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Post by The Blue Collared Philosopher on Jul 20, 2007 14:03:35 GMT -5
Gwelx watched the sky, the clouds were thickening. The Master had come and told him about Ceril, and now, he just had to wait.
Gwelx leaned on his staff, the night air was refreshing and he sensed a movement in the wind. Things were in motion...things that would either make Ceril or break him.
Ceril held the sword in-front of him. The darkness was playing tricks on him. Every shadow he thought was the enemy. His eyes were wary but body was weary. He finally sat down to sleep, for some reason, he felt as if the enemy couldn’t touch him, even if they wanted.
The next morning Ceril stood up to see his enemy standing a few yards away, hold his sword in fighting position.
Ceril jumped up, then stopped, the creature looked human, his hood was lay back on his shoulders and his head was clearly human.
“I thought you were a monster,” said Ceril.
The enemy smiled, “That is what Adonai said, I told you that I can give you everything you every wanted.”
Ceril picked his sword up off the ground and replied, “Yes I know, but last night if found what I was looking for and it was not you, it was Adonai.”
“As I thought, I am sorry that this must be the end for you,” said the grinning human.
Ceril was suddenly struck with despair as he remembered that he had never learned how to fight. The evil man laughed, “Fool! Today one of the five Oracles will die!”
The evil man charged Ceril but the boy moved like lightening dogging the quick strikes. His sword was little use when he really didn’t have any idea what to do. But Ceril had become so lost in the moment that he didn’t even realized that the evil man was backing up.
Ceril swung furiously not paying attention to his surroundings. His sword clashed with the evil man’s. Ceril pushed his blade against the enemies, their eyes met on each side of the swords, then pushing with all his might Ceril broke the sword lock and swung with all his might at the enemy.
When his swing was finished he watched the man grunt and fall in half. Ceril let his head and shoulders droop, its over.
He heard a rustling and looked up, the body was moving, then out of the half of the body with the head, came a black smoke like figure. A Blood Phantom. Ceril stood shocked, he had never seen such a terrible creature before.
The Blood Phantom laughed, “Boy! Fool! I told you! You cannot win!”
Ceril heard feet running behind him, he turned and saw two figures moving towards him, Gwelx and Adonai.
Ceril tossed Adonai the sword and the Master shouted, “Begone foul creature of the under world! Leave! Your time is yet to come!”
The Phantom sneered, “I cannot beat three of you, and that is the only reason I would leave, and as for my time, it is now.”
The black figure faded into thin air, and then Ceril turned smiled at the two friend saying, “Thanks,” then fainted from weariness.
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Post by The Blue Collared Philosopher on Jul 22, 2007 17:35:04 GMT -5
Gwelx gazed at Ceril's limp form, the boy looked exhausted. Adonai stood beside him singing over him like a father...the father he never had.
Adonai stood up and looked at Gwelx, "Dear friend, now that the boy understands...love, you must go and meet with the others." He looked at Ceril, "And tell the boy what is going on."
Gwelx bowed his head, "As you wish my Master. I do your bidding and only yours."
Adonai smiled, "Gwelx, i am glad you to have as a friend."
The old man smiled, "I am too."
Adonai grinned and said, "Goodbye, see you on the other side."
Then in a flash of white light, he was gone.
Gwelx sat down and resumed his gaze on Ceril. The boy was special, something about him made Gwelx feel like a young man again. But he knew he was far past youth and such glorious days were over.
But the boy seemed to renew his vigor and blissfulness. He grinned, but he still wouldn't be able to keep up with Ceril once they were on their way.
The boy would be ecstatic once he found out he was going to excepted into a family of outcast and loyal followers of Adonai.
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Post by Christian Soldier on Jul 22, 2007 18:08:47 GMT -5
Emerald wings stirred up the dust around Forn's encampment. Moments later a dark haired man stood with a grin on his face. Although it had only been a short time, Forn was glad to see his friend. "Gra'el!" The closed on each other and grabbed each other's forearm. "You look well. " Forn looked hard at his brother. "In fact, you almost glow."
Gra'el smiled wider. "I'll tell you all about it later. Right now I have news. Random has been turned, his keep now used for the purposes of evil. I escaped only because the Master healed me, and more it seems. What's your news?"
Teya emerged from her mat and squinted at Gra'el. Forn said, "Teya, I want you to meet Gra'el. He's one of the other Oracles. Gra'el, meet Teya, our newest sister."
Gra'el's eyes widened. Stepping forward, he grasped her hand in his and raised to his lips. "A honor to meet you, milady."
Teya erupted in a fit of giggles. "Thank you, kind sir, but I am merely a--"
Gra'el squeezed her hand harder and interrupted, "You, my dear, are a 'mere' nothing. You are an Oracle. Chosen to serve and represent the Master in the coming struggle and to guide this realm to the next age."
The force in Gra'el's voice shook her to the core, yet it also brought her a measure of peace. After all her life, it was finally happening. She had found a place, or group really, where she belonged. Her weak reply was, "okay."
Gra'el smiled again. "Good! Remember that an we'll do fine. Forn, where's the food?"
Forn snatched a pack from behind a rock and handed it to him. Gra'el searched it till he pulled out a handful of jerky. He said, "Now you see, that's the great thing about having Oracles for family: they know what you want before you do."
Forn chuckled. "In this case, it was easy. Gra'el is always hungry."
Gra'el's face assumed a hurt expression. "I am not. I wasn't hungry for five minutes last decade."
"Ah, I was mistaken then. Almost always hungry."
The three sat around the fire while Gra'el finished his snack. Teya was in shock. She had heard of dragons, but never anything good. Yet, here she was watching one eat beef jerky and enjoying his company. Moe than that, though, was that he seemed to genuinely love the Master and to take a fierce pride in that love.
Teya was pulled from here thoughts by Gra'el's question: "What tribe are you from, Teya?"
"I am from the Desert Fox clan. Do you, or did you, know them?"
"No, but I knew the Oxen and Jackal tribes some years ago. Any relation?"
Teya's mind raced through the long list of relatives in her mind. "No. We do have relations in Mouse clan and Eagle clan, though."
"Ah, so your from the eastern part of the desert then?"
"Yes...How do you know so much about us?"
"Oh, I don't really, only what I've said already..."
Forn looked from Gra'el to Tea several times. He said, "If you won't tell her, then I will. Gra'el's wife was from Jackal tribe."
"Where is she?"
Gra'el gazed into the fire for several seconds. He said, "You're her replacement."
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Post by The Blue Collared Philosopher on Jul 22, 2007 19:56:40 GMT -5
He opened his eyes slowly, the light flooded in. He shut them again and yond. Ceril tried again to open his eyes, he blinked and looked around. They were still the forest where he had fainted. The trees towered above him and hear the trickle of a little creek in the distance.
He got up to see Gwelx holding his sword out to him, “Come Ceril, we must get going.”
“What, where are we going?” asked the sleepy boy.
“We are going to meet with the other three Oracles,” answered Gwelx flatly.
Ceril shook his head, “What?”
“Ceril, you are an Oracle, and well, I never was at giving news slowly, and so am I. We need to go and meet with other three.”
Ceril stood his mouth gapping at Gwelx, “YOU are an Oracle!?”
Gwelx laughed, “Of course! Can’t you tell?”
Ceril’s eyes widened and Gwelx chuckled, “I’m just kidding Ceril, I didn’t want you to know, until you had met the Master.”
“But why do we need to meet up with the other three Oracles?”
“Because the enemy, Gorgalro had been freed and his minions, like the one you fought last night, are turning and destroying the people all over the world.”
Ceril’s shoulders drooped, “Like my father’s kingdom.”
His eyes narrowed as Gwelx asked, “What do you mean?”
Ceril looked Gwelx in the eyes, “My father was promised riches and treasures by a dark man a few months ago. My father accepted, but then soldiers that wore dark armor were then put in the city to make sure that my father kept his promise.”
“That explains a lot,” said Gwelx thinking out loud.
“What do you mean?” asked Ceril.
Gwelx turned his focus back to the boy, “Ceril, at the moment all you need to know is that we are in a big hurry to meet up with the other Oracles. The enemy is on the loose and we needed five Oracles in order to acquire special items that will allow us to get an upper hand in the war that is to come.”
Ceril was about to ask another question but Gwelx put his hand up and said, “No, not know, later I will answer more questions, we must leave, and hurry!”
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Post by Christian Soldier on Jul 24, 2007 2:40:49 GMT -5
Gra'el sat around a small fire with Forn and Teya. The snap and crackle as the logs settled seemed to soothe his heart somewhat, yet nothing could make the pain recede entirely. Ynua. Fourth Oracle, watch keeper of the desert, and holder of his heart. He remembered her beautiful smile, her wonderful laugh, and her sparling eyes. Above all, he remembered her wisdom. The Oracles had lost one of their greatest assets the day she died, but Gra'el had lost his heart.
His eyes wondered to Teya's face. She still looked somewhat shocked, even a little guilty. He said, "I wish you could have known her. I think that you two would have been fast friends, but enough of that. How was the journey here?"
She swallowed. "Nothing interesting. Forn's been explaining things to me about how we operate. Though I'm still confused about my part in it."
"Ah youth! For now, your part is simply to learn and react. Let us worry about the rest for now. In a short term sense though, we need you to help open a door."
"A door?"
Forn said, "It's a door sealed against any but all five of the Oracles. All of our weapons and armor are stored there against need."
"Not only that, but there's also the Master's Sword there," Gra'el said. "Only the one who removed it can ever touch it. Everyone else dies. "
Forn said, "It's not just a simple tool, either. The wielder has to have pure intentions or else it will kill him, or her, as well. That's what happened to the other Oracle." Forn sighed. "He let the hate he felt for his enemy consume him."
"I see," Teya said.
Gra'el smiled. "Good! Then I'm off to bed. It's been a hard flight here." He stood and walked into the darkness. Once he had cleared a spot, he laid down.
Teya sat on her side of the fire. She was still wide awake and brimming with questions. When a soft snore sounded in the darkness, she said, "It sounds like he loved her very much."
Forn nodded. "Aye, he did. It tore his heart in two when she died. Before he met her, he was the quietest of all of us, yet she drew him out through years of patient love. It's why he's so ... talkative. It's his way of remembering her. "
"So, he's the keeper of the skies?"
"That's right. In his way, he's the most powerful of us all, magically speaking anyway. That's also his weakness: magic. I suspect that's what took him so long at Random's keep."
"He ran into another magician?"
"Either that, or he got carried away. He loves causing havoc."
"What about you? You said earlier that you were the keeper of the forests."
"I am. I've got the smallest domain, and the hardest. People tend to abuse the forest. Sometimes too much. That's what is killing me right now. Gorgalro's minions are moving through the forest, destroying everything in their wake."
"You draw strength from the forest?"
"Yes and no. It's more like my attributes tend to reflect the forest. Just as yours reflect the desert and Gra'el's reflect the sky and air."
"I ... see"
Forn smiled. "No you don't, but you will. For now, get some rest. Here, I don't need as much sleep." As Teya went back to her bedding, Forn wondered where Gwelx was, and how he had fared.
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Post by The Blue Collared Philosopher on Jul 25, 2007 6:39:14 GMT -5
Ceril struggled to keep up with Gwelx's fast pace. The old man had more energy in him than he let on. The sand was hot the sun beat down on them both. Ceril was tired of walking, the had left the little forest in which they had stayed for a few days and had gone south. Gwelx had told them what their mission was, to find the others then open the door to the Masters sword.
Ceril didn't fully understand, but he knew if the Master wanted the to do it, then they were doing the right thing.
A thougth struck Ceril and he looked at Gwelx, "Um, Gwelx, can you mindspeak?"
Gwelx stopped and turned around, "Why do you ask?"
Ceril shifted his feet, "Because i can i didn't know if every Oracle could."
Gwelx stroked his long gray beard, "I don't know if every Oracle can, but you answer your original question, yes i can mindspeak. However, i am very limited in my communication that way. I can only mind speak if i can see the person. I did know a wizard though who could mindspeak to people miles and miles away."
"Wow," said Ceril, "I wonder if i can!"
"You might be able to, but it would be dangerous."
"Why would it be dangerous?" asked Ceril confused.
Gwelx sighed, "Well, it is hard for me to explain it, but a the Master once explained it to someone like this. When you mindspeak over a great distance, it is like your mind is going miles and miles away and everyone that can mindspeak that is between you and the person you are trying to reach can feel your presence. So if you were to try and talk to me when i was in Gorgalro dungeons, Gorgalro could feel your presence, and he like many other evil sorcerers would be able to talk to you, or even trap you in your mind. But also by mindspeaking you leave yourselve vonrable for other to read your thoughts, memories and such things."
Ceril's eyes went wide, "Wow! I didn't know that mindspeaking could be so dangerous!"
Gwelx nodded, "Yes, it seems like such speaking would be harmless, but it is just as dangerous as being where you are talking."
Ceril sighed, "So, guess i hadn't use my power yet until i can learn to control it and guard it."
Gwelx smiled, "Very wise, consider that your lession for today."
He started walked again, and Ceril again, tried to keep up.
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Post by Christian Soldier on Jul 26, 2007 2:38:55 GMT -5
Morning came to the small forest clearing. It's rays sliced through the assorted leaves and branches creating a mottled sunlit patch on Gra'el's right eye. Gra'el turned his had and grumbled in his sleep.
Teya sat in a different patch of sunlight. A quick search produced a stick long enough to reach. Using the stick, she reached over and touched Gra'el's ear. When he stirred she jerked it back and waited. When he settled, she poked his nose. His hand went up and she erupted into giggles.
His hand stopped. The nearest eyelid cracked open. "Don't you know to let a seeping dragon lie?" he asked.
"I do. But when that dragon needs to wake up, what is a girl to do?"
"Forn put you up to this?"
"Yep."
"I see." He groaned as he sat up. A long yawn followed that could have swallowed Teya whole. He rubbed his eyes and shook his head several times. His gaze locked onto Teya. "What's for breakfast?"
A new fit of giggles threated to overwhelm her, but instead: "All we had was jerky and dried fruit."
"Well that won't do. Not for me anyway. Where's Forn?"
"He went to pray."
"Hmm...okay, I guess I'll just have to make do then. Where's that jerky?"
She handed him a bag and watched in awe as he devoured the contents. When he caught her staring he chuckled. He said, "My dear, there are two things that dragons do best: love and hunt. Since you'll never see the former, the latter will have to suffice: once Forn's back, I'll fly out and grab us something to eat."
"Don't we need to move on?"
"To....?"
"What?"
"Where would we move on to? Where do we need to be? Until we are all together, we cannot return to our cave. By now, the enemy has it under guard. Plus, Forn is strongest here."
He handed her the empty bag back. "When do I learn to use my abilities?"
"In a way, you've already started. From what I can see, your abilities center around your Farsight. Meditation right now would be a huge mistake, and that's the only way to even try to bring on the vision. Besides prayer that is."
"That's all I've got?"
"Besides an agile mind and sharp wit? I'm sure there are other gifts, but they're more subtle. I could teach you to fight, I suppose..."
"That sounds like fun!"
An evil grin spread across his face. "You won't be saying that tomorrow. Find us some sticks and we'll see what I can teach you."
She hopped up and ran to the edge of the clearing. There she carefully selected two sticks and ran back. She handed Gra'el the first stick, which he examined for several seconds before handing it back and accepting the other. "These will do, but we need to strengthen them a little." Closing his eyes, he ran his hand over the stick.
He handed the stick back to Teya. "Try to break it." After several attempts, and a new bruise on her leg, she handed it back.
"How did you do that?"
"Easy. Didn't I mention your powers?"
"You said that I only had the Farsight."
"And I said the others were more subtle right?"
"Yes..."
"Isn't this subtle?"
"No!"
"Oh...well...excuse me then." He looked around uncomfortably for a second before he saw he still holding her stick. "Right! All you have to do is pull energy from deep down and emdue the stick with it."
"That doesn't make any sense."
He sighed. "Okay. Try this. Close your eyes."
Her eyes closed. "Image sinking deep within yourself, can you sense your center?" As the sunk lower, his voice seemed to come from farther away. Her center was composed of a thick sand brown substance. "Snatch a small piece of that and bring it back up with you." It even felt like sand as she pulled away a small piece and surfaced with it. "Now: pass that energy into your stick and try to break it."
Once she had the energy in place she stopped. "Oh no, I tried to break yours, now it's your turn."
"Ah, ever the feisty one, eh? Alright, let's see what I can do." He peered at the stick for a moment. "Nope, can't break it. Darn. Here you go. Notice how tired you feel?"
Teya considered for a moment. She was feeling a little tired. "Yes..."
"That's the power of suggestion, you shouldn't be tired at all." She jumped to her feet and held her makeshift sword in front of her. "Ah, ready to start are we? Good. En guard!"
He didn't even wait till he was upright. Instead, he swung at her legs and lunged. The fight was over, his stick rested against her throat. "That's not fair! I wasn't ready?"
"You were in the ready position. How were you not ready?"
"But you didn't--"
"--Didn't assume a stance first? Why should I have? Which was more effective: to stand and posture or simply attack?"
She thought for a minute. "I see. Your bigger than me, too, though."
He helped her up and stood back from her. "That, I can fix." His shape seemed to soften. His form suddenly condensed into a dark haired young man about her own age. Even his voice had changed. "Fair now?"
"Yes!" She attacked. His stick flicked up and deflected the overhead blow and pushed her back. He stood with is stick raised, waiting. This time she came in from the side. When their sticks met, she tried to bring it around out of his grasp. Instead he help the stick there and kicked her int he stomach. The air escaped her lungs when she hit the ground.
"And you're dead again. Still, nice initiative, though. I think we should stop for now."
She stood and dusted herself off. "Why, afraid I might beat you?"
"No, Forn's back." He sat on a large rock at the edge of the clearing. An amused smile adorned his weathered face. "Anything from the Master?"
"He seems...busy at the moment. Till then, why don't take a break beating our newest Oracle and hunt down some food?"
Rather than reply, Gra'el leapt high into the air and shifted into draconic form. One massive beat of his wings and he was off. Teya stared in wonder. Forn said, "Don't worry, you'll get used to it, and him."
"He likes to show off doesn't he?"
"Not so much show off as he has an over developed sense of drama. He loves the melodramatic. "
"That's true."
"Still though, he's a good friend and a good Oracle. Even if he never did grow up."
The two of them sat down in the center of the clearing in the sun. It would be some time before Gra'el came back with the remainder of his kill. Teya wondered when Ceril would get there so that they could get moving. She also wondered how he was...
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Post by The Blue Collared Philosopher on Jul 26, 2007 14:49:28 GMT -5
Ceril followed Gwelx's gaze, he was looking at a dark cloud that was rising into the sky, well, Ceril thought it was a cloud.
Gwelx took off, "Hurrry boy! Follow me, let's see if there is anything we can do!"
Ceril took off after the old man, he was confused, what was it about the...it hit him, the cloud was really smoke.
He raced after the old man, Gwelx ran faster than any man Ceril had ever seen at his age, in fact, most his age were dead.
Ceril felt like ever step he took he slipped half a step back from the sand. His bare feet landed on the sand skillfully as he jumped off a dune down to the other side. He skidded to a stop nearly bumping into Gwelx.
He starred in terror, two armies raced at each other over the sand, one of the clans rushed to defend themselves from an army of... somethings. Some of them were on fire, but, they weren't being consumed. Ceril realized that they causing the smoke, he shuddered, he would dread fighting such a creature.
Ceril watched in horror, the clan had horses, they shot a volley of arrows at the charging enemy, the women and children ran in the opposite direction of the enemey. The monsters marched forward, an endless line of creatures, twist and evil. They carried tall spears and wore thick armor that glinted in the sun light. Ceril couldn't tell what they were, but they were not humans. They were twisted, they looked like they had been deformed more than once.
Gwelx sat down on the sand and bent his head, he whispered something inaudible.
Gwelx lifted his head from the short prayer. He would need as much wisedom as he could get.
He looked up at Ceril who stood next to him, "Boy, run, find the others, i will catch up with, just go!"
Ceril glared at Gwelx, "We need to help them from...the creatures!"
Gwelx shook his head, "No, if we help, we will only help the enemy win the war. Ceril, we need five Oracles, not four. Go, run, find the other Oracles."
Ceril glowered in defeat and run down the dune. Gwelx watched until he saw that Ceril had run over several sand dunes and disappeared over the next.
Gwelx sighed, "Your will be done Master."
Gwelx looked back over his shoulder as the stood up, Ceril was out of sight. He drew his sword and marched down the hill, where his enemy awaited and allies cried for help.
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Post by Christian Soldier on Jul 26, 2007 16:47:11 GMT -5
Forn's eyes snapped open. 'Please, Master, don't let it be true.' He closed his eyes and the vision replayed. A vast battle was taking place. Vast, that is, in the numbers of creatures that arrayed on desert floor. The defenders were nothing compared to that. He watched as both sides clashed and ground together. Blood and flames went in all directions. Against impossible odds, the little tribe was holding their own. The outcome was inevitable, regardless of how well they fought. There were just too many.
From the east a hole opened in the enemies ranks. Flaming bodies flew in all directions as a single individual waded through his foes. Forn knew that individual. He knew him like he knew his own hand, like he knew the forest, like he knew any of his brethren. It was Gwelx.
Pain stabbed in his heart as two larger Fiends jumped Gwelx from behind. Under a flood of bodies, Forn's friend went down. Four minutes passed, five, ten. The horde plowed on as though they had lost nothing.
Yet Gwelx's sacrifice was not in vain. The women and children were safely away! The vision shifted. There, running around and behind the horde was a single young man, more a boy really. He was giving it all he had, and then some. Something had to be done or he wouldn't make it.
Leaping to his feet, Forn ran back into the clearing. Gra'el and Teya looked up from their meal.
"Gra'el! Fly southeast! the boy's in danger."
Gra'el shifted and flew. Within seconds he was gone.
Gra'el's wings propelled him far faster than he normally flew. The land sped underneath him until he saw what he was looking for: dust. Although Forn hadn't mentioned it, he wasn't surprised to see an army massed on the desert floor, but they were no threat to him. Not when he was so high up, anyway. He began to circle until he saw a small, lone figure stumbling in the sand.
He swung out and away till he could line up. Sighting in on his prey, he straightened his wings and lowered into a power dive. The boy didn't even know what hit him till he was situated on Gra'el's back. Gra'el could feel the boy's exhaustion and decided to make the trip back as quickly as possible.
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Post by The Blue Collared Philosopher on Jul 27, 2007 7:37:14 GMT -5
Ceril fell off the dragon and landed on the sand with a thud. The boy stood up and drew his sword and glared at the dragon, "Why did you take me away!" he screamed, "Gwelx needs help! And now, he's probably dead!"
"Ceril!" shouted a young woman's voice.
Ceril turned around and saw Teya running towards him. He went wide eyed, "Teya, why are you here?"
"I told you was going to go with the Oracle, Forn, and i am so glad you that you chose to join us!"
Ceril sneered, "I didn't choose to join you, this dragon pulled me into the sky and flew here."
Teya backed up, "Ceril, why are you angry?"
"Why am i angry!" he roared, "I am angry because every time i find something worth fighting for, it is stripped away from me! And now, i feel nothing but anger!"
"Ceril," said the dragon, "My name is Gra'el, and i know what it feels like for people close to you to be stripped away."
"No one can understand," mumbled Ceril.
Someone lay a hand on his shoulder and said, "Ceril, you fate is not your own. You are an Oracle, do not forget those who mean a lot to you, but don't blame others for your suffering."
Ceril turned and saw a man, he wanted to cry, "Please, let me sleep i am tired and angry."
The man nodded and pointed to a pack that he could use as a pillow. Ceril went and laid down to the sound of the other voices.
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Post by The Blue Collared Philosopher on Jul 27, 2007 7:37:51 GMT -5
Gwelx kicked and pushed with all his might, but the monsters holding him down would not be defeated. He reached down deep into his inner being, he felt the power as it surged through him. Gwelx screamed and pushed at the same time sending his captor flying into the air.
Gwelx's head spun, that took a lot of energy. He stood up, his legs quaked under the weight. The old man glared about looking for his sword, he saw it, he took a step and fell to the ground. He shook his head and stood up again, he stabled himself and got his sword.
He looked around, no one was in sight, "How odd," he said to himself.
He looked again, no bodies nothing, he shuddered, what could the enemy have done with the bodies? The sand was covered with blood and the tents were had been burned to the ground.
He looked at the six bodies that had been on top of him, they weren't even alive, they were the only carcasses that could be seen. Gwelx sighed and sat down, he wondered where Ceril had ended up and where the other Oracles were, he felt, isolated by miles of desert. He lay down in the sand he needed some sleep.
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Post by Christian Soldier on Jul 28, 2007 16:56:47 GMT -5
Gra'el sat watch on Ceril, who tossed and turned on his pallet. The boy, young man really, had been exhausted. The trauma of the last 24 hours was enough to overwhelm anyone.
Forn and Teya were off hunting and talking. She had a lot to learn, but who doesn't? even after his many years, Gra'el always learned something new everyday. Looking at the sleeping form in front of him, he remembered a lesson he had recently relearned: only your loved ones can truly hurt you, whether by their actions, or their deaths.
Gra'el still didn't have any regrets. Even the loss of his beloved wife couldn't damp his love of life, for too long anyway. Ah! The thought of his wife renewed the pain. Now it was compounded by the loss of Gwelx. It was further compounded by Gra'el's sense of helplessness and self blame.
'If only I'd been there! At least we would have gone down together. So many friends lost...' Gra'el's thoughts degraded into a mass of emotion. Fresh tears slid down his damp face. Gra'el knew that he looked horrible, even in human form, yet he simply didn't have the energy, much less the motivation, to shift back to normal. Besides, it wouldn't be long before he would have looked the same.
Ceril's breathing and moving slowed to a normal rhythm. Gra'el had watched enough Humans sleep to know that he would be waking soon. 'Sleep, young one. Sleep long, for the harsh world is just as harsh as when you fell asleep.'
Another hour passed as Gra'el watch the sun rise into the sky. Ceril sat up with a shout. His eyes were narrow with panic and his breathing was rapid and ragged. Gra'el rushed to him and pulled him into a hug. He said, "Shhh...it's okay, Ceril. You're safe here." A few minutes later, the panic eased into mourning and sobs racked Ceril's body.
After a while, Ceil calmed enough that Gra'el could let go. Gra'el held him at arm's length and asked, "Feel better?"
"A little bit," Ceril's face grew puzzled, "But who are you?"
Gra'el was taken aback. "I am Gra'el. Remember, you screamed at me for rescuing you."
"I remember being rescued by a Dragon..."
"Erm..you were. I am a Dragon, Ceril."
"Yeah right..."
Gra'el sighed. Only a teenager would interrupt a time of mourning with disbelief of something so simple. Instead of replying, Gra'el shifted. His skin grew coarser and scaly as his muscles bulged. A leathery tail sprouted from his lower back and two massive wings expanded from his shoulder blades. Finally, Gra'el raised his reptilian eyes to see Ceril's troubled look.
"This form is unbelievably handy for combat. Horrible for long flights though. . . What?"
"So...you are a Dragon? I thought Dragons were bigger."
"This is half-dragon shape. I didn't want to take up the clearing. What, you thought I was restricted a just a few shapes?" The scales, tail, wings, and bulk all collapsed in-wards to reveal...Ceril. "I can look like whomever I wish, but I usually don't." His skin stretched and filled out. His head changed back into his Human form. "I use this one because it's easier to interact with Humans when I am wearing it. And... it's the one my wife liked."
Ceril's shock over Gra'el's abilities wore off quickly as the anger returned. "Then why didn't you help Gwelx?"
Gra'el sighed. "I didn't even know about the situation till it was too late. Believe me, no one is sorrier about that than I am. All my friends seem to die around me."
Ceril watched as a single tear left Gra'el's left eye and traveled down to his chin. Ceril noticed the birds in the tree singing their happy tunes. An owl flew overhead to land in a tree. Finally, Ceril spoke, "Gra'el, what will happen now?"
"I don't know, Ceril. Only the Master know that, and he will reveal it in His own time."
"I see. Thank you for rescuing me."
"Your welcome." Gra'el's stomach growled. "All that shifting has made me hungry. How about you?"
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Post by The Blue Collared Philosopher on Jul 28, 2007 19:10:02 GMT -5
Gwelx sat up, the sun was high in the sky. He stood up, the desert was still...deserted. Then he noticed it, the sand covered in blood. He looked down at his feet, blood everywhere. He glanced around looking for the bodies that were on top of him. They were gone.
Gwelx stood completely still, he didn't dare move. Something was wrong with the ground around him. Something was stalking him, he could feel it. Gwelxsaw his sword on the ground next to him, he grabbed it.
He held it in front of him, waiting, then he saw it, the sand shifted. It lookedl like a wave of sand heading in his direction, but the sand that was moving, was all red. The ground began to shift under his feet, he leaped into the air and landed on regular golden sand.
Starring at the red sand, Gwelx gapped. Suddenly it shook what looked like head knocking all of the red sand off of it's body. Gwelx backed up, a skeleton dragon stood before him. The monster must have been five times as big as Gra'el.
It laughed, "Little fool! Gwelx, eldest of the Oracles, do you remember now that it is too late?"
Gwelx growled, "Huren! I am a follower of Adonai! I will not let darkness defeat me!"
The ancient dragon grinned, "We will see."
The dragon pulled the rest of its body out of the sand, its eyes red and its wings had fire red wings that matched its eyes. The dragon roared and jumped into the sky.
Gwelx stood stil waiting for it to dive and spew fire at him. Huren the dragon circled in the air and dove towards the old man. Just as he was about to hit the man he opened his mouth to release a furocious inferno.
Gwelx jumped and just as he was about to land was suddenly smacked by the dragon's tail. He flew through the air, and after landing in the sand looked up to see the dragon heading in a different direction. But Gwelx wouldn't let this Blood Phantom escape like Palic had.
The old man hopped up and rushed after the dragon. Huren laughed when he saw the old man running behind him, yet gainning.
Gwelx growled and leaped, then landed on the dragons back, who was flying low to the ground. The old man hacked and tried not to fall off. Before he knew it, all that Gwelx could see was swords, teeth, and claws all in a mix.
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Post by The Blue Collared Philosopher on Jul 28, 2007 20:42:41 GMT -5
Ceril sat eating some fruits that he had found while Gra'el was hunting. And now, him and the other three Oracles all sat together around some wood, which was not burning yet. He looked into the sky, the sun was still high and the weather was actually pretty nice.
Ceril looked into the sky again and thought he saw a flashing in the sky. The first thing he thought of was swords flashing in the sun like he had seen in the battle with the clan and monsters. He pushed the thought from his mind as he thought of how rediculous it would be for an army to be fighting in the sky.
Teya who was holding a bow she had made out of stick she found. She grabbed a couple of arrows she had from brought with her from her clan and stuck them in a leather quiver.
Then a flash in the sky made Ceril look back up, what ever it was, it was coming closer.
"Gra'el, what is that?" asked Ceril pointing at the flashing object.
Gra'el looked and stood up, "Swords! Forn! It's Gwelx fighting a bone dragon!"
Forn got up and drew his sword, "Teya, follow me, Ceril, get on Gra'el's back and go rescue Gwelx!"
Ceril rushed over to Gra'el as he turned back into a dragon, he climbed up and drew his sword. The boy looke down a Teya whose face was pale, "I hope to see you again." she said.
Ceril nodded and swallowed, "Me too."
Gra'el jumped into the air and Ceril held on with all his might. The ground and the figures faded as they tore through the air towards the battle.
Ceril went white when he saw the size of the dragon that Gwelx was fighting. The old man was bleeding bad and the dragon didn't look like he had even been scratched, after all how could you kill bones?
Gra'el circled the fighters and shouted, "Gwelx, jump!"
The old man looked up from his fight and was smashed by the claw of Huren. The old man lost his grip and fell off the dragon. Gra'el dove to catch Gwelx but was hit by the evil dragons tail.
Ceril held on but just barely. Gra'el roared in pain and blew a flame at the bone dragon. It stopped and laughed. Then just watched as Gra'el plunged down to the earth. Ceril watched as Gra'el gained on Gwelx's limp body.
Gra'el reached out with his scally claw and snatched Gwelx out of the air. But the dragon could not stop his quick dove very well. Ceril held on with terror as the ground rushed to meet them, Gra'el exstended his wings to break their fall.
Ceril fell off as Gra'el landed on his three legs while the fourth held Gwelx. Ceril stood up to hear the twaning of Teya's bow. He looked at the girl who was standing with Forn. Forn held a torch in one hand and a sword in the other.
Ceril gazed back into the sky, the dragon was charging down towards them.
"Ceril, wake up Gwelx! We need him he is one of the best fighters!"
Ceril ran over to the limp body and shook it. Gwelx's eyes snapped open and sat up, "Ceril where is my sword!?" he shouted standing up.
Ceril shrugged and the old man looked around quickly and spotted his weapon, he went a grabbd it, "Ceril, prepare to meet Huren! We must kill this demon!"
Ceril followed after Gwelx who went right were the white dragon was headed. Teya's arrows hit the dragon doing little but slow his attack. Ceril held his sword, trembling. He was scared.
Forn rushed up next to Gwelx, "it is good to have you back!"
Gwelx grinned and shouted a word of magic. His swor burst into flames again, but this time the enemy would be the victim.
Gra'el waited behind them, then leaped into the air and crashed into the on-coming dragon and both came crashing into the ground.
"Charge!" shouted Gwelx. The old man rushed forward, when he reached the dragon with the others, he started hacking at the beast. Gra'el back out of the fight and started blowing fire balls at Huren from the air and occasionally landing on the monster to keep him from rising into the air.
Teya held her dagger in her hand, she stabbed at the body of bones, trying to hit something beside air.
Ceril sliced a bone and marrow flowed out. The white dragon roared and smacked him to the side. The boy looked up to see Gra'el being plucked from the sky and thrown the ground. Then Gwelx was suddenly swept to the side and Forn tossed like a mouse into the sand.
Everyone was down except, Teya, she looked the dragon in the eyes, ready to fight.
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Post by Christian Soldier on Jul 30, 2007 1:33:56 GMT -5
Teya's mind raced. 'What can I do against a Bone creature?' she thought. Its evil gaze bored into her a moment before it charged. Each monstrous step was eating ground and Teya notched an arrow. 'But how can this do anything against that?'
In a flash she knew what to do. Reaching deep inside herself, she felt the molten core of her magic. Drawing hard, she endued the arrow with everything she had. Sighting carefully, she released.
The arrow flew through the air with only a faint wobble. The creature didn't even slow down or dodge. When the arrow hit, it stopped dead in its tracks. For a brief second it just stood there, as though surprised. Finally, the massive beast fell to the earth. A cloud of dust bloomed outward like a wave, but Teya didn't see it. Teya's unconscious body lay on the ground. She didn't even see if she hit.
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