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Post by B on Mar 17, 2011 2:47:44 GMT -5
The Kingdom of Caliphas, it's mighty ruler, Allant Koger along with his son Ostrava and daughter Annalise. Caliphas' capital city, Limberry, known as the most lively place in all the world. It houses the greatest warriors, best advisers, the longest records, and rather famous for its quality vineyards. The Kingdom of Caliphas has everything other countries couldn't even dream of having. That wasn't enough... Not for Allant. Ancient scriptures of a great speaker to Umbasa. He was only known as "The Great Speaker". A foreigner once sold a map to the tomb of such an individual. For two years Allant sent an army of people to mine the great mountain range to find this tomb... Just a week ago an envoy was sent bearing the good news. Allant ordered that the coffin was not to be opened until it is brought to Limberry and set before the king.
---
"I don't like this."
They were in the hall of the great castle. Large pillars with gaps that shown the large mote below. The prince had short brown hair and dark brown eyes. The woman next to him had a much lighter brown, almost looking more like an orange than a brown.
"No doubt in my mind, this will end badly."
The female agreed as she leaned against one of the pillars. The prince looked over at her, his arms were connected at the hands behind his back. His posture was straight. Definitely giving off the sign of a royal birth, whereas the female gave off an obvious sign of a commoner's birth. Despite that, she was dressed like royalty. A blue overcoat that you would expect a respected general to be wearing. It was obvious she was wearing armor underneath, but the only real armor you could see outright was the large gauntlet going down her left arm. As for her other hand there was only a blue bracelet laced with diamonds. A gift from the king.
"I want you to take Anna and go into the town today."
The knight gave him a defensive look.
"Are you mad? Should king catch word, Miralda will have my head."
The prince chuckled and shook his head.
"He's trusted you for the last four years to protect us. You solely. The most he will do is give you a lecture and threaten to have you at the stocks. Nothing more."
The woman shook her head with a smirk.
"Sounds like a much better circumstance. You may be right, though. I don't want her near should something be in that coffin. I don't want you near, either."
The prince looked a bit offended.
"I can handle myself. I am no child."
She's heard this one before. She pushed herself off the pillar.
"I will go at once, my lord."
She said with a bow.
"Don't do that."
He demanded and she chuckled and walked off. He sighed.
"I don't want you near either..."
---
The room was full of royal and noble spectators. In the front of the rows of seat was the thrown. King Allant, long gray hair, a full beard and eyes that anyone would recognize in a child who just walked into a sweets shop. The large doors opened and a knight entered with haste, giving a bow to the king.
"Sir... This coffin is quite big. Please, we must remove the doors. Impatient but compliant, a half an hour was spent to make room for the giant coffin. It was once believed that people in the days of The Great Speaker were giants. It appears that that belief could finally be confirmed. Now with the preparations finished. 18 soldiers entered, carrying the coffin. It was rotten, black stone that has been buried for a millenia. They slowly put it down before the king. Beside him was his advisors and Ostrava.
"My great nobles and kin, be in awe. You sit before The Great Speaker! The translator of Umbasa!"
There was a gasp. Allant sat up from his throne and went down the marble steps to where the coffin was lain. Allant ran his hand across the edge and licked his lips.
"It is magnificent..."
He looked to his trusted knights.
"Come help me. Ostrava, stand and watch as our great country takes another leap."
The prince gave a bow. After a few strained attempts at releasing the seal, finally it gave way. As the stone slab fell to the regal floor it shattered. Almost immediately... Pandemonium... A flush of bright lights the sound of sucking souls. Screams and yells turning to growls and roars. A flash of flame and the roof was taken apart. The bright colors flew out into the sky and rained out... The citizens began to glow...
---
"Hmm..."
A large man grunted. Gray hair, a shaved chin and a magnificent crescent scar going from his right eye down his cheek to his chin. He was in a brown tunic, brown pants but some great leather boots. On his back was a rather large shield and you could barely see the twin blades of an double edged axe sticking out from the bottom of the shield. He always kept himself prepared. His large finger reached down and picked up the small carved horse and moved it up two and one right.
"Check..."
The skinny man across from him, looking old but not nearly as old read the board carefully.
"Actually... I believe that's a checkmate, Sir Alrich."
The legend looked over at the board and read it carefully. A few seconds later and he chuckled.
"If I were you I had taken the turn anyways. But I guess I win this time."
"Yes. But next time I do not plan on losing."
Alrich paused for a second then slowly creased as mile.
"You mean you actually plan to lose?"
Before the other man could respond, there was a crash, then some screams. This is how our story begins...
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Post by D on Mar 19, 2011 3:45:48 GMT -5
“Oblitus Timetur… A rare tome indeed…but dear book collector, I have heard this rumor that…”
“It is in this cave…” She whispered to herself as she tucked a map into her journey pack. The young librarian pulled her hood on and adjusted her cloak before heading out of the library doors. A closed sign was placed on the door of the library and under the cover of the night, the young librarian slipped off. “Vea, Vea!” She called and a brown and white spotted horse trotted over to her. The young librarian ran her hand through its mane and then on horseback, she left the library behind.
The night soon turned into day and life continued on.
“Princess Annalise, the food is ready…”
And with a bright smile, the princess got out of her bed. Annalise gracefully made it from her chamber and to the dining room. “Hello, Phillipe.” The guard nodded his head, but she frowned. “Will you not be joining me today?” After focusing her light brown eyes at him, she batted her long, dark eyelashes. “I do so enjoy your company.” The guard shook his head. “Is something wrong, my dear Phillipe?” The guard didn’t answer and she sighed. “I suppose your silence is fine…please, assist me.” He walked over, pulled her chair back, and with elegant motions, she sat herself down.
It seemed that for the rest of the day, the daughter of the king would continue on her day just as a princess should.
While others ate their breakfasts and woke up for the day, the young librarian was riding toward the cave and nearing within a good amount of time. Vea, her horse, was a present from her great-grand uncle, and like he promised, the horse was a sturdy and had a good endurance. The two partners hadn’t stopped since the night before and at the speed they were going, the young librarian was happy.
She was not as happy as the Princess was, though. It seemed that the princess had an endless amount of joy within her body, and because of that, her happiness seemed to radiate from her. As she walked the halls, workers of the castle couldn’t help but stop and return a smile to her. Annalise was a generally likable person and it was hard to hate someone like her.
The young woman liked it that way. She liked it as much as she loked her mother’s garden. Of course, it was never really her mother’s garden and that the gardeners had made it to honor the deceased queen, but she still liked it. The garden held beautiful flowers and smelled wonderful. However, the main and most obvious reason to why she liked it was because the garden reminded her of her mother.
“Lily…” A young girl entered the garden with a brush. “How are you doing today?” The young girl smiled and began to tell her story as she brushed the Princess’ long, flowing dark brown hair. “That is quite well. I’m glad that your family is doing better. Is your father not healing?”
“Not afraid. Not afraid. The dark is not your enemy, but it is unknown space that one must explore. I can do this…” The librarian pulled her cloak closed and scurried from rock to rock, as if searching for cover. There wasn’t anything in the cave, except for the various cave-dwelling creatures, but the poor girl was frightened by almost anything.
Despite her fears, the librarian ventured deeper and further into the cave. However, instead of getting darker, it grew brighter again. Where it was the brightest was a small room and in the small room at the center was a pile of bones. “Oh! Umbasa’s blessings!” She exclaimed. The young librarian rushed over to the pile and picked up a package. Had she only seen the pile of bones and not the package, the librarian would have died, but her eyes were glued onto her prize.
Carefully, she unwrapped the package and discovered a plain book. “Could this be it?” She asked as she opened the book. The young librarian ran her hand over the first page, feeling the indent of the pressed words. A small smile formed on her lips as the shape matched that of the words she was searching for. Still sitting near the pile of bones, she dove into a world of just words.
Hours later, the Princess returned to her quarters. After her normal princess-like duties were finished for the dull day, she retreated back to some alone time. During this time, no one was allowed within her quarters with the exception of a select few, which included those with various levels of love from her. No one seemed to know what Annalise did in those times, but as long as it wasn’t dangerous, ladylike, and still fitting for a princess, it didn’t matter.
Normally, her alone time would stay as alone time, but on this day, it was quite the opposite. A knock came at the door and what followed after was the normal princess-like procedure of asking the urgency of such a disturbance. However, the procedures were modified and cut short when she recognized the friendly voice. “Oh, please do come in, my dear Helena. I expect that wonderful news is to grace my ears.” The knight quickly explained to her what was to happen and she nodded with a smile. “Oh, I have been waiting patiently for the day to enter the town.”
In hours, the young librarian was able to read much and remember much. The tome was quite amusing. It had fun little ‘spells’ and ‘incantations’ with ridiculous pictures. Of course, none of it was real, but she needed something fun to read once and a while. By the time she had realized that she had read for hours, the sun was at the highest point in the sky and beating down on her.
Strange, she thought.
It was after that she realized that she had forgotten her way out.
Dressed in more common clothes, the princess and her dear friend headed for a way out of the castle. Of course, considering her father’s over protectiveness the guards didn’t seem to let them out, but when Annalise finally approached the guards herself, she had a pleasant surprise. A beaming, genuine smile quickly formed at the guard’s presence. “Hello, sir guard. May I please pass?” Philippe stiffened a bit, but aside from that, everything seemed to remain the same. “Please…” Hesitantly, he pulled his pike back and allowed passage. “Thank you, dear.” Her smile grew gentler and her eyes kept on him until they fully passed him.
Eventually, with her friend accompanying her, she travelled around the city. The first place she visited was the library, but unfortunately it was closed, so the next she went to was the poorest district of their city. Like the good princess she was, she helped hand out food and supplies to those who just couldn’t afford them. “There, there…” She said with a reassuring smile, “Things will get better.”
“…I don’t remember so many cave openings… I should have marked…How foolish of me…” She got up from the cave floor and with the tome in hand, she hastily picked an opening at random and began to wander. The longer she was lost, the more panic she gained and soon she was running around in a sprint. “I’m going to die! I’m going to starve! Oh dear Umbasa! Why? Goodness!” The young librarian was hysterical.
Whoosh.
She stopped, looked around, and let out a whimper.
Whoosh.
Now, she was on the verge of tears.
Whoosh.
The young librarian began to glow.
She tried to hold it in, but it was too late. From the spot she had stood at, she bolted and tears flowed freely from her eyes. She was screaming now, unable to control the amount of fear she was experiencing at the moment. The young librarian didn’t care where she was running to, but eventually the calls for her horse were heard and Vea came to her rescue. Sobbing uncontrollably, she barely made it onto the horse.
“And here is a piece of…” Annalise stopped and stared at the little boy. “Pardon me, but I do believe that glistening is unnatural.” Before she could say anymore, she felt a strong hold on her arm and she was suddenly pulled away from the little boy. At first, she didn’t understand, but when her focus on the boy was disrupted, she saw that others were glowing as well. “What is this?”
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Post by B on Mar 19, 2011 4:49:57 GMT -5
The day was going by, interestingly enough. People seemed to recognize Annalise, of course she'd be too hard to hide. Word was definitely going to get out that it was Helena who accompanied her out. Oh well, she will stand and take the punishment like a faithful knight will. Still though, it was good to see her get out and interact with the world for once. Helena smiled slightly as she followed the excited princess around the massive city. Instead of using the time to indulge on the entertainment, she decided to assist the poor. Helena grinned again, she can't make the world a happier place with bread and a day but oh well, might as well let her think that. Helena removed her gaze from the princess, a distant crash. Maybe someone dropped a box? No, that was stone. Helena's gaze went up, bright lights in the sky. What are they? WOOOSH, WOOSH.
"What?"
Helena saw the curious people, touching their chests as bright lights entered them.
"No! Annalise!"
She immediately grabbed the princess' arm and began in a quick sprint. She could hear the princess begin to question what was happening but Helena didn't have time to answer. Her gauntleted hand kept hold of Annalise, her free hand already had the hilt of her sword gripped.
"Stay back, or I'll have your head!"
She growled at nearby people. Where to take her? where to take her? Oh god why didn't Allant let her out of the castle to at least learn the lay of the land... A loud roar could be heard, buildings could also be heard collapsing afterwards, a demon. Definitely a demon. But where were the souls coming from?
---
"Maybe a building is on fire?"
The man across from Alrich said. Alrich knew these kind of screams. Only a scream this desperate could be found in a war. This wasn't any fire. Alrich removed himself from the seat. Other knights in the pub seemed to get up as well, a few of them didn't look like they could hold a sword for how many pints they took in. Still, though, they remembered their duty.
"Stay in here, Gabe, I'm going to have a look outside."
The smaller man equipped with spectacles nodded and pushed his chair away from the chess set. A knight approached Alrich.
"I shall accompany you, sir Alrich."
Alrich nodded and they went to the door and opened it slightly. Lots of bright lights and people running. A few of them laying on the floor dead, apparently stabbed. A few others with knives running after the other running people. Alrich closed the door and looked at the gentlemen inside the pub.
"There is an attack. I want you all to barricade this door until local knights give you further notice. I'm going to go outside to assist. Any knights who wish to accompany me are welcome."
Most of the knights steeled themselves and followed the veteran out. It was pandemonium when they got out into the streets. Already there was what seemed to be a plump merchant running at one of the knights with a dagger screaming. Needless to say, the merchant ran straight into the good knight's sword. THUMP, CRASH, THUMP, THUMP RAAAWRR! Alright slid out the axe from his back and looked slowly in the direction of the obnoxious noise. There it stood, it's overall feature looked like a bear but many things were different, it had the tail of a reptile, large horns protruding from his mouth, and was rather big with also large intimidating claws. Alrich sighed.
"So much for retirement..."
---
A temple of Umbasa, that's their best bet. Helena tried the door and it opened easily. Annalise was rushed inside and Helena slammed the doors shut. If they can, they'll have to stay here for an hour at least for the majority of the souls to be absorbed. When the demon was slain so long ago, there wasn't even a portion of how many souls are out there. Just what was in that tomb? Helena looked at Annalise who appeared calm but Helena needed to make sure her spirits were up.
"Do not fear, my lady. Any that have intents of harming you shall meet cold, unforgiving steel."
"What is the meaning of this!?"
A priest. Helena quickly bowed to his holyness.
"Why do you grip your blade in the house of Umbasa?!"
"I apologize for this crude gesture. But I'm afraid there is havoc in the town, your holyness. I escort the only princess of this kingdom. I shall guard her even if it be in Umbasa's dwelling."
The priest looked at Annalise then back at Helena, he calmed a bit.
"I understand. Pray with me that this will pass."
He closed his eyes, Helena didn't bother. Maybe Annalise will but Helena would not. Some of the people's screams outside turned inhuman. The souls are too much. Too much for people to handle. The large doors began to be beaten on. Helena immediately reached for a large wooden bar and placed it between the doors, blocking them.
"Let us in!"
Someone screamed from the other side. Helena slowly backed away from the door, ready to draw her sword.
"For Umbasa's sake, we'll die!"
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Post by D on Mar 19, 2011 20:11:01 GMT -5
“But they have not done anything wrong. These people would not dare…this violence is not necessary.” While her voice kept steady and her expression calm, an internal panic began within her mind. None of the people around them deserved to be killed even if they did do any harm because she believed that they were still her people. She cared for them and believed that they would not do anything to hurt her, but then the memory of her mother’s death returned. “Ah…Please, dear knight…” She began and with a gentler smile than before, she continued, “Sadness is not deserved.”
Luckily, no harm came to anyone, but she was quickly brought to the temple. Upon arrival, Annalise’s princess-like smile remained but some color had drained from her face. Helena would know the extreme dislike the princess held against this temple, but the princess restrained herself from acting out. “I do not fear for myself, my dear knight…” She said quietly before letting out a sigh. Annalise nodded before following the priest. As they got deeper, she couldn’t help but feel sicker. Hate was a strong word, but her feelings towards Umbassa were getting close.
Having been trained by the young librarian’s cousins, her horse carried her back to edge of town. During the ride, she had only managed to stay awake for an hour before she fell into a sleep. The next time she would gain consciousness would be after she was brought back into the library.
“Elissia…Elissia…” The young librarian heard a quiet voice and slowly opened her eyes. “Please wake up…” She blinked a few times and gave the voice’s owner a small smile. When the owner looked up, he grinned and hugged her through his tears. Elissia chuckled softly and moved her father’s long hair out of the way before kissing him as a greeting. As she fully returned from the land of dreams, she realized that her grandfather, her great granduncle, and her mother were also in the room. They seemed more held together than her father and at that, she chuckled.
“I told you she would wake up. The Caelum do not fall so easily!” Her great granduncle explained and her grandfather nodded in agreement.
“My dear, I was worried, you seemed quite sick…First the chaos and now this…” Her mother walked over and they exchanged greeting kisses.
Elissia got out of her bed and after the due thanks, she walked out of the room. After exiting, she could see that the whole of the Caelum family had made a stronghold out of the library and for that she felt assured that nothing would happen to her precious books. It was then that she remembered the tome she had discovered. Fearing it being lost or potentially damaged she headed toward the doors of the library, but before she reached it she ran into a towering figure.
“Where are you going?” Elissia looked up with her dark green eyes with apparent fear. “Don’t go anywhere. Your damned book has been ordered in the Miscellaneous section.” After that, he walked away.
While the world outside of the temple suffered and changed, Annalise stayed within and quietly suffered inside. Although her growing dislike for the place wasn’t making itself known, she just seemed to get sicker and sicker, but most would probably connect her sickness to her worry for the kingdom and all people. After all, that was the princess like thing to do and it would be probably best for her to pray for her people, but she couldn’t. Instead, she sat to the side, quietly, and left the praying to the priests and monks around her.
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Post by B on Mar 19, 2011 22:18:46 GMT -5
"Please!"
A woman cried as the pounding continued on the door. Helena looked at Annalise, she was getting pale, it was the environment. How foolish of her to bring her in here. Helena looked back to the pleading door.
"We have children! Please, they will be killed!"
Helena looked at Annalise and bowed.
"Your highness. Your people call for your aid, shall I assist?"
The princess spoke rather cryptically but Helena knew enough to be able to say it meant yes. Helena ran for the door and shouted.
"Get back, I'm opening the door!"
She removed the wooden bar and the door flung open, in a flash Helena had her sword drawn on them.
"Another crazy!"
A man cried and Helena shook her head.
"Get inside, and get to the left wall. Now!"
They did as she said. There had to be at least 12 people that entered the temple. Helena looked passed them to see another citizen, a sword drawn and running at them.
"Put your weapon down!"
Helena pushed past one of the children and pointed her sword at the charging man.
"Cease immediately!"
He didn't listen, when he was close enough he made to strike her but his accuracy was off and his blade tasted wood, in the meantime he found himself running straight into Helena's blade. She pushed him away, backed up inside the temple and closed the large wooden door, placing the bar back where it was. She scanned the people in the room, they seemed to do as she said.
"Why did it take you so long!?"
A guy shouted at her.
"Stay your tongue before I make it my trophy."
The peasant stood up and drew a rather small knife.
"I fear not a wench like you!"
"Then speak your prayers to Umbasa now."
Helena threw off her brown cloak she had worn not to look too important, to reveal the large gauntlet as well as her ornate blue coat. A priest stepped between them.
"This is the home of Umbasa, let us not quarrel while the demon's prowl this world."
The peasant sat down next to some frightened people and Helena sheathed her sword. She walked over to the princess and knelt down in front of her.
"Worry not, princess. We shall not linger here long."
---
While the beast was some distance away, Alrich took this moment to start calling out orders to the knights he has near him.
"You two, get some bows and get to higher ground, aim for the eyes. You, obtain six horses and meet back here as fast as you can. You... You have drank too many spirits, get back inside. And you... You're coming with me. We're going to distract it so it cannot level the town."
The crowd dispersed with a salute. Alrich and his companion walked casually in the direction of the rampaging bearzard. Alrich ran through tactics in his head. He concluded that this was not going to be an easy battle. If he can maneuver between the bearzard's legs then he can keep it chasing him on the same road, that'll give the knights a better shot. Blinding it was the best way. He told the plan to the other knight who warily nodded. As they began to approach the bearzard, a man ran out from a hovel, armed with a shovel. With a war cry the man began to charge Alrich and his companion. Before he could attack Alrich hit the man with the flat end of his axe.
"Calm yourself and get to shelter!"
Alrich's companion shouted but the civilian did no such thing, he rammed the pitchfork into the knight's side, where the joint of the armor was located. The soldier screamed as Alrich let his axe drop down on the citizen's head.
"Get back to the tavern, move!"
Alrich shouted at his wounded ally. The knight gripped the pitchfork and broke off most of the handle so that the sharp end was basically all that was in him. He kept hold of it so that he didn't make the bleed worse and limped off quickly towards the tavern. Looks like Alrich was on his own down below. He was now close enough for the beast to take notice of him. Alrich took his axe into two hands, large shield protecting his back, He knew it in his heart that this would be his last battle, but he was going to make damn sure that it is also his last accomplishment.
---
SHINK! THUMP! SHINK!
"AAGHHAAAHH!"
"They're going to break through. These doors will not hold!"
One of the peasants cried out.
"There is a crypt underneath the temple. If we take its tunnels we may be able to reach the cemetery."
One of the priests suggested. Helena was standing in-between the rows of wooden seats sword drawn and ready.
"Get that crypt open."
CRASH! There was now a fresh hole in the door and a soul starved civilian looked through.
"HEEERE'S JOHNNY!"
He seethed.
"Get back, now!"
Helena called to Annalise, the others did so, as well. The soul starved began pouring in through the hole. A few were armed with swords but most were with farming equipment and one with a scythe. There were ten, Helena counted them as they entered.
"Look not to them. I shall be your opponent!"
Helena readied herself for a charge, one of them did and was easily defeated against the more experienced warrior. Before a few others could, Helena shouted.
"LIFE IS SHORT!"
She ran her left hand across the blade of her sword and then brought the blade down to cut air. There was a boom, then a small portion of the temple's roof was blasted away as an electric bolt fried two of the soul starved. But the others did not frighten. The soul starved did not have the ability to feel frightened. Not anymore. Three charged simultaneously, this time, while the others moved slowly around, having thoughts of taking out the easier survivors. Vicious sword play now enveloped the temple. Using her gauntlet as her main means of defense, her armed hand lashed out expertly at the people. She ended up quickly beheading one and knocking the others away. The man with the scythe had breached the other side of the church. Helena noticed this and since she had knocked away her attackers she ran her hand across her sword again, it seemed to glow and a glowing blade seemed to protrude out from where the real blade was, making the sword bigger. Then Helena stabbed the floor. A bright spike protruded out and impaled the man across the room, breaking two holes in the floor.
"Persistent fools."
All this time not fighting, you'd think she'd have forgotten some tactics, but all it did was make her more excited. Finally something she can use her abilities for. A peasant ran toward her, he was armed with a rather rusty sword and a perfectly round metal shield that he likely took off a dead soldier. He went to swing and Helena grabbed the blade of the sword with her gauntleted hand, the blade wasn't nearly sharp enough to go through the thick leather that the gauntlet had in her palm. she pulled the sword away and ran the man through. Seemed like another soldier was doing a blitz for the civilians she had rescued. Helena bend down, grabbed the shield and flung it like a frisbie, the metal connecting with the man's head and knocking him down. There were two others beside him, despite the more you could hear approaching the temple. Helena swung her blade twice more, two more electric bolts rained through the ceiling and killed them.
"It's open!"
One of the priests shouted and peasants went first. Helena ran up to where they entered and kept close to Annalise as the dazed soul starved man began regaining his composure, as well as more started peeking through the hole, ready to enter.
"My lady, go."
For her final trick, Helena ran her hand across her still-glowing blade then swung it horizontally, ice filled the floor in a barrier line. When a few began to get close Helena pulled her hand up into a fist.
"BURY!"
The ice flung up and there was a wall of ice in front of them. The unlucky saps who were in the line while she casted were now frozen inside. She then moved to follow the others, moving the stone door closed with the help of a few monks. Now they were in a creepy crypt, who knew what horrors would be waiting for them there.
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Post by D on Mar 20, 2011 0:10:24 GMT -5
Her head was beginning to ache and she knew that by now, she was sweating. If it were something else bothering her, she would have laughed at herself. A princess sweating? It was funny thought and she had humor, but right now there was so much more important than humor. One of them approached her quickly and asked her to decide. Princess Annalise hated serious decisions, but she did not want to lay this one on her dear friend and knight. “While I do not believe that their Umbasa will save them, I say let them drink their ‘God’s’ elixir until they are drunk, then perhaps, their suffering will disappear. Even if just for a little moment…”
Immediately after, her knight allowed the people in and the princess was faced with her people. Afraid, worried, and hurt, she knew that they were not much different from her at this very moment. “Dear people…” Despite her weakening state because of the temple, she slowly got up and walked over to address the small group. “You…All of you are not alone.”
The door was smashed open and Annalise turned her head over. While the others panicked, she stood her ground and stared at the event unfolding. She believed that she needed to watch in order to know. In her eyes, Helena’s abilities were quite good and brilliant. She was glad of her knight, but at the same time she worried. “Knight, please do hurry!” She called as she stepped into the crypt.
And so the girl found her book. She opened it to finish reading the book, but she also brought out others. Elissia wanted to know why she was sick and what could have happened to her in that dreadful cave. However, the more she read the books, the more her headaches intensified and so finally, she allowed her self to pass out.
The dark again. Those voices were getting louder. Oh, so loud. See them now. The voices’ owners. Some look human. Others are monsters. Why are they so loud? Can’t understand them. Can’t understand, so please shut quiet yourselves. Don’t…don’t….DON’T!
Elissia let out a scream and jumped to her feet. With her eyes still closed, she ran from the aisle and tripped then fell. At that spot, she curled up and cried. “For Umbasa’s sake, what is it now?!” Garreth’s irritated voice sounded again, but all he received from the girl were sobs of fear and terror. He let out a low growl. “To think that you would be of the main branch…What happened? Tell me so I may leave and get on.”
“I-I can’t understand them. Make them stop, Garreth…I-I had not expected to be touched by one of them. With his massive hand, he grabbed me…Lo-“
Garreth grabbed the girl and brought her up. “Open your eyes, you stupid librarian. It was but a dream. All this from your book reading and to think that we believed you to have been attacked. You are like the boy who had cried wolf, but you are not like that boy and you know very well why.” He pushed her and she stumbled back into a pile of books she had not sorted yet. The pile stopped her from falling.
“I’m sorry…” She said quietly and the man walked away. “I’m sorry, but that dream was far too vivid and my headache persists…” Elissia wouldn’t voice it outloud, but within the depths of her mind, she could hear those whispers from her dream. They were oh, so quiet, but she tucked them away and convinced most of herself that they weren’t real.
With haste the group moved through the tunnel and after what seemed to be ages, they emerged from a hill. Even though they were now in a cemetery, it was like a breath of fresh air. When she moved from the hole in the hill, it was clear that her color had returned and she was not feeling her sickness from earlier. “Dear knight?” She turned to the hole and saw the others emerge. “Where are you, dear knight?”
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Post by B on Mar 20, 2011 3:25:04 GMT -5
Once they got out into the graveyard, Helena could hear the princess' voice. She came out from behind the crowd a little bothered by the fact that not only was the princess in the front but also she was out of sight for a good portion of the time.
"I am here, but please princess, don't go on ahead of me next time."
A peasant huffed.
"The royal family is ruled by their own guards, how beautiful."
"You have no right to be speaking ill of the princess, you don't know her."
Helena shot but not in the mood to be hostile just yet.
"Psh... I was insulting you, you little witch."
Ignoring the awful man's comments Helena turned towards the group.
"This is your princess and I must evacuate her from the capital. Please, do any of you know where a stable is from here?"
A woman was knelt beside the grave, a tear running down her cheek. Someone she loved was buried there apparently. Hearing the princess' guardian speak she raised her head.
"Yes, there is a stable near here... The monks normally use it..."
A monk nodded.
"Yes, please, follow me your majesty."
Follow they did. Unfortunately there were only two horses. Helena was quick to hop on then told the princess to mount. The princess seemed to side straddle and Helena shook her head.
"You can't side straddle. We'll be riding too fast, you'll fall off."
When she was finally in position the awful peasant from before could be heard complaining that the princess gets a horse while everyone else is left to fight over the last one. Once again, Helena stayed her hand and rode off.
"Dirty, dirty little man. Stress does horrible things to people. I apologize for his words."
That done and over with, they were off. The horse wasn't bred for war but it certainly wasn't a bad horse. He seemed to swerve past crazies and obstacles. Soon enough they found the exit and out they went. Helena made a sigh of relief.
"Okay... Now to Riovanes. Our allies there will protect you. We'll try to get them to assist in taking back Limberry from the demons. I don't believe this will be a short ride and we did not pack to make camp. I apologize Annalise, I should have been more prepared."
Before the other woman could speak there was a desperate roar followed by two barks. A dog? Helena looked over hers and the princess' shoulder. There it was running just slightly faster than the horse on all fours. Black fur that looked more like needles, red eyes, large snout. One elongated tooth that stuck out from the beast's chin, the other seemed to be broken and broken recently as it is bleeding. It even had a tail, large and bushy, the fur seemed to be pointing straight out, maybe it really was black spines instead of actual fur. What a scary thought.
"Gahh! We must lose it!"
Helena drew her sword once more and began swiping the side of the air, each time a bolt came down and hit the beast but it got smart. It began to jump side to side dodging the bolts expertly, but as it did this it also lost a bit of speed. Helena stopped for a second and it began running straight again, looking at them occasionally so that it can slowly begin edging towards their position.
"Persistent hound!"
She fused and let go of the reign for just a second to run her hand on he blade. It glowed and became longer again. She leaned over to the side and stabbed the blade into the ground. It came up where the wolf was and stabbed it in the shoulder. It yelped and growled immensely as it backed off a bit. Helena repeated the step and hit the beast again. The wolf backed off and began running straight behind the horse. Great. Helena wouldn't be able to allow the blade to reach over there. Helena sheathed her blade again and waved her hand in front of her. an ice line appeared quite a few feet ahead. When they passed it Helena looked over and when the wolf was about to over she balled her hand into a fist. Another yelp and a crash. It had broken through the ice wall. Helena growled started waving her hand furiously down ward, careful not to smack Annalise. More lightning bolts 10 to be exact, only two hit. They had gained a bit more distance but Helena put her hand to her head warily.
"Ugh..."
Determined she looked ahead and with both hands this time, waved her arms left to right three times. Three ice lines appeared ahead.
"lower your head."
She told Annalise and when they crossed over, Helena timed it and furiously and with a large grunt she snapped both fists across each other into her chest. Three magnificent large ice walls appeared and engulfed the wolf. The first ice wall grabbed its front legs and chest, the second latched onto its gut, the final wall grabbed its hind legs. It squirmed but it had no way of moving anytime soon. It howled and yelped despairingly. Helena had won this battle. If she were in any position she could potentially finish the beast off but instead she groaned and put a hand to her head. She got shaky as she attempted to reach for the reigns but instead only grabbed horse's mane.
"I.. Um..."
She was panting.
"We should... Slow..."
Finally she got hold of the reign.
"The horse... Needs..."
She began to lose her posture and slide. She would have slid off it wasn't for Annalise grabbing her.
"My lady... I am sorry... I should be...... Stronger..."
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Post by D on Mar 21, 2011 23:05:16 GMT -5
Annalise looked at Helena and the peasant with a smile. “Oh, but it is beautiful. It is quite wonderful that we have escaped with our lives, is it not?” Her smile was as genial as her voice, but the words she spoke weren’t anything so nice. It was her charm that distracted most from understanding the full meaning of her words. “But…of course, some would argue that the beauty lies in the moment the likes of humanity lose such a fragile thing.” The Princess added a gentle giggle.
Even though, she had spoken against them, it seemed that most weren’t angry at her and one even lead them to the stable. “Oh, two horses.” She waited for Helena to get on and then she followed after. Annalise started at a side straddle, but she quickly changed. “You are quite correct. How silly of me.” She gave a slight smile to lighten the mood a bit, but still, the mood remained the same as Helena returned to the man’s words. “There is not a need to apologize for I, too, would not stay my tongue in such a situation.”
It was after that did Helena explain what they were going to do after. Annalise nodded quietly and sighed at the thoughts. Negotiations would be hard to deal with. As she thought of how she would deal with such a delicate situation, she heard a frightening roar and barks. She tried to turn to look, but Helena’s yells clearly told her what was wrong.
The moment that Helena got to business was the moment that Annalise grabbed the reigns and skillfully kept the horse steady. She kept her focus on leading the animal while the knight fought back the other beast. While she did this, she made sure to move out of Helena’s way.
Once the beast was stopped, the princess was quick to take notice of her friend’s state. “You foolish knight! To have exhausted yourself? It was not needed, Helena. At least not for me! Your duty has been realized, but do not dare to expend to use so much of your power again!” Annalise saw Helena beginning to slip, but she stopped it and grabbed the woman. She allowed her friend to rest against her while they rode. “You do not need to be stronger…You just need to separate your foolishness from your actions. Helena, I would be devastated if something were to happen to you…” And so would my brother. “Please be more careful.”
“Cousin, are you well?”
Elissia had both of her hands to her temples as she massaged them and applied pressure. “N-no. This headache has gotten worse…” Her cousin approached her and placed a forehand at her neck. “M-maybe I should go outside…” As her head throbbed in pain, she slowly walked to the door, but not before stumbling over a pile of books.
She laid in the mess for a bit as she held her head and tried to recollect her own thoughts, but as she tried, she found herself thinking thoughts unlike hers. At first, she believed those thoughts to truly be her’s but the more she heard them, the more sinister they sounded. As they grew more twisted, she tried to convince herself that they weren’t her’s. At that point, she got up from the mess of books and finally she pushed opened the main library doors.
In front of her was a massive courtyard and it seemed that a breath of fresh air had done her well. Some of her headache disappeared, but what replaced it were those small little voices from earlier. “Get out of here…Get out of here…” One told her and Elissia found herself wanting to escape from the library. While covered in cold sweat, she scanned the courtyard and then she called for Vea. Once she mounted her horse, another thought that was her’s but not her’s at the same time came up. “Town.”
It didn’t take long for her to enter the main city and she quickly noticed the chaos around her. For some odd reason, she did not feel any fear. It was abscent even when a weapon wielding man ran passed her or when she saw a woman raped and killed in front of her. No, Elissia continued her stride and the voices seemed to get louder and louder.
Until she heard one word.
In a quick motion she opened her hands and thrust her palms forward. A man who had been running from a demon was sent flying back wards and into a wall. “Agggh!” He screamed, but Elissia, with her arms still raised, took slow steps toward him. With each step closer, the man’s skin would ripple and peel away. Elissia gave another thrust of her arms and the man’s flesh folded away until all that was left was bone.
“G-gah…” Elissia turned away quickly from the sight as her body absorbed the man’s soul. “Ahhh! GET OUT!” The bones turned into ash and were blown away by the wind, but the man’s silhouette stayed permanently on the wall. “Silence, please!” It seemed that the world got louder around her and again, she put her hands to her head as she pleaded for the voices to stop. “Please, st-“
“You filthy witch!”
All the voices ceased, but one and it belonged to a woman standing in front of her. Through tearful eyes, Elissia looked up with bewilderment. She coughed and blood splattered from her mouth. What was happening? Elissia tried to collect herself and she attempted to take in a deep breath, but suddenly she found it hard to breath. It wasn’t until then that it occurred to her that she should look down. When she did look down she found that sticking out of her chest was a pitchfork held by the woman in front of her. “I-it…wasn’t…” She couldn’t find the last word and before she could find it, the woman pulled the pitchfork from her body.
“Elissia!” Garreth called for his younger cousin and the woman ran away. “You despicable twit! What are you-?” He quickly rushed to the young librarian’s aid and with his gloved hands he applied pressure. “You damned child, don’t you dare fool me!” He yelled, but he could see that her eyes were already glazed over with death’s shroud. “How dare you?!” Garreth’s voice was filled with anger and with that anger he punched the ground beside her body. “Damnit! DAMNIT ALL!” The man drew his sword and in one swift motion he fell a soul starved man who tried to approach them. “I must bring your body…Even in death you cost me trouble.” He turned and spat at the corpse before carrying it up.
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Post by B on Mar 24, 2011 2:24:15 GMT -5
The bearzard was the first to act. It stomped forward, confident and sure that this will just be more guts caught in between his large paws. When it felt it was close enough it slammed its paw down but it only fell for the old knight's trap. The knight dodged to the side with a jump and brought his axe down. When the bearzard pulled its paw back with a pained rawr only a claw was left down at the bottom, a claw the size of medium sword's blade. Alrich picked up the claw and slid it into his belt where it seemed to sit snugly. The bear, enraged, leaped forward, toppling a house with his tail. Alrich was now under it. Alrich swung and hit the beast's foot, it roared and began stomping. The shockwave sent Alrich to his knee. When he could he leaped and did a rather slow roll to the back of the monster. The bear looked underneath him furiously but didn't see his target. Satisfied that it must have smashed him, the lizard looked up to see what else it could destroy until a sharp pain came from its tail. Not even going back to see what it was it whipped its tail, sending Alrich flying through a wall. Maybe not the smartest of moves. Beside him there was a family huddled in a corner. He got up slowly, he could hear the beasts scream. When he was too his feet, and done coughing from the dust, he whiped the dirt from his armor.
"Ma'am."
He gave a respectful nod to what appeared to be the mother of the household. His axe was lying by their feet. He walked over and bent down to pick it up.
"You should probably get out of here. Staying here is going to get you killed quicker."
At first they didn't say nothing but as Alrich began to leave through the whole his body had created, the woman jumped up.
"Fight well, brave knight!"
Alrich glanced a smirk and left through the rubble. The creature had again felt he had dealt with that miniature nuisance and was now taking apart the roof of what seemed to be a blacksmith. Alrich shook his head.
"I'm not done with you yet."
He looked up at the walls nearby. A ballista was there! He looked to where the tower was. That will be his way up. He began running for the tower, he could see some of the villagers began to run at him but he was faster. Who ever said that the bigger people were slow? They have muscle, he's able to push himself even with all his heavy armor. It took him about 10 minutes to climb to the top. The bearzard was still close. In front of him were three soldiers, they seem to go into the defensive when they saw Alrich.
"Stand down. I'm a knight."
They didn't listen, they rushed him. Alrich didn't give them a chance. One swing, the man had no arm, two swing, he had no head. Alrich didn't give the other two a chance, he rushed them with his axe, pushing it into them and throwing them both off the tower with a single rush. People are going insane. Or maybe he is. He walked over to the ballista. Normally you'd need two people to move it but Alrich wasn't just any person. He lined it out expertly, he's definitely touched one of these before. When it was in position, he fired. The gigantic spear ended up lodging itself into the beasts chest. It roared so loud that it actually hurt Alrich's ears. The bearzard went on all fours and looked around for an escape. Alrich looked at the gate house, immediately running for it. The bear still looked until.. Yes... A hole! It can escape there! That hole just so happened to be the gate house. It ran on all fours, not moving too fast, maybe because the spear that remained lodged in it was too painful. As it got under the small tunnel a sound was heard. Click-click-click.... SHINK! Another pained roar. Alrich descended the stairs and took the door that lead to the outside of the wall. He looked upon the beast, stuck, the gate lodged into its back. It appeared helpless. Alrich walked slowly to the front of it, axe in both hands.
"A demon? I've seen children braver than you."
Where should aim? Between the eyes just above the snout. He raised the axe. The creature recognized this gesture, using all its might it pulled itself forward, ripping the bars from the gate. The bear then swiped at Alrich. Alrich did not expect this, he was hit. By the time he got to his feet the bearzard could be seen running off, large chunks of the gate in his back and the sharp end of the spear going straight through.
"Coward!"
Alrich took a step forward when he noticed the pain. He looked down to see the blood rivering from his chest down his leg. He fell to one knee.
"I only hope..."
He gasped for a breath but couldn't, blood was already filling his lungs. He coughed, blood spewed from his mouth. No he had to say it. He had to make these his last words.
"You... Die.."
Initially in his mind he wanted to hope the damage he dealt would have been mortal. But, even if not, he thwarted the beast away from the town. The rest will have to be taken care of by the king's guard. Good luck... Darkness consumed him...
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"Soul of the lost, withdrawn from its vessel..."
Her voice... So beautiful...
"Let strength be granted... so the world might be mended."
What?
"Soul of the lost, withdrawn from its vessel."
Who is lost? What does this woman speak?
"Let strength be granted so the world might be mended..."
...
"so the world might be mended."
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Splat... splat...
"Hm?"
Alrich moved his foot left and right, the water swirled through is boot. It was dark.
"Hello? Is this hell?"
He looked around at his body. No wound? And... He rubbed his hand over the claw he had taken. His axe? He reached behind him and felt the hilt, and he could feel the weight of his shield. Everything was here. But where was he? Wait... That light? It had a blue glow, an ornate blade was thrust into a stone. As Alrich moved toward it, the water got deeper and deeper until it was neck level but he continued to slosh forward. When he got close he noticed that there was no water at all. He was standing on dry rock, but he felt wet. What? He reached to touch the blade with it began to shimmer. The world began to appear before him. It was a temple of some sort. A large statue at the top featuring a maiden with a very large sword, it actually seemed to be a real sword and quite sharp. There were others here... not many, but there were others. With faces as confused as he was.
"I can feel great strength in you..."
Her voice was sweet. Alrich looked at her, she was in black robes, seemed to be rather young. Her eyes... They seemed to have been covered with wax that has been dry for a long time. In her hand was a wooden rid, at the tip was an odd stone that pulsed white.
"What is going on here?"
"You almost slain a demon... And you're not but a human?"
"Look if I'm dead, let me relax. If not, point towards the door so I can finish my fight."
Alrich turned away from her to see people. They glowed slightly. Alrich looked at his hand now that he had some light. He could just barely see right through it. And he glowed as well.
"Time does not matter here... Demon slayer."
Alrich turned to her, admittedly a little spooked. As if it couldn't get a bit more spooky, she was gone.
"Hmph... I'm going to go have a seat, then."
He did just that. Walked over to one of the many stair cases that lead up to where the gigantic statue was suspended and sat. He could see others like him, were they dead? A few in one of the corners didn't look dead. In fact they seemed to be selling things. A few seemed a little lost. How strange a place this was.
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Post by D on Mar 27, 2011 15:12:01 GMT -5
There was this voice. It was just a voice, it was a disembodied voice. She couldn’t tell where it was coming from because of the darkness, but the whole feel of the situation was frightening her. Being killed was a terrible thing, but knowing not of what came after was even more so.
A sniff and then she could feel the warm tears caress her cheeks. Where was she? Why was it so dark? No, no, not dark. There was something else there. Was that a blue sword? Elissia could feel her face display a look of dislike. Weapons weren’t her favorite subjects in the world. However, she found herself attracted to this strange light and before she knew it, she was trying to walk toward it. It was after a couple steps did she realize that she was feeling wet, very wet, and she figured this out in the most ridiculous of ways.
Elissia had miscalculated her step and fell deeply. She had a panicked reaction and frantically tried to resurface to regain her breath. Was she drowning? Yeah-no, she wasn’t. After a minute or so, she realized that she could just stand up on the rock floor to stop herself from ‘drowning,’ She could feel her cheeks and ears warm up. How embarrassing.
With that all done, she swam toward the light and when it got shallower, she found her footing. Up close, the blade seem more for decorative purposes than actual battle. It actually looked visually appealing and because of that, she touched it. When she did the darkness swirled out into a brighter world. Elissia blinked a bit and then looked around.
She saw people, confused people, but she didn’t know any of them. If this was heaven, then her ancestors had gone to hell, or perhaps it was the other way around. After all, she had killed a person. Elissia sniffed and tried to hold back her tears. Did Umbasa send her to hell? Was she destined an eternity of torture? It was getting harder to hold back her tears, but she was successful for the most part.
That is, until she started glowing again. The glow reminded her of the time in the cave and then of the stupid book and then of the crazy woman. To hide her tears, she raised up her arms and used her robes to wipe at the tears. She wanted to go home and eat apples. Why apples? She didn’t know. She just wanted something real.
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