[centre][i][color=9e0b0f]Battle Brother Zerabil Level ???? Human[/color][/i][/centre] [hider=Summary] [list] [*] Zerabil returns to his people and they begin heading to the safety of the Mountain's Crown. [*] Zerabil loses his power and the twilight returns. [*] The fifty Victors protect the former-citzens of Orabson as they head towards safety. [*] At the base of the mountain, Zerabil summons all his powers and flies to the Mountain's Crown to get help. [*] Zerabil's strength is completely drained and he ages many years from the strain of the magic on his weakened body. [*] Rejys marches to rescue the stranded citizens, taking with him most of the Victors. [*] One month later, Zerabil summons the Outsiders to him and commands them to obey Rejys and train themselves to hunt the monsters hunting them. [*] Six of the Outsiders are told to head for Invidia once they are powerful enought to fight off the monsters. [*] Zerabil leaves the Mountain's Crown and goes on a journey. [*] Zerabil ends up on the mountain of his birth, and he stays there for a long time, and there he yet remains. [/list] [/hider] Zerabil looked from his Father to He of the Waters as his Father spoke. He was not sure why the gods had all gathered here, but it was certainly a mighty sight, and he was honoured to be present and able to witness it. Then a strange feeling overcame him, one of dread and a heavy, back-breaking sadness. It landed on his shoulders and slipped into his chest, nestling in the centre of his chest, just below his rib-cage. It was debilitating. Looking at his Father, he saw that he was once more in the form he had been in all those years ago, and there was a dark look on his face of bark, one which sent shivers down Zerabil's spine. [color=9e0b0f][i]'Fa-'[/i][/color] he did not have the chance to say more than that utterance, for darkness overwhelmed him then and all was quiet and black. He opened his eyes and found himself immediately among his people once more. They were all gathered around each other, fear in their eyes and movements. The fifty Victors stood in a circle around them, having fought off - along with Zerabil - the horrors which had emerged with the darkness. 'May my mother and father be sacrificed for you, oh holy one, you are returned!' a middle-aged woman rushed towards him and got to her knees, hug his waist. Others turned to him and gave similar exclamations. The Victors remained stoic and still as statues, however, not leaving their positions and duty. [color=9e0b0f][i]'Yes, I am returned. Let us get you all to safety,'[/i][/color] he smiled and signalled to his men to begin moving. Slowly, the former-citizens of Orabson gathered themselves up and began to move, surrounded by the fifty Brothers and Sisters of Vowzra's Victors, Zerabil floating slightly above the centre of the great group of people, keeping an eye out for any danger. They had not moved more than one hundred metres before a shiver ran down Zerabil's back and he felt all his power and energy drained from him. He dropped like a rock, just about managing to roll an get to his knees. The armour had taken most of the blow, and being well-made, it was not heavy at all, allowing for a great deal of acrobatic movement. This armour was, in fact, lighter than that dragon-hide armour the Strong Tribe prided themselves with. Such was the skill of Rejys. No sooner had Zerabil hit the ground then the world returned to its twilight. Standing up, Zerabil looked around in confusion. Had Orabil been burnt once more? So soon after his Father had brought it back? That could not be... He had no time to think, however, for the horrors had returned. [color=9e0b0f][i]'Victors! March! Keep those monstrosities at bay!'[/i][/color] he commanded, ignoring his weakness and sending a bolt of lightening at an incoming flying [i]thing[/i]. He immediately felt the drain and had to end the bolt earlier than he wished. The creature, however, was well and truly fried, for it dissipated into nothingness. The fifty Victors were doing a much better job than he, having once more synchronised themselves and created a static electric membrane of Wi around the citizens, preventing any of the monstrosities from entering by electrifying them upon contact. With this, the people marched through the darkness, the fifty Victors protecting them all the way. Zerabil knew that they would tire, but their combined Wi was mighty indeed, when one flagged, the will of the others would keep them afloat. Thus was the power of unity. Powerful enough to keep at bay the nightmares of nearly one thousand fearful citizens. It was truly awe-inspiring. These were Vowzra's Victors after all. They had not landed too far from the Mountain's Crown, and two hours of quick march - which the people bore with noteworthy determination - they arrived at the base of the mountains and Zerabil commanded them all to wait while he summoned help. Calling upon all the energies he had, he shot himself up through the top of the barrier and floated upwards at speed, avoiding the odd monstrosity floating in the twilight sky. He could barely sustain his flight, and at times he felt himself lose power completely and begin to fall. He would allow himself a few moments of rest before channeling his powers once more and flying upwards. So much strain did he put on himself that his already wrinkling face grew more wrinkled still, his already white hair shriveled and became sickly, his muscles, which had been so powerful and lean before, wilted. Eventually, however, he landed on one of mountain fortress's ramparts and fell to his knees, his legs unable to carry him. Two Brothers were immediately upon him, helping him up. It was probably his armour alone that helped them recognise him, otherwise, the shock on their faces was clear as day - despite their stoic training. 'Battle Brother...' one of them whispered. [i][color=9e0b0f]'P-prepare help,'[/color][/i] he gasped, [color=9e0b0f][i]'get to the base- t-the people,'[/i][/color] the two Brother looked to each other before carrying Zerabil off and shouting to the others. It was Rejys who understood his gasping words and organised the majority of the Victors - leaving ten Brothers behind to care for Zerabil - and marching out to rescue the embattled citizens of Orabson. Zerabil lay on a bed in the small infirmary. Two of the Brothers who had been left behind were wiping his face with wet cloths, using their Wi, while another removed Zerabil's armour. Soon enough he lay there in nothin more than his tunic, which was also removed. Naked, he was even more of a pitiful figure than before. He had become desperately thin, his rib-cage sticking out, hip bones jutting, calves and femur lacking in meat and muscle, and his arms likewise. His skin was both wrinkled and waxy with illness while its usually olive tone was now deathly white. His hair was now white and crisp, no longer shining with the healthy sheen it had shone with not more than half a day earlier, and his face and neck were stripped of all meat. He looked like nothing more than a skeleton with a an ancient layer of skin. Zerabil could not see this, but he was certain that he did not look his best. He had never known that over-using Wi could have such terrible consequences on the body. If this was the price he had to pay to save the people, however, then it was a price he willingly paid. He did not understand...why had he weakened all of a sudden? This would have been nothing when he was at full strength. So weak had he become that he was certain the newest initiate to the Victors would have bested him, even was he not so spent as he was. Had something happened to his Father? His weakness and the twilight had come about at the same time...it could only mean that something terrible had happened. His Father sustained Orabil and himself after all...it could not be. Zerabil wished to let of a moan, but he stopped himself. That was no way for a Victor to act. Breathing deeply (which hurt) he turned his head to the side and closed his eyes. All he needed was some rest. [centre]***[/centre] [i][b]One Month After the Coming of the Twilight[/b][/i] [color=9e0b0f][i]'No,'[/i][/color] came his raspy voice, [color=9e0b0f][i]'you cannot stay up any longer youngling. Go on inside and sleep,'[/i][/color] the old man gave the little girl a small smile and her pout slowly gave way to a discontent frown of defeat. 'Ok...' she said, 'but when I wake up, we'll play ball again!' Zerabil laughed, his laughs coming out more like coughs. [color=9e0b0f][i]'We shall see,'[/i][/color] he said as she ran off. Standing in the middle of the empty meditation garden, he leaned on his cane and hobbled off towards the waterfall. Removing his thin robe, he proceeded to wade in to the little pond and walked towards the rock directly beneath the waterfall. He slipped a few times as he tried to clamber onto it, but eventually seated his naked buttock onto it and forced his legs into the lotus position. They seemed to creak in complaint, but he ignored the slight pain and closed his eyes, breathing sharply beneath the cold waters. The pure liquid washed over him as night descended and he allowed his soul to float away, searching. [color=9e0b0f][i]Oh Father...my Lord, my Lord...why have you forsaken me?[/i][/color] he thought to himself. He felt himself enter those streams. He had traveled them much over the years and had grown to know them like he knew himself. But now, he felt like a stranger walking in the footsteps of a Zerabil who had once been but no longer was. Sighing, he opened his mouth and spoke. [color=9e0b0f][i]'Poor stranger, come in from the darkness and cold,'[/i][/color] he heard nothing for a while but the fall of water around his head. Then he opened his eyes, and before him stood twelve creatures. They were shrouded in shadow and darkness and seemed almost afraid to come too near so he could see them. [color=9e0b0f][i]'Do not fear. I am a friend, come closer,'[/i][/color] they stood there for a while, uncertain. After a minute had passed, however, they circled around the pond and watched him with their eyes. Each had one, single, large orange eye in the middle of their chest. He looked at each one of them, trying to see in them the small differences which set one individual apart from another. This one had a smaller build, the shape of this one's head, its bone features, this one's height and girth. They may have been Outsiders, but they were surely human, and each was as unique as any human Zerabil ever knew. [color=9e0b0f][i]'You are now Brothers and Sisters of Vowzra's Victors. Battle Brother Rejys shall train you, you shall be honoured and respected by all, as befits your position. And you shall face the darkness which hunts your kind, and you shall bring it down,'[/i][/color] he paused for a few seconds, allowing his gaze to pass over each of them, [color=9e0b0f][i]'though you have naught to fear of your fellow Victors, do keep your identities secret from our citizens. I know you are a race of Man that dwells in the shade of we who walk in sun and moon alike,'[/i][/color] he thought for a few seconds of the sun they had not seen in a month now, [color=9e0b0f][i]'and I do not wish for you to reveal yourselves to people when you are loath to do so.'[/i][/color] With that, he slipped off the stone and waded towards them. Strange fingers and hands helped him out of the pond and dressed him. He looked around at them gratefully, they certainly understood his state of weakness better than many others. Had they been watching him? Or perhaps they just had intuition beyond that of others? [color=9e0b0f][i]'Battle Brother, come,'[/i][/color] Zerabil called out, and the hulking form of Rejys appeared before them, walking through the entrance to the garden. He nodded towards the Outsiders and faced Zerabil. [color=f26522][b]'You called, Prophet,'[/b][/color] the Arma Igna said. Zerabil had chosen to step down as a Battle Brother of Vowzra's Victors a week before, leaving Rejys as the leading Battle Brother of the Victors. He had also handed his governmental role to the colossal armoured man. Zerabil was certain that he was more than capable of taking up the burdens and responsibilities, for Zerabil was no longer able to. Everyone, however, had chosen to start calling him prophet once more. It irked Zerabil greatly. [color=9e0b0f][i]'I do not believe that a fitting thing to call a mere man, Battle Brother,'[/i][/color] he said sadly. Zerabil certainly did not feel like a prophet or a son of the Celestial Above any longer. After his encounter with He of the Waters, he doubted he was very much blessed by They of the Waters either - She of the Waters would certainly not wish to see him now that he was naught but a weak, despised and foolish old man. [color=f26522][b]'It is fitting,'[/b][/color] Rejys responded simply, causing Zerabil to smile slightly. Rejys, ever the sturdy rock upon whom all clung. He was a worthy successor, far more worthy than Zerabil had ever been or would ever be again. Zerabil waved his left hand towards the Outsiders who stood to either side of him. [color=9e0b0f][i]'These are fellow humans, created in the same instance as we but ordained a different purpose by the Earthly Below than that given us by the Celestial Above,'[/i][/color] he informed the Arma Igna, 'and now they are Brothers and Sisters of Vowzra's Victors. You must train them in Wi and teach them the ways of the Victors, for they have an enemy who hunts them, and who they must learn to hunt,' at last he turned away from Rejys and looked at the twelve. He pointed at the six to his right and spoke. [color=9e0b0f][i]'You are Zarkin, and you are Dreyus, and you are Hikat, and you are Alfid, and you are Greyus, and you are Vyngis. Together you shall be the Seers of The Silent Six,'[/i][/color] as he spoke each name, each of them got to their knee in acknowledgement and acceptance of his words. He then turned upon the other six. [color=9e0b0f][i]'As for you, Brothers, you shall be with us but a short while. We shall teach you what we can, and what you will need for survival. Then, you must depart and make your way to he whom you are destined to serve beside, the Master Invidia, the Liaison,'[/i][/color] these six nodded at his words and Zerabil nodded in return. Turning away, he left the garden. They were the disciples of Rejys now, he could do nothing for them. He made his way up some stairs until he stood on the ramparts. The ramparts were heavily guarded by Victors, one hundred at any one time, changing shifts every six hours, with twenty Battle Brothers and Sisters present in each shift. The citizens who temporarily dwelled within the Mountain's Crown had to be protected after all, from the very nightmares they drew to this place. Battle Brother Juras had returned but a few days earlier, assuring everyone that the Confederate Tribes were largely safe. Each tribe had taken refuge behind village walls and organised defences against the monstrosities, making use of the Wi the monsters seemed to lack. Zerabil wondered what had become of the Outsiders dwelling with the Confederate. Zerabil closed his eyes and whispered a silent prayer for them. Perhaps the Liaison had found a way to rescue them...who knew? Moving on, Zerabil walked the ramparts until he came upon Battle Brother Juras. He respectfully asked him for a word, and Juras obliged him. [color=9e0b0f][i]'Battle Brother, I would like to depart from here. Will you help me to the base of the mountain? I will be able to go alone from there,'[/i][/color] Juras was silent for a few moments, his eyes questioning, [color=9e0b0f][i]'it is a request from me, Battle Brother. This is not a prison, all may leave as they wish. I would only like to be so selfish as to request you aid this weak old man down to the base of the mountain,'[/i][/color] he smiled slightly and Juras released a long breath before nodding in the affirmative. 'I shall do as you ask, Battl- um, sir,' the frown on his face did not disappear, but who was he to deny Zerabil the right to leave? Zerabil made for the gate at which Juras gave him a shocked look. 'Wait, now?' he sputtered. [color=9e0b0f][i]'Why, yes Battle Brother, immediately,'[/i][/color] Zerabil replied as he walked. 'But, shouldn't you tell Battle Brother Rejys, or say goodbye at the least?' Juras questioned. [color=9e0b0f][i]'I have said all the goodbyes necessary and handed over my duties. Need more be said?'[/i][/color] Zerabil asked simply and Juras could do no more than frown even more. It did not sit right by him, but he knew that Zerabil would leave either way. It was better to ensure he got to the bottom safely than to let him climb alone, especially with the number of monsters circling round the monastery. It would be much safer further down the mountain where Zerabil would be the only human for miles around. Standing outside the gates, the two began their trek. While in the radius of the monastery, all monsters approaching them were quickly dealt with by the Victors on the ramparts. As they descended further, however, Juras began casting his own spells, reaching into those enormous reserves any Victor worth his name had. The monstrosities stood no chance as lightening and fire returned them to the darkness from whence they had emerged. The further they walked, the less monsters they came across, until they were simply trekking down with Juras helping the weakened Zerabil over particularly treacherous terrain. At one point, Zerabil fell and nearly bashed his fragile old head against the rocks, but quickness from Juras ensured the former-Battle Brother floated back to his feet and was able to continue his walk. [color=9e0b0f][i]'Thank you Battle Brother,'[/i][/color] a breathless Zerabil said once they had reached the base, 'I know I troubled you by asking you to come with me, but I needn't trouble you anymore. Return to your Brothers and I shall be on my way,' Juras bowed in respect and gave the salute of the Victors. Smiling, Zerabil raised his fist high above his head before lowering it and thumping it against his chest. 'Goodbye Battle Brother Zerabile,' Juras said. [color=9e0b0f][i]'Goodbye Battle Brother Juras,'[/i][/color] said Zerabil. With that, the old man in the brown robe turned away and began walking off with the support of his wooden cane. He would go where Fate willed he go, and he would walk until it willed him stop. [centre][img]http://asset-f.soup.io/asset/2935/7409_f970_960.jpeg[/img] [color=9e0b0f][i]What a nice bird. Oh...that's a leaf.[/i][/color] ***[/centre] [i][b]Six Months After the Coming of the Twilight[/b][/i] Zerabil sat by the fire, listening to the nearby stream as it flowed by, his eyes on the strange monstrosity slowly crawling towards him. It was a pitiful imitation of himself, dried up and pretty much dead. It crawled towards him, moaning and groaning in pain, attempting to live once more. It had followed him around ever since he left the mountain, crawling behind him in an attempt to reach him. It had disgusted him at first, but he soon saw it for what it was; a reflection of his deepest fears and, in a way, a reflection of what he truly was at heart. For he feared what he had become, and that thing on the ground was what he had become - if not physically, then certainly spiritually and mentally. He had become a parody of the real Zerabil, that Zerabil was gone. He had walked all the way to Orabil, and had seen it from a distance, as tall and alive as ever. However, he could not reach it completely, for around it was a strange nothingness. A void which he knew would crush him should he attempt entering it. The void surrounded the great tree from all directions and prevented all living things from approaching. Its aura had also disappeared, for he felt no overwhelming peacefulness, nor did the monstrosity following him find itself incapable from entering the vicinity of the great tree as it once would have. He had stayed there for a few days, meditating and contemplating. Soon, however, his hunger and thirst drove him from the barren desert which now surrounded the tree, and he went in search of food. After that, he had visited the Confederate Tribes and checked on them. The number of monsters surrounding each village, when he approached, assured him that there were yet human within to give rise to these nightmares and he moved on, not wishing to attract the attention of the nightmares. He had instructed Rejys to send emissaries to the Confederates and to the Sanguine Communion and to the Strong Tribe too, telling them that the return of the monsters meant that Vowzra's Victors could no longer partake in an assault to end the Cimex threat. They would shore up their defences and await the mercy of the gods when it came - surely their mercy had to come... Zerabil put out the fire and stood up. The hill where he was first created was not far off. He walked for another hour until he had reached its crest, and in the very place he had first come into existence, he sat down. There he crossed his legs in the lotus position and he closed his eyes, and there he remained. More power had returned to his old body over his travels. He was now capable, at will, of summoning to him some water from a stream which ran close by the hill, and with ease he could summon fruits from the trees in the forest. He sat upon that hill for three months, and he did not plan to leave that place of his for a long time yet.