Welcome to Gaia! ::

::Four years ago::

~Deacon woke, to find himself in a fiery hall. The walls around him were made of a strange black rock, which he did not recognize. As he stood, he could smell the scent of rot and decay. Where ever he was, it was foul. He made his way though the dimly lit coridor, to a single wooden door. It was slightly ajar, and he could here voices from within.

"What do you want to do with the woman?" One voice asked.
"The Master said to take her to the lower chambers." Another replied.
"Realy?" The voices joy could be heard. "What did she do to warrant such a torture."
"She came here with some priest. We still have yet to find him."

Deacon's heart started to beat. He remembered why he had come. His hand instinctively went down to his belt. His sword was in it's place, as was his dagger. As quietly as he could, he drew them. He lightly edged through the door. He now could put a face to the voices. One he recognized to be a blood demon. The other was unknown to him. Deacon advanced slowly. One of the demons, turning, took notice of him.

"It's him!"
"Who?"
"The priest!"
"Ahh, him." The demon grabbed the girl. "Move no more, or this little beauty," he ran what appeared to be a hand over her chest, "will suffer something more unbarable than even I could muster."

"Release her." Deacon's demand was simple and quick.
"And why should I do that?"
"Well, it seems to be the only way you might have a chance out of here." The demon raged.
"What name and I to put to the man who so willingly gives his life?"

Deacon brandished his sword. He had to be quick.
"Saint!" His steps were quick, his blow swift. As he ran by, he grabbed up the girl, and headed for the door. The wailin of the demon could be heard, as he clutched at what was now a bleeding stump.

As he ran down the corridor, he could se a light at the end. He now rememberede where he was...~

Deacon woke in his bed. He looked to his left. His wife was gone. He arose from the bed, and check the clock on the wall. 2:30. Donning his cloak, he walked out into the street. He needed to clear his head of the dream. Turning to his left, he made his way to the inn. A drink might help me...His thoughts were interupted by the sound of a scream.

That sounds like...no! He took off in the dirrection he heard it come from. As he ran, he could se people coming out of their homes, cursing the interuption of their sleep. Turning the corner, he saw her crumpled up on the ground. Blood was seeping from a large gash in her forehead. Glancing up from her corpse, it was then he saw who had done this. Over her stood a large dark figure. In one hand, he held a large club, while the other appeared to have been severed.

"SAINT!" Deacon's eyes glazed over.
How did he find us? The demon advanced. Glancing back to his wife's dead body, Deacon's face contorted. Jumping forward, he lashed out at the demon. Falling to the ground, the demon's hand loosened on the club. Grabbing up the club, Deacon proceded to bash the demons face. Over and over, he released blow after blow. With every hit, more blood splashed up from the long dead demon's body. Tears streamed down his face.

"WHY HER!" Deacon glanced up and noticed the small crowd that had gathered.
"Oh my God!"
"What have you done?"
"ME? I've done nothing to deserve the loss of her! Have I not served the Gods with undying devotion! What sin have I commited to where this punishment was placed upon me?"

The trip had been long and hard, but finally he had returned to his beloved town. As he neared the gates, however, he saw that they were now guarded by two soldiers, one of which was in the middle of a nap. He made his way to the entrance.

"Halt!" The guard who had remained awake had stepped in front of him. The sudden burst of noise woke the other, who toppled onto the ground.
"What seems to be the problem?" Deacon asked.
"No one is allowed in or out of the city!" The guard sternly replyed. The now angry guard who had just been roused stood up.
"Why not?" Deacon was puzzled. He'd only been gone for a year!
"There's beem talk of a horde of demons heading this way." The napper spoke up. He was obviosly not too keen on the interuption.
"Really? I didn't see anything on the way over here." Deacon lied. He had just seen a handful of demons luking about. He had, however, made sure they're luking ended.
"Well, that could bloody well mean you're one of them." The first guard drew his sword. Deacon glanced from the entrance to the guard, now stalking menacingly toward him.
"So you won't let me in?" He knew the answer before he finished the question. In answer, the guard lunged at him. Casually, Deacon stepped sideways. The guard tripped.
"I can see there's no persuading you." He made to leave. "But know this. When a man finds himself up against a wall, he struggles to survive. When I find myself up against a wall, I dig under it." With his final statement, he left.