Reuniting A Kingdom Part 2: Tundra Tussle (OPEN)

[Adam]

The angel, Micha was perceptive. Samael did not know much of angels, besides the fact that they were typically the messengers and warriors of a deity worshipped by humans. It appeared to Samael that the humans had many different religions, and worshipped many types of gods in their own accord. Or at least, humans had a different way than dragons did in worshipping gods. They sacrificed their possessions, loved ones, and even pets to appease their gods. This god that represent was said to have been one that once had a fiery temper of his own, before something changed in him, making him more forgiving and understanding, now only requiring prayer, worship, and to live a certain way that appealed to him. Samael’s gods were not so different, yet they did not require sacrifice either. Instead, they often offered praise to those that showed their mettle. They wanted to be challenged, and that was what many dragons were attuned to doing.

Before Samael could speak, the mortal doctor suddenly stepped in, making demands of Samael for the Queen’s sake. Before long, his tongue wagged too wild for Isolde’s comfort, and suddenly, his sister was positioned to kill, if necessary. Looking into Isolde’s eyes, he could already see the fire in her growing, and the doctor had made an incredibly grave mistake by speaking so boldly to Samael. It Samael gave the word, or if the doctor so much as flinched, then his head, and possibly his vital organs, would leave well in advance of his body touching the ground. That was only one scenario, and it was the one in which Isolde would have felt the most merciful. However, as Samael motioned for Isolde to lower her blade, he watched as the Queen stood, revealing her angelic wings, and thus her true nature. As she spoke of her warnings, Samael simply chucked with a smile, seemingly unfazed by the warning.

“My kind has many that are like yourself,” he replied simply, “perhaps even kin to your kind in some way, but even so, it took legions of them to finally stop me. However, your true nature was revealed to me the moment the men that returned with you and your children told me of when your son, Micha, arrived in Sylthanis. Who you are, and your rank in your people’s kingdom has been noted. However, as I have already given my word that neither you, nor your blood kin shall be harmed, I cannot say the same for your husband. His allegiance with the demons that have mutually attacked our kind long before I arose again has forced us to retaliate. He must know that his actions come with a price.”

Samael was silent a moment more as the look in his eyes reassured the Queen that he was adamant on the path he has taken, when a soldier approached the outside of the tent. Entering, he knelt before Samael before he was promptly given the command to rise again. “My Lord, the Elders of the Ice Clan have given word that they are ready to see you.” Samael nodded and looked to Isolde. “Fetch the youngling, Minerva,” he said, “I want to see if her visions give us anything on whether the Ice Dragons will be inclined to agree with us, or not.” Before Isolde could leave, Samael looked over to Katya and grinned. “As for your offer to assist us with your father,” he began, “come with me, and speak to the Ice Clan’s Elders. Tell them what you know about your father, and you have my word that you will be free to go, unless you wish to stay with my kind.”

Taking one more glance over to the Queen, Samael smirked as well towards her, “I give you my word now, that she will be safe with us. No harm shall come to her when in our company.”

Samael gave Isolde her orders, and Katya was given her chance to do what she desired against her father. With that, he left the tent and began to walk his way down through the Encampment, past blocks of tends, until he reached the far end, towards the threshold of the Ice Clan’s home. As pillars of ice came sliding down, Samael waited until Isolde and Minerva were at his side, givng Katya the time it would take Minerva and Isolde to join him, if she so chose.

[Deleted]

Minerva sat on the ground, meditating, while keeping a close eye on the group in front of her. She knew about all of the things that went on during this event, making sure to stay away from the prisoners and out of the way of Samael and Isolde. They didn’t need her hovering over them, even though she still needed to talk to both of them to get closer to both. Just as much as she needed to get closer to her uncle, Seth. She missed talking to him, asking for his advice, as much as she missed talking to Isolde, even though she was a little less easygoing then her uncle. She also had no idea how to talk to her father, how to act around him. Her concentration broken, she pulled out her dagger, sharpening its edge, as her eyes darkened and eventually, she rose to her feet and walked closer, keeping her pace calm and deliberate, as to not draw too many attention to herself. She soon arrived at her father’s side, keeping an easy smile on her face. ”I thought I heard my name.” She said, as she briefly looked at everyone present, before fully addressing her father, with a slightly grim look on her face. She remembered her father’s story about the ice-dragons. The story about uniting them.

”You will be able to unite them. Though only half. The ice-dragons, I mean.” She eventually spoke, as she looked away, her fingers nimbly playing with the dagger still in her hand, as she thought about the story that she was told. She thought about the past and everything it brought with it. ”Half will be inclined to unite and the other half… Well, they won’t. I could tell you which are going to be the hardest to convince.” She said as she looked back at him. It felt weird reciting the words she had been told as she was younger back to the man that told them in the first place. It felt like she was asked to recite the story from heart and she was scared she would mess up somehow as the consequences to that now, were much more severe than any other time. ”I can show you how you can go about talking to them before Vlad arrives to reinforce his choices.” She eventually finished saying, after a pause, where she put the blade back under her sleeve, only now fully realizing that she still had it on her.

She only hoped that he didn’t see it as a threat as it wasn’t in any way meant as such. She just didn’t think about it. Also, not knowing when he obtained the blade in the first place, she was now also scared he might recognize it. It caused a cold shiver to run down her spine, as she kept her face as impassive as possible. It didn't seem very plausible that he already had the blade, but she still had to be careful about basicvally everything. It was frustrating sometimes, though very easily to get used to when you had the right state of mind. Which, right now, with her feelings and emotions in her head playing around with each other, she was scared that she would be made out a fool. Even though no one knew what her inner turmoil was really about. She was scared, of course she was, but she was also nervous. After all, she really didn't want to disappoint anyone here. Even if she felt like she had already done that.

[Deleted]

Close enough to still pick up the conversation from the tent, Agatha was glad that she had such a good memory, taht she'd manage to pick through the more subtle details of the conversation later on, when she wasn't in the middle of this whole bloody army of Samael. As she listened to his words and those coming from the prisoners, she bit her lip, cursing the fact to herself that she couldn't easily get a message to Mari right now, but hoping that even with she heard her tell Samael, she'd keep in mind that there was a high chance of Agatha having found out and trying her hardest to find her and a way to help, even if it was alone. She had an entire Division, but putting them in the crossfire of one of the first battles of a likely starting war, didn't seem like the most responsible thing to do, even to those that were ready, willing and prepared to die if they had to.

Shifting positions again, she managed to get passed some patrolling soldiers, then got a better look at a girl that was meditating, than soon enough after her change of position, saw her going towards Samael who seemed to know where he had to go, after he got the word that they were ready for him, whatever the hell that exactly meant. Nothing about this seemed easy, neither did it seem safe in any slight way at all. She narrowed her eyes, hearing what Minverva told Samael did concern her. How could she know this? How could she talk like she had this figured out? Or had her reports been true after all, it wouldn't be one of the craziest things to happen in Yalanze, someone from another time, but definitely one of the more complicated ones.

She bit her lip, keeping herself hidden, but at the ready to move after them to keep following the conversation, and notice where they were heading and what that would lead to. She just knew that the closer they got to that, the less room she'd have and less cover thus as well.

[Deleted]

Sedaiyus had shadow jumped back to Arnul to give Katya her gift. He had been delayed slightly as he had left it in a place he was no longer welcome but he was excited to give it to Katya. When he arrived though Katya was no where to be found. He raised his brow slightly wondering where she might have run off to but it didn't appear to be logical thinking she would so Sedaiyus dismissed the thought. She would have had to of found out something incredibly dear to her was in jeopardy to have run off without him otherwise something was amiss it would have seemed. Sedaiyus focused his senses catching a vague draconic scent mixed with Katya's, he focused on the details on the ground, his eyes glowing bright blue as he saw signs of a struggle now, the details ended suddently though Sedaiyus assumed the struggle ended with Katya in the air with the dragons. He searched around a bit more and stumbled upon some blood. Sedaiyus grinned with pride assuming Katya had bitten one of her captives. "That a girl darling." Sedaiyus thought for a moment not really sure what was going on. Perhaps Bellator was finally getting back at him, tracked him down, and got some of his buddies to take someone important to him. Sedaiyus wondered if such an honorable man would take a child though just to get back at him, he wasn't a fan of vampires, but in the end Sedaiyus didn't buy into it.

Sedaiyus massaged his temples getting a headache from how troublesome this was becoming. He just wanted to have fun, enjoy himself with Katya, and in the process if it made her happy it was a bonus for him as well. And now it appeared someone had taken his friend, ruined his fun, and prevented the possibility of any pleasure to be had for Sedaiyus and this was unacceptable. Sedaiyus faded away into the shadows moving from tavern to tavern, brothel to brothel, even ventured to the Brigade to gather information on anything going on that might lead him to Katya. He found out that an important figure had returned to the dragon clans and was working to unite them as one unified force. He also learned that there was tension between this figure and thus most of the dragons and the vampire race. Sedaiyus had difficulty understanding what the tension could be from, he personally found both races to be marvelous to entertain himself with. None the less Sedaiyus finally made his way to Sythanis where he saw a massive force mobilizing and moving. Sedaiyus frowned seeing the inevitable conflict that would follow. Sedaiyus never approved of war, it brought death and destruction, and hindered the many pleasures he enjoyed, beautiful people he might have enjoyed being with would fall in combat, and it was always messy and ugly.

Sedaiyus noted the direction they marched and using what intel he had gathered he deduced and made his way to Badrul which took longer than he wished. He moved to shadow jump directly into the city bypassing the large encampment of dragons outside its gates but found he was unable to. It appeared wardings for demons were up and about in anticipation for the threats the vampires would bring which almost always included demons. Sedaiyus sighed standing far off in the distance but in view of the encampment with his keen and enhanced eyes. He wondered if it was worth it as things progressed but then knew he would never be able to live with himself if he let someone take what was his. Sedaiyus got as close as he could before he could not shadow jump anymore. Using a combination of his abilities he drew a pair of guards closer to him where he appeared to be a warrior dragoness injured. They rushed to aid their comrade and when they got to Sedaiyus he touched both their faces and induced a sensual and intoxicating demeanor upon them and played out their greatest fantasies in but moments. He fed off their lust and enticed them to help should they wish to feel their greatest pleasures once more.

He tasked them to go around and not remove or destroy but slightly alter the wardings just around the encampment so Sedaiyus could move about easier. He didn't want anyone to realize that some of the wards were disrupted so he made it clear that only close examination would reveal they were ineffective anymore. As it was a patrolling guardsmen to patrol and guard no one would question a soldier doing his duty verse if Sedaiyus tried to. He was having enough trouble staying out of sight though his feeding helped immensely enabling him to move with great agility and speed and sense those that approached. But he was mostly dependent on his magic casting a veiled illusion on those that were around them to not see him at all though he was careful none the less. But those outside his caste range would see him thus he did his best to not be out in the open. As ward by ward faded in power he moved about the encampment though his powers were still a bit hampered and his strength from feeding was diminishing to being close to other wards.

Finally Sedaiyus felt he would not be able to find Katya sneaking about like this with no direction to move to and in such a large camp. He made his way into a tent that had a couple of soldiers sharpening their weapons and preparing their armor. They looked up at Sedaiyus curiously and the devil smiled elfishly as he approached provocatively appearing as a more appealing figure to them. In time he found the location of the prisoners and was even offered to be escorted to them. But Sedaiyus still feeling being suppressed decided to take his time, feed, enjoy himself with the men in the tent, and keep his strength up at the moment. He knew where to go now, a few moments of pleasure wouldn't kill anyone, but if he didn't take care of himself it might in fact kill him though. As the soldiers embraced what gave them the most pleasure whether it be a mate, food, or glory in battle Sedaiyus fed to bide his time.

[Seth]

The icy chill of Badrul was ever constant, but Seth loved the icy air. Despite the fact that Seth’s dragon heritage came from the Fire Clan, he always felt partial to the cold air. Something about it cleared his mind, and made him more alert and focused. He could always count on the vastness of the Badrul Tundra to keep him focused. Often, he would come to this place to both meditate and train, the Ice Dragons often watching, but never directly bothering him, or even speaking to him. It was a sort of mutual way for them to silently acknowledge one another without really bothering each other. Seth liked it that way, but for once, he was not there to train. Since he left the Sanctuary of his father’s strong hold, Seth has traveled Yalanze in search of someone that had harmed his father. Although Astroth said nothing to him as to who the culprit was, Seth just assumed it was from a lack of energy from his fighting that he could not say, but what Seth did not yet know, was that there was a reason his father never told him the truth. Something that he was learn the truth of today.

As he treked the harsh tundra, he was hot on the lead of a survivor from the village. It took much time, and although he was not proficient in spellweaving, he was none the less able to use a spell that would at least put in towards the closest proximity of who he was looking for. He wore enough clothing to ensure his protection against the harsh cold air, his spear at his side as he treked the path. There were many narrow caves and passages throughout Badrul. A skilled navigator would find these caves with no problem, even the ground caves that were disguised in ice, but any amateur could get lost in these icy ruins and never be heard from again, unless an Ice Dragon happened by, or worse, one of the many beasts that treked this place. Legends of Wendigos living in the area persisted for years, but not even Seth had ever seen one, and saw it more as an old myth than anything.

When Seth climbed over a steep, icy hill, reaching the top of what many believed to be the center of the Ice Clan’s stronghold, Seth at long last saw the Encampment, and instantly knew who it belonged to. The rumors had persisted for months that Samael lived again. A legendary warrior among Dragon-Kind, his tale was one of the first Seth ever heard as a youngling in the Rites. Hearing of his return, Samael knew that many dragons would flock to their fabled King’s side, but Seth had his own mission. However, as he saw the Encampment, he could only assumed that the culprit that attacked Astroth was there, and it could be only a matter of time before they went after the dragons, if that was their case. He would have to find Samael, and hope that the Hun’Drog would hear Seth’s case. Perhaps, he already knew of the events that Seth was investigating.

Seth was about to move, when he heard something far off in the distance. Turning, Seth looked overhead, and south west from the Encampment, mere half an hour away, was what appeared to be an army almost as massive as the Encampment itself, treading ever closer and closer to the dragons. Seth’s eyes widened as he saw the armies approach. Turning back towards the Encampment, Seth held out his spear, and began to charge towards the Encampment, looking for any guard whose attention he could get quickly. Not long after, Seth made it to a guard, grabbing his arm quickly to bring the news. “Guard, alert Samael, there’s an Army approaching from the south west. Hurry!”

Seth felt the person he was looking for’s presence, but for all he could do, he could not waste time looking for them, when it looked as if the Wrath of Sylthanis was heading this way.

[Deleted]

Micah was tired already of this conflict. He had seen in history this war before, twice it has happened in Yalanze, countless times in other wars including the dragons home world. As he said the 'cause' might be different but the underlying reason was always the same, the people might be different in each war but the type of people were always the same, and different sides always won but in the end war always ended with the same limited outcomes. Micah himself was apart of a greater war as a whole, heavens war on evil, it in itself was seemingly endless but the wars of mortals were different. Most of the time they need not happen which was what burdened Micah for some time, but after millenia, he grew to simply understand things were unchangable after a certain shatter point and all that could be done was mitigation not prevention.

Micah frowned at Katya's actions. He poured two cups of wine, one for himself, the other for his mother. He did not care for Vlad but he did not wish him to perish unless he was meant to and surely this was not such as time having only just been turned into one of them. Being the angel of death aside he was also a soul that could still be saved, he wasn't inherently evil like demons were, vampires had a difficult hunger and instinct that fueled their path to darkness. But it could be overcome and they were not mindless undead or soul less abominations, there was hope. But it was not really Micah's place to get involved and Katya would not be persuaded by him. Micah turned to witness his mother reveal her true self but he knew the outcome before she finished. Samaels point of return had long since passed for this particular battle, the war might still be diverted, but this battle was a lost cause unfortunately.

Micah walked over to his mother, he place the drinks down on a stand, he placed his hand on her shoulder and spoke softly "I am sorry mother but Samael has lived through many wars already, he knows how they can end, and he has already survived his own fall before. Thus our words will not sway him since even his own experience has not been enough to. We could show him the destruction of other worlds that have followed in his stead before and it would all fall on deaf ears and blind eyes. The inevitability here is clear mother, we could even show him his future and even if it came from the creator himself Samael would continue convinced he could change it for that is what he is doing now as we speak. He has tasted power and now with a little more knowledge and experience he will believe that he can change the outcome of things this time." Micah sighed faintly as he took a sip of his wine.

He looked down feeling something pivotal about to change for his mother. In her true form something felt different, there was something extra, something changed. It was as if she was not just an angel but it wasn't clear. Micah stared down uncertain how to help and unsure of what was to come next but he had faith as he always did. "I refuse to believe that I was led to my family simply to watch them crumble before me. Something is happening here, I can feel it now, a force beyond both Samael and Vlad. Perhaps the creator himself is moving his hand here though it would have nothing to do with the war we know that. I am not sure why but we must hold faith and not give into sorrowful times. Things will work out, they must, we must simply endure these tests of life and prove worthy of the light is all."

[Vlad Drăculea]

Katya

There was very little to say anymore on the subject of Vlad. The entire reason this room was full was because they knew him, of him or had some relation. That said enough, that his enemies would take them to draw him out and that he did not stop it. She knew of his power, the single reason he had vanished and it baffled her as to why he did not use it. He could have taken his enemies down while they were weak, driven them into hiding and yet he sat complacent on his throne. He let his people down with his actions but more specifically he let Katya down and she would not stand for it. Even if she was seen as a spoiled child lashing out, she would accept that role with grace. Even with their empathy they could not understand her agony.

Standing, she shuffled to Samael's side the best she could before offering an off handed wave to her mother. "It won't heal me, but it will heal the world." she said. That much could not be disputed as the destruction of her father and downfall of the vampires would bring peace to many people. She belonged in neither kingdom and so with no one to place her allegiance with she sided with the enemy this time. Katya asked for nothing in return, knowing that the satisfaction of seeing him fall was enough. Like her he would not die forever, he would eventually be reborn whether it be ten years or ten thousand years from now.

"I will tell them whatever they wish to know. I want to see his face when it happens, I will stay and see it through to the end." she added. Surely hers was a desire that Samael knew all too well, even if their reasoning was not the same.

Isolde

Watching the proceedings with amusement, Isolde remained silent for the rest of the conversation. She had nothing more to say to anyone in the room nor did she offer any protest when Katya offered to help them swat death. In fact she found the plan to be rather fitting as they had no other defense she could think of that was guaranteed to work. This might be their only chance to learn something definite about Vlad other than the fact that he was unkillable to the minds of many and that they would be defeated. Placing a hand on the hilt of her blade, she too turned to exist the tent but as she did so her brother issued an order- one she never got a chance to follow.

As she nodded, the stranger came bounding up towards them all to happy to be of use during this time. Raising a brow she stared her down once more, still uncertain she wanted to work along side this newcomer. She knew more than she was letting on and it bothered Isolde immensely despite her brothers "trust" in this new strangers lies. "Oddly convenient that you happen to be here right as we need you." she stated coldly. Perhaps this spy was already watching what was going on inside the tent or perhaps she did have the sight as she suggested. She opted to believe the prior as she did not want to let her guard down.

"I'll go scout ahea-" she started to say but she was cut off. There was a commotion happening elsewhere in the camp. The guards all seemed riled up by something and then she heard the screams coming from the mountain pass. Never before had she heard such a bone chilling sound.

Vlad

Darkness proceeded him wherever he went in his new form. Clouds gathered as his army marched upon the draconic home land. As the clouds formed, lightning struck the earth repeatedly and blew the ground apart where it struck. His march was proceeded by a terrifying sound; the sound of banshee's wailing before the battle took place. As their wail indicated, many people were about to perish this day and there was no force on Yalanze that could stop it from happening. Everywhere one of his minions placed their boots, decay spread from the point of impact killing all plant life in the general area. They were bringing the poison with them to these lands and they would kill their enemies via attrition if need be.

Among them he marched upon a black steed who's very breath chilled the air. The horses soulless black eyes stared straight ahead as it bore death into battle. Just like his master, the horse knew no fear and only craved one thing; souls. Coming to a stop just as they crested the ridge, the cloaked rider gazed down into the valley as if he was viewing his new empire for the first time. Everything his gaze fell upon he would conquer and then kill. His divine purpose would be drown out by the cry for vengeance in his ears. Even death could be manipulated into doing what another wished for under the right circumstance.

There was an eerie silence as his army came to a halt just out of range of attack. That pause was finally broken when a chilling voice crossed the distance and rung true in the ears of all present. "Surrender to me what is mine." he called out to the entire encampment. No matter where you were his voice, his presence and the sense of dread that hung in the air around him was inescapable. Yet even as he spoke he worked to locate his family, vampire scouts using the diversion of the armies main forces to attempt to slip into the camp. If they succeeded they would set about the search for Marina, slaying all in their path.

[Nergal]

They kept Nergal at the far back of the Army. He was not shackled, nor was he guarded. Vlad’s control over him was adamant, and the power that had flowed through Corvin also gave him some control over the beast. However, Nergal knew that Corvin was but a mere child, holding onto the loose end of his father’s leash. He knew that it was Vlad that held the firm grip over him, and through whose power could release him from his bindings. If it was true what he had said, that his son had indeed lost a great majority of his power, then killing him would be easier than previously thought. Granted, Nergal was no fool either. He knew that Samael was no ordinary dragon, even if he had been vastly depowered. Great knowledge into the dark arts allowed Nergal to learn of the slumbering elder gods, and their great, primordial powers. Vlad held such a power, Nergal knew, but he knew that should Vlad ever be depowered as Samael was, then it would not be as simple as him being just a powerful vampire again. These things left marks on the spirit, the essence that allowed for even undead bodies to have life. Like Vlad, Samael could never truly die. Sure, his physical form could be destroyed, and he could be banished for eons, but the fusion with the essence has made his spirit virtually immortal. Vlad would always be the same in such a regard.

The irony that such an equal to his son was marching towards him was amusing to the undead beast, as a carriage that held a cage full of screaming prisoners rode in front of Nergal, stomping behind it, looking in at the prisoners that huddled to the opposite end of the cage door. Occasionally, the beast made noises, but every once in awhile, it let out a noise indicating its hunger. A guard would jump into the cage, pull out panicked, fighting human, and with little effort, throw the human directly into the mouth of the undead beast. Nergal would savor what little taste he could get from feeding. It did not last long, he soon realized. Feeding first on a vampire guard, and then on a human slave. The blood, flesh, everything satiated his body, and made him feel more alive, but the need to feed was ever present. Even after he had his full, he was always hungry. He could control the cravings when he was full, but when he had not fed in a while, he felt more animalistic than rational. He lost all control of himself. Vlad knew that though is hold was great, he had to keep his new pet fed, so when Nergal asked for “snacks” to be brought along, he was all but obliged.

He was under orders from Vlad, however. He could not feed on any dragon too severely. They must be able to rise again to serve under him. Nergal realized then, what horrors of his own that he was prepared to unleash upon his own people at Vlad’s behest. Quickly realizing that although Vlad promised Nergal’s kingdom returned, he did not promise that it would be the way he remembered it. Nergal was to be king of the Lich, never to be truly a dragon again. Vlad intended to wipe the dragons out, but remake them as Lich, an ally that he only needed to “ask” to come into battle, and their king would be powerless to respond. Too quickly, did Nergal realize that he would always be a slave to Vlad as long as he lived, and now that he realized the true realization of what Vlad truly was, the dragon felt a sickening feeling in the pit of its stomach. Suddenly, it washed away in the sea of dead apathy as the former neurons Nergal focused on to fire up the old memories of anger faded as they fell dead again within his body, like a dying ripple. As they reached the Badrul Tundra, Nergal looked around and noticed that although the snow-filled landscapes reminded him of the Ice Clan’s homelands, they were more vastly cavernous.

As the Dark Army marched towards the enemy Encampment, Nergal could sense them both. Samael, and Isolde. Shifting to his human form, he walked to Vlad’s side and looked over the landscape with him. “Do not underestimate him,” Nergal spoke hollowly, “both he, and his sister were my finest warriors. They won’t die without taking a substantial number with them, so be cautious, even as we advance.” His face gave no true expression and his eyes looked just as dead. Turning to face the army that Vlad placed him in charge of, Nergal looked over the Dark Hordes, and pointed to Samael’s encampment, “In that Encampment lies your Queen,” Nergal spoke loudly, “unless you all want to know your King’s wrath, you will fight, die, rise again, and continue fighting until the Queen is safely in your King’s arms again. Samael, my son, has moved too boldly throughout his life! He forgets position, he forgets respect, and he forgets the destruction that he leaves in his wake. Be destructive to his lot in turn! KILL THEM ALL!!”

Turning, Nergal charged past Vlad from the cliff, and as his body disappeared from sight, into the darkness of the icy cavern, out came his undead, draconic form, flying over the Dark Hordes, Nergal's undead form let out a monstrous roar, before shouting, "FAIL YOUR KING, AND HE WILL FEAST ON YOUR SOUL AS I DEVOUR YOUR BODY!!

Turning, the undead beast flew towards the Encampment, with the dark forces of Sylthanis trailing behind in his wake.


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Beginning of the Battle’s First Fight Song: Sons of Plunder-Disturbed

[Mari]

Things were happening at a very fast pace now. As much as Micah had faith in the Creator she did not know if he had ever seen war. It was almost impossible not to get dragged into it if you were on the planet; especially if you were ground zero. She had no idea how Samael was going to prevent Vlad from destroying everything in his path to her. Even Dragons died and Vlad would resurrect them to attack their own kinsman if he had the chance. “I understand what you are saying but it doesn’t mean that I am not sad that there will be bloodshed today.” She said quietly as she stood there and retracted her wings. There was no point in allowing anyone the chance to hurt her when things got ugly.

Katya’s words did not phase her mother. She was a vengeful person and this frustration between father and daughter would have to work itself out one way or another. If Mari didn’t know that there was a bigger plan at work she might have given into despair but she knew it was futile. The die was cast and there was no going back. Innocents would suffer for two men’s pride.

Katya leaving the tent had Mari sagging slowly as she stood there in the tent, seemingly oblivious to what was around her. Closing her eyes she hoped that the Creator would guide her actions in this latest war. Then the shriek of the banshee announced Vlad’s arrival. She heard his words and silently moved the flap aside so she could peek out of the tent. He had given in to the power that flowed through him. Worse yet the feel of an ancient evil accompanied him. So he had done it; Unleashed Samael’s father into the world. That was not going to go well in the grand scheme of things.

“And I thought Lucifer was bad.” She muttered softly as she waited to see if she could find an opening to help. Katya needed looking after. The girl did not understand what she was getting into. All she knew was anger and war and a part of Mari doubted that there was any mercy in this child. Shaking her head she inched her way out of the tent if permitted.

[Adam]

Samael watched as the opening to the great Badrulian cave slide apart, as the thick barrier of Ice rolled apart in a vertical fashion. Within the openings of the cave, and of the ice door were words inscribed in the ancient draconic tongue. They were warding spells that kept beings of true darkness out. Demons, dark witches, even vampires could not cross the threshold of the Ice Dragons with wards as powerful as these. Any that dared tried would be bounced back by the power of the barriers. It would take a god to penetrate the force fields that the Ice Dragons had set up to protect themselves from any outside enemies. Samael and his delegates of sorts were ready. As the door opened at last, he stood with his sister, a Seer, and a willing captive as he approached the threshold.

Before Samael could take another step inside, he heard the shriek from the distance, and soon, he heard an abominable roar. Turning, he could see the shadows of a black storm in the distance. Winds tried to pick up around him, but Samael was able to calm them. In the farthest distance, he could see a black mass in the sky, flying towards the Encampment. A closer look allowed him to see it was a black, decaying dragon. Samael’s eyes turned a hot red as he looked on and saw what appeared to be another demon attempting mockery to the dragons by taking their form. Either way, it told Samael that Vlad was indeed here at last, as he had planned. “Isolde, you and Minerva head to the front. I want you to mobilize the Auxiliary, and ready both Air and Ground Infantry units. Most importantly, protect all that are unable to fight.”

Looking to Katya, he looked at the entrance, and was prepared to escort her within with him before something massive began to fall from the skies. Suddenly, a few dozen meters to their right, a blast of dark energy caused the snow to erupt. Before Samael could bring Katya in, he was blasted back into the entrance of the cave as it began to close around him. “No!” He roared as he shot up as the door closed fully. Samael slammed his fists against the door, but it would not budge. No doubt the Ice Dragons doing to protect themselves from outside invasion. The caves would have been pitch black, were it not for little nodes of light along the path, illuminating Samael’s way. The entrance stretched around a long way, and for the longest time, Samael found himself turning many corners, like a maze before making his way to a large cavern, full of exotic growth and ice ruins.

Before Samael could look away, a seemingly elderly man appeared from nowhere before him. “I am Elder Iiz of the Ice Clan,” he said, before kneeling before Samael in a respectful and graceful manner before rising again, “we have been expecting you, Noble Hun’Drog, and we have come to do council urgently. We are quite aware of the issues happening above ground, which was why we could not take risk in losing you just yet.”

“Let us not waste anymore time,” Samael replied, “shall we convene with the other Elders now?” Suddenly, four more people showed up, two men, two women. Elders Od, Fo and his sister, Diin and lastly, Elder Krah. Krah looked at Samael with the strongest contempt in his eyes, with Diin following suit, whereas Fo held a neutral look, but Od and Iiz appeared the most welcoming. “Do not waste our time, Kaal” Krah spat, looking at Samael with the coldest of gazes, “tell us why we should even risk our lives in joining your lunacy? Since your rise, the vampires have tried harder than ever to locate our stronghold. With our protected secrets in their hands, access to the portals will be simple!”

“DAMN THE PORTALS!!” Samael roared, his eyes glaring at Krah with controlled fury, “If Vlad finds his way in here, the Portals will be the least of our worries. He is here now, because he feels threatened by our unification! Because he knows that with our collected powers, he will have a legitimate threat against his throne!”

The Elders were silent as he spoke, but Diin looked in on him closer. “The forces of Sylthanis converge, because it is said you have members of his family in your guard. Is it not true that you kidnapped them and held them against their will?” Samael was surprised by the revelation that they already knew of his plans, but he also could not put it past the Ice Dragons for being so thorough. ”A necessary evil, Diin,” Od spoke aloud, “how long has Vlad kidnapped many of our sibling Clansmen, or tortured many of our kind to gain access to our records? We do not believe in revenge, but we acknowledge when the universe unfolds as it should.”

They argued the logic behind Samael’s actions for what seemed like ages. Samael stood and listened until he could no longer. When a loud crash could suddenly be heard above, Samael looked at the Elders once again. “Samael has done much to prove his point, even if he did much to provoke an already made enemy,” Fo said at last, “we gave the stone over to Brigade, because many of us were already open to the thought of reunification. Isolationism has had its run, but I am for those that support unification under Samael’s flag.”

Turning to the other dragons, Krah and Diin, after a look of sound defeat flashed before their faces, reluctantly agreed. Pulling the document of unification from his pocket, he held open the parchment that held the signatures of one of the Brigade delegates, and of a Celestial, which the Elders took immediate notice of. “My offer is simple,” Samael spoke, “your laws in your Clan Lands remain how you wish. The only differences will be that you will report under my Leadership, and allow your doors to be open to all of Dragon-kind. If your Clan so choose to join my army, they may, and a member of your choosing from your Clan will act among my council, along other members of the Clans. The Ice Stone however, will be returned to me.” As the Elders read over the Parchment, which as they did it, was through touch, Samael waited for each of them to place a finger over it, signing it telepathically as the scroll flew back into Samael’s hands. “What would you have us do, Hun’Drog?” Elder Krah asked at last, silent and apathetic in his curiosity as to what Samael would not have them do.

“Put your barriers together,” Samael said at last, “if Sylthanis is here, they’ll attack at full force. I want them to see the true power of Draconic magic.”

With that, Samael left, and began to make his way back into the opening to join in the battle.

[Deleted]

Minerva didn't respond much to Isolde, her attention already drawn to the battle outside. She knew it was only a matter of time and yet, coldness found a way inside of her and fear settled in her heart. She sensed the immense power and knew what... Who accompanied that. She knew it was only a matter of time and she refused to let this same fear settle in her head. She simply couldn't afford that.

She listened to Samael's words, addressed to Isolde, about both her aunt and herself. She made her way to exit, when the darkness pulled on the earth and snow around them. Before she knew it, she was pushed telekinetically out of the way, along with Isolde. She watched as the entrance of the cave collapsed, knowing exactly who saved her. Who would have saved both of them without even thinking twice and now he was trapped. "No!" She cried out, with dread and agony visible in her eyes. It took her a moment to realize her outburst, which caused her to look at Isolde, wondering what she thought of her sudden outburst.

Her eyes then found the chaos around her and her dread made place for a quiet resolution. She was born for this; to fight and to win. She took off into the sky to get a better vintage point, before landing again. Her feet were barely on the ground, before she took off again, running towards the Axillary. For once, she cared little about Isolde, only assuming that she would follow. She had gotten a job and she was going to fulfil it.

A moment later she stopped, her eyes slowly re-adjusting to the awful image before her. A lich. It had been so long since she last saw one of these, or so it felt. She took off running, trying to make the lich believe that she was fleeing. She then jumped up, turned around and... Attacked the lich, head on. It was madness, she didn't do it for anyone, but herself, but at the same time she didn't care, this was her fight too.

[Seth]

Before Seth could get a word with Samael, he heard the shrieks from the distance. Suddenly, a massive, decaying dragon hovered overhead. A fire dragon flew to intercept the dark beast, when suddenly, it struck, biting down onto the dragon’s neck and ripping off a chunk of flesh as it fell back to the ground in human form. Choking on his own blood, the dragon began to regurgitate his own blood before it suddenly began to turn into a black bile coming from his mouth. Moments later, the dragon was dead, and by that time, Nergal had attacked three more dragons in a similar fashion, before striking others with what looked like a wave of red fire. Suddenly, the first dragon the black dragon bit shot up with full life, but looked hungrily across from Seth at a young girl, who appeared on the battlefield.

Seth watched as the crazed dragon shot forward, with pitch black eyes and an ooze-covered face, and chased after the young dragon. Seth shot through a back-passage through a number of tents before reaching the creature from it’s back. He watched as the dragoness charged, and managed to effectively deliver several fatal death blows to the beast, only for it to shrug it off. There was no armor on the dragon, and when she struck, she managed to cut and wound, yet the dragon would not die.

Seth watched as the beast delivered a front kick and knocked the girl back. Suddenly, shifting into the shape of a dragon, Seth looked in terror at what the dragon became. Bits and pieces of flesh rotted from the dragon’s hide, and skeletal pieces showed throughout the body. It reeked and smelled of something that was left dead and exposed to the elements. However, as Seth watched as it was about to devour the young dragon, he leapt forward, and within the air, delivered a spinning rear stab to the beast’s head with his spear, disorienting it long enough to allow the young dragoness to make her kill.

Looking her dead in the eyes, Seth shouted to the girl, “FINISH IT!”

[Deleted]

Everything that was going on around her, had her pretty riled up, as her head tried to focus on the fight at hand and not on everything that went on around her. After all, that wouldn't do anyone any good anyway. And fighting a Lich wasn't exactly one of the things she liked doing with the risks it brought of being turned into one of these things herself. She couldn't risk that and thus really had to stay away from Nergal. She pulled a face, even thinking of this name and frowned a little, as she tried to calm her heart down. For just a moment she looked in Isolde's direction, to see how close she was, but didn't see her, causing her to hope that she at least got herself to safety. Or, that she was fighting like hell as well, which sounded more like something she would do, if she knew anything about her at all.

She saw the wave of red fire, but made sure to stay away from it, as she was too busy on the battlefield and too scared of what these flames could do. She knew that fear shouldn't have a place on the battlefield, but this was about Nergal and she was pretty sure that everyone feared him. Those that didn't, that SAID they didn't, were probably lying to themselves. Everyone should know how dangerous this Lich King was, if not for the harm he could do to the dragons. At the same time, this was a war and casualties happened at war. She had seen the hungry look on the face of the Lich and saw him shoot forwards towards her, with pitch-black eyes, but she wasn't going to be caught so easily. She knew what to do, even if it was going to kill her. Which, it might.

A moment later, she saw Seth, who shot through a back passage through a number of tents. She delivered several fatal death blows to the beast, before swallowing when the beast shrugged it off. It was supposed to at least do SOME damage, she thought, before smiling a little to herself in victory when she saw that she managed to cut and wound the dragon. The fact that it did not die though, was something she wasn't a big fan of, she hated it when things like this didn't come as easily, as she was way too impatient most of the time. She was imaptient now too, she knew damned well that it was a bad quality, but her thirst for battle wasn't something she could easily quench.

She growled a little when she was knocked back, feeling a little angry that this THING, this abomination had managed to do this. Anger however, was quickly replaced with quiet shock, that was very visible on her face. She was sure the whole world could see now what she was thinking of. Horror painted her face soon as well, as bits and pieces of flesh rotted from the dragon's hide and skeletal pieces started to show themselves. And the smell, yes, she was happy that she already knew quite well what to expect here, or she might have been sick. Her senses and defenses in the meantime were on high alert though, seeing how the Lich was about to devour her, before Seth jumped forwards. She watched on as he delivered a spinning rear stab to the beast's head with his spear, then jumped up herself again and performed the killing blow. He didn't even have to say much. His words though, to finish this Lich, were still echoing in her ears. She was doing the dragon this once was a favor, no one wanted to live like this. No one - or at least not many - deserved to as well.

[Deleted]

Agatha wasn't planning to let Samael out of her sight for even a second now. She wished she'd gotten the chance to get a message to Mari, but the only thing she had managed to get to her was a small piece of paper with a butterfly on it, that she had a small indiginous animal take to her, so she'd at least know that there was other help nearby, than just the obvious army that was approaching. It would have been nice though if the Ice clan hadn't made it this much of a job to make this place not just cold and a fortress from the outside, but they also definitely managed to make it a challenge for her to stay close enough, yet hidden at the same time.

"Great, the great dark cavalry has arrived." She mumbled almost silently to herself, slightly rolling her eyes as she looked at Samael, Isolde and Minerva. Agatha really thought she'd have to talk to that girl when things calmed down, find out how right she was with her intel, and if she'd survive, but honestly she didn't really doubt that. The girl seemed strong, powerful and dangerous, not one to be underesimated, yet she did wonder if she was completely in control over her feelings, and handling on those. Still, she had to admit to herself at least anyway, that the girl had a thing about her that did impress her, a certain willpower, for one, that was hard to miss.

Agatha quietly cursed into herself when her hearing picked up the nearing dark energy attack, and knew that she would have to act quick, no time for really thinking this through completely. She took the gamble that the chaos of the cave-in itself would give her enough cover to jump through the whole before it closed, hiding at the first spot she saw was hidden and in darkness, but at least on the right side with Samael. It was one hell of a dangerous predicament, but someone had to stay with him, hear what his actual plan was, and see what she could gather from all of it, also as a means to fight him, if necessary, not that she liked her odds to be completley frank.

Her eyes lit up softly in the darkness, apart from the little nodes of light, but trusting her own supernatural sight more than those things. She didn't want to take any other chances, so she stayed as close to Samael as she thought safe, not wanting to get lost in the obvious maze in the process. She even felt like she had to keep control over her breathing, so her heartbeat wasn't too obvious, nor her breathing in this cold.

A swift and quiet movement, Agatha ended up behind a new piece of cover, within good hearing range of Samael and the first Ice Clan Elder that showed up, followed by four more. She watched them closely from behind where she was hiding, still keeping her body's vitals at bay as best as possible, while saving the looks of the Elders as much in her memory as possible. Mostly though, she wanted to hear as obvious as possible what this conversation was going to come down to, and the more that followed, the more Agatha narrowed her eyes while watching the scene and conversation in front of her.

God, how much she hated politics, if she was being truly honest, and she couldn't help but think this same thing as she listened to all of this. Still, samael's words about the portals and what followed, did warrant enough reason for more concern for Agatha, as she had hoped deep inside that there was going to be a way to prevent war, but the more she gathered, the more obvious it became that, if anything, this war was unavoidable no matter what. There were too many factors in play here, too many that would try to take advantage of all of this, or would just fight this first battle for their own personal reasons, but it would all lead to the same. Innocents were going to die because of this, and lands were going to be turned to scorch...

Agatha knew that she had to be here, but she couldn't help but feel bad about the battle raging outside, not to mention that she was really sure that Jon was going to be there, with his own intentions hidden until itw ould be too late for others. She had to prioritize, she had to do her best to try and prevent something of this, she just didn't really have any ideas yet.

As soon as she heard how Samael finished, his plan for Sylthanus' wrath and army, she knew she'd have to move, she wasn't planning for even a second to lose Samael out of sight now. The moment he put his plan in motion for real, this already likely bloody battle, would turn even worse, and the ramifications in the long run would be severe, which would be really, really bad for the greater good, that was for damn sure. If only she knew how she could best do what she had to, but there was obvious power in Samael that she knew she couldn't beat as simply as a lot of other foes she'd fought, not by a long shot. She actually didn't even know how much effect her poison would have on him either.

One thing was for sure, she never became an Assassin, or especially the Captain leading them, if she hadn't ever taken any risks, and this was exactly the kind of sitaution she'd have to take a risk. Luckily she'd managed to keep the route back towards the battle in her head, so she knew she didn't have to instantly follow him, even if she didn't want to lose him out of sight. The best guarantee she could think of in this split-decision moment, was making sure that not all Elders would remain to back Samael up. If he wanted chaos and disorder, she'd give him her best shot at it.

Her poison claws appearing, while her eyes lit up, she moved back towards the point where the Elders still were, eyeing them for a few short seconds, analyzing who she thought would be the easiest to go after. She growled softly and instinctively, just before she leapt towards the Elder that was closest to her, back turned to her, as she raised her arm to strike down with her claw in a lethal motion, but swiftly moving a back-up attack soon after in her other hand, with one of her blades.

[Deleted]

Jon had shortly showed himself to Vlad as his own army marched along with his, determined himself to display the force of the army he had amassed, even though it was not all of it, while he did also want to fight for Mari. His intentions weren't even fully clear to himself yet right now, apart from wanting a good fight, and making sure that there were as many vampires that survived the battle. He still truly believed that there was no one right now that cared more about the well-being, the power that the vampires held and showed to the rest of Yalanze, which he also believed automatically that it only strengthened his resolve.

After that, he had moved back to his own forces and leading in the front, looking next to him and around to his troops, fully focused as he wanted them to be. He had let Lyra know about what was going to happen, and although he didn't want her to get harmed, he wasn't going to baby her either, as she still had things to prove to him, but he wouldn't blame her if she decided to sit this battle out, since this technically wasn't exactly her fight, right now anyway.

Moving towards the Encampment, intentionally from a different direction to try and flank some of Samael's troops, Jon raised his arm to order his forces to attack, and while they started marching quicker towards their offensive at the encampment, Jon crossed his arms shortly in front of him, as he raised his head up and looked at the dark sky already, thinking that they could have somewhat more of an advantage from that, and in an effort to make it harder on the aerial attackers. So, soon enough he focused on his power, causing the sky to turn darker, a storm brewing even more in them as it started raining soon after, thundering starting up more in the sky as well, both with just the sound, as starting lightning.

Jon then rushed towards the battle himself, jumping off his horse, attacking one of the enemies as he landed, then looking around in search of more valuable and worthy opponents to take on.