Retribution of a Fallen God

[SaigoKusunoki]

Night. Darkness. These were things common to the mourning wife; despite the fact that she hardly left her room, which was windowless, and the fact that her eyes were sewn shut, the real darkness came not from without, but from within. Five hundred years of utter darkness. There are few who could have dealt; some would have slit their wrists in tears and ended it. But she was stronger; the life of Sunev Kusunoki was riddled with strife, and she had lived. She wasn't going to back down from life's hardships, not yet.
At least, that's what she told herself every day. As she ran her fingers across a tome of advanced Elemental magic, she realized that every day she despaired more and more. Even as the book's information implanted itself in her brain, she felt that each day sapped a little of her sanity. Bored with learning the same things every day, she threw the book down in frustration. As she didnt need to see, no candles were lit in her room, but it did not hinder her at all. She slowly got up out of her small bed and made her way to the door. So used to the room as she was, she stumbled over nothing. She felt she needed a quick breath of air to calm her nerves.

*****

Elvilad lost count of how many times he cast his runes, in an attempt to decipher the future. Every single time, the five small stones arranged into a circle; in Runeseeing terms, this meant that the future was unreadable. He was aware of the tempest in the Winds of Magic, but he did not realize how strong it was. Even he, an experienced Runesmith, was unable to decipher a blessed thing, and it was beginning to frustrate him. He dropped the runes where they were (which quickly rearranged into a circle) and made his way to his window. He pushed the pane up and locked it in place, attempting to enjoy the cool breeze. He cast a weary gaze over the Archanas Academy of Magic and Warfare. He could see some students were still awake, milling about the courtyard in quiet conversation. He sighed; one day, he promised, these students will be able to spread their wings and soar to new heights and new lands. He gazed past the school, past the fields, to where the Seal was. The Seal, which had protected them for five hundred years, had a clear defining line; on one side, the land was green and fertile, on the other, gray and dead.
One day, he had always told the students, one day they will live in a land without evil, without fear. It was a promise he had given for five hundred years; others had accepted the world for how it is, but not him. He knew that one day, He will return and make the world green again.
Elvilad was about to retire to bed when he felt something; a shift in the Winds of Magic, small at first, but then very strong, as if a hand was gripping his insides and turning them around. He wretched, and quickly put his hand to his mouth. Something was wrong.
Then came the wind, stronger than any hurricane, and with the sound of breaking glass, the Seal shattered into a million pieces and dissipated.

*****
Master Forgesmith Enav Dunedhal was admiring the craftsmanship of a wall-mounted cannon, when the wind began. The stout dwarf braced himself as he felt his stomach drop out from under him; though never much into magic, he knew that whatever this wind was, it was not natural. Some of the weaker, younger, or just unexpecting soldiers who were milling about were knock flat on their backs by the sudden wind. The Bastion of Dawn's Light was thrown into chaos in a matter of seconds as the gale continued. Captains shouted orders, horses neighed, children cried, and for a moment, Enav expected to hear the drums and horns of war. After several minutes of intense wind, however, he figured maybe something even more sinister was at foot.

"Hold steady lads! Its just a little breeze!" He managed to shout to those on the walls and below. Something was definitely amiss.

((OOC: Alright kiddies, those who are in tune with the Winds of Magic will noticed a huge change, and even those who dont will notice something odd. Make this a good and fun RP.))

[Red Mage Black]

Black shivered as the wind passed through him. Even within his home the Winds of Magic reached him. "Marion, what are you planning? You can't hide it from me."

'Something wrong Black?' Latis asked as she sat in her pendant form around his neck. "Did you not feel the Winds? They're strong." 'He's still looking for you. It may be part of his plan.' "I feel it is bigger then that. Much bigger." Black wandered outside of his home, it sat on the outskirts of the demon infested city.

"But we shall not let it distract it us from our nightly feeding." 'Indeed.' "Let the rest of the world have its war. Long has it been since I cared at all what happens to mankind. Only my survival matters, that is it." Black wandered out further, wondering what he'd find tonight.

[Ugainius]

The wind surged through the Bastion of Dawns Light. People panicked, soldiers attempted to restore order and one old Dwarf smiled.

He smiled not at the chaos or general pandemonium that surrounded him. He smiled not because of anything that had been done or was being done or what would be done. He smiled for a reason most would find trivial, if not ridiculous.

He smiled because, whatever this wind was, what it brought or what it caused was irrelevant. All that mattered was what was hidden inside it. Another wind. The wind of change.

The old dwarf, despite never so much as looking at a magical book, knew that something was about to happen. Something which would change everything.

The dwarf smiled. He knew what the change would be.

[SaigoKusunoki]

The severed head of an Acolyte of Malak'har hit the ground wetly and rolled down the stairs leading from Morian's throne. He was angry, wrathful even. He called up the next Acolyte in line and without another word dispatched him. The boy did not cry out, for it was part of his service to Malak'har, to die at his master's whim. With each death, Morian's anger steadily rose.
Flanking his throne, was Praxis to his right, and Gaius to his left. Praxis had a sick smile on his face; he revelled in spilled blood. Gaius, however, tried to make his lord see reason.

"My lord, do not despair. It could be a trick of those wretched Elves. Wind is easy to conjure."

Morian glared at Gaius with malice. He was not that ignorant. He hastily stood up.

"Praxis. Take one hundred fifty of the Legion Dominatus. The Seal is broken; make sure to leave none alive in that wretched school."

"Yes, my liege." Praxis was overjoyed with the anticipation of the slaughter. However, Gaius frowned and shook his head.

"Lord, Praxis and the Legio are the most powerful forces you can muster. And remember who resides in the school. It would be wiser to send that vile thing you have in the dungeon, with some Gorobar or some Acolytes..."

Morian, though stubborn, was not deaf to the advice of his strategist. "Yes...there is the Bitch Queen and that repulsive Elrundel. They could pose a threat. Praxis, go fetch my little pet...tell him he can finally feed once again. Gaius, rally some Gorobar to accompany him. Those barbarians are at least good for testing the enemy's strength."

Gaius bowed and hurridly left to do his master's bidding, but Praxis remained with a look of disgust on his face.

"My Lord, do you not think I can complete the task at hand? I can rend them all limb from limb!"

"It isnt that, my dear boy. If what I think is happening is surely in motion, then I am going to need you later. I cannot afford to risk losing such a fine warrior."

Satisfied, Praxis bowed low and made his way to the dungeons of Daranaughl. He had no idea why Morian kept the wretched Vampire-thing alive. If it was up to Praxis, he would have murdered it centuries ago. All it did was cry and whine and yell.

And just as he expected, the Jailer opened the large steel door, and a vile, heart-wrenching cry filled Praxis' ears. Cringing, he made his way to the cell at the end, passing by other prisoners who had long since killed themselves, having had to listen to the Vampire's lamenting for so long.

What was in the cell could only be described as a monster. Thin and gray skinned, yet tall and muscular, the demonically-possessed vampire lay huddled against a corner of the cold stone cell, scratching idly at the walls as it cried out in pain and misery. Praxis hefted his halberd and strode fearlessly into the cell, his halberd at the creature's throat.

"Our lord wants you to go to the school. Murder what you want, feed as much as you want, so says our lord Morian. Get up wretch, and go spill blood in the name of Malak'har and Morian." so said Praxis.

The lamented cries stopped abruptly, and the silence was deafening. A thin, long fanged smile crept itself across the vampire-thing's face.

[PhoenixFlame]

Auvrea Eilkash sat in reviere, staring again at a long, and complex diagram of an advanced fire spell, searching quietly for the tiny secret that continued to elude her grasp. A quartet of faint red wax tapers barely illuminated her study of the tome, held face-level by a stand, allowing the adept free use of her hands. This would have been a luxurious aid in simpler, earlier magics, but now, it was merely the luxury of standing in thought. She should have retired long ago, but Auvrea found it much more peaceful to study when her world was free of the distractions of day.

It was night now, and the wind...

"No..." she said audibly in a whisper, looking up from the book with dire eyes. Her gaze was drawn forcibly, as if by a hand, toward the room's single window. Then, as one, the tapers around her work were snuffed. Something had gone horribly wrong. Then, with a feeling of icy dread, the sorceress caught sight of the barrier shattering with an inaudible scream that deafened her mental senses.

Reeling, and in darkness, she feverishly reached for her brazier of the winds, a small, silver bowl upon which white incense was ritually burned to commune with air elementals. Even in the low light, she managed to find it flawlessly, lighting the small sticks with a most basic fire spell.

"Watcher!" She said, in the trained bark that a military captain might call for his second, "We must speak at once. Manifest yourself." calling for one of the air elementals she had suspected brought such a dire message.

[SaigoKusunoki]

Enav, down off the wall and currently helping those who had taken a nasty fall, heard the Grand Marshal calling to him. He hustled over, Worldbreaker slung over his shoulder and a stupid grin on his face.

"Aye lord, something is definitely amiss. This ridiculous wind started up without a warnin'. I have no idea why, in all me years I haven't seen something quite like this."

He looked into the rising sun as the Winds began to die down.

"Feels like the winds of change...eh lad?"

*****

If her eyes could open, Sunev's eyes would be wide right now. More in tune with magic than most, she could feel everything; she knew exactly what was happening, and the news frightened her, more than anything she had ever experienced. Quickly, she made her way to Elvilad's small study, and almost ran into him as he flew from the room. He was breathing heavy and sweating profusely. He knew as well.

"My lady...what do we do now?"

"Nothing. We make sure the students do not leave their dorms, and we wait. There's not much else we can do."

Elvilad nodded. He was calming down, instead beginning to feel jittery and happy. He smiled, and Sunev could feel it. She frowned and shook her head.

"Nothing is certain. This could usher in peace and order...or truly bring ruin upon us all. Do not get excited." she said blandly as they both sat down in Elvilad's study.

"Ah ever the pessimist you are, Sunev. Do not speak as if..."

"I will speak as I damn well please. Ive had a lot of things happen in my life, and one thing Ive learned is not to get excited about anything...because in the end, everything will be taken from you." She snapped.

*****

Coils of smoke-like energy began flowing freely from the bowl in Auvrea's room. Twisting, whispering, it slowly formed into a vaguely humanoid shape, almost transparent.

"What is it you require, child of the Material Realm? If it is knowledge you seek, knowledge you will find."

[Echo of sanity]

Ruin had been here long enough to learn this ones name. He watched praxis walk down the hallway to where that wretched vampire thing's cell was. Oh how he hated that beast and its damned whining.

Ruin was smarter than most, but he was still a demon. He bored of this place, it had been weeks since he had maimed a foe. As Praxis and the beast walked past his cell, he mustered the strength to pose a question.

"Please, i want to come with you." Ruin said in his booming voice. He tensed, and got ready for a fight, expecting punishment for his insolence.

[SaigoKusunoki]

Praxis and the Vampire-thing stopped and regarded the demon. Praxis looked it over with disgust.

"I dont give a damn. Make sure this sap does his job." he jerked his head towards the Vampire, whom glared at the back of Praxis' head with hatred.

They made their way to the courtyard of Daranaughl castle, to find Gaius had already mustered about two hundred swarthy, drunken barbarians itching for a fight. They silenced as Praxis lowered his halberd to point at them.

"Your orders are simple and come directly from our lord Morian Baneblade himself. Enter the Academy, kill any and all that reside in there, and make sure none escape. No prisoners, no mercy. You will follow this one." he jerked his head again to the Vampire. "Now quit wasting time and GO!"

They raised a mighty war cry, and began pounding their drums as they marched to battle. Before letting the Vampire leave, Praxis locked eyes with him and got very close to his face.

"You fuck up, and your skull will hang from my belt. Now go, and murder."

The Vampire merely smiled.

*****

Enav Dunedhal stood next to Abzadrael, having to stand on top of a cannon to see over the crenelated wall.

The Bastion of Dawn's Light was an awe inspiring work of architecture. Set against the Dragonspine Mountain, made of the finest quality stone mined from the deepest parts of the earth, it had stood for five hundred years against demonic assault, a testiment of it's craftsmanship. Walls fifty feet high and twenty feet wide, almost a half a mile across, it was impenetrable.

Enav casually puffed smoke from his pipe, the whole time gazing into the rising sun. He turned to Abzadrael.

"Do you think...that blasted prophecy is true? Do you think our Lord has returned?"

[Echo of sanity]

Ruin found his place at the back of the marchers. It was nice on this planet, and he walked casually with his club resting carefully on his shoulder.

These humans disgusted him, more so than the others. He had already had to step over several bodies, some from fights, and others had simply been trampled. "Stupid cattle cant even walk." he murmered to himself. One of the barbarians heard him, and spat in his direction.

Ruin calmly clutched his club and raised it high above him. He brought it down onto the mans head, crushing him instantly. The blood on his skin felt good, the dungeon was dry and cold. I feel alive again, Ruin thought to himself as he pulled the remains of the man out from between the spikes of his club.

[PhoenixFlame]

Attempting not to be taken aback by the rather forward nature of the wind spirit, Auvrea smiled. The elementals of the air had a reputation as notoriously fickle, often flitting from one thought to another with little coherancy. A trained mage quickly learned how to ask the right questions, although, in this situation, the powers that be were so strong and focused such formalities were pointless.

"That is what I seek." She nodded to the spirit, "The coming storm is a harbinger of a paradigm shift in our world, and you ride at it's head. What news do you have, that your brethren move as such? Is it true that Lord Saigo has returned to our realm?"