Vin_Da_DM: Previously on Warriors of Destiny: Getting their final preparations done the Warriors joined up with the 1st Regiment outside of Aventine. With a sizeable group of soldiers the Regiment set out to travel to Corrin to intercept the Dark Army.
Vin_Da_DM: Travel along the merchant road seemed calm until Claron began feeling ill. Having to leave the road and settle on the grass; the reason Claron was ill became all too clear, her unborn child was aborting.
Vin_Da_DM: Tired and drained by the ordeal Claron decided to rest along the roadside as the others continued on their way. With their journey half done Lord Diego ordered the Regiment to take a small break alongside a nearby lake before continuing on to Corrin.
Vin_Da_DM: *Time passed: A few minutes*
Vin_Da_DM: A majority of the Regiment pulls off the road, mounts and soldiers alike taking a break along on the grassy plains between the road and lake. Lord Diego and a majority of the senior members of the Regiment gather further along the roadside, pouring over a map spread out on flat boulder nearby.
Vin_Da_DM: $ Start
Katie looks down at Claron, her back aching, but unwilling to disturb the precious armful she holds.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse�s shadow beast sinks back into his shadow as he walks it off the road. Standing on the grass near the water he looks at his reflection in the water.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne looks down at Drac, and sighs crossing his arms, �Of all the times to take a nap��
Cara halts her horse and dismounts, the words she heard Luna say still echo through her mind.
Kyra slides off Robin once more and sits in the grass, her sad gaze falling on the lake.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder slides off Cyan, then pets it gently on the head before standing beside Kyra.
Vin_Da_DM: Watching the small rock he had kicked down the road disappear into tall grass Tabris sighs, glancing over his shoulder at the tree where he left Claron.
Katie looks at the charm on her bracelet, thinking of Shinta.
Vin_Da_DM: Obsidian stretches and lets out a cat-yawn, padding near the tree, but still keeping a good distance as he sits down on the grass.
Clarice walks quietly beside Tewyn, holding the reins in her hand, allowing Ceru to follow behind them.
Luna_Faline slides down off Mah and takes the saddle bags off his back. �I�ll be back in a bit, I have to take care of some thing,� patting Mah�s neck softly. Turns and follows the shoreline to a semi private spot behind a large boulder. Kneels down and takes out the stained items and places them in a pile on the sand, then takes a flint set out and strikes a spark.
Arwyn slides down off her horse quickly and hands Sabir the reins, �Make sure he is groomed and fed.�
Kyra doesn�t turn, but speaks softly, �Hi there.�
Vin_Da_DM: Mah nods quietly, watching Luna disappear behind the large boulder. Eclipse turns and walks over to Mah, giving the large tiger a nod as he stands there waiting for Luna as well.
Richard: Thunder horse wanders around grazing on the souls of lost roadside travelers.
Vin_Da_DM: �Hi,� Stryder says plainly, a tone of unattached coldness in his voice.
Claron stirs against Katie before bolting upright screaming, �NO! my baby��
Luna_Faline sits and prays for the life lost and the life spared. �Oh Goddess, bless the spirit of the lost. Keep the spirit of the remaining in your loving embrace.� Bows her head and openly weeps as the fire burns down.
Katie makes soothing noises, �Shhh. Claron, I�m here.�
Clarice�s eyes grow large as Tewyn walks away from her without saying a word. �Wonder what is bothering him now?� she whispers to herself.
^Richard^ stares into the glass crystal he is using to anchor Valrash in the Hell dimension and wonders when anyone will notice.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne perks a brow at Richard as he turns away from a sleeping Drac, �And just what are you up to, zombie-man?�
^Richard^: You wanna play catch?�
Vin_Da_DM: �With?� Syne rests his hands on his sides, �That nightlight your holding?�
Claron looks around as if in a daze and notices the red cross off in the distance. Pulling herself up she races over to it, kneels down beside it with tears in her eyes, she runs her fingers along the cross.
^Richard^: �Sure.�
^Richard^: �Just don�t drop it.�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder sighs and sits next to Kyra looking out over the surface of the lake.
Cara glances over at Stryder and Kyra sitting by the lake.
Tabris kicks the dust, �You may need space, but even at a distance I�m here for you.� He says to himself looking back at Claron in the distance.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne looks at it, �Looks fragile, and I�m not exactly the best with breakables.�
^Richard^ thinks to himself, �Whoops, guess Valrash has to find his own way back from Hell�oh well, it was fun.�
Luna_Faline wipes her face as the fire goes out and the ashes are blown out into the lake. �It is done, Blessed Be,� as she stands up looking at the twin suns over head.
Luna_Faline puts the flint set back into the saddle bags and moves back along the shoreline. Pausing closer to the others to wash her paws in the cool lake water.
Vin_Da_DM: �Will she be alright?� Eclipse asks Luna as he walks up to her, watching her reflection in the lake water.
Arwyn walks over towards the lake and stares out over it, wondering if she should have tried to dissuade her father from promising the aid of their village.
Luna_Faline runs her wet paws over her face to wash away the tear trails on her fur. �Her body will be fine. But I can only pray for her mental and emotional health.�
Cara gathers up her courage and walks slowly over to where Stryder and Kyra are sitting, standing next to Stryder and finding her voice shaky as she speaks, �S-Stryder, I am so s-sorry��
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse nods, �Understandable. She may have to sit this battle out.�
Luna_Faline looks up at him, �Is it safe to leave her behind?�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder looks up at Cara, standing he nods to her, �You don�t need to apologize, Cara, but thank you.�
Katie goes to Claron and kneels beside her, rubbing her back gently while the tears flow.
Kyra looks up at Cara with an encouraging nod.
Vin_Da_DM: �She will have to decide for herself what she will do,� Eclipse glances over his shoulder back towards where Claron is.
Cara looks Stryder in the eyes, �B-but I do, if I hadn�t attempted that spell�� she looks away.
Kyra: �Cara�� Kyra speaks quietly, �You were trying to save us from what was proving to be a losing fight. We all know that. No one blames you directly.�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder places a hand on Cara's shoulder, �We could have all died. You did what you thought was best.�
Cara: �My best wasn�t good enough and it created more problems.�
Katie looks down at her bracelet sadly.
Claron reaches a hand back across her own shoulder, grasping Katie�s hand and squeezing it gently.
Kyra hunches over her knees, closing her eyes. She thinks to herself that this would be a good time to take a walk. Rising silently, she slips behind Cara and Stryder and sneaks away to pet Robin.
Katie squeezes Claron�s hand without a word, her red-rimmed eyes scanning the horizon.
Vin_Da_DM: A lightly armored man on horseback races quickly down the road towards the Regiment as they rest alongside the lake. The horse slows and the man falls off the horse, a black arrow sticking out of the back of his armor.
Vin_Da_DM: He struggles to speak as Lord Diego, the woman in black, and the lizard-man surround him, �Dark...army...moving...faster�� He coughs up quite a large amount of blood before collapsing against the grass. Lord Diego looks at the other senior regiment members and nods.
Vin_Da_DM: Standing he shouts, �The enemy is moving faster than we expected, everyone back in formation! And move out!� Gathering up the map he tucks it into his saddlebags and climbs on his horse, looking back as the Regiment starts to scramble back into formation.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne hears the shouting, �So much for a break.�
Luna_Faline sees the man fall off the horse and runs back to the road with Eclipse.
Vin_Da_DM: The winged man in heavy armor takes to the sky, flying above the Regiment as the soldiers and wagons start moving again.
Katie: �Claron.� Katie is loathe to break the silence, but a nagging feeling is tugging at her, �We should catch up to the others. We aren�t safe here alone.�
Cara turns her head towards the sound of the shouting, �Looks like the break is over.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse summons up his shadow beast again and looks over at Luna.
Katie gently guides Claron over to Obsidian and helps her mount.
Luna_Faline throws her saddlebags back over Mah�s back and climbs up into the saddle looking at Eclipse, �No time to grieve.� Notices a shadow move over us and looks up shading her eyes. �What in the world?�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder walks over to Cyan and hops up onto the saddle, glancing over at Kyra and Cara he nods, �Ready to get a move on, ladies?�
Kyra looks up, her eyes red. �Yeah.,� she sighs.
^Richard^ grins excitedly as the moment he has waited for quickly approaches, finally he will get his fill of carnage.
Vin_Da_DM: �Hmm?� Eclipse looks up noticing the flying figure in armor, �Ah, interesting. So not all the regiment is grounded.�
Claron moves numbly along with Katie. After being placed on Obsidian, she glances back at the red cross, her eyes still filled with tears.
Cara rushes over to Flare and mounts him, �Ready,� as she grasps the reins.
Clarice quickly gets on Ceru.
Arwyn rushes over to her horse and quickly mounts.
Katie pats Ki�lin�s neck, swinging into the saddle. She motions for Obsidian to follow as she rides ahead.
Luna_Faline looks at Eclipse puzzled, �I feel like I should know who that is, but I can�t grasp it,� nudging Mah with a knee gently. �Let�s get this over with.�
Vin_Da_DM: Obsidian nods as he follows Katie�s unicorn.
^Richard^ starts having withdrawals from a lack of violence over the past few weeks.
Tabris watches everyone moving out, glancing over his shoulder he notices Katie on her unicorn with Obsidian behind. Sticking out his thumb in a hitch-hiking pose he shouts, �Going my way?�
Katie can�t help but smile. �C�mon, handsome. You�ll complete the party.�
Tabris looks over at Claron on Obsidian, then over at Katie, �She�ll be wanting her space, Kat.�
Claron stares ahead avoiding looking at Tabris.
Katie frowns, then nods. �I think you�re right. Perhaps it�s best if you ride with me.� She halts Ki�lin to allow Tab to mount.
Tabris climbs up onto the unicorn with Katie, �Thanks...how�s she doing?�
^Richard^ starts raising skeletons out of the ground just so he can zap them.
Katie: �She�s coping as well as can be expected.� Katie can�t help a small shiver when Tab climbs on behind her, but she takes a deep breath and reminds herself she�s doing it for her best friend.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder moves Cyan alongside the Regiment as he rides, glancing over at Kyra as he does.
Tabris: �You sure you�re okay with this?� Tabris notices Katie shiver slightly.
Katie takes a deep breath. �I�m fine, Tab. Besides�� she looks over her shoulder and gives him a nervous smile. �I need to overcome this. Facing your fear is the only way to do it, right?�
Cara finds herself dreading what�s to come.
Kyra looks at Stryder sadly, but gives him a small smile.
Luna_Faline lays a paw on Mah�s shoulder, �Are you ready for this fight?�
^Richard^ is raring to go.
Clarice glances around from Ceru hoping to catch a glimpse of Tewyn.
Vin_Da_DM: Mah lets out a soft growl of acknowledgement to Luna.
Vin_Da_DM: �Scouts to the front!� The large lizard-man to Diego�s right belts out in a loud commanding voice. Several light armored soldiers on fast looking animals begin heading for the front. Halanis, the only dragon in the Regiment, hovers above Diego. After Diego gives them orders they take off down the road at blazing speed.
Vin_Da_DM: �Warriors to the front!� The lizard-man belts out again, glancing over his shoulder at the Warriors spread down the road in different locations.
^Richard^ eyes gleam dark black as he contemplates his strategy for the enemies slaughter.
Luna_Faline draws her sword and nudges Mah to move forward, �I feel like a target,� as she draws her sword.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse glances over at Luna, then speeds his shadow beast up as to follow Luna to the front.
Clarice gives a quick nudge into the sides of Ceru spurring him into a gallop.
Arwyn follows suit racing towards the front with the rest of the Warriors.
Tabris looks back at Claron then to Katie, �Think I heard them shouting to us, get in the passing lane.�
Katie nods and spurs Ki�lin ahead.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder nudges his chocobo to get it to move faster, �Come on, you overgrown chicken, run!�
Cara spurs Flare, rearing briefly, he races off behind Clarice.
Vin_Da_DM: Obsidian picks up pace and flanks next to Katie, �She does not seem fit for battle, should I take her to the medical wagon?�
Vin_Da_DM: Lord Diego looks around over his shoulder watching the Warriors weave their ways to him.
Katie looks closely at Claron. �Mrs. DuVallis? Think you are up to taking some of that out on the people who helped cause our predicament?�
Vin_Da_DM: Syne picks up the pace in his dog form, dodging in between horses to get towards the front.
Katie drops into a loud whisper, �And helped cause the fall of our golden girl twin?�
^Richard^ fumes necromantic smoke as he and THUNDER PONY ride into battle.
Claron looks over at Katie and manages to find her own voice, �Y-Yes...I owe it to my�my lost children.� Her eyes linger for a moment on Tabris sitting behind Katie before she goes back to staring ahead.
Luna_Faline ears twitch as she sniffs the wind for signs of the enemy.
Vin_Da_DM: The wind carries a breeze, heavy with the odors of humanoids and animals from the Regiment.
Luna_Faline growls, �I can�t smell anything, but our side.�
Vin_Da_DM: Lord Diego looks around at the Warriors, �Alright, Warriors. I need you to ride ahead of us, the scouts are securing the battle site, go join them and get an idea of the strength of the enemy. There will likely be some of your counterparts among the enemy, determine who and what they are capable of.�
Cara feels herself tensing up as she hears Lord Diego.
Luna_Faline looks at Eclipse and nods then pats Mah to move on.
Katie�s eyes go cold, as a familiar sensation takes over her. The rush of the impending battle sends life singing through her veins and she feels like the woman she once was.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse nods to Luna in return and increases the speed of his shadow beast.
Clarice takes a deep breath as she follows behind the others.
Kyra looks over at Stryder for a long moment, memorizing his features, just in case she never sees them again.
Tabris: �Into the fray, just like the good ol� days, eh?� Tabris says to Katie as he looks back at Claron with some concern on his face.
Claron remains silent as she catches Tabris looking back at her.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder watches Kyra staring at him, trying to her read expression.
Katie: �Almost.� Katie says quietly.
Luna_Faline gives Mah his head and extends the claws on her free paw, gripping the sword tightly in the other one. Prays silently, �Goddess keep us.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Well, I may not be a Warrior, but I sure as hell ain't missing the party,� Syne says to himself as he runs after the others.
Vin_Da_DM: �The pieces to the puzzle are moving into place,� Wraith says quietly to himself as he rides on Gale�s back watching the Warriors ride ahead down the road. �The others wait, silently, for the light to guide their way.�
Kyra�s eyes well up. ~I love you. Remember that, willya?~
Vin_Da_DM: ~I know and I won�t forget it.~ Stryder gives Kyra a reassuring nod.
Cara lowers her head as she hears Kyra mentally talking to Stryder.
K^K: ~And Cara? I feel blessed to have you as a friend. I know we haven�t known each other long, but I�m proud to fight beside you.~ Kyra gives Cara a teary smile.
Cara raises her head and looks at Kyra as she hears her words in her own mind. ~I am not worthy of that....~
Vin_Da_DM: The road curves through the rolling grassy hills for a good distance, but ahead in the distance it runs along a large hill before disappearing into a what would appear to be a large area of plains.
K^K: ~You are worthy of more than you think.~ Kyra nods.
Vin_Da_DM: �If they�re not expecting all of us to be with this Regiment, there shouldn�t be that many Knights,� Eclipse says to Luna as his shadow beast runs next to Mah, �Unless��
^Richard^ sends forth spirits to send him the position of the enemy.
Luna_Faline shakes my head at Eclipse, �I�m willing to bet they have a better idea of our numbers than we have of theirs.�
^Richard^ offers the spirits ethereal potato chips if they are successful in their mission.
Vin_Da_DM: Richard�s spirits get halfway across the large plain ahead and then suddenly disappear, as if struck down with powerful magic.
Luna_Faline looks around and notices there are quite a few missing members from our group, �In fact they may know exactly who is with us by now.�
^Richard^: �There�s powerful magic in the field ahead!�
Vin_Da_DM: �Probably the bad guys, wouldn�t surprise me one bit,� Syne says to Richard as he runs alongside the thunder horse.
^Richard^ starts preparing his powerful glowing wards of life absorption for the ensuing battle.
Vin_Da_DM: Leaving the Regiment behind you crest the hill looking out over the large plain, sparse groupings of trees dot the landscape. At one of the larger groupings, close to you, you notice the scouts preparing. In the distance across the field you notice the horizon is black and a dismal patch of grey is slowly drawing closer.
Tabris: �Dark Army in more ways than one�� Tabris comments to himself, but loud enough for Katie to hear as well.
Arwyn begins to recite an Elven prayer as she sees the patch of gray moving closer, �May our arrows fly swift, may our blades strike true, may our spells smite our foes and shield us from harm.�
Luna_Faline inhales sharply as she sees the enemy hordes, �That does not look good.�
Katie nods, �Look like a swarm of biting flies.�
^Richard^ yells, �FOR PONY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!�
Vin_Da_DM: �So, standard units haven�t changed much.� Eclipse notices the distant blackness, �With the Regiment I�d say we�ll match them in numbers...strength however is questionable.�
Vin_Da_DM: �By the light,� Sabir replies to Arwyn�s prayer as he looks out across the field.
Claron sees the gray patch moving closer and begins to feel all the angst she has concerning the loss of her baby and Clarissa building up inside her.
Kyra closes her eyes for a moment, trembling and saying her own prayer.
Luna_Faline glances at Eclipse, �And that is what scares me.�
Vin_Da_DM: Stopping Syne morphs into his human form and looks around, �Lots of room to maneuver...good for both sides, which is bad for us.�
Tabris hops off the unicorn and looks over at Claron.
Katie slides off Ki�lin, stretching, coughing and sputtering.
Cara breathes in deeply and slowing trying to calm the overwhelming sense of dread and fear that is surfacing inside.
Vin_Da_DM: �There, at their lead,� Eclipse points towards the three figures riding ahead of the monsters behind them, streaks of black trailing off their horses and spreading. ^Richard^ summons an enchanted dark necromantic fog on our side of the field that conceals our position, but does not restrict the sight of his allies.
Cara looks toward the three figures ahead of the monsters trying to make out who they are.
Luna_Faline looks at the front of the enemy movement where Eclipse is pointing, �Who is that?�
Vin_Da_DM: Richard�s fog forms, but not as strongly as he�d like, but well enough to conceal a decent sized portion of the hill.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse shakes his head, �I don�t recognize any of them, must be some of the newer Knights.�
Luna_Faline stares at them, �Only three? Where are the others hiding?�
Claron looks blankly at Tabris as she slides of Obsidian, then watches the three figures as they continue towards them.
Luna_Faline scans the field in front of us, �There are not many trees to hide in for an ambush.�
Vin_Da_DM: Meanwhile the three black robed riders look ahead, the one in the lead chuckles, �Fog, necromantic tricks will not save them.� Turning to look at the figure on his left, �Proceed.� The second figure nods in reply and begins gathering energy.
Vin_Da_DM: Throwing his hands out the three riders teleport and reappear a short distance down the hill from the Warriors. �Warriors, Corrin is ours, take your army and leave before there are none of you left to do so.� The leader speaks, a chilling voice familiar to Cara.
^Richard^ cackles wildly as he finally gets to place his thirsty Wards of Life Draining, to quench themselves on the enemy on the battlefield under the cover of the fog.
Cara becomes visibly shaken as she hears the chilling familiar voice.
Luna_Faline growls at the Knights, �Corrin will never be yours.�
Vin_Da_DM: �We shall see about that.� The lead rider speaks again, Cara noticing the accent of the vampire lord, Luercas.
Vin_Da_DM: �Should we fight them now, or lose ourselves in the fray?� The second rider speaks, voice cold and emotionless.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse narrows his gaze, �I say we settle this now.�
Luna_Faline looks from the vampire to the other one. �Lose yourselves in the fray? Only a coward would do that.�
Cara looks directly at Luercas and tries not to show any fear.
Vin_Da_DM: Luercas chuckles, �The strong Avatar, you have fallen before and you shall again.� He looks at Cara under his hood, �I smell your fear, girl�and it smells divine.�
Cara turns her gaze toward the second figure.
Vin_Da_DM: The third rider turns his horse, giving a glance across the Warriors, gaze pausing on Cara as the reins are tugged by it�s red skinned hands.
Cara shakes her head, �I have no reason to fear you,� she lies.
Tabris clenches his fist, an obsidian armor beginning to form around him as he glares at the Knights.
Luna_Faline shrugs, �I may have fallen before, but I always come back.�
Cara catches the third figure with the red hands looking at her.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder looks over at Kyra.
Katie flicks lint off her tunic disinterestedly.
Kyra meets Stryder�s gaze with her fearful one.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne pops his knuckles, despite not having any real bones in them, �Going to stand around talking or what?�
^Richard: �I FEAR NOTHING!!!� while he thinks to himself, �Except deep water, and rejection, and butterflies, and orphans.�
Claron feels her anger reaching its boiling point and clenches her hands tightly together.
Vin_Da_DM: �So what say you, Avatar? Shall the dying start now or when our armies meet?� Luercas smirks, fangs showing under his hood.
Katie: �Fangs for giving us a choice,� Katie quips dully.
Luna_Faline raises a brow at Luercas, �Now is as good as later, why delay your defeat?�
Kyra snorts. �Smarty�ain�t ye, McKinnon?�
Katie shrugs.
Katie straightens her bracelet on her wrist and wishes Shinta were here.
Clarice hopes that Tewyn is safe wherever he has ended up.
Luna_Faline hisses, �Is your attack strategy to bore us to death?�
Cara wonders where the hell her father got off to, and why he is not here to save her from what Luercas will do to her if she fights with the Warriors.
Kyra reaches out and takes Stryder�s hand.
Vin_Da_DM: �As you wish.� Luercas nods, then motions to the other two riders, �Chose whom you wish, I shall entertain the Avatar.� The three teleport again, reappearing in different places without their horses. Luercas throws off his robe and draws a sword and revolver.
Vin_Da_DM: The second figure, a woman in strange armor begins gathering black orbs on her hands. The third sheds his black robe, a muscular smooth red skinned form with large white spots on the head. Growling he begins emitting a field of lightning that expands, lifting him off the ground the lightning molds around him forming a giant electrical version of himself.
Vin_Da_DM: The woman releases the orbs, which seem to corrupt the very ground as they skirt above it towards Katie and Clarice. The electrical giant sends a large spray of lightning bolts towards Stryder, Tabris, and Claron. Luercas grins and launches towards Luna and Eclipse fast enough that he seems to blur as he moves.
Luna_Faline jumps off Mah and runs away from him holding my sword out in front of me.
Katie: �Shinta ,dammit, I�m useless without my wingman!� Katie mutters as she leaps out of the way of the orb.
Claron concentrates on manipulating the gravity of the lightening bolt in one of gravity wells and pushing it back towards the red skinned man.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder pulls Kyra with him when he shimmers out of the way of the lightning, reappearing several feet away.
Tabris raises his obsidian armored arms to block the lightning, thrown backward as it hits him.
Vin_Da_DM: The lightning bolt that Claron redirected simply gets re-absorbed into the massive electrical giant-form shield around him.
Kyra holds tight to Stryder, gasping. �Thanks, gorgeous.�
Vin_Da_DM: Luercas stops quickly, firing several magically charged shots from his revolver at Eclipse, then continuing his run toward Luna.
Luna_Faline roars at Luercas and swings the sword at his gun arm.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse�s shadow beast takes most of the shots and falls to the ground disappearing into the shadows. Eclipse growls and starts gathering some shadow tentacles at his feet.
Vin_Da_DM: Luercas moves his sword quickly, intercepting Luna�s blade with a loud clang. Pushing back he smirks and points his sword at her.
Luna_Faline follows thru the swing and spins with it bringing it up to strike his sword up.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne perks a brow noticing that he is being left alone, �What? No lightning or orbs of death for me?!� Grumbling Syne charges the woman.
^Richard^ appears from concealment and activates his deadly Life Absorbing wards.
Vin_Da_DM: Moving swiftly with his sword Luercas ducks and fires a two shots from his gun at Luna.
Luna_Faline falls down, dodging the shots and sweeps Luercas feet while shooting claws up at his eyes.
Clarice: �Oh no you fucking don�t,� as her temper flares and she sends an icy shockwave at the orb and the woman that threw it at her.
Katie whistles. �Now THAT was a thing of beauty.�
Vin_Da_DM: The woman uses a black orb to knock Syne away. Using her other hand she creates a black shield that redirects Clarice�s shockwave toward Richard.
^Richard^ throws up a spirit shield and moves out of the way.
Vin_Da_DM: Richard�s spirit shield flash-freezes and shatters.
Vin_Da_DM: Luercas moves quickly away from Luna�s claws, flanking her he slashes at her side, but is blocked by a batch of shadowy tentacles. Eclipse growls at Luercas.
Arwyn takes aim with her bow, waiting for a clear shot at her, she then rapid fires three arrows at the woman in black.
Vin_Da_DM: Arwyn�s arrows sink into the woman. An odd black ripple spreads from the wounds and the woman sheds the penetrated flesh like a snake-skin. Narrowing her gaze she sends a black ribbon towards Arwyn.
Luna_Faline rolls away from Luercas as Eclipse blocks his strike, comes to her feet and swings her sword at the gun hand again.
Arwyn manipulates light photons, making herself invisible, disappears from sight and moves away from the black ribbon coming at her.
Vin_Da_DM: This time, Luercas blocks Luna�s sword with his gun, but raises his brow as he pushes back. Luna�s sword begins to glow faintly.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse notices the opening and sends a condensed batch of tentacles at Luercas, catching him off guard and knocking him back.
Vin_Da_DM: The electrical giant studies the field for a second, then begins sending waves of lightning out just above the ground towards Claron, Tabris, Stryder, Kyra and Richard.
Luna_Faline growls and lunges at Luercas again as Eclipse knocks him off balance. Drives the sword toward his chest.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne rubs his head growling as he shifts into his werewolf form and leaps at the woman.
Vin_Da_DM: Using his vampiric speed again, Luercas moves out of the reach of Luna�s sword. Twirling his gun he shoots his sword with it, using the magical bullet to create a magical charge on the blade.
Claron reacts quickly and manipulates the gravity of herself, Tabris, Stryder and Kyra, floating them up into the air and down behind the red skinned creature.
Luna_Faline dances past Luercas as he dodges the blade, spins and swings the sword onward towards the back of his legs.
Vin_Da_DM: Landing on the woman Syne knocks her against the ground and begins to claw at her. Pointing her hand towards his chest she begins to loose a black ribbon at him, Syne knocks her hand away, but not enough as the ribbon slices through his shoulder.
^Richard^ uses his own powerful lightning to deflect and ground the incoming bolt.
Cara screams at the red skinned man, �LEAVE THEM BE!� as she begins to fire her own streams of mage fire at him.
Vin_Da_DM: The lightning�s cancel each other out.
Tabris gives a nod to Claron, �Good save, babe.�
Vin_Da_DM: Luna�s blade slices Luercas� legs, grunting in pain he swings his sword at Luna, catching her in the leg with his swing.
Luna_Faline roars as Luercas� blade slices my leg, I drive my sword at him again aiming for his heart.
Katie growls and leaps at the woman, sending an electromagnetic pulse barreling at her.
Vin_Da_DM: The red skinned man moves, watching Cara�s fire fly past him. Giving her a glance he shakes his head, then fires bolts of lightning toward Katie and Clarice this time.
Vin_Da_DM: Luercas moves out of the way, smirking he watches his wounds regenerate and watches Luna�s leg heal. �Well, this may take us awhile.�
Luna_Faline growls at him, �Not if I can help it,� circling him slowly.
Vin_Da_DM: The woman rolls along the ground from Katie�s hit, shedding her damaged skin again she quickly gets to her feet. Hissing, would be the closest word for the sound she makes, she launches three ribbons towards Katie.
Clarice concentrates on firing huge ice blocks at the bolts and the man as she dashes out of the way.
^Richard^ turns his energy draining wards on the energy giant and adds in his own power to try and absorb the energy from the giant.
Katie tries to dodge the ribbons, managing to avoid two of them, but one grazes her shoulder. �Oh for fuck�s sake, lady! I�m beginning to think I don�t like you very much.�
Vin_Da_DM: Growling the red-skinned man fires defensive bolts at Clarice�s ice blocks, shattering them before they can hit. Sliding out of the electrical giant shell, he watches as it condenses into a large blast that flows through Richards spell and overloads it, tossing him like a undead rag doll.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne shifts forms again back to human, trying to repair the damage the woman�s attack did.
Vin_Da_DM: Luercas chuckles, keeping an eye on Luna and Eclipse. Twirling quickly he fires shots at Luna then runs towards Eclipse, sword drawn for attack.
Tabris growls, gathering together several shards of obsidian as he glances at the red skinned man.
Luna_Faline turns the blade sideways and uses it to deflect the bullets as I run after him.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse gathers shadows in an attempt to shield himself, Luercas� blade cuts through the shadows and into Eclipse side. Grunting in pain Eclipse staggers to the side, clutching the wound.
Katie turns to the electric company and raises a brow. �Hmm...So you wanna play with me?�
Luna_Faline sees Eclipse get hit and strikes Luercas in the back, driving the sword between his shoulders, screaming, �ECLIPSE!!�
Vin_Da_DM: Luercas turns, letting Luna�s blade rip out of him. Swiftly moving to Eclipse he grabs him by the throat, lifts him off the ground and tosses him at Luna.
Clarice watches Katie turn towards the electric man and begins to wonder if the two of them worked together�if they could stop him�
Vin_Da_DM: The red-skinned man looks at Katie, tilting his head he gathers his hands together creating a large electricity sphere.
Katie grins. �Shocking.�
Luna_Faline falls back as she catches Eclipse and heals his side on touch. Watching Luercas she whispurrs, �Eclipse?�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse growls, �That blade...get it away from him.� Despite the healing Eclipse continues holding his side.
Luna_Faline studies the blade, �How?�
Vin_Da_DM: The woman floats across the field of battle, launching several of her sphere towards Claron, Tabris, Stryder and Kyra.
Vin_Da_DM: �Kyra!� Stryder pushes her out of the way and thrusts his hands ahead making the sphere�s heading for both of them explode, but the concussion sends him back.
Claron reacts once again by manipulating the gravity of the spheres and sends them flying back at the woman.
Katie eyes the swords of the fallen around her and her eyes sparkle as she pulls them up and melds them into a staff.
^Richard^: Now recovered from the blast, he casts a powerful decompose spell targeted on the vampire�s sword to turn the flesh of his hands to mush.
Luna_Faline stands and moves toward Luercas slowly and begins striking blade against blade. Sending ever increasing vibrations down the blades.
Kyra lets out a cry of dismay and kneels next to Stryder.
Clarice�s eyes light up as she sees Katie fashion a metal staff out of swords. Rushing towards Katie, �How bout I coat that staff of yours in ice for electric man over there? Or�� grinning sly.
Claron screams as she watches Stryder fly back.
Vin_Da_DM: With the combination of vibrations and decomposition Luercas looses the sword and his sword hand. Stumbling back he bears his fangs and growls, �Necromancer, interesting choice in allies, Avatar.� Tosses his gun aside he grabs his sword with his other hand.
Katie polarizes the pole, giving it a positive charge, praying.
Tabris: Using his obsidian to block the orbs, Tabris grunts as his armor is destroyed by the attack.
Claron sees Luercas tossing his gun aside and manipulates it gravity, causing it to float into her hand.
Luna_Faline begins striking Luercas again growling, �Help comes from unexpected places.�
Vin_Da_DM: The gun settles into Claron�s grip, but it is heavier than it looks.
^Richard^: �There�s more where that came from, worm food!�
^Richard^ shoots another powerful bolt of decomposition at the vampire.
Vin_Da_DM: Luercas blocks Luna�s sword, then moves in closer to her, knocking her with his stub into the path of Richard�s spell.
Claron is surprised by the heaviness of the gun and uses her concentration to lighten it in her hand. Using both hands she takes aim, waiting for a clear shot, she fires it at Luercas.
Luna_Faline steps back from Richard�s bolt of flesh rot. Then swings her sword at Luercas� throat.
Vin_Da_DM: The woman begins gathering a copious amount of her black ribbons in the air around her, moving toward Katie�s backside she smirks.
^Richard^ recovers from the slip and tries to aide Luna by forcing skeletal hands from the ground to hold Luercas in place for the blow.
Vin_Da_DM: Luna�s blade slices Luercas� throat, while Claron is left unfulfilled when the gun fires nothing. Laughing while the blood flows from the wound, Luercas slices across Luna�s chest.
Katie charges up the pole, floating it toward the bolt dolt and causes it to touch the ground as it makes contact with his hip.
Clarice looks at the red skinned man and makes a huge patch of ice all around him, it extends in front and behind him.
Luna_Faline feels the leather straps fall away as my flesh heals. �Nice try, Smellerby,� as I pull down and back on the sword trying to slice his head off his shoulders.
Kyra looks up and sees the woman advancing on the unsuspecting Katie, and her gaze narrows, �Oh no you don�t,� as she whips up a wind to blow the ribbons back at her.
Clarice then turns to Cara and shouts at her, �Melt the ice patch, Cara...NOW!�
Cara turns her streams of fire towards the ice patch she sees under the red skinned man.
Vin_Da_DM: The woman�s black ribbons don't even phase the woman, narrow her gaze at Kyra several of her ribbons cut through the wind towards her.
Claron curses loudly, �Dammit!!� as she concentrates still on its gravity and sends it sailing into the red skinned man.
Kyra rolls away, popping up and throwing a discarded sword toward her.
Vin_Da_DM: Luercas laughs...but not for long as his head finds a new resting spot on the grass. Luna�s sword blazes brightly with light, causing Richard�s fog spell to disappear instantly.
Vin_Da_DM: Growling very loudly as all the electricity is shorted out in him, the red-skinned man is flung out of the trap to the ground. His red skin loses it�s color, changing to light sand-brown color. Getting to one knee he pounds a fist into the ground knocking everyone on their feet, off of them.
Luna_Faline stares at the sword as it blazes for a moment, then reaches out and grabs the sword from Luercas� hand.
Cara finds herself being knocked on her ass.
K^K: Kyra and Katie tumble to the ground.
Clarice feels herself tumble backwards.
Luna_Faline feels the earth trembling and uses her tail for balance.
Claron manipulates her own gravity and floats above the ground.
Vin_Da_DM: Luercas� sword glows with a black aura in response to the white one from Luna�s sword.
Arwyn falls into Sabir as the ground moves.
Luna_Faline looks from one sword to the other. Yells at Eclipse, �What do I do with it now that I got it?�
Vin_Da_DM: The woman smirks as she begins gathering the ribbons again, numbering enough for three to each person present.
Cara looks up from where she landed on the ground at what used to be the red skinned man.
^Richard^ casts a powerful decompose beam at the red man to turn him green.
Vin_Da_DM: The sword worms it�s way free of Luna�s grip and flies across the field toward Eclipse, settling in his hand.
Kyra shakes her head, rising to all fours and staring at the now electrically devoid man.
Katie just lays there, the wind knocked out of her.
Vin_Da_DM: The now brown-skinned man sinks into the ground dodging Richard�s spell. Burrowing out in a different position he surveys the field.
Luna_Faline follows the path of the sword as it goes to Eclipse. �What in the worlds just happened?�
Vin_Da_DM: Syne watches the woman, �Crap...this is gonna hurt.�
Luna_Faline sees the man come up out the corner of my eye and spins to shoot her claws at him.
Vin_Da_DM: The man jumps out of the way of Luna�s claws. The woman looses her army of black ribbons, sending them ripping through the air towards each of you.
Cara�s eyes widen as she sees the red turned brown man sink into the ground, �Oh! My eyes must be deceiving me!�
Luna_Faline runs at the brown man roaring swinging my sword at his throat. Leaving the black ribbons to pass thru where I was once standing.
Kyra: �Katie, get up!� Kyra yells.
Tabris manages to block the first two headed at him, but the third cuts deep into his thigh.
Kyra crawls over to Katie, and tugs her deadweight as quickly as she can away from the ribbons.
Claron manipulates her gravity and floats high into the air, but not quick enough as one of the ribbons cut into her thigh.
Vin_Da_DM: �Girl, move!: Syne moves to block one of the ribbons heading for Kyra, it hits him and cuts one of his arms off at the elbow. �Aghh!� Syne growls with the hit.
Katie scrambles to her feet, trying to get away, and takes the ribbons full in the back.
^Richard^ opens his cloak and sends fourth a swarm of flesh eating locusts at the woman who just raped Katie.
Kyra�s eyes widen and she rolls before Katie topples on her, screaming.
Cara shakes her head, bolting up and gets struck across the chest by one of the black ribbons as she sends streaming fire from her fingertips around Luna�s arm that is swinging the sword, stopping her swing in midair.
Vin_Da_DM: The brown-skinned man moves out of the way of Luna, and does a mock earth-surf across the ground toward the woman as she begins gathering up another storm of ribbons. Slamming a foot into the ground before he reaches her a lava font erupts underneath her, roasting her and Richard�s locusts alive.
Luna_Faline roars and turns on Cara with her sword ready, �What in the name of the Goddess are you doing!?�
Cara releases Luna�s arm from her fire stream and runs towards the brown skinned man. �Kabal! It can�t be�I thought you were dead!� throwing her arms around his neck.
Kyra rolls Katie over, and seeing her blank stare, panics. �Katie, damn you�don�t you leave me to fight these things!�
Claron feels her strength draining from her as she settles herself back on the ground, her legs give out from underneath her and she collapses onto the ground.
Luna_Faline keeps her eyes on Cara and the brown man as she runs to Katie and kneels beside her placing a paw on her arm. �I�ll take care of it,� healing her body.
Katie coughs, �I didn�t think a broken heart hurt this bad,� as she reaches up to touch her chest.
Vin_Da_DM: The brown skinned man looks down at Cara as she hugs him.
^Richard^ gets enraged and nostalgic and produces a large black ceramic jar and hurls it at the brown man from behind.
Cara raises her head up from his chest and looks into the brown skinned man�s face.
Luna_Faline lays her paw on Kyra next and heals her too. Then looks at the rest of the field and moans. Stands up and moves over to Syne, picks up his severed arm and looks at him, �I don�t know how to help you.�
Vin_Da_DM: Turning his head the man turns his foot on the ground, causing a pole-thin section of earth to shoot up and smash the jar. Looking back at Cara he sighs, �Friendly bunch��
^Richard^ laughs when the jar smashes and a pillar of balefire erupts from it towards the brown man.
Cara smiles, �Some are friendly than others��
Kyra looks at Katie and seizes her in a fierce hug.
Katie blinks. �Not now. The children are watching,� and coughs again.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne looks at the severed limb and takes it from her, sighing he tosses it to the ground and watches it melt into brown goo. �Damn it�� Syne plops to a sitting position on the ground and transforms into his dog form. �Now it�ll have to grow back naturally.�
Cara smiles as she raises her hands and absorbs Richard�s balefire. Turning she looks at Richard, �Back off, you smelly piece of manure!�
Tabris stands next to Claron, holding his thigh as he looks at her, �Babe? You okay?�
Luna_Faline shakes my head at Syne, then moves over to Tabris and Claron and lays a paw on each of them, healing them both.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse gets to his feet, looking at the sword, �Strange��
Claron doesn�t respond her gaze is back to the lost forlorn look.
Katie struggles to her feet and stumbles to Claron. Kneeling, she strokes her best friend�s hair. �You did good, honey.�
Luna_Faline looks around and sees Stryder laying on the ground and moves quickly over to him. Running her paws over his head gently to heal him, �Stryder wake up, your mother doesn't need to see you like this.�
Kyra sits, looking dazed.
Vin_Da_DM: �Just taking a nap�� Stryder manages a half-smirk at Luna.
Cara: �I can�t believe its really you...I have missed you so much! There is much I need to tell you,� backing away from him, her chest bleeding.
^Richard^ is sad that the killing time is over.
Luna_Faline whispurrs, �And Tewyn�s bastard son is alive by the way.� Then stands and approaches Cara and Kabal carefully, holding the sword ready just in case. �Cara?�
Cara looks at Luna.
Vin_Da_DM: �What?� Stryder gets to his feet and looks over at Cara and the brown-skinned man.
Kyra: �Katie. You�you took those ribbons to protect me.� Kyra whispers, looking at Katie�s back. �You could have died.� She shakes her head. �I�m not sure I deserved it. But thank you.�
Katie rocks Claron. �I�m so proud of you.�
Luna_Faline quickly lays a paw on Cara�s shoulder to heal her bleeding chest, while giving Kabal a brief look, then turns and walks away silently.
Claron remains unresponsive and continues to stare blankly in front of her.
Tabris looks at Katie with Claron and sighs, unsure of what to do again.
Luna_Faline finds Mah and rests her head against his, �I told him they wouldn�t get Corrin.�
Cara: �Thanks, Luna�� then glances back at Kabal, �She is a hard one to win approval from.�
Katie gives Tab a helpless look. �I�m sorry,� she mouths at him.
^Richard^ runs off and slaughters the remaining enemy soldiers gleefully.
Kyra rests her chin on her knees, staring at her feet.
Luna_Faline looks over at Eclipse with his new sword.
Vin_Da_DM: A soft female voice speaks to Luna, starting with a yawn, �For an Avatar of the goddess, beheadings are very messy, it doesn�t suit you.� Her sword pulses as the words dance around inside her head.
Vin_Da_DM: Meanwhile a dark voice slinks around Eclipse�s head, �Vampires, so demanding. Hmm, what�s this? You�re from the shadow realm...and how�s the old stomping ground doing these days?� Eclipse raises a brow and looks over at Luna with confusion.
Vin_Da_DM: Turning the Kabal looks at Cara and shakes his head, �I hate to interrupt our reunion, but there is something you need to know. This was a diversion, to draw you away from the main front while Daegriss� main force pushes towards Aventine��
Vin_Da_DM: $ End