Demise: Demise estate

[Adrian]

The rain pelted down upon him oh so heavily, as he found himself growing heavier with the bloodloss that he was suffering. The tainted tip of the Darkthorne arrows was holding its effect as steps found themselves faultering half way, Adrian dropping the composit bow he had held in his right hand. He would have fellt to the ground completely had his hand  not caught itself upon the metal armor of a dead ogre whose body lay only inches away from himself. Kaydean... What had happened to your love and values that he had tried to instill? Revenge wasn't the answer... No, not this time it wasn't.

The deafening roar of the battle was drowing out amonst the words of Kaydean, calling him a murderer, a killer of parents. He closed his eyes, as a tear rolled down his cheek, though one couldn't have differentiated it from the rain that streamed down his face to wet clung hair. In his own way, yes he was a murderer. Every person killed today had family, whether they were a son to a widowed mother, or a father to a young son. Who was he to take the life of another? To play judge, jury, and executioner? The apple could have avoided this all, it could have avoided so many unwanted deaths. If only it had been planted... But hadn't it? Wouldnt it? Adrian had no knowledge that his brother Reese had done just that, had helped plant the apple.

Blue eyes blurred as he saw the attack of Kaydean drawing closer, an assassins stance which could have done an array of movements should one so much as try to counter attack, or dodge. But Adrian would find no comfort in attacking Kaydean, he wasn't a Darkthorne, he had never been one, and never would be. He didn't have the heart or stomach to destroy what was essentially his family. And so, he would place his hands in the life of Kaydean without fear of death, without fear of what would be in the afterlife. The blade found itself meling into the flesh of his stomach, pouring a new sense of pain into his heart as the blade of his son found its way into his body. He stopped only a second as a grunt found its way out the mouth of the man, along with the heavy breaths. But he wouldnt stop, he would just keep walking forward onto the blade until the hilt of the blade met his stomach and he was practically face to face.

Slowly Adrian lifted his head, looking Kaydean in the face with a small smile upon his lips, small dimples tracing the corners of his mouth as he gazed now into the eyes of an older Kaydean, a darker Kaydean; but it was Kaydean all the less and that in itself was worth it. He whispered softly to his son, "You found me..."

Eyelids fell over his eyes, as the words werent the words of his condemned soul, but rather a memory of once upon a time, when things were so much simpler and love was sincere in the land. The thoughts crossed Adrians mind as he found himself falling forward to lay his head on Kaydeans shoulder.

Adrian was running about the log cabin house in the mountains, chasing after his wife, only to see Kaydean come running outside and down the steps, the snow crunching beneath his feet as he screamed happily at his dad's return. Adrian stopped the playfully pursuit of his wife only to pick kaydean up beneath the arms and spin him around in the air. Kaydean, the innocence... Hiding your face behind your hands, only to peak between your fingers Adrian put you down to take a knee before you and mimmick the gesture. Kaydean pulling his hands away began to pull at Adrians own hands. Adrians hands fell, as he reached out and grabbed Kaydean into his arms into a hug, saying softly everytime he returned home, "You found me!"

His tears fell softly upon the shoulder of Kaydean now, as slmber and exhaustion became the controlling force now. He was resting his weight towards Kaydean now and he had no knowledge of what was to become of him or this fight. But he could only pray that the will of man would end it. Destiny wasn't at the hands of gods, but it was the in the reigns of each individual. They held the choices here, they held destiny....


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[Prasutagus Darkthorne]

Malice

The female Darkthorne had arrived in the city with the other elders, she saw Dellrend's fall. She had brought him back to the darkness once, she knew he would be of no use to them now. At least she could count on Dramund, he was almost as feared as Cebreese. Just then she heard Dramund call for help, Malice blinked. She floated down the street and looked about the corner seeing Dramund flailing blindly before Cebreese and a lone horseman. What had happened, but before she could finish that question, she knew. Glancing upon Cebreese she noticed the change in his stance, in his aura. So he'd turned on them, without Dramund and Dellrend, there was no reason for her to be here. The red dust began to settle over the area she was in, she felt the weakness gripping her. Damn it all she had to get out of here before she was discovered. Malice whistled to her pet, the black dragon in the sky came down, landing in the square.

Malice ran towards it and jumped upon it's back, she would deal with these fools her way. Malice urged the dragon up into the air and as they rose she spied, Raven so they had dragon riders as well. Malice didn't know this person, she did know however that this person was not on the side of Darkthorne. " Let's go show her what happens to those who oppose Darkthorne my pretty." The dragon flew next to Raven's and Malice threw one of her knives as the woman. Malice had no need to give a long speech or discuss matters, she was here to help Darkthorne reach it's glory, not discuss matters with her enemies.

[Lady Raven Dragonheart]

Raven moved along the wall making her way to a place that would give her more room to fight. The enemy was getting her pinned against the wall to where she was not able to fight well. If she stayed there her death would come with no doubt in her mind. Getting some space between her and the enemy she yelled "Dragon Breath" aiming the blade at the Darkthornes. Those hit by the flame screamed out in pain and fell to the ground dead. Taking advantage of it she ran towards the edge of the battle.
As she made head way along the wall Phantom gave her a picture of Longinus. He was sititng along the wall next to Tempest but she was not moving, what kind of condition was he in. She gave a message to Phantom to fly over, grabbing his tail as he did. Raven's eyes looked over the ground looking for the spot Longinus sat.
Seeing the spot that Longinus rested along the wall she had Phantom fly low over him. Raven landed a few feet from him, her eyes going between him and Tempest. She kept close watch upon he sister not up for any surprises right now, keeping space between them. After a bit dropping her blade to the side as she came to kneel beside Longinus.
First thing she looked to the wound on his leg that looked pretty bad, at least she knew where he was. Raven looked to his eyes before moving the badge some to get a better look. It was very deep and needed looking at, she had no idea were a healer was.
Staying beside Longinus she looked to Tempest getting a look at any wounds that she may have. One of the wounds caught her eye over the couple that she saw, the one over the heart. Raven looked to Longinus with wonder in her mind, knowing a healer could only take care of such wound.
She looked to Longinus' face "I need to get the two of you out of here so that you have a chance to be healed. You will go first being that i don't think that Tempest has a great chance to live. Are you able to stand long enough to get a lift out of here?"

[Reese Blackthorne]

Reese watched, and as he did, the wound of the destiny blade began to glow. Reese felt torn, as though he was being ripped apart inside, he could hear a voice in his head. The strange thing was, the voice was his own, it asked him a question. " After living again, are you so sure you want to give up this life, this beautiful land, and go back to the realm of dreams?" Reese puzzled over the question, he had a duty to fulfill, a destiny..." A destiny that will forever be your's, for in the dream realm time has no restrictions, I am here as you are there." Reese realized what the voice said, time in the dream realm was non-linear, his past, present, and future all existed on the same plane. He was in the dream realm, forever, as long as he claimed the title he would be the title. " But if you should stay there, you will give up everything, you will become mortal, you will have nothing."

Reese thought this over, he wasn't stepping down from his position, he would always had it. However the voice wasn't clear on just what it meant by he would have nothing. Did Reese dare take a chance at a life again, a life that was unclear, would he even remember anything? The bright sun peeked through the clouds, it crested the mountains in the distance. Over those mountains was the ocean reflecting the golden sun, fields of yellow wheat, the sites of Velusia, of this realm were something else. In the dream realm there was beauty, but nothing like this, the white clouds and light blue skies. Reese took in the scent of the air, it held in it the scents of nature itself, the sun, the green landscape. Reese refused to answer the question just yet, he needed to know everything was going to be okay.

He needed to know that the kingdom would survive the change, witness the new era of Velusia's history. The moment that would change everything from now on, forever. His time was over, and a new time was begining, one that he had dreamed of all his life.

" Gem...I'm afraid.." Reese was afraid, of dying, of his fate changing, of answering a question that might forever change his life.

[Kaydean]

Kaydean halted as the man fell against him, the man had said something which was familiar. As he pushed the man off his sword seeing, that there would be no fight. He looked over this killer, the man that he'd been told killed his parents. It was odd they shared similar features, the man had the same eyes as him. Kaydean raised his sword to finish the job, but he couldn't. Something in him just wouldn't let him do it, he began to wonder what was holding him back. It was the man's words, they echoed in his mind like a memory. A memory of what exactly, Kaydean wasn't sure, the rain began to stop. Kaydean looked up at the sky, seeing the rays of the sun coming through the clouds in the distance.

Kaydean would raise the sword again, his parent's deserved revenge, it was his destiny, he'd been told this many times. It was his destiny to defeat and kill this man, this man whom's name he didn't know. He felt a warm sensation over his hands, looking up at the mist of the rain and light of the sun. Within them he saw a figure, hauntingly beautiful, a face that he would know in any crowd. His mother's spirit, tears fell from Kaydean's eyes, " Mother...I can't do it, I can't bring you and father the peace you deserve..." His mother softly smiled at him and reached down towards the man, Kaydean watched as her hand never left his. Suddenly his mind began to become flooded with memories, they melded into those already within his mind. It was as though he lived two lives, each unaware of the other.

He felt himself fighting himself, fighting a battle inside, for what though? Kaydean fell to his knees in front of the man, not just a man...his father, Kaydean felt sick. What had he done, Kaydean shook Adrian as his mother's spirit slowly began to fade with the cloud cover. " Father! Father! Wake up please don't die on me, not now, not after I found you!" Kaydean's world had just shattered, everything he knew was a lie, the truth had been taken from him. He'd been made to be a tool to use against Adrian, a pawn in a sadistic game of chess.

[Anna Dimitrich Levin]

His story poured out of him like a lake of misery pain and only a few happy days of sun. Anna listened her shyness, her embarrassment was not really apart of her reason to push him away. No it was always case if she was sent somewhere to do something, that she captured again in the midst of being caught between two enemies, unknown or known. She learned how to survive but without the fear of knowing that she could be captured again and sent to the auctions for someone else?s greed. It was fear that drove her to stop him from feeling those wounds. However, he had already felt them and now he sat here telling some of his story to her.

Her opal gaze followed the clones disappearing towards the gate of Demise city. Slowly her voice erupted into his mind feeling the need to not explain but to tell someone of how and why she came here in her life.

~I have never known a time when I was not a slave. Most often times I would be treated like a pet, pleasure, torture?.many other things, merely because I could not speak as most others do.  At first my trainers tried ever healer they could find to fix the problem, but even the healers could not understand why I could not speak. Eventually I learned how to use a part of my mind to reach out to others, but it did not serve me well. Often times I was beaten for being insolent or defective. A few of those Masters could be taught to use their mind to sense my voice, others were too cruel to care.

Out of those who could hear the voice you hear now, half were decent, kind not as cruel as others. But that half was so few and far between that I barely remember them. My memory focuses on those who found a new sound in my scream that only they could hear. My trainers tried to prepare me for being a torture pet, or even a blood doll, but they never came close. I learned quickly how to survive even when the current Master thought I would die.

Somewhere I found a teacher, someone who taught me more than just being a pleasure slave. He needed a partner. So he taught me how to fight, how to be an assassin. He gave me those blades that now lay in the field. But he lost me in a battle and I was again taken to the auctions. Now, I?m here only be the simple fate of being bought by someone who freed me. Why am I? I don?t know. I didn?t know when I entered that I would be in the middle of another set of enemies. I saw one was cruel and the other needed help. I didn?t know what would happen to me here, but I came because he said it would be a good place to start. Start what?I still don?t know?~

Anna watched the efforts to fortify the gates again from the rushing charge of the enemy as she poured out some of her own life. The pause waited until she saw one of his clones move to help a soldier of Demise. Then she turned her eerie white gaze back to him,

~I wouldn?t have died easily. It is why I didn?t scream. I could feel you were angry at being manipulated, at those who were also using me against you. I have been at the edge of death more times than I wish to remember. He, the fiend who dared use me in such a way, wanted to have me for himself, or give me to his Master in order to gain a better position?Thank You for save me from a fate I already know in servitude. I?m still not sure what I should do beyond this fight?.~

She had her breath and her life, but Anna was still unsure of her place here as a free person and not subjected to someone else?s whims, desires, needs or mere passions. It was written on the lines of her expression as she moved again to watch the efforts to keep the gate?s closed and free of enemies.

[Honor Demise]

The Shard moved Vincent?s unconscious form carefully along side Her Ladyship. The chaos on inside of the walls of Cazeneuve where being brought to a margin of order by General Blackshear?s arrival flying in taking his place beside his queen. His beautiful red-blonde hair stood out in contrast to his blackened armor. Honor acknowledged his presence with a smile. He stayed long enough to shout orders gather a force of able bodies that were not helping the wounded and lifted into the air sending them to reinforce weaken areas.

A rumble of feet over the cobblestone streets announced the arrival of a large entourage. Many of the members wore doublets, tabards, or robes with the Demise family crest emblazoned on them. Priests in bloody robes joined the edges of the throng. A lumbering Ortek followed behind them, the crowd grew larger as injured that could be moved joined the procession.

" Father! Father! Wake up please don't die on me, not now, not after I found you!"

The procession stopped. The crowd parted and surrounded the two men as the queen approached. The dark lady moved towards him and smiled like angel exuding a soothing quality that calmed his spirit. She held herself with a regal bearing walking towards him, the people quieted as she passed, to lay a gentle hand on Kaydean?s shoulder.

?Your father is not going to die to day.? She said with absolute conviction. Sweet honeyed tones calmed his frazzled nerves while her hands glowed with warm healing energy, not daring to do anything but stabilizing the man in case she close a wound with shrapnel. ?He is suffering from blood loss and shock. Allow us move him to the manor and we will tend to his wounds properly.?  

Men approached with litter arranging Adrian?s body with careful haste. Rising to her feet, she offered her hand to Kaydean observing his Lifethreads. This boy was the son of man who threatened to kill her earlier. Interesting. The man hardly appeared old enough to have a full grown son, however such was the nature of Thornes. While they moved towards the heavily fortified mannor, Honor brushed the man?s hair out of his face ?handsome, another Thorne trait. In that moment she compared Vincent and Adrian?s features and then glanced over to Kaydean. She was curious. ?What is your name??

[Isabelle Dragonheart]

Dark hair flew behind her as they flew throu the air just like the many days before. Belle had gone to Stormspire to speak with her mother when she had not been at Dragon's Breath Manor. Seemed that she had gone off for time alone to clear her had or what ever reason she had. Belle had gotten word that her aunt was looking for her which was not good. Her eyes scanned the area before here looking for any sign that her mother would be there. Slowly Belle sat up as she saw long bursts of red on the horizon.
Belle pointed to where the blasts were "If I was mother that is where I would be. For she has a heart that brings her to help others when in need."
She had Darius head toward the red blasts Desari flying close by her brother. Belle rarely went any where without the other following close behind. She pulled on her armour as they closed in, not grabbing either blade til knowing if they were needed.

[Meredith Nicevan]

Meredith was not happy at all that her sister had drug her along in search of their mother. She was having enough fun talk ing with the men in the tavern. But she was there upon Razven flying over a strange land after they check the regular two spots. Joie was flying along side of her mate going where he did.
She looked to where Belle pointed seeing the same red blasts. Meredith knew that her sister was right about that thier mother was there helping out. Who knows it may be one of her dragons making the red blasts that they saw.
It seemed that their mother never had time for her, which made it odd that she aggreed to come. But she was curious as what thier aunt wanted with their mother. She had never met her but had heard stories from her mother and others.
"What are we going to do if those people need out help? Are we going to enter into someting that we have no idea allie from enemy?"

[Cordelia]

A wry smile tugged at Cordelia?s lips observing her lady?s concern with all of the Thorne men; sure that it was more than a concern of noblesse oblige. Her lady?s appetites for the male species were legendary. Glancing back and forth between Kaydean, Adrian and Vincent, the trusted companion would not mind accepting any of her mistress?s leftovers. All of them might have her lady?s mercurial attention for short period of time but none held her heart. She was not even sure that Honor was capable of real love.

Cordelia gave a great sigh and futilely attempted to wipe the gunpowder off her hands. She loved Honor like a sister wanting only her real happiness. Cordelia didn?t think that Honor really knew what that was either. She had heard stories of how villainous the siblings were, how Vahn single-handled brought down empires by conspiring to play both sides against each other, how Honor pitted family member against family member conquering the crown through intrigue. Her confidante could believe the stories to a certain point. The remaining rulers were tough, devious and lethal; however they were merely products of their harsh upbringing. A measure a pity filled her breast. She served Honor out of love and loyalty hoping one day that Honor would understand to concept of unconditional love, a power more foreign to the Demise ruling line than any concept in the world.

[Vahn Demise]

Vahn jumped up on the battlement feeling the lock on the realms give way. Vahn thought on Vincent, on Adrian touching his sister, oh how he loathed them all. The male suitors of his sister, he hated them all, that rage built up underneath his placid appearance.

" Hehe..."

Vahn extended his hands reaching into the umbra, where creatures hungered for fresh flesh. It was a dangerous play, for nothing could control these creatures, Vahn didn't care anymore. He was searching for power, not these creatures, if they devoured his soul, he wouldn't care. They watched him, his astral form appearing within the pool, the pool from which he would drain his deadlist card yet. He summoned up the aura of misdirection, it extended about him in a 20 ft circle. It caused attacks on your enemy to be redirected at you. In other words you blade would strike at the enemy, but come down on you instead. Vahn jumped down and walked amongst the Darkthornes and Velusians. They fell in without even knowing what happened, when one survived an attack by defending they found their death by attacking another.

Vahn chuckled as he walked through their numbers, he extened his mirridian sword as the blade became liquid and snaked out stabbing enemies in front of him. Vahn laughed, he didn't collect souls, he didn't care about allies, but the fact they attacked his lands. He held no pity or mercy for them as they fell. Vahn had to extinguish the anger he felt for those whom time returned to trouble him. Vincent, he'd find a way to kill his this time that would be absolute.

[Reagan Demise]

Reagan had waited, in shadows he'd been waiting for the lock to lift so he could introduce himself. As Vahn extended himself in the umbra, Reagan was there waiting and watching. Vahn's astral form was unprotected as he began to drain the energy for his aura. Reagan attacked, sending a pulse his hate for his brother, the energy hit the pool changing it to drain Vahn. Reagan appeared in front of Vahn's astral form smiling, slowly he appeared at Vahn's back in Demise. His disguise hid the horrible transformation of death, but his disguise did not hide his aura. Vahn would recoginze his brother no matter where he stood. Reagan raised up a black mirror and tapped Vahn on the shoulder.  When Vahn would look into the mirror it would show him, just what he had become. It would make him mortal for a short period, long enough for Reagan to leave his calling card.

Reagan began to slide the sword from it's scabbard, it was his father's sword.

[gem_sherbrooke]

She stood watching the tree as it grew, ready to protect it from what ever might appear.  The she ehard Reese's voice..Hadn't she just sent him to the castle? She looked and sure enought there he was, still laying on the ground where he had fallen.
 
" Gem...I'm afraid.." He had said.

SHe moved over to him again, lifting his head and upper body so that it reasted on her lap.  She had the healers touch, and at last she was intent to try...that was all she could do, was try to heal him....

Gem's hand  touches him gently on the shoulder as she closes her eyes to concentrate on the task at hand. Her other hand gently caressing his cheek.  Her full lips begin to move as she begins a concentrated prayer.  The ancient prayers of her goddess, the gift given to her at birth and nurtured by her mother.

Channeling the life force from everything around her, channeling it through her body, through her hands and past her fingertips she continued to whisper her prayers as the life powers drained from her fingers towards his stricken form.  Warmth and healing flowing through her like a gentle ocean current....

[Vahn Demise]

Vahn sensed a disturbance in the umbra, sensed a change in the pool, he had to draw himself from it. The aura faded and Vahn cursed whoever dared to challenge him in power battle. Vahn smelt brimstone, it hung in the air about him, he became curious to it's source. Before Vahn had anymore time to question that source, his mind thought back on the Crystallis. He'd smelt that same smell here and there in Belgada. Vahn felt a tapping upon his shoulder,  he drew his sword back in and turned around. As he did his eyes fell on the mirror, it's surface reflecting back to Vahn, his very soul. Vahn didn't like what he was seeing, he raised his arm to block the mirror's image. He felt weakened, but he didn't let it be known, he turned to the one that held the mirror. The mask, wig, gloved hands, and old clothes they hid the person's true identity.

But Vahn had seen enough of the person's aura to know who it was, so the devil had come for his soul. Vahn began to step back trying to get away from his dead brother. Vahn turned and slowly began to make his way up towards the forest, he couldn't be caught on the battlefield mortal now could he. Vahn stumbled over some rocks as he clawed his way up the hill, he'd kill his brother himself this time. Vahn dropped his sword and as he went to pick it up, it shattered, his enchantment over it had weakened. Vahn could feel many of his enchantments fading as he climbed. As if climbing from the lowest levels of the abyss, the further he got, the more he lost. His lifethread began to become dim as he slowly became more and more unprotected from the harsh reality of the mortal fate.

A spirit struck him draining more of his life rather then magic, Vahn fell. He looked up for the ghost that had attacked him, there were many spectors in the woods before him. Their haunting white glow, Vahn slid up against a tree, he felt drained, fatigued. Reagan had the upper hand, as always, just like when they were children. He knew Reagan would not go easy on Vahn, he knew his brother was coming to torture Vahn. Reagan would destroy everything Vahn took interest in, Vahn would have no peace. Vahn's mind was slowly screaming as he verged the line between sanity and madness. His eyes grew big as he looked about the forest, that same little lost boy of his childhood. Reagan's laughter echoed through the woods along with the laughter of an unknown female.

The ghost surrounded Vahn, souls of those he'd slain, those whose lives he'd taken through murder. Vahn's day of judgement had arrived, but he felt no remorse for the lives he'd taken. If he was going to have to face Reagan as a victim, then he'd be defiant to the end.

[Reagan Demise]

Reagan slowly walked after his brother, he had been wanting him to flee to the woods. He'd done so many times in their childhood, when Reagan was hunting Vahn. He had an ally waiting in the woods for Vahn, waiting with the ghosts of Vahn's victims. The ghost summoner of Deceit, Reagan's long lost lover waited there. Together they would exact their revenge of Reagan's family, take back his lands for him. Deceit and Demise working together, they would have been a force to fear. Reagan had been betrothed to the daughter of the Deceit leader, but Honor had destroyed that. In her sorrow, Morgana Deceit had stayed alive all this time. The ghosts of her family protecting her, when Reagan had arrived from Belgada, she was going to take her life. Reagan stopped her, whispering words of love and revenge in her ear like sweet wine.

When Vahn and Honor died, Reagan would be returned to his handsome visage. And together they'd rule Demise, Morgana want revenge for her family and her lover, the chance for the two of them to be together. Reagan enjoyed Vahn's plight, his brother suffering through the knowledge that Reagan was coming for him. Reagan entered the woods as the ghosts directed him to Vahn's hiding place. Such a fool, to hide in the same place that he did when they children. Reagan's blade went straight for Vahn's shoulder, he wanted to pin his brother down. Pin him to the tree as he use to do insects in his collection. What was this a tear, Reagan leaned in close to his brother and his disfigured tongue emerged from the mask. It slowly licked the tear from Vahn's face, it was like wine to Reagan.

" I've come for you Vahn, come to kill you, but first I want you to suffer. I will destroy everything you desire, everything you hold dear in that black heart of your's. There is no where you can hide from me Vahn, I will find you no matter where you run." Reagan reached behind him as his beautiful companion emerged from the darkness of the woods. " Torture him in front of me my love, arouse me with the pain you do to him." Reagan turned to Morgana and smiled, " I'd have it no other way, this is just a taste of things to come Vahn." Reagan brought forth a club, covered in spikes. He raised it and would strike down upon Vahn until he rendered him unconscious, he wanted to extend Vahn's suffering. Killing him now would be too easy, after he was through, Reagan and his lover would retire to her estates, leaving Vahn to his tortured dreams.