[color=lightgray][center][h1][color=#FFCB86]T[/color][color=#FFC37E]h[/color][color=#FFBC77]r[/color][color=#FFB56F]a[/color][color=#FFAE68]a[/color][color=#FFA761]s[/color][color=#FFA059]h[/color] [color=#FF924B]&[/color] [color=#FF843C]M[/color][color=#FF7D35]a[/color][color=#FF762D]r[/color][color=#FF6F26]i[/color][/h1][/center]

[color=EACF96][b]Time:[/b][/color] Several hours ago. Night.
[color=ff681f][b]Location:[/b][/color] Middle fort between the cities of Illuminata and Myriamor

[hr]

This night at the fort had been like any other for the dark elf troops manning it. Their job was simple; maintain the fort, inspect passing travelers, and deter dangerous wildlife in the area. The responsibility that weighed on those currently stationed for the time being was soon reaching its end as they waited for their relief to arrive and pass the torch to them until the following evening. A mixture of both complacency and anxiousness filled them in their wait, a normal thing. You know the feeling. When you’re impatiently ready to punch out because the last couple of hours of your shift feel abnormally too long. All you can think about is packing up and the first thing you’ll do once you’ve returned to your living quarters. Maybe it’s rest or indulging in your favorite recreation. Whatever it is, it’s all you can think about as the clock winds down to that final minute. No, that final second! That inevitability!

And it was that inevitability that never arrived.

The relief meant to arrive was absent. Perhaps they were running late. Unusual but not an impossibility. It only took one minute for the first soldier to express his irritation at the relief’s failure to arrive.

[color=mediumpurple]“They’re supposed to be here already! Any of you up in the towers see them?”[/color] The dark elf captain was gruffly pacing as he awaited news from his archers.

[color=lightblue]“Sir we don’t see anything from the- Do you hear that?”[/color] One of the archers on one of the four towers said to another beside him. He stepped closer to the tower’s edge as he heard none other than what he could only describe as the misplaced riff of a guitar beyond the treeline to the west.

[center][youtube]https://youtu.be/pTXhDcNFpTE[/youtube][/center]

[color=teal]“Y-yeah. They’re… here. It's them! THEY’RE HEEEERE!”[/color] His cry caused the dark elves stationed at the fort to position themselves on the western side of the fort, and if they couldn't, they certainly had their attention in that direction.

[Color=mediumpurple]“Do you have eyes on them?!”[/color]

[Color=tan]“Still scanning! It's getting too loud to make out where it's coming from!”[/color] The captain cursed under his breath before shooting a fierce look at the several men on the ground with him.

[Color=mediumpurple]“Don't just stand there! FIND THEM!”[/color] If the music was coming from who the captain was given intelligence on, he felt that he had more than enough troops to end the reign of these terrorists. There were only two of them! 

Five of the dark elves hurried from the fort, exiting through the west entrance, vanishing into the brush of the woods. [Color=mediumpurple]“They chose the wrong night for an attack! We'll execute them as soon… as we…”[/color] His voice trailed off as he watched the forest his men disappeared into suddenly alight in violent flames as the music continued. [Color=mediumpurple]“What the fuck.”[/color]

Pressed against the fort's stone wall, hidden in the shadows, a young elf was unleashing a performance on her invisible air guitar, synchronizing her movements with the pulsating music. She bit her lip as she got lost in it for a moment, banging her head subtly. The elf paused what she was doing as everything suddenly lit up, the dark night, suddenly a brilliant glow that overtook her vision and briefly illuminated her form. 

She raised her head, the heat washing over her skin as the once quiet landscape became a blazing hellscape. The flames eagerly consumed the woodland before them, the vibrant display of fiery hues dancing wildly in the breeze as smoke billowed up into the sky. The air distorted in the intense heat and the crackling of the fire seemed to intermingle with the music. 

The blonde stood transfixed, her face aglow with both awe and exhilaration. A huge grin was plastered on her face at the sight of the bright scorching inferno before her. She marveled at the intensity of the flames, feeling a rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. 

[color=EACF96]“Thatta boy…”[/color]  She uttered under her breath with admiration. Then she opened her palm to reveal a disguise ring.  Sliding it onto her finger with practiced ease, she invoked its magic, causing her fair complexion to morph into a shade of purple. Her golden locks underwent a transformative shift, darkening into a raven hue that blended seamlessly with the shadows. 

With a smirk, she enjoyed the view for just a moment longer before retreating deeper into the shadows. As she moved along the wall, she found the entry point she had prior knowledge of. With nimble fingers, she manipulated the mechanism, allowing her seamless passage through the unguarded entrance. She then slipped in unnoticed.

And the music and flames raged on in opposition to the fort. The dark elves had advanced, attempting to smother the dancing flames with their power over the darkness. Together they managed to forge a safe path through the flames and… 

They were supposed to march forward. They intended to do so yet they stopped at the sight of a slumped charred body wearing the armor of their people. The sight wasn't enough as the subtle smell of oil and burning flesh struck their nostrils as if their sense betrayed them. This is why the relief never arrived.

Still, they couldn't remain unmoving as the gap they created between the towering flames began to shut. With vengeance added to the stakes, the group pushed on to reach their adversary. It was unfortunate to have that chance snatched from them. 

Through one of the towering columns of flame, a large clawed hand covered in green scales pulled one of the dark elves into the fire. The elf's hollers did little for his companions, only managing to alert them to the sudden flank with his screams. 

Lunging through flames wielding a double-bitted battle ax, a towering skull-faced dragonborn let loose his ferocity. His eyes were glowing amber orbs streaking through the dark as he maneuvered swiftly with every swing before unleashing a breath of flame. [color=ff681f]“Raaaaaaagh!”[/color] And [I]still[/I] the music and fire raged.

Meanwhile, the rhythmic click of black boots echoed as the raven-haired elf confidently strode, dressed in a [url=https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/6672b2c9-5509-4893-b9ee-668acee8ba5a/ddfsyv8-0d2b7158-a3c8-407b-86e8-beff2c87ba5f.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzY2NzJiMmM5LTU1MDktNDg5My1iOWVlLTY2OGFjZWU4YmE1YVwvZGRmc3l2OC0wZDJiNzE1OC1hM2M4LTQwN2ItODZlOC1iZWZmMmM4N2JhNWYucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0._GYCgkLuonzFvVKiA31nCdeKQRFnmLg1zb9s5_ucgno]standard uniform[/url]. The corridors of this place were like old friends to her now, and she navigated them with ease. As she passed guards, she smiled at them and made passing comments to keep up the charade.

The first was an elven woman with a peculiar hairstyle that looked straight out of the depths of a history textbook. She looked up from her post and raised a brow as the unfamiliar female walking down the hall caught her eye. However, the raven-haired young elf was first to speak, passing her casually. [color=EACF96]“Love the haircut, Elerra. Really brings me back to two centuries ago.”[/color]  

She smiled and touched her hair, distracted momentarily. 

[color=EACF96][i]Not a compliment, Elerra, not a compliment.[/i][/color]

[color=EACF96]“...Belgos, how’s that bitch of a wife of yours? … Still a bitch?”[/color]  

[color=A059D1]“Still a bitch.”[/color] A long-haired dark elf pressed up against the wall confirmed without looking up as he flipped to a new page of his book. 

[color=EACF96]“...Well you know where to find me if you finally get bored of the cunt.”[/color] The intruder winked at Belgos with a cheeky grin, even giving him finger guns as she had finally enticed the male into looking up from his book.

Belgo’s eyes narrowed, taking an extra moment to process. [color=A059D1]“Wait… [i]What?[/i]”[/color]  All he could do was watch her back as she rounded a corner.  As she swung the keys pilfered from the Belgos’ belt out of his view, the cool metal glinted in the dim light, and her mischievous grin widened.

[color=EACF96]“A left and then a right… Then.”[/color] She uttered under her breath until she came to a pause before a staircase. [color=EACF96]“Then we go down.”[/color] Descending the steps in haste, she moved down and came to the door. She had a knack for this sort of thing, and her nimble fingers easily navigated the ring of keys until she found the one that fit the lock of the door. As soon as she opened it, she found an obstruction in her path. Someone’s back had been up against the door. 

The figure turned around, revealing himself to be a burly guard, his face twisted in anger as he looked down at her from above, [color=B7A7D9]“What are you doing here? No one is supposed to come down here, you should know the rules-”[/color]

Before the guard could finish his sentence, the raven-haired elf sprang into action, her instincts taking over. With fast reflexes, she lunged forward, aiming her dagger at the guard's neck. The element of surprise was on her side, catching him off guard as he stumbled back, trying to draw his weapon in response.

[color=EACF96]"Sorry, big guy."[/color] 

The guard's eyes widened in shock and fury as he tried to defend himself, but the elf was already one step ahead. She danced around his clumsy attempts to strike back. In a swift and fluid motion, she closed the distance between them, exploiting a momentary opening in his defenses. The blade of her dagger found its mark, sinking into the soft flesh of his neck. The guard gasped in pain and disbelief, clutching at the wound as blood began to flow. She swiftly withdrew the dagger and stepped back to shut the door.

[color=EACF96]“You know,”[/color] she began with a cocky grin, [color=EACF96]“they say curiosity killed the cat, but in your case, it's more like stupidity got you stabbed."[/color]

She turned her gaze to the rows of cells on each side of the room, each housing numerous prisoners. A quick mental count gave her a good estimate of twenty. Most of them were demihumans but she did see some other species mixed in. Their eyes fell on her with apprehension. [color=EACF96]“So… First time, guys?”[/color] She asked. It was no surprise that she didn’t get an answer, but she still shrugged and commented, [color=EACF96]“Tough crowd.”[/color] After a moment, she moved forward and grabbed another key ring from the male bleeding out on the ground, and held them up. She jingled them.  

[color=EACF96]“I’m here to break you out.”[/color] She spoke a little slower to make sure it sunk in. There was a collective ooh and she grinned at them as she spotted a few smiles. The relief and joy in the eyes of prisoners was something when they realized they were going to be okay was a sight she’d never get tired of. [color=EACF96]“There’s those pearly whites!”[/color] They were to bide their time for approximately ten minutes before making their escape through the back door.

It wasn’t long before the disguised elf was in the main hall of the fort with a crossbow in hand. Though she had to go outside again to retrieve the weapon, it had been hidden strategically. Taking her position atop a balcony, she observed a group of dark elves engaged in a panicked discussion around a table. While she couldn't catch every word, it was clear that their agitation stemmed from the raging fire attack at their perimeter. A sudden thunderous boom from outside added to their tension, making those gathered either lock up or jump in their respective panic. They were in shambles. So fearful of the threat beyond them and completely oblivious to the threat so close.

With a smirk, she lit a match and then lit the tip of her arrow on fire.  [color=EACF96]“Yooohooo!”[/color]  she called out, her voice ringing through the room, taunting the dark elves below. Their heads all turned toward her in bewilderment. Without waiting for a response, she released the flaming arrow from her crossbow, and it soared through the air, leaving a trail of bright orange behind it. As the flaming arrow struck the table where the dark elves had been gathered, it landed amidst stacks of papers. They caught on fire immediately, and flames began to dance across the surface. Shouts filled the room and they were quick to move for their weapons. 

A dark orb flew at her and she side-stepped. She did not relent even as they made a beeline for the stairs to approach her. Swiftly, she notched another arrow, lighting it. This time, she aimed for the heavy curtains that adorned the walls of the chamber. The flaming arrow soared through the air once more, and upon impact, the curtains caught fire. One after another, she ignited and shot her arrows, targeting anything that could fuel the blaze. Drapes, and even the tapestries hanging from the walls all succumbed to the inferno she unleashed.  Some of the room's occupants made the wise decision to abandon the room as smoke began to consume it. 

The sound of crackling flames was music to her ears. 

[color=978CB0]“You insolent girl!’[/color] A hand gripped her wrist as someone came up from behind her and ripped the ring off her finger. Her dark ponytail transformed into a golden blonde while her skin shifted into a light tone. 

[color=EACF96]“The name’s Mari actually.”[/color] She told him softly before dropping her crossbow. She twisted quickly in their grip, a dagger in hand ready to plunge into his chest. He quickly yanked at her hair, causing her to stumble back just before the blade sunk in. Her hands lit up with orange light essence as well as her eyes as she shot a mellow blast of light at him. However, it was enough to cause him to let go of her and push him back. [color=EACF96]“You do [i]not[/i] touch the hair!”[/color] 

[center][youtube]https://youtu.be/cGLo7yAa4wc[/youtube][/center]

But Mari's triumph was short-lived as another enemy seized the opportunity to strike. From behind, a firm hand wrapped around her throat, cutting off her air supply as he picked up the woman in the air.

[i][color=DCC8E1]“Enough.”[/color][/i]

Another thunderous boom sounded, this one shaking the fort accompanied by the despairing verberation of crumbling stone… 

And the music. The screams. 

A crying flailing soldier burst through the doors of the main hall with flames licking at both skin and armor. He scurried forward and fell into the large table, spreading flames onto it as an ominous horned shadow stalked his path. Flames jutted through where he had entered ushering in the horned skull-faced ravager riffing on his battle ax.

Mari was up above, gasping for breath as the world around her seemed to blur. The burly guard's grip tightened, and her attempts to break free were futile as he held her up and whipped his attention to the commotion at hand. Upon the sight of the being that had entered the room, he stared for only a moment before letting go of the blonde. Mari hit the floor with a groan as he bolted down the stairs for the door. 

She scrambled to her feet and then rammed her body into the railing of the balcony to call down to the horned being, 

[i][color=EACF96]“Thraash! That was totally WICKED!”[/color][/i] 

Without hesitation, Mari gripped the railing firmly, and with a swift, graceful movement, she vaulted her body over it. Dropping down on the fronts of her feet, she dispersed the shock from the landing and maintained her composure. Then, waving smoke out of her face, she informed him, [color=EACF96]“The prisoners should be on their way out.”[/color] 

The strumming of the weapon came to a halt upon receiving the information. Thraash's grip on the ax adjusted as the dark elf ran in his direction. He raised the weapon high over his head to perform a powerful downward swing the dark elf was prepared for. A quick grunt escaped the dragonborn before he spat flames at his final target, disorienting him before swinging down with all of his draconic might. The ax buried through metal, flesh, and bone before the dark elf's body was kicked into the burning table to join his fellow guardsman. 

[color=ff681f]“Heh… Fucking solid! We should get our tails out of here ourselves.”[/color] Thraash turned from Mari and started for where he had entered. [color=ff681f]“We can watch the fire eat this bitch up from where I left the Muse Box.”[/color]

The two menaces of King Zanithel's Avalia strolled out of the burning structure and were met with the sight of spreading flames and two crumbled guard towers caused by black powder explosions.

This middle fort between Illuminata and Myriamor had been razed.[hr]

[color=EACF96][b]Time:[/b][/color] Late Morning
[color=ff681f][b]Location:[/b][/color] The Nest, Roshmi

The Nest, the most dysfunctional bar in all Avalia thrived with all manner of lowlifes, smelling of the strong brew the establishment provided to anyone who could pay the price. Sometimes the currency was amas and other times it was a good beating for having light pockets. It served as a pitstop for all manner of drunks, thieves, bandits, bounty hunters, and even the most daring adventurers.

The lovely squirrel demi-human bartender Floopa was all smiles as she served her patrons their usual while giving some new blood something special to put them out of sorts. Just like a guild or club, patrons earned their keep. They had to either have a strong stomach or be as vicious as a mother owlbear when others tried to take advantage of their drunkenness. Holding your own and having your wits about you was a requirement, not a suggestion.

For Thraash and Mari, it served as the perfect spot for them to lay low after they caused some serious havoc elsewhere. As the two entered the bar, much of the chattering within the Nest ceased. All eyes were on the pair that entered as if they owned the place. 

[color=ff681f]“The way that chump screamed and hit the table. Solid. Second best kill of the night.”[/color] 

[color=EACF96]“He got what he had coming to him! It was so fucking awesome.”[/color] Mari replied with a laugh. The two were in the midst of telling each other about the highlights of last night's raid when Thraash noticed he was the only one speaking in the establishment. Mari had taken noticed a bit sooner than him that all eyes had fallen upon them, but she had figured it was because they were immensely attractive individuals.

Looking around the place, the dragonborn walked past the tables and bar stools, his tail whipping about with each step. [color=ff681f]“Don't worry my fellow degenerates. We come in peace.”[/color] He let loose a boisterous cackle as he took a seat on one of the larger stools at the bar.

Before she took a seat at the bar as well, she had spun on her heels and gave the room a pose, hand on her hip. She smiled and winked as if she were a beloved celebrity, gracing them with her presence. [color=EACF96]“Love my fans!”[/color]

Nonchalantly, she climbed up on the stool beside her friend and hit her fists excitedly against the wood of the bar as she called out to the bartender, [color=EACF96]“Hey fluffy! Maaamaa’s hungry!”[/color]

[Color=orange]“Heya Mari! And hello to you too Thraash.”[/color] Floopa greeted without asking what either of them wanted. She was well-versed in what the duo wanted, which was simple enough. [Color=orange]“One 'Normous Yornis Burger with everything with added fried harpy egg, two tankards of mead, and a side of fresh alaberries to-go for the green scales.”[/color]

[color=ff681f]“Solid.”[/color] 

[Color=orange]“And some fowlkin wings and cheesy potatoes for the hungry mama.”[/color] 

[color=orange]“While I'm preparin' your stuff, you both oughta take a look at the bounty board. Just got updated a couple of hours ago.”[/color] She gave the two a knowing look before they looked at one another in unison, grinning.

[color=ff681f]“Ladies, first.”[/color] Thraash teased as he tilted his head toward the board littered with postings.

Mari grinned and hopped off the stool. She hurried over to the board. Immediately, she removed a wanted poster with her and Thraash’s faces and began to crumble it up. Whistling, she craned her neck as she looked it up and down. After maybe fifteen seconds at most, she snatched a paper at random and bounded up to Thraash. She slammed it on the table in front of him and expectantly looked up at him as she gestured to it, [color=EACF96]“Yeah?”[/color]

[color=ff681f]“Hmmmm…”[/color] Thraash studied the bounty poster with narrowed eyes. [color=ff681f]“We haven't wasted a creature in a while. Why not? There's no price listed but a manticore head'll fetch us a good score of amas.”[/color] He traced a clawed finger over the part that references the point of contact for the bounty. [color=ff681f]“They're here, so no reason to leave it a mystery.”[/color] He whipped his head around, spotting a rabbit demihuman leaning on a tabletop with their head buried in her arms. Empty pitchers littered around her. With a low growl from his throat, he got up from his bar stool and marched over with Mari trailing just a step behind him. 

[color=ff681f]“Hey, long-ears!”[/color] Despite Thraash's call to her during their approach, the rabbit demi-human didn't budge. Small billows of smoke seeped through his teeth as he towered in front of her table with Mari standing at his side, eyeing the demi-human.

Pounding his fist down on the tabletop a few times in rapid succession, he addressed her again. The pitchers wobbled with one falling over on the table. [color=ff681f]“Wake the fuck up, long-ears!”[/color]

[color=EACF96]“Easy you’ll break the table.. [i]Again[/i]..”[/color] Mari advised him lightly but Thraash was already pissed.

[color=ff681f]“Fuck this. Mari, grab another one! The bitch is piss drunk.”[/color] Another guttural growl sounded.

[color=EACF96]“There’s an easy solution.”[/color] With a smirk, she stepped away and then returned with a pitcher of water. Unceremoniously as onlookers stared on, she began to pour it over the girl’s head. [/color]