When the Shadows turn Dark

[Taspharel]

OT: Without wanting to steal it, Idea is from Aleta, just thought i might start it since I have some time now, hope y'all join in

She stumbled through the forests, the branches scratching her, the floor seemingly sucking in her feet and making every step harder than the one before, the light was dim, night was just about to leave, but somehow the sun didnt go up on this morning. Only a pale shine of light sickered through the dark clouds, hanging deep in a somehow ill purple coloured sky.

She HAD to reach the next Town. Even though it belonged to TSG, but she knew that she wouldnt live long enough to reach Soldier of Fortune Land to tell what had to be told. So she had no choice than to hope they would not kill her on sight after what she had done to their fortress on her last "visit".

Stumbling forward she let her mind wander to what had happened then, screaming of burning women and children filled her mind, the stench of the poisoned water, the smoke of the fires, .... stench? smoke?

She stopped.

It couldnt be. THEY couldnt STILL be behind her. Her tired eyes hushed through the trees, seeing movement where there could not be any.
THEY had been banned to the place they came from, not forever, mind you, ... the doors they had opened in their foolish attempt to gain more power over the dead where not closed as easily as opened, they had know that it could go wrong, but they all had believed in their power. Fools as they where.

*snap*

A small branch broke somewhere in the forests behind her. Her blood froze. She HAD to move on, and she had to move fast.

She tried flapping her wings, but the bones had broken hours ago and the fabric was torn. With tears in her eyes she watched a piece of her wing fall to the floor, its dark shine fading as it hit the ground.

*snap*

Her mind jumped back to attention, she HAD to move on NOW.

Her legs started moving, one foot in front of the other, one by one, forward, away, away from what was following her, away from what was gonna follow all, dark and light, making no difference in what it would kill, ... she laughed at the word "kill" that had crossed her mind while she ran forward, killing would be the nicest thing that could happen once they had gotten hold.....

Far in front of her, she noticed sounds of a town coming to life, a fortress awakening from a night of restless sleep.
It was TSG's Keep. They HAD to have noticed what had happened, that something was different. She just hope that they would help her, not for her own life which had been promised to IT long ago, but for the life of everybody on Ganareth. And beyond....

[Bluenose]

Luin slowly opened his eyes and looked out over the lands below him. He sighed and drew his cloak around him. Night was drawing near, and there was an evil breath on the air. This was not any normal night. He was standing atop a large fortress looking out over the lands, and sraining for any clue of his team's return. There was still no word, and he was beginning to regret letting them depart without him.

They were headed deep into light terrirory, to perform an ancient ritual, which had not been attempted for many an age... Not since..

Luins thoughts were interupted by a servent approaching from behind.

"Still no work my lord, the messenger we despatched the day before last has not returned, although it's reported his dragon has been seen east of here. Im told the beast was crying for breath and died as it saw Caveo approach, it's final task complete. The strangest thing is that there was nothing on it, no mark or rip in her wings, nor wound or bruise which could account for her death, im told it was as if the life was simply drained.

At this the colour seemed to drain from Luins face, a deep sigh escaped his mouth and he lept from his position on the castle walls and onto the cold stone ceiling of the large fortress.

"Send word to Ederabean that I will not be able to attend the council meeting afterall, and I wish him and others to follow me who may. When caveo returns, he may wish access to my quarters, if so then allow him." Luin was speaking fast, and his voice seemed cold as it left his mouth. The servent agreed to what he was told and left.

As luin negotiated the stairs down to the stables in the courtyard, their was one thing only running through his mind, again and again the same thought.... What if it went wrong... What if it went wrong...

Looking behind him he saw that the sun was turning to a deep red as it set...

As fast as the wind Luin was on his dragon and riding away from the setting sun vanishing into the deepening darkness of the night sky.

[Tinok]

Tinok had fallen into the pace of is new life with TSG...his trial by fire a short time ago in the battle with SoF had helped him gain respect that would normally have taken more time...yet, as a Yeoman in the guild, he still took to his night time guard duty.

This night had been unseasonably cold and dark.....something just did not feel right to Tinok. It seemed a shiver kept running up and down his spine since the fall of night. The night creatures could sense it too...they were less active this past eve...seeming to stay in there lairs rather than come out and hunt. Now as day approached, if one could call this clouded early morning daybreak....he caught sound of movement in the forest. Not the sound of the animals of day...no these were the sounds of an injured creature.

Tinok let out a short, sharp bird call...the signal that something was amiss and that the Captain of the guard should be found and brought forth....it seemed the unnatural night was going to continue into day.....figures, Tinok thought...just about time for me to come off duty...

[Aleta]

Cresting a hill in the forest near Aldalonde, Aleta
pauses for a moment to take in a deep breath of the
morning’s fresh, crisp air. The smell of fresh
blossoms and dew seem to dance around her as she
continues her walk, her soft footfalls barely making
any sound and leaving no tracks on the moss-covered
ground. Smiling to herself and tucking a piece of dark
hair behind a delicately pointed ear she revels in the
beauty of the morning.

A loud rustling comes from behind her and Aleta turns
with a sigh as Siria tumbles out from a hedge, rubbing
her skin as she picks herself back up. “Oww… why did
you have to lead me through the bramble patch, ‘Leta?
Those things are sharp!” Walking over to her sister,
Aleta smiles slightly.

“I’m trying to teach you how to move more silently
through the forests. Remember, Siria, if you know your
surroundings you’re halfway there. Thorns are just
part of the forest ad can be traversed as quietly as
any other plant if you simply know they are there and
react accordingly.”

Suddenly, from ahead of them a group of foxes burst through the treeline,
followed by several rabbits. “What the… since when do
rabbits chase foxes?” Aleta’s puzzled expression
turned to shock as more and more animals came charging
through, birds filling the air and forcing the two
sisters down so that they did not get hit by any of
the birds flying unheeding through the forest.
Shouting to Siria, Aleta tried to make sense of what
was happening.

“Siria! What’s wrong with them? There’s no smoke… what
are they all running from?” Siria’s eyes were closed
as she reached out to the minds of the animals swarming around them.

“I… I can’t tell. They’re completely panicked. All I can get is fear, it’s blocking everything else.” Aleta frowned and stood up straighter, hearing a faint call on the wind.

“There’s trouble…”

[SiriaCessmera]

Eyes still closed as her mind jumped from one forest creature to the next, Siria could feel their terror, her heart rapidly beating as though she too were running for her life. Then the fear stopped. Her feeling of panic turned to relish - a creature hunting the others, mocking their pain in it's enjoyment. Siria felt what a disgusting creature it was, it's lust for the kill made her sick, and yet she refused to leave its mind for the power she felt while there. Then, it saw her.

With a gasp, Siria opened her eyes, grabbed Aleta by the arm and began pulling towards Aldalonde. "This is bad. I don't know what it is, but it is bad. Let's get the hell out of here," she said as Aleta began to sprint out ahead of her. Looking behind to see if the thing was near, Siria suddenly tripped over something, the wind getting knocked out of her as she hit hard to the ground. "What the..." she trailed off as she noticed a small fairy to be the source what tripped her. Picking the tiny thing up by it's tunic, Siria noticed the emblem of the Soldier's of Fortune, and in suprise accidenly dropped the fairy girl. "Could this be that damned fairy that poisoned our water?"

A metallic-like roar echoed from the forest, bringing Siria back to the current moment. In haste, she picked the fairy's limp body up again, dropping it in to a pouch at her belt. "Hey 'Leta, wait up," she shouted as she continued her trek to the gates of Aldalonde.

[Nevar_Darkmoon]

A dark, vast room, hued within the very bones of the earth, lit red by guttering and smoky torches in scones along the walls. The pillars holding the impossible weight of a mountain above them, was scrawled over in dark symbols; symbols not seen in Ganareth for over a millenium. Towards the center of this vast space was a great eldritch fire, burning red and green and encircled within a vast pentagram apon the floor. The fire was being fed by magic which poured from the outstreched hands of a dozen or so "priests" encircling around it. Their magic silent, but for the wimpering of the priests themselves. Are they giving, or is the fire taking?

A shrill scream and plee echos off the cavernous walls, "NOOOoo.. let me go you, i beg you... you have taken my child already, what else is there I can give."

A diminutive priest, encased in his thick robes speaks, "Yee shouldss be happi... de infant isss the seedss case for the comining godd."

Things move to fast, Why cant i move, why cant I help her? a child still pale and innocent in the wretched glow of the fire is brought forth. A priest begins his chant as the baby begins to wail. The priests pouring their magic or is it their life into the fire begin to scream, but somehow the baby's wails is still crystal clear above the rising howls.

The air in room begins to quiver, taking on an almost liquid appearance as it ripples. The fire flares impossibly bright in a purplish flash...

All is silent...

The priests that fed the fire lay motionless about the now normal looking blaze. There is no screams, no wailing baby...

"LET THEM BE CALLED, AND LET THEM DO OUR BIDDING!!!", peals from the cavernous walls.

The fire explodes in a shower of sparks, as beast By the gods, what is that? What have they called? claws up through the ground beneath the fire...

Rocks rend, flesh screams... all is dark.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A scream pierces the cool air in a corner suit above the tavern that Nevar calls home. The sweat on his flesh and soaked through bedding testiment to a horor that befelled his dreams. The room dark, but for the pale red glow of the diing fire in the hearth. Breathing deeply, trying to calm his racing heart the ranger gets up and heads to the druids.

They will know of this... this was no normal dream the only thought in the rangers mind as he strode from the room and down the stairs.

[Taspharel]

She felt it coming closer. It was moving. Moving fast. IT was coming.

The last miles she had moved forward had passed like in a fever. Blurring images passing her mind. Images of the childs flesh beeing slowly ripped off by IT. Images of dying, dying within the circle of summoners.
She was happy she had not joined the group in their attempt to raise IT. She had been sent to watch them, survey their doings, their progress.
The temptation had been strong, IT's powers had been overwhelming, offering each and every one of them a part of its might.
She had withstood. But that would help her little now, now it had gone wrong. And it HAD gone wrong.

With a loud crack something fell over her, almost crushing her.....

She couldnt open her eyes. Her energy was freely flowing from her, blood forming in puddles under her body..... She laughed at the word puddles ..... had not used it since ..... since ..... well, since the time that ...

*SNAP*
Her mind sprung back to notice her surroundings, it was dark and she was surrounded by some kind of .... material, the surroundings seemed to be rushing, the cloth around her coming closer and closer .... she couldnt breathe....... something had gotten her ....

Hopefully it was one of them and not ......

Her mind left her body ....

The last clear thought before everything plunged back to visions of what happened ...
Was that she hoped her blood wouldnt put a stain on whomever was carrying hers clothing ......

[Tumaini]

Celvandil awoke, finding Wmba nudging him with her nuzzle.
Gently, he turned with a smile to greet her, but froze as he saw the fear in her eyes.
Quickly, the sense came over him too, though he did not know whence it came.

The other deer in the group with which he had sheltered for the night had already run a bit away, and Wmba signed restlessly to Celvandil that he should come quickly. They had to hurry if they were going to catch up with the rest of the flock.

Celvandil, puzzled by the sudden fear in his friend's eyes - he had never seen her this scared before, not even when he saved her from a prize-hunter (hunting as a sport!) some time ago - got up without further ado, and grabbing his bag and cloak, he ran after the deer, towards Aldalonde, where maybe the flock could be safe from this...whatever it was that could put that kind of fear into someone. Wmba was the one in the flock who had the most courage, and yet, it must be greater than he thought, as he could see what a struggle she had within her, between the will of survival, and the will to warn her friend.

Celvandil was suddenly struck by fear again as he ran.
Did the Council know about this yet?
If not, they had to be warned.
This was not just another attempt of invasion, it was something darker, something without the normal quarrels and strifes. Celvandil set his mind to saving his friends for the moment, and tried to run almost as fast as the deer, towards Aldalonde.

[Edited on 28/3/2004 by Tumaini]

[Bluenose]

As Luin flew further east and left the bounderies of SoF and the dark magic, Treblit became more and more hesitent below him as she flew. Closing his eyes he searched for the one he had sent to oversee the ritual... but had no luck.

Looking down from hs vantage point high above the forests to the very NE of Al-Drifa, he could see movement evreywere, fleeing to the west, away from something..

It was at this time that Treblit became suddenly uncontrollable, even for Luin. Shes started whining and roaring with no prompting, then twisted away, turning to some other direction. Luin eventually giving up landed the beast on the ground and bode her to return to the camp, she left like Gothar himself had commanded it...

As Luin now looked around, he noticed the animals.... at least 5 now in this clearing. All still as ice, but no mark of any wound on them. Luin searched the ground for tracks, there was some kind of mass movement of the animals away from this place. Regathering luin began to look for signs of what had done this, but could find no trace of a trail or marking left by any other than animals.

At this point he noticed it, a small, almost unnoticable drop of blood on the ground. This was from a fairy, and was alot of blood for one so small, she would not have moved from this point unaided. Luin now felt his heart jump as he noticed the obvious trail of a young elf... female. She didnt seem to have enjoyed traversing the thorns to the north of the clearing. Dropping onto his knees he searched more and found faint trails of a second.

Luin now knew his next step, the evil that was here had passed on, but not long ago. And his friend was now with people of light. It looked like Luin was heading back to Aldalonde.

Sitting down and closing his eyes, luin started muttering under his breath, after around a minute, there was a small clap and he was gone.

[Tasital]

Tasital strode into the courtyard. His size was seen as a threat by many, but a comfort to those who knew him. The alert had gone out and TSG was rallying. The city, if such a place of green could be called that, was still recovering from the assault made by SoF. Aldalonde had been burned before and it yet it still stood as tall and proud as an oaken guardian of the wood. Even amid the chaos that seemed to sweep across Ganereth, he knew this place would always "grow" back. His thoughts returned to the current matter as he halted in front of the Captain of the Watch.

"Report, Captain."
With a fist to heart salute he said, "Signal came in, sir. Believe it came from Yeoman Tinok."
"Hmm... I have felt a growing disquiet coming over the land in the last few hours. Kelithas!"
The Elven Scout Commander sprinted to his friend's side.

"Tas?? What is it?"
"I wish I knew. Something is very wrong. I wish I could be more specific, but.."
"I know. I've been feeling it too, " the scout replied.
"Find Tinok. He seems to have found something. It's the only clue we have at the moment."
Clapping fist to heart, Kelithas said, "I'm on it."

Just then Celvandil came careening into Tasital's back, knocking them both over. From the ground Tasital's muffled voice said, "Well, Yeoman Celvandil. It would seem you are eager for some excitememt. Kel, take him with you and teach him some caution, would you?"
Kelithas grinned widely, "Certainly. I love breaking in the recruits."
Celvandil sputtered, "But.. but.. m'lord even the animals are afraid. They scatter as if the wind had picked them up and carried them off!"

Tasital looked thoughtful for a moment. Then he said, "I agree. Caution is warranted. Information. Nothing more. Do not engage whatever you might find out there unless you absolutely need to."
Kelithas understood the danger. "Come, Yeoman. Let's see what can find."

The two sprinted out of the gates while the goldeneyed Ranger prepared the city's defenses for the worst.

[Edited on 3/30/2004 by Tasital]

[Taspharel]

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IT ran. Fast.
IT could feel life running from IT, at the same time knowing that not one single organism could survive IT.

The lands IT had left behind ITself where already .... transforming. And the animals it had touched would soon follow IT and kill the rest that still had survived.

The small village it had just passed had given it more power. The countless souls of animals and others had given IT enough power to take on a bigger "enemy".

North of the big town IT had left a vast field of grey and dead soil.

Now it was heading further, sensing a big town, amidst the forests, embedded in it. Hundreds, thousands of souls in it. Strong souls. Ready to fight.
IT had to laugh.... those silly living THINGS would not stand even an hour of a real fight.

Then again, why take a risk?

IT send out IT's thoughts, stopping for a second. They would notice the silence, but IT didnt care, that would never give them enough time to do anything.

IT stood amidst the clearing, the trees around it dying, becoming black, stretching their roots to deeper waters, poisoning it, their branches reaching out for everything still alive and strangling every living thing ......

IT's thoughts touched something, far far away, burried deep within the ground. There was a barrier around it, older than most that IT had felt so far. MUCH older. But the force of the barrier wasn't strong enough to withstand IT's powers.

With a small snap the barrier ripped apart ... making way for THEM.

HUGE wings unfolded and with a slight slash of the wings THEY shot to the skies. Three of the largest, most fierce dragons that ever lived. Their fangs covered in poison, dripping from them and burning every piece of soil and every living object touching it.

They would need maybe an hour or two to find their way, but then they would come. And kill. Kill all the souls in front of IT. And then further. Down to another big city full of souls.
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[Haliit]

Haliit walked slowly through the forest, letting the soft morning mist cool his feet. The young wolf pup at his side playfully jumped about after the squirrels that scurried about on the tree branches. Haliit loved the peacefullness of this glade, he could always come here when he needed to relax. He had grown this part of the forest himself many centuries ago, and it had become a second home for him. He continued to walk along until he reached the end of the clearing. He suddenly was overcome with a feeling of fear. Something dark was approaching, and approaching fast. He had never felt something like this........not for a long time. He tightened the grip on his staff. Calling to the rest of his wolves, he began running to Aldalonde. His oldest wolf, Greyun, quickly caught up to the Druid. Haliit hopped onto the back of the massive wolf, and continued on his way to the city.

[Kelithas]

Clasping his friend he turned to depart. "We will be swift, Tasital", Kelithas said, with a bow he motioned to Celvandil and the two left as Tasital watched them fade into the distance.

"Where are we headed, Kelithas?" Celvandil followed the Elven Scout closely and tried to look at what caught Kelithas's gaze. "I'm not sure myself, Celvandil. Stay vigil, I sense some great dark tide creeping over us. And do stay quiet, brother, it is possible we are not the only ones scouting this evening..." Celvandil did his best to match the Elf's steps and avoid twigs and dry leaves that lie on Ganareth's floor. Determined to not be a burden to Kelithas, Celvandil was becoming a remarkable hunter and learning quite quickly. With a smirk Kelithas, glance backed at the young hunter, watching his focused gaze on the ground before he took each step. "Quite impressive Celvandil, though keep your gaze up and stay vigil while you watch where to step, and tighten the straps on your blades so they rattle less... you'll make a fine scout yet. A soft tread is crucial but keep your gaze up, your sight is thrice as important, learn to see between trees and you can find others before you must worry about moving silently. Now let us go see what that Protector is up to.." Kelithas muttered with a grin. Pointing he guided Celvandil's gaze to the Druid and his pack of wolves.

Kelithas was able to show Celvandil a lesson in stealth using Haliit as his victem. The two jumped out from behind two great oaks, as the Protector of the Wolf rode towards them. Startled, Haliit nearly let loose a spell on the two hunters, but only sneered as he realized the pair of scouts were grinning at him. Haliit rose up from his wolf with his staff in hand. "Now is not the time for these games of yours Kelithas..."

Kelithas bowed low before the Druid, and Celvandil was quick to follow by Kelithas's example. "Forgive me, friend, Tasital has sent us to scout the perimeter. Where are you headed?"

"To Aldalonde, and most likely would have arrived there had I not been halted by an impetuous Elf," Haliit retorted and clasped his old friend. "So what have you found, Kelithas?"

Celvandil and Kelithas petted the wolves, which had heard the two hunters before they had surprised Haliit. Celvandil gave one of the pups a piece of meat he had in his pouch.

"Nothing thus far, Haliit, we left not long ago from Aldalonde." Kelithas leaned up against one of the immense trees.
"Well... now is a time to be furtive more than ever Kelithas, I sense a great danger coming this way."
"I think I feel it too brother, but I am unsure of what it may be..."
"Sadly, I believe we are going to find out, Kelithas."

With that, a distant screeching echo was heard through the cool wind. Celvandil rose from the wolves. The three looked at each other uneasily. Haliit wolves rallied around him in fear. All three searched the sky for the source of the chilling echo... though dawn, the shadows of the three dire beasts could be vaguely seen lit by the rising moon. Unable to discern the shadowy figure, Haliit turned to his elven friend.

"Kelithas... what is that..?"

Kelithas's elven eyes saw the three figures clearly... too clearly for his liking.
Bringing his gaze down from the sky, Kelithas watched as two foxes shivered under a bush, their eyes wide with terror as they looked up at the Elf.

"... Dragons, Haliit... three of them..." Kelithas whispered with a sigh of despair. "I have to find Tinok, Hallit. Farewell brother, inform Tasital of this. Celvandil you may continue with me or return to Aldalonde and inform the council, but I must push on.

[Edited on 14/4/2004 by Kelithas]

[Haliit]

Haliit rose his staff above his head and began summoning a thick blanket of mist to cover the area. His mastery of the mists was second to none, it was highest focus of his own training, followed closely by the training of his wolves. Him and his pack had become very used to the mist, and could easily continue along their path underneath the veil of fog. Hopefully the cover would keep Kelithas and Celvandil hidden from the dragons. Haliit did not fear for himself. Many thought him only to have skill with wolves, but he could tame almost any creature. It had been ages since he had attempted such a feat on a dragon though.

"Greyun, faster. We must make great haste. Tasital must be warned of what is coming"

[Haliit]

OOC: come on people! dont let the story die!

[Taspharel]

OOC: I AM STUCK IN SOMEBODYS POCKET :P. If somebody would be so kind to tell your peeps to come back and go on posting I will do the same for mine ;)