Dark Age Legends

[Drannic_Lord01]

"RRRRAAAAHHH!!!!!! I'LL KILL YOU FOR MAKING ME HOLD BACK!!!" Ben's aura exploded and sent and extremely powered shockwave towards Melface. He then readied a bigger energy sword and swung for Melface with the intention of killing. He would not stop until he had blood on his hands...

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

"We should be able to take care of Ariosis now, Ven." Aaron shook his hand, and then turned off, disappearing in the distance... The others waved them off as they climbed aboard the ship.

"I can't wait to get home..." Justin began, "Hey Ven. Do you think there's an open possition for a knight in Tjed?"

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

[Xorlak]

"Argh!  Blast it!!"

Melface swore as he threw his arms before his face.  The shock wave hit him full force and he was sent tumbling right through the stone wall directly behind him. He stopped mid-air in the next room as bricks tumbled around, and slashed his obscenely long scythe just in time to block his adversary's blade, recoiling back from the impact.

"Blast you!  Blast you all!! I'm so sick of this!!!"

Hovering a foot above the ground, the child-like demon brought his scythe up high and then drove the blade deeply into the stone floor.  Immediately tendrils of black lightning snaked up and around, and a destructive Dark Thunder spell was cast at the fallen angel, bolts of blackness tearing up the stonework above and below.

"Die! Die! DIE!!!"

----

Apollo's pupil-less eyes widened and he clenched his teeth, his eyebrow twitching.

"C-could it be...?!"

----

Ven nodded as he climbed aboard the airship, running his hands along the wooden railing on the deck. "We most certainly could use another fine knight!  You will have to serve as a squire for a time, but I'm certain that time will be short given what I've seen you capable of doing.  I'd take you myself, but as a High Knight, I no longer have the privilege of a squire.  There are many fine knights who will be eager to train you, though."

He sighed, remembering quite a number of those fine men had died.  He couldn't wait to get back and check on King Henri.  He knew the king was fine, but there was still that nagging feeling in the back of his mind that would not be satisfied until he saw it with his own eyes.

----

"Hmmm, interesting..."  Draven rubbed his chin.  They were really tearing it up now.  Long waves were left in their wake as they rocketed over the ocean.  "I do know of the weapons you speak of, and would be very interested in hearing more...  I don't quite have resources available at the moment, however... Which is one of the reasons we'll be paying a little visit to someone who may be able to help us sow the seeds of chaos more quickly..."

Draven really didn't know much about the Kandarinians, despite them literally being a neighboring nation back when he ruled the Dark Continent as the Crimson Emperor.  The two nations simply stayed out of each other's way.  Had Draven been able to properly build his demonic army as planned, he probably would have invaded them first, but that was never meant to be.

The only time he'd seen Kronos was during that banquet.  The very same day the Dark Emperor stabbed him in the back...  He gritted his teeth at the memory... but smiled knowing he'd already gotten Jayce back.  It's daddy's turn now...  He knew Kronos allied with the Dark Emperor at that time.  But knowing Retan, the "alliance" was probably perverted to the point that either Kronos was wholly fed up with Retan by now, or the alliance completely shattered.  Then there of course was the chance that Retan decided to erase them altogether...

[Drannic_Lord01]

"Guh!" Ben was hit a few times with the dark spell, but he was able to gain focus and continue his part in the fight.

"Let's get this over with!" He let his blade return to his hand and clapped his hands together. In an instant, he disappeared and left behind a black feathered mist to surround Melface. Soon after, he reappeared and thrusted his energy sword forwards behind the child like demon.

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

"Do you think Henri is okay? Do you think the Dark Empire may have attacked while we were gone?" Justin asked.

"I wouldn't count on it," Tiberius mentioned, "but it is possible. Retan would throw a tantrum if he discovered Jayce had been killed. He'd probably hold a grudge against Tjed and destroy it, just like... Oh no... We have to get back there as soon as possible!"

"I'm workin' on it, alright!" Barbadose sent the ship back into the air as the last of the passengers boarded. Justin and Tiberius waved back at the land as they flew at a blazing speed away.

"I wonder what's happened with Duilin and the others... I'm sure they're... fine..." Doriana took a seat on a bench on the deck, next to Justin and Tiberius.

"Hey Ven!" Jacobie ran across the ship and held out his hand, "Aaron told me to give this to you. He said you'd know what to do with it when the time came." In his palm was a large crystal, which glowed as it got closer to the silver knight.

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

[Dude Man]

The mace an maul clashed together, and Duilin and Ophelia lowered to the floor with their weapons pressed against each other. Ophelia had Duilin in speed, but her weapon was bigger. However Duilin had her in strength and magic power.

"Come, it's too dangerous in here." Rink said to Belle. "I'm going to teleport us again, but it's only going to be right outside, when I let you go run as fast as you can. I have a feeling it'll even be dangerous outside." The two then disappeared and reappeared outside the room, leaving puffs of smoke. Rink then let go of Belle and she started running off. "Quick, warn everyone. I'll inform the knights..."

'Probably, I should recommend them to actually stay out of their way. It'll just get them hurt. I'm especially worried about that Bjendell, he seems to have a temper that would even put Duilin's to shame. He should probably see a shrink about that, sheesh...

Ophelia felt that she probably dug herself into a deep hole with this plan. If it wasn't for those damn Velkens and if Duilin didn't have these friends with him, this would have gone much easier. Ophelia was filled with rage; her large weapon was weightless in her arms.

Duilin was convinced that Ophelia was responsible for Herni's death. What they did to Belle and Rink was more than enough for him wanting to crush these three invaders. He was angry but not angry enough. As the fighting continued Duilin enchanted his mace and it was surrounded with an aura of flame.

Lagart raised his broadsword over his head before swinging it down ready to slice Rufokanno down the middle, but the elf flung his hand in the direction of the blade knocking it out of his hand, Lagart growled and then picked up the elf and threw him into the wall. The sword however lifted up in the air and flew towards the lizard man; Lagart noticed the weapon flying towards him. He simply punched down his fist into the tip of the blade flipping it around and he caught the handle of the blade once it pointed towards him. He turned around to continue his beating to Rufo but as he turned around, he saw the elf right in front of him.

The elf gave a solid kick to the lizard man's stomach, Lagart flinched a bit, but the elf's attacks seemed feeble. Lagart then swung down another slash towards the elf yet he started to push the blade back with his telekinesis, yet the lizard man was ready and started to tighten his grip, with both of his hands on the sword...

Ophelia and Duilin continued their fight, swinging their own weapons and avoiding attacks from each others.

"You can't win Ophelia, face it." Duilin stated, not even bothering to try and sound intimidating.

"Don't mock me, Talonscar. You're not the only person who's gotten stronger over the past day." Ophelia was then surrounded by a dim aura, yet the glow went all the way through her body, she then gave a forward push with maul butting Duilin square in the chest knocking him through the window.

She then bulleted forward smashing away a good chunk of the wall, and the both of them were outside.

Duilin jumped back up and shot a lightning bolt at the masked woman. As the bolt arched towards her she blocked the bolt with her hand which was giving off an errie black void around it, the bolt bounced diagonally up into the sky.

"Don't insult me with your simple magic attacks." Ophelia growled. "Show me your best!"

"You got it!" Duilin then shot a fireball into the ground leaving a small crater and then snugly put his mace into the crater. He then held back his right hand and started winding his fist, his hand then started to glow orange and a demon flail was formed in his hands, he let the flail spin around a bit to charge speed and then let it fly towards Ophelia.

Tossing her maul on the ground she then readied to block the attack with both hands. She was taken off guard by the amount of power in that attack and was pushed back to the ground. She then pushed herself up and laughed. "Good, but I know that's not your best." She then whipped out the box of cards from her invisible pocket and tossed a barrage of cards at the half demon.

Duilin smirked and simply placed his hands together with open palms and blasted a fireball at the oncoming purple glowing cards expecting them to burn but the cards flew right through it forcing the half demon to create air magic shields around his hands knocking the cards away, which disappeared shortly afterwards. Meanwhile the fireball was caught by Ophelia and then fired back, wile Duilin was busy blocking the cards. The fireball hit him directly in the chest and knocked him back yet the flames themselves had little effect on him.

Ophelia laughed. "This is actually cheering me up!"

[Jenia]

((Kerig's post is delayed till tommorow... I'm in a hurry...))

The creature continued to whisper strange words, the green flame intansifying.
The sky grew darker, and orbs of blue flame began to appear in mid-air.

Soon, the sky was filled with them.

... And now, your pitiful soul will be mine...

The scythe was pointed forward and, as if obeying an order, the orbs instantly lunged themselves at the amazed demon lord.

[Xorlak]

"Gah!"

Melface dropped his weapon as a blade of energy burst from his stomach.  His eyes widened and twitched as a black liquid poured from the wound.  Ben had just impaled him.

"Blast it!" He clenched his teeth and curled his tiny fists into balls.  "I hate you!  Hate hate HATE!!"

His body turned to mist and reformed on the other side of the room, doubled over with one hand clutched over the slowly shrinking hole in his stomach.  He glowered at the angel warrior for a moment, the black liquid dribbling from the corner of his mouth.  He wiped it with his sleeve and grinned.

"Heh heh heh heh..."

He leapt up and darted across the room, disappearing out the door and into the stone hallway beyond, his dark laughter beckoning the angelic warrior to follow...

----

In a flash of blue, the orbs struck the Demon Lord all at once, and a pillar of light blasted into the sky, radiating in all directions.  The crater was widened significantly as boulders flew into the air, disintegrating into dust.

"AHHHHHHHH~!!!!!!!!"  The scream echoed upon the distant mountains...

Retan shifted his weight.

"Excellent.  You have proven yourself worthy of my service.  Now you only need be broken."

The Dark Emperor extended his hand, and a tiny flash of light seemed to escape from it, disappearing straight up into the sky.

"Vraigus.  Come."

Nothing seemed to happen for a moment...

Then two burning orbs appeared above, hateful eyes upon an invisible body.

The stench of death hung in the air...

"What is thy bidding, my master?"

Something large slowly faded into existence.

"Beta Vraigus, this non-dragon begs for his place to be taught."

"It shall be done."

A two-winged bronze-skinned dragon faded into view, at least thirty feet from head to tail.  His jagged scales glimmered despite the dismal lighting, and his maw cracked open in a mirthful grin.

----

Ven took the crystal, studying it as it radiated in his hands.  "Uh, thanks."  He tried to remember if Aaron had said anything about a crystal, but nothing came to him.  Hmmm...

Pocketing the stone in his sack, he turned to the others.

"I doubt the Dark Empire could have launched a counter strike so quickly, but you never know.  We'd best get... back...?"  His voice trailed at the last part, as something clearly had caught his attention in the sky.  What in blazes were those?  Ven pointed to the sky as his eyes widened.  He knew very well what those were.  He'd seen them before...

"Dark Dragons!" the sliver knight bellowed.  A half dozen dark specs became visible on the northern horizon, quickly closing in on the speeding airship.  Ven held onto the railing as violet balls of burning light flew overhead.  "Blast it!  Can we outrun them?  Does this thing have weapons?"

[Dude Man]

//Yes Beta Vraigus!!\

As the struggle between physical and telekinetic strength ensured, it seemed Rufokanno had the upper hand the sword once again flew out of Lagart's hands. The lizard man hissed and kicked the elf to the ground he turned around expecting the sword to come back at him, it seemed like a repeat of what happened last time, but the this time the sword dodged the lizard man's hands and slashed at him across the shoulder.

As the lizard was occupied Rufokanno then jumped at him from behind and wrapped his arms around his neck. Lagart slipped his left claw underneath pushing away the elfs arms from his neck, while he batted away at the floating sword with his left.

Lagart wasn't to smart but from what he could guess it seemed like his enemy had to power to move objects without touching them, but not to power to move him without touching. He was a bit confused because it seemed that he was physically stronger than the elf but when he used his magic to move things it seemed that it was stronger than him. Regardless of his confusion he continued to fight, finally he ripped the elf off of him and threw him forward onto the floor, yet the sword was still floating in the air.

Rufokanno was much smarter than the lizard man, he knew that they weren't very smart and likely unaware of his uncommon type of magic. Also he assumed that he could probably do best if he didn't try to fight the much larger creature himself, and perhaps use his telekinesis to fight it with his sword. However near the broken window he noticed that the half demon forgot his own sword. He needed to keep focus on the lizard man’s weapon however, so it would be tricky for him to get at this one. Also he found it difficult to focus on to many objects and his telepathic aura blocking shield that he was using was hindering him a little bit.

--- ---

Back in the lost temple in Thanatos, the pale robed humanoid continued to carry around the glass orb of Pheonix through the temple, until he entered an unlit room. The flames in the orb were the only source of light for the being carrying it, yet he walked his way to end of the room, were a short pedestal was. He placed the orb on the pedestal and the room, and its glow expanded until the entire room was lit up, revealing the entire room be composed of skulls. The smoke inside the orb formed into its horned skull shape and opened its jaw.

The horrific sound of death and pain screams came from the orb until it closed its jaw. The pale being bowed and exited the room.

He walked through the temple into a room, similar to the others, with the orange stone. But this room had several tables with vials of chemicals like a clichéd mad scientist room.

“We are ready to start the regeneration.” Said the one already in the room.

“How many test subjects do we have?” The other one asked.

“Two.”

The man walked to end of the room were there were three large cylinders composed of a black metal, the cylinders each had a clunky heavy metal door. They were all hooked up to a large glass container of a glowing yellow liquid. The cylinders were lined up in a row, to the right of each of the cylinders was a big pull switch, sticking from the ground. The two pale beings each walked towards a switch, leaving one alone. They pulled the switches and from inside the cylinders there were flashes of light and explosions of glowing yellow liquid, and then smoke and the doors opened.

Exited from the chambers were two humanoids in full black suits. They wore masks covering their entire face, except their eyes, which were glowing red. They were also wearing black metal gauntlets with orange diamonds on the back of them.

“Report to Lord Pheonix, now.” One of the pale beings said. Oddly enough the shadowy humanoids knew exactly what they were talking about and headed towards the room were the glass orb was.


As they entered and saw the glass orb they kneeled to the ground and bowed their heads. “Greetings Lord Pheonix …” They both said in their deep voices, as they bowed to the orb.

More of the terrifying speech echoed from the orb as its jaw opened, the suited beings kept their bow, listening to the screams. Its jaw finally closed, after about a 30 whole seconds of the horrific sound.

“Yes Lord Pheonix. We will not fail you; we will guard him with our lives.” They both said getting back up and exiting the room. The two pale beings were waiting for them.

“Is he ready?” The shadowy humanoids asked.

“No, not yet. But soon.”

“Very soon…”

--- ---

Duilin recovered himself from Ophelia's counter attack picked up the Talonscar Mace. Just now realizing that he should have probably picked up the Iduran, which was still inside. He'd have to message Rink and get him to pick it up, so he sent him a telepathic message...

"You already done with your spells, Talonscar?" Ophelia asked.

"Trust me, you ain't seen nothing yet." Duilin retorted.

"Sure I have. During the battle at Kensar you were able to change your forms. That's were everyone got to see your best...and well I've seen better." Ophelia laughed and picked up her maul which started to be surrounding in a black voiding aura.

"Was that supposed to get me angry?" Duilin said giving an unexpected reply. "Normally I don't like being put down about my strength, but considering I was fighting a draken, I'm sure anyone who was in that fight saw better." Duilin gave a mocking smile. "If you're going to insult me at least get your facts straight."

Ophelia tilted. "Oh, learning to control your rage now are you? Congratulations. Fine then I'll turn it up a notch..." She slamed down her maul not fully expecting to hit the half demon, who back fliped a couple yards back and landed back on his feet.

"Do your worst, Ophelia. Your fighting skills aren't very good, so hopefully you'll have some talent."

Ophelia laughed. "Okay then, Draven is clearly stronger than you. With my honest belief he is. His attack was the only thing that caused Jayce death and your shield that you put even more energy into was barely enough to hold it in."

Duilin's lip twitched. "So what!" Duilin's mace was then covering in an aura of lightning. He pointed the mace forward shooting a large bolt of lightning. Ophelia swung the gigantic maul at the oncomming bolt knocking it into a near by tree splitting it in half.

Ophelia smirked underneath her mask. She then slid her maul back and arched her left hand towards the half demon shooting a series of energy rings at him. Duilin recognized the rings as a slow spell and with his off hand he created an air magic shield and blocked the rings. "I don't see why you're pushing me to do better when clearly you can't stand up to it."

"I'm pushing you to do better because I know deep down you don't want to hurt me." Ophelia replied.

"Why wouldn't I?" Duilin snapped back.

"Because, you're afraid to hurt a girl!" Ophelia laughed.

"Oh is that what you think? You wanna get hurt?! So be it, wench!" Duilin then dashed towards Ophelia and arched back mace ready for a massive swing, Ophelia lifted her maul ready to counter the attack, but Duilin smashed his mace into the handle of the maul breaking it and pushing the weapon from her hands onto the ground. Duilin then kicked Ophelia in the stomach pushing her back a few feet and then front flipped forward and swung his mace right across Ophelia knocking striking her across the torso and knock her to the ground. Ophelia whelped as she hit the surface and lay still.

"Is THAT good enough!?"

Ophelia weakly moved and started to laugh.

"Stop laughing damnit! Why do you always laugh? I just broke your weapons, not to mention your ribs. What the hell is wrong with you?"

Ophelia weakly got back up. "Duilin, Duilin, Duilin...haven't you figure it out yet?" She then lifted her right hand in the air and sword materialized in her hands, one that looked surprisingly like the one Valos used. "I'm invincible!!"

[Trent]

"A visit, huh? So..." Anti was kinda curious. "...where the hell are we goin', anyways?" His head turned toward Draven, and he waited for a response.

[Coriko]

“Open the gates the hunting party has returned.” The sentry yelled down to the main guards. The doors opened slowly and a fog started to seep in through the gates. A small group of guards walked to greet the party when a smouldering body flew into them knocking them down. A tall figure in a black outfit walked through the gates. Everyone stopped and looked at him. He lifted his finger, which was smoking, to his face and blew away the smoke.

“Who’s in charge?” Druid yelled this out but didn’t get the response he wanted.

A large group of guards rushed out with spear guns. They all fired and a wave of spears rained down on Druid, who simply smiled. He summoned a wall of shadow energy which dissolved the spears on contact. He then summoned an orb of shadow energy underneath the fences. They slowly lifted out of the ground. Once they were out, Druid flicked his hands and the fences flipped up in the air. The guards all looked up and watched them flip and then fall on top of them. Druid stepped up and over the fences. He looked around at the fallen guards.

“I know you practice shadow energy here, I can sense it in the air, in the ground. Where is your leader I will kill one person for each step I take that you don’t show yourself, and to show you I'm not kidding around...” Druid flicked his hand upwards and a cowering guard dissolved into the air. Slowly he took another step forward and waited… and nothing. Druid flicked his hand again and a hunter dissolved into the air. “What kind of leader sacrifices his subjects so easily?” Again he took a step forward, and again nothing. Druid sighed and did the same hand flick at an elderly trader who peered through his window. “I will find you eventually; it is just a matter of who dies before we meet.”

“Alright!” The leader came out of a house.

“Let us talk, what is your name?

“Gonen… the protector.”

“The protector? What about the people who died for you? Oh, and you will address me as lord.”

“Yes, my lord.”

[Xorlak]

"Patience.  We're nearly there..."

The flight was long, but up ahead loomed the Kandarin islands.  They were always shrouded in a thick mist, though today the veil seemed thinner than normal. Heedlessly cutting through the fog, Draven drove forward, expecting some sort of welcoming committee for sure.  Instead he found... barren wastelands?

He flew over scorched fields.  Crumbling remnants of cities.  Black forests of ash.

"Blast it!"  He clenched his fists in rage.  "There was a country here a minute ago!"

[Jenia]

"Gah!" Indher yelped out as the boulder in front of her fell apart.

"Gotta find another one..."

At first, the being did not even bother listening to Retan's words or even noticed the bronze dragon.

In seemed to be concentrated on what appeared to be a tiny orb of dazzling light, floating and shimmering at the place Apollo was.

... May he find peace within my being...[/i]

The dazzling light blasted itself in the black creature's direction, and then disappeared.
The creature then turned to Retan.

... You really are a fool ...[/i]

Completely ignoring the bronze dragon, he moved himself towards Retan.

... You obviously have no idea who you are dealing with ...[/i]

He raised his dent scythe above his head, his eyes widening.

... Else, you would not be feeding your subordinates to me ...[/i]

Indher already found a large, sturdy new rock and proceeded to observe.

"That light..." she muttered to herself "... A god of death ... Did the demon lord's power get added to his own...?"

[Dude Man]

"Hey!" Rink shouted. As he saw a Tjed soldier walking through the hallways.

"Sir Rink, is something going on? I heard shouting and sounds of struggle." The soldier asked.

"The castle was infiltrated by imperial agents." Rink explained. "Duilin, Bjendell and Lagart are handling them. I suggest you secure the area, perhaps get all the citizens into the safe house."

"If you say so." The soldier replied. "But I'll have to make sure it's fine with high knights first. We don't want to cause panic."

"Whatever, just hurry. People might get hurt!" Suddenly the imp received a telepathic message from Duilin. "Okay, I have to get back there. Duilin needs my help." The imp flew back towards the meeting room...

---

Ophelia slashed her sword downwards at Duilin who back stepped out of the way. He swung his mace in a horizontal motion at the opposite side where he hit her last time. Ophelia blocked the half demon's weapon with her sword, and pushed it away and countered with slash moving downwards on a slight angle. Duilin gave a forceful smash into his adversary’s weapon as it was coming towards him, nearly knocking the weapon from her hands. Duilin continued with another downwards swing, but the speedy woman parried backwards avoiding the attack. He continued giving swings, but Ophelia was too quick for him to hit again. It seemed that knocking her down to the ground only gave her a rush of adrenaline.

Finally Duilin got sick of missing and finally starting blasting lightning from his hands at Ophelia, who was unable to dodge the attack and saw caught in the electric circuit as Duilin continued to flow of lighting. He flowed his demonic energy through the electric bolts flying towards the magician...

[Xorlak]

Melface melted through the castle roof and remained perched above a window, waiting for Bjendell to enter the hallway below.  Oh, how delicious this angel/god/whatever would taste!  Magical based souls were so delectable.  He licked his lips at the thought, tingling with excitement.  Whenever he consumed a soul, he needed to be out of his target's field of vision.  And now up on the roof, he'd only need to wait for the fool to pass directly underneath.

The child-like demon removed his hand from his off-white tunic.  The wound had disappeared now, and the fabric was busy stitching itself back up.  Blast it, that hurt!  Oh, but that infernal angel-man would be in so much more pain in a moment.  He gritted his teeth and sneered, ready to enact his revenge.

"What are you doing here?"

Oh... Crap...

Melface slowly brought his head up, finding himself surrounded by Velkens.  At least a half dozen stood in a circle around him on the roof, and A few more floated over head.

"I... uh..."

He spun around and looked Virmir straight in the eye, who coldly stared him back.  Before he could utter another syllable, he felt the fox's claws digging into his neck.

"I told you to leave," the silver fox growled.  "We are conducting a systematic takeover of this island.  Every detail has been planned, every possibility mapped.  And then you return, against orders, stir up trouble with our targets, and throw off our process.  This is unacceptable."

Melface tried to gulp, but the High General's grip on his throat was too tight.

Virmir let go, and and spun around as a blur, tail-smacking the demon in the chest.  Melface went flying in a daze over the rampart.  Virmir vanished in a silver blur and reappeared directly in the demon's flight path with the Flameberge, his secondary sword, extended.  Melface fell backwards on the blade and was instantly impaled, his eyes wide as he watched the silver metal stick out of his chest.  Immediately his body and the blade burst into flame.  Then with a thunderous *BOOM* and a flash of red, he was ejected as if he were shot out of a cannon, disappearing as a fireball over the horizon, screaming all the way.

Virmir re-sheathed the still smoking sword horizontally across his back.

Helix leered and elbowed Renard in the ribs.

"Told him."

----

Retan's burning eyes narrowed.

"Of course I am feeding my rejects to you.  If they fail, then they are unfit to serve."

The larger bronze dragon hovered behind the so-called god of death, his muzzle clenched in a jagged smile.  His arms were folded, and his tail idly lashed the air.

"So you consume the souls of the demon planes...  I prefer the draconic planes..."

Retan waved at the death god as if shooing away a fly. "If you can injure him, then you might earn my respect."

[Drannic_Lord01]

"Where are you, pitiful demon? Uh... where did he go?" Ben couldn't sense Melface's energy anywhere. He must have fled. Ben headed back into the room with Lagart and Rufokanno were fighting. He saw that Lagart was having a bit of trouble, so he stepped in and blasted a large bolt of white thunder at Rufokanno.

"Lagart! He's using telekenisis! It's allowing him to move that sword!"

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

"Oh blast! I'll try to shake 'em!" Barbadose put the ship's engine to overdrive and it sped swiftly across the sky, ripping up the clouds as if ripples in the ocean. He finally sighted Tjed and made for a fast landing.

"Jump out, everyone! I'll distract them while you run for the Capitol! GO!" He landed just a few feet in front of that great crater that bore the mark of Jayce's death. Everyone hopped out and ran for the caves to the south.

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

[Dude Man]

//Back to Tjed that quickly? Bleh...whatever...\

"Teleka-whatis?" Lagart asked, turning around to see Ben.

Suddenly the sword dropped to the ground as Rufokanno was struck by lightning and fell to the floor.

"Rufokanno, does not like this!" He shouted standing back up, he then attempted to get a telekinetic grip on the Iduran but nothing happened. "What is this!?" He then went to pick up the sword but a huge shock ran through his body and he was flown across the room. He rubbed his eyes to see the giant lizard man standing over him.

"Lagart does not like Rufokanno!" The lizard man growled and he stomped down on the elf's head.

Rink flew into the room. "The sword? Duilin, needs the sword...." He said to himself, he then saw Lagart smothering the elf with his foot. "Oh...well look at this." He fluttered over, to the elf trying to push Lagart's foot of his head. "I guess I have enough time for this...Lagart, lift your foot and grab him by the arms."

Lagart did as the imp said, the elf was exhausted and was unable to keep focused, and the aura blocking shield faded away.

"Not so tough now are ya?" Rink laughed. "Lagart twist his arms for a bit." As Lagart started to do Rink's payback on his behalf, he sensed the elf's aura. "Telekinesis eh? Hey Bjendell, you think that you could find away to block his signal, telekinesis is more of a mind run magic, from what I know. Just don't kill him. I think if we can just prevent him from using his magic we can hold him prisoner. He likely hasn't fully mastered telekinesis since from what I can sense he does not have the ability to control living things, or large objects such as buildings." Rink realized that he almost forgot what he was doing. "Oh yeah! I've got to get this sword to Duilin." He fluttered over to the Iduran.

"What out! That sword hurt people who touch!" Lagart warned, while he was still twisting Rufokanno's numbed arm.

Rink picked the sword up, which seemed like a heavy object for him, but he's lifted heavier. "What's the problem?" He then flew towards where Duilin and Ophelia were fighting...

--- ---

Ophelia suddenly sprung back up her feet, with the constant stream of lightning still being shot at her; she lifted up her sword surrounded in the black aura, which started to absorb the lightning.

Duilin stopped the stream of lightning. "You just don't give up do you?"

"Not until you die!" Her sword then blasted a bolt of lightning as strong as all the bolts absorbed by the sword, knocking Duilin back a few yards onto the ground.

"What the hell is your problem!? What did I ever do to you?" Duilin snapped getting up.

"Duilin!" Rink shouted.

"Silence imp!" Ophelia shouted shooting a series of black energy rings at him, which seemed to have no effect.

Rink dropped the Iduran and the blade stuck directly into the grass, and dirt underneath. "Ooops..." Rink exclaimed, he then swooped down to catch the blade, but on his way down a large crow flew at him and started attacking him. "What the hell?" He released a plume of flame from his hands and the crow was scared off. "Duilin, get the sword!"

"What did you do to him?" Duilin asked angry and he ran towards the Iduran, digging the sword out of the ground.

"It's just a curse spell. It might not have any harm on him..." She replied.

Duilin stormed his way towards the woman. "You've got some crazy spells lady." Duilin then swung down the Iduran, but Ophelia lifted her sword to block the weapon.

"I could same the same for you, demon! So go to hell!" She shouted back.

"I'm going..." Duilin lifted the Iduran up, and smashed it against Ophelia's sword. "...to ask you..." He then smashed again trying to smash the weapon out of her hands, forcing the woman to the ground. "...one more time..." He then gave another mighty swing and smashed his sword right onto the hilt of his enemy’s and the weapon was knocked from her hands. Duilin then pointed the blade right at Ophelia and finished his sentence. "What is your god damn problem with me!?"

Ophelia sighed. "Do you really want to know?"

Duilin rolled his eyes in annoyance.

From the castle Belle came out and saw Duilin with the Iduran pointed at Ophelia down on the ground.

Ophelia spoke. "My name is was not always Ophelia...I was once known as Sienna."

"My god...You're my baby sister. I thought you were dead."

"At times I wished I was." Ophelia stepped back up. "After our home village was attacked, a man named Valos found me..."

"Valos!" Duilin growled.

"He claimed he was my long lost brother, only until a year ago did I learn that he was indeed telling me the truth. He secretly raised me, and taught me my skills in magic. Soon I was found and thrown into a prison but was soon realized and was allowed be an entertainer. I chose this outfit and this mask to let me escape my former life that I loved so much."

"I'm sorry...if I knew you were still alive I would have done something."

Ophelia turned away. "Don't apologize. I thought you were dead too. But around a year ago, when the Grey Empire took over. I met their leader Abodahon Talonscar....and once again I crossed paths with the mutated Valos. Neither of them recognized me..."

"Abodahon was not your father, Sienna. Nore is Valos truly your brother. We share only the same mother."

"I know that now..."

"So why do you want to kill me?" Duilin asked.

"When the Talonscar returned I started to feel the pain of loosing my family again, and I felt it until you and Haraldur finally defeated them."

"Please don't group me with that guy..." Duilin interrupted.

"Let me continue." Ophelia looked at Duilin again. "When I met you I started to feel that pain again. When I first met you I actually wanted Rex to kill you, but you defeated him so easily, so I knew you had to be dealt with immediately, in order for me to feel better again. I can't hurt like this anymore."

"What!?" Duilin said. "You can never forget your past by putting on a mask and killing everyone who is apart of it! Frankly doing that is not only stupid but it's selfish!"

Ophelia kneeled down and started to cry. "I'm sorry!"

Duilin sighed. "No, no...Don't be. It was hard for me when I was forced into the empire. A decade of slavery, but I guess it's nothing compared to you've endured. Listen, me and my friends are strong enough that we can defeat the empire and you can live a happier life again. You can even join us...The first step to getting over this pain of yours is to not forget about your past but to embrace your memories of it."

Belle stepped forward. "Ophelia...er...Sienna?" She said to her. "Maybe what you should do is apologize for what you did here...like killing Goldolf and the King."

"Yes...I am indeed sorry for the death of your friend Goldolf...but...I had nothing to do with the death of the king. In fact I knew nothing of it until now." Sienna replied.

"Then who did?" Belle asked.

"Not now, Belle. I need to help my sister here." Duilin sat next to Sienna. "Listen...maybe it would help if you took off that mask."

Ophelia nodded and placed her hands on the mask, slowly she pulled it away revealing the face of a young woman. Duilin then showed her the Iduran, but not the sword itself but her reflection on the blade. She started to cry again, and Duilin pulled away the sword.

"Oh, come on. You're pretty good looking." Rink said stepping towards the group. Yet he tripped on his way, due to the curse spell still in affect.

Sienna stood back up, and took another item from her invisible pocket, it was the Talonscar medallion. "I don't know why I kept this when I found it. But I want you to have this." She tossed it to Duilin who was stil sitting on the floor.

Duilin caught the medallion. "I'd like to...but do you know what this symbolizes? This medallion represents the evil and terrible things my father did. To keep this is just..."

"Maybe you to need to embrace your past."

"MY past?" Duilin stood up "It's father's past, we're talking about. If you knew about some of the things he did, you would..."

"Duilin...you too are trying to forget something about you, as I did. And look where it got me? You need to embrace your demons as well, else they take over...right?"

"Yeah." Duilin then pocketed the medallion, and smiled. "You're right. Actually a good friend of mine told me that once."

"So, what now Sienna?" Rink asked.

"I will go to Helternia..." She said. "Duilin, I may never see you again if I fail at redeeming myself, I still have a lot to deal with so I believe it is best if I leave, before I cause further harm."

"Wait, one last thing." Duilin said. "You came here with two others. Was there anyone else?"

"Yes...the Virmir and the Velkens, whom I believe you met in Asgarnia. They may have killed the king and left, but perhaps they are still here. Be on the look out. Now I leave, may my final words be I am sorry for all that I have caused and I hope you will all forgive me."

Ophelia then disappeared into the darkness.

Duilin then looked into the air. "Well, that was a whole lot to take..."

Belle gave Duilin a hug. "Are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Actually it's kind of nice to know that I still have a non-demonic family member out there. Even though she is a little nuts."

"You think she'll be okay? Like what if the empire goes looking for her?" Rink asked.

"She can take care of herself, hell she defended herself pretty well from me. But on top of that she knows where to come if she needs help." Duilin seemed like he was bottling up something inside as he stepped back into the breezeway out side the castle.

"Duilin its okay if you're upset. Just let it out." Belle said.

"I'm...fine...Just, don't get too far away from me, at least until we get everything back in order. Now if the Velkens are here then-" Suddenly he stopped and opened up his pouch and dug through it taking out the one Velken medallion Virmir gave me and violent threw it one the ground. "I helped you damnit! I saved your freaking life! Why, did you stab me in the back Renard!?" He yelled at the medallion.

Belle backed away from Duilin.

"You just laying there helpless and I saved you! If it weren't for me you'd be dead! How do you pay me back!? Killing the king! The one guy I promised Ven to specifically take care of! First I was angry at myself, but now I'm angry at you!" His voice calmed down slightly. "Well...I'll do you one better, once you come back, I'll kill you and your stinkin' general. And then I'll hunt down and kill your god forsaken emperor. How about that?" He then walked at a fast pace back inside.

"Rink, keep an eye on Belle. On a second thought I need a quick a rest." Duilin called as he was walking back inside. "Maybe bring me some ale while you're at!"

//Ophelia is now in active\