The velvet evening sky rested upon the horizon, a gently breeze caressed the monuments that stood in the distance. Pieces of light escaped the darkening sky as the stars began to make themselves comfortable in their rightful place in the coming night sky. The mountainous terrain surrounding the "Beacon of Hope," or Black City, was a barrier that kept many out. Black City was known for escaping the Black Mist Plaque, many thought this to be an anomaly of sorts, others preached that the mountainous terrain kept travelers at bay and the infected from crossing into the city.

His stride of confidence was unmistakable, his appearance was glamorous, dressed in a dark black tunic that hugged him tightly. His long bronze trousers rested on the top of his shoes, the silver stitching in the pockets was an unmistakable clue of the quality and value of these specific pants. A light brown satchel rested on his right shoulder the purpose of which is unknown. Protruding from his tunic upon his upper chest and neck was a white undershirt which gave a perfect contrast to Saito's dark appearance. Definition is the word used to describe the body that harbored this outfit, his hair rested upon his eye brows and the back of his neck. A dull red color radiated from his eyes as he walked ever closer to Black City.

The air held extra weight tonight, always feeling extra conscious after completing the blood rite. This was a ritual that Saito used to maintain his mortal appearance, because he is no mortal being, but a Lich. Years of study, research and strength placed him on this current path. Being able to travel where others of his kind before him could not was an amazing opportunity that could not be ignored. The city gates began to slowly gain on him as he moved towards his destination. The guards in front of the gates that blocked his path was not a concern in the least. Having been entangled by his mind and being distracted by his thoughts Saito reviewed the upcoming situation to achieve the outcome that suited him.

"Hello stranger, what is your business here in Black City?" The guard on the left inquired. From looking at these men many conclusions could be drawn about them. Their older attire was a hint that either they have been on the job so long that their armor was battered, or that they are new and still must prove themselves to their commanding officer to earn the honor of fitted armor. Being new to the job meant that Saito had a greater lenience to how far he could stretch the fabrication of his journey. The guard on the other side of the gate avoided eye contact, a weak, non-confident individual avoids the unknown. Upon reaching this conclusion hastily Saito answered with confidence.

"I am a Sage researcher, sent here to study the ancient records of the 'Beacon of Hope'. The rest of my business can not be discussed I hope we do not have a problem." Saito replied as a sly smirk began to reveal itself from the corners of his lips. When entangled with rookies the best course of action is making yourself seem more important then them. The fear of being humiliated for leaving someone of such importance out would only lead to scolding and slowing down the advancement in the ranks. This united with timid men leads to one definite outcome.

"You may enter the city of coarse, I hope you find what you are looking for and use your knowledge to help rebuild this world." the guard responded. Saito did not reply but simply smirked as he pasted the guards and entered the giant city. His outrageous claim was not such a stretch considering his attire and true intentions of study within the city walls. Saito is very sociable and very different from others of his calling; growing up being practically shunned Saito considers himself catching up for lost times. The first order of business is finding an Inn. Sleeping on the ground never bothered him considering he raised minions from that very soil. This does not mean that anyone would not take the opportunity to sleep on a bed if the option was available. The night is long, reserving the room is just a matter of precaution, exploring Black City is where this night truly begins.

The dark grey smoke rose to the air quickly, flames erupting in the distance. The sky fell to a ashy black. The silence of the city quickly vanished, screams so horrific even the most confident men would tremble. The smell of rotting corpses rose to his sense's and with it came a shadow like figure approaching through the grey smog ahead. A young man with a vibrant green shirt, proceeded forward.

Xain's body tightened and with it came a gentle voice, "Brother?" He inquired.

Then it happened. Falling back from a rough push, Xain awoke. Falling to the ground and breaking the library chair he grinned. Looking up he examined a taller looking man, Seta. Seta was a very interesting friend always watching out for the group that he hung out with, and obsessed with studying magic. His outfit was always the same, a long trench coat and baggy pants. Chains hung from his hips, underneath his coat rested a blue plan shirt. Bending over Seta extended his hand, smiling with sarcasm.

"Sleeping on me again?"

Xain reached out with his hand and pulled himself up. His hair slid across his crimson-yellow eye for a slight second and pushed it out of the way. Taking a deep breath he nodded towards Seta, reaching for his books he walked away.

"Thanks for waking me Seta, I'll catch you tomorrow. Hey what time is it!?"

Seta turned and began laughing, interrupting his own laugh his voice spit out like a volcano.

"You've been sleeping for about, hmm..3 hours? So that would make it almost eight?"

Xain turning towards the odd shape window to his right, grinned. It was close to nightfall and lately the crime rate had been through the roof, it was dangerous to even walk home. If it wasn't the plague it was something else. Reaching for the exit door handle, he pushed it open with little effort. His body was hit with a soothing breeze, one of the perks of living next to an ocean. Walking along the street he had almost forgot, night shift!

Xain tucked his book into his backpack, running for the Moonstone Inn. It was on the other side of town and getting there in time would be quite the feat. Wrestling with his backpack, in mid sprint, he grabbed his spare clothes for work and threw the back pack over his shoulder. His red hair gleaming as it slithered through the quite night breeze. His black and white outfit, fit him well.

His neck was almost covered by a nice button up collared shirt, a shirt he owned many of. Around his neck, however, rested a loose red tie, accompanied with his regular everyday swung-on jacket. His pants were nicely fitting and the leather belt that held them up matched just as nicely. His tie weaving in the breeze flapped up and hit him in the face, leaping over the back alley fence.

Sliding across the dirt like road that lead to the inn he caught his breath. Bending over he coughed, exhaling lightly. He hated it, coughing, it was one thing he couldn't stand, especially when around others. Coughing again, and then once more he decided to walk the rest of the way, he had made decent time anyways in the allotted time given. Looking to the sky the moon's faint haze mocked him, and with it came the stars.

"Ugh..Being late, Shit!"

Sighing he reached into his pocket and began playing with a necklace, metal and in the middle of it rested a silver ring. He twirled it about his index finger and thumb, lightly smiling he tucked it away.

"First time for everything..."

Dylan Hynes

Walking about her people who settled in the darkest part of the Labyrinth Forest which would be the place closest to Black City. Dylan was just starting her terrible day like every other. Family, wasn't the word Dark Elves used to refer to each other. . . fellow evildoers was the most common words used to speak of each other. Dylan hated her 'fellow evildoers' and they hated her. Everyone knows about Dark Elf egocentric problems and stuff, but not only do they feel superior to others but also between each other, they are always fighting and trying to surpass each other. Team work is not something you'll find around Dark Elves.
Since Dylan was different from them, she was persecuted the most, her mother was also an award winning bitch and let's not even talk about elves her age. Dylan, being half Dark Elf half Wood Elf was look down on (it's nothing new coming from her people), and because of how her people were she grew to hate them and also to use their ways and the ways of the wood elves to become better.

She never stayed long around her people she would venture further into the forest and meet up with some wood elves that taught her many things, taught her their magic that she would try and merge with the powerful magic of dark elves. Her wood elf friends wouldn't stay too long though because they feared Dylan's mother who killed her father a few years ago because he was meeting up with Dylan. When her friends would leave she would just try and practice on her own and make her way through the forest just like her father had taught her how to.
"You may enter the city of coarse, I hope you find what you are looking for and use your knowledge to help rebuild this world," Dylan stopped when she heard the voice.
She had been walking closer to Black City that she had thought. The huge ugly city she knew nothing of except for the rumors of how it spread the plague around. She noticed a tall man dressed in black, she felt something horrible coming from him, she felt like her was bad news . . . dead bad news. Now that Dylan thought about it, she didn't know much about the world, about other people or about the city. Maybe it was disgustingly ugly from the outside, but what was it like inside? . . .

The soft candlelight flickered against the text of the open tome that lay on the table. Nestro softly leafed through the book to the next page and continued reading. His vision swiped back an forth slowly, his mind more tasting the information than consuming it. Which was how this particular book was meant to be read. Not for information or complete understanding, but reflection and with the context of one’s own thoughts and opinions. Creating a calming and introspective feeling, it was, in a sense, more like meditation than reading. Which was why when he heard a particularly loud and boisterous noise erupted from elsewhere in the inn, he found himself unable to continue.

Slowly closing the tome, he softly said the phrase that engaged it’s magical locking mechanism. He ran his gloved hand over the cover, not feeling the pressure because his nerves no longer worked, but he gained a pleasant mental stimulation from the exercise. When he finished he set the book off to the side of the table and turned his mind to the events of the last week.

Days spent in the bustling market districts of the city, searching nearly randomly for any clue that might lead him to ancient material, writing or otherwise. In the markets, he had seen many mysterious and wonderful oddities that he had never so much as heard of before. However, he hadn’t found so much as an inkling toward his goal. The young lich was not particularly impatient, but he was increasingly aware of the daily rental cost of his room. He was afraid that if he did happen to spy an object in the market that looked promising, he might not have the funds to pay for it.

He closed off his vision, retreating to a soft blackness that often helped him think. He liked the privacy of his own room. Where he could lock the door and remove his helmet and read easily as he had just done, but it could not continue like this for much longer. He decided that if he did not find anything of promise tomorrow, he would leave the in and spend the night somewhere that did not require a fee. As soon as he had made the personal oath, he hoped that he would not have to follow through with the plan.

He opened his vision, turning his head to scan the room that he currently rented. It was simple, having a sort of humbleness that came with only bearing the necessities. He liked it, it reminded him of his quarters in the hermitage. He sighed yet again. It had been mere months sense he had left and yet he already felt homesick of the place. He wondered how Neverick was doing, if he had finished the tome that he had been working on when Nestro had left. He wondered what advice Neverick might have if he could ask the old lich what he should do about his predicament.

Nestro shook his head, trying to rid himself of the thoughts. He was a full Lifebringer now, he had a mission that would keep him from the hermitage far more than it would lead him there. It might even be hundreds of years until he saw his old master again, if he ever did. As he drew his thoughts away from the nostalgic thoughts, an idea appeared in his head. Asking for advice! That’s perfect! he thought as he grabbed his helmet and stuffed it on his head.

He stood up from the table, and made his way toward the door. He knew very little of anything about Black City. Perhaps if he asked some of the locals about it he would find a better direction. He laughed internally at himself for not thinking of this sooner. Wandering around the markets like a lost dog. How silly could I be. He unlatched the door, grabbing a key off of a short dresser near the entrance and slipping it into a pocket on the inside of his cloak. He didn’t want anyone digging through his belongings, as he had left all but his outfit in the room. The Lifebringer tome was magically sealed, but it would be bad if someone found out that he had a satchel full of bones. That would be rather difficult to explain.

Locking the door behind him, he decided to leave the hood down off of his helmet. He didn’t want to appear too guarded, especially since he would soon have be starting some conversations.