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[Khallos]

Assessing the situation Khallos came to the conclusion that Catt and Brownshanks were probably being eaten alive. Hearing a muffled cry for backup Khallos knew it. Seeing Leo and a few others dart down side passages as the tentacles began to retreat in return, Khallos gave chase down the tunnel which the tentacle that kept his sword has disappeared.

Armed with sword and axe, Khallos burst into the chamber after a retreating tentcle, following a winding passage and at once appearing at the creature's side. The thing turned to the screaming beserker and Khallos was saved its petrifying gaze by needing to dive aside immediatly to dodge a writhing tentacle.

Seeing the positions of Leo and Catt, Khallos rolled to his feet and circled to be equidistant from the other two, so as there was always one at the back of the beast. Sidestepping and hacking through a tentacle with both his blades, Khallos called out to his fellow former Loddie.

"Catt, yes Gods! Do you really think it is, I mean could it have survived down here in the dark for so long? Could it really be-"

A tentacle evaded both his blades and wrapped itself around Khallos' throat at that exact moment. Typical, really I should know better than to suggest the identity of her, it's like a garunteed gagging order. Clutching his throat as he sought oxygen, Khallos was wrenched upwards by the long purple limb and thrashed about.

[Crimson Lego]

Listening to Catt’s suggestions on how to attack the monster, Leo had to laugh sarcastically. “Isn’t that ironic? I just ran out of ammunition a few minutes ago,” he replied, holding up his weapon. However, a solution came to his head as more and more of the Calatians entered the cavern, aghast at the sight of their new enemy. One of them is bound to have some bullets left.

Moving quickly through the chaotic crowd in search of ammunition, Leo tried to think up of additional ways to fight back without gaining too many casualties. He knew guns and any other type of range weapon would be useful, but there had to be more than one option at hand. Come on, man, think of something fast before all of us die, grimaced the dwarf. Taking a few cartridges from a nearby Snakehead and saying thanks, he reloaded his weapon and moved back in the direction of the beast. As he did so, Leo noticed that the majority of the Calatians were keeping their distance from the monster itself, while the braver risked themselves in an attempt to kill it. Juvenal himself was firing spells at the beast; though they seemed to have an effect, he was also keeping a safe distance away. Huh. That’s weird.

Firing a couple of shots to where he imagined the monster’s eye would be, Leo spoke quickly to Juvenal. “Can’t you just kill this thing in one shot,” he asked. “I mean, the dog could do it too?”

“This is one of the greater manifestations of Ahrem’s powers. As you should probably remember, we are deep within the Labyrinth,” replied Juvenal. “None of this is my doing, so I must use my own powers to combat it. However, this beast is also very strong, and it may take awhile. And if you haven’t noticed, your friend with the sword and axe is suffocating.”

Shit. Turning to his right, Leo took aim and fired a direct shot at the tentacle holding Khallos’ throat; it sliced the appendage in half and freed the Calatian warrior. Ejecting the empty rounds and reloading, he suddenly came up with an idea to attack the beast effectively. Retreating back towards the group, Leo tried to shout out as loud as he could over the commotion. “I want all archers, riflemen, and fire mages to attack and fire at that thing at will! Those with short range weapons keep a safe distance back and protect the rangers from the tentacles….right now!”

Though it seemed to be taking awhile for the entire group to organize themselves into a proper formation, the Vikings managed to follow their instructions well and screams from the monster occurred more often. Wishing he had some magic of his own, Leo found a small boulder near the corner of the room and continued to fire away at the beast. Sooner or later, this thing is going to die, and we can move to kill Chikara, he thought satisfactorily. It seemed that victory was in total reach for the Calatians, as more and more blood sprayed from the monster’s body.

[Steel Samurai]

Juvenal's face remained utterly straight as he spoke to Leo, but inside he was smirking like a fat rich schoolboy.

Of course, I could destroy this thing with a mere thought. But there is no reason for them to know that, especially when they are doing so well.

He turned, and disappeared into the darkness. When the Calatians were through, he would guide them onwards. But for the moment there was something he had to do . . .

[Kwicky Koala]

"Don't say it, Khallos" Catt warned the gagged warrior. "Let us pray this is merely some spawn of that terror, possibly related to the Cataclysm and infected with the Curse - if it really is her we're already dead-hey, watch it with those things!" he cried, still atop the beast, as gunshots ricoched off the creature's hide. Only the shots hitting its face seemed to do any real damage.

As the wounded demon made a last futile lunge forward, the young Snakehead Luka was caught by the gaze and paralysed. The beast unleashed a huge glob of acid at the man, powerless to avoid it. But at the last moment, his friend Nico leapt in front of the deadly blast, which dealt him what looked like a mortal blow and left him crying in agony on the floor as it ate through his armour and clothes. Outraged to see two men dead at this monster's tentacles, Catt gave a battle yell and leapt off the creature's back, plunging his sword down into its neck, which spurted huge amounts of blood and fragments of bone. Weakened by the Calatian's attacks, it started moaning and twitching as it slowly died, its tentacles relinquishing hold of the ceiling and bringing its weight crashing to the ground. Standing astride its corpse, Catt sheathed his sword and adressed everyone:

"Get him a healer, please..."

Suddenly the ground began to shake. The floor around the creature's corpse started crumbling, sending it and Catt down to the floor below and leaving a large hole in the middle of the chamber.

---

Back in the original passage, Juvenal had just suceeded in calming the Cursed, who had lost what little reason they had when they were ambushed by the tentacles. He grinned in a self-satisfied way and was about to leave when he heard a rumbling from above.

"What the-"

Catt and the beast came crashing down on top of the pack of Cursed, sending them into another apoplectic fury as they hurled themselves onto the corpse and started tearing it apart, trampling their wounded to death in the process. Seeing Juvenal looking catatonically pissed off at this turn of events, Catt's black humour kicked in:

"Sorry about that, little Jimmy Jewel! I'd call them off soon if I were you, or they might- uhoh..."

The Cursed's weapons had pierced the thing's belly, spilling deadly stomach acid everywhere and slaughtering even more of their kind.

Juvenal muttered some ancient cursewords and spun around, marching into the darkness and leaving the Cursed to fight and die amongst themselves until they fainted with exhaustion. Not wishing to tarry amongst the lunatics either, Catt hopped off the creature's body and went to rendevous with the Vikings.

[Crimson Lego]

ooc: You guys think we should wrap this up in a few more posts?

Not exactly too sure what had just happened to the monster, and Catt as well, Leo walked cautiously over to the hole and peered down. Shocked at the sight of the Cursed stabbing and slashing their weapons at the beast, he breathed a sigh of relief to see Catt run away from the fighting. At least he’s alive; not many of us are left. Looking around the room, Leo did a quick head count of the survivors, the majority of whom were wounded, and didn’t feel too good with the results. Only 14 of us left; that bastard did it well, he thought grimly. Juvenal had also seemed to have disappeared for an unknown reason, but the dwarf didn’t care what. All he wanted to do was get his men out of the Labyrinth safely before more of them died.

Placing his own axe in his sash while keeping Juvenal’s at the ready, Leo watched silently as the Calatians finished ripping what dog tags there were off their fallen comrades. Once they had gathered together, he addressed them. “Well, we made it, boys. We’re in the Labyrinth of Doom.” Which isn’t too assuring. Taking a deep breath, the dwarf glanced back in the direction of the hole and noticed a passageway at the far side of the cavern. “I’m guessing that’s the way to where Juvenal needs us to go to finish this off. Gather all the equipment lying around, and then we’ll move out.”

As the Calatians dispersed to carry out their orders, Leo walked slowly towards a stalagmite and took a seat against it. Pulling his water pouch out and taking a long drink, the dwarf looked around at the cavern and wished there had been a better way to fight back. “We lost way too many,” he murmured.

“Aye, General, but ya gotta keep movin’ on,” said Bob. He appeared to be carrying several cartridges of ammunition in his hands, looking as grim as his tone was. “We all do. Yo men died ta save Verden; rememba’ dat.”

Nodding, Leo looked back at the corpses of his fellow Vikings, now covered up with what materials there were. The guilt on his mind seemed lessened, but a new resolve took him as he stood up and joined the survivors in gathering weapons and ammo. It’s time to fight back.

[Twinrova]

OOC: I will be stupid busy with packing and moving and junk this week (last moving day is Friday). So if I don't get a chance to post you can just .. pretend I am here. @__@ Sorry! :S

[Kwicky Koala]

ooc: Ok, I guess we're nearly there.

When Catt returned, he saw that the bodies of the dead Snakeheads had already been covered up by whatever was at hand. He walked over to them. Cautiously moving aside the pamphlet obscuring Nico's face, he looked at the dead soldier. Though his eyes had been closed, the torture of having his insides eaten by corrosion showed in his anguished expression. His face was unnaturally taut and his teeth gritted under his small moustache.

"He tried to hang on, but the poison worked too fast. His body...its horrible" said Luka sadly.

"I'm so sorry...he must have really cared for you to sacrifice himself like that" Catt said, remembering the sardonic soldier, who had not previously seemed so brave.

A Huscarl drifted over and addressed Luka in a thick accent: "Your friend, it was a brave death, yes? We Huscarls weren't thinking you lot were so couragous. No need to mourn such a good death. And you, you're welcome with us any time you like." he motioned to the last couple of Huscarls still alive.

As the man cheered Luka's spirits, Catterick moved to Brownshanks' body, removing the dirty cloth hiding his head. Unlike Nico, Brownshanks had a peaceful, almost childlike expression of his face, and the absense of any bad smells in the air revealed he'd died without any shameful displays. Neither of the Snakeheads had succumbed of the Curse, which hopefully meant their souls were on their way to Valhalla. Recalling his last mission, in which a Calatian Army regular named John had died, Catt was depressed by the difference in attitudes. That one death then had been mourned by all involved for weeks, while this time they had lost far more men, and there seemed no time for mourning at all. Maybe it was the brutal setting, the ever-present danger of the Curse, or the mix of personnel with varying agendas - whatever the reason, it was a sad thing.

But that could only be a small concern. Catterick had seen thousands of men and women die in battle, and hundreds of those had been friends, but they had to move on. He went over to Leo.

"General, I know some of these Snakeheads were not your most experienced men, but that young man (he pointed at Luka) will be a great soldier one day if given the chance. After surviving this, anything else will seem like a breeze." He coughed akwardly, not wishing to seem interfering. "Anyway, I suggest we get moving and meet with Lena, for safety's sake. As for that skulking fellow, let's leave him to his own devices for the time being. He's probably ahead of us anyway."

[Sir Turtlelot]

Ooc: Once again, I apologize. I've finally settled in here at college, and with the orientation stuff out of the way, I should be back to my regular postings.

Soon, we will face Chikara. Turtlelot knew that the reason he was sent into this world was soon approaching. Though Juvenal does offer us a way to destroy her, he could very well replace her as this land's greatest threat. Turtlelot did not want to leave this world in a worse condition than it was already in. Generally, after completing his mission, he would return home. Is Chikara my final task here, or is there more...?

Looking up at the group, who had successfully slain the demon who had attacked them, Turtlelot scanned it to see who was still left. Only two causalities, not bad.

He reached down to his belt and removed his tomahawk. Looking at it for a few moments, then closing his eyes, he began to transfer some of his own life force into it. Even if destroying Chikara means the end of me, I still think this world could use more help. he thought.

He scanned the group once again, and spotted who he was looking for. Turtlelot approached Leo and spoke. "I believe it would be in our best interest if we continued moving, now that the creature is dead."

"And Leo. I need to ask a favor of you." Turtlelot said, as he pulled out his tomahawk. Turtlelot spoke low enough for only Leo to hear. "I need you to hold onto this, and no matter what, do not lose it."

[Crimson Lego]

Turning and listening to what Catterick had to say, Leo was inclined to agree with his friend; he had wasted too much time following Juvenal around. It’s time to move out on our own. Climbing to his feet, he spoke softly in response. “I’ll take your word for it, Catt. Even though I’ve recruited nearly all of these men personally, I haven’t had much time to watch their fighting in battle or keep a close eye on them. I thank you for doing what I haven’t.”

Clapping his friend on the shoulder, the dwarf was next approached by Sir Turtlelot; paying attention to the robot’s words, which pretty much echoed the feeling of the entire Calatian group, he was rather taken off guard by the request. “Your tomahawk?” repeated Leo, cautiously taking the weapon. Deciding not to ask, he gaze his friend a quick but firm nod. “I’ll keep it safe for you.” Moving back towards the center of the cavern, the general gave the command to his highest officers to continue moving, and then turned to head through the next passageway.

As the Calatians descended further into the tunnels, the areas appeared more and more civilized. Several smaller caverns also seemed to have been ordinary rooms from bars with wooden counters, wrestling/fighting rings, and living quarters as well. Awed by the way the inhabitants of the Labyrinth had created a dynasty for themselves, Leo also noticed that many of the tunnels had been blocked by rubble from above or to the side. Results of the Cataclysm; no surprise there. Shoving aside a smaller pile of debris, he took a torch from one of the nearby Snakeheads to illuminate the paths ahead. The dwarf also began to notice that the tunnel walls were smoother and organized, as though they had artificially turned into corridors and hallways. They probably used a lot of magic too.

Reaching perhaps their 2nd or 3rd floor, Leo was about to move down into another hallway when he saw a light up ahead in the room. “We got company,” he murmured, readying his rifle. “Everybody get your weapons ready; those avatars might be here already and waiting to kill us. Let’s hope they’re not.

Ooc: I believe the room our characters are near is Selena’s room; who wants to finish off?

[Sir Deimos]

OoC: I'll end it I suppose. I haven't posted here in awhile due to lack of inspiration. I'll fix it.

Synile had used the time the group was fighting the monster to slip away into the shadows. His disappearance wasn't noticed amidst the turmoil of the attack. Is that what the curse has done to Lycia? No. Lycia could be older than the Labyrinth itself. After all this time, she'd be a notch under 'Eldritch Horror' at this point. I don't know if our strength could have survived HER...

Synile was right. This passageway that he had stumbled into did in fact look familiar. He continued to proceed down the familiar passageways alone, without the aide of a torch. He needed to make sure he would not be spotted. The final fight with LazuChik...? I guess they're going to follow the advice from that Juvenal, and try to kill her... That man... it's like... he resonates with my nodachi... Synile stopped and faced the wall immediately to his left. He began to feel the wall, looking for the subtle finger hold he knew would be there. Pressing forcefully, a click is heard, and the wall slides easily out of the way.

"This was one of the main arteries in the Labyrinth. I'm glad it wasn't damaged. Even back then no one knew about this passage. Hopefully it's still completely intact, with no cave ins..."

Synile followed along the pathway, and it wasn't long until it hit that familiar dead end. Synile pressed his fingers knowingly into the wall, and unlocked the device. The wall slide open and emptied out into his personal chamber that has long been abandoned. Stale air filled Synile's lungs. He was amazed to see the room mostly intact. Many of his possessions made their way from his personal chamber in the LoD to his current place of residence in Calatia. Essentially the only things that remained were items that could not be carried out. The bed still lay on the floor, covered in dust and soot. The racks and racks that lined the walls were still present, only devoid of the weapons they once held.

"I don't remember removing anything from here... I don't even remember the days surrounding Olimandias..." Synile habitually tossed his cloak on the usual place. It's peg was still hanging in the wall. Synile removes his katana and gives it a toss, and hundreds of years of muscle memory ensures that it lands neatly on it's old rack. He removes the nodachi and rests it beside the small bed frame. Slinking onto the bed, Synile gazes at the stone ceiling of his old room. "I thought I'd never be here again..." The effect of the Labyrinth seems to have not changed. His nodachi and the forces within the Labyrinth seemed to repel each other, and while he was within the walls, the voices had quieted down considerably.

"This will potentially change the complete direction the continent is headed... Well. The fate of the world as we know it is going to be decided in my home? Not without my say. I can feel her. Lena is here already. And it seems like she's waiting in the coliseum. Well. It'd be rude to keep her waiting too long." Synile grabbed his cloak and weapons, and begins walking the old hallways alone, heading in the direction of the coliseum, laughing madly.

[Selena]

Selena opened her eyes after hearing her companions near the coliseum. Synile and the other former citizens of the Labyrinth knew the place like the back of their hand, so it shouldn't have been too troublesome to track her down. Selena turned around in the glow of the torches surrounding the arena, revealing her traditional choice of Labyrinth attire in the place of her newer Calatian armor. She kept her spear at her side, still uncomfortable with the fact that she might have to replace it with one of Juvenal's enchanted weapons in order to destroy the shadow avatars of Lazu. She'd gotten too used to it over the years - a bad move on her part. She'd have to break her attachment to it by using a wider range of arms in the future.

"Welcome home," Selena said to the other Loddies. She fixed her gaze on the other warriors. "To those of you who have only heard of the Labyrinth through horror stories, then you're now getting to see a place that few mortals have laid eyes on. Granted, it's not much to look at now. More of a rotting corpse than a mighty fortress. Still, the place has several of its fangs left intact. It's littered with traps to keep out unwanted heroes, so I advise against wandering around without a guide."

This is going to be a difficult situation to escape from.

Several people were going to turn on her; she knew that right away. Jordan and Turtlelot would do the 'right' thing in order to vanquish evil, and Jordan in particular would probably jump at the chance to slay her. Leo might hesitate to strike out against his leader, but it wouldn't take long for him to give into the temptation to turn. Dizzy was a loyal Calatian soldier, but perhaps not quite as loyal to Selena. They might let each other walk away from the battleground. Rova... well, Rova would always be loyal. Selena would have that going for her, at least. The Loddies wouldn't strike her, though whether they would follow was another matter. And what would the Loddies do when it came to facing down their former queen?

"Today we are going to face Lazu in battle," Selena said with a grim expression. "This place - the entire Labyrinth - was carved by Lazu's own powers as they tried to escape his divine prison. This is his home as much as it is mine. It is here that Lazu will be bound once more. You are among the finest mortal warriors on the planet, but you will be pushed to the limits of your abilities. Rest while you can."

The observant would have noted the use of 'bound' rather than 'slain.'

"I know a little about the enemies we may face, but I must warn you that they may act differently in 'shadow' form than they did while they were mere humans. Some were before my time, but I know of them through the stories of the Labyrinth elders and from a certain document given to me on the day of Lazu's awakening. Keel was the previous avatar, though we knew him by another name. He favored polearms and he struck like lightning - elegant, fast, fatal. Jinn was his predecessor. He was an erratic madman. Don't try to analyze his moves. There will be no attack pattern or logic to his behavior. A warrior named Pook was famous for his love of music, but he was still a frontline warrior. He may seem more conventional than the others, but he is still dangerous. Veteran came before him. Vet was more of a businessman and a mastermind than a fighter, so you might expect a somewhat easier battle from him. Hakubi was the first leader of the Labyrinth as we know it. He was known for his wits and extreme battlelust. Except him to go on the offensive right away, and do not anticipate him moving to a defensive position any time soon. You're facing entire eras of the Labyrinth elite all at once."

She smiled.

"As for Chikara... well, she was one of the most dangerous beings on the planet until I came to challenge her. An expert with the longsword and a powerful mage, you are not safe at any range. She does not value honor or fairness - at least not when in the company of heroes or outsiders. She will use underhanded tricks to win. She will use your emotions and values against you. The moment you hesitate when faced with a moral dilemma, she will strike. She is a deceitful, conniving, heartless bitch. And that's before her rise to godhood. Though her own personality slips away a little day by day to join with the 'chaos' that is Lazu's greater mind... she is still very much the one in control."

But will her Loddies attack her?

Selena pointed her spear at Synile, though she didn't necessarily speak directly to him.

"Are you all prepared to take her life?"

[Crimson Lego]

Trying to ignore the nagging feeling in his mind, which came with an urge to kill, Leo concentrated on Selena’s words. Maybe we should have brought more people along, he thought. Taking a seat on a nearby chair, the dwarf listened carefully as Selena gave sharp details of each avatar’s abilities, personality, a short biography, and their style of fighting. Murmuring their names and the information in an effort to not forget, he opened his eyes to the large room within and wondered what the battle proceedings against Lazu’s avatars would be like. Will it be one on one, or an all-out brawl?

Hearing Selena’s rather direct question, Leo answered without hesitating at all. “Yes, I am,” he said firmly. “If that’s what it’s gonna take to stop Koridai from continuing to expand and kill, I’m in.”

Edited by Leo Crimson, 06 September 2010 - 05:06 PM.

[Kwicky Koala]

Catterick was staying silent until one of the other Loddies decided to say something. He was privately wondering what form the battle with the shadows would take - duels, or all out melee? He had no problem fighting long-dead Labyrinth warriors, and as for Chik... well, it was a moot point, Catt wasn't strong enough to take down the 600-year old queen. However, he had no reason to try to oppose something even Lena seemed reconciled to.

Eh, she had a good run..., he thought with cynicism. Not that he didn't respect the leader - the best he could say was that she was truly the soul of the Labyrinth - but having been a foot soldier for his time there, he felt closer to the military wing rather than the court. That meant, in his time anyway, Lena rather than Chik, and he wouldn't have joined Calatia if that hadn't been the case.

Showing he understood, he shrugged and started readying his weapons. "If we're going to do it, lets do it" he said.

[Sir Deimos]

Synile was well hidden in the deeper recesses of shadows, and yet it was no surprise Lena could tell he was in the room. The Lazu soaked halls of the Labyrinth made it easy to feel out the locations of it's old members. Synile emerged from the far side of the Coliseum and slowly walks his way towards Lena, and the other Calatians.

"The million dollar question, isn't it? No doubt where the Calatians lie on the subject. But what of us. What of you?" Synile stopped in the center of the Coliseum floor, and gestured grandly to the audience that wasn't there. "We aren't Calatians though, are we, Selena." The fact that he never addressed her by her proper name only made it seem that much more biting and cruel. "Your armor makes that perfectly clear. While we left our home, our home has never left us. So, now that the time is upon us, we shall be called upon to reveal our true colors. Will we cling to wreckage, or swim for shore?"

The black hood of his cloak was raised, and in the shadows of the light seemed to cast his entire face within shadow. The only visible feature on Synile's face, a wide grin which he cannot help but display. Synile slowly resumed walking towards the group. "So, Selena. Are you ready? Can you end her. Can you finally put an end to the hundreds of years of competition, squabbles, jokes, threats, attacks..? Are you capable of putting the past in the past, and slaying her."

He was within a dozen yards of the gathering now. Synile raises his hand and slowly draws his nodachi from it's sheath across his back. The grin had left his face, and was replaced with a solemn expression. "So tell us. Which side are you on? Calatia or the Labyrinth?" The emphasis in his voice was full of malice, it was clear that Synile wanted an answer, and it seemed he was not in the mood to back down from anyone.

[Selena]

Selena remained expressionless. Over the years, she had perfected the art of the blank stare, concealing her emotions so that no one could read her during important discussions. Of course, Catterick and Khallos had been living alongside Selena for over a century, and Synile had been a brother-in-arms for as long as she could remember. They might have been able to recognize that tactic after decades of having seen it in action. Synile was hopelessly stubborn. He wouldn't let the subject go unless they were interrupted by Chikara herself. She didn't enjoy thinking about it, much less talking about it. She'd have to imagine up an answer that would please them.

Selena's reputation worked in her favor. She and Chikara had quarreled for their entire lives - it was like a sporting event for them. Things had taken a turn for the serious after Khuffie's invasion of the old domains. The Labyrinth had been forced into a secret existence to avoid Alliance attacks in a time of weakness, and Chikara had grown lazy in her captivity. She had been more concerned with drink and sins of the flesh than with reclaiming the Labyrinth's former glory. So, Selena did the only logical thing - she orders assassins to properly 'motivate' Chikara to become the mighty war-queen she once was. Instead of choosing to assert her authority in the Labyrinth, Chikara fled to Khuffie so that she could wait and get her revenge on Selena later. It climaxed in the Temple of Diel, where Selena inadvertently caused the other woman to become a goddess after stabbing her. Killing Chikara had never been her intention, but things had gotten out of control. Chikara's charisma and personal strength had been failing her as a mortal. After seven centuries of warfare, Chikara had decided it was 'time.' Would she feel the same after losing her divine powers? Or would she be reborn and refreshed?

"Synile," Selena said, her expressionless face twisting into a smile, "you seem to forget who you're talking to. I have been Chikara's ultimate rival for as long as we've both been alive. I have tried to kill her on multiple occasions and succeeded in doing so once before. She has personally stabbed me since her great rebirth. We may appear dangerously close, but it's only to get one another within striking distance. She has emotions buried deep within her personality. Her obsession with me is a weakness on her part, and one that I fully intend to take advantage of."

She paced around Synile and the others.

"I have built up an army and have gone on countless quests to prepare for an assault on Lazu. I would not go to such great lengths just to back down now. I will participate in this battle, and I will be victorious."

The former ruler of the underground waved her arm at the derelict arena they stood in.

"The Labyrinth is dead. There is nothing left for me here beyond the few possessions I left behind in my personal quarters, and I'm not about to get sentimental over a few pairs of undergarments, books, and rusted weaponry. The soul of this place has gone. The armor you see here is practically falling apart. I figured it would be fitting to have it be destroyed along with this place in our great battle against the Labyrinth-maker. I will never wear this armor again. That is all."

She turned back to face Synile, looking over one shoulder at his hooded face.

"And you didn't answer the question."

[Paladin Anthony]

OOC: So I'm trying to slide back into this and understand what's going on, bear with me, and let me know if I've crossed some other plans. And yes, I know I'm sort of going against my dorm. But Ayden/Aiden (and my, for that matter) allegiances have always been sort of loose.

Deep in the shadows of the crowd, Aiden rocked back and forth, progressively getting more and more anxious. His once white cloak was stained with dirt and blood from years of travel and battle. He was strong and powerful, despite his haggard and malnourished appearance. The discussion that waged inside his mind weighed thoughtfully on the words that he was hearing.

^I just don't know. We've been out of touch for so long. We belong to Koridai.^

^They captured us and tortured us.^

^We were AWOL in a military society.^

^But I thought you hated fighting. I'm the violent one.^

^Exactly... which is why you want to join this fray, but Aiden, think. This battle is going to happen regardless. It needs to for the peace I love. But we have to make sure we're on the right side.^

^Ayden, do you not remember the past we found? We were a warrior of the Woods. We were Loddies. And Arctic Realm warriors long before that. Remember the Second Dorm war? We were heroes! We nearly won that war single handedly. We thrive in the outcast, undermanned, resistance. Not that silly Empire with it's arrogant queen.^

^... We didn't win that war th-^

^THAT'S NOT THE POINT! These people are suffering. They're living in the frigid mountains for heaven's sake. Don't you care? Their choice is to roll over and die or fight for a better life.^

Ayden mused, then as though letting out a sigh, even though he wasn't in control of their body, he conceded, ^You know, you used to be blind rage. Now you're manipulative too.^

Aiden laughed to himself, ^We've both grown more like one another. Two years ago you wouldn't even have considered joining this fight voluntarily.^

^True enough.^

Aiden stepped out from the crowd letting what little light there was fall upon his eyes blue eyes and grungy, dried blood encrusted silver hair. He stared at Selena, without fear, without embarrassment, and with remorse. "I will take her life if the chance arises. 600 year old queen or not. Age matters not. Power matters not. We are resolved." Ayden cringed inside and Aiden kicked himself internally for letting the 'we' slip in, but made no reaction physically. The two were finally in agreement and Aiden was willing to run with it while it lasted.

[Sir Turtlelot]

After glancing at the newcomer of the group Turtlelot spoke up. "I think it's evident that the group here intends on killing Chikara, I don't see why any of us would come so far just to stop now."

The large android slowly started approaching Selena. "However" he started "The willingness to kill her means nothing if we are unable to do so." He paused for a moment to let the words sink in. "I am assuming that you have a plan on how to kill Chikara and her shadows, correct? If so, then I think it would be best if stop this senseless questioning and begin discussing how you intend to accomplish this."

Turtlelot turned to the group and commented "And whatever your plan is, you may want to keep in mind that we are still missing both Jordan and Juvenal."

The hour of judgment was upon them, and Turtlelot knew this. He just hoped that at least of few of them would make it out alive.

[Selena]

ooc: It's okay, PA, you're just showing up for the decisive battle this story arc, that's all.



Selena hadn't even felt Ayden's presence in the Labyrinth, so his emergence from the shadows took her by surprise, which manifested as a mere widening of her eyes. She hadn't seen the unstable warrior since the Burning of Van'Duras following the Second Dorm War. It was a good thing Rhiannon was elsewhere. He had seemed... unusually fixated on her following his loss in their final duel. If he had intentions to harm her, at least, it seemed as if he'd given up on them in the years since the war's end. There were bigger issues at hand, and, despite his long absence, it seemed as if he knew about them. At least she would have to get him back up to speed.

"Hey! It's... you! Look at that!" Selena smiled. "Roaming the old stomping grounds like a ghost. Thought you were one for a while. You're looking.... well, you can hold a weapon, and that's what counts. You're just in time for the festivities." Selena pointed to Synile. "The 'guys who hear voices' line starts there, so form up and we'll get prepared."

Then Turtlelot spoke.

"A plan of action on how to kill Chikara. I can't speak for Juvenal, but I assume he'll be here shortly. As for Jordan, well, if Chikara arrives before he gets here, then we can't exactly wait for him. He'll catch up if possible. If not, oh well."

Selena adjusted her grip on her spear and pondered tactics.

"I can't say for certain that the shadow-avatars will fight like their flesh and blood equivalents, but it's all I've got. I'll divide you up into teams to best deal with them. We'll focus on the shadow-avatars of Lazu. Juvenal, being the super-demon he is, will keep the goddess at bay. If he needs help, I'll jump in. She likes to banter with me. It's a good distraction."

She pointed to each of her soldiers.

"Leo, I want you to take out Pook. He wasn't used to fighting against masters of the axe, so you may have an advantage. Rova, Dizzy, and Synile, you will attack Devil Paladin. Rova, you can keep him at bay with long-distance magic while Synile or Dizzy move in for the kill. Or Jordan, if he's back in time. Catterick and Khallos, you guys will work together to take down Vet. Turtlelot and Ayden, I want you guys to fight Hakubi and Anju. I'll deal with Jinn and Miatch."

"If you finish with your shadow-avatar early, then assist the closest team. This plan isn't concrete since battles can take on a life of their own, so adjust as necessary. Just don't do anything stupid. I'll shout orders if things get chaotic."

She smiled and looked her team over.

"We'll do just fine. You're all a bunch of badasses. Don't forget it. Now, we just have to wait for Juvenal to show up and get this thing started."

--

ooc:

So, basically-
Leo: Pook
Rova, Dizzy, Synile: DP
Lenabot: Jinn and Mitch
Turtlelot and Ayden: Hakubi, Anju
Catt and Khallos: Vet
Juvenal: Chik

[Paladin Anthony]

ooc: Yeah, I got that impression from the reading I did manage to do.

Aiden merely smirked at Selena's reaction. She had been caught off guard by his appearance, which amused both Ayden and Aiden. Nevertheless, she wasn't someone you would haphazardly trifle with, just as Chik would not be. Despite their disagreements on world views, Ayden had the utmost respect for both ladies and Aiden had respect for both of their combat abilities.

As she gave orders, Selena seemed confident in their abilities which told Ayden that she may not have been quite as caught off guard by his physical appearance as her words would suggest. Aiden however was already envisioning an epic battle, hoping that he'd get to join the fray against Chik herself. Ayden knew he wouldn't disobey orders, but Aiden also wasn't going to toy with Hakubi and Anju as he usually would, they weren't his prize.

Aiden, stepping back into the crowd, closed his eyes and used a simple spell Ayden had learned eons ago. Aiden had thought it a stupid cosmetic spell, but found use in it's ability to disguise himself quickly. The dirt, grime, and blood simply faded into nothing as his white cloak returned to its original cleanliness. The large zwaihander, in its custom sheath also appeared across his back. He pulled his hair back into a ponytail and tied it tightly before a continuing the spell. A pair of light, silver pauldrons, gauntlets, and greaves appeared on him, as well as a helmet in hand. It was a very old style of armor, but Ayden cherished it, and Aiden liked how it didn't limit his movements when in combat, plus he loved covering the armor in blood because Ayden hated that so much.

They were ready and hoped this Juvenal showed up soon. Waiting was always the worst part of battle.

Edited by Paladin Anthony, 16 September 2010 - 07:21 AM.

[Steel Samurai]

As Aiden's words echoed into the halls of the Labyrinth, a shadowy figure faded into view 5 meters or so behind Selena, grey skin clashing against red lips and teeth. Only his head and shoulders were really visible, the rest of his body obscured in the shadows. A bundle wrapped in a dirty cloth floated beside him, bobbing restlessly every time he breathed. Juvenal had arrived.

"Your plan is sound, Lady Selena." He said the last words without a hint of irony in his voice, but his face was twisted in a sarcastic grin. "But there is one thing you have not taken into account. The Sword-bearer," He pointed to Turtlelot, "must fight alone. He has decades of training before he can gain enough mastery of the sword to direct the full force of the power available to him where he wishes. Any warriors caught in the crossfire will surely perish if they have even a hint of chaos within them." He pointed to Aiden with a long, curved black nail. "You must help the short general."

Juvenal approached the group slowly, his feet and legs still somehow impossible to see, despite the light from the torches illuminating the ground on which he stood. As he came closer it almost seemed as if he grew in size, looking taller the closer he got to the center of the chamber. There was no noise of footsteps upon the stones, rather a sort've whooshing scream, as though the stones themselves were warping, moving for him rather than his feet moving around them. He came to a stop just behind the Calatian leader, and sat down, shadows and stone moving to create a throne that fit his body perfectly. Far from treating the Labyrinth as a strange, unfamiliar place, he seemed as at home and in control as Selena or Chikara ever had.

"I do not know if you comprehend exactly how difficult this fight will be." The red lips did not move, but his voice echoed about the hall. "These shadows are each perhaps only a tenth of the power of the original, but to you puny humans they are still a force of nightmarish power. It will take every ounce of skill and strength in your bodies to defeat them. But even with all your power, you could not hope to destroy them without the aid of these:" The grey cloth whipped off the bundle, revealing a collection of old, rusted weapons floating in the air before Juvenal. "Through some trick of the light," as those looking on told themselves, it was impossible to distinguish any more than the fact that these were implements designed to maim and kill, the exact nature and type of the weapons somehow obscured.

"These are weapons of the divine, imbued with power unimaginable, untamable. There are six on this planet, and here before us we have five. Had we a decade to work with, I could perhaps show some of you mortals how to unlock some of their most basic powers. Unfortunately, that is time we do not have. As you are now, these will do nothing more than allow you to use your current martial skills against the shadows of Chikara. Normal weapons would make barely a scratch on their mystical skin, and even such weapons as this," Synile's cursed nodachi appeared in his hand without warning, without resistance, "could not touch the goddess of chaos herself, split or whole. By the way," He looked straight into Synile's eyes and smiled a cold, red smile. "Do you know the story of your blade? But no matter for now."

He returned his attention to the group. "In normal times I would make you fight to the death for these weapons. But as you may yet have uses as diversions, I shall give these weapons to those I have already selected."

"Lady Selena." This time his mouth moved but no sound came from his lips. An ancient pilum, like those used in the Empire's infantry but a meter taller, buried itself in the ground at Selena's feet.

"Drakecen the Destroyer. This spear has more raw power, could you unlock it, than any other of the weapons here." The spear's shank was rusted, but ornately carved with figures and creatures from a time millions of years before any those present had witnessed. It glowed a soft orange light when Selena touched it. Juvenal looked pointedly at Leo, his eyes like two black holes.

"Dwarf. I believe you already are in possession of the Noreshang. The sky axe, fallen from heaven itself. You two," He pointed at Khallos and Catterick. "must somehow make do between the two of you with this . . ." A rusty bill with an oddly serrated edge running down the shaft landed, hook up, between them. "The Krellevkorek, or, the Jagged Edge of Hate."

"This," A sword, gleaming and black, unlike the other rusty implements of war, appeared in Juvenal's smooth grey hand. "is the Madosre. The Blade of Death itself. Chikara shall not stand against this blade. Not if you can dispatch the shadows in time. She cannot be defeated until her puppets lie broken on the battlefield. It will be the hardest battle you have ever undertaken. But if you have the zestubo, it can be won. There is one weapon left. Two, to be precise. And the wielder . . . has just arrived."

Twin ivory spears, dirty and encrusted with dirt, buried themselves at a pair of familiar green greaves. Juvenal's entire throne turned to face the newcomer.

"Welcome back to this realm, Gale Emperor. I hope your stay was profitable?"

[Khallos]

He pointed at Khallos and Catterick. "must somehow make do between the two of you with this . . ." A rusty bill with an oddly serrated edge running down the shaft landed, hook up, between them. "The Krellevkorek, or, the Jagged Edge of Hate."

"The Krellevkorek... well that's a weapon and a half..."

Turning to Catt, Khallos continued, "I get the impression that sharing the blade won't exactly be useful. I reckon we're both fairly proficient in pole weapons too, nothing that seperates us skill wise".

Catt stared thoughtfully, "Flip a coin?" he ventured.

"Fair's fair," Khallos muttered as he tossed a coin upwards from his purse.

Catching it he held the coin up to what could be called the light. Both sides had turned into horrific demonic visages.

"Well this might take a few tries...and dammit that was a silver!"

OoC: I'll be in spain for a week. Catt gets the bill whenever this is about to start as I may end up just stabbing about in the background.

[Crimson Lego]

Hefting the Noreshang onto his left shoulder, Leo looked around at the circle of his comrades and friends, including the new arrival that seemed to be an old acquaintance of Selena. So this is it, the place where we make our last stand, he thought. How poetic is this ending? Since the Cataclysm, Leo had dedicated the rest of his life to fighting the evil that had caused the event, and now found himself within one of the greatest sources of that Curse.

Oddly enough, he had yet to feel anything like the Curse attempt to enter his mind, and could only conclude that his determination to live was blocking the effects out of his brain. Let’s hope these avatars don’t counter that effect when we fight them, thought the dwarf. Looking over in Juvenal’s direction when he heard the words ‘Gale Emperor’, he was surprised and relieved to see an approaching Jordan. Welcome back.

Speaking up for the first time since Juvenal had arrived, Leo asked one question only, addressing anybody that could answer it. “When do we start?”

[Sir Deimos]

"You're alone in this. Give up your foolish notions of saving people."

I can't let her die!

"Sure you can. What are you to her?"

That... That doesn't matter!

"Is her life worth that of your friends?"

I have no friends...

"Even the Paladin is here. More former comrades join the fray to dispose of the former Queen."

Traitors.

"Times change."

Shut up! You're just a fragment myself.

"Is that what you think? Just because I'm a voice in your head, you think I'm not independent of you?"

SHUT UP! That's impossible!

The voice Synile is having the internal conversation with begins laughing. Slowly a multitude of other voices join in with the laughter. Within his own mind, it as if the Colosseum around him is full of spectators, and they had all heard a hysterical joke told at Synile's expense.

"Oh, since when have you studied the workings of the human brain?"

Synile falls to his knees, clenching his head with his left hand, as his right hand is desperately clinging to the nodachi. The hilt almost burns within his grasp. Synile hadn't even noticed Juvenal's approach.


"These are weapons of the divine, imbued with power unimaginable, untamable. There are six on this planet, and here before us we have five. Had we a decade to work with, I could perhaps show some of you mortals how to unlock some of their most basic powers. Unfortunately, that is time we do not have. As you are now, these will do nothing more than allow you to use your current martial skills against the shadows of Chikara. Normal weapons would make barely a scratch on their mystical skin, and even such weapons as this," Synile's cursed nodachi appeared in his hand without warning, without resistance, "could not touch the goddess of chaos herself, split or whole. By the way," He looked straight into Synile's eyes and smiled a cold, red smile. "Do you know the story of your blade? But no matter for now."

The blade being suddenly wretched from his hands seemed to cause the whole world to spin. Perhaps Juvenal was keenly aware of the effects of the withdrawal. When the blade wasn't in direct contact Synile's mind gained some clarity, but at the cost of almost every other faculty. Synile glared back at the demigod. Whatever it was was clearly not human, but at the same time, Synile was very grateful for the intervention. The shock on his system was enough to shut the voices up for awhile. They didn't talk as much when Synile wasn't with the nodachi anyhow.

Synile wrestled free one of the bottles of whiskey he had obtained from the house much earlier in the mission, broke the seal, and drank heavily. The bottle was immediately lacking half of what it had previously held. Synile gazed about the room, and waited for Juvenal to speak his peace. It appeared that everyone was ready for the fight that was ahead. At the very least, it appeared that everyone appeared to be ready for the fight ahead. Synile forced himself to his feet and approached Juvenal.

"If you have something to say, say it. Either way that is mine, and I'll be having it back now." Synile drew the katana at his hip, knowing full well that there was a high chance it wouldn't be able to harm the ... thing. Even now, Synile could hear a little voice in the back of his head.

"They're relying on you..."

[Twinrova]

OOC: Sry for not posting for so long. Been busy and/or not sure on what to do. >_>; But we'll just all pretend Rova's been totally kicking ass this whole time yeah? Yeahh?


Rova seemed to notice how carefully Selena was choosing her words when speaking about Chikara, but perhaps that was just because she was already looking for it. She'd seen firsthand how close they kept each other, and she didn't know about any 'striking distance', unless that was some kind of euphemism. Still, she trusted Lena. That was probably her own feelings of amore coming into play, but she knew Lena wasn't stupid. She always had a plan. Rova just had to pay attention and figure out what it was, but her gut told her it didn't involve getting rid of Chikara. At least not entirely.

The Calatian woman stood off to the side by herself, her eyes wandering around the crowd of fighters but her mind focusing on everything that was said. She didn't say or do anything while orders were being given out, merely nodding to show she understood her own duties...but once Selena finished speaking, Rova sidled on over to her. She took off her more decorative garments, namely the skull and cloak, as they would only hinder her in battle.

"So." Rova stepped closer to the object of her affection. "Lena." She inched a little closer. "We're about to enter into a deadly battle." Rova's arm slid around Lena's waist. "How about a good luck kiss?"

[Selena]

Selena picked up her temporary new spear, pleased with how light it was, but worried that it wouldn't give her the same kind of primal rush that the Kanagida would. It was no big deal. She could make the most of any weapon. A blade on a stick was still a blade on a stick. She wasn't Jordan, though. Two polearms got in the way for people that couldn't manipulate the wind in order to fling them about. As the Kanagida was supposedly useless against their soon-to-be enemy, Selena stabbed it into the floor of the coliseum, off near the wall. It could wait there until the battle was over.

And then... Rova. Rova being oh-so-smooth. Selena sighed and pondered what the proper reaction would be, then, given how all of them might die horribly in a blaze of fire and knives, she decided to relent. A bit. Selena grabbed Rova's jaw between her thumb and the side of her index finger, leaned forward, and... kissed her on the cheek.

"You didn't specify the location," she said. She then looked over to Juvenal and Synile. "If we're going to have story time, hurry it up! We've got deities to stab."

[Paladin Anthony]

Juvenal's appearance excited Aiden until he started talking. ^Damnit, come on! Let's go.^

Ayden sighed, ^Patience.^

^Who do you think you're talking to? I've been in your head for 600 years or so and you still think you can preach that patience mess to me?^

^Point taken. Just listen to what he has to say.^ About this time Juvenal pointed to Aiden with a long, curved black nail. "You must help the short general."

Aiden glanced around, glancing at the dwarf, then returning his eyes to Juvenal with a blank lifeless stare. ^As long as I get to kill something...^

Ayden's thoughts shifted, ^So we battle, Pook? I still have little knowledge of him.^

Juvenal's display of ancient weaponry also proved of little importance or help to Aiden. The sword they wielded was an amalgamation of many weapons, far more ancient than anything Juvenal presented. While no more or less powerful than any weapon presented, Ayden's sword could take on various forms depending on fighting style needed. As a mixture of many weapons, it had no name, and was only truly seen in battle during the second dorm war, but even now would not be recognized because of it's ever shifting form.

Ayden liked this sword because it gave him a versatility in battle that few had. Aiden liked it because it provided ever more creative ways to spill blood.

^Maybe we should ask what Pook uses.^

Aiden almost snarled inwardly. ^I'm not asking him anything.^

Ayden decided not to pursue the issue. He was thinking of the end result of this battle. Chik once had his respect as leader of the Labyrinth. From what he had gathered, she was being controlled more than anything at this point. He then thought to Lena and her motives. He had an idea that Lena may not actually be in this to kill her, despite her passionate speech.

^No, don't even go there. We kill her.^

^What?^ Ayden tried to act caught off guard.

^... Ayden, I'm in your head. I know your thoughts. Don't play stupid with me. As much as I wish you were, you're not. She can't be saved.^

^We'll see.^ Ayden was still unsure as well, but he wanted to try.

Aiden's anger grew rapidly. ^F that. She's dead. She's a corpse. You and your damn lies. 'We're going to battle.' Bullshit! You'd talk your way through things if you could possibly do it. Have a nice chat and try to coerce that deity out of Chikara. Hand her flowers and pretty things. Tell her she's a good person. You pansy! Don't you remember? This is the crap that got you defeated in the Second Dorm War!^

Ayden's thought shifted to the battle where Rhia defeated him.

^Crap... forget I mentioned that. Let's go! I want to kill something. Then you can try whatever you plan to save Chik. Just let me maim something! Or maybe we can find that knife wielding girl we defeated. She was HOT! And a halfway decent opponent too! What I wouldn't give to-^

^OK That's it. We're going.^ Ayden tried to block out where those thoughts were going and force Aiden to get up and find something to do.

^... one of these days I'll have my head to myself.^

Aiden laughed maniacally, ^And you'll probably get killed by some little girl and her teddy bear moments after I leave you.^ He waltzed back over to where Lena was kissing Rova on the cheek. Of course this peaked Aiden's interest, but Ayden was immediately wondering why he didn't just stay exiled.

Edited by Paladin Anthony, 22 September 2010 - 03:10 PM.

[Steel Samurai]

OOC: To recap adjusted opponent pairings:

Leo, Ayden: Pook
Rova, Dizzy, Synile, Jordan: DP
Lenabot: Jinn and Mitch
Turtlelot: Hakubi, Anju
Catt and Khallos: Vet
Juvenal: Chik

[JRPomazon]

Jordan walked into the circle of lights in the subterranean coliseum, his steps echoing in the room.

"Welcome back to this realm, Gale Emperor. I hope your stay was profitable?"

The green clad warrior looked at Junvenal, not bothering to allow himself be patronized. The other warriors looked over and watched him arrive, some of them appeared surprised while others played with their new weapons. Jordan took a good look at them, the warrior who would soon find themselves in a huge mess that was so foolishly and arrogantly called 'the final battle.' His thought went back to his time drifting through space and time to return to reality, seeing the past and future collide together into a singularity that could not be described with the mere words he had mastered.

He didn't see the end of the battle, the end of Koridai or Calatia, he saw that despite what happens today that nothing will stop the progression of aggression. The history of wars and battles would never stop so long as a man or woman with ambition and hate exists. And such people will always exist. This 'final battle', would not be so final after all. He'd also seen the future of those who had called themselves his comrades, the Grey Cloaks. He knew what would be their ultimate fate after he left windfall for the last time, Diel have mercy on them. But now was not the time to lament on what will be, what should be, what is or isn't, what can be or what can be.

Jordan walked to the middle of the room, his hazel eyes staring Junvenal's grotesque form down as he smiled so contently. Whether or not he was using Selena and the others . . . no, he was using her and the others, that was without a doubt. But despite this, Jordan had no choice but to follow along with his plans. He raised his hand to Junvenal, his palm up as it to say he would recieve something from him.

"My weapon, Ruby Tuesday." Jordan said.

[JRPomazon]

OoC: Was told it would be better to post again rather than alter the first one. Changed up the description for the weapons a bit.

Junvenal smiled at Jordan's request.

"I believe you mean 'weapons', Whirlwind Spear." He said, motioning the the two spears on the ancient earth. Jordan looked down to see them for himself. He waved his hand up quickly, a gust of wind tossing the two spears into the air tumbling towards Jordan. The spear master grabbed both of them with each hand as they fell, the two of them felt unusually lighter than he was expecting. They were thin, not as slender as a lance or perhaps a javelin but not as thick as his silver spears that he carried on his back. As he inspected them, they appeared much different than when he first saw them, almost as though they had changed as he touched them. In his left hand he held a spear that was almost black, the light around it made it faintly glow red. It was fitted with a large jagged blade, the pole wrapped in a sort of woven fabric that felt akin to rope while sporting a fork with two prongs at its end. Jordan did not particularly like this weapon, it felt awkward to have.

In his right hand was its counterpart and its opposite. The second spear was a dazzling white, perhaps some sort of ivory or pearl decorated in another finer metal Jordan could not identify. It was covered in intricate line details around the front and end of the pole. The long blade as wide as the spear at it's end was flawless, almost as though it had never seen combat since it's forging. It was oddly soothing, almost calming enough to make Jordan forget about the first spear he held.

"Cain Kazen, the black spear of Betrayal. And its brother Abel Stozen, the white spear of trust. Alone they are formidable, together they so much more."

Jordan raised Cain Kazen towards Junvenal.

"Take this back, I don't have a use for a weapon like this." Jordan demanded.

"Which one?" Junvenal asked, pointing at the spear Jordan was holding. To the green clad warrior's surprise, it was now Abel Stozen that he held in his left hand.

"I don't have time for mind games you harlequin freak!" Jordan exclaimed.

"I gave you both these spears for balance Gale Emperor. I doubted you'd appreciate my charity, but to think you'd fail to recognize it?" Junvenal said, lowering his hand.

Jordan looked at the spears together. They looked differently when he first saw them, he was almost certain of it. He placed them both on the ground and sure enough, they both took on the exact same appearance once he let them go. Confused, Jordan did not know what exactly to make of this. Picking both of them up again, Jordan witnessed their transformation in his hands.

"You cannot have one without the other Gale Emperor, I offered you both for you own safety."

"Safety? It wasn't that long ago you told me that you didn't care whether or not I lived or died. What's with 'safety' all of the sudden?"

"You had a choice and you chose to join these people in their greatest hour of need even while you knew that those you left behind would most likely meet a harsh future because of it, those comrades from windfall. Your abandonment of them, your 'betrayal' is also your 'trust' that they will succeed in the end."

Jordan stared at Junvenal, almost ready to use his own spears against him.

"Don't lecture me, I've never betrayed anyone."

Junvenal smiled, chuckling to himself. Jordan turned away, tired of this conversation. Then Jordan heard a whisper in the wind, a faint sound echoing in his ears as he walked away. A terrible reminder that there were things he had lost, things he wasn't sure he could ever get back even after this battle was over. But he kept it to himself, burying it deep inside himself so he didn't have to see it, acknowledge it. It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the truth.

It was the devil.

"Then tell me Gale Emperor, where is that woman you lost all those years ago? Where is the one you promised to protect?"

[Kwicky Koala]

"Cool, demon money!" whistled Catt as he pocketed Khallos' transformed coin.

"Ah forget it, you take the bill and we'll swap if you get tired" said Khallos.

"Alright" Catt replied, picking up the weapon and trying to get a feel for it. "Heh, its covered in rust! Perfect for a couple of survivors like us, eh?"

They both noted Jordan's return. As he walked past them Catt felt like calling something out, but the man looked too unapproachable. He went over to Juvenal and they started talking. Meanwhile Catt tried to remember anything he knew about Veteran. He was from an earlier time, but Catterick recalled hearing a little of him. Tactically brilliant and brutal, snappy dresser... nothing that was going to be useful in battle however.

He had never been one for going round shaking hands before battle, but enjoyed glancing round the room seeing the other warriors prepare. Since they had been divvied up by Lena everyone had gone into groups and were talking strategy or taking practice swings with their weapons.

The one group relaxing were the remaining Calatian soldiers, who knew they would not be called upon to fight this time - they were not strong enough to be expected to battle the former avatars of Lazu. This fact seemed to have relaxed them considerably and some even looked impatient to start the show - after all, they were going to be spectators in a once in a lifetime event.

"Whyyy are we wait-ing..." sang the Huscarls raggedly, when they noticed Catt smiling reproachfully at their lack of apprehension. He started showboating with the Krellevkorek to keep them entertained, sparring with Khallos in a friendly fashion.

"Knock him out boss!" called the mad Huscarl, while the others whooped and applauded. Having reached the end of such a terrible journey fraught with death and peril, the men had reached the stage where you couldn't tell if their loyalty was on the verge of breaking, or stronger than ever. Catt thought it was the latter - their discipline was shot to pieces, but as they cheered for him and their superior officer, he knew that they were just acting more and more like Loddies.

Why are we waiting though, he thought, as he went to sit down next down to Luka, while the mad Huscarl took his place against Khallos. We can't sit around here forever.