His body rent, his body bathed in his own blood, the tana’ari prince roared in rage. No longer able to control his monstrous fury, his vision clouded red as he descended into demon frenzy. Slashed and stabbed from every direction, he wasn’t even slowed. He felt no pain. Only insatiable bloodlust. His perception intensified, his movements a blur, he was the ultimate fighting machine.
A flickering sword darted in, slow, pitifully slow. He batted it away and struck the wielder in a single motion. The phantom warrior wavered and disappeared. He caught another movement and lashed out, his claws digging deep into mortal flesh. The one-armed figure dropped, his guts clearly visible through his perforated breastplate. The tana’ari saw another sword slice out, ripping into his underbelly. He lunged forward and slashed out.
Sethin jumped back, feeling the claws tear into his face from right eye to left lip, his vision immediately blanketed in red. His brushed the area with his hand, and it came away covered in blood. He spotted the demon charging in again, and braced for the attack. But suddenly he felt something brush against his hip. His hand reflexively darted to where his bag of holding had been. It was gone. The pieces were gone.
Too late he remembered the demon. He tried to roll out of the way, but it was too late. He gritted his teeth, suppressing a scream as he felt the bones of his spine splinter like rotten wood before the crumpling force of the blow. He hit the ground in a heap, unable to move. Though the pain was overwhelming, he couldn’t feel a thing from mid-torso down. Weakly, he squinted up at the hulking form of the victorious Laznaliasoth.
* * * * *
@all: Got to cut it short here. When I have time, I’ll write up the rest of what happens with Rail.
@Xandax: I apologize for cutting you short, but I really wanted to end this quickly. This battle’s gone on long enough.
Athkathla II
Lost Souls: A bereft lover. A masterless familiar. Friends gone their separate ways. Time marches on, and destiny heralds the meeting of comrades old and new. Can they find what they're seeking? Or will the search bring them only more pain?
@craig: Hmm...? What pun?
Lost Souls: A bereft lover. A masterless familiar. Friends gone their separate ways. Time marches on, and destiny heralds the meeting of comrades old and new. Can they find what they're seeking? Or will the search bring them only more pain?
@all: Just posting to let you know I'm not dead, and that I do intend to finish this eventually 
I was going to do it yesterday, but I opted for 11 hours of sleep instead. I feel better now, at least
I was going to do it yesterday, but I opted for 11 hours of sleep instead. I feel better now, at least Lost Souls: A bereft lover. A masterless familiar. Friends gone their separate ways. Time marches on, and destiny heralds the meeting of comrades old and new. Can they find what they're seeking? Or will the search bring them only more pain?
The blood rage finally calmed, Laznaliasoth looked around, disoriented and breathing heavily. The fury was terrifying, yet it was dangerous. Every time he let it possess him, he lost a little of his personality and intelligence, becoming one with his despicable nature. One day, he’d be no more than a mindless beast. The thought sickened him.
The bodies of his opponents littered the ground. Victory was his. He stooped down to snatch his prize, grinning maliciously as the clone stared up helplessly. But the bag wasn’t there anymore. “WHAT TRICK IS THIS?” he snarled.
* * * * *
Hidden by the powers of his master, Rail slipped away. His hand strayed to the bag safely tucked away in a hidden pocket. It vibrated softly. But he knew the bag possessed powerful warding magics; his craft had developed an eye for such things. The Crown was powerless.
Suddenly, inexplicably, his limbs freezed. He stood paralyzed, completely unable to move. Could he have underestimated the Crown’s powers?
NO, YOU FOOL. YOU HAVE UNDERESTIMATED ME. DID YOU THINK I WOULD LET A BUG LIKE YOU THWART MY PLANS?
Laznaliazoth’s master...but why? And how had the demon managed to locate him? The bag vibrated again, and he realized. Such power was impossible to hide. The pieces had given him away.
Fading laughter greeted his discovery. At once he was visible again.
* * * * *
@all: There’s the second part. I’m working on what should be the final part now.
The bodies of his opponents littered the ground. Victory was his. He stooped down to snatch his prize, grinning maliciously as the clone stared up helplessly. But the bag wasn’t there anymore. “WHAT TRICK IS THIS?” he snarled.
* * * * *
Hidden by the powers of his master, Rail slipped away. His hand strayed to the bag safely tucked away in a hidden pocket. It vibrated softly. But he knew the bag possessed powerful warding magics; his craft had developed an eye for such things. The Crown was powerless.
Suddenly, inexplicably, his limbs freezed. He stood paralyzed, completely unable to move. Could he have underestimated the Crown’s powers?
NO, YOU FOOL. YOU HAVE UNDERESTIMATED ME. DID YOU THINK I WOULD LET A BUG LIKE YOU THWART MY PLANS?
Laznaliazoth’s master...but why? And how had the demon managed to locate him? The bag vibrated again, and he realized. Such power was impossible to hide. The pieces had given him away.
Fading laughter greeted his discovery. At once he was visible again.
* * * * *
@all: There’s the second part. I’m working on what should be the final part now.
Lost Souls: A bereft lover. A masterless familiar. Friends gone their separate ways. Time marches on, and destiny heralds the meeting of comrades old and new. Can they find what they're seeking? Or will the search bring them only more pain?
Catching a movement to his side, Laznaliasoth spun around. Only a few meters away was the pesky assassin, frozen in place. “SO YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD GET AWAY WITH THE SHARDS, DID YOU?” He stalked forward, savoring the moment. Suddenly he lashed out, striking the prone mortal in the chest. The playful blow sent him flying into the wall, unable to brace himself against the impact. He slid down and fell in a heap.
“YES, BUT YOU FORGOT ABOUT THE CROWN’S POWER...STUPID MORTAL.” He bent over and ripped the bag from its pocket. He lifted it and smiled toothily, then stared down at the foolish little man. He kicked him, hard. “SHOULD I FINISH YOU ALL NOW, OR LATER?” He seemed to consider for a moment. “BUT WAIT. DEATH ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE TWO OF YOU.” He glanced at Rail and Sethin. “I KNOW. I’LL KILL THE REST, AND TAKE YOU TWO BACK TO THE ABYSS FOR ETERNAL TORMENT. YES, THAT WILL WORK NICELY. BUT FIRST THINGS FIRST.”
He held the bag up and emptied the bottles containing the legendary Crown fragments into his hand. He opened his other hand, and in it appeared the red ruby, the final piece. The beginning of a new era was at hand. One where all of demon-kind would cower before its new king. First the Lower Planes...then the Universe. He glanced at the pieces glowing in his hands. For its grand moment, the Crown was being awfully quiet. Hmph.
-It’s all a setup!- Rail wanted to scream. But he couldn’t speak; he could only watch in morbid fascination as the final scene played out.
* * * * *
@all: Ok, I lied I’ll continue after I finish my homework, hopefully later today. Meanwhile those characters that are still breathing are welcome to give their last thoughts.
“YES, BUT YOU FORGOT ABOUT THE CROWN’S POWER...STUPID MORTAL.” He bent over and ripped the bag from its pocket. He lifted it and smiled toothily, then stared down at the foolish little man. He kicked him, hard. “SHOULD I FINISH YOU ALL NOW, OR LATER?” He seemed to consider for a moment. “BUT WAIT. DEATH ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE TWO OF YOU.” He glanced at Rail and Sethin. “I KNOW. I’LL KILL THE REST, AND TAKE YOU TWO BACK TO THE ABYSS FOR ETERNAL TORMENT. YES, THAT WILL WORK NICELY. BUT FIRST THINGS FIRST.”
He held the bag up and emptied the bottles containing the legendary Crown fragments into his hand. He opened his other hand, and in it appeared the red ruby, the final piece. The beginning of a new era was at hand. One where all of demon-kind would cower before its new king. First the Lower Planes...then the Universe. He glanced at the pieces glowing in his hands. For its grand moment, the Crown was being awfully quiet. Hmph.
-It’s all a setup!- Rail wanted to scream. But he couldn’t speak; he could only watch in morbid fascination as the final scene played out.
* * * * *
@all: Ok, I lied
I’ll continue after I finish my homework, hopefully later today. Meanwhile those characters that are still breathing are welcome to give their last thoughts.Lost Souls: A bereft lover. A masterless familiar. Friends gone their separate ways. Time marches on, and destiny heralds the meeting of comrades old and new. Can they find what they're seeking? Or will the search bring them only more pain?
@Aegis: Very true (I did that mainly because Virdel wouldn't stay down I feared the battle would never end if I didn't do something). But don't worry, he's not gone forever. You'll see.
However, Sethin is still alive and conscious, though DEFINITELY BEYOND INSTANTANEOUS RECOVERY
(I did that mainly because Virdel wouldn't stay down I feared the battle would never end if I didn't do something). But don't worry, he's not gone forever. You'll see.However, Sethin is still alive and conscious, though DEFINITELY BEYOND INSTANTANEOUS RECOVERY
Lost Souls: A bereft lover. A masterless familiar. Friends gone their separate ways. Time marches on, and destiny heralds the meeting of comrades old and new. Can they find what they're seeking? Or will the search bring them only more pain?
@all: I've had some trouble finding unbroken time to write lately (need at least 2-3 hours). That 's why I haven't posted yet That problem should soon be solved, since my extracurriculars are being suddenly cancelled
BTW, the whole forum seems rather quiet...
That problem should soon be solved, since my extracurriculars are being suddenly cancelled BTW, the whole forum seems rather quiet...
Lost Souls: A bereft lover. A masterless familiar. Friends gone their separate ways. Time marches on, and destiny heralds the meeting of comrades old and new. Can they find what they're seeking? Or will the search bring them only more pain?
The fragments glowed, followed by the ruby. They began to pulsate, dimly at first, then brighter, culminating in a brilliant flash. For a brief moment the Crown was whole again, and the few comrades still conscious trembled before the dark majesty of the fallen Lord of Death. Laznaliasoth beamed in delight as the Crown levitated in his hand, radiating with divine power.
Suddenly it began to wobble, then shudder violently. “NO, WHAT IS HAPPENING?!” the tana’ari cried. Quickly he tried to grab it, only to be scorched by black fire. He roared in agony and leapt back. Then, before his very eyes, his precious Crown began to crumble. Within seconds it was no more, a gray pile of dust the only remnants of one of Toril’s greatest artifacts.
Laznaliasoth leaned over, incredulously running his hand through the debris. The ground started to rumble, rapidly worsening until the hallway shook uncontrollably. Suddenly a black streak rent the air. Then, incredibly, the air itself parted. A giant clawed hand appeared, gripping the side. The rift widened to a great fissure as dimensional space itself was torn apart. Out of it stepped a fearsome demon straight from a nightmare. As tall as a storm giant, the image of terror incarnate, it dwarfed the now harmless-looking Laznaliasoth.
I AM FREE! FREE! I CANNOT BE CONTAINED; I CANNOT BE DENIED! LET THE PLANES BLAZE ONCE AGAIN BEFORE KAKX’ZLANDES, THE GREAT DESTROYER! The malignant words ingrained themselves on all their minds, causing even the unconscious to shudder involuntarily.
Laznaliasoth stared up in horror. Despite himself, he began to tremble. The Destroyer glanced down, as if just now noticing his treacherous underling. YOU FOOL. YOUR LITTLE REBELLION WAS ANTICIPATED, ALL PART OF THE PLAN. YOU FUNCTIONED AS A VESSEL JUST AS WELL AS THE CLONE, DESPITE YOUR DELUSIONS OF PROTECTION. BUT NOW YOUR USEFULNESS HAS COME TO AN END. Slowly, deliberately, he raised his finger to point at the weakling and spoke a single thought--PERISH. In an instant the tana’ari prince was gone, disintegrated without a trace.
That done, the Destroyer licked his chops. It had been so long since he’d bathed in mortal blood. It was time to feed. With a slash he opened another dimensional rift, and prepared to step through it to the nearest plane of the Prime Material. Toril.
* * * * *
@all: There’s the next part. A bit uninspired, I admit, but I had a hard time writing today. Anyway, more to come tomorrow. I apologize for all the delay.
Suddenly it began to wobble, then shudder violently. “NO, WHAT IS HAPPENING?!” the tana’ari cried. Quickly he tried to grab it, only to be scorched by black fire. He roared in agony and leapt back. Then, before his very eyes, his precious Crown began to crumble. Within seconds it was no more, a gray pile of dust the only remnants of one of Toril’s greatest artifacts.
Laznaliasoth leaned over, incredulously running his hand through the debris. The ground started to rumble, rapidly worsening until the hallway shook uncontrollably. Suddenly a black streak rent the air. Then, incredibly, the air itself parted. A giant clawed hand appeared, gripping the side. The rift widened to a great fissure as dimensional space itself was torn apart. Out of it stepped a fearsome demon straight from a nightmare. As tall as a storm giant, the image of terror incarnate, it dwarfed the now harmless-looking Laznaliasoth.
I AM FREE! FREE! I CANNOT BE CONTAINED; I CANNOT BE DENIED! LET THE PLANES BLAZE ONCE AGAIN BEFORE KAKX’ZLANDES, THE GREAT DESTROYER! The malignant words ingrained themselves on all their minds, causing even the unconscious to shudder involuntarily.
Laznaliasoth stared up in horror. Despite himself, he began to tremble. The Destroyer glanced down, as if just now noticing his treacherous underling. YOU FOOL. YOUR LITTLE REBELLION WAS ANTICIPATED, ALL PART OF THE PLAN. YOU FUNCTIONED AS A VESSEL JUST AS WELL AS THE CLONE, DESPITE YOUR DELUSIONS OF PROTECTION. BUT NOW YOUR USEFULNESS HAS COME TO AN END. Slowly, deliberately, he raised his finger to point at the weakling and spoke a single thought--PERISH. In an instant the tana’ari prince was gone, disintegrated without a trace.
That done, the Destroyer licked his chops. It had been so long since he’d bathed in mortal blood. It was time to feed. With a slash he opened another dimensional rift, and prepared to step through it to the nearest plane of the Prime Material. Toril.
* * * * *
@all: There’s the next part. A bit uninspired, I admit, but I had a hard time writing today. Anyway, more to come tomorrow. I apologize for all the delay.
Lost Souls: A bereft lover. A masterless familiar. Friends gone their separate ways. Time marches on, and destiny heralds the meeting of comrades old and new. Can they find what they're seeking? Or will the search bring them only more pain?
Calahan leaned back against the tower, sighing in defeat. He must have spent half an hour futilely groping the sides, trying to find a way in. He’d just sit back and wait.
-The time has come.-
Startled, he looked over at the ‘female’ hakeashar. “Huh?”
-The worst has come to pass. But the past cannot be allowed to repeat itself. Sacrifices will have to be made.- Calahan saw the beautiful lady in his mind’s eye again, but this time a look of sad determination replaced her angelic smile. He watched as the hakeashar glided towards the tower...and then right through it. He slumped against the firm wall, wondering why it always seemed he was the only moron that hadn’t a clue what was going on. His mind began to wander. Now if he could go through walls at will, then things would be different. He imagined himself disappearing through the wall like the creature and everyone else. Yes, things would be different...
Abruptly the wall gave way, and he cursed violently as he fell into nothingness.
* * * * *
-The time has come.-
Startled, he looked over at the ‘female’ hakeashar. “Huh?”
-The worst has come to pass. But the past cannot be allowed to repeat itself. Sacrifices will have to be made.- Calahan saw the beautiful lady in his mind’s eye again, but this time a look of sad determination replaced her angelic smile. He watched as the hakeashar glided towards the tower...and then right through it. He slumped against the firm wall, wondering why it always seemed he was the only moron that hadn’t a clue what was going on. His mind began to wander. Now if he could go through walls at will, then things would be different. He imagined himself disappearing through the wall like the creature and everyone else. Yes, things would be different...
Abruptly the wall gave way, and he cursed violently as he fell into nothingness.
* * * * *
Lost Souls: A bereft lover. A masterless familiar. Friends gone their separate ways. Time marches on, and destiny heralds the meeting of comrades old and new. Can they find what they're seeking? Or will the search bring them only more pain?
hmmm....that the end???
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? - Khalil Gibran
"We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields, and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender!" - Winston Churchill
"We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields, and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender!" - Winston Churchill
