Vin_Da_DM: Previously on Warriors of Destiny: Successfully killing two of the Knights, the Warriors now turned their attention towards the rest of the Dark Army. Having destroyed the city shields with the monstrous Behemoths, the demons began pouring into the city.
Vin_Da_DM: Seeking a way inside the city, the group was met by Maeve, who used her sorcery to teleport a majority of them into the city near the walls surrounding Selenia�s castle. Kabal, Cara and Drac, however; set out on a different course to rescue the captive Tewyn and Shinta.
Vin_Da_DM: Battling off the demons guarding them, the twins rescued their father and Shinta as the Behemoths began their rampage into Aventine. Teaming up, Tewyn and Kabal, used their geomantical powers to kill the Behemoths and rid the city of a very large threat.
Vin_Da_DM: As the Dark Army grew closer to the castle, a secondary shield activated, but did not last long after Daegriss himself destroyed it. Kyra was injured in the attack and thinking her dead, Stryder lost himself to his inner madness.
Vin_Da_DM: As the Aventinian forces fought off the demons, Daegriss and Sarez, made their way to the castle. Sarez was intercepted by Cranoc and the two dragons began to fight, leaving Daegriss to fight Luna and Eclipse in order to get inside the castle.
Vin_Da_DM: During the battle, Stryder, fighting in rage, came across Cara and in his madness impaled her with his sword after telling Cara he loved her.
Vin_Da_DM: *Time passed: None*
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder looks down at his bloodied hand, then up at Cara. A wicked smirk playing across his face as he watches the blood leak from her wound. �It was inevitable�� His voice plays with a dark bass tone as he touches her face.
Vin_Da_DM: $ Start
Cara�s eyes had sparkled as Stryder shimmered into view, her heart had begun to beat rapidly as he leaned in towards her. As she began to melt into his kiss, her eyes grew large, a painful, confused, shocked look appeared. �St-ry-der�� having felt the cold metal of the blade piercing into her chest, �I�love�you�too!�
Cara takes a small step back, her trembling hands grasping the hilt, weak-kneed, she drops to the ground. The image of Sabir standing in the hallway of the castle flashes into her mind, his words floating across her consciousness, �It was in your eyes, they will see a long life before your time will come.�
Cara: Growing weaker still, Cara feels herself crumbling, sideways to the ground, the last words Sabir spoke to her drifting in, �Nothing is ever certain, child.�
DracBlue screams in rage, slicing a demon in half, taking it�s entrails, strangling another demon and slicing another in half. Then, starts running to Cara.
Kyra gasps. �Oh my god! Cara, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!�
Vin_Da_DM: Kabal�s eyes grow large as he notices Cara fall out of the corner of his eyes. �Cara!� Growling, he tosses large circular discs into demons to clear the way towards his sister.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne raises a brow at Kyra, �Kyra?�
Katie turns to Kyra, �What is it?�
Kyra�s eyes well up. �OH FUCK. HE�S KILLING HERRRRRRRRRRR!!!� She runs off toward where she �felt� Cara�s scream.
Katie takes off after Kyra. �Kyra, come back!�
Vin_Da_DM: �Here we go again,� Syne runs after Katie, who�s running after Kyra, who�s running after Cara.
Valrash throws another spear, looks at Katie and Kyra run off, then follows them, thinking there are more demons over there.
Katie and Kyra run past Claron�s view.
Vin_Da_DM: Daegriss watches Luna and Eclipse, with seemingly two different gazes. �So�Eclipse, going to wait while your lover fights me? Or are you going to join the fun?�
Claron�s eyes grow large, �Tab, something is wrong, I can feel it!� Jumping up to stand next to him.
Tabris stabs a demon in the eye, covering his face from the demon spittle. �Try removing the dagger from your thigh, dear.�
Luna_Faline growls at Daegriss while looking for a weakness.
Shadow throws another axe and looks around to notice half the group missing. Looking around, he keeps throwing axes.
Claron looks down and sees the dagger in her thigh, one that she never felt pierce her. Pulling it out, �NO! I didn�t mean the dagger. There is something else!�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse takes steps closer to Daegriss, staying about the same distance away from him as Luna is. His glance switches over to Luna momentarily.
Clarice continues to send icy shockwaves into the demons.
Tabris: �Oh?� Tabris says, casually moving Claron aside with a half-hug as he de-arms a demon swinging at her.
Kyra stops in her tracks when she sees Cara, and Stryder standing over her.
Cara: ~It�s not his fault...~
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder looks down at Cara, and crouches next to her. Brushing the stray hairs from her face he nods, �It�ll be over soon,� Noticing Kyra, he looks up at her, �You�re here...I removed the problem, love.�
Luna_Faline wants to look at Eclipse, but refuses to give Daegriss an opening by her distraction.
Kyra blinks.
Katie faints.
Kyra�s tears fall unchecked. �Why?� she whispers. �Why would you do this, my only?�
DracBlue stops attacking demons and kneels at Cara�s side, speechless.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder stands and studies Kyra�s expression, �Because she would have broken us apart. I loved her and you, but only room for one.�
Tewyn watches Kabal run, screaming his sister�s name, and follows after him.
Kyra takes a step back. �Then, you should have killed ME,� she says sadly. �I have no one to miss me. You could have had the better woman. And her father would still have her, too.�
Kyra looks to the heavens. �I will trade myself for her, here and now. Please�I beg of you. Take me.� She sobs, thinking of her friend and the man they both love having a future.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder steps forward toward Kyra, �But I want you�� His sentence is interrupted as Kabal barrels into him, tackling him to the ground.
Valrash looks to Cara and stops, remembering something from his childhood.
Vin_Da_DM: �Looking for an opening? A weakness? Some slight error to sink your magical blade into me?� Daegriss turns to face Luna completely, �You think that sword can truly defeat me?�
^Shinta follows behind the others.
Kyra falls to her knees before Cara. ~I�m sorry. I should have never interfered. I�I should have let you have him. I was wrong. Please don�t die. Your father and Kabal need you.~ tears pouring down her cheeks.
Luna_Faline smirks, baring my fangs. �No, a sword alone is just a piece of metal.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse jumps at Daegriss, sinking his blade into his shoulder. A burst of shadow plays along the blade, Daegriss reaches up and touches the sword sending both it and Eclipse off his back and into a flower bed nearby.
Luna_Faline flies at Daegriss while he is focused on Eclipse and drives my sword into his other shoulder thru his back.
Tewyn sees Cara lying on the ground and stands there frozen a moment, �Ca...Cara.��
Vin_Da_DM: Kabal punches Stryder across the face, then snarls at him, �You bastard, I�ll kill you!� Before his second punch can make contact Stryder teleports, reappearing on the other side of Cara from Kyra.
Valrash looks at Cara long and hard at her, and for a moment, sees his mother bleeding and remembers what she taught him that day.
Kyra looks up at Stryder, her face a mask of fear.
Tewyn falls to his knees, �Who...Who did this?�
Vin_Da_DM: Daegriss grins and turns. Grabbing Luciendar, he pulls the sword out with his human hand and shoots a black bolt into Luna with his other, blowing her back through a tree.
^Shinta comes up behind the others and stands quietly.
Katie moans softly, her eyelids fluttering open. �Tell me�tell me it�s not happening again,� she says weakly.
Valrash thinks to Cara alone, ~Are you willing to live?~
Vin_Da_DM: Syne kneels down next to the fainted Katie. Looking up he notices the others, �What the hell is going on?!�
Tewyn looks around, eyes filled with tears. �Where�s the monk? Shinta, bring her back...just bring her back.�
Vin_Da_DM: Kabal throws a finger at Stryder, �He did it, father�that bastard!� Gathering a large molten sword in his hand, Kabal raises it.
Valrash whispers, �I might be able to do something for her.�
Tewyn turns to Stryder, �You did this! We saved you for this?�
Kyra stands in front of Stryder, �No,� she whispers, blocking Kabal from hurting him.
Tewyn pushes Kyra aside with a small terra wave. �You don�t need to be in the way of this,� wiping tears away.
Kyra fights to her feet. �I said NO.� She moves to stand in front of Stryder again.
^Shinta looks down toward Tewyn, �I�m sorry, I can not.�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder grins at Tewyn, �The dark elf...you saved us for nothing. We were exiled, meant to run and seek shelter in the Warriors� caring embrace.�
Luna_Faline turns as she flies, so that her feet hit the tree. She uses the tree as a sling shot and redirects the energy into a forward motion to fly back at Daegriss with Luciendar aimed at his flaming eye.
Tewyn pushes Kyra further away again and planting her waist deep in the ground. �I said, stay out of the fucking way!�
Kyra turns and gives Stryder a fearful and trembling look, �I don�t understand it. But I love you.�
Vin_Da_DM: Daegriss moves with unbelievable grace and speed as he dodges Luna and in the same action promptly cuts off her tail.
Tewyn: �You have one minute to explain yourself before I shake this whole fucking planet apart,� looking at Stryder.
Kyra unleashes the most powerful wind she�s ever commanded, knocking most off their feet. �NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse gets to his feet, using Morthoseth for assistance. Noticing Luna getting her tail cut off, he growls looking for an opening.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder aims his sword at Tewyn, �Leave the planet alone, you want me, come get me.�
Katie begins to shake uncontrollably. �Tell me�Oh Goddess�tell me it�s not happening again�� she wheezes.
Tewyn looks at Kyra from the ground and starts to bury her again, �You move again, or try anything else, you will be the first one to be buried for good today.�
Kyra�s icy eyes blaze, �You kill me if you want, you overgrown toad! But don�t you DARE TOUCH HIM!�
Vin_Da_DM: �Tewyn, leave Kyra alone!� Syne shouts as he tries to comfort Katie at the same time.
Luna_Faline shrieks as she loses her tail. Landing in a crouch as the nub heels over quickly.
Tewyn slams his hands to the ground while standing, causing the entire plain to shake. �Or I can crush your love other there, and let�s call it even.�
Tewyn glares at Syne, �You stay the fuck out of it, woman stealer...Maybe you should learn where you stand in this group, too�instead of moving in on things you don�t belong in.�
Kyra smiles serenely. �Oh please. You can just hop back to your lily pad for all I fucking care.�
^Shinta looks over to Tewyn shaking his head. �Your better than this, elf.�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder narrows his gaze, �I have a few tricks the others don�t know, dark-elf...before you can crush her, I can teleport your heart from your chest,� Stryder smirks. �If I could find it.�
Cara starts to mutter, �No!...NO!!...NO!!!�
Katie struggles to her feet, �Noooooo. This can�t go on.� She staggers over to Kyra, looking fearfully at Stryder.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne stands watching Katie as she moves.
Tewyn: The ground shakes more viciously with Tewyn�s anger built. �Go ahead, my heart�s laying there on the ground...So, I�ll destroy this place if it brings you half that pain.�
Cara tries to shout out, �Stop! It�s not his fault!�
^Shinta looks to Katie with Syne by her side, �Well, guess you can still see clearly.�
Vin_Da_DM: Kabal looks at Tewyn, then at Stryder, shaking his head he tries using his powers to cancel out Tewyn�s earthquakes.
Cara hears Valrash in her mind, weakly she mentally responds, ~Y-e-s, I�w-a-n-t�t-o�live!~
Kyra gives a wheezing laugh, her chest immobilized by the earth around her. �Not his fault. This is true. The fault is mine.�
^Shinta moves over to Tewyn, �Sometimes we just have to let go, even when we think its not the thing to do.�
Katie slumps beside Kyra, tears of her own streaming.
Luna_Faline feels the ground trembling beneath my feet as I stand and begin to circle Daegriss slowly.
Valrash kneels down at Cara�s head and holds it in his hands, thinks, ~Then, may you live in the one place even time cannot fetter you in your worst nightmare.~
Tabris looks around, grabbing the battlements to steady himself through the earthquake.
Vin_Da_DM: Daegriss laughs shortly, �Seems, I won�t need to fight, but you two, you Warriors, are doing a good job of fighting yourselves.�
Katie looks over at Shinta. �What the hell?�
Valrash starts stroking Cara�s head and starts glowing in a dark way.
Tewyn grabs Shinta and tosses him over by Stryder, �Your with me, or against me on this one, and you know what I do to those that oppose me�so�go stand with them.�
Luna_Faline smiles, �It always comes down to just us.�
Claron eyes take on a panicked look, �It�s Stryder! I won�t let them hurt our last living child!� Using her gravity control, she floats herself down from the castle wall and starts running, searching for their son.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder looks at Valrash and Cara, his expression changing to momentary concern, �A shred of hope remains�� Looking up at Tewyn and Shinta, he tilts his gaze.
Katie screams and crawls toward Shinta. �You leave him alone, Froggy,� she cries.
^Shinta looks at Katie, �Don�t tell me you don�t see what�s going on? I need to explain it?�
Tabris watches Claron run off, �There she goes�� Grabbing the side with both hands, he jumps off the wall, creating an obsidian slide on the bottom to ease his landing as he runs after Claron.
Cara shrieks as she starts to relive Stryder smirking at her, then the leaning of his head towards her, his kissing her on the mouth, and the feel of the cold metal of his sword piercing her through the chest over and over again.
Kyra looks toward Stryder again. �Please, Stryder....my first and only love. I beg of you to stop this now. Take me instead. There is no one left to miss me.�
Tewyn: �You better start teleporting, kid,� shooting shards laced with lava around Stryder. �Just make it no where, that I can sense you on the ground�I suggest in the air...you have two minutes.�
Valrash screams and a wave of power is released and blows all the people around him, knocking them to their ass. Cara stops bleeding, she stops moving, she stops thinking, she is now stuck in her worst nightmare.
Katie looks up at Shinta, the pain etched on her face. �What in the name of all that�s holy are you talking about?�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder smirks, �Oh, I�m scared.� His gaze switches to Kyra, �Do you want to go? I will not take you if you wish to stay.�
^Shinta looks at Stryder, �One death from you is enough today, I suggest you leave the others alone.�
Valrash looks up with no pupils and says, �Find a healer. She can be saved.�
^Shinta looks at Katie, �Well, maybe an elf said something I�ve always been afraid to.�
Kyra reaches her hand out toward Stryder. �I want Cara to have a life with her family. I have no family, and Cara is my only friend. I will die with my love for you on my lips.�
Katie stares up at Shinta uncomprehendingly, beginning to tremble anew.
DracBlue nods and gets up, looks around for a healer, he flies up.
Tewyn: �One minute and counting, kid.�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder nods to Kyra, �Very well�� He takes Kyra�s hand and looks at Tewyn, �Tick, tick, tick, the clock counts down�yet it has already exploded.� Glancing at Kyra he nods, �Say farewells if you have them...seeing them again will be chance.�
Claron spots Katie out of the corner of her eye, turns and races towards her, then hears Tewyn and Stryder�s voices, �STOP THIS NOW!!!!�
^Shinta moves over to Tewyn, Sano appearing where Tewyn doesn�t notice him, �Sorry, friend, but I don�t have a choice,� slamming his hands into his chest, sending his spirit over to the spirit plane, while Sano knocks him out from behind. �You get this back when you�re less angry.�
Tewyn falls limp to the ground.
Kyra looks at Katie. �Thank you for giving me the chance to make it up to you.� She turns to Syne. �I�ll miss you most of all, you funny thing.� She blows a kiss, then looks up at Stryder. �I�m ready, my darling.�
Tabris takes heavy breaths as he catches up with Claron, noticing the scene he curses under his breath, �This is some seriously fucked up shit��
Kyra�s tears pour. �Goodbye, my newfound family.�
Kyra reaches for Stryder.
^Shinta looks around with his fists clenched, �Your not taking her either,� looking at Stryder.
Claron: �Just what the fuck are you guys doing, fighting like this?�
Vin_Da_DM: Daegriss grins, �I suppose in the end it does�� Moving his sword between hands he nods, �I know your weakness�� He aims the sword at Eclipse.
^Shinta looks to Claron, �Your son has killed once, now he wants to take Kyra, so what do you think we are doing��
DracBlue lands next to Arwyn and says, �We need your help�one of the Warriors is injured.�
Kyra takes a deep breath, ready to die for Cara�s happiness.
Vin_Da_DM: �Try to stop me, shaman�� Stryder smirks at Shinta, then looks at Claron and Tabris, �We have to leave you now�Mother, Father. We shall return...one day.� Stryder grabs Kyra in a hug and teleports away.
^Shinta: �Don�t tempt me�You can�t shimmer from the spirit world.�
Claron: �WHAT do you mean, killed once?� raising her voice.
^Shinta points to Cara silently, with his head lowered.
Tabris blinks, �What the...where the hell did our son go?� He looks over at Claron with confusion on his face.
Clarice hears the sound of her sister�s voice seeping through the battle noises, turning she moves toward the sound.
Arwyn glances at DracBlue, �Lead me to them,� rapid firing several arrows into several demons.
Katie falls on her knees, �Oh Goddess�why did she do it?�
^Shinta doesn�t lift his head, but answers Katie, �Love��
Luna_Faline refuses to look at Eclipse. Keeping her eyes focused on Daegriss as she continues to circle him. She prays silently, �Misstress, guide me.�
Vin_Da_DM: Syne looks down at Tewyn, then at Shinta, �Did you just kill him?�
Katie�s sobs grow louder.
^Shinta: �He isn�t dead, his soul is just taking a break over in the spirit plane, and he isn�t a happy elf at the moment.�
Claron stands shaking her head, her hands trembling, tears welling up in her eyes, �I don�t understand what�s happening here��
Vin_Da_DM: Daegriss watches Luna as she circles, but doesn�t move. Daegriss sends a bolt down his sword at Eclipse, Eclipse raises his sword and the bolt hits it, knocking him back again.
DracBlue says, �It will be faster if we fly.�
Katie looks up beseechingly at Shinta.
^Shinta turns his head, �Why are you sobbing? Isn�t that how you feel�if you die for someone, then you must truly love them?�
Tabris wraps his arms around Claron, shaking his head, �I think my curse has shown itself again��
Katie nods. �It�s the ultimate proof of love,� she whispers.
^Shinta: �Too bad he didn�t kill me, then,� turning his head.
Clarice sees Shinta and Katie. Out of breath from running, �Where�s Tewyn?� spotting Tewyn�s form laying on the ground as soon as she finishes asking.
Katie lowers her head again. �My little thief. She died trying to save a friend.�
Clarice runs over to the limp form of Tewyn, drops to her knees and cradles him in her arms, �No! Don�t leave me! You PROMISED me!� she wails.
Katie shakes her head. �If he�d killed you, I would surely die.�
Tewyn lays lifeless.
DracBlue leads the horse down the stairs and around buildings to finally get to Cara, �Here she is.�
^Shinta: �Maybe so, but then, I would of finally known where my place with you was, Emerald Eyes.�
Luna_Faline swings her sword in an arch, building momentum with it. She lunges at Daegriss, slicing at his ankle as I change paths and pass him.
Vin_Da_DM: Sliding out of the way, he turns his blade to face Luna, he grins, �I can taste it, Selenia�s power will be mine!� With a shout, Daegriss glides across the ground toward Luna slicing at her neck.
^Shinta: �I didn�t give him a choice, Clarice, he had to be subdued.�
Katie�s eyes crackle. �Your place?� she heaves a disgusted sigh, �I will NOT have this argument again.� She struggles to her feet, and staggers toward Claron to comfort her, only to stop wide-eyed at the sight of Tab.
Arwyn looks at DracBlue, �You want me to heal rounded ears?� she says indignantly.
Luna_Faline dances back from his blade, �You�ll taste nothing, but bitterness and pain!� Strikes his whip arm with her sword.
^Shinta shrugs, �Always your answer, but I�m the one who walks away, huh�Actions speak volumes,� going to Clarice.
Clarice kisses Tewyn on the lips, �Please, come back to me.�
^Shinta places his hand on Clarice�s shoulder, �He can�t until I release him.�
Clarice looks up at Shinta, �YOU did this to him?�
Katie sways on her feet.
DracBlue looks at Cara�s ears and says, �Yes, I do�she needs it. And besides, she is a Warrior�and a half elf. You have to do it.�
^Shinta: �I had to, he was going to kill anyone in his way.�
Katie: �You and your damned insanity,� she whispers. �You might as well have killed Kyra yourself,� her tears continue, unabated.
Vin_Da_DM: Daegriss twirls his whip around Luna�s sword pulling it from her grasp and cutting her lower arm in the process. Taking Luciendar in his human hand he aims both swords at Luna. �Didn�t expect that, did you?�
Clarice gets a puzzled look on her face, �I don�t understand�but he�s going to be alright, isn�t he?�
^Shinta: �He will be fine, just not a happy drow when I let him return.�
Clarice nods her head slightly, �You will have to explain this in greater detail, but for now...can�t you release him?�
^Shinta: �If you think you can control him, I suppose, I could.�
Katie sinks to the ground, staring at the hole where Kyra disappeared from.
Vin_Da_DM: �Hate to break up our little snafu here, but there�s still a war going on,� Syne growls as he jumps at a demon digging into it with his claws.
Luna_Faline moves back out of striking distance, �I don�t plan on anything.�
Arwyn sighs as she dismounts from her horse, the image of Sabir creeps into her thoughts. Not speaking to anyone in particular, and more to herself than anyone else, �He�s right, you would if you were still here Sabir.� Drops to her knees and places her hands on Cara.
^Shinta releases Tewyn, �Ok, he is coming back, but you better keep him under control.�
Katie: �Somehow I suddenly don�t care.� She eyes a demon rushing toward her.
Tewyn eyes open, �You dirty little�� trying to get off the ground.
DracBlue slices at another demon rushing towards them and Katie in half and says, �Let her mourn, I�ll guard her and Cara.�
Arwyn chants softly in Elven to Cara as she tries to heal her.
Clarice smiles as she sees Tewyn�s eyes open.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse glances at the castle for a moment nodding silently, standing he glares at Daegriss. Turning to Luna, he tosses Morthoseth at her feet then circles around to Daegriss� backside.
Arwyn continues to chant as she pulls the blade out of Cara�s chest then concentrates her hands over the wound.
^Shinta looks at Katie, �Not like you to not care, McKinnon.�
Katie�s dull green eyes shift to Shinta�s face and she shrugs.
Luna_Faline quickly picks up Eclipse�s sword and circles the other way around Daegriss.
Tabris chucks an obsidian shard at the demon rushing Katie, causing it to fall a few feet before reaching her. �On your feet, sir!�
Valrash loosens the final nightmare on Cara, waking her up, he falls back utterly exhausted.
Claron couldn�t help but see the reaction Katie had as she neared her and Tab, �Katie�� making her way over to Katie and kneeling beside her.
Katie gets slowly to her feet. �Lieutenant Nuffing, you have command.� She says sadly, walking unseeing away from the group.
Vin_Da_DM: ~I suggest striking his human half, feline. A flew blows and he should relinquish her. ~A slithering dark voice sounds in Luna�s head as Morthoseth shines black.
^Shinta walks after Katie, �Is that all you ever do is walk away!?!�
Claron shakes her head, �Lieutenant? You have that wrong, Lt. McKinnon, I am a buck ass private these days.�
Claron follows after Katie.
Tewyn struggles against Clarice, �Let me up, already.�
Luna_Faline moves in quickly slicing and spinning at his human right arm repeatedly, taking chunks of flesh with each hit.
Tabris follows Claron, using his shards to strike demons that approach them.
Katie sighs. �I said I was sorry, Kyo. I never meant for you to die with those words between us. Stop berating me with things I can�t fix, dammit.�
Clarice: �Stop struggling, I will�� relaxing her hold on him.
Vin_Da_DM: Daegriss glides back, letting Luciender clang to the ground, the wounds in his human half cauterizing with a deep black. ~Good...now if you don�t mind...~ Morthoseth speaks again, breaking free of Luna�s grasp and flying back over to Eclipse.
^Shinta grabs Katie, but doesn�t turn her around. �Then, how about you live for what that was, and let me finally rest in peace�I never blamed you, McKinnon.�
Claron looks at Shinta, �Oh my god, she�s lost it!�
Vin_Da_DM: ~Well, don�t just stand there looking daft, pick me up!~ Luciendar says impatiently to Luna, ~He may be a brute, but his idea is sound. Light strikes dark, dark strikes light.~
Katie blinks at Shinta�s words, �I blamed me, dammit!� her eyes well up. �Every day I have to hear the words I said.�
^Shinta: �And every day I blamed myself for not saying I loved you before it happened�No one wants things to end that way.�
Tewyn sits up holding his chest, �Sometimes I hate that monk.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse looks over at Luna and nods to Morthoseth. Raising his blade he aims himself towards Daegriss� right.
Cara begins to groan, �St-ry-der,� the pain and torment begin to subside as Arwyn chants.
Katie stops, turning. �I�.� She collapses limply, her eyes awake, but still lost in a dream she can�t get out of.
Luna_Faline runs over and grabs her sword, spins and strikes his left arm.
Clarice: �I wish someone would tell me precisely what is going on here.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse strikes Daegriss� ride side as Luna attacks his left. A black glow emanates from Morthoseth�s striking point while a white shines from Luciendar�s. Daegriss howls demonically, then shoots up into the air several feet.
^Shinta catches Katie, �You can�t mourn forever, McKinnon, somehow you have to realize love is a much more powerful ally than you will let it be.�
Clarice turns a hand up to several demons coming towards then, freezing and shattering them with an icy shockwave
Katie curls up like a child, rocking �I�can�t��
DracBlue kneels at Cara�s side and says, �He is gone with Kyra.�
Tewyn: �Well, it was like this...Your nephew went crazy, per your lovely family heritage, and killed my daughter, so I was fixing to have a Stryder-ka-bob for lunch, but the monk stopped me.�
Vin_Da_DM: Syne continues glancing over towards Katie and Shinta as he fights, growling as a demon claws him on the muzzle.
Luna_Faline strikes again at Daegriss� evil side, plunging Luciendar into his side.
Arwyn sits back on her heels, the sound of her chanting, �I�ve done all that I can,� glancing at DracBlue.
Valrash says gasping for breath, �She isn�t dead, she is being healed.�
Vin_Da_DM: Daegriss growls, a black shield surrounds him and a shockwave shoots out from it knocking Eclipse and Luna back. In a demonic voice, that seems to echo across the entire city, he begins an incantation.
DracBlue nods, but doesn�t take his eyes off of Cara and says, �Thank you.�
Luna_Faline lands on her ass and looks over at Eclipse quickly.
^Shinta: �What if your husband would of said that, or Thomas...Kyo.. Would that of made it better? To not of cared for you�Is that all you can think of?�
Cara: �Gone? Kyra?� thinking that Drac means they both died. �No!�
Katie: �Stop your whining, Katerina,� the poisonous voice hisses. �End this once and for all and be done with it. They are better off without you.� She flinches as if she were slapped.
Luna_Faline stands up and runs at the black shield surrounding Daegriss driving Luciendar into it with a roar.
Katie reaches for her pistol and lifts it with shaking hands. �You�re right. You�re so right.�
Katie stands and fires a shot at a passing demon.
Vin_Da_DM: Luciendar sinks into the shield, but the sheer power in the shield deflects the blade outwards and away.
Katie: �Duty first. Then, we�ll discuss it,� she says to no one really.
Vin_Da_DM: Daegriss continues his chanting, the incantation getting louder and louder with each word.
Vin_Da_DM: Elsewhere on the battlefield, Wraith looks towards the castle hearing the incantation, �Spell shields, now!� Lifting his arm a magical shield extends around him and his nearby allies. As if on cue, similar shields begin forming across the city, protecting Aventinian soldiers and numerous undamaged buildings.
Vin_Da_DM: A soldier near a majority of your group rushes over, creating a similar shield guarding you. Daegriss� spell finishes, his black shield bursting outward sweeping across the city. The spell deflects off of Luna and Eclipse�s swords, while everything outside the magical shields begins to decay almost instantly.
Vin_Da_DM: As the soldiers lower their shields, an eerie calm hovers about the city. Daegriss� dark shield disappears, leaving two figures, who float to the ground. From their looks, it is as if Daegriss split into two different people, a human and demon.
Claron: �You�re right, Lt. You need to resume command.�
^Shinta: �When this is over, I promise you we will finish this.�
Katie shrugs, �I have relieved myself of command, Nuffing. I can not lead my people like this.�
Claron wraps an arm around her, �Then, we will do it together.�
^Shinta moves away from Claron and Katie, �Look after her, you two have always been close.�
Katie looks at Shinta. �Finish what, K�wait�you�.�
Katie furrows her brow, �Shinta? You aren�t��
Clarice listens to Tewyn, �What? Cara is dead? Stryder is responsible? That can�t be.�
^Shinta looks back momentarily, �I�m not what?�
Luna_Faline immediately lunges at the demon, striking at him fiercely.
Vin_Da_DM: Cranoc roars into the sky as he and Sarez roll through several more buildings. Shooting a column of flame into the black dragon�s face, Cranoc overpowers Sarez and impales him into a temple�s spire.
Cara�s eyes open, she sees Drac leaning over her, �Just what do you think you are doing, parasite?� she smiles faintly.
Katie�s eyes are searching his face. �What in the hell am I doing out here?� She looks at the chaos around her, �Why aren�t you in uniform? Why aren�t ANY of you in uniform? Where the hell are we?�
Tabris raises a brow looking around at the piles of rotted demon, �That was...strange.�
Clarice: �Tewyn, Valrash is saying she�s not dead.�
Vin_Da_DM: Daegriss� demon half glides along the ground and strikes at Luna with his serrated whip.
DracBlue sighs with relief and says, �Just making sure that you stay alive,� he smiles back.
Tewyn: �What...she had to be.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse bears his sword and swings at Daegriss� human side, locking Morthoseth with the two swords he wields.
^Shinta turns again, �Some of us left that life a long time ago, McKinnon.�
Valrash falls, not being able hold himself up. �I saved her�and now, I can�t seem to even stand.�
Katie looks lost, �I don�t understand��
Arwyn rises from where she is beside Cara, turning she spots Tewyn. Moving over towards him, she raises her bow and slips an arrow into, and sends it whizzing past him into a demon that was approaching from behind him.
Tewyn: �Comes with the territory, demon.�
Valrash smiles, �Of what? Saving lives or the demon magic I used to do it?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Looks like whatever that was, killed most of the bad guys for us.� Syne says as he looks towards the castle, �Wonder what the hell is going on back there.�
Claron: �We have been sent to another dimension, Lieutenant. Our uniforms would have made us stand out like a sore thumb.�
DracBlue whispers to Cara, �Are you ok?�
Tewyn: �Both I suppose, but wouldn�t say that too loud,� motioning to Arwyn, �I don�t think she likes demons,� looking behind him.
Katie rubs her temple, �I�see.�
Tabris looks between Claron and Katie trying to figure out what�s going on.
Luna_Faline steps on the length of whip as I strike at the demon side and walks on it, pulling him off balance.
Arwyn stops in front of Tewyn, �I don�t like drows, either...but...that didn�t stop me from helping the one with rounded ears.�
Valrash nods and lays back, unable to get up.
Tewyn: �Well, at least you can do one thing right, light walker.�
Cara: �I think�I died and went to Hell.�
Vin_Da_DM: The demonic half of Daegriss deflects Luna�s slice with the blue dagger in his hand, smirking he twirls his whip hand knocking Luna off and cutting her feet up as well.
Tewyn: �Oh, you didn�t do that, daughter, cause you didn�t see me there.�
Katie closes her eyes as things begin to trickle back to her. She moans and sways a little. �My head�� she whispers, ��it�s on fire, Kyra!� her eyes snap open, and she looks around.
DracBlue says, �Well, you just might be in heaven, then�seeing me,� he whispers, smiling.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse dodges a slice from the human half�s sword, but catches the second in his shoulder. Rolling away, Eclipse growls, baring fangs, and raises his sword again.
Luna_Faline flips backwards and lands just as her feet heal, giggling, �That tickled.�
Cara looks over towards Tewyn, �Va�� reaching her hand out to him, �Kabal...where�s Kabal?� a hint of panic is clearly heard in her voice.
Tewyn: �He should be here somewhere, since he wouldn�t let me have any fun...Party pooper.�
Vin_Da_DM: Kabal turns away from dealing with a few spare demons, �Cara? Cara! You�re all right!� Kabal rushes over towards Cara.
Katie takes a deep breath, �She�s really gone, isn�t she?�
Vin_Da_DM: Daegriss� demonic half begins twirling the whip over his head at an angle, the serrated blades cutting into the ground as he walks towards Luna.
Katie: �Another casualty, Katerina? It�s catching up to you, old girl,� she frowns.
Luna_Faline repeatedly fires her claws at the demon half�s whip hand. Growling as she backs away from him, keeping just out of striking distance of that nasty whip.
Cara smiles as she sees Kabal, her eyes glisten with the start of tears. Looking between her father and Kabal, �It wasn�t his fault��
Vin_Da_DM: �He stabbed you, Cara...how is it not his fault?� Kabal looks at her with some anger still in his expression.
Claron hugs Katie, �No...she�s temporarily missing, just like Stryder. They�ll be back...I just KNOW it,� not sure who she is trying to convince more, Katie or herself.
Tabris glances around the area, �Looks clear of anything trying to kill us.� He settles his gaze back to Claron as she hugs Katie.
Katie clamps down on the voice, her eyes losing a bit of that wild look, and she swallows hard. �We have to find the others,� she whispers.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne kicks a demon�s skull off the pile of bones left behind. Glancing over his shoulder at the others.
Katie: When her eyes settle on Tab, she can�t stop the shudder that wracks her body heavily.
Katie: �The DuVallis murders,� she murmurs, her voice shaky. �Will they never end?�
Luna_Faline backs into Eclipse, her touch healing him. She growls lowly, �This was unexpected.�
Tabris watches Katie and sighs heavily lowering his head. Turning he looks towards the castle, �We should go see what�s going on.�
Claron�s eyes catch Tabris� gaze. Her eyes showing him a defeated, broken look.
Vin_Da_DM: �Indeed,� Eclipse snarls as he leaps at the human Daegriss, striking sword once and nicking him on the shoulder with his second slash.
Katie breaks Claron�s embrace stiffly. �Let�s move,� she says coldly.
Luna_Faline leaps at the demon Daegriss at the same time, barely missing the whip hitting her. She swings her sword at his throat.
Claron gasps, �Katie�� as she breaks their embrace. �Whatever you say, Lieutenant,� as she tries to figure out what she could possibly say to Katie to make her understand the DuVallis men.
Vin_Da_DM: Demon Daegriss brings his knife up, deflecting the blow down, but causing her sword to catch his side. Gliding sideways, he swings the whip at her, cutting into her leg as it wraps around it and then tosses her backward along the stone pathway.
Katie looks at Claron oddly. �What did you just call me?�
Cara avoids looking at Kabal, �It was my fault...I wanted�so much to be near him. I rushed over to him and forgot that he had his sword drawn.� She glances at Drac, her eyes pleading with him not to tell what he saw.
Katie shrugs and pulls the clip out of her hair, readjusting her upsweep, then fastens it back in. �Hang on, Luna,� she says flatly.
DracBlue just nods, not saying a word.
Katie begins walking in search of Luna and Eclipse.
Luna_Faline roars as the whip slices into her leg. She grabs the whip with her free paw and wraps it around, ignoring the many cuts it causes. She jerks it away from him and drops it from her bleeding paw as it heals.
Claron shakes her head, �I guess, I forgot where we were for a second, Kat.�
Katie nods at Claron. �Easy to do, I guess.�
Valrash looks up at the sky and sighs, �Is this what you wanted, Mother�for me to fight a war?�
Claron: �But you are right...we should find Luna and Eclipse.�
Katie gives Syne an imperceptible nod as she passes him, her thanks for his assistance earlier, but her face is empty of expression.
Vin_Da_DM: The whip snaps off as Luna pulls it, the remainder snakes back to the Demonic half�s arm. Human Daegriss slices Eclipse across the chest, but Eclipse manages to stab him in the leg. Staggering back, Eclipse holds his chest with his free hand.
^Shinta pulls up his hood on the robe and covers his head, hides his hands among the sleeves in front of him, and starts walking slowly behind the others.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne raises a brow, then follows along with the others.
Tabris points towards the castle, �I�d bet they�re there.�
Cara pushes herself up on her elbows, �I know...it was careless and stupid of me�� she glances at her father and Kabal.
Tewyn: �Stupid is putting it mildly, daughter...Worst thing to ever do is interfere in love.�
Katie�s fingers unconsciously slide over the charm on her bracelet as she hears the words about a fresh start. Somewhere in her now cold heart, she mourns her inability to have that.
Luna_Faline stands up, letting the whip unravel from her leg as she runs at the demon swinging Luciendar. She aims at his chest.
DracBlue offers Cara a hand up.
Vin_Da_DM: Kabal shakes his head, �It didn�t look that way to me.� He watches Drac help Cara up.
Cara swallows hard, �But he loves me, too,� as she takes Drac�s hand.
Katie: �Sniveling will not change things, Katerina. You are meant to be alone.� She mentally flips the bird at the voice.
DracBlue helps her up to her feet and just stands at her side.
Tewyn: �Guess, you learnt that from your dear mother, huh...You can�t love two people the same way�Sooner you come to see that, the better we all will be�But if you want to be the spare wheel and be used...So be it, I won�t stop you, or acknowledge it for that matter,� getting up and grabbing Clarice and walking away.
Vin_Da_DM: The demon turns, Luciendar cutting into his whip arm. Snarling he slides back, his lower arm hanging from the upper by a muscle and some flesh. Ripping it off he tosses it to the ground and glares at Luna, �Ratava, taht rof yap ll�uoy!�
Cara winces at Kabal�s words, ~I don�t know what you saw, dear brother.�~
Vin_Da_DM: Human Daegriss tosses Eclipse back with a small shockwave. turning his attention to Luna he dashes towards her.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse gets to his feet slow, spitting some blood on the ground as he looks over towards Luna.
Valrash thinks to Cara alone. ~That is not what I saw.~
Clarice follows after Tewyn and Cara.
Luna_Faline goes after the demon, not giving him time to rest. Drives her sword at his chest again. See�s the other half out the corner of her eye and drops her sword to grab the demon and shove him into the human suddenly.
Vin_Da_DM: ~If what you say is true, I�ll go by it...~ Kabal looks at Cara, his gaze showing her he doesn�t truly believe her.
Cara: �Va? I�m sorry�� she whispers meekly.
DracBlue follows Cara as usual and looks a little down.
Vin_Da_DM: Demonic Daegriss stumbles back, his human form walking right through him as if he wasn�t there. Human Daegriss glares at Luna raising both swords as he strikes at her.
Claron moves over towards Tabris, and they follow Katie, but not too closely.
Luna_Faline ducks his strikes and rolls away from Daegriss taking her sword with her. She comes up to her feet hissing, �I like a double team.�
Katie: Her head throbs in time with her pulse as she continues to walk, her dull eyes shifting this way and that, watching for signs of Luna and Eclipse. �Alright kitty, alright Smudge, where have you hidden?� her dull voice matches her eyes.
Vin_Da_DM: Demonic Daegriss slides along the ground, the sword wound on his chest slowly beginning to heal over. Human Daegriss grins at Luna, �Perhaps you�ll have better luck in your next life, Avatar.�
Valrash watches all the people just walk away and jumps in surprise as a dwarf is staring down at him quite suddenly saying, �Can you move, boy?�
Shadow continues to look at Valrash and says again, �Can you move?�
Luna_Faline moves further back and steps on the broken whip. Quickly picks it up and whips it at the human half. �I�m not done with this life yet,� as the whip snakes around his shoulders.
Valrash sighs and says, �Move�yes, get up�no.�
Shadow sighs and sits down, �Then, I�ll keep you company until you can.�
Vin_Da_DM: Human Daegriss grabs the whip and grins at Luna, �Bad move.� He pulls it hard, ripping it from her grasp. Lifting his hand, a blaze flows over the whip and it disintegrates.
Luna_Faline strikes at the demon�s blade arm while the human is distracted showing off.
Cara walks silently with her father, mulling over the harsh words her father said to her. She tries to swallow the lump she feels in her throat and squelch the guilt she is feeling for having lied to both her father and brother.
Vin_Da_DM: The demon form snakes back from the strike, dropping the blue dagger to the ground. Hissing at Luna, it rolls down to grab it and throw it at her.
Luna_Faline blocks the dagger with her sword as it comes at her. Picks it up and throws it at the human Daegriss� throat.
Vin_Da_DM: As your group reaches the ruined castle wall, the view of the battle taking place in the garden becomes clear.
Katie looks at the battle and wonders how anyone will escape alive.
Vin_Da_DM: Human Daegriss blocks the dagger with a swing of his sword, raising a hand, he shoots a cutting shockwave at Luna, knocking her back and slicing into her as well.
Tewyn walks along grumbling, �Guess you can�t teach some things no matter what you try.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse runs towards the fray, jumping and sinking his sword into the shoulder of Human Daegriss. Daegriss lets out a painful snarl as Demon Daegriss blocks Eclipse and Morthoseth away with a similar shockwave.
Tabris: �Holy�� Tabris looks ahead with surprise, �Two of them?�
Tewyn looks up for a moment, �Guess his crazy came out.�
Cara hears her father�s grumbling, the guilt feeling intensifies.
DracBlue looks at the battle.
Luna_Faline sees Eclipse going down and roars as she runs at the pair again. �Damn you, back to hell!� driving her sword into the demons gut and twisting it as it goes in.
^Shinta looks up for a moment.
Claron concentrates on both Daegriss� gravity, trying to make it heavy and slow moving.
Vin_Da_DM: Demon Daegriss buckles in around the blade, looking at Luna with a evil snarl. He reaches for Luna�s neck, but stumbles back. Bursting apart into a stream of black energy it flies into Human Daegriss, who appears to absorb the energy.
Vin_Da_DM: Human Daegriss shifts a gaze towards Claron, �Interruptions�� Throwing one of his hands in that direction, a shockwave brushes across the ground towards her.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse groans staring up at the sky, �Ugh...being mortal...is painful.�
Luna_Faline quickly turns and plunges her sword into Daegriss with a twist as his focus is on Claron. �I�m over here.�
Vin_Da_DM: Daegriss grabs Luna�s sword and pulls it out, the wound sealing over quickly. �I tire of you, Avatar.� Turning, he slices her across the chest with his first sword, then skewers her shoulder with his second.
Claron manipulates her and Tab�s gravity, floating them out of the way of the shockwave.
Luna_Faline places a paw on my amulets as I step back off his swords. �You think I like your company?� growling as my wounds heal over.
Tewyn tilts his head, "Damn, your one ugly demi god.�
Vin_Da_DM: Daegriss crosses his swords and begins chanting a spell. Dark energy begins to gather on his blades as he chants.
Arwyn stands quietly behind the other Warriors, watching and waiting.
Luna_Faline circles Daegriss making her way over to Eclipse. Reaching down for his paw, �Come on,� healing him as she pulls him up.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse takes Luna�s paw, getting to his feet slowly. Examining his chest, he notices the big slice heals slightly, but leaves a scar. He looks over at Luna, �Have to stop him��
Tewyn: �Hmm, I like the way he fights...I should fight him sometime.�
Luna_Faline nods and runs at Daegriss bringing her sword up to break the blades apart, continuing the swing up, hitting him in the chin.
Arwyn begins to concentrate on the light photons, concentrating them into a beam aiming it directly at Luna�s sword.
Luna_Faline sees the light hitting the sword and smiles as the light hits Daegriss in the face.
Vin_Da_DM: Daegriss looks directly at Luna continuing to chant. Moving one sword to the side a black beam shoots out towards Arwyn.
Clarice concentrates and finds a clear shot to send an icy shockwave at Daegriss.
Arwyn dodges and rolls out of the way.
Vin_Da_DM: The black beam sails into part of the wall near Arwyn, causing it to explode into pebble sized chunks.
Katie �gathers� the helms, swords, and other debris, sending them pelting at Daegriss as yet another distraction.
Arwyn covers her head with her arms.
Tewyn runs over and gooses Daegriss on the ass. �Oh, come on...Won�t you fight me for a little while?� ducking from Katie�s attack.
DracBlue shoots feathers at Daegriss giving yet another distraction.
Vin_Da_DM: Daegriss breaks his chant, sliding out of the way of Katie�s attack. Grabbing Tewyn, he holds him in front of him letting Drac�s feathers pincushion into Tewyn�s back.
Tewyn: �MMMM, that�s how I like it...But can�t you fight hand to hand on your own?� coughing up blood.
Vin_Da_DM: Daegriss broadsides Tewyn with the flat of his sword, knocking him aside. Turning his attention back to Luna, he moves towards her.
Tewyn: �Shaiya always said you were a weak being...She was right.�
Tewyn feels one of his facial bones break as he tumbles across the ground.
Clarice screams out, �NOOOOOOOOOO!� her anger rising as she starts sending huge blocks of ice hurling at Daegriss.
Luna_Faline waits for Daegriss next attack, praying silently, �Goddess, your will be done,� as she holds the sword ready.
Katie steps forward, concentrating all her effort into a massive electromagnetic pulse, �pushing� it so hard blood starts pouring out her nose.
Vin_Da_DM: Turning his gaze Daegriss watches the ice blocks heading for him, gliding swiftly across the ground he strikes the ice shattering it. Tossing a sword aside, he lifts his hand and absorbs most of the pulse, the remainder causing him to stumble a bit.
Tewyn stands, his knees teetering under him, his words slurring, �Hey...I wasn�t through, yet�.�
Katie hits her knees, swearing when the pulse barely has an effect. �Oh well. Useless as always.�
Luna_Faline sees Daegriss stumble and strikes the arm that absorbed the pulse.
Tewyn waves his hands, �Come on...Me, you...one on one...no weapons, no powers�or can�t you handle it?�
Katie fights off the darkness rising to meet her. �I�m not taking a nap, dammit.� She groans.
Claron concentrates on the gravity of Luna�s sword making it heavy as she strikes Daegriss� arm.
Vin_Da_DM: Luna�s sword hit his arm and cuts deep. Growling at Luna, he extends that arm towards her, palm out, and sends a black beam into her knocking her back. Turning, he slices the other sword against the ground, a magnetic pulse grabbing the helms, armor, and weapons that Katie had thrown and tossing them back towards Claron.
Katie pulls the objects toward herself rather than Claron.
Clarice throws up an ice wall in front of Katie.
Katie falls sideways to the ground, blood trickling from her nose, breath coming in gasps.
Luna_Faline groans as she hits the ground, getting up as she brushes the singed fur off her chest. �Oh, for the love of the Goddess.�
Vin_Da_DM: The metal objects slam against the ice wall, all but breaking it as they fall to the ground.
Clarice rushes over towards Katie, tearing a piece of cloth off her tunic, she wipes the blood away from her nose.
Katie: �Mmmm, the pain is exquisite,� the poison slithers through her pounding head, the only thing not drowned out by it, �Yesssssss. It�s nearly done.�
Tabris begins creating large obsidian shards, cringing some as a slice on his arm begins bleeding again.
Katie: �Oh, for the love of Pete, would you shut the fuck UP already?� Katie howls, her head feeling like it�s going to fall off.
^Shinta looks over to Katie, then the others. �Let�s hope, this does something for the greater good.�
^Shinta rushes Daegriss trying to knock his soul over to the spirit plane momentarily.
Clarice: �But I didn�t say anything,� looking down at Katie.
^Shinta stands waiting on the spiritual side, looking around.
Katie sees Shinta rush Daegriss through a haze, and reaches feebly for him. �No,� she whispers, trying not to pass out.
Vin_Da_DM: In the spirit realm, a large black cloud crashes into Shinta, beginning to wrap itself around him. �Fool, what do you think to accomplish?!�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse raises his sword, noticing Daegriss standing there motionless, �Luna...now�s our chance.� He moves towards Daegriss wearily, but with determination.
Luna_Faline roars as she charges at Daegriss full force holding the sword low. She places herself between Shinta and Daegriss and plunges the sword into his gut pulling it side ways as she rips it out.
^Shinta gasps. �Only some time for all those you have betrayed and crushed,� looking around at all the angry souls eyeing Daegriss. �Maybe your time has come,� trying to exit back to the physical plane.
^Shinta closes his eyes, �You won�t kill the one I love...The Azrael will sort us out as they decide.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse sinks his sword into Daegriss� back. On the spirit realm, the black cloud begins to retract, snarling and hissing demonically, �....llik....emusnoc...uoy yortsed ll�I�
Vin_Da_DM: A bright light bursts from the cloud on the spirit plane and it folds in on itself. Shinta feels himself dragged back to reality forcibly, the power tossing him off his feet. Daegriss� body begins to ebb black energy from the wounds of both swords.
^Shinta lands backwards, body motionless.
Luna_Faline looks at Daegriss, �You lose this time.�
Tewyn slumps down to his knees, the wounds getting the better of him.
Arwyn readies her bow and sends arrows into the wounds of Daegriss and his swords.
Tewyn looks over one last time, �Hurts like a bitch when the monk does that, huh..� falling face down to the ground.
Vin_Da_DM: A loud demonic cry emanates from the air around Daegriss as the energy covers his body, consuming it until only the energy remains. �...eid lliw uoy emit txeN!� The energy shoots upward into the sky, knocking Luna and Eclipse off their feet. Once in the sky, it hovers like a sphere as it draws in all the darkness covering the sky.
Clarice sees Tewyn fall to the ground, jumps up from the side of Katie and races over to him.
Vin_Da_DM: Once all the darkness is gone, leaving the bright suns shining overhead, the sphere breaks into numerous smaller pieces that shoot off into the horizon. One of the swords Daegriss wielded remains on the ground, a gold shine playing down the blade as it reflects the sunlight.
Cara races over towards the sword and picks it up.
Katie crawls forward a bit weakly before collapsing and staring ahead, blood oozing into the dirt under her face.
Vin_Da_DM: Cara feels an odd pulse run down her hand from the sword, an almost child-like voice speaking to her. ~Is the Darkness gone? It has covered us for so long...~
Cara eyes widen, ~It seems to have disappeared.~
Luna_Faline drops her sword and reaches for Eclipse. Wrapping her arms around him, she starts to cry and rambles, �Are you alright? I was so afraid. I didn�t know what to do. I love you.�
Vin_Da_DM: ~The sky is beautiful...who are you? Are you one of the chosen?~ The young voice speaks softly, but hints that it has seen more than it cares to say.
Vin_Da_DM: �Love you....too,� Eclipse rubs his head. �Ugh...feels like a large portion of my head was ripped off when we beat him.�
Cara: ~Cara Elinae Sion, and I don�t know if I am one of the chosen.~
Katie: �Die damn you, Katerina! Enough!� Katie hears the voice only faintly, her breath still wheezing out of her.
Katie: �Bite my�ass�� she coughs.
Claron finds herself no longer able to maintain any composure, sinking down to the ground, she buries her face in the palms of her hands and sobs.
Vin_Da_DM: ~You must be to hold me so...~ The sword seems to study Cara for a moment. ~I am Elexorian, the Sword of War. ~
Katie: As she sees Shinta�s still body, a shudder passes through her. �Or�were you�right�all along?�
DracBlue walks up to Cara and smiles at her, �Nice sword.�
^Shinta tries to raise his hand, �Katie...did...did we.�� voice filled with pain.
Luna_Faline kisses Eclipse quickly, then steps back and wipes her face off. �We did it,� smiling at him. She turns and looks around at the others, seeing all the hurts. Decides Katie looks in the most desperate need and moves to her. Kneels next to Katie and places a paw on her shoulder healing her, �Thanks for your help.�
Vin_Da_DM: The remaining soldiers slowly begin making their way into the castle grounds, a group of hooded priests drifting about dealing with wounds and saying prayers for the fallen.
Katie feels something inside her wither, �Again,� she closes her eyes and goes still.
Clarice lifts Tewyn up, turning him so he lays across her lap, �Can�t someone help him, please?�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse gets to his feet slowly, glancing around, he shields his eyes from the suns.
Arwyn hears Clarice and moves over towards Tewyn. Dropping on the ground beside him, she places her hand on him. �Never thought I see the day that I�d see the courage and strength of a drow.�
Vin_Da_DM: Syne looks over at Luna with Katie, he walks over towards the two. �Luna? How is she?�
Tewyn opens his eyes slowly, �Where in the contract did it say I became a pin cushion?�
Clarice chuckles, �I see you haven�t lost that sense of humor.�
Luna_Faline shrugs heavily and looks up at Syne, �I don�t know what is going on in her soul. She seems conflicted and I can�t heal that.�
Tewyn: �Nope, but my face hurts like fuck...Knew he was jealous of this beautiful thing.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse moves over to Shinta and crouches next to him, �Shinta, that was a very dangerous thing to do.�
Arwyn stands up and heads over towards Shinta.
^Shinta looks up, �Did...Did...it work?�
Katie blinks once, her dull eyes staring at nothing.
Vin_Da_DM: �He won�t be bothering anybody for a few millennia,� Eclipse looks up at Arwyn with a nod.
Arwyn stoops down next to Shinta and placing her soft healing touch on his chest.
^Shinta closes his eyes and nods.
Tabris sits down on the ground next to Claron and reaches a hand out to touch her hands. �Honey?�
Arwyn whispers, �I don�t know exactly what worked, but for now�it is over, Shaman.�
Katie: �Brave dumb-shit hero.� She coughs again.
Vin_Da_DM: Kabal looks at the sword Cara is holding, �You sure you should be touching that thing, considering the previous owner.�
Luna_Faline stands up and leaves Katie in Syne�s care. Moves over to Claron and Tabris and places her paws on their shoulders. �You two, alright?� as she heals their cuts.
Cara smiles at her brother, �According to Elexorian,� raising the sword, �I am.�
Katie�s head pounds, �He lives, no thanks to you, bitch.�
^Shinta sits up slowly.
Tewyn looks up, �Well, I get the ass kicking and the daughter gets the prize...well, isn�t that typical?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Kat?� Syne raises a brow as he looks down at her.
Vin_Da_DM: �A talking sword,� Kabal looks at the sword and shrugs, �Why not...I�ve seen crazier.�
Cara: ~Wasn�t exactly the prize I had longed for, though.~
Vin_Da_DM: ~And what exactly would that be?~ Elexorian questions Cara quietly, it�s tone like a childish intrigue.
Cara: ~Never you mind,~ she chuckles.
^Shinta rubs his arm and starts to stand, �Can�t be doing that too many more times...Don�t have that much left to leave behind.�
Claron doesn�t respond to Luna��I�ve lost them all,� she sobs.
Tabris: �I�m fine�� Tabris looks with concern at Claron, �I�m not sure about Claron��
Luna_Faline understands their lack of response, looks around the group, then stands and moves back to Eclipse. �I need to go to the temple.�
Clarice leans down and kisses Tewyn, �I missed you.�
^Shinta walks away a bit from the others and pulls down the shoulder of his robe, looking at his tattoo now partly faded. �The things you do, shaman...the things you do,� looking over at Katie and slumping back down against a wall.
Tewyn looks up, �Been a bit busy with Jr. over there and beating on some demons�but I�ve missed you, too.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse stands a looks at Luna, �You may not have to,� he points towards the castle.
Arwyn watches the shaman, but remains quiet. She turns and walks slowly away from the group.
Vin_Da_DM: The castle doors slowly open. The soft padding of paws is heard as Selenia�s bodyguards stride out, the goddess herself stepping lightly behind them. She gasps seeing the devastation of her city, but composes herself and starts towards Luna and Eclipse.
Luna_Faline puts an arm around his waist as he stands next to her. �Oh, why?� turning to look at the castle.
DracBlue pulls out the rest of the orange looking bar from his bag and eats it, healing most of his wounds.
Luna_Faline sees Selenia moving towards us and smiles.
Katie sits up as if in a trance and looks at her hands.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne crouches down in front of Katie and looks at her hands as well, �Something wrong, Kat?�
Valrash walks up to the group very tired.
Cara moves over towards Drac, �Thank you for everything,� places a kiss on his cheek.
Shadow follows Valrash looking up at the sky.
Vin_Da_DM: Kabal blinks watching Cara kiss Drac.
DracBlue blinks, blushes ten shades of red, and smiles big.
Cara shivers as Valrash moves past her. ~Thank you, but never again do I want to experience that kind of torture again.~
Vin_Da_DM: �Luna, Eclipse�� Selenia looks at the others, �All my Warriors, I felt the power as Daegriss was returned to his realm. It will take him a very long time to regain his power.�
Valrash looks over at Cara, ~Your welcome, but I�m not sure I could do it again for awhile, anyway.~
Luna_Faline bows her head, �Misstress.�
Katie looks at Syne uncomprehendingly.
Valrash then thinks to Cara. ~Just don�t get hurt like that when there isn�t a healer around, then.~
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse bows his head as well, �A hard fought victory, goddess.�
Cara: ~ If there�s a next time, I�ll just opt for death.~
DracBlue looks at Cara, then at Valrash. �Is he bothering you?�
Cara shakes her head, �No, he isn�t.�
Luna_Faline raises her head and steps forward, �There have been many sacrifices for this victory.�
Claron continues to weep, �Come back to us Stryder and Kyra.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Indeed, and those sacrifices will not be forgotten,� Selenia smiles softly. �You have restored the balance of power. There is much to be done, the city will be rebuilt and a victory celebration will be held. But first, my Warriors, you have earned yourselves as much rest and relaxation as you wish.�
Claron lifts her head and glances over her shoulder at Selenia, �I will not rest until I have found my son and Kyra.�
Vin_Da_DM: Selenia nods to Claron, �I understand. I assure you they are both alive...but their location is unknown to me.�
Luna_Faline looks around at the bodyguards and breaths a sigh of relief as she sees Mah. �Rest and time to heal,� looks up at Eclipse and smiles.
Vin_Da_DM: �I dunno what�s wrong, Kat, but I�m here for you.� Syne offers her a hand up, �Can you at least stand?�
Claron is relieved to hear they are alive, but at the same time she is frightened, knowing if what the others have been saying, the DuVallis curse has struck again.
Katie blinks and allows Syne to pull her to her feet, staring off into the distance.
Tabris wraps his arm around Claron, �We�ll find him, Claron...no matter what, we�ll find him.�
Katie: �Head�hurts.�
Vin_Da_DM: �After that display of flying metal, I don�t doubt it.� Syne manages a smirk, �Nice work, by the way.�
Claron looks up at Tab, �I should have seen it coming. Maybe�I should have spoken to Kyra about the DuVallis curse,� tears roll down her cheeks.
Tabris: �It�s too late for the should-of�s,� Tabris gives a heavy sigh. �Unfortunately, she has to learn first hand, I just hope she�ll be all right.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse nods, �Sounds like the best plan I�ve heard today.�
Claron: �If their love runs true, like ours, there�s hope.�
Katie looks over at Tab and Claron, and shudders.
Claron leans her head back against Tabris, �And I am afraid�all progress with Katie is now lost��
Cara smiles as she glances from Kabal to her father next to Clarice. ~You kept your promise, Kabal. Now, we really can be a family.~
Tabris: �I hope not�� Tabris glances over at Katie and sighs again, �I should probably give it some space, let you see if you can get her back.�
Vin_Da_DM: ~I believe we can.~ Kabal nods to Cara.
Claron: �I don�t know, doubtful there will be much positive progress until Kyra returns. And even then, it will depend on how Kyra handles it, as well.�
Katie looks over at Cara and winces in horror, remembering the sword in her chest, and the cold look on Stryder�s face. And Kyra�s calm acceptance of her fate.
Katie: �How many more of us have to die for you?� she whispers.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne notices Katie as she looks around at people, �It looks like everyone�s in one piece.�
Claron: �I don�t want to lose my best friend, too,� seeing Katie wince.
Vin_Da_DM: Raising a brow Syne looks at Katie again, �What?�
Katie shakes it off. �Nothing.� She glances over to assure herself Shinta is alive once more, then looks down at her feet.
Luna_Faline walks over to Selenia and hugs her. �Oh, mistress.�
Katie: �How many more have to die for YOU, Katerina?� Katie closes her eyes, feeling cold creeping into her.
Vin_Da_DM: Selenia wraps her arms around Luna as well, giving her a caring hug in return.
Katie: �Just me,� she thinks.
Vin_Da_DM: �Okay�� Syne says unsure, but he nods again, �Apparently we�re on R&R until we get sick of it.�
Arwyn thinks quietly to herself, �Now, I can return home to Va, and we can honor Sabir�s sacrifice properly.�
Katie nods, �Rest will do everyone good,� she says absently.
Luna_Faline purrs softly, then steps back and picks up her sword. Turning to the group, �Your rooms are available in the castle if you want to rest.�
Katie walks as if in a daze toward the castle, and her room.
Valrash walks towards the castle saying, �I�m going to need days of rest after this one.�
Vin_Da_DM: As Luna finishes her sentence she feels a tingling in her back, a new tail swaying lightly from her turn.
Shadow follows him saying, �At least you�re alive.�
Tabris: �We�ve got a lot to think about�� Tabris says to Claron helping her to her feet, �Some rest in a big comfy bed would do us some good, too.�
Clarice smiles at Tewyn, �Shall we take our family back to the castle, my drow?�
Tewyn: �If you want.�
Luna_Faline reaches out for Eclipse, �Care to join me?� Feels the tingling and looks back smiling as she waves it gently.
DracBlue says, �I think, I�m going to have a change of wardrobe. I�m not to fond of robes anymore.�
Clarice nods, �It is��
Vin_Da_DM: Syne watches Katie go into the castle, then turns to glance at Shinta. He bows his head at Shinta, then wanders towards the hole in the castle wall to help some of the soldiers beginning to gather wall stones together for repairs.
Claron tries to smile at Tabris, �Or a nice secluded woods by a lake��
Katie hiccups and stumbles on her way to the castle, staring at her hands again.
Vin_Da_DM: �Of course,� Eclipse takes Luna�s paw and wraps his own around it.
Arwyn makes her way towards the castle.
Katie: Reaching her room, she sits in the window seat, rocking back and forth. �It doesn�t end.�
Vin_Da_DM: Selenia watches everyone, her expression understanding of the pain and loss felt by all. Selenia turns back towards the castle, but pauses to reach down and grab an uprooted flower. Walking over to a flowerbed she replants it with a soft sigh before heading back into the castle.
Luna_Faline leads Eclipse thru the castle into her room, �I�m so glad to be home, babe.�
Tabris winks at Claron, �I�ll see what I can do.� Tabris leads Claron off towards the city gardens in search of the right secluded lake-side spot.
Vin_Da_DM: In Aventine the reconstruction of the city gets to a rough start, soldiers gathering stones together while mages use their magic to heal minor damages to city structures. As the Warriors get a start on resting after their long arduous war, only destiny knows what is in store for them...
Vin_Da_DM: Elsewhere, Stryder and Kyra reappear on the edge of a green lake with a sky of swirling blue with orange clouds above it. Stryder falls to his knees, holding his head in visible pain, �Kyra...help me.� His words are drowned out by cries of pain as he collapses against the ground. Some distance down the lakeshore a white figure seems to notice the new arrivals and begins walking in their direction...
Vin_Da_DM: $ End