RPG Online Another World: The Return

[Char!]

[color=teal][i]Xeshiur was infuriated. Few Halbreed wanted to participate in this "suicide mission." And that Zaius! How dare he be so cowardly!

He and his troops, with no room in Thira Town for an extra hundred Halbreed, had camped at a beach a few miles from the place. [/i]We will be back,[i] Xeshiur thought. [/i]Nobody will keep us from my goal! Nobody...[i]

Ibs went over to Xeshiur, who had been kneeling alone, away from his men. Ibs wondered if this was the same Xeshiur he had met many years ago.[/i]

[b]Ibs: [/b]Hey, Xeesh. You okay?

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]I am fine. I was thinking, friend... How could one who is old enough to remember what happened here, still refuse to fight?

[i]Ibs looked in Xeshiur's direction. There was Zaius, standing in the water, hunting for something. Sethes, probably. Ibs sighed.[/i]

[b]Ibs: [/b]Maybe... Maybe it's because he [i]is[/i] old enough to remember what happened here.

[i]Xeshiur looked at the elf. Never before had he seen such a look of wisdom on that scrawny face.[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]He will [i]learn[/i] to fight. I shall see to that. And if not, he will die...

[i]Ibs jumped at this. He looked at him, scared.[/i]

[b]Ibs: [/b]Xeshiur, you're not gonna [i]kill[/i] him, are you?!

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]I never said that. If he will not fight with us, then he is expendable. I will not lift one paw, or order my men to do the same, if he would be attacked by Humes. You heard me say this before, to him.

[b]Ibs: [/b]Oh, Xeesh. What's happened to you?

[i]Xeshiur glared at him.[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]I've been given an opporitunity, Ibs. You must understand that I will not... stand by as the Humes push another race back. I cannot.

[b]Ibs: [/b]But Xeshiur, [i]you[/i] must understand that a direct attack won't threaten the the Humes at all. I mean... they're the Humes. They got all these special gizmos and watchamacalits. You don't stand a-

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]Ibs, do you not have something you should be doing right now?

[i]Xeshiur narrowed his eyes at Ibs, partly for effect but partly because the campfire behind Ibs's head was bright, especially in the dark.

Ibs's face went blank. His eyes closed, his eyelids flutterd, and
when he openened them, he looked normal again.[/i]

[b]Ibs: [/b]I sure do. You're the boss, Xeesh! But yeah, how'll I get there? Hmm... Wait, I have an idea. I have a... an old acquaintance... a friend, you could say. She has a ship, she could take me there. And I know just how to reach her...

[i]Ibs reached into his bag of notebooks, recordings of supposed possible treasure sites. From it he produced a small bottle full of a reddish-orange powder. He took some in a hand, and blew it in front of him. Remarkably, it seemed to ignite, and a small wall of fire floated in front of them.

To Xeshiur's amazement, a face appeared in the blaze! It was that of an elf, a female. Xeshiur thought she was rather attractive, for an elf. She looked shocked, but that shock soon turned to fear.[/i]

[b]Ibs: [/b]Ami! How's it goin'? It's me, Ibs, your best buddy in the whole wide world! Listen, I need a favor-

[b]Voice 1: [/b]Hey, is that magic?

[b]Voice 2: [/b]Oh, not on Verdun, it's not! That stuff's so illegal here! Get her!

[img]//www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Amadrienia_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Ami: [/b]Oh, real great Ibs, I'm on Verdun!

[i]This sent a startled look to Ibs's face. He cringed.[/i]

[b]Ibs: [/b]Eee... That's bad. Well ah, yeah, I guess I'll... um... see you later or something, bye! Sorry!

[i]Ibs quickly flicked his wrist, and the face vanished. He looked at Xeshiur, whose face said, "What the heck was that all about?"[/i]

[b]Ibs: [/b]Oh, don't worry about Ami, she'll be fine... I think. I hope.

[i]He sighed.[/i]

[b]Ibs: [/b]Whew, is it hot, or is it just me?

[i]Xeshiur thought nothing of that comment. The ants never came to mind, for he hadn't seen them burning...[/i]

[b]Ibs: [/b]Well, I guess there's only one other way to get where I need to go...[i]

Ibs walked out of the jungle, into the evening, onto the beach, and straight past the hunting Zaius. Xeshiur sighed. [/i]One more unneeded hassle...[/color]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Lacroix and Davien stare in amazement as a sheet of flame appears in the air in front of the elf. For a moment, she seems surprised as they. Certainly, the guards are shocked. They quickly recover, shouting out for aid, as they advance on the elf. Davien and Lacroix are thrown two steps forward as the doors burst open behind them. Recovering instantly, Lacroix sweeps around his reaper knife darting out of its sheathe to take out one of the guards throats. Davien bears no weapon, but waits for the guard to advance. The guards pulls a small pistol and aims at Davien's head. Davien steps forward, letting the guard put his pistol to his head. Then, as the guard relaxes slightly, he throws his head to the side and his hand up. He encircles the guard's wrist and spin him around, his other hand taking the gun out. The result is the hapless Hume standing in front of Davien with his arm in a very painful position, at least judging by the rather interesting shade of purple his face was turning. Davien aimed the gun into the doors, but saw no one there. Lacroix steps forward, and strikes the Hume in the solar plexus. Moving with the recoil, he snaps his hand up, twisting the neck and breaking it.

Davien drops the corpse, and they turn to see how the female elf fared.[/font][/color][/I]

[James]

[size=1]Um, Harlequin...have you been reading this RPG at all? I mean, do you actually know what is going on?

Your two most recent posts seem to have very little to do with the actual situation (in terms of how they refer to my characters and Flash's character).

And Char...Ami is nowhere near Almaran...she is at the Sky Hockey Island, where Luca and Rasanak are.

Whoa, we're getting majorly off track here lol

Although I must say, Char...you have been very impressive in your RPing skills...I really like your style. :) [/size]

[i]Rasanak looked a little surprised. Ami was a fairly headstrong person and she wasn't afraid of Hume whatsoever. Behind her, he could see her large elven airship.

Rasanak reached out and shook her hand. He smiled politely.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Rasanak_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Rasanak:[/b] Hey there...my name's Rasanak. And this here is Luca. What's your name?

[i]Ami smiled.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Amadrienia_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Amadrienia:[/b] My name is Amadrienia...but you can call me Ami. :)

[i]Rasanak and Luca both smiled. They instantly felt at ease with Ami, for some reason.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Luca_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Luca:[/b] So, you're here to watch the game?

[i]Ami shook her head.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Amadrienia_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Ami:[/b] No...I don't have a ticket. But I've never been here before; I thought this place looked interesting. I am fascinated by Hume technology...

[i]Rasanak and Luca looked at each other. Most elves they had met previously had been fairly wary of Hume. But Ami was different. She didn't seem afraid or worried at all -- as if she were talking to her own race. Perhaps her airship had taken her to many places around Gaia and she'd become comfortable with many cultures.

Still, both Luca and Rasanak realized that Ami's presence might cause trouble for their mission. And already, they weren't doing very well; they hadn't been able to get any tickets and they had no idea how they were going to infiltrate the Arena to find Chancellor Hikaru. Now with Ami here, they wondered how they were ever going to succeed.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Luca_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Luca:[/b] Um...we're kind of on a mission here, Ami. I'm sorry, but I don't think we can stay and chat.

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Amadrienia_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Ami:[/b] What kind of mission?

[i]Luca paused. He didn't know if it was right to tell her.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Luca_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Luca:[/b] Well...a Hume diplomat is the target of an assassin...and we have to protect him. He's in the Arena now and we need to get in there and take him somewhere safe.

[i]Ami looked up at the Arena and then back down at Rasanak and Luca.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Amadrienia_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Ami:[/b] Well, you guys said you don't have tickets, right?

[i]They both nodded.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Amadrienia_Avatar.gif[/img] [b]Ami:[/b] All you need to do is dress up as players and infiltrate the Arena...then maybe you can find him without being detected.

[i]Rasanak and Luca looked at each other. Ami just smiled.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Luca_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Luca:[/b] Erm...would you consider joining us?

[i]Luca didn't quite know why he asked that question. But he did know that Ami was special. Here she was...an elf...in Hume territory, with a difficult-to-hide airship. She didn't seem at all worried. And furthermore, she'd just provided a possible solution to their problem. Luca considered that she might be a valuable asset. And perhaps, just perhaps...she would consider letting them use her airship to get the Chancellor out of there...[/i]

[PiroMunkie]

[color=indigo][i]Zaius walked back into Thira Town from his hunting. Along the beaten path, some of the few Halbreeds Xeshiur could could passed by on their way to the beach where Xeshiur was, ready to await command. Most of them ignored Zaius as they passed by, others, despite how well they knew him and respected him, gave him a look. This slightly saddened Zaius, that these people who were basically his family, would so quickly turn their shoulder on him.

Zaius emerged from the brush with Thira Town in the distant view. About an hour passed. The last of Xeshiurs new soldiers of Thira Town filed out. As always, he headed back into his home; and as always, he set everything down in their respected places, and he cooked his catch like always, and he ate it like he always did. Still, the current events troubled him deep in his mind... his home didn't seem as comfortable, the hunt didn't seem as successful, and the food tasted a little bland. He couldn't let it bother him though, he had business to attend to with the remainder of Thira Town, which should be quite a few seeing the Xeshiur didn't seem to get that many. Zaius put everything away and walked out of his home. Standing just outside his door, he let out a high pitched whistle that could only faintly be heard. He waited for a moment, then, slowly, the remaining Halbreed stepped outside their homes, looking for who made the whistle. Upon seeing Zaius, they knew it must have been him. Eventually, the entire town was gathered around Zaius. He looked around in the crowd as Linea pushed through from behind into the front of the crowd. She smiled. Zaius smiled back, then took some charge.[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Zaius_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Zaius:[/b] Fellow Halbreed of Thira Town. You are all that we have left...

[i]Zaius continued to speak. He reminded the people of Xeshiur and his army. How ruthless they were at heart. The anger and grudge of which the army was formed. In this, explaining the past relations Thira Town has had with the Humes. That even though such a terrible atrocity occured, all things can be forgiven. That the Halbreed are a peaceful race. A race that doesn't lust for battle with another. Who will only attack if attacked.

At first, this part of his speech saddened the Halbreed in the crowd in being reminded of Xeshiur and his army... and the Humes' attack on Thira Town. As the speech went on, they became more inspired, full of hope. A sure fire boost in morale.

At this point, Zaius proposed the home defense that Kallabow had presented to him. That if Xeshiur's army's attacks on Verdun were to recoil and come over here, they could at least stand a chance again the Humes. Even having the advantage of being on their own soil. A defense against the Humes in which the purpose was not to destroy, but to protect.

At this, Zaius left the crowd open for questions.[/i]

[b]Halbreed [1]:[/b] This just sounds like another army. Making us no better than Xeshiur!

[i]The crowd turned back from the speaker looking at Zaius curiously.[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Zaius_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Zaius:[/b] We would be far from an army, my friend. I will reiterate that an army fights to destroy and establish power over their opponent. That is not our purpose. Our purpose is to protect. To protect this town, and this land of ours from being overtaken by the Humes because of Xeshiur's acts. We will fight not as an army, but as a family. One race.

[i]The crowd understood Zaius' point, nodding their heads. Each one looked at one another. Linea merely looked around, hoping that everyone wouldn't turn against Zaius. That they would agree to construct this sound defense.

When all seemed to reach an agreement, a Halbreed spoke.[/i]

[b]Halbreed [2]:[/b] We will do it.

[i]A wave of pride and excitement fell over the crowd and Zaius. Linea was overjoyed. Her smile grew larger as her pride in the people grew. As soon as everyone settled down, a few more questions arose.[/i]

[b]Halbreed [3]:[/b] So how will we organize this?

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Zaius_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Zaius:[/b] I imagine we will wait until Xeshiur and his army leaves. Kallabow said he would get in contact with me, in which more details will be given.

[i]A female Halbreed spoke.[/i]

[b]Halbreed [4]:[/b] What of us women? What will be our part in this defense?

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Zaius_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Zaius:[/b] Again, I would imagine that those of you who are skilled or interested in battle, will take part in the actual defense. Those of you who don't, I imagine will work behind the lines in terms of first aid, supply, rations, and other assorted technicalities. This is only what I assume. As I said, Kallabow will contact me, in which more details will be given.

[b]Halbreed [4]:[/b] So what do we do until then?

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Zaius_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Zaius:[/b] Just go about your normal lives. Speak word of this to no one until Xeshiur and his army leaves.

[i]Everyone nodded in acknowledgement as Zaius dismissed the crowd. All went back joyfully to their homes as Linea ran forward and grabbed Zaius in a hug. They were all proud, indeed.[/i][/color]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]OOC: Ah. Thank you for correcting me. I merely made an assumption. It was the "Get Her" comment that sparked it. Now, if everyone is finished making me feel foolish, I'll do something a little more ...interesting.

IC: [I]The two Hume males turn, startled at Davien and Lacroix's presence. They move to walk past, watching warily. Both Davien and Lacroix step out of the way politely. Once they are out of sight however, Davien suddenly pulls Lacroix to the side, running around the perimeter of the compound. Reaching one of the higher walled sections, he roots around in some nearby bushes. He pulls out a large case. He lays it on the ground, opening it away from Lacroix. Lacroix stands back, respectful of Davien's privacy. Davien draws out a grappel and two lengths of rope. He then securely ties the case onto his back.

He stands, shading his eyes and looking at the wall. He spins the grappel, slowly. As the rotation increases, he asks Lacroix to warn him should anyone come along. Lacroix turns, reaper knives coming to hand. He is unsure of what is going on, but nevertheless is ready to help his companion. Davien hisses slightly for him to come on, and they scale the rope. They reach the top, coming out in a small building glitch.

From their concealed vantage point, which is revealed to be a miscalculation, forming a shadowy alcove, they can see the entire stadium. Davien takes the case of his back, opening it. Inside is a long rifle, with an impressive scope. He pulls a pistol, and aims it at the startled Lacroix.[/I]

Davien: Well. Surprised? You shouldn't be. You should have noticed that I didn't have any cargo, and that there was no real point in coming here, but then you've been in the desert for 40 years, so I guess you're excused.

[I]Taken aback by Davien's contemptuous tone of voice, Lacroix says nothing. He raises his hands slowly, making no threatening moves.[/I]

Davien: What to know why I'm really here? Well, I guess I'll just have to tell you. I was hired to the elvish government, to assassinate Chancellor Hikaru.

[I]Lacroix rocks back on his heels startled.[/I]

Davien: And you're going to cover me.

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Lacroix_Avatar.gif[/img]Lacroix: I should have known there was something strange about you.

Davien: Well? What's your answer.

[I]Lacroix stands upright again, looking at Davien for a long moment. He then bursts out laughing.[/I]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Lacroix_Avatar.gif[/img]Lacroix: Why the hell not? I really don't have anything better to do.

[I]Davien looks at him oddly for a moment, before going back to assembling the rifle and sighting the scope.[/I]

OOC: Egad, that was badly done. A blanket apology for the quality of that post people.[/font][/color]

[Justin]

[i]Kallabow tasted the air around the encampment.[/i]

Kallabow: [i]Fear...[/i]

[i]He supressed a small laugh. Then he noted that most of them were far younger than he was, so fear could be forgiven. It was time for the show, now, anyway. From his position in the tree, he could see the entire army. He could even see the senturies: One in the same tree just below him, one in a tree on the southern side of the camp, one in the brush several hundred yards to his left, and another in a small tree a few hundred yard to his right. No one could see [i]or[/i] smell him.

Using his Halbreed vocal cords, he let out a booming roar that only an adult male his size could produce. In all it's echoing, no one just pinpoint the source, not even the guard below him, who had been jolted awake by it. Everyone in the entire camp was spooked. Roars like that weren't even practiced anymore. They hadn't been used formally for many, many generations, but all Halbreed brain recognized the roar as one of a territorial male. Their animal instincts made them all ready for a possible fight. Only Xeshiur seemed to be thinking clearly.[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img] Xeshiur: Send detatchments into the surrounding forest! Now!

[i]Kallabow hopped, silently, effortlessly into the next tree, and the next, and the next until he reached an equally good vantage point that was far from his original.

Then, he let out another booming roar, and this time, it was accompanied by a flurry of small stones, thrown at random into the camp. Several warriors yelped with pain, including Xeshiur. This Kallabow did allow himself to smile at, but he remained as still as the tree around him. They were all looking in his general direction now, but none were looking directly at him. He emitted a low, almost bird-like, sound. This was fomerly used as a mating coo. Now it's just used to show affection. This triggered the Halbreed into thinking there was a receptive female near-by, but since they knew better(and since they never really used that call for it's original purpose nowadays) they shrugged it off...for the most part. After he had done it several times, a few of the warriors began looking elsewhere, probably just by instinct.

Seizing the moment he lept down from the tree, and moved to yet another location. Once there, he through one carefully-aimed stone right at the rear of Xeshiur. It hit home with resounding(literally) success. The yelp could probably be heard for miles. Kallabow allowed himself another smile, and he slinked slowly around to another location.

Once there, he rigged a primitive catapult from falled tree branches and a leather wrapping that he often wore as a sash for holding his sword and other items in place. He filled the cup of the catapult with a blob of tree sap and pine needles, and let it fly, at random, into the camp. It splattered on a group of soldiers who were all poking around in a fire.

Moving swiftly, he ct down a tall, thin tree and caused it to fall into the camp, putting out their main fire with it's highest branches. It was the tree he had originally sat in and in it he had arranged many 'pots' of sap and pine needles. When the tree came falling down, all of the 'pots' came falling out. They splattered all over many of the warriors.

Satisfied for the moment, Kallabow took off back into the forest. leaving the entire Halbreed army bewildered and shocked.[/i]

-Justin

[Char!]

[color=teal][size=1]Hey James... I know Ami's not in Almaran... Ibs contacted her with some magic, and I assumed what with her being in Verdun, it would throw a nice twist into the story. I didn't know those two Humes in Final_Flash's post were you and SG. My mistake there. Ah well. :)[/size]

[i]How did this happen? Who did this?

Xeshiur's army was in a panic. Halbreed were running everywhere, and for a brief second he thought he was a child again, watching the Humes destroy his family and his home.

He shook his head and addressed the startled Halbreed:[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]Soldiers, stop!

[i]He was ignored. Perhaps he wasn't even heard... Xeshiur smirked. [/i]I will have to be louder,[i] Xeshiur thought.

[b]keeeeeeEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOWWWWWWW!!![/b]

Xeshiur let loose with his Howl attack once more, and nearly all of his troops stopped in their tracks. Some fell. Most covered their ears in agony. Xeshiur was not affected, obviously, and he strolled through the crowd looking at these pathetic excuses for members of his army. It was dark; the fire had been put out by the fallen tree. But no matter; they could all see just as well.

Xeshiur rubbed the back of his head. Whoever threw that rock knew a Halbreed's weakness. He was sure a bump would form there soon enough.[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]You call yourselves [i]warriors???[/i] You march in my army yet you cringe at the cowardly, hit-and-run attacks of [i]one[/i] Halbreed? When we face the Humes, will I expect the same behavior out of you?!

[i]Xeshiur looked at each Halbreed in the eyes. Each one lowered their heads, ashamed.[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]What will it take to show you that in war, attacks will happen! Staying calm and fighting back is the only way to win in a war! Whoever did this, they will pay eventually, but until then? Clean up the camp. Someone restart the fire.

[i]He pointed at three burly Halbreed.[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]And you three. Pick up that fallen pine tree. Bring it to the beach, along with carving tools.

[i]He looked at everyone once more.[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]You have your orders.

[i]He left camp and marched to the beach. Fortunately, that Zaius character was no longer there. He went close to the water, but kept far enough away to avoid the crashing waves. The full moon shone high above in the sky. Clouds obstucted most of the sky, but the moon was made an exception. He sat cross-legged there, and buried his head in his paws. [/i]How could this happen? If such events are made to be a habit, how will this ever work? We would not stand a chance without more Halbreed. Elves and Quart will surely help. Ibs will see to that...[i]


......Far away, below Thira Point, Ibs stood on a large rock. He was waving his arms and chanting a sacred Elfin spell. He was suprised he was even [/i]attempting[i] to do this. If the spell went wrong, or if he lost control...

The wind rose and the waves were getting stronger. Rain started to pour, drenching the small elf. Thunder sounded, and lightning struck over the sea. Ibs squinted and saw something shoot out from the water. It was enormous. Its wings were massive, and each beat of them sent gusts of wind into Ibs, even from far off. It was all he could do to stay standing.

The creature was pitch black. It possessed one horn at the top of its head. Its neck was thick and long, and connected to massive, muscular shoulders. Its legs were deadly-looking, and its feet each ended in sharp, long, scythelike claws. Its giant arms were no different. Its tail was at least twenty feet long, and with one swing, anything could be destroyed.

The creature was the only one capable of flying him to Oleron and Esperna. It was his only option. Still, as it soared towards Ibs, he wondered if this summoning spell was really such a good idea... He was beginning to fear for his life...

And he was extremely hot. He never before felt such intense heat. He dropped his arms and clutched his chest. The creature flew closer. Ibs's face turned bright red, then dark red, then an intense purple. The creature landed ten feet from him, menacingly large and obviously angry at being awoken from its rest. It stood fifty feet tall, and its wingspan twice that.

Ibs looked at his hand. It was on fire! It spread through his arm, and quickly engulfed the rest of his body. The relentless pouring of rain did nothing to stop the fire. Ibs screamed in agony, and when the flames reached his head, it [/i]exploded.[i]

The creature roared as bits of the elf's burning head singed parts of its body. Only a small amount of blood oozed from the burns. The creature was not afraid... Nothing could kill it. It took off again, and flew out over the waters, in the direction of the Isle of Dreams.

The rock it stood on had some of its blood on it...


It was[/color] [color=blue]blue...[/i][/color]

[James]

[i]The enormous black Missile Carriers were positioned in perfect alignment on the southern beach of Vanar Island.

For a moment, there was complete silence. But within moments, a small armoured vehicle made its way past the group, toward the ocean. It stopped just before the water.

The vehicle's hull had few obvious markings. The vehicle itself was somewhat egg-shaped, with a series of lines curving their way around the sides of the exterior.

Several lines on the left hand side of the vehicle began to widen, forming a defined curved shape on the hull. And suddenly, the curved shape folded outwards like a giant wing...and a man stepped out.

He was an elf, not a Hume. He was wearing an attractive Hume/Elf styled suit.

The two forward Missle Carriers opened up at the front, expelling several Verdun Troopers. They lined up infront of the mysterious man on the beach.[/i]

[b]???:[/b] Welcome, gentlemen. You know why you are here...

[i]The man raised his arm and gestured towards the ocean behind him.[/i]

[b]???:[/b] ...to destroy the targets as they are laid out on your overhead display units.

[i]The man paused. He didn't explain exactly [i]what[/i] the targets were. Nor did he explain [i]why[/i] they were being attacked; the troopers had a job to do and they weren't about to question orders.

The troopers nodded and marched back to their respective Missle Carriers. The man on the beach turned to face the ocean.

And slowly, he raised his arm into the air. Just as he did so, he dropped it again, signalling the commencement of attack.

Massive clouds of smoke and steam billowed from the Missle Carriers on the beach. The smoke swirled over the sand and surrounded the mysterious man's feet. He didn't move, he merely smirked arrogantly.

Even as the gigantic rockets began to launch behind him, one by one, with a series of thunderous roars, the man didn't move at all.

The man crossed his arms behind his back and looked up into the sky, watching the skyscraper-sized metallic cylanders cut through the clouds, leaving trails of white smoke behind them...[/i]

[The Harlequin]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Lacroix stood, facing the way they had come up. Turned away, he was unsure as to what was happening behind him. There was a lot of noise though. Unfamiliar with this kind of thing, Lacroix merely assumed that something had started. He could hear a loud voice over a loudspeaker, but the words were indistinct. It sounded more like a speech than anything else though. Certainly not the sound of a game starting. Lacroix heard a slight click, and he risked glancing around. Davien had risen the rifle, and was taking aim, his finger inching onto the trigger...[/I]

OOC: I'm really quite interested to see how people get out of this one. Sorry to force a move though.[/font][/color]

[Char!]

[color=teal][i]Xeshiur stared at it. He hadn't known it was [/i]that[i] big. How he would tackle such a monster of a-[/i]

[b]Halbreed 1: [/b]Where would you like it, sir?

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]Put it... Lay it down right over there.

[i]The three Halbreed lowered the tree onto the beach. It made an unsatisfying [b]thud[/b] before it sank into the white sand.

[b]Halbreed 2: [/b]Sir, you might want to know that-

[i]Xeshiur held up a paw. He approached the tree. He was not a very good craftsman, but he knew that Almaran Pine is very hard stuff, and impervious to many kinds of attacks. How it fell in the first place puzzled him, and he wanted to know the answers. [/i]Probably carpenter ants is all,[i] Xeshiur thought as he walked around to the jagged edge of what used to be the base of the tree.

Instead, what Xeshiur found caused him to leap back in terror. He turned around and faced the sea. What was that? A shadow?

For a moment Xeshiur thought he saw something in the night sky block out the moon. But when he took a closer look he saw nothing. Maybe it was too dark after all. [/i]Bah,[i] he thought, [/i]my eyes are playing tricks on me.[i]

He turned back to the tree. Inside the trunk were bones of long dead Halbreed. They had obviously died very painful deaths. ribs were broken, skulls were crushed in, arms and leg were dismembered.

Also inside the trunk... Hume weaponry. The same odd staffs he saw kill his family. Xeshiur dropped to his knees and bowed his head. It was all he could do not to cry in front of his troops.

He stood again. He turned to the three who had brought the tree to him. [/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]Did you know these were here?

[b]Halbreed 3: [/b]We saw it when we picked it up. We kept it from view of the others, we didn't want to start another panic, sir.

[b]Halbreed 2: [/b]We tried to tell you, sir, but you cut us off.

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]Hmm...

[i]Xeshiur looked back at the moon. [/i]Those bones signify war. A war that never really ended. The Humes... will... pay...

[i]Xeshiur began to walk away, back towards the forest.[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]Gather those metallic staffs. Bring them back to camp.

[i]He stopped. With his back still turned, he spoke quietly:[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]And... and bury the skeletons. We will wait for your return. Do not mention the bodies to anyone. Please.

We walked again. The three Halbreed looked at each other, and solemnly carried out their orders.[/i]

[size=1][/color]I'm kinda in a hurry, so please excuse any rushed sense you get from reading this.[/color][/size]

[Justin]

[i]Kallabow dropped in on Zaius, who was looking at something in a box. Something he was quick to cover up[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Kallabow_Avatar2.gif[/img] Kallabow: How many?

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Zaius_Avatar.gif[/img] Zaius: A little over 15. Less than I'd like...

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Kallabow_Avatar2.gif[/img] Kallabow: More than we'll need. Are they ready?

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Zaius_Avatar.gif[/img] Zaius: I told them I'd come gather them together when I was ready for them. I told them to be ready.


[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Kallabow_Avatar2.gif[/img] Kallabow: Let's hope that they are. Come.

[i]Kallabow moved swiftly across the main road of the town, and then let Zaius take the lead, going to each Halbreed's house and bring ing the resident of it to the next, and so on. When all were gathered, Kallabow led them into the forest.[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Zaius_Avatar.gif[/img] Zaius: Gentlemen, this Halbreed is Kallabow. [i]The[/i] Kallabow.

[i]Kallabow almost winced at the introduction. He'd almost prefer if these younger Halbreed not know his identity. They would be in awe of actually meeting[/i] Kallabow.

Halbreed 1: Kallabow is dead. He went missing years ago.

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Kallabow_Avatar2.gif[/img] Kallabow: I am Kallabow. And you'll shut up and listen to what I say, and you'll do what I say.

[i]Everyone fell silent.[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Kallabow_Avatar2.gif[/img] Kallabow: It is our intention to train you...[i]gentlemen[/i]...in the art of war.

Halbreed 1: But we cannot defeat the Humes!

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Kallabow_Avatar2.gif[/img] Kallabow: To be so young, you have a wild tongue. How do you know I wasn't talking about training to invade someone? How do you I had intentions of fighting at all? Shut your mouth, before I shut it for you!

[i]The young Halbreed remained quiet.[/i]


[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Kallabow_Avatar2.gif[/img] Kallabow: Good.

-Justin

[James]

[i]Luca, Rasanak and Ami made their way around the side of the Arena, toward the players' entrance.

They could see two Hume guards standing at the entrance, holding titanium phaser guns at the ready.

The trio crouched down behind some bushes near the players' entrance, to consider their plans.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Luca_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Luca:[/b] So how are we going to get to the locker room?

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Amadrienia_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Ami:[/b] I have some elemental magic abilities...I can take that pair out from here, before they even raise the alarm.

[i]Luca shook his head.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Luca_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Luca:[/b] No, we can't do that...someone might see their bodies. And I don't want to kill them...

[i]Rasanak tapped Luca on the shoulder.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Rasanak_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Rasanak:[/b] Umm...why don't you just use your staff to stun 'em? It has lightning abilities, doesn't it?

[i]Luca nodded and held up his staff, setting it to lightning mode.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Rasanak_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Rasanak:[/b] Okay, Ami and I will distract them, while you come in from behind and stun them...okay?

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Luca_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Luca:[/b] Alright. Let's do it!

[i]Rasanak and Ami both unsheathed their weapons (Rasanak's spear and Ami's twin blades) and approached the two guards.[/i]

[b]Guard 1:[/b] Hey!! You there! What are you doing back here?!

[i]The guard charged his titanium phaser to "stun".

Rasanak held up his spear.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Rasanak_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Rasanak:[/b] We thought we could sneak into the game, of course! What are ya gonna do about it?!

[i]The two guards looked at each other and aimed their phasers.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Rasanak_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Rasanak:[/b] C'mon! Go for it!

[i]The two guards began firing their phasers in Ami and Rasanak's direction. Rasanak swung his spear around in the air with surprising grace, deflecting the various laser beams with relative ease.

The second guard was firing on Ami, but she was too quick for him. She was backflipping and diving sideways, avoiding the laser beams -- and occasionally lifting her daggers to deflect the fire.

The second guard began walking toward Ami, firing over and over again. But she didn't give any ground -- as the laser fire struck the ground near her feet, she summersaulted forward and through one of her daggers toward the guard; the blade of the dagger became lodged in the barrel of the guard's phaser.

He fired again, but this time nothing came out of the phaser. Instead, the phaser blew back on itself...the resulting mini-explosion sent the guard spiralling backwards toward the ground.

Meanwhile, Rasanak was still deflecting the first guard's fire. The first guard seemed a little more skilled -- as Rasanak attempted to strike him with his spear, the guard skillfully dodged the attacks.

Rasanak was getting more frustrated and suddenly, he lunged at the guard with his spear. The guard grabbed the spear and pulled it out of Rasanak's hands, sending him sprawling forwards onto the ground, face first.

He held the phaser over Rasanak's head. But just before he could fire, a burst of white light erupted from behind him, sending millions of tiny lightning bolts all over his body. His entire body shuddered for a moment and then he fell backwards onto the ground, dropping his phaser as he did so.

Luca was standing behind him, his staff glowing softly from the charge.

Luca walked over and helped Rasanak up. Ami had been able to dislodge her dagger from the second guard's phaser and was now standing next to Luca and Rasanak.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Amadrienia_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Ami:[/b] I don't know if the other guard is dead...but he sure doesn't look good.

[i]Luca nodded.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Luca_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Luca:[/b] I'm sorry, Ami. I should have known that saving the Chancellor would not be an easy task. And we haven't even entered the Arena yet! I know you probably didn't plan to be fighting with Hume security guards...

[i]Ami smiled and sheathed her daggers.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Amadrienia_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Ami:[/b] Hey, I said I'd help you guys, didn't I? I'm not the kind of person to go back on a promise. I know this will be hard...but I want to help you. I believe that you are doing the right thing. :)

[i]Luca and Rasanak both smiled. Ami seemed genuine to them. Neither of them had ever really known an elf -- even in school as kids, they'd never seen elves. They guessed, on retrospect, that elven parents didn't want their children to be corrupted in the Hume educational system...especially since magic was outlawed.

Luca knew that Ami must have been courageous. She was clearly a magic user, even though she hadn't used any magic to defeat the security guard. Magic was a very dangerous thing in Verdun, especially if you were caught using it.

Even the use of one spell could ensure that Ami would spend a decade of her life inside Solace Prison.

Despite these concerns, Luca knew that Ami's arrival was a perfect stroke of luck. Without her airship, they would probably never be able to escape the island. Afterall, they knew they were protecting the Chancellor -- but to outside observers, it would look like a kidnapping. Luca hadn't thought of things this way before, but he knew that it was a risk. And if he was seen to be a kidnapper, the authorities would be on the island within the blink of an eye...and he and Rasanak would be spending the rest of their natural lives in Solace Prison.

Luca didn't know where they could go, once they lift off (assuming that they could be successful in rescuing the Chancellor). But he thought the best place to go was probably a quiet, out of the way place...perhaps a town in Almaran would be suitable as a makeshift hideout, whilst things cool down.

Rasanak gestured toward the players' entrance of the Arena. It was time to go and get the Chancellor...[/i]

[Char!]

[color=teal][i]Morning...

It had been days since Xeshiur discovered the pile of skeletons and weapons inside the fallen tree. He was growing restless. Why were they staying here, anyway? It's served no purpose. What they should have been doing, instead of staying in the same ambushed camp, was heading back to Windhyte Village, then to Aquaduct City.

Xeshiur sighed. The tree hid forty-three Hume staffs. Only thirty-five were in good working condition. They were most likely obsolete by now, but are still much more powerful than swords, clubs, and arrows.

Xeshiur growled. He couldn't take waiting anymore. What was going on back at Thira Town? The question had been poking at him for some time now. [/i]If they are not willing to fight, should they just be going about their business again?[i]

Xeshiur got up from where he was kneeling and called four Halbreed to his position. They banged their chests with their right fists, as form of saluting.[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]Listen up. I have orders for you four. Go to the edge of Thira Town. Quietly. Do not let anyone see you. See if they are doing anything suspicious, anything that may get in our way. Report back to me before nightfall. Understood?

[b]Halbreed 1:[/b]Um... We're supposed to do what now with the what-what?

[i]Xeshiur growled. [/i]The idiocy of these people![i] Xeshiur struck the Halbreed, and he fell to the ground. Xeshiur looked at him, then at the terrified three, and sighed.[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]Bah, I will go with you brainless fools, just to make sure you do not get [i]lost[/i] anywhere.

[i]Xeshiur gathered the rest of his troops and notified them of what was to happen. He ordered them to stay here until they return. Miraculously, they seemed to understand, and looked confident that they could handle whatever may happen in the general's absence.

So Xeshiur and the three other Halbreed carefully made their way to Thira Town. They went around the main gates. They turned north and crept silently to the northern borders. If Xeshiur recalled, the forestation was quite dense there. They would be able to see and hear much of what was going on without being seen or heard themselves.

Sure enough, as they headed north, they had to wind around more and more trees, and once Xeshiur was satisfied that they were in the right place, they stopped. He ordered them to get on all fours and crawl forward, closer to the town. Closer. Closer. Now, a few skinny birch trees were the only thing between them and the small grass prarie that was part of Thira Town.

Xeshiur could see the huts. He saw firewood next to doors. He saw buckets of water. All seemed normal, except that there were no Halbreed. The place looked deserted. One hut obstructed his view from the main square.

He ordered his men to follow him, as he crawled west about twenty-five feet. He looked back, and saw... nothing. The main square was just as barren as the rest of the town. Xeshiur walked out from his hiding place, into the field, and onto the dirt road. The three others followed.

Xeshiur was stunned. [/i]How could everyone disappear?[i] He noticed again the place where his house once stood. He moved slowly, silently, and peeked in the window. No one there.

He moved inside and looked around. This seemed to be a place of business. Tools lay organized on a bench. A large bucket of water stood next to the bench. An anvil stood bolted to the floor behind it.

Xeshiur sat down in the large chair. He looked out the window, and thought he saw something crash through it, something that would explode. He shook his head and looked again. Nothing.

Out of sheer spite, he grabbed one of the tools off the bench and left. Back on the street, Xeshiur noticed the other three quietly and swiftly check the other houses. There wasn't a soul anywhere.

Something caught Xeshiur's eye. He looked up, at the roof of one of one of the huts. He saw a Halbreed draw back quickly out of sight. It was a female. She looked scared, but she seemed to know what she was doing. Xeshiur yelled for the others and scrambled up the wall of the hut and peeked over the roof. He saw the Halbreed back on the ground, behind the hut, fleeing into the woods. She was defintitely female, about forty, maybe a few years younger.

Xeshiur jumped back down, and was about to chase off after her when he realized that she may be leading them to a trap. He backed away and stopped his men, who didn't seem to know that when the general stops, you stop also.

In a rage, Xeshiur slammed a paw into the wall of the hut. He was sick of playing games with the people of Thira Town. He ordered his troops to set two huts on fire. He watched as the Halbreed piled hay around them, and smiled as they set them to burn. [/i]That will send a nice message to these cowards,[i] Xeshiur thought as he laughed.

And with that, they made their way safely back to camp. Xeshiur didn't want to be around when the residents of those huts came back to see their homes turned to ash. When the four returned to camp, Xeshiur told everyone to gather their supplies. They did, and for the rest of the day they headed back to the abandoned Windhyte Village.[/i]




[b]Bleh, come on, peoples...:rolleyes:[/b][/color]

[Char!]

[color=teal][size=1]Yes, double posts are against rules, but c'mon, what is there left to do?[/size]

[i]Xeshiur sniffed the air. It was familiar, as if there was such a thing as familiarity. It was the smell of fresh grass, of sweet flowers and off rugged pines and maples. It was the smell of the Windhyte Plains.

It was a southerly wind that pushed these smells towards the Almaran Army. Home was a few hundred feet away. They could see the empty huts and lonely streets. Despite the fact that they knew the huts would soon be filled again, and the streets busy, the sight of such a barren landscape depressed nearly everyone.

Xeshiur stood in front of his group, surveying the scene. A small campfire caught his eye. A thin trail of smoke rose slowly towards the heavens. [/i]That should not be there,[i] Xeshiur thought. [/i]Who has infiltrated our village?

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]Come. Let us see who is responsible for that fire...

[i]They made their way towards the village entrance. The smell of smoke mingled with the pleasant aromas of the nearby plain. As they got closer to the fire they heard voices. Unusually plain, meek voices.

[/i]Hume[i] voices. Three of them...

An intense feeling began to bubble up from within Xeshiur. It spread throughout his body, causing him to tremble with rage. He clenched and unclenched his paws, he bared his teeth, and suddenly he lost all characteristics of a sane Halbreed and charged in the direction of the Humes.[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]Arrrghhhh!!! I will kill you!!!

[i]Right about this time the Humes noticed that this was indeed an occupied village. Before any of them could even get up Xeshiur was on them, clawing, biting, slashing and howling. He had completely forgotten who and where he was. He was so infuriated that, after the short scuffle, he was covered in Hume blood.

He looked around him. The three Humes lay dead. Worse than dead.

They were literally torn apart. Their heads were smashed in, their arms and legs were severed from their now hollow midsection. Xeshiur lay in a pool of not only Hume blood, but Hume organs and bone.

Xeshiur spat. More bright red blood. He wiped his mouth, and faced his cowering, staring soldiers. He stared back.[/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Xeshiur: [/b]I-

[i]He stopped. The anger he felt moments ago had been replaced by shame. Trembling now of embarrassment and vulnerability, he ran, as quickly as he could, into the forest where his old hut stood.

He slammed the door. It swung off its hinges.

Xeshiur sobbed...


Meanwhile... In a place far northwest of Almaran, an ancient castle stood perched at the edge of a cliff. Its walls were crumbling, stones were missing, and three of the five towers hd long since been leveled.

Thick clouds covered the sky, and thunder rolled. Rythymic gales of wind swept around the castle. [/i][b]WOOSH... WOOSH... WOOSH...[/b][i]

A dark cloud moved towards the castle. It was very fast, and [/i]very[i] dark.

[/i][b]WOOSH... WOOSH... WOOSH...[/b][i]

That was no cloud...[/i][/color]

[James]

[size=1]Eek...sorry about the delay everyone. What with OBv6 and everything else, I haven't had time to think. If you guys are interested, we can keep this going. ^_^

I hope I don't make any historical mistakes here...I think it should be ok...[/size]

[i]Luca, Rasanak and Ami made their way along the dark hallway. There were no distinctive features about the walls or floor; the only thing they knew for sure was that it was cold and dark. Every now and then, Rasanak remarked that this couldn't possibly be the players' entrance.

The hall was extremely long -- the core of the Arena itself was actually situated deep within the island's forest. The outer ring of the Arena was used to stop unauthorized access to the core. As they walked, Luca and Rasanak checked and double checked their weapons. They didn't want to be caught off guard. Ami, on the other hand, seemed perfectly calm. She didn't seem at all worried about what they were doing (and the fact that for what they were about to do, they could easily earn a life sentence in Solace Prison).[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Luca_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Luca:[/b] You seem so calm, Ami. Why are you helping us?

[i]Ami continued looking forward intently, keeping her daggers held up by her sides.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Amadrienia_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Ami:[/b] You think about things too much.

[i]Luca smiled.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Luca_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Luca:[/b] C'mon...there must be a real reason. You don't just enter a situation like this without a reason.

[i]Ami stopped and sat her hands on her hips. She eyed Luca cautiously.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Amadrienia_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Ami:[/b] I know that what you're doing is right. Oleron is being threatened by Verdun as we speak. It will only be a matter of days before some sort of attack. Do you think I want to let that happen?

[i]Luca shook his head.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Amadrienia_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Ami:[/b] Exactly. I might be a wanderer...but I love my home. I don't know exactly what the situation is surrounding this Chancellor guy...but he might be the key to stopping the attack. He's in the Verdun Government. He knows what's going on. Maybe I can speak to him privately about it...

[i]Rasanak glared at Ami.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Rasanak_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Rasanak:[/b] Are you saying what I [i]think[/i] you're saying? Threaten the Chancellor?

[i]Ami looked down at her feet and kicked at the floor absently.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Amadrienia_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Ami:[/b] All I know is...this guy might be the key to stopping a full scale war. I have [i]family[/i] in the capital. I don't want to lose them...

[i]Luca glanced at Rasanak and focused his gaze back on Ami.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Luca_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Luca:[/b] It's okay, Ami. We understand. Let's just get this over with, shall we?

[i]Ami nodded and the group started walking again.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the trio saw a large archway at the end of the hall. Light was streaming in from the other side, despite the fact that it was the middle of the night. Luca checked his watch. It was 11:13 PM in Verdun at the moment. The game would have already started.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Luca_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Luca:[/b] Damn! The game has started! What are we supposed to do now?

[i]Rasanak clutched his spear tightly.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Rasanak_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Rasanak:[/b] I know one thing for sure; there's no way we'll be able to convince Chancellor Hikaru to come with us. He has no idea what's going on...

[i]Luca and Ami both nodded.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Rasanak_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Rasanak:[/b] But hey, he's a politician. A powerful one. I know exactly what we can do to get his attention!

[i]Luca looked puzzled.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Rasanak_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Rasanak:[/b] What's the one thing all politicians love more than anything else?

[i]Luca and Ami looked at each other and shrugged.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Rasanak_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Rasanak:[/b] WOMEN!

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Luca_Avatar.gif[/IMG] & [IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Amadrienia_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Luca & Ami:[/b] O_O

[i]Rasanak laughed to himself.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Rasanak_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Rasanak:[/b] It's easy! We'll dress Ami up in something pretty, hide her in the Chancellor's private room...and send him a fake message, saying that the Arena's Chairman has a special gift for him.

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Luca_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Luca:[/b] You think he'll fall for it?

[i]Rasanak nodded.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Rasanak_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Rasanak:[/b] For sure! ^_^

[i]Ami nodded in agreement.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Rasanak_Avatar.gif[/IMG] [b]Rasanak:[/b] Okay...let's get on with it...

[Break]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Amadrienia_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Ami:[/b] So where are we going to get the pretty clothes for me?

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Rasanak_Avatar.gif[/IMG][b]Rasanak:[/b] I'm not quite sure, we've gone too far to turn back and go to some shops now.

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Luca_Avatar.gif[/img] [b]Luca:[/b] Hmm.. where would we find dresses in this place..?

[i]The three thinked.[/i]

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Rasanak_Avatar.gif[/IMG][b]Rasanak:[/b] I got it!

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/images/Amadrienia_Avatar.gif[/img][b]Ami:[/b] Wha? Where can you get them from?

[IMG]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Rasanak_Avatar.gif[/IMG][b]Rasanak:[/b] Well... you know that there is normally a half time act in between the two halves of the game? There are sure to be some pretty ladies who perform in that act, so they must have costumes to wear.

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Luca_Avatar.gif[/img] [b]Luca:[/b] And where do we find these?

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Rasanak_Avatar.gif[/img] [b]Rasanak:[/b] The changing rooms!

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/j-otaku/images/Amidreinia_Avatar.gif[/img] [b]Ami:[/b]Let's go then..

[i]The three of them walked off to find the changing rooms in the huge inner part of the stadium.[/i]

[Char!]

[color=teal][size=1]Whoa... We're starting this up again? I don't even remember what I was doing... And who is Break...?[/size]

[i]Xeshiur had not left his hut since that gruesome incident. He was far too ashamed to face his people. He wanted to give up, he wanted to stay there forever and let eternity wash over him, its gentle waves sweep through his soul forever.

He sat on the wooden floor, gazing at the fireplace. It had seemed to captivate him in a way he couldn't grasp.

He was failing to grasp anything lately... It seemed as though his mind had slowed down, and things simply refused to connect. He could try as hard and as long as possible, but the ideas in his head wouldn't organize themselves.

Fire is warm...

Fire destroys, it kills...

[/i][b]I[/b][i] kill...

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img][/i][b]Xeshiur: [/b]I did not even bother to get information from them... [i]Why[/i] were they there? What was their reason?[i]

The flames licked the air. A few embers flew out and burned some of his hairs; he barely noticed. He stood, and his eyes wandered towards the Saber. It was resting comfortably against the wall, inside its leather sheath.

He picked it up, and held it in his paws. It really was a fine sword...

He walked slowly outside. His senses seemed dulled, and he barely noticed the light patter of rain that had started almost an hour ago.

He didn't care.

Xeshiur flung the Saber into the air, and closed his eyes. He knew what to do; he would concentrate on the blade, and would take control of the animal essences inside it. He would then direct the spinning sycthe blade at his throat...

He could see the Saber in his mind. It was still rising from the force of the throw. Xeshiur calmed, and the Saber slowed. It stopped in the air, about one hundred feet above him. It started to spin, very slowly at first, then faster...

[b]BLUE BLOOD AT THE CASTLE IT'S THERE WHAT YOU HAVE HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR IN THE THE CASTLE IT'S IT'S THERE YOU'LL FIND IT IT IT IT YOU MUST SAVE IT FROM THEM MUST SAVE SAVE IT IT'S WHAT WHAT MATTERS IN THE CASTLE THE CASTLE BLUE IT'S BLUE YOU YOU YOU YOU MUST SAVE IT BLOOD IS IS BLUE IN THE CASTLE ON THE CLIFF ON THE ON THE CLIFF BLUE BLOOD SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE IT IT IT IT BLOOD BLUE CASTLE BLUE!!![/i]

[img]http://www.itsmysite.com/n-sider/Images/Xeshiur_Avatar.gif[/img]Xeshiur: [/b]Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!![i]

Xeshiur's legs gave out from under him, as his body crumpled like a puppet. The Saber fell beside him, unaimed.

What [/i]was[i] that??? He looked around, but couldn't see anything but a blur. Those words came form no voice, they were like balloons exploding in his head. Thoughts that were simply there, in a force which could shake the whole of Gaia.

Xeshiur fainted...[/color][/i]