[IC] An offering you cannot refuse

[Samdragonx]

The Caravan

The eastern wind overflowed the group. The trees seemed to wave them goodbye as the 42 carts got strapped together and made way towards the gates. A couple dozen men and women gathered and were seated.

Sargom was on the second cart. She'd been there since 4 in the morning. With an iron stare she would force herself to ignore any and all of the people walking by. Not only would she be shy. She would be offended too.

Kor was late. Kor was always late. And today specifically, he had to make an extra effort. Forgetting to say goodbye to his parents, forgetting breakfast at 2 in the afternoon. He set out to try and reach the first cart he saw. Evidently, the last cart had to have a wheel replaced and was leaving later. Seeing it riding through the city, He made his way over buildings and through halls. He ended up jumping out a window. Landing behind the back of the cart. One foot snatched by a rope, he made his way over to the cart. After he dusted himself off, he realised there were 2 others on the cart with him.

Felnor was driving the Cart. His speed would have to be unmatched if he wanted to catch up with the rest of them. His focus set on the road, his antlers drifting in the wind, he thought to himself: "Oh, what a lovely day."

Merl noticed someone crawling unto the cart. Shocked she moved closer to investigate. Though one glance of Kor left her helplessly in love. It would not be long before you could find the two hugging in the back of the cart. Relentless and ferocious kissing would follow.

[Skrubsetsu]

Aegnith And Mildor were with the original caravan, around the middle section of the caravan. The two were sitting side by side, the older brother being pretty quiet while his sister was pointing out various things the further the caravan moved along. "Miggy, look!" She'd gasp, pointing at random things. "This is so cool! Mother and Father would've never let us do this!"

"I wouldn't have either, but you and your persuasive ways are what got us out here to begin with." He'd respond lowly, glancing off to the side with a light tsk. He hoped their parents wouldn't be furious when they got home, but most likely they would be.

[Samdragonx]

After a few hours, A few rather large chicken-gators roamed past and jumped over the caravan. Their jumping and landing on their red air-bag chest made some of the dust rise.

The caravan made their way past many roads. It drove past the lands where drillfruit was hanging on many trees.

Felnor was catching up with the others. He had not yet noticed the new couple when he started wondering exactly what they were escorting. The group was never told what exactly they were supposed to be protecting here...

It did not take long to see the other group, though a loud screeching sound came from the east. Looking there, they saw a mountain. The mountain of Kod. A deep shadow fell on the land as over thousand flying creatures darkened the sky.

Kor hid Merl's face.
Sargom ignored the event.
All others also felt their hearts racing in fear.

[Skrubsetsu]

Aegnith glanced up, seeing the creatures begin to cover the bright sky and bathe the terrain in complete and total darkness. A gasp of fear sounded from her, her hands grasping at Mildor's arm in fear, scooting a bit closer to him.

With a concerned expression, an arm would wrap around his younger sister and hold her close to his side, the older elf gazing up as the creatures swarmed the sky, the sights on the mountain diminishing within the dark.

"W-What's happening?!"
".. I don't know."

[Samdragonx]

With a fierce screech there were shapes that became visible in the dark mass that filled the sky. Various bodies rushed down covered in a fire as dark as their armours were. Their skin was a bright yellow and yet a foul and angry expression on their heads. Their heads weren't on top of their bodies, however. It seemed nearly as though they were a rider and it's mount. Yet it's mount was a spawn of evil. Heavily muscular, a claw on each arm and wings on it's back were the descriptions of the few glimpses most of the travelers got. The rider part of their bodies had only the upper half of the upper half, though it possessed no head. It's arms were significantly bigger, with 4 finger claws consistant of 90% nail.

Most of the guard readied their weapons.
"It's the mountain of Kod! Eveyone double the pace and don't look back!"

As soon as most of the people understood that it ment something bad, some of the curious and inexperienced adventurers went out of their way to stand their ground alone against the swarm of darkness that would soon engulf them.
Heads were removed and placed on top of the creatures. But all of those screaming faces turned to the same bland expression of anger. The face of Kod.

Chaos and death reigned and rushed through the caravan.
Kor stook up his head. His eyes became as big as his teeth. "Oh-oh..."

Sargom let go of the second cart. She drew her blade. In a low grimm voice she proclaimed to all those behind her:
There's only 2 ways out of this alive! Either you run... or you fight!

@Skrubsetsu

[Skrubsetsu]

"Aeg," Mildor warned, watching at the terrifying beasts turned their sights upon the caravan, and rained down for the purpose of causing death and destruction. "Get down." She'd obey, lowering down against the caravan's walls and hiding between a large crate and the wall of the cart, watching in fear as her brother stood up on the wagon.

He let out a low breath, before he'd turn and grab an intricately carved bow, along with a quiver of seemingly endless arrows. He'd take one out and cock it back on the bow's string, aiming upward. He'd murmur a soft chant, his fingers against his cheek as he whispered to the arrow. The tip of the arrow became alive with ice, the crystal forming around the sharpened stone. He'd then close his eyes and release the arrow.

It soared through the sky, arching upwards to the darkening mass that was raining down on them. When the arrow struck it's target, the ice exploded, casting a ice shell around the being and making it plummet to earth. When it collided with the earth, it shattered in a thousand pieces.

This was Mildor's special talent - Enchanting and bows work.

[Samdragonx]

Seeing one of their compatriots shot down so easily, the creatures rallied. In what seemed to be an older accent they chanted as though they possessed but one mind: "Release the corruption of Kod!" The creatures spread their arms, each now holding a mixture of lightning and fire in a spherical shape with after-images.

As the valley filled itself with a grim-dark smoke, seeing the floor became a luxury. A few seconds later, the corruption engulfed the creatures. The 4th cart was struck with a cone of this destructive power. The fine woods in it were now woven in thorns. Metal bits became hot and spit everywhere. One of those engulfed in the darkness of the floor was spotted by the creatures. He barely dodged the flying metals. Being hit in his arm, he could barely hold up his shield anymore. A slightly bigger one among the various creatures flew in on him. The little buckler withstood the grapple of the creature. To be hit by the hot metal was not adviced, to be hit by the corruption, however, was a death sentence. The man shriveled. With a head bowed down in disbelief the 12 year old turned to coal and sulfer.

From the mountaintop there was a red glow filling the sky, reflecting the horrors of what would happen to the travelers here. A single black shard now soaring high above the descending darkness. A large pair of wings erupted from the shard. As did 4 pairs of arms and claws.
The creature was well over 11 feet tall and shaped exactly like the mold of which the others are kin. His armor reflected the darkness. The flame he bore in one hand seemed to be more intense. It's flame flickered with more layers, it's lightning bursted with a lower frequency.

The other creatures took down their heads and presented them as offerings. Offerings they couldn't refuse.

@Skrubsetsu

Felnor looked back at his sister to find an ungracefull son of kodar seated in physical contact with her. If it was not this dire a situation, he would express his anger more openly. In stead he got out and started to carry the cart further. Straying away from the path to pass the 4th one, broken down in ruin.

Kor whispered to his little lover: "Why don't you let me handle this, ok?"
He stood up from his cart and made his way past her brother. He lept off the cart and walked towards the big, scary and probably powerfull creature. "Hey there, Kod is it, sir?"
Kor had a way with words. Though this one time, they really didn't seem to be without at least a little bit of tremble. Even blindly he would be able to find his way through any fog. Including the dark and corrupting ones.

Merl saw her lover jump into the dark, yelled: "nooo!" She pointed her attention to the one dragging the cart: "Brother, we cannot abandon our friends and lovers like this." Her brother had not the time to respond. The dark creatures had surrounded the cart. One of them leaned in to take the head of the brother. Merl did the only obvious thing her inexperienced mind could think of. Yelling dramatically: "Nooo!!"

One unseen swift strike later, rider and mount were seperated. The creature fell into the dark.

Sargom bowed her head once at the siblings. She continued swordfighting against the darkened creatures. Her style might have been lacking (as her mother used to say) but the fierce nature of her strikes made various cuts into the vast numbers of creatures haunting this caravan. Where the corruption ran deep, her eyes shined bright. Felling the foes left and right, only to have her run and hide. She would find shelter near the broken carts from the waves upon waves of corruption send her way.
Surely, her parents trained her well in the arts of swordfighting in various ways. It was really her own perceptive nature to figure out not to be touched by the corruption. And ultimately, her vision was not impared in darkness since the day she was born, even if it made her dreamy, sleepy and uncoordinated.

As soon as the sky turned red, the fighting seemed to end. And any hope for a quick getaway without facing Kod seemed gone.

[Skrubsetsu]

Mildor watched as the creatures of darkness opened up and rained down their corruption and death, having to look away as the 4th cart was annhiliated. "Aeg," He muttered. "Get your spear and shield."

She slowly got up, taking them out. Both were made of strong, yet light metal. They glinted, even in the darkness. They exchanged weapons, and Mildor knelt down, brandishing the shield and holding it up. "Come on, Aeg. You know what to do."

The woman would nod, taking his bow and an arrow, before getting onto the top of the cart, looking up at the darkened creatures. She hesitated before giving a low breath, and dropping down on top of the shield that her brother was holding. He'd force upwards as she jumped, sending her a good distance up in the sky, in which she'd load the arrow, whisper an enchant, and release the arrow.

The arrow had been covered in an explosive material, and when it hit the creatures, the "bomb" would explode, sending about 4-5 of the beasts into Hell.

She'd land back on the caravan, quickly giving her brother his bow back, and he would continue to give his accuracy and precision to the cause, to save the caravan.

Before the sky turned red, and it all stopped.

[Samdragonx]

Kod, the headless, took notice of the travelers for more than their skulls.
"So... You are travelers? Escorts and traders... What makes you think you can just wander through here without paying tribute to the king of these lands? Tribute to king Kod!" The sound seemed to come from the creatures nearby rather than from the biggest of the creatures.

He gestured his hand up. The darkness now seemed to isolate Kod, the caravan and the road from the rest of the world. The many corpses now also laid in the deep shade. When Kod turned his hand back towards him, he noticed a few strange children among the band of merchants and soldiers. The creatures that had hunted and offered to Kod now rose to the skies again.

Kor engaged the large creature in conversation:
"Eehh.. yes. We ..eh.. we came to say hi and pay tribute before we move on. I think there's little we could really offer you, though."

Merl yelled from the cart: "Don't say that! You've got plenty to offer!"

It had become clear that Merl had no idea what exactly either of the gentlemen were talking about but wanted to try and contribute somehow.

Kod would listen to what the others still had to ask or say, even if his patience was already running low.

"Does anyone else feel like talk unanounced or uninvited?!"

Felnor rose his hand. Sargom followed by example.

"Well then, you are in luck! Step forward and do your say!"
The rest of the travelers stood in shock and awe as the creature seemed to speak from all directions, though his body moved not and showed no signs of energy or sentience.

[Skrubsetsu]

Both Mildor and Aegnith stood in silence, watching the events unfold as the Kod spoke, demanding that they all pay tribute in order to continue to travel across the lands. Aegnith watched her brother's face, knowing that he most likely was going to say something that would get his head bashed in. "Don't," She warned him quietly, taking ahold of his arm. "Keep your mouth shut."

He'd give a low tsk, but would listen and not say anything, knowing that he'd only cause more problems if he did.

[Samdragonx]

Kod looked over to the 4 standing before him. He carefully read their minds.

Kor: "I'm certain we can work out something. What do we do?"
Sargom: "I have no time for this. I know I can take this guy if I wanted to."
Felnor: "I just want to get out of here. I have to protect my sister."
Amjara: "Who does this Kod think he is?! Doesn't this guy know my name!"

Kod Thought to himself: "Hm. Well, at least one of them looks potent. Perhaps they CAN do something for me."

"Eh.. very well. It seems we will come to an understanding."
"Ugh.. What are your terms? "
"Haha, straight forward. I like it. My ter..."
"No!! He doesn't get to define his terms!!!! He's just a little a...!"
The screaming commenced. The smells of charred remains filled the air.
"How rude to interrupt someone. Hmm. My terms are that you will do me the favor of returning to me my skull."
"Forgive me, but it seems you're more than capable of collecting many on your own. As you.. did today."
"Hmm. While that is true, I can't collect my tribute and go hunting for my skull. There's none quite like it."
"Ah, good. I'm certain we'll find it shortly. Ehh.. did you happen to know where it is?"
"If I did, i would have sent my guard to go collect it. Sadly I do not have the ability to make them precieve of my corruption. It's like how your kind can't smell your own."
"We're supposed to smell our way to your skull?"
"Haha. Look at the carts you've brought. Many of them carry signs of my corruption. The charred symbol of a mountain. You will find that where i've been, these are spread all over."
"Great. Does that mean you'll let us go now?"
"No. Not all of you. I know of your... relation, you see. "
Merl screamed. 14 of the creatures swarmed her. They picked her up and held her in the sky. It didn't take long for the others to realise one of each of the lovers on the caravan were taken.
"What? How could you!?"
"Oh, it's merely a matter of ensuring your loyalty. Not to worry, I won't defile their bodies while you are out hunting for me. And you'll get them back in one piece when you return... In one month worth of time."
You... you...
"...Kor, if you care about Merl, at all, you will take Felnor to the cart. We can't afford any more charred remains."
"C'mon.. We'll get your sister back, I promise."
2 pair of feet strolled away from the corrupt mountain.
A moment of silence followed.
"You cannot hope to defeat Kodar the way you are now."
"Ah. And here we have the source of your confidence. Haha. No. You're not the only one to have made that mistake. But I'll make you another deal. Do you see that elf and that little brother of hers? In time, you will kill them. And when you do the nightmares will go away."
"You.. mindwatcher.."
"You really thought it took little effort to control all that live in this mountain? If i returned to my selfish prime, there will be none to pass or match me. Sadly, there are others that i keep alive that the world needs. Now, what i offer you is a position at my side. A place where you will be desired, upheld, honored even... All if you do me this little favor. I enscribe upon your left hand a token of my devotion to you... as this offer will draw you to me... slowly...
With the strike of a thunderclap, Sargom fell to her knees.
"The chalice filled with the power of those I've slain will be carried."

Almost. Their final breaths will grant you the corrupting power in your left hand so that you might use your right hand to choose a path of your own doing. Depart! Your days are counted."

Kod
Kor
Sargom
Felnor
Amjara (<= raging merchant)

[Skrubsetsu]

Mildor and Aegnith sat in their caravan, watching the events unfold, though they were unaware of the mind games that were currently commencing. The older brother of the duo would give an irritated tsk, glancing away from the grouping once the merchant had been burnt to a crisp. "Ridiculous," He'd mutter to himself, but was quickly hushed by his little sister.

"Don't," She murmured, though she was clearly frightened, unknowing of their fate.
Mildor wrapped an arm around her, bringing her closer and trying his best to offer that brotherly protection she so desperately needed in that moment.

[Samdragonx]

Kod rose like a black shard in the red sky. The other creatures and many beloved were taken back to the mountain. When the last screams got muffled and the soft crying of most others could be heard, the world returned to the way it was.. save the corruption that tainted and destroyed so much.

"Enough.. We depart!" Sargom said while taking the lead.

"If anyone feels so inclined, let them rest near the mountain and return to their lovers when the others that are with me return.
If anyone of you seek revenge, delve into the mountain and seek out your justice.
However, if anyone of you seeks the glory of helping those that are in need, you will follow me to the nation of the lords and ladies. The land of Lord Koff.
Any cowards among you can wonder to the cities of freedom in the land of Kog, the obese.
"

Kor felt like he should ask because it sounded cooler in his head: "Who's with us?"

[Skrubsetsu]

Aegnith and Mildor would share a timid glance with one another, their shared gaze speaking a conversation without words or sound, before a nod would come from Mildor. He'd give a low sigh before standing, his bow strung across his back as he'd lift a hand lazily and say, "I am, and so is she."

Aegnith would stand beside him, her long blonde locks blowing in the gentle breeze was taking hold across the lands, now that the tainted was done blocking out the nature around them. She would remain quiet, but her gaze was trained forward, fiercely looking at the mountains in the distance.

[Samdragonx]

The crossroads

A great deal of the caravan pretended to not be upset. They were determined to continue their travel. The elderly and the wounded, they took to the road. The path diverged into two after a day worth of travel.

Only half a dozen or so of the elves that survived, decided to follow Mildor and Aegnith. The rest went down to the city of freedom. The lands of Kog where merely a few miles away. The greasy cities with their fat leaders had rivers of blood flowing through the street. The obese relished on it. There were few reasons to go there other than feasts and politics. And the current events would not permit the party just to go without any reason.

The various parts of this land were filled with large grass plains and the occasional flat rock. The road twisted and twirled as the land did. The party did not hesitate once when they passed a sign displaying "crossroads". Their tears dried, their course was set. While out on that road, the encounter with a bunch of puggers was an unpleasant surprise. ~

Sargom noticed how the road signs were pointing 22° towards the wrong direction. She tried to lead and hide her insecurities about what had passed just a few days ago, but she couldn't. She grew more quiet and timid with every passing moment.
Kor had been busy conversing with the travelers that did come with them. He kept them on the lookout for any signs of Kod's corruption, any place safe to spend the night and of course anything that looks out of place.

"Hey, your name is mildor, right?" 2 big bloodshot eyes stared at the boy. It had been clear that Felnor had cried. He did not seem to be able to pay much attention to anything else going on.

[Skrubsetsu]

The elven duo had been a bit surprised that the majority, if not all, of that elves that had decided to take the caravan had decided to follow them, as if they were the unspoken leaders of their race in this dangerous journey. Mildor took up the responsibility the best he could, using their heritage to his advantage. He would often send scouts up ahead and have them return to relay information before the group would head forth, elves having a knack for being quick and silent, observant and intelligent.

Aegnith had preferred to let her brother become the unspoken leader of their small race group within the much larger in order to seek vengeance against the chaos that reigned. She stuck with the crowd, almost becoming a phantom within her own rankings.

~~

Mildor was walking alongside his sister now, having been waiting for Sargom to say something regarding the future pathway, and if it would be wise to send out some scouts to look out what was ahead before they'd proceed. His long, pointed ears would lightly twitch when one would speak to him, and he'd turn his head to that who had been crying a lot as of late. It had come to his attention that amongst the causalities, he had lost someone. "Yes, it is." He tilted his head a bit. "And yours is? I apologize. I'm not very social."

[Samdragonx]

The words had not even left Mildor's mouth when wooden cracking and a short cry filled the awkward silence that had roamed the caravan for most of their journey. The entire caravan came to a halt. An axis of wheels on the frontal cart had snapped in half. The cart-riders were unharmed, though shaken up. A firm sized glow-stone had caused the old cart to be broken.

Many scouts were sent out in the left and right direction. They returned not shortly after. The report was short, but a bit helpfull.
The desert of the ungracefull to their right, the huntsman forests of Kob to their left, the caravan on a wider part of the road.

The decision was made to place all carts next to the road on the edge of the forrest. As beasts tend to stay in deeper and bandits tend to assult any cart they would find on the road. (Or so Sargom had been thought.)

After all these things had transpired, he returned to the conversation he was part of before having to hide the cart.
"Felnor. My name is Felnor." Shakingly he stretched forward his arm. "My sister was among those taken into that mountain and i'm sorry to be crude about this... but you're an elf." He looked down. "So until I get her back.. I'm in need of your natural abilities."

[Skrubsetsu]

Mildor had grown somewhat alarmed when the caravan snapped apart, but he quickly discovered that some of the artisans and carpenters amongst their rankings were quite good at their craft, and while the caravan was moved to the edges of the forest to hinder future problems, he would assign a couple of these intelligent allies to fix and / or replace the wagon wheel, so when they were able to move out once more they could do with every wagon they started this journey with.

Once that was accomplished and after he listened to the scouts' report, he would focus his attention back to Felnor. After he mentioned his sister being amongst those taken, his facial expression turned grave and empathetic. If Aegnith had been taken.. Mildor would've ripped every stone from that mountain apart until he found her. He extended a hand and placed it on Felnor's shoulder. "We will get her back," He promised to the male. He didn't take it too personal that his race was mentioned, since nothing was discriminatory. "My natural abilities for what, may I ask?"

[Samdragonx]

"They say elves have the ability to track people. Even long after the people have left their original location."
He bowed his head and rubbed his nose a bit.
"So after we get that thing he needs..."
He clenched his fists..
"I want you to help me get my sister back... "
His gaze turned to the bushes as he hoped not to cry and lose face.
"But i don't plan on doing that on its terms. letting it get away with what it has done to her."
He sighed.
"I want to sneak in and free my sister. I don't trust it for one second and if he threatens us or goes back on his bargain, we can still threaten him with the thing he cares about."
He hesitated.
"...But for that... I would need to get my hands on that thing first. And that's were you come in. I need you to relieve Sargom of it."

[Skrubsetsu]

Mildor stared at him for a moment, understanding the true seriousness of the man's request. Lifting a hand to lightly scratch at his jaw, he would let out a low sigh. "You're.. Actually talking to the wrong person, I'm afraid. While I'm adept when it comes to combat, my sister is the one who's true scouting and tracking is most proficient, as well as her ability with stealth. You may have more look with her, to be honest." A pause would come from the elf before he would murmur, his face still serious, "I will help you in regards to relieving Sargom of the object He wishes to have, but as far as tracking your sister.. My own would benefit you the most."