The Priest closed his eyes slowly, as though wanting to block out the reality and willing things to be better the next time he opened them. But he was no nioti, and knew better than to think his problems would be resolved as easily. "I am skilled in the Light Arts. Before devoting my life to asceticism, I was trained as a warrior of my land, a Pavampaj. I can help you. I might look old, but a true soldier never forgets. His body never rusts." His eyes were still closed but he could sense the presence of the newcomers. Their dark aura reeked. "But, I know not of how we can acquire the services of an Anubial Priest." ---- "Ughhkk... Don't hurt me Lady!" squeeked the Scribe ungracefully. "Don't harm me or I won't tell you nothing. Dead, I am of no use to you, am I?" "Yes, but the satisfaction of silencing you for good is tantalising. So if I were you, Scribe, I would hold my tongue, unless you have anything of value to share?" said Vyja, shocked at the coldness of his own words. "The... The scrolls, they said something about, about... Yes! About summoning a foreign worshipper... The summon... For the spell... The Anubi. Not much time. You'd have to summon Him now. And why would he help you? But even if you managed that... No, you couldn't. You couldn't defeat It. You would need a being of Darkness for that."
<span style='color:skyblue'>The being of darkness... I think that could be handled. The Dark One could help.</span> Kien said. <span style='color:skyblue'>I'm gonna give this scroll to the Kiom.</span> She stood up and then looked down at the Scribe. <span style='color:skyblue'>You're coming with us.</span> She then sensed something from the Kiom's place. An aura of evil was there. Curious as to what was happening, she began to walk towards the place, thinking that Vyja and the Scribe would do the same too.
The Dark One grunted, as the final daemon bowed to him then joined the new army milling about. <span style='color:purple'>Excellent, now you old fool, prove yourself of some use! Purify them, or we'll just have more enemies to fight afterwards!</span> He tapped his foot against the floor impatiently, corssing his arms, then seeing that it would take some time, decided to actually try a nicer tone. <span style='color:purple'>Fine, but hurry, we need them purified. When it's complete, they should resemble white or yellow beings with angelic wings. Now tell me about this anubi priest, we shall need his assistance. I also need to converse with him on several other matters concerning Viridus...</span> He pondered it for a moment, but was interupted by Talon. <span style='color:orange'>Dark One, remember, Kien had that dagger of light, she might be able to help purify the daemons, and Vyja might know something about the light arts as well, being a native. Get their help! You could use it!</span> The Dark One snorted, but seeing the wisedom in the young ones words, he walked outside into the light and over to Kien and Vyja. <span style='color:purple'>Do any of you know how to purify dark beings using light energy or magic?</span>
The old Kiom nodded grimly, his face contorted in a defeated but resolute frown. He would help this being of Darkness no matter what. The fate of his Mansukh depended on it. <span style='color:gray'>"Aye, I can convert them. Time is what we need the most and have the least of. Perhaps young Vyja and his friend can help me. The procedure is simple enough to learn by those whose hearts are pure."</span> Then, leaning heavily on his staff as always, the old Priest made his way to his cabinet and then to the closest Dark soldier. He moved with surprising grace that would not betray his age. But though he tried to hide it, his disgust of the creature standing before him was plain for all to see. <span style='color:gray'>Sjumtortsumseusa, sjumtortsumseusa. Thap sha tcem yv pujc shus tnyshajt iyo ump leba umaf.</span> <span style='color:gray'>"Ten drops of the Blessed Essence to burn the Evil away.", </span>he called out, pouring a silvery subtance onto the monster's head. <span style='color:gray'> Sjumtortsumseusa, sjumtortsumseusa. Thap sha tcem yv pujc shus tnyshajt iyo ump leba umaf.</span> <span style='color:gray'>"Ten drops of Rose Water to keep Its reek at bay."</span> <span style='color:gray'> Sjumtortsumseusa, sjumtortsumseusa. Thap sha tcem yv pujc shus tnyshajt iyo ump leba umaf.</span> <span style='color:gray'>"Ten drops of Jasmine Water and you never again you will stray."</span> <span style='color:gray'> Sjumtortsumseusa, sjumtortsumseusa. Thap sha tcem yv pujc shus tnyshajt iyo ump leba umaf.</span> <span style='color:gray'> "You have been summoned, you have been freed, now wake and breathe to a new day."</span> --------------------------- <span style='color:goldenrod'>"Well, I've never done any of this ever before and I... Well yes, I guess I could. In theory, anyway. I will try to do what I can. What do we do with him?"</span> he finished, pointing towards the still cowering Scribe.
Kien walked up to the Kiom. She reached for the scroll and handed it to him. <span style='color:skyblue'>Vyja and I found this on a Scribe. The Scribe said that he knows this would help stop Viridus. Perhaps you know more.</span> she said. Then she looked at the dark soldier the Kiom had just set free. <span style='color:skyblue'>What is that?</span> she turned to look at the Dark One. <span style='color:skyblue'>What are you doing?</span>
The Dark One looked Kien up and down, and then seeming satisfied, he replied. <span style='color:purple'>I've just created a small army of Dark Spirits, which the old priest is now in the proccess of purifying, so they cannot be controlled or taken over by Viridus, which would be an easy task for him. We could use your help as well, with that dagger of yours, the one you used back in the temple.</span> He went quiet, and then grasped his partisan firmly below the blade, letting out a sigh. <span style='color:purple'>Such wonderful creations.. all being lost to the light...</span> The first dark spirit had finished transforming, from a purplish black energy creature bristling with spikes, to a soft golden creature of light, with feathery glowing white wings protruding from it's back, and a glaive in it's hands. The Dark One snorted at it, and blew a wisp of dark energy it's way. The dark energy vanished as soon as it got close, changing to a small wisp of cloud rather than the purple evil stuff from before... <span style='color:purple'>And so it begins, yet again...</span>
"Vyja, Kien, come here." the Priest's voice was level and his dark eyes never left the creature before him. It was beautiful, it's golden aura extending to him, bathing his old limbs in a shower of light. It was mesmerising. It opened its eyes slowly, light lashes framing its otherworldy eyes, and smiled up to the Priest. "Dark One, gather your creatures in such a way that we can convert them all at once. They will listen not to me me, but to you." Reaching for his cabinet once again, the old Kiom quickly scanned its contents. He casted a levitation charm, then sent Vyja and Kien the vials necessary for the exorcism. "Repeat what I say and do as I do. Understood?"
Kien heeded the Priest's commands and went towards him. She studied the creature that was beside him for a while. It was so beautiful. Pity it had to work for the Dark One. Then the Priest asked both she and Vyja to repeat after him. She nodded in reply and was ready for anything that was coming. She just hope the result isn't going to be bad.
The Dark One, still fuming at how all his wonderful daemons and dark spirits would have to be turned, nodded, and raised his partisan. <span style='color:purple'>All of you! Gather in a circle, pack in as close as possible! Stragglers will be annihilated!</span> He voice boomed out to them all, and they quickly took the hint, walking, jogging, slithering, and moving in any way possible into a large writhing mass of creatures. Once they were gathered, The Dark One pointed his partisan towards them, and a purple dome was formed, sealing them in dark energy with only one entrance in and out on the side facing them. <span style='color:purple'>There, I made sure to make the dome non-toxic, so as long as you don't directly touch the daemons with your bare flesh you shall be fine. But Hurry, I'm monitoring Viridus with my mind's eye, and he's accusing my past self of heresy. My past self is about to escape, and is soon to head this way. Tell whatever guards we have to be ready, for Viridus and his own past self will most likely give chase all the way to the temple grounds, and then seeing the golden opportunity, he will destroy the temple, and us with it.</span> He set to work creating barriers, just plain slabs of non-toxic dark energy stationed in various places around the area. Their dark energy would negate other dark energy fired at them and absorb it, making the temporary shield stronger. If needed, they could be purified, which would negate all dark energy whatsoever heading their way, but it would most likely take too much time... Hopefully the priest and his new helpers could work as quickly as possible...
<span style='width:100%;font-weight:bold; font-size:10px'>Out of Character</span> <table class='ooc'><tr><td>So sorry for the lateness! </td></tr></table> The old Priest's greying brows met in furrowed concentration as small beads of perspiration gently rolled down his forehead. It was as though the Kiom wasn't really there anymore, thought Vyja. His body was there, yes, but his mind was elsewhere. His eyes were dull, lifeless. His chapped lips were moving, forming silent words. Vyja tried to read them, but could make no sense of them. "It has been done." The Priest's eyes suddenly came back into focus. "The Beacon has been lit. In less than an hour, all of our Mansukh will be aware of the imminent danger. I have contacted the other Priests, as well as the head of our Temple's guard. We must now perform the exorcism. Vyja, Kien, are you ready?" Vyja nodded. "Free your mind of all thoughts and focus on the task ahead. If we are to be successful, you must channel your energy. The words are: Sjumtortsumseusa, sjumtortsumseusa. Thap sha tcem yv pujc shus tnyshajt iyo ump leba umaf. Learn them. I will speak the slowly the first time so that you can hear the proper enunciation again. Project your voices as far as you can. Ready?" Vyja didn't feel ready but he nodded anyhow.
Everything was going rather fast. Kien felt like she wanted to slow down time and stop it all together just to absorb what was really happening. True, she wanted adventure and lots of exciting stuff happening, but this was overwhelming. However, she figured if she'd come this far, she might as well keep going ahead. Wiping her sweaty paws on her pants, she tried to remember the words the Priest had given to her and Vyja. Sjumtortsumseusa, sjumtortsumseusa. Thap sha tcem yv pujc shus tnyshajt iyo ump leba umaf. How creepy is that? She nodded to the Kiom anyway.
The Dark One, all this time, had been meditating, watching the events unfolding outside the gates through his past self's memories. Viridus' hordes had grown, now containing several hundred plague infested farmers, tens of demons, and all manner of creatures of the darkness... <span style='color:purple'>Our time is short... The Virus is close...</span> He had barely finished his words when in a blaze of black light, A glowing portal made of pure dark energy appeared, and an evil looking old man hobbled out of it, hastily closing it behind him. He was short of hideous. Scars and scabs covered his body, and his dark priests robes, nothing like any temple from Ramath-lehi, had symbols that danced with pure malevolence. It was surely a creature of evil, yet in his currnt state, he looked more like a pathetic beggar than a true master of oblivion. "Have You Purified The Demons Yet?" He asked, turning to Talon, his eyes clearly jealous of his future self's young spry body. "Viridus And His Forces Are On The Approach, We Must Be Ready, Else Everything Will Fall..." The future Dark One regarded his past self fairly casually for the circumstances. <span style='color:purple'>We Have Already Begun. And, My Former Self, Do Not Even Try Taking This Body From Me. Although You Are Myself, I Will Have No Qualms In Killing Both Of Us If You Dare Try Anything With This Boy.</span> Talon, within the mind of his most feared and hated enemy, suddenly felt a warm within his cold damp prison. It was the compassion, what little of it the ancient Anubi felt for his young host. For although they fought an eternal struggle, the two had slowly become used to the other, and felt a sense of shared being together... <span style='color:orange'>Then Let Us Begin...</span> He stated in The Dark One's mind, and both turned to watch, to see is Vyja and Kien could muster the strength to carry this heavy burden...
Vyja couldn't have told how long the exorcism had taken. Everything had been so fast, so overwhelming while they were performing the Purifying Rite. It had been difficult at first, and his paws would shake incontrollably as he strove to copy the Priest's movements as best he could. But as time went by, the gestures and lyrics became second nature to him, and he even took comfort in the ritual. He had felt the excitement boil within him and the anxiousness consume him... He had felt the adrenaline surge from sources unknown to him... It had been great, in a scary kind of way. But now that it was over, all he felt was utter exhaustion. His ears still buzzed with the ancient song. As he silently recovered, Vyja wondered if Kien felt the same. He hadn't been able to look at her during the purification for fear of losing his focus. "Well, that went alright, didn't it? How are you feeling?" he telepathed to her, a tired grin plastered accross his face.
Kien watched the Priest closely. The steps were pretty hard to learn. The words are harder to remember because she was slow in translating Ramath to English. But she had always been a bright person and like Vyja, both gestures and lyrics came easily soon enough. When it was all over, she felt like sitting down. Exhaustion had washed over her but adrenaline seemed to run wildly in her veins. She knew that this ritual isn't the only thing she'd be doing. There is more to come, she was sure. But what excactly was she doing? What excactly was the main goal? She'd temporarily forgotten. She looked at Vyja. He seemed to be in the same state she was in; excited and exhausted at the same time. <span style='color:gray'>I feel the need to drink a tank full of water. Phew, the ritual is really a great workout!</span> she telepathed back to Vyja. She turned and look over to where the Dark One and a stranger seemed to be interacting. What was a beggar doing here? She had no time to wonder, however, because she overheard that Virus was already coming. Never mind that she'd forgotten why she was doing this. She'll find it out in time. She hope.
The Dark One's gaze was captured by the finale to the ritual. As the hazy light smoke cleared, the dome of dark energy dissapated, mingling with the soft gray clouds, and faded off into the horizon over the temple grounds. <span style='color:orange'>They Pulled It Off!</span> Talon exclaimed within, and The Dark One nodded solemnly, his past self raising himself up to stare at the gathering of creatures, all bathed in an enchanting glow. Angelic would be one word to describe them, as the spikes and horns and dark energy had transformed, into wings and bodies of light energy. <span style='color:purple'>And Not too soon...</span> Muttered his host, as a massive boom resounded on the temple gates, soon followed by another. <span style='color:purple'>SOUND THE ALARM! PREPARE ANY ABLE BODIED WARRIORS FOR BATTLE!</span> The time had come. Viridus and his army of darkness had descended upon the final stronghold of light in Mansukh. If they failed here, the rest of the world would be bathed in darkness and plague for years to come... <span style='color:purple'>Talon Galdon, I am releasing you from my power for now. You shall take command of our body for this fight. I am unable to even lay a finger on Viridus, and I will have a hard enough time battling his minions. You shall raise the ceremonial weapon of your tribe, and just like the warrior I used to be, before I fell to Viridus' evil ways, you shall help your allies to victory. Good luck boy.</span> And then he was gone. Talon was left in control of the body, The Dark One having retreated into the depths of his mind. As the slamming on the gates came faster and louder, he jogged over to Kien and Vyja, along with the old priest, and with a grunt, let the butt of his partisan fall to the ground. <span style='color:orange'>Kien, Vyja, I've only known you for no more than a day, but I hope we all make it out of this alive. I will fight today as an Anubi warrior, as a protector of the ancient traditions and rights of my tribe. Let the battle be joined, and let us emerge victorious!</span> He couldn't tell where his little speech came from, but he felt a deep compassion for life as of the moment, and a severe soul wrenching hatred for Viridus. The jewel set in his partisan glowed, replaying the images they had seen so many years in the future, telling of only a few years in this time's past. And as the angelic beings all formed up into readiness, weapons of light energy at the ready, the gates were smashed from their hinges, and Viridus, his past self, and a horde of daemons, plague ridden farmers, and all other manner of dark monsters walked into the temple grounds as if they hadn't a care in the world...
Almost subconsciously, Vyja pushed an offending strand out of his eye and gently tucked it behind his ear. Talon's words of comfort brought a smile to his face and he nodded, grateful. Things would be alright. They could do this. Together. Good would prevail over Evil. It always did... Right? Vyja looked at the three 'dragons besides him, studying their faces carefully, willing himself to memorise their every curve... He was about to answer Talon, when it suddenly struck him. "It" being the realisation that he might not ever see their faces again. That things might never be the same again... And he knew they wouldn't be.This moment, here and now, would and could never happen again. After this battle, they would never be the same 'dragons standing united here, together in this Temple. Gods, there might not even be a Temple! Every war has its casualties and leaves its scars... The thought seemed to echo in his mind endlessly. At that moment his gaze crossed that of the Old Priest and what he saw chilled him. The Kiom's eyes were so much duller than he could remember, almost lifeless. No more twinkle made them shine... And what sorrow they expressed! It was like looking into the eyes of a terminally ill patient, one who has accepted his fate and awaits Death grimly but without bitterness... No no no no no no no. NO! Tears of anger welled up in his young eyes as he lifted Mansukh's Gjepa's Spear over his shoulder. He wouldn't let it happen, they'd have to kill him! Let them come, he was ready!
It was an overwhelming moment. What with her new found friends and new adventures that she's experiencing. She really didn't want this all to be wasted. She didn't want to be back in the future with ruins of Mansukh and lost gains. She looked around, memorizing everything from where she stood. She wanted this one to last... if this is her final day, she wouldn't want to forget the moments when she goes to Fromina. She smirked at the emotioness of it all. But yet, it still lingers. The speech that Talon gave her and Vyja not only made her feel more emotions than she wanted, it made her very ready for the upcoming fight. Her confidence was boosted when she saw that Vyja too, was ready. <span style='color:skyblue'>You speak right, Talon.</span> she said. Then looked at Viridus's army. Bring it on.
Talon smiled, and gripped his partisan tightly, as Viridus slowly strolled up to their lines, followed by hordes of plague ridden farmers, twisted from their right minds, daemons of all types, and several other evil creatures and beings. <span style='color:yellow'>Well hello there!</span> Exclaimed the future Viridus, brandishing the sword of plagues as if it were a baseball bat, swinging it carelessly as his younger self walked silently beside him. <span style='color:yellow'>I would have though you'd run by now! But look at this! Somehow between a bunch of children, old priests, and even older, pathetic excuses for minions, you've gathered up an army of light based creatures! This is hilarious!</span> Talon growled at him as he approached, and then when he came face to face with the evildoer, his face changed to a look of pure hatred. The daemons following cringed at the glow of the angelic beings, but slowly followed their leader, as the angels stood them down. <span style='color:purple'>Get out of here Viridus! Even our kind isn't low enough to invade a temple!</span> The old Dark One's words were harsh, but foolish, as Viridus casually raised his sword and pointed it at the old dark mages chest. <span style='color:orange'>Stop.</span> Talon commented, and stepped in front of the sword, his own Partisan radiating a strange energy taht made even Viridus step back. <span style='color:yellow'>Get out of MY WAY boy.</span> He spat, and then glared at the pupiless young man, clearly now more angry than jovial. <span style='color:yellow'>Or my army will defile this temple, and eradicate every last one here...</span>
Es et Rassaj sy Pea shum sy Leba sha Leva yv u Kyfujp. The Pavampaj motto. It brought back so many memories of his younger days in the army: The brazen smirk as they woke up with the sun, the illusion of purpose that pervaded their mind day in day out, that overweaning pride, the knowledge that you have made it, that you are part of the Elite. They'd said he'd go far, that he'd be a general some day. Killing the enemy, exterminating the vermine, all that had sounded like such a noble concept, then. Now, now he could barely believe those memories belonged to him. It felt like remembering the life of another 'dragon. Still, deep down inside he knew he was the same, still capable of fighting, of defending his home. How ironic that the Motto should only serve him now though, decades after he had buried all traces of his previous life? The Gods really did have a strange way of twisting fate. But he wasn't afraid of what awaited him. He had lived a long and mostly happy life. He had devoted his existence to a cause he truly believed in. That was enough. His only hope was that the young ones would be alright. His time had come and gone, but them? They were still young, they still had their lives ahead of them. --------------- Vyja's eyes bright eyes narrowed and darkened as he glared at the Virus. "Viruses", he corrected himself mentally, "We've got ourselves an epdidemic." Clenching his jaw in what he hoped was an intimidating manner, he felt the tingle of a phantom pain course his right shoulder at the exact point where the Virus had struck him last time. He ignored it. Ssswwish! Vyja felt something whistle past him, narrowly missing his ear. Utterly confused, he stared and stared as a star-shaped blade swiftly made its way towards the hoard of plague ridden farmers. Hitting home, it mercilessly slit the throat of one of the peasants. It did so effortlessly, like a knife cutting throught butter. Vyja shuddered at the thought. The peasant fell instantly, never knowing what had hit him. Then, as fast as it had come, and with hundreds of pairs of eyes riveted on its course, the miraculously unbloodied weapon returned to the hands of it's caster. --------------- The Priest's face was composed and his eyes were lightly shut. One would almost have thought he was napping. Almost. The blade, shining with an unnatural glow, and two others like it, rested firmly in the palms of his old battered hands. "Leave the Temple grounds. Now." His said these words with a deceptive kind of gentleness but his message was clear. The next blade would be for one of the Viriduses.
There was a pause. It was like everyone in the Temple was holding their breath. Kien looked at the crimson red blood that was pouring out of the peasant. The poor man. His hard life was wasted. He lived for nothing and died for nothing. All because they let Viridus come to the past. Feeling guity, she looked away. When she looked up, all eyes were on the Priest. She wanted to wait and see what Viridus would do. But the adrenaline that was pumping in her veins said otherwise. She wanted to fight. Or flee. She didn't know which. Her paw went into her pocket and there, touched a metal. It was the dagger the Priest had given her. The weapon should be useful on this day. She turned back to look at Viridus and his army that was surrounding him. Silently, she prayed, that Viridus would just call back his army, turn around and leave. But that was near impossible.
