Draconia's Manifest Destiny

Report on Security of Borders presented to Vice Roy Regent Rex steward of Draconia by the Esteemed General Maximus Testosterus.

Our borders are extending by the blood and steel of conquest. Our city has been fortified to be as near impregnable as can be made. The goblin hordes secure the northern mountains for three days travel. Our forces have establishments and forts built around every Way Gate through Draconia.

Commander Raz Guz of the Goblin Horde has secured Way Gate 3 and subjugated a Wemic Tribe into our service. The area is secure within 2 days ride of the gate in any direction. This is an extremely valuable gate as it has vast amounts of lumber and fertile ground our patrols protect the large amounts of lumber shipments needed to build the growing city.

Way Gate 4 is secured by Captain Antillies whose fort blocks and secures the mountain pass. To the west we have secured and have a small wood picket along the northern edge of a large lightly forested area which is idea for farming. The potential for sustainable food has been deemed a priority so I have ordered several centuries to secure the northern edge of the controlled territory. Due to its open nature it is much more difficult to defend so it requires many more men. I have relied heavily on goblinoids to make up for manpower shortages as with other areas.

The kingdom of Draconia will stretch from the mountains to the sea as we destroy the vile beasts that currently call it home. Reports of come in of small pockets or villages of elves and drow both sparsely populating the region. Interrogations of these hostiles have revealed the only things close to legitamite authority rests in the Druid council though the location of there grove is a secret.

It is my intention to find the grove and destroy it preventing the monsters from uniting against us.

I pray my actions bring strength and honor to Draconia as we bath her in the blood of our enemies.

Underworld Summary

Summary of the one off game played to resolve outstanding storylines for Dante. The events listed here happen in the future of the current game time. They have not yet happened in the primary storyline. I will also not go into great detail I will simply summarize the plot points for those interested.

The UPC negotiations to end the hostilities between Cyrodil and Geneva were successful but barely. Dante managed to insult and anger the Dwarven Genevan representative so deeply he swore by all his ancestors to drink Dante's blood. The conflict was resolved because Cyrodil dissapearred. The ambassadors confessed that Dante was the highest ranking Cyrodil noble they could find and swore their loyalty to him. He sent the airships away from Geneva and apologized for Cyrodil's actions. He ordered them to protect enron from the coming Grey Haven invasion.

Dante then went to the underworld to find Vadellya waiting with Logar. There was a prophecy from a seeress named Bella that spoke of how Jonathan the ROck greyfoot and Khan would use the antilife equation to take over the underworld shades and open the red prison. The events of prophecy started to come true so Dante and many other followers of death gods were sent to the underworld to help.

Dante met Raziel who behaved like a lunitic talking to people who weren't there standing up and walking off or even disapearing at random times. Raziel argued with Luther about the killing of Johnathan. Raziel claimed in the vision it was Johnathan's death that broke the red prison. Luther claimed Bella could not be trusted he had a life time of study on these prophecies and destiny and the Rock had to die. In the middle of the arguement Raziel just walked off and Luther went to kill the Rock.

Vadellya and Dante discussed what to do when the red prison opened. They rushed to the scene to see hundreds of Luther's dragons fighting the titans barely keeping them at bay with the help of angels and demi gods alike. Dante found the body of Johnathan and was convinced healing it would save the day. Raziel just showed up healed him as requested and then walked off.

The healing sealed the red prison doors again. Then the anti-life left all the shades and Khan approached Dante. They made a peace where Khan told him everything. Ishmael captured their souls and turned them evil controlling them to open the Red Prison to give the dark one an army to fight against Zeus. Dante trusted him and trying to get back to Logar let Khan look after the Rock. Khan killed him activated the antilife in all the shades and hid in the crowd.

Eventually Vadellya brings Logar into the frey who has to believe either Khan, who says it is Dante bringing Johnathan back to life that is opening the red prison or Dante who says the rock has to live to keep the prison shut. Because of Vadellya's words Logar choses Dante. Healing the Rock closes the prison again there is a short battle and Khan is subdued and Luther is cast out of the underworld heavily thanked and rewarded for leading the Dragons in battle against the titans.

For solving the puzzle and figuring out how to win Dante is offered a god wish from Hades and Paladine. He wishes to be the undisputed ruler of the Grey Haves free of any mortal or divine control and loyal subjects. It is granted. He teleports back to the grey havens as a half Gold dragon (no longer shadow dragon) and undisputed king. He recalls the invading army and Geneva concedes their succession making them legitimately independent. He then goes to speak with his estranged wife Princess of the Grey Haven's. Has her kidnapped and searched, the guards find a dark friend stone on her. He orders her to be taken to the Temple of Logar for judgment and she implores him to show mercy because she is carrying his child.

The End.

The Games they play

(Forgive the extra song smith-ing but after the last one this really seemed to fit what I was going for.)

Tatyana watched from her window seeing Nathan in the courtyard. He took his coat off and just stood there in the rain. He was always crazy like that. He talked about how he grew up in the dessert and rain still fascinated him even after all these years. Such child like wonder in a man so experienced and profound amazed her. She went out to him and said with awe in her voice, "Even though I was the one in the castle I've always felt like I was on the outside looking in on you. Looking in on the joy I should have." He smiled at her and said, "It is the joy that only righteousness can bring. It is a joy I am happy to share with you. Though I am jealous of you as too. You fascinate me. I can often look at something and simply know the truth but you are a mysterious one. I love your dark eyes and careless hair. And I can tell you are sensitive the right and wrong even if you act too cool to care." He finished his last statement by moving some of her black red hair behind her ear. It was the most tender she had been touched since the Crimson Prince lifetimes ago.

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Kaeden carried the report tucked under his arm to where they were all meeting. Katsumi, and Lana were waiting for him and stood when he enterred. "Did you find it?" Lana asked with her now all too characteristic impatience. "Yes," He responded, "Galan's full report on Tatyana from the archive."

They all reviewed it through the night and Lana restated soundly, "Her power to influence and control has several sources that all seem to stack, her beauty and the natural affect that has on people and men, an enhanced vampiric power due to her age and power, some magical spell, and a breathable pheromone she emanates. He found to resist it, they had to magically ward against charm, become immune to poison and avoid looking directly at her. Even then, he comments on how inviting she is. At least now we know how to prepare."

Kaeden nodded, he then spoke, "The Angel Jeric has visited me in Nathan's absence carrying a message. He has told me where Nathan is, an old abandoned fortress called Gelevan Castle in the west of Babylon. Long abandoned and the countryside empty. We need to make preperations and move out quickly. We also need to consider the very real possibility that Nathan is compromised." The words hung heavy and thick in the air.

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Tatyana went inside taking off her soaked cloak and hanging it by the fire. She turned coyly looking over her left shoulder to see Nathan just standing in the doorway. He seemed to have nothing to say as he looked at her. Finally he said, "The rain is warm." It was charming but it was not the weather she wanted to hear about. They had been together for weeks and she saw the way he looked at her, she saw the way he wanted her. And even after they had been together there still seemed like there was part of him he held back. Part of him fighting to be free. Free of what? am I so horrible my love should be fought and resisted? WHY? She remembered the night of exile being held alift by Derrick's powerful arm and he said to her that no one could love filtch. She began to cry. Nathan rushed in to her side, "What troubles you?"

She responded with anger she did not expect, "Well in case you failed to notice, In case you failed to see, This is my heart bleeding before you, This is me down on my knees, and...These foolish games are tearing me apart, And your thoughtless words are breaking my heart." Kneeling before Nathan she begged him to love her. To look into her soul and make her real, to save her to love her. And while on the surface she could see he did, there was something deep in him a will of iron which seemed not to break and pull him somewhere else. He looked away out the window. She whispered in pleading tones, "You're breaking my heart."

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Nathan had gone to bed obviously not locking his door. Tyros and Tatyana left to let the human sleep. They sat and talked. He brought up all memories and travels as he often did. The stories always appeared to upset her though that was not his intention. He cherished those memories, times he had saved her, times she approved of him. why did she had them so much.

She changed the subject and instead talked about the art she collected in Trade City. As discussions on her collections always go it turned to her collecting her hearts. She spoke of her loved ones and he clumsily played the piano.

The night exhausted and the day coming they returned to their coffins for needed sleep. He knew she would sneak back as soon as he rested so he lay in his coffin for only a moment before coming out. He held the glass jar which held his hear and waited. It was only a few moments and her coffin opened. He had taken her off guard and he pressed the moment, "Why? Why do you persist? You will destroy him just like you destroyed all of us. Why not let him be and be with me we are both monsters there is no need to make another."

She stood and slapped his face her strength much more than her thin arms would suggest. "Jealousy is offensive in you Lord Tyros. You may leave my company any time my life style offends you. But if you insist on trailing me like a lost sheep, you will do so in silence."

"Well, excuse me, guess I've mistaken you for somebody else,Somebody who cared about goodness, Somebody more like myself. Well in case you failed to notice, In case you failed to see, This is my heart bleeding before you, and These foolish games you play with me and with your prey is tearing me apart, And your thoughtless words are breaking my heart."

She actually looked stunned, more like devastated by his words. He thought perhaps he had reached her, that she may concede. He heard a distant door be kicked open and he knew he would never know if he had reached her.

Kaeden splintered the wooden door. He kicked it hard assuming it would be locked but was surprised to see it swing on the hinges unhindered. He saw Nathan sitting in be in nothing more than small clothes. He looked comfortable and surprised, even disappointed to see them. Lana and Katsumi came in after though Katsumi did so with great stealth. "My Lord, we've come to rescue you." He responded slowly, "But I'm not finished they still need my help. They are more captive than I." A torrent of barreling Mist rolled into the room and solidified swords clashing driving Kaeden back and striking him several times. Kaeden saw Lana rush to Nathan and use the wand she had created to free Nathan's mind. They had succeeded.

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Nathan looked on Lana seemingly for the first time. He scanned the room and saw Kaedn in danger. As if dust and rumble cleared from the realm of his mind he rose his Seeker sword, Lana smiled. Then she was lifted and tossed as a limp doll across the room. It was Tatyana who took her place standing exactly where she stood. Nathan turned his sword to strike the temptress but was stopped by the pleading in her eyes. He could see she was sincerely troubled. Then the velvet voice spoke, "I honestly loved you. Because you'd teach me of honest things, Things that were daring, things that were clean. Things that knew what an honest heart did mean. The whole time, I hid my soiled hands behind my back. Somewhere along the line, I must've fallen Off track with you. Please save me from the nothing that I've become."

Nathan saw Tyros outpacing and out fighting Kaeden his friend would soon die, he saw Lana eyes barely open, and he saw Tatyana pleading, "The truth is that no heart walks so far in the shadow they can not find the light. But in order to be saved you have to want to be saved, not just hide your sin but confess it and strive to change it." Tatyana lifted her hand and Tyros stopped holding Kaeden pinned to the ground by his sword. "And I see you want to be saved. I will save you."

"Then we have to kill these people who have come. You must see that, they will only take you away from me."

After a long pause Nathan looked at Lana and knew she would never understand. They were here to take him away, they would kill the vampires if they could. She acted out of jealously and would never see the light as he had. "I agree." He said turning to lift his sword on Lana. But then things went black.

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Tatyana looked with rage at Katsumi who had injected some poison into Nathan. Kaeden called out, "Lana now!" and Lana dropped the glass figure she was carrying. As it shatterred they returned to Oa.

She say by his bedside for hours. Kaeden had left to seek healing and talking to Katsumi about something in the other room when Nathan awoke. She smiled at him. "Boy do you hear me, talking to you?"

He looked at her sad, "I couldn't save them. You shouldn't have come it was too dangerous"

She had saved him, charmed or not he raised a sword on her despite that. Her pity turned to anger thinly veiled as she spoke, "Well, excuse me, guess I've mistaken you for somebody else, Somebody who gave a damn, Somebody more like myself. These foolish games are tearing me apart, And your thoughtless words are breaking my heart. You're breaking my heart." She stormed out past Kaeden tears filling her eyes.

She stopped in a courtyard collapsing next to a gazebo. It started to rain a cool chilling rain to match her tears. She looked back behind her to see Nathan had followed. Wearing only an overcoat over his small clothes. She could not run any more so she sat there as he approached. He took his coat off to shelter her with it. Then he stood up and looked up in the sky seeming to embrace the rain. For a few moments if felt as if the rain was washing away what was done. He looked down and smiled at her, "I love the rain, water falls from the sky and cleans the earth. I'm lucky to be in love with my best friend." She smiled he was always crazy like that.

Mallory's seduction

It was late even for the party girl. The sun may come up soon but honestly she had lost track of the time. "Come on do it. They don't think you can." Ragu prodded her again. She had so much to drink she could barely see straight and the moon sugar didn't help, but the sensation if gave was worth it. She had even found that it was hard to sing, harder to do anything with out the moon sugar now.
"She can't do it, its impossible." One of the other cast members said. The little brat was her understudy, like Mallory needed an understudy. That girl thought she could sing but was more acurate to say she was just really good at carrying Mallories bag. If that brat thought she couldn't do it she would. Mallory stood up her head only slightly spinning. "Hold it up." Ragu help up a champagne glass. Mallory did her best to guess the distance he was standing and the size of the glass. With how blurry her vision is she may have to try several notes.
She breathed in deeply and starting and to resonate a full chested note. She rose the note a half step at a time until the glass shatterred. Everyone clapped and laughed.
The brat spoke againk, "I can hit that note too, you said she could break it first note."

Mallory fumed at such insolence. If her vision wasn't so blurry she could have measured better, "Another one." Ragu found another glass and held it up. She breathed in and sang shattering the glass first note. "Fill it with something." Ragu put brandy in it. Mallory licked her lips inhaled and sang a slightly different note adjusting for the volume of the brandy causing the glass to shatter on the first note. Every laughed and cheered except the brat.

Mallory took note of all the glasses in the room and stumpled around taking the corks off of corked bottles as everyone laughed and started to go on with their party. If that brat thinks she can sing like me. Mallory began singing each not perfectly calculated to shatter a different glass in the room at the various distance and volumne of liquid. The notes she sang did not work together for musical harmony but they broke every glass containter in the room in order starting from her immediate left circling around the room and ending with the glass the brat was holding.

Everyone was silent and Mallory's voice was raw her chest devoid of breath. They all just blinked and looked up at her their ears must have been ringing from all those high Cs she hit. The look on the brat's face was hilarious. Mallory began to giggle and then laugh. She laughed so hard that the room began to spin and she fell down. She must have looked so clumpsy the thought of it made her laugh even more and soon the whole room was laughing.

The party ended, and she went back to her room. WIth out doubt Ragu was going to want to spend the night with her. That boy dressed well and while he couldn't keep up with her vocally he could sing in his own right, but she was too messed up to play with him tonight. She was tired and thought about sleeping. She both loved and hated the dreams that sleeping brought.

She was alwas misunderstood and unappreciated. Her talent never recognized or praised as it should be until she found the Balad of Darkness. He seemed so dark and powerful, she related to the character and even leaned on it for strength. Through he struggles she felt much like Darkness. The coven found her and brought her in. They were dark and beautiful powerful and for the first time appreciated her gift as it should be. But it went too far. It was not a song or a ballad, real people really died, Real monsters really shredded the flesh from real people who did nothing to them. And real paladins went in to kill every one of them. She was grateful to be rescued from the world she had fallen too deeply into but she also missed it - especially her.

Thinking about Tatyana alway made her happy. The Paladins had with out a doubt killed her and that was perhaps the greatest tragedy of all. Lately she had start to dream of her again. There was also another, one who taught her songs to sing. One who in her dreams she had loved many times. He was beautiful in the dark entrancing way, she loved him, but he frightenned her. Would she ever escape the dark world of her past? did she want to?

Then he spoke. He voice rang through her room calling for her. It was unfortunate that Ragu chose the same moment to try and come to her room. He started spewing sonnets about how she was beautiful blah blah blah. He confused the loved they had i the play with her true affection, though he was good for nights at a time she grew tired of his need to be with her. And now the voice called her. It was different than in the dreams it felt real.



She wasn't asleep so it must have been the moon sugar. But she moved forward as if compelled. It was the same figure from her dreams wearing his mask and his eye pierced her soul beckoning her to follow wherever he may lead. THe moonsugar certainly was working on her mind as the cnaldels moved and the bowels of the opera house seemed to live.
http://youtu.be/Ej1zMxbhOO0
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Numb yet more alive than she had ever been she sat paralyzed by fear a looked up at the phantom she called him. He spoke and in her mind she heard his beautiful words turn to music.




She did sleep. But their visit did not stop. He taught her new songs. Songs that could captivate souls, Songs that would use every once of her ability and songs that would get her the recognition she deserved. And most importantly it was what the phantom wanted.

Hunt

Darkness considered his options carefully. The only significant threat to him have been captured. Nathan would soon be just a hollow puppet of his former self if he was not already. With his fall so too would fall any ability to stop the pure Antilife equation from spreading. His followers would never find him nor could they know exactly what he was planning.

Yet Nathan's followers had cost him a great deal, the werewolves have scattered, the staff piece Desaad had obtained and even Dessad himself. They had the staff piece it was true but they had not the means to evacuate it anywhere with the rest of Nathan's dogs worried only about saving him they would neglect that detail. It was only a minor set back find them and kill them take the staff and he still had all he needed.

He resisted the urge to send Tyros. While that would ensure success that man did not know how to fail, he was needed to make sure Tatyana and Nathan did as Darkness needed them too. That was more important than even the staff. They knew how to protect their dreams, so he would have to be very careful there as well. He hated to even think it but his best option was to send Miriska.

Tatyana spoke so highly of her, but Darkness had only seen what he saw with all Tatyana's favorites. She picked them, thought of them and treated them like dolls. And worse, they behaved as such. Grown, immortal dolls. Full of angst and longing and cascades of emotion which made him sick. She had regenerated since Nathan defeated her and she would have more resources. He did not like it but it would have to be what he did for now. The time was growing near and he had many preparations to make.

He closed his eyes and found her dreams, and dreamed her to where he needed her.

Redeem for your failures Mirishka. Hunt them down and bring me the staff.

The Great King Scourge

The following is found inscribed to the base Pride Rock with the history of the Wemic Clans.

It is translated to say:

The Great Lord GrimThor offered peace and salvation to the tribes and clans of the Wemics when he offered peace. The wisdom of the Great King Scourge embraced this GrimThor as a brother. From here until forever, the subjects of GrimThor will ensure the Wemics do not go hungry and assist in protecting the pride lands. In exchange the Wemic King will hearken to and obey all calls of GrimThor. With this agreement GrimThor was adopted to the pride and became a Wemic in all but blood. The brother of the king objected and was banished hereto fore never to be spoken of again. May the peace and its blessings forever rest in the circle of life.

Even after you're gone

Nathan heard the morning larks begin to sing, It's six a.m. It felt a million miles away from where he's been.

He took his sword out from its scabbard to check the edge. He may not be so paranoid to sleep in his armor but he also was not so foolish to not sleep with his sword in a vampire den. Despite the undead touch on everything they actually lived in a fair amount of style and luxury. There were satin curtains hanging from the marble archway over the large window. It had a comfortable bed a small table and well stocked with human food. He had his eggs and pancakes too. Even maple syrup, everything but her.

She would come every day in the early evening when the evening was cool. He would always smell her first. Her smell still hung in the air from last nights visit. It was a cool honey and lavender smell which made him feel warm comfortable and truly happy.

He broke the yokes and thinking of her smell made a happy face. I kinda like it in this brand new place. When they would talk he found it hard not to be entranced by her voice and lulled into her spell. He wiped the spots of the mirror he used to remind him she was a vampire. He checked the lock and made sure it was still sound. Don't leave the key in the door. The urge to do so and allow her free entrance into the room pulled on him. He wanted her to come back to be with her to look upon her.

Because the dream lasts for so long even after she was gone. He could see in how she looked on him that she loved him. And soon she would see he was meant for her and she was meant for him.

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Lana was left strolling the streets of Oa. Kaeden had told her that her neurotic pacing and screaming at them for not working fast enough was not helping. They all practically kicked her out and forbid her from returning. They said she needed to take a day and calm down. What was she suppose to do. Nathan was in the den of the harpy and they were all content to sit around and think about where he was. They should be doing something. She was not sure what but she was sure there had to be something Kaeden could do that he was not.

She placed in her hair the ivory comb Nathan had given her and went for a walk. She ate and ordered a drink they had shipped in from the Dwarven mountians-- Coffee, but it didn't want to talk.

Oa was becoming an international center with rumors and news abounding. To clear her mind she picked up a news bulletin, it was more mad news. Looks like all over the world more hearts had been broken and more people being used. Then it started raining. She pulled up her cloak and went into one of Oa's theater houses and saw a show. She hoped it would take her mind of things but it just wasn't the same. Because rather it was happy or sad, she clutched the comb tight in her hands, It made me miss you oh so bad. Because Dreams last for so long, even after your gone. I know you love me. And I hope soon you will see I was meant for you and you were meant for me. She sat the comb down on her night stand and allowed herself one tear.

It was late into the night now, he thought she would let the human sleep. He did not know what she wanted. It seemed like more than just one of her conquests. She laughed at his council and seemed even flustered around him. It had been a long time since she was so happy. Perhaps she would use him to free her from Darkness, or perhaps she would do what Darkness ordered her to and turn him then have him kill Lana. Darkness's will did not matter to him, but he did hope she followed it, it would be much easier to protect her if she did.

He went about his normal business as they talked, patrolling and ensuring she was safe. It was his jump and he was fine with that. Besides, he did not even know what he would tell her if he could. Nathan was laughing at some comment she made. She then said she was cold despite the fire and Nathan offered his coat and even put his arm around her as if to shelter her.

It was the same old story, he did not have much to say, Hearts are broken everyday.

At long last the night came to an end and she left him. He led her to her coffin and opened it even helped her inside. It was like electricity pulsing through him when she touched him, if he received nothing else that was payment in full for the day of service. "I'll extinguish the lamps, I know you hate it when I leave the light on." He closed her coffin savoring the last moment that her beauty fed his eyes.

He took a deep breath and a good look around. Tightening the latches on his armor he climbed into his bed half alive but with out her mostly dead. He tried to tell himself it would be all right. I just shouldn't think anymore tonight. He sat up and look longingly as her coffin and remembered those 6000 thousand years ago when she looked on him the way she looked upon the captured paladin. He knew he could have that again. The dream had lasted so long even after she cast him away. I know you love me, and soon you will see, you were meant for me. And I was meant for you.

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Tatyana did not sleep, her excitement over meeting Nathan and basking in his goodness enlarged her heart and soul. When she was sure Tyros would be sleeping she opened her coffin and glided through the fortress to Nathan's room. She had tried to come before with out being under the watchful eye of Tyros but Nathan always had his door locked. She could have broken through but then she would surely be discovered and while Darkness wanted Nathan broken he was not willing to share her to do it. The man was a monster and did not love her. He only kept her because she was useful and more than that because other's wanted her.

She tried to handle and found the door unlocked. Curiously she pushed into the room and found the key had been left in the lock. Maybe he forgot? She floated to where he slept and stroking his hair she began to sing,

You were meant for me and I was meant for you.

An End A begining

"Before we move forward everything must be ready. Darkness will get increasingly desperate and ruthless the longer it takes. I need to know where all of them are before we get started. Its the best chance we have." Nathan said to Katsumi and he healed Soskai's last wound while leaving him unconscious. "Last night let us know we do not have time to lose, time is only on his side. I'll teleport you into the desert close to where we scryed on them. Find them get a scouting report and come back to where I teleport you in. We will be there in 6 hours I hope that gives you enough time to locate them and give me details." Katsumi just nodded at him. She did not say much but was smart and took orders well he trusted she understood. He turned to Jillian, "Jillian you'll need to look after your men once we free their minds. They will at best be confused and disoriented most likely in no shape for fighting. Worst case scenario they could go into shock and be completely helpless. You and the confessor will look after them as we free them." He looked to Lana, "You will need to help me break Darkness's hold. The seeker sword maybe enough but your understanding of the equation and its magical elements will ensure the success of our attempts we'll work together. Kaeden, as always I trust you with my life as Lana and I will have to fully focus on breaking the equation, we could be vulnerable to other threats but I know we are in good hands." Kaeden responded with a simple, "Yes my Lord."

Nathan admired the man's devotion and strength a greater friend he could not hope for, and yet he had many. Lana and even Jillian's love and devotion not just to him but the light lifted and supported him helping him do things he could never do alone. To think he almost lost Lana caused him to shiver. He would do his best to protect her, he loved her more deeply than he thought possible. His life required a devotion and sacrifice to the light that was absolute. He thought there would be no room in his life or heart for love of another. He was glad to find that the truth was actually his love for her and she for him somehow magnified his devotion to the light and his capacity to do it.

They went about their orders.

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"I can not find Keshala but the rest are with Dessad and 6 werewolves including Owen. They are back from the front lines it looks like they are just waiting for something. Owen goes back and forth between that camp and the packs engaging the lightning sworn. He just left a few moments ago." Katsumi reported. Nathan nodded, "Thank you. I know its not easy to sneak up on werewolves you should be commended for your skill."

He drew his sword knelt next to Soskai and Rowenna. He prayed that Hajama grant him and them the bravery to face this challenge as he has down before. He prayed that the truth be strong enough to win this fight for souls. He prayed he be strong enough to fight that fight.

Placing his sword between them and firm in his grasp he nodded to Lana who used a spell to wake them from their sleep. As their eye opened he acted instantly "THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE." Reciting the life equation he placed the sword to the skin of each. Power seemed to pulsate from his words and faith through the sword into them. The convulsed and the omega sign in their eyes faded as they fell back into a sleep. Hope had been restored they had been saved.

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"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!AAAAHHHHHHHH"

Screamed Darkness millions of miles away. He had been pushed out of the vessels. Someone had forcefully removed his hold. It was impossible. It meant his hold was not perfect. Now more than ever he needed the amplification the staff could offer and he needed Nathan dead. No more games. "Tatyana Tyros COME TO ME NOW!!!"

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He forced his power throug the vessel Keshala to the point that forced her blood vessels to pop under the skin. Bruising and blood blisters dotted her entire body but he was able to snap the chains around his ankles. Spinning to the floor he landed on his feet and charged at the guard. Disarming him and tearing his throat out with one violent motion he took to spider climb running along the wall to disorient and leap upon the next guard. Forcing the raw energy of the threads through the vessel he cut the threads holding the metal grate in place causing it to fall into another dimension, then lept out the hole into the next level. He could feel a large blood vein pop in the vessel's chest. The vessel would not last long. He had to get the staff piece to Desaad before it expired.

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Using all three of the vessel's mouths he barked orders, "Lucilla 250 yards from here Jillian is waiting guarding your old pack. Find her and kill her." Lucilla was transforming and running before he finished the words. Nathan would could for these vessels too. "Dessad, when the Seeker of truth comes over that ridge focus entirely on him. The rest of you wolves protect Ara's body her powers as a mage may win us the day. And if any of you gets a chance to kill that Lana girl take it. Besides that just defend me. Something else is coming to handle the situation."

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With the sun setting behind him Nathan approached brave and confident the day would soon be his. "Hello Darkness, my old friend. I've come to talk with you again." He said raising his sword to the heavens. The Vessel Ara case a ball of fire toward the seeker with Kaeden in human form and Lana following him. The spell from an evil source disintegrated harmlessly when it reached 10 feet from Nathan's position.

"Kill the girl." Duncan said and the wolves charged foaming at the mouth for blood. Lana cast a fireball of her own followed by a lightning bolt catching the tightly gathered pack all at once. Fur and bones and blood began raining from the sky.

Duncan lept with power beyond his own taking the form of a leap kick at Nathan. Kaeden stepped in and took the blow causing him to be knocked back by the unnatural strength even feeling some ribs break. Duncan pulled him up by the hair and went for a neck breaking strike. Nathan shield rushed Duncan pushing him back making him drop his friend.

Nial was preparing to cast some spell in connection with Ara. Just before it was cast Katsumi appears as if from no where covering his face with a rag. The bard fell to the ground and what must have been a much weaker form of magic missile struck Lana square and true causing her to tumble down over dune.

Kaeden and Duncan resumed their battle and Nathan had the time to project his Life equation. As he opened his mouth to speak, only a high pitch ringing could be heard. After a moment he realized it was the only thing he could sense. After another moment, he realized it was himself screaming in pain.

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A werewolf appeared as if from no where taking Jillian by surprise taking her off her feet and to the ground hard. She thought fast enough to parry the bite by shoving her armored forearm into its mouth. The beast shredded the armor with its powerful jaws and tore it from her arm. Before it could strike again the confessor help pelted it with a rock in the head. Lucky Shot! Jillian thought to herself but used the distraction to roll out from under the beast.

She then realized this was not just any werewolf. She recognized it-- Lucilla. Owen had been working for Darkness. She did not have time to think past that as the beast was charging the defenseless confessor. She notched her bow with a silver tipped arrow and fired. The shaft flew true and struck the beast in the ribs. But it was too late. Lucilla tore into the confessor with a fierceness and brutality unmatched. All Jillian could do was keep firing. She shot again, and again and again.

By now, Lucilla had nearly a half dozen arrows sticking from her and blood watering the sand yet she did not appear to slow down. Silver did hurt these thing. She thought as she offered an earnest prayer. Lucilla was charging back now. Jillian felt the urge to panic but her prayer to Hajama kept her stance strong. She took the time to aim a shot. The aiming would take too long leaving her exposed and defenseless to an attack she considered for the briefest of moments dodging and then trying to set up for another shot. Then Nathan's words ran in her head, To take no action or to refrain from no action due to fear. That is our gospel that is our oath. She stood and release the shot.

The momentum of Lucilla's charge barreled her over knocking the wind out of her. The 300 pound beast on top of her helped keep the breath from her lungs. She tried to lift Lucilla off but could not. Then she moved. Jillian sat up and saw the arrow jutting out of the left eye of Lucilla perfectly placed. She then saw a haggard Rowenna leaning over it. She must have pushed her off of me.

With shock and horror they watched as Lucilla reverted back to her elven form pierced by multiple arrow, the look of hatred and disdain still upon her face. Rowenna barely breathing said, "Keshala is in the tower. She almost has the staff." Then the exhausted ranger slumped down on the sand, "Go I'll be ok after a minute, you have to tell Nathan."

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Lana carried the rock tucked under her left arm. After her fight with Miriska she could not cast the same spells or as many as before and she thought to save them now. She forced her wounded body up the dune and saw Dessad in this faded crimson robe staring at Nathan as he shook on the ground uncontrollably. Ara had held Katsumi in place and was preparing to cut her throat, Lana was out of time. She jumped up and struck Dessad on the back of the head with her rock causing him to cascade down the dune she had just climbed.

Ara turned her attention from the held Katsumi to Lana giving her a shocking grasp. Luckily Lana recognized the spell and moved away before it could take full effect but the shock still sent her to the ground dizzy. Ara stood over her the Omega symbols in her eyes and flipping through a spell book to cast another spell. Lana could not survive another one she tried to sit up but found herself unable, instead she prayed.

Through her prayer she heard the words truth and compassion and Hope. She opened her eyes to see Nathan standing tall and statuesque raising the seeker sword to the now star filled sky. The sword emitted a light that bathed them all in warmth. It was unlike the warmth of the Deseret around them. It was a comforting warmth that spoke to the very inside of one's soul. He had found her hope and it was him.

Ara, and Duncan fell to the ground unmoving but breathing. He did it. Of course he did. There is nothing he can not do. No man could deserve her love or be loved by her more.

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Owen could smell Nathan and Lana. He saw from a far dune Dessad falling and then Nathan project some light in waves across the embattled group. It was what he did not see that bothered him. No Lucilla. He caught her scent on the wind and followed it. It was only another hundred yards or so he ran as fast as he could until his heart broke. He saw an elven Lucilla coverred in arrow strikes blood drained out from her into the sand and sitting next to her restringing a bow was Rowenna. Hatred and rage pulsated with in him. You took my only friend from me. In a moment of clarity he realized Rowenna was not one to attack friends, but Lucilla was. Darkness or Dessad may have ordered the attack and Rowenna was defending herself. Rowenna may pay for this crime but not now. First he had to strike at Dessad while he was still weakened, it would exact his revenge and ensure that bastard never hurt him again.

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Tyros and Tatyana came into Lord Darkness's chambers rushed by his calling. He snapped at them. "You are too slow fools. I have lost the vessels and risk losing the staff. Sleep."

Tyros replied, "My lord?"

Darkness rose from his throne and struck Tyros across the left side of his head sending him sprawling to the floor out cold. He turned to his bride and grabbing her throat threw her into the stone wall doing the same to her. Then he entered their dreams.

The world moved much slower outside the dream giving him time to give them orders. They all three stood in an empty black room with just a raging fireplace behind Lord Darkness.

He spoke with purpose, "Nathan the seeker of truth has found a way to undo the equation. All I have built could be lost. He has freed the puppets from my control. I have one that I am moving to the staff now. He must be killed so that his secret dies. . ." Looking at Tatyana's beautiful perfect body he considers for just a moment, "No, my dear lets do this one your."

The dream became a series of Dessert dunes with Nathan leaning over a wounded Lana. Darkness woke them from the dream having dream walked them there.

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Nathan laid his hands on Lana and could see the miracle of Hajama work healing to her broken body. Kaeden was administering healing as best he could too. Lana sat up and point to the south, Nathan turned to look. It was Jillian running up, "My Lord." She said out of breath. "It worked, they are waking up." She gasp falling to the ground exhausted by combat and sprinted in armor. "Keshala is in the mountain tower." Sicking up from exertion she then continues, "She almost has the staff."

Kaeden spoke up, "That's not the only problem. He was looking north and they all saw moving toward them the Mythryl clad Lord Tyros." Nathan acted quickly, "Lana you and Jillian take them back to someplace safe give them time to wake up. We'll need their help in all of this I think so don't leave." She nodded came to her feet and began casting levitate on the limp bodies, and dispelling Katsumi's being held. "Kaeden the tower get Keshala." He refuted the order, "I should stand against him give you time to get to Keshala only you can release her."

Nathan met the refused order with compassion, "Your heart is great my friend, but you can not stand against Tyros, and I can not move as fast as you to get to Keshala. You doubt the strength of her faith, remind her of it and she will free herself. Now Go." With no more hesitation Kaeden took his Pegasus form and wings spread wide ascended into the starry night racing over the giant scorpions keeping guard and to the rock tower.

Nathan turned his attention from the friend he hoped to see again to the Katana blades coming down at him. Raising his shield he deflected the blows despite their force. He called lighting down with his sword onto the attacker. The lightning reflected off the armor creating a sea of glass from the sand around his feet.

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Owen returned to the place where he saw Dessad fall. He saw lighting crash from the sky onto Lord Tyros whose flurry of blades looked to kill Nathan before too long. Nathan had never meant him harm and was kind enough, but this was also no longer his fight. He ignored them and focused on finding Desaad. Only, Dessad was not where Lana left him and his scent went cold. He smelled something sweet, something wonderful, something that was inviting and even arousing covering all of the scents in the area. A column of flame raced across the dune tops above him from the fight of the two men. I am not dieing here. He thought as he raced back to the pack.

Back at the pack they had retreated from the battle lines as the Blue Dragon screamed across the sky. This can not be won. I will not risk my life nor the life of my people for Darkness. He spoke to them, "This is over. Tyros himself has taken the field. We are to move east to the shore." The pack obeyed with out question as they did to an alpha. He was not sure where to go after the shore but it was a direction. Dessad and Darkness would come looking for their back and when they did he would have to be ready.

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Jillian and Lana could still see hear and feel the earth shake from the battle Nathan and Tyros were having. Lana helped lay the survivors down comfortably as they start to awaken. "Jillian look after them." She said opening her spell book. Jillian spoke up, "Where are you going, our orders are here, you've cast too much today you can't hope to help."

She said only, "And what did Nathan do for me when it seemed he could not save me?" She read the incantation and flew back toward the earth trembling battle.

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Everything else had fallen apart but he would at least get the staff piece. He forced life energy into the vessel through the threads. Covered in the blood of the vessel and of his enemies Darkness forced the vessel forward.

Slowly he shuffled to the staff. He reached for it and just as his fingers grasped it, a blade came down severing the arm two inches above the wrist. With a jerky motion he turned to see Kaeden sword drawn forcing himself between Darkness and the staff. "Keshala can you hear me?" He said in vain. Darkness thought he heard Keshala inside his own head responding but by brute force of will he suppressed it. "What will you do horseman?" Kaeden reached for her laying his hands on her healing the arm to a stub. Darkness responded by grabbing Kaeden by the throat and lifting him off the ground. The vessel's organs began to fail exploding with too much power. Kaeden readied his sword and Darkness plunged the vessel's chest up on it. Forcing speech through the puppet he continued, "If I leave Keshala dies. You can not stop the Darkness, It is always there no matter how bright you think your light burns, the shadows always remain waiting to take the room once the fire burns out."

The vessels' strength gave out and the arm holding Kaeden broke causing him to fall to the floor. The vessel started to fall backwards its legs turning to mush. Darkness forces them up like pegs and attempted and jolting walk resting against the ledge of a window. Kaeden continued to speak to her, "No your wrong. You know that the truth has already liberated other's you've captured. There maybe a lot of Darkness in the world and some people may find it easier to extinguish the light of good with in themselves then to use it to ward the Darkness of the world around them, but that is not you Keshala. You know that there is compassion and goodness in everyone. And no soul walks so far in the shadow that it can not find the light. Believe in your faith and believe in the miracles you once so easily saw. Do you believe?"

Beloved Ishtar goddess of love and war, hear me now. I repent of the doubt I once embraced and beg your deliverance. Deliver your faithful subject and I shall execute your will. Darkness heard the vessel say, "I believe." and then he was no longer connected to her.

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Kaeden saw the omega symbols leave her eyes but then death entered them. Like someone had cut the strings on a marionette she went limp and fell back over the window ledge and out of the tower. He sprinted sprung out the window and transformed into the pegasus shape. It was a quick and sharp dive, he had to accelerate his decent with his wings reaching a velocity he knew he could not fully recover from.

At the last moment, he swept in and caught the priestess preventing her from hitting the ground and cushinging her blow, but he had to absorb most of it. Despite his excellent flight skills he tried to recover the dive and it was too late he was too close to the ground and his feet caught the rocks causing him to tumble. His left foreleg broke as did his face and 6 ribs. He turned to human form to spit up blood. Worst of all it had been no use. The twisted lifeless body of Keshala lay strewn about the rocks.

He crawled over attempting to heal her but to no avail. I have to get back to Nathan, Light be with you priestess at least you died free. Just then a white light began to glow with in her chest until it radiated out of her eyes. It raced down her veins and healed the wounds in her arms, legs and chest even regrowing her severed arm. The light lifted her off the ground and left her standing. She opened her eyes and for a moment seemed lucid of everything. "Praise by Ishtar." She said before collapsing from what must be system shock. Kaeden caught her before she hit the ground and transforming flew her back to be with the others.

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Tyros kneed Nathan in the gut then swept his legs from under him. Nathan knew the next strike would remove his head. The strike hit the armor plate on his back, he missed on purpose.

A velvet voice dipped in honey cut through the violence with soothing tones and a placating force. He looked up stunned and struck breathless by loveliness personified. The dessert wind blew her hair into one smooth silken wave. She wore a sleeveless red corset that seemed to just barely contain two perfectly curved supple porcelain white bosom. The purple in her eyes met his and his gift saw a woman in pain, a victim.

He fought with all of his discipline to keep his urges controlled. Just looking on her caused his thoughts to race and it was as if he could feel part of his brain going to sleep and only the yearning to be close to her remain. Her hips were perfect and she moved with a fluid graced that invited him. An invitation he could hardly refuse. Now oblivious to the fact he was fighting Tyros he stared at her and even found his hand reaching out for her.

He steeled his nerve, this must be some sort of trick. He had heard of Tatyana perhaps this was the spell she cast on others. However, he could not see the harm in embracing this spell. How horrible would it be to lay with her. To have her and to let her have him, it would be worth any price. NO!. I am a paladin of Hajama such thoughts are below me. Perhaps she could be below me. He shock his head and covered his eyes refusing to let the thoughts take hold.

When he could no longer see her, it was her honey dipped voice that continued to stroke his desire for her. "Lord Tyros, I know what we were sent to do but... His goodness his strength was enough to stand against even Lord Darkness. Not just to stand against him but he freed others from his grasp. Perhaps he could free us."

Electricity and anticipation shot through his body as he felt the cold velvetly soft touch of her hand meeting his. She lowered his hands causing his eyes to fall directly down her corset to see more of her perfect breasts than was decent. He forced himself to look up and met her eyes. He thought it must be an illusion he used true seeing. He saw a scared unloved little girl who desperately wanted affection and was being crushed under Darkness's control. She wanted to be free of him but loved him too. No soul can walk so far in the shadow they can not find the light.

"Come with me Seeker, you can save me. Reach down into my core where I've become so numb and Bring me to LIFE." He embraced her, his arm around her slender waist sending tingling sensations through his arm and spine as he felt her waste. He pulled her close to him breathing in her scent and aroma.

"Nathan!" He heard Lana screaming.

He said eyes locked in Tatyana's purple pools, "If there is a chance I can save them I must." His words were no longer to the other girl but now to Tatyana, "I ask you lead me not into temptation."

She smiled her full red lips and whispered in his ear sending air in cool rushes down his neck, "Deliver me from evil." Then she kissed him full and strong and all inhibition faded. Tatyana teleported them and Tyros away.

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End of the Reign of Darkness

Oaths of Lightning

Darkness split the Keshala vessel away from the others. The rest stayed with Dessad and Owen to strengthen the lines of defense they had against the lightning sworn. They would prove an adequate distraction and allow Darkness to obtain the staff piece. He was disappointed that Lana had not succumb to him. Though the scares she would carry inside from the encounter and the pain it would forever cause Nathan was enough to find satisfaction in. He smiled through all of his vessels at the thought of Nathan suffering because of him.

He put such things out of his mind, he did not have the time to indulge in the luxury of enjoying success he had to press on. He could relish his victory only when it was complete and not before. Only once all the world was his, and that would be soon, would he relax to bask in the glory that was he. He who was so strong and so evil that death could not hold him, who whose own evil was solid enough to bring him to a state of undeath to walk the earth. He realized he was basking in his own greatness again and turned back to the task at hand.

The lone vessel of Keshala walked through the Dessert from the west toward the tower of rock and stone. It stood out among the flat and yellow vast landscape climbing reaching toward the sky with sharp jagged edges. It may have been a natural mountain once, by the looks of it most of it was natural, but built out of the jutting spike was caverns and entrances that made the mountain an imposing tower. The design of which was clearly Draconic and with the lighting bolt carved into the tower from top to bottom along its north face it was clearly the home of a blue. He walked bravely forward waiting.

He made it further than he thought he would for the lightning sworn were heavily distracted with the assault from the east side. He was only a few hundred yards from the tower base when a patrol of scorpion riding men approached surrounding her and screaming at her in the tongue of the dragon. He fell to his knees held up his hands and responded in the same language using the voice of a scared woman, "Please, I'm looking for TeKuz. We've met. He offered me a place among you, I wish to speak with him." They looked to the one man holding a black metal staff which burned at the end with a blue flame. He removed the veil over his face and to show he was Tekuz. He responded, "It seems that it is destiny you join us, for I am here and not hard to be found. When I should be fighting the wolves." Destiny yes, helped by the manipulation of their dreams mistaken as omens.

He kept a cool expression on his face as he spoke to Tekuz while standing, "It is because we worship the same god. The blue flame, the dragon tongue the shared importance of blue. Different names yes but the same god. I've been led here to join and help the lightning sworn in their moment of greatest need. I know we can defeat them together, I know what your enemies are looking for."

Tekuz orderred the men to stand down. He led Darkness into the mountain tower fortress. They entered into what had been chiseled out of the rock to look like a gate. Strange blue flames lit the corridor and the inside expanse. All through the first level was large pools of water which they must have counted on for survival. Though Tekuz led her past all of those to what appeared to be a place of sacredness. It must not have been truly consecrated to any real god for Darkness felt comfortable however he recognized the layout and art as that typically dedicated to a god. They went before an altar painted in blue lightning on which burned a blue flame. He took a Darkness's hands and led him to kneel at that altar. Tekuz then began telling a story, it must have been part of their ritual or history. Darkness found his patience weakening so close to being done, he did not want to here this child dribble on about what was important to these worthless rats that live her. He decided that there maybe something important he could use to manipulate them later so he listened.

"The Dragon gods filled the heaven with their glory and might. Their majesty was undisputed and their right to rule unchallenged. They made elves to serve them from the ash and mud of the burned Greywoods. The first elf they called the greyfoot and appointed him and his posterity chief among the elves forever more. The Greyfoots spoke for the dragons and ensured the loyalty of the elves.

It was a sad fact that elves grew restless and sought to stretch above their station. They had hoped to replace the virtue of loyalty and obedience to the gods with out question with new laws of their own, as if their wisdom could compare to the great Dragon Gods. The Heretic and blasphemer Hyrule attempted to flee the land the Dragons had blessed for the elves and in so doing to escape the duty for which he was created.

The faithful were vigilant and facing the greatest of dangers joined the heretic and brought with them a single egg of the gods. It would grow into a great god that would ever remind them of where their devotions should be paid, and would punish and persecute the unfaithful or bring them to a remembrance of their guilt. Those faithful swore an oath to the lightning god that they and their children to the end of generations would serve the lightning god of blue and execute its will and pleasure.

The heretical elves prospered for a time, but as the wicked always do they fell and destroyed themselves. For when an elf things themselves in no need of the dragon's direction and rely upon their own wisdom they are sure to fall. The ranks of the Dragon sworn grew as the unfaithful were moved to repentance and returned to the god of lightning. It is by the Dragon Gods protection here in his dessert that many generations after the unfaithful were wiped from the earth we stand and continue to strive.

For over 20 generations we have kept to the faith and served the Dragon Gods. Do you Keshala swear to defend the home of the Dragon? To execute his will above your own? To serve as devoted to the lightning that gives us all live? To be one of the faithful on hope of all salvation and rebirth?"

Darkness did his best to sound sincere, "I do."

"Then drink." He handed her a small cup filled with water he took from a porcelain basin behind him. Darkness took the cup and drank. "Now you are sworn to the lightning, you are one of us."

Darkness stood the formalities over, perhaps now they would trust him enough for him to get the staff with out more delay. He said with out hesitation, "They are after a staff, or a piece of a staff. They call it the staff of ruling. It is associated with the heretics you refer to. If we give them the staff they will leave."

Tekuz examined him carefully then spoke, "I know the staff. We can not give them the staff your refer to. It is one of our most holy relics. Come." He said and motioning for him to follow left the sacred space and entered another corridor. The corridor became a large stair case and they climbed it for what must have been several stories. The legs of the vessel ached and burned tired and exhausted already but Tekuz did not slow down so Darkness pushed the vessel past the point where pain would stop a mortal. Tekus spoke as they walked, "The unbelievers were being wiped out by their own pride and division. With out the Dragon Gods to keep them in check squabbling and greed took their toll. On the eve of their destruction an elf named Mervic who was a powerful elf in the unbelievers congregation came to the nest and gave the staff as a tribute to the Dragon God. He said, 'We unfaithful have come to our end. I give you a piece of what was once a symbol of our power and strength now broken as are we. I give it to you to beg for your mercy and forgiveness shall you chose to do so.' " He said as if reciting memorized verse, "The Dragon God chose not to save the unfaithful who did not come and swear their loyalty. Now the staff stands in the horde as the ultimate symbol of the defeat of the heretic and sacred nature of our cause and lives. A reminder to all of us that elf with out dragon will fall to only suffering and death. That no matter how great we may think ourselves it pales in comparison to the greatness of those we serve."

They reached the top of the stairs and entered into a great room that was large enough to fit Darkness's entire palace into. Ceilings that were hundreds of feet high and the diameter of the room must have encompassed the entirety of the mountain tower. Mounds of gold and treasure as large as buildings filled every inch of the floor. The center of the treasure seemed to bend as if it had been molded to a large shape-- no doubt that is where the dragon lay. Then he saw it something worth more to him than all the gold in the room -- The staff of braided wood. It was in a hole carved into the wall with reliefs and paintings surrounding it and magnifying its position. Below it on the floor was a large pile of incense burning. Tekuz spoke and Darkness chose to listen, "You see we can not give them the symbol of everything we are. We by the Dragon Gods mercy and grace will defeat this threat if only we remain faithful there is no need to give them anything. Few are ever allowed into this room and you will not be again, but I felt it important to show you so you would know why we will always believe."

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It was nightfall. Darkness thought he could spend years infiltrate their ranks and then get the staff or since there was little to no guards inside the tower with the battle raging outside he could just walk in and take it. He decided on the later. Manifesting his powers through the vessel he turned the vessel to mist so that it would move up the stairs silently. Once in the treasure room the mist formed into the solid body. Manifesting his powers heavily taxed the vessel as the mortal frame was never meant to posses the powers he wielded so naturally. He could expend her body, it only served a purpose to get the staff anyway. He reached into the shrine to grab the staff.

Lightning crashed across the room causing the vessel's hair to stand on end then he was struck and flew across the room landing on a pile of metal. As gold coins rolled down over the body dislodged by the impact he looked for his opponent. He saw one come across an opening and sent a lightning bolt of his own. Channeling it through the vessel caused the bodies mouth to begin bleeding. A stone pelted his head knocking him off of his feat, before they were on him he leaped to the wall and began to spider climb up to get a better vantage point. An arrow struck his leg but he forced the vessel past the pain. When lightning struck the wall above him causing him to fall twenty feet he turned to mist avoiding the damage of the fall. It was the magic of some mage cast burning hands which began to dry the mist and forced him to take solid form again.

He rolled behind another pile of treasure and lay in wait for his prey. One of the lightning sword come around the corner and he struck, grabbing him by the throat and channeling his power lifted the man off the ground, "I AM THE LORD OF ALL. I AM DARKNESS HOW DARE YOU OPPOSE ME. COWER BEFORE THE MIGHT OF." The vessel gave out overly taxed by the channeling of god like abilities Darkness possessed.

The vessel awoke hang upside down ankles changed to the ceiling and arms bound. He screamed out to the shadows, "HOW DARE YOU? YOU HAVE ANGERED POWERS YOU CAN NOT UNDERSTAND, YOU WILL LOSE MORE THAN YOUR LIFE AND YOUR SOUL FOR OPPOSING ME. I AM DARKNESS."

Bring Hope to those who have none

Lana sprang up from her bed glad to escape the nightmare. Then realizing she was in another.

She saw standing next to her bed very not sedated Rowenna and Soskai.

"How?"

Soskai answered, "My powers begin to slowly grow through the vessels. I can shape them and channel my power through them. Perhaps you should guard the lord of evil with more than a scared little girl and self righteous upstart." Rowenna reached to touch Lana's arm causing her to recoil and step back bumping into the bed post. Rowenna continued, "Do not recoil from me, we have already loved each other. What is a dream to some is reality to others. You belong to me and you know it."

There eyes met for a long moment until Lana finally said, "You know, I find it kind of funny and I find it kind of said that the dream in which I was dieing are the best I ever had."

"Good good, good. Now say with me, Loneliness,"

As if entranced Lana felt herself say, "Loneliness."

"Alienation."

A part of her wanted to stop but she was so scared and this seemed to feel right, "Alienation"

"Fear"

"Fear" She could feel the fear fading away. Everything was fading away become less intense. It was good not to be so afraid.

"Despair"

If Nathan could have saved her he would. Darkness had won he had taken Jillian. She knew now he could not be stopped. "Despair." she heard someone else say.

"Self Worth"

"Self Worth" she said now with out thought lying on the bed let the peace of nothingness consume her.

"Mockery"

"Mockery" She repeated only barely aware of the fact the door has shattered open and some light was pouring in. Rowenna's forceful voice was all that she focussed on it was the only thing that took the fear away.

"Condemnation"

She recognized the Anti-life being used and knew what she would become. She should have fought harder, but she could not fight now. It was her fault Nathan would die and fail because of her. She brought this end to them. "Condemnation"

Soskai was fighting someone in the very far distance of her mind. The next word pulled her attention before she could realize who. Rowenna continued, "Misunderstanding."

Lana repeated, "Misunderstanding."

Soskai's voice that seemed to sound in her head before it was in her ears, "Even if you kill me I'll be in her before you can stop it. You'll have to kill all of the ones that you are trying to save."

Rowenna's voice pierced the thoughts, "Guilt."

It must be Nathan Soskai was fighting. The stray thought came to her consciousnesses and then was drown. I'm sorry Nathan. I'm sorry. I couldn't figure it out fast enough, I couldn't help you. I couldn't stop him and now you'll have to kill me. Please kill me Nathan. I'm sorry you'll have the "Guilt" she said numbly.

"Shame"

She felt Soskai in pain. But it was not Soskai, it was Lana. Lana could start to feel Soskai's pain. A cut across the chest and a blow to the left of his head. Lana then saw Nathan standing where Soskai was. He looked on her with worry and anger. She turned away, she could not face him. For all she was, for how weak she was. He would never have given in, he would never forgive her for giving in. "Shame"

"Failure"

"Failure" Hers was complete.

Lana felt Rowenna hit in the back of the head and drop to the floor. Yet a new voice a dark voice carried on in her head. Like she had started to sleep and the voice of a dream reached to her softly but she could hear it. She wanted to hear it, she needed to hear it. "Judgement"

"Judgement" She said out loud.

"Lana come back to me. Lana you have to hear me, LANA!!!!!! LANAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!" Nathan was shaking her intensely. She looked up at him and all she could say was, "Hope is folly, Love is Lies."

Nathan stood up and drew his sword at her, him. He wanted her to strike and kill this vessel. "Life is Death"

Nathan called out in a voice that touched LANA's deepest soul. "Love is not a lie, and the Truth shall set you free." Placing his sword on her forehead he began.

"To be loved + Unity + Faith + Courage + Value + Uplift x Praise x understanding x innocence + Honor + success x compassion. Folly becomes hope, lies replaced by love, death begats life and Self = Lana. That is the truth, I am here for you.

No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide eyed fears
I'm here, nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you

Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I'm here, with you, beside you
To guard you and to guide you"

Lana openned her eyes for what seemed like the first time. She shook her head and what felt like a dense slush shook free in her head. She started to cry and threw herself into Nathan's arms crying she said, "Say you love me ev'ry waking moment

Turn my head with talk of summertime
Say you need me with you, now and always
Promise me that all you say is true
That's all I ask of you"

He stroked her hair and replied, "Let me be your shelter

Let me be your light
You're safe, no one will find you
Your fears are far behind you"

Nightmares

Lana woke up screaming.