Reuniting A Kingdom Part 1: Walking On Air

[Adam]

Technically, the Air Dragons held no borders of their own. Because the Castles of Cathan were so high in the sky, and constantly on the move, there was never any need for them. Granted, the castles never left the boundaries of Balfaer, pinpointing its exact location was nigh impossible, unless one managed to find the very chaotic pattern in the Castles’ movements. A human would need a portal, or means to travel to the sky castles. For Samael, and his men they only needed to spread their wings.

High in the air, the Fire Dragons flew towards their destination. The higher they got, the thinner the air became, and the colder the wind felt against their fiery skin. The dragons were only airborne for half an hour before they finally saw the Castles in the distance. In a single pattern, the three Fire Dragons flew forth, landing moments later in the center of a town square. Their landing startled many unsuspecting dragons as the three landed. When an elderly-looking Air Dragon saw Samael, however, his eyes widened and he began to weakly walk towards the titan of a Fire Dragon.

“Is it you?” the old dragon asked, “Is it really you? Are the legends and rumors true? Are you Samael?”

Samael said nothing, yet simply gave a small nod, looking down indifferently at the elderly dragon. Looking at all of the dragons made Samael feel larger than he was. When he ruled, the Air Dragons were not just the swiftest of the dragons, but also their very wings were strong enough to create devastating winds that could strip stone from a mountain, or bark from wood. A single gust, and most foes would be swept away. But now, like Samael’s own clan, he witnessed tiny dragons with tiny human forms. Not even frail shadows of their former selves. It both sickened and upset Samael to see how far Dragon-Kind had fallen. The Earth dragons even used to be the stockiest of the dragons, with the Fire clan coming in a close second to them in stockiness. Now, the Earth clan could only cause a simple fissure in the ground, let alone the entire land. As for the water clan, Samael could only imagine what they had become.

“I have returned, my people,” Samael spoke aloud, “but much work is to be done, and I must speak with someone of authority and rank. It is time our Kingdom was united once again!”

Some looked at Samael in confusion, while others already began to surround him in support of his cause. However, a portion of the crowd began to open up, as two lines of guards approached Samael, a female air dragon accompanying them, dressed different from the others. In a calm stance, Samael waited for them to approach and speak to him.

[Luna Dragonwing]

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It did not take her long for the news of Samael's arrival to reach her in the area she called her office. Thanking her assistants she moved out of the delicate building and made her way towards Samael and his entourage. "My name is Luna. I am the ambassador for our people. It is an honor to have you visit us Kruziik Hun'drog. Please allow me to greet you with hospitality. No doubt you and your men have traveled a great distance." Simone said with a deep curtsy to one of his rank. Diaphanous robes as delicate as a breath and as blue as ice fluttered in the wind that never seemed to cease around her kind. Her hair blew artfully away and around her face, the delicate strands shimmering honeyed brown against her sun kissed skin.

With that she gestured for the men to precede her as she fell into step behind Samael and guards opened the great doors to the meeting chamber that they used to greet the other draconic kingdoms. Moving slowly in front of him she poured him a heady mulled wine in a goblet that was sturdy and iridescent like Vaseline glass, the colors shifting in the light like the colors of the rainbow. To his men servants brought beverages as well, each man geting a goblet (though not as ornate as Samael's own)"We welcome you in peace. There is food and drink and places to rest should you have need. Please refresh yourselves and then we can speak on what has brought you here on the auspicious day."

Servants scurried about and soon a feast that only dragons were capable of was presented before the men and Samael. The choicest of offerings going to him first before being given to his men out of deference to his rank. Simone sat across from Samael, letting him choose the moment to speak and nibbling on food as she felt the need.

While they dined dancers whirled above them in intricate formations. Honoring the great champion in the ways that their kind were renowned for. Even the Earth Dragons could not fault an air dragon's hospitality. It was the one thing they were known for and many found it to be to their detriment (as Bellator had made it known). Simone realized her people were perceived as weak but she saw little reason to compete in the first place. Her kind had connections to the warriors in the brigade and rarely had troubles save for some vampire incursions here and there.

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Tagged:Samael
Words: 417

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[Adam]

Kruziik...In Samael’s native tongue, it meant Ancient, while Hun’Drog meant Hero-Lord. The full title reminded Samael of how long he had been gone. For too long, dragon kind was without a real king. Each had been divided among one another since Samael’s imprisonment. The kingdom of the Dragons fell apart, and their world had become so polluted with the corruption of other dragons, that all of dragon-kind had to flee to a new world. One inhabited by the likes of other species. Dragons kept the story of Samael alive. Many in the hopes that their fabled leader would return again, or to inspire other dragons to take up the mantle one day. The latter, in which, would never truly happen.

“Gratitude.” Samael spoke in response to the Air Dragon’s display of hospitality, lowering his brow slightly in return to the Air Dragon’s courtsey.

Samael walked into the chamber, with his men and others following behind. There were many things different of this hall, than the ones of the Air clan’s hall from long ago. Many new pieces of art, sculptures, and even the fabric of the clothing seemed different from what Samael remember. However, the designs all appeared the same. The flying buttress of the outer columns of the chambers were remarkably reminiscent of architects from Samael’s time. Soon, the Air Dragoness gave him a goblet filled with wine, while offering his men the same. With the very slightest of nods, Samael gestured to them to oblige their hospitality. It would have been rude not to. “To what name should I give gratitude for humble hospitality?” Samael asked as servants brought in food and drinks for all. Although Samael obliged his men to indulge themselves, he trusted them not to take in too much food and drink, for they would still be leaving for home when talks had been met.

Reaching for an apple, Samael took a monstrous bite out of the fruit, washing it down with a sip of wine. “I have come to talk to you about reunification,” Samael spoke, “and the return of something that belongs to me. Four stones that the gods stole, one of which is in the possession of your clan.” Samael pulled out a small parchment from a side-pouch and unrolled it. Written neatly in what appeared to be a thicker, darker form of coal, the parchment was a treaty for the Air Dragons to sign. It would place them under the leadership of Samael, open any inner-borders they have to the rest of Balfaer, and while there would only be a handful of universal laws, each clan would be allowed to continue to carry out their individual laws within their respective lands. Certain titles of leadership would be changed, but they would retain most of their authorities that their titles grant them. It also spoke of the return of the stone in question to Samael’s hands, but it was not spoken of as much as the rest.

“I wish for all of our kind to be as one as it was when I ruled long ago,” Samael began again, “I want to see our kind be able to become a force that the gods would take notice of again. With the infestation of demons that have terrorized our lands, and with talks of war, how long would it be before the enemy is at our doorstep? That document in your hands will ensure the future for not just Air Dragons, but for the hope that all dragons will unify before the possibility of war seeps into our lands. Together, we can amass a defense that will send a clear message to the rest of Yalanze, that we are prepared for anything that may threaten our borders. Whether it be other nations, bandits, or even those that would seek to slay our kind.” The last remark was in response to a particularly powerful woman that Samael clashed with not long ago. Mighty as she was, Samael let her go, but he was ever-wary of her possible return. If there were those that could wield the power of dragons in order to slay his kind, then Samael would see it stomped out. At full power, there was much that Samael could do, but he would need to unify his people in order to do so.

[Luna Dragonwing]

It had been a long time since a warrior had graced their halls. The last had been Bellatore Draconis and he had gone to the Brigade. Not that Simone blamed him. She could see where a warrior would be rather bored in a place with art and music and intellectual pursuits. Air dragons tended to be more even tempered than their fire counterparts and often the two had alliances and pacts with one another.

"I am Luna, Hun'Drog though to the Brigade I am known as Simone Murry. I am a diplomat and I have been instructed by our council to speak with you." She said simply with a polite nod of her head, "You and your warriors are welcome here. Feel free to stay as long as you need. I know your journey must have been long." Given that the air castles never stayed in the same place long and they were covered by illusion it would take a great deal of time for them to be found. The fact that Samael could track them was proof that he was formidable.

Sitting across from the ancient leader, Luna grabbed a handful of grapes and nibbled on them thoughtfully as he spoke. "We know the enemy is at our doorstep. A rival poisoned my mother with Vampire blood twenty years ago. We are still doing dances of mourning for her." she said gently as she looked at him, letting him catch a glimpse of her deep sorrow, "I watched my mother who was a dragoness in her prime wither away over the span of two weeks. That is not a fate I would wish on any of our kind. We have seen how the demonic infestation has gone unchecked on this planet and I have been advised to accept your offer of unification. I feel it only fair to warn you that we do not have as many warriors as we once did. This planet has made us smaller than we once were. Our last great warrior, Bellatore Draconis works with the Brigade. Many of our warriors go there for training if they do not make arrangements to be trained with the fire dragons in Firegorge Mountain. I tell you this so you do not feel cheated if we do not have many warriors to join your cause." Gently she pulled the stone he mentioned out of a pocket in her gown and passed it to him with one finger moving it gently across the table.

"I believe this is the stone you spoke of." she said with a respectful nod of her head and a smile on her lips, Glancing over the treaty she read through it carefully, taking note of it and making sure to read through it before signing her name to it, "Will this be good enough or do you require the signatures of our elders?" She asked him gently, "Many of them remember the old days but they are sequestered and focus on their faith but I can ask them to come out of seclusion if you wish."

Many of the elder dragons could not adapt to this world any longer. They were tired of fighting, tired of having to work at keeping this place running. Their leader had retired due to ill health not that long ago Luna suspected poisoning but given that was how her own mother died many felt she was chasing shadows and looking for an excuse for war out of revenge. It wasn't quite true but she was discounted all the same.

Relaxing back she smiled warmly at the elder warrior. This alliance would make their people great once more. The fact that Samael was back was proof that they should work to defend themselves now. He was not his father. They would be great once more.

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Tagged: Samael

Words: 641

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[Adam]

Samael listened to the tiny Air Dragoness’ tale of her mother, and her affliction with Vampire blood. This was yet the second time that he had heard of Vampires, and it was becoming more and more that he would like to rip the still hearts from their chests and toss it into the sun. They sounded as revolting and as menacing as the demons, another faction that Samael sought to annihilate once his unification was complete. Soon, once again, he would command an army the likes of which would make the gods tremble. When she was sent to agree with Reunification, a smile crossed Samael’s lips, and a small relief came to him. He would have hated trying to reclaim the stone by force. Yet, he was more concerned about the Water Clan than he was with the Air Clan, or even the Earth Clan. “We are taking the first steps to a glorious future,” Samael spoke, “soon, our kind will be not be able to go unnoticed by even the gods. Worry not about the number of dragons offered, for an individual has the potential to strike down armies if one puts proper mind to it. Imagine an army of individuals that recognized and achieved such potential. I will lead the way, and I will bring about a new Golden Age of Dragon Kind!”

Although the offer to stay the night was appreciated, there was much work to do, and his men would be restless after such a meal. Both Samael and his men needed to return to Firegorge Mountain to inform his people of their unification with the Air Clan. While Samael was aware that there would be oncoming festivities between the clans for their union, it was Samael’s Generals that he would need to speak to next. It was at that moment that he thought of Isolde, his sister, and Thur, which was Dragon Tongue for Overlord. The Thur was essentially the highest ranking General of the entire Draconic Military. She was known for her unique military strategies, and even finding new ways to test her subordinates in the ways of survival. Every scenario was never safe, and each situation that she created was always dangerous. There was no necessity for safety in their clan, as Fire Dragons simply refused to take anything lightly. Samael felt that she would have had a few ideas in conjoining their Air Clans’ Fleets into the fold.

When Luna mentioned Brigade, Samael instantly recollected back to Bellator, who was Commander of an aforementioned Brigade. “Heh, I’ve met your Commander Bellator, a warrior that I hold in high regard.” Samael replied to Luna, his deep, gravely voice spoke softly, as he took his seat across from her, “You are the second of your clan that I have met within Brigade, and once again my eyes are met with honor.” Although Samael was wary of his surroundings, he nevertheless would give gratitude to the Brigade for their growing reputation for honor. Then again, the Air Clan tended to produce more diplomats than warriors. Except that Samael knew that the Air Clan were also the most formidable air fighters with a swiftness that rivaled vampires. Choosing the Air Clan as the first to visit was the wisest move, as Samael would now have reign over the skies, a powerful advantage in any military, and with the number of Air Dragons that Samael could prepare for combat, he would potentially have one of the deadliest air squadrons in Yalanze.



Gazing at the bright green stone, Samael felt the intense energy coursing through it, recognizing the old power that once coursed through him, and soon would again. The power within those stones had enough power to make someone a demigod. When all the remaining three are within his grasp, he would be close to unstoppable until his full power returned. As she slid the stone across the table, Samael picked up the stone in his hand and looked over it for what felt like the longest time. In order for his power to return from the stone and back into him, he would simply have to crush it, and the power would return to him, permanently. However, Samael was no fool and realized that crushing the stone now, would potentially cause an explosion, and destroy the portion of the castle. Something, the Hun’Drog had no intention of doing.

“As a diplomat, and voice for the Elders, your signature will be enough to sign the Treaty into effect,” Samael replied, “If the Elders so wish to sign as well, then they are all but welcome.” Samael stood from his chair slowly, holding his goblet in the air, as everyone followed suit. “I propose the first of many toasts to the reunification of our kind, and to the Brigade for their delegate. As I have said to Commander Bellator, know now that the Brigade will always have be an ally to all of my kingdom, and our people. Every Clan will have a diplomatic house of office for the Brigade, to ensure a complete alliance. To the Reunification and to quick allies.” Samael finished his cup with a gulp and held the stone upwards once again.

After feasting, and discussing further plans during and after the Reunification, Samael stood again from the table and walked outside, the Stone of Spirits, within his hand. Standing over a balcony, where many villagers had gathered, Samael held the stone above his head, a sign that they were to be unified. A roar of applause erupted from the people as they celebrated the unification of their kind. Holding the stone above his head a little longer, Samael finally crushed the stone within his hand, and suddenly a blast of green mist suddenly phased into Samael’s being, suddenly sending a shockwave across the castles, shaking them slightly. Samael knelt for a moment before standing back up again, his eyes glowing green momentarily before shifting back to their red and then back to his human eye color. Suddenly, gusts of wind picked up within his presence as he felt the new power within his body coursing once again through him. He looked back at his men and then to Luna, a smile on his face as he felt alive once again. “To unification!” He roared.

[Teodora]

The power resonating from the room was faint. Although not as strong as it once had been she knew what had come to the kingdom of air. A long time ago the celestial beings of their home world fought back an ancient and powerful evil, one they could not defeat on their own again. While the power was not quite the same she remained on guard as she was a lone celestial on this planet. As far as she was aware she was the only one that existed in this plane of existence at the moment. They were beings who existed in two worlds at once; a physical realm and a spiritual realm. It was not often that they took an active interest in this realm but she broke every rule by nature.

A fly on the wall, that was what Teo was as she entered the grand hall. There was only a faint shimmer of magic around her invisible form. The spell she cast held up for as long as she willed it to- almost entirely undetectable except for a faint shimmer made hard to see against the walls. Here she could listen in on the proceedings, the air kingdom had visitors from one who claimed to be the fallen champion of their kind. Her mind could recall such a being, drawing on the ancient knowledge they shared among each other freely. Her true gift was the power to recall in accurate detail any event she had ever witnessed or anything she ever researched.

His words, they were the same hubris that made their mortal enemies take notice of them. Unification was a noble goal unless the power behind the ruler was impure. It did not take a soothsayer to know how this would end if someone did not do something about it. Yet the tiny woman had no intention of battling the man and his companions. It was a battle she could not win alone and it seemed that the air dragons were content to surrender themselves unto his mercy. If he was so much as allowed to even lay a finger on those stones the world might find that they had another problem to worry about. Now it all made sense to her- the power of the stones was what she felt resonating in this world.

Finished with the whole lurking business- the veil dropped on her spell. A young woman with titanium blonde hair appeared out of thin air with a rather serious expression on her face. Her bright eyes seemed to be fixated upon Samael and his men as if she was afraid to allow them move from her sight. A hand raised slowly as the robed sleeve fell back exposing a single finger that she pointed at the man accusingly. "Hi fend ni kos het." she stated with a firmness to her voice. It was not a threat nor was it a kind greeting. She stated what she knew to be true- there was no way that he should have ever escaped the seal.

"Hi fen drun gral wah pah hi haalvut." she continued. A rather ominous warning to be sure but one she felt was necessary as it seemed they had no idea what they were getting themselves into. For a brief moment her eyes fell to the woman who had welcomed this man into the kingdom with open arms. In this moment she pitied the womans lack of true knowledge when it came to what sat before her. Lowering her hand, she returned her gaze to the "champion" who sat before her.

"Rok kent ni kos vos wah lost gol." she said.

[Adam]

Unification was soon at hand. Samael knew that it was now only a matter of time before his people were united into a single kingdom once again. As new power coursed through his veins, he conjured the power of the winds to him, the cool breeze flowing against his skin as he felt his power quicken his soul with even greater life than before. Lightning crashed the skies as he looked over the Air Clan, once again, his people. However, it was only for a moment before he finally recognized the power from within the halls. One that was all too familiar to the Hun’Drog, who soon turned to face the Celestial before him. The winds around Samael and the Celestial became fierce, as Samael’s rage grew at the sight of one of his imprisoners. In many ways, he tried his best to contain his rage, and by extension, his power, between the two of them, so as no innocent fell victim to his wrath.

”Zu'u los het naal dii fen naalein!” Samael hissed at the Celestial, “Dii fen los ahk lot wah kos kopiraak, orin naal rah!”

Long ago, it was the Celestials, the messengers of the so-called gods, who came before Samael and challenged his might to rule over Dragon-Kind, that managed to seal him between realities, so as to try to keep him contained. For Samael, it seemed as if mere moments for him to break free of the hold the Celestial’s seal had over him, but outside of the hold, untold eons had passed, and Samael’s physical form had been greatly weakened by breaking free. When he looked upon the Celestial, the untold wars that had been waged between the legions of Celestials against Samael and his army was fresh in his mind. To him, she was yet another that sought to get in the way of the potential that the dragons held within. Each clan could rise to become greater than the Celestials, and yet they wished to hold Dragon-Kind back.

“Hin rot mah nau honvu honiir, Kahliir” Samael spat at the Celestial, his teeth laced with venomous hatred, “nii lost hin tol krenok mii, togaat wah imprison zey, ahrk hi noraas zey do grals!?”

As the Celestial warned that Samael not receive the stone, it was too late. Samael stood, with the power of the Air Clan flowing through his body. “Hi los ahk spein Kahliir,” Samael chuckled, “golro suleyk nu niirah kosil dii kopraan ont zos!” The powers of resurrection, telekinesis, and aerokinesis now resonated eternally within. It would take time for him to fully master his abilities again, but for now, he was more than confident that he could dominate the Celestial before him, if it was a challenge that she wanted. Samael raised his sword, pointed at the heart of the Celestial before him. “Waan nii los kein tol hi hind, ruz Zu'u fen kos unaz wah skildir, nuz waan hi laan drem, ruz fey tir do dii ven!” Samael lowered his blade, but kept his eyes locked on the seemingly innocent female before him. However, Samael knew that there was a more formidable warrior underneath the innocence.

[Luna Dragonwing]

It seemed as if everything had changed in the blink of an eye. What she and her people had done out of a good heart had gone very badly in an instant. Samael's victory seemed to be cut short as a Celestial appeared out of no where, too late to stop the transference of power from the stone to the warrior. Worse still, the elder dragon seemed to be insensed by the Celestial being that now stood before them in all her very human looking glory. She could have been a peasant woman with her golden hair and cornflower blue gaze but Luna knew she was so much more than that. These were the beings that every hatchling had heard stories about. They were beings of light and goodness and in her heart of hearts Luna childishly hoped her mother's spirit had been reborn as one so that she was not alone in the heavens waiting for her family.

When he raised his blade in front of the Celestial Luna stepped between then raised one delicate hand in emphasis, "HOLD! Be at peace. There is no need for violence in this place. It is clear that there is much to discuss. I apologize if our actions have lead to hardship for either of you but I do ask that as honorable warriors you take your fight to the Ancient place where all battles once raged. I suggest we reconvene this meeting in the Arena where grievances can be mediated and contained. Battle in these current walls will only destroy the palace and harm innocents that have nothing to do with your quarrels." She said quietly.

Her voice firm as she spoke to the two of them, making firm eye contact with both parties and not flinching (or caring) at how much power Samael now held in his body. He was a warrior and as such she would never flinch or show weakness. Her body may have been small but her spirit was as fierce as any air warrior that had lived before her. Her mother's death had honed her grief and made her stronger with it's edge without making her so hard she could not sympathize with the plight of others.

Even as she stood there and processed the rage of a multi millennia warrior against those that had imprisoned him she listened. It would seem that Samael, while as great as those stories had said, was also not someone the Celestials had wanted released. Not that she blamed a dragon for being irate at being captive. Any one of them would be half mad with claustrophobia from being locked away. It was not surprising when she felt the waves of power radiating off of him.

Stepping back she sat back down and picked up her goblet as if the words spoken hadn't been threats. Taking a sip calmly she waited to see what would happen next. The gauntlet had been thrown.

[Teodora]

Face to face with the man who had been the source of so much pain, Teo felt nothing. It was not rage she was feeling, sorrow for her loss. There was almost nothing there except a sense of duty that told her that she had to stop this before it began anew. It seemed with so much time to reflect on it his simplistic grasp of what he was doing had not changed. There was more to this than a peaceful unification even if he was not aware of it. Something dark pulsated from within that rippled out into the realm and reached her. It was like a beacon that she could feel at all times, as if whatever it was connected to all of them.

Even though her skills with the common language of the realm were not the best she switched as it seemed the host preferred it. "Still you do not grasp what you do. These powers of yours are a sickness. They will not unite the people, they will dominate them and destroy us for good in the end." she warned. Of course she knew that he would not listen to reason. For as long as she had been alive there were always men like him; men who believed they could control such power. Even the humans who were considered to be fool hardy had a saying for something like this.

Placing her hands together before her she scoffed at the idea that the air diplomat had proposed. She was not going to lower herself to such a level that she would challenge him in combat over such a matter. She was not a brute and would handle the situation with more subtlety than that. No, the Celestial being would need to access her books and find a way to put the man down once and for all. Normally they would not resort to such a violent directive but she had no choice now. Her kind had been thinned of their ranks, yet for each one destroyed their energy had to go somewhere. In her flowed the knowledge and energy of countless Celestial beings.

"The power you wield is even beyond your understanding. It will consume you and those around it until it spreads it's darkness over the land. You will become Samael the fool in the end, not the champion. The fool who thought he could change what is." she warned. Teodora was only going to get one shot at fixing this situation and to do that she needed to find the one being who could help. There was a prophecy that circulated about up above that there was a person who could control the dark powers within him. Such a thing seemed like a long shot however, there was no way to know for sure that anything could contain such energies.

"I do apologize to you, I did not intend to bring such violent outbursts to your home." she said looking Simone in the eyes, searching for her feelings on this matter.

[Adam]

“I was destined for the power that courses in my veins, Celestial,” Samael spat back in vehement retort, “Nergal was a mighty threat, and commanded this legion that I now seek to reclaim. Had it not been for my powers, then Dragon-kind would still be enslaved by one of their own. I choose to set them free and show them another way. A way free from the oppression of both tyrannical rulers and gods!”

Samael was ready for whatever offense that the Celestial could use against him. Eons ago, her kind imprisoned him, rather than defeating him in the traditional sense of his ancestors. They could not kill him, for it was beyond their powers then, as it would soon be again. They should have tried harder to kill him, they should have fought with the same ferocious tenacity that Samael displayed. Little did even the Celestials know that a trembling hand, even one that trembled to the might of the gods, could become a closed fist. A fist that would strike against even the most omnipotent of gods if that deity chose to spite. It did not matter to Samael if he was ever to perish. To fight and conquer, to rule over all and master death was the creed, and it was through this Celestial’s spite that he would see her fall.

Before Samael could even decide from what angle he would have the Celestial’s head leave in advance of her body, Luna stepped forward requesting for peace. Once she mentioned the Arena, Samael’s eyes slightly widened in hope. The Arena was here on Yalanze? It was not as if Samael was surprised, the Arena could appear on any plane of existence it chose, and only showed to those that truly needed it. It became a source of settlement on much when Samael ruled long ago. If the Arena was here, then he would gladly fight within its walls. Sheathing his blade calmly, he looked over the Air Dragons below as they looked upon him and the Celestial with a hot sigh. “For the sake of innocent lives Luna,” Samael said calmly, “I will not draw my blade here. Their lives and well being are more important, which is why I am here.”

Before Samael could even bring the proper challenge, the Celestial began to speak again. Were Samael not a person of his word, then she would have fallen for such a wild tongue. Instead of growing more and more furious, he simply laughed. “The only fool here is the lone Celestial that is afraid of what she cannot control, nor kill. However, unless lives are threatened, I will not fight you here. You may try to take my power, but you will find that my grip does not loosen so easily once it’s grasped hold of something.” The two men that came with Samael stood behind the Celestial, their weapons readied, but with a glance from their King, they relented and lowered their weapons. He would not allow them to be caught within this battle, nor allow them to risk the endangerment of other lives.

Now that he knew that at least one Celestial knew of his return, it was only a matter of time before more Celestials came to her aid. Soon, Samael would once again have to wage war on those that would try to rob him of his birth right. With a chuckle, Samael looked a little longer at the Celestial before looking away with a grin. “Your kind have always been ones to try and tell the rest of us what is and is not good for us, rather than allow us to discover on our own. Yet, I am here to tell you that at least one of us will still refuse to stand for your kind’s injustice. Send more of your own against me, tell me how unworthy I am of the power I wield and will wield again, but know that not a single one of you will ever hold the power to kill me, for that is a feat far beyond the power of even the Ones you serve!”

He dared the Celestial to challenge his point. Had it truly been the case, then why was he here now? Why would their gods allow his life to continue if they did not hold the power to kill him too? If Samael could implant a fraction of doubt, then he knew she would be blinded by this.

[Luna Dragonwing]

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It was obvious that there was a history here between these two beings and it was equally obvious that it was not a kind one. Inwardly Luna groaned at how all of this seemed to be because of her actions, inhaling softly, she folded her hands together, "My apologies Great Ones if my actions or that of my Clan have caused discord between you. I assure you it was not my intent."

Hearing Samael's complaints she blinked silently, "None of these hardships was known to us. It is unfortunate that the two of you have discord between you. I wish it were not so." Listening to Samael's rage Luna held a hand out, "Kruziik Hun'Drog, I realize battle is the way of your people but perhaps something a little more circumspect would better serve you in this case? I respect that the fire dragons are a warrior race but there are times when the sword must be put down in favor of diplomacy and discussion. Perhaps you can assuage her concerns by engaging in fruitful dialogue?"

Luna looked between the two and bowed politely. It was clear that the two of them were of very different temperaments and she wanted them to talk before things were said or done on either side that could devastate their race as a whole, "The vampires and demons already bring our numbers dangerously low; let us not do thee same between ourselves." It was worth a try in any case although given that his warriors were all to keen to pick a fight it did not bode well. Relaxing back she waited to see what would be said between the two.

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Tagged: Samael, Teo
Words: 281
Notes: This is fun.

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[Teodora]

"That is the problem with men like you. You believe that whatever you lay eyes on belongs to you and the rest of us be damned!" she said in a frustrated voice. He was nothing special, there were always men like him. The expression on her face was not one of anger, however, but sorrow as she could tell that words would never reach him. There was a darker force at work here and his return would only cause events to spiral further out of control. The war that ruined them did not need to be repeated here as it would end in the total destruction of Yalanze. Folding her hands together, she rest them inside her over sized white robe.

It was like dealing with an infantile tantrum, until he saw it for himself no one could tell him anything. "Power like that comes with a price. When the time comes you alone will not be the only one to pay it. Yet for the sake of your idiotic ego you will choose to march forward with your quest for power. Uniting the clans is not the problem here, the power you wield is. Far be it from me however to convince the oh so mighty champion to turn from this destructive path before it is too late." she said dryly. She did not have much to fear here however as even if they were all destroyed her kind would live on.

"Everything I do is to save you, not condemn or divide you. You will not survive the darkness your power unleashes, nor will they. From the realm of spirits I will be forced to watch as our kind go extinct due to the ego of one man and that is an eternal anguish I will not suffer." she added. Shifting her attention to Luna, she shook her head. "You have not done anything aside from surrendering something so precious without so much as questioning it." she said and with that she took several steps forward towards the table.

Casually seating herself at the table, she shook her long silvery hair free of the hooded robe she wore. "You do not think we are aware of this? It is the power in you that we cannot destroy, you without it, is unlikely but possible. There are forces in this world that exist to balance each other and the power that you claim as your own is one such power. We cannot destroy it nor the one it has tainted but we can suppress it and that is the best anyone can hope. To control such darkness and retain one's own sanity is beyond anyone- even you. Once it takes root you will become a monster far worse than Nergal. You won't even be able to recognize yourself anymore." she went on.

"Unity is a noble goal but using dark power to get there is a shallow victory at best." she finished.

[Adam]

Overbearing parents. That’s what Celestials were to Samael as he looked at the one before him with a stern look. She spoke her words to Samael, thinking of them as only more accusations behind why dragons were not capable of such power. The same words and the same accusations that infuriated the Hun’Drog eons before, when the Celestials came with their warnings and declarations of war if Samael did not relinquish the power that had been given to him. Even with the promises of a prophesized “Other”, the Celestials refused to allow Samael the power that coursed through his veins. “And the problem with Celestials is that you think you know better,” Samael simply replied, “your kind, even in my time, were always so meddlesome. Where were your kind when my father had most of her clan’s wings clipped, save for the select few that were chosen for military service? Or the countless casualties of other clans that were stripped from power, only for my father to grow a greater tyrant? I did what none of your clan had the niiv to do. I challenged the sacred teachers, took in forbidden power, and I survived. All of it, for the sake of our people. To save them from the tyranny of my father’s rule. I helped trembling hands become closed fists, and weak legs to become the thundering sound of a furious march.”

There had been much rebellion in the early days when Samael had bested his father in combat. Many of Nergal’s most loyal generals scattered in the winds of defeat, only to reform many times in an attempt to take down Samael’s rule and reestablish Nergal’s kingdom. Many of the dragons in Samael’s army that once called themselves slaves to these men were now the very people that these corrupt generals begged for a mercy that would never come when they saw the horrors that Samael’s army unleashed upon their forces. Mighty were the Air Dragons that dominated the skies, and the Water Dragons, who may have been pacifistic in nature, but were incredibly prodigal in the art of defending one’s self, and in the arts of Draconic Magic. The Fire Dragons and Earth Dragons worked together to form a single, efficient offensive and defensive force. The Earth Clan acted as the Phalanx in combat, raising walls of earth around Fire Dragons when enemies were attacking. When the last general fell, the look in his eyes were that of sheer disbelief and terror that a single dragon managed to take down what was at the time, the greatest army of the dragons. All of it, in what seemed like a fell swoop, was gone.

To ever think that the Celestials would ever dare challenge Samael was something that the Hun’Drog never expected, but their fear over his power told him everything. He tried reasoning with his divine brethren, but all words fell on deaf ears and Samael was met with an assault upon his kingdom. While legions of Celestials fell at Samael’s destructive hands alone, in the end, they managed to enact a spell that would finally weaken Samael enough for them to at least banish him. “I’ve heard these words before, Celestial,” he interjected to the Celestial, “but your kind did not want to see what I was capable of. Where I saw wonder, your clan saw ruin and destruction. Even now, your kind is unaware of the opportunity that I bring.”

Samael walked back into the Meeting Hall after Luna and the Celestial. His attention also turned towards Luna as the Celestial spoke, “I begin to think reason finally spirits itself from the Celestial’s fucking gullet, and then more nonsense trickles outward from parting lips,” Samael said as the Celestial accused Luna of unknowingly endangering her people, “if anything, she has assisted in saving dragon-kind from the onslaught that is being brought to our doorstep by demons capable of defiling our sacred form, and from vampires that are said to feed on souls. What better hope do you have to stop these fiends than with my help? If your clan sees me as a Devil with so much power, than consider the old saying ‘better the devil you know’.” At last, Samael finally took more drink, taking only a goblet full and imbibing it without so much as staining his beard with a drop. He looked over to a ripe, green apple and took a bit out of it before swallowing whole.

“You’re right that killing me is not the easiest thing to do,” Samael admitted, “and you know that if anyone can unite the clans to fight against the demons and vampires, then it would be me. However, if I am correct, then even united, there are factors that we have not said. Like the poisonous lands of Sylthanis. At this moment, I’d wager that not a single one of us could set foot on their lands without the very soil poisoning us with its noxious chemicals. It is by far one of, if not their greatest, natural defenses. So much so, that getting insight on their country is close to impossible. But if I were to reclaim my power, then our species would have just enough power to turn the tides against our enemies and show them what true fear is. The power I seek may be destructive, but what destruction it could cause for the enemies!”

But as Samael placed the apple down, he slowly rose, walking around the long dining table for what seemed like ages before he was finally arm’s distance from the chair that the Celestial sat in, “Look me in the eyes Celestial, and tell me,” Samael spoke, “you already have a vampire out there with terrible power, if I do not take in the power that I have journeyed to reclaim, then what is there to stop the Soul Devourer?” In the end, for Samael at least, it all came down to an old saying that was popular even among dragons of Samael’s time: Better the Devil You Know.

[Luna Dragonwing]

Luna could feel the beginnings of a headache forming and she massaged her temples gently as the Celestial and Fire Dragon traded insults and recriminations against each other. It was like watching siblings fight if truth be told and she found herself glancing over at Teodora with a raised eyebrow.

"Why did you not tell us about Samael before now? We had no knowledge of the things of which you speak. You blame me for granting him power but we had nothing in our records to indicate that it was not a good idea. His father was a known tyrant. My own clan was nearly exterminated by him for being "weak" and yet no Celestial came to us and told us that Samael was not to be brought back. You point fingers and make judgement but it seems to me that you are the one who arrived late to the meeting."

This was said with the softest of tones. There was no recrimination in her words more confusion that a Celestial being would arrive late to such a fortune shattering event that could affect the entire planet. "He is right, our kind have died horribly at the hands of these demons and vampires. We prayed to you for help and guidance and now that we have a potential savior you tell us he is evil incarnate. Do you have a champion you wish to offer in his stead or are you just expecting us to protect ourselves with prayers and song? There are times when a warrior must pick up his sword and it seems like we are heading into those times where ballads will not be enough to save us."

"I too wish to know how you intend to stop the Vampire King Vlad Draculea. He is known a the Impaler and it is not without good reason. How many of our people must be put to the stake before something is done?" She sat down and poured herself another glass of wine to steady her nerves. She had once ventured to the edge of Sylthanus and it gave her nightmares to this day. The dead were left to rot with carrion birds feeding on their corpses. Not even given an honest burial. It was vile and repulsive and had made her stomach turn.

[Teodora]

Teodora closed her eyes and rubbed her temples slowly. The celestial was drowning in old knowledge, whispers and thoughts that were not entirely her own. On the one hand she was knew that what she was saying was the proper course long term but in the short term she was not so sure. All power had a draw back and they were so desperate for something that they refused to see that. In the end the cost to their clans would be just as bad as trying to fight the demons without this ancient strength. Drawing a deep breath she tried to decide the best course of action to take her as she was not going to win this with words. There was a man who could help them but he was a bandage and not a solution as he was wild at best; quite the unpredictable being.

"I am not trying to point fingers here. But are you all so desperate for a victory that you do not care who pays the price in the end? Is that not the thinking of the very enemy you try to fight? They would spend their own without a second thought to exterminate our kind and you would answer with the same? Your power does not create; it only has one purpose and that is to destroy." she asked. They had no idea what this would do in the end yet she had seen it before and so had the others within her. Destruction could not be contained without proper balance and for thousands of years there had been nothing to balance the other side of the power.

Shaking her head, she was defeated here as she had nothing she could say to convince them. Truth be told she was only old in the sense that she held the knowledge of thousands that came before her. Teodora herself was a very recent manifestation of the spirit realm from their home world. She was relatively new in comparison to the man who sat before her. "I did not have the means to tell anyone anything. The powers that create us and give us our strength have been recovering from him. I only just managed to pull together a physical form and enter this world for a few years. When we drove the undead back to Sylthanus we gave everything we had and then some." she said.

Folding her hands in front of her as she leaned forward she looked at Samael with a weary expression. "I cannot stop you, not now. Truth be told we don't even have the strength to stop you even if we wished to do so. We only hoped we could dissuade you from giving in to such temptation before it was too late to turn back. Wielding such power has never ended well for anyone who has tried to harness it." she stated before turning her gaze to Simone. She was tired now having exhausted most of her strength just getting here.

"I do not wish for the end of our people. There just has to be a better path than this one. I am well aware of what Vlad is, what he can do but such power is not unmatched. There are those out there that can stop him, other allies that you could look to. You might even be able to appeal to the angels for aid. Consider it before you surrender yourself to this madness." she finished.

"Please, do not do this."