[RP] The Bloodline

[MellasFenixxes]

"A Desperate Departure"

Jacula's lies had seemingly convinced Mellas, yet her alignment was still to be revealed. Would she aid Jacula in capturing Mogweh, and thus quench his obsession?

The day was young, azure rays only just starting to rise over the tops of the hills covering the area to the Bronze Doors. It's a beautiful sight to see, time and time anew. The peace that nature brings, giving a certain wrecked mind at least a little bit of fresh air to think. The blonde nolthrir glanced in the direction of the burial well, a place of death, darkness, the opposition of the feelings that were discovered there. Love, care, devotion... Did the place leave a curse upon them? Was it a sign, the time that they both died at the same time? She in the sewers, and he in the Bronze Doors?

Shaking her head quickly, she does her best to focus on her task and runs a hand through her messy hair, the wind having done a perfect job of leaving it as bewildered and chaotic as her current state of mind. She had to find the only one who took care of her, when no one else was there. She had to find him, and lead him to her lover. Just like once, she had to kill him to rescue her lover. It didn't make any sense, it never made any sense.

A sad smile crosses her face when she spots Mogweh, staring out into the distance. He was alone with his drifter, relaxing on the lush grass and most likely enjoying the moment of pure silence, far from the world of civilization. Part of her didn't want to disturb him, but she had to tell him... she had to let him know...

Mellas looks out over the scenery once more, before climbing up the mountain towards a familiar figure. 'Mogweh?' she asks softly. 'Been looking for you.' Mogweh glances over to the familiar sweet voice of Mellas, and lowering his hood he smiles,'Hello Llas, well you've found me.' He holds his hand up to her cheek, where Jacula hit her the day before, and stares at it for a moment, before lowering it and shaking his head, his face emotionless, calculating and cold,'This has to end Mellas' he says in a soft monotone. Mellas shifts her head away from Mogweh's paw, lowering her gaze to the grass before her feet. 'It ended. He apologized,' she replies, 'Don't worry about me, you have to worry a lot more about yourself, as you know.'

Mogweh inhales, then exhales long and slow before he replies. 'Yes, and it's worse than you think. Before I spoke with you I met with a member of the house of Cheshire. A menki by the name of Shoraal. We talked of a... collaboration between myself and them to capture and imprison Jacula. However, I saw Emmara meeting with Jacula a week ago, half way along the Ojaveda road, and I get the feeling that these foolish simpletons have made a deal with him behind my back. Too busy sniffing each others scents to have any common sense of there own, it would appear.' So that leaves me with very little choice' he pauses looking hard at the Nolthrir as if trying to read her thoughts. Mellas' pointed ears perk up as she listens intently to Mogweh's retelling of what he saw, and shakes her head. 'I doubt they have... but I also doubt they make good allies for you either way. It's a rather weak gathering of Enkidukai, that House of Cheshire, if you don't mind me saying so.' Seeming to become a little bit more comfortable, she stretches her legs out before her. 'Jacula is after you... and he means to kill you, as you already know. Will you confront him?' Her question is simple, sincere, without expectations.

Mogweh stares ahead and replies flatly,'No, my plan is to leave, with you, to the Stone Labyrinths until all this has died down and the Black Flame finally sees him for the liability he is and removes him from the interior of Yliakum' he continues staring ahead, hardly daring to breath as he awaits her response. Mellas lets herself fall back into the grass, looking up at the sky with unusually blank eyes. 'Then there is something I must do instead. It seems that the whisper has given Jacula the order to kill me, so my days are counted. He said he would try to protect me from the whisper, which will certainly claim his death as well.' The blonde Nolthrir falls silent, listening to the chirping of birds around them, as if the day was never brighter. 'Life will go on either way,' she muses.

Mogweh hisses through his teeth in irritation,'Oh wake up Mellas, you really believe *that*. You are too valuable an asset alive to the Whisper. Your contacts with people in Yliakum are still good, you just need to be seen to be removed from Jacula's company. They would trust you again. Neither of us have done anything to displease the Whisper.' He breathes heavily for a some time trying to regain his composure. Mellas closes her eyes, obvious disagreement crossing her face as it hardens. 'I would set that foul library on fire! I would spread letters of the temple's whereabouts all around Yliakum, I want to blasted destroy that filthy altar and all of the victims it's made! But it'll kill them if I do... It'll kill them!' she grits her teeth together, hands clenched into fists beside her as she tries to regain her cool.

Mogweh turns and says,'Well it sounds like we are all going to die what ever happens, so I say lets get out of here now and take our chances in the Labyrinths. We may only have a day, a week, a month, but it will be our day, week or month. Our time, where *we* decide what to do with our lives. ' he pauses and leans towards Mellas ,'Look, I know what we have in life is luck, lets end our time making our own luck. Not dancing to the so called tune of the Whisper.' Mellas sighs and rolls to the side, making her way back up on her two feet. 'Then there is something I must do first,' she says, possibly a little upset. 'If you would please excuse me...' and she begins to walk off, hands on the hilts of her sabres.

Mogweh steps up to her and puts his arm out to embrace her,'Well at least lets part properly in each others arms' he says with warm smile on his face. Mellas gives him an affectionate hug, squeezing him lightly before drawing back. 'Look, Mogweh, I have to do this on my own, okay? Will you meet me at the Stonehead later on?'

Mogweh wraps his arms around her, the soft folds of his velvet cloak warm and inviting as he utters a single word, 'Sleep' The energy of the sleep glyph in his hand flows through her as he watches her eyes for a reaction. Mellas frowns as her attempt to pull back doesn't seem to work as well as she thought it would, her eyelids growing unexpectedly heavy, her limbs falling to the side as she slumps in Mogweh's embrace. 'Why?' she murmurs, the sleep spell quickly taking effect over her body. 'I have to finish...' Mogweh gently lowers the Nolthrir to the ground and summons his drifter before lifting her on to its back and mounting the beast himself. Gripping the reigns he turns for the Bronze doors and the infinite hiding places it possesses...

The next day, Jacula's groffel receives a gentle scratching behind the ears and a short note attached to its collar.
"Mogweh will meet you by the stonehead".

[jaculapundactum]

"The Punishment"

"The next day, Jacula's groffel receives a gentle scratching behind the ears and a short note attached to its collar."
"Mogweh will meet you by the stonehead".

Jacula stood in the far stretching outskirts of Gurgontid, surrounded by the lush wilderness it held. His unwavering gaze lingered over a nearby body of water where a unknown demorian sat. The fauna provided a sufficient camouflage as he watched the unsuspecting woman, enticed by her lithe frame which was reflected in the glistening water. He ran a few fingers through his unkempt hair as his interest peaked, several urges instantly infusing his mind. Why was it that such a fragile form had sought herself outside the safety of the city?. Picturing others as prey and himself as a hunter had grown to be a frequently accruing mind-set. As if his instincts had grown to be similar to that of an animals, hungering for the flesh of lesser beings. He unconsciously let his fingers dance over the pommel of his sword, it's serrated blade resting in a sheathe strapped to his belt. To claim the energy of another by ending their life was an intoxicating feeling, to rise above a lesser entity by tormenting it even better. To feed on fear and submission a twisted enjoyment. Just as he decided to approach his prey a groffel stumbled through the rough terrain, falling at his feet in exhaustion. The small animal poked his leather boot with it's beak, irritated he ripped his eyes of the unexpected woman and leaned down to remove the note attached to it's collar. His breathing grew heavier as his eyes wandered over each letter in turn before he crumpled the note in his hand. Fueled by obsession he silently departed, making his way through the wilderness in haste as he left the unknown woman with her illusion of safety.

The origin of the massive stonehead was unknown to him, yet the morbid caves that could be found within was a place he had frequented in his studies. He pondered the content of the note as he skulked closer, his obsession rendering him inclined to capture Mogweh as quick as possible only to have him tormented until he begged for death. Yet soon enough paranoid thoughts sought themselves into his mind. Why would Mogweh willingly meet him in a secluded area? the last time they stood face to face the menki had trembled, Seemingly startled by his menacing presence. Mogweh's mind was weak in that regard. Yet he was not a fool. had he drawn him into a trap? his speculation was soon soothed as he realized that Mellas must have sent him the note, given the trademark handwriting. He moved even closer to the opening, and suddenly a voice exuded from it..

A sneering voice could be heard from within the stonehead, echoing through the caverns and up through the mouth, like a teasing whisper. 'Come find me between the dead... if you've got the guts... pal.'
 
Jacula narrowed his eyes in disbelief, yet fueled by his obsession he swiftly entered the darkness. His heart pounding violently as he made his way down the mouth-shaped opening of the stonehead. In the same moment a shadow of a menki appeared close to Jacula as he entered the burial well. His figure was entirely cloaked, voice heavy and muffled. 'So I was told you needed to speak with me?' he sneered angrily, seemingly making sure to remain in the cover of darkness.

Jacula glared at Mogweh and raised a glyph wasting little time as he attacked him. Violent energy began to glow around it as stones where ripped from the very earth and hurled at him at incredible speed. Mogweh stepped back and instantly raised a glypth of his own, a defensive wind blazing up around him as several stones where casted in various directions. Yet the force of the spell flung him back against the wall. He snarled at the ynnwn. 'That all I need to come here for? That all you got?'

Jacula kept his glyph pointed at Mogweh without saying a word. As the stones crashed into the walls around them with deafening thuds he casted the spell again, trying to send Mogweh to the ground as a powerful surge of mana was drained from him, several stones flung in the menkis direction.

The cloaked menki did not move to evade the stones this time, absorbing his attack head on and fell to his knees with an arm around his chest, coughing. The stones having crushed various parts of his body, leaving him bleeding internally. Yet he grinned at the ynnwn. Jacula felt an uncontrollable anger bubble up inside him as Mogweh fell to his knees, perplexed by his stupidity in facing him alone.  He drew his serrated sword from the sheathe in his belt and slowly approached Mogweh, keeping the glyph raised against him.

Mogweh groaned, the voice muffled by the cloth covering his mouth. As Jacula drew near he raised a fake-looking paw to pull his hood slightly lower. 'Revenge... feels good, doesn't it?' he said, spitting some blood to the side. Jacula stopped as Mogweh pulled his hood lower, squinting to make out his features as he kept his sword at the ready. The malign glow in his eyes grew brighter at the sight of the blood. He approached as he pointed the sword at the menki 'Wipe that whelpish grin of your face' he exclaimed in a deep, disturbing voice.

Mogweh refused to stop smirking underneath the cloth, though the reason why could have been to increase of Jacula's violence, and the malevolent glow in his eyes. 'Well,' he replied, keeping his voice low. 'What if I don't?' Jacula moved even closer, trying to stab the tip of his blade into Mogweh's shoulder given his arrogant response. The alleged menki couldn't hold his disguise much longer, an uncharacteristically -high- yelp appeared from his lips when the blade cut into his shoulder, tearing into the thick cloak that covered him entirely. Jacula felt the recoil rush through his arm as the blade burrowed into Mogweh's shoulder. He tried to kick him in the face as he pulled the blade from his flesh, blood splattering all over as he did.

Mogweh closed his eyes tightly, biting his lip to stop from screaming against the fierce pain. His face was jerked roughly to the side by the kick, and now it seemed that all he had to do was to remain as quiet as possible. Thinking that his time was near. Jacula bent down and placed his hand on Mogwehs thick hood, trying to reveal his face as he kept his sword pointed at him, as if he was about to let the blade sink into his chest any second.

Mogweh raised his paw and grasped Jacula's hand the moment he reached to undo his disguise. 'No,' he growled, as low as he could. 'You needed me to die for Mellas to live, just finish it and leave me my privacy.' Jacula let his eyes narrow in suspicion as he grasped his hand. He violently ripped the hood from his head, revealing his face as he snarled. Too consumed by the moment to speak a word.

Mogweh lowered his head the moment Jacula ripped the hood away none the less, revealing a bunch of blonde locks, a light azure face, and two downcast hazel eyes. The fake fur falls from away from the light skin, and the fake paws are shaken off. No need to hide anymore, the disguise failed. Mogweh was never there.

Jacula stepped back in shock, his eyes widening in anger as he looked down at Mellas. He tightened the grip on his blade, as his breathing grew more violent, as if about to burst any second. Mellas had betrayed him, and he found himself numbed in disbelief.

The elf swallowed carefully, a faint taste of blood on her tongue. Yet she did not move, not because she did not want to, but because she couldn't given the violent punishment she had endured. Neither did she try to activate her healing glyphs. She tried to focus her mind away from the pain instead. 'Finish it,' she growled, looking up at Jacula, battered, broken, and bleeding. When he didn't respond, she closed her eyes and let her thoughts travel back to the moment in the Bronze Doors, where the real Mogweh would most likely be right now, or maybe he had already passed through the gates to the land of freedom.. Wherever he was, the thought that he was alive gave her a feeling of comfort. Mogweh did not deserve Jacula's wrath. She thought back on their encounter, as if trying to escape the harsh predicament she found herself in..

Mogweh gently lowered the Nolthrir to the ground and summoned his drifter before lifting her on to it's back and mounting the beast himself. Gripping the reigns he turned for the Bronze doors and the infinite hiding places it possessed.

Mellas murmured something in her magical sleep, turning on her side. It sounded a lot like... 'not finished...' and ...'will fix this.' Mogweh gently stroked the cheek of the sleeping nolthrir as she lay curled up against him, wrapped up warmly in his thick velvet cloak,'Shhhhhhh, rest, dream...' he said softly as he filled her with a wave of Azure energy, ensorcelling her mind with the imaginary landscape of freedom beyond the great gate. Sunny meadows, crystal clear lakes and rolling hills filled with the laughter of her and Mogweh as they ran unfettered and free at last. She had a peaceful expression sliding over her face the moment scenic images appeared in her mind, a feeling of freedom. No sign of the whisper, no sign of darkness, a place all would dream to live. Yet, there's a small shiver in her frame as she slowly stirred, her eyes fluttering open to meet with the faint light in the caverns of the Bronze Doors. 'Moggy?' she murmured, trying to adjust herself to this new situation. 'Where am I?'

Mogweh shifted uneasily as Mellas spoke and his spell was broken. He blinked a couple of times and gradually his eyes focused in on the beautiful Nolthrir in his arms, 'We are at the Bronze Doors, gateway to what I believe to be our salvation. You of course may see that differently, but I wanted just one more day with you, and one full night of uninterrupted sleep for you.' he said smiling kindly but his face marred with a shadow of grief. 'It has been close, *he* has come looking for us. I've seen his rivnak passing.' Mellas blinked a couple of times, rubbing her eyes as she sat up and looked around, the wood creaking slightly beneath her as she moved. 'T-the Bronze Doors? You took me the way to -' she broke the sentence and slowly shook her head. 'I don't want you to die, Mogweh. And honestly, I don't want to die either.' Her voice became a soft whisper as she stroked her stomach. 'I have to go back, but you... you can go and leave for the labyrinths. Save your skin, your fur.'

The menki shaked his head sadly. 'What you are saying, it doesn't make sense. What are you going back to… When we spoke on the ledge you finally admitted how you saw him for what he was. What is there to go back to?' he said, his breathing wasslow and deep, a loud rushing of air coming from within his chest.

Yes, what was there to go back to?

Mellas smiled a bit sadly and reached out to scratch him lightly behind one ear. 'Yes, I know. I have confronted him, and he slapped me across the face. I ran... ran and never meant to return. But he followed me.' The smile on her face grew a little wider. 'It's going to be all right, I can solve this between you two, I can at least try. When I'm done, I will send you a note to meet me.' He stared unmoving at Mellas as she spoke. 'He hit you? You ran never to return. He followed, and now you can solve this?' he said incredulously. 'It sounds to me Mellas, like you ran and made the right decision, he panicked and told you what you needed to hear to gain control of you. He is a base liar Mellas. He has lied to the one who he professed to have given his heart to, for years. There is nothing to be gained by running back there, nothing.' he spat the last words out in contempt.

The nolthrir carefully made her way up on to her feet and stretched out, still smiling, though this time more convinced. 'Yes Mogweh, I can solve this. You will hear from me soon enough, this is the best way, trust me!' She tried to brush her golden locks with azure fingers, rearranging the flowers in her hair that had fallen out during her sleep. 'Whether he is a liar or not, it does not matter any more, you will see when you receive my note.'

Mogweh snatched his cloak around himself and lifted it's hood around his face, his mouth forming into a sneer, deep within it. 'You may leave. As for myself I head for the labyrinths and freedom. You have had your chances Mel-las' he spat out her name spitefully. 'You may embrace your own fate - alone' A deep hissing of air erupted from the back of his throat and he glowered at her, his azure eyes glowing from within the hood.

Mellas reached for a small piece of parchment and graphite and began to write a simple letter. Meanwhile, she brushed the ring on her left hand to summon Jacula's groffel, tying the small note to its collar. 'Off you go,' she murmured, then nodded thankfully to Mogweh. Yet, the sneering voice hurt her, and with her head bowed, she followed the groffel down the stairs. 'Don't go too far... for my note to reach you...' she added softly. The note she knew she might never ever be sending, but who knew…

He sat there with his arms folded, staring at Mellas, his body slightly shaking and his breathing now softer but occasionally interrupted from its rather erratic rhythm. She bit her lip and hesitated, giving him one last look before she vanishes down the wooden ladder, her hand trembling slightly as she held on. 'Be safe then, wherever you are...’

Back inside the dark, twisting tunnels of the stonehead, the nolthrir opened her eyes to stare at the menacing ynnwn before her, almost not believing or recognizing him anymore.  Was this what the others were facing when they spoke of a monster attacking them? Was this what he had become? It was as fascinating as it was frightening, to finally see the madness crawling under his skin, to finally truly understand what Mogweh spoke of. Maybe there was another reason why she needed to return...

'He didn't wish to see you, he left for the labyrinths.' She had answered him.

Maybe not the best thing to say, but it was more like she needed to give an explanation about what happened, about why she was there and pretended to be the one he was looking for. Yet it didn’t matter whether she spoke, probably not even if she screamed or cried, Jacula still wouldn’t utter a word to her. Instead, he leaned down and took hold of her ankle, beginning to haul her over the ground deeper into the burial well, as the anger in his eyes growing more powerful.

Mellas moaned in pain and reached out with her hands to lift herself, to lessen the damage. Yet soon enough she realized that there was no way to fight him, she closed her eyes as tightly as she could and just let him drag her over the ground, preparing to either meet up with Dakkru, or an eternal darkness...

TO BE CONTINUED

[jaculapundactum]

"When Love And Death Embrace"

"Mellas moaned in pain and reached out with her hands to lift herself, to lessen the damage. Yet soon enough she realized that there was no way to fight him, she closed her eyes as tightly as she could and just let him drag her over the ground, preparing to either meet up with Dakkru, or an eternal darkness..."

The dry ambiance of the cave caused Jacula's breathing to grow hoarse. the grip around Mellas ankle tightening as he hauled her deeper into the darkness, a malign anger infused his body, leaving veins throbbing out of his forehead as the vague echo's of Mellas agonized moans filled the cave. He was still in disbelief of what she had done, choosing to sacrifice herself for the sake of Mogweh. He gritted his teeth as the mere thought seemed to disgust him. He could easily had carried her into the cave given the extent of her injuries. Yet the pain she received from being hauled over the rocky ground seemed justified due to her betrayal. He eventually grew tired of waiting, deciding to place her in a helpless state where he could confront her of her betrayal. His eyes glowing with the malicious thoughts which had consumed his mind.

Jacula took hold of Mellas’ shoulders and positioned her up against a nearby rock, kneeling down in front of her. His eyes still held a chaotic glow inside them. He stared obsessively at her as he almost roared 'Do you realize what you have done?' She had cried out during the long walk, her back and clothes having been scrubbed raw from the rocks, stones and dirt on the cave floor. When finally up against the rock, she could barely reply, her head falling back limply. 'Save... you both...' she managed to murmur.

In his mind Mogweh had clearly deceived her. Leaving her seemingly blind to his vile nature. Jacula had thought that she would had seen him for what he really was after he had tried to defile her. Instead she had foolishly defended the menki, leaving him an opportunity to flee Jacula's wrath with his tail between his legs. The idea of Mogweh walking away without suffering caused his blood to boil, his demeanor growing increasingly violent.

Jacula shook his head frantically, as if trying to keep himself from a violent outburst 'You have betrayed me for the last time!' he sneered as he placed his hand on her chest, focusing on a spell. A weak flash of crystal magic soon infused her body. Illuminating the cave as it began to heal some of her wounds. Mellas felt the tears burn in her eyes and she did her best not to show the pain. His little skill in crystal magic offering her enough healing to breathe more easily, and decreasing the chance of infection as various wounds closed neatly. 'He is innocent, Jacula, he did not harm you! You can leave for the labyrinths too, be free, I'll be the distraction the whisper needs!' she exclaimed earnestly.

Jacula instantly let his stiff fingers close around her throat 'You gullible fool!' he snarled loudly. 'The whisper knows all, it sees all... You can't run, you can't hide!' he looked disgusted as the thought of what had to be done crossed his mind, his eyes fluttering slightly. She twitches and struggled to breathe anew when his fingers closed around her throat, her hazel eyes widening in surprise at both his actions and his hurtful words. 'You said the whisper needed a distraction, either me or Mogweh needed to die whereas I seem to be guilty, and Mogweh is not!' she managed to say between gasps for air.

In Jacula's mind Mogweh's alleged innocence didn't matter anymore. Watching Jaida slowly burn to death had don't little to sooth his obsession. Mogweh would had found himself tortured under his blades until death had Mellas not intervened. She had no doubt warned him, and now he had ran into the labyrinths. Jacula realized what punishment awaited him for his betrayal towards the temple, framing one of It's members and deceiving the rest. He realized that Mellas would be dealt with first, leaving him nothing left before finally ending him as well. A form of punishment which he knew that the Blackflame had implemented in the past. Irregardless he was determined not to let Mogweh escape without fear and anguish plaguing him. He wanted the menki to sleep with one eye open in fear of the dark of night, constantly tormented by the guilt and paranoia given his cowardice. He soon realized what should be done, giving both his obsession and Mellas justice.
 
Mellas's hands reached up to peel Jacula's fingers from her throat. 'Don't be a fool yourself! Or did you still not tell me the truth?' Jacula trailed his hand upwards, his fingers eventually closed around her jaw and held it shut. 'You just killed me... Melamin. Your naive faith of the good in people blind you… If you have the means to contact him summon it, for there is a final goodbye I wish him to receive.'

Mellas seemed thoroughly confused, staring at her lover through tear-filled eyes as she tries to speak. 'After all I've done to protect you... I thought you wanted to stop this darkness within you, this madness. If I just killed you, what's the use in ending me, ending Mogweh, an innocent?' she whispered, stopping her tries to free herself from his hand, resting them on his arm instead as his fingers tightened around her jaw.

Jacula began to search her fingers for a ring of summoning. As he eventually found it he violently pulled it from her finger. Letting Jacula rip the ring from her finger, she limply fell back against the stone as she looked at him, confused. 'What are you doing?' He held the ring up into the vague portion of illumination in the cave, watching it glisten before putting it in the pocket of his robe. He drew a knife from the sheath in his belt, running the blade through her blonde hair before cutting away a lock. He was fueled by his obsession, taking no time to realize what he was doing.' The creature summoned by this ring will find him, will it not?' he sneered obsessively.

Mellas touched her hair, shifting her bruised back against the stone uncomfortably as the knife passed close by her face. 'The creature summoned by this ring? It would be your ring, remember?' she whispered softly, thinking back of the time at the gazebo, where they switched their summoner's rings. 'I don't understand, melamin, why?'

Jacula reached for a vial in one of his pouches, his breathing growing faster as he poured it's content over his dagger. The blade glistened as the green liquid seeped down its intricate edge. He lowered his gaze slightly as he placed his hand on her shoulder 'You are too good for this world melamin... Too blind for the harsh reality it holds.' He let his eyes meet hers from under his hood as the violent energy once again claimed them, his obsession guiding his hand as he tried to stab the dagger into her heart.

Mellas had looked at Jacula as he prepared the dagger with a strange liquid she had never seen before, but her fears told her the worst. Things would’ve been so much easier if he would’ve just killed her in the belief that she was Mogweh. Her thoughts trailed back to a moment with that same, caring menki… when he asked her if Jacula still was the ynnwn she knew all that time ago. “You said that once we found him that you would be happy together, are you? Has he given you the love you deserve?” Mellas thought back when he asked her, back on the times when she met her lover after his regained freedom from the dark temple, closing her eyes as one after the other flies by. The time when she shared her meeting with his sister, his gentle, yet angry reaction. The time he asked Aces for their protection in the gazebo, his stumped finger... Thidin's whisper "you can't escape your fate, Mellas, hasn't he talked with you?", the various threats on her lover, and the various threats from him to her friends... The memories swiftly go even farther back. Picnics, his proposal by the warm fire in Kada's, playing hide and seek... A strange contrast with the current coldness of his changing nature.

Back then, she had turned to Mogweh and smiled. 'He has given me more than I deserve.'

But now… had he really? Had her hope for him always been forlorn?
His breathing grew faster as he felt the dagger's razor sharp tip burrow into her chest, piercing her heart. The green liquid was a poison which had been extracted from the deadly Arangma. He had studied the branches of alchemy, yet his skills where still lacking. The harsh reality of the moment soon revealed itself to him as the obsessive compulsions which claimed his mind faded.

'My love?' she had asked, searching for his eyes as her lips parted to tell him a last secret, the poisoned dagger piercing her heart only seconds after. She never got the chance to confirm, though… didn’t he already know? 'I carry... your child...' Her hands twitched momentarily in their search for his, before her eyes slowly fell shut, her body slipped down the rough stone behind her, dead.

Jacula felt his heart skip a beat given her last words. His hand trembling around the dagger before he let it go, he leaned forward. His head pressed against her shoulder as he closed his eyes. A tear sought its way down his cheek, yet his obsession remained unfulfilled. He placed a hand on her cheek and kissed her softly on the forehead. Knowing that they could never truly be together in this life, as he had grown to be a malign shell of who he once was. His thoughts wandered back to the times of past, yet his obsession soon claimed his mind once again. Maybe they could be together in true death? forever..

'We will soon be together my love... We will soon be together.'

Jacula carefully slid the ring he had given her as he proposed off her finger, squeezing it tightly in the palm of his hand as he sat before Mellas. Her body began to lighten, becoming a pure pale as the blood stopped flowing within her. The green poison spread swiftly, doing its work in utter silence as her body didn't fade away. Yet, on her face there was a peaceful expression, even if there where tear stains on her cheeks, even if she had various wounds covering her skin. Who knew, maybe there was more light within the complete darkness than we ever knew of.

Jacula gently grasped Mellas arms and crossed them over her chest, rising to his feet as he boiled with anger and sorrow, his obsession having rendered him to kill his beloved for the sake of causing Mogweh as much suffering as possible, and to save her from the fate the Blackflame would had bestowed upon her. He looked down at her peaceful expression as he exclaimed 'Rest my love... Soon I will join you.' He then departed with heavy steps, his obsession fueling his twisted mind.

A strange sensation crept up on him as he made his way out of the burial well, leaving his beloved in it's cold depth. He summoned his rivnak and rode through the thick wilderness, stopping at nothing as he repeatedly kicked it in it's sides with his heels. With nothing to lose an inner chaos consumed his mind, the heavy thuds of the rivnak picking up speed filling his ears. His breathing grew uneven, his grasps on the rivnaks reigns tightening. His mannerism like that of a starved beast, slowly closing in on It's prey. As he entered the far stretching outskirts of the bronze doors he rode until the legs of his mount could take no more, it's bloodied shins shuddering under his weight.
He slid out of the saddle, landing on the ground with a heavy thud. He decided to cover the last distance on foot, and so it was the he found himself before the great doors leading to the labyrinths. He reached into the pocket of his robe, squeezing the ring he had plucked from Mellas finger in his palm. He summoned the groffel it held with a flick of his wrist, taking the time to write a letter which he strapped to It's collar. Being sure to attach a lock of Mellas blond hair to the parchment.

"He summoned the groffel it held with a flick of his wrist, taking the time to write a letter which he strapped to It's collar."
He sent the small creature through the gates in search of Mogweh, yet there was no feeling of closure to be had. He took a deep screeching breath as he closed his eyes, knowing that he had taken everything from him. His obsession partially fulfilled, yet at what cost?. Nightfall soon beckoned, shadows seeped over the outskirts. Embracing it's lush fields of grass and trees in darkness. He turned and made his way back to his exhausted mount, ready to stand before the Blackflame and take his punishment, ready to join Mellas in true death.. Where they would be together, forever?

[garoninja]

[I beleive that this a good time to add a
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
to the forums]

[Sarras Volcae]

[i like this ending  ]

[jaculapundactum]

"Servility"

He turned and made his way back to his exhausted mount, ready to stand before the Blackflame and take his punishment, ready to join Mellas in true death.. Where they would be together, forever?

Hydlaa seemed clad in a deplorable shade of grey as he rode through the gates. As if It's otherwise colorful and lively ambiance had faded into a hollow nothingness. He wasted little time in making his way to the sewers, having accepted what awaited it felt as if he was already dead. The world around him slowly but surely fading, gently embracing him in a calm and caring serenity.

The gruel like sewage splattered over the filthy stones as Jacula slowly walked into the depths of the catacombs that laid hidden underground. His menacing shadow wandered over the walls as he tightened the grip on his torch, rats shunning his presence in fear. The echoes of his heavy steps bounced against the walls as he found himself standing before the hidden entrance which would lead one into the temple. The ancient mechanism slowly opened, allowing him entry into the enclave of those devoted to the Blackflame. The intricate floors where covered in dust, as where the various bookshelf's looming from the floors, containing the tomes of old.

A distinct icy ambiance made itself known as he slowly made his way through the main chamber. Entering one of the narrow tunnels which led him to the altar. The silence held a disturbing feeling to it, It's otherwise serene effect failing to sooth his mind. He let his torch fall out of his hand and land with a hollow thud, It's flames soon smothered by the cold stone which adorned the floor in a exquisite pattern. He approached the altar and fell to his knees on the stone dais which served as It's base, his head slouching forward as he awaited the punishment for his betrayal. The seconds that passed seemed like an eternity, his imposing frame shivering slightly, never one to be truly intimidated. Yet he knew that one who did not fear the masters power was nothing but a fool. He held Mellas ring tightly in the palm of his hand, his breathing growing deeper as he came to accept the idea of being joined with her in true death.

Yet death never came. His initial approach soon shattering as the ambiance around him remained. He rose to his feet, his grip tightening around Mellas ring as he breathing grew heavier, tortured by the constant silence. His eyes darted around the room as he roared 'What are you waiting for!?'. His echo was the only answer given, the room soon regaining It's unbearable silence. His breathing grew frantic as his hands began to shudder, the lack of an answer growing increasingly torturous.

A figure stepped out of the shadows of the room, her purple cloak scraped over the intricate floors as she inched closer. Jacula turned at the sound of movement, his eyes focusing in on the small stature and smooth mannerism of the approaching figure. The garment has been stained by the filth of the sewers, yet it still gave It's bearer a certain appearance of grace and elegance. The cloaked figure let the hood fall to her shoulders, revealing a strikingly beautiful face. Jacula swallowed a lump in his throat as he looked upon the beautiful ylian, his head instantly lowering in respect. It was Serana who stood before him, his tutor and in many ways his mother. Their paths had crossed years ago, the distinct memory reminding itself as she placed a soft scented hand on his disfigured cheek. "Jacula.. You have grown" she said as her lips parted in a soft smile. He had been but a child as he had been beaten and thrown into the sewers for his crimes. Never to look upon the sunlight again, had it not been for Serana.

Jacula, a boy sent astray. Walking the path of evil deeds. Schooled in theft and deceit was he, as he roamed the rotten street's of Hydlaa in his youth. through stealing, robbery and lies he made his way. Yet the guilt of his crimes slowly ate him alive. How it pained his heart to put his filthy blade to the throats of innocents. Only to stay alive another day, Only to repeat the deeds the next. For days, months and years it slowly ate away at him from the inside.

One day he could no longer cope with the guilt of his deeds. As an old dwarf pleaded him not to take his hard earned tria, the guilt guided his hand into dropping his knife. Only to be struck to the ground by his victim shortly after. The guards had dragged him through the city, his vision blurred from the forceful blow. Yet they would not waste their time with scum like him for long, he knew this. Not fighting back as they almost ripped him apart between themselves. Beating him into unconsciousness only to throw him down a manhole in the filthy street. He plunged into the sewers, never to look upon the azure sun again, where he could never hurt another person. Hoping that he would slowly dissolve in the stench which guarded those hidden and forgotten.

Battered and bruised he had struggled to his feet. The darkness scared him so.. With fear in his eyes he skulked the depth of what would be his tomb. The tears of his victims slowly replaying in his head, their screams and pleads ringing in his ears. For days and nights the young boy walked the filth, three rats following his every step. Eager to sink their teeth into the boy, even if he was mere skin and bone. Eventually his burning thirst and hunger brought him to his knees, the rats moving closer, lurking in every shadow. Their hissing had echoed against the walls. The boy closed his eyes, hiding his face in his palms as they moved closer. He had been shaking in fear, yet he had been too weak to rise to his feet. Wondering if this was how the victims of his desperate deeds had felt.

He had opened his eyes as a sudden slash of a sword severed the head of the rat before him, another stomped upon with a loud crack, leaving its spine broken. The third kicked into the wall, hitting it with a echoing thud. He shook visibly, the tall female Ylian standing in front of him placed her bloodied sword on the ground. Holding him close to her as she kneeled in the sewage before him. A cold smile upon her face 'Shh.. ' she whispered 'You may call me Serana, don't be scared'. He looked up, her beautifully glistening eyes making him forget all about the darkness around him. He had never been truly held by another person before, the warmth of her embrace in contrast with the cold sewer making him feel safe. She lit a small fire, covering his bruised body in a warm blanket, Placing his head in her lap. Carefully running her fingers through his dirty hair 'It's going to be alright, I'm here to protect you' she had whispered before glancing at the beheaded rat nearby 'You must be hungry' she had said as she slowly stroked the filth from his ragged hair.

The smell of rat meat roasting over the fire filled the sewer, the boy ate heartily. His greedy lips sucking the meat of the bones as he looked up at Serana from time to time, she had looked delighted. Fascinated as she had watched him eat like the rat meat was the meal of a king. He licked his finger's looking up at her with a appreciative smile. 'Come, there i someone i want you to meet' she had whispered before taking his hand, leading him deeper into the sewers. They walked for a while, the only sound breaking the silence being their uneven steps. Serana suddenly stopped, bowing gracefully as a demorian had stepped out of the shadows. The elf observed Jacula with a firm glare before looking back at Serana 'So you found a filthy little clacker.. What do we call him?'. She looked down at the boy 'What is your name child?' her warm smile having filled him with a sense of security. The boy clung to her hand as he looked up at the demorian 'J-Jacula' he stuttered with fright in his eyes. The elf smiled solemnly 'Call me Relliom, clacker.' he had looked back at Serana and nodded slightly, before cracking Jacula over the head with his wand. He fell back in the sewage, his vision blurred and ears ringing. Yet he can feel Serana's soft scented hand on his cheek. His eyes closed at he had drifted off. Carried him to the temple where the whisper had been planted in his mind.

Her touch was soft and caring, yet he knew that her grace and beauty was deceptive, failing to mirror the cold and ruthless person which rested within. Her intentions remained unknown to him, his grip on Mellas ring tightening as a wave of hopelessness washed over him. Serana carefully grasped his hand, his steel enclosed fingers offering little resistance as she opened it. Jacula swallowed hard as she plucked the ring from his palm, weakened by her mere presence. She studied the ring briefly before letting it fall to the ground, his eyes snapping to where it landed. She withdrew her hand from his cheek, her fingers brushing over his disfigured lips before she turned and said 'Come, there is something I wish to show you.'

Jacula shuddered slightly as he looked down at the ring where it laid on the cold floor. His gaze was eventually ripped of it, lingering Serana as she stepped into the shadows of a nearby tunnel. He submissively followed her with heavy steps, The icy ambiance the altar room held fading as he entered the main chamber. She stood by a nearby shelf, her glistening eyes wandering over the various books it held. Serana's lips parted in a cold smile as she removed one of them from It's place, trailing her fingers over the intricate leather bound frame as she looked back at Jacula 'Closer' she said softly, upon which he approached obediently.

Jacula felt another shiver forcefully embrace his spine where he stood, his hands shaking slightly in her presence. 'Kneel' she said in the same soft, deceptive tone of voice. Upon which he fell to his knees, bowing his head submissively. Malign thoughts filled his mind where he sat, disgusted by his own servility. He felt as weak as he had been so many years ago, without the means to hide it. Serana let another cold smile adorn her lips as she watched him shudder 'I want to tell you a story. Listen well and absorb It's meaning'.

Jacula felt his heart pound heavily within his chest, his eyes locked onto her. As if everything around them seized to exist. He lowered his head further, as Serana carefully flipped through the pages of the book. Eventually stopping as she began to read for him. His eyes wandered over It's bleached leather cover which read "D'herrid, Book Of Rising"

"Using his spear as the cane for which to steady his wavering gait, he ascended the incline. Nay, not true steps of stone befell his path, nor of wood. The stacked bodies of foe and ally alike set grip to his path. His spear point gave steady hold in his climb, plunging deep in the flesh of those not fit to give further air to breath. It was only he who lived, and only he who deserved the climb. His brother's own face he stepped upon to push himself lastly over the wall. Reward belonged only to him."

Serana stopped as she looked down at Jacula where he kneeled, her lips forming in another cold smile. The pounding within his chest grew increasingly violent as cold sweat began to seek It's way down his brow, his ebon eyes meeting her gaze briefly. Before adverting them submissively 'You know what I have done..'. Serana stepped closer to him after putting the book back in place in the shelf 'I do my child, the question is. Do you?'

Jacula's breathing grew heavier as the passage she had read to him began to make sense. His submissive mannerism transcending into a violent one as he rose to his feet, his menacing stature looming far above Serana's. He searched his mind as she stood before him, realizing the intent of her words.

"The stacked bodies of foe and ally alike set grip to his path."

He felt his hands tighten into fists, violent energy burning in his eyes as he transfixed his gaze with the floor 'No..'. Serana moved up to him, placing a hand on one of his heavily reinforced pauldrons 'She was not truly devoted my child. Her usefulness was spent long ago. Don't cling onto the past'. He felt the rage within him rise as she rested her hand on his shoulder, his voice transcending into a snarl "NO!'. Every fiber in his body wanted to reach out and rip his tutor to shreds, yet the power she held over him soon brought a sense of hopelessness to his mind. Leaving him unable to act out on his instincts.

"His spear point gave steady hold in his climb, plunging deep in the flesh of those not fit to give further air to breath."

He slowly but surely felt malign urges claim his mind, yet he remained in his predicament. As if something greater than Serana herself had locked his body in place. The cold smile adorning her lips remained as she spoke 'You have served your god without realizing it child, take pride in what you have accomplished'.

"It was only he who lived, and only he who deserved the climb. His brother's own face he stepped upon to push himself lastly over the wall."

The miserable reality of the situation was soon made clear to him. He had entered the temple seeking the end, wanting to join his beloved in true death. Yet slowly he began to realize that he had been but a tool in the masters hand, cleansing the temple of one lacking faith. Driving the one who had initiated her into the depth of the labyrinths in fear of his wrath. He had ruined Mogweh's existence, stepping on his brother's to rise above. Only to slay his beloved Mellas. Not for his own benefit, but for that of the Blackflame. Something snapped within him as he realized that he had been used, his previously adverted gaze settled malevolently on Serana. He reached out and grabbed her by the throat. Her smile quickly vanished as his mannerism had changed from a submissive to a dominant one, her eyes telling of fear as his metal enclosed fingers tightened around her windpipe.

Whatever bond they shared didn't matter anymore, in his mind the only comfort in the predicament he found himself in would be to feel the warmth of her blood seep into the chinks of his gauntlet. Yet just as he was about to crush her throat in his grasp a sharp voice could be heard nearby 'Don't be a foolish little clacker'. Jacula spun around in the direction of the sound. Letting Serana slump to the ground as a short, hooded figure stepped out of the shadows.

Relliom calmly approached him with his hands clasped confidently behind his back, looking down at Serana which sat wheezing on the ground. Struggling to regain her breath. He looked back at Jacula as he exclaimed 'Your anger has been so useful, don't ruin your fate like this.'. Jacula breathed heavily, his malicious instincts focused in on Relliom as he snarled 'My fate is not for you to decide'. He turned his back to the elf as he gave Serana a distasteful look where she sat 'Neither is it for you to control'. He began to walk towards the exit defiantly, the sense of hopelessness he had felt transcending into rage.

Relliom raised his voice as he held a ring into the vague portion of light in the room 'Don't wander too far Jacula. Work of great importance beckons'. He turned as his eyes snapped back on Relliom, eventually lingering over the Mellas ring which rested in his claw-like fingers. Jacula approached with heavy steps, his teeth gritted as he snatched the small piece of jewelry from his grasp. He turned his back again and departed without a word, his very existence shattered as he went over the endeavors which had led him to the temple.

Serana rose to her feet in disbelief as Jacula left. Bringing a hand to her sore throat 'He is out of control Relliom, we cannot keep him in the dark for long'. Relliom let his eyes wander over Serana as he solemnly exclaimed 'Give him time. He will return, and his anger will fade'. She lowered her head slightly as she retorted 'Yet his scars will not.. What if he learns the truth?'. Relliom answered firmly 'If he does his usefulness will come to an end. Master willing he will remain misguided'.

Jacula wandered through the filth filled with malign compulsion. He had been deceived just like he had deceived others. He squeezed Mellas ring tightly in the palm of his hand as he pondered his predicament. He had been but a tool in the hands of the Blackflame, giving more than he could possibly have imagined to It's benefit. His roar rose to the ceiling and spread as an echo, striking fright in all creatures residing within the sewers.

"Reward belonged only to him."

[Rigwyn]

[  Three cheers for evil .. hip hip .. Hooray !                  Though I wonder how Melly and Mog are doing ...     ]

[Shangshi]

[[

Hip hip .. Hooray !

You know Rigwyn, this plot has missed your delicate 'smash your face in, eat it and laugh' touch as of late.

]]

[Sarras Volcae]

[relliom looks like a lady... i guess that's staying true to the game?   btw what does jacula's hair actually look like? it seems to change all the time. oh, and is this "over"? am i asking too many questions?]

[EStripus]

@Sarras [Ummm, Serana was the female and Relliom was referred to as a male upon his arrival.]

[jaculapundactum]

[The last writeup's are being worked on, sadly many of them has been delayed due to to RL complications. My thanks for the patience and work of all the talented writers contributing. Stay tuned and enjoy, much is still to be revealed ]

[Shangshi]

A Howling Flame

Recent events had drained Shangshi, it felt like fate had grabbed him by his ankles and smashed him face first into the ground while yelling at him 'LOOK YOU IDIOT!!!!!!' The mirroring of current events with some of those which had gone before had not avoided Shangshi, he had seen it. He knew what was happening, and he knew why it happening much like first run though. But that wasn't enough, no matter the lies that had been spewed at him from people trying to suffocate the truth from him, he could always see it. The little glimmers in the corner of one's eye, the hesitation in a breath, a look that said a thousand words. This had begun to infuriate him, he knew all there was to know, but WHY could he not stop this s*** from happening to him twice, he just could not fathom.

After one of many conversations and with events of recent hollowing him out he had mounted his Rivnak and briskly made his way to the howling well. It was still light when he reached his destination. The tilted back stone face, mouth a gasp, screaming to the crystal waiting for the next corpse to be lost in its depths. He paid little attention to the coarse stone as he made his way over the lip and deep inside.

The darkness of the tunnels within quickly swallowing him whole.

As he progressed deeper into the well, he stopped dead as a rather innocent looking rock grabbed his attention. Staring it down he clenched his fists tightly, if it weren't for his gloves his nails would have dug through his flesh and into the bones in the palms of his hands. The silence and darkness of the well penetrated deeply, making him feel at ease. A thought from a now deceased tutor suddenly popped into his head "All truths lay in Darkness" this thought enraged him. Opening his mouth wide he screamed with frustration ...

"WHAT GOOD IS KNOWING THE TRUTH IF NO GOOD COMES FROM KNOWING IT!!!!"

His right hand then rose and his fingers slowly unfurled with his palm in front of his face. In the darkness he stared at where he knew his hand would be, at first slowly it began to heat, first warm then hot.... finally a ferocious heat emanated from it, the heat caused the surrounding darkness itself to shimmer. Shangshi slowly turned his hand and extended his arm towards the innocent rock that had earlier caught his attention. Heat burst forth from his hand and the rock instantly began to bubble and evaporated into the shadows. Keeping the energies summoned he lowered his hand to his side and channelled the heat into the ground beside him which boiled and bubbled alongside him as he began walking deeper into the burial well.

The molten rock trail left behind Shangshi shed a dim light upon the tunnel walls as he followed a well trodden path into the depth of the well. After many undulations and bends in the tunnels he paused, the dim light which weakly fought back the darkness began to dance upon the still fresh skin of a recent corpse. The body was Nolthrir and was laying back against the tunnel wall, her arms had been carefully crossed across her chest. Extruding from her chest above her heart was a dagger with the remains of an unknown green liquid upon it. Shangshi stopped still and approached the corpse, knowing that given the age, whatever had happen had resulted in a premature end to a life. As Shangshi paced over he quenched the heat coming from his hand. The remaining flickering light illuminated the Nolthrir’s skin revealing it to be pale, the blood having long since drained away from her skin, similar to that of a recently murdered body. As Shangshi looked at her face he saw that it was Mellas, tilting his head he saw a peaceful expression upon her face as she lay motionless in front of him, true death seemingly had taken a hold of her.

Shangshi looked down at Mellas, having obviously only recently been left in her current position. He knelt slowly and leant in looking closely at her, examining the apparent peaceful expression on her face. Her expression gave nothing away concerning the struggle that occurred resulting in her being left where she was. His eyes danced about her face and then her battered, bruised and broken body, the marks seeming being caused from a beating possibly from rocks being thrown at her.

Shangshi’s eyes finally stopped with the dagger in Mellas’ chest. Slowly he reached out and grasped the dagger, pulling on it. Mellas’ chest moved forward with the dagger as if it was stuck to her body, she slumped back down as it gently slipped from her chest. His eyes then caught the dull light of the tunnel glistening on the stained blade the discolouration stimulated him to immediately incinerate the dagger in a searing heat, burning off whatever may have been on it. A deep wound was left above her heart, the skin round it heavily infused with the substance from the dagger and obviously more green than any other part of her body.

Shangshi twisted the dagger between his thumb and first finger as he sat silently looking at it. Mellas twitched almost immeasurably, the poison within her veins keeping her from reacting to the sudden agony. The minute movement was unnoticed by Shangshi in the almost complete darkness, if Mellas wasn’t dead, she is very far gone.

Shangshi sat with a ponderous look on his face no feelings of sadness or remorse came to him not needing to waste thought on it, he did consider what, if anything he should say to Jacula when a little smirk appeared on his face... 'If he doesn’t already know' he thought. He started talking, essentially to himself "It's a shame you never really allowed yourself to see Jacula for what he was.” Shangshi’s eyes were still on the dagger as he swirled it “You know what Mellas, I always felt there was more to you than you ever really showed. A Shame I never got to find out what." He swirled the dagger in his hand once more and thinking nothing of it slipped the blade hard into Mellas' thigh.

Mellas twitched again as the blade dug deep into her thigh, the faintest of breaths escaped from her lungs. Within the wisp of air an undertone of pain could be heard, slight and petite, but still there. Within her seemingly silent veins barely one drop of blood flowed from the newly created wound, and it seems the little blood that did appear had a slight green tinge to it.

Shangshi sat watching Mellas, two fingers were drumming on the dagger now in her leg. Reaching his hand out he cupped Mellas' chin and gently raised her head. As he watched her a silent momentary hiss came from her as her lungs tried to grasp at some air. In the deathly silence of the darkening tunnel Shangshi stared at Mellas, the hiss rang like a chiming bell in his ears. His eyes jumped down at the dagger, the slightest hints of bleeding visible. His eyes looked back to Mellas' face, the truth of the situation hitting him, coincidence? luck? fate? whatever it was that brought him to this position, he could barely believe there was any chance Mellas was anything but dead. As a small test he clenched a fist and swung his hand heavily down onto Mellas' chest to see what she does.

Mellas was somewhat jostled forward by Shangshi's blow, her arms slipped down her chest and fell limply at her sides. Her lips slipped apart and a slight moaning sound escaped, as life was weakly fighting within her, her eyes fluttered once as she fell back against the rock. The actions were of a body not yet ready to give up. Maybe there was some life in her after all, even though her heart doesn't seem to be beating... or was it?

Shangshi pushed the five fingers tips of his right hand round the knife wound in Mellas' chest. Concentrating, the darkness round his hand began to shimmer again as he conjured an intense flame within the cage formed by his fingers. As the fire storm built in strength, Shangshi bent his fingers, moving his palm closer to the wound in Mellas' chest. The flames licked across her clothes, the moment he moved his hand closer they were engulfed in flame and turned to ash. The flames then danced across Mellas' exposed skin being pushing into it as Shangshi's palm continued to move. The poison rich flesh round the dagger wound blistered and boiled as it too was carbonised and disappeared as ash. Even being this close to true death the pain of having her chest burnt away caused Mellas to open her eyes completely, filled with agony. Her lips parted in a breathless scream as her eyes stared at Shangshi. Whether Mellas was conscious behind her eyes was anyone guess. As the fire continued burning Mellas away, it began to spread through her veins. The left side of her torso seemed to be alive with fire and lit from within. Her head snapped to the right as it began to slowly spread up her neck. As Shangshi continued, True Death seemed to be being slowly beaten back, one step at a time. Her eyes, already open began to awaken. They seemed to want to tell Shangshi something, that maybe she didn't want to die........ maybe that the person who killed her wasn't who she expected it to be........ maybe..... maybe there's a hint of thankfulness in them too. In the limited light of the tunnel this was lost, captured as so many things are by the darkness.

Shangshi proceeded to pull the dagger out of Mellas' leg and before it was completely out dragged it along her leg cutting her trousers and the top layer of her skin. Tossing the dagger away and grabbed her exposed leg tightly. What healing he was capable of doing he channelled into her lower body, with the intention of healing enough of Mellas, just enough, to ensure she would survive a trip to Dakkru. Knowing full well that her body wasn't capable of surviving the trip, Dakkru would take her soul and she would be lost to the True Death.

Mellas suddenly began to shiver uncontrollably. Shangshi's efforts had caused the poison's effects to be lessened. Mellas took a clear breath in and one hand reached out, lightly trying to touch Shangshi's before her arm crumpled under the effort and it fell limp.

Shangshi knew that he was no healer and had no hope of ensuring any sort of recovery from the state Mellas was in, so he would leave it to Dakkru to decide. He withdrew both his hands from Mellas and leaning, collected the dagger once more. He took a moment and looked at Mellas, to the freshly incinerated flesh on her chest, the incapacitatingly deep knife wounds on her leg and then finally to her face. This may have seemed odd to any observer, some sort of experiment for Shangshi, perhaps he has much to gain in doing it, perhaps this is just for fun, whatever the exact reason was unclear. He quickly grabbed Mellas' hair and pulled her head back abruptly, with one movement of the dagger deeply cut her throat to hasten her passage. Mellas made a small sound before the blade reached her throat, a comment that she was just unable to make. As the blade finished cutting through her neck the little blood that was moving within her left with a slight gurgling noise before she finally became entirely limp and fell back against the stone with a thud.

Finally, entirely, dead. The ring on the hand that reached for him seemed to be missing, as if someone violently tore it away, as well as her summoner's ring. Slowly, ever so slowly, her body began to flicker, and finally fade away. Rescued from the darkness of eternal death, embraced by the mercy of Dakkru.

Shangshi stayed knelt on the ground next to Mellas until she had been taken by Dakkru's. After watching her die he slowly raised to his feet and dagger in hand took some time to dust himself off. A steely look is now glazed over Shangshi's, a strength and determination fill his movements. And with one final glance at the now empty bloodied spot he conjures the incredible heat he had before and with another trail of molten rock continued deeper into the howling well.


[ Thanks to Mellas for getting herself almost killed, this was alot of fun to do, and thanks to her for checking my write up and making the pic. ]

[Sarras Volcae]

what is this crap crapping up this not-so-crappy other crap? remove it please!

[EStripus]

@Yahaa:  don't ruin other people's threads with something like this....that was rude. Pretty much you have just managed to put graffiti on someone's well thought out thread.

Moderator: Please remove the off topic, insensitive, careless posting by Yahaa. Then please remove my post so that it doesn't look out of place.

[garoninja]

[Not dead? O.o  WAIT! This ruins my give Mellas a pyre funeral plan!]