RPG Genesis Road [M-VLS]

[Breathe]

[COLOR=SlateGray] Shen drove his foot in the cold winter snow. Shen and the Hermit, Hoi have been traveling through the mountain range towards the north for a whole day. The conditions only gotten worse as Shen dug another foot into he snow. He must have been out of his mind leaving the city so soon.
"Hoi, why didn?t we just drive a car?" He turned to the man, who was having no trouble with the snow.
"The puppet master has many eyes Shen, we must stay out of human contact for a while." Shen just shook his head in disbelieve. Ever since he was a kid, he knew magic wasn?t real. Now this guy said a witch can control people? Insane. They traveled through the snow as it only got worse.
Through the traveling, Shen had his mind set on Susie, his sister. He missed her dearly as he couldn't shake off the pain of her leaving him. Maybe, just maybe with the aeons he could bring Susie back. Is it possible?
"It is not possible to resurrect the dead, my boy." Hoi said as Shen gasped. "There is no power on earth to bring her back the way she was before."
"But the witch did. Why can't it be done?"
"She is a puppet with no soul. When her duty is filled, she will fall apart."
"Which is?"
"To kill the person with the aeon. You." Shen stopped as the hermit walked past him.
"Come, the weather is getting worse by the second." [/COLOR]

[Lilt]

[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=darkorchid]Vala said her goodbyes to her adopted cousins. After the death of her adopted parents, she moved in with her mother's sister's family. They were a lot more accepting of Vala's doll. In time, they even began to see how useful it was. Vala grabbed her backpack and started opening the door.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][color=#9932cc][size=2][b]"Wait, Vala. Are you sure about this? We've been good to you, haven't we?"[/b] Her aunt asked, trying not to cry.[/size][/color][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][color=#9932cc][size=2][b]"Yes, Auntie. I told you, I just need some time by myself for a little while. I'll be back some day. It might be a year, or it might be a month I don't know. Goodbye, I love you all."[/b] Vala smiled and waved.[/size][/color][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc]She walked out the door and her doll followed her. Outside, the doll kneeled down, and let Vala climbed up and sat on its shoulders. Vala pointed forward. It was just for show though, since the doll already knew where to go.[/color][/size][/font]

[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc]Soon, they reached the city. There was a lot of traffic. Vala's doll started moving faster. Soon, when there wasn't much room to move, it jumped up and ran on the cars, startling the passengers inside. Soon, they reached the outskirts of the cities. Vala didn'[/color][/size][/font][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc]t know how to find the Aeons or where to look, but she almost positive they wouldn't be in the city.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc][/color][/size][/font]
[b][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc]OOC: Look at the attachments to see what Vala's doll looks like.[/color][/size][/font][/b]

[Darth Vectis]

[COLOR=DarkGreen][SIZE=1]Sage found himself in a small town, covered up by a thick cloak due to the extreme cold and snow. He checked into the nearest tavern he could find, keeping the cloak on and his face covered. You never knew when the witch had her puppet sneaking about, he watched over every person. Checking for the signs of a puppet or any sign of a follower, none of them seemed suspisious but you can never be too careful.

He ate his hot meal and drank his beer, only using his right arm. Avoiding any kind of attention to his curse. He finished his meal and made his way to his room, slowly walking through the halls. Watching the doors, paranoia had taken effect after a few times with his chain acting up. It had done it recently and it put him on the edge. He walked into his room and closed the door behind him, he removed his cloak and hung it on a hook on the door. He sat on his bed and stretched, he then looked at his arm with the chain and the new glowing runes.
[B]
"What is going on with you? Why are you acting up?"[/B] Sage asked himself as he removed each piece of his armor, placing each piece on a chair that was present in the room and made himself comfortable in his bed. He fell asleep quickly, a moment later he got up slowly and his hair covered his eyes and a dark smile spread across his face. Suddenly his skin turned burnet black and the runes spread across his whole body, he cracked his neck and placed his armor back.
[B]
"Took him long enough to go to sleep. I need to get stronger so I can take control while he is awake."[/B] The new person spoke in a dark hallow voice, only putting the leg guards on and securing them. He stood up and grabbed the cloak. He placed his cloak on and put the hood up.
[B]
"Now it's time to hunt the witch that stuck me to this human."[/B] The voice said as it walked out of the room and down the stairs into the cold night. [/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Lilt]

[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=darkorchid]Vala's doll, Terentia, slowed down when they reached the foot of the mountain range. But this was only for Vala's convience. Without having to worry about her passenger, Terentia could've easily made it up the mountain and down the other side. The cold wind hit Vala's face. She didn't care though, because she was expecting to face many hardships. Anyways, she had a feeling that the snow would be one of the least of her worries. Terentia kept running.[/color][/size][/font]
[size=2][/size]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc]Soon, Vala thought she saw two figures in the snow. But when she looked again, they were gone. It must have been a trick of the light or something. Either that, or she needed some sleep already. As soon as they found someplace to stay, Vala would have Terentia stop their search for now. Vala looked to her right. Surprisingly, they had found a place to stay. It was a small mountain town that Vala had never seen. Although, she had never been up this far on the mountain before either. Vala had Terentia move closer to the small town. Vala got off of Terentia, and told her to go find a place to hide so she can get some sleep. Terentia walked off quietly, and Vala watched her to make sure she would be okay. After Terentia was out of sight, Vala walked to the only inn. A man with black skin walked out. Vala let him pass by, and tried not to look at him. She didn't like the smile on his face for some reason. After he had left, she walked into the inn and paid for a room. After a hot meal, she went to her room and drifted off to a sound sleep. She dreamt of all the friends she would make for Terentia when she found the Aeons.[/color][/size][/font]
[size=2][/size]

[sakurasuka]

[SIZE=1]Sakura looked around at the un-familiar territory. Pulling her jacket in tighter around her body, she braved the cold. Alone.

Having no family left, and only her money as a comfort, Sakura found it difficult to cope with the death of her only friend Jack. She had no leads to his murderer, and the only clue she had to help her find the answers was a boy named Shen, a friend of Jack's. She didn't know how he could help her, but he was the only possible person she could think of.

[i]This is all just a wild goose-chase.[/i] Sakura sat down on the icy ledge and looked up at the rest of the mountain she had to climb with a shiver. [i]How do I even know I can find him here...?[/i] Setting her pack down beside her and pulling out a jacket... But it was ripped to shreds and covered in dried blood. Jack's blood. Sakura found this scrap of Jack's old jacket at the scene of his murder. She couldn't bear to leave it there. He always wore it, and it still smelled of him. Though the smell of death now lingered on it as well. Hot tears flowed, unchecked, down her face and froze almost instantly to her milk-white cheeks.

Rubbing the salty ice of her face and regaining her composure, she carefully folded Jack's coat back up and set it back in her bag. She then sat and watched the town below. Her search for Shen had yeilded little result, thus far. Sakura got to her feet, the sky darkening. Slinging her bag over her back, she set forth toward her goal. Knowing she would have to stop to sleep, she glimpsed her map a moment and figured it would only take her about an hour to reach the next town. It was a small town way up in the mountains, where she could hopefully take some rest and re-stock on supplies. She figured she had a long way to go before she found Shen.

-Nearly two hours later-

Sakura trudged grudginly along through the snow. It was taking her far longer than she'd imagined, and she had no clue why. Her strength and energy was fleeting away, and she was nearly out of food. It's amazing what a few hours in the freezing cold on the face of a mountain can do to you.

Fading fast, Sakura thought she saw a shadowy figure, but she was out cold before she could logically work anything out.

-The next morning-

Her yellow-green eyes flicked open with a start. She instantaniously surveyed her surroundings. She was... In some sort of bedroom. A small, pudgy woman in an apron aproached her.

[B]"Hello, darling. Would you care for some toast and coffee?"[/B] The woman was rosy-cheeked and wearing a blue and white checked apron.

[B]"W-w-were, may I ask, am I?"[/B] Sakura's eyes darted around the room. She was a bit paraniod at the moment, seeing as she had no clue where she was or how she got there.

[B]"Why, Trevor found you wandering around the mountain late last night. He brought you up, and we prepared you a room for the night."[/B] The woman poured coffee from a black pot into a small cup and handed it to Sakura [B]"Sugar with your coffee, dear?"[/B]

[B]"N-no thanks. Who's Trevor?"[/B] She sipped the boiling hot liquid with care.

[B]"Oh, he's my nephew. Owner of this here Inn."[/B] She smiled, [B]"He asked me to take special care of you. You were quite the spectacle last night."[/B]

It was all she could manage to stutter a quick "Thank you" before stepping out of bed.

[B]"Going down for breakfast? Well, get some clothes on! I'm washing those dreadful rags you were wearing yesterday, feel free to look in the closet for something, though."[/B] The woman left quietly and shut the door behind her.

Sakura found an outfit in the closet. Both the pants and the blouse were a light colored leather, accented with furs. She then headed downstars. Supposing she was in the small village she'd hoped to end up in, there would be plenty of places to restock on supplies.

Sakura's mind was still green. Had she any idea of the evil she would soon discover, of what REALLY happened to Jack, she may have been slightly more wary.[/SIZE]

[Starwind]

Sano was trudging through the snowy mountain side. He had decided to leave, he needed to find the one called Shen. He would have the answers he sought, he was sure of it. His feet dragged through the snow, the tip of his sword sheath dragging behind him as well. The 'Aeon Wings' were only to be used in dire situations, and he figured this counted. He needed to know the connection these 'Aeons' had with his parents death and why his sensei was involved and never told him. This was all to confusing, and the cold was getting worse as the night dragged on. He knew he couldn't keep it up all night. He saught refuge from the cold night in a small tavern on the mountain. He enterd the small building and immediatly took a seat at the bar and orderd a drink. Unfortunatly he was still underage so soda would have to do. He noticed the pudgy older woman behind the counter "Mam, do you run this place alone?" He was worried for such a weak looking woman staying out here alone. SHe waved her hands "Oh no dear. My son runs this tavern, he just stepped out for a moment. He should be back any min---" Cut short by a man bursting through the door witha girl in his arms. He called out "Mom, get a bed ready and some warm water and towels. The older woman scamperd off to the kitchen to gather the things and Sano jumped up to help him carry the girl upstairs to a vacant room. They set the girl down and Sano looked to him "Hey, my names Sano, I'm looking for a room." The man nodded back "I'm Trevor, I run the inn and tavern and if you want you can have the room next door." Sano nodded and tookthe key from Trevor and went to is room. He layed down on his bed and looked to the window and began to drift off.

--------------Next morning

Sano rose from his bed and looked outside the window, as the sun poured in. he got to his feet and dressed himself, he only had what he wore yesterday and his swords. He walked down stairs and saw the girl from the night before sitting at a table. Sano walked to her "Are you feeling better?" She looked to him with surprise "Who are you?" He put his hand forward "My names Sano, I helped Trevor carry you up last night after he found you on the mountain." She nodded and shook his hand. He bowed once more then dismissed himself and sat at a table some way from her at the other end of the tavern and waited for breakfast. He looked to his right and saw another young girl, there certainly a lot of young women traveling alone, he thought to himself as he saw her dressed in black. He looked over to her "Excuse me, what's your name miss?"

[Lilt]

[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=darkorchid]Terentia looked over at the young man.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc][b]"Excuse me miss, what's your name?"[/b] He asked her again.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc]Terentia just blinked and continued staring at him.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc][b]"What. Is. Your. Name. Do you even speak English?"[/b] He asked with a hint of frustration in his voice.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc]Vala walked over to the table with her food and sat down.[/color][/size][/font]
[b][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc]"I'm sorry, Terentia doesn't speak very much. Esepcially not to strangers. I'm Vala Tripp."[/color][/size][/font][/b]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc][b]"It's nice to meet you, Vala. I'm Sano. Is she your sister?"[/b] Sano said shaking her hand.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc]Vala took a sip of her drink and Sano did the same.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc][b]"Oh no, she's my doll." [/b]Vala answered.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc]Sano choked on his drink.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc][b]"Are you okay?"[/b] Vala asked with concern.[/color][/size][/font]
[b][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc]"I'm fine, I'm fine. You said that she's your doll? How does she move like that? She looks...real."[/color][/size][/font][/b]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc]Vala put her hand on Terentia's shoulder. Terentia stared at it.[/color][/size][/font]
[b][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc]"Oh, she is real. She's a real doll. If you had asked me when I was younger how she could move, I would've told you it was done by magic. But now I know the name of what gives her life. It's an Aeon. Without it, she would just be a normal mannequin."[/color][/size][/font][/b]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc]Sano's eyes were wide in surprise. He didn't know anyone else who had heard about the Aeons except for Shen and himself.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc][b]"Hey, Vala. Would you and Terentia like to come with me? I can't tell you who I'm trying to look for right now, but something tells me you might want to meet him, and he might want to meet you."[/b] Sano asked her.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc][b]"Sure, I would love some extra company. Like I said, Terentia doesn't say very much. I'll go with you. Just let me know when you're leaving."[/b] Vala replied.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#9932cc]Sano told her that he would tell her before he left. They both shook hands again, and Vala started eating her meal.[/color][/size][/font]

[Kre]

Suzu walked into the sity of where he arrived at. The streets were lined with people a cop walked up to Suzu.

"Put that sword away!"

Suzu looked in question. Then looked at his Nodachi hilt. He leaned his head back. He laughed. He watched the police draw some of their own blades.

"Jeez, whats with everyone here?" He asked himslef.

A police captain came charging at him. Swinging vertically Suzu spun around and cut him in the back with a spare kunai. The blood dripped onto the grayish cement.

"Please sir" he said" Let me go and i wont kill you" he said.

The police captain got up and dusted his uniform off.

"Alright..." he said."But if i find youve hurt one person i'll come after you" he said.

"Fine with me" Suzu said.

Suzu walked across the people stained streets until he got to a resturant type place. He walked in to notice two girls and a man at one table and they were talking about Aeons. He walked over to them.

[Starwind]

Sano began to eat again and he looked to her once more "I'll be leaving shortly after we finish eating." She nodded back. He finished up his eegs and stood up and went to the door and waited for Vala to join him. She rose to her feet and came to him "So where are we headed?" He nodded "I'm looking for someone, who's treking this mountain. His name is Shen. he has some information concerning something were both familiar with." She nodded "That being?" He smirked "The Aeons." She looked to him with surprise. He continued "I have a few questions I want to ask him and you are obviously intereted in the same. The way I see it, were looking for the same person." She nodded back. He popped the door open and headed out with her following. He walked next to her til her doll forced her way between the two of them. he looked to the doll then to Vala "Does your doll not like me?" She looked to him "Oh her, she's just protective. Don't worry about it, it's perfectly normal." He just nodded then looked back to the doll. The doll glanced at him for a moment then looked forward again. Vala looked at him with surprise "Wow, she never looks at anyone. She must really like you." He just shrugged "Whatever you say." He looked back forward to the snowy path. Vala looked to him, then to his waist "Cool swords. Where did you get them?" He put his hand on them "My sensei gave me them before he was murdered." She looked down "Oh, sorry." He smiled "No it's fine. You didn't know. Anyway, that's why I'm looking for Shen. He might know what happend to him and my parents." She nodded and they were quiet for a while.

[Kre]

AS the two girls and man grew closer he pressed his thumb onto the guard sliding his blade out a tad. They walked out towards Suzu but he stopped them with his right hand.

"Who are you?" Suzu asked.

The man looked kinda confused.

"Answer the question" he said." I also want you to tell me what you know about Aeons!" he exclaimed.

He drew the sliver blade and pointed it at Sano's throat. The blade glistened in the sunlight the shone throught the holes into the door. The point sparkled. The man started to answer.

[Darth Vectis]

[COLOR=DarkGreen][SIZE=1]The black figuer trudged through the snow, his cloak billowing in the wind. He wasn't feeling the cold but the wind and snow were slowing him down. He was growing annoyed with this.
[B]
"I can't stay out here much longer, my body will die and I won't find the witch. I need to go back and wait for this storm to subside."[/B] He walked back down the mountain and to the Inn he saw the girl he did as he left the Inn and a few new comers, he suddenly heard the chimes of a clock and saw the time.
[B]
"Ahh crap, I got ten minutes until he wakes up."[/B] He walked pasted the group, glimpsing at the girl. She looked at him too, he smiled wickedly and made his way up stairs to the room his host was assigned too. He took off the clothes quickly and laid in bed, pulling the covers up.
[B]
"Three, two, one..."[/B] His hallow voice faded and he shifted back into the normal human, he got up and rolled his shoulders. He put his clothes on and his cloak.
[B]
"I'm hungry, I wonder if they have anything good?"[/B] Sage said to himself as he stood up and walked out of his room, forgetting his cloak and walking downstairs. He saw a group of people sitting at a table and though it would be good to introduce himself to them. They seemed friendly enough. Until he saw one of them pull a blade out on one of them, he rolled his eyes and walked over there anyways and pushed the mans blade down with his right hand.
[B]
"Theres no need for that. Can't you ask about aeon nicely instead of drawing your blade on this man."[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Lilt]

[font=Book Antiqua][color=darkorchid][b]"Thank you, sir. What is your name?"[/b] Vala asked the man.[/color][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][color=#9932cc][b]"You can call me Sage. Say, would you mind joining me while I eat? I think might know how to find the person you're looking for."[/b] Sage said, pointing to a table behind him with his thumb.[/color][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][color=#9932cc]They all sat down, and started to talk. Sage told Sano a few things about the witch and how it related to Shen. Suzu asked Vala about the Aeons and what she knew about them. She told him all she knew about them, even though it wasn't that much. After Sage finished his meal and paid, they all got up to leave. Everyone but Vala walked outside. She paid for her room and joined the rest of them. The cold wind bit at their faces. Sano looked over to Vala and whispered to her.[/color][/font]
[b][font=Book Antiqua][color=#9932cc]"Do you think we can trust those two?"[/color][/font][/b]
[font=Book Antiqua][color=#9932cc][b]"I don't know. The only person I trust right now is you, since Terentia seems to like you."[/b] Vala shrugged.[/color][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][color=#9932cc][b]"If I wake up with a knife in my back or something, then I guess we'll know that they can't be trusted."[/b] Vala joked.[/color][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][color=#9932cc]Vala looked over to Sage, who seemed to be trying to talk to Terentia.[/color][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][color=#9932cc][b]"She doesn't talk much. She's a doll."[/b] Vala explained.[/color][/font]

[Darth Vectis]

[COLOR=DarkGreen][SIZE=1]Sage hit his head, and laughted lightly.
[B]
"That would explain why she is looking at me oddly. Sorry about that, feel a little bit awkward right now."[/B] He said as he started scratching his head with his left arm, the chain exposed. Vala and her doll were uneasy as teh chain moved slowly with the movements of the nerves in his arm. Sage saw there uneasiness and lowered his arm.
[B]
"Not to proud of this thing. It's saved my life several times but it is not something I am comfortable with on my body. I'll be glad to be rid of it."[/B]
[B]
"Theres something we can agree on."[/B] The hallow voice said, Sage spun around looking around. He kept looking around, Vala looked confused along with the other two.
[B]
"What are you doing?"[/B] Sano asked. Sage turned to look at him.
[B]
"Didn't you hear that voice?"[/B]
[B]
"What voice?"[/B] Suzu asked, Sage shook his head.
[B]
"It must be just stress."

"Oh it's not stress. I am inside you, right now currently."[/B] Sage spoke inwardly.
[B]
"How did you get inside of me?"[/B]
[B]
"You have been infected by the evil in the Daggertail. You have been given the ability to destroy your enemys."[/B]
[B]
"I don't understand. Who are you?"[/B] The voice chuckled sinisterly.
[B]
"Think of me as your... better half. Your rage your pride your selfish ways, they give me form and substance. Your anger serves only to feed me, I did not spin myself out of the eiather. I am you!" [/B]
[B]
"What are you talking about?"[/B] Sage screamed in his head.
[B]
"I am answering all the questions that are welling up in your mind. I knew you were going to come across my presences sooner or later. So I took the liberty of telling you I am here before you found out on your own."[/B] Sage took a deep breathe and took a moment to absorb everything.
[B]
"Ok, so you are the reason I have woken up in massacures and covered in there blood?"[/B] The voice chuckled.
[B]
"Of course, when you slept I would take control of your body. But now I am strong enough to talk to you directly."[/B]
[B]
"Are you strong enough to take control of me while I am awake?"[/B]
[B]
"No, not yet."[/B] The voice lied to him, he knew he was now strong enough to take control. But only in his time of distress, that was the limit of his power so far. Sage took little comfort in the voices words.
[B]
"So what do I call you?"[/B] The voice paused and thought of a name.
[B]
"Call me... Azuroth. I like that, sounds evil and dark."[/B] Azuroth said before he quieted down.
[B]
"Before you disappear on me, why are you using me?"[/B]
[B]
"To get the witch back for exiling me to this boring existance."[/B] Azuroth didn't speak after that, Sage turned back to look at the group.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Breathe]

[COLOR=DimGray]Shen rubbed his ribs together to keep warm as he followed the hermit deeper into the mountains. The weather was now getting severe and he was having some issues keeping up with the old man.
?Hoi, we got to find shelter soon.? He yelled as the old man stopped. He seemed to be frozen, but he sharply turned his head tot he left.
?We?re not alone.? He whispered as Shen looked up. He studied the area and found nothing.
?What are you talking about?? Shen heard a sizzling sound comming instantly as he dropped down. A huge bolder barely missed as it landed near him. Shen glanced up to see a very large man with a giant gut standing on the cliff.
?What the hell man?!? Roared Shen as that shot could have killed him. The hermit though stand calmly.
?He doesn?t understand, he is dead.?
?What do you mean? He?s right there!?
?It seems the witch has already found us. We must eliminate him before more come.? Shen nodded as the ground shook when the dead man fell to there level. Shen charged right away, ready to attack. He started with multiple combos of punches and ended his assault with a side-kick to the gut. Impacts of his fists and his mighty kick where shown on the man, but he seemed to be in no pain. Then in a split second, the puppet reformed his old body as he looked new again.
?That?s impossible!! How did he?!? Shen turned to Hoi, who still looked calmly at the situation.
?He is already dead, he can not be destroyed or killed. Immortal.? Shen jaw nearly flopped as he heard the word ?immortal. Shen turned back to his foe as he got ready again.
?I?ll send you to hell once again buddy!? He pulled back his fist, but was stopped by the beast-like power of the man.
?Give me the aeon...? He said as Shen was forced to his knees by the submission to his arm. He began to loose control of his right arm as Shen tried all his might to reverse it.
?Here?s an answer.? Shen immediately pulled back his leg and tripped to massive man to the snowy ground. Shen flexed his arm around to get the numbness out and looked at the soon to be dead man again.
?Silver Burst!? A voice rang out from behind him as a beam of phantom-color consume the puppet and turned him into black dust. Shen glimpsed back to Hoi, who?s hand had steam coming from the palm.
?Magic?? Shen whispered as The hermit put the hand in his robe.
?Come, we must push ahead, she is on our tails.? Shen was dumbfounded by the hermit?s knowledge and powers. Is he really human? Is he a necromancer?
?Shen, he must head out!? Shen nodded as they pressed on there trail.

?Elma, your brother is stronger then I thought. My minion can not handle a easy task. Find your brother and get the aeon.? Said the wicked voice from the shadows. Susie was her former life name, now it was Elma. She didn?t have to respond, but started to walk [/COLOR]

[sakurasuka]

[SIZE=1]A tall, very muscular man aproached Sakura. She'd never seen him in her life, but his scent was surely familiar to her.

[b]"Hello, how are you this morning? Feeling any better?"[/b] He sat down right beside her. She tried (to no avail) not to notice what beautiful eyes he had. Deep blue.

[b]"I'm Fine. And you, erm... What did you say your name was?."[/b] She flipped her hair out of her eyes with her fingertips.

[b]"Oh, I'm sorry! I never did properly introduce myself! I'm Trevor, the owner of this Inn."[/b] He held his hand out to her, which she took reluctantly.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Sano leaving the Inn with with a small group. She heard a few words they were muttering, but none made sense to her... Aeons... What were aeons? Having no idea but being genuinely intrigued, she tried to listen in without them noticing. And she did quite the job of it, up until she heard the name 'Shen...'

[b]"Thank you, sir, for all your troubles."[/b] She stuffed a hundred dollar bill into his hand and stood up abruptly, [b]"For the clothes... And for the room and food. Thank you again!"[/b]

Trevor was slightly speechless, and he watched her sling her bag over her shoulder and run out the door. She didn't forget to leave a tip.

[b]"Well, she was a nice girl."[/b] The woman picked up the generous tip and folded it into the pocket of her apron. [b]"Strange for sure, but indeed nice."[/b]

[i]I can't believe it... After all this, they were right under my nose! They can help me find Shen! I'm such an idiot![/i] She ran out the door, barely managing to pull on her coat before the icy wind permeated her flesh. She looked both ways, but did not see them. [i]Shit... I can't believe it...[/i] And right then, she heard voices to her far left, down the path. Her ears could pick up things most peoples' couldn't. It was a gift, of sorts. Among those voices, she was quite positive she heard Sano. She never did forget a face... Or, in this case, a voice. She raced down the path after them.[/SIZE]

[Starwind]

occ:Sano's not sword happy. He's actually a really nice guy, so he doesn't just draw his sword on a whim.

Sano looked to Sage "Are you gonna be alright man?" He seemed shaky for a moment, but then settled "Yeah, I'll be fine." Sano seemed a little hesitant, but let it go and decided he would just keep an eye on him. This talking to himself was not a good sign. He leaned to Vala "Was that weird or what?" She leaned back to him "Yeah, but I don't think he's crazy." Sano looked to her "Then what was that?" She shrugged "I'm not sure, but after all that we've seen is it really that strange?" Sano shrugged in response "You've got a point there." The two let it go at that and continued onward. Sano stopped at the edge of the town as he heard a voice calling out "Wait......Wait....." Sano turned and looked back. It was that girl from the night before. SHe was running and waving to them, she stopped in front of him, panting. He had a hard time understanding at first, but the word that stopped him was "Aeon". She finally regained her composure and began to explain herself. Sano nodded and gave her the okay to tag along. As they continued he leaned back to Vala "Another one to keep your eye on." She leaned back and nodded. This was becoming more complicated as they went.

[Lilt]

[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=purple]Sano was right. This was a strange group that they were traveling with. But then again, wasn't she just as strange? Vala made Terentia stop and she climbed up on her shoulders. Terentia continued walking after Vala was on and caught up with everyone else. Sano started asking Vala about Terentia, when a black dust cloud hit them.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][color=#800080][size=2][b]"What is this?1"[/b] Sano yelled out.[/size][/color][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][color=#800080][size=2][b]"I-I don't know."[/b] Vala answered back.[/size][/color][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#800080]She tried to cover her face with her arms. Whatever this stuff was, it wasn't normal dust. It swirled around them and wouldn't go away. Also, it had an evil aura about it and smelled like a dead corpse. Terentia jumped out of the cloud.[/color][/size][/font]
[b][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#800080]"No! Go back down, Terentia! I know you're trying to protect me, but I want to make sure that they're safe too!"[/color][/size][/font][/b]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#800080]Terentia didn't move.[/color][/size][/font]
[b][font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#800080]"Now, Terentia!"[/color][/size][/font][/b]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#800080]Terentia made a noise that sounded like a sigh, and brought Vala back into the dust cloud.[/color][/size][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][color=#800080][size=2][b]"Anybody have any idea how to get rid of this? My sword doesn't seem to be helping much."[/b] Suzu said, waving his sword around.[/size][/color][/font]
[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#800080]The dust cloud kept getting thicker and for a moment there, Vala thought she could see a face looking back at her from the dust.[/color][/size][/font]
[size=2][/size]

[Darth Vectis]

[COLOR=DarkGreen][SIZE=1]Sage covered his nose and mouth with his cloak and looked around in the thick cloud. He could see the others starting to struggle with the dust, he could feel it trying to break through his face cover.
[B]
"What do we do?"[/B] Sage spoke inwardly.
[B]
"Oh I don't know. How about, get the hell out of the cloud!"[/B] Azuorth screamed at him annoyed, Sage rolled his eyes.
[B]
"I meant for them Azuroth."[/B]
[B]
"Screw them, your life is more important." [/B]
[B]
"No it isn't! They are young and they deserve to live!"[/B] Sage bolted off and grabbed one of them, not caring which one. He grabbed another, and bolted out of the dark cloud. He had Suzu and Sano, he just let them go and they dropped into the snow.
[B]
"Now for the next two."[/B] Sage was about to bolt back in when Suzu and Sano ran back into the cloud.
[B]
"Are you kidding me?! You want to die?!"[/B] Sage screamed at them but recieved no respons. He growled.
[B]
"Fine, guess we have to be rid of the cloud then. Stupid kids."[/B] Sage said to himself as he jumped back into the cloud, Sage's levels of stress were starting to rise. Azuroth was getting closer to taking control. Sage gritted his teeth and look about the cloud.
[B]
"What do I do? I can't fight an enemy that is not solid and can't be injured."[/B] Sage had reached his point of distress.
[B]
"Let me take over."[/B] The runes on his arm moved up along with the burnt, black skin. It covered his body and his eyes were replaced with the orange fire, he stood up straight and breathed in the dark cloud.
[B]
"Finally, now lets go."[/B] He drew his daggertail and swung it around over his head, creating a small space that was clean of the dark cloud.
[B]
"Now, this gives me some time to think."[/B] Azuroth said to himself as he continued to swing the daggertail around his head like a giant fan.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Starwind]

Sano had charged back into the cloud, only then did he realize he didn't have a plan. Oh well, at this point all that matterd was removing this cloud before it could do serious harm. He wrapped his cape round his mouth and nose and set his roght hand on the hilt of his left sword and his left hand on right sword. He pulled the two swords free and they both began to glow like beakons in the darkness. A cry could be heard, but it then died to a whisper in the howling wind of the smoke. Sano listend as it died away into the smoke. Where it had gone he wasn't sure, but there was something dark in this wind, something that no longer belonger in this world. He could feel the wind pulling at his swords. Is that what it wanted? His swords were some how important, and for that reason if nothing else he had to keep them. He waved his sword and swung through the cloud and they began to glow brighter, sending another cry from the smoke.

[Breathe]

[COLOR=SlateGray][FONT=Microsoft Sans Serif] The old hermit stared at their camp fire insid the dark, mysteries cave. Shen did everything to stay warm as he looked over the mountain they had just recently pasted.
"Old man, What's that black cloud over them mountains?" It seemed to have formed after they had just past the mountain. Hoi turned from his stare at the camp fire to exmine the dark cloud. He shook his head as he got up to pack his belongings.
"We must leave, it is power of the witch. She had found targets and is trying to control them. We must leave before her new minions hunt us down at night." Shen nodded and got up to, but thought for a moment. The hermit saw this hesitation by him.
"Hurry and pack. We must flee from his mountain range by early dawn."
"I don't feel right leaving inncocent people into the hands of that wicked witch. Not after what she did to Susie and Jack."
"I have to do something."
"Nonesense, you are much more important then the anyone else right now."
"Because I have this necklace, sorry but I'm not going to run away." He glanced down and began to run as the old man echoed out his name.

Shen bounced to the snowy ground as he was looking down at the action. It seems a group of travelers where battling the black smoke off.
"I guess they didn't need my help after all." He started to back away when he stopped. Behind the group, unaware of her presents stood his past.
"S-susie??" He could barely speak as she stoke there with no emotion shown on her face. The group seemed to not to notice her. She then went out of her trance as her eyes seemed to grow. Images of Jack bruend his skull as he roared at the group.
"Get away!!" The group looked up, but it was too late. A massive shock wave seemed to have cut thorugh the groups core. It seemed that everyone was blown from either the right or the left. Shen instantly dropped down to conforted his sister. He stood there, amazed just to see her once again.
"S-susie?" Tears began to flow down his face as she stood there.
"Silver Burst!" Echoed through the mountain cliff as his dead sister looked up and dodged to arial attack by the hermit. She gave one look at Shen then dropped from the cliff behind her into darkness. Rage overtook him as he charged after the old man. With one swift movement, he took Shen down to the ground as always.
"Why did you do it?! She was my sister!!" He cried as he couldn't hold his tears.
"You need to grow up and face destiny. She is no more, but a fossil. Your real sister is in the after-life. She would have killed you to get that aeon. That is a free ticket for the world's greatest power for the witch. The nect time you meet her, I might not be around to do anything." He let go of Shen as He laid in the blacket of snow. He let himself cry as The hermit began to check out for what remains of the mysteries group.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Darth Vectis]

[COLOR=DarkGreen][SIZE=1]Azuroth saw the blast last minute but was not fast enough to avoid and flew off like the rest of them. He landed a few yards away and sat up to see the old man bring down the boy, he then saw he was starting to check the others. He knew what would happen if he was discovered like this, he lied back down and let Sage take control again. His body changed back to the human form and Sage opened his eyes and sat up.
[B]
"You lieing bastered!"[/B] Sage yelled at Azuroth inwardly, Azuroth just chuckled.
[B]
"What do expect? I'm an infection, I only do whats good for me and what keeps me alive."[/B] Sage growled at him and stood up. Dusting himself off.
[B]
"I'll be glad to be rid of you virus."[/B] Sage made his way to the young man, he cracked his neck and stopped next to him.
[B]
"Are you Shen?"[/B] The boy looked at him.
[B]
"How do you know me?"[/B] Sage watched the old man as he spoke to Shen.
[B]
"We have been looking for you. Were here to help you."[/B] Sage said as he glanced over at him.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Deadpool]

Vincent sat on the side of the mountain smoking his cigeratte watching what was going on below him with the group of travelers. His white cloak flapped in the breeze as the snow swirled around him, masking him from view. He had been following these travelers for several days now, keeping a close eye on the one named Shen, but the girls, Vala and Sakura, were becomeing distractions to him. The other guys each had their own thing. Sano seemed to be a very good sword fighter and Sage had another side named Azuroth. He didn't know much about the hermit Hoi though. "I guess now would be a good time to make myself known" An explosion suddenly threw the group across the ground in various directions and sent a shower of rock into the air. "Now or never" He quickly ran across the ground, his power of the ice and its attributes forming the snow beneathe his feet into a frozen slide. He saw a rock come across Vala as she was attempting to get off the ground and scooped her up seconds before it caught her. The girls doll stared at him as he already did what it was going to do. Vincent stopped and sent her on the ground then made a slight bow as he noticed her rubbing her side from where his hand and caught her at. "Sorry my lady for any uncomfert you expeirenced" He kept his sword hidden by his cloak and the nist that was pouring out of the sheath. He did not want them to think that he could pose any danger.

[Starwind]

Sano slowly gatherd himself to his feet, the blast had left him disoriented. It was careless of him to just ignore it and end up hit like that. He looked around and first noticed Sage talking to an old man and some other guy still crouched low in the snow. He looked around some more and saw a man with a white cloak set Vala down to the ground. Sano suddenly felt lost, had he really missed that much in such a short period of time. He knew Sage could take care of himself and already seemed to be questioning the other two, so Sano went to check in on this other new guy. Terentia seemed a little off, probably because she didn't know how to react after something like that; Weather she should love him or hate him for what he just did. Either way it wasn't important, all Sano wanted to know was who he was and why he decided to help. Sano approached and helped Vala back to her feet, fortunatly she seemed to be fine. He then looked to the man before him "Thanks for the help. I'm Sano, and you are?" He looked to him for a moment then smirked "Call me Vincent. Nice to meet you in person Sano." This confused Sano a little "In person? Who long have you known me?" He just smirked "I've been keeping tabs on your little group for a while now, so I've learned the basics about you all al least." Sano wasn't sure how to veiw this, but it was a little creepy that this guy had been stalking them all this time. Sano shook it off "Well anyway, why did you feel the need to help? I'm not ungratful or anything, just curious." He smirked again "Just being a good samritan."

[Darth Vectis]

[COLOR=DarkGreen][SIZE=1]Sage looked over the boy to see a new person in the group, wearing a white cloak. He didn't like the way he appeared out of the snow and suddenly came to their aid.
[B]
"I say we kill him."[/B] Azuroth spoke with his hallow voice, Sage watched the man.
[B]
"No, until we find out what he is about we will not do anything."[/B] Sage patted Shen on the shoulder and walked over to the new man. He held out his left hand to the man, exposing the chain.
[B]
"The names Sage, whats yours?"[/B] Vincent gripped his hand.
[B]
"I know your Sage, I'm Vincent. And I know about your little problem there, Azuroth."[/B] Sage raised one eyebrow.
[B]
"He know's. Kill him now, before he exposes us."[/B]
[B]
"Exposes us? You are the one that is afraid of exposer, virus. Why shouldn't I tell everyone else about you?"[/B] Azuroth chuckled.
[B]
"Because if you do, the old man might see you as a threat and eliminate you and me to kill me off."[/B] Sage grolwed.
[B]
"Your right, and I'd rather not die before I see you. So I'll keep it secret for now."[/B] Azuroth snickerd.
[B]
"Good, now back to business."[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Kre]

Suzu had his sword drawn and held it by his waist.

"I still don't trust you" Suzu said.

He sheathed the metalic sword in its scabberd with a shing. He walked a head of the group. It was where he stood.


"Hmmmmmm......" he thought.

"What now?" he questioned everyone.

He turned around and looked at what looked like a mountain in the distance of view glazing with snow and other things unknown.

"I say we go up" he sighed.