((OOC: This is a pre-written story that I'll be posting in segments, as to avoid too much confusion. I'm revising things as I go along to streamline the narrative, so it may take a while to complete. Also, to clarify, Yes, Celeth/Victor/Angel are all run by the same player :). Finally, this will become playable once the intro stuff is finished up. I will make an OOC note, sorta like this one, at that point.))
Sintherrata, 22nd Si, Cycle 21754 (26 years ago)
Celeth looked on coldly as the woman's lifeblood spilled forth, impaled by the demon's lance. Kalai had been his partner, but in profession only. War sorcerers were paired with another whose talents were complementary, to enhance the combat effectiveness of both. In this case, command had judged poorly. He'd never particularly cared for the woman, as she was flippant, obnoxious, and approached all things with a sense of entitlement.
So it was for many in his ranks. The greater affinity women typically displayed for arcane talent often led to overestimation of their true skill, and such had certainly been the case with this one.
"So long, senior," he nearly spat the word. At his command, dozens of spears of solid ice launched forth, skewering the monster which had left itself wide open in its attack. Clearly it too had underestimated the depth of Celeth's energy well. The frozen man did not pause to examine the kill, he still had a job to do. Ripping a manastone amulet from the neck of his fallen partner, he fled further into the palace.
There was no doubt now. Sintherrata would fall.
The inner sanctum of the crystal palace was barricaded, but that was of little consequence. Holding forth the amulet, a key granted to each squad leader, Celeth would simply phase through the door as though it did not exist.
The wide eyes of Vene, Fourth of the Coven, were his first sight. "Are you all that remains?"
"There are more, but we have been scattered, Lady." Celeth's tone was matter-of-fact. "The horde we face seems endless. Make whatever preparations you must."
The woman paled, nodding sadly. "We will." She turned to make for the sealing chamber, where waited the rest of the Coven, along with the Emperor and his son, and the newly blessed queen of Silver Spires. She paused, however, and turned back to the young magi with concern. "You are alone, I gather..." with a meaningful glance toward the amulet he held in his hand. "Come with me, I can show you to the escape tunnels. You can still survive this day."
"No thank you, Lady," Celeth stood firm. "Even if it costs my last breath, I will take as many with me as I can."
Vene nodded solemnly. "Blessed be, Viscaer," before hurrying back to the throne room to begin what would likely be her last ritual.
As he turned toward the door and passed through once again, Celeth smiled. "Good luck with those tunnels," he muttered under his breath after he'd emerged on the other side. Drawing a small black stone from his robes, he sent out a message that only the owner of its counterpart would be able to decipher. "I have the key, and the path is open."
Sintherrata, 22nd Si, Cycle 21754 (26 years ago)
Celeth looked on coldly as the woman's lifeblood spilled forth, impaled by the demon's lance. Kalai had been his partner, but in profession only. War sorcerers were paired with another whose talents were complementary, to enhance the combat effectiveness of both. In this case, command had judged poorly. He'd never particularly cared for the woman, as she was flippant, obnoxious, and approached all things with a sense of entitlement.
So it was for many in his ranks. The greater affinity women typically displayed for arcane talent often led to overestimation of their true skill, and such had certainly been the case with this one.
"So long, senior," he nearly spat the word. At his command, dozens of spears of solid ice launched forth, skewering the monster which had left itself wide open in its attack. Clearly it too had underestimated the depth of Celeth's energy well. The frozen man did not pause to examine the kill, he still had a job to do. Ripping a manastone amulet from the neck of his fallen partner, he fled further into the palace.
There was no doubt now. Sintherrata would fall.
The inner sanctum of the crystal palace was barricaded, but that was of little consequence. Holding forth the amulet, a key granted to each squad leader, Celeth would simply phase through the door as though it did not exist.
The wide eyes of Vene, Fourth of the Coven, were his first sight. "Are you all that remains?"
"There are more, but we have been scattered, Lady." Celeth's tone was matter-of-fact. "The horde we face seems endless. Make whatever preparations you must."
The woman paled, nodding sadly. "We will." She turned to make for the sealing chamber, where waited the rest of the Coven, along with the Emperor and his son, and the newly blessed queen of Silver Spires. She paused, however, and turned back to the young magi with concern. "You are alone, I gather..." with a meaningful glance toward the amulet he held in his hand. "Come with me, I can show you to the escape tunnels. You can still survive this day."
"No thank you, Lady," Celeth stood firm. "Even if it costs my last breath, I will take as many with me as I can."
Vene nodded solemnly. "Blessed be, Viscaer," before hurrying back to the throne room to begin what would likely be her last ritual.
As he turned toward the door and passed through once again, Celeth smiled. "Good luck with those tunnels," he muttered under his breath after he'd emerged on the other side. Drawing a small black stone from his robes, he sent out a message that only the owner of its counterpart would be able to decipher. "I have the key, and the path is open."