@Thinslayer

No use. This guard was unbreakable
Isabella thought to herself before shaking her head slightly. She leaned over to whisper in the guard's ear: "Talk to you later...I'll see you around, Bryon." Then she turned her head to the king, straightened up her shoulders and wielded her sword, swinging it carelessly in circles as she skipped towards him.
"Your daughter has hither-ed." She laughs and uses her sword to scatter the circle. She didn't want to have any more monsters storming the castle and waking her up in the middle of the night.
"Now...What do you want?" Isabella fastened her sword at her side and raised her eyebrows at her father, the curiosity evident.

@StormHeart
"Oh! Uh, my name is Kiera and I live in Easthaven," said the girl, her tone wavering slightly in surprise. "Well, lived considering I was ever since I become a slave on this yacht."
Dessa offered a warm smile and touched Kiera's hand. The girl came off as a little nervous, and well she should, for she'd just been dragged off by a total stranger to a remote corner of the ship. And Dessa knew all too well how cruel the fairer sex could be away from prying eyes.

And Kiera, of course, had questions. "By the way... What do you mean by plans? What are you planning to do with Gurk? Not that I mind if anything bad happens to him, but I'd like to know what's going on."

Dessa gulped. She had to make this one count. She leaned closer and opened her mouth to speak.

Then she paused.

"I...do not plan to kill him," she began slowly. "But I do wish for him to see the error of his ways within his...short...lifetime." She glanced toward the entrance. No errant shadows on the floor or other human noises. Dessa turned back to Kiera.

"But that is not important now. You are here. You...I mean, you have incredible potential, perhaps rivalling even Lady Valentine herself. I thought to lend you a hand. Would you permit me to train you in what little ability I know?"

"Would you permit me to train you in what little ability I know?" Dessa said. Kiera was speechless. She didn't really expect her to help train her, but she did want to know how to do whatever Dessa did to Gurk back there, but Dessa was a complete stranger. If she did want to train her, then where?

She still wanted to be with her parents and everyone else back at Easthaven, yet she still wanted to learn the magic Dessa was doing. Then, she finally decided on what to do.

"Of course, but can I first say goodbye to my family first? I don't want them to think that something bad happened to me." Kiera finally said. She felt both excited and nervous, and for some reason, she felt like something big was going to happen.

@Darkwatck01
Edward opened his eyes to a dark, freezing chill. The curve of a tube-like structure restricted his movement, making the bite that much worse. Moreover, moving (or attempting to) shifted a large needle in his shoulder, so it was inadvisable anyway.

Then, quite suddenly, the tube opened. There were other tubes just like his lined up on the wall; one contained a buff blond man, another a dark-haired elf girl, another a brunette human woman. Their bodies looked so lifeless, and yet so lifelike, as if each had a strong, beating heart but no soul to fill it.

A little further away was a table. Strange and wonderful devices of plastic and metal lay in various stages of construction littered around the table. The most curious contraption, though, was a magical crystalline pad. Runes and letters blinked across it, and upon closer inspection, an unfinished design. Where had Edward awakened to? Had he arrived in the future, or perhaps in the ancient past, when the Immortals walked the earth?

A whirring noise came from the roof. A long tube mounted in a metal ball folded out of the ceiling and pointed at him.

Don't believe the sign. You don't have time to backtrack.

"This sign is a sign that even the dead cannot stop my glorious persona!"

Taking his blade with him, he assumed that he might even be able to fight his pursuers if the sign turned out to be accurate.

Surely in an age of mineshafts with lighting beyond the usual torch, there's a better way of letting others know that a road ends than putting down a sign.

Walking deeper into the "dead end" area, he was fairly certain he could hear something.

@Samdragonx
As Ravadon moved deeper, the dark shadows peeled away like a veil to reveal...

Well.

[DEAD END!
I REALLY MEAN
IT THIS TIME!]

And, in a small corner off to the upper left...

[no entry
without
authorization]

There was an almost-invisible seam down the middle of the wall.

@Thinslayer

Waking in that cold tube was not a welcome experience for the creature known as Edward. His head was hurting, everything felt cold, and this jabbing feeling in his arm. Which after getting his eyes open and trying not to be overtaken by sensory overload, came to the realization that the ‘thing’ in his shoulder was more along the lines of a tube and needle. With barely any moving room he wasn’t able to take it out nor did he feel like making the attempt for it quite hurt when the object in his shoulder was moved around. Taking that moment to get a better understanding of his situation the creature turned his head around to find out where he was, too bad he wasn’t able to make out anything from inside the glass tube for all it showed was his own reflection.

Edward, what have you gotten into this time? He asked himself as he looked over his features. Nothing changed since he was knocked out, however long ago that was. A vestige of fangs and scale looked Edward back in the eye. More beast than man, but still enough to be mistaken as humanoid. After a moment his Third eye opened showing a slight contrast to his normal two, a dull crimson glow came from the eye embedded in his forehead, standing vertical rather than horizontal.

His thoughts returned to him after the tube moved from over top of the Transcendent, revealing what he couldn’t out right define. It looked like some kind of Alchemy lab mixed with a doctor’s quarters, really he was at a loss as how to describe it. That’s when the objects on the table near by caught his eye, [eyes?] as well as the strange crystalline object displaying some runes. Caution already lost to the winds of time he reached out picking it up with his claws hands.

Oddly he didn’t scratch the smooth surface, oddly what found his attention was a picture the strange device had upon it, an incomplete looking drawing, at least he guessed it was incomplete based on what his mind was seeing as ‘missing’.

That's when he heard it, something was moving and at him. Still holding onto the device he turned and looked up to see what he could only defined as some kind of sphere object descending from the roof. Taking a deep breath the creature slowly started to back away from the new device coming from the roof. He was lazy, not an idiot. Not even paying attention to the table he knocked over as he slowly backed up. With a bit of a jump, more like quick turn to acknowledge what he knocked over, his attention was returned to the device which was still poised to move at him.

@StormHeart
"Of course, but can I say goodbye to my family first? I don't want them to think something bad happened to me."

Dessa sat with her mouth agape for a few moments. Does she have family aboard this ship? What is she talking about?
Then it dawned on her.
Oh! She thinks that this training will occur after we reach land. Dessa made a hurried wave of her hand. "No! No, that will not be necessary. I will be training you aboard this ship. Training ends when we reach shore, or when we get separated, whichever happens first. Many slaves are mistreated here, so you will get plenty of practice. This ship will approach sea monster territory in about three days, so we have until then. What do you say?"

@ineffable
The King's chanting came to a dead stop. He didn't even move his hands from their folded position for several seconds as he processed what his daughter had just done.

"Isabella Dragan Stonebridge," he began, his tone low and threatening, "do you know what you have done?"

As servants lit candles around the room, they could see courtiers cowering behind pillars and furniture. Isabella's elder step-brother, Prince Tristane of Rhoamin, had turned deathly pale. Master Merl, the kingdom's greatest living archmage, gripped his staff until his knuckles turned white. All eyes turned to Isabella, some in relief, some in hatred. At the foot of the throne lay the reason for it all:

Her step-sister, Princess Evelyn.

She was still just as beautiful as last remembered. Her enviable golden hair scattered the candlelight all over the castle floor, and the soft features that lined her gentle face served only to express the gentle spirit that lay within. Yet, there was something wrong with her. She had grown somewhat gaunt, and there was a touch of unnatural gray in her normally pink complexion that would have given any trained physician pause.

The king finally looked up at Isabella, his face contorted with sorrow and rage. "DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'VE DONE!?" he shrieked. "I WAS TRYING TO SAVE YOUR SISTER! FOOLISH GIRL!" He marched over to Isabella and slapped her.
Hard.
Twice.
"Your sister has been possessed, the Elder Dragon is coming for us, orcs are gathering in the north, and you've just destroyed our only chance at stopping all of it in one swoop. And you have the temerity to laugh at me?" He began to pace the floor, waving his hands wildly as he spoke. "Only Divine Weapons may harm the Elder Dragon, and the only being in the world aside from angels or demons known to carry them is the Grim Reaper, whom I was trying to summon until you so rudely interrupted me."

He motioned for the guards to approach.

"I think some time in the dungeon should teach you a lesson."

Gladius in hand, our glorious hero found himself sneaking to the left. The path in front of him had a bunch of cracks in the wall, but he hadn't taken notice.

Ravadon was much more focussed on his personal "authorisation" than some scratch on a wall in front of him.

[no entry
without
authorization]

"Haha, there's no one more qualified for this task than I am. After all, I'm the glorious Ravadon. Hero of most awesome importance."

Hoping he'd find a map or some officials in the location to his left, he passed the sign while gently humming the song of his own glory.

@Samdragonx
@Darkwatck01
Ravadon plowed right through the No Entry door despite all the warning signs that he shouldn't. He entered to find himself in a futuristic laboratory filled with half-finished machines and mysterious devices. More disturbingly, he spotted a clone body of himself frozen in a glass tube, along with several other unidentified bodies. The most curious sight, however, was of a tall dragon-like man (@Darkwatck01) backing away as if from a dangerous monster. It took a moment to realize he was retreating from a ball-and-tube structure in the roof. Suddenly, the object whirred around to point at Ravadon instead. A bright ball of green light formed at the muzzle.

Someone snapped their fingers. The light vanished, and the object folded back into the roof. Boots clicked on the floor as a humanoid figure robed in a black hood and cloak strode into the room. Its face and extremities were invisible to the naked eye, and it would have been a bit disturbing to witness the scythe seemingly held upright by a handless sleeve. The other sleeve held a coffee mug, which the individual sipped and set down on the table.

The Grim Reaper dwelt in this lab.

"You are early," it croaked, followed by an almost-inaudible "This day just keep getting better..." It meadered closer and stretched out a hand to them. "Come. I have a meeting to attend to, and you are cordially invited."

@Thinslayer

With his attention still given to the object coming down it came as no surprise that Edward was slightly startled by the sudden sound of someone crashing into the room. Diverting his third eye for the time being, taking no risks because of whatever the hell that thing was attached to the roof, he took a deep breath of air trying to get some kind of scent, instinct kicking in for a moment. With but a faint hint something else entered the room that he remembered all too well.

Edward really did feel out of place thanks to the new language he was hearing. Of course he wasn’t quite able to make it out thanks to his rather long, shall we say, nap. Looking the man who spoke his mind came to a boil. Still gripping the crystalline tablet device he growled, not so much threatening but letting the Reaper know his unhappy mood at his presence.

“REAPER! Where am I and more to the point, why are you here when I awaken?”

At this point Edward has completely forgotten about the man in question who had basically blasted his way into the lab, room? It didn’t matter what it was thanks to the way Edward was currently growling and showing his teeth.

@Darkwatck01
The Reaper bent its fingers up, a gesture to come hither. "Being moved against one's will can certainly be disorienting and warrant a degree of caution, but there is no time to elucidate my rationale. Are you coming or not?"

{NOTE: @Samdragonx go ahead and come on this was meant to keep things moving along thats all.)
@Thinslayer

Shifting in his stance slightly to look a little more calm rather than seething with anger, which he was and making it quite evident, Edward Lamented on his chances of fighting the current creature before him. Sure like this he could last if he hand more time to adjust and perhaps had something to eat. (To which is gut was currently protesting quite loudly) With a soft snort he gave in shrugging, there was a time and place to fight but to fight on an empty stomach and with a disadvantage as vast as it currently was, no matter how short, was still not in his favor to win a fight.

“Isn't the first time you moved me with out my consent, but fine. Just get me something to eat.”

Slouching over slightly, obscuring his real height a little. Once he was close enough to the cloaked figure he snapped his jaws, rather loudly in a sign of disgust. Clearly these two had history, and not friendly at that. Turing around all three of his eyes now locked onto the human, these things again. With soft words he opened his maw now just barely a hair's length from the side of the reaper.

“Don’t think for a moment we are friends, but getting me dinner and an explanation is a start. If your lucky we might get a second dance on even feet.” He chuckled lightly at the end of statement knowing quite well the Reaper got his meaning.

@Thinslayer

Her cheek stung yet she did not wince.
Her dad was crazy, inviting over the Reaper for a visit. Had he not read the books? Did he not know what the Reaper did? A hand tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she stared her father down. Years and years of his ignorance of her had turned her angry. He had always preferred Evelyn, after all, she was prettier, sweeter and much more obeying. But he hadn't left Evelyn like he had her. He hadn't ignored her when they passed in the halls or laughed at her "silly" showing of humbleness or compassion towards the handmaidens and stablehands. He had loved Evelyn and left Isabella to rot. He was worthy of anger

"Do you think time in the dungeon will really do anything, Father?" Isabella laughed coldly, the Earth Sword seeming to flawlessly slip in and around her fingers as she twirled it. She dared a step closer to the throne and directed her glance at her stepsister, visibly faltering as she did so. There definitely was something wrong. Ignoring the menacing glares and looks she walked over and crouched down.
"You okay, Ev?" Her sword clattered against the ground, the hair undone from the knot she had put it into spiraling down in front of her eyes.
Her stepsister was a patient creature, one who many people had a deep respect for. And seeing her here, crumpled and ghost pale unsettled Isabella.

@Darkwatck01@Thinslayer

"Ah, well. Yes, you may accompany me wherever I've inspired you to go."
Ravadon made clear, whilst putting away Gladius.

"Just don't keep my glory waiting when you meddle in your inferior affairs."
He turned up his nose at him and everything else in the room.

Seeing the response, Ravadon followed the reaper silently.
Thinking to himself it would be best to not gloriously win a fight while this weakness incarnate had an easy means of escaping.

@Samdragonx
Ravadon sheathed Gladius. "Ah, well. Yes, you may accompany wherever I've inspired you to go," he bragged. "Just don't keep my glory waiting when you meddle in your inferior affairs."

The Reaper turned to him. "Now, look here, you little-" It began, and suddenly cut itself off. The Reaper looked him over from head to toe and let out a low whistle. "Goodness gracious. You certainly did not speak in jest, I will give you that. 'Tis a pity you put on any clothes earlier."

A snort of laughter broke away from under the hood. "So long as you do not distract me from my mission, I shall not mar your glorious figure. And Edward, you are absolutely right about lunch. Warriors cannot fight on an empty stomach. We will stop by the market before reaching our final destination. Is everyone ready?"

@Samdragonx@Darkwatck01
A glowing circle traced around the three travelers, and soon filled with all the runes and calculations of a teleportation matrix. There was a flash. Just like that, they stepped out onto a busy street in downtown Midhaven, right smack in the central highway to the palace. Horse-drawn carts rattled down the cobblestone streets, and thousands of pack-laden couriers, merchants, and soldiers clogged the road. The Reaper yanked Ravadon and Edward into a nearby pub, where muddy miners and soggy contractors forgot their caked-on sweat and blood with a few gallons of alcohol.

If the stench didn't turn off the visitors to the establishment, then surely the raucous partying would. Men and women alike would jump onto tables and try to turn the place upside down with their wretched songs and sloppy dancing, only to find that they couldn't first determine which way was right side up. Ironically, half the establishment did, in fact, get turned upside down that way, though less by intention and more by drunken balancing contests gone awry.

The Reaper placed a hand on Ravadon's and Edward's shoulders. "I am going out for a bit. You may order food here, but do not drink any alcohol, as we will soon be traveling into the dangerous world of nobility. Use my name when you order; the staff know me, and will put everything on my tab. I shall return shortly. Stay out of trouble."

With that, the Reaper vanished, leaving the two men drowned in a sea of idiots for the near future. And the last command to stay out of trouble?

The group of men staring at them were going to make that very difficult...

@ineffable
Upon closer inspection, Evelyn's ailment appeared more disturbing. The gray hue of her skin came from blackened blood flowing through her veins. Dark traces had formed around her eyes. Any mage worth her salt would recognize the symptoms:

Void possession.

And she would know what it meant: that her stepsister was either gone, or nearly so. The possessing Voidspawn could dominate any lifeless but functional human body, and if the host were on the verge of death, they could expedite the process by shoving out the victim's soul. Dual possession was rare, so if a person became corrupted, it almost always meant the original soul inside it was gone. Whatever the king's faults, killing Evelyn and destroying the Voidspawn with a spell of some sort was probably the best course of action- if he could pull it off. Only the Grim Reaper could do it reliably.

Yet, Sir Byron had recently observed Evelyn crying in her bedroom. Either 1) he was lying, 2) the Voidspawn was crying, or 3) the possession was recent.

@Thinslayer @Darkwatck01
The group of men could not help but stare at the two men who were obviously of nobility. "Hey you, reaper scum!"

Ravadon took not a single moment of hesitation: "Ah, look, my humbled companion, the tavern wenches have called for our glory. Would you have them be displayed the honor of being defeated by the likes of us? Perhaps they need more glory shoved into them?"

Ravadon jested, in hopes to calm the situation. Alas, the tavernmen were not amused. "Oh yeah? Well how about you pay me back the 400 currencies you owe me, you <insert adult language here>?"

The surprise on Ravadons face was great. He remembered owing a great deal of money to many people he robbed. But he couldn't remember the last time someone caught up to him, let alone a tavernman.

"Oh really, why wouldn't I just wait for the guards to return?" Ravadon said.

When one of the men in the back yelled:
"Because then you and your superior get carried out of here in bodybags!"

The fight was about to break out.