For the King (fantasy rp)

Leon grinned and looked at each member of the group. Everyone seemed to be okay with where they were and none of them frightened for any reason. He raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"You know, I have an idea", he whispered.

"Whoever gets the least kills buys the booze, eh?"

 

Nateia stood next to Drake, her steady silence slowly coming to an end. She bit her lip, she had once again let the fear take over. She had to be strong to survive. Her hand gently touched the hilt of her sword as she looked up at him with a laugh.

“Yeah… wouldn’t want to clean this place up.” She muttered. She moved closer to him, her hand grabbing the back of his shirt. Her hands still gently shook, she was in over her head.

She held on tightly to the hilt of her sword with her other hand, ready if she really needed to be. She gave Drake a quick smile, thankful she had met him and his beautiful eyes.

"How does someone as intimidating as you, grow such a wonderful, kind personality?" she asked.

 

Drake smiled as Natiea moved closer to him. He felt better with her at his side, it would be easier for him to protect her there. "I blame my mother." He said jokingly and serius at the same time. Looking down at Nateia who looked horrified. He smiled reasuringly and wrapped his free arm around her shoulder. "Just stay close and you'll be fine." He promised, and looked over at Leon. "Nonsence, after today we'll be hero's of the kingdom, and we'll probably be eating and drinking for free anywhere in the kingdom." He said and imagined the free beer and food. He would have to show Nateia how people drank where he came from, he thought and then changed his mind when he remembered her the last time she got drunk.

 

Nateia shook her head at the idea, but bit her lip and said nothing.

“Mother huh?” she said with a smile, looking up, “She—“

She stopped as her eyes caught a glimpse as something appeared just feet in front of her. She stopped her movement, letting go of Drake as the figure of her husband came to view. Her mouth dropped open and her fingers caressed her ring.

“Nuddie?” He asked, that beautiful smile on his face, “My beautiful princess.” His face gleamed, just like it did every time they had been reunited, when he had come back from war. She let out a scream of glee, her hands shaking from the shock.

“Adrian?” she said as she glided towards him. He seemed to run away, as if it were a playful game.

“Freja, She ran over here, we must find her.” His voice filled her ears, as he looked back with a playful grin. She giggled and ran ahead after him.

 

Drake didn't try and stop her from going after her husband, he had recognized him from the picture, but he did stay right beside her. Following, protecting so that what ever demon was doing this showed it's self then he would be ready. He knew she wouldn't listen to him, now, not with her husband before her, his body alive once again.

 

As Drake and Nateia both saw the apparition of Nateia's past and ran off Leon reached out a hand in a attempt to grab the brute.

"No, wait!", he called out.

But it was in vain as the two ran off around a corner deeper into the shadows. Leon turned to Rune quickly, about to tell him to follow but merely shook his head and cursed.

"Damnit! That idiot, why didn't he hold her back or something?"

Leon looked towards Rae. "We should follow them. We shouldn't split up like that."

 

"Let's go then. I can smell something around....but I can't place it."

At first he hadn't thought it to be nothing, but not he was suspecting it could have to do with the way Drake and Nateia had run off like that. "Get on my back, I can run faster."

 

Ketka lifted her head as she saw the movement once again. Nearby, there was a figure his hair flowing in an invisible breeze. He looked majestic his eyes blazing green flame.

“Father?” Ketka whispered clutching her hand to her chest. It couldn’t be right her father had died in her arms. What if it was mere sorcery he could still be here. Had the King of Vox followed Ketka all this way. Ketka commanded the thunder cat forwards it let out an earth rumbling yowl of refusal. Ketka yanked at his reigns and still he would not budge.

“Cursed beast,” she muttered swinging down from the mount. She hurried towards her father her eyes locked on his.

“Travelling with humans Ketka? You are wise to uphold relationships with them. It is your duty as the princess of Vox.” he seemed to step backwards Yet Ketka had not seen his feet move.

“Wait father,” she called out stepping towards him as he moved. Behind her she was all but aware of Spere treading the earth behind her.

 

Senora cursed under her breath. She had just seen half of her party flee down separate tunnels within the cave that they were in-apparently in pursuit of people they seemed familiar with. “Where in the nine hells did Ramonis find these people?” Senora spat out as she dismounted her steed. The normally level-headed and compassionate priestess was starting to lose her patience. She pulled her mace out and begrudgingly began to follow in the direction of Leon while directing her next comments over her shoulder to Rae.

“I mean really! What kind of “hero” is in the middle of a dungeon and just prances off after some loved one that appears??? I can’t be expected to keep people alive when they’re acting so foolishly!” Even speaking with a temper, her voice was pleasant and melodic. “Going to get me killed, I tell you….” The chime of her voice was cut off as the dark cavern was suddenly bathed in a warm, nurturing light. She flinched into a defensive stance and whipped around to face the tunnel that the light was radiating from.

Tears instantly sprang to her eyes. The light washing over them was radiating from the most glorious woman, she was sure, that any of her companions had ever seen. She wore a white flowing gown that gathered on her shoulders and was trimmed in gold. The woman’s blonde hair flowed brilliantly around her, the locks twisting down her sides and blending in with the brilliant light. Her eyes were a brilliant green and when she gazed upon you, it felt as though she could see into your very soul.

“Kaelin’Dar,” Senora muttered. Her deity smiled at the mention of her name, the simple act inspired such beauty that it was almost impossible to look upon her.

“Ever faithful daughter of light and love; I told you I would always be with you in your times of need.” When Kaelin’Dar spoke it was as if the brilliance of the light radiating from her was rivaled by the sheer musical beauty of her voice. Senora took a few steps into the tunnel before dropping her mace to her side and falling on her knees before her goddess. She lifted her face, the hood of her cloak falling absently behind her revealing a red-headed, elven version of her deity.

Something in the back of Senora’s consciousness knew that something wasn’t right, but in that moment, the cavern, her companions, all were forgotten. Kaelin’Dar was here. Nothing else mattered. She was safe. As always, she would do the will of her Deity. She was content for the moment, to bask in her glory.

 

Leon had leaped onto Rune and rode hastily with Haskeen, Senora, Shao'Tio and Rae to find Drake, Ketka and Nateia who had run off absent-minded, consumed in the illusions of the people of their past.

“Where in the nine hells did Ramonis find these people?” Senora spat out as she dismounted her steed.

Leon couldn't help but laugh slightly at those words and the irony in them. He knew he wasn't picked for this journey, but rather it was a promise he had to fulfill to that of a dying man who was.

Leon continued to listen to Senora speak until she suddenly gasped and stopped speaking. A the sound of something dropping followed and Leon raised an eyebrow. He turned around to see what the problem was and stood shocked as he looked upon seemingly the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She almost looked like an angel to Leon, though there was something peculiar about an angel in a dungeon like this.

He looked at Senora, who had fallen to her knees in awe. This woman must be important to Senora like Ketka and Nateia saw their families. Something was awfully wrong here and he didn't need Rune's noise to smell it.

"Senora....Senora....", he tried calling to her.

No use. Senora appeared to be in a trance of sorts as her hood fell back and revealed her long hidden face, beautiful in it's features just like the woman before her was. Leon was too frightened to snap her out of it, not wanting to risk what would happen if he tried. Instead he got off Rune and looked around in the penumbra.

"I have an idea", he said.

"These Shadows seem to be taking us one by one because we get distracted by them. If we don't see them then maybe we can try and avoid them"

Leon looked at Rune who was giving him a look of understanding.

"You obviously know what I mean right? We'll use your nose to guide us through the darkness and find the others and we'll hold on to you. All we have to do is ignore the voices and we'll be fine".

Leon looked back at Senora and sighed. He didn't want to leave her here, but he knew he had no choice.

"Sound good?"

 

Haskeen watched the fun quietly, he knew he could not force people to resist that which they desired. He only mentally prepared himself for what came next, and for him that was the truest feeling that resided in the depths of his soul, greed.

"Haskeen, you've made it!" shouted a voice happily, his southern accent thick and undeniable.

He turned, looking for whatever it had been. His eyes fell upon a man in lordly robes, a smile on his fat face and his arms outstretched in an embracing manner. "Who are you?"

"Why, dear boy, I am your master, you and I have never met, but I have followed you as you served me loyally. Now it is my turn to be loyal, I wish you to marry my daughter, to be my son, to inherit my wealth."

"What, that can't be true, I am a peasant, nothing more-"

"No no no, you are much more, you are a warrior, and you will take good care of Mulesk. And shall my fortune take good care of you?"

Haskeen shook his head, "No, your a hallucination, I will not fall for your tricks shadow."

"I know not of which you speak, only do I know the disappointment I feel now. You would turn down my fortune, my beautiful daughter? She'll do anything you want, a loyal wife, get you beer, make you food, **** your brains out."

"This is impossible, what could you be doing here, in the middle of the ruined Dragon City?" But Haskeen was no longer there, as he looked around the walls shifted, no longer ancient rocks but sandstone, rugs hung from them as did they lay upon the ground. His companions were no longer with him, no, in their place stood beautiful women and noblemen. The rooms, the ruined shadow of a dead person's life, all replaced by finery.

"Come Haskeen, I wish you to see your treasury. Do not dilly dally, as those in the north say, for your type are a numerous breed, and if you will not appreciate your good fortune someone else shall."

Haskeen looked around, he touched the walls, no longer wet, but warm and dry. He touched a table, not cold and lifeless, but smooth. "This is . . . some sort of illusion . . . it must be." He fought himself inside, trying to see with clarity, but how could he in his home, hearing the words he always wanted to hear? "I . . . I cannot refuse you master."

"Good!" he said throwing his arms up. "Come then, Haskeen, come and enjoy that which is yours."

"But it is not mine," said Haskeen, stopping, "It is not mine until I am of nobility and you are dead. Have you forgotten your own customs so quickly?"

The man nervously replied, "Of course not, I merely wanted you to get used to the idea-"

"No king would make that mistake, not after Huntbrood."

"Who . . .?" he laughed cautiously.

Haskeen looked at him strangely, and then squeezed his fist, remembering he was holding something. He looked down at the amulet and suddenly all made sense. Dropping the trinket he lunged forward, piercing the man's chest. From the wound poured darkness, emptying the shell of the man like a balloon until nothing remained, a hiss screeching the entire time. The room and its inhabitance returned to their real form, and all was well.

 

Drake followed Nateia until he heard their laughter. He stopped and looked to his side no longer watching Nateia. They were both standing there, the twins, his darling children. "Hey, Daddy." She called out to him, "Hi pops." He said. "Come with us." They beconed.

"What are you doing here?" He asked but they where already walking away, he followed them and they picked up their pace. "Get back here!" He called. "It's dangerus here."

 

Leon commenced his brilliant scheme and closed his eyes. He wasn't sure if the others did so as well but he heard Haskeen speaking to someone other than the main group and figured that perhaps he had fallen for the same illusions the others were experiencing.

This was madness. What kind of demon could possibly have the power to dwell on the thoughts of someone else and have them succumb to it? It was somewhat terrifying to think how many people may have lost themselves to a lie like this. Not only that, but if the others are seeing people who are close to them and are so precious to them to lure them deeper into the hallucination, what kind of person would Leon see if he opened his eyes? Who's voice will he hear if he listened closely?

He didn't want to think about it. He didn't want to give that opening to himself or the others. It wasn't because he would show weakness, but because the person he wished not to see was the very existence of the thing he feared most. That same fear gave him his scars, cursing him wherever he went and causing him agonizing pain through many nights. It kept him awake, it starved him, it stalked him until Leon would break down and let it consume him.

The only thing keeping Leon sane was his "gift". It was at the moment of death that a small and innocent Fox saved him, it's own soul combusting in flames as it's mystical power breathed life into his lungs, the flame of Fox Fire. He was given another chance at life, but instead of undoing his wrongs he fled like a coward, too ashamed of himself to even bare the name of his family. The fear followed his guilt and ever since it's lingered in the air like a mist, though not visible, was as clear as day to him.

Leon heard the others speak, but was completely caught off guard when he heard the voice of someone else. He froze for an instant, the fear seeping over his shoulder.

No. He needed to ignore it as much as possible, at least until they finished the job.

"But you aren't supposed to even be here", he heard the voice say.

What? Could these things read minds too? Leon tried to supress his thoughts and focus on the mission as he walked forward, not realizing he no longer held on to Rune and walked aimlessly in the darkness.

"You're no hero, Arc. You abandoned the only person who thought you were".

Keep talking dirtbag Leon thought as he tried not to identify who the voice was. No matter how long it would take, Leon absolutely could not remember. He refused to. If even the slightest memory of that day took shape from one of those Shadows then he would not only be putting himself in danger but the others as well. He didn't want to hurt them, he realized.

"You don't care about them. You didn't even care about Lamont when you watched him die", the voice spoke furiously in his ear.

That's when Leon realized something else. The voice was taking the form of someone he knew, his brother, but not the brother he suspected.

He breathed in deeply. There was no way of fighting it anymore. He only hoped that he could keep what memories he had left from surfacing.

"Hey guys", Leon called out.

"If you can hear me, just keep going alright? Keep going forward and don't stop. I'll catch up to you one way or another, dead maybe. Just don't stick around me or you'll die too".

Leon sighed and slowly opened his eyes as he looked upon Lucius, his oldest brother, the one who went missing all those years ago after he joined the military. The one who had followed him for the past 8 years relentlessly and haunted his dreams to reminded him of his cowardice that night in the rain.

The one who became the Manticore that killed his other brother....

 

Nateia couldn’t see much in the darkness, she was led onward only the sound of her beloved’s voice egging her on. Suddenly it came to a halt, and she stopped suddenly, her heart pounding.

“Adrian, what happened?” she asked, but her voice only echoed. She held onto the side of a wall, as she felt her body weaken. Memories began to fly through her mind. The day she met him, that smile on his face, and his gorgeous blue eyes. The day he got on his knee and asked her to marry him. The day she found out she was pregnant. The day she saw her beautiful Freja for the first time, and that gorgeous blond hair. The day he left, and never came back. That soldier that gave her the news.

Her eyes snapped open as she crawled to the side. The memories suddenly stopped as the tears came to her eyes.

“How can you be here Adrian?” she said through the torrent of tears, “How are you alive? Your body was burned! Yo-you didn’t make it!”

“Our love made it… yet you’re losing sight of that love!” he yelled back, his voice very close to her ear. She broke into a violent sob, as she put her head to her knees. She held on tightly.

“But I love you still! I wear the ring.”

“You wear that ring, but you look at the other men!” he yelled. More memories flew by. The first time she was taught to use a sword, it hadn’t lasted long. Adrian had a temper, she remembered that. The first time he hit her after she helped fix the wound of another man.

“I can do that! You left me! You left me alone.”

“So, you’re just going to move on?” He yelled. She could feel herself tire as she looked up at his face, just inches from her.

“Yes, I can move on.” Her hand went to his face, but quickly recoiled, “But I’ll never stop loving you.”

 

Rae knew it would happen to each of them eventually. One by one, they would be tempted. The Shadow people would attempt to take them into the dark places and devour their memories. As long as the heroes refused to give into the spell, they would be fine. The things could do no real physical damage. Yet, such had been the last thoughts of many travelers who had dared brave the forsaken halls underneath the city.

Even knowing it was all fake, knowing that giving in would mean not only his death, but the death of the heroes and of all the people of Galbadan, Rae was still taken aback when he looked around and saw the Underworks as they were meant to be seen. All around him, the previously cracked and broken walls and floors seemed to have been made whole. Torches lined the walkways in every direction. Rae even swore he could hear the commotion of large groups of people above him in the Emerald Tower.

"Rae'Non! What are you doing down here? It is your wedding day! You mustn't be late." The voice was sweet and melodic, like wind chimes...no, more like the wind itself.

Rae turned and smiled at the most beautiful woman he had ever seen...because she was like him. Hey hair was long and white, almost as white as her skin. She had smooth, graceful yet proud features, and her eyes were a brilliant red. "Um...haha...I'm sorry but do I know you?"

She laughed and put her hands on her hips in a way that somehow seemed familiar to Rae. "Don't be silly! I'm your mother Rae'Non."

Rae inhaled sharply. No...this couldn't be real. Yet...it was so tangible. There was no denying that the woman was there. She was his mother...and he was to be married soon after all. He couldn't be late. His bride probably wouldn't be happy if she knew he had been dawdling in the Underworks instead of waiting at the Alter.

"Of course...Im sorry, I was having the strangest dream. I thought I was hero, like in the stories. We should probably get going then. No sense in being late to my own wedding!"

"That's right my little one. Follow me...I will show you the way," chimed her voice.

"Don't do it Rae," came another voice from behind him. He knew it from somewhere, but he couldn't quite seem to remember from where. He turned to look back, but his mother called to him again.

"Don't dawdle! We can't keep everyone waiting! They all showed up to see you married!"

Rae seemed to forget about the other voice and smiled to his mother as he began to follow her again.

"Rae'Non. Do not follow that...that THING. That is not your mother. It is an abomination."

This time, Rae managed to turn and lay his eyes on the one commanding him not to go. He knew who it was not. It was the man from his dream, the he had after being poisoned back in the Aranach Wood.

"But...but I am to be married," Rae'Non said, somewhat confused as the memory of the man slipped away.

"Rae...look at me Rae. Please, you must not be blinded by this. To much rests on you and your companions. Come to me Rae," the man said, no longer commanding, but begging.

"Rae darling, what are you waiting for? We must hurry!" came his mother's voice.

"Just one moment mother. I must talk to this man."

"Yes Rae," said the man. "Come towards me and I will take you out of this. Your companions need you."

"What man Rae'Non? There is no-"

"Silence!" shouted the man, and Rae's mothers stepped back. "Now...Rae, take the sword at your side."

Rae looked down to the sword hanging at his hip. He seemed shocked to realize that it was there, as if he had forgotten.

"NO!" shrieked his mother as she charged towards Rae, her arms becoming long liquid tendrils of shadow.

"RAE DRAW THE BLADE NOW! CALL OUT MY NAME RAE! DO IT NOW!" shouted the man

Just as the creature that had once seemed to be his mother wrapped its tentacles around him, he whipped the blade out of its sheath and shouted out the name. "KAELOS!"

All lights seemed to grow dim in the presence of the light that exploded forth from the blade. The shock wave shook the very foundations of the place. The Shadow Person was engulfed by the light. Then it simply ceased to exist. Rae found himself back in the Underworks as he knew them to be. The man was nowhere to be seen, but Rae's sword still shone with the brilliant light that seemed to banish the shadows. Remembering that his companions were in danger, Rae ran through the corridors to save them.

 

Senora was filled with joy as she knelt in the warm light of her deity. It had been a long time, but this wasn’t the first time Kaelin’Dar had appeared to her under unusual circumstances. Each time was a treasured gift as she was always filled with the pure love and light that always accompanied her goddess. Reflecting on her past experiences with Kaelin’Dar allowed a shred of sanity through the alluring hold the masquerading demon held over her.

She realized as her heart beat hard in her chest that the elation she was feeling within herself was indeed stemming from her own emotions and not those emanating from her goddess. She sensed that something wasn’t right and had to close her eyes. It was hard to think with the vision of Kaelin’Dar before her. As she worked to separate herself from the moment realization slowly slipped into her consciousness. She remembered the cavern, her companions and the other appearances.

She opened her eyes and lowered her weight a bit as she reached for her fallen mace. A lone tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. “You’re not real.” Even as she said it her mind revolted. Every fiber of her being wanted to yield to this apparition.

Kaelin’Dar looked sincerely empathetic. “I can understand why you wouldn’t think so. There is a lot of confusion around you right now. Don’t worry. I will help you, child.” She took a step towards Senora extending a tender hand towards her. Senora ached to take her hand. To walk with her.

“You. Are. Not. REAL!” Senora yelled out the last word while swinging her mace with perfect aim at the apparitions face. It made no contact and the force of the swing pulled the priestess onto all fours. She looked up and was horrified as the demon continued its ruse. Kaelin’Dar still stood before her, but now blood was gushing out of her forehead where her mace had swung through. The thing began to wail, the very sound tugging at Senora’s heart strings.

“Why? Why would you turn on me after all I’ve done for you?” Senora had heard enough, she grabbed the talisman around her neck and held it out whispering words in Elven. Light shone from her holy symbol causing the shadow creature to shriek and retreat further into the tunnel. The light from her talisman faded and she was once again left in darkness.

Even though her mind was once again clear and she understood what had happened, the image of her deity covered in blood from a wound inflicted from her was burned into her mind. The exhaustion of fighting the mental attack combined with the emotional turmoil left her momentarily overwhelmed. She turned her head to the side and vomited.

 

Drake followed blindly after the voices of his beloved children. "Get back here!" He called attempting anger.

"You got to catch us first." She teased him, "Maybe we should let your freinds see what a softy the great black dragon is." He son teased.

"I told you last time don't follow me to places like this, it's dangerus." He said picking up his step, tripping and toubling on stones. Then he found them, standing their smileing, besides each other. They looked just like they had almost a year ago. His frowned at them. "Something isn't right." He said softly to himself, they should be taller by now.

He felt something happening, something bad, but he couldn't place it, he walked forward towards his children, smiling at them. "I've missed you two so much." he said weakly.

 

Shao’Tio watched painfully as most of his friends got dragged away by apparent deceptions. He knew what he had to do. He had to save them, or at least die trying. Stepping off the path, he saw Drake walk towards two children and smile at them. "I've missed you two so much." he said weakly.

“Drake, you must realize this is a deception. These children are not related to you in any way. In all accuracy, they are probably shadow children….”

“Come Shao’Tio, suppers almost ready.” A familiar voice greeted him. As he turned around, he saw his mother holding a pan of roast chicken. “You have had us all worried sick with your wanderings and all. I never thought you would come home.”

He was back in his house again. The sun was shining in the window, and the table was set. “I had the funniest dream mom. I was on some kind of mission for the king of Galbadan.”

“You were always the dreamer, son. Come, take a spot near the table. We shall soon have such a feast. From behind him he heard a noise, turning around suddenly, he saw both his father and sister. “We missed you so much,” they both said. “Tell us all about your travels, we wish to know everything.”

As he took a spot around the table, he felt as if something was not right. He looked into his mothers eyes and saw pure evil. Right then, he remembered the quest, the caves, everything. “I know what kind of supper you are having!” Shao’Tio said in a flash as his eyes changed colors. “You would have me believe you were eating with me, but what you are really doing is feasting on me. You wish to devour my mind.”

In an instance he pulled out his bow, and shot an arrow at his now agitated mother. Striking her, Shao’Tio saw darkness flee from her. The beautiful scenery faded away and he was once more in the caverns. Getting back to his feet, he noticed that Drake was nowhere to be seen. “Were is Drake and where did he run off to? I must find him!”

 

Something was pulling upon her cloak. Ketka’s mind was fuzzy at first she barely felt the tug. Her father commanding her eyes to look. His presence ever powerful, he seemed to glisten with royal light. Another tug and Ketka felt the fuzz begin to fade. She turned to look, it was Spere.

*mistress,* he said within her mind. His voice was sharp, he was staring at her his swirling blue eyes glistened. *It is not who you think.*

Ketka stared at Spere her eyes wider. No father was dead. She remembered holding him remembered the blood, the crying and those blasted guards.

“Ketka, we‘ve much work to do. Vox needs us both,” her father called. She was staring again unable to help it. Her hearted swan with hope and anxiety. Spere was tugging again begging pleading. His voice seemed to grow distant.

 

Leon glared at the apparition of his brother before him, his grip tightened around his short spears.

Lucius smirked "What's the matter, runt? You don't look too pleased to see me".

"I was expecting something different...but I guess you'll change after a moment, eh?", Leon replied.

Lucius chuckled and arched his shoulders as he lowered his head, staring at Leon with a wicked grin.

"You didn't think you could just run away from me, did you like you did Lamont did you? No, I'm not going to let you go so easily little brother. I enjoy your suffering too much. I no longer regret wanting to kill you first. The agony and fear I saw on you face as I devoured Lamont was priceless"

Leon's eyes widened, burning with anger and frustration. He absolutely could not lose control, otherwise not only with the illusion of Lucius become a Manticore, but the illusion will become real. If Leon kept his fear in check, just maybe he could conquer his brother, however unlikely. Lucius was a manipulative adversary. Not only was he a game hunter like Leon, he was better at it, and the power of the Manticore only hightened his abilities as a monster. Leon would need to think at least 10 steps ahead of Lucius to beat him.

He overlooked Lucius' features thoroughly, noticing the transformation process in it's first stages. His brother's eyes, instead of the brilliant green hue he had, were now a blood red color and black veins started to appear around the red and traced towards the edge of the eyelids. His teeth looked sharp through the snarl he had on his face and his fingernails looked like sharp razors ready to strike at any moment.

Lucius crouched as if to spring forward but Leon had alread acted and lunged forward at his brother, the spear in his right hand held as to thrust into Lucius' chest though it had already missed it's mark. Lucius attempted to swip at Leon's exposed stomach with a deadly claw but was surprised when the steel blade of Leon's daggertail jolted out of Leon's ragged cloak and jammed itself into Lucius' shoulder, the serpent chain twisting and pressing forward knocking Lucius off his feet and through the closest wall.

The daggertail emerged from the smoke and rubble left from the impact to recoil itself as Leon rushed forward, quickly attaching his two short spears together and pounced to thrust the combined spear through the hole in the wall....only to hit nothing. Leon stopped and waited for a moment to gaze through the clearing smoke. A claw like that of a beast became visible in Leon's peripheral vision and he ducked, nearly missing it, though the body of the beast followed the attempted strike and Leon took a blow to his left shoulder.

Leon fell to the ground but rolled before he could be trampled on by the now very real illusion of the Manticore. The beast's angelic wings beat a hard gust of wind as it stood on it's hind legs and roared in fury. Leon got up quickly and ran through the hole in the wall again and continued to run, seeing his odds against a Manticore in a very narrow dungeon. The behemoth made a new entrance through the same wall it broke through and dashed at Leon.

Since he could not control his anger and fear like he wanted too, there was no other way to end this but find the source of his problems. Though the Shadow that became Lucius was an illusion, the Manticore that Lucius became was very much and became real through Leon's fear and fustration. Leon knew how to defeat it though. A Manticore's spirit is born from a statue. As long as that statue was stable, the Manticore could keep a physical presence. Leon just needed to destroy the statue which must be somewhere in the dungeon, probably to ward off enemies.

While running from the Manticore Leon kept yelling "S**t! S**t! S**t! S**t!"

 

A Light in the Dark-- Rae

“But I’ll never stop loving you.”

The Shadow opened its mouth to speak, it seemed that Nateia had even caught the monster off guard with her words, but it had no time to act before violent rays light tore through it, its face contorting in a silent scream as it was engulfed by brilliant white light. In its place stood Rae, sword held high and extending a hand down to her.

"Come...we cannot linger in this place."

He got her to her feet and was gone again, down the twisting corridors towards the others. There was Arc, a giant monstrosity rising up in front of him, and it was real. Rae took an attack stance next to his companion.

"Do not give into it friend! We will face this together!"

 

Leon bumped into Rae'Non and smiled sarcastically patting Rae's shoulder hastily.

"No no no no, not smart! Running! Running is smart!!", he said and he rushed past him.

Leon called back to the dragon warrior as he stumbled for a second "Following me is good too! Find that things statue and kill it!".

He was then gone around a corner as the fierce Manticore continued it's pursuit, now rushing at Rae'Non who was now in it's way of it's victim.

 

"Following me is good too! Find that things statue and kill it!"

Rae could hardly hear the words as the fearsome Manticore's claws came crashing down, leaving huge gashes in the stone where Rae had previously been. He brought his sword down, just nicking the things ear before he took off after Leon.

"So where is this statue supposed to be?!"

 

"Don't know!", Leon shouted as he ran.

"Manticore's are from where I come from! They they live off fear from a single host like these Shadows but come to life through statues! It should be close! Guarding the entrance maybe!"

He turned a few corners and stopped as he stood directly in front of a large statue carved like that of the beast that chased them.

"That thing!", Leon pointed for Rae to see.

Just then the Manticore broke through the walk in front of them and stood between them and the statue, preventing further advancement.

"Eh, damnit!"

 

A low rumbling noise then echoed through the halls of the place followed by a silence so complete that it could not be called natural. Rae became conscious of a growing pressure in the air, a certain must that tickled his gag reflex. It wasn't just him, for even the fierce beast called the Manticore stopped its attacks for a moment and raised its nose to air. The scent it caught can't quite be called a smell, but rather an aura. The things in that aura were what it picked up on. Rage, desire, filth, death...Darkness.

Rae and Leon looked at each other, each knowing the other could feel the same thing. The Manticore pawed the ground and cast its gaze down one of the long corridors.

"What is it Rae," whispered Leon.

Rae stared into those shadows as well. He caught glimpses of things moving...running away. It was the Shadow People...they were hiding from something. "The Darkness...RUN!!"