Legion02

Dragon Riders of Níayemmu (Eragon Saga Universe)

This looks interesting. I'm in.

Avalia

Xenelith

Time: Morning
Location: Roshimi City
Interaction with: Azriel_@Tae, Umber_@FunnyGuy, O'Ner_@Eviledd1984, Jack_{@Alivefalling}

---

---

Xenelith’s eyes threw daggers at Azriel for her comment. What could the dark-winged demi-human know about the enemy? She had never met them. Though he quickly realized that this was just how Azriel was. She had taunted everyone except for Umber so far. Perhaps a more laid back ally wouldn’t be so bad. For the moment at least. The Dark Elf commander swallowed his petty anger with the next gulp of wine and listened to O’Ner. The undead general had a strange confidence to him. Then again, it wasn’t misplaced. “You shouldn’t worry about the little princess.” He said. “I’ve laid out a lure they cannot ignore, in a trap they cannot escape. If she is truly in Roshimi, and I am almost certain she is, then she will be captured within two weeks.”

---

The mansion offering Xenelith and his troops residence was a true marvel of construction and architecture. On Daka such a grand edifice of plenty could never be built. Water flowed in small rivers and canals through the green gardens to eventually join together in a stream that cascaded over a cliff and into the sea beyond. Like all noble houses, it wasn’t just a singular building but a complex made up of wings and central hallways. Grand domes adorned the spires jutting out from the ground. Offering beautiful views of Roshimi or the azure sea beyond. The walled complex’s main gate led to a white-stone plaza with at the center a gentle fountain carved in the likeness of an owl demi-human. On the right side of the plaza were the stables and the menagerie. Beyond those, there was a relatively sizeable, well-tended field for the creatures to run around in from time to time. On the left side of the plaza were the somber servants quarters. A low building with but a few windows. Beyond the plaza were the stairs and eventually the entrance to the grand doors of the main hall. Within you’d find the entrance hall. On the right side, there was a large door leading to the ballroom for festive occasions. A beautiful mirrored wall allowed one to observe all of their own moves. On the left side, the door led to the grand dining hall. Straight on would lead you to the main parlor and eventually the main study. Upstairs were various more private libraries, studies, and rooms. It was in the left wing’s upper story where the Sycamores were housed, and down in the servants quarters the dark elves resided. From the small towers flanking the main gate onto the plaza, Aklenroth’s banners flew for everyone to see. Gossips had already spread about the presence of Dark Elves in the mansion.

“We should be doing something.” A Dark Elf soldier said as he paced around the room. Hopelessly anxious. As if an army would be knocking down the gates at any moment. “We should be out there. Patrolling the walls. Guarding the prisoners. Not sit in here waiting for the inevitable.” His fellow soldiers looked equally unnerved. Some tried to occupy their minds with chess or dice. In the other room, you could hear the soft clangs of steel hitting steel.

“Calm yourself.” Leandron said as he was leaning back in his chair, with feet on the table, as he kept his eyes on the book he was so engrossed in. “When the time comes we move. Not before. Sit down and play some games.”

The soldier didn’t take Leandron’s advice. He kept strolling back and forth. “What is the commander thinking? Just let a patrol of three guard the whole house!? If they barge through the front gate none of us will be ready to take them.”

“The guards are to let them through without a fight.” Leandron said absentmindedly.

“They what?” the soldier turned towards his superior. “We’re not even going to give them a fight? They could just walk in here and take the prisoners?”

“Exactly. Now you know there is nothing you can do to stop them from entering. So sit down and contain yourself.” Leandron said. Annoyance was rising in his voice.

The dark elf didn’t sit down. Instead, he slammed his first down on the table Leandron was resting his feet on. “We should be doing everything to keep them away from the prisoners!”

Leandron peered from beyond his book for a moment, before putting it down. “No.” He said. “We let them reach the prisoners without drawing blood. Are you that thick-skulled that you never noticed it?”

The soldier looked confused and a little angry. But said nothing.

“The prisoners. They’re only the women. The ones that can heal us when this damned city finally explodes.” Leandron said.

“Then where are the men?” the soldier asked.

“On Daka.”

Both men paused for a second. Slowly it dawned to the soldier. “They’re bait.”

Leandron picked up his soldier’s trail of thoughts: “Yes. And the prisoners know, if they run, a message gets send to Daka to kill their brothers. You see now? We don’t need chains, bars or locks. You hold an axe over the head of those they love and they’ll do exactly as you tell them.”

“Then why are we sitting here and not with the lure? To capture the princess.” The soldier asked.

“Because my friend, we are the trap. The ambush. Once they’ve reached the prisoners that will never leave their rooms, we jump them. We seal the gate and capture them all. Now sit down and relax. When the time comes, we’ll have the princess and her group in chains.”

---

“A far more dangerous person has entered the city today. Terneus.” His eyes went over every person sitting at the table. Could he trust them? He only just met them but then again, they were probably far more loyal than most other company. O’Ner was undead and Umber was a demon. Azriel seemed far too cruel to be a spy. And while Xenelith did not yet fully trust the human, his obvious bloodlust made him at least somewhat respectable. “It would’ve been a coincidence if he had marched into Roshimi from his own lands. But he didn’t. He came from the River Fairy Kingdom. Right after Risa rose up in defiance.” His eyes darted once more over his company. Even the girl Azriel had just kissed. Words that fell into the wrong hands could be used against him. Could he truly trust everyone here? "He's a menace who should've died a century ago. I don't trust him and I dislike him being here." He kept his words relatively civil. Though a demon like Umber would no doubt pick up on the intense hatred he felt for the Light Elf governor. It wasn't like the fresh, fury he felt for Kyran. This rage was deep and seethed.

He took the skaula and observed it. Should he take it? At any moment he could be summoned to the mansion. "This could be the last bit of fun I get for a few years." With a single bite, he downed the drug. His mind made up, he shifted his attention to one of the girls send to O'Ner. She was tall for a demi-human. Her long black hair cascaded down her back. With just whisps of cloth leaving just enough to the imagination. The cat ears and tail made her deviate from his desire but the skaula would take care of that. "I think you won't mind that I take one of your girls, O'Ner." He said, though he didn't wait before he beckoned the girl to him. As she approached he took the ubara, gave a quick wink to Umber, pulled the girl on his lap and softly whispered in her ear as he offered her the drug: "Take it." She took it with a playful but practiced giggle.

Avalia

Xenelith

Time: Morning
Location: Roshimi City
Interaction with: Azriel_@Tae, Umber_@FunnyGuy, O'Ner_@Eviledd1984, Jack_{@Alivefalling}

---

Azriel suprised Xenelith a bit when she proposed to get the drugs anyway. Though Umber saying he could not directly participate brought him to ease. In fact, he found it interesting. Was Umber enjoying a grand buffet? Or was it more than just? The more vocal, intelligent demons were fascinating sometimes. Though quite rare. Xenelith put the street price of the drugs in amass on the table as he said: “I’m in.”

Then he leaned backward as he first watched O’Ner’s outburst and then Azriel and Umber’s explanation for the ball. The outburst did not come to a surprise to Xenelith. First times in a brothel were always strange. Your whole life you’re taught to behave or be whipped for your disobedience. You must uphold the thin veneer of civility at all times but not here. In places like these you can go as wild and burn as bright as you like. Few sins are beyond your grasp in a brothel. To first-timers the freedom becomes awkward. He watched as O’Ner moved away with a fair share of amusement. Even more so when Umber ordered several more ‘dancers’ for him. That would certainly make for an interesting bit of theatre. Either O’Ner would leave the place or embrace it. Then, they came to the subject of the ball. Azriel preferred not to dig too deeply. An understandable response. Umber did go deeper and came with some surprising theories.

“The rebels should first be smart enough to see such an event as a chance to gather power.” He said. The disdain for his foes was clear. “The enemy is young…idealistic. The girl Dionaea, I think she’s just an unfortunate victim. Either from the Princess’ manipulations or her own fantasies.” In his mind he summoned the image of the forest. The human laying in the grass. He remembered their words as he spoke. “There’s misplaced courage though. Perhaps it’s just youthful defiance. Or it is something more?” He mused, sinking deeper in his own thoughts. They took a nasty turn as he began to fiddle with the dark crystal hanging around his neck. Even now he could hear the meek whimpers of his companion. “The fox is smarter, better trained. He jumped out of the bushes like an experienced hunter. He’s armed and capable to kill. That makes him the most dangerous one of the group. The one I will kill first.” His thoughts carried him further. “There was another fairy. Male, though he had moth-like wings. He attacked from the shadows and swooped in only to save the human girl. He didn’t wield a blade, just used roots and plants. He’s a coward. An annoyance. Nothing more.” And finally, his thoughts rested on Risa. “The Princess is a fool above all. Idealistic but consumed by her own fantasies.” He chuckled. “She even told me to stop following our lord. That the coming of humans is good for everyone. Even me. When I found her she was actually healing the human we killed at the house.” Madame Uma reappeared with a bottle of some berry wine and a couple of glasses. Behind her, two girls came to set up the hookah.

Xenelith poured himself a glass and passed the bottle on. After taking a big swig of the alcohol he continued. “The only power she has is her blood.”

Battle of Mount Olympus

I'll be taking up Ares then.

Avalia

Xenelith

Time: Morning
Location: Roshimi City
Interaction with: Azriel_@Tae, Umber_@FunnyGuy, O'Ner_@Eviledd1984, Jack_{@Alivefalling}

---

O’Ner was dreadfully unprepared for a brothel. Xenelith noticed it in an instance. The undead general was staring quite intensely at a girl dancing on stage in enticing moves. The madam was surely a skilled one. It could not be easy to find women of such universal beauty and looks. Especially when she could dance like this courtesan could. Xenelith took O’Ner by the shoulder and said: “You’re doing it wrong. There are only two sins you can commit in this place. The first one is murder, which I would consider a personal insult. The second is guilt and you, my undead friend, are feeling guilty. If you like what you're seeing, just give a little gfit and ask for some of her time.”

He turned to the madam and said: “A shared hookah with….” He looked around. Azriel seemed to know her way around a brothel, surprisingly. But Umber looked as excited and delighted as a demon could be and O’Ner was acting like he was seeing ghosts. “…just normal tobacco for now.” He didn’t want to know what a demon or an undead would do under the influence of whatever substance the madam certainly didn’t hold right behind her counter in a little red locked box. “And a bottle of house beverage if you would.”

“Don’t mind me… Indulge in these beautifully miserable creatures! Do not allow shame to hold you back from your pleasures!”

“You’ve got a fine scent for emotion, Umber. But please, let’s uphold the illusion of the place. It is, after all, what’s giving it its allure.” He said to the demon after which he turned to Azriel. “What’s the occasion of the ball?” He asked. “Concreos has passed and I did not know our lord favored any other holiday.” The idea of the ball vexed him. It would be too crowded and chaotic. With everyone wearing masks the rebels could blend in perfectly. Perhaps that was Lord Aklenroth’s goal all along. To somehow lure the rebels out. Still, there had to be better ways to smoke the filth out? Perhaps if he was allowed to burn a few buildings the rats would come out scurrying. Or maybe the withering of the trees would be signal enough. Did Risa have an honorable side? Did this Kyran have it? Would he answer a challenge? Even in a brothel his mind wandered to his tasks. But not entirely.

There was still the issue of his obligatory presence at the ball. Xenelith had lived nearly two centuries but never visited such a formal event. To him, it was a place for either delusions or sycophants. They ate their cake and gossiped amongst each other while the dance floor was filled with the hopeful and the desperate alike. He hadn’t danced in decades.

Battle of Mount Olympus Interest Check

Interested! Could I reserve the goddess Hecate?

Avalia

Xenelith

Time: Morning
Location: Roshimi City
Interaction with: Terneus Andros_@Dezuel

---

There were a thousand things Xenelith wanted to say. The truth for starters. But it would never resonate with someone like Terneus. A man so deep in his own delusion that only the end of the world could pull him out of it. However, that wasn’t the only thing he wanted to do. He pulled an inch of the blade out of its sheath, wanting to force the light elf’s hand. Something deep inside of him wanted to just bloody the man. To cut him down into pieces and make an example of him. Yet in the corner of his eye, he noticed his own troops gripping their own swords. They all looked ready to kill. They were outnumbered though. At best half would die. Xenelith pushed his blade back in and turned away from Terneus. He wouldn’t waste anymore words. Despite the fact that Terneus would no doubt either think or hurl any insult he wanted.

His troops, somewhat disappointed, turned with him and left. Some looked over their shoulders. Begging the Androsian Knights to charge them from behind with challenging looks. “We had your back sir.” One of the soldiers said. “You could’ve taken him. We would’ve stopped those damned knights.” Then another soldier chimed: “Yeah, we shouldn’t let him say those things. The Light Elves lost to us. Besides, he’s probably helping the rebels. You’d be doing our king a service.” Then one more voiced his thoughts: “He insults us, sir. We shouldn’t just let that happen. He needs to be taught a lesson.”

Keeping his rage down was a challenge for Xenelith. He had been keeping a straight face as his own troops were telling him how he should’ve acted. Yet when he knew he was well out of sight and earshot of Terneus he turned to the next soldier that was about to say something, pushed him against the nearest wall. Then he turned to the closest tree of the lane, stretched out his arm and gripped it with his power. His own shadow stretched out towards that of the tree. Black tendrils snaked upwards along the stem. As he tightened the grip with his hand, the bark dried out and the leaves lost their lust, green look. Crumpled, dried leaves began to fall off the tree. First, a few that were carried by the wind, then more, until all the leaves fell off. Leavening nothing but a withered, broken husk of a tree. He released his grip on the power. For a moment everyone looked at him in stunned silence while he caught his breath. He thought it would blow off steam. It didn’t. It just made the snake that coiled around his heart tighten. His gaze turned to the soldier he was still holding firm against the wall.

“If I had attacked, you would've die.” He turned to look at the other dark elves. “All of you would’ve died! And for what? Justice? Retribution? That vile piece of undeserved arrogance would’ve gotten a royal pardon just to keep the peace. Which needs to be kept now more than ever.” Yet he hated that fact. They couldn’t be in an all-out war with the Light Elves. Not now, when more and more fairies and demi-humans were rising up in defiance of the crown. Especially now that Risa rose up. The girl didn’t realize it yet but her last name carried power. The rumors would attract people. If she wanted, she truly could lead a grand rebellion. The Light Elves couldn’t be part of that. Still, something selfish nagged at him. Hoping his lighter kin would just pick up arms en mass. So they could finish what they started a century ago. “And for what? Some meaningless insults. What do you think your ancestors suffered through? They were beaten down every day and night. Not just by some meaningless lunatic! They were spat on by their own family! Their own parents!” He spat in the face of the soldier he was holding against the wall. The elf’s confusion turned into all-out blind rage. The soldier pushed back but Xenelith was stronger. “You feel that!? You feel that anger? That hate? That’s what those before you felt. Constantly! They couldn’t react. They couldn’t strike back. They swallowed it up. All of it. That’s what made them strong. Stronger than you or me.” The man calmed down yet Xenelith could still feel the blazing hatred from the elf’s eyes. “So I’m telling you now, swallow it. All of it. Now.” Slowly he released his grip from the elf. Who didn’t retaliate, though Xenelith knew well enough that he wanted to.

When he felt like the whole situation was sufficiently cooled down he went up towards the nearby railing overlooking a large lane stretching before him. The tree he had withered down stood beside him. “You think I am weak because I let him insult me. The truth is that every insult makes me stronger.” As fun as a hunt for Terneus would be, he wasn’t the prey. The rebels were. Everything in him believed the delusional governor was supporting the traitors. Yet there was no proof, only strong suspicion. "His time will come. Sooner rather than later." Meanwhile, the Princess was still running loose, gathering god knows how many supporters. He needed a way to flush her out. A message she couldn’t ignore.

Leandron step forwards from the row of soldiers. “We are willing to die for you, sir. We are willing to die for Dakka. For the Dark Elves. That’s why we are here. To defend our people.”

Xenelith chuckled. Such was the lofty ideals of youth. They always were willing to die for something. He missed that passion. In him that same fire had died long ago. “Then first be willing to live for it. Your corpse is little use to me. Live to kill another day.”

His mind trailed back towards the tree next to him. “If only I could wither the rebellion.” He said out loud. Then the idea entered his mind.

He looked back at the lane he was just overlooking. It was flanked by so many great, beautiful trees. “I need you to send a message.” He told his dark elves. “No more mercy. Rot the trees and tell the people we are coming for Risa Millina. Tell them the Dark Elves will not let Roshimi flourish until her blood runs in the streets. Wither it all for so long the traitors hide in this city.”

The Dark Elves grinned. “No more mercy.” They repeated. “Wither the trees! Roshimi will not flourish. Roshimi will not flourish!” They spread out, passing on the words. There were enough frustrated Dark Elves in the city to carry on the message. Xenelith returned to his railing overlooking the beautiful lane and plaza at the end of it. By the end of the day the trees would be barren like on Dakka. Brown, dried leaves would be carried by the gentle wind. Together with his message.

Avalia

Xenelith

Time: Morning
Location: Roshimi City
Interaction with: Terneus Andros_@Dezuel

---

“You seem to be mistaken.” Xenelith responded with the fakest smile he could summon. “Your peers might call you lord, your subjects might. But these are not the light elf lands. Your blood, your family, your age, your self-proclaimed claimed beauty means nothing to me.” He explained matter-of-factly. “The only claim that counts is the same that I and my men make as well: servant to Aklenroth. In that we are equal. So I will take my liberty to call you by your name, Terneus.” He cast one more look at the knights and questioned what sort of warriors they truly were. If they never failed and never got beaten down into the ground, how good could they be? His attention turned towards his own men. He didn’t know them very well but he knew their stories. They were all the same. Taken from a young age. Trained in groups. Given too little to eat so they had to scavenge or steal. If they become too strong they were purposely put against a much older and much stronger opponent. All dark elves had their faces pushed in the cold mud or freezing water at some point in their lives. It made them strong and resilient. His eyes fell back upon the Androsian Knights. If they’ve never known failure then they were never humbled. Never taught how to learn from their mistakes. These knights were given everything and Xenelith despised them for it.

But then his eyes fell back on Terneus. His claims began to ring hollow, like lies or fantasies. Xenelith could try to contest the fact that he never lost but it would like talking against a tree. He took solace in the truth: Terneus had lost a century ago. For a hundred years he has been losing. It was Aklenroth’s mercy that spared his and his kind’s life. What truly drove home just how delusional he was, was his belief that he could make winning a war beautiful. It made Xenelith question if the narcissist actually knew what beauty was. The feeling was not beyond Dark Elves. Many believed the couldn’t understand things like beauty, kindness or happiness. He knew that better than most just how wrong that was.

His thoughts, for an instant, wandered. A dark force suddenly took hold and pull up a memory. For a moment it flashed through his senses. The could smell the winter wind. He saw the blanket of snow covering the rocks of Dakka and a few barren trees. Halastra hung lonely in the heavens, coating the whole vision in a pinkish glow. And the last fateful words he heard: “I love you.”

Pain suddenly swelled up from his heart. Like a ram had charged into his chest. He clutched where his heart should be, feeling it aching. For a moment he could barely breathe. His mind wrenched back control of his memory and buried it deep as he grimaced in pain. As soon as he was overwhelmed he recovered again. The pain lingered but he ignored. Never the less, he realized he had shown weakness.

He would’ve been content to let Terneus pretend he was in control. He could bear the insults and ignore any orders given. But now he had shown weakness, and that just would not do. “Though I must say that your skill is legend, Terneus.” Xeneltih said as his hand slowly gripped the hilt of his still sheathed blade. “You may not know this but your martial prowess is quite the talk in Dakka. How about a friendly duel. To see if the tales hold up.”

Avalia

Xenelith

Time: Morning
Location: Roshimi City
Interaction with: Terneus Andros_@Dezuel

---

“There’s no need to forgive me. I’m well aware of who you are.” Xenelith set, throwing Terneus a sly smile. “Son of Ahlduss and Ilani. Brother to Isarin and Excelas. Names on graves now, all of them. That’s all that remains of your prestigious family. Which means you’re the last of your bloodline and, a hundred years ago, the heir of it.” Xenelith was smiling on the inside though. He got the governor by surprise. Terneus didn't even know his name. He had to ask his own commander what it was. Yet he knew everything there was to know about the Light Elf governor.

Xenelith moved away from Terneus now and walked passed the Androsian knights, inspecting them one by one. “You’re quite right though. It is a terrible shame that once again people rise up in rebellion. Though you are mistaken. This mess is not of my making. I’m merely sent here to clean it up. You must’ve missed me in the River Fairy Kingdom too, Terneus. I killed a traitor in the middle of their political center and captured nearly a dozen more. It would also seem you’re lacking knowledge of the enemy. But I recognize a loyal servant when I see one, so let me share it with you. The woman you’re searching for is Risa Millina. She’s from the royal bloodline of the River Fairies. Not the first of that family to rise up against law and land. She’s accompanied by another fairy and a fox demi-human.”

Certain Dark Elves would’ve thought he was giving a suspect of treason too much information. Xenelith had settled his mind years ago on whether or not the governor was a traitor. What Light Elf would bend the knee but not turn into the perfect servant for the Lich-King: a Dark Elf? The suspicion was only reinforced by the fact that Terneus decided to leave the Light Elf village a week ago to head for the River Fairy Kingdom, only to travel down to Roshimi next. Following the trail of Risa. In true Dark Elf fashion, Xenelith had already crafted the most disgusting plan Terneus no doubt had. No doubt the man would want to marry Risa in some sickening bid to combine the Light Elves and the fairies against Aklenroth. Only something truly deranged like an old Light Elf could come up with such a plan. Luckily he had prepared for that and right now, he wasn’t oversharing what he knew. He was dangling a carrot.

“You insult me, Terneus.” Xenelith said. “Quite frankly I couldn’t care less if we smell like orcs to you. I've known orcs that could rip an elf in two. They are strong warriors.” He turned to face Terneus again while standing in front of the last Androsian knight. “You insult me and our great king with the state of your men. Look at them.” He outstretched a hand, motioning the perfectly clean-shaven, tended, washed Light Elf knight, wearing highly polished, silvered plate armor and not even a spat of mud on their boots. “No wear, no tested metal. Your men lack scars and avoid mud. I bet you make them duel against each other alone. In a true war they might be of value, but not here. Not for this. Rebels will hear them coming from a mile away. No this will not do at all.” He took a step back to observe the force as a whole and shook his head. “Terneus, I insist that we join forces. At least for a few days. Perhaps your men could learn a thing or two from us. Like how to win an war and instead of a beauty contest.”

NEO-TOKYO: State of Disarray - Cyberpunk RP

I'm interested too and I'd go with Jinrai tbh.