For our City

[Rien Novalys]

Frost, 10th. 119

It was a simple night. The tavern was lively. Guests were being served and people were dancing and celebrating. Life was good, the enjoyment that others were getting brought a smile to his face. As he chatted with some patrons at the bar. Using all the wits and charm the young man possessed. The music loud, echoing out through the cracked door way.

Then the horns blew. The crowd died in an instant as they horns sang their song. The smile fading from his face as he slid over his bar. "Fuck the dues. Fuck the payments. We have a job to do friends. For our City, WE GO TO WAR!" He shouted as he was handed his spear and shield. Darting through the doors. The man took off in a sprint, wings unfolding behind him as he felt the crisp air filter beneath him.

Lifting off from the ground to join the others that were doing the same. Cries and chants echoing through the air like a battle cry. Eyes locking on the first creature in the air. Lunging forward with vengeance in his heart. Twisting to get behind the beast. He thrust the spear forward. Metal tip piercing into the beast as it cried out in pain.

Twisting and scraping trying to reach at it's attacker. Claws scraping and cutting into the shield and against the chain mail as Rien did his best to hold it off. Two Sky Guard joining in and striking at the beast with their weapons. "Return to the earth beast! This is not your home." He said, driving it down into the dirt. And running towards the beast that came on the ground. Calling for any and all who could not fight or did not have their weapons to run. "I will be your shield. Move back!" Thrusting his weapon forward at anything inhuman that would come near. This was his job. His purpose. He was a warrior, a defender proud.

His eyes scanning the area for anyone in that needed help or that he may know.

[Kotoru]

[anchor=OptionFive][/anchor]

☵ Current Theme: The Way of Life
☵ Attire: Shadow Sleave
☵ W.O.C: Kalzasian Longsword {Tachi}

"Common Speech"
"Synskrit Speech"

☵ 10th of Frost, Year 119, Age of Steel ☵

---

☵ Peace never lasts forever, not when you live next to a well of monstrosities that like to take devastating strolls through your city. The horns blared across Kalzasi and everyone knew what the sound meant. It was a call to arms, and the House of Hattori would answer it in full force.

Running....that's all he could hear was the sound of others running, as he casually strolled through the streets. He watched as so many faces of ran by him, all fearing for their lives. The sound of running and screams of death filled the air accompanying the song of the horns warning of creatures from the deep surging through the city.

Creatures of unimaginable nightmares filled the streets of Kalzasi, the Skyguard fervent in action against them, and any and all who could fight to do so. Among the defenders was Kotoru, eager to kill some abominations from the Warrens. Nothing could excite him more than this chance to defend the city.

A couple had been caught by a few corrupted hounds cornered them nearby. Cutting around the corner he found himself in an alley and took the longsword he borrowed from his father from its holster on his back. Many would panic, and he slightly did, but as the first hound leaped to take a bite out of him, his weapon hand went forward.

Impaling the beast on his blade Koto watched as it still fought to get to him, and he smirked at it, beginning to laugh. The limp body of the rabid hound thudded across the ground as the other one barked at him. He couldnt believe his nerves were on edge, facing a corrupted hound of all things.

He knew however this was no normal hound, no this one had gone mad from the spread of corruption that was wrought upon it from being in the Warrens. Tightening his grip on his sword, he sized up the other hound, slowly moving to where he was now standing in front of the trapped couple. Though he was smiling ear to ear, this opportunity wasn't one he wouldn't squander. It wasn't every day one participates in an incursion from the Warrens after all.

If he wasn't careful however it would be the first and last time he would be apart of such great fun, and being careful was on the top of his priority list. From what he understood of the severity of these attacks, the mortality rate was high.

He didnt plan on adding to it, so when the first hound went down, the second one came at him, aiming to sink its infected fangs into his ankle. It too was met with the blade, pinning its head to the floor. Again he put all his strength into ensuring the malicious animal was dead, one stab after another until it finally ceased struggling.

A deep sigh left his lips and he took a breath as the couple ran past him, thanking him for saving them, which he didnt much care for. It was just the greater of two evils fro him, as the less interruption the better he could focus on fighting.

With them saved he moved further into the city, only to stumble upon an avialae defending the people. Strolling up to his left side, covering the man's back, Koto sheathed the tachi in his hands. "Its such lovely weather for killing abominations, don't you think?" he inquired, keeping his eyes open for the next beast to charge him. ☵

[Talon]

Talon wiped sweat from his brow. The hour was growing late and he had chosen to continue working the forge. Despite the inner turmoil that he’d been struggling with in recent days, he had actually managed to get ahead on his workload. The extra pair of hands afforded by Alyssum had enabled him to focus on more substantial projects that required more of his focus. He knew she had intentions of departing the city at some point. The lingering notion of that had Talon thinking to himself that he might need to take on an apprentice of his own. While teaching might be demanding, it would groom someone to both look after and tend to the shop as well as his craft in the way that he preferred. That was not to say that Alyssum’s methods weren’t suitable, they were more than anything Talon could have hoped for. As Talon began to look forward to the days ahead however, he realized that he would not always be able to tend to his shop. Not in the way he would have wanted.

Talon sighed. He finished hammering out the flat end of a crowbar. Submerging the bar in a nearby barrel of water he went to set the bar on a cooling rack. Then the horns blared, making Talon jump. He dropped the bar, the sound of it clattering to the floor of his shop lost in the sonorous call of the signal horns. He felt his heart pick up pace. His blood felt like it was going cold. No matter how many times it happened, it never felt like they were prepared for the incursions. Talon cursed himself for leaving his armor back at the palace but though he was without armor, he had his sword. After his momentary apprehension, he sprinted up the stairs, grabbed his blade from where it rest. He was cincing his sword belt into place just as he barreled through the front door of his shop.

As soon as he was outside, Talon took in the scene before him. People were running. There were screeches of wretched things zipping through the air. Those men who could fight or were armed, were already on the street and bracing themselves for combat. To Talon’s immense pride, he saw many of his Avialae brethren either taking to the skies or ushering those who were unarmed to the nearest safe place. Drawing his sword, Talon took a moment to center himself. The rush of combat was something every Avialae was familiar with for at least some portion of their lives. The proximity of the Warrens mandated that they train, study and learn how to fight for the defense of their city. In those moments, Talon went to a cold place. He felt an icy focus fill his body with a cold rage.

Gripping his sword, Talon’s attention was drawn to a winged beast. It’s form was something pulled from a nightmare. The maw was lopsided with teeth jutting out at odd angles. The skin seemed stretched tightly over sinewy muscles and its wings were made from leathery flesh. It screeched, diving down apparently having singled out a target. It didn’t matter who it was, Talon would make sure the beast never got there. He sprinted forward, opening up the flow of his aether to perceive the flux. He threw out a lasso of aether into the flux around the creature’s neck. With all of his might, Talon yanked the beast toward him by the neck. It let out a gurgled shriek before being dragged toward Talon through the air. Bringing up his sword, Talon skewered the creature clean through. His hand gripped the beast’s neck as it thrashed. With another flood of kinetic force, he compressed the flux around its neck, crushing it entirely.

Talon pulled out his sword, letting the creature drop to the ground, lifeless.

“I will be your shield. Move back!”

Rien. Talon’s attention snapped toward the direction he’d heard his brother’s voice. It didn’t surprise him to find his younger sibling there in the middle of the fray. Talon’s grey eyes swept over the field. Two more creatures were swooping down with hellish shrieks. He let himself be filled with that cold fury. Spreading his wings, Talon ran forward before leaping into the air. Again he reached out across the flux and roped one of the beasts around the neck. Instead of pulling it toward him, Talon threaded his aether into the pull of the beast’s flux. The result saw him drawn toward the beast at rapid pace as he seamlessly spun their aether together. He sped toward ghastly creature with grim determination. He emit no laughter, no ferocious cry, Talon merely struck.

He thrust his sword right through the beast’s skull as soon as it was near. He unbound his aether from the dead thing’s flux letting it drop to the ground. Talon immediately spun around and followed suit. He had no worry for the second beast. He was certain his brother would deal with it. His gaze fell upon his brother. The runic marking tattooed upon his face glowed with the power of his kinetic magic. Talon strode forward without fear, simply resolve to defend his city and his people.

“Brother.” He acknowledged Rien before reaching forward to clasp his arm tightly and press their foreheads together in a show of familial affection. Talon righted himself.

“We should not delay. The Sky Guard are already ushering civilians to shelters. We are best served reinforcing them here in the Plaza so that they can focus on less protected areas of the city.” Talon stepped back and assessed the area to the best of his ability.

“I will take the offensive, Rien. You defend people making their retreat. And as for you,” Talon flourished his sword giving Kotoru a bow of his head. “Help where your strengths best suit you.”

With that, Talon spread his silver wings and took to the skies once more.

[Rien Novalys]

Frost, 10th. 119

The beasts continued to crawl from their holes. Screeches, gurgling and the sounds of steel filled the air. Battle raged out within the city. As the beasts came Rien stood absolute. People ran past him as the man blocked shamblers passing. Spear head thrust threw another skull. Blood oozing out over the shaft before it was ripped back out. A man came out. Taking his back spinning a beautifully crafted weapon. His attire was distracting as the man gracefully danced into the position he now took.

Rien was pulled out of his distraction as a beast screeched from above. Rotating just in time as the claws came crashing down into the shield. Claws piercing through and grasping at what remained. A string of curses escaped his lips as he rushed forward. Pushing it into the nearest wall. Pulling the spear around slamming it down. Piercing the flesh of the beast as it screamed and clawed at Rien. Blood pooling beneath the two as he ripped the spear out again and again.

Only stopping once the onslaught of claws stopped. "Bastards. Cursed creatures pulling from the depths." He turned to look at Kotoru as his brother landed beside him. Greeting his brother before turning towards Kotoru. "We do not have time for introductions. But like my brother said, your help is most welcome. " He called pushing back as another group of shamblers pooled out from the streets. His wings spread out. Causing his form to grow larger to block the path of these creatures.

"Not today beasts. I am these people protector and I shall not let you pass." He growled. Legs spread as he held firm. Shield cracked and busted in some places as he peered at the monstrosity pushed forward. One such beast sprinted forward. Dragging an arm with spikes and claws ready to be swung like a club. And so it did. Spiked arm slamming into the shield with enough force to cause Rien's knees to shake. Almost buckling under the force.

The spear thrust forward, piercing the hide of the beast. The beast roared, pulling it's arm back and slamming again. The shield caving under pressure falling away at on side as the spikes dug into his arm. Wincing from the pain, Rien growled with anger. Pulling back, he rotated on the balls of his feet. Grasping the spear with two hands as blood began to run down his arm. Thrusting forward twice more as the beast continued to move forward. The head piercing the hide each time but with, what appeared to be to no avail.

[Kotoru]

[anchor=OptionFive][/anchor]

☵ Current Theme: The Way of Life
☵ Attire: Shadow Sleave
☵ W.O.C: Kalzasian Longsword {Tachi}

"Common Speech"
"Synskrit Speech"

☵ 10th of Frost, Year 119, Age of Steel ☵

---

☵ It seemed introductions would have to wait, which was alright by Koto, as there were more pressing matters to see to. The newcomer to the party seemed to have a handle on things, giving orders to the two of them, and giving Koto the means to cut loose. With a nod he watched the Avialae take flight while the other one, his brother it seemed like, went on the defensive to help the citizens escape to safety.

He decided the best way he could assist in this situation was to lessen the number of enemies they had to deal with here in the plaza. The Avialae was right in his assessment that by holding down the plaza the Skyguard could focus their efforts elsewhere. With that in mind, he knew what he had to do. "I leave the defense of the citizens to you then, I'll try and thin their numbers." he said in synskrit as he climbed up a nearby building using Orochi.

Once upon the roof of the building Koto was soon joined by four retainers of his house. "What are your orders?" one asked with a bowed head, to which Koto simply walked past him, kneeling overlooking the plaza. "We need to clear the way for citizens to escape. We need to thin the ranks of the enemy." he instructed as his eyes scanned the horizon to see where he was best suited.

He noticed a large movement of shamblers moving through the plaza, and his retainers did as well. With a snap of his finger, Koto and his group sprinted toward them. He decided to go with his strengths, and charged in. Once within striking distance, Koto's tachi clashed with the first shambler he came in contact with, the blade lopping its head off in a display of power and amateurish control. His subordinates joined in the fray as all five of them would hold back the shambler's advance as the innocent escaped. ☵

[Reima]

"Quickly, this way!"

This wasn't what bell was made for. The cries and screams of people and beast filled the air, a cacophony that threatened to baffle her sensitive ears. The Rathari stood not far outside the entrance to the High Hopes, the place she currently called home and where she worked most nights thanks to the kindness of its proprietor. Tonight, however, instead of entertaining the nightly crowd she was instead ushering frightened and fleeing citizens of the Plaza toward safer areas.

A screeching from above made her flinch and glance up, her long tail swishing back and forth in agitation as she tried to restrain her natural instincts to flee herself.

"What in the mother's name am I doing..." the whisper came even as she helped an older man make his way over the tavern's threshold and into the light beyond. She considered staying inside the relative safety of the building, but over the crash and sounds of battle the voice of Rien could still be heard. That man, he was infallible. He was like a rock sometimes. Simple and straightforward, but strong as the mountains and as sturdy as one as well. Yes she wanted to run, even itched to, but the pit i her stomach and an ache in her chest saw her turning to leave the tavern once more.

Bell's long ears twitched and swiveled, searching for the sounds of people in distress. She crouched low and let her tail wrap around herself, one hand pressed palm down against the ground to allow the vibrations of the city to come alive in her mind. With the onset of night her already poor vision worsened to near uselessness. She could see shapes moving, the lights of the city providing just enough illumination to let her distinguish the shapes of people from monsters. Overhead the beasts warred with winged warriors, while on the ground mortals fought with blade and shield. The stones of the road were becoming slick with a warm sticky liquid, and for once Bell blessed her lack of smell for she was certain the stench of the area was beginning to grow.

A sudden noise to her left drew her attention, and the Rathari began moving toward it. Her long tail swished before her, brushing stone and bodies around her and letting her maneuver between pressing bodies on light feet. As she moved her steps began to quicken, for in the direction she traveled she felt a tremor begin to grow. The sound she heard resolved itself into a child's cry, frantic and desperate. Surely someone would hear? She shouldn't have to go, should she?

The hurried pace quickly became a sprint as Bell rushed to the little ones sound, reaching forward and quickly scooping the boy into her arms just as something large thumped down just a breath away from where the boy had been standing. A soft curse escaped Bell's lips as the rush became a roll and she came up onto her knees, a squirming form now pressed to her chest. The sound of a groaning growl came from behind her and Bell did not spare a glance as she quickly rushed back toward the tavern. Once there she deposited the child into the arms of a woman there, before turning once more to head back out into the madness.

[Paragon]

Battles raged across the city as both the Sky Guard and the residents of Kalzasi worked to defend their homes. The defenses of the city held strongly enough and truth be told, it was only stragglers that managed to crawl their way past the protectors of Mistreach Keep. Those that did however, operated with an insidious intelligence. The creatures seemed determined to weed out those who appeared most capable of protecting the citizens fleeing to the various shelters across Kalzasi. They ignored bulky groupings of guardsmen and seemed to pick off smaller groupings of regular citizens who had simply taken up arms.

Packs of warped and corrupted hounds pounced upon men and women who took up sword and shield, ripping into their flesh or maiming them to be left defenseless against much greater threats. Mad elementals, instead of attacking wildly, focused on those people who presented themselves as stalwart against the onslaught that poured through the streets.

As the defenders of Kalzasi stood strong against the tide of creatures however, something quietly emerged from the depths of the pits. They slithered out of the shadows and stepped into the dark places of the city.

Watching.

Waiting.

Until it became apparent that it was time to deal a much darker blow to the protectors of Kalzasi.

---

The swarm of creatures entering the Plaza of Jeweled Arches slowed to a trickle. The winged monstrosities swooping down from the skies eventually faltered and ceased. The beasts loping through the streets teetered off until naught but their corpses and the bodies of those they had felled remained. The only sounds in the plaza were the sounds of those who whimpered in the cold, the groans of the wounded and the panting of those who had exerted themselves defending it.

And then...there came a whisper. It was joined by other whispers. Soon, a dozen whispers and then a hundred and then a thousand. The shadows in the plaza began to shift and writhe. The soft lighting provided by the ornate lamps hanging from some of the roofs or strung along bannisters began to fade.



The cacophony of voices reached a crescendo as all light was snuffed out until in the ears of each person in the plaza there came a single word.

Run.

The shadows were illuminated in a single point providing only the silhouette of the creature that now faced them. Vaguely humanoid with tendrils of darkness extending outward from a vacuous obsidian void. Eyes like fire bore down upon the protectors of Kalzasi and in them there burned only a seething malice and hatred for all things living.

The eyes closed. The light was smothered. Darkness descended upon the Plaza of Jeweled Arches.

Someone’s scream was quickly silenced by the sound of drowning and a splatter of something against a wall.

[Rien Novalys]

Frost, 10th. 119

Blood splattered and covered the ground. The spear head drenched in the blood of his enemy as it squirmed and fought against him. Stepping back from the beast. Teeth clenched as he grasp tightened around the shaft. Thrusting forward with added force to push the beast the beast to the ground. Might against resistance as the monster screamed and swung it's club like arm to no avail. Slamming the head into the same spot on it's chest over and over until the beast stopped moving. Ripping the weapon from the corpse as he moved forward. Breathing labored as stepped.

Glancing about as a figure darted past him. Spear drew up again in response as he watched Bellmari dart forward and in a motion that was more graceful then he could have done. Snatched a child from the claws of the beast and took back towards the tavern. His tavern. The growling shambler went to give chase but was cut down as the spear tore flesh. Bone giving way to the sharpened metal as it pierced deep into it's skull.

And as he prepared himself for another assault. All seemed to fade away. No more beasts pushed past to strike at the innocent. The only sounds that remained were those of the ones that remained alive. His heart sank as he looked at the bodies of those that laid around him. The bodies of all that he could not save. If only he had been faster, better. The feelings tore at his heart as grief set in. But he didn't have time. Moving to the closes injured he began calling out for any that could help. Barking orders to get the injured to shelter and begin healing and prevention.

His fingers grasped tight around the shaft of his spear. Anger mixing with the grief that he felt. This wasn't like a battle with another kingdom. There was no striking back to be done. The creatures of the Warrens would continue to pour out from the hole of hell with little to be done about it. The feeling made him sick. But he didn't have time worry about that now.

As whispers grew loud in his ears and the light faded. The word coming across his ears and those around him. The dark figure about them. Dread filled the air. "Fall back! Get inside!" He called as he began to run himself. Stopping for but a moment to scoop a woman with a gash across her leg. Racing for his tavern as the light began to fade once more. Large form pushing through the threshold as he placed the woman on the nearest table. A few others falling in after him as complete darkness took the plaza. Slamming the door shut before his fist met the wood in anger.

[Kotoru]

☵ 10th of Frost, Year 119, Age of Steel ☵

"Common Speech"
"Synskrit Speech"

---

☵ No one knew the horror that had been lying in wait for the city. And who could have, everyone was busy either running for their lives or fighting to save them. No one had to time to really consider what else could go wrong or what terrifying thing could come from the warrens next.

Kotoru and the four house retainers were handling the shamblers well enough, limbs flying left and right as each one was met by their weapons. The horde was slowly thinning and Kotoru advanced forward through them. He was finally getting used to the longsword and even thought about keeping the weapon, but he knew how his father was about his swords.

His main priority though was keeping the fleeing citizens safe. So He needed to place himself between them and the warren abominations as much as possible. With a leap, he landed right next to one of the monsters, and with his sword arm arched, he bisected the beast in half with one swing. The force was more than he thought it would be, and he could feel the immediate strain on his forearm, but the adrenaline from the newly gained strength made up for the pain. With a devious look, he continued to tear through the monsters, his blade gliding through them like hot steel through butter.

Then something changed in the atmosphere. He noticed as the horde seemed to dissipate and retreat from them, the sounds of the creatures overhead simmered as well. Confused he ordered the four retainers to form up, and forming a pentagram like formation they waited, alert that something was about to happen. He had seen in wild animals when they sensed danger, and seeing the warren beasts and shambler hightail it out the Jeweled Arches was enough to put him on edge.

Then like something out of his worst nightmare he saw it. An amalgamation of wisp and shadow as it engulfed all light, blazing eyes glaring down on them all. The whispers ushered in one word and he headed it without any delay. "Run! Everyone don't be out in the open!!" he yelled to his retainers and anyone else still hiding nearby. Booking it, he sprinted to the nearest building and ushered as many as he could in through the door before watching the darkness roll toward them.

Slamming the door he and a few others barricaded it to keep it closed. Whatever the hell that was, he didnt see a way to defeat it. How could you, it was pure shadow that ate light itself. He hung his head low, wincing hearing the screams and dying wails of the poor unfortunate souls trapped in that murderous darkness. ☵

[Reima]

A chill swept through Bellmari at the sudden absence of activity. Around her the creatures faltered and turned, heading off in scattered masses as if called back to the pits. The groan from the man beside her brought the Rathari back to her senses, and she struggled beneath the weight of the large man once more as they made their way slowly toward the tavern. Really what was she doing... She wasn't made for this, she just wasn't. The argument had played over and over again in her mind, but still time and time again she found herself leaving the relative safety to find others in need. This was EXACTLY the kind of thing she avoided.

A twinge of pain crawled up her spine, and with a sign Bell, having deposited the man against the back wall, turned to head from the tavern once more. Just as she crossed the threshold though her ears were laid flat from the sudden runs of sounds all around her. The hairs on her smooth tail stood up even as her body faded to match the colors of the wood behind her. It was something primal in her that made her crouch low, frozen with ears laid flat as the pitch of the whispers rose higher and higher and higher. When she thought she could not stand it anymore a word was spoken that that reverberated through her entire being.

Run.

She practically leaped from a crouched position, making her way south from the tavern, away from the burning red eyes and the hatred that pulsed through the very air. A sudden press of bodies, however, halted her progress, and she scrabbled at the paneling of the taverns even as she was forced back inside of the building by the very same hands she had tried to save. Nearly she was thrown off her feet and the door slammed as Rien slammed his fist into the wall, his own feelings seeming to match that of others in the tavern around them.

Now she was inside, the once warm glow of her temporary home now suddenly felt an oppressive thing. The bodies of the people around her felt to close like she was trapped in a cage of flesh and misunderstood kindness from which she could not escape. A hand on her shoulder made Bell flinch as she looked back over her shoulder into the eyes of an older man she had helped before, in them she saw fear and uncertainty, but a forced calmness born of age and wisdom. The hand seemed to be in place to reassure her, but Bell could not feel it at all.

"Rien." Bell called, pulling away from the hand and climbing onto one of the large tables, her tail swishing in aggravation as she struggled to find the proprietor among the mass of blurred and indistinguishable bodies, "Rein, where are you?"

Something was wrong, she was sure of it. A creature of black smoke and whispers would not be stopped by walls and doors. This wouldn't work, it couldn't work. Should she run? Abandon this place? These people? She could hide, she could go places the slow and clumsy humans couldn't. Surely if she really tried she...

Her thoughts were shoved down by force as she crouched on top of the table, ears pointed toward the door and the screams outside. Still, she searched for Rien in the press, hoping that he would know better than her what to do.