RPG Hunters Chapter 2: Maelstrom (M-VL)

[SilverCyclone]

A thick mist shrouded the abandoned streets of New Vista. It was in this city that a war had been going on. A war for mankind's soul. Demons clash with vigilantes known as the Hunters. But now, a demon with higher ambitions has arisen. His army treks through the city streets, demons of every kind, acolytes who have sold their souls for power. All converging on one point. Sierra Manor, the home of the hunters. Boru, the Malacha'ai demon who has done far more damage then any other foe the hunters have faced, now has one huge advantage. He has turned the half demon Ziarre against her former comrades. Thus, he knows how to get into the mansion.
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Boru stared up at the mansion, a smug smile on his face. He gestured to several demons behind him.
"Make it burn brightly."
They hurried off towards contraptions forged of bone and steel. Crude catapults that lobbed burning corpses. Boru stared up at the mansion before turning to his new found weapon.
"Lead the charge the moment the mansion is in flames. Kill the hunters!"
He admired his new weapons look. Surrounded by flames, Ziarre was truly an impressive sight. The catapults took aim.
"Fire!"
-------------
Night leaned back in his chair. He was tired. Tired of fighting, tired of everything. Stress was catching up, and he was getting older though he hated to admit it.
"Right...I should go to sle-!"
A burning corpse smashed through his window. He barely managed to roll out of the way before it obliterated his desk.
"What the hell!?"
War cries and screams from below gave him his answer. He ran out of his office, and froze on the stairs. Demons were flooding the mansion, and his hunters, confused and tired of the previous hunt, were being massacred. He leapt down, slashing with his blade while shouting orders.
"Pull yourselves together or die! Fight back! Fight back!"
The hunters began to organize themselves, but they were overwhelmed, slowly being forced out of the mansion. Night found himself cornered by several demons.
"You vile creatures! I'll send you all back to hell!"
Night leapt into the fray, praying silently that the others would come to his aid.
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((Welcome to chapter 2 everyone. Your first post should be what happens a few minutes before the siege, and a few minutes into it. Go to it!))

[demonchild781]

Rebecca held the girl close to her chest. The child had some sense and clung to the hunters neck and waist. Rebecca suddenly watched Selino rush past her. At first the hunter took no notice, but the sight of the strange servant brought a thought to her mind.

Rebecca turned around swiftly and made her way back to the main hallway. There was something that just puzzled her and yet she didn't quite understand it. Something didn't feel right and it was comfirmed with the girl tightened her grip around the hunter. Before reaching Night's chamber, Rebecca knelt towards the floor.

"Now I must ask only one small favor from you. I cannot have you clinging to my front and protect you with all my power. You must hold tightly to my back between my wings." Rebecca spoke softly as she gently pulled the girl from her. She picked her up and placed her on her back, the girl gently wrapping her arms and legs around Rebecca once more. "Thank you."

Rebecca stood just in time to avoid a flying mess of flames. The corpse shattered the glass window, sparing all those in the room with the shards as the body tumbled across the floor. Before Rebecca had time to put the flames out a battle cry surge through the night air as thousands of demon warriors rushed into the mansion.

Rebecca pulled her sword from her side and destroyed all those that opposed her. She watched as others fell around her, demon and hunter alike. There was another crash as the mansion began to catch fire. Rebecca heard Night's voice, shouting commands and then all went to the sounds of death and destruction.

Rebecca broke her way through the room, helping others to their feets and bring some with her. As they broke into Night's chamber a dozen demons came crashing through the open door way. Night stood, breathing heavily just out of reach of the flames. More demons began to rush into the room as the Hunters perpared to fight them off.

[Blayze]

Phoenix was in the library, looking through books for anything related to the White Lady, or the Lady in White, or anything of that nature. He had been searching for three hours, but to no avail. He was reading a massive book, called the Tome of Arcanus, and he was almost getting somewhere. He had found mention of a Lady in White, and an ancient council of Elders, but it was only a very brief entry.
Suddenly, something smashed through the window of the library, and Phoenix recognised it as a burning corpse. Demons loved that sick stuff.
He stood up immediately and drew his sword. He didn't know what his new powers could do, but he was confident he could take on anything that stood in his way.
Demons flocked around him, struggling to reach him. He swung his sword, and they all flew backwards, hitting the walls and flying out of the already smashed window.
Wow, he thought, I'm strong! More demons came at him, and he sliced through the cartilage in their necks, leaving them completely headless.
He knew he had to get out, but he also knew what faced him outside the mansion. An extremely annoyed Malacha'ai demon baying for his blood. But he was baying for the demon's blood as well. He fought his way to the front doors, only one thing on his mind.
Boru...

[Sword Breaker]

[FONT=Book Antiqua][COLOR=DarkRed]OOC: K, this is where it gets fun.

"And thus, we need you to bring Boru's uprising down." The emissary recited solomnly, resting his chin on the hilt of his blade.

"How man men." Cold replied, anxious for his first real battle.

"750."

"That's all?" Cold sounded surprised. He had expected a magnificant horde, with which to wipe Boru from the face of the earth.

"We apologize, but we were unable to muster a larger force. Do not worry, they are battle-hardened Acolytes, each and every one. We are confident you can defeat Boru." The emissary said, a fake smile creasing his thing lips.

"Excellent. Tonight I will crush Boru, just tell me where they are."

"Our spies have reported they are moving through the streets, probably destination is Sierra, the suspected head quarters of the Hunters."

"Perfect. Bring me my men."

____________________________________________________________________

Cold stood magnificantly in front of his men. They were a roudy bunch, they were. Big and small, men and women, the Acolyte force was quiet the sight. Their talk mixed into one loud, inaudible roar that defend Cold, as he waited inpaitently.

One man approached Cold, a large man, with many battlescars and evil eyes. He was clutching a Flachion in his left hand, while his right had been replaced by a vicious axe blade.

"Greetings, my lord. Morgan of the Axe reporting for duty." He proclaimed proudly, saluting.

"Ah yes, "The Harlequin". I've heard tales of you, a skilled warrior and a faithul subordinant. This is your force, I presume?" Cold replied, a smile creasing his lips.

"Aye, she be my war machine. Greatest bunch of warrior you ever did see. We've fought together for 75 years, greatest army to come from the depth since the Blitzkrieg. Unfortunatly,the majority of our force is fighting those damned upstarts in Hell. Fucking zombies." The man said with hatred.

"It is a pleasure to fight by your side." Cold said with genuine admiration, bowing his head slightly. Morgan returned the bow, before turning back to his troops.

The war machine sent by hell to quell the upstarts had arrived. And the hounds of hell were lose.

OOC: Just a note, Harlequin is a word derived from the Norman-French word, Hellequin. It basiclly means The Devils Horsemen, those who's souls are so black that the devil saved their souls and trained them to fight for his armies.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[Redemption]

[COLOR=DarkOrange][FONT=Century Gothic][I]So this is the moment of truth.....[/I] Ziarre thought as she watched, delighed, at the onslaught of demons on Sierra Manor. The Hunters were running around helpless, others were being slain. Catapults beside her released burning corpses one after the other.

Ziarre felt her demon blood run through her veins so powerfully, it yearned for bloodshed. One particular Hunter's blood. Two black feather wings burst from her shoulders, finally completing her demon transformation. Boru sidled up beside her, unable to touch her though. A circular wall of the hottest white flame surrounded her. Her black velvet eyes eyed Boru.

" I want revenge Boru. I want his blood on my hands. I want him to burn for everything he has done," Ziarre growled wildly.
" You want his?" Boru replied.
" If you dare touch him, you too will be mine," Ziarre threatened, her wall of flame becoming more intense.
" If you fail me, you will be mine," Boru replied threateningly.
" I won't. Not when I have my powers."
With that, Ziarre soared into the air, leaving a trail of white fire in the sky.

Soon, she landed on Night's balcony. Demons made way for her, as per their orders not to get in her way. As she walked into the room, her black wings folded behind her. The room's temperature sky-rocketed as soon as she entered. In there, she saw Night fighting against a few more powerful demons. Her black eyes narrowed. The demons were incerated in seconds. Night looked up.

" Ziarre! Thank god!"

Ziarre smiled wickedly as a wall of flame separated Night from any Hunters that wanted to come to his aid. It was just him and her. Ziarre unsheathed a sword from a scabard on her back.
" Its just you and me Night," Ziarre growled. Night looked completely bewildered.
" Ziarre! What is wrong with you? The enemy is out there, not in here!" Night yelled at her.
" YOU'RE WRONG! You are my enemy Night. You've been surpressing my abilities for far too long. I want revenge.....and for you to see how powerful I have become! Don't you notice anything different?" she hissed, circling him like a predator would their prey.

Night did notice it. Her voice wasn't normal. It was full of darkness and power. Ziarre's eyes weren't the right colour. They were completely black, like endless tunnels - not brilliant green. She seemed much more dangerous than the last time he had seen her.

" What happened to you?" he asked, lowering his bastard sword.
" I found who my real friends were!" Ziarre said as she launched herself at Night in attack.

OOC: There you are Silver.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[Blayze]

Phoenix smashed open the front doors with a single kick, throwing demons backwards as he did.
"BORU!!!" he shouted, "IF YOU WANT YOUR REVENGE, TAKE IT UPON ME. LEAVE THESE OTHER HUNTERS ALONE. THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING!!!"
Boru appeared close to Phoenix. He smiled, as if greeting an old friend.
"I'm sorry Phoenix, but it is my duty to destroy each and every living Hunter. They have been slaughtering my kind for centuries, and it is finally time for us to get our revenge on all of you!!!" He laughed, then looked Phoenix up and down. He closed his eyes, and began to sense something.
"You are much more powerful than when we last met, Phoenix. You will be a worthy match for me. When the time comes, I will take great honour in devouring your soul."
And with that, the Malacha'ai demon disappeared in a burst of flame, replacing himself with a hundred-strong squadron of demons.
"Oh no..." said Phoenix, and then the demons rushed him.

[Sword Breaker]

[FONT=Book Antiqua][COLOR=DarkRed]OOC: Ok, lets get the three way battle started!!

Cold laughed anxiously at the prospect of his first true battle. He was at the head the force, who had proved to be much more then your traditional gaggle of Acolytes. They had arranged themselves into battle lines, each a professional soldier marching in percesion.

The divided into three groups, each marching along the three streets leading to Sierra Manor. Most civillians had the good sense to stay indoors, where they watched with wonder from their windows. Cold could only smile.

His first mission would be so easy, they had provided him with such a crack army. No dissarry of demons could stop him, nor the hunters. He had his ultimant revenge on the one who had wronged him. He had his fight.

Their plan of attack was simple. The forces to the left and right would attack form the sides, and the demons would be forced to retreat up the middle road, or die on their swords. If they ran into the mansion they would be trapped. If they ran up the road, they would have to confront Cold's forces, and thus be crushed. Simple, yet effective.

They were nearing the manor now, the fires burning brightly. Soon he would crush them.

"Halt! We wait here." Cold shouted, taking his maul form the leather thong he had crafted.

The men obidiantly stopped moving, and drew their weapons. Morgan approached Cold, hefting his flachion.

"Shan't be long now, soon them demons'll be running like all hell. It's over" He smiled, before swinging his flachion in practice.

Time passed, and Cold expected the harried demon army to come screaming down the middle road. What he saw, however, was not encouraging. He saw nothing.

"Forward! We'll come right into their ranks, and rip them to shreds!!" Cold screamed, before smashing his maul into the ground.

The men screamed their ungodly war cries, and rushed forward, past Cold and into the searing heat. Cold followed quickly, overtaking the men and rushing out into the open yard of the manor. Their attack had begun, and the Demons would be crushed.

Then he stopped dead.

OOC: I'm leaving it up to whoever posts next to proclaim the fate of Cold's army, be creative.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[Sakura]

[B]OOC:[/B] Sorry I'm late, didn't know it started. I'm not posting about Cold's army since I don't really have the hang of this RP yet. Blayze, let me know if you want anything changed.

[COLOR=Navy]Kira heard a large crash and lots of noise. She got up and grabbed her twin blades that were in their staff form. Larka her eagle friend flew to her and landed on her shoulder.

"There's intruders at the manor. Boru." she said, alerting the bird. Kira had met Boru and had been told of him and his demons when she first joined the Hunters.

Kira opened the door of her room and ran through the halls, sensing where a large amount were. She spread open her wings as she ran, the wind rushing past her. She came to a stop in one of the halls. There were a hundred demons and she made out the figure of Phoenix amongst them. She beat her wings and sailed over the heads of demons and landed next to Phoenix who was in the middle of the group. Larka let go of her shoulder and wheeled above them, dive bombing some of them.

"Need help?" she asked, twirling her staff.

"Yeah, let's do it." he replied.

Kira stopped the twirling and slid the two blades apart with a quiet 'sching!'. She ran forward and slashed one across the throat, cutting quite deep in. The demon fell backward in death and Kira started her battle on her half of the group of demons.

"Did you have another encounter with Boru?" Kira asked Phoenix, chopping an arm of a demon that had a weapon which was coming at her.

"Yes." he answered, slashing at demons with his longsword.[/COLOR]

[SilverCyclone]

Boru smiled at Cold patronizingly, the mansion blazing behind him. Inwardly, he was seething. The shadow lords couldnt have known about his coup yet! Why send Cold to stop him?
"Has the little follower come to show off?"
Several battalions of demons broke off to smash into the acolytes sides and flank. Boru laughed, mildly suprised at his warriors bloodlust. He dissapeared again, leaving Cold to fend for himself.
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Night leapt nimbly out of the way, still hesitant to fight her.
"Ziarre...what have you done?"
"Ive become stronger then ever before! I have reached my limit! You should understand Night! You've always known how weak I was!"
The hunter raised the sword, his face hardening.
"Ziarre, you were always strong. But maybe I was wrong. Falling prey to Boru's deceptions prove how weak you really are! YOU BETRAYED US!"
With a yell, the two clashed, Night with the advantage of experience, Ziarre with rage. Shirow smashed into Rath's side, snarling.
[I]TRAITOR! WE TRUSTED YOU BOTH! BETRAYAL![/I]
Selino himself was shouting at the other hunters, wielding a spear.
"Rally! Rally or die!"
Night smashed into Ziarre with his shoulder, hoping to throw her off balance, but he reeled from the heat. Backing out onto the balcony, he saw the battle between the acolytes and demons raging.
"We...cant fight..."
Night turned just in time to throw Ziarre over his shoulder, parrying her lunge. He dashed towards his doors, pausing only to kick Rath savagely in the side. Shirow leapt to his master, still snarling. Night broke through the doors, landing with a crash onto the floor.
"RUN! GET OUT OF HERE HUNTERS! WE CANT WIN!"
Night forced his way to Phoenix and Kira. He leapt over them, venting all his rage on the demons.
"You two! Leave! We cant win this one!"
He turned, a demon still sliding off his sword. He joined Phoenix and Kira in the rush, trying to gather the other hunters up. Night paused.
"Rebecca! Get the girl! Lets go!"
He froze as he saw Ziarre. He glared at her before realizing who stood next to her.
"Boru..."
With fresh hatred, the hunter picked up a suit of armor and hurled it at them.
"I HOPE IT WAS WORTH IT ZIARRE! IS YOUR NEW FOUND STRENGTH REALLY WORTH THIS DESTRUCTION!?"
With that, the hunter leapt out the window, and the hunters faded from the battlefield, not leaving a single corpse behind.
-------
((Whooo damn thats a long one...))

[Redemption]

[COLOR=DarkOrange][FONT=Century Gothic]Ziarre glared at Night as he retreated. Her temper flared.
" I HOPE IT WAS WORTH IT ZIARRE! IS YOUR NEW FOUND STRENGTH REALLY WORTH THIS DESTRUCTION!?" Nigth yelled at her furiously as he jumped out of the window. Boru put a hand on her back. Her temper was already at breaking point.

" Boru, you dare touch me, and I swear I will burn you to cinders...." she growled as she made her way over to Rath who was injured from Night and Shirow. She picked him up.
" My poor baby. You have been hurt. Come, lets go away from ths cursed place and burn it to the ground."

With that, Ziarre jumped out of the window with Rath in her arms. She then turned to the Manor. She held out one hand. Fire spewed forth and the Manor burnt to the ground in white and blue flames. Boru sidled up beside her.
" Not enough vengence."
" Never. He escaped. he was lucky this time," she said as she turned towards the Acolyte army. Her blood literally boiled.
" Kill them Ziarre, make them hurt," Boru egged her on.

That was the last thread. Ziarre unleashed all restraints. From her back, a huge dragon made from fire soaring into the sky. It screeched and dived down to the Acolytes, burning the first few lines of Acolytes, as well as demons. She had no alegance anymore. The only one who could stood her had vanished.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[SilverCyclone]

Boru watched with satisfaction as she burned through the Acolytes. He saw several, alongside Cold, dissapear from sight. It didnt matter. He had a new weapon that was ten times more deadly then any his enemies owned. But it was...difficult to control at this point. Experimental to put it bluntly.
"Very good Ziarre. I am impressed. However, you lack one thing..."
She turned, glaring at him. His claws gripped her throat in a flash, lifting her high. She lashed out, but he tightened his grip. She felt her strength drain. Boru was still smiling.
"You lack respect for the one who gave you this power! You lack obedience to your new master! If you dont want to be my minion, then crawl back to your hunters. See if they wish to take you back. But wait, you cant. You betrayed them!"
He dropped her. She coughed, kneeling. Rath snarled, but was halted by the pain of broken ribs. Boru leaned down, gripping her chin and pushing her up so that their eyes met.
"Remember Ziarre. I gave you this power, and unless you obey my every command, I will take it away and kill you! No...I'll give you to the hunters. My impression is they wont show much mercy to a traitor. Do you understand? Would you like to be weak again?"
---------
Night dashed through the woods, hauling an injured Selino. The other hunters streamed through the trees behind him. He finally slowed to a stop, and the others gathered around him. He fell to his knees, laying Selino down gently.
"Damn...damn damn damn..."
"Sir Night?"
"Zia...Ziarre has betrayed us. The demons have taken Sierra Mansion...I cant ask you to stay by my side anymore. Its a death wish. I give you a choice..."
The hunter stood, lifting his aged servant with him. He walked a few feet to the north. He turned to the gathering.
"Those of you who wish to live...head south to the city. Forget your duties, and live your lives. You will not be thought of as cowards. Those of you who...who wish to fight by my side...follow me. We go to the slums, to recover...to avenge..."
The hunter turned, heading to the slums with Selino and Shirow. Several hunters turned around and headed south.

[Sakura]

[COLOR=Navy]Kira looked at Night's retreating back, then turned to look at those members who were heading to the city to start a whole new life. Kira opened her wings and took off into the sky, flying to Night.

"I haven't been in this group for long, and I'll be damned if I quit already." Kira said, landing beside him and falling in step.

Night looked at her and nodded, and they continued walking.

Kira heard a loud shriek and looked to the sky, seeing her oddly coloured friend wheeling in the sky. Larka flew downward and landed on her shoulder again. Kira stroked the feathers of the bird and thanked her for her work against the demons, even though they had to retreat.

'I wonder why Ziarre would betray us, I thought she was very loyal to the Hunters...' Kira thought.

Kira turned looked behind her to see other Hunters continuing to head to the city, perhaps they'd had enough of their duties as Hunters, and were looking for a new life where they wouldn't be in danger.[/COLOR]

[Redemption]

[COLOR=DarkOrange][FONT=Century Gothic]Ziarre glared into Boru's eyes coldly. She heard Rath snarl and growl at Boru. The fire inside of her grew more fiercely. Her fists were clenched in fury. She said nothing. Boru smiled.
" So you do not resist nor comply. Very diplomatic of you."

Boru blasted her away with dark energy. Ziarre was catapulted into a nearby tree. The impact knocked the wind from her. She collapsed to the base of it. Rath strode over there with difficulty.
" Do you understand? You half-breed!"
Ziarre struggled to her feet.
" I understand." She spat blood from her mouth to the ground.
" Good. Now, my weapon, come with me."

OOC: Sorry its short. Couldn't think fo anything.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Sword Breaker]

[FONT=Book Antiqua][COLOR=DarkRed]OOC: Glad to know the pace has sped up. About time.

Cold's armies were still fighting, but his left and right battles had been decimated, and the center had entered the fight to late. As it turned out, the demon army was far more orginized then first observed. Cleaver bastard.

Cold let out a howl, as he raised the maul and charged into the battle, shouting for his men on the flanks to reform their line. He would not lose this fight, no matter how many he lost.

"Bring them down!" Cold shouted, as the Acolyte army smashed into the demon army.

He raised his maul above his head, and brought it down with shattering force. A demon's skull was smashed, another's head taken clear off, and still more simply froze at it's touch. He raised it and let it fall again and again, cutting a swath of destruction into the enamy all alone.

A acolyte beside him screamed, as his brains were squeezed trough his nose. Unaware that he should be dead, the man raised his axe one more time, and cut the head from the demon, before falling to his knees, and dieing.

A sudden scream from Cold's right turned him, to see a entire battallion of demons swarm around the weak right force. They were overrun in moments. Gone, down to a man.

The demon battallion, seeing a new prey, charged the right flank of Cold's force,and smashed them heavily.

Then hell broke loose. Flame englufed his entire left force, including the demons fighting there. Then the flame brought itself down on his Center formation, burning the front ranks, and demons, into cinders.

Cold's first though was ice. So that's what he did. A massive down of ice, the strongest he had ever crafted, would shield his remaining troops. Several other acolytes skilled in ice had given him aide, but most were to weak to make a differance. One man, a tall figure, with a gas-mask type thing on his face, had been able to form a complete wall on the right flank, single handedly.

The flame slammed into the ice, and it held. It did not melt, nor did it crack. But it did cost all of Cold's energy. As the flame dissapaited, Cold let his shield fall, and collapsed to his knees.

The demons were gone, either retreated or burned to death, and all that was left was a stream of blood and bodies.

And Cold smiled.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[Flo]

[COLOR=Indigo]Zet sat beside Ranpu with her head down. Her raven black hair fell infront of her face. She had escaped with Night and the others though she didn't know why they were running intill she heard Night's roaring voice, " I HOPE IT WAS WORTH IT ZIARRE! IS YOUR NEW FOUND STRENGTH REALLY WORTH THIS DESTRUCTION!?"
Ranpu sencing her sorrow licked her face only to be pushed away with a freezing hand.
"If you a don't know already Ziarre has betreyed us for power. We're out numbered but, we may be able to win if we get her back. WE need somebody strong and who also knows Ziiarre, who has a close bond with her." Night spoke calmly yet Zet could here the anger and sadness in his voice. She knew that he never thought that one of his hunters would join the other side. As she glannce up she saw all the hunter's eyes on her.
"Night, I have a request." Zet said in a worried voice. Night had never seen Zet this way before and didn't know what to make of it.
"What is it Zet?"
"I don't want to fight Ziarre."
"You'll have to! She's our enemy now. So, sooner or later your going to face in a battle you that better than anyone." Night repiled angrly.
"I know, but Ziarre was like a sister me. No, she was like the mothert I never had. You know my mother was killed when I was three. Ziarre was always there for me, she protected me, comferted me, everything. If I fight her I won't be able to fight at my full strengh. I'm sorry Night I just can't. Please try to understand."
"Zet..." Phoenix said with concen as he reach towards her.
"Don't touch me!" Zet said with an unfamilar fury. She hit him away and gglnaced at her hand to see blood on her nails that had grew to claws." Damn."
Ranpu hunched over Zet licking her hand.[/COLOR]

[demonchild781]

"Here, take her for me Alender." Rebecca laid the girl onto the large white tiger's sturdy back. Alender altered his posture and carriage to take on the new weight of the young girl. Rebecca continued her walk as Alender joined her side.

There were few hunters left after the assault on the mansion. Some had died at the hands of Boru and his demons, others had left for the city to take upon a new life. One free of death and destruction. Most of those who had left were human for most half-demons could never partake in normal lives.

Rebecca watched the spat between Zet and Night as the troop of left over hunters took a stop for the moment. It was ashame that Ziarre had betrayed them, though Rebecca knew little of the half-demon. She knew that both Zet and Night had a great fondness for the young hunter and her betrayal was probably very difficult on them both.

Rebecca gave a light snort and drew a small smile across her face as she fell to her knees just outside of the small circle of hunters.

(You are hurt?) Alender's frantic voice matched his outward appearance as he rushed to his companion's side.

Rebecca had her right arm wrapped around her waist, but it was hard to tell if it was her blood or demon blood that covered her. Rebecca lowered her head and braced herself with her other arm. She was thankful that the small spat between Zet and Night kept the others occupied, she didn't want to deal with the probing of questions and possible hands on her body.

"I'm fine, Alender. Just a small wound." Rebecca turned her head slightly to show the tiger a smile.

"Hey, you ok?" Rebecca heard the new comer's voice.

"Kira is it?" Rebecca replied.

"Yeah," the voice answered.

"Glad to have you with us. Don't worry about me, I'm fine. Just exhausted with a few new wounds is all." Rebecca sat up then, leaning against her caves and the heels of her feet.

"Do you need anything?" Rebecca took in the sight of the young hunter.

"No, thank you." The warrior replied to the other hunter, a slight smile creased on her face.

(You need help,) Alender said gently, knowing that the hunter didn't quite like taking help.

"I'll be fine, Alender." Rebecca began to stand.

(Let me see?)

Rebecca looked down at the tiger, surprise streaked across her face. Her companion never asked questions so directly or used her name. Rebecca lowered her head and gave a deep sigh. Pulling her arm away Alender was able to see the full situation. The wound was more of a cavern that stretched from the top of her left him up to her left side of her rip cage at and angle. The wound was deep enough that Alender could see Rebecca's actual rips.

(My goodness.) Alender nearly shouted.

Rebecca looked down at the wound and only smiled.

(Take the child's cloak and tie it around the wound.) Alender said it forcefully.

"The girl will freeze." Rebecca protested.

(She lays against me, she shall stay warm. If the child could speak, she would give her coat to you willingly. It would be the least she could do for you risking your life for her, Rebecca.)

Rebecca turned away from Alender for a moment. He was right, she had risked her life for the child. This wound she had, was from a demon trying to kill her. Rebecca sighed and slowly took the coat from the girl. Twirling the fabric around she tied the arms together around her waist so it would put constant pressure on the wound until she could sew it shut.

"Are we ready yet?" Rebecca barked at the motionless hunters.

[Sword Breaker]

"How many are left." Cold asked heartlessly, dissapointment and venom in his voice.

"100, and most of them are severly burned or injured." Morgan replied. He had survived the battle relitivly unscathed, a few minor cuts and bruises.

"How many can fight?" Cold replied, frowning.

"37, and most of them abandoned us after the battle. In all, I have 10 men ready to fight, not including myself." Morgan frowned aswell, as he scratched his beard anxiously.

"So, a direct battle is out of the question." Cold replied, disappointed.

"Aye, but the 10 men be the best of the best." Morgan said proudly, before pointing to the small group. One of them was the man in the gas mask. Cold air flowed trough the mask, in time with his breath, and made a very strang mist.

"The man in the mask, what is his name?" Cold asked, rubbing his chin.

"Strange fellow, that one. Goes by the name Subzero Explosion. He's a ice master, one of the best. Maybe even better then you." Morgan said seriously, letting his heavy axe-hand fall by his side.

"Bring him to me, I have a job for him." Cold said anxiously.

___________________________________________________________________


"It is an honour, master Cold." Subzero Explosion said, bowing low.

"I hear you are a master of the ice, no?" Cold said, experementally.

"Some call me that." He replied in his weak, scrapping voice.

"I saw how you acted on the battlefield, and I judge you worthy of this mission." Cold said, smiling wickedly.

"Mission, master?"

"Assassination. The enamy is in possesion of a extremly distructive weapon, a girl, pyroteknic, quite the fearful one." Cold said.

"Simple." Was Subzero Explosion's answer, before he bowed, and lept into the sky, disapearing amongst the roof tops.

"Excellent." Cold said, before he turned to Morgan.

"Folow him, prepare to ambush the girl, should he fail."

OOC: Ok, things are going to get very cool.

[Asim]

O.O.C: Ask S.C if you are wondering how, and why I'm posting...

On the top of Karmai Hill, which towered over the neighboring lands, a cloaked man on a magnificent beast of a horse observed silently. The steed?s drooping head slowly swayed left, and right. It?s long blonde hair moved in graceful waves.
The man?s black eyes burned in the darkness like quasars. In the horizon, fires blazed, and the night was not so calm. War cries echoed mingling with shrieks of death. A moment later a titanic figure of flames sprang from midst of the chaos, and lashed with an infernal strike.

Sounding a muffled grunt of admiration, and sarcasm as the golden light of carnage was reflected upon the man?s masked face.
? Scum killing scum?? He hissed.
His gloved hands then slightly pulled on the creaking leather reins, and the dark horse reared in a glorious neigh. The steed then began to slowly pace down the dark hill. The shadows covered its glistening lines of toned muscle, and concealed the man?s already hood shaded face.
Through the forest the cries died out, and it was somewhat quieter for the battle seemed to have ended.

One hand hanging free at his side, he was ready to draw a blade in the blink of an eye. Be it hunter, or demon he would strike both down. His old hate still festered within, and rose to glisten in the dark flames of his shifty eyes.
In the dusky distance gray shadows played, and twirled. Asim somehow knew that these were of fleeing hunters, but for some devious, yet honorable reason he did not charge, instead he approached slowly, and watched from a closer distance. He could hear them talk, but the words were vague, and distorted.

A strange smile was incarnated in his eyes, before he took the steed from its reins, and reeled back. The beast strode like the wind through dark woods.
Asim was not interested in fighting the hunters at the moment for they have proved to be a bit weak for his taste, and he had a burning urge to confront the demonic hordes with their new found powers.

Reaching the burning ruins of the city, he continued exploring the area on the beast he rode. He sensed that there was some evil on to his presence, and he felt it approaching. Was it the girl with the burning soul, Ziarre? in which he had been hearing of, or the servant of demons, Cold?
He was ready to face either, or both, and so he dismounted his steed, and walked calmly towards the direction of the disturbance, his cloak fluttering in the winds, and hood shadowing his masked face. The black stallion vanished out of sight.


(Anyone is more than welcome to challenge me in battle)

[SilverCyclone]

Night walked away from the prone Selino. He had hidden his friend in an alcove, and made Shirow stay to protect him. He walked back to the others, but took a fearful glance back. He turned to his remaining hunters. Phoenix, Zet, Kira, Rebecca, and a handful of others. Totaling twenty, it was a pretty pathetic force. He sighed, kneeling and staring at the ground. He waited for a few minutes before rising back up, his face expressionless.
"Boru has staged a coup. He went against the shadow lords, thats the only reason Cold would be there...this is good, since he thinks we're not nearly as big a threat as they are..."
"What are you planning?"
"I plan on killing them all. But we need more information on what their plans are. There are several skirmishes for the city. We can hold the ruins of Raglad easily, but we need many more hunters. Raglad is where we will bunker down. Rebecca, Kira. You two can fly, so do some scouting around the city. I want to know how many skirmishes, where demons are entrenched, everything. Phoenix, Zet. You two go into the city with the rest of the hunters and evacuate any civilians. Anyone who looks like they may be useful in the fight, offer them a chance to join us. I'll go secure Raglad."
"Last Haven..."
Night turned. Selino had muttered the words, staring at the hunters. Night walked over.
"What?"
"Raglad is no name for a fort...call it...Last Haven..."
Night smiled before turning back to the hunters. He nodded.
"Go. We have very little time before they decide to kill us. We're a thorn in their sides, and I plan on twisting. When you finish the job, meet up with me at Rag...Last Haven."
-----------
Boru sat on the bloodstained altar of the church. He had just claimed it as his new throne room. Seora and Kara walked up. Boru pointed to Kara.
"Your eager to fight the half breed again, arent you?"
She nodded, remembering the duel in the church with Rebecca and Lisette.
"Then go. Hunt her down. Seora, I have a different plan for you."
"What do you wish my lord?"
"I want you to protect my new weapon. She is currently in the city, dealing with the shadow lords' minions. Lead a battalion of demons, and do not let her out of sight. Dont let her die Seora, she's worth more then any of my minions combined."
Seora bowed, carefully concealing the rage.
"I will do as you ask, my lord."
Boru leaned back, smiling smugly. Things were going very well indeed.

[Redemption]

[FONT=Georgia][COLOR=Red]Ziarre had been sent by Boru to squash the Acolyte uprising in the industrial area of New Vista. With her pyrokinetic powers, her wings and her sword, she was now no match for any of the Acolytes. Most of them reeled away from the heat, scared of her menacing black figures behind the flames. Her fury was evident.

Like the fire that burnt in her soul, she could not be tamed. Even though Boru had tried to squash her, she remained composed but she burned even more fiercely inside. The only way to let her anger out was to kill as many Acolytes as she possibly could. Also, she had to leave Rath behind in the church Boru now claimed as his sanctuary. His wounds were too bad to let him fight. This fuelled Ziarre?s rage even more.

Suddenly, an ice barrier built up in front of her, blocking her progress through the alley of Acolytes. She growled, ruffling her black feathered wings uncomfortably.
? So you are the pyro my master was talking about,? a sneer voice came from above. An Acolyte, an ugly one at that, jumped from the rooftop to confront Ziarre.
? And I see you are an ice master. Pathetic really??? she said, sheathing her sword.
? What did you say??
? I said you were pathetic. I?ve figured you out. I know your master Cold, has sent you as an assassin to kill me. You think that will be so simple? Think again?.?
? You are a confident one, I?d admit that. But no fire has ever melted my ice, and your?s won?t be the first!? Subzero yelled as he launched himself at Ziarre, a fist ready to connect with her face. Ziarre merely tilted her head to one side and he missed.
? Is that all you?ve got?? Ziarre taunted.
Subzero then kneed Ziarre in the stomach and then punched her, sending her flying into a wall. Ziarre lay crumpled at the base of it.

? You are the pathetic one pyro?? but then stopped mid-sentence to see Ziarre stand up with no more than a bleeding lip from his punch. She dabbed the cut with her finger.
? Well, I can see you are good at giving cut lips. But is that all? Really? I wouldn?t show my face if I were so weak. In fact, I?d be cowering in the gutters, muttering for my mother,? Ziarre taunted even more. She wanted him to get angry, to get furious, so she could kill him by using the full extent of her power.
? COME ON! IS THAT ALL YOU?VE GOT?!?

Subzero came at her with all of his physical strength. He started bashing the shit out of Ziarre. She flopped around like a rag doll. After 15 minutes of pure physical brute, Subzero let Ziarre drop to the ground. He wiped his sweat off his forehead. He waited a few minutes to see if she would do another resurrection trick, but she didn?t move. Turning to leave, he heard a quiet laughing. It became louder and louder each step he took further away from Ziarre. He stopped. The laughing came from Ziarre, and she was laughing at him.

Subzero turned around to see Ziarre standing wonkily, leaning on the wall for support. She bled profusely from the forehead and her nose and she had a black eye on her left eye. But still, she was laughing.
? What are you laughing about? I just gave you the beating of your life, and you stand there laughing,? Subzero said.
? You. You think you?re so macho, so powerful??its pathetic??really?.? Ziarre said between laughs.
? And you can do better??
? Much better.? Ziarre stood up and started walking towards Subzero. ? You see, while you were beating the shit out of me, I was merely wasting your energy. You see, now you can?t even muster any of your ice magic. I didn?t want to go head-to-head with it because I?m lazy.?
? What?? Subzero tried to summon his magic but couldn?t. Now Ziarre was in his face.
? You see? It doesn?t matter how powerful you are, it matters how smart you are,? Ziarre replied. She grabbed him by the shoulder and watched him burn into a pile of ash.

Ziarre then looked up and saw Morgan looking at her in horror. With a great gust, Ziarre flew up and came level with Morgan. She looked him in the eyes.
? So you were his back-up? How quaint??
Morgan scuttled away, disappearing into the darkness.

A female demon then came out of the shadows.
? You are Ziarre, are you not??
? You?ve witnessed what I can do, you judge,? Ziarre said as she landed on the rooftop.
? You?re master?s favourite weapon.?
? Not his most obedient though. What does he want??
[/COLOR][/FONT]

[Sakura]

[COLOR=Navy]Kira looked at Night and nodded, she spread open her wings and jumped, beating her wings to gain some air. Larka flew up beside her and wheeled.

"I'll report back in about an hour." she said to them, then she flew off toward the city with Larka flying alongside her.

Kira flew along, looking at the ground below them, she could see the other Hunters that had left and she overtook them flying into the city area.

"Larka, see if you can find any skirmishes, evidence of any, where demons are hiding and anything else that you see that's out of the normal." Kira said to her feathered friend. Larka replied with an ok and split away from her.

Kira took a deep breath and flew past the buildings in the area, trying to look at things through the dim lighting in the streets.

An hour passed and Kira waited for Larka, who flew up.

"I found about 3 places that had evidence of skirmishes, I saw 2 taking place, and I've seen 4 places where demons are staying. What have you got, Larka?"

["I saw a demon raid ending in a building. It was too late for me to get you, it was all over."] Larka replied.

"Alright...Come on, let's go to Last Haven." Kira sighed.

Kira and Larka turned for their newest hideout and flew off into the night.[/COLOR]

[B]OOC:[/B] Sorry about the post, I couldn't really think of anything to post. Let me know if you want it changed, and if anyone wants, you can encounter me or something.

[Asim]

Coming to a sudden halt, the dark man looked about, and saw nothing, but a pile of ash being swept away by the wind.
He was now certain that Ziarre was present, and so his eyes searched for her. Then he caught a glimpse of two dim figures on a roof top. Squniting at them, he released a muffled chuckle, as a faint gust of wind moved the hood back from his head.

A black mask adorned with silver engravings covered his face, except for the eyes, and those glared with mystery, and charm.
His hair glistened in an enchanting manner against the crimson lights of fire, and under the gentle touch of the moon's silver aura.

Stretching out his left arm infront of him, the wide sleeve of the cloak was pulled back revealing a strange black piece of armor protecting his forearm. There was a strange symbol etched on it, which started to gleam in a pulsing light.
Then the gleam seethed out, and twirled around the man's arm, as if dancing to some unsung tune.
It spread over his fist, then leaped into his palm materializing into a strange long staff of some sort.

The staff of light was growing a large curved blade, and the flashing pulses were becoming stronger, until there was one final blaze of darkness, after that there seemed to be a large war scythe in the man's stretched hand. The weapon appeared to be of some ancient origin, for the designs, and writings on were sure to be impossible for a modern man to read. There was a strange ringing sound that the glistening blade sounded in a resonating echo.

He took two steps forward, and with a mighty whirl he hurled the singing reaper at the figures on the roof top.
The twirling silver blade barely missed them, and then the weapon dissappeared into thin air, and reappeared in the man's fist. One of the demons flew up, and came hurtling down in anger, and surprise, the other approached in a more stealthy manner .

" What have we here? " He whispered.
" Are you another of Cold's idiotic assassins? I'm sure that you are no hunter, for i would have remembered you... " The fiery Ziarre asked with a sarcastic tone, as she landed.
" If you really want to know who I am you can just look me up in the history books, but for now just call me The Masked Phantom... " He muttered, as he slowly walked towards her dragging the blade behind him.

She wanted to burn him, but he came closer, and looked straight into her eyes. He smiled finding them to be as dark as his. For some reason she could not use her power, she felt that she was intoxicated with his enigmatic charm.
" Eyes as dark as mine, this is something I never expected to see " He murmured, as his gloved sleder fingers established a gentle, yet firm grasp on her neck.
" Ziarre ! What are you doing? " The other demon angrily cried from a close distance, but her words were ignored.
" Who are you? " Ziarre softly asked.
The man pulled her close to him, and whispered.
" The worst of all of your nightmares...A dark desire burning within you "

He then started to tighten his grip, she felt a bitter sweet mixture of pain, and strange pleasure. Lifting her quivering body with one arm, he then casually flung her away, rolling violently into a pile of scorched ruins. A cloud of dust rose, and fell.

"So this is Ziarre... " He chuckled.
The other charged at the man, but was almost rended by a gleaming arch formed by his swinging blade. He continued with another swing just as lethal, and quick. This the demon escaped the silver slashes, but with tiring difficulty. She had not seen such strength, and technique exhibited by a human before. Standing at a safe distance from him, she felt something trickeling down her throat, feeling the area with her fingers she found that there were drops of blood seething down her neck, then sharp pain was felt. Evidently she wasd not able completely evade the man's swings at her.

The fallen Ziarre was slowly rising, she too was taken by surprise. Her control over her powers seemed to fade away when she is near this fellow, no one had been able to confuse her senses like this before, not even her new master Boru.
" This should be amusing... " The man muttered with his strong, but muffled voice, as he gripped the helve of the scythe, and held it beside him in an ancient stance of war forgotten by time.

[demonchild781]

Rebecca stared down into the blacken streets of the city. Alender's white form was no where insight; she had made the white tiger stay back with the other hunters to protect the girl. She knew that he would die before allowing any one to touch the child other than her.

The nearly bare streets were skattered with litter and blood. The demons had left quite a mess and a heavy trail. Four very large and obvious skirmishes were taking place on the East and South side of the city.

"I wonder what Kira had found." Rebecca muttered to herself.

(The Last Haven has been astablished on the far side of the slums. The girl is sleeping while the others prepare for our next move.) Alender's voice rang over the noise of the wind rushing over Rebecca's ears.

"Thank you, my dear Alender." Rebecca replied. "I shall be returning soon."

Unaware of what was following her, Rebecca made another go around the east and south side of the city just to make sure things were as she had first seen. Just before Rebecca had turned to make for the slums something came crashing down upon her. The two fell from the sky like a brick and slammed into the deserted streets. Rebecca let out a hoarse cry as her body collided with the pavement, but the creature had allowed her to crash without its extra wait.

"The mightly Rebecca doesn't seem so mightly now." A shrill demon voice echoed through the alley. Rebecca whinced as she struggled to get to her feet, her tired and already mangled body not being able to recover as quickly as it normal would.

"You," Rebecca whispered. The demoness gave a wicked smirk.

"You won't be getting away from me this time, hunter." Kara spat from her grin.

Rebecca growled deep in her throat as she pulled her sword from her side. Her hands trembled with the effort, but she wasn't going to let a demon defeat her. She had come too far to be defeated by such a vile creature.

"That's a nasty little wound there, hunter." Kara pointed towards Rebecca's waist.

"Shut up you vile creature. Wound or no wound. I will defeat you!" Rebecca shouted as she rushed forward.

[Blayze]

Sorry I haven't posted for a while, I've been busy doing my school play this last week.

Phoenix was travelling into the city, with Zet. He was tired, and dirty from the battle, and had a painful gash on his left leg. He still moved quickly, though, even with the warm blood dribbling slowly down into his boot. He was limping, but it didn't seem to be slowing him down. His head was pounding. He hadn't slept in days, and now he had to evacuate the city. He felt himself slowly dropping out of consciousness, and he hit the ground hard. Zet's yells sounded muffled, and then died away altogether.

Now he was in a grand room made of pale stone. He was cold, and there was a young girl chained to the floor in the middle of the room. There was a pale stream of moonlight flooding in through a hole in the ceiling. He was surrounded by a several people dressed in white robes, including a lady. The Lady In White. The other people in the room began to chant something, hitting the ground with their staffs to some sort of rhythm. The girl was screaming.

"Let the impure one burn! Death to the children of Hades, all pure and half breeds! We will cleanse the Earth!" shouted the Lady In White.

"The council demands it!" shouted another person, a young man this time.

The moonlight turned slowly into a beam of pure fire, burning the girl alive, slowly and painfully.

Phoenix closed his eyes, and turned away. The girl was a half demon, being burned because of here genes, not for anything she had done. This was what the Lady In White was. A member of an arcane council devoted to the complete destruction of the demonic genepool. This is where his power had come from.

The Lady In White turned to him and spoke:
WE GRANTED YOU THIS POWER TO DESTROY BORU, AND THAT IS WHAT YOU MUST NOW DO. THIS IS THE WILL OF THE COUNCIL.

She spread her arms quickly, and he was sent back to consciousness. He stood up, and was guided forward...

[Sakura]

[COLOR=Navy]Kira and Larka soon arrived at the place that was now dubbed Last Haven. They flew overhead, watching below because they didn't yet know if the area was safe yet. When they saw Night they flew downwards and landed, Larka flapping onto her usual perch on Kira's shoulder.

"Is it safe?" she asked folding her wings.

"Safe enough. Did you find anything?" he asked.

"I found about 3 places that had evidence of skirmishes, I saw 2 taking place, and I've seen 4 places where demons are staying. Larka saw a demon raid finishing in some building too, but it was too late for anyone to do anything." Kira reported.

"That's not good..." Night sighed.

Kira and Larka just stood there, and assumed that Night wasn't going to say anything so they left. Kira was looking somewhere nice that she could sit. She found the perfect spot on the roof and lay there with Larka standing on her.

"The sky's beautiful tonight." Kira whispered, staring at the star speckled sky.

She slowly drifted off to sleep from exhaustion and she started to dream.

~Dream/Flashback!~
Kira was in a room, it was the kitchen of her house, and there was her mother, chopping vegetables. Kira watched and noticed a man sneak into the house. She didn't like the look of him and moved to attack him, to find out that she went straight through him. She could do nothing as she watched the man swiftly kill her mother and flee the house. Ten minutes later, the other Kira and Larka walked through the door and into the kitchen, then screamed as she saw her mother's bloodied body on the floor. The other Kira ran and checked her mother's pulse, but it was gone.
~End Dream/Flashback!~

Kira sat up with a shock, panting and sweating. She could feel moisture on her cheeks from crying.

["Kira, are you alright?"] Larka asked, nudging her cheek with her head.

"I-I-I'm ok, I just had a flashback of mother's death." Kira said, stroking her friend.

["I see, well...it's over, you were so devastated on that day."] Larka sighed.

"It doesn't matter, what's done is done, but I'm gonna find whoever killed her, and I'll give him the same treatment." Kira said, then they jumped off the roof to see if anyone else had returned or to find Night.[/COLOR]

[B]OOC:[/B] Bad post, couldn't think of anything.