The Guardians of Light: Second Edition CHAPTER TWO- CLOSED, ACCEPTING CHARS FOR NEXT CHAPTER
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It didn't take long to find the steep cliff they had to climb. Silas let Genn throw the rope up to the top and grapple it to something firm. Damien looked up at the rope, as if he didn't want to go first. So Genn climbed up, it looked steady...so Silas went up next. He was careful to keep a stiff grip on the rope but when he reached the top his hands were feeling the pain of rope burn.
Kin swung a leg over the edge and pulled himself up. He crouched at the top.
"I wish I has an SSXW rifles right now...." He said musing to himself as he looked over the mountain scape for miles and miles. The SSXW was a top-of-the-line sniper rifle produced especially for the Rhyle. It was six and a half feet long, weighed a good 20 pounds and had a scope with 10x optical magnification on it. (this was all of course, subject to modification). It had tremendous killing power and even a moderately skilled user could hit targets from 500 yards away without breaking a sweat. It had a heavy wooden stock and body with a carefully made barrel of fine steel. It was the first weapon to ever use a 50. caliber bullet, but since then, other weapons had used them too. At the time of its invention, it was beyond comparison to any other rifle, and still holds ground against new models. The bullet didnt hit a person like one would think bullets usually would, penetrate the skin and go in. The Rhyle joked that instead it pushed any part of that person violently out of the way and occupied their space. By this they referred to the massive holes it created in people, taking off limbs and massive amounts of flesh. Few survived direct hits, and even the force of a grazing shot or near miss could break bones.
"...Could have a freakin` field day with that castle..." He said looking down at the structure.
"I wish I has an SSXW rifles right now...." He said musing to himself as he looked over the mountain scape for miles and miles. The SSXW was a top-of-the-line sniper rifle produced especially for the Rhyle. It was six and a half feet long, weighed a good 20 pounds and had a scope with 10x optical magnification on it. (this was all of course, subject to modification). It had tremendous killing power and even a moderately skilled user could hit targets from 500 yards away without breaking a sweat. It had a heavy wooden stock and body with a carefully made barrel of fine steel. It was the first weapon to ever use a 50. caliber bullet, but since then, other weapons had used them too. At the time of its invention, it was beyond comparison to any other rifle, and still holds ground against new models. The bullet didnt hit a person like one would think bullets usually would, penetrate the skin and go in. The Rhyle joked that instead it pushed any part of that person violently out of the way and occupied their space. By this they referred to the massive holes it created in people, taking off limbs and massive amounts of flesh. Few survived direct hits, and even the force of a grazing shot or near miss could break bones.
"...Could have a freakin` field day with that castle..." He said looking down at the structure.
The gates of the castle were wide...the pass up to it clear. It seemed quiet and dead. Just as it had been when the Vamps went into hiding.
"Finally....quiet...."
Malachi approached from behind, floating a little above the ground. He seemed at ease, or at least his eyes glowed a cool blue. Silas looked up, and he sighed.
Within the walls things seemed different. This was a more foreboding quiet...when the shadows shimmered in the dawn light it made Silas nervous. He took a breath and said "Come on, lets go inside..."
~
Inside the walls of the castle, it felt no different. The way the dust and dirt had settled....it was unnerving. No one had set foot within the walls in years....he kicked some dust aside with his foot to look at the flagstones below. He tapped his foot against it and the sound echoed a little.
Silas frowned and looked around "Theres nothing here but I still feel creeped out."
"Oh theres something here," said Malachi "They just don't want you to see them yet."
"Bugs? Little critters?"
"Oh.....you'll see. Why spoil the surprise?"
That was when the black slippered foot stepped out of an alcove and into the light. It was a pale person, rotted holes showing in his arms where bones could be seen. One slight difference he noticed, the glinting sharp fangs poking out of his mouth where his top lip was missing.
"You should listen to your demon, human."
Silas jumped, a Saras vamp....here?
"Explain...." said Silas
~
"You're saying you betrayed the thirteenth zodiac and the dark spawn....because the Maledictum came to you and reveaed the truth? Why didn't they do it sooner?" said Silas, incredulously. Fortunately, the rest of the folks had their weapons trained on the Saras Vampire.
"As you can imagine, things became violent. The Dark Spawn attacked us, two thirds of our numbers were slain before we could flee and close the portal behind us. There are so few of us left it is unlikely we can survive." said the Saras Vampire. "Our House Lord died in the battle.....I am one of fifteen Saras who made it here alive. Most starved to death. There is not enough life energy to draw upon." the Vampire sighed and said "You are here for the Tomb, aren't you?"
Silas nodded, "Show us to it..." and Silas drew his weapon and follow the creature deep into the heart of the Castle.
"Finally....quiet...."
Malachi approached from behind, floating a little above the ground. He seemed at ease, or at least his eyes glowed a cool blue. Silas looked up, and he sighed.
Within the walls things seemed different. This was a more foreboding quiet...when the shadows shimmered in the dawn light it made Silas nervous. He took a breath and said "Come on, lets go inside..."
~
Inside the walls of the castle, it felt no different. The way the dust and dirt had settled....it was unnerving. No one had set foot within the walls in years....he kicked some dust aside with his foot to look at the flagstones below. He tapped his foot against it and the sound echoed a little.
Silas frowned and looked around "Theres nothing here but I still feel creeped out."
"Oh theres something here," said Malachi "They just don't want you to see them yet."
"Bugs? Little critters?"
"Oh.....you'll see. Why spoil the surprise?"
That was when the black slippered foot stepped out of an alcove and into the light. It was a pale person, rotted holes showing in his arms where bones could be seen. One slight difference he noticed, the glinting sharp fangs poking out of his mouth where his top lip was missing.
"You should listen to your demon, human."
Silas jumped, a Saras vamp....here?
"Explain...." said Silas
~
"You're saying you betrayed the thirteenth zodiac and the dark spawn....because the Maledictum came to you and reveaed the truth? Why didn't they do it sooner?" said Silas, incredulously. Fortunately, the rest of the folks had their weapons trained on the Saras Vampire.
"As you can imagine, things became violent. The Dark Spawn attacked us, two thirds of our numbers were slain before we could flee and close the portal behind us. There are so few of us left it is unlikely we can survive." said the Saras Vampire. "Our House Lord died in the battle.....I am one of fifteen Saras who made it here alive. Most starved to death. There is not enough life energy to draw upon." the Vampire sighed and said "You are here for the Tomb, aren't you?"
Silas nodded, "Show us to it..." and Silas drew his weapon and follow the creature deep into the heart of the Castle.
Kin followed in short step.
"Why did I just walk right in..... I dont do vampire stuff.... I tell myself this a thousand times..... and yet..."
He thought to himself
"Why did I just walk right in..... I dont do vampire stuff.... I tell myself this a thousand times..... and yet..."
He thought to himself
It was in a torch-lined hallway where the two massive hooded statues stood, their glaives crossing over the doorway and barring the path. The Saras vamp stood in front of the massive stone glaives and said "Stand down."
The glaives were lifted up by the statues and allowed them all to pass. The opened doors were of thick stone with a circular pattern of keys. One was near the top, and was not rusted and covered with cobwebs. Silas pulled the key out gently and held it in his hands. "That was our mission. Return the key to the Crellyx, your tomb-keepers."
The key melted away in his hands like dust.
"But since we're here...."
The Saras vamp lifted a torch and lit the antechamber. There were about thirty or less Saras huddled at the edges of the rectangular room, looking fearfully at the Guardians.
The glaives were lifted up by the statues and allowed them all to pass. The opened doors were of thick stone with a circular pattern of keys. One was near the top, and was not rusted and covered with cobwebs. Silas pulled the key out gently and held it in his hands. "That was our mission. Return the key to the Crellyx, your tomb-keepers."
The key melted away in his hands like dust.
"But since we're here...."
The Saras vamp lifted a torch and lit the antechamber. There were about thirty or less Saras huddled at the edges of the rectangular room, looking fearfully at the Guardians.
The fishbowl only turned as Kin scanned the room. From under the mask, the muffled voice pipped up.
"What are they hiding from? Whats going on?" He said looking at the torch bearing Saras.
"What are they hiding from? Whats going on?" He said looking at the torch bearing Saras.
"They think we've come to kill them. Is that right?" Silas asked of the Vamp. He nodded and looked gravely at Silas. "This is all that remains of my House. We have come here hoping for sleep but...there is nothing to return to. I sent two of my strongest into the lower tombs...they dare not speak of what they saw there save they sealed the doors behind them. What ever they saw..." but the Vamp didn't finish his sentence.
"Open it..." said Silas
"But...what horrors exist there that would scare my finest to their core..."
"Open up the tomb, we'll look for ourselves. The Crellyx must know if the Tomb of the Ancient Vampyres has been raided."
The Vamp bowed his head and whispered to two burly men who got up to pry the stone slab at the end of the hall aside. It was a dark, dank stairwell beyond with ensconced torches unlit along the walls. Silas stepped forward and lit the first torch and said "Come on...you too, I don't want you out of my sight." the Saras vampire nodded slowly...
~
The first room was reserved for the first Houses...Argus, Crellyx and Belarus...but when Silas stepped in and the sun crystals began to glow things were quite grisly. There were bodies littering the floor, their heads cut off and missing. Blood was thick and sticky on the floor and the smell of rotting flesh was fresh. There were no Crellyx, they had never been entombed. Since Malachi had remarked that Dorian was an Argus, it was safe to assume the Argus had been one of the groups to escape...except Silas saw some bodies bearing the winged drop of blood owned by the House Argus. The others bore the two headed serpent of Belarus. It was horrible, and Silas could barely breathe from the stench. He called up some of his power to purge the smell from the air. Still, it stank even after he blasted a burst of green flame.
"What happened here?" asked the Saras vampire.
"Your guess is as good as mine..." returned Silas, making an unpleasant face.
"Argus escaped...their banner is gone."
Sure enough in the corner where the House Lord of the Argus would have been and their banner would have been were missing. However, the banner of House Belarus was defiled by the headless corpse of their House Lord impaled on it.
"We need to go deeper..." remarked Silas
And so the group sojourned down into the hellish pit of death and decay. There were fifteen chambers they would have to pass through before finding the Master's Chamber. Silas knew each room would be filled with death and blood. The Saras vampire remarked "They were all slain by Vorpral weapons. The first three houses used them."
"Crellyx would never harm their brethren... except for the Saras...Would Argus have done this?"
"I doubt Belarus would have murdered their own House Lord....Argus is suspect now...."
The deeper they went, the more grisly the scene. Less decapitations and more mutilated bodies, some nailed to the walls with wooden spikes. "This is vile..." muttered Silas under his breath.
Three chambers down, the Saras stopped. "Where is Kshatria? Where are the Spider-lords?"
Silas looked around, "What do you mean?"
"The banner of the House Kshatria is missing. They have escaped this slaughter!"
"So did Argus, we have no evidence one is good and the other evil. Lead us to your master." said Silas, drawing his gun. The Saras vampire nodded and led them deeper still.
~
The doors to the Master's Chamber were sealed and runed, "Marked by an Anchorite of the Maledictum. The strongest runes of warding in existence." said Malachi, touching them. "I will need a moment to disarm them before the door may open.
"Open it..." said Silas
"But...what horrors exist there that would scare my finest to their core..."
"Open up the tomb, we'll look for ourselves. The Crellyx must know if the Tomb of the Ancient Vampyres has been raided."
The Vamp bowed his head and whispered to two burly men who got up to pry the stone slab at the end of the hall aside. It was a dark, dank stairwell beyond with ensconced torches unlit along the walls. Silas stepped forward and lit the first torch and said "Come on...you too, I don't want you out of my sight." the Saras vampire nodded slowly...
~
The first room was reserved for the first Houses...Argus, Crellyx and Belarus...but when Silas stepped in and the sun crystals began to glow things were quite grisly. There were bodies littering the floor, their heads cut off and missing. Blood was thick and sticky on the floor and the smell of rotting flesh was fresh. There were no Crellyx, they had never been entombed. Since Malachi had remarked that Dorian was an Argus, it was safe to assume the Argus had been one of the groups to escape...except Silas saw some bodies bearing the winged drop of blood owned by the House Argus. The others bore the two headed serpent of Belarus. It was horrible, and Silas could barely breathe from the stench. He called up some of his power to purge the smell from the air. Still, it stank even after he blasted a burst of green flame.
"What happened here?" asked the Saras vampire.
"Your guess is as good as mine..." returned Silas, making an unpleasant face.
"Argus escaped...their banner is gone."
Sure enough in the corner where the House Lord of the Argus would have been and their banner would have been were missing. However, the banner of House Belarus was defiled by the headless corpse of their House Lord impaled on it.
"We need to go deeper..." remarked Silas
And so the group sojourned down into the hellish pit of death and decay. There were fifteen chambers they would have to pass through before finding the Master's Chamber. Silas knew each room would be filled with death and blood. The Saras vampire remarked "They were all slain by Vorpral weapons. The first three houses used them."
"Crellyx would never harm their brethren... except for the Saras...Would Argus have done this?"
"I doubt Belarus would have murdered their own House Lord....Argus is suspect now...."
The deeper they went, the more grisly the scene. Less decapitations and more mutilated bodies, some nailed to the walls with wooden spikes. "This is vile..." muttered Silas under his breath.
Three chambers down, the Saras stopped. "Where is Kshatria? Where are the Spider-lords?"
Silas looked around, "What do you mean?"
"The banner of the House Kshatria is missing. They have escaped this slaughter!"
"So did Argus, we have no evidence one is good and the other evil. Lead us to your master." said Silas, drawing his gun. The Saras vampire nodded and led them deeper still.
~
The doors to the Master's Chamber were sealed and runed, "Marked by an Anchorite of the Maledictum. The strongest runes of warding in existence." said Malachi, touching them. "I will need a moment to disarm them before the door may open.
Kin drew his pistol out, not knowing what to expect on the other side.
He processed the slaughter in his mind. Then he vocalized a question or two.
"Would a vampire do this? I mean, go beyond killing for feeding... Can a vampire even sustain itself by drinking another vampires blood?"
He processed the slaughter in his mind. Then he vocalized a question or two.
"Would a vampire do this? I mean, go beyond killing for feeding... Can a vampire even sustain itself by drinking another vampires blood?"
Silas shook his head "It's poisonous for a Vampire to drink another Vampire's blood or life energy. But they do kill each other, not for food but just because of feuds, or hatred, or warfare. The Houses were always fighting. Argus hated Crellyx, Crellyx hated Argus. That was the big one way back before they went into stasis."
"Also, why are the Vampires not guarded here. With so many vulnerable Vampires here, you'd think..." started Silas.
"I can explain..." said the Saras "Long ago, the House Crellyx guarded this place from all who might foul the tomb. After years of nothing happening, they abandoned the place. Letting the myths and legends keep most folk at bay. It was all too easy for someone to break in..."
~
"There!" said Malachi, pushing the doors inwards. The sight inside was more than ghastly. There was a ring of twelve open coffins, with hauntingly beautiful women in each one. The wives of Lord Dracula, and all of them had wooden stakes in their hearts. Standing there, before the vertical coffin where Dracula himself slept was a robed figure holding a mallet and stake. Silas shouted and swung the butt of his rifle. Kin and Damien stepped foreward, but the Saras held them back. "Let him handle this..." said the Saras. Maeve just fainted right there.
Silas didn't strike the figure, it dropped the stake and grabbed the gun...tossing it aside as well as Silas. Silas drew a knife and so did the figure. The figure's knife's edge glowed red in the dark chamber...when he swung it flashed a little. They circled each other a few times before finally grappling. Silas nor the figure had the upper hand, then Silas misstepped and his foot twisted. It was just long enough of a gap for the figure to swing it's knife at his face and cut a long slash from his eyebrow vertically through his left eye and down his cheek. Silas roared in pain, and placed a hand on his wounded eye. He dropped his knife and with all his fury and pain created a ball of black fire tinged with green and purple sparks. He then released all of its might directly into the creatures head. There was a soft *pop* and a blast of evil flame...the creature, whatever it was, was completely decapitated. It crumpled to the ground. Kin finally broke from the Saras vampire's grip and rushed to him.
"Also, why are the Vampires not guarded here. With so many vulnerable Vampires here, you'd think..." started Silas.
"I can explain..." said the Saras "Long ago, the House Crellyx guarded this place from all who might foul the tomb. After years of nothing happening, they abandoned the place. Letting the myths and legends keep most folk at bay. It was all too easy for someone to break in..."
~
"There!" said Malachi, pushing the doors inwards. The sight inside was more than ghastly. There was a ring of twelve open coffins, with hauntingly beautiful women in each one. The wives of Lord Dracula, and all of them had wooden stakes in their hearts. Standing there, before the vertical coffin where Dracula himself slept was a robed figure holding a mallet and stake. Silas shouted and swung the butt of his rifle. Kin and Damien stepped foreward, but the Saras held them back. "Let him handle this..." said the Saras. Maeve just fainted right there.
Silas didn't strike the figure, it dropped the stake and grabbed the gun...tossing it aside as well as Silas. Silas drew a knife and so did the figure. The figure's knife's edge glowed red in the dark chamber...when he swung it flashed a little. They circled each other a few times before finally grappling. Silas nor the figure had the upper hand, then Silas misstepped and his foot twisted. It was just long enough of a gap for the figure to swing it's knife at his face and cut a long slash from his eyebrow vertically through his left eye and down his cheek. Silas roared in pain, and placed a hand on his wounded eye. He dropped his knife and with all his fury and pain created a ball of black fire tinged with green and purple sparks. He then released all of its might directly into the creatures head. There was a soft *pop* and a blast of evil flame...the creature, whatever it was, was completely decapitated. It crumpled to the ground. Kin finally broke from the Saras vampire's grip and rushed to him.
Kin managed to catch Silas before he hit the ground. "Help me..." He said and he and Damien dragged Silas back out of the room. "Who was that?" He said to a Saras as he began to check Silas' pulse.
When he placed his hand on Silas, he couldnt get inside. But it wasnt like Silas was blocking him out, but rather that there was nothing to get into. "What the hell?...."
He knew it had to be some sort of delusion. Peoples minds didnt just disappear. Even a skilled extractor far beneath Kin in skill could find remnants inside of the mind of the deceased. There was, theoretically, no such thing as an "Empty head"
"His pulse is good, he is still with us... c'mon wake up....."
When he placed his hand on Silas, he couldnt get inside. But it wasnt like Silas was blocking him out, but rather that there was nothing to get into. "What the hell?...."
He knew it had to be some sort of delusion. Peoples minds didnt just disappear. Even a skilled extractor far beneath Kin in skill could find remnants inside of the mind of the deceased. There was, theoretically, no such thing as an "Empty head"
"His pulse is good, he is still with us... c'mon wake up....."
The knife slash had scratched Silas' cornea. Kin watched as Silas' left eye filled with a scarlet colour...the blood running freely from the deep wound needed stanching.
Where was Silas? The knife had harmed his spirit as well as his body...the pain of the knife touching his mortality had caused his spirit to spasm...he was projected into an altered state of consciousness where his spirit was brought up into a strange light. Silas found himself in a temple, old and gothic by its look and it was in darkness except for some small torches. A circle of creature was about his, chanting in a language strange yet familiar. They had the heads of ravens with grey skin and four-fingered and clawed hands. When the chanting died and Silas stood, the circle parted to show a glimmering figure before him. It was like a human, but not. It had strange swirling tattoos all over and was cloaked in a white robe. It had the head of an ibis, and when it spoke it was loud and clear "Illrian Knight of the House Grey, welcome to the Chamber of Souls. You are loosing your first life...so this may feel odd. The knife that marked you damaged your soul and would have killed you instantly...but no Illrian may simply be slain. An Illrian has nine lives to live...each one you loose brings you closer to your eternal reward."
"And what is that?"
"To become one with the Light you serve to protect. The Maledictum swore its service to the Light Itself long ago. These are the Anchorites..." and the ibis headed figure pointed to the other bird headed monsters "and I am the Grand Anchorite, we are the priesthood of the Path of Light...we have healed your spirit but your body will remain scarred....go back Illrian Knight. Your time is not yet up."
Silas felt a kind of tugging and the doors of the cathedral blew open and sucked him away into darkness.
Silas sprang awake with a gasp, choking and sputtering as air filled his lungs. He opened his eyes....but....only his right eye could see. Silas felt the left eye and felt blood congealing on his face. "I can't see!" he cried "I can't see!"
Where was Silas? The knife had harmed his spirit as well as his body...the pain of the knife touching his mortality had caused his spirit to spasm...he was projected into an altered state of consciousness where his spirit was brought up into a strange light. Silas found himself in a temple, old and gothic by its look and it was in darkness except for some small torches. A circle of creature was about his, chanting in a language strange yet familiar. They had the heads of ravens with grey skin and four-fingered and clawed hands. When the chanting died and Silas stood, the circle parted to show a glimmering figure before him. It was like a human, but not. It had strange swirling tattoos all over and was cloaked in a white robe. It had the head of an ibis, and when it spoke it was loud and clear "Illrian Knight of the House Grey, welcome to the Chamber of Souls. You are loosing your first life...so this may feel odd. The knife that marked you damaged your soul and would have killed you instantly...but no Illrian may simply be slain. An Illrian has nine lives to live...each one you loose brings you closer to your eternal reward."
"And what is that?"
"To become one with the Light you serve to protect. The Maledictum swore its service to the Light Itself long ago. These are the Anchorites..." and the ibis headed figure pointed to the other bird headed monsters "and I am the Grand Anchorite, we are the priesthood of the Path of Light...we have healed your spirit but your body will remain scarred....go back Illrian Knight. Your time is not yet up."
Silas felt a kind of tugging and the doors of the cathedral blew open and sucked him away into darkness.
Silas sprang awake with a gasp, choking and sputtering as air filled his lungs. He opened his eyes....but....only his right eye could see. Silas felt the left eye and felt blood congealing on his face. "I can't see!" he cried "I can't see!"
"Alright alright, hold still..." Kin said. Takeing a piece of cloth from a dead Saras he wipeds around Silas' eye as best he could, then he tried to pour some water over it. Another Saras was tending to the wound on his face.
"How are you feeling?" Kin said. "Cmon, talk to me.... whats up?"
"How are you feeling?" Kin said. "Cmon, talk to me.... whats up?"
"I can't see....I can't see!" mumbled Silas...Malachi was hovering over them, mumbling to himself. "Master," he whispered "You've experienced your first loss of life. I should have been there to ease the journey but it looks like someone at least got you back to us." he bowed his head "I am sorry I didn't merge with you sooner...I could have prevented this...."
Silas just kept whimpering "I can't see..."
Kin repeated himself "Cmon, talk to me... whats up?"
"There was a light and these bird-people told me I was dead but alive and....oh god whats wrong with me? What am I?!" and he curled away into a fetal ball, crying.
Malachi sighed and said "I owe you the truth. Long ago, Earth was a dead orb in space with no magic or monsters. When the Light arrived, things changed. It was 0 AD when the Light enveloped Earth and made it its new home. Among the powerful and wisest of Humans came to gather around strange shrines that appeared all over the world...gateways to the Light. They swore allegiance to the Path of the Light and became the first to spread its word. However, darkness came with the Light and soon evil things tested the resolve of humankind. The Maledictum, my order tasked with the protection of the Path of the Light, went among the wisest, most faithful and most powerful and gifted them with power. A shadow daemon merged with them and created the Illrian Knights, daemon power mixed with human power...it was almost unstoppable. Their faith in the Light gave them nine lives and the strength and fury of perdition. Soon, the families that sprung from these traditions became the Illrian Houses...the House of Grey being one of them. We had the power to defend the Earth from evil, but evil found a way to hunt out those Knights and one by one the Houses have been falling into danger and being destroyed by any means. The darkness clamors to possess the Light, and corrupt it. The lands of Aurica and Arcania, the worlds of the Light, possess no Illrians but instead have single figures named 'Archons'. They are the Great Guardians as well as the Moon Goddess of Arcania. Archons are merged with light daemons, angels you call them, but their use is the same. You, Silas Grey, are an Illrian Knight bound by fate to become a daemon-blended warrior of justice, hope and light...and you are also the last. All the other houses were torn apart by darkness long ago, though you will find remnants among the Necromancers who still follow our age-old tradition of guarding the powers of life and death." the Malachi took a breath as Silas uncurled "You're meant to be a hero, Silas..."
"A.....hero....." said Silas between gulps of air. The scar on his face was fresh, but the redness seemed to glow with its own light in the half-light.
Silas just kept whimpering "I can't see..."
Kin repeated himself "Cmon, talk to me... whats up?"
"There was a light and these bird-people told me I was dead but alive and....oh god whats wrong with me? What am I?!" and he curled away into a fetal ball, crying.
Malachi sighed and said "I owe you the truth. Long ago, Earth was a dead orb in space with no magic or monsters. When the Light arrived, things changed. It was 0 AD when the Light enveloped Earth and made it its new home. Among the powerful and wisest of Humans came to gather around strange shrines that appeared all over the world...gateways to the Light. They swore allegiance to the Path of the Light and became the first to spread its word. However, darkness came with the Light and soon evil things tested the resolve of humankind. The Maledictum, my order tasked with the protection of the Path of the Light, went among the wisest, most faithful and most powerful and gifted them with power. A shadow daemon merged with them and created the Illrian Knights, daemon power mixed with human power...it was almost unstoppable. Their faith in the Light gave them nine lives and the strength and fury of perdition. Soon, the families that sprung from these traditions became the Illrian Houses...the House of Grey being one of them. We had the power to defend the Earth from evil, but evil found a way to hunt out those Knights and one by one the Houses have been falling into danger and being destroyed by any means. The darkness clamors to possess the Light, and corrupt it. The lands of Aurica and Arcania, the worlds of the Light, possess no Illrians but instead have single figures named 'Archons'. They are the Great Guardians as well as the Moon Goddess of Arcania. Archons are merged with light daemons, angels you call them, but their use is the same. You, Silas Grey, are an Illrian Knight bound by fate to become a daemon-blended warrior of justice, hope and light...and you are also the last. All the other houses were torn apart by darkness long ago, though you will find remnants among the Necromancers who still follow our age-old tradition of guarding the powers of life and death." the Malachi took a breath as Silas uncurled "You're meant to be a hero, Silas..."
"A.....hero....." said Silas between gulps of air. The scar on his face was fresh, but the redness seemed to glow with its own light in the half-light.
"Well, his pulse is still going, he is still breathing and he is conscious. He is in the clear for now." Kin said. He had sort of laid Silas on his lap and cradled his head. "Look at that!" He said with a slightly more upbeat tone that was almost insane in a sort of way. "We got us a regular Achilles!" He laughed a little. "Looks like we just had ourselves a little near-life experience, eh Silas?" he couldnt help but make a sort of joke out of the present scenario.
"If I could get up, I'd stab you..." said Silas, then he coughed heavily for a moment. "Ow, this fucking hurts...there any chance I'll stop being blind?" but Kin shook his head. Malachi was staring into Silas' face blandly, his eyes a calm blue. "Master, theres more I haven't told you but...no Nicholas should stay. This is as much his story as yours. Do you know of the Orders Adept?"
"The groups of people who served the Light in different ways. Like how the Order of Avalon were the monks and nuns."
"Yes, master. But you see, they weren't the first..." then Malachi pointed at Kin "His people were. The first world of Arath was made by the Obsidian Flame, then named The Lord of the Host but on earth he's known by another name. On Arath a group of humans who were holy warriors and demon hunters were consecrated by the Light, specifically by the Lord of the Host. This long line of "Warriors of the Light" became known as the "Adeptus Daemonstranda" but among the laity it was known as the "Order of Stewards" because they kept the world safe from Daemons of the Darkness. On Earth, the descendants of the Adeptus Daemonstranda spread their word and teachings among the humans....and Nicholas' Rhyle was born. The same way the Order of Avalon descended from the ancient priesthood of Arath called the "Adeptus Avalonius"."
"How can you possibly know all this unless you actually were there on Arath? In the Illuminomicon the warriors who hunted demons were called the Stewards and the priesthood were just that....priests."
"The Illuminomicon was written in vernacular for the Laity. The 45 cantos of the Illuminomicon in their original form, given to King Shas'la during the Founding, tell of the Host blessing the greatest warriors and wisest men and women as members of the Adeptus Daemonstranda and Avalonius. Their crafts are the first two Orders Adept. Oh but there is something more...the Host went to war when the Darkness fell on Arath..."
Malachi took his robes in his hand and flung them off, in a burst of light that dazzled for a moment...a hushed silence fell...there before them was a grey skinned man naked but for a loincloth. It had huge black feathered wings and its eyes burned red then yellow then blue before fading as Malachi threw on his cloak again and the hiss of the blackness ensued once more. "The Host were blackened when the Destroyer was released from his prison in Augury Point, we became the Mallidari, the Black Host, and we turned on our friends. Near the end, we were saved only through the faith of the Anchorites in the Light. They were punished by the Destroyer and transfigured into hideous bird beasts. When the Grand Anchorite was transfigured the Light reached out and saved him...and through the Grand Anchorite we were all cleansed of evil taint in our minds but not our bodies. We became Maledicti, The Furies of the Light. We turned on our former masters, but it was not enough. We were banished for a hundred years to wander the Far Veil without a home in order to atone. Our lord and master, the Lord of the Host, he was blackened too. He became the Obsidian Flame...his body too weak to survive."
then Malachi bowed his head "I was one of the children born to the Exodite Maledicti, and I watched through my mother's scrying eye as the Light claimed Thassaria and made it good. I watched as the darkness slowly crept in and the people looked to the Light for help but the gates to Aurican and Arcania shut themselves. As darkness seemed ready to snuff the planet out...we revealed ourselves after the final hour of the hundred years had passed. They worshiped the Obsidian Flame as a result, making a new Order Adept...the Adeptus Obsidia...they became great adepts of all forms of magic and for this they were permanently transfigured. You knew one, his name was The-Dweller-On-The-Horizon. They were star-spawn to you but to them they were Thassarians, and when the Turncoat Rebellion sundered their world and let the darkness and the Destroyer in to devour the world they fled into the depths of the Far Veil...only reappearing on Earth after the Light had claimed it. The Humans who survived the destruction of Thassaria lived on in Aurica and Arcania..."
Malachi paused and Kin and Silas stared...
"Humans repopulated Earth from Arcania. The Aurican humans refused to relocate, and this angered the Daedra. The Maledicti could not step onto the world of Earth yet, a prophecy had named one day a merged human and Maledicti would conquer evil and prove himself our leader...but in the mean time we were ordered to foster a new Order Adept upon the Earth."
"The Illrians?" asked Silas.
"Yes. The Adeptus Malleus. The Illrian Order, merged humans and Maledicti. A blend of our power and human cunning. When the Light became too weak to control the gateways we stepped in to take control...we became the watchers over the Earth. The Illrians I mean...each family passing the Illrian spirit to their first born child. When the Light was cocooned within the World Tree and magic changed, and when the Dragons flourished, the last Order Adept was founded between the mystics of the humans and the warriors of the dragons...this union of natural magic and dragon magic became the Adeptus Arcanix...now immortalized by your Ordus Sanctorum. They were a sanctuary for magic users, and an academy for their study. This idea spread into Arcania you know...its why the fatal five studied magic in the first place. The fatal five tried to teach their own academy of magic but the Light did not bless the fatal five with natural magic."
Silas and Kin blinked
"You see. When Avalon displaced to Earth and the Great Guardians were visited by the Light and ascended into godhood, they were given stewardship over the Light and one who was strongest was given stewardship over the Destroyer. The fatal five tricked Set and stole the power of the Destroyer for themselves and were cursed for it. As each one was corrupted, the Destroyer escaped more...eventually driving Set mad. Set became the pawn of the Destroyer and his Dark Spawn became minions of the Destroyer. When the fatal five, the wizards who had taken evil power, began to die and transcend they spread their evil to Earth and the original Adeptus Arcanix...at least the human members...became the Witches and Warlocks of today while the Dragons went into hiding. The last on the fatal five to die was, as you know, betrayed by his three wives and cursed the worlds to three betrayers of the Light who would bring the Earth closer to the Destroyer's return. The last unscathed humans fled to the Americas and spread their ways among the native americans...thus why the native american tribes created the Ordus Sanctorum with their later white, European friends. But theres room for one more Order Adept. The legend says when the prophecised leader comes there will be six Orders Adept..."
Silas and Kin were silent still
"So you see...the Maledictum has been watching over humanity for all time in one form or another...guiding you towards the Light. We took the vow never to interfere unless the Earth's existence was at stake. We had failed twice, we will never fail again. The ancestral Orders Adept wound their way through the ages and spread themselves on Earth. Warriors, sages and mages all with the Light at their side...ready and willing to battle the darkness and win. That is your legacy, your birthright. Nicholas...master Silas...you are descendants of a great heroic line." then Malachi's eyes dimmed to a dark orange and he moved away without a sound.
~
"What the hell did Malachi just do? Did he just give us a pep talk or a history lecture. Can I get something for this pain please?" said Silas, then he closed his eyes.
"The groups of people who served the Light in different ways. Like how the Order of Avalon were the monks and nuns."
"Yes, master. But you see, they weren't the first..." then Malachi pointed at Kin "His people were. The first world of Arath was made by the Obsidian Flame, then named The Lord of the Host but on earth he's known by another name. On Arath a group of humans who were holy warriors and demon hunters were consecrated by the Light, specifically by the Lord of the Host. This long line of "Warriors of the Light" became known as the "Adeptus Daemonstranda" but among the laity it was known as the "Order of Stewards" because they kept the world safe from Daemons of the Darkness. On Earth, the descendants of the Adeptus Daemonstranda spread their word and teachings among the humans....and Nicholas' Rhyle was born. The same way the Order of Avalon descended from the ancient priesthood of Arath called the "Adeptus Avalonius"."
"How can you possibly know all this unless you actually were there on Arath? In the Illuminomicon the warriors who hunted demons were called the Stewards and the priesthood were just that....priests."
"The Illuminomicon was written in vernacular for the Laity. The 45 cantos of the Illuminomicon in their original form, given to King Shas'la during the Founding, tell of the Host blessing the greatest warriors and wisest men and women as members of the Adeptus Daemonstranda and Avalonius. Their crafts are the first two Orders Adept. Oh but there is something more...the Host went to war when the Darkness fell on Arath..."
Malachi took his robes in his hand and flung them off, in a burst of light that dazzled for a moment...a hushed silence fell...there before them was a grey skinned man naked but for a loincloth. It had huge black feathered wings and its eyes burned red then yellow then blue before fading as Malachi threw on his cloak again and the hiss of the blackness ensued once more. "The Host were blackened when the Destroyer was released from his prison in Augury Point, we became the Mallidari, the Black Host, and we turned on our friends. Near the end, we were saved only through the faith of the Anchorites in the Light. They were punished by the Destroyer and transfigured into hideous bird beasts. When the Grand Anchorite was transfigured the Light reached out and saved him...and through the Grand Anchorite we were all cleansed of evil taint in our minds but not our bodies. We became Maledicti, The Furies of the Light. We turned on our former masters, but it was not enough. We were banished for a hundred years to wander the Far Veil without a home in order to atone. Our lord and master, the Lord of the Host, he was blackened too. He became the Obsidian Flame...his body too weak to survive."
then Malachi bowed his head "I was one of the children born to the Exodite Maledicti, and I watched through my mother's scrying eye as the Light claimed Thassaria and made it good. I watched as the darkness slowly crept in and the people looked to the Light for help but the gates to Aurican and Arcania shut themselves. As darkness seemed ready to snuff the planet out...we revealed ourselves after the final hour of the hundred years had passed. They worshiped the Obsidian Flame as a result, making a new Order Adept...the Adeptus Obsidia...they became great adepts of all forms of magic and for this they were permanently transfigured. You knew one, his name was The-Dweller-On-The-Horizon. They were star-spawn to you but to them they were Thassarians, and when the Turncoat Rebellion sundered their world and let the darkness and the Destroyer in to devour the world they fled into the depths of the Far Veil...only reappearing on Earth after the Light had claimed it. The Humans who survived the destruction of Thassaria lived on in Aurica and Arcania..."
Malachi paused and Kin and Silas stared...
"Humans repopulated Earth from Arcania. The Aurican humans refused to relocate, and this angered the Daedra. The Maledicti could not step onto the world of Earth yet, a prophecy had named one day a merged human and Maledicti would conquer evil and prove himself our leader...but in the mean time we were ordered to foster a new Order Adept upon the Earth."
"The Illrians?" asked Silas.
"Yes. The Adeptus Malleus. The Illrian Order, merged humans and Maledicti. A blend of our power and human cunning. When the Light became too weak to control the gateways we stepped in to take control...we became the watchers over the Earth. The Illrians I mean...each family passing the Illrian spirit to their first born child. When the Light was cocooned within the World Tree and magic changed, and when the Dragons flourished, the last Order Adept was founded between the mystics of the humans and the warriors of the dragons...this union of natural magic and dragon magic became the Adeptus Arcanix...now immortalized by your Ordus Sanctorum. They were a sanctuary for magic users, and an academy for their study. This idea spread into Arcania you know...its why the fatal five studied magic in the first place. The fatal five tried to teach their own academy of magic but the Light did not bless the fatal five with natural magic."
Silas and Kin blinked
"You see. When Avalon displaced to Earth and the Great Guardians were visited by the Light and ascended into godhood, they were given stewardship over the Light and one who was strongest was given stewardship over the Destroyer. The fatal five tricked Set and stole the power of the Destroyer for themselves and were cursed for it. As each one was corrupted, the Destroyer escaped more...eventually driving Set mad. Set became the pawn of the Destroyer and his Dark Spawn became minions of the Destroyer. When the fatal five, the wizards who had taken evil power, began to die and transcend they spread their evil to Earth and the original Adeptus Arcanix...at least the human members...became the Witches and Warlocks of today while the Dragons went into hiding. The last on the fatal five to die was, as you know, betrayed by his three wives and cursed the worlds to three betrayers of the Light who would bring the Earth closer to the Destroyer's return. The last unscathed humans fled to the Americas and spread their ways among the native americans...thus why the native american tribes created the Ordus Sanctorum with their later white, European friends. But theres room for one more Order Adept. The legend says when the prophecised leader comes there will be six Orders Adept..."
Silas and Kin were silent still
"So you see...the Maledictum has been watching over humanity for all time in one form or another...guiding you towards the Light. We took the vow never to interfere unless the Earth's existence was at stake. We had failed twice, we will never fail again. The ancestral Orders Adept wound their way through the ages and spread themselves on Earth. Warriors, sages and mages all with the Light at their side...ready and willing to battle the darkness and win. That is your legacy, your birthright. Nicholas...master Silas...you are descendants of a great heroic line." then Malachi's eyes dimmed to a dark orange and he moved away without a sound.
~
"What the hell did Malachi just do? Did he just give us a pep talk or a history lecture. Can I get something for this pain please?" said Silas, then he closed his eyes.
The history I just divulged is subject to change by you. I am just telling my ideas for the legacy of the Rhyle being the very first warriors of the Light and being all awesome and old. Feel free to change it.
"I think it was both..." Kin said. "It makes sense though, old poems in the Rhyle archives always spoke of us being part of a sort of threefold system. The light itself, then those who fought its enemies on other planes, you guardians, and those who fought the physical manifestations of darkness on earth, which we assumed was always us. Could be wrong though....Cmon Silas, lets get you up to the surface." He said putting a shoulder under his arm.
"Take it easy for now, blood loss can be a *****...."
Once they got him seated on something other than the floor, two Saras tended to his wounds. Kin walked back tot he Chamber where Silas was attacked. He put his mask back on and strapped it on tight. He cracked his knuckles and stretched his neck.
"Alright, what are you hiding?" He began to feel around the coffins....
visions flooded his mind.....
"Take it easy for now, blood loss can be a *****...."
Once they got him seated on something other than the floor, two Saras tended to his wounds. Kin walked back tot he Chamber where Silas was attacked. He put his mask back on and strapped it on tight. He cracked his knuckles and stretched his neck.
"Alright, what are you hiding?" He began to feel around the coffins....
visions flooded his mind.....
Pain, unrelenting pain. Swirling like a vortex around Kin. He was in the Primal Nether, the plane of wild power where the dead who were cursed and evil went after their demise. He could see twelve fair maidens, hairs all the colors of the sun....yellows like straw, reds like sunset, blacks like the dead of night, white like winter. They clung to one another fearfully, the spirits whistling around them cackled, screamed and cried with great fury. Death had claimed each individual wife of the great Count Dracula and now they faced the afterlife alone and unguarded. It wasn't long before the furies of the Primal Nether descended, their fiery tails and skeletal hands tearing into the beauties. They hissed and scratched at the air, but the bloody wounds piled up. Eviscerated, dismembered, ripped apart, they began to fall as the temporary solidity below dissipatedly and screamed...it chilled Kin to his very core. From the darkness he began to fall too for a while before a cushion of solidity formed below him and a figure appeared. Cloaked and hooded, it said "This is not your place. These spirits are dead and their dreaming minds are beyond you. Go back." The world shuddered inwards. Kin's power over the vision faded.
Suddenly, memories filled him...he could see one of the wives, she was a buxom redhead who was all smiles. He saw her childhood, her sudden transformation, her coming to Castle Dracula and joining him as his wife. Her memories of his hypnotic charm were powerful. She gave birth to the patriarchs of a Vampire House...The House of Argus. Then the swirling pain and regret as her children menaced the world...their inglorious return with the Crellyx at their side, sealing them in to sleep until the world forgot them. The final thoughts before sleep as tears rolled down the cold, dead cheeks. My poor, innocent children.The memories faded. Kin returned to reality.
Suddenly, memories filled him...he could see one of the wives, she was a buxom redhead who was all smiles. He saw her childhood, her sudden transformation, her coming to Castle Dracula and joining him as his wife. Her memories of his hypnotic charm were powerful. She gave birth to the patriarchs of a Vampire House...The House of Argus. Then the swirling pain and regret as her children menaced the world...their inglorious return with the Crellyx at their side, sealing them in to sleep until the world forgot them. The final thoughts before sleep as tears rolled down the cold, dead cheeks. My poor, innocent children.The memories faded. Kin returned to reality.
Kin sat on the edge of a tomb, hunched over with his elbows on his knees and his hands folded, the golden and silver scarred mask looked into emptiness as he pondered....
"Damn...... that is kinda sad...." He thought. Sometimes feelings were hard to connect for him, having been in so many minds made him somewhat challenged when it came to empathy with pain.
Suddenly he felts a ping of energy. He looked over and the projection in the mask outlined a body. One of the wives. He walked over a placed a hand on the cold, lifeless body, the eyes staring up into space.
When he did he found himself in a garden, a rather beautiful one at that. Looking around he realized it was the very castle he was in in reality. But it looked younger, and fresher.....
"I missed this place..." A distant, somewhat sorrowful voice said. Kin turned to see the wife. She was young and full of life by appearance. A full head of brunette hair, rosy cheeks and red, full lips. She was short and petite, but very beautiful, a great figure with eyes that matched he hair.
"I thought you would be so beautiful." Kin remarked.
"Thank you." She responded quietly.
"You managed to survive in a MetaSplinter? And keep it going this long? Im impressed."
"Well I was like you once."
"I see."
She looked at him with a longing in her eyes. "Please, walk with me. I have been very lonely"
He did so.
The two wandered through the gardens. One in a colorful pink dress that flowed, the other still in hard cold steel that was his armor. Rare and exotic flowers from around the world filled the air with a beautiful scent. "I was his first.... at least he told me that much..." She said. "He was young and bold, or so he seemed. Charming and in every way a gentleman. It seemed too perfect..." They stopped at a small fountain. Two stone children poured bowls of clear water into the base. "Emily." She said, almost like she had forgot her own name. "Nicholas." Came a sympathetic response.
They looked for a moment, then she grabbed his arm. He didnt object, but walked with her like a gentleman would. "I watched, silent, as he seduced them, one by one, over the years." She sounded like she might cry. She let her head rest and fall on his shoulder. "I became something I wasnt, and even forgot what love felt like. You are here to kill him arent you?"
"Yes." Came the reply from under the mask.
"I want him dead, not out of rage for what he did to me. But for the sake of others who might suffer the same fate."
I want to preserve their innocence and let them feel true love...." A tear fell.... "I want to feel loved again....." She turned to face him. "Why do you hide your face?" To protect my face...." "I wasnt talking about your armor, Nicholas. I know how you are afraid to connect with others....." She ran a face up to his cheek and across the mask.
"Would you love me, if only for a moment?" He didnt respond with words, but they both knew the answer. She lifted the mask and took it off, then smiled. "You are as handsome as I had hoped...." She drew in and kissed him and he wrapped his arms around her. For a few moments, they both embraced and loved somebody they knew almost nothing about. Kin didnt know why he did it. Sympathy? Loneliness? Longing?
She pulled away from the kiss, smiling with tears on her face. "Thats what I waited for, hoped for. Somebody to love me one last time. Thank you." She hugged him. Then took his mask and put it back on him. "Please, save others from this fate...." She pulled his head down to hers and kissed the mask, right where his lips would be. "Good bye, Nicholas."
Kin was back in the tomb. He looked down at the lifeless body. Placing a hand on the cheek for a moment, he then closed its eyes and left, Shaken.....
"Damn...... that is kinda sad...." He thought. Sometimes feelings were hard to connect for him, having been in so many minds made him somewhat challenged when it came to empathy with pain.
Suddenly he felts a ping of energy. He looked over and the projection in the mask outlined a body. One of the wives. He walked over a placed a hand on the cold, lifeless body, the eyes staring up into space.
When he did he found himself in a garden, a rather beautiful one at that. Looking around he realized it was the very castle he was in in reality. But it looked younger, and fresher.....
"I missed this place..." A distant, somewhat sorrowful voice said. Kin turned to see the wife. She was young and full of life by appearance. A full head of brunette hair, rosy cheeks and red, full lips. She was short and petite, but very beautiful, a great figure with eyes that matched he hair.
"I thought you would be so beautiful." Kin remarked.
"Thank you." She responded quietly.
"You managed to survive in a MetaSplinter? And keep it going this long? Im impressed."
"Well I was like you once."
"I see."
She looked at him with a longing in her eyes. "Please, walk with me. I have been very lonely"
He did so.
The two wandered through the gardens. One in a colorful pink dress that flowed, the other still in hard cold steel that was his armor. Rare and exotic flowers from around the world filled the air with a beautiful scent. "I was his first.... at least he told me that much..." She said. "He was young and bold, or so he seemed. Charming and in every way a gentleman. It seemed too perfect..." They stopped at a small fountain. Two stone children poured bowls of clear water into the base. "Emily." She said, almost like she had forgot her own name. "Nicholas." Came a sympathetic response.
They looked for a moment, then she grabbed his arm. He didnt object, but walked with her like a gentleman would. "I watched, silent, as he seduced them, one by one, over the years." She sounded like she might cry. She let her head rest and fall on his shoulder. "I became something I wasnt, and even forgot what love felt like. You are here to kill him arent you?"
"Yes." Came the reply from under the mask.
"I want him dead, not out of rage for what he did to me. But for the sake of others who might suffer the same fate."
I want to preserve their innocence and let them feel true love...." A tear fell.... "I want to feel loved again....." She turned to face him. "Why do you hide your face?" To protect my face...." "I wasnt talking about your armor, Nicholas. I know how you are afraid to connect with others....." She ran a face up to his cheek and across the mask.
"Would you love me, if only for a moment?" He didnt respond with words, but they both knew the answer. She lifted the mask and took it off, then smiled. "You are as handsome as I had hoped...." She drew in and kissed him and he wrapped his arms around her. For a few moments, they both embraced and loved somebody they knew almost nothing about. Kin didnt know why he did it. Sympathy? Loneliness? Longing?
She pulled away from the kiss, smiling with tears on her face. "Thats what I waited for, hoped for. Somebody to love me one last time. Thank you." She hugged him. Then took his mask and put it back on him. "Please, save others from this fate...." She pulled his head down to hers and kissed the mask, right where his lips would be. "Good bye, Nicholas."
Kin was back in the tomb. He looked down at the lifeless body. Placing a hand on the cheek for a moment, he then closed its eyes and left, Shaken.....
A cold wind blew through the tomb, the open door of the tomb had allowed one gust. It seemed to clear the air. For a moment. The tomb of Count Dracula lay open and bare, the tools of the murderer before lay nearby...ready...almost begging to be used. Shadows passed over Kin, Malachi was behind him. "Your mind begs you, your memories beg you, but to strike down their lord would slay them all. Their lives are bound to his. Thousands of lives, innocent. I can see into your mind, the Maledictum has the power to see though any mind like a clear crystal." he said, breezing over with soft footsteps to a position face to face with the Count. "So deeply asleep. Light curse you for your evil, but sleep is better than death." and Malachi turned to face Kin's faceplate "This tomb is to be sealed. Never again will anyone step foot within. A Saras Geomancer is providing his power to leveling the castle and burying the tomb forever. Let this place fade away." and he moved to leave the room "Lady Crellyx loved her family much, it fits she survived longest. So dark a lady for so pale a family. They are all dead, so sad." then Malachi looked Kin in the face. "Decide. Can you exterminate a species?" and Malachi's eyes flickered red and angry. The hissing in his armor became a whirling storm. Kin stood down, and turned to face Malachi. He said nothing, but he must have been thinking. Malachi walked away as shouts echoed "Malachi, come on!".