Dark Age Legends

[Xorlak]

Both hands in the air, a furious 10 foot globe of fiery hate above his head, Draven spoted his enemy rise above the forest.

"Got you!"

With that, he arched his back and, with great effort, hurled the humongous mass of burning energy straight at the warrior, who was several hundred yards away.  The gigantic unstoppable mass thundered through the sky like a freight train.  Even if it missed his opponent, the resulting explosion would surely take him out, along with most of the forest...  Both hands forward, Draven slowly descended from the air, laughing like a mad man...

"AH HA HA HA HA!!!!!"

----

Iduran gasped for air.  He was loosing blood and becoming dizzy... Raised off of the ground, his arms and legs were limp, but he still clutched his sword tightly...  with one last burst of energy, he tried to stab his opponent in the stomach.

----

The white knight brought his halberd up just in time to catch his opponent's mace and it wrapped around the shaft of his weapon, initiating a brief pulling match between the two.  Pulling his weapon free, the white knight lept backwards.  Spinning around, he slashed his halberd diagonally downward, blasting out a sharp crest of ice that flew through the air towards Dulin.

----

The reinforcements of the Dark Empire were overwhelming.  A large group made its way to the castle.  Screams could be heard as the thick door was rammed down and several attack forces forced their way in...

[Mark of the Dragon]

Sigilus saw the blade coming, but his side-step only prevented it from taking him in the heart. Instead, it impaled him in the side. His blood was free-flowing, and Sigilus struggled to breathe. He took the sword from the aged knight, and sliced toward his neck.

Regardless of whether or not it hit, Sigilus collapsed to the ground, now unconscious.

[Cesque]

- "Good lightning!" - Scorch said, while in the air, seeing the fiery storm coming. As he felt the scorching heat coming to him with the wave, he managed to re-cast haste on himself and began to fly high above the forest toward the sea south of here (propably where the Dark Empire landed)...

But he have seen his fate coming closer and closer, even with his accelerated speed of mobility. He turned himself, and as the wave of coming, he conjured remains of his energy into a huge static wall of air of extreme pressure.

"This would either add more fuel to the fire, or stop this maniac's attack..." - thought Scorch, turned around another time and began to hover as fast as he could, heading further and higher... "Propably it would even be possible, if the good old air wall fails, to get myself above this blaze?".

[Dude Man]

The crest of Ice shoots hits Duilin but most of the attack was consumed by his thick black armor. He falls to the ground...he looks up and sees the wight knight above him. He get ready to take his last breath and die. However a huge man, twice Duilin's size, who is of the commanders of the Dark Empire sneaks up behind the wight knight. He takes his two buster swords and put one to his trought and one to his back. The commander is Darion.

"One false move...." Darion looks at the knight's face "And I'll kill you! Just drop your weapons and run away and don't come back!"

[Xorlak]

As the gargantuan ball of fiery death (heh...) followed Scorch through the sky, it grazed the tips of the trees below, igniting them in flame.  The mass was unstable, however, and the shock of slamming into the wall of air was enough to set it off...

The darkness of night was replaced by a blinding white light... which receded into bright orange.  The explosion was deafening.  All the trees within a hundred yards were immediately vaporized, the surrounding ones were incinerated in flame...

Now standing on the ground, arms folded, Draven watched his work from the distance of the ruined town.  His laughing receded into an evil grin.  The blast of wind from the explosion whipped his hair and cape.  The light slowly lessened to a pale glow emitted from a few burning trees.

"Well, that was fun..."

Fully confident that Scorch had been obliterated, Draven turned around and walked slowly towards the castle...

----

Iduran made a forceful jerk downward, freeing himself from his opponent's grip and his attack, but slamming him towards the ground.  Both fell at the same time.  The clang of a sword was heard.   Breathing heavily, Iduran struggled to sit up, but couldn't.  Rolling over, he attempted to reach for his blade...

"Must... not... let... them..."

----

The white knight looked around.  None of his allies could be seen... the castle was falling... the town was smoldering...  Letting his weapon fall to the ground, he turned to the huge man, eyes full of rage.

"You haven't heard the last of me..."

With that, he took off in a sprint in the direction of the castle.

[Dude Man]

Darion looks down at Duilin and glares.
"You stupid worm! Your lucky I didn't decied to let him kill you." Darion yells
Darion helps Duilin up and then smaks him in the face. Duilin got a look at his hand....6 fingers....he looks at the other hand....6 fingers....
"Oh my god....It's him" Duilin says to himself. He picks his mace up and follows Darion "You killed my family...." He says to him
"Hahaha! Yes I did good job. I'm not surpized you remember me. It was only what? 5 years ago....Your just as week as you were before!" Darion Replied
"I'd kill you if I had the strengh!" Duilin yells
Darion picks up Duilin and glares at him. "You are under my power now. I am your master!" Darion yells at him. He then drops him on the ground. "I wonder who that Knight was?" Darion asks
"Me too." Duilin say. He wipes the tears from his face and countinues to follow Darion. They walk across the battle feild.

[Cesque]

Scorch awakened, wounded, realising he's lying in some military tent. In the background, sounds of sea are heard.

"He looks like one of us." - says one of two soldiers in the end.
"It must be this traitor lord Draven spoke about. Scroch or someone."
"Hey! He woke up!" - turning to Scorch. - "You're under temporary imprisonment of Dark Empire sea forces. You'll be put before military court tommorow. Preppare yourself for execution..."

"I have time for this!" - said Scorch, stood up, electrocuted both soldiers with grasp of thingers and ran from the tent.

He suddenly realised he's in the middle of military camp of Dark Empire invasion forces in Romme.

"Good lightning." - he said. - "Guess there be some other way around..."

[Xorlak]

As Draven approached the castle, he was greeted  by a small group of soldiers.  The leader clasped his fist over his chest armor in military salute and bowed his head.

?My lord, the castle is yours.?

?Excellent,? Draven replied.  ?A little more trouble than it was worth??

Draven walked though the gates with authority, the soldiers following meekly behind.  The first rays of the morning sun began to appear over the horizon.  The battle had lasted all night.

The halls were only moderately majestic--  Draven had seen better.  He followed the red carpet as if he knew where he was going.  There were only minor signs of resistance-- a broken stain glass window, some overturned candle holders, some soldiers removing some bodies...  Romme had made the mistake of placing all of the soldiers on the outside.   They didn?t have a chance once the Dark Empire broke in?

?Prisoners?? Draven inquired.

?Yes, quite a bit.  We?ve locked them within this castle?s dungeon.?

It was always convenient for the enemy to have a dungeon when you took them over.

?Who was in charge of this worthless excuse for a nation?  A king?  I wish to see him??

The group came to two large wooden doors, which Draven smacked open with one hand.  Inside was the throne room.  Sunlight filtered in through the windows.  The ceiling contained ornate chandeliers.  The red carpet lead to a golden throne with rather comfortable looking red pillows.  This room was untouched by battle.

?I?m afraid the king is dead??

?Oh??

?He fell upon his dagger when we approached him-- suicide??

?Tch! Sloppy? No matter.?

Draven sat in the throne.  A few more soldiers gathered.  Draven looked at the lieutenant again.

?Where is the sword??

?We just started searching...?

?That?s all that matters?  Get more men on it? NOW!?

The soldiers hurried off.  Draven turned his gaze to the window, stoking his chin.

----

Iduran woke up in a daze, still lying in the now calm battlefield?  He attempted to reach for his blade, which shimmered brilliantly in the rising sun.  Succeeding this time, he tried to craw a few inches, but collapsed.

?Must? not? let them? have? it??

[Dude Man]

A knight. A soilder of Romme a survivor or the battle was hideing underneath some corpces. His Name Patrick

"Eck!" Patrick say shoveing of a body "That was a handfull!"

Patrick walks across the battle feild. He sees Iduran. He head toward them but then Darion and Duilin head toward him.

"A surivior!" Darion shouts! "Duilin attack him! I'll head toward the castle to speak to Draven! I must speak to him! About...something!"

Duilin runs at Patrick and swings his mace at him. Patrick Blocks the hit with hsi sword. Patrick then swings back a stike and hit Duilin in the torso. Duilin then falls to the ground in pain. Patrick readies to finish him off but Duilin swings his mace at his gut knocking him down. Duilin then gets up and starts smashing his mace at Patrick. Patrick lies there is a pool of blood almost dead. Duilin stares at him. About to kill him off but then stops

"I can't do it...I can't kill someone. I don't know why...I just can't...." Duilin sits down and starts crying. Wile Patrick screams for help! Duilin then looks at Patrick and then takes out a blanket and places it on him. He takes out a potion.
"Drink it!" He orders
Patrick drinks the potion. Expecting it to be posion but he's rather die then stay in this pain. But he's not posioned it's a healing potion. He is almost better but he needs rest. Duilin then walks over to Iduran. He's standing over him. He then neals down and starts pokeing at him with a stick to see if he's alive

=====================================================

Meanwile Darion runs over to the castle. And head into the throne room and see Draven. He salutes him and then speaks

"Sir I have important news. Do you wish to hear this?"

[Cesque]

Scorch suddenly came up with an idea. He returned to the tent, then suddenly came out in Dark Empire soldier's uniform. He done this in right time, as suddenly some higher rank officer approached him.

"We've took over the castle, soldier. Where is the prisoner?"
"Um..." - Scorch began thinking. - "I am just patroling here. What prisoner?"
"Oh, well. I guess there should be 2 more soldiers guarding him. The poor wretch could not run! I'll find the ones reponsible for his guarding and charge them with-"

"Wait a second! What's that?" - an officer pointed at two slightly ashed soldiers lying on the ground. He kicked one of them to see if he's alive. Soldier made a growling noise. - "Hey, you! Why didn't you inform me..."- he said to Scorch, or better, tried to say, but Scorch was already running away through the camp, holding his staff and old clothes in hand.

"Follow him!" - officer screamed at nearby soldiers, and they began chasing the wizard, which suddenly leaped into the air and began riding the wind, literally, into the forest.

"Dammit! They took over Romme. I'd better check." - Scorch mumbled to himself.

[Xorlak]

Sitting in the throne, Draven crossed his arms and yawned.

"Ah, Darion...  What have you?"

----

Realizing he was being poked, Iduran conjured a bust of energy.  He flipped over on his back, bringing his sword above him with two hands to point at Dulin's face.

"Back!"

But that last bust of energy took its toll.  He struggled to keep his sword upright, trembling out of fatigue and pain...

[Mark of the Dragon]

The medallion that Sigilus had taken from the temple began to glow, and at the same time, his wounds healed instantly. Standing up, Sigilus began to focus his chi into his fists. From here, any blow to any part of the target would be fatal.

As his fist began to glow, Sigilus used his other hand to turn Iduran facing him, and aimed a direct blow to Iduran's forehead.

[Dude Man]

"Sir" Darion began "I have news that there is posibley two surivors they may be dead now tough. Also I have word that I belive that one of our Soilder is a spy. Duilin I belive his name is. I subjest he capture him and take him in for questioning."

Note: Darion is lying a Duilin being a spy, because he knows that Duilin will turn agaisnt him. However no onw would know he is lieing

-------

Duilin looks at Iduran holding his sword at him.
"It's okay...I want to make you a deal. Now listen here." Duilin begins "Help me kill Darion and I'll join the Romme Empire and I'll give you some potions I have to help you heal yourself" Duilin looks at Iduran with an honest face. Meanwile Patrick falls asleep. And mumbles something in his sleep about Duilin being a nice person and all. And also mubles something else about fealing guilty for telling Darion were he can find a village to attack.

[Cesque]

Flying through the forest gave Scorch great advantage over Dark Empire soldiers chasing him on feet. He hasted and soon passed the woods, getting into the open field...

What he saw was terrible. Almost all soldiers were slaughtered, the castle was conquered, few survivors battled.

- "Not good." - commented Scorch and in short time began to conjure his trademark attack... With a moment a powerful lightning beam struck from the sky between Iduran and Sigilius. The sound of thunder was deafening and the flash blinding. The lightning didn't hit anyone directly, but the shockwave was enough to push both opponent about 5 meters (that's about 15 feet) backward.

- "Good lightning." - said Scorch, as he noticed he must have captured the attention of Dark Empire once again.

[Xorlak]

"Dulin? Hmmm..."

Draven struggled to remember the name.  Draven knew all his commanders well enough, but remembering all their subordinates was nearly impossible.

?A common soldier you say?  He?s expendable.  Better to kill an innocent than risk a spy running around? Do as you will.?

The lieutenant Draven was discoursing with earlier returned and approached Draven from the right, followed by several solders, all bowing their heads meekly.

?My Lord? the sword? it?s??

Draven turned his head.

?What??

?It?s not here??

?NOT HERE??

?? not? h-here??

?Did you find the altar, like the other castles??

?Yes? but it was apparently removed??

?Then FIND IT!?

?Y-yes sir!?

The soldiers scrambled in a panic, running in all directions.  Draven stood up an pointed to a group of soldiers who were standing behind Darion, guarding the door.

?YOU!  Get outside and search the dead!  They must have tried to use it against us.  Bring me back any type of ornate blade, especially any one with a red jewel in the handle??

Draven turned back to the lieutenant.

?And where in god?s name is Kail, anyway??

?Kail?s dead, sir??

?Huh?  ? Tch! The nerve, dying before his service is up??

----

Iduran looked back at the dark soldier, unable to believe that someone in the enemy army would actually help him.  But before he could reply, Sigilus, who was lying next to him the whole time, sprang back to life and grabbed him.  Iduran was too weak to react and watched in terror as the martial artist?s fist began to glow with energy.  But before his deadly punch could connect, a lightning bolt from the sky blasted all three warriors apart.  Iduran flew into the air and hit the ground hard, losing consciousness.  His ornate blade clanged next to him, its red jewel dimly glimmering in the sun ?