RPG Hunters: Free of the Shadow [PG-VL]

[SilverCyclone]

"Your very impatient..."
Jin jumped as Akai spoke. The demon's head sagged and he could barely twitch, but he was chuckling.
"And you have a temper. Proof of the demon blood that courses your veins."
Jin turned to converse with the Malacha'ai.
"Why do you help us? Why did you betray Thyrale and the Shadow Lords?"
Akai grunted slightly as he shifted his weight. His eyes wandered to Bravie, still unconscious he supposed.
"Because...I saw the light..."
"What does that mean?"
The demon stared into the fire. He was lost in thought.
"We...brought in a warrior from one of the skirmishes, one of the Hunters. We planned on torturing him to get information, figuring he'd crack. We used ways that would've killed anyone else. But he refused to talk...kept screaming about betraying his brothers and sisters...I remember him killing three demons, just trying to get him tied to one of the devices. He screamed that our fire would one day burn out...I remember the last words he said before we slit his throat...he said 'Even if I die, I know what awaits my soul. What about you?'...then he laughed. Laughed as his blood poured out...Since then, Ive always wondered...what awaits my soul?"
Jin stared at him. Akai was wincing in pain, his chest shuddering with each breath.
"And now I know...what awaits my soul...what awaits the human soul...I will be condemned for my actions...I only hope that I can spill the blood of the Shadow Lords before I die...then, maybe my soul will...be consolidated...but the humans...they will not be condemned...and I embrace this fate...this destiny that has cursed me...I...look forward...to death..."
He glanced at Jin, his eyes glowing a dim red.
"Wake me in the morning. We have no choice...but to fight to the end..."
He faded into sleep, his wings blown gently by a breeze. Jin stared at him for a little longer, then turned back to entrance of the valley. The humans slowly began to sleep, the fires burning out in the night.

[Heero Darkangel]

Akai's words echoed hauntingly with Jins mind as he peered out into the Valley and then he looked down at Akai who slept soundly

'My soul...,' spoke Jin hauntingly, 'Is dead...humans took away the last piece of life left in it...my soul now wonders through endless dreams that haunt me...not knowing how to live again..not wanting to...but yet..here i sit...amougst humans..fighting with them to save themselves...to save what belonged to them once...in a memory...freedom,'

Jin then looked back out across the valley, 'Why do I fight with them?....because it's the only thing worth fighting for in a time where everythings surreal and chaotic...and dieing for this reason is the only way I'll have to understand my exsistance...my being and regain a soul that seems to have none,'

With those wrods Jin lent back and drifted off into a light sleep.

He awoke to find the morning sun pearing over the tops of the hills, shaking the sleepiness off he dropped down from the tree, walked over to the freah water stream and splashed water over his face, the coolness of it refreshed his tired body, he then stood up and walked over to Akai and knelt down beside him, placed his hand on the demons shoulder and shook him violently as if there was no tomorrow, Akai opened his eyes quickly and lunged forward as Jin kept shaking him

'What?...Where are they?...who?....' spoke Akai in a deep tone as he looked around furiously with his hands cletched into fists...and then he saw Jin sitting there looking at him with a confused gaze

'Fire of Hell Jin what are you doing?' questioned Akai sighing with relief holding the shoulder that Jin gripped tightly and shook

Jin raised one eye brow, 'You told me to wake you..so I'm waking you,'

'I said wake me not Kill me!,' exclaimed Akai as he rolled his shoulder around for a second, 'damn boy..waking someone like that could give them a heartattack...damn,'

'oh...,' spoke Jin rubbing the back of his neck, 'I'll go start up the fires again...i'll put on the rest of the boars, everyone can have them for breakfast,'

'Sounds good,' said Akai as he watched Jin walk away

[SilverCyclone]

Akai watched the others eat. He didnt need, nor desire the meat. He was rarely hungry, and when he was...he had feasted on humans. He sat there, waiting till most were done. Then he stood up.
"I realize that very few of you trust me. It is to be expected. But as of now, you will need to believe my every word. You are no longer able to hide from the Shadow Lords. You must take down Thyrale, and reclaim everything that you once owned. Your lands, your freedom, your souls. I tell you now, truthfully, that I have little hope of winning. I go now to Breodia's citadel. He holds the most slaves, and if we can free them, the humans will rival Thyrale's strength. If you do not wish to aid me, I understand. But I cannot wait for you to be coaxed into action. I go, either alone or with allies and free souls. Make your decision now."
With that, Akai turned and headed out of the valley. He moved at a steady lope, knowing that to fly would be a death sentence on the barrens. He glared at the citadel of Breodia the Shattered. He didnt care who followed and who stayed. It was their choice how they wanted to die. Either huddling in a valley, or in combat. He sped up, navigating through the sharp rocks of the Deadplains. A storm kicked up, raining ash and lightning. He continued onwards, never looking back at the valley or the huddled masses of warriors. He would reach the citadel in three hours.
[I]To the very end...to the very end.[/I]

[Synister]

[I]Marendithis Has Been Captured By Thyrale.. After Hours Of Torcher And Pain He Had A Chance Of Escape... He Quickly Grabs Shadow Edge And His Gauntlets... He Teleports Out Of The Chamber And Finds Himself At The Citadel of Breodia the Shattered..[/I]
"I better leave this place and never return.."
[I]"Thyrales Been Using Me All This Time... I couldnt control myself... Some how he took control over my mind and body.. I was going to flee with Akai, but Thyrale got to me before I had a chance"[/I]
"I must find Akai and beg him for forgivness."
[I]Marendithis Flies Around Everywhere Searching For Him Until Finaly Hes Found Him... He Teleports Infront Of Him... Akai Is Shocked[/I]
[COLOR=DarkRed]"Come to finish me right Marendithis!! OK LETS GO THEN!!!!"[/COLOR]
[I]Akai Leaps Forward To AttacK[/I]
"STOP!! I DIDNT COME TO FIGHT I CAME TO APOLOGIZE!"
[COLOR=DarkRed]"APOLOGIZE!!! YOU JUMPED AT THE CHANCE TO KILL ME!"[/COLOR]
"THYRALE CONTROLED ME!! I WANTED TO RUN TO!! BUT BEFORE I COULD HE TOOK OVER ME!!"
[I]Tears Pour Down Marendithises Face.. Akai Though Unsure Knew He Was Sincer[/I]

[Heero Darkangel]

Jin flew down from above Akai and grabbed Marendithis by the neck and slammed him into the ground

'Jin no!,' exclaimed Akai as Akai grabbed Jin by the shoulder, all the humans ran foward to see what was going on

'Demon I'll have your head!,' snarled Jin his eyes glowing red as his fingers dug in deeper at Marendithis's throat

'I...mean no harm...' coughed Marendithis as he tried to pry away Jins fingers from his throat

'Jin please...let go I beg you,' spoke Akai

Suddenly Jin let go and spun around to Akai

'Why!...he attacked us...' growled Jin and anger

'Yes but under the influence of Thyrale...' spoke Akai as he helped up Marendithis

Jin turned to Marendithis his expression hard and cold, 'Heed my words...I'll be watching you,'

And with that Jin took to the skys and sat in a near by tree watching them hauntingly

'Who is he?' questioned Marendithis looking up at Jin whos eyes still glowed red

'He's a friend...I guess...although....I don't know anything about him only that he's a halfling and thats it...he hardly speaks, mostly stays in the shadows,' said Akai giving Jin a slight nod as if to say thank you

'He seems very young,' spoke Marendithis as he rubbed his neck

'Yes he is,' said Akai

'But as i was saying...I have come to beg for your forgiveness and I want to join with you,' said Marendithis still feeling Jins eyes on his back

'My old friend, I accept your apology and I'm greatful that you have joined with us,' smiled Akai as he shook Marendithis's hand, 'Welcome back old friend,'

'It's good to be back,' smiled Marendithis as he wiped the tears from his eyes

Jin watched the two talk, he was weary of Marendithis...but his words were sincere, Jin looked away..he was weary of everyone..even himself..he still didn't understand what had happened to him in Dead Wood...he didn't know much about his demon side only that he could feel it getting stronger within him and some how...that seemed to be the only thing that scared him..was the fact of not knowing..who he was anymore...

'So Marendithis...you have finally seen the true colours of Thyale,' whispered Jin as he looked back at them, 'At least you know now...rather than finding out when its too late,'

[SilverCyclone]

Akai headed off. He went at a steady lope, followed by a half dozen others. He stopped when he reached the entrance to the citadel. He raised a hand, halting the others.
"Wait."
He faded into a shadow, smoke billowing off his body. He slipped through the huge doors. Muffled screams came from inside, and the doors slowly opened. three guards lay on the floor, two of which were still twitching. Blood dripped from Akai's sharp wings and claws. He jerked his head towards a corridor. The group made their way further down, led by Akai, Marendithis, and Jin. They killed any demons they found efficiently and silently. Akai paused at a split in the corridors. One was gilded red and decorated with bones. The other was a dirt tunnel leading even farther down, where cracking whips and screams could be heard. The slave pens. Akai turned.
"All of you head down the dirt tunnel. Free the slaves. I have...business...to attend with Breodia."
Marendithis and Jin both opened their mouths, but Akai silenced them.
"I must do this alone. Besides, both of you will be needed to free the humans. There are alot of them. Do not follow me! Good luck."
With that, Akai headed down the red corridor.
Jin glanced at Marendithis. Both glared at each other for a moment before heading off to the pits with the humans. They encountered few guards on the way. Finally, they left the tunnel and entered a collossal underground dome. It stretched for miles, both across and in depth. The group saw billions of slaves, herded by succubus and hellhound, into cages, lava pits, or the wretched flesh mines. They were speechless, not even Marendithis had seen this side of the demons before. A rumbling shook the dome. The group looked around fearfully, as did the slaves and slavers. Akai broke through the roof of the dome, shattering steel pillars and bridges as he fell. He finally landed on a bridge, coughing violently. Then, out of the hole, crawled Breodia the Shattered.
He was a pulsing mass of flesh, oozing and walking at the same time. None of his body parts were symmetric, and he appeared to be pieced together from a multitude of parts. The only piece that he appeared to have one of was his head, in which his raspy voice drawled.
"You dare go against a Shadow Lord!? I will use your carcasses to repair my broken body!"
He dropped down, landing on the bridge. Akai rose slowly, facing the demon with outstretched wings and claws. Jin and the others rushed to help him. Breodia let out a deafening roar, and the battle commenced with succubus and hellhounds rushing to join in or cheering on their lord from the walls.

[Heero Darkangel]

Ji was ready to take flight when a hellhound jumped on his back, its green drool seeped over Jins shoulder, its claws digging deep into Jins tighs and rib cage piercing his skin with its claws, Jin tore the hound from his back and slammed it on the ground, the beast was strong as it fipped them both where Jin ended out below it, its breath was fowl as his snarled, Jins eyes grew red as he changed to his demon form beneath the wild beast, The hound let out a loud roar and Jin rammed his hand down the throat of the beast, he opened out his hand and his demon like claws pierced the inside beast which tried immensely to pull away, it tried to howl but its crys were muffled by Jins arm down its throat, Jin looked around as the beast pull aggressively trying desperately to bite off Jins arm but its attemps were cut off when pain serged through its insides

Jin noticed a succubus running towards him ready to attack, lightning raged through Jins body as he quickly got to his feet while still hold the beast, as the succubus got closer Jin swung the beast around and at the same time sent an extreme power of lightning through the beasts body, he smashed the beast against the succubuss which it exploded from the inside, at that time the lightning also electricuted the succubus and the head, its body jerked violently then its head exploded, body part and guts splattered everywhere

With his body serging with lightning Jin then looked around to see four succubus's running towards Marendithis who was already tearing the life out of three hellhounds

'GET OVER HERE!!!,' roared Jin as he lifted his hand towards the four that were running towards Marendithis, a stream of forked lightning serged from his hand and wrapped around the heads of the four succubus's and sent massive waves of lightning to them and one by one they exploded

Jin looked at Marendithis who looked back at him, Jin nodded as he then began fighting another horde

Lightning raged around Jin from his body as Hellhounds and Succubus's, his anger was over bearing and his fustration on the edge, clutching his head again in pain as he changed again like how he did in Deed wood...hunched over and looking at his hands which shook violently he exploded, a red aura surrounded him as he went wild, Red lightning shot off in all directions as his mind went crazy and frantic and he ripped through the hellhounds and succubus's, his tattoo on his arm and the tattoo on his forehead began glowing more darker as he fought enraged and out of control

[SilverCyclone]

Akai took a solid blow from Breodia. He shattered several pillars before rolling to a stop. He stood up shakily, and narrowly dodged another swipe. A succubus landed on his back and began to rake her claws across his throat. He used her to shield himself from the next attack. Throwing the carcass aside, he ran for Breodia. He knew Jin and Marendithis were fighting the hordes of demons. Hopefully, they would join the battle with Breodia. He flipped over the Shadow Lord's shoulder, impaling it with a wing. He was inflicting minimal amount of damage against the creature. A thought entered his mind. He dodged a slash, leaping to the edge of a narrow bridge.
"JIN! MARENDITHIS! SHIELD YOURSELVES, ALL OF YOU!"
The fighters scattered as Akai raised his claws. Breodia charged towards him, letting out a roar. A fireball formed in between Akai's claws. His eyes glowed furiously.
"For the lost souls!"
A barrage of fireballs appeared out of fiery clouds that Akai conjured. They rained upon the demons and Breodia alike. Their screams tore the air, some bursting into flame, others slowly roasting. Akai clenched his teeth as a fireball tore past, searing his skin. He dodged towards Breodia's burning form. He threw his arm forward, impaling the Shadow Lord through the eye. A lucky swipe threw Akai against a pile of rocks. The fireballs halted, leaving only the humans and the three allies alive. Breodia roared, still burning.
"I WILL KILL YOU ALL!!"
He turned to face them, his eyes burning a deep red. Akai stood up, brushing dust off. He fell into a battle position as the others grouped around him.
"To the very end!"