaya's own psychic powers threatened to rip past her own safeguards in her ire at Aeron, shooting another message at the fool. Foul wretched beast! This is our land you trespass on. You have no right to speak like you own anything, and for that you will lose your life here. To punctuate her point she sent a blast of raw psychic energy at the creature. Her eyes practically burned with raw power as her hands played with the floating gem she kept with her. A small pin-pick alerted her to another fool who wished to speak with her directly. Tell me..You wretched demons are all the same...? Or have you another purpose but to destroy everything...? At this she laughed, physically and mentally, letting it ring out across the battlefield like wind chimes, a soft twinkling sound. Destroy? I destroy nothing. These lands that you reside on, such grotesque twists of everything living. I merely bring back beauty to what you wretched creatures destroy. The dozen gargoyles over head cackled after their mistress, diving downwards towards the little creatures who thought to threaten her.

[-The Gunslinger]

Aeron didn't have time to see the psychic blast coming; all of his attention was still focused on spraying the oncoming demons with shards of dirt and rock. Half a second before it hit him he felt it, but by then it was to late to react.

The blast hit him head on; an invisible force rocketed his body backwards and down into the dirt, chaffing Aeron's against the hard ground, his shirt peeling away in less then a second, then the skin on his back. He could feel small flecks of rock and dirt entering the wound, could feel his body rocketing ever backwards, slamming into demons, and yet he did not stop. The blast's energy continued propelling him backwards, a small engraved path in the ground from where his back had scraped. Aeron could feel the ground chaffing his shoulder-blade, rib, and spine bones now, flecks of the bone flying along with the blood and raw skin now...it would all be over soon...he could feel hot blood spurting from his mouth, could feel the blackness closing in-it would all be over soon...

And so it was. Ninety feet from where he had just stood lay Aeron's body, his clothes covered in soot and specks of blood, his eyes closed, his body unmoving. Blood matted his hair and face. For as of now, it wasn't a body. It was a corpse.


OoC: Yes, I KNOW Aeron is dead. He's dead okay. Dead. But please, please don't pull some bullshit where you fuck with the corpse. I need it. Mkay?

[-Lionheart]

Even as James attempted to speak to the demon lord, Van was too busy watching the countless demons that were beginning to swarm around them. Spinning on his feet, he made a quick slash across one of the lesser imps chest, watching as visceral fluid poured onto his freshly shined boots. "Damn you all." He cursed as he danced left and right, his blades cutting, slashing, and hacking their way through everything that seemed to move.

Demon after demon poured into the battle line formed by the warriors at James command, and though they were fighting well, eventually they would all be overwhelmed. And not to mention, Van was becoming more and more fatigued with each passing second. Cuts and bruises began to appear all over his body, and he didn't know if he could even handle fighting a demon lord, even if he had the help of his friends and allies. Pushing the fallen corpse of a demon off his back, Van scowled, gazing back to where James was standing.

"Wait! James, we need to work together!" He yelled to the man, as Van knew their only hope to defeat the demon lords was if they could all work together as one. And even then, with such an immense rate of demons and god knew what else attacking them, Vanguard wasn't entirely sure if they could hold out long enough to find the gem and defeat the demons in the same amount of time. One thing he was sure of though, was that he would be fighting until he died...

[-Marcus]

OOC: Children, stealth means not walking up to a demon lord and insulting her. Good luck fighting the female version of RealmKnight.
===================================

The air was rank as he slithered across the black soil, all around him the stench of demons filled the air. The sound was appalling, the shouts of demons as they searched for intruders, the noise of a battle, clearly one sided from the aura's he could smell. The only clean spaces in this disgusting land were the shadows, were the demons feared things of nightmares and dreams. All around him he could hear their noise, the demons as the scurried past him as he hide amongst the rubbish and filth that clogged the streets.

He wasn't concerned with the ranks of Fel Guards and other demons, they weren't a problem to him. His worry were the Doom hounds, the blasted creatures would be able to smell him from a mile off, he'd need to find a straggler and kill it to acquire it's scent. But at first, that would seem hard to do. All the doom hounds were in packs, each with a Fel Guard and worse yet, a Succubi. Those blasted creatures would be impossible to kill by himself.

Stealing back into the shadows, Marcus moved through the rubbish choked streets, his wolf form was perfectly suited for this as he slipped through the filth, the dirtier he got, the better, the easier it was to hide himself from the darkness around him. Gouts of fire shot into the sky from a forge not far from his eventual location. His eyes watched the patrols, his mind counting thei numbers as his body slithered and slided across filth best not described.

Blasted Fools he thought as he spotted a fight between a number of weaklings and a dmeon lord greater them all of them. He could have fought the while creature, this was one he had never seen before, she stank of power herself, but something else was powerful, stronger then her, but ever close.

[-Bane]

A long silence occurred. It seemed to block out the light and sound, then a darkness swept over Bane. He managed a shudder before the demon leapt out at him, its eyes shining with madness. Cackling the demon continued onto his task, lunging at Bane its weapon; a medium sized sword, fell a bit short of Bane. Having seen this attack from a mile away Bane had merely stepped to the side.

His lips curved into a smile, then into a malicious grin. It seemed at one moment he felt his soul quiver on the edge of madness and sanity but then he caught a grips with himself and started to attack the demon. His sword hacked and cut the demon into innumerable pieces, the cry that left its mouth was not carried a far, but Bane knew other demons would have heard the cry of their comrade.

Wiping his sword on a stone wall a clink could be heard throughout the temple, he scurried out of the place as fast as his feet could carry him. He slowly crept around the city, creeping in and out of buildings to avoid the large amount of demons. The city of Akara was starting to piss him off, so many demons that tainted the perfection of Dark Forest.

He jumped out of a small window and landed on the ground, but then he felt the disturbance. A battle was going on somewhere, the sound was large and the demon's here were scarce. Only the strong demons were here, that only meant one thing, one thing that would kill all the people in this place; The Demon Lord was here!

He felt his body shudder again, he then saw the demon lord, a girl for once. A thought cross his mind and he smirked again, he then began to chuckle slightly. His voice seemed to trail into the screech of the gargoyles but then he did what he was going to do. He felt the energy pile up through him, so large that it would kill a normal army. He then let that energy go in the form of a large fireball. It was heading straight for the Demon Lord itself, well herself. The thing that had tainted the earth for so long would die now, well actually be hurt that is!

[Denica]

Interesting...- James thought to himself as the psychic message chilled inside his mind, almost like a brain freeze. A group of gargoyles shifted out of nowhere and made their way towards the fighting group of warriors, 5 of them were heading straight towards James. It was then when he met their eyes, crystal white eyes with nothing completely inside. The freezing chills went through his spine as he came back from the hypnotizing gaze and leaped forward into the air, switching his sword from the right to the left hand in mid-air. It was time he would show the demon lord that it wasn't that easy to destroy what it did not create. Landing right at one of the gargoyles, he pushed forward as his feet almost sunk into the creature's body, the wind brushing his white hair all wayto the back. Pushing himself once again, James continued the same steps several times before he was 20 feet away from the demon lord, he noticed her perfecty then. It all seemed as time slowed down, and her figure could be seen so perfect, yet hideous. A group of crows still circled her, but all the main slaves were out hunting. There were about 100 of them, but James didn't have the time to gaze upon each one. Making his final leap into the air as he pushed from one of the gargoyles, James flipped forwards and positioned his body in the air with his head upwards, and his hands oustretched at both sides, forming a familiar figure of a bird so to say.

I will get control...- he growled to himself as small sparks appeared and dissapeared out of his body. His face wrinkled as he closed his eyes and with all might screamed into the inside, without letting out even a sound nor a squeak. His body lit up in flames, the whole scenery looked like a new born Phoenix was slowly diving upwards into the air. The army nearby looked up as they saw a burning figure, that almost looked like abird in the mid-air of the battle, the flames were almost like a flare spell, lighting everything around the area for a few seconds, maybe 20 as he flew upwards more and more.

It's the sign!- one of the men screamed, as the others came forward to look at their general.

He wants us to enter...- some others screamed as they grabbed their weapons, still listening to the feral roars, and cries of humans making their way through the city. One of the men stood infront of the group, looking at the warriors that were about to give their lives for humanity and the gem itself.

Tonight, is the night when we gain our freedom!!!- the man roared in happiness as he raised his spear and waved it around. The army screamed back as they too, waved their weapons in the air and launched right through the entrance of the city.

James flew up higher, the flames were still burning his whole body, but it didn't hurt. They couldn't hurt him anymore, he could conrtol what was given to him by Othenimus and the lesser Gods that brought him back to life, after the abyss incident. The gargoyles followed up, each after one another as they roared in their own laguage, and were not to leave James alone. James himself flipped once again and dived right back down, crushing his way like a falling star through the gargoyles with his blade, some cut his face as he slashed through 5 of them with incredible speed and acuuracy, all aimed for their hearts. The bodies split into two as James back flipped and landed right infront of the demon lord, so called Phiem as he heard ealier from one of the warriors, who now seemed to rest in peace, or maybe not, he was dead anyway. James grinned to himself as his body slowly burned in fire, he turned back to see that the army was already aiding the others warriors, around 500 men battling the demons of their own property. Turning back at the demon lord, James bowed slowly, with his sword still in the left hand( when it's in the left hand, he can't use it, he's right handed only.. ), and looke back up at Phiem, his eyes burning with fire, somewhat reminding himself of the Fire Bringer, Caithann.

A pleasure to meet such a wonder...- James slowly talked his way through the demon's mind, but his face still kept the warm smile he had on since the Flight of the Phoenix( somewhat, his signature move...), and continued starring right in the demon lord's eyes. But it will be such a loss, to find you dead now...tell me, no-one taught you that you cannot kill what you did not create, my dear? James continued mocking the creature, his face still grinning as his whole body engulfed into more flames than before. He slowly passed the sword to his right hand and waved it around once in the air, stabbing it unto the ground before him, holding it with two hands.

Shall we...?

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

OOC: Lionheart, James hearyou, but he didn't have the time to reply, too busy with the flying freaks ya know...

[-Phiem]

Linaya payed no attention to the man in front of her, he'd perish soon enough as the rest of the fools before him had. A growl from the left turned her attention away, in time to see a fireball of great size barreling her way. As faithful as ever, one of her twin demon stalkers shifted. It's muscles tensed under its thick skin, sinews churning under its skin like snakes. In one fluid motion it burns into action, leaping in the way of the flames. It howled in agony as the searing hit washed over it, tongues of fire licking across its flesh and wiggling little tendrils at its mistress. The demon stalker landed in a heap on the floor, though it slowly picked itself up, burn marks fresh across its skin.

Another hopeless fool, though this time Linaya wouldn't be so lenient as to let the creature believe it could get away with harming one of the beautiful creatures that her beloved had gifted to her. A deep throated growl left her lips, emanating from deep within her. Her eyes flashed as they assimilated the left over residue of the spell, drinking in the look of the intoxicating flames and the beauty of perfection that she sought. She let out her own fireball, back at the creature, though hers was smaller and glowed blue with its intensity.

A cry from human throats, such a harsh sound, flipped her attention once more to another direction. Pitiful creatures, why do you hate yourselves so? Or perhaps you'll see the error of your ways and embrace the beauty i bring to you. Her eyes glittered with a different sheen, shimmering like a sparkler lit on the fourth of July, the gem in her hands responded and hummed. Leave the heroes, kill the fodder. she commanded, her order flashing through the demon army in one smooth feature. However to the stronger beings, mainly fel guards, she left orders to finish off this bunch of hero wannabes and for them to deal with the approaching humans after. Leaving the network of the demons, Linaya began to spin her own web of mental links into the minds of the humans that were coming into her city. Don't you see? she cried, her voice soft and tempting in the minds of the humans. I do not bring you death and fear, merely beauty and glory. Happiness for all eternity! Her own influence and personality flowed behind those words like silken honey. Near the front line, twenty or so of the charging humans faltered, then turned upon their now ex-comrades. They too now shared her dream, and to accomplish her goal they would kill even those they had traveled with.

Shall we...?

A sudden thought breaking through the minor barriers she had thrown up for the moment brought Linaya crashing back into her own self awareness. She blinked in confusion at the now burning man. She spoke out loud this time, clearly lost in what he was trying to say. "Shall we what?" Her wounded stalker stayed quiet, though her right side compatriot growled in response, its onyx eyes staring without remorse at the flaming man.

[-The Gunslinger]

Darkness was all that was left. Was he to be left to rot inside this stinking corpse? When you bound me here demons, did you ever take into consideration that my carrier might fucking die? Would he be left inside this corpse for all eternity, able to think but unable to be anything more than just a thought? No, there has to be a way out. Of course, he could 'come forward'...but what would happen if he was in control of a corpse? Would that not kill him as well?

And yet...he could sense the most miniscule portion of Aeron's soul still left within the body, as if holding on to something before departing to whatever afterlife. And what happens if I 'come forward' when he's still there? Will we become one person? He thought of what had happened just minutes ago, his collapse at James' feet...Were two souls ever meant to reside in one body? I think not...

He could sense the last portion of what remained of Aeron's soul leaving the body...it was now or never, the consequences be damned.


From the view of an onlooker, what followed next would have been deemed near impossible. For a man who had just had his back mauled to death, who had lost to much blood to be alive, stood up. The man's entire back was a bloody ruin-bones protruded from it at odd angles, bits of flesh dangled here and there, and the skin was just beginning to scab over.

And yet some would argue that this was not the same man; for the man who had just stood up, his hair looked as if it was made from threads of shadow. And if you had seen his eyes, you would have been sure this was a different man. For the once silver eyes were now deathly black, like the very pits of a black hole.


It was an odd feeling, this. Being in a body that should have been feeling unimaginable pain...and yet feeling nothing. For that pain had belonged to another-in time he may feel the pain this corpse had suffered, but as for now, pain held no meaning. Blurred thoughts raced through his head, thoughts of two different people, one human and one fallen angel. The thoughts didn't matter. Not to him. All that mattered now was destroying the one who had destroyed him, forcing him to become like this. The thoughts of the other two still raced through his brain, becoming one, a single person.

He needed a name. A new name. Damean and Aeron were no more. He would not foul his new being with one of their names.

"Demarkos." He spoke the name aloud, the sound of it a song in his ears. That would be his name. And now to find the one who had done this to him, the one who had forced him to become so. With barely a thought, he shot a non-verbal message towards the Demon Lord. Phiem you bitch, I'm coming for you. For not even death can save you from me. He would have his vengeance. Before the day was out, he could destroy Phiem. Whether or not the Demon Lord was more powerful than he mattered not. For as long as his vengeance drove him, he was unstoppable.

[Denica]

As he turned around, he watched his own men, turn against their own, about 20 or so battling against each other, against their own cause and blood! James watched the sight as the group fought of the major army, and what was being left of it. 20 men were not a lot, but James knew that Phiem could do more. She was only playing with them, for now, as she drawed back the majority of the demons and such. A smirk of light, and he watched the dead warrior ressurect in a slightly different form, his selfnow being raged as he watched the man confront Phiem with such ease, he felt the message run past his mind as he could cacth just a little bit of it. His warm smile now fading away, James glanced back at the warrior and screamed through his mind with a large screeching boom, warning him only once this time.

She will kill you again and again, if needed. Don't you dare confront her, if you want your life to be sparred, then leave and help the others while you still can... At these sudden words, James stopped himself. Was he actually defending Phiem now, was she playing with his mind just as she played with his followers? It couldn't be just yet. He continued to glance over at what seemed to be the ressurected warrior and sent one last message before turning to Phiem. O cannot watch my own die in dispair, butif you are willing to die freely, I will just kill you myself...! James growled the last words out loud before he could turn back at Phiem and stare at her as she repeated hisown words.

"If you call yorself so mighty, why don't you take on someone yourown size...?- James asked as his smile came back to his face, now the flames burning slowly and quietly, unlike before. It was a matter of fact before James would attack Phiem and just as well get himself and her killed altogether with the rest of the army, it's members, and all the fellow warriors. Glaring through her beautiful eyes which seemed to be an illusion, to such a monster created, James continued.

Phiem, I challnge you to battle where no-one gets involved. Only me, and you. No-one else. If you really honour your land, you will agree...

Meanwhile the army was fighting off at their best, but their own members turning against them wasn't in the list of expectations. The group of 20 charged towards the rest of the army with their spears outfront.

Do not hurt them..!- one of the men screamed. Knock them unconcious and they will getback to their senses hopefully! The rest of the army shouted in agreement and charged forwards knocking their own of their feet and slaming them on their heads, knocking them donw unconcious. Perhaps it would all work, but the demons didn't stop coming, and there were more and more imps each second. Would they all survive...or have the time to?

[-The Gunslinger]

I don't fucking care how strong that bastard is. This is between her and me, now. You stay the fuck out of it. Demarkos shot the thought towards James' with fury. If that bastard killed her...

Two berserkers charged at him mindlessly, roaring their battle-crys. Almost mindlessly Demarkos muttered the incantation for firaga; the first of the two berserkers list afire instantly, roaring in pain and fury as the fire ate away at his skin. The second didn't even stop as its companion dropped to the ground dead, didn't even care. Closing his eyes momentarily, Demarkos reached into that pool of darkness, dipping into the pool of ecstacy. His palm facing towards the oncoming berserker, a lance of darkness shot from it, blowing through the berserkers face.

Fuck this... To get to Phiem would require navigating his way through hundreds of demons and soldiers...and by then, Phiem may have already been killed by the man James. Demarkos couldn't, Demarkos wouldn't let that happen. Shadow-woven wings, like the ones Damean had had before him shot out of his back. Slowly but surely, Demarkos began to rise in the air; his slightly tanned chest now looked darker against the wings, his dark brown pants ripped and cut. Fifty feet above the ground, Demarkos stopped and hovered. Hopefully this will get the bitches' attention...until she sends some gargoyls, then that'll be a real fuckin' pain.

Again Demarkos drew power from that pool of darkness, creating yet another shadow lance. This one he coated Bio poison, and coated the tip with it. Well, even if this doesn't hit her, hopefully it'll get that bitch pissed enough... And with that, he shot the lance towards Phiem.

[-tincup]

((OOC: Umm... holy shit. Do any of you understand the concept of waiting for people to post? I mean holy shit. There were over 10 posts in two days! Half of them by two or three people. (not really mad btw, just trying to get over the shock of an entire page being posted in a few hours) ))
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Archain stopped raising the sand and rocks when he realized that Aeron was no longer pushing the earth at their enemies. The winged hybrid looked up to see flocks of gargoyles swarming to their location. He pushed himself into the air and pumped hard to get himself airborne. He rose to the level of the gargoyles and hovered there as they winged pieces of stone approached him. He pulled a wall of rock up from the ground in the path of the gargoyles. The ones in the front slammed into the wall and crumbled to the ground. Others swerved over and around the wal to get to him.

"Oh shit," Archain muttered. He pulled his twin swords out of their sheaths and faced the gargoyles. He swung his blades around gracefully, but powerfully as the gargoyles swarmed past him. A few dropped to the ground, sliced in half, but most of them flew past him and swerved around for another pass. He quickly inspected his body, searching for cuts or bruises, of which there were many. The gargoyles passed around him again, and a few more dropped to the ground. After another pass, there were still around 20 gargoyles remaining, and Archain was covered with large cuts and gashes. He folded his wings and dove for the ground. It was absolutely insane to attempt what he was about to attempt, but if it worked it would quite possibly save a lot of lives, including his own. He dove for the ground and the gargoyles followed him. He dove closer and closer to the ground. Right before he hit, he opened up an Archain-sized hole and shot into it. He kept digging deeper and deeper, slowly leveling out the earth. About 200 yards down into the earth he leveled out and landed hard on the tunnel bottom.

He shot back up through the hole, widening it to fit his wings as he went. He emerged from the earth to find a group of gargoyle body parts lying on the ground around the hole. He landed painfully on the ground, favoring his left leg heavily. It was probably broken, which would most likely disable his ability to fight on the ground for a while. He streatched his wings out and pumped into the air with great difficulty, thanks to not being able to jump any longer.

Sara stood behind a group of fighters with he rbow in hand. She saw a flaming figher confront what she thought was a Demon Lord. She noticed two aides on either side of the Demon, and knew that it would prove to be a problem. She knocked an arrow in her bow and charged it with an energy ball. She released the arrow straight at one of the Demon Lord's "wingmen." She shot a flaming arrow at the other, only seconds later.
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((I figured those two were Phiem's characters, so I didn't wanna auto hit them.))

[-Ezekiel]

OOC: You see why I put up a three post per day rule in DOmus tincup? Method in my madness. Guys, Dest is still pissed off at you guys, I've posted as Marcus to show you stealth, now it looks like I have to send in a character of mine to pull you all out and get some order.
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The stench of the place, it curled his nose as he looked at the mess that was Akara. He had never been this far south before, ships couldn't reach this far south unless you were a demonic ship or an undead ship. His eyes burned as he looked at the fire and smoke that hung around the city. Darius was right, the city was a snag beyond any other. It was teeming with demons, thousands, nay millions of them swarmed around the city.

He could have dealt with them, he could have killed the whole city if he wanted to, sunk it into the flames and dirt that were so obvious around it. But he would lose his chance, he was here because of his own mistakes, his own failures and his own weaknesses. Even as he pulled his sword from his sheath he was having second thoughts.

"I can't do this" he whispered as the ethreal figure of an old man came to stand behind him, he didn't bother to look over his shoulder as the old man placed a hand on his shoulder. You can do this "Have you ever had second thoughts?" he asked as he watched the psyonic blasts from deep in the city. He wasn't sure if it were the demons fighting amongst themselves or the fools he could sense angering something beyond their strength to fight. All the time, but after a while, you realise that your second thoughts is your only defense from the fear that will grip you in combat. The trick is to fight as you have lived. "So hard dirty and if possible, get to third base with a few corpses?" Well, if your into that sort of thing.

As he stepped down into the city, Leopold clapped his hands, his smile bigger and brighter then any other as he caught the attention of a few demon patrols, as they charged toward him, their weapons raised he stopped them, just some twenty metres short of his location.

"Well, well, well" he said as he looked over the Fel Guard, imp demons, Doom hounds and singular Succubi that all glared at him angrily. "Hi there, I'm selling land in Necronus, thousands of acres of the stuff, all up for grabs. All you have to do is die and you get land for free." "What you say human" growled the Fel Guard as he and the Succubus took a step toward him. "I'm saying that for a one time offer and the low low price you all can own your very own piece of Necronus, free of undead and plagues. The only catch is you have to die" said Leopold, his smiled growing wider as stone copies of himself killed the lesser demons behind the stronger two.

"But if we die then we become undead" said the Succubus as she looked at her larger companion, both were confused as Leopold's clones moved into posistion, holding up the dead demons to Leopold to prove they were dead. "Well then, you can't own the property, I'm sorry but there will be no little demons running around, no white picket fences for you. No pets, no blood pools. Now if you don't mind I'll have my pen back"

"What pen?" asked the Fel Guard as Leopold's clones stepped closer to the two demons, their weapons at the ready. "How dare you sir, I have never made a pass at your wife. That is an insult, may your hair fall out and your skin turn bright pink." "Human is funny, and tasty looking" "Sorry sweet cheeks, but I make a rule of not having any form of relations, horizontal or otherwise with a Succubus, the whole eating thing annoys me. Plus your both dead"

The Fel guard would have said "What?" Keyword is would, however at that moment, Leopold's stone clones and Leopold decapitated both the demons and proceeded to hide the bodies in a crack in the earth. As his stone clones melted into the dirt, Leopold stepped into the shadow of the city, this was just another say in the life of Leo the Crow.

[-Hand of Fate]

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OCC- I just noticed none of my characters are doing anything, and since Zeke's example made it so simple to get started in this thread... here I am... hope I don't step on any toes...

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Rebarta Reborn's massive claws dug into the earth as it made its way towards the Demon city. Its long curved neck was arched up slightly its horn covered head scanning the city it was coming upon. Kein rode lazily on his back, behind his neck. Kein’s two Bonewalker servants, recovered from their recent failure to capture Estel sat on the dragon’s back as well. As they came closer to the city they attracted the attention of a patrol of demons as well.

Two Fel Guards following a Doom Guard with a trail of lesser demons approached the dragon. He looked down to the demons as they prepared their attack but they all halted as Reborn stood up on his hind legs and raised his long neck upwards while expanding its wings, maximizing its height. As it did, it opened its mouth barring its massive white sharp teeth. Kein stood on an out cropping large scale and rested a hand at the base of Rebarta’s neck looking over his soldier. The two Bonewalkers gripped scales as well but couldn’t be seen.

“Who dares…” The Doom Guard started, but Kein cut him off with his own thunderous voice.

”These aren’t the Droids you’re looking for!” Kein called out waving his freed hand through the air. He was using manipulate lvl I to make it seem like the two droids he had with him weren’t the ones he was looking for.

“What the hell are drewoids?” The Doom Guard replied confused, not letting its guard down.

”H-hold on a second…” Kein mumbled as he took out a book that looked old and evil… it was labeled in ancient demonic and was titled: Dark Magic for Dummies. As he looked down at the book his bangs from his long hair hid his eyes in shadow. The Doom Guard was about to order the charge when Rebarta let out a low roar and moved forward to return to it’s normal standing position on all fours. The demon squad backed away as the Dragon crashed down in front of them. Kein skillfully kept himself right side up with fast moving feet’s even as he thumbed through his cheater’s guide to dark magic.

”O-ok… wait… ok…” Kein said raising a pointer finger to the Doom Guard. He then looked up from the book, his left blue eye leaving the shadows of his bangs and revealing it’s piercing gaze at the Doom Guard. The veins around his eye filled with blood and could be seen pressed up against his skin. His eye turned from its normal bright blue into a dark black color, then even the whites of his eye turned to darkness. Normally a simple look from a weird eye would not phase a Doom Guard but, Kein was using the Dark Spell ‘Manipulate II’ on the demon, through his eye. ”These aren’t the Bonewalkers you are looking for…” Kein said calmly and slowly.

“These aren’t the Bonewalkers we are looking for…” the Doom Guard repeated. “W-we were never looking for-“ A Fel Demon began to argue, but the a piercing look from the Doom Guard told him to shut up promptly. “Bow down!” The commanding demon barked as he bowed down to the Dragon riding Kein. The others did promptly as well. “We will let them pass,” he ordered with his nose in the dirt. Kein smirked, his eye and veins returning to normal as he lowered his gaze, his bangs falling forward and hiding his eyes from sight again. He sat back down on the Dragon, who promptly left the bowing demons for the inner city of Akara.

[-Bane]

The flames rippled throughout the air, causing immense and crazy heat. A silence could be heard as the flames made their way towards Phiem, crashing and destroying all in its path. The flames were now nearly upon the demon lord, Bane started to get excited, causing the flame to grow larger.

A demon stalker shifted slightly in front of the blast, it would hit it and miss Phiem! Stupid thing! Why would you want to save that things life, the stupid bitch was just going to die some way or another under his blade. The flame enveloped the Stalker and it screamed in pain, then the flame seemed to evaporate, Bane could feel the power of darkness leaching off his own.

Suddenly, Phiem caused a small, blue emitting flame to erupt out of her hand. It carried throughout the air, seeming to destroy and obliterate all in its path, until it Bane finally leaped into action. The flame seemed to pass through air at an abnormally fast speed, he leapt out of the way just as it zoomed past his head and smashed into a building block behind him, "You stupid bitch, look what you did to the poor building" said Bane sarcastically as he hopped up and brushed the dirt off his armor "You destroyed it!"

Laughing at himself he picked his blade up and readied himself to fight, then, sending a message to Phiem he decided to make it short, but sweet. You seem to think you are the best don't you? You want to fight me, one on one, none of you 'guards' to protect you alright! I want you all to myself this message was spread aray until he was sure it hit Phiem. He was sure she was going to blow so he stopped the messages, smirking slightly he began to run towards the Demon Lords entourage, his swords gleaming in his hands that were limply behind him, dangling at his sides as he ran to certain death of sorts. He began to conjure magical energy and focus it on the element that could not be seen, wind!

[-Ezekiel]

OOC: Wow bane, are you planning on flying or attempting to use magic you don't have? We can dream that you also had something amazing planned for us.
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"If I could walk five hundred miles then I would walk five hundred more, just to be the man who walked a thousand miles to be at your door" sang Leopold as he quite literally danced across the roof tops of Akara, behind him over tens of thousands of demons, all different sorts screamed for his blood. If ever there was a diversion, it would be this. If there ever were a trap, it would certainly not be the one the demons thought Leo couldn't see.

Gargoyles were streaming from every oriffice of Akara, if ever the arsehole of the world had more gargoyles, it would be on a church, because quite serious in Leopold's mind, this many demons meant only one thing. As he came to a halt on top of a suitable looking building, Leopold watched as the army surrounded him, their eyes flashing as imps swarmed into the house below him. "Yup," he said as he looked at the ring of angry demons who were glaring at him with such hate he could have toasted some bread if he had any...

Speaking of which, ten to twenty minutes ago, Leopold Vincent Braithwaite Callaghan Crowley had walked into the midst of a large group of demons and screamed. "Right, which of you bitches wants to dance?" at the top of his lungs, of course this did nothing in anger the demons as they had been ordered to kill intruders. So he dropped a few houses on them, oh and cows, other demons, stone, statues, anything really that caught his eye at that point in time.

Now some of you might be thinking, "Hey now, Leopold is taking on the demon army by himself, lets go help" But for a chap like Leopold, an army of shit loads wanting to kill him just because he dropped a few items on people is no reason for concern or to dance. No, you see, Leopold wanted to get as many people away from a certain place in Akara as possible, to draw away the army of a rather obvious demon lord to aleviate the stress of combat on the others.

So, Leopold Vincent Braithwaite Callaghan Crowley, stepped his little act up to another notch, he made several passes at demons, patted a Doom Hound, made a comment on the weight of a Pit Lord, insulted a statue for looking like the rear end of a horse and deffecated on a school of imp demons. So you can gather that the imps in the build underneath him were quite soggy...one was even brown in colour.

"Looks like you got yourselves a pretty bad infestation, I'll just clean that up for you" he chuckled as the building he was standing on collapsed like a card house with Leopold sitting calmly amongst the dust. Before the dust cleared, Leopold slipped away into the darkness. It would take some time for the demons to figure out that Leopold had moved from one side of Akara to the other as they searched every building from top to bottom, some even going down into the dark places below Akara to search. All the while a domed building with a tower not too far from it was left virtually unguarded...well if you ignore the millions of demons still around it, it was still a smaller number then lots.

As he walked out into a street full of fighting demons and people he knew by sight as they had been at Akara, Leopold walked past a pair of doggies and patted them both on the head. "What lovely beasts" he remarked as a shout was heard from behind him. "OH for fuck sake" groaned the mad Pirate as he took off again, several hundreds of demons running after him shouting "We found him, we found him" in six different languages and forms of interpretive dance.

OOC: Under no circumstances should I see a post such as this from any of you. However, there have been hints dropped, please take them seriously.

[-Phiem]

Linaya seemed to consider the one on one challenge she had received, clearly not paying attention to the screams and vows of revenge others were throwing at her. In fact she was lost in her own thoughts deep enough she never even noticed the fact that the same stalker that had protected her moments earlier from fire pushed off from the rubble it had stood on to take another hit for her, black energy crackling as it slammed into its demonic body. The poor beast slammed hard into the floor, sending dust and chunks of broken stone flying into the air. Subconsciously her wing on the left side curled inward slightly to deflect the rubble from hitting her. Her wings flared as she seemed to have come to a conclusion, no longer were her eyes half glazed, and she pushed backwards with steady beats.

Sorry little ones, but the only one I spend time with alone is not here. Nor could you ever compare to his beauty. Her voice rang out in both mind and sound, though because of the sounds of battle it was doubtful anyone heard her melodic voice. An explosion rippled outward from the right, sending debris and dust into the skies, clouding view around where Linaya had taken off to. A howl from the middle of the cloud told of what had happened, something with explosive force had ripped into the demon stalker next to her. It was still alive for certain, the tough exoskeleton and armor like skin having protected the beast, though it was injured now, black scorch marks detailing a single impact point on its side. A death cry rose from the other side, the twin of the demon stalker was on the floor, black ichor blood pooling around it. Fire engulfed the poor beast, the smell of scorched flesh dispersing itself into the skies. For that, I leave you a present. Linaya cried, her eyes sharp and angry. Darkness pooled behind her, rippling outward as a portal cut into the sky. While she herself drifted backwards into the darkness, several creatures emerged from it. The portal itself had to widen to proportions of ridiculous size as the massive creatures exited. Glaives shining in the fires of the city and the grey-yellow sky, two massive pit lords stepped out in place of Linaya. Her parting laugh echoed outward for the minds of those present, Enjoy little ones.

The cries of ravens left the battlefield as well, the little creatures having vanished along with Linaya. Like a swarm of locus they reappeared, along with their mistress, in the horizon. Linaya looked about, her twin sisters should be nearby, though she hadn't spotted the two since arriving at the dome and tower. With a small shower of raven feathers she settled onto the roof of the ruined tower, bare feet touching down without sound on the stonework. The view from up top was actually quite pleasant and gave her adequate sight of the two pit lords she had left for the little misbegotten creatures who had started to irk her.

[-Hand of Fate]

Reborn ran through the city streets, most of the demons distracted by the unstopable deficating force. Those who did chase after Reborn were no left behind easily by the dragon's massive muscles moving with out a single wasted effort. Reborn was not a particuarlly strong dragon, but he was a skillful dragon. Reborn was not trainned in the Ausamatu Secret Arts, he was instead one of the founders of the secret arts. Kein and Kenji's ancestors had watched Rebarta and Fareos, two ancient dragons as they did battle. They reveared the dragons as gods and watched the graceful display of battle between the evenly matched dragons.

From what they learned they developed the Ausamatu Secret Arts. The dragon raced through the streets and soared through the air when appropriate to move past any obstacle with out slowing down or faltering.

Rebarta Reborn came to a stop with a loud crash. It landed on a tall building, which began to crumble, though it's ruins were still enough for the dragon to tower over the battle filed below. His attention was drawn to an unusally strong demon standing upon a tower. Reborn turned to look to Kein and gave him a nod.

Kein shrugged and the dragon took off into the air again. It flew up towards the tower where the ravens circled above.

"Excuse me miss..." Kein called out to the Demon Lord. "I would like to pledge my blade to this army's cause,"he continued right to the point. He was tired of wandering aimlessly and needed purpose. Serving a feudal lord like he did for his father in the past seemed to cure to his delmia.

[Denica]

Ignoring the stupid man who was about to kill himself again, James sent back a message pretty much saying: I will kill you myself and turned to Phiem. The demon lord gave no response as James was awaiting for one, but suddenly fire errupted in front of his eyes and James flew back, being thrown away about 15 feet, his body grinded the undead soil. Coughing the dust out of his lungs, he managed to get quickly to his feet and look around him, now being circled with over 20 demon imps, little creatures never gave up on their master. They would never give up unless they were dead, or burning in their own hell of fire as they would in just a little more time. He was surrounded, perhaps trapped from the inside the inner circle of demons, James waved his sword, ready to slash the damn demons away.

What are you waiting for...you little creatures of filth?- James screamed as he made his way to one of the sides, both hands with the blade that burn with immense fire, as so did his body. The imps launched forward as well, all at the same time, with their claws about to grab James appart. Just in time as he jumped up, he watched the small demons collide with each other, landing back and stabbing the rest that were still alive. Looking behind him to notice a man come in the battle scene, James figured out who he was just by his appearance.

Leo...oh...no...- James whispered to himself, sarcasticly as the man fought his way in and out, running around like a clown, who seemd to be doing a pretty good job at keeping the whole army distracted, while the others could get a chance at concieving the gem to themselves, but James knew, he had to have it for the Golden Sash. Turning back around he watched as Phiem teleported to ruin tower just a little far off, with the crows still circling her, but not as much as before. rain of feathers followed down as she completely made her way towards the ruin tower, James thinking exactly what she wanted, perhaps. They would fight, and only one would survive. For a second he stood there, his sword still stuck in one of the imp's bodies, why was he attacking the demon lord in the first place? He didn't have a grudge or anything, but seeing that this was the only way to get the gem they needed, James had no choice. Noticing two pit lords around where Phiem was earlier, James nodded to himself as Phiem teleported off somewhere he couldn't see her for now. Was this the first test before he could reach her?

Meanwhile, the army kept their battle stances, and continued fighting, helping the major warriors around. Knocking almost all of their "infected" men down, they mostly concentrated on the lesser demons, andleft the guards and other hideous monsters to the more experienced fighters. A small group noticed as a familiar man they knew appeared into the area, fighting of the beats with such easy, they had to stop and look for some time, before continuing their battle. One of the man ran a little further and cried over to the pirate before he could get anywhere further.

"Sir, Leo, could you give us a hand...? Our army might not make it through half time of the battle..? If it's not that much to ask, we will all appreciate it...-"- the man cried out but just as he finished, a larger demon came up, stabbing the poor soldier through his heart, waving the body around before throwing it right at Leopold. Growling in dispair, the demon made his way and started to attack the rest of the smaller group.

[-tincup]

Sara continued to loose arrows into the demon ranks, some with the tips aflame, some crackling with electricity, and some with E balls on the tips. Imps were running around, some with their heads on fire, others shaking violently with the electric charge that was put into them. Every now and then a few imps would fly through the air from the impact of an E Ball-charged arrow.

Archain hovered in the air, fighting off who and what he could. Lesser demons threw themselves at him, and he swatted at them with his swords, killing some, and knocking some back. The winged hybrid swooped over to James, and landed painfully, favoring his left leg.

"So... two big, stinky Pit Lords took the place of the big, stinky Demon Lord?" Archain asked. "Well... two of them, two of us. How about we take 'em on?"

Sara looked and saw the Pit Lords as well. She knocked two arrows into her bow simultaneously, setting each aflame. She launched both arrows at one Pit Lord, one connecting with its chest, right under the collar bone, and one slid in between two of its ribs, a little below the heart. The fire burned in the wounds, and the Pit Lord seemed to grow enraged.

Archain saw the one Pit Lord impaled with two arrows, and decided to go for the other. He pushed off with his good leg, and pumped his way into the air. He began to climb higher and higher into the sky. Finally, he spun and dove at the uninjured Pit Lord. He soared past it, swiping at its head with his twin blades. He rose up into the sky again, before spinning and swooping back for another pass.

[-The Gunslinger]

It was time to try something different. It was undeniably obvious that the Demon Lord held no intention of fighting him...so it was left up to Demarkos to bring matters into his own hands. Well, time to find what grinds this fucker's gears.

Opening up his mind, Demarkos shot a thought off towards Phiem. You know what? I now understand why and how you have the wrong idea about things. You're so damn ugly, a trait you share with the land you think is so beautiful. You think this land and yourself are beautiful, untainted things. Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better. Demarkos wasn't sure whether or not that would do anything, but it was always worth a try.

Several groundlings were focusing on the two biggest pit lords Demarkos had ever seen. Luckily, he had wings. Demarkos took one last look at the two pit lords before turning towards the tower where Phiem now was. So lost in his thoughts was he that he didn't notice the five gargoyles enclosing in from behind him until the last second.

Sweeping his wings, Demarkos shot up into the air, the gargoyles missing him by a milisecond. Try to sneak up on me again like that, you chicken fucks. Withdrawin his sword, Demarkos swept down and cut the wing of the first gargoyle; it stumbled back, if that was possible in midair, but it fell when Demarkos hit it with a shadow lance. Hopefully it hits one of the fuckers down below.

The remaning four gargoyles were each reigning down upon him...he could fight them, but that would take time and energy, something he couldn't afford to lose. Demarkos waited until the gargoyles were almost on him, waited until they wouldn't have a chance to pull up, then reached into that pool of dark energy and summoned withforth a portal of darkness. Each of the four gargoyles flew into it, not having time to react. They appeared a few hundred yards away, right by some Golden Sash soldiers. Now for Phiem...

Demarkos turned towards her again, and like a bullet, his wings spread wide, shot towards her.

[-Darshe]

Hours of walking...no storming through the freezing cold of Necronus and wishing he'd left earlier because he'd lost Leopold's tracks about halfway had given Darshe plenty of time to cool off by the time he arrived in Akara he reached the outskirts of the city he stopped. surveying what he could from his current position oddly he didn't see much at all no demons in sight. "Where did all the patrols go?" He wondered aloud. something felt wrong but they had a plan so he would stick to it. Sweeping out his arm he summoned Garuda. The bony rotting dragon formed beside him as it had before in the library in Necronus a startled grunt came from it as it realized it's location and what was ahead of them.

"Sorry Garuda for the suddeness but I need your powers for a bit. Though you have a pretty good range of coverage stay close. Not too close, but close enough I can get to you if you get into trouble I don't want to suddenly lose my veil without warning. Don't draw any unnecessary attention don't kill anything unless you have to and if you do make sure you dispose of the bodies." He commanded as Garuda nodded and gave a grunt in reply.

"Good...now that that's all sorted out take me in a bit I wanna get a good view and begin cloaking." Darshe added as he climbed unto the dragons back. Garuda spread his wings and took off using his powers to make Darshe invisible so to any who spotted the dragon it would just appear that there was an undead dragon flying low overhead.

Garuda took him only semi high but high enough that he could see where all the demons had gone.

"I see...Leopold...that madman he became our diversion on his own?" He could see the demons moving like a flood in one direction co-incidently the opposite direction of where he was now. "So...if he went that way.." His gaze fell upon a large tower surrounded by 5 skull shaped structures forming a dome at it's base that lay in the opposite direction of leopold. "Then that must be our objective." Garuda take me down. there's still too many to fly in. I'm going to cross the bridge and hope this invisibility fools them when we get there you go around and fly under the bridge. It's likely we'll have to fight to get inside I'll be relying on your frost breath when that happens.

A strained squeal came from the dragon almost as if it were excited as it landed and they started on foot toward the bridge that connected to the structure he'd spotted.

[-Lionheart]

Van was desperate to escape the battle, though deep down he knew that he was leaving those he cared about behind. But at the moment, that was not the important thing. They had not come to this place to fight another war where they could not afford one, no, they had come in search of a powerful demon gem, one that could possibly usurp the demon's power and tilt the balance of this dreadful war in the humans favor, even at least for a short period of time. Throwing the body of the dead imp off him, Van ducked low, falling to the earth as another demon surged over his head.

"I've got to get out of here. The others can hold for themselves, and if they really need to run, well then, they better scatter like mice." Vanguard thought to himself, as he slowly crept out of the light, and into the shadows of a nearby building. Had a demon seen him? Or perhaps his shadow was the only thing visible, and knowing the fel guards, and the imps and all, Van was sure they were more focused on bloodshed than tracking him down for the moment. Sheathing his daggers, Van staggered forward, wiping a dribble of blood from his lips, as he exited the small house, coming into a dark alley.

It seemed luck was on his side, as a small lesser demon crept before him, completely unaware of Van's presence altogether. Unsheathing one of his weapons quietly, Van slid the weapon across the demons throat, just enough to cause it a certain degree of pain, but not enough to harm it. "Tell me demon, what is it you are doing here?" "Nothing human. You will die." Moving the dagger a little closer, Van pushed the blade closer to the repugnant beasts throat, ensuring he would get some answers before he continued on.

"I asked, what are your demon friends looking for?" Vanguard was ready to kill the beast if he didn't receive the answer he desired, but at the last moment, the beast relented. "The dome! The dome!" It croaked quickly, and in one, sharp precise moment, Van slit the beasts throat, satisfied by the answer he managed to withdraw from the demon. Leaping up onto the shallow remains of a small wall, Van put his hands above his eyes, scouting the sky for any type of dome, and there, on the very edge of his vision, it lay...

Only moments later he was off, searching, but remaining in the shadows. Anytime a demon or a group of hounds was even close to him, Van ducked for the nearest shelter, not caring to mask himself because he knew the demon lords, or at least Phiem, could sense his psychic aura. Unsheathing both of his daggers, Van followed a short road, until he came to an entrance behind the dome. "Well, this is where it will get interesting.." He said to himself as he pushed the ruins of a large door inwards, and stepped inside...

[-Darshe]

OOC: For those of you (and I'm sure there's a few) wondering where I got the design for the structure from I'm not just making it up........It's in the forum description....seriously. Even tells you WHERE in Akara it is. and it's referenced in Zeke's post with leopold...honestly.

It wasn't long before Darshe stood on the edge of the ring of fire that surrounded the isolated tower. the dome covered most of the ground on the 'island' it occupied, leaving a rather small area in comparison for fighting and it was swarming with demons." So from the freezing cold to the fires of hell huh?" he commented to himself at the drastic change in temperature compared to necronus.

"Change of plans." He said quietly to Garuda as the dragon awaited hidden around a corner behind him he paused as a group of demons ran across the bridge 4 imps and a Berserker. Not a group he wanted to deal with right now. he kept perfectly still and held his breath untill they passed waiting a few extra moments before continuing "I need you to act as a distraction." Fly in rain icy death on them and when they scramble to retaliate use the tower as cover. Do not worry about me as long as you're attacking the likely hood I'll be discovered it minimal.Once I'm inside fight as long as you can before you return to the ether."

Garuda gave a snort and Darshe took off running across the bridge a Doom guard was at the other end but hopefully Garuda would attack before he got there. 'come on...come on...come on you damn dragon what's taking so long?' he wondered as he ran past the doom guard who noticed the sound of heavy foot falls coming across the bridge it's eyes narrowed as it picked up faint traces of magic. It began to move and gave a roar and Darshia knew he was in trouble but right then Garuda screeched into the sky and Icy breath came down upon the demons who were oh so used to the heat. it was foreign to them and the lesser demons fled from it while the more powerful began attacking Garuda with any means they had. In the chaos Darshe kept his hands on his swords but remembered he was invisible it was unlikely anything would pay him notice as he moved toward the doors he was grateful he didn't even have to risk opening them as a Pit Lord came crashing out it's attention instantly on Garuda in the sky but Darshia also recognized that too was bad and hurried in before the doors closed as the pitlord brought down a rain of fire from the skies upon Garuda forcing the dragon to retreat, fortunately they started to follow as he dissapeared back into the Ether, they would be jumping at ghosts all night searching for a creature that was no longer there. Of course that wouldn't leave the place unprotected. The demon gate was litteraly right there. More would replace them soon enough. He had to wonder about the man who'd hidden such a thing here. He was either a genius or a complete idiot. Either way though it worked. The demons hadn't found the gem because it'd been masked by the incredible power of the demon gate nearby as well as whatever this device was it was hidden in.


Inside Darshe hid behind a pillar knowing his invisibility would be gone and sure enough soon after it was as Garuda retreated. Much earlier than he'd hoped.He could hear the sounds of scurrying it would seem some didn't go outside to check on the ruckus. he peered out into the main floor nothing there and the only place to go was up. He spotted what looked to be some sort of elevator but he wasn't stupid enough to use it instead it'd be another diversion as he made his way over and activated it pushing multiple buttons so it would go near the top and then go down floor by floor for 2 floors giving so it didn't seem to come down right away and then it would come straight to the bottom any intelligent demon remaining would think an intruder had come searched for something gotten it and was trying to leave.

Meanwhile he'd take the stairs in search of this 'machine' mentioned in Ezekiels notes. His body began to ache as he climbed as the density of magic power increased obviously what he was looking for was up there. He could bear it only because of his recent exposure to ezekiels library which had somewhat conditioned him to handle the mass of power that existed here.