Previously on Warriors of Destiny: Upon finding the Ettik and those aboard frozen in time, our heroes were transported to the citadel of Tempusalis, the main base of the Temporal Cult. Once inside the great bastion, they were told that the Elders would question them regarding the recent confrontation.
Shadow, as the subject of interest was heard by the Elders first. Though not all of Elders were in attendance, the three that were sought to learn why Shadow had broken the rules imposed upon him during his fight with the �deviant� Quantus.
Seeking to learn about his actions and allegiances, the Elders then began to question the others and learned the perspectives of Cara, Stryder, Katie and Luna.
Meanwhile, Kyra received an outside perspective about her feelings from one of the citadel�s cultists.
During this questioning, a lone cultist headed into the snowy wasteland surrounding Tempusalis to contact Quantus and receive instruction. He was to inform Lord Garrus, one of the Elders, that our heroes had been responsible for something they did not do�
*Time passed: None*
Hephaestus pauses after pacing a bit, his face a mix of intrigue, worry and a look of forced calm.
The blue robed figure surveys those yet unquestioned as if choosing whom to summon. Turning slightly, he tilts his head down, �The high elf Arwyn is summoned�� Turning completely, he does not wait for her before heading towards the curtains.
�This should be interesting,� Tabris says looking over towards Arwyn and the blue robed guy. Then mutters to himself, �Wonder what her royal attitude-ness will say?�
Arwyn glides regally towards the blue robed figure.
Ryu walks into the library and looks around at the books to see if he can find any information on anything he would know about.
The books number in the thousands and a majority of the titles seem to be names of planets or places. A skinny green robed humanoid strolls past Ryu, oblivious to anything other than the book floating in front of him as he moves.
Arwyn is led onto the circular platform which rises a few seconds after she is on it. The bright light of the council chamber illuminates her a few moments later. The platform comes to rest in front of the three seated Elders.
DracBlue wonders why Tza is so intent on holding his hand. He just smiles when she looks. But when she doesn�t, he looks concerned, thinking about what could happen.
Shadow sighs and decides to sit down and wait, having nothing other to do.
Katie strokes Thorn absently, listening to his purr.
Hephaestus moves over to Shadow and leans against the wall near him, �They must think you�ve really done wrong to question all your allies, old friend.�
Shadow looks over to Hephaestus. �Normally they would just punish me. I think that something else is going on.�
�I�m beginning to think so, too.� Hephaestus rubs his chin in thought for a moment, �I thought it was strange that they�d call you in so quickly.�
Kyra sighs. �Again, I apologize for intruding on your studies. Thank you for the listening ear.� She reaches for the door.
Luna moves back to Eclipse and murmurs to him, �That was a strange conversation.�
The Elder in white glances over Arwyn quickly. �Arwyn, daughter of High Lord Aranel of Oussea and Lady Elenna of Gyssethia. You know why you have been called before us?�
Shadow sighs. �Always bad luck for me, don�t you agree? That time when I was found by you all, and now.�
�It�s been an interesting series of events,� Hephaestus nods, then glances over at the curtains. �I could ask around and see what rumor says about your being here.�
Holding her head up proudly, Arwyn quietly studies the council. �Yes. I see where it matters not how I should feel. It is common knowledge I have no use for dwarves.�
Tza glances at Drac out the corner of her eye and catches a glimpse of his discomfort. She mentally sighs as she releases his hand. �Sorry, I forgot myself.�
Shadow nods. �That would be helpful.�
Garrus leans forward in his seat, �Tell us your feelings towards your ally, Shadow. And please, do not hold anything back.�
�Right�sit tight, I�ll see what I can find out.� Pushing off from the wall, Hephaestus enters one of the side door linking the entry hall to a longer corridor.
�Oh?� Eclipse raises a brow at Luna and turns his head, hair-tentacle falling to border his face.
Luna shakes her head. �I have a gut feeling that no matter what any of us say, it will do no good.�
�Aye�my feelings? Not as detestable as Drows�don�t have much use for them.� Arwyn tilts her head, turning her gaze to Garrus.
�Not necessarily, we may have an impact on what happens here today,� Eclipse affirms to Luna with a hand on her shoulder.
�And his actions?� The one in white speaks again.
Meanwhile; Edan listens with a studious glance on her face.
�Not at all, Kyra�� The satyr bows his head to Kyra, then turns back to the numerous crystal globes on the desk. �And you will know love again�sooner than you might think.� After this sentence, he goes quiet and becomes focused on the globes again.
Luna closes her eyes for a moment, �I have a very uneasy feeling, like some disaster is in the works.�
Kyra stops and turns around with a dumbfounded look.
Stryder looks at Claron with a soft smile, which fades as he glances towards the curtains. �They�re very interested to know what we think�and I picked up that at least one of them doesn�t believe a word.�
DracBlue just nods. �It�s not your fault. I just don�t know what�s real, right now. I mean, there are things that I have been told that would make normal men curl in a ball and cry.�
Claron turns her head towards the curtain as she sees Stryder�s smile fade, �Oh? Interesting��
�You seem to have more of these uneasy feelings these days,� Eclipse notes as he studies Luna�s expression.
Tza pauses and turns to face Drac, �It�s hard for me to reconcile the fact that the sweet boy I spent so much time with is gone. That the face I still see before me doesn�t know me now.� A purple tear slips down her cheek slowly.
Arwyn shifts her gaze to the one in white. �His actions? Cautious comes to mind. Not overly zealous. Bides his time�for a dwarf. Does what needs to be done at the time.�
�Looking for something in particular, child?� A slender but well built robed woman looks at Ryu from under her crimson hood. Her four eyes blink with two lids as she smiles neutrally at him.
DracBlue takes a step closer to her and wipes her tear away. �Don�t cry. It makes me sad to see anyone cry.�
�That the sweetness was a false front to get closer to this group for some evil purpose.� Tza wipes away the tear with her hand.
Ryu looks at the woman. �I�m looking for a planet long ago destroyed. My home world.�
�And you haven�t seen him do anything suspicious?� Garrus questions, almost eager for the answer with his rough tone.
Kyra, �overhearing� Tza�s thoughts concerning Drac, mutters under her breath, �Welcome to MY world.�
Luna barely nods, �I know, I know, I don�t like being in this time bubble. I don�t care what they say. I feel like we�re missing things while we�re here.�
Arwyn shakes her head, �No, I wouldn�t say he has. Redeeming quality in my eyes. Keeps him out of the �only good one is a dead one� category.�
�What was the name of your world?� She ponders as her lower set of eyes seem to study Ryu while the top keep his gaze.
Ryu looks at another bookcase, �Myria.�
�Hmm�this way.� The woman motions at her feet; and the section of carpet below her and Ryu rises briefly before speeding them down around the library�s spiral ramp. It glides above the ground swiftly before stopping in front of a bookcase filled with grey bound books.
�Rather shocking for a dwarf�� Arwyn adds.
�Indeed. Anything else we should know?� The man in white replies, hidden face making it hard to read his expression because his tone is emotionless.
�Agreed�� Eclipse glances around with a frown, �No telling what�s going on beyond this place.�
�Such as?� Arwyn replies back nonchalantly.
�Whatever you feel we should hear,� Garrus comments in response, resting back in his seat and letting his hands rest on both arms of his throne.
Ryu nods to the woman, �Thank you.�
A small smile forms on Arwyn�s lips, �Still have no use for dwarves. And all Drows should be eliminated. SO�other than that, I have nothing more to say to you.�
Garrus nods and the platform descends. After it stops on the bottom, the blue robed man leads Arwyn back to the main chamber.
A brown robed figure gets on the platform and takes it up behind her.
Luna looks over and sees the brown robed person taking the platform up. She whispurrs to Eclipse, �We may know the source of my unease very soon.�
The blue robed man looks over the group again, choosing the next summons as his glance moves over each of you.
Arwyn walks back towards the others. Her eyes remain focused directly in front of her, seemingly ignoring Shadow as she passes him.
Kyra shakes her head and exits the room. �Not bleedin� likely.�
Tza sucks up her grief as she looks into Drac�s eyes. �I don�t want to make you sad.�
Hephaestus re-enters the chamber and walks over to Shadow. �Something�s going on. One of the acolytes just came in in a hurry to see the Elders. Some sort of emergency��
The blue robed man�s scrutinizing glance breaks as another blue robed creature moves up to him, whispering something unintelligible. Raising his glance quickly toward the gathered group, the blue robed figure motions with his hands in a swift gesture.
Four figures in white ethereal armor step from perfectly sized ripples in the very air itself. They bear their long spear-like weapons towards you.
�You will all come with us to the council chamber immediately. Any resistance will NOT be tolerated!� The blue robed man says, his voice far more aggressive than before.
The armed guard keep a steady gaze, their eyes devoid of any emotion.
The crimson robed woman pulls a book off the shelf and starts to hand it to Ryu, but pauses. Looking up, both sets of eyes squint, �The guard have been called to the entry hall.�
Luna barely contains her angry growl at the weapons being drawn against her group. �I really don�t think those are necessary. We have given you no reason to use force.�
Ryu sighs. �All I wish to know is�if there are any survivors, can you at least tell me that before I leave?�
Claron turns to look at the blue robed man, �Sounds like someone licked the red off your candy.�
The woman rests her hand on the book gently, closes her eyes, then nods. �The book has not yet reached its conclusion.�
�We shall see about that,� the blue robed man turns and heads for the curtains. The other robed creature opens them for him, then removes himself out of the way. The ethereal guard motions you to follow him.
Ryu nods. �Then there is a chance that there is another of my race yet alive then? I was told�I am the last. Is that true?�
DracBlue nods to Tza. �Let�s go. We�ll talk of this later.�
Luna slips her paw through Eclipse�s arm and walks with him through the curtain. �I knew it,� she sighs softly.
�Well�you heard the man. Time to play follow the leader.� Claron jests.
Katie sighs and tries to rise, her legs stiff and uncooperative.
�What�s going on?!� Hephaestus shouts at the man in blue, his tone showing disdain for the situation.
�This does not concern you,� the man in blue replies sternly, as he steps onto the platform which seems to be wider this time.
Shayne offers to help Katie to her feet, having been silent before now.
Katie takes the offered hand gratefully.
Kyra�s face shows confusion. �What did I miss?�
Tza lowers her eyes and follows Drac, �Alright.�
Clarice and Cara step onto the platform.
Arwyn grumbles, �What part of �I have nothing further to say to them� do they not understand?� as she steps onto the platform.
Shadow stands and heads towards the room where he is summoned.
�Seems we�re all meeting with the inquisition this time,� Stryder says to Kyra as he and Aurora follow the others to the platform.
�I cannot say more, child,� the woman says to Ryu. �But take heart in knowing that your answers are out there waiting for you.�
Ryu nods. �Thank you.� He walks to the chamber that he is summoned to.
Kyra�s eyes widen at Stryder�s words, as much from the words themselves, as from the fact that he spoke to her. Gooseflesh covers her arms and she can only nod helplessly.
As the group files onto the platform, the ethereal guard move to the outside edge of the circle and turn to face inward, raising their weapons into an at rest position.
�Let us hope we can reason with them�� Eclipse says to Luna as he ponders what to say in their defense.
Kyra slips her hand in Katie�s nervously.
Shadow crosses his arms and says out loud, �Something is amiss.�
Luna tilts her head towards Eclipse and purrsighs, �I�m not gonna hold my breath.�
�Here we go again,� Tabris mutters to Claron as he stands next to her, �I�m really starting to hate trials��
�I dunno, I�m getting kinda used to �em,� Claron chuckles.
The platform begins moving as soon as everyone is on it, it moves slower than the individual platform, but the glowing lights from the council chamber above still flood down the platform�s shaft.
As the platform settles into its resting place in the council chamber, the most immediate change you notice is the addition of a large creature reminiscent of RD�s berserkers, but more pleasant on the eye and looking rather passive as it stands next to the other thrones. From the spacing, it appears to be another Elder, but is unfamiliar to Shadow.
Shadow sighs. �Well, this is new.�
Tza watches Drac walking in front of her and softly asks, �Where are we going now?�
A brown robed figure stands behind Garrus� throne, face hidden under its hood, but definitely watching your group. �We have just been given some rather disturbing news�� Garrus says with a harsh voice, his tone seeming to condemn you already.
Claron�s eyes widen as she sees the large creature. �Hmm, RD�s Berserker Relatives��
DracBlue shrugs. �Apparently we�re being asked to do something, I think.�
Upset, Hephaestus turns from the curtained area. Heading down the entry hall, he spots Tza and Drac. �What are you two still doing out here? Wait�this could be helpful.�
Luna looks at Garrus, waiting for his announcement. ~Have you been able to get anything yet?~ She silently asks Luciendar.
Katie looks at Garrus coldly. �Well from your tone, I�d say we�ve been tried, convicted and sentenced already.�
~He�s definitely powerful and angry�that�s what I�m getting.~ Luciendar says calmly in Luna�s mind.
DracBlue says, �Helpful how?�
�Is that standard procedure here?� Clarice pipes in.
Tza looks around the now empty hall, �What�s going on?� Her gaze settling on Hephaestus.
~Friendly, aren�t they?~ as Cara tightens her grip on Elexorian.
Luna�s eyes move from Garrus to the other Elders before speaking, �And what is this disturbing news?�
�No, it is not. And I will remind Lord Garrus to calm his outbursts, again,� The man in white shifts a quick glance to Garrus, who growls under his breath in response. �Now, onto this recent development.� The man in white rises from his seat and motions a hand in the air.
A cloud image appears to one side of the council chamber. It shows Ettik�s offspring shooting away from the ocean planet you recently visited. As the ship flies away, glowing orange cracks appear on the planet from under the ocean and spread across the surface. Moments later, the planet explodes quite spectacularly into large chunks of charred rock.
�And you think we caused that?� Claron mutters.
�Your ship is seen fleeing moments before the planet�s destruction, and the planet showed no instabilities before you arrived on it.� Garrus boasts, though his tone is lessened by strained calm.
Ryu shrugs, �Didn�t the scientist say something about rigging something to explode?�
Luna looks briefly at the image of the planets demise. �Yes, he did as a matter of fact. Your deviant forced him to tamper with the nuclear reactor before we arrived.�
�And that proves what? That we blew the planet up?� Claron shakes her head, �Did saving our own asses ever even enter into your thoughts?�
�And where is this scientist now?� Edan questions, with some curiosity in her voice.
�He is on the ship that you so kindly ripped us from.� Ryu says, scratching his head.
�That�s a good question. Last I saw him, he boarded the ship with us.� Claron stares boldly at Garrus.
Luna looks at the Elders and shrugs, �He�s probably taking care of the member of our group who was injured and left behind on the ship.�
�Aside from the ships� pilots, these are those still onboard your ship.� The man in white motions at the image, which changes to multiple images; Tewyn unconscious in a bunk, Wraith sitting in the offspring�s galley, and Skirmir in Ettik�s botanical bay. �Are any of them the scientist you speak of?�
�Where the hell did that little whelp go to?� Katie growls.
Ryu looks at the images. �None of them are that of which we speak.�
�Playing �hide and go seek� would be my guess?� Arwyn chirps in.
�If he is not there, then you are hiding him,� Garrus accuses you with a fist pound on his throne�s armrest.
Luna�s eyes narrow, �If he is not on the ships, then he is either here, or one of your deviants as well.� She growls at Garrus.
Ryu looks at the others. �They very well could be hiding him.� He shrugs. �But one thing is for certain�for being an elder, you have an awful temper.�
Katie whispers under her breath, �And yer ugly, too.�
Kyra stifles a giggle.
�If we were hiding him�why would we bother to tell you he boarded the ship with us? Seems to me, we would have denied seeing him at all.� Claron shakes her head. �You know what they say about assuming, something about an ass��
Eclipse shakes his head with a sigh.
Luna�s paws clench into fists as she fights the urge to extend her claws. �We are hiding nothing. I cannot say I feel the same assurance about you.�
Garrus growls lightly, �Hiding nothing? A scientist, who under your claim, aided in the planet�s destruction, boarded your vessel and so conveniently disappeared moments before you were brought here.� He looks over at Shadow, �Such coincidence would make one think you knew what was going to happen.�
Hephaestus clenches a fist, �Damn�I think Shadow and your friends are in trouble. We�re going to have to break into the council chambers.�
�Oh good grief!� Claron sighs. �Such a �Doubting Thomas� you are.�
�Break into the council chambers? How do you want it done?� Tza asks as her wings begin to reform.
Shadow sighs, �Now why would I hide a man that could clear us of a charge that is against us. Now that would be idiotic. I may have broken the rules to fight a man that is extremely powerful, but I would never endanger others for my own means. Even you know that.� He shakes his head. �I can�t believe that you are even considering that I had a hand in this. I just don�t see your wisdom.�
Kyra looks over at Katie. �I feel like I�m gonna pass out.� Her whisper is strained.
Katie looks down at her. �Well, now. That would be a clever distraction.�
�From the amount of guards with them when they left�the hard way.� Hephaestus turns and heads for the curtained area.
The guards flanking the door move to stop him; and in two swift moves, he knocks them out with a right cross and roundhouse before they draw weapons.
Tza grins, �Impressive.� She follows him through the curtains quickly.
DracBlue nods and follows him as well.
Kyra�s eyes become rather unfocused and she sways. Katie looks alarmed.
�And I�for one, don�t appreciate being treated beneath my station�like one of the lower echelon.� Arwyn proclaims indignantly.
�The evidence is lacking, Garrus,� Edan speaks up, only to be silenced by his yelled response.
�Of course it is! You�d sit back and let them destroy the galaxy before you�d stop them!� Rising from his seat, he growls loudly. Motioning a hand, he sends Arwyn backward with a blast of force. �Silence! The time for idle speculation is over, too long has this council bowed to the wishes of neutrality and good!�
Three more individuals, in red and gray robes, appear through ripples in the air.
�What is the meaning of this, Garrus?!� Edan rises and questions sternly.
Luna reaches for Luciendar as Garrus strikes out at Arwyn.
Tza looks around the curtained area for a way into the council chambers. �Where are they?�
Kyra slumps to the floor with a muffled thump.
�Simple, Lady Edan, this is about control, judgment. You seek to reason with the deviants, I seek to destroy them!� Garrus turns swiftly and launches a stream of energy at Edan, that bends and warps the air it tears through. Edan raises both her hands to block. In moments, the council chamber is chaos. The red and grey robed figures attack the man in white and the large beast.
Ryu�s eyes close for a second, and then open, pure black. The blackness engulfs him. And when it dissipates, he stands transformed. His form is humanoid, but with wings and horns. The skin is completely covered in a very hard scale-like substance. He stands in a battle position after the attack on Arwyn.
Arwyn feels herself being blasted backwards. She lands rather abruptly on her backside, her pride wounded more than anything else. She jumps to her feet quickly, loading her bow.
The ethereal guards turn their weapons on your group and attack. The one near Kyra moves towards her with spear, ready to strike. Another slashes at Eclipse, catching him in the arm as he draws Morthoseth.
Katie looks at Kyra, then watches Arwyn go flying. �I�ve always wanted someone to knock that haughty bitch on her ass, but��
Katie covers Kyra�s body. �I don�t think so, asshole.� Her emerald eyes blaze green fire.
Luna grips Luciendar firmly as she growls, �You destroy your deviants, leave us out of it.� She swings the sword at the guard that struck Eclipse.
The man in brown quickly leaves the council chambers, disappearing through a hidden door on the far wall.
Hephaestus turns at the platform room and heads down a small dark corridor.
Arwyn rapid fires arrows into Garrus. �No one dares to raise a hand at me and get away with it!�
�Picking on a lady, quite a mistake,� Shayne grunts as his fist connects with the ethereal guard�s head, causing him to spin to the floor.
Tza follows Hephaestus, �Just show me the right wall and I�ll blast through it.� Energy balls forming in her hands.
Katie flashes Shayne a dazzling smile, cradling Kyra in her lap. �Wake up, lass. This is no time for a nap.� She strokes Kyra�s face and shakes her arm.
Arwyn�s arrows break apart against thin air, a good foot before hitting Garrus.
Successfully redirecting the blast, Edan rolls back as the attack slams into the ceiling, bringing down a hail of dust and pebbles.
Ryu roars and dashes toward one of the guards. He dives down at the ground, claws first. Almost a blur of speed, his mouth opens to reveal razor sharp teeth that slash and bite at the same time he attacks with his claws.
The brown robed man bumps into Hephaestus as the latter turns into another corridor. �You�re in a hurry, going somewhere?� Hephaestus questions, only to have the man draw a dagger on him and stab it into his shoulder. Hephaestus grabs the man around the throat, �Wrong answer, friend,� he snarls as he proceeds to smash the man�s head into the wall.
Ryu�s attacks injure the guard; and in the frenzy, the ethereal manages to catch the dragon in the shoulder with its spear.
Tza reaches out and pushes the hood back from the unconscious man�s head. �Who is he?�
Shayne exchanges blows with the guard near Kyra and Katie, dodging and weaving to avoid stabs of the guard� spear.
Pulling the dagger out, Hephaestus tosses it aside, �Thanks to our friend here, our job will be easier.� He continues forward, then up a flight of curved stairs.
Ryu doesn�t even seem to be fazed. In fact, it just seems to make his eyes more black. And suddenly, it turns white and a flash of light comes from his fist, and shoots from him into another guard.
Tza runs up the stairs to find the council chambers. �Come on, Drac,� she calls over her shoulder.
DracBlue follows very closely to them.
Kyra�s eyes flicker open. She watches Shayne battling in their honor and smiles adoringly.
Edan summons up a large swirling force, resembling a whirlpool and throws it toward Garrus.
One of the red and black men launches a second attack against the man in white, catching him off guard and vaporizing him from the waist up. The other two are still attacking the larger creature, which picks one of them up and throws him across the chamber like a rag doll.
The guard hit by Ryu�s blast crumples backwards and fades away.
Luna swings Luciendar up into the guard�s chest and twists it as she lunges forward, impaling him with all her strength.
Ryu takes the spear out of his shoulder and throws it at the next guard.
Katie pulls Kyra to her feet.
Luciendar slices into the guard�s chest, the white glow from its blade combating the ethereal glow of the guard�s chest. The two glows push back and forth, but their battle is decided as Morthoseth soon joins and splits the guard�s chest in half.
The guard falls back, fading as it hits the floor.
Garrus and Edan continue their exchange of powerful attacks, both effectively blocking each other�s energy pulses, beams, force waves and other rather spectacular attacks.
Tza sees the open door ahead and runs in, taking flight as soon as she enters. She blasts the closest weapon-wielding robed figure with repeated energy blasts.
The large creature kicks the second red and black garbed man aside, heading for the third who is still recovering from having been thrown across the room.
The man blocks Tza�s energy blasts with a nearly invisible shield. Pulling his hand back forcefully, he thrusts it forward, his shield extending forward like an arrow toward Tza.
�It may take more than just our two swords to bring him down.� Luna murmurs to Eclipse as she watches the battle between Garrus and Edan.
Claron swings Andy at the legs of the third creature while concentrating with her gravity manipulation.
�No doubt,� Eclipse says, ducking to avoid a stray beam coming from the two Elder�s battle.
DracBlue rushes into the room and sneaks behind one of the guards and slips his claws next to his neck. He pulls them back, slitting his throat.
Tza flies high above the crowd, zooming away from the guard before the shield can hit her.
The last of the ethereal guard fades after having its neck split open by Drac.
The man�s shield quickly retracts and he motions towards Tza again, only to get knocked sideways by a similar attack from Hephaestus. Holding the wound on his shoulder, Hephaestus gives Shadow a nod.
DracBlue watches at the battle, not sure what to do.
Shadow nods at Hephaestus and pulls his blades out. Then teleports to Hephaestus� target and swings at him.
The third robed man notices the large creature coming towards him and starts throwing force blasts at it.
The second gets to his feet and looks toward the group. Growling, he weaves both hands back and forth; then forward, sending a tidal wave of rippling air at Tabris, Claron and Stryder.
Luna moves carefully towards Garrus as she watches the battle rage between him and Edan. ~Will it take all of you to end this one?~
~It may�there�s a lot of power flowing between those two right now.~ Luciendar comments, her voice sounding a bit overwhelmed.
Katie dives toward Thorn, knocking him out of the path of a stray beam from the battle. But it grazes his side, tearing through flesh and bone. They both let out a howl of pain.
Rolling to a crouch, Katie favors her injured side, but sends her sword spinning toward the third robed man.
The man blurs sideways before Shadow�s swing hits. Drawing a sword from the folds of his robe, he swings it at Shadow�s side.
Tza sees the guards hands moving and begins shooting energy blasts at him. �MOVE,� she screams at Tabris, Claron, and Stryder.
�Katie!� Shayne shouts as he watches her get hit, dodging sideways to avoid getting hit himself.
Shadow teleports again. This time in mid-air directly behind the man, dropping down, swinging his axes while he does.
Claron concentrates intensely, shoving her hands forward at the tidal wave rippling at them as she dives to the ground, landing on her side.
A gravity field hits against the tidal wave and stops most of it; the remainder pushes to the sides of the field, hitting Tabris and sending him sliding across the floor.
�Tab!� Claron shouts out as she sees Tab skidding across the floor.
Kyra draws her sword and stands in shock, watching Tab slide like a baseball player crossing home plate, if he did it on his back.
�I�m fine, Anthony!� Katie tries to give Shayne a reassuring smile, but her gritted teeth ruin the effect.
Luna slips slowly behind Garrus, staying low to the ground. ~Can you call the others to come if we get the chance to strike?~
Valdris cuts into the third man�s robe, catching his side and distracting him long enough to allow the large creature to send its large clawed foot into his chest, smashing him into the wall with a series of unhealthy cracks. Meanwhile; Tza�s energy bolts burns the second man�s robes. Throwing them off, he reveals a black lithe form with glowing eyes.
DracBlue flies up and shoots some feathers down to the unrobed man.
The man blurs into a 180, blocking Shadow�s axes with his sword. �Give up and join us. It�d be a shame to kill you with all your potential��
Claron scurries across the floor towards Tabris, dragging Andy on the floor in the process.
The lithe black man glides backward gracefully avoiding Drac�s feathers. Grabbing one of the thrones, he pulls it free from the floor as if picking flowers and tosses it at Drac.
Tza�s energy blasts change into bolts of constant energy that are conducted through the metallic feathers raining down on the black form.
Ryu looks at the lithe form and dashes towards him. He slides down on the floor, ripping at his legs.
�Oof�tell me you got the license of the train that hit me�� Tabris holds his head and chest as he lays on the ground.
Cara raises Elexorian at the man grabbing the throne, concentrating her mage fire through it.
After redirecting one of Garrus� attacks, the beam blows a large hole into the council chamber�s wall, the cool night air and falling snow blowing in through the massive opening.
Shadow smiles and teleports behind the man again. But this time with his axe already extended in the man�s back, he then rips it out. �Never will I join your cause.�
Luna ducks as the blast hits the nearby wall. ~We have our escape route. Now we just need the final victory.~
Blood follows Shadow�s axe as it rips out. With a coughing laugh, he stabs Shadow through the gut with his sword, �Then�die�with�m�� He falls back before finishing his sentence.
�You, go. This battle, not yours!� The large creature bellows at your group as it brings its massive hands together and fires a wave of rippling force at Garrus.
�Don�t have to tell us twice.� Katie grunts through her pain. �But where�s the keys to the time machine to return us to our ship?�
Luna holds Luciendar ready as she crouches behind him.
�Leave that to me!� Hephaestus shouts as he runs to the large hole in the wall. Weaving his hands around, he begins creating a large rippling section of air just beyond the edge of the tower.
�And please don�t say�we have to click our heels together three times saying, �there�s no place like home�.� Claron jests.
Shadow falls to his knee and sighs. �At least I took you out first, you bastard.� He breathes heavily and takes out the sword.
Katie gives a grim nod, �calling� Valdris back to her as she makes her way to the forming portal.
�Avatar, please, leave!� Edan shouts as she spares a glance at Luna as the other Elder attacks Garrus.
Tza lands near Shadow. �Oh my god.� She tries to help him up, �Hang on, we�ll get you taken care of.�
The lithe man catches some of Cara�s mage fire in his side. As it burns him, he glares at her. Throwing a hand towards her, a force beam shoots at her, knocking her back; but not very far as the man is vaporized by a stray beam from the Elder�s fight.
Eclipse looks over at Luna, �You heard her, Luna, it�s time for us to leave.�
Cara feels herself being propelled back; but just as quickly, it ceases. �You lose!�
Luna looks from the fight to the portal. �I know!�
Kyra walks behind Katie, who�s beginning to weave dizzily.
Thorn drags himself along the floor.
Shayne moves over towards Katie and helps to support her when he notices her weaving.
Tza struggles a little as she picks Shadow up and flies towards the portal.
Katie smiles at Shayne, her eyes bright with pain. �Thanks, Colonel.�
�Jump in, it�ll get us away from the citadel. From there I can work on getting you back,� Hephaestus says to those near the portal, he blur-dodges to the side to avoid stray energy.
Katie passes through the portal, Kyra and Thorn behind her.
Clarice grabs Cara�s arm as she passes her on the way to the portal.
Shadow stands up and smiles harshly. �I must defend the Elder that is fighting for us.� He teleports to Garrus and swings through time with one axe. While he�s distracted by it, he teleports the one in his other hand to the middle of his throat.
�Never leave a man behind,� Shayne says as they go through the portal.
The exit deposits them on the far end of the bridge leading towards Tempusalis. The hole in the council chamber looking like a large window in the tall tower.
Katie opens her mouth to speak, then pitches facedown in the snow, Thorn falling beside her.
Luna growls, �I�m not leaving until the rest are gone.�
�Tab? You�re hurt!� Claron scrambles to her feet, then manipulates Tab�s gravity as she starts to help him to his feet.
�While you�re up�mind helping yer hubby to his feet?� Tabris grunts with pain as he tries to stands up and fumbles.
DracBlue follows behind and runs through the portal.
Claron glides them both effortlessly over to the portal.
Ryu stops in mid-step toward the portal and falls to a knee and transforms back to a human. Then he gets back up and runs for the portal.
Arwyn follows the others into the portal.
�Jeez, Kat. This is a hell of a place for a catnap. No offence, Thorn.� Kyra kneels in the snow beside her, trying to turn her over.
Tza looks around the room and only seeing the Avatars and Shadow left, she flies through the portal and lands on the bridge near the others.
Garrus teleports away before Shadow can even touch him. Reappearing, he growls, and increases his attacks against the other two Elders.
The monstrous Elder glances back at Shadow, �No�your death, not today.� With a motion of clawed finger, Shadow goes flying back across the chamber and through the portal, ending up blowing into a pile of fresh snow on the other side.
�That�s everyone,� Eclipse says as Shadow flies over them and through the portal.
Luna sees Shadow propelled through the portal by the huge elder. �Ok Eclipse, let�s go.� She moves to the portal, carefully dodging blasts from the fighting.
Hephaestus follows behind Luna and Eclipse as the last into the portal. As it deposits everyone at the end of the bridge and beginning of the snowy wastes, it closes with an audible snap!
Kyra gives Shayne a pleading look, struggling in the cold to get Katie on her back.
Shayne leans down and rolls Katie over, then picks her up. �Need those healing hands of yours, Luna.�
Luna sees Katie laying in the snow and goes to her quickly. �What happened, girl?� Checking her over and seeing nothing wrong with her.
Arwyn moves over toward Claron and Tab, she lays her healing hands on Tab.
Aurora nudges Thorn, comforting with her muzzle, then looks up at Luna. �Heal the girl, and you�ll heal him.�
�Glad to see you�re helping,� Tabris cringes a bit at the pain. �How did her highness take being knocked off her high horse into the muck with the rest of us?�
Luna looks at the lioness and nods, �I�ll try.� Placing her paws on Katie�s side and concentrating on healing the injured daemon.
Shadow tries to stand up and get back through the portal, but it snaps in his face. �Dammit!� He looks to Hephaestus, �We must go back and protect our Elders.�
Stryder watches Luna as she heals Katie.
Kyra gazes at Shayne, then Katie. She sighs as she sees Katie�s eyes flicker open.
�Angrily,� Arwyn whispers.
�They�re doing their duty, and its time we do ours,� Hephaestus says to Shadow with a pained tone of duty. Turning away from the group, he begins summoning another portal. This one, seeming to rip the air apart to give a blurry view of the Ettik�s interior.
Katie looks up into the face of the man cradling her in his arms. �I�m feeling like some tragic twit in a romance novel.� She croaks.
�Nothing like jumping from hole to hole, eh?� Claron giggles as she and Tab jump into the new portal.
�If that�s the case, I should have a line like, �Good to have you back, Katie�.� Shayne smiles at her, then glances over at the portal.
Shadow sighs as he hears Hephaestus� words. �So, I am just supposed to stay with the Warriors then, eh?� as he calms down, he feels the pain creeping up on him.
Luna glances over at the injured daemon. �Anyone else need me before we leave here?� She asks as sees the injury close to healed.
Shadow looks down at his legs covered in blood from his wound. �I might need a little help.�
Thorn stands up and shakes. �Okay, that officially sucked. And you ain�t near as fetching as a dime store novel heroine.� If cats could smirk, he was doing so.
Katie pokes her tongue out at Thorn, then looks at Shayne again. �That�d be a pretty lame line for a novel.� She laughs.
Kyra giggles. �Oh, so you DO read them. Guess they ain�t so silly after all.�
Luna�s ears twitch as she hears Shadow, she stands and hurries over to his side. �You put up a good fight in there.� She lays her paws on his wound and heals it quickly.
�Well, nobody said those authors were good,� Shayne chuckles. �If it were me, I would say, �There�s our ride, its time to go, beautiful. We�ve got a universe to save�.�
Katie laughs again. �I like that line much better anyway.�
As the portal seems to clear a bit, Hephaestus gives an approving nod, �Best that I can get it, one way trip back home, take it or leave it.� He motions everyone inside, his gaze drifting back towards the citadel and the battle he knows is waging inside.
Tza flies through the portal and goes straight to her room.
Stryder follows his parents through the portal.
Kyra heads into the portal with a look over her shoulder.
Katie looks at Hephaestus. �Thank you, friend. Your efforts will forever be in our hearts.�
Tza�s wings melt away as she falls across her bed and stares at the jewel carvings on the shelves.
Arwyn goes into the portal.
Clarice and Cara follow after her.
Hephaestus nods to Katie, �I have a feeling this won�t be our last meeting.�
Luna slides Luciendar back into place and looks at Eclipse. �I need a shower really badly.� She says with a sly grin.
�Indeed. I hope it�s under better circumstances next time.� Katie looks up at Shayne. �Let�s go home, Colonel.�
Once on the other side of the portal, Katie�s thoughts turn to the person in med bay. Her smile fades and her eyes grow suddenly old and weary.
�You�re not the only one,� Eclipse says to Luna as he looks into the portal and goes through.
Luna follows Eclipse through the portal and heads toward their room with him.
Shayne notices Katie�s expression change as he sighs lightly.
Shadow heads to his room to change out of the bloody clothing and armor and take a shower.
DracBlue walks to the galley with Ryu.
Ettik buzzes with life, a welcome sight from the previous condition you had left it in. The low thrum of the engines, the glow of the bio-illumination, and the skitter of the crab bots along the floor.
As the last of the group passes through the portal, Hephaestus turns to look back towards Tempusalis. As the portal snaps shut, Hephaestus raises an arm to shield his eyes as a bright explosion tears through the citadel and starts rushing toward him. Hephaestus turns and teleports away.
Reappearing on a distant hilltop, Hephaestus glances over as a few more cultists teleport to safety. Glancing over the snowy wastes at the large cloud of smoke rising from the now ruined citadel, he sighs. The monstrous Elder, holding himself up against a boulder speaks through his snarls of pain, �Even we could not escape history. It has begun again�a civil war.�