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Tournament of Champions 3 (The game has begun!)
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A few days after war had been declared upon Gwyndolyn, the forces of Kalerian union marched into Setaro to then march east towards Graline.
At the same time, a force of mostly mercenaries and volunteers march up the Gwen river.
Multiple small battles and skirmishers occurred but Gwendolyn's forces could not establish in the area. Reinforcements from Levachon were requested but they would not arrive for some time.
At the same time, the invasion of Lisakdonia had begun in Laldenia. The capital of Laldenia, Valdune was held by a large Gwendolynian army but it would lose to the much better trained and disciplined Lisakdonian army just two weeks later.
The Republic of Vilja had begun sending reinforcements into Laldenia to attack and destroy any camps and lesser forts held by Gwendolyn to clean the road for the approaching Lisakdonian army.
The dominions of Hastarel and Permano had begun skirmish attacks against the Gwedonlyn forces, causing them difficulties to send reinforcements south.
The Fernian isles did not participate much directly in battle and instead kept the west-Gwyndolyn shores contested.
The first major victory for Gwendolyn came at the Karal where forces from Grailine and Levachon managed to flank and surround the mercenary forces.
The forces of Kalerian was fast but only made it halfway to Grailine when they were forced back as their supply lines were being threatened by the army of Stoen, still loyal to Gwendolyn. The Kalerian and Stoen met on the battlefield in Setaro, where Kelarian won but were too damaged to continue the campaign.
The Lisakdonian army had now split into two, one that would travel south through Laldenia and one that would join forces with Vilja. The Lisakdonian- Laldenian army was intercepted at Lalden Minor by a force, almost twice its size. The Lisakdonian army, better equipped, trained and disciplined, were winning the encounter.
At the same time, the titan of Beldon had left Grailine where he would intimidate the kingdom into submission. In Avurum he resided when the request from the general in Lalden Minor came to reinforce them. It was never planned that Ornauck would be used in battle against anyone, the Lisakdonians the least, but a loss in Lalden would lead to much of the north-western Gwendolyn breaking apart. Ornauck flew towards Lalden Minor and interfered the battle, shifting loss to victory. Those Lisakdonians who survived were kept as slaves as not a single would could be allowed to escape home to Lisakdonia.
It had at this time just been revealed that another Lisakdonian army, joined by Vilja, was marching into Gwendolyn further north. No army in good enough condition could intercept this army within months. The titan of Beldon, having proven itself very useful in the recent battle, was sent with overconfidence to the Evina valley where a small army would intercept the Lisakdonian-Vilja force. This battle was slow even when the titan arrived. The valley contained many positions from which the soldiers could hide. For almost two weeks, more and more Lisakdonians were found and either killed or enslaved. Not until five days had passed without them finding any more soldiers, did the titan leave while the small army kept scouting the area.
As Vilja, Laldenia and Rosara felt back under Gwendolyn's control, the shipyards and harbors were fortified and guarded. No one would return to Lisakdonia with news of what had happened here.
Even though half of the countries were defeated, Kalerian, Hastarel, Permano and Fernian would fight a few months more before they had to surrender.
But as the war was coming to an end, a new war would soon rise but in the east. A much more devastating war.
Months later in the early winter when things had calmed down, three Gwendolynian warships would leave Vilja in the middle of the night. They would sail west through out into the open sea. On them sailed the man who's name would a few years later be known in all of Lisakdonia and most of Dormania, Viktur Quentimus. Under him, Lisakdonia soon return to Dormania, to slay a certain titan.
(Four of the most important battles during the war of the vassals).
The leaves were falling from the trees outside of Kiserova, painting the open fields yellow and orange. The flowers that used to dominate the fields had long since died and the seeds now waited for spring. Large herds of birds were emigrating to the south.
A couple of Medirnian war horses were feeding and running around the field, without their riders anywhere near. A bunch of farmers and other inhabitants were trying to trap and catch the horses but without any greater success.
Water painted red was streaming in the river that ran through Kiserova.
The smell of burning wood, hay, flesh and blood was filling every corner of the city.
Black smoke was rising to the sky in the north. Music from the celebrations were mixing with the smell, causing some a sense of victory while others only felt disgust or fear. Large bonfires had been established in the market plaza where thousands of people were singing, eating, drinking and celebrating their victory. The celebration was not undisturbed, as almost the same amount of peope who opposed the actions had gathered in the plaza. Some tried to reason with them while others, filled with fear and rage, attacked the celebrators. Some just tried to undo the harm that had been done. Civilians and soldiers all both sides, all ovan.
Lady Miljivan was walking through the streets followed by her elite bodyguards. Her hands were shaking and her eyes were red of fear, stress and the smell. She saw Kiserova citizens burning the flags of Medirna in the middle of the streets. She saw Medirnian noblemen being robbed as they begged for their lives. As she walked past an alley she saw a Medirnian woman lying on the ground, crying. Her clothes had been ripped apart and she was bleeding from her legs and nose, and beside her lied what was probably her dead husband.
Miljivan wanted to help her but there were too many in need of help, far too many. She looked forward and tried to not think about the woman. She would during the day witness even further horrific crimes where people had been executed just because of which kingdom they came from, children being robbed their parents or even their lives.
She did not only see the acts of evil, she saw a group of Kiserova women treating a young Medirnian soldier who had been beaten badly and the sign for monster had been burnt into his face with a branding iron. At another place, two men were fighting were one was trying to protect a Medirnian girl from the other man.
Lady Miljivan felt, for the first time in her life, powerless. Unable to do anything but witness and hope the harm could be undone without too much consequence. She went into an alley but stopped as two groups of people had begun fighting before her. "Criminals, murderers, rapists, theifs" one side called the other. "Traitors, Medirna loyalists, cowards," the other side responded with. Fists and blood was exchanged between the group that all belonged to the same culture. Lady Miljivan turned back out of the alley.
"This can be undone, it can be undone. It will cost more than we can pay but it can be undone" she repeated to herself. It was bad, really bad but general Artiem would not declare war against Vosanova over this. There would be peace tributes, executions and maybe vassalisation but there would be no war.
She came out onto the northern plaza and now she could see the flames behind the buildings. It was no question where the fire was located. The crowd of people became more gathered as she made her way north. She let her bodyguard make way for her through the masses. Luckily for her, most people liked her so even though some wanted to harm her for forcing them aside, even more people were willing to protect her. A privilege that seemed to be very rare these days in Kiserova. She was not surprised when she got around the corner and saw half of Medirna fortress in flames but it did strike coldness in her heart. The gates to the fortress had been broken down and around it lied the bodies of Medirnian soldiers that had been looted. "This can be undone, this can be undone."
Medirnian soldiers that had been hiding were being dragged out and beaten, some to death. Miljivan could hear the shouts from Medirnian soldiers that were still fighting for their lives inside the fortress. It gave her an inch of hope. She made her way into the courtyard of the fortress. A primitive gallows had been build at the other side of the courtyard, where five people had been executed by hanging. Lady Miljivan's bodyguard pushed the people aside as she made her way towards the gallows with her heartbeat increasing. As she came close enough to the gallows to see the people, her heart sank. In the middle hanged general Artiem, lifeless and molested. The only man of power in Medirna's army who would have done anything to prevent war, was dead.
Lady Miljivan would send message to anyone that had not been involved, anyone that she could save.
Evacuate Kiserova, run to the east. Escape to Ovan Nova or Helmova. Medirna's wrath will soon come to Kiserova.
So I never got an answer to my question?
Sorry. Yes you can stay in the same manner as anyone else.
I think I explained this earlier but that might have been in a personal message to someone. I don't really remember.
When a character is eliminated from the tournament, they kind of turn into background characters or NPC characrters. To say simply they are not affected by the same things that affect those still in the "tournament".
So your characters are free to do anything that is reasonable and logical for them to do.
It depends what your character is doing. It might have some impact but nothing very significant and also less so than the actions made by those still in the "tournament".
I can't have 16 or more characters running around with the ability to change the story in a way that changes the outcome.
You could also change the narrative somewhat if your character makes contact with those still in the "tournament" and affect their actions, reasons and so on.
However that is dependent mostly on their characters.
I would suggest that if you want to ask further questions that might not be of use to other people, please send me a personal message instead.
Akuma hadn't slept since Nilani left. Her eyes had closed several times, and each time she forced herself awake, scared to confront herself within her dreams. She was barely functional, a complete wreck of a girl, staying in bed most of the day, dreading the possibility that the threads of the Abyss would pull on her psyche and drag her into the depths of sleep. She wouldn't let that happen...
Akuma hadn't cried since Nilani left. She had wanted to, many times, but found herself unable. She was worn out by stress. The war, the tournament. The bombardment of screams, night after night, seeped their way into her soul and leeched at her emotions, turning her into a living zombie. Not thinking. Not sleeping. Not moving. Dead to the world.
When will it end...?
(This ended up way more grim than I anticipated, but fear not! The night is always darkest before the dawn)
A new course for the Tournament and for the people of Vosanova
Aeryn sat down eating a piece of pancake and read the letter.
'' What do you mean the tournament was canceled at the moment? We have to meet with the rest. ''
Aeryn, Marian and Maycon were walking towards a clandestine pier in the poor part of the city. Renain was shaking, following them farther and accelerating his steps at any crooked glance of the people. Nyrea glowed and chatted with Aeryn in the form of a fairy. Maycon and Marian already knew that Aeryn spoke to herself with the sword because of the bond of the runes, but they did not know about the new shape of the sword.
'' So it's decided, Aeryn? Are we going back to the kingdom? '' Asked Maycon.
''I think so. It wouldn't be interesting to stay in a land of war. ''
'' I disagree, Aeryn. We should stay and help as much as possible. This would also help the image of the School, and most of all we swear to protect it, '' replied Marian, when everyone stopped by the pier.
A rough sailor came up to them already waving his arms.
'' We are not taking trips. We are closed. If you want to leave the city you have to go by earth... and good luck on the borders. ''
Aeryn couldn't even reply that the sailor turned and left.
They continued the conversation and decided what to do.
"And why is that robot following us?" Marian pointed out between some barrels. Aeryn recognized the robot. It was Cranket.
The little robot left, going uneasily towards Aeryn.
'' Sorry, but I heard the tournament was canceled. Now you can give me back the star. ''
'' She was handed over to the authorities. This was dangerous. It was a reactor and you knew it, '' Aeryn said and Maycon was embarrassed remembering he threw it into the sea. Cranket went crazy and started to shake and grind the gears, not believing.
'' Small calm. You are very agitated ''
Cranket began to shine until he saw a light shining near the pier, floating in the sea.
'' And what is that over there? Did you throw the star away? '' Cranket shone more and the star followed the intensity. Everyone turned to where Cranket was pointing and saw the star.
Explosion.
A lot of woods flew and some boats and ships were hurled aside. The explosion was not so big, but enough to hurt some sailors and sink two boats and destroy part of a ship. The knights were pushed back slightly with the dust that had formed. Cranket was still glowing and shouting 'no'. The reactor exploded, but the ritual performed at the temple consumed some of its power.
Cranket continued to glow and in a strange way his internal reactor reacted by making strong magnetic pulses pulling the nearby metals towards him. In the small moments of transition, the reactor appeared to have black goo stuck in it. The metals in the magnetic pulses began to create a new Cranket.
"We can't wait, we need to stop this thing," said Maycon, who ran to the robot and was thrown when Cranket had finished creating his new shape.
"You're dead, Aeryn," cried Cranket with a macabre look.
It has come to my attention that I will need to begin new some new projects within a resonable future. I would like to have finished this project by then.
I have also begun to become rather confused by everything going on so I'm sorry in advance if I forget something crucial.
So I am going to give this tournament a preliminary last date which will be the last of September (30th)
I would like the final to be done by then. But before that we have the semi finals which require more work than the final thereafter.
I think 2 weeks for the semi finals should do fine and then one week for the final match. (This won't happen since I can basically only write matches during the weekends nowdays but it is a guidline.
So the following dates are the "hard deadlines"
Semi final - 23rd of September
Final - 30th of September.
HOWEVER! (important) Your characters will be able to force her opponent into a match.
This will give both of these characters a limited time (about 3 days depending on when the next weekend is, I will provide a deadline when and if a fight is forced.) to provide cards and more story.
So try to have your cards ready soon after the next stage begins. (When Kiserova is evacuated and the choices are made.)
There are two reasons I decide to do this:
- Fast planning and writing will be profitable in this stage.
- It will hopefully put the matches earlier than the hard deadline.
The earlier the matches are fought, the more time the winner gets before the final match.
The choices
All of you have been given two choices by now.
By Friday 11:00 PM London time, I need to know exactly what choices your characters will make in the end and if those choices will be delayed in the story.
If I have the answers by 7:00 AM, on Friday I will post the matches earlier.
The choices are as said:
What faction if any will you character support?
What will she do regarding the abyss?
On Friday or Saturday I will reveal the following matches depending on your choices.
Stories and places
Quite much will happen in the near future both in the story and the tournament.
So I want to remind you that you can always write story blurps that happens long before the current events, though the closer the better.
As mentioned a few times earlier. Kiserova will soon be left behind due to the coming war. Most of the events thereafter will happen on the way to and inside Ovan Nova.
Ovan Nova is an ancient capital of the Ovan people and once was capital of Vosanova (or rather the kingdom that turned into Vosanova). It is a holy site for those of the Ovan culture and beliefs, and hold many secrets in the endless halls beneath the city and temple.
Summary
When the matches are decided and Kiserova is evacuated, the semi final stage begins.
You may then anytime force an early fight with your opponent. (The delayed choices might have happened by then but there are possible exceptions.)
Otherwise, the fights will be set the 23rd of September.
The deadline for the final match is the 30th of September. The match will then occur during the following weekend (2nd - 4th of October)
The story will soon go towards Ovan Nova, the cultural capital of the Ovan people.
It was expected that Medirna would answer swiftly and ruthlessly to the execution of her general. It was not expected that a large band of Medirnian commoners gathered by a few lords would take an opportunity to begin sacking and pillaging the land around Kiserova before an organized army could arrive.
After only one week, the first wave of warmongering lords arrived with an army of four thousand militia. They sacked, plundered and pillaged every village and lightly fortified city in western Vosanova. Cavalry from Kiserova and Minova was sent out to repel the attackers. Even though they were well trained compared to their enemies who were barely anything more than peasants, they were too few to stop the attacks so they had to focus to keep the towns further from the border, safe.
Every day, more lords arrived with large hosts of militia seeking gold and riches. Every day, more refuges arrived in Kiserova and more people evacuated. The conditions grew more and more uncontrollable and a real Medirnian army or dragon had not even arrived yet. The only real calming knowledge was that commander Ferrun had still not attacked any Vosanovan settlement that was not suspected to be assisting Pontiff Cralmarov.
After three weeks, the Eido cavalry regiment of eight hundred Rahandi horsemen finally arrived in western Vosanova. The cavalry, even though not as formidable as its historic ancestor, easily dealt with the Medirna militia even though outnumbered sometimes by as much as twenty-five to one. For some time, Kiserova could evacuate its people to the east without risk of being attacked by pillagers or militia. The following days, a large amount of people fled Kiserova in panic as words had arrived of an approaching Medirnian army and twelve dragons.
It is common knowledge that the more dragons that are brought to a battle, the fewer people the army is planning to take prisoners. Nine dragons are rare in offensive wars, even for Medirna. A soldier must eat more than a simple peasant, a horse must eat about five times more than a soldier, and a Mandylon dragon must eat about ten times more than a horse. No dragon will never go hungry for long after a battle.
People panicked of fear as they knew, not one of them would be taken prisoner. Swarms of people left the city and in a single day the population of Kiserova had more than halved, but there were still tens of thousands of people left. The Rahandi cavalry reorganized in Kiserova before they headed to Ovan Nova. The cavalry could not be risked to protect the citizens.
Then after four weeks, the Medirnian army arrived from the northern border. Six thousand men, a thousand horses and five dragons. The rest of the army was heading towards Minova while another force was approaching Vova in northern Vosanova.
Not even a thousand soldiers, most of older age, remained in Kiserova. The rest had since long been sent east together with the king and his family. The army set camp around the city and at dusk, it was no longer possible to escape the city. As night came, the dragons began to cast flames upon the city as the army bombarded it with artillery.
Kiserova would hold the siege for eleven days.
Minova would hold for six days and Vova would fall during its second day.
Vosanova has one chance, not only to survive but fight back, and it lies deep beneath Ovan Nova. A thunderstorm is approaching.
----
Nilani hadn't returned to Akuma- her best friend- for days now. Ever since she left, she had been resting in an empty cell of the prison dungeon- venturing outside of it rarely. She had been preparing herself for over a week now. Each day, Nilani trained- making efforts to clear her mind- just focus on one goal. She needed to find a quick path towards that cave from her memories. It held something powerful- something that Nilani knew the Red Queen was after. It was something that put her whole village in danger. After all, the only thing that kept Nilani from corruption in her fight with Squrturglus was the fact that she still had a purpose- something that kept her tethered to herself. The abyss was powerful and Nilani needed to stay strong.
Akuma, I promise I'll be back for you. Both of us have to fight- just for different things, right? After both of us win our battles, we can reunite. My village needs me.
Nilani's fist tightened around the letter that was sent to her.
I can't wait any longer. My family needs me.
G̶̯͊ǫ̷̤͐͒o̷͔͛d̸̞̭̍͠,̷̢̐͘ ̸̪̈Ň̸͖̄ị̵͑̍l̷̟̺͗a̵̳̔n̵̙͌́ī̴̱͒.̸͈̍ ̴͔̔Ṭ̸͔̊h̷͍̩͆̀e̶̥̿ ̶͙͔̈́a̵̱͆̑b̵̺̂y̷͗͘ͅs̷͈͝s̴̞̬̃ ̸̱͆ͅa̵̯̲͌̐w̴͉̪̃a̶̙̅͠i̵̗͒t̶͕̩̏͘s̶͙͚̀ ̵̨͔̊y̸̖͌̽o̵̭̥͒̉ü̸̡̝.̵̱̺̉.̵̱͑ͅ.̷͇̮͋̆
Nilani shook her head. And ran into the depths of the prison dungeon. A few minutes later, the enchantress arrived at the broken wall. The dark magic seemed to be reducing, oddly enough.
Huh, the opening is closing. I'll have to be quick to get back here.
Nilani summoned an invocation to accompany her. The pool of the black inky liquid seemed to have reappeared, but it was definitely smaller than she remembered.
Is the war pushing the abyss away or is something else happening? Whatever this is- I feel like I need the abyss for some reason.
Nilani took a deep breath. She looked down into the inky black liquid, then to the way she had come.
"There's no going back now," Nilani said to herself, "Even after I entered the abyss once, it completely changed my life. I've prepared so much for this. I've learned so much through the Abyss- who knows? Maybe I will learn more! I want to know more."
Nilani jumped into the pool with her invocation. She felt herself fall. Peacefully. A bell chimed in her mind. She felt her muscles relax. The invocation next to her dissolved into the dark fluid as Nilani was slowly filled with the abyss and its calming touch.
I̷̡̡͑̚f̴̲̔̈ ̴̞̲͌͆ŷ̶̧̬̈́o̷̘͛u̵̡̙̿́ ̸̹͔̃c̵̜̣̑̏ő̵͈̮̍m̴͖͌ͅȩ̵̧̋ ̸̣͍̀̈́h̷̙̘̓ḛ̷̪̍̅r̶̰̪̍ȇ̶̹ ̸̳͒̏w̷͍̺̽i̴̹̋ţ̶̉̋h̵̢͆ ̶̢̙͗́p̵̣̓u̸̗̇͑r̶͕̪̽͘p̷̭̾o̴̭̜̓s̴̞͋͑e̷̗̩͛,̴̳͚́̀ ̵̺̓y̷̧̓ȯ̶̪̒ǘ̴̯̟ ̴̗̤̈̅ẘ̴̼̬i̴͈͒l̶̯̅l̶͙̪̓͑ ̸͉͇̊ņ̶̼̄e̶̛̬̘͊v̶̳̌e̴͓͐͘ṟ̵̳͗̄ ̶̟̙̓b̵͕͑̋ę̴͝ ̴̦͒a̸͇͗̚ ̷̭̠͌ṡ̸͔͓l̴̠̅̓a̷̛̰̐v̵̧̿̉ẻ̴̱̍.̸̦̎ ̴̻͎̐̇Ẃ̷̰͝h̸̰͇̒̄a̷͔͛̚t̸̡̹͑'̶̡̰͂̈ș̵̢͛ ̸̨̝̓y̶̥̼̎͒o̸̻̜͝u̷͈̰͑r̴͉̄ ̵̩͝p̵̭̏͂u̴̱͎̿r̵̜̎͑p̷̟̺͛o̴̟͗̐͜s̵̫̾̇ę̵̋̀ ̸͙̒͆͜N̸̈́̈͜i̸̖͓͐l̷̹͎̒a̷̫̽͒n̷̦͌ȉ̷͜?̸̻̏͝
Nilani was still falling. Slowly. Peacefully.
"What's my purpose?" Nilani murmured to herself.
W̸̢͚̅h̶̙̯̀̄o̶̞̭̊̽ ̷̼̜̆͂ȁ̸̧̨r̶̘͂ë̶͙́̿ ̷̙͈̀̓y̷̰̚o̷̰͆̈u̷͕̇,̷̩͉͛ ̵̺͑͜N̵̛̺̮̏í̸̩͈͝l̶͍̪͂a̴̢̬͌̔n̸̮̿i̴͈̇͘?̷̱̇͘
After everything, I've done...
Nilani's eyes fluttered open. There were shadows dancing around her. Nilani put her hand out in front of her and created a golden light. To Nilani's surprise, it didn't turn to shadows right away. All of a sudden, she could see through the liquid.
Nilani could see many places. All of them warped images of temples or underground sanctuaries. And one thing was prominent within all of them- there wasn't only darkness within these places. There was light too!
Maybe...I was wrong...maybe the abyss isn't bad-
Focus, Nilani! Don't let your mind wander. You only have one purpose right now! And that must be to get to that cave! The abyss connects so many places with its magic- it's like a dark, powerful pathway which has magic of its own.
Now, Nilani felt herself stop. Where was she? Nilani looked around. She couldn't see the way she had come from. Only a dark, black sky above pearly white tiles. The tiles seemed to be floating amidst the dark.
The enchantress created a bright light in her hand. She looked around. The floating tiles seemed to form a narrow pathway into the oblivion.
Should I follow it?
Y̶̰̣͌͗ö̶͈́ͅǘ̶͕ ̸͔̎c̷͘͜à̵̛͇̮n̴̨̟̐'̴̬̔͋t̶̖̳̑̕ ̸̟̹̆g̸͕͓̓ö̵̟́ ̴̞̅͠b̶̘͖̆a̷̼̖̅̐c̵̢̱̕ḱ̸̯̞͆,̸̲̘̉̈ ̴̨̀ẽ̷͖n̷̠̳͆͊ĉ̶͓̮ḫ̷̦̈̚ḁ̵̍̀n̶̞̳̊t̶̩̊ṛ̵̔̍ě̷̜s̴̨̩̒̚ŝ̵̜͝.̵̨̜͛͊ ̸͓̭̓D̶̨̈́͜o̵̢͇͆̒ ̵̨̒y̸͈̒́ȯ̶͓͝ù̷͔̆ ̷̱̃͠h̴̝̓̉a̷̧͒̕v̶̧̬̓̿è̷̬̉ ̵͈̆ͅa̸̘͌n̵̢̖̓y̸̮̒͒ ̶̝́͊õ̴̭p̷̤̅t̴̹̣̂͗i̵̹̔̍ȯ̴͈̃n̶͚̪̽͛ ̷̬̩̈́̾b̷͔̆̓u̸͔̼̿̽t̸͕͖͆͠ ̸͖̹̕ṭ̷̪̽͘o̷̼̐̉ ̶̗̰̆c̶̘͆̊ŏ̶͍͚n̶͚̂t̷̡͔̋̾ǐ̶̧̝ņ̷̝̏̈ụ̶̤͋͘e̸̬̬͌?̴̻͛
There was a rumbling noise behind Nilani. She spun backwards and found a dark mist sweeping over the tiles, destroying them- slowly. She saw them crumble into fine dust and float away into the darkness, shimmering like stars in the peaceful night.
My purpose? I must continue forward. I must find that mysterious gem and my parents. I must not get stuck in that mist.
Nilani walked forward onto the tiles. They were all sturdy. She observed everything as she walked, but nothing was there. Oddly enough, she felt calm. Her mind and body were at peace. She hadn't felt this way for such a long time. After hours of walking without end, the enchantress found herself in front of something that looked like a dark portal. Nilani looked behind at the black mist and knew what she had to do. Nilani jumped inside.
Now, she was in another room. This one was large and was decorated with large extravagant paintings along each wall. Most everything was normal, except for one thing. Instead of a ceiling, there was the same liquid that she had seen before. There were also torches that lit up the room, but only faintly. Nilani examined each painting carefully.
Most of the paintings depicted large, prominent figures and giant wars.
Wow...this world has had a bloody past. Look at all of these wars and murderers in the name of...righteousness and goodwill? What? Why?
In each painting there seemed to be something missing. Something being surpressed. Something that left the painting incomplete. Nilani looked at the blood on her letter and then glanced back at the painting she was in front of. Then it dawned on her.
Darkness? The painting is missing darkness?
Nilani created an invocation. She realized another thing too.
There's darkness within the light because it needs balance! Without both light and dark, magic becomes unstable! The abyss isn't evil! It acts as a counterbalance to the other forces within this world. If there was no abyss, the other powers would overwhelm this plane! Right? These voices...and the abyss...they've never been evil...they've been trying to guide me! That's why I've felt calm in the grasp of the abyss...They've been trying to help me grow.
Ī̴̬̀'̷͈͋m̵̲̻̈́ ̵͉͚̈́̚ģ̷̳͑͝l̵̝̏̏a̴̼̐͛d̵̲̂ ̷̜̄t̵̨̯̉͝o̵̠̾ ̸̹̰͋̈́s̴̨̊͋ẽ̸̩e̶̱̅̉͜ ̴̧̜̈y̸͍̔̕o̶͙̜̓û̶͔̽'̸͎̋̿v̴͖̀́e̷̼͌ ̷̢͋f̴̮̭͆i̷͚̿̀n̵̗̂a̴̺͉͘̕l̶̹̀̑ͅl̵͉̺̅͗y̸̗͕͗ ̴͖͘ŗ̴̓̍è̶͜ả̷̭̏l̷͙̇ị̴̔̑ź̶̥̌e̴̲͝d̵̰͚̈ ̸͖̘͗̚t̸͖̏h̸͛̓͜ĩ̷̞s̵̮̬͌͂.̸̭̈.̴̺̥͌͝.̷̞̿
Then, all the color seemed to melt off a single painting. It all seemed to fall into a dark vortex. There was now an overwhelming power being emitted from the hole. Something that Nilani would have run from before. Oddly enough, she trusted it. Nilani let herself fall inside it and let it carry her through the dark depths of the abyss. Nilani felt the abyss taint her mind, her body, and really everything. Nilani didn't try to stop it, nor did she want to either.
(To be continued in another part)
Approximately 150 years ago.
Mikhail was returning to a grand war camp south of the kingdom. The fronts were losing space and many warriors were shot down. Mikhail knew how important it was to sheathe Nyrea. That unusual day, Mikhail was stressed out by the losses.
Mikhail's tent was very simple and contained many war items, but the only thing he asked for was a gold-adorned bed and a place for a good shower. Upon entering, he gently placed Nyrea on the bed and removed his helmet, going straight for a good shower. His face was cold and calculating.
After relaxing, he put on comfortable clothes and left the makeshift bathroom opening the simple curtains. In bed, waiting for her beloved Mikhail, Nyrea was hunched over the blankets in her astral form.
Thanks
Kiserova - the face of war (part 1/2)
The first days were pure chaos. Many deaths, fights, innocents being kicked and punched and noble and rich being killed in the public square. In those days Aeryn had not yet shown Nyrea's power. She tried to break up the fights and help innocent people willing to help them get out of the city.
Aeryn had made a temporary camp in a crevice in a ravine near the temple, where Stygas performed a flawed ritual. The upper part of the place was blocked by rubble and the chaos in the city would hardly find it there. The most injured were being allocated there with help from Marian, who had a basic knowledge of medicine.
Aeryn did not choose a side in this conflict and it was making her life difficult for everyone.
On one of those days, from a distance, Aeryn spotted Lady Miljivan still escorting and turning around as she could, trying to help the less fortunate.
Aeryn found a pamphlet on the floor and put it away.
Evacuate Kiserova, run to the east. Escape to Ovan Nova or Helmova. Medirna's wrath will soon come to Kiserova.
Two days later the city was worse than ever.
Aeryn made a decision and went to Kiserova's main square and showed Nyrea's power to everyone. Marian and Maycon were surprised, but the speech, without Aeryn's practice, did not have much effect. Nyrea's strength knocking out some disaffected people only stoked those who wanted war.
Lady Miljivan watched from a distance and decided to follow Aeryn that day with two guards to avoid a crowd. Nyrea felt and warned Aeryn, who decided to let her go.
The place was surrounded by trees and difficult to access. Miljivan came to the entrance.
"So you're following me, correct?", Aeryn emerged from the trees to approach her. Nyrea in turn came from the other side, placing the sword close to the throat of the two guards at once with a smile. "Is that your message?", Aeryn took out the pamphlet.
'' Yes, Aeryn. I need your help to evacuate Kiserova and ... I need to show you something that can help against these creatures ... and who corrupted you in the tournament, '' Aeryn's eyes widened. How did she know what happened?
"We will talk alone, but I notice that the situation is more difficult than you think", Aeryn wielded Nyrea and entered with Miljivan in the camp.
The place was smelling of sulfur and blood. Many injured men, women and children who were unable to get out of Kiserova so easily. They arrived at a private place to talk.
''This is horrible''
'' Yes, but if you still have any power we need a strengthened caravan to send everyone out of Kiserova. Tomorrow night would be ideal. The longer we wait, the worse the situation will be''
Lady Miljivan nodded in agreement. They continued to talk about the whole situation until they reached the abyssal force. Miljivan drew a sword. Nyrea shivered a little, but did not change.
"That sword belonged to Irene," he said sadly. '' It contains a pure flame that can fight abyssal forces, but it only activates its power with much training and ... with a spirit at peace with its actions and past, not necessarily pure, but if you have many conflicts it can corrupt you. I don't trust you completely, but enough to deliver to you. ''
Nyrea flashed warning Aeryn that she didn't like the idea.
'' I understand Miljivan. I would not be able to wield it with Nyrea, but I will study it and do my best. If what you say is true, it will be a great help against this force ... But first we must find out where this abyssal force comes from and even more help the people to leave Kiserova. ''
They said their goodbyes and Nyrea appeared to Aeryn.
'' You cannot wield that sword. I, I, I need to show you something. '' Nyrea seemed to want to cry and touched Aeryn's forehead to enter shared consciousness.
In the corridor, the abyssal leftover in the back had walked a little more.
'' Since you released me, some memories have come back like a punch to the stomach. I am remembering my losses and I cannot control my emotions and this is allowing the abyssal force to progress. ''
The place went dark and Nyrea took on a more depressed form with black hair and dress.
'' You should have talked before. I will help you. If you are afraid because of the white flame, it can help you to be at peace with yourself and end this filthy infiltrator. ''
''Thank you''
Nyrea and Aeryn went back to the real world and rested.
Aeryn, in hiding, went to a quiet spot to study the sword delivered by Miljivan. She was light, but she couldn't light the flames. Aeryn, with her power to create rustic runes, tried to extract some of her power. In the end she got a rune that she kept in her pocket, but still without activating any power from it.
------------------------
Ryan, after meeting with Mia, did not know what to say. He was a corrupted spirit and just took Aeryn's location. Ryan was a living dead man in black armor. He started running non-stop towards Kiserova.
Days later, without expressing tiredness by its undead form, it arrived at the border that crossed part of a forest. Some guards were making rounds and were surprised by the knight.
Ryan didn't get excited and killed everyone. He felt he was close to the goal and just sat down to meditate and wait for Aeryn.
(to be continued)
------
Nilani closed her eyes amidst the darkness. There was nothing to see, but on the contrary, so much to feel. So much to hear. Memories of Nilani's first moments alive were coursing throughout her mind. The abyssal gem and golden lights all created by Nilani dancing around it.
Y̸̲̟̌͐ǫ̷̀u̶͓̓͐ ̶̫͑͜k̷͕͍̇́ǹ̴̫̄o̶̩͘͝ͅw̵̡̽ ̸̰͑w̵̻̽͠ḩ̴̦͊o̸͓̣̽ ̴̫̃ÿ̷̻̯́̇o̸̭̽ų̵̓̍ ̷̯͒͘a̵̡̙̕r̸͇̰͒͒e̴͚͘͝,̸̦͚̔ ̵̥̅̽Ṇ̶̾̊ȉ̸̘l̵͚͠a̵̱̭͗͝n̴̼̽ȋ̵̠̺
For the first time Nilani heard this voice as a calming one. Something that was guiding her towards the truth.
Yes. I know who I am. I was born as a protector. I was born pure. I was born free. I must let it stay that way... For years I've shunned out the abyss from my life...now I must accept it once more.
Y̶̞͛o̶͇̫͒̊ȗ̸̱̾͜'̸̩̝͗r̵͇̗̓͘e̵͙̰̓̋ ̸̞͕̾r̸̮̪͑̔ȩ̴͍̊̋a̸̢̛͂d̵̛̫̍ÿ̵͔́̒,̴̹͎̇̚ ̸͖͗N̴͉̈̍ǐ̶̟l̷̝̉á̸͕̠n̸̲̟̔̚i̴̪̬̎.̴̧͍̾͝ ̴̲̯͆Ḭ̷͘t̵͊̓͜'̶̖̄͗s̵̲͋͘ ̴̻̬̽t̵̘̮̂͌í̸̌ͅm̶̲͌̀e̸̲̟̔ ̸̳͇̓̎y̷͎̮̿̽ò̵̺͎ų̴̞͘ ̸̪́͠f̸̡̐ͅĭ̶̭̈́n̴͚̭̓͌i̴̬̞̾̓ş̴͗h̷̗̤͌̿ ̵̆ͅw̷͕̱̕h̵̭͗ă̷͖̒t̷̠͐̕ ̶̖̙̂͌y̴̳̮̕ó̸͙͆u̷̺͊̄ ̷̖̭̏̑s̸̬̆̌t̵̖̃͐á̵̛̲̜r̵̮̋̾t̴̰̫̄e̷̥̰͗̕d̵̰̫̃.̶̱̍͑
The liquid suddenly disappeared and Nilani found herself standing next to a pool of black liquid. She wasn't in the abyss anymore. This was completely real. Nilani was in a large, underground cavern. It was decorated with golden light. Nilani recognized it.
Is this...?
Nilani turned around. There was a floating black gem in front of her. It radiated with power. Then, Nilani heard quick footsteps echo throughout the room. Nilani spun quickly, readying a spell. She stopped suddenly when she saw who it was. The Red Queen was in front of her, wearing a long red dress. There was a ball of red light in one hand and a black one in the other. She grinned evilly.
"You..." the Red Queen said with disgust, "You destroyed so many of my plans. It's fine now. Your enchantments around the city have failed. Everyone in the village is dead, and now, I'm here. I've finally won."
Nilani stopped suddenly. She realized the truth. Her parents were dead. Everyone who cared about her was dead- well, everyone except Akuma of course. She had failed.
Then, the Red Queen waved her hand, and her parents' dead bodies appeared in front of her. They had been tortured. Their faces were beat up to the point that they were almost unrecognizable. There was fear in their expression too.
"I know, Nilani," the Red Queen teased, "It's sad. Your parents are dead. Didn't you want to protect them?"
Then, the Red Queen threw both spells at Nilani. Both of them were full of evil and hatred. Nilani tried to create a shield, but both spells easily shattered it. Nilani was blasted backwards into the wall.
"You're weak, as always," the Red Queen said as she walked towards the black stone. I've worked so hard to finally take this. "The abyss is a monster, Nilani. I was like you once- a young mage. Afraid of the abyss."
The queen took a step closer to the stone.
"I was right to be afraid. But, the abyss holds so much power. So much that I learned I could exploit."
Nilani struggled to get up. Her body was still recovering from the two spells.
"I gave so many people a reason to be afraid of this power more. The more they're afraid, the more they listen. I knew of this monster, and I knew I could control it with my own powers."
Nilani was on her feet now. She fired a blast of golden light at the Red Queen. It ricocheted off a shield created by the Red Queen and bounced back towards Nilani. The enchantress tumbled out of the way and ran to block the Red Queen's path.
The evil queen fired two more spells at Nilani. She created a stronger shield this time, but the impact of the powerful spells knocked her backward.
"You're naïve...so young...so foolish." Nilani fired a spell at her opponent, but was forced to dodge it again as it bounced off the red shield. The Red Queen grabbed the stone. Power beyond any other radiated from it.
Nilani was scared. She had to think fast. With a wave, she transformed her shield into an invocation.
Then, there was a large blast. The Red Queen was laughing maniacally. The whole room crumbled and the houses above were reduced to dust. Nilani stood behind her invocation and waved her hand. It grabbed both Nilani and the Red Queen and dragged both of them into the abyss- together. Then, the black pool disappeared.
(Part 3 incoming very soon!)
Storyline cards.
Kiserova - the face of war (part 2/2)
On the night of the following day, Lady Miljivan's remaining soldiers met with makeshift carts near the bottom of the temple. Leaving the forest, several people came to the soldiers' caravan. All helping the wounded and with less strength to walk. Aeryn, Marian and Maycon were at the front to guide the route. The hardest part would be to go through the city to the border of Ovan Nova forest.
Unable to escape, the caravan passed through some streets in the city of Kiserova. The few people who were still struggling for their life in the city didn't care about the sick passing by. Some got together and others ignored it when they saw Aeryn with Lady Miljivan. The intention was to leave the city until dawn.
-
The caravan was protected by Marian in the back, Maycon in the middle and Aeryn in the front with Miljivan. Some were already badly injured and could not resist on the way. Miljivan's soldiers helped dig pits in the forest to put an end to those innocent lives, but the real terror would emerge that night.
Screams in the distance resounded throughout the caravan. Aeryn was concerned and asked everyone to stop. The caravan is in a place with low trees with lots of cracks illuminated by the moon. Again a shout from afar heavy footsteps of armor in the foliage began to sound closer.
Suddenly the screams came from the end of the caravan. Everyone despaired.
''Keep calm. I will go there,'' said Aeryn, riding quickly to the opposite side.
Upon arriving, she was faced with something she did not imagine finding. Some dead bodies on the ground and Marian wounded in the foliage with a heavy breath of tiredness. Sitting in meditation, was Ryan, Aeryn's father. Extinctively Aeryn took Nyrea to speak to her.
"Nyrea, didn't you kill my father on Morgradin's mission?'', Aeryn shivered.
''Not exactly. He ran-away. Its power goes beyond what leviathan can offer. This force is more evil. I didn't mean to say that, but I'm afraid I will end it,''
Aeryn ground her teeth, wanting to express a sad tone.
Ryan got up seeing Aeryn's delay and called out to her.
''Come my daughter. It will be an honor to fight you, and to be able to kill you.''
At the end of the sentence Maycon came out screaming with a sword in hand.
''You will not hurt these people and my friend Marian and leave unharmed''
Maycon came close to Ryan attacking horizontally with his sword. The black knight dodged easily and brandished his swords. Maycon was smart and let go to cut a branch on top that hit Ryan's helmet, but he was an undead and, which was something to feel a pain in, he just used it as an impulse to grab Maycon's neck.
"Come on or this busybody dies."
Aeryn excited by holding the sword, but already out of the horse's cell. Ryan broke his neck. Marian cried out in fury.
"Aeryn," said Nyrea. ''It's time. You can put the rune of the white flame on me. I can take it.'' In the end Nyrea showed her astral form by holding the sword close to Aeryn.
Taking a deep breath and with confidence and anger at her friend's death, she drew the rune and placed it in the center of the sword. Nyrea felt the strength and shivered until it disappeared.
"Nyrea! Come back. Talk to me.'' Aeryn was desperate. She was unable to wield the sword. Nyrea's strength was very strong and again she left no one to wield it. ''Come back Nyrea.''
Ryan ran to distracted Aeryn.
Within the consciousness of the Nyrea sword, the astral form was devastated. The runes were with achromatic lights and alternating between them. In the background, the small cluster of abyssal shadows was crazy and struggling with something in the background.
The abyssal shadow and its creatures began to scream. A light began to appear until it devoured all that source of energy. The light looked very much like Nyrea with white hair and intense light. The light, seeing Nyrea crying on the floor, drew a sword of light to fight it.
-
Ryan attacked Aeryn without mercy. She dodged and tried to use her runes and perform rustic runes to avoid blows and counterattack. On the floor, Nyrea emitted intermittent light and was gray and white. Aeryn was starting to think it was a bad idea to try to tame the white light.
Lady Miljivan had finally reached the end of the caravan and was faced with the situation of struggle and loss. She saw Aeryn running away and fighting with her runes and the sword on the ground in bright lights. Soon she understood what was going on and went to Nyrea to help the sword.
-
Nyrea did not react to the blows of the light spectrum. The blows hurt, but it regenerated very quickly, but the runes became less and less bright and the corridor began to take on a darkness of Nyrea's emotions.
''React!'' Spoke the light shrillly, giving Nyrea another blow.
''I don't have to fight anymore'', many memories and losses went through her head in a whirlwind.
The light struck again and struck.
Suddenly, on the ceiling, a more charitable light appeared. It looked like a hand touching the sword. Miljivan.
"React primordial specter!"
More memories sank into her mind as, down the hall, a mist opened up showing Aeryn's fight against her father. ''This battle is hers. It's about your life and accepting death, but she needs you to get over it. ''
The light tried to strike another blow, but this time Nyrea held the sword in one hand.
-
Miljivan tried to raise his sword, but he knew he couldn't. Next to her, Aeryn was hit and fell to the floor. Ryan placed the sword close to her throat. Aeryn took a deep breath trying to mentally concentrate a plea for Nyrea.
Ryan raises his sword for the last blow when a great light has taken the night in the forest.
Next to it was Nyrea with blond hair holding the sword with a light white flame. Aeryn expressed peace. Ryan looked blankly and tried to hit Aeryn.
Nyrea quickly ran and parried the blow genuinely and in the sequence she made two strokes to break the knight's sword. Aeryn felt refreshed and knew what to do.
In fractions of a second, as the pieces flew, Aeryn got up and went behind Nyrea covering her vision behind Nyrea's flowing skirt to finally hold the sword and make the transition. Nyrea's astral form soon returned to the sword that in Aeryn's hands flew into the chest of the knight and father.
"Free yourself and now I am here to help you," said Nyrea.
She closed her eyes, leaving a small tear in the corner of her right eye and cried out in pain and peace. The white flame emerged from the sword that consumed all of Ryan's armor. When she opened her eyes, she quickly saw a specter of light seeping out of Ryan's benevolent face. She only heard a buzz, but she saw in the expression a "thank you" from her beloved father.
Aeryn fell to the floor on her knees without crying and with inner peace. Nyrea stopped blazing and emitted the same aura of peace.
(I will try to put more brief stories before the semifinal. I hope to do it.)
The Red Queen blasted Nilani's invocation to tiny shreds of light.
"You little troublesome child," the Red Queen seethed, "How dare you drag me into the abyss? How dare you try an meddle in my plans. You denied me this power once when you were born, so I seeked out the abyss- a monster that only I could manipulate. I won't let you destroy my plans again."
She threw a powerful spell towards the young enchantress. Nilani dodged the blast.
"I know you don't believe in the monstrosity of the abyss, but don't worry...I'll help you understand."
The Red Queen snapped and dark magic erupted from the ground around Nilani, like a prison, except it slowly inched towards the enchantress. It seemed like there was no way out. Then, Nilani remembered something.
That's right! In my first training match with Akuma, she used my shield to jump and gain momentum off it!
Nilani smiled. She created shields, using each one to jump higher and higher until she was finally high enough to evade the light. Nilani watched as the black beams finally connected in the air. They simply dissolved, leaving a large, deep crater behind filled with a shallow pool of corrupted mana.
While atop her shield, Nilani knew she wasn't safe. The Red Queen's dangerous spells could still harm her. Nilani quickly wove an invocation out of her shield. It took the form of a bird. It had a body of gold light with wings of shadow. Nilani rode atop its back. It dived down towards the Red Queen, who dodged its first attack. Right as the bird was about to crash into the ground, it quickly turned as Nilani waved her hand. Then it sped towards the Red Queen again, cutting through many of her spells. The evil enchantress was forced to dodge. She rolled backwards into the crater of dark mana, still holding the orb.
Y̷̗̽ő̵̘̂͜u̶̹̇̆ ̶̢͈̍̚č̸̲͍͝a̸̰͋̽ń̸̥͔͆'̷̩͇͛ṭ̵͎̉̃ ̵̧͚̏͘l̸̡̝̒̾è̵̱͆t̵̘̀ ̸̢̝̄͝ĥ̶̭e̶̹̅r̵̢̙̍̑ ̵̪͝g̴̲̝̃͒e̵̤̪̓́t̵̯̄̄͜ ̷͚̿a̷̭͌̐ẁ̴̮͔̇ȁ̶͍̬y̷̻̱̑̉!̸̡͈̅̿
A large number of shadows started to raise from the pool of mana. Nilani could hear screams of men, women, and even children too as the shadows rose from the pool.
Is she really using innocent souls for her own-
"You chose to leave the war, Nilani, to selfishly solve your own problems. You cared to much about your parents. If they needed help during the tournament, I wouldn't be surprised if you quit the tournament. Akuma could be fighting for her life and you're here settling an old dispute, yet if she called you, you'd leave this just to be there for her," the Red Queen shouted at Nilani, who was still atop her bird, "That's your flaw. You care too much. You cared too much about your parents, leaving Akuma behind to die. You care too much about the past- so much so that you have no control over your own future. You care so much about others. So much that you have no room for yourself. Yet in all your acts of care, it somehow results in a selfish out come. You left your friend for your family. You killed Mystus, for your escape. You used up Akuma's training time to heal your own injuries and reminisce upon the past. I used to care. But, if I don't care, I won't feel remorse. There's no consequence. No morals. Only power and gains. Today, I have found my true power. Today, I have discovered the true monstrosity of the Abyss. And today, you will be the first to feel my wrath."
Nilani angrily swopped down. Her invocation cut through the screaming shadows, leaving them at rest once more as she and her invocation darted towards the evil queen.
A red sword suddenly materialized in her hands. There was something unnaturally powerful about it, however. She swung the blade. It cleaved Nilani's invocation cleanly in two and struck Nilani hard on her throat and chest. Nilani splashed into the pool, coughing blood. Nilani had no time to recover. The shadows quickly swarmed around her, attacking every part of her body. Nilani had no time to scream as they lifted her into the air.
The light in that dark!
Nilani's hands lit up despite her pain. A gold light burst through the shadows. The Red Queen's eyes widened. Nilani landed in the pool. Her injuries seemed to have disappeared. Nilani stood up.
"No, you're wrong," Nilani retorted, "The abyss isn't a monster. Nor is it evil. You're evil. You're greedy. After everything I've been through recently, I've realized that the abyss is the victim of a horrible misunderstanding. The abyss is a power- no, a force that acts as a counterbalance to the forces perceived as good. If there was only light, it would be just as surpressing as overwhelming darkness. The abyss needs someone to show the world what the abyss really is. The abyss isn't evil. It's made evil by people like you. Your greed requires more and more power from the abyss until you become a monster- a slave of your own powers you've gathered and taint the reputation of the abyss. A force that has balanced the world out for years! You're the monster. And I need to make sure that you can't hurt anyone...anymore."
"Is that a threat, Nilani?" the Red Queen asked.
Nilani grinned. One of her hands were shrouded in shadow and the other was shining in golden light. There was a perfect balance between the magic. Somehow the opposing magic seemed to be wielded by the same person.
"Yes." It was Nilani's turn to smile. "I was born to create this balance. I did it when I was small. I know who I am. I am Nilani, the Hopebringer. Not only do I bring hope to those of the light, I'll spread word of the goodness of darkness too. I, Nilani, accept the abyss. I already submitted to its grasp long ago and it's now time for me to accept that. I will be pure. I'll be beyond the slave or the monster. I can be free even if it means going agains everything I've worked for in my life."
"You still can't beat me, Nilani. I already have this gem of the abyss. I control it."
"Wrong again, your majesty," the enchantress retorted mockingly, "You've become a monster of the abyss. You're just a slave to your greed. You want power. You told me that you were pure once. You lost that because of your lust for power. Why? Because you didn't care. Everyone has their flaws, and for you your greed will be your downfall!"
The Red Queen only smirked. She created her own invocation that towered over Nilani. It was red with a malevolent black aura surrounding it. Nilani started to run. She used her shields to jump away from the invocation. She wasn't fast enough. The invocation crashed down above the enchantress.
---
(Part 4 will be up shortly! I didn't think I'd write this much! When, I'm done, I'll edit in cards to the posts.)
Balance! There must be balance!
There was a force bearing down on the ground. So why not up? Nilani created a shield and transformed it into her own invocation. She could see its true colors now. It was one of shadow with golden lights swirling around it. Nilani smiled. She unwove her invocation quickly, and there was a sudden explosion. Both invocations exploded while Nilani protected herself with a shield. Suddenly, she felt something lift her up into the air. It was just a shadow.
The abyss! The abyss wants to help!
Nilani rode the shadow current. Shooting blasts of gold and black magic at The Red Queen. Every spell her opponent shot at her was blocked by a stream of shadow. Then, Nilani knew what she had to do. She created an invocation on top of the shadows in front of her.
"Here goes nothing..." she muttered.
The invocation drew on the power from the shadow currents, from the dark mana, and from everything around it, really. It grew in size and changed into the form of the Red Queen. Nilani's eyes widened. She felt strain on her hands. The magic was too powerful for her. Especially in this place. Her Hope Twin spell was about to go horribly wrong. Again. It fired a beam of light towards the queen. She deflected it, angrily.
The Red Queen wasn't smiling anymore. She had an ugly snarl plastered on her face. In her head, Nilani knew there was fear somewhere. Nilani hovered in the air on the shadows provided by the abyss as she struggled to confine its power. Cracks started to appear on her strained hands.
So this was the immense power she was wielding, even though she was in an environment made out of abyssal power and the fact that she was trying to create a duplicate of The Red Queen, who was a very powerful mage herself. Nilani couldn't control her powers combined with two other's for much longer. She couldn't hold on much longer. Nilani let go of the spell. It spiraled out of control.
In a panic, The Red Queen, cast a chain of powerful spells. Many of them broke through its arms and legs. Red light seemed to burst though the invocation and rip through its arms and legs, but everything bounced off its core. The Red Queen tried to run backwards in the pool of mana, but shadows crept around her legs, holding her in place.
"No...after everything I've done? Now?"
There was fear in the Queen's eyes. There was a large explosion as the invocation slammed into her. Smoke and shadows burst everywhere. Nilani jumped down and ran to the Red Queen's body.
Nilani was mortified. She had mastered the spell, yet somehow she lost control- again. But something wasn't right. The Red Queen tried to run. Still, she had to give any dead one, even her enemies, a proper freedom. Nilani placed her hand on the Red Queen's chest and muttered a few words she had never said before.
A graceful spirit emerged from the dead queen's body and disappeared into the sky. She was free. For some reason, freeing The Red Queen’s soul made her feel a little better.
She was just...misguided...I’m sure she’ll find her place among the stars. Everyone deserves a second chance, right?
Nilani then proceeded to walk towards the temple, where she found another portal. She stepped inside. Then, moments later, she found herself greeted with locked doors in Kiserova. The vault had closed, trapping Nilani inside.
The enchantress went back into the abyss. There was only one more place she could go to. Back to Ovan Nova. To the temple where she had defeated two of her most feared opponents.
Akuma...please...find a way here. I need you...
Nilani thought about the war. She had made her choice.
I won’t fight in this war. I will not pick a side unless I have to. I can’t risk losing control of my powers. I must train, like before, and show the world what the abyss truly is. The abyss is no monster.
With that, Nilani walked off to find a small place to stay the night. She thought her nightmare was over, but the truth was, it was only just the beginning...
——
(Done! Cards will be made tomorrow since I’m really tired!)
How long has it been? Three days? Four? Five?
Akuma slowly sat up, dots swimming in her vision. She swung her feet over the side of her bed, and placed her weight on them. She pushed off the bed and took a tentative step, but her legs betrayed her, buckling underneath her and causing her to topple toward the corner of her bed.
Oh f*&k, she thought. Then her head hit the cornerpost, and she was consumed by the inky void of unconsciousness.
Akuma was standing in a pool of inky water, shifting and reflecting as it writhed around her ankles. Across the pool from her was... her. Akuma glared at her double.
"You." she said.
"Us indeed," her double replied. "I'm surprised you lasted so long, to be honest. But you're here now." Akuma's eyes narrowed further.
"I will kill you." She grasped her hands in front of her, and Naku Tsuki appeared, etheral and ghostly in her hands, with an edge like solid moonlight.
"You can certainly try..." Her double shifted. Its own version of Naku Tsuki filled its hand, and its clothes changed from a nightgown to a set of Kamigawan armor. But not just any armor. She armor she wore on that day.
"You monster"
"We most certainly are..."
Akuma charged at herself
Match D̵̡̨̡̫͎̱̘̭͙̞̫͉̠̮͈̔́͌͛͑̀́̇̅̆̊͑̽ŕ̴̼̦̭̬͇̯̲̘̾̓̑̍́̓̉͘̕̚e̵̦̗͑̇̾̏̋̾̈́̓̄̚̕͝ā̷̝͕̣ḿ̴̧̡̡̪̥̫̳͉͗̈ - Fight!
Fumeiyona Akuma vs Herself
As Akuma ran, the landscape shifted around her, flashing between locations. Some were obvious. The tournament arena, the clearing where she'd trained with Nilani.
"I'm feeling generous, so go ahead and pick" Akuma concentrated, and suddenly, she was running along a low wooden bridge, footsteps echoing off the forest of bamboo on either side. A full moon was visible in sky, and the light of the stars reflected off the inky darkness of the river.
Akuma's double raised its sword and rushed forward to meet Akuma head on. Akuma was the first to strike, swinging a deadly downwards cut to her double's neck. But her opponent was quick, and brought up her sword to block the attack, before pivoting to attack Akuma from the side. She was ready for it, though, and pivoted Naku Tsuki to catch her double's blade by tsuba and flick it away. She followed it up with a scything cut to the neck, but her double ducked under it, flicking her blade out in a forward motion, tearing a gash in Akuma's side. Akuma stepped into the strike, getting up close on the inside of the blade and giving her opponent a kick to the chest, sending her staggering backwards as Akuma came at her from all sides in a flurry of blows. Her double managed to roll out of the way, although she suffered a wound in a cut on her shoulder. She quickly stood up again, already striking at Akuma's ankle. Akuma stepped back, and her double took advantage of the situation, pushing toward Akuma, taking a sizable gash on the arm in order to get close enough to push the already off-balance Akuma over the side of the bridge and into the river below. She leapt after her prey, and Akuma could barely roll out of the way in time, sending her double's sword straight through her arm instead of through her heart. Akuma swiped at her double's leg, and she fell as well. Akuma tried to stand, but a hand pulled her back. She tried to stab at her opponent's chest, but she deftly caught the blade with her own and flicked at Akuma's face, drawing a thin cut from her jaw all the way up to her left eye. Akuma grabbed the abyssal blade, feeling it cut into her fingers, and moved it out of the way to stab again, this time biting deep into her double's thigh. The two combatants pushed apart and stood up, water mixing with blood, dripping from their blades and bodies. Akuma flicked the blood from her blade. and wiped some of the blood from her face. Her double launched an attack to the neck, but as Akuma went to block, it turned into a feint, and the attack instead came from the other side instead. Akuma had barely enough time to step back as the blade whistled past her throat. She regained her stance, glad to have been able to get out in time. Suddenly, a pain in her neck. She brought her hand up to it, and it came away bloodied. She was going to bleed out if she didn't win fast. He double smirked, but Akuma used a bamboo stalk to launch herself toward her opponent, tearing open a huge gash in her double's thigh. The wound immediately started to bleed a dark, jet black liquid. Akuma went to attack again, but her double managed to do a reverse block, then expertly swung the blade around to hit Akuma in the shoulder. The blade bit deep, and as her double struggled to wrench it free, Akuma lunged with Naku Tsuki, slicing clean through the wrist supporting the abyssal blade. The hand vanished into smoke, as did the blade, but her double was already moving in for a counterattack with her tanto, burying the small blade deep into Akuma's gut. Akuma backed away and swung clumsily with her sword. Her double easily dodged out of the way, and manged to get behind Akuma, grabbing her arm and snapping her elbow. Naku Tsuki slipped from her fingers, and Akuma gasped as she felt the tanto dig into her once again. She reached for her own tanto, and managed to get a good stab in on her opponent's side. The pair separated, both bleeding heavily. Akuma's double took a wild slash at her, and Akuma ducked back, jumping to the side to make an attack of her own, but her double was ready, and lunged for Akuma's foot, severing her Achilles tendon and dropping her to the ground. Her opponent was on her in an instant, pinning her down and tossing Akuma's tanto into the river. Akuma closed her eyes briefly. Maybe surrendering to the abyss wouldn't be so bad. Maybe it'd make it all worth it, in the end? No. Her eyes snapped open just as her double's blade pierced her breast, lodging deep inside her chest. The pain was unlike anything Akuma had ever felt before. Akuma desperately needed a way out. And she found one. She stuck her head out, sinking her teeth deep into her double's throat, tearing a large chunk of it out as she pushed her opponent off of her. Her double clawed at her throat, struggling to speak as inky blood gushed from the wound. She tried to crawl away, but Akuma limped over to her and grabbed her by the hair, looking into her double's eyes. Akuma was puzzled. The eyes may have been an inky black, but there was almost something recognizable in them. Akuma set go of her opponent and watched as she slumped to the ground. Akuma shakily lowered herself to her knees, and bowed to her defeated opponent as her double's body dissolved into dust. Akuma's eyes fluttered closed, and her body slumped to the ground. As her dream faded around her, Akuma fell into a deep sleep. She had earned it.
Winner: Fumeiyona Akuma
She had made her choice. Nilani had worked so hard to become free of the abyss. To become pure. To become the true protector. Now, she was giving everything up. As Nilani stood in the pool of corrupted mana facing her greatest enemy, she was ready. One hand glowed with golden, hopeful light and the other was shrouded with black shadows that radiated power. She held the perfect balance between the two worlds.
Now, I ask you again, who are you, Nilani?
Nilani looked up to the dark sky. For the first time she could respond with confidence.
"I am Nilani, the Hopebringer. I am the one who truly understands the abyss."
Golden lights glowed around her.
And your mission?
"My misson? Every soul has a purpose, and it's our job to give each soul a chance. Dead or alive. Good or evil. It doesn't matter. Hope comes from the balance of this world and it is my job to protect it."
Shadows started to swirl around the golden spells. She was complete. She had found her purpose. At last.
"I will not fight in this war or choose sides. I will bring hope and freedom to those who need it," Nilani finished to herself.
Nilani looked to the dark sky and then to the smoke rising from neighboring cities of the war. She had been in the abyss for so many days. She had been away from Akuma for days too. But, she still felt satisfied.
I am no monster, nor am I a slave. I am beyond that, now.
-----------------------
Nilani's new character card:
Just a few quick things about Nilani's new card-
Her first ability remains the same as her previous version, but the second is meant to show some of Nilani's newfound powers. This shows some of her grasp on the abyss. She can use this power to free souls and let them live on, although as some sort of magic (enchantment)- not actually in a physical form (creature). Note that the abilities on the exiled creature (which is now an enchantment) can have its ability costs reduced, but not to less than 1 of course.
Nilani's choices:
Nilani chose to submit to the abyss. She let it take her over and she has finally accespted the balance- the power between both the light and the dark.
Nilani also chose to back away from the war. She doesn't want to choose sides. She just wants to bring hope and freedom to the innocent souls that are entangled in this conflict. She may get involved if something happens involving Akuma because Akuma is now the only person that cares for her that's left.
I hope you like Nilani's new character card! This has been such a fun journey so far!
Approximately 1200 years ago.
At the top of the hottest mountain, a forge in a cave was used to model powerful weapons. The crash of hammering and working gears echoed across the arid desert.
This primordial force that began to forge a sword with mystical runes, pulled an iron tube that extended through a large part of the cave to another hall with molds in silver, gold and diamond. There the tube fitted into the mold of a hammer.
While a hot liquid was poured into the mold of the sword, the same liquid seeped through the tube to the other mold in the other room.
It was not possible to store all the power of the runes in a single sword, so two weapons were created.
The forging hammer cracked the hot metal, echoing even more in the desert.
(This will be one of the loose ends that will not be explored, but for the knowledge of lore only.)
"They welcomed him into their lands, into their cities.
They hid him from those that wanted to bring him to justice.
They forced our hand so we hand to show them that we would not sit idle.
They protected him, they attacked and killed those who allied with us.
They helped him, they attacked our soldiers and caravans.
They allied with him, they killed one of our generals. They killed Artiem Lifvyn.
He was a very noble and loyal man who always put the well-being of Medirna before his own ambition. When the other generals called to punish the Ovan after the incident at Gedorna Ivanov, he would protect them. He would spend his career in Kiserova to ensure that no such thing happened again. He would never use violence against the Ovan unless it was his last option. He protected them while still being loyal to us, to me.
It breaks a part of me to say that he was in the end wrong about the Ovan.
They were worse than we had thought when they killed the one man that protected them. They choice to follow a criminal instead of listening to a man that held them dear. Does this not show us what kind of people the Ovan are?
They have to values, they have no honor, they are not to be trusted.
By allying with Pontiff Cralmarov, they have proven their intentions and they have chosen to oppose us. They are no better than dogs that attack their masters' children. They must be put down by the blade.
Pontiff Cralmarov will be found. He will be smoked out of Vosanova if we so much burn the entire kingdom to ash. Those that dare to hold his position secret will be put down. Those that protect him will face only death. Those that follow him will be tortured until all their knowledge is ours. Only those that give us information to bring down Pontiff, will be spared. Everyone else, even their king, shall face the consequences of their actions even if it is death.
Pontiff shall be found, judged and publicly executed, just like his father."
- Zallados Beldanov, king of Medirna and lord of Beldon.
"Not even friendships can stand against the pendulum of fate."
"How could this have happened?"
"Fate does not care, war does not care, death does not care, the abyss does not care.
"You were my friend!"
"I am your friend. So walk away."
The tournament is over but fate still keeps a hand in the game.
"You have been blinded. You have lost who you are but you cannot see it. "
"You don't understand. If you oppose me, you are a threat to the balance.
"Would you avenge Belisjian? Would you put Niran to rest before it is too late?"
"Seek him, Seek Pontiff. Kill him, make him suffer for what he did.
Match of Fate 1
@Usaername vs @shadow123
Match of Fate 2
@CassZero vs @MonkeyPirate2002
It is by fate that you must draw you blade. It is by fate that you must fight.
The fires of war is spreading, the smoke of destruction is blinding, the smell of death is paralyzing, the corruption of the abyss is rising, the madness is growing, the act of man will soon be happening. You can choose to run or you can face your fate.
None of you have chosen to support Vosanova. None of you have chosen to support Medirna.
It does not matter for you will all be trapped in the clash of war.
You may at any time now force a fight with your opponent to start the fight early and to prevent them as little time as possible. The time given will be 3 days or 72 hours from the forced start.
Otherwise, the deadline is the 23rd of September
After the events in the forest, the caravan continued on to Ovan Nova. All saddened by the losses, Aeryn chose not to carry out Maycon's burial in the forest and would try something worthy in Ovan Nova. Returning to their kingdom would be impossible in the middle of a war. Marian, who was one of the few who had medical knowledge, was debilitated in one of the resting carts.
During the route, Miljivan explained what he knew about the white flame to Aeryn. As much as Aeryn and Nyrea were at peace, there were still many conflicts, anger and pain from recent events. The flame for both was still weak and unstable, but with great power.
The path still had many armies, and some fights were fought.
More than half the caravan had perished.
A few days later they finally arrived at the final border of Ovan Nova.
Looking from a distance, Aeryn and Miljivan recognized the Renain tournament guide. He was dejected and thinner. He looked in surprise when he saw the caravan bringing in refugees. He ran over to them.
"How nice to see you ... Milady," said Renain, bowing gently to Miljivan. "Welcome to Ovan Nova."
(Just to finish the last part. The caravan arrived in Ovan Nova)
(Primitive map of the landscape in and around Ovan Nova)
Yellow: fields
Green: Forest
Blue: duh
Grey: Mountains or surface bedrock
Orange: Holy sites like temples, important statues or shrines.
The land around Ovan Nova mostly consists of open fields. A relic from ancient times when the Ovan stopped being nomadic and instead built their first permanent home, Ovan Nova.
The Vosanova river runs through the landscape, separating it into two parts.
The river is very difficult to pass since there are no nearby bridges except one in Ovan Astova.
The Hem river that runs through the south is much smaller and even passable just north of Ovan Hem.
Most settlements around Ovan Nova are very small. Only Ovan Nova itself and Ovan Astova are of significant size. (about 50,000 each)
Ovan Nova might not have the size or even the fortification that Kiserova has, but it does have its mountains, fields and rivers. Where Kiserova is easy to reach with an army and besiege it, Ovan Nova is very difficult to reach with an army.
There are only two places where an army can reach Ovan Nova, from the south or from Ovan Hem.
Then there is the fields that completely open and perfect for horses, specially the Vosanovan breeds. Few armies of similar size could face the Vosanova cavalry in these fields, even if no Rahandi are included.
This is Vosanova's best defense, it's last defense.
(Okay, I love how you put "blue: duh" in there for some odd reason.)