Shores of Despare (part 7)

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

Zarae was so focused on the runes of the door, she was oblivious to the arrival of a new person, tho her subconcious mind had an inkling of it, as she was on edge more as she worked. she whiped her brow a few times, even discretly paused to take a deep breath, before continuing.

[Adian Novar]

Adian contemplated attacking one of the remaining deathknights, but realized the foolishness of it when Veraka's lightning blast exploded the thing into fragments. Better to let the storm play itself out at this point.

Besides: he had taken on a [i:1ncasso6]Deathknight![/i:1ncasso6] One of the more formidable undead. That was an accomplishment in and of itself.

[CinderSuru]

" Grandmother " Cinder said rather erritated. " do you think perhaphs you could have chosen a better time to unearth your news. " Cinder looked down at Adain as he swung his mighty blade in a graceful dance of death throw the unfortunate deathknight. " You'll need this potion " she handed the small vile to her grandaughter. " I just thought you might like to know what is going on with your body " Suru rolled her eyes. " Now will you be coming back with me? I would advise it for odvious reasons " She said sitting down cross legged beside Cinderanna.
Cinder snapped her head around glaring at her grandmother with a blank look.
" I will not leave Adain " she almost shouted but rembered she was in the mist of a battle and and it would not be a good idea to hand them her position on a silver plater, ivading them was a challange enough. She hated not being able to be of much help to her friends all thow they seemed to have things ion hand. She looked back at Adain he seemed to be taking a pause.
Cinder considered what her grandmother asked, she did not want to complicate things for the quest.
" Adain Grandmother is here " she wispered into his thoughts.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

Ready to give up, mind so clouded, she did something that was still odd to her- she prayed to the Lady for wisdom. Zarae was no priestess, but it couldnt hurt right? a small pulse of warming light filled her deep within, as if her prayer had been answered. renewed strength she continued. presistance paid off and the last of the wards were nearly done. at a last resort the rogue activated her house insignia and a dispelling effect finish the last of the ward. the door went dark with nullified energies. elation at victory added to the warmth. she leaned against the door and slid down to the floor. her eyes were very orangish now. of course few had seen such a hue for her eyes and thus not many would know. and she didnt know whether to be thankful for that or not.
Zarae took a moment to close her eyes and send thanks to the Dark Maiden.

[CinderSuru]

Cinder felt her strength coming back to her the potion had restord her and then some.
She jumped down to jion Adain wondering if this was realy the time and place to give him the news.
Suru jioned her granddaughter beside Adain with a rised eyebrow she glared at him.
" I have a crystal i found in a collection i have. In studying the book i borrowed, there seems to be a very nasty presents here, as i am sure you not unaware. This will confuse the main force behind your oppositions here " she explained placing it in Adains hand. " Hold it tightly, connect your mind to it, absorb it's intence energy, Cinder can help protect your own mind from it's disturbing effects, focus it toward the entity it will help you find it. " She looked toward the Solor and in clined her head respectfully " Bewell Cinderanna I will return soon when you and he have decided about your situation, the potion will keep you and what is in your care safe and strong " she disappeared in a swirl of blue lights.

[veraka]

Twisting to the left, Veraka rolled under Deathknight's greatsword as he hissed above him, where he used to be. Coming up and out of the roll, the aasimar swung his own sword around, smashing into the Deathknights armor with bone-crunching force. The armor buckled, years and years of rust finally causing the armor to cave in on itself. This allowed Veraka's sword to keep going, the blade hacking through undead bone and rotten flesh. The Deathknight collapsed in on itself, but not before launching one last desperate assault against the paladin in an attempt to take his life. The deadly two-handed sword came in, necromantic energy covering its blade.
Veraka brought Marala Vharc up and into the heavy blow, his arm shaking from the initial shock of impact.
"Bad move," the aasimar growled, gripping Marala Vharc with two hands, and sending holy energy into its blade; "To the Heavens I give, to the Hells I send!" Veraka roared out, using Marala Vharc to bring down a [i:10bxkg8l]Holy Smite[/i:10bxkg8l] upon the Deathknight. Marala Vharc, glowing with holy energy, cleaved through whatever remained of the Deathknight, cutting through armor and bone with little effort.

Veraka breathed sigh of relief as the last of the Deathknights dropped, their bone skeletons blown to pieces or simply fried to no end from Veraka's lighting attack. Neriah came walking over, he hips swaying as she did, a sign that she felt both confident and relieved from the fight.
"Well done, my handsome husband; your skill with Marala Vharc is improving, as it your ability to channel your growing powers through it. . . "

"A sign that Bahamut is taking great light on him," Sanisa finished for Neriah, as she too, came strolling over to Veraka's position, her half-plate mithril armor clinging lightly as she walked. "My son must indeed have the attention of his chosen god, for very few would show such signs as to being a Divine Crusader so early in their years of training."

Neriah's eyes shot up; "what do you mean by 'Divine Crusader', Lady Sanisa?" The fey'ri sounded both worried and anxious.

Sanisa laid a reassuring hand on Neriah, calming her somewhat; "rest assured, my young fiery fey'ri, my son will not be leaving your side, nor will he be undertaking some suicidal holy quest to prove himself to the Platinum Dragon. Simply put, my son is showing early signs of becoming a Divine Crusader in Bahamut's name. Similar in many respects to a Divine Champion, a Crusader acts as a right hand for their god or goddess, becoming more and more devoted to their cause, whilst gaining many abilities that would normally be outside their realm of power. My son's demonstration of wielding the power of storms is a tell-tale sign that he is becoming one for Bahamut. In short, his role as a paladin will soon have a much more broad spectrum to do, as well as him having access to one of Bahamut's domain's for spells. In this case, it seems like my son has already known what that would be."

Neriah turned to her husband, who was staring at his mother, with a dumbfounded expression etched on his face; "I'm becoming a [b:10bxkg8l]what[/b:10bxkg8l]?!" he blurted.

Sanisa chuckled slightly; "relax, my son; you are far from becoming a full-fledged Crusader for some years. It takes years upon years of constant, intense training and much more devotion, plus a certain adherence to strict rules of your God, which includes a lack of temper among them." When the Solar said those words, she had a parental look about her, with one of her golden brows arched, and a slight smirk on her face.

Turning about, Sanisa notices that Cinder has had the most starling of revelations put on her by her grandmother; the Solar woman strolls over to the druidess, and looks her in the eye smiling.
"Cinder you have the most odd timing in the world to be given such information; not to mention I wonder what our young drow paladin will think of this?" Sanisa turns her head, silver hair trailing, gazing over at Adian, in his gleaming mail armor.
"And here I thought I'd had my number of mothers-to-be today," the celestial woman chuckles lightly to herself.

[Adian Novar]

"I don't know whether to congratulate you or feel sorry for you," Adian said to Veraka. "From what your mother says you appear to be in for a very trying time ahead. Perhaps both."

Adian looked around at Sanisia and Cinder, wondering what they were talking about. His ears were still ringing a little from the lightning bolt.

"Wait...what?" His face was that of a young man completely unaware of the bomb about to be dropped on him.

[CinderSuru]

Cinder stood beside Adain taking his hand, she watching Varake finish off the deathknights with a sigh of relief. As the Lady Sanisa aproached Cinder moved closer to Adain and inclinded her head respectfully she was allways in awe of this amazing being, she could see that the solor already knew, she Cinder was quite in shock herself about the whole thing. This was not something she had realy ever given much thought to. She knew she had to tell him sooner than later but she would have to give it some thought. Although not for long, she was sure it was not something he would want her to keep to her self long.
Nervously she looked up at Adain and smiled " The crystal grandmother gave you " she quickly changed the subject. " She has an extensive collection, she has always been interested in the magical properties of them. She tought me a few things, they are, very facinating. " She paused and look at the Solor who was looking quite entertained. " may i see it Adain " she asked now composed of herself.
She was convinced she had distracted his attention for the time being. And looked hopefull at the Solor hoping she would understand that she was not quite sure how best to break the news.

[Adian Novar]

Adian looked the rock over. It was a mostly clear crystal ringed with blue and fit easily in the palm of his hand...which meant it would probably disappear in Veraka's grip. He handed the crystal over to Cinder looked a little disoriented. The subject had been going in one direction and now it had suddenly zigzagged off in another.

"I think its got some sort of magical power," he said. "Not strong...a simple enchantment, I think. I'm not a mage, though, so..." He shrugged.

The crystal was a less an independent stone than it was a fragment of something else. One of the rules of magic was "like calls to like", and that trait had been enhanced with this particular fragment. Those sensitive to it could feel a sort of non-physical "tug" in a particular direction...deeper into the complex.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

She didnt budge for a while, tho she heard the conversations of the others, Zarae's eyes remained closed as she leaned against the door. She wondered how long before whoever started again. Tempted to ask for spell of restoration, Zarae decided against it. It might be needed later by someone else. So instead she remained still and quiet nt he heatshadows of the cavern beside the now unwarded door.
---
Lips curved into a smirk as intense orbs stared into the globe. "yes, very well. see how you like my upcoming surprises then!" she hissed in excitement and frustration. She knew the cavern they were about to enter was even more deliciously dangerous.
"its not time to rest," she started, "Here. let me help you."
power gathered with magical energies as she directed the spell thru the scry orb. her deft hands finished and the spell was cast.
----
Zarae, the weakest currently felt the effects immediately. her mind clouded with pure confusion and insanity. eyes closed she was seeing things. voices spekaing to her. in response she began speaking to them about nonsense.

((spell: insanity))

[CinderSuru]

Cinder looked up at Adain confused
Then at the crystal
" Suru gave it to you for some reason Adain, I don't think you have to be a mage just have a brain, so far as i can tell you have one of them. " She said giving him a blank look.
She handed it back to him " I believe it can help you find the source of the problem here, I can protect your mind so that you can focus without being concerned that it could find you and send back a damaging spell. That I can do with out difficulties. " She raised her brow with a penetrating stare.
" What is going on with Zarae " she asked the Solor " something is not right. "
There seemed to be so much going on at the moment she did not want to distract anyone from the tasks at hand.
Thow she found herself concerned with the new life growing inside her, she could not avoid telling Adain. He might not appreiate her silance on the isue.
She stood silently her changing mood to a overwelming concerned, his hand was still in hers,
moving his hand she placed it on her womb. she opened her mind to his and spoke " There is life Adain inside of me " she paused " my lady Suru informed me of twins. " she looked down at his hand on her stomach and waited.

[Adian Novar]

"Well, you did ask to see it," Adian said a little defensively. "So..."

The curse struck. Adian's relatively untrained mind didn't stand a chance.

He could hear laughing somewhere. He looked around for the source, but he couldn't see anyone. A moment later he realized that they were the voices of his brothers and sisters...but they were back home in the Promenade. How could he possibly be hearing them now?

Then the taunts began...taunts and hurtful reminders that struck straight to his core. Every moment of embarrassment and anger, every blow to his heart was suddenly being hurled at him with venom. Worse, the imagery of the slaughter at the small shrine to the Dark Maiden they'd come across a week ago...had it only been a week?...flashed into his head and would not go away. The taunts and accusations became worse...accusations of weakness and curses at his incompetence.

"Wait...stop...none of that is my fault..."

He put his hands to his head, trying to block out the voices. Cinders wondrous message was lost in the cacophony that raged in his mind. His sword fell to the ground with a clang and he staggered back against a wall, his eyes unseeing. Everything else was fading out...all he could see and hear were the curses of his loved one and the pleas of the victims to save them. He fell to his knees and sobbed.

"Stop...stop! I'm sorry! I...I didn't get there in time, I'm sorry! Lady help me..."

Tears flowed down his face as he struggled to keep his mind from flying apart entirely, but he was losing the battle. Every moment of pain and weakness grated across his nerves and his conscience and it wasn't going to stop...

Ever.

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

(spell, just in case: http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Insanity))

Zarae continued to murmer and mumble to unknown sources. One was the voice of her twin brother. bits of the words, "stop. its not funny," managed to be clear enough. "yeah? well you enjoyed it. hey! Its not my fault you were born male."
he became distorted and wavy as he laughed and in a poof of smoke was gone.
colors swirled around her to fill in the space.

"i told her i couldnt hear the color in here. maybe she fixed it? it was you? oh! you see that? sound! doesnt it look so prudy?" Zarae tilted her head back and began laughing and giggling like a little human girl with her friends staying up too late. the girl nudged Zarae and continued to talk. her words becoming slower and deeper as if stretched out and yanked on. the rogues fingers tingled and she again busted out laughing crazily. "Lady Erelrae said..."

soon she too saw images, hauting images. the half elven woman of auburn hair and pale skin walked up to her. Her clothing was caked in blood- her own. across her throat was the effects of a sacrificial blade that had been drawn across her. Guilt and anguish filled the young drowess who had by now stopped laughing. no sound came as Averl's lips moved. the half elven woman's demonor changed to anger and hatred.
It was something Zarae had pushed deep into her mind and hidden it so far from herself. something she had never dealt will or resolved.
Averl's fingers pointed at the girl before becoming like a painting smeared and twisted. eyes grew blacker than the darkest of drow cities.
then Zarae saw herself in third person. the room changed and it was a large chapel, an altar on one side. Averl's hand touched the altar looking at it then to Zarae. "right here you did. I remember well," came out clear though the elven woman's mouth did not move to speak. "remember how the blade felt in your hand?"
Zarae watched herself, relived that event again. her younger self tricked by her sisters and mother, added to the magical and poisonous confusion, struck out at her friend. the girl's trembling had cut the half elf's throat. Zarae then began screaming as if she was being killed by an unseen force. it echoed thru the cavern halls into a blood curtling scream.
Nilrae appeared again, boulders crashing down around him, his voice crying out for her.
Her screams, if possible, intensified.

[CinderSuru]

Cinder watched Adian slowly falling appart and could hear Zarea's screems eco throw the cave.
She looked down at the crystal in her hand trying not to panic <<>> the liquid her grandmother gave her was providing some protection against the spell as well as the crystal, she was not sure how long she could hang on she could feel the affects at the edge of her mind trying to seep in. Obsorbing some of the energy from the crystal into her mind and pushed agaist the spell she could only manage to keep it at bay.
Suddenly Adain fell to his knees in tears of agony before her, she crouched down infront of him and threw her arms around him holding him up ... swiftly she jion her mind to his pushing desperatly at the spell she called out to the Eilistraee for inervention, she could feel a calm light emerce them. The violet lights that surrounds Adain started moving violently around them. Still she could hear Zarae's screems she tried to reach out her mind as well but all she could do was barley keep Adain's mind from falling apart. All she could do was hope that the Solor could reach her in time.
She and Adain were both on their knees face to face, Cinder's arms reach around him she dropped her head on his chest maintaining a grip on his mind with all that she could muster tears falling down her checks. She could not bare to see him suffer feeling his agony as if it were in her own chest. Cinder continued her desperate prayer of help for her friends.

((( i love your new picture Zarae it is so you )))

[Adian Novar]

At Cinder's touch the sea of nightmares seemed to retreat partially. Tears still poured from his eyes but the violet orbs seemed to begin to focus again. He was trembling violently but at least he wasn't acting out for the moment.

"Mother...mother help me," he said over and over, staring at Cinder but not seeing her. "I can't make it stop...I can't..."

Suddenly his eyes widened and he let lose a scream akin to Zarae's. He recoiled from Cinder, shoving her back and staggering to his feet. His eyes landed on Veraka first.

"YOU KILLED THEM!" he shouted. "YOU DID THIS!"

Weaponless, Adian hurled himself at the bigger paladin. His gauntleted hands seeking the huge man's throat. Adian was stronger than he looked, and he may have had the element of surprise. The two warriors collided with a crash of armor against armor as Adian tried to throttle the aasimar.