Blackrock

She is right, jarrod.
The voice seems to come from everywhere.

I am malaficus shaikan.
May i ask what brings you to this.....to blackrock?

Jarrod froze for a moment and his hand instinctively went close to his gun. Jarrod looked around for any signs of anything that wasn't sand. Jarrod couldn't see a thing however and the voice he had heard had seemed to come from everywhere at once instead of one particular direction.

"ARI fly up and run another scan of the area.....anything besides sand moves alert me immediately", Jarrod said.

Jarrod watched the drone fly up into the air and then decided to give the voice an answer though he wondered if he was simply losing his mind.

"Malaficus Shaikan eh? That's quite a name stranger, but if you must know I am here looking for a place to lie low and find work", Jarrod said then, "You know...where I come from people usually talk face to face".

Jarrod continued scanning around him, but it was pointless he couldn't see a thing except for things that were right in front of him.

The sands infornt of jarrod started to swirl.
Quikly taking the shape of a man in a desert robe.
His eyes covered by sand googles.

I do appoligize.
Humblety isnt my strongest point.

A place to lay low?
If you would indulge me.
What are you running from.

Jarrod's eyes narrowed as the sands in front of him started to swirl and take shape. As Jarrod watched the sands began to take the shape of a man. The man was wearing a desert robe and his eyes were covered by a pair of goggles. The man then apologized for not contacting him face to face and Jarrod simply smiled and shrugged.

"No harm done at least I know I'm not talking to myself now....that's a neat trick", Jarrod said.

The strange man then asked Jarrod what he was hiding from. Jarrod tensed for a second as he didn't know this strange man. Jarrod knew that most people in Blackrock had no love of the Aschen, but he was also smart enough to know that it wasn't wise to tell the world who his enemies were. Jarrod quickly decided that this man appeared out of sand and the Aschen hated just about everything that was different so he saw no harm in telling the man the truth.

"I'm on the run from Aschen authorities for smuggling..... Apparently they really don't like it when people help non - humans escape them", Jarrod said.

"Jarrod I have detected movement right in front of you", ARI's voice rang out from behind Jarrod.

"God! ARI! I know!", Jarrod said after jumping from ARI's outburst.

Where did you pick her up.
The robed man asked as he pointed at ari.
((after jarrods response))
Aschen?
Never heard of it,
But your tone imply's there to be fear.
Meaby i shoud visit them.
It has been several milenina since i wiped a race from existance.

After a moment of silence the robed man said:
But you have amused me enough.
As he snaped his finger jarrod found himself, ari and his ship a few meters from the nearest town.

Jarrod smiled as the robed man pointed to ARI and asked where had gotten her. Jarrod glanced over at ARI for a moment before turning back to the strange man.

"ARI? I got here from a market on Cryo believe it or not. The salesman had no idea that he was in possession of an AI so I got her for a bargain", Jarrod said.

The strange man then said he had never heard of the Aschen which caught him by surprise and then stated that he should visit them and that it's been a millennia since he had wiped a race from existence.

"Huh...now don't get my hopes up stranger.....The Aschen erased from existence....my luck will never be that good", Jarrod said with a laugh.

There was a moment of silence before the man said that Jarrod had amused him enough and then snapped his fingers. Suddenly Jarrod found himself along with ARI and his ship just a few meters from the nearest town. Jarrod was relieved his ship was still cloaked and with a press of a button on his watch it silently flew back into desert just outside of the settlement.

"Jarrod I do not understand. How was that man able to move us here so easily? I calculated it and such a thing should not have been possible", ARI said.

"Neat trick.....it doesn't matter ARI let's not look a gift horse in the mouth.....we made it to the settlement and we didn't have to drudge through the desert....quite frankly I don't care how he did it I'm just glad he did", Jarrod said.

Jarrod then began walking into the settlement and almost instantly he was getting stares from the people of the settlement. Jarrod didn't pay them much attention as he was solely focused on his destination. Jarrod smiled as his eyes landed on a bar. It looked like a run down shack, but most buildings in Blackrock did so it wasn't unexpected.

"Jarrod? Why are we going to a bar? I thought we were looking for work and a place to lie low", ARI said.

"A bar is the best place to get information ARI....and a few beers couldn't hurt either", Jarrod said with a smile as he pushed through the door to the bar.

A wemon with long black hair, bleu eye's and body to die for,
Sat at the bar wearing a leather suit covering all but chest.

When she noticed jarrod she walk over to him and bowed.

With a smile she straightend up and said:

I am jena shaikan.
I asume you are the jarod my father spoke off?

Let me offer you a drink and answer your questions.
As she turned around a giant of a man walked up to her and threated to hurt her.
She merely smiled as she puched him in the stomach sending him flying through the wall.
She winked at jarrod as she ran towards the giant.

She put her heel on the giant's throat.
You where leaving am i correct?
The giant attempted to grab her but she simply grab his arm and broke it.
Thy shall not kill she said as she trow the giant out through the window across the street.

After she pointed at a table in a remote corner and move her head suggestively to jarrod.

As Jarrod entered the bar he took a quick look around taking not that more than a few people were staring at him. With a shrug Jarrod began to walk further into the bar, but was quickly approached by a beautiful with dark black hair, blue eyes, and an amazing figure. The woman was wearing a leather suit that didn't leave much to the imagination. The woman bowed before Jarrod giving him precious seconds to admire the view.

"I think I will grow to like this rock", Jarrod thought to himself.

The woman then straightened up and told Jarrod her name was Jena Shaikan the daughter of Malaficus Shaikan. Jarrod re composed himself quickly and shifted his gaze back at her face.

"Then again maybe not cause there is no way I'm hitting on the daughter of the man made out of sand", Jarrod thought to himself.

"Yes I'm Jarrod....your father is....an interesting sort", Jarrod said.

Jena then offered him a drink which Jarrod was more than happy to accept, but then a giant of a man approached her with a look that was hardly unexpected in a place like this especially giving her choice of attire. Normally in a situation like this Jarrod would have had drew his gun and put the fear of God into this probably drunken fool, but he remembered that Malaficus had been more than he seemed and he had no doubts his daughter was no different. Jarrod just smiled as Jena punched the man in the stomach sending him flying against the wall. Jena then winked at Jarrod and began running towards the man.

"I think that man picked the wrong day to drink to much", ARI said.

"On that....we can agree", Jarrod said with a smirk.

Jarrod leaned back against the wall and watched as Jena put her heel on the man's throat politely suggested that he leave. The man then tried to grab her which made Jarrod let out an amused laugh. Jena simply grabbed the man's arm and broke it before she tossed him out the nearest window.

"You know I usually have a more conventional method for taking out the trash, but I like your way better", Jarrod said with a smile.

Jena then pointed at a table in a remote corner of the bar and motioned suggestively with her head at it. Jarrod nodded and proceeded to walk over to the table. Jarrod took a seat and removed his visor and his hat then placing them on the table.

"So miss Shaikan....you said you could answer my questions....so my first question is....what's the catch...information is one of the many things people Don't give for free especially in a place like this", Jarrod.

"She also promised a drink Jarrod", ARI said.

"Hah that a girl ARI", Jarrod said.

Jena smiled at ari as she said ofcourse.
As she wave to the waiter she spoke:
As for your question.
My father has taken a interest in you.
Not all who meet my father....survive the experiance.
He must like you.

The waiter arive to take there orders.

I take some milk jena said while moving herself into a easier possition.

Jena smiled at ARI and waved to the waiter she turned back to Jarrod and spoke in a seductive voice that made his heart skip a beat or three. She told him that Malaficus had taken an interest in him and that not everyone survived the experience of meeting him.

"Hmm does he like me enough to show me that sand trick?", Jarrod said with a smile.

The waiter arrived shortly after to take their orders and Jena ordered milk while offering Jarrod another incredible view.

"Jarrod I am detecting that your heart rate is significantly faster. Are you feeling ill?", ARI said.

"ARI go into sleep mode.....now!", Jarrod said exasperated.

"Yes Jarrod", ARI said as the little done powered down and landed on the table.

Jarrod then smiled at Jena before turning to the bartender. The bartender was a tall man with muscular features and he seemed to be staring at ARI.

"Don't even think about it......I'll just take a beer for now", Jarrod said.

Jarrod wasn't sure how much they charged on Blackrock so he simply pulled a few drachmali from his pocket and set them on the table for the bartender. Jena had offered him a drink, but Jerrod decided if her information was good then buying her drink would be the least he could do.

"Alright so Jena.... Who exactly is your father? I can honestly say I have never met anyone like him", Jarrod said as he leaned back in his chair to wait for his beer to arrive.

Smiling at jarrod's reaction to her advances, she showed a impish smile when ari mentioned his heart rate increasing.

Seeing jarrod paying for the drinks she knew she almost had him where she wanted.

She spoke in a soft voice explaining that her father was a powerfull spirit.
And her mother a local shaman.

The people call her father the sand demon.
They tell stories of a powerfull spirit that hunts blackrock.
Hunting down slavers, murderers, rapist's, anyone that caused suffering to others.
Drowing them in sand.

As for the sand trick.
It require's a great deal of consentration from what my mother used to tell me.
It allows him to create avatars for interaction from his prision.

But surely you dont want to spent the entire night talking about my father.
When you have me to play with?

Jena smiled at Jarrod after ARI spoke about his heart rate. When Jena spoke again it was in a soft voice and she began to tell him about her father Malaficus. She told Jarrod that Malaficus was a powerful spirit that was known as the sand demon and that her mother was a shaman. Jarrod listened intently as she explained that her father hunted those that brought suffering unto others and drowned them in sand.

"Hmm then it's a shame he has never heard of the Aschen", Jarrod said with a smile.

Jena continued to tell Jarrod that the trick Malaficus used with the sand required great concentration and allowed Malaficus to create avatars so he could interact with people from inside his prison. Jarrod had paid special attention to the part about Malaficus being in prison.

"I get the feeling this isn't the kind of prison with steel bars and a rusty lock", Jarrod thought to himself.

Suddenly Jarrod felt a bit uncomfortable as this all seemed incredibly convenient. He had been on Blackrock for only a short time before a stranger made out of sand helped him out of the sandstorm and then a girl more beautiful then he ever expected to find on Blackrock suddenly approaches him to offer help. Jarrod had been so enthralled by Jena's beauty that he had forgotten his own number one rule. If it seems to good to be true it probably is. With a calm unseen movement Jarrod pressed a button on his watch waking ARI from sleep mode just in case he needed her. The little drone reactivated and went about her usual duty of hovering over Jarrod's shoulder. As this happened Jena attempted to change the subject off her father using her obvious beauty.

"Hah as tempting as that is Jena I get the feeling there's a reason you approached me and I highly doubt it's because of my good looks", Jarrod said with a smile.

Jarrod quickly downed the rest of his beer and proceeded to pick his hat up off the table to promptly deposit it on his head. With that he leaned back and looked Jena straight in the eyes.

"So what is it you really want with me? You don't seem like the scared fragile type that needs to be smuggled off world", Jarrod said more curious than anything else.

When jarrod tone changed jena knew she had lost control.
Her voice when from soft female to hard male in a heartbeat.

I was too eager wasnt i he asked jarrod when he mention she wasnt the fragile type that needed smuggling off-world.

In short i need you to free me from that damm prision.

And no it isnt a prision of steel bars and a rustly lock.
Ow common you really think i cant read mind.
I am a spirit, all my kind can read minds.

My prision is a binding circle in a ruined town.
In a location several months from here.
I cant free myself.
A need a living person to break the circle.

Changing back to the seductive female voice.
I can offer you so much.
Her hand stroking his cheeck and her eyes look suggetively.

Weath, power, revenge against those who betrayed you.
Lust.

All you need to do is free me from my prison.

Jena must have realized that Jarrod was no longer playing her little game and in an instant her soft female voice turned into a male voice that Jarrod recognized almost immediately. Malaficus had apparently taken on a female form and he immediately got to the point telling Jarrod that he wanted freed from his prison.

"Well..... that's disturbing", Jarrod said thanking every god he ever heard of that he didn't hit on Jena.

Malaficus in Jena's form then mentioned that the prison wasn't one of steel bars and that he had read Jarrod's mind. Jarrod's eyes narrowed immediately and his hand quickly clenched into a first. Jarrod normally maintained a somewhat apathetic point of view, but when he got angry he was like an entirely different person. As Malaficus explained where his prison was and how he needed a living person to break him out Jarrod just continued glaring at Jena's form.

"If I may interject Jarrod this sounds unwise....Malaficus is known as the sand demon....I ran a search and the word demon is almost never associated with positive results", ARI said.

Jarrod glanced over at ARI for a moment and nodded as she hadn't told him anything he wasn't already thinking. Malaficus's voice then turned back into Jena's seductive voice as he stated that he can offer wealth, power, lust, and revenge against those who had betrayed him. The idea of revenge had its appeal to Jarrod, but he knew these gifts would come at a price....A price Jarrod wasn't sure he was willing to pay. Jarrod crossed his arms and stood up from his chair.

"And what exactly do you intend to do if I release you from this prison? I can only assume there is a reason your in that prison so why would I release you", Jarrod said.

As jarrod asked why he shoud release malaficus,
Jena started laughting so wickedly it woud send a chill down the spine of all but the bravest men.

After she stoped laughting her eye's glow white and the bar began to change.

Welcome to katash.
She said her voice sounded full of haterd.

A man in a green robe walk to what looked like a summoning circle.
As the man touched the circle he spoke the words:
Malaficus shaikan i summon you.

A sphere of pure light with energie tentacels comming out of it appeard.
It quickly took a form similer to the green robed man.
I am malaficus shaikan why have you summoned me.

Jena explained to jarrod that the man in the robe was court mage karzam.
And he was the reason for malaficus imprisioned.
Whenever she mention karzam it angered her greatly.

The enemy is at the gate,
Karzam said with fear in his voice.
I want you to destroy them all.

Malaficus simple told him that a price much be payed equel to what he was asking.

Karzam knew he coudnt pay the asking price.
He took his amulate and said: i command you to obey spirit.
As he spoke two shadows appeard behind karzam and impaled him.

A spirit amulet?
Malaficus smiled.

A good plan karzam but you forgot one important thing.
I am already bound to my lord's will.
That neckless cant command me.

As karzam fell to the ground he manage to breath these final words.
I bind your spirit to this tower, malaficus shaikan.

Malaficus smile disapeard as ice befor the sun.

jena explained that while the neckless coudnt complet her to obey it was able to enforce the spirit rules on her.
I have been bound to this tower for six thousent years.

As she the move to the belcony.
malaficus shaikan started to scream in anger.
You want blood karzam. i give you more blood then you ever bargianed for.

Look jena said to jarrod.

As the entire city was being drown under the sand.

That day i destroy this entire world.
jena had a tear in her eye.

In my anger i send billions of people to a horrible death.
My lord was most displeased.

My lord removed all my powers and bound my soul to this world we now call blackrock.
Only when a living was willing to break the neckless of karzam i would be free again to rejoin our father in heaven.

I believe i did my time.
Isnt six thousent years of being unabled to leave this accursed place enough?

As she explained she believed she did her time,
The world return to the bar they where in.

I have maniplulated, seducsed, made deals, and even beged a few times.
But every last person who got hold on the neckless tryed to enslave me.
Every last one of there corpses is now gaurding my prision.

The reason i can command the elements of this world is because when my soul got bound to it.
I became this world.

You may not like me jarrod.
But i have seen the compasion in your actions.
You threat ari as a person.
You show restrained when most would have simply fired blinding into the sandstorm.
And even when i tryed to seducse you kept your cool.
I believe that you have the ability to resist the temption and set me free.

And jarrod.
Even in my prision i have the ability to destroy every last town on this world.
If you dont want to save me out of the kindness of your heart.
Do it for the people of blackrock.
For if you refuse,
I will ensure everyone but you dies.

Jarrod questioned Jena about why he should set Malaficus free and she laughed in a tone so wicked that it felt like the blood in his veins had froze. After she finished laughing her eyes began to glow a bright white and the entire bar around Jarrod began to shimmer and shift. Jarrod was no longer standing in the bar and Jena quickly explained that they were in a place called Katash. Jena's voice was filled with hatred when she spoke the word. Then a scene played out in front of Jarrod as he watched a man wearing a dark green robe approach what looked like some kind of summoning circle. Jarrod never fully understood or trusted magic of any kind and he soon found himself loathing his idea to come to Blackrock in the first place. Despite Jarrod being unfamiliar with the situation he was in he stood silently and watched like he was trying to piece together a puzzle and understand the big picture. Jarrod watched as the robed man summoned Malaficus and Jena explained that the man's name was Karzam. Karzam was a court mage that was responsible for Malaficus's imprisonment and Jarrod could see that just mentioning the mans name infuriated Jena to no end.

Jarrod crossed his arms as he watched and he quickly figured out that there must have been some kind of war going on and that Karzam desired help from Malaficus to win the war. Malaficus told Karzam that there was a price to be paid that was equal to the help Karzam had requested. Jarrod had no doubts about where that would lead as the price was undoubtedly going to be more than Karzam was willing to pay. Instead of doing the smart thing and walking away Karzam took out some kind of amulet and attempted to force Malaficus to do his bidding. Jarrod was far from surprised when two shadowy figures appeared behind Karzam and impaled him. As Karzam fell to the ground he managed to bind Malaficus to the tower they were in before the life faded from his eyes. Jena then explained that the amulet was unable to compel Malaficus to obey, but it was able to force spirit rules upon him and that he had been imprisoned for over six thousand years.

"God your old.....that said I hope I look that young when I'm your age", Jarrod said with a smile.

Jena then moved towards the balcony as Malaficus screamed in pure rage. Jarrod followed Jena to the balcony as she pointed downward and told him to take a look. Jarrod was no stranger to death and had seen more than his fair share of deplorable acts, but he watched stunned as he watched the entire city being drowned in sand. Jarrod looked over at Jena with a mix between shock and disgust for what Malaficus had done. She had a tear in her eye as she said she destroyed this world on that day. She then told him that her lord was displeased for what Malaficus had done and that he took away his powers as well as bound his soul to Blackrock. A living being had to break the necklace of their own free will in order to release him.

"Pfft well I would feel bad for you if you hadn't destroyed an entire world! Now I'm thinking you deserve every second that your bound to this rock! ", Jarrod said angrily.

The world around Jarrod began to shimmer and shift again as the vision faded back into the bar. Jena the explained that she believed she had suffered for her crimes and asked if six thousand years wasn't enough.

Jarrod glared at the woman and said," Well you killed billions of people so the way I see it maybe you should spend a few billion years stuck to this rock".

Jarrod could understand why Malaficus was angry, but he could see no justification for wiping out an entire planet. Jena then proceeded to tell him that she had manipulated, seduced, made deals, and even begged in order to be released, but everyone that agreed to help Malaficus ended up trying to enslave him. She then proceeded to state that Jarrod seemed different from the others and that he showed compassion in his actions. She talked of how he treated ARI like a person instead of a tool. Jarrod looked over at the flying drone with a smile as Jarrod knew that at least in this Jena was not lying. ARI was far more than a robotic tool to Jarrod instead the AI had become his best friend the only person he trusted completely. Jarrod turned his attention back to Jena as she continued by saying that she thought he could resist the temptation to enslave and succeed where so many others had failed. She then added that Malaficus still had the ability to wipe out Blackrock and would do so if Jarrod didn't free Malaficus. Jarrod had to admit that Jena was a master manipulator as she was using his greatest weakness against him....His conscience.

"I.....I guess I don't really have a choice then do I? Fine, but if I'm helping you I'm setting a few ground rules! One....from here on out no more lying Jena if I catch you in another lie I walk. Two.....no more frolicking about in my mind without my permission....If you do then you can rot for another six thousand years. And three.....Once your free you will spare the people of this world and other world's cause if I bring about the end of the universe my boot will find your ass in the world of spirits", Jarrod said giving Jena a slight smile.

"Would it not be a good course of action to make financial gain one of your conditions Jarrod", ARI said.

"That a girl ARI!", Jarrod said smiling at the drone before turning back to Jena.

"Yes and I do expect compensation for this......double my usual rates since your having me play around with spirits and magic.....those are my conditions you can either except them or.....you can wipe out the entire planet and count grains of sand for another six thousand years....your choice Jena.....err Malaficus.....err whoever you are", Jarrod said as he sat back down in the chair and awaited her answer.

After hearing jarrods conditions.
Jena laught as she turned into a white male in his late twinties.
Wearing a desert robe.

This is why i like you.
You are different from the useall brute's that visit my prision.

Your terms are acceptable.

And if you dont mind i prefeer the name malaficus.


Malaficus summoned a two hunder drachmali and gave them to jarrod.
Buy yourself some gear and get a good night sleep, jarrod.
The journy will take months and i need you to survive.

And befor you ask, no i wont teleport you to katash.
I have no power inside katash* and i need you to learn to survive the dangers of blackrock.
And if you think of leaving on your ship, dont bother. i buried it under two thousent meters of sand.

Malaficus laughted wickedly as he disapeared.
Just befor he was compleetly gone he said i will see you tommorow.

*katash and karzam are always spoken in angry voices.

Jarrod waved down the bartender and smiled at Jena after stating his conditions. Jena laughed as her body began to shift into the figure of a white male in his late twenties wearing a desert robe.

"Hmm you know I preferred the pretty form", Jarrod said with a smirk.

Malaficus told Jarrod that he was different from most brutes that visited his prison. Malaficus then said that the terms Jarrod spoke of were acceptable and that he preferred to be called Malaficus.

"Fair enough Malaficus it is then", Jarrod said.

Malaficus then summoned two hundred drachmali and told Jarrod to buy some gear as the journey was a long one. Malaficus made it clear that the journey would take months and that he needed Jarrod to survive.

"Don't worry about me Malaficus you just worry about talking me through the magic crap we will undoubtedly encounter and let me worry about not dying", Jarrod said.

"Malaficus could you not simply.....", ARI started to say.

Malaficus cut ARI off and said that he had no power in Katash and therefore couldn't just teleport us straight there. Jarrod just sighed as he expected there was a reason that Malaficus hadn't simply teleported them straight to Katash. Malaficus also stated that he needed Jarrod to learn to survive in Blackrock.

"It has to be easier then surviving on Cryo so again let me and ARI worry about not dying", Jarrod said.

At that moment the bartender walked over with another beer and Jarrod excitedly took it a began drinking. As Jarrod was drinking Malaficus then said that Jarrod could not simply leave the asteroid as Malaficus had buried it under two thousand meters of sand. Jarrod instantly spit out his beer as Malaficus told him that they would meet again tomorrow and disappeared with a laugh.

"You buried my ship!", Jarrod shouted furiously then, "Malaficus! Get back here!".

"I believe he is gone Jarrod", ARI said.

Jarrod grabbed the drachmali from the table and stood up from his seat. With a determined walk Jarrod walked towards the exit of the bar and walked out into the sandy street. The sandstorm had past, but the scorching heat still beat down on him. With a shrug Jarrod walked to the nearest market and purchased plenty of supplies ranging from food and water to bullets and explosives.

"I have calculated that a compass is usually brought on such journeys Jarrod", ARI said as she hovered to the side of Jarrod.

"ARI you practically are a compass....anyway remind me to update your defense and assault programs tonight just in case", Jarrod said as he filled his pack with the freshly bought supplies.

"Noted Jarrod....will my current upgrades not suffice?", ARI said.

"Probably, but better safe than sorry when dealing with magic", Jarrod said.

Jarrod then walked side by side with ARI towards the first in that they could find. After paying for a room Jarrod flopped down on the uncomfortable bed and looked over at ARI.

"Well....it's not exactly my water bed in the Trinity is it?.......I still can't believe that six thousand year old coot buried her", Jarrod said.

"The sand won't damage the ship Jarrod", ARI said.

"Maybe not but you don't just bury a man's a ship ARI! It's not cool and oh boy are we going to have a little chat about that before we take off tomorrow", Jarrod said.

Then Jarrod let out a long yawn and placed his revolver under on of his pillows just in case and then got relatively comfortable.

"Night ARI go to sleep mode, but keep your threat detection software running", Jarrod said and closed his eyes.

"Goodnight Jarrod", ARI said before she powered down.

Jarrod was awake awhile longer contemplating all that occurred through the day, but before long fell fast asleep.

As jarrod woke up malaficus stared at him through a mirror.
Letting jarrod vent malaficus simple stated that he wont allow jarrod to leave via his ship and he will get it back after malaficus was freed.

As they walked the desert malaficus was uneffected by the weather.
Frustratingly waiting for jarrod to catch up.

I keep forgetting you mortals are effected by heat, dehydration, fatigue.....
As night fell malaficus suggested jarrod made a camp fire as his first lession.

With nothing but sand in any direction malaficus was interested to see how jerrod would make a fire.

After jarrod had succesfully made a fire malaficus sat by the fire and stared into it.
You think i am a monster dont you?
No i didnt read your mind,
I can geus by the way you look at me.

Perhaps i can make you understand,
What it has been like for me,
These past six thousent years.

I am old jarrod.
My lord made me befor there was even a consept of time.
I live millions of your years befor creation even existed.
In the afterlife time doesnt exist.
It has no meaning.
A second a hour a year it all is the same.

We live in our fathers house.
A place the defy explanation.
Take your most happiest moment.
Multiply that by a billion, and your not even close to what we eternally felt.
To be stuck in this plane of existance.
It is like having all your senses striped from you, all your memories poluted by hate, fear, lust, greed.
The entire list of sins.
For a being with no consept of time to be forced to endure time is torment.
I have felt lonelyness, impiancents, desire, greed, hate,
All sins i have experiance and even commited.
All the joys and sorrows a mortal can endure.
All safe for one.
The freedom of death.
After a long pause.

I admit that my actions are unjustified.
But being stuck on blackrock for thousents of years is alot harder to endure when you have known heaven.
When you have know our fathers love.
It isnt the years spent here that torment me.
It is the years spent away from home.

As malaficus poked the fire he asked jarrod to tell him about the worlds beyond blackrock.
Claiming his sight doesnt reach beyond the blackrocks stratosphere.

Jarrod's eyes slowly opened as he sat up in his bed. He let out a long stretch instantly remembering how uncomfortable he had been last night. As his brain was brought back into the reality of being awake he instantly jumped as he saw Malaficus looking at him through a mirror.

"God......ugh between you and ARI my hearts going to give out one of these days", Jarrod said annoyed.

Jarrod then recalled just how seriously pissed off he was at Malaficus for burying his ship. Jarrod hopped out of bed and pointed a finger at the man.

"YOU!........YOU BURIED MY SHIP!......I mean seriously who does that! .......your lucky I wasn't on a job when I came here Malaficus!.....I'm a smuggler! There could have been people in my ship", Jarrod shouted furiously.

Malaficus simply let Jarrod vent then simply stated that Jarrod would get his ship back after he had freed Malaficus. Jarrod just grunted and woke ARI as he muttered quietly to himself.

"Bah.....stupid stubborn old sandman.......goes and buries my ship.....your lucky I don't just leave you in that prison", Jarrod muttered.

After Jarrod had gathered his gear the three of them took off into the desert. They had been walking for a few hours before Malaficus started having to wait for Jarrod to catch up. Malaficus made a comment about forgetting that mortals were susceptible to heat, dehydration, and fatigue.

"Yeah must be nice to be made of sand eh", Jarrod said with a grunt.

"Actually Jarrod I believe you are correct.....just as I am immune to such things so is he because it is not his real body just an avatar he uses to communicate.......you clearly have a design flaw Jarrod", ARI stated.

"ARI", Jarrod said.

"Yes Jarrod", ARI said.

"Shut up", Jarrod said.

After a long day of walking through the desert Malaficus finally decided they should make camp. Jarrod looked around and saw there was nothing but sand for miles. He then turned to ARI and smiled at her.

"Little help here ARI", Jarrod said.

ARI immediately flew towards the ground and deposited a green gelatinous substance. The substance was extremely flammable, but could burn over the course of twelve hours. Jarrod took out his lighter and after touching the flame to the gel it instantly ignited. Jarrod smiled at Malaficus.

"Magic is good and all, but I'll stick with technology any day", Jarrod said.

Malaficus stared into the fire, before asking Jarrod if he thought Malaficus was a monster. Jarrod raised an eyebrow and Malaficus quickly said that he hadn't read Jarrod's mind and instead just guessed by the way Jarrod looked at him.

"Can't honestly say that I don't.......you don't get to wipe out a whole planet and go without earning such a title", Jarrod said.

Jarrod listened as Malaficus told him that he had been around long before creation itself was and how time had no real meaning to him. Jarrod crossed his arms and stared the old man down.

"Then someone who has been around as long as you should have known better", Jarrod said.

Malaficus went on to explain how torturous it was for a being with no concept of time to be forced to endure time. To an extent Jarrod could understand Malaficus' s point and felt sorry for the man. Malaficus continued saying that he admitted his actions were unjustified, but that being stuck on a rock like this was much harder once one has known heaven. Jarrod un-crossed his arms and motioned for ARI to come to him. As ARI landed on his lap he began checking her systems to make sure everything was working properly. While he worked he looked up at Malaficus.

"Well I'm not much of a religious type Malaficus so heaven seems like a long shot for me......but I said I will help you and I will......so as long as you hold up your end of our agreement as well as dig out my ship......you don't have to explain yourself to me......we have a task so let's do it", Jarrod said offering a smile.

As Malaficus poked the fire he asked Jarrod to tell him about the world's beyond Blackrock as his sight didn't reach beyond Blackrock. Jarrod hadn't actually been to many world's other than his home world, but Jarrod saw no harm in telling him about the two he visited besides Blackrock.

"Well I've been to Cryo.....now that is almost more of a hell hole than this place..... it has a constant winter and is pretty much a frozen wasteland.......but aside from Cryo I was born on Arastel the home planet of the Isirians....my people......Arastel was......it was really something.....it was a beautiful world......A defining achievement of a civilized age in Isiria they called it. .......it was a perfect to place to live.....it had problems like any place, but the problems didn't do much to lessen the appeal of it.", Jarrod said clearly recalling fond memories, before his face hardened.

"Then the Aschen came into the equation..... When we surrendered to them we then had to follow their laws.......The Aschen are notoriously xenophobic.....they certainly wouldn't like a sand spirit like you..... anyway I......disagreed with their whole concept of condemning anything different so I did what I could to help non humans...... Eventually I was both caught and turned in by own family.......so because of that I will likely never see Arastel again", Jarrod said.

"I think I'm done talking tonight", Jarrod said and laid down deep in his thoughts.

As jarrod lay down to think a loud noise came from over the dunes.

Slavers malaficus said in a hatefull tone.

He quikly disapeared into the said.
Moments later screams came from over the dunes.

The slavers camp was drowning into te sand.

As the last of the slavers drown malaficus looked at the slavers victems and said:
You are free.

As he teleported them he looked behind him and saw jarrod.
There home now jarrod he said.

Looking down to the sand.
Your kind can do so much good.
And yet you keep choicing evil.

Of all the suffering a person can endure being a slave is one of the worst.
To be threated as property.
To have no rights.
To be used, beaten, and trown aside like one would trow away a par of shoes.

Be greatfull you can leave blackrock.
Others arent so lucky.

This might be a good time for you to learn how to fight against undead.
There is a high possiblility you will encounter them in katash...malaficus was silent for a moment as he calmed down.
Unlike populair believe undead arent souls traped in there body.
They are dead bodies reanimted and controled be necromantic energies.
The strenght of an undead depends on how much nercomantic energies it has.
A basic corpse useally dont have more then is needed to get it moving.
As they are useally used as shock troops.
For this reason undead are generaly slow.
However if more necromantic energie is added they can become inhumanly fast and strong.
The biggest strenght of a undead however is that it isnt alive.
It doesnt feel pain, remose or anything really.
It will keep comming at you until nothing but ash remains and sometimes even that wont stop it.
Undead are useally controled by a necromaner or very powerfull spirit.
Without a power source however undead are just your run of the mill unmoving corpses.
Only the most powerfull of nercomancers and spirits can summon vast armies of undead.
Most simple lack the required amount of necromantic energie.

As malaficus explained about the undead the dead slavers rose from the sand.

I dont have access to necromantic power anymore.
Instead i am using my control over sand to move them.
This makes them alot weaker then the real thing but dont be fooled they can still hurt you.

As malaficus send the corpses to attack jarrod without warning he yelled to jarrod, think quicky.
((if they hit jarrod it will have the same effect as a normal fist punch or kick, if he shoots them they fall over and get up again))

During the fight malaficus explains to jarrod in a uneery calm voice.
Undead arent that dangerous.
A well placed shot or blow can disable them.
But unless you destroy there entire body or cleanse them via holy magic or prayer they dont stay down.
((if jarrod attacks malaficus he will simply disperse and reassamble himself))

Hidden under a black and blood red cloak/cape, I walk through the barren landscape looking for means of shelter. My shadow katanas clanked against my armored back and side and the strap was off my bolt pistol as if I was expecting some sort of fight. Looking off into the distance I saw a looming figure, I instantly went for my gun with my left hand while drawing a sword which as soon as it touched my hand it glowed with black power. I walked closer slowly, I tapped a code into my wrist computer which caused my armor plated Helmet to become rigid. I looked up and with practiced ease I disengaged the safety which the pistol then hummed with energy, I waited, the stranger did not move an inch, which concerned me more than him being there altogether. Deciding to make contact I yelled out to him, "What do you want! Who are you!"

I came so far away from my home galaxy and there is still darkness in the hearts of the living beings, especialy in the humans

he smiled and he's face turned into a mask of terror and he's eyes shone a dark red light... Suddently he fall on the ground from a headache and then he had a vision again. When he woke up he thought a little what he saw and then he said

Looks like there are more than just humans in this planet and i will send them right back in the darkness that they belong to. I'm much stronger now than i was back in my homeplanet. BEWARE CAUSE I'M COMING...

(Hermione was just outside not seeing him)