Vin_Da_DM: Previously on Warriors of Destiny: Having lost the orb to the enemy, the Warriors set out to get it back before it left Gabe�s station. Gaining access to the upper levels they ran across more of RD�s robotic soldiers.
Vin_Da_DM: The battle was ended quickly when Luna used her magical sai to release its stored power, which obliterated the enemies almost instantly. The crew also ran across Eclipse who inhabited a new body.
Vin_Da_DM: Meanwhile, Clarissa and Stryder fought a losing battle against an opposite set of twins, Cara and Kabal, the evil spawn of Shaiya and Tewyn. Clarice attempted to aide them, but was struck unconscious during the fray.
Vin_Da_DM: Accepting defeat Clarissa and Stryder were taken by the twins to return to Shaiya, leaving Clarice to be rescued by Gabe. Elsewhere, the Warriors managed to ambush the robots with the stolen orb and retrieve it.
Vin_Da_DM: As the remains of RD�s fleet retreated Gabe suggested the Warriors use the enemy transport to return to the Ettik in the hopes of tracking them down and finding the lost twins yet again�
Vin_Da_DM: *Timeframe: A few minutes later*
Vin_Da_DM: Guardian pilots the drop ship to a soft landing inside Ettik�s cargo bay, the ramp slides open slowly.
Vin_Da_DM: $ Start
Vin_Da_DM: Elsewhere, Clarissa stands on the edge of the dark and cloudy battlefield, the robed figure turns his head. His face hidden under his hood. �Do you understand, child?�
Vin_Da_DM: As the ship cools down Fern and Midnight rush off the ship, both in their dog form as they disappear into the hallway.
Tabris: Sighing Tabris stands up and looks at Claron, �We have to got stop losing our kids. I don�t want this to become a habit.�
^Shinta carries Katie over his shoulder, �These damn lapses are getting ridiculous.�
Clarissa looks at the silver haired man in the black robe, �I am not certain, are you telling me that if I make the wrong choice all this will happen?� Clarissa�s eyes glance around at all the dead bodies. �Who are you?�
Tewyn exits out of the ship. �Damn, and I didn�t get to have any fun over there.�
Vin_Da_DM: The man motions Clarissa to follow as he walks down the hill, �It is not yet time for you to know.� Tilting his head he watches a lone soldier on the field going from corpse to corpse checking for signs of life.
Claron looks over at Tabris, �Seems each time we lose them its not because of our own doing.� Claron takes a deep breath trying to squash the anger that she still feels.
Vin_Da_DM: Trudging off the ship Eclipse waits at the bottom of the ramp for Luna.
^Shinta takes Katie to her room. �Rest well, who knows what your dreams will hold this time.�
Luna_Faline follows Eclipse down the ramp calling out to the Guardian, �How did you stop that blast? Why didn�t it kill you and everyone else?�
Vin_Da_DM: Alexei�s voice pipes in over the coms as the Guardian exits the ship and vanishes into the hallway as well. �If we�re going after them we�re going to have to leave soon, or I�ll lose the signal.�
Clarissa: �Why is it not time for me to know?� as I watch the soldier checking the corpses while wondering if there is anyone laying there that she might know.
Tewyn walks down the halls, �Yes, I suppose we should go get the two trouble makers.�
Vin_Da_DM: �The future changes, every moment, every thought.� Walking through the corpses the man looks forward, �Like a rock on the pond, your ripples drift across the water.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Blast? What blast?� Eclipse eyes Luna as she calls out.
Vin_Da_DM: The Ettik hums with a power-buildup from the engines as it glides into hyperspace.
Clarice sits quietly beside Claron, her mind filled with thoughts concerning Tewyn and his children. Thinking to herself, �Wonder if he truly wants them to be so evil. Hell, he seemed to relish in it concerning them.�
Luna_Faline sighs as Guardian is gone, �Back on the station, we were attacked by the robot guards. I threw my sai and buried it in one�s chest and they all disintegrated.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Interesting,� Eclipse walks out of the landing bay at Luna�s side, �And he stopped it?�
Luna_Faline reaches down and pulls the sai out of my boot, �Guardian held up his hand and stopped the blast from killing our people.�
Vin_Da_DM: Nodding, Eclipse looks at Luna, �He is not all he appears to be, but I doubt he would tell you exactly what he did.�
Clarissa listens closely to the mystery man, �How is it I came to be here with you?�
Tabris leans against the doorway of the ship, looking at Clarice and Claron. �If our kids are in the hands of his kids, this won�t be easy.�
Luna_Faline: �I don�t know how, I don�t know why, and it scares me. It has gained a great deal of power that I don�t know how to handle it,� looks up at Eclipse, �I was very close to using it on Tewyn back there,� I whisper.
Clarice stands up and presents a helping hand to Claron, �Come on, Sis. Snap out of it��
Vin_Da_DM: �There is one who wished you to learn.� The man motions towards a circle of white pillars that begins to appear in the fog, �You are troubled and were thus called to this place.�
Clarice looks at Tabris, �You got that right�� raises a hand and rubs the side of her head.
Clarissa gets a puzzled look on her face, �I was called here? Who would do that?�
Claron takes Clarice hand and allows her to lead her over to Tabris.
Vin_Da_DM: �I see...that may not have ended well.� Eclipse lowers his head to think for a moment, spines on the top of his head shifting as he does.
Vin_Da_DM: �Go and seek your answers, child. But remember what you have seen,� The figure motions again towards the circle before turning and disappearing into the fog.
Clarice: �If the both of you will excuse me�I have some unfinished business to tend to.� Heads off alone.
Tabris watches Clarice as she leaves, �Something tells me she�s going to have a little chat with our dark elf.�
Clarissa watches the man disappear into the fog then looks back at the circle, cautiously approaches the circle, then takes one more look around before stepping into it.
Vin_Da_DM: Inside the circle of white pillars it is bright. The two sided altar sits in the middle, light and dark side depictions both missing a figure. A man in armor is examining it with his back to Clarissa.
Claron: �I have no doubt that you are right�better her than me�� feeling her temper flare once again where Tewyn is concerned.
^Shinta exits Katie�s room and heads to the galley.
Vin_Da_DM: �Just be glad that nobody was hurt,� Eclipse rests his hand on Luna�s shoulder.
Clarice makes her way towards Tewyn�s room stopping for a second in front of the door to take a deep breath before sliding the door open.
Tabris: �Now, what do we do while we wait?�� Tabris looks questioningly at Claron as the two exit the drop ship.
Tewyn walks from around the corner, �You looking for me?�
Luna_Faline stares at the blood stone on the hilt of the sai. �That was no wall of flame today.�
Clarissa notices the two sided pillar with the light and dark depictions and notices each is missing a figure. Clearing her throat, �Uh�um�excuse me...why am I here? Do you know?� She asks the man in armor.
Luna_Faline rubs my cheek against his hand, �I�ve worried about you.�
Clarice jumps slightly, �Yes�� as she looks at Tewyn.
Vin_Da_DM: Hearing her voice the man turns, long black hair parted to either side of the mans face as he looks at her, �You have the look of your father about you.� Clarissa feels something familiar about him.
Tewyn looks at Clarice, �If you are here to give me the same lip that cat did, then save it...I won�t hold back just because its you.�
Clarice watches Tewyn, �How long have you known that you had children?�
Vin_Da_DM: �I didn�t think you wouldn�t.� Eclipse smiles at her, �I suppose you�re wanting to hear that long story now.�
Clarissa: �You know my father? How? Who are you?�
Luna_Faline: �I can wait until your ready to tell me.�
Tewyn: �I had a feeling for some time now...recent dreams proved it to be true.�
Clarice eyes show the pain his words are causing her. �No...I just need to know��
Vin_Da_DM: �As he is your father, I am his.� Lifting a hand he touches Clarissa�s cheek, �You have the fire, but your brother has spared you from it�s burn. You are troubled, whether you know it or not, and you come here to decide.�
Vin_Da_DM: Reaching the door to Luna�s quarters Eclipse extends his hand, �Ladies first,�
Tewyn: �Don�t look at me like that�It was something me and Shaiya discussed to even the sides, because of your niece and nephew. A way to offset their power.�
Luna_Faline walks past Eclipse into the room. I move over to the altar and lay the sai down, looking at the rose in the glass.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse smiles as he walks up to Luna and eyes the rose, �Still in bloom, as promised.�
Claron slips her hand into Tabris� hand, �What do you think we should do about Tewyn? How can anyone of us trust him? Especially, since he seems to be showing more of the darkness in him.?�
Tabris: �I don�t know. If we have to deal with him it will be trouble for all of us,� Tabris holds Claron�s hand gently.
Clarice: �Why would you do that? Are you telling me that you prefer to be with the Knights?�
Luna_Faline: As a tear slips down my cheek I turn into Eclipse�s chest and hug him. Choking on the words, �Are you ok?�
Tewyn smiles, �A part of me would love to be with them. To cause chaos and havoc again, to see all of you in despair and pain.�
Vin_Da_DM: Wrapping his arms around Luna Eclipse nods, �This body will take some getting used to, but now that I have you again, I am.�
Clarissa looks stunned at the man, �You...are his father? You are saying�you are my grandfather?�
Clarissa reaches a hand up to touch the man�s hand, �I am so confused��
Luna_Faline wipes my face on the sleeve of my cloak as I pull back. I take Eclipse�s hand and sit on the bed pulling him down beside me. �Do you want to tell me what happened?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Indeed.� Giving a warm smile to Clarissa he grabs her hand, �Good or evil...you stand at the crossroads that once lay before me. Tell me, Granddaughter, of the sides you must choose.�
Clarice: �And your children? You want this for them? Does it make you happy that they can wreck havoc that you try to restrain yourself from?�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse loses himself in Luna�s gaze for a moment before nodding, �I suppose I better start off with explaining why I had to leave.�
Tewyn: �Very much so�they are not being restrained or judged for what they do�they are free, and I hope they can kick any and everyone�s ass.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Leonidas was once my right hand...long ago when I served others.� Eclipse sighs, �When I turned on them at the critical moment, he was punished in my stead.�
Luna_Faline turns toward Eclipse and watches his face as he tells me where he went. Nodding, �I assume he resented that.�
Tewyn: �And if they become strong enough to kill their mentor, then all the better.�
Clarissa looks back at the man, �Grandfather...I would do anything to protect my twin, Stryder�Momma Shaiya...will hurt him. But then, she has never really showed either of us understanding or the compassion Tabris and Claron have.� Clarissa winces slightly� �I have done some awful things�haven�t I?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Yes, but he was still of use to them,� Eclipse blinks with two different sets of eyelids before continuing, �And time only helped his resentment grow.�
Clarice stands shaking her head, �Including your own and the woman that loves you more than she ever dreamed was possible?�
Tewyn: �They won�t kill each other, and the way it sounds�aren�t any on this ship that can touch them.�
Clarice gasps, �How can you say such a thing...it�s not like Stryder and Clarissa had much of a choice...and you know it!�
Vin_Da_DM: �If you need to ask then you believe to some extent that what you did was awful,� Vin turns to the altar, �You are unique, Clarissa. You have been in both worlds and both require you. But only one will get you in the end.�
Tewyn narrows his eyes, �It was not me that taught them all this hatred�it was your own flesh and blood�your own niece, Clarissa.�
Luna_Faline holds Eclipse�s hand in my paw. I caress the top in a gentle motion, waiting for him to continue.
Tewyn: �And everyone has a choice�your niece made a selfish one. For that she will never be forgiven.�
Vin_Da_DM: �So, when he finally found me, we had to settle it,� Eclipse lowers his head, �After I left...the battle lasted for what seemed like forever.�
Clarissa: �And this is what I have to decide, Grandfather? To be with the dark and all the ugliness or to be with the light and all the goodness it implies?�
Luna_Faline: �It felt like forever here, too,� I sigh giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
Clarice: �What makes you so certain that she was not forced into her choice?�
Tewyn: �Forced? You must be kidding, right? It couldn�t be anymore simple. Join Shaiya and the brother spared�or leave and he dies. How is that forced?�
Vin_Da_DM: �You must decide. But the choice cuts both ways,� Vin brushes his hand across the depiction of the Warriors, �The side you take, you take all of it. You said you would do anything for your brother. Are you truly ready to test that?�
Clarissa reaches out and takes her grandfather�s hand��AM I worth saving, Grandfather? Even now?�
Vin_Da_DM: �In the end I managed to defeat him, but the cost was great,� Eclipse extends his hand and looks at it for a moment, �I was forced to do something I would never have done before...before I met you.�
Vin_Da_DM: �If you wished to be saved,� Vin lifts up Clarissa�s hand.
Luna_Faline: �What did you do?� Looking at his hand then up to search his eyes.
Clarice stares back at Tewyn, �It is obvious to me. She feared the loss of her brother... and knew Shaiya to be capable of keeping her word and killing him if she didn�t!�
Tewyn: �Like I said, selfish...I�ve met 5 year olds with more guts than her.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse stands up and moves to the window placing a hand against it, he looks out into the vastness of hyperspace, �My people are capable of many things...some dark, some forbidden��
Luna_Faline watches his reflection in the glass, waiting quietly for him to continue.
Clarissa watches her grandfather and ponders for a second, �Test it?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Clarissa, there may come a moment in time where your life will be all that stands between a loved one and their safety.� Vin touches the ring on his finger, �For your brother, would you make that sacrifice?�
Clarissa: �If I go with the Warriors, Stryder dies...if I stay with the dark, then he lives��
Vin_Da_DM: �The desire to fulfill my promise that I would return to you�� Eclipse turns and looks at Luna with sorrow, �I took the power I had and took this body...and it was not willingly given.�
Clarissa doesn�t take a moment to think about it and quickly answers, �YES, I would!�
Clarice shakes her head slowly, �Is there anything, anything at all�that could change your perspective concerning her?�
Tewyn: �She sealed her fate with her choice...and it affected more than she knew.�
Luna_Faline locks my gaze on his face, �We all do things we don�t want to do sometimes.�
Luna_Faline: �I�m sorry you had to do that for me,� lowering my gaze to my lap.
Vin_Da_DM: Vin nods to Clarissa, �Then there is still hope. You must decide, Granddaughter. But I caution you that with either you must face the consequences.�
Clarissa: �Grandfather, when you say loved one are you meaning those he loves?� Clarissa suddenly realizes that Stryder has always talked about the two of them doing whatever it took to make it back to the parents that they never knew.
Vin_Da_DM: �What�s done is done�� Eclipse moves over to Luna and lifts her head with his hand, �I told her I would protect you, and I will do what I must to continue doing so.�
Tewyn: �Like I said before, you humans just think with your heart and let your emotions rule your choices, never think things out�It is and always will be your downfall.�
Clarice feels her head throbbing then watches as the room suddenly seems to spin around her. Attempting to take a step, she feels her legs begin to buckle from underneath her.. �T--Tewynnn.� Slumps to the floor.
Vin_Da_DM: �You are beginning to understand,� Vin rests a hand on Clarissa�s cheek, �You will know when the time comes.�
Luna_Faline looks up at Eclipse with sad eyes, �What do we do now?�
Vin_Da_DM: �If we are going to rescue Claron�s children, then we should prepare. I do not expect this to be an easy task.� Eclipse looks at Luna.
Tewyn goes over to the com console on the wall, �Luna, if or when you get time� Clarice blacked out in my room. The door is open, you might want to check on her.� Steps out the door looking back, �You always make things too difficult, don�t you?�
Clarissa nods her head meekly, and suddenly without understanding why, throws her arms around Vin.
Luna_Faline takes a deep breath to calm the pain in my chest just as the com sounds. �What has he done now?� I growl as I stand up to go, �Will you come with me?� I ask Eclipse as I reach for the sai.
Vin_Da_DM: Resting his arms around Clarissa Vin nods, �Dear Granddaughter, our time draws close to it�s end. Tell me of my son, of the man I left behind.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Always,� Eclipse nods to Luna as he heads for the door.
Luna_Faline goes with Eclipse to Tewyn�s room, finding the door open I step in and kneel beside Clarice, running my paws over her looking for her injury. �What has he done to you?� I whisper as I move my healing over her.
Tabris: �Claron?� Tabris shakes her shoulder lightly as she sits on the bed, �You got lost on me.�
Clarissa smiles, �He seems to be a strong, courageous, loving man, Grandfather...Even when I tried so very hard to hurt him by things I said or did�he remained calm and patient with me.�
Luna_Faline looks around the room for some sign of Tewyn. Seeing he�s gone I look up at Eclipse. �I don�t understand it.�
Vin_Da_DM: �A father�s love,� Vin sighs, �And your mother?�
Vin_Da_DM: �It seems I wasn�t the only one to change,� Eclipse kneels down next to Clarice, �Is she all right?�
Claron smiles at Tabris, �I�m sorry, I was just thinking what it would have been like if we had never lost the children.�
Luna_Faline shakes my head as I look down at Clarice, �I don�t know.�
Tabris: �It is hard to imagine...but I suppose in some ways it�s easier this way. Young children would have been in greater danger in what has happened so far.�
Luna_Faline: �I can�t heal wounds of the heart and soul. Love is more powerful a weapon than anyone can know.� Sighing, �Used one way it can mend and heal great wounds, but when turned against you it can cause more damage than any sword or gun.�
Clarissa: �Mother?�I�m afraid I haven�t been at all easy to get along with where she is concerned...she loves with a vengeance and has a temper that can be easily provoked.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse nods as he looks down at Clarice, �Let�s hope she will survive what love has done to her then.�
Luna_Faline looking back at the door, �Let�s take her to another room. I don�t feel comfortable here. I don�t want to leave her in his room.�
Tewyn walks into the galley, �Hmm, so you in here talking to yourself, Mr. Ghost Whisperer?� looking at ^Shinta.
Vin_Da_DM: �She is your mother, protecting you can blind her to other things,� Vin brushes Clarissa�s hair from her face with his hand and a smile, �And lastly, tell me of your brother.�
^Shinta looks up from his table, �Yeah, guess I am�aren�t you supposed to be causing trouble somewhere?�
Tewyn: �Me? Nah, I never cause any trouble that isn�t needed anyway.�
Vin_Da_DM: �All right,� Eclipse lifts Clarice up into his arms with ease. Slowly standing he looks at Luna, �Lead the way.�
Claron nods her head, �Maybe, but then�Tabris, I so missed cradling them in my arms and the bonding that would have surely happened while feeding and caring for them.�
^Shinta raises a brow, �Needed? Is that what you think...explains a lot.�
Tabris: �I know. But wishing for those years will not make them happen...we have to do our best to show them we care, but allow them to be the young adults they are.� Tabris lays back on the bed next to Claron.
Luna_Faline leads Eclipse back toward my room, �I think the room next to mine is not occupied,� stopping at the door I open it and step in to turn down the covers on the bed.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse shifts Clarice in his arms as he watches Luna with the bed.
Luna_Faline motions Eclipse to put Clarice down. Then takes off her shoes and pulls the covers up, tucking her in. I place a paw on my amulet and say a silent prayer for my goddess to heal her troubled soul.
Tewyn: �What you trying to say, Monk?...You know nothing about me.�
Clarissa�s face beams brightly, �Stryder is the strongest person I have ever known and wiser beyond his years. He always protected me and would soothe my fears away.�
^Shinta just offers a small smile, �I know enough, Gray One.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse gently holds Luna�s other paw as she prays, nodding he looks at Clarice, �We should let her rest now.�
Claron lays her head down on Tabris shoulder, �Yes, they are young adults�and you are right.�
Clarice groans, then flutters her eyes open, �Tewyn��
Luna_Faline nods, running my paw lightly over her forehead to smooth her hair back. �What about Tewyn?� I ask Clarice softly.
Tabris: �Yeah...but I�ll do anything for them,� Tabris watches the ceiling, �I never got the chance to know my dad...I�m just glad they get that chance.�
Clarice: �I...I...can�t find him...need...to...reach him.�
Luna_Faline: �Sssshhhhhh,� I hiss soothingly, �Don�t worry about him, we�ll find him,� I whisper stroking her hair.
Vin_Da_DM: �He is strong for you, but hides the scars on his soul from the world. I fear he suffers from what I lay upon my line.� Vin places his hand on Clarissa�s shoulder, �You may have to be strong for him. He needs you more than you realize.�
Claron smiles weakly, �I never really knew mine. What I believed as a child turned out to be one huge lie.�
Clarice�s eyes close from the soothing touch and sound of Luna�s voice.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse mutters under his breath listening to Clarice, �Why is he doing this to her��
Tewyn mutters something under his breath, �Damn, is there any place on this ship I can have some peace?!�
Luna_Faline shakes my head slowly, afraid the anger in my voice will disturb Clarice. I motion Eclipse to come with me and step into the hall way closing the door behind me before I speak. �I believe the evil he left behind in the past is reclaiming him,� I growl.
Clarissa looks up at her grandfather, �No one has ever asked me to do that before...what is it you have laid upon the line? Is it that evil madness that overtook Father�where he tried to kill Mother?�
Tabris: �Then we will make this family work, for both our sakes,� Tabris nods as he slowly stretches his arms and legs.
^Shinta just continues to smile.
Luna_Faline: �The thing that has me ready to rid this world of his presence is his enjoyment of the suffering he causes,� clenching my paws into fists at my sides.
Claron smiles then kisses Tabris� cheek. �I would love that very much.�
Vin_Da_DM: �I am afraid so,� Vin shifts his head to the side as if noticing something before turning it back, �Do not blame him for what he did. The madness is difficult to resist and for your brother doubly so, as he has taken the burden of it from you.�
Luna_Faline looks up at Eclipse, �You are sorry for the things you have had to do. He�s not, he throws it in our faces and laughs about it.�
Vin_Da_DM: �I know...and I would guess he does as well. But the past catches up with us eventually,� Eclipse looks at Luna�s fists, �Conflict with him will not solve what troubles him.�
Clarissa nods her head, and as if a light has been turned on she clearly sees what it is she must do. Reaching up on her tiptoes she places a kiss on Vin�s cheek... �I think I understand what it is I need to do.�
Tewyn throws his food at ^Shinta. �Oh, stop your damn smiling already.�
^Shinta burst out laughing, �You are as bad as Remy, Gray One...and your aim is horrible,�
Luna_Faline turns away and puts my paws against Ettik�s cool wall, �I don�t know what to do about him. I have a rage in me that wants out. It feels very old and comfortable, like an old coat. I think in a past life I killed easily.�
Clarissa: �Grandfather, one last question...Is it true what Momma Shaiya said about Mother? That since she did not die for me to keep me from being taken, she did not love me?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Look into yourself, Granddaughter. The answer is there, and if you truly understand then you know.� Vin eyes the altar, �So Granddaughter, are you prepared to take your place in history as I did mine, those many years ago?�
Clarissa looks back at her grandfather, sliding her hand into his, �Yes, Grandfather. I am ��
Vin_Da_DM: �Perhaps, but I trust that Tewyn will figure it out himself,� Eclipse takes a step closer to Luna.
Luna_Faline pushes away from the wall tucking my paws into my sleeves as I turn to Eclipse, �But how do I control my urge to kill until he does figure it out?�
Vin_Da_DM: �I do not know...but I am willing to help you figure out a way, Eclipse lifts a hand and caresses Luna�s cheek.
Tabris: �I hope they�re okay...and Shaiya will pay this time.� Tabris stands up and narrows his gaze.
Vin_Da_DM: �Then awaken and face your destiny,� Vin brushes a hand across the altar and his voice echoes in Clarissa�s mind as she awakens on a cold bed.
Vin_Da_DM: Outside the large window set into the wall, Clarissa notices the twisted and black spires of Shaiya�s citadel. A sultry female voice sounds from behind Clarissa, �Welcome home, my dear sweet, Clarissa��
Vin_Da_DM $ End