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Post by longstevo on May 24, 2006 0:40:17 GMT -5
**I modified the last post. No one came in announcing another kill. That's for Swords to post**
Sirion finally stood after nearly three hours reading the dusty old book. His eyes began to swim in his head with the light from the hearth dancing on the pages. Jacqueline continued to indulge herself in the text.
He pushed open the door and was slapped in the face with Old Mother Winter. The harsh chill forced him to squint his eyes, and he trudged through the snow torwards Leokas' office.
But a commotion outside the gate changed the ranger's focus of attention. It seemed a small group of horsebacked riders was approaching. From his position, Lance could see the gate guards, but not the riders. The two knights appointed to guard the gate pointed their spears at the riders and ordered them to halt. The riders stopped, but one stranger called out angrily, "What is the meaning of this?"
That voice belonged to Droverson, one of the absent rangers away on the mission to Szran. His heart soaring with having his comrades in arms back, Sirion sprinted to the gates. There stood four horses with four riders. Each ranger had returned. Droverson, Marben Songsteel, Petven and Elhorn. Each of them wore their own individual gear and weapons.
"Sirion! Who are these clowns and why are they threatening us?" called Droverson in his deep Nordic voice. Sirion smiled and told the guards they could stand down. Nodding, they returned their lances to at ease.
"We've got a lot to tell you all," said Sirion, "But it is good to see you all again."
"Aye, it is good to be home," said Marben. Petven only smiled shyly, his boyish face belying his leathalness. Elhorn simply looked away. He was not much for socialties. Droverson smiled wide and laughed, his deep, booming voice bouncing off the city wall.
Sirion grinned before turning and walking back inside. The North Gate Pass Rangers were once again whole. And little did they know the severity of the fight that lay in front of them.
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Post by Latronis on May 24, 2006 2:30:25 GMT -5
Blood.
The smell.
The texture.
The taste.
The combination of wet and dry, sticky and hot, when it runs down your throat, into your skin, is interesting, exciting, sensual. The very stuff of human life; it is what pumps through our beating hearts and carries itself to our vital organs, carries oxygen to the brain, it is what clots to save us from losing to much of that precious potion should our skins be breached by accident or by deliberate force or by act of the gods.
The blood is the life.
The sharpness - that hit of bitter metal that itself feels like a blade, then turns to warm, liquid honey as it slides luxuriously down your throat.
Blood is divine and the gods are bleeding.
Having someone drink from you is fine, but drinking from somebody else is divine. That embrace, warm bodies entwined and writhing together, exchanging sweat and hormones, hot, wet flesh getting hotter and wetter. And when those teeth sink in, that delicious little cry of momentary pain. Your Blood Doll sees his or her self reflected in your eyes, mirroring your anticipation and your desire, hearts thundering together as they watch you watching the red river crawl over their skin. You lower your head so slowly, drawing out the divine agony of the wait - for you and for them - you revel in the arch of their back as they press their body so hard against yours it’s as if they’re trying to get inside you. The first lick is fast - just a taste, a tiny ambrosiac morsel that makes you close your eyes and smile. It calms and enflames all at once.
And then you drink.
You drink deeply.
And then you kiss. Hot mouths pressed so hard against each other that you can feel their pulse throbbing in time with yours, blood and saliva mixing and running like red wine, staining crisp white linen like on a virgin's wedding night.
The door opened and Jacqueline snapped awake, Sirion returned to the room with some more strangers. She quickly rubbed her face trying to shake the lingering images from her dream, a stranger dream she never hard sometimes she was the victim willing seduced other times she was the seducer, the vampire. She closed her 'pillow' the open book upon the table and stood to greet the newcomers.
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Post by longstevo on May 24, 2006 18:59:38 GMT -5
Laughing, Sirion led the four strangers into the hall. Each one stood a moment in front of the bartender, and they all exchanged pleasentries. Jacqueline looked at the four newcomers. They each looked as different as the gear they wore. One towered over the other, and heavy chain made up his chainmail armor, but it was strange, as none of the metal links made any noise as they clinked together. The next man, leaning up against the bar, looked quite similiar to Sirion in make and build. The third stranger was small and wirey, and kept a dark cloak wrapped over his shoulders, despite the heat from the roaring fireplace. The final ranger was shorter than the others. Light leather covered his shoulders, and his short brown hair was cropped close to his head. He looked like he was only sixteen, but his eyes were made of steel.
The five made their way to Jac.'s table close to the rear of the establishment. Sirion noticed the woman's uneasy look on her face. Instead of making a scene, he continued with the introductions. He would ask her about it later.
"And this is Lady Jacqueline. She was assigned to us by the company of knights I was telling you about. She has agreed to help us any way she can regarding our...situation."
The knight similair to Sirion stepped in front of his companions and smiled warmly at Jacq. He reached out and took her hand ever so gently. "My dearest lady, allow me to introduce myself. I am Marben, and I am so very delighted to make your aquaintence." He kissed the back of her hand, and Sirion noticed her shifting uneasily. He took the oppurtunity to break the ice.
"Yes...that's Marben Songsteel. The big one is Droverson," Droverson smiled and nodded, "...this is Elhorn," the cloaked ranger barely nodded and did not break his sullen expression, "...and finally Petven." The boy nodded and said a greeting. Sirion chuckled and said to Jacqueline, "They sure don't look like much, but they get the job done," Jests and laughter arose from three of them, with Elhorn remaining quiet. "This, Jacqueline, is the complete ranks of the North Gate Rangers."
"Yes!" bellowed Droverson. "Now where is this new member of our ranks?"
"Ah yes. Realize now, that he's not been fully inducted, but he does serve," corrected Sirion. Then he turned to Jacqueline. "Have you seen Ian lately? He wasn't in our office."
*Your cue, swords*
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Post by Latronis on May 24, 2006 21:44:29 GMT -5
"Ian..." She seemed about to say something before noticing the others and and changing her mind. "No, I've not seen him since the funeral. Actually I get the impression that he is avoiding me though i have no idea why."
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Post by Swords on May 24, 2006 23:34:02 GMT -5
Unknown to those at the inn, Ian was stalking the dark streets of North Gate in search of his next blood fix. He had put off the craving for a few hours, but now it was unbearable. Just a few gulps of the sweet fluid, and then he'd be done; and he'd make sure not to over-indulge this time. The streets, though few there were, were empty; it seemed that most everyone had retired to their homes. The Valleri was looking for just one person wandering out in the cold, someone to feed on.
He almost jumped in joy when he spotted a lone figure stumbling down one of the streets. The man had a pint of ale in his hands, and was clearly intoxicated. This would be easier than the vampire had guessed. Ian strode up to the man, almost shaking from the anticipation of the taste.
The man did not seem to acknowledge his presence, and he was still anxious. In a rush of anticipation, he grabbed the man and sank his teeth into the soft flesh of his neck. No one was around, so what could go awry? Instead of taking a few simple tastes, he plunged headfirst into the sweet ecstasy that was feeding. The man did not scream of yell in pain, due to the pleasure that the recipient felt, and due to his drunken state.
A lifeless and limp body plummeted into the snow, along with a pint of ale. Ian stared blankly at the corpse upon the ground, not fully accepting what he had just done. How could this have happened?! He was sure that he had only taken a little to tide him over. Or had he? He bolted from the scene, holding his head, wondering if he was losing his mind.
Where to go, where to go?!, he thought. There was no way he could go into the inn with his fangs elongated and blood running down his chin. He slumped against one of the homes, and ran a hand though his sandy blond hair. After his fangs had retracted and wiping the blood off of his face, he decided that it was safe to return to the inn, as he would only appear more suspicious if he was out in the town during the time of the crime.
As he rounded the corner, he almost collided headfirst with Jacqueline.
"Ah, whoa! Jac-Jacqueline, how are you?"
"Fine, you startled me, there, though! What are you doing out here, I was looking for you."
"Well, I was just out for a walk, the inn was getting a little stuffy."
"Ah, I see." she said, though she had an eyebrow raised.
"Well, let us return to the inn. I think I'll retire for the night, unless you've been looking for me on account of business?"
"Oh, yes. I thought you might want to meet a few of the other Pass Rangers that just returned from Szran."
The vampire agreed, and, with that, walked away from yet another crime scene.
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Post by longstevo on May 25, 2006 23:46:11 GMT -5
The Valleri walked into the smokey, almost overwhelmingly hot tavern to meet the rest of the Rangers. They gave him a very warm greeting. Sirion introduced him to the four he hadn't met, and just after that, Panaan, Fruamros and Leokas entered the front door. Everyone was laughing, joking, telling stories of what happened while they'd been seperated. Even as the outsiders, Jacqueline and Ian were made to feel very welcome among the ranks of the warm-spirited rangers.
The barkeep, Grom, immediately perked up from his blue funk when he noticed all the rangers were present. He clambered up his stool from behind the bar and climbed onto the bar top.
"Here! Here!" The dull roar of the reunion died down, as each ranger turned to listen to their old friend. "I've not had all your souls in here for quite some time. But, I do remember the last time we've had such an event!" The old dwarf went on to recount the last get together staged in his bar. An occasion not less than two years ago. But a night to remember it was. "And now, I intend to make more memories...tonight!!" A cheer rose up from the rangers, as well as some citizens who trickled in to see what the commotion was. Every man, woman and child were greeted like family and treated the same.
The party went late into the night, and more people kept coming into the tavern. Suddenly, the walls seemingly closing in around him, Sirion had to step out. The roar from all the people deafened his ears, making the room begin to spin. He pushed though the throng of people and the cloud of tobacco smoke and finally made it to the door.
The cold air felt better than a cool stream on a hot day. White light from the moon streamed down on the fresh bed of snow. Eerie light reflected up from the snow and cast everything in a glowing sheen. He watched his breath form a lazy cloud in front of his face, and he gazed around the town. A few lights were on, but most were off. The sounds coming from the bar signified this was were most people were tonight. He smiled. It was like this when they greeted Jacqueline's Knights.
Sirion walked around the corner, boots crunching in the fresh fallen snow. The chill of the air hung thick over the mountain town, and it calmed the ranger. Walking down the wide alley between the bar and the building next to it, Sirion noticed something strange. A lump in the middle of the path. A feed bag, stack of wood, something someone forgot. An inch of new snow concealed it from view. The ranger began to walk toward it with the intentions of moving it out of the way of foot traffic. He bent down to grab the object...
...and grabbed a man's arm. Sirion jumped back and recoiled. That was a body! His steel nerves returning to him, he kneeled and brushed the snow away from the face. It was Cameron. The local drunk. Images of naked Catherine went through his head, and he checked the jugular vein. Sure enough, two twin pinpricks were located on the neck. Frozen blood was caked on the neck. This body had been here a while.
Sirion stood and made his way into the tavern. He pushed his way to Leokas, who was talking to Droverson and Elhorn. He beckoned the three of them in close, so no one would over hear what he had to say. When the three were leaning in, Sirion muttered under his breath, "There's been another killing..."
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Post by Swords on May 26, 2006 16:55:25 GMT -5
Ian spotted Sirion whispering in the ear of Leokas, and he knew he was in trouble. Though it was not a clear line between him and the murder, it was only a matter of time before they realized that he was the only one out that night. The Valleri decided that it would be best if he left North Gate as soon as possible. He could not leave right away, however.
"Lady Jacqueline, I regret to inform you that I cannot bear another second in the realm of the vigilant."
"Eh?"
"Er.. I'm tired. I will speak with the other rangers tomorrow."
Jacqueline nodded, and Ian bowed in courtesy. He ran up the stairs and into his room, and began to go over his options. His best bet was to leave town for awhile and lay low. Either that, or he could return to Samora and reconcile with his brother, asking him about this condition. He decided to write a letter telling him of his resignation from the mission, and of what was happening to him.
Sitting down, he grabbed a quill and parchment and began to write.
~ ~ ~ Vincent,I am afraid I cannot stay in North Gate for I have failed you again. I have come down with something, and it has led me to fall under suspicion of Sirion and-
Suddenly, his hand began to tremble violently, forcing him to drop the quill. He nearly screamed in pain (which was odd, as vampires don't normally feel pain). He watched in horror as his hand changed from pale white into pitch black. Squalid abscesses grew on various parts of the hand, and claws grew where nails should have been. As this was happening, he began to hear numerous footsteps growing louder and louder, and he was sure they were approaching his room.
Before he could react, guards burst through his door, with Sirion leading them. He had a vengeful look upon his face. The ranger had figured it out, most likely from a guard that had spotted him.
Without a word, Ian jumped out his window and into the cold night outside. He laded in the snow with catlike precision. When he glanced down at his other hand, he realized that it, too, was afflicted. This shock was nothing, however, compared to the rush of agony that was spreading across his back.
The main door to the inn opened with guards rushing out. Despite their bravery, they were stuck with horror at what they saw next. Two jet black wings burst out of his back, muscle and bone bursting out with them. The hideous flaps of horror unfolded, spreading 8 feet out in either direction. Right now, Ian was beyond pain.
As Ian turned around, Sirion and the guards were greeted by and even more gruesome sight. The Valleri's shirt was torn at the front, exposing his jet black skin. His once blond hair was now twice as long and a dark shade of grey. He opened his eyes, and it was as if fire had replaced them. No longer was he the charming noble from Samora, but a living altar of darkness.
With only a fraction of what he had been remaining, he beat his newfound wings, and flew off into the night sky.
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Post by longstevo on May 26, 2006 20:04:06 GMT -5
Sirion and the guards behind him slid to a stop in their tracks. Standing in front of them on the snow stood something so unimaginably horrible, that reactions were beyond any of them. They simply stared at the evil atrocity as it flew off into the dark night sky.
Dumbfounded, Sirion turned to see all the rangers including Jacqueline with simliair horrified expressions on their face. The knights began murmering in hushed voices. "Demons!" "That wasn't a demon..." "Then what was it?" "It was..." "A demon!"
Sirion walked to where the other rangers stood. Leokas slowly shook his head. "Never have I seen anything such as that."
"Do you still trust him?" asked Sirion sarcastically.
Elhorn spoke up, "It appeared to display all the characteristics of the classic metamorphing demon. Able to change shape at will from man, back to it's demon shape..." the ranger was very well versed in the way of yore and legends, and continued recited facts and statements about what he believed the creature was. Marben interupted him. "Here's a better question. What was it doing here?"
"And how do we kill it?" asked Droverson.
Sirion looked around. It seemed all the civilians remained inside the tavern. They were too busy with their drinks to worry about the local guard going about their business. Leokas gathered his rangers and started to go back to the office to discuss the recent happenings. He stopped and turned to Sirion. "Will you...?"
"Of course," Sirion spoke to the small group of guards, "Gather around, all of you. Come close." When the knights formed a rough circle around the ranger, he spoke, "Not a word of this gets out. This secret stays in your hearts. Do not speak a word to any living soul whatsoever. This town is already on edge enough without another beast running amok. If I begin to hear rumors going about the streets, I'm going to take each and every one of you and deal twenty lashings apiece! Do we understand?"
Hushed acknowledgments rose from the guards. Sirion was, of course, not going to lash the guards, for he knew that word of this would hit the streets eventually. He turned and begun making his way to the ranger office, thoughts swirling in his head....
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Post by Swords on May 29, 2006 3:22:56 GMT -5
Wind whizzed past this new form of Ian's ears as he soared, a black smudge in the night sky. What little he had remaining of himself began to panic. The enormity of the situation was beginning to take hold of him. He'd never be able to live a "normal" life of a vampire again, he'd always be hunted. He'd most likely die very soon.
As the weight of the pressure began to fall upon him, he decided to rest. He spotted a forest, most likely the Thornwood forest, to his left. He pulled aside and landed, already closing his eyes in anticipation. He hunched up beside a tree breathed heavily. Maybe this affliction would be gone when he'd wake up...
* * *
"Gods! There he is, I've spotted him!" shouted a voice.
Shaken from his lull, Ian stood up and inspected himself. He looked at his hands: still afflicted. Letting out a roar of anger, he turned to where he'd heard the voice come from. It was as he'd expected: a guard. For a moment, he considered fleeing, but another odd feeling came over him. It was the urge to murder, to dig into the poor man with his bare hands.
Before the guard could turn around, two hands gripped him tightly. The other guards in the forest could heard the man's cries, which stopped almost as soon as they started. They ran toward the site, and reeled over in horror. Their comrade was literally torn in half, his insides strewn about the various trees.
With fear coursing through their very beings, they ran from that place, and never looked back. Unfortunately, Ian was one step ahead of them, and smiled evilly when he spotted them emerging from the edge of the forest. He swooped down from his perch atop the tall tree, wind flowing through his now long hair.
The guard he landed atop was tackled by Ian's sleek yet immensely strong body. The vampire shoved his black and bestial hand through the man's back, causing him to cease all motion. By now there were only 3 guards left.
The smart yet cowardly guards sprinted away, though they knew their fate had been sealed. Some of this pessimism was quelled, however, when they saw 15 more guards headed to help.
Ian snorted, just more blood to bathe his body...
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Post by longstevo on May 29, 2006 17:48:30 GMT -5
It was a whirlwind in the Ranger's headquarters. No one was sure of what to do and everyone was shouting orders or ideas. Sirion stood in silence while his comrades in arms tried their hardests to shout above each other. Finally, Leokas' usually soft voice bellowed over the rest.
"ENOUGH!!" The roar slowly died off. The elf waited for complete silence before asking, "You've treated and trusted me as your leader for quite some time. Do you still see me in that light?"
Each ranger nodded and agreed. Leokas continued, "Good. Then from here on out, I shall act as the commander of our ranks." Once he had order of his men, he began to issue out orders. He requested if Jacqueline would use her men to help hunt this beast and she readily agreed. Leokas sent Petvan and Elhorn to investigate Ian's former room in the tavern. They agreed and departed from the building. The rest of the rangers would command a small group of knights, not numbering more than fifteen, with Jacqueline controlling the rest.
Within half an hour, armed men were pounding through the town gates.
DP
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Post by longstevo on May 29, 2006 18:06:56 GMT -5
Stepping softly, Sirion crept through the dense underbrush. He shook his head when the knight next to him snapped a branch and swore loudly. There was no use to advancing with stealth, as these warriors were not trained in it. The sun had just begun to creep over the mountains. The armed force had been searching for the foul beast that was Ian for nearly four hours in the dark. Sirion sighed when the shouting finally reached his ears.
Cries of fear and pain flowed through the trees just north of his position. He shouted a command, and his squad of knights turned towards the ruckus and sprinted through the snow. What they saw when they arrived nearly made their hearts stop with terror.
The black demon was hunched over in a small clearing with the bodies of ten knights scattered around him. The black skin of the beast was dripping with human blood. The creature looked up and saw the new men surrounding him. More men came crashing through the woods on the other side of him, effectivly surrounding Ian. Marben emerged with his knights, weapons drawn.
Sirion, for a moment, thought about speaking to Ian, trying to talk him down, but he knew that words would not make an impression on his corrupted brain. But somehow he knew that, even though he never trusted him to begin with, this wasn't the real Ian. He was probably scared, confused and frustrated. But he was killing men and posed a danger to the safety of them all. A light snow began to fall over the forest, setting a peaceful stage for a bloody massacre.
With a horrible screech, Ian lashed out and grabbed the nearest man to him and tore his head off with the greatest of ease. The knights shouted back with their rally cry and they all charged in. Swinging, stabbing, thrusting and jabbing ensued in the chaotic battle in the clearing. Sirion stayed back, knowing that he had just as much chance as injuring an ally, or being injury by one, as he did inflicting harm upon Ian. He saw nothing but shifting silver armor and steel weapons swinging and glinting the pale light of the snowy morning.
But, without warning, the silver and metal were gone, replaced with the red, almost black color of fresh blood. A body was thrown through the air and cracked against a tree. Another simply fell back into the snow. A torso was tossed up into the air, absent of all it's apendages. A head rolled through the snow, leaving a trail of blood. Within minutes, every knight lay dead before the feet of Ian, beheaded, torn apart or desecrated in some other way.
Now, only Sirion stood on the south end of the clearing and Marben stood on the north. Ian crouched in the middle, looking from one to the other, with blood pouring off his black skin as rain would run off a man's leather coat in a rainstorm. Ian began to cackle...
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Post by longstevo on May 30, 2006 16:30:40 GMT -5
**I've been thinking about this all day, Swords. I hope you don't mind the long triple posts ** *Also, this is kind of a "test post." It's kind of a radical idea that I've thought about, but I don't know if it would fit into what Ian has become. If it's not good, just lemme know, and I'll be happy to change it.* The corrupted Ian looked from Marben and back to Sirion. He knew they were adept fighters, but they were only two men. The pieces of bodies of twenty knights lay strewn about the clearing. The eyes of the beast bore holes into the the two rangers, challenging them to their death. Fear gripped the heart of the two men. Staring at this creature of the night, it took all their strength and resolve not to turn and flee into the forest. But they knew that running would only lead them to death, and fighting gave them a slim oppurtunity at victory. A silient signal passed between Marben and Sirion, and each charged with longswords raised above their head. Ian's face twisted in a smile of evil ecstasy and with lightning speed crouched to the ground and grasped a knight's sword in each hand and leaped high into the air. Sirion and Marben met in the center of the clearing where the demon had been and craned their necks to follow it. Almost too fast to react to, Ian swooped down and smashed his iron-like body into the two rangers. The impact sent them flying and crashing into the snow. Getting to his feet, Sirion struggled to regain his breath. Marben jumped up, shouted a cry of rage, and ran straight at the imposing Ian. Marben swung the blade down hard, but Ian parried easily. The demon's other sword came in low and fast, but Marben was fast himself, and parried Ian's attack. Ian recoiled and brought both blades high before bringing them down hard at the same time. Marben used a complicated technique and swung his family longsword from left to right, knocking both blows away. Ian hissed in frustration. Sirion sprinted forward to join his comrade. Striking from the side, the ranger cut in low and fast. Ian simply batted him away with the flick of a wing. Marben continued, locked in battle with something from a nightmare. A swing and a block. A jab and a parry. This went on for some time. Sirion tried again and again to join the fray, but Ian continued to knock him away, allowing himself to focus solely on Marben. This fight went on for nearly twenty minutes, and finally Marben began to tire. Sirion finally was able to sweep in close and buried his blade deep into Ian's side. The demon simply hissed. Ian then threw a blade to the ground and grasped Marben's head with his clawed hands. Sirion watched in horror as the beast sunk his razor talons into his friend's head. Marben screamed as the pain went shooting through his body. Ian smiled with glee as he slowly pulled up. Marben dropped his sword and clawed at the demon's hand. Sirion jabbed again and again into Ian's side, but with no effect. Marben's bloodcurdling screams sent chills down Sirion's spine. He could never know the pain his friend was experiencing. Finally, Ian knocking Sirion away with a wing once more, but with more force than before. The ranger was sent flying to the edge of the clearing. Dropping his other sword, Ian laughed and gripped Marben's torso and squeezed tight. The ranger's screams were silenced as his lungs were effectively smashed. Ribs popped and cracked and blood began pouring from his mouth. Laughter from Ian resonated through the trees as he pulled in seperate directions. Sirion shut his eyes as Marben's spine was torn apart and his neck veins and flesh were ripped from his shoulders. Ian dropped the headless torso and held the head high for Sirion to see. The laughter gained volume...
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Post by Latronis on May 31, 2006 2:11:08 GMT -5
Jacqueline and the squad with her were in a different part of the forest so had avoided any casualities they were close enough however to hear the slaughter when it began and immediately ran to lend a hand.
They arrived at the battle site just in time to see Marben torn asunder, and then she noticed the bodies almost half her knights were already slain.
The Nightmare Ian ignored the kill and moved on to Sirion. She watched as they traded attacks neither doing any damage to the other as she directed her knights to flank the beast. Ian took a massive swipe at Sirion and looked likely to decapitate with the blow. <b>"NO!"</b> Jackie threw out her arm and a fist of air collided with the ranger knocking him out of the way. Not even taking time to see if she had hurt Sirion; she reached up and grabbed a cobweb hanging near her face. A shouted incantation and flick of the wrist multipled the webbing and entangled the nightmare beast. She knew it wouldn't hold it long but it might give her men an advantage as they attacked. Before rushing to see how Sirion was faring
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Post by Swords on Jun 1, 2006 0:24:24 GMT -5
Ian snarled in anger and struggled with the webbing that was building up around his body. It was as strong as steel, yet felt like a normal web. Even in the state he was in, he couldn't budge the thin fibers. He let out a blood-curdling roar, and made his volatile presence known to all those in and near the forest. With a surge of energy, he unexpectedly tore himself free from the entanglement. Without skipping a beat, he rushed to where Sirion and Jacqueline ran off.
Far off in the distance and in-between the thick trees, he could see the image of the two fleeing. He increased his pace, and noticed a decrease in the distance between them; he was faster than them, even with the bulk of his wings holding him down. Jacqueline glanced back, knowing that Ian would soon be chasing after them. He suspicions were confirmed as she saw the form of Ian in-between the trees.
"Run! Run faster!" shouted Jacqueline.
They ran until they saw the forest's edge. They knew it would be nearly impossible to outrun Ian in that area, for he could easily spread his wings and swoop them up... or worse. They emerged from the dark forest with Ian closer to them than they had thought.
The vampire lunged out and nicked Sirion with one of his claws. It did not cause the ranger any pain, though it did jolt him. Just when all seemed lost, when they were to be Ian's next victims, Ian faltered. They were a good 5 yards away from the beast when the finally noticed that he was not chasing them any longer.
Ian was gazing confusedly at the two, as if he did not know where he was. They were just as befuddled as he was, for they should both have been dead by now. The beast reeled over in pain and began to back away, straight back into the forest.
He shot a pained look at the two, shook his head, and ran away.
What is happening to me?!, Ian thought. What have I become?!
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Post by longstevo on Jun 1, 2006 18:42:12 GMT -5
Sirion stared incredulously at the fleeing Ian. One minute, he and Jacqueline were staring death in the face, and the next, the reaper was running in the opposite direction. However, it only took the ranger a second to decide what move to make. He thought about the massacre of the knights in the forest. He thought about Ian playfully tearing Marben's head from his torso. He thought about the lies and deciet that he had been feeding the rangers. Unbridled hate and rage exploded into Sirion's soul.
He grabbed his sword in the snow and jumped to his feet. "Let's go! He's on the run!" He called to Jacqueline and she found her blade that had been flung away. The two began their pursuit of Ian.
Surprisingly, it did not take long for the pair to catch up with the demon. The two saw Ian clutching his head, seemingly trying to shake unwanted ideas from his skull. He stumbled several times on the thick foilage, giving the ranger and paladin time to catch up. Ian finally collapsed on the outer rim of the clearing where he had killed so many men.
As Sirion rushed up to him, he saw Ian laying in the snow, laboring just to breath. Confusion, pain and suffering flashed behind the demon's eyes. For a moment, Sirion had the urge to take pity on the obviously tortured soul. Ian couldn't have been acting on his own instincts, could he?
But Marben's face returned to Sirion's vision, the body-less head laying in the snow. The ranger's sight went red again, and he hastily looked around the clearing. Swords lay scattered, shields tossed aside, and one spear stuck into the ground. Breathing heavily, Sirion scrambled for the lance. Gripping the cold, frosted wood, the ranger returned to the injured demon. Jacqueline looked on in silence as Sirion hissed at Ian, "Back to the abyss, fiend!"
With that, Sirion reared back and slammed the spearpoint home in Ian's chest. Ian did not cry out, but simply went limp. The ranger waited a moment, and shoved the spear deeper. Stepping away, Sirion looked at the spear jutting out from the demon's chest. He sighed, and he and Jacqueline began walking back towards North Gate. They would lead a clean up crew the next day to gather the bodies.
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Night fell on the mountains, casting Thornwood Forest in a bitter cold. In the clearing, nature began her long process of reclaiming her children. The existing snow began to freeze over, casing the bodies of men in hard frost. But one child was not on his way back to his mother's arms. She rejected him completely, and sent his soul back to the physical world. And in the cold dead of the night, Ian opened his eyes....
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