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Evil did thrive where light would not find it, though it was not Eden that nurtured the evil throughout the ages... not alone. It was the awakening of the old power upon this land that drew the servants of evil from their hiding and into the hated light.

"Rho. Rho... gehee..."

The creature drew back its clawed hand and shrank back to the ground once more; clamoring in three separate directions as its body became distended and elongated. It took swift steps to the side as naturally as a crab scuttled, and though the Norseman charged it showed no fear.

The single putrid green eye that stood out as the only feature upon its black form narrowed, while the shade shrank into itself; the neck completely disappearing and the haunches thinning as all of its mass seemed to flow up into the swelling torso.

"Gee... hee... you... strong? Geh hee hee..."

The woman's eyes flickered as her lips formed a small 'o' of curiosity.

"Interesting--"

She breathed as she pressed her lips to his and then leaned back a little to examine his facial features as they were bathed in moonlight.

"You intrigue me also however... I will claim you all to myself for a little while on our return."

As she had drawn back however she had caught a glimpse of the strange shade from just over the top of Victor's shoulder, from behind she heard Tomorrow's thunderous movements and simply pulled Victor tightly against her, dancing him off to the side and moving the sword further from the creature in the process.


Her eyes flicked to Tomorrow and she fought the urge to smile. For some reason, his awkwardness had pleased her. Even though she knew that having the man's trust would be more efficient.

His point hadn't been missed. She simply had buried it for now. Ra'kar had the amazing skill to file a thought away for a more convenient time to consider it. 'Love' wasn't a word that surfaced in the woman's vocabulary very often.

She watched the tribal now, as he squared off against the Shade Lord and she continued to watch with a keen interest, as Victor bellowed at the two would-be combatants. Admittedly, she was a little disappointed... that the potential bloodshed had been halted... but what awaited her posed a much greater thrill.

"Most Excellent. I'm going to get dressed then. Be back in fifteen."

And with that she departed for her chambers.

(( 's all good... I just wasn't sure what to take of yours and just figured it was overlooked after nothing you had applied to mine.

Also, I edited Omikron to Alpha in your post. Omikron is the good-guy. ))



The creature unleashed a shriek like a dying animal and leaped suddenly backwards into the air as Victor shouted his commands. Its body seemed to melt into a shapeless form immediately and splashed down against the edge of the dais moments later like a puddle upon the stairs.

"Gee! Gee! Rho!" the creature cried as arms and legs peeled themselves away from the floor in the form of a solid body once more. It did not approach again onto the dais but instead lurked around the outside; edging its way around the very last stair as its single eye stared unblinking at the hand closest to that forgotten relic.

"Yes, yes, the preciousss.... does it hear them? Gee hee Rho Rho."

This shade, 'Rho', was not composed and controlled like the others. It was not patiently awaiting orders nor did it make promises of alliance like Alpha... but it seemed to hold Victor - or more appropriately the sword itself - in reverence.

The Sword of the Forgotten One and Rho would forever have their destinies intertwined.

The hulking cycloptic warrior was following close behind Victor this whole time. Silent and stoic, not even moving when Rho made an appearance. Alpha understood his and Rho's place in the world. They had both come under the command of the Forgotten in very different ways, but they were both vital to their unseen masters plan. Alpha had no choice but to let Rho be, as the other shadelord would never listen to Alpha unless it was a command from the Forgotten itself.

When Victor asked for power Alpha would respond. When he wished for armour once again the shadelord granted. Just as the first two times, when Victor asked for defences Alpha would comply. Silent commands sent by the lord would cause errant souls to be smashed into fragments of energy, those lost forever would then grow into a mass of shadowy pawn shades across the island. Diligently the red-eyed workers would gather whatever resources they could, and begin to turn Eden from charred garden to fortress starting with Victor's citadel outwards.

It was when Tomorrow spoke that Alpha finally broke his silence. A soul that had been preserved an unnaturally long period of time, one such as his own... This was the one of air.

"Do not be so quick to judge us Warrior." Alpha spoke not as a demon but as a general, more command than forebodance and more confidence than malice. But voice was deceiving, even Lucifer had the most charming voice.

"We are not one with the petty demons that spread evil and corruption throughout your world. Nor do we walk with the angels that do much the same. We serve a higher power, and like you Warrior have chosen to aid a greater cause."

It was those reasons that Alpha was the perfect creature to accompany Ra'kar into the darkness that was Sorrow's Keep, or a holy land for that matter. Shades were composed of a material birthed from void and emanating nullifying energies. Positive and negative energy would not phase Alpha, he would simply convert it back to its raw arcane form and fuel his own fires.

With his peace made, Alpha would be ready to travel with the one of fire when she returned.

Ra'kar was in the process of fastening an obsidian and gold cuirass in place over a crimson, padded blouse that bared her stomach. The light armour formed to every curve sensually, and as with most elven things... it was tooled with intricate designs and knot work.
The pauldrons, layering over her shoulders and encircling the top half of her upper arms. Belted gloves and bracers traced up her arms, mirroring the strange boots that hugged tight to her long legs.
The skirt she wore was essentially, a glorified loin cloth. At the front it reached halfway down her thighs, the back however, was a good deal longer and swept along the ground in her wake. The front flap of the armoured half of her ebony skirt, was a mere inch shorter than the red cloth beneath it, and the back half reached just below her buttocks, the two sides belted together around the hips.

This would be the image that befell Tellus' eyes as her tail reached out and caressed the surface of the mirror behind her, bringing Tell's reflection into view from the other side.

"Yes, love?"

Ra'kar smiles at the petite woman before her, her hand itched to twine the tri-coloured strands of hair around her fingers and hold her close. It had been half a week since she'd last been with Tellus.

"I know my pet, and I'm sorry for making you wait but events have not unfolded as I would have desired."

She stood in front of the full length mirror, twisting ankle length strands of crimson into a complicated ponytail that trailed down her spine. Her hair was ornamented, gold, onyx and garnets accenting the circlet that crowned her forehead and and encompassed the back half of her head.

"The ones who must see you, and at one time together... are Vahn and Sunstrike. I would have them see what you have blossomed into. Let the knowledge of your reborn self weigh upon their minds, knowing that they forsook you..."

Her ears and neck were traced in gold finery as she sheathed Eleven Fire at her left hip. And smiled longingly at Tellus, her eyes holding a scorching heat that would warm her body even from here.

"I will come to you in your dreams tonight dearheart. And I will ease your loneliness."

"Nothing? In that I think you are quite wrong my dear. I will punish them for making you think such thoughts."

She was ready. Besides Eleven Fire, she had her daggers sheathed, and her tail blade, but the spine blade was left on her weapons wrack in the corner of her room, as were her throwing blades.

Why all the lavish finery? She was after all elven royalty. Diplomacy was an ocassion to stand on ceremony. It just so happened, that her gown, was armoured... and her accessories included tools of blood letting. She would at least make an impression before she smashed skulls in.

"I will see you tonight precious."

The demoness blew her Synmalthin a kiss before her image would dissipate leaving the mirror, just a mirror once more.

She exited her chambers, returning to the center hall to confer with Omikron and Victor before leaving with the landing party.