The Collapsing World of Shadows (NOW OPEN! pm me first)

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Gabriel removed his grasp upon something underneath his (cape-trench coat-thingy!), and uttered a very quiet sigh of relief-hoping Terran or anyone else didn't notice, then he put back on his mask of the entertainer he so loved to be, "Oh, you can think of him as my babysitter-a dreadfully boring one!" he giggled "He would be terrible with children!" he said jocularly looking back to Terran-who had a look of utter sorrow on his face, he had turned away from them,but Gabriel had known him long enough to tell, he stopped talking suddenly. Terran blinked hard, holding back the tears, the weakness he hated with a dark passion. He found he couldn't do much, so he stayed turned away from them, "This is Gabriel, he is an agent for the council on . . . the book holder." he said darkly ((oh my, what does he say that ISN'T dark? lol huh Susan? XDD)), knowing Wulf would understand. "He says he has vital information that the Queen herself should know," he turned back around with a warm smile typical of a high elven elder "but I think he's just bored." Gabriel scoffed and he moved next to Erin with a grin and whispered particularly loud "And I go to him when I'm bored? Please, does one run to their grandfather for a party?" he said mischievously. Terran rolled his eyes again and shook his head.

- { ( + ) } -

Artim had his motorcycle parked outside a hotel that was in very bad shape just outside the border of New York-just in case the dead, or worse, wanted to mess with it-he was intently watching a vampire that had walked into the city and swallowed a potion, masking his blood-scent. He thought for a moment that he thought something was familiar about her, but ignored it as he peered out the window he was standing next to-with five zombie bodies piled around him. He used his grappling hook to slide quietly out of the window, collected the rope and hook, then moved toward her-his pistol un-holstered and aimed carefully at her heart with expertise. He wanted to clear the familiarity-he hoped she wasn't a reanimated vampire he had faced before, 'Scum.' He was a good 20 feet from her, a good distance from an average vampire's longest jumping distance, "Turn around, unless you want know what it is to feel again." he uttered quietly enough not to wake the zombies infesting the area, his stance firm. He stood at her sideways, his left hand was holding out the pistol, his left hand was concealed at his side that was turned away from her, his hand on a throwing-stake.

[Chibiwulf001]

Wulf smiled at Erin. "Thank-you, just set him down there," he pointed at the ground about three feet from where he was standing. "my shadow will bind him nicely." Wulf listened to Gabriel, a twinge of sorrow and sympathy surged through him at Terran's reaction; it didn't surprise Wulf about Terran at all. "Gabriel, I trust Terran's judgment so you are welcome to enter this city as freely as you wish." He thought about what they were asking for a moment and decided it was necessary. "I have heard of this one in possession of The Book. . . I think it is fitting that you see Aerines. She will be happy to hear you out; oddly enough, she likes vampires." Wulf shook his head skeptically. "My, Aerin can be a strange one sometimes. We will see Aerin, but first, will you accompany me? I have sensed someone else in this forest nearby." He said, addressing everyone and ignoring the rest of Gabriel's commentary.

Barrhin just laid there in pain, barely conscience of the elf lifting him up. A slight "moan" came out of his mouth, then everything went black; he was out cold.

Alyra gasped and jumped nearly two feet in the air, her heart skipping a beat or two. She spun around on the spot and automatically thrust a long, string-like strand of silver at the barrel of his gun, which would only clog his gun. "Oops!" She said as she realized that she recognized him from somewhere. "Do I know you?" She asked him, trying to calm herself; there was something about this place that was setting her nerves off the wrong way. Recollection spread across Alyra's face as she realized who he was. "I remember you. . . from that mission. Do you remember? It's. . . Artim, right?" She hoped that her memory was correct, if not, she was dead. . . or maybe even worse. The beast growled with pleasure, for now there was another. It was time to draw in the prey.

[WhiteFireGirl]

Erin opened her mouth, almost wanting to ask what was going on. Almost being the key word as she quickly closed it and dumped the boy on the ground none too gently; she often lost her grip when carrying such heavy things. "Oh...sorry. My bad." She apologized even if he couldn't hear her since he was unconcious. "Well then if nobody needs anything from me I'm going to take my leave now..I have an engagement to keep." She eyed Gabriel; maybe Wulf trusted him but she didn't; he was a bit too odd for her liking.

[Chibiwulf001]

Wulf cringed as the boy hit the ground, but as soon as he did, the shadow then quickly constricted around Barrhin-tightly enough so that he cannot escape. "Wait!" Wulf called to Erin, he gently grasped her hand to stop her for a moment longer. "Could you inform my sister, Aerines that I have some guests to see her with important information?" He asked politely. "Just find the biggest and tallest Mallorn tree in the center of the city, there will be two guards at the entrance, all you need to do is inform them that Aerin's brother, Wulf sent you. They will know, for not many know that we are siblings." Wulf instructed slowly to her, every piece of information was vital. "But if this is an inconvenience for you; please, feel no obligation to this task. I can inform Aerin myself if needs be"

Aerines -or Aerin as she prefers- sat at the very top of an old, eight hundred foot high Mallorn tree; which its trunk thickness was like that of a moderate sized cathedral. She sat there in boredom amongst the glittering golden leaves stretching her pearlescent wings occasionally, but in reality had nothing else to do but stare at the Ents slowly wondering about her forest home and the little multicolored faeries fluttering around the bell flowers-tiny flowers that look like lilies growing from vines that glow a pretty silver/blue and make little tinkly bell sounds when moved. Aerin smiled up at the weak sunlight, grateful for its determined rays in these dark days. Hopefully something of interest will come up soon.

The Necromantical Dragon had watched the two hunters long enough, it was time to draw them to his Queen. He lowered his gigantic head to the ground and breathed out brilliant green flames which blazed across the skeletons, reanimating them once more. Hundreds upon hundreds of skeletal beasts rose from the ashes of the earth, they all in a flooding mass creaked and crawled forward, closing in on Artim and Alyra. Their only escape-route would have to be going deeper into New York city, in downtown Manhattan. . . Down below the city's Manhattan District, even lower that the subways and sewers awaited the Fairy Queen. Trapped there by the light Fae Folk over a millenia ago along with other undesirable creatures like goblins and orcs, she has waited there patiently for her time to come. . . which was indeed very soon.

Sensing a disturbance of great amounts of Necromantical energy nearby, Morias suddenly stood in the midst of them. "Something has come up, I must beg you my leave." He said urgently to the Presiding Ancient, who nodded curtly but Morias had already left. He needed a word with the Book Holder, or as he preferred to call him "The Lich King".
((Take a look at the info post with the pic of Kthulu and read the part that says: Pick Your Side))

[WhiteFireGirl]

Erin smiled, her kind, gentle demeanor bringing just a little more light into the surrounding area as she gave Wulf a mock salute. "Aye aye, sir! It's really no problem, fortunatly I was headed that way to meet up with someone anyway, so I would be happy to do as you request of me!" And then she was gone, much faster then anyone could have thought though the girl was already very slender and nimble, racing back through the woods to her destination. Leaves and brances seemed to part for her like they had a mind of their own, but that was no suprise. Erin understood nature very well and it unerstood her, they had a mutual agreement and it watched out for her, protected her in exchange for her taking the time to listen and help it flourish. "Tallest Mallorn tree in the the center of the city.." She repeated to herself out loud as she ran. She didn't want to forget anything crucial.

[Chibiwulf001]

Wulf smiled pleasantly. "Thank you." He told her a moment before she raced off deeper into the woods. Wulf then turned to Terran and Gabriel earnestly. "Shall we now look into the matter of this disturbance? That is, if you would be so kind as to accompany me?" He asked with a reassuring tone; he wouldn't force them to do anything that was unneeded or against their will.

As she stared off into the distance, Aerin noticed a figure of light sprinting with unnatural grace and speed toward her Elven home. 'Oo!' She thought happily to herself. 'Maybe some good news, or perhaps a chance for me to do something fun-or at least a job of interest. . . Don't get me wrong, the Ents are quite delightful, but it would be nice to work with someone who can finish a sentence in less than an hour. . .' These, and many similar thoughts were now buzzing through her mind at high-speed excitedly as she watched this elf coming evermore closer. 'I best go meet her.' Aerines decided, preparing to leap down from her perch once Erin had arrived at the base of her Mallorn.

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Terran blinked curiously at Wulf's premonition, he was obviously well-connected to this forest's spirit. The elf calmed himself and felt the sigh of the trees in the soft wind, then a look of surprise corrupted his serenity, he sensed the two taints in the forest were close together! Gabriel had gotten bored. Terran's legs were frozen, the accidental nature of the vampire when he was bored was . . . terrifying. Before he knew it himself, his legs were moving, he had to find him.

- ( { + } ) -

Gabriel sighed as he rushed through forest like a dark wind, heading toward someone he hoped would more interesting, the elves were fun to bug-but only for so long. He grinned slyly to the female soul-snatcher as he stopped in front of her. His grin turned into a smile, and he suddenly missed his drink, "Good evening my dear, what-may I inquire-has brought you to this evil-forsaken place?" he looked around him with his eyes, not moving his head "It's all so, alive." he sighed again, but it looked like he almost laughed there for a second.

[Chibiwulf001]

Wulf too had now noticed the Ancient one's presence and realized where he had gone off to. He quickly gathered up the still-unconscious boy-still shadow bound-and slung him over his shoulder with ease; for this boy was scrawny at only five foot five inches tall and was emaciated, he felt like he was only ninety pounds or so. Wulf hastened to Terran's side and met pace with his. "What do you think this Gabriel character is up to? Do tell me that he is not going to cause us a problem." Wulf asked Terran, growing worried now.

While awaiting Artim's response, Alyra shuddered at the wave of Necromantical energy. She looked around her to see the swarming masses of undead skeletal figures-looming closer out of the ever-growing sickening green flames. Seeing that their path was clear into downtown Manhattan, Alyra motioned to run that way, but paused to analyze the situation-for something felt wrong, very wrong. 'Why would there be an escape, especially deeper into the city? But if this were a trap. . . ' she thought to herself reasonably, "What should we do?" She asked Artim, she knew he was good at assessing these kinds of situations. " 'Cause I don't think going deeper into the city is such a good idea, this feels. . . like a trap." She felt quite silly saying her worries out-loud now, every hunter-or even someone with common sense-knows that zombies or any undead-aside from those like Vampires-are not intelligent enough to have any tactical skills to herd or lure their prey. . . unless a good Necromancer was involved. Only one came to her mind that could possibly have the power to do this much, but this form of Necromancy appeared to use raw power, it even appeared. . . ancient. Alyra waited for Artim's call while the teeming masses drew closer yet.

Morias exited the deep dark caverns and entered into the misty dead woods-which concealed most of the cave-like entrances to the Vampire/Drow city-and headed in the direction opposite of New York City, to a temple of Necromancy not too far south of where Morias was now. This temple was the main one where many Necromancers, Drow, and Vampires had congregated about their efforts against the Elves. There was a chance that the one he is looking for may very well be there.

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Artim examined the masses, they seemed to be coming even out of the buildings . . . something was turning the bodies-even the restless zombies-into ash skeletons, a very ancient and powerful skeletal undead . . . they resist cutting damage to an extreme degree, only blunt weapons would work, he knew Alyra favored silver blades. Artim chuckled coldly, "You feel it too? Something is controlling these things . . . it views us as weak, I can feel it's strength, it's massive." his facial expression turned into one of strain and he lowered his head, "We must aid this . . . thing in its pre-determined judgment of us," he grinned as he raised the hood on his tattered cloak, "To draw out their dark master, we must spring the trap, and hope we can catch it off-guard." he turned away from the skeletons, speaking to her with his gaze away from them, "Come on, we have to find a building were it won't be able to hide from us, and is defensible enough so we may destroy these tortured souls." he turned back to her, ready to run, "I know this city well, we need to head to the Metropolitan Museum." he started off in that direction, knowing she would easily be able to keep up. ((you can go ahead and take us to the museum, move Artim even, just get us there, move the minions and the dragon))

- ( { + } ) -

Terran grinned bemusedly, "Oh he's a character all right, he is capable of turning everyone in this forest against him, and using them accidentally to destroy their own forest . . . " he sighed and shook his head, almost in dissapointment, "It's happened before, but only to a small base, and it has recovered under my guidance, he can stir up quite some deadly drama when alone." he stopped behind an elven tree/arrow-tower, a little tired, he was much too quick for them, but they were on his trail. Terran saw him in the distance a good 100 feet away from the tree they were by. He sat down by the tree and panted slightly, he looked to the younger elf and smiled, "I will watch the Lycan filth, you go after that, fool." he said with a wave of his hand.

- ( { + } ) -

Sabin stood in the midst of his necromancer allies, his "copy" of the Necronomicon was being studied by the noobies to the conference, it was a small gathering, but some of their elite were among them, some that were even Lich themselves. Their temple was large, and it used to be dedicated to Satanic worshipers, many hundreds of them had inhabited this place, glorifying their master for darkening the sun . . . morons. They served as good sacrifices, and payment to the necromancers for jobs accomplished for their dark order. There was a raised dais were a great throne of human and demon bones were piled, undead and writhing upon it, there the "Lich King" sat . . . deluded, but powerful. He had summoned them for another raid upon an elven kingdom, they had done many, and accomplished quite a few in these dark days, in the days of light, none could be taken-this was a great boost in morale and knowledge. The crowd grew hushed as the great King rose to speak. ((Tag Susan XD))

[Chibiwulf001]

Alyra ran ahead of Artim and grabbed his hand to lead him down Hudson Parkway. The zombies growled to mimic the dragon's approval, which Alyra mistook as animalistic frustration and quickened her pace even more. "Ahh!" She gasped as they rust behind them. "I hope this plan of yours works, Artim. What ever it is. . . " She said between gasps for air. The Metropolitan Museum of Art was on 82nd street and 5th Avenue, Alyra knew exactly where she needed to go from here.

The dragon lurked in the shadows, and began to head for his Queen. She is now stirring.

Wulf nodded urgently to Terran and laid the boy down at Terran's feet. "Yes, I can do that-and thank you. I won't be long now." He said to Terran reassuringly, then he raced off in pursuit. Up ahead he saw the foolishly bored Gabriel, but he was not alone. It looked like he was trying to converse with the source of this once-perplexing dark presence, a woman with the oddest appearance Wulf had ever seen. "Gabriel, would you like to meet my sister now? She is a strange one that surely could not bore even you." He looked to the girl and then back at Gabriel. "Do you know this one?" He asked politely.

Barrhin woke as if from a deep, restless slumber as Wulf rested him down on the forest floor. Though bound still, he could look up to see the grey elf towering over him. Hoping the elf wouldn't notice, Barrhin began to struggle with this disgusting creature of a shadow-trying to find its weak point. Barrhin was unfortunate enough to have been thrown into their realm as punishment by Morias on a few occasions, each experience was horrifying. The shadows in their realm were at their most powerful, they could attack you physically and mentally like a visible poltergeist-and their realm also reveals their true frighteningly distorted form. Barrhin shivered in fear at the memory and struggled harder yet, trying not to imagine this shadow in its true form. ((of course this shadow is different than the others. . . if this story ever reaches the shadow realm or there is a revealing of shadows you will see why. . . ))

Morias quietly entered the temple and joined the masses of Necromancers, in search of the one who holds the book. The "Lich King" or basically the political head of the Necromancers was about to speak, but this is not the true king-the one in harmony with Master Kthulu himself is the true king-though little know of it. "For centuries," The Lich began, everyone hushed in reverence. "we have tried time and time again to bring to pass a new order, one of divine right." He paused for affect, then continued again slowly. "But there are those who have thwarted us, stopped us in our righteous pursuit in giving our lord what is rightfully his. These, my friends are the Elves," There was a ripple of growls and hisses in disgust and frustration toward the Elves in the crowds, but they quickly died down for their King had more to say. "The Elves hide vainly in their forests, untouched by-as they believe us-filth. Believing that their way is law, that they are above us! Above our lord!" He shook his head sadly. "None have been able to pinpoint their exact location- until now." The silence was heavy with anticipation. "We have been able to track the Ent movement for many years now, but since when has that helped us before?" He asked them slowly, he then pulled out a folded cloth to answer his own question. "Of course it has never helped us, until now-" He unfolded the cloth, revealing what it concealed. The crowd gasped, because what the King had presented them was none other than a single golden Mallorn leaf. "Yes, my friends. In this single leaf, I can see hope. Kthulu shall rise again!" He declared to them, there were cheers and roars of approval from the crowd. "The Elves are withholding the 'weapon' underneath their city. The ultimate weapon that has not been unleashed for centuries, it is crucial that we obtain it and destroy the Elves. Gather yourselves tonight, for on the morrow we charge!" There was an even greater roar from the crowds at the king's word. The Lich King continued on, but Morias paid no heed to his words for he caught sight of Sabin in the crowds. He silently walked over to Sabin's side and sighed softly. "So, Lich King." Morias hissed so softly that only Sabin would hear. "What does this one think of that fool's proposal?" He grinned maliciously.

[chibblo_chibi01]

Victorian tears star

With shadowed words and silent steps I creep in hallowed halls.
With lifeless eyes of jealousy I watch as this world falls.

Kie was glad she had come into the forest even if she risked getting caught, after all she was wanted in quite a few of the territories mostly for things that she didn't do but it's not like they would believe her. She yawned getting slightly tired and moved her head from side to side loosening the muscles in her neck. She had wandered deeper into the forest and could now here voices. Her ccurious nature pulled her to look but she stayed a good distance away. Yawning once more she felt restless and needed to release some of her energy, placing her hand lightly on the ground she drew a soul out. She grimaced at how it looked it had a wide screaming mouth that released no noise, and it's eyes were black holes that starred emptily at her waiting for instructions. She disliked what she was and wished more than anything that she could summon something else other than tortured souls. She sighed and made a motion for it to follow her. She walked slightly towards the voices and looked around one of the larger trees to see if she could spot them. She could she had gotten a little to close and was now maybe twenty feet away. she quickly hid behind the large tree and cursed herself mentally.

((er, pardon me, but Gabriel was talking to you XD unless you would not like to be found, whatever you wish, my post about your character is just my second to last one, indigo writing))

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At seeing this struggle, Terran saw there was no use in having him be in this way-he sensed fear in him, deadly fear. He did not care if Wulf objected, he couldn't bear to see even this abomination suffer-it seemed to have it's own free will. Terran grimaced and stood, reached within his robes and found many white seeds of the same type-bell flowers. He tossed them on the ground around the boy, and they quickly sprouted, wrapping the boy as the-shrunken-glowing blue flowers engulfed him, their tough vines squeezing almost friendily. Terran let out a beam of sunlight from the palm of his left hand over the shadow, "Begone, cold minion of darkness, you obey your holder well-but you are not aiding in these matters."
((I'll post as the others after the shadow and Barrhin respond, this is just a quick reaction between these two characters))

[Chibiwulf001]

The shadow obediently withdrew, not wanting to be touched by the light. Wulf felt the presence of his shadow in his mind. 'The boy seems frightened by shadows. . . ' The shadow hissed in Wulf's mind. Wulf felt sick with guilt for binding the boy with his shadow now. 'Is he okay? Should I come back to help?' Wulf thought, asking the shadow. The shadow sent a vibe of reassurance. 'All is well, the grey one took care of the mater.' It said, referring to Terran. Wulf sighed with relief. 'Good, I must show Terran my gratitude. Listen to Terran until I am back.' The shadow rested at Terran's feet and shifted into the peaceful form of a dove to show submission, that would have to do for now.

Barrhin relaxed as the shadow left, faintly aware that the Elf was responsible. "Th-thanks," Was all he could manage through gasps for breath. He was grateful for the Elf's kindness, but didn't understand why the Elf showed him as such. Barrhin eyed the shadow, but he realized that there was something about it that was. . . different. It wasn't mindless like the others, nor did it attack mentally like the others-if it even could, now that he wondered about it. He still wasn't about to trust it, nevertheless.

[chibblo_chibi01]

Terran gave Barrhin a cold look, "Wulf apparrently hasn't asked you anything has he?" Terran kneeled next to him and grasped his chin roughly with his normal hand, "You will tell me what you are doing here, or you will die, and I have no illusions as to putting your kind away like garbage-because that is what you are." there seemed to be a flash of grey flame within his eyes as they narrowed menacingly. He wouldn't actually kill him, though he would like to, he was too valuable, but Terran could be as convinsing as he would like to be.
((I will respond as the others after this response by Barrhin I believe))