Vin_Da_DM: Previously on Warriors of Destiny: With the challenge for each Warrior set before them in a rune, they began to complete them. Claron was the first of the Warriors to touch her rune, sending her to a foggy battleground.
Vin_Da_DM: In her challenge Claron faced a vicious beast and watched as it killed her friends and fellow Warriors, one by one, until only she and her son remained. She then made the painful decision to use her powers to kill the beast and sacrifice her son.
Vin_Da_DM: With a willingness to continue despite loosing everything, Claron�s challenge was complete. Luna went next and faced a harsh possible future where Eclipse had used the powers of her sai to take control of Aventine.
Vin_Da_DM: Completing her challenge involved accepting that love for the greater good outweighed any relationship. Syne completed his own trial, though not a Warrior, and then Katie took her turn.
Vin_Da_DM: Katie�s challenge focused on her inner feelings of guilt. Katie passed her trial after accepting that she could not change the past and that she would let others into her heart. Eclipse and Tabris then decided to do their challenges�
Vin_Da_DM: *Time passed: None*
Vin_Da_DM: As Eclipse and Tabris touch their respective runes they flash, depositing each in a different place for their challenges.
Vin_Da_DM: $ Start
Claron stands next to the rune as Tabris disappears in a flash.
Luna_Faline inhales sharply as Eclipse vanishes. �Goddess, be with him,� I whispurr.
^Lilly stirring slightly, lets out a groan. Feeling like horsehair is on her, she jumps up suddenly looking around. �Where am I?�
Kat|e walks over to sit on the floor, her face worried as she remembers the looks on everyone else�s face when they got back, and she knows it�s been horrific for each of the others.
Luna_Faline looks over at Lilly and moves to her side, �Easy.�
Claron continues to pray silently for Tabris safe return back to her as she moves closer to Stryder.
Vin_Da_DM: �Well, look who decided to wake up, if it isn�t sleeping beauty!� Syne looks down at Lilly with a hearty laugh.
^Lilly turning to Luna and then Syne, �What�s going on...and when did you get here?�
Claron turns her head as she hears ^Lilly�s voice, �That was some nap you took, Halfling.�
^Lilly: Turning over to Claron, �Nap? What happened?�
Luna_Faline looks up at Syne, �He�s been with us for a while and no one knew it was him.�
Claron smiles at ^Lilly, �I don�t know, you sort of passed out on us on the way to Pirroko Village.�
^Lilly blinks, �Umm, okay,� looking around, �Where are Tab and Eclipse?�
Clarice stands quietly beside Tewyn.
Vin_Da_DM: Tabris glances around noticing the all-to-familiar landscape and the black creatures slithering away from him. �Never thought I�d see this place again�� With a heavy sigh Tabris walks across the cracked and charred ground.
Luna_Faline looks over at the runes, �They�ll be back.�
Vin_Da_DM: The Guardian reappears from his challenge, a few black pot-marks on his chassis. Looking at everyone he nods, �I trust everyone is all right?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Murderer�� a voice in the wind speaks to Tabris as he walks. Glancing around he notices the lifeless forms of the shapeshifters, stacked in such a way as to form a path through them. The path winds a bit before dead-ending.
Clarice clears her throat, �Don�t you think we should bring ^Lilly up to speed on what is happening here EXACTLY?� while looking around at the others.
Vin_Da_DM: A young girl with pink hair and a smile looks at Tabris, �You�re alive! Tab�Tab, why are you looking at me like that?� Tabris looks at her as if seeing a ghost, �Chan��
Luna_Faline stands up and looks at Guardian, �You alright?�
Claron looks over at the Guardian, �So far, so good��
^Lilly climbing down from the ledge she had been sleeping on and landing next to Luna, �What is going on?...glancing at the runes, �And what are these?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Any damage is merely superficial.� Guardian turns and gives a glance to Mateus for a moment.
Vin_Da_DM: �It�s a test, Lilly. I hope you studied,� Syne smirks at her.
Vin_Da_DM: Loosing control of his body, Tabris fights against it as he lunges at the girl and attacks her without mercy. Closing his eyes he re-opens them to find blood on his hands, �What have I�oh, god.�
^Lilly turns to Syne, �A test? How was I supposed to study?�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder stands staring at the rune in front of him, a distant look on his face as he debates touching it or not.
Vin_Da_DM: Averting his gaze from the girl�s body, Tabris notices Claron running away from him down the winding path behind him. �Claron! CLARON!!� Turning he gives chase down the path, in a flash he finds himself in another familiar place.
Claron: �Don�t know about your test�but don�t see how I could have ever prepared myself for the one I went through,� shivering momentarily.
^Lilly resting a hand on Claron�s shoulder, �Was it bad?� with a sad look in her eyes.
Luna_Faline sighs and sits down next to Lilly again, �We were sent thru a portal and ended up on this planet. We followed a pilgrims path to this place and now the guy in the ice cube has a test for each of us to take. To test us for the tasks we still face.�
Claron looks over at ^Lilly nodding her head, �Worst thing I have ever seen or done��
Vin_Da_DM: Hovering in the air he looks around, his eyes catching the billowing plume of the massive volcano beneath him. The smell of burning lava covers the sky as Tabris recognizes a place from a dark time in his past�
Vin_Da_DM: Giving another glance around he notices Claron hovering above him. Wanting to shout out to her Tabris finds himself unable to, his body again moving by itself as it shoots towards her. A large batch of lava follows after him, aimed directly at her.
^Lilly looking at Luna, �So, we each have a test...who hasn�t taken one?...Besides me, that is.�
Luna_Faline looks around, �Claron, Guardian, Syne, Katie and myself have finished our tests.� Sighs, �Eclipse and Tabris just started their tests and now we can only wait.�
Vin_Da_DM: As the lava strikes Claron dead center in the chest, she lets out a painful cry as she looks at him. Hearing his own vile chuckle Tabris watches as she falls lifeless to the ground below. Hitting the ground he hears a familiar voice call out for her.
Clarice listens as she watches the others.
Vin_Da_DM: �Mom!!� On the ground Stryder runs up to Claron�s body and lifts her up, giving her a shake, �No�no�I can�t lose you too�� Looking up at Tabris, Stryder watches with tearful eyes as his father descends.
Vin_Da_DM: Landing next to Stryder holding Claron, he feels his body moving again, ~You can taste it�you thirst for their blood, for their lives.~ Tabris hears his own voice in his head, twisted and evil, as he leans over and rips Stryder away from Claron.
Claron starts to pace, then chuckles softly, �It won�t make him return any quicker,� remembering what she had said to Eclipse as he paced waiting for Luna_Faline�s return.
^Lilly glancing around at the others, �Well, from the looks of it everyone returned safely...that�s good at least.�
Vin_Da_DM: �No, it won�t and you�ll probably ruin the marble,� Syne comments to Claron as she paces.
Vin_Da_DM: �Dad, you�re not yourself. You�ve got to stop this!� Stryder draws his dagger and points it towards Tabris with a shaking hand and a fearful look in his eyes, �I�I�ll stop you if I have to!�
Kat|e stares ahead, her mind still on her test.
^Lilly turning to Katie, �You alright?�
Kat|e nods, �Yeah, lass, I�m fine. Just thinking, is all.� She gives Lilly a small smile.
Vin_Da_DM: Watching helplessly as his uncontrollable body backhands Stryder, Tabris growls inside his head, ~What do you want? Stop this!~ Silence for a moment before the evil voice replies, ~I want what you want. Death, destruction and chaos!~
^Lilly nods, �Okay.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Looks like everyone�s still a bit rattled by their tests, Lil. Can�t say if am though...mine was more strange than troublesome,� Syne sits down on the floor.
^Lilly sighing, �I really don�t know if I want to do it��
Vin_Da_DM: ~No! I stopped you once and I�ll do it again!~ Tabris shouts back at the voice in his head, ~You cannot stop me�~ It replies as his body strikes Stryder again, knocking him the ground. ~I will stop you!~
Claron nodding her head moves over next to Stryder wrapping an arm around him, �I know your father will return, but I am so afraid of what they may test him on,� whispers softly to Stryder.
Vin_Da_DM: ~I won�t let you control me anymore�return to the dark corner of my mind where you belong!~ Tabris shouts back defiantly at the voice as his body continues to attack Stryder.
Vin_Da_DM: Tabris� body stops mid-swing and he begins to regain control of it. Forming an obsidian sword he looks at Stryder, �Forgive me, son�� Turning the blade to himself, Tabris stabs himself in the chest, slumping backwards against the ground.
Vin_Da_DM: �I know�� Stryder says, not moving as Claron holds him.
Vin_Da_DM: Glancing up at the sky as he can feel his life draining, Tabris hears a lighter voice, �Your inner darkness is dangerous�but you were willing to sacrifice yourself to stop it.�
Vin_Da_DM: �You have passed your test, Tabris, son of Vincalis. Now go and help your son overcome his own inner darkness.� The voice fades away as Tabris reappears back in the temple room on his back on the floor.
Claron whispers softly once again, �Please, come back to me, Tabris.�
^Lilly turns as Tabris appears, �Welcome back.�
Tabris: Rubbing his chest Tabris stares up at the ceiling, �That...hurt.�
Claron rushes over to Tabris as he returns. Kneeling down beside him, wraps her arms around his neck and hugs him tightly while planting kisses of pure joy on his lips.
^Lilly tries to stifle a giggle, but happy all the same.
Tabris smirks as Claron kisses him, �Well, I missed you too, Babe.� Sitting up he rubs his head, �Man...I don�t think I want to do that again...ever.�
Claron smiles, �I know that feeling all to well myself�That bad, was it?�
Vin_Da_DM: Meanwhile, Eclipse finds himself inside a battered room. A pool of blood on the floor leads away from him as he lies on the floor. Blinking he stands up and looks around, noticing a broken mirror on the wall he walks over to it.
Vin_Da_DM: As his eyes meet the mirror he sees his reflection but notices something wrong with it. �Strange�� Eclipse says as he watches the reflection stare at him, not moving as he does.
Tabris: �Bad enough�� Tabris gets to his feet and hugs Claron, then glances over at Stryder standing in front of his rune in silence. �Is he okay?�
Vin_Da_DM: �You took what did not belong to you,� Eclipse�s reflection whispers in an eerie voice, �Did you tell them what really happened? What you did?� The reflection points to the Warriors standing behind him in the mirror.
Claron glances over at Stryder, �He was just a few minutes ago�why?� asks as she looks back at Tabris.
Tabris: �I�m not sure...but I have a feeling his test will be hard on him,� Tabris says looking at Claron with concern.
Vin_Da_DM: �I did what I had to do�I could not leave them,� Eclipse looks at his �reflection� which replies to him half-shouting, �You stole my body, sent my soul into the abyss! The same abyss where you should have gone!�
^Lilly: Getting up and eyeing all the runes, �This is crazy!�
Vin_Da_DM: Lilly notices the runes that have already been used are no longer glowing, simply floating in the air.
Claron sees the concern in Tabris� eyes, �If it is anything remotely like mine...it could indeed be hard on him.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Well, you can thank our frozen host over there for the craziness, Lil.� Syne motions towards the large ice block in the wall where inside the dragon-esque Mateus sits.
Vin_Da_DM: �You destroyed a life to save your own�but this is not the first time�� His reflection says as the image in the mirror changes, revealing a cascade of images from Eclipse�s long and dark past, �Life after life�tossing them aside as you pleased. Now, you hide behind the mask of good.�
^Lilly glancing at the figure and frowns, �I�m not going to thank him...especially if they all turn out the way they all say they are��
Vin_Da_DM: �But your soul is darker than night itself,� the reflection reappears with a stoic look on its face. Eclipse looks back at the mirror, �I have thrown away the darkness in my past. I am no longer the monster I was. I may have seen my error too late, but I serve the right side, now.�
Kat|e murmurs, �I lucked out. I didn�t have to face anything nightmarish. Why was I spared?� Then she remembers her test, and decides it�s better not to question or dwell on things.
Clarice: �I don�t know, Lilly. Kat|e seemed to come back in better spirits then some of them have.�
Kat|e can�t help a bit of guilt creeping in, however.
Kat|e looks up guiltily.
^Lilly nodding, �Still��
Kat|e: �Well, I had to face a pretty big demon. But nothing compared to what you guys seem to have gotten.�
Claron hearing the conversation, �Still, I am sure it was a demon she wasn�t ready to deal with until then,� says in a reassuring voice while looking over towards Katie.
^Lilly: �I have a feeling they are all demons,� glancing at Mateus again.
Vin_Da_DM: �Do you really? Such a champion of righteousness you are, stealing a body from a dying man. Did you even once consider there was hope for him? Of course not! You wanted to return to your love, good be damned as long as you have her�� The reflection moves as Luna approaches him in the mirror.
Vin_Da_DM: �I returned for all of them. I love Luna, but she is not the only one I care about. My dying would not help them in the battles to come!� Eclipse looks at Luna in the mirror with a firm nod. The reflection hisses, �Help them, like you helped me?�
Kat|e smiles back at Claron sadly.
Claron: �Don�t be sad, Katie...I, for one, am glad you passed whatever your test was.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse lowers his head for a moment, �I�m sorry�there is no way I can truly apologize for what I did. But I cannot change the past. I did what I did because it was necessary to restore the balance, and I would do it all again if I had to.�
^Lilly turning to Syne, �What�s with the wisecracks on me anyway?�
Kat|e: �So am I. But I feel like I cheated.� She looks at her toes broodingly.
Claron: �Why would you feel like you cheated?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Your soul was not cast into the abyss, I freed you to return to whatever heaven created you. A body is merely a vessel, you shall find another. Now rest in peace�you will not be forgotten.� Eclipse extends a hand toward the mirror.
Kat|e: �Because, I got such an easy task, in comparison.�
Kat|e: �Though it is likely to be tougher in the long run,� she muses.
Vin_Da_DM: The reflection looks at him, begins to speak but Eclipse interrupts, �You may test me as much as you like about my past�but as I have said, I would do it all again if it meant the balance would be restored.� Eclipse shatters the mirror with a fist and watches the pieces fall to the floor.
Claron glances at Tabris then back to Katie, �I don�t think its a matter of whether it is easy or hard, more if you can overcome and do what you should for the greatest good��
Kat|e nods glumly, �That�s what I meant.�
Kat|e hugs her legs, and glances at Shinta, then back at the floor.
^Lilly: Listening to everyone�s responses trying to take in everyone�s knowledge and hoping to use it if possible.
Vin_Da_DM: �Can�t even have a little fun without someone getting on me...yeesh. You people were nicer to me as a dog,� Syne says as he rests his arms on his knees.
Vin_Da_DM: �Pass or fail, this test is over. Bring me back to them...now.� Eclipse looks down at the mirror fragments watching his eyes pulse brightly. The light flashes around him and he reappears in the temple, giving a stern look to Mateus� ice block set into the wall.
^Lilly giggling, �Aww, I was only asking. Since when is that a crime, Syne?...besides as a dog, you didn�t talk,� grinning.
Kat|e looks up and laughs, �Poor lil rogue. Still bein� treated like a mutt.�
Clarice places her arms in a position as if she is playing a violin, �Need some music for that pity party?� Smiling brightly as she pretends she is playing the violin.
^Lilly: Turning as Eclipse appears in front of her, �Welcome back, Eclipse.�
Kat|e giggles, then closes her eyes and rests her head against the wall.
Claron chuckles, �Oh�yes, he did. Least I heard him speak to me.�
Vin_Da_DM: Looking around at the others Eclipse sighs and nods, �Well, then�� Noticing Lilly he perks a brow, �So, you�re awake now�� Turning his gaze to Luna he watches her.
Claron: Welcome back, Eclipse.�
^Lilly nods, �Yup...and apparently I missed a lot. But I think I�m caught up a bit.� Glancing around, �Umm, where�s Clarissa?�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder looks over at Lilly at mention of Clarissa�s name, �Lost��
Claron stiffens and tears well up in her eyes as she hears the name of her daughter, �She doesn�t know,� whispers softly.
^Lilly raises an eyebrow, but senses that�s as far as she should question, just nods.�
Clarice looks over at Lilly as she moves closer to her rune, �Tell you all about it, if I make it back from my test.�
^Lilly: Watching Clarice feels unsure if she should follow.
Vin_Da_DM: �Time to go�� Stryder mutters to himself as he watches his rune.
Clarice rests her eyes on Tewyn, then touches the glowing rune in front of her.
Claron moves over towards Stryder, �Are you sure you want to do this, son?� placing a hand on his shoulder briefly.
Vin_Da_DM: The room fades around Clarice and she reappears inside an open cryo-tube. A metal-walled laboratory laid out in front of the tube.
Vin_Da_DM: With a quiver in his hand Stryder, extends his reach for the rune. Laying his fingers on it, the rune flashes brightly then gathers it�s light in front of his hand. The light shoots across Stryder�s body then back into the rune.
Clarice glances around the metal walled laboratory as she steps out of the open cryo-tube.
Vin_Da_DM: Stumbling back Stryder holds his head, �Arrgg!!� Falling to his knees he places a hand on the ground, then watches wide-eyed as he sees blood drip from his nose. Touching his nose with his other hand he draws it back looking at the blood.
Vin_Da_DM: Giving an estranged chuckle he looks up past the rune above him to Mateus��Damn�you�� Stryder sways on his knees then falls to his side unconscious.
^Lilly watching Clarice and Stryder, under her breath, �That�s if you make it back, right?�
Claron screams as she sees Stryder fall. Rushes over to him, kneels down and cradles him in her arms, �I don�t understand,� looking up at Mateus.
Vin_Da_DM: �It is good to see you are awake,� a familiar voice reaches Clarice�s ears as a man enters the room and looks at her.
Tabris: �Stryder! What the hell?�� Tabris runs over beside Claron and Stryder.
^Lilly gasps as Stryder returns and collapses, hesitating on whether to rush up to him as well. She changes her mind and stays put. �Not my place,� whispering softly.
Clarice turns to face the man as she hears the familiar voice, �Like you really care, Daddy dearest.�
Claron looks at Tabris, �Why didn�t he disappear like the rest of us?�
Luna_Faline stands quickly and hugs Eclipse, �You alright?�
^Lilly still watching Stryder, suddenly starts to shake. �I really don�t know if I want to do this now��
Vin_Da_DM: Mateus� voice whispers to Claron and Tabris, ~He must face his challenge in his own mind. A dark presence stops me from guiding him. It is up to his will, now.~
Luna_Faline looks over at Stryder lying on the floor, leaving Eclipse without waiting for an answer I go and kneel next to him and place a paw on his head.
Vin_Da_DM: �Fine�� Eclipse says as he watches Luna rush off. Following her he looks down at watches her with Stryder.
Claron hears the sound of Mateus� voice in her mind, then whispers to Tabris, �Is that his way of saying our son has inherited your family curse?�
Vin_Da_DM: �I always care about those who prove useful to me,� Clarice�s father says with a sly grin, �So tell me. Did those fools believe you to be their lost friend, returned by good luck and resilience?�
Kat|e watches all of this from her sitting position, her face blank.
Tabris sighs heavily, �I wish I knew...I guess this is what he meant by facing his own inner darkness.�
Clarice stares at her father, �Of course, they did. Why wouldn�t they?�
Vin_Da_DM: Luna�s power does nothing for Stryder save stopping his nosebleed. Stryder remains unconscious, his eyes moving behind closed lids as if dreaming.
Luna_Faline looks at Claron and Tabris, then stands and moves towards Mateus. �How do you know so much about each of us?� I ask the frozen being.
Kat|e looks up sharply.
^Lilly: Looking up and watching Kuna, still shaking slightly.
Claron watches the movement of Stryder�s closed eyes, �Its like he is dreaming��
Vin_Da_DM: �Excellent. Tell me what information you gathered and I will compare it to what the others gathered,� Clarice�s father motions for her to follow him into the corridor.
Luna_Faline prowls in front of the him, �Just the right buttons to push, cause pain, cast doubt, and create insecurities.�
Clarice continues to look at her father, �The others...what do you mean the others?�
Vin_Da_DM: Mateus shifts inside the ice block, his voice drifting around the room, �I know what I must in order to prepare you. You are not closed books, Warriors. The echoes of your actions ripple across the universe itself.�
Kat|e snorts.
^Lilly looks slightly confused.
Clarice looks back at the cryo-tube, �Are you telling me I am not who I think I am?�
Luna_Faline stops and looks at him, �Ripples turn into massive tidal waves eventually,� turning away from him to prowl again.
Kat|e: �Great. So, in addition to having the weight of the world on our shoulders, fighting baddies�now our life story is being spied on. That�s so fucking comforting. Do ya have a shower-cam, too?�
^Lilly turns towards the runes.
Vin_Da_DM: �You are who you think you are. But that trait is something you all possess,� Clarice�s father moves over to the wall and presses a button. The wall clears into a window overlooking a large room with rows of cryo-tubes, each holding a copy of Clarice.
Clarice thinks for a second, �Why don�t you share with me first what the others told you?�
Clarice�s eyes widen as she sees all the exact copies of herself, �No, you are wrong��
Vin_Da_DM: �Am I? Each one of them thinks that they are Clarice and they are in some respect. Just like you are, but not.� Clarice�s father watches her reactions.
Clarice�s eyes flare, �Do they all hate you as much as I do you, Daddy dearest?�
Vin_Da_DM: Letting out a laugh he looks at her, �Excellent. You almost act like the real Clarice.�
Clarice brings her hands up to her head, �Of course, why wouldn�t I? I am the real Clarice...I bought into your lies once...NEVER again!�
Vin_Da_DM: �So, you believe you are the real deal? Show me. Prove to me that you are my real daughter.� Her father chuckles again.
^Lilly getting uncomfortable with the silence, �I don�t like this.�
Clarice watches her father carefully, then without batting an eye she shoots ice daggers at him.
Vin_Da_DM: �You may not like it, but we don�t exactly have anywhere to go. Still stranded on this planet,� Syne says as he sits, watching Claron and Tabris with Stryder curiously.
^Lilly softly responds, �Then speak...just anything to get rid of the silence.�
Vin_Da_DM: The ice daggers strike a shield surrounding him and he looks at her, �Ice powers. A nice parlor trick but you�ll have to do better than that if you wish to convince me. Or perhaps you�re trying to convince yourself, hmm?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Then we shall talk to avoid your discomfort.� The Guardian �blinks� at Lilly.
Clarice: �Still the same bastard you have always been! I refuse to let you try and convince me that I am one of those!� while glancing over at the look-a-likes.
^Lilly turns to the Guardian, �Are you being smart-alecky with me?�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder mutters some words that are too quiet to hear as he remains unconscious in Claron�s arms.
Luna_Faline stops in front of Mateus again, glances around the room eyes settling on Eclipse. �What is so wrong with wanting a little bit of love for myself? What is wrong with having a small piece of what mortals have?� I wonder.
Vin_Da_DM: �Not at all. It is not uncommon for humanoids to dislike silence,� Guardian says to Lilly.
^Lilly quiet for a minute, �I have never liked silence��
Vin_Da_DM: �I do not have to convince you that you are one of them. You are. Would you like to see the real Clarice?� Clarice�s father extends his hand to her in invitation.
Clarice has a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach as she slowly accepts her father�s hand.
Vin_Da_DM: Taking Clarice�s hand he leads her out of the laboratory and down a seemingly endless corridor before they reach a door. �After you. See for yourself.�
Clarice keeps telling herself, �He�s a liar, always has been, always will be.�
Vin_Da_DM: �You can always starting singing,� Syne looks at Lilly and grins.
Clarice nervously reaches out to open the door and steps in.
^Lilly grins slightly, �I know, but are you sure you would want to hear me sing?�
Kat|e laughs. �Better than me singing, I think.�
Vin_Da_DM: As Clarice passes through the door she finds herself standing in a familiar grassy field as a stone wall stretches before her. Dozens of names are carved in rows on it, and in the center of the row in front of her is her own name.
^Lilly: �I�ve never heard a complaint�� Silent for a second, �That could also be because I�ve never sung in front of anyone before��
Tabris looks at Claron with concern, �I hope he�s putting up a good fight.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Go ahead, I don�t have any real ears. So I don�t have to worry about them bleeding,� Syne chuckles at Lilly.
^Lilly can�t help but glare at Syne.
Clarice remembers seeing this place before, reaching out she runs her fingers across the name she sees in front of her. �Vivian Clarice Penance� �No! No! This can�t be true!�
^Lilly despite his words, starts to sing a soft tune.
Claron gently strokes Stryder�s face.
Vin_Da_DM: �Killed in action. Quiet the heroic sacrifice as I remember,� Clarice�s father places his hand on her shoulder, �Everyone was here to pay their respects. Some stayed longer than others.�
Clarice jerks her shoulder out from her father�s hand, �Tewyn and Shinta...would a clone remember helping to save them�� spinning around to look at her father.
Clarice shakes her head, �No, Father�it was a clone you killed, it was not me.�
Clarice: �You should have loved Mother better�she wouldn�t have helped me to escape you if you had.�
^Lilly: Stopping her song she looks around at everyone.
Vin_Da_DM: �Your mother served her purpose. Do you think I would have really let her take you away just like that? You ended up exactly where I wanted you.�
Claron rocks gently back and forth as she cradles and strokes Stryder�s face.
^Lilly: �And if you don�t really have ears�then how come you can hear us talk?� turning to Syne her face full of confusion.
Vin_Da_DM: �Just because I don�t have ears, doesn�t mean I can�t hear,� Syne shakes his head.
^Lilly: �Then how do you hear?� She moves closer to him.
Clarice: �Then I am nothing, there�s no point to my existence��
Luna_Faline sighs then moves away from Mateus.
Vin_Da_DM: �I just do. If you want a full biological explanation you�re out of luck. I�m not a scientist.� Syne looks at Lilly.
^Lilly sighs, �You are just being difficult�just like everyone else.� Moves a little ways away and sits down, her eyes focusing on the runes again.
Clarice turns and runs back through the door, down the long corridor back into the laboratory. Shutting the door behind her, short circuiting the control panel that would allow entrance into it.
Clarice rushes over to the computer panel and has no trouble recalling her previous computer and encryption skills as she tries to bring up the confidential files concerning herself and the cloning program.
Vin_Da_DM: �You look to a machine for answers. You will not find what you are looking for in that computer,� a voice sounds from behind Clarice as she works at the computer.
Clarice. �Maybe not, but I can make sure there will be no more of these clones!� as she deletes all the files and kills the power to the cryo-tubes.
Vin_Da_DM: �Just like that. A flip of switch and you extinguish life. But the question still remains. If all the clones are gone, then do you become the real Clarice? Or are you still a copy?�
Clarice smiles slyly, �I become me�whether I am the real Clarice or not�I will be me... who I am today.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Then that is all that matters. Believe in yourself and you will succeed where others would falter,� the voice says, �Your test is complete.� The world around Clarice fades as she appears back in the temple room.
^Lilly: Glancing up as Clarice reappears, �Wow...you were gone a while. Are you okay?�
Kat|e smiles when she sees Clarice come back.
Clarice falls to her knees as she realizes she is back in the temple... �I am me�� she sobs softly.
^Lilly sighing as she gets up. Walking over to the runes she looks at one of them, �S�pose its my turn now, huh?�
Vin_Da_DM: �If you want to take your challenge. If not, you will not be punished,� Eclipse says to Lilly as he moves to Luna.
Kat|e gasps.
Kat|e: �A choice? There was a choice?�
Luna_Faline is relieved that Clarice is back. Watches Eclipse coming to me.
^Lilly nods, �I�m sure, Eclipse...but I don�t want to be seen as weak in any sense. Everyone else took theirs...it would be weak of me to walk away from mine.�
Clarice looks up at ^Lilly then notices Tabris, Stryder and Claron. Crawling over towards them, �What happened to my nephew? Don�t tell me he failed his test��
^Lilly: With her words to Eclipse she takes a look at the figure in the ice before turning back to the rune and clasping her hand around it. �Here goes nothing��
Vin_Da_DM: �Go right ahead then, Lil. We�ll still be here when you get back,� Syne says giving Lilly a wave, �Good luck, kid.�
Vin_Da_DM: The room fades around Lilly and she finds herself on an empty street in a city.
^Lilly looking around, her arms around her body hugging herself, �Hello?�
Vin_Da_DM: Lilly�s voice echoes off the surfaces of the buildings, eventually fading out of hearing as it echoes down the street.
^Lilly: Shivering, �No...this can�t be. Luna? Syne? Claron...anyone?�
Vin_Da_DM: Nothing greets Lilly�s voice save the wind blowing through the street, across windows and rooftops.
^Lilly: Looking at the buildings for anything familiar, �I don�t like this. Where is everyone?� wandering around, walking towards a building. �Well, at least I should get out of the cold no less��
Vin_Da_DM: Lilly hears a faint sound on the wind sounding like her name. Out of the corner of her eye she notices a figure move down the street away from her.
^Lilly turns towards the figure, her ears perk up. �What...or who was that?� breaking into a run she follows the figure.
Vin_Da_DM: The figure stays just far enough ahead that Lilly cannot make out who it is. Down the road it turns and disappears into a break in a wall along the roadside.
^Lilly: Frowning as the figure disappears behind the wall. When she reaches it she examines it only a second before fitting through it. �HEYY! Wait up!!�
Claron finally realizes that Clarice is next to her, �I�m sorry...my mind was elsewhere... He�s been like this ever since he touched his rune.�
Clarice: �What do you mean? He failed?�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse rests a hand on Luna�s shoulder and looks her in the eyes, �You�ve been quiet ever since you completed your test.�
Claron starts shaking her head from side to side. �HE never disappeared...like the rest of us.�
Tabris: �I don�t think so...I think he�s taking the test right now.� Tabris looks at Clarice as he gently pats Stryder�s shoulder.
Vin_Da_DM: The figure Lilly is chasing stops in the middle of small flower-filled garden hidden among the buildings. It turns to smile at her and she notices it is her mother.
Luna_Faline stares into Eclipse�s eyes, �I suppose. How�� trails off afraid to ask what happened.
Clarice: �Must be one hell of a test. I could have sworn he and I approached our runes about the same time.�
^Lilly: Gasping, she stops dead in her tracks. Softly, �Mom?� Slowly she moves towards the figure, �But...your dead.�
Claron: �Oh, god! You really think he is taking his test right now?� looking back at Tabris.
Vin_Da_DM: Lilly�s mother looks at her with a tear in her eye but remains standing still.
Luna_Faline takes a deep breath, �I hope Alexei and the Ettik are alright.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Let�s hope so�� Eclipse perks a brow at Luna, �What were you going to ask?�
^Lilly: Moving even closer looks around, �What are you doing here?...Mom, please don�t cry.�
Luna_Faline shakes my head and lowers my eyes.
Vin_Da_DM: Lilly�s mother extends a hand out and touches Lilly�s cheek lightly. A soft warmth accompanies the touch as she continues to remain silent with a loving look on her face.
^Lilly: A tear falls down her cheek as images flood her mind, �I don�t understand...they killed you��
Vin_Da_DM: Moving her hand Lilly�s mother points down a path leading out of the garden before fading away.
^Lilly: �Mom...no�don�t,� sighing she continues the way her mother pointed, suddenly getting cold again. The warmth of her mother disappearing as well. �Don�t leave me...again.�
Vin_Da_DM: The path leads through several alleyways before depositing Lilly in front of a graveyard. Several rows in a figure stands in front of a tombstone and Lilly hears her name faintly in the wind again.
^Lilly: Shuddering as she enters the graveyard. Hesitant as she moves forward not sure of what she would see...however, knowing it wouldn�t be good.
Clarice remains quiet as she sits with the DuVallis family. Sneaking a glance over at Tewyn, she wonders why he hasn�t spoken barely a word to her since the village. The images of all the clones remain fresh in her mind as she wonders, �Does he doubt who I am, too? Would he know the difference?�
Vin_Da_DM: �You doing okay, Kat?� Syne walks over to Katie and places a hand on her shoulder, �Everyone�s awful quiet for some reason.�
Vin_Da_DM: As Lilly approaches the figure it turns it�s head and Lilly can see it is her father this time. Looking at her solemnly he turns his head back to the tombstone.
^Lilly: Walking next to it she sighs as she kneels down looking at the name, �Dad�why?�
Clarice: �Maybe its taking us some time to deal with what we went through. I don�t know about the rest of you, but its damn right frightening how transparent we are to this Mateus.�
Kat|e: �I�m fine. It�s just been a hell of a day.� She smiles at Syne. �Thank ye for being concerned. I�ll be right as rain. You�ll see.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Don�t care much for rain, but you can be as right as you want,� Syne smiles back.
Luna_Faline gives up and just wraps my arms around Eclipse and holds him.
Kat|e throws her head back and laughs. �Yeah, wet dog is no fun,� she teases, her eyes twinkling merrily.
Clarice thinks to herself as she hears Katie, �Wish I felt that way.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse pats Luna�s back gently as she holds him, looking over at Clarice he nods. �Perhaps...he is more than he seems.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Dog and Kat. All we need now is a mouse and we�d be quite the bunch.� Chuckling a little Syne looks at everyone else.
Kat|e giggles.
Luna_Faline nods my head against his chest, �Much more than what he seems,� I whispurr.
Vin_Da_DM: The tombstone reads Lilly�s father�s name. Kneeling down, her father looks at her with a sad look then rests his hand gently on her shoulder and nods.
Kat|e: �Pity the mouse that gets in my way.� She grins, then frowns and looks at Shinta, �But then, pity was never his thing.�
Claron whispers softly to Stryder, �Come back to us, son.�
^Lilly: Sighing, �Dad, I can�t take this anymore. What are you and Mom doing here?...And why like this? What is it supposed to mean?�
Vin_Da_DM: Lilly�s father stands and helps her to her feet. Pointing to the far side of the graveyard he looks at her and nods again before fading away.
^Lilly: Shaking her head, reaching out for her father as he leaves, �NOOO, not again...Why does everyone leave?... Slowly she continues on down the path.
Vin_Da_DM: The path continues and eventually leads out of the graveyard. Another empty street stretches before Lilly and yet again her name is whispered on the wind.
^Lilly: Looking in all directions, shouting, �STOP!!! Leave me alone.��
Vin_Da_DM: A figure fades into view in front of Lilly and looks at her, immediately she notices it�s her first love, �If you really want me to�I�ll go.�
^Lilly: Tears running down my face, backing up, �No....please don�t. But are you real? Or are you like the others and just going to disappear on me and leave me alone again?�
Vin_Da_DM: �I won�t leave, but I cannot stay.� Her love smiles at her, �The others are gone, but they haven�t left.�
^Lilly: �What�s that supposed to mean? You all left me. I have been alone for years...I�m still alone,� voice drifting off slowly.
Vin_Da_DM: �Are you?� Alexei�s voice sounds from behind Lilly as the image of her first love fades.
^Lilly turning to face Alexei. �How did you?� Face full of confusion, silent for a while, �I�M so confused. Yes, I am alone��
Vin_Da_DM: �You are never alone. Don�t you see?� Alexei motions for Lilly to look around.
^Lilly: �Don�t YOU see, Alexei. Mom, Dad...Zhane. They all were taken from me and I was left alone...to take care of myself,� as his words silence her she looks around.
Vin_Da_DM: Around Lilly other figures fade into view. Her fellow Warriors, friends, her mother, her father, and Zhane. �You are surrounded by all these people. Why do you believe you are alone?�
^Lilly sighing, �Because, I�m an outcast. Take the Warriors for example.� Facing the Warriors, �They all have their ties...Claron, Clarice, Tewyn and all them...Luna and Eclipse. They all have some form of ties with the other Warriors...I have no one.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Have you tried to form ties? Or do you simply step aside and give up?�
^Lilly: �Yes...god, I�ve tried. Relationships and friendships. Everyone sticks to themselves.� Frowns as she turns to her parents and Zhane, �And as for everyone else...they are always ripped from me.�
^Lilly: �It�s like they are annoyed that I�m even around sometimes...like I don�t fit in.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Even though they may not show it, you are surrounded by people who care or have cared for you. Yet you remain blind to this merely because words are not shared between you?�
^Lilly sighs as she thinks a moment, �I guess it could be partly my fault...maybe I haven�t tried hard enough out of fear of something like the past happening again. Everyone being taken from me...you know scared to get too close...and then losing it all over again��
Vin_Da_DM: �The past is the past and the future it what you make of it. These people are here for you, regardless of what is or isn�t said. Remember this Lilly. Your test is complete.� The figure around Lilly smile at her as everything fades, depositing her back in the temple room.
^Lilly: Falling to the ground on her hands and knees, eyes closed, a tear falling. �I didn�t get to say goodbye.��
^Lilly: Softly repeating, �Say goodbye...didn�t get to say goodbye.�
Claron barely notices that Lilly has returned as she continues to worry about Stryder.
Vin_Da_DM: �Then say it....no time like the present, kid.� Syne crouches down next to Lilly.
^Lilly turning, opening my eyes, staring at Syne. �I can�t...their gone...again.�
Luna_Faline not letting go of Eclipse, �They�ll still know.�
Kat|e nods.
Kat|e: �They still hear you. So say it, lass. They will listen.� Looks at Shinta, who still has his back to her
Vin_Da_DM: Syne looks at Luna and nods, �They�re right, kid. They�ll hear you no matter where they are because you keep a part of them here,� Syne pats his chest where his heart would be.
^Lilly: Her eyes falling on Eclipse and Luna. �How can you be so sure?...How can anyone be sure?� Her voice drifts off as her mind fills with images of her past and the words of
Alexei. �Goodbye...I�m sorry��
Kat|e nods again.
^Lilly leaning against Syne a bit her next words almost a whisper, �I love you��
Kat|e: �Trust me, lass. I�ve been up to my eyeballs in the departed. So, I know a thing or two about the great beyond. They still watch over you.�
Vin_Da_DM: Syne nods to her as he comforts her, �You too, kid.�
^Lilly: �I didn�t.�� turning her head to face him but deciding to not press on.
Claron hearing ^Lilly, �I can be sure. Once when all believed that I was dead�the one thing that brought me back was hearing ever so faintly the sound of Tabris� voice.�
^Lilly continues leaning against Syne, enjoying the warmth after being suddenly in the cold and lonely streets of a city.
Vin_Da_DM: Of the runes floating in the air all but three have stopped fading. With a faint movement from Mateus inside the ice block the faded runes return to their spots in the wall. The runes in front of Tewyn and Shinta glow brightly, while the one near Stryder pulses oddly. Everyone who has passed their tests begins to feel the changes, faint like whispers but growing...
Vin_Da_DM: $ End