Aether Key -Sam 25th(open)

[Ashtallion Urdil]

" Battle mages! To the walls! "

Ashtallion ran swiftly up the stone stairs to the wall, pitched battles took places in several locations along the wall where the enemy had broken through the lines and clambered up make shift ladders, evading arrows that fell like rain. These situations where under control, it was the mass army outside the Wall that was in trouble.

The demon horde had flooded in like wave of shadows and terrible might, bringing darkness to the day as black clouds swirled overhead, claps of thunder sounded periodically, flashes of lightning lit the sky for brief and stark moments, revealing the true vastness of the Dark Army that lay beyond the Gates and Wall. " Battlemages, line up and prepare to fire! ", the Battle-general, a great and powerful mage, a human.... standing tall and robed in red, as were all the mages that now lined the wall. The sides of the robes were split to allow movement and the only armour they wore was leather breast plates, for movement could not be constricted or hindered as they wove their spells. The adhiel battlemage, though technically still an apprentice, wielded the pelegrim, an enchanted adhiel blade given to him by a professor at the University of Magic, belted at his waist. Others wielded similar thin blades, or a light maces, a few held staves. " Ladies and gentlemen! Fire and lightning if you please, lets show these vile scum what we can do! ", Ashtallion grinned, a good old fashioned fire fight, nothing fancy nor complicated, simple power.

He rose his arms, drawing threads of power to himself, weaving them into deadly magic. Lightning, raw and excited gathered at his fingertips. " Fire! ", the general bellowed loudly, and the air lit with the fantasical array of battle sorcery. Lightning erupted from his fingers with a dull thud that he could feel in his chest, the magical energy blazed white hot as it tore through the air, screaming while it arched to the back of the enemy lines. Their own men where fighting at the fore, so they could hardly aim it there least they kill off their own comrades in arms. The magical assault slammed into the demon horde's rear enforcements, wrecking devastating damage, killing dozes outright, injuring many more at the blasts and waves of fire swept over them with cruel intent. The enemy, as evil and corrupt as they were, were not going to receive any mercy. " Conjure at will! ", free reign to do as they would to the dark beasts. " Move along the wall, spread out so we're not a single target to them! ",sound thinking of course, all clumped together, they were an easily spotted target to the dark magic users that the demon horde had.

Running to find an clear enough space, the adhiel mage unsheathed the Pelegrim, its ring of steel sounding so clearly that several archers stopped firing to look at the advancing mage. The blade whistled as the battlemage begun a dance with death as he met a demon or two along the way, its hideous features soon contorted into agony and rage as its slimy remained fell to the stone wall, its blood hissing and popping. Not one for head on force while fighting hand to hand, Ashtallion fought with grace, speed and precision. Dancing out of the demons grasp and then diving in when the opportunity arose.

Finding a clear enough space along the wall, his attention once more turned to magic as he viewed the masses below. With precise shots of magic, he took out several demons and dark humans in the fore, careful not to target the soldiers on his own side. But he had more than just armoured men and dark beings to deal with, the enemy sorcerers wove their own dark spells and hurled them at the Walls, not caring if their spells hit their own troops. Ashtallion rose shield to counteract the spells, light, force and air, woven to create effect hindrances. Spread out as they were, the dark wizards could not pinpoint all the battlemages and so the magic came to stale mate as one sorcerer battle against another, effectively cancelling out the magic that reaped chaos amongst the warriors, allowing them to fight on even terms.

He felt a presence behind him, and turned sharply, thinking it to be a demon. It was the General, “ Urdil, good casting, but I need you else where! “, he pointed further along the wall, “ The filthy bastards are breaking through, we’re spread too thin along the wall, those dark magic users are picking us off one by one! “, help where you can along the way, but I need you down at the Vault. Protect the Key at all costs, do you hear me? They must not get it, Urdil, you can’t imagine the consequences that would occur if those black hearted creature gets their claws on the Key! “, Oh, Asht could imagine alright, so much so he thought he might vomit at the flash flood of images thundering in his mind at that moment. “ Aye, General…I’ll go. “, he lifted a fist to his heart in salute, knowing this was probably the last time he would see the man. There had rarely been a human before that had earned as much respect from Ashtallion as this one had.

Sprinting, casting out death where need be, the adhiel almost flew down the Wall stairs, taking three to four steps at a time. Sliding on muddy earth, he scrambled for the Keep.

The Keep was a tall and imposing tower, wide and frighteningly high, he had often felt the Keep would topple and fall, of course though, it was held by more than just mortar and wood and stone. Entering through solid wooden doors that stood the height of a dozen men, the adhiel mage ran across through the Great Hall that served as the reception area, and to the doors leading down under the Keep. As tall as the Keep was, its underground passages, tunnels and rooms ran even deeper, and unless one knew the Keep’s lower levels, it was surely easy to get lost. He had a good enough knowledge however and so made his way to the Vault, the lowest level there was. The deeper he went, the hotter it grew, and yet the light was dim and feeble, so much so he had to cast his own light source.

Reaching the Gates to the Vault, he was shocked to see yet another small battle, a few dozen of the demon horde had manage to infiltrate the Keep….somehow. A rage stole over him, and the mage cast his arms out wide just as he was noticed. Several of the demons where caught up in the wave of pure force that lashed out, unseen but definitely felt. So strong was the wave that it stripped the demons of half their flesh before lifting them from the ground and slamming them in the walls, with enough impact that they almost burst like ripe melons. More rushed him, but he was ready. With a roar of challenge and rage, Ashtallion cast out his hands once again, drawing a razor thin blade of air and wielding it as a scythe, cutting down the beasts with one swipe after another. Fists of air and gouts of flame slammed and charred them. Eventually, only one remained that was disposed of by the Guards. “ Sir Mage! Are we glad to see you. We had thought the Keep overrun at first and almost lost hope of any aid being sent. Are there other wizards being sent? “, the tone of hope and salvation in his voice almost broke Asht.

“ No, Captain. Its just me that can be spared, but I will have to do. “, he tried to smile, but could not manage it, not with the look of outright disappointment that spread over the Captains all too young face. “ Oh, well… one mage is better than none I suppose, after all you handled those foul creatures easily enough. “, did he dare tell the soldier that he felt almost spent? Unsheathing the Pelegrim yet again, the Captain regarded the blade with scepticism. “ Don’t worry, the sword is enchanted Captain, it won’t break easily. “, he hoped. In truth the Sorcerer had little idea what the blade could do, simply that only someone of Adhiel blood could wield it. Shrugging, the captain replied, “ So long as you are hear to weave your spells sorcerer, I care not whether the blade snaps. “, Ashtallion only grunted a reply.

The remaining men, several dozen if that, all stood in silence, the occasional whimper was all and one quickly stifled by a fellow comrade. “ Tell me Sorcerer, was that the worst they had to throw at us? “, a mere glance into Ashtallion’s eyes told him otherwise. “ Didn’t think so. “, but Asht did not want the man to lose hope yet. “ Do not fret Captain, I will deal with the bigger problems that come our way. “, again, another hopeful statement. They all thought he was a great and powerful Wizard, he hadn’t the heart to tell them he was still an Apprentice of sorts, regardless of the power he held. Screams sounded along the tunnels, yelps and high pitched screeches of glee and murderous intent. “ Here they come Captain, ready your men. “, he had no need though, for they all held they shield and swords at the ready, “ We fall to the last man before a single demon steps a tainted foot over that Gate gentlemen, anyone who deserts their post will answer to me. “, though his tone was mild, it held a sureness that none dared test. And then, there was only madness and chaos as a tide of advancing, shrieking demons launched like a wave of darkness, slamming against the soldiers of a flickering light and hope. Lightning lanced, fire burned, steel rang clear with righteousness and evil drew blood with earnest.

“ To the last man! “, Ashtallion’s voice tried to raise a beacon of inspiration, but it was to no avail, as he could see the other caught in a desperate grip of finality and defeat. Felling a few more of the creatures, Asht came across one of the bigger problems.

A Great Demon, a general amongst its kind, regarded Ashtallion as though he was nothing more than an insect. It stood eight foot tall, broad and towering, eyes the colour of burning embers, menacing and evil, Ashtallion could not suppress a shudder as he gazed into those eyes. Raising a hand, the Great Demon swatted Asht and the adhiel was propelled through the air. He collided with the Gates, twin doors of soundest and enchanted metal…..that shattered as the mage hit them. Even these enchanted doors could not stand against the vile, corrupt power that poured from the Demon General, and Ashtallion was no match for it, not that it stopped him trying. Lances of light ripped into the Demon, and it doubled over in pain, or rather more than likely what felt like an itch. Irritated, it laughed a wave of utter terror and darkness at Asht. The small sorcerer wove a shield of light and force, that crumbled as the onslaught of shadows bombarded him.

“ Mortal. You cannot stop the horde. “, its voice was as deep as the Nether, devoid of emotion and feeling, cold and burning to the mind.

The Vault had been breeched, the large chamber was round and dome shaped, dwarfing even the Great Demon. At the centre was a pedestal, infinitely tiny compared to the large chamber that held it. On the pedestal rested the Key, an orb of glowing green light. “ The Key of the Aether…. “, awe sounded in its voice as the demon picked up the pulsing ball of energy. “ Thankyou for making this so easy, sorcerer, and for handing the Aether to the Demon Horde! “, it turned and stalked swiftly away.

“ NO! “, Ashtallion however, was not completely done. Lightning the colour of his robes, red with anger and blood, exploded in a concussive blast that, had he not already been down, would have driven the mage to his knees. The demon however, regarding the approaching wave of magic, cast his hand up, sending a wave of shadowy power to meet the red lightning that twisted like serpents. The collision shook the very foundations of the Keep right to the top of the tower. Covering his head, Ashtallion feared he had brought the Keep crashing down. As he rose his eyes, he was met with another wave of darkness that lifted him from the ground and sent him slamming in the rock walls of the Vault. “ Foolish mage, you are weak, as are the rest of mortal kind. First we will have the Aether and then the Waking World will be ours! “

His last image was that of the Great Demon walking swiftly out before a different form of darkness stole him from consciousness.




Upon waking, Ashtallion was alone. None of the others were alive, perhaps maybe one or two lucky ones also in the Vault, but that was it. He threw up, but his stomach was empty, so only black and green bile, cutting pains across his stomach, dots dancing in his vision, but he forced himself to stand and walk, despite his protesting legs and dizzy head. The trek up through the lower levels and into the Keep was a horrific one. Bodies lay in piles. Not just demons, but men and women of various race and professions, soldiers, mages and priests, all with blood staining them, death glazing their eyes. Survivors raked through the bodies to see if others still lived, a gruesome task, and one the adhiel was not going to do himself. Top side and out in the decaying filled air, the sky was still blackened, signifying the grief and loss that the few thousand remaining soldiers felt.

The Key was stolen, in the hands of the Demons, and with it they would enter the Heart of the Aether and place themselves on the Throne of Tears, the seat from which was governed the Aether.

Sinking to his knees, he wallowed in his own failure, he should have died rather than live with such a defeat, his own tears now shedding unrestrained down bloodied cheeks. Of course, he would go after the Key. But he needed help, friends and allies. His mind cried out for help, beyond the Aether realm.

OOC: Ok, anyone can join in, and as you can basically see, this will be a venture to retrieve the Key of the Aether….and you guessed it, from the Netherworld. The fun! But if you have any questions first, ask away. Im not sure if this will raise any interest, but I thought I'd see anyway!

[Gavin Tylvan]

There was something stuck in his throat as his senses came back. Opening his eyes, Gavin saw only darkness. And breathing was difficult. The thing in his throat was heavy and would not be moved with his tongue alone. So he bit and there was a sickening crunch as it gave way.

Thick oily liquid poured out of it, but there was only a little of it. Spitting he managed to get it out. But, still there was only a little air and now he felt the weight upon him. It felt like he was under a mountain. Yet he could not recall how that happened.

The warrior closed his eyes and then came the flash of past events.

The demon horde was coming. He stood on the walls and watched the mages as they weaved their spells. He fought the demons that managed to climb the walls. He watched the army before the wall getting slaughtered.

There were just too many demons. He saw as they swarmed over the Battle-general. And saw as they were blasted away revealing the man bellow covered in cuts. Tears streamed unbidden as he watched him cast his spells as life faded from him slowly. And he saw him fall.

Then they were pushed of the walls and although the enemy was numerous they managed to hold the line. Until that thing came. The monster was easily eight feet tall and Gavin felt terror ripping his mind as it advanced.

A simple wave of its taloned claw and the entire line collapsed under a shadows they emerged form the creature. The last thing he remembered was Garwin, no it was just his head, as it flew towards his face. And then it all went black.

Opening his eyes Gavin, tried to move his arms. And slowly inch by inch he managed to bring them to his face. He pushed and a ray of light penetrated a pile above him. A pile of corpses. He barely held back the bile as he saw the hand before his eyes. The hand that lacked two fingers. Fingers that were clearly bitten off.

Slowly and with much pain he managed to pull his torso out of the pile. His right cheek was swollen and it hurt when Gavin blinked. But, he was alive. A laugh, so inappropriate escaped his lips, but it died quickly. His dry throat was hurting.

And then he saw the adhiel mage as he walked though the bodies. He felt so tired that he could not pull his legs out.

"Hey, there. A bit of help. sir."

[Ashtallion Urdil]

The voice reached him through the haze of grief that had engulfed the mage, casting his eyes about, he found the source of the voice. Covered by a pile of corpses. The scene was worse here than it was below the Keep. Shuffling over, limping slightly with exhaustion and pain, Ashtallion came to stand a few feet from the man, I am not touching those bodies..., rasing a hand, one covered in blood and grime, he flexed his fingers. The bodies shuddered, but no other movement occured, sighing, the mage tried again, this time closing his eyes and grunting heavily as he gesture once more.

One by one, the bodies rose and were cast aside until the human was clear. Breathing rapidly, the red robed mage regarded Gavin again, " Sorry, I wasn't wanting to touch them myself... ", he glanced to the corpses. " Are you badly injured? ", a stupid question, but he moved closer. " I'm surprised anyone actually lived.. ", there were a few other stray survivors roaming through the piles of dead bodies, helping the injured, looking for friends perhaps even family.

" Did......did you see if the Battlemage General survived? ", he prayed silently that the man would reply he hadn't seen the General at all, or that the man had indeed lived. Perhaps he had rescued the Key from the Great Demon as it emerged from the Keep, surely the great mage would have been able to overcome the dark beast.

[Guest]

She was one among the many battle mages, but no more then a beginner that had volunteered to protect the key. The diplomat was also one of the few lucky enough to not die at the very beginning and make it back down here. And finally she must have ben guided by the gods, to have ben without any armor, having only a rapier and stilet, to have ben able to stab a demon to death right before the demon general did his thing. She was thrown back and hit against the far wall what knocked her out, and the demon corpse was what protected her till this very second.

Tinally was beginning to come around... the only thing she felt was the pulsating heat of the crystal in the velvet bag around her neck. It seemed to be waking her, it seamed to be pulling her back, forcing her to wake and open her yes. But it was hard, as she could hardly focus on her own feelings . But then came the pain, it was the thing that did not allow her to slip away again. She lifted her hand and touched the back of her head, there seemed to be dried blood there... How long have she ben out?

Tinally opened her eyes to find herself face to face with a demon! She tried to scream, but never managed anything more then a croak. Tinallys heart leaped and the ahcadhiel jumped to her feet pushing the corps off herself. But being still shaky, Tinally felt dizziness come over her and before she could do a single thing, the young lady tripped and fell with a loud crash. Landing on some armor and knocking down a few helmets of the dead, she slid down from the pile of corps to the floor.

Lay on her back she stared up at the sealing for a second , catching her breath and waiting for the world to stop moving.

[Gavin Tylvan]

Gavin merely grunted as the mage pulled him out. And then he allowed himself to be sick. It took about half a burn for him to finish emptying his stomach before he stood up.

"I am sorry, but I had to bite of some fingers of a dead man before I crawled out. I am Gavin, and I did see the Battle.general. He is dead I am afraid. There were just too many of those things. Even for him. I got knocked out as some great demon managed to get through. After that it was just a lot of digging out of the corpses."

The warrior looked around and just shook his head as he watched the destruction. So many dead and yet he felt happy. Happy that he was not among them.

"So, what do we do now mage? Any ideas? Or do we wait for our death here?"

[Ashtallion Urdil]

OOC: sorry for the major delay folks! been a trying time recently and have also moved out of my appartment, will form a reply ASAP! Again my apologies.

[Ashtallion Urdil]

Ashtallion regarded the human with something akin to pity. Such short lives, yet the cramed as much as they could into them. " What do we do now. ", he repeated the statement, but it was no question, " We get that Key back is what we do. I am not one to wait for death to come knocking on my door, Gavin, I seek him out and make him piss his robes. ", a hard and startling look overcome the Elf, just as the words were hard and somewhat exaggerated, there was something about the mages demeanor that would lead the common man to believe he could accomplish such a feat. " At any rate, I want another crack at that Demon General. ", he hissed the words between his teeth, before turning his golden gaze to the horizon.

" But I think we all need to rest..... and grieve. I for one know I need to. The Battle General was a great man, such power and finese with the High Arts. ", he let out a sigh, the weight of loss heavy and cumbersome. " If nothing else I need to meditate and regain my focus. ", Asht gathered the tattered red robes about him, pulling them close as though feeling a chill yet no wind stirred across the battlefield, letting the stench of rot and decay linger pungently. He wanted to throw up also. " We shall leave in the morning if that is acceptable? I am no Battle General, but I will do whatever is in my power to re-take that Key. Either way, we may end up dead in the end. ", he smiled, finding something amusing in his words.

[Guest]

Tinally seemed to have ben among they few people with strong stomaches. After the little dizziness passed she felt quite back to normal.
Managing to get up to her feet without slipping on the bloody floor or someones lost body parts, she was fortunate enough to overhear part of conversation between Urdil and Tilvan.


" We might if we be such pessimists." Replied Tinally to Urdils comment. " Gentlemen, would you mind taking a diplomat along? I'm sure that we shall not have any negotiations with the bastards, but I do have a little experience when it comes to tactics and I hope I shall not let your spirit fail along the way. You know what the say where I'm from? Fearing is as bad as accepting the any fact you would normally take as negative. In other words all cowards and wanna-be-heroes are as good as dead, while those who take facts in to consideration and do everything to avoid any unwanted results have quite a chance... And I think we will wipe the whole army out before they know what hit 'em."

A little grin showed on her pretty face, as she attempted to clear off as much dirt and blood off herself as she could.

[Syrawenn]

ooc Wow, Asht! What an epic beginning! Can't wait to see the rest :)

ic
"Get your hands OFF me! I dunno what I did there, I don't even know how I got here! Aw come on, I can't be a demon, I'm not sprouting wings, black isn't even my colour! Get REAL, guys!"

The grunt of a man in pain could be heard from a distance, after which the definite female voice started up again. "HEY! That's not fair! HE started it! Don't....oooh, you're gonna get it....just you wait! Bloody netherbats on a stick, just you wait til I get my hands free, OUCH!"

The loud and clear rant was coming from a surprisingly small youngster, clothes hanging around as if they were a bad fit and eyes shooting fire at the two soldiers practically carrying the girl towards the survivors.

"Put me DOWN! I can walk by myself! I promise I won't fly off, cause I CAN'T FLY! Haven't you gotten it through your thick skulls just yet?"

One of the guards had a slight limp and looked at Syrawenn with barely concealed contempt, dropping her unceremoniously in front of Ashtallion.

"Pardon...sir...It's a chaos. Complete chaos. And then in comes this...bit of nether's fury..."

Syrawenn spat at the man, ready to bite his head off if he came closer, despite her arms being bound on her back.

"Well, as you can see, she's clearly not on our side! She must be one of the demons, sir! It's not natural for a girl to be so..."

"To be so WHAT?" The girl challenged the man, earning her a whack from the other soldier. "Oh, piffle, you guys are all the same." She grimaced, unable to rub the sore spot before looking at the mage in front of her. The eyes narrowed, as if searching for a memory, then the youngster shook her head. "So...what's it gonna be, you gonna believe those two muffins or me? Check my back! No wings! No cat's eyes, no flames, no nothing! And thanks to those overzealous baboons I ain't got no knife left either!"

"Sir, shall I..." The soldier was ready to silence her.

[Ashtallion Urdil]

Ashtallion glared at the young half elf, his eyes flaring for a moment...he opened his mouth to speak, at which point he heard the cursing and yelling of the human girl. " Give me strength... ", he uttered the words under his breath as the soliders approached, the scirming girl bound and held tightly. The red robes he wore now hung about him in tatters, dark smudges circled his heavy eyes that were filled with tiredness, he was pale and gaunt, on the verge of falling over.

" You will do no such thing, solider. ", he knelt down infront of the girl, staring into her eyes for several moments, " She is no more a demon than I am... ", with a small gesture, the adhiel snapped the bonds that held her.

" Though you were only doing your duty. ", he nodded to the solider. " Have a look around for more survivors, gather what men you can and wait instructions... ", he looked about him. Was he the one in authority here? No captains or generals? Suppressing a long sigh, the mage stood up. " Whats your name girl? ", he had to admire her spirit, in the face of bloodied soliders and mage in a foul mood, he remained stout hearted and stubborn, he liked the girl already.

He glanced again to Tinally, " And yours? You were inclinged enough to overhear our words, you could share your name with us? As for taking you along.... ", he was silent a moment, regarding her with cool appraisal. " It is possible, I'm not terribly great as of yet with strategy... ", he turned once more, waiting for the girl to answer.

[Gavin Tylvan]

OOC: Damn Syra. Are ya following me?

Gavin was just about to reply to Ashtalion when the girl came. She talked about diplomacy. A short strained laugh escaped his lips. Diplomacy? What diplomacy? There was so much death around and she speaks of diplomacy? Hah. Did she not see what they did? I bet she did not just bite two fingers of a dead man to breathe. Or had to crawl up from under dozens of corpses. Some of them her friends.

Yet the big man kept his mouth shut. Finally, there was a leader. A captain. Someone he could follow. He did not like to order people around. But, he knew that some order had to exist. And he had a sense that this man would not disappoint him.

And then the screaming came. At first he thought the demons have returned, but just as he was about to rise and meet his death, he recognized the voice. Syrawenn. He remembered the name and a face. And knew that trouble was coming their way.

There was a smirk on his face when the guard s dragged the girl before the mage. But, it vanished after the first strike they dealt to her. With a growl, the warrior rose like a tidal wave. Only the mage's voice stopped him from punching the guards head clean of his shoulder. Instead, he just stood there and glared at the man, trying to burn a whole through his face.

"That one is Syrawenn. And she ain't no demon. I know her and I guarantee for her." - Gavin spoke those words as he pointed at Syra. Then his gaze turned to the soldier once more. - "As for you. Hit a bound prisoner once more and I'll tear your head of. Hit HER once more, and your head will be the last thing I tear of. Did I make myself clear?"

Gavin could be scary when he wanted. But, this time his word were helped by the way he looked. His armor was covered in dried blood and his face was no better. He even looked like he bit someone to death.

[Syrawenn]

ooc In your dreams, pal

ic
"But sir!" One of the shaken soldiers actually dared reply. "The language she used must certainly come from the Nether! A girl couldn't...shouldn'..." He was fighting a lost battle and knew it. The simultaneous poke from his comrade and the deadly glare from Gavin ended all discussion.

The two saluted Ashtallion and made their way back through the sludge of bodies and blood.

Once untied Syrawenn rubbed her wrists and her head where they had hit her. "Thanks, mister. I knew there had to be someone with brains around here...Name is Sy...." Again she was interrupted, this time by a rather familiar voice.

Surprised she looked up to see a big man standing next to the mage. Not just any big man, but one she remembered! "Gavin! Of all the blazes in Nether how the flip did you find yourself here! Oh, man, it's great to see you!"

Right then the actual view began to seep into her consciousness: blood. Lots and lots and lots of blood. Bodyparts here and there. Whole bodies staring into nothingness. Burning corpses, burning buildings. Everyone was covered in debris of man and house alike. Her surprised face drew pale as the youngster tried to swallow.

"Scuse me a flicker..." She lifted one hand in apology, turned and ran to a relatively unbloodied place. The next moments were filled with the sounds of breakfast -and possibly lunch as well- finding their way back up as the girl vomitted her stomach inside out.

Once emptied, she stood there for a few flickers longer, arms resting against a standing wall, head in between, trying to get her breathing under control. Once she felt she could stand without trembling too much, the girl took out her cantine and rinsed her mouth thoroughly before returning to the little group of survivers. Too little. She thought.

"Sorry bout that..." Another gulp. "People...are these...all real people?" A burp escaped. It didn't taste too great. Something nagged at the back of her mind. It was important to know if these people had been alive. For real. Opposed to having been made up by some sick mind.

Which might just as well be yours...you're nuts, girl.

So many people to warn! She didn't know any of these faces! No names! How was she supposed to find them?

Damn you all! This ain't funny anymore!

She gritted her teeth against another upcoming wave of nausea. "Sooo, now you know the truth. "Syrawenn quipped to hide her thoughts. "Big mouth, small stomach. Yup. So, on the risk of sounding like a lunatic, what the meep happened here? I'm sorry, kinda missed the brunt of it, it seems."

And not sorry at all for missing it too!

She looked from the men to the only other woman in their company. They all looked bad. Perhaps even worse.

[Ashtallion Urdil]

The mage viewed her with something next to sorrow mixed with pity. Such a young thing to be caught up in all this. , he regarded Gavin for a moment, wondering how the two of them knew each other, though the mage thought their was something famiiar about her.

Shrugging it off, Ashtallion answered. " To put it bluntly Syrawenn. War. This Keep.. ", he gestured to the towering fortress behind him, " ...held something of great value, the Dark Forces of the Nether wanted it. Demons and dark men came and collected their prise and slaughtered the men and women you see littering the ground. Many will be sorely missed. ", he thought of those he called friends, an ache formed in his chest.

Studying Syra, he wondered if she would be able to comprehend it all, as such he had not gone into too much detail about the Aether Key. It was not that the location of the key had been a secret, a great many knew about it as it was considered a powerful Holy object.

" Would you mind telling me how you came to be here Syrawenn? And perhaps how you and Gavin both know each other? ", his liking for the youngster grew, her casual behavious and bright innocence gave him something else aside from darkness and death to think about.

Deaths' lament ring in his ears as He came and collected the souls of those departed to take them to their eternal sleep....for some anyway.

[Guest]

"My name is Tinally Av'Dalor, I'm secretary and junior Ambassador at the western Embassy in the Citadel." replied the achadhiel.

" And it so happens that I also recognize these two fine adventurers and maybe they would actually recognize me if I was dressed more formally." Tinally smiled at Syra and Gavin.

Taking a look around at all the bodies Tinally felt a chill run up her spine as an unpleasant question knocked in to her mind.

" Could someone please answer my question, do you know if those who die here in the Aether, die in the waking world? I have heard things, but I don't know if they are true..." she fell silent and looked back at her companions. Oh she heard that it was very mutch true and the Aether also was something of a reflection of reality. But she never had the magical education she wanted...something she would have to catch up on.

[Syrawenn]

Syrawenn scratched the spot where the soldier had hit her. For some reason it always helped to pull her hair where her head hurt. Strange, but true. It helped again.

"War, huh? Well, I'll tell you one thing...if this were my keep, I'd be royally pissed off now..." Realizing her choice of words the girl looked at Gavin with a grin. "No pun intended. But you are saying demons are involved again...stealing something...again. You'd think that after all this time they'd come up with something new, wouldn't you?"

Ashtallion's question kept her from philosophising about demons, brains and their lack thereof. "How I got here? That depends on where 'here' is... Hrmmm..."

This time it was Tinally's remark that made her snap around like she'd been bitten. "Aether here? So that's why you looked familiar...Well thousand piles of dragonshit! You just asked the wrong question...right question....wrong answer....damn. I hate this." It only took the merest flicker for her face to change from slightly thoughtful to stubborn anger. "When people die here, they will die for real. Trust me on that one. I ain't no mage, but if these people were dreamwalkers like yerselves, they're gonna be dead before long. Tough luck. I guess I really should get the flip out of here and then maybe you'll stand a chance."

She turned to Ashtallion again. "We met in a dream, mister supermage. Dreams. And they're not all nice...like this one. Ask yourself how you got here and you will find you just suddenly...were. Don't believe in it too much or you will get stuck here." Her sea-grey eyes were flaring up. "Be careful whose rules you're following. Who is the dreamer and who follows behind? Which are the walkers and which are the ideas? I don't know how to figure that out, I just know the questions."

The girl looked around at the mess, growing a slightly shade of green. "Hold that thought...I think dinner wants out too..." She ran off again and deposited the leftovers from her stomach in another corner, wondering just how much of her monologue would be understood by the others...or believed...and just how much more was left in her stomach!

She retched again.

[Ashtallion Urdil]

Dumb-founded.

That best described the mages appearance as he stared wide eyed, slack jawed and bewildered at both Syra and Tinally. " Dreams..... I have fought....I killed.... dreams! ", it made sense now, never before would he have thought back on how he came to be here, he merely was, there was something clouding his mind and now he knew what.

A slap in the face, thats what the two female's had delivered to him. His wake up call so to speak. " Wait. The Battle General....I remember...from the University. It wasn't the same man that fought here at the Keep against the demon horde. ", his brain racked itself for answers, his eyes flickered back and forward as he made sense of everything. " Yes, I know your faces now... ", he looked at the three assembled. " This is, unblieveable... ", but possible it seems. As an after thought.

" I'm a student at the University of Magic in the Citadel...or at least I was...I went to Kislovan with my Sister. ", he stopped, only for a heartbeat. " Father of Light.... but I know this is real to an extent, the Aether Key was stolen. I merely thought the Key was to gain access into the Aether, but we are already here...that means its a Key to something else within the Aether, or perhaps a Key out of the Aether and into our realm. "

Not knowing what to think or do, he watched as Syra brought up more vomit, he wanted to do the same, but he had nothing left in him to bring up. " Shit. ", it was not often the adhiel mage cursed. " What am I thinking anyway, I'm no great mage as the Battle General was.... is.. yeah I have power but even I'm not sure how much. ", it was true, Ashtallion had never been forced to his limits, the battle below the Keep had been trying enough.

" Just give me a moment to take this all in. I just thought this was real life you know... not a dream... ", he wanted to lie down and let darkness take him, " Does that mean we can wake up ay any point? You seem to know more about this than I do.. ", his gaze followed Syra once more, and then to Gavin and Tinally.

[Guest]

Tinally thoughtfully watched Syra retreat to the far corner and looked back at the others not wishing to find out what the girl had for dinner.

" I might be wrong but this does not look as an ordinary dream. It's all just a bit to real, almost like we were somehow transported to the Aether ourselves. I did have bit of experience being brought in to the Aether while I was awake. And this seams to be just about the same thing. Almost as if we were summoned to protect the Key by some other greater force..." she paused. That was a guess, but it was based on her own experience. King Balthasar the Avatar of Dominicus had summoned her to the Aether once and it seemed as though they spent hours there but once she was back in reality it turned out no longer then a minute had passed.

" I don't know if this is a dream or not but I belive we must get the Key back at any cost...If the demons should control the Aether it would give them control under anyone asleep...and that might open a pass in to the waking world. But if my wish comes true and this is just another one of those public dreams, then we have nothing to worry about. I've seen some one killed in a dream and then I saw him in anothe dream again. But if not then we are big trouble"

[Gavin Tylvan]

Gavin just stood there. There was no smile on his face. All he could think of were the consequences of this Aether Key. The demons already are in Aether. I know this. But, the real world or Tether as Coyote called it is their goal. And this might be just the thing they seek.

"I know a few things about this place. The injuries you take here, transfer to the real world. The wounds turn to bruises. The burns are like sever sunburns. They are not so painful, but can be a real pain."

With that Gavin turned his eyes to Syra and smiled. He remembered this ball and a kick to the groin.

"As for waking, that is not under your control. At least not always. As Syrawenn said it is the dreamer that controls the dreams. The others are just travelers. If a demon is the dreamer, then he has to be defeated in the dream for you to be able to wake. Either that or he grows bored and awakes himself. Or, that is at least as I see it from past experience."

Then he turned to the mage.

"This Aether Key you mention. It might be really important. It may be as the girl says. Maybe the demons will control our dreams. Or maybe they will reach the Aether and be just a step from our own waking world. Or maybe they are already here and the key will give them the means to finish their journey. I say we go and do this. But, not until you two are armed" - he said pointing to Syra and Tinally.

[Syrawenn]

Snatches of the conversation behind her reached Syrawenn's ears. Ashtallion was loosing faith in his own abilities, Tinally was convinced that people who died here would return another day. Gavin mentioned not being able to wake.

All in all there was not much reason to be happy right now, Although the girl was eternally grateful nobody tried to comfort her.

Comfort my ass! Awww look at the cute little girl, I'm SURE she can't STAND to be in such a mess...let's all take pity on her and shield her from all the nastiness in the world.

And yet...it would have been nice not to be here. Perhaps even nice if someone had said they could solve it all. Perhaps even a hand on her shoulder.

No, no, no, you don't want that! That's part of the pity-process! Sheesh, girl! Get a hold of yourself! This is just another demonparty!

Her stomach turned again, but there was nothing left. Oh man, I fall into a dream and start screwing things up immediately! Poor mageperson, I should have left him thinking he could do anything...poor Tinally! Little does she know about my dreams! Gavin...damn, did I tell him or not? Am I going to? I should huh? Otherwise Tin might just throw herself at death!
Yeah, I should.
They might not believe it anyway.

Another rinse of the mouth, adjusting her faithful scarf, a good stretch and the girl was ready to do what she did best: confuse the netherworld out of people and keep em alive.

The youngster returned to the others. "Pardon about the mess...Hey, I listened in, I take it you don't mind...But there are a few additional points I'd like to make. For one: mageperson, don't think you can't do what is needed here...or you would not have been put in this dreamposition. Trust me on that one."

She looked at the man with that same trust reflected in her eyes. "Second: Gavin, I think you're right. We might not find out who's dream this is, but we'd better play along."

She did not feel like looking at the big man. Somehow her throwing up made her feel even smaller. "Third: Tinally, I got some bad news about that dying stuff..."

Syrawenn took a deep breath. "I am really, REALLY sorry to be here. I really am... but truth is when people die in dreams..." She actually had the curtesy to blush, although it was one of anger and frustration rather than embarrassment. "When people die in my dreams, they die for real. There, I've said it. Ready to wake me up yet?"

Quickly the girl waltzed over her comment by flooding the group with her particular view of the situation. It was, after all, what she did best: "Okay, last time we got stuck with a demon in the Aether was a little time ago, but not that much. That one too tried to escape into wakey-wakey land but we stopped him. The point with demons is, is that they are usually as predictable as we are! So they expect people to fight them, to stand against them, to throw all kinds of shields against their nastiness and of course it's fun to give em that UNTIL!"

Syrawenn glanced over the three. "Until you decide it's time to let go and go with the flow! They are so surprised that you drop your shields that they overreach, cause they were pushing, you see? Just like that game where two people try to topple each other and they are both pushing and pushing and then one decides to step aside and the other one falls cause he was still pushing!"

The look on her face said that to her this was so completely logical that no one could NOT understand it. "So you do your thing, and then when things get hard, you let em in! And then of course you kick their ass cause this is what you planned all along. I mean, you're all mages and fighters! If I could do it, you should!"

Then there was the suggestion to get armed and again Syrawenn felt that strange itch to carry a knife. It was almost becoming an obsession! "Yeah, weapon, good plan. Those overzealous guards took mine..."

[Guest]

Tinally picked up her thin rapier of elven work and got out her stilet looked at Gavin with a smile.

" Unarmed? Well surely I've come a bit prepared." she looked down at the young girl.

" What did you have? Maybe we should find you something else you would like? by the way I wouldn't mind some armor.... By the way Syra has a point. In dreams our own...umm, skills and abilities may change a bit. So each of us is probably in the exact position we should be. I admit I have skill with the rapier, but I doubt I'd really kill several demons without getting more then a single bruise. I've really never killed any one or anything in my life..." at this point Tinallys naturally pale tone of skin went dead white. If Syrawen said they died if they were killed in a dream did that mean?... No, she wouldn't think of it, she refused the thought and even if the girl was right, they were still demons, dark creatures weren't they...and if they didn't kill them the demons probably would have ben so merciful...

Tinally bit her lip as thoughts rushed through her mind.


" Anyway we must get the Key back. We wouldn't want any risk we can avoid. And I actually like Syra's idea. Maybe it's not as detailed but in general the thought is good. I belive an unexpected surprise is the best chance we have. As for how to do it..." Tinally paused. A picture of military actions formed in her mind instantly.

" We could create a diversion, by throwing a small group of our people at their main forces... I belive we actually have more people then they expect. Then we pull our them back to retreat, hopefully the demons should follow to finish of the rest of us...But a previously set ambush...in half circular form so that they have no chance of going back. and while they are busy we send a small group of people to retreat they Key. While they are busy fighting our group should have a chance." She improvised on the go.

" Or we could do it differently..." But before she opened her mouth again Tinally looked up at the others wanting to hear what flaws they would point out in the idea so that she could think of a way to correct them.

[Draydis Quinn D`Anorre]

ooc: could y'all use an archer?

[Guest]

OOC sure we could use an archer!

[Draydis Quinn D`Anorre]

Draydis casually walked into the room. He heard utterances of war and tactics echoing down the hall and came to investiage. After having several similar dreams, the commander knew that once again he had journeyed off into the Aether.

The place was not familiar, but a few of the people were. They had been in his dreams before...

The adhiel approached the others with the bladed staff of the Emerald Guard in his hands. A pair of well-used short swords hung from his hips, and his back bristled with arrows in a pair of quivers and his family bow. His uniform was perfectly in place, and a hint of polished black armor could be seen beneath the clothing.

"What we need is a proper ambush point...something like a stairway, a room with a balcony, or a room with a portcullis. Is there such a place here? With proper bait, as she suggested," pointing to Tinally, "we could lead the enemy into our trap from which we hit them with a combination of melee and missile weapons. Of course, demons are a tough group...ordinary fighting doesn't seem to bother them much."

As the individuals turned to look at him, he gave them a bow. "I am simply known as Dray, and I am at your service."

[Gavin Tylvan]

Welcome, Dray. Have fun.

Gavin addressed Tinally first.

"Armor may not be such a good idea. Unless you are familiar with it, it will be more of a hindrance then a help. It took me a better part of a month to get used to this thing, and I am still not completely comfortable in it. A shield might be a good idea, but if you really want the armor, make it something light."

"I don't think you realize the situation. The army was defeated. These people won't go fighting the demons again. Only those crazy enough will. People like us. This will not be won with combat, but a guile and stealth. There may be fighting, but in the end we can not kill them."

Gavin pointed to the pile of bodies he crawled from and turned to each of them.

"This is what one demon did. I had to bite off two finger from a dead man before I could breathe. It took me a better part of half a mark before I could see the light again. And it only took oe swipe. I don't say they are all that powerful and they are not. But, the one that took the Key is. We can ambush it, but I don't think it will do us much good. What you say Dray, is wise, if there were more of us. There are not. We still may use the tactic you proposed Tinally."

He crouched low and found a broken arrow to draw in the dirt with.

"What I know of demons is that the more powerful they are the more they are prone to talking. They like to bargain. They like to play with your fears. Maybe we can use that. Just like Syrawenn said. We go and make a bargain. Maybe not all of us. We make a bargain he is satisfied with. Then when he thinks he won, we take the Key away."

Gavin's mind was picking up speed. For a moment he stood waiting. Then he turned to Ashtalion.

"You are a mage. You were the keeper of the stone. One of them. What do you know about it? How is it used? Maybe they don't know that. We could offer them our help. Offer to help them unlock the door the Key is made for. We play along, and then we do what we came to do. But, we play this safe. No fighting if we can avoid it. I fought a demon once, and lost most of the skin on my arms and a good deal of the skin on my torso for the effort. The demon lost it's head so that makes us more than even."

[Guest]

Tinally smiled at Dray and said. " Well at least we have someone not so tired out after the first fight, though I'm sorry we didn't have him with us earlier, a few more demons would have already ben dead."

" Your right, we should avoid fighting, and we must hope they don't know everything about they Key though I must admit I doubt that... But if they don't we can always bluff and make some story that might force then to bring they key to our territory where we will be waiting for them. But if that is not the case, we could just go with the first idea." she addressed Gavin, deciding to listen to him and take a shield.

" In any case we should also think of how we get out from the demon territory and were we could take the Key from there...One idea comes to mind. We should take out their Leader, that will cause a lot of confusion and will actually give us an edge. A force without command is not a problem."