Vin_Da_DM: Previously on Warriors of Destiny: As the Ettik and its crew continued their journey towards Gul-Qian space the repairs continued. This gave everyone some free time while the living ship cruised its way towards an old hyperspace gate nearby.
Vin_Da_DM: However, the group was incomplete. Stryder, sensing his sister nearby during the crash, teleported to the other vessel and traveled through the burning portal left there. This transported him to an ancient stone coliseum.
Vin_Da_DM: A fierce battle between the twins, Kabal and Cara, and Clarissa began just moments after Stryder arrived. After some thought Stryder jumped into the fray but was quickly removed from the fight by Black Inferno, who inhabited Clarissa�s body.
Vin_Da_DM: A mysterious alien called Turian suggested that Stryder see the current battle as a spectator and when it was finished it would be time to fulfill the promise he had made to his sister. After a long fight Kabal was killed by Clarissa.
Vin_Da_DM: Cara was knocked unconscious when Clarissa threw her brother�s body at him. Taking this as a sign it was the time to fight Stryder entered the arena. Now face to face with his sister and the evil elemental force inside her Stryder readies himself for the worst.
Vin_Da_DM: Up in the stands Turian watches studious and silently as Stryder draws his blade and charges at Clarissa�
Vin_Da_DM: $ And...Fight!
Vin_Da_DM: At the tail end of his charge Stryder swings his blade in front of him in an arc aimed at Clarissa�s side.
Clarissa shimmers and reappears behind him with fire streams streaming from her fingertips at him.
Vin_Da_DM: Feeling the heat Stryder rolls forward shimmering mid-roll and ending up perched on a nearby ruined rock-spike, �So it swings both ways, this should be interesting.� Lifting his hand he sends two-fireballs at Clarissa.
Clarissa rolls and dodges, then jumps up swinging her sword and sending a dozen arcs of swirling fire at Stryder.
Clarissa: �Hmmm, I see you also have increased powers, dear Brother.�
Vin_Da_DM: Jumping into the air Stryder hurls his blade between the arcs towards Clarissa, the blade ignites and the flames form a massive fire-sword around it. After tossing the blade Stryder lands on the arena floor and begins to rapidly motion with his hands at the arcs causing them to explode before hitting him.
Clarissa jets into a fire stream moving away from Stryder.
Clarissa sends a gigantic rolling wave of fire towards Stryder.
Vin_Da_DM: Seeing the wave of fire Stryder dashes forward and scoops his blade from the smoking dirt, raising it up he conjures a counter-wave that nullifies Clarissa�s. Smirking lightly he reaches a giant flaming hand out and with it grabs a section of tiered seating and tosses it at Clarissa.
Clarissa shimmers out and reappears next to Stryder stabbing her knife into him. �Out to keep yer promise to me I see.�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder grabs the blade as it�s tip cuts into his side. Glaring at her he narrows his gaze, �Careful playing with sharp objects, you could get�� Bringing his blade around and slices across her cheek, �Cut.�
Vin_Da_DM: Shoving her off of him Stryder shimmers several feet away and looks at her. Raising his blade he watches a blood drop from the end of it to the ground.
Clarissa: �Well done, Brother.� Raising her hands and sending her flaming whips around him which encase Stryder and hurl him towards the dropped off edge of the arena.
Vin_Da_DM: In the stands Turian moves over towards Cara. Kneeling over her he examines her then rests his hand on her chest. Nodding to himself he sits down on the step above her.
Vin_Da_DM: Feeling the whips wrap around him Stryder clenches his fists. With a loud shout he bursts free of the whips causing them to break up. �Time to show you some tricks you�ve never seen, Sister.�
Vin_Da_DM: Drawing his hands together he forms a swirling vortex of flames, pulling his hands back to one side he launches them forward quickly sending the swirling vortex at her. Half-way to her it shimmers and reappears directly behind her.
Clarissa gold eyes grow wide as she realizes her brother has grown much stronger than she had realized. �What happened to�together now and forever,� as she turns into a fire stream and shoots directly at him.
Vin_Da_DM: Eyeing the fire stream Stryder closes his eyes and manages to turn into one himself. Shooting at her the two slam together in the air above the ring. The two swirl around letting out several large explosions that blow chunks out of the arena floor and seating.
Vin_Da_DM: After one larger explosion the two streams shoot apart hitting opposite sides of the arena and turning back into human form. Stryder wipes his now bloody lip, �Now and forever died when your soul did, Sis.�
Vin_Da_DM: Glancing across the arena at Clarissa, Stryder huffs. �We�re not done yet. This time, try harder.�
Clarissa�s gold eyes gleam brightly, �The fun is just beginning,� as she returns the favor of becoming a fire stream herself and engulfs him in hers before swirling the two of them together, �Tit for tat,� as she releases Stryder and slamming him to the ground.
Vin_Da_DM: Grunting as he pushes himself off the ground Stryder spits a fair amount of blood into the dusty dirt. �Better.� Stryder�s eyes blaze as he lifts a hand. Watching it engulf his hand he looks at Clarissa, �My turn again��
Vin_Da_DM: Slamming his burning fist into the ground the entire arena floor turns into a bonfire. Raising his engulfed fist he narrows his gaze at Clarissa as a section of the massive bonfire whips out at her.
Clarissa dives down towards Stryder landing away from him in human form and pelts him with tidal wave after tidal wave of fire.
Vin_Da_DM: Staggering back from the first tidal wave Stryder crosses both hands in front of him, the fire covering the arena floor collects in front of him as a shield that blocks the tidal waves.
Clarissa growls as she watches Stryder form a shield from her waves of fire.
Clarissa shimmers out and reappears behind Stryder as she sends exploding fire balls at him.
Vin_Da_DM: Several of Clarissa�s fireballs hit Stryder, burning his skin and clothing. Dragging himself off the ground again he looks at her from under his smoke and soot covered face. Crossing his arms in front of himself again the shield reforms to a complete sphere this time.
Vin_Da_DM: �This has gone on long enough...it�s time to end this!� Stryder shouts at Clarissa as his eyes blaze with a brightness that would rival a sun�s.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder stares at Clarissa as the fire shield in front of him begins to glow a crimson-color. ~If you�re in there somewhere�now and forever, Sis. I love you...~ Uncrossing his arms Stryder pulls them back to either side of his torso.
Vin_Da_DM: The section of fire-shield in front of him bends back on either side forming a sharp point in its center. Thrusting his hands forcefully forward the shield shoots out like a spear, an almost deafening roar accompanying it.
Vin_Da_DM: The crimson flaming spear shoots through Clarissa and out through the tiered seating behind her. For Stryder everything goes silent and in slow motion as Clarissa falls to the arena floor and throws up a small dust cloud.
Vin_Da_DM: As Clarissa�s body lies smoking on the arena floor an ooze-like flame crawls out of her. Burning softly it pools together and turns into a thin fire stream. Arching into the air it shoots out towards Stryder with intent.
Vin_Da_DM: Turian leaps from his spot in the stands into the path of Black Inferno�s essence. Raising a hand a large white glow flows from his palm and in a silent motion absorbs Black Inferno�s essence into it.
Vin_Da_DM: Turning to Stryder Turian�s eyes glow white, �And so another chapter of your destiny ends. But another must yet begin.� He motions over towards Cara as she stirs in her unconscious state, �Her fate is now in your hands, Warrior.�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder looks over at Cara and nods somewhat unsure, �I...thank you, I guess. What happened to Black Inferno?�
Vin_Da_DM: Turian studies Stryder, �It is gone...for now. Only the light can banish it�s darkness.� Turian turns and looks up at the sky as the sun begins to shine through the clouds, �Take the girl and return to your friends. And be careful with your new powers��
Vin_Da_DM: �New powers?� Stryder questions but gets no response from Turian. Sighing he starts moves over towards Cara. Leaning down he picks her up and looks back at Turian, �How do I get back?�
Vin_Da_DM: �I will open a path for you,� Turian moves his hands gracefully through the air as a white and blue flame portal appears near Stryder. �That will take you home. And you can tell the other Warriors that I will join them for that battle that is coming. White Inferno has been away from war for long enough��
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder looks at Turian one last time and nods. Looking down at Cara he sighs, �I�m not sure they�ll be glad to see you�let�s hope I can do some good persuading.� Stryder walks with her into the portal.
Vin_Da_DM: Meanwhile back on the Ettik...
Vin_Da_DM: The multicolored hyperspace stream shines through every window aboard the ship, causing a tinkling light show in each room. Ettik�s low moans have ceased as its own repair-bots begin fixing minor damages now.
Vin_Da_DM: In place of Ettik�s moans a whale-like hum can be heard fluctuating in and out of hearing.
Vin_Da_DM: $ Start
Kyra wanders around the ship, looking around curiously. �Where oh where have you gone, hot boy?� she murmurs.
Tewyn fluffs his shirt waking to the repair bots chirp.
Tewyn: �Get that wall done did ya?�
Tabris sighs heavily as he lays on the corner of his bed staring out the window at hyperspace, �Where are you Stryder��
Claron turns to take a look at Tabris when she suddenly is overcome with a sense of dread, emptiness and great sadness. �Something is wrong!�
Luna_Faline sighs and looks over at Eclipse, �I feel like something odd is going on, I just can�t put a paw on it.�
Katie stuffs another piece of fruit in her mouth, chewing absently, her mind wandering.
Vin_Da_DM: Alexei�s voice comes over the com with hardly any interference, so his Russian accent can be clearly heard, �Most of the repairs are done. We�ll going to have to stop at an commerce station near the Gul-Qian territory to repair the galley.�
^Shinta turns to Katie, �You enjoy those things, huh?�
Katie nods, �MmmHmm.�
^Shinta sneaks a kiss and the fruit from her mouth, �Well, they are tasty,� while chewing.
Clarice sits quietly in the botanical puffing on a joint.
Vin_Da_DM: The repair bot chirps abruptly at Tewyn, then skitters out of the room and down the hall.
Katie smiles, �Hey, now.�
Tewyn sits up, �Tell your family I said hi.�
^Shinta smiles at Katie, �What?�
Vin_Da_DM: �You, too?� Eclipse glances at Luna with a sigh, �It�s faint, but I�m feeling something�s off as well.�
Luna_Faline rubs my cheek against his chest, �I�m not sure if I�m going to like whatever it is.�
Tabris: �Our son is missing, our daughter is evil...a lot is wrong, Claron.� Tabris sighs heavily and falls back against the mattress.
Katie turns her back to Shinta and leans back into him, popping a piece in his mouth, before taking another bite herself.
^Shinta cuddles with Katie, �Your gonna have me addicted to these.�
Claron: �I know...but there is something more�� as tears begin to slide down her cheeks.
Katie: �Yeah, you�ve got lots to catch up on.� Katie grins and snuggles her head against his.
^Shinta: �That is true enough.�
Vin_Da_DM: As Syne pads around one of the cargo bays in dog form he pauses to stare at a white spark hovering in the air nearby, �What have we got here?� Moving closer he sniffs it, then jumps back as it expands into a portal.
Tewyn puts his shirt on and exits the room.
Vin_Da_DM: A short series of alarm-sounding pulses echo on the coms, followed by Alexei�s voice, �Ettik�s picking up an energy spike in Cargo Bay 2, somebody check on that please.�
Clarice chuckles as she catches sight of the lizard running around one of the plants, �Here lizard, lizard...here lizard, lizard,� before taking another big hit off her joint.
Tewyn: �Well, hell. I�m close enough. I better go see what it is.�
Tewyn heads for Cargo Bay 2.
Vin_Da_DM: Inching towards the portal again Syne blinks and looks at it. A moment later the portal spits out Stryder holding Cara. Stryder manages a few steps, then collapses to the floor next to the still-unconscious Cara.
Tewyn turns the corner and looks, �Well, what is this?�
Vin_Da_DM: Syne looks over at Tewyn as he pads over to Stryder, �These two just came tumbling out of a portal or something.� Syne nudges Stryder with his muzzle.
Tewyn eyes widen, �Why would he bring her here!?�
Tewyn: �We should get them to Medical,� picking Cara up carefully.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder coughs and looks around wearily as he lays on the floor, �I�m back...and I brought company�� Stryder turns his head to the side and is out cold.
^Shinta: �So, what shall we do today, besides eating fruit?�
Tewyn coms over, �We have two incoming, heading to Medical now.�
Katie raises an eyebrow, �Hmm. I dunno. What sounds good to you?�
Vin_Da_DM: Syne morphs into human form, then scoops Stryder up carefully, �Good idea. I�m sure everybody will want to meet us there.�
^Shinta: �Well, what are these things we must catch up on?�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse raises a brow as he looks up at the com, �Did I just hear Tewyn say something about going to Medical?�
Luna_Faline sits up and crawls off the bed. �Looks like I'm about to find out what the bad feeling is.�
Clarice snuffs out the joint before rising from her sitting position, �Wonder what all the commotion is about?� She asks softly to herself.
Tabris looks at Claron hearing Tewyn�s com, �Maybe we should check on that?�
Clarice steps out into the hallway.
Tewyn looks down to his daughter thinking, �Who did this, and why would you come back alone?�
Katie leans up to place a peck on his cheek �Well, we shall have to see, won�t we?�
Vin_Da_DM: Syne looks ahead at Tewyn as they reach Medical, �They both look in pretty bad shape.�
^Shinta smiles, �You promise?�
Claron nods her head as she wipes a tear away.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse opens the door and exits into the hallway looking back inside the room waiting for Luna.
Tewyn nods, �Yes, they do...must of been some battle.�
Katie gives him a cheeky smile as she turns. �We�d better go see what�s going on in Medical.�
Luna_Faline holds out my paw and my sai and sheath come to me, I strap it to my thigh as I head out and down the hall. �Just in case.�
Tewyn rests Cara on one of the exam stations and stands over her watching.
Tabris: Moving to the door Tabris looks at Claron with some hope in his eyes, �It might be our boy��
Kyra heads to Medical, humming softly to herself, �Wonder what new strange things this place has going, now.�
^Shinta takes her hand and pulls her up to him, �Well, lets go see what�s going on.�
Vin_Da_DM: Syne sets Stryder down on the other exam table carefully.
Luna_Faline walks into Medical as Syne places Stryder on the table, �What in the name of Selenia is going on in here?�
Katie: �Mmm, we�re not gonna get anywhere if you keep distracting me.� Katie smiles and caresses his cheek.
Vin_Da_DM: �These two kids appeared in the cargo bay out of a portal or the like,� Syne says as he watches Luna.
Claron slides her hand into Tabris� hand as she reaches the door, �Maybe, please let it be him and let him be alright,� as they go out into the hallway and rush towards Medical.
Tewyn gives Luna_Faline a blank look, �Stryder came back in bad shape.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse enters the med bay behind Luna and notices Cara and Stryder, �Now, I know what the odd feeling was��
^Shinta: �True, true, lets hurry and catch up with the others.�
Clarice heads toward Medical.
Luna_Faline looks over at the other table and sees Cara, �Oh, great.� Going to Stryder first, I run my paws over him healing what I can.
Katie links hands with Shinta as they head to Medical.
^Shinta walks hand in hand with Katie.
Kyra reaches the door, and peers in, her eyes widening, she walks in and leans back against the wall just inside the doorway
Luna_Faline shakes my head at Stryder, �Where have you been?� I whispurr as I brush the hair from his face.
Vin_Da_DM: Luna�s powers begin to heal most of Stryder�s burned skin, cuts and bruises. A scar on his side and a burn next to his eye do not heal however.
Tewyn looks back to Cara wiping the blood from her head.
Vin_Da_DM: �He must have a reason for bringing her here,� Eclipse looks down at Cara then glances up at Tewyn.
Luna_Faline looks over at Eclipse as I move over to Cara, �And how did he find her?� as I hesitate before placing my paws on her to heal her.
Tewyn: �Lets hope its for the right reason.�
Tewyn looks to Luna_Faline, �I�m not gonna ask you to do anything for her, because of her actions in the past...do what you only see fit to do.�
Vin_Da_DM: Unlike Stryder�s wounds Cara�s heal easily. She stirs but is still unconscious.
Luna_Faline looks up at Tewyn, �I just want everyone ready to restrain her if need be,� as I feel her healing easily.
Claron steps through the door of Medical with Tabris and catches sight of Stryder, �It IS our son!�� as she rushes over towards him.
Tewyn: �She will be my responsibility.�
Tabris �Gods...Stryder!� Tabris follows Claron over in rushing to his side. Tabris looks over at Luna, �Is he�� noticing Cara he scowls, �What is she doing here?�
Clarice approaches Medical and peeks inside, �Just what have we here��
Luna_Faline nods as my paw moves over her head, �I hope your ready for fatherhood, more than anything now.�
Tewyn nods to Luna_Faline, �I was ready to destroy her if I needed to...I will do what I can to restrain her here.�
Claron turns her head and catches sight of Tewyn next to the other gurney, �Oh, my god��
Vin_Da_DM: Syne gets out of the way and leans against the wall near Kyra, �Looks like you�re in luck after all, kid.�
Kyra shakes her head, �He looks like he got run over by a transport bus,� she whispers.
Vin_Da_DM: �M--mom?� Stryder says faintly as he looks up at Claron sleepily, �Dad?�
Tewyn: �Seems your son brought a tag along.�
Katie enters the med bay with Shinta and gasps, �Oh laddie yer alr--� she catches sight of Cara, �What the blazes is SHE doing here?!?�
Luna_Faline looks up at Tewyn, �I haven�t seen you around since the accident.�
Tabris turns his attention back to Stryder as he hears him speak, �We�re here, Son.�
Tewyn: �I was pinned under some debris in one of the off section rooms.�
Clarice moves closer to Tewyn as she realizes it is his daughter on the other med bay bed, �How did she get here?�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse stands off the side but keeps his eyes on Cara as she stirs softly like she�s dreaming.
^Shinta looks at Katie, �That I was not expecting.�
Katie: �Me either.� Katie frowns.
Tewyn: �Your nephew brought her with him.�
^Shinta: �Has to be a logical reason...at least I hope there is.�
Luna_Faline looks at Tewyn, �And do you need my gift?�
Claron looks down at her son and gently strokes the good side of his face.
Katie: �There damn well better be,� Katie growls softly, her fingers tightening on his.
Tewyn: �No, I am fine, but thank you for offering.�
Clarice: �Wonder why he would do that?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Is she okay?� Stryder leans up slowly and looks over at Cara. Then notices everyone else in the med bay.
Luna_Faline lowers my head and steps back, �I�ve done all I can. Let�s just hope for the best.�
Tewyn: �Time will tell, but why would you bring her back with you?�
Tabris looks at Claron hearing Stryder�s question.
^Shinta: �Umm, dear that�s my hand, don�t break it, please.�
Clarice glances over at Tewyn, then looks back at the unconscious Cara wondering what is going through her drow�s mind at the moment.
Katie:: �Oh. Sorry.� Katie releases her grip.
^Shinta: �Its okay, you can make it better later,� giving her a small nudge.
Vin_Da_DM: �I couldn�t just leave her�� Stryder sighs and leans back against the table, �Kabal�s dead...Clarissa...no, Black Inferno killed him.�
Luna_Faline moves to join Eclipse and watch the family reunions.
Tewyn nods, �I see��
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse looks over at Stryder with curiosity, �Dead? And what happened to Black Inferno?�
Kyra listens, not sure who they are talking about.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne crosses his arms, but continues to listen with interest.
Katie nods, then steps up close to Claron.
Luna_Faline looks from Cara to Stryder, �If you two are here, then who did Black Inferno take now?�
Claron listens to her son, �Kabal...dead.�� then gasps as she hears Clarissa�s name� �What about your sister?�
Tewyn looks down to Cara, �So, you outlived your brother, you both were very strong.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Black Inferno was banished by that guy�� Stryder leans up toward Claron and Tabris and begins to cry, �Clarissa�s gone...I couldn�t save her.� Leaning up he grabs Claron and Tabris and hugs them.
Luna_Faline looks at Eclipse, �We know Black Inferno moved on, but to who?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Banished? There�s only one person that could do that�� Eclipse pauses to think for a moment then his eyes widen with recognition as he nods to himself.
Luna_Faline still looking at Eclipse "What guy?"
Katie gasps, reaching out to gently touch Claron�s shoulder softly.
Claron returns her son�s hug, then glances at Tabris with tears pooling in her eyes, �Gone, what do you mean you couldn�t save her?�
Tabris looks at Claron, then at Stryder with understanding, �He means our daughter is dead��
Katie�s eyes well up as well.
Claron feels a gentle touch on her shoulder. Hearing Tabris� words she screams out, �NO! NO!�
Kyra stares around in shock. �His�sister?� she whispers quietly.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne lowers his head in silent prayer for Clarissa, then ducks out of the med bay quietly into the hallway.
Clarice feels a tear slide down her cheek as she hears Claron screaming out and finds herself reaching out for Tewyn�s hand.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder stays wrapped in a hug around Tabris as he cries. Tabris pats him softly on the back of his head.
Tewyn: �You should console your sister, your family just had a great loss.�
Kyra suddenly feels like she�s intruding, and slips from the room.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse looks over at Luna then over at the family, �Gods watch over Clarissa�s soul, may she find peace.� Eclipse says the prayer in a whisper.
Luna_Faline takes Eclipse�s hand in her paw and squeezes it, my other paw on my amulet as I pray silently as well.
Kyra walks slowly down the hall, �Kyn�I can�t�I can�t imagine�.�
^Shinta exits out of the room slowly.
Clarice: �But what about you? You have lost your son, too...and god only knows what�s wrong with your daughter.�� feeling an inner conflict surfacing within her.
Vin_Da_DM: �It�s a hard emotion for you humanoids,� Syne says as he joins Kyra by walking next to her.
Tewyn: �I�m fine, it had to be done.�
Claron sobs along with her son.
Tabris wraps his other arm around Claron and nods silently as he thinks of something, anything, to say.
Kyra: �Yes, it�s a difficult thing,� Kyra says softly.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse looks at Luna�s hand then up into her eyes as he mutters softly, �I think we should give them some time.�
Clarice nods her head slowly back at Tewyn, but remains standing beside him unsure of what she could say to ease her family�s grief.
Katie gives Claron a quick hug, then walks out, tears streaming.
Luna_Faline nods and moves toward the door with him. As we walk into the hall I ask, �So? Who do you know now? And should I be worried?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Ain�t easy for my kind either, but we are spread out so if one of us dies it is rare that anybody ever knows it.� Syne says with a sigh.
Kyra looks up at Syne thoughtfully, then nods.
^Shinta catches Katie at the door and hugs her.
Vin_Da_DM: �White Inferno and it�s current host is who he was talking about,� Eclipse says as he looks at Luna directly, �Only an elemental from the opposite side of the balance could banish it�s opposite.�
Katie lays her head on Shinta�s shoulder, wrapping her arms around him.
^Shinta holds Katie close.
Claron: �I need...to know...what EXACTLY happened�� she says in between her sobs.
Vin_Da_DM: �So, I guess I�m saying that I�ve only experienced loss by seeing humanoids go through it,� Syne looks at Kyra, �I�ll let you alone now that I�m done delving into emotions.�
Luna_Faline meets Eclipse�s gaze, �White Inferno? Banished Black Inferno?�
Kyra: �No.� Kyra puts a hand on his arm, �I�ve been alone for a long time. It�s�it�s nice to have company, for once.�
Vin_Da_DM: �It�s not death, but most of us won�t have to worry about him coming back for a VERY long time,� Eclipse says with a nod, �As far as White Inferno goes, it�s been a few millennia since I ran across him.�
Tewyn just stands looking down on Cara.
Vin_Da_DM: �Well, all right�if that�s what you�d like,� Syne smiles lightly at Kyra, �I�ll keep ya company for as long as you want, kid.�
Luna_Faline thinks about it for the moment, �So, is the balance shifted in our favor? I hope Cara being here is a good thing as well.�
Tabris moves his arms to his sides as he looks at Claron and Stryder.
Kyra nods, biting her lip, �I feel so out of place here. You�ve all known each other forever, evidently,� she sighs.
Clarice suffers the loss of her niece silently while standing next to Tewyn.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder looks at Claron, �If you�re sure�� Taking a heavy sigh Stryder nods, �While that other ship was crashed into us, I felt Clarissa�s presence was close.�
Vin_Da_DM: �So I went onto the other ship to investigate, and I found a portal. She left it for me, I�m guessing.� Stryder looks at Claron carefully, �When I went through I saw her fighting Kabal and Cara. I tried stepping in...but that didn�t last long.�
Vin_Da_DM: �I can�t say how the balance is right now...only Selenia would know that.� Eclipse says with a half-shrug at Luna.
Claron listens through tears as Stryder begins to tell them what took place.
Luna_Faline sighs, �Maybe we need to seek her out again? Because I�m sure Daegriss knows about it as well and he�s bound to be pissed about it.�
Vin_Da_DM: �So this alien...Turian, White Inferno...whatever he was called told me to wait.� Stryder sighs, �So I waited...and Clarissa killed Kabal and injured Cara. After that is when we started fighting��
Clarice glances over towards Tewyn and Cara to see his reaction to what Stryder just said.
Vin_Da_DM: �Probably...but most of his attention is probably focused on the invasion of Aventine�s outlying counties.� Eclipse replies to Luna, �As far as seeking audience with Selenia, I�m not sure how easily we can do that.�
Tewyn stands in silence.
Vin_Da_DM: �It was rough. The bond I have...had with Clarissa gave me access to all her abilities and her to mine,� Stryder reaches a hand up and touches the flame-made scar next to his eye, �It seemed to go on for forever...and then just like that, I did it. I...k--killed her.�
Luna_Faline looks at him, �We have been able to invoke her before, and it�s easier with the two of us together.� Raises a brow, �How long until the invasion starts?�
Claron gasps as she realizes Stryder killed his own sister.
Vin_Da_DM: �Of Aventine itself? I�m not sure, but we�ll know.� Eclipse sighs, �As far as what�s currently happening, I�m guessing a similar strategy to what I...I used under his command in the last one.�
Katie looks up at Shinta with tear-stained face, �Let�s go somewhere else. Tab, Claron, and Stryder need some time alone. And I need to sit down.�
Claron hearing Stryder say he killed Clarissa screams out as her heart feels like it has been ripped from her chest and falls to her knees sobbing.
^Shinta: �Okay, lets go.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Most of these guys are old friends, I�m a recent addition, but not quite so new as some,� Syne tilts his head and looks at Kyra with his dark-red eyes, �Just try to get to know everyone and you�ll be fine.�
Katie lets Shinta lead her away.
Luna_Faline pauses outside our room, �Do you really think he would use the same strategy that failed before?� My voice cracks as my breath catches in my chest.
Clarice rushes over to Claron�s side and stoops down beside her wrapping an arm around the sobbing Claron.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder watches Claron fall to her knees then slumps against the exam table himself, �I�m s--sorry...I had no choice. It was me or her��
Tabris kneels down to comfort Claron, then glances up at Stryder giving him a look of silent understanding.
^Shinta takes Katie back to her room.
Vin_Da_DM: �It only failed once we had invaded Aventine itself,� Eclipse says, �Invading the neighboring countries, then moving in from there to Aventine�s outer kingdoms and counties one by one.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Though...after that sorceress was released, Daegriss may end up fighting on two fronts.� Eclipse walks into the room and looks out the window, �Let us hope the two enemies can make a sizeable dent in each other's forces.�
Luna_Faline releases Eclipses hand as I walk thru the door, �What could have been done that time to stop the invasion sooner that time?�
Katie sits down on the bed and stares at the wall.
^Shinta sits by Katie, �Its going to be okay.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Aventine had a sizeable army the first invasion...but they lacked enough Warriors to combat Daegriss� Knights,� Eclipse sighs and sits down on the bed, �Why that was, involves yet another event I still regret��
Clarice squeezes Claron�s shoulder gently not knowing what to say to her grieving sister.
Luna_Faline stands looking down at Eclipse, �Regret is good, it keeps us from making the same mistakes again, I hope.�
Claron reaches shakily out for Tabris.
Katie: �Not for Claron it won�t. Not for a long, long time.� Katie sniffles sadly.
^Shinta: �No, it won�t, but we all must suffer loss.�
Vin_Da_DM: �I would die before doing what I did back then again�� Eclipse glances out at hyperspace loosing himself in it�s glow for a moment. �Can we talk about something else?�
Kyra walks beside Syne quietly, then sighs. �How awful must it be for him. Were they close?�
Tewyn watches over Cara, �So, is this our chance at changing things?�
Luna_Faline lays my paw on his head, �Will you tell me what happened soon? The past won�t change how I feel about you now,� as I run my paw over his spines lightly as I step between his knees to hug him.
Vin_Da_DM: �Very, from what I gathered. She was a nice girl�� Syne sighs softly.
Kyra winces, �How awful.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse looks at Luna, �I used some of my darker abilities to kill the Warriors of that time. Several were children�� Eclipse lowers his head and closes his eyes.
Tabris holds Claron close as he watches her and Stryder. Stryder turns his head and slides off the exam table. Looking at his parents he shimmers out of the med bay.
Luna_Faline leans down and places a kiss lightly on his forehead. �That was a long time ago, we just need to learn from it and not let those things happen again�
Luna_Faline kneels in front of him, �Your on our side this time, that�s a good thing.�
Vin_Da_DM: �And luckily most of the Warriors we have are grown-up,� Eclipse manages to smile lightly.
Claron whispers through her sobs, �Get...me...out...of...here��
Katie sighs again, �I�m well aware of that. You don�t have to remind me about how loss is a normal part of life. I�ve had more than my fair share. But right now she�s hurting so bad. And there�s nothing I can do to lessen the pain.�
Luna_Faline smiles hopefully as well, �Yes, that�s a good point, too.� Resting my paws on his thighs, �It�s alright, I understand. You remember everything, and I remember almost nothing. But together we can figure it all out.�
Tabris picks up Claron into his arms and carries her out of the med bay back to their quarters.
Katie flops backward on to the bed. �Just hold me.�
Vin_Da_DM: �I hope so,� Eclipse says as he leans over to Luna and kisses her.
^Shinta lays beside Katie and holds her.
Tewyn pulls a seat up and sits beside Cara, �Your my responsibility now, kid.�
Katie snuggles up, laying her head on his chest, her tears falling to dampen his robe. She drapes an arm across his chest and closes her eyes, her fingers trailing lightly over his other shoulder in lazy circles.
Luna_Faline takes the kiss from Eclipse and sighs, wrapping my arms around him and holding him tightly.
Vin_Da_DM: Cara shifts her in sleep and mutters, �Kabal��
Clarice stands up as Tabris carries Claron away. Moving over towards Tewyn and Cara and placing a hand on his shoulder, �Is there anything I can do to help...or get for you?�
^Shinta plays with Katie�s hair, �Got some jumbled up feelings going on in there don�t ya, kid?�
Tewyn shakes his head, �No thanks, she is my problem at the moment. I need to make sure she doest try anything.�
Katie moans softly, �That feels good.� She sighs again, �And you have NO idea how jumbled.�
^Shinta kisses her forehead, �Well, when you need to talk about them, I�ll be right here.�
Katie nods with a small smile, �In the meantime, keep messing with my hair. I�m putty in your hands.�
Clarice: �Then I will sit here with you,� pulling another chair up beside Tewyn and sitting down next to him.
^Shinta keeps running his hand thru her hair and traces her ear, using his other hand to hold her closer.
Katie shivers.
Tewyn: �If that�s what you wish...but we could be here awhile...and we know what happened last time she saw me.�
Clarice nods her head as she reaches a hand out and places in gently on Tewyn�s thigh., �I will stay...for as long as it takes.�
Vin_Da_DM: Ettik slides slowly out of hyperspace, rainbow colors fading away to be replaced by numerous stars dotting the blue-greenish void of space around the ship. Ahead of the Ettik an odd looking space station hovers peacefully.
Vin_Da_DM: A huge grayish-white energy cloud shaped like a giant oval floats just beyond the station stretching for what seems like ages in almost every direction.
Vin_Da_DM: �There it is folks�Gelfiven, a living space-station, the last port before we enter Gul-Qian space,� Alexei�s voice comes over the com as holographic screens show up in rooms with people in them showing them the view. �Any shopping you want to do, better do it here.�
Vin_Da_DM: Ettik glides through space towards the station as a wispy semi-opaque docking arm slides out from the side of the station and swivels as if beckoning Ettik towards it with words unspoken.
Vin_Da_DM: $ End