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Usurpation of Death

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8/4/2012 14:58:06   
Beshin Adin
Member
 
Usurpation of Death

Part I – The Paladin’s Ghost



Near the edge of Doomwood Forest, right on the dividing line between bright sunlight and dismal darkness, there stood a castle-like fortress. This fortress was known as Lightguard Keep, home of the paladins of Lore. In one hallway of this fortress, which was apparently a prison block, a small, black-haired Pomeranian dog trotted from cell to cell. The puppy stopped at one cell containing a prisoner, and a pair of dark blue and maroon gauntlets reached from the bars to stroke its head. The girl within was wearing blue and maroon, toga-like garments with gold weavings making intricate designs. She wore puffy maroon pants that came down to her knees, and tan, gauze wrappings from her knees to her ankles. On her feet, she wore elegant blue and gold sandals. This clothing was the typical attire of a pyromancer, a magic user specializing in the formation and manipulation of pure fire. She was quite young, only 16 actually. Her hair was short and black, not long enough to fall, but still long enough to be feminine. Her irises were a pale yellow, a pretty rare color, even for Lore. The girl smiled as the puppy enjoyed getting his ears scratched, having an almost human smile on his face. Something about paladins, they seemed to be unable to get enough of this breed of dog. And why should they, if all Pomeranians were as lovable as this one? The pyromancer sighed, and stopped scratching the dog. It was time to try again. She reached out to a bench in her cell, and picked up a metal mug. Then, the girl put it against the bars, started raking it back and forth, and began screeching. “Oh, mister jailer! I learned my lesson now, I won’t do it again! Open the freaking door!”

The jailer showed up. He was an old man, but had a buff body for his age. The only clothes he wore were brown shorts with suspenders, a brown chest strap, and a dirty headband. His head hair and facial hair were dark gray, his hair was slicked back with sweat and oil, and he had a scruffy, full beard. His eyes were dark purple, the color of eggplants. The man was clearly a stranger to dental hygiene, as plague rats could consider his mouth a clean environment. “By th’ Light,” he said with an accent that may have just been the result of his rotten teeth, “would ya shut up! Ev’ry 30 minutes, it’s ‘Waah, waah! Let me out, Brute!’.” The girl folded her arms. “I was trying to get that ghost. All of you should be thanking me.” Brute raised an eyebrow at her. “Hmmph. Ya nearly burnt down four rooms, ya might’ve destroyed important historic records from th’ library. It’s a dang miracle that ya didn’t burn th’ whole Keep down. So, them SpirtHunters are coming ta get that ghost. Least those people ain’t a fire hazard.” She puffed out her cheeks in defiance. “Paladins prefer undead they can smash,” Brute said, “hammers an’ maces go right though ghosts, so we’ll call in professionals for them. You’d better behave yerself when they come, Regina, or we’ll be feeding ya to the treants.”

From out of the forest on the dark side of the Keep walked two people. One was a middle-aged woman, wearing a tight black body suit with red armor linings, and scale-like red shoulder pads, the uniform of the SpritHunters. She had long platinum-blond hair, lavender irises, and a scar crossing her left eye. Despite her being a woman, her suit showed off her impressively toned muscles. At her hip were two medium-length katanas, their hilts and sheaths having the same black and red pattern as her armor. The boy trailing her was also wearing SpiritHunter armor. He seemed only 16, but that seemed to be old enough for that profession. His hair was ochre-blond, with lots of bangs pushed to the right side of his forehead. His irises were a brassy brown, like spotless copper. At his hip was a single, medium-length katana. But, unlike his superior’s katanas, the hilt and sheath was ivory white with golden trim.

When the two stepped up to the door of the Keep, a paladin stepped up to them. He had golden armor with iron trimmings, and carried a very large-bladed, gilded spear. His gray hair was clipped in a military cut, and he had beige eyes. “Hail, SpiritHunters. My name is Arryd, combat trainer for the paladins here at Lightguard Keep. On behalf of all the paladins here, I thank you for coming all the way from Skullholme to help us.” The woman stepped forward. “I am Major Veddrian. My companion is Cadet Hanri. Since the SpritHunters draw roots from the paladins, we consider you our brethren.” Arryd nodded. “Come inside, you two, as this is the hour when the Doomwood undead begin prowling.”

Inside the Keep, Veddrian and Hanri took a seat at Arryd’s desk, in his rather quaint little office for managing paladin business. Veddrian sniffed the air, and gave Arryd a confused look. “Why do I smell smoke?” Arryd sighed as he sat at his desk. “Pyromancer trouble. A few weeks ago, we rescued her from some undead savages. Since then, she’s been living at the Keep. When the ghost showed up, she tried to help us. And by help us, I mean that she started carelessly lobbing fireballs at it. Four rooms, including our library, were nearly destroyed. We’ll forgive her, as she’s a child, and as she’s the only one to enter close combat with the ghost.” He writes on a document, and gives it to Veddrian. “This is permission to free her. She can help you find the ghost. But, for the love of Light, do not let her fight. She can get quite insane.” The SpiritHunters nodded, and began heading upstairs to the prison.

Regina, out of curiosity, went to the bars of her cell door, to see the new people who had come to the jail. Upon seeing Hanri, her eyes momentarily turned into hearts. Brute approached Veddrian. “What can ol’ Brute do for ya, SpiritHunter?” At this, Veddrian handed Brute the writ she received, and the jailer took a read of it. “Hmmph,” he grunted, and unlocked Regina’s cell, “yer luck sickens me, Regina. Let me warn ya, though, if I see ev’n a suspicious ember, yer back in here.” Once her door was open, Regina ran to Hanri, and threw her arms around his neck. “Ooh, you’re a SHILF. That’s a SpiritHunter I’d like to f-“ Veddrian quickly interrupted. “Pyromancer, you’ve been freed so you can help us locate the ghost. Don’t spend all your time flirting with the Cadet.” Regina cast an annoyed glance at Veddrian. “Get off my back, grandma!” Veddrian’s eyes widened, veins showed on her forehead, and her fingers curled in anger. “WHAT. DID YOU. JUST CALL ME?!?!?!”

Soon, the three were in some of the shadier hallways of the Keep. Veddrian was out in front, while Hanri and Regina were walking next to each other in behind. Regina had a swollen, black eye: her retribution for making a crack about Veddrian’s age. “You’ve been quiet, cutie,” the pyromancer said to Hanri, “aren’t you going to talk to me?” He said nothing. The Major sighed, and turned around to face her cadet. “Hanri, I respect how disciplined you are, but you don’t need my permission to speak. I keep telling you. Go on and respond, it’s your basic human right.” Hanri looked at Veddrian, and then looked at Regina. “You deserved it, you know.” Regina touched her black eye, and then turned away from the boy. “Humph, I thought you would be different. You people always see me as some troublemaker.” Hanri touched her shoulder. “Well, maybe you think too highly of yourself?” This made her blush in embarrassment. “We’ll talk later.”

As soon as the trio had descended into the deepest part of the cellar they were in, Veddrian stopped. “Hanri,” she said alertly, “do you feel that? A spirit is near, and I sense malicious energy.” She turned to Regina. “Your actions may have actually saved people. I don’t know what quarrel this spirit has with humans, but it might’ve started killing if not for you. It’s a good thing that certain magic and enchantments can harm spirits, and your magic is one of those things.” Veddrian unsheathed her two black-bladed katanas, while Hanri unsheathed his gold-bladed katana, and stood in front of Regina. “Don’t use fire,” he said to her, “not if we’re surrounded by the foundations of the Keep.”

The ghost appeared. He wore normal paladin armor, and had a large, horned paladin helmet. He wielded a broad-bladed, two-handed sword. As he was a ghost, his whole body was a glowing blue, but his eyes were unnaturally glowing purple. “SpiritHunters,” he gasped, “he’s controlling me. Stop me……” The ghost flew down, attacking Hanri and Regina, since they seemed to be the easier prey. Regina screamed as she gripped Hanri’s arm. “Cadet! Block it,” Veddrian shouted. Hanri pushed Regina out of the way, and locked the ghostly blade with his gilded one. “Ghost,” Hanri asked as he forced the block to keep the sword at bay, “who is controlling you?” The ghost’s voice was even weaker than previously. “Salkyos…..He’s captured Death…….Stop him…..” Those were the ghost’s last words before Veddrian cut him down with her two blades, and absorbed his spirit into an amber-colored bracelet on her wrist. “I, too, feel the absence of Death. Yet, it seems that everyone is still able to die. Does this mean that this creature actually controls Death?” Hanri shook his head. “I would think that things would be much worse, if Death wasn’t still fighting. Major, what should we do?” Veddrian had a resolved look on her face. “We go home, we gather the entire SpiritHunter army, and we storm the Underworld.”

Arryd, once the SpritHunters had taken care of the ghost, saw the two off. The paladin battle-trainer insisted that Regina went with them. He said it was because the Keep wasn’t built to withstand a pyromancer’s justice, but he secretly saw how well she behaved for the two, primarily because she kept latching onto Hanri like a barnacle. Regina had no problem leaving those old goats, though she knew that she’d always owe the Paladin Order for saving her life. Veddrian collected the pay, thanked the paladins, and then the trio set off on the west-stretching road to Skullholme, and Shade Avalon, home of the SpiritHunters.

After a while, Veddrian noticed less and less of Doomwood’s frightful trees. So, they were finally out of the forest again? Good, because the Doomwood air was quite offensive to her. Probably all the black magic and the fumes of decay. Behind her, Hanri was following, with Regina clinging onto his arm and nuzzling it, like the happiest kitten in the world. The Major sighed. As long as their new pyromancer didn’t call her a grandma again, there wouldn’t be trouble. Veddrian was only 36, for Pete’s sake. Suddenly, a roar sounded in the sky, making all three look up. Veddrian’s eyes snapped to Hanri and Regina, full of fear and urgency. “Dracolich! Everyone, hide!” The SpiritHunters ran and hid under a low-hanging tree, with Regina putting her pyromancer bravado aside, and huddling in Hanri’s protective embrace, as the dracolich landed.

There isn’t much to describe about a dracolich. It looked exactly like any local species of dragon, except for a lack of skin, muscle, or organs. A dracolich can have remaining flesh on its bones, depending on when it was resurrected. This one was old, because its bones were bare, save for some crusted dirt. It looked around, sure that it saw humans a couple minutes ago. “Help me,” the dracolich groaned, “humans…….save me………from Salkyos. The pain……….the darkness……..” Regina looked up at Hanri. “Hanri, is it suffering?” Hanri closed his eyes, gently let go of Regina, and ran to the dracolich. Veddrian’s eyes widened. “No, you little idiot!”

As the dracolich saw Hanri coming, it stomped towards him, the purple glow suddenly appearing in its eye sockets. It lowered its head to try and snap up the boy, which was a critical mistake, as Hanri was able to leap up, and drive its sword between its eyes. “Answer me,” Hanri shouted, “who is Salkyos?!” Since SpiritHunter swords were enchanted for extra damage to ghosts and other undead, much like paladins, this small strike to the dracolich resulted in colossal damage, releasing the spirit from its undead body. Before Veddrian’s bracelet absorbed its soul, the dracolich answered Hanri’s question. “Salkyos is a human mage……he zealously attempted to rid the world of death…….his heart was weak to corruption……now, he wants to control life and death………his power is robbing us of our eternal peace……please, help us win our afterlife back……” With this, the skull fell from the spine, and drops off the blade, to the ground, cold and lifeless. Veddrian checked her bracelet. “What he says may be true. The dracolich’s spirit isn’t passing on, and neither is the paladin’s. We need to get to Shade Avalon, and get an army.” She turned to the trees. “Pyromancer, we’re going.” Regina came out, her eyes cast down. First, the paladins save her from those undead. Now, Hanri protects her from a dracolich. Both times, she was scared out of her mind. She was even a little nervous around the paladin ghost. Why did the undead terrify her so much?

After a while, they were under the sunless skies of Skullholme. And then, within 5 minutes, they came to a large, black-stoned castle, surrounded by a moat. Regina whistled in amazement. “Looks like a prince’s caste from a necromancer’s fairy tale……” Hanri smiled a bit. “This is Shade Avalon, home of the SpiritHunters.” Regina examined it with squinted eyes. “You know,” she says, “it actually looks a lot like Lightguard Keep.” Veddrian stepped up. “It’s a historical fact that SpiritHunters came from the Paladin Order. The first SpiritHunters were paladins who wanted to bring the Light to Skullholme. The local undead here, except for the residents of Shadowfall to the west, were evil spirits and apparitions, unlike the ghouls and skeletons of Doomwood. So, our skills and magic evolved to fight these new enemies, and we became SpiritHunters.” The Major waved to someone up behind the ramparts, and Shade Avalon’s drawbridge lowered. “Now then,” Veddrian said to the two kids, with a smirk on her face, “let’s get inside. We have an afterlife to save.”


< Message edited by Beshin Adin -- 8/5/2012 9:00:22 >
AQ AQW  Post #: 1
8/11/2012 16:48:23   
Beshin Adin
Member
 
Usurpation of Death

Part II – Siege on the Underworld


The three travelers stepped into the torch-lit dimness of Shade Avalon’s empty greeting room. Regina lightly squeezed Hanri’s hand, a bit nervous. “You SpiritHunters redefine gothic. Is Shade Avalon always this creepy?” Veddrian turned to the pyromancer. “We, unlike the paladins, don’t greet our guests at the front door. This opening room is usually kept empty, until we’re certain of what our visitors intend. We have to have tight security; Skullholme is home to some of the most evil creatures in all of Lore.” Hanri heard a snarl from the shadows, and smiled. “Our escort is here.” Suddenly, a dark gray draconian, a human-shape dragon creature, with glowing red eyes, emerged from the shadows. It had four arms, large wings growing from its two upper forearms, an array of long and short horns on its head, and large boar-like tusks coming from its mouth. To Regina, the monster was a living nightmare; so she screamed and shot a fireball right into its face. “SON OF A BRACKEN,” it screamed, in a male voice. Hanri swiftly pushed Regina’s arm down. “Mayers,” he said, “did our pyromancer hurt you?” Mayers, the draconian, looked at them, with a face covered in burnt scales. “No one told me that you were bringing home a volatile matchstick like that! Why do you even have a pyromancer, anyway?” This time, Veddrian said something. “Along with money, the paladins gave us this pyromancer as payment. The SpiritHunters could use more people adept at using magic, so we took her. Anyway, Mayers, we have an urgent issue. Lead us to the others.” Mayers led them through the shadowy hallways, occasionally glaring at Regina, who kept averting her eyes in false innocence.

Everyone eventually came to a large room, again only lit by torches and small fireplaces. There was enough light to see that the room contained rows of long dining tables, with crowds of SpiritHunters seated at each one. Veddrian wasted no time in going to the elevated podium in the front of the room, and bashing a pot with a metal spoon for attention. “SpiritHunters of Shade Avalon. I, Major Veddrian, have returned from a seemingly benign task aiding the paladins of Doomwood, yet I bring troubling news. It seems that a human mage, by the name of Salkyos, has invaded the afterlife, and attempts to overthrow Death himself. This threatens the delicate balance between life and death, the balance we all have sworn to protect. To protect the Life we cherish today, and the Light our ancestors cherished, I propose we go to war to rescue Death. SpiritHunters, to arms!” Veddrian’s speech ended in applause.

Some of the younger SpiritHunters in the room were staring at Regina. “What a sweet chick,” one said to himself, “why’s she hanging out with Blondie?” This one received a whack on the head from his girlfriend, who was sitting right next to him. Mayers caught some of the states, and leaned to Regina. “Looks like a few boys are undressing you with their eyes,” he whispered. Regina smirked in response. “Ever seen fried man-bits before? Well, you will if any of these jocks even touch me……….except Hanri. He can have me anytime.” Mayers shook his head. “Trashy little bimbo. Anyway, we were right in the middle of dinner when you guys got here. There’s plenty of food left if you and Hanri want to grab a plate. After that, you can get a guest room……erm, a fireproof one. But, you’d better behave, or you’re out of here, missy. Better yet, I’ll tie you up and throw you in a bathtub.” Regina’s pupils shrank, as pyromancers dreaded water, naturally. “Jeez. You’re worse than Brute…..”

That night, Regina was lying in her bed, staring at the ceiling. Under the blankets, there was almost nothing on her body, except a black bra and panties, as was a habit of hers. Even though she was in Skullholme, she felt safer than she ever felt back in Doomwood. She always has been terrified that an undead would climb into her window, and drag her off into the night. But didn’t feel this way in Shade Avalon. Regina’s face went red, as she started nodding off, and imagining that she was sharing the bed with a handsome prince. Even though she had her pyromancer powers, she had the classic girl’s fantasy about a handsome prince one day sweeping her off her feet, and taking her away to be his princess, after maybe saving her from a dracolich or something. With these thoughts to make her smile, Regina began drifting to sleep, but shot awake as an eerie coldness began forming in the air of her room.

A ghost girl, looking only 10 in living years, appeared before the pyromancer. Besides the blue ghost glow, she wore a skirt down to her ankles, had bare feet, and wore just a bra on her top. She had no eyes, only sockets. Her hair was tied into two thin ponytails that stretched down to her shoulder blades. Regina was about to scream, but the spirit stopped her. “Don’t, please don’t.” The pyromancer looked at her. “If you’re a ghost, shouldn’t you be under Salkyos’s control?” The ghost shook her head. “My name’s Ninita. I am the ghost of a child who was killed by the monsters of Bludrut when they decided to go hunting. Salkyos doesn’t control me because I am a child. Children’s spirits seems to have something that Salkyos’s power cannot control. Therefore, I escaped, and came to Shade Avalon for help. You’re just the first person I found.” Regina got out of bed, and put a robe on. “Don’t worry, Ninita. The SpritHunters are getting an army ready to save you.” She looked down. “Your timing is freaking beautiful. I was all ready to go to sleep, and have some of my favorite dreams. Now that I’ve seen a ghost, I’m not sleeping tonight…” Ninita folded her arms. “Well, being dead can get boring………so……want to play truth or dare?”

Regina slowly awoke. The sky outside her window was still gray, but light enough to tell it was morning. She looked around for the ghost. “Was it just a dream?” Ninita appeared beside her. “No, I’m still here. Here’s what happened. We were playing truth or dare for a while. Eventually, I asked you, and you said ‘Truth’ So, I asked if you have a boyfriend. You said no, but you have a big crush on this guy named Hanri. So I said that you two should date. You giggled, and then fell asleep. So much for not sleeping tonight.” Regina smiled. “At least I got back to my sweet dreams.” This made Ninita sigh. “I could tell. You talk in your sleep.” The pyromancer felt her stomach growl, and rubbed it. “I could use breakfast. From the taste of dinner last night, I can say that Shade Avalon has much better chefs than Lightguard. I know that ghosts can’t eat,” she said to Ninita as she headed for the door, “but do you want to come?” The ghost floated over. “Sure. And maybe we’ll see your prince, Hanri.”

When Regina and Ninita got to the dining room, all SpiritHunters present were surrounding a tall figure in the center of the room. The figure wore black robes, has no skin on his face and hands, had ember-like eyes, and carried a big, rusty scythe. “Ninita,” Regina whispered, “is that who I think it is?” Ninita was equally surprised. “Yes, that’s Death himself.” Death addressed the SpiritHunters. “SPIRITHUNTERS, MANY OF THE SPIRITS FROM THE AFTERLIFE HAVE TOLD ME THAT YOU ALL ARE RELIABLE ENOUGH TO ASSIST ME. I HATE TO ADMIT IT, BUT IT’S TRUE THAT MY WORLD IS IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE. I TRUST THAT YOU’VE BEEN TOLD OF SALKYOS. I DON’T HAVE MUCH TIME TO TALK, AS MISTER PRETTY BOY OVER HERE COULD ATTACK AGAIN AT ANY MOMENT. IF YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT GETTING HERE, STOP WORRYING. IT’S VERY EASY FOR THE LIVING TO COME TO THE AFTERLIFE AFTER YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION. BUT, THIS WON’T BE AN ORDINARY WAR. THINK OF SALKYOS AS……WELL…..A CHIBI VERSION OF ME, FILLED TO THE BRIM WITH POWERS THAT RIVAL MY OWN. HE’S NOT IMMORTAL YET, BUT HE HAS ALREADY ACQUIRED A BUNCH OF POWERS THAT CAN DEAL INSTANT DEATH. DON’T RUSH TO BE SACRIFCED, BUT COME FIGHT FOR ME WHEN YOU’RE READY.” With that, a black puddle formed below Death, and it disappeared once he sank into it.

Veddrian and some of the other war leaders went off to discuss strategy. After all, they weren’t going to kill their army in a single sweep against an opponent almost as powerful as Death. As they left, Mayers walked up to Regina and Ninita. Now, without knowing Mayers, a big draconian with curved tusks would be a nightmare incarnate. So, upon seeing Mayers, Ninita’s ponytails shot straight up in fear, and she hid behind Regina. “Why’re you afraid? You’re a ghost,” the pyromancer asked. “Well,” Ninita squeaked, “there are creatures in this world that can eat souls, and he might be one of them. Mayers sighed. “Nah. Ghosts give me diarrhea.” Hanri came up to them. “Sleep well, Regina?” Regina threw her arms around Hanri’s neck. “Would’ve been a better sleep if you were cuddled next to me, baby.” Ninita giggled a bit. “Regina, you told about your huge crush on him. Do you act that way because you’re too embarrassed to say how you REALLY feel?” Regina’s face turned redder than thought possible by humans. “No. I think she’s just a little harlot,” Mayers jeered, before receiving a fireball to the face. However, both the ghost and the draconian were staring at the two waiting for something to happen. Hanri glanced at Regina’s lips, and began to sweat, but then realized that a few other SpiritHunters were also staring at them. Regina broke away from Hanri’s hug, and covered her face with her hands to hide her blush. “We’ll finish this later.”

In a dark world, a land known as the Underworld, the land where this life met the afterlife, there stood a grand, white and gold palace. In the main bedroom of that palace, a man came out, wearing a white bathrobe, and drying his long, white hair which came to his lower back. He was about nineteen years old, and had bluish-white irises. A bat-winged skeleton flew in to him through the open window. “Master Salkyos,” it said, “an army of humans are entering the Underworld. Their numbers are few, but they sport fearful-looking siege weapons.” Salkyos came to the balcony to see what the undead was talking about. Through a portal came SpiritHunters, wheeling catapults, battering rams and large, siege crossbows. “Ohhhh,” Salkyos groaned, in a rather silky voice, “why do people always show up where they’re not wanted? It’s Death. That desiccated cur knew that he was about to lose, so he begged the surface for help.” The undead went up to its master. “Master, those weapons look formidable. Is there any cause for alarm?” Salkyos closed his eyes, went over to his bed, sat down, and opened them again. “They are beginning their assault with siege weapons in an attempt to create a major hole in our defenses with the first strike. Some may call it disadvantageous, but we shall engage them while initially on the defensive. Let them believe that they rule the battlefield, then strike an exposed weak spot during their lowered guard. If needed, I shall take to the field myself. My power has grown immense from what I’ve taken from Death, I doubt that one more measly army will be enough to overthrow me.” The undead nodded, and prepared to take off. “Oh, Ensign,” Salkyos said, “find where this army comes from. If necessary, I shall weed them out at the root.”

Veddrian watched from a raised escarpment as her siege machines pounded the un-death out of Salkyos’s army. An older, balding SpiritHunter with glasses came up behind her. “The ground troops, led by Cadet Hanri and Miss Regina are still on standby. Our behind-the-scene rally for draconian troops is going well. Mayers is doing us proud by being our draconian ambassador as well as Shade Avalon’s chamberlain. The battle is becoming easier than we expected.” Veddrian sighed. “Suspiciously easy. Why would Salkyos, a man who is conquering Death, attack us with so few troops, forcing him on the defensive right from the start? We might be walking into an obvious trap. Send word of this to our commanders, we may need a preventative change in strategy.” The messenger nodded, and left. Veddrian sat down on the ground, resting her chin on her raised knees. “Yes,” she said to herself, “this may be a trap. But what is his aim? Is he letting us tire ourselves out, to crush us completely in the future?” The Major looked at the portal behind her. “Is he trying to slip past us, and attack Shade Avalon directly? If he does that, our resources and available forces could be cut in half. Blast, this knowledge could turn the tables!” Veddrian’s eyes widened in fear as she noticed a bat-winged skeleton, who had successfully snuck past her while she was thinking and observing the battle, confirm her fears and infiltrate the portal home.

Regina was sitting on a couch near the portal, waiting for orders to mobilize. Hanri was asleep, lying on the couch, his head in Regina’s lap, as she ran her fingers through his sunset-colored hair. She smiled. She wanted some action, but was enjoying this tender moment with her prince. Not to mention the fact that Mayers had been sent to the local dragon lairs to get support, Ninita was taking a look around the castle, and the rest of the ground troops were either in their room or the dining hall. So, until something happened, Hanri was all hers. At that moment, someone’s shadow loomed over them. Regina, at first, thought it was an ally, but then smelled the familiar stench of decay. She looked up, and broke into a fearful sweat, as it was a bat-winged skeleton. Crap, an undead. She knew she’d be facing a whole bunch of them on the battlefield, but she wasn’t ready for such a close encounter. The pyromancer felt a flame welling up in her free hand, but the undead stopped her by pointing his grimy, warped sword in her face. “You, girl, are now my prisoner,” it said, and looked down at Hanri, “and your boyfriend, too.”

In the instant after the undead spoke, its sword arm was quickly lopped off by Hanri’s katana. The severed arm fell onto Regina’s chest, and blindly began groping, like the severed leg of a spider. She shrieked like a banshee, shot to her feet, threw the arm to the ground, and started madly bombarding it with small fireballs. Hanri put a hand on her shoulder, and smiled. “Easy, Regina. Don’t burn Shade Avalon down, like you almost did with Lightguard.” Regina blushed, and puffed her cheeks out in annoyance. Hanri was the cutest boy she had ever seen, except whenever he scolded her. Hanri then turned to the armless skeleton. “You came from Salkyos? Well, tell him that a SpiritHunter named Hanri can’t wait to make him eat dirt.” The pyromancer stared at him. The annoyance was gone, and her eyes were throbbing hearts. Oh wow. Men who lived for danger, she found that extremely sexy. The undead had no weapon arm, so it was forced to retreat. “Challenging and insulting our master,” it said as it began disappearing through the portal, “you’ll regret this!”


< Message edited by Beshin Adin -- 8/12/2012 10:22:27 >
AQ AQW  Post #: 2
8/24/2012 12:43:15   
Beshin Adin
Member
 
Usurpation of Death

Part III – The Fated Meeting


Veddrian ran out of the portal into Shade Avalon, and rushed to Hanri. “Cadet! Where is it? What happened? Where’s the undead?” Hanri responded with a salute. “Major! The undead infiltrator has retreated! Shade Avalon is safe!” Veddrian looked at Hanri with stern eyes. “That may have been poor judgment, Cadet. Though our troops are safe, that undead will still be able to tell Salkyos where our weak spot is.” She smirked. “On the bright side, assuming that he’ll come for the portal, we now are one step ahead of him.” Hanri looked worried. “Major, didn’t Death tell us that Salkyos is capable of inflicting instant death upon our army? If so, isn’t our loss inevitable?” Veddrian shook her head. “Death is with our troops, protecting us with a ward than prevents our souls from being pulled from our bodies through magic. We are not immortal, we will still die if we suffer physical trauma. Death insisted on keeping that rule unbroken.” The Major went back to the portal. “The summoners will attack next, you’re still on standby. In the meantime, Cadet, protect Shade Avalon from any further attacks.” With that, Veddrian teleported back to the Underworld.

The SpiritHunter summoners were busy reading from a scroll when the Major returned. One SpiritHunter walked up to her. “Ma’am, are you sure that changing strategy so abruptly is wise?” Veddrian looked at Salkyos’s palace off in the distance. “We were so concerned with offense that we left huge holes in our defenses, and those holes can, and probably will, be exploited. We should use summoners now to split our forces between offense and defense.” The summoners completed the reading, and called forth the monster. It was a hulking, human-like creature. Its greenish-gray skin was stitched together in broad sheets, with skinless patches that had putrid guts leaking out. Several worm-like tentacles adorned its body, probably just for intimidation. To necromancers, this monster was known simply as a ‘creature creation’. The creation made its battle cry, a combination of a groan and a roar, as it charged at Salkyos’s troops. Veddrian smirked. “Amazing what necromancers will part with for enough gold.”

Salkyos watched the creature creation’s rampage from atop the ramparts of his palace. He was wearing light, white-colored samurai-like armor, with square pauldrons jutting from his shoulders, and a silky, white cape dropping down to the back of his knees. He wore a white, metal, soldier helmet, with three gold, backwards-pointing, sharply curving blades on it. At his hip hung a long, thick but still light rapier. “A clever change in strategy,” he said to himself, “by switching to a summoning strategy, rather than a siege strategy, they’ve solidified their rather weak defense, while still maintaining a forceful offense. I can also sense that Death is protecting their army from my wrath. But, there is a flaw in this move. Without the siege, they have given us a chance to reverse the situation, and take the offensive. Perhaps, it’s time for me to make my appearance. I dread the thought of getting into my armor for nothing.”

The one-armed, bat-winged skeleton landed on the palace behind Salkyos. He looked at it with disdain. “Ensign, where is your arm?” The undead looked at its arm stump, and hissed its report. “Master, they come from a castle in the world of the living.” Then, it said with a venomous tone. “My lost arm is a challenge to you. This idiotic human teenager insults and bares his fangs at you.” Salkyos smirks. “A young one, challenging me? How spirited. Do not forget, I am technically a teenager, as well. I shall hope that he stays right where he is until I come. But for now,“ Salkyos begins heading to the stairs, “I shall be relieving some boredom on that summoned beast.”

The creature creation tore through the ranks of undead, smashing then to dust using arm sweeps and fist pounds, while constantly sounding its groaning roar. Just then, Salkyos began approaching the beast, his rapier drawn. He smirked. “By the Elemental Plane, you’re a hideous beast. Come at me, you decaying ape.” The creation charged at Salkyos, attempting to crush him under a fist. Salkyos nimbly leapt up, dodging the pound, and landing on its arm. With a swing of his blade, both the creature’s eyes were slashed out. The monster roared in anger, but got both of its arms and legs shorn off quickly before it could counterattack blindly. “Your rotten body makes you soft to even the thinnest blade,” Salkyos said, “perhaps you chose your opponent poorly.” With that, Salkyos destroyed its body with a flash of light magic. “How dull,” he said in boredom, “now that I’m here, this war has become far less suspenseful.” Salkyos sheathed his rapier, and continued towards the SpiritHunter front. “Well then, a young fan of mine wishes to meet me. And I must not disappoint him.”

Once he got to the front, by using a combination of sword and magic, Salkyos began effortlessly swatting away all SpiritHunters who tried to attack him, as his actions made it clear that he was the enemy. “What sloppy strategies. How could this blundering army come up with the switch from siege to summoning, a tactic that almost painted me into a corner?” Salkyos arrived at the portal, and observed it. “So this is the source of the army,” he whispered to himself, “beyond this portal lies the soft underbelly of all this grief. I believe I have some gutting to do.” Before Salkyos stepped through the portal, a woman’s voice stopped him. “Not another inch,” Veddrian growled, drawing her two katanas. The battle-mage turned to her. “I’m not in the interest of letting old women give me orders.” She growled. “I don’t think you understand the magnitude of the situation you’re in.” Veddrian pointed one katana at him. “Step through that portal, and you’re a dead man.” Salkyos smirked. “My instincts say that you may be different from the others. Very well, one last chance for entertainment before I visit your home.” He drew his rapier, and prepared to fight her.

After about an hour of fighting, Salkyos and Veddrian had dropped their swords, and lay on the ground, exhausted. “My instincts were correct,” Salkyos said, “you ARE different from the others. Your movements actually have a beautiful grace to them, which you skillfully combine with swordplay. It’s a shame that you’re old enough to be my mother….” Veddrian sighed. “A young mother, maybe. You are Salkyos, yes? You seem to fight with more honor than I expected. I observed your battling on the way here. Most of the SpritHunters you fought were wounded, but not killed. Our summoned undead doesn’t count, as it was dead to begin with.” Salkyos got up, and picked up his rapier. “Perhaps I don’t feel like killing anyone? Anyway, as I can stand and you cannot, I suppose that makes me the winner.” He started heading towards the portal. “No, don’t,” Veddrian cried weakly. He looked at her. “I won’t waste my time on the unarmed, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Once inside Shade Avalon, Salkyos quickly ran into a room, and locked the door behind him. “I’d much rather avoid making too much of a mess while I’m here. I came to find the one who challenged me, not quite for genocide. I think I’ll grab a disguise, and gather information on this place first. After that, I’ll see how I feel. Now, my question is where I’ll get a disguise.” Salkyos looked up, to see that he had shut himself in a washroom, full of SpiritHunter uniforms. “I love it when my prayers are answered,” he smiled.

He walked out of the room, wearing a SpiritHunter uniform, and no helmet, so his long, white hair was free. His rapier was still at his hip. As Salkyos walked through the hallways, the young, female SpiritHunters stood still, their eyes glued to him in fan-girl love. Eventually, one of the boys came up to him. “You, where did you come from? You’re not a regular in Shade Avalon.:” If there’s one thing Salkyos was good at, besides magic and swordsmanship, it was lying. “I’m a mercenary from a southern land called Sunfields. When I came here to fight, they had me wear this uniform. When the summoners advanced to the front, I was to return here, as I specialize in operating siege machines.” The boy mumbled and walked off, and then Salkyos found himself surrounded by young women, all arguing over which one of them would make the best girlfriend for him. “Little trollops, “ he said to himself as he walked away.

After exploring more of the castle for a bit, Salkyos decides to step outside for some fresh air, and to determine where on Lore he was. He looked up at the dark gray sky. “Skullholme. No wonder these people responded to Death so quickly. We’re on the Underworld’s doorstep.” Salkyos looks around, and saw Hanri also looking up at the sky, so he went over in curiosity. “What are you looking for?” Hanri turned to him. “Any minute now, our trump card should be coming from the sky. Hopefully, this will settle the war.” Salkyos looked up at the sky. They still have a trump card? Perhaps I have declared victory much too soon. “Changing the subject,” he asked, “I arrived late, and word in there is that one of us challenged Salkyos to single combat. Any idea who that was?” The cadet put on a tough face. “Yeah, that was me.” The white-haired man looked confused. Him? He doesn’t even look like he has a rank. I knew he was a teenager, but I expected a young general, or at least a young sergeant. Hanri pointed to the sky. “And here they come.”

Hundreds of many-colored draconians, led by Mayers, landed in front of the castle. Salkyos looked impressed. Draconians? They’re not giving us an inch of breathing room, are they? Mayers walked over to Hanri. “Hey, kid.” Then, he looked at Salkyos. “Who’s Prince Charming over here?” The man responded, once more using his duplicitous tongue. “My name is Salazar. I’m not too fond of that name, so you can address me as Sal. Like you draconians, I am a hired mercenary for this war. That’s why I am here.” Just then, Regina ran out of the castle, went to Hanri, and hugged his arm. “Hanri, baby, everyone was saying that Mayers had returned.” She saw the draconian army, and was amazed. “Whoa. Awe-freaking-some.” Ninita floated out, too. “Happy birthday to us,” she said happily. Salkyos’s eyes shrunk. Oh no, a ghost. They all know who I am. Ninita stopped when she saw Salkyos, and turned pale, even for an undead. Regina looked at her. “Ninita? Are you alright?” Suddenly, the ghost let out a fearful scream that echoed throughout the area. “It’s him,” she cried hysterically, “it’s Salkyos!”

Salkyos had to act fast, so he grabbed Regina, and held his blade against her throat. “I trust all of you can see what happens if you take one step closer.” The pyromancer glared at him. “Watch your hands, jerk.” Salkyos looked down, and saw that his hand was gripping one of Regina’s breasts, so he quickly moved it to her waist. “Sorry,” he said, and then looked at Hanri, who had his sword in a battle stance, “your name is Hanri? Well, this girl has made it clear that she is yours. I think I’ll be taking her with me as a hostage. If you want to come save her, we can fight in my palace. It’s much less noisy there.” Regina screamed and snarled. “I FREAKING HATE YOU!!!!! He’s applying a water spell to my skin!” Salkyos looked at her. “Well, of course. I realized that you were a pyromancer after your body temperature spiked about 40 degrees.” He dragged his hostage inside, and to the portal, keeping his sword at her throat. Hanri followed, to make sure the battle-mage didn’t hurt her. “Golden palace about 100 meters from the portal,” Salkyos said, “don’t keep us waiting, Hanri.” Regina looked at her love with pleading eyes. “Save me, Hanri,” her voice echoed as they disappeared.

Hanri stepped up to the portal as Mayers also got there. “I’m going after Regina,” he said, “I’m going to save her.” Mayers put an unwinged-arm hand on Hanri’s shoulder. “Well kid, our timing is perfect. The commander said not to deploy the ground troops until the draconians arrive. Well, the draconians HAVE arrived, so we all, your troops and my troops, can take the field.” The draconian turned to Ninita, who had just floated up. “Ninita, you’re with me. While I’m covering Hanri, you’ll be in command. Don’t worry, we’ve got our battle plan down, you’d just need to make sure that we’re working together with the SpiritHunters.” He shouted as loudly as he could. “All draconians and ground troops! To the battlefield!” Then, he turned to Hanri. “Let’s go rescue your princess.”

In a flash of light, the SpiritHunters and the draconians appeared in the Underworld. Mayers cracked the fingers on his four hands like a master pianist. “Alright, time for the concerto.” Hanri went up to a summoner. “What happened to the Major?” She turned to him. “We found her injured around here. She is with the medics right now, stably recovering.” Ninita floated to Hanri. “Veddrian is fine, that’s good,” the ghost said, “but, right now, focus on saving Regina.” Hanri nodded, and looked at the palace in the distance. “Everyone, our target is that palace! If we achieve victory there, the war is ours!” Mayers flew up in front of his draconians. “Wait for it…………wait for it………CHAAAAAAAAAARGE!!!!!!!!!!!!” Draconians and SpiritHunters took off, at full speed, towards Salkyos’s palace, to finish this war.
AQ AQW  Post #: 3
9/3/2012 21:17:45   
Beshin Adin
Member
 
Usurpation of Death


Part IV – Fate of the World



Regina sat on the bedroll in her new prison cell, looking at the anti-fire runes on the walls and ceiling, in annoyance. “Why does everyone think to put these in their prison cells?” She closed her eyes. “Alright, calm down Regina. Hanri will be here to save you soon……….” At that moment, a group of undead came into the room. Upon seeing the new prisoner, they smirked, or they would if they had face muscles, went over, and started reaching through the bars, making sickening zombie rasps. As she couldn’t use fire, Regina screamed at the top of her lungs. “Get away! Get away! Get away! Get away!” Salkyos appeared, and went up the undead. “No scaring the prisoner,” he said, “because she has a scream that can frighten a banshee.” The undead nod, and leave the room. Regina folded her arms, “Why couldn’t you imprison me on a beach? A nice tan would be sweet.” The battle-mage sighed. “I’m still in the middle of a war. Anyway, I have a question for you. Why are you so afraid of undead? You’re a pyromancer, they should be the least of your worries. Since you’re just waiting to be rescued, you might as well tell the story. Also, it might relieve stress to let it out.” The girl went to a corner of her cell, sat down, and hugged her knees. “I’ve been looking through my memories for a while, searching for answers. Recently, I found something which might be the answer. Okay, listen up. Here’s the story.”

“When I was a little kid, I was the toughest girl on the playground. The other girls saw me as some kind of heroine to them all. For kids that age, though, it’s not uncommon for there to be a rivalry between boys and girls, so the young boys didn’t like me. One night, they decided to prank me. They got some torn clothing and undead masks, and snuck into my window in the middle of the night. I was awakened by evil laughter, and zombies reaching for my throat. I never screamed louder in my life. My parents came, and unmasked the boys, showing me that there was no danger. But the evil laughs, the rotting skin, I’ve been scared of undead ever since. I was too embarrassed to ever go back to my friends. I became a shut-in. I got into the study of magic, specifically fire magic, in case I ever needed to defend myself. I also began reading fairy tales about princes and princesses. So I wait…………for my prince to save me from the nightmares that still haunt me to this day.”

As Hanri and the other SpiritHunters charged towards the palace, they were met midway by a horde of undead. Naturally, though, this did not stop the airborne draconians. “Hanri,” Mayers called down to him, “we’ll take down the palace’s defenses. Roast these guys!” The SpiritHunters began slicing through the undead like butter, as undead strength was no match for trained combat. Then, something came from the undead ranks that might’ve been trouble for the young fighters. It was a tall skeleton, about as tall as a bear on its hind legs. It wielded a large bluish-gray stone sword. This sword would be nearly unliftable to a normal person, but it could swing it with one hand. This and its size earned it the name ‘undead giant’.

The giant roared, and beat its sternum with one hand, like a gorilla, showing that it was eager to fight. Hanri wasn’t scared, though. He had taken down a dracolich, this thing was not even half that size. It clearly relied on brutish strength, and not magical defense, as Hanri unleashed a magic blast of light, and it hit the giant square in the chest without resistance. Once it was knocked down, the other SpiritHunters swarmed it, and chopped it to pieces bone by bone. At this point, Hanri began to wonder. The paladin ghost, the dracolich, the undead giant, why was he able to take such powerful foes so easily?

“Hanri! Tag team,” Mayers shouted as the ground troops made it to the palace courtyard. Hanri jumped up, and landed on the draconian’s back, as they flew towards Salkyos’s tower. As they zoomed in, they were intercepted by a horde of winged skeletons. Mayers drew a thick, red-bladed longsword from a scabbard at his belt. “Alright, time to break some bones. Hang on, kid!” The amount of momentum he had was unstoppable to every enemy he sliced through.

Salkyos walked over to his window, saw the battle, and turned back to Regina. ‘Well,” he said, “looks like your prince really has come to rescue you. He’s not exactly riding a white steed, more like an angry dragon.” He opened the window. “I have Regina up here! We’ll duel up in this room!” Mayers smirked when he got in range. “Watch it, Salkyos! Here comes a long ball!” This drew startled and confused looks from both Hanri and Salkyos. Then, Mayers peeled the boy of his back with a free hand, and tossed him straight at Salkyos. Hanri’s head shattered the window, slammed Salkyos in the stomach, and they both crashed against the back wall. “We’ll fight……..after my head stops pounding…..,” Hanri gasped. Regina’s eyes were blank at her hero’s less-than-graceful entrance. “What would he have done if he missed?”

After sitting for while, Salkyos looked at Hanri. “Coming here was a dangerous risk, yet you did. You’ve really fallen in love with her, haven’t you?” Hanri looked to Regina. “Yes, yes I have. Even when she’s scared, she still trusts people. By doing that, she can always find people she belongs with. I know that much trust can be a double-edged sword, which is why I want to be the one to protect her.” Regina looks back, blushing, tears forming in her eyes. “Oh Hanri……” Salkyos got up. “It’s clear that, if you win, you’ll make an excellent husband for her.” He drew his rapier. “But, ONLY if you win. Now, en garde!”

Bookcases fell, tables broke, and windows shattered as Hanri and Salkyos fiercely fought using swordplay and magic. Regina nervously kept her eyes on the two, while also thinking her own thoughts. When she first met Hanri, she thought he might just be a cute fling for her. That times would change again, and the two of them would go their separate ways. But no, he had fallen in love with her, and she had fallen in love with him. Regina wanted to be with him forever now. “Hanri! Kick his face in, my love,” she shouted.

Soon, both Hanri and Salkyos were standing opposite one another, breathing heavily, covered in cuts and bruises. “I don’t……….,” Salkyos started, “I don’t understand why you’re so much stronger than your superiors, yet you’re just a cadet.” Suddenly, there was a knock on the room’s door. Confused, Hanri went over, opened it, and Death’s black form entered the room. “SALKYOS! THE LAST OF YOUR ARMY HAS BEEN DEFEATED. NOW, THOSE WHO’VE PASSED ON DESERVE THEIR ETERNAL PEACE. RELEASE YOUR HOLD ON THE AFTERLIFE.” The battle-mage sighs. “It’s my greatest spell. It might take years to completely undo it.” I cannot hide anymore, a voice in Hanri’s head said, protecting and maintaining all worlds is my ancient task. Out of nowhere, a giant, glowing dragon appeared. From the waist up, it was a bull-horned dragon with two big, clawed arms, and two mighty wings on its back. From the waist down, it was completely serpentine. Death and Salkyos looked at the creature. “Vrelseo,” they both whispered. It once again spoke into Hanri’s mind. I shall dispel the curse. Then, I shall return, boy The Vrelseo flew out the window, into the black Underworld sky.

As soon as Hanri opened the cell door, Regina ran to him, hugged him, and gave him a passionate kiss on the lips. “My prince has rescued me, at last,” she sighed dreamily. Salkyos had fainted out of sheer exhaustion. “WELL, ONE THING LEFT TO DO,” Death said, and raised his scythe above the battle-mage, but Hanri stopped him. “Wait. All this, and he didn’t hurt Regina. Can we cut him a break, and just take him prisoner?” The reaper made irritated noises, but put the scythe down. Mayers came in through the window. “Everyone done here? Time for the after-war party?” Hanri nodded. “Mayers, we’re taking Salkyos prisoner. Could we bring him back to Shade Avalon?” The draconian thought about this. “Well, two of my arms are my wings. My two free arms will be carrying you and Sal. So, kid, you’ll have to carry Regina.” Regina got a huge blush, and her eyes turned into hearts. “L-like a princess?” Death looked at her. “THEY SAY THAT IF ONE BLUSHES HARD ENOUGH, HIS OR HER HEAD EXPLODES. YOU ALL GO BACK TO SHADE AVALON. I SHOULDN’T REALLY DO THIS, BUT YOUR GHOST GIRL HELPED SO MUCH BACK AT THE FRONT, AND I KINDA HATE SEEING YOUNG LIFE LOST. SO, SHE’LL GET TO LIVE AGAIN. SHE”LL BE BACK IN A FEW DAYS.”

Mayers landed in front of the portal home. He put Hanri on the ground, but Regina insisted on staying in her boyfriend’s cradle when he tried putting her down, as well. The other SpiritHunters, including Veddrian, who had an arm sling, came up to them. The Major saw Salkyos under Mayers’s arm. “We’ve won then?” Hanri saluted and nodded. Then, Veddrian took off her amber bracelet, and gave it to him. “The spirits in this bracelet have been denied eternal peace for too long. Cadet, do the honor of freeing them.” Suddenly, Regina looked startled. “Hey, what’s up with Salkyos?” Everyone looked at the battle-mage. There was black smoke coming from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. “Haven’t seen that since I set someone’s brain on fire,” the pyromancer said. Just then, the Vrelseo came diving from the sky. Hanri! This battle isn’t over yet! We’ve played right into his hands! The smoke turned into a giant, black cloud with two glowing, blue eyes. The cloud bolted straight for Hanri, who threw Regina to the side to protect her. The Vrelseo and the black cloud collided with him at the same time, and all three disappeared in a flash of white light. Regina started screaming and crying hysterically. “Hanri! Hanri!”

When Hanri awoke, he saw that he was not on ground of any sort. Rather, he was floating in a void of multi-colored light. In front of him was a gigantic, black-scaled angler fish. Its eyes were a glowing, icy blue, and its needle-like fangs could scare a stone into running. The fish swam through the air to Hanri, with its lure hanging above the cadet’s head. “They call me Finality,” it growled, “consumer of all that is and ever will be. So, you are the one that the Vrelseo has chosen to hide in. It seems that, as a living lure, Salkyos has caught me something far more extraordinary than this planet’s master of life and death. The Vrelseo, the spirit that staves off the end of worlds, shall be consumed by me, giving me the ultimate power of the universe.” Finality grins. “You humans can keep your pathetic reaper.”

Hanri points his sword at the angler. “Consumer of everything? I don’t think I like the idea of something like you having ultimate power. But, before we fight, I want to know more about you and the Vrelseo. After all, you seem to know all that.” Finality scoffed. “Fight me? You are just a human, and I am probably the closest thing to a god that you’ll ever encounter. But listen up, human. This is the story.”

“Our universe is billions of years old. For eons, creatures of immeasurable power have been visiting our baby planets as they arise. Some, like the Vrelseo, seek to create and protect. Others, like me, seek to destroy and consume. But the appetites of us consumers won’t be whetted by lowly creatures such as yourselves. We seek powerful prey, like your world’s Death, or a fellow cosmic spirit like the Vrelseo. So, as you can see, this struggle is now far beyond the ability of you humans to grasp. I would allow you to go home, boy, but I intend to consume your world once I’ve devoured my new intended prey. There is nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide. Your planet ends here.”

The Vrelseo landed beside Hanri. Ends here? I think not. World consumer or no, it is my task to protect all that is, even if that means wiping scum like you, demon, from the universe. Hanri, let us cleanse this blight once and for all! Finality heard the Vrelseo, even though he spoke in Hanri’s mind. “Then struggle, you two! Suffer, Vrelseo, as I consume you, and know that you failed to protect the world that tried to hide you!”
AQ AQW  Post #: 4
9/9/2012 15:27:17   
Beshin Adin
Member
 
Usurpation of Death


Part V – The Conclusion




The SpiritHunter army returned to Shade Avalon through the portal, Mayers had Regina, who was still crying her eyes out, slung over his top shoulder. “Go back,” she shrieked, “we’ve got to find Hanri! We’re not leaving him behind!” Veddrian looked at the pyromancer sadly. ”Regina, we have no idea what happened. It’s horrible, but that collision could’ve killed the cadet, for all we know. Regina wrestled out of Mayers’s hold, and furiously slapped the Major across the face. “How dare you say that, you witch?” Everyone started staring at her. This made Regina run to her room, a trail of tears following her, and slam the door behind her.


The Vrelseo and Finality darted all over the airspace, exchanging blows whenever they collided. Whenever the demon got in range, Hanri struck it with his katana. Soon, the boy dropped to his knees, panting. “We’re not hurting him. We’ve been fighting for nearly an hour now, and he’s not wounded, or exhausted………..” The Vrelseo landed beside Hanri. Its power was immense to begin with. But everything it has consumed over its existence further increases its power. But, that does not make it invincible. Keep fighting, everything has a weakness. Remember, the world dies if we lose.


Regina layed on her bed, her face sobbing into her pillow. She had been crying non-stop for hours. This wasn’t how it was supposed to end. Once the prince rescued the princess, he was supposed to take her away with him, and they’d live happily ever after. She wasn’t supposed to lose him right in front of her eyes, and never see her love again. There was no proof, though, that Hanri was dead. There was no body, not even a pile of ash. So far, all they knew was that he disappeared. All Regina could do was wait for him to come back. She turned over, and laid her head on the pillow, staring at the ceiling. “I love you,” she whispered to the air.


Salkyos opened his eyes. He was in a bed in the SpiritHunters’ clinic. Veddrian, and a few doctors were looking down at him. “Quite a luxurious way to treat your enemies,” the battle-mage said weakly. “Thank the cadet,’ Veddrian said, “he insisted that we take you alive.” Salkyos sat up, and looked around. “Where is Hanri? Spending some private time with his new lover, I presume?” Veddrian’s eyes fell. “You saw that giant dragon, right? Well, some dark entity appeared, and collided with the dragon. The cadet was in the center. All three disappeared in a flash of light. We don’t even know if he’s alive or not.” Salkyos thought for a bit, and then looked inspired. “I have an idea. Where is my rapier?” Veddrian brought Salkyos his sword, and gave him an inquiring look. ”During our fight, we inflicted sword wounds upon each other,” he said, “so my blade has his blood on it. Blood is saturated with one’s life force. A thaumaturgy spell of mine won’t tell us where he is, but it should tell us if he’s alive or not. As a SpritHunter, I’m surprised that you didn’t know this.” Veddrian blushed, and looked sour. “Maybe I was just too stressed to think clearly.” Salkyos found some of Hanri’s blood on the sword, and began applying magic. “Give me a few minutes.”


In a quick move, Finality got behind the Vrelseo, and stabbed its scythe-like fangs into one of his wings. The divine dragon screamed in pained fury. The demon took more bites out of the wing, drawing more pain. Then, Hanri jumped at Finality, severing a few fangs from its gums with a sword slash, and making the angler roar and let go. I can’t fly much more with this wing. Even two on one is not enough. I had to act quickly, if only I had time to bring more allies. Hanri suddenly got an idea, and took out Veddrian’s amber bracelet. “You DID bring more allies.” Finality looked at him. “Boy, what are you planning?” Hanri threw the bracelet in the air, and sliced it as it came down. From the broken bracelet sprang the paladin’s spirit, the spirit of the dragon that was the dracolich, and a bunch of other spirits that had been captured. The paladin looked at Hanri. “It’s you again.” Then, he looked around. “What is this? This is not the afterlife.” Hanri shook his head. “Salkyos has been defeated, and his hold on the afterlife no longer exists. However, that demon over there forced Salkyos to attack the afterlife, in an attempt to consume Death. Now, he intends to consume our entire world. Therefore, before you pass on, I ask that you help us slay this monster.” The paladin looked at Finality, and then raised his large sword. “Very well, I believe you.” He looked at Hanri, the Vrelseo, and the other spirits. “Everyone, let’s take this thing down.” Everyone began the final charge against Finality.


After a while, Regina decided that bath might calm her nerves a bit. The problem was; pyromancers and water don’t mix, but she knew a trick around that. She filled a giant, metal bucket with water, and stuck a superheated hand in it, bringing the water to a boil almost instantly. Then, she poured the steaming water into the bathtub. “I’d better do this before the porcelain melts,” she said as she kicked off her sandals, and began untying her robes. But, before they came off, Salkyos entered the room. “Regina, I have some news.” The pyromancer yelped, and held on to her clothing. “You pervert! I was almost naked! What do you want? Making a move on me? It’s way too soon, you jerk! I just lost the man I love!” Salkyos sighed at what was becoming a tantrum. “We’ve found out that Hanri is alive.” Regina bolted over to him, and started shaking his shirt collar violently. “He’s alive? What happened? Where is he? When’s he coming back? Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!” Salkyos pulled away. “We only know he’s alive, but we’re preparing a spell to try and bring him back. Don’t fear. We’re going to bring your prince home.” With that, he left the room. Regina put a hand over her heart, quietly thinking, and then she gasped. “My bathwater!” She ran into the bathroom, locking the door behind her this time.


The spirits, after a few hours of fighting, circled around Finality, but didn’t draw any closer. The Vrelseo had explained to them a while back that the light of the lure on the demon’s head had the ability to temporarily paralyze his opponents, which provided a striking opportunity. As a cosmic spirit, the Vrelseo was unaffected, and Hanri was protected by his power, but these spirits had no such resistance. Therefore, Finality was at an advantage yet again. With the spirits susceptible to the light, and the divine dragon with an injured wing, Hanri was the only one who could fight without a disadvantage, and those massive fangs could make short work of him if he wasn’t careful. Nevertheless, the cadet was ready to fight and win. After all, he hadn’t forgotten his princess awaiting his return.


Why do you stand up to me?” Finality said to Hanri, “a divine dragon and a party of undead sprits fell before me. I could easily crush one human. Your charge can only end in failure.” Hanri pointed his sword at the demon. “I’m a SpiritHunter, so I’m close to death on a daily basis. Because of that, I know how precious life is; too precious for everyone to lose it to the likes of you. So, I’m still defending us all, even though the Vrelseo has an injured wing, and the spirits can’t attack you because of………” His eyes went wide, and he smirked. Of course! Why didn’t he think of this sooner? The cadet raised his sword, and charged at Finality. The angler smirked, and counterattacked. The two clashed in a quick collision, then faced each other. “Hmph. How fortunate for you,” the demon growled, “if not for your impressive agility, you would have been skewered on my fangs.” Hanri grinned. “Oh, I did more than just avoid death.” Finality’s eyes went wide as he watched his severed lure fall away. “Finally, an opening,” the paladin said to the Vrelseo and the other spirits, “everyone, attack!” The heroes collided with the demon, and everything went white.


Hanri’s eyes creaked open, and he found himself lying in a bed, surrounded by all his SpiritHunter allies. Regina began crying, and hugged him tightly, sobbing into his chest. He looked to everyone. “What happened?” Salkyos approached him. “We created a spell to find you, and bring you home. You showed up right where you disappeared, so it clearly worked. You’ve been unconscious for almost four whole days now, but you were still breathing, and still had a pulse, so we brought you here, and waited for you to wake up.” Hanri looked around. “Did we win?” Death came up to Hanri. “THE SPIRITS TOLD ME WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE I PASSED THEM ON. THAT FINAL CHARGE DESTROYED FINALITY ENTIRELY. LORE IS SAFE FROM BEING FISH FOOD.” A little girl came up to Hanri. “You’re amazing, Hanri. I hope to one day have a boyfriend like you. But Regina already called dibs, didn’t she?” The pyromancer playfully smirked. “Yep, that’s right. Don’t worry, Ninita, I’m sure you’ll be a babe when you grow up.” Hanri looked at the girl. The long red skirt, the tiny bra, the auburn hair with two thin ponytails; it really WAS Ninita. “Surprise,” she exclaimed happily, “Death gave me my life back! Mmmmmm, it’s so good to smell and feel again.”


Death had returned to the Underworld soon after Hanri awoke. There were still a lot more spirits that were waiting for the afterlife. Also, there were still undead willing to continue the war, so he had some cleaning to do. The reaper started singing a pleasant little song to himself as he decapitated skeletons. “ONE LITTLE, TWO LITTLE, THREE LITTLE ZOMBIES! FOUR LITTLE, FIVE LITTLE, SIX LITTLE ZOMBIES!” Mayers came through the portal. “Hey, Death? Thanks for giving the girl her life back. I know you could’ve gotten into a lot of trouble for it.” Death looked at the draconian. “TROUBLE? WITH WHO? I MADE THE FREAKING RULES. YEAH, I ALWAYS SEEM TO BEND THE RULES FOR HEROES AND HEROINES. I JUST HOPE SHE LIVES HER NEW LIFE WELL. ANYWAY, DRACONIAN, SINCE YOU’RE HERE, WANT TO HELP ME WITH PEST CONTROL?” Mayers stepped up, unsheathed his sword, and they began singing in unison.


A few days later, Hanri, Regina, Ninita, Mayers, Salkyos, Veddrian, and a few other SpiritHunters were spending the day on a beach in western Skullholme, which was surprisingly calm and sunny for that area. Hanri was sitting on a beach towel, wearing black swim trunks, and looking at the sky, thinking how his life had changed in the past week. Regina was on her stomach next to him, in a white two-piece, having fallen asleep as she was sunbathing. Suddenly, someone emptied a bucket of water on her, causing her to shriek uncontrollably. Mayers and Ninita, in a black one piece, stood there. “Uh, she did it,” the draconian said, and pointed to the child. Regina roared in anger, and started chasing the two across the beach. Hanri let out a happy sigh, and continued looking up, and thought he saw the small shape of the Vrelseo flying in the sky. “Looking for a new world? A new hero? A new legend?”
AQ AQW  Post #: 5
9/10/2012 11:26:24   
Beshin Adin
Member
 
Usurpation of Death


Epilogue – Return




About 10 years had passed since the battles in the Underworld, and a lot of major events had happened in that time. Once they became adults, Hanri and Regina left Shade Avalon to start a quiet life together. 4 years after that, they came back to announce that they were getting married, and Regina had recently announced that she and Hanri were ready to have a baby. Mayers is still the chamberlain of Shade Avalon, though the war taught everyone not to underestimate him. Once Ninita came of age, she became a full-fledged SpiritHunter. As Regina predicted, she grew to become the most beautiful woman in Shade Avalon. Veddrian became chief tactician of the SpiritHunters. Under her, they are now known as some of the greatest warriors in all of Lore. Salkyos, now going by his former alias of Salazar as his new name, used his extraordinary battle skills to eventually become High Commander of the SpiritHunters. He is known far and wide as the ‘Ghostly Light of Skullholme’.


One day, a female SpiritHunter, with long, auburn hair, walked into the seeming empty foyer of Shade Avalon, and waits. Mayers eventually came out of the shadows to greet her. “Darn loser treasure hunters,” she said, “how clear do we have to make it that you shouldn’t touch things in Bludrut unless you have exceptional skill?” Mayers smiled. “You can’t train true fools, Ninita. Anyway, exciting news. Recently, Hanri and Regina have come back to Shade Avalon.” Ninita smiled gleefully, and took one of the draconian’s hands. “Where are they? Let’s go see them!” He looked at her. “We can’t. Regina is 9 months pregnant. She came back here to give birth, and show her child to all of us. The doctors are helping her deliver right now.” Ninita’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh my stars……”


The High Commander walked through the hallways, making young female SpiritHunters giggle and go starry-eyed as he passed them. When he got to the clinic, the door was being kept shut, but he saw Veddrian sitting nearby. “General, report!” She got up, and saluted. “Commander Salazar! Currently, Regina has been in labor for several hours. By the sounds she’s making, though, it is proving to be a healthy delivery so far. No complications yet.” Sal and Veddrian sat down. “So,” he said, “what do you think they’re going to name him or her?”


Regina, her hair now grown down to her shoulders, and wearing a medical gown, lied on the bed as the doctors worked on her. Every inch of her skin was covered in sweat, as she gripped her husband’s hand. “Oh, Hanri. This is so hard. And painful, too. What if I don’t make it?” Hanri smiled. “Of course you’ll make it. Many women successfully endure childbirth, and you’re an above-average woman.” She smiled. “I love you……….Hanri, when the child is born, you provide the name. I want you to.” This time, he smiled. “Alright, I will. Until then, stay strong, my queen.”


A few hours passed, and Regina had started screaming. Mayers had to use all four arms to restrain Ninita, who was flailing and crying. “Let me go! I have to get in there! She’s in so much pain!” Mayers received the occasional slap across the face, but did his best to keep from snapping at her. “Ninita, Hanri’s in there. He’s the one comforting her. They’ve been married for almost six years now, I think he’s the best person to be with her right now.” Ninita stopped flailing. “But…….she’s my friend.” Sal came up to her. “Calm down, cadet. When the baby is born, I expect you to have a more festive demeanor than this. Since their wedding, we’ve all been waiting eagerly for this day. We’re so close, so don’t start crying. Just give her a blessing.” Ninita smiled and giggled. “He’s almost ten years older than me, but he’s so hot when he gives a motivational speech,” she said to herself, “and he’s right. Regina, you can do it, girl.”


Several more hours passed. The four waited outside the room, hoping for the best, and taking turns napping to calm their nerves. And then, eventually, they heard one, final scream from Regina, then the sound of a baby crying. Veddrian and Mayers gasped, and Sal shook Ninita. “Wake up, the baby is born.” They all rushed into the room. After a short check of mother and child, Regina was presented with her new baby boy. She smiled joyfully, as her son had her eyes, and she kissed her husband as thanks for giving her something so beautiful. Ninita looked at the child, utterly speechless. “Hanri,” Regina said, “name, please?” Hanri nodded, picked up his son, and thought. “Hmmmmm…..okay, that’s a good one. His name is Benjamin.” Everyone smiled, and started cheering.


And so the story ends. Benjamin grew up to become a great hero. Using the pyromancer magic inherited from his mother, and the agile swordsmanship skills inherited from his father, he granted Lore a new legend, and a great one. Perhaps, with all these heroes, the Vrelseo will return one day. But, as long as there are great legacies, like the one Hanri left behind, heroes shall rise, and the story of worlds, of the entire universe, shall continue.


< Message edited by Beshin Adin -- 9/10/2012 11:39:36 >
AQ AQW  Post #: 6
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