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 Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:22 pm
"Hmmm I think that you are right..." she was distant while pronouncing these words. No anger anymore in her voice, more nostalgia.
She looked around trying to find a sheltered place for the night. She pointed in the direction of what used to be a house, which still had two walls standing and half of the roof seemed to be holding, making a nice shelter.
"I think that will do."
She walked to it and threw her bag on the ground.
"I think we need some wood. I'll bring back some."
She headed little grove located at the village border. Starting picking up the wood, then she sat for a while against the bole of a huge tree, feeling the life in it, calmed her down and she closed her eyes, collecting energy.
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Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:40 pm
Zerlegen only offers Angaya a facaded expression of haughty satisfaction. Outside the burnt walls she hears a series of growls and hisses. Jogging out to the front, as her dress thankfully offers such movement, she witnesses her hellhound engaged in fray with his tail. Goosebumps bloom along her back from the drifting snow which is the possible cause of the fiend's futile bicker. Being too stupid to realize the snow had grazed his fur the dog turned upon his own serpent! Walking out through the stone road she rebukes the minion by blowing harshly into the silent whistle. Barreling over in bewilderment the hellhound rolls over to lie on his stomach. The snake tries to hide under one of the demented dog's hind legs as the necromancress approaches. If the snow gets any heavier the dark canine will be easily noticed. Rapidly lowering her staff's topside to the ground she dismisses her hellhound. Now Zerlegen drums the nails of her right hand along her right cheek. Nothing useful comes to mind at the moment and returns to the front of the crumbled building. Hearing Sven suggest they make camp the woman nods.
"I'll get us something to eat. And don't worry, I won't bring back another human as tonight's meal."
As she walks out into the street again, she silently summons three decaying artic wolves. All are tattered. One has his tail hanging on by a small cluster of sinews, another had lost his nose and an eye, the last wolf is without her innards as her belly has been carved hollow, devoid of even dried blood. Zerlegen then summons herself a skeletal horse. The minion produces no sound but paws a receding hoof at the path. Getting up onto the seemingly tall creature easily she has it trot after the eager wolves. She plans on remaining very close to the town though. Noticing someone on her way out she easily sights the blue skinned witch. Expressionless the necromancress looks away as she begins to circle the perimeter on her ghastly steed, the wolves break off deeper into the woods.
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Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:58 pm
Vincent heard the statement made about making camp and started in the direction that they were setting up. The snow had stopped now, he was in complete control of his emotions. Looking back at the girl he motioned for her to go ahead and join the others.
Sighing he looked out at the sky and sighed. This had been quite alot to chew, if the others had even dtruggled slightly with the minatour from earlier, they would be no match for Pyrosis, he was in another league than them, which made things unfortunate, because if the beast had enlisted Pyrosis, who knows what other horrifying monsters he had under his command. He sighed, again runing his hand through his hair brushing the soot and snow out of it. The pure fact was that he needed to get stronger, if he couldn't he'd just turn into a pile of jelly again. He needed to find a tutor or someone who could help him control his powers and make them equal if not greater than Pyrosis' own powers. He sighed, but he was not going to find such a thing out here, the only person he could choose would be the necromancer, and though she was skilled at magic, she didn't posses the power needed to defeat Pyrosis either.
he walked over into the make shift camp and sat down in the only corner. He pulled his hood over his eyes and began to think, he never actually slept, he just didn't want the others to see that he was awake. putting his hands behind his head and pulling a single knee in he assumed a sleep like position and started to go over everything in his mind.
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Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:13 pm
"Really? In your blood?" The young girl asked excitedly, leaning forward a bit, her head cocking to the side. She opened her mouth to say something else but he turned away and followed the others toward camp. Her shoulders slumped and she followed like a puppy who had just been kicked, but still longed for attention. As he sank into the corner, acquiring a sleep-like stance, she stopped, peering frustrated at him for a moment before whistling to her mare. As the proud thing came galloping toward her, stopping hastily a meter or so off, Murai closed the gap between them, reaching for a handful of dark mane, as she was completely bare, she used it to swing herself up. Being so small, she could pull it off without hurting her.
She tapped her sides once then squeezed with her knees to get into a light canter. She wasn't sure where she was headed at first, but she knew she had to stay close. She circled their little encampment once to decide, then took off in a random direction, deciding she'd let the decision come subconsciously, while mentally making a tab so she didnt get lost.
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:27 pm
‡
Nascha follows after Angaya to the place where they would be settling and found a bare place to sit. She rested back on her haunches, the way her legs bent looking strange because it was unhuman but she was completely comfortable and more than accostomed to it. Seeing something scurry past she perked up and watched it intently, the smallest of creatures had escaped the destruction of the town; a mouse sat staring back at her.
Nascha couldn't hold back a curious mewl as she twitched her tail and smiled, her cat fangs showing menacingly towards the creature. Bending foreward a bit to get closer the mouse jumped frightenedly but stayed where it was.
Sven sat back and watched Nascha in interest and chuckled a bit. "You're not going to eat it, are you?"
Nascha wrinkled her nose a bit and took her eyes off the mouse to look at the vampire. "Of course not." She laughed, "I only wanted to play with it . . . sounds odd, but if you were a cat you'd want to play with it too."
Sven smiled and removed his hat, leaning back against a wall. "I belive you, only because I'm a vampire I would probably end up eating it."
♠
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:33 pm
After a while, Angaya stood up, collected some dead wood on the floor and headed back to the camp.
She noticed that the Necromancress and the child were not around.
Vincent seemed to be sleeping, Nascha was playing with a cute little mouse and Sven was watching her with interest.
"Here..." she put the wood on the floor and starting arranging the branches together..."Does someone know out to light that up?" she looked at the two others who seemed awake.
After a moment, she added with a half angry, half scared voice "Where are Murai and Zerlegen?" her ton was sharp...
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:58 pm
The three stumbling wolves pant in the distance and she's momentarily distracted by Murai and the dark mare. She feels a slight pull, something coaxing her to follow the girl, but she resists and continues with her spoken duty. Using her energy to will the skeleton horse as it no longer can be directed through touch, Zerlegen plunges the steed into the dark woods after the wolves. She doesn't want to be near the child in case her wolves become too aggressive and go after Murai instead. It's rather difficult to see but the moon offers what it can and there'd be no use in disturbing the ghouls so many times a night for their eyes. Now the wolves trail after their mistress before lunging into the bushes, sensing another animal rather than smelling it. No longer feeling the soft snow the necromancress looks up at the sky in mild confusion. It could be connected to their icy group member or it could be cursed weather. A soft roar blares from the east as the decaying pack surrounds an old bear. Her lanky mount sways in surprise with it's ribs clacking together before stabilizing once more. Amethyst eyes steely Zerlegen allows a smirk to grace her lips. Crisp nocturnal air nips her pale features and chills her headband on her scalp, hauling the deteriorated ex-stallion onward. Bounding upon a few hills now the necromancress dismounts from her charge. By now the wolves have been able to at least reduce one of the bear's ears to ribbons. This is taking too long though and a happy spirit is a quickly slaughtered one. Ushering the deceased she-wolf behind the skeleton horse since she's too light for this work, the woman raises her staff. With a screech the imp clutches the red agate gem that is normally raised above his head to his core. Morphing takes little time as captive spirit and jewel stretch, forming a glowing red scythe with black flecks of energy. Observing their commander the two wolves dart behind the bear to snap at its heels, angering the beast. Zerlegen raises her multiplied weapon and emits a sadistic cry before swinging drastically to the side, arms curved for the spiritually formed blade to decapitate the bear. Absent of the old bear's guttural lamentation the forest falls silent once more as its residents are now aware of the danger they all could be cast within. Turning to her minions all are banished into the undead realm for now. It'll take something bigger to lug the bear back. Inhaling deeply the carbon dioxide is released slowly. Zerlegen stands as perfectly as bodily posture allows, she laces her hands together with the staff between her palms, just under the still formed scythe. Her deadly baton gently has it's end stamped into the ground, but progressively gains speed. Dropping her head to her chest the necromancress feels energy escalate as a large rift slowly opens between a few hills. A massive skeleton hand thrusts through, it can at least clasp about two people. Soon a beastly bone golem rises. Its eyes flare with the light green glow from the stuff of nightmares. Letting Zerlegen climb onto its broad shoulder after she's taken the bear head in her right hand by the good ear, the golem cups the dead bear in both hands, only shuffling on its knees as inwardly commanded. She doesn't want to chance being found by unfriendly necromancers. Being crouched down the monster can be barely spotted over the forest canopy. Near to the camp now the sinister summoner jumps nimbly from the golem's limb. Having the bleeding body plummet to the ground she wearily sends the giant minion back. Hacking off the bear's paws Zerlegen piles the parts, along with the head, and creates a small dome of bone over them. Dissolving the flaring blade the necromancress stands near the bear, circling her staff over it to mutter.
"Useless bone with useless flesh, give us your skin for a hearty mesh."
Hitting the bear's side she watches as the bear seems to be skinned by some unseen hunter. The hide can be fashioned into another cloak or blanket and is draped high into a tree overnight, but kept low enough to not be seen fluttering in the wind by some distance. Such an incantation is normally used in rituals but in this case serves an equally important matter. Leaving the body near the camp as she doesn't have any clue about dividing the meat, Zerlegen goes to the small bone dome. Willing the pearly half sphere to grow it surges and becomes about the size of a tent. One side crumbles open and once the necromancress enters the material bunches up again to conceal her work. She hopes the girl has the sense to return to camp by now.
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 8:30 pm
‡
Nascha had managed to catch the mouse much to her glee, and was now holding the small creature. She would let it down and let it scurry while she punced again and caught it up in her hands. She was being gentle with it because it was such a small and likeable animal, she loved mice they were just so cute. Settling back as Angaya came up she stroked the mouse with a finger.
"I can take care of it." Sven offered, setting the wood up in a strategic way so it would burn longer. He just now realized that the group was unaware of most of what he could do with the ability to weild fire. It wouldn't come as a surprise to Nascha because she asked and he'd shared it with her, but the others were quite unaware.
Shrugging it off he gave the wood a slight touch and a flame erupted in that place. It quickly spread to the rest of the wood and the fire was giving off a comfortable warmth in no time.
"I do belive Zerlegen has made off to find something to eat . . . the little one was not far behind her I don't think." Sven told Angaya.
♠
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:54 pm
Angaya nodded at Sven's answer. She was worried for the little girl but thought that Zerlegen would not take the risk of attacking her.
Zerlegen joined the group to help with the beast...she would be stupid to kill the girl...and if there is one thing that Zerlegen is not, it is being stupid...
"Thank you for the fire, Sven." she said giving a piece of wood to the vampire, her hand touched his hand by accident, she retrieved it quickly, looking up to the vampire and crossing his eyes...she blushed "I am...sorry..."
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Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:22 pm
♠
Sven held out his hand for the wood and felt Angaya's slight touch. Her skin was warm against his hand and he was slightly dissapointed when she pulled away so quickly. The Vampire looked up at her and gave her a small smile.
"No need to apologize." He told her, "It's nothing to worry about."
Setting the wood aside for later he looked around. Vincent was still snoozing and Nascha seemed buisy with her little mouse. Sven motioned for Angaya to sit, unsure if she'd shyly keep her distance or sit hear him and the fire.
♠
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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 9:13 am
Angaya stayed focus on the ground.
His skin is so cold...
She had never seen someone like him. She sat on the other side of the fire, keeping it between the vampire and her. She was day dreaming, catching glance at Sven discretely between the flames.
She felt cold all of a sudden and noticed that Zerlegen had left some meat to be cooked next to the camp. She stood and with difficulty pulled over the dead animal closer to the fire.
She surprisingly did not seem disturbed by the death of this animal.
Without looking at someone in particular she asked "Does anyone have a big knife?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 7:25 pm
♠
Sven gave a small glance to Angaya as she sat, then he leaned back. He was enjoying the warmth of the fire and the beautiful stars shining the sky. Remembering the crusifix, the Vampire pulled it out of his bag and unwrapped it cautiously. He would now be able to examine it in the light of the fire. His eyes passed over it a few times as he turned it to look at it front and back. It was very ornate for a crusifix, but he'd seen more elaborate, and more simple of the kind.
Then he saw it. Sven's eyes passsed over a small engraving in the metal surface of the cross'a back. It was a name, and a name that was all too familiar to him. Jacob. This was one name among three that were commonly found on the religious items he found from the remains of the destroyed towns. There was Nazerine, Ezera, and the one he'd found now, Jacob. Sven began feeling frustrated. He still could not find out what relevance these names had to the towns and what the pattern of destruction was.
As Angaya spoke again it knocked him out of his muse and he shook his head, not taking his eyes off of the crusifix. "Sorry, I don't have one with me. You might find something around the wreakage that's useful. If you need me to go find somerthing, I will."
Nascha was still cuddling with her little mouse friend. The mouse had since seen there was no danger in his situation and was content with sitting on the catwoman to stay warm on such a cold night.
"Not I, said the cat." Nascha smiled, chuckling at the joke she'd made. "Though I'm sure I might be of assistance." she finished, pressingn out her claws so they could be seen.
‡
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Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:26 am
Soon ornate glass lanterns are summoned for use, five in all to surround the materialized enclosing and each with a glowing spirit inside. These are minor spirits since more advanced ones are kept as minions or serve another purpose. Perhaps the spirits are that of small birds, butterflies, or maybe even turtles, but Zerlegen fails to recall. She has many troops and can't keep track of every single one. That's saved for only the higher ones along with personal favorites such as the hellhound. A sense of insecurity grips the woman as outside everything is silent save for the muffled voices of the rest of the party and what sounds like a crackling fire. Leaning her staff against the wall Zerlegen places a hand against the cold surface, urging her hellhound to rise again but outside in order to guard. The drooling thing huffs a bit and lies down to curl along the bottom of the egg shaped sanctuary. A necromancer's haven is an important place indeed and isn't just for performing tasks. It isolates focus, spirit and mind to soothe the world-weary hearts of any that would seek refuge within it. Now the necromancer summons more bone to branch within the area. An elaborate table lances upwards from cold ground, four spirits connected to the ends give dim lighting over it. Beside the operating table a less wide end table is conjured and holds iron pliers, calipers, some thick thread with a long needle, a silver bowl, some cloth and a rather demonic looking knife. The supplies took more energy to summon since they aren't living nor dead, but they're still required for a necromancer's work. From her side bag she withdraws the hammer and sets it among the other tools, pulling the gray cloak over her shoulders to ward off anymore weather. Before any alterations may take place Zerlegen feels the tug of another's will. Placing her hands on the table edges to remain upright she tilts her head to listen. Within her inner realm the spirits of the recently collected denizens and town's children are wailing to get out to rest eternally. She doesn't approve of children within the ranks of the Ones to Serve. The elderly are another matter as some are useful while others can disappoint. Shrugging lightly the woman closes her eyes, aura thickening to a dark purple with green tendrils to become physically visible but thankfully still hidden due to the bone-hut. Opening the spiritual gates only the permitted young and old are able to drift from the necromancer's aura, to go through the roof before fading into the dark air. With all the unnecessary phantoms removed Zerlegen then summons a recently collected body of a woman. Urging this one onto the table she takes the dagger and begins to saw off the fingers at the knuckles, pausing to stuff the moaning mouth with cloth. Aging blood seeps to the necromancer's waiting feet as she takes up one of the bear paws, using the pliers to wrench out each claw by the base. Aligning the claws with the stumpy knuckles of the woman Zerlegen takes her hammer and begins battering them as one. Spurts of blood squelch from the forced bone, skin stretched to accept the dark wild nails. The quivering corpse doesn't dare flail for fear of displeasing the necromancer.
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Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 3:39 pm
Vincent sat quietly as the others ran about doing their own things. He found it odd that they had said that they were going to rest when almost all of them were up an active. Sifting his stance to relax better, Vincent thought about all the things that had happened earlier that day. The goblin and the minotaur and then his meeting Pyrosis. They were connected, some how. He needed to know why Pyrosis had come to this town, and exactly what he was planning, but more importantly he needed to find a way to beat Pyrosis and get revenge for his slain brethren.
Sssoooo... You ssseek powerrr? I may hhhave a sssoulution for you.
Vincent felt like his heart skipped a few beats as the voice passed through the air like the wind winding through a empty hallway. The voice echoed off the walls and hung around Vincent wrapping him in a veil of curiosity. The voice trailed off and for a moment Vincent thought it may have just been his imagination playing tricks with his mind, but then the phantom voice spoke again for a second time.
Wwweeellll? Dooo you ssseek powerrr boyyy?
If it hadn't been for the timing and the fact that he had just asked for the very thing of which the creature was asking him. Vincent hesitated for a minute before mumbling his answer faintly under his frosty breath.
“Yes,”
Good!
In the middle of the room a purple sphere popped into existence over the flames and began to fluctuate in bumpy pops, and in a matter of seconds a great blob of purple haze was hovering in the middle of the room. An extremely loud grinding noise filled the air and two large gray gears pushed their way out of what Vincent figured was it’s back, and stopped when they were peeking about half way out each. A large metallic bang burst out even louder than it’s predecessors and a set of steel chains wrapped around the figure and dangled down towards the ground, and finally a far off laughing grew louder and louder and a white mask formed over the spirits face and two yellow plus marks formed where the eyes would have been and other painted facial features started to spread over the mask like a large smiling black mouth.
Hello Vincent, you asked for my assistance and so here I am.
Vincent leapt up and a horrified look came over his face, he looked around to see what the others would think of a large creature just appearing in the middle of the room, but no one seemed to even notice it. The creature gave a deep laugh and floated closer toward Vincent, which was not something Vincent was to fond of. He slumped back towards the ground with wide eyes as the spirit advanced in his direction.
They can’t see or hear me, no one can. No one but you that is, you see that little spear you picked up in the library was my vessel, and since you’re the only one holding it, your they only one who can see me. Neat huh?
Vincent felt like whimpering, he had encountered spirits before, but never like this. They had always spoken through other means, not popping up out of nowhere. Vincent figured he should respond to the ghost.
“W-who or what are you?”
Me? I’m your new tutor, and you can call me Junzo.
“Why would you want to tutor me? What could you possibly gain from it?
What do I have to gain from it? Well if you must know, if I pass on my wisdom to a living mortal I’ll be able to ascend into the after life, and maybe get some rest.
“Just exactly what do you mean by tutor?”
My dear boy, I plan to teach you the lost Sparrow’s Wind Technique, it allows the user to reach an extremely heightened state of power, awareness and speed comparable to that of a god. Well, as god like as humanly possible, but it’s a technique that takes a lot of strength and training to use, and over using it might just make you and me a little more similar. It’s not an easy task and will require massive effort on your part, so what do you say? Still want to learn?
Vincent was taken aback at the information he had just heard, if he could learn this technique he might be able to beat Pyrosis. He didn’t fully trust this spirit, but he had no other options.
“All right I’ll do it, I’ll do what ever it takes.”
Great! Now, you may want to stop talking to yourself
“Wha-?”
Realizing that the Junzo had said that the others could not see or hear him made Vincent turn and understand that to the other he would have looked as if he was talking to himself.
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