The unknown and known lives of so many passed below the window?s pane, going on about their own way across cobble and stone beneath them, completely unaware of what was under their feet or uncaring.

?See that piece of old paper? In the street??

?Yes. It?s been there all morning?

?How many people do you think noticed it??

?Several I would say, if not most.?

?Either they are completely unaware or don?t wish to be.?

?Your Grace??

?The trash. They think if they ignore it long enough, it will go away. But it doesn?t go away on it's own.?

The old part of a current newspaper was caught in the breeze and danced a happy circle across the cobble and stone before being caught up in a passing cart wheel and tossed back to the other side of the street.

?Some one always has to clean up. To do what others would not do themselves. Yet, they will all claim to have done their part.?

Jenai watched for just a moment more,

?Allegria, go pick it up.?

Allegria didn?t hesitate. With out a word to the Commander or other occupants in her office,

Jenai could see her out on the streets soon after. She halted a small group of chattering women, no doubt on their way for a social tea or something of the like, before she scooped over to retrieve the bit of rubbish and swiftly return.

They had gathered as scheduled, The Clandestine Order of Scathach now kept company of the Order of Delphyne and the surviving Elder Clergy of the Marfa?s Abby, streamers of their colors now hung from the C.O.S.?s banner marking them as true allies.

?I?ve waited long enough, wanting to give them a chance. I gave them the chance he was giving them and now..? Jenai turned from the window and walked to several open maps on the far wall. Marks of numbers colors and shapes littered more than one that her eyes drew over sternly.

?... and it took a slap to the face to send them into real action. Yet! instead of action they floundered, flailed, and spun like a top wondering what to do now.? She put her hands behind her back clasping her one hand with the other as she paced slowly back to her desk.

Seated next to Sir DeFranque, Jobehr watched, his mind going back to details the small few of them had discussed late into the previous night, adding to that, the new information that seemed to come about everyday. Even with the news only seemed to solidify the course of action rather than change it.

Jenai continued, ?Reactionary. That is all, which isn?t bad if you like being a puppet. Pull a string here, and there and watch them dance. So caught up in the movement none of them have noticed for all that jumping and jerking they?ve gone nowhere.?

Allegria had returned and spoke quickly, ?We are ready,? addressing them all. She addressed the Paladins directly next, ?Mounts and supplies await. ?Redhorn has seen and waits with your steads Sir.?

As they all moved from the office Allegria moved up to walk beside Jenai. ?We were able to find an extra mount, I have it next to mine. But...? they reached the streets that had become their staging point. ?But wouldn?t it be wise to take more than one??

?I don?t expect us all to comeback.? she answered with no hint of a smirk, no wink, no jesting tone. Jenai?s reply had been stated so matter of fact that all Allegria could do was nod. ?We have a stop to make before leaving.That, is what the extra mount is for.?

Jenai had not told them they would have an extra guest along. She?d remembered something and conferred privately with Jonathan and the Abbot after the others had turned in.Something, or someone had come to mind the second her head had hither pillow.

They came to a stop outside a shop Allegria had never seen before. As she looked too the others, she could tell by the look on Tylsia?s, Khelle?s, Merril?s, and the other?s face they too had never seemed to have noticed. But it wasn?t like they had the time to go shopping like a bunch of Rhydin Housewives. They knew their patrols, the knew the streets and area?s enough but here and there they would have to admit it seemed a new building popped up in the city as if over night... or vanished just as quickly. Rhydin was a quirky little place.

Jenai dismounted and walked up, a chimes ignaled her crossing the threshold as the multi paned door opened into the Onyx Lotus.

Myllyanna looked as if she?d stepped out of another time and place adorned with ruffled lace and cloak worked buttons. You could still see and feel her embroidered silks and influance from her own home world under the brass and layers. Ami stood next to her in a very modest yet high quality Victorian maid dress.

?You are a far cry from last time we met Jenai?, Myllyanna answered her unspoken question. ?But I doubt this is the topic of the message I received to grant you audience.? She could see the very statement she made must have been like sand paper on Jenai?s spine.

?Yes a very far cry. A Commander now instead of a follower? Your faith feeds you and your army well.?

Jenai?s eyes flickered as she thought over her exact next words. Of course the Dragon Lady knew of things going on here in this realm, when when she was in another. This place seemed to always be under her eye.

?I have come for Garet?
?You?ve become bold?
?He knows things that...?
?He knows many things...?
?... that may help us?
?I think it?s unwise to interrupt the giftee?
?I think it was you that interrupted first and it was not to be rude, Mistress, I did not wish to insult you by taking the time you have granted to see and meet with me by mincing words or not being direct with my intentions.?

At first Myllyanna had been indeed ready to deny everything the Lady Ravenlock had to ask of her, but say that she?d learned quickly to back up boldness with political sizzle words and phrases. Perhaps there would be something to this... but this did nothing to diminish an anger that had ignited at being so brazenly spoken to.

?Jax is mine. You ask for much. He is not a trinket or token merely to be passed around to any that ask for him. You have already asked for my help before if I recall correctly. Yet here you come again with your.. ?Holy Entourage? outside my very door!? Ami had taken a step back as her Mistress rose from her chair as quickly as the tone in her voice changed.

?Yes I have asked and you helped. This is more than just mere help . You know what this is! And if you deny this than you are no better than the rest.? Jenai was afraid she?d gone too far but what did she have to lose. If they had to go without him...

?I can do this without him some how. He is not Key, he is a tool. Yes it is not just for Me I seek this. It?s for the rest even you. You know what is happening and you know why you do not stay. But if you give him to me you know I will have answers more quickly! He knows something!?

If Jenai was angry or frustrated it was well hidden. She projected with her voice the sense of strength and confidence that some how Myllyanna would see it her way and no other. It was the stone coldness of her tone that infuriated Mylly and intrigued her. Which irked her even more.

?It doesn?t matter what you want or need. It is what I want in the end. And you ask for him with out asking for the price like I should just hand him over just because you asked.?

Jenai let there be a moment passing as Ami looked up from the floor to her Mistress which still stood there with one across crossed her body, the other hand bringing her cigarette holder to her lips. She?d not seen her Mistress with such a perplexed, perturbed look on her beautifully painted face in such a long time.

?That?s because he is not a token as I respectfully agree with you Mistress Myllyanna,? Jenai had to think quickly as she guessed Mylly was at least thinking about it. ?But if there is a price for you aide, then I accept it. For this is not for me, it is for many. And in that there is no price too high.?

Ami saw a flash, a spark, in those eyes finally. A challenge. Ami?s dark eyes went back to the floor. Happy and sad at the same time. For a moment she thought she saw a moment of humanity, but she?d been wrong.

?I accept.?

The sun would be setting soon as they had just left the City. It would be a half days ride with two short stops before , putting them at their destination in the early morning well before the sun would rise. Everyone was given an easy morning and light meals, the winter night would be their only issue but she?d insisted they wear only what they needed to stay warm enough during the day and save the layers for the night and it?s dampness. She wanted them comfortable and warm to keep them loose instead of too warm or saddle sore, stiff, shivering.

Stopping to camp was too big a risk as they would could be spotted by fire and resting and night in the cold with out it would leave them stiff and groggy. No... warmed coffee, teas, sweet breads, and light meats would have to do.

A figure atop a gelding of fleabitten grey approached at a leisurely pace on the road ahead. With a tattered grey and white peasant's cloak it seemed to hard to tell where where one ended and the other began. But the flash of crimson on the inside of the cloak...

?Sister Yasra, good to see you? Jenai nodded as they meet up, shortly. Yasra turned her horse and road next to her, speaking softly. Yasra was from a deserted people and an adapt scout used to many climates and espionage if her own people. She wore a scar around her neck and across her right cheek as a reminder that she had once been a target of her own trade.

?Is good to see you as well your Grace. I have scouted the road ahead, we will have no trouble at night if we stick to main road. The night shall not blind us for the Goddess watches us.?
?Good. You will take Asta and Guda with you when it gets dark.?
?As you wish your Grace.?
?How close did you get??
?Close enough , I leave Fume and go closer. Close as I dared. Close enough to know much much more but without discovery.? Yasra gave Jenai a crooked sly smile that some how comforted jenai a little more deeply than she would like to have admitted.

?We will speak in private in a moment.? She spoke to Allegria next.

?Pass the word along we will be stopping in a few more Klicks to stretch, water and change. No time for fires, if they are cold do jumping jacks or something. Silence the hooves and weapons, they?ll probably know we are coming but it will be too late. We will already be there.?

Allegria nodded and soon the word of a stop was and preparations was passing down the line.

The Command group, composed of leaders of each regime, met under the tangled bows of one of winters most hardy tree?s well after the sun went down. The companies had stretched, filled, emptied, warmed their muscles, dawned their fresh layers against the night as they quietly spoke.

Jenai felt a moment her heart fluttered an extra beat as they separated to go back to their individual companies. She gave one last look in the moonless night, able to just make out the mass of bodies, and walked off paces down the road and dropped to her knee?s facing the direction of the Abbey and fell into a prayer to War to Scathath. Others of the C.O.S. had seen her move off and fell in behind her, each to a knee and followed in prayer. The words of prayer could be heard fluttering down the line from one Sister Knight to the Other.

Night had fallen and the Abbey road was deserted. Th only tracks they left behind were on the road itself but appeared as if they had walking off into thin air of the velvet night, leaving nothing else behind.

Over looking the valley, The Commanders stood taking in the landscape with the help of special trinkets giving them quiet a bit more of an advantage but not actually seeing in the dark, but bending what light was available and doubling it enough to see everything as if it was simply dusk. The Abbey looked exactly as the maps Garet and the Marfites had been able to provide, with a few extra advantages. She could recall the map lines, she could replay the pushes, the movements, the advances or support of each unit so clearly it was if they were all back at the maps inside the command tent back at the main camp. The only light source was there using a red light and it?s entrance faced away so the light would not be caught outside.

Extra reconnaissance had been sent out about the grounds. Jenai had made sure they avoided places she would have used for ward boundaries herself which meant staying clear of the trees. They may not have been used, but it was not a chance she wanted to take.

?Causing no damage to the Abbey will be difficult. I?m sorry.? She said as Sister Khelle came up to braid her long hair to hide with black cloth.
?Don?t. I want him to know it was me.?

Khelle didn?t know how to react honestly and just blinked and then sighed. as she spoke, ?I hope you?re not turning this into a suicide mission.?

?No. But I have no fear of death for I know I have a place at the side of Scathath. This is not my life for his, This is his life for all of ours, But I want him to see me.? Jenai seemed off in her own world again as she looked out to the valley.

?Send scouts out again, but this time switch it up so they are fresh eyes. They may see something.. different,? Khelle departed to pass word on to Allegria who?d see to the tasking.

Jenai too left the the view point. They?d arrived sooner than she?d expected which was good. She?d had Khelle and Merril set up a Casualty Collection point and warmed only that tent, she had pockets of soldier?s tents tucked away under trees but kept them small and a tiny bit crowded to collect and use body heat.
She stepped into the command tent one last time and jumped a few times in place to warm herself as she blew into her hands. She refused to do so in front of the troops even though she was absolutely freezing. Winter was vicious to her, but as long as she pretended it didn?t bother her she hoped it would carry on to the troops... mind over matter.

Allegria entered in shortly after, ?The scouts are out again.?

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

Ko and Kimura were crouched at the edge of another crop that had gone unharvested, it?s stalks standing like little skeletons of vegetation.

?The sneaky bastard.? Kimura hissed under her breath to Ko who nodded and snuck on heading towards the smell of wet hay and motioned for her to watch her step as they out of the fields and into the empty stable.

The ghost of fear and startled beasts were all that remained. So close to the treeline and front gates now, they?d stopped talking and only signaled each other between the shadows. The stables were in ruin whether it was from hurried exodus of the abbey or horses in a frenzy kicking and thrashing their way out. Other than that, the stables had been empty from top to bottom. Ko motioned to his wrist then the exit as Kimura saw another door out of the stables that stood unhinged. She nodded , happy to leave the noxious fumes, and they left to report back.

Before the arrival to the Abbey for Jenai's forces

"Damn you! This--- this is what you call---- I'll do it myself! Leave me---NOW!"

The words hardly needed to be repeated, as Raven made sure to emphasize his point with a barrage of ice shards in every direction. The attendants taking the very unsubtle hint and scrambling out of the room, with due haste.

Even with the outburst, they remained just outside the door.. The sight of their leader in his current state far more pressing than the shards of ice.

It had been a full day since his battle with the menagerie of heroes in the Market Place of Rhy'din, and he hardly looked improved at all.. In fact, it looked as if he were more worn, than before..

Darkened leather armor was tossed to ground, revealing the heavy bandages beneath. Said bandages soaked ever so with crimson, all over his form. With no attendants, Raven opted to strip them himself, growling in the process. "Who do they think they are.. Telling me to end this.. To turn back.. Pathetic!"

"They won't have anything to say, when I tear that damned city apart! I warned them, time and time again. And they refuse to heed me!"

The blood soaked bandages were tossed in a pile, as he then began to inspect his battered form more so, making note of the sheer amount of damage done. "F*cking Scath whore and her damned swords! And those arrows.. How man-- six!? And these-- bruises all over.. And those daggers of Ka---"

Standing still before the mirror, as he looked at the wounds inflicted by Katt, he could only stare at himself more so.. The last sight of her, still fresh in his mind. Just as fresh as the sight of gutting her with his blades, as she rushed him.

The look in her eyes, as the ebonsteele blades were drawn back and found their way home, slicing her open.

The rush of the moment long passed, as he shook his head softly. Reason taking hold as he spoke to himself. "That--- was not an honorable death.. She deserved better, than me... Her cards were for a different han---"

"My Lord! My Lord!" came a voice down the hall.

Turning, Raven came to see a rather winded runner, who burst into the room!
"My Lord, we've movement! Movement! Whatever you did, it seems they are now moving and coming HERE!"

Ignoring his current condition, Raven's eyes widened upon hearing this news. Looking to the attendants, he motioned to the hallway. "Get my things, and meet in the war room! NOW!"

The attendants scurried about, as Raven reached out taking the runner by his shoulder. "Boy, who is coming here?"

"My Lord, tis Jenai, and her Order! Some paladins in tow, and Marfites! They left the city already and we have no had sight since, but the word is good my Lord, I verified myself!"

"........"

"My Lord?"

"Bolster the guard, and set the barricades. Make ready to burn the fields if needed, and replenish the stores. Pass the word below, to make sure our guests there are secured. If Jenai and her lot want in here, we will make them earn it.. in blood!"

The runner took off, crying out orders as he did so.

"Well, here we are.." said Raven to himself in the mirror.

"I killed what would have been a daughter to me, last night.. I wonder if I will add a dead would have been wife to that as well, hmmm?"


I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel ..

I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real ..

The needle tears a hole
The old familiar sting ..

Try to kill it all away
But I remember everything ..


What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know goes away
In the end .

And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt .

I wear this crown of thorns
Upon my liar's chair..

Full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair ..

Beneath the stains of time
The feelings disappear ..

You are someone else
I am still right here ..


What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know goes away
In the end .

And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt .

If I could start again
A million miles away ..

I would keep myself
I would find a way..

Jenai had asked to see Garet, and privately. The others excused themselves from the command tent when he stepped in. Disgruntled and questioning clearly on his features as Jenai watched the tent door fall shut.

Her shoulders dropped just a fraction of an inch as she left the map table as she spoke quietly.
?I have asked much Garet of you. I know this expedition was not even left much up to you and for that I am sorry. I have only one more thing to ask you and I promise it will be the last? she placed a bare hand on his shoulder and the stone face pretence was dropped as she spoke to him like she would have to one of her oldest friends.

?I can only imagine the pain you feel coming here, something haunts you within. But I beg you Garet, Don?t do this for your old order, Don?t even do this for me, but do this for him... please.?

He could tell the whites of her eyes where now red and glossed with tears she would never let fall. How long had it been since she?d slept, ate since she?d been unable to wake from this nightmare they all shared?

Below the Abbey, in the antechamber that lead to the rarely used until now dungeon.

?My Lord, before you pay your visit, we?ve a report!?

Pausing in his stride, Raven turned to the runner and waved him. ?Let us hear it, and be quick. We?ve work to do here.?

?First the scouting report in the valley, Milord. It is evident, their scouting parties number more than one. We have also detected no specific pattern to their patrols. It seems they are poking, so to speak. Looking for a gap, it would seem. The forward commander, advises we are ready to repel whatever is thrown at us, and the terrain has been re-established to your specifications.?

?I see.. Any word on a main camp??

?No, Milord. They seem rather well hidden, but we shall of course continue.?

?Very well then. Let us make sure? Alright, take this down.. Quickly now. Yes, good.. We?ve a rather large of lakes upon the ridge. The ones that supply the lakes we have here?send the sappers that way. Yes.. Send the Goblin Sappers.. They will do nicely. I want charges strewn along the lakes southern sides.. Someone get me a ma?Ah good. You all are rather fast today?where was I?Oh here! I want the charges here, here and there as well. And also, I want several down the ridge face itself, here and there, and down there. Good! This will do nicely. Yes??

?Um, Milord? Not to disrespect, but do you mean to flood this place? And all??

The young man caught himself, as Raven looked to him with a somewhat raised brow. Eyes of blue narrowed, as he continued to stare down the runner, for a bit. And after a few uncomfortable moments for the lad, Raven finally spoke.

?This my good man, is a last resort and will cover our tracks, should the need arise. It will wash this place of those who oppose us out there and allow us an avenue to use in a retreat. A last resort, so do not worry. We will all be taken care of.?

The young man nodded, ?Thank you, Milord!?

?Now off with you, I?ve another report to take.?

A surprising turn of events, as the lad was still alive after nearly questioning their Lord. Others also showed surprise openly, as the runner took off down the hall to give his report back to the forward commander. As he left, another lad appeared.

?Milord, a report from the city.?

?Very well, let?s have it.?

?It seems your appearances have been causing another set of stirs.. Not to mention, the barrage of poor publicity in regards to those who knew of your plans, and did not act.?

?Yes?well that will happen won?t it? In any event, continue.?

?The marketplace is being restored---?

?And Katt? Any word of a memorial, or what not??

?No, Milord. No word on any memorial.?

?I see--- alright. Send an anonymous donation--- five--- make it ten instead. For those who lost their lives. Yes, that will do. And actually, do this--- include my name. That should keep people guessing a tad, and we will include a statement of apology, and also include the fact that I was attacked first, yes.. I am sure the citizens would like to know that, since there are so many questions surrounding those events.?

?Very well, Milord and also?about the return of the dragons.?

?Ah, you mean Icer and her lot.. Yes, that will be interesting indeed. No need to report on that, just keep watch and advise accordingly. I?ve something special for them.?

?Very well Milord, and we also have the report ref the watch patrols of the Dockside areas.?

?Ah! Now that is news! I was beginning we?d have to gut someone to get our hands on those. Very nice indeed.. And we?ve still that warehouse there, good. Alright, leave that over there, and I will deal with the rest. Keep our eyes, there.. I want those ships watched. I?ve a feeling, that information, will serve us all, for what I have planned there.?

?And in reference to the Governor, Milord.?

?Go on..?

?Nothing solid yet, but whispers of a ground breaking to take place soon. As soon, as we have it, so shall you.?

?Hmm, a ground breaking.. That might be the ticket indeed. Pay whatever source we used double for their efforts.. Triple if they confirm this by the morn.?

?Yes, Milord!?

?Also, send word.. I want Batten watched.. I?ve word of he and another in the market after my--- encounter with the ?heroes?.. I need to confirm something more, so a close eye is best for now.?

?Yes, Milord!?

?Now leave us, and tend to your tasks.. We?ve a revolution to plot, and barbarians knock on our very gate! It is the stuff of legend lad, and you have a hand in it!?

The young man took off with a star indeed, as Raven once more ventured deeper within the depths of the dungeon. After a turn here, and a twist there, he had arrived.

A pair of Ebon Knights opened the large wooden frame, as Raven strode into the room. As he did so, a ring of torches came to life, offering an ember glow to the normally darkened room. Across the room, along the far wall were the three iron maidens, he had once kept underneath what was left of the ?JRC?.

Moving towards the maidens, a somewhat chuckle took hold.

"Ah my guests! Soon it will be time you know. And all of your---hard work will have finally seen the fruits of its labors, when I take that b*tch's head and parade it all over that piece of sh*t place you once called a home!"

Crossed over from Solitude Abound.. in our folder 'Sojurn'

?We have to get out! We have to get help!?

The words of Henrietta had rung throughout the room, as it darkened once more.

There was no more taunting, no more prodding? And soon, the struggling that had been, was no longer. The same was with the others, as well. Soon, it was quiet once more within the room. Even Henrietta herself went quiet, somehow resigning herself to whatever would come.

It seemed perchance, the same was with the others in turn. And after a few moments more, the same was for he himself, as the darkness inside began to once more envelope him, in its loving embrace.

Eyes closed once more, the pain subsiding somewhat, as the numbness began to set in. Limbs were growing heavier, as the mind once more drifted towards the fogged state of being, it had known for so long. The others--- in their devices, continued to struggle more so, here and there.

But the end result, was that they too were not long for anything anymore, save the fate they have been handed inside these metal ?coffins? as their captor had stated.

Further, and further his mind had drifted? The feeling akin to floating on water, upon one?s back. Staring at the darkness above, letting the current do with him as it would, offering no resistance what so ever as his surroundings were cast aside, with no recourse. He had wondered at times--- so many times before, what death would be like, for him at least.

Would it simply reach out, and snatch him with no warning at all? Would it come with some grand ?standing show of course, only to be fought against until the very end? Would it happen in his sleep, perhaps.? An old man ever so content with the life he had lived, maybe surrounded by family, and friends?

Maybe some blaze of glory that others would speak of for years to come? Few against hundreds, and what not? Or possibly an accident? Hmm, those can be tricky you know. The list goes on, and on.. The point is, it was thought about.

But in all those scenarios, he had to admit--- this one did not ever come up.

Still, it didn?t feel so bad, truth be told. Floating, and what not. T?was rather?well, he didn?t have a word, but it did feel good, regardless.

But there were so many questions too, you know.

Such as, 'Where am I?' for starters.. Maybe 'How did I end up here?' for another. One he had asked more than once was, 'Who am I?'. Of course, there were a myriad of questions, but each time silence was his only answer. Well silence and darkness, actually.

That is, until now...

'?!'

What was that? The distance--- a point, maybe? A spot of--- light? Twisting his head to see better through the darkness.. That fog making it ever so hard, but he knew he saw it.. He saw it! Where--- there!? No.. Wait, maybe-- yes there! THERE! He did see it!

Turning his body more so, arms of lead lifted with a renewed vigor--- something was welling.. A chance, it seemed.. Something. It called, and he felt it.. He felt it! Stroke those arms did, as heavy as they were. And you know what? He moved.. gods above and below did he move!

Closer, and closer it came! The welling within, calling more so.. Telling him, 'the pain means you are alive!'.. Telling him, 'Do not wait for death-- you face it! Head on and you do not ever look back!

Closer, and closer... And suddenly, he was enveloped.

The light was blinding at first. It took everything he had not to flee back into the darkness, that felt ever so the home.. After what felt like forever, he moved further into the light.. Through the light, even.

Eyes that were clenched from the brightness, slowly opened, giving way to something that looked so familiar, and more so, felt so.. Floors of wood.. Mats abound.. A ring or two.. And what looked to be, a punching bag that had a hole literally punched through it.

"This place--- I know it.." said softly. Wait! He could speak!

His eyes panned carefully, taking in this place.. Yes, he knew it. Damn it, he felt it! But where, and more so how!?

"Personal Hell, yep." came a voice, from across the room.

Turning, he looked upon someone.. But--- As familiar as it felt, he couldn't place it! But he knew he had seen her--- somewhere. Was she like him? Did the darkness take her as well? Was she tormented too?! How long had she been here?

Well, he had no idea of anything.. Save she looked familiar, so he asked.

"You... Is it you?"

Her head jerked, fluttering short hair kissing at her cheeks. Baneful how those doll like eyes glared, sharper then any knife could ever be. "Go away!"

"Go screw yourself, Bastard! You killed me!" steps were taken back as she glared more so to him.

"Kill you? Me!? I've been wandering here, and a long time too! Wait-- Who are you!?"

Her eyes turned to him, as she growled somewhat.. Her hands lifted to cut across her chest in an 'x' shape. "Are you sh*tting me!? You cut me, point blank! Right here!?"

He stared... And saw no wounds. This was--- strange. If he had killed her, why did he not---. He never finished the thought, as he fell to his @ss in utter confusion, as hands lifted to his head.

Leaning into the railing of the ring, she tried to growl once more, but was far too taxed.

"Still trying to twist my emotions, Raven. Even now? You are so--- cruel!"

"Rave-- I've not--- that name hasn't been used for years-- right? Since Darkenwood? Wa-- Darkenwood. I know that name. Right?" Yes, folks.. He was dead serious.

His eyes fell to her once more, "But you--- who are you? Why you, and more so-- why here? This place?"

"Don't know why you're here. If it even is you, you could just be a figment-- maybe my mind is messing with me, since I'm dead?"

"Then again, you--- yeah, you could be one of my own. Now that I am-- wait? I'm dead too? Is that what I felt?"

She blinked at him in utter surprise, "Why the hell would I be one of yours!? You don't give a rat's @ss about me, an don't you normally see people you are close to when dying or something like that?"

"How the hell would I know... All I know it's that it's been dark, and I'm in pain constantly. I felt so heavy, and lost.. But I did see someone once. A brother? Yes, a brother. He came to me.. Carried me. Told me things, and left once more.. But I remember more, because of him.. I felt it."

"Thought your brothers were dead."

'Well he called me brother, and helped me."

"What did he say?"

"Said I wasn't along, and others were waiting for me.. Not to keep em waiting, he did."

"Your little ghoul army, or that dragon thing? I swear if that thing ate more people, I'll---"

"You weren't like this the last time we were here, Katt.. Wait! Katt? You're Katt!"

"You killed me you son of a b*tch!" said as she made for the ring in a rather wobbly manner.

He spoke to her, the words coming fast and frantic, as he did so.

She blinked at him now, totally confused. "What the f*ck that was a year or something ago---yeah, a long time."

He replied..

And she answered.

"You've been running around killing people, and you killed me! I was the only one that thought you could be saved!"

"Kill you? How could I kill you-- I l--"

"Stop it! STOP IT! OKAY!" She shrieked at him even though she was still clinging to the edge of the ring. She sounded like she might of started crying but there were no tears. "I'm tired of you f*cking with me! I'm tired of people screwing with my emotions! I'm..just tired..So let me die in peace.."

He did not know what to say.. This--- was a lot to take in.. Taking it back a step, he asked..

"If you are dead, am I dead with you?"

*Special thanks to Katt, for this amazing scene!

?Would you mind if I killed you?
Would you mind if tried to?
Cause you have---turned into my worst enemy,
you carry hate the I don't feel.."




?Who was it!? Which one of you, decided to reach out, huh!? Attacking me from another angle!? I?ll make you suffer even MORE!?

The words boomed in echo from down the hall, prompting the guards ahead to open the door to the dungeon rightly, and more so, scramble for cover as a very bloodied and quite beaten Raven, stormed past. The torches erupted to life, the anger of the man fueling the flames more so, as the room brightened more than anyone else would have been ready for. Especially Henrietta, who screamed loudly and covered up as best as she could.

With no word, Raven approached the maidens, taking a somewhat large hammer off of a neat table, as he did so. The several guards that followed, saw what was in hand, and backed away, taking a somewhat guarded stance, as Raven screamed aloud and began to beat the absolute hell out of the maidens. The hammer slamming again, and again with such fury, as the man cried out curse after curse. After several minutes of striking the devices, he stopped..

The hammer was dropped unceremoniously to the floor, as he looked upon each of his prisoners with such a twisted expression.

?Who did it???

?I said WHO DID IT!??

No response at all..

?Henrietta!?? said Raven, as he wheeled about, turning on his former second who was chained to the wall.

?NO it wasn?t me! I don?t know what you?re talking about, we?ve all been locked here! You know that!? The fear was more than evident in the eyes of Henrietta, as she eyed the quite upset Raven, who now towered over her shivering, defensively postured form.

Reaching down, Raven took Henrietta by the ebonsteele collar about her neck, and lifted her to him.. Her feet dangled from the ground, as he did so. His eyes narrowed, as he pulled her face closer to his own.

?Y?you can?t kill me..? squeaked Henrietta, as her body flailed a bit. Her hands lifting to grasp at the gauntlet that held her so.

?No, I can?t? But I can make you suffer, my dear.. I can make you watch them all die again, and again. And then you can watch me raise them again, just to kill them again, while you sit there and WATCH!?

Henrietta glared, defiant as hell.. Her eyes burning with such a hatred.

?I will make sure that you never forget that my dear.. The moment when YOUR husband, and his companion MURDERED you, and EVERY single person you held dear! You will watch them burn your village to the ground, and then--- then I will raise each and every one of them again, so you can see them all die like the dogs they are!?

?F---*ck you? bas?tard!?

?No Henrietta--- I was f*cked long ago, when they left me for dead too.. Now it is YOUR turn to be f*cked, over and over again, and watch Brian Ravenlock, take those lives again and again!?

Raven gave a shake or three, as he then dumped Henrietta to the floor, the woman?s hands scrambling to her neck as she tried to breath more so, through the fit of coughs.

?Tell me Henrietta, did he love you? Hmm, I wonder--- how much did he LOVE you!? He loved you alright--- enough to storm that town with Jax, and kill every single one of you, and then raise you as his own pet, and then take your head again!?

Henrietta glared.. Tears of blood, welling as the death knight remained where she was.. ?No?He freed me--- FROM YOU!?

With a cry akin to the banshee herself, Henrietta pulled upon the chain with all she had.. An ungodly strength coming to her, as the bolts keeping her attached to the wall exploded from their resting places. Raven turned, but it was too late.. Henrietta was faster, and atop the bloodied man, beating him repeatedly with that chain in hand.

The element of surprise was hers, as the guards in attendance did not know what to do. So she took good use of the time, and proceeded to pummel Raven with everything she had!

?I loved him! I loved him you son of a whore! And I loved you! And you BOTH took EVERYTHING I ever had, and for what!? For some f*cking artifact!? For power!? For some Romani WHORE!? I?ll KILL YOU!!?

Blows rained down upon Raven, striking him left and right with such fury, as blood began to splatter all over the pair! The guards watching were frozen, as they had never seen such an act! As Henrietta unleashed upon Raven, a torrent of words followed in kind.

?I died for you both! You piece of abs?sh*t, and HE freed me! I was at rest, finally!! And you and ---- that whore! The Romani whore you turned on everything for, and then you LEFT her! You son---- f*cker! You left her and your daughter!?

For the duration of the beating, it seemed as if Raven were in fact out cold.. Suddenly, that was no longer the case, as he reached up and took Henrietta by her neck, and literally hurled her across the room, into one of the maidens. The impact offering a rather sickening thud, as the death knight crumpled to the floor, the wind knocked right out of her.

Raven, was to his feet once more.. Slowly at first, but soon he was regained more so. ?You b*tch.. You traitorous b*tch.. How dare you speak of them! How dare you speak of HER! Either of them! I was going to save them! I was going to save you ALL! I had NO choice! I had a second chance to right, what went wrong with your realm, and I took it! And they took everything away from me, for it! THEY betrayed me, and left ME for dead! And then you?YOU betrayed me too.. Letting that elf get close to you.. Reileena! Pheh..?

?You were soft?thinking you were one of them!? You watched, while I gutted that babe, did you not!? The twins, I killed to awaken the arch-demon gate!? Who was there with me! WHO!? It was YOU! And then, when I am stopped.. You see him, again and suddenly, it?s all past.. All that anger and pain, gone!? Because he came to save the day!? NO, no, no, NO! He does not get to save the day! NO one gets to save any day! Not you, not that f*cking lizard and her brood! Not Jenai and her pathetic band at MY gates! Not Isuelt, and her coven of whores and certainly not their absentee goddess or that Governor and her day late and f*cking copper short lackeys!!?

He towered before her, with such power.. The welling within, literally causing the room to shake, as Raven lifted Henrietta by her neck and repeatedly slammed her against the maiden again, and again and even again! Each blow worse than the previous, as her body went limp like a rag doll.. The sight of this act along caused a guard or two to actually look away.

A break in the slamming, as Raven lifted the limp form of Henrietta high..

The gauntlet flared to life, as he then repeatedly punched Henrietta in the gut harder, and harder! Her eyes opened widely as tears of blood literally

Splattered all over her face, and the chest of Raven.. Her mouth wore a crimson mask, that went down her neck, covering her chest. There was no resistance what so ever, as the punishment continued for what felt a lifetime to those present.

And then, it stopped..

The bloodied, bruised and very beaten form of Henrietta was simply dropped to the floor, crumpled in a bloody mess.. Shallow, and quite rasped breaths were the only testament to the fact that she still lived.

?I told you? None of us, Henrietta?were walking away from this.. Not you, not I and not our guests here.. The rest of our faithful?their paths are lined with a grand future.. But not us.?

Raven, walked from his fallen knight. ?We lost that option, when we chose this path so long ago.?

?Y?y?you? L?ie.. J?j?dar?you..lie..? came a rather muddled reply, from the crumpled form of Henrietta, as a coughing fit ensued.

?Hmm?? Asked, Raven. ?Still a bit of fire in you??

?It?It wasn?t him?He died, for what he?did. He paid--- for what he did?He ended i?you?for us.. Freed us--.?

?What was that? Freed us? NO! He was the cause of all of this! He always was the cause of all of this! You and everyone else FAIL to see that, you ignorant barren COW!?

?Liar..? came a muttered reply..

?Lie? Lie!? B*tch we are past all of that now! We?ve been past that, since the I raised you from the dead, again!?

?So sure of your?self.?

?Of course I am, Henrietta! I was sure, when not a week after we wed, I ended your miserable life! When I killed everything you ever held dear, and razed your village to the ground! Bending what was left of you to MY will! When I burned down Lynneth?s pitiful sanctuary, and rained down frost and blood all over Milliport, and Darkwood itself! I was sure, when they left me for dead! And when we all fall, I will still be sure!!?

?Why?could you?do this? He would?not.?

?He would, indeed. Because he already has.. And he will do it again, and again. And it will begin with quite the statement, when Jenai?s head is taken, by the very man she loves.. Poetic no??

?You?re no??

Henrietta got no farther, as Raven wheeled about, and ran towards the fallen knight, as he then kicked her again, and again with no mercy what so ever.

?I am, you b*tch! I am, and I always will be!! I am Brian Ravenlock, and you will DIE one day by MY hand again, I promise you!?

There was no reply? There was nothing, save the sound of the punishment delivered upon Henrietta..

The guards turned, and went to their duties.. As they went down the hall, they could still hear the sounds.

Akin to meat being tenderized it was..

With the occasional whimper..

Moments passed, as Raven then emerged from the room. ?When she finally wakes up-- *if* she wakes up.. Bind her, and ready the new maiden for her! And ready the brood! This new clutch promises to be stronger than the last..?

That said, Raven took off down the hall.. It was time to recoup somewhat, and that required some effort. Time it seems was catching up, but thankfully due to his efforts involving the ?guests? he had in the dungeon.. He had enough to last, he and Jade for a short while yet.

However..

What Raven did not realize in his anger, was the fact that one of the maidens?had actually moved.

And more so, continued to do so..

?Sir.. We?ve movement.?

?Where??

?Right there.. Along the ridge, top side.. To?the?west--there! See? A flicker, there.?

?I do.. What in the hell are they doi? wait! Look, there! The sky!?

The pair looked to the pre dawn sky, noting the rather interesting sight of two small flames soaring through the darkened sky. They were not the only ones to notice, as others began stir from their rather uneventful shift. Higher did the flames rise, coming to a crest, and then a rather rapid descent. Before the anyone else could say anything, the commander had realized what actually was underway..

?It?s an attack---?

?What, sir???

?It?s an attack! The fields, they?re lighting the fields!?

?But Sir, we don?t see any---?

The soldier was cut off by the mass eruption of flames that came from the pair of fields.. The reaction was instant, as the darkened area was lit to such a degree, that all of those on the ramparts had to shield their own eyes, and those that did not were somewhat blinded, and had to take time to recover.

The end result was somewhat chaotic, which obviously worked to the advantage of the opposition, as Raven's forces honestly had not given the coalition forces, their just due.

The abbey came alive, as the soldiers on the rampart, cried out in alarm rousing the rest of the forces within. Barracks emptied, as the ramparts were reinforced immediately. Quartermasters, opened the pair of armories, as squires scrambled back and forth with weapons and armor, making sure, all was where it needed to be.

Calvary units were readied, along with two phalanx squads. Archers also lined the walls, making ready, as wheeled siege crossbows were pushed along recently made ramps. They were set upon the towers proper east and west, as other preparations were made.. And this was all literally in the moments that followed the fields being lit.

It seemed that Raven was indeed expecting something.. But as he himself arrived at the wall and truly saw what had transpired, even he was to admit, he did not expect this..

"She is good.."

"My lord? What do you mean?"

"I mean, we can't see anything commander. Coupled with the light, there is now the smoke to deal with.. She now has the advantage for the moment. I blame myself, you know. I personally had expected them to be charging at us, when we decided to light the fields.. Hmm, I blame myself. It seems, we made it too easy for her."

"Orders, Sir?"

"Hmm, ah yes.. We still hold the ground, do we not? Dispatch a detail to deal with the flames for the moment. Shields to go along with them. Actua-- No, belay that. No.. We will not meet them. If we cannot see out, she cannot see in. Bolster the walls to the east, and west. Send the handlers down to the crypt and ready the brood. They will cause a good bit of chaos, and make for a good distraction.. And more so, it will hurt Icer and her kin in the process... Yes, that is what we will do, so see to it!"

"Aye, Sir!"

Orders were barked, as the commander passed the word along. Quickly other followed suit, as Raven's orders were carried out. Moving towards the grand arch that housed the main gate, he looked over the expanse of the burning fields with a somewhat shake of head.

He knew this was not the best way to start this off, but it was the hand he had been dealt and he would make sure that each and every one of the opposition suffer for every step they took. He would assure that she who lead them suffered the most of all, and he would see to that personally. But there was a matter of moral to deal with before that happened..

So atop the grand arch he went.. Looking among the troops.. They went about, as they readied for what would come.. Many not seeing any battle for the entire duration of his campaign, as he himself, and a select group took the brunt of the efforts. While many showed fire, some showed trepidation and that was a concern. He pondered a tad.. Of what could be done to stoke those fires once more.. Yes, he pondered indeed.

It seems he had pondered, a tad too long..

The bolts of holy fire were seen as plain as day, piercing the clouds above.. Descending rapidly, Raven had only a moment to act, as he signaled his warlocks to incoming threat. Quickly they acted, but the bolts tore through their hastily erected shields. The impact, while lessened did its work, as the towers were rocked to their foundations, yet held.. The crossbows were destroyed, in the process, which upset Raven to no end. Soldiers scrambled to contain whatever had been done, Raven growled rather intently..

"Come on.. Where are you.. Come to me!"

It seems, whatever he asked for-- he would receive..

"Fire!!"

He heard it.. The order, coupled with the release of the bolts.. That only meant one th-- "No.. Incoming, make ready! Make--"

Raven it seemed, got no farther courtesy of the ballistas attack.

The abbey walls were literally rocked, from being stuck. Soldiers cried out, as they were hurled from the ramparts, to the ground below.. Some did not make it, and others were scrambling to help the wounded. The damage to the structure was evident indeed, as his warlocks and death knights stepped to the front to handled the assessment, and as that happened the engines made their play, tearing holes into the wall!

His walls...

"My wall... You b*tch!"

He stood more so.. Taller even.. The gauntlet flared to such life, that it was no mistake it was stop the arch, as he cried out with such rage.

"Death Knights!! Knights of Ebonsteele! Warlocks of the Ebon Tome! Soldiers and Squires! Each and every one of you!! RISE!!"

Runes of frost, and blood crackled with such hunger as fingers flexed. His eyes tore to the smoke ahead, as if he saw through it, as he continued with his verbal torrent!

"Do not let them take this from us!! Do not let them even carry the notion they can take this from us!! This is not Darkenwood! This is not Darrowshire! This is not Bont! This is here, and now! This is our Lights Hope!! They come to take what we have, and they come to take what we have earned, and we will NOT see this taken by ANYONE! ANYONE!"

Cries rang out, as the knights and locks reacted in kind.. Soldiers, and squires rushing to their posts, to await what would come, as they screamed such curses to the flames ahead, clanging shield and sword.. Hammer, and stave and whatever else they could. The energy was felt.. The darkness held them, and kept them, and the light would not piece their haven!

Looking out once more, Raven cried out.

"This is all that you have!? This is it!? This is the best, you can muster! Fine then!! Come to your death fools! Come to the darkness, and see what lies within, when we take your very souls, and then take every single thing you have ever loved! Come to us!! COME TO US!!!"

The knights, and warlocks cried out as their own bolts of fire rained down upon the fields ahead, coupled with a barrage of arrows fired from the ramparts, raining down east, and west, as well as the south from the main gate!

"Come to me, Jenai! Come to me, and see what lies in wait for YOU and your kind!"

The order had been given, as all else was forgotten.. If they wanted a fight, Raven would not deny them such, and he would meet them head on and assure them a swift journey to the ever after!

Calvary, and Phalanx were dispatched, as the main gate opened, allowing the darkened tide of Ebonsteele to pour out into the battle!

"KILL THEM ALL!!"

?No quarter asked, and none given! Make them all PAY!!?

Raven stood ever defiant atop the grand arch as absolute carnage reigned in front of the rather maddened man. The deafening cries of each side as they met head on, was---- well it was invigorating! Yes, that is what it was.. Invigorating! Let them come. Let them try to take what is their?NO, what is HIS!

It was he who took this abbey! It was he who took the head of Matron Mother Iscariott! It was HE who told the world, exactly what he would do, and it would be he again, who would see efforts of these ?so called? heroes, ended in such a decisive manner that NO one would EVER forget this day.

Ever?

Again, he cried out her name? The name that drew such--- anger within him. A name he had grown to show such contempt for!

?Jenai, where are you!? Don?t hide from me, anymore! Face me, head on Jenai! FACE ME!?

Cries of anger rose from the Ebon ranks, as they pressed their ground against the coalition forces. Each giving as good as they got, as darkness and light collided in such a myriad of unadulterated violence the likes of which many had not seen in years. Despite the obvious issues, of dealing with ?Holy? or ?Divined? warriors, the Ebon Knights would not yield the ground they head, and it seemed as one fell, two more would be there to fill what gap there was.

They held the Abbey.. He held the Abbey, and they would continued to do so.. With some assistance, of the darkened kind.

The gauntlet flared more so, as runes of blood erupted violently about Raven himself, as he cried out angrily, with his hand wide spread, as it swept in front of him, back and forth over the field of violence itself.

?All that I am, is what you will be! Rise, and fight! Fight for yourself, and fight for the Ebon Lord! FIGHT!?

A thundering crash erupted about, as darkened lightening came down upon Raven himself. The gauntlet lifted high, acting as a lightening rod of sorts, taking in the vicious barrage hungrily, as if it were feeding. Just as quickly, it went from rod to conduit, as the lightening itself, was redirected.

It was now sent forth into the field of battle.. Pouring into the Ebon Knights themselves!

The reaction was near instantaneous, as runes of blood came to life, taking in that darkened energy..

Bringing such a boon to the Ebon forces. Growls rose from the dark ones, feeling the runic power so deeply within, as cries of anger came forth, coupled with a renewed strength.. Pressing more so, they took the fight into their own hands, unleashing a series of battle cries in turn. Pushing forth, the phalanx units keeping their ground, allowing much of the knights to find a rally point, and press further into the flanking coalition forces.

The Ebon Warlocks assisted their Lord, unleashing fire upon the field of battle, from their perches atop the battlements. Archers joining their dark brethren, letting fly with what they had.

It felt endless..

Because as with the Ebon forces, when one of the coalition fell, another was there, taking their damned place!

Cursing their enemies to no end, were the Ebon Forces, as it seemed somehow, as strong as they themselves were, their opposition matched their vigor.. Head on, no less!

Raven cried out more so, directing from atop the arch..

"Decimate them all! Make them feel your pain, each of you! YOUR pain!!"

Then, something took the Madman's attentions, as he heard the cries from east, and west.. Coupled with the sounds of crashing timber, no less. Looking back and forth, he realized that the opposition regarded collateral damage, as little as he did.. And that would make even more of a mess of things, that he originally had intended.

"Move to the east, and west! Open the gates, and sent out the reserves, NOW!!"

Hearing the orders being carried, he decided it was time to take a direct hand a tad..

"Jenai! If you won't come to me, love! Then I will come to you!"

And he did just that, as he dropped down from the arch, and proceeded to lay absolute waste to whatever was in front of him.

Friend or foe..

Meanwhile, below in the Dungeon..


"It's an attack, I tell ya!"

"Course, it's an attack, you fool! The lord knew they were comin, and here they are!"

"So what do we do? Just sit here, and wait? I mean it's not like any of these lot are gonna get up an walk out and Henrietta there is a mess."

"Sit here an wait is exactly what we're gonna do. I ain't headin' out there to die quickly. Let em all fall, and we can walk out pretty as we please, and with the lord's favor to boot. Cause no one here got away, while we stayed put!"

"Yeah, yer right."

"Course I am!"

The guards spoke on and on.. Confined in their own little world, literally oblivious to all that was near.

Oblivious to the constant movement of one of the maidens.. Oblivious to the growls, and grunts coming forth as well. Oblivious to the true extent of the battle above, and more so...

Oblivious to the darkly cloaked figure that stood directly, down the hall in front of where they were stationed.

A cant of head took form, within the confines of the cowl, itself as a somewhat smirk took hold. A gloved hand then extended a tad, as slender digits stretched towards the pair of men, as they continued to banter back and forth. The fingers, looking as if they were plucking strings, akin to an instrument. A soft nod followed, as the head lifted more so, allowing for a glimpse of what lay beneath, the shadowed cowl.

Lips of crimson, formed into such a smile..

"It seems that I am not too late then. The threads still hold to them. A shame in some events, but for them-- most fortunate. "

Towards the pair of guards did the cloaked person move. And yet, they saw nothing! Nothing at all! It seems they were far too busy speaking, and arguing back and forth, as she came closer, and closer.

She however saw everything.. Such an intricate web that literally flowed down the hall itself.. Surrounding the guards, and more so, pouring into the room they were stationed in front of. The gloved hand pulled back, a tad.. The gloved removed, as her hand then slid along the wall a tad, with finger tips gently brushing part of the webbing along said wall.

A light plucking ensued, as the web itself reacted in kind.. Soft sparkles ran down the web, towards the pair of men.

And then..

"What was that?"

"Hmm? Hey I heard it too! Come on, quickly!"

The pair dashed down the hall, directly towards the cloaked woman, who did nothing else, what so ever.

Passing literally though her, they continued more so, ducking into another tunnel, yelling as they did so.

Shaking her head, she continued further down the hall, and into the room.

And what she saw, made her gasp aloud.. "gods, an goddesses.. Henri--etta?"

Ignoring all else, the stranger rushed into the room, lifting the cowl from her head, as eyes of emerald looked upon the broken form of Henrietta. Such a softened expression, as hands moved to check Henrietta over, as a frown quickly became apparent.

"What did he do to you? This was not in the cards, or threads.. He has broken from Suikoden, and seeks to make his own stars. You did not deserve this."

As the stranger quickly checked on Henrietta, the death knight's eye opened slowly.. A blink, and then another as her vision slowly came more so into perspective.. The woman's face finally coming into focus, and what Henrietta saw, literally made her jump somewhat, causing all sorts of pain all over her badly beaten form.

Eyes of emerald.. Skin of twilight.. Lips of crimson, and hair of the softest velvet.. There was no mistake.. So Henrietta mustered up all she had to call the name aloud softly, "Blaze..."

The woman shook her head softly, "No-- it's Desire, Henrietta. I've come to try to set some of this right. This will be no Milliport again. He can't be allowed to live... And the other can't be allowed to die."

Flinching openly, Henrietta felt the efforts of Desire.. In the end, there was only so much that could be done. Henrietta felt it too, that this may be her last moment or two. That this dance had ended far too early, and not on the terms she had expected. And now, Desire was here.

"You... You can't have him, Desire. This isn't Darkenwood. Here there is no Rafe, there is no Lynneth.. There is no Dar--."

"I'm not here to take him, Henri.. As much as I want to, he is not mine to do with, anymore. Nor was he ever, honestly.. What happened to us all-- was a crime, and it cannot be allowed to come to fruition, here. Even with my feelings, I know how this has to end, Henri."

"Save the flashbacks.. I was there, Desire. I remember, it all. Do what you need to do, and get back to where you came from. Before they find you, and then you have no way back home."

Desire sighed softly, moving her hands from Henrietta. Lowering herself more so, she placed a soft kiss upon the battered woman's head.

"No matter what, I will see you again, some day-- sister. Know that to be true.. And know he did love you, oh so much then."

Blackened eyes clenched shut, as Henri shook her head somewhat.

"He loved you too... Always, you know. But here, in this place.. None of that matters. Save he has to die, and he has to live.. If we can see to that somehow.. Maybe there can be a life out there.. Maybe. Now go, before the--."

Desire was there no more.. More so, the guards returned and were approaching Henrietta.

"That was a f*cking waste.. But lookit this.. Seems like she's still in one piece. Shame that, yeah? We can fix that though. See, I think she tried to escape an then, we had to kill her, and what not."

"Yeah, and then we can have our way with her body."

"No you, moron! First we have our way, f*ck the sh*t outta her, an THEN we kill her!"

"At the same time?"

"Yeah, whatever! Just get that rope, an shackle."

Henri said nothing.. It would not have helped, even if she did.. She trembled with such rage, and anger as her hands, and feet were bound. She swore and swore deeply to her own core, of the revenge she would see upon these sorry bastards and whatever family they had left, should she live through this.. Somehow.

Rolled onto her side, she could hear the unbuckling of belts, as swords clattered to the flooring, coupled with the sound of fabric shifting.. Looking to the wall, she tightened herself more so, praying to simply die, or have it end quickly and either have her chance to kill them.. Either way, she felt it.. She would die.

Steps shifted, as her eye opened.. And instead of wall, she saw.. Desire?!

A soft nod from Desire, as she lifted a hand softly, and Henri saw what looked to be a--- well, a wire of sorts.. A cord, maybe a web?

A finger plucked the string quickly, as Desire nodded once more, and rightly vanished.

Pulled from her moment, by the rough tugging of her pants, Henri struggled more so, growling again and again!

The guard smacked her upside the head, a few times for measure, "Stop it b*tch! I only need your bottom parts, not yer brain! I'll bash yer skull in, I will!"

Henri struggled, and was stuck time and again, and finally she ceased.. Relenting to whatever was to occur.

The guard cursed her, as he himself apparently 'lost it' and worked feverishly to get it back, the same went for his pal..

As they busied themselves 'getting it up', they completely were oblivious to their surroundings as they were earlier, when they were setting Henri up.

If they weren't so damned occupied, they might have heard the locks of one of the maidens open one by one.. They might have heard, the crank that controlled the spikes themselves turn, and turn, releasing their grip.. They might have even heard the maiden open, ever so slowly..

A shame men can be so one f*cking track minded, no?

What they did hear, however. Was the lowly given growl, that came from behind them. And by then, it was far too late to do anything..

Especially when your pants are around your ankles, and your d*ck is in your hand..

Hearing whatever it was, Henri managed to turn enough to see what it was that now had their attention.

A man, literally covered in blood.. Chest to ankle it seemed.. Much matted, and caked.. Yet a good deal quite wet. Dark hair cloaked his face, like a poorly matted cowl, and holes.. Holes were all over his body. In his hand, was a sword.. A broken sword.

The man cried out, and simple charged the pair.

Henri's eyes closed so tightly, as she heard the cries of ungodly pain, and more so.. Tearing, and pulling.. Something that sounded akin to ripping fabric? Gurgling, and repeated-- well stabbing? That's the best she could come up with.

Then nothing.. Save the heavy breathing of what she believed was her savior.

Steps were heard, as her binds were then undone, and cut.. Her pants were pulled up once more, as well. Still her eyes remained closed.

The steps were heard moving from her, as she managed to turn, and finally open an eye.

He was speaking.. To someone? She saw no one else.. Suddenly, she saw black.. Feathers?! And then he was no more.. Gone.. Vanished, even.

Looking about the room once more, she saw what was left of her attackers.. It looked as if an animal had literally tore them apart.. There were bite marks, cuts-- fingers misshapen. Hair ripped off of skulls, and--- gods they were ripped literally open.

Her eyes had panned to the maiden now.. The one that was opened. Wide did her eyes become, as she realized what had happened. Coupled with Desire's appearance, and the darkened feathers that lay within a pool of blood on the floor itself.

"He's free.."

A kiss felt atop her head, as Henri flinched a tad.. Yet nothing was there. She knew, however. That someone had been there.

"Thank you, Desire.. I'll see you again, someday.. Should we live through this."

Henri's eyes closed somewhat, as she felt herself slip more so.. Falling into a bit of sleep.

Gems of seeing... Some of the city guards had the gems that would see past an illusion. But of course they did! And it was only a matter of time before Sha'uri would run into one of those. Truth be told, the fact that she hadn't should've been a total surprise to her. Case and point, she was not as clear thinking as what she once had been due to all those memories that had flooded into her head. She knew this and it bothered her. It's why she had waited to use the Nexus in the first place. She needed her thoughts clear if she were to find the right place to go to or she might end up anywhere... and in her case, any when.

She had been standing in the armor shop holding a masterwork black dragon piece of leather type armor. Scalemail to be sure. The scales of the dragon had somehow been cut down to size and reattached to the leather with exception precision. It brought back a memory of herself dressed in a similar attire. The feel of a sword in each hand and the smell of blood running thick all around. The sense of dark power was overwhelming as the memory seemed so real.

Eyes closed and a low growl escaped her, a cross between pleasure and pain. The leather armor was gripped tighter as she brought the item close to her nose to smell its potential. Then her tongue licked it as if tasting it for something, while in her memory she was tasting for magick.

To almost everyone else in the shop, they heard the growl and saw the action of armor brought to nose, but it wasn't a woman they saw standing there. It was a man, tall and burly with dark hair and five o'clock shadow, dressed in simple jeans, tennis shoes, a white t shirt and a simple hand made fur winter coat. This was her disguise.

All but a few saw this.

"Hey! don't eat the merchandise! unless ye gonna pay for it!" the attendant yelled from across the room.

That was right about when two city guards had walked in and heard the growl followed by the attendant's order. Immediately their gaze fell on the tall figure, but with more of a surprise then most. For them the image of the man wavered and shifted melting away their view of the illusion.

Sha'uri opened her eyes, glancing about as if she didn't realize that she'd been licking the leather. She let the item drop back on to its wrack, offering the attendant a sheepish smile. "Sorry, was just checking to see if it was real dragon or not."

"Do you see what I see?" One guard said to the other.
"Yep... She's the one." the other guard replied.

"She?" the attendant heard the guards and saw their line of sight... clearly at the GUY licking the armor. He could've sworn the two guards had too much ale for break or something.

"You!" one of the guards yelled as they drew their weapons and made way towards Sha'uri. "Stay where you are! "

And that began the chase through the streets of RhyDin....

Sure she could've turned all dragon on them, but this was not the Sha'uri they were after. This one didn't want to hurt them. So she ran.. for hours it seemed. Ditching some brought her round to another group. For a while she found a spot to lay low in and tried to wait it out. Larer, when she thought she had a better chance, she tried again to head out of the city.

They finally cornered her in a dead end alley, they and several more guards who had joined the chase. By now, most of them could see her even though she had turned invisible to the rest of the world. It had almost worked... but now she was trapped. She had no where to go, and still she refused to turn dragon on them. She was way out numbered. There was only one other thing she could do... use the Nexus.

Yes, that panic took over and in the moment she didn't care where she ended up. She took that last moment to use the force in one of the very few ways she could and blocked out all thought of them to focus... concentrate in the nexual energies. it was too bad that in her panicked state she couldn't stop her own thoughts. They went briefly to things of battle..to her hideout, a place she knew she'd be safe at. It was the place she wanted to go to and in fact began to see it clearly as she closed her eyes. But at the last moment when the mist formed around her, she remembered the scouts and that brought her thoughts to the Abbey. Even as she thought of her cave, thoughts of the Abbey still remained, blended to her destination.

There was no time to change it.

She turned and ran through the mist and opened her eyes quickly, mostly to end the energies so that those chasing her wouldn't follow, but it was too late. She didn't realize they were already running for her until she saw the stone walls around her and knew that she was in some corridor.

"What the hell?" She had no clue she'd just transported herself, and about five of the City Guards, into the very Abbey that Jenai was attacking.. the very place that Raven was making his stand.

No time to think, she heard the running steps and so off she went running the other way down one corridor for the next as the mist faded away. she kept on running, invisible still to most of the world, the illusionary disguise of a man beneath it all trying to hide who she really was. At least she was outpacing them, like a deer running from its hunter. But was she running from one set of hunters to another?

She didn't even know where she was.... or who she was about to run into.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire..

(cross posted in thread Flooding the Marketplace in The Guardians folder Rhydin Town Center)

Kruger looked at the fallen knights, revulsion had his skin crawling. The area was nearly empty of people, a couple of men talking only. One of those left, and the other seemed to observe Kruger as he worked. Kruger was suspicious by nature; he refused to lay hands upon the corpses of the knights until he had gotten a better look. He reached out to the body with Heaven, the angelic hammer in the pair that made up Purgatory.

The contact caused a flash of light, Kruger pulled on the body but the strength seemed to drain from him. Surely this one body wasn?t too much for him to handle. The harder he pulled the weaker he felt, it seemed that something was trying to prevent him from moving the corpse. Giving a final heave the corpse rolled, Kruger had a moment to see before he fell to his backside the sword lying on the street, runes glowed red on the blade. At his fall the man had come over, and offered his hand to Kruger.

He had said his name was Grem, Kruger didn?t know the man but he seemed concerned that magic had been used to create the beings. Kruger felt oddly drained, and shaky the sword on the ground had his attention. This was a problem because Kruger nearly admitted things to the man. The use of the word we had become something that adorned the smith?s vocabulary lately. He hated the word, it reveals much in and of itself. The word we means always that there is more that cannot be seen. It says that I am not alone here, there are others whom you cannot see. Often the word we indicated that alliances had been formed, and this was the crux of Kruger?s problem.

In all things he had been a solo act. He had in the interest of preserving others set into motion elaborate sequences that by design would leave him to face enemies alone. He was rarely sure that his involvement in any struggle put him on the correct side, so he championed hopeless causes and risked no one but himself. Lately the problems faced had been too large to be settled by one lone combatant. He wished he could drive away the darkness by creating the perfect shield, or the ultimate weapon. He didn?t have enough information to do this though. He needed what these bodies held.

The man, Grem stayed with him, so Kruger made an excuse to rid this body of its sword. He claimed that children shouldn?t have such a thing available to them, and that he would store the thing in his shop until proper authorities claimed it. He waited then for the street to empty completely. Darkness was coming, and with that cover he would be able to gain the rest of the pieces he needed. He was fairly certain that an entire suit of Ebonsteele armor would be missed, so he went to each body and pieced together a full set. He was certain that within the metal was an answer to dealing with the Death Knights. There was no one he could think of better to find it than himself.

(yet another cross post flooding the marketplace)

Kruger couldn?t read her expression; her face was always so much more schooled than his. He was sure that she held the same emotions that most people held. He had made a private campaign to get an actual laugh out of the woman. In the back of his mind he shuddered to think what would happen if that control was tested to the point of breaking.

Her advice to him was sound; if he was truly afraid then don?t try. Kruger thought that might be her way of helping him through his anxiety. ?I won?t be ruled by fear Rachael.? The twitch of lip she gave could have been amusement, or approval. Hard to say what Rachael thought on the surface. Kruger believed she only said what he needed to hear, because the tremble to his hand had dissipated, and his chin rose with the defiance that had given him so many scars on his back.

Rachael left as Kruger began to pull the pieces from the chest and line them out. Kruger didn?t see her leave that invisible sentry of air to watch over her friend but he could hear it enter. He was grateful for that small demonstration. Once he had the pieces in the order he wanted he considered his next steps carefully. He stepped away to the cloak he had abandoned on entry and took the badge that marked him as guardian. He pressed his thumb to the wings the halo came alive shining blue as it scanned his finger.

Haru had said he could speak to specific members; he just needed to say the name. ?Cael, its Kruger if you have some time, there is something I need your help with. I am at the forge, and will wait for you to arrive unless you tell otherwise.? Kruger took the badge and attached it to his shirt. It wouldn?t do to miss the reply because he was too far away to hear it.

Pestilence, said nothing else.. She had no need to, as they were close.. The sun crept over the land, slowly giving light to the darkness, and with that help, Pestilence smiled at the very sight of what she saw...

Unadulteratred chaos..

"Behold Grand-Mother! The beginning of the end, for each and every one of you! And it starts HERE!"

Wings folded to her form, as Pestilence went into a dive. Eyes narrowed, as a growl emitted from the dragon, causing others to look to the sky in utter dismay.

"I am your end fools! Father calls to me, and I will not fail!"

"I'll end you, Raven. I'll send you to hell, and then I will raise you to end you again, and again. I'll do for my parents, for Brian and Jenai, and for everyone else you hurt you sick son of a whore!"

The words of the Shinto Priestess, cause a gasping of those who rallied to her. The emerald eyes of Yotsuba narrowed more so, as she regarded the man called Raven. The man who wore the face, of one she loved as a father, ever so.

Hands lifted, as fingers extended more so... Intricate motions followed, as the lass began to chant ever so softly. The prayer beads upon her wrist swaying in kind with each shift and sway of said hands. Gently did runes of 'kanji' appear around the young priestess, as the words chanted increased in volume.

So much so, that those around her actually backed a tad.

Yet, Raven? He remained where he was, as eyes of frost beheld the spectacle before him. The sheer bravado, actually caused the man to smile..

That was until he heard something from above.

As with others nearby, he looked to the sky to see Pestilence, and--- Icer!?

Pestilence, had begun to descend and rather quickly at that, and grand-mother was in tow. T'was a magestic sight indeed, aided more so, by the glorious light of the newly lifted sun. The icefir-- no.. "NO! Pestilence, NO!"

His attention, taken! Yes, this was it-- it had to be it! Eyes of emerald opened, as Yotsuba growled with such intent. The kanji'd runes erupted with a fierce white hot glow, causing others to jump a tad.

But she would never have seen that.. No, her attention was on him, and only him.

A shame his attention was not on her, hmm?

It would be, though.

So fast was she, that no one saw anything.. In fact the only testament to Yotsuba doing a damned thing was the tremor left in her wake, as she burst from her stance, leaving her robes literally flitting in the air, where she was..

Several talismans let fly, as Raven was struck head on, recoiling in reaction, as Yotsuba pressed the matter at hand, via the pair of tonfa drawn from her back. The strikes were precise, and more so empowered by the sheer anger that welled within the priestess, using it in a righteous manner, time and again.

Others were somewhat stunned watching the priestess lay into the dark one, as she did. In fact some moved to step in, and were quickly stopped by others, as the number of spectators actually grew, despite the carnage around them all.

Finally, it she had ceased..

Raven was down upon a knee, his head hung low. His runeblade knocked aside, as blood dripped from his rather swollen mouth.. Bruises adorned his face more so, as he breathed with a heavied rasp.

Yotsuba stood before him, a look of pure disgust upon the face of the priestess, as she regarded the dark one. The weapons lowered, as she seemingly stared, at the fact she so detested, and yet loved like a father.

Raven looked up slowly.. The robes were gone.. In their place was mail.. A bright set of chain mail.. Light plate for the shoulders, and elbows. Legs, and what not.. Chain, and mail. Lightly crafted, for movement and it worked. He knew first hand, as each of her strikes hit far deeper than anyone would have seen.. The talismans assured that, as their holy energies, easily countered what he held within.

But while, she was on the offensive-- he was on the defensive, and more so...

She had played her hand, far too early.

"Was that all?"

His words snapping Yotsuba back to the here, and now as eyes of emerald opened more so.

Adding to that was the sound of Pestilence crashing into gods know what on the far end of the field of battle, whuch caused Yotsuba to turn her head ever so briefly.

and that--- was all he needed..

She had followed her grand child's decent. Ice blue eyes remaining upon the thrashing form below.

Steadilly wings beat as she hovered over head. I am up here Dominique..

What is wrong? There might have been a hint of a grin as she watched her grand baby thrashing out at anything and everything in her path. But she knew.. A spell started to roll off Grandmother's tongue. but it wasn't the spell she usually used.

Instead of the hatchling spell. wings held her steady as she focused,starting to chant out a healing spell.

What is wrong?. What.. is wrong!?

That name.. Dom?in?ique..

?That..is.. NOT MY NAME!!!?

More so, did Pestilence lash out, striking friend and foe alike, as many of both scrambled for cover. Those that weren?t so fortunate as to escape her temper, paid for their poor timing in the form of broken bones, and gods know what else.. Talons struck out left, and right as her tail thrashed in turn.. Jaws snapped loudly, as another cry of unadulterated rage escaped the dragoness formerly known as Dominique..

Ebon knight and coalition, for a brief moment found themselves actually working together around the verily angered dragoness, as wounded were pulled aside as quickly as possible, much to the chagrin of those of higher order, who watched on from a distance.

Twisting and writhing, Pestilence stood up more so, taking a ballista in hand and rightly hurling it towards a nearby contingent of coalition troops.

In return, she was met with a barrage of arrows, and stone.. Of course, this only served to piss off the dragoness, even more so!

?!??

What wa--- that twinge.. What was tha?no? Oh no, no, NO!

That bitch!!

Pestilence knew full well what she felt? The searing pain, settling upon her? The literal, burning of what flesh remained.. A sizzle, or so.. Oh so many jokes one would make, but not Pestilence.. She knew exactly what had happened to her..

And more so, what it would mean for her----if it were to continue.

?ICER! How dare you! I?ll----?

With a incredible tremor, Pestilence fell to her knees.. Wings folded tightly about her form, as she began to writhe in unbelievable pain, crying out in an ungodly manner, her flesh literally afire in some places.

?NO! Stop it! Make it stop--- Make it STOP! Please! It hurts! Mommy! Daddy! Make it STOP!!?

Tears of blood ebbed freely, coupled with talons digging deeply into her own form as the dragoness twisted and coiled, continuing to cry out as she did so...

She could barely make the sounds above deep within the walls of the passage. She hated it in here, like a rat, in the dirt, the rock, while all she wanted to do was hear and feel the rumbling and sundering of the earth below his feet. Below every ones feet. She wanted to burn the world down around him, hotter than the burning that danced right behind her eyes.


She could smell it... they hadn't gone that far when the scent of "un-death" clung to the dampness of the walls. The scent was twisted. Death but not death, arcane and ions. Jenai wasn't sure if it was just her but she had to steel herself until the first moments of this unholy air passed and she didn't feel like retching. Burning it all down would be the only way to cleanse! A Holy fire, a cleansing fire... she thought of the spots Garet pointed out on the map "set explosives on the ridge. We've got to move quickly."


He was right. They'd wasted too much time. She'd wasted time. But it had done what they needed it to do, He actually thought she was still in the field instead of coming up from beneath it.


Why must it be like this my love? She could see the summer days in their field away from so many, away from so much when nothing else mattered. Where they lay in the sun warmed fields, hidden from the world by tall waves of grass in a silent breeze. His hair uncut and falling across his smiling face as he whispered words of love amongst their secreted time. She could only laugh and playfully shove him as she looked into the blue cloudless sky. But the sky was no match for the blue of his eyes as she looked back again and felt the world could melt and that would be perfectly okay. Her heart danced within her chest for him, her soul was as free as the breeze that moved the field and caressed the collar of his shirt bringing the scent of his cologne to her.


"...Here"

The words barely heard brought her mind crashing back around her harder than the walls above. The swelling in her throat turned to brimstone. Turning the hurt to hatred she stepped ahead of the group and pressed her hand to the part of the wall where the stone felt like age thick heavy wood at her finger tips. Shelving of some kind acted much like a cliche keeper of secrets into the abbey's underground. Garet had said it was one of the older "stores" in the Abbey that had perhaps been an armory room used for troops to gather last minute arms before emerging outside the abbey to flank an aggressor, or simple a rabbit hole. Its original purpose had been lost as it was a hodgepodge of old and forgotten things this far down in the Abbey.


But this also meant that she'd have to consider any rubbish that could sound an alarm to any of Raven's mens if opened to quickly. But with the rest of the Abbey under the rumble from inside and out. She doubted they had to be church mice.


Neither did the pair of Goblins that stood now in the doorway with arms full of things Jenai cared nothing about. Long strides carried her through the tunnel portal, her arms crossing in front of her body, fingers seeming to summon the chakrams on each hip into her grasp.

Alive with a golden spark one after another sang across room to ricochet off the top of one's head as he'd turned to flee, the chakram's mate skipped across the room catching the other across its midsection fanning the bluish black rope entrails of the other goblin to its own feet. Either in death or shock it flailed and spun slipping on it's own bowels pulling even more to the floor before it layed with labored breath as Jenai stepped over him without a second thought.

The chakrams snatched from the air, a prayer ending on silent lips, she knew from here out she'd have to be mindful of her spells.
She wasn't sure if the simple fact of them being holy would make them easier or harder to detect. Then on second thought.. fire still raged in her very core...

"Fuck subtly. I have date with my dear Husband."

?What is your name??

The response was a shriek that resounded so forcefully, it caused those nearby that were not of the dragon type, to literally cease whatever the hell they were doing, and cover their ears as hard as they could. Some, even cried out themselves and literally turned tail, heading in any direction they could, so long as it was away from the pair of dragons.

Pestilence continued to writhe in such agony, the tears of blood flowing more so.. Droplets burning the ground, as they landed time and again.. Talons gripping her own head so tightly, that flesh and scales gave way to the sheer force of that sharpened grasp, that was solely of pure desperation.

A cloud of dirt and rock, surrounded the dragoness, as she rolled around, even more violently.. With each passing moment, the trashing increased with such ferocity, yet she could not escape it. She--- was trapped..

A prisoner once more..

The pain seeping ever so deeply within the darkness that was Pestilence, as the blackened void within gave way to the white hot burning light, that was----life. The conflict even more so intense, than it was on the outside.. Back and forth, the darkness and light went, in what was a vicious tug of war, for not only Pestilence--- but for Dominique as well.

The cries continued repeatedly, and soon were nothing more than incoherent whimpers and sobs.

That which was once Dominique then? That which was Pestilence now?

Had been reduced to a mere shadow of what she had been on both accounts.

Seemingly broken..

The thrashing ceased, as heavy breaths ensued.. Her form, crumpled in a somewhat fetal position..

Crimson stained, the face that somehow--- was whole.. And quite emerald, no less.. And that was despite the rest of her quite beaten form.

The color of life, perchance?

Softly a whimper came.. Barely heard, yet so much more felt--- especially by her own grand-mother.

Rasped was that voice as it slipped from the maw of the dragoness,

?Gra---mma.. Scared.. Gramma--- help.. me..?

She had watched, ceasing the spell as she heard and even felt the whimper. Easing to the ground, she started towards the crumpled form of her grand baby.

Dominique? She was slipping closer, not realizing that Raven was heading their way.

I'm trying Dominique. I am trying..

Stairs going down... She'd seen no windows thus far and for all she knew she could've been underground, which would make these stairs not the ideal direction for her to go. Still, the others were chasing her and it could provide an opportunity. .......Down the stairs she went skipping over every other one coming into a corridor.

The construction was dug out of a slightly cavernous area giving the ceiling jagged surfaces deep enough that one could hide within their cubby holes. It gave her the opportunity to hide up inside them pressing her body against the opposite sides of the cragy walls to hold herself from falling.. Sha'uri lept upwards and caught herself between the rocky section, wedging herself deep within and hiding in the shadows it provided.

Sure enough she heard booted footsteps running down the stairs in the same manner she'd just taken them. The five sets of footsteps came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs. Holding her breath, she kept perfectly still while they slowly continued down the corridor passing by her without even noticing how she lurked from above. It was a trademark Woodshadow skill learned at an early age. She wasn't as good at it as her Grandfather, but then he was true blood born Woodshadow. She, like her mother, only benefitted from his superior teaching thus making her pretty damn good at it. She'd run circles around most elves.

"Sir." she heard one of the guards say. "A fight was here..blood every where. What the hell?"

"Somethin gutted them.... tore 'em to shreds. Something not human." another said.

"Look carefully boys." a third voice said.

"Over here! This one's alive... I'd wager barely. She's unconscious." came a fourth as he knelt down to check the woman.

Sha'uri could hear them clearly. She decided to hang on a little longer where she was and breath quietly waiting to see what they were going to do.

"I'm not even sure where we are. And she has to be around here somewhere." it was the third voice again.

"Perhaps we should see what we can do for this girl and get the hell out of here." came the second voice.

There was a pregnant pause before a fifth voice spoke up.

"Agreed. We need to figure out where we are. She might've teleported us to a domain of hers, not a good place to be. And if that's so, this woman is clearly not on her side. All the more reason to help her." This fifth voice must've been who was in charge, Sha'uri decided.

"Anyone got any healing abilities?" one asked.

Again the pause.

"Not something any of us anticipated since we didn't anticipate to be outside the city walls. I do but I'd rather save it. She looks out but not quite at deaths door yet. We'll wait."

One of the guards picked up the unconscious form and the five headed back towards the stairs. Sha'uri watched as they passed beneath her once again oblivious to her presence. Sha'uri almost gasped at how badly the face was beaten on the woman. One would be hardpressed to recognize her. Yet... something about the woman seemed familiar.

After the guards had passed by and were down the corridor, Sha'uri quietly slipped down from her hiding spot, silently doubled back to check the carniage to see for herself just what they had been talking about. Sure enough, it didn't seem anything normal would've done what had been done to those bodies. But...

"A black feather?"

She carefully picked up the item and briefly examined it, taking in the scent, committing it to her draconic senses before she tucked it into a pocket. The scent seemed powerfully familiar and yet not. Then she turned and began to follow them up. She, too, was hoping to figure out just where they were and what kind of mess she'd put them all in.

Just as she was at the bottom, and they were at the top of the stairs, the ground began to shake. It wasn't an earthquake, Sha'uri was sure because it felt like it was coming from an impact somewhere up above and no where near the amplitude an earthquake would offer.

Pausing a moment, she closed her eyes emersing herself into the force, feeling for the disturbance above. It wasn't directly above, but somewhere above... something about the size of a small ship or perhaps a dragon impacting the earth. Truth be told, even though Sha'uri didn't know who it was, she felt Pestilence crashing into the earth up above. And she felt other things as well... something akin to massive battle lust.

Where ever they were, the place was being attacked. What had she gotten them into? She suddenly felt a pang of guilt having put them all into some kind of situation. It wasn't their fault, she knew they were only following orders.. orders that she would've done herself had the tables been turned. A part of her could relate all too well to the City guards situation. And that woman... who was she? It bothered her that the woman's bloodied and pulverized face had something familiar about it.

And the feather.. what was it from? The one who beat her?

"What kind of monster.." she cut off her own whispered question as a sense of guilt hit hard. Was she not a monster herself? Had she not done as bad and far worse?

All those attrocities.... she knew it was gone now, the taint feeding the monster within. Yet she deserved it, all of it ... all of the longing despair from it... and more. It was the ultimate price to pay for her weakness.. this longing in her heart. She knew that nothing anyone else could do to her could even compare, yet she knew that others needed their sense of justice upon her for all the death's... over and over in all those timelines.

And still through it all.. and ever so brief ..., Love as she had never known before nor did she believe she ever would again. Aquil... that was the loss. Nothing else could ever be so bad.

"I'm the only daughter you need to worry about you son of a b*tch!"

The words were heard, yet Raven said nothing.. Not a f*cking thing..

His eyes were fixated upon the quite motherly spectacle that played out before him, currently. The one involving the absentee grand-mother, and his creation--- his 'daughter', Pestilence. A pathetic attempt at salvation, that was more that enough to disgust the man called Raven..

Because on this field of blood, and bone--- there would be no salvation.. Not for Icer, not for Pestilence, not for Raven...

Not for anyone..

Yotsuba sensing Raven's focus upon the dragons, broke into a heated run towards the man she once called father. Summoning all the ki energy she could muster as she did so. With a piercing cry, she reared back that fist of hers to lay into the exposed back side of Raven.

The back side that was no longer present, much to her surprise..

Because Raven now faced her head on, that gauntleted hand of his catching that kinetically charged fist of hers, as fingers of ebonsteele gripped the priestess' fist with such intent. A gutteral growl escaped the man, as he leaned more so towards the wide eyed shinto, pressing the advantage of surprise.

"Now let's see what you are made of, b*tch.. Show me!"

Yostuba cried out for but a moment and nodded in kind towards the man once more, "Fine you bastard! I'll send you to hell here and NOW!"

A somewhat sneer took form on that battered face of Raven's, as the gauntlet flared to life.. Runes of frost and blood bursting with such a wanton lust for sheer dominance. Much different from the rather determined grimace that was plastered upon the face of Yotsuba Urashima channeled all of the summoned energy in such a manner, that even Raven was taken aback..

"It ends here, Raven!"

What followed was a horrendous explosion, that literally engulfed the pair, and laying waste to whatever was near, friend or for..

Those who were not harmed, scrambled more so, letting the scene play itself out, all while not being killed themselves..

Smoke, and dust settled shortly after, revealing a smoldering crater.. Of which Raven still stood in the center of... Charred somewhat was the ebonsteele armor, much like the ground of the crater itself. A hand lifted to wipe some of the soot from his bruised face, as he looked down and shook his head softly, to the crumbled and quite battered, and somewhat burnt form of Yotsuba, that lay at his feet.

"No love, it doesn't end here for me.. But you for, I dare say it does end.. Hmm? Still breathing are you? I admit, you impress me child.."

Taking a knee to the downed priestess, Raven continued as his gauntleted hand reached over, taking hold of the girl's hair. He then lifted her head slowly, to look her in the face, as those eyes of her own fluttered.

"You parents were like that too you know, the night they died-- the night I took them from you.. And you had no idea, it had been me.. Ironic, isn't it? The man that fought so hard in front of everyone to help stop that night, the man who fought tooth and nail to get to you all, and others.. Was the one who in the end took your parents from you, and so many others as well.. Me.."

A groan... A slow groan was the only reply that Raven had gotten from the beaten priestess.

"Hmm? Oh no dear, your parents did not suffer--- like you. Back then in WestEnd on that night, it was a far different gambit for me. Such a role I had to play, Yotsuba.. I won't bore you with the details--- just know I was working toward an others goal as well as my own.. A shame some damned deity decided to intervene and take so many from the play field, but hey-- a few years of waiting and here we are!"

Lifting her head roughly, he shook her like a rag doll, before soundly slamming her face first into the ground once more, before standing to his full height, as runes of frost and blood once more surrounded him.

"Just know, it was damned personal.. When you see your parents, tell them there will be more family joining you all soon.. Starting with Jenai."

Turning from her, Raven proceeded to climb from the crater, leaving her where she lay.

It was about a day's ride north of Rhy'din to get to Marfa's Abbey, if you were by yourself on a horse.

At Mach 2, twice the speed of sound, the speed he chose to travel at, at 30,000 feet above sea level, the travel time was significantly reduced - from a full day to mere minutes.

Convenient, when you thought about it. Not only convenient, but thrilling, even given that he'd done flights at this speed many times. Sometimes, it was for patrols outside the city...other times, he just...wanted to fly.

Oh, sure, he knew how to pilot varying types of aircraft - mostly helicopters and light aircraft - but nothing beat the thrill of strapping a pair of rockets to your feet and blasting over the landscape at over the twice the speed of sound, even if the trip was for business and not pleasure.

It didn't take him long to clear the mountains north of the city, breaching the cloud cover and setting his course. And a few minutes later, he heard Diana's cool, calm voice whispering in his ear. "Estimated time of arrival, sixty seconds."

"Thanks, Diana." He turned his shoulders and arched his back slightly. The haptic sensors built into the suit immediately responded, control surfaces extending to put him into a twisting dive for the ground below. He pierced the cloud cover, lifting his head slightly and positioning his hands just so, and with a swift suddenness he was out of that dive and looking at the Abbey in the distance, closing fast.

Smoke covered the fields and hung over the surrounding forest, laced with brilliant orange and red flame. His eyes moved over the HUD display, the laser sensors built into the helm detecting his line of focus from his gaze to select the visual modes, then choosing from the menu that appeared the infrared visual mode, adjusted accordingly with filters to tone down the hottest heat sources, navigating the menus with the ease of familiarity and practice. Instantly the visual was replaced to allow him to see through the thick clouds of smoke.

What he saw made him grin under the golden helm for a moment. He'd guessed right - the leader of the attacking force thought along similar lines, a straightforward method of military thinking. The outlines of ballista showed up clearly beyond the smoke, placed well outside the barrier of flame separating them from the Abbey walls. Looking towards the Abbey proper, he could see evidence of their use - impact points in the buildings, points of flame where incendiary rounds had impacted.

As he soared over the battlefield, he slowed to be able to get a better visual, dropping his altitude at the same time. The closer look revealed much - combatants on the walls, more pouring out of the east and west gates to face the attackers - a sizable force, if the large smears of bright color were any indication, enough to keep the attackers at bay for some time, probably enough to inflict heavy casualties with the help of those on the walls.

He passed overhead a thousand feet off the deck in excess of five hundred knots, looking the defensive force over carefully, noting positions and numbers, and then he was past them. As he came out the other side of the smoke rising in a steady column over the battleground, he kept his course straight a moment, giving himself a bit of distance.

He gave himself a good two thousand meters before he turned upwards in a sharp loop, twisting around to face the field of battle again and arming the collar-mounted missile launchers as his flight path brought him back to bear on the Abbey.

A quick flex of his muscles put a burst of power to the thrusters, and a moment later he broke the sound barrier, still accelerating. A tightening of his muscles around his eyes caused the visual display to zoom in on the buildings and battlefield ahead as he dropped his altitude further, leveling out at a bare seventy five feet above the deck.

Ignoring the turbulence buffeting him at this low altitude, he focused on his targets one at a time. The collar-mounted missile launchers responded to the haptic commands, a twitch of his left and right forefingers triggering the launch commands. The first volley of four missiles streaked for the east gate; the second, for the western gate, as more and more troops poured out of them. He followed immediately behind them, pushing the suit harder to accelerate as the missiles flew towards their targets.

Each volley of four smashed into the sides of the gates with violent explosions, bringing them down on the heads of those troops still standing under them. An instant later he streaked by the heads of the men standing on the walls, to fast for them to mount a defense or attack as he passed them at more than three times the speed of sound.

And an instant later, with a deafening sound like an explosion, the sonic shockwave smashed into them.

"Gramma-Ic-er.... So scared--- daddy where are you? Why did you... Mommy, I'm lost--- help me... Help me, it's so----dark, and it hurts.."

Such a plea--- such a cry for help, that escaped the creature once known as Dominique Shimmerscale-Ravenlock.. The creature now known as Pestilence, which was still writhing in such agony, back and forth on the ground as the spell cast by her grandmother Icer, continued to work upon the undead dragoness.

Such a cloud of debris that formed about the pair of dragons, as Pestilence cried out yet again, piercing the air with unadulterated pain, and suffering.. Tears of blood began to stream more so from those eyes that were once a milky gray of death and decay. Bits of undead flesh more so, dripped from Pestilence, burning the ground it landed upon. The undead flesh that was lost, now gave way to a rather dulled emerald green..

Blood where there was none before? Color where there was a decayed void?

Signs of life, perhaps?

It seemed that way indeed and more so Icer would feel it.

Her gambit was slowly working.

With each bit of flesh lost, Pestilence would cry out more so. Curses muttered, and pleas for help alike came from the creature, as she rolled back and forth, in a rather futile effort to somehow, someway make it all stop. Jaws snapped, as color could be seen more so within that maw that was darkness itself. Claws raked the ground again, and again, coupled with the severe thrashing of tail, as the pleas began to sound more like sobs.

"Gramma!? It burns! Make it stop! Daddy! Help me, please! I'm so sorry, Gram-Why did you all leave me!? I'm sorry I made you leave me! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

"I'M SORRY!!"

One huge fit of thrashing followed that cry, and soon it ended..

Pestilence lay crumpled upon the ground, cover in a mix of decayed flesh, and debris. The dull emerald still seen underneath that blanket, so to speak.. Leathery wings folded about the heavily heaving form, as breaths were taken-heavy and quite rasped.

After what felt like an eternity, she spoke..

The softest of whispers, yet her grandmother would hear it above all else..

"Dominique.. Gramma, that's my name... Dominique.."

The scene itself, a long drawn out play.. A struggle between the light, and the dark---between family, no less..? A scene that caused the Shimmerscale Matriarch to be totally oblivious to that which was around her, and more so-right in her own face. Yet a scene that seems to have finally given way to its final act..

"Now isn't this, a touching moment..."

Well it would have possibly been the final act.

Raven however, had other plans..

Raven watched the spectacle that was Icer and Pestilence once more, as he felt his orders being carried out in regards to the newest arrival to this dance he was hosting.. An expression of disgust took form, as the dark one pondered the ultimate futility of Icer's efforts, and more so the completely maternal nature of the Shimmerscale Matriarch.

It made him sick...

Time and time again he felt Icer reach into that darkened depth he had created, as she tried to wrench free that which he had put into such submission. Time, and time again he felt her use those heart strings of what was, to try and reverse that which is. The same way she had done with others, including himself.

It angered him...

And now, with the rest of the world around them busied to their own ends, he would make Icer pay for her transgressions.

The matriarch's back was to him, as she remained ever so near Pestilence, keeping her focus on trying to reach more of the Dominique that was. So much so that she was oblivious to what was directly behind her.

The gauntlet flared gently, as fingers flexed ever so.. Soft flexes akin to testing the strength of a string of sorts, a pluck here, and a tug there.. It almost looked as if he were playing an instrument of sorts, and as hard as it was to believe---- he was.

Runes of frost, and blood appeared gently about the artifact, as Raven lifted his gauntleted hand towards the back of Icer.

Runes of frost and blood... And Icer is a being comprised of----each of those elements..

And Raven understood that all too well, and more so-after his 'experiments' with Pestilence, he knew more than he dared to hope, in regards to the dragon kin, and Icer in particular.

But it was something else, that created this--- interest of his, in regards to the opportunity Icer had unwittingly offered to him, on this bloodiest of morns. And Raven had the Avengers to thank for that, well that and the Nexus so to speak..

Raven like others was a student indeed, and like any good student---he studied..

History...

Folklore...

Stories from arrivals old, and new...

Time lines, and dimensional jumping...

Now the last one, coupled with the others gave credence to one of the most outlandish things Raven had ever seen, yet by the time he was done researching,? he was most assured that this may not have only happened, but more so---could be made to happen again, under a different set of circumstances.

And a man called Logan was the center of it all.. Well, not just this man called Logan, mind you. There was another involved, the one which had made it all possible. A man by the name of Erik Lehnsherr..

To some, he carried another name.

Magneto.

And to some Logan carried, another name..

Wolverine.

Two men whom it seemed regardless of the various time lines, or histories, were gifted beyond measure.. And each adored, and feared so very rightly. Some time lines had them working together.. Others apart, and some dead set against.

Erik a master of magnetism, able to manipulate metals beyond compare and along with that, he carried a zealotry like nature of the likes many will never fathom.

Logan, a veritable testament to his nickname, as much so as Erik was. Ever the force of nature, not too large in stature, yet as rock solid as any big man ever was, and more so--- he had claws... Coated claws no less, as were the rest of the bones in his body, in an alloy called adamantium. Oh yeah, and he healed quite fast..

So in a particular time line, the pair faced off.

The end result was Erik, using his power to literally pull every bit of adamantium from the body of Logan. Literally, pulling and peeling in the most painful of measures, as the metal seeped from the pores of Logan's skin, to the point that he was completely without his bonded alloy, leaving his body a shredded, and quite torn spectacle.

Logan managed to live through the ordeal but was forever changed, and in the end? he did get his alloy back--- somehow.

Erik also was a changed man after that event, but the afterwards and what not did not concern Raven.

Oh no, it was the simple fact that Erik pulled every bit of that metal from inside Logan and there was nothing Logan or anyone else could do to stop it. Erik had that much power, and certified it so much so, in that one moment.

A moment in time that changed the course of many lives, and more so shattered the core of a man, many thought to be unbreakable.

Because he had that power, within him..

He imposed his will unto Logan, and broke him..

And now--- Raven would do the same...

To Icer..

And it would begin with that tiny strumming of that which was within Icer.

Frost, and blood...

Threads long since woven were touched, as Icer worked on Pestilence... Deeply inside, the threads had lay dormant.. Since that first time she had bitten him.. Oh how the small things seem to escape many, when so much is going on around them..

The fact was, he had allowed that bite of hers.. He had allowed that taste of flesh..

Frost and blood...

A door way had been given, granted unwittingly--- but a door way none the less. A doorway he would use to impose his will upon Icer. A doorway he would use to break her in such a manner that she would never forget this day for? the rest of her own.

So let us see, how Icer Shimmerscale-Ravenlock fares.

When the Raven cries,'Nevermore..'

You didn't make us leave Dominique.. She continued to stay close to her grandchild, even as she had thrashed about. She hadn't been there for Dominique then, but she was now.

She'd been oblivious to all other things around her, until a voice.. An oh so familiar voice... The voice of her brother.

"Now isn't this a touching moment..."

Hackles were already on the rise when the pain hit, though she would not relent, not this time. Nostrils flared in and out, in and out as that guantlet was pressed against her back.

A somewhat grin took form, as contact had been---established. Oh yes, he felt it and it so very much.

You see, that?s just one of those things. You decide to concentrate solely on one particular thing, with all that you have.. And in doing so, you leave yourself, so very wide open to anything and everything.

Like Raven.

Was this some well placed plan? Some carefully thought out, and quite properly execute operation of epic proportions? A rather large ?bait and switch?? Or whatever other term one would use to put logic to this scenario playing out?

Not in the slightest?

So what was this about then? What could prompt such study and planning, to bring us to this moment here, as Raven began to literally descend within Icer herself, and more so?

Pain.

That is what it was about? Pain in its most pure of forms. Inflicting it to such a degree that it would never forgotten, ever.

The taking of Dominique well after she had lost contact with her grand-mother, and family? The turning of Dominique into Pestilence, and unleashing her own children upon those Dominique knew and loved, namely Icer?

The decimation of the town of Bont via Pestilence and leaving whatever humans remaining for Icer to deal with? Pitting grand-mother against time and again, and more so allowing Icer that ever so tiny sliver of hope that Pestilence may somehow be saved, only to take it away, each and every time, right in front of Icer?s own snout?

The tugging of those maternal heart strings, and more so the guilt of not being able to do a damned thing about it?

Each of those giving way to such pain, for Icer. The same way he had done with Isuelt, and Katt. The way he had done with Jenai, and Jadden. With Henrietta, and so many others.

And now this painful road would finally come to an end, for the absentee-grand-mother.

And what then, when he was done with her? Why then, he would move onto her family, one pathetic lizard after another.. Turning, and twisting them, as only he would.. Pestilence was the alpha, but oh did he have such plans for the rest.

But let?s not get too far ahead of ourselves..

So there Icer was, locked in a rather pathetic attempt to free Pestilence. So intense was the matriarch?s focus that it seemed the world could end around the pair and she would not relent for one moment, from the task at hand.

Granted this was hardly planned. However, Raven was ever the opportunist and would not waste such an opening.

Deeper did those threads of his sink into the one he once called 'sister' with such care, as feet were firmly planted for any attempt at resistance and believe me, he so wanted her to try as that would make things that much more--- eventful...

He wanted to show her, and more so to share with her, that feeling.

The feeling that you had no control what so ever, and no one would be able to do a f*cking thing to help you, and there was nothing else to do except to feel that hurt so deeply.. To condemn yourself to the darkness of despair, knowing it is all you have left in this world, or the next. That no one would hear those screams inside that head of yours, or the few you actually managed to vocalize.

Like he had made Katt feel, time and time again.

Still, a bit of him wanted her to fight more so. To press forward, despite the hurt.. To see just how much there was left of Icer, and more so, what lengths would she go to, in order to save herself?

Was she likened to Raven, by any measure?

Would she sacrifice body and soul for her beliefs? Would she bleed, and suffer such loss for those she loved? Would she let go of all she knew in order to preserve her own life, and more so those she loved? Would she kill, and taste the flesh once more? Perhaps, drink from the cup of wrath and vengeance, that was the very namesake of her own kin, losing all she had in the process, in order to save herself, and by one snowballs chance in hell, Pestilence?

Would she cross that line, that he himself had crossed so long ago?

He dared to answer that for her, with a 'no'..

Because unlike Raven, Icer had oh SO much to lose, and he knew it..

Deeper, did those tendrils reach, tugging and prodding along the way... The feeling lightly invasive to say the very least, as Icer was explored within, more so with each second. A somewhat grin took form, as Raven felt those veins swell, inch by miserable inch, as he continued to press the advantage, hoping Icer would assume this was some kind of a turning, and simply remain steadfast, allowing his foothold to strengthen more so.

Then it hit him..

That was being--- too easy.

Runes of blood exploded about Raven, as the gauntlet flared a dark red, fingers took a firm grip upon Icer's skin, as he literally pushed the tendrils forcefully further, lightly invasive be damned!

She would feel it... Her heart would beat that much more so, with such hardened beats! Beads of sweat began to appear all over her body, as pores began to expand abound. The cold beads of sweat given way to the warmth of the morn, as they quickly evaporated with such a soft hissing.

Raven's other hand, taking hold of the gauntlet, as he channeled even more of that anger, and pain into his work. Causing such swelling and pain within, Icer as the blood finally began to react to his constant tugging... She would feel it more assuredly. That tingling on one side, and unnatural warmth on the other, back and forth they traded in flow, almost as if these were a river within her very form.

Runes of decay flashed about the pair, as the ground began to give way, sinking more so, as something began to pushing its way up from below, causing dirt and rock to spray about.

Icer would feel them alright, about her feet.. Shackles.

She had been shackled, and would easily be able to see the chains that extended into the ground and more so, the half dozen undead ghouls, who's decayed arms held the chains, more so. There would be no running from this, at all..

She would be his, just as Pestilence was.

"Give whatever soul you have, to whatever god you wish, sister.. Because the rest of you, is mine!"

"Love is dead, love is gone,
love don't live here anymore.."

She was being tested over and over again. She felt her restraint starting to fray with each push. As simple as it was, using the dumbwaiter's lift to reach the next floor it could have just as easily been their coffin as it was their assist. Knowingly crawling onto the lift with the sound of increasing battle shaking the structure to its foundation, Jenai prayed she's have her hands around his neck by the time the Abbey collapsed upon itself.


She didn't like the lift, she didn't like knowing what or whom was adding to the conflict above, and she definitely didn't like the Ebon Armor Garet brought along. But at this moment what ever would aide them, or maybe even cause a moment of confusion in their favor, she'd welcome. What ever had joined in outside was working in their favor, the Mess Hall was blessedly free of obstacles, even the tables and seats only displayed signs of jarring due to the attacks as they'd begun well before anything resembling breakfast.


"....the mess hall. Only one way in and out of there, via doors on the south side of the room. Once we exit there, we are in the main hall of the first floor." Jenai looked quickly about the dining hall and then to the doors Garret had mentioned before, he'd been clear about avoiding the east as it'd lead to a dead end, " and it looked like such a good monastery. Its a shame, but I swear to the Goddess and all the Isles, I am going to tear down every wall until I find him. And if he's in here, he'll want to watch the 'show', we need to go up."

No sooner had those words left her mouth as a growl, Garet was leading very small party of four out the Mess door after a quick listen while the others looked towards the ceiling...

The man known as Garet Jax, had to frown a tad. Actually, he had to frown a great deal, truth be told. Then again, who could blame him? I mean, let?s look at the facts here. They were underground, with absolute chaos just above them, if not outside the damned door they were hidden behind. They were few, and whatever was outside and above, numbered a helluva lot more. They had a map, yet were still blinded to whatever was going on, out and about them. They were out gunned, as well, which of course would add to the veritable laundry list of sh*t, they would have to deal with, as they made their way up.

Oh, and the individual responsible for this cluster f*ck of epic proportions. Y?know, the same individual responsible for a severe amount of property damage in and out of the city, twenty five plus bodies, mind f*cks of the worst order, not to mention pitting the sympathies of many citizens directly against the ones who swore to protect them, via a series of smear campaigns and tactics?

The same one who said he would kill all those people, and was then dismissed as a petty threat? The same individual, who then killed those people and then said he would do it again, and then did so again, with no thought what so ever? The one who somehow managed to raise the dead in the city, and somehow was believed to be involved with Renna, Kain and gods know what the hell else?

Ah yes, and he also drove his fist through an infant causing it to explode right in Icer?s scaly snout, leaving it covered in innards. In front of a packed market place, no less.

This fine piece of work, we refer to?

Was one of their very own..

And more so, had become far worse than any of them would have ever imagined----ever.

So yes, it was a wondrous day indeed for mister Jax, and the group Jenai had assembled, as they made their way further into the belly of the beast, so to speak.

And it seems it was about to become that much more wondrous indeed, especially by the tremors mister Jax had felt, and more so the chaos not only outside the door they were hidden behind, but about the abbey proper and most assuredly outside as well.

A quick check of his pack, he readied himself with a soft prayer to any deity who would give a rat's @ss at this particular junction, not leaving the Lady Myllyanna out in the process. He then followed Jenai out the door, along with the others, expecting a hellacious welcome.

Much to his surprise, they got jack sh*t..

Nothing down either angle of the hall, save errant weapons and clothing here and there. Kinda a let down for the moment, no? Well, not for Garet and the others. It meant their way up just got a tiny bit easier, for the moment at least. So across the hall they went, and damned quick mind you. Best not to tempt fate and what not.

Fate smiled again upon the foolish it would seem, as the store room below the mess hall was empty as well, save the foods and what not, which began to cause a slight worry in Garet, yet he would not voice it, not just yet. He carried that feeling, that someone or something else may be working nearby, but a feeling warranted little worry right now until, he had more to go on. As Jenai and the others began to make their way up, Garet readied the first of his charges, setting them accordingly about a pair of corners in the room, as the detonators were quickly re-checked.

If all went well, they would not need the charges. However, if they did need them, these were set to effectively blow a pair of supports that would easily cut off both the hall from the main stairs, and the secondary entrance from the dungeon stairs, buying them some time for an escape. Course, that was in the best possible light, and what not.

So up Garet went, bringing up the rear.

The kitchen itself had been secured with little effort, as it looked like light cooking had taken place and a bit of clutter here and there, he assumed from the pounding the building was taking from the outside, which was getting stronger by every effin moment.

A quick moment to place another charge, behind a stove near the dumbwaiter and he then joined the others outside in the mess hall proper.

A brow raised immediately, as he noted the bodies.

"Goblins!? What the hell-- in the abbey? You bastard, Raven. You f*cking bastard."

Garet glanced about the room quickly making a mental note of the freshness of some of the kills. The worrisome feeling grew more so, as then found a knight as well.. The wound very fresh, and the blood still somewhat warm.. "Sh*t.."

The others glanced about as well, save Jenai.

She was fixated upon the double doors that lead to the lobby of the first floor.. Fists were tightened so much her knuckles had to be so white.. Her face was devoid it seems, of anything and everything. Garet opened his mouth to say something, and was quickly waved off and understandingly so, as Jenai seemed to literally radiate with such an aura of sheer anger and sheer purpose.

While the armor she wore, hid many things from many people, Garet Jax knew far better, as he watched her more so.. The slight shift of plate, and padding.. The way her sword belt had done the same, as well. The soft tremble of that chin, ever so, coupled with the fact she did not blink for anything.

So there they were, waiting for what felt like an eternity, but in all reality was mere seconds.

" And it looked like such a good monastery. Its a shame, but I swear to the Goddess and all the Isles, I am going to tear down every wall until I find him. And if he's in here, he'll want to watch the 'show', we need to go up."

She had finally spoken, and the tone of that voice told Garet and the others all they needed to know.

Jenai had her sights solely set upon one thing, and one thing only.

Ending, Raven.

This was it, it seemed. She had finally given matter to the fact, that this had to end, and the only way that was going to happen, was to end this once and for all, and to hell with whatever else came along, or whatever else they had to slosh through to get to Jenai's goal.

Garet's worry for Jenai increased, as he understood that it wasn't that she did not see what was around her, as they saw it.. She chose to ignore it, because it mattered little to her end.

It was the Zealot..

She had shown herself here and now, and she had spoken as they had before to Isuelt's lot, and others.. To those she punished, with such righteous fury, in the name of her goddess and more so, Justice.

The Zealot had decided.

The man called Raven would have to be put down, by any means possible and she would see to it, goddess help her, she would. And gods help Garet and the others, because they may all end up dead as well, to see that end met. Which is why they were the ones who went along, because they knew of the Zealot and what she would task herself, and others to do, to see the end met.

Garet was right to be worried, as he had expected this shift, much later in the game.. Yet, there is was. However, what worried him more so, was a lingering question..

If the Zealot were here, would the Berserker be that far behind and if it did show, would Garet himself, have to put Jenai down as well?

Steeling himself, he pushed that thought aside, and went past Jenai into the main hall, which caused a bit of a stir as some knights came into the main door, upon the small party. As they came in, they were cut down into pieces, as Garet used his own gantlet on knights in a rather decisive manner.

Garet then moved to bar the door with anything else they were able to get their hands on, and as he did that, he noticed...

"Bodies, the stairs? The he---"

His sentence was cut off, as he felt a sharp pang from within. A hand lifted to his chest, as he looked to the stairs once more, his eyes widening more so, as he spoke softly.

"Henrietta? Desire?"

Glancing back, he called out to the others.

"Secure the room, and go with Jenai! I'll find you all soon, I'm heading down to the dungeon! Don't let her face him alone!"

Garet saluted, and bolted for and then down the stairs, stepping weapons, and body alike, as he drew his ebon blade, letting the weapon flare to life, a low growl escaping the man..

"I'm coming for you."

She might have gaped at her grand child, had she not still been fighting those persistant ghouls that just would not let go!

The spell had worked.. just not the way grandmother had expected. And now the magic spent from such a task was starting to take it's toll.

Nostrils flared and feet stomped and kicked out at anything nearby, her tail lashing behind. Her grand daughter got a glower as she had tested one wing then the other right in front of her.

Deep in her heart, Dominique was still family, and somewhere she had to be in there.

Yes Dominique.. Yes I see your babies, but the difference is that I care for them. Just as I care for you.

Nostrils continued to flare as she was wearing herself down. I will Never give in!

The shackles and chains rattled as she stumbled, catching herself before she could fall.

Ice blue gaze caught the disappearing form then of her grand baby. Before she turned her glare back upon Raven.

The glare that would say YOU did this!

Jaws parted as she would snap out, trying again to reach any part of the bastard who had corrupted her grand baby.

There was little to no way out, and she knew it.

And the healing spell.. The spell she had so trusted upon before left her magic dwindling, and her energy along with it.

The Osprey on the hangar level had already been prepped for takeoff by the time he reached it. Big Mike knew his business damn well - he was one of Leo's best men, as well as being checked out on both the Black Hawk and Osprey aircraft. By the time the Thunderbolt Battle Armor had been assembled around him he could hear the startup whine of the twin Rolls-Royce AE 1107C tiltrotor turboprop engines, and by the time the cargo-sized elevator had hauled him in his armor up to the hangar level, they were already at idle.

They created a hell of a racket, which was only muffled thanks to the battle armor's systems to protect his hearing, and even in the suit he could feel the buffeting of the downdraft caused by the twin three-bladed proprotors.

As he walked up the loading ramp into the cargo bay, he heard the comms come to life, followed a moment later by Mike's slow, deep voice speaking in clipped tones. "Sir, we got 'chutes and wingsuits for your crew...they're gonna need 'em, if the briefing I got on the way here is still accurate when we get to the drop zone. We're ready to go as soon as your two companions are aboard."

He nodded in the direction of the forward bulkhead, towards the camera mounted there, as he spoke over the frequency. "Thank you, Mr. Petrov." Turning toface the cargo ramp in the rear, he settled in to wait for the pair to arrive.

Mike was as good as his word: Nails and JaX had no sooner climbed aboard than he felt the engines accelerate to takeoff speed, and he didn't even wait for the cargo ramp to close before they lifted off the ground and into the air. The transition to horizontal flight was made smoothly as silk and with a sharp bank they were headed for the battlefield.

While they were en-route, he went over the situation with them. It took five minutes to explain the layout of the battlefield and the current situation as it had been relayed to them by Spartan.

"We'll be jumping from ten thousand feet to keep the Osprey and its pilot out of the danger zone." He gestured towards the parachutes and wingsuits hanging from the bulkhead. "You're welcome to use both. The 'chutes are configured for a high-altitude, low-opening jump for quick entry onto the battlefield and minimal time exposed to..."

He was interrupted by Mike's voice cutting over the intercom. "Listen up, people. Just got word that your friend Spartan is in pursuit of about a dozen or so dragons heading back towards the city. I'm taking us up to a higher altitude to avoid them. Time to drop zone is twelve minutes."

Under the helmet, he let out a choice string of curses as he felt the Osprey angle into a climb, then looked towards Nails and JaX. "All right, ladies...time to get ready."

It took her no time at all to arrive at the rendevous point and she wasted no time boarding the Osprey. She couldn't help but notice, having preceded Nails entrance by only mere moments, the hardcore woman's obvious aversion to the aircraft. She watched the brief but entertaining scene that transpired between Zulu and Nails with that signature smirk curling her lips.

She had to admit, she had never seen Issy so flustered and was that...a bit of fear? She knew this woman to an extent but knew of her and her people enough to know that is was the technology she feared would let her down. JaX had always respected the Scathachian's and knew this woman would do what was necessary when her skills and talents were needed to help a fellow Avenger out. But the sight was none the less amusing to the enhanced clone as a barely audible chuckle rumbled in her throat as she made her way in and grabbed an overhead strap just as the Osprey took flight.

The briefing being given by Zulu had taken most of her focus, not even batting so much at an eyelash at the height from which they would be hurling themselves towards the fight but Issy could still be seen out of the corner of her eye. She noticed that the further he got into what they were going to have to do once they reached the battlefield a bit of color drained from the tanned Scathachian's face. Issy began to voice her issues when something happened that was out of character for the clone. In a comforting gesture, she leaned over and placed a hand on the woman's knee. Once she locked eyes with Issy, the look she gave helped to reaffirm her faith in the woman that was followed by a nod that basically said, "You got this" and once Issy returned that encouraging nod, she removed her hand and looked back to Zulu.

The mention of the suits got a bit of a grimace, she wasn't really a fan of parachutes or those winged flying squirrel suits. She grabbed one of the wingsuits and held it up between two fingers, turning it around a bit to examine it, when Zulu told them it was time to get ready. These damn suits were going to make it near impossible for her to get to her stealthy hidden blades, she wasn't happy about it. But she did remember the mention of the mini dragons that were swarming the area. Mike's announcement confirmed it. Those ice greens lit up a bit at that.

"Now as I understand it, there are lots more where those came from, no fair for Spartan to have all the fun. He can handle those few." Indicating the wingsuit still grasped by her two fingers, "I may not need this thing if there are as many as have been reported. I'm kind of keen to play a bit of dragon-hopscotch." The smirk that was always settled on those lips slid into a grin at the thought. She did NOT accessorize with her favorite blades for this exciting mission to have them inaccessible by some weird suit.

"She cares for her babies too, sister! But she knows as well as I do, that you have to break a few eggs to make some breakfast!?

The words of Raven escaping rather intently as gauntleted fingers flexed more so, pressing the hold he had within the matriarch, even further. The chaos abound seemingly ignored, as the dark one obviously had his sights on the prize at hand, in the form of one rather incapacitated Icer. Closer, and closer did that prize truly begin to appear, as he felt the resistance slip that much more..

Soon, she would be his.. He just need a bit more.

Then, the game changer, so to speak, would be in play.

Till then, however. Perhaps a verbal jab or two?

?As hungry as we are, Icer--- there will be a sh*t load of eggs breaking all over this pathetic realm!?

To add to insult, Raven pushed ever so harder with little regard to the inside of Icer, knowing the emotional pain far would outweigh the physical. But he damned sure can close that gap between the two.

Each breath taken, meant he was one breath closer.. Each flare of those nostrils, meant that much more of her, was taking its leave.. Each shudder of those muscles fighting so very hard to support that massive frame of hers, despite the sheer will, and resolve to not give in. Each of those growls, each of those scrapes of talon.. The snaps of maw, and oh gods everything else..

Each of those meant Raven, was that much closer to his goal.

Breaking her, body and soul..

?You will give in.. You WILL be mine, Icer.. And when you are, I will turn you on each and every one of them, watching you unleash every bit of that pent up rage, in an oh so glorious rain of ice fire, and hatred! I will FREE you, ICER and you will THANK me for it, time and again you will!?

Oh that glare of hers, that frosted glare of unadulterated anger!

Such things it did to him... Inside, and out...

It was so delicious..

Then a pleasant surprise indeed, as Icer decided it was time to take a piece of Raven. Those jaws of hers snapping shut with such force, that even Raven's form shifted from the tremor those jaws had created. Again, and again they snapped, yet he would not relent one bit at all, despite the fact his stance had shifted somewhat, he was not giving up that prize at all.

Because each snap, meant--- you guessed it. One f*cking step closer..

With no word, Raven reared that gauntleted hand of his back, as runes of blood crackled ever so furiously with such want, and need. Fingers curled tightly into a fist, as the stones of the artifact burst brightly in reaction to their master's twisted need.

And then he let fly, as that fist slammed into Icer's maw with such force, the very ground shifted beneath them!

?I told you, you insolent cow! You are spent, and breaking and you WILL be mine! And if I can't break you this way, I will break you another way!?

Another shot was delivered to Icer's maw, yet again with such intensity!

Then to assure his words were felt, he tried something.. Deep within Icer, and he knew she would feel it, and fight it to no end, and that is exactly what he would hope for..

When he would cause her to shift forms...

Making her, become human..

NEVER! I will NEVER give in to you! her form thrashed a new. The verbal jabs, the pain, she growled and thrashed snapping out again and again, seeking any part of Raven that she could manage to catch.

Unfortunately.. she missed. And that fist of his slammed into her jaws, an angry shriek as he did it again!, blood dribbling from those jaws. Her blood.

It was the last.. she thrashed, and snarled, fighting against his spell, she would NEVER become human, wings flapping and flaring. she would kick out at his chest.

Nostrils flared and blood still dripped from her maw, he could try. he could try all he wanted, but she would never turn from her true form. never again. Claws swiping out and jaws snapping again, her vigor renewed.

There was no way that she was letting her blades be left behind. She was opting for the chute, rather than the wing suit. It would allow her to keep her weapons and her focus on what was around her, namely the unfriendlies that were swooping around outside. While Isuelt had grown accustomed to Icer over the years, dragons and scaled beasts of the air still unsettled her old fashioned nature.

One to two thousand feet is the usual pull for chutes, but Batten's gone ahead and seen to a few modifications. Zulu's voice still was resonating in her mind as she looked over the pack just before she put it on. Two pulls, each for maneuvering, are at your sides. Just think of them as a way to turn and slow up in mid-air. Their handles are ergonomically shaped, so as to separate their feel from the ripcord.

"Great Hera," her lips began to mutter safely beneath the roar of the Osprey's engines, "If I would have known that this was how today was going to go..." Then what? The Scathachian thought to herself. Not get up? Not go where she was needed? Acting when she was needed to was her creed, her purpose, her destiny in life. She needed to be here, and she would carry on until her end.

Isuelt nodded her head sharply as the pack was pulled tightly around her shoulders and her leather-ensconced waist was cinched beneath the series of straps. Her thick lashes blinked as she looked up from the security of the pack and gazed over at Julianna and to Zulu. She was envious of each of them for a different reason; Zulu for his suit and Julianna for her apparent working knowledge of this sort of action. She inhaled smoothly and forced her breath through a controlled "o" of her lips. The Osprey jostled them lightly, then she felt the tilt of the craft as she looked out a small window.

The sky was dark, clouds hung stubbornly trying to mask the day's light. Fitting with their objective, Isuelt thought. Then, she saw it. A shadow as quick as the blink of an eye, darting just past her line of sight. Then another. Her gloved hands pressed against the side of the Osprey's inner hull as the warrior peered out the window, her dark eyes searching for the source of the figures. Nothing, just light play on the rapidly moving clouds. She noted as she looked down that they were outside of the Rhydin city limits, nearly to their drop zone. Isuelt could hear Zulu and Julianna talking quickly behind her as they prepared.

"Here they come, hang on!" She heard Petrov in her ear. The Osprey tipped and climbed higher for a moment. She was watching the ground beneath them pitch and roll away to the left. In doing so, it allowed for a greater field of view down below and she saw those shadows...trailing a red and gold blur. Spartan.

"Leo's got company down there," Isuelt's gaze swept the air as best as she could as the Osprey maneuvered. "He have any help? There's...there's more than a few of those dragons on his tail." There were no others around to aid Leo that she could see, and for an instant she forgot her own misgivings of leaving a Scathachian spat on the ground, and turned instead to Spartan's flight of his own.

"Three minutes to deploy. Get into positions." Petrov's words were like ice to her nerves.

"Now or never, Nails." Isuelt left the window and joined Julianna. There was a small smirk on the Scathachian's lips. Nails. She had been hearing that nickname a lot today. Back in Metro, Scorp had called her that very often. It was fitting that he was the last thought to take her mind as the rear of the Osprey opened its door to the sky.

She too had taken a spot at a window when Big Mike had told them what was happening just below them. She knew the flash of red and gold was Spartan and he had taken down a couple of the five that had been broken off to give chase?right for them. She scoffed and that smirk curled her lips as she had watched, thinking to herself that he got to have all the fun. It was then that she noticed Zulu pop open the back and start making his way towards the opening. She stepped forward and slung her hand out, planting the palm of her right hand on the cold metal of his chest armor, halting his progress and not by the strength of the gesture but she was sure by the mere fact she was attempting to stop him from exiting.

?Not so fast tin can.? She removed her hand once he had stopped and looked him up and down a second before turning those ice green eyes to scan the interior of the Osprey quickly locating what she was going to need. She made her way over to a pile of repelling rope coiled in a corner as she continued to address Zulu, ?I have no idea how you boys manage to maneuver worth a damn in those metal cages. But regardless, I am not about to let you trussed up men of metal have all the fun. Now I was promised dragons and by my count, there are three down there that I can get some practice with.? As she spoke she was pulling out several feet of the rope, finding both ends quickly, one end she had made short work of tying off around her waist while the other end she grabbed up after securing the knot and walked over to stand next to Nails.

?This ought to do.? Tugging at the knot one more quick time, ?Now, you two stay put. I?ll be right back.? She made her way to end of the loading ramp, turning a bit to look back at Nails with a grin. She tossed the other end of the rope to her which was caught with ease. The questioning look on Issy?s face was only there for a split second when she got her answer, ?Tie that off for me would you?? She didn?t wait for a response because as soon as the last word was uttered she leapt out of the back of the Osprey and the weight of her body put her in a free fall heading right for the nearest dragon in her path.

"You WILL give in you sick cow, and I will MAKE you do so! "

Raven cackled more so, seemingly loving that fact that he was inside Icer, so very much and more so, that he was twisting her mentally, as much as physically. The more she fought, the better it tasted, and the easier it would be. Oh yes, she would be his and he would do such things to her...

Such things!

"I will turn you! I will make you human, and I will turn you out like some dime store whore in West End, and let whoever wants have their sick way with you! They will do things to you, that even I cannot dream of and you will relive that, every single f*cking day of your miserable scaled life!"

Oh he was something now.. It seemed all else had been forgotten, as Icer had his full attention, and mind you--- whether or not that was a good thing had yet to be determined truly.. In the grand scope, I mean.

For Icer?

It was hell, and it was going to get so much worse..

So fight Icer would, and press did Raven, so much so no less..

He would break her, and he would do exactly what he had said he would do. In fact it he had told the world exactly what he would do, and then did exactly that.. Why should this be any different!? Why can he not break Icer, and turn her in so many disgusting ways? Why can he not keep every hideous promise he made to those close, and afar when it came to the City of Rhy'din and her people?

Jenai?

Yotsuba?

Katt?

The Governor...

One broken, and astray... One broken, and left to die... One broken, and dead...

And one to be broken in front of the world, as she and her people knew it.

But first things first, hmmm?

A fist reared back and struck Icer, again and again!

"Come now Icer! Give into me, and I'll give you two water dishes to drink from as you whore about the city in MY name!"

He recoiled, as she connected with a thunderous kick, that easily would have floor many others and worse in some cases.. The bond broken for a moment, as he growled and dug in deeper, offering a kick of his own, as the two began to trade blows back and forth in such a manner that ground itself began to give way to the sheer savagery!

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"

"Give as good as you get, b*tch and know I will break you!"

The wind slammed into her like a outraged ex-lover. The clouds were whistling by them, just beyond the gaping whole created by the opening of the cargo door. The Osprey's movements were making it hard to think just now. Still, for the Scathachian, comprehension came quite quickly as JaX threw herself headlong out of the craft and was free falling. Isuelt was holding the other end of JaX's rope and she knew that if she couldn't secure a knot quickly enough, she would be pulled along with JaX to a certain death.

Isuelt's dark eyes went wide as she watched JaX jump. She had only enough time to catch a sharp breath in her throat before she was looking around for a place to tie her end of the repelling rope. Just to the Scathachian's left was a steel brace for one of the benches lining the hull. As she stooped for it, her muscled arms stretched forward and forced the rope around the leg brace which was bolted to the floor. She could hear Zulu yelling something behind her, but she couldn't quite make it out. Besides, the Judge's attention was intent on tying the fastest knot she had ever tied in her life. The slack on the repelling rope was running out like the very sands of time; Isuelt felt her fingers couldn't move fast enough.

Just when the loop on her knot was about to be yanked secure, the slack ran out. "Mother fuc--" was all Isuelt could get out before she, the half-knot and the rope were pulled toward what now seemed like a gaping maw to the wild blue yonder of death. Isuelt's body was yanked mercilessly toward the opening as the wind screaming throughout the belly of the Osprey. It happened so fast, almost before she knew what was ensuing. Isuelt's black leather encased backside was skidding along the floor, being pulled by the rope with JaX at the other end, almost as if she were sledding. All at once, strong legs straightened out before her and the soles of her boots hit the first obstacle they could find: a steel arm which interlocked with the joint of the hatch. She braced herself, pulling hard on the rope. She wasn't about to let JaX go, let alone herself.

Gritting her teeth, Isuelt leaned back now that her body was no longer hurdling toward the open hatch. The rope didn't creak; at least she didn't hear it creak, not above the shriek of the wind and engines. She pulled up on the rope again, choking up on her grip and giving silent thanks to Scathach that she hadn't left her gloves behind. Isuelt was pulling up JaX, one hand over the other and leaving the slack behind her.

Her panicked breaths now found a steady rhythm and her espresso gaze found Zulu, who was moving behind her to anchor the slack. Isuelt bellowed out over the song of the air ripping through the hull, "Grab the line and hold it, leave enough slack for me to properly tie it down! You can't do the knot with your suit on!" Chocolate locks were rippling over her cheekbones as she turned her face to look at Zulu over her shoulder, making sure he heard her. He had. Zulu's dominant, metal boot came down with authority over the repelling rope and held it fast to the floor. Isuelt scrambled up off of her behind and maneuvered around behind him, where she had won some nearly three feet of slack. With Zulu anchoring for her, Isuelt's hands worked quickly with the grating on the floor of the hull. With only one end of the rope to work with, she was at least able to tie a running hitch. The weight on the other end of the line, JaX, kept the knot's fist tight. She only hoped that JaX was prepared to hold on to her end.

What exactly JaX was doing out there was anyone's guess. Dragons or no dragons, Isuelt couldn't get up to look. She simply flung herself back against the floor, which was more than uncomfortable, given the fact that her pack was on. "What the f*ck have I gotten myself into..." The Scathachian murmured beneath the volume of the wind as she stared up at the hull of the Osprey and regained her composure.

Isuelt rolled to her side and got up, her eyes darting toward Zulu, "What the f*cking hell was she thinking? I mean, a little goddess damned warning would have been nice!" Still, she had to admire JaX's spunk and all-in-balls-out attitude. Her boots pounded out her paces as she joined him and looked along the rope where it led out of the Osprey. Hands on her hips, she took a deep breath and looked from the circling sky beneath them back to Zulu. "She always like this?"

Dragonfire.. She had not intended to weaken the ground so, and only when she was falling did she realize that that the chains and ghouls were gone.

Wings had spread enough to help ease her fall into what seemed an endless sinkhole, and soon she had twisted herself to land upon her side on a ledge further from Raven. In fact she couldn't see him anymore.

Ice blue eyes peered upwards, seeking out any sign of the man, but he was nowhere to be found, and she grunted as she tried to move. everything was sore but she had managed to save that which was important. Just by twisting..

She needed to find a way out of the sinkhole, but stirring only sent stones and debris from her ledge further below into the darkness.

Her jaws still bled as she lay there on the ledge. Ice blue eyes half lidded. Blue eyes peered upwards as debris rained down from above, and pressing herself against the ledge she would close her eyes. She needed to rest if only for a few moments.

Dropping into a crouch her head snapped upward as if she could see the cause of the force that riveted down through the Abbey. She hadn't spared a glance back to Kimura or Tal but could hear them breathing heavily in the smoke and dark dust as they regained their footing. Yet Jenai already had both swords in hand as she looked to the stairwell.


From it his taunt echoed like an ancient mouth, lost and dark, a voice within and without. Tal and Kim she knew were hurting, the heat was getting to them while Jenai felt not a drop of sweat.

He knows. He waits... but poorly. Her heart drumming in her throat was the only thing to keep her from calling him out, marking him impatient, hasted. Of course he knew he was giving away his position! He was calling her out!


"Run out of play things darkling?!" Penance rung heavy in her voice as it echoed through out the the heavy air.
"A spoiled child with toys we crumble so easily?" she was moving again and swiftly into the darkness of the stairwell.

"For all that is holy..." Tal groaned as he tossed a small fragile vile into the well. With a crack of glass a small flicker turned to a soft flare pushing away the curtain of shadow and the indiscernible face of a rotten beast before her. She could not hide the widening of her eyes at the would be knight waiting in the dark. The balls he must have! But nothing could compare to the widening and gurgling tongue of the decayed knight as Jenai's sword piked him from under jaw through his skull.

The would-be-assassin's tongue, separated by the thrust, flopped atop her boot as she looked into his dead like eyes. Her words a shaky hiss, pulling him closer. "Tell your master how the blades Aio and Uath taste, because the Goddess will not care when I feed them to him." She used the small sword to push the body away as she withdrew the other as a spray of rot and copper assailed her.


The pain she could usually keep deep within raged within every inch of her being. She didn't know if she was going to cry, laugh, or howl at the moon but she knew one thing. "I grow tired of your dolls RAVEN! Face me like a man if you can manage."
She'd lost Tal and Kim in the darkness behind her. Had they even come with her. Had anyone. Would anyone. Would it matter. She didn't care. All faces and names where blurring, fading, disappearing behind the red, into the black, with each stair she rushed. All but one.

Tal and Kim, bent over with hands on their knees in an attempt to catch their breath in the fire's smoke.

"Tis no good. We can't breath in this"
"I know."
"She's gone mad"
"Perhaps. But you wanna be the one to tell her to retreat?"
"Have her cut me down for being in the way? No Ma'am"
"Here," Kim pulled a bottle of water, small but enough, and poured it over a small cloth handing it to Tal. She nodded, pulled up the neck of her shirt, doubling as a mask and drank through it quickly. Tal blinked and understood as he tied it around his mouth and nose. There would be more fire and debris as thy rose... Following the stairs as the flare died out behind them.


The new floor was darker than below. Fire and the sounds of battle floated in from different corners which has been destroyed from above or by the machines, dragons or even Raven's own that had now been exposed... something pulled at her. Something made her stop and her blood run cold.

A small figure stood halo'd in a light of cool green and blue down one of the corridors. Too upright to be a goblin, too small to be a knight, wingless and in a tattered dress it shrunk back as if scared. Scared was not right. Unsure. Her bare and stained feet played nervously at eachother the way a shy child might.

Jenai turned and slowly approached her, unsure herself of another of the bastard's traps. Kim and Tal acted as if they agreed, the sound of bow string and the way Kim poured out of sight triggered a tiny voice as Jen grew closer, "Are we going?"
"going where?"
"down there" a dirt caked hand pointed to the floor as she looked up through matted hair.
"We?"
"yes, Laurna, Jimmy, and Me. Miss Arple tried. But Soph cried too much."


Jenai looked up as she'd passed halfway through the hallway to where the girl looked now back to the room with the soft glow and recognized the light for what it was. Raven's Runes.


"What have you done?!" She moved pass the girl and cautiously stood before the threshold and froze. Tal and Kim appeared behind her to give aide and see themselves.


Tal immediately doubled over yanking the mask free from his face and wretched, spilling lunch he forgot he'd forgotten he had about the floor, Kimura recoiled and ducked back into the shadows as if the darkness would watch the image from her mind.


The remains of 'Miss Arple' sat in one of a dozen chairs in one corner of the room, the other chairs filled with the tormented, twisted forms of little children leaning and holding on to hers like a lost and frighten child. Jenai wondered if words of comfort if any had come, the woman's remains looked far more gone then that of the little ones. Her eyes moved about the room to whom she could only guess as Jimmy and Laurna. They sat apart from the others. back to back on a rune like none she'd seen before, the light in their eyes snuffed out like dim candles before Jenai or her party could move.


Tal jerked his head towards the nameless girl, but before he could spit out whatever words he had in mind, she was gone.


The cold was gone, warmth crawling over her skin, the hair's on the back of Jenai's neck stood on end. Warmth gave over to heat, shock to outrage as she pushed fear of seeing her own daughters young faces amongst the withered and bubbling flesh that died crying from their mothers in a small spell kept classroom.


"Your blood will only be the beginning of this Atonement!" No sooner had Atonement roared from her lips a title wave of light washed into the room ripping the rune glyphs from their hold and into nothingness as the twisted corpses, released from their tormented state, burned like golden paper in firelight.

"Haunted no more," Kimura whispered as Tal moved his hand in a sign to his own god in front of him.


Jenai Angelique spun on her armored heel, gripping and re gripping her twin blades as she marched back down the hall. Blood poured from the corner of her own lips from the fury she fought to keep inside of a clinched jaw. She stopped suddenly in the middle of next landing and screamed up the stairwell.


"I hope you felt that you COWARD!"

This time she pulled no prayer, no tricks, no masks or misdirects to her voice. Fury embraced her. She wanted him to know exactly where she was.

Oh the twisted smile that took such form upon the face of the dark one, as he listened ever so intently to that which played out below him. Honestly, the reaction was more than he would have ever hoped for, and gods above and below did it taste so wonderful?

The sound of her voice, filled with such anger and intent. Such drive, and purpose. Such a wanton lust to sate that vengeance she had long since been denied, and yet here and now, it was finally within reach. So close to her was it, and yet--- so very far in many respects.

If only she truly knew, how twisted was the man that called to her moments before, and now waited to finally end that life of hers, and that of anyone else who dared to oppose him. If only she knew how many lives he had ended on the road that lead to this very moment. The road that began so long ago in another realm, in another time.

Darkenwood?

If only she knew, exactly what sins were committed to set into motion, the many facets of this sick game.

The children slaughtered, the women and men torn limb from limb. The towns razed to the ground in a coat of such crimson that ebbed from the fallen. The deceit of such magnitude, that it transcended time and space, offering the same song and dance, that produced such wondrous results for the dark one, and his followers.

She was not prepared?

She was not prepared to know, exactly the extent of the greatest of lies that gave birth to the machinations suffered upon the populace of Rhy?din, and more so her heroes.

She was not prepared?

And that mattered sh*t to Raven, because now---- finally, it comes to this one moment.

He would have the revenge he had been due for longer than he would care to admit. He would end it all, ushering the new era--- his new era, with the death of this damnable woman and after her, the two children she had the misfortune of bringing into this world. The world that would soon he his world.

A world, like others--- that would have no f*cking Ravenlocks, what so ever?

He would exterminate them, again and again. Wherever he found them, however he found them. He would stamp them, and anything else that had the pathetic sense of mind to stand with them, into the ground and he would make sure there was nothing left.

The time for games had finally come the end of its twisted road.

The truth would finally become revealed for all to see, and it would not matter one damned bit. It would not matter, because like Jenai--- they would all die.

And it begins with the very woman, that so angrily and quite willingly brings herself to him.

?You cut my play things down, b*tch! But you know damned well I can have so many more upon you, in an instant! But that would be too easy, Jenai! To f*cking easy for you to die that way!?

The cackle that ensued echoed so loudly, but he knew she would not hear all of it. He knew what had played out earlier, what the artifact had shown him. He knew the seal was weakening and that thing that was held in check within her by the sister of old, was gaining more ground with each passing moment. And that would make things, that much the better.

Because if he took her soul, with that of what was within her? The effects would be of the likes never seen before in terms of the ebonsteele.

He knew where she was, as she made her way along the 2nd floor. He felt the pains deeply felt by Jenai and her own, as they discovered---- his little experiments.

Just one more straw for the back of the camel, so to speak. Would this one be the one to break it? No, he knew far better than that. But it was one that would easily unnerve her to no end, and that would only add to the measures he had inflicted upon Jenai from the beginning of this gambit.

Measures?

You ask, what measures?

Very well for the sake of argument, I shall indulge you. And you are welcome, in advance.

Raven?s machinations?

The verbal assault, and breaking of Isuelt, which after all this time, is still felt deeply within the Sister. Such an impact with little effort what so ever, yet the effects were devastating. Turning her, inside and out. Turning her to the darkness of doubt, and despair, and more so watching her crawl on hands and knees to finally regain such footing, and yet---- that false bravado remained.

The seeds of doubt, are a much more powerful tool that anyone would ever give credence to.

And Raven wielded them like a two ton hammer?

Isuelt and her own order at odds? Little, Chi--- dear sweet Chi, offered such insight to the order, and its people. The fact that Raven had shown her, that which was held from her, and more? Seeds planted so well that Chi was at odds with her own elders? Sister question sister, on a myriad of affairs, and more so the public began to question as well?

Order against order? The C.o.S.?

Yes, another part of the gambit? However do not give Raven all the credit, as he does not take it. However, he will accept an assist on the tackle, if you will. Because it did not take much to set Jenai on that path of righteous vengeance, given the fact that her own goddess was weakened enough for her own seal to ebb.. Allowing the berserker to finally see the light of day, after nearly two decades spent in slumber!

The Avengers? Wolvinator, and his lot? Not this new Johnny come lately gathering, that already was a day late. I refer to the older group that stood by, when Raven said he would kill. Y?know, much like Isuelt and her lot? Yes, seeds were so planted there and then some, as the public outcry was quite impressive. Hero questioned hero, follower questioned leader and more so--- heroes began to question themselves.

Katt? Yes, that was a bit of fun there--- such a twisted game spent on the ?lil baker that could?, and it was even better when she was cut down in front of her own people.

Jadden, and Pestilence? Epona, and so many others?

We could go on, and on--- but that would be quite taxing, and we need to get back to the here and now, so allow me to speed up to Jenai?

The greatest and very well the longest running lie of all. And more so, the most painful.

You see, while Raven had run roughshod on the city, and her people? All these months spent, and lives taken. All the lies, and doubt, the anger and sorrow, and everything else in between.

Jenai had the ring side seat?

Not meaning, she was with him or anything. I mean emotionally, she had the ring side seat.

She watched, as the man she loved and adored. The father of her own children. The man whose heart she held, and he her own. The man she would call husband, lover and everything that was her own world. The man who had done so much for Rhy?din, and her people. The man who despite anything thrown at him, would not relent or give into that which stood against him, and those in need.

She watched him turn, and forsake everything he had ever known and loved.

Forsaking her and their children?

She watched him strike down those she knew he had loved as brothers, sisters, and even daughters. She saw the lives he had taken, the harm he had inflicted upon the masses with the greatest of ease. She heard the tone in that voice, she felt the tremors of darkness. The whispers of those close to her, and even those afar.

She watched as everything he had built over the course of his life, came crashing down around her and her own.

More so, she watched nearly everything crumble that ?they? had built, together?

Businesses shut down, properties seized, bank accounts frozen. Criminal warrants issues, posters strewn about town declaring her love to be a ?domestic terrorist? of the utmost concern. Being followed, and watched by those who began to doubt Jenai herself, swearing she was in league with Raven.

The rift between Jenai, and her own family of Scathach.

Lies, upon lies, upon lies, coated with a deep crimson stain the likes of which NO water would wash clean.

Jenai had to face that, day after day? Week after week, and more so, month after month.

More so, she had to face her own children, who had questions of their own.

So yes, Jenai was in all honesty--- the first victim of Raven?s sick game. The first, and the most deeply cut. More than any other was she cut, ever so deeply with each day that passed.

The biggest mind screw of them all..

With each new incident, and each new threat and promise. She looked to a goddess that offered support despite her own limited capacities? Looking to another for a new way to direct, the will of Scathach and finding that path to be one of enlightenment and strength.

Yet despite that newfound strength, the doubt and deeply rooted cuts, remained--- and bled quite freely.

Sleepless nights? Days that did not seem to ever want to end? Such stresses, did the most common events offer, making the easiest of things seemingly unbearable at times.

Yes despite that, Jenai remained a pillar of hope! A beacon of light, a tower of strength! More and more did the people rally to her call!

Paladins, and soldiers.. Priestesses and Clerics.. People of the city, and farms. All walks of life, and they came and they followed. They too would fight for a better day, for a day without the blight that Raven had cast upon the city and her people, upon the lands abound. Jenai would not be broken, and neither would they!

They would fight!

And more so--- they would fail?

Because eventually all pillars would wear down. All towers would--- crumble. It was simply a matter of time, and Raven knew it. There would be a time his own tower would crumble, and he knew that as well.

Make no mistake, however? He would see hers shattered in front of the world, before that day ever came!

And from the sounds of things downstairs, it seems Jenai was nearing that breaking point, that much quicker.

?Your blood will be the beginning of this atonement!?

The holy light was felt by Raven, even as far as he was from Jenai, and his experiments. So much was the power, that the dark one literally fell somewhat to a knee, as a hand lifted to shield him from the warmth. A string of soft curses, giving way to a somewhat cackle.. The pain offering a awakening of sorts, as Raven lifted to his feet and readied himself, for what was to come.

This would not be easy, and he wanted it that way. The harder she made it, the harder the kill---the more delightful would the spoils be on oh so many fronts! And the reaction of those close to her, when they realize she had fallen? Yes, that would do rather nicely.

And add to that, the torment of the very man she loved.

Knowing he had lead her to her death.

F*cking priceless?

?I hope you felt that you COWARD!?

Yes, that was it! That is what he had wanted! No more games at all! Finally it would come to a head!

?So you found my little experiment, eh!? Did you enjoy the show, Jenai!? I?ve got another one for you, and tell me if you heard this one before!?

Que that dramatic pause?

?Husband walks into a bar, the cut off the f*cking wife?s head! Then he cuts the heads off her children, and makes a necklace of the three and parades around the tow--- No forget that, we?ll skip the punch line, and just get to the damned point! You came a long way to die, woman! So get your @ss up here, and get to it!?

As soon as he saw some of them take the bait, he turned and put power to the thrusters, rocketing away fast enough to look like he was running, but not so fast that they would give up the chase as hopeless. He wanted to lure them away, but when he looked back, there were only two of them on his tail. The crimson-suited figure twisted in the air, looking for the other three, only to see them heading for the Osprey far above them.

Crap.

He'd slowed slightly to get a look, and the pair coming after him were both fast movers. Twisting again, he slowed just a little more, watching the holographic HUD in front of his eyes that marked their position on his display. Just a little closer...

And just as they were about to catch up, he jerked his body upright and put his hands out, sending a burst of power through the pulse emitters in his palms. At the same moment the haptic feedback sensors in the suit registered the movement and deployed multiple control surfaces across the armor, increasing his drag in the air as he put the brakes on, dropping his speed to almost nothing.

The dragon and its smaller accompanying drake were little more than black winged blurs as they sped past him, both screeching out their rage as they went by and missed their suddenly stationary target. As they went to turn, he put power back to the thrusters and leaned forward, feeling the control surfaces slide back into place as he regained forward momentum. He put out a palm and charged the pulse emitter, aiming for the drake and letting loose a charged particle burst right for the middle of its back. The drake let out a brief scream as it was incapacitated and began to fall into a death spiral for the ground below.

Turning, he focused his attention on the larger remaining dragon, using the power of the suit to catch up, aiming right for the middle of its long neck. It must have heard him coming, though, because it suddenly flipped over with surprising nimbleness so it was facing him just as he was about to reach him, opening its jaws wide.

He saw that glow start up at the back of its throat, and reacted on instinct, putting the breaks on again and bringing both pulse emitters to bear as they overcharged and letting loose a pair of blasts aimed right down into its maw.

The pressurized gases were at the point of being spewed out when the charged particle bursts forced them back down its throat. The dragon had just enough time to look almost comically shocked before that back pressure blew it up from the inside into a mess of bloody, charred chunks and flaming entrails.

He turned and aimed his body upwards, just in time to see a dead drake fall down towards the ground past him. He watched it fall on his way up for a moment, then turned his attention upwards.

It was a good thing he did right at that moment - his view was filled with the falling body of another one, this one sans its wings and screeching furiously. A quick twist to the side got him out of the way as it went past. What the hell?

He didn't see Zulu up there, just a figure climbing a rope towards the open cargo ramp on the back, and what looked like the remains of a third, dragon falling in pieces away from her. He didn't have to zoom in to know who it was - only one person on that aircraft was crazy enough to do that sort of thing.

At that moment he heard the cool voice of the AI speaking inside the helmet. "Sir, the remaining dragons have picked up speed and are pulling away. Should you not be going after them?"

He looked back towards the mass of dragons, some miles distant now, as he put himself into a hover for a moment. They seemed less concerned with ripping up the landscape now, that was for sure - they'd just had ten of their number cut or shot down in just a few minutes. "Get a message to Ranger. Let him know they're heading for the city, and be sure to tell him that Pestilence is with them. Time to spring the trap."

Turning, he put power back to the thrusters as he altered his flight path to catch up with the Osprey, coming up to its altitude and drawing even alongside it for a moment as he looked it over. As they neared the Abbey once again, he accelerated, flying past it to head back into the thick of the battle.

As he passed over the field where the fighting was continuing with intensity, he noticed something that hadn't been there before - a rather large, deep hole. "Diana, what happened down there?"

The dispassionate voice spoke back in an instant. "Unknown, sir. Performing a sensor sweep now." There was a pause. "It appears to be a sinkhole. I am registering a single life sign approximately thirty feet down, which matches that of Icer Shimmerscale. She appears to have suffered injuries..."

That was all he needed to hear. Immediately he twisted and rocketed down into the hole, flipping over as he went below ground level and slowing his descent. The light from the thrusters gave him enough to see by, and the holographic display inside his helmet amplified it to make it seem as bright as day. Turning a slow circle, he finally spied the dragon laying on a ledge and flew over to settle carefully on it next to her, cutting the power to the thrusters.

He engaged the external communications and spoke, the mechanical-sounding, computer-filtered voice echoing oddly down here. "Icer...Icer, wake up. We need to get you out of here."

?I was wrong oh dear, Raven! All those creatures we killed, all that hard work. They are not your playthings.. YOU are the plaything!!"
??
Oh how the eyes of frost narrowed, as the words of Jenai were slowly taken in? It seemed as if time and space had stilled for the pair of them, as the words of the ?Lady Ravenlock? angrily continued.
??
?You have been a clever marionette haven?t you? A very very clever little thing. I could almost forgive you for not being in control this whole time..?
??
BUT you aren?t THAT CLEVER are you?! You knew where I was. I never hid from you? and you still FAIL with all this boasting and talk of you could have never attempted face to face!?
?
?Was that an eye twitch? Did the dark one actually--- show reaction?
??
?Tell me lap dog? what does the Master say to you now? What does he tell you? What are the whispers to you, now that the bitch you sought, walked right into your den?!?
??
Another eye twitch?
??
The gauntleted hand lifted, offering a rather slow sweep of ?hand. The result of which was a series of portals that opened throughout, the 3rd and 2nd floors of the abbey proper. The portals seemingly absorbing any creatures of the ebon darkness that would have remained, rightly pulling them into the void their lord had summoned them from. A move that by some measure would be foolish, given the fact that he was faced with the polar opposite of his own being? His darkness, against her light.
??
A move he did not ponder over, nor care about what so ever?
?
She had struck a nerve?
??
?Marionette? Plaything?.? Master?!?
??
?That is what you brought to the table ?! You insufferable bitch! If it didn't pain him so damned much, you would have been the first one I ever killed in this pathetic realm! Just like the others---of you... But here, it had to be different didn't it? You and your saggy breasted goddess of absolute sh*t! You had to have that kind of a hold, didn't you? You had to give birth to those two--- abominations you call children!?

Runes of frost and blood began to shimmer more so as the dark one's ire grew ever so... The agitation was quite visible upon the face of Raven, as frosted eyes began to narrow more so. Creases formed on that brow of his, as a lip somewhat trembled. Something inside?had snapped.

?You... It ALL centered on you, didn't it? In every single f*cking realm it was YOU! At every turn, it came to you, and it ended with you... In order to break him---- to break them, it came to YOU! I had to hunt you down, time and again. More times, and places than your simple mind could ever comprehend, and in each of those times, and places, I erased you.?

The crackle of runes, was heard more so. Gauntleted fingers clenched tightly, as gemstones of amber, and crimson began to pulse with such energies, the likes of which Jenai would recall quite well---- albeit distantly. But she knew full well, what this was. Deep within those recesses deep within those reserves she kept. Past that spiritual shield, past the physical, past anything and everything...

Jenai knew.

?I erased you from more existences, than you would ever know! More times, than you could ever dream let alone fathom, I took the very life from you, and those around you! These hands of mine, snapped that neck of yours, time and again! Drove the knife into that heart of yours, and in some cases it was far, far worse! And you have the audacity to come to me, in a sad attempt to turn the tables!? You come to me, and you ask what is to be said, because you decided to save me the trouble of directly confronting you earlier in this game of mine!??

?Marionette?? Play thing?! Master!??

?You sicken me with that pathetic attempt at striking a nerve! But rest assured slave to that whore of a teacher, you did strike a nerve, and I will make sure you know exactly why you struck that nerve and more so, why I have been striking yours for all these f*cking years!?

Suddenly, the scape began to slowly change... The stairwell of the abbey, shifting bit by bit until---- Jenai stood in the market place of Rhy'din...

With Raven across from her, as he was before in the abbey...

There were no sounds of battle anymore, no shaking of the flooring, and walls. More so, it was night time now, and-- snowing.

A glance around gave Jenai, more than she needed to honestly understand, as the lights and decor of the market made it quite clear...

It was the Yule.

She knew this night... Gods did she know this night, and place.

It was the night her love finally returned to her, after well over a year and a half away. It was the Yule, two years past.

Glancing to her right, she saw the grand fountain in the center of the market place, and more so?she saw herself. She was pacing back and forth. She was waiting, as were others as well. Those of the Onyx Lotus, in the distance and someone else. It was Dyarhk.

?What game is this!? I know this night, puppet! I know this place, and it does nothing to me, save bolster my res---?

?Silence, bitch! You know nothing, save what you wish to see and even that pales in the scope of what really happened!?

The lilac eyes of Jenai narrowed in response, as silence was her own reply. Fingers gripped those blades, as she carefully gauged the dark one for any bit of an opening, what so ever. The rage within building, to such a degree that it took that much effort and more so faith to remain in check, keeping that which was locked away, all those years ago. Yet the ebb was still felt, although slightly. The urge to simply reach out an knock the ever loving sh*t outta Raven's mouth, growing to the point of a wanton lust towards the sheer need to gut him like a fish, and end this sad game. Yet despite all of that, she felt a somewhat calming presence.

More so felt as a gentle squeeze of shoulder took hold, fingers felt and yet no one was seen by her, or Raven it seemed.

Softly, a voice was heard withi--- no it was felt within.

?You are not alone now, and you have never been... It will get worse, daughter. But know my sister and I are here, always. No matter how bad things will seem, we are here..?

A slight kiss of head was felt softly, upon the head of Jenai.

She was not alone. The voice was right.

It was about to get worse...

It had been so long since last the beast stretched her wings. Darkness taking flight as she had hid from the light for so long.

So..very.. long.

black wings flapped then spread to catch any of the updrafts...

It was then that she was hit..

Not by anything physical. no, but the pain that rebounded through her thick skull nearly made her lose her balance.

Sending a resounding roar, the dark dragoness turned in flight.Heading towards the source of her discomfort.

Silence. Silence upon the way until.. She was not sure what that thing was, but the pain it brought to others of her kind. The suffering and loss..

It drew her ire, and veering to the left, the dark one aimed to slam into the aircraft.

Their only warning would be a shriek of rage.

Once again, Isuelt's disbelief was brimming to the surface as JaX threw herself out of the Osprey. With a gloved hand flying to Zulu's armored forearm, the Scathachian stared wide-eyed as JaX's form shrunk down to the size of a pill and flew out of her sight line. Her head shook slowly, the wind whipping tendrils of her hair around the nape of her neck.

"I guess we're a little bit like herding cats," a wry grin toward Zulu's mask. She sympathized with him, she'd had her own experience with trying to keep a mission on track. The Scathachian was about to elaborate on this point when an ear renting screech punctured through the metal hull of the Osprey. It was all Big Mike could do to yell out, "What the hell?" before the entire craft was jolted. The pounding that the hull took sent the Judge into Zulu's suit which did little more than slow her down as she just about rolled off of him. Her gloved fingers couldn't get a grip on him or any part of his suit. Big Mike's voice echoed hollowly through the hull as it ached to the side, its pitch rolling at a sharp angle; he was trying to avoid another hit.

Regaining her balance, if only for a moment, the Judge figured that something was fired at them. Her first thought was that Spartan was firing at the drakes, and a shot got away from him. However, that was nullified as soon as she heard Big Mike, "What the hell is that shadow on the--- Damned shadow, my @ss, holy sh*t! We've got a dragon! Hang on!"

"Petrov! A what?" There was really no time to grab a hold of anything before another jolt to the Osprey was had. Big Mike's evasive maneuver of rolling to the left made for an inauspicious combination. The concussion to the Osprey's hull sent Isuelt lurching to her knees, while the sudden tilt from the drop in altitude pushed her over. She stumbled right past Zulu and out of the Osprey's wide open cargo door.

It was a strange sensation really. From the hard hitting of the metal as she fell away from the Osprey, the air whipped at her hair and clothing with an icy ferocity and the sound of the wind shredding past her ears could be felt in the middle of her head. It was as if she had been punched squarely in her gut. She couldn't catch her breath, she couldn't exhale. It was like she was in a vacuum. And while her mind told her she was falling fast, it felt as if she were weightless and the wind was simply pushing into her body.

As her leather wrapped body tumbled further from the Osprey, with the black Sinestra tailing it, she looked up...well, what she thought was up. All Isuelt could make out was the line of the horizon spinning like a pinwheel. She began to panic now, and finally her breath came in short, desperate puffs. She had her pack on, a leather-clad hand was reaching back, searching for the release. She couldn't feel anything with her gloves on. The air stung her face and her ears felt as if they were bleeding. She would need to take her glove off for the chute to actually open and do her any good. Moving her hand to her mouth was like pushing against a door that wouldn't budge; the muscle control she needed to put her fingers to her mouth without punching herself was incredible. All the while, however she was falling and her head was spinning.

Espresso locks were being pulled straight up by the force of her fall...

Chocolate eyes were clenched tightly shut as she fought for focus...

It was a long, long way down...

?Because you son of a whore! I'm a monster too!?

The words resounding loudly within the room, and more so within the mind of Raven, as eyes of frost widened more so, taking in the sight that which was before him. Everything else was tossed aside--- the fact that the building was being attacked in the most brutal of fashions, and more so was shaking violently to the very foundation. The fact that his drakes were being felled in a most substantial quantity, and more so---the struggle of his own troops upon the ground, and even in Rhy'din. The fact he had not been able to eliminate that damned azure dragoness, or his other, not to mention other situations that had arisen in the last 24 hours or so.

All of that was rightly tossed aside...

Self preservation can do that to a soul, you know.

Eyes of frost panned to the chest plate that Jenai had soundly kicked the ever-loving sh*t out of, and in the process sent Raven right through a solid concrete wall, rightly planting him on his ass. Quickly, the eyes panned to Jenai who was now standing inside that very hole created by the previously mentioned sending through.

Raven had no words...

Really he didn't, as hard as that would be to believe.

He had no words, what so ever.

Instead, the man stared at the woman before him, as a hand lifted to that chest of his. Fingers traced where her foot had planted itself, while Raven righted himself more so. A deep breath was taken, as those eyes of frost darted back and forth quickly, taking a quick gauge of their surroundings, the result of which was not much. They were inside a rather disheveled classroom, which was made more so by Jenai's attack.

An attack, which she did not readily follow up. Yet another surprise to the dark one, as one question repeated itself within that dark mind of his, again and again.

?How...??

Softly the word came forth from Raven, as the chest piece was rightly tossed aside. A slow crack of neck followed as gauntleted fingers stretched, and once more traced that impact area, that literally pulsed with such pain, that burned deeply within the dark one. Eyes of frost narrowed, as he watched Jenai more so, who did not even offer a reply in any form, and that--- infuriated the dark one, even more than being planted on his @ss.

?HOW!??

The question shouted loudly, and like before--- there was no reply from Jenai at all.


She simply stood where she was, her eyes of lilac boring into the dark one. Swords held tightly still, as the face of the Lady Ravenlock, was one of stone.. A mask of granite hid the very rage she had shone just a moment before, just as her rather rigid form, held the rather insane agility that had been used upon Raven, again just moments before. The same with the fact that the strength she had just used too was hidden well by that form of hers...

Yet despite all of that hiding, something had given itself away.

The aura of crimson that surrounded the woman. The crimson rage, that had not been seen or felt, in oh so long.

An aura so thick, Raven swore he could reach out and cut it, if it came to that. However , he knew better. Because within that crimson--- deep within mind you. Was the white hot fire of sheer righteousness, and more so judgment.

He had erred, and she was right. He knew that now. He had erred indeed, when it came to exactly what Jenai would do, to see this ended.

Her resolve it seemed, was as resolute as his own. That was something he did not count on, more so--- he did not count on the fact that she herself, would have given in to that power her own order had locked within her form, all those years ago. A power that would have meant the end for the babe, that was once Jenai Angelique. A power that had taken so many before it, and a power that many had given up so much of themselves, just to seal it away for the greater good.

A power he sought to bend to his own twisted measure in one way or another.

A power that after so many years of fighting to keep it contained, Jenai willingly had begun to allow a bit of free reign to it, despite the fact that she herself could very well be hurt, or worse.

Ended.

Something Raven did not foresee at all.

While Raven would see himself ended in order to achieve his own gains, he never would have assumed Jenai to do the same, and more so deprive her daughters of their own mother and father in the process. He knew she would fight for them, but to die as well? That had been lost upon the dark one, and that oversight it seems may have been a costly one.

Unless he could find a way to turn it around, and quickly.

?A monster hmm? Like me? Tell me 'monster', how easy is it for you, hmm? I see your struggle, I do. Look at you! Like a stone, yes? Fighting to keep yourself, and yet you seemed to enjoy letting your friend out for a romp, didn't you? Tell me, love! What would happen if you fully gave in to that which you have kept locked away for SO long!? You want to be a monster, yeah! Then you'll love this! See what a monster does, Jenai!?

Suddenly, another ripple... The plane shifted yet again.

They were somewhere underground, it seemed.. Jenai's eyes blinked, a few times as she looked about the room they found themselves in, and more so-- the scene playing out...


?Alright, that we didn?t see coming! What the hell, was *she* doing there!? An what the f*ck was the deal, with the armoured cavalry! I mean there was like.. Sh*t, at least four mounted and that didn?t count the ones, waiting back on the next block! Not to mention the roof top archers, either!?

Kerrithra Al?Tuatha, would have continued.. Much to the rather annoyed expressions, of those around her.. Luckily, Henrietta had other plans, and simply slapped the rather excitable Mithra upside her head, causing her to cease instantly.

?B*tch, do that again and I?ll rip your f*cking throat out!?, spat the newly pissed off Mithra.

?I?d like to see you try, ?retorted Henrietta..

?QUIET!?

Instantly, both had done just that.. They ceased their verbal spat, and quieted once more, as they looked to the doorway, of their hall..

What they saw, caused both parties to righten themselves rather quickly, as they in turn made for the planning table in the centre of said hall, each knight taking a side of the table.. The pair still looking rather unnerved, as they watched him enter the hall.

There was no word for the pair.. No inkling of acknowledgment, what so ever, as he neared the table. Garbed still in the blackened armour he had worn before, as the etched runes of frost that adorned said armour, softly shone and vanished just as quickly.. Eyes of azure narrowed somewhat, as he took his place, between the pair, yet again no acknowledgment at all.

For his eyes were fixated on something far more pressing..

The series of maps, and files spread about the table.. To be rather more specific, a certain pair of files. The gauntleted hand, lifted.. Reaching for the files?

?I?m sorry! I can?t help it, Brian! It?s her! It's Jenai! I mean come on, how the hell were we supposed to deal with that!? She wasn?t supposed to be there, she--- Damn it, Brian.. It??Well sh*t, you know who the he??

Kerrithra Al?Tuatha, got no further with her rant. Courtesy of a severely placed fisted back hand, that landed squarely upon her mouth, and nose. The result was instant, as the Mithra staggered backwards.. Hands lifted to a rather bloodied face, as the momentum carried her further, resulting in her landing flat on her rear in a skidded stop.

Eyes widened, as the Mithra simply whimpered through her bloodied maw.. Hands holding tight, as blood began to seep through her fingers in kind. The shock felt deeply, as Kerri had been taken completely unawares. Henrietta watched on, a shake of head taking hold, as she softly began to speak.

?My Lo??A hand lifted once more, cutting Henrietta off rather soundly.

Eyes of frost looked upon Henrietta, as he began to speak.

?Not a word.. Not a damned word.?

Quickly, he turned and began to stalk towards the planted Kerri, who in turn began to scoot herself backwards as best as she could.. Until she ended up against a pillar. Another muffled whimper came, as emerald eyes began to well up. An unsure glance, to the left, and right as she looked for something.. Anything, that could help her!

Stopping just short of her, the gauntleted hand reared back once more.. Runes of blood, appearing about the artifact, as fingers flexed more so. Eyes of frost narrowed more so, as a frown began to take form upon his face.

Those gathered, were simply stunned.. Henrietta turned, and actually took a step forward, her mouth opening to object, a she did so.

Tears began to stream down, the face of the Mithra as eyes widened more so.. Rapid blinks took hold of her, coupled with a series of shudders.. Bloodied hands, slid from her stained mouth, as arms lifted to shield herself as best as she could.. Gurgled whimpers became more audible, as Kerri openly began to convulse..

Her mouth opened more so, as she began to speak, yet the words could not be made out.. More than likely a testament to the bloodied nose, and swollen mouth she had received at the hands of her attacker. Suddenly, he moved towards her, and a cry erupted from the Mithra!

Her eyes closed, as she doubled up, praying for it to be quickly ended. Henrietta then moved towards the pair, a cry of protest escaping her as well, hoping in some way that she would get through to him, and spare her companion from further injury.

Just as quickly, Henrietta stopped.. A muffled cry heard from the knight, as she did so. Eyes widened somewhat upon what she saw before her.

Kerri?s eyes were closed, as she cried out yet again..

And then there was no more crying. No gurgled protests, no scrambling.. She wanted to move, but for some reason, she couldn?t..

Slowly, eyes of emerald opened.. Still welled up, as she saw Henrietta a bit away. Henri?s eyes still widened, as she was seemingly frozen in place as well.

Again, Kerri tried to move, but she couldn?t. Her head turned a tad, as eyes widened more so, as a gasp escaped the Mithra, as she realized what had happened. Henrietta did the same, as well. Still not fully believing what she saw, yet there is was.

The man was knelt before Kerri, and more so, his arms were wrapped about her. The Mithra was held closely, what could be best resembled as a warm embrace, perchance?

Softly, he spoke.. ?I?m sorry.?

Releasing Kerri, he slowly stood once more, a hand taking hers as he lifted her gently to her feet in kind. Once more was Kerri taken in his arms, as an apology was offered yet again to her. Looking to their left, he called out to someone else.

?Hassim, please tend to Kerri. Let?s get her washed up, and what not.?

The robed man, nodded curtly and waved over another as they approached the pair. Kerri was released once more, as her head was softly kissed. A hand lifted, as fingers caressed her cheek in a loving manner..

?I?m sorry Kerri.. That was not right of me.. Not right at all.? A rather confused nod was given in reply, from Kerri as she was ushered off to be tended to.

Turning once more, the man moved towards the table, nodding to Henri along the way.

?Raven..??, asked Henrietta..

?I know, Henri..?, was the quickly offered reply.

?The time is drawing near, and this is evident.. We *need* to act on this, and it needs to be soon. If this continues, we may---?

?I know, Henri.. And we will act. We need something decisive, and more so direct.. Her arrival was not planned. I admit, it did unnerve me, but we will act accordingly, and commit to what we originally planned. We?ve elements in our favour, Henri and I will see them used to the fullest of their extent. It doesn?t matter what she plans, I *will* deal with her, and her new found forces.?

?And Isuelt, Raven??

?Isuelt is a broken toy, Henri.. But she is *my* toy.. And I will play with her, till I tire of her, and then we will move on to whoever else, decides to step into our ring.. And I am hardly done with Isuelt, dear.. In fact, that is where we strike next.?

?What do you mean, Raven? Where will we stri??

?Here, Henrietta! We strike here!? he answered quickly, as his fist pounded at the pair of files on the table..

The pair taken in hand, as he thrust them towards Henri, with a rather forceful expression, as eyes of frost once more narrowed. Glancing to the files, Henri?s eyes widened more so.. A glance back to the files, and then Raven.. Back and forth, as she stood there a moment more..

?Are you, serious??

?Yes, I am.. Isuelt, will feel this so deeply, it will force her from this city.. It will force her finally pay for the sins of the past, tenfold and more so, it will show her, once and for all, that her goddess doesn?t hear the cries of pathetic hollowed out whores, who like to play as judges!?

?Raven, the drag?A dragon? Are you.. Do you realize what you have done!??

?Of course, I realize what I did! I have evened the playing field, that?s what I did, and more so, I cannot wait to see the look on that sow of a lizard?s face when she sees our.. Pestilence. Yes, let us see what she can conjure, when she faced with what we have created.?

?You have real?this is really it, isn?t it? You honestly intend to see this through? To its end??

?Henrietta, that is without question, my hand.. I *will* see this through to its end.. Or my own, and if it is the latter.. gods help them all, because I will take each and every one of those pathetic excuse for heroes with me, as we did once before.. Heh, there is no Katharine and her silly frying pan this time. No, this time.. We will host the final curtain call, my dear. And we will make sure there are no encores this time around..?

?Brian, you ca---?

?NO! Do not use *that* name! EVER.. I am far more than, that pathetic husk..?

?My Lo??

*thunk!*

Henrietta never got any further.. In fact, she was not the only one that was cut off..

The entire room came to a stop.. The only thing heard was a series of ?gasps? that only lasted moments, as eyes were fixated upon the planning table once more.. And more so, what had landed on the table..

His eyes too were fixated, as a gloved hand reached for that which landed upon the table, and literally put this room on such edge.. A hand full of hair was gripped, as he lifted the freshly liberated head of, Kerrithra Al?Tuatha from the table?

The quite fresh look of utter shock, still upon the Mithra?s face, as the head was inspected more so.. Lifted closer to his face, Raven began to speak softly to it.. Ignoring the droplets of blood that still fled freely from the its host.. Henrietta gasped aloud once more..

Frozen in place, no less.. Her eyes widened in such, shock as she began to stammer somewhat. Turning to her, Raven held the head aloft a tad.. Raising it somewhat,

?What? Henri, you don?t recognize her? Of course you do.?

?Raven! What?what did you do!? You said they would tend to her! TEND!?

?And they did EXACTLY that, my dear! They *tended* to her, and now her suffering is at an end.. MY end..?

Pulling the severed head closer towards him, he regarded it more so.. ?All these years? All this time, my dear and this is how it ends for you. I expected more.. But, it is as they say.. What it is , no??

Eyes widened more so, as he offered a soft kiss upon the forehead, of said severed head.

?You will not be forgotten..?

And with no thought what so ever, the head was unceremoniously thrown to the far end of the room.. Landing somewhere in a bloodied roll.

?Let that be a lesson for each and EVERY one of you! I will do the same f*cking thing to ANYONE, who dares to shy away from what we have committed to do!

I do NOT CARE who we face!

I do not care if it is those Scath b*tches, and their broken leader!

I do not care if it is those damned Avengers, and their little play toys!

I do not care if it is the Government themselves, or what is left of the Ravenlock Clan!

I do not care if it is Jenai and her contingent!

Renna, or anyone else!?

Turning to his knight he continued..

?We WILL not falter to ANYTHING!?

The plane shifted yet again...

One more they found themselves within the class room once more.

Raven looked to Jenai, who had said no word during the 'scene'...

The head of the priestess was lowered, flame kissed tresses dangling from that head of hers, masking her face within its veil. While Raven could not see that face of hers, he easily saw that tremble of her form... The rippling aura about her, coupled with the tightening of those hands, about the hilts of her blades. He saw the fight...

And he felt that fight within her, and more so--- he saw the edge she was coming ever so close to.

All that was needed was a prod, just a little prod.

?Where was your goddess, when I took Kerri's head, love? Where was your goddess, when I took the life of Henrietta? Wait, there's more! Where was your goddess, when I took Jadden, and made her my own...?

Images came forth, upon that last statement.

Images of Raven, and Jadden together... Doing such things... Things no 'brother' and 'sister' would ever do, yet---- there they were, within silken sheets... Sheets Jenai had recognized as her own, and as the images played themselves out more so, she recognized the very room that was hers, and Brian's.

?Body... Mind... Soul...?

The images, came and went.. Attack after attack upon Jenai, who seemingly on the outside look unphased, yet on the inside----

Raven felt it, and pressed the measure.

?You are no monster.. You had one moment, and that was it.. I've had moment, after moment, after moment love, and so many at your very expense! And when I finish you here, I will have so many more in that bed of 'ours', and we will see how 'our' daughters will call someone else, mother... Maybe Jadden, or my Henrietta? Wait, I know! Maybe Wyheree? I always did like those frosty girls, you know... or maybe...?

?Stop it....?

?Maybe, Renna... Yes, Renna... I am sure she can do a wondrous job in raising 'our' daughters, when you do not make it home. After all, I've already one daughter with her! Why not add a few more, right!??

?......?

Raven felt it... Oh he felt it, and it felt so good... She was so close, so damned close! Yet she fought with all she had within her, to keep from that edge of hers... Damn her! Why won't she just give in!

Raven decided then, it was time to take matters into his own hands...

What followed was something, that not many would have believed had they not seen it first hand.

It began with what could be best described as an explosion, of sorts... Debris erupted from the 3rd floor of the abbey, showering the courtyard before, as friend and foe below were struck without prejudice..

The eyes of many looked upward to gaping hole within the abbey upon the 3rd floor, and what they saw caused many to cease their actions...

What was it that caused such reactions?

It was the sight of Raven standing upon the edge of that gaping hole...

And that gauntled hand of his, stretch out before him...

The same hand that held Jenai by her throat, her body dangling in that grip of his.

And she was not moving...

Zulu

The first impact jolted him, but didn't quite take him off of his feet.

He was looking down from the edge of the cargo ramp, a smile on his face even as he contemplated the major ass-chewing JaX was going to get when this was all over. He had just turned to suggest to Issy that they should follow when the screech from outside the aircraft interrupted the flow of his thoughts, followed almost immediately by the jolting of the cargo ramp under his feet.

As Issy bounced off of his suit, he reached out for her, and at the same moment the Osprey rolled to the left and went into a climb, presumably to evade the dragon Big Mike had just yelled about. For a moment it seemed she would stop at the edge of the ramp, teetering there...and then a gust of wind took her out into freefall.

There was a moment that he thought she would be safer out there than in here. He wasn't sure just where this dragon had come from - he'd thought they were all dealt with, and even if they weren't none of them had seemed big enough to create that big of an impact - but it seemed intent on the Osprey as its target.

Leaning out over the edge again, he looked to be sure Issy was all right, and it was then that he saw the huge winged shadow diving after her. He felt a moment of horror as it closed with the Scathachian, sure he was about to see her get snapped up, but somehow, Issy managed to twist out of the way - whether by sheer luck or a purposeful evasion, he couldn't tell.

He didn't wait to see if the dragon would try again - he was sure it would, seeing it start to turn, and in any case Issy seemed to be having trouble of some kind.

Diving off of the cargo ramp, he put a burst of power to the thrusters built into the suit to send him hurtling towards Issy's falling form. The holographic HUD, at a mental command via the armor's still-experimental neural interface, overlaid his vision with a display that relayed several pieces of information to him: location of the dragon in relation to Issy, his distance and approximate closure rate to the Scathachian beneath him, the position of the Osprey, and their locations in relation to each other.

Another mental command activated his communications link to the Osprey. "Mike, give us some cover fire as soon as I grab Nails and get clear."

He kicked more power to the thrusters, approaching Issy, watching the distance grow shorter at an almost suicidal rate.

This would have to be timed so carefully in order to keep the female warrior under him from being hurt...

...3...2...1...

At the last moment he pulled himself from a straight dive to a horizontal spread-eagle fall. Haptic and synaptic relays inside the suit registered both the movements and the intentions of the wearer and deployed control surfaces to increase his drag coefficient radically. At the same time a set of small thrusters in the front of the suit along the legs and at the shoulders fired a momentary burts, just enough to slow him right before he reached Issy. His speed reduced to being a near match with hers, he closed the last few feet and reached out, wrapping armor-encased arms around her waist.

A mental command closed the control surfaces again and fired the thrusters in his back, angling both of them forward into a fast dive towards the ground still far below them. He heard a roaring screech, terrifyingly close, felt wind buffet them as the dragon tried to make a grab, and then they were beyond its reach.

"Now, Mr. Petrov!"

Big Mike

He didn't need to be told what needed to be done. As soon as he saw the big armored figure throw itself out of the aircraft, he had put the Osprey into a sharp bank to bring it around. He flipped a switch that deployed the aircraft's only weapon, the Remote Guardian System.

The Remote Guardian System was one of the latest innovations by the military built into the Osprey, a retractable gun pod mounting a GAU-17 minigun and a sensor unit that provided display and intelligent target tracking for accurate fire, all stored in the belly of the aircraft.

As it deployed, Mike slowed the Osprey's forward speed and switched the proprotor configuration to vertical flight mode, then engaged the autopilot to bring the aircraft into a hover before he picked up the gunnery control.

The control strongly resembled a slightly modified gaming console controller, with buttons to change the display mode and activate the targeting features, a 'stick' to swivel the gun mount, and a trigger for firing.

As the Osprey reached a hover, he used the control to swing the gun mount and targeting sensor around, finding the dragon below him. The targeting sensor immediately registered three targets - Zulu, Nails, and the black shape of the dragon. He placed the targeting indicator on the CCD display on the dragon and pressed the button that activated the targeting function.

Immediately the dragon was highlighted as the targeting system took over and started tracking, locking in on the creature.

He didn't have to wait very long - just as the display displayed a lock-on indication he heard Zulu's voice come over the radio. "Now, Mr. Petrov!"

His finger squeezed the trigger, and under the belly of the V-22, the Minigun opened fire, sending a continuous stream of white phosphorous tracer rounds at the dragon as the gun pod fired at 4,000 rounds per minute.

Zulu

He could hear Issy shouting something as they dove, but didn't have time to make it out. They were out of the danger area now, but if that dragon was pissed before, he was sure it was nothing compared to the fury it must be experiencing now.

He pulled himself and Issy back into the horizontal fall again, once more shutting down the thrusters and deploying the braking control surfaces to slow their fall. In the time it took them to slow to an acceptable rate of speed, their altitude dropped below the one thousand foot mark. He gave it another few hundred feet before he lifted a hand in front of Issy's face, gave her a thumbs up, and shouted through the external speaker mounted on his helmet.

"Hang on!"

Letting go with his other arm that had been around her waist, he reached up, grabbed her parachute release, and pulled, at the same time pushing her away, retracting the control surfaces, and engaging the thrusters once again to rocket away just as her parachute deployed.

He stayed just long enough to be sure her parachute came out all right before he turned and put himself into a climb, rocketing back towards the Dragon, which had turned and was heading for the Osprey, which continued firing on it even as he watched.

He stayed on the ledge as she looked up and started to climb, frowning slightly at the slow way she moved. Diana had told him the dragon was injured, and there wasn't much he could do about that. But he could help her out of this hole, at least.

Stepping back, he put power to the thrusters, sending himself up to a point just over her back, where he reached out and curled his arms up under her now-extended wing joints. This surely wouldn't be very comfortable for her, but it sure beat taking the chance that she might slip and go tumbling down into the darkness of the pit below them, which was extremely deep by the look of it.

Activating the external speaker again, he spoke to Icer. "On the count of three, I want you to let go of the wall and push away. We're taking the express elevator out of here. It's only thirty feet, so we'll be up and out of here before you know it."

He kept the boot-mounted thrusters well away from Icer for the moment, using the optical controls to select the quadruple thrusters built into the back of the suit to give him some more lifting power. This was going to put a significant drain on his energy reserves, but with luck he'd still have plenty when they got to the top, and it would only take one good impact to replenish them.

"One...two...three!"

And as he reached the end of the countdown, he put power to all the thrusters as he felt her push back against him and they began to climb faster.

The brusque bump to her side and grab around her waist told her that she was no longer alone in her free fall. In glancing up slightly, she saw Zulu and was thankful. But that gratefulness was compounded as she saw the dark circling mass just above him, falling to a splat on the ground was not the only method of demise at work here. A black dragon was descending upon them with massive wings and merciless speed.

"KYLE! LOOK O--" Before she could utter another sound into the wind whipping around them, she could see the firepower coming from the Osprey at the dragon; and this definitely got the beast's attention. "JAX!" This is where Isuelt's thoughts turned to next. She couldn't see the cluster of smaller drakes that JaX had rodeo jumped out of the Osprey for, nor could she see Spartan. In fact, the only thing she could see past Zulu's armored body was the horizon transforming.

They were descending efficiently and Zulu pushed her away while pulling her shoot. The world jerked almost to a stop as her chute opened. She grunted at the sharp sensation of stilling her fall. Even when Zulu had her, there was still the feeling of pushing into the wind. Now, it was as if she were dangling. The rest of her journey to the blessed earth was uneventful, but as Isuelt tried to watch the skies for signs of dragons or her allies, the chute obscured most of her view. She could not see Zulu racing back for the dragon. And while her espresso gaze was aimed in the wrong direction, smoke was billowing from the Abbey which was not so far off in the distance.

Her boots hit terra firma first, followed by her knees. And as she struggled to pull against the chute, now rendered superfluous, the breeze that erupted was anything but helpful. As the light wind lifted the fabric, Isuelt's hands (which were now remarkably sure of themselves - it's wondrous what being on the ground will do for one's constitution) grabbed at and unfastened the pack from her body. As it fell, her long legs stepped up and away from the safety harness; she felt as if freedom had never been so sweet. Chocolate tresses teased across her shoulder blades as she looked over her shoulder in time to see the chute get caught up in the brambles of a nearby thicket. She only afforded a brief glare to the sky, this Judge would be hard pressed to be where no human belonged (at least in her eyes) again.

And it was then that her lashes stilled and the heaving breaths intent on calming the warrior quieted. Smoke. Over the hill. The Abbey. She was nearly right on target. A deep swallow moved her throat as the Judge refocused herself on the true task at hand: Ravenlock. With her gloved hands resting on the hilts of her blades, she took off; thick boot heel propelling her over the terrain as she followed the smoke trail. Hopefully, she wouldn't be too late to join in the fray, nor to dole out a bit of long awaited justice.

The aircraft took a crippling hit from the dragon as she took out her anger from a lost meal upon the craft.

Not too much longer until another morsel would appear and once more she dove, just barely making it out of the way of the pair of rockets setting their course for the doomed craft..

It exploded in a spectacular fashion, sending shrapnel and debris in all directions.

Had she been closer.. it could have been fatal, but instead.. shrapnel added more holes to her wing sails, and tore through a few scales.

A roar of pain and rage sounded as she continued to dive, but this time there was no meal to be had.

This time Mike too was safe from the beast who knew..

Her wings would not hold her aloft much longer. Landing was not going to be easy.

Wings splaying out at her sides helped prevent her from crashing, but her landing was less than graceful.

Dust and debris kicked up into the air as she skidded along on her belly. Shrieks and growls resonated as downed black thrashed about. Snapping blindly at anything.

"The Soul still burns, yes? Will you burn for me, love? I wonder just how much you would burn,not only for me--- but for us all!!"

The words of Raven loud, and quite clear despite the chaos that littered the area abound. The gauntleted hand that held Jenai by her neck, offering but a shake, as if Raven were trying to illicit some type of response from the priestess. The only response he received was one of silence, coupled with the swaying of limbs laden with such a deadened weight. Which of course vexed the dark one to no end, as he had expected and more so, counted on making Jenai suffer in so many ways. Which mind you was harder to do, if the b*tch had already expired on him...

Isn't like a woman to mess with sh*t like that?

His free hand using what was left of that wall to stabilize himself, as eyes of frost looked over the field of battle.

Gods above and below, did he smile such a smile. So much so he nearly forgot about Jenai's utter lack of cooperation in the 'suffering department', as he took in the expanse of the carnage that lay not only below him, but all over the valley itself.

His valley.

Which would soon become their graveyard.

Pulling Jenai more so to him, Raven whispered softly to the woman within his grasp.

"Do not think I am letting you slip away that easily, Jenai... I promised you suffering that NO one would ever begin to comprehend, and I will keep my word, rest assured! Don't think escaping into a 'state' will change a damned thing, because while you retreat, I will see all you ever love ended, and crushed beneath my heel. And you know what? You my reluctant love, will be the very force that assures my word is kept, and will do it oh so willingly."

Raven pulled her, ever closer... A soft kiss was placed upon those lips of hers, ever so briefly, as a chuckle followed suit...

"You will do so, because I will finally free you from the confines that pathetic order placed upon you all those years ago. I will free you to do what your kind was meant to do, from the beginning of time, before the gods decided it was better to limit their capabilities. I will unseal that which was sealed, and more so--- I will pull free the very ties that bind you in such ways. Ways you will never fathom, love. And you will be thankful for it, as the world is engulfed by the very flames of your most inner desires... The sheer consumption of life, the likes of which, make even I look ever so tamed."

That free hand left the wall, offering a gentle caress upon the cheek of Jenai that was riddled with dirt, and dried blood...

"Because I know exactly what you are... "

The words of the dark one trailed off, as he began to catch wind of the difficulties that had begin to reveal themselves in regards to his forces. A low growl escaped Raven, as Jenai was roughly dropped to his side in a rather crumpled heap upon the floor, just inside the wall.

"Myree, you bastard... You dare to send your sons and daughters here!?"

Then another presence was felt--- darkness incarnate. Ancient, and--- quite angered as well, and... "Tis you, my darkened love... You come to the carnage at just the perfect moment. Yes, your assistance is greatly appreciated. Make them suffer, dearest Sinestra and I shall offer such tribute to you, and your own!"

The gauntlet flared to life, as Raven looked upon the field, crying out in such rage, as lightening began to crash about the abbey itself, and more so the field of battle. Clouds, darkened and rather thick began to take form above the valley, cutting out the sun directly, much to the delight of the ebon forces.

"My legion... Ebon commanders! I want all forces to retreat to the forest line, and then into the keep. Retreat line by line, and orderly! Bolster yourselves, and draw them into us. Forces inside the courtyard already, bolster that western gate! I want those paladins ended now and that gate taken! Drakes, pull back to the spires, and make ready! Goblins, ready the 'surprises'... Warlocks, it is time... When the goblins unveil the hade-stones, unleash your casts, and raise them all! We will see how they fare against not only us, but the combined forces of our dead and the dead of their own!"

Suddenly a trio of being appeared literally from the shadows beside the dark one. Cloaked in darkness were they, head to toe... "My lord, we have arrived."

"So you have. Collect my prize, and take her to the altar. Take care not to harm her. I need her whole, for what I intend."

"And if she wakes?"

"She will not. She has decided to escape within herself, instead of facing the fact, that she has lost and is mine. A poor move on her part."

"As you command, my lord."

"Wait, two of you take her.. Gestire, you remain with me."

Collecting Jenai, the pair made down the hall towards the main office that Raven had taken for himself, after beheading Mother Iscariott.

The remaining figure bowed to the dark one, "Lord?"

"Gestire, one of the drakes... Has been compromised... The oppressor is female, and quite--- darkened. She is one of the enemy, and I want her---- or I want her ended! Find her, and do what I created you to do, assassin!"

The cloak lifted back a tad to reveal a rather bright smile, "It will be a pleasure."

Turning from the assassin, Raven stalked down the hall towards his office and more importantly, Jenai. The Assassin was left with his orders, and quickly began to work out a stratagem in regards to the compromised drake, and its newfound companion. Eyes of crimson closed ever so slowly, as that stratagem began to take form by way of the gifts the dark one had bestowed upon the assassin.

"Let us see, what there is to see."

That bond bestowed upon the wearers of the ebonsteele. That is where Gestire would begin his search. Slowly the assassin slid to a knee, as he began to make his way through the rather intricate web that was comprised of those who had been gifted by Raven. Which mind you was no easy task, especially given the fact that the ebon forces had been re-directed to return towards the abbey proper, coupled with the mess that Myree's sons and daughters had caused with their surprise arrival.

The smile the assassin had one worn, had now begun to slowly ebb, as he sifted through contact, after contact to no avail. It bothered him because, if the drake had been compromised, that meant the party responsible had to--- "Wait... Ah, that's it! Foolish boy, you were looking in the wrong sand box! Let's change the parameters, shall we?"

Ah clarity, such a wondrous thing indeed!

A change of venue it seemed, would be the key for Gestire. It was not the wearers of the ebonsteele, he needed to search...

It was the mounts they used, they were bonded to the wearer.

"One of these things is not like the other... Let's see which of you, are the one for me..."

The words said in a 'sing song' type voice, as that smile began to show itself once more. Yes this was far easier a way, as he began to sift through each of the bonded drakes, one after another. Each one the same as the previous and that caused the smile to fade once more, as the assassin honestly began to wonder if the dark one had erred in his assessment of the situation.

So up and down it seemed, and the assassin hated see saws to no end...

And just as it seemed the assassin had reached the limits of his patience, something happened.

Those closed eyes clenched a tad... A twitch of body took hold, as something was felt. It was distanced from the others a tad, and to add to things--- it was fresh.

"Ah, is that you? Are you my one? Let us see, what there is to see, shall we?"

Further, did the assassin delve within that bond between that particular drake and its rider, and what began to unveil before him, caused him to literally jolt a tad.

The severing was felt... Instant was it, and the surprise of the rider would have been delicious on so many levels, had Gestire been the one doing the severing. But to be truthfully honest, it still was a tad tasty, just experiencing the severing in this 3rd party manner. Further, he delved, experience the confusion of the drake, and the resistance it had given. The resistance and stubbornness of the new found rider had also been felt and more so the clash between the pair that was rather impressive, indeed.

Then something else was felt...

Something that drew the assassin in, even further within that moment shared between the drake, and new rider. Something that was all too familiar, and more so comforting to Gestire.

And also, something that was quite enjoyable.

The darkness...

The ebbing of life, itself...

Death...

Oh darkened gods of death, what had he stumbled on to!?

Quickly he had called out to the other riders who had been near, "Disregard what you felt, and do NOT engage! I will see to this per our Lord, personally. Commit to your orders, and act as if nothing is amiss!"

He could not risk anyone getting in the way of the task at hand, especially when it was one as tempting as this!

Long had it been since the assassin felt that twinge so deeply within himself... The twinge that told him, still could feel that trepidation that came with the territory so to speak and more so---

Anticipation...

He felt her descent... He felt her discovery, and such insight! He felt her delve even deeper within that myriad of darkness, and anger that was their calling. The very calling of their Lord, and more than that he felt her embrace it with such vigor...

As if she had been one of their own.

The ripping of flesh that lad to such a crimson scene... The delicious satisfaction, that came along with, covered within the veil of 'justice', coupled with such righteous vengeance! The power that welled within her, as each life had been taken!

And here she was--- waiting for him...

For him!

Standing once more, the assassin moved towards the ledge of the gaping hole created by Raven, as eyes of crimson opened widely, taking in the expanse of the scene before him.

"I know you... Mistress... And I am coming for you!"

That said, the assassin simply stepped off the ledge.

The decent was a short, and quick one as he landed on the back of a passing drake...

And as the forces were making their way towards the Abbey, Gestire was flying away from it, right through his own forces, with such intent.

He made no effort to hide, as he knew she would not do the same...

Few felt her, and knew she would feel him, and more so-he wanted her to see every bit that was coming to her.

For her..

'One more soul to the call.....'

It worked exactly as he'd hoped - it took them only moments to get out of the hole and over the side, where he set the dragon down as gently as he could before touching down to the earth himself. "Status, Diana."

Her even tones came back to him immediately. "Power is at fifty-seven percent, sir. Negligible strain to structural systems and flight thrusters."

He nodded under the helmet and turned to Icer, looking her over. She looked like she'd been worked over pretty good by whatever had gotten her into that hole, but she was still in one piece, more or less.

"They need to be stopped, Spartan. There are too many for me to deal with, even if they are my kin..." The dragon spoke, then paused a moment before she went on. "Pestilence...Dominique is still there somewhere. We need to warn the city..."

He frowned under the golden helm, arching an eyebrow. "I already warned the others she's on her way..."

Over the chaos of battle, he heard explosions, one from the abbey, and a louder one up above in the sky. Looking up, he saw an expanding fireball and a winged shadow flying towards the ground away from it. Well, to be more accurate, falling, really.

Cutting off the outside speaker again, he spoke to the AI. "Diana, what happened up there?"

"It appears a rather large dragon was attempting to bring the aircraft down, sir. The Osprey has been destroyed; however, everyone including the pilot is alive and well."

He breathed a sigh of relief and turned to see Icer taking flight, turning towards the city. "Diana, let Zulu and the others know I'm going to help Icer. Not only were there a lot of those damned drakes and dragons with Pestilence, but Icer's in no condition to go after them by herself."

"Indeed, sir. I will relay the message when time permits."

He nodded under the helmet in acknowledgement before he kicked power to the suit's thrusters and flight systems, taking off and rocketing off after Icer.

Appearing on the hillside clear, well clear from the valley?s floor, fire, and other... ado, Myllyanna Sliver. Dressed to to tophat in steampunk couture, she seemed oddly out of place in reference to the battle that waged around the abbey.

Occasionally a velvet ribbon flutter as another rush of air swept in out out of the field of play. But she didn?t stop watching though a pair of custom made opera spectacles as she stood in the shade of the parasol Chong held, standing silently next to his Mistress.

It wasn?t for the sun, for it would not be making it through the clouds of the approaching storm and smoke from the siege, it was for the felicitous. One did simply not allow raining debris to fall upon the Lady?s head.

The rest of the Lotus clan stood behind her a bit, watching through the bits of smoke as they could, but more so listened.

?Mistress.? Chong spoke softly not wishing to interrupt.

?I?m fine Chong, and no. I don?t think it would be safer back at the House. Or do you think you will fail in your duties and let a piece of burning wood hit me in the head?? She didn?t even look away from the fight as she addressed him, her tone carried a bit of mirth. She knew what Chong would do next.

?Never Mistress!? he actually flinched and then went rigid with renewed sentinel pride.

?I?m just curious?... the glasses whirred and clicked as they seemed to change runic colors through the brass and gold.

?Of your Garet Jax??

?Of new prospects. And Chong??

?Yes Mistress?

?You forget your place again and I will remind you of where and what you were when I found you by reliving that day every day. You will not be warned again. But yes. My Garet Jax. Things are not as they seem, not by far...?

?Forgive me Mistress.? Chong?s mood dampened but just for a moment. Mylly remembered they had been hidden away and off realm dealing with much. The Clan needed what she was about to give them. Though this little ?field trip? served more than one use.

Unaware that Spartan followed her. Even as damaged as she was.. the dragoness was trying to catch up with Pestilence and her brood.

Wings steadilly beating though for the time being she flew through the alleyways, nostrils twitching, flaring. trying to catch onto their scents.

Ears twitched as well, perhaps seeking out the cries of her own kin. if only to gauge their location.

She knew she had to be cautious. Not only for herself, but for the others. Horned head finally twisted around at a noise, but It was only Spartan.

There would be time for questions later.. It was the voice then within her mind that ushered her wings to hasten.

No. She would not lose any more kin.

The drake was finally under her control. The enhancements, oh the torturous but infinite modifications that had been made and done to her mind, her body, her entire genetic structure when she had been summarily captured by Jacobs monster of a father, Magnus before she had been rescued by one of the armored trio. The discovery of just how much more had been poured into her and done to her as he had experimented had taken her time to adjust once she had been freed from his ministrations and brought back to her apartment but oh what she had been able to do with them when they came to light.

Because of all that had been done, it had taken her little time to flip through what she knew of Raven to lock into what the beast had needed to comply with what she had in mind. The plans she had mapped out even before she had boarded the Osprey, having been informed by Diana that hundreds upon hundreds of these creatures were swarming around the battlefield and needed to be dealt with. This was what she envisioned. Finding a way to control one, just one of these beasts, would give her the ability to show just why she had been one of the few chosen from the Avengers to assist in this battle.

Once she knew what the creature needed, she complied. The deep and heady darkness within her had been unleashed in all of its darkened glory, allowed to bubble and quickly ebb and flow through her mind as the visions of the bodies she had lain to waste when her deep seeded bloodlust was allowed to reign freely, felt as if it were hot, sticky sweet lava flowing through her veins, through every fiber of her cloned and genetically altered body. To say it was necessary for the task at hand would be a true statement, but to say she did not fully enjoy the ability to release it, not apologize for it and not feel a need to keep as much of it hidden to those she trusted and had been joined in league with would have been a lie. That deep seeded bloodlust that she kept so carefully reigned in, refusing to become the monstrous being Magnus created and tried to twist her to be, but she should thank him. It was that monster that had been created that was allowing her to do what was necessary. However, the carnal pleasure she took in it as it washed over her body was....delicious. Raw, unleashed and free it fueled her dormant need for blood, for death and how accommodating of Raven to supply her with such a vast array of beings to take it out on.

As these thoughts were allowed to flow freely through her mind and body, the beast beneath her felt them as well and calmed even more as it recognized the motivations of its rider to be that of what its creation was purposed for. To kill. It cared not what and seemed only to be in sync with the riders need to do so. The hum of the darkness that washed over, around, through and inside of her, she gripped the bridle tightly and viciously, jerking the creature to face the hoard of its sisters and brothers that had begun to take notice of them. Time to play.

As the beast turned compliantly to her relentless jarring of the reigns, disappointment flooded her features as the sight she expected to see was not so. The creatures who and felt and heard the defiant cries of one of their own as she had unseated and attempted to control the creature were now changing course and heading off as if nothing of note had occurred. Her brow creased. Was it because the connection was finally made to bring the beast docile and controlled that had the others now sure there was no threat to take care of?

A sculpted brow rose as her eyes narrowed on them all, scattering away and seeking other targets to attack at their masters commands. Her eyes darted down towards one particular swell of beasts heading closer to the ground right after what she recognized instantly, even from this height, to be Zulu. Glancing up she saw no sign of the Osprey. Having been all consumed with the struggle of wills of the creature beneath her, she had been oblivious to its demise. She watched as Zulu dispensed of the winged beasts quickly in his hale of expertly wielded gunfire. A vicious jarring of her heals into her drake garnered a shriek before it complied and began to move with haste closer to where Zulu was fighting off more of them.

The Avengers card was still tightly lodged in her boot. Given that in order to remain fully seated on the drake, her knees were drawn up nearly to her shoulders. She kept low to its body, allowing for smooth sailing through the air as she drew closer and it was then that she heard Zulu's voice through the communicator, "Hey, JaX, if you're done playing with that dragon you're on, I could use a little help down here."

Her eyes slid closed momentarily as she allowed herself to continue to give in to the deep darkness that was taking over, careful to keep from losing herself completely in it. Since the connection had been made to the drake, its dark intentions were now felt as well and mingled with her own. She had opened this floodgate for her purpose, more than she ever had, but she was still holding on, keeping it from taking her over. Her eyes snapped open and another jarring motion to the drake jolted it to move faster as she made her way towards Zulu.

That was when she felt it. She sensed him. His darkness, his hunger, his excitement and his dark desire. That desire was for her. She felt all of it, its presence felt in her mind and her through her body. He was coming after her. Eyes darted around and locked on him, he was gaining on her with some speed. Clenching her jaw she narrowed her eyes on him.

"Zulu, I'm going to have a take a rain check. Seems I've got company. And he wants to play. Be with you in a minute."

Her heels dug mercilessly into the drake as she willed it to pick up speed, her new target the incoming drake and its dark rider. You want me? You got me.

The crimson armored figure pulled in next to her in formation, looking her over. Injured though she obviously was, the blue dragon was not going to quit on this.

Under the helmet, he spoke to the AI. "Diana, what the location of Pestilence and her friends?"

The AI responded with a graphic overlay onto the holographic heads-up display of the terrain between Rhy'din and the Abbey, highlighting his and Icer's position, as well as Pestilence's. "As you can see, sir, they have quite a lead on you."

He sighed, shaking his head. They'd never catch up in time like this, and he certainly wasn't letting Icer take this on alone. Looking over towards Icer, he engaged the external speaker. "Follow after me, Icer. I'm going on ahead to slow down your granddaughter and see what I can do about the little ones with her."

He didn't wait for a reply, just kicked power to the thrusters as he altered his flight path on a pursuit course and started gaining altitude. The plan had laid itself out in his head in an instant. Just how effective it would be...

He tensed certain muscle groups, and the haptic sensors in the suit registered it, applying more power to the engines, pushing him faster. "Diana, get ready to put max power to the thrusters, all of them."

"Yes, sir. Already done. May I inquire as to what you intend to do?"

He watched the overlay, and through it, the terrain below as it began to blur by while he accelerated through the speed of sound and beyond. "Simple. They're trying to move as fast as possible. I'm going to show them what real speed is, and what it can do."

"Very good, sir."

He watched his airspeed, climbing up higher and still accellerating, keeping track as it registered breaking through Mach 2, then Mach 3.

As he passed by Pestilence and her group, nearly twenty thousand feet over them, he counted down in his head. 6...5...4...3...2...1...

Rolling over onto his back, he pulled to bring himself into a hard diving loop. At this speed, the arc would be dangerously long, even in the suit, which was why he needed so much altitude. "Hit it, Diana!"

The sudden blast of power from the thrusters was like a kick that sent him hurtling even faster, and with gravity assisting them, he watched his altitude drop at a suicidal rate as his airspeed passed through Mach 4...then Mach 5.

He'd just exceeded his max airspeed and went hypersonic, and was still in a dive, trying desperately to level out before he smacked into the ground.

With scant meters to spare he managed to level himself out, and there before him was the group of dragons, perhaps a few miles distant and getting larger at an unbelievable rate.

He kept himself aimed right at the head of the group, not giving them - or himself - a chance to evade, his flight path taking him right past Pestilence perhaps two meters away from her side and just under her wing.

The impact of the smaller bodies at that speed felt like he was being pummeled by sledgehammers for a moment, and then it was over.

He blasted out the other side of the group. From their perspective, it would have been as if a crimson blur had just whipped by too fast for their sight to be able to follow, the ramming force into the few of them he managed to hit on the way past enough to take down at least four or five of them.

The hypersonic shockwave that trailed in his wake crashed into them like a tidal wave of explosive, concussive sound and air mere moments after he had passed, powerful enough to render even a dragon unconscious.

Meanwhile, the crimson and gold armored figure watched the power meter on the holographic HUD display inside the helmet spike from the energy surge caused by the weight of impact with a large body at that speed...

...and suddenly the displays went dark as he felt the suit go powerless, its automatic systems cutting everything off for a moment to protect the systems and the wearer from the power surge as everything was directed into channeling that surge into the storage cells.

It couldn't have come at a worse moment - already in a descent, traveling at over four times the speed of sound, there was no time for the systems to reboot and restart in time to save him from the impact.

A moment later, the suit slammed into the ground at a speed of a mile a second.

Even with its incredible inertia-dampening effect on the interior that protected the wearer inside from tremendous amounts of stress caused by kinetic impacts, the armor couldn't deter all of that force. The crash of the armor meeting the earth ripped open a crater in the ground and instantly knocked him completely out.

((Note: edited to include the last part of the post which somehow did not make it up there when it was posted.))

Her thrashing had ceased, but the angry shrieks continued. Two meals now had been torn away from her when she had been so.. very.. close.

Remnants of the aircraft lay scattered about, as well as imbedded in certain areas of her hide.

Pain. Even though her wings would not carry her, it did not mean she could not hunt down the one responsible for this.

A snarl as she found her footing. Every thing hurt. But it did not deter her. That bastard that grounded her would pay, and dearly for all his meddling.

She had not seen the direction the metal man had traveled, but scents would help her way.

Aside from smouldering bits of rubble from the aircraft,more humanish scents came from another direction.

Pacing herself. She headed straight for the Abbey..

Oh what a feeling it was, feeling that soft descent into the darkness, and more so feeling that constant struggle of hers, as she fought to retain control of herself, along with that drake of hers. And what was it that made it so---- intoxicating? Why the fact that as hard as she fought, the reality was that she too relished that very descent she fought with.

Against the grain, he flew... Pressing that drake of his harder and harder, using that angered desire of his to spur the beast more onward, as it cried out loudly in response to Gestire's urges. Heels digging into the side of the beast, as the assassin grinned with such a delight, looking so forward to the confrontation that would soon envelope he and this---other.

Such things that were shared within the darkened veil he found himself , such delicious morsels that had laid dormant for such a time, now finally able to awaken anew to unleash the beast so to speak, upside the heads of the many. Yes, he felt it too... Gestire felt those desires of hers.

That carnal pleasure-that sheer need that could only be fulfilled with the spilling of blood, and more so-the ending of life. The bloodlust, the thrill of the chase... The wanton need to run something down and taking that life for yourself... Making it your own, to do with as you see fit... No matter how long the hunt had taken, in the end that life was yours and yours alone, as you took it...

Gestire felt that, and more so from the 'other'...

The one he sought to fulfill 'his' own sordid desires...

The desire to kill, or be killed...

"What a death this will make, hmmm? Will you be that one for me, or will I be that one for you? Such screams, and cries will we share you and I can almost taste every one of them!"

The words said softly within that void of darkness he shared with her, and truthfully he knew it was a stretch for her to even register what had been said, despite the hopes he had that the words struck her soundly, letting her know that he too shared that veil of darkness that she found herself sliding more so within, despite that grip of hers that kept her from the deepest of its depths.

Through the oncoming drakes, he flew----using a myriad of maneuvers to literally cut through the mass of darkness that continued to press towards the abbey, with an effortless ease as those eyes of his narrowed ever the more so, catching sight of something off to his right and close to the ground. It was a bit away, but he felt it...

Oh yes, he felt it...

Her...

The other was seen too---the armored one, which was soundly ignored, as Gestire dug those heels in once more, sending his drake into a direct descent towards that which was his--- or that which he belonged to...

In terms of both life, and death.

The wings of his drake folding in more so, adding to the velocity at which Gestire closed in on her with, as he pressed himself more so against the back of his mount, urging the beast on with a series of heel digs, coupled with the tightening of reins.

Oh gods did he smile...

He felt it--- he felt her, and he knew... That she now knew, that he was coming for her...

Those eyes of hers... Catching his own they did, as he nearly cried out in such a joyous tone at the mere prospect that she not only knew-- but she now saw, and more so...

She wanted it, every bit as much as he did!

This face off, this---- end all be all... The cut of the blade, the spilling of blood... The agonizing cries of pain, mixed with the thunderous roar of dominance..

And to think some simplistic fool would mistake these urges-- these needs for something else... Something--- carnal.

The pathetic fools...

This transcended all of that meaningless garbage, that came with being a mere--- human. No, he and she were FAR above that plane of beastly mind set... This exceeded those limitations set forth by those cursed heart strings..

This was about the fight, it was always about the fight...

The reins were pulled so hard the drake had little chance to do anything else but comply, and let loose with a painfully ridden shriek, as master and beast literally hovered in the air before this other--- half of the coin, this other half of the blade..

Likened to the Soul's Edge he was, and she-- the Soul Calibur.

And only one of them would walk away from this, and the other?

No doubt they would be changed forever...

"I have waited for you, stranger--- sister! I have waited for SO long, and here you are delivered to me, or am I delivered to you, I wonder! My master bids me to take you, but you and I know that will not happen, don't we!? I see death around us, all around us--- chaos and carnage like NO other, and yet all I find myself concerned with, is the question of Life and Death for you and I!"

The hood was lifted back, revealing a somewhat pale face with nary a blemish what so ever... Eyes of crimson bore into her, as a gloved hand lifted to ruffled the short brown hair of his, that smile growing ever so, as he literally began to stand upon the back of the drake.

"I am Gestire, and I am your end--- or you are mine!"

With that, he waited for that which was to come, and gods above and below, it would be something one of them would never forget, to their end of days...

"Transcending space, and time....."