The Destruction of the key

Mirage lay in her bed after talking to Ryel, The key was taking its toll on her. The sickness in her body was worsening, her bones ached, her head pounded, her stomach uneasy, and each cough brought up blood. All of the things that she had endured recently, including this in particular had made her change her views on things. Many of the people she had thought would never be there for her have been, and those she thought that would, weren't. The reevaluation was harrowing but had given her a more clear understanding of what she needed to do. She didn't want to die, she had to continue to be here, for her children, for her love Sylus, and for her friends that were dear and near to her heart. As she thought of these things, all of these things, how her life had affected so many, she sta rted to feel drained, so she drifted off into a deep sleep. When Ryel arrived to wake her, the time had come yet, she was too weak to move, her bones were afire, her body was without strength, her coughs spilling blood on everything near, her skin, clammy and cool, soaked in sweat. Ryel seeing this leaned down and placed Mirage's arm over his shoulders and across his neck, and then picked her up. It was time to go, he had come back as promised, she would not die, but time was running out. He wrapped a blanket around her, and recited a spell of transportation. They appeared in the forest not far from the cabin. Maya was sitting on a stump and looked as they appeared. "What took you so long?" Mirage barely looked up. Ryel sat Mirage down on the stump next to Maya. Mirage turned to Maya "I was .. Asleep.. I am sorry." Mirage's sunken in eyes told Maya volumes of what she was going through. She leaned to her close against her. This would soon be over. Not only had the key's magic almost killed Mirage but it also was killing Maya. Tenchi who had been standing quietly looked at Ryel and nodded. Ryel took the key out of the air seemingly and held it tight in his hand, he was not letting go of it. Tenchi. Taking care not to go to quickly. The first to go was Mirage, she held out her hand, and touched the key, and with a violent scream the power was purged from her. She dropped to the ground heaving. Maya looked at Mirage, as she touched the key the same happened. Although her screams were a little more stifled. The last was Tenchi. He placed his hand on the key and released what he had inside of him. He let out a loud groan, and clenched his fist tight. The key again hummed now with a brilliance of blue light. Ryel, walked over to stand behind the eastern wind, then disappeared, to destroy the key.

(ooc) This is being posted to clarify the ending of this section of RP. Thank you for participating to all those involved.

The Paladins Sword

Bethia awoke in a stream of sweat her eyes darting about her room as her eyes struggled to focus in the dark. Brushing her hair from her eyes she leans to her bed side to draw her mothers Sword , drawing it in her hand she gripped the hilt tightly and sprang to her toes to crouch in a fighting stance on her bed, Her eyes opening wide in alarm as she heard a stranger gutteral sound. "Bethia, Patron of the rose, your known to us, and its your time to sleep" A demon stepped from the shadows into her view, Its disfigured form hidious and bloody. Bethia sprang from the bed to lunge into a fighting stance on the floor, her face set into a firm expression, as she grips the swords hilt with her free hand. "Fiend! You have no place in this realm, and I will not let you enter it, Leave this place! " Bethia lunges forward with her sword, and spins around slightly, coming in close to the Demon with her sword in an upward arc, as it clashes against its broad arm the demon brings in his other taloned arm, his claws strinking Bethia in the face sending her reeling into the night stand, Bethia staggers, and pulls herself to her feet, but with in minutes the demon is upon her his decayed breath upon her face. "I thought you were a smart girl? We will start with you, and then we will destroy the rest, Their is no time or place for peace now, I'll destroy you, and return back to the gates of the Abyss, where I shall call my brethren" Bethia Growls and wrenches her sword upwards impaling the Demonic beast upon her sword and wrenches up, showering herself in blood as the beast twitches on the end of the blade. Bethia, disgusted pushes the demon off her sword, and watches it topple backwards onto the floor, leaning back against the fallen over night stand, she looks to the beastly corpse. "I am Bethia Knight of the rose, you will not harm innocents on my watch. You have to see me destroyed first! " Breathing heavily she closes her eyes and leans her head back. "Sylus, as you look over your Knights this night, take this demonic fiend into the spirit realm, and take his body as a sacrifice towards the act of peace, and assure his no return" opening her eyes, Bethia breathes in deeply, and pushes herself to her feet, setting down her sword, she sets to cleaning the mess.

The Knights and What I must do

Bethia walked about her lodgings this particular day thinking to herself as she watches the red haze slowly take the sky and stain it the color of blood. "I cant stand back and watch anymore, the world is going to ruin, To many people I love dying or threatened" Bethia sighs in sorrow. "This day it will stop" Bethia yells to herself suddenly "No more, will I stand back" Jumps up, and walks to her Chest, and opens the lid, and begins to fraw out an ancient Armor, beutiful engravings and regal imprints of hapiness and purity. "I'll take care of you realms, I will bring the people of good together to fight this on comming evil, I will join the Knights, and create the dream our lord and true Sylus once saw" "With Tanaka travelling the roads soon, I'll hold the Knights firm and take charge.... Evil will not prevail!" Taking her mothers Holy paladins sword Bethia, leaves her room to depart, and leaves to lead the Knights to Victory, to show them her dreams. 

The musings of the Divine

Long had he stood at the window. Watching the rain fall. How many times old foe. How many times have we danced this battle? Long have our battles been lord pure. But rest your mind, they soon will be over. solomon came easier now. No screaming and agony, simply speak and he is there. What will you do with them? Will you plunge the world into another everlasting winter of destruction? *cackling laughter* of course I will! He sighs and stares out the window. How did it come to this? How did I let it get so out of hand. Was lateralus right? Am I a monster that must die? Do not be so hard on yourself you old relic, Its just your time. Your rest is comming. And my son. Why do you attack my son? Seraphim? *laughter* I dont attack him anylonger. He has Joined me! .... Wh-what? his heart sinks... so that was the plan. The big secret that had been kept from him. And what next you vile creature? Next is your daughter old man. Then your knights. THEN THIS WORLD! WHy should I beleive anything you say? Because Im going to make you forget I told you. So I can watch them burn. Sylus leans wearily against the wall. He thinks back over his life. He has so many good memories. His children. His goddess. His love. How many of these things will be lost in the comming turmoil? Do not fret Sylus. I will let you watch. And in the end, your soul will know peace. And I will be free. What about this key Seline is so worried about? he whispers.. trying to distract the groggy solomon before he notices what he is doing. What about it? I dont care about the key. It would have been nice to consume its power, but oh well. Maya has it. And Her having it is the same as I having it. *laughs* You really think she loves you? My god solomon... look at what you are becomming... you sound like me. Hoping against hope that love will find its way ... even to a black heart like you. SILENCE!! Solomon growls from within him and Sylus nods, Not a vicious man You arent ready to deal with it I guess. You know the knights will stop you. You know Zariel will lead them eventually. Or at least... ZARIEL? LEAD? the girl couldnt lead her way out of her own bedchamber. I have nothing to fear from a scion who is afraid of her own shadow. Yet. SHe will beat you. I know it. Still faithful... even now are we? That is the meaning of faith. To beleive against all odds. Such as you beleive in Maya's love. Solomon goes quiet and Sylus silently sends this conversation mentally to Ryel with a simple request..... Be ready, and help zariel be ready.  

(ooc: How much of this ryel decides to tell anyone is up to him. Too much information is sometimes as dangerous as not enough, and I chose to trust his wisdom in this. Also. I would like to congradulate everyone involved in their wonderful roleplaying. Its well met and enjoyed) (PS OOC: Hehe there always has to be a ps. If I forgot to address this at anyone who thinks they should have been named. My apology.)

The Roses are born

(ooc : This is supposed to have been roleplayed... as my final rp scene in which Sylus may have an active hand in anything.) (ooc : as you can see its not turning out that way. SO here is my retirement... in a role) 

The knights stand quietly in a non descript field... roses have grown everywhere... from everything... and the entire field is bathed in satin moonlight. They have come from everywhere ... from all walks of life, from all different races and creeds. they came for one thing.... they came... To save you. Sylus appears before them and smiles MY friends. Today marks the dawn of a new era. An era of darkness and war... and yet an era of heroic and much needed purity as well. I will not longer simply walk the lands... helping whoever I can. MY influence has become to great... and the elder gods have deemed it time for me to take followers and retire back into the mists. he sighs and looks down I will miss you all... and I wish I could fight beside you on the fields of battle... but im confident in those gathered. In the days to come.. you must grow stronger... gather in numbers... and help begin prepairations for the oncomming darkness. WHo knows how long we have... but lets make our time valuable. Stand before me now... My Roses. One by one they stand before him... kneeling and being touched lightly on the forehead... while rose petals fall from the heavens upon them. Silently Sylus whispers as he has ordained the last of them... his daughter... who he saved for last Zariel... you have made me so proud. Your will and resolve grows every day just as your heart does. You are my shining star my dear. And with you I will always be. Stand and be recognized Knights... and go into the world... as warriors... as diplomats... as advisors... but mostly... Go as Brothers and Sisters... Go as family. and you will never fall. one by one they leave...and soon he stands alone. Letting the illusion of the roses fade he sighs and sits back quietly... his troubled eyes closing. Go easy on them solomon... or they will kill you He smiles at his words.. knowing his blessed knights will never fall. The dark eyes open... red swirling within them and an evil laughter erupts from his lips Sure I will... Ill take good care of them. Quietly he leaves... the enormous bat wings taking him airborne. This is gonna be great. Sylus

Wondering

A baren wasteland of jaged rocks and unforgiving terain streatch out endlessly in every direction. The midnight sky was clear of clouds but rich with stars that shed a meager helping of light onto the teraine below. It was late, well past the nights mid point whene it came. All this time without so much as a whisper on the winds and now this. The call sent out by his god was strong, so stong, it nocked the figure of his perch slowly turning to the stars the figure whispers to the wind "I hear you M'lord, as you call, so shall I take up the fight, I am yours to command" with that, a new star was born in the heavens as if to guid the wonderer on his path. standing, the lone figure frees the dust from his robes, gathers his gear and sets out on his journy. pausing only to ask himself "has the godess returned aswell?'

Knights of the Rose

As most days are spent now-a-days, I stood at the Market Square in Westbridge. I watched the goings on and the comings and goings of people. I casted spells where asked. This is much easier then things I used to have to do in the past. My eyes have seen more then any soul should ever have to see. I laugh as I think of things like the Hemelia plague that came to the realms just a while ago. People feared it but none really died from it. They say it was an awful thing and the realms couldn't stand it again. This makes me laugh. The Great Plague, some time around the year 600. It killed off almost twenty thousand people within the 3 years it had free reign. A Council of Wizards was formed to find a cure to the plague. While working on it, members of the Council fell. While dismal, it had to effect. Until one day, the leader of the Council fell. It gave us a renewed fuel to fight for a cure. Within months we had a cure. It took us the course of a year to innoculate the world. I think now if Hemelia became such a great plague, what would we do? The Council of Wizards is no more, I am the only surviving member to my knowledge. There is no group that would take charge and try to save us. After setting on that for a while, I noticed Lord Sylus had appeared for an instant. I nodded at him and smiled. He posted a message to the already full post at the Square. I knelt at the post to read the writing and as if in answer to my thoughts, there really was a new-age Council of Wizards. Or at least something like it. The Knights of the Rose were being reformed. I remember the group from a year back or so, under guideance of Lady Hanali. I hadn't thought to join the group then. Now, however, I feel I had a purpose. Once more I could serve and do good. I nodded to myself and reminded myself to talk to the next Knight I saw. 

The Call (Knights of the Rose)

Sleeping upon a cot at Myth Drannor, Moonlite opens her eyes as she feels the wind calling her awake. A warm glow surrounds her body. Moonlite smiles as she feels a warm, strong and comforting feeling enter into her body...then a feeling of distress and sorrow. Moonlite whispers "How odd..Lord Sylus has never sent such a strange call before.." Moonlite rises from the cot and straightens her clothing, her brow furrowed with worry. Moonlite whispers as she glances about Myth Drannor, "Lord Sylus needs me.." Moonlite utters a magical spell,a wind arrives and surrounds her completely, leaving behind a trail of dust. A gust of wind appears at Market Square, and just as quickly as it came, it also had gone....leaving behind Moonlite, the Moon Princess. Appearing before Lord Sylus, she curtseys before him and softly whispers "I got your call Lord Sylus..how may I be of service?"

The Garden of Roses

The call had been sent, and the knights had come. Zariel, Tanaka, and Moonlite... that was all he needed to see to know he was ready. He returned to market square and he looked at all the responses from those who are interested in becomming knights and he smiled. Evil dont stand a chance.to the message board he adds this.... The Knights of the Rose.To many evils are allowed to walk freely and openly among us. Too many tradgedies go unpunished. The knights are the vision of Myself, and the goddess Hanali. The defenders of the realm are overwhelmed. and the innocent suffer because they have no help. The knights stand for these people... for all peoples, no matter race or religion. We do not simply kill evil. We promote goodness and purity. We encourage those who have lost hope or faith... to rekindle the light in their hearts and believe once again in the purity of the soul. The knights fight against oppression, and slavery. They slay the demons that walk around inside the hearts of the innocent, and they bring peace to those who suffer in silence. Most importantly tho... We teach those who wish to be free, to be strong. We train them in the arts of life and defense. We give them the tools they need to defend themselves further, and by strengthening them... we strengthen our walls against evil, and aginst the corruption that eats at the soul of the realms. Quietly he posts the note and before walking away .... a rare smile touches the lips of the Pure one and he writes... Come to me .... Roses of hope, Knights of Purity, Souls of Light. Come to me .... My Knights of the Rose Sir Sylus Shadoween, Rose Knight. 

Shattered heart

The broken man sits among the rubble of his home... tears falling from his eyes. Again he risked his heart... and again.. it has been shattered. He peers around himself quietly... the world has lost its magic... lost its love. He cannot see his own divine light even... for it has been eclipsed by his destroyed heart. He looks down at his hands... hands that have done so much good... and hurt so many. He quietly closes his eyes and goes through the images in his head... so many loved ... so many lost. his heart knows the love of so many...yet never is it constant... never is it truly his. he quietly stands... and walks to marketsquare... there among the people he makes the decision. Im going to die. it is not an easy decision... and even the demon inside him tries to taunt and tease him into continuing his existance... but his heart overshadows even Solomons great influence. He has fought for so long... and for what? to watch as his enemies attack and harm his children? to watch as those he shows love to are hurt and die... to have his heart destroyed at every turn? Fuck that... and fuck this world! but even as the words leave his mouth he knows he loves this world and all its people... and silently his heart cries out. and so he sits... in the center of market square... his decision? Call upon the light of the realms... assemble the knights... and then.. when they can protect his world for him... die.

It has begun...

In the midst of a terrible arguement Mirage in her moment of anger collapsed to the ground in extreme pain. Her very essence seemingly ripped from her..."Oh my gods..." she screamed in agony on the ground, Zaneritos, whom she was arguing with moments before came to her side. "The key...it must be removed....it has begun...." Mirage writhed with pain on the ground in the clan hall, she managed to get one last sentence out... "Find Sylus.....go find him ....NOW!" Mirage screamed in utter pain.... Zaneritos took off quickly to look for Sylus. Mirage passed out on the ground in her clan hall......it has begun.. 

Insomnia. (A response to The Call.)

[Perhaps a bit late, but here we go.] Another night of restlessness. Eleni had too much on her mind, and her insomnia was becoming more prevalent again. She lay in bed for an hour or so, listening to Icehawk breathe, considering waking him to hear his voice, to talk idly till her mind was eased and she could find a bit of rest, but knowing how hard he works, how much he needed his sleep. She climbed carefully over him and pulled on her black clothes, leaning in to kiss his cheek softly and whisper, "I won't be long," before quietly sneaking out of the Frost Bite. Icehawk had stirred a little, as if to ask her not to go, but Eleni needed some conversation or at least a bit of fresh air. By the grace of Sune, she made it quickly to Westbridge and climbed the stairs of the Market Square Cafe to take her usual thinking spot on the round table on the roof. She'd been hoping to find a friend or even a stranger with whom she could discuss the philosophies of love and truth and self, but the streets seemed oddly barren. Fewer people seemed to be venturing out into the streets at night, perhaps noticing the recent rise in the local vampire population. Even the undead seemed scarce on this night, though. The black-haired, black-clad halfling's skin almost glowed in the moonlight, its pale radiance such a stark contrast to its dark surroundings. Looking out over Market Square, she noticed an odd glow and wondered how she could have possibly missed it when she'd gone through the square. She looked down at it, unable to discern the words or its meaning from where she sat. She jumped from the table and moved silently over to the ledge, staring at the strange light intently for a while, considering whether she should investigate or not. Her decision was made for her though, as a figure moved quickly into the square. In the darkness, she could not be sure but she thought it Kalina, whom she had the pleasure of meeting on a couple occasions. Her interest seemed also to lie in the strange message. Shortly after Kalina moved on, more people, one by one, came to investigate, some Eleni recognized and some she did not, each reacting in their own ways. Her curiosity was becoming too much, her feet itching to pad downstairs and see the message for herself. She could not tell if those reading it had been drawn to it or simply passing by, but there it was, she saw it too, and it was out in the open to be read. Silently, she crept to the square, cautiously glancing about before moving to the enigmatic note. Quickly she read it, her lips curling to a smile as she noticed Sylus's seal upon it. His gentle advice and guidance had helped her greatly in the recent past, and he had earned much respect and admiration, as well as friendship, from her. The message, however, seemed to call to those who had already served him, some warriors of the past she knew nothing about. She walked quietly from the square and headed east, back toward Torregiano and the warm bed that awaited her. "It was not for me," she told herself, considering the call during the long walk home. "He needs people he knows, people who are pure, kind, GOOD. That isn't me. Still..." She turned her eyes upwards, staring at the radiant night sky, feeling blessed to be up at this hour able to see such beauty. In soft prayer, she whispered to the dark expanse, to her friend, "If you need me, Sylus, I am here for you. I may not be the best warrior or the purest heart, but you're deserving of my fealty and respect. If you find me worthy, I am here." She continued her walk home in silent thought, having found no peace of mind, but rather more to consider. Dawn was breaking as she arrived at her lover's home--or was it now also her home. Exhausted from the long walk between the two cities and her lack of sleep, Eleni slunk into bed next to Icehawk, comforted as his arms wrapped around her petite frame, and for a few hours, she slept. 

In the Market...

Kalina walked slowly towards Market Square. Her mind so deeply wounded by the past transgressions, and her regretful parting with Sylus. She glanced down at the ring that hung on a chain from her neck. Glittering platinum, meant to be given to Sylus as a token of her heart forever. She clutched the ring in her fist and bowed her head with her eyes closed, fighting back tears. Kalina had no idea how her mother could have broken so thoroughly what she once thought was so deep. She tilted her head back, looking up at the sky, when a blinding flash of light arced through the sky. Her heart rose for a moment, beating wildly in her chest. Automatic, her feet sprang of their own accord into a dead run toward Market Square. Her mind raced, could it be Sylus...could it be... She arrived, the square empty, and her heart sank. As tears anew started in her eyes, she noticed a parchment on the fountain. With quiet purpose, she strolled to it, and quietly read the summons. Kalina laid a hand upon the call, gently running a finger over the words, almost hoping to draw something, anything, from it. As tears rolled silently down her cheeks she began a whisper that would be the last her voice was heard aloud. I'm so glad you're gathering what you worked so hard to have so long ago. Good Luck my love." Kalina looked to the sky, trying with her mortal eyes to locate a single star. Failing, she looked to the cobblestones and removed her hand from the fountain. She began walking slowly away, her voice gone from her throat, her love gone from her side, and only the silence of the night to keep her company.

The Call

The dark hours of the night in westbridge... The streets are oddly empty. The adventurers either gone on their quests or wisely indoors. A lone figure walks the streets, clad in dark black robes. His seven foot frame strangely casting no shadow. He walks on through the streets to Market square. He walks with purpose... Direction... And stands before the fountain. With one raised hand magic energies begin to gather. The stars themselves seem to shiver as the magic energies are drawn upon. Then, with no warning, Red and Silver energies spring from the mans outstreached hand and the call is sent. The call to arms for the Ros E Knights is sent, soaring energy like a comet streaks across the realms. Heed the call, Pure warriors. Answer the summons, and find your destinies again. The world needs you once more. With that Sylus walks away... awaiting response. 

(PS : There is a note on the way about how to respond to this and an ooc explaination of what is going on... just gimme a sec 

Hallucinations

It had been a long time. Since the days of battle with demons, since the days of his free wanderings of the land. Sylus sits alone in the observatory of his ship. He looks out the large skylight at the stars above. He wonders, what the hell have I been fighting for? I have battled Demons, evil wizards, dragons and above all... The Demon within. And for what? Was the world any different? Had he made a difference? Children still starved in the street, slaves still suffered under the whips of their cruel masters, and evil still lurked in every dark place. What the hell has he been fighting for? *Snap* Once again his mind began to reel, his sanity collapsing in on itself. He watched as the stars began their dance and moved across the sky of their own accord. The walls of the room seemed to breath. He stood and ran from the room, but the floor and hallway began to twist and he found himself falling through an endless darkness. Finally the darkness receeded... He could feel he was not right, the world around him was fake... The voices came then... " Your such a failure.... I cant beleive your my father... You always fail! "Oh stop feeling sorry for yourself... Suck it up and accept life..." " You will give in to me... You must... Its your destiny... Your far too weak to stand against me!" "Father.... I was afraid ye would never return to me.... That my prayers were in vain" So many failures... The walls closed in around him and he panics ... Thrashing about madly, calling upon his divine power and finding none to call upon against these... Phantasms.. And then.... In the darkness... He sees a light. The soft glow of red and green... In his mind he hears one voice... The voice of a single unknown person. A Rose Knight Stands against evil, in all its forms... In any place. Then more voices join in reciting the code of the Rose Knights. No matter the odds, no matter the danger, the Knights stand true and united against the forces of darkness. They protect the weak, and the helpless. They redeem those who can be saved, and those who are lost to evil... Find peace on their blades. Compassion is their weapon, Courage their armor, and they draw their strength from the love and purity of the innocent. when he came to he was in the library, the crest of the rose knights burned into his palms. He knew what he must do. Gathering himself he moves to the desc... and begins writing the call to arms for the last hope. He writes a calling... to the hearts and minds of those who will be.... The Knights of the Rose

A new Story..Pt 1

Every life has a story... and every story... a beginning. This is mine. My name, is Seraphim Shadoween. I am the son of a god. I wont go into the dark story that is my past or the unique events that conspired to create me. What I will tell you is that I am not what you would expect. I am an Esper. Filled with magical powers I didn't ask for and don't understand. I am a Vampire. A dead thing, walking the night and feeding on the blood of the living. I am both of these things, yet these are but words. They aren't WHO I am they don't say anything about ME. I am not a heartless killer, or an insane tyrant, or a valiant knight, or a noble Saint. I am none of these things yet the element of them all are in me, as with in all creatures. I live by my choices. A very long time ago I forbade my father from interfering in my life. His actions are known well to those who watch such happenings, and to those who don't? Be thankful. I see my father, Lord Sylus Shadoween, as the worlds greatest let down and failure. The man has led a life of suffering and pain. But instead of suffering alone as he should have, he drags all he loves into it and shares with them this pain. Many people out there disagree with me, but this isn't their story... My life origionally was very happy. I knew the love of the Goddess Hanali, and worshipped her freely and happily. I was engaged to a lovely Angel warrior and my skills as a warrior were, in my opinion, exemplary. But this all came to a crashing halt thanks to one man. Solomon.