"Jillian, Morgan we came as quickly as we could." It was Nathan's voice that broke her angry brooding. Jillian began spewing forth salutes formalities and pleasantries as quickly as she could remember them. Morgan gave a salute and tried desperately not to be annoyed by Jillian's floundering.
Nathan responded warmly and confidently. "It is a matter of Truth that no soul can step so far into the shadow that they can not find the light. We can save them of that I am sure. Morgan and I have spoke extensively on the Antilife equation and while the task maybe daunting I do not fear it."
"Neither do I." Jillian said back like a sheep. Morgan calmed herself and repeated, "Neither do I fear it."
"I have brought Lana and Kadean with me. I have a feeling how this is all connected we may be better served with you Jillian for now."
"Who else did you bring." Morgan pointed to the two elves standing behind the large black Pegasus. 
"That is a confessor. A race created by the Godess Andrea may she live forever to aid my search for truth. Sworn protectors and servants of the seeker of truth she may compell one to tell the truth just by touching them. I think if we can get her to touch on of our friends Darkness may give us all the answers we need. The other is someone you said you wanted to meet. Her name is Aspen. She will be returning to Oa to help with things there while we are away but I know Lord Hajama sent you to find her. So you have found her. We should not delay more than a moment Perhaps you would like to return to Oa with her? It seems fate pulls us in many directions."
"Yes my Lord, While I feel the urge to go fight for my friends. I should do as the Great Hajama commands and stay with Aspen."
"Yes, perhaps we have different roles to play. But if you find we do not take this journeymen book. It will be able to keep us in contact. I may need your council with the antilife."
"Yes, my Lord." She was proud of herself as the words almost did not catch in her throat.
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Perhaps this was foolish Darkness thought. They would not still be in these woods. Despite the two day hunt they had found nothing, no pixies, no unicorn and certainly no paladins. Even Miriska's vamperic senses could find no trace.
She still dressed in her white gowns began to thrown small tantrums as a spoiled child would upon not finding a scent. Tatyana always coddled her followers making them weak and childish. He compared her to Dessad in his mind and noted how much better pain suffering and fear worked to make a reliable servant.
"I grow tired of your failure Miriska. Perhaps I now know why you were of so little value the whore left you those thousands of years ago."
He could tell from how her body tensed she wanted to lash at him, or the vessel that was once Soska. Yet fear held her in place. More proof that she was wrong. Fear was more powerful than love - it is why she never found the Anti-life equation and he did. When the vessel turned his back to continue on in the wood Miriska leaped for him. Darkness saw it through the other vessel he had there the one that once belonged to Rowena. "How dare you speak of Velvet in such as way." Miriska pounced on the drow flesh and easily pinned it to the ground.
Darkness spoke from behind her with Rowenna's mouth, "You forget your place attacking a puppet does nothing to the puppeteer." He then released a silver tipped arrow into her back driving her off of him and into the wood. Another strike found its mark and he continued to speak now through Soskai, "All you have done is reveal you are not loyal to me. And that I have no use for those who are not loyal to me." Through the drow body Darkness ignited the coffin constructed for Miriska. As she watched it burn and bleed form her wounds Darkness could see the reality hit her. He spoke again, "Who do you serve?"
"You, my lord." She said with the thunder of a broken heart. Fear over love. Love = Lies. He laughed thousands of miles away.
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Just as Miriska was being tamed Darkness was also entering the southern edge of the dessert. Controlled and settled by dragon worshiping barbarians the dessert looked rough and unforgiving. No doubt the mortal vessels would experience great discomfort and suffering in the quest for the staff piece her. Though it matterred not they would survive. Or the wouldn't and he would get more.
The staff was important because according to Tatyana it possessed the ability to magnify the loyalty one had for their master. It's magic was the basis of a spell used on her that magnified her attractiveness and powers of persuasion. That bit of amplification, however slight, may be just what he needs to perfect the equation and make it impossible to resist.
He was fortunate that he had taken over the abilities of Rowena as it allowed him to sense the staff pieces. At least one of them. Their were two other locations both seemed shaky. He surmised since the one coming from the staff piece Dessad had previous found went shaky when Dessad removed it them the other shaky feeling to the north could only mean someone else had already taken it. The memories of the vessels were foggy to break into but he seemed to remember Nial knowing where the other one was. It was something about a town called Reddas. So he was sending vessels and vampires to the town of Reddas now in search.
The urnings he focused on now took him further into the dessert. To where Owen and the werewolves had been embattled against the lightning sworn for over a day. The tribes of nomads were defending a large mountain like tower in the near center of the dessert. Home to their dragon god. If it were not for that dragon the wolves would have broke through the lines long ago. He would use Keshala's shell to break through the lines in a way that the force of the werewolves could never do.
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Katsumi raced through the trees looking for clues. She had done her best to distance herself from the vampire and the others when they were fighting. The strange symbol radiating from their eyes gave her shivers and convinced her she should have never left home. NO I avenged Jubei, no matter what else happens I know I succeed there when father thought I would fail. The glory and honor waiting for me at home must keep me going.
She wiped the sweat from her forehead and peered into the open meadow. Having searched every inch of this wood over the past 3 days left her exhausted but she continued. Then something caught her eye. It was like a large butterfly. It then flew closer. Katsumi watched until she realized it was flying right for her. She instinctively rolled to the ground and silently behind a thick tree. Scared of a butterfly? She almost giggled at herself but thought caution better than foolishness.
She was then surprised as another butterfly like creature approached her from the opposite direction. Only it was not a butterfly, it had legs and arms and ears like an elf. It landed playfully on her outstretched hand. 
"I was suppose to tell you this earlier but I was too scared of the others. The unicorn and your friends are this way." The pixie then flew into the air and to the south motioning for Katsumi to follow.
"I was suppose to tell you this earlier but I was too scared of the others. The unicorn and your friends are this way." The pixie then flew into the air and to the south motioning for Katsumi to follow.
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