The Land of Shadows

[Spike D. Crow]

As I rode through the dark abyss, know to many as the land of shadows, I couldn't help but wonder how any thing could survive out here. It had been days since I had entered these foul lands and ever since I first crossed through the threshhold leading to this strange realm I've had the feeling that I was being watched.

"God damnit! How the hell am I supposed to find my way around when everthing here looks the same!" I shout showing my frustration, "And where the hell is everyone!"

Since I was lost anyway, I decided to stop and make camp for the night. Although I never slept I still need to stop and rest periodicly.

 

[Asa]

*She watched him carefully. She had been in this land for centuries. Coming to view it as her domain she took care of all she could. It had been some time since a male had entereed these lands and she was most interested in what fun this one might bring*

*Softly she began to sing her voice soft hypnotic on the wind... a song soft and full of mystery and seduction like a siren of legend that lured sailor to their deaht with beautiful song. But Death was FAR from her mind with this male**

 

[KisstheSky]

Taelyn

It was dark out here. Dark and barren. Just how she liked it.
It seemed fitting to live in a wasteland, but after being cast out of Paradise everything seemed like a wasteland to her.
The beauty of civilizations, of nature and life that she'd once taken so much pleasure in had cost her her livelyhood....so now she only found joy in destroying it.

Her small campfire burned low, and she added a bit more peat to it. The flame shot up a bit before going low again, but it served its purpose, keeping her just warm enough to survive another night in this place.
She wore no cloak. She bore her scars bravely. Like badges of courage....more like a mark of disgrace.
They still burned like the day they took her wings.
Sometimes it felt like she had them still.....
She would wake up in the morning and flex the muscles in her back ready to go out for a morning flight in the hillside, but by the time she'd risen the phantom limb feelings had vanished, and she was grounded.

A year or so ago, when she'd first been cast out...and old woman, a soothsayer had told her of another like herself...one of the Fallen, who had found a way to regain his wings through magic. To make them manifest themselves like summoning the wind to your call.
Since then she'd searched, travelling far and wide to find Him. So he could teach her those secrets....so she could fly free again, and at least maybe for a moment know the happiness and freedom she'd once had....

She sighed. Added more peat to the fire and gazed out into the night.
It was then that she heard a voice on the breeze...very faint...like a song....it was a lure of sorts...she could feel the web of magic about it...but she knew it wasn't meant for her...she doubted anyone knew she was even out here....

 

[Spike D. Crow]

as I sat on the icy cold ground medatating, I felt two presences near by. As I tried to zoom in on the one closest to me, a mysterious song flowed into my ears, and although I was resistant to all forms of magic I was still intregued by the beuty of the song. When I opened my eyes to see what was around me that could make such graceful music I found nothing, but then it dawned on me, the song must be coming from what I had been sensing all this time.

"I know your out there and I here your song, however I can't leave this area so I you wish for us to meet you must come to me." I shout with an evil glint in my eyes almost equal to the one coming off my giant suit of armor, "But I must know, are you the one that has been watching me all this time?"

 

[Lethe]

Adaon was making deals. He stood just over a cleft in the icy rock, and haggled and bartered. To the eye without power, the rock simply stretched a little way into the earth and then stopped. To the eye of the son of a witch, born on the first of May, as Adaon was, the cleft was an opening into primeval darkness; the cold shadows that the gods had banished to the underside of the earth for all time.

Only a fool thought he could haggle with one of the things that dwelt in that darkness and come out ahead. Only a fool, or one very, very desperate.

What do you have to offer me?

The mindvoice that came from the cleft was dry and crackly, and brought to mind images of dust and lizard-scales under a pitiless sun.

Adaon closed his eyes.

" A child's wooden toy, carved like a dragon. A handful of cloudberries, plucked from the sky-tall trees in the orchards of the giants. The memory of a perfect summer's day"

The voice sounded disdainful:

Paltry playthings. The tools of an apprentice. What real things can you give me?

Adaon swallowed but spoke in a level tone.

"My blade. My service, for a year and a day, or until I have saved you from destruction thrice times, which e'er comes first"

You are... presumptuous. What makes you think you a failed sorcerer could save me from any harm? No matter. Your offer amuses me. What would you ask in return?

Adaon's response was ready.

" Power. The power to put wards on doors, and keep them shut. There is a shadow loose in the world, and it knows my name"

And so you would turn to another darkness to save you? My... manlings these days fail to teach their apprentices well. But I will suggest a deal, mortal, because you amuse me, with your strange mixture of arrogance and humility. I have no need of your service for a year and a day, indeed I think I would become rather sick of you in that time.

But there is one service I would require of you, and in return I'll grant you the wards you desire so much. There is in this land a newcomer, a fallen angel. She treads here, on my territory and offers me none of the formal courtesies our kind, be they celestial or infernal, use. It is probably ignorance rather than rudeness, nevertheless, it offends me. Find this one, this angel of blades and knives. She is not far from here.

Find her, bladeling. Find her and kill her

 

[KisstheSky]

Taelyn

She shuddered...though she wasn't really cold.
The small hairs on the back of her neck rose on end, and she knew there was magic in the air.

And not just in the song...this was more powerful than that. Darker.
Something that shouldn't be meddled with...

She'd seen plenty of Darkness...both in her time with the Celestials as well as here. She'd slain her fair share of demons and creatures that lived in the shadows.
But she'd done other things with the Dark as well....

She peered out into the darkness, clouds covered the moon and the meager sprinkling of stars offered her no aide as she tried to seek out the source...

 

[Asa]

*Suddenly a whisp of air danced around him as a soft womans voice whispered at his ear as though she were right behind him*

Well now why do you claim to be trapped here there is so much in this land to explore... IF you know where to look and who to apease *Purrrs then gone before appearing in front of him.

Raven hair cascading along her back to her thigh
Enchanting hypnotic crystal green eyes
Black and crimson dress that billowed off her shoulders and low cut in the front barely revealing firm round breasts. A slit ont eh side of the dress along her left leg near to her hip.

She smiled seductively to him watching him carefully as she stood there only the faintest glint to her smile... perhaps fangs but there was no way to tell in this darkness*

The night nor the darkness trap anyone unless they fear what it holds for them or will bring out of them *her voice a seductive purrring whisper*

 

[Lethe]

Adaon walked with innate stealth across the cold, rocky ground. His movements were precise, almost catlike in their gracefulness as he reached into the pockets of his long, dark coat covering his leather armour and withdrew a handful of white dust.

Adaon softly let it drift through his splayed fingers, and he spoke a dark word, in a language never intended for human mouths, that bloodied and gashed his tongue.

The floating white dust slowly formed a vague, blurred face in the air. It opened its mouth and spoke.

"Why do you summon me from my aerie, mortal?"

"I would ask a service of you", replied Adaon, speaking the ritual words.

"By what right do you demand this service?"

"By the favours you owe my master. He delivered you from your enemies in the Plane of Fire, when you were captured in the Brass City. He is dead now. By magicians' law, your debt extends to me, his apprentice"

The spirit's voice was scornful.

"You are no true magician"

Adaon shrugged.

"That is no matter. The service I would ask is that you find in this land a fallen angel, one nearby"

"Very well, mortal"

The spirit ascended on a sudden gust of wind. In a few moments, its voice reached Adaon clearly.

"The one you seek's camp-fire glows like an earthed star perhaps a mile to the north-east of here. Others walk abroad this night, too, others as dangerous or more dangerous. Would you have me tell you of them?"

The voice was wheedling, coaxing. Adaon almost said 'Yes', and then recalled himself. Instructing the wind-spirit to do more than explicitly required of him during the summoning ritual would breach his contract, something which could have... unpleasant consequences.

"No", he said. "Return to your aerie. In time, I shall have need of you again"

The spirit's grumbling voice slowly died on the winds. Adaon gathered up the powder and returned it to his coat, then set off.


Some minutes' later, he overlooked the place where the fallen angel had made her campfire. Adaon assessed her, standing staring into the darkness, warily. Silver-haired, dressed all in black. He might have thought her beautiful under different circumstances but all he saw now was a threat.

He drew the sword Twilight, its dark, slightly curved metal silver-stamped halfway along the blade with a crescent moon, and murmured a prayer to his doubtful goddess, Luna.

Then he sprang from the darkness, materializing like a spirit of the night, swinging his sword at the fallen angel's head.

 

[KisstheSky]

Taelyn

She saw the blade coming, a mere instant before it stuck. Catching a quick glint of silver in the firelight as the blade came down at her head.

She dove out of the way, tucking and rolling grabbing her sword from where it lay by the fire.

She'd killed many things, human and not. The sword was long and slender, in the style of the people to the East. The metal was strong and durable, yet flexible, it was a magnificent blade.

The strange's attack had clipped her, she was lucky. And she watched as a few strands of her silver locks fell to the ground, shimmering in the dim light.

"You know, that was uncalled for," she remarked, drawing her blade. She sized up her attacker, a scrawny little thing...he appeared to be little more than a child in this light. And she'd never seen him before in her life.
"What are your qualms with me boy?" She asked haughtily, "speak fast and speak well, your life depends on it."

 

[Lethe]

Adaon bowed from the waist.

"I have no quarrel with you. Girl', he added as an after-thought, irritated by her tone. "Unfortunately, I have an understanding with someone who does"

As he spoke, he paced forwards, Twilight held out in front of him. He punctuated his last words with a flurry of blows at her head and shoulders, the dark metal of his sword glistening in the crescent moonlight.

 

[KisstheSky]

Taelyn

She held her sword tightly, ready to strike.

"I have no quarrel with you. Girl' he paused. "Unfortunately, I have an understanding with someone who does"

He moved suddenly and attacked with a series of blows which she deflected. But she felt as though she'd underestimated him.

"Let me guess," she replied, deflecting a high blow, "you made a deal with some demon or other in exchange for my life. What did I do now?" She deflected another blow, this time a swipe at her head, "Kill his minion or something? I swear, demons, even the lesser ones can be such ego maniacs...so tempermental too."

As he took another swing at her she ducked, and lashed out with her left leg, sweeping just behind his knees hoping to throw him off balance....

 

[Lethe]

Adaon was breathing somewhat harder. He did not waste time replying to the fallen angel's words, simply hammering blows at her. The sparks flew from the blades like tiny drops of fire.

Suddenly, she ducked a strike at her head and hooked behind his knees, sending him toppling forwards. Instinctively, Adaon thrust out his hands, dropping his sword, and grabbed her shoulders, bringing them both down into a confused heap on the ground.

" Just die, damn you", he panted, trying to retrieve his fallen sword while simultaneously holding his necklock on his opponent.

 

[KisstheSky]

Taelyn

She gasped as he fell on top of her, sending them both crashing to the ground.

He had her pinned, but he'd lost a hold of his sword, she could use that to her advantage.

" Just die, damn you", he muttered, but he was breathing heavily. She knew she could wear him down.

She smiled, "I don't plan on dying today, and not by your hand." She brought up her knee and swiftly hit him in the groin, taking this opportunity to push him off her.

Bringing her sword just under his chin she looked into his eyes, "now," she breathed, "tell me, who sent you? Answer swiftly and honestly and I may let you leave here alive."

 

[Lethe]

Shit, thought Adaon.

" It's the demon Skia, alright? They say the sun, on the first day it rose, cast a shadow. That's Skia. He's been around this place for millenia, and he doesn't take kindly to trespassing. I was working for him because... never mind why"

As he spoke, his mind was racing. With a sudden movement, he snapped his head backwards; the fallen angel's blade caught the skin on his throat but only delivered a little cut, and meanwhile Adaon had produced a knife from inside his coat and jerked it quickly under his opponent's arm.

The two locked in their unwilling embrace, cold steel and warm flesh, stayed perfectly motionless for a moment. Adaon could feel the fallen angel's heart beat.

"Right", he said slowly. "Your blade at my throat. My knife under your armpit. Trust me, I know what I'm doing. One quick thrust there and I could kill you. Perhaps a truce is called for?"

He didn't relax his grip either on her arm or the knife.

 

[KisstheSky]

Taelyn

She listened carefully as he spoke.

Probably too carefully, for he saw an opening and took it, taking a minor scratch, but allowing himself enough leway to draw a knife on her.

Dammit... she mused...she'd been too sure of herself.


"Right", he said slowly, never losing eye contact with her.
"Your blade at my throat. My knife under your armpit. Trust me, I know what I'm doing. One quick thrust there and I could kill you. Perhaps a truce is called for?"

She chuckled, "I like your style....but how can you be so certain that I don't want to die?" She smirked, "or even that your blade would strike true? No matter, I'll give you your truce, if you give me your name...and perhaps tell me of your travels I don't see many people out here...well...not many that live this long."

 

[Lethe]

"Good", said Adaon warily, "On the count of three..."

On the third count, he slowly dropped his knife, released her arm, and moved away from the clinch. Just to be on the safe side, he picked up Twilight again.

Skia was not going to be in the least bit pleased with his failure. It occured to Adaon that a quick blow now, while her guard was down, could rectify this, but he rejected the idea. He did have a certain amount of honour. The ability to keep one's word was an important trait to possess in the kind of work Adaon did. Besides, a surprise strike hadn't worked too well the first time.

" I am Adaon", he said, regaining his breath. "Depending on how you look at it, I am a sorcerer who does mercenary work, or a swordsman who knows a spell or two".

He looked at her, more curiously this time, taking in the curves of her lean body.

"How are you called? And what brings you here, in such haste that you forget the manners required by resident demons?"

 

[KisstheSky]

Taelyn

"On the count of three..."

He removed his knife and she pulled her sword back, but watching as he kept his sword in hand she decided to do the same, keeping her blade unsheathed.

" I am Adaon. Depending on how you look at it, I am a sorcerer who does mercenary work, or a swordsman who knows a spell or two".

She smiled at this.

She watched him watch her in the firelight, his eyes tracing the lean curves of her body, her taut smooth skin.

"How are you called? And what brings you here, in such haste that you forget the manners required by resident demons?"

She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, it was shorter than all the others, it must've been the he'd clipped in his initial attack.

"I am Taelyn. My business is my own....and I feel no need to apease the Dark as it has done little good for me as of late. Though I wish they would quit sending mortals to do their bidding. Its such a waste."

 

[Lethe]

"Taelyn", said Adaon, as though tasting the name on his tongue.

He sighed.

"Bargains with the Dark haven't brought me much joy, either. By killing you, I was trying to earn Skia's protection from another being of the darkness... but "that business is my own", right?", he added, mimicking the fallen angel's tone.

He watched with interest as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"That reminds me". He scooped up the stray lock of silver hair that his sword had cut off from the ground.

He ran it between his fingers thoughtfully, feeling its fine texture.

"Very careless to leave this lying around in. All sorts of curses can be inflicted on you with it. Basic magician's rule: always burn your hair cuttings"

He looked up, frowning at Taelyn thoughtfully.

"I could give this to Skia. I'm sure he'd be very interested in the things that can be done with it"

He paused, to let it sink in.

"But I'm not going to. I don't like Skia much, and I suspect his reward would have some catch in it anyway. Demons are like that. Well, of course, you'd know
"So I'll just give it back to you. Or maybe keep it for myself, as a tender memento. Wouldn't that be sweet?"

He gave her a lazily mocking half-smile. It was an interesting game they played, one-upmanship taken to a fine strategic art. Against his nature, he was coming to like this Taelyn.

 

[Spike D. Crow]

As I sat there looking into to her crystal eyes, I had to shake off the slight hold she was gainibg over me. I decided that before I do anything i needed to figure out what she was, and then it came to me.

"There are only to things that you could posably be, you can't be a siren because there no water near by, so the only thing you could be is a vampire. Am I right?" I say with a devilish grin as I spread my wings.

 

[KisstheSky]

Taelyn

She watched as he scooped up the lock of her hair that had fallen on the ground.

"Very careless to leave this lying around in. All sorts of curses can be inflicted on you with it. Basic magician's rule: always burn your hair cuttings"

She frowned and moved to take it from him.

"I could give this to Skia. I'm sure he'd be very interested in the things that can be done with it"

At this she glared at him, "you wouldn't," she murmmered.



"But I'm not going to. I don't like Skia much, and I suspect his reward would have some catch in it anyway. Demons are like that. Well, of course, you'd know

He gave her a cocky grin as he ran the lock between his fingers.
She reached over and snatched it from his grubby little fingers.

"I don't think so. I don't trust those that try to kill me with locks of my hair, especially those who claim to be sorcerors of any kind."

She tossed the strands of silver hair into her small peat fire.

"So you came all the way out to this godforsaken place to ask for the help of a Shadow creature and to kill me? That doesn't exactly seem like it would be worth it."

 

[Asa]

*Leaning towards him she smirked speaking softly again locking her eyes with his* Perhaps but how badly do you want to find out what you are dealing with Hmmm

*Leaning like this her breasts more visable slightly to view. soft alabaster skin as the slit on the dress falls to reveal long well defined though very feminine leg as she watches him for a moment before standing and seeming to disappear only for her voice to fall on his ear once more with a purrr*

Darkness can answer many questions if you ask the right way

*The seeming seductive energy being less magic and more her "bloodline" of vampiric talent she lets fangs softly teasingly graze his neck before seeming to simply vanish again for him to think on what she has said*

 

[Spike D. Crow]

"Although your charms won't work on me I still can't help but wandor what it would be like to be with someone like you." I say licking my lips, "Oh yea, just for your information, your the one who should worry about what you are dealing with."

Once I finnish talking I lean forward and pull her into a deep kiss with one hand while I reach down and grab one of her breasts with the other.

 

[Lethe]

"So you came all the way out to this godforsaken place to ask for the help of a Shadow creature and to kill me? That doesn't exactly seem like it would be worth it."

Adaon grinned mockingly

"Shows how much you know. And you're hardly one to talk, hmm? You'd have me believe you came all this way to... what? Sit in front of your campfire thinking beautiful thoughts?"

He stalked in front of the peat fire, slowly sliding Twilight back into its sheath.

"How about a deal? How about I tell you what I wanted from Skia if you'll tell me what you're looking for here?"

 

[Asa]

*Purred into the kiss he may be immune to magics but the blood bond was different simply three dri\ops of her blood sinking into his system over a matter of a few "doses" and he would be hers. As he kissed her and felt of her ample breats she made a small cut on her tounge then snaking her tounge into his mouth her tounge dancing with his the little droplets of blood pressed undetected into the skin of his cheeks where there was no taste she smirked lingering there*

 

[Spike D. Crow]

"You kiss devinely, and I simply love the way you work your tounge." I say as the familiar glint returns to my eyes, "However, I think you sould know that the skills of a vampire have no effect on me."

I sat for a moment waiting to see her response before I continued, "You see, when I was born I was already dead. My parents, though their races diferent, had one thing in common, they were both dead. My mother was the demoness Andariel, and my father was the archangel Tyreil."

I looked down for a moment trying to hide my inner pain, "Neither one of them were willing to take care of a freak like me so they abandoned me at birth. I simply got rid of all posible weakness, so the only weakness I truely have is under no surcomestanses can I bring myself to hurt a child."