[centre][color=black][i][b]Grandmaster Thulemiz, Son of the Celestial Above, Champion of Chaos
Level 23 Hero, 37 Khookies[/b][/i][/color][/centre]

[centre][i]A Partial Collab between Scarifar and Kho[/i][/centre]

[hider=Summary]
[list]
[*] Rejys is taken by Hikat and Alfid to Mt. Vulcan
[*] Ferghus repairs him and offers Rejys and his Victors a quest - if they bring him the Blade of Chaos, he will grant Rejys great power
[*] Rejys is granted invulnerability to Wi and is promised more power when the Blade is broght to Ferghus
[*] Thulemiz breaks Cassios and turns him into his servant
[*] Rejys creates a metal throne with a suit of armour on it for the comatose Thulemiz, in which he is then interred.  
[*] Thulemiz declares that they must all go to Sviebard.
[/list]
[/hider]

'How is the Battle Br- the Grandmaster?' one of them - Zarkin - asked.
'His condition has stabilised. It remains critical, but the chances that he he will survive, in some manner, are high,' came the confident response from Hikat. It had become clearer over time that, of the Silent Six, Hikat and Greyus displayed the greatest intuition and leadership capabilities. The others had less of their natural charisma, but each was certainly unique and a boon to what remained of Vowzra's Victors.
'And Battle Brother Rejys?' asked Alfid. A small silence met this before Hikat responded.
'He does not appear conscious...or even alive.'
'What is to be done, Silent Brother?' Alfid asked again. Hikat's response came faster this time.
'You and I must take him to the mountain of the Fiery One, immediately. There we can seek help for our fallen Battle Brother,' Alfid bowed his head. 
'And what of the other?' Dreyus asked, referring to Cassios.
'He is currently with the Grandmaster, as he...requested,' Greyus said. It had not been a normal request, for the Grandmaster was not yet conscious. It had come in the form of a distant voice in their minds, commanding them first to return Cassios with them to the Mountain's Crown, and then to leave the Executioner with him in the infirmary. They had all sensed strange energies radiating from there, but they had not dared check. They knew the workings of chaos when they sensed them, and they needn't get any closer than necessary. Hikat and Alfid bowed to the others before melting away into nothingness.

Almost immediately, they reappeared before the silent and broken form of Rejys. Each of them taking him by an arm, the air around them shimmered once more and they disappeared once more, appearing before the hulking form of another Arma Igna - Robbie. And he spake thus:
[color=f26522][b]'What fiendish creatures from the Warps of Time emerge,
Unveiling here before Us, 'pon this hallowed ground converge.'[/b][/color]

The two Outsiders bowed respectfully to the guard of Mount Vulcan before Hikat spoke in response.
'We come with a brother of yours and a Battle Brother of ours. We bring him here to the Fiery One, his creator, that he may breathe the fires of life back into him,'

Robbie wasted no time telepathically contacting Ferghus about the situation, "[color=f26522][i][b]Fiery One, there is an Arma Igna here who requires your immediate attention.[/b][/i][/color]" A moment later, a column of flames emerged from the ground next to Robbie, and the Avatar of Ferghus appeared when the flames dissipated. Ferghus walked over to the suit of armor and knelt down, running a hand over the metal. "How did this happen?" Ferghus asked the two Outsiders.

'High One, the people of southern Arguilla, led by Grandmaster Thulemiz of Vowzra's Victors, were ambushed by the forces of the northern warlord, Ialu,' Hikat responded, 'and during the melee our Battle Brother Rejys went up against the Executioner, Cassios, whom he fought until he had victory. But victory came at a terrible price, as you can see. His metal armour has been severly damaged and it appears that his life energy has been completely extinguished,' Hikat was silent as the god of the Forge surveyed the heavily damaged suit of armour.

Ferghus peered into the suit of armor, looking for the spark of life he had placed inside it when Rejys was first created. Ferghus found it, but the spark was very faint, almost undetectable even by his standards. Ferghus breathed a gentle stream of fire into it, letting it grow once more. Rejys soon woke, and could sense the presence of his creator before him. Rejys tried to utter an honorable greeting, but no sound came out. "He's lucky," Ferghus told the Outsiders. 
"If he got here even a minute later, his spark of life would have died out and even I would have been unable to save him." 

Ferghus then raised his hand, and flames appeared in his palm. They took the shape of a hammer, and the mighty hammer Pyrkagia appeared when the flames dissipated. Ferghus struck Rejys with his hammer, and the holes and scratches around the impact were repaired as if the armor was never damaged in the first place. A few more impacts, and Rejys was fully repaired. Rejys then sat up and took a kneeling position in front of Ferghus, saying, "[color=f7941d][b]Fiery One, it is an honor to be in your presence once more, and for restoring my life. You have my eternal gratitude.[/b][/color]" 

"Yes, of course. You can stand up now," Ferghus said dismissively. "Now, I noticed a very distinct name earlier. 'Ialu', I believe it was." At the mention of his name, Robbie clenched his fingers. "Seems he's still causing trouble, even with the curse I placed upon him," Ferghus remarked.

Hikat nodded and responded in the affirmative.
'Indeed, High One, he gathered a mighty army and has now conquered the greater part of the Realm of Man. From the north of Arguilla, down to the Confederate territories, his word is now supreme and are enslaved to his will.'
Rejys, now on his feet, looked down at his metal palms, and the Outsider could tell that the great Arma Igna was in a rather melancholy mood.
[color=f7941d][b]'It was... it was my fault,'[/b][/color] he said slowly, his voice monotonous but his life spirit revealing his feelings of guilt clearly, [color=f7941d][b]'If I had been more powerful then perhaps Zerabil and I could have taken that demonic creature.'[/b][/color]

"Rejys, you were never designed to fight in a battle like that," Ferghus explained. "Your original purpose was to teach others about the art of blacksmithing. Even your body wouldn't be able to take the punishment it did. Frankly, you're lucky to even still be alive." Ferghus sighed, then continued, "I can, of course, make some upgrades to your body, but it will come at a price."

Upon hearing this, Rejys fell to one knee and spoke reverently.
[color=f7941d][b]'Fiery One, there is no price I would not pay if it means protecting those who...who mean something to me. To never watch helplessly as my comrades fall all around me. If power will ensure that the values I have developed will not be quashed by the merciless and cruel, then I will pay an price you ask of me,'[/b][/color] he remained on his knee once he had finished speaking, prepared for whatever it was his creator requested of him.

Ferghus listened to every word his creation had spoken. "Hmm... I believe your feelings are genuine," Ferghus said. Ferghus gave the matter a moment's thought, then said, "Ok, how about this? I'll give you and your Battle Brothers a quest. That 'Ialu' fellow has in his possession a rather unique weapon, created the same day the gods were created. The Blade of Chaos, I believe it is called." Ferghus paused to think for a moment, then continued, "It can change shape according to its wielder, so finding it may prove difficult. However, it does seem to have a rather unique chaotic aura. Be careful when you touch it."

Looking up, Rejys turned his armoured head towards Hikat who was silent for a few seconds before nodding.
'We will do as you ask, High One. This Blade of Chaos will not go undetected by The Seers of the Silent Six for long. We will find it, and we will bring it for you as payment, even if it takes us months and years,' once Hikat stopped speaking, it was the other Seer, Alfid, who spoke up.
'But High One, finding the Blade will take some time, will Rejys have to bring it to you before you make him battleworthy? We may well need his skills in battle very soon. The warlord Ialu will not rest long, he is certain to come searching for us before long, unsatisfied that some of the Victors yet survive,' his voice was not quite pleading, but there was a certain note of desperation in it.

"Knowing him, I'm not surprised," Ferghus muttered. Ferghus gave it some more thought, then said, "Very well, I shall increase his capability a bit. Rejys, hold still." Ferghus extended his arm, and emitted the same orange energy he used on Robbie, the energy then getting absorbed into Rejys' body. "There, you are now immune to Wi, or at least telekinesis. Knowing Ialu's curse, he'll be unable to use physical weapons, so Wi is his only real form of attack left. As for your body, well, try not to get too beat up again. You'll get a better upgrade upon the delivery of the Blade of Chaos."

Though he did not feel any different, Rejys knew the words of Ferghus to be true. He would have The Silent Six scour the northern lands for this weapon. They would certainly find it, he knew, and when they did, he would return and pay the lord of the Forge in full.
[color=f7941d][b]'I thank you for your charity and mercy, Fiery One,'[/b][/color] the Arma Igna said, [color=f7941d][b]'I will return with this Blade and I shall honour this agreement that we have made this day,'[/b][/color] with that, he raised his armoured fist into the air before lowering it to his chest in the salute of the Victors. The two Seers of the Silent Six bowed respectfully before each of them took Rejys by an arm and the air around them shimmered slightly. Then they were gone.

[centre]***[/centre]

Inside the infirmary in the Mountain's Crown, the unconscious Thulemiz lay naked but for a loincloth around his pelvis. His physical body was scarred, the latest being that of Ialu - a burn mark running over his chest area, just over his heart. The skin had healed quickly, but the vicious scar remained. Despite the many scars, his body was oddly unblemished and had a white, marble-like quality to it, as though he had truly been sculpted from stone. His muscles were full and powerful, and his breathing - though he was still unconscious - deep and very much alive.

Before the small bed he lay upon was Cassios, on his knees, whimpering slightly. He was still in his armour, though his helmet had been removed. In the rather small infirmary, he was something of a giant. However, his great size and daunting aura only made his whimpering the more degrading. Those who looked with eyes alone would not have understood the scene before them - one who did not know Thulemiz and Cassios may have even thought the man was simply grieving for the unconscious Thulemiz. But such could not be further from the truth. The Seers of the Silent Six, however, could see. Even from beyond the walls of the infirmary, the could hear the screams of Cassios' soul as the warped and grotesque soul of Thulemiz assaulted it, attempting to bend it to its well.

[color=black][b][i]'Who is your Lord?'[/i][/b][/color] came the snarling voice of Thulemiz, hammered forcefully into Cassios' mind, [color=black][i][b]'who is he?!'[/b][/i][/color]
Cassios' response came faint and weak, almost undetectable.
'He...who is in Garakai...king,' even his soul was sputtering out each word, as though there was an impossible weight upon him.
[color=black][i][b]'Is not he who cherishes and sustains you your Lord?'[/b][/i][/color] came Thulemiz's voice once more, this time coaxing and persuasive, attempting to lead Cassios away from his convictions.
'N-no...' he stuttered, 'only- only he who is in Garakai...king.'

At this response, Thulemiz's soul swelled out terrible and penetrated Cassios' own, wreaking untold havoc upon the miserable man.
[color=black][i][b]'Who is it! Who is it that is in Garakai king? Who is it?'[/b][/i][/color] the burning chaotic tendrils of the chaos champion's soul seized upon Cassios and slowly tormented him.
'It is...it is Ial-'
[color=black][i][b]'NO!'[/b][/i][/color] came the torment of words.
'Uh...Azt-'
[color=black][i][b]'NO!'[/b][/i][/color] came the whip of words.
'V-Visca-'
[color=black][i][b]'NO!'[/b][/i][/color] came the burning letters which consumed Cassios' very reason in that moment of infinite pain.
'Y...you,' he croaked at last.
[color=black][i][b]'And who am I?'[/b][/i][/color] the torment disappeared and the words were now silk and hands which gently stroked Cassios' face and caressed his hair.
'T-the Lord,' he whispered.
[color=black][i][b]'And who is the Lord?'[/b][/i][/color] came the meaningful voice.
'Thulemiz.'

Cassios suddenly stopped whimpering, and his head rose up. He was still trembling slightly at the shadow of memory which yet remained of what had just been. But that quickly disappeared as his new convictions settled in and became just as deeply ingrained as the old - for they were the old. He looked upon the unconscious Thulemiz, his eyes full of loyalty and conviction - for this was Thuelmiz, the true ruler, supreme warlord and king of Garakai.

After the great battle with the northerners, the people of Thulemiz had been greatly decreased. five hunted Victores massacred and four hundred citizen soldiers too, along with three hundred camp followers lost to Ialu. There was nothing left now but one hundred humans - the weakest, the old, the unable. And there were also two hundred Uri whom Thulemiz had commanded to remain behind. In addition to that, there were the Silent Six, Rejys and Thulemiz himself. Though Thulemiz could hardly do much. Certainly, he was very much alive and his magical capabilities were very much intact, but he appeared to be in a permanent comatose state, and his damaged soul was not helping his maddened state. Neither were the chaotic energies he had gained due to absorbing Vestec's diluted blood, or Ialu's own blood which had made him an ever more emotional creature, with the slightest power over the emotions of those around him.

[color=black][i][b]'Go and command Rejys to create for my body a vessel,'[/b][/i][/color] Thulemiz commanded. Cassios bowed before his master before leaving to find the Arma Igna. When he found him, the suit of armour was looking in the greatest of condition. He almost set upon Cassios when he saw him free, but Hikat quickly explained to the Arma Igna that Cassios had been...changed. Getting to work, Rejys left the Silent Six to speak amongst themselves.

'We must find this Blade of Chaos. It is in the warlord's possession. One of us must go,' Hikat looked around, on the verge of nominating himself. Before he could, however, Greyus stepped forward and declared himself the one to do it. There were no objections and he did not remain to hear any, for he shimmered and was gone.

As the sun set that day, the Silent Brothers carried Thulemiz' body to the courtyard where Rejys had brought forth a large metal throne. Upon the throne sat a great suit of armour. Thulemiz's body was placed into the armour and all watched for a few seconds before a sudden burst of Wi set the throne and armour aglow. It vibrated with black and red energies before it lifted from the ground and levitated before the remaining Victors and citizens of the Mountain's Crown.

[color=black][b][i]'We must depart this land, for it is cursed. We shall to the land of the Cold One go, and there we shall prepare,'[/i][/b][/color]