Belgada Remorium: Outside the Veil

[Merlindria Darkthorne]

The thrill of dark celebrations had been cut short by news that was not all together surprising for Merlindria, nor should it have been for her newly acquired husband. After all, it was in their very genetic make up to be devious, decieving and down right treacherous. As Prasutagus offered his apologies to her for cutting the feast short she merely waved him off and smiled malevolently.

" What better way to spend our honeymoon than to be in the midst of war? Death, mayhem, the screams of terror..these are all things I revel in..things I crave. As for quality time, any moment spent with you be it killing or in bed is quality enough for the likes of me. The sooner we leave the better.."

As Prasutagus took her hand, the pair quickly made way to the chambers in which they would meet with the curator. A tremor of black excitement trailed up her spine as they entered the room and waited for his arrival...none to impatiently. After a few moments her dangerous temper began to rise.

" Blast this curator and his ways. I can not wait for this meeting to be concluded so that we may move on to more....interesting adventures."

Slowly the crimson orbs would rise to peer sidelongs at Prasutagus as he paced the room like a caged animal. Each movement would be burned to memory. He had the look of a predator and it did wonders for her imagination as to what he could achieve in private moments. A salacious smile would light the decievingly innocent face as she moved into his path cutting his trail short and purred.

" When we are rid of the Demise and have a foothold into the lands of Velusia I want to bathe in the blood of the Demise nobles and make love on the rotting carcasses of thier mangled flesh. Twould be a most fitting way to consumate our wedded bliss don't you think?"

[Prasutagus Darkthorne]

Prasutagus could feel something within the Darkthorne lands, something caused it to ripple. Looking to his new bride, Prasutagus could see how she enjoyed the idea of war as much as he did. He already knew what he was going to do, what they would do. Now it was a matter of getting a stronger foothold over the Darkthornes that served under him. The army was once again strong, the war machine was sucking up what energy remained in the land and rebuilding their lost empire. Prasutagus walked over taking up a bottle of bloodwyne and pouring himself a goblet. He drank heavily of it's liquids, his thirst could never be satisfied. He threw the goblet down listening to it clank across the floor. " Blackthornes....they'll fall like toy soldiers before our army, I shall show them no mercy."

The ghost of his mother still lingered as if she would never let go of her home here. Prasutagus waited for the curator to enter the chambers, and as he did, he decided it was now or never. " We've both waited long enough for you to decide, we are already leading the Darkthornes into war against Velusia. The land has awakened and the horde of darkness has been recreated, it's time curator for you to announce who shall unify the Darkthornes under their banner." Prasutagus looked over to Merlindria, he wanted to be the one that held that power. He would share it with her, of course, but he wanted the glory, the title. After all who deserved it more then he, for he had worked for years to rebuild the Darkthrones for the scattered remains left by the last great war. This time it would be different they had the scales in their favor this time.

[Sigonus Erewyn]

The curator smiled having created a patchwork masterpiece, the chaos would be glorious. And in the end one would rise above all others leading the Darkthornes from Velusia to glory in far away lands. Ahhh the curator could almost hear their tortured screams now. As Prasutagus spoke his words, the curator barely paid any attention, kicking the goblet on the floor. He looked up his eyes glowing, " I've come to a decision, and I think you both shall enjoy it as much as hate it. The two of you are the new leaders, but should you turn on the other you shall lose all claim to those powers." The curator gave a dark smile as he extended his hands, black orbs shot out at both Prasutagus and Merlindria, blue electical currents flowed around each. The pain would be unimaginable, but the sudden rush of power would wash away all that pain. They would gain a fearsome appearance, a new form to change into when the time was needed. As well as a head full of ancient knowledge that had been long forgotten.

The curator would not stay now, for his task was done, he left the chambers walking out of the stronghold. Climbing down the long steps to the bottom of the volcano, as he descended his transformation began. By the time he reached the bottom, he was no longer the curator, but the simple elf Sigonus once more. Feeling dizzy Sigonus walked over to a nearby stone and fell limp against it. His eyes had seen so much, his head had been filled with so much. He knew the Darkthornes better then he would like to now. Knew so much of his enemy that it was hard to tell if he was not the enemy himself. He slid from the stone, rolling down a hill of sand, his mind cast into the darkness. For now he would sleep, and pray that he not die before he could wake again. He also prayed that nothing else took over his body while he slept a forced slumber.

His dreams were dark and fearsome, he saw things that no living creature should ever had to see and live to tell.

[Tempest Rynn]

It seemed that ones sibling only got in the way of the others greatness. With her swift blade she would bringhis brother down, only to take her sister down later. Then she would be able to live with not having Raven hold her back.
"Why would one want to hunt one evil like yourself down in these lands. You have such a great mind on getting back at those in your way."
Tempest placed the blades upon her back then tossed the cloak over them. Her plan was to give his brother false hope in thinking that she wanted to be friends.
"Let us go so that i may spill your brother's blood upon this land. For not only will you then be free of him. But it shall ruin and crush Raven within."
She smiled at him for the compliment that he gace her. No one had told her that before and it felt great. "Evil fits you well for a dark mind is the best mind."

[Lady Raven Dragonheart]

Raven fleet as if she was walking through a nightmare that had come to life. The land looked as if ravaged by dragon flame and no trees that she could see. Any that lived here had to be evil of very sick, for one with good sense couldn't. She needed to get Longinus out of there quickly.
She glanced to see what Vahn was up to thinking that he belonged with the crazy. But she would keep her peace with him while they were among the enemy. It was the least that she could do being that Reinne let her go with.
Raven checked on her link with her dragons, for if things got to bad once she had Longinus they would be called upon. She would do what it took to keep on guard til then.

[Merlindria Darkthorne]

Oh what dark joys were to hers upon this day! First a husband suitable for one with her definitive tastes and now this. A decision made that not one..but two shall bare all the power that was Darkthorne. A quick glance was afforded her husband with black glee evident in those crimson globes. Oh yes....their day was at hand. Betrayal by either of them was neigh impossible with the kind of pact which sealed their fates, forever intertwining one with the other. She had no chance to speak her overwhelming delight as the Curator suddenly flung the twin black orbs at both she and Prasutagus.

A hiss escaped her lips. As electricity surrounded her form clashing with the many parts of her being she would have cried out from the exquisite pain of it all if not for the fact she felt almost paralyzed from the force of it all. Eons of ancient knowledge and dark archiac powers wree forced into her genetic make up within seconds. She felt as if she might explode or perhaps simply fall to peices, but that only lasted a second before the thrill of the rush of power surged in her veins.

Fascinated, she lifted her hands to peer at those finger tips as tiny bolts of black lightning leapt from digit to digit. Never before has she felt such power..such....invincible strength. Slowly a laugh began to bubble from the pits of her stomach. The harsh melody of her pleasure slowly but surely rising in crescendo as it soon began to echo through the halls signaling to others the decision had been made and the cards had been dealt. She and Prasutagus would forge a new reign of terror and destruction together. And together they would own the world.

So intent was she on this sudden reinforcment of her spirit and being, she barely noticed the curator's shoulders sag a bit as he took his leave exiting the room. For a moment she pondered ending his miserable existence but thought twice about that. Why not allow him the luxry to live long enough to gain false hope in the arms of his companions? ' Yes, run little man...return to your wretched home only to taste the bitter defeat and sweet death by my hand', she thought to herself.

Turning to Prasutagus she grinned nefariously.

" NOW...we can march my love. Let us crush anything and everything that is foolish enough to stand in our way..be it 'friend' or foe..."

[Prasutagus Darkthorne]

Prasutagus felt the rush of power and pain, the bitter and the sweet. He could feel power running through his blood, amplifing his ablities. A black aura covered his skin, he felt invincible. He dropped to the floor, keeping himself up with one hand. Looking down at the hand, how the mere impact cracked the marble floor. With strength like this he could carve the new Darkthorne destiny with his bare hands. He began to laugh as the pain began to fade from his being. Looking up to see the curator leave the room, he almost wished he could crush the curator's throat for keeping this power from him.

It was time, time for the might of Darkthorne to march from Balgada into the lands of Velusia. It was time to end this fued with the Blackthornes once and for all. Time to prove which family held the right to be the one, the one who could claim it's destiny. Pragustagus slowly stood up, dusting off his form and looked to Merlindria. " Your right, it is time for us to march.." Prasutagus let loose a mighty war cry, one that echoed through out the halls. Over the lands it called to every Darkthorne of blood to come and march to war. He knew they would answer the call of leadership, it was the one thing they knew well. The ability to follow a leader of dark and evil, with the ability to lead them to glory.

" Let us leave for Demise, it will fall before our new found might, and then we shall carve our way through Velusia to Lochland and end this once and for all. With the blood of our enemies flowing like a river across the streets, their people begging for mercy and their lives. We shall bring ruin to the kingdom of Velusia and then..the world.." Prasutagus gave her a dark smile and walked out of the room to start the armies march towards Demise.

[Longinus]

Longinus smiled as he went to lead Tempest to the real Longinus, soon he would be rid of that half of him. Once he had his other half dead, there would be nothing troubling him. He could hear the armies of Darkthorne preparing for the war ahead. So the war had began, soon the destinies of many would come about. " There should be nothing standing in our way to my brother, he is an enemy of the Darkthornes so it should also earn you great honor in killing him.

I'm sure you could offer his head as a gift to Prasutagus..." as well as make it look as though he were dead. With Prasutagus and Merlindria thinking Longinus dead, he could work in the shadows. The curator did not say that he could not make them fail in their journey to Darkthorne. If he could cause them to fail, then he would gain the powers and he could crush both clans. For he still had Reinne's son and if he held the powers of Darkthorne he could command it's army and keep the Blackthornes from attacking him in full strength.

[Einar Blackthorne]

The Knight watched in silence as Vahn summoned his shadow, beckoning the shade to be their guide through the lands of darkness. Looking upon the Lord Demise, witnessing the change in his attire, the subtle shift of his attitude and aura, the White Wolf wondered - for but a moment - exactly where Vahn's allegiances laid. However, it was only for a moment, as Einar thought then of himself. Only years ago, Einar had been a product of darkness, only years ago he had been a monster ... And, even now, he called upon the strengths the darkness held for him ... For it was the monsters than won wars, not men. Ruthlessness, not compassion ... and in these lands of darkness, mercy did not exist. Thus, a subtle nod was afforded Vahn as the man began to head off down the road, heading deeper and deeper into the lands of Darkthorne.

The band of three moved shiftly and silently, yes, unnoticed for a time as they stalked amongst the ruins, hidden from prying eyes of the dark. Yet, that would change, sooner than any of them cared to think. Warning came, however, to the White Wolf.

Grey hues flashed, the blood running through his veins seeming to pulsate. Digits drew in on eachother, forming tight fists as Einar stopped, a menacing growl dripping from his lips as he threw his head back, pale blonde cascading down upon his battered armor. Jaw tightened to still the howl that the warrior felt growing within his breast, and the Knight fell to one knee. Deep within him, the Half-Breed's blood - the Darkthorne blood - was calling out with Prasutagus' command. Blood began to drip from the palms of the warrior as he fought against Prasutagus' rule, as he fought to keep himself quiet. His blood boiled, within him a battle raged until finally ... finally Einar felt himself fall to the ground, breathing heavily into the dirt.

For moments, all was still, all was silent ... and then Einar's head snapped up, eyes fixed on Vahn and Raven. " ... The Darkthornes have a new leader ... their strength has been mustered ..." The warrior struggled with breath, " ... and they are marching on Demise ..." It was an effort of will, but the warrior struggled to his feet. The assault on his body, the battle to deny Prasutagus' command, had been costly.

"Someone must go and warn them."

[Tempest Rynn]

As they walked she thought how great it would be if Longinus lost his life just as raven saw him. The look of shock that would be upon her face seeing the man that she came to rescue die moments before getting to him. Tempest's body seemed to warm with that great thought playing over and over.
"I care only to see my sister's lifeless body and get what is due to me. If something does get in our way I hope that  there is help. For something tells me that my sister is not to far from here."
Smile grew across her lips knowing that both of their problems would be dealt with. While the death of his brother would bring him joy Raven would feel great pain.

[Reinne Blackthorne]

( Repost from Demise)

No sooner had those words fled her lips than, suddenly, the Queen of Velusia was overcome by a bout of dizziness. Gasping, her leaned forward a hand clasping the table for dear life as the room faded away and before her lay the scene of Vahn, Einar and Raven.  Confused she watched as Einar struggled with some unseen thing. First he collapsed to one knee, and finally he fell all together. Mentally she cried out, the realization he may be under attack causing her great concern. She wanted to reach for him, to bring him back his strength but she could do no more than simply stare helplessly as he fought his own battle.

When finally his words came free, those bloody hands helping him to rise once again she knew what it was that was happening. The Darkthornes had regained something lost and with that renewed power they would be far more difficult to repel much less, defeat. But how was she witness to this scene? Those visionary eyes moved to the small amulet glittering about his neck. She had known it to be enchanted, weaving her mind and soul with that of the bearer she gifted it too. If she could see him..then perhaps he could see or hear her as well?

' Einar, the amulet...remember the amulet. Grip it whenever you have need of me....grip it and I will never be far away..'

She could only pray he could hear her or even feel her presence. Her light would be his greatest strength while in the lands of Darkthorne. She only hoped he would realize this sooner...rather than later.

Just as quickly as the scene came on it faded away the room slowly coming back into view. Ever so slowly her hand would release its death grip on the table's edge as her eyes moved to the hand on her shoulder asking if she were alright. turning her gaze up the arm she met with the concerned gaze of Cordelia and nodded.

" Aye, I am fine but, " turning to look at Honor with a grim look, " What we are facing now is nothing compared to what is coming Honor. Darkthorne is coming...and they bring the old magics with them. "

The room suddenly went deathly quiet as all the general eyes widened at this news. The old magics? There were few who have not heard the stories and even fewer who did not dread the day that ancient power would come back within thier grasp. This would not be a war about power...it was now a war of survival. Quietly she bent her head and murmured a soft prayer to Gaia.

" Gaia..give us strength..."

[Lady Raven Dragonheart]

Raven kept an eye to the sides of them and especially to the air. She was so used to being in the air then on the ground. Guess one could say that she felt defenseless. Her heart seemed to race with every few feet that they went in. Quietly she prayed that Lucan and Longinus would both be brought back safely.
Rest of the time she would just stayed close to Van and making sure that Einar stayed close. Thou none of them cared for either of the other two, others were depending on them. She would remind herself that those in need of help were what mattered.
Hearing the Einar speak she turned quickly and looked to him taking in his words. Raven know that what he said was true and was a dire emergancy. She bit her lip as she closed her eyes knowing that one of them had to go. Opening her eyes she wen to Einar and knelt by him looking to his eyes.
"I will go and tell them what you have spoken. If I am not able to get back I hpoe that you can do something for me. Please put your differences behind you and bring Longinus back and possibly the spear."
With great force she arched her back bringing out a pair of black wings, like those of a dragon. Carefully she stretched them letting them prepare for flight.

[Vahn Demise]

Vahn stopped in his tracks watching Einar, something about Einar unnerved Vahn. It wasn't a moment later when Einar told them of the Darkthorne's having a new leader he knew. Einar had been tainted, or he was of both bloods, he was traveling with a Darkthorne in Darkthorne lands. No one had told him of this or the risk it put them all in. Vahn was very displeased, " You mean to tell me, you have Darkthorne blood in your veins and you didn't tell me....Do you know what risk you've placed us all in Einar, or where you to busy thinking about your precious queen's affections? If you'd failed to resist the call of Darkthorne, not only would Raven and I have our life's forfeited, but Lucan's, Longinus's, and gods only know who else would have been for nothing!"

Vahn turned and stalked off over the dune, his sight fell on a wandering band of elves. He dropped down and summoned his shadow to hide, the elves were about to be ambushed by Darkthornes. They'd have to go around, as the Darkthornes fell upon the elves, their screams echoed over the dune. " We have to go around, that ways taken.." Vahn whispered to the other two. He didn't want to tell them of the familiar presence he sensed, not only had Darkthorne awoken in ancient power. It's dead were begining to wake, foes he'd known to sleep in death's slumber were now awakening. Vahn didn't want to stay in Darkthorne very much longer, he was even begining to doubt his capabilities in rescueing the stolen prince. Things were becoming complicated too fast, and Vahn did not like it when things stack against him in such a way.

Vahn began to wind a new way through the ruins with his shadow leading in a alternate direction to go around the fighting elves and darkthornes. After all he didn't come to save any elves, and it was their foolishness for being in Belgada in the first place. Vahn had no pity for the idiots of the world, a smart man would have stayed out of Bel...Vahn caught himself, for they were in Belgada. " I don't know why they sent a half-breed with me, after all I have enough problems wit..." Vahn stopped mid-sentance as he stepped into an aura of some sort. The Crystallis, the crystal which made your worst fears come to life, had found and targeted the area in front of them. Vahn blinded by his anger at Einar had foolishly stepped into it.

Already his mind was probbed and his fears becoming reality, he looked ahead to see his family rising from the sands. Vahn didn't know where Einar or Raven were any longer, but his only words to them was, " stay back!" Vahn's feet where grasped by skeletal hands of those he'd killed, their boney hands continued to emerged and grab at his legs. He felt his immortality draining, as his dead family looked on him with death's grin, daggers each held. He was stuck, his mind racing for some solution to his situation, he launched a spell at them, it faded on them as it was absorded. " No your dead, this is a trick...it has to be..." Einar and Raven would see none of this, for it was all Vahn's nightmare. They would only see Vahn drop to the sand and throw a spell at the air ahead of him. It crashed into one of the ruins, if the Darkthornes didn't know they were here before, they sure would now.

[Longinus]

The evil Longinus smiled leading her out into the desert, he'd found something near the chapel that had interested him. When he plucked the orb from Longinus's hand, he saw a tomb which read, " Here lies the Duke" his study of Darkthorne history, had told him of the Duke of Darkthorne. A juggernaut of a being, a possessed paladin, who could not die, the demon that possessed him was removed and the body remained. The body which could not die even in defeat, it remained in the tomb a silent reminder of a Darkthorne tragedy. Many attempts to bring back the demon had failed, and the Duke lay in eternal rest. " Mock me, tell me I'm not good enough because I do not have Darkthorne blood will they....let's see what they think when I do have Darkthorne blood running through my veins..." Longinus stopped leading Tempest as he made his way over to the monolithic tomb.

" I have to do something right fast, you see if I'm to help you in your goals, I'll need a new form to inhabit. One which will earn me respect here in Darkthorne as well as hide my true identity." He put the spear in between the lid of the tomb and the tomb itself, prying it open. The loud resounding thud of the tomb door on the sand, caused him to stop and look about. Who would stop a grave robber in Darkthorne, after all the graves here were merely beds for rest, rest that never lasted. The eight foot tall, armor clad, figure of the Duke lay there in the tomb, still as it was when he fell to the Blackthornes. Thank god for Eseer's liking for the Duke, to have had the body dragged back to Belgada. Longinus turned to Tempest, " you are about to witness my transformation, my rise to power, this form here shall be my new vessel. And with it I shall take not only Velusia, but Belgada as well, and then the rest of the realm shall fall before me, kneel at my feet, beg me for mercy."

Longinus thrust the spear into the hands of the Duke, Longinus's form slowly began to disappear as the enchantment of him was undone. He moved through out the Duke, oh yes this form was strong. He extended to each and every muscle, cell, organ, in the body of the sleeping giant. Slowly the eyes opened, dark and red like hell themself, the huge form stepped out of the tomb, gripping the spear in it's massive hand. " The powerrr...this forrm is so strong..I can feel it, the blood of Darkthorne, it's like the sweetest wine." He felt alive for the first time, the spear sensed what it was to be alive, to be it's own entity, it's own lifeforce. The spear easily took over the sleeping hulk, awakening the dark tortured mind.

" Nowww let uss go finish this play, and exit the stage.." The Duke walked off towards where Longinus should be.

[Tempest Rynn]

Looking about the desert she knew there was no way Raven could sneek up on them. It would also be easy to dispose of her body when all was done. Maybe she would have a heart and bury the two bodies together when all done.
She looked to him thinking that he may have lost it being that he was not really talk ing to her. "One can not change the blood that runs through their veins."
If we wait to long not only will we have your btother to deal with but Raven and any that come with her. What do you mean a new form to inhabit? Just what are you that you can changwe your form pretty much at will?" She followed him into the tomb wondering just what he would do with a dead body. After all they would be stinking real bad by now unless freshly buried.
She stepped back as he laid the spear on top and moved the lid thining he was quit sick to deal with a dead body. None the less by doing him a favor she was getting at her sister. She took a few steps away from him taking a look about the place as he did his thing. He seemed very deep in wanting power to do stuff to others. Just hoped that he would let her be after the siblings were dealt with.
Tempest turned around to see how he was doing just as the body stepped from the tomb behind it. She took a deep a deep breath as she pulled both blades from their sheaths. Glancing about wondering just where he had gone. First thought he was laying upon the floor near the body that stood near the tomb. Only to stare at it as the voice was that of the man that she had been with. Slowly her arms came to rest at her sides.
"You are the same person that I cam here with right, just different body." Tempest followed him in awe at the power that he held. Being that he had changed bodies, he would probably take his brother out by snapping.