The Coming of Shadows

[Mad Jack the Pirate]

Location: outside port of Capital City.

a large black barge slowly sailed through the night's waters. maybe it was the ominous slowness of it's advance, or it's color, or the jagged, sinister appearance, but the ship exuded a deep foreboding, an aura of wickedness.


and with good reason.

not only was it carrying a load of cursed metal, but it was crewed with the damned and held passenger to the wretched - Vampires.

the ship was a cargo ship from the cursed island out deep in the sea, Asgard - surrounded by mountains, the bowl-shaped valley was cloaked in mist and clouds. in it's mines was located Cursed mythril, a metal stronger than almost all.

Lording over this land was the greatest Being aboard the ship, Vandrok.

right now, he was in the seconday hold, addressing a group fo 20 Vampires.

"Ah," he said, extending his arms out to his sides. wearing dark, loose clothes, he had an imposing image with his long silver hair.

"The best, the brightest, and the brutal . . . those words define you. you, my greatest pupils - the Black Dragons, terroristic experts. you know your jobs well."

he lowered his arms and strode before the Vampires, talking as he walked.

"your mission is simple. ten of you will leave this ship when we dock, and spread out into the city. the other ten, when we reach the Free Nations capital, will deploy into their capital. beyond that, your missions are simple - cause havoc in the name of their enemies."

he continued pacing, pausing for a moment, then continuing.

"you are to continue so until the Free Nations and Gelti Empire begin fighting in earnest. when they have continued doing so until they are husks of their former selves, we may use the mana Cannon to remove their remains and put the pieces back together."

He stopped and turned.

"However, the Mana Cannon, as you may know, is not complete. therefore, until it has finished construction, you must not be seen. if the mana Cannon isn't ready, we can't withstand an attack form even one of these superpowers, and if you are found out, they will cease squabbling long enough to wipe us out. you have your disguise spells. use them."

a muted thump was heard.

"well, it seems we have arrived." he clapped his hands together. "Go. don't let the dock hands see you while they unload our other cargo."

with that, half of the commandos exited. Vandrok returned to his room.

Ah, he tought, this should be a fun show to watch.

[Astral Harmony]

Location: Alkadian Fields Southeast, some 30 miles away from the border separating the Gelti Empire and Non-Commital Zones.

Lilemi: "Clitonna! Grant! Get your asses up NOW!!"
Clitonna: "What the?!"
Grant: "Lilemi?"
[Lilemi races down the hill where she was keeping a watch over the area. Suddenly, a sparkle flew at her from behind.]
Clitonna: "Lilemi, dodge!"
[Lilemi dove to the side just as the sparkle revealed itself. The shining reflection off of an arrowhead. Clitonna then recognized the attackers. Gelti Imperial Soldiers.]
Grant: "Clitonna!"
Clitonna: "I'm ready!"
[Lilemi stood up and fled back some distance until Clitonna and Grant joined her. The three turned and faced the enemy squad.]
Squadron Captain: "Ex-Shock Falchion Clitonna O'Thanash, you are hereby ordered by the Emperor to turn yourself in for the judgment of the murders of Roberto, Jessabella, and Rhadditz O'Thanash and for deserting the Imperial military. Ex-Shock Falchions Grant Phillipson and Lilemi Helnisbloom, you are hereby ordered by the Emperor to turn yourselves in for the judgment of assisting a convicted criminal and for deserting the Imperial military. Surrender now or we shall be force to use lethal force against you."
Grant: "I think I speak for us 'Ex-Shock Falchions' as you call us when I say 'fuck you and the speedy horses that got you here to stop us before we crossed the border!'"
Clitonna: "Grant, should we have told them that we planned to cross the border?"
Grant: "Probably not, but with an ambush like this, there's nothing more obvious than what we intend to do here."
Squadron Captain: "If that is your responce, criminals, then face the wrath of the Emperor!"
[The squad of soldiers drew their swords and charged the trio.]
Clitonna: "And if that's how you think you'll possibly defeat us, then face the wrath of real soldiers!"
[Clitonna, Grant, and Lilemi drew their weapons and situated themselves, with Clitonna and Grant in the front and Lilemi in the rear.]
Grant: "Do you think you got enough practice in how to use both that mace and Ebony Twilight at the same time?"
Clitonna: "Sure, like this."
[Clitonna was quick to act, throwing the mace in a wild arc. The targeted soldier took to long to think, and wound up as a prone corpse, his face ripped to shreds when the spiked mace nailed him. Grant rushed up next to Clitonna and joined the fray. Lilemi sighted her crossbow.]
Clitonna: "Force Thrust!"
[Clitonna shoulder-charged one of the soldiers, knocking him nearly nine yards away. One of the soldiers, armed with a spear, readied to stab Clitonna in the back. Grant shouted at her as his Javelin burried itself into another soldier's spinal column.]
Grant: "Clitonna, watch out!"
Clitonna: "Eh?"
[An arrow pierced the man in the side of the head. Dropping the spear, he stood there for a second and then crashed to the grass. Clitonna turned back to see Lilemi blow a kiss. Clitonna smiled. Grant bashed another guy in his stomach, and then his chin with the backside of his Javelin, and the Squadron Captain dropped from an arrow in his chest.]
Clitonna: "Any of them left alive?"
[Grant slammed the Javelin home in the fallen man's chest, crushing his ribcage.]
Grant: "Not anymore."
[Clitonna walked up to Lilemi.]
Clitonna: "Thanks for saving my ass."
Lilemi: "It's a duty I'll happily do for the one I love."
Clitonna: "Y-yeah..."
Grant: "All right, ladies. No kissing and relaxing until we reach the border. Are we ready to move?"
Lilemi: "I can go if Clitonna can."
Clitonna: "That means that I better go so that Lilemi will go."
Grant: "It's just like Ferra said. You two are made for each other."
[Clitonna and Lilemi looked at each other and both started smiling.]
Grant: "I'll lead us to the border. Harriet's expecting me to be able to get you out of here, anyways."
Clitonna: "Thanks, Grant. Let's get going, Lilemi."
Lilemi: "Of course!"
Grant: "Non-Commital Zones, here we come!"

Meanwhile...

Location: Gelti Empire Capital City, Middle Class Zones, Hazenburg District, CO Chalmer's Office

Ashgand: "What're you saying? Those're our friends out there."
Chalmers: "I'm sorry, Ashgand, but an order is an order. If we refuse, they'll suspect us of being criminals, too. You've been ordered by the Emperor to take out Clitonna, Lilemi, and Grant."
Ashgand: "..."
Ferra: "Damnit."
Fugurd: "I have the Emperor to thank for all that I have now. I will do as I am ordered."
[Fugurd didn't even wait for a responce and left immediately.]
Ferra: "Ashgand, what do we do?"
Ashgand: "I shouldn't even be worrying about this. Clitonna and Grant are two of the best damn soldiers I've ever seen in the Gelti Imperial Forces, and Clitonna has Ebony Twilight. I don't care if I die. I just want to see Clitonna be happy."
Ferra: "I figured you would feel that way. So you knew, hunh?"
Ashgand: "I have a lot of sordid little habits and I simply wouldn't have been right for Clitonna. I thought she really realized that but it was when Clitonna was told about how Lilemi feels about her that I understood that it wasn't exactly the case. I don't care about death, but Clitonna shouldn't have to suffer the way she must be now."
Ferra: "Ashgand..."
Ashgand: "I have some thinking to do tonight, Ferra, and I'd like you to help me sort my mind out."
Ferra: "Of course, Ashgand. Actually, I've been waiting for the day you'd finally ask me over to your house."
Ashgand: "Re...really?"
[Ferry merely nodded.]
Chalmers: "Could you two stop acting like I'm not here and get down to business? Do as you wish, but the Emperor expects you to battle Clitonna's party before she gets across the border."
Ferra: "We'll need some fast horses."
Ashgand: "I'll make arrangements. It'll only be me and Ferra here."
Chalmers: "Well, then. That's a load off of my mind, then."
Ashgand: "We'll be leaving now, sir."
Chalmers: "Yeah, yeah. Have fun and all that nonsense."
[Ashgand and Ferra render a salute and leave the office. Just as the sound of their feet vanish into the night, a robed woman emerges from the shadows of the dimly lit office.]
Chalmers: "Don't they realize what's at stake?"
Robed Woman: "It doesn't matter. The Shock Falchions, both the soldiers and deserters, can go do whatever, but that sword simply can't be taken away. Besides, nobody really liked the O'Thanash Family anyways. I wouldn't have even asked the Emperor to put out that order to capture them if it wasn't for Clitonna having Ebony Twilight."
Chalmers: "I don't want to see any Shock Falchions fatalities, milady Chocolate."
Chocolate: "As you wish, but I still think you're a fool."
Chalmers: "I've been a CO for over a decade. I know exactly how it feels to be a plaything."
Chocolate: "Well, you know how it goes. When a plaything grows that old, it's often prone to being broken."
Chalmers: "Just what is Errrrgh!"
[Chalmers suddenly lost his voice...and his life as Chocolate's rapier found its way into his skull.]
Chocolate: "Silly old man, posturing like the pathetic CO that he was and calling it 'self-righteousness.' Now I need to get to the Emperor and make my report and request..."

[Ryu Kurai]

Kirrass felt something run into his chest. Something moderately soft. He looked up to find himself face-to-face with a human female. She drew back a bit, some anxiety in her voice as she apologised. "Don't worry about it. It'ssss no big deal." He responded, having a slightly better opinion about humans from the doctor. The bartender simply stood there, seemingly in stasis polishing a glass, until Kirrass finally noticed him. "Oh, yeah, give me ssssomething cheap, will ya? Ssssomething cheap and sssstrong." He said, turning his attention back to the woman in front of him. He picked her up with ease by the upper arms, then sat her down on a stool next to him. "Sssso, can you tell me what...ssss..." He hissed softly, trying to think of something to say. What should he say to a human? What would be fitting? "...What'ssss your name?" He tried in a lackadaisical tone.

[Flarecobra]

"Um, sorry, but we're kind of starting to clean up. As you can see." The Bartender said, indacating the two fallen, bleeding drunks. Kazi, meanwhile, was still nervious. "Um, I'm Kazi." She said.

[Ryu Kurai]

Kirrass made an exasperated sigh. "Fine. Could you get me a cheap sssshot then, for double the money?" He then turns to Kazi. "Sssso then, Kassssi, um, should I give my name?" He thought out loud. The second he realized he had done this, he quickly said. "It'ssss Kirrasssss."

[Kuffie]

Coyoto watched a well dressed man walk toward him "Are you Coyoto?"he began "yes," Coyoto replied "I want you to kill this women," the noble said "wait a women?" Coyoto interupted "yes we believe shes with the empire!" he said"And apperently you were protecting her" "I protect no one the women helped her self I just made myself look like a fool!" Coyoto yelled "well I have ways to make you do as I wish" the noble told him" Wouldn't it be awful if harusume died," he said with a smile "don't I'll do it," coyoto said <Fool I have no intention to kill her>

[Flarecobra]

With a bit of a sigh, the Bartender went and got the Drake's drink. In the slightly better light, Kazi's slightly pailer skin tone was a bit apperent, as is the little bit of blood on the top of her upper lip.

[Ryu Kurai]

Kirrass, noticed that the girl had a bit of blood on her upper lip, and was looking a bit pale. He p[aid the bartender double what the drink had cost and downed it. "You look like you're ssssick or ssssomething. Are you OK?" He asks with concern, not that it would carry over to the common language: He still sounds emotionless in it.

[batgirl]

Jun was still at her place at the bar. The fight had interested her for a bit, now she was bored again. She saw the vampire girl walk back in with a Drake. "Wierd, Drake's don't usually hang out around humans that much, although that girl is far from human."

[MC43]

It was a shame that the girl had left him to his beer, which had lost most of its foam by now, and was getting warm, not to mention flat. He sighed and threw some change on the table for the drink. He however only dropped two coins, well short of what the drink was going to cost. "Today is just not my day." He sighed and sat back down, waiting for his order to do dishes or clean tables, whatever he would have to do to clean up the mess he was in.