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Post by Samael Wolfwood on Nov 6, 2012 13:43:02 GMT -5
Twenty Years ago in a location unknown.....
Four teenagers stand before an elderly man holding a staff. Three boys and a girl, waiting nervously as the man looks over them in contemplation.
"My children, you have all done well over the years. Though times have changed our duty remains. Your training has been rough and you have all been pushed to your limits.." The man spoke grimly.
The four listened patiently as the Old man began to look over them each individually. The first stood a mere five feet in height, his short dark hair complimented the black chainmail that draped his body. The second, a girl of lithe build and height. Her crimson hair fell to her shoulders, She appeared to be the eldest of the group. She wore dark leather covered in many scars and restitched holes.
"As the eldest, you two have proven your skills time and time again. Though you often let your anger control you. You must remember that your Hatred and Focus are your key weapons, But only if you put them towards a righteous goal." The Old man said almost sorrowfully.
His gaze continued onward to the next two. Standing next to the eldest female was a boy who's dark hair fell to his shoulders. He stood an impressed height of just below six feet. His light leather armor was littered with cuts and snags. The next was a boy who seemed barely in his teens. His auburn hair fell to his lower back in a ponytail, He wore darkened mail accented with plates.
"You two, Though the youngest have shown much bravery in all your training. You have shown time and time again that you can do anything that your brother and sister can.." The old man spoke almost proudly.
"It is because of this, that I feel it time for you each to take your final trial. This is no simple matter, Our Clan has performed this rite for generations. There is a chance you will not survive. So if you do not wish to go through with it....Speak your piece now." The Old man spoke as he scanned each face.
"I am not ready to die, I don't want to do it.." The young boy with the auburn hair spoke up immediately.
"As you wish, You have always been a gentle soul. I will not force you to do this. What of the rest of you?" The Old man looked on curiously.
The remaining three nodded in response. They looked to each other nervously, Not sure what they were getting themselves into this time.
"To the west, lies a cavern. Within this cavern live creatures known as Dragons. Over the centuries it has always been the coming of age for our Clan, to find one of these beasts."
The three gulped at this, Fear entering their eyes just from the mentioning.
"However, You will not simply seek out any dragon. You will enter these caves peacefully. You will not engage any of the beasts, that is until one makes eye contact with you. The dragon will choose you, and then you will know your target." The Elderly man's words seemed to shake the three at that.
"When you are done with the task, You will bring me a trophy from the beast. Do not try and trick me, I will know if you claimed it yourself. This is all you need know, Remember your training and you shall return...Now prepare, then be off" The old man turned as he finished speaking, returning to the small home that laid behind him.
The three took a few hours to prepare. The Eldest boy gathered up bandages and sharpened his blade. The girl stocked her quiver with arrows and bolts, making sure her bows were functioning correctly. The younger boy carefully went over his armor, making sure it wasn't going to fall apart on him. As they finished all of their preparations they readied to set out. Walking blindly off to their fate, To a Cavern known as Destard...
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Post by Samael Wolfwood on Nov 6, 2012 14:30:14 GMT -5
In the darkness of night three individuals move cautiously towards the entrance of the caverns known as Destard. Two boys and a girl, each armed, their steps making little noise as they approach.
"I am going to try and get a big one. I am not going to lose to either of you.." The eldest boy snickered as he spoke.
"Yeah right, I'll have one dead with my bow before you can even get to one with that little sword of yours.." The girl responded in a mocking tone.
The youngest boy said nothing. He simply stared into the dark entrance of The Dungeon nervously. Little light came from within, Only that which the boy could only guess came from flames.
The three entered the cavern, to their astonishment they could see Dragons in all directions. They moved carefully so as not to draw any attention to themselves. The beasts moved around the Cavern slowly, the sound of their wings permeating the cave itself.
The three moved about the cavern for an hour or so. When suddenly it appeared one of the beasts noticed them.
"It's..... looking at me...." The Girl spoke shakily. The Dragon then began to march towards them. Without hesitation the girl knocked an arrow into her bowstring and let fire.
"You two go find your dragons! I've got this one!" She yelled as she sped off engaging the beast.
The two boys nodded to each other and set off. It was not long until another of the beasts looked their way.
"Looks like this one is mine....Go on Squirt, It's nowhere near as big as I wanted. I'll have it's head in no time!" The Eldest boy drew his sword and charged the beast.
The youngest boy then began his search once again. He could hear the sounds of combat behind him, and judging by them his siblings were doing pretty well. As he strolled onward the cave began to become less and less populated. He soon found himself in a section of the cave alone, Not a dragon in sight. However that did not last for long.
From the corner of his eye, something dark loomed forward. The beast was of formidable size, but appeared to be completely black. The Shadow wyrm looked down upon the boy. It's eyes focused upon the boy's.
"It's huge..... I can't move.... this was a horrible idea.... I can't kill this thing by myself...." The boy thought to himself in terror.
"You mean to kill me?" A voice echoed in the boy's head.
"Wh- what?" The boy spoke out in shock.
"A mere child sent into this Den, to kill me?" The voice entered his head once again.
"Wait.... you can... speak?" The boy looked at the Wyrm in shock.
"We all can... to those willing to listen.... Do you seek to slay me then?" The Wyrm's disembodied voice echoed in his mind.
"I.... I have to.... I mean.... I was told to do it... I don't know. If I don't then I will fail..." The boy was not sure why he told the beast this, Surely it didn't care.
"So then, You do not wish me dead. You simply have to kill me? I could rend your flesh to ribbons if I desired such. But I see no purpose in killing such a pathetic coward as you. I have already eaten, You are hardly a snack. So I ask again, Do you wish to kill me?" The Wyrm's voice was calm but it clearly was not bluffing.
"I.... I don't. I'm sorry, Please forgive me.... I just.... I have a duty to uphold.... it's what I was asked to do..." The boy replied in fear, tears starting to well up in his eyes.
"Boy, I will give you a choice... Come at me with all of your strength. Perhaps you will defeat me, perhaps I will tear you apart. If you win you may have my head." The Wyrm's voice echoed on.
"Or, Leave here. I will not pursue you. I have no interest in you. I will grant you your life and that will be that. Choose wisely for you may not have a second chance..." The Wyrm's voice seemed to match the silent gaze the beast now gave him.
"I....I will go.... I am not strong enough to kill you. Even if I actually wanted to. Please.... forgive me, I'll leave.." The boy moved backwards slowly as he spoke.
"In the pursuit of evil, One must not faulter" The Wyrm's voice echoed once more before it flapped it's huge wings and disappeared into the darkness of the cavern....
Day began to break, the three soon approached their home. The eldest each carrying a trophy from their kill. The youngest walked on with his head down sadly.
"I'll show grandpa mine first, I think it is actually pretty impressive" The eldest boy commented as he dragged the severed head of a dragon into the home.
After a short time the eldest boy came out with a smile on his face.
"I passed! Top that!" The boy remarked.
"I think I will!" The Girl said as she smirked and played with a string of teeth around her neck.
Shortly the girl walked out of the home with an equally big grin on her face.
"Your turn! Good luck by the way.... Can have one of my teeth if you like.." The girl said smugly.
The youngest boy gathered his courage and entered the Home, Unsure of what to expect...
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Post by Samael Wolfwood on Nov 6, 2012 15:07:54 GMT -5
The young boy walked into the home, Sitting at the table was the elderly man."So, What trophy have you returned with?" The old man looked over to the boy curiously.
"I.... Do not have a trophy.... I couldn't do it" The boy responded.
"How do you mean? Did you go into the cave, did you wait till a dragon locked eyes with you?" The Old man asked curiously.
"Yes.... yes sir I did. It...spoke to me... I lost my nerve. I couldn't go through with it..." The boy gulped and lowered his head as he spoke, awaiting his punishment.
"And you listened to it?" The Old man leaned forward as he spoke.
"Y... yes. I am sorry... I know I should have just been brave and gone through with it.." The boy responded.
"It spoke to you, But did not attack you? Then tell me what is it that the beast sent you back to me with?" The Old man asked, not seeming shaken by any of this.
"Nothing....He didn't give me anything.... It let me live and sent me off..." The Boy spoke seeming ashamed.
"Then you have passed your trial, More so than your siblings. You have learned the one thing they could not. You have learned that a battle without purpose is not worth fighting." The old man rose from his chair and walked forward.
"Tell me, did you believe the beast was evil?" The Old man asked the boy.
"N...no sir, It was terrifying... But if it possessed mercy then there is no way it was evil..." The boy spoke, still a little astonished.
"With this trial you have mastered your Hatred, You are ready for your real trial now." The Old man spoke seriously.
"Real trial...? What about the others..?" The boy responded.
"They are ready for whatever evil comes their way, You however have a higher purpose.... I will prepare your ceremony, Steel your nerves.... there will be much pain in the days to come.... But you must persevere...."
The sands of time continue to pour. The three teens soon became older and wiser. Darkness soon began to enter the world. Things ancient and unseen for many generations. Sometimes in breeding a hero... you have to instill hatred upon them... No matter the costs...
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Post by Samael Wolfwood on Nov 7, 2012 11:40:46 GMT -5
The screams of pain filled the air. The cries of a young man echoing across the woods like the distant howls of a wolf. "Fight through it, The pain is only temporary. Once these markings are complete, your purpose will be known." The Old man spoke as the tattooing needle was slowly tapped across the young man's body.
The young dark haired boy howled in pain. The ceremony had been going on for quite a few hours, Never a moment to rest in between the markings.
Elsewhere....
a man in a hooded robe stands amongst others dressed as him. the group forms a circle around the individual, waiting patiently for him to speak.
"Soon our ambitions will be a reality, Our master will be strong enough to continue his plans. Our only problem is The Clan and their incessant ability to thwart our goals..." The Hooded figure in the center spoke in a deep raspy voice.
"They have proven quite the stain on our history, However in the years their numbers have dwindled. Many have fallen to us, They are weakened. If we strike a final blow I am sure we will have nothing else to worry about.." One of the hooded figures in the circle spoke in response.
"That.... is where this conversation leads. We received an anonymous tip, Strange as it may be. It could be a trap, But as I care little for the fodder we are sending.... We have nothing to lose." The Hooded figure in the center spoke in a deep cackle.
"What would this tip be? Dare we follow one of your blind plots yet again? We have been steeped in failure over the past few decades, Why should we trust you yet again?" One of the hooded figures spoke up.
Without any more provocation than that, The figure in the center swung out his hand. The only words coming from beneath the hood were "Corp Por". A bolt of energy flung from his fingers and blasted straight through the one who spoke out. The hooded figure collapsed to the ground in a pool of his own blood and lay there motionless.
"We shall act on this tip, Trap or not. I will expect you all to be a little more proactive as well... Considering we are now a member short...That is all for now." The figure in the center casually strolled out of the circle as he finished.
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Post by Samael Wolfwood on Nov 7, 2012 12:09:19 GMT -5
The young dark haired boy laid in his bed, pain still filled every fiber of him. Bandages wrapped him, he felt as if he was a mummy. The markings had indeed been painful. With help of the herbs that were given to him he slowly began to drift off into slumber. But it would appear that even in sleep he would get no peace.
The world around him was in flame, skulls and corpses littered the grounds around him. The smell of sulfur and decay filled his lungs. He could feel the heat pouring off of the ground below him. Out of the corner of his eye he could see something moving, it was big and it was getting closer.
As he looked on the giant creature became more obvious. it walked on four large legs like a centaur, But it appeared to be much more terrifying than that. Two large arms ending in large clawed hands, instead of a mouth it possessed the pedipalps of a spider. Its eyes were a glowing yellow, no pupils were visible but he could tell it was looking at him.
"Another comes before me, after all these years. Do you know what this world is child? Does it frighten you? Do you see the beauty that lies here ?" The creature spoke, it's breath smelled of sulfur and rotting flesh. It's voice rumbled through the young man.
The boy tried to speak, But found himself unable to even utter a word.
"Do not speak, Only listen. I am Obsceris The Betrayer. I have existed here in this realm for eons, Before your people walked. I was imprisoned here by my brother Malobrosi. He who scarred the world." The creature spoke, But the boy was not sure he understood.
"You carry the markings. You are he who has been chosen. You have survived and found your way here to me. For centuries I have assisted your people, Though I see doubt in your eyes. I do not do such for free. For the knowledge I have shared I ask for only one thing in return. Every demonic soul that is banished by your people comes here, so I may feast upon it. That is the deal that was struck centuries ago." The Creature roared on, it's odd mouth moving disgustingly as it spoke.
The boy looked on a bit shocked. These were not stories he was told, He wondered if his grandfather was even aware of it.
"I sense much innocence within you. It sickens me. Soon you will come to embrace your hatred. That alone is why I give my blessing to you. If only so I may witness your downfall into darkness. Remember what I have told you, Malobrosi is the key. He is your enemy from this day forth." The Creature drooled a black liquid as it spoke. The sight made the boy's stomach churn.
"Now, Begone from my sight. Send me a meal soon, it has been decades since I had a proper meal!" The creature roared, orange smoke erupted from it's mouth clouding the boy's vision.
The boy awoke with a gasp. He was still in his bed and the night was calm. He was unsure of what had just happened to him. Was it all just a dream? Should he tell his grandfather what he saw? He was filled with questions, but at the time being he was trapped in a bed to heal. With a sigh he closed his eyes once again, hoping that peaceful rest would come..
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Post by Samael Wolfwood on Nov 7, 2012 13:41:18 GMT -5
It had been a month since the dream. The boy was back on his feet and back to his usual duties. The days had become less and less eventful. There had been little news as of late, It would appear that peace had finally arrived.
Late one evening the boy was called into his grandfather's home. The night was quiet and pretty boring. As he entered the home his grandfather was sitting by the fire.
"There has been a disturbance out in the forests north of here. Your brothers and sister are busy with things here. I need you to go see what all the trouble is. Will you do this for me?" The old man spoke solemnly.
"of course I will, It's been far too quiet here lately, honestly wouldn't mind getting out." The boy responded.
With the the old man set him on his way. The journey was quite uneventful. Upon arriving at the location he was told, all he found was a small hut. the hut was obviously uninhabited, within it he found what appeared to be stores of food and supplies. It looked as if someone had decided to move into it, but never acted on it.
"Well, seems like it was only rumours. Great.... waste of my time" The boy spoke with an annoyed sigh.
He did one final look around the area and then began his trek back home. He was frustrated at this point, All this peace and quiet was starting to drive him stir crazy. the trip back was easy, apart from a few trolls and ettins along the way.
As he approached his home he immediately knew something was wrong. smoke billowed from the small houses. across the ground were the remains of men and women he had never seen before. They were clad in black robes and bore strange tribal markings. He drew his blade and rushed into the small settlement. He frantically searched for his family.
As he searched his family's cottage he was greeted with a gruesome sight. Upon the ground laid his older brother and sister. They had been killed in combat, the corpses of their opponents still surrounding them. He looked around quickly, trying to find his younger brother. He was nowhere in sight and neither was his grandfather.
As he rushed out of the cottage he found himself face to face with a figure. He quickly drew back his blade ready to strike.
"Calm yourself. It is only me." His Grandfather spoke sadly.
"What happened here?! Who did this!? Grandfather why?!" The boy shouted angrily, No coherent thought was going through his head.
"It was The Demon Lord's followers... Somehow they found our village. Your Siblings fought hard but there were just too many of them. I managed to lead some of them off, But I was unable to save them." The Old man spoke heavy with grief.
"Why...Why did this happen. It's been so peaceful... Why!?" The boy shouted out.
"Sometimes... darkness finds ways to hinder us. But we cannot let this stop us. We must continue what our ancestors began. You are destined for something great. Let your hatred for your enemies be what fuels you. We cannot stop fighting, We will bury our dead but we shall never bury our conviction." The old man spoke, trying to talk sense into the boy.
"I will hunt them down, I will not stop until I kill all of them, I don't care anymore. I will not rest till they are all dead!" The Boy responded angrily, his eyes showing the rage that burned deep inside of him.
Elsewhere...
A grotesque creature stands silently within a realm of absolute terror. a smile forms on it's horrific inhuman jaws.
"Maythe price you paid be worth your Vengeance Edrick. For you may have unleashed upon this world a force even I wouldn't dare challenge..."
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Post by Samael Wolfwood on Nov 7, 2012 14:52:15 GMT -5
Ten Years ago, Outside of Vesper..
The young boy had grown into a man. Many of his years had been spent hunting down members of The Demon Lord's cult. It had been eight years since his home was attacked, His grandfather had passed and left him to seek his Vengeance on his own. Every time he got close to finding The Cult's leader he was disappointed to find a cold trail.
This time he was sure he was on the right track. He had heard rumor of a man in Magincia. After following many leads he discovered that this man had been deathly ill for many months. However he was said to have been cured after being visited by a group of "monks" in black robes. It had to be The Cult.
The trip to Magincia took a few days. The ship arrived early morning. The town stunk of Evil, All of the people walked around with a certain sense of Pride. He knew only the name of the man he was to seek out. "Zachariah Crowley" .
He spent the next few days investigating the town. He learned much while there. It would appear that this "Crowley" was a member of The Magincia Parliament. He had begun to reserve himself to his family home, Only meeting with others in private. He knew he'd have to be careful on this one.
The Crowley manor was quite an impressive building. It however appeared to be lightly guarded. The front doors were guarded by a single man wielding a large axe. He thought a moment, eyeing over the building before deciding. A window on the second floor was his choice. Carefully he tossed his grappling hook into the window, Trying his best to not make much noise. Within the room he was a little shocked at what he found.
Within the room lay the remains of two people, a man and a woman. As he moved closer to investigate he was able to identify them. The man he was able to identify as Zachariah Crowley, from the information he had gathered from the city. The woman he could only place as his wife. Judging from the state of decomposition they had been dead for a few weeks now. The stench of death filled the room, As he rose to move further into the home his path was blocked.
In front of him stood three men in hooded robes. They silently stared at him from beneath their hoods till the one in the middle spoke.
"It appears we have a visitor. Look at his armor.... Is it possible he is the one?" The one in the center spoke seeming amused.
"Look at the markings on his left arm, It must be him..." The one on the right spoke in return.
"Impressive Child... to have survived this long. You will have to excuse my rudeness, You were not there when I murdered your family.. So I was never able to introduce myself.." The One in the center spoke again. Before he could finish the young man's blade was heading for his face.
The blade skirted the hooded figure's shoulder, tearing the hood free from his head. What remained there was horrifying to the young man. The right side of the man's face appeared to be that of Zachariah Crowley, But the left side was inhuman and that of a demon.
The other two Cultist reached forward and grabbed the young man by his arms and restrained him. The deformed man slowly walked forward and leaned in to speak to him.
"You have quite a temper... I am Mikel Sarevek. Or I was I will say. You however can just call me Zachariah. One of many lives I have made my own. You have been a thorn in my side for quite a while now. To think, even after killing your entire family you STILL wish to come for me. Death is far too simple for you boy, I have a much better idea." The one known as Mikel spoke as he leaned out the doorway, pulling his hood back up.
"Call the guards.... tell them that a dark haired man has snuck into The Crowley Manor and murdered The Lord and Lady." The deformed man spoke to one of his underlings.
"We should just kill him and be done with it.." One of the "minions" spoke in a scoff.
"Let the guard deal with him, He will certainly get a death sentence anyways... Let him die as a criminal. It will be much more of a message than if we killed him here..." Sarevek spoke with a small laugh.
The young man slammed a foot into the knee of one of the men restraining him. As the cultist recoiled in pain he reached into his pack and pulled out a small white item. Quickly turning he kicked his other aggressor square in between the legs, forcing him to release his grasp.
As his two restrainers began to regain their composure, The Young man hurled the white object into the floor. a large cloud of smoke erupted. When it cleared the young man was gone...
"What now, We cannot let him get away.." One of the cultists spoke.
"It's unimportant, With Crowley's identity now compromised we will have to move on anyways. Let The guards deal with him. Being a known criminal will make it impossible for him to track us down.... Let's be on our way." Saravek spoke as he ushered his followers out of the manor.
Two days later...
The young man snuck his way around Magincia, he borrowed a straw hat from a local farm to try and hide his face. The guards were on the lookout, and somehow they knew his name. As he was sneaking about someone appeared to be following him. He weaved in and out of alleyways and it seemed like he shook them.
"That was close...." The young man sighed in relief.
"Sure was, I almost lost you" a feminine voice came from behind him.
The young man glanced back, before him stood a young woman with short red hair.
"Who are you....?" The young man asked shakily.
"That doesn't really matter right now... but boy do I have a deal for you...."
A few days later a body was found in the woods of Magincia. Posters were put all over Magincia.
Crowley Assassin dead, Justice Served.
The End...?
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