Superhero Proving Grounds

Continued from here

MeerlyMakingAComeback: Whatever anger you feel, doesn’t seem to concern or affect me. I’m here for much more important matters. “ Not even so much as a proper acknowledgement? I would of thought you’d miss my company given out last few…. Altercations…” My small white feline paws pad towards to, no sound, no even the hit of weight touching the floor. I try to hop up onto your shoulder, phasing right through your attempts to swat me away if you try, before stretching out my back with a looooong yawn. “ I assume you have a lot of questions after meeting the Gluttonous Shadow and the Living Seal?” I tilt my head

The_Huntsman: I don't try to swat you away.. in fact I'm relieved to see you survived. Having seen the little white kitten bloodied I had my doubts.. and even though we've had our difficulties.. we make a good team. Your words seem to drift from ear to ear as you pad along my wide shoulders, reminding me of our first meeting as you make yourself comfortable. I continue going about my work, thinking these thoughts as I mostly ignore you, not quite ready to have this conversation yet. I make my way back into my old room, checking to see the state of things before I finally speak. "Are we in danger here? Was it your fault those demons came for the dojo?"

MeerlyMakingAComeback: I can tell you’re playing hard to get! Understandable given the recent misunderstandings! But no matter how much you try to hide it, I can tell you missed my company. “My fault? Far from it actually. The fault lies with you Brigand….” I purr as you explore your old room, hopping off your shoulder onto a ratty old bedroll! “Granted… I’m not entirely blameless… but tell a girl it’s all you can eat and what am I to do?!” I laugh still managing to find humour despite my predicament. “As to whether you are in an immediate threat.. I do not know. I do not sense the Gluttonous Shadow lurking near…. I managed to free myself from it and cling to you whilst you were possessed. It would seem your Vampiric blade took a liking to me.. thought it could gorge itself… but bit off more than it could chew… For now it is my domain until my soul gem inside the book can be restored!”

The_Huntsman: I hear a slight whimper in my head in response to your reference to Reaper and my eyes widen. I pull the sword off my hip and sure enough, the black that usually begins to seep into my skin is now subdued by your trademark amethyst energy, crackling slightly as you flick your tail. "This might actually be an upgrade.." I mutter, sheathing the sword as I hear a hiss that's cut off suddenly with a yelp of pain. "Seems you're a cruel houseguest, should I be worried?" I smirk at you as I continue about my room, grabbing the lone weapon off the wall and rearranging my arsenal so my two blades are on my left hip, flail on my right and battle axe on my back.

The_Huntsman: Content my room is in order, I make my way through the main living area where servants are still rushing around over towards the door to the master bedroom. My eyes glow red as my hand touches the doorknob, red energy flowing across the wood before rushing into my body and confirming me as the master of this dwelling. The door swings open silently, and even though it hasn't been used in years there's no dust. The room opens to two large windows against the walls to the left and straight ahead, giving a full view of the valley below. The bed is on the right wall, with a desk just inside on the same wall as the door. A simple room.. but I could tell it was his. I sigh as I walk over to the windows to watch the servants going about their work to get the camp ready for the night.

The_Huntsman: "Okay demon.. I'm ready." I take in a deep breath, hold for a moment, then exhale slowly. "Tell me about this gluttonous shadow first.. it seems to be the bigger threat. Then.. you mentioned a living seal? I want to understand exactly what I'm tangled up in."

MeerlyMakingAComeback: As my aura envelops the blade, you feel my signature chains wrap around your forearm, a demonic purple eye forming just above the guard. “Oh you don’t know the half of it Brigand… even limited… while you’re hosting me in here my powers are at your disposal!”

MeerlyMakingAComeback: You continue along your examination, rearranging and procure your weapons, preparing for the potential war to come. I can sense you anger, your hesitations… reminiscence… You’re a swirl of emotion unlike normal, no doubt due to your recent losses. And then you finally succumb to curiosity. Whether by need or desire. “ I suppose we should start at the beginning… it would seem reuniting with the shadow gave me clarity unlike anything i had before.”

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “And I looked and saw other flying elements of the sun, whose names Phoenixes and Chalkydri, marvelous and wonderful, with feet and tails in the form of a lion, and a crocodile’s head, their appearance empurpled, like the rainbow; their size nine hundred measures, their wings those of angels, each twelve, and they attend and accompany the sun, bearing heat and dew, as it is ordered them from God.[1]" "Then the elements of the sun, called Phoenixes and Chalkydri break into song, therefore every bird flutters with its wings, rejoicing at the giver of light, and they broke into song at the command of the Lord.[2]"

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “Valanis is one of these Chalkydri… a divine dragon that would sing with the rising sun, and slumber in darkness. But Valanis is not wish to sleep. Did not wish to dream. Wished to sing and let the light of god wash over the world eternal. And for this, it was punished, flung into the unforgiving heat of the sun to burn, its screams like song, keeping the sun high and blazing for the equivalent of 12 days and nights before it finally fell to the depth of hell, cooling itself in its frozen core….” I pause letting you take in exactly what the demon you are dealing with is, the one that had been puppeting you moments ago.

The_Huntsman: The sun sets as you tell your tale, the sky changing from blue to purple to red and every color in between as if accentuating your story. I can feel something shift in the recesses of my mind like a huge sea monster beneath the waves, unseen but the danger can be felt and I shudder when a flashback of the six books passes across my memory. "Yeah I've seen.. and felt it's power.. it's hunger to consume." I trail off, not wanting to interrupt your story for long. "It's terrifying."

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “In that darkness… that chilling void… it’s true power was discovered. The ability to draw in the energy around it as easily as drawing breath! When flying around the sun it was harder to notice. An eternal flame burning brightly, surrounded by its peers. Energy in constant flow through the colony, passing back and forth between each other subconsciously. But now that Valanis was alone, there was nothing to keep its power in check! It absorbed the darkness and was molded by it into a creature of ravenous, never ending hunger! Its fluorescent rainbow scales now stained by the ichor of demons to that of a dark purple, its deformed and burnt wings regenerate larger and more imposing, able to carry the swiftly growing serpent with ease a it ventured out for more power!”

MeerlyMakingAComeback: A scroll seems to fly out of your master’s collection, the seal unravelling as if encouraged by the fell tale being told. -The Demonic Winged Serpent, The Gluttonous Shadow, The Bottomless Void; Valanis

MeerlyMakingAComeback: And as it Consumed, it gained the knowledge and power of its victims! Planes of existence lost in its bowels in a futile need to be sated! What stopped this all consuming apocalypse is unknown, only that Tomes had been created of what remained. Dubbed The Universal Truths, these tomes each contained a specialize glossary of magicks related to carious parts of what make reality.-

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “Those books were protected by a monastery of gifted Galdrar. Mages of Nordic origins that use sigil and song to bring forth their magic. A perfect legacy for the books to fall into given their Chalkydri origins. And you met one of these Galdr. The girl you expunged from the Grimoire Valanis. The Living Seal, Leyding….

The_Huntsman: "Leyding! Living seal.." things are clicking into place, and that distant danger suddenly feels so much closer, like a shark circling below. I grab the scroll and place it on the desk, taking a seat and reading while listening to you - I certainly already believed you, but seeing it in my masters own hand gave it a sense of finality. "I'm afraid I still don't quite understand how she's connected to all of this." I run my fingers into my hair before resting my forehead on my palm and craning my neck to look at you.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “She is one of the 6 you brainless buffoon!” I shake my head hopping up to some how stomp my non existent weight down on the back of your head, trying to make you make plant into it’s surface! “ And judging by things… the last. While not ALL things have been revealed to me…. It would seem tragedy befell whatever Sisterhood existed in the Monastery you two visited before crossing over into my library… Rude by the way!” I sulk hopping off your head to land on the scroll, kneading my none existent paws through its surface as if to get comfy despite making no physical contact with it before flopping! “ Exploring a maiden’s bedroom without her company or permission… how bold!” I tease confirming that the small pocket reality had belonged to myself.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “But you two getting frisky in my dwelling is beside the point…” I yawn starting to feel my energy fade a little, keeping myself manifested like this drew much of Reaper’s power. “ Leyding and her Familiar sacrificed their lives to create a seal to the Grimoire Valanis, a gem made from their souls combine and the heart of an ancient dragon. This soul gem would regulate and utilize the books powers to siphon energy from the Gluttonous Shadow until finally it could be broken apart and sealed away once more. That is when I was created. Myriallia Valanis.”

The_Huntsman: Shivers run down my spine as you pounce through my head, landing on the desk in front of me as I shudder. "Says the one who began feasting on my masters energy before I was even through the ward!" I'm getting a little prickly, but that's probably because I can't remember the last time I slept. Your yawn triggers one of my own, a jaw cracking, fatigue induced monster that leaves me blinking back tears. "We never.. I mean.. I held her but nothing happened." I get up from the desk and start to take off my weaponry, looking at Reaper and noticing the black diamond at the pommel flicker with amethyst energy, your new home for now. "So in order to seal away Valanis again.." I trail off, realizing the gravity of what you just told me. When I lock the door red energy shoots along the wall and windows, sealing us in as I can feel my eyes already getting heavier..

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “Correct. In order to repair the Seal… is to have Leyding bind herself to the Grimoire once more…” There is no need for further explanations. “You saw what having experienced the seal for over 2000 years did to her…. If told to do it … could Leyding really willingly cast that spell again?”

The_Huntsman: I collapse onto the bed, everything I learned making it so I'm unable to immediately pass out as my body demands. My muscles ripple as I place an arm behind my head, lifting my left leg to plant my foot on the bed to keep myself from getting too comfortable yet. "Yeah.. to sacrifice oneself for the greater good.. it sounds good in theory until you know the consequences."

MeerlyMakingAComeback: I appear on your chest laying on my side, giving your rough chin a playful swipe with my paw. “ So what do YOU intend to do with this knowledge then? I’m currently bound to your side, so we follow your lead.” After your response, I purr reaching up, claws outstretched like little fingernails as I draw four line down your forehead. Slowly they form into an arrow, a needle, a thorn and a hook. “Svefnthorn…” They glow forcing your eyes to feel heavy, you mind to slow, your breath to ease and your muscle to relax.

The_Huntsman: Your paw gently drags along my face as I settle in, deciding the best course of action right now is to sleep. "Maybe we'll go to Markan to see if we can learn anything else.. I'd also like to see if any of my other weaponry survived the demon attack at the dojo." Your claw draws on my forehead, and I instantly feel myself melting into my bed.. hopefully into a dreamless sleep as my last thoughts are of Leyding.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: Your sleep is far from dreamless. And certainly not pleasant. You hear the distant garbled chants of a young woman and when you blink you see a truly dreadful sight.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “I name the stars over you Cauldron” a pink hair girl sitting at the edge of the sea, holding an older woman, dragon wings sprouted from her back and a long scaley tail hanging from her dress. “ And all that Lie beneath the wave…” They’re completely surrounded. Men in cloak and armour, wings of light on their back. “ My voice calls into your shadows… To the Underworld… The darkest Place…” Her back is ventilated with arrows, blood dripping from her lips into the sand to be washed away by the sea. “ The onyx kiss of inky water… The jet black undertow of Rime….” Her voice sounds more demonic, the colour of her hair melting away to a silver… then a white. “ From the depths now I will Conjure… The Spiralling madness of your mind…”

MeerlyMakingAComeback: And as she looks up, you see the six demonic eyes on Leyding face, her mouth open wide… and everything is engulfed in darkness…

The_Huntsman: I wake suddenly, drenched in sweat as I lie panting in my bed. Making my way over to my masters desk I flick on the lamp and quickly write down everything I can remember before sitting back heavy in the chair, heart racing. 'what the fuck was that' I think as adrenaline fills my bloodstream. I begin a round of meditative breathing to calm my central nervous system, and finally once I feel tired again.. make my way back to bed. I hope this time for some restful sleep..

The_Huntsman: This time I wake with the sunrise, no demons plaguing my sleep. But my mission is clear.. I need to discover more information about the ritual I witnessed. First thing though.. I can't remember the last time I ate. I mentally project to my servants the need for food and what I'm after as I reread my notes.. then they bring in a huge breakfast. I grab Reaper and set it next to me before beginning to inhale the food, hardly tasting it. Hopefully this prompts you to come out and we can chat before I reveal my plan to return to where we first met - the Archives of Markan.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: The gem on Reaper glows almost opening like an eye before you hear a metallic yawn vibrate from the blade’s steel. “Surprised to see you up and about so soon after the ordeals you’ve endured… Figured you’d be out for at least the morning if not the whole day itself.” The blade vibrates on the table, as if purring. “So what is the plan for today?” I ask, not able to necessarily read your mind, more just get empathic glimpses of your immediate thoughts.

The_Huntsman: "Well.." I finish eating and dab my face with a linen, and sit back in my chair and place my hand on Reapers blade. "I want to investigate this dream I had.. as well as try to discover an alternate solution before accepting that our only option is for Leyding to become the seal again." My fingers tap along the blade idly, helping me stay focused on my thoughts. I replay the dream in my head, hoping you'll maybe have some insight.. if not.. "so I think it makes the most sense to return to where we first met. Markan has the biggest collection of knowledge known to my order, their entire world is dedicated to understanding the universe. If there is another answer.. it's likely there."

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “You had a strange dream?” I ask, purring as you lightly tap an fidget with the blade. Assuming you replay aloud for me, you hear a trouble grumble hum through the steel. “Troubling indeed… My stay in Markan was short during my recover, thanks to some bumbling oaf interrupting my stay in the restricted section…. But if you believe it may hold answers… Far from me to refuse another trip!”

The_Huntsman: "I'm not sure they appreciated our.. activities.. but fortunately they owe me quite a few favors." I chuckle as I recall the state we left the place. "I do believe it's a good place to start, and hopefully a little less intense to allow for us to recover a bit more." This time I don't strap on all my weaponry, keeping Reaper on my left and the flail on my right as I carry out my tray to a servant who's waiting just outside my room. Once I hand the tray off I take a deep breath and picture the outside of Markan, the large golden statues and huge doors and when I open my eyes we're there. I walk up the stairs and knock on the door, the booming familiar and reassuring..

The_Huntsman: It can sometimes take awhile for the scholars of Markan to make their way to the door, they don't often get visitors. But the amount of time it's taking.. my eyes glow red as I scan the inside of the archives. Amethyst flows of energy are EVERYWHERE inside and my stomach sinks to my feet. I draw Reaper as silently as possible.. and pull open the door to find the skeleton of a battlefield, the stone floor scorched in many spots as paper flies overhead. The remains of robed individuals are strewn about.. the doors to the two offices swinging wide open, revealing the dark inside. "Shit.." I whisper, slowly creeping through the topmost level, my eyes fixed on the floor, looking through the stone down to the bottom floor where the most valuable records are kept, waiting to see if I catch any hint of movement..

MeerlyMakingAComeback: The halls were unusually quiet, even for an ancient archive of knowledge like this. Normally the rustle of cloaks and soft clicks of heels on marble filled the air, but now only the quiet dribbles on blood on the walkways. You look down into the lower levels, but you can’t make out anything in particular. Only a claustrophobic darkness that seems to writhe and pulse. “ You feel it too then I take it?” My voice echoes in your mind. As you draw Reaper the edge ignites, my signature heavy chains appearing spectrally around your forearm and wrist! “ Are you sure we should proceed? Perhaps retreat is the safer an-.” The halls echoes with the cacophonous mixture of a draconic roar mixed with demonic laughter, the doors slamming shut and sealing behind us, the darkness slowly creeping up the walls, covering the large windows, sealing off the exits… the only light source being the amethyst hellfire radiating off me! “You fall into my clutches once more mortal… but where is the girl….”

The_Huntsman: An image of Leyding flashes across my mind at the mention of her, but it quickly passes as I spin and see the darkness creep over any exit. Your chains glow purple up my arm in the darkness as Reaper seems to shine with demonic glee, my glowing red eyes adjusting to the darkness as best they can. My body is cloaked in a red silhouette as I slowly move in the direction of where the offices were, knowing if I can get inside I'd only have to defend myself from one direction. Plus.. I want to explore to see what exactly is in there..

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “I suppose there’s no turning back now…” I mutter as you barely seem to acknowledge either myself of the Gluttonous Shadow.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “Ahhh.. my missing shard… I wondered where you disappeared to… I suppose you were left behind whilst I was puppeting this one” The shadow laugh, it’s voice BOOMING from every direction, reverberating like an echo chamber in your head. The shadows don’t seem to impede your way forward, and as you open the door to the office, you see a similar amalgamation of shadows. She sits lazily, feet up on the desk, a demonic grind across her face. As you enter, the door slams shut behind you, red demonic eyes opening up along the walls, ceiling, even the floor, all of their eyes focus on your own, examining your every movement. “ So then little Huntsman… Do you like what I’ve done with the place?” It laughs, not only using my form, but a distorted version of my voice as well. “ This library has quite the delicious reservoir of knowledge…” She licks her lips. “ Come to sign something out?”

The_Huntsman: The shadows part for me as I walk through them, and when I spot the shadow behind the desk, embers of leftover rage reignite, flaring to life and filling my body with heat. "You.." I growl over the door slamming behind me, forearm flexing as I grip the hilt of Reaper tightly. Pointing the amethyst glowing sword at the shadow I stalk forward, heart galloping in my chest. "These people were innocent.. just curators of knowledge." I pause opposite the desk, sword pointed at where it's heart would be.. if it had one. I can feel all the eyes staring at me.. but my ruby gaze is fixed on the desecrator behind the desk. "Why" the word is more growl than language, stabbing into the darkness, frustration keeping the chills from running down my spine.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “Yes and the cultivating thing beautifully! But what good is knowledge if it isn’t put to use…” The shadowy figure laughs. “ Relax little hunter….” It raises its hands in mock surrender. “ I did not devour all the little worms in this tree of knowledge! Some were all too keen to pledge allegiance and join my retinue. How else do you suppose I got it.”

The_Huntsman: Keeping my sword at its chest I walk around the desk, glaring into the shifting pattern of darkness that looks a lot like your vessel. "What about those that wouldn't.. or didn't pledge allegiance? Surely you didn't wipe them all.." I have no idea how this evil sword imbued with your demonic energy would work against Valanis.. but I'm about to find out. My muscles tremble with fury as I demand answers while looking for the strands of energy.. perhaps if I can find my way to the focal point in Markan I can release the archives from the evil infestation.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: The walls peel back in a multitude of toothy grins, blood dripping from the teeth. “ Mmmm I’m sure some were able to escape before my dimensional anchor sealed the building…” If you try to reach out to teleport away, you only feel an endless vortex of crushing darkness.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “It appears we’ve waltzed into the belly of the beast…” I add, equally unsure what my powers could even do against Valanis in this form. I can feel your grip tense on my handle, my chains reciprocating with a squeeze on your forearm!

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “Are we truly going to waste time on pointless conflict? Surely you are a smarter man than that.. Gabriel….” I grins, flaunting the knowledge it gained whilst inside your head. “ It would be a shame to be the shortest reigning master of your order after your predecessor died so violently…”

The_Huntsman: My eyes dart around, searching for some pattern in the layers of energy, but it's impossible to discern anything apart from the outline of the shadow sitting behind the desk. When it says my name they flare briefly, I haven't heard it since.. well.. joining my order gives increased lifespan due to connection to the universe. Many of the people who I held dear have passed on, their energies joining the cosmos

The_Huntsman: I can feel your unease resonating through the chains on my arm, neither one of us certain we can fight the monster in front of us. My connection to the universe feels muted.. dampened.. suppressed. I desperately need to speak to you once alone, I was hoping to at least glean some knowledge from Markan first.. but Valanis is insatiable.. undeniable.. and right on our heels. "Fine then.." I lower my blade from the shadow, keeping it readied but not directly threatening the shadow. "Why did you come to Markan?" I throw out the first question, trying to keep it on its heels and maybe gleaning some insight into this creature's psyche.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: The shadowy amalgamation seems to laugh as the foolishness of the question. “Why does anyone? Markan has always boasted knowledge beyond compare, but i never knew the location until I had bonded with you…” It barely seems to acknowledge the blade, especially when you lower it from her chest. A chair seems to materialize opposite her across the table as she gestures. “Care to have a seat? I could have someone fetch you a beverage..

The_Huntsman: "Markan is not your play place demon, you need to leave. This is neutral territory for the pursuit of knowledge" my eyes flick to the chair, an obvious trap, before returning to glare at the shadow. I close my eyes and picture Dawnbreaker appearing in my hand, but when I would normally feel the connection as the sword breaker jumped.. all I felt was the void of darkness, threatening to sweep me away. Looks like it's just what I brought.. Reaper, my flail, and whatever powers you have. I step back and give my sword a spin, left hand forward with my palm open, ready for anything the amalgamation might conjure.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “For someone claiming this is neutral space.. you’re all too eager for some horse play of your own…” It frowns disappointed. It uncrosses its raised legs before suddenly slamming its heel into the desk, launching it towards you , the shadows of her hand extending into demonic claws as she tries to rend right through the furnishings and you with it!

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “Dromi!” My voice echoes from the blade, your arm being tugged by the chains before they launch toward the wall, pulling you to safety as the demonic shadow’s claws slash gouges into the floor where you stood, as well as the wall and what was once the doorway! “ That was close! Use that command word and put your intent on my chains! They’re all yours!”

The_Huntsman: I thought I was ready for the shadow's attack, blocking the desk with a foot and smirking before I see it was hiding it's true intention, shadow claw screaming towards me as I'm off balance. You take the initiative and summon chains that drag me out of the immediate danger, my thumb caressing the hilt of Reaper in thanks. "I'm not the one who started this, you came and enslaved these innocent people.. someone has to stand up for them!" I growl as I lunge forward, slashing in a diagonal / motion, looking to cut the shadow shoulder to hip!

MeerlyMakingAComeback: As you lunge forward, the chains I summon spear forth, stabbing into the shadowy figure’s hands and feet, SLAMMING it up against the wall to keep it pinned as you immediately go for the kill! Your blade rips right through the figure without any resistance, it’s lower half falling into a wet heap of gore on the ground! “Eldsvoða!” You feel me subconsciously pull some of your magic through the weapon binding us, the chains suddenly igniting and sending a torrent of purple flames up its length before lighting up the shadows upper body in an explosion of magical hell fire!

MeerlyMakingAComeback: As the flame extinguishes the shadows melt away revealing one of the heads of the library’s charred remains under it, a craze grin on his face, spectacles melted into his face from the sudden influx of heat! “ Hehehe… the miserable fool deserved that… power hungry and eager to turn on his comrades…” Valanis’ voice booms, the shadows rippling along the walls as all the eyes close. Suddenly in their place, spears of darkness erupt from the walls and ceiling, attempting to skewer and impale you from every angle!

The_Huntsman: My life force dips slightly as you tap into it, the chains pinning the shadow to the wall igniting in an explosion of amethyst. When the shadows are burned away the Markansian male slumps to the ground, face frozen in frenetic glee after serving Valanis. Remorse threatens to grip me before the eyes around the walls close and a sense danger ripples up my spine.. I dive to the side towards where the door was just before spikes shoot towards us from every direction! The ones that do connect pierce through the red shell surrounding my body, ice cold pain searing through my calves as I manage to avoid most of the attack.. but not all. "What kind of attack was that.." I murmur near Reapers gem as I feel the cold prickle in my body before dissipating, taking a portion of my life force with it.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: The shadows flow from the walls of the office, reforming into the silhouette of my vessel as a grin splits the inky blackness, the six red eyes opening again. “Oh Gabriel… it a shame we couldn’t come to an understanding… perhaps my associates can change your tune….” It laughs with a wave of it’s hand as two large figures erupt through the ground either side of you! Both wearing the remains of Markan scholarly robes that barely contain their rippling mutated and muscular bodies! Their eyes glow with amethyst energy, infused with Valanis’ demonic gifts as they charge you with primal fury!

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “My guess would be she remembered your anti-magical properties… i don’t suppose your barrier protects against mundane attacks does it?” I add as my chains act again, digging into the ceiling swiftly to pull you ip to your feet, ready to fight!

The_Huntsman: Speeding away thanks to your spectral chains I yank hard on Reaper and kick backwards, the shadowy door flying open before I dive out into the main lobby area. By leaving Valanis's cronies in the tight space of the office, I'm hoping it slows them a bit as I look for an escape for us. With the time I've gained I reach across my body, muscles rippling as I grasp the handle of the flail in my left hand, beginning to spin the chain clockwise. As the head picks up speed wind begins gathering around in a torrent, abandoned papers flying around as I build a horizontal cyclone aimed directly at the office door, walking slowly towards the large set of stairs that descend deeper into Markan. Finally as I reach the top of the landing I alter the path of the flail, spinning it up and overhead, the intense strain of wielding the wind showing in how my muscles flex and teeth clench, spinning once myself to displace the excess momentum and launch the energy towards the door in a smaller vertical one

The_Huntsman: I pant slightly from the effort, trying to surmise the effects of the wind energy on the shadows before speaking "Any bright ideas demon? I'm thinking there might be something in the basement that could be useful, but getting there is going to be difficult. Fighting through five floors of Valanis doesn't seem like a good idea." I begin rushing down the first flight of stairs from 5-4.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: The cyclone keeps the goons at bay, slowing their movement as one grabs the door to use as a shield, the other standing behind him! As you turn to attach the large double doors the flail impacts it’s attack against their surface! You hear the cracking and shattering of millennia old wood. The shadows flow into the cracks, sealing the damage and reinforcing it!

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “I don’t suppose you carry a small sun between your cheeks do you?” I laugh nervously at your question. “ It would seem Valanis has spread it’s influence all through the building, and even utilized a Dimensional Anchor to stop those who come in for escaping. Priority is to dismantle the core of the spell, that will allow us to escape the confines of these damned halls!”

MeerlyMakingAComeback: Flying down the stairs, to the platform, and then the next floor proper! You hear the ceiling crack as the two traitors once more smash their way through to bar your path! One claps his hands together summons a halberd before charging towards you, the other slashes his palm, the blood flowing before his dark chants begin, forming a seal of blood at his feet! “ Join us Huntsman! You are an unrivalled source of magical knowledge and power, but even you can’t stand against a creature such as this!”

The_Huntsman: My footsteps which are normally so loud and echo throughout the enclosure are swallowed up in the shadows as we come to the landing on the 4th floor. The architect that designed Markan obviously valued aesthetic over function as the large spiral staircase that burrows underground has wide openings onto each floor to try to awe whoever is making their way downstairs. The monster with the halberd blocks our way while the other one works on some sort of blood ritual, designs spreading across the floor. I spin the flail twice overhead in a clockwise motion before bashing it against the interior wall, a huge burst of air trying to blow the demon spawn from our path so we can continue our descent to the archives.

The_Huntsman: The shock wave of air is successful in clearing our path, pushing the ex-markansian into the 4th floor proper. I pause and fling Reaper at the chanter, your amethyst chains keeping us connected as I hope to impale the demon and allow for you to leech its energy, potentially generating enough to allow you to take some actions on your own. Worst case scenario, I can always recall Reaper to me, we can't shift out of the building, but I can displace things inside if I have enough knowledge of them.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: You through me through the air after you clear a path with your flail, Reaper’s blade stabbing into the man’s shoulder and interrupting his spell. I can feel the warmth of his blood splash against the gem currently housing me in your blade’s crossguard as it glows, beginning to drain the man’s life force! You feel some of that power make it’s way back to you through the chains connecting us, refuelling your own magic anew! “ Many thanks Brigand!” I laugh as the blade glows momentarily before but like the previous enemy it explodes into demonic hellfire!

MeerlyMakingAComeback: You rip the blade from the corpse as it falls to the ground, the purple blazing fire slowly coalescing into my feline form! “ Ahhhh much better!” I purr seeing the other traitor getting to his feet! I pounce, his halberd no where near as fast as I am as my small frame gently lands on the half to the blade. “I assume you have no qualms with dispatching these unworthy cowards and turncoats?” I lick my lips, the man screaming before my fangs fund his throat! His gurgled scream echo back to you as I slowly drain him of all his life energy, this one not having the luck of exploding into hellfire, instead left as a dried out husk of the human he once was! You blink and my humanoid form appears hunched over him, before I sigh loudly sitting up, eyes glowing with refreshed demonic vigor. I lick my lips before turning back into energy and returning to the blade, choosing to conserve my power for now.

MeerlyMakingAComeback:

The_Huntsman: As your energy slams back into Reaper I can feel the vampire groan, being pushed even farther out of his home, an amethyst glow obvious now from the gem. The life force you borrowed from me is more than repaid as we continue bounding down the large stairs, coming to the third landing. I see a flicker of movement behind some of the bookshelves and I pause, shadows swirling to our right as a portal opens from the wall, the shadowy creatures that attacked the dojo pouring out into Markan as I hear some terrified screams!

The_Huntsman: I launch Reaper at one of the winged shadow that charged in the lead, hopefully acting as a demon delivery service as I swap the flail to my right hand, running at a diagonal towards the screams to cut off the enemies. As I get closer I spin the flail twice overhead clockwise before slamming it into the ground, a wave of wind speeding at shin height to slow their progress until I can assess the situation further

MeerlyMakingAComeback: You throw me at another enemy, the blade clipping one of the demon’s wings as my form is once more released from the gem, a large grinning demonic cat, maw opening wide before it bites the demon’s head off like some twisted pokemon game!

MeerlyMakingAComeback: That only seems to strength the two of us, our bond continuing to feed back a portion of the energy drained back to you as I once more land taking my human form. “Long time no see… “ I curtsy, eyes glowing as the demon’s pour in through the portal, fellow shards and devotees to Valanis. “ Let’s see if i remember how to do battle like a proper demon!” I laugh launching myself into the crowd, nails glowing as my cloak bellows behind me! I crash into the first creature, claws ripping through it’s throat with enough force for its neck to nap all the way around as I land on it’s back, using it as a meat shield from the scything talons of another insectoid creature! Kicking off the corpse as it’s torn to shreds, i flip in the air slamming my heel down on the next demon with a sickening crunch before slamming my hands down onto the ground!

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “DROMI!” I slam my fists down, heavy chains erupting from the ground through summoning circles as they impale nearby creatures with the spikes on their tips and pull them together! The chains wrap around my forearm, connecting them to me before my eyes glow with Amethyst fire once more! “ Eldsvoða!” I roar essentially creating an explosive ball and chain of screaming victims before swirling them over head similarly to you and your flail before chucking them back through the portal, an explosion heard before it closes back up! Covered in blood and ichor, I ignore the helpless bystanders you plan to rescue entirely, eager to regain my powers from these pathetic puppets of darkness!

The_Huntsman: My eyes widen as you let loose, absolutely obliterating your lesser brethren and chucking them back to where they belong. I slow to a jog realizing you have everything under control, watching in awe before I try to console the innocent Markansians. "Don't worry.. she's on our side.. probably." I say, which doesn't give them full confidence, but does get them to follow me to the stairwell. I recall Reaper via your chains, the amethyst glowing blade now vibrant with all the energy you've absorbed as I catch it in my left hand. "You'll have to follow us.." I say to the group, two females and a male, difficult to tell with their hoods up but their figures don't lie. "Stay back a little ways.. but the only safety right now is with us." I begin down the steps to the second floor, waiting to see what else Valanis could have in store.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “B-but isn’t she the creature who attacked us?” One of the librarians ask nervously, referring to the shadow vessel that acted on Valanis’ behalf! As if on queue the inky female form smashes through the ceiling eyes glaring at You and the survivors! “ Ahhh more h’ordeurves for the feast!” The Gluttonous Shadow laughs before surging forward!

MeerlyMakingAComeback: I intercept it, the two of us crashing into the nearby bookshelves in a tumbling catball that was probably in the deepest pits of your fantasies! “ GO!” I hiss as the shadow slams its knee into my corseted midsection, grabbing my cloak and flipping me over her into the ground, floors cracking from the impact! I growl, chains erupting from around me, impaling my dark reflection and slamming her up into the ceiling hole she just came through!

The_Huntsman: I don't hesitate, in situations like this those milliseconds matter. I usher the poor, shaking people down the stairs, I would normally lead the group but instead I watch to see if there's anything I can do to assist as you have an identity crisis. Grapple with your image? You seem to gain the upper hand for a moment, sending the shadow through the ceiling so I turn and run down the stairs following the survivors, bypassing the second floor before exiting onto the landing that opens to the bottom floor of Markan, the darkness seeming to be most concentrated directly ahead where we first met.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: The chains rip into the inky flesh of the shadow vessel, but it pulls itself free before I can ignite the fuse! The purple fire detonated behind it as it catches me by the throat, slamming me back down through the 4th, 3rd then 2nd floor! The darkness in front of you ripples before it erupts into dark spikes, only for us to come crashing down, my new temporary form becoming impaled on the solidified shadows as I gasp and gurgle, one having punctured my throat!

MeerlyMakingAComeback: “ Ready for another dance Gabe?” The gluttonous shadow reforms in front of you, claws extended once more before it charged towards you, eager to rip flesh from bone, despite the flirtatious trill in its voice!

The_Huntsman: A loud crashing noise BOOMS as I'm running down the stairs but there's no time for me to turn back to try to help now, I made my choice. The amethyst light around Reaper flickers and fades as the shadows writhe on the ground, swirling and spinning before reforming into the shadowy figure that mimics you. I spin the faintly glowing sword in my left hand so the blade is facing down and sheathe it at my side as I begin spinning the flail, this time in a counterclockwise motion, the energy it gathers staying inside the tight circle. The whistling noise it makes increases in volume as it gathers more speed, and right before the shadow lunges with its claws, I alter its path in front of me, a shield of wind so solid it looks like glass, ready to deflect the claws that are aimed at my chest! Once I've defended myself, I'll try to shove the shadow with my left hand before bringing the flail around to try to rock ya like a hurricane!

MeerlyMakingAComeback: I writhe on the ground as the two of you do battle, before returning into a ball of energy and flying back into the sword as your side to recover. “ S-sorry…” I rasp inside your head.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: The wind deflects the strikes of the shadow vessel as it hisses! You shove it back, bringing your flail around again as cracks and spatters the creature’s head across the wall, the spray pattern oozing down its surface to rejoin the shadows that continue to ripple through the basement level! The headless amalgam continues it’s attacks, eyes opening up on its chest as it continues to slash at you with its talon, trying to drive you into a corner where your flail won’t have as much space to gather momentum! You can see deeper into the room a glowing shard in the darkness, a gem similar to the type used for my own, imbedded in a bookmark on the pedastal where you first found my grimoire in the archive so long ago! No doubt the source of the dimensional anchoring spell! The pooling shadows strike at the bystanders, one of them managing to create a temporary shield to withstand the onslaught, but things were beginning to look grim!

The_Huntsman: The survivors scream as the shadows attack on two fronts, driving us back into the corners of the lowest level. I can't spare any time to look over to see how they fare as the headless agent slashes across my chest, an ice cold line that burns like hell after. Warm blood erupts from the cut down my abs as I continue to fall back, panting from pain and the effort of keeping Valanis's claws at bay, gripping the head of the flail in one hand and the shaft in the other.

The_Huntsman: My right shoulder brushes against a wall as my step backwards is also brought up short, heel pressing into the wall behind as I realize its now or never. Time slows as it's dark arm begins what could be a killing slash. I drive my right foot hard into the ground, lifting my body up into the air as my left foot slides along the wall behind, somehow finding purchase to push off again, elevating me up and forward over the short shadowy figure. Blood spatters downward as I lean forward, my right leg scraping along the wall as I hopefully leap over out of the corner, seeing shard glowing in the distance as I push off the wall with my right leg as hard as I can, landing and breaking into a sprint towards the objective, flail dangling in my left hand as I draw Reaper with my right.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: You vault over the whirling blender of shadows, using the wall for leverage as it’s claws rend through the foundation, leaving deep gashes in the surface! Instead of regrowing it’s missing appendage, the inky creature reforms itself into a rushing mass of fangs, bottomless maw opening wide as it pursue to towards your goal just like when you first fought it back in the crater! As you draw Reaper, I’m summoned once more, this time guarding your back in my own beastial form, demonic cat and shadow serpent crashing into each other, claws and fangs flying! I rend shadowy scales from it’s skin whilst its bites stain my fur with blood and venomous ichor as I try to by you more time!

The_Huntsman: The cacophony is deafening as you do battle with the shadowy serpent but once again I have to trust you to do your part as I do mine. My vision focuses solely on the crystal glowing across the room, feeling shadows raking my skin with every step as if trying to slow my progress. I grasp the hilt of Reaper firmly in my left hand as I begin spinning the flail clockwise, shaft humming as a cyclone begins forming around the tight circle. A splash of darkness lands in front of me and I have no time to alter the trajectory of my desparate sprint, crossing my blade in front of my chest just out of the path of the chain. When I plunge through icy coldness shoots throughout my body, Reaper cutting enough of a path for me to plow forward

The_Huntsman: But as I press onward I feel Reaper torn from my grasp as the shadows coalesce around it, forming a black jelly that yanks the blade into itself. The momentum twists me, and I use that to flex my blood covered abs, heaving my shoulder as I launch the energy from the flail backwards at where Reaper is trapped, hoping it frees the blade and not being able to watch exactly where the man sized tornado tears. I complete the fancy footwork and continue sprinting, flail spinning overhead as I scream with the exertion and exhaustion, shadows dripping downward from the ceiling as it gets harder to move forward with each step. Finally, moving as slowly as if I'm on the bottom of the crushing seafloor, I'm able to stand in front of the podium, rearing backwards, my huge lats flexing as I bring the head of the flail downwards towards the shining gem!

MeerlyMakingAComeback: The suffocating pressures of darkness are claustrophobic, Like crossing into the event horizon of a black hole! You can feel the strain with ever step, even someone of your immaculate stature as your joint wobble and threaten to give way with every step closer! Your lips part screaming, but no sound escapes into the void! You feel another wave pass through you, stripping you of all your otherworldly abilities… your magic, the powers passed down through your order.. all consumed by the Gluttonous Shadows, unsure if they’ll ever return as they leave a frigid emptiness inside. This is the fate of the world… the universe! This is Valanis’ desire… the end game… a world void of everything else… only then will the serpent finally be sated, and its vengeance complete!

MeerlyMakingAComeback: But you continue on, your flail following through on the momentum you started with, arcing overhead as if slowed down for a frame by frame analysis! Every beat of your heart wills it just a bit father… a foot… and inch… a breath! Until finally the world returns around you with an ear raking shatter! Your flail crushes the gem imbedded in the bookmark, utterly annihilating the pedestal it sat on with every muscle you can bring to bare! And you feel it! Your connection being restored, your powers replenishing and the access to your entire armoury once more restored!!!!!!!

The_Huntsman: The momentum of the flail might be the only thing that saved me from getting so close to the maw of Valanis. That and perhaps the bullheadedness you love to taunt me about. As the world resumes it's regular speed I fall to my knees, the momentum of my swing spinning me to face the battle behind as shadows begin to converge on me.. writhing seductively.. calling to the darkness within. I look on with regret as the survivors are overwhelmed in the corner, their screams quickly suffocated as darkness consumes them, speeding across the floor towards where you do combat. I feel the prickles of evil dancing along my spine.. not quite daring to touch me.. wanting me to submit of my own volition. A sharp scream jars me from the attempt to overwhelm my will as I picture a hilltop clearly in my mind and feel the world shift.

The_Huntsman: Once I arrive to the serene scene I collapse onto my side, shuddering and shivering as if with intense cold. I feel chilled to the bone, flail laying forgotten, just out of reach as I make one final effort to picture Reaper and all its detail.. and you. The way your claws dragged on my skin.. the way our energies felt when they combined.. I focus as intensely as possible on the sword appearing in my hand before my consciousness fades away.. my last thought of you. The sound of a large creature trumpeting sounds in the distance as you see huge, scaly monstrosities walking along the lake that's overlooked by the mountains behind.

MeerlyMakingAComeback: The serpent and I continue to do battle in our primal forms as you push on toward the dimensional anchor! It tries to strike past me but I manage to pounce on it’s neck! It hisses in pain and more scales are ripped from its scaly shadow hide, scattering about the room until its tail cracks like a whip across my side, launching me into the farthest wall from the action!

MeerlyMakingAComeback: It strikes at your again, the darkness ripping your sword from your hand and swallowing it into the darkness, but still you continue on and finally shatter the gem! The shadows surge through the room in rage, breaking through the remaining librarian’s defenses killing him instantly! The second is cut down and violently torn to shreds under the black tides of darkness, but just before the third meets her fate a purple light shines as Reaper flies towards her in the darkness!!!

(Will Gabriel successfully summon Reaper and it's demonic guest? Or is Meerly doomed to be absorbed back into the shadows? To be continued..)