With a splash, she fell face first onto the rain-soaked forest canopy, an arrow protruding from her back. She lay there, struggling to move, to lift her body up enough to find him, to see him. Footprints thundered past as she weakly gasped for breath, the mud rising to her mouth as the ground gave way to the weight of her body pressing against it, as if attempting to consume her. Her fair Elven skin already masked by the dirt and blood of the battle from which she had just fallen, the mud threatened to hide it forever. Through sheer power of will, she managed to prop her body up on one elbow, barely enough leverage to scan the ground in front of her.
There. Hardly a few feet from her, saved from the trampling feet of others like her fleeing the carnage by Gods she knew not existed, was her son. Not more than a few months old, wrapped in a thick woolen blanket to protect him from the elements. Her free arm reached out meekly, trying to reach him. To hold him one last time. Her strength was gone though, she could not muster enough force to move another inch. The arrow had paralyzed nearly her entire body. She would never see him again. Never see his eyes again. She knew not what lay in store for her people nor her son, she just hoped that he would live to see their survival.
A large boot landed next to the bundle of wool, followed by another on the other side. Two hands reached down and grabbed the child, hoisting it into the air, above her head to where she could not see the fate of her son. Extending the frost-bitten fingers of her outstretched arm, pleading for her child to be returned to her, she sighed her last breath, succumbing to the earth's grasp.
Awakening
Somewhere deep in the ruins of Myth Drannor a scratching can be heard. Slow, rhythmic, and constant, the scratching sounds like an animal or beast clawing at a tree trunk. The demons and other denizens of the corrupted ruins pay no attention as a low mound of earth begins to shift. Suddenly, there is a cracking sound, as if wood were being broken and then a skeletal hand breaches the surface. Pulling itself out of the barrow, the skeletal form of a long dead moon elf drags its bones out of the earth. A low moaning escapes the thing as it rises and begins to lurch forward.
Something has awakened, and its wrath will be terrible.
A Farewell
With a final stroke of his pen, Kineada signed his missive to the Joybringers, and quickly glanced over what he had written. For one so glib of tongue, it was a decidedly short message, thanking the organization for its hospitality, and stating that if they ever had need of his services in the future, merely contact the wu jen and he would be happy to lend his assistance. Kineada rolled up the parchment and pressed one of his magical rings against it, sealing it with his dragon symbol. Calling for a page to collect the letter, he instructed the boy to pass it along to whoever passed for leader of the Joybringers these days.
After casually strapping his blade sheathes behind his back, for Kineada didn't anticipate any sort of martial activity this fine day, he set about gathering his meager belongings from about the room. Once the items were stashed away into his Bag of Holding, Kineada once again turned to regard the three items still remaining on his desk.
A pendant of a moon, surrounded by twelve bluish-white stars, an ornate wooden staff colored a deep shade of royal purple, and a red, silken sash, all recently delivered to him via mysterious circumstances, and all that remained unpacked. Kineada rubbed his chin, and regarded each item intently. He was fairly certain the items had been delivered by divine providence, all showing up on his desk overnight as he was asleep. Of their source, he was certain. None other than the Goddess Sune. Yet as for their meaning, he had no clue. Indeed, it was odd for Sune to be so indirect in her approach.
Shrugging his shoulders, and heaving one more heavy sigh, Kineada gathered up the three items, and placed them into his magical bag as well. With one more glance around the now empty room, Kineada proceeded with the incantation that would whisk him away from the hall, and set him on his latest journey.
Temple of the Brawler
Greetings mortals.
Here me now! I am Kord, your God of athletics, sports, brawling, strength and courage. In my time of need, I require an outlawed temple to be erected far from any form of government land or law. I require worshipers to construct in secret, a Temple to the Brawler in my honor, which would see outlawed fighting thrive and gather more and more support in the days to come. Rewards may be given, battles may be tipped in your favor, should you undertake my offer to follow, and build. Should such a temple be founded, great battles and victories will await those who choose to follow their liege. First off, the finding of such a land. Find me the land, where you believe my Temple would flourish, and then worship me on that land. Worship me by speaking your word to me, and I will answer.
Grab your weapon, and prepare for battle. Grab your fear, and harness its power. Take yourself, and kneel to me, and great battles will await...
Kord, the Brawler.
Here me now! I am Kord, your God of athletics, sports, brawling, strength and courage. In my time of need, I require an outlawed temple to be erected far from any form of government land or law. I require worshipers to construct in secret, a Temple to the Brawler in my honor, which would see outlawed fighting thrive and gather more and more support in the days to come. Rewards may be given, battles may be tipped in your favor, should you undertake my offer to follow, and build. Should such a temple be founded, great battles and victories will await those who choose to follow their liege. First off, the finding of such a land. Find me the land, where you believe my Temple would flourish, and then worship me on that land. Worship me by speaking your word to me, and I will answer.
Grab your weapon, and prepare for battle. Grab your fear, and harness its power. Take yourself, and kneel to me, and great battles will await...
Kord, the Brawler.
An Epiphany
A single beam of sunlight crept its way through the small, high window of Kineada's bedchambers, rousing the ancient wu jen from his light slumber. What was once an easy task for the mage, simply getting out of bed to face the day, increasingly was becoming a chore, and one he did not look forward to.
Swinging his legs off the side of his bed, Kineada slowly lifted his tired arms over his head, brushing his trusty katana and wakizashi hanging from the near bedpost, always at the ready, even in the warm confines of the Joybringer hall. The irony of this caused Kineada to chuckle inwardly, but then take on a more serious demeanor, as he realized perhaps this was the very cause of his current malaise.
Being a member of the Joybringers, despite them being a pleasant enough group of people, was leaving a feeling of disenchantment within the mage, a persistent, gnawing feeling that perhaps he hadn't found the right new "home" since the capricious Apostles of Sune dispersed to spread the word of their Goddess to a wider and more far-reaching number of civilizations unfamiliar with the fiery haired diety.
How fortunate, Kineada mused to himself, that as he was coming to terms with these feelings within his inner being, that several missives to him had recently arrived. Glancing across the room to his desk, Kineada again chuckled, knowing full well this was no coincidence. His Goddess was anything but subtle, and Kineada could see the hand of Sune in the three objects now resting on his otherwise empty desk. Donning his kimono, Kineada crossed the room to sit at his desk, pulling a blank scroll and writing pen from the desk drawer, and brushing the objects to the side. With a sigh, he took the pen to the parchment and began a letter to the Joybringers that had been a long time coming...
Temple of the Brawler
Greetings mortals.
Here me now! I am Kord, your God of athletics, sports, brawling, strength and courage. In my time of need, I require an outlawed temple to be erected far from any form of government land or law. I require worshipers to construct in secret, a Temple to the Brawler in my honor, which would see outlawed fighting thrive and gather more and more support in the days to come. Rewards may be given, battles may be tipped in your favor, should you undertake my offer to follow, and build. Should such a temple be founded, great battles and victories will await those who choose to follow their liege. First off, the finding of such a land. Find me the land, where you believe my Temple would flourish, and then worship me on that land. Worship me by speaking your word to me, and I will answer.
Grab your weapon, and prepare for battle. Grab your fear, and harness its power. Take yourself, and kneel to me, and great battles will await...
Kord, the Brawler.
Here me now! I am Kord, your God of athletics, sports, brawling, strength and courage. In my time of need, I require an outlawed temple to be erected far from any form of government land or law. I require worshipers to construct in secret, a Temple to the Brawler in my honor, which would see outlawed fighting thrive and gather more and more support in the days to come. Rewards may be given, battles may be tipped in your favor, should you undertake my offer to follow, and build. Should such a temple be founded, great battles and victories will await those who choose to follow their liege. First off, the finding of such a land. Find me the land, where you believe my Temple would flourish, and then worship me on that land. Worship me by speaking your word to me, and I will answer.
Grab your weapon, and prepare for battle. Grab your fear, and harness its power. Take yourself, and kneel to me, and great battles will await...
Kord, the Brawler.
The Clue
The thrall's neck snapped back with ferocious force. A small snap was heard seconds before a red crescent moon of a laceration appeared across his neck spewing blood in rhythmic torrents onto the cracked roadway. The thrall's silent screams came as mere sighs through his severed windpipe as a multitude of red slashes appeared across his body from some invisible force. And then as soon as it had started, it ended. The thrall's lifeless corpse slumped into the dark streets of Market Square, blood forming swiftly in a large pool before the fountain. The pool's crimson reflection gave way to a hunched figure silently slipping through the opposite end of the Square approaching the fountain. Covered in fresh sprays of blood, the stooped figure brushed back a lock of dirty, matted hair. His blood red eyes paid no mind the mutilated body as he passed it, kneeling before the pooled blood at the base of the fountain. He dipped his hands into the fluid so warm it nearly steamed in the chilled fall air, the feeling eliciting from him a snarl as if from a wild animal. Swiftly... Deftly... Furiously he worked. Smearing blood upon the base of the fountain like a madman, he worked with the tenacious force of a starving animal feeding. His hands moved smoothly along the fountain's walls, stopping only here and there to soak his hands in more blood below. Finally he stood, the thrall's blood streaming in rivulettes down his arms. Snarling again in satisfaction, he stalked from the fountain and into the night, leaving behind him the carnage of his kill and the crude mural of a totem next to a river painted red upon the side of the fountain.
Awakening
There it was again, that scratching feeling in my eyes. Opening them is worse. I close them again and wipe a hand across my face. Shards of rubble fall from my skin, I rub my fingertips together, it does not crumble. Concrete. I drop my hand to my side and feel around me, a few books, some parchment, and large blocks of rock. I remember now, the lower catacombs of the tower where I was studying? Had I misfired that badly? Drawing in a slow breath I cast the spell that would teleport me back to the Church of Destruction. Nothing Happened. Clasping the insignia I wore I used the magical telepathic link to speak to my brethren, before I had finished, my words had died off, there was no point, the link did not work. The church was gone. It was time to determine who was left, who was in control, and just what exactly had happened. But first, to rub this crap out of my eyes!
To be continued.
To be continued.
an Introduction to Ignis
Hello. My name is Ignis Montoya and I send you my greetings. I am a swordsman, and many titles I may bear, but none are as important as one of lineage, Son of Inigo Montoya. He was a great man, and a great swordsman. When his father was killed he had sworn revenge and trained 30 years before finally achieving vengeance. Fate, it seems, has a sense of irony. He was slain by a strange man. Bearing a tattoo with some numerals on it, he bore a long, narrow blade, over two meters in length. Their fight however was not a proper duel; the man in black had simply approached and drawn his blade, or so the witnesses have said. Now it is my turn to seek retribution. Travelling with a band outlaws called the Midnight Brigade, I have been honing my bladecraft, dueling against many foes. The Midnight Brigade taught me an ethos, one that promotes being both a demon and an angel, monster and hero. I am no longer bound by constraints nor morals of others. With the Midnight Brigade, I have also found a new art, the art of assassination. Some victims, those of minor importance, minor pawns in the scheme of all things are granted a swift, painless death. For those who have more to fault, I grant them slow, excruciating deaths. I have had much practice in this art. However, my blade, wrought by my grandfather Domingo Montoya, is far to keen for this art, so I have sourced many other tools. Poisons, enchanted weapons of the Black kind, and some drow trifles have entered my possession. Now, I have found a new home full of fellow practicioners in the Order of the Long Death. Perhaps I will be resigned to a 10 year hunt like my father before me, but as time progresses my art will only be deadlier.
Ignis Montoya
Duelist, Assassin, Sadist
Ignis Montoya
Duelist, Assassin, Sadist
Planning and Preparation (part 2)
It had been several days since the imp had started the search on Vorcet's behalf. Vorcet had not been idle, he had done is own searching in tandem for more people that understood his view on things. Demosthenes had always been a loyal friend and trusted person within both Kossuth's church, and the Crimson Guardians. He was whole heartedly dedicated to whatever purpose life had for him at any given time. A perfect person to help Vorcet with finding others.
The Imp's reports had brought in several promising bits of information. Vorcet intended to seek those people out and chat with them as well. In the end There needed to be enough people to be able to watch the goings on of the world from all angles, to gather information, and to interpret it appropriately.
The followers of the elemental gods and goddesses made perfect candidates. All of them have a distinct interest in maintaining the balance. Without it even their element would become a victim of the impending disasters as had already happened. Mystra's followers were also prime targets. One of the earliest teachings a wizard recieves was of the balance involved in the weave and magic itself.
One by one he would gather people and create the network of people needed to keep eyes on things accross the globe. It would take time, but time was something Vorcet had in excess. However his first priority was to find Demosthenes.
The Imp's reports had brought in several promising bits of information. Vorcet intended to seek those people out and chat with them as well. In the end There needed to be enough people to be able to watch the goings on of the world from all angles, to gather information, and to interpret it appropriately.
The followers of the elemental gods and goddesses made perfect candidates. All of them have a distinct interest in maintaining the balance. Without it even their element would become a victim of the impending disasters as had already happened. Mystra's followers were also prime targets. One of the earliest teachings a wizard recieves was of the balance involved in the weave and magic itself.
One by one he would gather people and create the network of people needed to keep eyes on things accross the globe. It would take time, but time was something Vorcet had in excess. However his first priority was to find Demosthenes.
Reunion
Vorcet found himself suddenly uncomfortable sitting in the leather chair and started to pull himself upright to stand when Elbryan chuckled, obviously amused at Vorcet's sudden discomfort. "How long have you been using this office in my absence? Ten years by now I would immagine."
"Give or take." Vorcet says guardedly before settling back into the chair.
"I've no intention of reclaiming whats mine old friend." Elbryan said "Besides, I've grown to like the freedom."
"It would have been nice to have your guidance occasionally while I was holding your church together." Vorcet said bitterly.
"Was it such a hardship?" Elbryan asked suddenly serious. "Did you think I would leave you unprepared to lead? From where I stand you did a perfectly good job leading until the end of all of the churches. What would my presence have done other than undermine your authority?"
"Still, I am not you. You and Atandella were the church." Vorcet replied. Some of the irritation leaving his voice.
"We were leading the church in a time of war. War is something I know intimately. With the Istishian church all but destroyed, Kossuth's followers needed someone a bit less.... violent. The war was never about destroying the Istishian church entirely. They would have thrown the elements into turmoil with their plans. We simply restored that balance."
The two old friends looked at eachother for a while accross the desk. "So in the end it all came down to restoring balance." Vorcet stated
"I see you no longer wear your Insignia from the Guardians." Elbryan said.
"I learned something with the destruction of the the old churches and organizations." Vorcet said thoughtfully. "We had failed our intended function in the end. We had set our focus on the petty squables of the churches. And while we were watching that, the insane followers of the Rok plotted and planned. Had we been watching the whole picture we would have seen that the there was balance to the petty bickering of the old churches. It all seemed pointless at times, but its like a forrest fire. It seems such a terrible thing to happen, until you see the new life it creates after the fact."
"It sounds like you have your direction now." Elbryan says.
"I do." Vorcet responds. "Ive got someone doing some research for me."
Elbryan nods slowly and turns to leave, "Ill be in the area a bit longer should you need anything. And one last thing, You need to find a better hiding place for your phylactery. Keeping it around your neck is reckless in the extreme."
A dumbfounded Vorcet watches Elbryan walk out as his hand makes it's way to the gem hanging from a chain on his chest.
"Pretty crafty.... for a corpse." Vorcet whispers to himself.
"Give or take." Vorcet says guardedly before settling back into the chair.
"I've no intention of reclaiming whats mine old friend." Elbryan said "Besides, I've grown to like the freedom."
"It would have been nice to have your guidance occasionally while I was holding your church together." Vorcet said bitterly.
"Was it such a hardship?" Elbryan asked suddenly serious. "Did you think I would leave you unprepared to lead? From where I stand you did a perfectly good job leading until the end of all of the churches. What would my presence have done other than undermine your authority?"
"Still, I am not you. You and Atandella were the church." Vorcet replied. Some of the irritation leaving his voice.
"We were leading the church in a time of war. War is something I know intimately. With the Istishian church all but destroyed, Kossuth's followers needed someone a bit less.... violent. The war was never about destroying the Istishian church entirely. They would have thrown the elements into turmoil with their plans. We simply restored that balance."
The two old friends looked at eachother for a while accross the desk. "So in the end it all came down to restoring balance." Vorcet stated
"I see you no longer wear your Insignia from the Guardians." Elbryan said.
"I learned something with the destruction of the the old churches and organizations." Vorcet said thoughtfully. "We had failed our intended function in the end. We had set our focus on the petty squables of the churches. And while we were watching that, the insane followers of the Rok plotted and planned. Had we been watching the whole picture we would have seen that the there was balance to the petty bickering of the old churches. It all seemed pointless at times, but its like a forrest fire. It seems such a terrible thing to happen, until you see the new life it creates after the fact."
"It sounds like you have your direction now." Elbryan says.
"I do." Vorcet responds. "Ive got someone doing some research for me."
Elbryan nods slowly and turns to leave, "Ill be in the area a bit longer should you need anything. And one last thing, You need to find a better hiding place for your phylactery. Keeping it around your neck is reckless in the extreme."
A dumbfounded Vorcet watches Elbryan walk out as his hand makes it's way to the gem hanging from a chain on his chest.
"Pretty crafty.... for a corpse." Vorcet whispers to himself.
The Beginning (Part 3)
Mysteri put Serenity on the ground in a distant forest. "Run Serenity. Run as fast as you can. Find her. Find Jaica. Now is the time. You are ready." Serenity looked at Mysteri and nodded. She looked into the sky and saw that the dragons were fleeing with their half-orc companions as well. Mysteri said "When you return with Jaica, we will return and battle with you both. We will prepare, but you must find her. Go...go now Serenity! Remember who you are, where you came from!" And with that, Mysteri flew into the sky and disappeared. Serenity only had a battered backpack with her, that she carried everywhere in case she wanted to train, and the clothes on her back. Serenity ran and ran. Tears streamed down her face as she thought of her parents, but she knew she could never forget. She stroked the locket around her neck and looked down at her bracelet. "Always Remember Serenity." "I will" she thought to herself.
The Beginning (Part 2)
Serenity, however, grew to be a very mature, caring and wise child. She befriended a dragon by the name of Mysteri. Mysteri allowed Serenity to learn the knowledge of the dragons and helped train her. She could tell that Serenity was going to become a very special, wonderful adult because she was already such a wonderful, kind child. Serenity was not a weak child, but she did not use her strength to bully other children. She was very kind, but that did not mean that she would do everything someone asked her. She had a powerful will and a strong sense ofjustice. Mysteri told Serenity after her second year of training, that when the time came, Serenity had to find a half-orc by the name of Jaica. "She is the key to the freedom of these lands. She is the key to peace and serenity." "Why can't I go now? I'm ready. We can stop all this suffering now" said Serenity. Mysteri shook her head. "My dear, you're still too young. There is much for you to learn. You will know when your time has come to find her."
Four years later, after a day of training with Mysteri, she was given a golden locket from her parents on her 12th birthday with a grass bracelet. The bracelet said "Always Remember Serenity". Her mother smiled at her and said "You've grown up to be a wonderful young lady. We love you so much." Her father picked her up and gave her a bear hug. He said "My dear daughter, please always remember to find serenity in your life, no matter how dark the hour. That is our dearest wish for you, my love." Serenity smiled and said "Of course I will. Always I will remember." The following day, a half-orc named Kryton who was a general for Rikorf's army, came to the village and declared "Your time has come to an end. The king wished for the dragon's secrets, but the dragons refuse. You all will now pay the price." Kryton and his men started thrashing the village and destroying everything, and everyone, in their path. Serenity saw her parents murdered before her eyes. Kryton smirked at Serenity, who, despite witnessing her parent's death, did not show fear. She was in emotional pain, yes that is true, but she was not afraid. She only had anger from the injustice of destroying the innocent village. Kryton lifted his sword, about to swing it to kill Serenity, when all of a sudden something grabbed Serenity by her shirt and she was suddenly flying in the air. Kryton screamed in fury at the loss of his prey.
Four years later, after a day of training with Mysteri, she was given a golden locket from her parents on her 12th birthday with a grass bracelet. The bracelet said "Always Remember Serenity". Her mother smiled at her and said "You've grown up to be a wonderful young lady. We love you so much." Her father picked her up and gave her a bear hug. He said "My dear daughter, please always remember to find serenity in your life, no matter how dark the hour. That is our dearest wish for you, my love." Serenity smiled and said "Of course I will. Always I will remember." The following day, a half-orc named Kryton who was a general for Rikorf's army, came to the village and declared "Your time has come to an end. The king wished for the dragon's secrets, but the dragons refuse. You all will now pay the price." Kryton and his men started thrashing the village and destroying everything, and everyone, in their path. Serenity saw her parents murdered before her eyes. Kryton smirked at Serenity, who, despite witnessing her parent's death, did not show fear. She was in emotional pain, yes that is true, but she was not afraid. She only had anger from the injustice of destroying the innocent village. Kryton lifted his sword, about to swing it to kill Serenity, when all of a sudden something grabbed Serenity by her shirt and she was suddenly flying in the air. Kryton screamed in fury at the loss of his prey.
The Beginning
Far, far away from the city of Westbridge, deep inside the forests...lay a small series of villages surrounding a large lake. These villages had no ruler, but worked together in harmony and peace. One day, an evil wizard found these series of villages and quickly overtook them. He named himself ruler and declared "I, Rikorf, will rule these lands. Any who dare oppose me, shall die a slow and painful death." Though many brave warriors banded together to fight Rikorf, they all died an immediate death. Rikorf was too powerful. For years, he used his power to recruit the strongest villagers to protect him. The weakest villagers, he used as servants and for entertainment. Rikorf treated the human race like scum, the lowest class, and all other races were just barely better. Despair, evil and poverty became the very core of these villages. Existence without these three things become impossible.
It was to one of these villages that Serenity came into the world. Serenity's parents had hoped that when their baby was born, there would be peace again amongst the villages. However, since it was the worst part of history for the villages, they only wanted one thing: for their daughter to have serenity. So, when their beautiful baby girl was born with her tuft of black hair and her father's sky blue eyes, they named their daughter Serenity, in hopes that she will find and have serenity in her life. The village of Lyika was a village where mystical dragons taught and trained the half-orcs everything they knew and learned from their long lives after proving themselves to a dragon. That dragon would become their teacher and companion. Human's had lost the privilege due to their consistent behavior in revealing the secrets of the dragons to others who had not earned the right in exchange for money.
It was to one of these villages that Serenity came into the world. Serenity's parents had hoped that when their baby was born, there would be peace again amongst the villages. However, since it was the worst part of history for the villages, they only wanted one thing: for their daughter to have serenity. So, when their beautiful baby girl was born with her tuft of black hair and her father's sky blue eyes, they named their daughter Serenity, in hopes that she will find and have serenity in her life. The village of Lyika was a village where mystical dragons taught and trained the half-orcs everything they knew and learned from their long lives after proving themselves to a dragon. That dragon would become their teacher and companion. Human's had lost the privilege due to their consistent behavior in revealing the secrets of the dragons to others who had not earned the right in exchange for money.
A Late Night Stroll : The Note (Part 3)
The note was written with sloppy, boxy letters:
I have committed several murders, though my recent murder occurred just yesterday. To find the woman I killed and the details involved, please speak with Serenity Kaze or the Order of the Radiant Heart.
Suddenly, the writing in the note changes to a cursive:
Those of evil intention with a heart plagued with hate beware...If you do not renounce your evil ways, then you will deal with us soon enough and you might not be as lucky as this man here.
-The Order of the Radiant Heart
I have committed several murders, though my recent murder occurred just yesterday. To find the woman I killed and the details involved, please speak with Serenity Kaze or the Order of the Radiant Heart.
Suddenly, the writing in the note changes to a cursive:
Those of evil intention with a heart plagued with hate beware...If you do not renounce your evil ways, then you will deal with us soon enough and you might not be as lucky as this man here.
-The Order of the Radiant Heart
A Late Night Stroll (Part 2)
The man smirked and said "You'll never know my name. But that doesn't matter because you won't live to see this night through anyway." "An empty threat" smirked Serenity. "You won't be able to fight your way through the four of us. Now," Serenity glared at him "Why did you kill that woman in the alleyway? If you don't answer, you'll only suffer and will be begging us for a swift death." Psycho stepped toward the man, and there was a flicker of fear that ran through the man's eyes as he looked at the black flames that surrounded Psycho, and said "You will tell us what we want to know. Or you will suffer. Slowly. Painfully."
The man cowered in fear and shouted "Fine! I'll tell you this! That lady was just a job! I was hired to eliminate her, but for what reason, I don't know!" "Who hired you?" said Serenity, tightening the roots that bound him and then releasing them ever so slightly. The man gasped for air and said "Rikorf! His name is all I know of him." His voice rose in panic "If I knew more, I'd tell you lady, but I don't. It was done secretly. All I can tell you, is that this man who hired me was obviously powerful and rich. He pulled some strings. He brought me out of retirement. I quit doing this a few years ago. I tried to play it straight. But the platinum he offered was too much to resist! Now please, can I go?"
Crovax, Psycho, Draven and Serenity all exchanged looks with one another. Crovax said "We never said anything about letting you go. Didn't you hear Psycho the first time? There are consequences to your actions."
The following morning, the sun shone brightly upon Westbridge. Though it was quite early, there was a crowd at Market Square. Tied to the bench, his mouth gagged and a note pinned to the front of his hat was a man with a scar underneath his jawline with four Vectorian Cityguard's glaring down at him. The man seemed severely battered, his clothes torn and dotted with splotches of blood.
The man cowered in fear and shouted "Fine! I'll tell you this! That lady was just a job! I was hired to eliminate her, but for what reason, I don't know!" "Who hired you?" said Serenity, tightening the roots that bound him and then releasing them ever so slightly. The man gasped for air and said "Rikorf! His name is all I know of him." His voice rose in panic "If I knew more, I'd tell you lady, but I don't. It was done secretly. All I can tell you, is that this man who hired me was obviously powerful and rich. He pulled some strings. He brought me out of retirement. I quit doing this a few years ago. I tried to play it straight. But the platinum he offered was too much to resist! Now please, can I go?"
Crovax, Psycho, Draven and Serenity all exchanged looks with one another. Crovax said "We never said anything about letting you go. Didn't you hear Psycho the first time? There are consequences to your actions."
The following morning, the sun shone brightly upon Westbridge. Though it was quite early, there was a crowd at Market Square. Tied to the bench, his mouth gagged and a note pinned to the front of his hat was a man with a scar underneath his jawline with four Vectorian Cityguard's glaring down at him. The man seemed severely battered, his clothes torn and dotted with splotches of blood.
A Late Night Stroll
The gray, rainy day had turned to a dark, quiet night. The rain left a crisp, clean scent in the air. Serenity loved this smell deeply and felt that it was like a metaphor for what was about to occur that night. She took a deep breath and glanced around. She was standing in a dark alley, just outside of the street lamps glowing yellow light. She heard a man whistling a tune as he walked down the street, his footsteps echoing as the sound bounced between the buildings. Serenity saw the man walk past her, his cold eyes staring in front of him, but not really looking at anything at all. "He seems to be distracted" thought Serenity. She watched as the man looked up at the evening sky, the scar underneath his jawline accentuated by the glowing light of the streetlamps, still walking nonchalantly down the street. He looked back toward the street and abruptly stopped.
Psycho stepped from outside of the darkness. He had been standing in the dark space between the reach of two street lamps. Psycho's black flaming hair flickering and fighting against the wind, with his red armor shining amidst the light, looked absolutely menacing. The man seemed to be shocked into place. Serenity came from behind the man and uttered the words 'unsohaiorz'. Roots suddenly sprung up from the ground and entangled the man, holding him into place. Crovax and Draven came out of the alleyway opposite of Serenity. Crovax said "Good job Serenity. Good job Psycho." Psycho nodded at Crovax and walked toward the man. "What business do you have here in Westbridge? Did you really think you could commit murder here and not suffer the consequences?" The man, having regained his composure, sneered and spat at the ground in front of Psycho. "It's my business, not yours. Who do YOU think you are? You think you scare me?" said the man. Draven walked directly up to the man and towered over him. He said "We are the Order of the Radiant Heart. We spend our lives cleansing the realms of evil scum like yourself. We protect the innocent and the good. Essentially, we are your worse enemy." Crovax walked over to the man and said "What's your name? Who are you?"
Psycho stepped from outside of the darkness. He had been standing in the dark space between the reach of two street lamps. Psycho's black flaming hair flickering and fighting against the wind, with his red armor shining amidst the light, looked absolutely menacing. The man seemed to be shocked into place. Serenity came from behind the man and uttered the words 'unsohaiorz'. Roots suddenly sprung up from the ground and entangled the man, holding him into place. Crovax and Draven came out of the alleyway opposite of Serenity. Crovax said "Good job Serenity. Good job Psycho." Psycho nodded at Crovax and walked toward the man. "What business do you have here in Westbridge? Did you really think you could commit murder here and not suffer the consequences?" The man, having regained his composure, sneered and spat at the ground in front of Psycho. "It's my business, not yours. Who do YOU think you are? You think you scare me?" said the man. Draven walked directly up to the man and towered over him. He said "We are the Order of the Radiant Heart. We spend our lives cleansing the realms of evil scum like yourself. We protect the innocent and the good. Essentially, we are your worse enemy." Crovax walked over to the man and said "What's your name? Who are you?"
A Beautiful Day (Part 2)
Rain started falling, first lightly and then quite heavily. Serenity stopped in front of the entrance hall to the Order and then knocked upon the door. She was greeted by a dwarf with black flaming hair. She could not believe her eyes as she saw black flames surrounding this person's body. She smiled tentatively at the dwarf and said "I have something I wish to bring to the attention of the Order of the Radiant Heart. I witnessed a man murder a woman without hesitation or reason. It was quite clear that evil had long seeped the soul of this man." The dwarf nodded at Serenity and said "Come in. Some of the others are sitting by the fire. By the way, my name is Psycho." Serenity nodded and said "It's a pleasure to meet you Psycho. My name is..." "Serenity. Serenity Kaze." said Psycho. "We know of you because of the message you placed with us a few weeks ago." "Good" thought Serenity "I was able to gain their attention and show them that my intentions are true and pure."
As Serenity entered into the clan hall, she curiously glanced around...hoping that she was setting her eyes on a place she would be able to be a part of. But for now, there were greater matters at hand. Psycho and Serenity entered a room, with a fireplace that held a warm, toasty fire. Standing beside the fire was a tall bald man, with blue eyes and a pointy beard. He turned his head toward Serenity and Psycho. He smiled and said "What do we have here?" A blonde elf was sitting beside the fire. He glanced at Serenity and then glanced back at the fire. Psycho said "She says that there is something she needs to bring to our attention. Something quite important." The elf sitting beside the fire nodded and turned again to Serenity. "My name is Crovax. Please tell me your urgent news." Serenity nodded and told the Order of what she witnessed.
The faces of the Order grew somber, but there was a sense of eagerness. "An eagerness to dispose of this evil" thought Serenity. When Serenity finished her story, Psycho said "Well it seems that we must find this man at once. Draven",he turned to face the man standing beside the fireplace, "I don't suppose you've heard news of this man Serenity described to us?" Draven glanced at Serenity and back at Psycho "Unfortunately not." Crovax stood and said "Earlier today, while I was at Phil's Bar, I heard about this man, distinguished because of his scar underneath his jaw line. I overheard someone say that they saw him renting a room at the Healing Wound Inn." Draven turned to Crovax and said "Well then. Can we go tonight?" Crovax smiled at Draven and nodded "We go tonight. The sooner we rid the realms of this evil, the sooner the world can be free to prosper once again." Psycho turned to Serenity and grinned "I don't suppose you have time for a late night...shall we say...stroll?"
As Serenity entered into the clan hall, she curiously glanced around...hoping that she was setting her eyes on a place she would be able to be a part of. But for now, there were greater matters at hand. Psycho and Serenity entered a room, with a fireplace that held a warm, toasty fire. Standing beside the fire was a tall bald man, with blue eyes and a pointy beard. He turned his head toward Serenity and Psycho. He smiled and said "What do we have here?" A blonde elf was sitting beside the fire. He glanced at Serenity and then glanced back at the fire. Psycho said "She says that there is something she needs to bring to our attention. Something quite important." The elf sitting beside the fire nodded and turned again to Serenity. "My name is Crovax. Please tell me your urgent news." Serenity nodded and told the Order of what she witnessed.
The faces of the Order grew somber, but there was a sense of eagerness. "An eagerness to dispose of this evil" thought Serenity. When Serenity finished her story, Psycho said "Well it seems that we must find this man at once. Draven",he turned to face the man standing beside the fireplace, "I don't suppose you've heard news of this man Serenity described to us?" Draven glanced at Serenity and back at Psycho "Unfortunately not." Crovax stood and said "Earlier today, while I was at Phil's Bar, I heard about this man, distinguished because of his scar underneath his jaw line. I overheard someone say that they saw him renting a room at the Healing Wound Inn." Draven turned to Crovax and said "Well then. Can we go tonight?" Crovax smiled at Draven and nodded "We go tonight. The sooner we rid the realms of this evil, the sooner the world can be free to prosper once again." Psycho turned to Serenity and grinned "I don't suppose you have time for a late night...shall we say...stroll?"
A Beautiful Day
It was a beautiful day. The skies were gray and Serenity could feel that rain was coming to the city of Westbridge. Serenity loved blue skies, but just as much as she loved blue skies, she appreciated the days when the world was filled with gray. It gave her a sense of calm and tranquility. Serenity stopped in front of a building and walked in. Tom's Bakery had to be one of her favorite places in Westbridge. The smell of bread baking and the sweet smell of Danish's filled her lungs. She took a deep breath and smiled at the baker. "Beautiful day, isn't it Tom?" Tom wiped some flour on to his apron and nodded at Serenity. "Sure it is kid. What'll it be today?" Serenity smiled and said "Whatever just came out of the oven is fine with me." Serenity left the bakery and started walking toward her new home.
She took a big breath of air and then a big bite of her freshly baked cinnamon roll and let the warmth fill her. "Delicious" she thought. "Today will be a wonderful day." She smiled to herself and continued on home. Serenity took the last bite of her cinnamon roll and took a deep breath, breathing in the lovely scent of flowers. Then there was a blood curdling scream that made Serenity's heart skip a beat.
Running towards the scream, she bounded around the corner and into an alleyway. There stood a figure wearing a hat and a dark coat towering over a woman in a red dress. The figure averted their eyes from the woman and glanced at Serenity with disgust and then slit the woman's throat with one swift motion. The figure ran around the corner, revealing a deep scar underneath his jaw line and a silver bracelet peeking from just underneath the coat. Serenity ran after him, but to her surprise, there was no one to be seen on the street. She ran back to the dead woman, who now lay bleeding in the alleyway. Serenity closed the mystery woman's eyes with her fingers and prayed to the gods and goddesses to watch over this woman as she ascended into the heavens. Serenity stood. She had to avenge this woman's murder and find out about the man who stole this woman's life. Justice will be served and the evil of this world will be removed, one way or another. Serenity started running towards the first place that came to her mind when she thought of justice, good and fighters against chaos and evil. She ran to The Order of the Radiant Heart.
She took a big breath of air and then a big bite of her freshly baked cinnamon roll and let the warmth fill her. "Delicious" she thought. "Today will be a wonderful day." She smiled to herself and continued on home. Serenity took the last bite of her cinnamon roll and took a deep breath, breathing in the lovely scent of flowers. Then there was a blood curdling scream that made Serenity's heart skip a beat.
Running towards the scream, she bounded around the corner and into an alleyway. There stood a figure wearing a hat and a dark coat towering over a woman in a red dress. The figure averted their eyes from the woman and glanced at Serenity with disgust and then slit the woman's throat with one swift motion. The figure ran around the corner, revealing a deep scar underneath his jaw line and a silver bracelet peeking from just underneath the coat. Serenity ran after him, but to her surprise, there was no one to be seen on the street. She ran back to the dead woman, who now lay bleeding in the alleyway. Serenity closed the mystery woman's eyes with her fingers and prayed to the gods and goddesses to watch over this woman as she ascended into the heavens. Serenity stood. She had to avenge this woman's murder and find out about the man who stole this woman's life. Justice will be served and the evil of this world will be removed, one way or another. Serenity started running towards the first place that came to her mind when she thought of justice, good and fighters against chaos and evil. She ran to The Order of the Radiant Heart.
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