Dark Age Legends

[Dude Man]

//Yeah, fine Ein.\

- Tjedon, dark alley -


"Actually, screw it. I know where you landed the ship. I'll lead the way." Duilin said laughing a bit. It's not that he was trying to mean to Bjendell or anything it's just as if somebody who was controlling him just wasn't around at the right time, and Duilin just felt like rushing things for some reason.

The group then made their way towards the airship.

"Oh, Rink. I just remember there was something I wanted to show you." Duilin took out a tiny vial of blood red liquid from his pouch. "It was given to me by that strange cat-lady, who made The Iduran's sheath." He handed the vial to the imp, who took it.

"What is it?" Rink asked looking at the liquid inside.

"No idea, but she said it was some sort of enhancement." Duilin replied. "You're a smart guy. Think you can figure it out?"

"Yeah, maybe."

--- ---

- Gros Morne Citadel, top -


Vandrin's eyes bolted wide open. Inject the antidote for the Grib into the High General? That would wake him up, and then they'd all be in trouble. He wasn't sure if the mutant lizard man would even be enough to defeat him. Then again...

He looked at the mutant lizard man's muscles, they were actually bigger than Gorus', plus that lizard man knew magic before he was mutated so he may still have some magic knowledge buried in there, if Kronos can dig it out that is. Vandrin shrugged, this might actually work.

"Very well, lord Sovereign." He smiled, and then had his servant hand him an injector with the grib antidote in it.

He walked over to Gorus' cage, which was opened by the undead minions. Vandrin hesitated a bit as he looked into Gorus' eyes, which shot thousands of threats at him. He shook it off and then he injected the antidote into the High General's arm. He quickly backed away, before he fully woke up.

Gorus closed his eyes, and didn't move for a few seconds but then slowly got up on his feet. Vandrin and the servants began to back away a bit as he looked around.

Gorus looked at the mutant lizard man in front of him.

"Xarn? What did you do to him!?" Gorus growled. "Xarn! Speak!"

The mutant Xarn stepped towards him.

"Xarn! I order you to help me kill these humans! Turn around and attack their sovereign! Now!"

The mutant Xarn then swung his fist into Gorus' stomach and he fell to the ground.

"...Xarn?" Gorus sounded upset, but then his face grew to one of great anger. "I am going to kill all of you." Fully recovered he stood back up. And then charged at the mutant lizard and started smashing his fists into it, which didn't seem to do as much damage as he'd expect. Xarn was...stronger than him.

The mutant then punched Gorus in chest, forcing him back a few steps.

Gorus looked stunned; he couldn't believe what was going on. Xarn was his best friend, and now he's become a zombie under Kronos' spell. He started to regret treating him different after he became a High General. Any sadness he felt he quickly turned into rage, which he transferred into his fists.

He rushed back at the mutant and the jabbed it in the face with his right fist and then his left. The mutant lizard began to loose balance. Gorus then swung a kick at the mutant, but it caught his foot and then twisted it and the High General fell onto the ground.

Vandrin and the others cheered.

"So far so good, lord Sovereign?" Vandrin asked.

[Xorlak]

(Ein, please post quickly please.  This is dragging on.)

(Heh...)

----

- Tjedon Castle, courtyard -


Renard waited a few moments infront of the airship.  The stair-door was down, and the engines were humming.  It was all ready to go when he arrived.

Some figures approached him from around the side of the ship.  The one in the lead in particular made him nervous, as it was that hooded man who attacked him...

"Crap..." He bit his tongue, thinking of a good spell to use in self defense.  The human was going to try and run him through again... At least out in the open, the Velken could escape quickly.  He tail darted between his legs as the human stopped some ten feet away and through back his cowl.

"I... apologize for attacking you."  What?  Renard's ears stood on end.  "I still don't trust you, but we're on the same side at the moment.  And in order to win, we must fight together."  The human held out a hand.  He'd seen this gesture before.  Humans clasp hands and shake as a gesture of friendship or an alliance.

Renard timidly extended his gray-furred claw and clasped the human's.  The human's hand was very smooth, and the fox imagined he could use a wide assortment of meticulous weapons.

"Ven."

"Renard."

[Dark Spartan]

//ZUH?! HE'S BACK FROM THE DEAD?! Yep, it's me. I've finally managed to get enough time (I'm on Thanksgiving break right now) to get a short little post in. Tomorrow I'll write a much longer one, but for now, enjoy this little snippet. No Commission update, sorry.\

“Son of a bitch!”

The Colonel was incensed. As to why he was anybody could say, but it would be unwise to be the bearer of bad news when talking to him.

“Sir?” one of the Majors asked. “What is the problem?”

“What isn’t the problem, Mr. Gordon? That’s a better question. It’s taking too damn long to get this ice block battle-ready. Those damned commissioned officers are too green to know what they’re doing. And no word from Carmine about this Alex man. I feel like I’m being left in the dark, Gordon!”

“Sir, I have no doubt that the Commission is doing their utmost to defeat him…he IS a powerful man after all.”

“But he’s ONE MAN,” the Colonel bellowed. “One man against five? Do the math.”

“Sir, with all due respect, they may not succeed.”

“Well then, if they don’t, then hopefully Alex will save me the trouble of executing them myself.”

“It’s only been a day, Sir. Give them time.”

“Oh, Gordon. If only you knew the basics of warfare.”


Flurries scattered through the cold air as Alex followed the worn stone path to Glacia City.

“Here we are,” Alex said, brushing the accumulated snow off of his jacket. “And ahead of schedule, too.”

“Great,” Midna replied. “I’m freezing out here.”

As if sensing their arrival, Glacia’s double gates opened, revealing a totally different world beyond the rock walls. The town bustled with activity. Revelers caroused from pub to pub making their nightly runs. Merchants stood at apt attention at their stalls, peddling the goods and services that Glacia used. Horses drew large carts carrying cords upon cords of firewood, ensuring every fireplace in Glacia would burn with warmth. Everyone was busy with one task or another.

Alex had a feeling of nostalgia returning here. This place was his home. So remote and serene from the rest of the world, happily living and working in isolation.

“We can rest here for a while,” Alex said. “We can lay low here as well. Kandarinian forces very seldom sweep past here.”

“That’s good news for us,” Midna sighed, taking his shadow.

Alex continued through the town, into the outskirts, and toward what looked like an old smithy. He pulled open the door and passed through.

“Well, this is it. Home sweet home.”

Midna left his shadow. “This is where you live?” She looked around. It was a home on one side, and a workshop on the other. “Not much for luxury are you?”

“I live with what I can,” Alex said.  

“This should be good for a few days,” Midna replied. “But then we need to get back on the road.”

[D. Ein]

//I thought I made a post yesterday... Apparently I didn't...\

"I pulled the spirit ribbon back, as if a leash.

-"Well done, Vandrin, on an entertainment well delivered. Shoo now, and go make me more."

Unravelling the ribbon once again, I urged:

-"Sic, hound! Sic! Kill that fat hippo!"

[Drannic_Lord01]

//Sorry I haven't been on in a while

"Alright, we're ready to go. I'll get this bird off the ground." Ben walked up the ramp in front of Duilin and co. and readied the engins once again. The ship's controls were up and ready to blast off the ground.

"Ready when you are."

//DM, in your next post you can do the taking off bit.

[Dude Man]

- Tjedon Castle, courtyard -


Duilin smiled, as he saw Renard and Ven shake hands.

"Alright, there we go." Duilin's mindset was getting much better about this. If Ven can forgive Renard, then probably the Kandarinians would be willing to help them finally defeat the Dark Empire.

Once everyone was aboard and settled in. The airship then took off and flew northward towards Kandarin...

(Gorus will be updated later)

[Dude Man]

- Gros Morne Citadel, top -


"Very well, lord Sovereign." Vandrin replied. He then bowed before exited with the two scientists and the servants.

The mutant lizard man then smashed his fists down on Gorus, as he was on the ground.

Gorus growled in pain, but was able to get himself back up. The mutant swung another punch at Gorus' head but he ducked and then swung an uppercut at right on the mutants jaw.

The mutant gave out a monstrous roar and then tackled Gorus and began grabbing him around the neck.

Gorus wasn't going to allow himself to loose. He started kicking away, digging the metal spikes on his boots into the skin on the mutant's leg, but it wasn't enough. He then noticed that Xarn dropped his sword when he mutated, and saw it on the floor not to far away, he reached out, but was loosing breath rapidly and couldn't quite make it.

He then dug his claws right into the mutant's hands and then pulled back, and forced the mutant's hands to open. The High General then weakly climbed over to the sword and picked it up. The mutant the dove at Gorus and readied for another tackle. Gorus stuck the sword up and allowed the mutant to fall on him. The sword dug right through it's chest, and it stopped moving. Gorus was able to push the massive creature off of him, and then weakly got back up, he then plucked the sword from the mutant's dead body and then pointed the blade at Kronos.

"Your turn..."

[Xorlak]

- Gros Morne Citadel, top -


Vincent took one step forward, removing his golden shotgun from his cloak and pointing it at the giant Lizard Man in one fluid motion.

He wasn't stupid.  He knew a weakened foe and an easy kill when he saw one.  Of course he wouldn't attack without permission.  But the chance to gain brownie points was too obvious not to try.

[Drannic_Lord01]

//happy thanks giving, peoples!

- Northern Wastes, Arctic Region -

The small forces of lizardmen decided to press back to the south. The leader, however, was having difficulties with directions. "Hmm... I forgot which way was south."

Captain Zabel walked to the front of the group and smacked the lizardman beside the head. "You can't be serious! Damn it..."

"Ow! What the hell!" Stumbling from the backhand to the head, the lizardman slipped on the snowy ground and fell on his back.

"Shut it. I'll grab my compass." The captain pulled out a compass from her belt pouch and pointed it in their general direction. The needle on the compass spun slowly to the north, but the compass appeared to be facing the east.

"Damn. Just as I's suspected. We've been walking the wrong way. Everyone face this direction and MOVE!" The captain tunred her men to the south as they started to march.

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

[D. Ein]

- Gros Morne Citadel, top -

-"My turn? Well, you got that right."

I waved my hand in a dramatic fashion, as if summoning a great beast from somewhere. A  cascade of bones rose from below, escaping the bodies of their slain owners. They circled around me in a swirling vortex, and then began to settle down around me. In a few seconds, I was encased in armour made entirely of bone. Two grand spikes protruded from my shoulders, and my head was now protected by a bestial skull, in a helmet-like fashion.

-"Behold, the Soul Cage of the Lich..."

Another burst of bones materialized a large shield over my left hand. The shield had many bones sticking out from the sides, with a lizard man's skull in the middle.

-"...the Aegis of the Lich..."

Finally, the remainder of the bones combined to make a lordly sword, its length twice surpassing my opponent's height. The hilt and guard consisted of a human skull with many rib bones stuck through it, and the blade was made up from a great many of miscellaneous bones, making it quite jagged. At about halfway down the sword, the blade broke into two separate ones - giving the weapon a somewhat fork like appearance.

-"...and finally, the Ripper of Heavens."

The sword was lying in front of me. I knelt down, sampling the texture of the handle - and effortlessly lifted it up, throwing it over my shoulder.

-"Don't be amazed," I said, seeing the surprise in Gorus' eyes. "This weapon, this armour and this shield are all a part of my soul. They weigh nothing to me. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for you..."

I swung the behemoth blade at Gorus. There was no chance of a miss, as Gorus was too close to me for him not to get hit by the swing. Meanwhile, the minute dot of light on the horizon sliced the sky in half, appearing right above Gros Morne. The light cut through the metal clouds like a knife through hot butter, sending bright rays down onto the burning city..."

[Dude Man]

//Thanksgiving was in October for me, eh.\

- Gros Morne Citadel, top -


"Holy...crap..." Gorus was indeed amazed. He never knew mortals could do such things. Then again, he belived that he had to give up his humanity in order to get his powers. Thus proving his theory that humans could be used like a canvas. But the rumours about Kronos are that he did this to himself. So does that mean a human does have this sort of power?

For some reason Gorus started to worry a little bit. He used Xarn's sword to block the giant bone blade smashing down on him. Gorus was very strong and was definitely able to block it much better then any human and most lizard men could. Despite that, he fell to the ground from the weight of the blade, and was barely able to keep it from crushing him and then slicing him apart, as he held Xarn's sword at the handle and at the end of the blade. It was cutting his hand, but better his hand then his entire body.

With all his strength he pushed the sword to the left and rolled to the right and jumped up back onto his feet, and threw the sword like a dart at the bone armoured Lich.

[Xorlak]

- Gros Morne, Outskirts -


Before the Dark Emperor Retan lay the burning city of Gros Morne, still protected by walls of bone and frozen flesh.  It appeared Gorus had already begun his siege upon the lowly Kandarinians, though he did not see the airships they would have attacked with in the skies.

He had to do everything himself.

The sword, the spear, and the dagger floated around him, rotating slowly.  Through them, he felt the three other weapons in the heart of the city.

They were hungry.

He extended a gloved hand, and the portion of the bone wall around him turned black.  Like a porcelain vase, it shattered to tiny pieces and the black ash floated away upon the breeze, leaving a hole in the defenses.

A soldier stood directly on the opposite side.  He yelled in alarm, then pointed his speargun at the black armored figure that slowly advanced toward him.

As he pulled the trigger the weapon turned black, a dark flame engulfing it.  He tried to drop it, but the blackness quickly took his body.  He screamed in terror as his flesh was rent from his bones, and the black burning skeleton that was left disintegrated into dust upon the icy ground, leaving absolutely nothing left.

Slowly, the Dark Emperor walked towards the breech in the wall, the weapons that rotated around him gaining speed...

----

- The Tower of Heaven's Bane, Dining Hall -


Gav leaned back and patted his stuffed belly.  What a delicious meal!

"My lord!"

"What?" Grav snapped, wiping cranberry sauce off his scaly muzzle.

"We've located the one of the lost airships of the Skyward Division..."  The armored lizard said, nervously.

"Oh?"

"They're returning, and will arrive in a moment."

"Have they retreated from battle?  What are they doing?"

"They will not respond to our summonings..."

Grav thought for a moment.  Then his eyes widened.  "You moron!  It's those traitorous furry mammals!  Kill them!  Kill them!!"  He grabbed his staff and hopped up and down on his chair, screaming.

----

- Death Evan, Bridge -


Virmir clasped his hands behind his back as the Tower of Heaven's Bane came into view, a thin spire that stretched so high into the black clouds, its top was impossible to see.

"Here they come..." Anselm said.

The sky before them opened up in a swarm of wyvern riders, all blasting various elemental spells at the black warship.  The cannons opened fire in all directions, and explosions rocked all aorund as the warriors were picked out of the skies.

Virmir squirted and made out the forms of two airships hovering near the tower, though which types were difficult to discern through the hazy darkness.

"This is it..."

----

- The Dhaos, Bridge -


Renard had a bad feeling about this.

Ven kept giving him stares from across the room, but he tried to pay it no mind.  He knew the human had every right to be upset.  Maybe through battle he would gain his trust.

But what really bothered the fox was where they were going.  He remembered the Kandarinian city of Asgarnia, and how run down it was.  It didn't seem like they were much better than the Dark Empire at all...

He sighed and stared at the clouds passing by though the window, resting his muzzle upon his arms as his tail curled around his angles.  He was worried.  Worried about his squad.  Worried about Emile.  Worried about the Velkens' future.  Even in the million to one chance they did have at defeated Retan, where would they go?  Surely the humans would not accept them living amongst them...  No one would.  Not after the hideous crimes they've committed.

He shook his head, trying to focus on the upcoming battle.

[D. Ein]

- Gros Morne Citadel, top -

-"Damnit... He's here..."

What a terrible sense of timing, I must say. Further proof of this thought was offered to me as a flying sword thrown by Gorus, which struck my shoulder. A few bones here and there chipped, but otherwise, the armour remained intact.

Mildly surprised at the lizard man's ability to block the Ripper, I withdrew the sword back onto my shoulder.

-"In either case, Gorus, I fear as though I will not be able to teach you the pain of life with my blade, after all. Quite sad, really, but you will be overjoyed to find out that I have an even better lesson for you..."

With another dramatic movement, I smashed my sword into the ground in front of Gorus. The individual bones composing it came apart, as is expected - with the force of an explosion. I specifically targeted Gorus' arm and leg joints, as to incapacitate, but not kill, him.

-"Oh yes, so much better," I remarked venomously. Unfortunately, my planned long line of evil taunts was interrupted by a transmission from my pocket M-Grid orb. I listened to the voice in my head intently, and, with a heavy sigh, walked over to the edge of the Citadel.

At that point, the light shining from beyond the clouds ceased, and the clouds turned back to their old grim metallic self."

--- --- ---

- Gros Morne, city -

It was the trumpet, everyone assumed, that stopped the fighting. Whichever KAF members were still alive came outside bearing the white flag, leaving their weapons behind. The Stalker squads were nowhere to be seen - dead, presumably. Perhaps their deaths had something to do with the surrender act?

Meanwhile, General Roland shambled across the belittered land, scorched by the Dark Emperor's mighty spell. He kneeled before the black figure.

-"Gros Morne is beaten, my lord. Please have mercy on our poor state. We surrender."

[Dude Man]

- Gros Morne Citadel, top -


"Don't spew your mockery on me!" Gorus roared to the Lich.

Gorus then jumped back expecting the sword to hit him, despite what Kronos had said. The explosion however threw him completely off guard.

He gave out a roar of pain and he started to feel sharp pains in his joints.

"You're not even going to kill me!? This is an insult. You humans and near-humans make me sick!" He growled. He then forced himself forward with all his strength; he was going to rip him apart like a paper bag. The pain in his joints was too much, and he was paralyzed.

"Oh, go to hell..."

Gorus then fell to the ground, unable to move a muscle...


--- ---

//Now this post is going to involve rapid movement. I'll apologize in advance for this, and I hope this can slide, because of time restraints. I really need to hurry things up a bit here."

- The Dhaos, Bridge -

"So, any luck on finding out what that chemical does?" Duilin asked.

"Well, I tried scanning its aura. And well, I'm getting a feeling very similar to how your aura was when you transformed into that demon lord." Rink replied, holding the vial.

"Really?" Duilin seemed a little confused. "So does that mean it's like my blood or something? Or just demonic?"

"Well, I don't know many demon lords. And the two demon lords I do know are you and Abodahon, and your auras are very similar."

"Yeah...right. So you're saying you don't know?"

"Well, I think it might have some blood in it. Do you remember that cat-lady getting any blood from you?"

"I think, I remember she was there right before I passed out after changing back. Why would she give me a vial of blood?"

"Well, I'm making a few wild guesses here, but maybe it's a potion for perhaps boosting or restoring demonic abilities, maybe even gaining demonic abilities to the consumer. But I'm guesses it's only temporary. Because, when you're in your demon lord form it's only temporary."

"But...you don't know for sure."

"No. But I wouldn't be surprised if I was right."

"Right, okay then, well I'm gonna go see how the route is going. You keep...making guesses and stuff about that." Duilin laughed a bit after saying that and Rink laughed back.

Duilin then went to where Bjendell was piloting the ship.

"This ship sure goes fast." Duilin said.

Eventually the Kandarin Island came into view yet something was wrong. There was nothing there. Duilin looked at Ben. "Did you go the wrong way or something? This island is totally empty. Is it the right place?"

Suddenly the communications orb need the captain's seat started to glow, as if receiving something.

"Hey, uh this thingy is getting something." Duilin wasn't sure if he should answer it. "Wait, I got an idea." He turned around. "Hey Lagart! Get over here!"

The lizard man waddled over to the cockpit area and looked at Duilin. "Yeah?"

"We're getting a message, and it's probably somebody from the Dark Empire, it might be the Velkens, but I think it'll be safer if you talk to them, since you're a lizard man. You understand?"

"Yeah. I'm not that stupid." Lagart replied. He then walked over to the communications orb and touched it. A blurry image of a slim lizard man appeared.

"Are you the reinforcements?" The lizard man asked.

Lagart nodded. "Yeah."

"You're a little late, we've got the Dark Emperor here, but if you want to join in and help us slaughter these runts, feel free. I've been stationed here to guide any reinforcements coming to the new location of the Kandarin Sovereignty at the Arctic Region."

"Okay. Thank you. Signing off." Lagart taped the orb and the image disappeared. He looked at Duilin. "Retan is at Kandarin."

Duilin looked a little worried. "Crap." Duilin started to feel nervous, he was shaking a little bit, but then shook it off.

Duilin then went back to the bridge to announce this to the others and Lagart followed.

"Okay everyone. The Kandarinians have moved to the Arctic Region and Retan is attack them. Probably they're getting ripped a part right now."

He could tell that everyone was looking a little nervous. Moral boosting speech time.

"Okay, you're probably all scared. I'll admit I'm getting scared myself, but fear never held me back before so it's not going to now. I've done a lot, these past few days. I blew up a military building; I saved a Velken's life and then the rest of his species. I also got reunited with Bell and found out my little sister is still alive. And on top of all that I realized I have two other bodies that I can change into. Now I know most of you guys aren't as well able to fight as I am, but I want you to know that I still believe we can do this. I love all you guys and I won't allow anyone here to die. And you know what, if you don't believe me then think of this. Would you rather run now only to be killed later on, and only be remembered as another coward? Or would you rather go down in history as people who stepped up to Retan and said 'No! You are NOT taking this world Retan!'"

Duilin took a deep breath and rolled up his sleeves, much like he did with his previous style of clothing. Regardless if the others were ready or not, he was.

Soon enough The Dhaos came near Gros Morne, the new capital of the Sovereignty and where the final battle would take place.

[Xorlak]

- Gros Morne Citadel, top -


Vincent took a few steps back.  Blast it... never mind then.  Kronos had some serious power... when his guard was up, at least.  He lowered his weapon.  He was content to watch the Sovereign take out the weakened lizard from the sidelines.

He idly looked up at the flashing lights in the sky.

----

- Gros Morne, city -


Retan's crimson eyes narrowed.  "Cur.  How dare you approach me, you rotting death-stenched carcass."

He extended his left hand, a swirling orb of blackness some two feet in diameter immediately forming out of nowhere. Like a cannon, he blasted the undead man at point blank range, the aftershock from the explosion cutting huge cracks into the city street.

"I tire of being generous."

He flipped his cape with his right hand.  The white flags the soldiers carried caught ablaze with a black flame, which quickly spread to their bodies.  They writhed in agony as all around they withered into nothing.

"I give nothing but opportunities and second chances, paths to fame and glory."

The Dark Emperor walked through the crowd of disintegrating men as they flailed upon the ground.  An aura of violet blackness engulfed the three weapons that circled him, and they began to rotate at an insane speed.

"And what is the thanks I get?  Thieves who take my property.  Incompetents that fail.  Traitors abound..."

The radius of the weapons' orbits increased greatly, and at the same time they began spinning like buzzsaws.  They spiraled around Retan like the nucleus of an atom, slicing through buildings like nothing, toppling unlife structures, boring into the street and surfacing dozens of feet away, along with a boulder-sized hole, the debris scattering everywhere.

The Dark Emperor continued slowly walking through the chaos, towards the citadel in the distance...

----

- The Dhaos, Bridge -


Renard had a sinking feeling in his stomach the closer they got to their destination.  Duilin's mentioning of Retan confirmed it...

"Yeah... I'm with you..."  he said timidly.  He was the first to speak, and all eyes seemed to bore into his soul.  He felt so small and out of place...

"As am I."  He heard a much deeper voice behind him and above.  He turned to see Ven towering over him.

The silver knight nodded once at the Velken and drew his blade.  "Let's do this..."