ACT III - Deception and Duplicity
- The valiant efforts of the Elves seemed doomed to fail. How could a group of untrained stand against the might of two Gods? With the Power emerging from the Rift of Perdition - one that the Demon Lord sought to enslave to his will - followed by a legion of demons the size of which has never been seen before, Aabahran stood on the edge of a perilous cliff - a complete return to the entropy from which it was birthed. *
Valadar leaps to Anume's side, blade drawn, his fangs flaring.
Dirmin narrows his eyes at Valadar. 'Step back. Now!'
Princess Orelinde places both of her tiny hands on Aelleor's shoulders to aid!
Aelleor braces his body, and closes his eyes in concentration.
The Archmage Tuo says 'Aid him!'
The frigid air causes The Archmage Tuo's breath to coalesce into fog.
Palwen places her hands upon Aelleor.
Anume turns around, facing the Rift once more.
Anume shudders slightly.
Constance stands next to Lord Aelleor.
Onvergeef flies over to Aelleor, and places his hands upon him.
Scorvale moves nearer Valadar, her staff gripped with white knuckles.
From within the Rift, countless demons and other nefarious enemies can be seen, itching to be fully released.
Valadar moves to step into the light, taking a portion of it upon himself as it is consumed by the mark upon his brow.
Onvergeef says 'We will help you, Aelleor..'
The frigid air causes Onvergeef's breath to coalesce into fog.
Aelleor drops his weapon, and his shield, and focuses on the orb. He opens his eyes and stares at the beam, without blinking.
Khaan places his massive hands upon Aelleor and prays.
Dirmin growls a word of battle.
Valadar holds the haft of the oversized bloody scythe in his hands and chants a ritual, 'Ultionis contentus per cruor'
Another figure, vaguely familiar, and shrouded in shadows steps through the crowd of demons and attempts to force his way through into Aabahran!
Scorvale throws back her head and cackles with insane glee!
Anume screams, 'NOW!
You broadcast 'Your Orb will not be enough. Cease this foolishness.'
Aelleor begins muttering under his breath, but stops, and says to Malchaeius, 'You, first.'
Anume turns and steps behind Aelleor, her figure blazing with all her concentrated power.
You broadcast 'What?!'
Anume says, 'Valadar, aid him.
Constance says 'We can and will not allow this to happen. We support Lord Aelleor and Elves.'
The frigid air causes Constance's breath to coalesce into fog.
You broadcast 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!'
Valadar places his hands upon the healers shoulder
Palwen moves closer to Aelleor, trying to protect him with her body.
Palwen says 'you will not touch him.'
The frigid air causes Palwen's breath to coalesce into fog.
Anume puts her hands on Aelleors back, pouring her power through him right into the ORB.
Zhokril chants in a carrying voice, a whip of raw magic appearing in his hand, his eyes trained upon the immense figure struggling within the Rift.
Valadar says 'Vigoratus be Nex Bona unto you.'
The frigid air causes Valadar's breath to coalesce into fog.
Anume screams, 'NOW! CLOSE IT!
With the aid of Anume's astronomical power, as well as that of Zhokril and the vampire, The Orb of the Lunar Mistresses triples in power!
You broadcast 'NOOOOOOOOOO!'
Palwen boggles at the concept.
Anume closes her eyes, pouring all of her power through Aelleor into the orb.
Zhokril turns and lashes the whip not at the Rift, but at the beam of energy from the Orb of Yaegar.
Aelleor begins muttering under his breath, but stops, shocked by what is happening.
From within the Rift, the figure that was halfway through screams in sheer agony!
You broadcast 'NOOOOOO!'
Valadar seems to wither as his own dark energy is consumed by the light coming from the orb, feeding it.
The surge of power destroys the Orb of Yaegar!
Aelleor catches himself staring, and simply closing his eyes, continuing his efforts, and then re-gathering them, at full force.
Anume yells 'NO LONGER, NOT EVER AGAIN!'
Valadar snarls ,'Do not Falter, Aelleor!'
Anume yells 'NOT EVER AGAIN WILL I HAVE A MASTER!'
The figure within the Rift of Perdition is destroyed in blaze of ethereal energy!
Constance shows her approval by clapping her hands together.
You broadcast 'You worthless...'
Anume stares at the figure halfway through the Rift with loathing.
The Archmage Tuo says 'Throw it in!'
The frigid air causes The Archmage Tuo's breath to coalesce into fog.
Aelleor falls to his knees in exhaustion, panting.
The Archmage Tuo says 'Throw it into the rift to destroy it forever!'
The frigid air causes The Archmage Tuo's breath to coalesce into fog.
Onvergeef says 'Aelleor! Do it!'
The frigid air causes Onvergeef's breath to coalesce into fog.
Palwen nods at Aelleor.
Valadar lets out a vicious snarl as the blood of the forsaken pours from his hands enforcing Aelleor, giving him strength.
Aelleor staggers a bit, and speaks, 'Th...throw what...? Th-that seems...'
Constance places her hand on Aelleor's left shoulder.
The Archmage Tuo says 'WE MUST DESTROY THIS RIFT!'
The frigid air causes The Archmage Tuo's breath to coalesce into fog.
Princess Orelinde braces Aelleor's body with all of her might. 'Do it..'
Aelleor removes the binding around the orb, and throws it with his whole body, into it.
Malchaeius extends a dark tentacle towards the Orb of the Lunar Mistresses as it flies into the Rift of Perdition! But it is too late.
KA-BOOOOOOOOM! The Massive rift that hangs over Aabahran collapses into itself before exploding into outwards! The figure within it, as well as the massive army of demons are instantly eradicated!
Anume laughs, almost hysterically and collapses, her powers spent.
Valadar grins viciously as pain washes over him.
The shockwave of the explosion is unimaginable!
Onvergeef winces in agony.
Heiqen coughs up blood, and it spatters against the inside of the thin cloth mask covering his mouth.
Constance beams a smile at Aelleor.
Anume repeats, 'No longer, not ever again.
Anume says, 'You have done well, my Blade.
The Central Commons
[Exits: north east south west]
A Nexus Gateway crackles with hellish heat and unholy magics.
The Grey Banner of the city of Rheydin stands tall here.
The official Tribunal Roll Call has been posted here.
A massive marble fountain bubbles forth with water here.
(Gradrel) A large horned beast is here, snorting at you.
Aelleor the Holy Patriarch of Healing is here.
(White Aura) Elrondiir the Templar Captain is here.
Aundar is resting here.
Vingorde the Apprentice of Magic is here.
(Translucent) (White Aura) Palwen the Counselor of the Righteous Brotherhood is here.
The Town Crier stands here ready to give directions.
(WANTED) (White Aura) Valadar the Count, Chosen Blade of Anume is here.
(White Aura) A resolute elven woman stands regally before you.
(White Aura) The Archmage Tuo, loyal half-elven advisor to the Duke, stands here.
Khaan the Curate is here.
(Charmed) (White Aura) the Blood Guard is sleeping here.
(White Aura) Dirmin the Holy Knight is here, sitting astride the Goliath.
(Translucent) (White Aura) Scorvale the Angel of Arcana is here, sitting astride a white stallion.
(Anume) Anume is here, dressed for Battle.
Zhokril the Ethereal Timewraith, Channeler of the Mystic is here.
Loren is resting here.
(Invisible) Onvergeef the Student of Air is here.
(Charmed) A savage Alsatian bares its teeth and growls menacingly.
Heiqen the Tateken is here.
Constance the Trapper is here.
The shockwave of the explosion clears the skies above you!
Valadar says 'it is my duty to serve you, I shall never falter in it.'
The frigid air causes Valadar's breath to coalesce into fog.
For the first time in over twenty years, the sky is fully visible!
Onvergeef looks up into the sky.
Valadar snarls angrily.
Palwen looks up into the sky.
Scorvale looks up into the sky.
Aelleor staggers around a bit, before muttering, 'Is...is it over?', then, coughing, 'Did...we do it?'
Onvergeef beams a smile at Aelleor.
Palwen stares up into the sky.
Khaan scans the horizon.
Onvergeef says 'You did..'
The frigid air causes Onvergeef's breath to coalesce into fog.
Valadar turns to Aelleor.
Palwen beams a smile at Aelleor.
Anume says, 'We did.' and chuckles.
Constance smiles as a part of nature's beauty is finally revealed above.
Valadar says 'you see, Aelleor, you cannot comprehend the convoluted nature of the rift.'
The frigid air causes Valadar's breath to coalesce into fog.
A mental blast of unrestrained ANGER nearly deafens you - The Demon Lord is beyond livid.
Anume flinches in obvious pain... you wonder what she did THIS time.
Anume raises and takes a step back.
You broadcast 'Anume!'
Ghromni looks at Gradrel.
Ghromni walks over and stands next to Gradrel.
Shekka yells out his warcry.
Shekka yells 'Sting and flay, with the tail of the Sand Devil!'
Constance curtseys gracefully to Gradrel.
Anume says, 'Do you not see?! He would have tried to rule over you as well!
Malchaeius slams a fist into the granite water fountain, causing it to erupt into millions of pieces upon impact.
Valadar moves once more to stand at Anume's side, leaving his place behind Aelleor.
Anume raises her chin defiantly.
You draw your weapons.
You wield Abizaz the Ravager of Worlds.
You wield Zabutryn the Blade of Pandemonium in your off-hand.
Malchaeius glares at Anume, the fire around his eyes burning blue, and covering nearly half of his visage.
Anume says, 'Such is his nature, that he seeks to best everyone!
You broadcast 'You betrayed me.'
You broadcast 'At such a crucial moment.'
You broadcast 'You AIDED them!'
Anume snorts. 'You did not know what you were doing, inviting such as HIM.
You broadcast 'He would be mine to control.'
Anume says, 'Do you think he would have been controllable? He was not the last time he walked this plane.
Anume says, 'He would have absorbed me, like so much food and then turned to you.
Heiqen looks at Koviaem.
Aelleor stands back up, gathers his mental powers, and closes his eyes, re-gathering his stamina, says to Dirmin, 'Who...what? Do...they,..speak...'
You broadcast 'Now He has been destroyed, along with a sizeable portion of my army.'
Unfolding his arms, Dirmin leans towards Aelleor. 'They fight over betrayal. Imagine that.'
Anume suddenly laughs. 'So be proud of me. Am I not an excellent disciple.
Anume says, 'Fear. Hatred. Betrayal.
Malchaeius places Abizaz upon the neck of Anume.
You broadcast 'Yes.'
You broadcast 'Well done.'
Anume purses her lips but does not flinch.
Malchaeius removes the blade and sheathes it.
You broadcast 'Indeed you have my student. There is nothing else that I can teach you.'
Tnaris walks in.
A Gigantic Crab walks in.
Anume rubs her neck.
Tnaris looks at Anume.
For the first time in nearly a quarter of a century - Aabahran's sun can be fully seen, its red rays distributing much needed warmth.
Anume turns to Tnaris, 'He is gone. Destroyed.
Anume laughs at Tnaris mercilessly.
Onvergeef says 'Sun..'
The frigid air causes Onvergeef's breath to coalesce into fog.
Tnaris peers intently at Anume.
Shekka says 'huh ... huh ... stingin'?'
The frigid air causes Shekka's breath to coalesce into fog.
Onvergeef says 'Beautiful warmth..'
The frigid air causes Onvergeef's breath to coalesce into fog.
Valadar pulls his hood low over his eyes, covering his flesh.
Koviaem looks upwards and shields his eyes from the brightness.
Aelleor mutters, and says, 'I...still...don't...under...stand...
Aelleor says, 'W...what has happened?'
You broadcast 'His energy is now yours.'
Tnaris looks at you.
You broadcast 'But know that the red rays will burn your children as well.'
Anume nods, 'So they will. But I am willing to pay that price for freedom.
Ghromni raises an eyebrow.
Ghromni boggles at the concept.
Tnaris screams loudly!
Koviaem says 'you sacrifice them..'
The frigid air causes Koviaem's breath to coalesce into fog.
Koviaem nods.
Tnaris says 'No...'
The frigid air causes Tnaris's breath to coalesce into fog.
You broadcast 'And freedom from Sirant is finally yours.'
You broadcast 'At the cost of MY Age.'
Tnaris scans all around.
You broadcast 'Know that there will be repercussions. '
You broadcast 'The day is yours.'
You broadcast 'And to a lesser extent. Theirs.'
Malchaeius opens a clawed hand to indicate those gathered.
Palwen peers around herself intently.
Anume chuckles, 'How it must sting them to be rescued by the likes of me and my undead blade.
Valadar grins evilly.
You broadcast 'Yes. Ironic.'
Anume says, 'That alone, is amusing.
Koviaem grins maliciously.
Shekka says 'that's whut sun is for'
The frigid air causes Shekka's breath to coalesce into fog.
Shekka says 'get back the stingin''
The frigid air causes Shekka's breath to coalesce into fog.
Koviaem raises an eyebrow at Shekka's weird actions.
Shekka says 'on his pale arse'
The frigid air causes Shekka's breath to coalesce into fog.
You broadcast 'This is a minor setback.'
Shekka nudges Valadar.
Koviaem tells you 'The work shall continue...'
Zhokril floats a distance from Malchaeius, looking pensieve.
You broadcast 'I will not leave empty handed however.'
Tnaris tells you 'So Anume betrayed you..'
Scorvale grins evilly.
You gesture, and a slavering demon appears. With a horrible grin, the foul creature turns on Aelleor, who screams in panic before being eaten alive.
You hear Aelleor's death cry.
Scorvale chortles mischievously.
Shammee smirks.
Anume watches, chuckling.
Valadar says 'now to take back the life I gave to you.'
The frigid air causes Valadar's breath to coalesce into fog.
Malchaeius gathers his leathery wings about him, and fades into nothingness - his eyes quite set in anger.
Gardok says 'The air smells clean and the sky is so beautiful, Gaia is pretty happy I am sure.'
The frigid air causes Gardok's breath to coalesce into fog.