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Post by Admin on May 2, 2007 10:37:16 GMT -6
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Post by Thane on May 2, 2007 11:32:42 GMT -6
Thane slams open the door to the armory vault. He enters the hall of weapons searching quickly for something special. "Ah Hah!" Thane barks as he grasps a special web stashed behind a large shield. "It is still here." Thane mutters as he grasps a odd helmet from its stand and quickly places the black spiked helm on his shaggy head. He turns to grasp another helm, the shield and a spear with a wicked trident pronged tip. Thane wastes no time charging toward Ciel as the dark impostor is banging on the Armory door. As the sweet voice taunts them Thane pays it no mind as he locks the vault and ushers Ciel back into the training arena. The helm slowly molds to Thane's head as he speaks sternly to Ciel "Take this web..." Thane demonstrates its proper from and grip before handing it to Ciel. "You will need more than that dagger if you are to successfully combat this foe." Thane hands the sticky magical snare to Ciel and plops the second helm over her head. "It won't stick to its wielder, but it won't let go of your target." Thane grips the spear and shield then turns to face the door in a gladiators stance. "Just don't miss and get me by mistake." Thane squares the door and makes ready now, shield held high and his spear poised for the strike. "I'll be your rampart, wait for the right time to snare our foe... and let loose the net." Thane huffs, "I don't have to remind you we may only get one shot at this so be sure of your target... focus... and be ready."
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Post by Ciel on May 6, 2007 11:01:09 GMT -6
Ciel nodded to Thane, still pissed, but more alert. "I understand. Just be very sure to stay out of the way. I would be saddened if you were hurt in the crossfire, Master Elite."
She chuckled as the helm was on her head. "This thing looks rather silly does it not?" She then got very serious and hunkered down with him to wait for Regent to break through the door. She whispered, "Are you frightened now, Thane?"
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Post by Thane on May 7, 2007 10:10:15 GMT -6
Thane focuses on the door as it begins to buckle under the stress. All his training and soldierly discipline are all that is holding his raging instinct from coming uncorked... As Ciel asks Thane of his fear, a little light pops on behind his eyes and he turns his head for a moment to give her a look of serious disapproval. "Fear is what keeps us alive..." Thane says somewhat distracted. "It is overcoming that fear and using it to do what must be done is what separates the elite from all others." Thane grumbles. "I embrace it but I despise how it makes me feel..." Thane's voice trails off and he stops speaking. Once again his concentration is cast toward the failing door.
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Post by Ciel on May 8, 2007 10:12:20 GMT -6
Ciel, being very serious, nodded in reply. "I agree. I despise feeling fear as well. Now, let it come."
She crouched herself even lower and tighter in. She wanted to get rid of this menace once and for all. Then and only then could she grieve in peace and perhaps to help Thane cope with everything as well. No one can stay alone forever. Not even a big, grumpy, 300 lb Ratchet hound.
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Post by Admin on May 8, 2007 10:44:57 GMT -6
Regent sends the remains of the barrier into splinters and twisted iron as he smashes through the armory door. His gaze falls upon Thane and Ciel as he hovers by the demolished door.
Within a blink of an eye Regent plunges toward them screeching horribly as a struck owl. Massive talons of stone appear on his transfigured fore claws as Regent takes on the form of a black griffin. Cloudy wings beat the dust of the training arena to a frenzy of flying debris like a deadly sand storm. Like a shot from a gun, Regent swiftly closes the gap between himself and his prey.
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Post by Thane on May 8, 2007 11:07:31 GMT -6
Thane digs in when the door splinters before him. He is ready. This villain must be stopped here. As the Dark figure transforms again, Thane crouches behind his shield and readies the spear. "Get ready!" Thane growls as his eyes flair. When the dust begins to blow and the screech from the twisted figure reaches his ears, Thane winces as the torturous sound hurts, a lot.
When the dust cloud engulfs them, Thane barely can see through the sands as the dark figure streaks toward them. He growls as loudly as he can, "NOW CIEL!" ,and he strikes at the black mass from behind his shield.
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Post by Ciel on May 10, 2007 10:52:20 GMT -6
Ciel said nothing, but released the net. She watched as it floated almost in a ripple and landed squarely on target.
She suddenly leapt into action and came very close to going at it blindly. This menace had harmed them and had every intention of continuing to do so. It must be stopped...at least that's what she kept telling herself.
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Post by Admin on May 11, 2007 9:40:51 GMT -6
Regent zips toward Thane and Ciel and his eyes are keen on the shield and trident wielded by Thane, however the net and all of its sticky surprise catches him unaware and send him reeling out of control. The trident pierces his black hide deeply while the drag from the net acts like a hinged fulcrum. The combined snare with Thane's weight on the trident has reverted his flight path down into the arena floor just behind their position. Regent topples over and makes a great crater in the dirt floor.
[glow=red,2,300]-CRASH-[/glow]
The whole palace trembles under the impact. Sand and dirt explode into the air and take several moments to settle. When the dust clears, Regent is battered... and enraged. He attempts to stand but the snare has bound him well. He attempts to teleport but he cannot. His eyes crackle as he realizes he is vulnerable for the first time. He attempts shape-shifting into multiple forms only to be restrained buy the mystical snare. He stops struggling only to become a vaporous ooze inside the net. His gelatinous tentacle rips the Trident from his hide with a sticky spray, splattering Thane and Ciel. The trident falls to the floor at Thane's feet but Regent says nothing to the two who have tricked him into this awkward predicament.
Well done for spur of the moment and excellently executed to use the trident as a shrimp fork and land him into the snare... signed sealed and delivered with a large bruise to the ego as well.
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Post by Thane on May 11, 2007 10:04:28 GMT -6
Thane covers his head with the shield as Regent is snared and is hurled down into the dirt. The impact throws Thane off his feet but the hound catches himself with the shield and weathers the dust raining down from the air. As the dust settles, Thane stares down into the creater to see the black menace captured.
Thane turns to Ciel with the look of astonishment on his face. He didn't think his plan would work, well not this well anyway. When the dark stranger mutates and tries to teleport away Thane watches in wonder as the snare holds fast to their catch. As the black stranger transfigures madly the web holds firmly.
Thane simply stares oddly at their foe now struggleing against the web and his eyes begin to squint, his lips begin to part and his mouth opens into a roaring laugh. When the stranger stops his struggle and turns into a putrid vapor, Thane abruptly stops laughing and snaps into a fighters stance only to be splattered by the sticky spray. The trident now resting at his feet Thane lets out a victorious howl.
"AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW"
Thane assumes a dominating stance over the dark stranger. "Gotcha." ,he gloats looking down at the bound lump in the deep hole.
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Post by Ciel on May 14, 2007 14:57:54 GMT -6
Ciel is just as surprised that it has worked and as she is splattered, she makes a disgusted noise. "That was DISGUSTING."
She joins Thane by the crater and crosses her arms. "Well, now that we have caught it, what do we do with it Master Elite? We have very many plants and things here that are always hungry for new things."
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Post by Thane on May 14, 2007 17:26:33 GMT -6
Thane looks to Ciel as she poses an interesting question. Thane looks back at the black lump. "I for one want to know just who this is and what intentions it has here." Thane grumbles as he wonders what to do next.
Thane kicks loose soil at the uninvited guest. "Hey, stinky... Now that I have your undivided attention," The hound gloats, We can continue where we left off." Thane squats down to get a closer look. "Now you will tell me what business you imagine you have here and who... and what it is exactly that you are."
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Post by Admin on May 16, 2007 11:28:50 GMT -6
Regent sits quietly as the two discuss his fate. He is searching frantically for a way out of the snare. In his gelatinous form all movement is unseen and unheard as he tests all bounds of the net. Regent makes a gooey face when the Rachet asks again of his identity and purpose. Regent remains still as he searches but replies to Thane and his inquiry. "You could not fathom my purpose here, you are merely the hired help." Regent prods Thane. "Your efforts here are merely a reflection of your duty, and nothing more." Regent molts his face to look like Thane and mimics his voice. "Look at me, the mighty Thane, all duty and no self awareness." Regent returns to his gel face. "Your devotion to your post is admirable but if you aspire to be more... You must be able to adapt or be used and discarded after you have outlived your usefulness."
Regent then looks to Ciel. "Your devotion to your Queen is also admirable. As with Thane you also must be able to embrace the future and seize your destiny my lovely." Regent looks a bit concerned for a moment. "I am afraid if you do not learn to live for yourself... then a lifetime of servitude shall be your only reward."
Regent finds his opportunity and a sharp blade of searing flame slices through the web with blinding speed. As the web curls up and burns away from the searing heat, Regent rises from the flaming pit slowly as he straightens his stature and reforms to his handsome bishonan mystique bathed in fire.
He looks relieved to be free of the net but he remains stoic as he looks down upon Thane and Ciel. "I could use your keen skills and determined devotion to aid in my reclaiming the empire for the Queen and the De' Lucifer bloodline." Regent says as he looks away from them for a moment. He extends his hand as a miniature fiery model of the palace and the market appear floating before them. "The Empire is on the brink of Civil War. Clans of all nations are preparing to fill the void of the High Empress by force and plunder. I can't allow that to take place and only with devoted servants of Ereshkigal can we restore peace in the name of the crown." Miniature devils and demons fight a bloody battle in the walls and streets of the little royal city. In disgust Regent snaps up the little palace in a swift wave of his hand. "I stake my claim for the crown, not as it's heir nor as successor, but as Regent to rule as Steward of Hell till the proper bloodline can be restored."
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Post by Ciel on May 17, 2007 0:34:25 GMT -6
Ciel is very taken aback by the Regent's words and she holds very still, trying to let them sink in fully. Her voice shook with something that resembled anger and sorrow all mixed together.
"I have no other fate than to love and serve my Queen. Now that she is lost, I do not understand what I am to embrace...but I must ask that you do not require me to be the same to you as I am to her. It would be quite impossible for that to happen." She turned from Regent and Thane and laced her arms around herself tightly.
"If you are a suitable replacement, I shall serve you. But on the one condition - Thane must trust you fully first."
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Post by Thane on May 17, 2007 16:43:05 GMT -6
Thane is surprised by Regent's swift and fiery escape from the silk cocoon. When Regent rises up and the flames lick about him, Thane prepares to counter any attack. When none come he can't help but feel a little disappointed. Upon Ciel's declaration of allegiance and trust, Thane's ears flatten and his eyes deepen with anger as he looks up to Regent. "And that is hardly the case here." Thane growls at Ciel's words. After all Regent said it himself, duty first. "War is coming, and I shall do my duty in it..." Thane says low and pointedly as he partly turns and points to the crest emblazoned on the arena walls. "...to preserve the power of the family who wear that crest." Then he turns his black claws to point them at Regent. "I will not swear allegiance to you nor to anyone barging in to the palace thinking they can lay claim to the high throne without a single shred of evidence to the fact."
Thane makes a huge fist in defiant rage. "I'll slaughter them all if it comes to that, let them all be so fated and Hell shall remain in bloody anarchy." Thane is visibly shaking with anger now and his eyes are ablaze from his rachet rage. If this is to be his last act as an Elite, royal guardian of the throne, then he shall make it a glorious end. "You had better have proof to your claim before I make it my mission to kill you where you stand for such treasonous intentions." Malice is now one with Thane's fury and the blackened mystic evil slithers along Thane like a nest of angry vipers ready to strike in a single heartbeat.
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Post by Admin on May 18, 2007 12:13:53 GMT -6
Regent listens to Thane and his ranting. His electric eyes focus on Thane and he folds his arms to his dark chest. "Well I see you are not one to trifle with Thane. If it is proof you seek, then proof you shall have." As his words end a streak of energy bursts forth from Regent and a stone tablet forms from the thin air. Demonic script flairs to life and emblazons the text of the ancient manuscript entrusted to Regent from Lucifer himself. "I am bound to this form by the letter of its contract." Regent drifts toward it almost lovingly as a lover slides up to their mate. "Can you read the text Thane?" Regent asks as his attentions are fixed on the document. When it finishes it's writing, the all too familiar and unmistakable signature of the demonic emperor flairs in blood at the end of the document. "If not... I can't blame you, it was written several millennia before you were even born. Surely you recognize this inscription... and the seal don't you?" The last sentence is more statement than question directed toward Thane.
Regent turns to look at Ciel, "I have been groomed to be appointed Regent by the high king himself, as I was also brought about specifically for this task. Insurance policy if you will, and it's time for fulfillment has come." Regent bows and looks up again. "I merely ask for your continued loyalty to the crown. I will need your combined support if I am to quell this insurrection before real damage can be wrought against the crown and its power tarnished before the people."
Regent looks to Thane. "It is your duty, Thane, I will need a Commander I can trust in the upcoming strugle... but if your heart is not with me... then I shall resolve you of your sworn responsibility without consequence or reprimand." Regent then looks to Ciel. "It is your choice to be made Ciel. Make it with your heart, not the decision of the beast next to you. Follow your dreams and stake your destiny. Begin your journey with me and I will ask much of you, many hours of training you will require but the rewards will be beyond your wildest imaginations. What say you?"
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Post by Ciel on May 20, 2007 0:46:09 GMT -6
Ciel's resolve somewhat broke as she looked away, confused. "I will make a decision, sir. However, I still hold that I know nothing more than being servant to my Queen..."
She turned back to look at Regent, eyes full of confusion and sadness as she slithered her arms around herself for comfort. "You wish to train me? For what? I am not qualified for much of anything of use. And even with training, sir, of what am I to be good for? I..."
She stopped and looked at her feet, eyes filling with what appeared to be tears. She looked to Thane as if to say Please, please tell me what I am to do...
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Post by Thane on May 20, 2007 12:55:27 GMT -6
Thane's eyes widen at the revelation of the tablet and the inscription. His scowling face softens and his chain slows it's restless writhing. He approaches the stone and runs his paw over the tablet in disbelief of it's existence. His claws trace the words of a tongue long since forgotten to his race, but the signature is unmistakable. His agitation is still present but his mood is definitely reversed from rage to awe. As Ciel and Regent talk, Thane is not really listening so well as he is transfixed to the stone. Thane turns to look up at Regent as his paws pluck off the contract with great decisiveness. "To restore the crown and retain the peace you will need more than just us up your sleeve." Thane says looking strangely compliant. "But it is a better start than zero." Thane snorts. "I am no coward... This document ensures my loyalty, but... you still have to earn my trust. Malice and I stand ready to fight mercilessly with you... for the sake of the crown, to the death if necessary." Thane bows slightly not knowing what procedures to do for this new power that now commands his respect.
Thane looks to Ciel and breathes a deep sigh as Regent bestows his proposal. As Ciel looks lost, Thane interjects, "He offers you a station, and power... Power enough to reclaim that which was stolen from you so long ago." Thane nods. "It is an opportunity not extended to many and one definitely not to be discarded." Thane says with conviction. "If it were me, I'd sink my claws into it and never let it go." Thane says with confirmation in his red eyes.
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Post by Ciel on May 20, 2007 20:37:09 GMT -6
Ciel keeps her arms around herself and nods. "If I accept this offer, I can find the kittens? " She looked down again, trying to regain herself.
Ciel walked away from the two of them for a few moments. She was almost stock still as she stood apart from them. She was weighing the pros and cons of the decision she was about to make. She steeled herself after a good long while and walked back to the waiting Regent and Thane.
"I accept your offer, Regent. I will go through your training and accept the power you wish to bestow upon me. It seems that my choice has already been made before I have made it and I am willing to train in whichever way suits you." She bowed as she said this, one arm at her side, one knee bent and the other hand in a fist over her chest.
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Post by Admin on May 20, 2007 23:13:25 GMT -6
Regent watches the exchange between Thane and Ciel with scrutiny. "You have such grand potential and talents I would wager that even you don't realize you possess." He smiles at her and his arms extend out and a ice statuette of Ciel forms crystal by crystal in a colorful display. The little statuette is wilted and sits in his hand looking very sad. "When we take care of the pressing matters of state, I shall then task each of you to seek those of our family whom we have... misplaced. Ereshkigal is not forever lost and she must be found, but we must have a throne waiting for her when she is to return." Regent says softly.
"I will personally teach you the fine art of diplomacy Ciel. You will be my liaison for the peoples of hell. As my personal representative, I will teach you to act on my behalf thus assisting me in easing the awkward strain caused by Ereskigal's unfortunate and untimely absence." When Regent speaks the tiny ice Ciel begins to move gracefully and softly as she comes to life and begins dancing on the thin air. Thin ice streamers follow her graceful ballet and then the little ice figure begins to turn to fire. Flames burst from her as her dance becomes more energetic and blossoms of smoke and flame fall behind her as she flies through the arena twirling and dancing. "There is much for you to learn but I am pleased to have your acceptance. Both of you."
Regent smiles at Ciel as he drifts down before them and the flames about him diminish into a black velvety cloak. The little dancing Ciel glides toward the real Ciel and her little hand wipes away her tears. Then she twirls down and freezes into a small stone figurine. Her look is regal and dignified dressed in beautiful clothes of ice and fire fit for a princess.
The stone tablet then disappears in a vapor and smoke trailing into Regent like a stream of pressurized water. The impact is sending ripples throughout his being then just as quickly fade away.
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