Chapter 5 A Battle Ensues

  Hey everyone, please be sure to read the previous chapter by scrolling down. If it is your first time reading my blog, please scroll down to my first post. It may be a long journey, but things will make much more sense. Enjoy!- Albert 

"...they've been...taken..." was the faint whisper of the Augur. 

The healing Nina used on him worked, however it was clear he hadn't gained all his strength back. The group listened intensively as the Augur spoke.

"Asray...the villagers..."

"Where have they been taken?" asked Sarah with a soft tone of voice. No response. "...is he..."

Nina shook her head no.

"He'll need to rest" said Albert. "We could start looking for tracks, maybe that will lead us to-"

HISSSS

The group looks up and turns to see a band of Lizard Men, accompanied by 3 Lizard Knights.

 "Warriorssss" exclaimed one of the knights "We cannot bring them back, we musssst disposssse of them!"

 The group of Lizards then roared and started charging towards our three warriors. Roll for initiative (just kidding :D ). 

Albert raises his shield and sword. Sarah readies a spell. She was very surprised by how combat ready she was. Sarah excelled at many things during her studies in the cloister, including combat training. Her own calmness in battle seemed strange; she didn't know how she refined such strong nerves for life threatening situations. Perhaps it was because she somehow knew that everything was under control, that her life truly was not in danger in any of those situations she came across within this recent time period. 

Whether that was due to her unwavering skill, or the faint presence of a higher power, Sarah could not tell. This tranquility however, would soon be disrupted as Nina dashed in front of her and Albert with a motionless blur (as if that makes sense, cause it might not). This somewhat shocked Sarah and Albert, as they were only preparing themselves, whereas Nina was already mobilized. With her whip in one hand, Nina quickly raised her off hand and opened her palm towards the rushing Lizards. A crimson red aura emanated from her hand, and in the distance, one could see what her blood spell wrought. 

A Lizard Knight suddenly swelled up disproportionately twice its size, then erupted in a shower of its own blood like a bubble bursting with its soapy insides after being popped out of the air. Sarah's once felt peace was no more, as she gasped and felt a sickening feeling grip her insides. One of the Lizard Men reached Nina and swung its claw blades above her head. Without a moments notice, Nina quickly dodged to her left effortlessly and unraveled her blood whip. It also glowed a blood red that only Segnales are accustomed to. With only a flick of the wrist, her weapon would have rent (past tense of rend) her attacker into bloody ribbons, were it not for Albert charging in and using his shield shove skill to knock the Lizard Man off its feet, flying into the other lizards.

"Attack the knights! They are subjugating these Lizards. If we kill the knights, the Lizard Men won't fight us!" Albert yelled as he turned to face the other lizards, taunting them away from our femme fatales, shouting "COME AT ME BRO!" 

 This jolted Sarah out of her queasy state and got her back into the fight. Albert's compassion inspired her and probably frustrated Nina, who did not think sparing the lives of these manipulated lizards was worth any effort. She wouldn't show it of course, as she was instructed to follow, and turned her blood red gaze toward the two remaining Lizard Knights. Sarah hastily began a long ranged spell. It had to be a lower level spell, for most of her magic had an area of effect that would harm the other lizards. Energy jab followed up with an ice bolt would procure the desired outcome; the death of the lizard knight! Toom as the energy jab went out and struck the Lizard Knight as it yelled it pain. There would be no recompense for the suffering lizard, as an icicle the size of a spear zipped out and impaled the Lizard Knight. There was no cry of pain or agony, just an exhale of utter despair as the knight fell to the ground, searching for some sort of meaning in its short lived life. 

Death by impalement must be a theme here, as Nina used her dread nail skill, summoning curse infused spikes that lashed out and skewered the remaining Lizard Knight like a bag of flesh and blood hanging on a shish kebob. Just as Albert said, the controlling effect of the Lizard Knights lifted off of the other Lizard Men, as if they awakened from a prolonged aggressive stupor. Albert walked to one that was sitting on the ground, and helped it up to its feet. 

"Thank you" the lizard said with much intelligence and sentience in its voice. "The villagers have been taken to a nearby cave..."

Tune in next time!

Chapter 4, A Journey Begins

 Hey all! Please start with my first blog post if you have not done so, by scrolling all the way down, then reading posts up (from earliest to latest). Thanks and enjoy!

  Sarah, Albert, and Nina prepare for their journey. There is so much of this world that Sarah had yet to see, even the glorious knight Albert only heard stories of the land that lies beyond Denebe. Heihaff, a frozen wasteland with towering entities the size of buildings, and rumors that the Saint of Blades sleeping there in his supernatural slumber after his lost battle with Abaddon. Little do these two know though, that Nina has seen all of that with her beautiful rose colored eyes, and much more. More...that Albert wanted to know more about these two beautiful women traveling with him, or was it the other way around? Probably so, but be that as it may, Albert is a dude, so he thinks he's the kingpin, the alpha male of the pack. Well, this "alpha male" is already getting lost as he seeks to navigate through the hills and grasslands that he thought he was so accustomed to.

  "And then we take a, umm, right here at this hill, yeah..." Albert said as his muscular body began to tense and uncertainty swept over his mind. 

  This has happened before and was an all too familiar experience for the knight. Traveling with friends to different towns with him in the lead would cause much stress for Albert as he would make a wrong turn, or miss the road they were suppose to travel on. That same quiet tension and embarrassment as he would finally muster up the courage to say: "guys, I think I'm going the wrong way" and his travel mates would resound all in one synchronized voice, "Albeeeert!" There were times however, that he thought he was going the wrong way, but it turned out that they were on the right track, much to Albert's relief. Nevertheless, this was not one of those moments.

"Albert, are you lost?" asked Sarah with a sharp sweetness.

"...yes..." said the knight, shoulders drooping and all. 

  Sarah sighed. She didn't know the way either, and Nina all throughout the walking, did not say a peep. She wasn't used to this kind of prolonged activity; growing up with other Incar mages, little attention was given to their physical fitness. Not to say mages are out of shape, but those sexy legs and ass are not for walking long distances. What are they for you might ask? In situations like these, sitting down with legs bent in a horse drawn cart of sorts or using their magic to dash short distances during combat with no physical exertion, but rather drawing from their mana. Imagine a princess...yep, that image. However, Sarah was far too mannered and kind to belittle the already embarrassed knight. She looked to Nina.

  "Nina? Do you know the way to Denebe?" Nina nodded, and pointed to a sign that said "To Denebe." Albert was too hasty in his glance toward the signs before as to which path led to their destination.

  "Would you like to lead the way?" Sarah asked. Nina shook her head no, and ever so cutely tugged on Albert's arm, until he was in front of her and lightly pushed him on the back, as if to say "keep leading." Sarah thought this was a bit odd, seeing Albert get the group lost the first time. Then, Sarah realized why Nina was doing this. She was told by Valerie to follow them, not lead them. Even in so much as walking in front of the group, Nina would not do. Loyal and true to her word, despite her lack of spoken word.

"Right, err, thank you Nina!" said the gleeful knight as he finally knew where he was going. Nina simply smiled and looked on. The group continued to walk, this time in the right direction. It was a gorgeous sight to behold; Giant Moths fluttering around as Argamas basked in the sunlight atop grassy hills. Every so often, one would see Lizard Men moving about, probably hunting Argamas to sell them on skewers. They wouldn't attack you, unless provoked, or a Lizard captain perceived you as a threat and commanded them to ensue a fight.

As the group neared Denebe, they entered a Marshland.

"Be careful, there could be Water Reapers around" said the cautious knight as he took out his shield and sword, moving while protecting his upper torso. Sarah took out her wand and lowered herself beneath the tall grass. She learned of this creature during her lectures and research, how it was capable of spitting balls of fire. Nina, who already knew of the dangers Marshlands in Haran posed, preemptively placed her hand upon her whip, but did not remove it from its holster. She walked confidently through the tall grass, damp as it was, back straight and head held high to see of any possible sings of danger. She turned to Sarah and grabbed her shoulder, hoisting her into an erect posture.

  "Nina is saying to stand straight up when facing Water Reapers. They are less inclined to shoot at people who look them in the eyes on a leveled plane or taller than they are" Albert instructed, as he too held a confident posture. It made sense, as being able to see them from a distance gave you a better chance in either avoiding their trajectory or ambushing them.

  The three of them approached the town of Denebe and immediately they knew something wasn't right. There was no one in sight; not one living thing. With even more alertness than they had before with the threat of the Water Reapers, they moved cautiously through the town.

  "Over there!" exclaimed Sarah, as she pointed to a deactivated teleportal. 

  There lying on the ground was an Augur, mortally wounded or so it seemed. The group rushed to the Augur's side. Albert kept a watchful eye as Nina began a healing incantation with Sarah watching on in amazement. Never before had she the work of a Segnale, as bloodstained wounds and torn flesh began to weave itself together, even the blood on the floor finding its way back to its once dying owner. To see their work in real life was a sight to behold, somewhat grotesque at first, but nonetheless miraculous.

  "This was the reason why they weren't able to teleport here before" Sarah said in a low voice, trying not to distract Nina from her precious work. 

  Both her and the knight nodded in agreement. Nina removed one hand from her healing process and used it to point to the deactivated device. There was a glyph placed there with rune words not normally on a teleportal. It looked familiar to Sarah. As she neared it, it was apparent as to what it was.

  "Its an arcane block; someone used magic to negate the normal operation of this teleportal. Even without an Augur, one would usually be able to transport themselves here, just not be able to go back to where they came."

  Sarah began to draw some other hieroglyphic words and marks. Dispelling a negating glyph is in some ways like a puzzle to a magician. With some time and the figuring out of the pattern laid by the original caster, another mage could undo the lock so to speak. And in a few moments it was finished. The negating glyph disappeared and a normal glow emanated from the device. Nina looked up and smiled, as if to say good job. She then turned to the knight and gave him a blank stare, as if to say what have you done so far you useless twat.

"Hey, I'm standing guard, isn't that enough?" retorted Albert. 

Nina shook her head no. Sarah chuckled at the knight's plight. He's not doing that great of a job impressing the ladies. With all kidding aside, the Augur began to cough as he began to breathe again. It was as if he was brought back to life. If the injuries aren't too severe, a trained Segnale can bring anyone back from the brink of death. The group huddled around the Augur, and what he was about to tell them would mark the beginning of an action packed adventure of which the three have never before experienced, not even Nina.

Until next time!

Background History of my Story (repost)

Here below is lore that was found on Acclaim's 2 Moons website. It differs from the Korean Dekaron lore a bit, but this one matches the trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP7hx17qHyE best:

The Bagi say it was Barak, God of Battle who created the world so that he might populate it with creatures to war with one another and so honor him. The Incar say it was Karenas, The World-Bearer who thought Haran into being. This even though Trieste herself did not know how the world came to be. It did not matter, she said. What mattered was that there was Haran and there was The Abyss.  One was a world of light, and the other, a dimension of darkness.

Always it is this way. In all realities, in all universes, in all beings there is that which devours and that which grows. When the world was young and unstable, wracked with earthquakes, pocked with volcanoes spewing ash and lava into the sky, drowned with constant floods, there was still life. There was no creature then to name them, but those who came after called them dragons. They ruled the water, the land, the sky. No beast could stand against them. And it was this that proved to be their downfall. The dragons multiplied unimpeded for countless centuries, each breed at war with the others until the conflict built to a war that encompassed the globe. A hundred years passed that saw the face of Haran scorched, the soil befouled, the water tainted with the blood the countless dead until only a scarce few remained.

Helion, high voice of The Old Ones, was the first to sense it – a breach, a footstep of darkness on the soil of light. Those responsible for creating a door between Haran and The Abyss were already dead, consumed by the
power they sought to wield. The Old Ones sealed the gap between the two worlds, but the damage was done. Abaddon, Lord of The Abyss, had seen the world of light. Had seen it and hated it as his black heart
had hated no other thing in existence. All The Abyss was under his dominion, and now that he’d seen there was more – more beings to devour and dominate, more souls to corrupt – he would stop at nothing to have it. And so it began, what Trieste called The Unending War.

Pitborn, the denizens of The Abyss, came to Haran by way of dark magics. Such arts had been honed in The Abyss for countless unhallowed centuries and now that the creatures who wielded such power were aware
of fresh blood and tender flesh just beyond the veil of their world, they turned their sorcery to the task. The people of Haran were strong then, schooled by The Old Ones in the ways of magic and battle. Despite their knowledge and skill, the numbers of Pitborn soon grew beyond their capacity to cope with. Though they would teach, The Old Ones would not use their power to kill the creatures swarming over Haran. Only Trieste, daughter of Helion, protested The Old Ones’ indifference. But she was bound by the will of her people and there was naught she could do.

In Heihaff, there opened a gateway to The Abyss higher and wider than the walls of the ancient cities, and beyond there came an army twisted and dark, of forms vast and vile… and leading them, Abaddon, destroyer of worlds.  This would have been the end of Haran, but there are other forces in the universe besides light and darkness. As Abaddon stepped through the rift, a shimmering wall of energy appeared, stopping him and his army. It was then that The Augur revealed themselves. They are the keepers of The Balance and have no allegiance to light or darkness, good or evil – their only duty is to maintain The Balance. So many portals between the two realms had been opened that the fabric of reality itself was in danger. And this new and largest tear in space was more than the Augur could allow. They closed all gateways between the two worlds and sent Abaddon and his minions back to The Abyss.

To prevent such a thing from happening again, they decreed that only one gateway would be allowed between the two worlds, and many stayed behind to enforce their will. They remain, teleporting Pitborn and Haranian alike through what they call The Shifting Place. This one gateway, The Black Door, may hold one of three positions: closed, open to The Abyss, open to Haran. It permits a flow one way or the other, or not at all. Nevertheless, there was still some traffic between the worlds. The Summoners would not relinquish their dark arts, despite the pleading of The Incar. The Bagi were infected by an Abysmal virus that corrupted their bloodline for all time. The Segnale, Pitborn themselves, defected and were permitted passage en masse by The Augur.

The Haranians did not forget the indifference of The Old Ones in their hour of need. They turned their backs and hearts on The Old Ones. The only god to ever appear to those who worshipped him, challenged The Old Ones openly. His name was The Saint of Blades and he was a match for any of them. Only to the beauty of Trieste did he acquiesce. Helion called a council of The Old Ones and they decided that this world had seen enough use of them; they would go elsewhere and aid some other fledgling civilization. The White Lady would not leave; Trieste would not abandon her people. She had seen a coming doom. The Black Door would swing wide and the armies of The Abyss would issue forth as though a river. The Old Ones left without farewell or fanfare. One day, they were simply gone.

For fifty years, the peoples of Haran prepared for war. The Azure Order honed their bladecraft; The Incar steeped themselves in the study and practice of magic; The Summoners delved ever more deep into their black arts; The Segita harnessed the power of Haran through the tips of their arrows; The Bagi called to the far recesses of themselves for strength and pushed their twisted bodies to unknown limits; And The Segnale, the blood drinkers, assassins of The Abyss, even they gave the sternest blood of their Pitborn hearts to the ways of healing and murder.

All these long years, the most powerful of The Incar had focused the whole of their energies on holding. The Black Door shut. It was the treachery of the exiled king, Rictus, and his sorcerer, Baphomet, that undid the spells binding the door. It swung wide and the Pitborn poured through. Trieste and The Saint of Blades had developed a strategy with forces stationed throughout the land in an attempt to compensate for their inferior numbers. Though the peoples of Haran fought well and bravely, it was a futile effort and Trieste had always known that it would be. When all of the forces of each race were pushed to the frozen wastes for a final confrontation with Abaddon and his forces, Trieste disappeared. Seeing this, the others fled, all but The Saint of Blades and his followers, The White Blades. They fought to the last and The Saint of Blades, though he could not die, was beaten into a supernatural sleep by Abaddon himself.

Trieste had not fled in fear; she left in secret to seal shut the gate with an act of self-sacrifice that honored all who had died in battle. With her own heartsblood, she sealed shut the gate and the creatures of The Abyss were sucked back to their foul realm. So has it been for centuries, Haran on one side of the door, The Abyss on the other. Trieste is gone, much of the old lore is lost, the peoples of Haran are scattered and few, and now, the door opens again...

Chapter 3

Hey all! Please start with my first blog post if you have not done so, then read the chapters in order of posts (from earliest to latest). Thanks and enjoy!


The next scene we see Sarah, Albert, and Alistear sitting at a table.

Alistear: "Now that we are in a bit more of a private setting, I can discuss with you why I have gathered us here today."

An air of tension begins to fill the room, as Sarah and Albert become more attentive in their listening, prepared to   hang on every word Alistear is about to say, as if their lives depended on it.

Alistear: "The Abbadon occultists are the least of our worries. Something has happened to the healing magic of the Segnales. Once very effective spells that brought warriors back from the cusp of death itself is now less effective. We are losing fine soldiers and with each passing day our wounded deteriorate and succumb to countless otherwise preventable illnesses."

Sarah: I've heard of the Segnale, but never met one before. I know they are an important component in any battalion.

Albert: "Plus, they have a great body to boot, Ha Ha!"

Both Sarah and Alistear frown at Albert, then continue their conversation. Albert looks on with a bright smile filled with immature perversion.

Alistear: "It was for this reason both the Azure and Incar order brought this situation under great scrutiny. To our utmost dismay, we may have discovered the reason why this has occurred."

Sarah: "Could it be the occultists' doing?"

Alistear: "That is not possible. Their magic is not strong enough to invoke such a damper upon magical utterances that produce the mending of both mind and body. Even the pitborn themselves that are traversing into our world do not have a sophisticated mind to collaborate their efforts to serve their master in this capacity."

Sarah: "So the inquiry is what is creating such a disturbance of Segnale healing magic?"

Alistear: "As most know, the seal Trieste made through her own life blood and death is weakening. However, no one has mentioned the dire rate at which it is weakening."

Albert's countenance starts to match the seriousness of the situation as he begins to listen with more intention.
Alistear notices this change and nods at Albert

Alistear: "...The Blood Drinker itself may be causing this blockage from the pit beyond."

Sarah & Albert: "Abaddon?!

Alistear: "Yes. If the seal placed by Trieste has weakened to this point, there is no telling whether or not Abaddon itself will break free and out into the world of Haran."

Sarah: "Trieste have mercy!"

Alistear: "This is why an investigation must occur, but only by a few who know of the dire situation. Until the prophecy of Trieste's return actually happens, it will be up to us to defend Haran from Abaddon."

Albert: "Who will participate in this investigation?"

Alistear: "I think that is obvious Albert. It will be Sarah and you."

Sarah and Albert look at each other in bewilderment

Sarah & Albert: "Uh, us?"

Alistear: "Yes, you both, and a third party member I will introduce to you shall aid you in your journey."

Albert: "This makes no sense though. There are many who are blessed with the wings of Helion and are much stronger than Sarah and I. Why not have them investigate?"

Sarah nods in agreement.

Alistear: "A reason I would give...(leaning forward) is because few know who both of you are. If word got out about the seals weakening at a drastic pace, there would be chaos."

Sarah: "It would give the pitborn too much of an opening to exploit. Panic would ensue, our defenses would fall...
She thinks for a moment, looking down with eyes open, then turns to Albert."

Sarah: "Albert, I am willing. Are you?"

Albert: "...I am not sure as to what I can do, and yet, I say it shall be so. I have promised to aid you on your journey and so it shall be. You will have my sword and shield till this matter is absolved!"

Sarah: "Thank you, Alicia would be pleased to know I have such a generous and brave warrior at my side."

Albert: "Why... thank you (bashfully)"

Alistear: "Now that you both have that taken care of, let me introduce you to your third party member."

Alistear rises and walks to the door and opens it by a crack

Alistear: "Master Valerie?"

He steps back from the door as it opens to show a dark, purple skinned woman, dressed in what seems to be very revealing clothing. Silk mixed with dark strips of linen adorn this fine lady.

Valerie: "Greetings, Sarah and Albert."

She looks both of our traverlers up and down, "checking" them out.

Valerie: "Sarah, what a beautiful face you have. Your blood flows with strong magic."

She then looks to Albert.

Valerie: and you sir, have courage running through your veins. Your blood also is rushing to a certain...part of your body. Arousal is the perfect word to describe your current state of being.

Albert: (Embarrassed) "My apologies..."

Valerie: "Ha Ha, I take it as a compliment! From blood we take to blood we give. It speaks to us Segnale as if it were our sister. From it I know what I desire to know of whatever being has blood running through them. It is my aid and weapon in battle."

Sarah: "Well met skilled Segnale. Will you be adventuring with us?"

Valerie: (With a smile) "It would be a pleasure of mine...fighting the pitborn outside these walls...but my duty here is to train Segnales in mastering their healing arts and curse skills. So no, I will not be journeying with you."

Albert: "That is unfortunate" D:

Valerie: "Do not worry my adorable knight. I will have one of my most skilled students go with you...
(She turns to the door and goes to open it, then looks back at Albert)...and she will offer just as much arousal, if not more, than I would bring. (She opens the door) Nina, please come in."

As a gust of wind would take a leaf away and bring it here to there, so does the words of Valerie carry in another Segnale matching the dark purple, silk smooth skin Valerie has. Only this fine figure has a bodacious-ness that is quiet like a moon lit sky, and yet as noticeable as her intriguing round curves. Nina's eyes look towards the floor with an non-expressive face of neither sadness or delight. Fearful, yet courageous enough to fight Abbadon himself.

Valerie: "Nina, these two will be your companions. Follow them, stand with them, and offer your arts of healing to them, while cursing any foe that may seek to oppose them."

Nina looks up at Sarah, looks at Albert, looks back at Valerie, then looks back at Albert, as if she missed something that only a second glance could catch. Nina looks at him as if something resonates with her. A deep relatedness that only can be found in two who know each other from within and without.
Valerie looks at Albert and Nina, as if to wonder if the two have met before.

Valerie: "...Ah, my apologies. Nina does not speak much. Rather shy if I might say so myself. Do not mistake this for anything other than her sharp mind and total resolution." (Nina looks to Valerie with alertness and nods, restoring a sense of duty and honor as she took her gaze off our handsome charming knight :D )

Albert: (still staring at Nina, then shakes himself out of his stare and rises from his seat) "It...it is a (gulp) pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Nina bows slightly

Sarah rises from her seat with a smile as she bows, knowing Nina's preference for silent greetings. Nina responds warmly with a smile, then returns to a neutral face as Alistear begins to speak, as if ignored this whole time (which he was).

Alistear: "So, now that we have introductions out of the way, let us discuss your first quest. (He unfolds a map and places it on the table) There is a great warrior, a woman known as Asray. She has aided the Braiken army countlesss times and now serves as a guardian and merchant to the town of Denebe. 
She has the Black Wings of the goddess, and you will know when you meet her. We need you to deliver a letter to her as well as this vial of her favorite potion blend. Our traveling merchants are out on other trade routes and this particular path to Denebe is littered with Lizardmen and Water Reapers, thus being the reason why we want to send a small band of warriors, you three, to bring this important information to Asray. (He hands the letter to Albert, then gives the potion to Sarah). Please stop by the armory and skill masters before setting out on your quest. May you three succeed, for Dekaron! Trieste strengthen us!"

Laterz all!