The Paths of Tragedy

"You are correct in that we cant foretell the outcome. The darkness is awaiting a return at the right moment. The ancient prophecy is happening like it was foretold."

Hejaloki knew he wanted to know more. He planted his staff in the ground.

"I can see you want to know more. Like where is Julius and how to find Hejaloki."

Just then Julius wearing his all white disguise came up next to Hejaloki. Cairn will only be able to see the eyes of the Julius. Nothing more or less.
 
Surprised by the last assumption made by the mysterious man, what surprised Cairn the most was how accurate the man was when he mentioned Julius. This made Cairn feel uneasy, yet he did not felt threatened by this apparent act of "mind-reading", instead he felt intrigued by it. "I see you've read my thoughts. Indeed, I have a friend who is seeking for this "Julius", and as for myself, I am quite curious about this character, "Hejaloki", and his relation with the darkness..." Cairn mentioned as he carefully examined the other mysterious person, some sort of white robe, his head covered by a white hood and his face made rather barely recognizable, for it was hidden underneath a mask of white cloth. Since he wasn't able to tell the other person's identity, Cairn centered his attention on the other man who had been revealing him most of the prophesies. "Do you know anything about him? Any information might be useful if it leads us to him."

So it could be the time of reunion, but seeing that Julius showed signs of being slowly corrupted by the darkness, would it be really wise to expose him now knowing that the imperial army might be after him for being the only true heir and ruler of Aldabra?
 
"Hejaloki was betrayed by his friend Archzil many thousand years ago. Archzil became the darkness. The chapel may have more of Hejaloki if you wish to read about him and the darkness. To find Julius you must find those clues in the north, at Celesta. I suggest airship if you wish to make the journey. With that I must bid you farewell I am late in meeting with the king."

Celesta is the lost city of magic. Hidden in the north and guarded by magical puzzles. These puzzles can be fatal.

As Hejaloki and Julius walk by Cairn. Hejaloki laid a hand on Cairns shoulder showing him the way to Celesta and a brief glimpse of the future if to fail. When they pasted by Cairn they teleported a street over. Cairn will not have seen them teleport...
 
"Celesta...." Cairn had once read about this ancient city only in books and ancient scrolls kept in the Library of the City of Palacious. Thought to exist only in legend, and said that the ruins that were believed to be this city were just a mistake, yet this man showed him the path to Celesta. According to ancient folklore, Celesta was the city were the greatest Order of Mages was said to exist, people of great wisdom and power. It was also believed based on the ancient texts that the downfall of this city was brought by their very own power, for they had drawn the darkness to them and allowed it to infest the city like a virus entering our bloodstream, corrupting our flesh and soul. Could it be true that the city does exists? If it was true, then Cairn would try to investigate the ruins after having an audience with the king. The king, a man of renown wisdom, Cairn's only hope for guidance. Though he wasn't sure of being able to rely on the king's knowledge, for it has been blinded by the grief brought to his soul due to his dying kingdom. Lost in his thoughts, he remembered that Gade, Jonad and Arthvader stayed behind. I wonder if they've arrived already, Cairn told to himself as he walked back towards the "Silver Stallion" Inn.
 
As he arrived at the city of Palacious. Arthvader was stopped by some guards. "Stop. What's you name, and what's your business here?" The guards said as they await his Answer. "My name is Arthvader. I'm here on business with Cairn." "Did you just say Cairn? he just entered a little while ago. Please, come in." "Thanks." The guards then opened the gate to the city, allowing Arthvader access to the city. Once inside, He left his horse at the stables. Afterwards He walked towards the Silver Stallion Inn. As he entered, He decided to sit at one of the chairs in the lobby.
 
As Damian prepared to engage this angry... Thing, he took note of it's eyes, pulsing red with anger now. Suddenly he charged forward in a quick and heavy lunge. Damian managed to strike the blade with his staff, knocking it off course. The demon managed to hit him with his hard shoulder, knocking Damian back, his determination kept him standing. Damian quickly ran back to the end of a broken wall, he then readied one of his strongest spells, the Fire cannon. As he began charging the cannon the demon ran forward, when he was only a yard away the cannon opened fire, incinerating the demon... Or so he thought, after the dust had fallen and the scorched ground was shown, the demon still stood. He was completely burnt and his fur was alight and wild-looking. Seeing a disadvantage he transformed into his demon form and fled into the sky.

As Damian seemed to escape his more serious state... He fell to his hands and knees, weakened. That spell had broken the ruby on his staff and also had a drastic effect on his stamina. Shortly after Raven approached him and carried him in his arms... He hated this constant attention but his condition forbade his complaining. As Raven carried him back to the inn to rest he blacked out. When he awoke he was in an unrecognisable room... Raven had his back to him and his arms crossed and was looking out of the window. Damian tried to talk but was still quite tired, he ended up blacking out again before long... His frail body was not used to this much drain.
 
Hera and Jake stood at the walls of the city. They had not travelled for long, the city itself was only a little ways up the road.

Jake stared at the road. "You know gramps," he muttered, "That thing creeped me out."

Hera nodded, knowing that Jake was referring to the black-robe. "Yes, it gave me the chills too. The way those lives just ended...It was like chaos..."

Jake stood up straighter, moving away from the wall. "Well, we'd better check this out, I guess."

Hera cocked his head amusedly. "You really think so?" He was learning, now, to let Jake do more of the thinking, and allow Jake to do growing on his own. "And why do you think that?"

"Because," Jake sighed, "That thing felt...unnatural." He caught Hera cocking his eyebrow at Jake. "Don't give me that look," Jake scoffed, "You're different. You aren't made of magic and all that, this thing felt as though its blood was nothing but magic."

"Wait a minute, Jake," Hera called. "Let's think this through...we don't know what it is capable of yet, maybe we should just let it...manifest for a while before we engage it."

"And let it end more lives?" Jake rebuked.

"We'll stop it before it takes more lives," Hera sighed. "We have to think this through carefully Jake, we don't know what it's capable of. Let's sit back and monitor this for a while, keep a cool head on it." Jake struggled with himself and then nodded, if hesitantly.

"Fine," he grumbled, "let's wait here until that thing comes..." He sat with his back against the wall, and huffed out audibly. Hera grinned. His grandson needed to be cooled once in a while; that hot head could get him into trouble.
 
OOC: Julius, you should take Gade yourself, Ill make him follow, but you get to reply for him.
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Jonad followed Arthvader, which seemed to have little time as he darted ahead.

Jonad shook his head, and nodded at Gade, which followed towards the location that they where to meet Cairn.

"The Silver Stallion" Jonad stated to himself as he neared the city walls

"Halt, who goes there!?" A guard stated
"I am a friend of Cairn, he should have arrived already" Jonad replied
The guard looked curious "He did not enter on my shift" he turned and asked a few of the other guards. "I am sorry, we have no evidence of him entering, so I can not take that as a valid reason."

Jonad sighed, and started again "I am Jonad Sizoc. I am a healer. My business is my own"
the guard turned around and asked the other guards with a low voice. "isn't that the known healer, the one that.." a lot of whispering went along.
and after a minute, he turned back to Jonad. "Your entry is Granted" as the doors opened.

Just as Jonad entered the gates, the guard hated Gade.
Jonad didn't have the chance to say anything, since the doors closed.
Jonad thought that Gade could get them to open the doors himself, he was not one that needed help.

Jonad began looking around, after the mentioned Inn.
After a few minutes looking, he found it.
The sign where a silver stallion, that where on its hind legs. The sign looked like it was fairly expensive.

Jonad took the horse to the stables, and headed for the main door to the Silver Stallion.
 
Wylliam followed Hera's and Jake's conversation with a look of being deep in thought. Finally, when Jake huffed and leaned against the wall, a look of comprehension came over Wylliam.

"Wait... we were... fleeing from it?" he asked, perplexed. His look of confusion mutated instantly into a smirk. He closed his eyes, stroked his chin, and said, "Well, he certainly was lucky that I had, understandably, misinterpreted Jake's warning. Ah well." He opened his eyes bowed to Jake and Hera.

"I'm off to meet Cairn and the others at the inn. If that thing does come here, could you do me a favor and send a signal into the sky? I really don't want to miss out on this."

---------------------------------------------

Skaol stopped his horse. It was one of the rare times that he was not smiling, but not even Skaol could look upon this scene with optimism. Before him stretched a clearing of corpses, some still with their weapons imbedded in their companions. From the look of the bodies' clothing, he assumed them to be bandits. Skaol walked to one of the corpses and turned it over, removing its mask. The look perpetuated on the now lifeless face was not one of anger, malice, or hate. "Fear," he whispered to himself.

'Could this have been the doing of those I pursue?' he wondered as he closed the eyes of the late brigand. He shook his head, got up, and walked over to a nearby tree. Skaol drew his rapier and hacked off a piece of bark about three feet long and two feet wide. "I am afraid this is all I can do for you. My mission will have to wait." Saying that, he walked to the edge of the clearing and began to dig with the bark the first of several graves.
 
Zeria had checked into the Silver Stallion, then gone about into the city to gain any information possible. She was standing in the middle of the city, scanning a map she'd picked up.

"This place is amazing...I've never seen a city like it before......"

All of a sudden, a group of children were circling around her, laughing and smiling and singing. They wanted to play. She stood there, with a look of confusion on her face at first....then smiled.
~They all look so happy. So carefree. They're lucky to live such joyous childhoods~

"Pretty lady, will you play with us?"
"Please?"
"We really like you"

Zeria's expression softened and she took a little boy's hand with a nod, then began running around and dancing in circles with them......and she did the most amazing thing.....she laughed and acted happy for the first time in so long....
 
After traveling alongside with Jonad and Arthvader for a few hours, Gade finally arrived before the gates of the great city of Palacious. Feeling a strong sense of pride, the ever courageous Gade, riding on horseback, slowly trotting towards the stable in which Cairn had left his stallion an hour ago. He took his bag off the horse and carried, along with his heavy battle axe, towards the Silver Stallion Inn. There he reunited with Jonad and Arthvader, who seemed to have just arrived the inn.
 
As the old man in the black cloak continued his walk down the mountains he suddenly stop and looked up to see the city of Palacious in the distance. That sinaster smile reappeared on his face.

"Ha ha....I have finally found you. But again you seem to have surrounded youself with people. I guess it's time to change into something more.....comfortable.

The old mans smile disappeared and a serious look took over his face. He then raised his hand high into the air and began to chant.

"Animus Amoveo"

A dark shell with white runic symbols ingraved on it began to form around him. Soon it covered his whole body. The runes began to swirl around the shell faster and faster. Then the shell shattered and with a puff of black mist a new person stepped out. A tall elvin looking individual with long black hair and light blue eyes, clad in silver armor with a long flowing red cape and a white mask covering his whole face. The the mask had a simple smile on it but with a gash down the right side of his face from what looked like sword attack and a blood red tear under the right eye. After collecting himself he continued his march to the city.
 
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Hejaloki has meet with the king.

He believed the meeting went well enough to have the king grant him an airship. He was headed towards Celesta to try and find a way to extract the darkness in Julius.

Then bind it until he has enough power to defeat the darkness once and for all.

The airship was one of the fastest in the fleet and so he will get there before Cairn and his friends...
 
As the sun set, the children were called away by their parents...except one...who came up to Zeria.

"Miss pretty lady?"
"Please, just call me Zeria, Aleron"

The little boy, Aleron, had taken a great liking to Zeria. Somehow, he sensed that she was filled with sorrow, and sought comfort.

"So what's the matter, Aleron?"
"Nothing...I just...wanted to know if you'll be my friend..."
"I will...forever. I promise"

They both smiled, and she hugged him tightly.

"Now run along, don't worry your mother"
"I won't. Seeya another time, Zeria!"

He ran off and Zeria wiped a tear from her eye.

"He's so lucky to have a mother who worries for him...and to have so many friends. It's a luxury I wished for when I was a child..."

It was getting late, so Zeria headed back towards the inn at a slow walk, to conserve the little energy she had. She sighed. Playing with little kids was almost as hard as training every day...
 
Soon it was afternoon, and Cairn had already visited a few shops to stock on supplies for the journey, had payed the fee for the Inn and went to the stables to check his stallion. After arriving to the Inn, Cairn went upstairs and entered his room, unpacking most of his gear while he prepared to visit the Royal Castle of Palacious. He wondered what kind of welcome would he received, after all it has been quite some time since he abandoned the Royal Army due to his demotion. As he stared through the window, Cairn could gaze upon the beauty of the Royal Castle, its splendor beyond belief. White tall walls with beautiful spear shaped towers, five in total, all around the castle, with small bridges connecting the towards with the central pentagonal structure of the castle. The second floor of the central structure, had tall rectangular building with a large staircase leading to the building, in which the Throne Room Hall lied. On top of that structure, we had a 20 feet tall tower, which was more of a temple were they praised to the gods for protection and prosperity.

Having awaited for a few moments, Cairn decided the time was right to meet the king. He clad himself in his armor, with the only difference that this time he wore his old knight cape, a red cape with golden borders and golden designs depicting a battle between dragon riders and elves. The cape was attached to his shoulder pads and left hanging until it reached his heels, but not the floor. Prepared, Cairn exited his room, locking it as he left, and then went downstairs. There he saw Jonad, Gade, and Arthvader. "I am going to request an audience with the king. Hopefully he will grant me one. If you wish to accompany, I shall await at the entrance of the castle. If not, then there's a bar nearby that I am sure you will all like. You can also search some info about the tournament hosted by one of the lords and schedule to be held tomorrow. Well, see you later." Cairn bid farewell to his friends, then he turned to walk towards the door and left the inn.
 
As the masked man walked up to the gates of the city the guards called out to him.

"Halt! Please remove your mask and state you name and business."

Ordered the guard, but he had a strange feeling about this person so he griping his spear thighter and readyed himself for whatever may come his way. The man slowed his pace down to a dead stop but did not reply to the guard. He then looked up at the guard and leaned his head slightly to the right and began to stare at the guard.

"Are you deaf? I said to remove your mask and state you busi...."

"Ha ha.......Or what?"

Laughed the masked man cutting off the guard.

The guard looked over at his partner and noded. Then they both brought down their spears.

"Or you will not enter this city."

Stated the guard as he and the other guard got into a defensive stance. Inside the mask the mans eyes changed colors from blue to glowing red.

"No one will keep me away from from what I desire!"

As the man seemed to disappear reappearing behined the guards. He then punched one of the guards with such force it almost completly took off his head. He then switched his attention to the other guard who had feel back from the sight off his dead friend. The masked man then grabbed the guard by the head and slamed him so hard into the city wall that his body hung from the hole it made. The mans eyes then turned back to their blue color and he continued to the gate. He held out his hand and began to push open the huge city gates.

"Finally.....So close."
 
"Hey gramps," Jake said, turning to his grandfather. "Why don't you go sign us up for the tourney? I can keep an eye, and I'm sure that Wylliam can help out." Hera looked hesitant. "Look," Jake assured him, "You know that I'm a lot tougher than you are. I may not be as fast, but I can take a lot more. I should be the first line, not you." Hera cocked his eyebrow amusedly. Jake's maturation was showing again. He was showing a great deal of foresight lately, not something Hera was used to.

Hera nodded, saying nothing, and flew away. As he soared, he allowed a small smile to creep across his face. He was proud of his grandson.

* * *

Jake turned to Wylliam. "Well, looks like we're on duty." Jake took his sword out and proceeded to rub away the smudges on it with the sleeve of his sweater.

It wasn't long before Jake heard a yell from the other gates. "Are you deaf? I asked you to remove your mask and state your busi..." The man was cut off abruptly, but Jake couldn't hear what it was. Without a word, he grabbed the grip of the Soul Shredder and ran to the gates.

What met his eyes was devastation.

A body was protruding from the wall, hanging there by its head in a bloody mess. Another was on the ground, unconscious from what looked like cranial trauma. Jake's eyes widened as he saw the culprit.

A being stood there, clad in silver armour and a flowing red cape, with a white mask covering its face. Jake heard the masked man mutter, "Finally...so close."

Jake ran to the body of the man in the wall, dropping his blade, and hauled him out. It was nothing for Jake's muscles to take the man out of the wall; what worried him was the condition the person might be in.

Jake lay the man carefully on the ground, placing him beside Jake's sword. Fortunately, neither of the guards were dead, just severely injured. Without turning, Jake called out to Wylliam. "Wylliam, get these two into the city as fast as you can; they need immediate healing. Find that Jonad guy, he should be able to heal them."

Then he turned towards the masked man. Quivering with rage, Jake shouted hoarsely. "You! Who the hell do you think you are?! How DARE you come here and try to kill these men? They were only doing their jobs!" With a roar of anger, Jake grabbed the grip of his sword and rushed the man, swinging his sword towards the head furiously. "Answer me!!!"
​
 
OOC: I hate myself ^^
I keep neglecting posting here. I have to do something about that.
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Jonad looked with large eyes on Cairn, he seemed fairly serious. Though, who wouldn't be.
Jonad thought for a minute, and wondered if he should follow, or not.
Cairn was an able swordsman, and more then capable of taking care of himself, of it where to come to that.
But, Jonad was hired for his healing services, and who knows, it might come to need.
Also, his curiosity on the king himself where not unnatural.

"Ok, I accept your offer, I will be ready in a few minutes" Jonad stated as he accepted the offer.

At that, Jonad entered the Inn, and rented a room, he where specific that it had water, and a mirror.
Jonad walked up the stairs, and opened his door with the provided key.

It was not much, but plenty considering the pay.

Jonad entered, and washed up from the trip.
At the time he exited, his hair was combed, and the face where clean.
His robe had been fixed slightly, and all in all, he was just himself, but cleaner.

He locked the door behind himself, and exited the main door, meeting up with Cairn at the place he named.
"I am ready now" Jonad stated to Cairn.
 
Zeria heard people fighting and was instantly drawn to the sound. She took off towards where it was coming from...

"That sounds like Jake......this can't be good!"

The gates quickly came into view and she saw both Jake and someone else who looked strikingly familiar...but she couldn't recall where. Whatever was going on, it had to be bad if Jake was upset, so she drew both of her blades and slowly approached.

"What seems to be the problem?!"
 
Cocking his head back and looking over his right shoulder the masked man grabbed the hilt of his blade A Optimus Nex and in a flash he unsheathed it and parried incoming attack.

"No one.......No one can stop me from finding her!

He yelled as he blue eyes began to glow a bright red. He then pushed back the attack and stood up striaght with his sword pointed toward the sky infront of his face. He suddenly vanished into a black mist and reappeared behined Jake. His sword rose up and started to swing when he noticed Zeria running toward them. and his sword stopped in mid swing.
 
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