RPG War of the Blood 2: Skulls and Crosses [M-LSV]

[Onix]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]Fire burned. Water flowed. Earth rumbled. Wind howled. Lightning flashed. Darkness swelled. Light shone. The elements gathered, called by the arcane powers. The powers, summoned by Kuroichi. The powers to make him God...or destroy him in an instant.

He sat, naked and humble in the lotus position, eyes shut tight, hair pulled back. His pale skin was etched with a thousand symbols, mysterious markings that were intricately copied from an aged tome. The very same that lay at Kuroichi's feet. He sat in peace, surrounded by the elements, freeing his mind in preparation.

Only five other things sat in the cleared room. The gems, sitting in a small triangle drawn in chalk, surrounded by a pale chalk circle; the chunk of raw silver that sat in the center; and the knife that sat, gleaming like a slice of moonlight.

At last he eased his eyes open, and he sucked in a great breath of air. His hands glided out over the circle, hovering above it like pale spiders in the gloom. The only light came from the pale moon, the crackling fire, and the occasional flash of lightning.

He paused to lick his lips, and began the ritual in full. The memorized words flowed from his mind like a spring, echoing through the room.

"To make this world great, I offer my blood. To make this world great, I offer my body. To make this world great, I offer my heart. To make this world great, I offer all I have.

Oh Great Gods, hear my plea. Let me lead my people, free from pain and fear of death from man. Let me cleanse the way for a future. Let me make them see."

He slowly reached down, picking up the knife with barely trembling hands. He brought the finely honed blade to his wrist, and pulled it along his flesh. Blood welled up from the punctured vein.

"With this blood as my sacrifice, let a new era be forged. An era of power amongst my kind. An era were we can rule, not live in fear and obscurity. Let me forge this new way...let me forge a new power!"

He quickly brought the bleeding arm over the circle, and let the blood drip into it. Energy began to surge from the gems. It cast a strange new glow over Kuroichi.

"Let the power come unto me! Let me wield the gems...not as a tool, like the Kerlek...not be controlled, like Zoku...not be feared, like Sole...let me embrace them and make them one with me! Let my blood forge them anew...and let my power resound in the the new!"

The silver slowly began to warp and flux, energy from the gems channeling towards it. The tattoos on Kuroichi's body began to shine and flicker, like fire in his flesh. They writhed and coiled, moved across his body to the wound. He lifted the now-glowing Silver from the ground.

"Let this be the new power with which I take the world. Let this guide me to greatness. With the elements as awed witnesses to my power, I craft this gem...the Silver Forge!"

There was a blinding flash of light, and a collumn erupted from the three gems, spiraling into the sky. Kuroichi could feel something inside him...writhing, burning, begging to be free. He felt it tearing loose...the birth of something new inside him. He was being made again...like a Pheonix from the ashes, he would rise and take the crown.

The lights faded. The tattoos were gone, burned off his skin. The gems sat dark amidst the charcoal that was once chalk. Kuroichi was leaning down, breath ragged. The door was flung open, and Sumiyaka stepped in.

"Kuro - " she stopped with a gasp.

The moonlight was just enough to show Kuroichi's transformation. Light shimmered off his arm, the cut arm, as silver crept up it. Bound with his flesh, infused with the arcane symbols...the silver was the new Gem, the Silver Forge. He held it gingerly with his other hand, the metallic weapon slowly flexing with his muscles. He looked up, something gleaming in his eyes.

Blood.

Night.

Corpses.

His eyes flickered brightly and then dimmed to their usual color. He rose slowly, arm twitching lightly. Slowly, he turned to Sumiyaka.

"Sumiyaka-chan...bring me some clothes. I must meet with the Zugai."

"But Kuro-kun..." she began.

It was then the Kuroichi noticed. Something else was different. The bloody, satin black feathers the lay around his feet told him so. He tilted his head back lightly, and was shocked.

Kuroichi, the Silver Haired Demon, heir of Gabriel...had sprouted black wings.

"I need clothes, Sumiyaka-chan...something."

"I'll see what I can do."

"[I]Domo arigatou, watashi no ai,[/i]" he said smoothly. "After all, it is best not to keep the Zugai waiting."[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[CENTER]*****[/CENTER]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]Kuroichi's goals have become more clear, I hope. He wants to unite the world under one leader, bring about what man can only dream of. And he will do anything to unite his kind and save them from war with one final conflict.

His ambitions have brought about his new weapon, the Silver Forge. What does it do? You'll have to wait. But I assure you, the new Kuroichi will be more than capable of handling himself against the rising storm. Lest his ambitions get the better of him, that is.

And I figure, if everyone else is going through transformations and rebirths, why not the "main character". Kuroichi has absorbed the gems he holds, and has awoken a part of him that ties directly to the Myrkur Aniol. The wings of the Dark Angels, something rarely seen and only held by the most powerful of the Clan.

So, who will reach the Zugai first? And who will earn their respect and trust...?

-ULX[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Blayze]

Zuriel stared at the Skull Sapphire in his hand. What had he done to deserve a gift of this power? Why did he now possess one of the gems that Kuroichi was searching for so desperately?

He saw Zoku walking away, and called after him. The giant turned and looked at Zuriel.

"Zoku. How am I supposed to know how to wield the Skull Sapphire? I have no knowledge of the use of these gems."

"Just find the power inside you, and let it flow through the gem. It will enhance your strength, and give you the power to raise armies of undead skeletons."

"Thank you, Zoku," he bowed to the vampire humbly. "I appreciate our new alliance very much. I believed my allies were spread rather thinly compared to Kuroichi's, but you may have tipped the balance."

Zoku, Dusk and Jinsei turned away, and left Dracula and Zuriel alone in the park.

"I must leave you for now, Zuriel," said Dracula, "I will return to talk with you soon." He walked away from Zuriel, and disappeared into the shadows. Zuriel returned to the temple. He took his seat on the throne, with Zophiel and Xaphan on the thrones next to him on either side.

"What of your lengthy meeting with the Gwyar, Lord Zuriel?" asked Zophiel.

"It was somewhat more productive than I had imagined. I have forged new alliances tonight, not only with the Gwyar clan, but also with Zoku the Behemoth, and his two compatriates, Dusk and Jinsei. They should prove most helpful to our cause."

"That is most impressive. These alliances should help greatly in the war against Kuroichi."

"That is not all. Now we may have the power to sway the Zugai. Zoku gave me this." He held the Sapphire out on his hand. Zophiel and Xaphan gasped, and moved back, slightly scared of the power of the gem.

"The Skull Sapphire? But Zoku would not give this up so easily."

"Well he has granted me the power to gain more allies. We should be grateful to him."

"Indeed we should, master."

"Tomorrow I must meet with the Zugai. We shall talk and I may be able to bring them to our side of the battle."

(OOC: Woohoo! Zuriel has a gem! Jesus, Kuroichi is unstoppable! But maybe I shouldn't be saying that as I am the one who has to fight him!)

[demonchild781]

[COLOR=DarkRed]OOC: No problem amgoddess. It leaves for me to have more fun with Colville :)

Kietha hissed at Colville as she pulled the sai from her shoulder, blood oozing down her arm. Kietha wrinkled her nose as she looked at Lana's weapon.

"She wants the Gyshram and Nye," Kietha hissed. Suddenly the assassin dropped to both her knees, screaming out in horrible unseen pain as she grabbed her head. She threw her torso back and forth as her screams became even more piercing.

"Vampire?" Colville tried to shout over-top of Kietha.

The vampress was unable to hear him as her whole body seemed to be caving in on itself. Her head and heart felt as if it was going to burst. Kietha clasped onto the ground in a heap, clutching her head. Finally she had fallen silent, her body trembling from whatever had caused her so much pain.

Colville watched without a word.

Kietha's head danced as the feeling in her body came back to her, her stomach ached...craving for more blood. She flashed her eyes opened and saw Colville's feet. She brought her head up to see him standing over top of her. She smiled in her funny little manner as she crawled to her feet.

"Ye--" Colville began.

"You will never speak of this again, priest." Kietha growled at him, flashing him her charming smile and dark amber eyes.

Colville smiled in return.

Kietha reached down and picked up Lana's sai. She gave a slight chuckle as she slide it into her belt. "We shall have fun this evening, preist. We will punish those that have become unpure." Kietha tilted her head towards Colville, her smile even brighter.

"What have ye in mind?" Colville played with his wounded shoulder.

Kietha smiled at him.

[CENTER]*********************[/CENTER]

The priest burst through the door, Kietha close behind him. Three guards came rushing at him and with little effort, the priest took all of their heads. Kietha parade through the door next to take the next three, sipping lightly on their spilt blood. Its sweet, bitterness filling her for a moment.

As Kietha and Colville made their way through the long hallways of the hotel, Kietha could taste Lana. Her sweet scent strong and overwhelming. Kietha smiled, her walk powerful with a gentle sway to it as she followed Colville further into the building. More of the guards parished at their hands and blood began to cover the buildings walls.

Colville rambled on about something, but Kietha was lost in her lust. In the thrill of knowing she was going to hurt Lana. Make her pay for her new wound and betraying her. Kietha growled at the thought of Lana's sai in her shoulder. She took her new found aggression out on the Gyshram before her. It wasn't long before both burst into the back room, six figures standing about the room.

"Kietha!" Nye exclaimed upon seeing her.

"Well...well...well, what do we have here." Colville smiled as he adjusted his sword in his hand.

"Hello Nye," Kietha smiled devishly, tilting her head to the side. Lana stood next to him and Kietha took a quick glance at her before bringing her eyes back to the vampress. "You may have the others, priest. They are no concern of mine." Kietha spoke to Colville.

He nodded and smiled.

"Keitha, what's going on?" Nye spoke.

Kietha only squinted her eyes together as she smiled brighter before her and Colville rushed forward. The guards tried to stop them both, but fell short of their task. Before either Lana or Nye could react to what was happening, the rest of the Gyshram laid dead. Colville slid behind Lana, grabbing a hold of her arms. Kietha shoved her sword into its sheath and pulled Lana's sai from her belt. With a devilish smile Kietha rushed Nye into a wall and thrust Lana's sai into his abdomen. Both Lana and Nye cried at as hot red liquid poured onto Kietha's hands.

Kietha smiled evilly as Nye slumped against the wall.

"Kietha..." he gasped, grabbing a hold of her hand. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkGreen]Suddenly Kietha's eyes began to flash as she looked into Nye's eyes. Slowly they turned to their vibrant green as tears poured down her cheeks.

"Nye," she sobed reaching out to touch his face, he hand covered in his blood. She pulled back quickly and looked about. Colville looked at her puzzled and Lana struggled to free herself, lost in her emotions. The rest of the Gyshram Clan was dead. She threw her head back around to Nye, shaking it in discuss. "Nye." She whispered as she rushed from the building.

*******************

Some where in the wilderness Kietha found herself, her body weak and her face caked with tears and mud.

"Zoku....help me!" she cried out as she fell to the ground.[/COLOR]

[Onix]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]The sand. Blazing shards of tiny glass, whiping around endlessly in the desert. So hot it burns...cold enough to freeze you solid. Extremes that rock the world. The sand blanketed the land of the Zugai. The sand freed them from normal concern of law. The sand stood in Kuroichi's path.

The wind screamed around him, begging him to stop this path of death. It threw sand about, ripping through clothes with biting cold. It scoured Kuroichi's bare chest, and shrieked in his ears. But he ignored it.

The cloaked figures that flanked him were silent. They did not question the orders of the Silver Haired Demon. Now more than ever they respected and feared his power. The Silver Forge and Black Wings were more than proof of his greatness to them. But would the Zugai listen...?

Slowly but surely they approached the home of the Zugai. Torchlight flickered in the distance, and much roaring laughter could be heard. The delectable aroma of food wafted through the air. It was a feast. A feast of the Zugai...a feast to feed a nation.

"Kuroichi-dono," said Doppo. "Are you certain you wish to do this?"

"If I talk to the Zugai, I must do it alone," Kuroichi growled. "Stay out of the torch-light unless I call for you. No exceptions."

"[I]Yosh[/I], Kuroichi-dono."

The crowd reached the circle of fire-light and stopped. The laughter was silenced. The joy subsided as the Zugai watched the outsiders draw near. And Kuroichi stepped into the light, Silver Forge glittering on his arm, wings nearly absorbing all traces of light. There was a great clamor, and many a Zugai stepped forward to bar Kuroichi's path.

"Please, let me through," Kuroichi said, his voice like a velvet covered sword. "I wish only to speak with your master."

"That would be me," was the bass reply.

The crowd parted in front of the demon, and he stepped towards the speaker. A hulking man, dark skinned and wearing the few rags taht would cover his unbelievable musculature. His bald head shone, as did his glittering green eyes. Scars wound across his chest and arms, a wicked gash across his face.

"You are Kuroichi, the Silver Haired Demon, yes?" asked the Zugai.

"I am."

"You come to beg our alligance, do you not?"

Several Zugai chuckled darkly. The mocking laughter rang out but was quickly quelled by a single look of Kuroichi's steely eyes.

"I do not. I come not to ask, but to demand you join my cause."

"You dare demand the great Zugai!?" howled one from the crowd.

"Who d'ya think you are?"

"Stupid bastard!"

"Ye must be bloody crazy, mate!"

Kuroichi merely ignored the cries till they died away. The silver on his left arm creaked ominously as he flexed his fingers, while his wings flapped a few times.

"I am not a fool, and I am not crazy. The Zugai will not listen to pleas or whining. You are far too powerful and proud. So I have come to demand you join me, or I shall kill every last one of you."

"Really?" asked the Zugai leader, chuckling. "Kill 'im!"

Five Zugai stepped forward immediately to challange Kuroichi. Each could dwarf even the heartiest linebacker. Kuroichi didn't bat an eyelash as the first fist swung his way. He closed his eyes and stepped to the side, reaching up to grab the vampire's arm and send him flying to the ground.

He didn't even open his eyes as he swung the silver arm towards another Zugai, blood spikes covering it to tear open his opponents chest. His eyes finally eased open as he drew his katana and sliced open a third Zugai's face. The giant man screamed in agony and brough his hands to his eyes, trying to stem the blood from a gash that split from chin to forehead.

It wasn't until his eyes burst open and blood streamed to Kuroichi's hand that the Zugai truly began to take notice. And when Kuroichi held out the floating sphere of blood in his silver-coated arm and fired a torrent of blood-metal daggers...the Zugai were in fear of the demon.

Five men dead in an instant. Five giants slain by a single man.

Kuroichi turned and stared into the Zugai leader's shining emerald eyes, his own flashing a dangerous cobalt blue. Fear was etched into the kings features, and the demon could only smile.

"So, shall you join me? Or do I have to crush the Zugai like I crushed the Ijuuj?"

That was the magic phrase. The accomplishment that stopped the Zugai from killing Kuroichi on sight. He had brought about the downfall of the Ijuuj. He had slain their enemy. He wielded their weapons. He had done what the entire Zugai clan could only dream of doing. And he had done it himself.

"I, King Jarrah of the Zugai, humbly offer the services of my clan to the Krilat Zmaj."

"Then we have a deal, Jarrah."[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Kairi]

[COLOR=DarkSlateGray][SIZE=1]''Jinsei...please watch over Dusk till he fully recovers. I must leave you for now...head for the Gwyars main base of operations...or go with Zuriel...the choice is yours.''

''Where are you going Zoku...'' he and Dusk had just completed a simple training session, helping Dush to control his new found darkness within him...with time, and the power of the darkness moonstone...he would certainly become more powerful once he learned control. Zoku had finally found a shirt and a spare trench coat to wear after the originals were burnt by Zuriels attack.

''I won't be away from you long...I must tend to my own needs for now.''

''As you wish...see ya later Zoku...and thank you again.''

As Zoku turned to walk away...he stopped himself and tossed a white necklace to Dusk. ''take this...I wish not to have it anymore.''

Dusk grabbed it...and noticed a gem contained on the chain. ''...is this...''

''Yes...yet another gem of the Ijuuj, the Pearl Fang. I have no use for it...with this gem, it intensifies the power which you gain from taking the blood of a human and vampires alike, apart from that I do not know.''

Dusk was speechless...

''Now leave...'' roared Zoku.

''Of course...'' and both Jinsei and Dusk dissapeared into the night.

***an hour later***

Zoku was in another ally feasting upon the flesh of ten or so humans; Gang members who were congregating with one another. He came upon them like the wind...they didn't last a second as he killed them, one by one. Once they were all dead...one by one he feasted upon their corpses. Blood flowed from the ally like running water...the red liquid flowing down from the walls and onto the streets. Ripping and tearing through their necks, he endulged himself to the very last drop.

[I]Ah...much better...[/I] as he felt their essence flow through him...rebuilding his lost strength. The darkness flowing smoothly through him once again.

But...something called out to him...as Zoku turned to look at the night sky falling down upon him. The stars cast out like jewels in the sky...a voice from above called down to him.

[I]Zoku....help me![/I]

For a good couple of minutes...Zoku just stood there...thinking on what to do...leaving the flesh of the humans to rot in the ally way to be eaten by the rats...Zoku faded into the night.

***In The Wilderness***

Keitha was crawling through the grass of the neighboring forest of Sydney...forcing herself not to fall unconciousness again.

''Zoku...please...'' her voice becoming softer and softer...her strength leaving her. ''help...me.''

Her face collapsed into the dirt, her body covered in mud, mixed with blood...she felt like she had nothing left within her. In her heart and mind, she struggled...thinking on what she had just done.

''What have you done Keitha?''

She lifted her head up slightly to try and see who was speaking to her. It sounded like Zoku...but it was a lot calmer; softer.

''What have you done Keitha?'' the voice repeated...Zoku hiding within the shadows of the forest.

''I......''

''You've attacked your own people...you've betrayed them...just to satisfy yourself yet again.'' his voice becoming harsh, and intense.

''No...I didn't mean too...'' Keitha trying to get up, at least on one knee...''Lana...she...''

''You attacked Nye, Keitha!''

''I didn't mean too!'' she cried out, pressing both of her palms into her temples...her head began to intensify with pain, Nyu's blood stained upon her hands. The nights events flashing through her mind...she felt sick to her stomach.

Suddenly Zoku rushed out of the dark and grabbed Keitha by the throat, pushing her off the support of her one knee and fell back down to the ground, now on her back. Flashes of her past came back to her...sending her into a rage. She hated to be held down by another. Despite how strong Zoku was, she began kicking, hitting and screaming at the top of her lungs.

The faces of the Vikings flashing before her eyes...the ones who rapped her for years. The pain inside she had felt, having to subject herself to those kinds of acts for so long. As she struggled, Zoku kept pressing her down, holding her down with his palm on her chest, grabbing both of her hands. Her body began to twitch and turn, her eyes flashing different colors on and off.

Shadows began to swarm around Zoku, slashing at him with some unknown weaponary...causing cuts to go through his trench coat through to his flesh.

''Enough..'' he cried out as a pulse shot through the area...causing the shadows to fade, pressing Keitha further into the earth. She finally calmed down...but tears began to form in her eyes again.

''please...zoku...help me...'' she was drifting back into nothingness, her strength fading, her arms and legs falling limp onto the ground. Kneeling at her side, he continued to press her down with his right arm, and drew her sword from her sheath, holding it up in the air...preparing to strike.

Tears continued to flow...her eyes sparkling in the moonlight. ''do it...please...kill me...end it...please Zoku.'' She reached up with her left hand and grabbed him by the collar of his coat, pullling him closer...''please...kill me.''

Raising up the blade, he knew that it had to be done...Dusk could at least be shown to control his dark side...but she now had his blood flowing through her veins. This was his doing...Zoku looked into her eyes, tears of sadness and pain flowing from her...mixing in with the dirt upon her gentle complextion. He could see the pain behind her eyes....as much hatred and anger she had within her, there was so much more behind those amber eyes of hers.

''NO!" he cried out as he brought the blade down....only inches away from Keithas head, sticking into the ground. Zoku kept his head down...crying at the thought of what he was about to do...he couldn't do it...his tears mingled with her own.

[I]Please....just for a moment...let me go[/I]

Raising his head back up, moving his hand away from Keitha...she looked up and saw the old Zoku. With his glowing aqua-blue eyes, and short black hair...

''I'm only free from the Moonstone for a little while Keitha...'' replied Zoku...looking back into Keitha's eyes. ''I wont have you suffer any longer...I will do what I can...''

Pulling his coat sleeve up...he exposed his wrist and pressed it against Keithas lips...''now drink...for the last time...''

Wrapping her arms around his...she pressed it against her fangs, tasting the burning sensation of his blood once again. After a good minute, he pulled away...leaving Keitha gasping for breathe...a new sense of energy spreading through her entire body once again.

Ripping the Opal jewel from his chest...he placed it in his hand and held it to Keitha's heart...taking her hand, he wrapped it over the gem in her own grasp.

''This gem will quench your uncontrolable thirst for blood once again Keitha...it will also show you what it means to be a true vampire...our history...lies within this gem Keitha. I hope it brings you comfort, as it has for my curse.''

Letting go of her hand, his appearance turned back to its original form, his black hair falling over his shoulders and face, glowing with stands of silver in the moonlight, shining through the tree branches; his glazed over red eyes were back to normal. Zoku slowly leaned over her body and kissed her on the forehead...

Getting himself up from the ground...Zoku walked out into the shadows of the forest once again...and vanished.

[I]Be at peace Keitha...even if only for a moment. [/I] [/SIZE] [/COLOR]

OCC: Aren't I nice...I just gave away all my gems to other people to have fun with:) Least I have my one from the beginning from htdd:)

[Blayze]

Zuriel had met up with members of the Zugai clan. They stood in the desert, heat scorching their faces. The Zugai were stony-faced, apparently unwilling to make a deal with Zuriel.

"The Myrkur Aniol are weak," spat one of them, "We have no wish to join them."

"But surely Kuroichi has done nothing for you. Why do you not wish to fight against him?" asked Zuriel.

"They do not wish to join you, Zuriel, as they have already joined me," said a voice from the shadows. A figure stepped out. It was Kuroichi himself.

"Ah, Kuroichi," snarled Zuriel, barely attempting to hide his rage at this man, "What a pleasure to finally meet you."

"I wish I could say the same, Zuriel, I really do, but I'm afraid I can't. Because I'm not pleased to meet you. You are my enemy, and I do not wish to meet my enemy before our battle begins."

"And yet, here you are. I see you have the co-operation of the Zugai already, Kuroichi."

"And I see you have that of the Gwyar. Congratulations. You have an ally in this war. But now you will die! Zugai, attack the king!" he shouted. Every Zugai there ran at Zuriel, brandishing their weapons. And he was on his own, as the instructions from the Zugai had said. But it had all been a set-up.

The Zugai attacked, swinging their blades at Zuriel. He had been disarmed as well, so he was essentially helpless. He dodged the Zugai's attacks, but one caught him on the shoulder. Blood ran down his arm, coming to his hand eventually. That was what he had been waiting for. The blood came into contact with the gem in his hand, and it began to vibrate. Energy spiralled from the gem up his arm, burning all the fabric of his sleeve off. The Zugai watched as this happened, and they saw what was in his hand. It was the Skull Sapphire. They all gasped, seeing the gem that would give their clan ultimate power, the power of the Skull.

The energy continued to wreath around Zuriel, and he was lifted into the air. His eyes glowed with power, and he fired a burst of energy at the ground. Nothing happened for a moment, and Zuriel merely floated there, energy coruscating round his body.

Then, all of a sudden, the ground cracked, and hundreds of skeletons burst forth, coming out of the ground like a wave. They vastly outnumbered the Zugai, who only had around five or six warriors fighting for them. They swarmed over the Zugai, killing them, and then engulfed Kuroichi, who simply stood there, waiting for them to engulf him completely.

Then, he burst out, shattering every skeleton to pieces with his amazing strength. Now it was just him and Zuriel. He raised his hand, and Zuriel's blood flowed from the wound and into a sphere in Kuroichi's hand. He moved it around, then fired dozens of blood-metal knives from it. They cut through Zuriel, sending him to the ground in a heap. Kuroichi turned and walked away.

Zuriel lay there, half-dead, and unable to move from the pain...

(OOC: How much has Zuriel been beaten in this thread?! Oh well, I bring it on myself)

[Kairi]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkSlateGray]OCC: If you have the song Vermillion by Slipknot...use it while listening to this...I thought it was good.

Zoku found himself walking the streets of Sydney....looking at all the faces of those walking past him in the moonlight sky. He had pulled his hair back to a ponytail, and hid Oblivion underneath his trenchcoat.

Something was wrong, without the Opal around his neck...his mind began to fade in a out. He didn't even notice that as he walked, his body swayed from side to side, knocking into people on the street. Because he was so large, he brushed them aside with ease...no one dared to attack him, but just cursed at him for his rudeness.

His head started to spin...a sickness forming in his heart, like a dagger twisting itself further and further into his flesh. Stopping to rest, he laid a hand on the side of the wall and leaned against it...pressing his palm onto his forehead as he played with his eyes with his thumb and pointed finger, trying to ''wake up'' from this trance.

''This isn't good...'' his mouth turned dry, the headache intensifying as a feeling of paralysis shot through his entire being, spreading through his muscles.

[I]No................[/I] behind his eyes he felt like he was being hypnotized....the Moonstone pulsed from within him...breaking down all those walls that were built up by the Opal. Every few moments his body would twitch uncontrolably...flinging him into the wall...or onto the ground.

Visions of his past lives began to swarm through his mind...the death of his mother by that of the vampire....the archangel who cursed him all those years ago...his entire life surrounded by death. Trapped within a human body, never having his thirst for blood quenched. The loss of his loved ones as the years turned to decades....decades to a millenium.

It was only recently that he had become a vampire, the curse finally ending...his thirst for blood able to be satisfied...but he craved it so much. He wanted death, he wanted suffering...but his body was still so new to that of a vampire. Despite how powerful he was...and as long as he had lived, he was still young.

The Opal kept the darkness at bay...but with it now gone, his control started to fade, his glazed over red eyes began to turn back the aqua blue that they once were.

''Keitha...'' his old memories of her flashing through him. How she had treated him as a human...and even now, only thirsting for his blood. His mind was torn...he wanted to kill everything...not just the vampire clans, but humans.

He didn't realize how much he cared for her till now....he had a chance to kill her....he had a chance to end her life. And things would have gone back to the way things were. His alliance would have benefited from it. But he couldn't come to grasp it...he couldn't end her life. He cried out to her that night...the night he turned. Every nerve in his being told him to leave...to hurt her...to kill her...to end her forever.

[COLOR=Blue]You seem confused...[/COLOR]

[I]Shut up...[/I]

[COLOR=Blue]Oh but I wont...[/COLOR] Zoku pressed fists into the side of his head...hurting himself more so the voice would go away.

[COLOR=Blue]She's not worth this...[/COLOR]

[I]She needed my help...[/I] [COLOR=Blue]and see where that has gotten you...[/COLOR] [I]no...i can still do this. [/I] [COLOR=Blue]no you can't...you needed that gem...and now you are lost. lost within your own darkness...[/COLOR] [I]I'm not lost![/I]

Zoku began to spin, out of control as the crowd around him screamed...running away in fear.

[COLOR=Blue]Let it go...go back...and kill her![/COLOR] [I]No...I wont...[/I] [COLOR=Blue]but you want too...you need to, without the gem you can't control me .[/COLOR] [I]yes...I can...I've done it before...I'll do it again [/I] [COLOR=Blue]you think you've mastered me already Zoku...fool![/COLOR] [I]No...you are the fool...I am no ones slave! [/I]

As he yelled...he began to smash everything in his way, from cars, people...to the buildings surrounding him.

[COLOR=Blue]she doesn't care for you...[/COLOR][I] yes she does...[/I] [COLOR=Blue]no...she doesn't...look what she has done to you. Your only weakness...the only one who makes you ''sad''[/COLOR] [I]doesn't matter...if she cares.....or not...i did what I WANTED TO DO![/I] [COLOR=Blue]then i leave you now...I hope you have better control than she did. [/COLOR] [I]I will control it...I must...she is not what i live for...but she is still part of me...now that she has my blood...[/I]

His body was finally beginning to calm itself, he had lost all sense of time and place...as he opened his eyes...looking upon the crowd surrounding him. The headache was fading away as did the voice. He felt a part of himself empty, a void once filled by the Opal. Zoku's mouth still was dry, as he overlooked all the people...their eyes wide open at the sight of the titan.

Suddenly police cars came into the street...surrounding him.

''Put your hands up...NOW!'' yelled out an officer as they all drew their weapons. An old power surged through him...a dark aura surrouding his entire being. The moonstone was finally at full strength without the Opal holding it back.

With a quick lick of his lips...Zoku merely smirked at the cops. Raising his arms up to the sky...a dark force shot out of his body as the shockwave spreaded through the entire city.

''Ah......'' bring down his arms, he cracked his neck from side to side. The cops could only stare at him...whatever that power was that they felt...they were afraid.

''Now...let us begin.'' and with a simple blink of his eyes...the entire area turned completely dark. Not a sounds could be heard...only that of the wind blowing through the buildings.

When the darkness fell...nothing was left alive. The air was still....full of death. [/COLOR] [/SIZE]

OCC: And no ULX...no transformation. Just him letting go of the Opal thats all. His eyes are just blue now...not red. He's still the same person...but his thirst for blood is only a little stronger, trying to keep control of himself...concentrating with the moonstone.

>>>This is horrific ladies and gentlemen...we are now shooting live from up above, looking down from a helicopter at the massacre. Bodies....everywhere...nothing...is moving. Dear God...what...I...I'm lost for words people of Australia. It seems the events of Europe are now here at Austrailia...God helps us...Jason King...bringing you live covereage from Sydney...and the night...where everything changed for humanity. Something must be done...the army will be coming soon to try and help resolve the situation.

>>>Till then...I advice you all lock yourselves in your homes, and stay out of the streets till help arrives. Dear God have mercy on our souls...wait...I see something...there's a dark figure down there on the streets. We're trying to get a close up...wha...he's just jumped to the top of a building...oh my God...he's had a very long sword...shit...get out of here... get....*click

The helicopter was destroyed.

[Redemption]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS][COLOR=Purple][b]OOC: Whoa demonchild! Now THAT was a post. How the hell is Lana going to pick up the pieces??!?![/b]


Lana stood there frozen as she watched her friend, the one she would trust with her life, just kill their Lord in an instant. And all because of her blood rage. The priest held her arms so tightly that even if she struggled, she'd break her arms in the process. Lana's heart filled with rage and revenge. Her whole body shook with it.

When Keitha left, Lana's wings spread from her shoulders, knocking Colville to the floor. She grabbed him by the throat and slammed him hard against the wall. He could feel her long fingers tighten around his throat, starting to cut off his air supply. Lana snarled.
" Priest, if you do not bring her back, I will suck you dry of all your precious life. I couldn't care less if you were holy or not, but I will rip you limb from limb if you do not bring my Lady Keitha back. Understand?"
Colville couldn't answer. He nodded quickly, realising that his air was running very short. Lana dropped him to the floor like a piece of unwanted filth. Colville gasped for air and quickly made his way out of the room to do Lana's bidding.

Shaking, Lana looked over to Nye who looked as still as death. She knelt down beside him. Tears of silver ran from her eyes and dripped onto his chest.
" Keitha.....why......why did you do this......"
Silently crying, Lana lay her head on Nye's chest with the faint hope that he would still be alive. She could hear nothing. Her whole body shuddered with realisation.

Suddenly something brushed her shoulder. Jumping slightly, Lana looked over to see Nye's hand gently touching her shoulder.
" N...Nye?"
He didn't answer. All he could do was brush Lana's arm with his hand, up and down, continuously. More tears splashed from Lana's eyes.
" My Lord, stay still. Conserve your energy. I can help you, if you'd only stop moving..." Lana said quickly, now looking at his face. A gurgle of what Lana supposed was blood came from Nye's mouth. A little of the precious liquid dribbled from the corner of his mouth. His hand dropped to his side obiedently.

Scanning over his body, Lana spotted her sai, still stuck in his abdomen. Shaking with both anger and grief, she slowly pulled the weapon from her Lord's stomach and stemmed the flow of blood from the wound. Nye's body jolted with pain. Taking off her cloak, she quickly tore it up into long thing strips of material and wrapped it around the wound. Every now and then, Lana checked his responses, checking that he was still alive. He was the last hope of the Gyshram. There were now only three of the clan left.

Slowly picking up Nye, Lana moved him to the bed. Making sure that he was comfortable, Lana conjured up two orbs of pure darkness, one in each hand. Nye looked at Lana with unfocused and blood-shot eyes.
" My Lord....this will help you recover more quickly. The darkness should heal the wound and help you on your way to recovery. But you mustn't do anything otherwise the orbs will be broken. You must understand."
Nye nodded his head once. Lana breathed in and out heavily. This was extremely dangerous, but it was the only way.

Casting the two orbs over Nye, one covered the wound immediately and the other covered his whole body, turning it into complete darkness. Any movement from Nye, and he would be lost in the darkness forever. Lana sat at the end of the bed, her wings folded up behind her.
" I swear on Kuroichi's power itself, that I will protect you from Keitha..." Lana promised before she turned towards the door, waiting for Colville to return with her Lady Keitha.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[lil kitsune boy]

Colville rubbed his throat, cursing the vampire.

'Damned beast,' he spat, 'I'll have her head for this...' He paused, an insideous grin playing across his face as he dropped the sword, 'But first, I agree, I need to bring the other back.'

He disappeared, his bloody sword lying in the street and his laughter echoing in the night.

[Blayze]

"Let the Skull Sapphire guide you to your true destiny, Zuriel," whispered the voices Zuriel heard in his unconscious state.

"We will make you stronger," said another.

"Allow us to assimilate you into the gem, and all your pain will be taken away," said a third.

"We can help you," said the first.

"No," he said quietly, struggling with this indesicion. He was trapped in his psyche. And the power of the Skull Sapphire was driving him insane, ripping his mind apart. He held a gem, and yet he still did not have enough power to defeat Kuroichi. How could he lead his army now? How could he even face Zoku without Kuroichi's head or the alliance of the Zugai?

"I will not be bound by a mere object! I am more than you can ever be!" he cried out, his voice piercing the silence in his mind.

"You will never have enough power to defeat Kuroichi on your own. But if you merge with the gem, then you will! You can beat him!"

"No! I will defeat Kuroichi on my own! I am strong! I do not need the power of a gemstone to beat my enemies! I have been doing it on my own for many years now!"

"But Kuroichi is stronger than you will ever be! You cannot beat him without help!"

The voices now manifested themselves as dark-cloaked figures, and the three of them stood menacingly in front of him. They reached out and moved towards him, threatening to engulf him with their darkness.

"Stop," he said weakly, with no real conviction. A part of him now wanted to give in and let the figures take control, but another part told him to fight, and then defeat Kuroichi alone.

Suddenly, something swished, and all three figures fell, cut in half. Abaddon stepped forwards, sheathing his sword, and glowing with an unnatural white light. Black wings had appeared from his back, the sign of a true Myrkur Aniol.

"Zuriel," he said, "Do not give in to these visions. Fight against them, and they will respect you for it. They will give you power with no strings attached if you can just prove to them you are worthy."

"I will, Abaddon, but how?" asked Zuriel.

"You must face one of them in one-on-one combat."

"In my mind?"

"Yes. This is one of the hardest battles you will ever fight. Anything can happen during these battles. But fight your hardest, and even if you do not win, you will still have a chance to prove your worthiness." And with that, Abaddon vanished.

The three figures returned, and began to move in on Zuriel again. He shouted at them:

"Stop! I challenge one of you to one-on-one combat! Do you accept?"

They looked at each other, then said:

"We accept." The three figures merged into one, and he drew a massive sword from his cloak. Zuriel drew his swords. They ran at each other, and clashed. Zuriel fought harder than he had ever fought before, and was cutting the figure's cloak to shreds with his swords. The figure stood and laughed, then swung his sword. Zuriel flew backwards, and landed on what appeared to be a concrete floor. Without getting up, he threw one of his swords. It hit the figure in the shoulder, knocking him to the floor. Zuriel got up and lunged at the prone figure. He stabbed his sword at him, but as his sword made contact with the ground, the figure melted away and appeared behind Zuriel, and slashed, sending Zuriel to the floor once more. He ran at the figure and drew his sword from his chest, then swung both swords at once. The figure's head flew off, and his cloak collapsed to the floor.

The figure split into it's three individual entities again, and they all bowed to the king of the Myrkur Aniol.

"We offer our strength to the one who bested us in battle. Please take the strength of the gem and use it whenever you feel it is necessary. We will also heal your physical body."

Zuriel woke up again, and felt renewed. His body was stronger than ever, and he felt new power rushing through his veins. The power of the Skull Sapphire. He got to his feet, and headed back to the city...

[Onix]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]Kuroichi stood there, victorious, until a thought struck him.

[I]Zuriel still holds the Sapphire! Why didn't I take it?[/I]

He whirled to finish the job, and was met by the sight of a renewed Zuriel drawing his swords. The Sapphire glittered brightly on his chest. And a fire burned in his cold eyes.

"Kuroichi!" he roared. "This is your end!"

Kuroichi stared at the Myrkur Aniol king for a moment, then took his face in his hands and laughed. It was a deep, frightening laugh that rang out across the outback for miles. The Zugai around him edged slowlyaway, terrified of the deranged lord. The Krilat Zmaj merely stood there and smiled.

"Dear Zuriel...you hold but the Sapphire," Kuroichi chuckled. "And while the Sapphire has the power to...persuade [I]weak[/I] minds to its cause, it is nothing compared to the powers I command."

Kuroichi lifted up his silver arm once more. And for the first time that anyone there could recall...something glittered on the back of his hand. Something red. Something green. And something purple.

Shards of the three gems.

"The Silver Forge is a brilliant thing I discovered," Kuroichi said grinning. He paused for thought, then continued. "Well, not so much [I]discovered[/I] as [I]invented[/I]. You see, I took the spells and the legends and made them real. The Silver Forge is the key to an entirely new level of battle. The most deadly weapons any man can wield. The Night Blades."

Kuroichi clenched his fist and the gems began to glow fiercly, as did the silver itself. His wings flapped once, kicking up dust.

"Not necessarily 'blades,' the Night Blades are weapons of untold power. With only one, you could kill an entire metropolitan city. So image what [I]I[/I] could do with one," he sneered.

With a fierce cry he lifted his palm to the sky. A beam of light shot up into the clouds, and lightning arced across the heavens, splitting them with a rumble of thunder. The light slowly began to change, melding into a strange shape. At last, it formed a great blade. The hilt "dropped" into Kuroichi's hand, and it became solid.

The blade was made of thick black metal, shining and strange. It curved along the edge with a wicked gleam, and spokes emerged from the back of the blade, a massive one forming a hand guard just in front of the unusually long hilt. It was the most terrifying sword any had ever seen.

And that was just with one glance.

"As much as I'd love to stay and chat, dear Zuriel, I must go," Kuroichi said, a false look of sadness upon his face. "But I leave you with a gift. The first Night Blade - Harbinger. Use it well. Who knows what powers it contains?"

Kuroichi gently tossed the sword to Zuriel, and it landed at the king's feet. Kuroichi turned to the Zugai and bellowed, "We must go!" They began to march out, but Kuroichi paused again, turning to stare at Zuriel with a mocking smile.

"One last parting gift, dear King," Kuroichi sneered. "Another little invention of mine. I call them Blood Spawn."

Pools of blood formed across the field, and slowly things began to rise out of them. Hulking, vaguely humanoid, and with a feral green gleam in their gaping eye-sockets, they leered at Zuriel, holding twitsted, rusty weapons in their bony hands. Blood dripped from their skeletal bodies and limp, decayed flesh. What little clothes they had were long since reduced to moldy rags. About 30 rose from the ground, just standing there, staring at Zuriel.

"Hope you enjoy!"

The horde charged.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[CENTER]*****[/CENTER]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]I know it may seem like I'm making Kuroichi too powerful, and I probably am to tell the truth, but it needs to happen. If he's going to pose a plausible threat to the future of Vampire-kind he needs to be a border-line God. And besides, he gave the Harbinger to Zuriel. What it does...I don't know. That's for Zuriel to find out.

Since the main goal of this "arc" has pretty much been completed, I'm thinking of ending it and moving on to the next one. And I assure you, I've got something special planned for Round 3. Let me know if you think this should end.

-ULX[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Blayze]

Zuriel picked up the Harbinger, predicting that somehow it was going to help him in his fight against the Blood Spawn. Kuroichi and the Zugai had gone. He was alone against these beasts.

He hefted the Harbinger in both hands, feeling it's power flow through his body. It was indeed a powerful weapon. He just needed to ensure that it was him who was controlling it, and not the other way round.

The Blood Spawn advanced, holding their weapons in bony claws of decayed flesh. It hung from them like loose clothing, dripping blood. Their bones stuck out like gleaming beacons, bright white in the red morass. Their eye sockets, empty for the most part, occasionally held emerald-green eyes which glared at Zuriel with cold, unfeeling stares.

He lifted the Harbinger, and swung it at the first of the Spawn. It tore into its flesh, all but ripping it in half. As it killed, and drew blood, it grew longer, and began to glow with a dull red light. As he struck more and more of the creatures down, it began to ripple with unknown energy, burning the eyes of the Spawn out of their sockets, before beginning to burn their flesh as well.

He killed more and more of them, and the blade coruscated with crimson energies. Arcs of blood-red lightning shot from it, ripping the Spawn apart. Zuriel held the blade in the air, and the energy blasted from it in beams of red light. They pierced the darkness, and burst up through the clouds, all but ripping the sky apart.

Then, as suddenly as it started, the energy faded, and the sword shortened to its original length. Zuriel knew he was lucky this time. The blade had only used a tiny part of its incredible energy. It could destroy an entire metropolitam city, Kuroichi had said. This time it had only killed a thirty-strong horde of Blood Spawn, but who knew what it could do next time.

Zuriel placed the blade on his back, where a sling made of some kind of leather sprouted and lashed itself round the blade, holding it there. It still came down to almost his ankles even when it was strapped to his back. He began the walk back to the city, fearing what Kuroichi could do with more of these Night Blades...

[Orcus]

[COLOR=DarkSlateGray][SIZE=1]Dusk and Jinsei bounded through the night air, feelings of power and control surging through Dusk. He stopped abruptly and fell deep into thought, pondering what he and Jinsei should do next. Jinsei walked beside him, his voice bathed in confusion.

[B]"What's wrong So--Dusk? Why did we stop?"[/B]

Dusk gave no respone and continued to stare into oblivion. Jinsei began to grow frightened and prepared himself to have to do battle. [B][I]Maybe Dusk isn't in control yet[/I][/B], he thought sullenly. Dusk raised his head and walked over to a bench taking a seat. He motioned over to Jinsei, then put his hands together and rested his chin on them.

Jinsei sat down next to Dusk, ashamed he had lost faith in his friend so quickly. They sat in silece for a few minutes, Dusk sliding deeper and deeper into thought. Dusk then turned to Jinsei, ready to express his dilema.

[B]"Since we're once again members of the Gwayr...do we head back to Dracula's manor and strategize a plan of action, or do we stay here and assist Zuriel? I'm just not su--" "How bout we do both?"[/B] A figure emerged from the shadows, striding swiftly towards them. Dracula's smile expanded the length of his face, he was happy to see that Dusk was under control. Dusk and Jinsei stood up and bowed, though Dusk could not help but feel that no amount of affection could bring them closer once more. Like Sumiyaka...

[B]"I had decided that I should go find Zuriel, then recommend that our two clans meet and form one central HQ, when I run into you, debating what to do next. Will you not accompany me?"[/B] Dusk smiled and nodded. He had been afraid that Dracula no longer regarded him as an ally, but that was not the case. The trio fled into the night, in search of their accomplice, Zuriel.

They found him strutting into the city, a new weapon on his back. After quickly explaining the events of the evening they were horrified to recieve new that the Zugai had joined Kuroichi and of Kuroichi's transformation.

The only news that seemed to be of any good-nature was Zuriels new blade, the Night-Blade Harbringer, which would undoubtedly prove an asset. They spoke for a while, then the four made arrangements to have their clans meet and to return home. Tonight they had lost more to Kuroichi's cause, but the war, especially in Dusk's mind, was far from over.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Onix]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]The Four Generals. The Dragon Kings. The Gods. Jarrah of the Zugai. Sumiyaka. Five shadowy figures. They stood around Kuroichi, slowly watching him craft the weapons that would deliver the Krilat Zmaj to greatness. The weapons that would rend the fabric of reality.

The Night Blades were being forged.

Slowly but surely, Kuroichi forged a weapon for each of his allies. The Generals took up their arms, the Dragon Kings clutched the Treasures of Legend, and the Gods wielded divine powers. The Jawbone resonated power in Jarrah's hands, and Sumiyaka was handed the South Wind.

"Master Kuroichi, I humbly thank you for this great treasure," Dokeshi said, a sadistic grin upon his face. He traced his thumb across the Lion-Tamer's blade, the wicked scythe drawing blood from the tip of his finger.

Kuroichi ignored him, crafting more gifts.

"My fried, why do you continue?" Jarrah asked.

Kuroichi looked up with a strange smile.

"The game is no fun if we hold all the cards, dear Jarrah," he said stroking the Silver Forge gently. "I've got to trade out a few Aces to draw the Joker. I must let my enemies know that I am watching, and I must let them know that this is no small battle. And perhaps my generosity can turn a few hearts..."

His eyes flickered briefly to the shadowy figures. The five held Night Blades, standing just outside the light the others were bathed in.

"And you, my dear warriors," he said. "Are you ready to join the inner circle of the Krilat Zmaj?"

"Yes, my lord," they chorused.

"Good, my Night Blades. Good."[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[CENTER]*****[/CENTER]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]Eight packages went out that night. Eight gifts, delivered to foreign friends and enemies. Eight gifts that would turn the tide, or merely stem the flow.

A hulk would grasp the Oblivion X. The Shadow would draw upon the Assassin's Heart. Twilight would come to the phoenix, and his comrade would wield Satsujin. The Gwyar lords took Nosferatu and Lioncourt. The seven archangels took up the weapons that would guide them to glory. And the Adversary took the sins to his six great comrades.

The benefactor neither knew or cared where alligences lay. He merely handed out weapons to those who deserved them. The seven recipients would know of great power with the Night Blades, could they use them. Or they would be consumed by them if their hearts knew weakness and fear. They would be tested. They would be judged.

And the worthy would rise up to be kings. And fall to the truest King of all.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[CENTER]*****[/CENTER]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]And that, ladie's and gentlemen, marks the end of Skulls and Crosses. I must admit, HTDD has gone places I never thought it would. With great RPers by my side, plot twists a plenty, and enough creative spark to power NY, it may reach the end of the War.

Of course the ones who recieved the gifts are Zoku, Dusk, Jinsei, Keitha, Dracula, LeStat, the Seven Archangels of the Myrkur Aniol (Michale, Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael, Chamuel, Jophiel, and Zadkiel), and the Demons of Sin (Lucifer, Satan, Beelzebub, Behemoth, Leviathan, Mammon, and Belphagor). What these weapons are is for you to decide.

If your character didn't get one, it isn't a slight to you, it's just that these are the Eight that Kuroichi views as powerful. These are the ones he trusts to rule, even if he loses. He doesn't want absolute power, he wants greatness for the Vampires. Even if it means he dies.

Part Three will be up soon, with a new threat to the Krilat Zmaj, and all Vampire kind. The game has begun, the pieces are set, but not all are on the table quite yet. It is only a matter of time, however, before the game reaches full swing.

-ULX[/SIZE][/COLOR]