339 replies to this topic

[Vortigern]

Theria paused in mid-flow as her highly attuned elven ears picked up the sound of grating stone. She turned and found a flight of stairs attaching itself to their platform. At the top of the stairs stood a throne, and atop the throne sat a face she recognised, the face of the man who had sworn to destroy her race, among so many others: Winter Vayu. He rose to his feet, looking down at the pitched battle raging on below him. His eyes roamed to Theria, and she knew that she had to try.

With a speed born of elven ability she leapt for the stairway, bounding up them towards her foe. Vayu smiled, revealing crooked yellow teeth, and lifted a hand. Theria instantly found herself unable to move. It was not that her body was no longer hers, more that the air around here seemed to solidify, become far less willing to grant her passage through it.

"Enough!" shouted Vayu, his powerful, deep voice echoing throughout this strange, unholy world. Hearing the voice, Tom, Zhar, Shava, Vithar, everyone... looked up. Zhar slipped back into his physical form, a snarl on his twisted features.

"Is it time already, Vayu?" he shouted, releasing a blast of magical energy to hurl two more of the wraiths from his path.

"I said enough, sorcerer," replied Vayu, lifting his other hand. A look of intense surprise crossed Zhar's face as he too found himself unable to move, or even speak. Tom made a leap for his enemy, but Vayu forced him back with a bolt of black light. Tom screamed and fell to floor, writhing in some invisible agony. Theria's heart went out to him, but she was unable to move to help him. The others of the group, too, seemed to have fallen under Vayu's spell as nobody moved so much as a muscle.

"I must say, I am impressed that you got this far." Vayu descended the stairs as he spoke, striding past Theria without even bothering to glance in her direction. "Especially you, mage. You have talents I have not seen before, but nothing I cannot deal with." Zhar said nothing, unable to move as he was. "As you can see-"

"Shut up," said Zhar. Now it was Vayu's turn to look shocked. "You call that a spell? Try this." Zhar flung his hands up, sending forth a jolt of raw magical potential which blossomed into some obscene magic Theria was happy not to understand. Vayu blocked it at the last possible moment, but the sheer force knocked him backwards.

"So it's like this," said Vayu, malice twisting his arrogant face into a brutal sneer. "I hope you've made your peace, mage."

((The time has come, chaps and chapesses! SWG, I leave the magical fight scene up to you.))

[Copaman]

((YAY! ZOMGWTF post inbound!))

Tom woke to find himself sprawled out on the stone floor in some otherworldly brand of pain. Looking up, he could see the entire group frozen in space and a figure whom he guessed was Winter Vayu. Regaining his wits, he double-checked the situation and confirmed that he was, indeed, still alive and in the presence of Winter Vayu, whose voice boomed throughout the chamber-chasm. "But before I dispose of you lot, you have a show to watch. Do not fear... I will not kill you... yet."

Vayu's platform slid back from the main platform, just far enough so that Tom was unable to reach it. Tom stood up and looked about - a black swirl danced around the floor, then three, then five, then seven... soon there were no less than thirteen black swirls playing across the stone of the platform. Tom issued his defiance in as clear a statement as he could make. "So I am but a gladiator, Vayu? You will need more than a scant thirteen guardsmen to silence my wrath!"

And then the battle began. The first wraith to materialize offered little challenge, attempting only a few stabs before Tom sliced through its legs and then finished it with a stab to the head. The next was only slightly harder, forcing Tom to dodge a stab and retaliate with a few quick yet deadly strikes. As the wraiths began to realize Tom was no pushover, they came at him in twos; which was no matter for Tom. The assault he brought to his opponents was nearly the same every time, and soon enough, he stood surrounded by a ring of corpses. As his chest heaved up and down, he noticed the manifestation of his soul flame had begun to dance upon his blade.

"Good, very good," spoke Vayu. "But I am not finished with you."

More wraith-shadows showed across the floor, and the bodies of the deceased were forced off the ledge by one of Vayu's spells. Four at a time the wraiths came at Tom, who dispatched them as quickly as he could. He noticed they were becoming smarter, learning from their dead comrades. He began sweating, and his blades began to burn their bright blue.

I am a dead man if this doesn't end soon enough...

Vayu watched Tom work his blade around in seemingly superfluous arcs, secretly awed by the grace of the last king of the deathkelve in battle. While maintaining an impassive expression on the outside, he pleasured himself with what he was about to do to Tom. While the black bolt he hit Tom with earlier caused a deal of pain, it was merely a setup for what he would do next.

As the seemingly endless wave of wraiths continued to test Tom's skill with a blade, he found he had no choice but to begin using his last resort. He began to whisper as he killed, the ancient Ebrion guiding his blades; Vayu summoned more and more wraiths. Tom went through several enemies before the volume of his bladesong rose a noticeable amount - it was now as if he was conversing with someone across a table from him. The wraiths stopped for a moment, and Tom slowed himself before the next wave came.

Here goes...

The first wraith of what was to be the last wave attacked Tom. Tom dodged and simultaneously parried an attack from another wraith before bringing one of his swords down on the head of a third. He began to sing his bladesong, the ethereal phrases drenching the air with emotion and guiding his blades even more than before. As another three wraiths attacked, Tom came to the sickening realization that he had no other choice than to allow the soul flame to take his body over and vanquish his foes for good, and as he thought it, he felt his skin begin to tingle. The blue flame raced up his arms, spread across his chest, and manifested itself all over Tom's body. "You... you're done. I give you the option of surrender or slaughter... your choice," he muttered to the wraiths. Somehow, the Ebrion managed to continue to pass his lips even as he spoke. When the next wraith attacked, Tom knew they had made their choice.

He sliced one completely in two, not caring as the soul fire consumed both halves. He move to the next opponent, kicking him square in the chest and bumping him into another wraith - Tom ran them both through and heard their eery screams as they were burned from the inside out. Another wraith stood in his way, and Tom promptly sliced both arms off with seemingly no effort. A curious side effect of using the Ebrion bladesong and his soulfire at the same time had begun to manifest itself, the two magics playing upon one another so that wherever the swords traveled, a line of glowing blue words followed behind. Tom felt his energy beginning to wane as he sliced through another wraith. It appeared to Tom that Vayu had stopped summoning wraiths and was aware of Tom's fatigue setting in.

As Tom turned to the final three wraths on the platform, Vayu began to laugh his sickening, evil, laugh. Tom let fly an arc of flame which caught two wraiths off guard, leaving only one to be killed. Vayu began to clap. The wraith began backing away from Tom, who suddenly sprang towards it.

In several quick sweeps, Tom passed his bade through the knees, body cavity, and the neck of the wraith, slicing it into three recognizable pieces. Tom turned to Vayu on his platform. "Have you no more challenges for me, monster?"

"Coming from you, I feel honored. Have a look at what you've done," Vayu said to Tom. As Tom turned around, Vayu simply snapped a finger.

Tom was unable to comprehend what he was seeing. All of the dead wraiths were gone with the exception of the last body. As he looked at it closer, he felt an odd tingle cross his skin, which had subsided its flames. He was attracted to it, compelled by an unknown force to go to it and examine the face of the thing he had just killed. And as he lifted the hood from what he presumed was a wraith, his gut wrenched. He was looking down on the now-gray face of Theria. He looked back to Vayu, almost certain it was a trick, and could no longer see his companions. What companions? he thought. "You bastard!" He screamed at Vayu. "What is this trickery?!" Vayu merely laughed and said, "Monster..."

Tom held the detached head of his beloved in his hands and struggled to believe he had just mutilated Theria. But inside, he knew that he had, and it tore him apart. "NO!" he screamed in agony, the weight of what he had done manifesting itself. "NO!" A surprise group of wraiths closed in on Tom - he clenched his gut and gave off a tremendous ball of flame, disintegrating every single wraith on the platform. He began crying, and fell to his knees. Before the darkness closed in, he whispered a quiet "no" to himself and then gave off three more bursts of flame. As the final burst reached the edge of the platform, he crawled into a ball and abandoned his senses as he fell into a pit of fatigue, grief, and remorse.

===

The party looked on with terror as Tom shrieked his greif out to the world. They could not understand why he was doing such a thing - they could see clear as day that he was holding the head of a wraith. They were interrupted from the disgusting spectacle by Vayu, who had returned his platform to the main platform and lifted Tom into the air by use of magic. "He is done here. I will not harm him further until you are dead."

"What have you done, you fiend?" Theria snarled.
"I can only guess as well as you can," Vayu replied calmly. "That spell plays on his mind - he saw then what he wanted to see least. He saw whatever he knew subconciously would completely and totally incapacitate him. Whatever he knew would cause him the most mental pain."
"You are a monster," she said under her breath. "Truly a monster."

===
@ Everyone: No, Theria is not dead. Tom thinks he just killed her, but he hasn't. You don't know what he saw. Vayu doesn't even know what Tom saw.

@ Ravnin: You can do what we discussed now

Edited by Copaman, 10 January 2009 - 06:24 PM.

[Vithar-133]

Vithar watched silently. He wasn't the only one with mental powers here. He sensed Vayu's power for what it was. Brutal, powerful, but it lacked finesse of any sort, like a giant axe. His mental armour was...incomplete. Despite his apparent age, Vayu never learned the essentials of mental magic.

<He can stop my body, but not my mind. Nor can I kill him, but if I can disrupt his mental powers, then they should have no trouble. While I...I...may not survive...>

Vithar gathered mental energy. It felt like holding the power of a storm in a marble. He could scarcely here anything happening around him for the torrent in is head. It was a marvel to look at, all the colours constantly shifting and swirling.

<Vayu.>

"Who said that!? Whose speaking?"

<It is I, the halfbreed guest of yours.>

"Fool. You seek to attack my mind do you? Well you will find my powers are far superior to yours."

<You've been granted many years upon this world. I would think you would've used them wisely to fully learn the finer points of Mental magic.>

"What? Finer points...You could teach me, halfbreed. You could show me how to use mental magic to--"

<No. I can not let you free. A disgrace to our Order. I was sent to find you and kill you, but it seems there are other who wish to get at you. However, I revoke you powers by Order of the High Council.>

"Wait! What--Argh!"

Vithar released a massive amount of energy into Vayu's mind, tearing apart every bit of mental magic the mage had learned. Vayu's mental armour was destryoed and his mental abilities ruined. Vithar, surprising himself, did not fall unconscious, but thinking would be an issue due to the headache acquired from retaining such an amount of mental power.

-----------------------------------
((Ok, so Vayu can still think and can still use magic, but he can't deceive people as readily. Nor his he even close to powerless. I'll explain the Order later, if anyone thinks it necessary. By the way, the group can hear Vayu speaking, but not Vithar. Their only clue as to who the other speaker is is when Vayu says "halfbreed". Probably also a good thing to be the first time some of them realized he has mental magic.))

Edited by Vithar Megilaglar, 10 January 2009 - 09:21 PM.

[some_weirdGuy]

((... Vayu seemed a bit... scared and clingy in that post, which doesn't suit him at all. im just saying a dont agree with your portrayal of Vayu. He would be more arrogant, cold, and he wouldnt be all like "who said that!?", he would know, neither would he be like "you can teach me"... i would imagine that he would be like "i dont need 'finer points', my power is beyond mental magic!" or something...))
((VORT: I'm with you entirely on that one. Vayu is a hard bastard, used to being the strongest, because he is. He might not have much in the way of mental magic, but you can be assured he would know enough to stop you messing with his head and blast your brain into seven kinds of hell at the same time. Just look at what he's done to Tom. I'm pretty sure that counts as mental magic.))
-------------------
Vayu stood straight once more, and looked down at Vithar. A wicked smile twitched across his face for a moment, then in a cold voice he said
"Do you really think i need mental magics to tamper with the mind? every form has its little tricks, and i am a master" he put his hand out, pointing at Vithar.
"You make your first mistake" Says Zhar, leaping upwards and spinning around, returning to face Vayu with to globes of dark purple magic in both hands. He then tosses again and again, as one leaves he hand another takes its place. These orbs fly towards vayu, before stopping short in a circle around him. He was just enough time to erect a barrier before zhar claps his hands together, sending the orbs to collide with Vayu's position.

He puts down the barrier, and straight away teleports to a platform to the left, Zhar lets out a hiss, while Vayu's eyes burn angrily into Zhars own
"You could have made a fine servant Zhar" says Vayu
"unfortunately i am already a servant...'
"...To That Demon!" the words burst out before he can stop them, and a knowing smile crosses Vayu's features.

[Rafv Nin IV]

Concerned, Shava ventured into Tom's mind. She knew that this was risky; although Kasav's strength backed her, this seemed essentially an invitation for Vayu to attack her. Still, she had to know what had occurred. Vayu had inhuman strength--at the very least, Tom could have been turned against the group. Shava braced herself to withstand whatever traps he had left within the Deathknelf's mind. Confidently, she penetrated the haze around his consciousness.

Shava jumped, startled. There were myriad consciousnesses masking Tom's--as if a crowd of butterflies obfuscated his own soul. Regaining authority, she and Kasav cooperated to sort through them, seeking out the one mind Shava would recognize as Tom's. Gradually, the insects flitted away, leaving behind a cocoon that had not opened. Shava knew immediately whose it was. Cautiously, Kasav asked why the deathknelf would not take the form of another butterfly. I don't know, but it can't be too good. I assume it's because Tom is trapped inside.

When she attempted to feel her way into Tom's mind, she found that entrance was entirely blocked. A shield as solid as an iron wall prevented her from going any further.

Hang on, Kasav told her, I'll be back... After a short absence, the gnome returned to Shava's mind. Vayu's got a lot of sorcery to prevent us from communicating with Tom. He's in anguish about something, but even I cannot enter his mind.

Angered, and realizing that something drastic would have to be done to defeat Winter Vayu, Shava threw her strength at him, attempting to impress any emotion on him. If he could be distracted, he could be defeated, the gnomess reasoned. She and Vayu struggled, but he wrested control of his mind from her.

"This is quite the group!" Vayu announced, "My Paladins have yet to capture a gnome like you. But this has made you overconfident. I am not my minions, and you cannot defeat me with your petty empathetic control! For some strange reason, you have the audactiy to walk into my midst. I will wring you dry of information, gnome, and your worthless insurrection will mean nothing." With that, the fell sorceror assaulted Shava's mind--as she was still bound in place by his spell, there was little more he could do in the physical realm. However, he was in for a surprise: within Shava's consciousness, both she and Kasav fought viciously for control, and the two of them combined nearly matched Vayu; after all, emotional attacks were their domain.

Vayu gained ground against the gnomes, but slowly. Resisting the force of her opponent, Shava noted, This is the distraction the rest of the group needs. Let's drag this out as long as we can. Hopefully, they'll notice the opening and kill Vayu.


((EDIT: Just to clarify, Vayu thinks that Shava is one of the gnomes of Kasav's people, who have mastered their empathetic abilities to a point where they've pretty much got mind control. They've been fighting back against the Paladins, and until now, Vayu's never caught one, or even a half-breed like Shava.))

Edited by Ravnin IV, 12 January 2009 - 05:08 AM.

[mike_]

((OOC: Someone please agree this is an epic post!))

Rom launched himself forward. Vayu's magic barrier had had no effect on him, due to his.. well, resistance against all forms of magic. He'd decided to play along anyway, to see how the situation developed. Realizing they were all in grave danger, Rom had chosen upon a course of action; to break Vayu and his hold on the group.

The mage, though distracted, noticed the Minotaur's charge at his person. With no visible physical movement, a pair of dark-purple portals opened at either side of the steps leading up to his throne. They barely registered against the midnight-black of the sanctum. Swiftly, dozens of Paladins - of all classes - marched out of them and began setting up in a block - pikes in the front, battle-axes in the rear and swords at the flanks. A few crossbowmen also took up position at the base of the steps; none actually on them. Somehow, Vayu had enlarged the distance of the stone platform from sixty feet across to thrice that; to put Rom as far away from him as possible. The lone Minotaur thundered forward, heedless of the mass of foes gathering before him.

Rom thundered straight ahead. Several crossbow bolts darted on the stones around his feet, bouncing behind him harmlessly. His frozen companions, save the distraught Tom, watched with unblinking eyes.

He was no less than forty feet from the arrayed soldiers. A quintet of Cadaviers broke out of the formation and charged him, aiming for glory; three bore halberds, two with swords. Rom paid them no heed; swinging his axe two-handed carelessly in a low arc. One head rolled and two torsos were severed; another was missed altogether while the last was, well, stepped on. The man's armour crumpled like tin under Rom's weighty hoof, crushed messily.

Spears and halberds were lowered; shields brought to bare and crossbows loaded. Hands gripped axe hafts and wire-wrapped sword hilts. Rom slowed slightly just in front of the block, which was arcing in to encircle him. He bellowed louder than ever he had before; the meaning of his Waking-Dream coming to him. At the last second he lowered his head, and leaped into the mass of Men.

Three were skewered on his horns; one shorn bloodily in half. Swing his axe in a tight arc, hands gripping the haft close to the head, a dozen Paladins were thrown into their companions. Rom did not pause; he continued forward, ignoring their assaults and those he trampled under foot. A spearhead was broken off in his thigh, and the last four inches of a sword-blade was buried deep into his abdomen. Rom was beyond pain now. He swung again; and again, and again. A score fell to his furious onslaught.

Slowed by the obvious blockade, Rom managed to reach the steps. The crossbowmen jumped away from him, trying to get out of his range of attack. He pounced up the steps, and continued forward; he released the grip on his axe, letting it slide down so that he held it at the end. He jumped one last, desperate time; and threw the nine-foot long weapon. It was his last gambit; there was no more chance of slaying the dark magician. It spun, rotating on an undefined axis towards the stunned Vayu. Zhar looked on, his face contorted in surprise and... something else. The axe completed it's last revolution and embedded itself in the marble throne as Vayu ducked with a tremendous crack and shattering of stone.

Rom crashed into the steps as the Paladins descended upon him. Vayu chuckled quietly in the distance before all went black.


((OOC EDIT: He ain't dead, but he is out of the fight, for now. Hurry SWG! :O))

Edited by mike_, 12 January 2009 - 04:14 AM.

[some_weirdGuy]

((another big god mod coming up, if you dont want this to happen i will delete it, but if your cool with it... then we're screwed ))
Zhar saw his chance, and took it. With a great boom, a blast of dark energy left his hands ((all Dragon ball Z kamayamaya style )), Vayu had no choice, he had to block it.
He too let out a tremendous energy wave, which collided with the incoming blast, grappling with it in a brutal tug-of-war.

"I will kill you Vayu" Snarled Zhar, in an almost inhuman voice
"NEVER!" Screamed Vayu.
Vayu's energy began pushing forward, Zhar let out a howl, and pushed harder.
"COME FORWARD! MY SERVANT!!" came Vayu's voice over the collsal noise of the energy blasts.

The ground shook, not because of the magic, but because of something else.
The platform separated, knocking some in the group over, but not Zhar. The platforms seperated further, and ever further, untill both ZHar and Vayu stopped their magic grapple. From below a deep rumble could be heard, and slowly, ever so slowly, a demonic, gigantic, and terrifying head came into view. Soon the great chained wings came next, the shoulders covered in horns, as magma dripped from cracks in the demons skin. Its colossal torso made an appearance, its multiple arms all chains to the floor beneath.

This thing was huge, it could fit the entire group in the palm of its hand, with room to spare.
"Do You Want To Know Zhar? Why Your Master Has Sent You To Me? Why I Have Fallen Into The Lord Of Hells Disfavour?"
The Demon let out an earth shattering roar, the entire group was knocked from their feet then, even Vayu stumbled under the great shaking of the demons fury
"Its Because I Took His Servant!" Zhar is dumb-struck, but not for the same reason as the others. Only He realises the significance of what they see.

The platform holding the demon finally comes inline with the fragmented platform they all stood on. Massive chains hold the demon in place, as well as magical binds, and a gigantic pentagram seal sits under the creatures feet, holding it prisoner
They have to crane their neck just to behold the beast before them. The platform holding them all breaks, its pieces, which fly up, separating different members of the group, to 'orbit' the demon.

Like a stairway they lead all the way upwards, with Vayu at the peak, inline with the demons terrifying eyes.
"Its not possible!" screams Zhar "not... not possible!"
"Oh, But It Is Zhar!" screams Vayu's distant voice
"Right Hand Of the Devil, I Command You... Destroy My Enemies!" Trails Vayu's voice to the group, separated on different levels.
Its only now Zhar realises he is alone, at one of the bottom platforms, the others are scattered around the lower reaches, but he is the lowest.
"My Master Will Bring You Pain As You Cannot Imagine Mortal. Your Damnation And Torment Will Be Absolute...
Boomed the demons voice.

Vayu pulled forward an Artifact, holding it out before im
"Obey Me..." The Demon roared its defiance, pulling at the chains that bound it, but its body then complied. The Chains fell away, and Vayu's manic laughter echoed around the vastness of the now disjointed space

((So, super giant massive powerful right-hand-of-the-devil demon, which we cannot hurt, we can only get squashed by... is attacking us. We have to dodge its massive platform-shattering attacks and make it to Vayu. We destroy the artifact, and he cant control the demon any more. k? oh, and he's a fair way up, we have to jump from platform to platform. should not be easy, as the demon can swat at us with multiple arms, and breaths fire and all that sort of crap))

[Vortigern]

Theria felt a strange sensation around her entire body as the enchantment locking the group in place fell away; clearly Vayu's strength was needed elsewhere. Keeping the demon in check and defeating Zhar's powerful magic would no doubt be taking its toll on him. She made to leap for him, drawing her belt knife, but just as she began to move the floor beneath her cracked, floating up and away from the stairway upon which she had been frozen in motion. The rest of the group found the same thing, that they were all able to move. Theria was glad to notice that Nowe's first move was towards their fallen comrade, Rom the Minotaur. She impressed her best will and strength upon him, willing him to live, to heal, to get up again. She had become very fond of Rom, his brooding silences, colossal body and iron-hard determination. He was a fine example of what a Minotaur should aspire to be.

Theria's piece of floor began to float ever farther from the group. Sensing that she would have to take her opportunities to get off this doomed stone, she waited a second longer until she felt another section was close enough for her to leap across to. It was, just. She scrabbled onto the rock, her legs hanging over the side. She looked back and saw the whirling chains still gripped as weapons by the monstrous demonic form that tormented them smash into her previous berth, shattering it into a billion tiny pieces. She almost let out a sigh of relief, but her breath was cut short by a sudden feeling in both her ankles. Something, some mysterious darkness that haunted this realm, had latched onto her trailing limbs and was beginning to pull her down into itself, off the stone. She screamed, attracting the attention of the demon. The titanic figure lumbered towards her, oblivious to the strength of the darkness pulling at it. Even in panic, a modicum of reason remained to Theria: if the darkness could not instantly pull her under, there was probably no way it could seek to subdue the inordinate power of their demon foe.

The closer the demon came, though, the weaker the grip on her ankles and calves became, until she found herself suddenly able to jerk free. Her logic told her that the innate magical power of the demon was weakening the very fabric of their existence in this place. Well, her logic combined with what she had learned of summoning magic from a travelling mage she had travelled with some years previously. Before you ever met Illyriel, that mage was, added her subconscious. Well remembered. If only the mage had told us how to defeat the right hand demon of the devil armed with only a small knife, it wondered wistfully. Ah well. Best improvise.

She flung herself from the new platform as the demon swung down at her. Vast though it was, the demon was clearly not the fastest thing ever to walk this dimension. She landed on the main platform, still splintering off into various little sections. Theria was interested to note that Shava, holding tightly to Thaos's leg, did not look concerned. Thaos, on the other hand, looked supremely terrified, though possibly slightly relieved not to be floating off into the ether aboard a flat stone vessel. Her elven eyes scanned the world for Vayu, and she found him still locked in magical battle with Zhar. She was loathe to interfere, and besides, avoiding the crushing chains of the demon would likely take up all her concentration.

[Copaman]

((MINDSEIGE!))

Tom found the inside of his mind an interesting place, now that he was firmly the only thing in it. It was a barren skyscape, with fragments of stone seemingly floating in place. He was sure that at some point it had been a beautiful land, but when, or where, that was, he could not recall.

Tom made his was from stone to stone - he thought, and he was there. As he made his way, he could feel the light touch of memories both old and new on his being... and he felt the scar of killing Theria most of all. He paused in a spot as a larger presence inpressed itself on him. He could feel it's inherent evil; its desire to destroy Tom above all else. And it spoke to him, if it was speech - Tom was not entirely sure whether speech was possible in the fragmented area. "Have you no remorse? Did you not see what you did? Let me remind you... this was not the first time you killed innocents..."

Almost instantly Tom's world spun, and put him back into the alleyway where he murdered the child and his parents. Yet something was different this time, something was more evil tha it originally was. Tom could see his own face as well as those of the victims. He looked hardened, impassive, remorseless. He seemed black to himself, black like the pitch of night. And as he watched his own onslaught, he was disgusted to find that he was smiling with glee as he decapitated the father. He watched the memory which had haunted for so long, determined to endure the mental torture he was forced into... until he looked at himself looking into the carriage which held the child, the target. He watched as an evil smile crossed his features, and he slashed through the small carriage with one sword and finished the job by plunging his other sword straight through the head of the baby. And as his viewpoint changed to the mother of the child, observer-Tom vomited as Theria's face was superimposed on the mother's face, and doubled over when memory-Tom eviscerated her and took to eating the woman's liver.

"Do you see Tom? You have not changed. You will never change. When you awaken I will give you two choices - join me and submit your race to my service, or be tortured by your past for an eternity. Both are completely possible, but you will decide your future. As you always have."

Tom's mind (if it was possible - he was inside his mind, or, rather, a shell of what it had been previously) raced, flashing emotions as quickly as it could. It cycled through several before coming to rest: hate for the evil presence, fear, resistance, anguish, sorrow, love, joy, grief... soon enough, Tom found his mind was his own again and he was again in the fragment-scape. He resumed his exploring, searching for the way out. As he neared what he thought was a point of exit, the evil presence once again boomed throughout his head. "You will not get away so easily, Tom! I have you! You are my pawn, a slave shackled by his own actions! Now, ejoy your stay!"

He was forced through the rock platform on which he had been standing, and fell for what felt like minutes before crashing through another platform. He was falling again, and found it exhilarating, however terrifying it was. It took a set of five broken platforms for him to come to a stop, catching his breath on what seemed to be the floor of the landscape. He was suprised to find he was unhurt, much to his pleasure. And as he picked himself up to try again, he felt yet another presence approach him. This one was different - it was bright, and white. And as it approached him, he felt the evil thing boom out across his mind again. "Wha - what are YOU doing here?!"

And came the ethereal responce, "He has endured enough. Your tretchery can no longer hold him - he is mine now."
The two seemed to enter a duel with one another, words coming across some times and pure emotion others.
The black presence seemed to use rage, malevolence, and hate as its primary weapons; grief and remorse as its support. This was the polar opposite of the white presence, which use benevolence, love, and joy in its arsenal, along with elation and sever others.

"You cannot win," came the black voice.
"And you will never prevail."
"He is rightfully mine,"
"And he has proved himself to me."
"Do you not recall your bargain?"
"He is the exception. He is the rarity, the unexpected, the manifestation."
"You never agreed on anything... errghh... to that effect."
"It was there, ever-present. And you know it."
"Agh... umph... hem... Very well..." the blackness panted. "You may have him. I give up."
"I knew you would. You could have saved yourself the time."

Tom felt the black withdraw, and then vanish completely. His world flashed a bright white as the newest presence manifested itself within him.

"I suppose you have questions, Rethalar Daggerweave. And I may answer them - you have much time to ponder. You are very lucky you did not join me... I myself was suprised your mixing of magics did not cause you to pass. It seems to be a talent of you kings. Then again, you are the chosen kings for a reason..."

[Vithar-133]

Vithar could hardly think, his mind a cloud of frustration.

<Argh...Removing mental magicks! What was I thinking? He's far from magickless and all I get is this intense headache. Pray tell I don't have to move.>

Such was not the case. The demon's chains slammed down on Vithar's platform, throwing him onto another, leaving him breathless and in pain. Struggling to get up, Vithar noted the demon's choosing of another target. He could even tell who. The headache was stealing his vision.

<I could drink some of the reviving water...but no, that is best saved for someone else who'll need it more,> thought Vtihar, <At least I'm not dead...>

Vithar heard the demon's chain whip through the air, but did not see them. However, something made him jump to another stone. He managed to land without causing any damage. He reached into his pouch and got out a pinch of healing herbs. They'd clear his mind enough that he'd be able to move and dodge, but helping the group was almost out of the question. The darkness was some complete, Vithar feared he was the only one remaining. His only job was to remove Vayu's mental power, not fight his Demonic servants.

<I should never had accepted. I would have never had to deal with this...Although, this could easily have been my fault...>

The demon's chain whipped down again, this time, Vithar saw them, and reacted, dodging rather than jumping. Then...peace as the demon sought other targets.Vithar looked down, and saw only darkness.but he could see Rom, and Nowe.

<Time to do something worthwhile.>

Vithar looked around for a platform in the direction of the pair. He jumped as soon as he saw one. Several jumps and a few scrambles onto a platform or so brought him one jump away from The platform that Rom and Nowe were on. He had one chance to make the jump, yet is was far, about twice Vithar's height. Looking around Vithar heard the sound of chains whipping through the air with murderous speed. He had one choice. He jumped. He knew the stone shattered, but never heard it. Apparently only certain sounds traveled through this infernal abyss. He landed and rolled, stopping almost precisely at Rom's feet.

"Nowe, take this," said Vithar, handing him one of his waterskins, "It is enchanted water. Three drops should be enough for Rom. If not, give him two more."

<The High Council is going to have my hide for this one,> thought Vithar, <Well, mission accomplished. Assuming that I don't get crushed by Demonic feet...>

---------------------------------
((Vithar's in a semi-normal state of mind, although he can't do more than dodge, talk, and hope not to get hit by the chains.))

Edited by Vithar Megilaglar, 12 January 2009 - 09:57 PM.

[Ash]

(OOC: By Vortigern's will.)

Arngrim had seen those he was with struggle almost feebly against this mighty wizard almost in vain, however even the mightiest could attend to only so much going on at once, and Vayu was but one man. Vayu had caught Arngrim's eye only once, and had dismissed the warrior's unjustifiable swagger as nought more than an insignificance to be dealt with once the gifted had been dispatched. Arngrim had merely watched as the others grappled with, and were ultimately enmatched by, Vayu. Less others meant less people to share the spoils with. He was here for payment, not to get himself killed. And besides, their toils worked to his advantage, and although not immoral, Arngrim was not above using a situation such as this to his advantage.

It was only as all the others locked horns that he strode forward, sword in a single hand, trailing along the ground. "Lesson number one, Gramps," he said, the smirk still not leaving his face even as, at ten paces, a vicious bolt of purest black lightning lanced from Vayu's fingertips right in Arngrim's direction. He hefted the broadsword in front of him, presenting a barrier. Obsidian, and by extension Arngrim's sword Durandal, was infused of magic, and so it took the lightning like a rod, and diffused it into a void that seemed to sap the light from immediately around the sword. And Arngrim never broke stride. Indeed, the only change was the warrior's expression, which turned into a dark grin as both he sensed victory. He only then finished his sentence, "pay attention."

The shock and surprise in Vayu's face at the feat remained etched upon his visage moments later as Durandal tasted the flesh and blood from the wizard's neck, before the vile one had a chance to get off something a little more fierce. The magic that crackled around the room - and indeed that which afflicted the others - immediately dissipated as its creator's body crumbled to dust inside his robes; dark pacts and magickery were all that kept his ancient flesh attached to his bones. He picked up the robe on the tip of his sword and cast it into a wood fire at the end of the room. "The smell of urine was getting too much," he smirked as the cloth took flame, "I didn't like the idea that you people would lose to a cantankerous, incontinent old man. Watching you doing just that was...irritating."

[some_weirdGuy]

((i expected something a little more... epic. Oh well))
Zhar had moves with all due speed, ascending from his platform to near the top. he had then recommenced the duel with Vayu, lightning, magic, anything they could muster, was being thrown at each other. Vayu had then screamed to the Demon. Zhar barely had time to teleport away when a burst of corrosive, demonic hellfire obliterated all platforms between him and Vayu. Vayu had staggered a little, as had Zhar, both mages tired for their excertions.
Vayu had managed to do in less time what took Zhar most of his life to complete... but Zhar was stronger and he would win.
Zhar heard the bolt of lightning, and then Vayu's last cry
"NNOO!! I Was Suppose To Kill Vayu!" he screamed, as the platforms jerked back into place, making again one solid platform.

The group was all reunited, with Zhar sitting on the floor. A mighty shadow fell across them, as the demon reared up once more.
"I Am Disappointed You Didn't Kill Vayu Yourself, Zhar... But It Is Of No Consequence. Vayu's Soul Will Rot In Hell Regardless..."
The demon open out its hand, to revel an image of the tormented Spirit of Vayu Chained down, his innards splayed open for all to see and smaller demons biting and eating away at his skin. Large spikes has also been impaled all though his body, and judging from the odd angles they were bent at, his arms and legs broken. All the while he was on fire, and the screams of his agony came through clearly to the group.

The demon then disappeared, and a great rumble shook the sanctuary.
"This Place Is Falling Apart! said Zhar, motioning to the unraveling background, like a mist dissipating it faded to nothing, and to the platforms edges, which were cracking and crumbling to fall into the abyss.

"We Have To Get Out Of Here!..."

[Copaman]

((Just so that I don't exactly die in the hell hole, would somebody mind dragging me out? And I also expected something more epic for killing Vayu.))

Testing himself for the first time, Tom attempted to communicate. He had observed some of the rules of communication of the realm during the battle fought by what he presumed was Vayu and the unrecognizable presence which now filled his head. He started by flashing curiosity out into nowhere. Slow came the response, but it came nonetheless. "You want... to know who I am. And, I presume, why I am here."

Tom nodded his agreement, not sure if the presence saw it or not.

"Very well. I suppose you have a right to know. I am high priestess Shaut'al, of the temple of Feruilen, mother and caretaker of all. My consort at the temple of Vala'ai told me you had come to the Maughold. It is not often that the Maughold receives a deathknelven visitor, let alone the king of our people. Naturally, I took an interest to your presence. I followed you as you progressed through the unholy citadel... your skills have become remarkable. No doubt you have received the blessing of Vala'ai herself. As you neared Vayu I grew concerned; even with your company, he is beyond a doubt one of the greatest mages in all Arsencia. You surprised me with your ability to intertwine the Soulfyre native magic and the Ebrion bladeweave magic - it would take years of practice for anybody to bring them together as you did. And yet, you were tricked by him. What he has shown you was an illusion... In any case, he began his siege on your mind, at which point I stepped in, and, with help from my priestesses and the high priestess of Vala'ai, formed the illusion of being Feruilen herself. The combination of our strength and his being distracted by the battle allowed us to free you from his clutches. Vayu is now dead.

I am here to welcome you back to our order. The council of the Higher Gods finds that you are worthy of our redemption, after proving yourself to us through your defense of the woman you are with, as well as the party you travel in. We are going to bless you with a spell shortly; we think you will find your nightmares cease. Once again you will be able to look others in the eye and not have to hold back your torment."


Tom interrupted on accident, flashing a combination of emotions which translated roughly to "Thank you very much. And you said there was an illusion? Tell me of the battle!"

"You are extremely welcome. For too long we have been without a king. Find yourself a suitable queen and build the throne once more. We will return to Shadowfang Keep. The illusion was a crude way for Vayu to incapacitate you, and I must say it worked quite well. You really are a mess outside of this are. What you saw there, the dead body of Theria, was fake. You never killed Theria. She is alive and well, albeit a bit shaken. Vayu ended up summoning the right hand of the devil, a feat if we must say so. He was deprived of his strength by the summon, and apparently the newcomer to the party has a resistance to magic. Using this resistance, he was able to keep Vayu from harming him, and proceeded to decapitate the mage. A bit of an anticlimax, but a great favor for the nonhuman races. You are currently huddled in the fetal position, and are drooling on yourself. You have absolutely zero energy reserves left, but we will bless you with enough of our strength for you to recollect your memories and thoughts, and sleep for only a few hours instead of weeks or months."


This time, Tom used words to express himself. "My gratitude cannot be expressed though any means on this realm. You are all truly benevolent citizens. But I feel tired..."

"As you should. I am leaving now... the spell we are casting should take effect in mere moments after I am gone. Farewell, Tom Joad. You have earned our respect. Be sure you keep it."

And with that, the great white thing flashed out of existence. Tom blinked, and when he opened his eyes again, the realm of torn chunks of earth had vanished and in its place stood a great hallway; the main feasting hall of Shadowfang Keep as he remembered it. And as he slipped out of the hall and into the darkness which was now cascading in around him, he felt more alive than he had ever felt before, he felt his memories rush back to him, his thoughts recollect themselves, and he felt his protective barrier fall. He was passed out on the stone floor of Vayu's main chamber, and nothing more. His body uncurled itself, and sprawled prone on the floor. He would await his waking up.

[Vithar-133]

Vithar, not intent upon anything did not notice much until a large chunk of rock nearly crushed him. He then realized that Vayu must be dead.

<One thing I must do before I go...>

Vithar looked around, seeing Vayu's robes burning in a magic fire. He noted a silver brooch in the design of a sword over a circle. A similar clasp held his cloak on. Able to weave a small mental thread around the clasp (magically protected from damage), he called it to himself. He wrapped the brooch in a thin piece of cloth, and put it in his pack. He grabbed Tom, and followed the rest of the group when they left. The place was beginning to collapse at a faster rate, meaning that Vayu's long-set spells and incantations were beginning to unravel like loose thread.

"Ickth!" muttered Vithar rouhgly, "If we don't find a way out soon, Vayu's magic will soon completely unravel. I don't want to find out what that would be like!"

---------------------------------
((The brooch I was talking about looks something like this Mandalorian Symbol, with the exception that the feather is replaced by a katana/ sword and the drop and the seven shape mean different thing for different people.))

[Rafv Nin IV]

((EDIT: For clarification, this was a blast from the (near) past, which explained how Shava dealt with Vayu's exit.))

Shava glimpsed the separating floor through her half-closed eyes. She knew that she would be unable to delay Vayu's overthrow of her mind and keep her body from falling into the abyss simultaneously. Afraid, she quickly sent a message to Kasav. Hold him for a few seconds--whatever spells hold this place up are collapsing. He's doing too many things at once, and he's fading. As Kasav lost ground rapidly without a partner, Shava undid her rope belt and tied a hitch around her left leg. With the other end, she swiftly formed a figure-eight knot, looped the end through Thaos's belt, and followed the figure-eight back through, finishing with a small cinch on the end to keep it from unraveling. This effectively linked her to the human and put her life in his hands. Shava then returned to the battle for her sanity.

The last thresholds of Shava's mind fell to Vayu. Eagerly, the magician sought to destroy her consciousness: with the demon and the duel with Zhar to contend with as well as the gnomes' struggle, the magician cared less about capturing Shava and more about conserving his own strength. Slowly, the sorceror relented, and Shava and Kasav pressed forward. Take a look around, Shava! Someone else must be fighting him as well. The gnomess opened her eyes to the sight of Vayu's spell glancing off the Furya's sword. With one swift strike, the Furya beheaded Vayu. Shava could not think for the ecstasy of sensing Vayu's presence lift from her mind. Kasav began mending her mental wounds. Turning to Thaos, she spoke with slow and drunk lips, "He's gone...He's out of me...Carry me, now. I can't last much longer." Directly afterward, the gnomess passed into unconsciousness, slumping onto the floor.

Edited by Ravnin IV, 13 January 2009 - 01:48 AM.

[some_weirdGuy]

"This Way!" said Zhar. His good personality had taken hold now.
Come on, leave them behind, save yourself and leave them to fall to their doom said a voice in his head
yessss laughed a second
Kill The Bastard And Let Them Rot! We Have No Use For Them!
That Demon!
"aghh, Shut up Shut up! I will save them weather you like it or not" he said to himself, taking the lead as the group followed behind, most of its members being carried.
"Zhar, do you even know where to go?" said Theria
"dont not worry child, i will get you out of here with time to spare" and with that he quickened his pace, walking back towards the way they came
"We have to get to that door up there!" he yelled back over his shoulder, speaking up over the large cracking and rumbling of the quickly decaying sanctuary. a deep rumble like thunder could be head, and the platform where they had fought Vayu, now well behind them, pludged downwards, cracking away from the bridge they stood on
"hurry" Zhar called, breaking into a run...

[Vortigern]

((Ravnin, we've already killed Vayu. He's not fighting for Shava's mind any more... Also, yes, Rom's back up and running. I think we can assume he had a bit of Vithar's healing waters.))

Theria was beginning to panic. Of course, when the world is falling to pieces around you, this can be considered a healthy reaction.

"Isn't there something you can do?" she screamed at Zhar. "You're a magician!" Zhar paused, mid-stride.

"A good point, my lady. One moment, please." Zhar's eyes rolled up inside his head as he began chanting under his breath. As he continued the very air in front of him began to shimmer and split.

"What's going on?" asked Illyriel, Tom draped over one shoulder, Nowe helping to support him on the other side.

"Be quiet, elf," snapped Zhar through his chanting. "Now get out of here. Through the portal, if you would." Zhar indicated the glimmering, swirling hole that had just opened before him.

"After you," replied Illyriel uncertainly.

"Fine," agreed Zhar, stepping through the gateway. Theria followed, close on his heels, Thaos and Shava close on hers. Illyriel, Nowe and Tom slipped through behind her, and slowly the group came together again, somewhere entirely different.

"Where are we?" wondered Bazric, looking around.

"That's a very good question," murmured Thaos, looking around in surprise at the beamed ceiling, roaring fire and stunned patrons.

"What'll it be, folks?"

((I thought I'd wrap this up. I did say we wouldn't be coming back the same way. Basically, we're in a tavern somewhere in the lower Maughold, nobody is yet aware that Vayu is dead and Chapter 1 is drawing to a close. By which I mean it's finished but for a few alcoholism and TLC posts you may wish to make, or similar. I'll be starting up Chapter 2 on the morrow, but right now I'm going to sleep. More to come, lads and ladettes!))

[some_weirdGuy]

((@ vort: i thought Ravnin had just done a time-warp back to before Vayu died to show what Shava was doing during all this. cause at first i was thinking what you were, but then came to that idea... am i right in assuming that?))

Zhar had transported them to freedom, so intent had he been on reaching that door and the possibilities behind it that he forgot about the portal spell, but as Theria had reminded him, he had acted, and brought them to the tavern

"well... we're at a tavern, we have defeated Vayu and for once you are with me and not one of the others, let us celebrate" Zhar smiled, an alien expression on his features, bring a look of surprise from Theria.

Of coarse Zhar could not eat or drink, but that didn't mean he had to spoil it for the others. Inside one of his other personalities make a fake retching noise, to the jeering of some of the others
you make me sick, you goody-two-shoes bastard
agreement and snickering could be heard in the background, but Zhar merely smiled
Now you know how i feel when any of you are in control...

[Byakuya Kuchiki]

Nowe had once again slipped away from the group, travelling back into the depths of his forest only days after their fight with Vayu. His scimitars had been cleaned and sharpened, and his abilities had returned to him, all of them, and once again the call of the trees resounded. The burning had started again, as if the first town to be destroyed was not enough, now there was another, erected only a few miles from the ashes of the first, logging expeditions had already began. The trees call had almost dwindled to a faint whisper he had been away so long, but now that he was back in his chosen domain, their screams were agonizing. His staff blazing as the sound of the trees was amplified in front of him, making sure that no creatures would be near his destination, for once again he was on a mission, that to protect and save the trees.

He stood on the top of the battlements of the new town that night. This was built more like a fortress to keep the wilderness out, then as a town. The amount of wood used in this horrid place was enough to send Nowe into a frenzy. The plants and trees around the town had already mounted a barrier around the entire town, just in case the call of the trees shifted to devastation for the town. His left hand held his staff on this night, his right hand outstretched, holding a large fireball, enough to light the small area around the ramparts around him. He had no need of the light, he could see very well in the darkness, but only so far. With the light, he saw the entire town, and even of the trees that had been cut down in the center of the town square.

The call of the trees went into dead silence this time, but the energy of the forest had already been transfered to Nowe's staff, ready for him to pass judgement once more. Humans were roaming the streets, lit by lanterns, shops that had not closed at dusk were still open, inviting and warm. Women hurried through the night, not wanting to stay out longer then they needed. Men huddled in groups, talking. Nowe caught part of a conversation between three men:

"...there have been more disappearances in the forest as of late," said one.
"I don't like it. What with the other town being completely destroyed and the forest regaining the ground. Some say a rogue Drow who learned the druidic ways calls this his forest," commented another.
"Drow live underground, they could never come above, that would be absurd. The disappearances are probably just those that got lost..." said the last as they moved on past Nowe.

In fact, the disappearances had been those that Nowe had found cutting down the trees. He would pass immediate justice, swiping their heads from their shoulders, leaving the bodies for the scavengers to find. The humans had dared ventured into the forest that he protected. They had cut down the graceful, beautiful trees, and had been given no mercy. The time had come to end this, and the voice of the trees told him how.

The fireball in his right hand had been extinguished, and his staff now flared with more light then the noon-day sun. A loud cracking noise could be heard beneath the town, like that of a thousand avalanches all heading towards one single destination. The ground opened up, swallowing the center of the city, its people, houses, buildings, everything. The hole spread, sinking the entire town, and finally, when all was finished, the earth settled back into place, plants and trees already invading the new terrain. Nowe was left standing at the edge of the area, drained of all magical energy, but still able to move.

Before the night was out, he was back on the run, after the trail of his companions once more.

[Vortigern]

((Right, time for a bit of sequel setup!))

The moment that bastard Furya's sword had soaked up Winter Vayu's attack, the sorcerer had known he was doomed. A matter of seconds later his head had been removed from his body. He had been surprised at the lack of pain; he had never expected death to come as a relief, but relief it was, an end to the excruciating agony caused by the ravages of time, something no man could resist save by selling his own soul, and that Winter Vayu had never been prepared to do. His various and numerous otherworldly experiences had shown him that there was a heaven and a hell, afterlives of wondrous beauty and sickening torment, and that, should he sell his soul for the kind of immortality he had sensed in the other mage, he would be cursed, sent straight to hell to endure an eternity of crippling suffering. He had always intended to repent on his deathbed. Doubtless that was why the demon lord had sent a powerful servant to murder him, to rob him of the chance and to send him straight down into the clutches of the devil himself. Though quite who that Furya was, Winter Vayu had no idea.

His spirit had risen from his slaughtered body, leaving it in disgust. For a moment he had floated above the scene, watching his carefully constructed sanctum sanctorum collapse before his eyes as his killers fled the scene. He had been pleased to note that they were not even close to the exit before the mage split apart the very fabric of reality to grant them passage to freedom. It was that bitch she-elf's idea, he could tell. His attention drawn away from himself, Winter Vayu barely noticed as he began to descend, his soul being drawn ever so slowly into the fiery darkness that was to become his hell.

Winter Vayu noted that he had begun to tumble down into the depths of the void, further than the land of man and beast could possibly extend, deeper than the bowels of the earth, so deep that all hope of escape could be nought but a pipe dream. Eternity meant eternity in this place.

Abruptly he came to a halt, hanging still above a terrifying scene. Shackled beings, faceless, nameless evildoers of centuries past, future and present lay spread out beneath him, vultures circling above, ever circling, waiting for the imminent moment of death that would never come. There was no release for those who had spent their days in the pursuit of harm. Winter Vayu watched with interest as one of the vultures circled lower than the others, suddenly diving for a victim, talons gouging flesh and blood, ripping out innards, the splayed wretch screaming in enraptured torment. Winter Vayu could not help but wince at the sight, motionless though he was. A moment's calm reflection suggested to him that a similar form of magic to that with which he had held in thrall those who sought to kill him mere minutes before must be what held him so.

THE MAGIC OF MY KIND IS NOTHING LIKE THAT WHICH YOU KNOW, echoed a voice, though Winter Vayu did not hear it as a voice. It came as more of sensation, arriving in his mind without passing any barriers or organs or physical form at all.

"Who are you?" asked the deceased Lord Paladin.

I AM DEATH, THE DESTROYER OF WORLDS. I AM BIRTH, THE GIVER OF LIFE. I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA, THE BEGINNING AND THE END. I AM ONE AND MANY. I AM THE DARK AND THE LIGHT, THE DAY AND THE NIGHT. I AM THE ONE THAT GAVE YOU FREEDOM.

"Just so you could take it away?" wondered Winter Vayu.

ALL THESE DAMNED SOULS WILL BE OFFERED THEIR FREEDOM ONCE MORE, AND ALL WILL REMAIN HERE. A SOUL CANNOT BE ALTERED, WINTER VAYU.

"Then why bother offering?"

IT IS THE ACCORD.

"The what?"

THE SACRED ACCORD OF HEAVEN AND HELL. SINNERS MAY REPENT. NONE EVER DO. YOU WILL NOT EITHER. EVEN HAD YOU BEEN ABLE TO REPENT AT THE LAST, YOU WOULD HAVE ARRIVED HERE. THAT IS THE WAY OF THE WORLDS.

"Do you tell everyone this?"

NO. MOST COME HERE IN IGNORANCE AND SUFFER REGARDLESS. BUT YOU ARE DIFFERENT. YOU KNEW WHAT IT WAS TO HOLD DOMINION OVER THE EARTH AND SKY. YOU ARE NOT DESTINED FOR A FACELESS EXISTENCE AMONG THE DAMNED.

"You sound as though you have a proposition for me," said Winter Vayu, intrigued. "I thought it was supposed to be the other way around, me asking you for a deal."

I AM NOT THE DEVIL, WINTER VAYU. I AM EXISTENCE ITSELF. HOWEVER, YOU ARE CORRECT. YOU WILL RETURN TO THE WORLD YOU KNOW AS MY SERVANT AND CARRY OUT MY BIDDING.

"What makes you think I would wish to serve the lord of hell?"

YOUR OTHER CHOICE IS TO BECOME ONE OF THEM. The sensation, though formless, indicated very clearly the screaming, tortured souls below.

"I think you already know my answer," said Winter Vayu, his spectral form smiling.

VERY WELL. BUT FIRST, THE ACCORD MUST BE RESPECTED.

Winter Vayu's eyebrows furrowed, suggesting his curiosity at this last statement, in the moment before his soul began to plummet once more, falling to ground at heartstopping speed. If he had still possessed a heart, anyway.

He landed on a flat, hot rock and found he could taste blood in his mouth. He raised a hand to his face and saw, to his astonishment, that his physical form had regenerated, back to a younger age, to his glorious youth when he had been an unstoppable force, a rising power that the world could not hope but contend with. He wiped away the blood and turned to look up. The very instant he was facing the right way, shackles rose from the ground on either side of his rock, launching themselves at his wrists and ankles, latching on with a minimum of delay and flattening him on the rock, arms and legs splayed widely.

Above, the vultures circled.




((Yes! He'll be back! But not just now. We have a break for the moment.))