The Quest For a Wish

[JiggMaster]

"Oh, wait... Oh sorry, in the dark I thought you were another beast. Yeah, I need help. I can't repair flesh without grafts and... I don't really want to do that to myself. Fire hurts... I'm Stuhat. Oh hey you need to get somewhere? Give me five minutes!"

Stuhat began to scribble on the air again. This time in a far more organized and much less panicked state. Each move seemed calculated and knowledgeable. He backed off from the frame, it looked to be a giant three headed Gryphon. Stuhat closed his eyes and a beam shot from his head that began to fill in the lines.

Stuhat opened his eyes in perfect sync with the beast before him.

"Majestic ain't he, don't hit him too hard though, the only had the time to fill in the wings, he's essentially made of glass at the moment, so, get on!"

[Poesbird]

i though I'd make up for my negligence by writing some extra fun stuff ^_^
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Persephone reluctantly walked as she followed her captor, Saren, who was tugging her along with a chain as though she were an animal. The gloves she was forced to wear as a restraint began to irritate her soft skin as he ruthlessly pulled at her linked shackle, beckoning her along his path. They had traveled several miles away from any of the others when dark raincloud formulated overhead. A thunderclap was heard in the distance when heavy rainfall began to pour down upon them. Persephone grew up loving the rain, but now all it did for her was mask her tears that delicately rolled from her eyes.

       “It’s interesting isn’t it?” Saren mockingly asked. The heavy rainfall had caused them to get drenched within moments.

       “What is?” She responded.

       “The kinds of things that parents and their children have in common, like a love of rain for example. Your little boy only smiles when he sees rain and sings your lullaby.” He laughed.  Persephone walked downcast and promised herself that she would be the one to kill Saren slowly and with the utmost of pain.  Perse wasn’t one to think about killing others but Saren delighted in causing her misery by using her son against her, she felt she would repay him in an agonizing death. “The earth temple we confiscated is just beyond this path anyways.”
       When they came closer, Persephone bowed her head at the sight of multiple corpses of the Earth priests from the temple. Saren pulled her chain crossly to prevent her from trying anything troublesome with the bodies. They approached the large stone doors of the old palatial temple, it was made of huge clay bricks. Saren rested his clammy hand on Persephone’s shoulder and she blacked out, fainting to the stone floor of the entrance.

       She awoke several hours later tied to a chair at the end of a long table. Her clothes had been changed to an elegant white gown with flowing ruffles and her hair was put up in a pretty designed, with jeweled hairpieces to place it up stylishly. The silky white dress hung gracefully from her shoulders and followed the curves of her slender body perfectly. Her once clunky buckled shoes were replaced with dainty white high-heels that laced up her appealing ankles.

        “Awfully fancy clothes for a prisoner.” Scuffed a voice from her side, it was another member of The Order, Persephone found herself surrounded by half the members of The Order of the Raven and Crow. She struggled only slightly, knowing the escape was near impossible. Food and wine sat in front of her but only to mock the fact that she was restrained by shackles and gloves that forced her to her chair at the head of the table, . Across the table sat Saren who wished he was the leader, but was not.
He sat tapping his fingers watching the young and vibrant Persephone struggle in place.

       “I see you finally woke up, we’ve wasted enough time with you already.” Saren said,  “The reason you were called off your mission in such a way was because it was completed for you. We did not need to contact the informant because we had found what we were looking for right here in this temple, which has become our latest headquarters.” He stood and walked toward Perse’s seat, she grimaced as he danced his revolting and fingers on her soft shoulders. “That being said, I’ll get to the point. Of course you know of Drathnella and her beloved mortal.” He explained “And of the seven gauntlets she created. Using the seven elements; Fire, Water, Air, Lightning, Earth, Light and Dark”
Persephone rolled her shoulder and tossed away his fingers.  Throughout her life he had always found reasons to touch her. Saren had long wanted to make Persephone his play-thing, but was forbidden by Baba, the leader of the Order, to do so.  He continued.  “An ancient scripture mentioned an irresistible rumor of an eighth gauntlet she created from her own powers.”

       “An eighth gauntlet?”

       “Indeed, one that holds the infinite power of Drathnella herself.  This scripture told that when she went to the Sakura Orchard to die, after leaving the seven gauntlets to the first elders, she created the eighth and final armored gauntlet of true power. It took twenty-four years of searching and cost thousands of expendable lives but we finally managed to find enough evidence to know where she hid it.”

       “And where is that?”

       “In the nearest earth temple, where we are now.” He smiled triumphantly “But here’s the catch, we found the way to the gauntlet but anyone who isn’t destined to wield it dies instantaneously. I’m assuming you can see how troublesome that is for us.  After struggling with this, and losing valued necromancers by the day, Baba came to a realization about a prophecy.  It seems strange that the very place that Drathnella disappeared is the very place where you were found abandoned.”

       “What are you saying?” Persephone inquired, raising an eyebrow and watching him walk over to a large tarp that hung from the wall covering something.

       “We discovered the door that we believe leads to the final gauntlet.” He pulled down the massive cloth to reveal a painting of two beautiful women, one resembled Persephone greatly she almost exactly like her and wearing the same dress she was now wearing. Persephone couldn’t help but look at the mirror image of her in the ancient painting that looked as though it may have been a century old. The other woman beside the pale white dressed woman was unrecognizable, Perse had never met her.
        “Then we discovered this painting and what a striking resemblance you have to the woman in this painting, when we checked behind it like so, “He pulled on one side of the painting and it clicked and revealed a small square door “That is the way to the treasure. We came to a compromise and have a proposal for you.” Saren gestured to one of the members, who left the room briefly to retrieve someone.

(The Painting)

       “Mommy?” Persephone turned her head quickly to see who she wanted to most, she struggled in her chair with all the strength she could muster.  It was the first time in weeks she got to see her son, Saren smirked at the sight of her pain.

[Poesbird]

Name: Aeroweth Hargreaves
Age: 8
hair: Gray and progressively whitening
eyes: Golden yellow
Weapon: No Weapon Necessary.
power(s) (if any): Soul Necromancy – A very rare form of inherited necromancy in which he does not use bodies or corpses, but he uses the very souls of the deceased to fuel whatever he wants. If you recall when Kael first attacked Persephone, she lost control and summoned his aeon, a spiritual creature that be called upon at will, and he used the souls of the dead to create an attack strong enough to destroy an army of demons. 

picture: (You've already seen him)

About Aero
       Aero’s father remains a mystery because Persephone refuses to give his identity to the Order. Aero was captured from his mother Persephone when he was born. When it was discovered the Aero inherited an extremely rare form of Necromancy, they took him away and used him to force his mother to do as they pleased. Young Aero is very smart for his age and just wants to be with his Mum. His power is almost limitless but he doesn’t fully understand how to use it.

------------------

      “Mommy?” Persephone turned her head quickly to see who she wanted to most, she struggled in her chair with all the strength she could muster.  It was the first time in weeks she got to see her son, Saren smirked at the sight of her pain.

      “Aero! I love you, it’s going to be okay - Mommy’s here now.” Persephone called to him, when he tried to run to her he was held back the massive guard that brought him, he whimpered scared.

      “Aaaw that’s sweet.” Saren said sarcastically, Persephone imagined what his head would look like impaled on a stick. “Here’s the proposal we have for you: If you go in there, survive, and bring out my gauntlet you and your son can leave and live happily ever after forever. None of the Order will ever contact you again – Just bring us the gauntlet and you both get to go free. Refuse and we might have to make you more motivated.”

       Aero called out to his mother again, his tiny fists striking at the gargantuan man assigned to restrain him. The man raised a fist of orange fire close to Aero’s face, causing him to whimper into silence.

      “Fine, I’ll do it, just don’t hurt him!” Persephone cried out. Saren smiled

       Within a matter of seconds Persephone found herself thrown through the door, she tossed off her loosened gloves to reveal her bare hands.  She was surrounded by darkness, Persephone picked herself off the ground and stood ungracefully in the shoes she was now wearing.  The dress they put her in wasn’t ideal for adventures in abysses but she had no choice. In a flash of light several torches were lit showing intricately painted walls and a pedestal with the sought gauntlet fastened on it. It was a beautiful display. The gauntlet itself was pure white with elaborate engravings of black thorns that lead the eye to a tear shaped bright green emerald the glistened in the torch’s light.  Unlike other gauntlets, this one featured a soft feeling that wasn’t menacing. Its finger tips extended only slightly to be similar to claws.
Persephone was wise enough not to approach the pedestal naively the wall’s paintings caught her eye,it was written in an ancient language she couldn’t understand but she recognized enough symbols to know it was a curse to protect the room from intruders, excluding only the one destined to wear the powerful weapon. She walked up the multiple step and spotted a sealed letter beside the pedestal’s stand, she opened it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Queen,
       Your survival in this room indicates that you are destined to carry the burden of the gauntlet of Infinity. With it, you shall wield the very power of Drathnella the goddess. There have been many mysteries surrounding this powerful goddess, know that what you read here is the last truth that only you must bear.
Drathnella travelled as the balance between life and death, where life was given she had to take it away and where life was taken she had to give it back. It was her purpose to keep the balance .  She fell in love with a mortal and gave up her immortality to be with him. But the man was treacherous and greedy, he wanted her enormous power and lead seven sages to kill her. They failed and Drathnella hunted them all down and put their power over the elements into gauntlets so that the world could be preserved without them. She gave the first seven gauntlets to the people she could trust – the first guild of the Elders.  Drathnella’s mortality eventually caught up to her and she gave the Elder of Water a prophecy, one that was his to keep and give only to his prodigy. Drathnella put all her powers into her own gauntlet, the eighth and final gauntlet, hid it in the Earth Temple and went to a field to die. Where her body laid grew thousands of cherry-blossom trees and mysteriously black grass. 
This gauntlet contains the responsibility of Life and Death
The responsibility of Drathnella passes to its bearer
Death will come to those not destined to wear it.

Find Me,
Teiresias The Prophet of Drathnella – Akaran Abbey.

-------------------------------------------------
        The ground started to shake violently and Persephone dropped the letter, grabbing the gauntlet quickly and running back to the door as the ceiling came crashing down destroying the room.

[Nimnim]

"Where are you taking us, Kael?" Jex inquires, talwar at the ready for the slightest malicious move, "Jex...just let him takes us" Neia says, Jex still was in no mood to trust Kael. But, Kael saved their lives. so, they might as well follow him.

[Schizo]

Dante made his way back through the dark woods, trying to navigate his way back through the thick trees and bushes, he couldn't exactly remember the way that he had come with Persephone but he had a rough idea. While he was walking he had a lot of time to think, what was he going to say to the rest of the group about the man who had taken Perse away? Was he going to tell them the truth, or deny that he knew who he was? All the time he walked he was trying to tune into the group, trying to pick up on the slightest signal that he was near, but he must have been hit by Kael's attack harder than he thought.

A faint crackle came from up ahead and as he concentrated his vision into the distance he could also make out a faint glow (must be the camp fire). He continued onwards slowly just incase they were all asleep, he wouldnt want to wake anyone. When he got the clearing he was a little confused, hardly any members of the group were here. Only Marcus, Jack and Loki were asleep around the fire. Something had obviously happened here too...He sat himself on a tall rock overlooking the camp and lit himself a cigarette, he would watch over the camp tonight, wait until daylight or for the others to return.

[m-p3x9]

Jay walked up to Stuhat and healed his scars. "It's strange. I feel as if i know everything then something suddenly changes." jay stated.
"what, you mean the creature?"
"No. I feel as if my two friends sabina and marcus have died. one moment i don't feel there presence, then the next moment i can almost see sabina. Something isn't right. Something is wrong. Something is very- very wrong."
Hope tugged on jay's pant leg. "hey look! theres people over there!" Hope stated to run forward. jay looked at who was there. he saw a black fog emanating from the people. where were they?
"NO!" jay yelled at Hope. jay closed his eyes and opened them again. the fog seemed as though it was never there. "Stay away from them!" jay recognized the faces. It was jex, kael, and some woman. jay readied his bow and aimed it at the group.
"Friends, Friends!" jex yelled out.
against Jay's better judgment he lowered his weapon followed the group. Stuhat followed behind jay and hope.
"jay, just the man i needed. I need you to come with me." jay responded with a slight nod.
Jay, with his thinking clouded by fear: took his bow and quiver from around his shoulders and gave it to Hope. "Could you carry this for me?"Jay closed his eyes and spoke to hope through his mind <<Hope, this is Jay. if anything happens and i cannot protect you- use this bow and arrow.>>

Though Jay was foolish in giving his weapon to a kid, it may prove to save his life.
******************
Marcus was searching the forest for the others. He felt some sort of demon walk up to him. marcus looked around in every direction until he realized where it was coming from. It walked up to marcus and hit his spirit. "GET UP!" yelled the spirit with intense anger and hatred. Marcus awoke from his slumber yelling and convulsing as if electrocuted.

jake and loki were awoken from there sound sleep. they dashed from there beds and rushed toward Marcus. Marcus stopped shaking and yelling and rested his head back on the ground. His heart was racing.
"What's wrong." "Are you ok?" they inquired. In embarrassment Marcus apologized and told them he was okay. The three went back to there beds. Marcus stood up and walked over to dante. "Did you see my thoughts? something was there, I know it. something is trying to kill me."

[Poesbird]

       “What a marvelous piece, it’s even lovelier than I imagined.” Saren stated, holding the beautifully engraved artifact in his hand. Persephone slumped against the wall, while running to the door she hurt her ankle.  The guard holding young Aeroweth away from his mother released him.  Aero fell into his mother’s arms and she smiled through her tears as she held her son in her arms. “You can almost feel the power flow from it.”

       <<Death will come to those not destined to wear it.>> Persephone remembered the warning in the Prophet’s letter, was she the one destined to wear this massively powerful weapon? She silently embraced Aero in her arms, subtly guiding his head from looking at Saren.

       “I was sent to find this for Baba, but seeing as how she didn’t do any work for it – I think I should reap the rewards. AND WHO COULD STOP WHEN I HAVE THE POWERS OF A GOD??!!” Saren called out victoriously, laughing menacingly strong. He lifted the gauntlet and thrust it onto his right hand. “It’s amazing.” He said, then a pause took over him. “You know, I wonder how it works.” He threw his hand, aiming directly at the other members; black lightning jetted and engulfed a dozen members in one blow. Thundering tremors shook the temple and booming roars filled its halls, preceded by the screams of the massacred members who were present, the sounds of their wretched deaths rang through the nearby trees outside.

       Suddenly it all stopped, Persephone opened her eyes to see the bodies of over fourteen members of The Order, their corpses were emptied of any blood, their instantaneously mummified bodies were strewn about, they were trying to run away when they were hit in the back. Saren stood, obsessively looking at the gauntlet that caused such chaos in his bidding. After such mayhem and noise, the silence was strangely unnerving. Saren’s smile slowly turned into a horrified look of pain, he screamed and clawed at the gauntlet in attempt to get it off – it refused to loosen its grip on his arm. Persephone watched in terror as the black thorned vines that were magnificently imprinted on the white gauntlet began to move dance off the gauntlet into the air, she clutched Aero’s head and made him look away. Saren screamed in agony and fell to the ground, writhing in pain.  The flailing thorns thrust themselves into his arm, Persephone cringed at the horrifying display of terror, Saren’s disturbing spasms slowed to stop as life left him. His body aged and exposed his skeletal remains, which turned to ashes. Saren was dead, along with all the members he killed. The gauntlet returned to its normal state and sat in Saren’s cindered remains.
Persephone and her beloved son were suddenly alone in the temple in a matter of moments. They stood awkwardly, Persephone was perplexed by what she just witnessed.

       “Mum?” Aero’s tiny hand tugged at his mother’s gown. “The bad man died?”

       “Yes,” she answered “the bad man is dead now, we get to go now.” She patted his head and he gleefully smiled. Persephone knelt next to the gauntlet which was covered in Saren’s ashes. <<It’s too bad I wasn’t the one to kill you, but at least I get to keep the weapon that did.>> she thought. She grabbed a messenger satchel from one of the mummified corpses and put the gauntlet inside.

      “Hey Aero?” She called, he turned and grinned “do you know where Mommy’s clothes are?”

      “They burned the dress you were wearing when you arrived, it was all wet from the rain.” He explained

     “Darn.” she said discouraged, her looked around and pondered what to do.

     Young Aeroweth thought for a moment then gestured for her to follow him, which she did. Aero led his mother to an armory room that was filled several weapons and forms of armor. She looked at the poor condition of her son’s clothing, they were torn and ragged, he was a prisoner, just like she was. She handed him a small coat and shoes, which appeared to belong to one of the deceased children of the monks of the temple. Then she searched for her own new clothes – there weren’t any female monks and she wasn’t about to wear the clothes off one of the corpses so she found a man’s coat that fit her and put a cloak on over that. Unfortunately she’d have to wear to silky white gown until she managed to find a proper Armory-smith and tailor to make her new clothes. She found some throwing blades and placed them on a belt around her waist, and placed the messenger’s satchel around her shoulder.
Persephone and her son gathered some supplies and left Temple.

       “What are we going to do now?” Aero asked inquisitively to his mother.

       “I’m going to take you to meet some friends and then we’re going to go to Akaran.” She stepped into the rain and skipped into several puddles and began spinning as the feeling of freedom overtook her. She had her son and was free, rain glittered down her face as she looked up straight into the sky with an uncontrolled smile on her face.

       “And then what?” He danced with his mother as the downpour rained down on them.

       “Then you and I are going to find your father.”

[Schizo]

"I'm sorry Marcus, i didn't sense anything, i haven't been quite with it since Kael attacked me, i'm sure i just need some sleep."

"That is a shame" said Marcus.

"Don't worry when i have recovered i will make sure i find it is what disturbs you."

"Thankyou, it was very unpleasent. And i have a feeling that soon it will return."

Dante and Marcus stayed up most of the early morning, talking and just enjoying the fresh summer air. The sun rose early in the sky, shinning down on the sleeping members of the group. The heat from this soon woke up. The exchanged pleasentries but then the topic soon moved on to where the rest of the group could be. As they talked and sorted out some breakfast Jay came strolling into the camp with a new person in tow. They all introduced themselves and explained to Stuhat what was going on and what their plans were.

"Are we going to wait for Perse and Sabina?" Dante questioned the rest of the group.

"I think its advisable, they are powerfull members of the team" Loki stated while eating some cooked rabbit.

"But how long are we going to wait for them?" Jay asked.

"It won't be long..." said Marcus

As soon as he said this Perse small boy holding her hand walked into the camp, by the look on the boy's face and Persephones, Dante could tell that this was her son.

"Speak of the devil" Jay joked... Perse smiled and greeted the group. She walked over to Dante "I am so sorry for what Kael did to you! Are you alright?" She gave him a hug whilst asking... "Yeah i'm fine thanks, i hope you're okay" he enjoyed the warm embrace.

"I'm fine thankyou, but i am sure we have a bit to catch up on..."

With this they all sat around the camp fire and Persephone began to tell the group of what had happened........

[Poesbird]

       Aero sat next to his mother and played, enthusiastically drawing doodles in the mud. Enthralled in watching her son enjoy himself, Persephone sat in the drifting warmth of the fire with similar warmth in her heart.  It was a rare occasion to see her smile, but she soon found it to be uncontrollable whenever her Aero was near.

     “Dante and I were walking and Kael attacked us. Dante was knocked unconscious and we fought. It was weird though, he wasn’t using his full power  . . . and neither was I.” Persephone glanced at the bag that held the gauntlet that she seemed destined to use, she never put it on to know whether or not it would kill her. “I-I was able to paralyze half of his body . . . “ She paused and looked at Aero, who had completed a drawing of a tiger dedicated to his Mom.  “Then a member of The Order showed up and forced me to go away. He took me to the Earth temple that’s west of here.  He said I could have Aeroweth back if I was able to retrieve this,” she retrieved the beautiful white gauntlet with black thorn engravings and showed it to them.  They sat up in interest.

       “What is it?” Aero asked suddenly paying attention to the object, rather than his mud-doodles.

       “I don’t really know . . .” Persephone answered honestly, “One of the gauntlets, I know that much. Apparently there are actually eight gauntlets instead of seven.” Her fingers followed along the outline of the emerald, it gleamed in the light of the fire. 

        “What element does it carry?” Dante asked, he reached to touch it but Persephone's gentle grasp stopped his hand, she remembered what happened to Saren when he wasn’t meant to touch it.  There was a pause as their hands touched, Persephone pulled away nervously and answered.
 
       “Life and death I think, I don’t really know though it all seems a little far-fetched.”

       “Well I guess that makes sense, if it is indeed an eighth gauntlet. The elements we know of are Fire, Water, Air, Lightning, Earth, Darkness and Light; it would be understandable for it to be Life and Death.” He said watching her elegant fingers follow along the gauntlets beautiful engravings.

       “But it has two elements of power?”

       “Life and death are one in the same.” Aero interrupted, Persephone looked at him questioningly. Suddenly anger flushed through her when she realized who taught him that, they were teaching him necromancy and she didn’t want him to be searched for like she was.  Would her son be dealing with Witch-hunters all his life like her? “It’s a balance thing. Where life is, there is death, and where death is there is life.” His young voice sang, as though he was forced to repeat the saying daily.  “They will always be found together.” He stopped and thought for a moment, "It's common for people to assume that life is associated with light and death with darkness when really there is no connection. er . . . I mean to say that life and death are neither dark or light . . . it's just life and death."

       “Smart kid.” Dante stated, glancing at the boy, who smiled back with pride.

        “Well, um . . . They said I could leave with Aero if I got them this.  I did, and the man put it on and killed about 14 members of The Order in one motion.  But then something happened, the gauntlet killed him and turned the body to ashes. I’ve never seen such a sight. I rummaged for supplies and left with Aero – and here we are.”

           Persephone noticed Jack wasn’t there and continued to become more acquainted with them as she watched her son play gleefully with a twig and some mud.

-------------------------------------------------------
        Jack had left to look for Persephone before he knew that she had already arrived safely to the camp moments later.  He was a good distance into the forest, heading west.  He searched for any signs of his boss.  He was finding himself confused when he heard a rustle in the bushes.

       “Oh my aching knees.” An old woman exclaimed struggling to her feet, Jack offered assistance to her. “What a gentleman, thank you.” She was an elderly woman who wore a very simple robe, it was tattered and torn and she was clearly some senile hermit. She looked like she could barely move with her old age, she struggled with simple tasks.  Her hair was thrown carelessly onto her head, crazily frizzed and eccentrically wild.  She used Jack’s hand to balance herself as she massaged her aching leg muscles.

        She stopped for a moment and looked him in the eyes, her seemingly fragile state quickly disappeared and she kept a firm grasp onto his bare hand. “You must be the strong-silent type eh?  Well that’s fine. Not many people to talk to in these part anyways. My name is Baba ”

         Jack’s eyes opened wide when he realized who this woman was.  His left hand that she was holding started to suffer a searing pain and he yelled in anguish, she was killing him. Jack withdrew quickly and she cackled. His entire arm was useless and in crippling agony, it began to turn black. He swung Cthulu from around his waist and thanked the gods that his still had his right hand to use.  How was he going to compete with the leader of The Order – Queen of the Necromancers, Baba

          There was no need for conversation. He threw Cthulu’s spike towards her, he had a challenge keeping his balance with a dead left arm.  She grabbed it and spun around, amazingly agile for an old woman.  He brought his leg up and brought the chain down with great speed, she released it in time to kick upwards to his chin, she was faster than he could see.  Jack dodged a series of jabs from her swift and nimble hands. Both of their techniques require contact to bare skin to kill, just one touch and the opponent would be as good as dead.

         “I want you to deliver a message to your boss Persephone.” She said in a stalemated pause. Jack responded by thrusting the heavy weighted Cthulu to her rib cage, the spikes making a mark and drawing blood. She didn’t seem to care while she grabbed Jack’s dead arm and twisted – causing immense amounts of pain.  His wince left an opening for her other arm that came up to his neck. 

          Jack fell to his knees, he was defeated so quickly. Cthulu, his trusted weapon,  fell to the ground next to him and he struggled to move.  His face hitting to ground, Jack looked into the eyes of his murderer. “Now that I have your attention, I’ll explain what I mean by message.  When Persephone learns of your death, she’ll know who killed you and she’ll know why.  That’s what she will learn from your death.”

            Jack struggled and jerked in place but eventually his entire body went numb and laid on the ground.  He wished he could apologize for not completing his task for Persephone so she could fulfill her promise to him.  Everything faded to black as he died, his body left in the open.

------------------------ Epitaph ---------------------------
Jack Valent – Declared Deceased
Beloved Brother, Son, Husband and Father.
R.I.P.

[Schizo]

Sabina had escaped her prison and now wondered what she was to do...Would the rest of the group waited for her, is it worth going back to the last campsite that she was at, or was she to find Kael and finish him once and for all. She was torn between the two, but she had made her decision. Kael was extremely powerful and there was only a slim chance that she could defeat him on her own, so she would return to the others a seek help. Plus there was also Jay...

***

The fire flickered and crackled in the air as the gang still waited for the others return, they knew that they couldn't wait much longer as they needed to get to Akran. They were all happy sat talking the day away, all getting to know each other so the day hadn't been wasted.

"So what's in Akran for you Perse?" Dante asked...

"Aero and I need to find his father". This shocked Dante a little but obivously he knew that Aero had to come from somewhere!

"What for?" Loki asked inquistivly.

"You will see when we get there." With this a huge gust of air came flowing through the camp followed by a thud. They all jumped to their feet ready to attack. As the dust cleared there was Sabina crouched on one knee from the force of landing.

"SABINA!" Jay shouted as he dropped his weapon and ran to her, grabbing her in a warm embrace.

"Its good to see you too" she chuckled a little as she hugged him back.....

"What happened to you???" He asked...

"Well its a long story, i will tell you on the way to Akran, we have lost way to much time as it is!"

"Okay no problem!"

"Wait, where are the others though? We are still missing Jack, Jex and Neia" Sabina replied.

"I'm afraid we don't know where they are, Dante said he hadn't seen them all last night since he returned from the encounter with Kael." Loki explained.

"We've been waiting all day, almost gave up hope on you" Jay said sincerly.

"Hmmmmm okay, well i think we should come to a Decision on what to do, What do you all think?".............

***

[JiggMaster]

"We have to wait a bit, Wrathgar is still out there so we have to wait for him, he's on his way though." Stuhat said, looking around in the trees.

"Who's Wrathgar?" Loki inquired.

"He's my dog," There was an exceedingly louder thumping coming toward them, "Speak of the devil, Back off a smidge he might over shoot."

The thumping became excessively loud then came to an abrupt stop. An approximately 2 foot tall bulldog head emerged from the trees.

"Awwww, I have missed you!" Stuhat said scratching Wrathgar's ear. "Guys, meet Wrathgar. The only effigy I've ever fully finished. And I've never had to make another."

[LordofVampandas]

this time we were gone... it has left us wondering and forgetting. Panda has given up, and now, it's left with me... he is terribly sorry for leaving you all with me and my insanity.

Now to welcome your dear friend... Lynch.

[LavenderFairy]

Sabina smiled inwardly, being with her friends made her feel warm and comfortable. A lot of stuff had happened and she hadnt seen them for a while. Now, sitting with them around the fire, she felt at ease.

She caught Jay glancing towards her and waved at him. The boy turned red as a tomato and looked away in shame. "Well guys what do we do now?", Dante asked, looking at everybody. "Our journey has come to a halt due to the dissapeareance of some of our friends, do you guys think we should wait or look for them?".

Loki shook his head, "Its no use, we will only get separated again. Danger as we may know is closer than we think". Sabina balled her hands into fists, she had remembered Kael´s betrayal and how he had threatened her with Jay´s safety. And even now in the midst of her wary thoughts, she still felt something for him.

"Guys... please forgive me. I- I shouldn´t have followed Kael and abandon you like that, I am truly sorry". She bowed her head, her eyes betraying her and allowing warm tears to fall from them. Jay placed a hand on her shoulder, "We all make mistakes, besides, you can´t help to feel how you feel dont you?". Sabina looked up at him, surprised, he was smiling at her.

Persephone stood up slowly, the small boy hugging her waist and walked over to her friend. "Sabina, are you ok?". The girl nodded, but gasped as she saw Aero. "What a cute kid, wait... is he?". Perse nodded, "He´s my son Aero". Her friend gasped, she looked at the boy and indeed he looked similar to his mom. "Hi Aero! Nice to meet you". The boy nodded.



"Here in this cave, you will find the power you seek for", Kael pointed to the entrance of a silver cave, it shone under the moonlight. "Ha... and why should we beleive you? You go in first!", Jex commanded. The boy shrugged and did as he was told, his slender figure dissapearing inside the darkness.

"Jex... ", Neia looked around scared, the woods had become even more noisy, with all the monsters roaming about and the night was cold. Jex wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "I just hope its better inside". She nodded as they both started into the cave.

They walked for around 30 minutes, all the way following Kael and trying to recognize their surroundings. Soon they came to a dead end. A wall several feet high blocked their path, in the middle there were several symbols.

"Now my chosen ones, you must serve your purpose". Kael bowed before them. Jex prepared his talwar, "And what is that?". The boy smirked, "You must obtain your power...". He slowly walked past Jex and his weapon and placed a hand on the wall. Suddenly the symbols began shining yellow, illuminating the whole place.

"Jex!", Neia held on to him, surprised. "Come forward", Kael commanded. With a swift movement of his hand, a gust of wind came dashing into the cave and pushed them both with force, making them touch the wall. The yellow glow surrounded them and they felt their bodies fill with that strange energy. Before his very eyes, Jex watched the shadow gauntlet form on his arm. A dark sphere carved in the middle of some symbols. Neia gasped as she saw the light gauntlet forming on her arm, a yellow amber carved into the silver.

After their powers were granted, they both collapsed and lay unconsious on the floor. "My dear chosen ones... lets take you all back". Raising his arm to the sky, a dark aura emanating from his body, Kael and his fallen friends were surrounded by a black smoke. Seconds later, they appeared in the middle of the camp, starling everyone.

"You just love to make entrances, dont you?", Dante said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Jex!", Sabina ran over to her friend who was still unconscious, she then gasped as Kael´s form appeared before her. "They have woken their powers... now its time for all of you to head towards your destiny", he announced.

Persephone stood in front of Aero. Loki readied his weapon and Jay stretched. "How dare you show your face in here! Leave before I rip it apart". He smirked, "Though words Persephone", he walked towards her but stopped abruptly when he noticed the boy at her side. "...".

He took two steps backwards not beleiving his eyes. "Persephone... what you said earlier...". She glared at him, "We have nothing to discuss now... leave". He shook his head, "No... not this time". "Kael...", Sabina walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Please calm down".

"KAEL!", a voice from the sky filled the air. The gang looked about but there was nothing to be seen. "What the...", Loki scanned the darkness. Kael gasped, and looked upwards, "Belphegor!". A dark shadow crashed down next to him. A figure dressed in black clothes and a satin cape stood now before them. He had blond wavy hair that fell all the way to his shoulders, and crimson eyes, that seemed to reflect the moon over them. He looked about 14 years old but in their hearts they knew the image was a facade. This being was actually a thousand years old.

"The devil with a baby face", murmured Jay. "Are you becoming softer Kael?", the boy asked, "I just got tired to wait for you to bring me the chosen ones". He looked at them "And to think I thought you were the right one to carry out my task... what a waste of time". Kael bowed his head in shame, "Im sorry I cant complete this task... I discovered I have a...". Sabina quickly covered his mouth and glared at the boy.

"Oh? A what, my dear prince?", he pressed on in spite of the girl´s efforts. "No Kael... he will try to harm you that way...", she whispered in his ear. Belphegor shook his head, "Such a pitiful man, attacking his own wife". He licked his lips, "Though... I must admit it was fun. You see I just realized that I have been too nice to you. This guys here, they are vital to me... but you". He pointed a finger at Kael, "You are worthless!". A red light dashed from out of the tip of his finger, directed at Kael´s heart.

"Nooo!", Sabina hugged him as the light pierced both of them. Kael gasped for breath as she closed her eyes in pain. They both fell hard on the ground, a pool of blood emanating from their wounds. "Fool! How dare you!", the boy became red with fury as he saw Sabina on the floor. "YOU CANT DIE YET!!!".

He looked at Sabina, her body limp under him. "No... NOOOO!". His gauntlet shone and a lava wall formed around them. All the gang held on for dear life. The boy remained standing in the middle. "Sabina...", he held the girl in his arms. Suddenly, the gauntlet on her arm dissapeared and the ruby in his gauntlet turned half blue.

"Ah... the merging of the forces", the boy smirked as red lava snakes appeared in the corners of the tornado. "A powerful combination indeed". Kael had lost too much blood, his mind was blank  and his body tired. He passed out cold on the floor.

"Too bad you gave everything up just for nothing". He walked over to them and kneeled down inspecting the gauntlet. "Halt!", Persephone cried, "Do not touch them!". He smirked, "Brave arent we?". Suddenly Kael moved and grabbed his ankle. "Ahh! Let go of me you damned boy!". "Perse... ", he looked at her "Im sorry for everything".

"He took off the gauntlet and threw it at her feet. You must find the path... to your destiny". The wall of lava collapsed and surrounded Kael, "I was glad to see him... at least once."... "AGHHH!", the boy cried, trying to pry his ankle free but the lava was burning him alive along with Kael.

Persephone moved back as the lava consumed them, it made a circle in the middle of the earth. Dissapearing once it had consumed everything in it. Dante and the others were still in shock. "Goodbye...", she muttered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A few hours after the incident, the gang decided to continue their journey. It had been a long night... but now they had new leads to follow. "How long till we reach the next kingdom?", Jex asked. "Maybe about half a day...", Persephone announced. A golden gauntlet with a white orb shone brightly, a small ray of light shot from it and showed them the path.

"We need to hurry..."

 

[m-p3x9]

jay hadn't moved since what happened to sabina. he couldn't find her signature, he could locate her spirit. Was she dead? is there anything jay could have done? Jay hand stated to pulse. a red light emanated from his hand turning on and off.  "Jay! Jay!" he turned around. nothing. a small girl came out of the trees. "Are you ok?" she asked.
jay turned to her and said very gently, "I'm going home."
"What?"
Jay couldn't speak. He could barely breath. he turned away and wept silently.
"I want to go with you" the little girl stated. "Your the only family i have ever had."
jay nodded his head.
"are you just going to leave your friends behind?" the little girl asked.
"I-" jay could speak.
"This isn't my world, i don't belong here."
"please don't make a decisions you will regret, jay."
"I already have"
"What if your friend is still alive?"
"I'm just going home, there is no changing my mind on that" jay said softly.
********
jay met up with the group and said goodbye. he didn't wait for them to respond, he just left.

he walked into the forest holding the little girls hand. The group saw from where they were, clouds funneling to the fround. it looked almsost as a tornado hitting jay's exact location. thunder and rain overtook jay and hope.  a loud explosion sounded, different then jay's normal teleport.

[Nimnim]

Zero sat in a cave, a fire flickering before him. he had healed the wound Jex had given him earlier, though he didn't feel much pain when his heart was ripped from him. He still hated leaving the gaping hole in his chest uncovered, so he replaced his ribs with ice, and bandaged himself up. Zero smirked, "Soon Jex.....The melding...you will have a vision like I did....you will peer into my mind, into the dark void, into insanity" he says to himself, watching a bear's head cook over the fire. "oh...do you need food?" Zero asked it, as if it was alive and capable of speech.

(yes, I know, I haven't spoken of Zero in a while. I will check in on him each post now. and yes, Zero is supposed to talk to dead things....he's batcrap insane.....worse actually...)