RPG Hunters Chapter 2: Maelstrom (M-VL)

[Blayze]

Phoenix woke up, and found himself lying on a bed in Final Haven. His leg was bandaged, and his face had been cleaned.

"How did I get here?" he asked a Hunter running around.

"You were brought here by a search party," the Hunter replied.

"You mean you sent out a search party for me?"

"No, sir, we only found you by accident."

"Then who was the search party really looking for?"

"Master Night, sir. He's gone missing, wandered off muttering something about making the little one stay inside, whatever that means."

Boru was right, thoguht Phoenix, Night really has gone insane. What was the name Boru used? Voneguard Sierra. Night's old personality must have resurfaced. This was bad. He could kill countless innocents looking for Boru, and I've just killed him! He doesn't know Boru is dead, and he's going to kill innocents to get to him!

Or maybe he would be searching for the demon who beat him in battle. Cold, that was his name.

"You, Hunter, what's your name?" he asked the young Hunter.

"Kyran, sir."

"What race are you? Human or half-demon?"

"Human, sir."

"Okay, Kyran, I need you to split the Hunters into two groups. One is going to search for Night, I'll lead that one, and the other needs to try and find the demon Cold, the one who almost killed Night a while back. You lead that one. I'm trusting you to help me, Kyran. Can I trust you?"

"Yes sir, you can."

"Good. Go and split them up, and find Selino, I need to talk to him, he's known Night longer than all the rest of us."

"Sir, didn't you hear? Master Selino is dead. He died a few minutes before Night left."

This couldn't be. Selino dead? That news must have had something to do with Night's condition. Selino was his oldest friend and ally. To find out he was dead must have destroyed Night.

"Well, get someone reliable to research a man named Voneguard Sierra. Go quickly."

Phoenix got up and left the bed to try and find anything that could help him.

"Yes, sir..." the Hunter laughed, and he transformed. His skin turned to a scarred mess, and his black jumpsuit melted into a hooded black cloak. Two curved swords appeared on his back, and his teeth turned into small, pointed fangs.

"So, Voneguard Sierra is back. This bodes well for the demon assault," the demon said to himself.

"Yes, and the Hunter whose family we killed is also back. We thought we left him for dead on that rooftop," the demon replied to himself in a different voice.

"Well, if he wasn't dead then, he is now. We need to destroy his bloodline completely, and if the Hunter once known as Night works hard enough, then the hunters may just have to destroy him, ending the Sierra bloodline as well. This could hardly be working out better for us, could it, Lord Boru?"

Boru floated out of the shadows, almost see-through.

"It could, if I hadn't been killed by Phoenix. The only thing I wish to see is my hand around his throat, choking the life out of him, but that seems unlikely, owing to my current state."

He floated forwards, through the cloaked demon. Boru was now non-corporeal, it seemed.

"You may be dead in body, but your soul lives on through us, Boru. Endow us with more of your god-like power, and we will destroy the Hunter for you. You will have a physical body again soon enough."

Boru touched hands with the demon, and was drawn into his body. Lightning arched from his body into the walls, making them crumble with Boru's power. then, Boru left the body.

"Excellent. The Hunters will be gone shortly," said Boru, "Now go, Lazarael, seek out Phoenix."

And with that, the cloaked demon disappeared, and so did Boru.

[Redemption]

[COLOR=Red][FONT=Century Gothic]Ziarre felt Asim?s heart beat inside his chest. What had she done? For a few precious moments, she and Asim had a whirlwind passionate embrace. But was it really what she wanted?

She clutched Asim closer, feeling the warmth of his body against hers. It was what she wanted, but with someone else. But, they are both so alike? Ziarre felt faint, dizzy at the best.

All she wanted was some affection. All this time, Night had shown her nothing but coldness. She wanted more. Just to be loved by someone?anyone?like Asim had just shown her. It was what she wanted. Ziarre felt her heart beat faster and stronger. Tears of silver dropped from her eyes in silence. All she wanted was to be loved.

She wanted to be the most precious possession that that person had ever owned. By the way Asim was holding her, that much was true.

But, the pain in his eyes told of another story, one full of hurt and sorrow. Obviously he regretted what he just did to her, for Ziarre could see that he loved another and she was much like her.

Finally, Ziarre stood, the blanket wrapped around her. She couldn?t bear to drag Asim on like this. He loved another, so did she.
? Asim,? Ziarre whispered. He nodded in reply. He knew what she was about to say.
? I can see in your eyes that you loved another, someone in the distant past. The pain and sorrow in your eyes are evident. I can see that you loved the princess from the kingdom you came from, and for you to hold me like that, I must be much like her.?

? I am sorry. But I love another?? She felt her heart drop immensely, feeling the regret of doing this. ? The one you call Night is the one I love.?

Asim looked up sharply. ? You are unwise to love him. You do not know who he really is or what he has become. You know neither of his past or his present.?

Ziarre looked at the ground. Her heart felt as if it was going to tear in two. ? I do not care for his past. But I do know Night as he is, and for that I love him dearly. Ever since he rescued me from the demons when I was young, I have admired and respected him. As I grew older, that admiration and respect grew deeper and became love.?

? So you as well have secrets of your past too?? Asim questioned. He felt the guilt of what he had done fade.

? Secrets that no one else but me knows. Secrets that I want to tell you now. For I can help you, even though you may think what I say is completely ludicrous.?

? Go on.?

? My power is fire as you know?but fire is both a destroyer and a life-giver. Fire can destroy man and beast, but fire also gives them warmth and protection. A double-edged blade. My power has far exceeded what it used to be. But, I knew from when I was a child, I had the gift of life. When I was small, and my parents were still living, I found a dead bird in the garden one day. I picked the small creature up and held it in my hands. I cried for the poor thing since it was only young and had not experienced the joys of life. As the tears fell on my hands, a white flame surrounded them. The flames were the life flames, white and pure. Over a time, the white flames faded and the young bird suddenly hopped up in my hands. I had never been so happy in my life before.?

? If you wish Asim, I may be able to bring the princess back for you. That is if you wish it.?[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Asim]

Looking at the figure before him, he smiled a sad smile, and got up from the dais, and picked up his mask. Feeling the glittering engraving on it, he turned towards the girl.

?No, It?s not right?it will never be the same? being animate is one thing, but having a soul is another? some can electrocute, or shock a corpse into moving, but that means not that it lives? ? He murmured.

? You still do not know everything about your powers? the bird might have seemed to be alive, but the truth is that it was nothing, but an empty shell?? He continued.

? That is one lesson the sages of Baghodiad taught me well?the soul is not something for us to tamper with? death occurs for a reason? even if it may seem unjust sometimes to our ignorant minds? who are we to question? Do we create our souls so that we can keep them for as long we wish? And furthermore protest against our departure to the beyond? ? No, but our arrogance drives us into the dark, and blinds our senses? in reality we are nothing, but weak creatures that wage pitiful wars, and take pride in our small selves only for the time meant for us?the outbreak of demons since my time distorted these truths by the appearance of Boru, and the likes of him?dazzling humans with their so called powers, which are really weak, and continuously fading?they are affective only because we humans think of them as such? That is why you couldn?t burn me, and that is why no demon will ever be a match for me? humans have always been stronger than demons, and they will always be, but they don?t know it, and perhaps only a few will ever do? to believe that anything, which happens to you, be it good, or seemingly bad is for a reason, a greater calculation by something beyond our comprehension may seem difficult, nevertheless it is true??

? Even humans aren?t really that powerful for they can try, and just try to alter what they see as their destiny, but the rest is not up to them, but up to a greater, and ultimate existence? once someone realizes these facts, he or she will become stronger than ever??

? Life is nothing, but a road leading to inevitable death? It is nothing, but a pathway to the other side, the end the journey, or should I say the goal? The way is open for all; it is the way you go through it that?s important? Demons are nothing, but a mere distraction?they know this, at least their leaders do ?

She stared straight into his eyes, as he walked closer softly holding by the neck.
? I will destroy both the demons, and the hunters for as long as they both exist in this life they will wreak havoc, and cause mayhem??

Pacing towards the door, she called on him:
? Will you kill Night? ? She asked.
? Yes?? He answered.
? And if I try to stop you? ? She asked once more.
? Then you will die as well?? He murmured.
?Then kill me now? She said, and the silk sheet slowly fell to the ground, revealing her smooth, and lithe naked figure against the wavering crimson light.

He stood still, his face painted with grim sadness, but still as calm as ever. He placed his left hand on the amulet around his neck. Touching the black stone it bore, a rustling light of a dark shade twirled in his palm, and sounded a sharp hiss. The light turned into a long bladed katana, with a richly adorned two-handed gray hilt.

He lifted the sword above his head, and the girl closed her eyes, peacefully awaiting the fatal swift strike. A jet of bright silver sped through, along with a sharp gasp for air. The tip of the blade rested on her throat, not pressing in, but just touching the skin.
? I?m a warrior not a murderer, face me in battle if you wish? He spoke gently.
She trembled with excitement, as he moved in near her. Breathing down her neck, the suspense made her heart throb, and pound violently. Her radiant warmth, he could feel, and taste.

? I don?t want to hurt you, the less blood I spill the better, but if you insist then I?ll have no choice, but to?? He continued with a passionate kiss.
?Kill you... so please stay away from it all? He finished.
Looking over her shoulder, he saw two monstrous figures climbing up the veranda. With a silent glide his blade dimly flashed, and rent through their massive bodies, throwing over the stone rail, and down to the raging sea. Re-entering the room, he could hear distant shouts, and disgruntled shrieks.
? A raiding party?? He said calmly.
With an anguished, and invisible grin on his face, he put on the mask again, and closed the door behind him.

Mounting his gigantic steed, it slowly passed before the entrance of the large mansion. Massive head drooping, and then rising violently, with a neigh its bright eyes furiously gazed at the upcoming horde crashing through the steel gates.

Blasting through like a bolt of lightning, the dark beast, and its rider reflected a grim scene of legendary horror, and heroic valor. His sword swirled in glimmering vertical circles of flashing light dealing death to enemies on both his sides. Jetting crimson splashed, and steel blazed. The hoofs of his horse crushed those that were unfortunate enough to be under them.

[Blayze]

Phoenix waited at the entrance to Final Haven, without his trenchcoat, he simply wore a black long-sleeved t-shirt and black combat trousers. His chest was protected by a plate of folded steel armour, and his sword was strapped onto his back by a series of leather belts.
"Where are they?" he asked himself, "Why hasn't that Hunter gathered the rest of them?"
"Because," said a voice from behind him, "that Hunter was not a Hunter!"
Phoenix turned around, and was struck sharply on the chin, throwing him backwards into a wall.
There he was. The demon that stabbed him on the rooftop. Draped in a black cloak, armed with his two swords, standing there in all his glory.
"You," said Phoenix, getting to his feet, "I know that this is not your true form, Lazarael. Show me yourself in your real form."
"Very well. If that is your last wish, then so be it!" He removed his cloak, and his body twisted and warped until it was in a new form. This new form wore a black leather tunic with a high collar, and black trousers, black boots and black gloves. His face was horrifying, though. His skin was pale, almost white, and his hair was blood red, and twisted into horns. His eyes were a cold, piercing yellow, and his teeth were now small fangs, dripping venom. He still wore the two curved swords on his back, and also had numerous other small arms around his person.
"This is me, Phoenix, but that is not you," he hissed.
"What do you mean?"
"What do you know of your parents, Phoenix?"
"Nothing, other than the fact that they were killed by a demon."
"Well, this is going to be a surprise. Your family was killed by a demon, but one of your parents was a demon. Your father was a demon, your mother was a human. Do you know what that makes you, Phoenix?"
"A halfdemon? But Night would have been able to tell! Or Selino! Even Boru or the White Council would have been able to tell!"
"No they wouldn't, because you see, your mother was a sorceress. She found out you were half demon, and put a powerful spell upon you, which meant that your demonic half would not surface until a certain point. Your demonic heritage is the only reason you survived that attack on your family. If I had known, then I would have destroyed you properly that night!"
"You! You were the one who killed my family!" Phoenix cried, dropping to his knees in anguish.
"Yes, of course I was, you idiot! How did you think I knew so much about you? I never leave a job unfinished, and that means I must kill you, half-breed!"
He lunged at Phoenix, drawing his swords, and swinging them towards the defenceless figure who was weeping on the ground...

[SilverCyclone]

The demon ricochet off the wall as Night hurled him, his blade sliding out of its stomach. The hunter smiled cruelly, glancing at the civilians on the ground.
"Leave, before I decide that your better prey."
They ran, like rodents fleeing a sinking ship. Disgusting really. Night paused as he saw a demon grab one. It grinned.
"What now hunter? I have a shield now!"
Night smiled and began to laugh. He took three steps forward, and ripped through the human's body, thrusting his hand into the demon's chest.
"You think I hesitate to kill? How stupid of you."
[I]Master![/I]
Night turned swiftly, his eyes falling on Shirow.
"Shirow...what is it?"
The wolf appeared horrified, glancing at the corpses. He snarled at the hunter.
[I]What have you done?[/I]
"I am tired of that question Shirow. I want this war to end, and I will do anything to achieve that goal!"
He turned, walking deeper into the city ruins. Shirow sped towards Last Haven. Night stopped at a large section of a ruined church.
"Why do you fight my control Night? If you let me fight, this will all end."
[I]But at what price? Your going overboard! I sent you away years ago![/I]
"True...but now I want revenge! Why do you protect her? She betrayed you!"
[I]I know...but I just...she was my family...maybe I can get her back![/I]
"Open your eyes! Its not like you to be naive! Besides, I think shes fallen for that masked fella anyway."
[I]Your lying...[/I]
An explosion rocked Night backwards. It had come from the center of New Vista, and the shockwave rippled through the whole city. Night dodged a piece of rubble, rolling behind a chunk of wall. He glanced out from a crack. A pillar of flame, at least thirty blocks in diameter, rose from the city.
"No...no no hell no! Its a shadow lord! They summoned a shadow lord!"
[I]Give me back my body! You can fight if you want, but let me have control! I want to find Ziarre...I need to know something![/I]
Vonegard hesitated, before relinquishing control. Night surfaced again.
[I]Fine...but at first sign of a fight from anyone, you will immediately give me control so that I can kill![/I]

[demonchild781]

"Shirow?" Rebecca turned to take in the white wolf that was Night's companion.

[I]Night has lost control! [/I] The wolf shouted into Rebecca's mind.

(Sierra has surfaced again.) Alender appeared at Rebecca's side.

"Where is he, Shirow?" Rebecca began to venture through Last Haven, towards her corner of the complex.

[I]I will take you[/I], Shirow replied, following Alender and Rebecca.

The halfdemon hunter burst into her room and rushed towards the opposite side of the room. She pulled her katana from its resting place, sliding it forcefully into its sheath. She twisted herself to tighten the leather belt that held the sheath to her waste. She reached down to place two daggers inside her leather boats, standing back up to place a few throwing knives around her waist.

(Are you sure your body is ready to fight again?) Alender's voice floated gently through Rebecca's course thoughts.

She brought her head down to stare into Alender's ice blue eyes. His face was filled with worry and concern. She didn't want to make her dear companion to worry so much about her. She knew in the back of her mind that this may be the end.

Rebecca smiled broadly at her friend, "have a little faith in me, Alender."

The tiger tore his gaze from her and began to walk out of the room, following behind the white wolf. Rebecca watched them for a moment. This war was becoming far too painful for both companions, and the death of Selino had caused some havoc amongst the hunters, and Night was probably suffering the most from it all.

Rebecca faked a smile as she pulled on her shirt before leaving her room.

The three rushed from the building and started towards the city. Rebecca flew above the tiger and wolf, watching their beauty dart in and out of the destruction that had been brought upon the city. Suddenly and explosion errupted from the far side of the city causing the trio to lose their balance.

(What was that?) Alender shrieked.

[I]Can you see anything, Rebecca?[/I] Shirow questioned.

Regaining her composure, the hunter peared across the darkened city, smoke raising fromt he fire that had been created. A powerful surge of energy rushed at Rebecca and smacked her in the face.

"A SHADOW LORD!" Rebecca screeched.

[I]And Night is headed that way![/I] Shirow howled.

"Then we must go!" Rebecca started towards the smoke, followed closey behind the others.

OCC: you'll have to exuse this horribly done post. having a writter's block.

[Redemption]

[FONT=Century Gothic][COLOR=Red]Ziarre stood there naked, watching Asim ride away on Dark Blaze. He had not killed her, but he is going to kill either her or Night. She preferred to be her. Demons crashed through the doors and looked up a naked Ziarre.

Dark flames flared around her. The demons were oblivious to the flames, and were entranced by her naked beauty. They stalked closer until they were a foot from her, then instant incineration. Two piles of ash fell to the floor. Soon, more of the filthy creatures entered into the room, all stopped and were dazzled by her. A few more minutes and the place smelt of burnt flesh.

Ziarre was fuming. She felt a great dark presence resurface. She knew it could only be one thing?.a shadow lord. Her great dark feathered wings lifted her from the floor and whisked her out the balcony window. Before her, the trail of Sir Asim could be seen for miles again. She flew, as fast as her wings could take her, after Asim. She wanted to be right there when he met Night so she could stop him?for good.

Soon, the trail slowed and Ziarre eventually caught up to Asim. He and his black steed Dark Blaze slowed to where the source of the evil presence came from. She landed on the rooftops, careful so that Asim couldn?t see that she was following.
[/COLOR] [/FONT]

[Blayze]

The demon's sword swung towards Phoenix's head, and he ducked, avoiding the blade by an inch. He drew his own sword, and, tears falling from his eyes, landing on the sword.

"Who gave you that sword, Phoenix?" asked the demon.

"My mother gave me this sword before she died!"

"And your mother was a sorceress? Do you not think that the blade is enchanted?"

Phoenix looked at the sword. It was glowing, light spreading from the point where his tears had hit the blade. The light was golden, and gave Phoenix new strength.

"I am Phoenix, Hunter and half-demon!" he shouted proudly. Blue-white flames spiralled up around him, engulfing him completely. The demon looked on, astonished.

The flames raced around him, then fell away from his body, falling to the floor in a shower of sparks. The Phoenix behind the fire was a completely new Phoenix. Single-line tattoos ran from his hairline across his eyes and down to his cheekbones. His hair was streaked with fiery lines, which kept changing colour as his head moved. His eyes were black, but seemed to glow like dying embers. And from his back, wings, black as night had emerged, feathers falling from them as he opened his wings. His sword glowed with the same golden light as before.

"You, Lazarael, will now die! Demons must be destroyed before they overrun the Earth. And I, Phoenix,will be the one who will stop them!"

His eyes changed colour to blue-white, and he outstretched his hands. Lightning flew from his hands, and the rest of his body, into the walls, ceiling and floor, and into Lazarael's body, hurling the demon backwards into the wall. The wall crumbled on impact, and the demon was buried under concrete blocks.

Phoenix turned to leave, and try to find Night, when the demon burst out from under the rubble, eyes blazing.

"Phoenix!" he roared, "It is my destiny to destroy you!!!" He raced towards Phoenix, flying through the air. Phoenix stuck his hand out, and the demon's chest crunched onto his hand. Phoenix withdrew his hand and pulled out the demon's heart. The demon looked at it for a moment, then crumbled to dust. The heart also crumbled in Phoenix's hand.

Phoenix turned to leave, when a sharp pain shot through his head. He fell to his knees, clutching his head. He could sense something. Something vast and powerful, that has just risen in the city. It could only be one thing. A Shadow Lord!

Phoenix fought the pain in his head, and rushed to find the Shadow Lord. he launched himself into the air, and flapped his wings hard, flying through the air into the city.

(OOC: Is anyone going to post? I mean, if my post has effectively killed the RP, then I'd be more than happy to change it to get the whole thing going again. If people are just busy with other things, please forgive me, but if not, then it would be great if someone could post, because otherwise the whole thread is technically dead. Just PM me if you want me to change my last post at all, SilverCyclone)