[center][b][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThiiCRfPrdg]Chapter 1: Episode 3 - Believing is Seeing - Obsidias - Morning (Collaboration between [color=0076a3]GourmetItalia[/color] and [color=8dc73f]XianEvermor[/color])[/url][/b][/center]

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               [color=8dc73f]A duel was an intricate thing: two opponents facing off in a battle of wills. It is told that a master duelist could strike his opponent down with only the weight of his gaze, without even having to lift a single finger. Jade was clearly not a master, and she was up against an opponent that had proven time, after time, and time again to be just as savage as he was clever. She met his icy blue gaze with hers, daring not even to move and wipe the sweat on her brow. Could she feel paralysis creeping into her bones? Was it her imagination?
               
               Her opponent’s thumb twitched, sending a jolt of electricity down her spine. She must have flinched involuntarily, since she could feel the weight of his intent now crushing down upon her shoulders. His piercing gaze widened, and a hand darted with lightning quickness to his belt. That was the moment she knew it was over, even before she felt his eyes lock onto her weakest point.
               
               “[b]Check[/b],” he intoned gravely, snapping a knight down onto the board. It clacked down with finality, and Jade knew she had only one or two moves left before all was lost. She blustered for a long moment before mustering up the fiercest gaze she could under the circumstances and locked eyes with him once again. Try as she might, however, he was unreadable even after they had sat for what felt like hours in unblinking contest.
               
               “[b]Well?[/b]” He asked.
               
               “[b]I’m thinking[/b],” she replied.
               
               “[b]You’re stalling[/b],” he accused, twisting one corner of his wrinkled lips into a sly grin. That was all it took to smite the weakest link in her armor and send her fierce exterior crumbling.  “[b]Watch your mouth[/b],” he ordered afterwards, right as she was about to open it to swear.
               
               “[b]Ugh, AGAIN![/b]” She fumed. The man rolled his eyes and began setting up the board.
               
               “[b]You sure are a glutton for punishment.[/b]”
               
               “[b]It’s not like there’s anything else to do around here[/b],” she grumbled with an air of resentment.
               
               “[b]You could always fight with Raven some more[/b],” he suggested.
               
               The pair were sitting on a small, round plateau at the epicenter of some disaster. The ruins of an ancient city surrounded them, destruction radiating outwards to the edge of the city and beyond into the desert. The only untouched building loomed over them in the distance: a magnificent palace with a pillar of light shining into the heavens from the tallest tower.  The ornate decorations on the palace marked this as the once great city of Sarife. Above them the shattered sky burned, broken further by an occasional blast of red lightning.
               
               Jade leaned back onto her hands and huffed a lock of near platinum blonde hair out of her striking, pupil-less emerald eyes. She stared up into a flash of crimson lightning while the wizened older man across from her set up the chess board. He was short and wiry, almost to the point of being scrawny, though it was hard to tell through the hooded red and gold robes he wore. The wisdom of ages shown in the wrinkles on his face, and the light glinted off his perfectly smooth, bald head.
               
               “[b]So far fighting hasn’t done anything to help us get out of here… where is your mother, anyway? He’s been gone a long time.[/b]”
               
               “[b]He went to go investigate the pillar of light[/b],” he replied.
               
               “[b]Again? Pointless[/b],” she huffed. “[b]We couldn’t get within a stone’s throw of the palace walls even when we were all working together. How does he expect to reach it with that thing running loose in here, let alone without the help of his Dreamwalker?[/b]”
               
               “[b]Well, he had a theory[/b],” the man answered glibly while continuing to set up the board. After a long, quiet moment Jade slowly lowered her gaze from the sky, and squinted at him when he had nothing further to say.
               
               “[b]Orionn…[/b]” she lilted. “[b]In this place I can kill you with my thoughts[/b],” she warned. Orionn rolled his eyes.
               
               “[b]Fine[/b],” he huffed, straightening the pieces on the board with anal precision. “If I have anything, it’s a sense of self-preservation.  We theorized that the… entity only wants to keep you from the palace,” he explained. “And without my assistance, Raven is practically invisible in the Dreamscape.”
               
               “[b]Powerless[/b],” she interrupted.
               
               “[b]I’m sorry?[/b]”
               
               “[b]You mean he’s practically powerless in the Dreamscape without your assistance[/b],” she snipped. Orionn paused for a long time and took an extremely patient breath.                
               
               “[b]While I suppose it’s… true that he can’t affect anything in the Dreamscape without my help, it also means that the Entity will have trouble noticing him as well. When we change something here it leaves traces, something you’re aware of as you used those traces to track us down once before. Not only that, but the mere capability to affect the Dreamscape causes ripples wherever you are. That’s why the Entity is focused on us, and not Raven[/b],” he explained, and then clapped a knight onto the board as his opening move.
               
               “[b]And you didn’t think to tell me this beforehand because….?[/b]” She accused, haphazardly scooting a pawn forward two spaces.
               
               “[b]Raven thought you would object, and instructed me to keep you busy during his investigation[/b],” he answered.  “[b]And since he is still possession of the head you so graciously decapitated for him, I’m only able to admonish and not refuse.[/b]”
               
               “[b]Yeah… sorry about that, I wasn’t myself[/b],” she pouted, feeling a slight pang of guilt and allowing him to answer with his second knight.
               
               “[b]Apology accepted[/b],” he continued, massaging the crow’s feet at the corners of his mouth for a long moment in consideration as he answered with a bishop. [b]“Our working theory is that there is some sort of outside interference keeping us here, and it has something to do with Archmagi’s tower in Obsidias collapsing on us during the earthquake. The tower was home to a number of very powerful elemental wards, barriers, and enchantments: theoretically if they fell in precisely the correct order it’s possible (through freak happenstance) they could have created some sort of overlapping array of sorcery that has the side-effect of holding our bodies in stasis[/b],” he explained as she moved another pawn.
               
               “[b]Really? That’s your move?[/b]” He admonished. Jade glared back at him. “[b]Anyway, If that’s the case, it would make sense that we’ve been unable to return to our bodies, since they’re frozen. Our second theory is that the light-pillar may be a doorway or window to… somewhere: hopefully back to the physical world. We may not be able to return to our bodies, but if that window looks back into the physical world, you or I might be able to disrupt the stasis from this side of the Dreamscape. All it would take is for something to nudge the array of spells out of alignment just one tiny bit…[/b]” He advanced a pawn to solidify his opening picket line.
               
               Jade stared at him expectantly for a long time while he admired the board. A crack of crimson lightning split the sky momentarily, followed by the low grumble of thunder after an expectant moment. He lifted his eyes to meet her gaze.
               
               “[b]What…[/b]” she prodded.
               
               “[b]What?[/b]”
               
               “[b]This is the part where you explain your plan,” she said. He met her expectant look blankly. “Nudge it out of alignment one tiny bit… and theeeeeennnnn[/b],” she urged.
               
               “[b]Oh. I have no idea[/b],” he admitted.
               
               “[b]What, you’re just going to poke it and see?![/b]” she asked, in a rising pitch.
               
               “[b]Do you have a better idea?[/b]”
               
               “[b]OH MY GOD!![/b]” She screamed.
               
               It was about that time that a tall muscular figure flopped down next to them and took a long, tired breath. He swept a sweaty lock of obsidian hair out of his mismatched eyes and leveled a questioning gaze at the two of them. Raven had returned from his expedition.
               
               “[b]What’s she going on about?[/b]” Asked Raven.
               
               [b]“She doesn’t like your plan[/b],” Orionn answered plainly.
               
               “[b]I told you she wouldn’t[/b],” Raven accused. “[b]Do you have a better idea?[/b]” He asked, rolling his red eye towards Jade.
              
               “[b]No[/b],” she huffed, folding her arms indignantly after clacking a knight on the board. There was a long silence where Raven looked at what they were doing with a growing look of concern.
               
               “[b]Wh… where the fuck did we get a chess board?[/b]”
               
               “[b]From his ‘sphincter of holding[/b],’” Jade quipped, and Orionn was unable to hold in a snort.
               
               “[b]See this?  This right here: this is why we can’t have nice things[/b],” grumbled Raven.[/color]

[color=0076a3]The ground suddenly began to rumble and shake with a vigor that nearly sent the chess pieces flying in different directions across the room. In simultaneous fashion, a sea of circular ripples had begun to slowly form above the unsuspecting heads of the three figures. At first, the nature, in which the ripples had appeared followed a random pattern, however, as time progressed, the ripples began to form in greater frequency and volume.[/color]

                [color=8dc73f]"[b]Shexx...[/b]" Jade swore. They'd never be able to remember where all the pieces were again. She struggled to keep them all on the board, seeming at first nonplussed by the shaking, and then struggling to catch them all as they tumbled off the board and onto the scorched sandstone. She grew increasingly frustrated, especially since Orionn was making no move to help. "What the hell!"
                
                "[b]Jade[/b]," Orionn chimed, reaching across the board to tug on her scarf and get her attention. "[b]Jade, we have a more pressing issue[/b]," he informed in an even tone.
                
                Jade leveled a squinted emerald gaze at him, however Orionn didn't meet it: he was gazing up at the disturbance and gathering himself to move. Raven was doing the same, which prompted her to look as well. She suppressed a pang of excitement: nothing ever changed in the Dreamscape... and then a pang of disappointment. She humphed back to the stone, folding her arms. A deep frown creased her face and she reached out with tendrils of force, slamming the board back onto the rock table they had fashioned and forcing the pieces back onto the board.
                
                "[b]Just ignore it[/b]," she grunted, sliding the pieces around on the board until she figured it was about where they had left it. "[b]It's never bothered us out here, I don't see any reason for it to start.[/b]"
                
                "[b]That doesn't look like a disturbance from the Entity to me[/b]," said Orionn. He massaged the crows feet at the corners of his mouth thoughtfully as he observed.
                
                Jade let the pieces rattle back off the board and onto ground, leaning back onto her palms and gazing back up at the sky. She focused, opening a psychic umbrella and expanding it out as far as it would reach. Sure enough, she recoiled involuntarily when it touched Ishtar in another part of the Dreamscape doing... something. She pulled her senses back and stood up, wondering if it was aware of what was happening.[/color]

[color=0076a3]As more ripples began to radiate above the trio's heads, the sight of each circular opening dispensing dark clouds could be seen ejecting vapors, small puffs at a time, into their vicinity. What followed proved just as baffling as the occurrences, given how frequently each ripple managed to deposit their contents only to suddenly collapse onto the sandstone floor in synchronous fashion. A moment later, whispy strands of shadows slowly creep through the sandstone floor before needling their way together in an eerie, abnormal trajectory. Within a short passage of time, more shadowy strands had begun to reform into separate fluctuations that resembled bizarre shapes of varying translucent compositions. 

The most unanticipated development of all soon occurred as the skies above began to darken as more ripples began to eject dark clouds that threatened to blot the air into blankets of grey fog. Nothing could have prepared the trio for translucent apparitions' rapid assembly into one singular momentous flash and all it required was motion for shadows, fog, and apparition alike to meld together into a pulsating translucent conjuration. The end result resembled an entity rife with frightening grotesque features, jagged teeth, socket-less bone cavities, and an amalgamation of hideous spikes. 

A ghastly, ear-splitting screech followed swiftly by a deafening roar soon echoed through the Dreamscape as the translucent, grotesque form of an apparition suddenly charged straight through the trio with such alarming force that it threatened to knock each individual off their feet. All the same, cracks began to form within the sandstone floor as more ripples, dark cloud puffs, and shadowy wisps began to strand their way into existence with a frightening rapidity.[/color]

               [color=8dc73f]"[b]No!![/b]" Orionn warned as Jade grasped the hilt of her shamshir. She snapped her head first to him, then back to the disturbance before she was thrown to the ground by the unknown force. Orionn unsubstantiated his physical form and slipped into the background of the Dreamscape, allowing the disturbance to pass through him. Raven, however, with no power to affect the Dreamscape impacted the sandstone with a grunt and was dragged along in the creature's wake like a leaf in a stiff breeze.
               
               Jade struggled up to one knee in time to see Raven be whisked away, hand still on the hilt of her blade. The plateau they had been perched on had a steep drop of about twenty feet, likely it was the foundation of what was once some great tower. Raven managed to flip himself onto his belly and hook a dagger into the stone as he slid, though it did little to slow him as he hurtled towards the edge. Jade started to reach out with a tendril of force and save Raven, but she stopped. On the outside, Raven was her mortal enemy, and had tried to kill her several times. With Orionn suddenly nowhere to be found, would it be so wrong to just leave him to his fate? She hesitated for a long, tangible moment.[/color]

[color=0076a3]Over a very short stretch of time, dozens of grotesque apparitions had conjured into existence whilst a strong wind began to whip across their faces. Somewhere in the distance the sight of another young Al-Mayrin could be seen. Her entourage resembled a young dark-haired man and for a moment they both stared back towards Jade before slowly disappearing into the maelstrom of wind and fog alike. This only proved to further complicate matters as several of the grotesque apparitions drifted apart only to reform into their previous contours as shadowy smoke streams. The nature of their sudden dissolution soon became apparent as they quickly wriggled and thrust through the air towards Raven's location and in one powerful gust, slammed against his fingers.

Elsewhere, a strange and sadistic sight came to fruition given how fiercely the winds grew and in unison, the wind gusts and smoke streams redirected with near impossible strength towards Jade's location. Through every passing moment, more and more grotesque apparitions conjured into view before the sandstone floor rumbled once more. Soon, whole apparitions entered onto the plateau in differing shapes, some in beastial form, others in bipedal, near humanistic display. Several dark shades of beastial nature scampered on all four legs across the sandstone floors and enunciated a series of blood curdling, ear splitting shrieks. Their blood-thirsty cries were soon joined in a chorus where the once calm plateau came teeming with dozens if not hundreds of frightening apparitions amidst the chilling winds that threatened to send Jade careening off the edge.[/color] 

              [color=8dc73f]Jade's hesitation was enough to make the decision for her. Raven grunted with displeasure as his hand was struck, forcing him to let go of his knife. What little purchase he had to the earth was forfeit, and he hurtled off the edge of the plateau out of sight. She lashed out, tendrils of force exploded out of her like a thousand tightly coiled snakes, splitting the plateau in twain as she fired it through the ground and knocked Raven into the side of another large ruin to break his fall. Jade came off her feet as the stream slammed into her and flew towards the opposite edge of the plateau. She twisted to get her feet beneath her and managed to plant them on the ground, trying to slow herself to little avail. One foot slid off the edge and she threw herself forward to keep from falling, eventually pulling herself back to her feet.
              
              Clutching the hilt of her blade, her eyes flashed, and ignoring Orionn's warning she pulled her shamshir free of its scabbard. A crystal note shrieked through the din, and the blade of pure light pierced the shadows. Jade stood her ground, energy buzzing about her, bouncing every pebble away from her rhythmically and swirling every mote of dust around her as it resonated through the stone. There was a tangible moment of silence before something in the beyond fixed its gaze upon her. The sky pulsed red with anger, and crimson bolts of lightning spider-webbed across the sky.
              
              "[b]What are you DOING?![/b]" Orionn shouted, suddenly beside her again.
              
              "[b]Do you have a better idea?[/b]"
              
              "[b].... No[/b]," he grunted, then dissolved into a wisp of energy and vanished over the edge of the plateau that Raven had fallen from.
              
              Jade stood her ground, holding her blade of coherent light between herself and the shades, while tendrils of pure force coiled about her at the ready. Raven pulled himself back up onto the plateau and onto his feet. His cloak shrouded his face and body, though his red eye pierced the shadow with a molten light. He was slightly hunched, though his significant height didn't seem to be affected by his posture, and beneath the cloak he seemed much bulkier. He reached back and unlatched his bastard sword from its scabbard, allowing the hilt to fall partway out and into his hand. The few inches of the blade that were showing sucked the light clean out of the air into manifest darkness. When his blade was unsheathed, a baleful howl floated over them, and something in the wastes rushed towards them with terrible speed.
              
              "[b]Yeah... I don't have a better idea either[/b]," Growled Raven.[/color]

[color=0076a3]The shadow manifestations rushed forwards where the plateau quickly became packed with hundreds if not thousands of ghastly entities scrambling over each other to reach the two beleaguered warriors. Where the plateau had once grounded their pursuits, the sandstone floors now teamed with nightmarish conjurations that threatened to unbalance the fabric of the Dreamscape's existence. The sounds and sights of their shrieks resembled a form of undirected, raw hunger with the an aura projecting immense hatred. Through the sandstone fissures, whole blocks and stone chunks began to leap into the sky to form a long pathway leading away from the plateau and stretching as far as the human eye could see. 

Further still, the dark and ominous fog darkened as streaks of red lightening leaped across the skies amidst booming thunder. It was after the plateau began to crack apart that whole sections of the sandstone began to collapse, sending their conjuration occupants plummeting down below whilst narrowing the two warriors' freedom of movement or space. As if matters hadn't further deteriorated, dozens of shades quickly melded together to form larger, albeit visible spiked creatures of more physical manifestations. Their dark purple eyes and jagged grins spoke of a primal hunger that could only be satiated through their prey, namely the two warriors within their sights. Through blood curdling bellows, the creatures quickly leaped near impossibly over the pulsating shades before lunging to within mere inches of their kills. Within the same instance, chunks of stones began to layer before each warrior, linking separate escape routes towards the endless skyward pathway.[/color]

            [color=8dc73f]Jade was nearly knocked into the chasm by the advance of shades when a sandstone tile anchored itself under her foot. First one, then another as she was pushed back. She spared one single moment to look behind her and narrowly avoided getting her throat slashed by one of the shade's claws. She wasn't sure what would happen if they killed her in the Dreamscape, but she was doubly sure that she didn't want to find out.
             
             [b]*It's an incursion! Something is happening outside, the Dreamscape is deteriorating!*[/b] Orionn shouted in their minds. Raven and Jade recoiled simultaneously. *[b]Ah, I don't need to shout anymore... There are too many to fight, run![/b]*
             
             "[color=8dc73f]Ishtar is coming![/color]" Jade shouted, giving up another step to the intruders. She had an idea to slow them all down, but she'd risk hitting Raven. '[b]Just let fly... leave them to their fate... they're your enemies after all[/b],'a tiny voice in the back of her mind whispered, to which she gathered a coil of force into her hands. The voice wasn't wrong, but she suspected it was Ishtar trying to manipulate her into breaking the uneasy truce she'd forged with the pair of Hunters.
             
             "[b]I don't think that's going to improve our situation![/b]" Shouted Raven. He was retreating slowly as well, though more deliberately. While merged with Orionn he was able to use the full scope of his abilities in the Dreamscape. With the cloak masking his movements he yielded a step, and then impossibly fast, pure darkness would leap out and cut down anything within reach and vanish as though he hadn't moved at all. It was clear, however, that this sword technique was meant to dispatch his foes quickly so he could move on, and that extended use was incredibly taxing on his body. Across the plateau Jade clenched her jaw, struggling with her whim to end the feud between the hunters and she.
             
             "[b]GET CLEAR![/b]" she finally shouted,  stifling the urge to kill Orionn and Raven. She had spent a long time convincing them that Ishtar was at least their common foe, and didn't want to waste that effort. She cartwheeled back several steps, raising her sword of light over her head. Force coiled around the blade, which flashed brilliantly and screamed in fury, silencing the Dreamscape. She saw Raven's red eye widen, and he immediately turned and fled up the provided pathway with uncanny speed belying his size. Jade pushed every ounce of her power into the blade and cleaved the plateau, releasing all the energy at once in a clap of thunder that rocked the entire Dreamscape. Force lanced out in a wall of light, splitting the Dreamscape in twain, and the aftershock turned the plateau (and much of the ruins in its path) to dust.  
             
             Jade let the wave of back-pressure fling her up onto the pathway into a heap: she didn't have the strength to resist anyway. She fought a wave of lightheadedness to climb back to her feet and wiped a dribble of blood from her nose as she began running, hoping that would be enough to stem the tide of creatures or at least give them enough space to escape and come up with a new plan. Fleeing blindly down a pathway of unknown origin didn't particularly seat well with her, or even fleeing in general... It was the only option in front of her for the time being: either flee into the unknown or try the pillar of light, and risk facing Ishtar AS WELL AS whatever was leaking in. At least this way Ishtar was likely to serve the common interest of self-preservation.[/color]

[color=0076a3]The entire Dreamscape suddenly flashed a brilliant white and as a stream of light projected forth, the large outline of a bulbous curved object burst through the nightmare. The projection itself flickered through the world whilst the hordes of ghastly apparitions, conjurations, and hellishly manifested creatures roared as streams of the same brilliant white light jettisoned from their eyes. Moments later, many howled as they exploded into streams of white light whilst others plummeted into depths below. All the same the floating pathway began to collapse or shatter into pulverized dust and a million sharp pieces. The blood curdling shrieks continued as the outline grew smaller and smaller, yet its projection grew clearer in visibility. Several dozen shades dissipated altogether only to be replaced by the sheer numbers of their kind while the dark fog itself began to take on a life. The ominous manner in which it lingered quickly halted as the fog itself evolved into a fast moving current of a blindingly fast cyclone that threatened to suck the two warriors off their feet and down into the depths below.

For a moment, the voluminous object began to descend from its skyward location and as the projection grew in clarity, the segments of the fog and the pulsating shades disappeared, to be replaced by the sight of cracked stone, debris, cobwebs, and the sound of a strange, yet calming sound of hissing steam. Complementing the sounds were the sights of natural flames jettisoning from the large circular object amidst the concerned shouts of a man's voice. In yet another sadistic turn of events, the sights and sounds flickered as the nightmarish world of the Dreamscape returned into sight.

Even as dozens of the nightmarish conjurations began to disappear into violent streams of blinding white light, a sea of the large spiked creatures and shades still managed to roar in delight as they reached within mere inches of both warriors before being knocked away by spinning bits of the fragmenting plateau. The ground itself began to give way and in an instant, jets of violent cyclone winds slammed into Raven and sent the man flying off his feet. He spun a half dozen cycles before ultimately careening straight into Jade with the force of his weight added onto the violent cyclone winds. What followed could only stipulate the beginning of the end as both avenues of escape were cut off, trapping the warriors along a segment of the pathway that had also began to slowly give away. In every direction, endless streams of shadowy wisps threaded and reamed their way towards the trapped warriors with alarming speed and strength whilst the cyclone formed from around. Matters only escalated further after larges bits of the plateau sandstone came hurdling towards the pair with sickening speed. All the while, the sounds of hissing grew louder followed swiftly by projected flashing sights that could only be described as crushed stone laden ruins.[/color]

            [color=8dc73f]Jade grunted as she had the wind crushed from her lungs by Raven's huge body, and in the tumble, her sword of light was knocked clattering off the edge of the collapsing pathway. As it fell from her hands, the light faded and it became an ordinary sword once again. He seemed to shrink, losing quite a bit of mass, though it was a tangible moment before Jade was able to shove him off her.  She rolled onto her side and clutched her stomach, curling into the fetal position. Even though her brain knew that her physical body technically wasn't in the Dreamscape, it didn't diminish the amount of real pain she was feeling.
            
            "[b]You broke it[/b]," Raven croaked, pushing himself to his feet as quickly as he could. "[b]If we weren't about to die, I'd be really impressed![/b]"
            
            Jade might have laughed under different circumstances, instead she struggled to suck air in loud gasps. She felt Raven pick her up and press her hard against his chest. For a long moment everything seemed to slow down. His body was hot, and he smelled quite pleasant surprisingly. Jade felt her cheeks flush, feeling like if they just stood in each others embrace everything would be alright. She felt her body relaxing... a solid thud resonated through Raven's chest as a piece of debris bounced off his back, snapping her back to reality and leaving her feeling incredibly awkward.
            
            "[b]Orionn, can you take us to another part of the Dreamscape?[/b]" Raven asked, deflecting another spinning rock with his sword.
            
           [b] *Well, I could take myself to another part of the Dreamscape...*[/b]
            
            "[b]Useful[/b]," Raven grunted with a note of sarcasm. He twisted to avoid another piece of debris as the cyclone closed in on them, dragging Jade along with him. She stumbled a little, pressing firmly back into his chest when he stopped and grasping him around his waist to steady herself. She could feel her cheeks burning. "[b]She's flushed from over-extending herself[/b]," he said. Yeah... that's what's happening. "[b]What about Ishtar?[/b]"

            At the edge of the newly formed abyss sat a towering black shape resembling an enormous dog with red eyes.  Its skin seemed to suck the light straight out of the air, and the sky of the Dreamscape had darkened to a deep blood red all the way to the horizon behind it. At its feet, the abyss ceased to spread, and any shade or piece of debris that entered its sphere of influence was raked with crimson lightning until it was no more. Its glowing red eyes observed with cold indifference, and though it did not allow the abyss or any shades to pass, it also did not advance to assist them.
            
            [b]*It does not seem interested in helping us*[/b]
            
            "[b]Of course not... Maybe it knows something we don't?[/b]" Raven felt Orionn shrug, this wasn't improving his mood.
            
            [b]*There's somewhere else here though,*[/b] Orionn said cryptically, brushing aside the twinge of annoyance he felt from Raven. *I may be able to pull us through, but if we end up in someone else's Dreamscape we might never find our way back to our bodies.*
            
            "[b]Do it![/b]" Raven was scooting towards the last few feet of pathway, trying to suck in as much of his girth as possible to save space.
            
            [b]*If you say so.*[/b]
            
            Raven felt all the hair on his arms and neck stand on end as Orionn pulsed energy through them, changing their spectral vibration and trying to attune them to the adjacent image. He hated this part, but if everything went right they'd be pulled through to... wherever the other image was. Hearing the conversation, Jade tried not to think that the Dreamscape might be a construct within her mind and that by leaving it they were actually getting farther away from their bodies. Or that if the Dreamscape existed within her mind and they left, then they were leaving the intruding creatures inside her with Ishtar. Jade shuddered involuntarily as Orionn's magic touched her, making her skin crawl.[/color]

[color=0076a3]Flashing light raged across the Dreamscape for the third straight instance, provoking the raging weather torrents hurdling around the pair. Whatever delivered the mind numbing currents clearly had no desire to allow the voluminous projection into the current plane of existence, despite the Dreamwalker's most concerted efforts. On the contrary, it seemed the unseen nightmarish entities desired for their demise or to end their existence through the blinding cold, fierce snows, pouring rains, and blistering heat that poured overhead. The strongest of all proved to be the blistering heat and with every imaginable force competing to deliver a devastating blow against the warriors, the blood-thirsty shrieks indicated the apparitions' desire to feed upon their prey.

Above the crimson streaked skies and frightening shrieks came a constant thunder of hooves and foreign guttural commands followed by the sound of a loud bang and whistling arrows. A moment before a particularly hideous looking creature wrapped its jaws around Jade's right arm, the nightmarish apocalypse partially disappeared to unveil the shapes of battered ruins that resembled Obsidias and the bright red glow of parchments matting the surrounding tower ruins. Several paces to the right, the voluminous object could be seen ejecting hot flames and the sight of a towering man, laced in silks, munitions grade armor, and assorted weapons could be seen ducking and weaving behind the cover of a large, square basket hanging from below.

With each passing flicker between the projecting nightmare landscape and Ruins of Obsidias, the man's outline became the clearest between both sights. His expression spoke of dire distress yet the methods for engagement illustrated immense composure given how artfully he managed to evade the arrows peppering the basket before hurdling black incendiary balls upon the squadrons of horse archers gathered around the premise. Several percussive bangs ignited below,sending rider and horse reeling to the floor. Wasting no time, a carefully timed motion delivered another series of hissing motions that quickly brought the voluminous contraption into a rapid descent. Just before the contraption seemed to crash into the ground, the towering man paused as flaming arrows whistled just mere inches over his head before rising from cover to quickly yank a string from within the voluminous object. An instance later, his instinctual flattening beneath the basket's cover proved enough to dodge yet another vicious volley of flaming arrows before leveling an elongated metal object towards the quarter dozen nearing horsemen that galloped below. The loud bang that erupted out of the man's metal rod ejected many tiny miniature projectiles with such force that the remaining horsemen had neither time nor room to prevent their deaths. Shortly before the large basket crashed to the ground, the towering man leaped over the side and fanned the flames spreading along the basket's edge before seizing a bow and a quiver of arrows from a dying horseman.

During the brief lull that involved a series of guttural orders and the sounds of other surrounding horse warriors' galloped retreats, a voice echoed above both projections, "[i][b]Kardeşler kâşifleri![/b][/i](brethren discoverers)[i][b]Can you hear me??[/b][/i]"[/color] 

             [color=8dc73f]Jade recoiled, letting out a squawk, which drew Raven's attention. He swiftly turned and cut the apparition down, then returned to protecting them from flying debris. On the bank of the abyss, Ishtar watched with narrowed eyes.
             
             "[b]Wait[/b]," Jade paused, letting go of Raven. "[b]... Hello?[/b]" she asked into the wind experimentally.
             
             "[b]What?[/b]" Raven turned a distracted eye towards her, shuffling them towards the last few inches of crumbling pathway.  He grunted again when a flying rock struck him in the shoulder and nearly dislodged the sword from his hand.
             
             "[b]I heard something! I HEARD SOMETHING!![/b]" Jade screamed at the wind. "[b]I HEARD SOMETHING!![/b]" she screamed again at the shades. Raven gawped down at her like one does when they've discovered their best mate has been secretly huffing the fumes of horse manure to get high. Another flying rock struck him, and this time it really did dislodge the sword from his hand. The darkness extinguished from the blade in a hiss and clattered into the abyss.
             
             "[b]Woman!  Will you reign in the crazy?![/b]"[/color]

[color=0076a3]"[i][b]Kardeşler kâş..sons of death[/b][/i]," the man bellowed before a deep rumbling shook the ground and knocked him to his knees. Despite the force, his composure remained steadfast. Several suspicious glances to his rear provoked a string of curses and prayers before leaping backwards as a large section of carved stone crushed his previous location.

"[i][b]In Yadin-Hamon and Athirat's grace, we trust; we are permitted, we are permitted[/b][/i]," the towering man panted in accented form as he unsheathed his shining steel tipped Mameluke Sword. The long blue silk embroidered below his munitions armor draped against the floor as the golden fleur de lis patterns shone against the flames cast against the ruins and as he kneeled in prayer, his enunciations fell on a more hymnic resonance. 

"[i][b]In Yadin-Hamon and Athirat's grace, we trust, we are permitted, we are permitted[/b][/i]," he chanted, "[i][b]In Yadin-Hamon and Athirat's grace, we trust, we are permitted, we are permitted; in Yadin-Hamon and Athirat's grace, we trust, we are permitted, we are permitted ...[/b][/i]"

As the harmonious prayer chants echoed over the nightmare landscape, the apparitions charging towards the warrior pair slowly began to fade or turn away. Many others began to back away as blinding white light began to spill away from their eyes. The pale crimson fog that loomed overhead began to shift and twist into the abyss whilst the winding vortex broke apart in a violent torrent, only to gather down below and slowly redirect into the direction of the banks of abyss where the watchful Ishtar resided. As if on cue, the transcendental apparitions and ghastly creatures shrieked in a sea of ear-splitting wails and suicidally dove towards their new prey. The source of a much more rewarding and equally appetizing new meal seemed to attract enough attention to seize it by any means necessary and with good reason given the raw elemental prowess the powerful Djinn seemed to command.

"[i][b]Yadin-Hamon and Athirat in harmony, we are permitted, we are permitted[/b][/i]," the man chanted as the sights of the Obsidias Ruins grew in clarity. The rubble, wooden beams, iron scraps, and debris that composed the Ruined Tower's battered foundations scattered as the ground rumbled yet again, this time with an even greater vigor. After another rumble collapsed a pillar holding a section of the stone walls upright, the towering man quickly seized the initiative to rush forward only to be knocked back onto his feet by an unknown force. The guttural shouts echoing from behind proved enough to force him into a fighting stance, however, after a moment of relatively little activity, the man immediately slung the quiver strap over his back and slung the composite bow onto his shoulder before ripping a paper pouch and dumping dark grain parcels and a lead ball into the base of the metal rod. Amidst the flickering torches illuminating the Tower site grounds, his blonde hair draping past his shoulder seemed to sparkle against the bright moonlight whilst casting a bright reflection against shallow pool occupying the grounds before him. The pools reflections spoke otherwise and along the water's edges stood the murky projections of several living figures stooped in a deep slumber.

Glancing to his rear, the towering blonde haired man's arms reached forward only to force an immediate retraction and a string of curses. After another block of stone began to loosen from the ruined tower's foundations, the man leaned forwards and shouted, "[i][b]Kardeşler kaşifleri![/b][/i](brethren discoverers) [i][b]If you can hear me ... I urge you to shatter the wards anchoring your bodies within this cursed tower. Please! You must hurry! I cannot breach the perimeter and more of the Jade Khan's horsemen are enroute![/b][/i]"[/color]

             [color=8dc73f][b]*I heard it that time,*[/b] chimed Orionn. [b]*I was unaware that Jade commanded horsemen,*[/b] he mused thoughtfully.  There was a striking silence between them as the cyclone finally died down, and Raven exhaled a breath he wasn't aware that he was holding.  He gave Jade a questioning glance, to which she shrugged in reply.  He shook his head, deciding to let it go until later.  For now he was just glad to have space to breathe, and that the shades suddenly had bigger prey in mind.  After a scant moment to catch his breath he took Jade about the waist and leaped from the remains of the pathway towards the palace.
             
             For the time being Ishtar continued to hold her ground, as she watched Jade carefully.  She seemed unconcerned with the demons presently, as nothing yet in the swarm had been powerful enough to even step within a hundred meters of her towering form.  Anything that stepped foot within her sphere was instantly and relentlessly raked with bolts of crimson lightning until it became energized dust.  The storm was so intense that the musical buzz of the electricity splitting the air nearly drowned out the constant roaring thunder.
             
             [b]"Wait, where are we going?"[/b] Jade asked, struggling to get free.  Once they were on solid ground again Raven dropped her unceremoniously onto her rump. 
             
             "[b]Now is our best chance to get to the palace, while the Entity is distracted[/b]," he said, giving a pause as he looked back at Ishtar, who made direct eye contact with him.  "[b]...ish.  Distracted-ish.[/b]"
             
             "[b]OR, we could end up facing the shades AND Ishtar at the same time[/b]," Jade quipped, getting to her feet.  Either way there was no time to lose, and they were in no position to fight each other.
             
             [b]*Technically, neither of you are wrong,*[/b] observed Orionn.  [b]*As the master of this realm, I believe it completely feasible that holding off the advance of the demonic host doesn't actually take any effort, meaning that she could both hold the swarm at bay, and fight us at the palace if she desired.  Also a Dreamscape is a physical manifestation of its owners will on the Spirit plane, so without factoring interference from outside, everything that exists here does so because the Entity allows it.*[/b]
             
             "[b]Uh huh[/b],"  Raved acknowledged while pulling Jade along into a fast run.
             
             "[b]So what does all that mean?[/b]"  Jade huffed, struggling to keep up.  For being such a large man, Raven was incredibly athletic.  Jade was no slouch herself, as a career cat burglar and fugitive but she was also fighting exhaustion from over-extending her powers.
             
            [b] *We're probably being manipulated,*[/b] Orionn stated. [b] *I postulate it takes no effort for Ishtar to hold off the swarm as it is: they are naturally at a disadvantage since they are attempting to tread upon her will.  If she desired, she could have held us there with the demonic swarm.  Second, something has changed outside, which is what has allowed the swarm to intrude upon her Dreamscape in the first place.  I believe it's within our best interest to attempt to knock the barriers imprisoning us out of alignment as was our original plan.  I also believe, though Ishtar may not help us... she will most likely not interfere out of mutual self-interest.  Of course there is still also the possibility that all this is made up and we're being manipulated.*[/b]  Raven felt him shrug.
             
             "[b]I don't think She would fake an invasion of demonic shades just to manipulate us.  I admit this all seems convenient after being here for such a long time, but this isn't her... style, I guess[/b]," Jade huffed as she ran along. "[b]So... (puff) we never got to find out... what did you learn about the light in the palace?[/b]"
             
             "[b]Oh, um... it was shiny[/b]," Raven answered evenly.  Jade stumbled in disbelief, and fell to the earth hard.
             
             "[b]Wait, WHAT!?[/b]"
             
             "[b]It was shiny?[/b]"  Raven answered again, slowing down to a stop.
             
             "[b]Wh... what did you DO during all that time?[/b]"  Jade screamed, scrambling back to her feet.
             
             "[b]Oh the palace is a hellish labyrinth full of traps and monsters, it took ages to find my way through it, but the light... I don't know what kind of mystical knowledge either of you expected me to punch, kick, or slash out of it... as far as I can tell it's just a light shining out of the floor of a tower.  Put my hand in it in everything... made some killer shadow puppets. Based on what I had to fight through get there though, I'm sure it's probably important,"  Raven said. Jade just stood there in disbelief, as though her whole world had just come crashing down... and well, with the demonic swarm spilling through she wasn't entirely wrong.  "On the bright side, getting through a second time will be loads easier since I've already cleared the way.[/b]"
             
             [b]*The heart,*[/b] Orionn chimed as Raven started to run again, Jade trotted to catch up, suppressing the urge to punch him.  [b]*Every Dreamscape has an object, location, or entity within it that serves as its anchor to the spirit world.  Maintaining a Dreamscape is incredibly taxing, even an Entity such as Ishtar would find that it occupies the majority of her power to do so indefinitely.  That's why when Dreamscapes are created, they are bound to something that serves as the anchor.  There is a possibility that the palace of Sarife is a place of significance to Ishtar,*[/b] Orionn explained.  Jade slowed down a little bit.
             
             "[b]Yeah... to Ishtar," she laughed nervously, unconsciously placing a hand over the black cat slave tattoo on her neck.  "Anyway, what does all that mean?[/b]"
             
             [b]*We use Jade's powers, and my experience with Dreamscapes to blast a hole in the array of wards holding our bodies... through the heart, and then hope Ishtar doesn't intervene at the last second, expel us all from the Dreamscape and use the oportunity to gain control over Jade's body and destroy us while we're recovering from stasis sickness.*[/b]
             
             "[b]I... I don't like this plan[/b]," Jade said with a note of concern.
             
             "[b]Do you have a better idea?[/b]" Quipped Raven.
             
             "[b]WHY DOES EVERYONE KEEP ASKING THAT?![/b]"[/color]

[color=0076a3]As waves quickly washed over the slumbering Plate Armored Knight and the other Ancients, the blonde man shook his head before turning towards his companions, "We cannot save the Falcon of Pendragon! His hubris sealed his fate long ago and for this, his companions suffered the same destiny! No matter, it seems we've even greater tasks at hand and I am afraid our time will come to an end if we cannot bring ruin to the Jade Khan's pursuits. He [i]cannot[/i] be allowed to continue his current path or what we've witnessed is only the beginning of what is to come!"

The Tower grounds shook once more and unbalanced the munitions carrying, blonde-haired man so suddenly he nearly tripped behind a fallen horseman's remains. Through some form of near impossible awareness, the man's plunge quickly broke into a back roll before a near instinctual response sent him flying in an acrobatic back flip that brought him towards the voluminous contraption. Miraculously, against the startling commotion and mortality, it had somehow remained afloat, yet with each passing moment threatened to ascend out of reach. 

The man had only just managed to climb aboard before it could completely floated away and seized a stray rope along the basket's edge. A moment later, he'd knotted two ropes into a long makeshift lead before tugging against another rope dangling directly below the voluminous object. As additional hisses resonated into the night, the wavering flaming tendrils seemed to lick almost naturally against the basket's interior whilst aiding in the contraption's descent. For a moment the sights and sounds formed some semblance of calm amidst the sea of potential conflict.

It was a moment before the basket once against crashed to the debris strewn Tower grounds that the towering man once again leaped onto the stone and swiftly tied the lead around his waist. His gaze soon turned towards the night sky, where thunder clouds loomed several leagues away. Along an opening within a particular cloud patch, twinkling stars could be seen against the clarity of night sky's true and untouched form. For a time, it seemed that perhaps the gazes of the gods could offer a sense of calm towards the conflicts unfolding below and for a time, the sky's appearance bred exactly that, calmness. A sudden earthly rumble sent the Tower's section crumbling to the earth and as suddenly as it had begun, the moment was lost as a section of the clouds slowly coated over the star strewn opening. What came afterwards, spoke of mother nature's touch and against the gloom of the dark sky, the booming thunder and pattering water drops proved enough to announce a storm was inbound.
                                     
“[i][b]Kaşifleri (discoverers)[/b][/i],” the man cried as he barely managed to dodge a stray section of the tower's ruin's collapsing foundations, “I know you can hear me! There is very little time and I cannot break the wards without your assistance! Channeling your arcanic gifts [i][b]together[/b][/i] will set the task in motion if you've any hope for escape. [i][b]IT'S THE ONLY WAY!!![/b][/i][/color]

              [color=8dc73f]"[b]I don't think he understands what he's asking me to do[/b]," Jade quipped.
              
              "[b]You're probably right[/b]," Raven affirmed. As someone who'd been on the receiving end of her 'arcanic gift' on more than one occasion, the thought made him feel a little green.
              
              [b]*Well, he's not wrong,*[/b] Orionn answered. The whole party slowed to a brisk walk in contemplation before resuming their dash for the palace.
              
              "[b]I thought the plan was for you and Raven to do... something to poke wards[/b]," Jade said carefully.
              
              "[b]Yeah me too[/b]," Raven affirmed.
              
              [b]*And if this were my Dreamscape, you would be correct.*[/b]
              
              "[b]I feel like this situation deserves a much stronger curse word than.... fiddlesticks[/b]," Raven grumbled.
              
              "[b]Yeah[/b]," Jade said cautiously, giving Raven an odd glance.
              
              They made the rest of their dash for the palace in relative silence, and in the grand scheme of things even though Sarife was a very large kingdom, with all the buildings knocked down making the trip from the town center to the palace didn't take that long.  When they reached the palace walls, the gates were already opened just wide enough for Jade and Raven to slip through.  The quad was a grizzly graveyard, full of the corpses of all manner of beasts, and the bridge across the moat was slick with black blood.  Jade had to cover her mouth and nose against the smell.
              
              "[b]Subtle[/b]," she quipped.
              
              "[b]Well, you know me... all about subtlety[/b],"  Raven answered evenly.
              
              The halls of the palace, distorted by the dream into a twisting labyrinth was no better.  Slain Ghuls lined the hallway, mainly left dead in the shape of hyenas and Jade's shoes squicked sickeningly across the polished marble as Raven lead her through the maze confidently.  They passed several hallways that it was clear he'd gone down, evidenced by the sprung traps and monster corpses shoved off to the side.  It felt like hours as they traversed the maze before they finally reached the top of the tower where the light shone through.  The corpse of a Roc hung halfway through the door with several thick shafted spears hanging out of its breast.  The rear half of the beast hung out of a gaping hole in the bricks where it had burst through.  Raven stepped over its beak and into the light chamber with no fanfare, pointed to the pillar of light coming out of the floor and spread his arms.
              
              "[b]Ta-dah... shiny[/b]," he affirmed, sticking his hand in the light a few times, then finding an undamaged section of the wall and pressing his hands together... he made the shape of a bunny hop across the wall.
              
              "[b]You did all this without your powers?[/b]"  Jade asked with an air of astonishment.
              
              "[b]Eh[/b]," he shrugged.  "[b]Mostly Ghuls... a Roc, couple other nasties, I fought many such creatures when I was being inducted into the Black Hand, I'm just glad none of them came back.[/b]"
              
              [b]*Interesting,*[/b] chirped Orionn as he stepped out of Raven's body to observe the light and the surroundings.  He waved a hand and many glyphs flashed into existence, scrawled on almost every surface of the tower room.
              
              "[b]I didn't put that there[/b]," Raven said, holding his hands up innocently.
              
              "[b]I didn't expect that you did[/b]," Orionn informed, moving around the room to read the writing until he came to the hole in the tower.  He gazed outside for a moment, watching as the lightning storm in the distance began to escalate.  The constant thunder only occasionally interrupted by a loud crack.  Ishtar had advanced forward and was now assaulting the abyss directly, driving the demonic host back and retaking some of the Dreamscape that had been lost to the invaders.  [b]*Hmm.  Seems some of the writing here was damaged by your... altercation,*[/b] Orionn accused massaging the crows feet at the corners of his mouth thoughtfully as he often did.
              
              "[b]That wasn't my fault, he started it[/b]," Raven said, scratching the back of his neck.
              
              "[b]Regardless, I believe this is indeed the heart.  The damage to the scripture here shouldn't compromise the integrity of the window here.  Give me a moment[/b]," he paused, reaching into the light experimentally as Raven had, only when he removed it, his hand was shimmering with energy.  It dripped off his fingertips and slowly floated back into the pillar.  He shook his hands vigorously, as one does to dry them after they are washed.  "[b]Ok then[/b]," he said, sitting down and focusing his blue gaze into the pillar of light with laser-like intensity.
              
              The hair on Jade's arms stood on end as the air in the room seemed to electrify, and the light warped, expanding out until it nearly filled the room.  It seemed like they were standing in the ruins of the Archmagi's tower in Obsidias, though any movement sent a ripple through the visage, as though they were peering through water.  Orionn was visibly strained, and Jade noticed that the scripture covering the walls pulsed dramatically as he weaved his magic.  The image swirled around sickeningly as he searched through the ruins... the encroaching horsemen... the voluminous flying device.  The image finally settled on the strange blonde man and the reflecting pool from the adjacent dream.
              
              "[b]Ok now, Jade[/b]," Orionn started, never shifting his gaze away from the scene.  They seemed to zoom through the reflecting pool, and when the image stabilized Jade wasn't sure what she was looking at.  Many jumbled arrays of glowing script wrapping around one another, as though hundreds of arcane circles had perfectly collapsed on top of eachother.  Orionn's eyes narrowed as he sifted through the spells, looking for a keystone point they could tug on to make the whole thing come down.  "[b]What I want you to do... is VERY GENTLY... nudge this array with one of your force projections[/b]," he explained, then reached out and pointed at a location.  "[b]Right... here.[/b]"
              
              "[b]... How gently?[/b]"  Jade asked, since that part sounded extremely important.
              
              "[b]Imagine you are driving a carriage, and inside the cabin you are transporting a large container of scalding hot soup with no lid, many flimsy glass jugs of boiling tea, and one very nice old lady... gently enough not to spill anything on the old lady[/b]," he explained patiently.
              
              Jade took a deep breath and knelt down so she could concentrate.  She took the smallest tendril of force she could conjure up in her hands nervously and rolled it up into a ball.  She let it buzz gently against her skin for a long moment before she took it to one of her fingertips and slowly reached out towards the target Orionn had requested.  She heard Raven and Orionn both suck in a nervous breath, which did nothing to ease her nerves.  'It's okay, I got this,' she assured herself.  In the Dreamscape, her power was like a scalpel: she could conjure enough force to turn the entire kingdom to dust, or sever the wings off the smallest fly.  It was surgical, and she had unlimited control.  She pressed the orb of force against the image as gently as she could, and when it touched the men both sucked air nervously through their teeth.
              
              "[b]Stop being such babies[/b]," she hissed, and pressed gently against the orb of force until [b]*BLIP*[/b] it went through, sending dramatic ripples through the image.
              
              In the Dreamscape her powers may have been a scalpel wielded by an expert surgeon, however in the physical world her powers more resembled a giant awkwardly throwing a trade ship heavily laden with cargo.  Back in Obsidias, something was happening.  Force buzzed through the foundation of the tower ruins, sending loose rocks skittering across the ground.  A massive tension built up in the air, like someone stretching an infinitely long rubber band to its limit.  There was a sudden clap, like thunder with no sound as something slammed massively into the array of wards.  Something cracked, but they held.
              
              "[b]Good, good[/b]," Orionn exhaled a breath he didn't know he was holding.  "[b]Again.... but just a little bit more, like... two percent[/b]," he instructed.  Once again Jade conjured up the smallest tendril of force she could muster, rolled it into a ball, and pressed it against the image.  She took a deep breath, and pushed it through just a little bit harder.  Once again, a massive tension built up in the Obsidias tower, violently unsettling the dust from every crack and crevice.  The impact sent every loose rock in the room skittering towards the walls, and once again something cracked.
              
              "[b]Okay okay[/b]," Orionn breathed.  "[b]The wards are more resilient than I thought they'd be[/b]," he said, massaging his crows feet, deep in thought.  After a long moment he produced a gold coin from the inside pocket of his robe and, [b]*ting!*[/b] he flipped it.  The coin landed gently in his outstretched palm, and he slapped it to the top of his opposite hand.  Orionn observed the result carefully for another long minute.  "[b]Why don't you two take a swing at it together?[/b]"  He asked.  Raven raised an eyebrow at him.
              
              "[b]Are you sure?[/b]"  Raven and Jade both asked simultaneously.
              
              "[b]Sure, what's the worst that could happen?[/b]"  Orionn answered after expelling a dramatic sigh.[/color]

[color=0076a3]As if an ancillary act of the divine directly spilled into world, a small, albeit impossibly swift wind expanded in all directions across the Obsidias ruins perimeter housing the Ancients only to blunt upon reaching the wards. In short, none of the forces expelled from the golden haired woman seemed to penetrate the seemingly invisible barrier that theoretically prevented exit or entry into the Warded premises even as the winds blew across the illuminated scriptures and parcels that matted around the unconscious Ancients. Whoever had established the Wards had clearly understood the principles towards encasing whole sections of grounds and individuals for centuries and it seemed no intervention of Divine interference that had kept the Ancients asleep in such an effective time span.

The string of muttered curses that escaped the towering man's lips progressed through guttural tongues as he looked to the sky before diving for cover under the safety of a nearby fallen pillar. Moments later the loud crackle of clattering sticks echoed across the grounds followed by a sea of darkness that slowly blotted out the Moon. For a while it seemed to rain nothing, but arrows as relentless streams of darkness constantly kept light from entering the vicinity amidst the merciless peppering across the Tower grounds. With each passing moment, each tremor against the earth fell with such precision that newly arrived arrows began to split each other apart from within the same exact locations. Vengeance would be the price exacted for the slain Horsemen and in lue of the meticulous nature of each precise volley, such a retribution only further illustrated the reinforcing Horse Archers' ranged prowess.
 
During some point into the carnage, it quickly became difficult to discern between grounds and projectile whilst the volume of arrows soon began to blot out even the night sky itself. Nothing would halt the endless sea of projectiles until one party capitulated and it seemed the distant Horse Archers held the best chances for victory. Oddly enough, the man's resilience had brought some form of ingenuity despite enduring the morbid projectile storm and in short order he had somehow managed to erect a makeshift, barricade fence after having managed several suicidal dashes for arrow retrievals. Through some sheer grace from the Divines, not a single arrow managed to wound him and any that managed to stray towards him either clattered harmlessly off his pillar or otherwise, clattered harmlessly against his multi-layered barricade.

How he had managed to calmly withstand the endless volleys spoke of nerves and patience that few could rival. Father time was seemingly less forgiving towards unstable foundations or short-lived flash of brilliance and yet, the Wards somehow withstood centuries of punishment to anchor numerous Ancient inhabitants to an eternal sleep. It seemed as if nothing could penetrate or overpower their strengths. Perhaps it was fate; perhaps the Divines had another plan for the Ancients of Old and that time was just in allowing the crumbling splendor of a long lost era to dissolve with dignity. The ruins of Obsidias spoke as much and the gradual manner in which the laborious workmanship of the Age of Discovery had fallen from grace seemed haunting in itself. As with anything, all things eventually came to their end and as evidenced through the crumbling ruins and the sea of darkness, the towering man felt that perhaps it was his time.

Or perhaps ... as Prophecy speculated, he would give the Jade Horsemen pain worth several hundred years as was deserving of their deplorable existence. The signs all pointed towards the Discoverers' awakening and where there came Ancient winds came the notion that there arrived a force the world had not seen in nearly a hundred years ... [i][b]hope[/b][/i]

As such, the blistering volleys offered one fatal flaw that the man would exploit to the fullest extent. His out-stretched arm lowered to the ground where a short breaths drew his concentration towards the ground. The deep methodical exhales that followed illustrated his seeming connection and harmony to the world's liveliness. Even as arrows clattered all around his barriers, it seemed almost as if nothing disrupted the manner, in which he could discern the rhythms of life and movement throughout the Tower ruins. Following a moment where his eyes lulled into deep concentration, the man's trance-like demeanor abruptly brought him to action between the short lulls separating each volley. Within a relatively short time period and numerous stray arrow gatherings, his arrow hand-fulls were assembled into something that resembled a crude make-shift shield.

The sound of booming thunder began to echo in the distance, however, with each passing crackle, the sounds seemingly grew louder and louder until the blonde man's worrying, skyward glances seemed all the more reason to fear the storm's approach. There were simply no other options and his time had simply bled dry against the storms and horse archer hordes. With the fates stacked against him, the man followed the only sensible course of action by desperately hurling himself across the arrow lake. Any other individual would have already perished, however, the spectacularly timed, split-second leap between the moments before the arrows struck the ground and the next volley had already sent the man catapulting halfway across the littered grounds and towards his destination. The momentum only continued as he broke the fall into a diving roll over miraculously untouched ground before another leap sent him flying into another upwards trajectory that quickly morphed into a break neck sprint.

Upon clambering onto the basket, the maddening motion happened almost like a whirlwind given the man's ability to simultaneously snatch an idle satchel and yank a dangling rope above the voluminous contraption whilst sustaining constant movement. Shortly before hurling over the basket's edge, the man managed to floor several meters between himself and the basket itself before the next arrow volley had even blotted the Moon. Forward momentum brought the man skywards alongside the ascending contraption whilst exploiting the ruins to his advantage through non-stop strides against the tower walls. Moments later, arrows began to rain upon his previous locations, yet the man had already ascended to the safety of a rampart above the rising Contraption.

His journey continued across the serrated rampart edges as a series of front flips, sideways hurls, and scampering steps propelled him through the heights as lightening began to arc against the night sky. Just before the voluminous contraption surged past the tallest tower heights, a series of lightening bolts collided against the grounds with such vigor that the force seemingly forced several rampart sections to collapse upon dozens of unsuspecting mounted Horse Archers. Whilst escaping prying eyes and the storm's opening prelude, the man continually raced across the tower heights amidst the chaos unfolding below. Shouts and neighs immediately erupted throughout the hordes as both men and horses were crushed before they could unleash another volley. After confusion momentarily rippled across their ranks, numerous unaffected Horsemen reared their mounts in an effort to alert their comrades towards the Volumous object. Soon, the entire horde regrouped and unleashed volley after volley upon the ascending basket as it floated with strained impunity across the lightening streaked night sky.

Unbeknownst to all, the blonde haired man's oblivious presence continued to escape their attention as he hurled and danced his way across the ruined Tower's jagged ramparts. With every step, the man's movements became an amalgamation of constant twirls as he began to lace the unsuspecting Horse Archers with the miniature contents of his sash. The thunder, wind, and lightening only served to mask his intentions despite encountering exposing sky borne flashes that outlined his dancing figure into a majestic silhouette against the night sky. His exact motives soon took on a life of its own after whistling chirps began to escape his lips. At first, only the sounds of the horde's guttural shouts, their volleys, the sheer force of crackling noises could be heard, however, as time passed, the racket became gradually drowned by a cacophony of harmonious chirps, trills, and warbles followed swiftly by numerous fluttering vibrations.

What followed could only be described as a bizarre fusion between strange phenomena and mother nature as the surrounding landscape soon flooded with the legions of bird flocks. In an enormous tidal wave involving avian activity, bird species of every aerial ornithurae native to the island descended upon the hapless Horsemen with all the fury of several thousand famished entities pecking towards a common enemy. Amidst the cries of pain, anger, and confusion unfolding through the entire horde, the dancing man continually twirled and whistled across the grounds whilst attracting a small escort of birds that had peeled away from the carnage from below.[/color]

[color=8dc73f]Meanwhile, inside the Dreamscape,  Raven took Orionn's outstretched hand so that the old man could activate his powers, then stretched out his right arm.  The arcane circle he'd poached from one of the Obsidias tower mages sizzled to life on his skin; the twitch of his lip was the only sign that he was in discomfort, but the room quickly filled with the smell of burning flesh.  Jade conjured up another ball of force, they silently counted down from three, and then she slammed the projection through violently.  At the same time Raven loosed a bolt of arcane lightning into the veil. The tension in the Obsidias ruins was crushing, and force cascaded off the walls, resonating through every rock in the tower.  And just when one thought the whole thing might collapse, there was a tangible moment of stillness.[/color]

[color=0076a3]Just before leaping over the edge, his arms whirled to action and in one swift motion, seized a large pole tucked below his belt before hurling it in mid-air towards the oblivious Ancients slumbering from below. Moments later, several dozen bolts of lightening descended upon the pole just as it slammed against the Wards' theoretical invisible barrier with earth shattering effect. What followed proved in itself, an act from the Divines as the force of several hundred million joules of electricity ignited against the barrier with such ferocity that the unfolding cataclysm not only sent miniature bolts of jagged light streams and charred stone hurdling in every direction, but jump started a chain reaction of explosions that ignited every single illuminated scripture and parcel into a random sequence of violent, incendiary explosions.  

A bright flash. For a moment the night was as bright as a clear sunny day, and a deep pulse thrummed through the earth.  The tower ruins evaporated, suddenly replaced by a pillar of black smoke which crackled with arcane lightning and climbed all the way up into the clouds. Miles upon miles away, a loud [i][b]*CRUMP*[/b][/i]rattled every loose rock and window, followed after a long moment by showers of debris and lightning continued to arc both up into the clouds, and to any nearby metallic objects for a long time.The blonde man had only just managed to land a near perfectly executed inbound roll onto his arrow strewn basket when he heard an ear-splitting boom from below followed swiftly by the chorus of several dozen or more appalling screams. His curiosity propelled his gaze over the basket's edge in time to witness as a large circular shock wave from the Ancients sent nearby men, avians, and horses all collapsing as one. Just before they reached the ground, white and eerie looking shades immediately escaped their corpses in a sight that proved a memory for the ages. On the contrary, this all paled in comparison to the unmistakable movement that unfolded across the now lightening charred tower grounds and upon closer inspection, the blonde man watched with wonder as [i][b]the Ancients began to stir to life ...[/b][/i][/color]

             [color=8dc73f]The rubble began to shift, and a large muscular figure pushed himself to his feet. Dust cascaded off his cloak and he groaned dramatically as he stood. Raven made a long show of stretching stiff muscles, and loudly cracking every joint in his body. Afterwards he just stood still for a long while in the settling dust and smoke as though he was having trouble waking.
             
             "[b]What's the worst that can happen[/b]," he quipped in a mocking tone. Raven heaved a sigh and began to make his way stiffly towards the edge of the crater. Behind him something else began to move: a female body rose from the rubble with zombie-like vigor. She slumped forward once she hit her feet and let the dust slide down her back and off her tattered scarf. Raven stopped cold, a chill running up his spine, and he slowly reached back and grasped the hilt of his bastard sword. His red eye flashed molten with power for a split second, but nothing happened. His whole body shook and he clenched his jaw against a wave of pain that lanced every nerve in his body. This is what happened when he overspent his gift: he'd have to get some solid rest for several days before he could use it again. Behind him the woman opened her eyes. They shone molten red through the dust, giving her an imposing silhouette. The air became charged with energy, and a few cracks of crimson sparked off her skin; tendrils of darkness began to rise from her shoulders like steam.
             
             "[b]Fiddlesticks[/b]," Raven grunted. He slowly reached down to his belt and grasped the long obsidian knife that hung there. There was a tangible pause before he swiveled on his feet and whipped the knife with deadly accuracy across the distance between him and the woman. The air became alight with energy, and a crimson bolt of lightning arced out and deflected the dagger, which spun off and clattered dramatically into the rubble. Raven was immediately behind it, hidden by the flash just long enough to get the drop on her. His blade flashed in the darkness, and the Kisharan steel rang out for an instant before he plunged it clear to the hilt into the woman's chest. She let loose such a shriek of madness and rage no human could produce; crimson bolts of lightning and tendrils of force flailed against the ruins for a long moment before she finally became still and slumped against Raven. He gently eased the blade out of her body and laid her on the ground, where he also collapsed, having used the last of his strength.  For a long moment they were both still, though Raven breathed heavily. He'd finally done it... he'd finally slain the devil and could retire in peace, or so he thought. The woman stirred, and the wound in her chest glowed with a crimson light and laboriously began to stitch itself back together, leaving a fresh bleeding scar. Her chest heaved, and she violently hacked up blood, rolling onto her side. This time when she opened her eyes they were a vivid emerald with no pupils.
             
             "[b]What... did you... stab me?[/b]" she croaked.
             
             "[b]Yes[/b],"  Raven answered, as-a-matter-of-factly.  "[b]You were not yourself.  It seems it was not your fate to go peacefully today[/b]," Raven grunted.  "[b]Orionn says something about it reacting to the grievous wound by fulfilling its own wish of survival and retreating[/b]," he explained.  "[b]No, that is what you said... basically[/b]."   Raven shakily pulled himself to his feet and sheathed his sword.  Jade struggled to get up for a few moments, but was unable to move.
             
             "[b]You aren't going to finish the job?[/b]"
             
             "[b]I haven't decided yet[/b],"  Raven grunted, and held out his hand.  The obsidian ceremonial dagger flew to it from the rubble, and he jammed it into its scabbard.  He bent over and scooped Jade up off the ground; that's when the tall man from the intruding vision caught his attention.  He speared the man with his red eye.  "[b]You[/b]," he commanded.  "[b]She requires medical attention.[/b]"[/color]

[color=0076a3]Below the storm laden clouds, the voluminous contraption's descent progressed with such rapidity that for a moment it seemed as if an unknown force had reeled it into the perfect trajectory. Soon, that theory quickly became nonsense as the moon light unveiled the notion that the second, central rope had served as the controlling source of the contraptions consistent descent. Already aware of the unfolding events, the blonde man had already instinctively notched several arrows to his bow in preparation for an escalation of events. Yet despite the uncertainty for violence, he remained complicit to avoid interference throughout the unfolding ordeal lest he disturb the balance from which he would incur the Divines' wrath. Upon reaching an unoccupied landing location, the man remained motionless as birds fluttered all around his form; yet despite the irritable commotion formed from the flapping flocks' circular patterned formations, his gaze remained transfixed upon the muscular man's carefully executed motions.

"[i][b]Masaa‘ al-khayr unto you[/b][/i]," he greeted through short laborious pants. 

Sighing, the blonde man glanced towards the thundering skies and briefly closed his eyes before exhaling with the release of a weary man. His head shook in disdain whilst glancing towards the carnage and the sights of broken bodies, retreating horsemen, evaporating shades, and ruins. 

"I did not believe him before," the blonde man firmly voiced, "But it is now, as the Prophet predicted. You [i]are[/i] the [i][b]Kaşifleri[/b][/i]"

For a time, a certain bitterness flashed through his eyes only to revert back towards the previous weary gaze. Strong and youthful in complexion, his gaze spoke a different tale ... one of sorrow and disappointment. His healed battle wounds only served to further illustrate the perils the man had faced and amidst the moonlight illuminations, various scars could be spotted stretching across his arms, several that spoke of ghastly wounds that should have killed any other individual. As lightening struck all around the ruins, the man's unflinching nature set himself apart from the surrounding wreckage. Kneeling before the muscular man, the blonde man's eyes closed yet again as he a half laugh, half cry of joy escaped his lips. Tears began to stream down his face as he bowed before the two Warriors. After a time, his tears were quickly wiped away as he rose to his feet and nodded before redirecting his gaze towards his voluminous contraption.

"I will not question your convictions ... [i]but[/i] if you truly wish to preserve her gift of life, what your companion requires is a physician and unfortunately there are none within miles of this cursed island. I fear that even if we reached the mainland she may not survive the journey. The Jade Khan will ensure of it and what lays before your eyes is, but a taste of how he treats his enem..."

In mid-sentence, the blonde man stumbled as a loud and violent rumble nearly swept him off balance. Cursing yet again, his eyes frantically darted back and forth before aimlessly glancing in various directions. Thunder continually boomed in the distance while lightening continually discharged, yet with each passing moment, the bolts strangely seemed to strike further and further away from the trio; serving only to baffle the man. A moment later another series of violent rumbles threatened to send the trio flying off their feet, however, unbalancing seemed the least of their concerns as the frenzied sounds of animals were spotted fleeing in their directions. Though strange at first, the source soon became apparent as a dark, slow moving silhouette cast a growing shadow from the distant east. Complementing the sight came the sound of an ominous whistle that only grew louder by each passing moment until it formed the unmistakable sound of slow moving wave that served to deliver the harsh unforgiving crash of the ocean's touch. [/color]

            [color=8dc73f]"[b]I'm the what?[/b]"  Raven grunted.  "[b]... Whatever, let's just go[/b]," he muttered grumpily.[/color]

[color=0076a3]"Oh father's ire," he muttered through widened eyes, "[i]It's already begun.[/i]"

Just moments before the tidal wave slammed against the earth, the blonde man executed a split second decision that secured a rope between himself and the muscled man. The crash came soon after and in an instant, the trio's quick dwellings on dry land quickly morphed in a nightmarish predicament that sent them into a whirling drench-induced drift in league with uprooted tree trunks, animals, sea waters, and earth alike. Through some near impossible fortunes, the blonde man's bizarre trajectory had somehow blown him away from the other unfortunate objects and within arms reach of the large, arrow-strewn basket. Wasting no time, the man quickly hauled himself skywards and shortly after climbing aboard, set to work hauling the soaked Ancients to safety before launching the Voluminous Contraption into a rapid ascent. As the tendrils licked just above their heads, the blonde man's gaze glanced over the edge as the sight of numerous tidal waves began to flood the surrounding vicinity into an underwater grave. Shortly before the Tower ruins completely sank beneath the waves, the water slowly retreated away from a large pile of debris to unveil the sight of several open topped rooms featuring countless wards and the slumbering forms of other ancients, one of whom resembled a handsome man wearing blonde hair draped down over his plate armored back.

As waves quickly washed over the slumbering Plate Armored Knight and the other Ancients, the blonde man shook his head before turning towards his companions, "We cannot save the Falcon of Pendragon! His hubris sealed his fate long ago and for this, his companions suffered the same destiny! No matter, it seems we've even greater tasks at hand and I am afraid our time will come to an end if we cannot bring ruin to the Jade Khan's pursuits. He [i]cannot[/i] be allowed to continue his current path or what we've witnessed is only the beginning of what is to come!"[/color]

            [color=8dc73f]Raven clutched Jade a little tighter as the man knelt, lowering his right hand to the hilt of his bastard sword.  He actually grasped the hilt when the man ran towards him with the rope, for as much good it would do, as he scarcely had the strength to swing it.  When the waves came crashing down on them he held onto Jade as tightly as he could with one arm to keep from losing her, and to the rope with his other, allowing himself to be pulled up into the basket of the flying contraption.  Raven laid her down in the basket and flopped into a seated position so he could cough up sea water from his lungs and wring his hair out grumpily.
            
            "[b]Are you alright?[/b]"  He asked.
            
            "[b]It's no Batavian... but it'll do, I guess[/b],"  Jade croaked.  She eyed the two men sleepily, struggling to stay awake so she could find out what was happening, and then finally slipped into unconsciousness.  Raven sighed and nearly fell asleep himself, though when he was nearly out cold his eyes darted open again as though he'd heard a loud noise.
            
            "[b]Ugh[/b]," he sighed.  "[b]I don't care[/b]," he grunted, sat up, and drew the obsidian dagger from its sheath.  He rummaged around in one of the pouches on his belt for a long while in silence before pulling out a long piece of thin silk that had miraculously survived and remained clean and dry.  He sighed wistfully at it and then began to cut it up into thin strips.
            
            "[b]It all sounds very interesting[/b]," he groaned sarcastically.  "[b]But I.  Don't.  Care[/b]," Raven hissed, and propped Jade up so he could dress her wounds.  "[b]You know what[/b]," he grunted, stood up, and thrust a curious, vaguely head-shaped sack warded with arcane script into the blonde man's hands with an annoyed squint.  "[color=0076a3]He wants to talk to you.  Don't open it unless you want to give him your body.  Keep him occupied for a while, I have...[/color]" he seemed to struggle with the words for a long moment.  "[b]... a piffle... to attend to[/b]," he announced, and then sat back down to dress Jade's wounds.[/color]

[color=0076a3]"Oh of course you would not care, [i][b]Kâşif[/b][/i](discoverer)," the man answered as he fervently gazed towards the sinking island and the rising tsunami waves that continually to glided over the surrounding vicinity, "Though I suppose I would not expect a lesser answer from a misinformed slayer such as yourself." 

Grimacing, the man glanced upwards and fiddled through the ropes to gradually propel the basket out of the storm's reach before carefully wedging the script warded sack between numerous fastened jars and barrels. His weary eyes darted towards the pounding waves before drifting away and towards the ocean's endless horizons where he quickly became lost in thought. After successfully wringing sea water from his hair and clothes, the man seemingly managed to irritatingly wriggle several flapping fish from his pant line only to spear their heads through a swift thrust of his khilij sword. 

Following a moment where he managed to roast the fish upon the voluminous contraption's flaming tendrils, his fingers quickly twisted around a circular motion to prepare the meal for the new companions. Upon roasting the meals to a tender preparation, his throat cleared before voicing, "While you were asleep, the world has changed in such horrible and frightening ways that the truth would certainly terrify any man. We also need not mention the long and perilous journey through the clouds and in this current moment, I do not believe an informative conversation would bode well while your wits are distorted from centuries of dream. I will at least grant the courtesy for warming the belly with food and drink before we are to address your ... [i][b]other pressing concerns.[/b][/i]" 

Turning, the man sighed and continually roasted the fish while occasionally dashing salts and peppers over the tender portions until the flesh gradually fried into a mixture of white and golden brown. Just before handing the slayer one of the finely prepared fishes, his arm outstretched towards a corner packed in provisions, "You will find that I do not carry anything beyond simple provisions, however, if required, there is a blanket behind the jar to your left flank while the jar itself carries strong liquors that will aid in averting infection within your companion's wounds."[/color]

            [color=8dc73f]"[b]You misunderstand me[/b]," said Raven, as he swallowed a twinge of anger.  Getting into a fight right now didn't serve anyone.  "[b]I was conversing with my companion[/b]," he explained, pointing at the arcane scripted sack he'd left with the blonde man.  "[b]And although I'm grateful for the assistance that you've provided thus far I must say that my main priority is to return to Sarife and speak with the Emperor.  If this Jade Khan is as bad as you say, I'll arrange for a Quad to... take care of him.  In the meantime, however, Orionn is the scholar of the group, and is very interested in the things you have to say.  I, on the other hand, am busy[/b]," he finished, accepting the fish without thanks.
            
            Raven ate the fish gracelessly with one hand while he rummaged through the offered provisions to find the aforementioned liquor, and then returned to disinfecting and dressing Jade's wounds while she slept.  The sack, however, seemed to insistently vibrate with arcane energy, at least until the man wandered close enough for it to give him a tiny jolt.  It was like the world shifted for a moment, and suddenly there was another person in the basket: a short, scrawny, wizened, bald old man in red and black robes.  He was leaning against the side of the basket patiently holding his hands together inside his sleeves.

The elderly sage-like man's startling appearance nearly caught the blonde man off guard, however, his hands never instinctively reached towards the weapons along his waistline. Quite simply, his actions instead seemed to anticipate the newcomer's arrival and as if on cue, the blonde man near impossibly flattened against the basket's edge mere seconds before the robed elder occupied his previous location. Through a raised eyebrow, a smirk lit across his face and after gripping a nearby rope securing both the basket and contraption alike, his head swept forward in a curt and respectable bow.

            "[b]Greetings[/b]," he nodded.  "[b]You'll have to forgive Raven, he's notoriously grumpy after long naps.  Allow me to introduce us: I am Orionn, the grumpy one is Raven, and the unconscious one is Jade.  I understand you're the one responsible for freeing us, Thank you[/b]," he said, giving a small bow.  "[b]Now, I have hundreds of questions, but they can all wait.  I only have one pressing concern that absolutely must be answered right away:  How long, exactly, were we trapped in stasis?[/b]"[/color]

[color=0076a3]Silence ensued as the man seized the moment to rework the Contraption's strings during a sudden shift in the winds' forceful gusts and over the course of several long drawn moments, the contraption seemed to lift higher and higher into the sky until the ocean's surface became a mere glimmer from below. Sometime afterwards, the basket held steady as it glided seamlessly through the dark, twinkling starred skies. His near clouded gaze immediately cast down below towards the pounding waves where he managed a tight gripped upon the basket's edge before becoming lost in thought. For a time, the tears that welled in his eyes spoke of an untold pain and grief endured from reopened scars and emotional wounds acquired through unpleasant past memories. Those soon passed as several swallows and emotional exhales brought balance towards the man's composure.

"At earliest convenience and when it is permitted, [i][b]Orionn[/b][/i]," the man began again, "There is much knowledge where you [i][b]may[/b][/i]wish to swallow many grains of salt before accepting the bitter truths." 

A disturbed sigh escaped his lips before his eyes wandered away from the horizon and directly towards the robed elder's wizened gazed, "Of course, if you are indeed curious, you [i][b]must[/b][/i]understand that in answer to your question ... you and your companions have been asleep ... [i][b]for over eleven hundred years[/b][/i]."[/color]

            [color=8dc73f]"[b]Hmm, it's worse than I thought then[/b]," Orionn mused.
            
            "[b]Doesn't change anything[/b]," Raven answered glibly, seemingly unphased as he tightened the last bandage carefully around Jade's torso and began putting her clothes back on.  "[b]I must still speak to whomever is the current emperor of Sarife then.  It's protocol.  Afterwards we can discuss attending to your Jade Khan as I said[/b],"  Raven explained, and then settled down against the back of the basket, arms folded, eyes closed.
            
            "[b]You're missing the fact that there's a distinct possibility that our order may no longer exist, let alone empires rise and fall: Sarife as we know it may be long past[/b]," said Orionn with unusual calmness.
            
            "[b]And while we're grateful, you are placing a lot of trust in the word of a man we've known only a handful of minutes.[/b]"
            
            "[b]So far I see no reason for him to deceive us, Raven[/b]," Orionn admonished, shaking an accusatory finger at him.
            
            "[b]As my mentor would say: 'Trust, but verify.'  Even if the empire of Sarife has completely disintegrated, I must see it with my own eyes.  Until such a time as it can be proven that the Black Hand no longer exists, it is our duty to follow the protocols set forth by our order.  Otherwise we are just... uninformed slayers[/b]," he hissed, spearing the blonde man with his red eye.
            
            "[b]How long to Sarife then[/b]," Orionn asked with a sigh.[/color]

[color=0076a3]Sighing, the blonde man's silence and winced expression spoke of his feelings regarding Sarifen Empire's condition. His hands tirelessly continued to work the voluminous contraption's strings against the chilling wind drafts coursing against the gathered individuals' faces. There was much in his eyes that spoke of more than just pain and grief, but the gaze of a near broken man that had seen too much for a dozen life times. It wasn't long before his hands set into motion to retrieve and light a bong stuffed with hashish and within another moment, the basket's vicinity became engulfed with the smoke and odors of an irresistible hashish. Following a deep drag, the man's attempts to dull his grief quickly morphed into satisfied, albeit irritable coughs, "Your duty and unwavering faith to the Imperial throne in Ktesiphon and the Order of the Black Hand is ... [i][b]without equal[/b][/i], Raven. Perhaps within certain deductions, it is equally wise to question the motives of an unproven stranger such as I, though I swear on my life that nothing, but the truth has ever escaped my lips. To the matters concerning Sarife, for what it is worth, it is possible and in another branch of fate, entirely plausible, however, we are not returning to Ktesiphon ... that is ... because there is [i][b]nothing left of Yadin-Hamon's Oasis or the Great Imperial Empire.[/b][/i]"

Nodding, the man offered the smoking pipe towards the Black Hand slayer's reach, "There is much, as I had formerly mentioned, that you will [i][b]not[/b][/i]find easy to swallow. Rest, gather your wits, and attend to your own for there is a long journey to Voltas and much yet to be told. I promise answers to every matter demanding inquiry ... once our flight hovers over Voltas' skies."[/color]

            [color=8dc73f]"[b]Well[/b]," began Raven, holding up a hand in refusal to the hashish.  "[b]You'll have one chance to convince me, and if I'm not satisfied... at the very least you'll have the rest of your life to develop the power to fly[/b]," he grunted.  "[b]Leave us to rest then[/b]," he commanded imperiously.
            
            "[b]He's an acquired taste[/b]," Orionn sighed as he rolled his eyes.[/color]

[color=0076a3]A thin smirk briefly spread across the blonde warrior's face before he shrugged and glared towards a location along the sea swept horizon. His fingers continually gripped the basket's edge as another tsunami tidal wave reared near impossibly in another direction across the raging waters from below. A moment after twirling the pipe for another drag, the blonde warrior took a moment to calmly release a puffed smoke stream into breeze before answering, "If fortunes are favorable, [i]I pray there is a world left to fly across ...[/i]"[/color]

[hr]

[center][b][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN711viMMe]Voltas - Midnight (Collaboration between [color=0076a3]GourmetItalia[/color] and [color=9e0b0f]Nevis[/color])[/url][/b][/center]

[hr]

[color=0076a3]The descent's aftermath could only be described as a series of sounds involving whistles and large strange fog-horns along a starry night sky that spread across the horizon. Just before plunging face first into the sea, the sights of various floating vessels could be seen carrying tall smoke stacks, enormous revolving circular wheels, and moving chained figures along the iron rimmed decks. Most notably, other similarly assembled vessels of varying sizes appeared along the horizon padding slowly across the rough waters. Elsewhere, it seemed the smell of suffocating coal and nauseating odors wafted through the bay amidst the sights of bizarre, yet elaborate wooden structures housing iron roofing, bright iron furnaces, and circular smoke stacks that reached into the sky. The buildings were certainly strange new additions along Voltas' clifflines as was the decrepit appearance in which the Bay's murky waters had come to have appeared. Perhaps most obvious of all stood the outer cliff lines where radiant miniature flames could be seen bobbing up and down along pathways that jutted towards the various circular openings wedged into the cliff lines themselves. Upon closer inspection, the unmistakable sound of metal clanks and the sights of chains could be observed amidst the rows and rows of disheveled figures moving in and out of the paths leading towards the smoke stack structures. 

Nothing, of course, compared to the loud bells of varying nature rung out across the bay whilst the obnoxious blast of strange horns erupted from the left where the sights of other smoke-stack borne vessels could be spotted casting lines for departure. Further still were the sights of the distant, circular tower along one particular cliff or its circular light source housed below the roof. Shortly before the spot light began to slowly sweep towards Algol-Uriel's location, the sounds of loud hisses could be heard resonating above the moving clouds while the Bay's pounding surf remained vigorous at high tide. Within moments of skimming along the Bay's pounding surf, the voluminous contraption's snaking tendrils came alight whilst bathing the surrounding vicinity with a glowing illuminating hue. In a simple sequence of carefully controlled dips, the blonde man had somehow managed to work the contraption's strings to bring the contraption into a near impossible float above the water's surface. By the time the basket had begun to hover slightly above the water's edge, the waves had already began to lick against the underside with all the ferocity of the Bay's high tidal activity.

"[i][b]Algol-Uriel![/b][/i]" the blonde man shouted above the din of the pounding surf and crashing waves. As the Pyrourger began to plummet into the depths, the blonde man had already wrapped a basket attached rope and dove. A short while later, two figures broke the surface where upon the man had begun to haul the coughing and sputtering companion towards the basket's edge. His efforts to haul the man aboard almost threatened to careen the contraption into the waters, yet through some sheer strokes of good fortunes, the blonde man managed to thrust the newcomer aboard. Just after the Pyrourger joining the group, a large wave unexpectedly swept onto the basket and drenched the gathering in filthy sea water. Somehow, it seemed as if the blonde man had anticipated the occurrence to have remained below the water's edge and seemingly avoided the wave's effects upon the others before clambering onto the basket himself.

"[i]Come now, Pyrourger[/i]," he bellowed as his hands lightly slapped against the Pyrouger's cheeks, "We cannot stay here or I am afraid we will be in grave danger. [i][b]On your feet![/b][/i]"[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]The half-breed prince spluttered and clung as desperately as his feeble strength allowed to the side of the basket. The salt stung at his eyes like they were his own fires, blurred still by the water that he had been unprepared to be suddenly dropped into and far too weak and too weighed down to traverse at the tide's worst hour. Dim were the words that fell upon his ears-yet the single clear words of 'pyrourger' and 'on your feet' would suffice, as the need to move, to get out of the water, to gasp and breath and claw his way forward still whispered so mercilessly throughout his flesh and mind. Though his foot slipped, he clambered once more and slowly, groaning out the paltry hollow shell of a scream of effort, Uriel pushed and pulled at the slippery basket floor and mechanical devices for support until he laid upright against it, grasping and panting heavily against the side of it all.

Clinging to the rope, Uriel blinked and glanced around as his vision returned-or at least enough of it-to take in his surroundings. He swallowed and apprehension took his face, staving off despair for but a moment.

"Where... others...?" he croaked.[/color]

[color=0076a3]"[i]Be silent![/i]" the blonde man hissed as he dove to the floor and yanked the contraption's strings into a spindling ascent towards the cliffs. 

The tension could not be described as nothing short of an absolutely eerie terror given how quickly the the cliff tower's, cascading spot light swept towards their exact location. Through the ascent was met with silence as the man's finger lifted towards his mouth as the cascading light swept mere inches from the contraption's vicinity before ultimately sweeping through the waters and away. Moments after the contraption hugged the cliff line edges, a sigh of relief escaped the blonde man's lips as he rose to his knees. His fingers once again wrapped around the strings before bringing the contraption skywards.

The strange horns heard from before blasted again whilst the sound the galloping neighs and boisterous hoots illustrated a presence that involved large horsemen hordes. Soon, the contraption began to ascend above the cliffs where the source could only be found from thousands of mounted yellow skinned warriors clad in scaled armors directed their powerful steeds past the endless lines of chained slaves that marched back and forth. Their decorated horse hair banners laden with strange symbols, composite bows, saddle strapped arrow-pouches, elongated curved blades, and fur capped helmets draped in flaps spoke of the authority that came with their presence. 

No more were the Walls of Rydar-Octavion or the Walls of the Agrarian Circle nor were the Citadel Krak des Seine-et-Montrésor of the Melitan Sisterhood or the Citadel Chareil-Besançon that guarded the Voltisian Bay and the most politically dangerous criminals in Valania Proper. All that remained of the great Citadels came in the form of the foundation outlines of seemingly large land tracts or in the case of the walls, long pathways that teamed with patrolling, fur capped horsemen, chained slaves, moving carts, and oil lamps that hung below long tracts of ropes stretching across the entire cityscape. All the towering walls encasing Voltas were long gone and in their place stood roads leading around tracts of land housing tall buildings that funneled tall smoke stacks and sky touching iron towers that wheeled crushed rocks from the ground and towards red leaden iron furnaces along the River Rouen's water front. 

Much of the familiar architecture occupying Voltas decrepit condition was not to be found whilst strange rows of large multi-tiered buildings featuring hip and gable rooftops and brick laden walls lined the streets. The air smelled of a foul stench as the smoke stacks attached to the large multi-tiered buildings continually spouted dark thick clouds of smoke whilst the sights of large circular wheels churned endlessly along the River Rouen and Île du Royaume. As far as the eye could see, lines of chained slaves could be seen marching through the lands and towards the billowing smoke from the scattered encampments composed of large yurts, grazing animals, and pastures teaming with horse herds. Many such locations existed through the grasslands resembling Valania Proper whilst many of the familiar farmsteads became ridden with the combinations of yurt encampments and buildings of strange and foreign architecture alike. The surrounding landscapes had largely remained the same, yet the bleak and rather rugged ruins of Gothic Architectural beauty spoke of glorious times that had long past. 

Spaced along the cliff lines, a large tract of land featuring the marks of foundation outlines could be seen where a once magnificent architectural masterpiece once stood. The sights of a tall, mult-tiered Great Yurt seemingly occupied the space alongside patches of tall grasses where horses of differing steeds grazed. Through a darkened glare, the blonde man's arms once again worked the strings until he had managed to propel the contraption a distance away from the moving forms of torch-carrying horsemen that patrolled across the cliff line paths. Shortly after they had ascended through a location shrouded in clouds, his fingers pointing towards a particular location in the distance away from many of the encampments littering the surrounding countryside.

"Algol-Uriel, when you've gathered your wits, there is much you must see before your own eyes ... [i][b]as the Last Prince of Valania and Sarife[/b][/i]," the blonde man grimly answered as he stared off into the distance, "[i]You will not believe me unless I take you to where they are buried ...[/i]"[/color]

[hr]

[center][b][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eukcZ5J-3Hc]Valania Proper - Midnight (Collaboration between [color=0076a3]GourmetItalia[/color], [color=9e0b0f]Nevis[/color], and [color=8dc73f]XianEvermor[/color])[/url][/b][/center]

[color=0076a3]A journey through the skies proved as much of a marathon as it was a modest hour's long journey across the countryside where the sights of Voltas and Valania Proper could only be described as a sight so foreign, grim, and frightful that it was a wonder that any traces of civilization could exist within the confines of such heinous forms of barbaric cruelty. The roads lined for miles of crosses where crucified skeletons hung along each side whilst elsewhere, the common unsightly displays of skeletons and bones could be seen impaled upon long poles jutting into the earth. The forms of decrepit, abandoned towns where the pathways became littered with bones, debris, arrow heads, wooden stakes mounted with skulls, and the signs of great fires were also a common sight.

Shortly before touching down upon a tract of land surrounded by the aftermath of what appeared to have been an enormous battle of herculean proportions, the blonde man sighed and shook his head. His eyes remained firm upon the sights of numerous metal and wooden bits jutting from the ground as well as the miles of land where speckles of bones that resembled where tens of thousands of soldiers and horses alike had fallen. Leaping over the basket's edge, the blonde man seized a long, dirty wooden pole sunken into the ground before dusting away the dirt contents to reveal the banner of the House of Delacroix. Sighing again, the man's head shook once again as he offered the banner towards the Armor-Wearing Half-Prince and pointed towards a patch of ground surrounded in the form of thousands of broken spears, rusted swords, shattered shields riddled with arrows, and plated armor wearing skeletons sunken into the ground.

"That is where he fell," the blonde man hoarsely uttered, "[i][b]The Last Heir to the Valanian Throne.[/b][/i]"[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]Uriel clambered and fell unceremoniously to the ground behind the blonde man, only the cushioning of the grass preventing the force from beating the air from his lungs. He crawled to his knees, then stood by the crutch of the enormous basket's support, struggling to hold onto what minute bits of scorched fish flesh he had managed to stomach on their brief skyward journey between all of the visions of depravity and horror.

At last it had began to dawn on him, the compassion that his teacher had spoken of, and not in some idealized, abstract manner; the homes razed spoke of his own, outcast first from the court and then from his dead mother's house when there were no longer coins to pay. Of his banishment. The blades of grass rusted in blood struck too similar to the whips and manacles, chains and blades-to thousands of gnawing teeth belonging to shadows with red eyes. The rape and thrill of domination whispered back to plainly to his enslavement and torture-and the guilt of learning of what his mother had done in his name, of just how high the cost of his arrogance was. Of the massacres, of the thousands of souls put to the blade, they were as his own dread, of the loss of his mother even as he resented her, as the loss of his teacher, as his fear for the loss of Lucius; each human here had witnessed their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, lovers, friends and enemies alike slain.

And for it all, a truth slowly dawned on him, ate him from within in a way that not even his guilt had, that even the demons could not touch. Heaven itself harrowed his heart as he realized that, for all both its and his flaws, only for one reason alone could he feel such sorrow for this lands, these nations, these people.

He loved them.

He loved them and for that and for what they suffered, no matter the right or wrong or sense or necessity or futility of it, their suffering consumed him from within.

Heavy and weary beyond the burdens of guilt and steel, Uriel trudged after the unnamed man towards the buried mound of broken armaments consumed and weathered by the passing of days. The scrape of steel and rip of fabric and leather grated upon him mind like the screams of her child to a mother as his mysterious rescuer wrenched away at the decaying heap with the decrepit banner.

And then he spoke.

Uriel furrowed his brow and looked at the man in confusion as he drew close, standing only two paces behind.

"... Lucius Delacroix is back in that [i]bay[/i]," he said, hurt enunciating the word. "Why did we abandon them?"[/color]

[color=0076a3]"I was told by the Prophet to expect as much," the towering blonde man answered as he glanced across the battered landscape. The wind blew long hair strands across his face as he glanced off into surrounding vicinity and knelt to place a hand along the soil. The flowers and grass that had bloomed into the vicinity seemed more beautiful than in any other part of the surrounding countryside, held ever more bright through the illuminating moon light. His eyes winced and with each passing moment, his exhales grew increasingly labored. The sounds of battle and screams of helplessness, pain, suffering, and desperation filled his ear, almost as if the sights of the past unfolded through his mind. A short while later, his hand withdrew and the man glanced towards the other two companions before resting firmly upon the Half-Breed Prince.

"Prince Lucius ..." the man trailed off before exhaling in swallowed anger, "...[i]died[/i]... [i][b]over a hundred years ago.[/b][/i]"[/color]

[color=0076a3]Uriel stared blankly at the man for a moment before his expression shifted to that of one who realized that they were speaking with a madman. "... we were [i]just[/i] there. Lucius was thrown through that portal only a few moments before me. That is not possible," he said with a glance to the ancient carnage.[/color]

[color=0076a3]"I understand your reservations, and as I have mentioned to our other companions, you may wish to swallow many grains of salt before you accept the bitter truths," the blonde man calmly uttered amidst the blowing winds, "Now what you believe to be impossible [i]became[/i] possible the moment the Prophet gave his life to ensure that fate would elude the Jade Khan and the Lord Sovereign's treacherous stratagems to conquer the world. It would seem that he followed a branch exactly as he predicted and channeled his arcane strength to maintain the portal's strength to allow all parties to escape ... although not without unforeseen consequences. In the end, I fear that fate has followed [i]exactly[/i] as he predicted and the worst is yet to come. I will be frank, in that the burdens you carry are more worrisome than at any point in the history of this world given that Rothion ultimately ... [i][b]brought you a hundred years into the future.[/b][/i]"[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]Uriel stared without credence at the man until he spoke of prophets and then by precise name-Rothion. And slowly dread creeped into his visage as an explanation for the questions of why the foreign hordes of archer conquerors were already in Valania months or even years ahead of time. Of how such destruction could already be present in Voltas, the city half-disassembled. How this very battlefield could be so decayed, years' worth and with the Delacroix flag that had not been waved in battle for years before his twentieth. It made no sense, was physically impossible to have happened so fast-save that he had indeed appeared on the other side of that portal further than a few minutes past. The prince slowly lifted up a hand outstretched yet his knees failed. Kneeling at the graves, the realization creeped in like like the cold, sapping away all warmth and life for the terrible truth.

Lucius was dead.

His teacher was dead.

His brothers and sisters were dead. His father was dead. Ona was likely dead.

And all his struggles, his growth, his pain, his choice, his sacrifice. All of it had been in vain.

The dead of history stared up at him from beneath the ground like the cruelest mirror, the reflection on the pool of death hung sorry and crucified by the scale of failure and loss. There remained no ties between him and anything; even his demons were gone, passed like the wind. Lucius had died alone and with their home's doom upon his shoulders. And what was worst of all was that this was by his choice.

Slowly, Uriel brought up trembling hands to his chest as he began to wheeze and his eyes blurred with ocean waves that burned with Hell's most wicked fires. In agony he clutched at the steel shell that encased his breast as he keeled over and struggled to breathe through the spear that had just lanced through his chest, a great spike of pitted iron that nailed him to fate's merciless judgement. And finally, as with the returning tide came the howling wind of the terrible storm, a surging cry that even as it choked on itself in his swollen throat split the sky like thunder for his scream, and wisps of flame erupted around him in agony and rage. Only the suffocating need to breathe ended his ghastly shriek to leave his lamenting requiem to linger on in the air like the spirits of the dead, lulled forth by the dozens of funeral candles surrounding the pyre that was the flayed remains of a broken heart.[/color]

[color=0076a3]"You have a duty, Algol-Uriel," the blonde man uttered as glanced towards their companions, most particularly towards the weary slayer, "By law, it is [i]decreed[/i] that all Sarifen loyalties must fall to the last free heir of Sarife. By blood, you are the last free Sarifen Aryanpour and the heir to the Great Imperial Empire. The [i][b]Kâşifleri[/b][/i]are here to witness as is the last leader of [i][b]the Ancient Black Hand[/b][/i]! As the Bozorgan of Valdemar, I ... [i][b]Pontius of Valdemar[/b][/i] bear witness! From the Propontis Sea to the Gates of Nikomedia, I swear my undying loyalty to [i]Algol-Uriel[/i]; the [i][b]Last Emperor of Sarife.[/b][/i]"[/color]

            [color=8dc73f]"[b]Surely you jest[/b]," said Raven, who had been watching everything with all the warmth of a stack of forgotten bricks.  "[b]When I asked you to take me to see the Emperor of Sarife, this isn't what I meant.  You can't just fish any sad dreg out of the ocean and proclaim him as Emperor[/b]," he hissed.  He didn't bother getting to his feet, and instead turned his attention to Jade, who was still unconscious within the contraption's basket.  He took a deep breath and began to check her wounds.
            
            "[b]You must admit, this is all a little suspect[/b]," Orionn chimed.  "[b]And if we have, indeed, been sleeping for the past thousand or so years there's no way for us to tell if you're being truthful or not.[/b]"
            
            "[b]Produce just one shred of evidence to support your claim[/b]," Raven growled, clearly not amused.  "Just one, or I shall fling you both from the nearest cliff and find my own way back to Sarife."
            
            "[b]So grumpy[/b]," Orionn chided, rolling his eyes and stuffing his hands into his sleeves imperiously.
            
            "[b]I'll not have any snide remarks from you[/b]," Raven glared.  "[b]Back in the bottle, wraith[/b]," he commanded.  Orionn sighed, mocking Raven's words silently while his back was turned and then vanishing dramatically in a puff of smoke.[/color]

[color=0076a3]"There are many reasons for doubt, however, I need not explain the Jade Khan's vast Hordes nor the crucified innocents and remains lining the roads. Have you noticed the Khan's Steam-Powered Factories smelting large quantities of steels in mere hours and assorted manufacturing capabilities? How too, can you explain the Steam ships moving across the waters without oars or the presence of mere machinery composed from lumps of finely crafted metals performing works only the Divines could explain? No technologies or arrangements of wheels of this sophistication could have reached this level of progress during any moment of our times."

Scowling, the Bozorgan drew his Kilij and pointed it directly upwards and towards the skies as the clouds began to gather from afar. In a mere flash, several streaks of red lightening flashed across the skies and around the Half-Breed Heir whilst the Bozorgan's sword began to pulsate with all the ferocity of what the Divines could only explain. The streaks only multiplied in numbers as a circle began to form around the Half-Breed before the a singular bolt flared across the center and imprinted the Sign of Judgment upon the man's hands. Impaling the kilij upon the ground, the Bozorgan knelt before the Half-Breed Prince and muttered soft chants as a thunderous boom echoed across the skies. The lightening circle formed around the Prince streaked in every different direction, whilst bolts began to form around the Bozorgan's glowing sword as well as the Obsidian Dagger within the Black Hand Slayer's Possession.

"You can only believe the evidence through your own eyes and it is only possible through accepting the true heir as Emperor, the channeling of a Dreamwalker, Poacher, and a Pyrourger's abilities, and a direct witness to all that has happened," the Bozorgan cried through the booming thunder, streaks of lightening, and blinding flashes of light as his eyes directed towards the Black Hand Slayer and the crackling magenta bolts that began to violently lick against his skin, "Algol-Uriel is your Emperor as is decreed from Ktesiphon's remains and the Propontis Sea to the Gates of Nikomedia. You [i][b]cannot[/b][/i] deny the validity of the House of Aryanpour or the Gift granted from Yadin-Hamon himself. [i]Algol-Uriel [b]is[/b] the [b]Last Free Emperor of Sarife[/b][/i]!!!"[/color]

            [color=8dc73f]"[b]Oh[/b]," said Raven after a long pause.  "[b]Poo.[/b]"  Orionn was never going to let him hear the end of this:  the disembodied cackling coming from the arcane warded sack in the basket only served to confirm his fear.  "[b]One shred of evidence indeed[/b],"  he muttered, at a loss for further words.  He seemed to consider himself for a long moment before he rousted himself to his feet, approached the men and knelt before Uriel at a respectable distance.
            
            "[b]Your highness...[/b]" he began, keeping his head low and his eyes to the ground. "[b]I must confess these are strange times, but the Bozorgan is correct: I cannot deny the validity of your claim to the throne.  Were there anyone else in power with his blessing, Yadin-Hamon would not have marked you, and as such I am your servant and at your disposal.  Normally it would be protocol for me to inform you of the concerns I have regarding my most recent mission, but that is a conversation for when you've had a chance to settle.[/b]"[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]The newly crowned prince remained at his knees even if his posture otherwise shifted throughout the ceremony and discourse. Yet for all the spectacle of lightning and power that had accompanied the recognition of his newfound office, when the young man turned his head back unto his countrymen, it was a defeated gaze that met them, relinquished of all save the last scrap of faith or hope.

"... i-i-it is all go-ne. A-ll of it," he said in a broken voice. "You both saw Valania's condition, all those people being-you [i]saw[/i] it. And you tell me that Sarife is no more," he said with a dark, hurt glance to the Bozorgan. "[i]Everyone[/i] that I ever knew is gone-and in [i]vain[/i]. Both kingdoms are a ruin without armies to stay them-and even the demons that once plagued me with such fires as to raze them are gone. For [i]what[/i] would I endure extending my hand out again?!"[/color]

[color=0076a3]The Bozorgan's calm expression never wavered as the Half-Breed spoke yet his eyes never wavered from the pulsating lightening bolts forming a circle around the new Emperor's location. The red bolts all rapidly whipped, danced, and frolicked as if they resembled lives of their own whilst scarring the grounds from which they radiated. Without warning, a large jagged pink bolt immediately sprung from the circle and streamed up into the skies before vigorously lancing out towards Voltas and the distant horizons. 

A gaping gasp escaped the Bozorgan as his eyes lit with the shock that only a mentally weary man could feel upon discovering a new evident truth to dispel another. Soon, it became evident that the reality of a previously accepted fear quickly became erased as he winced through approving nods and a blissful sigh. Upon horizontally layering his khilij into a direction perpendicular the large streaking bolt's direction, his head dipped into a low bow upon the cool debris strewn grasses. 

"[i]Your half sister, [b]Princess Farah[/b][/i]," the Bozorgan answered through an exasperated, albeit triumphant voice, "Her lightening still radiates across the world and its pulsating strength seems to emanate stronger than ever!" 

Sighing again, the Bozorgan winced and blissfully smiled as he gazed up towards the streaking pink bolt and nodded in acknowledgement, "Yes, [i]your eminence[/i], the marks of the House of Aryanpour are [i][b]unmistakable[/b][/i]! She is very much still alive after living over a century and it proves that she is likely near the Jade Khan. I was told by the Prophet that we would be correct in surmising that we will likely find her within the Grand Yurt in Sarai Al-Kyliabaatar if we were to follow her streak across the Levantean Sea. [i][b]If[/b][/i]you wish to find her, we will surely have nothing to lose, [i][b]however[/b][/i], I [i]implore[/i] you that there is much you and our [i][b]Kâşifleri[/b][/i] (discoverer) brethren should know before you decide on your next journey!"[/color]

            [color=8dc73f]"[b]Stop sniveling[/b]," Raven barked, suddenly on his feet, standing at his full height and piercing Algol-Uriel with his red eye.  "[b]You're not the only one who's lost everything.  We're out of our time: everyone we knew or loved is a thousand years dead.  The Black Hand was put into place to keep things like this from happening.  I'd have preferred to burn the kingdom to the ground myself than to let a hollow husk of a world such as this come to be.[/b]"  Raven took a breath and relaxed his gaze.  "[b]If the Bozorgan is correct and you still have living siblings, reclaiming them should be your initial focus.  You're not alone anymore... I'm the most experienced slayer of the Black Hand, Orionn is a master tracker and if there are any secrets or knowledge this world has to offer, he will find it.  The woman laying in the flying machine is responsible for the deaths of seven of our finest assassins, including Orionn and the other two members of my Quad.  The Bozorgan has also proven himself to be very capable.  So pull yourself together and stop sniveling:  your sister needs you, and we have people to kill.[/b]"
            
            Raven turned and strode purposefully back to the basket of the flying device and knelt down beside the unconscious blonde woman and began to check and re-dress her wounds.  Orionn, who had appeared again during the lightning storm watched thoughtfully.  When Raven passed he looked for a moment like he might say something, and then thought better of it.  Instead he slipped his hands into his voluminous sleeves, and his icy blue eyes narrowed like he was taking note of something... or staring into the sun, one could never tell with him.[/color]

[color=0076a3]Sighing, the Bozorgan rose and stared coldly towards the Slayer before kneeling several paces outside the lightening strewn circle, "While it is true that your interpretations for preparations hold their weights in legitimacy, [i]Please do not insult his eminence[/i]," he firmly demanded through a pointed finger, "We will only further divide ourselves and play into the Jade Khan's winning hands. It is [i]exactly[/i] the manner, in which he destroys his enemies; dividing and conquering is how he [i]always[/i] destroys his enemies and ... it is..." trailing off, the Bozorgan's eyes watered as he sullenly glanced towards the ground, "...it is ... how he took the life of your other half-sister [i][b]Ryanna[/b][/i]."

Shortly after wiping away the tears and sniffles, the Bozorgan glanced off towards the streaking, jagged pink bolt as it pulsating with vigor into the horizons, "[i]Your eminence[/i], I will not lie to you ... we have all lost [i]many[/i] friends and loved ones and ... what has been done cannot be written again."

"Sometime before the Prophet passed, he informed me that you would return to bring our peoples to the freedoms that they deserved. I have lived long enough to see the folly of those that were [i]entrusted[/i] to protect Great Sarife. You [i]are[/i] the Prince born of the Demon-Star and the savior that was destined to bring a new Age to the World and lead our peoples to where they may choose their own destinies, no matter how much suffering the world has endured. I surmise that not all of us will survive the coming storms; however, it is not in our place to surrender and allow a century's worth's suffering, lies, deceit, or dishonor to escape retribution. The Jade Khan has only earned himself judgment and we will ensure that you succeed. We cannot surrender now. [i][b]You[/b][/i] cannot surrender! Otherwise, he wins and all that we have endured will have only served his bidding. You have a great responsibility ahead and your half-sister, [i][b]Farah[/b]needs[/i] you! There is a chance to save her and I surmise we do not need an army to free her. Seize this opportunity, [i]your eminence[/i] ... [i][b]and we will give our lives to your cause...[/b][/i]"[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]The wisps of flame that had sprouted at the assassin's words abated just as the pain, outrage and indignation that were ready to burst in tears of spite and agony ebbed away as their guide spoke words of repudiation and salvation cut the tension in the air more finely than any of their blades could. And slowly, a look of sorrow and resignation washed over him as he turned to face the ground and bodies before him, eyes closing with... something [i]more[/i].

"... the forbidden mark of calamity, ruin and revolution," he said softly, his croaking voice somehow reaching clearly between them all-deeper now, rather than the shrill shriek of before. Whole. "You know more than I, it seems," came the words round the young man's back. "... much of me wishes to lie down here and never stir again. Yet..." his hand wandered and ran the length of sundered arms and banners, gingerly feeling their history written in their torn and rusted forms. "... they continued on. For this."

And slowly, the prince of ruin pressed from the ground on shaky arms and legs, clamoring at the air until, barely balanced, he stood, his held upturned to gaze into the sky.

"... I [i]must save[/i] them," at last the admission came with a depth that spoke of absolute conviction in the statement beneath its hoarseness. "... a[i]all[/i] of them. I [i]must[/i] continue the same choice as before, that they all fought and bled and died for. Not glory and vengeance. Not false peace brokered through blood-money and appeasement. The risk of all for the chance of saving all-the single, precise path that alone holds true."

The lord slowly turned to gaze to the Borzorgan, then to Raven, then back again, his harrowed face now unyielding in its gaze for the truth of a heart and soul being laid bare and naked to the world's coldest winds, come what may. "I am Algol-Uriel Delacroix-Aryanpur, Prince of Demons and Ruin and Prince of Valania and Emperor of Sarife. I am the truth that at last brings judgement or final salvation. Upon this heart I swear," he lifted his hand to his chest, a fist upon his breast, "This heart and the life tethered to it in this world I will give unto these as well. The world will have its answer. Be I the fires of Hell or God's redeeming light, I will see this through to its final end and by all of every grave and all of every sacrifice and all of God's Hells and Heavens, I, we, shall save them all."

Without waiting for a word, the newly-crowned Emperor took a shaky step in the direction of the balloon, his gaze determinedly locked upon it.  Even as he stumbled and fell to his knees, he clutched at a rotted spear haft and grit his teeth, looking up to the vessel. "Help me," he said as he crawled forward and began struggling to his feet again.[/color]

[color=0076a3]An powerful wind gust blew across the Bozorgan's face as he offered an arm towards the Half-Breed Emperor amidst the lightening circle's fading currents. The distant clouds thundered to the west whilst lightening and powerful, albeit raging rain torrents hammered across the distant horizons to the West. Even as the Bozorgan brought Algol-Uriel to his feet, his gaze seemed transfixed towards what seemed to be another approaching storm. The worrying gasp that escape him briefly spoke of past experiences that had all the marks of torment and gloom. Just before ushering towards the Spacious Balloon, it soon became apparent that something seemed to greatly trouble him more fervently than at any point, during interactions between the [i][b]Kâşifleri[/b][/i] or the Half-Breed Emperor.

Through repeated glances towards the Pink bolt streaking across the skies, the Bozorgan pointed towards Voltas and the distant horizons of the East. "[i]Your eminence[/i], I admire your courage and though you have suffered through many long suns, I cannot advise enough that time is short at hand. Now, it is, of course, wise to assume that caution is the most plausible course of deciding these matters. Nevertheless, crossing the Levantean Sea is, perhaps, the fastest route if we are to enter Sarai Al-Kyliabaatar, although, perhaps, also the most dangerous. The Jade Emperor wines and dines within the comforts of the Grand Yurt and though it will be very difficult to find your sister ..." his gaze reverted towards the Red-Eyed Slayer before continuing, "...I predict that finding a suitable path inside will [i]not[/i] be impossible."

Upon acquiring a wooden smoking pipe and jar of hashish, his hands fumbled about as he stuffed more hashish upon the wooden circular bowl before lighting the cannabis and offering towards the Half-Breed. Nodding, the Bozorgan seized a black vase and shortly after taking a large swig of Makgeolli, found his gaze staring off towards the streaking Pink bolt before resting upon the Blue Eyed Arcanist. For a moment, his eyes seemed to indicate his mind becoming lost to thought, however, his eyes soon widened as his gaze doubled back towards the blue eyed arcanist before forcefully ejecting the contents upon the Red-Eyed slayer.[/color] 

            [color=8dc73f]"[b]... Was that necessary?[/b]"  Raven grumbled.  His hands were occupied delicately re-dressing Jade's wounds or he may have lunged across the balloon's basket.  Instead he just simmered.  Orionn cocked an eyebrow at the display.[/color]

[color=0076a3]Wiping his mouth clean, Pontius nearly sputtered the remaining alcohol milk before swallowing forcefully and stalking his way towards the Blue-Eyed Arcanist. Gaping, the Bozorgan's expression reverted into the look of a man that had been thoroughly pummeled along his skull.

"My deepest apologies [i][b]Kâşif[/b][/i]!" he muttered towards the Black Hand Slayer before pointing incredulously towards the Arcanist. His steps inched ever closer in the man's direction whilst keeping a hand fixed upon the sheathed khilij pommel, "[i]You ...[/i]"

"I was told by the Prophet that there was a [i]slim[/i] chance that fate would allow us to find an Ancient Magi from the First Apocalypse," Pontius voiced through visible recognition flashing through his eyes, "I was [i]also[/i] told that if a certain branch of fate were to intertwine us in that man's company that we would ..."

Glancing towards the sky, the Bozorgan frowned and through a forceful exhale, uttered, "...that we would find answers to help Emperor Algol-Uriel [i]destroy[/i] the Jade Khan without touching the [i][b]Quill of Thoth![/b][/i] I am [i]certain[/i] that you're aware of its existence. You [i]are[/i] the Master of the Quill, [i]are you not?[/i]"[/color]

            [color=8dc73f]"[b]Don't be ridiculous[/b]," Orionn admonished, holding a hand up in protest.  "[b]The First Apocalypse was ages ago, nobody lives that long[/b]," he answered evasively.  Raven paused as he was applying pressure to Jade's wound and turned his blue eye towards Orionn suspiciously.  After a long moment he returned to his task.  "[b]Besides, I'm no Magi, I just dabble in dream magic.[/b]"
            
            "[b]Don't be so modest[/b]," Raven said, without looking up.  "[b]You're an extremely talented Arcanist[/b]," he said, in an uncharacteristically pleasant tone.  "[b]And a scholar second to none:  I was just a zealot of an obscure religion before you found the records that unearthed the ritual which unlocked my true potential.[/b]"
            
            "[b]You flatter me, but anyone with the patience to dig through hundreds of musty tomes could have done that[/b]," answered Orionn as he narrowed his eyes at Raven's back.
            
            "[b]Where exactly did you find those musty tomes again?  You vanished from the palace for nearly a month and you weren't in the Grand Library, I checked it every day[/b]," Raven asked, a bit of a smile cracking one corner of his mouth.  Orionn held back a scowl and considered his words carefully... he knew he was being manipulated, and as long as Raven was still in possession of his head, there wasn't much he could do about it.
            
            "[b]I... know of a place where lost knowledge sometimes.... accumulates[/b]," he answered carefully.  "[b]It's... probable that we may find something to help us with this Jade Khan business there[/b]," he said, his eyes darting back to Raven for a moment, who decided to say nothing further while he finished re-dressing the blonde woman's wound.  "[b]Such knowledge is not without it's price, Bozorgan... It may cost more than just time to get what you seek[/b],"  Orionn answered cryptically as he turned his gaze back to Pontius, observing him carefully as though he may have missed something about the man before.[/color]

[color=0076a3]Through narrowed eyes, the Bozorgan's glances darted between the Blue-Eyed Magi, the Red Eyed Slayer, Emperor Algol-Uriel, and the vicious storm approaching over the Western Horizons. "I believe you [i][b]Kâşif[/b][/i]. The Prophet spoke of such a location and he had warned of its nature. It was said that we [i]must[/i] assist Emperor Algol-Uriel to recover information within that location across the Dream Realm, however... I fear you would be forced re-enter the very realm that confined you and your companions towards eleven hundred years' slumber."

Grimacing, the Bozorgan's gaze glanced towards the West where thunder had begun to echo on the horizon, "Initially, I would not ask any man ..." his eyes darted towards the unconscious Al-Mayrin before continuing, "...or woman to endure what you've suffered through over the course of your millennia's slumbers. Nevertheless, the Prophet mentioned that there are no records to recall the First Apocalypse nor any alive to recall the existence of the First Apocalypse, Orionn. You [i]are[/i] the Ancient of Old and you know more than you are willing to share regarding the [i][b]Quill of Thoth[/b][/i]. The Prophet has never lied and ..." his eyes trailed off towards the Half-Breed Emperor, "Before his passing, he informed me of one chance ... [i][b]one ... chance[/b][/i] to deliver what is necessary for Emperor Algol-Uriel to bring justice for what the Jade Khan has brought to Sarife and the entire world. If we miss this opportunity, it will be lost [i][b]forever[/b][/i]."

Following a moment where the Bozorgan paced furiously across the battlefields, his hands fumbled about as he retrieved several pouches and began to examine their ball-bearing contents. His efforts proved enough to fully note all his remaining munitions and the opportunity to speak again, "Perhaps your Ancient wisdom could deliver Emperor Algol-Uriel onto a path that would grant him enough wisdom to stop the Jade Khan. It is said that the Quill's owner records every facet of time, however, it is not our place to meddle in artifacts that we do not fully understand or control. What we [i]can[/i] control is the means to seek the place of knowledge you speak of and you mentioned a price so I must assume that it may cost more than our lives and ask a similar manner of inquiry as our potent [i][b]Kâşif[/b][/i]. How did you acquire the Tomes and how far did you journey to acquire the volume of such contents?"[/color]

            [color=8dc73f]"[b]Answer truthfully[/b]," Raven commanded, as he was pulling Jade's tunic back over her.  He let out a heavy breath and slid to a seat against the wall of the basket, closing his eyes.  "[b]Or as truthfully as you can at least.[/b]"  It was Orionn's turn to sigh, since he could not refuse Raven.
            
            "[b]Fine.  Such an artifact does exist, and I do know where it is, however it's not safe to speak of it aloud.  Its name echoes through realms, and not just misguided mortals seek its powers.  Indeed, using the artifact, you can unearth any knowledge from any point in history.  The price for that knowledge... [/b]"  Orionn shuddered.  "[b]Let's just say I'm lucky to be clever enough to find a loophole of sorts.  I used it to anchor a Dreamscape in the spirit world, and gave it the tools it needed to '[i]safely[/i]' record knowledge for the foreseeable future.  So yes, there is a Library that exists within a dream where you can find the knowledge that you seek, and getting in to find that knowledge is not the hard part[/b]," Orionn explained.
            
            "[b]The Library is... its size can't be measured: if you climbed to the tallest point and looked in every direction, it would stretch on as far as you could see, and it's always growing as the Artifact acquires more knowledge.  Finding what you seek in the library could take days... weeks... years even, and then you have to find your way back out again.  Entering the Library to seek lost knowledge may very well be what causes your 'one chance' to slip through your hands.  Not to mention... our bodies will not come with us, everyone will be extremely vulnerable here... and if someone finds us and we don't have bodies to return to, or even if our bodies are moved we may end up trapped in the Dream forever.[/b]"
            
            "[b]Then with all of us incapacitated there will be nobody left to oppose the Jade Khan[/b]," Raven finished for him without opening his eyes.  "[b]I happen to agree with Orionn, it's too dangerous but... it's not up to me, is it?[/b]"  Raven asked glibly, raising one eyelid to gaze at Algol-Uriel for a long moment.[/color]

[color=0076a3]"[i]Sons of death[/i] ... a terrible price, indeed," the Bozorgan grimly remarked as reality began to root itself, "An endless labyrinth ... archiving time's greatest achievements where wanderers may not only lose their bodies, but their very souls. [i]Remarkable[/i] ..."

The winds began to blow more fiercely across the littered battlefields where broken banners Delacroix, Valanian, and Sarifen fluttered in eerie an ominous fashion. No sooner had the grasses also begin to ripple than the Bozorgan's face become clouded in thought. A moment later, the storm clouds slowly began to inch over the horizon where the booming thunder quickly elicited a dreadful grimace. Unsurprisingly, a worrying sigh escaped his lips as he glanced questioningly towards the Half-Breed Emperor. The man had suffered through unspeakable horrors, however, his fortitude had proven to catapult his physique over seemingly indescribable odds that would have shattered even the bravest warriors. Whatever they would endure depended entirely upon his following commands.

"I will be frank, I believe a reward demanding a price of such sacrifice yields no prizes of worth ... however ... I [i]also[/i] believe that we did not endure our struggles to allow a snarling jackal a path towards the world's greatest treasure vault nor the means to claim sole ruler ship over a sinking water hole we once called a world." 

"Orionn," he firmly addressed, "I will not question how you managed to ... [i]anchor[/i] the Quill within the Dreamscape, however, I must truthfully confess that we cannot refuse to fathom the reality that ... the consequences for such actions will simply remain confined to wandering endlessly through the Dream world archives. I believe that it seems a time will come when we will be forced to enter the Library and discover new horrors we may not know."

Another boom across the Western Horizon once again caught his attention and as the winds began to blow ever more fiercely, the Bozorgan step into the Basket and began to prepare the contraption for launch. As his hands began to work the strings and prepare the hissing flames, Pontius stole one last glance across the ruined battlefields and bowed his head in respect. "Yadin-Hamon and Athirat be with you, warriors," he remarked, "Perhaps one day, we shall meet again ... [i]zafer alanlarında[/i]."

"[i]Your eminence[/i]," he addressed, "Under any other alternative path, I would advise [i]against[/i] seeking the Library's entry, however, it appears we are running out of choice-able opportunities. There is a [i]very[/i] likely possibility that we may lose our souls after entering the Library's archives, however, we may [i]also[/i] have one chance and perhaps [i][b]one chance only[/b][/i] to seek preparations to [i]free[/i] the world from the Jade Khan's shackles. I would also imagine that we could not possibly ignore the manner of wretched confines the Jade Khan has placed upon your sister [i]Farah[/i]. I believe reuniting the Aryanpour family is as much a matter of [i]national duty[/i] as it is an opportunity to deliver a shred of common human decency within this wretched Age. Your authority is paramount and should you wish it, we will follow your decrees to the World's end! [i][b]What is your decree??[/b][/i]"[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]The Emperor had remained silent at the others' ramblings and discussions throughout as he slowly made his own trek toward the balloon. His expressions had shifted only slightly over the course of the dialogue, passing back and forth between a scowl and anxiety as he brushed a hand in rejection of the offering bowl and entered the balloon.

Seeming to almost casually disregard the Bozorgan, the youth used the basket as his crutch to sit within its corner at the edge of the machinery, arm looped over its side in the nook of a rope, his legs sprawled out in the very image of a lion that professed its dominion by merely laying down that left no room for argument. Yet for all the beast's unyielding flames, beneath the pseudo-tyranny was visible a far more profound humility, a sense of looking-a clarity beneath the fire.

"Enough chatter," the king of beasts said as he turned his gaze from the distance to the Bozorgan, gilded brown eyes glittering green amidst the black like a mass of demonic or celestial shattered glass. A burning dark lay beneath the surface of his voice as though the demon's fire had returned to him, delicately balanced with the tenderness and gentleness of the fragile heart set upon by the cold and dark storm's ice to leave it finely if yet tensely hung betwixt-adamant and merciless, yet kind and gentle; the nigh-impossible mastery of both paths as he had said, visibly rough as it yet was. "And set this ship sailing. We are none of us in any state to search some spirit library nor concoct stratagems for war or rescue raids. That will wait until the woman and I are able to move and the rest of you sound and composed. For now, we rest while the sailing makes sufficient progress for us as we head towards whatever location will best position and prepare us to rescue my sister. We will address this Library between now and then when opportunity provides."

Algol-Uriel then cast a brief glanced out towards the frigid night storm as he was done, his interest and heart seemingly fixated. Then the fires abated, swept away by the washing wave of a small, peaceful smile. He returned his attention now wholly to their guide and asked with a plain, simple humility and heart written clear upon his face, "And a blanket and no more hashish, please, Bozorgan. While I do feel at home and at peace in this dark and cold, I wish to stay warm enough to replenish as I sleep. Food, water, air, sleep-simple things. Rest, please."[/color]

            [color=8dc73f]"[b]Wise[/b]," chimed Orionn with a small note of surprise.  He looked over at Raven, as if for an affirmation, but the slayer had succumbed to exhaustion next to Jade, who had slumped into his chest.  For a moment Orionn looked like he might say more.  Instead he slipped his hands into voluminous sleeves sagely and leaned against the side of the basket.[/color]

[color=0076a3]"Perhaps that time must wait until after we have retired," the Bozorgan answered as he unraveled several large blankets for his companions and worked the Balloon's strings to deliver the basket into the wind swept skies, "I surmise we will seek shelter within the ruins that once constituted a former township under the Baron Gideon Ce'dareaux's Northern Castle and I believe it would be prudent to enter the fortifications before the storm reaches the Eastern shores of the Côte d'émeraude. First and second watch are my responsibility where I shall summon your attention as is fitting our predicaments. I will also see that your needs are met although I cannot promise miracles. It would be prudent to empty your bowels before we reach the air as the journey will require an hour's flight or more ..."[/color]