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â??Yes! It is finally time for some tea and maybe I shall finally get my 100 sugars I ordered from that blasted woman.â? Barracus said merrily to himself, the pouch that held his trophy clenched in his free hand. His other hand slowly spinning the cane through his fingers as he seemed to dance around in boredom, his feet idly tapping as he seemed to be bouncing around to some unheard music. The others were growing accustomed to his antics in their short time together, their eyes no longer falling on him when he let his mind wander and his lips speak whatever came to mind. But right now, his mind was far from gone as it normally was; his trophy he had taken from his Lich brother was having a more profound effect on him. He was thinking more clearly, but only for short times as he was discovering, he wasnâ??t able to hold on to the time if he tried but it did happen progressively. Sometimes, it would last for mere moments; other time he had felt it last for at least an hour. It was becoming intoxicating to him, being able to participate in the real world once more instead of as a raving lunatic he had been before. But, he would need to keep up behavior; he would let none of them know how clear he was now. â??I would so desire to see Charles once more, where is that lazy servant of mine? Charles! I demand a foot rub! We walked for days without any rest, through harsh deserts and blistering winds! It was dreadful.â? He flourished around, throwing his hands and arms out as he embellished the story and then plopped down into a arm chair with his feet thrown out in front of him. He looked around with as innocent and child like look as he possibly could, seeing how they were preparing for the full moon tonight. It was an event that would weigh heavily on this band of misfits, the fear of them being out in the open when the change happened, the fear the originator had of something she called the Fating. It was an event he had heard about, something spoken amongst the higher Lichs when he had moments of clarity. When they thought he couldnâ??t hear their words, hear their whispers of his demise, of how they had tried their best to strip him of his mind. His eyes looked to see who was doing what, what kind of preparations they were planning to make and what the new lay of the land was. He caught one person looking at him, the half demon named Kayin, if he was actually remembering him correctly. His eyes had fallen on the Lich Lord, something about them seem to be scrutinizing him for something more. The look only lasted a few moments and Barracus was sure his bright smile and his child like behavior was enough to subdue whatever suspicion was in that observation. â??Alright, I bid you all a good night and for those of you changing tonight that you remain in your rooms and stay safe. The rest should stay away from them; it will be a long night.â? Darian spoke clearly now, checking over everyone before making his departure, vanishing into another room. Barracus watched them all disperse for the time; Mikhail seemed the most aggravated with the whole situation. Baldr behaving as a soldier, quiet and weighing the options in his mind before entering into his designated cage. They prettied them up, gave those comfortable beds and chairs and put down rugs of very exquisite fabric and design, but the walls were reinforced, the doors having been replaced with titanium bars. It was for everyoneâ??s protection, or so they had all be told, it was just another justification for being in another prison. Barracus was pleased he wouldnâ??t be trapped in those confines, though it couldnâ??t hold his particular power but it was enough for the feral behavior of the were-creatuers. He rose from the arm chair, following behind Mikhail as he was closed up into his room. The barred door slamming shut as Barracus took his seat beside the door, stretching out and getting comfortable even though he was to retire to his own room. He found no reason to go there; sleep was simply a way to waste time while other creatures gained their energy back. He would remain awake for the time, while he could still appreciate his mind being whole. Or as whole as it could be with the time he had, he looked over his shoulder as he saw Mikhail pacing back and forth as he could feel the change begin to take hold. It was more gradual then Barracus had been ready for, it was going to grow boring very quickly, and he wasnâ??t going to waste any time. â??Mikhail, if I actually remember your name correctly. It has been an interesting journey with you so far, your strength as a were-wolf is quite remarkable. Your blood is pure which must mean your clan is very strong, Europe seems to have a way of breeding some of the best.â? Mikhail had a stunned look on his face, having been prepared for his antics, the ranting and raving of foolish statements. What he was seeing now, was very different, he was seeing a part of the Lich Lord he could only understand when he stripped away his flesh and became the desiccated corpse. â??Why do you sound so different Barracus?â? The Lich stood from his seat, removing his hat he set his cane on the ground balancing it perfectly as he placed his hat over the orb before he started to pace in front of the cage with one hand behind his back as he gestured with the other. â??Ah yes, you speak of when my mind is scattered to the wind, when the world is nothing more than a play thing to me. I have my mind, for now at least, and I have decided to reveal that information to you as you and Baldr have shown to be the most trust worthy.â? Mikhail had a grim look on his face, his body was shaking lightly but hearing the Lich speak in this fashion was enough to divert his attention and his focus to the task at hand. â??I do not fully understand, why tell me anything, Baldr seems to know you better then I. And what is to keep me from telling the others of your mental clarity?â? Barracus let a smile creep on his face, continuing his pacing back and forth. â??I sense in you something more, a desire for something greater than this. This entrapment they give you to control your power to change, I cannot offer you the answer to how, but I can offer my assistance and my vast knowledge and experience if you do two things for me.â? The Lich looked stopped his pacing to look into the eyes of the werewolf, seeing how they were beginning to shift to accommodate the beast within. â??Iâ??m listening.â? Barracus showed his white smile more clearly, a victory in his mind as he started to pace once more and gesture again. â??First, you must keep this to yourself for now. The others would not understand, and I am sure it would create more problems with Rasputin trying to free himself. Second, the Lich we saw at the castle of the angel, the 2nd. He will find me, hopefully he will come alone and when he does I ask that you help me in killing him.â? â??You did well enough when we last saw him, you nearly won, why do you need my help next time?â? â??Simply because he will use all of his power next time, he had underestimated me in our last encounter but we will not have that luxury again. I do not know how my mind will be when I see him next, but I say this now, I must be the one to perform the final blow. Do we have an agreement?â? Mikhail was standing tall, his muscle taut as he stared hard at the true Lich Lord beneath the exterior that everyone knew as Barracus. â??I agree, but I do not like this.â?   â??It does not matter if you like the deal or not, simply follow the agreement and everything will be fine. Charles will make sure that things go as I need them, wonâ??t you Charles?â? The figure appeared, his old clothes mended and his body hidden once more. â??Charles is actually a person? I thought he was just an insane mans creation.â? â??He is now, but before, he was the Lich who I killed for this place. Him and all the others I conquered to get where I am today are under my rule, so sad I couldnâ??t add the angel to my army. Another time perhaps.â? Barracus smiled for just a moment longer at Mikhail before his smile dropped and his hands went ot his head.   â??For the love of tea and beagles, how odd is this floor-NO!â? Barracus knelled on the ground for several moments, his hands still gripping his head. â??My mind fades, do not forget our deal Mikhail, or you will follow in Charles footsteps!â? His eyes bulged for a moment as a laugh erupted from his throat, something mixed with both darkness and innocence lost. The laughter stopped then, and a wide eyed smiling Barracus looked up once more, looking around as if being there for the first time. â??My, my, this is a splendid place indeed. I should have one just like it, Charles! I require you begin construction on my wonderfunland immediately, make everything out of cotton candy and bubbles. Itâ??ll keep costs down and easy to replace.â? Barracusâ?? eyes caught on to Mikhail in the cage, his body slowly folding in on himself as the change was becoming more powerful, and the effect more obvious. â??My boy! You are sure looking lousy in there, let me assist you. Charles, let the door open, he obviously needs more air, and the poor creature is suffocating!â? Charles moved forward, skeletal hands firmly placed on the door as he gave it one solid tug with a loud metal snap. The door now hung loosely, as Barracus reclaimed his hat and cane, bouncing like a child once more as he clapped his hands with anticipation for a game he wasnâ??t sure of yet.

â??Clarity has returned Charles, I can feel it coursing through my bones! We have a meeting with destiny.â? Barracus was one of the only ones to charge in with the angels, his mind unimaginably focused as he swung his cane with powerful and precise strikes. The Lich was peeling away both vampires that lashed out at him and the were-creatures lunging for him, behind him stood his manservant as he used his fist and a horse whip to fight off the hordes. Creatures searched for perches on Charles, trying to bring him down as he was a stalwart figure in the mass. His monotone clothes should have kept him hidden in the crowd, but his ability to clear space made it obvious where he was. Barracus used one hand to swing his cane, fierceness in each hit that turned vampires to dust, crushed the skulls of the turned and shattered the air around him. His other hand lashed out with lightning, fire, cold darkness, and burning light with each sweeping motion. It wouldnâ??t be enough to stop the horde, they would move one when the target wasnâ??t easy but his show wasnâ??t to stop or even slow them down it was to simply clear his path.   â??Come out and face me! I saw you helping them, I knew we Lich were cold and backstabbing to one another. But to help him? To help Rasputin, this is an internal dispute child!â? Barracus tried to roar over the noise, his words angry and filled with a burning need to find one of his own kind. The need to create war, to bring doom upon this creature that no one else could create and was up to only a Lich to truly destroy. The hellspawn reached him in his one moment, Charles smashing in the brain of a turned creature unable to watch his masters back as it had latched on to Barracus arm. Its razor sharp teeth biting deep into the bone and its head twisting in a violent motion, the action tearing the suit and the flesh. The bones cracked and broken as it tore away the arm, its claws trying to grasp on to his body. Barracus smashed his cane into the creature, the orb flaring to life as he sent energy radiating into it that crashed into the hellspawns body. Twisting and flailing as the energy burned and coursed through its body, Barracus face clearly twisted with hatred and malice.   â??You take my arm, I take your soul!â? The power kept burning, but something seemed to be happening as the skin began to shrivel and crack. Itâ??s screams falling dead as it still flailed and itâ??s life left it, being pulled into Barracusâ?? cane. The hellspawn crumbled into dust as Barracus kept looking for the other Lich, his eyes searching through the chaos.   â??I grow weary of this game, which of you is it? Cantheus, Motarin. None of you are strong enough to face me!â?   â??Î?Ï?ορεί να Ï?αÏ? Ï?έρει κάÏ?Ï? Adelphos Ï?αιδί?â? (Can you bring down Adelphos child?) The scratchy withered voice came from Barracus left, a smile of pure madness and dark glee showed on Barracus face as he turned to see the corpse before him.   â??The 2nd, why this is quite the honor to see you here It makes sense that you could corrupt this holy ground. Tell me, did Rasputin offer you the 1stâ??s place if you helped him?â?   â??Τι Ï?ημαÏ?ία έÏ?ει αÏ?Ï?Ï? Ï?οÏ? μοÏ? Ï?ρÏ?Ï?Ï?ερε, θα εξακολοÏ?θούν να εÏ?δοκιμούν και μεÏ?ά οι θνηÏ?οί είναι νεκροί.â? (What does it matter what he has offered me, we will still thrive after these mortals are dead.) Adelphos spoke through his withered lips, his own body partly here and partly in the spirit world. His eyes gave him away, one was a solid orange color, unnatural and glowing, the other eye was gone all together. A sign of his rank amongst the Lords, eyes were for the weak, as the 1st said to them all.   â??The 1st will have your head for this, unless of course, I take it from you.â? Barracus lashed out then, his cane sending forth a surge of pure white light. The power smashing into Adelphos that sent him spinning away and crashing into the ground. The creature of bone and rotten flesh slowly rose from where it had fallen, creaking and cracking with the effort. Charles remained near, clearing the area as best he could, taking hits as the claws ripped his clothes into rags. Revealing the skeletal being beneath with each turn and mighty swing as Barracus now stormed toward the other Lich. His power burning away his façade, his skin cracking and breaking away as his clothes withered and reformed into his robe. His cane growing and twisting to take the staff shape once more, his lost arm still hanging at his side but anything but a burden on him.   â??Morieris hodie!â? (You will die today!â?) Barracusâ?? hollow speech raged forth, a necrotic blast raced from his staff. Adelphos dodge the blast, his body more nimble then appeared and raced forward, words being spoken as it launched a wave of inky blackness at Barracus. His only defense was to bring his staff forward, the runes of a magic long since lost to mortals. The wave crashed into his staff, creating a negative space in which he existed, the rest of the wave moving outward as it engulfed vampires, hellspawn and angels alike. He was able to pull his staff away to see Adelphos had cleared the distance between them, moving quickly as he lunged out with a withered hand lancing out covered in the same darkness. Barracus batting it away with his staff before coming from under with the lower part of his staff, trying to trip up Adelphos but he was finding it more difficult without the use of another hand. Adelphos managed to keep his balance, turning to out maneuvered Barracus only to find he could keep up. His staff crashing down with a green hue, the necrotic power crackling in the air as the very molecules popped and died from the energy. Adelphos throwing up a shield of darkness to deflect the blow before lunging forward again, this time Barracus was ready. His mouth opened wide as he let out a roar, the necrotic power rushing forward in a flood as it smashed directly into the face of the 2nd.   He managed to only turn his head away enough to take the blast directly to the side of his face, the necrosis quickly setting in as it started to ravage Adelphos face. The pain didnâ??t bother him so much as the power that continued to burn through, trying to worm its way deep in his body but finding resistance from the 2nd. He was, however, too distracted to see the staff come around once more, smashing into his left forearm and snapping both bones as the weak flesh ripped jaggedly from Adelphos body. Barracus lashed out with his foot, hitting directly into the 2ndâ??s knee and separating it completely sending Adelphos to the ground on to his other knee.   â??Tute potentia mea est Adelphos, ego erit secundus!â? (You're power is mine Adelphos, I will be the second!) Leveling his staff at the fallen Lich, he saw a smile spread on his face. The look that he knew something more then he showed, a darkness that was hidden from Barracusâ?? sight. He felt it hit him with such force, he was sure his body was going to come apart as he flew through the air and collided into the dirt rolling and flailing as he held on to his staff. Barracus laid on the ground for several moments before slowly rising, seeing what had smashed into him to find a young vampire helping Adelphos rise once more.   â??Î?εν Ï?ίÏ?Ï?εÏ?α Ï?Ï?ι θα ήÏ?αν Ï?Ï?Ï?ο εύκολο να μειÏ?θεί η δεύÏ?ερη έκανεÏ? Barracusâ?( You did not think it would be so easy to bring down the second did you Barracus) The young vampire reached down, snatching up the removed limb and holding it out to the 2nd. He started to reach for it when both figures were suddenly sent flying through the air as Charles now stood where the two had been before. His clothes in tatters and some of his bones cracked and splintered but still stood tall, reaching down for the severed limb and returning to his master. Holding out the limb, Barracus took the limb, pressing it to where his had been lost and letting his power surge through him as his bones connect with the new arm. The fingers flexing and extending to give it a try, Charles helping his master rise before both of them retreated for the time.   â??Et iterum potestatem animae tuae Adelphos.â?( Next time I will have your soul and your power Adelphos) Barracus said quietly to himself, pushing their way back to the castle and to whatever escape route awaited them. The farther they moved from the 2nd, the further Barracus felt his mind slipping and his purpose fading once more. His body returning to a youthful appearance as his child like smile showed, swinging his cane in the air to keep the creatures away from them.   â??Ah another beautiful day of cricket and bad mitten wouldnâ??t you say Charles? Come, come, we have much to do and so little life left!â? Barracus happily skipping along, swinging his cane without a care in the world.