The Final Hour

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

The battle outside concludes...

...The raging storm of raw arcane dissipated like parting clouds under a mighty gust of wind. Still under a heavy cloud of darkness the raw scene of carnage and waste remained hidden under its shadowy veil. Destructive forces not seen for ages had been let loose in an exchange of tremendous powers. Considering the amount of dead and dying littered before him and what remained of two great clashing forces, it was true that only the strongest survived. Bodies were thrown about and blasted open as if they were nothing but dolls… the scent of charred flesh and blood was nauseating for the weak. The next chapter of the onslaught would now begin… there was still much death and destruction to unleash…

Innumerable dead, the area, even the city itself smoldering ruin, the sea of dead was perfect scenery as the last stages of this battle drew to a close. Narrowed cat like eyes perceived the black weaves of death as Avanthar drew forth Dhwae’s life force that was further enhanced by Venn’s spell of healing. Each second simply brought his foes weaker whilst he regenerated much of his lost stamina. Bruises dissipated as odd cuts closed and healed, strength entering the Archmage’s black form with each passing second as a sinister smirk grew beneath his mask of dread. Raising his great sword he readied the one fatal swing that would end it all.

His piercing gaze looked at the smoking remains of Dhwae as his flames continued to burn her flesh. In an instant Avanthar saw his fault as he sundered the black weave he had with the Archdruid, sending a minor backlash. Taking a moment to gather himself, he cursed as the chance was opened for the Archdruid for her to warp the remnants of her forces back into the safety of the Naturan grove. Avanthar had lost the chance to truly rid this world of one powerful opponent, with Dhwae still alive things would eventually prove difficult in the future…

‘As long as She remains…’

The malleable coldness of another touched the Arch Knight as he stood resplendent in his titanic aura. Turning to see the wraith like Abcrul as Avanthar peered into his ghostly face, his mocking tone and smug smile irritating the knight slightly as he held up the head of the Sorceror. The older, more experienced necromancer had been able to fell his opponent, whilst alas Avanthar had failed in his attempt. Grasping the offered blade as he tested its weight and balance, he shifted into clara and gathered the surrounding spirits, enforcing the gathered damned as spectral armor protected the knight from mundane attacks.

‘The battle shall continue… in the very heart itself… we shall strike from the inside out…’

Abcrul strengthened the portal of shadow with relative ease, and with likewise ease Avanthar directed his cold malice to his own creation, closing his eyes as he altered and redirected the portal to a place as familiar as the back of his hand. Remembering days of his past as he turned to the shadows of his former imprisonment, deep within the jails of the compound the shadows would come alive as a new portal was made. Yet then again he'd rather the familiar streets and regather all that he could. Ensuring that it was stabilized, that the previous exit had been unraveled at the emergence of the new exit, Avanthar indicated that Abcrul would take the honors before he followed but a step behind…

… expecting to plant his feet on the chaotic streets of Zerdargia… the emergence of two Archmages within Zerdargia would certainly not bode well. Abcrul’s thirst for chaos had yet been quenched, even more so was Avanthar’s murderous desire for vengeance. What forces that remained outside Zerdargia were regrouping as they made their way to the two impressive mages, and, with no great power backing the opposing force, it was heavily unlikely they would face further resistance outside...

... the battle within begins...

... An eerie silence penetrated the streets of Zerdargia, littered with rubble, corpses, and an assortment of mundane things. The arcanic storm had struck hard upon those fighting here, as even now the tinge of fresh blood bloodied the air. The battle had yet to truly end as the final chapter was about to unfold. Growing upon the streets as the inky darkness rose amidst the night streets, an immense wave of unshakeable chill radiated off its black pulsing form. Figures could be seen emerging from the side streets, the remnants of the massive forces that had been injected into Zerdargia during the main battle. Peering at the ominous black creation, the unmistakable sense of impending doom grew ever so strong.

Fearsome orcs, cunning goblins and the occasional necromancer were regrouping. With little left untouched, they watched as their leader emerged with powerful strides, the blazing sword Nemesis flaring in its spectral flames as Abcrul followed, his white skin stark contrast to his black robes. From behind others could be seen emerging, the very few survivors of the confrontation outside. Fatigued necromancers with several orcs and goblins moved behind as a congregation began forming upon the devastated streets. In truth there were less than a 100 of them all, yet numbers were not everything. Whilst the streets near the Church were deserted, what remaining defenders having fled to more secure locales, the masked knight of shadow moved to the fore and inspected his surroundings with blazing blue eyes.

A wave of destruction had been unleashed upon the city by the united efforts of the Church, their desire to rid the dwarf city of Avanthar’s taint had led to widespread devastation, felling both the defenders and the attackers. Some mindless onslaught by the Church would further prove to the world of their potency and their complete disregard for their allies. Crackling with arcane power as the rubies of Nemesis flared in a sudden spectacle of arcane light, there was an immense sense of power as Dra’Arang gathered his energies upon his sword, flames of spectral blue enveloping the area with its eerie light as he clasped it with both of his hardened hands.

‘I have returned from the depths of Aeternia and to seek to end all wrongs against me… to return to this where troublesome annoyances seek to hinder my ultimate purpose… did I return for this?’

Venting his minor irritation at the course of this battle and the difficulties he had had, he swung his powerful blade towards both sides of the street, altering the blade’s flames as blue waves of deathly fire raced through the already destroyed buildings. A wave of destructive flame began eating away at the area, lighting up the streets in blue as the sound of roaring fire and crackling wood hid all screams of help for those unfortunate enough to linger within. Avanthar’s explosive attack near brought one side of Zerdargia aflame as the scent of burning flesh began to rise…

Death had finally come!

With little left in this area, Lord Avanthar Dra’Aran, Disciple of Kaith Gar’Pirtis and Arch-Knight of the Shadows smirked maliciously as he led the band towards the Residential District where fighting was still underway. It was there that the majority of his forces had been sent, and even now the remnants of the Church continued to battle against his undead alongside the defenders. From above the spirit Eltarik told all, gifting the knight with a bird’s eye view of the entire city. Thus they began to make their way, gathering what forces they could whilst slaughtering any that stood in their way. Whether it was the Veldar or some hapless citizens, it did not matter. For Avanthar, he wished for deaths… whilst Abcrul demanded chaos… in this battle they gained both. Just what defense remained was still unknown, yet it was clear that the war was drawing to its final conclusion.

OOC: Ready~

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Tainted winds carried away the screams of the dying and fallen the gathering company swept through what defenses remained as they neared the residential district. The clashing of steel resounded with growing ferocity. This was where the battle between Avanthar’s forces and the defenses of the city continued, whilst another contingent were drawn towards the compound where a group of necromancers had secured themselves within the dwarven fortifications. But that was to be dealt with later. For now a grisly display of butchery was unfolding as two Archmage’s vented their wrath upon the hapless, making swift progress as they cut a swathe through flesh and blood, moving towards the true fight.

A sudden blast of searing flames washed away at a block of buildings as they were lit by blue flames. The pulsing Nemesis flared in obvious delight as Avanthar led the way, carving himself a path with sword and magic. Explosions rocked the very foundations of Zerdargia as what little resistance was swept away by the growing tide of darkness. Reacting swiftly the knight advanced upon one brave dwarf, unleashing one downward cleave so swiftly that the dwarf had scant time to act as he was burnt alive by Nemesis’s flames. All around their sheer numbers were pushing what little defenders remained here, sending them into retreat as cries of sinister pleasure resounded among their ranks.

Sending forth shards of black shadow as they rose and pierced foes from below, the streets were soaked in a tide of red. Waving his hand with fluidity the impressive Shadow Knight sent forth his black spells, knocking off one Paladin from the seat of his horse by one powerful Acid Orb, literally burning the valiant knight alive as he was left struggling upon the floor. All around his Orcs and Goblins were fighting as they reached the Residential district, bolstering the offensive there as streams of fighters rolled out from the many dark alleyways that they had been using to ambush the Church. Now the forces of the Church, Zerdargia, and Avanthar’s were truly locked in battle once more, the Shadow Knight leading his band as he unleashed savage strikes upon any unfortunate enough to stand in his way.

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

The fighting grew fiercer. For some endless time they fought, Abcrul enjoying the slaughter as much as Avanthar. Unleashing waves of blue flames that roasted flesh and sent buildings ablaze, the entire district was eerie in that many were lit by spectral flames that emitted an odd hue upon all that lingered here. Instinctively bringing up his terrible blade up to block one overhead strike by a distinct Paladin, Dra’Aran unleashed a swift kick to the stomach, stunning the paladin before he decapitated the man with a final blow. Another sent a cross bolt towards the knight only to find the folly of his ways as specters absorbed the blow. In response, Avanthar shifted his attentions momentarily upon the man, channeling his essence into the shadows that came to life on their own accord and literally tore the man down as he was clawed to death by dozens of black hands.

Abcrul unleashed his own dark magic as they advanced, the pair of Archmage’s finding little on what they could call resistance. Many had overspent their attacks before during the chaotic storm and only now were they recovering. Using Lances of Shadow into narrow alleys, the Knight skewered those seeking to flee. Undead in the dozens were raised by the young Masters’ and Adepts, making it very clear to the defender’s here that they were heavily outnumbered and outskilled. The dead and dying littered the streets, their groaning only acting to alert the ravenous undead that feasted upon their spent bodies whilst they were still alive.

Death was heavy in the foul air. Standing resplendent in his black armor the Dark Lord stood, basked in a blue hue as blood dripped from his massive blade, all around the buildings were burning, adding the scent of smoke and ash to the already revolting air. Undead roamed the streets once more as the invading forces regrouped after having left little here unscathed. Orc warriors, goblins and necromancers milled as they awaited the next order whilst Abcrul was content to wait at one side. A strange tension was hanging over them as each and everyone seemed almost to hold their breath. Avanthar was recollecting himself as his mind was awash with bloody images, and for a moment he was concerned that the demon within him was gaining control…

… but with his mind bent on the task at hand and the knowledge that he was no longer Jorel’s creature. The bestial rage that had consumed Avanthar for so long was no longer in control. Biting back any words as his grip tightened on Nemesis, the shadow knight held out his free hand as spirits began gathering, spinning madly in a sphere as it grew in tempo, the knight infusing a fair amount of Vis. Growing in velocity until it was an orb of white screams, the Archmage shot it towards one side of the district, ignoring it as it began tearing away at a house or two by its rapid spin as it continued on its deadly route.

‘I think its time for me to do my part… this is simply taking too long, Dark Knight.’

Breaking the silence was Abcrul as he stepped forward, gathering chaotic energies to his call as all around the sensation of dread radiated off his black being. The unusually pale, almost ageless man had lingered in this world for who knew how long. Powers twisted and turned as Avanthar watched his senior unleash his dark arts. In terms of power, Avanthar could match him, yet knowledge and experience were another matter, something that even the knight accepted he lost in. Smirking beneath his mask, Dra’Aran recognized the spell for what it was and followed, mirroring the Archmage as he closed his eyes, gathering his powers as he sent his senses to the Infernal Planes, weaving forth a portal of dark powers as he sent his call… and found contact.

It was a different summoning spell as two portals opened up, both different than the deathly gate that brought forth undead, or the chilling shadow gates. Here, an immense heat erupted as flickering figures could be seen from a distance, odd shrills and bestial roars erupting from within as large, man-sized figures exploded out from the Infernal into the Mortal Planes. Demons of all manner and size leapt out in joy as they flew, from each gate came a dozen of these soldiers of Aeternia. No true Cyraxian Lord or a Greater Demon, they were man sized at most, respectable foes that were dangerous in their own right, yet far from unstoppable like an Archon. Waving them away to begin their destruction, the beasts flew in all directions seeking their own pleasure.

At that moment a third gate was fashioned, yet one that was not particularly of Avanthar’s doing. Hovering before him came a gate of shadow, and from it came necromancers he had sent into the compound. Beat up, it was obvious they had faced resistance, forcing Avanthar to instinctively gather his powers to form a protective shield of spirit around himself whilst blue, cat like eyes narrowed as he stepped forward, ready to meet this new foe head on all the whilst a murderous force gathered about.

OOC: Maddyn, or whomever, I’ll sort of RP Abcrul in this… but the result was given permission. Is this right Dunc?

[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

Screams and bestial roars could be heard as the demons of Aeternia ran rampant through the city, striking down upon the unwary with vicious savagery. Blood spilled upon the streets continued their path as they coated the streets with crimson. Red intense flames continued to eat away at the city whilst fighting continued throughout. The Lord Abcrul was silent as he stood, the pale necromancer crossing his arms and showing scant interest at what lay beyond the portal, his focus was rather on those pillaging about him. Avanthar however moved forward, his companions moving with him as scores, even hundreds moved with black desire in their hearts.

A running sensation of ice washed over the armored knight as he passed the gate of darkness, the disorientation passed in a second as he observed what had passed within the inner compounds of the Veldar. Brandishing his enormous blade as strands of twisting shadow and flame lighted the area with an eerie glow, a flood of black armored soldiers literally burst out. Avanthar stood out like an island of calm, piercing eyes of blue narrowed like daggers. Entering into a war zone as spirits swirled about him, his gathered forces charged out to support those contesting against the defense. A bedraggled necromancer half stumbled at Avanthar's feet, bringing the knight a bundle that the Dracolord deduced as his precious guards.

‘Something is not right… the one that foiled my previous attempts… is…’

Knowing very well that he had sent another into the city whom should have made things easier, it was he whom had thwarted his every move. The great army of Avanthar’s would have easily decimated what defenses were before him if not for the reinforcements and the meddling of Archmages. Having defeated Dhwae was a victory… but there was another. Flaring its sigil, Avanthar raised his blade which acted like a beacon for all that stood around him. What of the other necromancers he had sent here? What of his prize?

[adnom47]

how do i play
:*(

[Duncan Sythe]

OOC: Leap of movement, I'm assuming your now here:

http://www.alleria.com/forums/showth...t=47053&page=2