((This post was messed up but the site wouldn't let me delete it so please Ignore it))

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Embarrassed, Yuta relaxed as he lowered his weapon. A quick introduction was made and the young man could only nod as he listened carefully to what Hugh had told him of the release of Garthox and the new path which he would now take as one of the guardians.

"I guess this means we should get going," Yuta said, following the brother towards the portal.

Yuta followed Hugh’s instructions and placed his blue stone on the dent as well. A new portal opened up as a swirl of lights danced around it. Without any hesitation, he stepped through the veil of light and felt a warm energy envelope him.

OoC - Grrr. I could have sworn I posted in here.. I remember writing it... Oof!!! My post wont be too good this time round. Apologies. -Cries- It was such a good post damn it!!!



Ripples were sent through Charna's body as Mirium sat herself upon her back, the sensation new to her. As she rose into the air, gradually out of shooting range, Charna scanned the area she rose above. A trembling growl shuddered through her at what had just occured, and had she been in a human form, she would have most likely pursed her lips.

"Thank you Charna. The orb, from earlier, where did you find it?"

The words that Charnas emitted were mixed with grumbling growls and soft chirps, though the message was clear enough. "The Brother Hugh sent it to me, with instructions to travel through the portal to him."

They were past the village now, making desirable speed, and Charna's gaze continued to scan the land that rolled past below them. Soaring lower, the Hisbanl squinted for a moment, catching a glint of fleeting gold. Soaring lower, a gentle growl escaped her as she spoke once more.
"What is that, down there?"



As the shadow creature continued to attack, a scowl plastered itself on the young woman's face as she gripped her sword tighter. The growling increased as the beast lumbered forward, till it was blinding by the blinding white light that encased it, created by Farath. Upon his command, Aline lunged forward, striking the beast. The long, thin blade of her sword sunk into the shadowy mass, and before the beast could make a grab for her, Aline stumbled back, ripping her sword from its depths. No noticeable damage was made, and Aline continued to attack.


OoC: Sorry, I had to do a quick one!
. He uttered the last word, "Vonath!" His voice boomed, louder than the growls of the beast that lumbered towards them. The bright light blinded the creature for a moment and Farath commanded, "Attack it now!"

Hugh watched as the young Guardian stepped through the portal. He walked forward and removed the opaque stone from the silver arch, "You best be holding on to this." Placing the stone into his hand, Hugh walked along the path towards the town where the other Guardians had been travelling along. Just as he was about to explain to Yuta what they'd be up against, a bright light shot through the dark forest into the the night sky from up ahead.

Hugh faltered in his steps for just a second as he watched the light get brighter. He knew it had to be Farath as only the two of them had staffs that could summon such a great source of light. But what puzzled him was why Farath was releasing the light as it could attract unwanted attention unless...Hugh's eyes widened as he thought of the worst.

"Yuta, hurry." With that, Hugh ran, with one hand pulling out his staff from within the robes. As he turned the corner together with the young Guardian, Hugh's worst fears were realised. There was a dark figure standing nearer to the forest edge, scarabs surrounding it. Peering closer, Hugh realised that they were frozen. He turned to see Ash shouting at a Dreign to come up with a way to kill them. Hugh breathed a little easier despite the horrid situation as he reocognised the Dreign as Tam, the Guardian of Belluvier. Thanking the gods, that he now knew where every single Guardian was, Hugh moved to assist the two but what caught his attention was a gigantic shadow beast, a concotion of Garthox. Farath, Alina, Fieht and Tyrvon were fighting it, tyring to destroy it with multiple attacks. But nothing seemed to be working.

"Yuta help them." He pointed to Ash and the Dreign. Yuta, although new to the situation, was a Guardian and would know what to do. Rushing forward to stand beside his brother, Hugh held his staff high and uttered the words, unleashing the light from within his staff. "We'll have to kill it from the inside Farath. It's made entirely out of shadow and light emitted from within might destroy it," Hugh thought aloud. "Create a cut large enough for the staff to enter!" Hugh commanded the others. It was then that he noticed a human assisting the Guardians to defeat the beast. But he had no time to ponder on where he had come from as the beast was growing aggravated.

Hugh stared straight into the creature's fiery eyes and found nothing but evil. Its face was contorted into what could only be described as a hideous mess that would evoke fear into the very hearts of people. They had to destroy it fast.

The light from the orb grew stronger by the second. The sky was a vast expance and after the night of trouble in town, the sun was about to rise. Looking up the stars were growing feint and the moon was sinking down the horizon. The clouds were to their left and right but remained sacred as their path crossed. The air was noticibly thinner but nothing so serious that could not be handled by some minor spells. Looking down villages looked like small blobs and forests look like a regular green patch. The gale felt cool to the skin and Mirium breathed in the fragment of nature.

The dragon's wings flapped as the pair continued to soar through the air. Though her voice was different, considering the change in vocal cords, Charna's answered remained clear and the content aligned properly with the situation that Mirium had faced in acquiring her own orb. Soaring lower, a gentle growl escaped Charna as she spoke once more. "What is that, down there?"

Mirium's elven eyes dashed quickly to the golden light. For a brief moment she could see it with her naked eyes. Then the brilliance was overshadowed by that of the rising sun. Golden rays beamed across the horizon transforming the land into a land of radiant beauty. The stars have retired and the moon was no longer in sight. The sky was a golden orange and will continue to be for a brief moment more. Looking at her hand once again Mirium could see that the orb was brighter than before, shining a cerulean hue that placed the sun rise to shame. The blue light, however, seemed almost magical in that the light desipated by an inverse cube relation to distance rather than the inverse squared relation as of normal light. Closer and closer they came to the point of the original golden aura.

"The tree... is calling us."

The golden light rekindled the innate nature of Mirium's elven blood. Her bond to nature drew the pair forth to investigate. Landing beside the tree of wisdom, Mirium slided herself off of Charna's back and strolled towards the tree. The elf rested one hand on the tree before leaning her ears and her breast to listen just as Mirium had done so many times in the past when she was in her own world with her own people. The lady elf then began conversing with the tree starting with three words.

"We are here."

"So are we." Came an answer carried by the wind from some distance away. The trees that had been corrupted were moving towards the pair of guardians. Danger approaches.

Slowly the twisted and horrifically visaged trees began their torturous crawl across the landscape, seeking the Tree that held the power of the Chosen. They moved en masse, possessed by the stuff of nightmares, by power of the Dread Lord. Their ghastly green glowing eyes sought the source of the agony to the Living Nightmare.

The great shadow beast, the massive tendrils of shadows and nightmares swirled around its body. Great glowing eyes peered down at those who had struck at it, hacked at it and tried to kill it.

With a demonic roar that seemed to linger as the air shuddered and rippled away from the gaping maw. A sudden movement as the quavering tentacles shot forward seeking the human man who had aligned himself with the Chosen. With a lurch the beast seemed focused on crushing the singular target, the fiendish tendrils whipping about, seeking to entomb the man.

With a look of sincere surprise, Azrael leaped backwards, slashing at the tendrils grasping for him. He spared brief glances at the others to see if they were using the opportunity bought them by the creature's new focus, and nearly tripped over one of the tentacles that had crept around behind him. Stumbling, Azrael twisted his body around to fall forwards, using his gained momentum to roll back to his feet.

As he continued with his backpedaling, his left foot suddenly stops. Azrael looks down to see that the beast had indeed managed to latch onto his leg as he had tripped over it. He casts a frightened, pleading glance at the guardians, asking for their help.

Now, have you found a will of your own, or is the Dark Lord helping me with my ruse?...Either way, should these simpletons not find a way to unmake you soon, I will do it myself.

“I’ll try to keep that in mind,” Yuta said as he received the stone from Hugh. Scratching his already messed up hair, he quickly place it inside a small leather pouch that hung conveniently to his side. He began to lecture himself as he followed Hugh to a path that led to a nearby town. It was a quiet night, and the only sound that he heard was the sound of cicadas from the woods as they sped down an uneven path.

Yuta almost bump his nose on Hugh’s back when the brother suddenly came to a halt. Curious to what was bothering his companion, Yuta directed his gaze to what Hugh was looking. It was a flash of light that came from somewhere in the forest. From where they stood, he could hear a faint sound of an ongoing fight. Just as Yuta was about to ask what the problem was, Hugh suddenly took off to where the light came from.

“Hey! Wait up!” Yuta called to the brother as he followed suit. Hauling his weapon over his shoulders, he ran as fast as he can to catch up. The two of them passed upon rows and rows of trees, not knowing where they where heading. The sounds of weapons hitting something and the crashing of trees began to grow louder as they appear to be drawing closer and closer to the source of commotion.

His jaw cracked wide open as he saw a beast of shadows being fought by a group of people. He then heard Hugh asking him to help in the fight and responded by positioning himself beside the spell caster that now froze a river of flesh eating bugs that came from a creature.

“Reinforcements have arrived!” Yuta declared, leaping into the air. He took his halberd with both hands and raised it above his head in preparation for a downward strike. With a powerful swing, Yuta slammed his weapon upon the insects and unto the creature that summoned them. By the time he returned to his feet, he began another flurry of blows upon his targets.

Garthox paused; the ripples of the world brought him something he hadn’t felt in a long while. Narrowing the miasmic swirls that indicated his eyes, Garthox reached forth with the maddening power of nightmares.

Slowly the howling hellish winds that whipped and whirled around the dread lord scream their displeasure, roaring and forming half glimpsed forms, creatures that would induce dementia if their full forms were manifest. Yanking the chain of the slaves, Garthox allowed his power to pulse from his frame, a chill that washed over the lands, seeking to embrace all things of life.

The three elves howled in terror, their minds wracked with the repugnant truth of Garthox, their eyes rolling, their tongues protruding from their twisted mouths, their voices lifted in a chant. A chant that hasn’t been heard across the worlds in thousands of years, it was the invocation of the Lord of Nightmares; it was the summoning of the Sluagh, the nightmare army that thundered across the heavens during thunderstorms, the deadly shapes and horrific leering faces that encroached on the sleeping.

The skies blackened, weird and eldritch lighting arced and splayed across the now rapidly expanding darkness. Slowly, forbiddingly the aspect of terror, the power of the Living Nightmare was being felt. Spectral forms could be seen at the front of the darkness, unnatural shapes riding forth on great beasts of nightmare substance, The Sluagh were being summoned from the pit of nightmares, their presence heralded by the shrieks and screams of the world. The very earth itself protested the savage horde of gruesome proportions become reality.

Across the world the ripple of power cascaded, undeniable, all felt it as it washed over the earth, air and water, the power of the Dread Nightmare had been summoned, all because the Pastecew had arrived.

Ash stumbled back as a Pastecew leaped forward and slashed at the scarabs, flingling them towards the being who had summoned them. Fieht was using her blades to kill the tiny flesh eating creatures that had escaped Ash's powers. Realising her control over the scarabs and the man, Ash unsheathed her sword.

The scarabs were now crawling all over the being, not hurting him, simply gathering. Ash looked to the Pastecew that had come to help them. He was killing more of the scarabs very quickly and so was Fieht. There was a clear path to the being and Ash took the opportunity to attack. She ran forward, her sword held to the side. Nearing it, she raised her sword high and striked its chest that was covered with scarabs. Twisting her body to the side, she swung her sword and pierced it through its body. She followed the creature down as it bent forward, its face contorted into a mask of pain. Ash pushed her sword deeper into its body, wanting to kill it fast. She felt its body slump to the ground, as its life was taken and Ash pulled her sword out. There was no blood on her blade just black substance that dripped from the end of the sword. Fieht 's sword also held the same substance that oozed from the dying scarabs. There were very little left with the Pastecew's help. When she looked back at the body, it was slowly fading away into the darkness and when Ash knelt and made to touch it, her hand fell right through as it finally disappeared.

One enemy had been destroyed and there was only one more left.

Aline - Flinx - Guardian

As the command was issued, Aline once more lunged forward towards the beast, only this time she called on her powers. As the fine blade sunk into the shadowy mass, Aline's eyes misted over as she paused, the blade still within the monster as it roared loudly, turning its head in a manner of one intending to attack her, but it was forced back by an attack from one of the others.As her sword continued to linger in the evil mass, Aline began to call upon her powers. A gust of wind blew roughly, causing leaves to lift and dance about the group, whilst a small cyclones began to form around the blade of Aline's sword. The strong wind caused the shadows to lessen their grasp on eachother - the grasp that allowed the monster to keep its form.

Charna - Hisbanl - Guardian

As Charna landed with the slightest of stumbles, she lowered herself to allow Mirium easier dismounting. When she was free of any burden, Charna succumbed to the darkness that enveloped her when she unleashed her powers. Within moments, a strong woman stood in the place of the dragon. Her lids fluttered slightly before she murmured gently.
"I will return."
Taking the slightest bit of notice of what Mirium was doing, Charna turned, sprinting into the shadows which engulfed her. Again she traveled through shadows, appearing when she lacked them, before dissapearing into the darkness again. Within minutes she was in a small, shaby and cramped in room. Hurriedly, Charna scooped up her bow and arrows. and a small satchel containing her possessions, before escaping into the shadows again. It wasn't long before she returned to the tree, and Mirium. The soft murmur of her breath was what made her presence known.
"The Tree of Wisdom?" Like most, she had heard of her - that was about it.

Hugh stood ready as Alina cut at the shadows, her cyclones causing the shadows to tear apart. The dark substance pulled and twisted as the strong winds tore at it. He waited for the right moment and got it when a huge tear appeared at the side. Hugh pulled his staff back and threw it straight into the gaping hole before it sealed itself back. It was done. "Everyone pull back," he ordered. The swirling mass of shadows was now twisting about as the staff filled the insides with light.

White light filled the beast from within, seeping through tears that had been created by Alina. Tiny holes began to appear through the enitre body as the light pushed its way out.
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He took a few steps towards the trees when Hugh commanded them to. But as he did so, a pouch from about his waist fell onto the ground and rolled where it was hidden beneath a rock. His black eyes looked to the side as he watched it fit under the rock.
"Perfect." he whispered to himself. Within the pouch, the opaque stone glowed slightly.

Upon hearing Hugh's command to disengage, and seeing the staff enter the shadowed beast, Azrael was given reprieve from blocking and parrying the creature's attacks as it began trying to remove the source of the light burning through it's being. When the last tentacle receded from it's assault on Azrael, he sliced clean through the tentacle holding his ankle and began to backpedal towards the others. His eyes never left the beast as the light forced it's form outward, into an ever more grotesque mockery of life, and he never lowered his blade, in the chance that Hugh's attack would not finish the Dark Lord's handiwork.

Azrael felt a slight twinge of pity at the destruction of such a magnificently hellish creation, a work of art given life by the Master himself. His face showed nothing but grim determination.

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Kra'zim watched as Azrael played the fool younglings, but he couldn't help but wonder why the brothers made no move to stop Azrael's plot. That's when he saw the Travel Stone fall from it's place on the man's belt, and his eyes narrowed suspiciously when the other looked to where it had landed and merely left it there. He remained hidden, well outside of the range of anyone's senses, except of course Azrael's. He never liked the link the Dark Lord had given all his minions. It made him feel a disgusting connection with the others, one he'd much rather sever, though he had yet to find a way.

Tree of Wisdom:

Her eyes creaked open slowly at the gentle touch of the elf. The age old power of the eight surged through her at that simple touch, giving her strength. Stretching her branches, she looked down upon the two who had found her. "Guardians," the winds carrying her whimsical voice across the lands. "But only two of you," the words were spoken slowly as the Tree of Wisdom lifted her roots from the ground, laying them atop the soil, "yet I sense the others are here." It was true. Each Guardian had an aura that was unique to them and since the she had each of their powers, she could sense their presence. Each Guardian was connected to her through the powers of their ancestors.

"We shall find them now but we have to be fast." She shuddered as she felt the movement of the trees that threatened to destroy her. Her branches shook and her leaves fell away. Stretching her roots forward, she bent low to the two Guardians, "Come with me to the other Guardians where your powers shall be returned." She bent further, offering to carry the two on her branch.

The possessed trees creaked and protested their actions; the malignant forces that fueled them forced them forward. Every movement a protest against the unholy actions taken by the trees, every movement a scream of agony only heard by those attuned to nature.

Forward, ever forward the trees moved, the hideous strength that coursed beneath the tinged and glowing bark. An ichor followed every trail of their thick corded roots as they dragged and convulsed, seeking ever a new latch in which to pull the massive trees towards the source of their misery. The Tree of Wisdom, the pure power, the resonance of the chosen contained with in.

The great living nightmare commanded the thundering storms to shift, the horde of frightful creatures that rode along the front of that storm, screamed their replies. The massive thunderhead shook and rattled the air for miles, a visible ripple of force rocketed across the skies.

Eldritch and hoary lighting flashed and darted through the skies, the people who saw this howled towards the forgotten god, asking for mercy and for help. Wails lifted towards the heavens, pitiful cries of anguish whirled and whipped, lifted and savored by the Sluagh as they trampled forward, seeking the twisted trees to show them the source of power…the Tree of Wisdom.

Fieht lept back when the word to retreat was givin. She grabbed a rag from her pocket and wiped it clean of bug guts quickly. Placing the rag back in her pocket she looked to the brother who had givin the order, he was with another 'guardian'. Fieht narrowed her eyes slightly and looked to the monster, wondering if the magic would work or not.

---Aline---

For a moment it seemed Aline was frozen in time, but then everything began throwing themselves at her in quick successsion. With a horrified gasp, Aline jumped back, her sword hanging limp in her hand as she retreated with the others, her eyes constantly trained on the beast. The light that escaped the shadows contradicted all the beast stood for, and Aline was rapped as she watched. Stumbling back, Aline fell into Feiht. Touching the fellow guardians arm in brief apology, Aline righted herself, her eyes still locked on the destruction.

---Charna---

Charna stared as the Tree's eyes cracked open, and breathed out deeply as the Tree of Wisdom spoke. Her voice was pure, complete, whole and precious - simply beautiful. For a moment, Charna was entranced, then what the tree said finally processed in her mind, and Charna eyed the offered branch. Nodding once at Mirium, Charna drew in a sharp breath as she placed a palm on the tree. Power hid in the Trees core, ultimate, excessive, beautiful, and Charna gradually seated herself upon the branch.

Fieht glanced at Aline as she fell onto her. Aline looked at her apologetiacally and Fieht simply nodded. It was not the other gaurdians fault after all, if she had done it on perpose...then Fieht would have had a different response.

ASH:
Ash stood up when she heard Hugh shout for everyone to fall back. As she turned around, bright light filled the path and the surrounding area. She had to shield her eyes from the white light that spilled out from the shadow beast. Stumbling back, she grabbed the Dreign's (Tam) hand and pulled him with her. She guided them both to where the others were and watched through her fingers as the shadow beast was being destroyed.
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HUGH:
After ensuring everyone had moved back to a safe distance, he moved to stand beside Fieht. He watched as the light pushed and prodded from inside, seeking ways to escape the darkness that enclosed it. Piercing through the shadows, finding a way out, the light broke through the darknes.. The creature twisted and pounded at itself, as though trying to remove the light from itself. Hugh smiled. It was working. With one final shriek, the besat disappeared, leaving wisps of shadows swirling where it had once been.

Hugh took a few steps forward and picked up his staff which had been thrown forward when the beast vanished. He turned to face the six Guardians and his brother. "This here is Yuta, Guardian of Pastecew." Hugh introduced the young man who had arrived with him, to the rest. He smiled at the Dreign present there. The Guardian of Dreign had found the group on his own. Wondering if he knew he was a Guardian, Hugh placed a hand on his shoulder. "And you must be Tam, Guardian of Belluvier. Did you not recieve the letter to meet us at Arilt Tam? Where is the stone to open the gates?" But as he asked those questions, his eyes fell upon a newcomer, a human man.

"Who is that Farath?" Hugh asked his brother raising his staff, pointing it at the man who stood amongst them. He did not seem trustable.
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FARATH:
Farath stood beside his brother, watching the light from the staff take effect. It was slowly eating through the darkness, destroying the beast from within. A slight movement from the trees, made him turn. Narrowing his eyes, he tried to look past the low branches but there was nothing. As the beast was finally destroyed, Farath smirked. They were watching. He was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he did not hear his brother's question at first. But it sunk in.

"That would be the human who assisted us in destroying the beast brother." Farath smiled at Hugh. His black eyes watched the Guardians who had fought the beast, daring them to contradict what he said.