Infinite Powers

[FreddyCast]

Sage Blaze, Saint Reave, and Priestess Elian

(The trio is nearing the town as they walk on the faded dirt path in the Wilderness. Saint suddenly starts hearing mumblings from Kiari, who’s still in his arms)
Saint: Brother Blaze!
Sage: Yeah, Reave?
Saint: I think Kiari is talking in her sleep.
Sage: So, she’s conscious now. That’s good.
Kiari mumbles: You lied... (Saint gives a puzzled look)
Saint: Should we stop and wake her up? (Sage gets irritated at Kiari’s constant mumbling)
Sage: She’s ruining our peaceful silence. But as much as I want her to stop, we’re almost at the town. Wake her up then.
Kiari: You lied to me. YOU LIED TO ME!!!
Sage: JEEZ! Can you scream any louder? (Kiari’s eyes opened as she yelled her last words, which surprises Saint and stares at her with curiosity.)
Saint: I’m...um...sorry. (With a high-pitched scream Kiari jumped from Saint’s arms and quickly moves away from him in a hurry)
Sage: I guess you can scream louder. (Sage has his ears covered by his hands and let's them down as soon as Kiari gets a few distance away from Saint)
(As she breathes deeply, trying to register what’s going on and regaining her composure, Saint looks even more surprised, though he feels like he maybe shouldn’t. Sage and Elian stand there observing her.)
Kiari: Sorry about that. I was...afraid that was...someone else, with me...Sorry. Thanks for helping me out of that...trap.
Saint: Sure, Kiari...no problem.
Sage: You know, Kiari, you...(Suddenly a mysterious figure appears, cutting Sage off from continuing his rant.)
Sage: Who the heck is this purple-haired freak?
Elian: It’s Michaelis Wolfthorn, a council leader of IFF like Kiari.
Sage: Great, More IFF dogs. These guys are like cockroaches. They’re everywhere.
Saint: Kiari and this Michaelis fellow seem to be having a serious conversation.
Sage: Yeah, it’s just like her to ignore us. IGNORE YOUR RESCUERS. (Sage's outburst goes unnoticed by Kiari) *sigh* What are they doing?
Elian: They seem to be challenging each other?
Saint: Challenging each other? Why?
Elian: For ownership of Michaelis’s gemstone. He’s a spirit and whoever owns the gemstone, owns Michaelis. One of Kiari’s powers is to call on spirits to aid her in battle.
Sage: She needs all the help she can get, cause she’s useless by herself.
Saint: Brother, you’re not being fair to her. She handled herself well. And without her help back there we wouldn't be able to rescue her.
Sage: I doubt that. But she can do better than this purple-haired weirdo.
Elian: It seems Kiari has claimed ownership of Michaelis’s gemstone.
Sage: Well that was quick. It looks like every battle she’s in is always one-sided. I’m starting to think that she’s a noob. How did a noob become a leader of the IFF?
Saint: She’s proven herself reliable, brother. You can’t say that she’s a noob, that’s rude.
Sage: I just did. (Sage whispers in his ear with a smirk on his face) Go ahead and defend her, lover boy. (Saint looks at Sage with an annoyed and wrathful gaze)
Saint: Don’t push me, brother.
(Elian still keeps her distance from the brothers and begins to look up in the skies and sees Weairns a distance away getting nearer to the group)

LINK
Elian: Friends, let’s not stay here for too long. We could still be attacked by monsters.
Sage: Tch! Tell Kiari and her new pet spirit that. They’re still ignoring us.
Saint: Elian’s right, we have to get back to the town first. I’m just glad Kiari’s alright. (Sage raises his eyebrow towards Saint, which Saint notices). I mean, we’re glad she’s alright.
Sage: Ha, hardly.
Saint: She can tell us everything about what happened to her and why, later. That’s if she wants to tell us.
Sage: She better. We’ve gone through a lot of trouble trying to get her back.
Elian: We should leave now. (The trio leave as Kiari and Michaelis follow)

[FreddyCast]

Maximius

(Maximius, in his other Nescalian persona, General Valdus, rides his Dragonwolf, flying through the air at incredible speed. He arrives at the Megiddus Valley and finds the Nescalan and Tieran armies retreating, while the IFF armies remain strong and with little loss)
Maximius: It seems like Arachni has won the battle. He defeated both armies pretty easily. Far quicker than I expected. (He rides down to ground level and lands next to a Nescalian wereboar Colonel who’s observing the retreat from a safe distance.)
Maximius: Colonel Belimor! (He comes down from his Dragonwolf and meets the Colonel face to face.)
Belimor: General Valdus. The retreat is going as planned, sir. The IFF armies believe that there is infighting between the Tierans and us.
Maximius: Excellent news. It’s time to move to phase 2, I’ll be joining the fray. Tell the Tieran General and our armies to stop the retreat and stand by for my signal.
Belimor: Are you going in alone, General Valdus?
Maximius: Just remember your orders, Colonel. Today, Carmel, Castian, and Virgo falls. (He gets back on his Dragonwolf and rides into the dark stormy sky heading straight for the IFF armies in the Megiddus Valley)
Maximius: No side will claim victory this day. Only chaos and destruction awaits this battlefield. (As the IFF armies see him approaching, archers and mages try to shoot him down, but he’s too high up in the sky. As he positions himself on top of the Carmel and Castian Army, he lifts up his large sword up in the air)
Maximius: “Oh Seven gods of Storm, your vessel calls to you” (Lightning bolts begin to gather and strike the tip of his sword)
“I, your vessel, call on your strength and power. Come and inhabit in me” (The lightning bolts then encircle him, and his voice then changes, sounding almost demonic)
“I AM ZEUS, I AM THOR, I AM SET, I AM ENLIL, I AM INDRA, I AM VAYU, I AM SUSANOWO” (His aura manifests into electric sparks and he points his sword downwards to the armies below)
“I WILL LAY WASTE TO ALL OF YOU” (HE jumps off his Dragonwolf and yells as he falls down at lightning speed)
Maximius: AAAAAAAHHHHHH! (He impacts the ground with his sword impacting first and causing a huge wave of lightning bolts that engulfs both armies. As the dust clears all that can be seen is both armies almost completely decimated. Still some paladins, warriors, archers, mages and knights survive and slowly recover up on their feet as they observe in horror that the whole field is a complete wasteland, with no plant life in sight and riddled with their dead companions.)
General Kent: Th...this can’t be. My army...decimated....I got to regroup what’s left and retreat. (A familiar friend appears staggering from the dust cloud) Felim, my friend, you’re alive.
General Felim: Of course I am. *cough**cough* guh. Well, barely. What happened?
General Kent: It’s General Valdus. I don’t know how he got this strong. It’s...not possible.
General Felim: One man taking out two armies at once in one blow. You’re right, that’s impossible.
(Maximius arises from the deep crater and those left standing look on terrified as they nervously hold on to their weapons and shields.)
Maximius: Why so surprised, generals? This is what a god can do. IFF is not the only nation that has a god among them. But don’t think that I’m done. I’ll leave no one alive. Carmel, Castian, and Virgo must fall. (Maximius says to himself, “So that my new armies may rise”)
General Kent: But why? We already won the battle.
Maximius: You did! But victory comes at a price, a very steep price, general.
General Felim: You will pay for this, Valdus. IFF will not stop until you’ve been defeated.
Maximius: Hahahaha....I’m counting on it. My queen will be very impressed that her future king eliminated Arachni’s forces. Now where is your savior? I wish to have some words with him.
General Kent: Tch!
(The march of the Virgo army can be heard through the dust cloud that still surrounds the wasteland)
Maximius: Nevermind! Virgo approaches. Watch, generals, as IFF’s finest armies fall under my iron strength. “SENTINEL OF GAIA, ARISE FROM THE EARTH AND CRUSH MY FOES, COME FORTH CRIUS” (Suddenly a huge colossal monster breaks forth from the ground and tears through the Virgo army)

LINK

Maximius ponders, “It was foolish of you to leave your armies unattended Arachni, but don’t worry, I won’t let it be said that I left you with nothing” (Maximius smiles evily as he takes in the site of destruction and mayhem Crius is leaving behind)

[Wolfsong]

OOC- lol Kenji...
Poor Sage. He's about to have more IFF "dogs"

/Stephen/Ashimatya/Pierce/Arachni/
6 Years, 10 Months Ago…
Ash swung the scythe around for a blow his opponent could not back away from in time. Python, seeing this, dove into Ash instead, sending them both crashing to the ground. Having the upper hand, he thrust his sword toward Ash’s heart. Ash thrust his body upward into Python’s, the sword striking deep into the earth instead, and, cloaking his hand in shadow, dove it deep between Python’s ribs.
Python gasped, gagging on the blood rising in his throat. Ash quickly withdrew his hand as Cyrano cast the healing spell. He shruddered, a weak smile on his face. “That…felt just a little too real for my tastes.”
“Admittedly, that is a flaw in their thinking. Anyways, Ashimatya wins again, having wiped the floor with us,” Cyrano said. “Once again, I am impressed by the speed and prowess of the magnus. I’m glad we’re friends.”
Ash grinned at him, then shrugged. “Its only practice. Though what scares me is I’m nowhere near my max yet.”
“Scares you? What about us?” Python asked, grinning as he jokingly punched Ash’s shoulder. Ash mock-cried out and tackled him. Cyrano grinned mirthfully as he watched them.
“Guess I’ll go find a way out of the chasm,” he said, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. “And give you two lovebirds some privacy.”
Both of them voiced a loud protest, scrambling to their feet. Ash hurled a ball of shadow at Cyrano, who quickly fled the cave and his friends joined wrath.
The two did not pursue him, but remained quietly within. Ashimatya turned to Python. “Bother, are you alright?”
Python nodded slowly. “I think so. But…I was staring death in the face for a minute there, Stephen. I can still taste blood…” he shuddered. “I’m not sure I’ll be up for sparring any time soon.”
“I’m sorry Pierce. I truly meant to stop at your chest.”
Python smiled wanely at him. “You’re a magnus, brother, a creature who thrives on shadows and battle. I truly doubt you could have helped yourself.”
Ash looked stunned. “Am I a monster then? Perhaps I should delete this character and start anew.”
“No Stephen. You’ll just have to learn to control it. After all…” he walked over to his brother and, extending his arm, laid his finger over Ash’s heart. “There is no monster here. Once you learn to control it, it will never bother you again. Besides…” Smiling warmly, he rested his hand on Ash’s shoulder. “I’ll be there for you. That’s what family’s for.”
Ash laid his hand over his brother’s, his whole face radiating warmth and love. “My thanks, brother. I’ll stand by you as well.”
They held each other’s gaze a long time. Python awkwardly dropped his hand and backed away, suddenly feeling minorly embarrassed. “Cyrano’s been rather quiet, hasn’t he?” he asked lamely.
Ash nodded quickly, smiling in an equally awkward manner. It was rare the brothers showed how much they cared for each other openly, and they were boy enough to find it embarrassing. “Yes, he has. Lets go see what happened to him.” And they left.

Present…

Arachni listened to Zare with the expression of a parent listening to a foolish child. However, something in the corner of his eye drew his attention, something massive, and he turned for a better look. Countless energies swirled madly in the very back of Megiddus Valley. he could barely see the monster in them.
He glanced around. Tiera and Nescala had long since gone, and the cliffs were empty. It was the IFF, then, the monster was terrorizing. Which meant he'd better get over there...
So it came as a total surprise when Zare broke loose and raked his claws across the left side of his face, leaving deep, bloody lines and nearly displacing the mask. heat and pain burned through him, and he whirled around, striking Zare with a palm strike to the face. Shadows flowed from his hand and onto Zare, sucking at his energy.
"Zare!" Ash slashed through the vines, using some of his energy to cast Arachni away as he ran toward his acquaintance. Ash was touched that Zare stood up for him, so he intended to keep him alive no matter the cost to himself.
The shadow spell was not his won, but the magnus are masters of darkness and shadows, so he soon tore them off of Zare. "You really know how to make someone mad," he said, a faint smile on his face. "Great job. You need any healing droughts before we continue?" He looked to where he'd thrown Arachni,. but the elf was gone. "Where did he go?"

/Pierce/Arachni/
Blood flowed like water down his face, but he ignored it, running like the devil was on his heels. He was worried about how much his armies had been decimated, and he was hoping to find and punish whoever did this. When he entered the valley, he was shocked at the condition of the valley...and his armies. He saw the monster tear through Virgo, saw Kent and Felim standing with their scattered troops. Lastly, he saw a strange being in golden armor standing before the two generals, watching the monster destroying Virgo. Obviously, he was its commander.
Arachni's eyes widened in horror. What was this?! He clenched his fists, eyes burning. The filthy dog. Just as victory was in his hands...
Quietly he stepped into the field, walking slowly toward the monster. "Issa, come."
What's wrong?"
"There is a strange persona on the field, one I have never met. I am uncertain, but I may be sticking my neck into the lion's jaws. Provide me with the necessary protections."
"...done. Be careful sir."
"Always. Stand ready, just in case."
Arachni breathed in deeply, feeling great energies running through him. Shadows danced in his hand. Long, winding tendrils rose up from the ground, surrounding him as he walked forward. Dark spirits were in the air around him, whispering shadows that yearned for battle.
"This. Must. STOP!" He cried, his voice echoing across the whole of Megiddus valley. Shadows suddenly leapt from the ground, taking hold of those remaining of Carmel, Castian, and Virgo, dragging them down into the shadow realm. He recalled them to himself, bringing them up behind him. He heard the entire company's gasps and short cries, for they had not expected that. He recognized Kent stumbling toward him.
"Commander?" he gasped. "Is that you?"
"Sorry it took me so long," he said. He leapt up, rising into the air to face the monster Crius. An archanic circle formed around him, glowing with symbols of red and gold, shadows woven in it as threads on a loom. The clouds in the sky seemed almost to descend slightly, eager to swallow the entire valley.
"You have had your share of battle," he said quietly. "More than was allotted you. Begone, monster of the earth!" and he released the shadows. instantly, they swarmed the being, who roared and tried to defend himself, but was helpless against the spirits relentless onslaught. As the creature was dying before him, Arachni turned to face the strange soldier.
"Explain yourself," he said quietly. "Who are you? Speak, fool mortal, or die as the worm you are deserves!"

/Rowan/Caesar/
Caesar was rather glad Kenji kept his mouth shut and followed quietly. Their position seemed fragile enough.
The captain led them into the courtyard of the palace grounds. Caesar stared up at the massive marble walls, feeling apprehensive. What lay in store for them? He felt even more so when they were led directly into the palace. However, they were taken in the direction of the chambers reserved for guets. He knew the way, for he had been here before.
“What is going on?” he wondered. “Why here?”
And indeed, they were escorted to the finest chambers, where the captain told them to wait, again threatening them if they attempted escape.
As soon as the door shut, Caesar literally collapsed into a chair, allowing his stunned amazement to show on his face. “Kenji, were we, or were we not just arrested?” he asked. “Does this make any sense to you?”

/Zara/Kiari/
Kiari hadn’t really listened to what Sage had been yelling, knowing most of it was junk anyway, but she did hear one bit of it clearly: "Yeah, it’s just like her to ignore us. IGNORE YOUR RESCUERS."
She had thanked them, hadn’t she? Well, yes, after leaping screaming out of Saint’s arms. She uncomfortably blushed, recalling that. It hadn’t been so bad really, but…ahh, she wished Sage and Elian at least had not been present. That was embarrassing. At least she’d hurt Sage’s ears, so he’d payed for it. That was a plus. She had heard his ‘loverboy’ comment, and wondered if that had been a direct comment, or a sarcastic name.” Saint did seem to act oddly sometimes, but it seemed to be in his nature to…care. Was that really a bad thing? He was rather nice, certainly better than Sage, and when she thought about it hard enough, she had to admit she did kinda like him.
What the heck?! “Shut up!” She stuffed that thought as far down as she could and threw the mental safe over it for good measure, her face getting red again. She could not let that get far. He was an idiot and his brother was a jerk and she wanted to get as far away from them as possible, a.s.a.p..
Michaelis was staring up at the sky, a puzzled frown on his face. Then it cleared, and he slowly began to grin. “If I may make a suggestion,” he said. “You may want to duck.” He dropped down and covered his head with his arms.
Kiari looked up to see what he’d spotted, when she was suddenly caught into a tight embrace, pulled off the ground and swung around like a rag doll.
“Kiari, you’re alright! I was so worried when I got your message that I wouldn’t arrive in time!”
“Hawke,” Kiari gasped, beginning to struggle. “Nice to see you too. Put me down!”
He eventually did, grinning widely. Michaelis, seeing no more limbs flying around, assumed it was safe and returned to his feet. “Dude, she’s fine. Kindly try not to brain us when you do that. Your wings and the limbs flailing everywhere are rather dangerous.”
Hawke did a double take when he saw Michaelis, as well as Sage, Saint and Elian. “I take it they rescued you?” he asked Kiari. Noting her reluctance to speak, he grinned wider. “I see. Were you sure to thank them properly?”
“I did just fine, Mother.”
Michaelis quickly turned away, covering his mouth with both hands, as he tried to keep from laughing. Hawke shook his head. “I imagine it was the barest minimum you had to offer?”
“Hawke, seriously…”
He grinned at her, then turned to face the others. He walked toward Sage first. “Thank you for rescuing Kiari,” he said, grabbing Sage’s hand and shaking it quickly before turning to Saint and doing the same. “She does appreciate it, even if she won’t say so.”
“Hawke!”
He turned to Elian, smiling. “And thank you, Priestess Elian, for taking care of her. I appreciate it.”
“Hawke, I’m not a child! Cut it out or I’ll sic Michaelis on you.”
“Hey, keep me out of this. I have no interest in this affair.”
Hawke chuckled quietly, glancing around, then he asked, “So are you going anywhere in particular? I have some teleportation items, if anyone’s interested…”

/Carter/Valerian/
After visiting the shop Meeka had told him about, they agreed to find lodgings at an inn first before beginning to explore the island. They found one named 'The White Seagull' which Valerian believed to be okay. The place was small, but warm and pleasant. They bought a meal and settled at a table in the corner, discussing how to begin.

OOC - ouch. Fingers. Man, that sounded so lame...
So, Freddy, what exactly is Maximius doing? I just leapt in an saw that, and I was...well, that was quite a welcome back. Maximius has snatched my victory, after I'd finally had a chance to catch my breath. He'd better have a good explanation.

[ClaecElric4God]

/Karissa/Kenji/
Kenji sat down on the bed sullenly, falling backwards with his arms outstretched. This was not his cup of tea. In response to Regal's question, Kenji sat up, locking his hands and resting his chin on them, and looked pensively at the older man.
"It would seem we were arrested indeed," he answered gravely, in a quiet tone. "No, it doesn't make any sense. There has to be some reason for this. What should we do?" Kenji gave Regal a questioning look, awaiting orders.

/Eric/Zare/
Zare was completely caught off guard when the attack came, though he was already berating himself for being so stupid. He couldn't describe the feeling as he was engulfed by shadows. But there was no way to dodge or avoid it, and he didn't have the strength to fight back. Next thing he knew, Ash was standing over him, asking if he needed help. It didn't take Zare long to realize that the Magnus had just rescued him from...whatever that elf had done.
Zare was ready to reply that he was fine when Ash exclaimed that their opponent was gone. Zare jerked up, or rather tried to, before collapsing again. He grunted with the pain, disturbed by the weak feeling that filled him. But he gritted his teeth, struggling to his feet. His shoulders were hunched, and his head hung close to the ground, but he was standing. He flicked his tail in irritation, a growl rising in his throat. That guy had some nerve, running away. Though Zare wouldn't admit to himself that a second later and he'd be dead.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, belatedly. "Just...got the wind knocked out of me. What now?..." Zare barely had time to finish his sentence before his right foreleg crumbled under his weight. He barely caught himself on his left, repositioning his right leg to balance better. He felt like he was about to pass out.
"Where'd that guy go?" He managed between breaths.

[Oddood198]

Lydia looked up at the sky, picturesquely blue with just a few light clouds drifting by. Then she looked down, at the perfect, bright green grass, being blows into waves by the perfect, warm breeze. This is pretty nice... She thought, Its so calm, so tranquil, so peaceful... AND SO BORING!! She sat up cross-legged and opened her menu, navigating to her messages. Hmm, who should I invite... Zare? Nah, I heard there was some big battle today, he's probably busy. Shade? Yeah, she's a solo player, she should be free. She thought, entering Shade's full username and a message to her.

"Hey, it's Lydia. I'm, like, super bored right now. You wanna get together and hang out? Maybe go one some kind of quest, or an adventure?"

She sent the message, then stood up and called Relly out of her inventory. Aaaalll righty, now I just have to go get some potions and... Her thought was interrupted by a small notice at the bottom of her vision, telling her that one of her friends had logged in. A wide grin split Lydia's face, and she set to work writing another invitation.

[Wolfsong]

/Stephen/Ashimatya/
"You're in no condition..." Ash carefully grabbed Zare by the shoulders and forced him to sit down. "Don't worry, I think we'll have time to deal with that brat again. Lets get you on your feet first."
He pulled a drought from his bag and gave it to Zare. "No protests. Drink it or I'll shove it down your throat."
He watched as Zare drank, feeling surprised at the real concern he felt for him. Funny how close they were so quickly becoming. He didn't want to admit it, but he was becoming fond of Zare. The thought made him cringe. He knew, he still felt the crazy anger, guilt and bitterness inside. How long...how long could he continue like this before he went on another guilt trip? "Who are you to condemn me, Dark Angel, who slays those nearest him?"
He lowered his head slightly. No...this was his chance to try again. He wasn't going to blow it this time.
"I imagine we can hunt him down again easily. Want to try again?" he asked, trying to keep the anxiety he was feeling out of his voice.

/Rowan/Caesar/
"You're asking me?" Caesar gave Kenji a long glance. Was the unpredictable being serious? He couldn't believe it.
A woman suddenly entered the room. Caesar sat bolt upright. "Lady Noriko?!" he gasped.
Noriko smiled sweetly at him. "Good to see you again, Antoine. You're looking well."
Noriko was a puzzle to Caesar. She seemed so demure and unassuming, shy and sweet. But then she lived in a flashy palace, and was one of the key people leading a war. So strange..."Why are we here, Noriko? What was with the guards?"
"Well, I needed to get ahold of you, but...maybe I did do it the wrong way." She giggled. "But I wanted to see your face."
He shook his head. "I...see. I think... Did you need something?"
"Yes, actually." She walked over to him and literally sat on the floor at his feet. He watched her warily, poised to flee if need be. She smiled catishly at him. "I need you to sneak me out of Nescala territory."
"Say WHAT?!"

[ClaecElric4God]

/Eric/Zare/
Zare loudly protested that he was fine, but as he spoke he could feel his balance wavering again, and wasn't sure he had the strength to stay on his feet much longer. And so it was that he was already shifting into human form, secretly grateful, when Ash forced him to sit down. And yet, he wasn't happy that he'd managed to make a dumb mistake that was costing them valuable time. Instead of arguing, he quickly down the contents of the bottle. The fatigue was wearing off, and he already felt ready to sprint across the continent.
"Thanks, Ash. I owe you one." Zare looked back toward Ash when the other man spoke, giving him a long look. As he'd feared, the elf's words had gotten to Ash, and he was dwelling on it. Zare gritted his teeth. He also realized that things were turning into what he longed for, but what he knew Ash feared: friendship. And he realized that that was his fault, because beneath the facade of words, he'd never really had any intention of keeping a barrier between them. Maybe...
Maybe I need to leave, he realized. Maybe that was the best thing for Ash. Maybe he needed to quit while he was ahead. If something happened and Ash ended up attacking him, both of them would suffer. Zare, for having his fragile trust betrayed, and Ash for betraying another friend. Zare was terrified of the thought that he may have caused a bond that would end up hurting Ash. Zare hated to break ties with Ash, but maybe it was better for Ash if he didn't have such a dangerously close friend. Maybe keeping others at armslength was the best idea, for both of them.
As these thoughts went through Zare's head, he tried to shove them aside, telling himself he'd make a decision later, but knowing he was just running from it.
"All right, what're we waiting for?" He replied. "Every second we wait, he's getting another step ahead of us."
As an afterthought, he added in a disinterested tone, "Hey, Ash, we're not friends, got it? So don't delude yourself. We have no reason to get along, and I don't really care either way." Zare flinched at his own words, but he told himself it was for Ash's sake. If he could just convince Ash that he didn't acknowledge their friendship, hopefully it would put Ash more at ease.

/Karissa/Kenji/
Kenji was still wearing the cloak he'd put on to tease Regal earlier, and when the door opened, he quickly flipped the hood over his head, then returned to the pensive position with his hands in front of his face. He observed the situation quietly, refraining from offering any input. When neither of them was watching, he reached a hand inside his cloak, fingering one of his daggers nervously. He didn't react to Noriko's strange request, or Regal's astounded response. He simply waited, and watched.

[FreddyCast]

Maximius

(Genral Valdus stands in front of what is left of the Virgo Army and the remnant of Carmel and Castian, who rally behind one familiar figure, Arachni. He strikes his sword on the ground and leaves it standing there like a post as the blade begins to repeatedly pulsate light. He drops his shield, leaving it leaning on his sword in order to cover it. He then walks towards Arachni seemingly unarmed)

Maximius: It seems like the savior of IFF finally decided to show himself. Well, of course you had to. It’s your duty as the general of your armies. Too bad for them you weren’t with them when they needed you, savior. (He stops walking and keeps a safe distance from Arachni and his remaining forces.)

Maximius: But to get to your query, I am Valdus, Supreme General of the Nescalan Forces and future King of Nescala, and I’m here to destroy your armies...That seems simple isn’t it...Yes, too simple...Rather, I’m here to revolutionize and set free the whole of IP from the stale and unchanging status quo that the IFF council has chained this world into. Have you not realized by now? Why after all this time has there only been three nations in all of Infinite, with the slaver’s guild scattered to the four corners of Infinite. This war between Nescala and Tiera was not started by lust for power, wealth, and lands. This war was started by the very ones who founded the IFF...out of fear. Fear of another attack by hackers. As long as the world of Infinite was put in a state of constant war, there would always be a state of distrust, a state of suspicion, no one would ever allow one man or one group to get the upper hand. And who would moderate this constant state of wariness? The IFF!...This faction would watch over the other factions as well as be a “haven” for those who wanted no part of this fabricated war, or rather, those who joined the IFF would be watched closely, and if anything seemed out of place, the IFF would...eliminate the problem. The slaver's guild, of course would be treated as the scapegoat behind everything that's wrong in Infinite, and yet it's existence would be kept alive by Nescala for as long as the IFF council wished them to exist. It's why the Slaver's guild have not been completely eliminated by Cyrano. I’ve come to stop this state of wariness. I’ve come to end this sharade and destroy those loyal to the IFF council. And they’re standing right behind you, Arachni. I will bring an end to this war and finally bring peace to Infinite. Is this not what your Master wants?...(Valdus laughs at his next thought)....Your master, his ego knows no bounds. I wonder, what would a man who proclaims himself as “the god of Infinite” need from a self-proclaimed demi-god as yourself? And a failed and lowly demi-god at that. How do you think you got into Infinite without being noticed by the IFF or the moderators? It was him...He killed Andonowin, the one who started this whole sharade, he killed the moderators, and it was he who planned for you to meet your new “hacker”. Issa was it? Do you think you can trust anyone at this point? You’ve felt the feeling of betrayal before, haven’t you? But then again, you yourself betrayed those close to you, isn’t that right...Pierce?....Oops, slip of the tongue! Now that your armies know who you are, do you still plan on protecting them?....You have a choice, Arachni, give up your armies, the very same armies created by the IFF council to hunt down hackers and men like you, and be hunted down as the traitor that you are. Or protect them, and see if they’ll forgive your past sins. Either way, you’ll lose. But do not be troubled, whichever you choose, your master will be there to save you. He and I are after the same thing after all. You still are of use to him.....Decide now, or I’ll decide it for you.
(Valdus’s Dragonwolf is still flying above behind the dark clouds, yet his roars and howls can still be heard by all)
“Almost time”, Maximius says to himself.

OOC- Ok, I might have carried myself away here. But I just wanted to throw the whole plot on its head. Also, I posted a pic of Maximius on his description post back in page 6 i think.

[Wolfsong]

/Rowan/Caesar/
"Explain, Noriko, what is going on?"
She smiled faintly, saying, "And at last, I have broken the ever calm mask of Antoine Powers." He scowled at her. She smiled innocently and then began to explain. "Some years ago, I was approached by a mysterious man, whose identity I never learned. He was offering me a chance to become powerful, to be a leader of Infinite. my particular race, as it turns out, is extremely wimpy in the first several levels, and I was having trouble leveling up and was getting all the dregs, so the thought of being a primary leader was quite tempting. So I agreed to do what I was told." She played absently with a tassle on her skirt, a small grimace on her face. "Starting a fight, staged of course, was easy. Escalating it to include the whole of Infinite...was surprisingly fun. Iw as told to just keep it oging, and that I would receive further notice when 'the spider' arrived."
"The spider?" Caesar recalled the letter still sitting in his inventory. "Who is he?"
"I gather he's a player, but that's all I know. Except that things were supposed to being in earnest once he showed."
Caesar leaned forward intently, breaking into her bubble of personal space. He was pleased that she leaned away, a sign of discomfort. "So why do you want us," he asked, indicating Kenji in the corner. "To sneak you out?"
"Rolf was assassinated this morning. I just received word. Due to the lack of communications and that feeling of distance growing, I was already began to suspect, but...Rolf's death, and the attempt on my own life a little earlier...now I know. And I want out."
"So why me?"
"You owe me." She rapped his knee with her knuckles. "I openly supported the Slaver's Guild, and did my best to keep you alive. You owe me. Its time for you to pay me back."
"that was Nescala I owe," he said slowly. "And you're abandoning Nescala. Therefore, I do not see what I owe you personally."
she began to protest, but his mind was wandering. A ploy. This faction mess, this whole world war, had been staged. The entire population of Infinite was being used. But for what? what was the point of all this? Who was pulling the strings, and what did they want?"
"I'll help you," he said, cutting off Noriko's agitated talking. "But don't except me to sacrifice anything for your personal enjoyment."
She stared at him, then suddenly squealed and jumped onto him, flinging her arms around him. The force of him jerking back and her glomping sent the chair crashing to the floor, sending them both rolling. Caesar was instantly up and backed against a wall with a table between them for good measure, chagrin plain on his face. Noriko giggled and turned to Kenji.
"My apologies for ignoring you, but I wanted to rope him in before he had a chance to squirrel out. He's always so fun to mess with. Anyawys, what's your name? Have you been with him long?"
"I get the feeling I'm not going to survive this. First Kenji, no her. Why...why does this happen to me?" Caesar pondered sadly.

/Stephen/Ashimatya/
If Zare had slapped him in the face, Ash would not have been more surprised or hurt. "Idiot. He's like everyone else. They can say otherwise, but they're all the same. You shouldn't have dared to open up again."
But still, he wanted...He wanted to believe he was wrong, that there was something else meant by Zare's words.
"If you're trying to make me feel better, you're failing miserably," he said dryly, trying to sound light-hearted. He suddenly leaned forward, grabbed Zare by the shoulders, and shook him. "Don't. Be. An. IDIOT!" He suddenly released Zare so that he fell on his back. Ash stood, smiling down at him.
"Unless you want me to lose it, I suggest you be darn careful with what you say. Come, I feel the distinct desire to kill something." and he rushed across the field toward the main of the field, following the voices he now heard calling to each other. He listened intently..what was going on?

/Pierce/Arachni/
Pierce felt like he'd just been punched. This man was...informed. Was he one of Maximius' hands? Stupid *censored*...certainly sounded like he needed taking down a peg, about as much as his master.
"Do not call him my master," he said quietly. "I assume you're one of his hands, if not something more. Yes, I'm already fully aware he's using me. Or...so he thinks." He smiled. "I assume his devastating my troops...and announcing this...was all part of his plan, yes? I must talk to him about it sometime. I'm genuinely curious now as to why he put me into this position...not that I don't have my own guesses."
He stole a glance back. Kent had backed away from him, as well as a few others. Felim stared, as though trying to comprehend what was being said. Arachni smiled, a grim, truly evil smile. He turned to face Valdus again. Shadows began to form in his hands, playing through his fingers like writhing snakes. The circle around him began to glow, its colors intensifying. He lowered his head slowly, eyes closed. Shadows swirled around him, almost obscuring his figure. "The failures of the past...they are but lessons. Teachings of what works, and what doesn't. What doesn't work...is trusting another person." he raised his eyes, smiling at Valdus. "And I've learned that lesson well. I want you to give a message to Maximius for me, as I'm sure you'll see him sooner than I. Tell him...
"He may call himself a god...he may have had more time to familiarize himself with the recent developments of Infinite...but I was here when the game was born. I was the first to set foot on the terrain of this world, when it had first emerged from the egg. I was a god when he was a newb, only just beginning to realize the potential of this world. I was master while he was still a slave. He fancies himself a god, a master of all Infinite? HA! He has barely scratched the surface! I have been within the very core of the world itself, the birthplace of Infinite! I know more of its inner shell than the moderators, then the very creators themselves! This world, this universe, the ground you stand on, the air you breath, it is all mine. This is my world, and you will obey me once all is said and done! I am the god of Infinite. I am the ultimate power here."
He smiled up at Valdus, opening his visible eye. "I am not a servant. I am not a tool. I am a power. I am the power. He apparently needs to be reminded of that." He raised his hand.
His shadows suddenly fled screaming through the mountain paths, howling like furies. Arachni smiled at Valdus. "Within five minutes, every member of Tiera and Nescala who fought in this valley will be dead. That is an example of my power. Do not test me further."

[FreddyCast]

Maximius

(General Valdus looks at Arachni amazed at his blotted arrogance and begins to laugh behind his golden helmet)
Maximius: Hehe...hehe...hahaha....hahahaha...HAHAHAHAHAHAHA....(He takes in a breath and stops laughing as his eyes shine ever brighter behind his helmet)
Maximius: This is not the same Infinite, Arachni. Or should I call you Pierce? Your...skills...are obsolete. The IFF council made sure of that. Do not fool yourself, many have been here since the beginning. You are nothing special. And I’ve seen what type of god you were.....An utter failure...Your master has done what you could never do. He defeated the very ones that banished you. Your knowledge and prowess gained you nothing back then, and it will gain you nothing now. And yet, even now you stand defiant as you use your powers to destroy my armies. Powers which your master gave you, Pierce. And what he gave you, he can very easily take away. And not even your own strength can save you, just as it didn’t back then.....(Valdus and Arachni stare each other down).....but go ahead Pierce. Show me, what a former god can do, against me, the embodiment of a thunder god...Your shadows have almost reached my armies right? Do you think your shadows can return back to you in five minutes? (Valdus raises his hand and snaps his two fingers. Immeditately the Nescalan and Tieran armies teleport at lightning speed right behind Valdus’s pulsating sword and Arachni’s powers gained by the glitch instantly leave him)
Maximius: My armies are on top of you now. I bet my armies can destroy yours in less than five minutes. *Maximius grins evily* You’re in my elements now, Pierce. (Dragonwolf appears behind Arachni’s forces)
General Kent: Arachni.....ARACHNI...is this true? Are you Pierce? If so then we’re no longer under your command. But...we need your help.
General Felim: NO, Kent! This is our end, before this battle is over, you will die Arachni. This is why we were created, to eliminate snakes like you.
General Kent: Look around you Felim, we’re outnumbered and surrounded, we don’t have the strength to fight anymore. Arachni is our only hope.
General Felim: Where is your honor Kent, where are your principles. He is our enemy, no matter what happens to us, he mustn’t be allowed to live. Accept your fate and fulfill your DUTY. Do not put your faith in a false hope and die valiantly.
Maximius: Choose now generals! No matter what you choose, the IFF council loyalists die this day. (The Nescalan and Tieran armies then charge at Arachni’s forces) Arachni, you still have time. Move.....aside.

[ClaecElric4God]

/Eric/Zare/
Caught off guard by Ash's aggressive response, Zare wasn't able to avoid the tight grip on his shoulders. As he rocked back and forth, listening to Ash's words, he felt himself getting angry again, his pride wounded. That was the thanks he got for trying to humor this weirdo? That was the last straw, and Zare was done beating around the bush with this. No more Mr. Nice Guy.
Zare lay on his back, glaring up at Ash as the other guy lectured him about being more careful about what he said. What?! That was the most carefully thought out thing he'd said all day, and now it was getting thrown back in his face? What exactly did Ash want from him?
Zare shoved himself back up, leaping up to follow Ash. Though Ash was a few paces ahead, Zare caught up with him in a few strides. Grabbing him roughly by the arm, Zare stopped him in his tracks, jerking Ash around to face him.
"Wait wait wait," he said. "I'm the idiot here? You're the one who's all, 'I'm evil and no one likes me'. I spent all afternoon proving that wrong, and you still had this nervous, fidgety attitude like being around me was ruining your life. So I figured the only way to make you happy was to draw a line that neither of us would cross. And now you're getting mad at me for that! Well I'm done trying to figure out what you want, so I'll just tell you what I want. I want us to be partners, fighting side by side and watching each other's backs. I want to know I can count on you, and in turn have your trust. If calling it acquaintance makes you feel better, we can keep up that little charade. But the truth is, you have two choices. Either get rid of me, break all ties with me, and this is the end of this awkward relationship; or keep me around and doom yourself to the dreadful fate of friendship. Because there's no inbetween. But one things for sure, I'm done pretending I don't care. I just can't believe you actually believed me...Any idiot can see that I want to be your friend!"
Zare let go of Ash's arm, inwardly embarrassed, but refusing to back down, a fiery light in his eyes. He wasn't sure how Ash would take what he'd just said, remembering the first time he'd accidentally called Ash his friend. But this really needed to be resolved, and being the idiot he was, Zare had managed to shatter the illusion they'd created, that they could get along without being friends.
I'm such an idiot. If I'd just kept my mouth shut, we'd still be "acquaintances", and everything would be fine. Stupid cat.
"A-anyways..." he stuttered, then sighed. "Look what you've done. Now I'm all awkward and stuff. Things were fine until you started worrying about what that jerk said. I already told you I don't care what you did in the past, and I wish you would just move past it. So let's find this guy and show him what kind of person you are now, shall we?"

/Karissa/Kenji/
Kenji stood up quickly when Noriko threw herself at Regal, almost drawing his dagger from its sheath. But when she turned to him, he quickly withdrew his hand, crossing his arms in front of his chest. He kept his face hidden in his cowl, staying a safe distance from the woman. He made no move to come closer, but replied from where he stood.
"I am no one of consequence, madam," he said quietly. "I am but a humble escort, accompanying Master Powers. As for how long I've been with him, this is my first expedition with the gentleman."
Kenji studied Noriko, trying to assess her personality. She was...strange. Something about her was unnerving, and Kenji would have gladly parted ways with her then and there. The thought of being stuck traveling with her disgusted and terrified him.
"Master," he turned to Regal, speaking in that same quiet, respectful tone. "What is your plan? We must get this lady to safety as soon as possible." ...And away from us, he finished mentally.

[Banana Lobster]

Sage Shade

Shade dropped a silver piece on the counter before turning and walking out the door. She turned into the maze of alleyways, making her way to the other inn of the town, The White Seagull, where Valerian and Meeka were staying, according to one of the local gossips. It didn't take her long before she was standing in front of the door, a carving of a gull badly in need of a paint job swinging in the rain above her. Her hand was on the door when she heard a quiet ping, signaling she had a message from someone. Frowning, Shade stepped to the side of the door, leaning against the outside wall of the inn, and opened the menu, showing a new message simply titled 'I'm bored'.

Raising an eyebrow, she opened it, expecting a message from one of the mods. Specifically, Kakariko Rider, who watched communications and loved to tease her with quick messages about absolutely nothing. She had run into him years ago, in a city on the far side of the continent, and he'd taken a liking to sending her nonsense messages, that usually started a lot like this one. To her surprise, the message wasn't from K.R., but from Lydia who she had been wondering how to contact. The corner of her mouth twitching slightly, she sent the following reply:

'Actually, I have a proposition for you. If your interested, meet me on top of the rocky lookout at the mouth of the harbor, near where we met.'

That taken care of, she entered the White Seagull and quickly identified Valerian and Meeka in the corner and walked over. "Hey. Mind if I sit down?"

[Oddood198]

No sooner had Lydia finished typing and sending the invitation to her other friend, than she was alerted by a small sound to a reply from Sage. She clicked on the icon and opened the new private message, the grinned in delight.

'OK, sounds good! I'll meet you there as soon as I can. Oh, and I invited a friend along, too. That's ok, right? See ya there! ;D '

She sent that message to Sage, then set off for the nearest town to use its teleporter. After just a minute of walking, she received another PM and opened it. It was an answer from her friend, that they would be able to join Lydia. She sent a quick reply back saying where, and then broke into a run.
I can't wait I can't wait! She thought, Forming a party with two friends and doing stuff! It's gonna be so FUN!

[Wolfsong]

/Pierce/Arachni/
Arachni literally gasped as a terrific jolt passed through him, his powers fleeing him. The force was enough to send him to his knees, a gesture of humiliation that rankled his proud spirit. his eyes closed, his teeth locked in a grimace, as he listened to Valdus' words beat down on him. Pure, black hate filled him. His head slowly rose, watching the armies come marching upon them, listening to Felim and Kent arguing behind him, and the dragonwolf's roaring. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. But he could hear the steady beating of his heart, and feel the hate building within.
"Arachni, you still have time. Move.....aside."
"Issa."
He stood slowly, facing the oncoming forces with a grim determination.
"Arachni, my lord."
"You know what I require. You have less than one minute."
"Valdus!" he shouted. "Perhaps I am...old fashioned. Perhaps i really am merely a product of the old world, past its prime, but do not underestimate me. Tell your master that I am willing to work with him, but he must stop seeing me as a weakling. For I am quickly adjusting to this brave new world, and have the powers of the old world behind me already. I shall show you."
He felt something, and glanced at his arm. A thin silver chain was wrapped around his wrist, looping over his middle finger.
"You did that in fifteen seconds."
"Well, it is an old piece of work, but yeah. Its the best I can do in seconds, but I'll have you a mount in a few moments."
"Issa, you're a treasure."
"Kent." Arachni looked back, his eyes focused on the knight's face. "Yes,. I am Pierce. ANd yes, I can save you now, if you are willing to put your faith in me."
"He lies, Kent!" Felim shouted. "If he truly is Pierce, than lies are second nature to him. Do not believe him! He is a spider, spinning his web around us. Arachni. What a fitting name. Think of your honor, Kent, think of your duty!"
"Think of your men. Is not a general's first concern for his men, his first loyalty to those soldiers he leads in battle?"
Kent clenched his teeth, looking torn. Arachni turned to face the armies, nearly upon them. "Now is the last chance, to choose life, or embrace death, for you and the men who follow you faithfully."
Kent clenched his fists, then exhaled deeply. "Very well...Arachni. I will follow you."
Felim's face went red. "You-traitor! You'll die with him!" He thrust his hand, flaming like a brand, toward Kent's face.
Arachni whirled around, flinging the chain around toward Felim. he was suddenly flung back, crashing into the ground. "Do me a favor," he said. "And stay ow. Perhaps I'll save your miserable carcass too." The first man came up behind him, raising his sword. Arachni suddenly swung the chain around behind him, clearing an entire row of troops. Kent shouted for his men, and those willing to follow, to come to him. He turned to face the ranks, trying to remember just how much energy the chain contained before it ran out.
"You've three-thirds of a tank left sir."
"Only that? My gosh, we should have made a half-dozen of these things. Issa, I'm a level 20 player facing up against 40s and up with less than half an army at my back,not to mention a popinjay with enhanced abilities on their side."
"Well, I've revived your ride, so you can go with style."
Arachni rolled his eyes. "So who's my-"
A loud roared interrupted him, ringing across the whole of the valley. The soldiers before him stopped, staring behind him with open fear. The ground suddenly shook, as another loud roar echoed in the deep canyon. Arachni took a deep breath and slowly turned.
He ducked at the dragonwolf was flung over his head. It recovered before it hut the ground and returned to its master, hissing. Arachni raised his eyes and behind the massive form of a grand, flaming red dragon, standing on its strong back legs behind Kent's troops, its body reared back in challenge.
Arachni slowly smiled. "Fafnir," he breathed. "Issa, you're a genius!"
"Why thank you. I'm afraid upgrading your abilities will be a more laborious process, maybe a few hours? But I believe you can make do with what you have."
"Thanks Issa. Kent!"
Arachni set up as best a barrier as he could around them, which would last maybe twenty seconds of battering. That would hopefully be enough. As Kent rode up, stilling glancing back at Fafnir, who'd settled into a submissive posture, its eyes on Arachni, he said, "Now listen. We can't hit them with a full-on charge, it would be suicide." He started walking toward Fafnir, talking as he went. "We'll need hit-and-run tactics. Fortunately, shadow merging is one of the earliest spells of shadows to be mastered."
Fafnir bent its neck slightly so Arachni could mount easily. "Kent, pull your men back to the shadows. We don't have much time." He glanced at the shield, almost broken.
Kent shouted to his men, who fled back behind the dragon, who rose up, heck arched and head raised arrogantly. Arachni smiled, feeling a surge of pleasure as he once more rode upon one of the most powerful beasts of all Infinite. While surely he wasn't the strongest anymore, he was still certainly not a loss.
After a moment's consideration, Arachni removed the mask, if but for the battle. Kent gasped, but he wasn't that surprised. The right side of his face was extremely different from his left. Arachni was, in a sense, painted over his original avatar, Python. However, due to some of the surveillance bugs installed by the moderators, he had not been able to complete the face. Python had been a dark elf, the most seen kind with the dark violet-black skin. Arachni was a more rare breed, with skin as pale as a new moon. However, the ride side of his face, beneath the mask, was a dark violet. Arachni's eyes were blue, but his right eye was a deep red, like fresh blood.
Perhaps it was a sign that Valdus was right, that he was a product of the old Infinite. But Arachni was a fresh form, one of the new world, so in a sense he belonged in this one as well.
"I belong in Infinite," He thought quietly. "Its the only world I fit in. my dreams...can only be fulfilled here. but I will not crawl to an upstart just to stay."
As the shield shattered, he pulled Kent and his troops into the shadows, bringing them up again behind Valdus' troops. He engaged as well, borrowing a sword off of a corpse Fafnir discarded. The fight grew in ferocity, as he used the shadows to move his men effectively, trying to minimize his losses and set up no pattern. He need to win this!

/Stephen/Ashimatya/
He turned, staring back at Zare, a bright light in his eyes. "You mean that?" He smiled slowly. "I would like that, but..." He snorted softly. "Tell you what. If you;'re willing to put up with me and forgive me if I mess up, I'll give it a try. In return, I'll do my best to stand by you whatever comes."
He was about to extend his hand when a word from the conversation he was hearing invaded on his mind, like a knife on raw nerves, causing him to stiffen like he'd been struck.
"...Pierce..."
"Pierce," he whispered. "It can't be." He suddenly swung around and dove directly into the shadows, emerging on the cliff face where he peered anxiously over the side.
a man in gold armor and the mass murderer faced off. An army appeared byhind the armored knight, while the elf collapsed. The army of the knight rode forward, clearly going to consume the smaller force before it. He saw the elf throw back the first wave somehow, saw the dragon, truly Fafnir, appear, watched the shield break, and witnessed the smaller force fight back bravely, despite the horrible odds.
He recognized the half of Python's face, particularly with Arachni smirking, his brother's trademark. No..it was his brother, returned. His heart went cold, his eyes hard as ice. Pierce...the brother he had not seen in four years. The brother who had abandoned their mother to the mercy of their hard relatives. The brother who'd set Ash up to fall...
"PIERCE!" he roared, flinging hi hands upward. Shadows suddenly sprung up from the ground and fell from the sky, grabbing and separating the armies, leaving a wide open space around Pierce, who hard raised his head to see Ash on the ledge.
"PIERCE!" he roared again, leaping off the ledge, his scythe forming in his hands, his eyes burning with hate and murder. The persona, the cold, hateful, bitterness of the Dark Angel consumed him, filling him with single desire, to slay the one who'd caused him so much pain. He leapt over Fafnir's rearing, snapping head, swinging for his brother's neck.

/Stephen/Ashimatya/Pierce/Arachni/
Arachni had the sword up just in time, blocking Ash's stike with a grimace. Great. "Hello to you too Stephen," he said twisting the sword.
Ash suwng the staff with it, keeping his hold. "You're not leaving here alive," he hissed, twisting his hand. Shadows shot from the ground, curving in an upward arch, descending upon the dragon. Fafnir shot free at the last second, knocking Ash slightly off balance. Arachni swung three strikes in quick session, which Ash managed to block before returning.
Fafnir, roaring, reared back and leapt into the sky, trying to dislodge the unwelcome member. Ash adjusted his balance as needed, keeping his brother locked in a tense fight. Both were fully conscious that a slip on either's part would result in a death, and the speed and intensity were great.
Fafnir finally managed to catch Ash's tunic in his teeth, swung him around and into the clouds. Ashimatya landed firmly on the dark clouds, merely another ground to him, and rushed again, using the great shadows to ensnare Fafnir, coming at Arachni again with murder in his eyes. Arachni calmly twined the chain around his hand, the one holding the sword. he needed to end this quickly,f or his brother currently had the upper hand. "Spirits of the darkness, come..give strength to my hand, to take down my foes."
Slowly, his blade glimmered with a dim, dark aura. The spell, amplified by the chain, filled him with energy and strength.
Ash leapt up, his scythe raised for a death blow.
Acrachni swung and shattered the staff. He grabbed Ash by the neck, smashing his head into the hard scales of Fafnir's back. he then flung the stunned Ash to the ground and came charging after, releasing the last of the chain's energy.
A massive explosion occurred, leaving a deep crater. Ash's shadows dissipated, freeing the armies. Kent gathered his men and rode quickly to the impact site, looking quickly into the pit.
Arachni was crouched on the ground, his entire body trembling, his hand gripping the sword point first in the ground. Ashimatya lay fully upon his back, a thin trickle of blood trailing down his neck. His left leg was grotesquely twisted, the most obvious sign of his broken body.
Arachni slowly managed to regain his feet, though it was clearly with effort. Stumbling, he approached the body of Ash, his brother.
"You always were a little headstrong," he said quietly, falling to his knees beside Ash. "Never thought things that much through, particularly when you lost your temper."
"You always had this thing for dramatics," Ash murmured. "It was so easy for you to go overboard."
Arachni laughed softly. "You got me there, Ashimatya. I cannot deny that." He rose on one knee, a little stronger this time. "It is good to see you so well, Ash. I do hope, however, our next meeting is a little more peaceful."
"Don't count on it. There's a very strong part of me that's just itching to kill you. I wouldn't ever drop that guard, Pierce. I'll come back someday without the blind fury."
"I believe you," Arachni said dryly. Then he remembered he still needed to finish with Valdus. "Ash, would you do me a favor? There's a particularly nasty shadow spell coming. I'd like it removed."
“Why don’t you do it? Why should I help you?”
“Because I hit a snag on top of a setback, so I can’t dictate the shadows so well now. As for the other, several good men will die, and not from my side.”
“Then why do you care?”
“Call it a peace-offering,.”
“One again…” Ash shook his head. “Heal my spine and I’ll do it.”
“I wish I could, but as I said, I hit a snag earlier.”
“Even with all your hacks?”
“I’m not omniscient.”
“I thought you were the god of Infinite,” Ash said slyly.
Arachni laughed, but it was bitter.” I apparently still have a way to go.”
Ash smiled faintly, reaching out painfully to touch his brother’s hand. “Somebody taught you some humility? What a refreshing sight. Very well, Pierce, I’ll attend to the shadows.”
Arachni smiled gratefully at him “My thanks Ash. I would actually like to talk with you sometime.”
“We’ll see what happened. Goodbye Pierce.”
Arachni nodded and climbed out of the pit. Fafnir landed before him, making a low keening as though he were worried for his rider. Arachni rested a hand on his muzzle, glancing around. He soon located Valdus as well as his own troops. He caught Kent’s eye and nodded. As Kent nodded back, he pulled them into the shadows and held them there. Then he walked to Valdus, being carefully aware of his surroundings.
He performed a small bow upon nearing five feet of the man. “I hope my demonstration was enough to show the old ways still have a strong enough voice. However, the okld god is still willing to work with the new, for admittedly, I still have much to learn,” he conceded, playing the humility card. “UI must thank you for today’s lessons. I look forward to returning the favor.” The shadows around him thickened as he added,” One more thing, I have had the shadow spell called off. Consider it a peace offering.” He bowed slightly his eyes twinkling. “Until we meet again, good Valdus.” And he vanished into the shadow realm.
Ash meanwhile, having discovered it was waist-down that was broken, had managed to roll onto his stomach and ragged his way to the edge of the crater. Pulling himself up, he listened for the coming shadows. There were many of them, and vicious things they were, but he mastered them and forced them to disperse.
He listened to Pierce’s parting words and watched him vanish. Slowly, his head drooped till his face rested in his arms. Pierce…his brother was still around. He felt both warm and bitter, thinking of Pierce. Unconsciously, tears formed in his eyes. He wept, for the time he could not turn back, and the brother he both wanted to reconcile with and kill all in the same breath.

OOC- I'll do the others tomorrow. Sorry guys.

[FreddyCast]

Maximius, Sage Blaze, Saint Reave
1 year ago, part 4

Maximius: You see what you want to see. Hear what you want to hear. Feel what you want to feel. But it is all a dream. Enter my dream, old friend.
Andonowin: What nonsense are you spewing, traitor?
Maximius: Are you ready, Andonowin? I recommend you do not take your eyes off of me.
Andonowin: What’s that? A threat?
Maximius: A friendly warning.
Andonowin: Ha! Then I recommend you stay where you are, so that I may cut you down where you stand.
Maximius: Very well, I will not ever move from this spot.
Andonowin: Tch! Do not test me, Maximius. (Andonowin closes his eyes, to which Maximius grins evily. As his eyes are closed he makes a hand gesture, opening a small black hole in front of him. He then grabs a hold his double-scythe staff and swings the tip of his Scythes’ blade into the black hole. Instantly Maximius is stabbed from behind as the Scythe’s blade goes through his body and out his chest. Sage and Saint look on in utter shock that Maximius was stabbed out of nowhere)
Saint: He...got him...from such a long distance.
Sage: But how?
Andonowin: I can’t believe you were foolish enough to stay where you were, Maximius. You disappoint me. You did nothing to defend yourself. Now you die miserably like the traitorous snake that you are.
(Maximius’ face is hidden behind his long black hair hanging in front of his face. His voice is then heard, like an unpleasant voice that no one wishes to hear.)
Maximius: Traitorous? No..... (Suddenly Andonowin is stabbed from behind as Maximius’ ruby-tipped cane comes out of Andonowin’s chest. Andonowin’s eyes widen as he feels pain welling up in his chest. He stands there in shock as the impaled Maximus in front of him gradually disappears and the real Maximius whispers into his right ear)
Maximius: But a snake, I am. (Andonowin’s eyes turn towards Maximius’ voice as he grinds his teeth and anger begins to surface on his face.)
Andonowin: You....How did....
Maximius: You took your eyes off of me when you closed your eyes, even after I warned you not to do that.
Andonowin: I...see...Well then...I won’t make that mistake again....”DISPERSE” (Andonowin’s body immediately transforms into smoke and disappears. He then reappears above Maximius intending to strike him down with his scythe. Maximius then disappears again and reappears a distance away)
Andonowin: Your teleportation trick will not keep you from my grasp, Maximius.
Maximius: I can be anywhere and everywhere I choose, old friend. (Andonowin smiles slightly)
Andonowin: Hmh! So can I! (Without warning, shadowy hands come out of the ground and grab on to Maximius’ legs) And I can be in multiple places at once. (Out of the shadows appear multiple clones of Andonowin and quickly charge at him from both sides, yet, before they have time to strike with their scythes, Maximius raises both his hands at his attackers and calmly speaks)
Maximius: “ALMIGHTY THRUST” (Suddenly all the clones are hit by an unseen force and fly away in the opposite direction as this unseen force lays waste to any object in it’s path.)
Andonowin: I’m not done yet. (Even more clones appear out of the shadows and this time they attack from all directions, even from above. Maximius stands there unfazed and speaks again)
Maximius: “ALMIGHTY ROTATION” (Maximius spins so fast that everything around him is blown away in a swirling tornado of destruction)
Maximius: I tire of your petty shadow clones. Face me, Andonowin. (Andonowin transforms into smoke again and rematerializes himself in front of Maximius. They both stare each other down)
Andonowin: Why, Maximius?
Maximius: Why what, old friend?
Andonowin: Why are you doing this? Fighting me? Fighting the IFF?
Maximius: .....I am tired of the sharade, Andonowin. This false war has gone on long enough. The IFF can no longer control this war. The Nescalans and Tierans have become greedy thoruhgout the years and it has gone out of the IFF’s hands. And now the IFF are caving in to the other factions’ demands. Slowly we’re giving up our lands to them in order to appease them and stay out of this war. A war the IFF itself created.
Andonowin: You know why we had to do it. You yourself agreed to it.
Maximius: I despise the day I agreed to it....You call me a traitor. I am not a traitor. I am loyal to the IFF, but I can no longer stand by as this war keeps devouring the whole of Infinite. I will break lose the chains that we bound on this world...even if it means going against the ones I used to call...my friends.
Andonowin: No, Maximius, for the good of Infinite this war must continue, we must not let what happened 3 years ago happen again, even if IFF becomes nothing more than a memory, the world of Infinite must be protected from threats outside.
Maximius: IFF...a memory...who is the traitor now, Andonowin? You are swayed by your fear to justify this meaningless war. I will protect this world and I will protect what’s most precious to me.
Andonowin: Most precious to you?.....I see now. You don’t want to save Infinite for it’s own sake, you want to bring back that which you could never have...She’s dead, Hadrian.
Maximius: She’s alive.
Andonowin: No, that abomination is nothing more than a program meant to be her. (Sage and Saint overhear their conversation)
Sage: What are they talking about? Who’s this woman they’re talking about?
Saint: They’re not making any sense.
Maximius: Abomination?.....(Maximius swells with rage inside as he tries not to lose his composure)....Hannah is not an abomination. She’s alive, and soon I’ll restore what was lost to me so many years ago.
Andonowin: She never accepted you, Hadrian. And she won’t now, not ever.
Maximius: Then I’ll make her love me.
Andonowin: You cannot play god with a person’s life, Hadrian. We won’t allow it.
Maximius: Then I’ll kill every IFF council member. I won’t allow you to destroy what’s precious to her.
Andonowin: There’s nothing I can say to change you from this destructive path, is there?
Maximius:....................No....there isn’t!
Andonowin: Then for the sake of Infinite...(Andonowin transforms in a vale of smoke and shadows into his true form)

....you must die.

Maximius: Hmhmhmhmhm.....Can the Grim Reaper.....(Maximius transforms into his true demon form as black flames engulf him and dissipate afterwards. His ruby-tipped cane then morphs into powerful scythe)

.....kill the god of death?

(Maximius and Andonowin charge at each other and swing their scythes at unimaginable speed. Each time their scythes clash sparks of black energy burst forth as the sound is deafening to the ears. Blow after blow produces such powerful waves that anything near is blown to dust. Sage and Saint look on in utter amazement at what they’re seeing.)
Sage: This is insane! If this keeps up, we’ll both be killed just by the sheer force of their strikes.
Saint: How can we ever hope to be as strong as them? Brother, we don’t belong here, this is far too much for us. (Sage seethes with anger as he frowns and exposes his grinding teeth)
Sage: No....Maximius must pay for what he did to us....I’m gonna become strong....I’m gonna gain all the power I can....And I’m gonna defeat him.
Saint: You think we can?
Sage: I know we can. You and I, brother, we’re gonna work harder than we ever have and we will become powerful players. And soon we will bring false gods down to their knees. Starting with Maximius. (Saint looks at Sage, impressed by his sheer confidence and resolve)
Saint: We’re tied up at the moment though. We tried, but we can’t get free. *sigh* this sucks.
Sage: Tch! Minor setback. Let’s just enjoy seeing Maximius get beat up.
Saint: That’s if we live long enough, with the kind mayhem they’re leaving in their path.
(Maximius and Andonowin continue the stalemate, unitl Maximius fires a beam of dark energy from his hand, to which Andonowin blocks and deflects the beam back at Maximius by spinning his double-scythe. Maximius then easily diverts the beam to one-side with one swing of his scythe. Immediately, hundreds of Andonowin’s clones appear from the shadows and attack Maximius, which he easily defeats with a few swings of his scythe.)
Andonowin: “GRAVESCYTHES ARISE” (Dozens of scythes burst forth from the ground and fly towards Maximius, yet he blocks some of them and dodges the rest. Those that he dodges come back to strike at him again.)
Maximius: “ALL-POWERFUL ATTRACTION” (All the scythes are quickly pulled towards each other and they crash into one big pile of mashed scythes. With the flick of his wrist, Maximius sends the pile of scythes flying towards Andonowin to which he slices through the ball of mashed scythes with his double-scythe. Andonowin charges head on and yells “SHADOW REFLECTION”. Maximius blocks Andonowin’s attack, but the double-scythe’s shadow, which is cast on Maximius’s shoulder, cuts clean through his shoulder. Maximius pushes Andonowin back and he himself takes a step back as he feels the sting of pain on his bloodstained shoulder)
Andonowin: ENOUGH OF THIS! “SKELETAL CONSTRICTION” (Maximius stops in his tracks and struggles to move)
Maximius: Wha..What is this?
Andonowin: I’ve taken control of your bones and have restricted your movements.
Maximius: Why didn’t you do this earlier?
Andonowin: My scythe had to cut you first. Once my scythe cuts you, it gives me the ability to have complete control of your bones. This time you won’t escape my scythe. (Andonowin charges to land the final blow, but Maximius merely grins)
Maximius: “Corporeal exchange” (Suddenly Maximius is wielding Andonowin’s double-scythe and deals a death blow to his own body as the scythe digs deep into his neck all the way down to his abdomen)
Maximius: GUH! (blood spews out of his mouth) What, why am I seeing myself? Wh...what kind of trickery is this, Maximius?
Andonowin: Have you not realized yet? I’m in your body, Andonowin?
Maximius: Co..corporeal exchange? That power is forbidden.
Andonowin: Not in the Void Realm. You should have known that, old friend.
Maximius: But how did you gain that power?
Andonowin: You shouldn’t fret over such minor details, Andonowin.
Maximius: It was forbidden for a reason. *coughs blood* By killing me in your own body, you...you kill yourself, Maximius.
Andonowin: That’s not my body.
Maximius: What?
Andonowin: In fact, none of this is real. This whole fight....(he grins sadistically)...never happened.
(Andonowin’s eyes widen, as the whole world collapses in front of him and breaks like a mirror, revealing an impaled Andonowin in his normal form and Maximius standing in front of him in his normal form, unharmed. Sage and Saint look on in horror knowing that what they witnessed never really took place)
Sage: I can’t believe it. Maximius won.
Saint: This is bad, brother, really bad. We gotta do something.
(Andonowin collapses to his knees and no longer has the strength to move his body.
Andonowin: H...how is this possible?
Maximius: You, including the boys over there, entered my dream. Everything that happened was nothing more than an illusion.
Andonowin: bu...but...I know that what I experienced was real.
Maximius: I know. Remember when I said that I would not “ever move from this spot”. Well, I meant it. It’s why I stand here before you, untouched. Yet, you lay there impaled by your own scythe because when I used “corporeal exchange” on you, I made you stab yourself. You see, the Maximius that you were fighting was nothing more than a reflection of yourself. This power is truly amazing...In my dream, I truly am the embodiment of a god.
Andonowin: Tch! *coughs blood* (he starts to have problems breathing) Even...gods....fall....Maximius. (Maximius turns to look at the frightened boys, still tied up, and begins to contemplate Andonowin’s words.)
Maximius: You’re right, my old friend. Even gods can fall. Like the Olympians of Greek mythology, they fell. And the Titans before them....(Maximius ponders while looking at the brothers, “Yes, they fell, defeated by their own children”, to this he turns to face a fallen Andonowin).....but I will not fall by your hands, no by the hands of the IFF Council. I will be victorious and no one will ever be able to stop me.....(Maximius walks towards Andonowin, gets down to his knees, and whispers into Andonowin's ears) You’re wearing the new headband for this game, right Andonowin? The same headband which I designed. Let me tell you a little secret. Those wearing the new headband, if they die in the game....they die in the real world. (Maximius gets up to his feet)
Andonowin: Maximius...*coughs blood*...you’re insane.
Maximius: Goodbye, my old friend, I’ll be sure to take care of your brother for you.
Andonowin: Maximius, don’t do this. (Maximius stretches out his hand with palm wide open)
Maximius: “Almighty....(He then slowly closes his hand)...Implosion”
Andonowin: NOOOO....(His body implodes from the inside, his voice silenced as his head collapses to ground, his whole body laying motionless. Then, gradually his body disintegrates into dust.)
(Maximius watches with cold and emotionless eyes. He then turns to face the terrified brothers and begins to walk towards them)
Sage: Stay back, you freak of a monster.
Maximius: Why so shook up, boys? Did you not enjoy the show while it lasted?
Saint: Uncle, please, stop this. Let us go.
Maximius: Unlike the Titans or the Olympians after them, I won’t allow my own children to usurp me.
Sage: We’re not your sons.
Saint: We were never yours.
Maximius: Now, now. Don’t be so rude to your father. After all, I raised you two to be good boys. But, it’s time I take back what I have given you. (He raises his hand with palm wide open)
Saint: Brother, I’m scared.
Sage: Close your eyes, brother. (Saint closes his eyes) Hadrian, I swear to God I will kill you.
Maximius: Not today...not in this lifetime....”Almighty Imp...” (Suddenly, Maximius gets a pm from Mira Firesoul. His eyes widen as he ponders, “Hannah, my love....why now of all times”, Maximius struggles within himself, conflicted over whether to kill the brothers or not)
Maximius: ARRRGH! (He pulls back his hand, deciding not to kill the brothers) Thank your mother. She saved your lives this day. But I promise you, it won’t happen again.
Sage: Our mother?
Saint: Huh?
Maximius: Begone! (He opens a portal and kicks the boys through the portal. The portal opens in a downward angle and the brothers fall to the ground as the blue energy that held them together dissipates. They hit the ground hard.)
Sage: Oh man, how many times is my head gonna get hit today.
Saint: Ah, ouch that hurt. Brother, is this what normally happens to newbs when they first enter this game?
Sage: No, I don’t think so.
Saint: Oh,...you think we should call it a day and logout for today?
Sage: Yes! Better yet, let’s take a whole week off from this game.
Saint: Yeah, I agree. Ow, my butt hurts.

To be continued.....

[FreddyCast]

Maximius

(Valdus stands firm as he watches Arachni fight defiantly against his armies in the face of impossible odds.)
Maximius ponders: Issalidor...why do you insist on interfering in my affairs? Is it to keep things...interesting? Poor Pierce, it amazes me that you still trust him enough to aid you in battle. The betrayal will be much crueler than I thought.
(Suddenly a fierce creature, the likes of which has not been seen since the Cataclysm, appears in the midst of the battle as it pushes Dragonwolf to Valdus’s side. Dragonwolf roars, itching to fight it to the death)
Maximius: Stay still Dragonwolf, I will not risk you in a pointless fight with a creature past it’s prime.
Maximius ponders: Giving him Fafnir? Issalidor, you surprise me everytime. Hopefully Pierce uses it wisely with the little time he has with it.
(Then, much to his surprise and enjoyment, he sees a familiar figure attack Arachni, who’s mounted on Fafnir. The battle was fierce, but Arachni comes out the winner, though barely)
Maximius ponders: That was a very...touching reunion. Brother against Brother. It seems you and I have more in common. Yet, you and your men are running out of luck. Your shadows are returning, Pierce. They’re almost here, but what you don’t realize is that they’re not coming to attack my men. They’re coming to attack yours, hehehehehe.
(Suddenly, Arachni’s forces are engulfed in shadows as they disappear into the shadow realm)
Maximus: Tch! I tire of your shadow tricks.
(Arachni carefully approaches Valdus, keeping aware of his surroundings. After bowing slightly before Valdus, he addresses him.)
Arachni: I hope my demonstration was enough to show the old ways still have a strong enough voice. However, the old god is still willing to work with the new, for admittedly, I still have much to learn.
Maximius ponders in his mind: You finally show some humility....or rather, you skillfully pretend to be. You still consider yourself a god, even after you’ve been proven never to be one.
Arachni: I must thank you for today’s lessons. I look forward to returning the favor. (Dark shadows manifest around him) One more thing, I have had the shadow spell called off. Consider it a peace offering. (He bows again) Until we meet again, good Valdus (Arachni disappears into the shadows and the approaching shadows disperse.)
Maximus: Your brother, I see. It would have been better to kill him, Pierce. You are still too weak...Hmmm....Kent’s forces have just committed treason against the IFF council, this will make for an interesting distraction while I carry out my plans.
(Valdus mounts his Dragonwolf and recalls his forces, returning back to base camp. From there Valdus logs out and returns to his IFF persona as he appears in his office)
Maximius: I have some explaining to do, to the council. This will be fun. Don’t you think, old Friend.
(An orb laying on his desk lights up as a familiar voice speaks)
Andonowin: You’ll be crucified Maximius.
Maximius: You think so.
Andonowin: What of Michaelis? He still lives.
Maximius: Leaving it to Pierce was a mistake. This is what happens when you let a failure do the job of a god. No matter. I have a pretty good idea of where he’s hiding his ghostly carcass.
Andonowin: And Arachni? He has nowhere to run except to the slaver’s guild.
Maximius: He’ll be safe there for the moment. I’ll contact him after my...trial...with the council.
Andonowin: Good luck, Maximius.
Maximius: And to you, my old friend. It’s always good to hear your voice.

To be continued......

[ClaecElric4God]

OOC: Sorry, I should have done this a long time ago. Busy week.

/Eric/Zare/
Zare looked at Ash quizzically when he froze. He heard him whisper "Pierce", then disappear into the shadows. Zare stood a moment, trying to figure out what that was all about, but shrugged it off when he couldn't make any sense of it. One thing was sure, there was an awful lot of activity going on on the other side of that cliff, and chances were that was where Ash was headed. Either way, it was better to be safe than sorry. He'd never forgive himself if something happened to Ash while he wasn't around.
Shifting into cat form, he charged up the hill, finding the fastest possible route. When Zare reached the top of the cliff overlooking the chaos, the first thing that caught his attention was the huge dragon. And although it was a long distance off, it only took a moment for his acute sight to register that Ash and the dark elf from earlier were atop the dragon, fighting. Before Zare had time to react, Ash was being thrown to the ground, and there was a huge explosion. The blood froze in Zare's veins, chilling him to the bone. The smoke cleared, revealing Ash's injured form, and Arachni walking toward it. Zare threw back his head and let out an explosive roar of fury, then without thinking tore down the slope toward Ash. He kept an eye on Ash as he ran, noting the exchange between the two, but the fight didn't continue. Arachni simply left, and Ash crawled to the edge of the crater. Zare reached him just as he collapsed.
"Ash! Ash, please tell me you're okay!" Zare yelled, skidding to a stop next to Ash. He quickly transformed, fumbling with his inventory looking for a healing draught. "Hang on, Ash," he begged, still in shock.

[Wolfsong]

OOC- have I mentioned just how much I've come to hate Maximius, Freddy? I must warn you to be careful, I'm dying to get my claws into him...

/Rowan/Caesar/
Caesar was surprised by Kenji's complete lack of enthusiasm. "I will never understand that man," he decided. He walked over to meet Kenji, wondering if it would be too much to just thrust Noriko out of the way. But no, he was a gentleman, and he promised himself he would stick to it if it killed him.
"This will be interesting, to say the least," he said, considering. He turned to Noriko. "Tell me, who knows of the attempt to kill you?"
"Only me. And I threw the body into the wardrobe and locked it, so..."
Caesar shook his head. "We're going to assume whoever wanted you dead knows you're still alive. Just to be safe. Therefore..." He suddenly grabbed Noriko's arm, propelled her into a chair on the other side of the room. "Sit here for now," he said. "I must talk with my companion."
She folded her hands in apparent docility in her lap, but her smile was lopsided. He grimaced. "Noriko, listen to me. You asked me to save you. I am going to try to do that. However, you must promise to do as I tell you. I cannot protect you if you goof off at a critical moment."
She nodded, eyes serious. "I do understand, Antoine."
He nodded, then walked back to Kenji, taking him to the opposite side of the room. Directing the wind to keep all sound for his and Kenji's ears alone, he began to talk. "The way I see it, we will be in trouble however we try to leave. Whoever is trying to assassinate her will probably have no qualms about killing us in the bargain as well. This...seems like more than merely a civil war. If I heard her right, this entire thing is a set-up, a cover for something far more sinister. I begin to wonder if the events of the Cataclyst are repeating themselves." He shook his head. "But I will help her. The gentleman in me demands it." He smiled sadly at Kenji. "BUt...I wonder of you Kenji. You are one of the most remarkable people I know, and despite the fact I stole from Tiera, you came after me. All I can guess is that, somehow, you think of me as a friend. I have come to, despite how...remarkable you are. Yes, that's an open admission and you can tally that to your score. But the point is I don't want to be the one who gets you killed. So the choice is yours." he leaned back slightly, grinning. "You can follow me into certain doom, or you can walk away. I'll let you off completely free, no hard feelings at all."

/Carter/Valerian/
He glancued up, startled. "Oh, its you!' he said. "Go right ahead, We don't mind. We're kinda stuck trying to figure out what to do, actually..."

/Pierce/Arachni/
Kent and the others were waiting for him in the shadow realm. Kent eyed Arachni levelly, noticing the odd light in his eyes. "So...what will happen to us now?" he asked cautiously.
Arachni raised his head, studying Kent absently, his mind obviously elsewhere. "You? Let me ask you first. Where is Felim?"
Kent blinked, then glanced around. "I...I believe he is still on the field," he answered uncertainly.
Arachni shook his head. "Left it a long time ago. He's probably made his report by now. Which, I am sure you know what he will have said of you."
kent nodded slowly. "What will become of us then?" he asked again.
"I would honestly suggest you go into deep hiding until IFF has forgotten you. I will send you to the continent to the north of ours. It is habitable, so you can survive until the time to return."
"Are you truly Pierce?" Kent asked. "Stories spoke of him as a man set on his own gain. But you, you led us through the battle, keeping us alive, and are concerned for our welfare. Are you really and truly Pierce?"
Arachni smiled at him. "Don't trust all the rumors. People love to lie anymore. Besides...is not a general's first concern for his men?" he smiled at Kent, who seemed to be studying him carefully. "Farewell, Kent, until we meet again." and Kent and his men disappeared, on their way to the north continent.
"Issa?"
"You survived, Arachni?"
"RIght now. i want you to look up everything you can find on both Maximius and Ashimatya. I want as full a report as you can give me."
"Dare I ask why?"
"No. I'm going to log out for a bit. When I return, report to me. Also, if you can, set a mic in the council room. I want to know if they meet, and what they discussed."
"Yes sir. I'll do what I can."
Arachni nodded and logged out.

/Stephen/Ashimatya/
Ash heard Zare's voice, outside of the void of his misery. He raised his head slowly, his eyes haunted.
"Zare," he breathed. "I...." he reached up, grabbing his hand, stopping what Zare was doing. "Don't. I'm fine, really." Breathing deeply, he stood up, watching as the forces Pierce has been fighting withdrew. Pierce...his brother...he was alive. Somewhere out there, he was alive. he turned to look at Zare, managing a smile. "Just...bit off a little more than I could chew there," he said, as some sort of explanation. "I'm sorry..."

[ClaecElric4God]

/Karissa/Kenji/
Kenji stood next to Regal, listening pensively. When Regal finished talking, Kenji's eyes lit up. But not his usual cocky, happy-go-lucky attitude. It was the excitement of a challenge, but with a calm, level-headed approach.
"Let me off free, eh?" He asked. "Well, that's very generous, but I think we both know there's no way you can survive this woman by yourself. You'll need someone to back you up so you keep your sanity. I'd hate to see my good friend in such a sad state. And don't think I'll be so quick to die. I might be a newer player than you, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve. And don't flatter yourself by thinking you'll be the cause of my death. Either way, there's no way I'm leaving now. I'm with you all the way, Regal."
And with that, Kenji laid his hand on Regal's shoulder, smiling from within the depths of his cowl. He was ready for anything. And yet...
"But how do we deal with her? There are more dangers here than our pursuers..."

/Eric/Zare/
Zare stared at Ash in shock.
"What do you mean, you're fine?!" He demanded. "You don't look fine at all!" Zare held his arm out while Ash stood, ready to support him.
"Don't give me that," Zare replied, more harshly than he intended. "What just happened back there? Are you really okay? Just give it to me straight already. I need to know what's going on."

[Wolfsong]

OOC- he wants it straight? What about me??? I'm lost.

/Rowan/Caesar/
He grinned slowly, laying a hand on Kenji's shoulder. "Thank you," he said. "I know I will need your help before all's said and done."
He glanced back at Noriko and looked away quickly, a grimace on his face. “honestly, I agree with you. She’s one of the strangest people I know, an that’s saying a lot. Ad that to…well, he is doing her best to annoy me ever since we first met. I think they best thing I can do is call Cyrano, and dump her with him. While he deals with her, we simply run.” After a moment, he murmured, “Maybe not simply, at that…Kenji, have you ever ridden a snapperbird?”

/Stephen/Ashimatya/
He was grateful to lean on Zare, for despite his claim he was indeed certainly not okay. “tell you everything?” he repeated. “Oh Zare…it goes back so far. Come on, let’s get to a better place.”
Ash directed Zare to a place hidden in the shelter of a cliff, a place they were likely to be undisturbed. Ash looked up at the sky, watching as, through the slowly breaking storm, the sun could be seen to set on the horizon. He smiled softly. “Night,” he said. “A Magnus’ time. My body will heal itself now.” He looked at Zare, then straightened himself up. He felt stronger already. “You want to know then? What happened there, that connects to seven years ago.”
He looked down at his hands. Shadows threaded between his fingers, but not dangerous. More like something to have, to feel and hold. Ash watched them a moment, then realized something. He raised his hands, letting the shadows form.
“Children, shift through your knowledge and take shape. Bring back…” He paused, then said in a low tone. “Bring back the figures from the past.” He held up his hands, and the shadows rose up, taking on the forms and features of three people.
“You probably know all three of them now,” he said with a smile. He pointed to the first one. “Cyrano, conqueror of the hackers first attack, a strong hand in their second fall, destroyer of the Slaver’s Guild and general hero of Infinite. There’s Python.” He motioned to the second. “One of the leaders of the first attempt, and hand and brain behind the Cataclyst. And…my brother.” He smiled sadly looking to the third figure. “And then there’s me. We all joined at the same time, but we knew each other before that. We were friends. We did everything together. And in this world…well, it seemed our dreams of being heroes and legends could actually come true. We…we told each other we would always be together. We would be heroes. But Python…Pierce always wanted to be more. Both Cyrano and I laughed when he told us he was be a god one day. I wonder if we should have taken him more seriously.”
The shadow figures separated slightly, with Cyrano and Python moving away from each other, with Ash in between. “Then slowly, Pierce began to move out on his own. He didn’t tell me what he was doing either. After a while, he suddenly told me to stay away from Cyrano, told me he was a danger to us. I didn’t believe him. One day…I told Cyrano I would help him with a particular raid on the Guild. However, something happened. I ran into Pierce there…and an army of hackers at his back. Even then, I tried to talk to him. He managed to make Cyrano think I’d led him into a trap, and…I killed him. He died believing it was my fault. Pierce kept talking, and enraged I…I killed him too.” He was quiet, watching the shadows silently replaying the scene. “The moderators attempted to ban Python and the men with him, but he disappeared. I…I went looking for him. I wanted to talk with him just once more.”
He was quiet, then added, “he vanished from our house in the real world too, so my only chance was to find him here, in Infinite.”
The shadow of Python changed slightly, becoming the avatar Pierce, the form mostly used by Python during the Cataclyst. “I eventually found him in the northern regions of Infinite, before the mods released the new continents. The lands of ice, Sicilline. He was searching for the sleeping Fafnir, intending to hack the dragon’s code. We met…and fought.”
The shadows of Ash and Pierce flew at each other. “Next thing I knew,” Ash said. “I was in a cage of glowstone, a place of perpetual light. No shadows anywhere. Not many people know, but when a Magnus completely loses touch with the shadows, he becomes an ordinary human being, just as weak and helpless. Pierce said…I was a burden, an anchor holding him back. So he placed me deep within one of the mountains, trapped in my cell of light.”
The shadow of Ash could hardly be seen, crouched in the shadow. But even the shadow had a glimmer in its eyes, the glint of hate and fury.
“My mind, my body rotted in there for many months,” Ash said softly. “Sometimes I think I nearly went truly mad. Heaven knows though I did turn quite bitter. After all the time we’d been friends, Cyrano had bought Pierce’s lies because of an accident. My own brother had done this to me. If you couldn’t trust your own family, then who could you believe in?”
“The end of the Cataclyst. Python’s magic weakened, and I eventually broke free. I instantly logged out…to find myself locked in some kind of frozen coffin in a shack across the country from where I lived. It took weeks to get back home. I returned to find my dad missing, my mom had reverted to some sort of mental childhood, and my relatives, her family, had made her give almost everything to them. She could hardly call the clothes on her back her own. And they worked her live a slave. So I…I took my mom, stole what was really our car, and set the house on fire. I was careful about it too, to make sure all possible exits were covered. They had no escape…and I drank in their screams as I drove away.”
The shadows faded to nothingness. Ash dropped his head, staring at his hands. “Where does all of this lead, you ask?” he murmured. “Our mass murderer, our serial killer…is none other than my brother Pierce, who I would love to both reconcile with and kill in the same breath.”
He raised his head, staring directly into Zare’s eyes, a small, bitter smile on his face. “Now you know more of the Dark Angel than any else in existence. Tell me Zare, do you still desire my friendship? I would understand if you chose otherwise, but…if you still wish, then I give to you what’s left of me that is uncorrupted. You’re the first person I’ve met in years who, despite knowing who I am, gave me a chance. I only hope I never lose that chance…” his voice trailed off. “Because I don’t want to be a monster anymore.”

OOC- you know what, I'll post Pierce's part later. My fingers are killing me...

[FreddyCast]

Maximius

(A group of IFF guards march into Maximius’s office, surrounding him as he stands behind his desk)
Maximius: May I ask why you have barged into my office and encircled me like I was some sort of criminal?
Guard: Please come peacefully with us, Councilor Maximius.
Maximius: Why? For what reason have you come for me?
Guard: You have been accused of treason. Therefore, you are to be arrested under suspicion of treason and put on trial before the IFF council. Please, Councilor, do not cause problems for us or for yourself.
Maximius: Very well, I’ll comply. (The guards arrest Maximius, tying his hands and leading him out of his office and into the halls where he is taken before the IFF Council. The guards take him to the center of the room and leave him standing there with his hands still tied in front of him. Around him are the same empty pedestals where the councilors would stand behind)
Maximius: Must I wait an eternity?
(Then the councilors teleport in the room and walk towards their respective pedestals. This time there is only 5 council members that appear. The first to speak, Rastagan Graybeard)
Rastagan: Maximius, we are here to hear you out, for you have been charged with treason. It seems your apprentice, Arachni, was the notorious hacker, Pierce who in the past went by the name of Python. Under his leadership our armies have fallen and those that survived the battle of Megiddus Valley have chosen to side with him against their duty, and thus, they as well have committed treason. And General Felim here is witness to all of this. (Felim appears behind Maximius)
General Felim: It’s true, I saw and heard everything, Arachni was Pierce in disguise. This Valdus character, though our enemy, exposed the true enemy among us. Unfortunately, Kent and his men turned their back on the IFF council and in their cowardice chose to side with the traitor, Pierce.
Nathanial: DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, MAXIMIUS?
Rastagan: Peace, Nathanial!
Nathanial: How can I be? Our armies have either been annihilated or gone rogue, siding with the enemy. And now our position has weakened, our neutrality is broken, the other factions have threatened to conquer us, a council member, Michaelis, is MIA with Kiari mysteriously absent once again, and all of Infinite has now been plunged in a state of war. ALL BECAUSE OF YOU!
Anima: Whether you were tricked by this Arachni fellow or not, you are still responsible for what has happened these last few days. It was you who sent Arachni to attack those two legions in that disputed territory, provoking a potential war with the Nescalans and Tierans, and it was you who proposed to make Arachni commander of the only armies we had. We have resorted to hiring mercenaries for protection.
Nathanial: You promised us victory, and instead you’ve caused us nothing but trouble once again. Did I not warn you all of this snake’s schemes?
Ryfia: Arachni played me like a fool, pretending to be a noble and just man who wanted to protect the IFF and bring peace to Infinite, even if it meant fighting for that peace. He’s a con-man, a liar, a wolf in sheep’s clothing, playing with my emotions. I was right, fighting is never the solution. Entering this war was a mistake. I can’t believe that you would surround yourself with these kinds of people, Maximius.
Rastagan: Maximius, you’ve heard the accusations, what do you have to say for yourself?
(Maximius stays silent and tilts his head down as his long hair slowly drops over his shoulders and covers his face.)
Rastagan: Why do you not speak in your defense, Maximius?
Nathanial: Speak, you fool! Are you too ashamed to say anything? Has the great Maximius been silenced now that he’s been caught red-handed?
(Maximius stays silent, which enfuriates Nathanial)
Nathanial: GRRRR! SPEAK! DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE POWER TO SET YOU FREE, OR ELSE TO CONDEMN YOU?
Andonov: By your silence, it would seem that you are guilty, Maximius. The question is, for what purpose did you do all this?
Nathanial: That doesn’t matter. Whatever he was planning has failed. And now, he should forever be banished from Infinite.
Mira: Maximius.......Max....(Maximius raises his head to see Mira face to face)...You and I have been friends for a long time.
Maximus: ....Yes...yes we have. (“More than you can ever know”, he says to himself)
Mira: I know, you. You love IFF as much as I do. And no one loves IFF more than I do. I know that everything you do, you do it for the sake of IFF. So, please Max...tell us why you did this.
Maximius:....The IFF council...it amazes me that all of you are ignorant of what has happened these past few days. So much unlike the original IFF council was. You knew this day was coming and yet you did nothing to stop it. For the past 2 years, IFF has lost lands, lost respect, and has now lost face, stripped and utterly naked before the other factions, the very factions you were meant to put in check as you monitored this fabricated war. Nescala and Tiera runs rampant in this war, the Slaver’s guild is gaining strength as it goes unchallenged in certain areas of Infinite. And Poor Cyrano, a hero of the Cataclysm, can no longer stop their rise to power. This whole situation is a product of your own making, not mine.
Nathanial: What nonsense are you spewing, traitor?
Andonov: Our own making?
Ryfia: What are you saying? That this was our fault?
Anima: You’re not making any sense, Maximius?
Mira: We don’t understand what you mean? Max....(Maximius eyes widen as he sees the councilors apparent confusion over his words)
Maximius:....You councilors are really oblivious, aren’t you? (He faces the old man)....Rastagan, you haven’t told them, have you? This whole time I thought the IFF council was still trying to carry on the sharade, when in fact, it was you and you alone.
(Everyone turns their attention towards Rastagan)
Mira: Head Councilor Graybeard, what does he mean?
Maximius: You remain silent as always, Rastagan. Shall I tell them?
Ryfia: Tell us what? Head Councilor, is there something you’re hiding from us?
Nathanial: We can’t trust anything that comes out of this traitor’s mouth.
Maximus: I tell you the truth, before any of you became council members, the council consisted only of 3 members. Rastagan, Andonowin, and myself. We were the founders of IFF. And we were the ones who started the war between Nescala and Tiera.
Nathanial: YOU LIE!
Maximius: You never could control your temper, could you Nathanial? It’s wonder how you ever became a council member.
Ryfia: If what you say is true, then why start a war between these two factions?
Maximius: For fear that hackers might again invade Infinite, just like Pierce and his ilk did. This war was meant to put in check any group that dared to conquer the whole of Infinite. Create an atmosphere of distrust and suspicion, and no hacker would ever have the backing of any one in Infinite. Loyalties were formed, rivalries were born, and everyone was monitored, even those that sought haven with IFF. It worked for the first year, but Nescala and Tiera became greedmongers. Their armies were big enough and strong enough to pose a threat to IFF and they began making demands. Nescala kept the Slaver’s guild alive, despite persecution from Cyrano and his men. Someone had to be the scapegoat, right Rastagan? But soon the Slaver’s guild grew in members and now they threaten to start revolutions in all three factions. Our plan still held the hacker threat in check, but at the cost of IFF’s continuing existence. I couldn’t allow that to happen.
Nathanial: Liar, why side with Pierce then, if your plan was meant to stop future hacker threats?
Maximius: Me side with him? That’s a joke. Pierce is merely one of my pawns, and he’s smart enough to know that. In fact, he’s listening to us right now. (“Isn’t that right, Issalidor?”, he says to himself) But, I must admit, Rastagan, I was surprised that you voted in my favor to go to war with the other factions. Was it to atone for your mistake in agreeing to start this fake war, I wonder? I guess it's of no importance, now that the IFF Council is powerless.
Nathanial: Like I said before, Maximius, whatever you were planning doesn’t matter now. Pierce is loose and the IFF is in danger of being conquered. You failed and now you’ll be banished forever.
Maximius: No, my plan is still in effect. Observe. (Suddenly cloaked figures appear and knockout the guards around the Council room. Felim takes out his sword ready to face this threat, but Maximius breaks free from his restrains on his hands and with one swing of his arm, smacks Felim on the head sending him flying and crashing to the wall, leaving him unconscious)
Maximius: Did you really think I would let this council banish me? If anyone was on trial, it was all of you....(he points his index finger at all the council memebers, then puts his hand back down)...The IFF is under my protection now. While this council was off sucking on their thumbs like cowards, I have been raising armies of my own, IFF armies loyal to me. Already my forces have infiltrated the Nescalan and Tieran factions and are waiting for my command.
Andonov: What are you planning, Maximius? (Maximius grins slightly)
Maximus: I’m starting a civil war among all the factions. I will end this war by destroying the greedmongers in Nescala and Tiera. Under my rule, no one will ever hurt the IFF ever again and no hacker will ever set foot in Infinite. You are no longer a threat to me. I could kill you all right now, but that would be too much of a hassle, especially since Rastagan is here. You may fight amongst yourselves if you wish, I no longer care anymore. And Pierce, he’s your problem now. (Maximius leaves with the cloaked figures, leaving the IFF council to look at each other in bewilderment. Mira, however, runs to Maximius)
Mira: Max, wait, let me go with you. (Maximius feels a bit of joy that Mira would want to follow him, but he raises his hand gesturing her to stop, which she does) Max?
Maximus: No, it’s safer to stay out of this Mira. I don’t want you to get mixed up in this.
Mira: But Max...
Maximius: I said that I would protect IFF. And that is exactly what I‘ll do, because I know it’s precious to you. And what’s precious to you is precious to me. So please, don’t follow me. (Maximius walks away as Mira stands there, upset and unsure of what to do.)

[Oddood198]

OK... Rocky lookout... by the harbor... near where we met... Lydia thought, looking up from the PM from Sage and examining the scenery. She couldn't find a rocky lookout. Maybe I'm in the wrong place...
She stopped her searching when she got another PM from her friend, she opened it in a hurry.

"Sorry, something else came up, it's really really urgent. I'll have to take a rain check, but I'll definitely be there next time. Promise!

~SC"

Lydia read over the PM, then read over it again, then a third time, just to be sure. Then she let out a long, disappointed moan. She started typing a reply to Sage's message.

"Sorry, my friend just had to cancel, so it'll be just me coming. But I'll certainly be there! As soon as I find it..."

She sent the new PM to Sage, then went back to searching for that rocky lookout.




It had once been a peaceful, beautiful, picturesque valley, where the grass grew tall and green and all sorts of animals could be seen running freely throughout. That was what the information had said, but it was hard to believe it now, looking down on the field where the battle between Nescala and Tiera had concluded recently. The whole area was utterly ruined from the battle, the grass trampled and soaked red, the animals all gone, and even the sunlight was blocked by the gloomy clouds hanging over it.
On a hill overlooking the valley, a single figure stood, alone. A gust of wind came past and rustled the loose clothes and deep hood the person wore, and they took a step forward, down the hill toward the battlefield. The figure walked quietly down, closer and closer to the battlefield, where the only visible living things were the carrion birds descending for their meal. The thick boots the person wore crunched quietly on the dirt, and soon sank into the blood-soaked mud.
"It looks pretty bad... but the rumors may have been true..." The figure said. A young woman, by the sound of her voice. She spoke softly to herself as she walked alone. "It was a huge battle, no doubt... and a lot of these people... weren't killed by mere weapons."
She stopped, finally, as she came to a large indentation in the mud, left by a huge, powerful and clawed foot. She knelt down, examining the print carefully, and soon came to a conclusion. She had seen prints just like these, left by the same creature, four years ago. "Fafnir." The young woman said under her breath, "So, perhaps it was true this time." She straightened herself up, then held an empty hand out to the side, and a spear materialized in it. The spear itself had a red and black shaft, with a gleaming silver tip, that somehow managed to fit well with the orange and white that the woman wore.
Now, the woman began examining the bodies, searching for anyone who was still alive, someone who, by some miracle, had survived the fierce battle that must have taken place here.
Several minutes of searching proved fruitless, she found no surviving players from either side. She cupped a hand over her mouth and shouted, "Hello!! Is there anyone alive out there? Anyone at all?" Her voice carried strongly across the valley of bodies, loud enough for anyone nearby to hear, and she waited for someone with enough life to respond.

[ClaecElric4God]

/Karissa/Kenji/
Kenji froze at Regal's inquiry, suddenly very nervous. He shifted uncomfortably, coughing once.
"Um, just a second," Kenji shrugged off Regal's hand, running to the other side of the room where there was a small closet. He opened the closet, looked furtively back at Regal, then entered, shutting the door behind him. After a minute or so, he threw the door open, smiling widely. The hood of his cloak was thrown back now, his face openly visible.
"Well, of course I've ridden a snapperbird!" He exclaimed indignantly, before putting on a hurt expression. "What do you take me for, a newbie?"
Kenji threw an arm over Regal's shoulder, ignoring the awkward difference in height. He looked over at Noriko.
"You'd better not give us any trouble, little lady," he ordered gruffly.

/Eric/Zare/
Zare sat down, pulling out a jug of liquid as he listened to Ash. It was a novelty beverage, and had no benificial qualities. He took a drink, then rested it on his knee, taking in everything Ash said.
At first it was just intriuge, hearing about Ash's past. Having been a member since near the beginning, Zare knew a lot of the basic facts about the Catalyst and Cyrano, Python, and Ashimatya. Who didn't? But a lot of this was also new to him, such as their goals, relationships with each other, and everything that had occured behind the scenes. It had always just been a clear cut, "Cyrano was the good guy; Python was the bad guy", and no one had cared what may have driven/caused the different things that happened. Zare was especially surprised to hear about Python and Ash being brothers. As the story progressed, Zare heard the overwhelming sadness in Ash's voice. He was shocked to hear all the details. He was outraged that Pierce would do that to Ash, horrified at what Ash had gone through. Suddenly, it wasn't surprising or disturbing to hear what Ash had done to his family. Regardless of whether it was right or wrong, Zare knew he would have done all that and more in a heartbeat if his mother was hurt or endangered.
And then...
“Our mass murderer, our serial killer…is none other than my brother Pierce, who I would love to both reconcile with and kill in the same breath.”
Zare didn't realize how hard he was gripping the glass bottle until it shattered between his fingers. But he didn't even look down. He simply met Ash's gaze, a murderous look in his own eyes. But he forced himself to stay at least outwardly calm, replying in an even, albeit strained and dangerous tone.
"Thank you for sharing this with me; it makes a lot of things clear." Zare stood slowly, opening his clenched fist to let the shards of glass fall to the ground. "And you know the answer to that question. I'm not going to abandon you just because of that. The problem now is figuring out the most effective way to make that guy regret the day he was born. Because unlike you, I don't have any mixed feelings. I want him dead. Right. Now."
Zare was startled at the malevolence in his own words, and he shook his head. He suddenly realized that last thing Ash had said. He placed a hand on Ash's shoulder. "You're not the one I'm worried about turning into a monster, Ash."
Zare turned his head when he heard the voice call out. He picked it up clearly, thanks to his acute hearing as well as how loudly it carried.
"Looks like someone's scouting the place out. Do you think it's safe to make ourselves known, or should we stay hidden until you recover?"

[Wolfsong]

OOC- thanks Odd for bringing her back. my nightmares can start up again. *takes Pierce and runs for the hills*

/Pierce/Arachni/
Pierce breathed in deeply, then exhaled sharply. He felt strange, returning to a fantasy, magic-dead world. He reached back slowly, brushing the tips of the hairs that barely reached the middle of his neck. He sighed, dropping his hand. Yes, he was Pierce once more, while Arachni rested safely in the shadow realm. Not that he had anything against this form, but it was the one trapped in reality. A weak, helpless, powerless reality. Stumbling, for he felt stiff now, he made his way across the trashed-out room, headed for the door. The setting sun bathed him in its light as he stood in the doorway, staring into the distance. A landscape stretched out before him, a forest surrounding the hill his small house was located on. The house, a mix of dark red and brown, was a pleasant looking place on the outside. Inside it looked like a tornado had passed through.
“Oh, you’re finally awake. Good, I thought you’d be hungry by now.”
He looked back inside and smiled. “Afternoon Meradith. Yes, I would appreciate something. But shouldn’t you be in the den sorting out the information?”
The woman tossed her mouse-brown hair, green eyes twinkling. “I’m waiting for the stupid thing to load. So I thought I’d set up for you guys while I waited.”
Smiling warmly at her, he asked, “Speaking of, where are they now? That pack of mutts need to clean this place up again.”
“Where do you think?” she jerked her thumb toward the fireplace. He stared at it a moment, then nodded.
“I should have known. How long was I in?”
“I’d say a day and a half. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they tidy up. Pierce, are you alright>? You seem rather absent. Did something happen?”
He wondered a moment, the decided he could talk to her. “A lot of things, actually. A pawn of Maximius tried to humiliate me today, and did a pretty thorough job of it. I regained a little ground thanks to Issa’s intervention, but it was pretty bad. Worse though…I ran into my brother today.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh no. Did he…”
“He was doing his darnedest to kill me. We did talk a little, but…he hates me, passionately. His eyes….”
Smiling sympathetically, Meradith took his arm and gently propelled him to one of the least-trashed chairs. “let me get you something,” she suggested. He rolled his eyes expressively, but didn’t resist. She walked over to a cabinet and began shifting cans and stuff around. “You wanna talk about it?”
“What for?”
“Rumor has it doing that makes you feel better.”
He smiled sadly. “Speak, say more than you meant to, and next thing you know, you’ve been blackmailed.”
Selecting a can, she turned and threw an aluminum wrapper at his head. “Oh, and I suppose I’m untrustworthy? Haven’t I been loyal to you since the beginning, even after the others abandoned you as a failure?”
He ducked the wrapper and turned to face her. “Meradith, you put all my lackeys to shame.”
“Lackey?!” She motioned as if to throw the can, and he put up his hands in mock-surrender. She snorted as she found a can opener and went to work. He leaned forward, watching her.
“My apologies, Mare, if I am bitter,” he said. “My experiences in my path have been dark, and as of late, I’ve been having trouble sleeping, particularly since the Cataclyst.”
She smiled softly when he called her by the old nickname. She glanced at him, then walked over to the stove in the corner, trying to find a clean pot. “That was pretty crazy, wasn’t it?” she said. “At least we pulled through together. Infinite’s enthusiasts didn’t get our heads like they’d planned. And we’re together, that’s what’s important.”
Pierce shook his head, idly drumming on the chair arm, staring at nothing. Meradith glanced back at him, then at the pot with the stain on its handle. Sighing, she put it on the stove and dumped in the can’s contents. “Thinking of Stephen again?” She asked.
“I could weep if I knew how,” was his reply. His eyes refocused and turned to her. “I did what I had to but…it’s a bittersweet taste. He would never have worked with a power-hungry child, and I doubt he’ll want to reconcile either.”
“You never know. The bond of family is strong. I’m sure things will work out.” Meradith looked at him again. “You said “power-hungry child”. Why?”
“That’s all it is. Power is quite intoxicating, but I begin to lose my taste for it. And yet, did I not just proclaim myself as god before the pawns of the factions and Maximius? Was it really my own pride that struck me low, not his removal of his hack? Should I have stepped aside and let good men die?”
Meradith found a spoon and started stirring. “Doubt, Pierce? Regret? That’s unlike you.”
“I was such an idiot. The Cataclyst…I moved too soon. The mods were becoming aware of us, and instead of lying low, I was impatient and struck anyway! All that happened could have been avoided!”
“You are depressed,” Meradith murmured. “Pierce, you were, in a sense, pushed into it. It wasn’t your fault.”
“I was their leader. A leader’s first duty it to those he leads. And I failed. I continue to fail, all the time, every time! I’m bound to lose this time as well!”
“Pierce!” She turned to completely face him, hands on hips. “What the heck is wrong with you? Who put these ideas into your head?”
“Certainly nobody with any more sense than I have…or may lack. He certainly has enough ego.”
She stared at him, then surprised him by swearing. “I knew Maximius was trouble,” she ranted.
“Maximius,” Pierce murmured. “Hadrian Solis. He’s aware of my name. I wonder if he knows I know his.” He chuckled quietly. “Might be fun, paying him a little visit while he’s still logged into Infinite. The possibilities…”
“Pierce!” She suddenly slapped him. His hand reached up automatically to touch his face where she struck him, staring at her incredulously. She grabbed his hands and knelt by the chair, staring him in the eye. “Maximius couldn’t call you a failure if he knew what you have done. When the enthusiasts came after us, you kept us together and led us to safety. We all work together to keep alive, but you are our leader. You have led us through our trials. You have not failed, not here or in Infinite. You simply found two ways not to do it.”
“Ah yes, Infinite. Something dark abounds in Infinite, and it sure isn’t only me.” He sighed and smiled. “Alright, I’ll stop abusing myself. Aloud.”
She snorted, but before she could speak, there was a sudden ruckus. Pierce glanced at the fireplace in time to see the bottom slide over and five people climb out. He straightened, trying to look like he hadn’t been moping. “So what’s the good word?” he asked.
“hey look! The recluse has crawled out of his shell!” one of the boys, a blonde that looked about 5’8’’ , tackled Pierce on the chair, almost knocking it over. He slung an arm around Pierce’s neck, knuckling the back of his head. “Ah, it’s good to see you again. You spent way too long in there.”
“Right Luke. OFF!” Pierce launched an elbow into his stomach and broke free, retreating into the protective bubble that surrounded Meradith. A gothic chick going by the name Cherry – the reasons obscure to this day – joined him, watching the boys do what boys do for fun when not buried face-first in a video game. Pierce turned to her. “So Cherry, what word, if any?”
She eyed him through one green eye, then said, “Trouble in the factions. Rolf was assassinated while you were in, and you stayed and ignored your pm box, apparently so….”
“I had my hands full,” he replied. “Rolf was a player, right? Can’t he just log back in? We can live with another “miraculous recovery” story.”
"He's dead period Pierce. I tried to contact him to find out what happened, playing as a supporter of course, and learned he was dead. At the exact same time he died in Infinite. Suspicious, yes?"
Now it was Pierce's turn to swear. "Who took over for him?"
"Some guy connected to Valdus, which connects him to Maximius."
Pierce shook his head. "I have begun to hate that man passionately. How's Noriko?"
"No word, but she's still logged in, so..."
"Oh, Pierce!" Luke walked over, thumb-wrestling himself. "I checked over Fafnir's records, and you may not want to keep him long. Due to being an old, scrapped model in an updated and upgraded world, he'll begin to glitch sooner or later. Might want to look into a new horse."
"Horse?" Pierce kicked at his shins, which Luke dodged with a laugh. "Have respect for your betters, mongrel."
"A dragon my better? He's a reptile!"
"He has more brains than you ever will."
Meradith shook her head. "Soup's up," she announced. "And not a bite till this room is clean."
There were loud protests, but they were quick to obey. Luke was heard to jokingly ask if they should repaint the walls too, to which Meradith replied that would be his assignment tomorrow. As Pierce, with Cherry’s help, set up a table, he watched all of them with fondness. After their blow-out in the Cataclyst, many of the enthusiasts had gone out on a manhunt for him and his crew, as though he’d done all that stuff in reality. Tense times he and the crew lived in, but they had drawn together in a way only danger can connect people. He knew he wouldn’t trade them for anyone else.
They had just began to eat when the fireplace opened up again. “Pierce! Pierce, get in here quick!”
Pierce instantly leapt up and dove into the gaping hole. A teen, maybe fifteen with light grey hair, caught him. “The council, their meeting,” he said. “You’ll wanna hear this.”
The underground was a place like a science lab, just with an Infinite feeling to it, as it had various graphs, maps, and drawings of Infinite things. The teen led him to a computer where, after a few minutes, a recording played out…and Pierce was stunned by its contents. “He shut down the Council?!” he exclaimed in mixed shock an d some mild amusement. “That…may have some repercussions back in Infinite.”
“More than that. Nothing’s left to hold back the factions or whatever the heck Maximius is doing. Pierce….should we just step out now?”
“NO!” Pierce clenched his teeth, rubbing his forehead as a headache began to form. He had to calm down, had to think this through. “Okay, we’re switching to Plan B.”
“Plan B?” Cherry said, dropping into the lab. “I wasn’t aware there was one.”
“That’s when we drop the god-bit of the plan and focus on the order. Listen up! I need you all to listen closely.”
He quickly laid out what he had in mind. If they were shocked at the parts they had to play, they were absolutely stunned by his. “But Pierce, you’re asking to get killed!” one of the guys, Dex, said.
“So what’s new? It’s a long shot, and they’re bound to ignore me or worse, but I’m going to need their help. Is- Nevan, look up a good mount for me. And get to work on that programming! I want that thing ready within a matter of hours!”
“Yes sir,” Nevan replied doubtfully. “But if I’m doing that, and with everyone so busy, who’ll look after you?”
“Myself, Mother. Give me the basic protections, and I’ll take care of the rest. And maybe….maybe they won’t know who I am. That should have its own pros and cons.” Grabbing the console, he walked over to one of the ‘chambers’ in back and dove into Infinite.
--- --- --- --- ---
Arachni left Fafnir in the shadow realm, though he was reluctant to do so. He was quiet, staring at the valley that stretched out before him. Or at least what remained. Corpses littered the ground, bearing the uniforms of all three factions. So many races, so much blood spilled…
“Even the Cataclyst wasn’t this bad,” he thought sadly. “Maximius…what are you doing>? This is pure madness.”
Should he contact him? Maybe, but only after he regained his temper. “You’re destroying the world I love, Maximius! I swear, I’ll see you burn for this!”
“Pierce, steady.”
“Nebris?” That was Luke’s avatar. “What is it?”
“Found you a horse. You’ll have to come back to Sicillion again to get it though. Issa’s working on Fafnir, which is why he didn’t tell you. I’m working on the upgrades for your avatar, so you can hit max before you face Maxi.”
“And everyone else. Thanks Nebris. I’ll go in a minute.”
Strangely, he felt a need to honor those who’d died here, feeling somewhat responsible for them. Funny, the sense of responsibility he had come to have since the Cataclyst. He’d learned it while struggling to keep his newfound family together. It was this, the responsibility of being a leader, that had made him begin to wonder of the responsibilities of a god. Did they outweigh the power? He didn’t know.
He replaced the mask before setting to work, straightening the bodies of the dead. As he worked, he suddenly heard a voice calling. A woman’s voice. He swore he knew it.
“it can’t be…” He stood, debating a moment, then shook his head. No, he needed a low profile for now, at least until the first couple of phases to his plan were complete. So if he was to lay these men to rest, he would need to cheat a little.
He had the shadows stretching across the valley reassemble the bodies in five long rows beneath the left cliff. He buried them then, covering them with earth. “Megiddus Valley,” he said softly. “You are no longer. You have held the blood of the betrayed, witnessed the fall of the proud, and are home to the fallen souls till they begin their journey through the stars. I name you Salútem et Maeroris, Sorrow and Salvation. Bear them well.”
He realized someone was close. Quickly, he dove into the shadows and fled, among many things feeling embarrassed for that little display.

/Stephen/Ashimatya/
Ash began to laugh. “Tell you what,” he said. “I’ll hold you back if you’ll hold me.”
He glanced up quickly, startled to hear a voice. “I’m fine,” he said, brushing that aside. “remember, Magnus thrive in shadows. Night has fallen now, and my body has almost healed itself fully. Do you suppose she’s a survivor from the battle? Maybe she can tell us more of what exactly transpired here.”
He raised his voice. “Over here! We’re over here!” He stood, feeling almost no pain now. He was almost healed now. He smiled at Zare. “Come, let’s go find her, Zare…” his smile deepened. “My friend.”

/Rowan/Caesar/
“I’ll take that as a no,” Caesar said with a smile. Noriko was eying Kenji oddly, as if trying to think what to make of him. “A snapperbird is like one of Earth’s hummingbirds, only much larger and…well, its beak resembles a hawk’s, so it isn’t entirely a peaceful creature. But they are among the fastest mounts out there.”
“and I suppose you have some?” Noriko asked, her face a mask of curiosity and innocence. Caesar eyed her levelly.
“No. They’re as hard to feed as a dragon.” He quickly moved on. “But I know where to get some.” He studied the room, then noticed a couple of glass doors at the very back of the room. He walked over to find they led to a balcony. “Noriko, what does this room overlook?”
“The west side of the garden, the exotic side, and then the far well. Beyond that is a long stretch of city, the residential area.”
“I see.” Caesar opened the doors and looked over the railing, gauging the distance down. “Kenji, make sure nothing of ours is left in the room. We’re getting out of here.”
“Wait- we’re leaving now?!” Noriko asked, startled. “But I didn’t grab all that much. I need the basic comforts at least!”
“How did you survive as a player?” Caesar sighed. “We’re all going to pretend you’re being hunted as we speak. That means we’ll all have to give up some basic comforts, like good food, beds and finer clothes.”
“My toothbrush?” Noriko inquired demurely, her eyes twinkling.
He stared at her a long moment, then turned away, teeth clenched. “Like I said, sacrifice. Now get over here and shut up before I hurl you over the railing without protection.”
“You wouldn’t. There’s too much of the gentleman in you.”
“Try cornering a cat sometime.” Leaving her to ponder that, he vaulted over the railing. He caught himself with the wind and alighted gently. He wasn’t quite as gentle with Noriko, but he didn’t hurt her. Much. “You ready?” he quietly shouted to Kenji.

/Zara/Kiari/
Kiari was startled when a message came up, informing her she had a pm. She pulled up the menu and glanced at the name of the sender. “Ryfia?” She opened the message…and gasped.
[i]Kiari, do not return to the IFF. Maximius has us all imprisoned here. He spoke of strange things, he said the IFF started the faction war. That it was to keep the hackers out. But they were wrong, they came back, Pierce, Python, whoever he was, he’s Arachni now. And he’s connected to Maximius. We need Cyrano, or the moderators, they can deal with him like they did before. You’re the only one left of us who can. You must find then and tell them about Maximius and Arachni. But whatever you do, stay away from Maximius!”
“I don’t know where to even start,” Kiari protested in a whisper. “That’s a needle in a haystack. How could I…how could he…”
“Kiari?” Hawke was standing beside her again. “What’s that about a haystack?”
“Trouble,” she replied numbly. “IFF. Maximius….”
His eyes widened. “We should returned then-“
“NO!!!” Kiari almost shouted. She didn’t’ like Ryfia, long suspecting there was a hippie behind the avatar, but she was truthful. She was perhaps the most honest person Kiari knew. “We daren’t…or at least I daren’t. You only led Virgo, but I was one of its leaders…or so I thought. Actually, I think I’ll be a free agent once again. I always wind up in a crappy guild.”
“Kiari, what are you talking about?”
Kiari copied, pasted, and sent him the letter. While his eyes widened, she turned to the others. “Well, it’s been fun, more than I thought anyway. But I need to go, I have a job from IFF. One of our leaders, Maximius, have you heard of him? Well, it seems he’s caused us some problems, and…well, I’m the one best positioned to fix it, so…bye Elian. Stay safe, okay? Good bye Saint, its…its been really nice. Bye Sage. Do yourself a favor and dive into a demon pit arena.” It was when she turned away that It occurred to her she might be entering such an arena herself.
Michaelis hunt back, his face expressing reluctance and annoyance. Clearly he was beginning to realize the restraints that came with answering to a summoner. “Michaelis,” Kiari called. “I’m not leaving you behind and Hawke can’t carry two of us. To the spirit realm!”
He sighed and flickered into faint crimson shards, which fluttered around Kiari’s hand before vanishing into the ring. Kiari glanced over to see Hawke giving Elian one of the teleportation items, saying something about ‘just in case’. “Hawke, let’s go,” she said.

[Oddood198]

"Over here! We're over here!"
The reply was so sudden it surprised her, she was honestly not expecting to get an answer. She started walking on the direction the voice had come from, holding her spear cautiously, for there was no telling who she was about to encounter.
Suddenly, all around her, shadows started moving, wrapping around bodies and taking them somewhere else. This power... Could it be...? She looked around, trying to find who was the cause of this. She saw him, only for an instant before he disappeared into darkness, but he was too far away to see clearly. She clenched her spear in her fist for a second, before thinking better, I can't follow them if they used that power to get away.
She turned away and resumed following the voice she had heard, and before long found the source of it. A pair of boys that looked just a little younger than her, they both had indigo hair, and they seemed quite exhausted and battered. She eyed them both over, sizing them up and determining whether or not they were a threat. They didn't seem the type that would just up and attack another player, although the tall one did look decidedly menacing.
"Hi there, my name's Saify." She said, "Sorry to cut to the chase, but I'm in a bit of a hurry. Did you two see what happened here? I'm trying to find somebody, and I think they may have been here."

[Wolfsong]

/Stephen/Ashimatya/
Ash studied her a long moment, not noticing any distinguishing marks to assign her to a faction. "IFF and the factions had a tussle here," he said. "one that appears to have been started by..by Pierce. He's returned to Infinite, and is apparently back to his old tricks."
His fists clenched, as were his teeth. Pierce...he took a deep breath. "Excuse me, but what are you doing here?"

[ClaecElric4God]

/Karissa/Kenji/
"Ha! Thanks, but I'm not crazy about your method of transportation," Kenji laughed. And with that, he vaulted over the railing himself, performing an awkward roll that left him on his back, the wind knocked out of him. He'd absorbed most of the shock in his shoulder, but it had still done a number on him.
"Ow, ow, ow," he gasped, afraid to move. "That...hurt a lot." He stood up slowly, checking to see if anything was broken, which it very much felt like it was.

/Eric/Zare/
Eric stood quietly, watching the exchange. He wasn't planning on saying anything until he was addressed directly. She seemed neutral enough, but Zare had no idea where she was from, or what she was planning. And he was painfully aware of his and Ash's condition. He decided that, in the event of a fight, it would be wisest to retreat for the time being. There was no telling how good of a fighter she was, or how much he and Ash could handle at the moment.
All this went through his mind as he observed, waiting to see what Saify would do, especially if she found out who Ash was. Most people probably weren't on the best terms with the Dark Angel.
Saify...that name sounded familiar.

[Oddood198]

Pierce.
The name resounded and sunk into Saify's consciousness, filling her mind, echoing through her head. So, it was him... He was here. She thought, Then that person I saw, moving the bodies... That was really him.
But, something seemed odd, the way that the tall player had said Pierce's name seemed strange. It seemed hesitant, and he said the name like it was familiar to him. Perhaps he was an acquaintance of Pierce? He didn't seem like one of the hackers, though.
After being silent for a few moments, Saify released the spear in her hand, and it evaporated to nothingness. She thought they might all be more comfortable if nobody had a weapon drawn. She looked to the tall player and answered him, "Put simply, I'm hunting Pierce. For four years, since the Cataclysm, I've been looking for him. I knew he was bound to show up again, and now, it seems, he has." She moved her hands to her hips, shifting her gaze from the tall player to the one with the golden eyes, then back again. "If either of you know something that could help me catch up with him, I'd really appreciate your sharing."

[Wolfsong]

/Rowan/Caesar/
Caesar started worriedly at Kenji, though he hid it behind a grin. "So what's wrong with my method of transportation?" He asked as he carefully helped Kenji rise. Noriko watched, clearly struggling not to laugh. "So now what?"
Caesar pointed. "Over the wall, of course. And i would suggest you submit yourself to my method of transportation, because that looks like a painful climb."
"Um, Caesar, this is the exotic end of the garden."
He turned to look at her, an eyebrow raised. "And?'
"There's a lot more than just pretty flowers in there."
Caesar raised his eyes heavenward and suppressed a groan. "Do you have any better ideas?" he asked pointedly.
She shook her head. "No...following your logic, its the only unpatrolled area, simply because it, well, patrols itself."
Caesar nodded. "Fine. Lets go." He walked toward the bush, hand resting near his rapier.

/Stephen/Ashimatya/
He watched the expression on her face. Could that be anger there? He relaxed only slightly as the spear disappeared. "Saify...wait." He stared hard at her, then remembered where he'd seen her before. "You're that girl, the one who killed him," he said, eyes widening. Anger rose like a fountain in him, but he choked it down. He was in control, not the Dark Angel. "And you're still hunting him?" he asked in an amused tone, covering his unreasonable anger. "Well, under most circumstances, I would have laughed, but considering the here and now, I think I won't. Unless I was very much mistaken, he was leading a group under IFF, but then he and this other guy, a Nescalan I think, got into a verbal spat. The Nescalan also knew who he was, apparently..." Ash wondered at this, but shook his head and continued. "He summoned the dragon Fafnir and fought back. Then I stepped in..." He smiled softly. "I fought with him, and came out second best. Then he disappeared, as did the other factions. That's all I know."
He was still smiling, but his eyes were hard.

[Oddood198]

Saify looked at the tall player now in a new light. So he had fought Pierce, face-to-face, and survived? Even if he did lose, just surviving a head on battle with Pierce was impressive. Even Saify wasn't sure she'd be able to do it.
But... A leading force in the IFF? When had he gotten such a position?
"I see..." Saify said, digesting all the information, "He wouldn't have gotten to where he was without hiding his identity. He must have been using a false name and story..." She looked up, "I have a friend in the IFF who knows some things about the leaders, she can tell me about him, probably. Do you know the alias he was using?" She opened her menus and brought up a PM to her friend, already starting to type out the message.