Consort-Inquisitor passed the vehicle bay, and nodded to Overstrike, who was busily adding armament to her droids, while Professor Eviella repaired battle damage to her med bot. She passed Pilgrim-Warrior as he meditated in the light of the transporter circles, and then touched the large, stone door, that held the world back from the Avatars chambers.
My lord, the Sword and Shield have arrived from Refuge, she knelt in the center of the room as he levitated the coral hammer in front of him. The Avatars scales were a dark, dark green, a fin had protruded from the top of his head recently, and he had taken to wearing the skull adornments of a high inquisitor, though he shunned the robes. Instead, he wore a shroud of darkness, that reached out like tentacles of darkness at anything nearby.
He turned his attention to the green scaled Consort-Inquisitor. She had the black tattoos of the Black Guard across most large sections of her body. He approached her, and when he did, she felt the dread and fear of an animal about to be devoured. It thrilled her. Every fiber of her being was shrieking is this the moment that he ends me?, as he stepped right up to where she was standing. The sensation, though brief, was on par with sexual release to Consort. She had indeed, been given a great station for a female Lacerta, to serve the most powerful, and first Avatar in quite some time.
What is their disposition? How has the sickness affected them? His voice issued forth from the walls, as his shadow divided, and flanked her from both sides. Her instincts were telling her to bolt from the room, and the volume was up as high as it would go. It took everything she had to remain.
They fair better than most, but will still not be of use to us for a while. This Sword, he wears markings from the Black Guard and vestments of a priest. Surely theres a prophecy there. I should consult the scrolls, if it is your will. She bared her throat, that the Avatar may choose to rip it out without having to go through too much trouble.
Not yet. With one arm he reached down and lifted her up by her bare throat, with the other he motioned for one of the undead knights by the door to shut it and seal the room. The torches and the blue glow around the hammer were the only sources of light in the room as the closing doors squeezed the rest of the temple from view. Consort went flying onto the Avatars bed. I have other uses for you now.
As is usually the case, Force Tech walked the new arrivals through the rest of the temple. This is our main computer facility. The Dark God demands that only those who are adept with a tool, use it. Training can come from BioTech Archon or myself. Fission will assist when hes not in the field. In here are the main teleportation circles. The focus stone in the center of them allows you to pick your destination. Thats the power generator, stay out of there or someone will crush your head, probably me. This is the medical chamber. Were operating at lower energy levels, something the Avatar has commanded we change, until then we are only able to intercept you from the main hospital teleporter, you will be weakened when you arrive here. Thats why we have the autodoc. Train, study, prepare, and pray in the Temple, all else is done in the field.
When is our next mission? Shield asked, in a deep voice.
Force Tech turned to face him. Force had green scales, a suit of armor that covered 80% of his body and a glowing blue holographic monocle over one eye. He war the two equal stripes of the technocracy in a light purple across his face. He looked over the two new arrivals.
Sword was dark colored and carried a blade very similar to a Katana. Shield obviously was born near the equator of Hope. He addressed the newcomer. You were told how much the journey weakens you? You will need to train, to regain your former glory. The Avatar himself is only now back to near his full strength. You are not considered in our plan as of yet. Find work with Arachnos, and spread the name of the cult.
Sword perked up. Our plan?
Force Tech began moving back toward the computer room. He passed a snarling beast, and a hybrid. Insidious.
Have you seen Chained Dragon, honored trainer? Insidious half bowed her horned head. Her features showed both reptilian and human features.
Force Tech paused. She is with Omega in the training room.
Gratitude, honored trainer. Insidious moved rapidly toward the training area.
When they arrived at the computer, Force Tech entered his authorization code, and began navigating to the current action item. This is what we are working on now.
What do we intend to do with it? Shield asked.
We intend to awaken it fully. Force Tech zoomed back to show the exact scale of the object they were viewing.
Hail Mu! Both Shield and Sword said it. It was the only appropriate response to what they were looking at.
It was some time later that the dank halls of the underside of the Rogue Isles were filled with the blasts of robot mounted lasers. The Avatar pushed forward, Force Tech drawing fire and deflecting it with his personal shields, Consort slashing through the unwary, and Overstrike and the professor were both directing their bots to cut down all that opposed them.
Come, brothers and sisters of Merulina, do not bar our passage. We seek only to wake your great mother. The zombies were instructed to beat on the Coralax until they posed no threat, even still, few survived. After quite a few deaths, the Avatar stood in the chamber that he sought. His minions and allies cleared the chamber quickly and he hovered high above the twin pools, staring at a huge door made of stone.
As he hovered there, the coral walls shook, and pieces of cavern fell into the pools and smashed on the shelves. The door began to open, and the darkness of the eye beyond it, peered into the Avatars being. Shhhhh, great lord. We mean you no harm. We seek your guidance. Now let us see what we can do about getting you out of here.
The eye of the Leviathan began to close, but not without sending a powerful impulse toward the Avatar. As the thoughts were transferred, the Avatars sanity wavered. The experience was painful, but the end result, brought a smile to his reptilian mouth. In as much as he could smile.
Madness, even by our standards. Shield spit the words as he leveled a Longbow agent with a crushing blow. Without Merulina, the Leviathan will be entirely uncontrollable. It will kill as many of us as them. It could destroy the entire island.
Would that not be a worthy sacrifice to the emissary? You sound like the technocracy of old. Sword suffered a rifle shot to the shoulder, and rolled backward, and into a fighting position from the impact. He hurled a knife at his attacker, who was using a building for cover, and tucked and rolled near him, stabbing up at him with a powerful thrust.
With the two agents dispatched, Sword began gathering up their weapons while Shield began operating the device Arachnos gave them to steal information from their computer.
I thought the point was to enslave them again. I thought the point was to return the lost continent to the surface. I thought the point was to
oh, hello. Found it. Looks like the software Arachnos gave us is being defeated by the security program. Ill have to extract an electron picture of the device. There. Now we can paw through it at our leisure. Anyways, it just seems like instead of making a serious effort at taking back the plane, were bent on destroying it.
Sword was hiding in the archway of a building while Shield was kneeling next to the briefcase that held the computer. A handcuff was still attached to the handle, and led to the arm of a Longbow agent that was lying limp on the sidewalk. A few shipyard workers walked by and pretended not to notice what was happening.
From his hiding place, Sword used the subvocal communicators. There are things going on here that we dont fully grasp. Later on theres a group organizing at the Temple to spread a contagion around in a slum in Paragon City. I understand that Doctor Eviella, the professors sister, is going to be in that group. We could assist, and maybe gather some information.
Shield closed the briefcase up, then slid it into the sewer so it might look overlooked. Im not certain how or why, but when I follow your advice I always find myself either very sorry, or very glad I did.
Does that make me the planner of the duo? Sword moved from the archway, bending light around him as he moved into the street and eventually into an alley as they both began leaving the scene of the crime.
I think its more of a statement of my poor error checking capabilities.
Arise, Cold Heart of Mu. It is time, a voice whispered in his head.
Slowly, Cold Heart opened his single eye. The sun shined dully through the ice of the hibernation chamber. Is it spring yet, Master? he asked. His voice was rough for not using it for several months.
The Arch-Deacon of Temple. No, my son. Not for another three years.
Cold Heart rose out of his hibernation chamber. The icy room was lit with flickering torches. The reptile man stretched, slowly loosening his muscles. The cold never bothered him much. An acolyte he did not recognize led him from the hibernation chamber deeper into the temple complex.
The room he entered had a sulfur scent to it, and the acolyte motioned to a steaming pool. Cold Heart winced a little as he looked at the warm water. The cold didnt bother him, but heat he didnt like, making him an oddity among his reptilian kind.
The water was warm, although it felt scalding to the near frozen reptile-man. He hissed, soaking up the warmth, purifying himself for the mission that the Arch-Deacon had awoken him for.
Cold Heart climbed out of the pool, dried off, and pulled on his priests robed. The last thing he put on was a white eyepatch over his gaping eyesocket. The acolyte led him to the main cathedral.
The vast cavern was lit by a combination of dim sunlight shining through layers of ice and dark braziers with flames. The altar itself was made of black volcanic rock. The Arch Deacon stood in front of the altar, waiting somberly.
Cold Heart knelt before the tall Arch-Deacon. Like a majority of the priests on planet Temple, the Arch-Deacon was a sage green. Cold Heart himself was a slightly darker green. Why have I been awoken early, Master?
There is work to be done on Earth.
Cold Hearts heart leapt. His eye burned with fervor and desire. I am to be sent to the great homeland? he asked, his rough voice choking a little.
Indeed you are, the Arch-Deacon said. He looked down at the young Lacerta man. Do not disappoint me, Cold Heart of Mu.
Never, Master, Cold Heart said. Hail Mu!
Once in the Great Homeland, you will report immediately to the Avatar.
Cold Heart shuddered. The Avatar himself? he whispered, his eyes wide with awe.
The Arch-Deacon nodded.
As you command, Master, Cold Heart prostrated himself at the feet of the Arch-Deacon.
There was a tinkling sound near the main entrance way as a new batch of caltrops were strategically tossed out across half of the floor. The soldier, one of the Black Guard, raised his weapon arching it in practiced rythym over his field of fire. It was an excersise repeated countless times such that he could kill any intruders without having to open his eyes. Point-defense lowered his weapon and replaced his rifles ammo with a fresh batch rotating that magazine to a side pile of 2.23 and some forty mill's that had been loaded before. It appeared wasteful, but ensured readiness as every function was tested and rested on a random timetable. For this was his job, to ensure that anyone coming through without permission died.
The trail leads here. Velum, a Thorn Guardian knelt on the stones next to a pool of blood. He put his hand on the stone door and took it away to examine the blood on the door in front of him. It appears that they have been slain, possibly drug through this door to draw us into a trap.
Miliekah laughed, his beard rippling with the effect as it stretched to his waist. The fools must think me as stupid as my predecessors. I will not endanger myself to save my men. Two incompetents on guard, they deserve what they get. We shall pull back and call this area black. Well seal it off. There are more areas of Orenbrega to discover, and more secrets to unlock. The blue robed mage turned and began walking away, flanked by Overlords and surrounded by Thorn Guardians.
As you wish, my lord. Velum stood and sheathed his sword, casting one last glance over his shoulder as they left the hallway. He knew that he was expendable, but hed hoped that he was at least valuable enough to rescue if he went missing. Now he was beginning to doubt that.
As the Circle of Thorns party wandered up the hallway, they were met by a Behemoth Overlord on guard duty, with several Guardians and one Madness mage. Miliekah, where are you going? Tasarma wants that hallway cleared.
The hallway is black, my lord. An unknown force has overpowered two of my guards and slain them. We are moving on. Miliekah began to walk past but was stopped by a glowing, orange ball of energy about the size of a baseball appearing directly in front of his chest.
You do not decide if a hallway is black, underling. Now go back down there and clear it to the next arch. Tasarma held his hands out in front of him, controlling the ball of force.
An expression of exasperation flashed briefly over Miliekahs face, but he regained his composure and turned back to Tasarma. My men and I are not capable of facing this enemy. Perhaps you and yours would give us a demonstration of true power, that I might inspire my troops to perform to the level your soldiers have achieved.
Disgust showed through Tasarma, as he dismissed his magic and gathered his orange robes around him. Your impudence will be duly noted by your superiors, as well as your incompetence. Today I will have two trophies to nail to my wall. With that, Tasarma walked down the hallway.
When the darkness hit, only the guardians panicked. It wasnt until the sound of flesh being torn apart, and the sickening thud of the Overlords hitting the ground, that Tasarma panicked. He reached out with his mind in all directions in the darkness. Feel the madness of fear. What he received back was the sensation of falling to the bottom of the ocean, into a well of black water as far as the eye could see. Of somehow knowing that he was the only thing for billion miles in any direction, and then seeing the jaws of the Leviathan cutting through the water around him. Too far to swim in any direction, the panic overcame him and he turned to run. It was then that the zombies grabbed him. It was then that the flames overtook the last of his guardians. It was then that Slayers claws stopped his heart forever.
As Milikah watched the flashes of light down the tunnel, until it was once again blackness, he decided that he would rather have an upright freezer than a standing one. There was a passing thought about helping Tasarma, but then again he already did. He told him it was dangerous down that hallway.
Gentlemen and demons, it has fallen on us to deliver the bad news of Tasarmas demise and the status of this new, black hallway. Let us away. And with a slight hastening step, they were off.
Cold Heart of Mu on Temple
The acolyte led the Cold Heart of Mu out of the cathedral towards the portal. Down the long hallway, the one-eyed Lacerta man could see the massive doors leading outside.
To the left, the hibernation chambers of the Infiltrators were silent. Each had a score of tomb-like ice chambers where a Lacerta was sleeping. They were a sect completely loyal to the Priesthood of Mu. Their job was to infiltrate the alien cultures, and eliminate the leadership as needed.
To the right, the Technocracys chambers were humming with the sound of their machines. The icy walls were lined with circuitry. One of the Technocracy had once tried to explain the workings of the machinery that maintained the icy walls while heating the room, but Cold Heart had gotten confused after the third sentence. He had decided not to worry about the ancient technologies that were the birthright of the Lacerta. He had turned his attention another direction.
He did not understand the magics of the priesthood, but he found he could connect to the power easily. He was able to summon the intense colds of Temple wherever he was and was able to manipulate that cold to match his desires, whether it was an ice cage, an intensely cold wind, an ice slick, or a frozen sword.
He stood before the door to the frozen outside. He braced himself as the Templewarden of Mu pulled on the huge metal ring. The winter wind sliced through into the temple hallway. The Acolyte and Templewarden shied away from the cold, but Cold Heart stood in the biting wind.
In fact, he rather liked it. The thousands of pins and needles made his single eye glaze with euphoria. The hood fell back as he laughed, revealing the white eyepatch.
Fighting the wind, Cold Heart stepped through the doorway and heard the Temple doors slam shut after him.
Outside on Temple
Cold Heart walked towards the glowing black stone ring. Gatemaster-Guardian stood at the portal in two feet of snow. Hail Mu! the Technocrat said.
Hail Mu! Cold Heart responded ceremonially.
Are you ready for transport, Cold Heart? Gatemaster asked, dropping the formality.
I am, Gatemaster. I have a great desire to see the world of our ancestors. The one-eyed priest shook his head. It was not an honor I ever expected. I am ready to spread the word of the Dark God to the unbelievers, and to destroy those who will not believe.
Its good to have a hobby, the technocrat said blandly in what passed as his sense of humor. It had gotten him in trouble a couple times with the priesthood. Cold Heart knew Gatemaster well enough to ignore the humor attempt.
Cold Heart basked for his last few moments in the cold sun of his home planet. The wind whipped around him and snow flurried up around him. Im ready.
Then step through the portal.
Cold Heart walked to the circle portal. He could feel heat coming from it as he approached. Without hesitating, he walked through it.
Intense heat struck him and the Lacerta priest nearly passed out. Images stretched across his consciousness. Great darkness, great pain, great cold.
He struck water. It seemed to scald him, but he refused to scream. He had screamed when he had stuck the red hot poker in his own eye. He was not about to scream now.
Cold Heart floundered in the water, trying to get his breath. The heat was oppressive, and every gasp seemed to burn.
Adjust your temperature, Temple Native, a technocrat said as he approached him. The temperature here is at least 100 degrees warmer. We have the opposite trouble with those who come from Refuge. The world seems too cold for them.
Cold Heart stood gasping and nodded. He slowed his heartbeat and evened out his breathing.
As his system started re-regulate itself, he looked around the home of his ancestors.
Fusion Guardian approached and tried to help Cold Heart to the bench nearby, but he shrugged it off. Suit yourself. The Avatar is entertaining guests at the moment, but will take your pledge once he is free. In the meantime, if you desire, I will be glad to familiarize you with the architecture.
The transportation chamber held a giant arch which Lacerta were being brought through from the other worlds. It was in the same room as one of the transporters and the large door that led to the Avatars private quarters.
Three large arches of wrought iron came together at circular roof above a great floating stone that looked as if it had been recently hauled up from the bottom of the ocean. A rune of the ancient tongue was carved into the stone. The entire disk that it sat on pulsed with the energy of the ancient ones.
It was as Fusion, a technocracy Lacerta with goggles and a high tech piece of chest armor, was leading Cold Heart to the next room that Sword of Mu and Shield of Mu entered. Another arrival?
The temple is just off of the main sewage system of the, oh, yes. Greetings, fellow enthusiasts of the Dark God. I was just showing Cold Heart of Mu about. Fusion placed his clawed fingers together and winced slightly from the pain of his nearly healed wound.
Sword took this as an opportunity. Why dont you go to the medical chamber and allow us to continue the tour. I heard that there was recently an engagement against some mammals. Did you take part in that?
If you mean, was I bait, yes. Other than that, Im sure my presence was barely taken note of. Fusion looked up as Force Tech Guardian barged through the room and into the reactor room.
I am capable of relieving you of your charge, brother. Besides, the newly honored Cold Heart of Mu, would likely rather see this world through a fellow priests eyes. Sword nodded to Cold Heart and waited for his reaction.
[ QUOTE ]
It was as Fusion, a technocracy Lacerta with goggles and a high tech piece of chest armor, was leading Cold Heart to the next room that Sword of Mu and Shield of Mu entered. Another arrival?
The temple is just off of the main sewage system of the, oh, yes. Greetings, fellow enthusiasts of the Dark God. I was just showing Cold Heart of Mu about.
[/ QUOTE ]
Hail Mu! Cold Heart said as he saluted his brother priests.
[ QUOTE ]
Fusion placed his clawed fingers together and winced slightly from the pain of his nearly healed wound.
Sword took this as an opportunity. Why dont you go to the medical chamber and allow us to continue the tour. I heard that there was recently an engagement against some mammals. Did you take part in that?
If you mean, was I bait, yes. Other than that, Im sure my presence was barely taken note of. Fusion looked up as Force Tech Guardian barged through the room and into the reactor room.
I am capable of relieving you of your charge, brother. Besides, the newly honored Cold Heart of Mu, would likely rather see this world through a fellow priests eyes. Sword nodded to Cold Heart and waited for his reaction.
[/ QUOTE ]
I thank you for your time and the tour, Friend Fusion, but you should take care of your wound. You will do the dark lord no good if you are wounded. I will go with my brother priests here. I sure there are some things that I as a priest should know that a technocrat cannot tell me. No offense meant, Friend Fusion.
Cold Heart frowned a little. Have the mammals already found us here? Or does that sort of thing happen often?
Point Defense. looked back at his relief having left the post only because he was ordered to do so after his shift. The other Mu seemed compentant but it was not him and thus had a less trust. Keeping his weapon at ready, he peered around a corner then lept to the opposite side facing down the corridor. Moving further down to the next intersection, he repeated the tactical manuever. This was the heart of the base, but it didn't matter. Comfort was the friend of the enemy and in the Name of the Mu and the Black Guard he would never drop his guard.
[ QUOTE ]
“Have the mammals already found us here? Or does that sort of thing happen often?”
[/ QUOTE ]
Peering around the corner he studied the men, recognizing them only as friend as he searched for an enemy. Throwing some caltrops towards a door way, he scooted cautiously into the room. Scanning one door for the enemy he would keep his rifle pointed that way as he checked the next. Seeing nothing he spoke one simple word.
"Clear."
Cold Heart watched as Force Tech Guardian came out of the fusion room. The technocrat disappeared again into an outer chamber, and then returned with a green scaled mammal, a goblin, and a small furred feline creature. They headed towards the slave pit and pet containment unit.
Was that an Atlantean? Cold Heart turned and asked the other Lacerta. I thought they were a myth.
He watched curiously as the Atlantean prince and the cat-woman came out with a bedraggled slave, followed by Force Tech and the goblin. The four exited.
This place is full of surprises, Cold Heart said as he turned back to his brethren. Any other myths come to life here? Perhaps the Tendril of Mu? Or the Knife of Yellow. His single eye brightened with fanaticism. I would love to test myself against a foe of that stature.
He realized he had been talking too much. My apologies, brothers. I speak out of turn. Please, tour me through our new home.
[ QUOTE ]
Was that an Atlantean?”...“I thought they were a myth.”
[/ QUOTE ]
Point limply hung his weapon down and looked at the floor shaking his head in shame. Never did he think one, let alone four outsides would make it inside of the base. It was discraceful to him that he'd hadn't been in a position to kill them.
"And this is what happens... I was ordered to rest, that is not my fault."
Shaking his head he turned to find the galley.
[should be on regular for the next two weeks. Changing jobs sucks, don't do it]
As Fusion wandered off to assist with bringing others through the gate and working on his droid, Sword took Cold Heart aside. You may already be aware, but I was part of the Black Guard on Hope. Consort-Inquisitor did not gain her standing by martial skills, but rather by cultivating the favor of the Avatar. In my short time here I have already nearly reached her level of recovery from the journey. Soon I will surpass her in every way. She will need to be replaced. When this occurs, I will need friends in the priesthood who have kept an eye on my deeds. Shield and I intend on doing great things for this incursion. It would be good to have allies.
To Point-Defense, Sword nodded. Even our newest guards are capable of seeing that too much compromising without enough information is going on. We would not usually allow any outsiders in the Temple without chains. Now worshipers roam freely, allowed to have their own delusions of power. This is because the Avatar is not provided with the required intelligence to properly subjugate them.
When the time comes, I will require your support. Unlike the Consort, who spends all her time in the chambers of the Avatar, I intend to extend a web of spies into Arachnos. It is to that end that Shield and I work now. Sword nodded to both, and briefly awaited a response before heading out of the temple to go squash the enemies of Arachnos.
[ QUOTE ]
As Fusion wandered off to assist with bringing others through the gate and working on his droid, Sword took Cold Heart aside. You may already be aware, but I was part of the Black Guard on Hope. Consort-Inquisitor did not gain her standing by martial skills, but rather by cultivating the favor of the Avatar. In my short time here I have already nearly reached her level of recovery from the journey. Soon I will surpass her in every way. She will need to be replaced. When this occurs, I will need friends in the priesthood who have kept an eye on my deeds. Shield and I intend on doing great things for this incursion. It would be good to have allies.
[/ QUOTE ]
Cold Heart nodded. What you are talking about is quite dangerous, the Lacerta man said softly. It could be perceived as mutiny. He narrowed his eye. Tread carefully, brother.
[ QUOTE ]
To Point-Defense, Sword nodded. Even our newest guards are capable of seeing that too much compromising without enough information is going on. We would not usually allow any outsiders in the Temple without chains. Now worshipers roam freely, allowed to have their own delusions of power. This is because the Avatar is not provided with the required intelligence to properly subjugate them.
When the time comes, I will require your support. Unlike the Consort, who spends all her time in the chambers of the Avatar, I intend to extend a web of spies into Arachnos. It is to that end that Shield and I work now. Sword nodded to both, and briefly awaited a response before heading out of the temple to go squash the enemies of Arachnos.
[/ QUOTE ]
I will certainly spend time subjugating our enemies and aiding you with the spies. He smiled. I am not terribly good at sneaky, but Ill help however I can to protect our people.
I wouldnt call on you to do anything treasonous, only that which is in the best interest of our people, and that which can advance the priesthood. The Black Guard owes its allegiance to the Black Guard, and their perception of the greater good for our people. Having been a Black Guard, and having recently been adopted by the priesthood as well, I may be able to aid the infiltrators in seeing more clearly the path the Dark God sets before us. Sword placed his left hand on the pommel of his blade. I have sworn an oath on my life and weapon to do what is in the best interest for our kind, but I have the benefit of seeing two paths, where Consort-Inquisitor has only one. She has more limited vision than you, my new, wise friend.
Shield hefted a large chain onto his shoulder. Were going to secure a section in Orenbrega known as The first Tier. Trespassers have moved in and are scouring it for our secrets. There are fifty of them, and so far only two of us assigned to remove them. We figured we would bring Fission Guardian and try to push them back. Would you two like to test your skills in battle? Shields massive frame and dark green complexion made him look tough. He lacked the battle scars of Force Tech Guardian, and the high tech gear, but what he lacked in technology, he made up for in faith in the Dark God.
[ QUOTE ]
I have sworn an oath on my life and weapon to do what is in the best interest for our kind, but I have the benefit of seeing two paths, where Consort-Inquisitor has only one.
[/ QUOTE ]
Point-defense listened intently to the other Mu, mulling the commentary over in his mind. He lived and breathed for the Guard, but whether that was one person or an entity of itself he was unsure. Laying his rifle over his shoulder he met each of them squarly in the eye. Then turning his weapon in his hands he examined it and spoke carefully.
[ QUOTE ]
Would you two like to test your skills in battle?
[/ QUOTE ]
"Words are many, but I will follow and judge this for myself if you will allow it."
[ QUOTE ]
Would you two like to test your skills in battle?
"Words are many, but I will follow and judge this for myself if you will allow it."
[/ QUOTE ]
I would enjoy a chance to try my skills on this planet. Cold Heart said. I want to know how much the teleportation took out of me.
The first tier was a large, open area of stone flooring surrounded on all four walls by stairs leading up to triangular buildings. Hoard-Master and his two thugs were stationed in a small, pyramid shaped building in the center, surrounded by a large glyph cut into the floor, still glowing from some ancient magic. The massive cavern was lit by braziers and glowing green crystals, that made Hoard-Masters red scales look black.
Sword moved in first, making visual contact with one of Hoards thugs and then signaling back to Shield that it was safe to proceed. The group entered the small building and began immediately looking over a map of the area. Hoard laid it out for them in plain talk. There are three tunnels that are unsecured. You need to go to the end of each and secure them. Close the doors and lock them. This is priest stuff, I cant do it. These scrolls are supposed to close the doors so that we can open them later when were ready to move forward. Two doors, one teleportation gate. This scroll turns the gate off. He handed over two scrolls with a black ribbon and one with a red ribbon. Sword took them and handed them to Cold Heart. Fusion Guardian nodded his agreement that the most powerful priest should have the scrolls and handle the rituals.
I am yet weak with magic. My studies havent progressed far enough. Sword nodded to Cold Hearts superior training.
After a quick discussion about placement and tactics, they went off to seal the tunnels. The first door and teleporter went without incident. As they returned from the teleporter hallway, however, they heard gunshots. As Swords invisible form broke the plane of the archway, he could see six spirits drifting down toward Hoard-Masters thugs, who were opening fire. He saw one go down with a crossbow bolt imbedded in his chest and followed it to four Guardians, kneeling on the steps and firing down. One madness mage and two life mages hurled spells from the top of the steps. It was obvious that Hoard-Master and his thugs would be overrun in seconds.
Fusion released a pulse of energy that coursed through them and energized them. It made all of them feel stronger and slightly tougher, raising their prey drive noticeably. Sword made for one of the mages near the top as Shield raised his defensive spells and began charging into the flank of the spirits. Fusion lobbed energy at the madness mage, causing all around him to be weakened. The battle was joined from the flank, and the Circle turned to face their new threat.
((greetings, Cult of Mu. I apologize that I have been so negligent in the Forum. Things have been crazy at work. I am about to go on a trip to Washington DC, chaperoning 90 high school students. I then get to stay out there, my wife joining me, and vacation for a week. Therefore, I wont be on line for the next 2 weeks. Ill rejoin as soon as I can. Cold Heart will be praying in temple.
See you in a couple of weeks.))
Cold Heart and Point-Defense were instructed to fight at a distance, leaving the close in work for Shield and Sword with Fusion hovering in the middle. Shield advanced into their flank, shrugging off crossbow bolts until they switched to swords and closed with him. Sword vanished into the air and slid behind Shield to a point behind one of the life mages.
The mage had turned his attention to Fusion, striking him in the chest armor with a bolt of green energy that knocked him to a knee. The other launched spells at Shield as the madness mage chanted and the gunfight continued hand to hand with the spirits below. Sword lined his strike up, then plunged his blade to the hilt in the back of the life mage.
The mage twisted left and clawed at Sword, who pulled free and slashed him across the back. The life mage cast spells at Sword, slamming energy into him as Sword hacked at him with his blade. The mage fell to the steps, and blood soaked his green robes as his rod spat green light at Sword. The blade came down again and again, but the mage would not die, only weaken. Blood covered the steps. Finally, with one strong stroke, Sword severed the head of the mage and it was over.
He looked up to see shield smashing into the madness mage, as four guardians lay frozen, shot and crumpled on the steps. The mage only smiled as he went flying onto the hard stones. Shield was blown aside by the force of the Behemoth Overloard springing into existence in a pillar of fire.
It looked around, then charged Cold Heart of Mu. Perhaps it sense that Cold heart was the most powerful mage, or maybe it was fearful of the cold. Whatever the reason, the only one in the path now was Fusion. The tech stood his ground. As the Overloard made contact, Fusion held on for what he was worth, and put all his energy into healing his fellow combatants and weakening the demon.
He fought valiantly, and in the end, Point-Defense and Cold took the beast down, but by then, Fusion was sprawled over the steps. The madness mage had found his footing, and Sword had found a spot behind him. The blade penetrated deeply, and the weakened mage knew his time was at an end. His final act was to pull a small, black wand from his robes and fire off two black beams, one at Hoard-Masters still body, the other at Fusions. Then he turned to face Sword.
Kill me if you wish, it wont- CRACK! Shield snapped his neck mid sentence, then looked about the room and at Sword.
We will require more of a presence here. Hoard-Master and Fusion were both dead, separated from the physical realm by magic that made their being brought back impossible, or at least too much trouble to bother with. One thug remained, with one arm functioning and the other blackened from the spirits touch. A revolver dangled from his hand, smoke still rising from the barrel. All of the Circle were dead.
Sword turned toward the tunnel, come Cold Heart, we have seals to close.
Point was reloading when Shield grabbed hold of the last thug by his throat. You failed your master.
NO! Please! Fear came pouring out of the thug as he stared into the eyes of the massive Lacerta. I fought, I fought hard! I- CRACK
Failure will not be tolerated. Only the dead, and one of their own heard the comment, but he felt he delivered the line convincingly. Points only answer was to rack a round and kneel facing the one remaining unsecured tunnel.
Miliekah stood before a large, stone door with the runes carved by the ancient Mu wizards covering every inch of it. It was grey and brown in hue and had been picked at by thousands of years of wind erosion. Miliekah was intimate with its folds and creases, and felt a kinship, if not understanding, with the runes. He had been standing their for almost an entire hour. Above his left hand was a glowing blue spell that counted the time. It would warn him when an hour went by.
The spell swirled about in a one inch sphere, then flashed brightly and hummed for an instant, before returning to its pattern of spinning. Miliekah released the spell and pointed toward the door with his staff. The Guardians pulled on the chains, and the door began to come apart. Slowly, the two sections gave way to the darkness of the hallway beyond.
Miliekah sighed as the torches and the Behemoth Lords burned behind him. There was nothing. No sign of the mage he had sent. There was no sign of the wand that he had retrieved from the chantry. There was only darkness. The same kind of darkness that took Tasarma.
Then he heard it, like a wet scaly footstep on the stone down the hallway. Release the door! Now! The chain slid through their fingers and the stone came crashing together. He stood there staring at the door, wondering if the seal would hold. Good, now block it shut at the corners. That was rather much closer to danger than I prefer to be.
With that, he turned back to Velum and spoke quietly. Find me someone interested in rooting these creatures out. Mercenaries, thugs, thieves, or just some of Arachnoss men. Just find me someone expendable that we can perhaps gain a greater understanding of what were facing. Do it now, dont ask questions.
Velum turned away and was gone down a hallway in seconds. Moments later he was through a portal and then out into the caves under the Rogue Isles. He began putting the word out through a big guy named Mackie that he had money and needed muscle.
The Cage consortium is not in the business of losing money on foolishness miss
Eviella. The professor stared out the large, circular window behind Mr. Azemandis that looked out over Sharksheads industrial area. You could almost see the forge from his office, if you could get the right angle to look down enough.
The office itself spoke loud, like a rock concert, about his history in this position. She saw a mixture of modern toys like music players, fancy shades, video players, high tech golf clubs and she even detected a Mac-10 in his desk drawer with her scanners as she used her holo display capable shades to once over his office. The books on the shelves were on strategy, tactics, history and they hadnt been touched in eight years, about as long as he had been in the office. Oh, all except that secret book that contained extra liquor, that got manhandled regularly.
Little tip, if youre going to have a book trigger a secret door, or hide contraband or dispatch of your enemies, either dust or handle some of the other books too.
Then came Azemandis, not his real name. A real phony, from the ponytail to the two thousand dollar suit. He was all appearances and flash, with no substance. He looked the image, and the image was all he had. The professor could tell he was trying to work a deal that included some sack time with her, but didnt find the attempt boyishly charming like usual, just pathetic and slimy. Her thighs steamed with the thought of all the sex she wasnt going to give him. It made her shift in her seat. He, of course, took it as the other.
His tone changed, as he went from droning on about how the Cage consortium only deals with verified claims and is already getting enough flack over their mining operations awakening some ancient creature or some such, as if the Leviathan was a fairy tale. Not more than a month ago she was staring into its black eye which nearly killed her and her whole group, and thats just the eye. She shuddered and got all pointy at the thought of what the beast could really do if unleashed. Good luck Statesman, she thought to herself, wetting her lips.
Azemandis moved on to stammering out big words designed to frighten and confuse the poor little girl into simply letting the big, strong man take care of the business end, but left out why he should bother doing all this extra work for little old her. This is where she should stand up and disrobe or maybe just walk over and kiss him. Why not? She stood and in as sultry a fashion as possible, lowered her colored shades. Her hair was bobbed, her outfit skin tight and black, with holes in the fabric in interesting but not obscene places. And she approached him.
He tried to stand his ground, even through in the obligatory what are you doing miss, but with almost a comical attempt at feigning a surprised inflection. And as she opened up her mouth he reached forward and grabbed at her. She froze, looked down and his hand, then injected him with a nerve toxin with her right hand.
Now, now mr Azemandis, that was unprofessional. Didnt mommy ever tell you not to grope a potential client because she might actually be a biology major with PHDs in deep water wildlife genetics including poisons and robotic engineering? I only bring up the latter because
well
There was a heavy thud on the ledge as Marx landed outside the window. Azemandis looked to his right as a huge, robotic arm came through the protective glass and grabbed hold of him. Even if he werent paralyzed, he wouldnt have screamed on the way down, because the force of being ripped back through the protective glass folded him in places that you really shouldnt fold an accounts manager.
She pulled a lump of crude gold from her handbag and turned toward the door as Marx took a bead on it. Four Cage Consortium guards and a woman in a business suit entered.
Theres an entire vein of it in the cavern weve discovered plus the pre processed, stamped by the king of Spain, kind along with jewels and gems and such in our claim. We need your people to do the work because its dangerous and people could get killed. Also we dont have the equipment because you have a monopoly on purchasing such things, presumably to cut down on competition. Professor Eviella gauged the womans response as the guards leveled their weapons at the combat droid.
The woman looked at the empty chair and frowned. Thats going to cost me a visit with that Teraxis fellow, who creeps me out every time.
Eviella sighed deeply and pulled a vial of yellow liquid from her belt and set it on the desk. Force feed him this then stand back. Sorry about the impatience but I needed to talk to a decision maker and I wasnt getting anywhere with mister grabby so I thought Id ring the bell for service.
Leave contact information, once Azemandis is revived, Ill have him get in touch with your people. The woman had little other choice. In her ear the security team for the building was telling her that five more combat droids stood by, and a force field projector was hovering near the window. Fighting with this woman would only cost tens of thousands of dollars in lost revenue and personnel. Besides, it wouldnt be a clean victory that they could tout as street cred. All the info on Eviella suggests that shes A Rich, B Well armed, and C Crazy.
That sounds more reasonable. The professor laid a card down on the desk and vanished in a column of light. Marx then leaped away from the building.
The woman picked up the vial from the desk. She stared at it for a moment then tossed it to one of the guards. Force it down his throat, then bring him directly to me.
Yes maam.
[ QUOTE ]
We will require more of a presence here. Hoard-Master and Fusion were both dead, separated from the physical realm by magic that made their being brought back impossible, or at least too much trouble to bother with. One thug remained, with one arm functioning and the other blackened from the spirits touch. A revolver dangled from his hand, smoke still rising from the barrel. All of the Circle were dead.
Sword turned toward the tunnel, come Cold Heart, we have seals to close.
[/ QUOTE ]
It does seem odd to not bring Fusion back, Cold Heart said as he followed Sword. There are so few of us.
The seals were simple enough. Cold Heart had seen their type many times, and had even created some during his lessons with the Arch Deacon. Give me a few moments to close these. Any second year novitiate could do these seals in their sleep. If this is the best that the Circle of Thorns can do, we have nothing to worry about.
[[Semi open RP. Anyone can be a worshiper of the Cult of Mu. This is very involved with the Circle of Thorns, Longbow, the Coralax, and the more Cthulian aspects of the game. This VG actually exists on Virtue.]]
The white sky was ablaze with the twin suns of Refuges binary star. Wind whipped across the sand and over the stone courtyard, swirling up and dancing in places like invisible women in ball dresses. Swords eye guard recorded each grain of sand that it prevented from slamming into him with a tink, that was nearly inaudible, and rapidly shifted to noise when the volume of sand increased. He remained kneeling, next to Shield, and in front of the portal. The portal sat in the center of an ancient temple grounds at the end of a peninsula. The grey waters of the ocean were visible in all directions save that of the blue and green crystalline buildings of the city. The breeze reeked of the smell of the ocean, an ocean that had been populated a mere 2000 years ago.
While he waits, Sword contemplates the first ones to arrive on Refuge. He imagines their reptilian feet walking out onto the stones that he was kneeling on that very moment, some two thousand years earlier. He imagined their hatred of the blazing sun, compared to Earths soft light. He imagined the despair at the lack of usable water or vegetation, compared to Earths lush valleys and great oceans. He tried to contemplate what it was to call this place refuge, and how Hope, the planet he were from, would not even be discovered for another hundred years.
Shields stomach was grumbling, as he contemplated eating fish once they were through the portal.
The High Priest of Mu walked out before them, in his priestly vestments, and opened a book. The Blood of Mu shall rise again, and it shall wash across the oceans and the land. We are but six now, Refuge, Temple, Hope, War, Death, and Life. We send you to reclaim Earth, our origin, from the mammals who have overrun the lands.
HAIL MU! The congregation of hundreds that circled them filled the courtyard, through the pillars, and into the stone buildings in the town around them. They were stacked on top of the archways, the walkways and the nearby stone structures. Some hovercars were floating nearby, capturing video and feeding it live to all six Lacerta worlds. The image of the High Priests reptilian face was throughout the tiny empire, such as it was, blessing two more to cross over.
As the ritual ended, Sword and Shield stood, bowed to the priest and entered the portal. Their worlds became terror and pain. They experienced moving through deep space. They felt the incredible cold, the terrible loneliness, the madness, the terror, the panic and the hopelessness of space. It was punctuated by searing pain as they arrived in the temple under the Rogue Isles. Both emerged steaming and writhing in agony.
At first, their minds were not their own, but filled with rage, fear, and delusion. Sword could not tell if his thoughts were perversions of his own minds worst fears, or a completely separate entity that had inhabited him during the trip. They were both hit with a freezing cold sensation, as water splashed around them, and steam rose in a mushroom cloud toward the ceiling. They screamed.
Welcome to Earth, brothers. Youll need to adjust your temperature. Consort-Inquisitor turned and walked out of the room, leaving Force Tech Guardian and Fusion Guardian to see to the newcomers.
Sword managed to his knee, his vestments dripping wet, as Shield fought through the pain to do the same. It was a great display of self control and willpower, and something they had trained for with small portal leaps before, but nothing quite prepared them for leaping to Earth.
Sword of Mu reporting. The Sword of Mu stood slowly, as if pushing through a wall of painful needles.
Shield did the same, but said nothing. Air escaped his throat and hissed past his lips as he rose. Consort looked back over her shoulder for a second, noted the strength of the newcomers and then continued down the hall.