Demise: Demise estate

[Honor Demise]

Witnessing Cebreese's transformation, it became clear that what Cebreese was. The laws of physics and reality ceased to apply to them both. This was going to be interesting. Chaos magicks did not grow on trees. She had only run into handful of Chaos mages in all years of her long life. It seemed such a shame that the world was going to become one less short after this day.

Phasing through the stone, she shifted and slowed down time created a surreal version of their own outward reality, appearing out of the base of the rock clean and dry. An invisible breeze teased her dark hair around her shoulders, she pulled offer gloves tucking them in her pockets staying a good lunge and thrust distance away from the Darkthorne's halbred. Around them people moved so slowly that they hardly seemed to move at all. The rain froze in the air like motion lines.

Her smile was sweeter than the morning, lightly holding her fan in her right hand. "Let us explore this suicidal complex that you have cultivated, shall we?" She gazed into Cebreese's Lifethreads hoping to discover hidden secrets and desires. Her left hand was obscured by her long riding coat fingering the leather of her favorite bullwhip thoughtfully, recognizing someone who had just as much emotional baggage as her own.

[gem_sherbrooke]

Gem watched as if it were slow motion...the mirror, the rock, the dragon, the red dust.  The rock she had used her innate telekinesis had found home hitting the would be killer in the head sending him tumbling into the masses below..?Reese!? she called running closer to her old friend, having no idea if he would remember her.

She looked at his pale face...?Reese, do you remember me?? Her eyes searched his for a moment then she continued...?Soleus told me that I must bring you what I found. He said you would tell me what I needed to do with it?

She licked her full lips nervously..?Just tell me what I need to do? She wasn?t sure if she should show him the item..

Reaching Gem, he nearly collapsed at her feet, " Gem..long time no see...we have to hurry, I don't have much time left, come follow me." Reese would lead Gem to his horse, they could talk on the ride to the forgotten temple.

Gem slide herself under Reese?s arm, using her slender small form to let his weakened body lean on her.  As they moved, she spoke softly to him..?Reese, if we stop perhaps I can heal your wounds or at least take away the pain..? He shook his had and urged her on, Away from the red dust and the battlements.

Down the stairs they went tracing the steps she had taken just a few minutes before until at last they were at the gates, looking out toward the battle field.  There amide the masses stood the massive black stallion with a red mane.  Moving towards it, Gem helped get Reese get onto the steed, then took his offered hand and hopped with him.

[Cebreese]

Cebreese's life thread was a confusing, yet strong thread that branched off into various directions. It was tied to a destiny by the wheels of fate itself, he seemed more a pawn of fate rather a active seeker. His father as he thought it was a noble from Carthage, but in reality his father was Rasha Blackthorne, the same father of Reese. Cebreese didn't know he was related to the Blackthornes so closely. His mother was the Blackthorne known as Quelyss, who was disfigured by Seti Blackthorne for being beautiful. It caused his mother to have a slight complex, she took it out on her family. Cebreese had killed his family out of mercy, but killed his mother out of rage as well as mercy. Cebreese had gone beyond being just a mortal, he had become fully a being of the psionic realm itself. So to speak he made his own realm, he had locked himself away in the psionic realm of his mind before being pulled out by the Darkthornes.

He then took over Velusia as a Darkthorne, but then handed it back to the Blackthornes and disappeared into his mind once more. He had been pulled out this time by Malmora, then called upon by the fates to start the cogs of Darkthorne turning so that the power could shift back to the clan. He held no alliances to anyone, he had served Vahn Demise once long ago in helping restart the war between Darkthorne and Blackthorne.

Cebreese looked to Honor with slight distaste, " I wouldn't delve too deep into my complex if I were you." He didn't care if she looked into his life, for he had long forgotten what life was. What it meant to even be alive, his mother had taught him how cruel life could be at an early age.

[Reese Blackthorne]

Many had wondered why Demise was such a needed part of Velusia, but none really knew. None that is except a select few of the Blackthorne family who knew of Demise's origions. It had once been the epicenter of the old Velusian kingdom when the clans first set foot in this realm. There they found a tree, it was not like any other in the land. A voice told them never to eat of the fruit of the tree, but one Blackthorne did not listen. It was that bite of the apple which brought about the seperation in the clan. It was that same bite that brought about a non-stop history of war that would never end until the balance was returned. The taint came from the tree, it marked the first Darkthorne whom spread that taint through the clan like wildfire.

Reese and Gem rode out into the lands just on the outskirts of Demise, to a place hidden within the mountain range. There a ruin in a shallow riverbed, which had once been a temple stood, now in such ruin it only resembled a pile of stones. It once had a wall built around it and in that wall once stood a wonderous tree. Reese had been to these ruins many times, many times he had searched them for their secrets. The only thing discovered by him had been the key and name of the city Luskan. After the tree had disappeared the veil that surrounded Velusia rose up. Reese dismounted his horse and helped Gem down, then made his way to the ruins. There was a large mound of earth in the middle of the river, this mound is where the tree once stood. Reese was no longer bound by the realm lockdown that existed about Demise.

He was about to attempt something that in his weakened state might just kill him. He began to cut the earth they looked upon from the land of Demise, he moved it to the gardens in Lochland, effectively taking him and Gem to Lochland. The mound now stood in the middle of the large fountain in the royal gardens behind Lochland castle. " We must plant the apple here so that the tree of balance can grow and the clan and land itself can heal." Reese slumped down to his knees, " we will have to do this together for I lack the strength to complete this task alone..I am proud of you my old friend, you have done well. Your name shall be remembered as the guardian of the tree, for that is what I bestowed upon you when I brought you back to life many years ago. The keeper of the tree was a healer, a female, but not of Blackthorne blood. But in order to break the curse...."

Reese closed his eyes and a change began to take place over him, he slowly began to change back into the Darkthorne he was so many years ago. " In order to break the curse a Darkthorne of Blackthorne blood, must help the guardian plant the tree." The change was even more of a drain upon him causing him to feel the darkness within him once again. That darkness he purged in order to free himself of the evil, yet his whole purpose of becoming a Darkthorne had been to do this task. Black veins pulsed through out his body, his eyes became blood red as flames lept up from his shoulders. He dug a hole into the earth so that Gem could place the apple within it. It would take five or more hours before the tree was at full growth, but it would end the war of ages.

[Scourge]

From across the realms he heard it, felt the touch of the sacred earth once more. He awoke, how long ago had he forsaken his mission by destroying the very tree he was charged with over looking? Forsaken so he could be free to roam the realms. It was Scourge that tempted the first Blackthorne into eating the apple. It was Scourge who attacked the castle in the guise of a child and almost destroyed the clan for trying to undo what he had done. Scourge the angel of chaos and disorder, it was Scourge that killed Gerald Blackthorne for trying to reunite the clan. Scourge awoke from his centuries of slumber and crossed the realms to the one realm which he hated.

He had cursed Luskan and killed those who sought the apple long ago, did they think he would not come again. He would not allow the apple to be planted, for once the tree was back he would be no more. Scourge descended from the heavens like a meteor heading straight for the royal gardens. The mere impact of his landing would send Reese and Gem flying back. It was time Scourge made himself clear about the apple, he would kill the Thorne and woman. He would take the apple and hide so that it would never found again. Scourge drew his blade, as his metallic wings unfolded, he hated Velusia. Spotting Reese he thrust his blade while letting loose an angelic screech that would send a sound wave of destruction towards Reese.

" The tree shall not be planted, your lives are forfiet..." an aura of extended from Scourge covering the area they were in and cloaking it away from Velusia. He took the area to the dark heavens where their actions would be canceled out back in Velusia. " I have worked far to hard in keeping that tree from growing once more. Do you think I will sit idly by and watch you undo everything I have worked so hard to destroy?!"

[Ion Darkthorne]

The " Eclipse " glided over the desert sands of Belgada, the sand was only a few feet away from the ship. Ion twirled the wheel right and left, moving past boulders, ruins, and mountains. The ship rose up high as it went over each dune, coming back down mere feet away from the sand. As they came close to Demise, the ship began to rise up higher. The storms made it difficult to stir the ship, but Ion did not let it phase him. He flew the ship over the armies of Darkthorne and over the city of Demise, bringing the ship down slowly. He lowered the gang plank to allow everyone to disembark from the ship. Ion spotted the flagship the " Infernus " high above, he knew it's captain. Knew the man was dangerous and if left alone would eventually become a great threat to the side of Velusia.

Ion would let everyone off the ship before he told them he was going to go engage the larger ship in battle. If he could take out the flagship it would help in demoralizing the Darkthorne troops as well as deal a large blow to their air forces. Ion waited at the wheel of the vessel, not wanting to cause a stir in the city by his arrival.

[Reese Blackthorne]

Reese was thrown back by the arrival of a force he knew little about, however it felt slightly familiar to him. As he stood to his feet the angelic being attacked him, Reese deflected the nearly fatal blow, though the enemy had more strength then Reese currently. The screech however hit Reese hard, shredding much of his clothing, leaving cuts and bruises all over his form. His metallic left forearm and hand crumbled into junk. He now only had his right hand to do battle with. As the angelic being spoke, Reese began to see just why it was stopping their efforts. It had been behind the whole thing to begin with. This angel was the source of the problem, which meant he had to be dealt with, else he would undo everything they were working on.

Reese also noticed the change in the realm around them as the angel took the battle ground to a whole new realm. A realm Reese had never been to before, he had heard of this place in stories. Reese went to help Gem and make sure she was okay, he asked her to give him the apple. He wouldn't let the angel attack Gem to get the apple, his friend's life was not going to be put in danger to save his family. Reese would have to have Gem's help in defeating this being however, in fact Reese knew of only one way to do that. For the angel was equal to Reese in power in Velusia, but now that the realm had changed he could sense the angel's power increasing.

[Honor Demise]

She walked around him slowly knowing that he would follow her face to face, circling each other. ?We are not so different, you and I. Abusive mothers, we learned from a very young age that the people who are suppose to love us the most, hurt us the worst. But the past is the past. Why do you wish to cease to exist..boredom, ennui?? she speculated softly. There was an underlying event, a cause for the effect, something that made him turn his back from humanity, studying him in return.

Honor understood all too well the tediousness of the mortal coil. A day at most had passed with her brother found. The perfect union that she sought with her brother?s release had not come to pass. Now with the impending arranged marriage she would be passed over in favor of Reece?s daughter, and perhaps forgotten until Vahn needed her again like so many other times before by her younger, more impetuous sibling.

Once the war was won and Demise re-established, its future secure when Vahn marries Reinne, she would cease to have a purpose. Her time as Regent would be over. Honor had not had time to think the matter through before, however if the scenario played out she would be alone and unneeded; an option that she could not, would not accept. She was bred to be a consort for a king. Her people venerated her to godhood. To be relegated to minor nobility in the Blackthorne court was an unappetizing prospect, taking orders from Vincent?s niece or her own baby brother.

Vincent. She sighed just thinking his name. This was the second time in less than 48 hours that the thought of him had spring unbidden from her mind. Honor suppressed the memory, shaking her head as if to fling his memory far away from her. That was a long time ago and he was gone. Reece with his smug grin and irritating non-answers was supposed to ask the Blackthorne mirror about Vincent?s whereabouts, not like she cared anymore. If he damn-well was alive and not sought her out, he must not have cared as much as he said he did. And for that she would not forgive him. Vincent and Honor were too much alike ?deeply passionate and devoted to familiar obligations. They fought violently to make up with equal furor. Honor wondered what he would think about having a half brother in Cebreese. She cursed bringing her guard back up. The little meander down memory lane had left her momentarily venerable.

[gem_sherbrooke]

"In order to break the curse a Darkthorne of Blackthorne blood, must help the guardian plant the tree..."
Gem looked at Reese with confusion.."We're planting a tree?"...
As Reese, changed form and dug into the rich brown soil, Gem felt a wave of dizziness decend upon her, her slender ahnd lide into her pocket pulling out the box.  Unlike the earlier, it was now glowing softly, with writing all around it.  Gem began to read the archaic language and as she did, the box snapped open revealing an egg size golden apple.  Suddenly she felt the impact of scourge and barely found the strength to not be thrown...instead falling on her face as if her legs had been jerked out from behind. Her face hit the ground enough to split her lip and had the soil not been soft her nose would have been smashed.  She felt the ache run through her body of the jarring fall, yet her hand still held the apple in its tight grip...

OOC I will be offline until Tuesday...Reese please NPC Gem during that time

[Einar Blackthorne]

The flight across the lands of darkness and towards the battle-ridden fields of Demise had been done quickly - of which Einar felt relief for. It was not part of the White Wolf's nature to stand, waiting for battle. Not when the people he cared for were in danger. Not when his entire life's work, the peace he had fought so hard for, was being threatened. Einar would not lose that peace without a fight. He would not allow his King and Queen to fall, his people to die ... The White Wolf would not let the Darkthornes win. As the 'Eclipse' soared over the sands, growing nearer and nearer to Demise, the Warrior of Velusia could feel the sword at his back begin to pulsate. Subtle and gentle at first, but slowly growing in intensity nonetheless, Einar knew full well that Fenrir desired much more spilt blood. The White Wolf's enemies laid before him, waging war against all Einar had grown to love ... And the Knight would be damned if he didn't wage a little war against them in return.

Grey hues looked over the rails of the 'Eclipse' as the airship began to ascend, soaring over the battlefield of Demise. The Knight's jaw grew tight, and the gauntlet-kissed swordhand of the mighty warrior rose to grip the handle of Fenrir firmly. The two sides were matched in strength, Einar saw, and as such the Warrior knew that the battle would be a long and bloody conflict. Despair, sorrow, rage and hatred were envelop the senses of the combatants soon enough, if not already. War was such an ugly thing ... but, deep within his breast, Einar found that he loved it nonetheless.

As the 'Eclipse' came to a halt and lowered itself, releasing it's passengers from it's hold into the war-torn city of Demise, Einar found himself stalking towards the gang plank, striding from the ship with purpose. Yet, as he came to the end of the plank, the warrior stopped and looked back up towards the Grey Wolf, " ... Show them, Ion." The Warrior spoke, "Show them all ..." And with that, Einar would move off into the undersieged city ... The Lord Demise would know were to place Lucan so that the boy would be safe. The Lady Dragonheart and Longinus would join the battle wherever it was they felt they were needed ... And Ion had his own mission set before him. So,  the White Wolf rose his free hand to the amulet at his throat, sensing the presence of his Queen. Now, it was time for Einar to go where he was needed, where he belonged ... At Reinne's side.

[Reinne Blackthorne]

-Thunk- -Thunk-

Reinne's head turned to the side sharply just in time to see the frist arrow plunge into the throat of one of the Velusian knights. A second followed almost immediately splitting the first one. Immediately she came about to follow the path of trajectory spying the feind responsible for this hideous display. Narrowing her eyes she allowed a grim smile to touch her usually soft lips.

' You wanna play? I can play too.'

Immediately she withdrew her bow from over and across her back and took aim. With the bow's unique abilities she was able to zero in flawlessly on one of the Darkthorne's crew members, like that of a perfectly aimed lazer. Instantly she thought of a fiery tiped arrow, just such a one summoning itself.

-Thwaaanng-

She released the arrow and as it flew, she drew back the bow again releasing another one immediately behind the first. The first sunk deeply between the brows of the Captain's crew man. A second later the other split the first as she lowered her bow and gave him a daring look. If he knew what was good for him, he would not test her patience. After all, it was obvious she could take out any member of his crew who dared peek their skulls into her eagle eye viewing.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw a Darkthorne minion bearing down on her and fast. Her agility and nimbleness would save her from certain death as she pivoted left narrowly being missed by the blow of an ax as she whipped out her sword with her free hand. Again the ax would swing, this time aiming to cleave her head from her shoulders. Leaning back she ducked her head and swung her own sword in a sideways arc aiming to the gullet of the beast. As large as it was, it moved exceedingly fast. The pair circled each other thrusting, swinging and parrying. Each time she parried a blow the shock of the hit would send sharp tingling up her arms forcing her fingers into a numb state. It was by sheer will alone that she managed to retain a firm grip on her weapon.

Finally she managed to knock the ax from it's hand but it recovered by quickly withdrawing its secondary weapon...a long sword. It lunged forward swinging down. She stepped to the side but miscalculated the distance needed and cried out loudly as the steel bit into the flesh of her out shoulder. The pain was excruciating but it served a higher purpose. Quickly she swung her bow towards its face forcing it to tilt its head away before using her good arm to thrust that sword forward with harsh momentum, plunging the fiery blade deep into its chest cavity. The screech it released nearly deafened her as she gritted her teeth and continued to push until it slowly fall off the blade to land on its back toppling her over on top of it.

Rolling off she stared at the sky for a breath before slowly getting to her feet only to see another smaller minion bullrushing toward her. Gasping she bent down and crouched her knees as it came in contact then with a quick force upwards she sent the beast flying over her as she bent down and collected her bow, shouldering it once more. As she did so her eyes fell on a ship landing,but more to the point those people coming off of it.

For the first time in the last few days she smiled. Vahn and Einar had returned..and with them was her precious babe, Lucan.

[Scourge]

The angel stood there with his sword braced upon his shoulder, he smiled at Reese and Gem. He couldn't kill them, he was not created to kill anything with human blood in it's veins. He cursed his god for making him so, for he wanted more then anything to see their eyes grow dim. Scourge had been asleep in wonderful slumber only to be awakened by this one act. Why would the Blackthornes not give up their quest with the apple, why had all his attempts to cover up it's existance failed? He had wiped out memories, attacked them, burned libraries, done everything in his power to keep the truth hidden. Scourge's fist became gripped in anger as he shouted with a booming voice, " WHY WON'T YOU FORGET!!" he stalked about like a lion looking over the two.

" My god charged me with on mission, to guard the tree and keep anything that had human blood in it's veins from eating the apple. For eons I sat and watched that tree, until I forgot my purpose, forgot why I had been selected to such a boring task. Then one day your clan came from Ireland to this realm, bringing with them many other clans. The son and daughter of Merlynn the druid. Coming here from a world where magic was dying, coming here where the tree was. The goddess Gaia warned your people of the tree and they obeyed her. Obeyed her until I came along, you see I realized if there was no tree then I had nothing to guard, I would be free to leave and pursue whatever I wised. All that had to be done was for a human to eat of the apple. You think your family recently claimed the blood of the angels..Ha..I came to your clan in disguise. Mated with a Blackthorne and produced a half breed, the first half human, half angel to exist in your clan."

" I let my child grow and spread my blood so that I could manipulated your race, give them visions, whisper in their ears, lead them to the tree again. Finally one ate of the apple, the tree vanished and all the remained was that apple you hold there. I hid the apple well, for centuries it lay in Luskan, and then your clan began to try and replant the tree. They searched and searched, many came to Luskan where I led them to their deaths. I did everything to make your clan forget about the tree that cursed them, but still you came I tried to lead you to your death, but failed. Then you disappeared, becoming a god yourself and I thought my fight was finally over, that I could rest for a while, but somehow another Blackthorne found the apple during my slumber."

" I should have eradicated your clan, your kingdom, when I had a chance, I tried, oh how I tried, I led armies to Velusia. Led them to kill those whom I could not kill with my own hands, but your clan would not fall. Now it comes to this, I can't kill you, but I can cripple you to the point that you can't plant that apple." Scourge walked over to the sacred ground and stood there, his extended his sword towards them, the sword became like fire. " I will tell you once more forget this quest, forget the tree.."

[Lady Raven Dragonheart]

Raven slowly came back to what was going on about them as the sound of the battle grew louder. Her eyes looked about the sky looking for her battling duo. Smile crossed her lips seeing them close in on the area. Taking a deep breath she pushed any pain that she had away. Raven stood up placing ahand upon the rail on the side of the ship. Giving a quick glance to Longinus, Raven made her way on the rail. Her eyes kept watch upon Phantom as he made his way to her. Rycore moved at the demand from Phantom, with one big leap she landed onhis back.
Raven flew along side the ship for a bit as she removed her cloak. As Lucan came in view she tossed the cloak near him. She thought that it may come in handy for Vahn when moving the boy. After that done she grabbed hold of the hilt of the blade and removed it from the sheath.
With a suttle motion Phantom took to highter flight above the battle. Raven's eyes scanned over the ground seeing all those that wished harm upon those she fought along side. Rycore had taken up the opposite side as Godiva. Raven let out a long breath feeling good at where she was at that moment.
Seeing how the battle was she felt that it was best to hit them from the back. That way she would not get any of those that fought on the same side as she did. With a single command the dragons got inline and ready for the attack. They moved as one as the flew down getting close to the battle. One by one they sent long blasts of fire upon the enemy giving them a taste of hell. Raven had them do that a few times before they took back to the skies. Her eyes looked taking note where the enemy stood after their attack, knowing it helped lessen those that would attack.
Raven had Rycore and Godiva keep watch upon the enemy from the back. As she and Phantom took a fly over of the Demise castle to see what was goingon there.

[Tempest Rynn]

Tempest ast there on the ship where Longinus had placed her. She watched as the flew past things heading to Demise castle. At times her eyes land upon Lucan the young boy that sat some distance from her. A smirk would cross her lips while staring at him. Tempest was trying to play mind games with him any time his eyes would find her.
She looked up quickly as she saw movement upon the deck of the ship. Seemed that Einar had jumped into battle only to be followed shortly by Raven. She watched her take off on the back of Phantom. Once all of them had left the ship she would break free and get out of there. Maybe if things went real well the boy would go with her too.
Her eyes went to the four men that remained upon the ship. Without weapons there was no way that she could defend herself. Tempest knew that Longinus had some injuries and the elf was probaly not doing great. That left the other two that stood there on the deck. Being that she could not do much else she thought as she wiggled her hands. Seemed that the one that tied the binds did a good job.

[Vincent]

Vincent climbed up the Demise wall, slinging his chains of slavery up the wall and pulling himself over. The armies were deeply engaged in battle, he didn't want any part of it just yet. As he climbed up he saw a form standing there, two forms actually. The first was Cebreese, the one who inprisoned him in Belgada, the bastard who ruled over both Blackthorne and Darkthorne once. Vincent felt nothing, but hate for the one who had taken his life away from him. The one who had stolen those precious years away from him, Vincent had been a guardian over his family. Being inprisoned in Belgada had taken away his purpose, taken away his meaning. Vincent had watched over his family for years, made sure that things worked as they should. He had obligations stolen from him by Cebreese, not only that, but his own personal endevours taking away.

Vincent didn't have a weapon, nothing besides the chains which were still clamped about his wrist. The iron mask that covered his face could be considered the only armor he wore. Vincent watched as a strange ship came into view, the ship drifted into Demise carrying with it an asortment of beings. Vincent knew if he was going to deal with Cebreese he would have to depend on the element of surprise. Red dust floated over the battlements, it chocked Vincent causing him to cough. He knew he had blown the element of surprise now, for surely Cebreese would have heard the sound. Vincent suddenly felt a strange weakness wash over him, the chains suddenly became very heavy. The iron mask on his head became heavy, he could barely keep his head up. Falling backwards he hit the stones of the battlement with a loud clang, his head began to ring from the sound within the mask. He struggled to get back up, but to no avail, the weakness which gripped him was stronger then his resistance.

Whatever the red dust that had swirled over him was, it had a strange effect upon him. Curse it, had he only climbed the battlements to meet his doom at the hands of his enemy?