Darkness.

[Zoycite]

It was warm all around her. It was Kal, the power he had seemed to have lost or hid was showing now. Eyes watched Kal closely as he put the gauntlet back on. She noticed that he bled no more, so it was a temporary fix. A smile crossed her lips as she looked up at her companion, her innocence showed through her face even with all the black jewelry. "Shall we camp then? We can use your hand as a light!" she chuckled.

There wasn't much in this world. It was dark and hateful. To be honest she was exhausted, and looking at Kal he probably hadn't had a decent sleep in years either. Dreams haunted her at every rest. But this world, this plane, probably wouldn't allow her to rest peacefully either. "Are you hungry? I have dried meat..."

She smiled up at him. She couldn't remember if he had every eaten in her presence and when they would frequent taverns he only ever ordered water, which she couldn't recall if he ever drank it. She knew not a lot about him now that she thought about it. Then again he didn't know much about her past either, she perferred it that way. Low voices spoke to her "We will show him what you are, princesssss.... he is the light that will banish you...

She shook her head, "No..." Head rest upon his chest. She stood up slowly, dusting herself off. "I will follow you as I always have."

[Kalamos]

He watched her as she leaned against him, she seemed distant. She even muttered to herself. Like she was talking to someone else entirely, when she looked up at him, he remained as he was; Nodding and speaking, "Camp sounds like a good idea." He stood up himself, he forgot how much taller he was than her. He took off his travel pack and began to unload his camping tent and supplies. He didn't answer her about the food immediately. Setting up the tent didn't take him long at all, he could've done it sleeping from having used it for so long. He moved some rocks and formed a fire area with them. From his travel pack, he withdrew a mantle that he promptly donned, hiding his glowing hand while he worked. It was his hooded mantle that he wore in stormy weather. Drawing out some powder and collecting kindle, he cast a spark into a collection of twigs he had placed into the pit. His face was empty as he moved; Almost mechanical were his motions. He was with her now after so many years of searching, but he wasn't feeling anything. No passion for life, no passion for her, it was like whatever he felt for her before was gone. Still, he buried that feeling and wore a happier face while he worked to make a worthy camp for them.

 Casting larger sticks into the blossomming fire he continued to move around. Moving into the tent to place all his personal belongings in their usual places. He spoke, "I'll be out shortly." Inside the tent he began removing his full armor. Starting with the mantle which was folded and placed on the tent canvas flooring. Eventually, he stepped out of the tent, un-armored. He looked less bulky, and the fire the leaked from his hand was now unshielded. It didn't set fire to his tunic, being in it's direct light wouldn't harm star from the distance he was at. He drove his blade scabbard into the ground near where he would take his seat.

 The exposed flame around his hand moved awkwardly, gave off no smoke. It was just repeatedly curling around his forearm. The look on his face was that of hidden sorrow; A face that tried to look happy, but would fool no one. The flame on his arm lashed out at anything that neared it, it fried many bugs that attempted to land on his arm. It lashed at the ground nearest it. It killed the grass around him without actually setting fire to it; And it didn't set fire to his own clothing. When nothing near it lived, it resumed curling around his forearm. He reached out and grabbed one of the three water skins he kept. He filled one of his makeshift dishes, and laid it on the ground for Nall, he drank what remained in it.

[Zoycite]

He stood up and she took two steps back, with his huge stature she cowered a bit. He answered her briefly and began to set up camp. Not a word was spoken, not a smile made. What was wrong with him? Maybe he was just tired. He then retreated to the tent. She sat by the fire, removing her blade and one of her daggers. The white wolf sat beside her. Eyes turned to the snowy figure, "He seems... sad." Kal returned, no armor. She hadn't seen him like that forever it seemed. A smile crossed her lips as she stood up. The energy around his arm could be felt. She knew to stay away from the curious being curling around his arm. She slowly walked over to his side, gentle hand placed upon his shoulder. Her voice dropped, almost too calm of a tone, "Something is wrong. Tell me on your own time. I am going to put my belongings in the tent." She knew he would never tell her, he rarely did. She stopped at the entrance of the tent and turned back to look at him, "Kal, sweetness, rinse your hair out. It's matted with blood. Don't want to attract anymore people to us, your arm is doing a fine job of it."

-Nall had padded over to Kal's side to join him in a meal. He always was beside Star except when Kal was around. He was usually found laying by his feet.-

That was a bit callus even for her. She gave a slight shrug and into the tent she went. She removed her pouches and dropped them to the floor. A book fell out and pictures rained down, scattering on the floor. A slight sigh escaped her lips as she slipped to the ground, taking a seat. She rubbed her neck, eyes closing. As she opened them, a glimmer caught her eye, it was among his things. She knew she shouldn't be curious but it got the best of her. She crawled to his things. She found maps, the old maps Kal would draw out. Opening one of them, she saw that it was the one with the Stormblades' mansion on it; it brought her back to the first day they met. He had asked where she came from and he drew it on the map. A smile crossed soft pillows but soon faded as she rolled the map back up and turned to the gauntlet. That was the thing giving off the light. She was mezmerised. She reached for it Yessssss take it... She did take it, placed it upon her arm. Of course, it didn't fit, it was too big; it went past her elbow. She started to chuckle but soon went dead silent. There was someting wrong, this power was not Kal's light. It was something else, something much more powerful, something not of this world. She felt it: death. She had felt death before, she knew this feeling well: no emotions, no soul, no voices... calm and yet hateful. She felt nothing, nothing at all. The choker around her neck began to tighten. "No..." she scrambled to get the gauntlet off. The shadows had begun to surround it and hold it against her arm, they wanted to take her. She ripped off the damned thing finally and threw it on the other side of the tent, followed by the toss of the mantle to cover it. "What is going on? Why does Kal posses this power? This feeling of the dead..."

A shiver ran up her back as she began to think that maybe Kal was in fact dead. Her mind went back to the first time she saw the new elf (Thorlan) and she had thought he was the cause of Kal's death... but Kal was right there... had he been killed and brought back? Reincarnated? The light will be your death.... he will bring you down... Eyes looked around the tent, scanning his belongings. And there it was: Kal's book, the Tome of Energy. It called to her, taunted her . He was always so protective of the book, he constantly wrote in it. She looked at it once long ago, he told her she couldn't read it, allowed her to take a gander; the ink disappeared before her eyes. He had put an enchantment on it. She grabbed the book and placed it upon her lap. Delicate fingers traced the worn cover. She took a deep breath in, opened it and lost herself in the musty smell. She thumbed through it, couldn't understand the strange symbols. She was surprised the ink was visible to her, although she couldn't read it. She placed a timid hand upon the page, tracing the strange symbols.

She was taken to another place. There was a war going on, she turned and saw an elf. He had excellent aim, hitting people with one shot through the head. She took closer look, it was him. There was death all around her. The drow elf turned and spoke to her, called her Kalamos. Eyes looked down at her hand, too big to be her own and the blade she held was not hers, but rather Kal's. She was looking through his eyes! She watched as she... no he... tried to end the war, but in doing so innocent lives were lost and hate for himself came with the guilt. Fast Foward... she was looking at herself. Watched her every move. Loved seeing her, hated seeing her. Wanting to lust for her, afraid to do so. 'No can't tell her... won't believe it..' Every action, she watched herself, she looked more angelic through his eyes... fast forward her again: glowing eyes, hated look, fangs and wings; knife cut across his hand, allowed her to feed. she hated herself his other hand moved and caress her hair. another time Saw Nall chasing sticks that he threw. Again visions flew by Dying woman. she didn't know this woman... watching the dying woman and the one who loved her. He wanted that, wanted the love that was pure and true. Looking at the woman, her features twisted and molded to form Star, green hair sprouted from her head. Eyes quickly to the man, who now looked like Kal. Head shaking, this could have been him and Star. Now he realized how much he long for Star's return, her gentle smile. He had to help this couple. He performed a dangerous spell, soul stitching: tied her soul to his, to buy them some time so she may be healed. He saved that woman, risked his life to save love, or was it hope? A tear fell from her eye, she wanted love so badly... Visions fast foward once more Fire all around, eyes looked left and right, she, rather he, was on fire A whimper escaped her lips Angel wings wrapped around and then opened. There was a being in front of him, the fire lashing out at the creature. This being was covered in shadow, and soon forced down a tunnel of silverlight... and Kal was the angelic savior she knew him to be.

Her hand was thrown off the book as eyes opened. She shut the book quickly and stood up. She backed away from the book, breathing heavily. She saw things she wanted to know... she saw things she shouldn't have seen. But he at one point loved her, but why not tell her? She never told him... Star was defeated, she slumped to her knees again, head hung low and she cried. Watching clips of his life killing the innocents had reminded her of her past and the ones she murdered.

[Kalamos]

Kalamos remained seated as nall joined him. Petting the large animal while he drank. He felt something pulse through him, a power so great it stole the breath from his lungs. The release of power from his book was intense, the time he spent enchanting that book long ago was considerable, and he carried it with him almost at all times, pouring his energy and knowledge into it. The release of that power could be felt for large distances all around. Regaining himself, he continued to drink his water. He knew that meant she read his book, she wouldn't have any questions for him. The energy flowing out of that tent was his old power. The powers before he had re-taught himself how to fight, how to live. It was nostalgic, it brought to mind his past; His naive heart. The sight in his minds eye of the many he butchered in the name of justice, of balance. Pulling those thoughts from the depths of his mind brought more of his hatred for himself to the surface. He was so misguided by the illusions of heroism and virtue that he never realized he was only casting more people not guilty into the next world. He only justified the actions as a means to an end, and even at this day, he still felt his blade carving through a crying victim on that battlefield. The dreams of his past were nothing but nightmares, nightmares that he had created when he followed his 'great' vision. Here infront of a warm campfire, he felt the sick dread he's always felt. He cast another stick into the fire.

[Zoycite]

She wiped the tears from her face, composed herself. Deep breath in, breath out. She stood up, brushing the dust from her clothes, moved the book back to its place among his things. She moved to right outside the tent entrance and just watched Kal. Now she realized why he never spoke of his past, the reasons were very much the same as hers. He had done horrible things in his life. Nothing like the things she had done. Kal at least tried to be a hero; she murdered people because it was fun. Her rage was so much more intense when she was younger, she couldn't control it, she never wanted to. Throughout the years she was taught how to, taught how to control and what was the right and wrong thing to do. Ironically it was all taught to her by a clan of outcast vampires and their friends, the creatures that had to feed on the living to survive were the ones whom taught her not to kill for fun but rather survival. She had become a spy and an assasian for them, she had become a sister and a mother for them.

Still she watched her love. Would he try to be a hero and bring her down as well? Would he be the light that banished her to a permanent sleep? She knew she wouldn't stop him because she couldn't. Her opinion of him didn't change, it never could for she had a darker past then even his. And she cared for him so. She wanted to run to him, to embrace him, beg him to never let her go. She knew she couldn't not with the Azriel like light moving up his arm. "So, what is it?" she was referring to the fire that circled his arm.

[Kalamos]

He raised his glowing eyes to her, "I don't know what it is or how to control it; I only know what it does, and what it seems made to do." His burning arm tremored as he spoke. He could feel all the muscles in it tensing up. His brow furrowed underneath his hair. He began to lower his head, it was very painful. He had no sense of feeling or control in his right hand, only the sensation of warmth that elevated to one of burning. He spoke out in a gasping breath, "Keep distance from me until it's over. Whatever you do, don't let the fire get you." It was like a constant dragging blade across his forearm. It felt as if something was trying to cut some part of him away. He gritted his teeth and grasped at his hand. It was raw hot metal coursing through his hand. His threshold for this pain was incredible though, the first time it happened he was screaming his lungs out within minutes of the appearance of it, and the pain lasted for what felt like eternity. His waking moments during that single event were spent hoping that it would just end. He rolled away from Nall and Star, forcing back tears of pain. His breathing degenerated into hisses of pain through his teeth. He knew this was the beginning of the nightmare this fire brought with it. There was no change in his forearm's appearance of his own. Just an increasing amount of intense power in his right hand. The fire's presence became more dense, more concentrated and began to lash out at things further from Kalamos, killing everything it touched.

[Zoycite]

Arms crossed as she looked at him, listening to what he had to say. He had jumped up and moved away a safe distance from Nall and herself. Teal eyes watched the man she loves be in pain, white light moving all around him. She was bold, her father gave her that will, she started to walk towards him. She couldn't bear to see him in pain like that. Light lashed towards her, she was caught off guard on how quickly it moved through the air; she jumped back just in time. Eyes watched it though, dancing light of the dead, oh how she wanted to touch it. Hand reached for it slowly, "Yesssss princcccessss. Touch eeet. Come back hooome to usssssss."

Kal's voice brought her back to reality. Hand snapped back, feet stepping towards the tent. Was she supposed to stand there and watch him in pain? Sighing to herself she slumped to her knees. She watched Kal; Nall moved to her side. Tongue lapped at her hand, trying to comfort her. "What am I supposed to do? I can only sit by and watch, like I did when father had created the Baltzegaurd... sit and watch like I did when mother and father were murdered." She was defeated.

Part if her was destroyed, not being able to help and part of her was angry with him for not letting her try to help. Angry at herself for being the cause of all of this. "The liiiight. It burrrrnsssss you, princccessss. Love...it wassss the downfall of ourrr Massssterrrrr." She closed her eyes and just listened to Kal's struggle with the white light. A gentle smirk crossed her lips.

[Thorlan]

The drow closed his eyes and leaned against a tree, frustrated with recent events, or the lack of events as of late. When he came to this world he had found that he was needed, and was more than willing to help against those that threatened the realm he had joined with as his home to fight off those who wanted to destroy it.  He remembered the many adventures he shared with friends, many of which he had not seen in several years. He cursed again at the most recent upset in which he had been distracted and failed to make an easy bowshot for his dinner. He thought harder on that now, slinging the bow over his back once more and walking down a small forest path, what had distracted him?
His eyes opened once more, scanning the area for any sign that something may be coming after him, alerting him in any way but no signs came to him. He shook his head and placed his hand on the hilt of his blade, Uusretiqua, one that he had come to trust almost as much as he trusted his own thoughts.
He smiled at the thought, shaking his head at the blade, as any sentient might, she too tried to take over his mind at times. He did indeed trust the blade, but never as far as he would trust his own thinking.

He drew the blade, focusing on it's energy and the energies around him. His eyes flashed open as an incredible energy rushed through the blade and past him, an incredible energy that he had seen unleashed in the past, though it was different from before there was no mistaking that it had come from a man that he trusted more so than the blade that he now held. A smirk crossed his face and he moved forward, "What surprises have you in store for me this time, my friend?"

He almost laughed at the giddy feeling he felt as he began to move, though it quickly subsided as he remembered the burst of energy, if Kalamos were to unleash a spell that powerful he would have noticed something more than just the energy. He cursed his own foolishness and began to move even quicker towards the source of the energy, knowing the man well enough to realize that if he were to unleash somethign that powerful he faced something menacing indeed.

[Kalamos]

His pain intensified, he felt like the flame was reaching deeper into himself for something. It felt like it was flaying him live. Burning subsided to a far more real pain as he stopped rolling. He hadn't the willpower to usher out screams beyond the first, and that alone was cut off. This was far more intense than the last time it had happened. The slash on his hand began to widen and reshape. His world went dark. Kalamos' eyes lost their life, only the silver glow remained. His convulsions ceased, and the flame stopped lashing as it reformed around his arm. There was now a white archaic symbol on his hand where the slash was. This power felt very similar to Kalamos' angel form, but far purer. It was like being in the presence of a true archangel. He began to stand slowly, and turned his gaze upon Nall and Star. His face spoke only of pity for himself. He lowered his head, and closed his eyes. The fire suddenly stopped curling, and began to fade. He lowered himself to his knees and leaned against a nearby tree. The fire scattered along with any signs of conciousness. The only noticable changes in him was the symbol on his hand, and a look of serious weakness on his face. Like all the strength within him had been strained to a breaking point. His regenerative power began to activate. The signs of weakness did not fade, and the regeneration stopped without any progress. Even the supernatural power within him was exhausted from this event; It was like power had nothing to catch on to.

 He felt only his drifting in the world of his dreams, unaware that his consciousness had been stripped of him by his own power. Sleeping within his sleep was the sensation he had, nothingness surrounded him. Motions were slow and lucid, blurred and dull in his mind. He became aware of one individual standing over him on his right side, someone he had never seen before, a white archangel. The man looked nothing like anyone he had ever seen. Behind this angel he saw the silver archangel he's seen many times reflected in the waters of a lake. On his left stood a darker individual, a death knight of some kind; Again, totally unrecognizable. Behind him Kalamos saw the knightly appearance he took on from time to time. Both took eachothers hand, one with a sinister grin and another with a look of pity, at Kalamos; They took his own hands and pulled him upright. Kalamos' felt the drag as his body came from the laying position to a seated position. He felt something else now, grass; Looking around, his vision cleared and he saw Star and Nall. He felt exhausted and burned out as he spoke, "Are you hurt?" The mark that was on his right hand was gone, as was the slash; Kalamos seemed totally unaware of this.

[Zoycite]

Eyes opened to look at Kal once more whom had leaned back against a dying tree. His eyes lost all life as they rolled back into his head; the light calmed down. She began to stand up as she focused on the symbol that appeared on his hand. Star traced the figure to the best of her abilities into the ground. She wanted to run to his side, but not until the fire was gone. After it died out, she and Nall made their way to his side.

Kneeling beside him, arm around his head, she caressed his face. Then came the tears. He seemed dead, his light gone. She leaned down and gently pressed her lips to his and pulled away. She couldn't believe he was gone.  A tear fell from her cheek onto his flesh. Suddenly he sat up and turned to her. Her eyes went wide with shock, embarrassed. He really needed to stop doing that, making her believe he was dead. She chuckled to herself for being foolish once again. He asked if she or Nall was hurt. Nall, obviously wasn't. She wrapped her arms around his neck and embraced his, breathing in his essence. "I haven't been in that much pain since Blade."

Her mind wandered to the last time she felt like that. She had just given birth to a little girl, whom she named Blade. Her eyes were so blue, her hair was too blonde. She had lost so much blood that day and she was exhausted. Her lover at the time had taken the child from her arms and watched the expression on his face from joy to anger, possibly even hate. She soon came to find out it was hate. He noticed the blond hair, the blue eyes; it wasn't his child, rather it was the child of the one she loved: Macewind. He turned to Star and cut her open more, yelling and cursing her very existence; he beat her until she was coughing up blood with every breath, she could barely see in front of her. She heard her child crying and then came his laugh and the snapping of tiny bones. Star screamed, unable to move. And he was gone, leaving her for dead. The physical pain wasn't what hurt her, it was the pain of losing her flesh and blood, the one thing that was left of her secret passion with him .

Nall gnawed on her hand, brought her back to reality. She blinked and turned to Kal, "No, love. I'm not physically harmed, just scared. The only thing that bothered e was your gauntlet, I had tried the damned glowing thing on."

She stood up, helped him rise. She was surprised how light he was without his armor. She aided him with walking to the fire, sat him down next to his sword. She knelt in front of him, touched his face, held his hand. "Your wound is gone. You're safe now. There was a strange symbol on your hand, I traced it into the ground." She watched her love come back slowly to life. "If you need to rest, we can rest, sleep; you look exhausted. And Kal? The next time if you know something is going to harm you and you allow me to do it, so help me I will cut myself..." The look on her face was one of a serious matter. "I read your book, I know you knew. And yet you let me pour a potion on it... why?"

[Thorlan]

Thorlan's eyes widened as he recalled the feeling of Kalamos' power and the direction it had come from. For some reason he felt an extreme need to hurry and brought his blade from it's sheath once more.

"You know how much I hate this..." he muttered to the blade, the only reply a slight chuckle within his mind and he raised the blade to the sky. White clouds began to gather above him where there had once been nothing, within moments they shifted to a deep black and tiny drops began to fall upon his ebony skin until a bolt struck his blade and he was gone. The rain subsided and the clouds began to move off in the direction of Kalamos and his companion.

They would feel a chill in the air a moment before a light rain fell from the sky where it had also been clear minutes before.

[Kalamos]

He listened as she moved him and spoke to him. Eyes fell to the mark on the ground; His face became pale momentarily as a look of total shock and terror overtook his face. The symbol held one meaning to him, and it wasn't one he was happy to see at all. "That exact symbol?" He had to be sure. His entire body suddenly felt more awake at the sight of that mark, he supposed it should. That symbol was a rune mark with a very unique meaning and purpose. Visions of the strange dream rushed to his head. The angel, the dark knight, and himself. He had a headache; "I see... That is, unfortunate." To think, that someone once regarded with phrases like 'strong' or 'powerful' could be so weak at this point. What he used to be was something incredible, but pointless; What felt he is now is hopeless, but happier. Many of his battles with incredible creatures held nothing behind them, just aggression and blind abuse of energy, calculated movements; Calculated lifestyle. And all with no real goal behind them. Now, he was unbound by such things, instead held only by those he cared for. With a goal of living out his life silently forgotten by the world around him, and it seemed that, even that was to be denied him. Sudden pain surged through him as the mark on his right hand appeared; A reminder that nothing was imagined. Tears welled in his eyes and streamed down his face as he closed them. He just leaned against Star and passed out, asleep for the remainder of the evening.

[Zoycite]

Kal seemed worried about the symbol. She could only nod in affirmation to his question. Eyes turned to the symbol and she sighed, she knew what it meant as well. Turning to Kal, she watched him break down; she would not tell him that she knew what the damned thing meant. How much time would she have left with him... she didn't know. she lowered her voice, "Time is precious..."

She had walked them to the fire and sat him down, he leaned against her and passed out. She could not break down, to show true emotion right now. She had to be strong, be strong for him, be strong for her. But Nall knew she wanted to cry, wanted to hurt something, someone, anything. Small hands grabbed his chest and pulled him close. She rocked him, could feel him breathing. "Dream beautiful things, my love.... please wake up, don't leave me."

She felt the wind pick up, another energy source. The skies clouded above them, swirling like no storm should. This was man made, magical. Rain drops fell slowly upon them. She closed her eyes and opened them, they were glowing bright turquoise now. A slight whisper, "Protezione." A tiny burst of bright blue and a barrier was formed around them, one that can be walked through by beings but no object can pass through it; it would stop the rain from falling on them.

[Thorlan]

The wind picked up, knocking the weaker leaves from their branches. Soon after the rain picked up, only to be pushed off to the side by the barrier that had been set up around Kal and whoever it was with him. Seeing this Thorlan set his landing zone away from the barrier.

The storm picked up and a bolt of lightning came down, landing a short distance down the path from the pair. The bolt never truely struck the ground instead running through his body and back into the blade where it's magic had come from. Immediatly after, thunder filled the air, seeming to shake the very ground. Thorlan looked at his blade and shook his head, "going a little bit overboard, my friend..." he muttered at the blade before blinking away the spots in his eyes from the travel.

Ahead he saw the fire that would be his target. Not sure what to expect from moving over there after feeling the extreme amount Kalamos' energy, he chose to keep his blade drawn, but at his side as he moved into the light of the fire.

[Zoycite]

The storm picked up, leaves flying past the small shield around them. It was strange for there to be such a thing in this place of death. He comessssssssss... darrrrrrk sssssskinned one, Yessssssssss. She watched the clouds circle and dance. She gently placed Kal's head down upon the ground and stood up, walked outside of the barrier. "Nall, protect him." Nall moved to Kal's side, laying his body next to Kal's.

She quickle moved to her sword and dagger, sheathing them. This was someone's doing, and she wanted to know who. If it was someone after her, it would be someone out for revenge to have followed her for so long. If it was someone after Kal, may whatever God they believed in save them. The rain hit her face as she looked up into it. She laughed, forgot how much she loved the water; she was, afterall half water mystic. Lightning struck, head turned directly towards it. An ebony skinned male walked towards her, the light of the fire hitting his flesh. She turned her head slightly, "Gana?" Oh how she had wished it was him, but it was the other Drow she has seen in her life, one that she's seen before. Hand grasped one of her daggers' hilt.

She was going to speak to him, but noticed his sword. Weapon came quickly drawn. Foot planted into the ground before pushing off of it and bounding towards Thorlan, he would realize that she was very quick, almost as swift as a wood elf.  She stopped right before him, knife held tight about 7 inches from his throat. "I see the Underdark has a stray..."