Welcome to Gaia! ::

The larger city was a dangerous one filled with scum of all walks of life. One particular one, Cairne, was newish to the sceen and rather enjoying a quiet drink at one of the more lucrative places in a space between the Red and Merchant circle. In fact, the place prided itself on being smack dab on the political line that there was even a line drawn across the floor. Not that Carine really cared about it. He sat in his favorite seat at the bar that happened to be right on the center of the line enjoying a large mug of whatever was for sale that day by the Keep.

A year or so ago, Carine had succeeded the previous Shadow King and was marked as such on his body with ink and blood. A year or so ago, Cairne obliged his mentors and killed them in their sleep with a slow acting poison. A year or so ago, he devistated the country side with small raids and restablished the whisper that was his name. Right now? He was playing the part of ranger on break.

He had a bow and everything.

He had every intention of laying low for a while and sit with his thoughts, and plan out his next move. After all, he was now a commander of the biggest mercenary army on the island. He needed to put them to work. After he drank to his 'parents'. Or at least the ones that taught him everything he really needed in life to survive.

It was their death day, after all.

Cairne glanced behind him, which was normal, when new faces entered the bar. What wasn't normal was the blank stare he usually had was instead a one of mild curiosity. By mild curiosity, it was but a quirked eyebrow and a ever slight scowl. Licking his lips, he went back to his drink. Really, this place got some weird people.

But the leader ( Cairne could only assume the loud one that seemed to talk in an odd cadence and frequency) decided to address him and ask how the night was. It was then with the man so close, Cairne felt a ting of taint. It sang to his blood, and his blood wanted him to exterminate the filth that was brought forth many, many generations ago. What could he say? His family had a lot to repent for. He blinked slowly at the man, and just grinned remembering the question asked. Cairne said nothing, but broke into a wide grin and started laughing.

The irony of such simple words had him in stitches. Or was it the drink? It took him a while to compose himself, probably no more than a few minutes. " I'm sorry, " he began, a wide grin on his face as he tried to wipe away the moisture that condenced around his eyes after such a good laugh, " But that was the damn funniest thing I've heard in a while. 'Fine night', Ah... Good one." Maybe he was a bit drunk. Too drunk. Well, not too drunk, but probably needed to sober up a bit just in case.

A few coppers were set on the counter and the empty mug was refilled with the unsaid request of water. "Yes, it is indeed a fine night to just enjoy a quiet drink. " And set light to a few lanterns to remember those that had been asked to pass in the night before a knife touched their throats. Damn good teachers...damn good parents. He'd have to thank his blood grandmother one day for ordering his blood parent's execution. With another snort, a smile still on his face, the Shadow King took a drink of the cool water.

"You must be new. From the ship that just docked, yes? " he queried with not a glance at the stranger. Why look? He could see the man's reflection in the bottles along the wall just fine. " You cast the most interesting shadow. I haven't seen the likes of it in a long time. "

To himself, Cairne smiled. He had caught this man off guard with his simple observation of the shadow. The man was possessed. No, that wasn't the right word. He could see the man was living with another soul inside him willingly -- and a black taint on the world kind of soul at that.

How Cairne, himself, was familiar with such a wavered shadow and the aura that those with it emitted was a mystery to most. But to those that took the time, they would learn that his sire had dabbled in forbidden magic. Dangerous magic. Blood Magic. Sacrifice a virgin, drink their blood, summon forth a god -- demons posing as gods usually answered-- demand their servitude in a big endeavor in exchange for ones soul. Things like that. Cairne knew all about that. 'It's in your blood' his father used to lecture him. ' We should control these monsters, and take back the island, ' he would rant. 'We Althos' deserve to rule over such petty and pathetic creatures,' and so on and so on. His mother, on the other hand, would roll her eyes and send Cairne off to play outside after such long lectures and lessons.

Was his family name legendary? Well, they did have a nice set of sheep. But no. Not so much any more. They used to be the forefront of demonology and the whole black magic department of the Arcanium until the 'accident' happened. To sum up at least a thousand year's history; They got ambitious, blew up a country, decided that maybe it had been their fault, and started a witch hunt to try to clean their name of their sins. It evolved into a weird affinity for shadows for Cairne, his blood's magic that is.

But that wasn't really important unless you wanted to know why Cairne was just so dangerous. When the other man suddenly stopped talking at the simple observation, Cairne took his leave to sip at his water like nothing had been said. Reviling the in discomfort, enjoying the sudden monkey wrench to the control. Through the distorted lens, he saw just how much--and little-- control the man had. He was amused.

A name and a hand was extended towards him. Cairne looked at the appendage, then gave the blindfolded man a deadpan stare. With a 'Do you think I'm stupid' look, he snorted and grinned into his cup. " Cairne Althos. " He didn't have much more to say. But he figured a conversation wouldn't be too off, " And to what do I owe this pledge of service? Certainly it isn't through my charming looks. Strange that someone would just offer themselves. Makes someone like me uneasy and prone to brash actions. "

With ease, Cairne adjusted his sitting position and leaned heavily on the bar counter to look directly at this man. He took in the height, the build, the clothing, the mannerism, and the wavering and fluttering of the shadow as the man spoke. Clearly, there was some sort of mental battle going on. Or was it an agreement? It wasn't really interesting.

However, when Altais managed to produce odd and weird facts out of thin air and sublimely pinpoint himself as the epicenter, the Shadow King mentally face-palmed. He found a brilliant person. Too bad this one was a little too keen in the mental insanity bit. Or incredibly brilliant. A curious 'oh' was all Cairne said.

Altias' eyes were blue. And fascinating. As he watched that single, brilliant, cold blue eye, Cairne felt something probing against his mind. A tapping, a raking, and clawing at his mental and spiritual blocks. It made him smile. He wanted to reach out and pat the man on the head for trying, but Cairne's own ambitions and reasons were his own. They would be earned with blood on his own hands. That was the Althos way. He would do it himself.

Which prompted the following reaction:

Cairne started laughing. It was a slow, soft chuckle. It grew until he was roaring and barely able to stay up on his stool. Did this demon really think he would give away his heart's desire after only a few minutes of meeting? Was this real? What an idiot to try to tempt Cairne with hallow promises! The mug of water was set carefully on the counter, adjusted to keep the handle from being knocked over from the intended move, and Cairne gave Altias a big, friendly grin.

Without warning, he decked the assassin, while his own shadow and magic sprang up in a heated ring of spikes against the creature clawing at Cairne's soul. He laughed again, knowing that no one here would even do more than look up, snort, and go back to whatever they were doing. Maybe they would blink and stare at Cairne who was laughing like it was the funniest thing ever, but they'd go about their business. " I'm sorry, that was rude of me." he said, still beaming. Knowing the threat had been effectively nullified, Cairne extended his hand to the man on the ground. This one had nerves asking for his soul straight up like that. He liked that no nonsense approach.

Once the man was back on his feet, Cairne would pat him on the shoulder and order a proper drink for the both of them. " Maybe you shouldn't show your hand so early, friend. Point for trying though. "

His fist felt like a brick had been slammed into it, or he had punched a wall to some degree. Cairne, having made sure the man was now upright and wasn't too badly traumatized from the assisted trip with gravity, examined his hand carefully. Nothing was amiss. Oh good. He hadn't lost the knack, though his knuckles would be sore for a day or two.

With a lazy smile on the Shadow King's face -- something that wasn't often seen in public, or even to aquantances-- he nodded at the more approrpiate offer of partnership. This offer, he thought to himself as he gazed back at Altias' form through the distorted liquids and glass, 'is much more reasonable.' Cairne mulled over the offer, trying to figure out all the possible ways this could be turned on him, then gave up. If this man had wanted him dead, he would be dead by now. If the numbers were as he claimed, again Cairne and his men would have no chance. Some would, some might even last a few more minutes against such foreign opponents. Eventually, as all things, Cairne's reign and following would fall to a stronger, younger group as was the way of things.

"Now, that kind of deal I can say would be benificial to us both, friend." Sipping the ale he just bought, he then nodded. "My people can offer shelter and aid you and yours in the city and towns, perhaps find cover while yours adjusts to the lazier island life. " He smirked, almost bitter about the isolation the Island has had the past few hundred years regarding the Lands Below, "Our weaponry is simpler up here. Gun powder we use for fireworks and other domestic things such as dynamite, forges, and glassmaking. But I'm sure you already knew that. " Rambling? Cairne? A man that usually only grunted when leading, and goofed off when he wasn't needed? Yet, here he was breaking one of the number one rules of an evil Overlord: monologuing.


Clearing his throat, once a few of his braincells punted the acceptance speech ( ' You like me! You really like me!' ), Cairne reached over and again patted the man on the shoulder without fear of whatever demon lay in his skin. "I can do much better than allow that. In fact... There is this cult that has been terrorizing my people as well as the publics for quite some time. " There was an edge to Carine's tone. He knew of this cult. Knew every person in the cult. This cult was going to be destroyed for what the did to his blood mother indirectly... "And I can point you at their leader to do with as you please. They deal with, ah, demons. And they are not welcome by I or the Monarchy."

He gazed sidelong to observe the reacton of his newest, and probably greatest ally. This was asking quite a bit, and Cairne knew it would take several years by himself to weed out all of those morons. Why was he doing this--asking someone he didn't know to take out people who had no idea just how dangerous and stupid it was to mess with demons by a demon? Could it be the Althos blood guilt? Cairne wouldn't have an answer even if he thought it over for years. But this small request... this might help secure the underworld and make it safe for others like himself, and Altias, to rise and take back the city from the blue bloods that have no idea what their lands become.

Yes, Cairne understood all of that. Why else would he ask someone to aid him in eliminating such an unpredictable and dangerous threat? A smirk of amusement grew, followed by a snort. Ah, he was getting a lecture on demons, was he? He stilled the urge to give Altias another punch to the face, and simply shrugged in acceptance. "It be not the motives of fools I worry of, it be the eyes of Below that concern me. They are not as forgiving as us. A sign of weakness and this emerald would be covered in plagued souls from below. I can't simply allow that, now can I? It's bad for business. "

Listening to the terms, Cairne began thinking. To what made a soul bright in the eyes of such a man? Did he really want to know? Not really. Gazing back with his own cold eyes, he simply nodded, "As steep as your terms are, I cannot argue. However do note that I do not like being followed in the forests that I call my home less a gathering has been called. " He grinned and lowered his voice, "I didn't become the Shadow King by letting others stain their hands for me, why should I start now?" With a polite cough and another sip, he grinned, "Yet I find myself agreeing with you, friend. Indeed we do have an accord. "

If the insanity that sparked in the other's eyes scared him, Cairne said nothing. But did it really? He had seen insane men without a shred of humanity left. Those men scared him. Altias? There was humanity left in. Human logic... No. Cairne had no fear. If this man was going to kill him, it would be done quickly, circumstances depending. But who knew what lay in store for the both of them.

"I can understand that. It's hard to take a soul from a dead body. And a stolen prize is never fun to stumble upon." The joke was rather funny and brought a warm laugh. So he was a prize, now was he? Oh, this was going to be an extremely fun working relationship. "And extra eyes in sudden tight situations wouldn't be bad either. Your guild has a good reputation. I'll try not to get into many scuffs. "


The confirmation of the contract on the cult brought a smile to Cairne's face as he drew the mug to his lips to drink. The following question made him pause. What was his reason for raising so high in the ranks? Was it wise to tell this stranger? Would they seek out the person? ... Did he want to tell Altias that he was fighting the entire Arcanium? Perhaps he lingered to long in silence, but eventually a smirk drew itself, "Revenge. It isn't deep. It is petty, but put simply I seek revenge and judgement upon those that did me wrong. "

He gazed at the blindfolded man. Perhaps a small spark of rage coiled in those cold eyes of his, perhaps a flicker of insanity, but above all a cold resolve to make someone pay for ruining what could have been. "It doesn't blind me to the needs of those I won the right to watch over, but it is what drives me. And I will destroy them utterly when the time is right and all other threats eliminated. "

He could sense the frustration and resignment as the predator lamented about a fine prize lost. He took a small amount of glee denying such a man of a fine prize, but on the whole there were far bigger prizes to be had than He. "What I fear most is what happens after I succeed. I imagine the entire world will be painted red by the time it is through. Yet, though I should feel remorse, I find comfort in such dreams. Perhaps I am at last going mad. " he confessed. Well, someone had to hear his madness. Better a madman than a sane man.

"You, clearly, have not met my cousin. " Cairne seethed, yet he seemed to hold the anger inside instead of throwing the damned mug across the room as he wished to release the anger. A calm sip was taken again, "Nor, I do believe, have you traveled west to see the Grand Magus of the island. And then, of course, the child king. He... " Cairne trailed off... He wasn't for or against the man. But he had brought trouble to the island --albeit unintentionally. "When I get to that point, I'll figure something out. "

The vote of confidance brought a smile, and he felt grateful for the first time in a year that there was someone who actually could undersatnd his goals. He had a powerful ally, perhaps an aquaintance that he could truely call a 'friend'. That word felt foreign in his mind, feeling the weight of the implications that arose with it. It spun the unwritten contracts over and over... Some of his best men would be eliminated or assmilated into these serpent ranks. Still..they were allies for now. "If I succeed, or if I fail, it will be in the history books for sure. And we will give them hell. "