Belgada Remorium: Outside the Veil

[Longinus]

The Duke looked to Tempest, the half-demon half-thorne body had a covering over it's face. But if she could see his face, she'd see him smiling, for he knew she had questions. " I am the same person only in a different body, if I can even be considered a person that is...I wear bodies like you wear your clothing, they are nothing more then new faces for me. Don't fear me though, for I have no intentions of harming you, alone in this land I would wonder aimlessly in my mission, but with a guide I can be led to the ends of this realm."

"I only need this form for a short time, for you see, I've made deals with various Darkthornes. In order to get the power that has been offered, I shall kill my twin, thereby making it seem I am dead. Use this body which is of Darkthorne blood and a rightful claim to the throne now. Gain the powers of the ancients, all the while fooling my enemies into thinking me one of them. As well as earning the chance by now being a Darkthorne to claim certain things I could not before."

" No longer and I one of the pawns, I am now one of the knights in search of his chance to wear the crown. Now enough talk, even though I enjoy hearing my new voice, let us proceed to meet our destiny in the desert. I'm sure your sister will tremble in fear once she has seen you coming with a Darkthorne of such rank and power following. Not only that, but the beautiful look of loss on her face as she watches someone she's taken a liking to, killed by her own sister." The Duke looked to the orb in his hands, and perhaps I'll have some fun testing my new powers, he thought. The Duke made his way towards the last place he saw Longinus, they were so close now.

[Tempest Rynn]

Tempest realized that the tales the drunks spoke of were true. Being that the guys were drunk she did not take then serious. Next time she would not be so naive about them. None the less she had nothing to fear from him for it seemed that he needed her.
She ran thoughts through her mind knowing that he could do so much on his own with a body like that. His brother and Raven were no match for a body as his. Thou she was not sure about the one that held the crown. As of now she was not going to let those thoughts bother her.
When all that was down with the siblings then she would talk to him more about his venture toward the crown. For thou he had great intentions for then right now. There was no idea what would come of her when he got the crown.
It would be great luck if she did not end up dead shortly after Raven. For she offered her abilities to another in exchange for her sister's death. Now she was out here helping this man take out his brother who seemed to possibly got close to Raven. With that she told the dragon to be ready in the chance she would need him.

[Lady Raven Dragonheart]

Raven moved some seeing to where Vahn had gone, upon spotting him she heard an expoltion on the wall. From what she saw he was having a battle with himself. It seemed that he was fighting someone or something but there was nothing to see. She turned her eyes to Einar just a one of the dragons sent her a message.
Quietly she made her way closer to Einar to speak of the news that she had dealing with Lochland. It might even be best if she kept it to herself but he may call her a trader if she didn't. "I just got a message form one of my dragons. It seems there was an attack near the castle in one of the towns. It was not able to give me mush more then that unfortunely."
There had to be something drasticly done so that Shamus and Reinne would live through this all. Maybe one of the dragons could look after each of them so not to be alone all the time. To bad she had no babies at this time then they could follow them about the castle. They may not be very big but they could fight just as well.
Shaking her head Raven brought herself back to the moment in hand. Vahn seemed to being having a crisis with himself where Einar feared for Demise due to the crowning of a new leader of the Darkthorne. With that expoltion they could have company at any moment. It seemd to be up to her and Einar to deal with any that showed up.

[Einar Blackthorne]

Grey hues narrowed upon the figure of the Lord Demise, brows knitting in a mixture of subtle anger and disgust. "Reinne chose me for a reason, Demise." Those words were cold and menacing, even as the Blackthorne Warrior struggled to regain his composure, " ... If she did not believe I could walk through the lands of darkness and bring back her son, she would not have sent me." Einar watched as Vahn stalked away, his head shaking but slightly at the arrogant foolishness of the man. How many Blackthorne soldiers could navigate through Darkthorne territory? How many knew how to act, what to say, and where to go while in the lion's den? And who, Einar thought, would fight through Hell itself to bring back Reinne's child? The warrior knew the answers, and knew the reasons for Reinne's decision.

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

The warrior's eyes widened in recognition and surprise, the voice of his Queen whispering ever so softly in his ear. The Knight looked down, a gauntlet-kissed hand rising up to grip the amulet around his neck. As he did, he closed his eyes and the presence of his Queen washed over him. The slightest of smiles lighted the Knight's lips, the aura of Reinne offering the Knight strength.

"I will go and tell them what you have spoken ..."

"Wait." Einar spoke, taking a step towards the Lady Dragonheart. "That won't be necessary ... not anymore." For, even as Einar savored the presence of his Queen, he could sense the dread she experienced. He could sense the fear and the horror of recognition; she too had felt the surge within Darkthorne. She too had witnessed the effects of their returned might. She knew what was coming at her, she knew what evils she was about to face ...

T'was then that Vahn's cry reached the Knight-Protector's ears and the warrior's eyes flashed up to see Lord Demise thrashing about this way and that, fighting an unseen enemy. Softly, the warrior cursed as he looked about, trying desperately to find the reason for Vahn's reaction. It only took moments for Einar to realize what it was, only moments for a life full of memories to return to him and give him the answer. The Crystallis. Another curse fell from those lips, and for a moment Einar considered leaving Vahn behind. The man was already proving foolhardy in his anger and in his conclusions about the warriors alongside him. However, Einar was not the man to leave a fallen comrade behind.

Orbs of grey flashed to Raven, "Watch my back - this must be done quickly." And with that, black lines began to spider-web over the pale flesh of the warrior, his body growing in size as claws and canines extended from his flesh, blood trickling from the growing wounds. Hair began to protrude from face and knuckles, jaw grew larger - in moments, Einar was the White Wolf once more, the savage and fearless warrior who was relentless in battle. One large hand rose up, gripping the amulet around his neck, the compassion and courage of Reinne comforting the warrior as he charged forwards into the epicenter of the Crystallis' assault. Eyes, now turned brilliant silver, flared in pain and anger as the crystal attacked his mind, forcing images of the mangled and torn bodies of Einar's victims to rise up around him, of Magnus Darkthorne striding towards him.

" ... AAAAAAAAAARGH!"

The beastial, savage howl ripped from Einar's lips as the Wolf charged ahead, fighting the crystal with every stride - and then the White Wolf would thrus himself forwards, headed towards Vahn, all in order to tackle the Lord Demise and send both Wolf and Man stumbling away from the crystal's range.

[Prasutagus Darkthorne]

Moving in the direction of Demise at a hasty speed, where the gnoll army lead by Zerha Corpsegutter, they moved to strike from the left of Demise, to move from there into the veil to come around and attack it's flank. While moving to the right was the orc army led by Fendric Darkeye, his orcs would do the same as the gnolls only attack the right rather then the left. Flying over head was the black dragons, Darkthorne riders upon their backs, along the coast line sailed the ships of Lord Mariner. Then came Prasutagus's horde, Prasutagus was within the gold dragon machine, leading his army, an army that seemed to never end. They chanted the name Darkthorne as they marched, their dark legion a nightmare only hell could produce.

Prasutagus sent word to Merlindria, " Bring your army my queen, attack them from the left side after the gnolls and orcs attack. Then the might of Darkthorne will strike and deliver the death blow to Demise." An army of mercenaries led by Modach, brother of Memnoch marched to attack the right after the orcs attacked. Their army was once again the fearsome might of old, the city-state Demise would tremble before Darkthorne. Necromancers called up the dead to march along side their masters, those who fell before Darkthorne would risk either service in undeath, or tainted service. Prasutagus was slowly mastering the controls of the strange war machine he piloted, it was not hard, for his mother's ghost stood beside him explaining each and every control in detail.

The cult of the bleeding maiden, Malmora's own cult, even marched with Darkthorne. His mother having given in to her son being her only heir and joy now. Everything was working according to plan, and nothing could prevent his joy at the carnage which lay ahead. The might of Darkthorne marched, but a large force was left behind to guard the lands while they were gone. The Darkthorne army had many different ranks within it, each served a purpose in weakening the defenses of whatever city they attacked. Never before had a city repelled Darkthorne completely, never before, but perhaps this time one would. The darkspawns as they were now called stayed behind producing more warriors for Darkthorne, while the flesh factory was working, it's dark magic making half organic, half golem soldiers to march out to reinforce the Darkthorne army as it's next phase of attack.

Meanwhile the dark mages worked hard to awaken the juggernaut, the statue which stood far to the north of the Darkthorne lands. They could use it to crush any defense once it's form was animated again. Marching with the army of Darkthorne were the ghost of the dead, those Darkthornes who had fallen in battle many years past. They wanted to see Darkthorne gain the glory they all had died for.

[Lady Raven Dragonheart]

Raven folded her wings upon her back as Einar spoke to her. Only to turn her eyes to Vahn fighting with what seemed to be himself. For there was nothing that she could see he could be fighting.
Her eyes went to Einar when he asked her to cover his back. She pulled her blade and turned her back to him. Slowly and carefully she scanned the area about them hoping that none came. For she knew that Einar was busy dealing with the trouble that Vahn was in.
Just as she was about to look in a different direction she noticed some dust. Her eyes remained locked while her ears listened. It seemed that the dust may be coming their way. Taking a deep breaths she took a few steps toward the direction that it was coming from. Shaking her head hoping that it was just something that lived out there or a mire mistake.
She glances back to Einar to see how he is doing hoping that he resolves it before the company gets there. "Not to pressure you any Einar but we have company heading our way. And it does not seem that they are not taking their time to get here."
Raven turned her eyes back to where the dust building up. Taking a deep breath she opened her wings ready to take tot he sky if needed. For she was used to fighting from above then on the ground. She made sure that one ear listened for any other company the other ear on anything that Einar or Vahn may say.

[Sigonus Erewyn]

Sigonus awoke from his sleep, he struggled over the harsh sands to the top of a dune. He looked over to a nearby ruined building, spotting a man laying there covered in blood. Another form next to him, a Darkthorne, slowly began to revive itself and rise. It turned and looked down to the man, kicking him once, then raising his sword to bring down a death blow. Sigonus didn't have to know the man, for if a Darkthorne was about to kill him, he was an ally. Sigonus raised his hand and concentrated, drawing in a breath, his heart went still and his mind flooded with Gaia's blessing. From his out stretched hand formed a holy symbol to the nature goddess. It glowed bright blue and he said the words, " Holy Flame". A serpent of white fire shot from his hand moving this way and that in the direction of the Darkthorne, whom turned towards Sigonus now. It turned just in time to be hit by the holy fire which caused it to flail about, running off towards Sigonus with it's sword.

The Darkthorne dropped in between him and the fallen figure of Longinus, smoke rising up from the dead form. Sigonus looked down to the Darkthorne, kicking it a few times violently. He was angry at the Darkthornes for everything that had happened in his time here. Seeing an army in the distance, he walked over to Longinus's fallen body. He noticed the Blackthorne sword, a Blackthorne blade, so this man must be from Blackthorne he thought. Taking the sword and the grabbing the man's hand, he began to drag the heavy form off into the desert. They had to get away from the army or they'd be slaughtered without any second thoughts. The man was barely hanging on to life, but Sigonus couldn't heal him until they had gotten to safety. Hiding behind some rocks, Sigonus placed his hands on Longinus's chest and did the same as before, only this time he said the words, " Healing light" his hands began to glow with the same light as before.

The light washed over Longinus in a quick pulse, his wounds would begin to instantly heal and he would be infuse with a sudden rush of strength and vitality. Sigonus looked to the sleeping man and sighed, " I guess your the only one thats left...I had hoped Velusia would find out of my misfortune and send me help, but apparently even help is hard to get in these lands..." Sigonus leaned up against the rocks and tried to think of other things as the army made it's way a few miles away from them. Sigonus had suffered much since he came to Belgada and now he was ready to leave as soon as possible. He knew that with the stranger he had a better chance of surviving in these lands, then alone.

[Longinus]

Longinus felt a little better, though within his dreams he suffered still, the spear haunted his dreams. When he awoke, he noticed a elf beside him, he also heard in the distance the sounds of an army. Leaning over one of the rocks he looked into the distance to see the force of Darkthorne marching off into the desert. He looked upon each formation, they were well prepared for whatever they might encounter. Looking to the air he saw the dragons with their riders upon them. He leaned back over the rocks, hoping the sky units did not spot them. If they did, then all would be lost, for they could not defend against an air attack and being spotted now, this close.... He banished the thought, for to lose hope now after enduring so much only served defeat.

Looking to his wounds which were now gone, he looked back to the elf, apparently his new comrade had healed him. " Thanks for healing me, but we have to find a way into the stronghold, my evil half has queen Reinne's son, Lucan, I have to save him, even if I die trying I have to at least try." Longinus didn't want to go into detail about everything that had happened. He grasped the Darkthorne sword and looked towards the stronghold, they were close enough they could perhaps sneak into it.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Duke brought Tempest to where he last saw Longinus, he noticed the blood which covered the ground. The form of a dead Darkthorne lay in the distance, and behind them a few miles marched the army of Darkthorne. He scanned the desert, looking for a trail, he saw there where someone had dragged a body off into the desert. " Someone has moved him, he was badly injured from the looks of it. Whoever this person that helped is, he has killed a Darkthorne, from the looks of it, it was done with magic." The Duke's form did not use magic, his form was simply indestructable as long as evil existed in the realm. This was the only thing he had beside his enhanced strength and regeneration ability. This was enough though for he knew Longinus had no powers, and as for magic, he had the spear. The spear would allow him to use magic so he could deal with a foe that used magic.

Even however there was something in this magic that had been used on the Darkthorne that made the Duke's soul start to awaken. The spear began to fight with the soul to subdue it and keeps it's control over the body. However this soul was not like any other it had encountered, it held a strength in it that was unimaginable. The spear slowly regained it's control, and it was thankful for the soul of the Duke giving up. The spear had not realized the Duke's inner strength, it was more then his physical strength. The spear began to think of choosing another body to control, but it wasn't ready just yet to give up the strength of the Duke and the blood lineage he held. " They've gone in that direction, it shouldn't be hard to catch up to them."

[Vahn Demise]

Vahn was hit from behind by Einar, sending him sprawling down behind another ruined building. When Vahn last remembered his brother Reagan was telling him that soon he'd be reborn because of Vahn's nightmare. The next thing Vahn knew he was hit by Einar from behind and sent forward. Standing up and dusting himself off, spitting out some sand, he looked to Einar. " I knew it...you tried to attack me." Vahn looked around, looking up to the top of the stronghold in the distance. His eyes fell on the blinking crystallis, Vahn would not lower himself, not like that. He extended his hand to Einar and said, " I'm sorry about that, thank you for saving me, but I think we better run now or start digging our graves." Vahn would only help Einar up, then he'd move off in another direction opposite of both the army and the wandering band of Darkthornes.

Vahn thought over what the illusion had said, he didn't know that the crystallis could do such a thing as bring his brother back. If it did, then Vahn would simply have to kill his brother, but he failed at that last time. Honor had done what he could not do and slain their sibling, perhaps Vahn was weak somewhere in his black heart. Vahn led them to a ruined building that had a shard of a mirror outside it, almost buried in the sand. " Come on this way.." Vahn said as he went into the door of the ruins. Vahn walked to the back of the ruins, debri and former house furnishings littered the building. In the back of the ruined building was a mirror upon the wall, Vahn leaned towards the mirror. His face sinking into it, he looked behind the mirror, which was an illusion, to the cave tunnels that would take them to the stronghold.

" These tunnels come out near the stronghold, we can travel safely through here." Vahn looked to the two corpses that littered the cave tunnel, the Blackthorne insignia still upon their chest. He remembered the last time he was here, he hoped no one asked any questions. Vahn walked off down the tunnels, he spoke as he walked, " Einar...I'm not what everybody thinks, I'm no hero, and I'm far from being a warrior, but I'm not as much a villain as everyone might paint me out to be. I'm complicated, theres a lot of things I do merely to distract people from seeing me for what I truly am. I'm only telling you this cause you risked yourself to save me. That was honorable of you, so know that your risk was not in vain, nor will it come back to haunt you." Vahn smiled as he moved down the tunnels, to think that a Blackthorne would save him.

[Tempest Rynn]

Tempest looked over the area as they moved over the sandy land. Wondering where her sister was, hoping that she would see Longinus' death. The pain that she felt would be a plus in defeating her.
"Seeing there is another withyour brother think i may call in my friend."
Giving him a smile as she went a message to her dragon to come meet them. Seemed that it would have a good meal, not only of Longinus but his companion.
Tempest kept her eyes open as they followed the blood trail. Smirk crossed her lips when a message arrived form the dragon telling of Longinus and his companion.
"Seems that what ever injuries your brother had he has been healed of them by the man the is with him. It shall be meer seconds before you lay eyes upon him. Seeing what came of the man back there I fear what the companion can do."
Quietly she pulled the blades from their sheaths so to be ready when they came upon the two. She had the dragon land a few feet from the two and keep an eye on them. For they would meet their fate this day as would her sister feel great pain when Longinus was dead.

[Lady Raven Dragonheart]

Raven's eyes remained on the dust that was getting biger as time went on. Shaking her ehad when she heard Vahn yell at Einar for attacking him. She would have liked to said someting but they were big boys. Only to be glad that Vahn realized his wrong when he saw what Einar has rescued him from.
Hearing their feet move over the sand once more, Raven quickly turned following them. She made sure to glance on the occassion to make sure none followed them. Her blade remainedin her grip as she stayed close.
Raven's eyes fell to the ground hearing what seemed to be a dragon. If so that meant that Tempest was closer then she cared at this time. Right now she just wanted to get Lucan and Longinus out of there. Then if Tempest wanted to figiht she was more then willing to reach her a few things.
Her eyes ran over the two dead bodies that laid in the tunnel, in no way did she plan to join them. She took a deep breath knowing that all was going to end as they wanted it to. Lucan and Longinus would be rescues and returned back to Lochland. And the Darkthornes were going to pay for all that thy have done.

[Einar Blackthorne]

The accusations that were spewed from Lord Demise's lips were, for the most part, unheard - a lingering voice as if off in the distance as the pounding of the Half-Breed's heart captured the warrior's senses like a beating drum. Hands reached out, and those silver eyes saw the black veins sticking out from pale flesh through the armoured plates of his gauntlets. Fingers drew in hard, the steel moaning as the Knight's body grew rigid. Then, out of instinct, one of those hands came up to reach for the amulet around his neck. Instantly, the warmth, the love and the strength of Reinne filled the empty void of Einar's breast, and slowly the Beast began to calm and the Man began to resurface. The violent changes to the White Wolf's body began to disappear, the black veins of the taint retreating from view, until all that lay there was the body of Einar the Man.

Eyes, now grey rather than the preternatural silver which came upon him as the Beast, rose up to Vahn, watchng as the man offered his hand. The most brief of smiles would be afforded the Lord Demise, and Einar would grip the man's forearm in the warrior's grip, pulling himself up to his feet. "Indeed." Einar started off, stalking behind the form of Lord Demise, heading towards the ruins where something seemed to have captured Vahn's attention. " These tunnels come out near the stronghold, we can travel safely through here." A stoic nod was given in response, and the warrior's sword-hand came up to the hilt of Fenrir - for who knew what terrors lurked within the darkness? The great sword was unsheathed, the primal strength of Fenris-Wolf invigorating Einar's form ... A god-send for the Knight whom felt so very weary, fighting the taint at every turn of this journey.

" Einar...I'm not what everybody thinks, I'm no hero, and I'm far from being a warrior, but I'm not as much a villain as everyone might paint me out to be. I'm complicated, theres a lot of things I do merely to distract people from seeing me for what I truly am. I'm only telling you this cause you risked yourself to save me. That was honorable of you, so know that your risk was not in vain, nor will it come back to haunt you."

Einar nodded to Vahn, "Few men are what others think them to be ... You see me, and you see a Half-Breed. A monster." The warrior found himself offering the Lord Demise a half smile, "I am that, but I am more. I am forever loyal to Reinne, Vahn - I would never betray her, nor fail any mission she would lay before me." Einar headed down into the tunnels, descending into the dark, " ... for she was the one who released me from the darkness ..."

[Prasutagus Darkthorne]

Prasutagus was leading the mass of Darkthorne towards Demise, when one of his scouts came running up. He spoke towards the dragon machine, " Lord Prasutagus, a disturbance was reported in the ruins, tracks were spotted there as well." Tracks, so it would appear the Blackthornes had sent a rescue party to get Lucan back. How predictable, they wouldn't be able to rescue the boy, but if they wanted to die then so be it. " Send some of our Darkthorne elites after them....but make sure to use your "true form" don't hold back for anyone anymore, today we reveal our true strength once again. I want them killed and their heads sent to me in Lochland." Prasutagus smiled as he watched the scout run off getting a few men. He watched as their forms began to chance into twisted demonic images of their former selves.

Prasutagus sent a mental message to his queen, " we have intruders in our lands, it would appear they've come after my wedding gift to you. I've sent them our warmest welcome, I hope they like it." Malmora stepped out, her ethereal form like smoke. " You should be careful with this machine, the sand will clog it's machinary if you keep stopping to glot and plot Prasutagus.." Prasutagus turned and looked to his dead mother, " if you were not dead already, you would be.." Prasutagus turned back to the controls, if Matius weakened Demise for him, then he would earn his life. However if he arrived there to find that Matius had done nothing, but warn their enemy of their intentions, then he would be given eternal death.

[Merlindria Darkthorne]

It was a wonderful thing..this new power..this new title..but most of all...the fear and dread. She loved how her minions seemed to walk around her as if they were on eggshells, fearing one wrong move and she would smite them. How right they were. A decadent smile wafted at the edge of her lips as her army marched at double pace to catch up with her 'beloved' husband.  Twisted souls of former paladins turned dread knights rode in two columns behind her leading the pack. Lichs, the former great mages of many lands floated about keeping pace. Beasts that could only be described as mutated wendigos or werewolves marched along, their jaws salivating, acidic drool hitting the ground beneath in a puff of smoke.( see pic below)

Yes her army was a myraid of minions, and it was coming to Demise.

When the second message of Prasutagus hit his queen's mind she merely sneered and replied.

" Fools. They think they can survive in Darkthorne lands? They think they can claim what is rightfully mine? Let them come my love. Together we will feast upon their rotting flesh and copulate on their bloody carcasses when we are satisified."

[Vahn Demise]

Vahn halted in his movement through the tunnels, spotting a form which looked to have been bathed in flames. The figure disappeared into the darkness as if not wanting to be seen. It had been however, Vahn had seen those eyes so familiar, yet something different lurked within them. He couldn't see it any longer, perhaps it was just a illusion left over from the crystallis. Vahn's eyes could see within the dark as though it were day, and he only saw a wall where the figure once stood. Vahn hated himself for letting himself fall into the trap. Now he might have cost them their cover with his wild spell. Vahn could see the outline of something moving ahead of them, these tunnels were no secret, not anymore. Yet he knew that if one end was blocked the only way out was to go back. Whatever it was, had the use of invisibility, but Vahn could see it. " We have company, rather unpleasent looking company at that."

Vahn drew his sword, and extended it out towards the form, the form lept to the ceiling, but Vahn altered the blade sending the point following the creature up. It plunged into the creature's back, pinning it to the ceiling, Vahn retracted his sword. The creature's invisibility lifted and the mutated Darkthorne lay there bleeding, it was quickly regenerating and getting back up. Vahn knew what it was, it was a Darkthorne in their true form, which made it all the more dangerous. Having dealings with them in the past he knew that they were more powerful in this form. Not to mention they were practically insane in this form. The creature spit out a corrosive ooze at Vahn, who raised his arm to block it. The ooze burned through his clothing and sizzled on his bare flesh, however it did not burn him.

He slung the stuff off carefully, " nasty little demon.." Vahn's sword produced multiple blades which all flowed through the air like it was water. Each one aiming at a different part of the creature, it went to dodge, but there was too many blades. It was impaled and Vahn slowly brought the blade back together, cutting through the creature's body to do so. Guts and blood splattered the tunnel floor, Vahn smiled a cruel grin. Vahn extended a spell of spectral flame out along the blades, the creature's form became lit ablaze with white fire. It's part fell to the floor of the tunnel slowly, reverting back to what it once was as the flames slowly died out. " Theres more, far more then I can handle up ahead, their guarding the exit, which is where we need to go.." Vahn turned to Einar, " be careful these are not your typical Darkthorne, attacking them in a single manner will not do. You have to find a way to get them to leave themselves open, otherwise, they'll use their speed and relfexes to dodge."

Vahn had learned most of what he just knew, playing with the one he killed. They were something much like a beast and a man, given enhanced stats, and having a dark mind. " If we guard each other's back we should have less of a chance of being swarmed by them. I'm sure their planning on attacking one being at a time, we're easier to pick off that way."