A new threat (Semi-serious freestyle RP)

[Ajil6]

Rook smiled on the inside. An enchanter? Well, that was one way to gain a reputation among the masses.

"No no no.. I'm not an enchanter, it's just a song.." He said nonchalantly, not really caring too much about the commotion. It was one way to get off the ground. And if push came to shove.. he could always learn magic later, right?

~I don't think it works that way.. but we'll just have to wait, won't we?~

"Here I'll sing something else, it's better. Trust me. Magic not included."

"Tried of dull ages I walk the same road...~" The crowd still stared at him with a mixed sense of fear.

~I wish they wouldn't glare like that, that one in the corner looks like he wants a to feed me my lute..~

"And how I lust for the dance and the fire~ Deep of the nectarine sunset to drink..~"

[bunnygirle78]

Serie hid behind Sher' Khan, still hugging the book to her. Sher' Khan stared at her and seemed to be smiling.

"Don't worry," He said. "I'll keep you safe."

"It wasn't a HEX!" Serie screamed. "IT was a SONG!"

Anger was swelling inside of her. She hated to see people persecuted someone without knowing them. Serie stared at Rook and Sorune.

"You don't know anything!" She shouted. "Music is not black magic. . .if anything its a power greater than any Magic. It sooths the in a shaking voice and helps you forget the horrors that you might have faced. And this man wanted to share it with you."

Her small fists were clenched and she lowered her hands to her side.

"Its foolish of you! If you want us to leave them fine! We can find a better place."

She walked up to Rook and extended her hand.

"I like your song." She said kindly. "We should go now."

[Ajil6]

Rook was oblivous to the rest of the room, he knew a commotion was brewing, but he finally reached the place where he felt greatest. His song. Within moments of the new tune he felt himself slip away to a place where no one else was.

It was startling for him then, to see the hand of a small child reach in front of him.

~How rude.. just when I was having fun...~

"We should go now." Serie said.

Rook sighed, he didn't want to, given the chance he could have calmed the crowd, and even put a few into a soothed sleep. He stopped playing his lute and stood up. "If we have too..." He bowed apologetically, and looked to the rest of his group.

[bunnygirle78]

Serie smiled.

"I know you want to sing." She said. "But you should sing for those who deserve it." She said sadly. "I wanted to hear it. . .it made me feel good."

Serie turned to see a large man standing behind her. She looked up at him. He glared down at her and quickly grabbed her arm.

"Stupid? Is that what your callin us?"

Serie glared at him.

"YES!" She shouted. "Music is not evil magic." She said feeling angry. She tried to tug free but he was to strong.

"You think we're going to let you three go now? Yous might try somethin."

Serie pulled free and smiled.

"I don't think you can stop us." She said. "I don't want to hurt anyone." Serie said sadly. "Please just let us go?"

"Looka hear this littel brat is tryin to threaten us. Look littel girl go play dollies."

That did it. Serie glared up at the man as the others stared to laugh. She carefully handed the book back to Sher' Khan and reached under her hat. She pulled out a small string and started to thread it threw her hands.

"Catscradel," she said as she threaded it thew her hand.

"Looka hear," the man said laughing. "Funny littel games won't change our minds."

"Catscradel." Serie said again and looked up. "Spirits of light," she said softly. "Detain them, allow me to pass unharmed!"

Suddenly the string in her hand flew out, spreading around the large man and tieing his arms. She lowered her hands as Sher' Khan ran under her.

"I think its time to go. .while the surprise has them frozen."

Serie frowned to herself as Sher walked past the others. She held tight to his main and lowered her head.

"I'm sorry," she wispered.

[Dragon Sage007]

"This is probably for the better anyway Rook. Remeber what I was talking about earlier? The longer we take to find out who it is, the more power he will gain."
"Huh? What?" Serie started.
"We're short on time, Serie. I'm from another world, and I made a vow to protect it. If I'm kept here any longer by that mage I fought, then we will all be doomed to a life, no, an existance, where death is supreme. Unless I can stop whoever it is, then Y'tuin and Gaera are doomed." Suddenly, a brilliant flash starts in front of the four, and a mage steps out of it.
"Did someone say mage? Hello again kitty. And my, my, what a cute little bunch. The druid joined up with a little girl and a lush. How wonderful." He starts a fireball in his hand. "What say we play a little game?" He says as he hurls the flame at Serie.

[bunnygirle78]

Serie screamed and crossed her arms in front of her as the fire came close. She felt something growing warm and was surprised when her fathers crystal rose into the air and shielded her. Serie was still knocked to the ground by the force but was unharmed.

"My papas Crystal. ." She said reaching slowly for it.

The dark mage smiled to himself and laughed as the crystal landed in Series small shaking hands. Serie's eyes rolled back in her head and for the second time she fainted, this time from the strain of her power.

Sher' Khan leapt in front of her and growled at the mage.

[Dragon Sage007]

Sorune looked somewhat surprised that Serie survived the fireball, but looked upon the mage again quickly. The fierceness that Rook had seen before paled in comparison to what Sorune looked like now. It was almost as if righteousness and cruelty were pouring off Sorune at the same time.
"Bastard. Stone of the planet! Hear my call!" Suddenly, the cobbles under the mage flew up, and pelted him.
"Heh, that all you got? BLAZE!" Another fireball flew from his hands, and Sorune was knocked back a few feet, but was still standing, almost reveling in the flames.
"Rook, attack him. Distract him from throwing flames everywhere, I can't absorb them all." Sorune cried out to Rook, in hopes that the mage couldn't see through a simple ruse.

[Ajil6]

Rook, didn't like being commanded about. But if the entire inn had decided to throw fire about and have rocks shoot up everywhere, he might as well help in the carnage.

Picking up a chair he looked at the evil mage in question, and yelled at him. "Hey! You! Stupid!" He threw the chair as hard as he could, and was pleased to see it crash on his head.

[bunnygirle78]

Series eyes fluttered open. Around her there was shouting. .screaming. Everyone was running round.

"Are you ok?" Sher' Khan asked as she stood.

"Yes." She said softly as her eyes stared at the Mage.

"How did you survive?" Sher' khan asked.

Serie walked past him and stared at the Mage.

"I know. ..I know that voice. . " She said.

"Stay down!" Sher' Khan said.

"Don't You hurt them!" Serie shouted and took out her fathers crystal and held it up.

"Oh crystal shining, send forth the rope to bind. Tie this evil to the ground .. ." She felt something straining inside. . .something she never knew she had. Her knees buckled. "Shine . . bright and . .save . .these people . .PLEASE!"

The light shot out at the mage. . and surrounded him. He seemed surprised but smiled evilly as Serie fell to her knees, but held strongly with two hands. She looked at Rook and Sourne.

"Don't. . .die. . ."

[Dragon Sage007]

"Rook, I need time enough to use the healing spell again. Do you know any way you could incapacitate that mage without killing him? Like a sleep song?" Sorune asked as he started on the same wind spell.

[bunnygirle78]

Serie shook her head.

"Don't. ." she said has her whole body shook. "use. . .something. . .against him. . ." Suddenly the crystal drew dark and Serie was throne back into the wall. She looked up.

"I'm sorry . ." she said weekly.

"He's to strong. .don't die. . "

[Dragon Sage007]

"Serie? Winds of life, restore this child!" Sorune was glad to see she was alive, and the spell working again, but was disturbed deeply. She hadn't gone beserk on him for calling her a little girl. And his stone spell had done zilch to him. It was time he did something he didn't like to do. What he liked to do the least, in fact.
"We're going to have to kill him if we want to live."

(OOC:I edited this because I didn't think it fit after I posted it.)

Edited by: Dragon Sage007 at: 8/1/02 5:11:45 am

[Ajil6]

Rook looked at Sorune, and at the angry mage. Then grimaced, "I'm a singer, not a freaking magician!" He threw another chair at the evil wizard. "What do you want me to do? Break his ear drums?"

[bunnygirle78]

Sher' Khan lited Serie to his back. She looked at the mage and held on tight to Sher Khan.

"I don't know what to do." She said. "I should have warned them . .I should have." She said sadly.

[Dragon Sage007]

"Sher'Khan, get Serie out of here. Rook, you go too. I will have to kill him myself."
"WHAT? You tell me to leave after you ordered me around like that?"
"Yes. I don't want the blood of more innocents on my hands. Keep Serie safe. We share a destiny. We will fulfill it. Now go!"
"Aw, isn't that sweet? The druid makes a heroic sacrifice for his teammates, and thinks they'll live! Anyway, I found out what I wanted. We shall meet again!" The mage cast a teleportation spell, and the light vanished.
"Serie, can you tell me who that was? You seemed to know him."

[bunnygirle78]

Serie got down from Sher' Khan and looked at her feet.

"I. . .know him." She said. "remember when I fell?" She asked close to tears. "Well it happens sometimes when theres danger. I hear him laughing. . ." She said as tars began to flow.

"My papa," she said sadly. "He . .my brothers follow him. The Dark mage I mean."

The three were staring at her now. Serie wiped her eyes.

"I don't know what he wants," she said. "He sent someone after me . . .and papa. . " she said threw another sob. . "he gave me this crystal. . .and sent me away."

Serie, soon found herself crying loudly. "I don't know what he wants. . ."

Serie fell to her knees.

"I'm sorry . . .I should have warned you."

[Dragon Sage007]

Sher'Khan nuzzled Serie sadly, giving a look of sympathy.
"your brothers? I'm so sorry Serie. But I have a suspicion I know what he wants. That crystal. I suspect it is the only reason you lived from that blast. Serie, we need to leave. now. I don't know what he found out from this encounter, but it was clear that he was running back to give the information to his boss. We may each have a seperate foe in this battle. Rook? What about you? Is there anyone that you have made a strong enemy in your past?

[bunnygirle78]

Serie took out the Crystal and stared at it. It had returned to normal. A plain looking jewl. She wondered why her father had risked giving it to her and huged it to her chest.

"I didn't want you to know about my magic. . " she said. "I'm not supose to use it. . .Papa said so."

[Dragon Sage007]

"I don't know why he wouldn't like you to use magic, but I believe there is a reason. But how can one so young as yourself use magic? It usually takes years to learn magic. Or am I being ignorant to this world again?"

[bunnygirle78]

Serie had never thought of that and tilted her head to the side.

"I don't know." She said. "I've always been able to small magic. Papa told me that I wasn't a mage. . .but something else. I'm not really sure what. . .it was sore sore something."

She said thinking. "He told me that using magic when it is not needed is wrong," she said. "And it should never be used to harm unless you are defending toughs who need it."

She took on a sad look. Thinking of her father was painful. And she was puzeled. . .her father had never realy told her why she wasn't allowed to use magic.

(yay. You know what Anji and I were chating last night. . .we want to keep this Rp goin as long as we can. You know with mini games and side quests .. what do you think Dw. . .ha ha ha. Love the Rp. . .you da man!)

[Dragon Sage007]

"Something else...Serie, if and when we find your father, I'm going to need a long talk with him. Anyway, is there an oracle or something on Gaera? We really need to find out where to go, and quickly."

[bunnygirle78]

"Uh h h. . ." Serie said shyly.

"What is a Oracle?"

Sourne stared at her with disbelief.

[Ajil6]

"Well," Rook said. "Personally, I don't think we should be asking these questions here." Rook heard a crash from the inside of the tavern. "Or within a 5 mile radius, come on. Lets get a move on."

Rook sighed again, he never did like leaving a show with a smashed crowd behind him.

[bunnygirle78]

"But where can we go?" She asked. "He might follow us." She frowned. "I think I know a place. Its under the bridge, the one thats to the south of the town. We can sleep there," she said.

"I slept there last night." She said. "Its kind of scary, but no one really passes it at night."

[Dragon Sage007]

“No, I think I may know someone who can help us then. I don’t like him much, but he may be the only one able to help us. He may be our only hope for finding the one behind all this.” Sorune quietly murmers. He then starts chanting a spell, causing the earth under the four of them to rise, and rapidly head south. In about five, minutes, they arrive at a small hut inside a grove of trees, the spell wearing off and returning the ground to normal. The hut is in terrible disrepair, and a lot of various metallic junk is strewn around the yard. Outside the hut is a small old man, hunched over and chopping wood, and doesn’t look a day under eighty. The most noticeable thing about him is the tiny moon whirling about his head.
“Stop. I heard you coming thirty seconds ago.” The wizened old man said. “Back for my help again, Sorune? I hope it’s more important than last time. I never did buy your story about being from another planet.”
“I came because the four of us need your help, you blind old fool. A great evil is trying to destroy this world and mine.”
“Blind?” Rook quizzically asks. Then he takes a good look at the old man. His eyes are a light grey.
“Oh really? Who are the four of you?” The old man inquires.
“Sher’Khan, my lion companion, Rook, the bard, and Serie, a...mysterious gi-young lady.”
“Serie? Hmmm. Come closer, young lady. Let me get a good look at you.” Serie walks over to the aged man, never taking her eyes off the moon.
~You are the same one after all.~
Serie jumped, scared out of her wits. There was a voice in her head!
~I am a telepath. I can read minds and send thoughts. I see without seeing, only thinking. Yes, Sorune doesn’t like me because I read his thoughts and still didn’t believe him. It still seems too unbelievable.~
~You said I was the ‘Same One’ Same what?~
~All in good time, my dear, all in good time.~
“Very well, I shall travel with you. But on one condition. Rook, do you have a harp?”
“Er, no. Just a lute.” Rook admitted shamefacedly.
~Why am I so ashamed in front of this old man?~
“In that case, come with me. Inside the shack, come come!” Rook confusedly followed the old man into his hut, all the while wondering why he was kept out of the loop so much. The shack itself was cluttered more than the yard, but seemed to be more delicate junk. There were various rusty weapons, a few polished, an old set of armor, a small mound of diamonds(All seemed flawed), and a cache of musical instruments. When he did find the old man, he was amazed to find the old man polishing a beautiful, small, golden harp, kept in a small, uncluttered corner. The strings were in pristine condition, although he didn’t realize what the strings were for a second.
“Unicorn hair? Are these strings made of-of unicorn hair?” Rook asked amazed.
“Aye, lad. Keep in mind this is only a loan. This thing is worth more to me than a hundred thousand gold pieces. So don’t be selling it to get a few drinks, eh?” The old man smirked.
“But how did you...I mean you’re...well, how did you get this if you’re blind?”
“There’s more than one way of seeing lad. More than one way. So, come on, we should be on our way to destroy the evil and restore peace to Gaera, just like all the great heroes. Let’s not dilly-dally or anything. Oh, and Sorune!” He bellowed as he walked out the hut. “You should be keeping everything under control, as usual. Have your gods sent you any messages yet?”
“Only ‘Find companions and travel quickly’ As I’m doing right now. Where do we go next?”
“To find someone to read that book. Like young Serie’s brother perhaps. And before you say anything,” He whispered, “I do know what I’m doing, I just want her to see her brothers ‘following’ the mage.” The moon around his head started to vibrate violently. “Trouble. Stay here, I’ll handle it.” He said as he ran into a small part of the forest.
“Like hell you will old man, I’m coming with.” He replied stubbornly, as he turned to give directions to the group. “Serie, stay out of the fight this time! I don’t want you getting wiped out like the last. Rook, come if you want. Sher’Khan, protect Serie.” All of a sudden, a malignant voice comes out of nowhere.
“Hah! Like an old man fighting with you this time will make any difference. This time, my master sent me to kill everyone but you, Serie and Sorune, so you better enjoy your last moments together with the kitty cat and drunk. And you two are probably going to be tortured so you’ll bend to my master’s will. She was very impressed with how you handled me last time, so she gave me a defense against it.” A great bolt of lightning comes down, leaving the mage standing four feet in front of them. This time he is decked out in a billowing robe with complex signs on it, and a hat that looks more like a tower than a typical black mage hat. His face can now be seen, and it’s hideous. There is a long scar from the left eye to the chin, and several boils have made their place around his face, forming an odd connect-the-dots style. His right eye seems independant of his left, swirling around on it’s own, and the few strands of hair that come from under his tower-hat are a sickly yellow-green, and oily as can be. But most noticeable is that he has a small diamond seared into his forehead, as if someone had taken a branding iron to it then stuck the crystal in. “It’s called an anticrystal. The exact opposite of your father’s crystal. Yes, I know all about your father. Learned it from your brothers, whether they liked it or not. Now, let’s play.” And a familiar ball of fire forms in his hands, hurling it at Rook. Somehow, though, he raised the harp in enough time to block the fireball, and it evaporated right at the strings. “What? Ah, I see. A bard with a magic harp. How classic.” He formed another ball of fire. “But the other two have no such protection. I remember you somehow absorbed my last fireball, druid, by some god’s grace, but do the two of you really think you can block all my spells? Do you think the lion can dodge fire? Or the old man with a silly moon? Or do you want to risk their lives as well? Ah, ah, ah. Get out of my head old man, that doesn’t work on me.... I told you, get out! *Sigh* Fine, do it the hard way. Static shock!” He raises his hand and sends enough electricity through the old man to knock him down, but not kill him. “Now, come here, Serie and Sorune, before I burn this entire grove down.” He venomously threatened.

(OOC: I do have plans for this old man, and his moon. Just don’t kill him or bust his eardrums or anything.)

[bunnygirle78]

Serie looked at Sorune, and wasn't surprised to see that he was standing his ground, defiant and unwilling to give into the demands of the mage. Serie was afraid. If he knew her father, then he truly was in league with her brothers. She lowered her head.

She did not know much about her brothers, just that her father did not want her to meet them.

"I'm wasting." The Mage said to Sorune. "But don't get me wrong. I would love to take my time and take care of you properly. You and that follish littel girl"

Little Girl! Serie narrowed her eyes as her fists clenched. She stepped forward her eyes on flame with anger.

"DON'T CALL ME LITTLE GIRL!" Searie screamed and raised her hands above her head.

"I HATE IT WHEN PEOPLE CALL ME THAT!" She threw her arms forward, the twine of her catscradel shot our around the Mage.

"What is this," The mage laughed. "A funny little trick, ouch I am hurting." Serie smiled to herself and looked at the Mage.

~I know its not much. . .but hes distracted now. .I. .know. . .that I'm not supposed do anything. . .but I can't let him hurt any of my friends~

The mage stared at her. . .unbleaving. . how did she . .no there was no time for that now, for another time.

(Ok. .I wasn't going to do anything to him. . .BTW. . .love the post. . again I must say it. . you rock)

[Dragon Sage007]

The show of defiance Serie saw was an act. Sorune needed time. And he got it.
~Gods, if this is any time to give me a message, I need it. Right now~ Suddenly, a bright flash surrounds Sorune, and seems to seep into his mind.
~No, I can't...Alright.~
"I'll go. But leave the girl here with them." Sorune said as the mage finally wriggled out of the catscradel. Everyone looked shocked, but none as much as Sorune himself.
"I might as well. I can get them another time. Teleport!" The flash of lightning comes down again, but this time Sorune is gone as well.
"I can't believe it. Sorune sacrificed himself for all of us." Sher'Khan growled.
"WHAT! You, you, you can talk!? I-I-I need a drink." Rook said, shaken as usual.
"What? Oh, it must be the harp. I probably could have survived a fireball though. I just wouldn't be happy." Serie looked at the place Sorune was, tears starting to form in her eyes.
"Serie, he's not gone yet. I know where the base is. It'll take some doing, but I can take you there." The old man said. "It's in a mountain two days travel from here. I think three of your brothers are there too."
"How on Gaera did you figure that out?" Rook asked perplexed.
"I have ways." He replied with a smirk.

[bunnygirle78]

Series fists were clenched so tight that she could feel her nails digging into her palm. She could feel blood on her hand.
She shook with anger, why was this happening. She looked up at the moon, there was something soothing about it. .and she didn't know what.

"We must go quickly," the old man said.

Rook stood staring at the place where Sourne had been standing.

"I want to go to."

Serie said sternly. "And I won't be left behind. I know I'm not strong. .but I can help some. Please don't make me stay."

She looked down.

"I'm not going to lie. . .I'm afraid of my brothers. . .But I want to know what happened to my papa. " Serie said. She lowered her head and thought about the day she first met the mage, and how her father had shown the jewel, and offered it to him in exchange for her safety.

[Dragon Sage007]

~I'm back where I started. No allies. No friends. Trapped by people who want me dead. And I can't even draw power from nature right now.~
"Prisoner, you will be seen in twenty minutes. Be warned."
~But the three who are gaurding me...two of them seem purely malignant, but the third...it's like his soul has been sucked from his body. He doesn't seem as strong as the others, nor malignant. Just...empty.~ The three watching over Sorune were large, muscular teenagers, but wore the same robes as a wizard. They seemed to be talking about the fate he was to have, and each wanted a share of the 'power' Did they know he recieved his power from gods? But they couldn't absorb his power completely, he was bound to the gods to...
~Oh gods. That is how they are going to destroy Y'tuin~

[bunnygirle78]

Serie held tight to Sher' Khans mane as they ran along the path. She was feeling tired, and was finding it hard to keep her eyes open.

The old man proved to be very fast as he sped along the ground. Serie closed her eyes.

"We need to go faster," she said. She reached into her robes and pulled out the crystal. Her father had used it before, to send her away from the garden.

She stared at the clear jewel as Sher' Khan ran along, skillfully jumping over downed trees and rocks. She thought. . what were the magic words. . she thought. And slowly the came to her. . .the words her father had uttered.

"Bight moon, shine threw the clouds. . .send us. to the place. ." something was straining. She could feel some sort of strange power struggling within her . .trying to escape. "Where we. . .will find. . our comrade. ." She closed her eyes and held the jewl to her chest.

"Dome terra.. fora lunar!"

Suddenly a bright light surrounded them and pulled them past the forest. . past the mountains. . and to someplace dark. .

[Dragon Sage007]

The dark place was Sorune's cell.
"...Oops." Serie said shamefacedly.
"That wasn't a good thing." The Old Man said. "Now we may have to fight our way out."
"How in the name of sev'ta did you guys get in here?" Sorune asked impatiently.
"Sorune!" Serie jumped into sorune's arms, overwhelming with the joy of seeing him again. "You're safe!"
"Hey! How'd you four get in there? Vash, let's teach them a lesson! Will, you too!" The oldest of the three maliciously threatened, bashing the door open with an axe. While everyone else tried to hold him off, Serie noticed that catscradel would do little good here in this cramped area, and looked around for a weapon. Then, mounted on a wall, she found a little disc.
~Better than nothing~
She ran between legs, arms, paws, and a moon to get to the disc, and found it just the right weight for throwing.
"HEY! VASH!" She yelled as she viciously hurled the disc right into her older brothers face, which hit the nose with a satisfying clang. As he fell backwards, the sword he was holding fell out of his hand and struck the smallest of the three on the head. He suddenly seemed full of spirit again, and said, quite valiantly,
"Where am I? Who are you? Why do I have a headache?"

[Ajil6]

Well. Rook was now confused and annoyed. A large battle had elapsed, and he had just done some things that were totally out of charecter for him. He didn't like that at all. Nor did he feel very happy about lugging around a solid gold harp with unicorn hair strings. A solid gold harp was going to be rather heavy and easy to steal, and he didn't know what the properties of unicorn strings were.

And now, not very far away from him, Serie had hurled something at her brothers face, and had been satisfied when it made a clang and knocked him down.

Rook wondered why he got himself into this, and wondered why he just didn't leave.

[bunnygirle78]

Serie was surprised at herself, she did realize just what had happened. All she knew was that she needed to help, and something, some rage caused her to react. She ran to the small disk she had thrown and picked it up.

She turned to that all of her brothers were starting to run. Vash stood up slowly, his hand over his face. He laughed evilly and removed his hand. He stared right at her, and rose up, his shoulders squared.

"You are lucky." He said slowly. "It seems she wants to play with you a bit. "He put his sword away and laughed again.

"What do you mean?" Sroune asked boldly, and stepped forward, his staff at the ready. Vash closed his eyes and smiled.

"If I told you, then it wouldn't be a surprise." He raised his hand and threw it forward, and suddenly smoke filled the room, causing them all to cough.

Serie hacked as the old man waved his hand, causing a breeze to clear the small sell.

"What was that?!" Rook shouted. "What the hell is going on!?" Serie could tell that he was tired of all the surprises, and she had to admit she was to.

"Latter," the old man said shortly.

Serie was about to argue with them when two strong arms heaved her up.

"Get back!" He shouted and held firm to Serie. Serie looked up at him, slightly puzzled. Then William lowered his sword and stared at the old man. He put Serie down and lowered his head.

"Gods damn you!" He shouted and grabbed the old mans coat. William was furious. Serie clasped her hands over her mouth and as Sourne stepped forward.

~Leave him~ the old man was speaking into his mind. Sorune stopped short and held his arm out to stop Rook from moving forward.

"You know!" William shouted. "Tell me what happened?! Why isn't she in the garden and why were you foolish enuf to bring her hear."

The old man said nothing as Serie walked forward.

"Sir?" She asked meekly. She did not know him, not really. But she knew that he was someone kind. Unlike her brothers, unlike Vash, home she had meet and feared. But that was a long time ago. Williams eyes widened and he looked over his shoulder at Serie. He drooped the old man and stood there. Why was he staring at her? She stared back at him, her eyes wide and unblinking.

"Serie. . " he whispered sadly and fell to his knees hugging her close. Serie stood there, unsure. "Thank the gods you are well," Serie felt stared at him again, tears were falling from his eyes.

"Who are you?" She asked with a small smile, hoping he would cheer up. William smiled back.

"I am your brother, William." He stood and wiped his eyes before turning to Sourne. His eyes narrowed and he picked up Serie again. He tossed the sword to the ground and turned towards the door and started to walk.

"Hold it." Sher' Khan said jumping in front of him. "Your not going any where with her."

"We don't have time for this," he said angrily. "We have got to find a way out of this prison. And being hear is not safe."

Suddenly laughter filled their ears. Series eyes suddenly rolled back into her head and she fell limp in Williams arms.

"Come and find me Sourne!" It was the dark mage his voice echoed. "And if you want to live you'll find me quick. If you can destroy me then you can go. But that is only if you can defeat me. Mwa ha ha."


"Serie. . ." William said softly and then turned his head to the old man.

"You let her use MAGIC!" He screamed. "You know shes to young!"

"Be silent." The old man said. "Shes used more than you think and survived. Its just that she's tired." William turned and walked out of the cell, grumbling angrily.

[Dragon Sage007]

"I'm going." Sorune said calmly. "I want the rest of you to find a way out. William, I presume you were under spell-control. You had classic symptoms. But, if I don't come out within an hour, I want you to make sure that the mouth of the cave collapses. It's a temporary solution, but it may be the only hope you have. Old man, I'm leaving Serie in your care. Sher'Khan, you help." They both nodded, Sher a bit unsure. "And I need to have something from you Will. That sword." William handed the sword over to Sorune, who was clearly practised with it. "This may be the last time you see me, but If I fail, you can be assured that we all are doomed."
"How touching." The mage said again. "But I will survive, as will my mistress."
"Got it. Sorune, come here for a second." The old man said, pulling him towards him.
~He's in a small room, third door down this corridor. He's made sure that the walls are made of steel, as is the floor. You will need every advantage you can find. Good luck~
"Oh, and before I forget, all the metal golems have been activated. Your plans of escape are hindered." The voice boomed out again.
"William, leave this with Serie. I want her to have it if I don't live." Sorune said as he handed a small locket to William. He then stepped out of the room, carrying the sword and staff.
~I will not hold back this time. Everyone is counting on me. Even the gods themselves. I must kill him, even if I don't survive. I must do this~ As he left the cell and headed down towards the mage's room, and the others headed down the opposite way, neither group noticed the small cat-shaped shadow go with Sorune...

[bunnygirle78]

William left, he didn't know those people, nor did he really care for them. He looked down at Serie. She slept innocently, her small hands laying limply. It had been so long, too long since he had last seen her.

"It was difficult," he said slowly as they walked down the hall way. "I knew all they made me do. The pain they made me create." He stopped short, causing the others to halt as well.

William suddenly jumped back as a large metal fists slammed into the ground. He narrowed his eyes and while holding Serie in one hand extended the other. He began to chant, and the Glom froze. He then ran past it, the others followed as the Golum stood still.

"That won't hold him for long now move it." William said. "The sooner I get out of hear with my sister the sooner I can get her way from that old koot."

The mage smiled to himself as Rook ran beside him.

"What about Sourne?" Sher' Khan asked. "He might need help."

The old man laughed.

"Trust me my friend. . ." he said. "You don't want to be in this battle."

Rook ran along ins silence. ..he wondered if he'd ever live to play another song. He picked up his speed and ran on.

"I haven't played enuff songs yet to give up!" HE shouted.

William frowned and then looked down at Serie, a small peacefully smile formed on her lips. William, despite the running and hardship he faced, smiled with her.

"Serie loves music." He said as they turned down the corridor.

(I know its long. . .but Will is complexes. I like him allot, but it seems that he might bonk heads with Sher' Khan. Loved the post Dragon and you to Anjil.)

[Dragon Sage007]

~I don't like this. The mage was unstoppable before, and now Sorune is going against him alone. He's going to need help~ With that, Sher'Khan silently padded his way behind Sorune, making sure that neither he nor the others heard him.
***
"Mage, I will fight you with my every breath. If the ones I take now are my last, so be it, but I will make sure you die." Sorune said, readying the blade he had taken.
"Hah. Mighty words from a weak druid. You will die, and then I shall absorb all the power you have. And then, I shall be a god, subject to my word and noone elses!" The mage still didn't have his face covered, and it was a good thing. Sorune preferred to see the face of the man he was battling. "So prepare to die, quarter-elf." And he immediately threw a lightning bolt at Sorune, which he took without effort. "What? You should be dead!"
"You forget. The four elements, even magical, are nature. I draw power from it. Behold!" He cried as he threw a lightning bolt of the exact same power back at the mage, blasting him into the wall.
"Heh..you have some strength after all. But can even you absorb the power of fury? Of pure hatred? I think not. I call upon the power of-oof!" Sher'Khan had heard about enough of this guy, and decided to stop the spell with a full barrel tackle.
"Sher? Get out of here! Now! I can only defeat him if I'm by myself!" Sher decided that Sorune knew what he was doing, even though he hated himself for it, and ran from the room, following the others yet again "Now, mage. I normally don't like this spell, and will never use it again, but it must be done now." Sorune crossed the blade and staff together, chanting. "I call upon the mixture of new and old, nature and technology, light and dark, and steel and wood! Holy darkness!" A beam, seeming to entertwine with reality itself, and disrupting all things it came near, utterly destroyed the mage and left the wall alone.
~I...did it. I will make it out...just..need..a..li..tt.l.e..br..ea..k...~ Sorune fell, hitting the ground, and breathing shallowly.

[bunnygirle78]

William ran faster than he thought he ever could, their footsteps echoed threw the corridor as they again turned to another path.

"Do you know where your going?" Rook asked.

"I should," he said and stopped as he came to a large draw bridge. He stood their staring at it with a puzzled look.

"This isn't right," the old man said. "There should be guards."

William looked around the room, his eyes slightly closed.

"There were guards," he said. "Look over there," Rook turned and gasped. There standing very close by was a large metal Golum, its arms raised above its head.

"AH," Rook said with a slight step back.

"Its not moving," William said slowly as a small smile parted on his lips. "Looks like that elf did it."

"I seriously doubt that that Mage would have left anything to chance. . .and I am sure the mistress he was talking about isn't just going to let us walk out." The old man said.

"Oh good," Sher' Khan said threw heavy breaths. "I found you."

Suddenly Series eyes snapped open. William stared down at her as she pushed him, causing him to set her down.

"Serie?" Sher' Khan asked getting closer to him. "What is. . whats wrong with her?"

They all stared at her to see that her eyes were distant, and staring at nothing. Slowly she reached into her robes and pulled out her crystal.

"No!" William screamed and reached for it. Only to be stooped by an unseen force. The old man stepped between him and Serie and held him back, with surprising strength.

"Let her be," he said slowly. "She'll be fine, I can feel it."

"No!" William shouted. "Serie! Wake up!"

"Lunar. . .terra. . .abia . .bring the one who wanders . ."

The crystal began to glow, its light filling the large room. The four stepped back as the light formed a ball and shot off down the halls. Once it was gone, Serie fell forward. Sher' Khan acted fast and leapt in front of her to stop her from hinting the floor.

"Serie," William shouted and ran to her side. he lifted her head up and glared at the old man.

[Dragon Sage007]

Meanwhile, Sorune was having a little chat with the gods he knew while unconcious.
"What do you mean, I know who is trying to kill us! I mean, I know I'll live long enough for her to drain me, but the others are gonna be dead! I have no clue who is doing this, but my patience is definately running short!"
The goddess that controlled order laid a hand on his shoulder. "Think, Sorune. Who was it that even we couldn't handle?" The god of growth cut in. "Who was it that we couldn't control at all?" The goddess of Life interrupted. "Who is the only one with enough power to stop even you?"
"No. You can't possibly...I-I'll seal her here! A god's power can seal even the greatest evil, and I'll be here to do it!"
"But if you do that, you can never return home. You'll have to stay and power the seal yourself." Goddess of reason interjected.
"No..I'll never go home again, without hope...and without a family."
"No. There is a way to bring them here. You must find a mage of great power to perform the ritual of Shen'Ka. That will bring them to you. Besides, you have another responsibility now." Goddess of understanding explained.
"Serie huh? I suppose I knew it all along. This place just gets better and better." Sorune remarked sarcastically.
"Farewell. You are about to wake." Goddess of Life said.
"Uh-huh. I suppose this is just going to be another torture." Rook replied apathetically. "I'll just have to deal with it."

[bunnygirle78]

(Serie's part. Ok I'm writing for two.)

Serie looked around. She wasn't sure where she was. But it wasn't a bad place. It was very beautiful, tall lush green grass swayed around her as an endless sky spread our around the horizon.

She stared up at the moon and wondered what was going on.

"Serie?" A soft voice said. She turned, no one. "Serie," it said again. "Don't be scared, Sourne is going to be ok. Now you must rest. He'll be there when you awaken."

"Who are you?" She asked slowly.

"Perhaps I'll tell you latter." Said the voice fading off. Serie smiled and laid down on the soft grass. It had been so long since she had slept in a good dream.

_________________________________

(Wills part)

Will jumped as the bright light came back and hovered in front of them. It lowered to the ground and amazingly dropped something heavy onto the ground.

"Sourne?" Sher' Khan said with surprise.

"Looks like she did it," Will said angrily. "If you carry Serie then I'll carry him. What ever we do lets do it quick."

[Ajil6]

(ooc: I'm sorry. I can not continue this RP any longer. The char using levels have gotten too high, and I've lost all track of what Rook was to me as a person, and what he has become in this RP. I realize you were going to change it, but I can't continue this RP with Rook in any form, as Rook has gone from a bard from an little known but respected engineering family with an alcoholic who is freaked out by magic in a magical world. Personally I would think after meeting an old man with a moon rotating around his head, seeing a huge magical battle, and all the other stuff, a talking lion-thing wouldn't really be too big of an upset. But hey, thats just me.

It was good when it started, but since has become something that I can't do because of all the char controlling, and the fact that it's becoming to much of a final fantasy like thing. Final Fantasy is not bad, but when it sucks up the whole RP world. It gets annoying and cliche.

Rook is not dead, but he's no longer in this RP. Think of it as... he got lost. )