Belgada Remorium: Outside the Veil

[Longinus]

Longinus began to feel a little more at ease when he noticed the reinforcements arrive from the tunnel. He noticed Lady Raven, had she come all this way for him. Or had she come to kill him for kidnapping Lucan while under the spear's influence? Longinus knew the answer when she came to stand near him. So she had come all this way for him, he felt his heart begin to warm at the thought of someone caring about him. It'd been years since anyone had cared about Longinus, many wanted him dead for things the spear had made him do. When he saw Vahn step forward and suggest giving over his head in trade for Lucan, Longinus knew Vahn still held the spear's actions against him. Longinus would fight Vahn if he did try to take his head, because he needed to be alive in order to save Lucan. That and now that he had someone who cared that he was alive, he would not let them down. " If my head will get Lucan back then I would have already given it. The spear will make no deals with you, for it is more concerned about it's own goals. That Darkthorne is being used like a puppet by the spear, do not be fooled into thinking that Darkthorne is acting on his own accord."

Longinus knew all to well how the spear worked and what it's true intentions were. The spear would only do what was in the best interests of it's own goals. Longinus turned to Lady Raven and said, " I'm glad you came, somehow I knew you would, I am sorry for what I've done, but the spear was in control of me, it made do things. It's a foul and dangerous artifact that the world would be best without." Longinus turned back to face the Darkthorne that the spear was controling, surely this Darkthorne had a weakness that could be exploited. Years of being in the spear's service had taught Longinus that everyone had a weakness that could be used against them.

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

The Duke smiled at the offer of Longinus's head, but once Longinus began to tell them of it's nature, the smiled changed. The Duke lept with a force that caused the sand to come up around him. He landed in the middle of the group with the spear in hand. " I would accept the offer, if I didn't want all your heads at trophies!" The Duke thrust his spear towards Vahn, unware of Vahn's reflections hiding behind invisibility. " I shall spill your blood upon the sand and let your bones bleach in the sun!" The spear was in complete control, though it could feel the soul of the Duke starting to rise with more strength. The thrill of battle seemed to awaken the Duke's soul completely. The spear then knew it's weakness, the Duke had been bred for battle and it was battle that called out to his soul. The spear began to fight the Duke's soul, but he soon realized his error in selection, the Duke was a battle saint. He had misjudged the Duke's vocation as just being a fallen paladin, he knew now that if he were to engage in battle it would only lend strength to the spirit of the Duke.

[Vahn Demise]

Vahn watched the reaction that Longinus had to his suggestion of selling his head for Lucan. He also noticed Einar and Raven, Vahn couldn't let Einar fall just yet. He silently spoke to one of his reflections telling it to watch and guard Einar. Einar would feel and invisible force curing the poison and making sure the warrior's wounds would not kill him. Vahn had too much at stake here to let a simple mistake as in ignoring the warrior's condition. Vahn turned back to listen to Longinus as he spoke to Raven. Longinus was lucky that he happened to be the bait that led them to Lucan, or Vahn wouldn't have a use for him. Vahn half considered throwing Longinus over the edge of the crevise and down into the dark depths below. The man may have been controled by the spear, but he was still partly responsible for letting the spear control him. The Darkthorne before them looked slightly familiar to Vahn, he began to reflect on his memories of the past. It was then he remembered the Darkthorne as being the one who once led the Darkthorne forces into battle. The Darkthorne had never been one for words, so Vahn did consider the idea that the spear might be controling the Darkthorne. Now all he had to do was think of a way to get the spear near him and the crevise so he could get his reflections to sacrifice themselves and push the Darkthorne over the edge into oblivion. If there was a way he could get the spear's control over the Darkthorne to weaken that would be a plus. After if the spear had no wielder then wouldn't it be greatly weakened?

Vahn had only a moment to contemplate all this as the Darkthorne lept into the air and came down near him. The Darkthorne thrust his spear towards Vahn, whose form seemed to split into small particles of dust and reform behind the Darkthorne. The Darkthorne would have to do better then that to injure Vahn in such a crude manner. He knew his moment was now, the Darkthorne was near the ledge and Lucan was close enough to be within his grasp. Vahn's hand began to fade as it began to shadow appear where the orb was, within the Darkthorne's hand. Vahn was known for his pickpocketing, and this skill alllowed him to do so with great ease. He turned and spoke lightly to his reflections, " now.." they came forward to grab the Darkthorne and use their powers of teleportation to get him over the crevise. He didn't have to push when he could transport the Darkhtorne's form completely over the crevise. " I wish we could have come to some sort of agreement.." Vahn spoke coldly towards the Darkthorne as he began to step back and weave. He would weave a spell to vastly limit any outside influence over the form of the Darkthorne, in an attempt to cut off the spear's link to it's puppet. A simple relic seal spell greatly magnified for the spear's potency

[Sigonus Erewyn]

Sigonus watched what was going on with some interest, for these were the rescue party sent from Velusia? They were a rag tag lot, Signous listened to the exchange that was going on between Longins,Vahn,Raven, and The Darkthorne. He couldn't help, but wonder if they truly were from Velusia, or if they were merely pretending to be so. After all not everything in Belgada was as it seemed, many things pretended to be something they weren't. When the Darkthorne lept up in the air and came down in the midst of the group, Sigonus knew this was not good. " Gaia grant me your strength, lend me the power I shall need to vanquish this foe." Sigonus nodded to his two fellow elves, they began to fire arrows at the Darkthorne, Sigonus stretched out his hands blessing the arrows with holy magic. The arrows began to glow with a white light as they soared threw the air towards the Darkthorne. His next action was to bless the very ground which the Darkthorne stood upon, a task not as easy as one might think. For the land of Belgada was deeply drowned in evil and darkness, a type strange to Sigonus. He found however one simple flaw in it's being, that it was easily manipulated into change, he played upon that opening. Slowly white cracks began to spread from where his hand touched the sands, the sand began to become a bright white as the cracks raced towards the Darkthorne's feet.

Sigonus could only hope that his magic helped those fighting the Darkthorne, for if they failed, his life would be cut short. He couldn't let himself die, not when the hope of returning home to his family was within his reach. That hope fed his powers of faith, for surely Gaia had smiled upon him, to deliver help in his time of need. Everything had a purpose for something greater, and perhaps he had to endure the pain in order to gain some enlightenment.

[Tempest Rynn]

Her cold eyes looked Raven knowing the right move would catch her off guard. But there stood Longinus behind her, he could step in during the fight and interfer. So her move would have to be good enough to possibly take out at least one of them.
Seeing that Longinus was speaking to Raven she took advantage of the moment. Stepping in quickly she brought the blades up, then down hard as she closed the space between them. Smirk crossed her lips picturing the head of Raven laying upon the ground at her feet. Even the joy of the look that Longinus would bring more to the moment.
She felt the movement of the ground as the Duke landed from leaping through the air. He would deal with the men as she took the life from Raven and Longinus.

[Lady Raven Dragonheart]

Raven stood there eyes locked upon her sister only relaxing some hearing Longinus' voice. Each word came and warmed her knowing he was ok. But anger came when he said something about giving his head in exchange for Lucan. Her eyes went and fell upon Vahn with rage inside of her. Raven would not have let Vahn close enough to put a slice in Longinus.
Slowly her eyes turned back to her sister not wanting to be caught off guard. For she knew that Tempest would take advantage of any moment that her guard went down.
Her head shook some hearing Longinus' words to her. "There is no way that I could have left you here. You kept me company while I waited to speak with Shamus even thou you did not have to. As for the spear, I had a feeling that it was controling you. It was the moment that when you were pinned that I saw something in you. As for what you did is just a bad dream and shall be righted. a new life you shall have after all is done here."
Just as she spoke her last words Raven felt a breeze come her way. brown eyes opened wide to see two blades coming her way.Raven brought up her blade to block, hit of the blades knocked her body backwards into Longinus. As she took a deep breath Raven pushed back upon Tempest, eyes burning into the very being of Tempest.

[Einar Blackthorne]

As Einar neared the mouth of the cave, Raven rushed out past him, running out into the middle of the soon-to-be-fray - a gauntlet'd hand stretched out, steel entrapped digits reaching out to try and grab the woman and keep her back, but before the warrior could do so the Lady Dragonheart was gone, foolishly exposing her presence and jeopardizing any plans Vahn might have been forming as he approached the Behemoth of a warrior. Softly, the White Wolf cursed as he moved forwards silently, making sure the shadows of the tunnel kept him from the sights of the various combatants outside.

It was then that Einar felt the invisible force around him - at first, the warrior would have slashed with Fenrir and rended whatever being was near him to pieces ... yet, Einar stayed his blade. The presence didn't feel hostile. Infact, it seemed to be aiding the wounded warrior, his wounds slowly knitting - the remnants of the poison being drawn out. Although he could not be sure, the warrior could have sworn that this was an act of Lord Demise.

The Knight-Protector then reached up, triggering the fast-release of his pack, the bag falling to the ground with a thud. The warrior then knelt down, opened the back and reached inside. Any moment now, Einar knew that he would be needed, and the warrior would be ready. Various objects were lifted from the bag, and once satisfied Einar would rise, casting his grey eyes to the various warriors ... It was then that the warrior witnessed the Behemoth Darkthorne leap and attack Vahn - the Lord Demise evading the attack with an ingenious form of magic. Einar couldn't help but grin slightly at the man before he too, charged forwards. Right arm drew back, and then whipped forwards, a few small spheres leaving his hand as he did so, slicing through the sky to land at the epicenter of the upcoming battle.

Once those objects hit the sand, the spheres would burst open with a small explosion, a dense, black smoke rising up from the metallic spheres to encompass the combatants and - hopefully - disorient the Behemoth of the Darkthorne enough to send him soaring over the crevace Vahn seemed to be guiding him to. Even as those spheres flew, Einar himself would be charging forwards - his onslaught presided not by a mighty battle cry or a savage howl, but rather by silence. The warrior of Velusia would take his enemies by surprise. Legs pumped, and Fenrir pulsated but Einar did not release himself to the darkness, did not allow himself to become the Half-Lycal form that ripped and tore and slaughtered. Einar would not become that beast, unless the situation grew too dire.

Fenrir flashed up, and then the sword came down - the mighty steel of Fenris-Wolf slashing down to cleave the only threat left in two ... Tempest.

[Tempest Rynn]

Tempest turned one of her feet so to ground herself, feeling the push of Raven. Her breathing got harder as she pushed back towards Raven. She was trying to get her to off balance and fall. With that she would be able to possibly do the killing move.
Some movement caught Tempest's eye as she fought her sister. Turning her head some saw Einar bringing him blade down upon her. Tempest took a deep breath pushing upon Raven with all she had. Only to step forward as Tempest quickly brought her blades up above her head. She moved a foot back to brace herself for the connection of blades. Tempest kept her ear open listenig for what Raven may do. Her heart racing as she waited upon her fate.

[Longinus]

Longinus was slightly caught off guard when Raven pushed into him, as Tempest began her attack. Raven handled herself well in battle as did her sister, but as his eyes fell to the fray in front of him, he caught the sight of something interesting. The spear's tiny jewel was glowing brightly, meaning it was straining itself in keeping control. Perhaps the soul of the Darkthorne was too much for even the spear to handle. This might be his chance, as he saw Einar coming to help Raven, he spoke quickly to Raven, " Hold her as long as you can, I'm going to send that spear somewhere the sun don't shine, and I don't mean that Darkthorne's ass. I'll be back as quickly as possible, I won't leave you trust me, but I think we'll have a better chance if I take out the spear before it decides to start using it's magic to turn the tide of battle." With that Longinus ran foward as holy arrows thudded against the armor of the Duke, the arrows fell to the ground, as the Duke began to swat off the reflections of Vahn. One reflection cut off the hand holding the orb allowing Vahn's magic to collect the orb.

Just in that moment the hand lifted back up and reconnected with the wrist as if it had never been cut. This was not the power of the spear, this was the power of the Darkthorne the spear possessed. Longinus realized just how much a threat this Darkthorne could be and was already. He ducked used the explosions thrown by Einar to be his distraction as he cut off the hand holding the spear. The hand's grasp released and he gave the spear a quick kick off the side and down the crack into the darkness below. Just then the Duke began to gain control and the spear's link to him was broken. The ground beneath him began to become absorbed in holy magic as the earth began to break and slide towards the gaping maw of the earth. The Duke lept again causing the ground to fall beneath him as he repelled the magic of the reflections with his armor.

Now in full control the Duke's mind awake, he turned on the group gathered. " RAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRR" a gapping maw of teeth opening up to roar at the group which had began their attack on him. Chains emerged from the Duke's back, each had the head of a spear at their end. They dove beneath the sand and began to head in every direction as one grounded him to prevent the reflection's magic from trying to send him over what was left of where he was standing. The spear chains would seek out each and every threat to him and emerge from the sand to strike a death blow to his enemies. The duke had a high regenative property about him which made this killing machine even more deadly. For he could not be killed like many of the Darkthornes could, he could be contained and a massive form of destruction upon his frame would slow his coming back. Yet the strength and size of him and the lust for battle made him a slaughter house on legs.

It turned to see Vahn holding the orb, it had no real clue what the orb was, but form some reason it had been holding it before. The duke would have the glowing object back, one way or another. It turned to see Tempest fighting against Raven and Einar coming up from behind. The Duke did not know this Tempest, but for some reason it had been traveling with her. She had the signature of Darkthorne service about her, so it considered her a soldier of Darkthorne. It would send chains out in the sand to try to entangle her foe's feet so that she could deliver the death blow to them. Meanwhile Longinus headed back towards Raven and Tempest, he came up beside Raven in order to help her defend against her sister. Leaving Vahn and Sigonus and Vahn's reflections and the elves to deal with the Duke. He hoped they could get Tempest out of the way fast so they could focus on the big guy next. Longinus had no idea what Tempest might be capable of doing, nor did he want to see since they already had a big threat behind them.

Normally he felt it dishonorable to attack a foe with numbers, but at this point and time, it was becoming clear they had to. " That....things looks really pissed off!"

[Einar Blackthorne]

Einar felt his lips arching in a grin as the woman (Tempest) caught sight of the charging warrior, even as the metallic spheres exploded and chaos ensued, her body pivoting and her blades flashing up to deflect the Knight-Protector's slash. However, that momentary appreciation for a warrior well-honed skills was quickly pushed aside as the White Wolf reminded himself of what was at stake here; Lucan. And this woman stood in the way of Lucan's safe return. The lean muscles of the warrior tensed, and Einar pushed down upon Tempest's blades with Fenrir in attempts to push her off balance and render her unable to attack as he backed off, taking a few steps away to widen the area between himself and Tempest.

Why? Because the roar of the Behemoth Darkthorne sounded, and even as the battle cry of that Darkthorne rung in Einar's ears, the White Wolf was flashing a glance towards the immense warrior - to see the brute sending forth chains heralded by spear-heads, slicing through the air at all manner of foes ... And then to see them slicing towards Einar and Raven. " ... JUMP!" Einar roared towards the Lady Dragonheart, before he himself did so, leaping up into the air as the spiked chain thrust through the sand, embedding itself where the White Wolf has been standing a moment earlier.

Primal instincts took over from there, as the Knight began to descend from his jump. Fenrir flashed, the steel slashing at the sand beneath him ... and the chain that had attacked. Einar did not know what the chains were made of, but that didn't matter. If Fenrir could not cleave the chain in two, then little else would be able too. And, if Fenrir could not, then Einar and the other warriors were surely doomed.

[Lady Raven Dragonheart]

Raven never taking eyes off Tempest even thou she noticed Einar attacking her. Her ears were listenig to Longinus'words, he was gone right after the last word was said. Shaking her head she stepped forward toward Tempest in hopes of catching her off guard. Only to hear Einar yell at her to jump, seeing chains come after as he jumped. Raven jumped up just as one got her foot, making the best of the moment. She kicked the other leg out at Tempest, her blade was pointed down. Raven's blade sunk in the sand as she hit the ground.
Getting her breath back from hitting the ground, reached down and freed her foot. moving Quickly back on to her feet so to avoid anymore chains or Tempest. Raven also made sure that she knew where her sister was, so not to be surprised.

[Tempest Rynn]

Just as Tempest saw the blade close in Einar jumped into the sky. It seemd odd to her but then saw the chains that came after him. She had no idea if any would come after her. That was set to rest turning her eyes back to Raven, just as a foot came to the side of her head. Tempest's eyes caught Raven hitting the ground as she fell to her knees.
Out the corner of her eyes she watched Raven get back to her feet. Tempest looked up towards Einar seeing that he was dealing with the chains. She was angery at Raven for for getting her off guard. Leaning back she got back to her feet facing Raven. With the back of a hand she pushed back the hood of her cloak.
"You have been lucky so far my sister but your time has come to an end. I shall give you a few moments to say good bye to those here. Then off to join our parents you go"
A smirk could be seen upon her lips looking to Raven. There was no doubt that her sister would not go down easy, she would fight to the last breath. Tempest made sure as she kept eyes upon Raven, her ears told her where Einar was to her.

[Vahn Demise]

Vahn had gained the orb holding Lucan, he held it for a moment and let out a sigh of relief. Just as he did so the thundering thud, of the huge Darkthorne came from behind him. He turned just in time to have a spear thrust itself up out of the sand, no not a spear, a chain with a spear head. It struck Vahn in the shoulder, causing cracks to spread out from the wound. It sounded much like glass being pressed upon by a heavy foot. Vahn's secret threatened to be exposed in that moment, as his hand accidently dropped the orb. It rolled towards the edge of the black crack, as it came close to the edge. Vahn dived grasping the orb just in time, as well as freeing himself from the spear head. The wound slowly began to heal up as he lay there on the sand, turning with the orb and a smile. " I almost lost you again little Lucan, now best to put you some place safe."

Vahn slide the orb under the clasped top of his backpack and began to stand up. Each of his reflections were picking themselves up off the ground, the Darkthorne was not playing around, nor was he making this easy. This is why Vahn had dreaded to embark on a journey into the Darkthorne lands of Belgada. For the foes here were not so easily dispatched as those sent to simply assassinate, or cause havoc. In that split moment, time seemed to still itself around Vahn. He turned to see Einar and the other's fighting while he confronted the Darkthorne. Vahn seemed to remember this happening before, when Mythocles and the Darkthornes turned on him.

He could hear a voice coming from the distance a voice so familiar, Reagan? He turned to scan the desert looking for his dead brother, his tormenter. Vahn didn't see him, but he feared the Crystallis had already done it's work in bringing his dead brother's soul from whatever hell he'd been cast to. " I will not let fear weaken me, Reinne is counting on us to bring her son back, I will not give in." Vahn reached down to pick up his sword so he could attempt to slay the Darkthorne somehow.

[Sigonus Erewyn]

Sigonus watched as the Darkthorne reacted to his attack, the holy magic was not working. This Darkthorne was stronger then the others he'd encountered, this caused a slight fear. The two elves with Sigonus were suddenly impaled by spears, Sigonus turned to move, just as a spear came through his shoulder. He let out a yell, and fell to his knees, his blood spilling out on the sand. The spear jerked itself out and went after one of the reflections, Sigonus lay there, keeping himself up with one hand. His other hand was held against the wound which let his blood flow freely. Such a creature as this Darkthorne could not be let lose on this world, it was too destructive and evil. Sigonus began to stand up on legs that trembeled with both fear and pain. He turned to extend his hand at the Darkthorne again and cast another spell just, as another spear, came from the sand through his leg. It lift him up in the air and sent him flying to the sand near the tunnel entrance. He saw the two Darkthorne he and the other elves had killed starting to shutter with renewed life. His fellow elves lay there dead, but he still lived, perhaps luck or his desire to live and escape Belgada.

Sigonus cast began to speak words of holy power, not aimed at the Darkthorne, but all those gathered here fighting the Darkthorne and those allied with him. It was a spell to give strength and conviction to Sigonus's allies so that they could make the best decision, be fearless, and strike true. Sigonus began to try to get up, his leg was useless, he laid his hands on it and began to heal it.. The healing magic came slowly fighting off the unholy magic enchanted in the Darkthorne's spear heads.

[Longinus]

Longinus heard Einar call for them to jump, but he was but a second to late, as the spear headed chain came gliding across his leg. He fell back to the ground, a minor wound nothing more, but still he was close to have being injured enough to be crippled from battle. He turned seeing the orb that held Lucan go rolling towards the edge, Vahn caught it just in time. At that same moment he saw the elves get taking out of battle, the Darkthorne was keeping his enemies at a distance with his chains. Longinus made his way over to where Vahn stood saying, " we have to find some way of getting in close, otherwise he'll cut us apart, those other Darkthornes are starting to rise up again." Longinus turned to look over at Einar and Raven holding Tempest off, he looked to the elf Sigonus. " Can you take out those Darkthornes before they join the big guy here in battle!?"

Even as Longinus yelled this to the elf, the Duke began his mad charge, rushing with a devilish speed towards Vahn and Longinus. Longinus had no time to react for it was what seemed only three or four steps that carried the Duke to their location. Such speed in a large figure was something Longinus had not seen before, nor could he have guessed at. The darkness of the crevace was closing in before he could scramble off of the Duke. The Duke decided it would take these two foes over the edge and then climb it's way back up with it's chains to finish off the others. It let out a calling cry " RAAAARRRRRRRRRR!!" to summon more Darkthornes to the area. As the form of the Duke would go over the edge, the chains would go flying in all directions, one in paticular still remaining firmly stabbed into the ground to give the Duke and anchor on his way back up.

The chains were easily cut by Einar, they were thick and made of a dense metal, but not anything that could not be cut through with a proper cleave. However the chains did regenerate just as the Duke's own limbs could, which made cleaving them only an effort of defense.

[Vahn Demise]

Vahn listened to Longinus's words now considering keeping the man around, after all this Darkthorne was proving to be a problem. When the Darkthorne let out it's charge and cry, Vahn disappeared into his shadow and reappeared behind the Duke seeing Longinus get taken over. Vahn sighed, such was the loss of battle, he saw the anchoring chain and made his way over to it. If he cut this it would take the Dakrthorne some time to climb back up, he raised his blade, just as two chains came over the edge, wrapping around him and pulling him back and over. He had little time to prepare a proper evasion as the darkness of the crevace came up to greet him. Vahn was pulled to the form of the Duke, who held Longinus's throat in one of his huge fist. The duke let out a yell in Vahn's face as he applied the same grasp on Vahn's throat.

Vahn reached his free hand out, letting his sword go tumbling down into the darkness. He clasped his hand on Longinus's shoulder and shadow walked them out of the crevace, much to the Duke's despise. The only shadows he could think of that they could arrive in where the tunnel's. They both began to reappear from the shadows inside the tunnel as Vahn fell to his knees. The strain of all his teleportating magic was starting to take a toll on him. He could only do it so much before he felt a fatigue like no other. Struggling to stand Vahn regained his composure and slowly made his way out of the tunnel with Longinus.