RPG Ray of Hope: Shining Anew

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson][b]Kenneth[/b]: ... How is Lord Viscous?

[b]Shadow[/b]: ... ... He issss fineeeee ... ... And pleaseeeeddd to seee you still innnn topppp formmmm ...

[b]Kenneth[/b]: Mmm. So, do I have any new orders?

[b]Shadow[/b]: .... .... Sinceeee youuuu areee goinnnngggg onnn thissss 'quessst'..... Lord Viscousssss simply wants you to continueeeee... looking for... the DeathBringersssss...

[b]Kenneth[/b]: Mmm. Alright. I understand. Send my saltuations to the Lord.

[b]Shadow[/b]: Sssstay ssssafeeee, felloowwww WingHorderrrr... Mayyy your bloooddd neverrrr fallll...

The Shadow lept into the air and let out a bloodcrudling scream, before flying off at highspeed twards the WingHordes lair, high in the sky. Kenneth nodded, and silently pondered why Viscous was hunting the DeathBringer clan of Orcs. They were one of the deadlier clans, closely tied in with the OrcLord himself. The DeathBringers and ShadowKillers had never gotten along, often sparking horrid battles between demon and orc, that always ended with neither side winning.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: So the Grim Reaper is hunting the DeathBringers...

[b]Shadow Killer[/b]: Irony shows true wit, Reaper.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: Perhaps to those the irony doesnt effect, Solik.

[b]Solik[/b]: I've known you for too long. You know whatever effects you, effects me.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: Yes. You are like a brother to me. Haha. Did you enjoy the slaying of the orcs?

[b]Solik[/b]: Of course. Twas a good warm up for whatever woes I shall face with you on the road, Reaper.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: Indeed. Well. I shall go catch up with Ananda and Raven.

[b]Solik[/b]: You're smitten with the Dragouret. I can see it.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: Yea.. so? You're girlfriend is a Succubus. Whats your point?

[b]Solik[/b]: I dont have a point. I just didnt think any woman would fall for someone like you.

Both of them laughed, and Solik bid him goodbye, heading for the bar where most likely all of the Shadowkillers were. Kenneth lept into the air, taking off twards where he had last seen his sister and Ananda..[/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Kenneth stared. The female Drgouret was staring at a human girl....her eyes glowing with energy. He could almost smell the magic the two were giving off... He landed quietly next to Raven. At that point Alaustin and Ananda looked away quickly.

"She is a strong one..."

Ananda pondered this in her mind....hoping Alaustin would not object to her quick scan....[/i][/COLOR]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson][b]Raven[/b]: They are powerful sorceresses...

[b]Kenneth[/b]: And we are powerful rogues. They sepcialize in what they specialize in... and we are the same.

[b]Raven[/b]: I would enjoy becomming a succubus instead of a WingHorde ninja...

[b]Kenneth[/b]: Then why dont you do it?

[b]Raven[/b]: I'd miss out on all your fun...

[b]Kenneth[/b]: Not neccesarily. Prehaps Ananda could train you while we were out on our quest.. Ask her later on if you want..

[b]Raven[/b]: You think so?

[b]Kenneth[/b]: Yes. She is quite a nice person, if you dont cross her.

[b]Raven[/b]: Hmm... Kind of like me.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: *SNORTS!*

[b]Raven[/b]: Hey! Dont laugh at that!

He broke out into all out laughter before Raven gave him a stern kick to the shin- but even that didnt stop him. She began to pout at her older brother as soon as he had stifiled his laughter, but that just made him giggle.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: Haha. I'm sorry, Raven. I've just known you for so long you are never like that to me... I guess perhaps to others, you are indeed a scary person to meet at first.

[b]Raven[/b]: Of course. I have the Reaper in my bloodline. Now, before I have to kill you, show me what you can do.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: Pardon?

[b]Raven[/b]: You've changed. You are like them now, maybe a bit weaker magically, but you still have changed.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: ...

[b]Raven[/b]: What can you do?

Kenneth raised his hand, and let the fire mana flow into his palm, before throwing his arm out, and a fireball formed in his hand. He tossed it at Raven, who quickly dodged to the side, letting it fly past her and up into the air, where it disappiated...

Kenneth breathed out a long sigh, that had taken a bit too much energy. More than he thought it would. Silently, he turned to Raven, who smiled proudly at the Fire Demon that was her brother.

[b]Raven[/b]: Nice. ^_^ Not as strong as Ananda's magic probably... But still nice.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: Hey. Cut me some slack here ...

Raven laughed a bit, as her brother just shrugged...[/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOr=royalblue]Ananda: ....you two are hopeless.

Raven: Who... Me?

Kenneth: She started it.

[i]Alaustin and Ananda looked at eachother...shaking their heads. Hopeless....every last thing about them....Ananda smiled broadly, showing her feral teeth. Then the four walked back to the Sanctum, through bloodstained streets...

Isthanae was waiting inside.[/i][/COLOR]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson][b]Kenneth[/b]: You alright Isthanae?

[b]Isthanae[/b]: Strangely, better than before..

[b]Kenneth[/b]: You must have the spirit of Life in you... Because you dont have a single wound.

[b]Isthanae[/b]: ...

[b]Raven[/b]: Either that, or he's luckier than you are...

[b]Kenneth[/b]: The only question that remains, is what now?

All of them fell silent, looking at the ground, all wondering the same thing. From out of the Sanctum, the Oracle walked out and looked at them.

[b]The Oracle[/b]: Come inside... We will talk there more comfortably..[/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]They all followed the Oracle's lead, coming to rest inside an inner room. It was furnished comfortably, but did not reek of opulence, like some of the larger rooms. The young adults sat down on the chaise lounges provided, and the Oracle sat in her chair.[/i]

Oracle: .....who caused this battle?

Raven: The orcs.

Ananda: The wolves.

Oracle: You really think Lingh wanted this wanton destruction of the city?

Ananda: ....no....

[i]She looked at her clawed fingers and grimaced. Why had she ever opened her mouth? The Oracle looked upon her long and hard, her eyes peircing Ananda's.... Alaustin looked at them, the magic between them seemed to be dueling...sparing...searching eachother for flaws.[/i][/COLOR]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson][b]Kenneth[/b]: You're both wrong. We did. The collection of so many mana users in one locale drew the Orcs here, which attracted Lingh's attention since this city is so close to his land. We are all becoming some sort of Transcended form of our race- I'm a Fire Demon now. Isthanae is becoming a Paladin. We are drawing attention by the power that is dormant in us, but that is slowly awakening every day. THAT power drew the evil in the Orcs to confront us..

Kenneth stood up and walked calmly to the only window in the room, that looked out over the landscape outside the city walls. There were a few torches still off in the distance, probably orcs that were wounded or straggling behind.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: If the Orcs were attracted by us, what if the Formons come here also? We cant allow that. We have to go on the road, to confront this evil ourselves- Or else more innocent lives will be lost.

Kenneth turned and silently looked at all of them.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: I propose all of the ones summoned here today, even the ones that havent arrived, join together to form an Adventuring party- And go off on an ethnic cleanising of the Orcs and Formons, before each of our lives is killed at the hand of the endless hordes they command.

[b]Raven[/b]: There's his rare intellectual 5 minutes of the day...

Kenneth could only chuckle..[/color]

[Raiha]

[cOLOr=royalblue][i]Ananda rose to her feet swiftly, knocking over cushions as she went. Then she spread both her wings, then let them droop again.[/i]

Oracle: What is it?

Ananda: ....Even if we do eradicate the orcs and formons that exist, more will be bred by the Powers of Him.

Oracle: .....that is true, eventualy, your roads will connect to His.

[i]She grimaced and sat back down in a hurry. This was not what she had anticipated when she signed up for saving the world. Raven looked to her, exchanging a meaningful glance.

"Now what?"

"We panic?"

"That'll work for me."[/i][/cOLOR]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson][b]Kenneth[/b]: I have orders to kill the Orcs anyway. I want to head there first... but Isthanae is the leader here.

[b]Isthanae[/b]: Pardon?

[b]Kenneth[/b]: You are the leader here in my book. I hate being the leader of anything besides my clan. Unless someone else vies for the job of leader of the Saviors of the Known world, I think you are stuck with it.

Isthanae looked shocked at first, and then turned more calm. He silently pondered at that fact, and stared at the table that sat in the center of all the furnishing in the room..[/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]She smiled and looked to the Oracle. Bowing her head in repentance, then rising to her feet easliy this time.[/i]

Ananda: Lingh will send one of his sons with us.

Oracle: ....which one?

Ananda: I will ask him to bring Krykas. He is strong.

Raven: Why do we need a wolf?

Ananda: ....we will.

Kenneth: Trust her on this one.[/COLOR]

[liamc2]

OOC: Whoa. Helluva lot of reading there. Well as you can see, I'm now up in Maryborough and without a steady form of net acess. As a matter of fact my form of net acess is a tiny 'cafe' and an hour of ADSL on a crappy computer for $3, please excuse my typing.

-----

Isthanae pondered for a while. A small flow of amber remained on his body, travelling gently up from his feet to his crown before vanishing entirely.

'We should hit the Orcs first...it is after all their contraption that's preventing the land spirits from confining them to the underground.'

Isthanae seemed to snap out of a trance, he looked around slightly stunned before setting his gaze on the oracle.

'What and where did that come from?' he asked.

A faint wind swirled around the stone room, voices seemed to travel on it. The Oracle bowed her head and spoke, voice very different from before.

'It is happening then...the spirit is wakening into the consciousness...it won't be long until you have recieved all your memories...'

The group now all had their attention on the Oracle. Her voice changed yet again and she faced Kenneth

'How amusing Kenneth..one could say ironic...here you are the slayer of thousands...while before your rebirth...in the time of the old world...you were the strongest voice against the destruction...all those innocents you said...' the voice laughed and faded away, the oracle shook her head and awoke, facing the group with no small smile on her face.

'Do you see now?' she said with glee, 'you four are the reincarnation of the high council of the land spirits...Isthanae, Lord of Creation,' Isthanae raised an eyebrow but the Oracle continued,' Kenneth Guardian of Fire and the innocents...Ananda...keeper of the forests and the hunt...Alastuin spirit of the storms...but where are the others?'

'Yeah,' Kenneth said, 'Where're the others?'

Raven was unimpressed, 'Hey,' she said, 'you're the high and mighty oracle, why don't you tell us where these 'others' are?'

[Raiha]

[cOLOR=royalblue]Ananda: ...

[i]She barely contained a snicker, but kept her composure. Now was not the time to start laughing hysterically. The oracle turned and gave a withering glance to Raven.[/i]

Oracle: They will come when the time is ripe. Do not rush things.

Ananda: ...That's a very safe answer Oracle.

Isthanae: But I don't doubt your words to be true.

Alaustin: Then let's get this drag show on the road.[/cOLOR]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson][b]Kenneth[/b]: Hmmm.. Maybe with all the fighting that has been going on around this area, they were forced to stop travelling here for the night- Or at least intill the fighting died down..

[b]Raven[/b]: Or they were killed..

[b]Oracle[/b]: Unlikely, at best child.

[b]Raven[/b]: Mm.. Should we go out looking for them? In teams or something?

[b]Kenneth[/b]: Would that be a good idea? Who knows what is after us out there... We're popular already, and we just got here...[/color]

[Ravenstorture]

[color=darkgreen][font=gothic]OOC: It looks to me as if most of this posting is just showing off, so although I am not comfortable with my 'magical arrogance', I'll go with the crowd on this one.

Alastuin: I do have one thing to say before we go on, though.

Raven: Hmmm?

Alastuin: I killed two people today. But before that, I was just an ordinary woman, living at home, doing chores, and recieveingbad treatment from my family. But I have seen no evidence of my magic yet. I killed the priest and my uncle with my dagger. I don't understand how I can meet a few people, and non people... and they all just look at me and say, "Well, she is a powerful sorceress with the Magic of the Aqueous Unnandieth."

[i]The others stared at her as she continued.[/i]

I have had a pretty disgusting life, and seen some horrible things, but I have never seen magic, or even any evidence of it. Neither with death. Yet today, I have seen a - [i]points at Ananda[/i] - that thing, witnessed the element of fire weaved around this person without so much as a strained expression, and this guy here, from what I have seen of the carnage out there, you should at least have some kind of chafing or redness between your thumb and index finger from wielding a sword, let alone a scratch or two....

Oracle: Did you take a second look at the devastation out there?

Alastuin: Yes.

Oracle: Did you notice that all the fires are gone, and all the bodies of the slain are crumbling into dust?

Alastuin:... yes...

Oracle: That was you. I have a feeling that you channelled the water from the dead into the sky and used it to quench the flames covering the village.

Kenneth: And if I were you, I would start paying attention.

Raven: If you did that without thinking, you could do a lot more if you put your mind to it.

Alastuin: I'm sorry, it's just too much.

[i]Alastuin stands and runs out of the sanctum before anyone can stop her.[/i][/color][/font]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson]Raven chased after her, feeling somewhat sorry for the harsh tone she had used when she said that. Kenneth tryed to stop her from going, but it was too late. She was jogging out the door after her... and chasing her.

Kenneth raised one finger to the others, singling he would be back as soon as possible, and tore out the door after both of them. As soon as he got outside, there were not traces of them.

Various workers were carrying off debries, healing those that hadnt died, and making repairs on buildings around the Sanctum. He looked around silently, trying to find some sign of Raven or Alastuin.

[b]Kenneth[/b]: Argh. Raven. Where did you disappear to?

He jogged off down the street, looking down every side street he came upon- But both of them had disappeared into the town. Giving up finally, he slammed against a wall and used it for support, tired from alll the strength he had used during the day.

He began to walk back twards the Sanctum, limping in his fatigue. Finally, after a hard struggle to at least get to the Sanctum before passing out, he fell to his knees, looked upwards, and limped all the way down onto the ground, Where he passed out...[/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]The Oracle rose to her feet, outraged, but the female Dragouret stopped her with a oustretched hand. She shook her head once then strode towards her path of flight. It was not the Oracle's problem. It was hers.

She raced out into the night sky, following the obvious scent of Alaustin. It was delicious, sweetwater, and a touch of midnight sky....She quickly caught up with her and spread her wings. She moved, swirling above her head then landing on her three toed claws, directly in front of her...Palm flat out in front of her. Alaustin came to a screeching halt, inches away from her hands.[/i]

Ananda: Stop.

Alaustin: Get away from me....

Ananda: I know you're afraid....but there's no cause to be so. We aren't going to force you into anything....and I'm not going to eat you. Although, I am inclined to. I'm not a thing.

Alaustin: Then what the hell are you?

Ananda: I'm a Dragouret. The last of my kind. And trust me on this one, I understand your fear.

[i]The human girl stared at her...unbelieving for a moment, then suddenly, she felt hands plucking at her mind. Gentle, delicate...filling her with a calm quiet. She shook her head, resisting.

"Stop this!"

"I'm not going to hurt you....and neither are the rest of them. They're harmless. As for disgusting...I hear you."

"What would you know?"

"I have put my arms around Lingh, the wolf god, although it was for nothing. My sins are far heavier than yours."[/i][/COLOR]

[DeathKnight]

[color=crimson][b]Raven[/b]: Ananda! Ugh. I should have flown. Alaustin, Listen- I'm sorry. I've just had a long hard day...

Raven silently looked at Ananda and made a '=/' face. She didnt think Alaustin would listen to her.. But she shouldnt have followed her brother's lead like that.

Alaustin seemed to be drifting in thought, as was Ananda- Then she realized that both of them were communicating with each other in Alaustin's mind.. Alaustin had a slightly angry face, while Ananda's was calm and concerned- like a mother's.

Raven silently stared on, waiting for them to return back to reality...

---

Kenneth slowly awoke a few minutes later, and drug himself to one knee before he vomited onto the dirt. He wiped his mouth off with his arm, and spit a few times before finally crawling onto his feet. He stumbled foreward at first, before finally regaining his sense of balance..

He had to lean against the wall for support after a short distance, and finally realized how much that fire attack he had done took out of him. Silently, he put his back to the wall, deciding to wait intill Raven or someone came along..[/color]

[liamc2]

OOC: Short yes, belated yes, falling apart I be...
~~~~

Isthanae walked among the soft rain and rubble. Just like last time, the town had been overrun...and still no help had been received from the heavy cavalry barracks to the south. A lone falcon above cried and flew down to the ground in front of him. It's feathers were badly singed and it looked as though it had fallen into a furnace.

It gave a pitiful squawk and dropped a piece of ragged parchment at his feet. It bore an untidy scrawl

[i]Orcish assualt Formorians Help[/i]

Isthanae screwed up the piece of paper.

'Three hundred armoured men on three hundred heavily armoured horses...overrun by orcs and fallen men...the north is lost for all now...'

The falcon put it's head under wind and dozed, swaying in the faint wind.

Isthanae continued the search for survivors, letting the parchment loose to the quickly gathering breeze.

[Sere Tuscumbia]

OOC: Ok. As of the fact that I haven't posted for a while ( gee, it it obvious? ) I feel I need to explain myself.

Two words: No time. Another two words: Semester finals.

Yeah. That's why I haven't posted in this for a while, among other RPGs . . . but I will get to it dammit, I [I]will[/I]!

Ah well, give me time. Christmas Break starts the 20th, and then, maybe I'll have some time . . . ^^;;

--Sere

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue]Works for me....I have finals coming up soon, but I'll survive....I'm a big girl. -_- Anyways, I'll stick around...waiting for Ravenstorture to haul her butt out here and stuff.[/COLOR]

[Ravenstorture]

[color=darkgreen][font=gothic]OOC:Well now, we can't [i]all[/i] devote our lives to something that [i]isn't[/i] kestrel training, can we? Hmmm. The Hawk does not like the Computer. What can I do? Eh?

Alastuin: I give in. Do whatever, go whereever, I'll go along and see what I can do.

Raven: There will be a purpose soon.

Ananda: Another thing...

Raven: Yes?

Ananda: We must find her a trainer.

Alastuin: Oh god...[/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Moving at a brisk lope, the three woman landed at the gates of the Sanctum once more....the Oracle greeted them....and glared at Alaustin.[/i]

Oracle: I trust that you're now in complete control of yourself.

Alaustin: .....*glare*

[i]The tension in the air...if given a visible form, would've set the town on fire once more. The ground rattled slightly at the supressed power the two were containing.....and Ananda's wings flexed. Her energy was loud, and angry. She stepped between the two, holding herself up high....posing as Lingh had taught her to. Her voice echoed, deper than usual.[/i]

Ananda: .....stop this. Oracle, you are supposed to be mature and kind. Stop teasing Alaustin.

Oracle: .....

Alaustin: It's nothing.

Ananda: It is. If we can't get along from the start, we're all going to die.[/COLOR]

[liamc2]

OOC: That's a surprise, I can't believe I'm not 3 pages behind o.O;
~~~~

Isthanae dropped the piece of broken timber he had lifted. It was pointless, there was no way they could find anyone in this mess. He sighed and sat down on a severed statue head. He looked round the remains of the once bustling town. Just like last time, except that now, there were no survivors. He pitched a rock as far as he could throw it before he stood up and made his way back to the unscathed sanctum.

The Oracle looked up from a large map rolled out in front of her. It seemed she was plotting the course to be taken on the trip. Isthanae couldn't help but notice that a leg of the trip was to be taken over an inland sea.

'So where do we buy the boat?' He asked.

The Oracle pointed to a large merchant city, closest to their current location.

'This town offers the quickest route.' she replied.

'Uh...right. So we just magic the several thousand gold grams its going to take to make this journey, or do we have a plan?'

The Oracle smiled. Something about it made Isthanae shiver.

'Can't you see,' she said, 'This town has all the money you need. The past owners have no use for it now...and the Orcs have no interest for gold or precious metals.'

Isthanae wrinkled his nose, 'You mean this was part of the plan? Destroying innocent lives for their gold?'

'That was the eventual idea yes. When the others arrive, we will extract the moeny needed.'

'You mean plunder it. Disgusting. For a holy woman, you certainly have a foul mind...'

[Ravenstorture]

[color=darkgreen][font=gothic]Alastuin: I somehow think her intentions are for the best, in the long run. Besides, we can't really stop what will happen to those people. But by using thier gold, we can prevent what will happen to others... right?

Oracle: That's about it. [i]She glares at Isthanae reprimandingly.[/i]

Isthanae: Well, I still think it could be avoided.

Alastuin: Well... it can, but it would be dangerous.

Ananda: Hmmm?

[i]Alastuin took a glass from a shelf and filled it with water from the palm of her hand. Then, looking at it, she froze the water solid, causing the glass to explode.[/i]

Isthanae: I see how that would help... I thought you didn't know your magic?

Alastuin: Well, once you accept it the instinct kicks in. And I may have lied a little when I said I never knew...

Oracle: That would be of use, however, we about to cross a plundered town. No survivors - gold lying everywhere.

Alastuin: I know what you mean - I'd take it too.

Isthanae: You people disgust me.

Raven: And we're all the land has....[/font][/color]

[Raiha]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]The female Dragouert's hackles rose. How dare he insult her like that? She took a step forward, wings flaring.[/i]

Ananda: While we're on the subject of disgust...shall I speak of the time I slept with Lingh? Who, by the way, saved this place?

Raven: ...you slept with the wolf god?!?

Ananda: *shrug* It was a promise.

Isthanae: .....

[i]He shook his head, clearly disgusted. The female Dragouret gave him a withering glance. Who was he to speak of what was right and what was disgusting? Like he could be the judge of that?[/i][/COLOR]