Tales from th lost city

[silvertongue217]

Wade was expecting that to be the end of it

Which made him a fool

He felt her shove him in stumbling and falling forward. He whipped around watching as she kicked the door closed. his eyes widened watching her as she took her gun and placed it down before her flak jacket followed. His heart rate ramped up watching with wide eyes as she set her feet and seemed to wait for his punch.

"never hit a girl son"

But dad what happened when the girl was keeping him here against his will?

He looked at her for several minutes wrestling with his anger his hands balled into a fist. He wanted to punch her wanted to punch her bad after all he was a prisoner here, he was being forced here against his will, and he was getting pushed and beat up just because he needed some thing to do the damn thing he was kidnapped to do!

Some thing snapped inside of him some thing dark and some thing angry. He let lose a growl and even though every thing in him told him it was a bad bad bad (did he mention bad idea) he rushed her trying to tackle her.

"I'm so tired of you people thinking you can beat up on me" He shouted his voice rising "So tired of you fucking bullies who think you can beat up on me and push me around I'm fucking done!" He yelled trying to take advantage of her surprise and burst out the door. He didnt care any more not if he got shot hell if he even died.

It was better than being a prisoner

.........................

"I am going got ignore that comment Don and focus on the task at hand" Diana thought smirking "but it is apreciated and your voice sounds like a deep baritone" she quipped before narrowing her eyes.

"you raise a good point however we wont know that until we are around other people how about we compromise and start the walk to central park? We can focus and experiment there" She remarked turning to him and raising an eyebrow in challenge.

"are you ready?"

 

[grdybiwife]

Joan was not surprised. Growing up in a house full of men, being charged at was something she became accustomed to at a young age. Her father was an ex-marine and wouldn't tolerate any of his children running from a fight so he taught her early how to use her big brothers' weight against them to take them down. The little trick hadn't failed her through almost 10 years in the Marine Corp and it didn't fail her now.

She grab, one arm around his neck and pushed forward on her right leg while her left swept his feet from under him. Her knife was out before he hit the ground and as he land, Joan put her knee into his chest. "You feel better," she said with a smirk, her knife pressed into his throat. "People beat up on you because you let 'em. It's not anybody's fault but yours that you're such a pussy Wade," she said shaking her head as she stood. "I haven't locked your door in weeks and you haven't once tried to make a break for it. Not once. My gun is right there in plain sight and you didn't even go for it. What kinda shit is that? I mean honestly...maybe you should have spent a little more time outdoors instead of staring at the computer screen. Then maybe you would have put up a fight when they came and took you. Pathetic," she said and spat on the floor at his feet before she scooped up her gun and pushed the clip back in place.

"Get back to work Wade," she said, still shaking her head as she head out of his cell and closed the door behind her. And still she didn't lock it, just sat back in her seat.

She'd called him pathetic but she really meant herself. If her father saw her now, he would be ashamed at what she had become. All those years of training, even before she enlisted, for what? To become a glorified babysitter to a spineless nerd who would have probably done what Gregor wanted if he asked nicely. Something had to give.

"Arc to Control...Poindexter says his system is shit and whatever he's supposed to do is impossible without something better..."

**********************************************​

"Maybe you should go first," Don said as he slid out of his stool, intentionally pushing her legs up as he did and settled between them a moment. "If I'm supposed to bring you in we probably shouldn't be seen together beforehand right? I'll go change, give you a head start," he said with a wink as he ran his hand up her thigh one last time.

 

[silvertongue217]

Wade felt her push back knowing even before he hit the ground that he had failed. The knife that answered his throat only further confirmed that he had been a fool.

However Wade wasn't expecting what came next

Her words they hit him cut through him in a way the knife never could. She called him pathetic broke him down in a way that was more than her had ever heard.

He supposed it was because he liked her, but she hadn't been the first girl that he liked to make fun of him... Yet with the knife on his throat and her words in his heart for the first time Wade felt truly hurt.

She was off of him in a second and he rolled pushing himself up. He flinched at her words watching as she left and let the air of contempt hang between them.

The he snapped

He grabbed the lap top ripping the door open and throwing it at her feet

"I'm done" he growled narrowing his eyes "shoot me kick my ass push me down do whatever the HELL you want but I'm not working for you ass holes any more I won't help you kill innocent people and I never had plans to!" He hissed.

,.......

"Sounds good" she thought back biting back a moan. Christ his hands were warm! She thought hoping it wasn't headed over the connection. She got up shrugging on her coat and stepping out onto the curve.

"So how far does this thing work" she thought beginning her talk weaving through the crowd

 

[grdybiwife]

Joan was shocked, and a little proud, at Wade's little tantrum. He was finally showing some balls. There was a fire in his eyes as he bore down on her but still she wasn't exactly impressed. If she were in his position, Joan would have been gone months ago. Either by escape or in the incinerator, either way there was no way she would allow herself to be taken hostage.

"You feel better now," she said, her icy blue eyes shifting slowly from the mess of circuit boards and plastic on the floor at her feet to his. She lean back in her chair, one foot on the floor, the other balanced on the crossbar between the front legs. Her toe tapping lightly as a smirk came to her lips. "Tough talk from a guy whose never been shot. Judging from how easily I took you down, you're no stranger to an ass kicking..."

"The hell is going on here Arc," came from down the hall and Joan jumped to her feet snapping to attention. "Did I hear him correctly? Is he refusing to provide us with his services?

Sweat dripped down her back as Davis Grant, head of Templar intelligence, marched down the hall. He'd never been in the service but you wouldn't be able to tell from the way he carried himself. Joan had heard he might have been a fed pre-fog but there was no mistaking whatever his past, Grant was used to being in charge. A goffer trailed behind him, pushing a cart load with mismatched computer parts and Joan cut her eyes at Wade before she spoke.

"I think he's just delirious sir. Cabin fever's cooked his brain. He doesn't know what he's saying," she lied without even thinking about it. Just like Wade, she didn't want to kill innocent people either. The only difference was her conscious was limited to humans, no matter how foolish they might be.

"So you have to situation under control then? I'd hate to think we had wasted precious time," he said, sizing Wade up a moment before he stepped up to Joan with his back to their captive.

"It's under control, sir. I swear..."

"It better be...or else this mess will be the least of your concerns," he said, the last in hushed tones and Joan did well keeping her reaction to a minimum. "You have what you need, now do what you've been asked. Don't make this harder than it needs to be civilian."

And with that he was gone, as too was his gofer, leaving Joan and Wade alone but she waited until the door was closed before she said anything. But still she whispered. "Did you hear that you little shit? He just gave me a kill order. Do what they want or I have to put you down. There's no in between Wade you have no idea what they're capable of."

It occurred to Joan that this was the first time she separated herself from the Templar cause. "They" instead of "we" was a big deal for someone who'd been a good soldier all her life, and she wasn't entirely sure what that meant. But she wouldn't dwell on it.

"Come on, let's get this cleaned up so you can get back to work."

**************************************************​

Don tried his best not to think of her as he changed into a pair of cargo pants and a t-shirt, which was difficult since he could feel her presence. Even as she moved away, he could feel the tug of their connection on his being and he found himself rushing to catch up.

Once outside he didn't have to guess on what direction she went. She left a trail of soft white light in her wake. "I have no idea but you got a tail now," he teased as he made his way through the crowded side walk. He stopped into a bodega to grab a back of smokes and tall can of something cheap to enjoy on his walk. "Tell me if you can see this?"

In his mind, he reproduced the vision Laz supplied of Nicky sitting in the park with his old buddy. The scene quickly changed to show the "abandoned"church on 90th St. It might have been a beautiful place before the fog, but all Don knew was what had become of it. Once stained glass windows had been shattered and replaced with ply wood panels. The grand oak doors were chained shut but according to the info Nicky got from his friend it was a hotbed of Templar activity. "Laz thinks they're using it as an outpost for their little forest raids. I say we find a spot close enough to watch for a bit before I drag you to the doorstep. What do you think?"

 

[silvertongue217]

Wade watched noting the fear that Joan was now using in her voice. She was scared of this guy? He found it hard to believe given how much of a tough as nail bitch she had been since they met. She seemed to genuinely not want to kill him which he found just as unbelievable. No.... She was more interested then contributing to the cause to making sure these templar fuckers got what they wanted the program that would help them wage war on inhumans. She and the Templars just wanted to use him use him in their sick agenda of killing innocent creatures.

And he wasnt going to help them with that

Even if it meant his death

Outwardly he didnt say any thing. Simply helped her clean up the mess. He projected the air of some one defeated the person she already thought he was. Let them think they had bullied him into submission, let her think she had managed to kick his moment of pride down.

It would make his revenge all the better

He wasnt going to build them any thing they needed instead he would build a virus a virus that would cripple... no destroy the Templars little network. So many people didnt realize just what the computer geek could do just what he could cripple without even touching a gun. It would mean his death but Wade was fine with that fine with dying if it meant he didnt have the blood of innocents on his hands.

He grabbed the new computer parts and turned not saying any thing to her. He didnt bother to close the door and instead pulled his jacket and his shirt off. He began pulling out the computer parts grabbing the tools and getting to work on building the system he needed to do what he planned.

.....................................

Diana walked down the street ignoring the curious looks she got. The other inhumans (and humans) were not used to seeing an elf walk so freely. Sure some made pilgrimages or even choose to live in the city but most of her people still choose to keep in the forest city like they had in the time before. Diana returned their looks smiling at them as she watched Dons mental replay.

"I see it" She thought noting the tail thing with mild interest "It makes sense given its strategic position and the Templars religious fanaticism" she replied her mind muling over the images.

"You go ahead and scout it I can not be seen with you or to close to you unless we want this plan to be blown all to hell" She reminded him surprising herself with her own language "I can watch through your mind as I hide in the tree line then we can enact our plan shall we let the others know so they can be on hand for backup?"

 

[grdybiwife]

Wade didn't say anything but Joan could sense the shift in his demeanor. The way he moved was purposeful and there was something hard in his eyes that hadn't been there before.

Then he took his shirt off and she definitely wasn't expecting the pale skinned desk jockey to be so well built. She dragged her chair across the floor and placed it in the doorway before she sat down to watch him work.

It occurred to her then that Wade new sense of determination probably had little to do with the new equipment. It was what he planned to do with it that put the fire in his eyes and sweat on his brow. And it probably was the last thing the Templars wanted, but she didn't say a word. She was just as stuck as he was and if he figured a way out, Joan wouldn't have a choice but to follow. That or face Gregor and she had no interest in that slimy self-righteous perv.

"I hope you know what you're doing Poindexter," she said and pushed her earbuds in place before she tipped herself backwards again.

**************************************​

"Sounds good me swe...I mean soldier, Don said, correcting himself before he could offend the proud warrior elf. They'd made quite a bit of headway and the last thing he wanted to do was back slide into her being standoffish again because he got too familiar. "I'm sure Laz is in her bubble somewhere watching...if not listening in directly," he said as his controlled gate turned to a stagger.

Don cracked open his beer and climbed up onto what was left of the way that ran around the park almost directly across from the church, then lit up a smoke. "Now that I'm sitting here, this place is clearly not abandoned," he said as he watched people move in and out of the foot path between church and some kind of museum. "It's only been 10 minutes and I count 6 guys moving like they're armed. All of them with that ugly ass Coptic cross tattoo on their hands. This is definitely your drop off point little lady," he said without thinking and kicked himself before he apologized. "My bad."

He fell silent as he continued to watch, noticing that the same three guys circled the block together. An obvious patrol and he wondered why it was that the white wolf hadn't made her presence known here. The MPC had to know what these fuckers were up to and he was certain that this place they stumbled upon was only the tip of the iceberg. Don didn't consider himself a smart man but his instincts were rock solid. They had to know.

"So much for peace," he grumbled and crushed his can in his fist.

**********************************************​

Laz hovered cross legged in a bubble of her father's making. The image of Don sitting across the street from the Templar outpost projected against the surface. The sound of his thoughts filtered in sounding far off but still they heard every word.

"He's right," Third said, shaking Laz from her trance and the bubble turned opaque again. "She is nothing like her brother."

"Tell me something I don't know Daddy," she grumbled as her father settled down beside her.

"It is not just the church child. They've tunneled beneath the buildings on the entire block. That is no simple staging point, that is a fortress. What they protect is what we seek and I am afraid things are further along than I hoped. We must summon War and Death. I believe their brothers will be in the city before too long."

"So that's good for us right?"

"That remains to be seen child."

"I don't like the sound of that."

"You shouldn't," Third said as he made himself upright and touched his staff to the top of his daughters head.

In the blink of an eye they were in Death's domain. The bleak landscape stretched on as far as the eye could see but beneath Laz's feet there was lush grass and sunshine. Third smiled at that as he followed her on the path to the dilapidated castle that was her marital home.

"Be nice Daddy, remember you're a guest," she said as she pushed open the door with a wave of her hand.

 

[silvertongue217]

Diana shook his head snorting at his sweet comment. She ducked into the tree line moving under the shadow of the tree lines. She turned her eyes running over the trees weighing her options. She finally noted one that was closest enough big enough for her to set up and pushed off her coat revealing her simple (and slightly revealing) green summer dress. She jumped clambering up pulling her self along the tree until she finally reached the top where she could see the entire complex.

"don no need to apologize" She thought shaking his head a small smile playing on her face "And I agree there being a lot more obvious then I would have expected there is also a sniper post located on top of the bell tower" she said showing him a mental view of her viewpoint.

"I concur with you" Diana said noting his general theme of thought even if he didnt expressly state it "theres no way that this isnt known by the white wolf whatever game she is playing it is looking more and more likely that the templars could be the catalyst for the war to be reopened"

"Which is why we need to handle this" Diana thought "us without the backing of either side do you agree dashing rogue?" She said dropping back down onto the floor and straightening.

.............................

"Aye because Deaths domain is where death holds court and law" Deaths voice said echoing across the halls as the door opened. A skeleton appeared wearing of all things a butlers outfit.

"The master is downstairs" The skeleton said in a faux british accent "he is waiting for you"

Sure enough Jackie was in the basement in what had become a lab/potion room/ whats that weird thing in the corner. Heavy rock music blared from a band of skeletons that looked suspiciously like the guys from ACDC. Jackie himself was shirtless working on his gauntlet as his head bounced to the music.

"Ah I do so love hosting the relatives" Jackie called waving his hand and stopping the band mid song. He turned eyeing them both up and down a faint smirk on his face.

"Three it is lovely to see you or shall I call you future daddy dearest?" He said shaking his head before his eyes flickered over to Laz "darling" he said winking at her and reaching out to pull her in for a kiss.

"So hear to pick me up eh?" He said glancing over at three "Deaths been grumbling all day about going to get war"

"The brothers are coming" Deaths voice said coming out of Jackies mouth before he shook his head.

"well then lets go get our sweet sister" Jackie said snapping his fingers his costume sliding onto his body and his gauntlet flying onto his arm.

 

[grdybiwife]

"We'll have our back up when the time comes," Don said, relief flooding his being that Diana had not reacted to his familiarity and a smile came to his lips. It didn't last of course, given their mission.

The longer he sat there, watching, the less he liked the idea of bringing her to them. However capable she might have been, Don took issue with delivering her to doom, regardless if he himself was going in with her. If she was right about what was going on between the Templar and the elves, she would face a horror worse than his time with the mad scientist. Mostly because she would remember every bit.

"Are you sure about this Di...I mean no one would think any less of you if we went in straight. I wouldn't think any less of you."

******************************************​

Laz felt her father's angst as Jackie called him out of his name, yet again. "It's Third babe not three," she said into his mind as his kissed her. She slipped her hand into his, their rings locking together with their own special brand of magnetism as she laced their fingers together. Despite the custom, Laz switched her rings to wear on her right hand to make the embrace more natural, since their rings were drawn to each other as much as Jackie was to her. And she him.

"Unfortunately, War's domain is not nearly as welcoming as yours keeper of Death," Third said, his eyes scanning the room. "Though I am certain the elder has heard the same whispers as you, she is much more suited for her new realm than you are yours..."

"And what the hell is that supposed to mean," Laz piped up, defending Jackie from the slight her father gave. "Death chose him far and square."

"Please child I meant no harm," Third said with a wave of his hand. "I simply meant that she is in the place she would have gone had the Russian not taken her. She has family there. The realm of War is more a home to her than Earth ever could have been and she may be reluctant to leave it."

Laz couldn't argue with that. She had seen the inside of Lem's soul and knew well the depths of her loneliness. Sure Edward and the rest of them had served to ease it but still she knew Lem longed for the familiarity of home.

*******************************************​

Lem sat naked on the animal skin rug before the roaring fireplace. Her hair was down, blowing in the breeze from the open terrace. Night had fallen in War's domain and campfires could be seen for miles in the distance. The sound of steel being sharpened mingled with the cacophony of fight songs filled the air and for the first time in a long time, the elder Vampire felt at peace. She had a man to love. A place to rest her head. Friends who cared for her. Family was long lost had now been found. To her life could get no better than this moment.

But still she sharpened her blades. The weapons arrayed before her were not only hers but War's as well and she felt compelled to carry them back to Earth. There had been a tingling in the back of her mind, a feeling of impending combat and she readied herself for it's arrival. Lem was never one to shy away from a fight, even before immortality. Now with War's attachment, she would seek it out. There was no way around it. All her mortal life she lived by the sword, gaining peace one stroke at a time. Only now did it occur to her that might have been why she hadn't found it again until recently.

"No longer will I be idle," she said quietly as she straightened her legs to stand, and as she did, the armor of War made it's way to her person. Shoulder guards molded to look like flames over a long black cloak with a deep cowl. A breast plate of black leather and red laces over a leather tunic that lay snug against her hips. The black leather leggings were just as snug but they moved with her as if a second skin. With the heavy black broad sword strapped to her back and her own blades at her hips, Lem looked the portrait of her patron and smiled at her reflection in the mirror.

"We have guests," she said to Edward. Despite the fact they had yet to arrive, Lem could already feel the intrusion at her gates. The presence of those unanointed. "I will meet them at the gates," she said before she disappeared from her chambers and appeared on a field where her brothers were already assembled. There were others as well, men and women she did not know until she looked into their eyes. It was War who told her they were her chosen guard, as if she would need such a thing.

Just as she was about to warn them, the air crackled with energy as a bubble appear in the deep purple sky. Swords came free of sheaths, automatic weapons were made ready and again Lem smiled. "Easy warriors. This is a friendly invasion," she said as she pushed back her cloak, hand rested on the hilt of her blade naturally.

"I told you," Third said as they touched down and he pushed back his own hood. He jammed his scepter into the ground before he approached Lem and her line with his hands out before him. "Those of war do not take kindly to intrusion."

"No they do not," Lem said with a grin allowing Laz to let loose the breath she had been holding. "I feel your anxiety traveler and it is unnecessary."

"I was weary of you before elder but now...well...let us just say that War suits you well my dear Serkalem," Third said, the last with a wink that brought weapons to bare again but a subtle motion from Lem put them all at ease again. "There is trouble..."

"I'm aware," she said in the gravelly voice of War and her eyes became fiery red orbs. "My brothers have chosen to align themselves with Destruction and the wheels of eschaton have been set in motion. Fortunately, they are unaware that I have chosen a champion," she said with a raised eyebrow, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. Lem raised her hand at the question she felt brewing in Laz's mind and shift her fiery gaze to the sorceress, but it was Third who answered.

"While they build an army, War has one ready made. They need a champion to lead them from this plane."

Lem raised War's broadsword high into the air and let out her battle cry. War horns sounded in the distance and the ground shook with the march of countless boots.

"You got a broke down palace and she got all this," Laz whispered to Jackie with a smirk. "Seems you got the short end of this deal."

 

[silvertongue217]

Diana raised an eyebrow as she walked back onto the crowded street pondering his question. It was sweet of him to care and even though she wouldnt say it a small smile played on her lips as she answered him.

"As sweet as your concern in yes I am sure" Diana said not bothering to glance in his direction "My people are suffering and dying by the hands of these madmen not only that but countless numbers of my shield maidens have been captured and their fates are unknown I need to find out what is happening to my people and I must do this"

Diana walked a few blocks down to where he was and ducked in a side alleyway "so how do you want to do this?" She asked out loud this time as she leaned against the rough stone wall.

..........................

Jackie/Death snorted at his fiancé words. He eyed the assembled group a ruefell smirk on his face at the sight of his sister in full force. It was weird to see Lem a girl he barely knew but also War a person who was essentially his sister now. He could feel death stiring amused as well by War and Lems antics.

"An impressive display dear sister" Jackie said moving past both Laz and Third before stepping in front of Lem "terrifying awe inspiring" he said making sure to look behind her at the assemble army gathered.

"I would accuse you of show boating dear sister but I know you would never dare stoop to such pettiness" Jackie said his voice merged with Death and both of them highly amused.

"Now as effective as I know this army COMBINED with my legion of the dead will be A full force invasion of Manhatten is probably not the best way to move forward yet at least" Jackie said

"So if you all would follow me" Jackie said his eyes glowing bright green. There was a flash and suddenly they were all in on enormous slab of rock that seemed to be floating in space and stretched infinitely. Every one had been transported their the army and the group of "invaders".

"War if you will do the honor of setting up our armies camp" Jackie said as the ground behind him began to shift. Out of the ground thousands of mismatched ghouls and skeletons began to appear as Jackie called upon his loyal subjects. Ghost of all Era's appeared their bodies brought corporal as the king of death the caretaker of souls let them come back to life. Within minutes Deaths army was assembled ten times the size of Wars.

"Once were all set up we can check in on the mortal plane" Jackie said trying not to look back and give Laz a cocky smirk. His expression grew serious however as both he and War felt the shift of power.

Their two other brothers were seeking champions of their own

"If only there was some way to stop them" Jackie/Death murmured to Lem/War keeping his voice low "they always were an overeager lot..... wanting to end things before the date we were given by father....."

 

[grdybiwife]

Don couldn't argue with a women with such a noble cause, but that didn't mean he'd just lay into her where she stood. He pulled his eyes from where she stood a few feet away to watch the Templar lair. The guards would pass in a few moments and he would make his move on the next.

"This is gonna suck," he said to her as he moved from his perch and shuffled in her direction. Anyone looking would think him some drunk going about his business. He even babbled a little under his breath, sang a little off key as he came within inches of where Diana hid. "Don't think I'm going to enjoy this...well the violence part. I'm sure you can feel how badly I want to touch you," he admitted as he stepped into the alley to stand before her.

Don moved in close, his big body dwarfing her lithe frame. His blackish eyes locked with hers as he raised his hand to caress the fabric of her gossamer dress a moment before he grabbed the sleeve and yanked, tearing it at the seam. His other hand went to her throat and he squeezed just enough to leave his fingerprints on her fair skin.

"This is not at all the way I pictured our first time," he said with a smirk as he pinned her against the wall with his body. His hand still on her throat, Don reached down between her thighs to tear the seam of her leather leggings, leaving her undergarments exposed. "I could knock you out or you can pretend, either way I'm putting you on my shoulder 'cause there's no way I'm dragging you anywhere pretty lady."

*************************​

Lem rolled her eyes as Jackie raised his army. She felt the pull of her own forces behind her, their collective disdain for those who had been deemed unworthy of War's Domain. There might have been more but she would take her ranks over his any day. Only glory brought you to War's gates, Death, well his was a catchall.

Even Laz wasn't particularly impressed by the array of decaying life forms that assembled but she did her best to keep her it to herself. Even when she felt her father's eyes on her.

"Cannon fodder...the whole lot of them," one of Lem's gaurd said and the rest of the front line broke into laughs, until Lem shift her eyes at them. They all fell immediately silent.

"Why stop them," War said through Lem's lips as his vessel leaned on her sword. "They will not choose as well as we have. You know those two, they never think things through."

"Even if there were a way," Third interrupted and Lem shift her eyes at him, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I might be easier to deal with them once they make it into the fog as opposed to chasing them across the cosmos."

 

[silvertongue217]

"Such a flirt as always" Came Diana's reply through their mental link. If Don was paying attention he would feel the excitement in her.

An excitement that had to do with the way he ripped her clothes

"So can I bill you for the dress and outfit" She thought to him trying to resist the urge to snort as she went limp. It would do neither of them any good if she pretended to be awake.

"I have a feeling you enjoyed that far more than you let on" Diana thought to him as they neared the entrance "Remind me never to wear lingerie around you"

She turned giving the back of his neck a soft teasing nip before she finally went quite. They were close, close enough now that a lone man in a hoodie was angling over to them. On top of one of the buildings a sniper popped out of his hide hole and went over laying down and loading one bullet into the Barret he kept close by.

"Whats this?" The hooded man asked coming over and looking at him "You lost or some thing?" He asked eyeing them both up and down as another hooded man popped his head out of the archway.

...................................

Jackie/ Death both noted the way the party reacted to the new comers. While Jackie felt a little more ribbed than Death, Death took it more calmly.

"This is the way it has always been" Death told his Vessel even as one of Wars men murmured canon fodder "Warriors and War himself their souls have crossed over with honor and glory our forces are simply every one else of course even they fail to realize that WE are DEATH and that we can giveth and taketh away"

Jackie nodded and decided to ignore it for now. It was however amusing to see that sibling rivalry was apparent even in being far above mortals.

"I have no doubt they will choose poorly" Jackie/Death said nodding at her words "And its true the fog will make it easier to chase them and hunt them down however its all to close for comfort for my liking"

"We four have not been on the mortal plane together since our conception" Death reminded War and told the others "When we were given the ability to end every thing and told when to end it having all of us back.... It will effect the world beyond the fog even if we succeed in our mission to stop the god of destruction there will be consequences more souls will be added to this field ones who should have lived longer than they did"

"Still with you sister I have no doubt we can rear our brothers back" Jackie/Death said his eyes flashing with green "and it would please you all to know that Diana and Don are entering the compound now shall we go back? Or did you have another thought sister of mine?"

 

[grdybiwife]

Don bit his lip to keep from grinning at Diana's voice in his head, the feeling of her want washing over him like a warm honey. It took him a moment to realize what the hooded man was saying, but his distraction wasn't from the limp elf warrior on his shoulder. With his heightened senses, Don could hear the gravel shifting on the roof above. A bullet being loaded into a sniper's rifle.

"What I wouldn't do for a little of Lem's power of persuasion at the moment," he said to Diana, unsure of whether or not his thought made it through as he sized up the two guards. They weren't the same as the first set he observed and Don assumed there had been a shift change while he prepared Diana for their insertion. 'Even better,' he thought to himself and stood up straight.

"Found this one lurking around the park," he said, and gave Diana's ass a hard slap. He let his hand linger there as a devilish smile came to his lips. "I hear you guys are giving out rewards and I'm sure this one with offer a pretty penny," he said shifting Diana around so the man could see her command markings. "Said she's some kind of warrior before I had a little fun with her. I'm tired of these pointy ears thinking they run my city figured if I brought her in you guys might make a little room for an ex-soldier..."

"Where'd you serve?" The guy in the alcove said, taking a tentative step towards them and Don shift his eyes to him.

"Special forces so far as my tags say. My memory ain't too good since I got a little too close to an IED in the desert..."

"Special forces huh? I'm sure father could use a man of your talents...shit memory or not."

*******************************​

Lem heard Don's whisper as if he stood beside her and smiled at Jackie. "Then we go back," she said and shift her eyes to Third as she stood and sheathed her broadsword. "We will need a staging area...a place between realms for our armies to await our call."

"I believe my daughter and I can swing that,"Third said as he collected his staff and immediately began incantations. Laz joined him and he motioned for her to hold his staff.

All in attendance felt the pull of their collective energy amplified by the crystal atop Third's staff. As the incantation intensified, Lem had to raise a hand to steady her guard as a rent appear in the sky above them.

"The consequences would be greater if we stay," Lem said to Jackie, her dark eyes on the churning sky above. "Besides, what is life without chaos..."

"It is done," Third said, his voice filling the air as if it came from the portal above. Together, he and Laz waved his staff over the field, a bright green light cast over the armies of War and Death a moment before all vanished

"And then there were five," Laz said with a smirk, as residual energy sent sparks from her finger tips.

 

[silvertongue217]

The lead man whistled and at once the men on the rooftop sighted and began to track the pair. From the top of the hill the church opened up its heavy iron doors swinging and stretching to reveal a rather ominous black hole or an entrance way.

"Come on" The lead man grunted as the man who had popped his head out of the archway went back into hiding. The lead man led the duo up the winding steps past the graves as the sky began to blacken above.

"What the hell" Diana thought to Don "there's magic in the air powerful magic"

"Dont mind the light show" The Lead Man told Don as they reached the top of the steps "Father is communing with our god the one who has given us our holy mission"

By the time they reached the top of the stone steps the sky around the church was pitch black. Sound it seemed had also been quited as the streets around them were dead silent.

The minute they reached the entranceway the torches lit en masse. The church was a mixture of warm and dangerous. A few garbage cans had been lit with fires and there were guns explosives and maps littered every where.

"Dont mind the mess" The lead man explained "This is more a staging area than any thing else from here we can attack any area in the park take care of those elf bitches proper"

"Tom whats this?" Another man asked coming up cradling a revolver

"Guy brought us a warrior elf" Tom said nodding at Don "You know how the master likes those"

"And you just brought him in here?" The man barked narrowing his eyes "Were in the middle of covenant! You fucking idiot some one close those doors so the circle is sealed!"

.....................................

Jackie was about to thank Laz and his father when he felt it.

Laz and Lem had not been the only ones keeping an eye on the duo entering the lions den. One of the great things about evil guys hiding in churches were that churches had graves. His connections had already been listening in and the minute the duo began their walk reported what was happening.

"That magic" Jackie murmured green eyes flashing as he saw what they saw "can you feel is Sister?"

"Its not one of our brothers....... No its strong not as strong as the god of destruction but.... his envoy perhaps?" Jackie murmured his runes glowing.

"We need to get back" Jackie snapped the shadows wrapping around him "If the gods envoy is here and senses the magic we placed on Don and Diana they could be found out! We must distract him! Come sister we ride!"

Deaths steed appeared half rotted flesh and half bones. He was powerful with skin as black as night and fiery red eyes. Bone armor formed over him and Jackie helped Laz up as he turned to Lem and nodded.

Then he was off