Dark Age Legends

[Drannic_Lord01]

- Arcane Grotto, Forests of Nurngar -

And it is here that a young priestess stood amongst the tree spirits and faries that fluttered about the majestic grotto of magic, of the arcane. She bowed her head and knelt down, both hands connected in prayer, hoping that the wood might hear her out.

"Please speak to me, spirits of the forest. What is this strange catastrophy that is pleaguing our people in the east? Are you so against the civilizations that you crumble them? You show anger towards us, yet there is nothing we have done to deserve it! Unless... unless there was something... anything we have done, I gravely appologize for! Please, spirits of the forest, please hear me..." The grotto's pond rippled in response to the young priestess' plea. However, she encountered something that was quite unexpected on her part.

"You wont get far talking to them like that," a strange voice said from deep within the forest. It seemed to come from every direction, all at once, comming in from all sides. "They don't quite care that much for any hume. Well, nor do I, but that is another matter entirely. Still, I am here, and still more and more humes come and ask us for guidence."

"Who's there?" the human woman demanded, "Who are you!?"

"Heh... and almost always, it's the same response. Some call me the woods, others the wind. However, I am neither, nor will I ever want to be. I am a spirit of the forest. A farie, if you will."

"Then show yourself, great spirit of the forest!" As she commanded, so did appear a small, male farie, flapping his wings as he floated above the pond. He seemed to have appeared as if out of nowhere. He appeared right in front of the woman's face.

"Hello."

"WAH!!!" The woman stumbled backwards in shock as the farie backed away from her slightly.

"Scared you, did I?"

"Enough games! Why have there been attacks on the eastern cities of this continent?" The priestess gave the farie a stern look, with a sharp eye as if she were about to spot his next trick. Although the farie was done with his fun.

"To the west of here, there has been a rift through dimensions. Through the rift, every once and a while, there come through weapons, futuristically manufactured and seemingly diliberately thrown in through the portal. A group of humes - such as yourself - barried this portal in a cavern and took refuge there, as if to build up an army. However, they mistake the weapons for runecraft, as do most alchemists."

"What are these weapons then? How powerful are they? Please, tell me!"

"I'm getting to that. Just be patient!"

"Fine." The woman then put her hands on her hips as if to gesture that she'd been anoyed. "Continue then, spirit of this grotto."

"That's more like it. Anywho, These weapons are manufactured by putting a battery stone into a weapon. The metals from the weapon then absorb the power of the battery stone and glow to signal that they have been activated. A battery stone has limitless amunition. However, if it is overused, it can be rendered inert for a short period, atleast until it recharges itself."

"These weapons seem dangerous... This can't be good. I'll have to let Consular Mjord know right away -"

"Did you just say Mjord?"

"Well, yes. Consular Mjord watches over -"

"Is he Bjendell Mjord, by any chance?"

"Why yes, actually. Consular Bjendell Mjord. Why?"

"Heh... could I possibly come with you? It will be better if I explained this to him myself." The farie hovered by the woman's shoulder as he asked his question. He waited eagerly for her response.

"Hmm... Well, I suppose it wouldn't be too bad. Okay, you can tag along, atleast until I reach the Consular. Then I must part ways and be off."

"Thank you, kind hume! By the way, I didn't catch your name. What does your mother and father call you by, hume?"

"My real name is Myrriam Tonkins, but most people call me Marry, or Tonks."

"Very well, Tonks. It is a pleasure to meet such a fine hume maiden!"

"Are you that bored that you have to practice your stupid farie sweet talk all day in the woods here or what?"

"Well, there doesn't seem to be anything better to do..." The farie grinned malevolently as he floated with the woman, walking down a path that lead through the forest.

"Oh please," she began, "if you're even gonna try anything, then you may as well scram right now!"

"You know, it's awfully lonely in the woods here..."

"Be quiet, you little snot."

"Bah! Don't be so rude, I was only complimenting you. Understand that I've done you a favor already, so you owe me to get us to Sir Mjord!"

"Yeah yeah, whatever. Listen right now, farieboy. If I so much as catch you looking at my butt, or so much feel you graze it, I'm throwing you in a jar and shaking it like there's no tomorrow."

"Please understand that I wouldn't consider doing something like that! How could you be so evil as to even mention a jar infront of a farie! Please, understand me when I give you a compliment, and try not to take it as an insult!"

"I understand alright. You're a sucker for a pretty face!"

"Say what!?"

"Bulls-eye!"

--- --- ---

- Ohtoku City, Southern District -

"Damn this giant city! It'll take me at least three days to get to the eastern coast. Atleast I'm not stuck in Nurngar... that would be maybe... five or six days. Then again, there are stables there, it can't be too bad on horseback... Why am I talking to myself out loud? What's wrong with me!?"

"Sir Mjord!"

"WAH!!! By Gaia, you startled me. Yeah, what is it?"

"We're getting reports that maiden Myrriam Tonkins is west of here, passing out of Nurngar. You said that you were looking for her, correct?"

"Damnit... yeah, I was. What about it?"

"She did have a horse. Might as well wait here for the mean time until she arrives."

"Ugh... blasted sister. Right, I'll just head to the Inn... Right then."

"Uh, sir?"

"WHAT!?"

"The Inn is this way sir, not that way."

"Damnit! Just take me there!"

"Yes, sir."

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

[Xorlak]

- Glimmer Spire, Spire City, Phoenicia -

Two robed, cowled figures quietly walked the halls, whispering in hushed voices.

"We've been ordered to give the contact the password," Francis said, pushing the jewel more firmly upon his forehead.

Charles nodded. "I have already slipped meeting information into his pack when we crossed paths yesterday... can you make the rendezvous?"

Francis nodded nervously.  "I can."

"Good.  We will both meet him."

Francis breathed a sigh of relief, likely because Charles was going with him. "Sir Hans will be pleased."

[Dude Man]

- Field in Central Terian -

A lizardman was clutching a wound on his chest, trying to stop it from bleeding, his sword was broken and down on the ground next to him. The lizardman was fairly large and well armoured, he looked like he would have been a captain in the Dark Empire.

His foe was too strong for him to defeat. He was too fast, too powerful, he never seen anyone like this before. He started to accept the fact this was the end for him, like the rest of the lizardmen he was travelling with.

The lizardmen from Lizaberg were being allowed by the Kandarin  to live, as long as they remained in Lizaberg. However a herd of them decided to wander off. Nex, being bored volunteered to take care of them.

The robed demon walked slowly around the lizardman, who was gasping for air.

"Just kill me now..." The lizardman wheezed in anger.

"I like my meat, raw and alive." Nex replied. "And I like to let my meat bleed a little bit before I eat it."

The lizardman tried to get up, but Nex shot him with a lightning bolt and knocked him down. The shock wasn't enough to kill him though.

Several Kandarinain soldiers watched. Among the group of soldiers, there were some demons in KAF uniforms. A steam demon was even seen marching through out the field hunting for survivors.

After a few minutes, Nex then grabbed the much larger creature by the troat, and then partially lifted up the facial cover on his helmet, a deformed looking lower jaw was slightly visible and a large scared up tongue wrapped around the lizardman's neck. The lizardman's head was ripped off and then swallowed hole by the demon. He then crouched down and began manically eating away at the lizardman, chunks of flesh were flying over the place, and bloody was starting to splatter over his mask and robes.

Some of the human soldiers had to turn away, from the horrible sight. But the demons and the sadistically normal KAF troopers still watched.

[Xorlak]

- High above the southern ocean -

Vincent scowled as he leaned back in the passenger's seat.  Nothing but sky all around. He glowered out the large front windows of his stingray ship.  The tiny airship hummed along, driven by the zombie butler in the seat to his left.

"Perhaps we should return to the capital, sir?" Alfred droned.  His half-lidded eyes remained emotionless, as always.

Vincent leaned back.  Perhaps he was right.  He'd have to check the chart to determine where exactly the Kandarinian capital was to be located today.  It was a floating fortress in the sky, much like the Crimson Capital once was, so its location was never fixed.  Though they did anchor it down on occasion.

Just then he saw it.  "There!"  He pointed and Alfred backed the ship hard, speeding towards the black speck in the sky.  That was it.  Or him. Whatever it was.  He'd find out who threw the knife between his legs.  See how funny it was now.

The black figure in the sky made no effort to move.  It just floated there.  From this distance Vincent could tell it was relatively man-shaped.  Oh great.  Another one of those guys.  The crazy flying magic-types...

"Pull in close and keep it steady."  Vincent said as he unfastened his belt and made his way towards the back.

"Mmmyes sir."

The circular hatch at the top of the ship opened, and Vincent rose from the innards into open air.  They were high-- very high.  The sea was just a blue pane far bellow, and the wind was intense.  Clouds streamed below.  Vincent's black trench coat flapped violently in the wind, his shotgun in one hand as he calmly assessed who was floating just a few dozen feet in front of his vessel...

The floating man was covered in black armor with pointy accents.  His shoulder pads were most prominent, jutting out like spikes.  He was averagely built, with flowing black hair that flapped in the wind.  His arms folded before him and he maintained a proud smirk.

Vincent recognized the armor design as one that was popular in the Dark and Crimson Empires, especially before Retan made his return.  In fact, he could even see a familiar insignia upon the side of armor's chest.  Vincent smiled slightly.  "So what color empire are you planning to revive?" he shouted over the billowing gusts of wind.

The man's smirk widened. "So you came.  Good dog."

Vincent's smile disappeared, replaced by clenched teeth. "Make no mistake.  I've come to punish you for that trick you pulled back there...  Do you have any idea who I am?"

"I know a great deal about you, General Vincent."

Vincent chuffed. "An obsolete title, my friend.  I am Captain of the Kandarinian Soveriengty, Regiment 4.  You do know what it means to cross a Captain, don't you?"

The man laughed.  "You've been given more power it seems, and it has gone to your head.  You never were trustworthy enough to command beyond your specific talents..."

Vincent pointed the golden shotgun at the floating man and clicked the barrel. "You've already sealed your death.  Might as well tell me why you're here."

"You swore fidelity to Lord Draven.  I've come to collect upon that."

Vincent raised a brow, looking over his sunglasses. That was indeed the red four-winged insignia upon his chest. "Draven is dead, along with the Crimson Empire.  I've moved on."

The man laughed again. "'Dead' is such... an interesting term nowadays..."

[Drannic_Lord01]

//Not much for today.

- Ohtoku City, North District -

"Whew, we made it!"

"That sure is a speedy steed you got there... what is it?"

"It's just a horse..."

"Sure... well, whatever. Where's Mjord?"

"Huh..."

"What?"

"He said he'd meet me here."

"Argh! Blast it, I'm done waiting!"

"Just be a bit more patient, will you?"

"Hmph... Fine."

"I just hope he's okay."

[Xorlak]

- Glimmer Spire, Spire City, Phoenicia -

Kelmarr stretched in bed.  He had to admit, it was good having a proper bed to sleep in for a change.  But this whole crazy rune-based island city didn't sit well with him.  Maybe it was the crazy runemaster cat-woman mage.  Yeah, it was the crazy runemaster cat-woman mage...

He sat up, running a claw through his disheveled headfur.  Hmm, if he was lucky, Lerfina didn't get back from her outing the previous night when she went to capture the (also crazy) nightmare demon yet.  That Suichi guy, the human who like to drone on and on about nothing, should be easier to dupe.  He'd just sneak away.  Get to blasted Ariosis and sell the blasted sword there like he originally planned.

Flicking his monochromatic tail a few times, he stepped to the other side of his room and began to re-don his haggard old leather armor.  (Humans slept with their armor on, he heard.  NOT Skunkulars.  Bunch of crazies, the lot of 'em.)  As he did so, a slip of paper fell out of his pants' pocket and glided to the floor.  What was that?  Some kinda dry cleaning receipt?  He didn't remember...

He picked it up and read:

3rd level.  Fountain.  11 AM.

[Xorlak]

- High above the southern ocean -

Vincent sneered.  "Normally I would ask what madness possesses you, but frankly, I just don't care."

With that, he flipped his shotgun up and fired at the floating black armored man.  A burst of flame exploded in the air, but the flying figure dodged, blazing forward.  Explosions rippled in his wake, but at each one he shifted one way or another until he was directly in Vincent's face.

With a chop, he smacked the alchemist's shotgun away with his left hand, sending the weapon hurdling into the abyss off the side of the ship.  With the other he clenched Vincent's neck and lifted him clean off his feet.  "Not so tough without your toy, eh?"  He grinned triumphantly.

Vincent dangled there calmly, swaying in the wind.  The only sign of distress was his crooked sunglasses.  "Actually..."  He loosely raised his right hand and the fingers took on a metallic sheen.  They extended in length twenty times, becoming long blades that pierced the black clad man's chest like butter...

"... I just kept it around for old time's sake."

[Xorlak]

- High above the southern ocean -

The black armored man chuckled.

Chuckled?  With blades piercing his chest?

"You'll find you can't kill me with... conventional means..."  With that, he reared his free hand back and proceeded to deliver a blow to Vincent's face.  The alchemist blocked, and breaking free of the madman's hold, flew backwards as he tumbled over the metallic top of the ship.

As Vincent skidded to a halt, he pressed his now liquid metal hands into the roof of the vessel.  Dozens of long blades burst forth from where his adversary stood, climbing skyward at jagged angles.  The armored man simply flew into the air in avoidance, retaliating with a spherical blast of midnight black energy that flew from his palm with the force of a cannon.

Hands still stuck in the metal plating of the airship, Vincent pulled up an entire metal panel and held it up as a shield, turning his head away as the orb struck.  The explosion pushed him back a few feet, and he nearly teetered over the slick edge.

He stood, hands still inside the metal plate he held before his chest.  "Who are you?"

"Julian.  Of the Shinryuu."

"Draven's personal elites..."

Julian folded his arms as he floated in the air. "The Crimson Empire is on the verge of conquering the world.  Just no one knows it, as we have been operating... quietly...  We offer you your former position of glory.  Do you accept?"

[Ted Der]

- Up in the Clouds -

Day 1

Here I sit in my dark, private corner, recording my thoughts and experiences down so that one day someone might read them and gain knowledge from them. My name is Elisha Drennen and I think you should know that my life has been tragedy after tragedy. My life is barely worth living and I would have killed my self a long time ago if it were not for the one vital piece of information that I know that could help millions of people fight the coming darkness. Keeping this log is the only way I can think of keeping sane.

About 13 years ago, when I was only 4, my two twin brothers Kraaz and Akran ruined my life.

It all started with a fairy tale - a legend passed on among our people. The legend told of a magical stone called the Majeuri Spinel. It's power was too great for any mortal man to possess, but my brothers thought otherwise. They took the tale as the truth and set out to find it. I do not know much of their travels, but I do know that whatever they faced out there  changed them.

One stormy night they wandered back to our village, with weak, crazed looks. They told me nothing about what happened. For weeks they kept to themselves, never talking to anyone else. I thought they had found the Majeuri Spinel, but I wasn't sure so I cornered Akran one day to get the truth out of him. Finally he confessed and only said this: "Elisha, Our brother is dying. He found the stone, but it burned his soul."

A week later as it turned out, Kraaz became violently ill. Many healers in the village tried everything they could, but to no effect. It seemed as somehow Kraaz was burnt on the inside. Seeing his brother in this way Akran fled. Perhaps he thought that this was partly his fault, I do not know. I haven't seen Akran since then and I constantly pray that he is alive and well. As for Kraaz, every day he would have convulsions and cough up blood. Black blood. It would have been better for the village if he had died.

We all thought he died. We had a funeral and burial for him as well. But that night the village burned. Flames engulfed everything. There were people screaming and houses burning. Everyone died that night. Everyone except me and Kraaz. He rose from the ashes like some hideous beast and grabbed me by the waist. He was not the brother I knew anymore.

He took me here - wherever here is. It is always dark here. Everyday I am beaten and tortured, not to mention nightly visits to Kraaz's chambers where the hooded creature would have his way with me. If believed that I will be here for the rest of my life, I would cut my wrists and be rid of this nightmare, but something keeps me going.

What I know is this: the Spinel is raw lightning and fire from the sky. I know that Kraaz no longer has the Spinel, but he wants it back - badly. If he touches it even one more time, the power of it will destroy him. My brother is no longer human. Some humans could survive touching lightning, but only for a short time before they turn into Malanos. Kraaz is King of the Malanos, and they will die if they touch the sky.

This one little piece of information I have overheard makes all of this suffering worth it if someone can use it to kill Kraaz once and for all. Please Akran. If you have found the Majeuri Spinel, don't keep it. Let Kraaz have it back.

Please Akran. Save me.

[D. Ein]

//@ Xorlak's posts: great. I leave, and Vincent looks on the verge of deserting me already. You certainly know how to get me back into the RP, Xorlak.\

- Shuba, a large Kandarinian city - Underground labs of the 3rd Regiment -

The clicking of two people's heels resonated through the dull stone hallway, stretching down a seemingly infinite length. The only source of light was a torch carried by one of them - a Kandarinian soldier - shedding a dim circle of light in a mere 2 or 3 meter radius. There was nothing to see in front, save for occasional side passages - the corridor's walls disappeared into a yawning abyss once there was no light to illuminate them.

-"So, ah... General... may I be allowed a question?"

-"You leave me little choice, soldier. Ask."

-"Uhh... well... I assume you had me come with you because of your... err..."

-"Blindness?"

-"Yes... However, you do not seem to be needing me, as evidenced by your... crafty avoidance of walls... for a blind person..."

The general continued walking, without answering. The soldier was about to open his mouth, but changed his mind at the last second. God forbid something sets her off... He still needed all of his limbs, preferably attached.

Some time later, the general stopped.

-"Soldier, we are at an intersection," she said, stunning her accompanying aide - who had just noticed another break-off of the corridor leading left. "There should be a sign somewhere in that branch-off hallway. Read it to me."

The soldier complied, rising his torch up closer to a small panel on the wall. The sign, in Kandarinian, identified the passage as "Containment."

-"It says 'Containment'," the General whispered - strangely, before the soldier said anything. "That is where Shen was seen last. It is also where his subjects for study are kept, but I believe the cleanup teams already discarded any remaining dangerous creatures. Also, I'd advise you to move two feet backwards."

-"Wh- Whoa!"

Two long metal blades struck out from the wall, nearly cleaving the Kandarinian's head off. Having hit empty air, they slid back into the two slots on the wall.

-"The cleanup teams were slacking, it seems... While I am occasionally able to warn you of impeding danger, it would be best if you simply looked where you were going," she said, pointing to a raised platform below the soldier's feet.

-"Y-yes..."

This time, it wasn't long at all before the pair reached a large room - the first one to come by since they entered the labs. The architecture was strictly standard Kandarinian - tough, powerful geometric shapes lacking any sort of support. The most noticeable detail about the room were enormous glass tubes, most of them shattered, extending from the floor upward. Much of the floor was covered in some strange blue liquid - which Gwen proceeded to touch.

-"It's the stone ichor... It's what Shen used to keep the Destroyers dormant. The report I received stated that all Destroyers were accounted for and neutralized with surplus ichor. But... oh, no."

Something alerted Gwen, as she immediately drew two of her swords.

-"Soldier, run."

- Inn, somewhere -

Eye - check.
Real eye - check.
Arbalest - check.
Rope - check.
Spears - eight; check.

Everything seemed to be in order. Ein washed the grime off his face from yesterday, having just woken up. Some dirt found its way onto his snowy hair, and maliciously kept a good, wash-resistant grip on it. Well, that's what the hood is for, right?

He went down to the tables below, hopefully for a drink or two. Finding no one (other than the barman) there, he decided to wait on Akran and Marshall before doing anything.

[Dude Man]

- Inn, Rivertown -

Marshall's rolled out of bed. "What's goin' on...Aw man. I think I might have drank too much last night. Not good."

Marshall barely ever drank, so this was very strange to him.

"Well, I better see how the others are doing. Probably Duilin's gonna be wondering where I am."

He slowly exited his room and headed down stairs to the tables. A blinding light from the window shone in his eyes, he shielded them with his hands and stepped forward until his eyes adjusted to the light. He saw Ein. And waved at him as he stepped towards him.

"Did you sleep well?" He asked. "We should get some breakfast before he leave. I will be needing to go to fort Klawvorn. You wish to join me there?"

--- ---

- Briefing Room, Fort Klawvorn -

Duilin was sitting at the chair at the end of the table.

"Alright, so who do we have checked in?" Duilin asked Rink, who was entering the room.

"Vaughn, Zimmerman, Lagart and Valos are here. They should be arriving soon." Rink replied. "I don't know where Marshall is though." He hopped up into the booster seat at the table.

"I bet that Aspye kept him back in Rivertown. We can wait for him, before we leave, but if he doesn't show he's got toilet cleaning duty."

Rink chuckled. But then there was a bit of a silence.

"Yeah, so are you worried about confronting Nex again?"

"A little. I'm surprised that the Talonscar would want him back, but apparently before he had a lot of power suppressed. Not to mention he had loyalty issues." Duilin replied. "But Nex knows me quite well, and he's probably going to be the toughest opponent I've fought since Retan. But if we can beat him, then that means the Sovereign shouldn't be that much harder."

"I've heard a lot of rumours about his strength." Rink stated. "Some say he's actually very weak. Some others say he has just a lot of hidden strength. I also heard a rumour he killed one of the High Generals of the Dark Empire, Gorus."

"Gorus? Hmm, actually I'm not too sure about him being killed. But it would explain the fact I haven't seen him at all." He looked at Rink for a moment.

"What?" The imp asked, seeming puzzled.

"Oh, just you on that booster seat. It kind of reminds me of when you were human sized."

"Oh yes, that moment where I was taller than you. That was great actually. What about it?"

"We lost that chemical, the same day. Didn't we?"

"Yeah, yeah that's right. Wow, can't believe that hadn't crossed my mind after all this time. Wow. Well, it was probably destroyed, there was a lot of damage going on in that place, before and after the fight. Too bad, I kind of enjoyed that form."

The two chuckled a bit over it, looking back on the 'good times' of what was actually a very dramatic day.

--- ---

- Regiment 4 Building -

Over the past few years the fact that not only was Vandrin older than his captain, but he had also been with the Sovereignty longer than him. It drove him crazy with envy. But by now he's almost stopped caring. Vandrin had studied a lot over the past years, and actually had a much better idea of what he was doing. Soon one day, he knew he'd take over as captain. He had a feeling he'd be able to outlive him.

He stepped through his lab until he arrived in front on small vault built into the wall. He unlocked the vault and opened it up. Inside was a small vial of blood red liquid. For years he had been studying this, but hasn't been able to make a 100% effective replica of it. But today, he felt he might have had it.

He tested the chemical on various animals and people. They turned into various demonic creatures based on their original appearance and he there dark personalities, he's noticed. There was a murder who hunted people at night, who he tested it on, and upon using the chemical on him, he transformed into a werewolf like demon for a short period of time.

He has always been reluctant to try it on himself, despite the fact the test subjects were fine after recovering from the transformation, other than increased stress and fatigue.

But with this chemical he had plans. Dark, nasty, evil plans.

[Xorlak]

- High above the southern ocean -

The metal plate melted over to Vincent's left arm and it became a sort of kite-shaped medieval shield, the rays of the sun brightly reflecting off its slivery surface.  His right hand reformed to normal, returning to its fleshy color.  "Do I accept?  You'll have to make a harder case than a random member of a washed up organization randomly appearing out of nowhere.  Is Draven even alive?"

"This is your only chance.  If you refuse, I will kill you."

"Is Draven alive?"

"I ask the questions, science man.  You will join or die.  Do you accept?"

Vincent chuffed.

"So be it."  A black flame engulfed Julian and he sped down towards Vincent.  The alchemist reformed his right hand into a long sword that shot forward like liquid.  Julian dodged and slammed his fist into Vincent's shield, nearly knocking him off the edge.

"You are no fighter, science man." Julian sneered as Vincent faltered.

Vincent slammed the sword-arm onto the roof of the airship, a loud clang echoing above the winds.  "Alfred! Now!"

Just then the stingray-ship banked upward in with a 90 degree turn. Both men were jettisoned from the craft, tossed headlong into the wide open skies.

Falling from an altitude of thousands of feet, Vincent's arms took on a metallic glint again.  The sword and shield melting, they became like long sheet-metal wings and he glided away

Julian flailed in the air for a moment before his black aura returned and he resumed floating under his own power.  Seeing Vincent gliding away, he gave chase, flying much faster than the man ahead who moved using only the wind.

Then a shadow above blocked out the sun.  He looked up just as the main cannon from Vincent's ship opened fire.  A tremendous explosion rocked the skies and, after the fireball faded, nothing remained as the smoke dispersed.

Vincent looked back and nodded approvingly.

[D. Ein]

Dark liege Ahriman,

As per the instructions, I write this first report. Indeed, it was not very difficult to get into the inner Kandarinian workings, especially with my Tenient's own guidance. Eris of the sixth Regiment caused a slight bit of trouble, but nothing seriously crippling to your unholiness' plans. I have nested myself in the second Regiment, under the captain Sun. Despite being of a semi-divine race, he is not a very bright individual, and is not suspecting a thing.

I had located the sleeper agent you instructed me to seek out, who is now masquerading as my personal attendant. Despite being a completely new recruit, my skills were deemed to be that of the Kandarinian elite troop - the Stalker. This is, no doubt, due to the Brotherhood's training. Although I intend to keep my Convocan abilities hidden to avoid any suspicion, I must reiterate: the Kandarinian captains are not to be trifled with. When installation H3 was breached by a Kandarinian Stalker, our Convocans had trouble with even that. Although your unholiness has no doubt seen and beaten much superior powers, with all humility, I must say that even one as yourself would find himself at odds with a Captain. Therefore, I cannot guarantee that my Convocan power will stay sealed during my entire time here (especially if I will somehow be discovered).

The first task, too, was perfectly successful. The sinner called Shen has been disposed of. Aside from fellow Convocans, the Magistrate was also investigating most curious creatures: the Destroyers. These beasts? demons? are of the fire element, consisting mostly of some sort of volcanic metal, and utilizing molten lava as their flesh. The despicable Shen kept them docile through submergence in a fluid called "stone ichor". From what I gathered, it is an extremely heat-conductive compound, cooling the Destroyers' fiery cores. In the hours following the assassination, the 8th Regiment was sent to clean up Shen's laboratories in order to commence an investigation. I intercepted their report, which cited one of the Destroyers as missing. Having made some corrections to it, General Gwen (who is to lead the investigation) is led to believe that all creatures are found and accounted for. With any luck, the Destroyer will cause enough damage to her so Kandarin will assume them to be completely non-tamable. Either way, she is in for a surprise when she goes sniffing through those labs... If nothing else, the incident will at least serve to indicate how strong she is, as well as falsely implicate the 8th Regiment. Divide and conquer?

The murder of Shen itself was a fairly ordinary procedure. I concocted a poison of Bittersweet and Qor's Shoelace, adding it to his daily medicine. The dog dropped minutes after ingesting the poison, suspecting nothing. It was too quick of a death for that ingrate. No one will defile the Brotherhood of the Black Dragon! No one!

The next report will arrive as scheduled, your unholiness. I will proceed according to plan.



- Shuba, underground labs of the 3rd Regiment -

The soldier obediently dashed out of the subterranean room, while Gwen took on a defencive stance. It was a Destroyer... but how? The 8th Regiment's report clearly said that all subjects were removed from these labs!

There it is - agonizing pain running from the upper right shoulder down to the left hip. Gwen felt three sharp claws dig into her back, rending and burning skin and flesh on the way down... The force of the hit alone knocked her forward, face-first into the stone floor. Paralysed with white pain, she heard the creature approach her - although large and heavy, its feet barely made noise, save for a clicking sound. A terrible clawed hand grasped her off the floor, breaking several ribs in the process - and another one wrapped around her head. It tightened, twisting suddenly to the side and snapping her neck.

Or, at least, this would happen - in exactly ten seconds.

Three...
Two...

Immediately before counting off one in her head, Gwen whirled about, crossing her swords in front of her and forcefully smashing them into the area directly in front of her. Indeed, the blades met the Destroyer's claws, coming in a leap from behind. The parry took the creature by surprise, and it stumbled, falling over on its back. It made an effort to stand - but Gwen already knew what would happen if that creature got back up. She made a lunge for its chest, and felt a drop-chop from a metal hand breaking her back right in half.

No... That won't do. She tried striking the head, instead - but the blade merely scraped the metallic surface covering the Destroyer's core. The clawed hand impaled her from behind this time, and, once again, death.

That's okay, though, since the predicted outcome of the following ten seconds was coming as quick as she was making decisions - meaning that she had as much time as she needed to find a weakness. After about eight attempts, she finally found it: the neck.

This time, moving for real, she leaped right on top of the Destroyer's chest. Before it had time to react, she struck its softer, lava-filled throat. With enormous satisfaction, the blade slid right through the molten stone, striking directly at the destroyer's core in its head. The creature wailed, its body thrashing in pre-death convulsions. Why, that would potentially knock Gwen off and leave a mark on her clothes! Can't have that. Luckily, she already saw this coming - and leaped off the Destroyer immediately after piercing its throat. Leaving the lava-spilling Destroyer behind, she continued walking forward to Shen's desk.

-"Soldier, you can return now."

-"Yes, General. That was...?"

-"A Destroyer, yes. I will enquire about this incident later. Damien best have a good explanation."



- Inn, Rivertown -

-"Why not. Without good leadership, I don't feel like resurrecting the Aspyes, really. Don't know what's gotten into Haraldur, and don't know what hole he's rotting in right now. Seems like forever that I haven't seen or heard of him... Eh, whatever. I'll be outside, packing my things. You should ask that Akran fellow - the more, the merrier, right? Looks to me like a good guy, he does. Especially having helped us with the Kandies. Right now, we'll need all the help we can get."

[Xorlak]

- Glimmer Spire, Spire City, Phoenicia -

Kelmarr found the fountain on the third floor easily enough.  It was a gaudy thing-- some human-angelic figure posed dramatically with a pot through which a small waterfall flowed into a pool.  The gem in the figure's forehead appeared to be real ruby.  As he pondered how much the thing might be worth, as well as what in blazes he was doing here, a shrouded figure brushed against his left side.

"The red dragon flies at twilight," the human whispered as he passed.

What... the..?

The man just kept walking.  Kelmarr flicked his tail a few times as he scratched behind his ear.  Wait a minute... that was code talk.  Could it be?  Of course! A thieves' guild... It would make sense for a gaudy island like this to have vast networks of organized crime.  And they were very discreet, as that cloaked figure speaking random nonsense certainly wasn't suspicious in any way.

Why would they approach him though?   He slammed his fist into his palm.  Of course!  He was pretending to be a rare arms dealer and toting around a rare sword... They probably wanted to do business with him.  Smirking, he followed the shady man after he ducked into a side hallway.  Perhaps he could sell this blasted thing after all...

[Xorlak]

- Kandarinain Occupied Retangrad, Western Dark Continent -

"Hey... you feel that?"  The Kandarinian guard rested the edge of his spear gun upon the ground.  "You had ta' have felt that one!"

"Wot?  I ain't feel nothin', bloke.  Ye be sippin' on the rum too much, 'fraid."

"Well, that too... but still, the ground just moved.  I'm sure of it!"

The shorter guard rubbed his chin as a light breeze blew, chilling the space between the two gloomy buildings. "Nay.  Ye be full of it, bloke.  Why we been stationed 'ere in Retangrad, this musty half-crumblin' port city for years, and we ain't felt nothin' like an earthquake fer the whole time.  Now stop tippin' the cups an' git back ta starin' straight ahead without blinking, you."

"No... 'twas no earthquake, 'fraid... 'Twas more like... I dunno... the ground beneath my feet just... moved."

"You on 'lixir, boy?  Ground dun' move unless 'ere's some giant worm or somethin' underneath.  An' we all know giant worms aren't real.  Geez... Drunk boy on 'lixir dreamin' up giant worm stories..."

The mud puddle behind the guards began to bubble...

"I'm just sayin'..."

"Sayin'?  You be tippin' the cups, bloke."

A deluge of mud suddenly burst from the puddle, reavealing a giant hand that wrapped around the second guard's legs.  Both screamed, and the free guard shot his rifle fruitlessly into the arm of whatever creature lurked beneath.  His efforts were rewarded by a second giant mud-hand that scooped him up, and both were dragged underground.

Shouts of alarm resonated throughout the town as figures began emerging from the muddy earth...