Her breath quickened at the scent, just as it did almost every night. Heart pounding in her chest the young valkyrie found herself stuck inside her nightmare again. It was sickening and it filled her. Eyes watered from the smoke, nose stinging as the smog spread over them. A lump formed in her throat as a scream died halfway inside. The demon! Arcs of pain shot across her body and face, tracing the scars left by Abraxas. In a bolt Auriel sat up and clutched her sheets tightly. Piercing blue eyes could not break the night. For a fleeting moment she believed herself in the belly of the beast, just like all the villagers of that little mining town. Slowly the bounds of her physical form came to and parts of her body relaxed. Knuckles gone white from pressure released and uncoiled. Silently the daughter of the first plane slid off of the bed, inhaling at the sudden coolness beneath her feet. She rested her elbows upon her knees and covered her face with hands made for war. In that position she took in a few breaths, holding them in until her lungs felt ready to burst. Little by little the pace of her heart returned to normal, though the anxiety was still near. It had been almost a full year since that horrid fight deep within that harrowed mine and yet she could still feel everything as if it had happened moments ago. A slender finger traced the scar upon her face. She did not have to search for the beginning for the memory of Abraxas' claws marking her burned vividly in her mind's eye. Alitting upon the raised flesh the valkyrie held her breath and followed it. Just under her eye the first one began, followed by two more that marred her cheekbone. They traveled downward towards her lips, two of of those wounds went right across them. The corner of her mouth had been raised in some sort of grimace as a result. They ended before her chin and along her jawline. Hands shaking, Auriel let her palm wander to her flat stomach. She winced though there was no longer any pain when she felt the place where the demon had shoved a blade right through her. Auriel should be dead. Pressing against it and feeling the cold lump of guilt rise through her body she sat like that. Those memories still plagued her. She had let the people of Vein Town perish, wither away as if their lives and memories and happiness and love meant absolutely nothing. It had been her greatest folly, the transgression that would press most heavily upon her mind. Auriel had not been strong enough to save them, and for that she would suffer eternally.
Slowly her senses returned to her. The beating in her ears gave way to the silence in the advent. There had been some good in the past year, she always had to remind herself of that. The young valkyrie and her companion had made it to Niraliel. They captured her attention and begged for her aid. Unfortunately the angel had only been able to return Pronta to its former physical state. All those lives lost in Nocturne's wretched war had been sucked in to some soul well the God-King Zacariah had been using to empower himself. A harsh chuckle escaped her lips. At least he was dead, though she had nothing to do with it. There had been rejoice and celebration but Auriel kept herself from it. She gathered her battered shield and armor and journeyed back to the Advent. Slowly the valkyrie had been returning to their home. They looked for someone to lead them, someone strong enough to gather them and focus their efforts. Unfortunately Auriel could not be that person. There was no strength left in her. After leaving Niraliel and finally knowing nothing would ever bring back her sister nor the millions who perished the young valkyrie laid down her blade. Her armor remained in the exact same location, untouched since the day of her arrival. Everyday one of her kind would come and check in on her. They treated her like a fragile being, never broaching the topic of her return to arms. Instead they came and gave her things, a book they found on some topic or another and relics they believed would refuel her faith in the world. None of it had. Each time they came Auriel did not bother to hide the loss of life inside of her. Haunted eyes would watch the other valkyries as they flitted about her room, soulless words thanked them with hollow intent. Auriel was broken and she deserved every miserable minute of this torn existence.
Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2015 8:18 am
For every story, there had to be a decent plot of some sort. A compelling beginning was necessary. It would be the very thing to hook everyone in, like a siren's song. A song that spoke to the minds of any who would pick up the book to read the story. A death, or a promise of power, was usually what passed for some sort of beginning to a story. The tale is very common; a hero who wishes to gain power to avenge the death of his loved one. Beginnings are crucial to the story, since everyone wants to know the beginning and ending. However, the plot is what shows every gritty detail in between. The hero would face off against countless enemies and monsters to gain little ounces of strength, or to tap into reserves of strength that already existed. The hero would find love, though he would be too distracted with his quest to properly address it. Just as important as the beginning, the ending would serve as the final tale. It would answer every question the reader would have about the hero. Would he finally resolve his long held anguish? Does he end up with the girl? It was the same for every story. No matter what book Cassandra picked up, it was all... light. The hero would face many sad moments, though his companions would remind him that those kind of things happened. If the hero couldn't save the live of an innocent, he would accept the fact that people simple died. The hero would persist... he would go on with the rest of his journey without a hitch.
That was what separated life from fiction.
If the hero of the story was able to get over the life of one soul he could not save, what would happen if he were faced with the death of countless souls? An entire city's worth of souls? Would his companions applaud the work he had done to save them? Would they still approve of what he had done, even after he promised to save them all? Would he look down at his hands and realize that he had allowed them to perish so awfully? Even... children? The stories always left out the details. The screams that would pierce the hero's eardrums as the civilians perished, as their lights were being snuffed out. Had the hero forgotten what it had been like to witness such an event, only coming to the conclusion that people 'simply died'? The natural passing of a human is perhaps the saddest experience Cassandra had ever dealt with, though she knew that their souls would be in good hands. They would be happy as they ascended, and happy in their new lives. But murder... the unnatural act of killing someone intentionally was... unforgivable. What Abraxas had done was unforgivable. The souls of the villagers had been consumed by him, incapable of passing through the veil and into the first plane. They were... they were gone.
Since that day in the mine, Cassandra had been able to count how many times she had spoken in that last year. Three times, all to Auriel. Her silence had been devoted to each and every soul she allowed to perish at the hands of a demon. It was the least she could do for them. Like fools, two pseudo angels lost to a demon that had been sealed away by a single Magi so long ago. For all of the credit today's warriors gave themselves, it hadn't been enough to stop a demon that was considered lowly ranked in the codex that resided here in the Advent. Countless would were inflicted upon both Auriel and Cassandra before Auriel finally plunged a dawnblade deep into the heart of the demon. Upon the demons death, they silently left. Not a single word had been uttered between them until they had met Niraliel. The Time Angel had agreed to reconstitute the destroyed city of Pronta, however the souls lost in the dreadful war could not be returned. Their souls had been used as a power source for Zachariah. As they traveled together, they realized that their victories were consistently overshadowed by their failures. They had slain the demon plaguing Vein Town, but they lost the villagers. They had reconstituted Pronta City, but could not save the lives of the people who died.
Since their return to Pronta... to the Advent, Cassandra hadn't expelled a single ounce of energy. Not as a healer. Not as a Nephilim. After every passing day, the light in her eyes had began to fade. At night, she would lay beside Auriel, and in the day she would kneel on the cold cement of the shrine. Every day, Cassandra would pray to Elessia to deliver the punishment she so desperately deserved. Without being ready, she allowed herself to enter the world, claiming to be a warrior of the light... and she failed at every turn. Day and night, she waited for a champion of Elessia to come and cut her down for her transgressions for over a year... but that moment never came. Her prayers weren't even enough to attract an underling of Elessia. Though it never really allowed her to lose hope that one day... it would come. Like tonight, she didn't allow herself to fall asleep, thinking that perhaps tonight was the night it would happen. Instead, she felt Auriel rising, like she did many nights. It haunted her just as much as it haunted Cassandra. Lying ventral side up, she spoke, her gaze firmly planted on Auriel's back."How long?... How long will we do this, Auriel?"
• Celestial Right The first boost is a whopping +2 Rank in Strength to all Cleric skills. Especially the heals. The Minor Heal receives the effects of a Normal Heal, and the Normal Heal receives the effects of an Expert Heal. The Expert Heal can now even regrow a head, should they need to be healed, and removes all poisons from the body regardless of rank and power. The second ability is simple. It allows Cassandra to be able to heal herself as soon as she is hit without being consciously aware of it. Her body simply jacks up its own regeneration rate to an everlasting expert heal.
• Keep Going The Valk's, in comparison to others, are capable of slight regeneration which begins just as soon as the blow was taken. Bruises and scraps won't even appear making it seem as if their skin is tougher than others. Trainees can deal with simple cuts. Novice can deal with simple cuts and first degree burns. Adept can deal with cuts, second degree burns, and fractured bones. Experts can deal with deep lacerations and broken bones. Masters can heal third degree burns, wounds such as stabs(only on surface, not internal damage), and crushed bones. E-Trainee, D-Novice, C-Adept, B-Expert, A-Master
• Wrath of a God Their weapons surge with their latent energy which makes any weapon they touch, especially their chosen one, both covered in holy light and electricity. This leads to anyone locking blades or striking the shield of a Valkyrie feel small shocks that ward people off from staying in contact with them for too long. This also makes unholy enemies take an extra rank of damage on top of the lightning damage. However for the lightning to be in effect you must have more than half your energy remaining within you.
• Child of Jarnbjorn When a Valkyrie choses a weapon to specialize in, that weapon becomes gifted by holy power and works much like Thor's Mjolnir and Jarnbjorn. It will nigh automatically come to the call of the Valkyrie, cannot be destroyed, and always has the extra lightning damage going on it regardless of energy level. When attacking with that weapon, they gain an extra +1/+1 to their stats. You get one of these, so choose carefully. This weapon should get its own custom abilities, and if it does it must be approved.
• Feast of Ambrosia Once per battle the Valkyrie can hold their hand out and summon a goblet full of ambrosia. Upon consumption, this otherwordly substance will heal and cure any wounds and debilitations the Valkyrie may be suffering. This will not regenerate any lost limbs or organs, but it will immediately close wounds. No energy is regained from this, it merely gives the Valkyrie a better chance to continue fighting.
• The Sight Being of God's blood, like God, they can see the world for what it truly is. They can see through ''the Mist" and see those for what they are. Instantly recognizing creatures of the night on spot or those who can use dark magic for they can read the aura's about them. Also giving them a general idea of how strong another is regardless of race. (Rank-wise, not as precise to be know the exact amount in the other energy pool.)
Auriel had her arms wrapped around herself. Her body was tense, each muscle pulled taut like a bow ready to shoot. Behind closed eyes her nightmares played over again, even while she was awake. Harder she grabbed herself in a vain attempt to purge those wicked memories from her mind. It had become a ritual of hers. It often felt like it was the only thing that worked. Right after the events in the mine the broken nephilim must have spent what felt like an entire week on her knees praying for salvation. Maybe if she had died it would have been better. Perhaps wiping her existence away would have been an equal price to pay for her transgressions. Auriel often wondered if she would even go to the place where her sisters went, to the first plane among the other warriors and heroes. Whenever those poisonous memories leaked forth from the confines of her thoughts that belief was shattered in to millions of pieces. Why would she be accepted into the hall of her ancestors? What made her worthy? As a little girl hundreds upon hundreds of tales were told. In the face of adversity a warrior would be born. Carved from the uncertainty of life they were molded into a defender of justice through the obstacles they had faced. They would conquer the evils they faced and their names were emblazoned in history, turned in to the stories told to children to inspire them towards greatness. Where the champions from those stories succeeded though, Auriel had failed. She focused on breathing for awhile, embracing the ache of her misdeeds instead of trying to hide from them. With noble intentions the valkyrie had set out to right the wrongs of her sister. Each life that was rumored to have been taken by the dark child weighed heavily on her conscience and added a deeper sense of urgency to her quest. When Pronta was literally wiped off the map her quest had become clear. Together with the help of a newfound friend they set out to reverse time and bring those lives back to the middle plane. Instead they had lost even more souls. It felt like such a hollow victory when Niraliel told them she could only bring the city back to its former state. Auriel remembered laughing at that. A bubble of hysteria had popped up inside of her and for the life of her it would not be contained. After all they went through it amounted to nothing. She recalled looking up to the sky and letting out a derisive bout of laughter right before slamming her fist into the nearest stone she could find. What a cruel joke her life turned out to be. Hearing Cassandra's musical voice always had a subconscious effect on Auriel. Her shoulders slowly dropped to their normal position, the muscles on her body released their tension and returned to a relaxed state. Her hands moved from her face and ran briefly through her locks of hair, sending them into a cascade of gold down her back. Despite feeling as horrible as she thought she could, it made her feel even worse to know this beautiful creature suffered just the same. Slowly she turned, reluctant to meet those stormy eyes. Each time their gazes would lock Auriel was prepared to see the hatred Cassandra surely felt for her. It had not been her quest to undertake yet Auriel dragged her in to it with grandiose ideas of heroism and glory. She expected to see a deep loathing radiate out from her. Each time it was anger that was envisioned, and each time it never was. No matter what Auriel predicted to experience, Cassandra never gave her it. Instead, when her blue eyes alit upon those hauntingly beautiful grey orbs they saw only love. The halfling shook her head for a moment, whether to rid herself of what had been plaguing her or as a response to the question was unclear. "I do not know, Cassandra. I cannot say if we shall suffer for the rest of our lives. For so long I have been unable to see a way out of this. My father, our sisters, Michael; none have been able to help assuage this crushing weight of failure. Every night I ask myself why am I still alive? Is it to exist as a constant reminder of defeat? A living remembrance of all those souls I could-" It was here that her voice broke and hurt flashed through her eyes. She blinked back tears and swallowed past the lump that had formed in her throat. "Those souls I could not save." A softness settled over her that had not been there before. It was only recently that she had begun to accept it and stop trying to soldier through it all. Quiet emotion filled the room, silencing any other noise. There was some kind of enigmatic shift in the mood. Auriel reached out and placed a hand softly on Cassandra's leg, gripping the thin sheet covering her and pulling it away. Inch by inch the healer's body would be revealed. In the soft moonlight she appeared to glow ever so faintly. For a moment Auriel drank in her appearance, the way one would marvel at a masterpiece. Fingers adept at handling blades and shields reached out to touch. So smooth, so delicate. It always surprised Auriel whenever she touched Cassandra. They were cut from the same cloth but it was things like this that showed the differences between them. Her hands felt clumsy and blocky, not made for this kind of work. That did not stop her. One hand slid up and along the valkyrie's outer thigh while the other supported her weight on the bed. A meandering path was traced upward, following every dip and contour. Auriel leaned forward and planted her lips upon Cassandra's hip, leaving a wet kiss before continuing upward. Auriel's hand skirted the curve of her breasts and continued onward. She gently lowered herself on to the other woman, intertwining their legs. Feeling flesh against flesh brought out a warmth from deep within. It flushed over her skin, rising and spreading like the rays of the sun. The blush would be visible this close, but it was not the same as it had once been. Close to a year ago these feelings were raw and unrefined within her. Each time her fellow valkyrie cast her gaze upon her she felt weak and vulnerable, unsure of herself or the moment. It had come to be that in these moments shared between them Auriel felt alive. Her heart beat against her chest strongly as her face came to hover just near Cassandra's. Cupping her love's cheek, she spoke in a whisper. "You saved me. Every night you save me. It is only here in your arms that the light shines upon me. Feeling your heart beat is what makes mine do so. When I kiss you, when we touch, I am reminded what it means to live. If we are damned for trying our best and failing, then let us be damned. No longer will I live this pitiful life as a mere shell of what I once was. Our true failure is in giving up and forgetting what strength we have in ourselves. Tomorrow I shall atone for the sin of abnegation. But tonight? I shall atone for all that time I wasted not showing you how I feel, Cassandra." Finally she allowed their lips to meet in a holy union. Auriel pressed her supple body onto the beauty before her, grasping at her to bring them closer. A sense of urgency was very evident. It felt like the only way this valkyrie would continue to exist in this plane was by loving Cassandra so very much in that moment. She would fight once more, though not for herself. Auriel would bring peace to Cassandra's life even if she had to tear down the first and second plane with her bare hands. These two nephilim would know reconciliation, that she promised.
Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2016 7:29 am
With every word that poured out of Auriel's mouth, Cassandra felt increasingly numb. The other Valkyrie only spewed more uncertainty about their mind-numbing existence. Perhaps this was what Cassandra had been looking for: more uncertainty to further cloud their judgement. Her words to Auriel made it the fourth time she had spoken since that day at the mine. Cassandra's choice to refrain from speaking was the most logical of choices; it was her words that swayed Auriel into thinking that they could take on the mission. The lives of the villagers would never have been saved, even with their help. The corseted dress she wore that day... it was still in her possession, in the same state as it was after the events transpired. The brilliant white had been replaced by an ashen gray; the laces tying the corset had been singed, some of them burned cleaned through. Her departure from the mine was a memory she had little recollection of; though with the state of the dress, she couldn't have possibly left the mine without her dress nearly falling off. The only explanation as to why it hadn't come off was probably Auriel. Even in the other Valkyrie's distressed state, she was still looking after Cassandra. Always watching with her golden gaze; protective as ever towards the matured, yet inexperienced, Valkyrie.
Was this always the case? Was Auriel always watching Cassandra after what happened in the mine? *A-always? Even t-then?...* As her mind fluttered to the first few days after the event at the mine, she recalled their first camp site near the outskirts of the Forest Dominion. Still in her damaged gown, her eyes spotted a makeshift sewing job on her ruined dress. Where one of the laces that wrapped the corset had been burned clean through, a piece of black cloth most evidently from Auriel's black tights that she wore under her armor had wrapped around her corset, tied at the back with a pin of some sort. While Auriel remained near, she had also needed her space, so Cassandra only assumed that she had done the deed herself subconsciously. Then with the encounter with Niraliel... Cassandra could barely compose enough words to make a clear sentence. Auriel then took it upon herself to convey the necessary words to the Time Angel, saving Cassandra from the shame involved with babbling in front of a deity such as Niraliel. To everyone who approached Cassandra, Auriel had been the one to turn them away for her. It was almost as if Auriel had been holding Cassandra's hand the entire way. It was always Auriel who had done all of the work, even when she was too nervous in doing so.
The second Auriel's hand touched Cassandra's leg over the thin bed sheet, her nerves engulfed in flames. It'd been the first time since that day that she felt any form of response. It had taken her so off guard to have every inch of her body become so excited by a single, shaky touch. When the bed sheet had been forcibly removed from on top of her, she drew her leg back for a split moment."This... this isn't right. T-they are still watching us. Niraliel... Elessia... the angels are watching. Testing us... our willpower... our..." She had started off speaking confidently enough to relay her intention in her tone, but with each word that poured out of her mouth, she grew less and less certain that what she said was actually going through her mind. Before she knew it, Auriel's hand had already traveled up her lateral thigh, raising her white gown's hemline past her upper leg... past her bare inguinal region. With Auriel's hand planted firmly on her bare waist, Cassandra's inkling of fear completely dissolved. A light peck on her fleshy hip forced a single word out of her lips multiple times. "...Yes."The word was first uttered faintly; however, with every inch that her dress climbed up her body due to Auriel's hand, the word continued to escape her lips. By the time Auriel's hand made it past her naval, Cassandra's back arched in response to the minimal amount of stimulation she was receiving.Her gown had been completely raised above her head, holding her arms over her head, locked in white fabric with her exposed body in front of the other Valkyrie.
As if something had just snapped, moments after Auriel placed her hand on Cassandra's cheek, her white gown had fallen gracefully to the cold floor around the bed. Her brilliant blue eyes now glancing down on Auriel's golden pair from above. In a swift movement, Cassandra flipped Auriel over on her back, mounting her while pinning down the hands of her Valkyrie lover. With her breath stolen by Auriel, she spoke between inhalations, still trying to catch her breath. A single bead of sweat moved down the the side of her face, running down her neck. Nothing had even happened, and yet it was like she had run a marathon. "Every day... every moment we share... your hand envelopes mine, and you guide me through everything. Despite your uncertainty, you lead the way." After a long pause, she unpinned Auriel's hands, sitting up on top of the battle hardened Valkyrie beneath her with only fleshy mounds perched perfectly on her anterior, the bead of sweat finally running down her cleavage. "Do you want me? Shake all possibilities of regret... of uncertainty. I want to hear your words. After lowering her torso parallel to Auriel's body, she placed her head adjacent to Auriel's ear. "Speak and I will hark." She whispered.
• Celestial Right The first boost is a whopping +2 Rank in Strength to all Cleric skills. Especially the heals. The Minor Heal receives the effects of a Normal Heal, and the Normal Heal receives the effects of an Expert Heal. The Expert Heal can now even regrow a head, should they need to be healed, and removes all poisons from the body regardless of rank and power. The second ability is simple. It allows Cassandra to be able to heal herself as soon as she is hit without being consciously aware of it. Her body simply jacks up its own regeneration rate to an everlasting expert heal.
• Keep Going The Valk's, in comparison to others, are capable of slight regeneration which begins just as soon as the blow was taken. Bruises and scraps won't even appear making it seem as if their skin is tougher than others. Trainees can deal with simple cuts. Novice can deal with simple cuts and first degree burns. Adept can deal with cuts, second degree burns, and fractured bones. Experts can deal with deep lacerations and broken bones. Masters can heal third degree burns, wounds such as stabs(only on surface, not internal damage), and crushed bones. E-Trainee, D-Novice, C-Adept, B-Expert, A-Master
• Wrath of a God Their weapons surge with their latent energy which makes any weapon they touch, especially their chosen one, both covered in holy light and electricity. This leads to anyone locking blades or striking the shield of a Valkyrie feel small shocks that ward people off from staying in contact with them for too long. This also makes unholy enemies take an extra rank of damage on top of the lightning damage. However for the lightning to be in effect you must have more than half your energy remaining within you.
• Child of Jarnbjorn When a Valkyrie choses a weapon to specialize in, that weapon becomes gifted by holy power and works much like Thor's Mjolnir and Jarnbjorn. It will nigh automatically come to the call of the Valkyrie, cannot be destroyed, and always has the extra lightning damage going on it regardless of energy level. When attacking with that weapon, they gain an extra +1/+1 to their stats. You get one of these, so choose carefully. This weapon should get its own custom abilities, and if it does it must be approved.
• Feast of Ambrosia Once per battle the Valkyrie can hold their hand out and summon a goblet full of ambrosia. Upon consumption, this otherwordly substance will heal and cure any wounds and debilitations the Valkyrie may be suffering. This will not regenerate any lost limbs or organs, but it will immediately close wounds. No energy is regained from this, it merely gives the Valkyrie a better chance to continue fighting.
• The Sight Being of God's blood, like God, they can see the world for what it truly is. They can see through ''the Mist" and see those for what they are. Instantly recognizing creatures of the night on spot or those who can use dark magic for they can read the aura's about them. Also giving them a general idea of how strong another is regardless of race. (Rank-wise, not as precise to be know the exact amount in the other energy pool.)
Everything happening now felt like a dream to the young Valkyrie. The more Cassandra's breathy words spilled forth from her full lips the further urged on Auriel became. Whatever emotion or feeling this was felt stronger than anything she had ever felt. It was more powerful than any one force she had felt. Being on the battlefield staring an enemy in the eye just before plunging a blade in to their chest did not feel as strong. Auriel had faced down armies with shield in hand and her sisters at her side, still it felt that her heart had never beat so fast before. She could feel that terror which had for a year remained inside of her slip away just as the darkness ekes from the light of a candle. This woman was far beyond her comprehension. She was a true healer, soothing more than just her physical wounds. Cassandra's touch against her was mending her very soul. Her hardness was melting away and in her bloomed something she thought lost to the darkness that had consumed. An inner strength, her will of fire had returned. "Let them watch. They shall see us rise again, together and stronger than ever." Each utterance of 'yes' sent a surge of want so powerful Auriel's head felt far too clouded. Her logic and reasoning gave way to the basest of desires. Yet it was not only lust that propelled her actions, that made her want to feel every inch of her lover that night. A closeness had blossomed betwixt the two. As the grey-eyed beauty gasped between kisses and languid caress so too did the daughter of the first plane feel a quickening.
It suddenly was Auriel that was vocalizing her ferverish need for her woman. Cassandra had switched the roles and straddled her, long legs wrapping around her waist. The heat between them accelerated growth of unbridled want. She realized how vulnerable she felt there, pinned beneath the other valkyrie who's gaze she could not escape. Auriel felt her chest rising and falling rapidly, her lips slightly parted and eyes wide with passion. From their it was that she drank in such a lovely sight, one that even if given a thousand years to compose there would be no way to truly tell just how magnificent it was to her. Without actually intending to her hands found their way to Cassandra's hips, her thumbs kneading small concentric circles wherever they could reach. She felt her body arch without an order to do so, if only to feel more pressure against her body. It took all of her newfound willpower to focus on what was being said to her. It could barely be stopped, her desire to reach up and take hold of the woman gracing her with such a lovely view. Automatically her hands reached up and around to brush against Cassandra's back when she leaned forward. Anything that was asked of her at this very moment would be given, there was no resistance. With absolutely zero hesitation Auriel nuzzled against the soft flesh of her lover's neck. "More than anything in all the planes combined do I want you. Come, let nothing stand between us any longer. Come, let me show you what it is you make me feel." No other words were needed. With fingers splayed against her back Auriel pulled Cassandra in and met her mouth. She wanted nothing but the taste of this valkyrie, nothing but the sweet smell of her, nothing but the wonderfully stirring sight of her. Ardently was the way she moved against her, with hands and tongue and lips and all. Those musical and mystical sounds that filled the air fueled Auriel and guided her. Unlike before there was not even a trace of uncertainty. All she wanted was to live and be, so long as it was with Cassandra. She could feel herself becoming bewitched every time her ministrations caused the woman to shudder against her body. The way her grip tightened on her was the sweetest sensation. What Cassandra brought next out of Auriel made her truly believe she saw the face of glory. To each touch she would acquiesce, beguiled by the mirrored actions. She felt so steamy inside and close to bursting at the seams. Then it finally happened. Her breath left her in a rush and her very essence seemed to shoot high in the sky. In the back of her mind she processed Cassandra kneeling before her as one would an altar. Her fingers were entangled in those lush locks of hair at the nape of the other valkyrie's neck. Again she arched and all senses gave way to white.
Slowly.
Slowly.
Auriel seemed to glide down from that little space in heaven and return to her body. Her limbs felt so heavy and it took her a moment to blink away the haze that settled in her head. Her breathing became even and steady. Awareness was next to arrive, and she found Cassandra laying in her arms. "Cassandra I-" A slight flinch shook her body, the sound of her voice forming words and not moans surprised her. The pause gave her a second to think about what she wanted to actually say, for there had been no real plan there. "You are absolutely incredible. I don't even- What can I say that will- It was- I just-" Auriel never stammered. Ever. So with an audible 'click' she closed her mouth and closed her eyes for a second. Maybe she did not have to say anything. Maybe Cassandra already knew.
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2016 6:03 am
The first to come was the silence; the golden silence between the two Valkyries that had matched the serenity that Cassandra was currently in. Shut away in the same temple they had been in for months after they met Niraliel and restored Yuran, the two of them had been estranged from each other. Until today. When one spoke, the other would turn. Both were too afraid to talk about everything that happened, even now. But today was a step in a new direction; the right direction. Not only had Cassandra placed her complete trust in Auriel, she had finally allowed the Valkyrie to really know her. Auriel had been looking after Cassandra since they had met, and she had never asked for anything in return. It was like being with Cassandra was just enough for her, as it was for Cassandra to simply just be near Auriel. As battle hardened as Auriel was, she had never so much as yelled at Cassandra. After they had reached Niraliel, Cassandra thought that she could feel as if they had finally done something right. Yuran was restored, yet nothing is different. The people are still uneasy to live in a city that has been destroyed numerous times, and they are right to feel such a way. But with the insecurities, so came the violence. Since the people have returned to Yuran, numerous acts of violence have been committed on the marketplace, common areas, and even the residential district. The newly formed counsel that currently rules over Yuran faces much more than petty crimes being committed in the capital. Though they have yet to leave the temple, Cassandra could hear the occasional scream. Every time, she wondered what it could have been. Was it a woman being raped in the streets? Was it another citizen dying by the hands of some criminal organization or gang?
But another thought had crossed her mind as well. Why did she have to worry about any of that? Cassandra and Auriel had reversed the clock and undid all of the damage done by Zachariah and his horde of demons. While they were not involved in his slaying, the two Valkyries certainly did enough for the world. Here, in Auriel's arms, Cassandra didn't have to worry about anything. They could stay in this secluded temple forever, and they could forget about the world outside. They could forget about demons; they could forget about angels; they could forget about good and evil; and they could most certainly forget about the lives they weren't able to save along the way to find Niraliel. They could let someone else be the hero that this world needs. But even as she thought about it, she knew that they would never let it happen. It was like second nature to the two of them to spring into action when needed, and Cassandra was certain that no amount of tragedy would keep both of the Valkyries down for too long. In fact...
Cassandra lied completely still on Auriel's chest, with her head pressed to her bare chest. It hadn't been until Auriel's body flinched that Cassandra snapped back into reality, lifting her head up to see what was happening. Auriel was the first to break the silence, though it was with a bunch of stammering. Once Auriel said her name, a piece of Cassandra lit up as it always had every time Auriel spoke her name. It was like an angel's call; music to her ears. A small smile founds its way onto the Valkyrie's face, and it only grew as Auriel continued to stammer. Instinctually, Cassandra moved slightly up the bed to silence Auriel's stammering by placing her own lips to Auriel's. Though brief, she broke the kiss to respond to Auriel. "I know. It has been a long time since we have even thought of touching each other, and then it just happened. It was amazing. You are amazing. Every day, I try to bring mysself to try and forgive what I did, and when I look at you it's like I don't need to forgive myself. You already have. For all that we have been through... you have always been there for the both of us, and I think it's time that I start paying you back. I love you." While she never planned on saying those last three words, her grin rose after she spoke them. It'd been like she had just been presented a grand gift.
As much as she would have preferred to stay in this very moment, Cassadra knew that they had to leave this place. This temple... it may have been built for Valkyries, but it was not built for Valkyries to lay up their blades and retire. Each mural was a reminder of a brave Valkyrie's triumph, and theirs would be painted one day soon. Soon enough, the entire world will know their names; but that would never happen if they stood in the temple for the rest of their lives. Regretfully, and begrudgingly, Cassandra leaned forward to sit up on the bed, and she glanced back at Auriel. "We can't stay here forever. We have many more days to live. More battles to fight, and certainly more stories that need to be written. I want the bards in every tavern to play our song, Auriel. But they can't do that while we waste away here." She stood up from the bed, dropping the thin bed sheet that kept her covered as she walked out of the room and out of sight. Various clanging sounds could be heard in the distance, indicating her presence in the small armory located in the temple. Within minutes, and after much rushing, Cassandra appeared in the doorway of the bed chamber, fully armored. With a thin steel chest plate, a spiked pauldron, and even a steel longblade that Cassandra had no idea how to use, she outstretched her armored hand to Auriel."Come."
• Celestial Right The first boost is a whopping +2 Rank in Strength to all Shaman skills. Especially the heals. The Minor Heal receives the effects of a Normal Heal, and the Normal Heal receives the effects of an Expert Heal. The Expert Heal can now even regrow a head, should they need to be healed, and removes all poisons from the body regardless of rank and power. The second ability is simple. It allows Cassandra to be able to heal herself as soon as she is hit without being consciously aware of it. Her body simply jacks up its own regeneration rate to an everlasting expert heal.
• Keep Going The Valk's, in comparison to others, are capable of slight regeneration which begins just as soon as the blow was taken. Bruises and scraps won't even appear making it seem as if their skin is tougher than others. Trainees can deal with simple cuts. Novice can deal with simple cuts and first degree burns. Adept can deal with cuts, second degree burns, and fractured bones. Experts can deal with deep lacerations and broken bones. Masters can heal third degree burns, wounds such as stabs(only on surface, not internal damage), and crushed bones. E-Trainee, D-Novice, C-Adept, B-Expert, A-Master
• Wrath of a God Their weapons surge with their latent energy which makes any weapon they touch, especially their chosen one, both covered in holy light and electricity. This leads to anyone locking blades or striking the shield of a Valkyrie feel small shocks that ward people off from staying in contact with them for too long. This also makes unholy enemies take an extra rank of damage on top of the lightning damage. However for the lightning to be in effect you must have more than half your energy remaining within you.
• Child of Jarnbjorn When a Valkyrie choses a weapon to specialize in, that weapon becomes gifted by holy power and works much like Thor's Mjolnir and Jarnbjorn. It will nigh automatically come to the call of the Valkyrie, cannot be destroyed, and always has the extra lightning damage going on it regardless of energy level. When attacking with that weapon, they gain an extra +1/+1 to their stats. You get one of these, so choose carefully. This weapon should get its own custom abilities, and if it does it must be approved.
• Feast of Ambrosia Once per battle the Valkyrie can hold their hand out and summon a goblet full of ambrosia. Upon consumption, this otherwordly substance will heal and cure any wounds and debilitations the Valkyrie may be suffering. This will not regenerate any lost limbs or organs, but it will immediately close wounds. No energy is regained from this, it merely gives the Valkyrie a better chance to continue fighting.
• The Sight Being of God's blood, like God, they can see the world for what it truly is. They can see through ''the Mist" and see those for what they are. Instantly recognizing creatures of the night on spot or those who can use dark magic for they can read the aura's about them. Also giving them a general idea of how strong another is regardless of race. (Rank-wise, not as precise to be know the exact amount in the other energy pool.)
Auriel felt like she had been stabbed again. Her gut churned and she felt her body instinctively tighten in anticipation of the pain. How strange a comparison for her to draw, a declaration of love to that of a blade piercing her heart. But there were no defenses to through in the way of those three words. A strange warmth was spreading where they had struck her. She felt a powerful emotion emanating throughout her and it filled her up. Her vision became blurry and it occurred to her that she was about to cry. Cassandra made a very valid point. From the beginning of it all Auriel refused to think of her current lover as anything left than beautifully imperfect. She never blamed the valkyrie for their defeat, choosing only to shoulder the burden herself. For after all it was she who was called the Bulwark, and it was her shield and blade that failed all those people. Every night thereafter she would berate herself and allow the dark thoughts pervade her mind. Never did she allow simple love to overtake and wash it away. Hearing it now from someone so exalted in her eyes made her want to leap into the skies and take flight. Auriel wanted to reply but she felt that anything she said would be a poor representation of how she actually felt. Instead she beamed at Cassandra with a sense of self worth, and a powerful love strong enough to rival her own.
Molten gold eyes would follow Cassandra the entire time she spoke, right up until she disappeared. In those few minutes she had alone Auriel thought deeply on those words. There was no argument that could be formed against the. They had stayed there too long. The world outside was alien to her now, and it was all because it had taken nearly a year to shake off her depression. Auriel took in a deep breath and sat up, sliding to the edge of the bed and waited. The sight before her caused her to actually marvel. The compassionate healer dressing as a warrior, what she had always been born to be. The young valkyrie reached up and touched the cool metal hand extended to her and rose to her feet. "I've already followed you to hell and back and I will never hesitate to do it again. I won't hide in the shadows any longer. The time has come Cassandra, I am ready to fight again." Auriel reached up to her lover's face and kissed her lightly on the lips and bound away. Long legs carried her swiftly to the same armory her partner had come from. For a moment she paused and felt her breath hitch. Would her body even be able to carry her heavy plate? While she had not exactly let herself fall out of shape it had been months since she even bothered to don that armor. Auriel moved inward and began searching. After a few minutes she found her set in the back upon a stand. Standing before it she caught her own reflection. She flinched at the sight of herself, a bad habit from that haunting look she always had. But there had been no reason to, it had gone from her. Now she looked fierce once more, proud and confident. The gash where the demon Abraxas had stabbed her had not been repaired, though someone had been taking the time to polish her armor. Instead it had been filled with a golden alloy. A faint smile spread across her face, it was perfect. With a deep breath the valkyrie reached up and unbuckled the plate.
Dressing took her longer than usual to dress. Doing it alone had always been difficult. With a slow sureness the dexterity returned to her fingers. Before long it was muscle memory and Auriel was ready. With haste she returned to their room to collect the most important piece of her equipment. It had been where her title came from. She grasped the rim of her claimed shield and hoisted it up. For a moment she stared in to the blank eyes of the angel carved on to the front from golds and silvers. Ever since her sister had passed away Auriel liked to think she was still watching over her and this reminded the woman of her all the time. "I will make a world that you would have loved, Abigail. I swear to you, even if I have to destroy every vile creature that walks this plane, even if I have to go to Michael himself and make him wipe away the madness, I'll do it. For you, for our sister, for us all." It was said just above a whisper, a prayer to the gods in the first plane. With a gesture she motioned for Cassandra to come.
Out the door Auriel went, shining in her guilded platemail. The fiirst valkyrie they passed stopped in her tracks and stared in awe. The word that the last daughter of Samael had finally returned spread immediately throughout the Advent. Bells here rung to herald the event and before they could make it out the front door they had been surrounded by shield-sisters on every side. A certain uneasiness seeped in to Auriel. It'd been awhile since she had spoken to a large group of people. She shifted uncomfortably in place as all eyes seemed to be staring at her. Quickly she glanced to Cassandra, and seeing her reassuring look was all that had been needed. The valkyrie nodded her head and cleared her throat. "I...I know I failed you all. I won't dwell on the past any longer but I am sorry. You have all done so well without us, but we need to join together once more. Too long has this country been oppressed by tyrants and mad kings and absent queens. From the North the darkness of Nocturne has been a constant threat. They freely raid our lands, rape and pillage when they see fit. Who protected us when we were assaulted by a god? Where was Michael? Even...Even my father." A deep sadness changed the tone of her words. She looked to the floor for a moment before raising her gaze once more. "I know now that we were too dependent. It is time for each and every one of us to pledge ourselves to the greatest cause there could ever be: the protection of life itself. I am heading to the capital where I intend to clean the malice plaguing our people. I offer myself as bastion to you all. I will fight for you, for the citizens of Yuran, and for glory! Let our names and our faces be etched onto these walls, so that one day young valkyries will look to us with admiration and awe! Come sisters, take your place amongst the heroes in the first plane!" Auriel banged her shield against her chest three times and the air erupted before her. All the valkyries exploded in to action and shouted their assent. The momentum had been gained, the world was about to change once more.
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2016 11:48 am
Inspired by the turn of events and Auriel's new found role in the Valkyrie's revolt, she spread her wings like Shane spreads his legs and left with the other Valkyries.
The Advent had many visitors on this day. Exactly a week had passed since the fall of Elessia, a goddess who had lost her way and was struck down for her sins. Her death had a profound effect on many. News of it had spread from each corner of the earth so quick, even faster than the eclipse vanishing. All seemed right in the world. With their leader removed from power most of the valkyries who had picked up arms against their own kind were adrift for awhile. The schism the angel had caused left behind a time of uncertainty. Could they return home after their deeds? Would they be accepted back in to the fold or put to the blade, another name to be written down in the annals of forgotten history. No, Auriel could not stand idly by and watch her wayward sisters be tossed away like trash. She fought vigorously to have then pardoned, and only those who refused to let Elessia's misguided ambition go were punished. Just as before the daughter of Samael was the first to step to the mantle. The strife would end here, even if she herself had to tear away the lives of every one who chose to oppose the righteous order. The weight of each soul felt like it was added to Gallagher's halbred. Her first trial by combat was against an opponent she had grown up with. This woman was Elara, a fellow shield-sister. How strange it had been to see her across the sands of the arena, swords in hand and face stoic as ever. She had accepted her fate to be the same as her goddess, death before dishonor. With the champion's weapon clenched firmly in her hands Auriel had fought, a bitter taste in her mouth. A singe cheer went up when she struck Elara down. The look on the valkyrie's face silenced it.
Today was a mass funeral. It was for every soul who had fallen in battle, Elessia included. Much of her body had been ravaged during the fight, and so it was merely a strip of cloth from her gown that was added to the pyre. Hundreds of these wooden piles were placed in proper alignment. Before the bodies were those who knew them all. Some mourning openly, others refusing to cry and instead honoring the dead the best they could. Their weapons and armors, trinkets and personal effects had been gathered and placed down for them. Even some of the lesser angels were in attendance. With her father's new position in the first plane Auriel understood why he could not be one of them. Still she looked to the skies and knew he watched from above. Before the valkyrie had picked up her shield and became a defender, she had been a cleric. She had chosen to join those offering prayers and led a section of the funeral rites, speaking in angelic and offering solace to all. "Though their mortal bodies have perished, our sisters are never truly gone. Hold fast, and know that they shall always be waiting for you in the halls of Valhalla." It was solemn, at best. Quietly she watched torches put to the pyres. In unison they went up in flames. The vigil had begun. For the next seven days the temple would be crowded with those coming to pay their respects.
For awhile Auriel would walk from pyre to pyre, saying a small prayer and moving on. She lingered the longest at Elessia's, the only one brave - or foolish - enough to stand near it. The fires danced in her eyes, turning calm golden pools in to molten rivers of melancholy. When all was said and done the valkyrie would walk through the halls of the Advent, occasionally speaking with a nephilim or human, moreso to her own kind. On her way to the inner temple where she sought a moment of peace Auriel instead found a veritable wall of backs blocking her path. Tall as she was so were her sisters. The woman had to step as high as she could just to peer over their heads. Surprise crossed her face at the sight of what everyone seemed to be watching. It was Cassandra. She was on the dais, mounted over the stone table normally for ceremonies like one would a fallen foe. Her lips were moving but from here it was hard to tell what she was staying. Gods, did her lover seem incredible in that moment. As just another face in the see of blonde, blue eyed and battleborn women Auriel watched her. The fierceness in her voice awakened a passion inside of the templar's body. She felt her throat tighten at the thought, unsure of what had really changed. Cassandra appeared to be the same woman she had fallen in love with. In to the calamitous storms that were her eyes did Auriel peer. The light was still there, though it was dimmed. It was the posture, the way she held herself. No more did Cassandra try to blend with the background - though Auriel never believed she truly could, not being as magnificent as she was -, now she stood proud and powerful. Unknowingly did she make her way to the front of the crowd, until she was as close as can be without climbing on to the pedestal as well. No, this was where Auriel wanted to be. Seeing Cassandra raise her voice and hearing echoed back a cacophony of battlecrys filled her with pride. So too did she clap her fist across her chest in salute, so too did she cry her name out. "Cassandra" The feeling of that name on her lips left the tingling like Auriel had kissed a lightning bolt. She would remain when the others left, waiting to speak with her love. They had hardly had any time to be alone with one another since returning from the first plane. So desperately did she wish to just talk, to know that Cassandra was okay. A lot of truly incredibly things had happened in the past week, so much had changed. Auriel needed to know that they would be okay.
Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2017 6:38 pm
"Little birds don't seem to like me," Almira spoke to what seemed to be nobody. She got pretty far into Yuran on her own, thankful for the fog permeating everything. The normally sunny city was much more bearable for her and her companion, and that meant she could better blend in... or so any vampire wished. Even as the duo avoided speaking, such that their fangs could be hidden more easily, even as they strided slower than usual, even as their eyes didn't dwell on pulsing veins... someone was sure to notice the pale skins, the dead eyes. Yuran happened to be full of angels, those who preached tolerance and acceptance, but none can deny their true nature. Lucien, hidden such as he was, rolled his eyes at their shared thoughts on the matter. In her case, he knew almost as well as she that nature often trumped nurture. He could almost feel her tattoo on his own neck. Gluttony preying on the natural hunger and ambition of the vampire. It was better the valkyries show up when they did.
And boy did they, in force.
She was near the entrance to the mountainous Advent when a trio of them appeared, landing with lances pointing on her. Her eyes, however, ignored the electricity pouring from the women into their weapons. She ignored the snarling words they barked at her, clear warnings for her to make her purpose known to them. All she could see was the highway of plasma moving from and to the hearts beating loudly in their chests. The thumping sound against their chest was like a dinner bell, almost making her salivate as she imagined angel blood gracing her lips. Her eyes struggled not to rest on the bright red line in the woman's neck as she spoke. "Please, put the toys down girls. I come in peace." The response was silence, and held ground. Such hostility was warranted. Her reputation wasn't one that begged for peaceful introductions, but rather spoke to the need for her destruction. Better than these three had tried and failed when she was alone,but waiting in the wings was one sworn to protect her. One already prepared to strike. "Fine, keep them, makes me no difference. Where are the rulers of the lands? Auriel? Cassandra? I have important business to discuss with them. Divine matters and the like."
• Regeneration This is passive meaning it does it on its own. At different ranks you may regenerate your wounds. Trainees can only deal with cuts, by novice deep cuts, Adept rank you wont bother with a broken bone, masters can deal with an entire sword going through your body, and you can deal with a removed arm or leg, as well as internal damage to the organs.
• Telepathy A skill that simply allows vampires to communicate with other vampires or those they have bitten within a week, letting them discuss strategy or simply have a discussion. The range of how far one must be from the other is vast, to be able to communicate one must be within the same country as the target. However, to be able to speak with them they must know each other. In the case of a progeny and a creator, they can talk to each other from across the world. The creator can also physically effect their progenies from anywhere, making them feel a longing to come to the one who turned them.
• The Rite of Blood Upon obtaining expert rank, you may use this ability only twice, so choose wisely. If someone has died and not yet rotted completely, you may bring them back as a vampire. The ritual is simple; shove a liter of blood down their throat, and then bring them somewhere with no light. Not even moonlight. If this is done before rotting gets too grim, after a few hours they'll rise up, as your progeny. Being a progeny has benefits and losses. The one who turned you into a vampire will always feel the desire to protect you, and will not do harm onto you. Similarly, you will feel the same protective instinct, preventing you from harming them as well. You literally can't find it within you to hurt them. The one who turned you can get you used to being a vampire; to the life of bloodlust, avoiding the sun, whatnot. However, you will always be connected to them in a way some may not like. Their words will influence you, and greatly. While they cannot simply 'command' you, they can make you want to do things that you wouldn't ordinarily do, and could almost certainly make you do things that you would ordinarily do. You want to impress them. They're like your rolemodel, and your mind can fall under the mercy of their will. This is the benefit of owning a progeny.
• Every knight has the ability to ignore pain in battle, even ignoring the pain of severed limbs for a certain amount of time.
• Vanguards are masters of single handed weaponry and shields. As such, they obtain a +1 in power to all single handed weapons (Jians, longsword, katana) and shield skills.
• Sunder: If using an attack and the opponent conjures up a barrier, the user may shatter the defense if it is two ranks below them. If the barrier is one rank below them, they can stagger the opponent with just sheer force, causing them to be so distracted with their next post that only one skill can be used.
Technique
___youwillknownihilism Captain
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Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 10:13 pm
Even the brilliant kaleidoscope of colors filtering in through the stained glass murals could do nothing to brighten Auriel's mood. Keeping morale up had been a priority as of late, but a nigh on impossible task. It seemed as if Yuran was nothing more than some cruel joke laid upon the face of the third plane by the gods, a constant source of dark entertainment for them. If not God-Kings it was the northen aggressors or some empire or another attempting to siege them out once more. Yet somehow that was not the worst of it. Pronta had literally gotten wiped off of the map and more was still to come. Some diabolical being or another had unleashed a horrendous plague, one that had everyone from scholars to wizards completely baffled. At least with Zacariah the people did not suffer. Now, every day the death toll rose higher and higher despite their efforts. Her father's blessing could not have come at a more opportune time. The gift of Vitality put Auriel at the front lines once more. For once, it was not for battle. Here in the medical tents and in chapels she had no clear enemy, no demon to destroy in order to wipe away the death. She did all she could, but it felt like so little. So much of herself was being put in to these people who could do nothing but wait for the end to come. A mass exodus had been attempted but everywhere yet untouched by the plague had chosen to shut its borders. Once more Yuran was on its own. The one person she could seek solace in was leagues away, pleading with the leaders of other countries to try and unite for the sake of saving lives. That had left Auriel in charge, and she was already in a foul mood. So when it was told to her that there was a vampire at the base of the Advent demanding an audience with her an ache began to form from deep within her skull.
Auriel chose to not daun her armor. She hefted her shield and spear upon her back and raced to the edfe of the cliff. With no hesitation the valkyrie stepped off and plunged through the sky. From high above she spotted the intruder, encircled by a contingent of her sisters. The woman was striking, though the death that clung to her tarnished the look. There was a foreboding aurra about her, one that made it even more impossible for Auriel to relax. "I am Auriel, daughter of Samael. What is your purpose here? Speak plainly, I've little time for games today." Eloquence aside, Auriel was certainly ready to get down to business. Despite the fatigue from sharing her vitality with the masses her posture spoke on the pride of the valkyries. Tall did she stand, chin up and eyes boring holes in to this strange one before her.
Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2017 8:20 am
All but minutes had passed, but for Almira a whole lifetime had passed. Often her heightened reflexes made her see and experience everything more slowly comparatively to most. It compounded the thirst when she was younger, forcing her to watch in agonizing slow motion as blood moved through her veins. Now that she was an elder vampire in status and state, she had a better control over that aspect of her un-life, and it still tore at her mental state constantly. Knight's underwent long, almost meretricious hours of pain training before they reach the rank of novice. For a vampire, even that couldn't curb the hunger pains. For Granak, it meant next to nothing for the grueling and vicious hungering thirst that always threatened the beginning of an all out massacre. Such macabre thoughts plagued her mind enough without Lucien adding his own. She smirked, letting loose a somewhat condescending chuckle to herself as he imagined the bloody scene they could make if the Blood Moon rose. He was trying, in vein, to rile her up and either be dismissed or break her down into the monster. He could feel her teetering always, even across the world. She turned her head, not even hearing the voices still cawing at her like crows. So many weaklings, lambs to the slaughter. She slowly opened her mouth to speak, but snapped shut as soon as the smells became faint tastes. It was audible, and without having to turn her head she felt the trembling in the Valkyries, wondering what that was. Just to bother them, she gritted her teeth so loud that her current captors seemed even more on edge. She really wanted them to pick a fight. It was three on one. She could decimate them. "It would be easy. Like killing doves with a flamethrower." Her thoughts had stopped being her own. Gluttony's hunger and Luciens unending mental jab was threatening to bring forth ruin.
Mr. Hyde would be disappointed tonight. "Silence, Lucien." she commanded carrying the weight of a progenitor. Suddenly her mood changed again, back to positivity. The orbs set into her skull were now She sighed and turned her eyes skyward the moment Auriel made herself known. She was tired, it was visible on her. And... she was pretty as well. Eyes striking, familiar. "She looks like the demon who kicked your a** in the barracks of Zachariah's army.""She didn't kick my a**, elf boy. Why are you reading my memories.""Curiosity for you is curiosity for me, remember, mom? Also she picked you up and slammed you into the wall. With her mind." Almira Almost audibly sighed, having to think back a few milliseconds to remember what she'd heard the woman declare. Auriel, Daughter of a God some considered an oddity. Almira smiled and took a light bow.
"Countess Almira Herakk," she introduced. From behind her, a blond haired elf, dead as death, melded seemingly from a shadow that nobody had, as of yet, noticed. His presence once noted brought with it a return to the normal level of brightness. "This is Lucien, my bodyguard." He barely regarded her at all, besides a curt nod of his head. Almira let her eys fall on Auriel's, a smile painting slowly into her face. "Auriel, the sister of Aurelia the Black Baroness. You're more than just the daughter of someone, Godslayer. Perhaps that is why he directed me here..." she trailed off, fangs still extended to a level that for all logic and reason should be making talking difficult. "So, godslayer. To business. You are in for a hell of a treat. A god by the name of Scythius walks the plane freely. I know not why the god of crime wanted to help, but by his claim, Sevastiana is she who released the plague upon the western world, and in order to stop it, we've got a long road of hunting ahead of us." she would wait for the woman to respond before going on. That, in of itself, was a lot to take in.
• Regeneration This is passive meaning it does it on its own. At different ranks you may regenerate your wounds. Trainees can only deal with cuts, by novice deep cuts, Adept rank you wont bother with a broken bone, masters can deal with an entire sword going through your body, and you can deal with a removed arm or leg, as well as internal damage to the organs.
• Telepathy A skill that simply allows vampires to communicate with other vampires or those they have bitten within a week, letting them discuss strategy or simply have a discussion. The range of how far one must be from the other is vast, to be able to communicate one must be within the same country as the target. However, to be able to speak with them they must know each other. In the case of a progeny and a creator, they can talk to each other from across the world. The creator can also physically effect their progenies from anywhere, making them feel a longing to come to the one who turned them.
• The Rite of Blood Upon obtaining expert rank, you may use this ability only twice, so choose wisely. If someone has died and not yet rotted completely, you may bring them back as a vampire. The ritual is simple; shove a liter of blood down their throat, and then bring them somewhere with no light. Not even moonlight. If this is done before rotting gets too grim, after a few hours they'll rise up, as your progeny. Being a progeny has benefits and losses. The one who turned you into a vampire will always feel the desire to protect you, and will not do harm onto you. Similarly, you will feel the same protective instinct, preventing you from harming them as well. You literally can't find it within you to hurt them. The one who turned you can get you used to being a vampire; to the life of bloodlust, avoiding the sun, whatnot. However, you will always be connected to them in a way some may not like. Their words will influence you, and greatly. While they cannot simply 'command' you, they can make you want to do things that you wouldn't ordinarily do, and could almost certainly make you do things that you would ordinarily do. You want to impress them. They're like your rolemodel, and your mind can fall under the mercy of their will. This is the benefit of owning a progeny.
• Every knight has the ability to ignore pain in battle, even ignoring the pain of severed limbs for a certain amount of time.
• Vanguards are masters of single handed weaponry and shields. As such, they obtain a +1 in power to all single handed weapons (Jians, longsword, katana) and shield skills.
• Sunder: If using an attack and the opponent conjures up a barrier, the user may shatter the defense if it is two ranks below them. If the barrier is one rank below them, they can stagger the opponent with just sheer force, causing them to be so distracted with their next post that only one skill can be used.
Technique
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Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2017 6:10 pm
Not once did the contingent of valkyries break line, not even giving off a signal of how disturbed they were by something so heinous being this incredibly close to them. None acted out of turn though, all firmly trusting in one who had proven herself time and time again to be a powerful warrior. Auriel's own stance was fairly lofty. Something about the way she stood, tall and proud and practically glowing with a heavenly aura. They each all felt the undeniable evil that stood before them. It felt bottomless, a terrible pit threatening to consume them all if given only a chance. It kept them all on edge save for Auriel. Her instincts gave no notion that this particular vampire was here for anything other than words.
The faintest of reactions came from the soldier when her blood-sister was mentioned. Her gaze never wavered, but her hand clenched firmly upon her spear. After losing Abigail, after what they had done to Elessia she no longer had any room in her heart for family drama. Momentary despair clutched at her innards as she briefly expected Almira to mention her sister dead or worse. A small breath of relief escaped when Aurelia was just a passing thought and nothing more. Her stoic nature would make it seem like a deep inhale and nothing more. The general chose to remain silent and wait to see what the Countess thought so important to say, and her reaction amounted to a single raised eyebrow.
Firstly, it perturbed her to be called 'Godslayer'. Putting an end to Elessia's mad tyranny had been a necessity. That did not remove the tragedy from the situation. The angel once had been beautiful and kind before falling to her sins. Auriel felt no glory being apart of the team that ended her. She needed no accolades as reminders of her deed. That weight was something she carried with her through every waking moment. A flicker of annoyance at even the notion that more gods were meddling in the affairs of mortals. Had they not had their fill? No, it seemed with Michael gone and the Two plans still recovering from the turmoil of war there was room for further destruction and chaos being generated.
"Of course, how could we have not seen this."
Auriel believed the Countess immediately, having to literally stave off a hefty eye roll at the thought of dealing with more gods.
"Nothing good will come of aligning yourself or myself with such a god; Scythius is not to be trusted. The only reason I'll be finding myself on his side is to put an end to the newest horror that ravages this land. A temporary alliance, one forged to ensure that there is a tomorrow for our world. Allow me time to prepare, Countess. There are affairs I must settle and goodbyes to be said. I'll not see one of my sisters set on a suicide mission. N Not again."
It was a double layered message. First to Almira, that despite the evident mistrust of each other Auriel would fight alongside her and pool their resources. Secondly, it was an order to the women around her. They would be left behind to protect Yuran. Their mission had not changed and they would remain to save as many lives as possible.
Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2017 4:57 pm
She probably goes through a great deal of trouble to maintain an aura like that, huh? Almira ignored Lucien's jest as she too observed the stark difference between her and her shield-sisters. Where they were meek, eager for any reason to attack while simultaneously too wracked with apprehension to actually make any sort of move, Auriel carried herself like someone in short supply around these parts: someone worthy of respect. The light radiated from her, and she stood tall intentionally. Almira's body had always radiated a palpable and visible darkness around it. Truly opposite were these two. Well, as far as the Countess was concerned she was just another Valkyrie. She had more than her fair share of run ins with her kind, and they were all much the same in life and death alike. So high and mighty, calling down to her because she "clung to the shadows" such as they, very in-eloquently, would put it in so many words. It amused her to no end but theirs that, as the Bloodmoon took away their sunlight, that they realized they held on to the light for much the same reason. Like children they believed that the light of day scared the monsters away. Had it not occurred that in the light they were the monsters? That they themselves weren't the same lower order creatures as her own people in very similar ways. Lucien cackled in his own mind, filling hers with memories of them tearing the wings off of the little birds like flies as they ran away.
No one had ever told them that darkness moves just as fast as light.
As she spoke, Auriel only barely felt moved by the words themselves, hearing the meaning behind them. Instead her eyes traveled aside, seeing the same thigns she'd seen in Kranilla. They snapped back when she spoke the word Alliance, and she moved her hand dismissively. Lucien set stark red eyes, veins visible below pale elven skin around them, upon the leader of the Valkyries. He smirked in the final second before he seemed to bend his body down behind Almira and vanish before their very eyes. As for Almira, she opened her mouth to speak again as the woman finished speaking. "You mistake me for someone beholden to gods and their whims, destructive as they are. What's the word in angelica?" she searched the library of her mind, souls eternally wailing, words forever scrambled together in infinity, and spoke again a few seconds later. "Tiberisi nan no Vys. Vakk, I don't know, Angelica is too haughty and pretentious." The misquote was clever and intentional. She hadn't thought of it, rather heard a scorned Nephilim in the city utter it to his companion, much to his chagrin. As she spoke she moved to take a step forward, and by a simple expression of her power she turned on her heels faster and more inhuman than anything she'd yet done. It was like seeing a shadow replace her for half a second, then evaporate like smog just as quick. She moved right past the two Valkyrie behind her a few paces, staring upon the place behind the clouds where the sun awaited. "According to Scythius, we need to kill the Plague Maidens, the chosen disciples of Sevastiana who are the main... carriers of this plague. I've dispatched one, but the way he spoke there are plenty more who need destruction. Have any of your little birds told you anything of them? A heading would be nice for me to get started with this hunt."
• Regeneration This is passive meaning it does it on its own. At different ranks you may regenerate your wounds. Trainees can only deal with cuts, by novice deep cuts, Adept rank you wont bother with a broken bone, masters can deal with an entire sword going through your body, and you can deal with a removed arm or leg, as well as internal damage to the organs.
• Telepathy A skill that simply allows vampires to communicate with other vampires or those they have bitten within a week, letting them discuss strategy or simply have a discussion. The range of how far one must be from the other is vast, to be able to communicate one must be within the same country as the target. However, to be able to speak with them they must know each other. In the case of a progeny and a creator, they can talk to each other from across the world. The creator can also physically effect their progenies from anywhere, making them feel a longing to come to the one who turned them.
• The Rite of Blood Upon obtaining expert rank, you may use this ability only twice, so choose wisely. If someone has died and not yet rotted completely, you may bring them back as a vampire. The ritual is simple; shove a liter of blood down their throat, and then bring them somewhere with no light. Not even moonlight. If this is done before rotting gets too grim, after a few hours they'll rise up, as your progeny. Being a progeny has benefits and losses. The one who turned you into a vampire will always feel the desire to protect you, and will not do harm onto you. Similarly, you will feel the same protective instinct, preventing you from harming them as well. You literally can't find it within you to hurt them. The one who turned you can get you used to being a vampire; to the life of bloodlust, avoiding the sun, whatnot. However, you will always be connected to them in a way some may not like. Their words will influence you, and greatly. While they cannot simply 'command' you, they can make you want to do things that you wouldn't ordinarily do, and could almost certainly make you do things that you would ordinarily do. You want to impress them. They're like your rolemodel, and your mind can fall under the mercy of their will. This is the benefit of owning a progeny.
• Every knight has the ability to ignore pain in battle, even ignoring the pain of severed limbs for a certain amount of time.
• Vanguards are masters of single handed weaponry and shields. As such, they obtain a +1 in power to all single handed weapons (Jians, longsword, katana) and shield skills.
• Sunder: If using an attack and the opponent conjures up a barrier, the user may shatter the defense if it is two ranks below them. If the barrier is one rank below them, they can stagger the opponent with just sheer force, causing them to be so distracted with their next post that only one skill can be used.
