Where Have All The Stars Gone? (IC/OPEN)

[Chrome Legion]

"Well Valen, Death's Shadow you are quite easily agitated aren't you?" Bhaal said before changing to a pool of blood and rushing under Fatal and to Valen reforming with a hand on Valen's bow and the other around his throat lifting him off the ground.
"Enough games, I have a deal for you, I am Bhaalgorn, the Dark Blood. You killed a women who was performing blood rites designed to call for me, you will tell me what I want to know about her, and I will help you end Nyx."

[Man in A Box]

Fatal

Fatal stood, unfazed by the Valen's harsh words, then again the agile assassin got passed him. Troubling, but Fatal was not bothered in the slihgtest way, being as he succeeded on letting the targeted man escape into the crowds. With that, he had no more business with the two other rogues, but they seemed content on speaking with him. One, the first pursuer verbally assaulting Fatal, the second, claiming to be an acquaintance with Fatal. Both, Fatal wanted to ignore, but it was not in his morals to be so unkind.

"I do not care for the life of someone who would murder without thought," Fatal said in his gravelly, inhumanly heavy voice to Valen. And with those words, he was done speaking with the rogue who claimed his own life to be at stake. Turning to the second now, the one with blood red eyes, Fatal spoke, "All humans look the same to me, I am sorry but I do not recall who you are," the Harbinger said before turning back to the path leading to the crowd of people, moving forward intending to walk right passed the assassins, as if nothing had happened. Even as the two rogues now seemed more enemies with each other. "Try not to get anyone else involved."

[Sweater Town]

Feng bowed and, with a sweep of his robes, left the God-Emperors presence. He wasn't sure about this new mission. Give him someone to assassinate and he was fine, even if he had to do similar infiltrations as was his current mission. But gathering intelligence, with the possibility of assassination later on was new to him, unnerving for some reason. But these were his orders, and he dared not object.

Descending the main staircase to the third floor and slipped quietly into the Lord Chamberlain's quarters. Laith sat at a great desk, hewn out of what looked like a single slab of black marble. After bowing in respect, Feng silently slunk to the desk and looked Laith in the eyes. He had a rocky relationship with the Chamberlain. Neither trusted the other (Feng distrusted Laith for his insatiable hunger for upward mobility, and Laith distrusted Feng for, well, obvious, intelligent reasons.) They did, however, share a sort of mutual respect for being so high in Loric's ranks. They were, as it were, the best of their trade. "Loric's sending me North," Feng said, his voice rough and gravelly. "He wants me to infiltrate the Conclave, gain Queen Galatea's trust. He said you might be of assistance."

[The Magic Hobo]

Valen smacks the man’s hand away from his throat, and jerks his bow out of his grasp. “I killed her because a man signed one of my contracts. That, and the crazy wench was going to murder a little girl. That’s all you need to know, you sick freak.” He says, and shoves the man out of his way. He jogs down the alleyway, and into the crowded market. He pulls his hood down, and rubs his throat, then proceeds to a nearby tavern. He needed a few flagons of mead to douse his anger. Maybe once he had settled down, he could think straight. He orders 3 pints of mead from a surprisingly attractive barmaid, and gives her a little pinch when she turns away. She smiles, and returns with his mead, setting them down with a wink. He grins, and relaxes, taking a huge gulp of mead.

[Chrome Legion]

Too Bhaal Valen had just confirmed what he had thought, that the man had very little knowledge of him, and the women's death had nothing to do with the blood rites, well not their purpose. He did offer to help the man, and he would do so. Plus he was bored and hungry. He knew the tavern Valen was heading towards, they had good mead. He formed him self to the body of the rogue woman again and entered the tavern, ordering a large raw steak and a large pitcher of mead then sitting at a table near Valen. He missed the old times when cults followed after him and people would only speak of the Dark Blood, the Child Eater, or the Blood Knight in hushed voices. He might have to start making a name for him self again. Then again infamy had it's ups and down.

[Auburn-Newcastle]

Craster the Impure
Somewhere south of Valda
The blade cut throught the Large man with ease. As the Humans life blood spilled Craster trudged on as he has done since... Tygett... Just the thought of his brother made the the blade called guilt twist almost painfully inside his very being. Why?! Why did it still hurt?! It had been more then 2,000 years since he fought that last Demon horde, since Pylor died, since his brother last spoke to him. Craster almost hit himself, he had more important things then grieving for a crime so old that few remembered it. Just a minute ago, Craster was set upon by a group of Humans and Chimera likly trying to take his armor and weapons but they payed the price for their transgression and several bodies now lay on the stone ground their life blood draining from them.

Craster was on his way through one of the places most ravaged by the chaos of the fall of the gods. When the god of Rock and Stone fell from his plane his release of Energy caused most of the area around him to become petrified. Some men who stayed here often became slightly corrupted, often loseing their sanity and turning extremities into stiff almost stone like appendages. Craster only encountered two of these creatures on his journey, a Human female and a Female Solandr, both died like all mortals; with their life blood pooling under them.

So went the journey through the petrifird forests and Craster made his way North towards his fate. Redemption or damnation? It was all up to the Tylos the First among the Pylorians.

[Cupidinesque Voluptas]

Eros walked swiftly through the Eastern Forest, his cape fluttering in the wind, his scepter in his hand, a hood over his head, the skies darkening as before a rain storm. "Ah yes, just what I needed right now, to be wet!" Says Eros to himself, irked. He supposed that this was somewhat good, as this forest needed the rain, and that a forest full of green life was more pleasing to look at then a dead one. So, he settled his mind on the matter, and went back to thinking of the major issues...the turmoil in The Order of the Ancients.

The Gods have become restless in their waiting, and factions have started to arise. There were those who wish to start taking the other races faith by force, such as one Sakalthor. Others say that they should just abandon the races and solely work on their own needs, their reasoning being the the races are falling sway to the false Gods faster the they are to the True Gods. Others are still angered by the Pylorian uprising and wished for a more harsher punishment, or even to disallow them to become part of The Order. Then there was Vixel...he has started to become a tad bit unstable, probably due to the lack of stability and perfection that surrounded him. Eros had tried to convince him to take a leave, but Vixel is too set on the goal of the mission, which he believes will lead him to true perfection once more. Fidelis is using what little power she has left to keep everyone calm and loyal to the goal, be even she cannot do everything.

This is what he thought as he walked. He had set out once more in an effort to quell these Gods. Eros knows of the human factions about to go to war, and plans to use their squabbling to his advantage, being able to move more freely throughout the world. A few drops of rain start to fall upon the world, several landing upon Eros, who cursed out angrily."Damn Aqua, if I ever find you we are going to have to have a serious talk about when it is okay for water to fall from the bleeding sky!" This, however, causes Eros to clench his fists in pain and sorrow, as he truly did miss these Gods, and knowing that these beings could be dead..."I'm sorry," whispers Eros to himself.

He notices he is nearing the end of the forest, as the trees are becoming more sparse, and he tightens the hood around his head. He would rather not bring attention to himself, as morphing into someone else perfection would cause some ruckus. Already the races were remembering his name, both because he nudged them in that direction, but also because Gods names usually just came back after years, as if the Earth could not forget such things of Power. Some Gods had it easier then others though, as the more affluent you are in a mortals heart, the more likely you will be named. Pleasure came quickly, as did perfection, loyalty, and whatnot. But others...well, they were the Gods who want to take the worlds faith by force.

He reached the edge of the forest, and had a decision to make. He wished to investigate Sakalthor, yet he also, against the wishes of Celatum Gates, no less, wanted to recruit Tylos, first born of Pylor, into his ranks. Doing so would certainly quell the Gods, yet Celatum acted feared by that turn of events. He was also wearied by his travels of several days, which again angered him. "Gods do not tire," he said to himself, but he knew this not to be true. He decided to head to the city of Catharsis to rest for a day or two, then head North, were both Tylos and Sakalthor were, as well as Celatum and his base, which he planned on stopping at anyways. He changed his direction to southward, knowing he will reach the city in several hours...

[The Magic Hobo]

After finishing his mead, Valen began to notice that the strange… thing… had been following him. It now sat a short distance away from him, dining on raw meat. Valen did not like having this creature tail him, and slipped out the back door while it wasn’t looking. He no longer needed to find that assassin, he was a free man for now. Making sure that nobody was following him, Valen walks into the crowded marketplace, towards a booth selling traveling cloaks. He pays for a rough looking cloak, and puts it on over his own, blending in with the crowd.

He makes his way towards the city gates, and leaves Catharsis, walking along the road at a hurried pace, but not enough to draw attention to himself. He sees a forest off in the distance, the path lead right through the heart of it; perfect. He goes a little faster, and in ten minutes, he reaches the forest. He jerks off the rough cloak, allowing his old one to do its thing. The fabric wavered like water, patterns flowing across its surface until it became leafy in texture, just like the trees around him. He walks a little farther into the forest along the path, then turns sharply into the woods; just ten feet from the path, yet invisible to the naked eye was an enormous grove of trees that seemed to have grown together: Valen’s home.

He climbs through the trees, blending in with them perfectly, and into the little hollow. The remnants of his fire from last night now lay as ashes, his bed roll lying suspendd between two trees in a sort of hammock, shrouded by leaves. He climbs into it, and stares up at the sunlight streaming between the leaves. Valen reaches down into his bedroll, and fishes out a small bottle of metal polish. He sets to work polishing his bow, taking great care to clean off the accumulated dirt and grime. Then he counts his arrows, and carves drawings into them lightly.

[Nature-Spirits]

The man's naked body shook on the bed as he sobbed, his once-shining black hair thick with his own blood, that same blood covering his tanned skin. He lamented having gone out that afternoon. If he hadn't the demon might not have kidnapped him.
He looked up at said demon, his heart beating so hard and so fast that he could almost feel his ribcage shiver. The accursed being, albeit glorious in its nakedness, smiled down at him with his grotesque, needle-like teeth, his red feline eyes glowing like twin flames in the darkness. "Please..." the man pleaded. "Please, no more."
The demon frowned. "I'm in charge, let's not forget. I'll decide when our little games end."
The man's heart twisted. The demon had been playing these sick 'games' with him for what felt like hours. He just wanted release....
"You know what?" Said the demon to himself. "Never mind. I think I've gotten bored with you." The man's face flooded with relief, and the demon quirked his lips. "But don't worry. I assure you that you'll have a few minutes for you to review your brief time on this world: I've heard that when you die your life flashes before your eyes. Of course, I don't know if that's true or not. I've never died." While he spoke a massive scorpion tail was looming up behind him, growing ever closer to the terrified man's skin. The demon couldn't help but grin at the frail human as the tip of the tail made contact and slowly pressed down until it punctured his skin, venom flooding the man's system.
Then the demon turned away, retrieving his clothes from the floor and pulling them on, the pained groans of a dying man in the background. He glanced now at the man's pile of shredded clothes. A leather pouch that clinked satisfyingly when he nudged it with his toe sat amid the fabric. The demon picked it up and dropped it into his own sack. "Thank you," he said to the corpse lying on the bed, and then left the room, going to the lobby of the inn. "My friend will be down shortly," he assured the man at the desk. "I'll pay you now then go wait outside for him. How much?"
"Five gold," the innkeeper rumbled gruffly. He was secretly glad that this monstrosity was leaving, but didn't dare let that show.
The demon reached into his sack and pulled out the small leather change purse, counting out the coins and placing them on the desk before returning the pouch to his sack. Then he turned and left without another word. Someone would discover the body, but he would be long gone, lost to the streets of Catharsis. And so Coryth returned to the sunny land of the mortals.

[Chrome Legion]

Bhaalgorn watched as Valen left the tavern, and decided not to follow. He could certainly tell the empress of Valen's flight, but what purpose would that serve. Maybe other nobles would know more of the women that had called to him. And he could practically feel all the powerful magical beings that were starting to come to this city. Important things were brewing, and the Blood Demon had been a quiet player in the background for too long. He began to walk towards the palace for answers.

[Cupidinesque Voluptas]

Eros finally made it to the city of Catharsis, a rather bustling city, and it seemed that rather alot has been happening. Using his sweet charms and glancing looks from his face, he was able to "buy" information. As it turns out, a noble was killed, a street fight had broke out between two people, a harbringer, and from the people who noticed, a demon or...or something, and the peace treaty between the nations of Althoran and the Valdaran.

He tightened the cloak around his head, knowing the showing when unneeded...of course, his bodies contours constantly shifted as people glanced at him. He would notice all of them, and when looking at these peoples thoughts, chuckled. That maiden over there seemed to give for slim men, while that demon preffered a big chested with small, shapely asses. Eros didnt mind the constant change in his body, having had to deal with it for a century.

While reading the desires of a very kinky women, he clashed with a rather large demon...that happened to have a rather deadly-looking scorpion tail. Eros fell backwards his hood slightly going off, his scepter still gripped tightly in hand. "Oh, my sorrow, sir," said Eros, a tad bit shocked. At the same time, he was thinking."I swear, a God falling to the floor when he knocks into somebody...I must have really let myself go over the millinia or so...the others will sure get a laugh when they hear this...oh, and what a prized Demon...Damoniea would surely be proud...damn, my hood," he thinks at last, trying to swiftly put it on.

[Chrome Legion]

As Bhaalgorn was walking down the street he saw something that caught his eye, a very ancient looking harbinger like construct, utterly fascinating runes that he had never seen before covered it as he moved to get a better look, it ran into and was knocked over by a very large demon. The demon for a second he though he recognized it...
Some thing about it bothered him he couldn't figure out what. He would have to find out more about that construct but first the task at hand. Why was the Noble performing those rites, though he was begining to think that she had only done some ritual that she had found in a book and thought would be stylish and edgy. Good that she died either way.

[Nature-Spirits]

Coryth stumbled back, his senses overwhelmed by the sheer power that he felt from the being before him when they made brief contact. And as he watched the being, which, when he gained his senses a moment later, he first saw as a very handsome demon, it changed and shifted, becoming a beautiful, asexual creature. Magic... he thought, only somewhat surprised. How bizarre that someone would want to transform into a demon. He continued to watch as the being pulled a hood up, and its appearance loitered on the point between the two forms for a few seconds before finally settling on the demon form. His libido shot through the roof.
Then he realised that the creature had spoken. "Oh, yes. Certainly. No. Not at all. My fault entirely," he said rapidly, trying to think through the instincts that nearly overcame him. If he hadn't had as much experience as he did he might have tried to rape the being right then and there in the middle of the street. As it was, he was certain that his desire showed (to use more appropriate terms).

[Cupidinesque Voluptas]

Eros slowly got up, dusted the pants of his leggings, all the while sensing his desires of the demon in front of him. He was quite taken aback by the thoughts and wants of this being, though the amount of pleasure seeping off of him felt simply brilliant to Eros, and it was "quite" obvious that he enjoyed Eros, this causing him to smirk widely. He chuckled, "It's okay good sir. Actually, I was wondering...would you happen to know of a good inn? I am traveling quite far and need a good place to rest." As Eros said this, he sifted through the wishes, secrets, and desires of the demon. "Well, he would make a superb follower of mine...I must keep him in mind..." Eros thought to himself.

[Eon Prime]

Gregorian Nyx
Master of Assassins

For the first time in seven years Gregorian Nyx walked in public, without his mask, he had dyed his hair a pitch black and changed to an elgant outfit befitting a King of some lesser realm, with less elegant leather armor beneath it, most importantly, he had left most of his weapons behind, he felt naked. Despite that sensation of being vulnerable, he walked boldy into the palace, the guards had not stopped him because they had not seen him, and now that he was inside all that was necessary was to act like he belonged.

He had heard from a servant that the Empress was holding a war council and he would be expected to attend, she rarely told him these things but he always knew. As he neared the War Room, a rather unimaginative name in his opinion, he checked to see that there were no servants around before sliding his Bone Mask back onto his face, no need for the Empress to know it now was there? When he turned the corner the broad double doors were in his view, a guard stood on either side. They immediately recognized the mask and their gazes turned downward as they stepped away from the door, it was superstion amongst many of the city's residents that Gregorian's were the eyes of death and if you looked into them too long you would succumb to the eternal slumber, your soul being lost between worlds forever.

Needless to say when he entered the large room unannounced swords were drawn by all the commanders and warriors present, with the exception of Ithala who looked at Nyx expectantly and, his half-brother, Gedrian Vor who simply chose to ignore Nyx's existance.

"Take a seat Nyx, you might be needed for something later on," Ithala said, indicating the seat against the wall he usually took.

"My Empress," he responded with a deep bow. "Earlier today, an assassin tried to kill me, he was no match for me so he called in several others including a colossal Harbinger, there were at least seven of them, but I managed to ditch the fools in the alleys. He is still out there and I am afraid for your life and wish to offer my services in its defense," finished with his little speech, he took a knee before the Empress.

"There will be no need for that Nyx, take a seat," the fool thought she would believe that? Her informants had already told her the truth, a much less impressive story, but he had indeed proved fleet enough to escape the assassin and so he would remain in her service for now.

[Eon Prime]

Lord Chamberlain Laith
The City of Valda


Laith gave the Solandr a level stare, he trusted nobody, not even the God-Emperor himself. Feng, however, had his respect, something very few could claim they possessed. In over two decades of serving Loric he had met many assassins, none as successful as Feng, and none lasted as long as Feng.

“The God-Emperor indicated he might have such a mission in mind, so I took the liberty of preparing a means of transportation for you. There is an airship at the sky-tower now, the Justice, which is departing for Equinox in the northern fringe of the Empire, on the coast. From there you can secure a horse to travel into the mountains where the nearest city is Vanity, northerners have a weird way of naming cities,” he took out two strips of paper, one already had writing on it and the other was blank. Dipping his quill in the ink well on his desk he neatly drew a circle with an hourglass in it and then signed his name beneath. “You see this paper? A man will approach you with it in Paragon, it is to him you will be reporting too when you get there, and this is your ticket for the airship,” he handed the paper that already had writing on it to Feng and slipped the one with the hourglass on it into an envelope.

[Eon Prime]

Luciana Belle
The City of Equinox

Other residents of the city cleared a path for the pretty girl walking down the street, not because she was intimidating or anything of that nature, but because of her large and pristine wings which would occasionally twitch behind her. The streets were a little dirty in this part of the city, nearer the coast they had been relatively clean if weathered by the sea air that came in off the waters of the Boundless Sea, but when she turned the corner it was clear that they had been cleaned.

Luciana had only been in Equinox for a week, but so far it wasn’t that bad, in fact it was kind of okay. There were none still looking for her, she had left that behind in the North, and she had a roof over her head. Now she had a new problem though, she was lost, she had never been into this part of town before and all the streets were blurring together in her mind. She considered asking for directions, but the people in this city were of questionable integrity and she trusted them only to worsen the situation. She also considered flying, but apparently there were rules against flying in the city, which seemed ridiculous to her, but humans must have had their reasons. Imagine what might happen if a Valatir burglar could simply escape into the air where none would know he had stolen anything when they see him above? So any Valatir caught flying was shot down. Quite a conundrum she had found herself in.

[Man in A Box]

Lite Rige
Equinox

Lite, accompanied by Jax and a few other members of the Laughing Coffins, walked along the streets, making their daily routes. Checking up on businesses that have been put under the protection of Laughing Coffins and collecting their dues. Lite usually did not go along the routes and just stayed home, he hadn't a need to do the work of his underlings, but he had heard Solaris is coming back into town, and he wanted to avoid her. She always creeped him out. So staying away form his normal place would be the best bet. Though he hated the streets due to the crowds of people walking around. He hated crowds, the looks that he would get, the murmurings; a half breed, a Mobster, a sexy beast. Whatever people concerned him to be, he did not enjoy the many stares, yet he would still carry himself with pride. But due to the fact that he was avoiding Solaris, he walked with his hands in his pockets and bent forward slightly as if he was a skulking thief. Even as he walked in such a fashion, people recognized who he was, as well as the massive bear Chimera who stood beside him.

"Chin up, Lite, else you'll grow a hunch on your back," Jax said with a nudge to his friend, which Lite responded with an irritated grunt. "You know the Valdaran army will be headed north soon, perfect time to show the public who is ripe to take lead over our this country."
"I've already taken that into account, Jax, that's not what gives me bother," Lite grumbled, while walking up straight, switching to how he would usually walk, with pride and dignity. "One of those girls said something to me, it hit the heart, it hit me good."
"What is it that one girl could say that might bring the mighty, pleasurable, infamous Lite Rige down to a sulking boy." Jax erupted into a booming laughter.
"Not your business to be wondering," Lite stopped, looking over the crowd, noticing something most eye catching. A pair of wings, sticking out of the crowd. To large to be that of a bird, and to soft to be that of Solandr. "Come, I see something that catches my fancy." Lite gestured for Jax to follow and that he did.

Pushing and shoving through the crowd, Lite made his way to the sight that pulled at him, wings of grace. As he went further and further, he could noticed more features of the creature, red hair, soft smooth nice skin, elegant attire. Words from the crowd filled Lite's ears, "Beautiful, majestic, lust in physical form." Lite finally put either hand on two men blocking his path like a double door, he spread them apart by extending his arms out so he could see this winged image of grace for himself. And to his amazement, a Valatir to the upmost beauty, at first sight, Lite believed he was looking at a goddess of the realm, a muse to the Sun, a sign that there was such a thing as truly perfect. A voluptuous, young, gorgeous girl stood in the middle the crowd. Lite could not help but stand like the others in the crowd, in admiration for what stood before them.

"Lite, we are off route, and running late to your schedule," Jax said, work was more concerning to him than women, especially Lite's specific fancies in breeding with girls of different races.
"Change of schedule, make room for a special guest," Lite waved Jax away. Lite took in a few breathes, checking his scent, and his mouth, making sure he was at maximum presentability, before stepping forward and confronting the Valatir.

"Young miss, excuse me," Lite waved his way in front of the girl, "I could not help but notice the sense of lostness in your deep, misty eyes, though it may just as well be I who is lost in your beautiful gaze. Any how, I've come to offer assistance that, I guarantee, will satisfy your every desire."

[The Magic Hobo]

A FEW HOURS AGO

Solaris smiled as she walked along the forest path to Equinox. She hadn't left Equinox for a few months, and the Gods knew that she needed some fresh air. Afte traveling abroad for a few weeks, she had returned to her apothecary to find her supplies, especially soul gems and castor root, very low. She would need to go to her supplier in the market in Equinox.

She is alert for any sounds, her whip at the ready. Most would not considerba whip to be a lethal weapon, but in Solaris' capable hands, it was able to bring down a wild cave bear. She hears a twig snap, and cracks her whip in that direction. After a few moments of silence, she continues walking towards Equinox, the mountains visible in the distance.

NOW

Solaris grinned at the marketplace, full of bustling people, and traders. Across the way was a little beaten up shop, advertising "Mystykal Wares", yet despite its poor appearance, those who knew of it knew that it had extremeley rare bits of magic, demonic magic included. She entered the shop, winking at the little old man running the shop. He smiles and says in a shaky, cracked voice, "Ah, my Light returns! How have you been Solaris dear?"

Solaris leans down and hugs Rade, planting a little kiss on his cheek, "I've been well Rade! Tell me, do you have the ingredients on this list? I need them for my poisons. Oh, and a few soul gems as well, my last few seem to have gone missing."

"Certainly my dear! Just wait right here, I'll have them in a moment."

"So, I've heard rumors of war and assasination attempts recently. I've even heard that the Blood Knight is back."

"Things are tense. Earlier today in Catharsis, a noblewoman was claimed by Death's Shadow, that assassin. Some claim that she attempted to summon the blood demon, and I'd believe it. The way things are, it wouldn't hurt to have a few powerful friends."

Solaris thinks over what she had just heard, barely aware of the things going on around her. Out of the corner of her eye, she spies Jax through the window, and surprisingly, Lite. It was strange seeing him amongst a crowd. She also sees a young Valatir girl, obviously lost, being hit on by Lite.

Of course he is, damned pervert. I may have to slip a limp-limb potion in his next meal. Then again, I could always poison him with a boil potion. Nah, limp-limb sounds better. I guess I'll need some haflen root.

"Could you also grab me some of that haflen root? I'm going to need it for a potion I have in mind."

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Paragon

In broad daylight, a shadow stood, towering over many other creatures that stood nearby. This being, understandably, was drawing the gazes of many others, given his unique appearance. Skin that looked exactly like a shadow, adorned by a myriad of silvery scars, two horizontal white slits for eyes, shimmering argent hair the color of the moon on his head, and two large feather wings protruding from his back, perpetually stained with white blood, a golden scar running down his back between them. A truly strange sight to behold, indeed. No other being was like this one, a hybrid creature, ignorant of his heritage.

This being, Thanatos, was currently walking down the streets of Paragon, towards the building where the Dragon-Lord Council was located. While technically not a part of the Council, as he was not a dragon himself, Thanatos had earned their favor long ago by bringing back one of theirs, and had served them ever since. This was one of the reasons that some people knew him as the Knight of Alzoroth, or the Chosen of the Dragons.

Making his way through the crowds of the most powerful City-State of the Conclave, ruled by Queen Galatea, Thanatos eventually reached the building of the Dragon-Lord Council. Naturally, it was enormous. Large enough to fit several dragons inside, which was only logical considering its purpose. The reason for his presence there was simple enough. Alzoroth, head of the Council, had summoned, likely to send him on another mission. Thanatos did not mind. He had the hope that, if he helped the dragons, they, too, would help him in his mission to rebuild the world and bring about another Golden Age. A distant dream, yes, considered naive by many, but a dream nonetheless, one he had fought for during most of his life.

Respectfully and ceremoniously, Thanatos strode into the room in which the Council had gathered, with his head bowed in a signal of respect.

"Did you call for me, Lord Alzoroth?"

[Eon Prime]

Luciana Belle
Equinox

Luciana was still wandering through the streets with nothing but a lost expression on her face when a handsome man, or at least he appeared mostly human, offered his assistance. Not only that, but he was also very charming.

“Really?” she asked excitedly, a little wary, but not able to resist the offer. It had only been about twenty minutes since she realized she was lost and she was confident that she would hit the streets she remembered again soon, but if this stranger wanted to help her then what was the problem?

“I don’t know how to get back to my inn,” she said with a childishly confused expression on her face. “I was trying to find a store where I could buy some new boots, mine are falling apart,” the boots she was wearing were roughly patched in many places, Luciana looked down at them before looking back at Lite pleadingly.

[Man in A Box]

Lite Rige

Lite's assumption was correct, she was lost and needed the assistance of a valiant man to sweep her from her feet and carry her to safety, well close enough. Oh the pleading expression was just to adorable, there was no way he could resist whisking her away to his home for a fine night pleasure and ecstasy, but Lite was getting a head of himself, first he would have to convince her to accompany him to his home. A plan was formulated in his mind which he could not see any flaws in.

"I am terribly sorry, but there is none such store that handles such things," he lied, showing his white smile. "But you are in luck, I happen to know someone who is at my house right now, who knows how to deal with such troubles." Lite put out his hand gesturing for her to take, so he could lead her to his home, which Jax had already left to, to prepare for the guest. "If you wish, I could lead you to my home, where it is warm from the fireplace. There, I have a warm meal for two, waiting for myself and lucky someone who gets to eat it beside me, and today, I have chosen the lucky someone to be you," Lite paused to let her take in the information, "Please, allow me to be polite to one that would make even the stars jealous of her beauty, let me treat you to a night that you will never forget. And of course, we'll fix your boots."

Lite stood, his hand still out for her to take, his smile still holding its charming place on his lips, his eyes gently tracing along her curves and textures of her fine body and beautiful face, his stance that of a gentlemen asking a lady to stand and dance with him. It was obvious, Lite wanted this one, he wanted this girl bad.

[Eon Prime]

Lord Alzoroth
The City of Paragon

Alzoroth looked towards entrance when Thanatos entered the massive hall of the council. All of the dragons were present in the room, it’s ceiling as high as the cathedrals of old. They acknowledged his respect by inclining their own heads in a similar fashion, Alzoroth spoke first.

“A pleasure it is, as always, Thanatos,” he said, his rumbling voice like a landslide. “Do you know why it is that you were summoned here today friend?” he asked, the other dragons sat in silence waiting for Alzoroth to continue, he was a bit of a rambler and never gave anyone time to respond. “There is an important task, a dangerous one, one we have long considered but never had the time or champions, such as you, to deal with it. Then when we did there always seemed a more immediate task at hand as you well know, so now I and the council would like to formally ask you to investigate the state of dragons in the south,” the other dragons nodded there concurrence. But he was not quite done yet.

“One would think that any dragons possessed of their wits in the south would have heard of us by now, or is news so slow these days that they have not heard of us? Of course I can’t claim to know who or what rules in the south myself...maybe we dragons are so self-possessed that we don’t bother with the younger races and their news?” most of this last part he said in a slightly bewildered manner, as if the questions weren’t rhetorical. Then after the last bit he let out a burst of thundering laughter, the others didn’t seem to find it quite so amusing, Alzoroth continued when he was done. “That would make the most sense, indeed even now we can be arrogant, but if we do not come together like we haven’t in millennia then we shall fall alone. This is why I ask you to go south my friend, take freely of our resources for the trip should you accept the task, whatever you wish of us we will give,” every other dragon present nodded solemnly in consent.

[The Magic Hobo]

Solaris pays Rade, and walks out of the shop with her satchel full of ingredients and soul gems. Deciding to announce herself and annoy Lite with one single action, she pulls out her whip, and cracks it right next to his right ear. She repeatedly cracks it, shouting “Back! Back!”, getting closer and closer to his head. She cracks on the tip of his nose, and rolls it back up.

“Hail, Lite! Still preying on innocent young girls, are we? Maybe we should remove the reason you have different women in your bed every night, eh?” Solaris says, cracking the whip dangerously close to his belt. She giggles, and turns to the girl, smiling. “Oh, I’m sorry. Allow me to introduce myself: I am me. And who are you, sweetheart? I see you’ve had the displeasure of meeting Lite here. He comes off rather strong, doesn’t he? Has he said anything about being lost in your eyes yet? It’s not like he hasn’t said that befo- oh my!”

Solaris gasps as she notices the girls torn and worn shoes, her rather haggard appearance, and the beautiful and pristine wings on her back. “Oh no, this isn’t acceptable. A beggar, Lite? That’s a horrible thing to do, even for you… taking advantage of this poor young girl for money! I won’t have it!”

“Come, let’s get you a new pair of boots, and some food. Oh what the heck, let’s just go to the market. Pick out anything you would like, I’ll pay for it all you poor little thing! Then we can go to my home and get some food into you.” She says, hugging the girl in a motherly way.

[Eon Prime]

Luciana Belle
The City of Equinox

At this point Luciana wasn’t doubtful about the stranger’s authenticity or integrity. She should have, but she didn’t. Every city had a place that dealt with boots, it would have been silly if they didn’t, and there were more obvious signs. He had a meal waiting for himself and the woman he chose? For it was doubtable he would chose a man, it all sounded so contrived, right down to his honeyed words.

Luciana immediately began to trust him, she truly was a fool, pretty words from a pretty man and she was oblivious to all of the clear things that should have warned her. This man was clearly trustworthy? Why else would he be so nice and offer to repair her boots?

“Really?” she asked, blushing slightly from his cheesy compliments. “I wouldn’t want to be a trouble to someone so nice. I have money though, I’ll pay you for it,” she finished with glee, having worked around the moral trouble that impeded her. If she paid him then he wasn’t giving her anything and she wouldn’t feel bad, yet she still stared at his waiting hand with some trepidation, a tickle in her mind that she wasn’t used to feeling, something that suggested he wasn’t just being nice. It was a form of intuition though that she didn’t recognize and didn’t know how to respond to. Her wings flapped behind her, an indication that she was puzzled, before folding against her back once again.

“Alright,” she said before reaching for his hand, and then a woman came out of nowhere and she seemed to know him. After that Luciana tried to say many different things but she, who identified herself as me, simply continued to ramble on. What she said included a lot about Lite, when she finished Luciana was able to piece it all together. Lite must have thought she was a beggar too, and of course he must let beggars sleep in his bed because he was so generous, but she didn’t understand what she meant about taking advantage of her for money, well maybe she hadn’t pieced it all together.

“Thank you but-“ she was cut off as Solaris gave her a motherly hug, it reminded Luciana of her own mother when she was just a little girl and all kinds of nostalgic emotions rushed to the surface incapacitating her.