RPG Ray of Hope: Shining Anew

[liamc2]

To the point it be.
~~~~~~~

?Isthanae! Where are you? You know that you are to leave for the Sanctum today! You better not be in bed when I get up there!?

Isthanae?s mother called from downstairs. He winced again as she called out his name. Isthanae, what kind of name is that? Honestly, he had no idea what possessed his parent?s minds when they named him that. But he was always told that they had received the name suddenly, as though from a higher place, and they felt that the name was perfect for him. He sighed, really he preferred the nickname of his own devise, Ivan, but the elders and his parents laughed at it. It was a name that was unheard of, besides, it didn?t follow the traditions of the people.

?Coming mother!? Isthanae called downstairs, at the same time putting on his travel robes and armour, not that he did any travelling. He could never leave the village. .it was like magic or something. Isthanae snorted at the thought of it. As far as he was concerned, his parents had devised some crazy plot to keep him safe and under their watch.

But that was going to change.

Isthanae slid on his mithani gloves and tightened the straps on his silver breastplate. All of his items bore the image of a silver sun, noting his status as the Cithan over the city guards. Basically he ordered the lazy scum around, none new the basic art of magic or the blade, leaving him to fend off the occasional orc that dropped by.

?Isthanae! I mean it! Get down those stairs now!? his mother called out angrily from the bottom of the stairs.

?Better do as she says. .,? Isthanae smiled and sheathed his long sword.

It was heavier than most, custom made by his own hands in his fathers smithy. The blade was jagged, straight and sharp like a normal blade of course. But it had teeth, the kind of teeth that could rip through an orcs hard leathery skin and go on to shear the bone. His hand bumped a silver chain off the bench, it clattered on the ground and the ring it was threaded through sang. Isthanae stopped to look at the silver ring.
A year ago Isthanae was to be married to his beloved Lisa, both were deeply in love with each other and had a promising life before them. But it wasn?t to be. A week before the wedding, a formorian horde attacked the village. Formorians are like men, but evil and orcish in behaviour. Isthanae and the rest of the village defences were unable to protect the entire area. Many lost their lives, including the old Cithan, a dear friend of Isthanae?s.
In the cleanup Isthanae found his beloved Lisa among the dead, raped and beaten by the Formorian horde. Such scars never heal, Isthanae has always had the cold silver ring in memory of his Lisa.

Isthanae shook his head, balling his fists tightly, the memory of her defenceless giving him grief. Tighter and tighter he squeezed his fists, and opened his eyes in shock as the blood seeped from his palms. He closed his eyes and focused, letting the magic do its work. Both hands glowed golden and healed, Isthanae hung the silver chain around his neck and walked downstairs.

?It?s about time too! I wouldn?t be surprised if you got there and everyone had left!,? there was a hint of hope in her voice, ?Your father is down at the smithy waiting with your repaired shield, and I?ve added some healing herbs and ointments to your pack just in case.?

Isthanae nodded and thanked his mother. He grabbed his pack, jogged out of the house and across to the smithy before running to the sanctum.

[Sere Tuscumbia]

Whee! ^_^

*xxx-

[I]Katlina ducked the frying pan coming from the darkened doorway.[/I] "I'm sorry!" [I]She ducked a rolling pin.[/I] "Honestly!" [I]Then came a cooking stone, and only pure instinct saved Katlina from getting conked in the forehead.[/I] "I'm innocent, really!"

"Really. Are you now?" [I]Her foster mother emerged from the doorway, holding a soapy pan in her left hand.[/I] "I know that was you who stole it. ?Fess up."

[I]Katlina cringed inwardly, while keeping her face a mask of perfect innocence. Even though her mum was getting on in her years, her mind was still like a knife, sharp as always, and getting sharper over the years.[/I] "Stole what?" [I]She feigned innocence, then turned tail and ran, as the soapy pan went sailing over her shoulder.

Her mother would never hurt her intentionally, but she had come close before . . . another rolling pin went sailing over her head. Where did her mother hide these things?!

She careened around an abrupt corner, escaping the barrage of cooking utensils. Whew, peace at last . . . at least for now.[/I]

"Katlina Elizabeth Selwyn! Get back here RIGHT NOW!!! I?m not finished with you!!!"

[I]This time Katlina cringed outwardly. Her mother rarely ever used her full name . . . her rightful birth name . . . Katlina cringed again. Memories of her birth parents were still painful . . . and disturbing.

The wind kicked up, swirling her short, whitish hair around her face. Sheesh, she really needed to control her temper.

She walked out of the opposite side of the alley way, her temper calmed, and quickly disappeared into the throng, heading off to the outer edge of the city to meet her father.

Her father, a jolly man, with eyes the same colour as his name, Sky, was returning from a year long trip across the desert, and Katlina, even at her age, had the excitement of a five year old when she sees her parents coming through the door.

Little did she know she was heading for big trouble instead . . .[/I]

-xxx*

Couldn't help myself.

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Ears filled with the power of Wolf song, she shouldered her pack and left the Forest's of Galeigh. Her life had been happier than ever before there....Lingh, the Alpha, was kind and wise. His bravery had fed her, his honor been instilled in her, his savagery in the face of death, shown her courage. And now it was time for her to learn her way. She was ready. Ananda would fight for her place, and go down that way.

Ananda opened her mouth and howled out her farewell....singing happily, pleased to be ready for the world.[/i]

Lingh: Go fast, Run hard, Fear not, We will watch.

Ananda: Thank you, I go now, I am Here, But will run with Honor. Aviana Marin Hai.

Lingh: Enago Hai!

[i]She quickly strapped her pack down, then loped, finally leaping from a prepice, and springing into the air, relying on her magic to keep her aloft. She rose higher, creating warm air drifts to lift her to the heights she had trained for....less oxygen, cold, fearsome, heavenly. A song bubbled from deep inside her, then bursting free.[/i]

Ananda: Galeigh was my Past,
This is my Present,
My Future will be All.[/COLOR]

[The Unholy Newt]

[i]Jheoul clenched his teeth as the whip sliced into the skin of his back. He looked up and noticed blood seeping from his wrists that had been cut into by the tight steel cord. He attempted to gather his power to heal the wounds, but the pain was to extreme that he could not concentrate enough to gather his energy. It was just his luck. The one time he decided to stray from the temple he was captured by Formorians and set to torture. He noticed his weapons in a heap near him, if only he could gather his magic and free himself. With all effort left in his body he healed himself. Before the lash could hit again, he broke his bindings and ran to his equipment. Quickly throwing them on, he turned to face his captors. There were roughly twenty of them. No hard task. With a small ounce of energy he blasted a fireball at them, incinerating about six Formorians. He drew his two shortswords and started to spin. He moved like a whirlwind, cutting and slashing through them until one was left. The one who held the whip. He gathered all his hatred for this creature and blasted it at him, destroying his soul. Gathering his horse, he left and returned to the oracle.[/i]

[liamc2]

Isthanae continue to run towards the sanctum, soaking up the light and warmth from the sun, the magic in him swelled joyfully. It was good to be alive! He ran through most of the market awkwardly slinging his shield over his shoulders until is was resting comfortably over his pack. The many smells of the market reached him as he ran through the stalls. Then something caught his eye.

[i]?Why do these things always happen on my day off??[/i]

In the corner of the market, out of sight of the normal shoppers stood a small band of thieves, daggers drawn on one of the older wealthy merchants. Isthanae sighed and strode over to them, unsheathing his blade as he walked. One of the thieves looked up and scarpered, the sight of the Cithan and his lacerating blade must have been too much for him. Unfortunately the other two looked up, losing Isthanae his hope of a surprise.

?What do you want?? grumbled one of the thieves, his friend mumbled the insult ?[i]Eater of Snakes[/i]? at Isthanae. The first thief laughed his approvement.

?How about the release of the merchant and his money?? smile Isthanae as he casually played with his sword
?How about a dagger buried in you belly? Eh what you say t?that??
Isthanae really wanted it another way, but he was left no choice. As the thieves? leader lunged, Isthanae brought up his knee and kicked him in the face, unfortunate that this resulted in a broken neck. The remaining thief dropped the purse and the dagger before vanishing into the shadows.

Isthanae helped the merchant up, ?Here are your belongings sir, but you must excuse me, I?m already very late.?

Isthanae sheathed his un-tarnished blade and walked on to the sanctum, leaving the crumpled body of the thief with the merchant and the crowd that had gathered.

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson]Kenneth sat on the roof nearest the Sanctum, drinking from a bottle that was filled with ale. It was an average day to be summoned to a holy place to fight evil, with nice clouds rolling overhead.

Emptying the bottle, Kenneth stood up and slid his leather gloves on, stretching from side to side. He smacked his lips a few times, and yawned. It was too earlier for this kind of ****.

Kenneth jumped off the building, landing with a soft 'thump' on the ground. He stood up, begining a lazy walk over twards the sanctum, hands in his pockets, like a small child trying to hide his guilt.

Various whispers from people who knew of him as the 'Reaper', leader of the ShadowKiller clan of bounty hunters, Kenneth tilted his head to the side wondering how such a low life as him could be summoned to a sanctum.

Kenneth looked to the left, where near a small booth a man dressed in all black stood. He nodded to Kenneth, and Kenneth nodded back to him. All preperations were complete- If this was a trap by the Goverment, then this would end in a bloody mess...[/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOr=royalblue]Ananda: .....excuse me.

Kenneth: ...what?

[i]A young woman had tapped him on the shoulder. He sized her up. She was tall enough to stare him in the eye, and her build was slender, yet somehow he could sense energy inside of her. Built like a whipcord...eyes like iron....[/i]

Ananda: How do I get to the Sanctum?

Kenneth: Who wants to know?

Ananda: Ananda, of the Galeigh clan.

Kenneth: .....follow me.

Ananda: ...thank you.[/COLOR]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson][b]Kenneth[/b]: Ugh. So its true. I'm going to have to work with other people on this stupid quest to save the world or whatever this is.

Glancing over to his clansmen, they all nodded twards a city guard, who was fast approaching Kenneth. Shaking his head, Kenneth smirked slightly before looking up to the guard.

[b]Guard[/b]: Sir, I'm afraid i've had some people say that you are the 'Reaper'. If you truely are that hideous fiend, than you know that I simply have to take you in for interrigation.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: That is such a horrendous nickname. Move. You're in our way.

[b]Guard[/b]: .. Pardon?

[b]Kenneth[/b]: You bloody fool, i'm escorting this lady over to the Sanctum. Its a short distance away, and we've both been summoned there. Now get the hell out of my way.

Kenneth shoved the guard out of the way, as they walked into the main enterence of the Sanctum. Turning to her, Kenneth mock bowed..

[b]Kenneth[/b]: The Sanctum. The holiest place in this damned town...[/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Ananda: ....damned is right.

[i]She muttered to heself, but Kenneth appeared to have heard her....he chuckled and gave her a quizzical look.[/i]

Ananda: What?

Kenneth: Why is it damned to you? If you've never been in it?

Ananda: I'm from the Forest of Galeigh. And this place doesn't have any breathing room...everyone's so comfortable, I think a natural disaster would do them good.

Kenneth: What kind?

Ananda: Fire and Brimstone. Coupled with a plague of locusts...and maybe an avalanche from the Atanae mountains....

[i]The 'Reaper' gave her a teasing look...she seemed to be serious about it, despite her gentle appearence. She clacked her staff into the ground, then turned on her heel and marched inside, without so much as half a thank you.

Keneth watched her go....she did have a nice åss.....[/i][/COLOR]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson][b]Kenneth[/b]: Damn. That was beautiful.

The guard cleared his throat behind Kenneth.. He closed his eyes and reached back to his scythe.. In one swift motion, he sliced the guard clear in two, blood splattering everywhere.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: I told you to basically buzz off.. Too bad you didnt pick up on the hint.

Several people stepped back horrified, as Kenneth leaned down.. Taking the guard's gold pouch. He threw it up in the air, and put it in his pocket, nodding to his ShadowKiller clansmen. They evacuated the area, and Kenneth put his bloody Scythe onto his back, walking into the Sanctum as well..[/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Ananda could feel Keneth's eyes on her, but didn't do a thing....wolves were just as bad. Oh well, she would survive, it wouldn't be the first time....

She smiled inwardly. Men were so easy to manipulate. As she moved, she fingered the staff in her hands, the snake eyes on it coming to life... At the touch of their mistress's hands, they glowed and hissed. Kenneth started. She was a sorceress...[/i]

Kenneth: ...

Ananda: *turns* Is there something wrong Kenneth?

Kenneth: You're a sorceress.

Ananda: I'm from Galeigh, and you didn't already figure that out?

Kenneth: ...Sorry.

Ananda: Forgiven.[/COLOR]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson][b]Kenneth[/b]: So er... Know who else is coming?

[b]Ananda[/b]: Isthanae... The Captain of the City Guards.

Total silence fell on Kenneth's part.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: Woops.. Do you think he would care if I killed one of his guards?

[b]Ananda[/b]: What do you think?

[b]Kenneth[/b]: Ugh.. Well.. This is going to be interesting.. Mmmm.. Tell me about yourself. You seem like an interesting enough person..[/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOr=royalblue][i]She magicked a steady wind to carry her into the air...and on it, she reclined, as if resting on a couch...this was going to be fun.[/i]

Ananda: I was raised by wolves, after my mother gave up on me....Lingh of the Galeigh tribe taught me everything I know...

Kenneth: Lingh...I know him.

Ananda: He mentioned you...said you were totally insane, good company if you wanted to have an interesting night.

Kenneth: Really...

Ananda: But he said that you were a demon in disguise. And I'm not surprised. But I don't mind in the least.

Kenneth: So Lingh raised you by claw. It shows.

Ananda: How so?

Kenneth: You apper to be innocent on the outside, but from what I've seen, you're a whiplash underneath.

[i]She smirked at him and floated to the ground, untying her tunic at the same time. His eyes opened wider. What the hell was she doing?

The female sorceress dropped her shirt down to her waist and turned around. Scars, inumerable, sliding and twisting across her back.[/i][/COLOR]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson][b]Kenneth[/b]: Damn. I guess hard times really do fall on everyone. I got stuff like that on my back, but mostly of my own fault. I got some scars on my arm.. But ah, I dont like showing em off. I coulda stopped most of them, but you know the human mind- You always think of better ways you could have handled it after it's happened. So, How'd you get those?

Kenneth headed to the wall, and took his Scythe off his back, setting it down on the floor. He sat down with his back against the wall, watching Ananda.[/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOr=royalblue]Ananda: Well, as you might hve guessed, I'm not hung up on personal appearences...I was born with some of them. But when I failed Lingh for the second time, he didn't take well to it.

Kenneth: ...claws?

Ananda: Yes. But I learned my lessons....and never have failed him since.

Kenneth: Spare the rod...

Ananda: Keep good looks in line. But I don't give a damn.

Kenneth: That sounds like Lingh alright.

[i]She smirked, eyes snapping playfully. For a criminal, he was pretty interesting...[/i]

Ananda: So enough about me. Tell me about you.[/COLOR]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson][b]Kenneth[/b]: Well.. I'm a strick anarchist.. I've killed government officials, civilians.. Alot of people. I'm a part time mercenary too, when the bills get too large for my theivery. Eh. I guess i'm not evil. Just have a different way of making my money. I'm wanted in most every area, except for the Orcs. The Orcs like me for some odd reason.. I cant figure out why. I'm only 20, got a little bit too much time left to live.. I guess thats about it. Strange biography eh?[/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Ananda: Could be worse.

Kenneth: *chuckle* How so?

Ananda: You could be like me.

[i]She winked, and swung down from her position in the air, tapping her rod to the ground before using it to swing herself upwards into the air. She flipped twice before landing lightly on one foot, the other poised in the passe position of ballet. Anand smiled at Kenneth's look of surprise. Sure she didn't look like more than a slip of a girl, but like some wolves, she had the agility to give strength when it wasn't necessary.[/i][/COLOR]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson]Kenneth slowly got up, and raised his Scythe onto his shoulder. He hunched over, and disappeared from veiw. Within seconds, he was infront of her, his Scythe's edge at her neck, the blood of the guard still dripping off slowly, onto Ananda's clothing.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: I have many tricks as well..

Ananda moved like the wind away from the blade, Kenneth just watching her. In the blink of an eye, Ananda was behind Kenneth, where in a real fight, a KO could have been achieved by a swift kick to the back, or any other move.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: Not too shabby.. You've been taught well.. I'm glad we're on the same team..

Kenneth threw the Scythe across the room into the wall, where it stuck firmly into the rock. He lazily walked back twards the wall, where he went back to sitting down, his eyes staring at the floor..[/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOr=royalblue]Ananda: What is this? Show off and tell?

Kenneth: Sure.

[i]Raising her staff high above her head, she slammed it into the ground and in that moment, the two snakes came to life. Both slithered from the cherrywood to the ground and swirled around her legs...between them, around her head, and across her arms.[/i]

Ananda: Anything else?

Kenneth: Do they have names?

Ananda: This is joy, and this is chaos.

[i]As soon as they were named, they hissed and bared fangs....fangs dripping with venom...[/i][/COLOR]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson][b]Kenneth[/b]: Wow. Hey, You're more skilled than you look. I bet you're the pride of Lingh.

He slowly stood up again, and ripped his Scythe out of the rock, small peices of debrie falling out of the large crack in the wall. He lifted it up in the air, throwing it like a boomerang. It flew straight at Ananda, making a small singing noise as it twirled. Throwing one hand out, the Scythe froze instantly in place, one inch from her face. Ananda was totally calm about it, not showing one bit of fear.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: You must be a damned graduate of Linghs. Half the people I know just piss their pants looking at my Scythe. You and I will get along just fine- Any student of Lingh's is a friend in my book. Plus, you seem to be a fine Sorceress. I dont need many more strong enemies...

The Scythe slowly rotated backwards, then sped up to the speed it had been before, flying into Kenneth's hand.
[/color]

[liamc2]

Isthanae continued along at his own pace towards the sanctum. When the sanctum was in sight, he noticed something very strange, the crowd that had gathered to find word of the Oracle, was dispersing. Several black robed figures were ushering them away by the points of swords and daggers. Isthanae was not amused.

Two of the guards on duty came to his side, one began talking,
?Isthanae, Kenneth, he killed the rookie.?

Isthanae raised an eyebrow, ?he?s here already? When the oracle sent for him, I thought part of the deal was that he left his cronies behind?? Isthanae waved his hands at the sinister figures who were now taking interest in the three guards.

?Well it was sir,? answered the second, ?but it seems he brought them anyway, and no-one saw them enter from the gates. They just appeared out of nowhere and when the rookie investigated, without waiting for us, Kenneth cut him in two.?

Isthanae?s face darkened and he unsheathed his sword, giving hushed orders to the two guards.

One of the Shadow Killers barred Isthanae from entering,
?Captain eh? Do you know how many Captain?s we?ve gotten rid of in our time??

Isthanae?s eyes strayed to the body of the rookie, a small amber glow started around his balled fist,

?I?m willing to bet none?? He said.

The Shadow Killer smirked, reaching for his blade, and found several of his fingers missing. Isthanae slashed the blade across the offender?s throat and turned to face the others, raising the glowing fist.

The other robed figures did not take it lightly, hands reached for blades and bows, Isthanae stood his ground, waving nonchalantly at figures now standing in the buildings all around.
Several crossbows were armed and two-dozen marksmen glanced down at the group with growing distaste

Isthanae sheathed his blade, ?an eye for an eye. Crude yes, but two have died today, there better not be any more blood shed or you might find yourself with a new orifice through the chest.?

Isthanae walked through the Shadow Killers and into the coolness of the sanctum, glancing across at Kenneth and an unknown playing with two snakes. He raised an eyebrow and took a seat on the far wall, within sight of the outside.

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]She slipped away from Kenneth...and quietly walked up to Isthanae..... Once she was closely behind him, both snakes quietly slithered back onto her staff and froze back into place. Ananda smiled slightly, showing the fangs of her life with the others.[/i]

Ananda: Isthanae....

Isthanae: What do you want?

Ananda: I am the emissary of Lingh Red Eyes. He has sent me to speak with you.

Isthanae: ...why?

Ananda: It is something I must speak of alone. Do you have a place where we may talk in confidence?

[i]He rose to his feet and turned...sizing her up, much like Kenneth had. She colored slightly under his stare. This was getting to be annoying....[/i][/COLOR]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson][b]Kenneth[/b]: I ordered them to evacuate the area... Poor fools. I hate to see Shadow Killer rookies become arrogant and egotistical.. It ruins what we fight for... And i'm talking to myself... in the middle of one of the holiest places on earth.. I wonder if God is here. HELLO! GOD? ARE YOU HERE?

His voice echoed slightly, but silence ensued. He wasnt paying any attention to Ananda or Isthanae. Kenneth twitched slightly, and his eyes glowed red breifly. Regaining control of himself, he silently got up, grabbed his Scythe, and disappeared into the shadows, evesdropping on the affairs of the student of Lingh.[/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]She hissed and whirled around, both snakes spiraling off of her staff, twisting around the shadows. Her outstretched palm quickly became clawed while three horns protruded from both sides of her forehead. Kenneth yelped and quickly came back into the light. Ananda stepped closer to Isthanae and put her lips to his ear. The words that fell from her lips were unheard by all except for the one destined to know of them.[/i]

Isthanae: ...I see.

Ananda: ...Yes.

[i]Her energy quickly quited down to nothing at all...and the snakes were still once more...She smiled and tapped the staff down against the ground....The body of Ananda reverted to one of normalcy...and her eyes glittered softly. Isthanae was troubled...but did not let on.[/i]

Ananda: I hate evesdropers.

Kenneth: No kidding.[/COLOR]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson][b]Kenneth[/b]: Too bad you missed.. Been a awhile since i've fought off poison.. So, Isthanae.. Wheres the rest of our little adventuring party at?[/color]