RPG The Power of Runes... [M-LVS]

[0ber0n the Neko]

Tyr stopped, halting the group behind him. He beckoned to Jar.

"Mahrim, just how quick are you?" he whispered.

Jar smiled. "Faster than you. Why?"

Tyr stared directly forward. "Find out what that presence is... You can feel it as well?"

Jar's smile disappeared. He nodded in reply. "Yeah, it's really freaking me out..."

"I will distract it. You need to find a way to kill it, and then kill it. If you fail, well, I would fear for your life, were it not a certainty you will lose it."

Jar only gaped at him. "You're [i]kidding[/i]!"

Tyr shrugged. "I could be. Do you want to find out?"

Jar paused briefly. He pointed. "You [i]better[/i] be distracting that thing when I come up on it."

Tyr nodded. "Wait...."

All were silent as they waited for Tyr's continuance.

"Go. Quickly."

Jar sped off, climbing swiftly up a tree, and disappearing into the canopy.

Tyr ran forward, both shashkas at the ready, glowing black with darkened flame. He rushed the creature, seeing its true form. It was a gigantic worm creature with a gaping mouth. The sheer size of the beast seemed to distort the space around it.

Tyr was only capable of one word. "Shiit...." he muttered under his breath.

OOC: Tried to plug you there, Jar.

[Deadpool]

OOC: Alright I finally have a spot to post and since my character seems kind of distorted I think I need to reinforce his personality a little.

Sazurothz kept his hand on the hilt of his beam sword as they walked through the forest, "This isn't a race, if we get there first we may be killed by the army that guards it. yet if we get there last they may leave us with nothing. That is why we will get there first then wait for them in hiding. Incase they get attacked we can come from behind and kill them in silence" He turned as Ash walked up next to him with Eskari and Dreg behind.

"So why do you want my help again?"

"You proffincency in technology will be a marvulous assest to the Rebel cause" He suddenly spun catching an armor right before it hit Ash in the neck. The point just centimeters away from touchin her. "Down no" The other Slake hit the ground as Dreg stood there looking around. Sazurothz grabbed him and brought him to the ground as more arrows flew over.

Dreg knocked off his arm. "back off"

Sazurothz pulled his beam sowrd and had it pressed to Dreg's throat. "I know Tyr doesn't trust me and he had you come with me so you could keep an I on me. But i will slit your throat just as fast and said you were killed along the way. I need Tyr to help me bring down the government so a better own can go in its place. Now you will obey my orders as long as you are in this group?"

Dreg eyed the unactivated beam sword and Sazurothz finger on the trigger then relaized there was no way out. "Yes sir"

"Good, Dreg take Eskari and Ash and make a run for the path while I fend off these Rangers."

Eskari frowned. "You know there is too many."

"I am willing to take that risk for the good of the group. Now get going" He stood up as an arrow bounced off his armor making a green wave ripple over his body. "The rune curse is not lifted, Tyr could not break it" He took out his two beam guns and disappeared in the trees as Dreg and the two slake took that oppertunity to make it down the path to safty. Sazurothz easily picked them out with no problem, his ability to sense heat made it easy to find them. They began falling out of trees and their hiding spots with a single hole in between their eyes. Ten ran out holding swords and one removed his forest green cape.

"You fight cheap, you can't use metal weapons but things that cut through him ensuing that you win"

Sazurothz smiled "And is there any problem with winning?" He flipped up two metal swords from some of the dead rangers and bared his teeth. "Come if you want to die" They charged him but fell as he mercissly cut through them, hacking off limbs, heads, and sending blood and flesh flying. He grabbed on by the head and bit into his should ripping flesh and severing his spin, leaving him helpless on the ground. He finished off all but one and held him by the throat. "Who hired you?"

"I am not telling"

"So be it" He began cutting samll pieces off until he got what he wanted them severed his spine and left him there.

He began laughing. "Its too late to look for your three friends, We loosed five worms into the forest, three were where your frineds went, the other two are visting the one called Tyr"

Sazurothz snarled as he stabbed him in the head then sheathed the two metal swords and took off running through the forest, hoping he wouldn't be late'

OOc: I gave ya'll a spot to fight since I didn't want to be a hog and take all the fun

[Random]

OOC: I'm taking that the worms are baised on the ones from the Final Fantasy series? If not, sorry, but that's how I view them. And Orcus, without further ado, our plan proceeds...

IC:
Jarrius circled around the moster, using the trees. He still hadn't seen it, but he could sense it. From as far as he could tell, it was huge. As big as a house. [I]Damn,[/I] he thought, [I]Tyr'd better be doing what he said he was going to do.[/I] As he was only a common theif, Jar didn't really know what to do when it comes to battling monsters. He would give it his best, nonetheless.

Suddenly he saw it. A monterous worm, saliva dripping from it's mouth. It looked almost unbeatable, but he had to do it. [I]For Tarma.[/I] It was a coppery-orange color, and didn't have any visible eyes, ears, or nose. Just the huge mouth that could easily eat all five of his companions in one try, without chewing. [I]Too much thinking, Jar. Just do it.[/I]

Jarrius saw Tyr charge it, the flames from his weapons seeming to give off a dark aura, and seemed to give Jar strength. He decided to test the worm's hide, so he threw a few stars at it. They all bounced off, and the worm didn't even seem to notice. Jar cursed under his breath, knowing that this would be the most challenging thing in his life, possibly the last. Tyr seemed to have his hands full, so Jar decided to just get it overwith. He grabbed his daggers, and jumped.

Right onto the head, if you could call it that. The worm certianly noticed him this time, considering his twin daggers were sticking into it's flesh. [I]Well, so far so good.[/I] He ripped and slashed at the worm, making it angrier with each fresh wound. Green gew was gushing from the openings, which was the worm's blood. He was getting cocky, and that was his biggest mistake, as always. He didn't notice anything: not where Tyr was, not the fact that Tarma had joined the battle, not that the worm suddenly decided to get rid of the nucince on it's head. Before he knew it, Jar was flung from the worm into the forest. He jumped up, eager to get back to the fight.

Jar was thrilled at the thought of killing the nasty, overgrown soil-muncher...but he was getting reckless. He clenched his fist, searching frantically for a weak spot. It was then that he saw Tarma attempt an attack. The worm brushed her off easily, sending her flying through the air. Jar ran over, ignoring the worm and Tyr. [COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]"Tarma! Tarma!? TARMA!"[/COLOR] he yelled, but he couldn't find her. [I]She must have landed in a tree, or somewhere. It doesn't matter where she landed, all that matters is that that bastard worm hurt, or worse, killed, Tarma. It's going to PAY! [/I]

Rage in his eyes, Jar ran towards the worm, thirsty for blood. Suddenly, Jar felt himself engulfed in a searing white light. The light didn't stop him, however. He kept running furiously toward the worm, which almost seemed to be mesmerized by the growing light. Jar leaped towards the behemoth creature, stabbing it deeply in the forehead. Surprisingly, the worm fell dead with two quick blows, one from each dagger.

As Jar returned to the ground, Tyr was waiting. Tyr did not look surprised, but it was easy to sense he was.

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]"Tyr, what is it?"[/COLOR] Jar asked, worried at his leader's look, although comical. He thought that maybe Tyr was shocked by the fact that Jar had actually killed the worm, but he knew it was something different. Suddenly a single word escaped Jar's mouth.

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]"Tarma!"[/COLOR] He ran into the woods, which seemed to come up faster than it seemed to leave them. He searched for his love, and found her. She was passed out, and he scooped her up into his arms. He walked out of the woods, and walked up to Tyr. [COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]"She's hurt, bad. We need to get to Tanis quickly."[/COLOR]

"Use the light." Tyr responded tenderly. It was as if he was rendered breathless.

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]"What...light?"[/COLOR] Jar looked to Tyr quizzically, finally looking to his body.

"That one," came Tyr's monotonous reply.

OOC: Okay, Orcus...It's in place. Take it and mould it!

[0ber0n the Neko]

Tyr was somewhat confused. He pulled down his sunglasses, as to hide his emotion from others. He wasn't sure what to make of this. He knew now what he had always known.

That's[i] why i needed to save him...[/i]

"You can feel it, can't you? The light inside?" Tyr offered.

Jar paused momentarily. "Yes," was his hesitant reply.

"Use it like you would use your arm... Manipulate it as if it were a part of your own body." Tyr' voice grew intense. "Quickly, now! We don't have much time, boy!"

Jar tensed, and a light appeared. It flowed slowly from his chest into the reclining Mahrim. Her pained breathing slowed, becoming steady. She was asleep, and the scars on her body began to heal.

Jar's eyes grew wide, and Tyr's face hardened. "She's asleep. We need to press on."

He turned to the viking. "Will you carry her? Try not to injure her."

Thorkell nodded with a hearty smile. "Aye!"

Tyr looked at Kanya, who had also sustained minor injuries. "You're small enough to be carried. Do you need to be?"

Kanya looked at him, wide-eyed. "Uh... no. That's okay."

Tyr nodded. He turned to Jar. "You. Come with me. We need to talk."

[Random]

Mixed emotions couldn't even begin to describe what Jar was going through. He had killed his first monster, almost lost Tarma, had his body start glowing strangly, and then saved Tarma with the light. Now, Tyr wanted to talk to him. The light had stopped eminating from his body, but Jar still felt it's effects.

As the small group continued their journey, Tyr and Jar fell behind the others.

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]"Tyr, what was that light?"[/COLOR] Jar asked.

"That was a Rune in your body showing," he replied. "Jar, did you seriously not know it was there?"

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]"No,"[/COLOR] came Jar's simple reply. [COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]"I really didn't. No fuckin' clue."[/COLOR]

"Any ideas?" came Tyr's next question. Although he tried hard to hide it, he was excited. He seemed to know more than he was letting on.

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]"Not really. Well...I was in jail for a while. I could'a got it from there, but how the hell did they do it without me knowing? I was only there for a little while...as far as I can remember."[/COLOR] Tyr just stared at him, seemingly expecting more. [COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]"What? I don't know! Honestly!"[/COLOR]

"Okay...I believe you," came Tyr's hesitant reply. "I'll tell you what I know. The Rune that you have inside you seems to be a Might Rune...

OOC: Orcus, hope that works for you...if not, PM me and I'll change it tomorrow.

[Linkk]

Thornkell and Kanya walked on ahead. Tarma was slipping in and out of concicence.

[I]What happened? Where are we? Where's Jar?[/I]

She realized she was being carried. She felt so weak. She was swore.

"I wonder what's going on with Jar and Tyr?" Kanya said trying to start a conversation.

" Well seems our furry Mahrim has a rune in him....Hummmm...wonder what this little kitty is hiding?" He looked at her over his shoulder.

" You mean you think she might have a hidden power too?" Kanya whispered. Although, she wasn't sure why.

Tarma felt a dizzy spell coming on again. She wondered where the others were too. If they'd been attacked as well. She though she was done for. She remembred hearing something about a light. She tried lifting her head but it felt heavy. Like a sac of rocks. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Her eyes became heavy and she fell into darkness.

[0ber0n the Neko]

OOC: I'm sorry for not posting. End of quarter cramming, you know...

IC:

Tyr walked alongside the downcast mahrim. "Do you not understand the runes?"

Jar made no effort to speak. He only shook his head.

"I guess, in order to understand, one must understand the Societies... There was a great historian once, known only as 'Terius'. What was the verse? Ah, yes.

[i]And the mighty ones of north will become acolytes of power,
their runes shall shine with speed, strength, and victory, just as they seek.

And the lowly ones will rise from the earth, becoming the technolytes of industry,
their runes will be of evolution, change, and necessity.

And the wild ones of the forest will become the illuminati of healing,
their runes will glimmer with repair, renewing, and reviving.

And the smallest of them all will become rosecrucians of magic,
their runes will become as the elements themselves, fire, ice, and lighting...

But beware the dark, its foreboding powers of un-creation,
their runes burn with hate, avenging the dark lord...[/i]"

Jar looked at Tyr silently. "So, you say what I have is a might rune? Why not a healing rune?"

Tyr looked still beond him. "Trust me," were his only words, as the goup plodded steadily through the forest.

Tyr finally looked to Jar. "It is a difficult path ahead. You will find yourself hurting those you love, scorning all you once enjoyed..."

Jar looked unsteadily at the clearing ahead. He turned to face Tyr, whose rune tatoo was exposed. It was a grim reminder of his dark future.

Tyr looked wistfully toward Kanya. [i]I will find a way to rid myself of this curse... somehow...[/i]

[Rhym]

[FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=DarkSlateGray]OOC: Hey, sorry about not posting, I was on vacation. So, forgive me if I'm a tad bit erroneous in my posts, I haven't been here for a while.

IC:

Eskari, Dred, Ashcraft and Sazurothz walked through the dark, whispering forest. [i]I don't trust this Sazurothz character,[/i] thought Eskari. [i]And this Dred guy, what's his motivation for joining us? And what can I make of Ashcraft? It's so bizarre how I got here. Can I truly trust any of the people around me?[/i] He tightened his grip on his cesti. [i]At least I can trust these.[/i]

"Keep your wits about you," said Sazurothz. "The gods alone know what horrors lurk in these woods."

"You can say that again," muttered Dred.

"The gods alone know-"

"But don't," interrupted Dred, cutting the Slake off. Suddenly, his ears perked up and swiveled, searching. "Something's coming," he spoke in an urgent whisper.

"What is it, Mahrim?" asked Eskari, tensing for potential action.

"I can't say for sure... Sounds like 7, maybe 8 of them, coming in fast from..." he closed his eyes and turned slightly, his ears swiveling rapidly. "There!" He pointed into the woods, off to the left of the path.

Eskari could hear them now, whipping through the trees, feet pounding on the forest floor. "Are you sure there's only 8?" he growled.

"Erm..." Dred looked nervous. "Maybe?"

Eskari jumped as Ashcraft grabbed his arm. [i]What is she [/i]doing? She sounded very worried when she spoke. "Eskari, what'll we do?"

He shook her off and tightened his grip on his cesti. "Please," he said. "Call me Scary."[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Linkk]

As Thorkell, Kanya, Tyr and Jar walked on, Tarma was coming to. She woke with a start.

[COLOR=SandyBrown]hummm Jar?[/COLOR]

Jarrius looked up. " Tarma. Oh Tarms how are you feeling"

" We're not done talking" Tyr reminded him.

" Whatever" Jar said as he hurried to walk besides Tarma.

[COLOR=SandyBrown]Jar are you alright[/COLOR]

"Yes" He said hestitantly. " What about you? Don't ever do that again. You hear me! I though ....I mean....You scared me to death!"
He tried sounding angry but he wasn't at all.

"I think we need to rest" Kanya suggested.

" No. Not yet." Tyr said moving forward at a steading pace." We rest when I say"

" So what's with that light? Eh Jar?" Thorkel inquired.

[COLOR=SandyBrown]Light? Jar? What's he talking about?[/COLOR] She remember something just before she zoonked out.

" I'm not sure. Tarma I'll tell you later." Jar could see Tyr looking at him out of the corner of his eye. [I]Right after I find out more myself [/I] He though as the forrest became denser.

Tyr beant down as if studying the ground.

" Wait" Tyr held out his hand.

" For what?" Jar snapped. " Something else to try and kill us. Yeah right. You know I'm tried. We need to get to that city. But we need to rest too"

" Jar, clam down......" Tyr began.

In the dinstance they heard the cries of the giant worms. Fearing for their comrands they qickened the pace.

Tarma's head was pounding again. She closed her eyes again.

The trees scartched them as they made their way towards the city.

[Dragons_Bait15]

The worried look is replaced by a smile, "Oh, good."

She turns her attention to the surrounding trees and misses Sazuroth's barked orders to Dred and looks at him confused until Scary pushes her after Dred.

"Sazuroth said he'd take care of the rangers." Scary says loud enough for her to hear him while running. The three run for a while until Dred stops in a hollow, the only characteristic a rotten log leaning against a large oak. Dropping her bag and sitting Indian style by it she shakes her head and looks at Dred.

?Any reason we shouldn?t have stayed??

Dred smirks and nods, ?I?m not one to argue with a beam sword, even if it?s wielded by a slake.? He looks into the forest around them then at Scary questionably, Scary nods and both of them ready their weapons. Ash glances at them and stares at the log smiling a little in thought. A screech comes from behind them accompanied by the sound of something large moving through the forest; Dred and Scary turn to face the large worm. The copper glint from the shadows behind them warns Ash of more worms approaching. As they come out of the shadows her attention focuses on the large teeth.

?You might want to stand up and fight.? Scary says calmly, Ash looks back at him and smiles distractedly but stands and draws her weapon.

?I take it we each get one.? Dred says casually smiling and glancing at the others.

?Sounds good.? Scary says

?Just remember to come save my ass when you two get through with your worms.? Ash says before focusing on the task at hand. Scary and Dred charge their worms weapons drawn and attack Dodging the head and striking the where they can gouging flesh and causing the green blood to cover the ground. Watching for a few seconds Ash turns back to her worm and does the same, the worm pulls back suddenly yanking the sword out of her hand. Freezing she looks up as the worm attacks, she crouches down and covers her head as something heavy hits the ground. After a moment Ash looks up again and sees the worm dead several hole riddling its carcass, looking over at Scary and Dred, who each hold one of the guns from her pack, she stands and brushes herself off trying to look dignified. But doesn?t succeed

?I don?t think that was good,? she walks over to where her sword sticks out of the side of the worm, ?Thank you, both.?

Standing on the dead worm she tries to pull her sword from the body and falls backwards when it comes free. Dred and Scary see the tip of a sword that has green goop on it from the other side of the monster, ?Hey, call me Ash. Could we like stop here for the night?? The thought of a fire made her want to take back her question.

Sazuroth appeared and looks around at the scene a look of annoyance replacing the worry, ?Come on. We will move on before we make camp there?s still some light left.?

[Linkk]

Day light was begining to ease. As they made their way through the trees, Jar, coouldn't stop thinking about what Tyr had told him.

[I]Stupid might Rune...it's impossible how could I have one in me.[/I] His thoughs raced through his head at a rapid pace.

" Well, where are we staying the night? Or are we just going to keep going?" Thorkell asked.

[COLOR=SandyBrown]I think I can walk now[/COLOR] Tarma suddenly said.

" No. You were hurt badly. You need to recover your strenght." Tyr repiled not meeting her eyes.

[COLOR=SandyBrown]Thorkell, thank you for carrying me but I'll walk now[/COLOR]
She made to jump off his back.

" Tarma, maybe you should just wait till morning, Hun." Jar said placing a reasuring paw on hers.

[COLOR=SandyBrown]Look we need answers here[/COLOR] Sounding tough she relentlessly stayed put.

" I agree." Jar said eyeing Tyr.

A cave came into view. They decided it'd be a good place to spend the night. The entrance was half covered by over haging tree branches. The y slowly crapt in to make sure it was clear.

" Right, we'll start a fire and eat." Tyr commanded

"Tyr what makes you and Dred so sure there are runes left in Tanis" Thorkell started.

" Trust me" Was all he said


[COLOR=SandyBrown]That's all you ever say. Seeing as how Eskari and I were set up as seems so were we all, I can't really trust anyone....except Jar[/COLOR]

The blaze of the fire was begining to warm them. Jar and Tarma cuddled together as they cooked their fish. Drod was curled up at Kanya's feet waiting for his meal. He licked his chops.

In was an akward silence. None of them were sure of who should talk or what they should say. As they decided they prayed their other companions were out of harms way.

[Deadpool]

OOc: Time to get back in this

Sazuroth stared up at the sky between the trees as the moon was fully up. He was the only one that wasn't laying down since he had volunteered to keep watch. He had taught himself to sleep in a alert state where it appeared he was awake and he could still tell if something was wrong. A branch fell off of one of the trees above and hit his shoulder pauldron making a green glimmer appear. "I was afraid of that" He looked at his forearm and the tatoo that snaked up it to the rune on his chest. He would pay the government for that dearly, but now he had to look over the others since he was their protector now. He thought back about his hometown that he had been unable to protect because he was young

[0ber0n the Neko]

Tyr sat huddled up in a corner. His thick robes and sunglasses made it impossible to make out any sort of distinct emotion, but it was obvious that he was thinking. He always looked like he was thinking.

Tarma turned to face him, as if he'd been mentioned in the fireside conversation. The group laughed, and Tarma turned back, joining in the laughter.

Tyr ignored their apparent glee, lost in thought. [i]We're not that far from the city walls... Only 5 miles or so. We should be able to make it in time...[/i]

All of a sudden, his right arm was engulfed in searing pain. "Gah!" he grunted, as he collapsed onto his side. "Not now... No..."

The group looked to the leader, awestruck. Kanya stood, running to his aid.

Tyr's sunglasses had clattered to the floor several inches away. He squinted his eyes, shaking with pain. "Don't... come near me!"

His eyes were forced open by his agony. Kanya screamed.

Jar sidled over to the pained Tyr. "What's wrong?"

Kanya stuttered, but the group could make out, "His... Eyes..."

Tyr stopped shaking, closing his eyes before Jar could see them. He picked up his sunglasses, and stood. He drew his cloak around his body, dramatically. "I'm going outside," he said, making his way towards the mouth of the cave.

As he disappeared into the dark night, Kanya watched warily. Then she went to follow him.

Jar paused, watching Kanya. "What's with those two?"

Tarma went to his side, and grasped his paw. "You're a male. You wouldn't understand."

Jar smiled, excited by her touch. "I don't care. You're here. I needn't know anything else."

-----

Tyr sat above the mouth of the cave. His sunglasses were drawn down on his eyes. He watched as Kanya left the cave, and sat beside him.

"You won't burn me through those clothes, will you?" asked Kanya.

Tyr only watched her as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Apparently not."

"Won't you try to expose me? Turn the group against me?" Tyr asked, betraying no emotion.

"Nah. Not worth it." Kanya smiled lightly. "So what's with the eyes? Something you're not telling us?"

"I'd rather not talk about that."

"It's okay. We don't need to talk."

[Rhym]

[FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=DarkSlateGray]Just before midnight, Eskari woke. He winced. [i]Dred snores too loud.[/i] He looked silently over to Sazurothz, who was still sitting on a boulder, seemingly alert. He got up, making a little noise so that the government Slake wouldn't be unaware of his presence.

Eskari walked over to him, stopping a few feet off to his left. He looked up at the brilliant night sky.

"Quite a night," said Eskari, quietly so as not to wake the others.

"Yes," Sazurothz replied. "Good work against those worms, Scary."

"Hey, no sweat," he grinned. "But please, call me Eskari."

The government Slake eyed him strangely, but dismissed it with a shrug.

"Anyway, it's my turn to take the watch. Get yourself some sleep, buddy."

Sazurothz slid from the boulder and stretched. "If I can sleep. That Mahrim is making such a racket that I'm surprised we aren't all wormsmeat by now. Stay alert."

"Will do. Good night."

Eskari settled into a comfortable position on the boulder. [i]Perhaps I misjudged Sazurothz,[/i] thought Eskari. [i]He seems a decent Slake, and I have no doubts about his abilities in combat. Still, idealists can be dangerous. At least I can trust him to watch my back in a scrap.[/i]

He gradually grew aware of a faint pair of footsteps above Dred's snoring. They came from the woods to his right. He quickly pretended to be asleep. The owner of the footsteps appeared at the clearing's edge. [i]He looks like one of those rangers we killed earlier. Whatever he's doing here, it can't be for good.[/i]

The ranger spied Eskari's seemingly unconcious form and chuckled quietly to himself. A long dagger appeared in his hand, gleaming in the moonlight. Eskari watched as the Huma crept silently closer. His blade edged closer and closer to his scaly throat. [i]Time it... Just a little closer... Come on... NOW![/i]

In a flash, the ranger was disarmed with a kick to his hand and Eskari's energy blades hovered a whisper's length from the Huma's bobbing Adam's apple.

"Good friend," spoke Eskari in a hushed yet carrying tone, "I think you can appreciate the fact that I dislike people trying to kill me or my companions here. Now, I'm no wordsmith, so I think I'll just tie you up and wait 'till morning when our diplomat's had his beauty sleep. But, one question before I do that, friend. How many more of you are there? Oh, and if you even [i]think[/i] about screaming for help, I'll cut you down before you can even get to 'H'."

The terrified Huma nodded slowly, eyes wide with fright. "Just me, sir." he whispered.

"Well [i]that[/i] was dumb of you," smirked Eskari.

He found some rope and a bandana in his pack. Soon, the intruder was tied to the rotten log and gagged soundly.

[ALIGN=CENTER]--------[/ALIGN]

Three uneventful hours later, Eskari prodded Dred's snoring frame with the toe of his boot.

"Oy, Snori, it's your turn on watch."

The Mahrim groaned and sat up. "M'name's Dred, not Snori."

"Tell that to your nose," he replied. "By the way, we've got a prisoner. One of those rangers that attacked us earlier."

Dred smirked. "Maybe if those damn worms come back, we can feed him to them!"

"That's one use for him, I suppose!" laughed Eskari.

Dred headed to the rock, Eskari to his sleeping pad. He slid back into his warm blankets and was soon blissfully asleep.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Linkk]

Jar and Tama curled up in a corner of the cave.

" Tarma, apparently I have a rune....the Might rune inside of me. I didn't know anything about it. Until, I though you were...dead! Try told me to use the light. I was so confussed! I still don't really know. I mean I have no idea how this got in me. Why hadn't I ever know." The tone in his voice was scared.

[COLOR=SandyBrown]You mean like Tyr?[/COLOR]

" How did you know? I guess I don't know. Tarms, I'm scared." He said clutching her paw tighter.

[COLOR=SandyBrown]I'm frightened too Jarrius. The Runes are powerful and dangerous especially in the wrong hands. I just suspected something about Tyr. I'm not sure about it all myself. The agent who saved me told me about their curse. But I wasn't really filled in. I don't know how you have it in you or how you've only just discovered it.[/COLOR] [I]My poor Jarrius[/I]

" I need more answers from Tyr. I suppose I'll find out in due time...still it's unerving to say the least. Tarma, I was so scared today. I though...I though I'd lost you forever! I mean it never do anything like that again. Do you hear me?" Urgency in his whispered voice.

[COLOR=SandyBrown]I'll try. I guess I'm not that strong.[/COLOR] She rested her head on his shoulder.

" Yes, you are. Just don't do it again" He laughed half hardtly. As did she. They kissed.

Drog whimpered in his sleep. He was curled up next to Thorkell.

The fire had died down.

[Deadpool]

Sazuroth watched from his partly opened eye, Eksari take out the ranger. "He's pretty good" He kept hiw own watch until dawn and stood up. "We need to move now," He covered all traces of the camp adn lead the group through the woods until they came across the other group in the cave.

Tyr looked up surprised. "Well it looks like we meet again"

"Too many dangerrs in the woods. Better to stick together, then to be killed off seperated. Besides the location is just down the road. This idea to split up was pointless." He looked around. "Tyr a word in private" He and Tyr stood off a bit aways in the woods. "I know you don't trust me and you have every reason to, but you will need to trust for later times." He removed a part of his armor showing the rune branded on his chest and back. "i am sure you have one as well."

[0ber0n the Neko]

OOC: This is just filling in the space between the cave and the city.

IC:

Tyr looked intently at Sazurothz's chest, which was branded with a defensive rune.

"Yes. I, too have a mark. What of it?" Tyr asked.

"You're not surprised?" Sazurothz questioned.

"You may not know this, Slake, but when I was an official, I outranked you. I know that nearly every field-active member of this party has been branded with some rune or another."

Sazurothz looked at Tyr strangely. "Then what seperates the Vanguards from the others?"

Tyr let down his sunglasses. "This." The whites of his eyes were black, with irises that glowed a dark, foreboding red.

Sazurothz looked stunned. "But... How did you..."

"This, Slake, is the price you pay when you play God... and lose," Tyr snarled. "I am not merely branded with the rune, like you. You borrow the rune's power. I have made the rune's power my own." Tyr frowned. "And for that, I have paid the ultimate price. I have become the despised one, the wicked one. You know of the dark runes. Surely, your superiors told you of that."

Sazurothz could do nothing but nod. The room seemed empty, aside from the dark and almost evil figure before him.

"This is... I am... Kal-Than. I am the dark one, destroyer of nations, king of the dragons, and tyrant of the nether-gods. I am the tormentor of lost souls, the flayer of flesh, and the eater of man-meat. I am the keeper of fear, the guardian of pain, and the arbiter of disease. Your puny rune is but a mere plaything in my mighty hands." Tyr drew a deep breath. "This, Slake, is why I have left my post. I am the holder of the great and dark rune of Kal-Than, and have become even as the malicious and evil god himself."

Sazurothz did not speak. He only gaped at Tyr.

"Come. We leave for Tanis."

Sazurothz followed, in a complete daze. Tyr's eyes changed back, and the room seemed full again.

"Are we leaving?" asked Kanya.

Tyr said nothing, leaving the cave. Kanya glanced briefly over the rest of the group, and then rushed to catch up with him. The group eventually followed, Sazurothz lagging behind.

"I must... have that power," Sazurothz said, grinning. "And I will have it..."

[Rhym]

[FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=DarkSlateGray]OOC: Sorry that this is going to be so short, I'm just giving 0ber some buffer so that he can explain the city and what happens when we get there.

IC:

Eskari marched along in the early morning light, towards the center of their rag-tag group. Tyr forged on ahead, forbidding and ominous. Jar seemed torn between walking beside Tarma and following Tyr obediently. Sazurothz brought up the rear, seemingly distracted but with a strange glint in his eye.

[i]I still don't know who I can trust,[/i] he thought. [i]I'm fairly certain I can trust Tarma, but how I can do that without Jar thinking I'm trying to steal her from him is anyone's guess. I think I can trust that damn Viking, he's too thick to scheme against anyone. Ashcraft seems like she might be trustworthy as well. I'm still up in the air about Kanya, she hasn't done anything to gain or abuse my trust. Dred and Jar seem like they would follow Tyr to the ends of the earth. The only question is, of the two, who can I trust, Tyr or Sazurothz? Something seems strange about both of them today.[/i]

He noted both of their positions and winced ruefully. [i]I fear this group might polarize soon. But who can I follow safely? Or, when the time comes, will both of them end up wrong? Do I have enough of the others' trust that they would follow [/i]me?[i] What a dilemma.[/i]

He settled into step beside Thorkell. The Norseman turned his gaze to Eskari and grinned heartily.

"A fine day for a walk, is it not? Truly Balder smiles upon us this day with such weather!"

Eskari looked up and noticed that it was, indeed, a pleasant day, it was just that Thorkell had the strangest way of expressing it.

"Hey, it is a nice day. That's something to be thankful for," Eskari remarked.

Suddenly, at the head of the line, Tyr halted. "Behold," he said quietly. "Tanis."

Eskari took in the sight of the city's gates. "Hot damn," he breathed.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Deadpool]

OOC: Well I am bored of all this skipping around and nonsense. Only one way to go

IC:
Sazuroth drew his sword and cut off his head.

[Linkk]

OCC: WEll that sucks! I swish you hadf not done that. As you had a door open full of oportunities for Sazuroth! :( I had swet ideas for the city walk in as well. But seeing as how a main character beheaded himself. Well, it's too bad. I really like this story. Maybe, you'll change your minds> I duno but I guess for now it's over.

[0ber0n the Neko]

OOC: I would like to say, Oblivion, that your conduct was rather childish. When you requested to be a main character, there was a responsibility to stay in the post that you churlishly ignored. This post is now dead, and many people, me included, worked hard to enjoy the story. I hope that hangs heavy on your conscience.

Thank you all for trying so hard, and I urge you all to look into joining the new RP I've started, called "Dreadnought". It's in the Adventure Inn, and I'd be glad to see what you come up with.

Thank you,

Orcus Mars