A glint of steel flashed in the corner of my eye. Busy with bandaging my burning wounds I acted like I didnt see it. Placing my two handed sword in a ready position slowly as not to draw what ever it is out yet.
As I hoped this was not anymore of those metalic like beasts I had encountered earlier in the day. As quickly as my thoughts ended the beasts decended upon me. Their gaze itself drawing power from me. Compounded with some sort of darkened whips and black blades it seemed like they were everywhere. Very quite and stealthy they were.
Concentraiting on a defensive slashing move I have perfected over time I made them inch back little by little. Sparks lite up the passage way. Enough for me to see a stairway to the right of my position. If this battle continues, I thought, time would claim victory over me...death in this subterrianian nest.
These beasts seem to have match for match in melee attacks I thought...Thats it!Shells of a higher power in a different plane.
Drawing them in with a enticing fake stumble one of them made a huge mistake in lunging at me. The move I was waiting for. Dropping to the floor I grabbed the the beast by its legs and pulled it tward me. To my surprise it was very light. Possibly a design to make them as quick as they are. Startling the others with this move gave me the opening I needed. I grabbed the fallen one by the abdomen and rolling it on top of my muscle bound legs I launched this thing into the others toppling them all. I quickly ran for the stairs. The lack of melee sparks darkened my keen sight but my estimate where they were came out perfect.
I jumped and hit the treads in full stride. I placed a Kaldorian mine going down them to seal off the top treads. BOOM! Dust and smoke filled my lungs as I ran. Mybe I shouldnt have been going deeper into this place I pondered.
Having dropped my two handed sword I pulled the Mace of Balance from my pack. Ready if somehow I was followed or put myself in a deeper situation. All quite. Nothing stirred for ages it seemed. My thoughts turned twards my friends. How they were fairing after we were split up....

Is this a private thread or can anyone jump in :confused: [img]smile.gif[/img]

<font color="lightblue">Larry had been named the Commander of night-raids for a reason. His stealth was exceptional, and where darkness brought doubt and fear to others, Larry found his courage.
His home.
But this was not yet night-time. Being totally out of his comfort zone, wielding his quarter-staff, he fought bravely but he was just not up to face-to-face confrontations in the light of day. His enemies had a clear advantage over him. How was he going to get out of this one? Conan and he had been separated a little less than an hour ago, and already, Larry was faring poorly for himself. He didn't know what had hit them, nor where it all came from. He remembered a flash, and the silhoette of a man, making gestures in the air. A mage, no doubt. And where were the others? The Ironworks' Peace-keepers??
Again, his attention had been diverted too long, and a sharp pain in his back told him that his hiding place had been discovered. Running as fast as his trembling feet could take him, Larry jumped over a dead body of somebody. He did not have time to investigate who. He heard the wing flaps behind him.

"Curse all this light! I need to get to help!"
Not paying attention again, Larry ran right into an ambush. Stopping short of running right into the creatures, he tried to turn, but felt the claws of the one behind him grip his arms and hold him still. "Divided, we fall..my brethren...divided, we fall."</font>

"Oh curse by the Gods what is this thing?!" I ponded the snake-like creature with the hilt of my long sword forcefully as it came right back up after being hit a dozen times. Green liqors spilled from its brain following my desperate blow, fear had got me there. I moved my sword wielding hand a little to relax the impact. Without turning, I asked "Morias, you doing OK?"

There came no responds

The lightless corridle echoed the sound of silence. I couldn't make out things beyond my torch light. I stood in place, sword ready "Morias?"

There came no responds

what must I do? I need to get out here, I need to get out here! Where is Morias? I need to get out here, but where is Morias? He was with me! oh god... what must I do!

Without even knowing, I broke into a run, diving headlong into the darkness. (The corridle is supposed to lead me to the storage room where I could find elevators for upper levels, but I dont know this in panicking) Perhaps instinct saved me, or perhaps it was just a trick played by my mind, the moment I ran off, I thought I heard something hissed out the shadow behind me. I swore I felt something flipping over my head, as if trying to drag me into the descending darkness.

OOC: I am a patroling guard

I ran along the achway, my torch leaped and danced as my heavy steps bounced on the stone floor rapidly. Out of the cornor of my eyes, I could see my shadow beside me dancing wildly as the fire played the illusions. I nearly tripped as I stepped on an uneven rock. My eyes stung with sweat, I batted my eyelids rapidly to rid of the pain.

I jumped on my feet, and turned to look when something flipped behind me. I was sure something was there. I waved my torchs left and right, hoping to drive away the shadows that seem to have lives of their own. I saw nothing

Couldn't bare to wait any longer, I turned and ran on. My heavy foot steps echoed in the long corridle...

....Noticing the blood on my hands I settled myself down. Remembering what my old master taught me I clasp my hands together and concentraited on the words he said. Imediately my inner essence soothed and the gash on my left arm closed.
Taking only minutes to recover I became aware of my surroundings.The faint glow of magic eminating from the mace of balance gave me enough light to see 10 feet or so in front of me. The floor looked like wilted grass and walls a greenish moss covered some sort of stone work. Humidity and heat started to draw sweat from my massive arms and chest. This passage almost felt alive matching my every breath and heart beat.
Wondering in circles it seemed I thought I heard a faint sound. A trickle of water perhaps..Following the heavier moss and small signs I stopped to what appeared to be a dead end. The strong odors of foul beasts filled my senses. My skin started to sting and I felt a strong urgency to hasten my actions to see my comrads again. Knowing we must find what we came here for....

<font color="lightblue">I watch them watching me. The demon behind me has a firm grip and is not about to let go. The largest one in front of me appeared to be the leader of this unholy brigade. They muttered something in their tongue and appeared to laugh, if demons do such a thing. How I was going to get out of this one, I did not know. Nor did I know if there were any other survivors besides myself. I had seen Conan enter into the underground. I had heard that 250 was also in that same region. I had to get to them if possible. Then we could find the others. My attention was brought back to the task at hand as the leader-demon came near and held a dagger, dripping with an ichor of tar-like substance. This was it, then...the end of my career as an Ironworks Peacekeeper. Long live Ziroc! I shouted at the beast, as he brought the dagger in a straight-foward motion to stab my heart. Then, I saw my way out. I bent straight over in a heaving jerk and brought my captor over my back in time to meet that hellacious dagger. The scream of agony was then followed by the fool loosing its' grip on me. As it fell over me and into it's surprised leader, I regained my posture, and ran like hell! There were shouts and growls and I don't know what else behind me, coming up quick. I felt a searing pain in my leg, and another in my shoulder. On I kept running. I could not hope to face so many at once. Yet, where was I to lead this pack of wild beasts? To my possibly live friends, only to mean their death as well as mine own? I could not do that. Conan must live at all costs. I had to divert these creatures another way. Seeing a tall building that had survived the blast earlier that day, I ran inside. I hope this is not another trap...</font>

Well, I dont know if this is a countinuation from another thread, and I have forgotten to keep up with IWPK (Yes, yes, shame on me) But this looks kina fun, how excaley dose this work? Do you just make up your own thing and go along or what?

The corridle is so damn long!! I wanted to cry, but when does this end? And where is Morias? I've been running for something like five minutes, the faint light coming through the door is just about fifty ft ahead of me, and it remained so for like an eternity!

Sweating and breathing heavily, I slowed my pace, only to immediately speed up out of desperation. God help me, please, God help me! What is happening here? Why cannot I reach the goddamn door??!

Darkness is all about me, snickering and winking. I felt their belittling and mocking. Angerily, I struck my sword into the dark "Shut up you bastards!" The sword hit the wall and sparkled current for less than a brief second, the sound ring loudly around me. Down behind the corridle, I heard it echoing back through the endless darkness, and with it came the low, uncomprehensible voices. This time it is no trick, I hear it! The gloom, mumbling voices felt so near as if they are talking beside my ear, but the language was so foreign... I stood in place, looking into the dark, the hair on my back stood up. I hear my own heartbeat, booming thunderously in my body

"quiet, quiet please, be quiet" I mentally begged to my heart "just be quiet... please, I beg you, be quiet... please, ■■■■■■■ be quiet!!!"

For an eternity I stood still, but nothing happened. The torch on my hand is burning low. I bitted my lips so hard I could taste the blood, the pain brought some sense into me. "dont stop, run" I tell myself "don't stop, run, just run, start now! run! run! the door is just behind you, run!" with a yelp, I turned and resumed running, then i stepped on something, tripped and fell

The torch hit the floor, the flames jumpped in protest for a brief second, then die down rapidly...

through the dim light, I saw a body laying on the ground on his stomache. It is Morias! "Morias? is that you?" I couldn't believe my eyes! "Morias, you ok? answer me, answer me please!"

The body flinched, and Morias turned his face to see me. The last beam of the torch died out as I saw a battered and scared face smiling at me, one eyeball dropping out of his skull, greenish and grey liqor tainted the decayed blood-covering facial muscle.

I screamed, but I couldn't hear my own voice. Sword slashing wildly, I stumbled on my feet. Feeling something grabbed my foot, I kicked and stepped and smashed whatever it was. I ran, towards the door I ran, that was all I had in mind. I ran, I ran, I ran away from whatever that thing was, I ran in darkness, endless darkness, endless corridle... I ran...

OOC>> Dang, 250...that was freaking cool! Keep up the good work!

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Larry_OHF:
OOC>> Dang, 250...that was freaking cool! Keep up the good work!<hr></blockquote>

OOC: ty ty :D glad someone likes it!

IC:
Running, in the deep forest trail. Hide and seek is always my favorite game. I knew a place which no child knows. It is called the Watefall Cave. Me and my sister Anna accidentally stumbled into this place when we were littler than little. Why, the forest is pretty safe, so the rangers said.

The cave, which is a secret kept by me and Anna, always rung the sound of waterfall. That is why we called it the Waterfall Cave. Anna'd be waiting for me there, and we'd spend the rest of the day just sitting beside entrance and listening to the whispers of water. I love Anna, someday I'll marry her, because she is so pretty and cute.

Anna's bright smile printed on my mind as I ran into the hidden trail, full speed towards our secret cave. My short legs carried me as fast as they could. Just before I got out the bush, I heard a gigling ahead.

"Anna?" my voice echoed with confusion. what is she laughing at? she was shy, and never laughed much unless I was around. I ran on, flapping away the bushs and branchs, then there was the giggling again, this time behind me. "Anna?" I stopped in track, turned to look expectingly at the bright faced Anna, but I found none.

Giggling came again, this time it sounded distance, as if Anna ws going away from me. Worried and anxieous, I pushed away the bushs and got out the trail, there was the dark mouth of the Waterfall Cave.

"Anna" I called once more "Anna, are you here?" The giggling came from the cave, the dark cave. I was startled "Anna? you are in the cave? what are you doing? Anna?"

No responds

I looked into the pitch black entrance, and listened carefully. To my surprise, I heard no waterfall this time, instead, I heard someone, no, not just one person, numerous voices whispered beside my ear.

The darkness is talking to me!

They are mocking me, telling me to turn back and run

"Anna?" I fearfully called out, my voice died off and became a low pleading "Anna? you hear me?"

I closed my eyes and inched my way into the dark cave, I cannot leave Anna here! Tears began to wet my eyelids, my legs trembled, and breath rapidly, as I drew nearer, the voices became louder and louder. How familiar, the terrifying voices I hear at dark nights!

I moaned, then dive into the cave "Anna!"

... I ran still, in the darkness, endless darkness, endless corridle...

....Heat, sweat and stink was all I could feel it seemed. Emotionally exausted, dizzyness and hunger crept into my body. This place had the odd feeling of...wait...
SSSTTT.."HUMAN, WHY ARE YOU HERE". I turned suddenly to see several serpent type creatures peering at me. They were very large and yet distiguished looking. Wearing preist type robes and had many gems configured into jewelery. "Wait"...one said. "He carrys the Mace of Balance". SSSSSSTTTT. As I held up the Mace its glow became stronger. For a minute there I thought I saw reflections of humans on the walls behind them. "Come with us then".
A rock slid with a grinding sound. Breaking the silence "You are the priests of hutling I asked"..
"Yesssss, human and who are you?"
"I am Conan and the Peace keeping council has sent myself and comrads here to help you". "They are aware of the illusionist Sergiin' meddling with dark matter"
"Our realm is been transmuted into tricks and the fabric between reality and dark magic are blending fast here".
"We have no time to waste then" I said. "Have you seen any of my comrads?"
"You are the only one" "follow this passage...it will take you to the heart of Segiins' stronghold".
I was alone again with fews clues to how far this wild mage had gone. This would explain the councils choices of party members. All trained in the mental resistance of illusionary and deception....They will need all their strength I thought. We have been in worst situations but deceptions brought out by dark matter will be a true test of will and courage.....

<font color="lightblue">
I am crouching low, behind a turned over table in a ruined room of this building. I can hear them crashing things and looking for me. They will not be satisfied until the Peackeepers are exterminated. I feel like a cockroach, running from the slaying hand of the dominant race. What has happened? How did things turn over so quickly. I think back to the movie Final Fantasy that had the destroyed world, and everyone was hidden in protected barrier cities and the entire planet just seemed changed. I wondered if we would live like that soon.
Then, one of the beasts got close to me. I peered over the table to see that he was alone in the room. I let him walk just close enough to the tabke then I lashed out with my quarterstaff to his shins. As he toppled over, I had already jumped up and angled the staff to jab at his head. As he hit the ground, I whopped him and knocked him out cold.
How was I going to take on a bunch of demons with a normal quarter staff? I needed a magical weapon. I needed a killing weapon. Where would I find one in this wreckage of a world? I searched the beast's body, but found nothing. They relied on their natural offensive abilities. I heard another one coming down the hall. Pulling this one behind my table of refuge, we both hid from the prying eyes. This latter beast did not bother checking in the room I was in.
I did not have much time, and needed a plan. If only I knew that I was not fighting for no reason. If Ziroc had fallen, then this attempt to survive was futile. Had they gotten to him yet? I began to worry. Conan would never of allowed harm to come to Ironworks. But ...did Conan still exist?
Why was my head full of such doubt and despair? It is not like me to assume the worst...</font>

I was in the darkness then all of a sudden...

I stared into the red infernos

everywhere is red, red sky, cloudless. No wind, stillness. Red ground that extends into the horizon, red lavas and infernos that ran freely. Mist rose slowly from the intense heating lava pit.

Fires reflected in my orbs. I felt hard to breath...

Then it was the darkness again. Dreadful, hopeless darkness that almost took my knees. Shaking my head furiously, I ran on, towards the door that never came near... I ran, in the darkness, endless darkness, endless corridle...

<font color="lightblue">I have made it to the top of the building. I had a plan in mind. Nobody knew where I was, and I was going to let them know. I had a stronghold in this crazy world. Gazing upon the city, I nearly cried in terror. The entier place was covered in ash. Building had toppled into others and all had fallen. I was in the single standing structure of considerable height. I carried with me our banner. The Peacekeepers banner. It was large, and could be seen easily from the height that I was at. I planted the post firmly in the ground. The banner waved proudly and strong. We were not going to give up! As long as one of us lived, the Peacekeeping force lived!
I had hoped that by placing this banner here, would attract my friends. I knew not how long that would take, or if it was futile, but I still had to do it. I knew also...that the banner would attract some powerful enemies my way. So be it. I will face them. </font>

....as I made my way upwards , on an old winding path carved out of the stone, I heard high pitched sounds all around me. It was like walking in a dream that had a reality woven into it. The caverns pit seemed endless when loose rocks fell below my feet. The only sounds were the contact off the mountain walls as the rock fell. Room only for one person at a time I kept assending being thankful I didnt have to climb the mountain sides.
No signs of life besides the bats stirring above... I rested and ate some dried meat and swallowed some water. While I was hoping that all of our Peace Keeping party members were fareing well, I couldnt resist letting out a bereserk scream to lessen my anxiety. 3, 4, ..5 echoes then it faintly was absorbed by the bottomless casam.
I stirred myself up thinking and knowing the dark matter must be collected and returned safely. Could I even touch it I wondered or even gaze upon it for that unknowing time when I have it in my reach. Having been tested by the best of our wizards confidence overruled doubt and I pushed on......