The Grasp of Darkness (series)

[Aludian]

((It has been a while so I am going to attempt to write once again the stories I use to tell of my character. In hopes that those of you will know what I was, and still am. Also, kudos to Spudnik for giving me inspiration.))

The night beckoned.. calling to me as though to speak fluent words. The hilltop of the Swamp of Screams did I hear through the misty, damp fog of pungent stench one did breathe. The clattering of wings and bellows of attack one did hear. As the moon had risen my vision closed in more closely to see those which were my new enemy,”Stakato…” I whispered through the air carried by the winds to Goddess Shilen. The thought I had only awoken but nights ago.. from a sleep brought on by a weakening of the heart. One would say I had broken my slumber only when Shilen shattered the seals… it was however long ago that she would bestow my name written in the scrolls of the temple.

The Celebrants would tend to my weak figure as they assisted me in standing once more. Abyssal Celebrant Kartia approached me slowly with a locked box to which she said,”are you ready?” I nodded. From the sleeve of her robes she removed a key, unlocking the box lay on it a blade I knew from years past… my Kris. I took the blade into my hand removing it from the velvet inlaid chest containing it. The long dried blood of demons still grazing the tip. My eyes glazed over as I once more felt connected staring at the blade as though it owned me. “It’s about time”.. a voice said atop the stairs as I turn slightly to the left. Adorning an obsidian black cloak of the finest weave.. hair I had known before.. the clasped leather taking her form as she moved down the stairway. “Olorae” I whispered once more.. the Celebrants that tended to me stepped far back noting the superiority that entered the room. “The Saint… the Saint! .. the saint” they chanted in hushed voices before she raised a hand to silence them. “We have awaited your return.” .. I took a single step back forming into a bow the Kris grasped in my left hand crossing my chest in perfect execution.

It had been so long.. I thought to myself as the memory of awakening from my slumber faded. My attention now fully returned to the Swamp that lay before me. My heart beat slower from the years of torpor I spent away in the slumber of the temple. A clattering my ears perked up to hear a few feet behind me.. in a moment the thoughts returned my heart beat once.. tightening the grasp of my Kris I step left entering the shadows in a rush to move my hair suspended at the speed. From the darkness I escape to rebuild my form exiting to twist my blade directly between the wings of the Stakato that stood. It cries out in agony as my heart beats once more. The body of the Stakato falls to the ground followed slowly by the wings removed by a single precise strike. I had not known how to step through shadows before… what has happened to me? I asked myself as I removed the blade from it’s back.. the warm though pungent blood dripping off the tip.. I gritted my teeth.. my cheekbones protruded to the one thought that entered my mind as it did so long ago.. I had to taste. Taking the blade to my lips my tongue extended to the blood touching it as the substance crawled down my throat. To drink of my enemies blood was to know the weakness they carried.. It was a delicate dance.. the drip of blood continues falling from my blade as I drop my hand to my side. I stand now overlooking the Swamp of Screams..the voice entered my mind once more..”kill.. them…all”.

[Sadori]

((Stunning, Aludian! Thank you for sharing!))

[spudnik]

[Aludian]

I grasped the hilt of my blade tightly.. removing it from the right side of the Ketra Warhound with a quick motion outward. Blood poured out from the wound left by a lethal strike to a vital organ. I grinned, hair falling slightly to cover my eyes. I had risen up from the ground taking the blade to my lips to once again taste the blood of my enemies.. this one slightly different from the rest. I could taste the anger it had for me. I gazed up to the blood moon that spoke the return of Shilen..

"I await your command"

I whispered into the air as though one could hear it. As night began to fell I would set a small tent on the hillside overlooking the outpost. A practice that allowed me to learn the movements of my enemies over the course of a night and then a day. After all, I was sent there to eliminate a threat. One must know going in where the target will be.

I left my encampment tent. I could sense unusual spirits among me. Perhaps an ability that I had found since advancing to a Ghost Hunter. I wished to advance beyond where I scouted. I infiltrated deeper into the outpost observing the orc generals and captains. They had shamanistic guards among them. If I was to truly call this a success I would need to eliminate the generals of the outpost.

A voice.. spoke

Aludian...

The whispered tone from behind me, I quickly drew my blade striking the air behind me. Though, nothing was there. The voice spoke again..

I am no threat to you.. I have watched you all this time.. I am like you.. carried the same clan as you.. I am Qul.
Look closer..

My eyes were weak.. though I squinted them as a form began to appear in front of me.. an orc.. and orc of Paagrio to be precise unlike the savage orcs of the encampment in which I stood. This one, cultured..

What is it you wish? I asked.. returning my blade to my side removing the threat.

I wish to return to your world once more to uphold the battlefields of old.

I knew what must be done. I would return to the Ketra outpost another night.. without the hounds which I put to death it would hold their advance off for a few nights.

2 days later

Reaching the city of Aden I entered through the lower quarters as the front gates guards did not have a fondness for my kind. The celebrant had relocated to this city of the few that knew I was one. Upon reaching the home of Olorae I stepped into the doorway looking behind me to see that this "Qul" was still there. She nodded to me as I could see her now following me. Outstretching my hand in perfect execution to a bow before entering to see Olorae's back to me, seeming to be in endless research of the books that scattered the floor.

Celebrant... we have a visitor..

[Aludian]

*update 1/25/2012*

[spudnik]

(( XD you are awesome. Spuddy might have a word or two to say about this. gonna see how the Olo deals with it first.))

[Olorae]

The Celebrant lifted her head, silently committing the final words to her memory. She waited, identifying the voice almost immediately. She waited, not for the man, but for the dancer in the corner. She knew the blades were already in-hand and whirling, but she knew they would not strike flesh without her command.

"Hello, Aludian," she said softly, turning to face the doorway, rising up to sit on the desk, draping her skirts over the book to obscure the content. "What can I do for you this day?"

[Aludian]

:Aludian would bow his head low not even attempting to look at the materials that scattered the floor and desk. He was not one to understand the workings of such a position as Olorae held. Though he trusted her words that have long been established.:

Forgive the intrusion Celebrant... as you said this would happen.. so it has. I have begun to see with different eyes the spirits long dead or between worlds still wishing to finish what they started..

:Aludian pointed to his right side, to him, a clear image of an orc stood there.:

One named Qul stands here to my side. It is their wish to return to this world to partake in the new battles that we all fight..
Surely, the vested drawing of Shilens will has brought this Orc to me.. as before.. I would have never seen her.

:Aludian stands still in the home unmoving as his hand returned to his side awaiting her reply. He would not look upon the dancer in the corner who's blades were turning and twisting through the air. It was uncommon for Aludian to make a request in practice his blade was the one requested. Perhaps a change since his skills as a Ghost Hunter were something even he was adjusting to. He was not accustomed to these new visions. He usually left such things to the dark elf mystics like the one who he was now in the presence of.:

[Olorae]

She narrowed her eyes, looking to the man's right side. She allowed her senses to wane, slipping between the realms of the living and dead, drawing her vision around the spirit.

"I know this one," she said softly, "though only in passing." She allowed her gaze to linger on the orc's spirit, the fog surrounding the living obscuring the rest of the room slightly. Her voice took on a light vibrato."You are restless, oroka. Do you seek a guide, or do you wish to return?"

"Where did you find her?" She spoke to the others in the room now, her voice returning to normal. Her hand rose in the direction of the dancer in the corner, whose blades slowed and lowered, though remaining in hand, extensions of tensed, coiled muscles.

[spudnik]

(( aludian i was under the impression you were speaking for Qul, given this is your story, i only ask to speak for Spudnik should cicrumstances come to it. i never gave Qul much story except for a few bits in my other threads "hammer smashed face" and "a fistful of adena" if you care for continuity. pick whatever motives and such suit you or help you. honestly i didnt expect you to actually run with this idea, but i like what you have done so keep up the good work !! if you really want me to however, i will speak for Qul. ))

[Aludian]

((understood, I'll update soon then given your wishes.))