On the continent of Vantana, situated near it's northern extremity, is the Ni'aps plain. From a distance it appears to be a flat, featureless granite plateau, but up close, it is a shattered landscape of stone. Cracks spiderweb out in all directions, and huge blocks lie upturned and scattered about. No cataclysmic battle shattered this monolith of granite, no ancient magics, or the wrath of the gods tore this plateau apart. The continual action of water, wind, cold and heat have over countless eons slowly fractured the stone, forming it into a maze of crags and crevices, and a forest of stone pillars. It is a place of extreme conditions, and stark beauty. Beyond this plain, far to the north, beyond the frozen sea, in a mountain range that no human has seen, lies the frozen hall of Haline the leader of the Frost dragons. To the south lies the Alokin Valley and the kingdom of Asurion. To the east lies the expansive Rylor Mountains and to the west lies the stark peaks of the Jihrasan mountains. This plateau is one of the most desolate and isolated spots in the world. If anyone would have been in this desolate place, they would have seen a strange sight on this particular night. They would have seen a two headed monster, with silver and blond hair moving like the wind across this broken plateau, jumping between crags, skipping over crevices, and occasionally taking a few running steps on the flatter rocks. Behind this two headed monster, matching it skip to jump is a grotesque thing, with three bodies, and ten appendages. It is a blur of fire red, steel gray, and pale blue. The two things cross the plateau, and disappear down the western slope, leaving the fractured plain. Something was in this desolate place, and she saw that strange sight. Sitting silently atop one of the many crags, a small cloaked girl was unseen by the passing beings. To say that the girl is unseen is an understatement, in more ways than one. To say that she wants to be here would be false, she doesn't want to be anywhere, on this world. The girl leaves, her two tasks complete. She doesn't walk away, climb down from the rocky crag, or leap and skip across the plateau, she doesn't even bother to stand up. She simply disappears, leaving not a trace that she even existed. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Vampire Legend R Episode 17: Cracks and Fissures By Coyote, a.k.a Aaron Bradley VLR originally created by Ben Overmyer ----------------------------------------------------------------- --- Warning: Contains a 15 letter word. You are warned. ----------------------------------------------------------------- --- --- On the westernmost extent of the Ni'aps plain, Renaku is moving. Not quite flying, but not quite running either, Renaku is skipping over the small rocky foothills that lead up to the plateau. Leandra is clinging to his back, not quite hanging on for dear life, but making it clear that she's not going to let him drop her. She had been very vocal at the beginning of the trip, complaining about how she was not pleased with this method of transportation. Five minutes later, she gave up, and hasn't said a word since. Renaku spots a clearing ahead, nestled between two hills. He begins to slow down, with a final leap over a gully, he flies into a graceful arc and lands in the middle of the clearing. Leandra lets go of Renaku's back immediately, and staggers a few feet away. Shortly after Renaku lands, Thiesra lands behind him, a half dragon in one hand, and a dragon possesed warrior-priest in the other. She unceremoniously drops Aiger and Trevant to the grond, and lets out an exausted sigh. The two land on their feet, for the most part, but they don't complain about it. They are more than happy to be standing on their own two legs, instead of being carried around like sacks of grain. After briefly examining the surrounding area, Renaku comes back to the clearing. "Since this was your idea, Trevant, how far do you think we've come?" Renaku asks. "The Ni'aps plain is about 180 seguael wide, so I would guess that we've covered about 250 seguael since we parted with the dragons." Trevant says. "Not a bad distance to cover in 4 hours." Renaku says. The others don't return his optimism. "We'll rest her for a while." Needing no more encouragement, they begin to rest, in their own particular way. Thiesra walks over and sits down heavily by a boulder, obviously tired. Aiger and Leandra busy themselves with making a fire, and Trevant simply resumes his unending stare at Renaku. Renaku ignores the stare for the most part, and keeps watch. "This is going to be a long night." He thinks to himself. --- At the central peak of the Jihrasan mountains, the Fumu are beginning to gather, in large numbers. The few villages and farms in this remote mountain region have already been destroyed, their population corrupted by the Fumu. The valleys and passes around the central peak are thick with Fumu, from the two remaining clans. When the master of a clan is destroyed, those that are corrupted by that clan are destroyed as well. The original Fumu that came to this world, still live, but their power is greatly decreased when their master is destroyed. That is why a few Wind, Fire and Stone Fumu can be seen among the teeming hoard of Dark Water and Shadow Fumu. Inside the mountain, the Fumu are slowly working their way into every nook, and cranny in the mountain. They have already secured the caverns leading to the stone, and the platfrom that holds the Stone of Forever is thick with them. No Fumu are near the stone, however. The ring of ash on the platform clearly marks the closest that the Fumu can approach the stone. Instead they prowl the tunnels, and float through the air, waiting for Gieb to arrive with the key. The wait will not be long. Geib is approaching from his lair in the Digirf sea in the west, and the remaining Fumu from the Rylor mountains are approaching from the east. They will both be at the mountain in three days. In three days, they will have what they came to this world to get. A cloaked girl suddenly appears within the ring of ash. The Fumu don't acknowledge her presence, or even sense that she is there. She examines the Fumu milling around the platform for a moment, and then turns her attention to the rest of the mountain. The girl's white eyes flare, and the mountain ... changes. Passages shift, ancient tunnels suddenly lead to other places and the caverns and caves are suddenly in other parts of the mountain. The Fumu that were within the mountain suddenly find themselves somewhere else. The area around the deep fissure, and the platform is gone, and is replaced by a massive cavern. A small smile comes to her lips, as she scans the mountain with her mind, examining her handiwork. Then she disappears, leaving not a trace, but a puzzle and a maze that only a certain vampire can solve. --- Renaku, Aiger, Leandra and Trevant are examining a map of the area around the Jihrasan mountains, conjured up by Trevant. A white line marks their progresses across the land. Renaku pokes at a spot on the map. "By sunrise, we should be here, just north of the central peak. From there, we'll have to either fight our way into the mountain, or find another way in." "Do you think we've outpaced the main body of the Fumu?" Leandra asks. "I would assume so. We are moving fast." Renaku answers. "We do have an advantage in that respect. The Fumu have to move an entire army, we only have to move 5 people." Aiger points out. "They have the advantage that they HAVE and entire army, and can throw wave after wave of demons at us." Leandra adds. "Unless we get there first." Renaku says. "They can move during both the day and night." Trevant points out, as he glares at Renaku. Renaku ignores the glare. "True. Too bad I didn't even get to look for that herb. If it would have worked, it would be really useful right now." "Herb?" Aiger asks. "The whole reason I started for the Rylor mountains in the first place. About two months ago, an apothecary in the village of Ozona told me about this rare plant. Supposedly it can be made into a balm that would allow me to walk under the noonday sun. I was looking for that." Renaku says. "Not exactly a quest of importance and prophecy . that's silly actually. A vampire looking for a plant." Leandra says. "And to think that at the time I was bored enough to start it..." Renaku trails off has he notices Trevant's expression. With his hard features, and glowing gray eyes, the look of confusion on his face is almost comical. "THAT'S the reason you went to the Rylor Mountains?!" Trevant asks. "Yes... you didn't hear that when I told Zeorx?" Renaku asks, slightly confused by Trevant's sudden mood shift. "But... " Trevant's expression suddenly shifts again. "It dosen't matter. Whatever your reason for going to the Rylor Mountains, in the end, it is to fulfil the prophecy." Renaku lets out an aggravated sigh, and shakes his head. "The prophecy. I am sick of the prophecy. Everyone going around proclaiming prophecy this, prophecy that, `It is your DESTINY to buy me lunch, lest all that is decent and good is destroyed!'. Tell me then, Manganese, what does this `prophecy' say about the Forever Stone, if anything?" "I am Trevant, Vampire. Do not assume otherwise." Trevant states, avoiding the question as well. "Yet you are Manganese, through the blood bond. You are here to make sure I follow, and fulfil this `prophecy' to Gai's liking, correct?" Renaku locks eyes with Trevant, and watches his reaction. "The balance will be maintained. That is also the prophecy. There is no other choice." Trevant forcefully states. "Then what is this balance? Answer me that." Renaku challenges Trevant, but he is answered with silence. "Perhaps I should go ask Gai directly then? Besides Sol, he is the only major god that I haven't talked to yet. One of his . minions I assume, said that I could search him out." Renaku says. This generates a reaction out of Trevant. "Do not mock the gods or me, Vampire." Trevant warns, hand dropping to the head of his warhammer. Renaku doesn't answer, but he has made up his mind. He turns and walks toward the sparse forest that grows on this rocky ground. "Follow me Trevant, you and I have several things to discuss." "Trying to draw me out, so you can kill me?" Trevant asks. "If that's what you want to believe, fine." Renaku says as he disspaears into the darkness. "Very clever vampire." Trevant's smile is all but a snarl, as he draws his hammer, and runs after Renaku, leaving Aiger and Leandra staring after them. After a long silence, Leandra turns to Aiger. "Should we go after them?" "No. Let them sort out their diffrences, however they will." Aiger replies. "And if they kill each other?" "I doubt that. Renaku won't kill Trevant, and he won't allow himself to be killed either." Aiger says, as he stares off into the darkness. --- In the forest, Trevant finds Renaku waiting for him, sword still sheathed. As he approaches, Renaku speaks. "You have two choices, and only two choices. One, get off my back, stop fighting me, and help me fight the Fumu. Knock off this high and mighty attitude." "The second choice?" Trevant asks. "Kill me. Right here, right now. Those are your choices. Which will it be, Trevant or Manganese." Renaku steps back, and bows, putting his head even with Trevant's chest. A predatory smile comes to Trevant's lips, as he takes a step back and readies his hammer. "That is an easy choice." Trevant misses the smile that comes to Renaku's lips. "Are you prepared to deal with the consequences of whichever choice you make?" "More than prepared." Trevant simply states as he swings the hammer. The impact connects squarely with Renaku's head, throwing him off his feet, and he spins to the ground. Renaku gets up off the ground, and he locks eyes with the vampire hunter, the concussion and head wound slip off of his body like water. "Did you want to see if I would flinch?" Trevant is taken back by Renaku's near instantaneous recovery, but he hides his reaction even faster. "You've made your choice, Manganese. Trevant would have tried to take my head clean off, but you won't, because you are under Lord Gai's orders, correct?" "I am Jouo Ban Trevant warrior-priest." Trevant states. "Manganese is dead, I only carry remnants of his power, and his memories." "And his power and memories guide you now?" "Why do you refuse to fulfil the prophecy? Do you want the world to be handed over to the darkness?" Trevant asks, avoiding the question. "Why do you refuse to tell me what exactly the prophecy is?" Renaku retorts. "Does it mention anything about the Stone?" Silence. "Then there is your answer. I have heard this same prophecy from many sources, each time it is a bit different. Which one is right? Who do you trust, if each side is trying to change things by spouting a slightly different prophecy? What is this prophecy? That is why I refuse to be bound to any prophecy, and I refuse to be manipulated by any of those who are bound to it." "Understand this, Renaku, with that kind of arrogant attitude, you WILL condemn the world to darkness." Renaku keeps his gaze locked on Trevant. "Arrogant? I call it cautious. There is something you need to understand as well, you aren't the only one with secrets, nor do you have a monopoly on the truth, or the future." Renaku breaks eye contact and walks back to the clearing. "You've made your choice. Now deal with the consequences." --- Renaku walks into the clearing, and over to the fire. Aiger and Leandra stand up as he approaches. "He's dealing with the consequences of his choice, I hope." Renaku says, answering their unspoken questions. " And no, I didn't even touch him." Renaku walks to the other side of the clearing, before either can say a word. "I'm going to go see what's eating him." Aiger says, as he walks over to Renaku, leaving Leandra alone. Leandra watches the two talk for a moment, and then turns her attention back to the fire. She lets her arms hang limp at her side, letting them recuperate from the wild flight/ride clinging to Renaku's back. "I can safely say, this is the strangest quest I have ever been on," She thinks to herself, "and it hasn't truly begun yet." When Trevant has suggested that Renaku carry her, she nearly lost it. She doesn't want to be on the same continent with him, much less have this vampire carrying her across the top of the world! It was a screwball plan from her perspective, but no one else raised any objections. Now after traveling 250 seguael on Renaku's back, she still thinks it's a screwball plan, but it works. "There are much better ways to travel than this," Leandra thinks to herself "Like on the back of a storm dragon." Leandra smiles inwardly as she recalls the sight of that powerful and majestic creature. "I wish I could have talked to it." She thinks. Leandra lets out a sigh, as she recalls the other events that have happened within the past two weeks. Who could have known what she was walking into when she agreed to help one of her retainers with `a minor demon problem' two weeks ago? She didn't expect the Fumu, or the dragons, especially not the Vampire. She only expected to see a demon or two. She looks over at Thiesra who is sitting a little ways away. Thiesra is in her natural form, or what Leandra guesses is her natural form, with her eyes closed, looking as dog tired as a 9 foot tall otherworldly demon can look. Thiesra had been a surprise, no doubt about it. Once the shock from routing the Fumu, and from seeing the dragons had worn off, Leandra could easily sense the magic within this plain looking woman. It was still a shock when Thiesra dropped her human guise, and she sensed the amount of power that this demon possessed. Now, to see this large demon resting peacefully off to one side, contrary to all her pre-conceived notions of how demons behave, is strangely comforting. Leandra finds that ironic. She can accept Thiesra for what she is, and has no problem being in the same party as a demon that seems to have enough magical power to take on the entire Guild of the Storm Mages. Yet she can't quite accept Renaku for what he is. The thought is not new. Whenever she reflects back on that whole first adventure, and remembers how brash, naãve, and stupid she had been. She always ends up wondering the same thing. Does that same irresponsible attitude still taint her opinion and attitude toward Renaku? Yes, he had not told her that he was a vampire, and in her ignorance, she had put her trust in a total stranger. But why does she still feel so betrayed, just because he is a vampire, even though he did nothing to betray her trust? Perhaps it is because up till now she has had only her memories to guide her opinion, memories that were formed with her skewed perspective of the world at the time. "It must have been a deep wound, if even after 15 years it still hurts." Leandra mutters to herself. To think all this time she considered it only a superficial one. "What did you say, Leandra?" Aiger asks. Leandra jerks her head up to look at Aiger, not realizing that he had come back near the fire. "Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about past actions." She says, a little embarrassed. "I've got to remember that everyone here but me has supernatural hearing." She reminds herself. "Were they good actions?" He asks, as he unsheaths his massive sword in order to clean it. "Some were." Leandra answers, and then changes the subject. "What did Renaku have to say?" "Not much. He said that he and Trevant had come to an agreement, of sorts. Nothing beyond that." There is a slight pause. "Aiger, how well do you know Renaku?" Leandra asks. "I know him fairly well, not as well as Thiesra perhaps, but enough that we can call each other friend." Aiger says. "He helped me do something that needed to be done, but I didn't want to do, and then he helped me build up a country that had fallen to the brink of destruction. He's a good man, if not a little depressing to be around at times." Aiger pauses, and looks up at Leandra. "What about you? How did you meet him?" He asks, as he flips his sword over to clean the other side. "I met him in Melegan. We happened to run into each other and found out that we were after the same thing. I had only days before been released from my apprenticeship, and was looking to make a name for myself. So in my brilliance of ignorance, I decided that I would take on the Fumu in Melegan." Leandra says. Aiger whistles, "You knew how to aim for the top." "I was lucky to make it out of there alive, and only partially intact." Leandra says. "Partially?" "I left a good deal of my trust, and some of my confidence in the ruins of the Fumu stronghold." Leandra admits. "Now it becomes clear." Aiger says with a smile. "Pardon me for being blunt, but you felt betrayed because this strong, silver haired knight, who you put your trust in turned out to be a vampire. The fact that he didn't fit any of your notions of what a vampire should be like spooked you more than if he had attacked you." Leandra thinks about this for a moment. "It's a little bit different when you hear someone voice your own thoughts and concerns, but that is exactly it." Leandra finally admits. "I'm not going to tell you to trust him, you have to do that on your own. I am saying give him another chance. He may be distant, harsh on himself, and sometimes very hard to talk to, but he is a good friend that will try his hardest not to let you down." Leandra looks over to Renaku, still on the edge of the clearing. He turns suddenly and walks over to Thiesra. "I'll remember that, Aiger." --- Renaku walks over to where Thiesra is resting, and sits down opposite of her. She is leaning back against a boulder with her eyes closed, her position unchanged from when she first sat down to rest. "Thiesra? Are you awake?" Renaku asks softly and carefully. "Yes, I'm awake, Ren-chan. Have a nice chat with Trevant?" She asks. "You heard?" "How could I not?" "Pleasant? No. Did we come to an agreement? Yes." Renaku answers. "That's what it boils down to. What about you, are you ok? I've never seen you this still and quiet." Renaku asks. "I'm fine. I'm just building up energy for when we get to the mountains. Don't worry about it." Thiesra says, a little too much snap in her voice. Renaku regards her for a moment. "Fine, I'll leave you alone. Rest, and regain your strength. I'll be on lookout." He gets up to leave. "No wait, please stay. Talking doesn't take up THAT much energy." "You sure?" Renaku asks. "Positive. I haven't gotten to talk to you in a while." Thiesra replies. "So . How are you tonight, Ren-chan?" Renaku sits back down. "Fine, I guess. I was just thinking about my last trip into the Jihrasan mountains, and what an ... interesting time that was. Last time it was crawling with summoned demons of the Blood Moon Society. This time it will be crawling with Fumu." "And this time, you are in top form, riding a wave of energy from the fallen Fumu." Thiesra says, trying to cheer him up. "That's what worries me." Renaku says. "Go on." Renaku is silent for a moment as he tries to compose his thoughts. "All this energy is fine and good right now, but I'm concerned what's going to happen after we finish off the Fumu." "Like there's no more chalenges left to do? " "Not exactly, but similar." Renaku says, he pauses again. "I'm afraid my bloodlust has gotten used to this regular, massive inflow of energy, and I'm ... terrified what's going to happen when there are no more Fumu to sate it." With her eyes still closed, Thiesra lets out a small chuckle. "It sounds like you need to go on a diet Ren-chan." "A di-eht?" Renaku asks. "Diet. It's a practice among my people, to deal with a similar situation. It's a remedy for demons who try to absorb and hoard too much energy. If they get too much energy, and then don't do anything with it, the magic goes stagnant in their bodies. Worse, their bodies become used to the magic just sitting there, and it tries to hold on to it. The flow of magic is inhibited, and they get weak, and slow down. In extreme cases, the magic stops flowing through their bodies altogether, and they die." "So what is this diet?" Renaku asks, "Energy drainers? Stabbing myself with my blade, ritualistic blood letting?" Thiesra chuckles again. "No, nothing so... demonic, Ren-chan. It's a set of guidelines, and rules to help restore the flow of magic. Use the power you have . well, don't get reckless, and overdo it. Even strong demons can try to handle too much power and have their minds burned into oblivion. Don't let the power go stagnant inside of you. Instead of absorbing the energy directly from your sword, let it stay in there, and only draw from it bit by bit, just enough to sate your bloodlust. That'll force your body to use the energy it already has." Renaku is silent for a moment as he processes Thiesra's words. "Controlled starvation, only a demon could come up with something so sadistic." Renaku says, giving Thiesra a playfull wink. Thiesra misses the wink entirely, because she still has most of her senses closed off to conserve energy. "It`s not sadistic, Renaku. It just takes a lot of self control, and determination." "Sorry, Thiesra. I was just teasing you." Renaku apologizes. "I know, Ren-chan, but it does take a lot of self control, because your body is used to taking in so much energy." Thiesra says. Renaku contemplates this for a while. "Speaking of energy, how are you doing?" "You already asked me that, Ren-chan." Thiesra replies, a note of amusement in her voice. "I know, I want to see if I can get a real answer this time." "Oh. I can't hide anything from you, can I? " Thiesra says. "And I can't hide anything from you either. In all we've been though, in all the countless battles, I've never seen you this drained. What's wrong?" Renaku says. "It's... it's similar to your problem, except in reverse." Thiesra finally says. Her voice clearly conveys her embarrassment. "You're not getting enough energy? Has there not enough magic around for you to take in?" Renaku asks, apprehension edging into his voice. He doesn't want to hear that his problem of too much energy is related to his best friend's problem of too little energy. Friend? Or is she more than that? He shoves those thoughts aside for the moment. "No, there's plenty of magic around, the air is sometimes saturated with it. I just haven't taken the time to absorb any of it." Thiesra replies. "Before you ask, no there's nothing wrong with me. I've just had too much else to do, and to think about." She adds hastily "Those must be some heavy thoughs, if they have been keeping you from eating, so to speak. Do you want to talk about them?" Renaku asks, concern in his voice, and a bit of amusement in his thoughts. "It's usually the other way around. She usually is the one prying things out of me." He thinks. "Yes, but not right now, not here." Thiesra says. There is a long silence, as both try to think of what to say next. Renaku breaks the silence. "Do you want to switch? You carry Leandra, and I'll find a way to carry Trevant and Aiger." "No, don't worry about it. I will be fine in an hour or so. Besides this is actually good for me. While my magic isn't in danger of going static, it has been a while since I've had a really good magical workout." Thiesra say. "What about Makath?" Renaku points out. "Point." "I'm also the one that need the `exercise' as you say." Renaku says. "But judging from our past encounters, you are the one that is going to end up facing the brunt of the Fumu. You'll get more than enough exercise then." Thiesra says. "Point." There is another long silence. "Let me give you some of my energy." Renaku says. Thiesra's open her eyes, and she stares at Renaku for a second. "What did you say?" "I said, let me give you some of my energy. You've given me energy in the past, and I want to return the favor. Right now I've got more than enough to give." Renaku reasons. "No, it's ok, Ren-chan, I'm not THAT drained. There's no need to go to extreme measures." Thiesra says. "Does he realize what he's asking?" Thiesra thinks to herself. Thiesra racks her brain, trying to remember if she ever told Renaku how otherworldly demons procreate. Not something that comes up in conversation, casual or otherwise. "Like letting me suck your blood isn't an extreme measure?" Renaku asks. "My magic regenerates my blood when I'm in my human form, this is something entirely different. Sharing energy directly from one soul to another is... is extreme as it gets." Thiesra says, trying to avoid where this conversation might go. "My feelings toward him is one of the things I don't want to talk about right here and now." Thiesra thinks to herself. "When do you want to start moving again?" Renaku asks, letting the previous subject drop. "I'll be ready to go in about an hour, as long as we don't have to cross something as rugged as the Ni'aps plaing again." Thiesra says, relieved. "There appears to be nothing but foothills and valleys between here and there," Renaku says. "We'll try to find a isolated spot to rest for the day, in a smaller chain of mountains to the north of the Jihrasan mountains." "So how are we going to keep the Fumu from getting the stone?" "I don't know. I doubt that we could seal the mountain off. Perhaps some sort of ambush inside the mountain to steal the key, or a direct assult. None of us know what to expect once we get there." Renaku says "Relying on skill, cunning and luck, as usual?" Thiesra asks, a smile on her face. "I don't know of any other way." Renaku says, returning her smile with a rare smile of his own. --- Contoyune roamed the halls of his sanctuary, restless and disturbed. Makath is gone, and Zeorx and the demons that support him are nowhere to be sensed. That is bothering the hell out of him. Yes he had taken control away from Zeorx, but his plan had backfired. He had taken control by working up the majority of the younger demons into a frenzy, and then they drove off Zeorx and his folowers, the ones that had been too smart to be manipulated, the older demons. That left him with the young, inexperienced and hot headed demons. Worse, not all of the older demons went with Zeorx, the ones that stayed have that hungry look in their eyes. They want his position, and like him, they will do what it takes to get it. Contoyune curses under his breath as he rounds the corner, to see a group of demons gathered around a door, the archives, he recalls. Contoyune stomps up to the group. "What is going on here?" He says in his loud, presencefull voice, letting his annoyance carry on his voice. The demons fall back, surprised. One of them steps foreword "Contoyune, sir ... someone broke into the archives!" "How?" Contoyune growls out, "I posted a guard here." "T ... They snuck in wearing your form, and using your voice." Another demons says. "Where are they now?" Contoyune growls again. "They're dead, sir." "Good. One of Zeorx's I assume?" Contoyune says. "N... Yes sir." The demon that was guarding the door says. Contoyune walks into the archive, and looks around. One desk is turned over, and another is missing a drawer. There is a pile of fine red dust near one of the shelves. Not much else seems out of place. "I wonder what they were looking for." Contoyune thinks to himself. He walks out of the archive and goes back to planing how he is going to keep his rule from shattering, and keep himself from becoming a pile of red dust like the one on the floor. "Damn you Zeorx." --- Renaku is perched high in a tree, watching for possible threats. It will be morning in about two hours so he is putting in guard duty while he can. According to Trevant's map, they have moved another 250 seguael from their previous camp. In the distance, with his supernatural sight, Renaku can see the Jihrasan mountains silhouetted against the night sky, illuminated by a thin crescent moon. He wonders what awaits him this time, deep within those mountains. During the journey, he had followed Thiesra's advice, and used more of his power, instead of conserving it, like he usually would. Actually, Renaku had tried to wear himself out, his feet didn't touch the ground the whole trip. He had zig-zaged along their route, sometime going several seguael out of the way. He poured energy into his senses, pushing them to their limit, until his mind was almost burried under information about the surrounding area. All of this was much to Leandra's displeasure. Flight didn't seem to bother her, but erratic flight seemed to. Either that, or se could sense the amount of power Renaku was using. Despite this, she seemed a little less tense than previously. He even had a nice discussion with her about the different types of magics, their histories, and even some basics on how she controls her magic. Despite all of the energy use, Renaku didn't feel tired at all. His bloodlust was telling him that he was hungry, but his body was telling him just the opposite. He could feel the red haze of his bloodlust in the back of his head, slowly building. He pushes it further back into his mind, telling it to use the energy he already has. It seemed to listen. Renaku recently has had no problem arguing with himself. He pauses at this, and then laughs to himself, on how absurd that sounds. "Look." "Speaking of speaking to myself." Renaku thinks. "Look." "At the mountains?" "No, at your companions." "I see a priest, a mage, a demon, and a half dragon." Renaku thinks matter of factly. "Look deeper." "I see a group of beings that don't want to be together." Renaku says. "So why are the cooperating ... tolerating each other?" "They ... we are united to destroy the Fumu." "We. Would they be tolerating each other if you were not here?" Renaku thinks about this. "No." "What are the types of human magic?" Normally, Renaku would have been annoyed at the sudden shift of topic by his irrational side. Tonight, he is too caught up in his thoughts to complain. He thinks back to his conversation with Leandra earlier on. "Storm, Frost, Fire, Earth, and Black magic." "Or Wind, Water, Fire and Earth." "What about black magic?" Renaku asks. "How many dragons were there?" Renaku pauses again, at the sudden shift in topic. "Four ... no five. Fire, Storm, Steel, Frost, and the shadow dragon." "Then what balances what?" Renaku's thoughts are silent for a moment as he attempts to recall the balances. "Earth deflects Wind, Wind ... Wind shapes Water, Water extinguishes Fire, and Fire burns Earth." "Those aren't balances, that is the dominance. What are the balances?" "Wind ... Wind and Fire, Earth and Water." Renaku thinks suddenly. "Then what balances Black?" "Light of course ... so the priesthood would balance black magic." Renaku thinks. "That is a dominance, just as Black magic can dominate the White, whichever is stronger." "Then what balances white and black?" Renaku asks. "What indeed?" Renaku sits there on his lofty perch, silently, watching the fire burn in the distance below him, and the shadows playing. He strains his sight, to try to see what lay between the firelight, and the shadows, the light and the dark. It remains unseen. "Instead of all these questions and such, why don't you tell me things straight out?" Renaku asks his irrational side. "Because that would be too easy." "Too easy?" "You do not become a master of the sword by listening to stories of how to use a sword. You may pick up hints and tricks, but you must use a sword to master it. Same thing with your mind. Remember that I am you, and there are things that you don't know, and there are questions that only you have the answer to." "But you know things that I don't know." "True, in a way. I see things just a bit different, and can make connections that you previously couldn't make. It is also true that some knowledge has been passed down to me, enough to help when the time comes." "Where did this knowledge come from, and what is it?" "That I can't tell you, because I don't know. When you put that last piece in place, all will become clear." "Cryptic. In other words, there are things that I have to figure out on my own." Renaku thinks. "Correct. Now look again at your merry band, look beyond the surface, to the ironic picture that Fate has chosen to draw for you." Renaku looks at the beings gathered around the fire. "Aiger Nova, son of a Frost dragon, Leandra, a Storm mage, Trevant, who has a blood bond to a Steel Dragon, and Thiesra . "A fire skinned demon. Close enough. Where does that leave you?" "Wait, there are two more." Renaku realizes with a start. Two elves, a High elf, and a Dark elf, approach undetected from opposite directions, and neither aware of the other. "Fate is thorough, and sometimes not as subtle as usual." Renaku's irrational side thinks with a smirk. "Now, where does this leave you?" Renaku pauses as he stands up. "To keep every one from killing each other." "Exactly." --- Renaku watches the two elves for a moment, as they creep toward the clearing. If it wasn't for his lofty perch, he would have not spotted them. He glances as Thiesra, but she doesn't seem to notice the two elves. "She must still be regenerating her magical reserves." Renaku thinks to himself. He leaps silently into the air, and floats down to land in the middle of the clearing, startling his companions. "Ren-chan? What's wrong?" Thiesra says as she stands and turns toward the darkness. "We have visitors. Come on out, both of you." Renaku calls into the forest. Thiesra lets her magical senses stretch out, and take in the surrounding area. Immediately she spots the two elves, by their natural magical auras. She points quickly in the direction of the two, and Leandra, Trevant and Aiger draw their weapons. They wait for an attack or an answer. Nothing. Renaku motions for his companions to put away their weapons, and then he turns back to the darkened forest. "Perhaps I should be more specific, " he says, "Come out High elf, who is to our east, and come out Dark elf who is to our west. I would like to talk with you." Nothing. "I wish to talk to you about the Fumu, and their activity in this area. I assume that is why you both are here, correct?" Renaku continues. "And if I don't want to talk to you?" An elven voice says from the west. "Or associate with such rubbish as your tainted party?" A similar voice says to the east. Renaku and Thiesra easily ignore the comment, but Leandra, Aiger and Trevant bristle at it. "I would reconsider your opinion, Elf. There are several in this party that are not tainted by the darkness." Trevant says, the gray glow in his eyes flaring briefly. "Tainted or not, our common enemy is the Fumu. We are on our way to confront these monsters, and the more information we have, the better." Renaku says. "Well said, vampire." The voice in the west says. "But five against the legion Fumu, even with such a ... diverse company as you have, is not an informed decision by any means." "None of our encounters with the Fumu have been informed decisions, but driven by need, this one even moreso." Renaku says. The Dark elf walks into the clearing, satisfied that he and this strange company do indeed share similar goals. Leandra recognizes the elf as he walks into the clearing. She narrows her eyes at him, her anger flaring as she recalls the tragedy with the refugees. "Alvoris." "Leandra, I am surprised to see you this far west." Alvoris replies, ignoring the hostility that Leandra is directing towards him. "And you, High elf, what is your response?" Renaku asks. "I will answer your question, Vampire, if you can answer mine." The voice in the east says. "That question being?" Renaku asks. "What is a vampire, a creature of the night, and an otherworldly demon doing fighting against the Fumu, and in the company of a priest, a magus, and a half-dragon? You two would have the world to gain if the Fumu succeed." "Because we would loose the world we care about. We are different from the rest of our kind, not in body, but in mind. A more detailed explanation would take the rest of the night." The High elf walks into the clearing. "A simple answer, to what could be a complex question, yes? As to what I am doing here, that is a simple matter altogether. We have heard several reports that the Fumu are converging on the Jihrasan mountains in large numbers. I was sent to confirm those reports." "Were the reports true?" Trevant suddenly says. "Yes, if anything they were an understatement. The foothills and the valleys around the mountains are swarming with Fumu, and those they have corrupted." "Then we are too late." Trevant rumbles. "Perhaps. Had the Fumu entered the mountain?" Renaku asks. "I could not get close enough to the mountain to ascertain that detail." Renaku turns to the Dark elf. "And you, are you here to observe the Fumu as well?" "In a way. I wanted to confirm a suspicion of mine." Alvoris simply says. "You are acting on your own then, correct?" Renaku asks. The dark elf's reply is cut off by a fuming Leandra. "Suspicion? You refuse to help us in fighting the Fumu, or even allow us passage through your forests, and you now act on suspicion?! Do you have ANY idea how many THOUANDS of people you have condemned to Fumu corruption!? Your clan might as well drop the act, and help the Fumu outright!" Leandra yells at the Dark elf, the storm magic within her building with her rage. "The dark clan has been ordered to stay out of this affair entirely. Yes, I act on my own." Alvoris calmly replies to Renaku's question. "Ordered?" Leandra says, curiosity suddenly wining out over her seething anger. The High elf all but bursts out laughing. "Oh really? The noble, proud, and arrogant Dark clan ORDERED to do nothing. My, who could this POWERFULL force be? Perhaps your elders mistook a rabbit sneezing as a direct order." The High elf says, the sarcasm and insult plainly audible in his voice. Alvoris seems to ignore the High elf's barbs. "I feel no need to divulge that information, wood elf." The High elf doesn't ignore the Dark elf's verbal jab and in a short period of time, the two elves are yelling at each other in the elven tongue. Each passing second, the dialogue becomes more violent. Each gathers magical power in their hands, in order to swat the insect they see before them. They leap back and release their attacks. A ball of blackness streaks toward arcs of whiteness, and they both slam into Renaku's demon-slayer blade, where they dissipate, leaving Renaku standing between the two elves, sword in hand. "Now that I have your attention, with the Fumu so close, this not the time OR the place to settle ancient feuds." Renaku states, wresting control of the situation back into his hands. Both elves are silent, not out of submission to Renaku's command, but because the attention of both is fixed on Renaku's sword. The High elf is the first to speak. "You wield the demon-slayer, Vampire?" The High elf asks, surprised. "Yes. This has been my blade for most of my 60 year existence." Renaku says as he reseaths the sword. "Then I have misjudged you greatly." The High elf says with a slight bow. "My name is Anavas." Renaku looks at the two elves for a moment. "Anavas, Alvoris, my name is Renaku, this is Thiesra, Magus Leandra, Lord Aiger Nova, and Jouo Ban Trevant." He says as he motions to each party member in turn. "Now that introductions are done, do you know why the Fumu are converging on the Jihrasan mountains?" Anavas asks. "The Fumu claim that they have the key that will unseal that Stone of Forever. That is why we are traveling there." Renaku answers. Alvoris lets out an angry sigh. "If that's true, then my suspicion has been confirmed." "Then you know of the stone." Anavas says to Renaku. "Do you know how the keys the stone, and the demon-slayer blade are related?" "I know that Master Kaneuji Jinsume forged my sword, and the crystal sphere that encases this stone, but until recently, I have heard nothing about keys." Renaku replies. Alvoris suddenly speaks up. "Then let me tell you about the keys." Anavas fixes Alvoris with a stare, and then surprisingly nods his head once. "My, they are civil all the sudden." Renaku thinks. "The keys to the Stone are actually the 27 swords that Master Kaneuji Jinsume forged using the power of the stone. The swords were used against the Fumu when they first appeared in this world. According to the stories, when the Fumu were about to overrun the mountain, Master Kaneuji Jinsume sealed the stone inside the crystal sphere. To prevent the Fumu from taking possession of his mind, he jumped into the abyss. From one of his assistance is how we, and the Fumu pieced together that the swords were the keys to unseal the stone." "What about the demon-slayer?" Renaku asks. Anavas picks up this part. "It is not clear when or how Master Kaneuji Jinsume forged the demon-slayer. It is known that somehow after his death, it ended up in the hands of one of the mages that helped defeat the Dark Mage. Using it, he destroyed the gate through which the Fumu had come to this world. After that, the Fumu scattered, for the time being. The 27 blades, and the demon-slayer became lost as well." "It seems that the elves hold the Master Kaneuji Jinsume in high regard." Leandra says. "Unfortunately, He is the only thing the different clans can agree on now." Anavas says. Alvoris continues that thought. "We elves hold him in high regard, because we remember what he did, and the skill he possessed. The true test of ones work is not whether your allies call the masterful, but if your enemies call them master works as well. Master Kaneuji Jinsume was declared a master by the humans, the elves, AND the Fumu. Such a feat deserves to be honored." Alvoris says. "And one goddess." Renaku adds silently, as he remembers Lady Diana's words. "I must leave now, so that I can report back what I have seen, and what I have learned here. There is a good chance we will meet again. The elders will not take news of the Fumu's actions lightly. If you cannot defeat the Fumu or prevent them from unsealing the stone, then may the gods protect us all. I wish you luck in your quest." Anavas, bows slightly and disappears into the forest. "I too must take my leave. I wish you all luck, that's the only thing I can do now." Alvoris says, some frustration in his voice. "Alvoris, may I ask you one more question before you go?" Renaku asks as he walks toward the Dark elf. "That depends on the question." "What do you know of an elf by the name of David Darkchyld?" Renaku asks. "Oh, it's that type of question." Alvoris says with a smile. "David Darkchyld is not the name of a specific elf, rather a family of elves in the Darkchyld clan. Their views and methods are . shall we say extreme. Why do you ask?" "I have run into a David Darkchyld on several different occasions, once after I thought he was dead." Alvoris regards Renaku for a moment. "Did you kill him?" "No, I've never fought him, unless you consider me fighting the Blood Moon Society fighting him." "Ah, the good ole BMS. Let me tell you a secret, the Davids that are in the Society are there to manipulate it, whether they know it or not. That is how we found out that the demon-slayer wasn't the key. Don't spread that around." Alvoris says, dropping his voice down to a soft whisper. "I have one last question for you, Renaku." "What is this question?" "Do you take everything that was said here tonight as the truth?" Renaku looks the elf in the eyes before he answers. "I take very few things for granted, Alvoris. Words and prophecies can be changed and shaped, and lies can be told. Even the granite in those mountains can develop cracks and fissures. I would not be totally surprised if the mountain re-arranged itself overnight. What you and Anavas said, matches with what I already know, so it may be true." "Then I have misjudged you Renaku, and the High elf even moreso." Alvoris says with a smile. "You are not as reckless as we assumed. I wish you luck on this quest, Renaku. I would say that I could help you on it, but we have been ordered to do nothing. Look and watch perhaps, but interfere, no." With that Alvoris disappears into the forest. --- Several hours after sunrise, Thiesra is up and about, moving around to get the kinks out of her human body. After resting from the near solid night of magical exertion, she has almost brought her magical reserves back up to normal. Now she can wear her human form, and do something other than be a huge magical sponge. She looks over the rest of the party. Aiger is asleep under a tree, Leandra is leaning against the tree, watching the clouds build and change, while Trevant is keeping watch in the distance. Renaku is in the tree, sleeping in the form of a bat. "My. We're an exciting bunch." Thiesra thinks to herself. She sits down on one side of the tree, and picks up her pack that she keeps her few personal possessions, and magical bombs in. She opens the pack to reveal a book, sitting on top of her other possessions. "Where did this come from?" she asks herself. Thiesra picks up the book, and leafs through it. The text and notes in the book seem to be written in several languages, some of which she recognizes. One appears to be an ancient form of the otherworldly demonic tongue. "Looks like a spell book, of some sorts." She turns to Leandra. "Hey Leandra, is this your spell book?" Leandra looks away from the clouds to Thiesra. "What about a spell book?" Thiesra holds up the book. "This book, is it yours?" "My Grimore? No, I haven't taken a spell book on a quest since I was an apprentice. Why do you ask?" "I found this book in my backpack, and I don't know where it came from. It wasn't in there when we left Aslet." Thiesra says. Leandra takes the book, and looks through it for a moment. "Wherever it came from, it's got some strange things in it." Leandra grimaces, as she pauses to examine one of the summoning spells. She continues to flip through the book, occasionally stopping to read a spell or two. "Most of the spells are black magic, but some of them seem to be a combination of the other magics. Some of them are jus strange. Like this one, which they named Zelas-Gort, it combines wind and water to summon a storm of ... jellyfish?" "Jellyfish?!" "Who's book is this?" Leandra says, examining the cover. "It has terrible black spells of mass destruction, followed by pointless and trivial spells. The thing is written like a collection of research notes, ranging from the basics of magic, to its foundation, and then some stuff that I've never seen. You say you don't know where this came from?" Thiesra shakes her head. "At Aslet, I made a couple of these magic bombs, and that book was nowhere in my pack. Anything in the inside cover, or the back?" Thiesra asks. "There wasn't anything in the beginning," Leandra flips to the back, " and, the back has ... nothing." "A mystery then, who's is it, and how did I end up with it." Thiesra says. "Do you mind if I look at it for a while? Besides the silly, and the black magic stuff, there are some interesting variations of storm spells in here." Leandra says as she closes the book. "How about we look into it together? I know magic naturally, from the inside, and you know magic from a completely different angle, from the outside. Besides, it'll give me something to do while I gather energy." Thiesra says. "Deal. I'm sure both of us will learn something." Leandra says with a smile. --- To the east of the Jihrasan mountains, on the shores of the Digirf sea, dark water is moving inland. Hundreds of Fumu can bee seen crawling onto the shore. Hundreds more wait in the depths of the water. Geib is standing on a hill, watching his clan move inland. He allows his current host a smile as he watches the procession. He turns his attention to a rough wooden box that one of his servants is carrying. "What is the situation at the mountain?" Geib demands from several Fumu that have come from the mountain to give him a report. "The stone has become unreachable." "What?" "The mountain has changed." "Explain." Gieb says, his anger rising within him. "The tunnels are not the same, they branch and wander in directions entirely different from what was mapped during our search of the mountain, 9000 years ago." "In 9000 years, things can change, even mountains." Gieb replies. "No master, a more drastic change has occurred. New tunnels can be dug, yes, but the old tunnels cannot be filled in without leaving some sort of trace. The remaining stone brethren confirm this. The passages in the mountain have been rearranged into a maze of some sort." Gieb turns slowly away, a deep grumble coming from his host. He runs his hand over the wooden box that contains the key to the Stone. "If a path to the Stone cannot be found, blast your way in. The Stone and the fissure will be in the same place. Shatter the whole mountain if necessary." "And if you attract the attention of the dragons, then what Gieb?" A hollow voice says. Gieb turns toward the voice, his black eyes seem to suck the small amount of light from the area. "Quoth. Aren't you supposed to be with the master?" "Yes, and he sent me here." Quoth says. "Let me ask you again, on His behalf, what about the dragons? They know what sleeps within the depts." "At this point, I do not care about the dragons. If they have not acted on us gathering our numbers at the base of the mountain, they will not act on us blasting our way to the Stone." "And the timetable that we have established?" "Is irrelevant because of the Stone." "He also is not convinced that this is the key to the Stone. He and I refuse to let you throw away the plan that is already in motion. Where is the vampire?" "The vampire will come here. I have faith that Scita delivered that piece of information, before he was absorbed." Gieb says, his anger flaring the darkness around him. "I will carry out my orders, if they are necessary. The Stone is the original reason we came to this world, if you will recall. With it we won't have to mess with the vampire, or worry about ANY dragons any longer. If the master wishes to discuss this thing further, let HIM come here." Quoth lets out a hollow chuckle. "Confident, aren't we? I do not share your confidence that the Stone is within reach." He turns to the messengers from the mountain. "Has there been any sight of the vampire?" "The sentries on the Ni'aps plain have seen nothing moving in the past five days." "The force in the Alokin valley, and the south has not sensed him either." "Send a patrol into the mountains to the north. If you do not find him there, set up a garrison to keep watch. He will have to pass through those mountains." Quoth says. "Now who is overconfident?" Geib asks. "The vampire cannot go south, because of our forces in the south. He can only go north, and to get to the stone he will have to pass through those mountains to the north. That is simple logic." "You are wasting your time, Quoth. With this key, I will have the Stone. With the stone, the vampire . everything else will be irrelevant." "You are wasting all of our time, Geib, and time is something that we are running out of." --- Somewhere. A void with no discernable landmarks. There are 2 figures in this void. "Where is he now?" The larger luminous body asks. "He is north of the Jihrasan mountains. In a tree, he currently sleeps." The small figure says. "Thank you my friend, for all of your work. You have been my eyes, and hands, and you have made all of this possible. I am glad we met." "You know in this world I don't belong, my whole presence here is wrong. I just want to return home, So no more will I have to roam." "I know that, but because you were accidentally trapped here, you will allow us to correct a mistake that we could not correct otherwise. You are an unseen, external force. The things I have asked you to do, will allow my replacement to keep the balance between shadow and light, without the flaw that lead me to be sealed in this void." "But there are easier ways. The stone I could easily shatter, your power would return in a simple matter. No need for complex plans, Or power being put into uncertain hands." "It is not that simple. Returning my power to me would not solve the problem, and this chain of events would repeat. This way is harder, more uncertain, but if it succeeds, it will be for the better." "What if this plan doesn't succeed, and to the other powers he concedes? "Sooner or later, the powers of Nyx and Sol will come into conflict, no matter how careful they are. Without something to balance the light and the dark, the world will be destroyed, either plunged into a black nothingness, or burned away into a white oblivion. How long it will take, depends on how creative Gai is. He can't maintain two balances forever. " "Couldn't we just talk to Gai? He may not listen, but we could try." "He wouldn't listen, he didn't listen last time, and that would blow our chance to fix this problem." "*sigh* What else needs to be done? No sense to stop, since I'm already on the run." "Nothing. Rest my friend. Your part in this affair is done, and all the pieces are in place. How those pieces are played, and the final outcome is now in Renaku's hands." --- --- --- Ok, I have to admit, this chapter was hard to write. With the end so close, and the Fumu possessing the key to a powerful artifact, it was hard not to end the story right here and now. I had to make the story jump through a few extra hoops to make this chapter more than just a `they moved from point a to b', while attempting not to limit the story. The results are questionable, but that's life. Thanks go out to John Evans for his comments, and the grammatical discussion on my previous chapter. Thanks also go to Steven Scougall and Aaron Peori for continuing to move the story along, and some underlying ideas and motivations. More thanks go out to whoever is reading this story. e-mail comments and critiques to coyote@digitalbase.com