Dark Age Legends

[Xorlak]

- Shuba, Factory of Dark Science (Regiment 4 HQ) -

The doors slid open, revealing the forms of Vincent and Alfred.  A blue robed man bowed before them.  "Welcome back, Captain."

Vincent largely ignored him, instead offering a brief nod to the younger and less skilled alchemist as he strode down the hallway. "Adept Mikail.  Report."

The adept fallowed in-step at Vincent's side, opposite of the zombie butler as his cerulean robes bunched about his feet.  "All operations are on schedule, sir."

"Where is Vandrin?  Has he attempted any of his tomfoolery?"

"No sir.  He has kept mainly to his potions.  Though most off the operations you set up were made with little input required from the higher-ups anyway."

"Good.  Inform him he is relieved of his temporary duties now that I have returned, and is free to pursue whatever chemical-nonsense he has been studying."

"As you wish."

The trio turned a hall, their boots clanging upon the steel floor as mists rose from perforations in the metal.  To one side lay a drop-off to a much larger room within which giant mechanical contraptions were being hammered together, molten metal spewing about from pipes along the edges of the chamber.

"We have, sir, received one interesting tidbit of information..."  The cerulean-robed adept ventured, hunching over as he slid his hands into his sleeves and struggling to make himself heard over the clanging of tools.

"Oh?"  Vincent replied with disinterest, removing his clip-on shades.  It was dark in the fire-lit corridors, after all.

"It seems Regiment 3 is having... trouble with one of their... experiments.  This is unofficial, mind you.  You know how tight-lipped Three is..."

"And we should care, why?"

"The general herself was seen entering their underground labs.  Additionally we have relieved a notice to increase the security alertness level from green to amber."

Vincent rubbed a finger under the stubble upon his chin.  "Interesting..."

[D. Ein]

- Regiment 6 HQ (a tall tower somewhere between the tower of Heaven's Bane and Sigmund) -

Life was not treating Eris well.

A prime-grade Stalker is expected to hunt people down and then kill them in the most gruesome way possible. What a prime-grade Stalker is not supposed to do is sit in an office all day filling out papers. Exactly why she had to finish the Stalker academy before being promoted to the captain of 6th Regiment was beyond her.

As if that weren't enough, there's been an influx of newcomers to the Sovereignty recently. A part of the 6th Regiment's duties is finding and eliminating spies, and with this many people, the whole Regiment has been on its feet with interviews. A lot of the newcomers were from the new ships arriving from... somewhere. What's the deal with that, anyway?

Eris' chain of thought was interrupted by the violent smashing of the door behind her.

-"CAPTAIN!!!!"

-"Yes, soldier... what is it..."

-"Something strange is happening at Sovereigngrad! It seems as if it's under attack, but there are no clear reports available!"

Opportunity! But... gwah. Eris still had to sort a pile of immigration papers, sign a pile of execution warrants, and burn a pile of fan mail.

-"Send Hannibal. Give him troops if he needs any."

-"Yes, Captain!"

The soldier saluted Eris and hurried out of the room, while Eris continued procrastinating on her paperwork, choosing to count the clouds in the sky from her window instead.

//Xorlak, could you give me some more description of the scene in your next post? You may as well take control of Hannibal (arrival, walking, etc), since he's an NPC.\



- Regiment 8's HQ, Damien's private study -

Life was not treating Damien well.

He has to make up some far-fetched story for the escape of Subject 3-4-9, Midna, without sounding idiotic andor less than believable. The choices were there, naturally - he could take the easy road and blame the escape on the incompetence of one of his subordinates, but that wouldn't look well on him. Then again, considering that he has to explain himself to the General, she'll probably know the second he lied... a strange one, she is. A sudden burst of power? No... too far-fetched...

The rustling of a portal glyph behind Damien alerted him that someone just entered.

-"CAPTAIN!!!"

-"What is it, Acolyte?"

-"There is an urgent message from General Gwenivere!"

-"...Give it to me, and get out."

"Yes, Captain."

What could she possibly want? Damien took the sealed envelope, forcing a gulp down his throat. His heart sank as he read the heading - Regarding the 3rd Regiment. His men were there to clean the place, so something must've happened. He braced himself, and gave the letter a quick skim.

The note was concise and to the point: A Destroyer escaped and attacked the General. And who is taking the heat?

Yeah...

[Dude Man]

- Shuba, Factory of Dark Science (Regiment 4 HQ) -

As Vandrin was mixing chemicals at his work table, a messenger stepped into his room.

"Lieutenant Vandrin." The messenger greeted.

"Hello, what's the news?" Vandrin asked without looking up from his work table.

"Captain Elridge has returned so you may return to your regular duties."

"Um, yeah." Vandrin replied. "Thank you. You're excused."

The messenger left.

Vandrin picked up the vial of blood red liquid and then the one he was making, he compared the colours by holding them next to each other. They looked the same, but now he needs to make sure they work the same.

[Mikado]

~ ~ Near Duillin I guess ~ ~

"Sir, we have unpacked all of the equipment."
"Very good, you're dismissed until further notice soldier."

Repins saw how all of his soldiers were working hard preparing for the battle. Next to him stood a Alibaba styled merchant sitting in a huge cart.

"I guess it is time for my ... payment?" - he meant the reward. He did give Repins allot of help getting his hands on merchant clothing, cars and everything else to look like one - the "equipment".

"As far as I remember you just owed me, didn't you? You haven't forgotten have my dead Baggotiniou?" Yes, this man was a old acquaintance of Repins.. and there was no way he would ever be able to demand anything from Repins when you would know of... their past.

"You bring that up!? How dare you... I just shouldn't aid you! Very well, then I shall leave and hope we'll never meet again!"
The man had a frowned face and looked very angry, but Repins didn't mind. He wasn't that useful anyway. Now all preparations were complete, he only waited for Duillin...

[Xorlak]

- Sovereigngrad, Western Dark Continent -

Tall buildings still ravaged from wars long passed framed the horizon, drearily looming over the dank street corner.  It was a bustling market at one point as evidenced by the deep ruts left by wagons in the dirt road, but none of that remained.  The transformation to lower class slum had engulfed nearly the entirety of the city.  A light drizzle hung in the air, making walking without soiling one's boots an impossibility.

Hannibal idly picked his nails with a dagger.  "So you don't know what happened, then?"

The dirty guard nodded.  "One moment they... they were there... and the next..."

Hannibal looked up as he leaned against the wall, a flash of anger in his eyes.  In an instant he backhanded the guard in the chin, sending him spiraling into the mud.  "They're gone?  You wretch!  I came all this way for nothing?  I don't have time to play games with rejects!"  He punctuated his statement with a swift kick to the ribs.  The lieutenant's clean-clothed entourage of six higher ranking men chuckled at the local soldier's misfortune as he gasped in the mud.

He turned and shouted at the group of Kandarinian soldiers standing in the alleyway. "Who knows what happened?  Who?!"

They all eyed the ground.

"You flag command that you're under attack?  That you lost two dozen men, but you have absolutely no idea how?  Idiots!"  He marched up to another soldier and slapped him in the face.

At that moment a blood curdling cry followed by a squelching snap from the outskirts of the group broke Hannibal's tirade.  All turned just in time to see a carcass dragged into the darkness of the opposing alleyway by a large silhouette...

[Ted Der]

- Inn, Rivertown -

Akran rolled over in bed and yawned. Where was he?

"Hey there baby," said a pleasant voice from beside him. Akran jumped out of bed in surprise and looked down upon the two beautiful women lying there. His brain stalled as the feeling of dizziness came over him from standing up too quickly. He stared at them as his brain slowly shifted into first gear.

Akran scratched his chin for a second and quietly said, "Sweet."

Slowly, he made his way down stairs. Funny. It felt as if he had slept for days. Where was Ein? He wanted to speak with him.

Downstairs in the bar, Akran ran into Marshall.

"Hey Marshall. I just wanted to say--"

Suddenly Martin ran through the door interrupting him. "Hey Akran!" he said greeting his captain. "Ready to set sail?"

"Uh, just a minute Martin. Let me get my head straight." Akran sighed and sat down on a chair. He rubbed his eyes and flicked away a bit of sleep. After a moment, he looked straight at Martin and said, "I am going with Ein and Marshall. You have been a great friend and first mate, so I am giving the ship to you. You are now Captain of the Shadowshot."

Martin seemed unusually calm. "Alright, Captain," he said saluting, "I will continue in your place." He then seemed a little nervous. "You're not by any chance, uh... well you know..."

"Gay? Really Martin. I just woke up with two--"

"Yeah, I figured." Martin interrupted again. "That's fine. Don't worry about it. I'm not worried about it... oh Akran!" he cried and flung his arms around his friend and started to wail.

"Martin," Akran sighed, "Don't worry, we'll always be friends."

"Yeah, I guess," Martin sobbed letting Akran go, "I guess." And with that, Martin wiped his tears away on his sleeve, saluted again, and proudly marched out of the Inn.

Akran shifted in his seat before realizing he'd be more comfortable standing. "Ahem," he coughed, "So, Marshall... where were we?"

[Xorlak]

- Deathbringer Warship, off the coast of Rivertown -

"Did you get him?"

"Apologies, my lord. He refused."

"Blast. So you killed him, huh?"

"No sir... He... escaped..."

"WHAT?!"

"He-he escaped, my lord..."

"It was a rhetorical 'what', moron.  Blast it!  How in blazes did you mange to screw that up, you miserable little ingrate!!"

"I... uh... he was using some... unfamiliar technology..."

"Remind me to beat you with a blunt object when you return, Julian."

"Uh..."

Draven crushed the communications orb in his fist, a plume of smoke emanating from the remains of the ruined jewel. "Blast it!!  I can't take it anymore!"  He held his firsts to the sides of his head, his cape billowing about as the ship's crew avoided him.  "Hiding and sneaking for years, building the perfect army of elemental warriors, unkillable by conventional means, and now, now!, the last pieces of the puzzle refuse to fall in place!"

 He turned swiftly, pointing across the cabin towards the ship's captain.  "Luitenant!"

"Actually, I'm captain, sir..."

"Shut UP!!"

The man froze at attention.

"We attack NOW!" Draven clenched his fist. "Screw waiting for airships! Screw the Crimson Capital!  Follow my lead and clean up what's left.  We'll overrun whatever little worthless hamlet is on the horizon there first.  Next to rivers, or whatever."

"Clean up?"

"Knock it all down.  Whatever I miss, at least.  This RP sucks without me blowing up everything left and right, anyway."

"Yes, sir!"

A brilliant plume of crimson flame erupted from the maniacal fire mage, knocking everyone in the room on their rear.  With a mad cackle, Draven dove through the window and blasted skyward off the sea-fairing warship towards the Helternian coastline.  Behind him, the small fleet of warships trudged through the waters as they lumbered after their master.

Draven spread his arms wide, an orb of intense vermillion manifesting within each palm, his face contorting into a manical grin.

"Watch out little cretins, Draven's back!"

[Dude Man]

- Inn, Rivertown -

"So, Akran, you are going to join us now?" Marshall asked. "Well, it would be nice to have another crew member. We are going back to Fort Klawvorn."

"Ooo...Somethings coming." Said a deep voiced old man from the corner of the pub. He was eating a beef stew, and eyeing the trio.

"Excuse me sir, are you talking to us?" Marshall asked the old man.

"Something is coming I don't know what, but it's dangerous."

"How do you know?"

"An old man knows, friend." He then finished his stew and left a tip on the table and left.

----

- Fort Klawvorn -

Duilin and Valos with the entourage of Lagart, Vaughn, Hance, Zimmerman and three other random soliders arrived in the main square in Fort Klawvorn, where Repins was waiting.

"Repins." Duilin greeted. "We're about to head out. Glad you could make it, one of my captains bailed on me so it's good we have a replacement. Now we're going to be heading towards Rivertown as soon as possible. So if you have anything left to do here do it now."

[Mikado]

~ ~ Fort Klawvorn ~ ~

"No sir, I have nothing to do sir!"
Repins had a straight face and immediately dropped his relaxed attitude.
"All of the equipment necessary for the mission are in that cart. I have taken a few soldiers for the transportation's sake of my own if you allow sir!"

[Xorlak]

- Rivertown, sea port -

"I do say, Luciferairion, that this is in fact a jolly good time we are having right now!"

"Quitely so, Beazlebubudel.  Sitting in front of a body of water holding poles with worms attached to them for hours on end is so very fun and also entertaining!"

"Indeed!"

"Why, look at that friendly bird up there!"

"I do not believe that is a bird, my demonic, horned, college-educated friend, but a flying man. On fire."

"And look at the flaming spheres he holds!  How very warm and inviting they are!"

"Indeed!  Why that one is rocketing through the air directly towards us right now!"

"ARRRRGH!!! IT IS SO HOT MY FLESH IS MELTING FROM MY BONES!!! GRAGHAHGGHHH!!!!"

"GRAGHPHEHHHH!!!  MY MONOCLE HAS LIQUIFIED AND HAS BECOME A PERMANENT FIXTURE OF MY INNER SKULL!!!  GRABPHPAHAGHHH!!!!"

----

Draven began with a quick decimation of the outer port, a miserable affair of nothing but fishing vessels.  Great plumes of red burst into the air as screams rang around the outskirts of the small town.

Smirking, Draven fearlessly landed on the wooden planks of a still standing pier.  Flanked on each side by raging infernos, he confidently strode up the pathway towards the town. Now to see if he could finish before his army even arrived...  Uprising his arm once more, another orb of flame appeared within his hand.

[Xorlak]

- Rivertown -

Draven launched the orb straight into the depths of the marketplace but his eyes widened in surprise as a black robed figure dashed from behind an alleyway and sent the burning sphere hurdling back.  An explosion rocked the sea behind him, sending a spray of water into the air.

A figure stood in the madman's path, black robe flowing in the breeze.  The chest flapped loose, revealing brilliant silver metal beneath.  A shining sword stood at the ready in his hands, angled downward to deflect another blast.  Ven was all business, the experienced warrior showing no emotion is his cold, determined eyes.  "I thought you were dead."

Draven chuffed.  "I thought you didn't matter at all."

Ven's brows furrowed a bit, but he kept his composure.  Without warning, Draven pointed two fingers at the silver knight, firing an intense crimson laser beam.  Ven took a quick step to the side and angled his sword horizontally, deflecting the beam with his mirror-like sword straight into the cobblestone street, the deflected energy turning the rocks into a bubling puddle.

(Chapter ends in 3 days.)

[Dude Man]

- Rivertown -

A loud explosion was heared throughout the town. Marshall stepped outside the inn to see what was going on.

"It looks like the town is being attacked." Marshall said, stating the obvious. He said to the other back inside. "Who feels like defending the city?" He asked.

"I have a feeling we won't be able to get a decent fight in, for about a month or something." He added.

[Ted Der]

- Inn, Rivertown -

"Woh, what a strange old man," said Akran as the man got up and left.

BANG!

"Argh, my head!" Akran stumbled out of the Inn, blinking in the sunlight. "What's going on? Who's attacking us? Do you think that old guy had anything to do with this?"

"Akran!" came a cry from the direction of the dock, "They're everywhere! Help!"

[Dude Man]

- Rivertown -

Marshall arrived where the Crimson Emperor and the Silver Knight were. He drew his Magi Pistols, he recognized the man in black and called towards him.

"I wouldn't attack here, Draven. This is a dangerous place to be attacking. You might enrage the wrong people. Not just me." Marshall warned.

[Xorlak]

- Rivertown -

"Tch!"  Draven smirked.  "You seem exactly the type I'm looking for," he said as his grin grew wide. "In fact, I have a few... tests to run, if your hamlet doesn't mind volunteering..."

Ven nodded at the newcomer, positioning his sword at the ready.  But his eyes grew wide as Draven punctuated his last sentence, for beyond the smoking harbor loomed the dark masts of a multitude of warships.

"Great..."

To be continued...

(DAL returns in June!)