Topic: Out of the Mists

Isabella Dawnshadow

Date: 2007-04-01 00:06 EST
Off in the distance the thunder rumbled, the sound carrying like a low growl over the land, shaking the limbs of trees and sending ripples flowing over water. The clouds grew darker, heavier, with the air taking on a cruel tension. Silence, as forest life had already found cover from the coming tempest. A red spike of energy cut across the blackness above, splitting through the angry looking scene, spikes forking in a myriad of directions before eventually spearing into the earth below.

More followed, spiraling in the heavens was a light show of intense energy. With every hissing crack that followed, a slow creeping mist rolled and grew dense and concentrated. There was a scent of magic in the air, a subtle fragrance caught on the wind. It sang of beauty and promises, yet to the more discerning it carried with it an underlying melody of dangers unseen woven around those foggy motes.

Amidst the phenomenon, the faintest tone snapped through the darkness. Reminiscent of batwings as they broke loose from their nesting trees to feed. Leaves trembled, some tumbling from their places upon high branches and falling in a tornado cloud to the earthen floor below as brutal claws took purchase upon those study limbs. A dozen glowing blood red eyes gazed down from lofty heights while leathery wings settled against marble and granite forms.

For only a space of moment that silence again reigned, but quickly was shattered with the rattling of gleaming black forms. Scaled armor clattering dully, muffled by the mists around them. It was the only sound made as they stepped through the vapor, and several pairs of bestial reptilian eyes glared through slashes cut in their helms.

Blurring of motion as darkness coalesced behind. Sharper shadows, with barbed, jagged edges keen and cutting as any spear, spilled out of the obscuring nebula of swirling fog. Malevolent laughter split through the stormy night while those inhuman forms scattered, fading into the very landscape around.

Leaves rustling with the sweep of a skirt, and she appeared, the mist falling away from her lithe form like a silken cloak of gray shade. Cast in a sharp flash of lightening, a snap shot of ethereal beauty. Cherry brown waves of silken hair tumbled down around her, contrasting with perfection against the exposed satiny skin. Dark eyes shone, the sapphire shade enhanced by the depraved glint as she looked around with the sarcastic arching of a brow.

She stood with regal grace, for she was of the Unseelie royal lines, one of many princesses. Aye, her kind did enjoy the pleasure of the flesh and fury, and while she was one of a dozen, she had a most talented touch that made her a favorite. Few others had her creativity or special skills. Those very unique abilities had garnered her a small contingence of personal minions who had arrived just before her. "Are you sure this is the right place? I see....rustic."

Isabella Dawnshadow

Date: 2007-04-01 00:08 EST
"It is Milady." Rasped were the words from one of the four Mandrake guards serving her. He made not a move, just the hissed dulcet sound to identify him from the rest, their features indistinguishable behind those masking helms.

"He best be here Dalos, or I might take my wrath out upon you." Her tone was curiously gracious and at odds with the anger radiating, as she moved forward, sending mist flowing back as if cut by an unseen blade. Delicate hands, soaked in blood, lifted, stretched out before her and the sense of magic sizzled in the air and was quickly followed by aberrant melodious laughter. "Indeed, perhaps you will keep those wings for another day. Come. My escapee is this way. Weakened and foolish, and praying for salvation he is. Ah, Seelie Knights are always such delicious fun to torment."

She could taste the desperation the elven male felt, the air was colored with it and her smile was even more capricious. Sapphire blue eyes glowing, radiating perverse delight, as the holy man's anguish was decadent fruit, the way it coursed over her senses. Behind her, the minions followed, their steps unnaturally silent. As she glided forward on nimble bare feet, the grass was barely disturbed at her passing, unlike those trailing in her wake, their heavier gaits leaving deep impressions in the damp earth.

Perceptive her gaze, catching sight of her victim, slumped against a tree just a few feet shy of the lake's edge. The lightening above a rippling of reflection over the lapping surface and her expression was much like that of a predatory bird. "Does that god hear you Taliesin?" She felt the revolting purity and peace he sought to reclaim, but weak as he was, his will was waning.

The male jumped as if shot, haggard, blood soiled features turning to look at her and he winced. To look upon him one wouldn't know he was a Royal Knight of the Seelie. His pale hair was matted and ratty, skin sallow and taut upon fine bones. He looked aged well past his time, nearly drained of life energy and Isabella just gloried at the sight of her work.

"Will it send down messengers to save you? Some brethren to rescue you?" Hands coated in his vitae rose, pointing at the angry sky above. "That is not your god's magic Taliesin, that is mine. Has your entire existence been a lie?" Isabella's query was soft and conversational, flowing in a gentle cadence as if speaking to a child or one of feeble mind.

A whispered voice behind her and she spun around, soft folds of red silk slithering around bare legs and luminous skin. "What?" Isa snapped, her tone sharp and biting like a sudden surging winter gust.

Isabella Dawnshadow

Date: 2007-04-01 00:09 EST
"His god does not live in this place." A gauntlet lifted, pointing towards the sky where clouds have cleared briefly. More then one moon shone there, casting a feeble light downwards across the ebb and flow of the lake's body. "His magic fails him now. He carried himself not to near home, but some place else My Lady." Sibilate words holding her attention.

Cherry dark locks drifted back from her body with the slow rising of her head, gazing at the orbs hanging high above as she breathed in the air. The magic of this strange place tasted and absorbed. A unique energy, for it was a plethora many flavors, both of the dark and of the light of several in between. So intoxicating it was she grew light headed for a moment and more laughter spilled from luscious ruby lips. "Ah, Taliesin, you have made a new discovery. Pity you won't have a chance to explore it."

Wheeling about, as her prey faltered and sank to the ground, bent upon weakened knees. The arrogance lost to a creature now broken and weeping. Isabella moved towards him, a light touch of her caked fingers to the crown of his head and he cried out. "Mercy Lady!"

"Do you wish mercy Taliesin?" For the moment her touch was soothing. Calming the pain deep within ill knitted bones and sinew and she smiled. Her look, angelic and gentle seeming before lifting his chin to stroke his scar riddled features.

"Aye Lady! Mercy!" He had cracked. Looking into wild glassy eyes that had lost reason and hope she laughed softly, carefully-manicured fingernails feathering the softest of touched to his cheek.

"Then it is mercy I shall give. It is the least I can do since you led me to a new place to frolic my dear Knight." Under her stroking fingers skin paled underneath the streaks of blood and his lips parted in a soundless scream of agony. His bones twisting from within as she stared into the Knight's contorted and tormented features. Isa reveled in the surging of dark powers unleashed before she released him, her spell still active as he sank before her dainty feet. Taliesin's body fell to the ground to flop about in tortured misery and soon followed by the noticeable sound of bones snapping and popping like dry twigs under the power she wielded.

Taking the blade from her Mandrake captain, she stalked over once her prey finally stopped moving and nonchalantly pushed him to his back with her foot. The rattling breath of shattered ribs music to her sharp pointed ears and a throaty chuckle fell. "Indeed Mercy you will have Taliesin." Nimble and quick with the movements of one well used to such sword play, the blade swung about, sending a spray of blood against the tree he had sought refuge. Staining it for life as his head was neatly sliced from his shoulders and sent tumbling over the grass in a gory display. "They just don't make them like they use to Dalos. Pity really. I had thought this one would last longer."

Returning the gleaming, vitae soaked, black blade to the Mandrake captain, she smiled serenely. "Still, those final moments were delightful to behold. Gives me quite an appetite. Shall we explore this new realm and find something to nibble upon?"

Just the inclination of a black helmed head in a silent agreement was the reply, but she knew behind that mask, her minion were smiling and well fed.

Isabella Dawnshadow

Date: 2007-04-19 00:34 EST
Her and her horde hadn't gone to far when Isabella paused. Head lifting to sense the wind and feeling the magnetic pull upon her sinister nature. The song was a mellifluous drone. Layered and beautiful, a dirge of abject misery yet rife with an air of promise, that it caught her attention fully. Shimmering sapphire eyes turned in a rush towards the tallest of the Mandrake escorts. "Do you feel that Dalos?"

"Yes." He responded, having stepped up, towering over her, a hand resting negligent upon the hilt of the fire blade he favored. The reptilian slit eyes just as intense as her own as he seemed to catch a sample of wind. "It's this way Milady."

Elbow caught, Isa made no protest being led as she was. Dalos was her sword after all. Among other things, as she might threaten or snipe, but knew his soul was as dark as her own and hungers if possible more insatiable. Their goals also favored the other fitting like pieces of a grand puzzle of fate.

Dust motes danced along the earth they walked and the breeze grew denser. Thicker, shifting from the light tugging to harder gusts that pulled at cloaks and hair with rough unseen fingers. Steps grew strident, determined their movements and Isabella eventually drew to a sharp and sudden stop. Mildly winded and her contemplative features obscured by the tousled and mussed cherry locks.

Her inner senses smoldered and burned at the touch with the enthralling melody louder in her head and the pulling attraction, Malevolence calling to the same absorbed and reflected upon. It was drawing her closer still. Alluring and dangerous, but that promise far to irresistible and impossible to ignore. Captivated and curious, Isabella's gaze searched outwards, past the obscuring trees, limbs quivering under the force of the steadily building wind.

Below that hill, acres of death?s domain awaited. Tombstones, marble edifices and monuments to those far to gone to care and along with such maudlin sentiment, the ever present stench of rot lay heavy here. Twisted and gnarled trees cast their macabre shadows upon the mounds of worm-infested earth, which they protected. The silence reigned, for those of less attuned senses, yet for her it only served to make that depraved sonata appear louder in Isabella's thoughts.

One solitary rise, standing off as if isolated from the rest drew her zealous gaze. Her supernatural vision seemed to envision the writhing forms upon those ornate doors. Figures twisting and screaming for mercy they could never find. For Isa, she saw beauty there and was drawn to it instantly. "Over there."

Another blast of a frigid wind sent the silken hair flying back from her pale features and she stepped forward, while at her side Dalos did the same with a low rumbling of laughter echoing from under the helm he was already seeking to remove with the rising of armored hands. Blue-black hair falling with the slanting of radiant eyes towards the place that beckoned with tantalizing sensations. "I think it is expecting us, Isa. What ever "It" is."

Isabella saw little reason to reply, as his words rang true, for she felt the tug stronger now as those writhing forms, carved deep within the marble shifted again before her captivated sapphire gaze. Their eternal suffering radiating so deliciously, she could not tear her attention from it.

"We need an offering Milady." How he knew such, was ever a mystery, Dalos' innate abilities were an enigma to Isabella. "Allow me to rectify that oversight on our part." In a flickering of darkness he sprang free, rising from the ground in a rushing of wind and scattered leaves. Even in the dark the glow upon blue tipped scales illuminated briefly before he soared away with the beat of leathery wings. The Dragon form lost from her sight in seconds seeking a quick victim to offer as gift to what or who ever awaited them within that enthralling and enticing darkness.

Dalos

Date: 2007-04-20 04:02 EST
To obtain a living, breathing offering was neither chore nor obligation; it happened to be exactly what he needed . . .

To feed on the pain of the sacrifice.

To see the fear.

To hear the scream.

To watch life " that fragile, delicate thing called life " slip away to wherever life goes when it no longer resides within a body.

Two young boys were walking home. One would live in fear for the rest of his life. The other would meet the rest of this life this night. Which would live and which would die would be something Lord Dalos would decide only at the last second.

The black eyes of the cobalt dragon radiated in hunger as it dove through the cold night air. At the last minute he selected the boy on the left. Clawed feet lifted the shocked boy off the ground, and purple-black wings that glistened in the moonlight carried him up and away.

The screams of his brother quickly faded far below and behind them.

- - -

The wind gusted against the trees which were just beginning to show their spring leaves. The shaking of branches and whipping of dust and leaves into the air announced the arrival of the cobalt dragon as he landed and assumed the mandrake form of the noble Seelie Captain. He grasped the rear collar of the fear-immobilized lad, lifting him off the ground as if he were merely carrying some skinny cony into camp to be skinned and cooked over a fire.

Lord Dalos came to Isabella and bowed, his left hand pressed against his chest. "Milady, the offering has arrived." He dropped the boy to the ground between them.

Isabella Dawnshadow

Date: 2007-04-24 05:11 EST
And what a delicious morsel Dalos had provided. The boys paralyzing fright a welcoming repast after the earlier unsatisfying conclusion of that Royal guard's untimely death. Silky soft laughter floated from her lush lips as she stepped towards the mandrake Captain and drew a caressing line of tantalizing fingers along the side of his beautiful face. "Ah, you are so cunning Dalos." She crooned softly.

That light gentle touch performed expressly to ignite the sensation of pleasure as reward for his uncanny insight and the choice of gift. Sapphire eyes glowed with the surge of energy the dark emotional horror created. The air was heavy with the scent the youth exuded but still remained unmoving. Caught within the coils of the "Aura of Fear" Dalos could evoke at will and Isa had seen very few that could resist its insidious effects.

Mingling with the exhilarating rapture of terror, that darkness still called out. The melody haunting and mystical, like an invisible hand gently pulling upon her senses. The lullaby swam upon her thoughts with infernal promises that could only spring from the depravity of true radiating evil.

Hard fingers tangled in the silken cherry curls, pulling her back a mere second before she sought to draw free, such was how attuned he could be to Isabella's behavior. "Tease." Dalos hissed, the grip only just shy of being destructive but still painful enough to capture much of her attention.

Soft as velvet the laughter fell, coiling around the senses in silent expectation. "Indeed Milord. Yet I do know you enjoyed it nevertheless." In that mingling of touch, skin against flesh, she felt the hunger he held at bay. The knowledge deepening from the clash of dark blue and golden green eyes. Isabella could read the same allure the sinister concerto had upon him. "You can seek to admonish me later Milord, but for now, something else calls to us both." Her words a wanton pledge.

Spinning away with skirts flaring around her legs in a tantalizing kaleidoscope of silken folks and bare skin, Isa nudged the still terror- trapped offering with a dainty foot. "Perhaps we should gift wrap this." In a flash a small dagger was brought to fore slashing a fine line across the youth's smooth cheek, the action sending the intoxicating copper scent of blood into the night air to mingle with the already compelling fragrance of fear. The entwining ambrosia radiant with decadent possibilities and cleverly crafted to be enticing and beguiling to the insidious evil that beckoned them.

Giminicka

Date: 2007-04-25 23:18 EST
"By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes." -Macbeth Act IV, scene i

The nighttime sonnets floated gracefully through the stormy sky. Simultaneously, however, the whirling scents of eminent death and grim tidings of a looming war seemed to creep ever closer to the lonely beachhead of this presently hushed, forlorn city.

Atop the blackened roof of the IronHelm Flats, not more than eight feet from colossal statue of the noble knight sentry, the Priestess of the Lord of Murder stood alone. There on this newly consecrated citadel, a primal evil which was beginning to yawn once more exposed its hateful eyes to envision and create a misshapen pathway which would invariably lead to the festering bosom of the chaos ridden Abyssal kingdoms.

Giminicka could feel the icy tendrils on the very wind itself. Her green eyes were closed.....passively. The visions rampaged forth, blitzkrieging her twisted mind with coarsely whispered information......distant places........assorted names.......and new faces.

There, in the untamed darkness, Nocent viewed the shimmering of the blood-tinged emulsion sprayed about on grimy, ashen walls which were seemingly peppered with flaccid, severed limbs.........all were coated with a congealed acidic liquid which caused the underlying dissolving flesh to spasmodically convulse. The surrounding mounds of smoldering corpses were coated with blood and animal urine..........faceless heads contorted and malformed....fetid with the bitter stench of writhing putrescence.

The visualization aroused Nocent in all of its unclean and brutal dreadfulness. The concerto of gore roared on....

It was clear to her now. The night had regurgitated yet another new visitor........a seductive denizen of such malice, that her aura and soul were as black as Hell's heart.

Her gauntlets of crimson iron clenched tightly closed as the face of this "angel" thundered into Giminicka's ongoing recollection. A demonic porcelain visage framed with cherry locks crept closer into discernable view. Soon after, the immoral name rolled off of her tongue with a lethal poise before slithering into the freedom of the night air.

"Isabella......Isabella Avaron of the House of Dawnshadow.............I admirably call to you and yours. The oath of impending crusade is given and indubitably sealed with the hallmark of slaughter. Search for the "Iron Knight' and you shall find me.......here I shall wait.....hungering for your impure touch and thirsting for the coppery flavor of your ruby lips. Seek Hell......Seek me."

Nocent's hushed intonation was now directed elsewhere, yet she was still quite alone. Her voice was as brooding as it was deadly......"An Adoni you have led here, my Lord. Renown for their depraved callousness and passionate sadism..........a weaver of ghoulish nightmares and a vessel for unholy indulgence.........with all the imposing power over the supernatural tomes of the long forgotten tongues.......the black magic of the damned."

A psychotic smile broadened on the Fallen Sister's sun-kissed face.......so baleful was this devote Daughter of Hell as she whispered to the very nucleus of Heaven with scornful intent, "Scathachian honor......Scathachian justice.....Scathachian faith........I long to see your tireless resolve in the face of Andoni sorcery......torture.......and death."

A new evening had come.

A new card had been dealt.

And so, this exquisite "card" would come to her.........it would recognize her very presence......and it would unsurprisingly bask in her outward lust for blood, murder, and merciless destruction. Giminicka turned, her blood-red cape hugging her ominous, armored form as she pulled open the heavy steel door upon the rooftop and then slowly descended back into the bowels of the condemned IronHelm Flats.

Dire preparations and a greatly sought after gift must be made ready for this sultry dominatrix of sin and her approaching entourage of evil. This one would come at a high price........Isabella Avaron Darkshadow, The Queen of Diamonds.

Isabella Dawnshadow

Date: 2007-05-02 03:34 EST
The melody had spawned words, slithering around attuned senses and bringing a faint shiver to her form. Such softly hissed chants, captivating her attention and a slow curling smile touched lush lips. Turning in a circle with a lifting of brilliantly glittering sapphire eyes Isa searched into the murky light.

"Isabella......Isabella Avaron of the House of Dawnshadow.............I admirably call to you and yours. The oath of impending crusade is given and indubitably sealed with the hallmark of slaughter. Search for the 'Iron Knight' and you shall find me.......here I shall wait.....hungering for your impure touch and thirsting for the coppery flavor of your ruby lips. Seek Hell......Seek me."

The shadowy form rising up was like a magnet for her gaze. The Stone edifice regal and imposing as it stood watch over a tomb that carried a scent of malice and death. Delicate was her steps as she moved in that direction, floating with grace in a swirling of disturbed leaves with the swish and sway of silken skirts.

Growing closer, their offering's fear grew and eventually he broke from the spell, a horrified, fragmented scream was dragged off into the whipping wind. Before another could be unleashed, a rough gauntlet caught the youth by his throat, muffling the subsequent sound. Reptilian gold eyes flashed in fury with another low hissed growl and the squirming gift subsided. Slipping back into the stupor of terror.

Isa barely even noticed, pausing still and silent to gaze upwards at the "Iron Knight" contemplating the meaning of such a thing. It was a fleeting moment however, for soon she moved inside, following the alluring aria deeper into the darkness of IronHelm Flats.

Giminicka

Date: 2007-05-24 07:27 EST
A slow tilt of her head as the priestess silently watched.

This curvy temptress was bathed in the aura of pure sorcery and shrouded in the unmistakable cape of the dark arts......even more so than her newfound Drowish ally, Micar'shalee. Highly impressive.

Giminicka wasted no time.

This dark Adoni herald had at last arrived........journeyed from a distant land.........with distant customs........with different pleasures....but with a not so distant loathing for all who breathed the airs of righteousness.

She allowed the visitor and her cabal entry into the abandoned colossal building known as the IronHelm Flats.....she allowed her to breathe in the fetid air of death.......the rich scents of lingering pain and spilt blood which coalesced into an entrancing aroma of tainted nausea and dampened lust. There, in the shadows of this spacious ground floor, Giminicka slowly approached the powerful sorceress Isabella DawnShadow from the gloomy confines of the chilled hallway.

The Anti-Scathachian was adorned in her full crimson cloak which concealed the Temple's forged armor that caressed and hugged her muscular body like a well fashioned glove. As she pulled back her cowl, Nocent's voice was as sickly sweet as it was deadly....dripping with malice like an ornate cup which had overflown its bountiful contents: "Greetings My Lady.......hail to you and yours from the black void which you have boldly crossed. I bid you welcome to the sinful womb of annihilation and rebirth......to the very iron platform from which the decisive crusade to propagate the glorious downfall of hope......justice.....and naive peace shall be staged."

Nocent bowed her head in respect to her new Queen of Diamonds......This Red Queen of Lord Bhaal.......whether Isabella herself knew it yet or not. Giminicka's distinct emerald eyes were ablaze with unbridled insanity and a savage intensity which nearly exposed the ravenous Beast within.

Her voice easily cut through the heavy silence once more......"I am called Nocent....Priestess and Warlord to the dark Lord of Murder, and Emissary of Hell's Gates. Like yourself, I too have been earnestly called forth to massacre and wage battle upon the denizens of this feeble realm. They are fodder......crippled lambs to be slaughtered. Yeah though our foes give sacrifice and praise to the just and inherent good of mankind.......our pathway of vengeful murder shall fast overtake them.

You, magnificent Isabella, have been shown the blood-stained way here to me so that we may unite and fortify our common crusade. Your presence here will truly be exalted.......your sadistic might shall be worshipped........rivers of red blood shall flow from the gouged eyes of your opposition just as surely as their tongues will be vigorously torn from their false mouths......leaving but fleshy roots behind to tickle their anguished throats. This is but a taste of our work.....a savoring of our design."

Giminicka extended her crimson gauntlet towards the sinister Andoni wizardress, whose beauty was impossible to ignore.......yet unattainable for any mere mortal to possess.

The Beast within finally spoke aloud to the immoral caller, "Now that I have bade you welcome.......I entreat your attention. We have much to discuss my love.

Isabella Dawnshadow

Date: 2007-06-10 00:23 EST
The melody played within her mind, enhanced by the aura of darkness that beckoned and a smile of such evil delight curled upon full lips. Such lovely words danced within that tune of allure she found them far to hard to resist and deeper into the shadow of that temple her flowing steps carried her.

Sapphire eyes glittered upon the sight of the one rising from the shadows. The very presence drew her attention with the slow lifting of her head casting waves of soft cherry locks away from her willowy frame to regard the arresting and forceful woman. She was obviously the provocative diva, her voice proving to have been the creator of the aria of temptation that sang of nefarious predilections and promises. "Greetings My Lady.......hail to you and yours from the black void which you have boldly crossed. I bid you welcome to the sinful womb of annihilation and rebirth......to the very iron platform from which the decisive crusade to propagate the glorious downfall of hope......justice.....and naive peace shall be staged." Such a seductive covenant laid out like a succulent buffet for one of her kind, so hedonistic and sinful the attraction was instantly unleashed with an answering hunger. Isa could only laugh in a sound that was akin to a delighted child being offered a new coveted toy.

Incandescent sapphire eyes swung towards Dalos and Isabella breathed in the energy he radiated, that silent approval understated, but she felt it with a shiver. Hence she offered no hesitation for such words drew an eager acceptance. The graceful rising of delicate fingers curled about that offered gauntlet, even before the last word the majestic creature spoke had drifted off.

"Now that I have bade you welcome.......I entreat your attention. We have much to discuss my love."

"After such a delightful welcoming, I could hardly refuse such a beguiling invitation Nocent." Isabella's dulcet reply issued softly, unwilling to disturb the aura of unholy darkness swirling about.