The pouring rain poured down on him, wiping his forehead he stared straight ahead. He was unsure what to do or where to turn at that point. He was alone; the barren road leading from Ba-ul was empty. Of coarse it was the he thought to himself. The rain poured even more, it seemed to be following the lonely elf. Looking at the small golden band on his finger he sighed again. He remembered when his love wrote on his band to make him remember their vows for the rest of their lives. He slowly brought his eyes to the band and began to read it slowly. "To my love Ray, may you always be there for me". A small tear dripped down his cheek. It had only been less then a week since ogres had attacked Ba-ul. That day changed his path, never again will he go back? Although pain and despair flooded the heart of the elf he knew, he knew there was some chance she would return to his arms.

"Why does everyone die around me," echoed a yell from deep within the lungs of the elf. His fists clenched kneeling on the ground screaming in the air. "Why, why damn you why" frustration over came the poor soul as he flailed wildly in the air. The display of rage would have continued if not a loud grunting noise came from several meters down the road. Immediately ducking and rolling the nearest rock Ray unsheathed his sword and readied for whatever would come. Ray stared out into the rain, his head soaked from the weather and streaks of raindrops flowing down his face occasionally going in his eyes. A large figure lumbered through the rain, an ogre scout to be exact. Ray’s eyes turned bloodshot, revenge flowed as the only thoughts through his mind. A pain although shocked the back of his head, he knew revenge was not the way of the enlightened warrior, but he did not care. Drops of blood from his hand flowed slowly on the ground, causing a sharp pain making Ray immediately release the blade of his weapon and fully gripping the handle. The grunting moved closer and it became louder.

The ogre scout stopped immediately his ear was twitching somewhat as he thought he heard some breathing. Spinning about and scanning the area the scout squinted his eyes. Although shorter then an average ogre and quicker his senses were among top of his tribe. A local bush's movement caught his attention causing another loud grunt. "Who there!" came a grunting yell from the ogre scout. A sharp pain came from the ogre scout’s right leg causing him to tumble somewhat about.

Blood flooded quickly and all over Ray’s hand, he pulled the sword out quickly and whipping the blade towards the ground letting the blood on the blade splatter to the ground. Taking a good step back and making sure the ogre scout was in position he took a quickened run at him. Forcing all of his body weight into the ogre whom was many more pounds heavier then he. With an unearthly grunt upon contact Ray knocked the ogre scout forward and on his face in the ground howling from the cut on his leg. Without delay Ray pulled his feet together and jumped onto the back of the fallen ogre who was waving about in the air franticly trying to get up to fight. "This is for the city of Ba-ul," growled and screamed, his eyes bloodshot red. He with great speed plunged the sword deep in the back of the ogre scout making blood squirt up and flow in all directions. "This is for the innocent who died in that slaughter!" again the deranged elf lunged the sword deep in the back of the ogre scout twisted ever so slightly. The ogre made many cries and screams of pain that echoed the land around them. "This is for my Son, who you took away from me you son of a whore!" again with even more force the revenge stricken elf forced the dulling blade into the back of the ogre spraying blood everywhere. With sudden raw power the ogre scout shot up knocking over Ray and causing his to roll back a bit.

The ogre immediately stumbled upon getting up; he felt his blood flowing in his hands and down his body. He was not going to die alone, and with that thought he turned about but turned so fast he could not keep his balance. He fell near a thick tree; he rested his injured back on it and tried to relax. Forgetting all about the attacker still being out there, it was hard to think. Hard to see also, all he could think of is he needed to rest. A movement started in front of him causing him to realize the situation once more. The pain though was too much and beaten ogre could not get up. The elf soaked in blood from head to foot approached the wounded beast. No look was on his face; his eyes made the wounded ogre look away a bit.

"Beaten.. By puny elf?" was all the ogre scout could say. The elf kept walking staring right at the ogre; raising his sword over his back and letting it rest there for a sec. The ogre was uneasy at that moment, if he was able he would of got up and bitten the head right of the puny elf. The elf rolled up easy in front of the ogre and bent towards him.

"I am not finished yet, you vile piece of shit" the ogre watched the elf, he knew he was going to die. The ogre quickly took his eyes and tried to scan the elf for any ogre genes, he was obviously a very large elf compared to most he’s seen or broken in half. The Elf rose into a straightened posture.

"And this…this demon is for Neraz Goldentree" the Ogre saw the distort elf grip his blades handle hard and raises it high of his shoulder and without remorse swing it towards him. Blackness all of a sudden surrounded him.

The head rolled of to the side of Ray’s foot, making him look directly at it and then back to the corpse. "The name is Ray Goldentree, remember it on your decent to hell!" The elf then turned and headed down the path towards the northern cities. The rain mixed with the blood all of his body and flowed quickly staining his clothes, staining his hands red. Memories flooded his mind of the past making the area around him disappear and transform into his mind.

The corpse rotted and stank up the area; small maggots ate at it breaking it down for the earth to digest. Ak’nar, a large ogre warrior came around a bend of trees and came across the corpse. Peering from left to right to see if it was safe to investigate. Tightly gripping his notched axe in case it would be need he proceeded with caution. After a few minutes of looking about the area he grunted some twisted tongue in the air and a group of ogres came running into the area each surveying the area. Ak’nar by far the largest and biggest of the group gave a low grunt and looked at his team. Snar was like his right hand man, just a little smaller and weaker but not at all less intimidating. Singling him to sheath his massive two-handed sword and to check the corpse. Snar immediately agreed and took up his horned helmet and trotted towards to the fallen ogre corpse to inspect it. Turning to Traxor and Grantoc the twin ogre scouts of the group to go ahead and search the area for any footprints of signs of what had happened here. Both were being small and each with a tooth missing at opposite ends of their mouths. Each searching in different areas moving leaves and wet ground aside seeking for footprints and marks of battle. The other two medium sized ogre warriors, Hannibark and Crounch stood guard next to Ak’nar in a defensive posture holding there swords and tower shields. Ak’nar proud to be able to control these ogres grunted in pleasure, the 10 foot ogre towered over most things in the area, most had thought he was some kind of freak of ogre kind, or maybe he had giant blood in him. But most would not argue just due to the sheer size of him struck fear in most.

Snar turned up from inspecting the corpse and yelling in the tongue of ogres "Its Grinac, he has been dead for a day or two, seems like since rain fall."

Traxor looking up at his brother and then to Ak’nar getting his attention, "Yes since last rain fall, the mud prints show movement northerly"

"That of elf to Ak’nar, a simple elf defeated Grinac" Interrupted Grantoc during Traxor’s words. Ak’nar rubbed his head with his massive hand while tossing the notched axe over his shoulder. He began to think he did not appreciate his best tracker to be killed. That would not due at all, and then looking back up at each of his other minions to motions towards the north.

"We shall follow this little elf and bite his head of, just like he do to Grinac" with cheers all around Ak’nar had knew he had won the support of the band of ogres even longer. "While we at it we kill and pillage and town to!" Again cheers came out from the group, all in ogre tongue. After a few minutes of pumping up his troops of victory praises and promises he turned and they began the march to find the elf.

Ray would have continued to walk lost in his own mind if not he had fallen into the stream blindly walking north. Frustrated and puling his body out of the water making it turns a light shade of red from the blood that was on his body. The frustrated elf then took a swing at the flowing water in the stream splashing it up and about the place causing the redness to blend in with the clear water. Laughter from a local bush caught Ray’s attention. "Who is there, speak now and say if friend or foe", it was pure silence for a few minutes then the rustle began again and a small halfling child walked through the bushes.

"I am sorry mister, I didn’t mean to laugh, please don’t hurt me" pleaded the small halfling child.

Movement at the side of the elf’s face would have once been called a smile but now a look of contempt. "Do not worry about it young one, I shall not hurt you. What is your name?" Ray said calmly trying to be as friendly as possible.

"Tike, its Tike sir."

"Tike, that’s an interesting name, are you a halfling son?" the elf watched as Tike nodded his head slowly. "Hmm so the halfling village I am assuming is near. My name is Ray Goldentree" rubbing his chin with his hand, Ray turned about and surveyed the area. "Do you need an escort home young lad, I bet your parents are worried you are not around."

A sad look overcame the little halfling child; "my mommy and daddy were killed by ogres 2 winters ago"

Sighing a little Ray knelt down towards the young lad "Tike, young lass, do you have anywhere to stay, do you live anywhere son. It is dangerous to be out here this far, there are ogres about."

Puffing up his chest the young halfling snorted out "I know I am a great warrior, I will defeat all that come and challenge me and get revenge for my people.." Ray quickly moved his hand up to the halfing’s mouth silencing him and gently saying in a gentle soothing voice.

"Look here little man, you should not have all those thoughts in your head, you could grow into something you don’t want to be. A true hero is not the type to go do that; they live by honor and not pride. If you want to become a great hero then you need a reason and a purpose to guide you or you will end up like those who have fallen from grace." Pondering his own words back to himself, he realized he was talking to himself then more to the young halfling who stood there opened jawed in front of him.

"Are you a hero Mr. Goldentree, Sir?" timidly asked the young halfling. A laugh bellowed from the startled elf, which could only laugh at the innocent child before him.

"No little man, I am not even close in comparison to those who are deemed heroes. I am but, but a mere traveler in this great expanse of land we call home." Suddenly turning his head westerly Ray began to hope.

"Where are you going?" the small halfling more curious now then before in the strange elf.

"I go west, for that is the direction she came from, perhaps I can see her again." Quickly catching a forming tear in his eyes while spinning around not revealing his eyes to the young boy. "Now, I must be going now, little man I shall escort you to your residence then I must depart." Nodding in agreement Ray lead the small halfling down the stream and into the halfling village. Waving goodbye to his little friend the travelling elf turned his sights north, following the trail into Nov Dom then the path to the great western road. After that, Ray was not sure where to go. But for now, Nov dom awaiting with fresh supplies and a clean inn to sleep in. By nightfall the elf figured he would be resting comfortably and peacefully. Or so he assumed.

The stars light could not help but reveal a bit of the ogre groups cover. Traxor was out on the road inspecting some footprints while the others attempted to hide in a nearby bush. Traxor then turned to the bush that his comrades were hiding in and yelled, "Traxor find elf prints, he go north more past halfling village. Perhaps he go to the human city."

Ak’nar unable to hide in the bush and unable to pretend to be a tree got frustrated and jumped from the bush. "We move on now, elf need sleep we not need sleep. We will crush puny elf." Exclaimed the ogre leader. Ak’nar pondered a bit to himself "We pillage that little halfling town first, I think its funny they run in fear when we around." Ak’nar grinned to his company of ogres, watching each of them breaking of into laughter that would shake the area around them full of noise.

The cold floor was harsh on Ray’s back, still upset that there was no room left in the inn he was forced to sleep in the temple on its cold floor. "Good evening, Sir Goldentree", Ray startled out of his mind rolled back and on to his feet drawing his sword and staring at the person who invaded his space. The humanoid gently putting his hands up said in a peaceful tone, "Swords are not meant to be drawn in the temples child, I am a simple…traveler like yourself taking refuge in the temple for the night." Satisfied with the answer Ray quickly sheathed his sword and continued to stare at the human. "My name is Christian Youngblood, how fairs you this fine day?"

"How do you know my name?" immediately asked Ray who was ready to dive into a battle.

"Its common knowledge to know who the ex sheriff of Makilor is. Although it was rumored you fled to Ba-ul escaping the barbarian Conan and his minions and started serving under the king of Ba-ul." Christian would have gone on but Ray immediately interrupted.

"Who are you really?"

"I told you my name, it is Christian, I am a faithful servant of King Ran. I have been serving him for a few years now. I spread Phaet’s guidance to all and protect the children of the light." Christian puffed out his chest somewhat proud of his title, trying to earn a little respect from the elf that stood before him.

"I see, I take it your part of the just peachy organization called ChoP? And if so I am not interested in conversing with you kind. Now do me a favor ChoP boy, just go away I would like to be in peace."

"I know what you are, and that you have no faith in the gods. But listen to me walker of the light, you are strong yes but with the power of a god you will be stronger. You magical abilities are nothing compared to a true follower of Phaet’s" Christian looking deep into the eyes of the elf, trying to get some sort of sign. "I sense great pain in you Ray. You are not a true paladin unless you are accepted of Phaet."

Ray moving all the while into a siting position turned and started leaning on a knee, then turning his head back around and looking at the human. "I don’t care if this god of yours." At that moment a priest rushed into the temple running towards Christian. Immediately Christian helped the priest relax and then awaited the urgent news.

"Ogres lord Christian, ogres are attacking the halfling village! We must hurry to there aid." Came out of the priest is short sentences spanning for about a minute do to tiredness.

Ray immediately jumped up and tied his sword and sheath across his back, scrambling to get his gear in order he started a dash to the door but turned around to face the stunned paladin. "Coming Phaet boy?" Watching Christian nodding and begin to follow Ray’s lead he turned to the temple exit. Many thoughts flooded his mind then, all focused on one thing. To protect Tike.

Snar laughed mercilessly over a small halfling stomping his foot about the area trying to squash the little rodent. "SQUISH! SQUISH!" exclaimed the big brute of an ogre stomping more times trying to stop the squeaking halfling.

"Snar, no play with food. Silly halfling just need to die. Make them bad noise." Called out Hannibark for behind Snar who was just finishing of tearing through the body of a halfling guard. The blood corpse feel the ground with a soft and gentle thump, a small river of blood flowed from it and drenched the ground around Hannibark. Grinning all the while he forcefully put his foot through the chest of the dead body causing blood and other body organs to smear and fly about the area. A small child’s whimper then echoed the area when the heart was ripped out of the body and tossed into the bushes. Both ogres look at each other and grinned as their face's dances with excitement at a fresh piece of meat. Quietly they creeped towards the green patch of bushes Snar sheathed his weapon and put his hand into the bush, Snar quickly tighten his grip around the body of a small halfling, scared and kicking and pulling to free himself of the grip of the giant ogre.

"Let me go before I hurt you! I am great warrior Tike!" The ogre dropped into the biggest laughter flooding the area with their wretched sounds of joy. All the while the young halfling trying to pry himself free of Snar’s grasp. Snar hoisted the little halfling even farther into the air and towards his face causing the halfling to squirm away in fear at the shear ugliness of the ogre.

"Snar going to kill you, Snar going to smash you into the ground then Snar lift you back up and bite your head off. Snar then going to spit head on ground and let Hannibark stomp your dead body"

"Noooo please let me go … or you will regret it."

Hannibark smirked in doubt moving closer to the halfling. "What do you think you do going to, you small we strong and big smash will do use you."

A voice from across the way interrupted the ogres fun, "I suggest you put the young lad down before I have to kill more ogres!" The ogres immediately turned around to face the pair of lightwalkers. Hannibark grunting in confusion and Snar tossing the small halfling aside drawing his large weapon to get ready to charge the pair of would be heroes. "Tike get to safety, and Christian take the big ugly one, I got the dumb looking ugly one"

"Call Hannibark dumb did you? Pay shall I you make I with blood of your body!" Screaming in anger Hannibark rushed towards with his tower shield and broadsword in hand. So fast was Ray that Hannibark did not see him draw 2 curved steel scimitars in each hand deflecting the broadsword with a quick slash horizontal and then taking a smack with a chop like maneuver with the other cause the shield to ring a bit.

Christian also taking into pace with Ray drew his large engraved two handed sword from the sheath on his back and quickly went up to parry with the large ogres massive two handed sword. The two sword hits each other with a crashing bang, sparks flew of the blades as each crash echoed through the area.

Ray tumbled to the left of his opponent, in a deep trance of some sort of berserk state holding the ogre at bay with each swung he took with his dreaded scimitars. Screaming out towards his opponent the berserking elf twirled around bringing the first scimitar up to the shield blocking ogre and hitting it so hard the villain stumbled back a bit. Continuing to spin and bringing the other scimitar down to slash just below the tower shields reach. The solid and smooth blade of the left handed scimitar slice cleaning through the knee of the ogre creating a bellow of pain from him. Using the force generated from the spinning the elf then jumped into the air with a spinning kick knock the ogre more of balance and dropping the shield. Landing on the left foot and tilting to the side Ray then took a leap towards the dazed ogre. Quickly using the left scimitar to bat away the sword, and then using the right to stab right through the neck of Hannibark. Blood flowed quickly down the chest of the ogre; its eyes look up and into those of its victor. Unable to speak, unable to scream, unable to damn him to hell all he could do was stare. "Today is a good day to die do you not agree vile ogre?" The ogre simply let his eyes roll back and go into a deep blackness as the other scimitar entered his forehead.

"You killed Hannibark, the others will kill you for that after I kill you many times!" growled the ogre who was engaged with Christian. "Once I deal wit this puny hooman I shall smash you." But that was his mistake taking his eyes of the paladin allowed him to impale the large ogre with his sword twisting it every so gently then quickly pulling it out. The stunned ogre gripped his wound and fell to his knees in pain.

"You should die within a few hours maybe more, I suggest asking the heavens for redemption on your soul and maybe they shall grant you a better fate then what your friend over him has right now in the land of the dead." Ray seeing this took both blades out of the dead ogre and raised them in the air. Violently whipping them towards the ground letting the blood ooze and drip of the blades restoring them to there once beauty. Turning towards Snar and not even paying attention to the victor of the battle the elf moved towards the ogre. Without a word or reason the deranged elf violently took his scimitars and stuck them through the eye sockets of the injured ogre yanking them forcefully towards the side of the head instantly and quickly finishing the ogre without any more delay. "Why did you do that Raymond Goldentree, he would of died with time." Protested Christian in regards to his actions. "Are you just a murderous villain now?"

"Look here Phaet boy, you didn’t have the guts to do it. He lived like a rat and he shall die as a rat. Your gods could not save him, him and all his kind need to be dead!" and with those words Ray looked to the east. "There are more here I shall kill them." And without another word Ray moved on to the east. The little halfling following him closely all the while.

The paladin looked at both corpses that laid sprawled about the ground. Then he looked into the air. "He carries much hatred and pain in his soul guidance is what he needs. I will see that he gets it from you." Christian then knelt on one knee and recited a simply prayer. Instantly a soft glowing light surrounded him and he quickly got up and dashed in the direction of the way Ray went to.

Traxor swung his battle axe overly at Ray making him go into a defensive posture. His other scimitar was forced to swing low to deflect the broadsword of Grantoc. Both were putting extreme pressure on the elf, but both unable to break the defenses of the swordsman. The elven swordsman quickly kicked back Traxor with his right foot sending him falling backwards. Then using the other blade as extra power broke of from the lock both ogres had on him. Moving back a few paces to get his senses back in check he began to meditate. A soft swishing sounds made Ray quickly dive away into a roll. Crounch large broadsword cut the air where the elf was standing, an evil look was in his eyes.

Christian came into the area beside Tike and patted the young halfling on the head, "I want you to continue to hide here, do not move." The small halfling nodded in agreement and then the paladin looked straight ahead through the cover and into the battlefield. Three ogres had ray surrounded and were every now and then taking swings at him. From under his breath came a soft whisper, "Don’t they know you don’t stick your hand into the lions den?" If he was a betting man he would put his bets on Ray, he had heard many stories and battles that the elf took place in. He would be perfect in the ranks of Chop, how could he convince him. There wasn’t time to think right now although, the paladin tighten his grip on his sword and charged into battle.

Christian shoulder charged the large ogre of the group pushing him to the side a few feet and then falling to the dirt ground. "How you dare interfere, die you shall!" and Crounch engaged Christian. The other two ogres though continued to battle with Ray.

The heavy breathing from Christian showed a hint of fatigue, but he would not give in, many people required him to continue to fight on. With a bit of a grunt the paladin executed and overhead chop with his sword forcing the ogre to quickly parry the blow. Then with one swift turn angling the sword sideways and taking a deep slash at the ogre. The ogre seeing the move before hand positioned the sword vertical and used the other hand as support on the higher part of the sword and block of the attack. The ogre taking the hilt of the sword and slamming it upon the off balance paladin knocking him back bit and drawing some blood from his nose. The ogre smiled somewhat at the sight of the blood on his opponent’s face. Whipping the blood from his nose and raising his two handed sword into a lunging position Christian moved forward.

The slash intended for Ray’s head was parried to the side with his left blade, immediately turning to parry the next from the opponent behind him. It had been like this for the last few minutes the elf was struggling to keep up with the vicious dual attacks these twin ogres were doing. Grantoc dove at the elf with his sword slashing at his back. Ray twisted left and crossed his blades in front of him and then locked the slashing sword. Stepping back a few paces and then twisting using the momentum of the slash to send the ogre spinning to the ground. The elf then spun on one heel lent forward with his sword and caused a wound across the neck of Traxor who dropped his weapon and grabbed his neck to lessen the bleeding. By that time Grantoc had recovered and lifted himself of the ground. Realigning himself and marching towards Ray with a broadsword in hand. With Traxor out for the moment and bleeding about on the ground the flurry of sword swings emitted between Grantoc and Ray.

The power struggle between Crounch and Christian was not moving anywhere. Both warriors were interlocked between swords trying to push at each other. There footprints were starting to dig into the ground; the dirt was piling about there feet. The sheer power between the two was unmatched by most mere men and ogres. The straining of the steel was too much for the swords and both shattered spraying straight into Crounch. Pieces penetrated his skull, his body, his arms flying in all directions. Each piece of the swords causing wounds deep gashing wounds. Blackness had overcome Crounch.

Traxor’s wounds began to look better and he immediately got up and took a look around. To his left he saw the back of the elf who was locked in sword play with his brother, and to his right he heard the death screams of Crounch and saw him fall to the ground in a dead heap. The back of the elf though was more of a tempting sight then that of an unarmed man. Immediately grabbing for his weapon he dove towards ray only to be kicked back a few paces and one scimitar flying towards him. Ray dove at Grantoc knocking him back a few paces and turned back towards Traxor who was back on the ground his a scimitar sticking out the ground next to him. Traxor attempting to grin at this advantage got quickly back up and went for an overhead chop. Ray easily dodged the clumsy swing and put his hand up to the eyes of the ogre and uttered ‘noclerious’. The ogre grabbed for his eyes once again with his left hand, dropping his weapon clawing in the air with his other hand. Traxor had lost all sense of sight and was stumbling around the area inviting death. Grantoc recovering from his stumbling charged at Ray violently with his sword extended. Ray turned to regard the new threat then shifted to the side and did a spinning kick to trip out the feet of the ogre. While the ogre was in mid flight falling to the ground the elf completed his spin and brought his sword down with a chop severing the head of the ogre letting it fall to the ground. Warm blood ran about the area escaping the body it came from.

Christian watched in amazement as he saw Ray not only take on two ogres at once and be on the winning side but was able to call upon holy powers. Even without the power of Phaet behind him, although he could sense extreme weakness in his powers. Ray seemed to be a natural with the magical arts, Christian had a feeling it was in his blood but he was not sure.

"… arghh … ugh . Kill not me, spare me … good me be … me cant see don’t hurt me. " Traxor was on the ground bleeding from his neck and scrambling around trying to make east from west. Ray approached the downed ogre and lifted his blades into the air. A look of death was all that was on the elf’s face, lifting of the blade into the air he looked down at his bleeding helpless prey. The gentle wind would not hinder the movement of the extended body part of the elf. Most people who kill or go to kill close their eyes, but the elf’s just look and stared. Fixated on the one task at hand, the movement in his hand started it downward decent. It was funny, he thought to himself; the vile being would not be able to see his own death. The sword was coming down closer and closer to its mark, the gentle breeze parting the air. Clang, the sounds of metal hitting metal echoed throughout the area. Half the broken sword was before him halting any further movement with his sword. Ray turned his head around only to face a serious look on the face of Christian.

"This is not the way of Phaet, this is not your way. It is said what comes around goes around; Phaet will find a way to punish him. It is not your job, now come brother in arms let us find the lead of the group and be of." Satisfied on reaching through to Ray he guided him out the area. Although while leaving Christian thought he heard the little battle cries of many small halfling's and the screams of pain from an ogre. A smile erupted from the face of Christian. "Redemption" flowed through his head.

Ray stopped and put his hand out to stop the movement of Christian, the paladin turned his head to the side and look at the elf closely. "What is wrong Raymond?"

"Something is amiss here, I sense something out of place." Ray lifted his hand gracefully and closed his eyes chanting a little chant. After his chant was complete he snapped his fingers and from his fingers emitted purple like smoke that clinked to everything in the area. Of to the left of the two warrior’s lied a huge figure drenched in the purple clinging mist. Immediately with a roar of anger at being detected the giant of an ogre ran to the two warriors taking the backside of his hand and swatting Christian across the area.

"I, Ak’nar, do not like having his followers killed. No one does this to the ogres."

Taking a defensive stance and lifting both scimitars into the air, Ray calmly commented "Oh gee golly, you’re as large as a giant, but as ugly and stupid as an ogre. I feel sorry for ya, here’s a thought how about I just kill ya to end your misery?"

Ak’nar took his weapon and batted the side of the elf sending him reeling a few feet in the air. Then the massive ogre stomped quickly and without hesitation towards the fallen elf and took both hands grabbed and hoisted Ray into the air. Shaking him violently until he could not hold onto his blades. They dropped to the ground; a soft metal clink was all that was heard. The violent ogre then brought Ray uptowards his face and looked at him, the ogre was nearly twice the size of him and was probably 10 times stronger in sheer strength. After a moment of contemplating what to do Ak'’nar lifted the high into the air holding him there steadying for a few seconds. Violently lunging him to the ground next at incredible speeds Ray could only count a few seconds in his head before pain shot up through his body, the ground impact was so great that a crunching sound was heard echo a bit. Ray knew that some of his bones were broken, he could feel it, but the impact of him hitting the ground was just to great to ignore or even realize any other pain. Was this how it was going to end for him, as he wondered trying to recover from the hit. Ak’nar raised him up higher then last and slammed ray into the ground laughing is stupid sounding laugh. A long growl of pain flew in the air; many things had flowed through his mind. People, places, events, friends, family, villains, pain, joy, love. He had failed, now he would rejoin his family in the heavens or await them there. All was lost or so it seemed, he knew the he could not take the next impact, he felt his body wanting to explode with each of the poundings. He would be no more the next one, but something touched his mind. It was unexplained at the time, and perhaps would be one of those things lost to the people. A voice called out to him, Ray, my love, do not die. Please do not die, I love you. I wish to find you. Then it was complete silence, his mind was blank. Energy that he never felt before rushed through him and gave him the strength to open his eyes. He looked down at the ogre who held him just above his head.

"Now you die puny elf man!" grunted the ogre in a mater of fact kind of voice. Ray would not die, not today that voice, he had to win. Screaming as hard as he could he echoed the area with his high pitched cry. It was not a cry of pain, it was not a cry of defeat, and it was in fact a cry of rage, a cry of victory, a cry of power. The screaming elf shot out his hand towards the face of the stunned ogre so fast it could not react in time. Yelling at the top of his lungs he yelled a chant in Laenree, the language of the elves. The palm of Ray’s hand glowed softly and the face of the ogre started to burn. The ogre was screaming in pain, the tides of battle had turned.

Christian awoke in the bushes, and quickly came to his senses. Down the far way was the ogre smashing Ray quickly and violently in the ground. Christian was having troubles getting up. When he looked back up at the fight all he could see was ray hoisted in the air with them to deadlocked in stares. Then a scream echoed throughout the area, uneasily moving Christian. As Christian looked closer he noticed Ray stick out his hand and yell something, something resembling pearle something, he was not sure but after he said the words the palm of Ray glowed and the ogre started screaming, but unlike Ray’s. His scream was that of pain. The ogre was in so much pain that his flailed his arms about in the air, quickly winding up he threw the elf into the air with so much force that he was literally flying. Christian seeing this quickly shot up and started sprinting in the direction the elf was being flung in. Using all the strength in his body the paladin jumped in the air extended his arms and caught the elf in mid air. Quickly tucking him in with his body and rolling on the ground from the landing to absorb the shock of fall so that not to injuire the elf anymore then he already was.

Christian laid the coughing elf down, to let him regenerate a little. He stared back at the ogre, how strange it was, the ogre was lying on his back and not moving so the paladin decided to investigate and move closer to the body. Approaching the body one could smell the fresh sent of death lingering in the area around him. As he moved closer he had to look away from the disgusting remains of Ak’nar. The entire head down to the shoulders of the ogre was melted to the bone. Skin and flesh oozed about the area flowing as freely as a pool of water. Not even acid could do so well of a job as what happened to this ogre, the supreme wraith of the gods could only do this to any man or beast.

"Power comes within, as does rage, when both combine one makes mistakes, I am sorry for what you have seen. I have a great hatred towards ogres." Christian turned about to face Ray who was leaning on a nearby tree trunk grabbing at his chest. The elf leaned back up and onto his feet and started to walk of westerly.

"Ray, let me take you to the church, you can help Chop, you can find redemption and make life better. We will heal your wounds and fix you back up, you don’t seem wel.."

"Listen here Chop boy, that ain’t the life for me. But I like you," Ray turned his head around to meet the eyes of Christian. "We will meet again, you have made a comrade and a friend this day. Goodbye" turning without another word or look he was of following the trail leading into the sunset. Christian look back at the dead corpse of Ak’nar and then look in the direction of the distancing elf. The proud paladin staring hard and for a few minutes finally came to out of his daze with a nod and a few words "So we shall elf, so we shall, I just hope it is not as enemies".