Rade paces impatiently along the walkways and parapets of the castle walls. He began to regret his decision to stay behind. A loner by nature, he still was unused to having responsibiliy beyond the preservation of his own skin. In the old days he'd have simply bound off in his own, but his rational side grudgingly deferred to the logic that required his remaining at the castle, boring though it had been to this point.
A sudden scream brought him from his trance of self-pity. He felt a jarring and pain through the binding he shared by oath with Ion. The scream was very female in form and so must be Devlyn. His feet were in motion in an instant, carrying him along the highest part of the west (or what WOH had decided would be called west in a realm without poles) wall to the north where the study lay. Dev was supposed to be poring over dusty tomes of strategy. Leaping from the walkway he spoke a word and floated softly from his old position some 20 feet above. He felt the sudden arrival of another being within the study, the sudden surge of power and displacement of air always made his hair stand on end. The screaming had stopped to be replaced by the roar of fire and rebuking tone he recognized to be Magi. He knew Magi more by reputation than by experience but knew him to be a powerful mage.
He paused at the door sensing whatever trouble had existed was no longer present. Fire spells tend to make a mess when cast indoors and cleanup was not on his mind so he headed back to the walls to continue his brooding over Stormie. Speaking another word he jumped lightly, shooting up at no small velocity, but slow enough to carry him no farther than the battlement he had just left.
Taking no more than three steps, he stopped, wrinkling his nose. "What the hell is that smell?" His response came in the form of a gnarled fist attached to what must be a tree trunk, the thickness and weight lending evidence to the possibility.
Though his descent from the wall was faster this trip, Rade would have preferred stairs. His body flew as true as an arrow striking the castle wall with a thundering boom. His bracers glinted brightly in defiance to this test of their enchantment, but protected Rade from the impact. Most of it anyway, bruises were sure be evident on the morrow.
Falling to one knee, Rade shook off the effect of the attack and looked up. A figure some 15 feet tall rose steadily on leathery wings, horns stuck out of a head that could loosely be described as humanoid, but the reddish-brown tint of its skin and cloven feet confirmed it as a native of hell.
He had heard of these things, Pit Fiends, but stories really did fall short. This guy was going to be a serious handful.
His slim long sword came free of it scabbard without a sound, the sickeningly gray blade casting and reflecting no light. Staggering back to a standing position, he pointed his blade at the fiend. "Nice form! I mean that REALLY hurt. Kind of dumb coming alone though, you might have wanted a friend along to carry your remains to whichever plane you came from."
The Fiend regarded Rade with what probably passed for amusement in hell and spoke with a voice that shook the ground. "Rade of WOH, we know of you, we know of ALL of you. We know you are divided, your strongest members are away on...business, yes?" It laughed as its wings set it down on the wall. "And I did bring friends, 10 of the closest friends a Master can own!" Hands could be seen now grasping for purchase along the north wall, long, narrow heads covered with thick barbs and horns followed along with their mottled green bodies and long, spiked tails.
"Rade of WOH, be honored! Your name will live forever as the first WOH to die by my hands!" Not waiting for its horned companions, the Fiend shot from the wall with a snap of its great wings.
Rade, being no coward, but no fool either thought strategically. "DEVLYN! A hand if you please!"
The Great devil landed heavily in front of Rade who watched as the beast produced a jagged toothed club from seemingly nowhere. "I will spread you across this courtyard so you may be a part of it forever!" , the beast bellowed.
"You talk too much." The club smashed into stone as Rade danced aside and the battle began in earnest.
For its bulk, the devil was very fast. Upon striking stone it wasted no time swinging in a horizontal arc that Rade was able to duck under. Standing to slash at the devils now exposed leg he was battered aside by a wing disorienting him and sending him into a roll from which he quickly recovered.
The study door slammed open suddenly and three figures emerged with fury in their eyes. The Pit Fiend regarded them with scorn, "Your turn will come little ones!" Quin pointed towards the walls, "Lets clear the walls, the fewer of those that get in the better!"
Dev was way ahead finishing a simple but effective spell, "...tobanis karr!" seven missiles screamed forth from her fingertips toward two of the barbed devils that had just made it over the wall, the natural magic resistance of one beast dissolved the missiles short of its target, but the other finding its skull being creased as it fell backwards off the wall. Dev cursed loudly, "I hate the magic resistant ones!"
Quin looked annoyed, "something a bit less direct perhaps?" that said he reached with practiced ease for a pinch of dust as he chanted. Spitting in his open palm and sprinkling the dust over it, he finished the spell bringing his other fist down on the two components. A great whoosh of air rushed by as the temperature dropped suddenly. The devils on the wall looked confused and then pained as large chunks of ice dropped from the sky amongst them knocking another of their number off the wall but doing far less damage than Quin would have preferred.
A bolt of lightning flashed from the hands of Magi tearing much flesh from the side of one unlucky devil, but not knocking it over, the damaged but angry remaining 8 devils jumped from the wall to melee.
Rade continued his fight with the pit fiend knowing the Barbed devils would soon be dispatched to their home plane at the hands of his fellows.
Several more near misses by the huge club and Rade saw a pattern in the devils combat method. The beast poised to smash Rade yet again, sending chips flying as the weapon missed again and struck stone. Stepping in, Rade feigned a swing at the fiend's arm and as expected the beast pumped its wings to push itself out of harms way, having a wing on either side of him, he chose the one to the right and swung the gray blade vertically. The fiend screamed in rage as its own blood sprayed the courtyard stones, the small blade sliced easily through the bone and tore the membrane of the wing as well, it now hung limply.
Quin and the others had only seconds to act as the barbed devils closed. Sometimes simple spells are the best in sticky situations, the three wizards spoke sharply in sorcerer's syllables and several duplicates of each of them formed. All of them pulled a weapon free. As agreed, the men strode in to meet the devils with steel as Devlyn cast another spell.
Rade pressed his attack on the Pit fiend, the thing backing up a bit to regain its balance. It s eyes seemed to light a bit and Rade was suddenly wracked by pain so great he dropped his Gray blade and fell to one knee in agony. Wasting no time, the club found its mark, smashing Rade squarely on his left side and sending him reeling. Shrieking with rage it closed in for the kill.
Devlyn finished her casting and felt sudden vigor as was common when under the influence of this spell. Quin and Magi, who had been pressed back a bit by the greater number of devils, now moved their weapons in a blur, the swiftness of their attacks increasing ten-fold. Devlyn rushed in to join the fray and nearly tripped over one of Magi's victims, it lacking a head, did the only sensible thing it COULD do and fell over. 7 left.
Quin fought off two as a third tried to push its way forward. Pain erupted in his thigh as a spiked tail sneaked through his defenses drawing blood. A clubbed fist followed the tail strike, but Quin was the faster easily ducking the swing and slashing at the creatures legs. The devil, to its credit, did not cry out at the impact to its legs, but looked on dumbly as it found itself suddenly two feet shorter. A follow up chop opened the stinking contents of its head, which spilled in a pile. Albeit a small one.
"Good form!" ,yelled Devlyn. 6 left. Quin moved close to Devlyn who was bleeding from several small wounds.
"About face on three!" He shouted, Dev nodded with a grim smile. The devils parried and slashed at their targets, tireless. "One!" Dev took another hit to the ribs, but it was only a glancing blow and she feigned a stumble towards Quin. "Two!" Quin parried a blow from his opponent and slapped it playfully with the flat of his blade sending a wad of spittle into its face to further the insult, the devil roared and lunged...Dev's attacker seeking to press its advantage as she stumbled lunged forward... "THREE!" both devils were caught by surprise as their enemies opened themselves for attack, turning aside as if they no longer mattered. Both were stunned then when, as they closed for the kill, they found enchanted blades sticking in their vital organs, Quin and Dev having traded enemies in a much-practiced maneuver. The devils opened their mouths to screech their denial but alas!, the two WOH twisted their blades spilling the guts of their now dead rivals. 4 Left
The Pit Fiend towered over Rade with its club at the ready, Rade struggled to rise his left arm hurt badly, possibly broken, the level of protection his bracers could offer having been exceeded. The fiend began to raise its club but howled instead in new pain of its own as the enchantment of the grey blade made itself known. The wing it had cut began to turn brown and fester, the stench being rather foul. The disease crawled nearly to the shoulder before stopping, making the wing a shriveled, stinking husk.
Bellowing in rage it raised its club, but Rade had recovered himself, the pain spell was broken and he ran to grab his sword.
Magi held off the 4 devils long enough for Dev And Quin to execute their about face, but he was taking wounds and losing ground despite his increased speed. All of his duplicates were gone and he was wondering if being mauled by these things was going to hurt a lot, when one of them tripped on another leaving it off balance and open for the attack that left it a head shorter AND gave it a grand view of its own standing body from the ground. With the odds much evened out the remaining three barbed devil, went down in a flurry of severed limbs and wide arcs of viscous fluid.
Rade Found himself rejoined with his sword wishing he had time for a quick heal spell. The pit fiend was insane with rage and in agony as its wing continued to rot, liquefying and falling off the bone in large chunks.
He paused to draw a breath as the pit fiend ran towards him. "I was right, you are a handful" Quin's voice came from behind, he sounded tired. "Gifts for you brother!" spells were loosed and Rade could feel his arm grow whole, new energy surged through his body. He felt lightning fast and strong as a hill giant. The pit fiend saw the change taken place, but was overcome with rage, the club came down and stayed down, Rade jumped nimbly aside and severed the hand that held it. Black ichor sprayed from the stump sending steam rising wherever it landed. The screams that followed were worthy of any dragon. Clutching its bloody stump, it reached for the club with its good hand only to be jerked back as its other wing was hacked away. Turning toward Rade it allowed him to see something it had never experienced and could, thus, not describe. Rade saw fear in its eyes. "Hold still, this will only hurt for a minute"
Aided by the spells of his sister and brothers he rained blow after blow upon the fiend and stepped back as it fell to its knees with a crash.
"I am but the first of many! More will follow in greater numbers until you are all killed and your castle is torn down to the last brick! Your souls will live in torture within the belly of my master!" It might have prattled on longer, but the rot had begun. Blisters and boils erupted from and traveled away from the many wounds. Screams of agony filled the courtyard as the entire body of the fiend began to drip mucus and puss, skin erupted with infection and fell off in clumps.
Rade watched in satisfaction as the bones beneath began to be revealed, and still it screamed. The sounds were cut off abruptly by a flash and the release of three bolts of energy that blew the rest the monster to pieces, efficiently rendering the remain into a cloud of dust.
"I think its time I brushed up on my spells" Rade said, breaking the eerie silence that followed.
"Later" replied Magi, "I need food and rest, I have been taxed today, that is something I can not often claim. If you do the cooking, I will tutor you"
Dev looked dubious "Just keep that sword out of the kitchen"
Quin looked hard at the blade "Where the hell did you find that thing anyway? I have never seen its like, it makes no noise when it is struck."
Rade sheathed the blade and headed for the study door, "funny you should ask! I was shacked up with Stormie in cursed Brittania when one day...."
The four retire to the castle for a deserved rest unaware of the dark mood they have caused the one who holds Stormie...

Slowly stepping into the mess hall, the warrior known as Vikar, is in a state of mental tiredness from lack of sleep. These past few days have been ruff, and have wore his patience thin. His sleep has been plagued with visions of death. Stormie at the will of a monster and Ions death have made for a nasty couple of days. Seeing Quin, Beast and to his slight surprise Magi quietly talking in a corner of the room. Obviously wanting to be alone and in some deep discussion. With heavy footfalls the warrior makes his way over the keg of the strongest ale currently being served in the mess hall. Grabbing the largest stout he could find, he quickly fills it and drains it dry. Then fills it again. Turning to face the crowded mess hall he notices that, Quin is waving him over. Silently he walks to their small table and greets the three seated. "Well met my friends". "aye Vic" is heard three times round. "Seat yourself and tell us of the preparations you have made for the castle defenses" asks Magi. "Where to begin ? I have made a list of those I would like to assign to the walls and the defense of the main gate. As well as those to defend the castle and it's separate parts. Tomorrow I will be asking for volunteers to sweep the castle in search of hidden passages and to seal them off. Also I assume that you(speaking to Quin) and Magi will be conducting the magical defenses for the castle? (Looking at beast)And that u will be with our lord the Serpent? If it is all right with you three I will start handing out assignments in the morning. Just thought I should check with you three to see if you needed any of the warriors for something else first?" Quin speaks in a soft voice. "aye Vic, that sounds good. We will trust you in the planing of the defense of the castle. But do you still believe that we are in danger here? It has been almost a week and still no attack has come forth." With out a moment's hesitation Vikar answers him. " Quin, I have been a ranger far too long to ignore my senses. There is a storm coming and its not going to be pleasant". With that the tired warrior stands and bids his brothers farewell. With all thoughts of his Ale behind him, Vikar leaves the mess hall and heads towards his room to prepare for the dawning of the new day.

Vikar was in his room preparing for the coming day, when news of the scouting party's attack on the castle had reached him. "So it has begun at last" he said to himself. Calmly walking over to favorite chair, he picked up his cloak of shadows. Wearing it made him better and increased his awareness of the shadowy room. Next he took up his twin long swords. Black and Gray by name. He could tell that they hungered for the blood that was soon to be spilled. And lastly he took up his mighty bow, and quiver of never ending arrows. With a sigh he prepared himself for what lay ahead. Swiftly he walked to the courtyard. He could clearly see the signs of a good-sized battle that had taken place. But the clean up was well under way. Looking about, he caught the attention of Hydra and Jozix. "Brothers assemble the warriors, tis time we get prepared." Less than an hour later all the warriors in the castle were assembled in the courtyard, save Magi, Quin, Beast, Stormie and Peron's rescue party. Vikar spoke loudly for all to here. " No doubt, you have all heard of the battle that was fought earlier. Well prepare yourselves it was only the beginning to the greater storm." There were obvious tremors through out the gathered warriors. "ENOUGH" Vikar shouted. "This is the time to pull together and fight as bother and sisters. Not to questioning orders or for questioning me!" The silence that hung in the air gave Vikar his answer to his unspoken question. "Are they truly ready for the what is coming?" Shaking his head Vikar beings to dish out assignments to the warriors. Those warriors that come from the realm of Athas to the front gates and walls. Those from the multi-worlds of Britannia to the east and back half of the walls. Those warriors that hail from the realms to the west walls. Jozix, you take Blaze and his pets, as well as Jynn, Kronn and Vouirr. Recon the area around the castle, I don't want any more scouting parties breaking through like that. Cobaras, Hydra, Viper, Tig, Nik and Borus. I want u to go to the crypt under the castle and secure it with wall or magic or what ever! This dark one can raise our dead against us and I don't want any undo surprises coming from inside the castle. If anyone finds themselves with out an assignment see me post haste! With that the gathered warriors begin to move off at a fast pace to secure there given assignments.

The soul of Ion stands before the Dark one. "so Ion, you were able to send a message to your friends. No matter, it shall do them little good. When Magi breaks the secret of the vial, he will go after the wrong person! But what I am to do with you. If not or Magi sending your soul to play with your god, I would have never been able to intervene. And to change your course to end up in a place that I could retrieve u from" Says the Dark one. With an evil smile on his face, he watches ion intently. Finally he chooses to speak again. "My old friend, I know of your dearest wish. It is to leave that mortal coil behind. And even as a lonely soul you are still attached some way to the prime material plane. Well Ion I'm going to grant you your fondest wish." With that the Dark one reaches out and takes hold of the soul of Ion. He begins to twist and tear at the soul. The screams of a soul in torture, are legendary though out the abyss. But even to though denizens listening, a new legend was being forged with the scream coming from this poor helpless soul. Finally after much amusement on the part of the Dark one. The soul tears loose from it mortal binds and becomes a form of pure energy. The Dark one mutters a strange incantation. Quickly his hand grows large and black. It reaches out and grabs the energy form that was once Ion of WOH. The Black hand pulses with an energy of its own." Oh no my lost soul I still have a use for you. After all u did provide me with some very useful information from the meeting at the castle. " he Dark one gestures to the form of a rotting headless corpse. The corpse that was once Jester of WOH." Bring forth my creation!" Slowly a pure black statue was drug before the Dark one. The Energy that was once Ion of WOH gazes down upon the statue of what appears to be his old mortal shell. Its face twisted in a howl of pain and torture. Not from any physical pain, but pain from knowing that he had spied upon comrades and had most likely sent many of them to there deaths. The Dark one slowly pours the energy that was once Ion of WOH into the statue. As soon as the energy touches the statue, it beings to scream in pain and fury at what he had done in life." And so it shall be done, you will be placed upon the castle steps for all your friends to hear. Nef, Ester, Sharky, Toren, take this and do as I bid." Quickly the four warroirs, one dead and three under the control of the dark one carry the statue off into the haze and smoke. Until they reach the portal that will gate them all to the army that is poised on the outer rim of hades. Only awaiting the command to invade and conquer the Warroirs of Hades.

After hearing the instructions given by Vikar, Devlyn heads back into the kitchen to finish the meal for her brothers and sisters... I will talk to Vik as soon as I am done in her. I don't want the Pit fiend to burn ::Devlyn mumbles:: Since I don't have a post right now, it won't hurt to finish the cooking. :::Devlyn walks back into the kitchen, the smell of cooking fiend strong in the air:: Let's see I've got roast Pit fiend for the main course Pit stew for an appetizer ( better take that to Magi now.) fresh made bread, and on the spit I have one leg of the animal liberally smeared in BBQ sauce. Everything looks in order, I need to call everyone into dinner here soon. ::Devlyn begins to run around the kitchen, filling up the mugs of ale, pouring the stew, and turning the spit one last time.

Blaze, Having heard his orders From Vik, looks to Joz and says Ill take the Front gate and Have my pets in and outside the doors. (knowing full well his pets last long with out aid) "Hey Brother (to Joz) where can I find some Invis rings for the collars of the Mutts, that should help them a Bit." (Joz) "Go talk to Quin he has a stash of everything in his Library." (Blaze) "K bro. I will get Nanuk to get them, I'm heading to the gate now." (Nanuk-still in ethereal fire form) Looks down the hall for Quin, once he sees him return to the ground and Wolven form. And heads to Quin. (Quin) Seeing Nanuk he says "What do you want mutt." Nanuk feeling like a useless piece of fur uses his best ESP to ask for the items wanted.... (Quin) "Aye mutt I have those for Blaze, go into my room and in the large Black chest you will find a bag of them. Now go you stink, And what is that smell. (Quin knowing full well that Blaze's pets were eating most of mess in the courtyard). Nanuk with the info, heads to get the rings. ......... Once inside the room Nanuk grabs the bag of rings and heads to his master's side. (Blaze) Seeing his friend show up with a bag says "Well done Nanuk lets get these out and on to your brethern." After making a rope chain for each mutt Blaze notices that only 4 of the 7 have turned invisible and a red glow to the others. (Blaze) Now what are those.. Blaze touches one and gets a burn... Owww you little ...Hmm... must be Fireshield rings. OK you 3 out side, (Blaze then points to the 4 invised) You 4 go inside the doors and don't let anyone, not Of the before given images, Get by you....
Blaze then heads back to the parapet of the front gate, and snacks on some dried umber hulk meat.......

Still refusing to eat she watches her two sisters bring her food yet again and thinks to herself ..is that breakfast twice in a row? Her sisters also bring her fresh clothes, which she refuses to wear yet again. Being too weak from hunger now to fight as well as she was before Kat and Lyric stand her up striping her completely down. Then putting on the clothes the Dark One had chosen for her. They lead her to the bed putting her in it for the night..putting her there for him. Being use to the constant laugher now she falls right asleep only to have the Dark One invade her dreams always saying the same thing "One day you will be mine." His hands exploring her body as she fights him off, at first she was able to keep him at bay, but it seems to get harder and harder each night. As time goes the nights get longer and lonelier. As she sleeps she can hear herself moaning giving into those hands......

::Devlyn finishes putting the plates, and all the food around the dinner table and steps back to admire her work:: Oh No! I didn't mean too.. ::She walks over to a plate, where Ion usually sits and props the back of his chair up against the table:: miss you my brother. ::After a brief pause, Devlyn closes her eyes and concentrates...through out the keep everyone is hearing a calling of "DINNER!!" from Devlyn. Devlyn takes her seat and waits for all the Woh to come running.

Hearing the thoughts of Devlyn about dinner, Phantom mumbles about his position. Wishing he were at the table with his brothers and sisters at this time would be much more pleasing then sitting in the stable waiting on Peron and the others. Knowing his duty to protect those that follow the serpent, however, he stays in place ready to go.

He thinks about his sister, Stormie, and how he misses her smile and mostly happy personality. He tries to send a signal to her, a small hello. Suddenly his mind wanders farther into the abyss then ever before. He can see her. He can not tell where he is, but that she is there. She thrusts in her sleep, looking as if she is trying to pry a man off of her. Phantom sees no one, no one but her. He can only hear one thing. "Help" She does not say it often, but once or twice. She is weakened. He knows they must hurry.

Phantom returns, mentally, from the abyss back to his post. Trying to put all the clues together to figure out where she is, and who this 'Dark One' is. With no avail, he continues to sit and wait.

Sitting in the front tower, keeping his well-trained rangers eyes trained on the vastness that is Hades. Hearing the dinner call that Dev had just sent out, A brief thought crossed his mind. I am a general, I could assign someone to take my watch!! No he thinks we must all do our part in this crisis. And with a quick thought to Dev. A small favor my sister, if you're not too busy could you perhaps bring out a leg for me to chew on? And perhaps for those who are on watch in the stable? Knowing full well that Phantom is always a hungry bastard. And with that he once again trains his eyes on the Vastness that is Hades.

I can't believe no one is coming!! Magi you were the one who said you were the hungry one. What? you taste the Pit stew and decide not to finish eating?!?! ::Devlyn mutters to herself while filling up plates for those all stationed in the keep:: There that should be everybody. ::one by one Devlyn takes the plates out to her brothers:: Enjoy the food, sorry if it's a little bit cold, been sitting at the table for a bit. ::Devlyn returns to the kitchen and looks at the mounds of dishes piled up around the sink and stove:: I guess a woman's work is never done. ::humming a ballad Devlyn sinks her hands into the soapy dishwater and grabs the first of many pots and pans::

It s about time. My experience never once prepared me for this much astral travel However, what a warm a cozy place she thought to herself. Strong is her mind that guided her to this place. She does not understand the constant ringing in her mind to proceed to this plane of existence but she obeys blindly. Many things present in this realm are not as in other realms some cause a bit of fright in her mind but it is quickly fading, turning into pleasure. Pleasure to enjoy the death, decay and sense of ultimate power present throughout this realm.
Incredible, a palace of fire surrounded by a plane of evil. It s like a heaven in the form of a hell, she thought to herself. She started to approach the gate when two distorted figures were fast on the attack headed towards her. Amusing, someone must be making jokes she smirked. She kneeled down upon one knee, eye s glowing, as a smile caressed her face. The figures closing in even faster, Aaaarrggh she growled. Kalthopf doof tihs" she softly spoke. The hounds stopped, looked at her and walked up to her and stood their ground, confused greatly. The warriors on post quickly send word that someone has approached the gates and the hounds did not attack. Blaze was furious; his hounds did not follow his commands to attack. He rushes to meet the assailant along with his hound Nanuk shouting out to Dritzs and Criz to open the gates. Once the gates are opened a woman s figure appeared between two of Blaze s beasts. Angered, Blaze growls attack . One of the beasts broke free of her necromancy upon hearing his master s command and turned on the woman but it was too slow, she had disappeared. Not only was Blaze confused but his counterparts, Dritzs and Criz as well. They all had the ability to teleport but it usually took several moments before you body could move from one plane to another. This was entirely to fast to be real. What the he where did she go? but before the answer could come, the woman was behind him with her arm around his neck and a short sword in hand, positioned at a point in Blaze s armor that would give easily if she applied pressure. She whispered in his ear, Move and you die, I am not here to remove your life. I am here to talk to your elders and no one else. Before Blaze could utter a word Lakor, who was standing behind them, decided to attack to defend his brother. Lakor raised his arm high to deliver a blow to the stranger but again, she vanished, this happened to be quite an inconvenience for Blaze because Lakor cold only slow his strike down, not prevent it s approach that quick. His sword found a new home deep inside Blaze s shoulder. An accompanying set of screams followed, not from just Blaze, but Lakor as well. The stranger had re-appeared at right of their position, she following his strike with one of her own. She let out a moan of ecstasy as the blood of Lakor sprayed her body. Lakor fell to the ground, joining the remaining parts of his body removed by her sword. He was beyond clerical help. Realizing this, Dritzs rushed over to retrieve Lakor s soul before she could feed off of it. But it wasn t the soul she was interested in; she licked her bracers clean. Criz was tending to Blaze s injury while the stranger moves over to Dritzs without making a sound. Leaning over she simply said, go get an elder

Dritzs was looking past her as she spoke. She realized someone must be behind her but she was not quite quick enough this time. A force hit her hard from behind, forcing her body through the air and slamming her face first into the castle wall. Displeased, she turned, wiping the blood from her forehead. You were looking for the attention of an elder, well you ve gotten it , evoked Peron. On his way over to the stables he witnessed the situation at hand. Peron continues, Now stand up and state your business or I will send you to the same place as you sent this warrior. Focusing on the stance of the warriors around her, the woman runs at the wall she just fell from, jumping against it and performs a series of back flips through the air, landing perfectly behind Peron. Two quick slashes left Peron s back exposed to the elements, but not for long. The wounds healed as quickly as they were formed. Peron, realizing that this woman was fast, not from magic's commonly used by warriors but from necromancy and the fact she was a vampire. She again slashed at Peron, this time he was prepared with the help of a spell. They continued on with a fight that was a combination of skill and speed of the sword and the fine display of magic.
Dritzs rushes into the mess hall interrupting yet another attempt for Beast, Magi, and Quin to finish discussion and more important, dinner. M lords, there s quite a battle in the courtyard. It seems we have had the pleasure of a visit from a vampire. I do not think this is the Dark One s doing. She mentioned something about talking with an elder being led here. OK, they are just going to have to die, I am not about come back and have my steak cold yet again shouts Magi. Eat, I will take care of this and we will continue on with the preparations on my return , finishes Quin. Quin quickly departs for the courtyard.
With such a gallant display of supreme swordsmanship, the woman has successfully held her own against such a warrior as Peron. Both have taken excessive injuries, the vampire more extreme. Beast joins watch of the battle, She s good, but what would a vampire be doing here? Dritzs said he overheard she had been led here could it be that the serpent called for her? Only one way to find out, I haven t done this in awhile, I ll be right back. States Beast.
Another after another series of moans of pleasure is heard from the vampire caused from the spilling of Peron s blood. Peron looks upon the woman s face once more and smiles as she swings the sword in a blow that will remove his head. Beast has other plans however, grabbing the woman by her neck and lifting her off the ground causing her to loose balance and drop her sword. You were called here you say, well let s find out if you are telling the truth , Beast smiles as the castle starts to tremble as he calls upon the powers of the Serpent. The woman is left paralyzed in Beast s grip. To protect the night Beast chants as he grabs the woman s hair and pulls, separating her head and spine from her body. The remains of her body fall lifeless to the ground burning into ashes. Lighting emerges from the earth striking the spine still suspended by Beast, a green mist begins to form around and after a series of convulsions and ear piercing screams, there stands before Beast a new warrior. He looked at her and growled, Your skill is why you were called, The Serpent has now taken your soul from Satan Vampire! Don these garments and welcome to the underworld. What is your name?
The woman looks at her new naked body; it s different, much different than before. Her hair was red as blood, her soul black as hell itself. Feeling a sense of power not present before, she looks upon Beast to receive the garments and smiles, Kyrst.

::stepping back in time, before Beast arrived::

From inside the stable Phantom hears the clanging of the swords. He immediately utters words he learned as a recruit and he was transported from the stables to the top of the front gates. He watched the "battle" from there. Trying to help his brothers from there, he casts multiple clerical spells, healing spells to close the wounds. With no avail, he continues to try.

Through the doors of the keep Beast runs to take control. Phantom hears a message from beast, not directly to him, but to those around. The message, though not clear, was rather dissonant in saying "BEWARE THE POWER OF THE SERPANT". Phantom knows Beast's power and immediately transports to ground level, not to close to the action, however. As the serpent is called forward, Phantom feels a blast of power never felt by him before. His body aches from head to foot. His mind burns from the power of the serpent. As the body of this new woman is cast off and the new body returns, Phantom becomes unconscious. He lies on the ground momentarily and wakes before anyone notices.
What happened to him? Even he does not know, yet.
He walks over towards beast as the recruit now known as Kryst dresses in her new robes. "Welcome to the family. However, next time, be a little more careful who you kill." Phantom walks over towards Peron, casting multiple spells on Peron. Peron stands, stretching his arms. "Still a little tender eh Peron? Well, that's enough from me, I'll be waiting in the stable with the stallions." He walks away from the group back towards the stable. Unaware of what changes may have occurred to him during this last encounter with the serpent.

::Having been slammed thru the shoulder with a large blade, Blaze has the feeling, that his skills are at a maximum, just not tested::
"I could use a little help .... here..." (Blaze passes out cold). time passes.....Blaze feeling that he is still in the keep, feels the powerful spells of healing being thrust upon him like sacks of grain. "Stop--they are not helping, I feel the sting of venom, or ....." (Blaze says in a stuttering fashion). Once again Blaze meets the darkness and passes out, this time with a burning sensation in his shoulder to his fingertips. Nanuk being at his side as always tries to talk with him, trying to keep him some what awake, feeling he is getting nowhere, decides to Find this being and ask what was done to his Master-Best friend-Partner and Holder of his soul. ::Turns Ethereal and searches for the one now called Kryst::.............