Headquarters of the Blades of the Red Heart

This is the foyer in the Tower of the Blades of the Red Heart. There is a desk in the middle of the room with a book on it, and a few paintings and tapestries on the walls. A staircase can been seen through the doorway to the east.

Razz had been sitting on her balcony on the seventh floor of the tower, as she had always done, when a cold shiver brushed against the back of her head. Frowning, she sat up straighter, concentrating....

The wind begins to pick up. A meloncholy howl, wind playing against thebrick, through the trees as the sun slowly sets into night.

On the pretext of being ill, Ari has been in bed most of the day. Not out of a case of laziness, however, and certainly not an enjoyable rest. Tossing and turning uncomfortably, she curls up in a fetal position, blankets having ended up on the floor a while back, along with most everything except for the sheets.

Uneasy, Razz grabs the railings she'd been leaning on, and pushes herself up again. Her elven ears are perked, and her murky blue eyes open, despite their uselessness. She grips the railings tightly, tensing....

In the forest below, something moves, silently. a glint of metal, unable tobe seen by Razz atop the tower, closes on the gatehouse.

Mirai leaves the day's last magic class with the same sense of relief she always has. Some days she really wishes there were something she could do to get these... /children/ to realize the true import of what she's trying to teach them. Pointless, actually; most of them will never see combat, or even a hostile spellcaster, outside of here. She wonders why they even bother coming.

Shiroi's wounds have mostly healed, thanks to an entire day of meditative healing. Coughing up blood was getting kinda messy. She still hasn't been getting magic much - though her combat abilities are as good as ever, so that's still alright, she suppose. Humming, she pours herself another bowl of soup, relishing her meal.

Razz shudders - and pushes herself away from the balcony, tripping and falling on her face as she stumbled back into her room. Panic grips her as she ran through her room, bowling into her door and knocking it open. "J-" she takes a deep breath, and calms herself. "Justin?" She called, her arms spread out, blindly feeling her way. "Justin??"

In a circle, a half-mile in diameter surrounding the tower, the surrounding forest lights afire. A huge, towering circle of flame, reaching into the near-night sky. The fire burns enough to keep people outside out (Without them using some help) and those in, in. Standing in full view of the tower,a glimmering metal figure, with burning red eyes, watches the tower, fire reflecting off its carapace.

Ari whimpers in her sleep, alternately tensing and relaxing, her hands clenched tightly into fists, and her face showing signs of a struggle being waged within. Although... she doesn't seem anywhere near close to waking up yet.

Justin is just standing to answer Razz's call when the forest goes up, and has a perfect view of it out his window. "...Bloody hell." He dashes out of his workshop, snatching up his sword, and skids to a halt in the hallway in front of Razz. "The forest is burning, we need to get out of here."

Razz gropes blindly for Justin's hand, shaking her head. "No, no, it's not the forest, it's not the forest!" She cried, near frantic. "It- arugh...." And she kneels suddenly, and hisses in pain.

Twirling his small fragment of quartz between his fingers before standing up, reaching for his helmet and sword. "It's time. But to find the others..." Leaving the guard quarters, peering up the stairway. "This might take a bit.." Makoto trudges up the stairs looking for the others.

Justin reaches down to lift Razz, but jerks his hand away in shock. Hot. He tries again, and this time manages to get her up. "We're getting out of here, come on."

A gutteral scream echoes through the tower. "It is time to pay, Halfman! Little Whore! I have come for your SOULS!"

Razz's face crumbles, and she clutched tightly at her arms, from where white whisps of smoke is drifting up. "I---t huuuurts.... Aaaaahhh.... Justin..." The elfling broke out into pitieous sobs, but her eyes opens again, rolling up and back, and her jaw opens as the pain increases dramatically. Screaming silently, now.

Treijan is quartered on the third floor, and feels the fire before he sees it. But, even before that, he hears the scream. Nothing good is going to come of/that/, he's certain. Barely pausing to dress, he dashes for the hallway, for the stairs.

Shiroi sets her bowl down, and looks thoughtful at all the commotion, and the sudden shout. "Well, that can't be good." She murmured to herself.

Makoto bumps into Treijan on his way up, "Er.. be careful" he murmurs before bursting up the stairs quicker. "Gotta find Mirai."

Another piercing scream, one of pain and sadness, rips through the tower, coming from one of the student dormitories.

Shiroi's eyes narrows suddenly, as a thought passes by her mind. "Crulath," she nodded to herself. "Shit... I do dislike gods...."

Justin knows that voice, and those epithets. ".../fuck/." He grabs a passing, panicked student. "Start the evacuation." Clearly, he doesn't have to tell anyone that twice.

Outside of the tower, three figures stand amidst the chaos of the fires.

Walker says, "Your father needs a vacation, Velias. There were supposed to be soldiers here."

Trudging up the stairs farther, helmet over his head, and sword in hand. "Mirai? Where are you.." hollering out into the air. 'This is just starting to give me the creeps' Makoto whispers to himself.

Mirai is headed for the student dormitories, spurred on by the screams. "Unless you all want to /die/, start getting out of here. /Leave/ that, dammit, you can buy a new one. Just /go/." Ari, where's Ari? Need to find Ari.

Velias says, "I think it has something to do with guarding Coneria in case there's an attack."

Shiroi leaves the dining hall with little trouble, considering the amount of students in panic. "Razz..." she murmured to herself as she broke out into a dash.

Alfghar says, "Quiet you two. We have work to do..."

A huge boom echoes through the forest, as the gatehouse shatters, Crulath destroying it, and the guards within it. "Oh Justin? Perhaps you've noticed. There are a couple people missing. . ."

Walker says, "Correction. You two have work to do. I'm headed back to the Tower."

Ari runs, maddened, straight into a corner of the dorm, whispering something over and over again, not stopping even when she crashes straight into the wall and ends up in a huddle on the floor. Eyes screwed shut, and trembling.

Velias says, "Walker...if you recieve a phone call from me, send reinforcements via Redslide."

Walker nods, then proceeds to walk back to Tycoon. Meanwhile, both Velias and Alfghar proceed into BRH's Tower.

Makoto spotting Mirai, he runs over to her. "Hey... Hurry up.. Ill meet you at the bottom, Ill try my best to slow them down..." gasping for a breath of air as he spins back around on a heel and makes another burst but this time down the stairs.

Razz hisses hoarsely in agony, and she struggled between the mad fear and fury spurring her on to destroy the man who ruined her, and the common sense of self-preservation. She can't let it loose, she must - keep - it... Pain....... The skin around her runes sizzled, and the smell of burnt flest increases.

Justin needs to get her /out/ of here, far away. One of the back routes, maybe... no, they'll be jammed enough with the students getting out. /Where/, then?

Crulath laughs, the sickening sound echoing throughout. "It is Time, Blades of the Red Heart. Some of you are marked for my Tree. . .the rest of you will die, painfully. Attempt to resist, and your suffering shall be ETERNAL." Another boom, as the top chunk of tower is literally ripped off.

the Clanking of platemail echoes loudly but only to be drowned out by the horror stricken students. Hitting the bottom floor once more with his sword drawn and battle ready, the damage is more than he expected. "What the...." Makoto looks annoyed almost disgusted.

Some of the students find this situation all too familiar. Those who were here the first time Crulath attacked, or when he destroyed the tower the last time. /They/ appreciate the urgency of this, even as the newer ones panic and cower. There might be enough of them to keep the evacuation orderly. One can only hope.

Razz's eyes flashses between the bright, searing light and a shade of icy blue, her teeth clenched, a suffering cry tearing itself out of her throat. "CRU-lath!" Her voice half echoed, hoarse, but she still works to keep the power under control - !

Makoto continue's his pace, into the entrance hall, now towards the gates ...so much destruction, but why?...

Crulath is covered in blood. it drips from his carapace. He spots Makoto in the ruined entrance hall. His voice carries to Razz. "I'm coming, whore. First, though. . .one of your guardians must DIE!"

Mirai finds Ari on the third floor she searches, cowering in the corner. She kneels, lifts the girl, gathers her energy, and phases them out. A shower of sparks heralds their appearance... at Makoto's side. Damn the luck.

Shiroi reaches the entrance hall at almost the exact same time Makoto does - Oh, yay, the crazy rapist god himself. She turns and leaps up the stairs to continue her search.

Ari is more or less oblivious to the situation unfolding around her, all of her concentration (or what is left of it) directed inwards, seeking something or the other. Although... the feeling of someone familiar nearby...

Crulath laughs out loud. "A rack of meat and two junior whores. This will be FUN!" He rushes forward. . .not at Makoto, but at Ari, in Mirai's arms.

Makoto draws a hand to his side trying to push Mirai and the others back and to the side, "Guardian... are you senile?" Taking his arm back placing it on the broadswords hilt and drawing back slightly.

Out of the chaos of the flames and destruction, Alfghar walks into the entrance hall, laughing to herself.

Alfghar says, "I didn't think all of you would gather in one place for usto easily pick you off."

Ari opens her eyes slightly, whispering. "Mi-rai... it's all going away.." Closing her eyes again, she gathers most of what is left, throwing it into the teeth of the advancing invader with all the fury of a storm.

Makoto's eyes squint slightly as he notices this strangers actions, charging infront of Mirai and Ari. "Stop... or I will"

Crulath grabs at Makoto with blinding speed, razor-sharp fingers capable of piercing armor. "Come here!"

Mirai draws frantically for energy again, as Mako shoves them both aside. Ari's words are horribly appropriate to the situation. Stumbling, slightly, she gives up on attempting to phase again and /runs/, up the stairway, towards the tunnels on the next floor up.

The broadsword in the paladin's hands begin taking upon a strange light, "After you /my friend/" Makoto mocks before trying to defend his body from the attack.

"I can't, Justin, I'm sorry..." Razz pushes herself off of Justin's arms, and lands on the floor innds on the floor in a tumble, but her eyes opened again, the searing bright light now. "Crulath..." her voice echos, and she gets back up on her feet, and begins stalking down the stairs to meet her worst enemy.

Crulath grabs the Broadsword of Makoto by the blade, metal scraping on metal, as the storm energy strikes. Electrical energy rushes through everything, but Crulath seems to be laughing.

Justin almost considers making his escape. The thoght almost enters his mind. But, dammit, this is /twice/ that bastard has wrecked his Tower, there's no way he's going to miss his destruction. He draws his broadsword, clears his mind,and follows Razz.

Makoto is taken back by the jolt, twitching some what, and sizzling slightly ...brush it off, you musnt fail them... "This.. is for the fallen!"

Shiroi sprints up the stairs, and comes to an abrupt stop as her eyes catchs Razz coming down the stair with her skin emitting sizzling smoke and her eyes bright and glowing. Shiroi's face drops into a blank apathy, to all concerned. "Yes... There is only one thing that you can do... however pointless it may be in the end..." and she steps out of Razz's way.

The charge to the broadsword continues rising, no matter the pain. "Light.. aid me this one time." Snickering under his helmet, trying to shake the jolt off still not doing a very good job of it.

Razz comes to the entrance hall, at the scene of the battle. "It's time," her voice echoed once more, and a blast of supreme light bursts forth from her right arm, inevitably wrecking it as blood spurts and sizzles from the damage.

Ari slumps, seemingly dead limp, in Mirai's hold. She whispers something again, something that sounds suspiciously like a plea for help directed at some other place, and waits for a reply... or for rejection.

Alfghar steps back a bit in raction to the attack, "This is almost tooeasy."

Crulath is caught by the blast, and sent backward. "ARGH!"

Razz's eyes glows brighter, and the air around her shimmers as the heat rises along with her power. "It's time," she said again, and she holds up the wrecked arm again, another blast slamming into the false ancient.

Makoto turns his head back to the direction in which the blast came from, "uh..." ...Razz, get out of here... Pacing over to her side, "Don't do this... get out of here please.." he trys pleaing with her.

Shiroi steps up slowly behind Makoto. "Don't try to stop her," Shiroi said. "It's no use. It's not her choice to make... If she's lucky... maybe she'll die while she still has the chance..."

A whisper, across a great distance, answers. There, a small breeze starts, flowing across the planes, and blossoming into a wind blowing outwards from the tower, against the encircling flames. Her face calm, even serene, happy for a second, Ari mouths a word or two of ackd, Ari mouths a word or two of acknowledgement and thanks, yet tinged with the sadness of the knowledge that this is probably the last time... She opens up herself, letting herself become a channel for the last vestiges of energy linking her to those who were once her people, letting it flow towards Mirai.

Makoto's head perks back up once more, "It's not her choice.. but it is mine to let her live.." lowering his head, while sighing softly. "Razz, Please..."

Crulath is struck again, but remains standing. "It is, Whore. I'm pulling out all the stops now."

Justin is a realist. Whether he likes what's happening to Razz or not will cannot affect it. "Makoto. Stay out of her line of fire, idiot."

Makoto's sword is slipping from his grasp. "She doesn't have to die... not like this..."

Razz seems to not hear Makoto at all. She is one will, one ideal, and she sees nothing but the duty to execute those who violates her laws, or die trying. "It ends," her voice echoes, without emotion, and the flesh explodes on her right arm, as another beam of power gets channeled through it, slamming into Crulath, each blast stronger than before. Her eyes seems to flash blue for a moment. "It ends, one way or another..."

Mirai accepts Ari's energy because she must. And it's enough... Turning back to the carnage of the Hall, she dashes for Makoto, already beginning her chant.

Gathering himself, and sword re-drawn at shoulder height. "I will do this my way..." Charging towards Crulath with his sword slung over his shoulder.

Shiroi watches Razz intently, her eyes trained on the elf turned into a vessel of destructive power. "Should you die... don't come back for anything." She murmured quietly, for no one to hear.

Crulath begins his ownburst of power, pushing the end of Razz's blast backward, waving Makoto away.

Mirai catches Makoto, thankfully, before he can get himself slaughtered. "Dammit, Mako, you will do this /my/ way." With a firm hold on both of her charges, she releases her hold on this plane, and slips from existence.

Razz's arms is a complete mess of bloody flesh and bones, but it gestures once more, and the light shoots forth again, joins the attack Crulath pushed back, and slammes into him once more.

Makoto snickers softly, "Take me back Mirai... now... She doesnt deserve this... I protect you and ive done my job up until now, let me give her the same chance!" Removing his helmet, and dropping the sword. "I want to help her... life /or/ death"

::Am I... going to die?::

Alfghar . o O ( It shouldn't be long now )

Crulath redoubles his efforts, pushing back toward Razz.

Razz's expression remains the same, her stature completely still save for that one gestureing arm, and between the two of them they keep pushing the light back and forth, growing larger, and larger...

Makoto grabs Mirai by the gruff of her robe's. "Take.. me back now, the next time will not be a request or a demand..."

Crulath continues to press forward, the burst of light looking like something out of Dragon Ball Z. "Come you little bitchwhore. Haven't you got any new tricks?"

::We're going to die. Nice day for it.:: Justin circles the battle, blade drawn and crackling a bloodier red than the fires. Neither combatant knows of anything but their opponent, it seems. Time to tilt the scales. "You leave her alone, you thrice-damned lunatic." He drives his broadsword into the back of the fool Ancient.

Makoto balls a fist and pulls back, "I wont ask again... Let me help them."

Crulath is stabbed in the back, and he screams, his blast cutting off, and losing quite a bit of ground before recovering.

Mirai has two words for Makoto, but, being the syllables of a paralysis spell, they can't be transcribed into English easily.

Alfghar says, "This is starting to look ugly. Time to play my part, I suppose."

Makoto let's his fist fly towards Mirai, gritting his teeth in rage while letting a "I must defend!" escape his mouth

Alfghar reaches into her robe and pulls out a phone, dials a number, and speaks a few words into the phone before placing it back into her robe.

Crulath is in deep, deep crap. His flaming barrier is flickering in the wind. A giant beam of light is increasing the temperature quite high. Razz has gained probably enough power to wipe him out. There's really only one way out of this.

And that is: CHEATING!

Justin owes Crulath at least two gaping holes in the torso. Wrenching his blade free, he lines up to deliver the second one.

A platoon of dark-garbed soldiers descends upon the tower...

...to meet the well trained, but panicked and highly uncoordina...to meet the well trained, but panicked and highly uncoordinated resistance presented by the BRH students. Young and inexperienced they are, but each one of them has been trained for both magical and physical combat.

Crulath laughs maniacally and rips both Razz and Justin up into the air, transporting all of them to the Tree.

Alfghar looks around at the scene of the battle and sighs.

Alfghar says, "Crualth, we're done here. We should be going."

Ari stirs slightly, wherever they are, and opens her eyes, although they still don't quite have the look of sanity in them.

Razz wraps her unbarable mess of a hand around Crulath's neck, and lets it explode.

The Tree stands taller than Justin may recall. It seems to splay higherthan ever before, the moans of pain loud. Two branches seem to reach out, alow one for Razz, and high one for Justin. They stab them through, and inJustin's case, wrap around him.

Crulath screams in pain from Razz's attack, but at the least, has them both.

Crulath leaves the tree, momentarily, and appears before Shiroi. "You."

Shiroi surveys the scene, as the previous combatants all - oops, spoken too soon. "Me," she replies, looking up at Crulath's face.

Alfghar says, "Crulath! You remember the terms, don't you??"

Crulath growls. "She will be. . .unharmed, Alfghar."

Makoto grit's his teeth before muttering, "You.. can stop this spell now..."

Alfgahr says, "Good...now as I was saying. We should be going."

Shiroi holds Crulath in a calm gaze. "You're ugly," she states, and quicker than anyone can see, a dagger ends up buried in Crulath's left eye.

Crulath clicks his mettalic fingers together. "I think I shall watch him break you. It will be. . .pleasant, to hear you beg."

Shiroi takes her opportunity, as Crulath speaks, to ram a short sword deep into Crulath's open mouth. "Breaking something that's already broken, someone's bored."

Crulath manages to speak, psionically. "You're far too willful for my taste, though." He leaves her, and returns to the Tree. The second he does, he tears both out, screaming, shouting, as he reverts to a bloodied elven form. He heals rapidly, though obvious STILL in pain.

At that moment, Velias enters and looks around, his eyes falling to meetAlfghar's.

Shiroi smirks, and shruggs. "Aah, the joys of being a part of a bargin... you can do shitass things and still get away with it..."

Justin , impaled and enclosed as he is, /still/ can't help but feel sorry for Crulath. That must have hurt /far/ more than the Tree.

Alfghar narrows her eyes back at Velias, then turns her back and creates a portal, stepping through it.

Velias says, "Are you okay?"

Razz hangs limp on the tree, her consciousness lost, and her arm, much like her body, hangs limply also, at her side. It isn't much of an arm now, though. Blood dribbles down the corners of her mouth, and the mess of red flesh that was her arm.

Shiroi looked up and out, at the students combating, mostly outside of the tower. "... She should've taken my advice and died...."

Velias turns his head and looks outside.

Velias says, "If you wish, I can deal with those who are harming yourstudents."

Shiroi shrugs. "I suppose a tribute is in order to the clan that'd been free-loading me. If you will, thank you."

Crulath walks over to Razz, hanging lower than Justin. He heals her arm, and restores what health he can, considering the large metal branch through her middle.

A uniformed figure on a horse can be seen outside riding up towards thetower, its broadsword drawn, bringing its horse into a charge at one of theDarkwood military personnel.

Velias walks over to what's left of the entrance and gazes at thebattlescene. He extends one arm out towards the battle, and half of thefigures vanish...leaving only the students.

Velias says, "Your problem has been solved."

Shiroi smirked. "It was never my problem in the first place."

Velias turns around to face Shiroi, "I suppose not. What happened here?"

Shiroi gives Velias a long look. A long, hard look. And she smirks again. "Oh, I'm sure you can... guess."

Velias says, "I can? Well, I guess a battle took place here."

The figure on horseback brings his horse to a stop, glancing about at thesudden disappearence of the Darkwood personnel, then dismounts and proceedsinto the tower.

Shiroi nods, her arms crossing in front of her chest. "Indeed, you're very smart."

Natdog glances over to the figure approaching the tower

Shiroi looks up. "What a mess... I do suppose it's high time for me to leave this place..."

Crulath tries to wake Razz, shaking her almost worriedly. He suddenly recoils, watching her arm restore itself to the battered, destroyed state.

Suddenly a black-robed figure appears from the stairs, his eyes narrowed."What is going on here now?"

Velias glances back over to Shiroi, "Leave?"

Razz's head tilts back at the shake, but it drops back down again, all but dead to the world.

White uniform with cord and jewel, gold clasps that hold it together, dullice white pants and standard issue Conerian military boots. Holding hisrune covered broadsword to his side, Eikigou approaches, with a look conveying much anger.

Shiroi turns her head towards Matthew, and a incredulous look came over her face. "You slept through all that, Sir Matthew?"

Matthew waves his hand dismissively. "All what? I have been away."

Shiroi snorts. "Well, I'm sad to inform you that you just missed a minor battle, 'round here. Wasn't much, really. Mirai disappeared with two others, the forest was burnt down, students fought for their lives. And, oh, Razz and the evil schoolmaster got taken away by a certain ancient named Crulath."

Matthew growls. "Well then... I suppose Crulath has not learned his lesson well from the last time he attacked people here."

Shiroi casts Eikigou a glance as he nears. "Greetings, stranger. We're suffering from a technical difficulty right now, please check back again later, or leave a message after the beep."

Velias says, "Matthew, if you are thinking of attacking Crulath, I would gladly give my assistance."

Eikigou just looks at Shiroi as if she were insane, then turns and looks to Velias, yelling, "What is the meaning of this, Darkwood!? How dare you attack this school, of all places!"

Matthew snickers softly. "I will have no need to. I have someone who would gladly remind him of former lessons."

Velias looks at Eikigou with disgust, "How dare you falsely accuse me of crimes I did not commit! Just because I stand to inherit the company does not mean I believe in its ideals!"

Eikigou looks at Velias discerningly...then turns away in mild disgust. "Very well. Crulath...the creature that had attacked this tower some time ago? Allow me to offer my assistance, then."

Matthew suddenly throws up an arm, the hand of which is surrounded by dark flame. It makes a deep, rumbling sound that echoes through the air oddly.

Velias says, "Eikigou...did you come alone? Aren't you the Captain of the Guard in Coneria?"

Suddenly a dark-armored figure fades into view from the shadows, next to Matthew.

Shiroi takes this time to step outside the entrance, gazing upon the charred forest and the gathering survivors of the previous student body.

Matthew and Raven stare at each other shortly, communicating silently insome form, and then Raven disappears much more quickly than he appeared.

Eikigou sheaths his broadsword and stretches his hands out in front ofhimself, tentacle blades ripping out of his back to form six makeshift wings, "....yes. Indeed, I am. But they are not ready for something likethis yet."

Velias says, "Aren't you concerned that without you there to lead them, the soldiers would be unprepared for an attack on the Kingdom?"

Raven quite suddenly reappears in Crulath's realm, near his metal tree, the look on his face clearly not a happy one.

Eikigou glances at Velias oddly, with that statement... "...and who is going to attack them? Darkwood? Taking a kingdom that is already theirs?"

Velias says, "You know we both have many enemies."

The survivors have rallied around the few remaining medics, tending to what wounds can be tended. The instructions are clear enough; head for the Temple of the Crystals, and from there to Daoma.

Raven shouts, "Crulath! What is the meaning of this, bringing mortals to your home and torturing them?!"

Shiroi knows of the instructions... It is not of her intention to follow, though. It's time to move on, as well as it should be. She wonders if Treijan'd made it.

Crulath looks at Raven. "I have had enough of your meddling, Ancient!"

Velias grumbles, "Ah forget it. I knew it would be foolish to depend on you to protect the people of Coneria. I'm out of here."

Raven points a mailed hand at Crulath. "Then let it end, along with your life!"

Crulath tries to lift Raven, and impale him on the tree.

And with that, Velias leaves the entrance and walks over to Shiroi andwhere the students are gathered.

Raven snarls, slamming his gauntleted fists into Crulath's face, and driving his booted foot into his midsection.

Eikigou glances at Velias in an annoyed fashion, and walks after him, "Now, just WHAT is your deal here? What is your business in this tower, and what do you care whether or not I am constantly present at grand old Coneria?"

Velias says, "It's called responsibility and honor, Eikigou. Maybe you should study it sometime."

Crulath is driven back. "I'm done playing with you, it's time to die, old man!" He runs forward, razor sharp hands, all four of them, trying to hit Raven.

Velias says, "Justin and Razz are good friends of the King. I was merely here to provide assistance as a gesthere to provide assistance as a gesture of honor."

Velias says, "Though I don't expect you to understand what that gesturemeans."

Velias finally arives at where Shiroi and the other students are, "Is everyone accounted for?"

Raven laughs, "Playing with me? You don't seem to understand!" He suddenly fades and vanishes, reappearing behind Crulath with a sneer.

Eikigou smirks at that... "Responsibility and honor? What would a Darkwood know about those sorts of things? And wouldn't it be within my right to assist, should one of my agents report to me a great fire a ways from Tycoon?"

The students, what's left of them that didn't get finished off by the fire or invasion force, gathers close around the entrance, some nursing each other's wounds, some crying for their friends amongst the survivors, some curling up to blissful sleep. Instructors ran about with their business, caring for the injuried children.

Crulath laughs. "It is you who fail to understand. I have your powers, and no limits!" He MOVEs Raven TO the space in front of him, and punches.

Arkie - yes, Arkie - comes to Velias, and stares at him. A strange face. Wariness. "Who might you be, sir?"

Velias bows to the newcommer, "My name is Velias Vaspleck. I'm here tooffer my assistance."

Raven raises his hands, warding off the blows. "No limits? Everyone haslimits... perhaps I should demonstrate!"

Arkie eyes Velias suspiciously. "Velias Vaspleck... I don't think I've heard of that name before.

Raven raises a hand, and a black shadow flies to it out of Crulath, leaving him visibly weakened.

Velias says, "I hail from another land fairly far away from here. Have you perhaps heard of King Kaze?"

Arkie looks mildly offended. "The new king of Coneria. Of course I have."

Velias smiles, "I see! So you know of the other worlds. Please, forgive me."

Crulath growls, but struggles to increase his speed, swinging fists at Raven nigh-indiscriminately.

Eikigou chuckles at that, "I see you're hitting it off well already, Darkwood. Maybe you should ask her if she can point Onrac out on the map."

Arkie softens at that. "It's okay, sir."

Velias says, "I am here on behalf of his majesty."

Raven slams his fist into the ground, a tremor rocking the ground in a wave between him and Crulath.

Velias tastefully ignores that comment.

Arkie looks somewhat unsure, as if she didn't know if she ought to trust him yet. "Is that so?"

Velias nods

Velias says, "Don't pay heed to Eikigou. Him and my father have a little grudge going. He's convinced himself I'm trying to follow in his footsteps."

Arkie questions further. "Why would King Kaze send us assistance when we've just been attacked no more than a hour ago? Why /would/ he, anyway?"

Crulath leaps into the air, and floats. "I don't think so." He creates an energy blast and fires at Raven.

Velias chuckles, "I see, you've found me out. Okay, I admit it, I'm acting on my own. The organization Eikigou mentioned, Darkwood, has anestablishment in Tycoon. I was there when I noticed the fires."

Razz remains, quite dead looking, on the branch she's pierced through. Noting none of the action going on at the foot of the tree.

Raven leaps aside, raising his hand up. Suddenly Justin and Razz are removed from the Tree, suprisingly gently, and made to float in a cocoon of energy behind him.

Crulath says: BASTARD. They're MINE.

Eikigou looks off towards some of the wounded and responds with, "King Kaze wouldn't. I doubt he would care about this place at all. Though he was hanging around one woman from here for a time..."

Arkie's ears picked up at that. "What is that, sir?" She addresses Eikiguo.

Velias says, "My, how eloquently you speak of your King, Eikigou."

Crulath knows better than to waste time with them, though. He rushes forward, striking again at Raven, while he may be distracted.

Justin wouldn't have thought the Ancient of Rage had it in him. He'll have to thank him, some time when he's not got a gaping hole in his torso.

Raven's eyes narrow dangerously. "Mortal lives belong to no one but themselves..." He then just releases a blast of sudden darkness from his outstretched hand, straight at Crulath.

Razz remains in her coma. Probably for the best, anyway... She's not a pretty sight to look at.

Eikigou glances down at Arkie, placing his hands on his hips, "King Kaze has many affairs to handle back in Coneria. He would be far too busy to come here to help, and even if he would, he would not send troops; like myself, he would come alone."

Velias says, "Then why are you here, Eikigou?"

Crulath moves swiftly to the side, continuing to rush Raven.

Eikigou waves a hand about, gesturing towards the inner recesses of the school, "I came out here to check the situation out, of course. Or will that answer not satisfy you? Perhaps a truce, if you really aren't following in your father's footsteps?"

Raven raises his left hand, and he is surrounded by a ring of black flame, and he growls.

Velias says, "Hmm...perhaps you aren't here just to spite whatever gestures I offer then. Very well, I accept your truce."

Crulath halts before the flames, and tries to burst the cocoons Justin and Razz are in.

Arkie looks to Velias again. "Ahem. Sir?"

The flames suddenly part, and Raven rushes through, aiming a massive punch at Crulath's face.

Velias turns back to Arkie and smiles, "Ah, forgive me. Just just that we don't get along too well. Now, is there anything I can do to help?"

Arkie's face falls, for a bit. Looking very much like the little girl who'd just been through a battle way too fierce for her experience. Her bruised face and charred hair adds to the effect. "Do you know who those people are? From the invasion?" She asked hopefully.

Velias says, "I could speculate, but I don't know anything for certain. They were probably with Crulath."

Crulath is struck, his jagged metal face bending inside. His jaw opens and tries to clamp down on Raven's hand.

Arkie echoed. "Crulath? Him again..." She gritted her teeth. "I should've known... Lousy-" and she almost starts using languages that certainly would've got her expelled from a classroom, but stops herself.

Raven allows the jaws to clamp upon his hand, grimacing with pain, and then he releases a sudden blast of blache releases a sudden blast of black energy from said hand, no doubt causing much pain and/or injury.

Crulath actually loses the back of his neck. The metal bends out, and the blast continues through. The scream is silenced by Raven's hand, but at least Crulath is going to try to rip the hand off.

Velias says, "May I ask something. I overheard you saying you were goingto leave. Do you have a place where you could go?"

Shiroi seems to jerk out of a deep contemplation. "Oh, no, nowhere in particular. I like to keep my options open," Shiroi quoted, and offered Velias her trademark smirk.

Raven suddenly rips his hand out forcefully, and then steps back, blackwaves of power swirling around him and flowing into him...

Velias smiles back, "Perhaps we could offer you shelter."

Crulath rushes forward, reaching to grab Raven with all four arms.

Shiroi archs an eyebrow. "Only shelter, huh?"

Velias says, "Only? What else do you require?"

Velias says, "I'm certain we can provide for it."

Shiroi shrugs. "Something interesting, is all. I can find my own shelter."

Raven suddenly leaps backwards, wrapping his arms around the Tree of Pain, and pulling it out by the base with a huge roar.

Raven screams, "You shall torture mortals no more with this wretched thing!"

Crulath . o O ( Oh, that's bad. That's. . .bad." ).

Velias asks, "Interesting?"

Shiroi grins. "Excitement, if you will."

Raven rears back, and swings the Tree at Crulath with another shout.

Crulath leaps at Raven's neck, trying to duck under the tree.

Eikigou looks to Shiroi with a look of mild curiousity, "And who might you be, miss? Certainly not one out of the ordinary."

Velias says, "Ah! Well, Coneria could provide you with shelter...or, I suppose I can arrange for accomidations in Darkwood Tower..."

Raven's aura of blackness suddenly intensfies to an almost solid substance, as he brings the Tree down, trying to make Crulath's lunge a costly one.

Shiroi casts a glance in Eikigou's direction. Oh, yes, the man who'd looked at her as if she were insane. Smart man, he is. "On the contrary, I am a completely ordinary gatecrasher."

Velias says, "Lots of things go on in both locations."

Shiroi looks back at Velias. "Tell me more of this placed called 'Darkwood'."

Eikigou peers at Shiroi discerningly, with just a hint of disdain... "An ordinary gatecrasher...your name, miss?"

Velias says, "It's located in a city not far off from Relidia. We're inthe business of evolution, actually, so that one day wars like this willnever happen."

Crulath is struck, like an errant pitch, and is flung into deep left field, it looks like, it could be. . .just might be. . .it is! It's GONE! He's outta here!

Shiroi shudders. "Oh, no. Ideals for ever lasting peace always fails at one time or another, don't you know?"

Velias says, "Eh, that's always what my father keeps blabbing about. The evolution part is pretty interesting, though."

Raven snarls, and suddenly hurls the Tree of Pain high into the sky aboveits former base, blasting it into millions of pieces.

Shiroi smirks again. "Evolution, revolution - These things no longer interest me anymore. Once you've walked the edge - you know what it's like. Of course, I myself was never an extremist on such matters, so I suppose I wouldn't know."

He then strides over to the cocoon of light, and they vanish from Crulath'srealm, reappearing at the Blades tower.

Velias says, "Truly? I always thought such things caught at least a little interest in people. I know the subject fascinates me."

Eikigou looks a bit annoyed by all of that talk... "You talk like a member of one of those plant smoking cults. I don't suppose you are a member of one, are you?"

Shiroi turned her head to the Ancient who'd suddenly teleported into place. Really, gods these days. No respect for privacy at all.

Raven appears in the middle of the ruined foyer, his aura of darkness still swirling about him, and Justin and Razz still floating near the floor in their cocoon.

Velias glances over at the Ancient who just appeared back at the Tower, "Oh yes, and we have a few of those people drop by occasionally. They usually make things pretty exciting."

Shiroi casts another glace at Eikigou. "Well, I've once been hailed as a rising idol, and some of my fans smoked weed, does that count?"

Shiroi looks again to the Ancient and the glowing, floating sphere - Well, isn't that nice? Her evil schoolmaster with the lolita complex is back! Along with the darling little elfling. Whee.

Raven allows the heavily wounded Razz and Justin to float onto the floor."He refused to return them to me, so he is dead. His Tree of Pain is in a million pieces, never to torture anyone else."

Matthew sighs, stepping over to Razz and Justin. "I don't know that either of them will survive much longer in this condition." He looks over at Velias. "There are still competent medical staff at the Darkwood Tower, correct?"

Eikigou considers that for a moment, then nods, "Yes, I suppose that would count...ah, Raven...it is good to hear that you have destroyed that menace once and for all."

Velias nods at Matthew, "Indeed there is."

Matthew nods. "Do you think that if I can have them brought there, they would tend to them?"

Velias says, "They would be glad to."Raven sighs and shakes his head, as Matthew glances at him. "I should not do so, but I will take them. But I will do no more." With that, he and the two wounded vanish.

Velias turns back to Shiroi, "Care to join them?"

Matthew snickers softly as he shakes his head. "I do not think she would do well with your company, young Vaspleck. She doesn't seem to do well with rules."

Shiroi stretchs like a cat. "I don't see why not."

Velias says, "Neither do any of my father's executives, Matthew. I think she'll fit right in."

Velias chuckles

Shiroi sticks her tongue out at Matthew. "Just because you're the only teacher I haven't gave head to...!"

Eikigou raises an eyebrow at that... "You...gave head to the teachers here?"

Matthew gives Shiroi a contemptous look. "I'm far too old for that anyway."

Shiroi smirks. "That's what they /all/ say."

Shiroi mutters something about sour grapes under her breath.

Velias looks around at all the students, "They're welcome to come along as well."

Velias says, "I'm sure a floor in the Tower could be prepared for them...or if Eikigou inists, we can build someplace close to the guardhouse."

Eikigou considers for a moment, then inquires with, "My, the only way you were accepted into this school the first place, eh? You don't appear to have much else in the way of skill."

Eikigou nods to Velias, "We may certainly provide as such."Velias says, "Perfect."

Shiroi poses seductively. "Why, however did you guess, my good man?" She asked mockingly of Eikigou.

Arkie returns from quiet conference with the few remaining Instructors. "We would, ahh, we would like to thank you both for your offers, but we /do/ have prior arrangements for this eventuality, I've just been informed."

Velias nods at Arkie, "That is good. If you do require our assistance, it will always be available."

Eikigou regards her with a dry look, responding plainly with, "You don't have any meat on your bones. Easily apparent upon those that don't train. Are you starving yourself or something? Do you need professionals to help you with that?"

Shiroi looked at her arms. "Wow, really? They call my way of eating /starving/? Damn! I've been missing out!"

Eikigou smirks at that, then continuing with, "And watch how you act around me. The residents of this academy, those that remain, may be easily suckered by a pretty smile and an extravagant pose, but I am not."

Shiroi pretends to giggle and blush. "Oh, you, flattering womanizer."

Velias says, "So glad to see we're getting along."

Shiroi nods. "Indeed."

Eikigou brings his hand to his chin and considers what might be the best way to deal with a woman such as this...closing his eyes to aid his meditation, he opens them, and comes to a single conclusion; he thusly backhands Shiroi.

Shiroi does the limbo! And delivers a booted kick up Eikigou's chin! "So, so violent, you."

Shiroi scoots away behind Velias, affecting mock fear. "See how he's trying to abuse me!"

Eikigou quickly brings his other hand in front of his chin to block,smirking in a knowing fashion, "Such reflexes. Maybe you do have some skill after all."

Velias grins

Shiroi sighs, in that long-suffering way. "Really, real gentlemen are /so/ hard to find in this day and age."

Velias says, "Don't mind him, Shiroi, he's always like that."

Velias snickers to himself, "If you've lost that many battles, you'd act like that too."

Eikigou glances down, still smirking somewhat, and continues, "And if they weren't hard to find, would you give them a tongue waxing, upon the ol'maypole, too? I mean, you have done it for almost every instructor that has been here, haven't you?"

Shiroi puts a hand over her mouth with an affected dismayed expression. "You mean... You /haven't/ heard? Oh dear. My reputation is fading."

Eikigou replies, "Reputation? You mean, you have found some gentlemen to clean the pipes of? For shame, now they just won't be the gentlemen that they used to be."

Shiroi grins. "Find me an innocent and I shall enlighten him or her for you."

Eikigou clasps his hands together, moving the fingers about in a rabbit ear type fashion as he asks, "Ah, so you're that kind of woman?"

Shiroi poses again. "That depends on what kind of a man you are."

Eikigou looks a bit annoyed at that, "The kind of man who already has a woman to protect. And that is certainly enough."

Shiroi snrks. "Aah, a one-woman stalk- ahem, I mean, protector. More than what some people can say, I shouldn't doubt. Good for you."

Velias chuckles

Eikigou glances towards Velias... "I don't suppose you're her next'customer', are you, Vaspleck?"

Velias narrows his eyes at Eikigou

Velias says, "Eikigou, I wouldn't talk as if I were high and mighty if I were you."

Eikigou sweeps out with a hand as if to dismiss Velias's statement, "I am quite within my rights to be high and mighty. You know full well what positions of power I wield..."

Velias says, "You certainly did not earn that position of power with your courageous battle record."

Eikigou smirks at that comment... "And what of it? I am still of that position. And should it be taken from me, I shall act upon my authority as my other position..."

Velias says, "You mean that fallen order of Knights? Without it's previous leader, it will never be what it once was."

Velias laughs a bit

Shiroi clears her throat for a bit. "As /fascinating/ as this conversation is, I believe we had somewhere to go?"

Velias says, "Ah yes. Let us be off, Shiroi."

Eikigou folds his arms and asserts, "Nonsense. Even now it is more glorious than it ever was. A mightier force, better trained..."

Eikigou draws his tentacles back in, the fabric of his uniform sealing up as if it were enchanted, "I suppose I shall be off, as well. Much preparation is needed..." And with that, he heads out to his horse, mounts it, and rides off towards Tycoon.