The Path To Glory, War of Heaven and Hell

[RoneLith]

OOC: To all reading please check the Path To Glory OOC thread if you wish to join. For those of you that have already joined, let's begin.


The Seals

In the year 2050, Jesus Christ returned from his hiatus in heaven to claim those that had served him faithfully for the many years he had been gone. In a not so subtle fashion he appeared before the world and asked that all those that belived in his divinity to come to him and join his cause, destroying evil once and for all. In the span of a few days millions left their jobs and responsebilities to pursue what they percieved as the greatest good a person could do. At the same time the great evil sealed beneath the earth rose from his home and called forth his deamons to defend and take his own claim of the worlds peoples. Many of those that did not belive in Jesus's divinity flocked to his cause still they were out numbered but many of the worlds terrorist powers sided with Satan and became a group stronger militarily. To help combat each other Jesus called forth his angles while Satan raised his demons, many gifts and powers were given to those humans on both sides that so freely wished to help. Yet still this is not enough, three seals exsist for both sides that protect each dieity and give them their powers, destorying the seals will turn them human and the only chance to remove them forever. Another group is working between the forces of good and evil to do just that, they belive that each man has a right to his own destiny, they have become known as the Liberators. Many people from both sides defected to their ranks at their establishment, their military strength lies in tactical espionage and stealth. They rely heavily on small units to pierce deep into enemy territory take out a high ranking member of either side and be out to safety before anyone notices. Their main goal is to simultaneously break the six seals the of Jesus and Satan and destroy both deities together. Destroying the seals at the same time is the only way to successfully defeat both factions, should one sides seals be destroyed before the other the weekend side would be annihilated and the three remaining seals would grant full divinity to the winning side.

You have been born into an age of chaos and bloodshed, suffering is rampant and wide spread hunger for those less fortunate and unable to fight is high in many areas. You have chosen your side, to fight for Heaven, Hell, the Liberators or to just try and survive. Which side are you on?


Today’s date, Januaray 2, 2051

Grand Mage:

A man stand before the foot of your bed, a large scar running down his cheek and a cross tattooed on his forehead, he is bald and the light reflects off of it causing an affect akin to holy light. You know him as Kross, a predictable name due to is near fanatical belife in Heaven Sent. He is both your superior officer and partner on many occasions. “Get up,” he says with a gruff voice. “We have a job for you.”


Mantra:

After finding an abandoned hotel room and a soft bed to sleep the night in you awake to the sound of the door being pushed open. A sword pokes through the a crackleing energy that could best be described as lightning. He catches your reflection on the blade and charges through the door his sword held high to strike at what he thinks is still your sleeping form.


Myself

It had been a short journey to the metal works factory where herself and others were setting themselves up to attack the group that had begun to gather. Men and lesser demons had been growing in this spot for sometime, using the metal works as both cover and a place to make weapons. Her own group had need of the facility for the same reasons but it was also to attack the church that sat near the border. Should the mission fail and the demons gain a foot ground on the other side of the barrier, it would prove bad for her group of Liberators. Illyana stood facing off against her opponent, a greater demon, he took on the disguise of a ninja but his black eyes gave away his true form. They had been in a stand off for sometime now and she was growing tiered of it.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lt. Gary Masters

Gary looked up, and grunted. He grinned a wicked grin that was mirrored in his eyes and spoke of a bloodlust derived from an uncontrollable anger with no clear target honing in on another temporary bauble to distract it from it's path of destruction. "But of course you do, Kross. Why else would you be here if there wasn't a job for me? Why, I wonder, would I still be here, if not for the bloody little errands our merciful Lord gives unto me?"

He got up, hand grasping the hilt of his sword before his feet hit the ground. He stretched in a way that drew the sword, and looked at the cleaned and sharpened blade in the light before looking at Kross from the corner of his eye. " Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword," he said in way of morning prayer. He turned his attention to his sleeping space, looking for any other weapons that might be lying around to gather to himself. He slipped the sword home into its sheath absentmindedly as he groped for his shoes. He knew instantly where his uniform was. But for some reason his shoes always seemed someplce new.

"Well, Kross, are you going to tell me now, or should I leave you here while I get cleaned up and dressed? After all, I can't imagine what would be so important you have to wake me up, seeing as the moment my eyes open I await word from his Holiness on what way I may serve the Angel of Death today."

He turned, still grinning, to Kross. "Is it someone important? Someone difficult? Someone who's blood I can be proud to wear? Or have you come yet again to placate me with mortal men and their sinful blood when Demons walk the earth, filth running through their veins that my Sword delights in spilling?"

 

[RoneLith]

Gary Masters

Kross ignored many of his comments and stepped back from the bed to the door. He opened it and turned his head to Gary, "You are in luck today," he said with a slight sneer of his lips. "Today you fight a demon." Kross stepped out of the room and shut the door behind him. "When you are ready, come to the main room," He said through the door. "You do remember where it is don't you, Simply walk striaght to the end of the hall and open the door. Surely you can remember that." His boot steps can be heared echoing down the corridor as you walk away.

Your room is more than a cell than a bed chamber. A small eight by ten space it has a small spattering of furniture other than the bed that takes up nearly the whole space. A small wooden table and an uncomfortable wooden chair that looks to be about ready to crumble and a small dresser. Light comes from a window above your bed and an oil lamp. Electricity is almost non-exsistent due to no one running the plants. On the foot of your bed is a large knife and belt, the knife is adorned with a cross on the hilt and designates your rank as a team leader. Currently you have no team.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lt. Gary Master

Gary grabbed the Knife and got out his uniform from his dresser. He dressed quickly and shook himself once he was done, mental images of Kross, with his dagger right through his tattoo. Glorious thoughts filled his mind. A demon! They never went down easy. Men folded under Gary far too quickly. He opened the door and moved down the hall towards the main room.

As he moved, a soft sound of metal hitting metal follwed him from the coins. Coins of almost every shape, size, and color hung from necklace chain connected to his belt. A shadow of his former collection, they hung from his belt in the back, under his overcoat. Not just American coins, through that made up the brunt of the collection. The jingling sound was pleasant, and let everyone know he detested stealth.

Stealth was the tool of Demons and Sinners. He reached up, fingering one of a number of scars that ran across his face as the door to the main room approached. Maybe he was a Demon. He'd heard that said of him before. Maybe that's why he could no longer look at his own face after he'd joined the Heaven's Sent. Maybe that was why he could never get used to the bindings of good that surrounded him. Maybe his soul was too black.

He was pulled out of his dark thoughts by the door. He didn't bother to knock, or use the knob. As was his habit, he kicked the door. The knob was shoddy, and a good kick would hit the slope, opening the door and shoving it into the room to spin around into the wall with a loud bang. He rolled his eyes in his head. So satisfying, knowing they looked down on him, and also knowing they'd put up with it. He was a weapon, a good weapon, and he was theirs.

He cut both ways, but he cut away from them so effectively. "Where is today's victim, Kross? I hunger to send the impure back to Hell so he may whisper my name to his dark master and let him know that God and Gary are coming for him!"

His left hand curled around the hilt opf his sword and he grinned with dark hunger, wondering if they'd give him weapons todays or let him carve the dark heart from the foul beast with his own hands. It was always so satisfying to bloody his fingers in the sinful work of God.

 

[RoneLith]

Gm

Kross and the leader of this church, a hard Cardinal simply adressed by his title stayed seated at their table as Gary kicked down the door. They had been ready for it but still were startled at the sheer sudden noise that broke the silence of the large room. It used to be the entrence hall where men and women would come and pray for divine guidince, but since it sat so close the the border of their territory, no one would becomming in to pray. Just a few feet away lay a Demonic Barrier, it pushed against their own Heavenly powers and a mirad of swirlling colors signified the battle going on at this point. The Cardinal stood and began to speak.

"Let me tell you where you are going today Gary." He paused and stepped around the table to the alter positioned at the end of the room. The bench seating had been pushed against the wall and this was strictly used as a room to plan breaches into the Demon side of the city. "We have sent scouts who have noticed an increase in demon activity on the other side ot the barrier. The lost souls of men are gathering in specific locations, we belive they mean to attack us in full force. This must not be allowed to happen, as an instrament of God you must enter the Wasteland and find the leader of this rabble, we belive he will be somewhere close by," he pointed to a spot on a map that had been placed on the table. "The largest collection of demonic activity is here, men and lesser demons all sitting in one spot, if we had the man power we would wipe them all out. Your mission however is too just kill the leader, the only thing we know about him is that he goes by the name Shadow Ice. You will be going alone and should you be killed we will send as much force as we can muster to try and break their lines." The Cardinal walked to Gary and put his arm on his shoulder, taking a big risk after knowing your history. "You must not fail, if you do this stronghold against the demons will be lost. Now go!" Somehow the door that led out of the church flew open at his words.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lt. Gary Masters

Gary grinned, and nodded. He glanced back to the map, memorizing the location and several routes to it. He turned to the door and started towards in, the jingling of metal going with him. He paused just before the door, and turned back to the Cardinal. "I'll do my best, your Holiness, but I can't promise I'll stick to the whole 'don't wipe them all out' part of the plan. It could get boring after dealing with this Shadow Ice character. Don't wait up!"

He moved outside, taking a deep breath as he pulled his sword free. He glanced around, and started out on the most direct route towards where the poor lost souls were gathering for their doom.

That was the best part about being stationed here, he decided, the fact that demons were everywhere trying to tear the churchs to shreds. Kept him busy. He whistled to himself as he started off, wondering what kind of idiot names himself 'Shadow Ice'.

 

[Mantra]

Ricky T

Ricky rolled away, tumbling out of the bed as the sword came down. missing him by inches. There was an acidic, ozone smell, then the smell of burned cotton and polyester as the attacker snarled, yanking the sword up for a second blow. Ricky was faster, standing and at the same time, he slammed the back end of his zip gun against the bead's metal headboard. There was a 'Twang!', followed by the sharp sound of a gunshot as the zipgun fired it's single shotgun shell.

The zip gun was hardly the most accurate weapon, and was hastilly aimed, but the shell still peppered the attacker's right shoulder and side. He snarled again, lurching away from Ricky. It was the split second that Ricky needed as he turned, leaping out the only window and into the alley way. Feet not failing him, Ricky darted away, zig zagging his way to one of his many hideouts, an abandoned warehouse. He dove under a pile of tumbled boxes and hid, moving only long enough to settle himself and reload his zip gun.....and waited.

 

[RoneLith]

Lt. Gary

The outside air greets you with a morning chill which is rather invigorating. However the air as the slight tinge to deamon to it removing any love you once held for the air. Ahead of you, you can see the great barriors, swirling and collideing with each other trying to gain groud. Any fool can see that the demonic side is beginning to push out Heaven. Having no fear and no care you step through the barrior, it tickles your skin breifly but you care little. You follow the path that you have chosen until you come to just out side the camp that has been set up by the men that are gathering to attack your church.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lt. Gary Masters

This was almost too easy. Of course, why should one complain about ease? Gary looked around. If he was going to kill these people, it'd require a liitle bit of planning and cunning. He was all for suicide missions, but that didn't mean he wanted to die before killing anyone. Remembering the map he moved, going to a place where he could use the natural terrain to his advantage to lead several hundre troops running about as he cut them down one-by-one.

Once he found himself in plave, he turned towards the group. "I am Gary Masters! In the name of GOD Almighty, I have come to challenge Shadow Ice, or Yellow Snow, orwhatever your leader's name is to single combat, to the DEATH!"

He tensed, waiting. After all, a hail of projectiles from weapons is something he'd like to avoid. Then again, there was always the off chance they'd come out for single combat. They usually didn't, though. The pussies.

 

[RoneLith]

Ricky T

The bullet grazed his attackers shoulder sending a pericing pain down his back, he was forced to watch as the man made his escape, quickly he rose and pursued him. Tripping over a table in the room as he left, unprepared and already dazed from the bullet he slammed his head face first into the railing of the walkway. His sword fell from his grasp and rang with a golden pang on the ground floor. The sword was undamaged, the sidewalk however had a large chunk of rock splitter out of it. He fell both dazed and lasping in and out of consciousness.

 

[RoneLith]

Gary Masters

The men and demons laughed at his challenge, looking up at his form and then laughing even harder. One man who seemed to be bolder than the others stood and mimiced your pose for his friends. "I am Gary Pussface, in the name of my Dick, Chicklets, I challenge myself to a circle jerk!" Those that could hear him laughed even harder at his jest.

A lesser demon, his eyes black as night giving away his race, raised a hand to the others, instantly the laughter stopped it was quiet as he stood up and met your gaze. "He is not here, but we can easily send you to your death, Chicklet." He few chuckles could be heared as the men stood taking up their weapons.

 

[RoneLith]

Illyana Ellore

She had finally grown too tiered of the standoff and winked at the demon facing her. He was startled at the sudden movement and was nearly caught off gaurd as he sword came close to slashing out his left eye. It was by the width of a hair that she missed, he was faster than others she had faught, she knew however that he would not be fast enough. He struck back using a ninja-to to strike at her midsection, they were easy enough to block but he left no opening to counter. The two jumped back away from each other and took stock of their opponent once again.

"This is going to be fun," she purred at him.

"Indeed, it has been a long time since someone has been that close to hitting me."

"What say we leave others out of this," She smiled, she was really going to enjoy this fight.

"My thoughts exactly!"

 

[The GrandMage]

Lt. Gary Masters

He grinned his grin, his hand already pulling at his knife. It left his sheath and his hand, his fingers grabbing itby the blade as it hung for a moment before falling, his arm already pulling back as he looked right at the airpipe of the first man who talked. His arm moved forward, throwing the knife with all his strength as he started his retort.

"Look, Demons with balls. Too bad you're all too fucking stupid to pay attention to who your enemies are." After the realease of the dagger his arm went straight to his sword. He hand to make a choice now, as both hands gripped the hilt. Run in, hacking at them, or duck to the side and lead them off. His eyes scanned the weapons. If it was mostly melee weapons he'd rush in. He wasn't worried about that.

Too many projectile weapons and he'd dodge to the side. He wouldn't want to give them too good a shot.

 

[RoneLith]

Gary Masters

The Knife flew true to its target and such was the blessing on the knife that it cut straight threw the man's throat, passing through as if he was butter. The knife stuck straight into the ground matching the angle that Gary had thrown it. The man's body convulsed and shook in utter disbelife that anything could have struck him down so quickly. Those near him looked stunned as his head fell back from his body as he fell. The laughter and merriment was gone from their eyes replaced with the need for a quick revenge. The screamed at him curseing him as they pulled their weapons free of their sheaths.

The demon that had spoken stepped forward, silencing the crowed, he inhaled deeply, leaning back for a greater draw. Sickening yellow light glowed from within his body, traveling up his torso and to his mouth. As the demon leaned forward he exhaled and a thin beam shot from his open mouth.

Being prepared for anything spared Gary of a strong hit to his torso, as it is only the upper portion of his left arm was struck a large gash cut from it that had instantly cartirized from the heat. The demon leaped up to Gary to follow up on his attack.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lt. Gary Masters

Gary grinned. It was a great mistake to try and follow-up the attack. Gary ignored it, as he did all wounds gained in battle. The scratches to his face had been helpful in teaching him to ignore sudden pain. He pulled the sword around as the demon came in. Not to kill him, no. He went for the arms.

He started gathering his power, getting it ready to let loose a rain of fire. Not not, once this bastard was through. Just as he chopped off his head. He already envisioned it. First, amputate the arms, let the bastard know who's boss. Then, during the shock period, use the momentum from the first swing to got back around and slice through the neck, decapitating the victim right as Heavenly fire began burning into the others still loitering around.

That would teach them to laugh at their murderer. That, and to be stupid enough to attack one at a time. Massive attacks meant their powers couldn't be used effectively, and that he could cut through them. It'd be a faster death if they'd just cooperate.

 

[Mantra]

Ricky T

Ricky heard the pursuit, and the crash as the thug was unable to manuver through the obsticle course that was the city's back alleys. Rick crept out of his hiding place, moving carefully and quietly around behind his dazed opponent. He waitied a brief moment longer, making sure the man was alone.

With a sudden burst of speed, Ricky charged and jumped bodilly onto the man's back. His opponent's breath wooshed out of his lungs as Rick landed, bounced and reasserted himself, coming to sit on the swordman's back. Rick locked his legs around his pursuer's midsection as Ricky's knife was pressed against the other man's jugular.

"So what the fuck man?" he asked. "You never heard of privacy or any of that shit? Or do all you Faction assholes just try to kill everything you see?"

"Speak quick, and don't fuck with me either!"

 

[RoneLith]

Ricky T

The man was too dazed to even put up a struggle, a large pool of blood began flowing from beneath his head, now looking at the attacker you can see why. He looked to aweful, his skull had cracked thanks to recent years of not eating right. That was easy to do in this age, why should someone eat the right foods when it is easier to pick up a bag of cookies or something from an abandoned store. It was a common occurance and one Ricky had seen all too often. The man looked to be in his late twenties and the wound in his head would kill him soon if not treated. From the sheer look of him you could tell he was not a faction member, he could have easily been you, simply looking for a way to survive this life. Quite possibly he was there to rob you of your possessions, from the look of things he needed them. He had no shirt on and only pants which were needing to be replaced, his shoes were torn to shreads. One can only guess what the last few monthes had done to the man. He opened his mouth, trying to speak but words would not come, only the faintest whisper of voice echoed in the scilence, "Fight," was all you could hear. Carried on his last breath he neck fell limp and he ceased to be.

The sword he had been using flashed violently from the ground and blue lightning raced across the dead man's skin, an ehoed scream could be heard as the lightning pulled what looked to be a ghost from out of the man's body and into the sword below.

"JOIN US RICKY!" A voice filled his head, and not even knowing how he knew it came from the sword. "WE WILL GIVE YOU POWER, DO NOT CONCERN YOURSELF WITH HIM, YOU ARE WHO WE WANT!"

 

[RoneLith]

Gary Masters

Time seemed to slow down for Gary, he watched as the demon's arm transformed into a claw. A mantis claw, it was a sickly green color with sharp barbs jutting out from all angles ready to tear through his opponents skin. Just as time had slowed down the demon struck with his claw, with quick feet Gary jumped and dodged the blow, the left side of the demon was completely exposed to him.

 

[RoneLith]

Illyana Ellore

Her battle with the demon had still yeilded no results. Of course she still held back her true prowess from the demon since she wanted to prolong this battle. Still she should have at least been able to land a hit on him now. He did not seem to be tiered and why should he, he is a greater demon after all. She was beginning to loose this fight, to any on looker it would seem that two master swordsmen were fighting to the death, it almost seemed like a hollywood movie.

The demon attacked again, his sword comming in high, she blocked it easily enough and tried to slash at his face with her other sword he ducked and changed the position of his own sword to slam into her midsection. She was breifly caught off gaurd and knew that he had planned her actions. The pummel of his sword pounded the air out of her lungs and pushed her back. She jummed back on her own using the momentum from the hit to give her speed until she had to stop at a large pipe that impeded her progress. Quickly she glanced at it, it held pressurised steam, this was a metal works foundry after all. Slowly her prey stalked foward chuckleing as he did so.

"Here kitty kitty," his steps grew closer and quicker, her vision was still a little hazey from the blow but her ears led her right to his position. "It seems you have bitten off more than you can chew little kitten."

Her lips cracked a smile, it had been along time since someone had hit her, and she had forgotten what it felt like however no on ever landed a second hit. She listend as his foot steps grew closer, she closed her eyes and let her ears see for her. As a were creature her ears were alot sharper than just humans. She waited until just as he was almost on top of her. From the wind on her face she could tell that his sword was ready to strike from the right. Instanly she struck, not at him but the pipe behind her, she unleased a bit of acid to help cut through the metal. Her sword struck deep into the pipe and as she pulled it out a vent of hot steam shot forward. Quickly she doged the attack and finally opened her eyes. Her hands glowed a soft blue as she took control of the steam sending it to the demons eyes and face, he screamed as the steam stung into his eye, instantly she froze it. Sharp shards of ice stabbed into his eyes, blinding him. He jumped away but due to the attack from the steam jumped into a waiting Illyana. Her sword struck straight through his back stabbing through his heart, or so she thought. His body dissappeared from her and his voice spoke to her filling the air.

"You have not yet killed me Bitch!" he said with supreme anger.

"Well come down here so I can finish demon!" There was no reply, he was already gone. "Coward, you will never beat me." She placed her sword back into their sheath, her first mission was accomplished now to the rest.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lt. Gary Masters

Gary half-turned, shifting power and weight as his arms moved, the point of his sword slamming into the exposed left side. He calculated and dug his feet in, twisting to add more behind it, so even if the freak managed to provide himself an exoskeleton it'd still push through. Don't take chances with freaky insect-men. That was one of his many policies.

He unleashed the power he was building up, giving a glance towards the other fighters and choosing the place within range that offered the widest death rate. He turned, pulling his sword out after him.

Twist. Decapitate. Run. Fifteen steps to the next one. Feint low, slam palm into nose. His mind raced ahead, preplanning moves, making contingencies. Plan, plan, look, see, must kill, cut, slice, hack. Careful, careful, don't get too caiught up in the future. His attention turned back to the blade, the point just hitting the exposed left side.

Or was this a memory? Present? Was he still thinking ahead.
Glorious Battle, where time was meaningless and death shadowed his darkened soul.

He felt so damn alive.

 

[Mantra]

Ricky watched the man's life breath rasp out as his head settled to the ground amidst the pool of red.

"Aw dammit!" he cursed. He hadn't wanted to kill anyone, he just didn't want to get killed in the process.

"Poor bastard." he muttered. Turning the body over, Ricky went through the man's pockets. There wasn't much to be had. The dead man wore rags and the only thing of value Ricky found was a nearly empty box of stick matches.....that and the sword.

WE WILL GIVE YOU POWER, it whispered again. 'Yeah,' he thought back. 'Cause you've done sooo well with this other guy, right?'

Rick picked up a large chunk of broken asphault, as big as he could manage himself. 'Go fuck yourself!' he thought one last time as he threw the rubble down onto the lightning sword.
There was a loud 'ping!' and a sudden woosh, al wild, blue bolts danced around and about in wild patterns. Ricky knew enough to throw himself aside as soon as he let go of the rock. He lay still for a moment, until the wild dancing electricity finally faded and ceaced. Only then did he look up. The lightning sword was snapped in two, the blade broken cleanly just above the hilt. The whole weapon now looked dingy and gray.

"Good riddance." Ricky said as he jogged away, in case someone had seen the light show and wanted to investigate.