Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ra'kar couldn't help but smile with satisfaction. Things were going well. The so called team of heroes that Vahn had assembled at Heaven or Hell to protect Teira, to stand up to those who would usher in DESTRUCTION... The teeth of the trap, had been little more than cannon fodder when put to the test.

They had walked off the field with everything they'd come for. They had Teira. They'd left confusion and anger in their wake, and the opposition's morale was suffering. Not a half bad way to kick off a war.

Ra'kar's smile widened as she reached out to the forest where she could taste the collective energy of the beaten group's pain and anger and their despair at having failed. She sipped at it like a sweet wine, closing her eyes for a moment in appreciation.

'How does it feel Fah, to have lost for a third time, that same thing which you've sworn to protect?'

Her attention turned toward the stadium where Alpha was finishing up his end of things. Pain. Sorrow. Anger.

The flavour of 'loss'.

Crossing the floor and climbing the dais to take her place at Victor's right hand, she seated herself gracefully on her throne, reaching her hand to him as she smiled.

"Has he begun or does he lay in wait?"

As he spoke of their prize her eyes shifted to her Syn'malthin and the red haired warrior draped over her shoulder. She cast an inquisitive glance at him sidelong as she spoke.

"The girl is light poisoned, but we will not harm her further without 'cause. She has her uses yet, to me if not you, my dear Victor."

Ra'kar's eyes met with Tellus as she spoke directly to her servant.

:: Take her to a guest's room and make sure she is attended and comfy. Then away yourself to the baths and relax until we reach Angara. ::

"......" Yellowed eyes took in the younger female as she stood there with Teira draped alongside her body.

So frail...still very much young...supple...and powerful. Too much for her own good, which was what had led to her becoming enthralled in service of Ra'Kar in the first place, no doubt.

Victor silently mused to himself. He wondered if Tellus' loyalty really was that unwavering for the demoness, for it seemed...

"The instructions I gave him were simple enough. I don't expect him to be done for quite some time... the blight he carried with him needs time to spread. Full moonturns at least."

He held her hand softly. And how many men have died from fit of wanting to merely be in your presence, or to simply touch you as I would any other, I wonder?

You enjoy seeing my sibling in pain... would you find the same from me?

Victor smiled a little more lightly now, feeling what surmounted to a distant chuckle within his mindscape; the heavy black presence that was a part of him seeming to be content with the line of thought.

He swept out his arm to the side, calling forth one of the Knight Shades in attendance, standing up as it came before him. "Call your master, Alpha, before me. I wish to know how things went...and he will want to be prepared for Angara."

If Ra'kar felt any of Victor's suspicions eddying around her, she showed it not. Sometimes it was best not to let on how deeply you saw into someone, for knowing another's thoughts and concerns, on what matters they were confident and which they were insecure was a valuable asset and a guarded one. It was what courts were built upon, intrigue and mind games, and she had bested the best.

It did not bother her that he did not trust her as a lover might, for Ra'kar truly loved none. As a guardian of the planet, mother and as a fair and compassionate avatar she had known love. But such purity was lost to the corruptness of a twisted heart. Lost in the depths of a mind driven mad by her people's blood spilled so long ago when elves killed elves and the earth ran awash with crimson.

But lust and pleasure were her ever constant companions and she let Victor taste that lust. Let him know pleasure at her hand. They did not one another, no. But they loved what they felt when they lay together.

She loved the manner in which Tellus conducted herself towards her. She loved the expressions she made and the sounds that a soft body such as only that of a woman's can make--

There were things she loved. People she enjoyed. Some more than others.

But she had no place for sentiment. Sentiment was replaced with loyalty. Loyalty was viewed with caution for many who swore themselves could be lured away by desire just as she had lured them to herself-- Suspicion and an ever calculating mind. She saw these traits reflected in Victor and for that she held a sort of admiration.

He was a man who could do what needs doing.

Not a sentimental fool like his twin. How her other self could lower herself so, when the better of the two was obvious? Victor had the makings of a great ruler. There was a firmness and a power in him. And it drew her to him even as lust drew him to her.

An alliance of pleasure and power.

She let her thumb caress the tops of his knuckles, reaching a little higher to trail teasingly over his wrist, playing at the hem of his sleeve as Alpha entered.

She watched the shadelord through a veil of thick lashes and smiled as he made his report.

"So the giant was felled, the believer swayed... what of the wandering prince?"

Tellus took her hand and pressed the back of it to Teira's forehead. If Light sickness was anything like shadow sickness, she had an idea of what to do. But she'd have to do it carefully. She turned her hand over, and moved Teira's head to the side, looking for the point of entry. But what she found startled her. Cracks? Like the ones she'd seen Maxi's shell have on the rare occasions he got injured?

This girl puzzled her more and more. "I am sorry, for what it's worth." she sighed as she pulled at the tendrils of light infecting the head. Pulling them back until the wound itself was free of the ill effects of the light,she could heal at least. But her hands and feet would remain bound.


Tellus then picked the cloth up, and began to wipe Teira's face gently. Even as she began reciting ...strangely enough, a lullaby like poem.

"Somewhere, far off, in shadow land
Where uncalled children play
A tiny one with eyes still closed
Has missed it's earthly way

An unborn babe, a might have been
A wished for child, a wraith
A spirit soul that could have lived
Were children born of faith

Ask Mary Mother for the way
O babe in shadowland
Her understanding heart will know
the way it has been planned

For Mary's eyes have looked in hers
And left the love of heaven
And all the while, you waited uncalled
To others it is given

Some day, perhaps, let it be you
The mother call may reach you
And then, dear shadow child, you'll learn
What only she can teach you"

Her braids fell over her face, a strange contrast of gentle care to what some would see as slave braids. But she did what she did, joyfully and lovingly. Her mistress was all when she gave an order, or she was threatened. But Tellus was Tellus and would remain as long as she was able. And that compassion could consume her.

She vaguely recalled Sierra, but she couldn't see how this before her, and that elven beauty were the same. There were similarities, of course. But were people so superficial as that?

And then a sound invaded Tellus' thoughts, a loud squak that had her turning her head and smiling. "Ah, so there you are, you naughty bird. Hunting in the garden?" It still amazed her that a being of pure elemental flame acted so much like a real one, as the Flame Hawk that now hovered beside her before she lifted her gloved hand, and he used it as a perch.

The room itself would heat up considerably thanks to the elemental creature's presence, and both girl and bird looked at Teira as if trying to figure out what to do with her.

"The prince... Remains a prince" There was note of knowing the the shadelord's voice, "As he has been, and will remain being. From my hand he knows no fatal injury but the one to his pride."

Alpha looked to his two co-conspirators. The son of Fah was following quite nicely, the hints of disgust at the shadelord fading into acceptance. Acceptance of the power, acceptance of the trust, acceptance that the shadelord was indeed Victor's warmachine. That of course being a lie in Alpha's minde. Victor was always Alpha's warmachine. Always. Then the deamoness. Perhaps in a time long ago Alpha may have felt her charms in his heart, but those times had long passed. The shadelord knew nothing but his mission; even moreso these days when all the pieces seemed to be falling together. Yes, he never forgot that Ra'Kar was in this for her own hedonistic ends, but for now she was a very useful ally.

"Your brother is a symbol of their strength. In defeat he serves us quite well, and until he earns redemption he is a constant reminder of their weakness. But..." Alpha held the addition a bit to watch the physical interaction between the demon and the murmillion, "That redemption will not come until he sees the truth in your words."

Then came Victor's final comments... That seemed to shut the talkative shadelord right up. Silence came as a single red eye fell upon Victor. Both the gaze and the wordless air hung heavy for a few moments.

"I have seen and done many things," The voice was as flat as Victor or Ra'Kar had ever heard it, "And what I have learned is a hero must alway be mindful that he does not destroy what he wishes to save."

The eye closed and the two were left to look at a black stained canvas of a face.

"That said, the dragons are not corrupt. They have many of the qualities that you admire. Their bravery, honesty, strength of will, and pursuit of justice. Corruption is not their fault. The fact is if we did not march against them they would allow the world to burn if it did not cross their borders." The shadelord's eye snapped open and the deep red color burned towards the other two, "That is their fault. In all their glory they chose not to put that power to use. They squander it in vaults while the universe decays around them. Enlightened inaction is far worse than ignorant corruption. Truly if Angara was the heart of Gaia it had stopped pumping blood quite some time ago."

"This is not cardiac arrest... This is simply a transplant." Alpha made a fist with gauntleted hand as he spoke, "I will send my best to assist yours. Match you death knight with my own."

Fist fell towards the other arm as the great shadelord crossed his arms. If he had breath this is surely where he would catch it. As he did not, he was able to continue his report a few moments after he allowed his words to settle in.

"I have readed numerous squadrons of shades to be mobilized around Gaia major. They have seen their end in the sky, and it is time they face reckoning on the ground." A nod towards Victor, "We have even located a city that contains many resources that your research deemed necessary for your fight against destruction. We will not hesitate to procure these for you."

"On your leave."

--- Later --- --- ---

"You can't possibly be serious."

The figure in blue robes approached Alpha as he walked through the hallways. Alpha's eye looked particulary smug as he turned to meet the voice in the darkness. A voice that seemed honestly flustered.

"We moved without Victor's blessing. We knew best." The voice cold and calculated, "The town and all that is associated with that area is already ours. Nothing can be done."

An audible sigh from under robes. Beta stalked forward even closer to the prime shadelord. Dangerously close some would consider.

"You're more of a fool than I thought." He spoke as he walked forward, "There is nothing you can do to stop what is going to happen there. NOTHING. All you've done is invite disaster to your own troops."

"I highly doubt that they can match us" The smug look faded away.

"Hah. Just like every other preventative measure up to this point has been flawless just as expected"

"Who is to blame for that?" The words were spoken flatly, yet still accusingly.

"A deluded sense of absolute control? Just as before one thing will spiral into another and what was foretold will come to pass." The robed shade's voice was rising, and the armored shade began to clench and contract all over, "Besides if we are so damn confident we're going to win, why are we worried at all about this. The damn even can only end in our favor righ..."

"Enough!"

Alpha was not documented as a creature of impulse or emotion. Something had driven him to be both. The interrupting shout came with a violent jerk back, and a very powerful backhand directed at the robed shade. Beta was fast and was able to choose where it hit, but even so anyone near by could hear the gauntlet crush and the jagged edges tear. Beta's own gauntlet went to hold the shoulder as he stumbled back until he hit wall. From under a darkned hood all the shade could do was stare at the shadelord.

"You can delude the old man... Hell, you could circumvent him and his two friends till the end of time." Beta's tone matched Alpha's earlier one in coldness, "But this... THIS refuses to go untold. It was created without them, and even the big nothing was goaded into helping it along. It will come, it will make its will known, and then... Well, we'll see over time. It's gonna decide one way or another, that's what it was created for. And if you're so certain the universe is corrupt then you have nothing to worry about.

"You will stay"

"Is this what this is about?

The shadelord said nothing, rather just gave a final piercing red stare, and turned to stride into the darkness.

For the other shadelord everything was starting to set in. He slowly slid down the wall until he was sitting on the ground. He could feel his shoulder and all the damage Alpha had done. Already there was a change in the torn fabric as blue changed. One colour mixed with the other and a large purple stain was begining to form around the wounded area.

"Is that really what it's all about?"

Ezekiel watched with muted dispassion for violence as usual, the crystal node before him allowing him to view the events unfolding outside the walls of the citadel.

He rather would have not, feeling as if the role of mere observer was sometimes too burdensome... yet he must be able to relay the passing events to Victor as they came.

The Murmillion had taxed himself dearly this time after drawing upon much of the bulk of eldritch energy that lay dormant within it. He looked as if he could barely support himself within his seat, and it was for this reason alone that his most loyal of subjects would be here standing guard with him.

Namely, Ezekiel himself.

Oh, that damnable demoness, Ra'Kar was within the chamber as well at the moment, cooing and supplicating Victor as he rested and re-gathered his strength, but Ezekiel hardly could say he trusted the witch.

He was well familiar with her ilk, still retaining the memories of his life as a devil lord (having been nearly killed and bound within stone and flung to the farthest reaches of the Void), and knew that whatever she sought, she could only gain through Victor.

And so she served, or so gave the appearance of deferring service and help when it was needed, both in the outside world... and in the bedroom.

While Ezekiel was somewhat of a confidant to Victor... he could never equal what he supposed was a form of companionship that his all too mortal master found in the demoness.

Curiously, Ezekiel allowed himself a small smile at the notion that perchance the hints of jealousy were tugging at his heart strings.

If he had a heart still anyway.

While, it was true that all the devils under Victor's servitude were bound to him through name, not all of them did so willingly. Were it not for the control that the Murmillion did have over them, Ezekiel was wholly sure many of his brethren would have slain the human down on the spot for his impudence at attempting to control them.

But they were each bound, by geass, to service in the name of Fah.

All...save Ezekiel himself.

Victor had freed him from that... and the devil had elected to remain, showing his true fealty to the human.

Truly, it was unheard of... but Ezekiel could not help but feel a resonance with the man. It called to him, like nothing else ever had, and it invoked within him a sense of longing that had always eluded the devil.

And he had swore to himself he would see this through. "They make progress, my Lord. Miriam and her Host have also been released.

I have received word from Ezra as well. Your Death Knight is injured, but not mortally so. Ezra wishes to begin spreading the blight without further delay, yet I have bade him to hold on your word."

Ezekiel turned to face the seated Murmillion, yellowed eyes staring with wait and acknowledgment of his words.

He fought the blackness that bordered his vision, feeling wholly exhausted as if he had teetered on the very brink of death itself.

The simple fact that he remained in his seat and still kept the countenance of total control was a credit to his Murmillion upbringing. Yet, there was no denial within himself.

The more I try to do without the boon given to me, the greater I find myself cornered into completely falling into reliance of it.

But... I must not falter. To give in would bring everything up to this point to utter ruin. A tragedy I will not allow to play out.

Yellowed eyes that normally glittered with an inner flame not unlike his sibling, were shallow, and dull. His flesh was pale, and sweat beaded his brow as much as each muscle in his frame ached; throbbing in tune with the heart that continued to miraculously provide the vitae necessary for living.

He had nearly broken himself in tapping into the whole of his reserves, for even with the Murmillion glyphs to enhance what little arcane aptitude he had, he was still a mere mortal.

Flesh and blood that played recklessly with forces beyond even his time.

But it must be done.

He felt the warming embrace of the demoness, even as he allowed his eyes to close, wrapping himself within the fullness of the pleasure and security that came briefly.

He opened them again, finding himself staring directly into the gaze of the flame-witch.

"Yes."

Her words struck cords within him, a well of fervor building within himself. He had sought her out, allying himself with what he deemed to be a power greater than that of which his sibling represented, in more ways than one.

That she was also the key to destroying his brother's spirit, as well as bringing him ever closer to his goal was nothing short of a gift.

Yet, in some small measure, he also knew that she was not such a generous soul as to simply give aid without need. He kept watch on her, but not to the point that the seeds of distrust would drive them apart and jeopardize everything.

No, between the two of them-- was ever the silent catspaw game akin to a see-saw. Ever shifting, up and down, up and down.

Yet never enough to force the other.

The moment he had spoken, he felt her press herself against him-- not forcibly, but in her own fashion nonetheless, that he had come to relish and nurture. He could feel the transfer, even as his will power renewed itself.

"I will bring the change... with every fiber of being that I posses... I must."

His body no longer slackened, the sheen to his eyes returned, and his heart beat vigorously as he shifted towards the voice of his second.

"Alpha is in command of the assault. Tell Ezra that he will be serving under the Shade Lord, and that he would do well to obey this time.

How long till we receive the gifts our allies have provided for us?"

He spoke of the Undead Armies marching against various cities on the mainland of course.