I spent a few minutes trying to think of a witty reply to this, but then I gave up, so thanks, I guess. The uncertainty in my wording is not meant to imply that I doubt that I should be thanking you, by the way, because that was clearly a compliment, just that I was reluctantly settling on that lackluster response as opposed to something more interesting.
We can't always have the perfect response at our fingertips. This was a quality post nonetheless.
Well, I could have spent longer trying to think of one, but I didn't want to. Thank you.
Well, I could have spent longer trying to think of one, but I didn't want to. Thank you.
How busy is moderating making you? You've been doing a great job, sir!
Thanks again! It's not bad. Whenever I have a decent chunk of free time, I just hop on, go through the unmodded posts, and do anything else I need to do. It's the same as before, except I don't necessarily get on quite as often, since I can't just get on for five minutes to check notifications and bookmarks, but also I spend a longer amount of time whenever I'm on.
-last edited on May 3, 2019 20:42:31 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on May 3, 2019 20:42:19 GMT
Chapter 109
From Cloventail’s back, Korin could see the Falkrion charge as it neared the first ranks of the dwarves. Led by Zariana, on the back of her enormous wolf, lit mostly by the flickering forks of lightning, it seemed like an army of beasts. Zariana herself, pale face glowing and bared in a terrifying grimace, looked more like a soul-devouring monster than the woman Korin knew. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one thinking this: one of the dwarven commanders called out for the men to stay their positions, and Korin could see that many looked ill at ease. The armies met. The battle began.
Korin and Cloventail forced their way to the front of the dwarven ranks, shoving aside any that got in their way. Before them, the great beasts of the Riders wreaked havoc on the lines, tearing through swathes at a time and withdrawing before they got deep enough to be taken down. Zariana’s Darkwind did the bulk of this, though Akars’s Haru and Emma’s Storm played their parts as well. And besides the Riders, the ferocity of the Falkrions seemed to disquiet the dwarves. They had fought before, but never against an enemy so savage, so bent on victory at any personal cost. This was more than a war for the Falkrions; this was a struggle for their survival. And it was Korin and Cloventail’s job to ensure that that struggle failed, at least in this place.
As Korin and Cloventail neared the front ranks, Zariana spotted them moving towards her. She gave a cool nod and then spurred Darkwind onward, charging directly at them. Cloventail let out a little puff of fire and Darkwind turned aside to avoid it. Zariana swiped at them with her staffblade as they passed, almost striking Korin in the face. Cloventail wheeled around to attack again and Darkwind engaged. They tussled for some minutes, swiping with claws and fangs, but though Cloventail was by far the cleverer Darkwind was stronger and more used to battle. All around them, the dwarves took heart to see one of their own putting up a fight against their strongest foe, but the Falkrions knew that if Zariana fell they had two more Riders on their side. For the dwarves, Korin was the only defense. The battle raged on.
-last edited on May 5, 2019 21:28:38 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on May 5, 2019 21:28:18 GMT
Chapter 110
Some foolish Falkrion had decided to take to the sky despite the orders to remain on the ground. Terra watched as a lightning bolt caught him and he plummeted onto the castle wall, a burnt husk, knocking over a couple of surprised soldiers. Without the advantages provided by aerial attack and the specially designed weapons the Falkrions had made for it, they were forced to fight a messy, brutal assault against the wall, vulnerable to whatever weapons the Dragon Knights might fling at them. Raini and Olifin, large and powerful enough to take down many soldiers at once, and Neceire, with her icy magic, were the only really effective weapons they had; the rest could only distract the soldiers long enough for the dragons to move into place. They fought anyway. There was no choice.
From the corner of her eye, Terra saw a dark-cloaked figure running towards her. There was a second of panic, and then she realized it was Sky. He reached her, but before she could ask why he was there he said, panting with exhaustion, “They found the secret entrance. There are too many for us to fight.”
Terra heard a voice from her other side and turned to see that Hithrol also had noticed Sky and had joined them. “We need to take that passage. That’s our only chance.” He was right. They couldn’t take the walls; the only way to take the castle was to get inside and surprise the Dragon Knights.
Sky continued. “That’s why they sent me. Someone needs to help clear the way.”
Terra shook her head. “I don’t think we can spare anyone. We’re struggling to hold our own here as it is.”
“I’ll go,” said Hithrol, “Olifin knows what he’s doing, and you and Tinunclus can lead the assault, Terra. I’m the only one who’s strong enough to make a difference but not so strong that I’m essential here.”
Terra tried to argue, but she couldn’t think of anything. Hithrol turned to leave, and Sky spoke up. “Hithrol, your sister is leading the assault.” Hithrol didn’t stop; he didn’t even slow down as he ran to the forest.
-last edited on May 6, 2019 20:07:19 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on May 6, 2019 20:05:12 GMT
Chapter 111
With the sun so nearly set and the rain falling so heavily, Vincent could barely see the guards on the wall of the Dragon Kingdom’s castle. He, however, and the rest of the bandits, were illuminated by the glowing red portal behind them, and the guards immediately called out a challenge. “Who goes there?”
Vincent smiled up at them. “My name is Vincent Caloon. Hand over your castle now and no one will be hurt.”
The guards said nothing for a moment, as if not quite sure Vincent had said what they thought he had said. Then, one said dryly, “Next time you make a threat, at least try to have the strength to back it up.”
Vincent was not surprised. He kept on smiling. “Suit yourself. Septimus, it looks like they aren’t going to play nice.”
The wizard stepped through the portal now, draped in his gray robes, with the goblin at his side. He raised one hand and let it fall. Before them, a vast section of the castle wall simply crumbled into dust. The guards on top of it fell to the ground as the floor beneath them disappeared and were still.
Vincent signaled the bandits and they walked forward as one group, wading through the piles of dust, stepping over the bodies, and entering the courtyard. A few other soldiers had seen what had happened and ran towards them. Septimus waved his hand and three fell to the ground, screaming in agony. The last, Rathael shot.
When all was quiet, Septimus and Skorj joined the bandits in the courtyard. “You have your orders,” said the wizard, “Take the castle. Destroy all resistance. Do this, and you will be rewarded beyond your wildest imaginings in my new world.”
Vincent nodded. “As you command.” Without another word, the wizard and the goblin stepped through another portal and were gone. “You ready boys?” asked Vincent, and the rest of the bandits let out a cheer. “Then let’s get going.” They charged forward, eager to fight.
-last edited on May 8, 2019 20:01:53 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on May 8, 2019 20:01:02 GMT
Chapter 112
The City on the River was silent, save for the pattering of rain and the occasional crack of thunder in the distance. Not even birds or vermin came here anymore. This was a city of the smashed, and they knew it. As Skirj walked through the streets, a strange tingling went down his spine. The wound in his stomach ached, still not entirely healed. Hopefully, he could find what he was looking for quickly and be gone. After all, besides the general creepiness, the fate of the world was at stake.
Isabel was not where Skirj had found her last, by Shadowwrath’s grave, but there was no time to find her. He got on his knees and began to dig, using a shovel taken from Paladeen; he had too little magical strength now to waste any on this.
Before Skirj was halfway done, he felt cool metal, a sharp edge, press against his neck. “This feels familiar,” he remarked, “Please allow me to explain.”
“Talk quickly,” said Isabel, “I don’t care whose brother you are. I will not have anyone defacing my husband’s grave.”
“Long story short, there’s a wizard named Septimus Merlinsson who means to smash the Keeper of Souls and take over the world. He’s using a magical gemstone he created to magnify his power and keep his soul tethered to the mortal plane. The only thing that can destroy it is a tool of the Ancients. There is a scroll in my left pocket that explains why that is.”
Without removing the knife, Isabel reached into his pocket and plucked out the scroll. There was a pause of several minutes as she read it, and then the knife was gone. “Take the spear and leave.”
Skirj nodded and returned to his digging. “Thank you.”
When at last Skirj retrieved the spear, his clothing was soaked through and covered in mud. But as he held the spear in his hand, he felt a shiver of power go through him. In that moment, everything seemed right; he could not possibly fail. He turned around to leave and saw Isabel still standing there, watching him. “There’s one more thing you should know. Zelfern had this gemstone for a little while before Septimus reclaimed it. He used its power to smash everyone in the City.”
For a second, Isabel said nothing, her cold eyes growing even colder. “Destroy it.”
Skirj nodded as he opened a portal. He stepped through it and was gone.
-last edited on May 9, 2019 19:21:47 GMT by RuleJJ
Post by RuleJJ on May 9, 2019 19:21:25 GMT
Chapter 113
Hithrol ran through the forest, his pace moderated only by the dim lighting and the need to avoid the trees. The sun was almost set now, and the dark clouds above obscured any light that might come from the moon and stars, so Hithrol waved his hand to form a little ball of red light. It followed him through the trees, casting his face in its crimson hue.
It wasn’t long before Hithrol began to hear the sounds of fighting from ahead, clashing weapons and cries of rage and pain. And then it was upon him. Just as Sky had said, the Falkrions were being pushed back. Of the original nine, only four still stood; Hithrol recognized Hyplaeuse among them. They put up a valiant fight against the Dragon Knights – more than half a dozen had fallen – but the enemy numbers were too great and their armor too much an advantage. And at their head was Alis. As Hithrol watched, she led the charge at the Falkrions. Four soldiers went down to Falkrion spears, moving too fast for them to react, but so did two of the Falkrions. Only Hyplaeuse and one other now remained, and they were pinned against the trees. Alis raised her sword to strike, and that was when Hithrol stepped out of the shadows. “Stop!”
All heads whirled to look at the newcomer, and Alis’s face, lit only faintly and reflecting a little of the red light, grew dark with rage. “You.”
“Me. Stop this, Alis. You are on the wrong side here, and you know it. End this now, and we can walk away before it’s too late.”
Rage filled Alis’s face. “I’m on the wrong side? You and your birds have no right to this castle, Hithrol! I will not allow you to destroy the peace that we have had! You are the one who needs to leave. I will not ask again.”
Hithrol stood up straight and looked her in the eye. “It comes to this, then?”
“It does.” Sword raised, Alis charged at Hithrol, and he lifted Lankey to block her strike. Fortunately, it seemed the soldiers were content to wait while they fought. Hithrol would have to hold Alis off as long as he could. She was the better fighter, he knew, but perhaps magic could make the difference. Their blades clashed again beneath the sanguine light.
How busy is moderating making you? You've been doing a great job, sir!
Thanks again! It's not bad. Whenever I have a decent chunk of free time, I just hop on, go through the unmodded posts, and do anything else I need to do. It's the same as before, except I don't necessarily get on quite as often, since I can't just get on for five minutes to check notifications and bookmarks, but also I spend a longer amount of time whenever I'm on.
Glad to hear it hasn't been overwhelming. I feel really bad, as soon as you showed up my activity plummeted, I haven't been around to help as much lately.
Thanks again! It's not bad. Whenever I have a decent chunk of free time, I just hop on, go through the unmodded posts, and do anything else I need to do. It's the same as before, except I don't necessarily get on quite as often, since I can't just get on for five minutes to check notifications and bookmarks, but also I spend a longer amount of time whenever I'm on.
Glad to hear it hasn't been overwhelming. I feel really bad, as soon as you showed up my activity plummeted, I haven't been around to help as much lately.
Thank you! After so much build-up I wanted to make sure it was worth it.
You did a great job leading up, and now there's so many strands going on through it that it works well hopping around the battlefield to different characters.
Thank you! After so much build-up I wanted to make sure it was worth it.
You did a great job leading up, and now there's so many strands going on through it that it works well hopping around the battlefield to different characters.
That's good to hear. I thought it would be fun to spend some time with characters that don't get a whole lot of attention (Korin and Zariana).
You did a great job leading up, and now there's so many strands going on through it that it works well hopping around the battlefield to different characters.
That's good to hear. I thought it would be fun to spend some time with characters that don't get a whole lot of attention (Korin and Zariana).
The uncertainty in my wording is not meant to imply that I doubt that I should be thanking you, by the way, because that was clearly a compliment, just that I was reluctantly settling on that lackluster response as opposed to something more interesting.
This was a quality post nonetheless. 
![[y]](http://storage.proboards.com/6672327/images/WYWPH2VRo26pOFDid7QZ.png)