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Post by arioncasea on Jul 23, 2009 7:03:01 GMT -8
The silver armor upon the creature now reflected only burning fire and blood red. The glowing runes etched in it, now glowed only a dark sinister violet. The blood red eyes shone brightly in this kind of place...
Arion took his first few steps down onto the ground of the Void. Void was right... the place was a wasteland, save for a single mountain range which had light coming from it - no doubt a city hidden within. It was a good idea.. protected on all sides from the harsh environment and undoubtedly monstrous creatures that lived here.
But Arion saw no such creatures. It looked like the gate itself had been left completely unguarded. The demonic horde had spared nobody in it's rallying of troops to attack the other world, Ira. He saw a small and steady stream of demons - whomever had lagged behind or had decided to go through this portal instead of one of the others that had apparently popped up - coming from the mountain. So he picked up and began to move again, now that he was done surveying the area. The others would catch up...in time.
The smaller demons ignored him and passed. Some of the larger ones passed him too. But eventually he met with a very big one, almost like an elephant and a bull mixed together in some hideous experiment. But it was enormous, a bit smaller than Arion. It's body was plump but it's head and limbs were cracked and small. It was a disgusting creature.
The rotting flesh and bone that showed was a little discerning. The bull-like creature lowered it's grotesque head and began to charge at him with blood-soaked horns.
Not here. He wasn't going to stop here, or even take too long. He lifted himself off of the ground with his wings and waited for the headstrong creature to get under him, then he dropped his enormous weight upon the beast and it fell to the ground. Arion quickly turned around while he had it pinned. He took it's head in his mouth and dug his fangs in. A sickening, wet and rotten crack echoed through the valley as Arion snapped the creatures neck. He paid no heed to it's dead body, and neither did the other demons. They merely continued their journey to Ira. A society where one was left to fend for ones own... where if you saw a "friend" die, you let it be... because it wasn't your business, he got what was eventually coming. None of the other demons tried to attack for the death of the bull-like creature... they just continued on.
And so did Arion.
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Post by arioncasea on Aug 1, 2009 16:41:57 GMT -8
Arion had finally reached the mountainous wall of the city. This was no doubt where the book would be kept, considering it was the only thing he saw. If, that is, the book was there at all...
His reflective armor settled into a crack in the rock wall and he waited, laying down and watching. The surroundings made him blend in perfectly with his armor, except for his red eyes which were bright and piercing. He lay there and waited patiently, silently... he would wait half a days time, perhaps a day in total, for his comrades to catch up. If they didn't by then, he was going to go for the book. Time was of the essence.
So Arion lay there, waiting and watching. His mind devoid of thought, and his breathing still and slow. He waited...
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Post by arioncasea on Aug 6, 2009 13:51:05 GMT -8
The little demon wobbled to and fro squeaking and piping at grubs and slugs and every manner of insect or... thing that existed in his dirty, dusty paradise. It hadn't joined the others in the assault on the world, Ira. No, it was far too small and weak and fragile. It lived on it's bugs and scraps and droppings. It had, however, summoned up the courage to go and watch the bigger and stronger demons go forth unto guaranteed victory - of course. So here it stood, right at the mouth of the cave that the demons came through that led to that big portal. It heard a cracking noise, and the rock and dust of a mountain wall broke slightly and rolled or blew away with the harsh winds that were outside of the city. The tiny demon stopped and didn't move. He knew that if they couldn't see you, they wouldn't eat you. His beady black eyes scanned all around him, slowly. Then there was another cracking and a sudden large gust of wind. The demon shrieked and quickly shut it's eyes, awaiting it's no doubt horrid and painful end. But there was no such thing. It slowly opened it's eyes and saw a boulder and some larger rocks fall away from a rock facing near the cave entrance. After moments of silence, it sighed with relief and relaxed, looking about somewhat fitfully. Then it rubbed it's shoulder, for it felt warm. It brought back a small clawed hand covered in a viscous, clear mucous-like liquid -- saliva. It looked up trembling and it's eyes met with another pair - a pair of blood and death -, and a force of wind began to come up from inside it's little body.
But it never made it to the "scream" part. Two huge jaws snapped down on it and immediately ended it's life. Arion threw his head upwards and the lower half of the small demon body ripped apart from the top half that he had bitten down on. Arion swallowed the top half whole, and opened his jaw upwards and swallowed the bottom half just as quickly when it landed in his mouth. A meager snack, but whom was he to complain in this wasteland.
His reflective armor made him blend in so well that the small demon never saw him coming. He stretched his head and neck out, stretched his wings, then stretched his tail until his body was at full length and wingspan. He shook vigorously to shake off the feeling of not moving for so long. His skin tingled, but it felt good to move.
Forth he went, unto the cave entrance and made his way upwards towards the city. Once he had gotten there, he dropped his enormous form and returned to his humanoid form. He had changed somewhat since his transformation. A cloaked figure with a very dark pale gray skin and crimson red shining eyes entered the city.
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Post by arioncasea on Aug 12, 2009 14:30:47 GMT -8
This dark figure stepped forward with purpose and determination showing. In the eyes of the figure was the totality of chaos and murder, like a live and literal "Grim Reaper". In the back of his mind, he counted out his kills on Ira since the battle had begun. Of all of his comrades, he had the least. However, in retrospect, he also knew that he had fought in the most efficient and self-preserving manner.
There is no use to getting yourself killed before you even get to your destination..., growled the heavy voice in his head.
He moved forward, step by step, as it felt like time slowed down. This city - if you could call it a city - was quiet. Far too quiet for his liking. But he moved forward through the thick and heavy silence. He felt good, really good. He was at full strength and his energy was flowing through him along all the axis' of his blood. He felt that his biorhythm was at it's peak; psychologically, he was in prime condition for anything that required work or combat. He took heavy, predetermined steps that would show those that still wandered the streets that he commanded authority.
The chainmail he wore clinked together lightly as he moved onward, and he held his halberd behind his back with a hand hidden in his cloak. Aside from the unamused mouth that could be seen, only red slits could be seen in the shadow of the hooded figure.
He concluded that the book would probably be in the largest, most well fortified building. Steadily he moved towards that very location - what looked like a castle or perhaps a huge cathedral. The building, which indeed seemed to be the demon-lord's seat of power - judging from the statues and other decor that were abound.
There was no security getting past the large and, to him unnecessary, wall and gate.
He walked right on up the great length of the also large stairs that led to a tall and wide door of metal and wood. With some amount of strength he managed to push it open enough to get himself inside, and then closed it behind him.
He now stood in a great hall decorated with many statues and paintings. The floor of the hall was a grand white and red marble, with an intricate and delicate pattern etched and outlined in gold on each tile. He took a deep breath and slowly breathed it out.
Even the Demon Lord himself has taste... thought the man, as he started once more forward. However, he tread slowly and carefully. His eyes darted to and fro, keeping watch for anything that moved suddenly.
Nothing happened. He continued a bit further and began to ascend another set of large stairs. Upon reaching the top, he saw that there upon a pedestal was a large, dusty, black, bound book. He started for it, and then stopped suddenly. Something felt wrong. He looked around... of course. Nothing had moved, because he hadn't moved. He looked down behind him, to look down the stairs that he had just ascended. There was not a set of stairs behind him, but instead... the door he had come through.
"Damn!" he grunted out. But he didn't let it frustrate him. He began to talk to himself, and casually leaned against the door. He placed himself in the middle of it, so that he would feel any attempt at entry.
"Something has to be the trigger..." a rough and heavy voice growled. There were none around to hear him, but that didn't matter. They didn't need to. He only needed to hear himself - make sure there was an echo. His senses watched and monitored everything in the area.
Slowly, he contemplated.
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Post by arioncasea on Aug 13, 2009 16:18:27 GMT -8
The figure sitting there, silent and like a statue, had thought for a while about his situation.
Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked around him. Carved in stone and marble were intricate designs of creatures, demons, what have you... he noticed nothing different. He set up and once again began forward, and ascended the stairs. At the top, he noticed he was no closer to the book.
He walked again, and used the edge of his halberd to place a small chip in the tiles of the floor that he walked upon. As he ascended to the top of the stairs a third time, he looked at the floor carefully. Some tiles had the small cut upon them, and some did not - though he clearly recalled walking over them, as he walked straight.
He began to walk over all of the tiles and cut incisions into them to use as a map.
It was only a matter of time.
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Post by Dogrim Bloodaxe on Aug 18, 2009 23:01:00 GMT -8
Drendil and his new forced moved quickly and forcefully down the main city toward Sirigoth's castle. A few of the remaining Demons tried to resits the squad, and those that did were quickly, and painfully, put down. In one large column, three men a row they quickly made there way to the front of the Demon Lord's castle. Pealing off his helmet Drendil took a moment to look around. He could feel monsters lurking around the corner, watching and waiting for him, yet they did nothing. Perhaps they were awaiting the Demon Lord's command. If so then they would simply need to force their way in fast, grab the book and get out, and if the Demon Lord came, then they would deal with him. Quickly he made his way up the stair case, hand on the pommel of his blade, he motioned for a small group to follow him into the castle. Together the small group forced their way through the great doors that marked the entrance. Within moments a small force of Demons met Drendil's force. Leading the charge the Eternal swept his mighty sword in two arcs, slicing through the first row. Inside the castle the corridors were narrow, and the fighting was dirty and up close. Also it was a waste of time. The longer they spent fighting, the sooner the Demon Lord would return.
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Post by arioncasea on Aug 19, 2009 13:18:11 GMT -8
Arion heard a loud ruckus from below and leaned nonchalantly upon the handrail that intricately ran the length of a long walkway on the second floor. He looked down to see a group of men and one larger, armored one that looked to be the leader. The men tore through a group of smaller demons that had attacked them, and continued to move forward it seemed.
Arion smiled, and shrugged slightly. Then he opened his mouth.
"Do not be so hasty, I advise", came a rough and growling voice that would draw their attention.
He leaned further over the edge, and laughed a bit.
"You will only tire yourselves and stress yourselves mentally if you continue rushing forward like that. The area is trapped, and is more like a maze. Follow the map I made, if you can." he echoed in the hallway.
He pointed down at the floor tiles. Many of them were notched with chips and scratches and symbols.
For a split second, he let his blood red eyes light up through the dark hood he was wearing and stared at the man, then he continued moving towards his destination. He had avoided the traps and illusions by slowly and, with focus, going steadily through the castle. He had passed many rooms, many hallways, and had seen the same area many times in the mistakes he had made. But he left a map for himself... although, only he knew which symbols and cuts to follow.
He turned and continued forward without waiting. There wasn't any time to wait anyways.
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Post by hawkeye on Aug 20, 2009 1:26:31 GMT -8
Alexandra kept close to the group, though hung towards the back. She wouldn't be caught away again. the beads that hung from her fans chimed together quietly, lost to the ears of her fellows as she moved through their contingent, healing and shielding people as she passed. It seemed a better way to spend her energy- they were far more efficient than her in the killing part.
They came to the vast doors of the castle quickly. Once inside, the fighting became closer, and more bogged down. A growl came from above them.
"Don't be so hasty, I advise..."
The dragon son stood above them, looking down. He laughed quietly.
"You will only tire yourselves and stress yourselves mentally if you continue rushing forward like that. The area is trapped, and is more like a maze. Follow the map I made, if you can."
His eyes flashed a moment, then he turned away. Alexandra bit her lip, then took to the air, chasing after him. "Arion!" She called, following his movements. Moving through traps and such things was a familiar thing- they taught and practiced trappings in the Circle of Sanctuary. The man before her clearly had a good idea too- he moved easily among the secrets of the various rooms.
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Post by Tristan Aleona on Aug 20, 2009 14:57:51 GMT -8
The emerald eyed young man had followed quickly to the Void, seeing his companions had already made their push.
The Void had not become any friendlier since the last time he was here with Luvaran.
"Tempest," said the young man.
"Let's dance," spoke the wolf.
The two moved forward, now with wolfen sense making it easier to find his companions.
He arrived in time to kill a few demons in the sweep through the city, and caught up to Drendil.
Soon, they encountered Arion, and the elf woman chased after him.
The wolf man looked around at the maze, clearly the Demon Lord had added some security since he visited. Of course, when a couple of humans tag team Sirigoth and his head Warlock and live to tell about it, what else could they do?
"Wish me the same luck we had last time," whispered the young man to his fallen friend.
"Lead the way Arion!" they yelled launching in to the air after him, thankful that one of their group had been smart enough to scout ahead before the invasion.
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Post by fenrir on Aug 20, 2009 15:06:48 GMT -8
Fen was last to arrive, the excess power from opening Hell's Gate had given him the strength and insanity to gleefully kill the demons who had blocked their exit from the Necro City. The energy had faded before he reached the void, and he had rested his red eyes for now, the tactically sensible and violent side of him had seen it more fitting to conserve his strength until he was fighting the demon lord.
But of course Fen didn't know this, he simply felt almost as if he had fallen asleep on his way to the Void. Perhaps a dog had carried him...
All he knew was that he was soon nearby Drendil, his clothes stained with more blood than before. If he had a mother, she would be very cross.
"Drendil! Are we there yet?" asked the boy.
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Post by arioncasea on Aug 20, 2009 17:49:43 GMT -8
Moments later, Arion was across the hallway on the other side grand room. He looked to Alexandra and Hiro, who were across the room where he was a few seconds ago, and stared at them, then began speaking again.
"It's not that easy, I already tried...follow the map..." his rough voice growled.
He nodded at them, and continued walking forward. Slowly he was getting closer to the book. With every step, there was a quiet and light screech from his halberd cutting into the tiles mapping his steps.
He walked into another door, and appeared once again on the other side, closest to Alexandra and Hiro.
"Not right..." he muttered, turned around and walked back the way he came. He appeared across the room, again, and walked into another door, notching into the floor as he moved forward.
He spoke without looking at his comrades, and continued onwards.
"You're going to fly into a wall, be careful... " came the voice, unnatural sounding compared to normal.
Razgriz... resounded through his head lightly. His entire body shuddered and then pulsed with a bloodthirsty energy, but he just kept going...
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Post by sirigoth on Aug 20, 2009 21:05:30 GMT -8
The Warlock materialized within moments deep within the bowels of the castle. Where the Warlock stood nothing seemed out of the ordinary. If he had not seen it with his own eyes and it were not his own wards he would have assumed it to be false information. Melding in with the shadows the Warlock set about his work. He had to come up with a scheme with which to hold the group until Sirigoth returned, even he was not foolish enough to think that he was capable of taking on the group within the castles halls. But if he was careful enough, he would be able to distract them and keep them occupied.
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Post by Dogrim Bloodaxe on Aug 20, 2009 21:10:35 GMT -8
Drendil stood there as his companions flew off to join the Dragon boy who had appeared. The Eternal cared little about what and were his allies had gone off to, all that mattered was claiming the book, and if that was were they had gone then more power to them. Leaving his troops behind the hold the front chamber and guard the entrance the Eternal moved off on his own. Either the boy Fen would follow him or he would go off on his own, either way it didn't matter to him. With his hand on the pommel of his blade he submerged himself in the darkness that was the Demon Lord's castle.
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Post by Tristan Aleona on Aug 23, 2009 11:08:19 GMT -8
Hiro ran through the halls of the maze, eager to push forward, the smell of demon on his nose heightened by Tempest's presence within him.
"This doesn't feel right..." said the wolf Hiro, his voice wild from the change.
"There must be a key or a pattern to it..."
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Post by fenrir on Aug 23, 2009 11:12:26 GMT -8
Fen followed Drendil through the darkness, "Drendil!" called the boy, "Oh there you are!"
He ran after him, his chains clinking through the dark. "Why does this have to take so long... I've got important things to do... like... um.... Well I don't know but if I did this would be very inconvenient!"
The darkness was thick, but he pushed on, not expecting much from the Eternal as far as conversation went.
"When this is over... I'm getting a puppy."
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