[color=a187be][b][i][center]Annabeth Gulch[/center][/i][/b][/color]

Annabeth didn't wait for anyone. She didn't try to lead Ssarak either, not that he needed her guidance. The hunt hunting grounds were close and with his ability to fly he would likely reach the fight before Annabeth did. Not to mention she took the forest path, and for a very specific reason. Soon she old see the glint of steel off the ground. Taking her sword out while it was still sheathed, Annabeth deftly scooped her spear from the ground and into her hand. While she was mostly going to rely on her arrows, she also wanted her spear to get every advantage she can get. 

Putting both her sword and spear away Annabeth did a quick count of her arrows. In the chaos of everything happening she didn't know how many arrows she used, but she counted that she only had five left. She'll have to make each shot count. Annabeth was certain she didn't have the blood for any magic beyond telepathy, and even that might be limited. She wished she was stronger, but no sense in making complaints now. She'll just have to trust everyone's ability.

Annabeth arrived to the scene shortly after Ssarak did. She could see him fly low with his sword drawn. She didn't need to read his mind to know he went to help Meirin. Last that Annabeth remembered, she was fighting a knight. Surveying the scene Annabeth could see Keri fighting the cosh with some strangers. They were too far away for Annabeth to make out the details, but she saw some familiar faces with new ones. The fact they weren't fighting Keri told Annabeth they were allies, but then again it was hard to tell what was going in right now.

Looking around Annabeth also could see, albeit only faintly, Leith and Enasha fighting someone else. However they were too far for Annabeth to know anything else, and she didn't remember who Leith was fighting prior to leaving. Annabeth did not see Alaira anywhere. But perhaps that was for the best: Alaira is strong, and if she's alone she can unleash her full strength without harming allies. What Annabeth was worried most however, was Athalus. She didn't see him at all, nor of that assassin who was chasing her before. 

Holding her bow in one hand and her reigns in another Annabeth had Samson run out. She needed a better idea of what was going on and how she could help. If that involved shooting a few arrows or just updating some one of what’s going on, so be it. The first people Annabeth went towards was Keri and the others, shouting out to them. 

[color=a187be]”Keri! Are you okay? Who are these people?”[/color]

Seeing that Keri was engaged in combat with some sort of wolf like creature, Annabeth notched an arrow and shot it, careful to aim it where if she missed, she would not hit anyone else.

[b][i][center]Tyrael Marchosias[/center][/i][/b]

Tyrael walked with the golems in silence. Truth be told even flanked and surrounded like this, he could escape them without use of his magic. Maybe even overpower them if he can get to a narrow corridor. But that’s not what he wanted to do, and ultimately wouldn’t do anything. The demon in his head tried to convince him of fleeing, trying to make time to explain his case, but what was there to explain? Running only made him look guilty, and Tyrael was certain his judgement was already sealed. That being said, he didn’t know what his fate was going to be. Harming the students were obviously something the college looked poorly upon. While accidents were understandable, Satori was thoroughly punished for her stunt with her illusions, and Lucilia was still under investigation. Their status as teachers and their importance to the college was a not a factor. The college was admirable, if rather foolish, for that devotion to their students. Which was why Tyrael didn’t think he had much of a future left here.

It probably didn’t matter that Tyrael was the demonomancy master. Nor that Mar and her family still lived her. To be frank, Tyrael was certain she didn’t need him anymore. It was a strange feeling, but she was adapting. She was more open, even if she still lacks a solid social group. Lyn was developing fine, predictably maturing rapidly thanks to her naga blood. Athalus… Tyrael still didn’t like him. But there was no denying that he has remained dedicated to Mar despite Mar’s violence and Tyrael’s threats of violence. The college was a good community for her, especially since she had no home to go back to. And if these nagas were allowed to stay, then maybe they too could change for the better. So all that was left was Tyrael. At this point he didn’t know what he was doing with himself anymore. He had convinced himself that he must lead the demons in the Inferno as their Overlord in order to fight the threat against Kudd. But there was a question gnawing at the back of his mind. A selfish desire on a multiple level: Why does he fight and what does he gain from it?

At first he felt that it was his duty to amass his forces and oppose Kudd simply because he was one of the only teachers at the college who had the capacity to raise an army fast enough. While there were those like Lucilia, who already had an army of vampires and mercenaries, or Uicle whose magical capacity may allow him to amass and control a limitless amount of golems overnight, or even Khan who may be as strong, if not possibly stronger, than Tyrael as a demonomancer, it was the Fallen Orc himself who actually was fighting against Kudd and his forces right now. He had that power, and thus he made it his responsibility. And yet, he has no reason to. No one asked him, Tyrael hasn’t told, and aside from some incidents like the demon feast, only Tyrael has been feeling the effects of the war. Namely with his current mental state.

So Tyrael had waged war in the Inferno and it was eating at him, as many demonic things do. Yet it was his responsibility to do so, he figured, but in doing so he had largely forgotten other responsibilities. Arguably more important ones, such as spending time with his own family or being a professor at the college. He had been so locked into his role as the unforgiving Overlord of the Inferno that he’s forgotten his other titles and duties. Part of him wondered if it was for the best. There was no doubt that the war against Kudd is important. Tyrael can’t afford to be slothful in it. But his loyalties to the college were also important, if only to him, yet he was failing to uphold it. He was overburden and wondered if it would be best to just… Give it all up. Let someone else deal with it. Or at least drop one so he can focus on the others. But now he asked himself: What should he forget? To fight against Kudd? To be a professor of the college? The people he loves?

[b][i]”Why give up anything?”[/i][/b]

It was that voice in his head again. Tyrael’s old enemy. Vorinclex himself. He appeared to Tyrael as a ghostly image before his eyes. It was all in the demonomancer’s head, so no golems would notice him.

[b]”Do not start with me, demon. I have tried to gain everything I wanted, and I failed to achieve anything for it.”[/b]

[b][i]”Do you still doubt? That is why. Of course it will not be easy. But you will never get it if you give up.”[/i][/b]

Tyrael waved his hand through the illusion of Vorinclex, causing his form to appear elsewhere out of Tyrael’s reach.
[b]”I have no time for your proverbial encouragement, demon. You have seen me attempt to achieve all I wanted. And now I may lose one of the only things I value.”[/b]

[b][i]”You fool… You have already lost much more. What do you truly have to lose?”[/i][/b]

[b]”Everything!”[/b] Tyrael shouted at the demon, lunging at him. He was restrained by the golems and failed to kill his demon. Getting out of the golem’s grips, Tyrael continued to walk, arguing with Vorinclex along the way. [b]”I may be nothing, demon, but I possess things I must protect. You would not understand it. You… You are just a manifestation of desires. Envy. You want things you do not have. You do not understand the things I have already.”[/b]

Vorinclex started walking ahead of Tyrael, facing him the entire time. [b][i]”What do you truly have to lose?”[/i][/b] The repeated question got an irritated groan from Tyrael. He knew Vorinclex was going to be like this, and at this point Tyrael was in no mood to argue. He simply ignored Vorinclex while he tried to goad the demonomancer with his words.

[b][i]”What do you truly have to lose, Karnage? You fight and hate, but you have no reason to. That is because you are hollow. Empty. Shallow. You have no character, much like a demon. You are driven by your base instincts and existence revolve around your manifestations. That is why you have done nothing to get what you want. You expect the opportunity to come to you, but that chance will never come.”[/i][/b]

By this point Tyrael reached Uicle’s office and entered. He was alone, leaving the golems outside the room. He didn’t bother to take a seat since most would not fit him, and even if he found a stool he did not want to sit down anyways. Vorinclex continued to rant in his ear, barely getting a reaction from him.

[b][i]”Are you still waiting for your call to adventure, a chance to show what you can do? This is not your story, Karnage. There is no one waiting to hear your tale. You have to take it, take it from others. Those people you say you ‘love’ can easily forget you. That child can grow up into a woman and will never remember your face. Marya has her own family now, and does not need your support. Even the college will be able to survive without your help. You are not wanted, Karnage, and that is why you have failed so much.”[/i][/b]

Vorinclex got into Tyrael’s face and grew louder, yet he wasn’t shouting at him. It was more like he was making sure Tyrael listened to him. 

[b][i]”So you have to do more than wait, you piece of orc shit. You need to change and become something wanted. This person you are right now: Undesirable. That anger within you: Insufferable. This tragedy of yours: Pitiful. Your merits: Lacking. Change, Karnage, because if you do not, they will find someone better than you.”[/i][/b]