His Iron Chains Broke Loose (IC)

“You sent Urien up to a war that wasn't happening...You wanted me to die, didn't you Bridget...? Oh, I'm sure you did, you were jealous of all the attention father gave me because I was the man in the family. You hoped I would freeze to death up there... Ooooo...But I found a little secret up there that no one knew about... Even your subjects will be punished for the cruelty of their ruler. I sold my soul, and now...NONE WILL SURVIVE AS LONG AS YOU LIVE! DOWN WITH THE QUEEN!” A figure shouts atop a snowy mountain. A roar of excitement echoed from the crowd below. A sea of grotesque creatures, and evil beings plotting the downfall of the Monarch.

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Spoiler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GUlXCWVegs

“I have gathered you here today, for you are the greatest in your field. I fear an evil entity will be entering our lands.” The queen scans her chestnut eyes across the group formed in front of her, standing on the stone courtyard. “You will need stealth,” She looks at the small pink haired gnome in the front of the group, along with a blonde elven woman, “Infiltration, and Magic.” a Drow stood at the back of the small group, holding a staff topped with a skull, alongside her was a human mage in a blue outfit holding a katana. “You need enough power to hold them back.” a human swordsman in a red coat was grinning near the center of the group, on the edge of the group stood a woman with a baby dragon on her shoulder.

“I can assure you, a vicious battle will ensue, you may not all make it home, you will need to gain allies along the way. Never doubt your choices, trust in what you believe is right.” A breeze blows, fluttering the queen's dress, “Now, don't get discouraged. For every adventure can lead to Fame, wealth, and power. I'm sure you will find your own prize along the way.” She bows to the few before her, and makes her leave.

Once away from were one could hear, “And good riddance.”

A small sneer twisted the sensual lips of the drow's mouth. She knew from the beginning that she would have to put up with those that didn't exactly see eye to eye with her but to have an elf and gnome part of the mix was almost too much. The mage she could deal with. Though not necessarily on the same wave length she sensed a bit of a kindred spirit in the man dressed in blue. Of course one thing Heather could be sure of was that he and the warrior dressed in red had some type of relation in common, their similar appearances were to canny to be a coincidence.

“My, my, it seems she is really reaching if she is going to seek help from the elves.” Heather couldn't help it. The blonde elf was standing there and existing, it got on her nerves very quickly.

“Actually I was thinking the same thing about you.” The elf turned and smiled sweetly and the drow. The warmth didn't reach her eyes. “Things must be fairly dire if the drows are involved but don't worry. I know to watch my back with your...” Kiya looked Heather over before continuing her sentence. “...kind around.” She smirked, this time the smile reached her eyes.

“Hey! Hey! No time to have this petty stuff going on! We need to get going! The world is at stake and needs are help!” The small pink haired gnome came bounding between the two, her weapon slung over her shoulder.

“And what are you suppose to be?” Red eyes turned down to the gnome.

“I am Anya! Master of disguise! I can get in anywhere and take anything without anyone knowing.” She patted her pocket with a knowing grin.

Narrowing her eyes Heather glared at the small humanoid. “I better not be missing one of my possessions or you will learn exactly what my specialty is.” She gave a knowing grin and looked over the rest of the group.

Anya really didn't care what the drow thought or if she could carry out any of her threats. All the gnome knew was she was going to be the first one that will learn exactly what gnomes were about. A sneaky grin lit her face and she turned to the elf. “So what is your name? What do you do? How about the rest of you?” Teal eyes turned and looked at the few people around her.

“I am Kiya my little friend.” She smiled kindly down at the hyper rogue and nodded before giving a whistle. A large wolf responded immediately and bounded to her side, his intelligent eyes giving the drow a once over. “This is Coia.” She rubbed the top of the white wolf's head while a large brown hawk landed on her shoulder. “And, this is Mie.” Golden eyes looked over the group, its head tilting to look better.

“Awesome!” Anya rushed over and looked into Coia's eyes before reaching out and petting the wolf. Kiya couldn't help but laugh when first Coia bared his teeth before his tail began to swing, the gnome didn't notice the first part though. “And, who are you?” She glanced up at the drow that was now glaring at the two creatures.

“Do not worry your little head about who I am. I doubt you will be around long enough to even remember it.” Heather tossed the threat at the gnome.

Anya was oblivious to anything the drow did or said and looked around at the rest of the people with a shrug. “How about you guys? What do I call you guys? When should we get going? Are you guys ready? Which direction are we going to head in? So? So? So? I'm ready! I'm ready! I'm ready!” The hyper gnome pointed her hammer-pick toward the sky.

“Patient little one.” Kiya said with a laugh and looked at the others. “Our small friend has a point. I would like to know who my companions are.” She smiled kindly while absently petting Coia.

The drow rolled her red eyes and a short hard breath escaped her, showing her exacerbation at the two creatures. “Shouldn't we be going?”

“Things waited this long, I'm sure it can wait just a minute or two more.” Kiya looked at the drow.

Anya groaned. “Well hurry up!”

Dante had barely heard anything the Queen had asked. He was stood glaring at the man at the other end of the group. As soon as the Queen had stopped he marched over there and looked right at the man in blue, who barely looked at him.

“Vergil. What in the Green hell are you doing here?” Dante said angrily, reaching for his sword.

Infuriatingly he said nothing but walked away towards the group, leaving Dante to watch him cast his oppressive gaze to each of the members. He would stare at them, perhaps a half second past comfortable and then move on. It was like he was sizing them up – Dante knew for exactly what.

He marched over, “Hey, they aren’t going to be used to power yourself up. You guys better watch him, he’s an A class donkey dick.” Dante said addressing the group, his glance did a double take on the blonde elf and he let loose a warm smile and a slow nod down in greeting.

“We’re on a mission from the Queen. If working with you is what it takes to curry her favour then so be it.” The stoic man said acutely turning towards the main road that led out of town. The cobbled streets were a straight shot to the giant wooden gates and the lavish forest beyond.

“Yeah a mission that may require teamwork and not slicing open people so that you can use fancy tricks.” Dante’s eyes were filled with passion. It was clear to all that they were related, both had white hair and blue eyes. It seemed as though Dante was the shorter one but it was due to the man in blue’s impeccable posture. He had an icy aura around him and it almost seemed as though the sunlight, beaming in through the large windows, deemed it futile to bathe him in any warmth. It instead seemed to revel in Dante’s approachable aura and was happy to add to it.

“These fancy tricks will likely save your lives. I grow weary of this debate, if there is a mission to do then let us do it. If I am to work with you then you will need to know how to address me. My name is Vergil. This buffoon is my twin brother, Dante, whom I have not seen in 10 years. I wish this mission to be over quickly so I do not need to see him for another 50.”

All through out the expressionless delivery through his monotonous speech, Dante mouthed childish imitations of his brother before adding, “and I’m a pretentious jackass who’s thirst for power will likely get you all killed.”

Dante looked at the drow who seemed horribly unamused at the whole thing. “Tough crowd.” He sighed. “So anyone know where we can find some evil and slay it?”

“Well I…uh…er…” stumbled the young dragon rider, she sharply sighed, waiting for the chaos to die down a bit, “Well, Norruth saw some goblins not that far in the forest, if you want to get some target practice before we go antagonize a war.” She states to the hyperactive gnome and the man in the long red coat, “Oh! I’m Alice, and this is Cordenth.” Alice points at the young reptilian on her shoulder. “Without doubt you will meet Norruth soon.”

From the shadows ahead of the group steps a beast at least seven feet in height, lowly growling, he has three claw scars over one closed eye, the other is an eerie green. His body is covered with white fur, black stripes shadowing on his body. Flexing his humanoid hand, within his clawed gloves, he looks at them, “Those goblins aren’t alone. I’m not sure what’s in their nest, but it isn’t nice. Them wretched creatures have been dragging in the dead of everyone they can get their filthy paws on.” His ears flatten, snarling at the thought. “I know a short cut if you are heading there.”

“Well, thank you Mister…” Alice begins before being cut off.

“Mister was my father. Call me Cathair.” Cathair mumbles, his tail flicking angrily. “So, you want to introduce yourself Kits?” Turning around, waiting to be followed, then leading them to the general goblin nest area.

Once there, they see trees in all directions and moss on the ground around a large hole in the ground big enough to fit an elephant.

Dante volunteered his name first with a grin as he looked at the cat man. A thousand puns entered his head as he watched the tiger, but even he knew that perhaps now was not the best time to piss off a large beast with claws. He walked behind the group mostly so he could get a good look at the girls. Or at least that’s what he set himself to make it look like, adding wolf whistles as any of the girls did anything mildly provocative, like bend to pick up something, fix their hair or take out their weapon. In reality he was ensuring his darling brother didn’t do anything untoward; he was well aware of who he had killed to obtain the power he had.

Vergil was at the front, his sword just slightly out of its sheath and his thumb pressed upon the edge of the blade, ever ready for battle. He walked beside Cathair, unspeaking until they reached the large hole.

“I’d say we found something.” Vergil said flatly, peering down it.

“Hey Catman, can you use some crazy cat powers to see down the hole?” Dante said and then looked around at the drow with a twinkle in his eye, “Oh you live in caves and shit right? Maybe you can see into the depths of that hole. Hehe I’d like to see into the depths of your….” He started but held his tongue after a death glare. He ran around behind Kiya, “Oooh scary. I don’t like her!” he said in mock terror.

Vergil, largely ignoring his simpleton brother looked at the cat. “You’re the one that lead us here. Now what?”

'I hate my life.' Rang through the Drow's head when the one man decided to try and be funny. She had to smirk slightly at the irony, he would definitely be acting like that soon, only he will truly fear her. For now though Heather had to take the consolation that she could see into the hole and he couldn't. Deep in the darkness she could see movement though it was just on the edge of her vision, the soft humming also told of some strange creature dwelling in the depths. The only reason she wouldn't send these imbeciles to their deaths was she had to complete this mission and that damn cat would give away anything she might say. Red eyes glared into the back of the furry head. “Why don't you jump in and tell us what is down there? Best way to do it.” Heather tried to give Dante what should have appeared as sweet smile, only on her it came out more of a sneer.

“We should take a little more cautious route I would think.” Kiya looked into the darkness, trying to see but only picking up the humming. Her green eyes scanned the ground around the hole. “There are several different goblins here...” The elf bent down and let her hand run over the footprints. “Variety of ages. They come out holding nothing and go back in at almost double their weight.” A frown marred her features as she studied the depth of the prints.

“The only way we are going to find out anything is to just dive right in! So let's go! Right now! ME FIRST!” Anya rushed toward the hole and readied to jump in.

“Wait little one.” Kiya's voice held both concern and laughter. “Why don't we take a more stealthy approach at this?”

“Ahhhh...” She whined and crossed her arms then nodded. “Okay! Let's do it! Let's go! Ready or not ...” Anya began loudly then ended in a whisper. “Here I come!” She pulled out her weapon and began to creep along the edge until she found a spot to climb down. Signaling the rest of the group she slowly began to climb down, for once being absolutely silent.

The large cat watches the events unfold, staring at the small gnome he sighs, “...We follow that lass.” the best mumbles, following behind the gnome who was already in the darkness. The group follows close, for nearly an hour they ventured through the tunnels, finding not a trace. Though the farther they got, the louder the humming sounded. Giving the more sensitive eared beings a headache.

BAABOOOM! They hear a loud explosion behind them, causing a cave in. They have no choice to go forward.

“I'm going to go ahead a little bit!” states Anya in a loud whisper, quickening her pace some. They hear a hollow thud and the gnome prances back towards them holding a torch.

“GAAABAAAA! SCHLOCKVEBURRR!” a goblin troop spots the corpse that the gnome slew to get the torch. Quickly running towards the entrance, to find the intruder. The troop consists of soldiers, explosives, and Mages. And they aren't very happy to see you.

That evening…

“Oh my gods that was so much fun!” Alice bounces around with the small gnome by the campfire. Slipping and falling into the dirt with a loud clank of metal she laughs, Cordenth huffing lightly, trying to dose off in Kiya’s pack.

“We all know that the queen wanted us to work together, but we don’t know anything about each other.”

“Not like we have a reason to trust eachother, I can come up with at least one reason for each of you.” He looks at them, a couple raising eyebrows, “You knife ears have always stabbed me in the back. Quite literally. You, in the red smell like the hind end of a skunk. Mage in the blue, you have the aura of a murderer.” The fur on Cathair’s back ruffles slightly, “Something so small will always steal from you and anything that can befriend a dragon is never good.”

“We should get to know each other now, anyone want to go first?” Cathair looks around the group, dropping the net of fish he collected from the river next to them. “Fine, I will.” He sighs, taking off his metal clawed gloves. “My full name is Cathair Fuzzypaws, well now anyway. I was born into slavery many years ago.” He looks at the elves, “My…breed…Is one of the few creatures that can live as long as you Elves. In fact it is possible to live longer even. My family was split between slavery and fighting rings. I was but a cub, the size of you little one.” He smiles gently at Anya then begins again, “My family had four cubs, the others were adults, all but mother and sister got sold to the Fighting rings where they were quickly slaughtered by the others. Mother and sister died from whip lacerations becoming infected. I was growing, becoming more threatening to the one who bought us, so I was…Amputated.” He states, grabbing a fish in his clawless paws, and letting it slip onto the dirt between his feet.

“That was the last straw, I set up a rebellion, he was found in the barn, buried under the floorboards. But I had enough time to escape before he was found. I’ve been working as a mercenary and blade for hire since. For the past…one hundred seventy years to be exact. I have a horrid temper as well.” He grabs the fish again, taking a large bite out of the belly of it, “What I want on this adventure, is to find a place where I belong.”

“Wow, I never knew.” Alice states, surprised, “I’ll go next then. I’m Alice Gray, I am a young knight. I was kinda a daughter of a high person…I forget exactly what the term was…Oh yeah, a Viscount.” she chuckles sheepishly, “Everyone thought I was dead because I befriended a dragon. Not Cordenth at that point, but Norruth, he’s a water dragon.” She knocks on the chestplate of her armor, “And I went to become a squire. From there I went and became a knight because he passed out and Norruth…Well he thought it was food.” She cringes, though as if on cue, a large blue dragon floats down from the sky.

“And I just want to befriend other dragons. Oh! I also have no idea how to ride a horse.” She laughs again. “So…What about you guys?”

Vergil stood in the corner not wanting to join in the conversation, but instead watched intently at the people around the table, even as the cat person mocked him. He would be the first.

Dante on the other hand got to the name Fuzzypaws and fell off his chair laughing. "No, no, no! You've got to be kidding me." he looked into the serious eyes of the warrior and stifled his laugh, "Ah...you're not kidding."

"Well, alright I'll play along. I'm just really in this gig for the money. I kinda blew it on a wom....bad investments. So, uh yeah. As for my brother, he's due for surgery to remove that stick from within his ass. Also we kinda don't get along on account of ...well let's just leave it at a conflict of interests." Dante shot a glare at Vergil who pretended not to notice.

"Sooo....Cathair, your story is a bit...morbid. Jeez man that sucks, I'm not surprised you have a horrid temper, I'd probably start a rebellion too if I had my....no...actually I probably wouldn't. Being honest I'd probably cry a lot. Not very manly or heroic but yeah, that's probably what I'd do." Dante said taking a drink.

Vergil walked to Alice and loomed over her, "And how does one befriend Dragons, exactly?" he asked with his icy air.