The Nightblade Chronicles: Chapter One

[Rupudska]

Elena raised an eyebrow at Daniel's suggestion. "If they thought we had hydromancers, they'd send their best troops out earlier. Water beats fire, remember? At least, it beats the fire of normal people." Normal, of course, meaning pyromancers besides Elena, at least in her mind.

After a while, they came upon a building, and the two lines of pyromancers. She walked to the front of the group. "Why are you blocking our path? Has South Gratia changed their laws as to where travelers may and may not go freely?"

[Firstaria]

Daniel looked at the sky, the girl not getting his plan at all " No, think about it, we have to face four element..."

But then, before he could continue the talking, he noticed the guys in front of them. Elena went forward and talked, Daniel just walked behind her, just to see what was going on, and said " More seriously, what a entire unit of pyromancer is doing wasting their day by blocking the entire road, are you afraid an army is suddenly gonna pop out charge this place? "

Oh, he was so tempted to call Crow and make that happen, but that would have destroyed balance and cover in one shot.

[Asterdan]

"Gratian law, this entire area is a military base, and we can't have anyone snooping around." Kuzon said.

Behind him, the pyromancers moved in unison to their military trained Pyros Stances, ready to fire at the intruders. Kuzon smirked as they did so, then looked over the entire group.

"Of course, it isn't as crucial that you don't pass this far away from the Tower. We have been given permission to allow a few people pass, assuming they pay a price." Kuzon said, smirking and glancing at Elena.

[Rupudska]

"Gratian law, this entire area is a military base, and we can't have anyone snooping around." Kuzon said.

Behind him, the pyromancers moved in unison to their military trained Pyros Stances, ready to fire at the intruders. Kuzon smirked as they did so, then looked over the entire group.

"Of course, it isn't as crucial that you don't pass this far away from the Tower. We have been given permission to allow a few people pass, assuming they pay a price." Kuzon said, smirking and glancing at Elena.

Elena raised an eyebrow, noting the apparent leader of the pyromancer was glancing at her, up and down. And she didn't really like that.

"Oh? And what price would that be?" If Kuzon were smart, he'd notice the temperature was rising ever-so-slightly.

[Asterdan]

Kuzon glanced up at the sun, seeing if it had changed positions, as he had felt it suddenly get hotter. He shrugged it off and returned to the intruders.

"Leave the girl here, and the rest of you may enter the premises, until the next checkpoint that is." He smirked, "You can pick her up on the way out, assuming she's been a good little girl."

He let out a chuckle and smirked evilly, his unit adjusting their stance to allow more advanced pyrokinesis. Kuzon simply shrugged, getting into a stance of his own.

"If you refuse, then you can either leave, or we will escort you off of the premises." Kuzon replied.

[Rupudska]

Elena grinned. It would have been a pleasant thing to see if there was even a hint of mirth in it. But there wasn't.

"Ohh, I'm shaking in my boots from sheer terror. Whatever will you do to a poor, helpless girl like me?" She mockingly posed in a way that emphasized her girl-ness.

[Firstaria]

Daniel raised his eyes to the sky and turned back like the man just said 'kill us'. The Elena that the other Daniels knew had a perfect response for this type of situations, although he was pretty sure no one would understand the concept of 'nuclear' in that era.

" Guy, you really shouldn't have s..." He though for a moment, then said " Actually, you said you would escort us to your base camp? " He asked, curious.

[Asterdan]

Kuzon glared at the girl who was mocking him, then shook his head towards Daniel. He had noticed the rest of the group had been relatively quiet. He looked at them and smirked then, knowing the girl wouldn't be handed over, sent a fireball towards them.

"Now then," he said, "Will she be staying with me? Or will you be leaving?"

[Rupudska]

Elena easily swatted the fireball away, then generated one of her own. Twice the size of the one thrown at her. "I think.... nyet."

She split it into four smaller fireballs and effectively launched them towards the enemy group, deep-frying all of them except Kuzon.

"I appreciate the attraction, but I am afraid I must reject your offer." She tilted her head, in another smile, this one with her eyes closed. "You will let us pass now, yes?" She lifted her right arm and held her hand flat, palm-up. A fireball the size of a small car formed and condensed until it was the size of a beach ball and bright blue-white.

[Firstaria]

Looking at the disaster just happened, he smirked and laughed " Should have known better rather than making Fiammetta ang.."

DID HE JUST SAID FIAMMETTA?!? He screamed in his mind, his eyes out of the orbit and is face white.

[Asterdan]

Kuzon smirked, this would be interesting. He stepped aside, knowing she was too strong for him alone, and gestured them on.

"Obviously I am no match for you, and I was taught when to quit." he said, "So I shall let you go by, but be warned, once you get in the Spire Ka, if you make it there, you'll wish you hadn't."

Afterwards, he returned to the building and sent a telegram to the next checkpoint, telling them that a group of four or five would soon arrive and to stop them at all cost.

[Rupudska]

Elena snorted. "If you're what they have out here, they shouldn't be much of a threat. You certainly weren't."

She continued walking the direction they were initially going. "Come on, everyone, let's keep moving. The sooner we get to the next checkpoint, the fewer enemies will have gathered there."

[Konariona]

Alakin simply stood and watched as the others negotiated. That was not where he was an excellent skilled person. As they let the party through, Alakin made a point of staring pointedly as he passed the guards, lance in hand.

[Videssos]

Cullaran, clad in dark plate armour, and mounted upon a black warhorse, continued roaming through wilderness a little distance from the Spire Ka. As was his want, he often travelled the more untravelled areas, in hopes that he would come across certain things or individuals of which would increase his power in certain ways. Cullaran knew he was perhaps treading a little to close to an area associated with the Red Death, but sensed that certain profitable ventures were to be had from this experience. Unlike the majority of those manipulated fools that constituted the resistance against the Red Death, Cullaran used other efforts to undermine this irritating power-monger who, although his methods were effective and could be considered of praise, was undoubtedly a fool, and would ultimately be a mere stepping stone on his path to greatness.

Surveying what lay ahead, the nobleman noticed a path, and figures in the distance whom were travelling along this path, and seemed to be heading towards the part he had stumbled onto. He drew his horse to a halt, and rested a hand on an ornately bejeweled, silver-hilted black bastard sword in his possession, by the name of Shadow's Vengeance. A breeze caught his long dark hair in the wind, and Cullaran's piercing green eyes kept constant vigil on this group, even as it grew nearer.

[Landenburg]

Before they completely left Jace called back "Kuzon, we trained together, you're better than that!"

[Imperialisium]

Astarius Auditore simple watched the exchanges around him with a stony face, he hadn't socialized since leaving the Old mans abode and was always either a little ways behind or in front of the group. He did notice that the Daniel guy seemed to something to do with Elena; they'd probably have met before or he was just getting hormonal. That didn't matter though and was besides the point, so he kept his pace. Only moving closer to the group for the brief exchange at the first checkpoint and the little duel. Which had gone by quite easily thanks to Elena. Now he just simply moved behind them, like a ghost.

Sorry for the hiatus

[Asterdan]

The group trekked on, not aware of Cullaran in the distance. Not only were they not aware of the next piece of the puzzle in Red Death's defeat, they also were not aware of the scout, not too far in front of him. He had received the the message from the first checkpoint and had went to investigate. Seeing the group, the scout turned heel and ran back to the second checkpoint.

A few minutes later, the second unit, under the command of Colonel Azulon, was positioned for an ambush. They waited for Nightblade to walk through, ready to use their increased power on them.

[Konariona]

Cullaran, clad in dark plate armour, and mounted upon a black warhorse, continued roaming through wilderness a little distance from the Spire Ka. As was his want, he often travelled the more untravelled areas, in hopes that he would come across certain things or individuals of which would increase his power in certain ways. Cullaran knew he was perhaps treading a little to close to an area associated with the Red Death, but sensed that certain profitable ventures were to be had from this experience. Unlike the majority of those manipulated fools that constituted the resistance against the Red Death, Cullaran used other efforts to undermine this irritating power-monger who, although his methods were effective and could be considered of praise, was undoubtedly a fool, and would ultimately be a mere stepping stone on his path to greatness.

Surveying what lay ahead, the nobleman noticed a path, and figures in the distance whom were travelling along this path, and seemed to be heading towards the part he had stumbled onto. He drew his horse to a halt, and rested a hand on an ornately bejeweled, silver-hilted black bastard sword in his possession, by the name of Shadow's Vengeance. A breeze caught his long dark hair in the wind, and Cullaran's piercing green eyes kept constant vigil on this group, even as it grew nearer.

Alakin, his eyes ever vigilant, spotted the horseman first.
"Watch ahead," he warned the group, "A man lays in wait."
He walked ever closer and then stopped, longaxe in hand.
"Ho there. Who are you? What brings you so close to one of Red Death's seats of power? Be warned, ill will shall be treated with the same."
Then, Alakin, armor glinting in the late afternoon sunlight, stood until the man came to respond.

[Imperialisium]

Astarius stood off to the side of Alakin and also looked at the horseman with keen interest. The man was no soldier of Gratia by the looks of his garbs; but that did not in the least eliminate the possibility of him being in the service of Red Death. So far nothing about the horseman betrayed treachery, but who knew what could happen. So Astarius kept his wits about him and kept himself ready to spring into action. Reaction time could be the difference between life and death nowadays.

[Rupudska]

Elena walked slowly, confidently but cautiously. This part of the region just felt unsafe. She couldn't pin down why, but there was certainly a reason. There had to be. A pyrokinetic like her didn't get the chills for no reason.

[Firstaria]

Cullaran, clad in dark plate armour, and mounted upon a black warhorse, continued roaming through wilderness a little distance from the Spire Ka. As was his want, he often travelled the more untravelled areas, in hopes that he would come across certain things or individuals of which would increase his power in certain ways. Cullaran knew he was perhaps treading a little to close to an area associated with the Red Death, but sensed that certain profitable ventures were to be had from this experience. Unlike the majority of those manipulated fools that constituted the resistance against the Red Death, Cullaran used other efforts to undermine this irritating power-monger who, although his methods were effective and could be considered of praise, was undoubtedly a fool, and would ultimately be a mere stepping stone on his path to greatness.

Surveying what lay ahead, the nobleman noticed a path, and figures in the distance whom were travelling along this path, and seemed to be heading towards the part he had stumbled onto. He drew his horse to a halt, and rested a hand on an ornately bejeweled, silver-hilted black bastard sword in his possession, by the name of Shadow's Vengeance. A breeze caught his long dark hair in the wind, and Cullaran's piercing green eyes kept constant vigil on this group, even as it grew nearer.

Alakin, his eyes ever vigilant, spotted the horseman first.
"Watch ahead," he warned the group, "A man lays in wait."
He walked ever closer and then stopped, longaxe in hand.
"Ho there. Who are you? What brings you so close to one of Red Death's seats of power? Be warned, ill will shall be treated with the same."
Then, Alakin, armor glinting in the late afternoon sunlight, stood until the man came to respond.

Hearing the warning of the man, Daniel did not flinch, if someone wanted to attach them after that show of power he would wait or would do it now. And in both cases, there was no way he would have easily win the fight with this group. He actually was still thinking that he called Fiammetta Elena, it was clear that until now he underestimated the influence of the shattered on himself, and maybe in the future something more should have be done on the matter.

But for now, he was just interested in reaching the fire tower as soon as possible. His plan to make Red Death not know they were using fire already failed, making the future attacks surely harder.

[Videssos]

Cullaran took in this newcomer, along with several others. Amusement flickered in his emerald eyes, and it also revealed itself alongside the coolness that permeated the nobleman's voice.
"Oh, for your information, I am Cullaran Manaleth, Archduke, and Lord of Elingarth. As for your second query; it should be simple to answer. I often find myself travelling to the unlikeliest of places, in order to find artefacts or other such ways of garnering more power." Cullaran paused, before adding. "For the good of all involved in my designs, of course. For the reign of individuals like the Red Death, with such abrasive ruling policies as he has, cannot be tolerated. Am I not right?"

His eyes moved occasionally, to the faces of the others. Even to those experienced in detecting the hallmarks of a deceitful individual would struggle to find anything in his mannerisms that suggested he was being anything other than honest.
Not wishing to forego taking precautions, Cullaran idly kept a hand on the silver hilted, black bladed, bastard sword at his side, rubies embedded in both armour and weapons glinting as he moved slightly. If it came to any hostilities, then Shadow's Vengeance would certainly find good use amongst this group of potential pawns. As of course, that was what they were; undoubtedly pawns in the great game once known in an ancient language, as Daes Dae'mar. Such were his thoughts.

[Asterdan]

As the group and the newcomer squared off, they didn't notice the fire wielders trap about to be sprung. It was Daniel who had ventured onward a little ways from Nightblade. He had noticed a few large, volcanic rocks, and figured that this meant they were close. As he walked by, he was ambushed by Gratian soldiers.

Fire was flying and it was a difficult battle for only one person, even if that person was Daniel Mercury. This close to the Spire Ka, the fire wielders were twice as powerful. If there were any water wielders, then they would be twice as weak.

Colonel Azulon smirked as his soldiers overpowered Daniel, and waited for the others.

[Landenburg]

Jace decided he was tired of the snobby rich man.
He walked away, following the direction Daniel went, to see what he was doing.
After he got a certain distance from the group, he began to here sounds of combat.
"I can either run back and tell the others, who might come too late, or I can go myself and possible get myself killed." Jace thought.
"Time to go help the poor sod." he thought, running torwards the sounds.
Jace finally reached the battle area and it was a mess.
He did see a familiar face, however.
"Captain Azulon! Stop this! Leave while you have a chance." Jace shouted. (when he met Azulon, the man was a captain.)

[Asterdan]

Jace decided he was tired of the snobby rich man.
He walked away, following the direction Daniel went, to see what he was doing.
After he got a certain distance from the group, he began to here sounds of combat.
"I can either run back and tell the others, who might come too late, or I can go myself and possible get myself killed." Jace thought.
"Time to go help the poor sod." he thought, running torwards the sounds.
Jace finally reached the battle area and it was a mess.
He did see a familiar face, however.
"Captain Azulon! Stop this! Leave while you have a chance." Jace shouted. (when he met Azulon, the man was a captain.)

"It's Colonel Azulon now, traitor." he said, then he laughed, "You really think you can defeat a powerful fire-wielder, whose powers are increased by the proximity to the Spire Ka? You're dreaming, boy. HE thought so too!"

He gestured to where the battle between his unit and Daniel was still going on, his unit have the advantage. He then took a stance of battle, unique to his part of the nation.