Those Who Search for That Which was Lost...

[Mon-Da-Oth]

Myles grew uneasy with the sudden hush that had fallen over the group on the mound. Glancing towards them he noticed that they all stood staring inwards with blank expression on their faces and with closed eyes as if in a trance.

With the quiet came a darkness that seemed to boil up out of the earth.

Myles reached into his quiver to ready another arrow and found his hands wrapped around the Shai clay pipe. Somehow when his hand grabbed hold of it he felt an inner peace fall over him and his mind cleared of all the troubles that plagued him. He pulled the pipe from his quiver and stuffed into safely into the front of his padded armour.

The darkness continued to grow and shapes began to form within the darkness. Myles released a volley off arrows into the a shape that was closest to the mound. Whatever was forming fell flat to the ground and remained still with three of this arrows sticking out of it.

He could see Den charing into the mass, hacking and slashing about him.

Occasionally he would glance towards where the Lady Velvax and Hakiseth wove a dance of death amoung the beings and when it seemed that the numbers around them might grow to much to handle he would release a arrow embued with a fireball to help clear and lighten the area around them. The multiude was incredible.

Suddenly he felt a chilling touch followed by a burning pain in his shoulder. He spun quickly and released an arrow point blank into the shadow and then sprang around behind it and shot another through what should have been its head. The beast fell silently to the ground.

Not waiting, Myles ran to another location closer to the mound and spotted one of the shadows trying to enter the ring. The thing stopped behind a stone out of Myles sight but he knew where it was and released an arrow anyways. The arrow flew towards the stone and then with the spell Myles and placed upon it arched suddenly around the stone and struck the creature causing it to stagger out from the protection of the stone.

Three more arrows followed into the back of the shadow but it continued to get closer to those gathered there.

"Den! The Mound!" Myles shouted.

((had to edit because zombie's post was finished before mine))

[Oye99]

//Won't be posting on this tonight anymore, hence me going to a party.. sooo, hehe if you want, throw my character around a bit, if not, just assume that I'm there doing my thing.

[Vahene]

A single psuedodragon rushed out of the trees at lightning speed. He seemed to be everywhere at once. Spotting the shade getting closer to the circle, the dragon let out a fierce cry in his location beside Drakin, alerting the panther of the danger.

"MISTRESS HEAVEN!" The dragon flew at breakneck speed towards the circle, being very careful not to break the magic he could feel emerging there, which felt powerful and very precarious.

The dragon positioned himself between the circle and the shade and opened his mouth, fire blasting and razor sharp claws swiping towards the shade. Engaged in battle, he settled on distracting the shade until he received help enough to destroy it, or he destroyed it himself.

He would not fail.

Mistress Heaven's life depended on it.

.

Inside the circle, Heaven made no motion at all at hearing the dragon, or noticing the entire battle. Sweat poured down the sides of her face as the scrying continued...

(Yes, familiars are great.

[Stormknife]

Haxley swore under his breath as the shadows started to get up and animate. "Never been a fan of these." He had fired about three arrows into one before getting annoyed, drawing Winter, and leaping down to the ground. "Zivitch!"

"Yeah boss? AH!" The halfling from before stumbled out of his cover, slashing frantically at the shadow that was attacking him with a short sword and a kukri.

"Find the other cutters we brought with us," Haxley said, striding towards the halfling and his assailant. "Get the other cutters and start clearing us a path back to town....we made need it."

"Right - AH! - boss. I'll get right on it as soon as - " Zivitch stopped talking as Winter was driven through the creature, which began to dissipate. "Uh...now. I'll get on it now."

Haxley nodded to the halfling and activated his quickblade, dashing towards the hill. He saw the fire and heard the familiar (heh) voice of Heaven's pseudodragon. "So, that's where I go." He muttered, preparing to do something very, very stupid to take down the beast if he couldn't get there fast enough...

[Vahene]

Heaven pushed even more magic into the scrying, her entire body trembling. If this wasn't so important, by this point she probably would have fallen to one knee or collapsed from the pain. She was so exhausted. A blink of something caught her gaze and her eyes widened.

'Lone?' She thought to herself, astonished by what she saw.

[Clerified]

On the hilltop with the rest of the magic users, Mitchifer was outwardly straining with the sheer amount of energy that flowed almost serenely in the whirlpool of power before them. The focus required for the scry was monumental to accomplish whatever Falson had planned for all of them, and his body was paying for what his spirit reaped in the dimension where he could face Lone in a much calmer demeanor. The image of his apparition stood very casually amongst the others before Lone, his gaze dutiful yet sparked with compassion to see his once-a-time apprentice once again, and not just his physical appearance, but Lone himself. However, he let that be the extent of their reunion for a more suitable delegate to come forth and commune with Lone's spirit. All of what had happened to Lone since his beginnings at Daris and forward, Mitchifer felt partly responsible for since he had been charged with overseeing his transfer to the village. Mitchifer meant what he said when he gave his promise to protect Lone at any cost, but now was not the time for that. For now, it was enough for Mitchifer to help Lone's friends reach out to him, and to let Lone know that they were going to find a way to save him before everything went to hell.

[Rego Blin]

A panther came bounding out of the forest at full stride, making its way directly to Myles' side where it lept at an approaching shadow tearing away what would have been its throat.

A moment later four arrows flew from the trees and embedded themselves in the shadow currently fending off the psuedodragon.

Tathar sprinted from the forest wall and headed in Myles' direction, releasing several mores arrows on the run, finally dropping his bow, drawing his rapier and charging into the fray, a silent pray to Ki on his lips.

[Cerberus]

Lone did not move, but spread his gaze across those who stood present. His thoughts could be heard aloud, as if he spoke... his truest, inner thoughts.

Dorvan... at one time we were so close in age, and now we look so different. I didn't miss you enough, when I left the train to follow Anu, and didn't realize what I was missing, until you told me I had earned the Starraiser name... I left you behind.... I couldn't be what you wanted to be, in the train... I failed you...

Mitchifer... you were the first one I met in the land that was not my home and yet I loved more so than where I came from. You showed me the path that I needed to walk, and many times, I rebelled from you, twisted Anu's word to fit my own meaning, and blatantly ignored your warnings. Many times did I summon the undead to complete my tasks. I failed you...

Heaven... in every way but in the truest sense, my sister. I blame myself for all of your hardship, for all of your trouble. I led you down the path of destruction, and only brought pain to you through my trials. I am surprised to even see you here... Lone stopped a moment, and his eyes narrowed slightly at her, before relaxing again. No... its gone now. Though more recently than when I last remember. So, destroying the stones did not cleanse you. I failed you...

Falson... At one time, my role model, a man so similar to myself that I could feel comfortable around you. You offered your hand many a time to my trials, changing my world and its views, showing me how to speak to people with the true neutrality Anu preaches... and yet I ignored you... I found myself frustrated with your ways, and sent spies to watch your moves and those of your comrades under false pretenses. You gave me your reasons to be trusted, and I threw them away. I am not worthy to be mentioned next to you... I failed you...

Isis... Lone hesitated before speaking. You... most of all... I promised you a wedding, to bond myself to you for life, and I promised that all would be set right upon our return from the Telkhmar. Lone looked down and away. I did not keep my promise. I left you behind, to be without me, and for that, I can never be forgiven. You, most of all, I failed you...

A soft beam of light emitted from above, shining a gentle glow on the casters present. Lone watched it sadly as it made its way from the dark sky and landed on the ground in front of Falson, focused on two halves of a small bowl that laid silently.

The magical forces kicked up a wind that started harshly, and grew in intensity that it was a wonder the casters were not picked off their feet.

Lone sighed. Time is wasted with one such as my own.

TIME. TIME. TIME. TIME. TIME. TIME. TIME. TIME. TIME.

The word echoed loudly throughout the darkness.

The bowl glowed furiously, blinding everyone in a sea of jade light.

As the light dissipated, the magical darkness lifted, and Lone and the casters found themselves deep within a dark cavern that reeked of familiarity with them, but identifying why was not so easy.

The spirits of those present were mere shadows compared to the tall man standing at the far end of the cavern. A large, gleaming crystal hung in the air over his head, and black energy flowed from it into his body. The body of Lone Starraiser lay in a heap at his feet, convulsing from the dark power being channeled through him.

Uroch leaned his head back, smiling, enjoying the power. Behind him, a...hole...in space, only the size of a man's head, but growing steadily, opened. "Soon! The Day of Torment is at hand!" He cackled madly, and smiled down at the body below him, holding out a grey sphere that pulsated to the darkness. "And you, its all because of you!"

Lone, shimmering in the magic forces that brought them here, looked on sadly, silently, at the event in front of him, the casters of the scrying behind him, to his rear.

And so, my pain will finally end.

On the hilltop, covered with the dark shadow spirits and those valiantly defending against them, the casters continued to stand silently. At one point, the bowl on the hill began to eminate a bright green, bathing everyone near it in a soft light...

[Starkwolf]

The dark mass of Chaos swirled violently, the "thing" within it angered by the fight. The God had not directly intervened yet as the beast had expected. His anger reflected in the ever faster band of Chaos that kept it hidden from all. Erebus was no longer smiling. The game had begun and he had expected Anshar to play his hand to soon. He did not expect such reserve from the God.

The Chaos about the Demon grew faster it was obvious it wanted out, needed the game to be afoot, but he could not, would not enter the game without Anshar's card played. Erebus waited, angry and terrible for the battle to be won.

[JaeEleutheria]

Skia slinked out of the shadows with a low growl and hiss, ready to defend. Behind her four "young adult" panthers stood. The first litter of cubs were at the brink to coming of age, and were ready to defend the masters of their parents.

Jae was too focused on the scry, there would be no diverting her.

(( second litter too young, still at Dragonwatch

[Mon-Da-Oth]

Myles grinned when he spotted Tathar join the fray jabbing back and forth with his rapier.

The shadow that had made the mound was now just a mass of blackness on the outer rim of the group. A very angry pseudo dragon and Tathar's panther along with several more of Myles arrows managed to down the beast.

Sweat dripped down his nose as he continued releasing arrows into the massed shadows around the Lady Velvax and Hakiseth and he watched the shadowy forms of several panthers arrive to aid the defenders. He smiled as an idea came to him.

He waved his bow towards Den and Tathar hopping to catch their attention while dodging and leaping between the shadows making his way towards Shalandra and Hakiseth. Once he neared the pile of dead collected around the blue haired warrior he turned back around and scanned the forest around him.

A jade light seemed to be coming from his fathers crystal scrying bowl as it rested near Falson. Uncountable numbers of shadows flickered around the base of the mound waiting for their chance to make an attempt through the defenders and the ground was slick with the blood from the dead.

Myles gave a quick prayer hoping that Den and Tathar had seen him and then he began his spell. He had to take several deep breath to try to calm and focus himself before looping his bow over his shoulder.

The spell itself was a simple one, well it would be considered simple against the power of the mages gathered on the mound but it was a difficult chore for Myles. He continued to dodge back and forth as the shadows continued to shove around him but he managed to wave his hands in what he hoped was the proper method. The words he spoke were of a studied arcane. Each word needed to correspond to each gesture of his hands and each sound needed to be exact. Once he was finished Myles waited for the spell to work while reaching into a small bag hanging at his belt.


Within a few seconds a gray ooze began to spread across the ground between Myles and the path up to the mound. Several of the shadows in the area of the spell slipped on the greasy ooze and fell to the ground struggling to regain their footings. Myles pulled a handful of bronze caltrops from the small bag and tossed them into the ooze. The dangerous spikes glinted eerily among the shadows.

Myles stepped back closer to where Shalandra and Hakiseth were still fighting and pulled his bow off his shoulder and readied another arrow. Pulling another arrow from his quiver and nocking it on his bowstring he pulled back on the string and began the words of another spell.

Taking aim at one of the shadows he released the arrow. He felt a stirring in his quiver and the arrow divided into two and then four and so forth until each of the shadows suddenly found one of Myles crested arrows sticking out of them.

Myles returned his bow to his shoulder and dropped his empty quivers to the ground at his feet. He felt a shiver up his spine as every shadow in the area stared at him with evil in their eyes and then proceeded make their way to where he stood.

He pulled his tower shield from underneath his cloak and his Nyar longsword from its sheath and waited for the fighting to begin again.

[Shalandravv]

Sweat poured down her brow, mixing with the blood of the enemies that surrounded them. She was tired, exhausted, her limbs felt like they were on fire from so much tireless swinging. Her heart, however, would hear none of that. Falson, Jae, Heaven, Mitch, Dorvan... all of the scryers were more on the edge than they were. Her pain was meaningless and without their help, they would not stand a chance.

Aluvius roared with thunder and electricity as it swung deftly into the abdomen of a shadow, cleaving it in twain, as well as felling the approaching one behind it. A splash of crimson blood followed, glinting brightly from the jade light that followed forth from above. The blood and bodies had become so numerous that finding sure footing was becoming difficult.

Hakiseth could sure fight well. Appearances were decieving, and he could wield his weapon with all the might of a god. Shades were falling in pieces by his blade. She watch Myles and Tathar bring a rain of destruction upon the approaching legions.

A claw swiped past her face unexpectedly, her own blood flowing down her cheeks. She was disoriented momentarily, preparing to block and retaliate against the next blow. Three arrows felled the being in front of her. Tathar nodded humbly as she turned and Myles was beside him, bows drawn. Without a moment's passing they returned to the fray.

Den had grown. With a short time of practice, his swings had become stronger and it seemed he was discovering new tricks of his own in combat. He moved with the cunning and grace of a fox, slaying his foes in a whirlwind of steel. In the corner of her eye, she saw Haxley, cutting his prey apart. He seemed, in many ways to be toying with them. With the way he dodged, it wasn't surprising.

Aluvius boomed again, the enormous fullblade sending a wraith sailing through the air. They were getting closer to her, surrounding her. She kept dodging, kept on swinging. They loomed like towers over her. Every swing she could see the light of day again for a brief glimpse. She raked her claw at one, pulling the creature aside with a rough motion and slunk past. She saw Myles, a shadow creeping behind him unnoticed as Tathar kept firing to his front. Without a stop in her movements, she slaughtered the shadow. She caught his attention, staring widely into the elf's eyes and turning back fiercely to the army behind her. Myles and Shalandra both froze...

It was suddenly very crowded in the fields of Dasar.

[Vahene]

The psuedodragon fought fiercely. Upon seeing Haxley near the base of the mound, the word 'safe' entered the familiar's mind. The dragon immediately flew into the fray with claws bared, teeth snapping and fire flaring. Quickly, he flew over near the army of shadows and began to fight them one at a time.

"I must protect my mistress," the dragon sang with determination just before he breathed fire over a few shadows.

[Brenna E'lyana]

The bowl was growing intensely green, the light becoming almost blinding, but Isis' attention was only on the vision before her. As her beloved spoke, tears sprang to her eyes and as the word time echoed in her ears, she reached out for him.


Darkness
Her vision cleared, but she would wish it had not. The sight before her taxed her very sanity. To see her beloved in such pain, and the one called Uroch so gleefully causing such torment became to much for her.

"LEAVE HIM BE!"

For a moment the dark figure seem to gaze right at her. Then there was a blinding light, an explosion of magic so strong that all of the casters staggered back, shielding their eyes, the magic link broken.

When the light cleared, they found Isioviel in the center of the stones. The elven cleric was unconcious, still, and quite pale.

[Vahene]

Heaven fell to her knees as the magical link was broken, crying out in pain. Never before had she directly seen magic in that way, and to envelop it, perhaps for the very first time truly, and then have it forcibly taken away was painful beyond belief. It felt like a million knives were stabbed into her body at once.

One fleeting thought went through her mind as she sat on the ground in pain. 'Damn you Anshar. Damn you to the furthest hell imaginable. I hope I can help put you there,' the chaos weaving sorceress thought fiercely as tears streamed down her face.

-H