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Elruin Halfin

0 · 869 views · located in Trinity

a character in “The Tale of Three Worlds- Before the Storm”, originally authored by Thorait, as played by RolePlayGateway

Description

Name: Elruin Halfin
Title: The judge
Race: Ash fiend
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Allegiance: The burned house (Only remaining member)


Appearance:
Elruin is a tall and physically able man without a lot of flesh on his bones and aristocratic features in his face. His hair is black and combed back in a short ponytail as is tradition for young men in his region of birth. His dark red eyes combined with his demanding voice make him appear like someone that is in complete control but an observant eye would notice that his hands twitch slightly when he talks betraying some of his hidden anger. His stature as a mage is reflected by the badge that sits proudly on his chest displaying his magical power to the world even though this scares of most people with ill intentions he also carries a sword for self defense. Elruin never liked robes they restrict your movement but they are a tradition, he had his own dark blue garb changed to allow for more freedom. What was left of the blue robe resembles a cape more than anything else underneath the cape he wears a lighter tint of blue clothes made of a light but relatively strong fabric.

Personality: Elruin is a strange and slightly deranged individual that craves for justice and honor but houses strange desires that would make anyone fear his gaze. Calm, cunning and disciplined that is how most people would describe him this is all a facade in reality Elruin is unstable and violent. The madness that hides behind etiquette and an ever present serene expression isn't a secret to his closest allies because he experiences episodes where he loses all control and starts to rave at the skies unable to stop himself from mumbling the only reason he isn't in a madhouse is pity. The people that know of his internal struggle are few and far between but they all believe that Elruin is just damaged from his past and needs help although no one takes real action to give him the essential push to seek help for his mental illness pitying his sorry state.

History: The son of a gifted mage and a loving mother Elruin was named after his grandfather that was famous for his advances in the art of magic. He was born in a noble family that possessed some land deep in Ash fiends territory but it’s borders where fast approaching and the source of his families wealth was threatened by this because the aggressors where quite brutal mercilessly ceasing the lands of various other nobles. His father was killed in a small battle mounted by some nobles and mages to resist the invaders but his mother was significantly more cunning than her husband and secured a position inside the foreign culture for her and her son. Elruin suffered severe trauma at the los of his father followed by the absurd switch of his mother’s allegiance to the people that had just killed his father. The young boy studied magic and showed potential as he buried himself in a thousand books to avoid social contact, despising his mother and his teachers but he hid his feelings under a strange calmness that would always find him in his despair. He became a skilled magician that was soon called to action to calm various small disturbances throughout the small kingdoms earning his title as he took a very lawful approach to things that made him popular enough to be left alone by the government he worked for. The now powerful but very young mage still takes orders from the crown secretly screaming and tearing in a prison he himself build as soon as the first possibility to leave the shame his race’s defeat behind he took it with both hands.

So begins...

Elruin Halfin's Story

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Enuren Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Sevral Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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Enuren focused on her arrows rather than her surroundings. It was bad enough that she was underground not high in the mountains where the wind could brush her face but now she was in a dark room that felt as if it had no way out. She stifled her slight panic as she finished cleaning her arrows.

Her eyes raised as Dravon retrieved what appeared to be a book. She stood, shouldering her quiver once more. Her eyes followed Dravon as he looked from the book towards the door on the opposite side of the room. Enuren had been paying too much attention to Keyra and her arrows, she had not looked around the room as a whole.

Enuren moved towards the portal. It was dark and felt as if it absorbed any light that dared be cast on it. The figure of the woman was a bit unsettling. The eye in the centre of her forehead drew Enuren’s eyes and she frowned before forcing herself to turn away.

She jumped slightly at the sound of Dravon’s voice. He called for them to search for...something. A frown formed once more as she watched him begin to shift bodies and search for some item that was the key to them getting out of the tomb-like room. He was right though. Enuren would much rather go forward than face what was waiting for them behind the crumbled wall.

Like the others, Enuren began to search the bodies for anything out of the ordinary. She wasn’t entirely sure what she was looking for, she hadn’t looked at the book before Dravon put it away but she was sure she would know it if she saw it.

Something unusual...something to go with the dark woman...

She avoided looking too closely at any of the bodies as she searched. She didn’t need anymore reminders that death was so nearby. The noise at the rock pile that held the creatures at bay was more than enough for that.

Nearby the Val was moving with haste as she searched the piles. Enuren hoped that Elruin’s work had helped Keyra’s wings. She could not imagine the pain the woman had suffered. As she watched Keyra, the woman began to struggle with yanking and pulling on something.

She darted over and with a look at Keyra, “Ready? 1, 2, 3...pull.”

Enuren yanked, lending her strength to the Val’s to free the item. The thing slipped a little and then gave way under both women's grip. Enuren slipped backwards as it came loose and landed lightly on her backside.

The setting changes from Trinity to Creeds

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: [NPC] Bartender Character Portrait: Enuren Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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#, as written by Thorait
Elruin would have tried to read Dravon’s book but he couldn't bring up the energy to ask the Volkari for it instead he just reused his old spell and magically looked over his shoulder and observed that the large metal door that seemed to be their only way out. But why was it closed now? If that was the way out than why had the Blue daggers taken the time to seal it of? It was of little importance now they couldn't go back anyway but it could mean that this second exit wasn't behind the door but elsewhere. Elruin tried for a second to test his teleportation spell to look for his own way back but it looked like he was too far from the surface and too tired for it to work. Elruin walked towards the door and placed his hand on the surface he was testing it for weaknesses. The door appeared to be massive without any obvious sign of magical protection but Elruin had the suspicion it was hiding something. There existed little doubt in his mind that whoever had made the door had designed it to resist any assault. Trying to break through it in his current state would be a futile endeavor unless he could ‘lend’ some power from another source like the wounded. The idea of killing defenseless men that had just fought with him left a bad taste in his mouth but it would be a nice plan B.

Elruin set a step back and looked at the image of the statue. The fact the key was a sword and the keyhole was in her chest suggested that they would be symbolically killing her. The third eye suggested that there was death behind the door at least he thought that was what it meant in human folklore in his own a third eye symbolized wisdom not death. Elruin crossed his arms and said to himself “Disturbing.” The woman remembered him of his mother somehow with her empty expression. Elruin continued staring at the door while Enuren and Keyra pulled free something from the rubble but his expression grew darker.

The setting changes from Creeds to Trinity

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Enuren Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Sevral Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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Enuren grimaced at the sight of the bones on the hilt of the sword. The previous owner appeared to have held onto the thing with their last bit of strength. Dravon was beside her now, one hand under her arm as he helped her up.

“Much thanks.”

She stood, brushing her dress off. “Aye, a prize alright and one which was not given up easily.” Her eyes moved once more to the boney grip on the hilt. Whoever that was they had known that it was important. They had died with it in hand and Enuren couldn't help but wonder what they battled. Was it the same creatures as hounded them or was there something else waiting for them?

“Old you say?” Enuren looked over at Dravon as he took the sword and handed her a quiver of arrows. She had been concentrating on helping Keyra with the sword that she was only half listening to his talk of old civilizations.

She took the quiver from his offered hand as Dravon turned to offer Keyra a hand up as well. Her eyes moved over the item.
Enuren pulled an arrow out and her eyes widened with shock. Ivory...bone... She was unsure where they had originated but
one look told her the craftsmanship was excellent.

She looked up at Dravon told them to get ready. He seemed prepared to open the door. There was no time at the moment to inspect all of the arrows or marvel too long in the craftsmanship. She shouldered the new quiver and then notched one of her own arrows. Enuren resolved to save the ivory shafted arrows for later. She wanted to see if they had brittled with time though the primary glance told her they were still perfect, still strong.

Raising her bow, Enuren took a position that would allow her to see through the opened door and fire off her arrow should anything try and enter immediately. Her eyes flickered to Dravon and she gave him a nod to indicate her readiness.

The setting changes from Trinity to Creeds

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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#, as written by Thorait
Elruin knew they had to advance further no matter what but the door made him uneasy maybe it would be better to fight to the end? They could probably fight of the horde behind them if they prepared for the fight but what use would that be? Elruin shook his head as he decided going forward was the best solution as whatever was behind this door couldn’t be worse than what was behind them. Dravon gave him a worried look to tell Elruin to prepare for the unknown. Elruin drew his sword and using a small spell made the tip glow a soft blue light. The Ash fiend carved an intricate symbol in front of the door and imbued it with some energy. The rune was a simple trap that would set anyone alight if they approached it but Elruin had to carve eight additional symbols around it to make sure that it would ignore Ash fiends, Vall, Volkari, humans and Ariji. A glorious death fighting this darkness would be a fitting end to his house but how could he rest in the after live knowing his people suffered? “I’m at peace.” He said it in his native tongue so it sounded like he was mumbling nonsense to the others. Tired Elruin backed away from the door “Ready.” He still hated everything and everyone around him but at least it would be a worthy end to a noble house.

The setting changes from Creeds to Trinity

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Enuren Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Sevral Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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#, as written by Siryn
Image


Keyra took the hand that was offered and allowed Dravon to pull her up. Brushing herself off she eyed the sword-key that they had pulled from under the rubble. It was indeed something that was valuable. The bony fingers that still clung to the steel were testimony enough to that.

"Quite the prize you both found.. I just hope its for the better that we open that door." Dravon commented.

Keyra lifted an eyebrow as she regarded him and the weapon, "Going back isn't an option," the Val stated softly. As Dravon turned towards the door and prepared to put the 'key' into it, he told them to get ready for whatever may be on the other side. Though Keyra didn't like the implications, she reached back and drew her sword. Her wings twitched, unconsciously she tried to spread them in preparation for whatever was on the other side of the strange door. The white wings gave a slight popping noise as they unfolded.

It stung a little bit, but the movement was not marred too much. She probably couldn't hold up her weight like normal, but the movement was enough to help settle her body into a fighting stance. Her gaze flicked over to Enuren who had her bow drawn and an arrow at the ready. After her was Elruin. Taking a few steps back from the door he also announced that he was ready. Keyra's body shifted, her blade making a soft sound as she readied it and her wings tensed.

With a light nod of her head, she motioned for the door, "Open it," she said softly and slowly lifted her weapon upwards, the tip of it leveled with her chest.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Enuren Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Sevral Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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#, as written by Centi85
Sevral wasn’t entirely sure what to think of the Ash Fiend’s actions. Was it kindness, or was the man perpetuating his own existence through others? Cynicism was never a virtue Sevral cared to even consider, and he certainly wasn’t one to pander to pessimistic viewpoints, but the man couldn’t help but sense a certain vanity in Elruin’s motives. Of course, Sevral would’ve healed Keyra too if he would, a Val whose wings were decommissioned more than by the fact that they were underground could prove substantially debilitating, however it was the way the Ash Fiend conducted himself that merited Sevral’s scrutiny. Sevral worked to see the benevolence underlying the shady Mage’s disdainful personality, but even so he found himself gritting his teeth as Keyra endured the healing processes, his eyes watching every action the Ash Fiend took to its completion. While Sevral was grateful despite whatever this gesture may or may not mean, the man was content in Elruin’s quick departure afterwards. Sevral left the Val’s side to explore the cave only after he realized how defensive he’d gotten and how awkward he now felt watching the woman’s wings, contributing little more than taking up space.

Sevral moved away after a second or two, feigning interest in some section of the wall. He had actually only now taken notice to the treasure-trove of archaic wonderment that surrounded him. Save for the unfortunate souls still armorclad, Sevral was standing in a tomb of a myriad of weapons and armor that patiently awaited his inspection, patiently awaited another soul to bear them and to know their secrets. Sevral’s mind was immediately captivated as he produced his notepad and began scribbling notes; speculations, observations, generalizations, dates, materials, anything. Dravon had mentioned a key for the ornate door, but Sevral was certain that if he were to find it, he would find it in his preoccupation.

By the time Dravon had begun speaking about having located indications of various civilizations and given his personal historic opinion, Sevral had reached about the same conclusion. The man was entirely immersed in a euphoria that only a crafter of such fine arts could understand. Craftsmanship from generations past, Sevral could nearly trace the lineage of each and the development and general characteristics and discoveries as weapons and armor matured. Some groups progressed faster and would advance in one field, and eventually the others would catch up and forge ahead. Sevral would almost be content to remain here if not for the impending death that battered at the far wall of rubble the Ash Fiend had constructed in his demolition purposes.

It was only after Keyra and Enuren had come stumbling backwards with some object in-hand that Sevral allowed himself give pause. The man meandered over with Dravon to inspect their discovery, already flipping to a fresh page in his little notepad.
It was a strange creature in deed, a rarity that Sevral would expect be ornate and for no other purposes than that, not even opening a door, and yet, looking at it, it was apparently made for combat. Sevral was not surprised to see that history would not relinquish the strange relic, because he certainly wouldn’t have, and some comically childish part of the man forced him to pick up the dismembered hand and thank it with firm shake for having kept their escape feasible. With that, he allowed the arm to rest from its attentive dutifulness in protecting the artifact, and then dropped it dismissively on the floor. His next target were the arrows Enuren had just received. But that was for another day.

"I suggest everyone gets ready.. we don't know whats beyond that door, but it might just be more trouble."

Sevral turned then to Dravon as the Captain spoke. Content for now in what he’d gathered. He would inspect his notes later, make amendments and see what other conclusions he could draw. His mind wandered momentarily to his forge and what he could produce with this new insight, but the swordsman steadied himself easily, focusing once more on the task at hand.

Dravon had glanced back, and Sevral nodded in return. The Ash Fiend had conceded to his usual unexplained actions, having put something on the door, while Enuren had notched an arrow. Sevral was glad to see that she would not waste her new ordinance just yet. Glancing moreover, he saw Keyra, inspecting her wings again as she flexed them into a ready stance, then he turned ahead once more.

“Ready,” Elruin reported.

"Open it," Keyra said simply.

Sevral shifted his left side forward and gripped the hilt of his sword apprehensively.

“Ready.” Sevral spoke firmly.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Enuren Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Sevral Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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Dravon kept a stern eye to the ominous door, the figure on its surface was strangely apparent as some sort of holy symbol to him. Like this place was intended as some tomb to contain something that the people before thought would remain buried. The sound of the room began to lull over him as he looked on and only the constant scratching could be heard behind them.

It was then that one of Montague's men spoke up.
"Why don't we just let him wade into them." He pointed at Dravon. "Captain says your this White Knight from the crusades.. so you should just do what it was you did to win the war." A sour look runs across Dravon's face as he looks amiably at his feet.

"Such power does not come easily and without price and in doing that I would be killing you myself. No matter how much your armor could protect you.." A somber mood overtakes him for the moment as he looks back at the soldier. "The only reason your captain knows of me is because he was there all those years ago." Montague perks in his stance with a look of surprise towards Dravon and he returns with his own expression. "Names are one thing Montague, but I never forget a face.. only a child and already a soldier. You were born into a pitiful world and I don't think I could ever apologize enough for that."

Montague grimaces for a moment as Dravon bends down and retakes the sickle once more gripping it tightly in his right and the key in the other. He turns back and walks several feet leaving the others to their station before placing the tip of the key to the door. He can feel a deep pit well up in his chest, as if he wishes that such power like before came so easily and without price. He can already feel a tightness in his chest from his earlier exertion and his only comfort was that it was well worth the time it bought.

The soldiers behind them, thought few in number, had reserved themselves to praying. Montague holding firm with a tight expression, gripping his sword and shield.

Dravon takes a long breath as he slides the key into place and he can feel the metal sliding across something inside the door. Then as if to break the silence; a vast seem opens in the middle of the door, splitting it to the top. The quick pop and release of air it make shot dust everywhere. Dravon on the end of the blades hilt could feel his body tense and harden instantly. Then an intense flow of air rushed through the small gap, showing signs that their was a way further on behind it.

The room went quiet again as the massive door split and slid to both sides, running along an invisible seam along the walls. But there was an odd not then, because the room was in honesty totally quiet. Dravon could only hear a slight grinding noise made by the movement of the door and nothing else. Even as he caught the weight of the sword when the splitting door released it he turned around and realized something was wrong.

Montague's head was already against the stone and listening only to turn back and speak. "Their gone..."

Dravon nodded as he slid the key into his sash along with his own scabbard taking one of the lit torches in hand illuminating the now open path before them. It was a hallway nearly twenty feet in length that opened into a larger area ahead and with a deep sigh of relief that nothing was upon them in this moment. He trudged on with them all in tow, Montague and his men were going to bring up the rear of the column and for now Dravon was fine with that. He could only think about how much they had already sacrificed to be down here and loose so many of their brothers in combat.

The group can feel the tension rising as they all made their way towards the other end and even Dravon could feel a sense of anxiety building. As they broke the threshold of the open space they could see that it was somewhat of a mirror of the first room. However it was massive in scope, at least ten times larger and more dominated by desolation. The pillars and writing on the walls had fallen to ruin as well as whole sections of the walls were falling away. One of the soldier does as Dravon did before, placing his torch into the walls reservoir. This started the chain reaction of sending the racing flame around the room, slowly bringing light to the room as they took their bearings.

Dravon looked around letting his eyes adjust to the changing light and only then did he feel his feet touch against something. It was heavy and splayed upon the floor when he investigated with the tip of his shoe.
Upon looking down he could see it was a body and in fact it was a nearly fresh kill; she was a young woman not much older in appearance to Keyra but her life was dreadfully cut short. The moment became more vile as he looked up and around them all, as he could see that there were corpses everywhere. All woman and not one was left without one obviously tell of how they died. Their throats hand been gouged open and left to bleed, pouring their lives out amongst this tomb.

A strange realization hit upon him at that instance, even as his voice caught in his throat, he recalled one simple fact about the last few hours. Not one of the creatures from before were woman, upon any kind of examination. They were all still in their clothes and uniforms, showing that whatever it was that changed the others was not in their fate. With the last of the light spreading to the massive room he looked around once more, bodies scattered around and no real reason why.

He looked up expecting to see the brazier from before, or maybe a larger one to burst to life above them, but nothing happened. All he could see was a pitch, wavering, darkness that sat above them as he gazed on with a with question in his eyes.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Enuren Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Sevral Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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#, as written by Siryn
Image


As the door opened and sent out a gush of air, Keyra felt a slight chill run down her spine. The Val shifted ever so slightly, her wings lifting up just a bit higher as she eyed the darkness beyond the door that slid opened by some unknown mechanism. Her golden gaze shifted over to Dravon where she watched him for a while first before her attention was diverted to the Captain who spoke up from behind them.

Turning a bit she looked at him as he said that the creatures were gone from behind them. Her eyes narrowed. Gone? Where did they go? Why? She wasn't entirely sure she liked that news. Keyra supposed that on the other hand they were now safe for the moment without having those strange abominations crawling through the wall behind them. With one last, long lingering look at the destroyed wall that Elruin had caused, she returned her attention to the room before them.

Stepping inside, she followed after Dravon, her weapon still at the ready as she moved down the dark hall with him. Her golden gaze was wide, the fire light of the torch only offering her so much as they walked. Looking around, she tried to see if there was anything else around them aside from the rock wall, but it didn't seem that way. It wasn't until they got to the room at the end of the hallway that Keyra found out the reason for her earlier chill.

As Dravon and one of the soldiers put their torches up, and the fires spread around the room, Keyra was slightly blinded by the sudden change in light. She had slowed as she entered the room behind their leader. As he stopped and looked down at something, her gaze had widened as she was looking at another part of the room. Shifting slightly, her eyes shot from one side to the other as she took in the gruesome scene. Her lips parted just slightly as she took in a sharp breath. With the sight of all the woman having been killed horrendously, her heart seemed to stop briefly.

Adrenaline kicked in and the Val felt as if her senses had grown. The slightest move and breath tickled across her skin as she stood there, hands gripping her large weapon tightly. It took her a moment, but she finally managed to pull herself from the spot that she had been rooted to. Her gaze lifted to look up into the darkness above them, her heart pounding heavily in her ears. Keyra took in a slow, shaking breath.

Stepping near Dravon, she lowered her weapon slightly so that it was at her other side as she reached out and took hold of his arm lightly. Looking quickly up to him before her gaze went back to the dead women scattered around, she spoke softly, "Let us not linger here. Find an exit."

Her voice, though soft, had sounded far to loud and she cringed slightly. Releasing him, the Val stepped gingerly over the woman at Dravon's feet and slowly moved forward to try to do as she had suggested. Finding an exit was her first priority as she walked softly through the room, stepping over the corpses and trying her best to be gentle and not disturb them. She had half a mind to try to find if any of them were alive, but she knew better than that. None moved, and there was no sound from anyone else other than those of the living that had just stepped into the room.

Keyra worked her way across the room, keeping her weapon lifted slightly. Her golden eyes shifted around as she looked, keeping an eye out for anything that may not be so welcoming.

The setting changes from Trinity to Creeds

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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#, as written by Thorait
So Dravon had fought in a war? Interesting and apparently he had been good enough to earn himself a fearsome reputation and the right to call himself a knight. Elruin noted this new information together with the information the captain had served in the army since he was a boy. In ash fiend society it was normal to train your children to defend themselves and warfare was a good way to learn the art of combat. Humans seemed to dislike the idea of sending their children into a war how odd. Dravon opened the door and everyone prepared for whatever would be behind it but nothing moved inside the shadows. A soldier used his torch to illuminate the entire hall and in doing so revealed the slaughter before them. Many young women with their throats slit lay on the ground. Maybe they had been sacrificed? This pointed towards mages but if whatever they had done required so many sacrifices it had to be bad. Maybe each abomination required one sacrifice? That would be a waste of perfectly good sacrifices Elruin knew more efficient ways to use someone’s life. Keyra seemed unsettled by this slaughter her opinion was shared by most of the guards but Elruin had no problem with it calmly stepping on corpses as he walked towards the centre of the room. Elruin followed Dravon’s gaze upwards into the darkness maybe something was in there? If he hadn’t been exhausted he would have send up a ball of light but now that would be a terrible waste of his resources.

The setting changes from Creeds to Trinity

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Enuren Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Sevral Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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Enuren kept her eyes on the door as Dravon approached.

From behind her she heard the man comment about Dravon. Enuren turned her head a little, glancing back before looking to Dravon. She did not know what the man referred to, her home in the mountains meant a great deal of what went on below its peaks never reached her. White Knight? Her eyes scanned over Dravon. He did not seem to enjoy the title. He also surprised her as well as the Captain by stating he remembered his face.

A man with a history, a legend and a good memory. She gave her head a little shake. Enuren could tell that this legacy that followed him as well as Dravon’s good memory were not always a blessing.

Dravon approached the door and as he began to slip the key into its position, Enuren readied herself once more. She looked down the shaft of her arrow. A silent prayer was on her lips asking the winds to guide her arrow true should something moving be on the other side.

Dust billowed as a doors parted. Enuren was once again glad that she did not breathe and did not have to suffer that cloud bothering her airways. She noted immediately that there was no noise. The doors themselves only made the smallest sound of friction as they opened. On the other side there came no sound at all.

A frown formed on her face though she did not take her eyes off the now open door. Gone? A knot formed in her stomach as she tried to contemplate what that could mean for them. The creatures, once so eager to tear into them simply gave up because they opened this door. This does not bode well at all.

Enuren kept her thoughts to herself as she began to follow Dravon. The air felt thicker now, the anticipation of something...anything happening was at the surface and made everyone on edge. Her eyes raked over the new room.

As it illuminated and her eyes took in the horror she could not stop the string of curses that burst forth. Her bow lowered slightly as her mind tried to rationalize the death that surrounded them.

“They are all women...”

Bile rose in her throat at the sight of their open throats. They had been left there to die, their lifeblood bathing the stone under them.

Enuren looked at Keyra. “Yes an exit. I do not wish to remain here any longer.” They were not like the things that had attacked them but it did not make her feel any better. This place held evil in every corner and she wanted to be free of it.

She could not help the fear that took hold at the base of her spine. All women here and... Once more the woman frowned as her mind processed that none of the lumbering things, the warped creatures that tried to claw at them earlier were women. They were only men, soldiers, miners and those sent down to help.

Enuren looked at Keyra wondering if the Val had come to the same conclusion and if she too now felt somehow exposed or vulnerable with the realization.

Raising her bow once more she moved swiftly to Keyra. Her voice was a rough and low sound. “Women...all women here. No men. What do you think that means?"

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Character Portrait: Enuren Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Sevral Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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Dravon had knelt down at the edge of the rooms inner circle eying the dead around them. Not really able to find the words that he needed for that moment, all of this seemed so pointless if this was the end of their journey. But what came next was beyond what either of them expected to happen at that time.

"They.. were.. not.. worthy.."

A voice calls out to them from above, strong and defiant. The very call of the voice could be felt at the back on ones spine and caused a draw of pressure across ones brow. As if it were affecting them on more then just a physical level. Dravon could feel a section of his stomach buckle before his instincts drove him to roll back from his position. This was right before the darkness of the ceiling parts and a large figure falls, landing with an unsettling crash as it drops on malformed legs. Sending cracks through the floor and knocking up waves of dust through the air. Dravon and the others can feel the air waft past them, throwing hair and cloth aside. A true testament to its sheer size and weight.

It was a vastly sized and disturbing beast, if not a mirror then a patriarch to what they have encountered today.

As the creature stood and the flickering of the passing flames subsided its full form came to light. Its figure tall and bulky with misshapen angles and corners. Its skin; the same charred, lacquered dark sheen of the others before and even now in some sections its body carries the same tepid shade of moisture. But its left arm is covered in a long dark muscular structure and where the "infection" sits. It appears to have hardened into a thick chitinous outer layer. In fact its whole body is a vast mystery of curiosity to behold. Missing a majority of its right arm and leg, ending in a wet stump after its elbow and knee.

Whatever it was; it seemed to be far from complete and only only capable of certain strains of moment. Where its body was solid however did not lack for mass, its chest and forearms were stocking and wide. Its chest revealing the images of faces, frozen in terror and pain writhing under its corpulent form. It was obvious now what the end result was for those that became one of those wretched things. Atop its shoulders sat a head that barely resembled any that Dravon had seen. In fact the head and neck were fuzed together and instead it was a large wide lump stretching from atop the shoulders. From the middle of what this creature had for a face, there sprouted a large section of hazy yellow gems. Like a strangely morbid crown, that glowed with a sickly yellow aura.

The front of its chest bore the same crystal as well and two vestigial arms that sat crossed under the crystals edge. As if the creature stood there in patience waiting for an answer of some sort, only for it to speak once more.
"Gaze upon me... mortal.."

Dravon looked on as he could feel the tension build behind his teeth as the monstrosity before them spoke. It had no mouth nor any eyes for that matter, but he could tell it was staring down upon him and his companions. As if one would be standing in a crowded room and feel all the eyes upon them in turn.

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Character Portrait: Enuren Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Sevral Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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#, as written by Siryn
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Many thanks to Centi for the collaboration ^.^

“Women...all women here. No men. What do you think that means?" Enuren's voice came to Keyra from her left side. Slowly the Val turned to look at the woman and then down at the bodies that were on the floor. Her white wings twitched slightly as she eyed the corpses, feeling a stirring in her stomach that may have made her sick if she were anyone else. Even so, Keyra grit her teeth as she eyed the group of women on the floor. She turned to Enuren after a moment and answered her simply.

"It means that we are the creatures targets," she responded, her voice heavy as she glanced around the room. The urge to get out was even more apparent than before. Keyra shifted her hold on her weapon and worked her way forward even more, towards the back side of the center dais. Her gaze shifted back and forth as she moved. Her wings shifted, lifting upwards just a bit as she looked from one side to the other.

The Val didn't get very far though when the entire area shuddered and there was an inhuman sound from above them. Her body froze and her blood ran cold as she whirled around, her wings snapping just enough to help her motion to turn around swiftly and quickly. Her eyes grew wide as she watched the thing drop down from the darkness above and address them. It was horrible sight to lay eyes upon as it stood up slightly and spoke. The deep, guttural voice shocked her and she felt a slight tremor pass through her body.

The Ash Fiend said something in return and Keyra grit her teeth. Oh yes. Let's insult the thing to top it all off she thought angrily. Her blade lifted upwards as she sized up the thing and tried to figure a way to kill it. It was large, its mere presence was suffocating enough. For a moment, the Val thought the worst. They were going to be utterly destroyed by this thing. She shook her head and sought out the swordsman.

"Sevral!" she cried out, her voice carrying easily enough, "Help me," she said, her intention was for him to throw her upwards towards what she presumed to be it's face. A weakness in most creatures if anything else, "Up there," she continued motioning her head up to its ugly, malformed face. Or what she presumed to be its head. Her wings pumped again lifting her weight as she prepared to run at Sevral and have him throw her up.

Sevral knelt by one of the bodies to examine it, prodding at the flesh curiously with one finger as if the woman might very well wake up and roll over. Glancing back over his shoulder, he offered a consoling glance to Enuren and Keyra as he overheard their little exchange. Standing and looking towards the two, Sevral shrugged as if there were nothing to worry about.

"Difference is," he said, trying to lighten the mood, "I doubt they were as competent with their weapons as you..." Sevral smiled to Keyra, then glanced to Enuren again, remembering she was next to him as well. "Er. You.... too.. you two.." He stumbled, rubbing his head now.

With that the man paused, not entirely sure if that was a complete thought but unsure of how to make it so. He was attempting to be reassuring, at least he thought he was, but he wasn't sure exactly how well that had worked. Clearing his throat, he looked between them and turned away again, content to prod another body with his boot. It wasn't a disrespect for the dead, more so an awkward conversation filler and a need to be distracted. Reaching up, the man adjusted his headband and moved some of his loose hair, staring off into one of the dark corners of the room and tapping one finger on the pommel of his sword. Even if he believed his own words, it was stil concerning to think that for whatever reason all these women had been hoarded to die. Sevral wasn't sure now if the concern he felt was simply his humanity or something else, but just as the man turned to say something to Keyra, something else caught his attention.

Looking up, Sevral was forced to take a step back just so he could properly look up and fully encompass the looming hell-spawn that was perched overhead. The voice resonated from somewhere deep within the creature's mass and dominated the space around it, and Sevral could feel it through his spine. A sudden paralysis overtook the man from the sheer presence that the creature exuded, breaking only as Sevral backpedaled in order to remain out of the way of the creature's path of descent as it came careening down to the floor, landing with enough force that Sevral thought it might just bring the ceiling down with it.

Shaking the initial shock, Sevral regained himself in order to observe the creature, his brows furrowing as he traced the rough contours and various malformations in his mind. It was no doubt the Champion over all other creatures the group had encountered thus far, and the man could only nod at it in slight admiration of its bulk. It was necessary to respect it simply because of its current position, and even so, it was no reverence earned that wasn't through its overpowering fear-factor. In its own way it was magnificent, and Sevral cursed Elruin's gal considering the circumstances. Sevral was only disheartened by the fact that he didn't have the time he wished he did to simply take in the creature fully in its demonic glory and might.

Sevral! Keyra shouted, Help me!

Looking to Keyra, the man blinked for a moment, as if just realizing the perilous situation once more and the danger that the monster presented. Following the woman's gaze as she gestured up with a nod, Sevral took a moment to process the request before he returned the nod in understanding. Holding his hands out in front of himself, Sevral locked his fingers and braced.

Once he acknowledged her, Keyra rushed the swordsman. Moving her blade so as not to hurt him in her advance, her wings pumped once to bring her up to his waiting hands and she placed her boot there as she lunged forward and straight up. With his help, she felt herself careen up into the air, her wings pulled back to decrease the drag on her body and gain as much height as she could after giving one good pump to help with the altitude and the toss. As she twisted slightly in the air, she pulled her blade around to face the creature, her wings snapping open so that she did not just plummet to the ground.

Gliding forward, she came in close to the things face. Once she deemed herself close enough, she pulled her wings in and allowed her blade to do the rest. The heavy weapon pulled her down, the tip of it reflecting the fire light briefly before it was buried into the things mass. When the weapon caught and was lodged in it's thick body, her wings snapped open and she used her blade to angle herself towards its body. The creature hissed at the attack and started to move, thrashing backwards. Keyra struggled with the blade for a moment before it finally came free and she shoved off the thing. As she shot out away from the thing, it's limbs sliced through the air, forcing her to pump her wings to get out of the way.

Keyra lifted up over the stump of an arm as it came back at her. Once free of that limb, she felt the crushing weight of the second one that was far more intact than the other. As she'd been gliding down she wasn't too far from the ground, but the impact sped up her fall and threw her of balance. A slight grunt escaped her as she took the hit and was flung forward, her blade falling first to the ground and sliding across the floor as she came tumbling down towards Sevral. Keyra desperately tried to straighten herself but it was too quick of an impact and too forceful to gain any semblance of control.

Sevral was actually surprised in how little effort it took to launch Keyra up into the air. Idly, the man wondered if perhaps a Val's bone structure, even if they couldn't fly, still mimicked that of a bird's. Stepping back again, Sevral was tempted to set his own attack on the creature's lower half while Keyra struck from above, but he doubted he could escape its crushing weight should it decide to collapse in her wake. Even if he could, Sevral was captivated by Keyra's battle prowess and did not want to interfere with the intricate dance. The man had often wondered of the graces of a bird, and he could only imagine how spectacular it was to maintain such a gift in conjunction with such skill as that which was displayed here. The woman's wings were a beautiful sight most of all, having been mended not a short while ago and still just as powerful as they flexed with each beat. There was a magic in that which not even the Ash Fiend, who held himself in such high esteem, could match.

Even so, the man felt he should be doing something, but he wasn't entirely sure what to do. Sevral forced himself to focus and consider the situation, thinking quickly and trying to assess what stood before the group. No doubt the creature's hide would be the same as those which the group had encountered earlier, if not thicker, and so Sevral had to wonder how effective his swords would be. As it was, Keyra's blade found areas where it would cease cutting and become wedged, and seeing as how one side of the creature's limbs terminated at puss-filled stubs, that meant that the other, the only other support, would have to have a substantial muscular composition in order to support and move such a heavy load. That being said, Sevral was also afraid that he might not be able to escape the crushing weight should he or Keyra succeed in toppling the monster and he find himself trying to hack away at its leg.

Additionally, there was the dilemma of a falling angel careening down to earth... Sevral took a moment to process and internalize this information before realization struck him.

"Keyra!" Sevral shouted suddenly. Moving quickly, probably quick enough to have moved out of the way of the creature should it have been the creature which was falling, Sevral relocated, extending out his arms as he placed himself in Keyra's path. The man could tell she was attempting to regain herself, but the hit had been fairly substantial. Her blade clattered to the floor somewhere off to the side, the man just registering the sound of steel scraping off wood as he braced to catch Keyra. Her bone density had to be lighter than normal, but at the same time Sevral would be more than proud to say he was truly that strong. After all, he did work in a forge, right?

Taking her momentum, Sevral came to one knee to try to better distribute it so that she simply didn't come to a dead halt or end up knocking the man entirely backwards. Looking over her wings, he gave an amused smile as he looked up at the creature. "Well that was fun!" he said. "What's your next plan?"

Standing again, the man let the Val out of his grip and offered his help to steady her, glancing off to locate her weapon. The creature didn't seem to want to follow, but instead stood firm as if daring someone else to try their luck. Sevral glanced between the other three now and the soldiers, curious as to just how their Captain would go about combating this new development. Certainly it was going to take a better choreographed effort than previously. But at least there was only one...

"Are you okay?" Sevral asked, putting a hand on Keyra's shoulder and leading her a step back. Purely out of instinct and a need to protect, he replaced her in the front, glancing at her wings to ensure that the healing processes hadn't been damaged.

She slammed into something warm, arms wrapped around her to stop the fall and she felt the ground beneath her legs as she was lowered down slightly. Once she was oriented from the insane fall, she noted that it was Sevral that had caught her. Keyra let out a breath as he released her gently and they stood up, his hand offering to steady her as she got to her feet. The Val took it gratefully as she situated herself on her feet. She registered his earlier words when he'd caught her. Releasing a heavy breath she turned to look over her shoulder at the creature.

"The skin is thick. I almost couldn't break through with my blade," she said, slightly winded from the impact and fall. His hand fell on her shoulder and she found herself moved to behind him. Her golden gaze widened slightly at this. It was a first. To have someone put themselves before her. It threw her off just a bit as she stood there. It took a moment before she could answer Sevral properly.

"I... am fine," she a replied, testing her wings as she said it. There was a slight bit of pain, but nothing she couldn't bear now. At least they weren't broken, that was enough for her. Her gaze shifted from Sevral's back to the ground where she spotted her weapon lying amongst the corpses. The creature lumbered before them, looming in the room as it swayed gently from side to side. Keyra narrowed her eyes at it. With a click of her tongue, she sighed heavily.

"I hope Dravon has a plan, otherwise our best bet will be to attack until it falls," her eyes shifted around the thing as she examined it, "Do you think you could launch me up high enough to get to it's shoulder?"

Sevral turned to Keyra, a look of surprise on his face. "You want to be... you want to try that. again?" She'd just broken her wings, gotten them healed, attempted a jump once and gotten swatted down like a fly, and she thought a second try was in their best interests? Sevral wasn't quite sure if he respected and admired this, or found it foolish. "I-I'm sure I could," Sevral said, glancing back towards the grotesque beast, "but .."

Shaking his head, the man dismissed it. This wasn't necessarily the time to be indecisive or to bicker over who was getting flung where or even who was being flung in the first place. Sevral made up his mind quickly.

"No," Sevral said simply, "You've already broken your wings once and that was too close a call just now. If we do, we need to be cohesive in our attacks." Pausing, Sevral looked over Keyra again, as if making up his mind about something. Blinking once, he nodded to Keyra's sword. "Go grab your sword. We'll let the Captain try his hand..."

Looking to Dravon now, Sevral drew his left sword, nodding to the man. "Alright, Captain!" the man called, "Lend us your wisdom and battle expertise!"

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Character Portrait: Enuren Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Sevral Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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Enuren wasn’t surprised at Keyra response. What it did was serve to solidify her own worries and assumption. They would indeed be targets.

She looked at Sevral as he commented that the previous women, those that lay about them were likely not as proficient with weapons as either herself or the Val and while she understood he was trying to reassure them, more importantly he was trying to reassure Keyra. Enuren nodded to him, noting his now nervousness.

Turning she began to look around for a way out.

“I feel it would be...”

Words died on her tongue as the thing appeared. Enuren really didn’t know what else to call it. The very sound of its voice was enough to make one’s heart stop, for even just a moment.

It was like the very shadows solidified and landed before them. The floor trembled as it landed. Enuren backed up and slowly readied an arrow. She had no doubt this thing wished them ill will and would not be caught off guard.

It looked like the others only bigger and more grotesque. It was as if it was not entirely done forming. Pieces were missing and Enuren hoped that meant there were areas of vulnerability.

She stared for a moment and realized with a rise of bile in her throat that it was not its size or girth that was the worst of it but the faces that screamed in frozen terror that littered its body.

“By the gods...” Enuren whispered as she took in the sight completely.

A voice, cold and hard caused Enuren to turn her head just a little. Elruin challenged the thing. While she had been busy with the faces in the things flesh the Ash Fiend with his sword in hand, readied for a fight. Enuren once again centred herself. She moved to stand at Elruin’s shoulder.

There was a flash of white wings as Sevral boosted Keyra into the air. The woman swung at the creature. Enuren followed the moments, her arrow trained on the creature so that if he came at Keyra she could fire. The thing thrashed but Keyra cleared its movements though with some effort.

Enuren waited readying for the right moment. When the thing made contact she let her arrow fly. It sailed through the air and plunged into the side of the thing’s ‘face’. With great speed she notched another arrow. Her eyes were on the falling woman but she knew there was nothing she could do for her. Her only chance to help was to keep her bow at the ready.

There was a slight thud as Sevral broke Keyra’s fall. The sword clattered but there was no screams of pain so Enuren knew everything was likely alright.

“What is the plan?” Enuren asked, keeping her voice calm and level.

The thing was rocking but seemed barely affected by the attack.

“We need a strong attack and a place for it to go down without collateral damage.”

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Character Portrait: Enuren Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Sevral Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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Dravon stood with his hand on the handle of the bone sickle and the other on the pommel of his sword, being able to do little in the way of interfere as Keyra launched herself at the abomination that stood before them. Despite her attack however, its body seemed too thick and resilient to be toppled with a single swipe of her blade. The creature did reel from the impact somewhat, showing that it was subject to its own set of frail constitution.

He was forced to slide away as it stepped forward, swinging its arms in great arches through the air. His reaction was to duck the limb and attack as it finished its pass. Doing so left it several digits less on the attacking arm, but Keyra was still struck by the palm and sent careening back. Luckily enough Several was there to catch her in time and ensure that she was no more worse for wear.

Rolling away once again to dodge the large stump of an arm was his next move, but the creature was more capable then others of its size, because he could feel as though the aim was getting tighter and the waft of the air was considerably closer then its first attempt.

"Such.. insolence.." It shouted, kicking up dust and debris in the uproar.

Only to have an arrow plunge into the fleshy side of its head.
The attack landed just an inch or so shy of the crystal mass and caused a sizable stream of dark liquid to pour from the new opening Enuren supplied. It gave a passive wave of its arm, snapping the shaft of the arrow and leaving its head lodge inside. The flesh around Keyra's strike began to move, as if its form was being molded from the inside by invisible hands and its wound pulled shut. More black liquid seeped out from around the fresh cut and in moments it hardened to a thick shining plate that mirrored the injury nearly to a perfect fit.

But when he heard Elruin's proclamation and noticed the reaction of the bodies around, Dravon took that moment to duck. He had seen more then enough magic to know just how a spell might end upon seeing it being cast. Even being able to weave magic himself gave him more insight, but nowhere near the level that a dedicated mage could accomplish.

The ensuing eruption was more then enough to kick the air of the room into disarray and shower the group with remnants of what the creature was made of. Unlike the others though; when separated from the body smaller pieces turned to ash and scattered to what little flow of air that was present.

"Everyone alright?.." Dravon questioned as he stood, his ears still wringing due to his proximity from the creature.

He can see the white of Keyra's wings from the corner of his eye and the form of Sevral near her, his blade held tightly. Montague in the back was still tending to his last remaining soldiers, the explosion only exasperating one or more conditions. Finding himself trying not to breath in the now growing cloud of ash and smoke that was prevailing the center of the room. He looked again above them and found that Elruin's sword had been lodged into the wall of the room above them.

Everyone could feel now that there was an eerie stillness to the room settling in and it was as if the world had gone silent. Then the silence began to grow with a more familiar noise as scratching and clawing began to ring out from all corners of the room. This caused Dravon to cast his eyes up as he caught sight of large cracks and gaping holes strewn across the surface of the walls upper portions. The same grotesque faces popped out and stayed down at the party with their blank empty eyes and though the fall from such a height would most assuredly leave them useless.

They still stared on despite the fact.

"Impressive.. such power in such a weak age.." Dravon's blood was in the act of trying to run cold, as though he had shook hands with a taut effigy of death and the party looked on as a powerful glow of sickly yellow light poured from the smoke, clearing it and revealing the aftermath.

Elruin's spell had done much in the way of damage.
The creatures body was blown almost entirely in half and only several portions of the left shoulder remained of its upper body. Most likely saved only by the hard shell that was formed before. However what caught everyone's attention now was the source of the powerful glow. A large mass that now sat were the creatures sternum once lay and it was in the shape of a crystal orb, more so in fact an eye would be a better description.

The organ in this clear crystal shell was pulsing and twisting, shifting its gaze upon the group, as if appraising them for some reason. "I see now.. that this land possesses much promise." dark yellow tendrils of energy seeped from its shell and then the body lurched back to life. Its flesh closing and shifting and limbs twitching and then snapping back into place. The eye shifted slightly as a dark shell of armor formed over it and then the flesh closed around after that.

It raised its stump to the air and a foul shreek echoed through the air as bodies began to fall from the ceiling, the wretched had obeyed their masters call and took to falling to their fate. In the fall their bodies turned to a bile like liquid and began to gravitate towards the center of the room, colliding with the body of their master. Soon wet stumps erupted into new fleshy limbs and and singed, charred flesh pulsed with new life. Its body surged to life once and stood now on new legs as the chest reformed and it stretched the new limbs into life.

The growth was rapid and nearly seamless as the new head formed and another slab of crystal formed. This time however there was a face on the center of its mass. That of a stern and aged man, powerful and domineering in stare all at the same time. Another roar erupted from the body as the whole mass of shadow like mist fell from the ceiling and drew deep into the monsters form, filling it with new vigor and life as it stood with a renewed stature.

A dim light was gathering and taking form, hovering over its head. The shape was akin to that of a crown, though it still bore the sickly yellow glow like the crystals before. It was a brazen thing, bearing five large spiked points on the front. With the center being the highest of them all and its form solidified into a solid crystal state.

"Countless millennia I have waited.. and now with all your power added to mine, I shall be free of this prison.."

As the last of the mist was vanishing, Dravon saw some chance for preparation. Though he did not know how much such would fair in the scope of an opponent. He looked over his shoulder and spoke "We have to strike hard and deep.. we know its weak spot now and I will give you all the opening that I can. He knelt and pulled his own sword, laying a palm on the flat of its blade. He began to draw as much energy as he could from the aether. An act that he found rather taxing considering the circumstances and even as much in a more lax time.

The blade began to glow a pale blue and the light slowly began to cover his own body as he pulled the blade to his side and prepared himself as the creature lurched forward, raising an arm high.

"Now.. join me.. IN RETAKING WHAT IS MINE.."

Dravon raised to his feet and pointed his blade upwards to the incoming attack, planting his stance like that of a statue.

The impact was that of a crashing wreck as his blade made contact with the palm of his hand and split its flesh with a thundering snap. Dravon's body did not move however; the field of light holding him in place, but his face told the story that he could feel the impact and his body was indeed telling him that he was now hurt.

The face of the creature contorted into a strange smile as the crystal crackled with movement.

"Utterly useless.. now.. prepare.. to.." It stopped in its words when it tried to pull away, but the hand was now held fast to Dravon's blade and as it gave an even greater heave, the floor beneath Dravon's feet started to crack. Proving that the two of them were in fact rooted to the spot. The creature did not lose a moment though as it pulled back with the other arm and slammed it into the side of Dravon's body. Causing the spells frame to shudder and crack, a small stream of blood issuing from his lips to show that some damaged had been done.

But before it could strike again; Dravon's body began to glow with the same brilliant light as before and a large bolt of white lightning shot through the monsters hand, racing and arching up its arm, hunting for the next place to go. This caused it to thrash wildly as it attempted to pull away.

Though he could not turn his head, Dravon called out to the others "Now.. Take your chance." The last thrash of its great body, causing a crack to spread across the front of his pale blue shell.

The setting changes from Trinity to Creeds

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Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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#, as written by Thorait
With a mighty bang the sword unleashed everything it got and blew of a large part of the monstrosity exposing its core. The odd structure radiated power and now he could perceive it Elruin knew it was far from dead. The sound of the smaller but just as ugly abominations sounded oddly distorted to Elruin as he struggled to maintain his footing. The pus bags jumped down from their tunnels and with them the quit powerful artifact/spirit reformed its huge body. “Just once more.” Elruin fell to his knees paler than before completely exhausted. No sword and no more energy it seemed like he would be dead soon and it sounded like this monster knew of a way to take over magical energy from his corpse. It would be shameful to die feeding something like this abomination. After it had absorbed the black mist and formed a new crown the being said something but Elruin couldn’t get himself to focus properly. Elruin felt like he was intoxicated as everything around him was a blur and every sound was a distorted mess. The Ash fiend groaned as Dravon used some impressive magic to stop the huge creature for a moment opening it to attack but Elruin was definitely no longer able to do anything.

The setting changes from Creeds to Trinity

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Character Portrait: Enuren Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Sevral Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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Enuren cared little for the thing’s anger. She watched as it snapped her arrow and waited for her next opening. Her lip curled in disgust as the wound Keyra made began to mold itself back together.

“Aye I am fine” Enuren gritted her teeth and tried to remain standing, at the ready. Ash rained down lightly. She was glad she did not need to breathe. The creature suffered damage but it was in no way defeated.

She was on edge now, the room oddly quiet until the sound of scratching began to permeate. Enuren clenched her jaw. This is very bad.

Dravon looked up, a motion that Enuren caught in her peripheral vision. She mimicked him. The sight caused her to shake her head slightly. The faces were peering down at them.

It didn’t take much to draw her attention back to the creature. It’s sternum glowed almost sickly. It spoke and Enuren refocused her arrow. She couldn’t break the crystal, she knew that but she wanted to find a weakness, any weakness.

“Well that is unfortunate.” Enuren watched the creature meld with the others. The roar it released shook the walls. She didn’t waiver.

It stood before them like some king; some regent falsely imprisoned in this place. Enuren snarled.

Dravon began to cast a spell. He unleashed his attack and in the blink of an eye it felt like it had begun.

Enuren raised her bow but Elruin fell to knees and that took her attention. She could not attack it the way the others could so she turned her attention on Elruin.

The Ash Fiend looked terrible and Enuren lowered her bow and moved to him. She put one of his arms around her neck.

“Come. We need to move you until you have regained yourself.”

She tried to help him up, encouraging him to put his weight on her. "I look small but trust me. Let me help you."

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Character Portrait: Enuren Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Sevral Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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The room fills the noise of crumbling stone as the giant thrashes around on the end of its own personal hook. Dravon's body on the other end could feel the tax of such a great strain, even though the spell was holding up despite its impromptu use for such a reason. He could hear the magics energy weakening, causing the fluorescent blue shell over his give way as the beast gave a mighty heave.

He watched on as it grasped onto its own arm and readied for one final pull and that was when he saw his opening. As it drew back on its arm Dravon released the hilt of his sword and the spells binding fell to pieces. The creature in turn threw itself back in a remarkably comical fashion, like a bolt of irony had settled over the room. As it fell though, the whole room was set to shaking. A testament to its sheer mass as it careened down to the stone floor.

Dravon dropped to a knee and scooped up the scythe back into his hand, doing his best to focus what remained of the spells power into the malformed blade. He could already feel the tinge of pain settling in his left arm, something had broken in the last few moments of the creatures thrashing and he could already guess it was his forearm.

But a deep roar comes from before them.

"I grow tired of this charade." Its speaks and shudders the entire room. Now as it rights itself, the stern monarch of a face has crested into a hateful scowl. The crystal structure breaking and reforming from one moment to another. "Your defiance is admirable, but ultimately useless." Its body goes through several more small shifts of hardening the liquide shell again and quickly for its size, it turns into a slender for of armor.

It does nothing for a moment, just standing and looking the over as if appraising the group of its actions and were it not for a deep rumbling sound coming from above, the creature may have acted. In fact the sound called everyone's attention to ceiling above as it became louder and more constant.

Dravon was the last to look as he forced his attention away from the monster bearing down on him and his comrades. This was just in time to see a great slab of the ceiling give way and allow him to step back from its impact in time. But soon more falling chunks of rock began to fall and everyone was forced to take to their feet in dodging the cascade of stone. Dravon pulled away and joined Enuren in the task of moving Elruin towards the rear of the room as more sections of the ceiling gave way, slowly revealing what the cause was in turn.

A long metallic point breaks the stone open and within seconds a large mechanical drill is burrowing its way out of the rooms roof. Everyone is forced to cover their faces as an overwhelming flow of small rocks begin pelting them with little reserve. The last of the soldiers trying to hide their already battered bodies under their shields, Montague doing his best to care for them as he can.

Dravon looks ahead just in time to see the creature rush their way before its massive foot falls do the job for them and he grits his teeth as he pulls back on the scythe, ready for its attack. Only for intervention to happen in the form of a large stone slab clipping it across the front of its head, shattering its crown and face, sending fragments of the yellow crystals everywhere. Accompanied by an explosion of yellow particles and a spray of blackened ooze.
The monster catches itself on one on a foot and falls to one knee before starting to standing once again. A disgruntled growl escaping its frame as it begins to do so. After that a large snapping metallic sound sounds through the air as everyone looks up to see the large drill teetering out of the passage it just dug, till it too comes falling through the air.

It lands straight on the monsters shoulder, after falling over a hundred feet to meet its target. No matter the creatures strength, there was no way to take such an impact standing and its body falls to the ground as the drill burst into a explosion of fire, oil, and gears.

Cogs and bearings of all sizes come rolling out of the fire, bouncing and taking chunks of the floor out on impact. Dravon is able to swat one away roughly the size of his head before it reaches him.

Now there is nothing, but a deep long silence as nothing transpires, save for the sound of small flames burning away.

Dravon turns to the others as he speaks. "Is everyone else okay?" He calls out with a draw to his breath.

The setting changes from Trinity to Creeds

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Enuren Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Sevral Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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#, as written by Centi85
Sevral was ready to lend his blade to the cause, he'd pledged himself to the ambiguity surrounding its circumstances without any doubt, ready to give himself for the lands which had overseen his life from humble beginnings. Whatever was asked, Sevral would undertake it if only to ensure no breach in the domestic tranquility of his people. However now, in the face of such a colossus, and after having seen the durability of the solidified husk, let alone its regenerative properties as a rebuttal to the devastating discharge of power from the Ash Fiend, did he feel as though perhaps he may not have been the best choice. It was said that everyone was chosen for some undisclosed reason, and he did not doubt his leaders; or at least, not any more or less than one should doubt anyone of authoritative nature in political standings; but Sevral was no soldier or esteemed retired Veteran, gifted Magic wielder nor could he fly. Sevral was a humble craftsman, an artisan whose name, while popular, was still benign in the presence of large industry and their, albeit lower quality, mass production goods.

He did not doubt his skill, however he was aware of his own limitations, and so far this hulking monstrosity had determined his void. As the creature stood repairing itself and allowing the dust to settle, Sevral was working as hard as he could to find a way to be useful. He was a close combatant whose skills were taught in the between time of forging. He could not be launched upwards in intricate aerial displays or launch ranged support, and so the only other option was a suicidal charge, though he failed to see what that would accomplish. The man's blades would do little in the way of penetration, sharp as they were. Keyra's blade had the momentum and power that came from her wings and mid-flight maneuvering. Any worthwhile swing Sevral would hardly be comparable, especially since his range limited him to the legs where no doubt the muscles were tougher in support of the mass of the body. Sevral merely shook his head now, feeling utterly useless with nothing to contribute. Even as Dravon unleashed his wrath in the form of that electrical strike in order to paralyze the beast, Sevral could not lend a hand as much as he wanted to. Fear did not hold him back; he felt it, but it did not hold him back; but rather, better judgment. Glancing over, it seemed Enuren had moved to assist Elruin. She must share some similar thoughts, Sevral reckoned. He wasn't sure the specifications of her bow, but at least she had a ranged advantage.

As the floor cracked in protest to the power being exchanged between the two beings rooted in place, Sevral adjusted his gaze to watch through the reflection of the blade he still held ready. It wasn't nearly as bright and he could turn the glare away from himself. Still, he felt silly having produced the weapon with no true intention of being offensive. As the spell broke, the creature reared back and fell, its overwhelming presence causing the entire structure to shudder such that Sevral was thankful that the ceiling held even before the drill decided now was a great time to lend its inadvertent support.

Strong as this creature was, it would not stand again after a drill had come careening from the ceiling in a shower of displaced chunks of stone, terminating into an infernos blast decorated with metallurgy. Sevral caught sight of one of the machines cylinders as it was hurled away from the impact zone towards the opposite wall, but remained between Keyra and the explosion. Whether or not she had retreated, he would follow.

When finally the scene had settled again, Sevral had to smirk somewhat at the thought that third time's the charm. Elruin's initial blast, Dravon's magic, and finally a drill sent from above. Quite literally... As silence befell the room, Sevral listened to the low crackle of the flames as it ate away at whatever sources it found to burn, breathing to expand and continue its modestly devastating life. Dravon was the first to break the silence, and Sevral glanced around through the wreckage. If the creature decided it would regenerate this time, Sevral would sprout wings and fly. Glancing back to Keyra now, he looked her over quickly yet still carefully.

"Are your wings still okay?"

Lowering his sword now, he still held it for lack of trust in the creatures' tenacity that dwelled in these ruins. Turning back to the destroyed carcass of the machine and its victim, Sevral stepped carefully forward, stopping after a few paces. Looking at his feet, the man placed the hell of his boot on a small patch of smoldering, well, he wasn't sure what it was, but he ground it out.

The setting changes from Creeds to Trinity

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Enuren Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Sevral Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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Enuren help Elruin away, Dravon joining her as the room itself sounded as if it might give way. They made it to the back of the room as parts of ceiling fell to the floor.

She felt Elruin step away and let him move to the wall. Enuren crouched low and readied herself for whatever might come next. The whole scene was surreal.

Behind her Elruin sat on the floor, back to the wall and he thanked her and Dravon. Enuren simply nodded. Thanks was not needed. She would not leave someone to be destroyed or devoured by that thing.

“This thing is relentless...” Enuren hissed as she watched it take damage yet reform itself as if the injury never happened.

The drill caused a look of extreme confusion to pass over her face as it fell taking down the creature and damaging the floor with its impact.

There was silence for a time and slowly she stood, lowering her bow. Enuren turned to look at Dravon.

“I am fine. I am not entirely sure what happened or what we do now but I am unharmed.”

Enuren looked to Elruin and crouched once more beside him. “No not dead and well done with your spell. Do you have the energy to walk or do you wish for help for a time. I do not mind. You have used a great deal of resources keeping the creature at bay”

Both Sevral and Keyra looked relatively unharmed. Dravon too looked tired but unhurt.

She looked over at the other men. Some had been hit by rocks and such but most seemed no worse than before.

"What do we do now?"

Enuren feared that something else would appear out of the darkness.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Enuren Character Portrait: Dravon Morsano Character Portrait: Keyra Character Portrait: Sevral Character Portrait: Elruin Halfin
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Dravon sighed a breath of relief as he heard a set of voices come back from around him, the others were still alive and he intended to keep it that way. Even though the fallen machine crashed into its landing with a tremendous force, he was unsure if the impact had truly killed the creature that stood before them.

He looked up to see several figures casting their gaze down on him and the others, someone was looking down from the hole left in the ceiling. "Ahoy.. is everyone alright down there?" A voice shot down at them and Dravon waved back, only to clench his side when a quick bolt of pain shot through. He had broken something inside of himself and it was taking him some time to pinpoint what exactly it was. Not to mention the tension of pain in his arm and shoulder were still mounting, but he forced himself to stand.

"We need a way out, get a crew to bring us up.. and make it quick. We have injured down here.." A hiss of pain left his lips as he realized that he could not properly stand with the pain in his side still growing.

Only a moment was allowed to pass before the air became very still, so still in fact someone could hear the air of the tunnels move overhead and once again a tense feeling ran up Dravon's spine. This came not long before something slammed into his back and sent him careening towards the rear wall, landing with a thud and rushing all the air from his lungs.

Catching his breath he looked back and noticed the creature, once again taking to its feet. Its body was horribly mangled from the abuse of the last few minutes and he could see the crystal eye now exposed once again, as half its body began to pull itself back together.

It was indeed in a more terrible state now as well, the outside casing of the eye was cracked and disturbed. Small vents of the same yellow glow could be seen spewing from within the orbs contents and its body worked to cover the apparent weakness back up.

He reached back and took hold of the scythe once again, hoping to catch the monster in a moment of lapse. Only to be caught off guard as the creature sprawled too its forearms and rushed the small group. Tendrils of dark mass spewed from its wrecked form and it flung them about with reckless abandon, snatching up all it could manage. Keyra, Sevral and Dravon were the ones to feel its grip, while the others were swatted away with an intense attempted of effort on the creatures part and it held the three aloft before its gaping chest.

"I will not be denied my return.. your strength and that of your companions will aid me in my revenge.." A long thin tendril sprung from the intact side of its chest as Dravon struggled with the encasing appendages around his neck and leg. Just to see the tendrils tip grow long and flat, like that of a blade and then start to glow with the red hot light of a forge.

It donned on him then, that this was its method of taking power and making pawns. It planned to take his life along with his strength and in return leave this thing that would make his body nothing more then a wretched husk. He had to act or his fate that that of his companions would be shared with the rest of Creeds in light of future events.

He could feel the heat of the impending blade and event though what would come of his actions, he was forced to act. Dravon's body tensed and then so did the creatures, his body began to pulse that same pale color of sapphire blue as his body arched a large streak of electricity to the floor. Then the others felt the quick pulse of Dravon's actions as the monster did, a vastly repeating charge of electrical current being fed directly into the creatures form.

The pulsing intensified for several short moments until Dravon saw his chance, in the form of the creature tensing up and dropping Keyra and Sevral both. He drew up both his arms and lined them up with the creatures chest as it held him aloft twitching with each passing second. It drew back with the red hot tendril just in time to meet with Dravon's attack. A sharp focused streak of white hot lightning, arching from between his arms and emitting from his chest.

What came next was nearly too fast to register, the blast of light tore through its body and showered the area behind in molten embers and shattered refuse, followed by a deafening blast. More or less sounding like a massive powder keg had been set off in the presence of the others. The eye was struck in the process and as the creature released Keyra and Several, Making Dravon the last of the group to fall from its clutches.

No one is entirely sure what happened next, but as its body fell too the floor and Dravon followed. A massive burst of energy erupted from its form as the eye finally shattered.

What came then was silence, for everyone.
No one could tell now what was going on, the quiet of being out and alone seemed to draw on forever. However all is not gone, there exist now before view a vast throne room. Covered in dark metals and golden leaf flaking all around. Maybe it was Dravon who was first to notice that this was no longer the waking world, though no one could really hear the world or see beyond what was before them. He could however sense their presence somehow and new that they were close and most likely witnessing what he was seeing as well.

In the middle of the throne room sat a large daunting figure, regal and adorned with dark black leather. It was a man of advanced years but sized to colossal proportions. He sat on the throne with a strange air of contempt about him, before his eyes shot up and looked at the group. "You may have beaten me.. but that was only one conduit into this world.. you may be able to slow my return, but defeating me is beyond you." It was then that Dravon noticed this was the creature before and that its resemblance too the crystalline features were struck true. Above his head floated the same form of crown however this one was not dull or tarnished from age.

The world began to grow dark as he could see the same black liquid from before emanate from the base of the throne and begin to crawl up the crowned lord, entrapping his body as he barely attempted to fight back against its advances."Death to all that serve the foul queen.." Were the last things spoken by him, before all light and existence faded from that place and Dravon awoke.

His body ached still, but his wounds were tended and wrapped. He sat now in a bed somewhere above ground, evident by the sign on sunlight coming from a window across the room. Too his surprise Sevral and Elruin were here as well, laying in their own beds. He sits up to feel that his clothes had been changed and now he wears white linen clothes worn by those in the care of healers.

He thinks too himself that they must be in a ward of some kind on Creeds and he sits up, sliding his feet off the bed. "Elruin.. Sevral.. wake up." He tries to right himself, only to feel the heavy pain in his side and finds his left arm in a sling.

* * * *

Meanwhile Enuren and Keyra are being cared for across the hall in this strange building, in their own room. A woman in a white nurses attire tends Keyra's wing as she sleeps and Enuren's face is being washed. These woman are covered from head to waist in a dense white smock that prevents them from being identified easily. But they still tend too their duties rather delicately.