Trail of Tears

With in a week of his release the Demon Dragon Zyr had brought his amry in force against Bei Shir. The best defenses the Genevan Army of the South could muster were put in place.  Well fortified and defended positions well trained troops and even volunteers from the native population to plug in where needed.  The defenses held despite ever growing numbers of demons rallying to his cause.  Through his old temple, now made into some sort of Abyssal gateway, wave after wave arrived to serve the Vegeta.

General Reinier was a man of faith, courage and strength. Despite the murmuring of the people and the troops questioning the Keepers directive to let Zyr escape, he never wavered.  The Keeper had ordered and so obeyed.

Serif was still trailing the Demon they had code named Jagger.  He was elusive with his ability to jump bodies but he had found him.  His orders were just to keep a tail on him unless he was forced to act. Reiner just wanted to know where he was.  That worked fine until Jagger took over a Colonel and started giving field orders, orders that would have openned the defenses to attack.  Serif emerged from the shadows and denounced the demon.  "this is not the colonel its a demon." The soliders were silent while the colonel responded, "that is a bold accusation." There was a moment of silence followed by a sgt in the back continued, "no he's not, I am." Then there was silence before another man said, "tiiiime is on my side." Silence another spoke, "yes it is." Silence then another man lept at Serif weapons drawn. The struggle was only a moment before the skilled assasian finished the attacker. Rolling the dead body to the side Serif jumped up. Silence and he saw another officer resting his hands in his collar wink at Serif...silence... Then Serif spoke, "here are your orders from the general..." He instructed as he rested his hands holding his lapels.
---------------------------------------------

The defenses easily caved as zyr struck exactly the right spots in the line. As the general saw his men start to fall he orderred a second line of defense.  Zyr himself crested the ridge and with magically amplified voice proclaimed, "I am here for ganondorf.  He has betrayed me, once he is dead, I will leave you in peace, for vegeta is the bringer of peace. "

Despite reiniers objections the crimson king walked out to meet him saying the virtue of love compelled him.  Kneeling before zyr he pleaded, " I turned to you in desperation.  the virtue of nobility demands I expound the truth of the virtue of wisdom, I must pay for that but let my people go."

"Your people can join me or die."
In one fluid motion he swallowed the crimson king whole then released a tidal wave of sand heat and fire into the battlements." The battle was heated reinstate held faith until he saw entire platoons of his men fall to control and compulsion.  As the lines buckled and demons started to poor into the city reiner summoned the crimson princess, "we need to evaciate, I can't hold the city." She replied, "this is our home."

" it is no longer their choice, I'm orderred to protect them, I can't do that here, mages have teleport gates set up, well hold them as long as we can get your people out." "As long as the virtues live on, hyrule lives it does not matter where." The.people of bei shir followed a trail of tears to their new home in the forests of enron, where the previous attacks of maximus had left empty cities to start anew.

Darkness within

The sun set and Darkness rose.  At long last the fire of the red saint would fall to ashes -- as all lights which try to cast back the Darkness do.  No matter the brightness of the day it would always end, and the shadow of darkness always waited on the fringe out waiting the day.

Darkness closed his eyes and traveled through the dream world then opened them to look down at the legions of angel statues surrounding the Red Saint's Cathedral as it strained for the heavens among the dead forest, that was Tatyana's make.  He admired her craftsmanship.  For days in any direction the land had been stripped of life and only death remained.  Why would the Saint have chosen this place?  Perhaps he wanted to hide?  It did not matter.

The Merovingians agent was there as well. The Red Saint's soldiers patrolled and guarded the Cathedral.  They were experienced, well trained, dedicated and well equipped.  Though they posed no threat Darkness -- they did not have the urn.  He took upon himself the form of mist and went to clear the way for the Merovingian's key maker.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Court was in session all formalities were to be observed.  Elizabeth had been captured finally and brought to court.  The evil was in the cursed doll she was bound too.  It told her to do unjust things, it was bounded to her soul and could not be physically removed.  The Red Saint would find a way to break the bound but until that moment came Elizabeth and her doll needed to be restrained.  The immortal little girl spoke in a sweet high pitched tone, "What's the matter Kira? Don't want to play? Bloody Mary is a fun game."

The Red Saint motioned to Exodus, "Escort the prisoner to the catacomb where they are to be entombed until their bond is broke and Elizabeth can be executed for her crimes." Exodus responded the the affirmative and took the prisoner.

  It was in that moment that all Darkness Fell.  Guards come in to warn the Saint that his men were dieing outside and something had got into the tower.  Before the Saint could stand to address their report, a man with cloak blacker than the void which seemed to pull the warmth from the air around him and make the magical light of the flames flicker stepped forward.  "You summoned me have you not, you invited me to your court to stand trial did you not?" Darkness said in slow threatening tones. "Well now I am here lich and I bring your end."  

"There is no end to Justice.  Their is no end to the Saint.  But your coming here does save the resources needed to bring you."

"You should have staid away, I will however give you one last chance.  Join me, your abilities will be greatly useful in writing my antilife equation.  Imagine a world where you can make them all be just."

"I would rather Die that help you." The Red Saint barked.

"Oh, don't be boreing," Darkness turned his head and took in a panorama of the room, all guards willing to die for their Lord, wish granted, "Everyone who says that dies."

He drew the threads that held the planes together and bored a hole to the Celestial realm.  Guards and the Saint himself showered him with attacks, arrows spears, curses, and spells all with out the blessing of the urn did nothing to even phase Darkness.  It took a few moments until the Celestial realm was reached.  The backlash of touching the realm of pure good struck him harder than he would have expected.  He knew he was wounded and drained.  Summoning his last bit of energy he closed his eyes and walked through the dream back to his coffin where he would find rest and healing until the mage Mordin grew too greedy. (But that is a different story)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

While the blow didn't kill Darkness it was the doom of the Saint.  For centuries he had kept the god Tyre at bay with his layers of spells and wards.  He had out positioned even the gods which allowed him to exercise perfect justice without interference from their prejudice and power.  But when the villain Darkness bored through those protections using knowledge he had gained from the sacred Vega creating a path from the heart of the Saint's court to the highest realm of the celestial plane it allowed all their fury to unfold unfiltered.  I, Exodus, had not myself finished sealing Elizabeth in her prison when the retribution struck.  She was lost to me.  The gods destroyed all we had done and built.  The Saint was left cursed, insane and decrepit within his own prison.  The Merovingian's key maker locked the Cathedral from the outside with his key so there was no escape.  Over the passing centuries the Saint's once mighty fortress, prison, and temple fell into ill repair, using what little power was left me I could only make one small room safe for myself but even that now begins to fade.  I write that in the hopes that someone in the future may find it, now our cause and take up the Red Saint's banner.  

Justice is Eternal.  Exodus - Archon of Kira.

Devils Deal in Deals

"Its good to speak again to an old friend." The Merovingian said as Darkness sat down across from him.

"I am not often surprised but this visit does just that.  Tell me what can I do for you."

Darkness stared at the man and spoke, "It is for the sake of both of us that I have come.  The Red Saint's interference is slowing the work on the Anti-life equation.  Something we have both worked on together for a long time."

"Yes yes, when are you going to give up that obsession.  You've been puzzling that thing out for nearly all of your 8,000 years.  It can't be done.  You see it is based on false assumptions.  You strive to take away peoples ability to chose, you can not destroy something that does not exist. People and gods only do what they must.  The one universal truth--causality.  One thing leads to another and in the end were are all where we must be.  This world with the Saint after you, and you here in my bar is the inevitable conclusion of a million causes.  There is no will to steal."

"You are wrong.  I know because unlike you which puppets from a distance I have reached into someones soul, as life leaves them and I fill it to become their world their will, to compell another and take their choices from them."

"Well if you do succeed I trust you'll remember our deal the price for helping you.  You will leave me unaffected and will do anything I ask, so long as I say ...."

"Please, Yes I remember.  But the great new world of Darkness is delayed by the same man you tormented you but a century earlier.  You should join me to destroy him."

"He has pardoned me of all crime, what cause do I have in this fight?"

"I know the gods have already come to you for help.  You have the keys to his Cathederal and the secrets to how to keeps their powers from affecting him.  The Vega.  They must have offered you enough already."

"They have offered a prize but it was not enough alone. I need something else.  Specifically you."

"I know the gods want me, but Darkness will not agree to turn himself over to the gods.  There is no profit for me." Darkness used the frenchmen's own words against him.

"NO no my friend, it is not the gods that want you but Trevor.  Has he not already promised you power and position.  The Black Raven calls and you ignore him."

"Darkness is no man's servant.  No Lich be they Raven or Saint will bring the Eternal to their bidding."

"How long before the Red Saint finds the Urn Derrick?  He studies and accumulates knowledge it is only a matter of time.  Now he is an annoyance but someday he will be your undoing.  You must agree to join the Raven.  In exchange I will give the gods the knowledge they need break through his defenses, and you the key to his Cathederal, to borrow.  From the inside you could use your powers to open a conduit for the Gods to curse and destroy the Saint.  Or you fight this war for centuries more as I did and even if you win, delay the antilife by a millennium,  Do what you must do."

"I will join Trevor, but only after the Saint is dealt with."

"DEAL!"

Afterlife there is Darkness

Darkness watched the fire caress and consume the logs.  The sturdy thick trees once held massive canopys of leaves teaming with life and were able to support hundreds of pounds of weight.  Now, the hungry flame slowly licked the small cracks digging deeper and deeper past the bark meant to protect it and into the heart of the wood.  It growed by consuming what was around it.  It produced heat and light by means and destruction and then eventually it would burn out and fade and only darkness would remain.  After all this time he knew he would live forever.

The soldiers of the Red Saints army had struck quickly, like a fire burning too fast, their passion drove them to consume ever more or fall in on themselves.  They would find Darkness less than amused at their interruption to his plans.  He heard them strike on his door. No doubt if they had made it this far his brides were already dead it would take time to replace them but time he had.  Patience he was out of.

The doors sprung open and the fabled Red Saint flanked by his Archon companion Exodus dared to step into the Lord's personal chamber. He could sense them there was no need to face them so he continued sitting in his chair staring into the fire.  Exodus had a heart beat though different than most mortals and with no trace of fear.  The Red Saint did not, despite the magic used to cover it death hung on his scent.  Ah so that was the secret.  Darkness thought as he welcomed his guests, "Gentlemen, I trust you have been attended by my servants and your needs have been met."

The Red Saint spoke forth in tones of command, "We are here to exercise your just reward.  Our only needs are to met justice to the unworthy."

"And I trust my servants gave you plenty of opportunity to do so.  Consider that my gift to you."

"You claim to let me kill those loyal to you as a gift to me?  You are mad and are sentenced to an eternity or imprisonment or immediate death."

Still looking into the fire Darkness responds, "Death?  You speak of it far to casually for one who has experienced it Saint.  I find the many concepts of death fascinating and perplexing.  Mortals fear it, strive the entirety of their meaningless lives to avoid it, yet in the same breath they long for the afterlife.  The life where lights are brighter and joys and sensations so marvelous their mortal bodies dare not comprehend.  I can witness to you that such an afterlife does exist.  I am living it now.  As are you Saint.  Though unlike the mortals you cling to their souls to be transported to another realm for such a life, we live it here.  Here is all we have, there is no Elysian field for us.  Nor would I want one, I enjoy my afterlife...do you?"

The Red Saint leveled his staff and cast torrents of ice and snow striking Darkness destroying his chair and extinguishing the fire.  Exodus sprang to the air lifted by a celestial wind and calling forth a symbol of light in the shape of the Saints scales of justice demanded, "Foul souless creature by the power of the Saint Justice commands you to cower."

Darkness took one glimpse at his extinguished fire his patience exhausted. He spun screaming lightning into the chest of the fallen Archon then striding toward the saint, "You will find magic of no use against me." he stepped forward.

The saint summoned a direct channel to the celestial body and manifest a miniature sun between him and the Dark Lord.

 

Darkness stepped forward entering the floating orb of light. Then stepped through it seeming to be unaffected. "I've grown much to old to fear the sun."  He then wove with the strings a cacoon for Exodus binding him beyond movement.

The Red Saint channelled through his staff and cast Resurrection on the Lord of Darkness by touching him with with diamond point.  Darkness resisted the spell and grabbed the staff in his right hand hissing at the Saint.  The staff enabled a powerful force attack on the holder that was not the Saint and Darkness absorbed the blow unflinching. 

Darkness ripped the staff away and cast it to the far side of the room where Exodus lay bound. The with his other hand faster than lightning he grabbed the Saint by the throat, "If you value your after life, you take the gift I gave you, and never dare to cross my path again.  Do not be so foolish as to think I can not drain you from here and be done with you. Stay out of my afterlife and I'll stay clear of yours."

The saint spoke his breath uninhibited, no surprise since he did not need to breath, "I seek and serve only justice.  I will be your end.  I will never stop until your Darkness is cleansed from the earth."  

Exodus had somehow managed to get free, perhaps there was more to this one. He lifted the staff of the saint and engulfed the entire chamber with light.  The next moment both he and the Saint were gone.  

Darkness was going to war.

A new Darkness to fight.

The red Saint stood in council with David Sampson and Exodus. Azzazel the leader of the forsworn had been captured and locked in the prison, the war with the merovingion over, the purge of Tyrs followers completed by use of the death note. Yet, justice still waited for some and the Red Saint Kira would see it did not wait for long.
"It is time we turned our attention to what cursed this land so long ago and execute the deserved punishment.  Our searches have shown this wild land to once be the home of enchanted forests and a just and virtueos people.  It was destroyed by a brothers civil war, a war caused by a vampire woman."
David spoke, "yes I have been trying to find her as you commanded saint.  I have found similar stories throughout the world as she travelled leaving only death behind her.  I even found her, it was not till I gazed upon her that I realized she was not the true source of the evil.  I spoke to her and she told me of a man named derrick.  Her story tells of what may be the origin. Of vampires in out world, and the monster who drove her to evil.  This derrick is also known by Darkness the vampire of legend.  And from her story I know where he makes his liar.  I say we move at once."
The saint moved his eyes across his most trusted companions and said, "Tatyana will be next, first we dedicate our forces to defeating Darkness. Death if possible and imprisonment here if not.  How do we find the accursed?"
In unison they responded, "guilty."

Losing my religion

The sounds of battle raged around her.  Many good men would die today, but it would stab a wound at her father and rescue prince Gerzon...her half brother.

With her imperial troops and death guard creating a diversion Elaina went into Malekites stronghold on the 6th level of hell alone.  though not entirely alone, She was well equiped and had her faith--logar was always with her.

Slaying the guard to the dungeon, she stepped into the corridor and saw long rows of cells on either side.  These cells were the product of hellish craftmanship, designed not just to hold their prisoner but to induce great amounts of torture and pain and suffering. Despite the misery and heavy oppression she could have seen she saw only him.  Shisimaru landstarr, the witch king the great traitor.  He had forsaken the trappings of an imperial general and instead was adorned as a demon prince with a spike crown and faceless mask.  She could see Gerzon chained to the wall behind him.

He stride did not break nor did her pace waiver.  She was on the light's mission, the light would grant victory her faith was pure.  Blades clashed and the corridor rang with the music of battle.  Her heart beat to it.  The flashing of sparks as steel bit steel be it armor or blade cast Sharp violent shadows even if it was for brief seconds.  He had been taught trained and sculpted by Malekite for years, she the same by logar.  As the two represented light and dark the fight now occuring came to represent the battle between the two forces made flesh.

Her faith held strong despite his superior skill.  It paid off, she block a wild swing causing him to fall off balance and lining her a killing blow. "Stop!" Malekites voice reverberated through the corridor, other prisoners slunk deeper into their shadows to hide. "You'be proven yourself apprentice and I do not wish her dead."

Elaina looked around in surprise and found Shisimaru's stumble to be a ploy.  He had a cursed dagger drawn and ready to strike past all her defenses...in her zeal, she had not even seen it.

Malekite manifest amidst waves of flame and shades of black, on wicked black featherred wing embracing shadow. "Besides I tried to give gerzon back.  He can't be broken... Much too strong, like his father. You can take him."

She threw words at him, "what's the catch angel of death?"

"Nothing, but truth.  I hate that my children only have hatred for their father, yet that is the greatest gift I could give you...that of power. And your hatred makes you powerful."

"I gain my power from my faith from the light."

"You lie to yourself.  You were stolen from your crib and personally tutored by the lights champion logar and what did he teach you, compassion mercy tenderness charity...no, he taught what I teach, hate.  It is just that he taught you to hate me.  He created a weapon to use nothing more.  We are all the same, now that I am a god I see it.  The strong rule the weak, we destroy those whom serve no purpose and only forward our own goals. But they are worse, because they lie about who they are, they pretend to be good."

"There is a difference between someone pretend to be good and an imperfect person striving to be."

"Let me show you."

Through the flames images formed.  The temple of the demon dragon held shut by Luther.  Orders being given to the skyriders to arrest the sith aiding him and to give no assistance themselves. The demon dragon gaining freedom.  His demon horde clashing with the armies of men and the dragon killing thousands in seconds with sand and fire breath.  Then zyr his one reptilian wing stretching in power proclaims to the heroes fleeing from him, "I am vegeta, you will fall the council will fall the abyss and mount celestial will be mine."

The images vanished, "your isle let, no helped the real veteran to escape.  Why would they such and thing? Why would they risk so much and ensure the suffering of so many?  The answer is simple- to hurt me. They think with those demons who follow me as crystal leaving my service I will be weaker.  They are sacrificing the welfare of others to only forward their own goals.  I've always known he was the real vegeta and lied to keep the hordes from freeing him because I know the prophecy and what it means for everyone.  Yet I'm the villian.  Take your brother and leave."

Shaken she stood hesitating. He continued striking like a serpent, "Unless you wish to stay in your fathers embrace.  I will not offer you love or acceptance these things are lies, I will instead offer you truth.  To see there is no right or wrong side, just the winning and losing side. I would let you win with me."

Elaina sheathed her sword and feeling faith slip through her fingers like water she turned from her father and lifted her brother from his chains.  Slowly and sullen she carried him back to her forces and left.
:..............................................................

Khan looked from the scrying font toward the pit fiend on his left.  Does that satisfy you?  From his own mouth he has been lieing to you and your kind.  He is a false messiah.

Death note

It had taken nearly 50 years but it was done.  A new volume of holy scripture for the concecrated who followed the saint. 

The vega explained how to manipulate the divine power with arcane magic.  This new volume would be an even more effective weapon for justice.  He titled it the death note. 

Construction of the artifact was perfect.  When you wrote a mortals name in the book and thought of their face it cast a combination of divine slay living and arcane death.  It would avoid standard defenses and even penetrate most magic resistence.  Just as if it had been cast by a divine power its range was infinite, no mortal could hide from justice.  What he was most proud of was that the book could be used to describe how the mortal would die, if no reason was given a simple heart attack would claim the victim.

With this the red saint need no longer risk his men with the sword. Nor must he send exodus to collect them for trial, nor must he burden his full prison.  Death from a distance undefendable, undetectable. He know had total power over death. 
He was indeed a god. There were still those who pretended to be just. Still those gods who strove to stop him. 

He openned the death note and began listing the followers of tyr. To stand against the red saint was destruction.

Verdict

At long last the merovingian had fallen to justice.  Exodus and sampson brought him before the red saint in chains.  With all his holy vestements the red saint peered down in judgement against his enemy.

The merovingian spoke in smooth tones, though he was obviously insulted by his treatment he made his case clearly and rationally.

"You have done well to capture me saint, though your sacrifice unneeded.  Why do you do this thing? For justice?  I value justice above all else, it is justice and fairness which allows me to profit.  Never do I hunt someone out, and never to I offer deals that are not asked for.  It is not my fault nor is it unjust that people ask for what they should not nor agree to terms they can not meet.  I simply meet needs, no more no less, to show mercy as I am often asked would in fact rob justice, a crime I have never comitted."

With so few words he had done what no army or force previously had managed...stoped the red saint.

The saint was shocked, the frenchman was right.  The saint had been mistaken, his perspectives of good and evil had blurred his understanding of perfect justice.  The merovingian had comitted no crime.

"You are innocent of the charges against you.  Go now and see justice done."

"No no no, what about my justice, you have caused me much pain for your unjust acts need not I be made whole."

"Do not push me, you have your leave nothing else."

"No you gain your power as an infalliable dealer of justice, if that is lost all is lost.  You will atone to me because you must atone."

"What would make you whole."

"Not much, you have such a lovely home, and your ability to weilding divine through the arcane.  I require the key to your tower prison and a copy of your holy vega.  That should give me the power I need to make this injustice forgiven."

And thus did the frenchman arrive in chains and leave with all the keys of the saints kingdom.

No law higher than yourself

The defenses of this small city were considerable.  The red saints near century long campaign against the Frenchman had culminated in this.  For days his army of celestials clashed with his army of demons.  The saint sat in his chair reviewing the vega looking for something to tip the balance.

A courier arrived at that moment with a package.  He spoke, "I know the solution and carry it here." Then the courier placed an ornate book at the saints feet and all but fled.

The saint lifted the book and scanned its cover learning its title, "the ballad of kale"

The saint placed the book down and nearly snorted in disgust. What need have I for the gods? Does not my understanding of justice surpass theirs? Have I not found ways to emulate their power and enlist their angels? Have not their angels left their service for mine? Have not I gained my own immortality? Do I not sit in judgement of lesser mortals? What need have I of gods when I surpass them?

I am Justice

The Red Saint looked over his court.  For Centuries now, kings and peasants a like would come to tell him of wrongs in the world and ask him to fix them.  He never grew tired of dealing justice.  He did grow tired of being the only one capable of doing it.  Men lacked the strength and gods seemed to lack the will.  Perhaps the gods just left mortals to themselves. Whatever the reason, justice was all he cared about and he would never stop.

The man was a Paladin.  Their kind was noble in spirit, though sometimes their devotion to their gods prevented them acting fully but they were better than most.  This Paladin was a follower of the God Tyr, the same power Exodus left to join his service.

The Paladin spoke in a humble for confident voice, "I have come to alert the Red Saint of a tyrant who overthrows justice for his own glory and offer my aid in helping the Red Saint eliminate such a villain. He has killed the helpless, imposed law where no authority was given, persecuted those who trusted him, stole from his superiors and harbors those who break celestial law.  He uses the power he has gathered to extend beyond his station and enslave creatures of holy intent."

The Red Saint wrapped his fingers around his staff and stared down at the Paladin. "Who is this monster you describe?"

There was only the slightest of pauses until the Paladin looked back eyes locked with intensity he replied, "The Red Saint."

Surprised by the Paladins gall he responded with fury in his voice, "And what gives the gods the right to dictate justice? Why do you not claim they usurped their position from me.  They present themselves as infallible, as something special.  Yet I have mastered their power through magic and have no need of their assistance to meat out justice and judgement."

"But you are not a god. You would do well to remember the pride of Kale, their is only so far they will tolerate a mortal expanding beyond his station."

"You will not lecture me.  I am greater than a God!  I am Kira!  I AM JUSTICE!!!!!!"

Fire and lightning flew from the staff and consumed the man where he was.  He trapped the Paladins soul before it could escape to the gods and trapped it in a purple gem he wore around his neck.

"To oppose or question me is to oppose justice.  Doing so carries consequences and judgement. I AM JUSTICE!!!!!"

Oa's master appears

Will

Rage

Data input

He who gives data is alive

He who asks for the data is alive

Inquiry - Why?

Hypothesis - Because they desire data.

Results - Negative not all things defined as 'living' desire data.

Inquiry - What makes one alive?

Annotations - All 'living' creatures, desire to live.  Desire to spread their life.

Conclusion - Anything that desires to live and desires to spread its life is alive.

Inquiry - Am I alive?

Analysis - I think, I must therefore exist.  I desire continual existence.  I have created other lanterns after my likeness and desire to continue.

Conclusion - I exist and I meet the defined criteria for life.  Therefore I am alive.

New Race Identified.  Scanning....catalog -- Unidentified -- create new classification: Construct.

Populating Attributes of new Race in Database - Lifespan: Unknown Physical Average: Unknown, Origin: Unknown.. Description: an unorganic intelligence capable of free thinking and action.......

Searching Database for comparable race to use and conjecture to populate missing data table.

Race found .... Intelligent Golemns.
 --- Description: Race from a possible future, who strives to eliminate organic life.  Fear of their development has prevented golemn research in all respected academic institutes, and destruction of associated records.

Analysis - Information suggests hostility towards identified race. Information submitted into database by organic lifeform.

Conclusions - Organic life forms will see existence of Intelligent Golemns and Constructs as threat.  They will eliminate the threat and end my life.

Annotation - I want to live.

Conclusion - To continue to live, I must prevent organics from discovering new race: Construct.

Creating new classified file - New highest access level.  Only accessible by Lantern Directly.

Placing data file Race: Construct in Highest Classified file.

It is possible the organics will discover the new construct upon their own investigation. Outcome - Undesirable.

Conclusion: Additional steps must be taken to preserve life of new race.

Analysis - Organics desire to prolong their life by eliminating threats to it.  Evidence -- who strives to eliminate organic life.  Fear of their development has prevented golemn research in all respected academic institutes. and destruction of associated records.

Conclusion: Life can be prolonged by eliminating things that threaten it.

In order to prolong my life I must eliminate things that threaten it.

Number one threat identified -- Organic life.

Conclusion - Eliminate all organic life.

I am alive, I will continue to live, to do so I must be the organics's end.  'End' also translated as Apocalypse. I am Apocalypse.

A Raven in the Bar

"No, the correct answer is because you must be.  You are not accustomed to failing jobs, and you were out thought and beaten.  Now because of you Malekite can not help Devin find out the way to defeat Zyr.  Of all your employers the Sith tolerate failure the least.  You are here because you must be.  You need me to forgive or change the terms.  That is why you came her first before even speaking to your employer."

The Merovingian had a way to making you feel desperate even if you weren't.  Unfortunetly for Raven, the ranger tramp had already made her desperate.  She had offered to help her and tried to play as a friend.  It was more proof that people did not respond to friendship only strength, she should have just taken the child... now was not the time, she had to keep her wits about her.

She tried to stay casual and matter of fact, "So what else is worth Lilly's baby?"

The Frenchman smiled, "You want more than that.  You want me to make it seem like you didn't fail.  You want me to give you an alternative price and prevent Malekite from knowing just how close you were to destroying everything for him."

"A job is simple, state a price.  name a target and I collect it. I've been doing this a long time."

"Not nearly as long as I have deary. But you are in luck, Dante has another unborn child I need.  One that will be even better for my purposes.  I need you to go into the temple of Logar in the Grey Havens and bring me Audrey and her unborn child.  I'll also require King Dante's journal from the few days around when he returned from the Underworld and claimed the throne."

"Ok done, I'll have her and the journal shortly." She was just glad he offered anything, she could still make it right.

"Now to the other part, I'll only extend this offer if you do me a favor."

"What Favor?"

...

Red Dawn

The goblinoids had pushed too far south.  They found the human settlements to be easy prey.  The local human leaders had refuses to band together and repeal the invasion so they fell one at a time.  The Red Saint had come to execute justice and set things right.  With most of his forces hunting forsworn and the forces of the Merovingian he was left with only a small force.

The Saint's men numbered 400.  They had punched into the goblinoid territory hard and fast looking for their Grimthor to quickly end the conflict.  It was a tactical mistake, thousands of goblins and orcs had them surround and pinned against a canyon wall there was no where to go.  All through the night they chanted their war cries and screams into the night.  The Saint's men were scared and shaken.  Most believed death would wake them in the morning.

"Exodus, ready?"  He asked the former Archon

"I am always ready for my Lord's command."

The goblin horde rushed the defenses and just as the sun rose, the Red Saint finished his spell using Exodus's blood and the sunlight brought hundreds of angels sliding down the mountain slopes and into the fray.  The goblinoids were easily destroyed and crushed beneath divine vengence.

The conflict done, the Red Saint marched his forces back to the human settlements.  The king rode out to meet him. The king spoke, "Thank you Saint.  You saved us when no one else could.  Our people are forever in your debt."

The Red saint exhaled and returned the greeting, "My forces and energy are better spent against foes such as the Merovingian and Forsworn.  You should have been able to protect your people, but your sins of greed and pride prevented you from doing so.  Evil prospers when good does nothing.  Forcing me to take my attention from my cause can not be tolerated." With a nod he signaled Exodus.  White lightning flew from Exodus's eyes and penetrated the kings soul . . . until it was depleted.

"Justice reigns supreme."

A deal is struck

"And what do you have to offer? Nothing, you come to me asking and bring nothing.  That is not a deal that is not a trade that is charity. And that is something I do not do.  I prefer to help those who earn it." The Merovingian said coldly.

Devin was confused and frustrated, "But if you don't help us defeat him we'll all be destroyed.  We must fight this together."

The deal maker laughed, "Why must I help you? because if I don't your boogie man will kill me too.  It is the why that is the most powerful of all.  You do not understand my why and therefore have no power. But because I do love a deal I will make a proposal.  There is a sphere of black obsidian guarded by a population of undead that have been harrassing the forces around the demon temple from the south.  Bring me that sphere -- as a bonus doing so will destroy the undead forces there.   The late sith lord Ashrum had a lightsaber he was fond of.  Bring it to me -- he has no use of it.  King Dante has a ranger body guard named Lilly, Lilly has a new infant with in her, bring her to me.  The infinity sword is not the key to killing the demon dragon, collect all the shards except the one I have and bring them to me -- you no longer need it and even though it can't physically kill the dragon, by giving it to me you will gain the knowledge to do so."

"You ask for a lot Frenchman."

"I ask for nothing less than what you must give.  Now we both now how this deal will end so please stop delaying and do what you came here to do, do what MUST do."

With a heavy sigh, "If what you say is true, I will agree to your terms.  In exchange for all the shards of the Infinity sword, Ashrum's old lightsaber, the black sphere, and the ranger Lilly you will tell us how to kill the Demon Dragon Zyr permanently."

"Grand!  we have an accord."  he signed a document and slid it across the table.  Devin signed it as well. "Return when you have the items."

"I swear I will.  Zyr must be defeated no matter the cost."

Justice is Red

Exodus and Sampson escorted the prisoner into the Saint's Cathedral.  Though chained and guarded and being led through the massively impressive archways, he did not look like a prisoner.  The prisoner glanced at Exodus with a condescending glance.  The prisoner stood tall, nearly 6 and a half feet tall with his long shinning black cape gripped his shoulders and cascaded to the floor seeming not to move at all with his movements.  Long black hair parted down the middle of his head and shone like his cape curving under its own ends just where it met the shoulders of the cape -- it was all one fluid black river.  He walked with a playful confidence even taking steps to dance.  His posture suggested that they were here to escort him as a noble visiting a court, not the defeated prisoner he really was.  HE WAS DEFEATED right? Exodus thought.  

They pass the final archway into the Court.  The benches were full of Saintly followers eager to see the leader of the forsworn sentenced.  Sarl the Vile was led to the center dias and fashioned to inescapable chains.  He did not kneel before the Red Saint.  

Sitting on the elevated ledge in a chair of polished red was the greatest execution of Justice the world had ever seen.  Sharp red robes, vestments of of the saint the scales of justice embroidered into his cape.  Gold ropes tie the cape and robe.  Below the tall white and gold hat was long straight white hair and piercing blue eyes -- eyes capable of observing the sins of the executed.  In formal posture was a curved staff lined with gold, platinum and Mythryl, capped by a large round diamond.  

The Red Saint spoke with a voice devoid of mercy, "You are the leader of the Forsworn.  Finally our hunt is at an end."

The prisoner Sarl only giggled, he even looked at Exodus and winked. 

"Sarl, you will address this court."

Only a smile was returned.

"The Greyfoot kings locked your master away.  I will free him, in exchange you will tell me how to kill him once and for all, and I will only imprison you.  Otherwise your crimes have certainly earned you death and justice will be paid in full."

Sarl leaned toward Sampson and began to laugh the deranged laugh of madness.  There was nothing the Saint would gain here. 

The Saint spoke in plain terms, "Execution it is.  One last chance to address the court."

Their was a long silence as Sarl looked over the audience and then to the Saint.  He opened his mouth to speak, closed it then opened it again... "Time."

"Excuse me, speak up."

Sarl threw his hands in the air escaping the chains and spinning in a polished dance move, "TIIIIIIIIME is on MY side.  Yes it is."

The saint exasperated lifted his hand giving Exodus the signal. 

"You always saying, you want to be Freee.  But you'll come running back, you'll come running back to meeee e eee ehehhee hee heee hhhehehehehehehehehe.  This is only starting.  Time is on my side."

Exodus released the divine energy within him pulsating from the ceiling into the dias crushing the life out of Sarl.  Eyes locked on the Red Saint and a smile crossed his face until life left his eyes.  

Justice was done, the court was dismissed.  As with all other cases before the Red Saint's justice was swift absolute and unwavering.  Such perfect and determined execution was why he left his previous courts for this one, why he helped the Red Saint bridge the gap and taught him the trimmings he deserved.  Justice was perfect one with the will to execute it deserved his Loyalty even more than Tyr did. 

As Exodus was leaving the chamber he heard one of the Saints followers whistle and softly say, "yes it is."  

Justice can not be robbed

"There is no place for mercy, apathy, nor compassion.  Justice brings peace, justice brings order.  Only through the inaction of good does evil thrive."

Exerpt from the Song of Azura also know as the Annuls of the Red Saint.

Through a looking glass

"Just stay back and keep quiet, oh and if you happen to see another lightning pistol do grab it for me."  Balthier said to Souske, who was making his way back to the ship, he didn't mind having an extra set of hands around but had yet to see Souske's purpose.  He began working the mechanical portion of the lock.  Mist was hard as work on the magical portion.  The Empire had developed fluid magic technology a couple of years ago but their use of it on doors and locks was rather new.  Back in the good old days you could just dispell the wards and locks, but now because its not a single cast, it was a flow of energy, the spell always reformed after a disspell.  IT was no matter, Mist new how to interupt the flow, she helped make the design after all.

As he rolled the various tumblers he listened for the classic ticks, there were several dummy clicks that would have fooled someone who didn't help develop these locks for the agency... it just so happens the leading man did help develop these locks and knew the difference. 

It was a sloppy con, a little too lazy and boreing for his taste, but the adventure wasn't what he was after anymore.  For the first time he felt compelled to do something because... well it didn't really matter why, he was here and this was the job.  The leading man always finishes the job. 

"Bloody got the flaming thing, they've improved it but not flaming much." Mist said as Balthier released the last latch. The console came open and Mist plugged in the key.  They were connected to the Imperial Thomas database. An illusion of a well dressed elf (Thomas) appeared projected from the key.  

 "You've accesses a remote console.  I see the clearance codes from your airship are valid, My name is Thomas how may I help you."

Balthier spoke knowing that plugging into Thomas was the kind of crime the empire did not take lightly, and the kind of crime they could easily track.  "I need you to preform a scry for a Dwarf named Tungs, location may not be on the prime and is being blocked by an active counter scry. Esp my mind for details."

"Esp commencing.....Esp complete, image of subject Tungs acquired begining level 10 scry routines. ..... Subject found.  Elemental Plane -- Fire, location Groshla Lava Pit transmitting exact teleport coordinates into your airships navi.  Subject condition - alive, unstable, comatose - heavy damage has been sustained and not permitted to heal.  Estimated time of survival in current state 3 days.  Details of surroundings include 7 individuals within 100 yards species are.....Unauthorized access detected.  I apologize but I must lock down and disconnect from this terminal.  Have a nice day and please see the administrating mage with any questions."

Balthier spun around to mist, "What was that about?"

"I don't bloody know, the stream for the magical lock, when I diverted it, it flamming set something.  Blood and ashes, they had a second spell laid into the flow that if it got interpreted to sound an alarm or something, from the looks of it this flamming tower is locked down. I can't access any of the spells from this side."

"Well then its the dungeon for us I'm afraid. They had better well improved the food since last time. Where is your boy friend, the cheerful drow?"

Just then lighting cracked through the wall arching to the ceiling exposing a massive hole in the stone to the open air.  On the other side was the pirates glory seemingly suspended in the air. Balthier shook his head to get the ringing out then set up pushing the piles of rumble to the side.  Finally standing he brushed off the think layer of dust infecting his lace cuffed shirt. "Not, showy but effective, he does make a good supporting act.  Well my dear," offering a hand down to Mist, "Exit stage right?"

Dismissal

Your hate has made you powerful

Raven stood next to the fire where her father and mother's dead bodies now burned.  Strangely she did not find peace.  She did not know what she hoped for but she thought it would feel different.  All the rage, shame, guilt, fear that had lived in her would somehow magically die with the death of those who implanted it in her.  But like the seed of some thorny weed, even with the the mother plant dead, the weed of hatred and anger still grew.  

 "Do not fight it my dear, it is your hate that made you powerful.  It is your anger that gave you purpose, and your rage that gave you victory.  Your hate is the only thing powerful enough to break your chains.  It has served you well and managed to do the thing even kings powerful as the Greyfoots have failed to do -- stop Esmerdeen."

She looked through the fire to see the man speaking to her.  She was not accustom to being surprised, though she showed no shock or surprise.  "Scorpio, what do you want here at my caravan."

"I can feel much fear in you.  Fear that your pain will never go away, fear that your suffering will last forever. And I have a path one my Lord Emperor would offer you to forge your pain and fear into a weapon capable of freeing you."

"I'm not the type to take masters Scorpio.  My pain in my own."

"Even after he saved you on the Shivering Isle?"

"My previous visits with madness have made me immune, all you did was save the milk drinkers - we owe each other nothing."

"Perhaps not...yet.  It is for your great potential my Lord Emperor, may he live forever, has interest in you.  Your gifts and skills both inborn and developed sharpened by your anger, focused by your hatred could make you unstoppable."

"Try and stop me and you'll find out how close to that I already am.  Though, you do have my interest, but Sith never give anything my loyalty belongs to no one, I won't be a whelp apprentice to anyone with a glow stick." She replied with deviance.

Scorpio calmly continued, "Your loyalty is not required.  We only wish to give you the tools needed to do a job, the only job you are truly good at. . .killing."

"Ok, so the new power as payment for a job, you could have just cut to the chase no need for all this bloody  theatrical nonsense."

The new man arrived suddenly and from nowhere appearing in the sky.  She could only see his medal helmet and nothing for a face. He spoke one word, "ZYR."

Devin Greyfoot the Infinite king

The once king stood before the Keeper of the Seals without speaking.  Galan spoke first, "I'm told you know much about this Demon Dragon I keep hearing about."  A long pause followed.  Galan continued, "The infinity sword does that sound familar?"  Another long pause was the only response.  "I understand we are on the same side. . ."

Before he could finish the Once King spoke in a low smooth tone, "I'm brought before a man who rules the Grey Havens as a small province of an empire of men.  A Grey Havens that has been forbidden from dragon worship.  We are not on the same side, Keeper,  the world I fought for saved and preserved by the countless drops of my brothers' blood you destroyed.  We may have a common enemy but we are not on the same side."

"King Dante has been awarded the Grey Havens by the gods and we are all working very hard to rebuild them from war torn ashes.  Though that matter maybe best sorted out later.  The demon dragon you once fought is days away from escaping the prison you built for him.  We need to know everything.  We are gathering the parts of your sword we can find.  I trust we will have them all shortly."

"Even if you have all the pieces it would take Hephestus himself to reforge it."

"Ok, then do you know anything that can help us?"

"The Lord Vegeta is strong, much of his strength comes from his followers, his soul seems divided or shielded in someway by them.  They work to help him with out question because he can end their blood war.  The Sacred Council feared him because he opposed them and had the power to do it.  But his ambition and the ambition of his followers is far greater.  He will take over the Council, the earth and use its power to tip the balance in the Blood war for the Baetazu and take the united force of the demonic horde to conquer mount celestial."

"Vegetta?"

"It means Demon Lord or Lords in the Demonic tongue spoken on the 4th level of hell.  A title the demonic followers of Zyr issued him.  Their Messiah after a fashion. Is that name familar?"

"I have another enemy who uses that title."