Vin_Da_DM: Previously on Warriors of Destiny: Traveling through hyperspace with an unknown destination the crew relaxes from their latest encounter with the minions of Daegriss. The lost twins are now part of the group but some bonds are harder to form then break�
Vin_Da_DM: Having been unwilling brought aboard the Ettik by Stryder, Clarissa is none to happy with the situation and has chosen to isolate herself from the other Warriors. After some time passed onboard the Ettik something mysterious happened.
Vin_Da_DM: An orb appeared in the galley, taking a few moments to turn into a portal. Out of this portal came Kuan, another Warrior, and Arcanus. Arcanus explained that his home, Avalon, had come under the assault of Daegriss� Dark Army and that their final destination was none other than Aventine itself.
Vin_Da_DM: Arcanus looks at the crew in the galley and nods. �I have something you might find interesting to watch��
Vin_Da_DM: $ Start
Claron hears what Arcanus says even though Clarice�s words still run thru her mind.
Tabris raises a brow. �Just how interesting?�
Vin_Da_DM: As Arcanus pulls a scroll apparently from nowhere Eclipse watches him carefully.
Luna_Faline watches him warily.
Vin_Da_DM: �A visual record of the battle before we left, you may notice some familiar faces.� Arcanus holds the scroll up as it sparks and disappears.
Clarissa continues to scream and curse as she beats on the door of the room that evil man called Alexei locked her in.
Vin_Da_DM: The room darkens and the complete 3D replication of a white castle and it�s battlements appears.
Vin_Da_DM: Kuan turns to face the edge of the castle wall, watching the visual record of himself do the exact same thing.
Clarice watches the two new Warriors then glances at Tewyn.
Tewyn: �Oh, do we get to blow that up? Come on! Tell me we do!�
Vin_Da_DM: Arcanus motions the group toward the wall, �Have a glimpse at the Dark Army.�
Luna_Faline moves slowly over to the 3D wall and looks down.
Tabris: Curiously Tabris follows Luna along with Eclipse.
^Shinta looks over. �So, Daegriss has progressed much farther than we have known.�
Claron follows behind Tabris and the others.
Vin_Da_DM: Over the castle wall you noticed a large dark swarm on the approach across a yellow plain. It is made up of various sized creatures with a few giant lugging boulders. In the middle of the horde you noticed a large black dragon.
Vin_Da_DM: Kuan watches the army with his double then motions over his shoulder as hundreds of armored knights man the castle walls.
Luna_Faline steps back from the wall with a heavy sigh, �I have a very bad feeling about this whole thing.�
Tabris: �That is a lot of bad guys�� Tabris glances down as the boulders, arrows and magic begins to fire from both sides.
Tewyn: �But its not fun if there isn�t a lot of bad guys.�
Luna_Faline rubs my paws over my face. �This is worse than I could ever have imagined.�
Vin_Da_DM: Arcanus nods, �Anyway. Let us fast forward this and I�ll show you what I meant to.� Arcanus lifts his hand, the image shifts to inside the main castle hall.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse blinks as the scene changes, looking around anew.
Luna_Faline turns to look at the new room.
Vin_Da_DM: In the scene Kuan is fighting off dark creatures as they approach Arcanus. At the rear of the hall a familiar sounding male voice sounds, �It was a nice try, but you�ve lost old man.�
Vin_Da_DM: Nodding Arcanus points to the doorway. Luna notices the black armored figure from her dream.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse notices the figure as well and lowers his brows, �Him again��
Luna_Faline the sight of the black man making my fur stand on end.
Tewyn: �He is going to be a pain in our asses, isn�t he?�
Luna_Faline: �He�s there, or will be soon, I fear.�
Vin_Da_DM: The black armored man removes his helmet and tosses it aside. He smirks as he draws a red-bladed sword. Raising it the ceiling ignites and two beams collapse near Kuan and Arcanus, who proceed to escape through a portal.
Vin_Da_DM: �I believe you all know Daegriss� Knight known as Black Inferno?� Arcanus freezes the image and looks at him. �Seems he has a problem dying.�
^Shinta: �A problem dying you say...hmmmm.�
Luna_Faline: �Well, we didn�t get to kill him the last time,� I growl.
Luna_Faline looking over at Tewyn, �We were only spectators in the end.�
Vin_Da_DM: �But did he actually die?� Arcanus turns then raises a hand as the image fades. Grabbing the scroll he looks at it. �Selenia and the others must see this. I�m afraid I will have to borrow your vessel to get to Aventine.�
Claron looks at Tabris then mutters, �Shaiya and him were in on it together...that is the only possible explanation...it was all an act no doubt.�
Tabris sighs, �I�ll bet. Damn it, I hate it when things get complicated.�
Tewyn: �Guess we will have to change the ending this time.�
Luna_Faline: �I have no problem with returning to Aventine with all possible speed.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse clenches a fist and glances at Arcanus, �Next time I will kill him myself to be sure of it.�
Vin_Da_DM: Kuan looks at the others, �There are spare rooms, I hope?�
Clarice: �If his name implies what I think it does...I�ll do more than douse his flames.�
Luna_Faline: �Ettik, always seems to have another room or two.�
Tewyn: �Just make sure there is enough room for all the graves.�
Vin_Da_DM: Arcanus nods, �Very well. I will speak with Alexei then. He is in the bridge like he usually is, I presume?�
Luna_Faline wonders how Arcanus knows that, glancing at Eclipse with a raised brow. �Yes.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse notices Luna�s look and shrugs.
Tabris: �So you know the guy?� Tabris studies Arcanus for a moment.
^Shinta stands and heads for the door, �This will be a most interesting confrontation indeed.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Take these for your curiosity,� Arcanus waves his hand and several scrolls appear in the air. Watching the group he bows and heads for the bridge.
Luna_Faline looks at the scrolls for only a moment and decides to follow Arcanus to the bridge instead.
Claron reaches for one of the scrolls and opens it up.
Vin_Da_DM: Noticing the scrolls Kuan smiles lightly, �Quite the interesting time you�ve had.� Moving over to the food counter he looks for something to eat.
Tewyn grabs a scroll. �This a fairy tale?�
Vin_Da_DM: When you look at the scrolls you see they detail everything the group has done and said in the past.
Clarice eyes Kuan��How would you know?�
Tabris: �He read these, I�d guess.� Tabris looks over Claron�s shoulder at the scroll she�s holding.
Tewyn: �Well, you�ve been keeping track of us�you could of come and helped at any time.�
Clarice looks over Tewyn�s shoulder.
Vin_Da_DM: Arcanus looks over his shoulder at Luna, �You are concerned for Selenia, Avatar?�
Luna_Faline: �She is my soul, and I feel empty.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse follows after Luna and Arcanus casually, but keeping an eye on both.
Tewyn looks back at Clarice, �Guess we have had some peeping toms.�
Vin_Da_DM: �You will see her again we arrive at Aventine,� Arcanus enters the bridge and looks at Alexei who turns.
Claron stands reading the scroll, a tear slides down her cheek as she relives their coming to this place, giving birth, Cain�s knife at her throat, and her twins being taken.
Vin_Da_DM: �Who�s this Luna?� Alexei says.
Clarice looks back at Tewyn, �That makes me nervous...I sure hope they don�t see everything.�
Tewyn winks, �Well, they did like a lil pervy...maybe they liked the show.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Not exactly. Arcanus is the scholar of Selenia. He records all that happens within her domain, especially us Warriors.� Kuan adds over his bowl of noodles at a nearby table.
Luna_Faline: �Arcanus, who wants us to return to Aventine as fast as Ettik can move?�
Clarice: The same feeling of fear that she felt with her father and then later with Shaiya sends a chill thru her spine causing her to shudder.
Vin_Da_DM: �Aventine? Afraid I don�t know where that is.� Alexei looks at Arcanus studying him.
Vin_Da_DM: �I shall instruct your ship how to get there, please stand aside.� Arcanus walks towards Alexei motioning him out of the way.
Vin_Da_DM: Alexei shrugs and stands aside, �As long as you don�t hurt Ettik.�
Vin_Da_DM: Arcanus stands in front of the controls and closes his eyes, from the galley windows and bridge view port hyperspace around you shifts and transitions into something resembling white clouds.
Claron turns to face her husband then glances around for Stryder.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder walks in into the galley from the lift, rubbing a sore red spot on his cheek. �I�m fine...Sis isn�t to happy we locked her in her room.�
Luna_Faline watches the changes in atmosphere, feeling no sense of relief.
Claron sighs, �Is she talking to you at all?�
Vin_Da_DM: Arcanus steps away and looks at both Alexei and Luna. �We are now in the godly realm. It will take a few hours to reach Aventine.� Arcanus leaves the bridge, eyeing Eclipse and saying something inaudible to him before leaving.
Luna_Faline watches Arcanus leave and gives Eclipse a questioning look.
Vin_Da_DM: �If talking consists of punching me in the face, then yes.� Stryder sits on the table near Kuan and looks at him, �Hello there, Mr. Panda.�
Clarice: �I don�t like the idea of being watched.� Reaches her hand out and strokes Tewyn�s cheek.
Vin_Da_DM: Kuan rolls his eyes at Stryder as he continues to eat the rather large bowl of noodles.
Tewyn: �Well, me either...but seems its to be expected where ever we go.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse looks at Luna then lowers his head, �It is...a long story.�
Claron catches Kuan rolling his eyes at her son, �What you do that for, Kuan?�
Luna_Faline moves toward the door, pausing next to Eclipse, �I�m sure I would love to hear it,� I purr stepping into the hall and walking away slowly.
Vin_Da_DM: �Not a fan of being called a panda, maybe true if he was speaking of great ancestors.� Kuan looks at Claron.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse looks at Luna then sighs to himself, �Somehow I doubt that��
Claron nods her head at Kuan, �I see.� A smile crosses her lips, �Looks like Stryder has more than his Dad�s eyes.�
Luna_Faline ears twitch and I call out lightly, �You never know.��
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder smirks, �Relax fuzzy, I didn�t mean nothing by it.� Stryder snickers as Kuan glares at him. �Anyway...Sis didn�t say much that wasn�t cursing, but you can try if you want.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse shakes his head, �If you really want to know.� He follows after Luna.
Luna_Faline finds my room and enters it looking for my brush.
Claron: �What do you think? Should we give her some more alone time? Besides�� turns to look at Clarice. �NOW what do you mean our father wanted you to kill me?�
Tewyn: �I say you bend her over your knee and just whip that ass...spoiled lil brat that she is.�
Tabris sighs, �Doubt that�d work Tewyn. I�ll go see what I can do with her, Claron.� Tabris heads over the lift thinking to himself.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse leans against the doorway of Luna�s room, �It�s on that counter by the window.�
Luna_Faline picks the brush up and returns to the shower room quickly running it thru my mane. I step out and motion Eclipse to have a seat on the bed.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse watches Luna and moves over the bed and sits down slowly.
Claron glares at Tewyn, then looks back at Clarice. �WELL? Answer me!�
Luna_Faline looks out the window for a minute. �So tell me your story,� I purr.
Tewyn sticks out his tongue at Claron. �Your new nickname is Medusa...Tin-tin doesn�t fit anymore...but with that glare your trying to turn people to stone.�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder looks at Clarice then at Claron, �Better answer her Aunt, wouldn�t want Mom to send you to a very nasty void.�
Vin_Da_DM: �I guess you should know something first�� Eclipse looks at Luna. �You had a dream awhile back, right?�
Luna_Faline turns from the window with a troubled heart, �Yes,� I sigh.
Vin_Da_DM: �It was not a dream,� Eclipse stands and sighs, �You were seeing through the eyes of your predecessor...about nine million years ago.�
Clarice takes a deep breath... �He wanted certain people to be killed...and you were at the top of his list...I refused to do it, but it didn�t matter...Damn it!�When you were in statis....the freezing.��
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder rests his arms on his knees and leans, listening to Clarice and Claron.
Luna_Faline falls back against the wall and slides down. �What now?� I whisper as I bury my head in my paws.
Tewyn looks over to Stryder, �Oh, you haven�t seen anything yet...wait till both tempers flair.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse watches Luna and pauses, �Do you want to continue...you may learn things you wish you hadn�t.�
Luna_Faline looks up. �I have to know, to learn from the past may save the future.�
Clarice: �I swear...when I agreed to let him use me to clone, I didn�t know that he would implant in them to kill you��
Vin_Da_DM: �If both tempers flair, I might want to leave the room before there�s nothing left.� Stryder replies to Tewyn.
Clarice and Claron at the same time say, �Just hush both of you!�
Tewyn: �Oh, you better believe it...course I might be sneaking out now...Medusa over there has always had the short fuse.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Very well�� Eclipse lowers his head, �This vision of the past. You saw two figures, one was Black Inferno, not the current one you know but an ancestor. What did the other figure look like to you?�
Clarice turns around quickly, her eyes blazing... �You didn�t know that you were being seduced by a clone!�
Tewyn: �Clone smone�� standing up, heads to the door��Better take cover, kid.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse sighs, �I assume it looked like this�� Eclipse takes a step forward and turns into a writhing black mist, which Luna recognizes. Reforming her looks at her, �I was there at Aventine when your predecessor died��
Luna_Faline lowers her head, � �and then what?� Trying to hide the fear from him.
Claron: �Hold on just a minute�You didn�t actually do the freezing...is that what you are trying to tell me?�
Vin_Da_DM: Moving over the window Eclipse looks at the white clouds, �Something happened that changed me...I slew Inferno and freed Selenia. Daegriss� forces had come within an inch of destroying Aventine.�
Vin_Da_DM: �But Selenia restored the balance the only way she could, by turning me. And I have spent the last nine million years repenting for what I almost did.� Eclipse moves over the bed and sits, burying his head in his hands.
Luna_Faline looks up, �How did you slay him?� I move to the bed and sit softly next to him.
Clarice: �I...I wish I could say that was true...but I don�t know if it was me or my clone�� looking distraught.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse looks over at Luna, �He was caught off guard and I used my abilities to...to scatter his body across the shadow realm.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Why do you dwell on this past events when you should be preparing for what�s to come?� Kuan stands from his seat and walks over to Claron and Clarice.
Luna_Faline nods taking Eclipse�s hand in my paw I turn it over and look at the palm, tracing the lines with a claw. �You saved my Mistress, and she rewarded you.�
Claron approaches Clarice. �What�s done is done�� smiles weakly and not so convincingly at Clarice then walks past her out into the hallway.
Vin_Da_DM: �I suppose...but I am worried you will have more �dreams� from your predecessor,� Eclipse places his other hand over Luna�s paw, �And you will see just how corrupted I was.�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder hops off the table and looks at Clarice, �Mom will get over it, just give her some time.�
Clarice feels Claron brush past her then looks at Kuan, �I am certain you already know the answer to that.� Turns and leaves the galley and heads off to Tewyn�s room.
Luna_Faline: �I have not always been what I am now, change happens for the good as well as the bad.� Closing my paw around his hand, I look into his eyes, �I�m but a shell, a change of garment to suit her pleasure.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse nods, �I suppose change is necessary sometimes.�
Clarissa: �Go away!!! I have no wish or desire to talk to you!!!� Her eyes blazing as Tabris approaches her.
Luna_Faline: �She has deep trust in you and so do I.� Squeezing his hand, �The dreams worry me, but I would not receive them if she did not believe they would be useful.�
Clarice quietly enters Tewyn�s room, glancing around as she does.
Tabris: �Phew, quite the temper on you, little lady. You remind me of a certain nasty shape-changer your mom had some trouble with.� Tabris smirks at Clarissa, �I must say the eyes and hair look great on you, sweetie.�
Tewyn: �Looking for something?�
Clarissa screams loudly and tries pushing Tabris away from her.
Tabris steps back as an obsidian statue of himself stands there being pushed. �Now, now, I should have taught it�s rude to shove.�
Clarice: �I wasn�t sure you would be in here...I AM sorry...I didn�t mean that back there�� lowering her head.
Tewyn: �Well, sure you did�One thing about your family, they don�t say anything they don�t mean.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Perhaps�� Eclipse stands slowly, �It has been quite a long time since I�ve seen Aventine. I wonder if it still is as beautiful.�
Luna_Faline watches him stand up. �It was when we left, but in my dream it was destroyed,� placing my paws in my lap, feeling a bit embarrassed as he draws away.
Clarice: �True. but then still�I shouldn�t have thrown it into your face�like that.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Yes...I suppose I should apologize for that.� Eclipse turns and nods to Luna, �I�m sure returning will help raise your spirits.�
Tabris: �Now, you�re going to have to accept that you�re here with us and for better or worse you�re one of the good guys,� Tabris looks at Clarissa.
Tewyn: �Well, you were going to throw it at me at some point.�
Luna_Faline: �If my dream is the past, then I know it recovered from what ever part you had in the damage.� I reassure him.
Clarissa stops as soon as she realizes she can�t budge the obsidian statue, then spits outs, �You are an evil man...I know all about you�NEVER!�NEVER!...Shaiya will come and get me�and finish you both off!�
Vin_Da_DM: �Only that which was repairable�� Eclipse adds in as he studies Luna for a moment, �I believe that Aventine will be made brighter with your presence.� He smiles lightly.
Clarice: �I promised myself I wouldn�t do that...not to you...Of all people, you didn�t deserve that��
Tabris: �Evil, eh? What exactly did I do that was evil?� Tabris crosses his arms, �The only evil I did was not raising you to be a polite and caring young woman.�
Luna_Faline: �I don�t remember much of my past, from one existence to the next. I can�t say which must be worse, that or to remember everything all the time.�
Tewyn: �We have both made promises we didn�t keep.�
Luna_Faline feels a blush begin at Eclipse�s compliment.
Clarissa�s eyes take on a gleam, �Oh? What do you call sending an obsidian spear thru the woman you loved? Foreplay?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Well, I can tell you remembering over ten million years can become quite troublesome�� Eclipse puts a hand on Luna�s shoulder, �Perhaps it is better you are spared the annoyance.�
Clarice: �I don�t recall you ever breaking a promise to me��
Luna_Faline leans my head against Eclipse�s arm, �I feel quite lost at times, because I don�t know things I feel I should,� I purr softly.
Tewyn: �Maybe it is best you don�t know.�
Clarice: �What do you mean?�
Tabris lowers his gaze for a moment, �You would not understand the plague of madness that drove me to that. Your mother lived past that to have two beautiful children. One of whom I�m losing to darkness.�
Tewyn: �Nothing�forget I even said it.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Then perhaps together we can help you find the way so that you are no longer lost,� Eclipse�s eyes settle on Luna with a compassionate look.
Clarice: �How can I forget you said it? That�s not like you. You have always been the one to encourage truth and trust��
Luna_Faline rubs my check along his arm as I nod in agreement. �I enter each new life in a fully developed body, but inside I�m a kitten learning to live again,� I say with a small smile up at Eclipse.
Tewyn: �A lot of things happened while you were away, things I�m not sure I did of free will or was made to do.�
Clarissa watches Tabris and studies his reaction. �You may have donated your genes for my existence, but I don�t see you as anything more than just a sperm donor!� Stands there defiantly.
Clarice mutters the name, �Shaiya.�
Tabris leans against the wall of Clarissa�s room and looks at her, �Well, you finally got that off your chest? Feeling better yet? Or should I leave a few of those,� motions to the statue, �For you to beat up?�
Tewyn: �Yes, among others.�
Clarissa calls out Stryder�s name in her mind. �If that is the only way I can rid you from my view...then please, do leave me some more statues, Daddy dearest,� says sarcastically.
Clarice: �I think I know exactly what its like to not be certain if you did something on your own free will or not. And the others?� taking Tewyn�s hand in hers.
Tabris: �Not a problem, darling. Try not to destroy them too quickly,� Tabris turns as another statue appears where he was, �And, sweetie, I must say my genes look very good on you.� Smirking he heads out into the hallway.
Vin_Da_DM: ~Finally talking to me now?~ Stryder�s voice pops into Clarissa�s head.
Tewyn: �Oh, just some squabbles with your relatives��
Clarissa growls�.both out loud and in her mind.
Vin_Da_DM: �Well I hope you have plenty of time to learn,� Eclipse turns to look at the window, �I think we�re almost there.�
Clarice: �Oh! Tabris and Claron��
Tewyn: �Yeah, Medusa pushes my buttons all the wrong ways.�
Luna_Faline watches the view changing, hoping we are not too late.
Vin_Da_DM: Out the various windows of the Ettik the clouds begin to thin, the vast white city of Aventine coming into view. Standing as bright as ever you notice the several hundred city plazas are filled with tents bearing colored flags.
Clarice shakes her head, �Maybe we all were victims to things not being our own free will�� stepping in closer to Tewyn.
Vin_Da_DM: As the Ettik begins it�s descent into a war ready Aventine, you wonder where you will go from here.
Vin_Da_DM: $ End