The Vale of Shadow (Part 5)

[Zekafae]

Thinking for a moment watching them as he kept Inrii up and helped her out he looked at Aurora" Think we should get our friends in here to help and assault the stronghold with us? Afterall she's been a problem for them as well." Though her personally would have preferred their lich friend to join and -even- out the playing field. He knew that alya wouldn't play fair, then again neither did he. He's -try- to bring her back alive, though the condition of which would be less than favorable. Hearing he he motioned down the hall" That way through some fun little ambushes.. so, whatever way." Seeing how Neriah walked he shook his head clearly displeased, it would only lead to him letting alya feel how ruthless a drow could be.

[veraka]

((Sorry I guess I just didn't leave any for the rest of you ))

Whatever Aurora had said to the fey'ri had hit home hard, and Veraka had not gone without noting it. Her walk was paced, but fragile, her head dropped in a hang. He wanted to forgive her, but couldn't bring himself to do so, his anger toward her was so great.
So he continued onward, trudging toward the location that Inrii had marked.

Neriah may have been saddened and confused, but her senses were still sharp as ever, as out of the corner of her eye she caught a small glint of something near Veraka's boot.
"STOP!" she said in a near crazed, low tone voice.
The aasimar surprisingly halted, his boot no less than a couple of inches from the trigger line.

Veraka looked down at his feet as Neriah squatted and started to undo the trap; simple trip-wire trap, but it had some lethal results waiting to be released.

Veraka looked up to the ceiling, and noticed more than a few vials full of orange, green and near black liquids. He could only guess as to what lethality was contained in the those vials.

"Done," Neriah said in a calm voice, as she stood up. The aasimar looked her in squarely in the eye, and nodded, his face still staying in its cold, emotionless expression; though, deep down, he was grateful for the shout-out, but he still refused to let down his guard or anything else that might be revealing of his emotions at the moment. So he kept his anger at the forefront of his mind and continued onward.

[Zekafae]

Zek noticed the traps and grinned maliciously as he moved from inrii for the moment to climb up quickly to where the containers were and grabbed them. Coming back down to the floor he began tinkering with the triggers on them and putting fuses to each of them and combing the fuses into one long one. Tieing them all together he nodded to himself. Looking to inrii." We're going to start this off with a bang." veraka by now probably knew what he was planning.

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

Inrii watched as Neriah set bout disarming the traps. she might have been helping him now, but it could still be a set up. she would still keep a close eye out on her.
Inrii maintained her balance as the ranger made his way up to the trap's other half. she smirked with his comment, tho the unspoke words between the males, she guessed it was from that time they had been looking for her. she shrugged and stayed in place till ready to head out just watching what he was up to. a slightly quizzical look yet just as mischievous as his. of course, had the warrior been in a better mood he might would have also.
Inrii really wished she had her spells to join in. oh the fun she would have right now.

[Zekafae]

Looking to her he just gave a slight smile as he walked on ahead checking the door for traps and began the process of picking the lock. When the final click was heard he stepped back and motioned." After you." He moved back to her side and would help her walk on.

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

((allright, the next couple day i'll be less active as i am moving...but i will try to post when i can.))

Inrii moved twords the now unlocked door, Neriah kept in front still. outside it was bright as the noon sun shown down and reflected off the white blanket covering the ground. the area around the cave was different. and the dungeon looked like an ordinary house built into a cave.
before them was an empty encampment. a few spots of camp fires and piles of wood were about all that remained. further down the valley narrowed into a pass leading into another valley. the area Inrii guess Alya was. Inrii shielded her eyes with her piwafwi hood by pulling it over her head. her eyes scanned the area, but few sounds were heard, much less any signs of life.
"well, no one to great us. i might be rather dissappointed now."

[veraka]

Neriah watched Zek pick the vials of what looked to be alchemists fire and acid bombs off of the trap. When he was finished, Veraka pressed on, with her trailing his lead.

Watching where they came to, Veraka looked around his aasimar senses going haywire; something was off. He sensed another infernal being; and it wasn't the fey'ri standing off and a little behind him, no something else was here and it was strong, to say the least.

Drawing his sword, and equipping his shield on his arm, Veraka looked to Zek and spoke "Do you feel that? Something else fiendish is here, and I don't mean [b:31ynic6t]her[/b:31ynic6t]," he indicated Neriah with a slight hint contempt in his voice.

Aurora looked sadly at Veraka; [i:31ynic6t]How long must he be angry with her?[/i:31ynic6t] The question was directed strictly toward Zek and Inrii.

[Zekafae]

Watching silently he removed his bow and notched an arrow. As soon as he was clear of the door he spoke" your disappointment is soon to disappear." Nodding to Veraka." Naturally." He fired an arrow off to the left, then the right and finally notched two arrows and fired them down the center letting them spread out. He'd listen." If anything, this is an illusion... Watch yourselves, she and any help she has could be anywheres."

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

((half way to our destination. tho not looking forward to nashville traffic in the morning!))

Inrii was bout to pull Shadowblade from its decretive sleve, but moving to do so hurt. so she settled on her wrist crossbow, serpets sting. besides, it had two bolt options, poison or fire.
she carefully loaded a bolt into the chamber and readied the weapon. the drowess let the guys, at least the meat shild(s) be in front as she was still weak. but she would fight.
"till she's of no use?" she spoke back to Aurora. Inrii didnt care how it sounded. and she didnt hide her thoughts of the fey'ri.
Inrii listened and waited as the shots went out.
still nothing.
but soon she sensed it too. something powerful around.
the sorceress indicated thru the pass twords the other valley. that was were she knew Alya was.
(assuming he still is) Zek walked with Inrii, his help made her movement quicker, tho little would ease the pain for a while. she would just have to tuff it out. she had before. she paused a few times then continued, determination and revenge driving her.
the empty camp soon was filled with a foggy covering. the brightness of the sun quickly dampened by the darkening clouds. a storm was brewing and the crash of thunder nearby comfired it. the snow, tho not as think was enough to be a pain to anyone (metephorically). sleet and hail fell and the flashes grew brighter.

[veraka]

((My turn ))

Aurora looked at Inrii and shook huge furry head; [i:292mcg6c]If only you or I could understand what he sees in her, perhaps then both your vengeful hatred and my anger and curiosity would be satiated and answered.[/i:292mcg6c]

Veraka felt the presence of the approaching storm, but he still felt that infernal presence within the vicinity.
Seeing that he'd need every advantage that he could muster, the aasimar raised Marala Vharc to the lighting-filled sky and chanted something in what seemed to be the language of Celestia.

At once the sky lit up, as bolt after bolt of super-charged lighting arced across the dark clouds. As Veraka finished chanting, a huge bolt arced down straight towards his sword, and exploded as it hit the tip of his weapon. Another super-charged electrical volley shot down and touched the swords tip, then vanished. Again and again, lighting bolts strafed the sky and arced down towards the aasimar's raised sword, exploding in a dazzling display of super-charged particles.

For ten seconds did this continue, much to Neriah's horror-struck face and Aurora's grinning smile. When the last bolt struck Marala Vharc and exploded, the aasimar lowered his weapon, which had now taken on a bluish-white hue to it that glowed and radiated the raw power that was held within, the pent up rage and fury of a super-storm contained within the blade itself.
Veraka locked eyes with Zek and Inrii, saying "Alright, I'm ready; and ranger, I have a couple of cards to add to your already 'booming' entrance idea. Shall we?"

[Zekafae]

Looking to her he continued on walking with her and said nothing. Looking to the storm he shook his head slightly" Perfect weather for dragon hunting.." He mused." All we need now is a marsh, and a cavern, and it'll feel like old times..." Watchign Veraka's display for a moment before closing his eyes, damned light.. when it was more quiet he opened them letting his eyes adjust once more. Nodding to the question" Booming entrance, explosive entrance, close enough. Lets go then."

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

((sorry yall. still not unpacked, but got a router or such got stuff hooked up. basically i got some internet to work.))

((inrii has a slight character flaw-vindictive...so she repays wrongs. just to let ya know; it hard for her to let things go. thats what got her assulted and such few yrs ago.))

"I could tell you," Inrii said back to the wolf, "and a little less with character."
her piwafwi, tho waterproof and a windbreaker, stuck to her as the frozen water fell. the stuff was annoying, and the constanct clink off the metal armor of the warrior adding to it.
with Veraka's show and stuff, Inrii had to close her eyes at the brightness of the light, turning her head slightly into the supporting arm before she realized she had. then when it was done turned back, blinking her sensitive drow eyes to readjust. she grumbled to herself at the, 'we're here' appraoch.
stealth was her preference.

they made way across the empty valley. Inrii careful to scan and search for heatsignatures, traps or even things slightly off. still nothing.
a carved stairway lead up thru the narrow pass, the sides of the mountain carved with rather crude figures of those before the drow occupation. many of exploits, some of random stories.
the top step had a long walkway and a curve before leading down.
(a pause? or something?)
the second valley was also darkened, and the hail and sleet still falling. ahead was several temperary 'buildings'. small yet of good quality. in the midst was a larger building of black stone. the constructor had spent precious time to detail it and make it worth the deities apporval. the enterance was grand, and a small hammered metallic half mask addorned each wooden door. the handles of carved invory and shaped to fit a drows taste.
the sorceress eyes narrowed, anger causing them to flare bright. her hand gripping Serpets Sting more. before too much longer she'd be pulling out Dancing Shiv and driving into Alya's trachea. (assuming she would be able to.)

[veraka]

[i:1g1mh71h]Perhaps later, although I do prefer to know as much about my enemies as my allies, so I think I take you up on that offer, despite what I may find out,[/i:1g1mh71h] the wolf replied, loving the cold, but not the wetness that accompanied it.

Veraka moved along, keeping the pace as he was still on point, his silver-glowing eyes scanning the surrounding areas. He knew that albino bitch was here, just a matter of finding her. If Zek and Inrii could truly know Veraka's seething rage, his desire to grip Alya by the throat and squeeze until even her precious Masked Lord couldn't save her, they'd then understand why Aurora was so concerned about him.

[Inriiaynrae Jaelre]

with Neriah and Veraka in front, they would activate the first area. waves of pure evil energy hit. Sudden pain and fever swept over the fey'ri's body (if she is still in front). she of arcane ability tho did not guess the spells effects right away. and any [i:335mscpy]heal [/i:335mscpy]attempts would not work.
the sudden reaction in the she demon caused Inrii to pause. serpet's sting came up in preperation.
[i:335mscpy]click[/i:335mscpy]
her crossbow released into the sudden appearance of what looked like a 4½ feet (high at the shoulder) 120 lbs doberman (dog). yet it was a big, powerfully built dog with short, rust-red fur; its markings, teeth, and tongue were sooty black. and red, glowing eyes glared at them from behind.
the bolt did nothing, yet seamed to pass thru the beast as it picked up speed twords them.
Inrii with her true seeing noticed the oddness of the charging beast.

[veraka]

Veraka noted Neriah's reaction as the fey'ri twisted and writhed as she felt pure darkness sweep over her. The aasimar instantly felt weakened and near powerless as the negative waves assaulted his senses and left him weakened.

It was however, what he felt gnawing within the depths of his soul that brought a face of fear to the surface; the berserker was clawing at the surface of his mental barrier. It wanted that negative energy, the yearn to grow stronger, more powerful, even if it was temporary; that feeling overwhelmed Veraka like a tsunami wave. The raging beast inside him clawed at him, it wanted to feed on that energy, to feast on it.
Veraka roared out as the berserker came out, crimson-eyes blazing.


Aurora saw what was happening to Veraka and Neriah; but then became immediately aware of the other canine in the vicinity. Growling through barred teeth, the winter wolf let loose a blast of icy breath at the feral animal.