Dark Age Legends

[D. Ein]

//I highly recommend against charging long attacks here.\

- Gros Morne Citadel, top -

"I could really care less if someone was fighting in my city, quamdiu se bene gesserit. Unfortunately, that is exactly what the people down there weren't doing. As little as this shows, I do, as a matter of fact, care about my people to a certain extent. As such, when a lizard army attacks and destroys my city, I can't help but feel responsible to bring down the hand of punishment. I believe it's about time..."

---

Suddenly, the skies above Gros Morne became incredibly clear - every single cloud was chased away by the sun. The rays of the star seemed not only brighter, but also a lot hotter. The snow and ice covering Gros Morne began to melt away rapidly, sending puffs of water vapour upwards. Soon, the whole city was covered by a large cloud of evaporating ice...

[Xorlak]

- Gros Morne, Streets -


The Dark Emperor threw his arms to the side and a black aura engulfed him, as well as the three weapons rotating around his body.  The weapons-- sword, spear, and dagger-- rushed to meet the attackers' as if they were wielded by invisible men. A furious high-speed battle broke out.


"Haaaaaa!!!!"  Ven dashed madly in, his half-sword glowing a bright white.  With a slash he managed to nick the black cape of his adversary before dodging the floating sword that nearly took off his head.


Renard nodded at Jacobie.  "Right."  The Velken zipped skyward, then spread his claws before him, a circle of crimson lines appearing in the air.  After a moment, crackling fireballs began to rain down on Retan.  He knew they were weak, but blast it, every little bit helped...


During the chaos, Retan turned his head to the side to launch an enormous swirling mass of darkness at Rink.  When he turned his head back, he got a face full of the Iduran.

Duilin's blade slashed him diagonally across the face with a reverbing clang.  It was if time stopped.  He staggered back a few steps, his eyes shut...

The black helmet obviously absorbed the impact.  But the weapon still scarred the metal-- a huge gouge carved from the upper right to lower left...  When he opened his crimson eyes, they screamed murder...

"How dare you..."

His aura exploded, a violent blast of blackness forceful enough to send all flying back.  Ven tumbled on the ground, rolling a few times and covering his head.


Only Renard continued his attack... a relentless barrage of fireballs that dissipated into nothing against the Dark Emperor's power...

Retan's burning eyes shifted, falling upon the Velken.  He floated some five feet above the ground, the fox's eyes filled with a familiar cold determination...

Suddenly Renard froze and his tail-fur frazzled... he couldn't move at all!  His determination melted as he looked into the crimson eyes, feeling the effects of the paralysis spell all too late to do anything about it...

The Dark Emperor extended a gauntleted hand, a swelling mass of shadow crackling upon his fingertips... "One by one, you all fall..."

With that, Renard stared death in the face...

"Nooooo!!"

In a mad rush, Ven leapt and plucked the Velken out of the air, the Shade spell slamming into his back.  He screamed as he fell to the ground, shielding the fox from the attack.  

Renard couldn't believe it... the very man who tried to kill him.  The man whose king he helped kill...

Ven merely smiled weakly before passing out.  Renard, lying on his back, had no time for words as he noticed something else... Something very bright in the sky...

----

- Gros Morne Citadel, top -

Vincent began to sweat.

He was seriously going to use it?

Right here?

So close?!?!

Well, he was absolutely sure he calibrated it correctly...  Mostly sure, at least...

He let the air out of he collar and blinked a few times...

Fairly sure...

Kronos had his back to him, looking out of the the ruins of the city.  Vincent slowly took a few steps in reverse, then carefully opened the door leading back into the citadel interior.  Once he was through, he quietly shut it, then ran like mad down the stairs.

[Dude Man]

- Gros Morne, Streets -

"Whoa---" Duilin flew back several yards in the air, but was able regain his balance, blasting his light golden aura around himself, and lowered himself onto the ground.

Rink and Lagart also flew back several yards and fell on their backs and slid on the ground but were both able to get back up on their feet, with only a few bumps and scratches.

Duilin then witnessed Ven get hit, protecting Renard. He watched the knight fall to the ground and pass out. "Ven!!" He started to run to his aid, but Rink stopped him.

"He'll be fine Duilin, focus on the task at hand..." Rink said in his deepened voice. The High Imp then looked back at Retan. "...Which is destroying Retan!"

"Alright." Duilin said in agreement. Yet he still had still had some worry for his friend and he seemed a little surprised at how battle hungry Rink was, it was more than likely that demon juice talking however.

The super human, the lizard man and the high imp spread themselves apart.

"I got an idea..." Rink snickered and then disappeared in a small explosion of smoke.

Duilin got the idea and then flew towards Retan at the front and then stabbed his sword straight forward.

Rink then reappeared behind the draken, laughing mischievously as he smashed his mace at his back.

[Drannic_Lord01]

- Gros Morne, streets -

"What's happening to me...? I can feel a weird sensation... I... I can't see anything! Where is everyone!?" Ben's own power began to thicken around him to such an extent that his magic began to solidify and materialize.

(Angelic Lord Form 45%)

"YOU BASTARD!!!" Jacobie flew into a raging fury at seeing Ven pass out after Retan's shadow attack. The Lizardman leapt towards Retan with great speed and intensity. He thrust his blade forward in mid jump, sending his momentum forwards even faster.

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

[Xorlak]

- Gros Morne, Streets -


With a flick of the wrist, the Dark Emperor produced a black sword handle from within his cape.  A bright red beam burst from the blade-less hilt, forming a burning scimitar-like weapon.

He sliced the air, smacking Duilin's weapon away with a crack and an explosion.   At the same time the flying spear rushed to protect his back from the giant imp, while the floating sword blocked Jacobie's blow.

He twisted his crimson blade and stabbed it into the ground, tearing it apart as the resulting earthquake dislodged whatever few structures were remaining in the vicinity.


Renard struggled to get up.  The unconscious knight's arm was over him, and the armored human was very heavy...  He finally squirmed free, though he immediately fell over due to the tremors from the earthquake.

Chaos lay before him.  Everyone was attacking Retan, and that frightening monster was holding his own with floating weapons and terrifying streams of black magic...  This was insane... He wondered if he should run away.

No... he was no coward.  He looked down at Ven, who just saved his life.  A stray bolt of Dark Thunder whizzed by, knocking him over again as it tore a crater into the ground just a few feet away...  Ven was in trouble lying this close to the battle...

He grabbed the knight's arm.  "Come on..."  He said through clenched teeth, trying to be careful not to dig his claws into the human's skin.  He folded his ears and pulled with all his might.  Blast, this man was heavy...

He put his levitation ability to it and tried again, lifting up off the ground a few inches as he struggled.  At last Ven began to move, his armor scrapping across the cobblestone street as the Velken slowly but surely pulled him to safety.

[Dude Man]

- Gros Morne, Streets -

Duilin quickly pushed his left hand towards the explosion and fought it back by shooting a glowing sheet of light energy with shielded him from the flames.

Rink stepped backwards when his attack was stopped by the floating spear. "These weapons are going to start pissing me off." The imp sneered. "Where's Haraldur when you need him!?"

The imp then shot flame through the Talonscar Mace, much like Duilin does, and gave a full forced smash at the spear.

Duilin and Rink then started to loose there balance as Retan created an earthquake with his crimson blade. Duilin started to fall backwards and was getting further away from the foe. He regained his balance and then pointed his right hand at Retan and shot a trio of smooth glowing orange-yellow comets of plasma energy.

Meanwhile, Lagart made a mad rush forward with his sword above his head. The large reptile dove himself forward putting his massive weight into a mighty slash down at the Dark Emperor...

[ElderScrollinIt]

//Need to post more. Bleh...

- Gros Morne, Streets -

Ko'ji raced to help Renard carry the human out of the battlefield. With the two of them working on it, they were able to pull him out of danger. When at last the human was at a safe enough distance away from Retan, or so they thought, Ko'ji helped Renard place him on the ground. Without warning, the Velken girl threw herself into Renard's arms and began to cry.

"I'm so afraid! I can't do anything to help! I'm too weak; I don't know what to do! Please, you have to help me, Renard! I'm so afraid..." The area around Ko'ji's eyes became damp and wet as she cried.

"Please... I don't know what to do..."

[Xorlak]

- Gros Morne, Streets -


Holy crap... Renard nervously held Riuki up after she collapsed in his arms.  He thought he was afraid... but she was totally freaked out!

"Riuki!  ... Riuki!"  He shook her gently.  He couldn't believe it.  She was so much stronger than him, but the madness of battle had finally gotten to her.  "Snap out of it!  We need to help the others, okay?"

He looked her in the eye.  "I'm going to cast an enhancement spell on your sword, and I need you to go straight in without looking back.  Can you do this?  Don't worry, I'll be right there with you... I promise."

[D. Ein]

- Gros Morne -

The skies were really turbulent now - hot vapour was everywhere, decreasing one's vision to no more than a few metres in front of oneself.

Through this mist, a dark figure approached Retan...

-"Generous as you may be, Emperor, the Sovereign does not approve of your being here. Ten minutes ago, a mutual cease-fire would have sufficed... Unfortunately, too much damage has been dealt now. We will have no choice but to retaliate."

The figure's features cleared up some as it got closer to the Emperor, revealing itself to be Roland - in one piece and good health....

[ElderScrollinIt]

- Gros Morne -

"Oh Renard... you promise to be with me...? Okay. I can do this." Ko'ji Heald her blade out for Renard to enchant it. Once he was done, the vixen blazed past the others, only keeping her eye on Retan. She flung her scimitar forwards and pointed it at Retan.

*If not for all of Welkin...* she told herself, *for Renard...*

[Xorlak]

- Gros Morne -


Retan crossed his arms before him as Duilin's blast struck them with full force.  Largart's blade slammed into his gauntlets at the same time, chipping off some of the onyx black metal along with a series of sparks.  He thrust his hand into the lizard's face, but his head-explosion spell was interrupted by Riuki's presence to his right.

He angled his head just enough to see the circles of light forming around her blade as she pointed it at him.  A bright blue flash burst from her sword and spiraled towards his prone chest.  Renard appeared by Riuki's side, claws extended and guiding the spell.

With a brilliant cerulean explosion, the Dark Emperor staggered backwards a few steps.  But did not go down...

Renard floated between Riuki and Duilin, his mouth gaping.  "He won't die... he just won't die..."

His tongue lolled out of his mouth and he started panting... And why was it so hot...?  He squinted to see through the mist.  Who was casting this spell?


The Dark Emperor righted himself, standing up straight with his arms to his sides, the crimson blade still burning brightly.  

"I tire of this."

He clenched his free fist, and a deep rumbling permeated the skeletal remains of the city.  The bright light faded slowly as a darkness emanated from his body and spread outward...  The effects of his aura negated the heat and produced a bone-chilling cold that spread further from his being with each passing moment.  His eye's burned hatred, and his body burst in a deep black flame that distorted and destroyed all light around it.

Obviously he was too busy to pay the lone undead any mind, and likely didn't even hear him due to the intense fighting.  The sword with the red gem in the hilt, which was flying around like a buzzsaw, changed course and went for Roland's head...

----

- Dark Continent -


The land was literally flying apart.

Anselm clutched the sheathed Wind Serpent tightly as he shut his eyes and folded his ears.  The sand blowing around stung even through his fur.

"What is going on?!" he screamed through the wailing winds.

"That tower was the focal point of an energy nexus!"  Gaston yelled back.  All the Velkens were huddled together in a sandstorm of flying rocks and debris.

Anselm opened his eyes to give the Battle Mage a blank stare, obviously not having a clue what that meant.

"Big boom, Anselm," Helix yelled into his ear.  "It means big boom."

"Shut up, Helix."

"Where is Lord Virmir?  He didn't just--"

"No time!  Let's MOVE!"

All holding onto each other, they attempted to fly a few hundred feet, narrowly avoiding a falling rock the size of a whale.  Crimson lightning crackled all around, and it seemed a massive vortex of dark clouds swirled above where the Tower of Heaven's Bane stood a moment ago.  They were forced to land by another burst of intense winds.

A shadow suddenly flew overhead, and a dark shape fell in front of them.

"Get in!"

It was a small airship.  The voice was vaguely familiar, so he dashed forward, gritting his teeth as a small flying rock just missed his head and dented the side of the ship with a resounding clang.

[Drannic_Lord01]

- Gros Morne -

"This guy really knows how to piss me off!" Jacobie placed his katana over his shoulder and slashed down then up in a curve like motion. The resulting attack was a shockwave of fire energy headed straight for Retan.

"I'm starting to regain control... I feel more intunre with my powers..." The light blue glow solidified more densly and created a more human-looking shape, with two feathery wings on the back. Ben's face was also taking shape again in the blue mist that was his essence.

(Angelic Lord Form 70%)

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

[Xorlak]

- Dark Continent -


Anselm didn't open his eyes until he made it inside the cramped airship.  He smiled when he did so, for several Velkens from Welkin were inside.

"Are you all right?"  One said, extending his hand to help him up the stairs.  It was the black-eared Sir Rikarl, a respected squad leader and former student of Lord Virmir.

"Quite all right... thank you."

Anselm stepped aside to let the rest of the squad in, and had to hold on the railing on the walls, the vibration was so bad when they took off.  At least inside here they were protected from the stinging sand that storm the vortex or whatever was blowing around.

He looked at the jeweled pommel of the Wind Serpent in his hands and sighed.  "Lord Virmir... I don't think he--"

"Don't think what?"

His ears perked.  On the other side of the crowded ship, Virmir stood with his arms folded, leaning against the wall with his arms folded.  The cold stare in his eyes was gone, replaced with a smirk across him muzzle.

"You did well," he said, as he walked towards Anslem.  The smiled disappeared suddenly and he extended his hand. "Now give me back my sword."

Anslem's ears fell back.  "Y-yes sir."

A series of chuckles rang out through the crowd.

[Xorlak]

- Gros Morne -


Jacobie's blast of flame fizzled away in the Dark Emperor's aura, as if the very light were stolen from it.  Retan's form grew, the black plates of his armor fusing to dark scales, the horns upon his helmet extending outward.  Four sprawling wings, razor-sharp claws, and a thick tail...  His eyes burned a crimson brighter than the sun.  The black-burning dragon opened his maw, billowing smoke through his jagged, yet perfect teeth.  His voice was a rumble that stirred the bones.

"The end is nigh."

[Dude Man]

- Gros Morne -


Duilin, Rink and Lagart stood back in awe with their jaws dropped as the witnessed the transformation of Retan...

"He...changed." Lagart stated.

Duilin sighed. "Great..."

"Rink." Lagart said to the imp.

"What?" The imp said back.

"Give me demon potion." He requested.

"You...sure?" Rink asked.

Lagart nodded.

The high imp then picked up the vial which was still on the ground, he handed it to the lizard man.

"Lagart." Duilin said, putting his hand on the lizard man's arm. "You need to be careful with this. Rink can handle the mind effects, but he's already a demon. You're not so it will be harmful to you."

"Retan is in dragon form!" Lagart stated. "I need to do this if we are going to defeat him!"

"But this could be REALLY dangerous. You don't have any way too combat the demonic effects and you'll loose control, and you might even attack us. And look at you, you're a friggn' beast as it is."

"Rink said it only temporary!" Lagart replied. "I can't stand here and let Retan kill everyone."

"We'll be okay, you don't need to anything." Duilin tried to grab the demon potion from Lagart, but the lizard man tugged his arm away, out of his reach.

"Lagart!"

"Guys! We don't have time for this!" Rink snapped. "Just let the lizard drink the potion!"

Duilin took a deep breath. "Just think about it, Lagart."

He then held the Iduran in a battle ready stance, and white flame plumed around the blade and was then surrounded in a golden aura and flew off towards the black-burning dragon.

Rink followed, and enchanted the Talonscar Mace with fire magic.

"Hey Retan!!" Rink shouted, trying to get his attention. "Catch!" He then pointed the mace forward and shot a large fire-rocket at the dragon.

Meanwhile Duilin hovered over the opposite side of Retan and then slashed his sword several times in the air, shooting blades of sacred fire...