[center][b][u]The hell has just begun...[/u][/b][/center]

Khan had just been about to walk towards a curve in the hallway, one of many to his room, when a voice called out. His body came to a grinding halt as his head turned to spot the original source and noticed a young woman making her way towards him, in her hands were two chalices filled with mostly like with liquor. The Headmaster sighed at the sight as he sharply inhaled and exhaled, bracing himself for the now even longer night to come. In truth, he didn’t want to entertain any farther current College guests yet he felt it was important to be a courteous host. Otherwise he wouldn’t have had gotten far enough with the officials as he did. Even if he regrettably took a leaf or two out of Tyrael’s book and let his rage take hold. That moment had resulted in subtle threats to cut ties to the College if they continued which silenced them fast enough. 
 
He allowed the thoughts to slip from his mind when the woman came closer. In the faint torch light, he noticed the pale skin, white hair and bright red eyes proclaiming her a vampire. Even her movement seemed to have a purpose and grace that made her almost beyond human as closed the gap easily. Her dress wasn’t anything the nation’s Yasomere, Djarkel, or Eania wore which made distinguishing her origins difficult. Immediately he turned on heel to meet her, his wing lifted and pulled back to avoid smacking the vampire upon the head. Not that it would’ve hurt her because despite their weakness to sunlight and like items, vampires were hardy creatures through Aarem’s influence. However, he did it so not to be rude. 
 
“Alright,” He replied in his wait. “Though you caught me just as I was retiring to bed.” 
 
[b]"Is that so? My apologise for coming to you so late. I had originally intended to meet you ealier, but everyone seemed to want to meet with you. My name is Norschtalen, and I represent some interest stationed in Djarkel The Helion Coven."[/b] Norschtalen offered Khan one of the cups, and if he took it she continued her speech. [b]"A sort of organization that helps shelter my kind from those who would otherwise do us harm. We have very little staff among our numbers, but many whom come to us for assistance. We are overwhelmed with those who need s our service, and we only wish for the college to assist in alivating some of that burden. Many of those whom my organization protects are those of notable influence, forced away from their homes due to the threat of their own demise. If the college could somehow provide assistance to my organization, I can promise that we will pay back our dues tenfold."[/b] Norschtalen took a sip of the drink, looking at Khan with hope in her eyes.

Khan took the glass when she offered it, yet he didn’t slip from it. For the moment his mind was taking in what she was saying and to do that with the alcohol already in his system wasn’t a brillant idea. His fingers were placed where the neck connected to the glass, gently swished it as he thought. His other hand gestured for him to follow him as he walked along the pathway to his room, eyes mildly flickered to the demons that seemed to be everywhere. For him, a demonomancer, it was slightly normal because he dealt with his own every day but he could also see how others would find them rather uncomfortable. He pushed the thoughts away when he asked Norschtalen. "I see. Currently we have a herbamancy teacher, Lucilia, who would have better insight as she is a vampire. Have you talked with her about your organization?" 

Norschtalen followed the demon-eysire, oddly ignoring all the demons around them. Norschtalen's face darken when the headmaster asked if she had spoken to Lucilia about her organization, remembering their conversation. [b]"She says that the college cannot support my organization due to the numbers of it's members. But not everyone is a "member" per say. Just a poor soul trying to give it a shot at living. Initially my organization wanted to try to send some of it's clients to the college for safehaven, however a vast majority of them are not mages."[/b] Norschtalen's face tried to remain unemotional, but her mouth frown a little in sadness. She swished her drink in it's cup a little before taking another sip. [b]"I know the college is not a refuge, so I will not ask that you simply take responsibility of them all. Merely that we need support trying to find them all shelter, food, and a chance for a meaningful future to live their lives, not merely survive another day. We only have one facility to hold them all, but it is so packed that they're almost stacked upon each other. Even more of them have taken back to roaming the streets, where they would be hunted down or end up in trouble with no where else to go. My organization needs the college's help to construct new facilties, protection from bigots and others who would do harm to the clients simply as a matter of principle, and of course, supplies to feed them."[/b] Being that Norschtlaen's organization helped protect vampires, that meant blood. A lot of it. 

Khan didn't like the situation, at the sound of it, but there was one slight complication over looked. Other then fact there would be a great need for blood to supply, something he was slightly worried wouldn't be completed without draining the willing donors, there was the fact of Djarkel. The city would see it more as the College supporting them rather then remaining out of the affairs. Especially if those under Norschtalen's care were their poor and wretched. Though it was odd to him how she hadn't mentioned gathering aid from the Djarkel's higher ups, though the Barons were more concern with their own lands and power, the growing number of vampires would've been a problem too hard to ignore. 

Khan took a deep inhale then replied. "Sadly, I wish it was that simple. There's also Djarkel to consider and the delicate ties the College tries to retain to keep out of their affairs. Have you attempted to rally support from one of the Barons? Or is their answer a grim one?" 

There was a slight hope in his voice there might be a middle ground which would ease the College's burdens in this matter and keep it from being a political mess. It wasn't that his heart didn't break upon hearing Norschtalen's story and plead for help, but he couldn't risk the many lives of his students with a simple, foolish act. Part of the burden in being a Headmaster. 

[b]"The barons tend to be the cause of the influx of those who my organization protects. They are... Vampires, but not those born directly under Aarem's blessing. Rather they are once normal men and women of Djarkel, fed upon by vampires and had the misfortune to become infected instead of dying. Not to say that we haven't already tried to get their assistance, but it is not enough. The main one we rely on fights a war on many fronts, and in order to pay our dues to him many of our own, the most able and the strongest, are sent unto his service. Our debt to him is greater than the support he could provide, and we do not wish to risk making him an enemy by trying to ask for the assistance of other barons. Not to mention that, despite Djarkel as a whole accepting the existance of vampires, the laws made to protect them are only implimented if they are convient, and ignored if they are not."[/b] Norschtalen sighed. She initially wanted to try to make her organization look noble and competant, but she instead had to resort to making them seem overwhelmed and a little over their heads. She wanted to make them look like a good investment, not a charity case. Her pride mostly was what wanted that. 

[b]"The college is our only hope. They would not be assisting Djarkel as a whole, merely a group within it. We do not ask for the college to attack or confront our enemies, merely some resources in order for us to be able to withstand them. Blood to keep our vampires from feeding off the people, medical supplies to heal the injured, stone and wood to create new facilities to house them. Of course funds to afford other services such as guards would also be helpful. In return, you can always call upon my organization, the Helion Coven, for whatever endevour that the college requires. What say you, headmaster Khan?"[/b]

Khan knew he couldn't just accept the burden, not without at least consulting Lucilia about the College budget or the Archmage. Even in his sickly condition, he was still the authority figure of the College and the man who made final calls on things bigger then day to day matters. His wings shifted uncomfortably when he thought of his next words, each one carefully chosen to ease possible tension. Namely hostility as the image of Norschtalen had darkened at mention of Lucilia and her rejection. Rethinking upon that fact, Khan had started to think it was rather uncharacteristic of the teacher to flat out deny aiding other vampires. After all, she had created a place for most the students of that nature and demons to dwell from the judging eyes of others. It was one of the reasons Khan had chosen to condone the place because it helped those students, as well as kept key demons out of trouble, to adjust. Why would she deny the Helion Coven such aid? 

"I'll have to talk to Lucilia and discover why we've not considered helping you. It doesn't really fit to what I know of her as she's not one to turn away those who could use the College help." He closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his thoughts then added. "With the College's currently affairs happening it will be difficult to communicate with her and allow reach some agreement for the Helion Coven, but all I can offer is my sincerest efforts. Other then that, I'm afraid there's not much more I can do." 

His eyes shifted to note the large door of his room bearing down on the pair, his mind finally realized it was likely time to say good night. Unfortunately that small spark of pity didn't leave him alone. It won't let him sleep, not now or until he had sorted this out. For a moment he stood there debating on whether he could find Lucilia or even Uicle to discuss the matter with someone else's mind other then just his own, which was being affected by the clouded judgement inside. 

Norschtalen's face darken considerably. It was an angry look, but also a very sad one. One that a person would wear when faced with a tragedy they want to stop, but know they cannot. A look of helplessness. [b]"I understand. I'm sorry for botherthing you at such a late hour. I wish you well, Headmaster Khan. So..."[/b] Norschtalen raised her glass towards Khan. Though she had taken some sips form it, most of the drink still remained for this motion to be relevant. [b]"Than how about a toast, for good fortune for the both of us. Strength for the struggles ahead of us."[/b] Norschtalen had a smile on her face, but something felt wrong with it. Unlike her previous image, this smile did not carry sadness, but there was a sense of purprose behind it. Not a good one.

Khan ignored the shivers running up and down his spine at the smile Norschtalen had given. For the moment, he believed it was some of that self fear most felt when staring at a smiling vampire and shoved it down. He won't judge others merely by looks but by their actions. Currently, the vampire hasn't done anything to earn his suspicions or scorn, so he had little reason to expect anything other then a genuine gesture towards their future. His eyes studied the dark liquid for a moment letting his thoughts, regrettable, fade from his mind. Inside he feverishly hoped he could convince Lucilia to help Norschtalen's Coven but he had doubts. Mainly in his ability. He couldn't falter now, his eyes shifted upwards to face hers and held the glass in his hand in a toast. 

"Very well and I am sorry I couldn't give you the answer you need." His voice was earnest in his words as he pressed the goblet to his muzzle and drank deeply. The flavor... His hand stopped, the liquid already within him when he realized he couldn't identify what he had just drank. Quickly he pulled it from his mouth, struggled not to toss it into the ground, and the question poured out. It was a dead serious tone of concern."Norschtalen...what is this?"

The vampire finished her drink, but a droplet rolled down the corner of her mouth. It was a pitch black, voided of any light or reflection. She tossed her cup away as she spun away. None of the demons seemed to react. In fact, they seem to be actively ignoring them. [b]"A gift, Headmaster Khan. From the leader of the Helion Coven. A person... No. A god you should know well. Kudd Gro-Freesa sends his regards! Ah ha ha ha ha!"[/b] Norschtalen body exploded into a swarm of bats running off, as the demons near Khan turned towards him. With weapons drawn.

As Norschtalen's bat swarm scattered about the college, more and more of the demons began to stir. At first they movements went unnoticed, until they spotted the swarm of bats. This was their signal, and soon certain demons began to attack. They attacked anyone; students, teachers, guest, guards, even the other demons. But they would be overwhelmed soon if Norschtalen did not get to her position. Unfortunately she could not get to her destination in her current form, so she changed back to her human form on the roof tops. A few demons who was uncertain of what was going on faced her, demanding to know what she was doing there. [b]"Silence worms!"[/b] Norschtalen raised her hands towards the two of the demons who faced her, and from her hands long, harden spikes emerged from small portals in her hands. She was a demonmancer. The two demons slumped to the ground as she proceeded towards her destination; the Archmage's room.

Meanwhile Lucilia and Grey had finally managed to track down Khan, but only in time to see many demons with weapons drawn moving towards him. [b]"Halt! What is happening here!?"[/b] Around the same time however, Tyrael and Satori was also looking for Khan, but they were preoccupied with other demons. Tyrael had ordered them to move aside, but they attempted to strike him down. It was a foolish mistake as he quickly killed them and order his other demons to fight for him, but he soon discovered that he had no other demons nearby. They were all from the Archdemon he had faced in the Inferno. The one that he neglected to truly defeat. [b]"Blood and Damnations!"[/b] He and Satori than had to fight off the demons that were beginning to pour into the Dinning Hall, while Lucilia and Grey defended themselves from the demons near Khan. All around the colleges the peaceful festival became a sudden and bloody massacre. And what was worse was that not everyone fought against the demons; the tension between the two armies of Eania and Djarkel finally had a chance to go at each other, and soon they began to fight as the demons raged.

When Norschtalen had finished her drink and tossed the cup away with a distant clatter, Khan knew something was wrong. His heart's rate increase and seemed ready to jerk from his chest, his breathing became shallow. His knees seemed to threat with wobbling stance to give away underneath him as his hand darted out for the nearest wall, his weight shifted to the only stability he could find. The headmaster's vision seemed to blur and darken, blinding him slightly to the scenery. Norschtalen's words to him brought dread to lick up his insides far hotter than the poison seeping through his being. [i]This can't be happening...no...[/i] Khan's pleads seemed to have vanished in the air alongside his strength. 

The trembles started to rock through his system, violently, enough to bring him down upon all fours. His wings twitched erratically while his mind filled with jolts of pain, each jolt seemed to rush through his brain and burn up in the center. From the corner of his eye came motion. His head was only able to move high enough to spot the crude weapons of the demons baring down over him. He had to get up, he couldn't just lay and let Norschtalen get away from him. To harm anyone within the College. That was when his ear caught Lucilia's voice followed by both hers and Grey's steps which drew closer. One demon had rose his sword over the Headmaster's head and immediately slammed it down. 

Khan's wing came out of nowhere, it clipped the demon's side as the head master roared in both pain and defiance. The demon seemed to barely flinch when it was tossed to the side. The sword scattered from its grip and crashed into the nearest wall. However that simple move had used too much energy and Khan felt his body seize inwards, the fire swept deeper and seemed to center upon his runes laced into his flesh. The smell was disgusting while it sizzled from his surface: his own cooking skin. His teeth gritted at the pain that twisted him into a ball. It was impossible to describe as it swallow him up. Three familiar figures had started to form much to his inner fear. Khan's eyes widen to see [url=http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/312/8/9/demoness_by_erebus88-d46bczj.png]Olreah[/url], [url=http://0.static.wix.com/media/119c5c_0618587b67eded827b374641ce13cd7e.jpg_512]Heus[/url] and [url=http://paizo.com/image/content/CrimsonThrone/PZO9008-PestilenceDemon.jpg] Upsah[/url].

Heus stood at around twelve foot tall, almost four feet more than Khan himself, and had to hunch down to even fit within the College’s hallway. Despite his stupid look, the demon let out a blood curling roar that rattled throughout the stones themselves. His hands lifted then stomped down in a wrathful mood as Khan curled tightly, unable to move. Numbness had settled in while the poison started to rampage towards his mind, his body failing with only the runes to eject his demons. Upsah cackled beside him, the bony demon’s skull clicked in mirth of a wick type. His decaying form settled upon Lucilia first as the pair started to defend them, three against Grey while two focus on Lucilia. 

Upsah had started to move to Lucilia just when the first demon lashed out his sword to severe her in half, his movement stalled when suddenly Khan’s hand grasped his thin arm tightly. The demonomancer seemed on the verge of collapsing and fainting clear away, making the demon chuckle when he ripped his arm away. In a hasty movement, his bony hand lifted Khan upwards by the neck and pinned him against the wall. His knuckles tightened to cut off the airway while Khan’s fingers scratched at the vice like grip his demon had. In a death like whisper, Upsah spoke in words that would’ve killed a man a thousand times over. “Just wait right there… I’ll be a little bit, and then I’ll deal with you. I just want to teach the bitch a thing or two and make you watch.” 

With a sound crack, Khan’s head was slammed against the stone wall hard enough he felt the sickening wetness of his own blood trickle down. It seemed to have fed the poison as his body relaxed, the numbness killed any sensation of feeling and his eyes seemed slightly faded to witness the cruelty of his demon run amok. Upsah then moved towards Lucili a once she had easily dispatched the demons. Like wise Heus’s rage filled eyes had noticed Grey the moment he finished his…

[u]Zaad[/u]
He had done what he was told and stay the hell out of sight, even when he thought he might visit Auriel and piss her off. Within one of the hallways he lurked in the shadows and drowned in complete boredom. Unfortunately he should’ve been watching his boss’s back because at moment, his head was on fire, his hands gripped his head while a soft scream erupted from his lips. His fingers dug deeper into his head only find more and more pain burning away at him. [i]What the fuck was happening?[/i]

His thoughts suddenly filled with only one person: Auriel. Unexpected and from nowhere, his jealousy grew to consume him again. It only took moments to realize how much he really did hate her, from the stupid red hair to that sassy whorish way she carried herself. Everything the bitch seemed to be out to demoralize him and weaken his performance to make him pitiful. His hands dug deeper and deeper, trying to stop the unwanted emotion overpowering him. It only seemed to drive it farther into him like a nail that never left. 

The little bitch needs to pay for embarrassing him, for being a little slut and know her place. He was better by so much more. It only took moment before he realized where he was…within the Dining the Hall. His eyes seemed far redder then they should’ve been as a shaky hand raised and sand hissed, the black grains formed his iron. Instinctively his other had started to rise too, cupped over to feebly push it down only to fail. His mind screamed over and over. [i]NO…NO! I have to stop, I have to stop this. Why I do I hate her so much? I can’t stop it…[/I]

[u]Rathel[/u]
 Something was dead wrong. The demon stiffened, his body tensed and unsettled, as his head jerked up from his position. He had been seated within the courtyard when hell broke out all over the place. Several demons had started to attack from variety of place without reason or provoking, their weapons out and brandished against anyone that came their way. However Rathel didn’t lift a claw. Not because he didn’t want to but rather he couldn’t when a dreadful sensation washed over him. His quills bristled and rattled as his mind seemed to grow cold. He hadn’t noticed his body stumbling within a hallway until several moments had passed in silence, his mind turned inwards to get a grip over his senses. 

He was nearing the dorm where the students were. Unknown he was nearing two students, as he felt his hand slip and give way under him. His body stumbled and hit the floor to echo off the walls when he several feet from their current location. His voice cried out in pain and frustration, his body curled up slightly as he tried to rein in his mind. His breath slow and shallow, unable to breathe right and only added to the terrible feeling swelling within him.