ZinzieExhausted, wounded and without help, Zinzie's life withered away quietly.
MagesAfter waiting for a while to distribute the citizenship papers to all who accepted the terms of The Count, The Witch teleported him away, probably back to his mansion. Then she created a sort of door in space - a portal, leading to their new fortress' front gate. Decrepit, old and in huge disrepair, it was still enduring. Any signs of once bustling area were overtaken by nature and it's elements. It's name lost to the ages, this area was once a major hub of trade and culture, but that was more than six centuries ago. But despite it's age, the fortress stood. It was up to the mages to bring back it's older glory and give it a name, for this was their new home.
With the portal opened, the witch issued on last warning:
"Up until now, this forest has been my sanctuary. None can enter safely without permission. Every blade of grass, every tree and every leaf has been infused with my magic to defend me. But now, I shall leave. The paladins will now relentlessly assault this place. They will fail, over and over, but eventually, this forest will be burned down. Once we leave, the forest will destroy ANYONE who dares step inside. Now go".
PaladinsThere was about a hundred paladins gathered of various age, experience and rank. A massive amount of horses were prepared for this journey, as it would take them several days. Marching in a column formation, with each column's commanding officer in front, and the inquisitor in the very front leading the way, with the candidates and paladin higher-ups behind him. Their resting points were towns or villages along the way, where they could rest, eat and relieve themselves - all prepared in advance.
NIghtfall was soon approaching, as the troops were riding towards their last destination of the day - Aggrast village. They were supposed to sleep there during the night, but as they were approaching it, everyone could sense it. A presence of sorts, one sending shivers down your spine. There were mauled corpses littered everywhere, as if made by a wild beast, though the victims were not devoured, just killed. Giving an order to dismount, the Inquisitor led the way to the presence in the middle of the village. And there, atop a large rock, sat a little girl, with a black cat purring on her lap. Without a doubt, she was the source of this terrifying aura.
"Yay, you're all finally here! Just like Master said! she said in an overly excited, childish voice, which only added to the creepiness. Levran, however, did not wait for her to finish what she was going to. A beam of light appeared in his hand, forming a large spear, which he nearly instantly thrusted in the direction of the girl. The spear extended mid thrust, hitting the rock with enough force to shatter it. But not the girl, as she disappeared in a puff of black smoke, which were set on fire by the spear's touch. Most paladins were shocked - they were never taught techniques which made the Power of Light they used solid, physical object.
"Spread out around this village in units, search the vicinity but secure the perimeter. Candidates - with me." the Inquisitor ordered. walking to small shack nearby, which was in the middle of preparations for the paladin arrival - they were attacked as the villagers were preparing the lodgings.
"They were killed no more than two hours ago... It is as the Inquisition suspected - The Azure are capable of scrying. That's how they catch us off-guard. And I'm certain that someone is going to teleport b..." A loud bang interrupted Levran, as the girl appeared back at the shattered rock, with someone else. His aura, however, was mildly paralysing, just radiating with power. The Inquisitor motioned the candidates to stay perfectly quiet and still, observing the duo.
"Mimel, runners are yours. the man calmly said. The girl - Mimel, still with her cat nearby, seemingly melded with the shadows, disappearing from sight. Screams could be heard from this patrolling the perimeter, rapidly changing directions. A scream on the south side, a scream on the northwest side, and so on.
"Like moths drawn to flame..." the mage started speaking. Hesitating no longer, the paladins charged forward en masse, each and every one calling forth light in their own way.
"Your wings will burn in agony. he finished his sentence, bolts, arrows, balls and anything of the sort flying at him, a mass of paladins charging at him, while something was slaughtering others around the outer perimeter. As the mage snaps his fingers, a wave of some strange liquid was released in all directions. The projectiles, utterly ineffective, were swallowed by the azure mass, sparks flying around, trying to ignite the spell. Those hit by the initial wave were turned into crystal instantly, despite their defenses. As droplets scattered around, turning everything they touch into crystal. The charge quickly turned into a rout, as a single droplet, a single touch of the crystal would start the crystallization process, and the victim could only helplessly watch as their body slowly becomes crystal. Those who tried to purge it with Light got it only worse, as their mastery was not enough to burn through the spell, only ignite it - burning them alive inside their crystal coffins.
The Inquisitor, however, erected a barrier of light, as thick as a castle wall, which was barely enough to stop the spell. During the terrifying minute of screams and death, Levran pulled out some kind of flash and threw it on the ground, shattering it. A faint blue smoke spread through the shack, as the Inquisitor gave the candidates his last set of instructions:
Stay here and do not move until they leave. Inform the inquisition that Azure is at the very least a Class 5. Any and all questions are theirs to answer. No matter what, DO NOT LET THEM SEE YOU." Stepping out, Levran released a wave of light of his own, purging the majority of crystal mass in the village, as well as the crystallized bodies.
"Well, well. It seems the Inquisitors are, in fact, more capable than Paladins. I'm glad it's not just a myth." Azure mocked the Inquisitor, as the candidates were watching through the cracks small cracks in the wooden wall.
"How long do you think your rampage will continue, Azure? What are you aiming to achieve with all this?" Levran replied.
"Oh, believe me, I am just barely getting started" Azure replied with a mischievous grin, only to be replied by a spear of light speeding towards him. A crystal column erupted from the ground, blocking the thrown spear, but shattering in the process, the pieces set ablaze by the Light. Charging forward, The Inquisitor conjured up another spear, one just like when he tried to hit Mimel, only to be forced to swat away a Azure's crystal lance. And then another one, as Azure began rapid casting this spell. Having a hard time advancing forward, Levran created another solid spear in his other hand, now dual wielding them. Slowly but surely, the two weapons allowed him to progress towards Azure, who still hasn't moved an inch all this time. Azure almost being within reach switched up his magic, creating a barrier from countless crystal lances, all ready to be fired again, and that amount would be unblockable. But Inquisitor expected that, and with an impressive, inhuman leap jumped over them, preparing his weapons for a plunging attack... Only to replied by Azure thrusting his left palm towards him. A loud thump could be hard, as Levran froze mid-air, his innards bursting out of his back, and a huge, burning hole in his chest - no doubt he tried to block Azure's spell. As the lifeless, torn body plummeted to the ground, the little gibs that were once this man's organs showered the ground with red. A deadly silence had set in, only for a moment.
Shadows near Azure, taking the form of, or actually forming Mimel.
"Master Revin, a few managed to escape. Everyone else are in the dreamland. I cannot find anyone else.""Good job Mimel. Any other news?""We've found the key. It is held in the dwarven vault.""I see. So that rules out frontal entrance. Scry out a tunnel which is outside the barrier, as precisely as possible, After all, teleporting into solid rock would be... unpleasant.""Right away, Master."Mimel once again disappeared in a black puff of smoke, quickly followed by Azure.
Waiting for about an hour, just to be safe, the candidates finally step out of the shack, as the smoke that somehow concealed their presence started fading away. Walking around the perimeter, all around the mangled bodies of Paladins and villagers alike, the three were looking for their horses. Sighting a large group of them grazing in a pasture a bit further away, their trials were not yet done for the night. Black smoke erupting from the slain, their corpses becoming reanimated, and heading straight towards the candidates - an unavoidable fight.
AliciaThe massacre lasted for no more than 5 minutes, but Alicia and her companions could see every single bit of it. From a Light technique she never saw or could even imagine, to the absolute curbstomp that Azure and Mimel just performed. The hour was spent with her shaking - this was not in the plan. They were supposed to head to the black forest, and the forest would let her and only her slip away. Azure intercepting them was not part of the plan. What if Azure has killed The Witch and her father? What if Azure is going to come back for them? Alicia was terrified like never before, but then again, she had little occasions to be terrified before. Either way, she still had her duty to perform, as an Eternus, and as a Paladin. After the long hour of waiting has passed, she finally stepped out, as Zander and Varkasan followed suit.
"We must return to Liria." she said quietly. Gone was her carefree smile and that air of incompetency around her.
"We must find our horses."Alicia was prepared for moments like these. All her life she spent strengthening her body and mind. And even though nothing could prepare her for this, they had to move forward. And she knew that in a state of distress, there must be a leader. As scared and trembling as she was - Alicia had to take the mantle of leadership here. Around the perimeter the villager corpses were met by those of fellow paladins, mauled in the same pattern. In a distant field, a group of horses were resting, eating grass or just lazily running around with a bunch of cows.
"There!" she said, as her companions catched up to her. Varkasan was seemingly out of breath, muttering out
"Alicia, hey, LOOK!" as he was pointing behind them. The Paladin corpses were being reanimated with some kind of dark energy, taking up their arms and rushing forward. Gripping the handles of her swords, Alicia stepped in front of her comrades, as the reanimated dead were fast approaching.
"Necromancy, huh.." she muttered under her breath.
Drawing her swords with amazing speed, the first zombie was cut in an X. Somehow, the dead were able to utilize their weapons and armor, as if remembering their training, though they proved useless against Alicia's custom made equipment crafted by master artisans. Firing her Swords of Light towards distant enemies, they were set ablaze and instantly released from control - the Light burned away the reanimation spell. Stepping out of the attack's way as soon as the opponent starts swinging, and cutting them down with a single blow, Alicia was in no harm - the zombies were a bit slower than their living counterparts. Even though she saw some friendly faces she had to cut down, Alicia could not hesitate, for grieving has to wait. And as amazing as Alicia's combat skills were, there were just simply to many for her to handle alone, but fortunately, Zander and Varkasan could hold their own as well...