CorruptedShadow

Astoria Chronicles - Artorias

YOU MUST REAAAAAD. -Evil laughter-

Astoria Chronicles - Artorias

After some time, the body had been moved, and most of the city arrived to the church. They crowded around to listen to the words of the Council, the wise seven Popes that reigned supreme control over the Church and Order. Archbishop Edward stood behind a lectern, gripping the edge, he would wipe his forehead, with the obvious look of fear on his face. He would move his lips, though they were shaking, and only a mumble would come out. Everyone would listen intently. He would finally work the courage to say these words...the one that all people, Human, Dwarf, and every creature alike fear. "The Dragons are returning. He is awakening." It was silent in the Church...until movement rang around. First, they were shuffles, then steps, finally into full on running. It had begun. He was returning. Artorias was back. Archbishop Edward would assemble the Council with him, to the backroom of the Church, where they would plan what to do next. Many people would panic to the streets, while others began to pray silently. One of the Priest would return the gem to the Dwarf, bowing to him, then stumble out of the Church, as if he had lost faith. Paladins began to guard the entrance, almost occupying the area as if it had been turned into a military zone. The news would not take long to reach every corner of the city. Even messengers, travelers, and merchants just now entering the city would report large, flying beasts in the air, crying out with a voice of rage. One, in particular, could be seen flying over the city...a black dragon, as dark as night, with a flash of vermilion coming from it's eyes. This would only increase the panic, to the point where the military, even the Royal Guard, would come out and protect the city on every inch of wall they could cover. -------------------------------------------------------- Aiden listened among the many people, his eyes widened by this news. Were dragons really returning again? It couldn't be true, he would never suspect it to happen in his life. Yet, it was almost predictable, as the cycle was nearing it's end phase. He clenched his hands, a primal fear clawing from his very deepest roots. It took much of his might to suppress these feelings, for he had a duty as a Paladin, and it was to protect whomever the Chosen Maiden was. It was at that moment that a booming roar could be heard, as a dragon flew above the buildings in the city, shaking them to there very core. Aiden, who began to worry, looked through the crowd for his sister, until the Archbishop called attention to everyone again. The next piece of news would not only surprise him, but put him in a state of worry. -------------------------------------------------------- Elizabeth stayed with the kind Dwarf, but also to the Merchant, for he was a known man to her. He did business with The Order, though it was for personal gain, she still respected him for making an effort. The news left her silent, as she held her own hand. She thought of the history of the world, the Great War, and it's terrible consequences. If the Chosen Maiden failed, those very events would take place yet again. Of course, this would run through most peoples heads, it was not something they would linger on for too long. The sound of a dragon overhead would snap them out of this thought. She jumped and began to crouch down, scared of what was about to happen. Her focus would then shift over to the Archbishop, who called his faithful followers attention. -------------------------------------------------------- Archbishop Edward would return with the Council, looking back into the crowd. He looked out towards Elizabeth and pointed towards her. "Priestess Elizabeth of the Haythem family. You have been chosen by The Mother. Come to me and accept her blessing." The crowd around her would step back from her, leaving her in a sort of spotlight with the Dwarf. She looked down at him, then to the Archbishop. She mustered her bravery and would walk up the aisle, with the feeling of a hundred eyes on her. She grew afraid...anxious...and proud. The Chosen Maiden has been selected.

Astoria Chronicles - Artorias

Everyone should post. Everyone is to go to the Church, if not already there. It's a summoning. Everyone gotta post :D

Astoria Chronicles - Artorias

Those Church bells ringing is an opportunity for everyone to get together, by the way. It's an alarm, in a way, and calls everyone to the church, if they so wish to hear the emergency.

Astoria Chronicles - Artorias

Aiden would continue to race with Blake, until a suspicious man came and bumped him. Aiden fell to the ground, hard. A large splash would occur, as he fell into a puddle. "Ow, damn it!" He yelled out, as the man began to run. "Who does this guy think he is..." He mumbled, rubbing his arm, until he noticed a light shining from a piece of cloth. He grabbed it as he stood. "Blake...look. This guy must have been some kind of Thief, but where would we have gotten a gem like thi-" He rambled on about the gem, until the church bells rang. It was no ordinary bell, however. It was a signal ringing. An emergency. The Paladins were being called and everyone in the city knew it. --------------------------------------------------------------- Elizabeth would respond to the Dwarf until she noticed a man staring at her. She knew all too well who it was, a local merchant, and one with money at that. She knew exactly what he was thinking....well, not really, but if looks could kill. It was at this time that a frantic man came into the church, begging the Dwarf to take the cloth bundle he had with him. Elizabeth tried to calm him down, to no avail, when he suddenly died at their feet. She almost screamed, closing her mouth shut. The man had died with no wounds, no piercings, no scars. It was silence as the Dwarf checked his pulse and suggested a plan. "No...we must tell the Archbishop. Please, wait here." She said, quickly leaving to the back. What seemed like an eternity was only a minute, as the older gentleman, Archbishop Edward, appeared. "What in Mothers name!?" He called out, checking the mans body. As he noticed no wounds on the man, a look of disbelief caught him. Quickly looking at the Dwarf, he mumbled out, with a fearful voice, "You, Dwarf, you are Daregim, are you not? Please, let me see what the man had in the bundle. I only need to check it, you can have it back." He said, extending his wrinkled hands out. His words were sincere and honest, but his face...it was petrified.

Astoria Chronicles - Artorias

Ayyy, accepted, Skryte. And that's our last person, everybody! The gangs all here!

Astoria Chronicles - Artorias

Yeah, everyone needs to get a post in.

Astoria Chronicles - Artorias

Where is the food? I'm hungry.

@Forett

Man, this ain't a charity.

Astoria Chronicles - Artorias

Ah, sorry, no. But if a spot opens, I'll let ya' know!

Astoria Chronicles - Artorias

Aiden nodded, patting Blake on the back as he began to take his friend with him. "Of course. We've been shield-brothers ever since we entered the Academy!" He laughed, knowing very well that it was in fact true. Despite Blake's thoughts on owing his a debt, Aiden just wanted to see his friend be successful in their endeavors. "Come on, we need to get to the barracks. Captain Duncan is waiting for all of us." He said, as he began to jog, making sure to go slow enough for Blake to catch up. He would pass two Drow's, a dark skinned cousin of the Vel. ------------------------------------------------------ As she continued reading, she looked up, and noticed a Dwarf praying to The Mother. She giggled quite a bit at the sight. Although a Dwarves were followers of The Mother, it was quite odd to see on being so centered around faith. She stood up, closed her book, and approached him. "You seem troubled, Master Dwarf. Only someone who has a predicament would be praying this hard." She smiled down at him. She was quite short for a Human, but she was taller than a standing Dwarf. "I can pray with you if you like. Perhaps The Mother will hear your prayers better." She offered, a kind tone to her voice. She looked like and even acted like an angel, but of course it was quite obvious that she was a Human. "I am Elizabeth, a Priestess here. It's nice to meet you, Master Dwarf." ------------------------------------------------------ At this time, the city would be bustling with civilians and soldiers alike. The sun would shine down upon the streets, lighting up everywhere other than the alleys, which were very narrow and tight spaced. Large pipes would circle around some buildings, for they were the power of the city. Technology was new, but it was developing faster than ever. Of course, it was fueled by artificial magic, for this was the Human capital, and much of it was needed to develop new technologies. Steam would rise from an alley every now and again, as valves were being turned by slaves and working parties. The Slaves, in particular, worked the hardest. It was not that they were forced into slavery, but rather were in debt. They were determined to pay off their due's, but it was in vain. The aristocratic businessmen that owned them would find any reason to keep their workers, for the labor they did was helping the noblemen! Of course, there were kind blue-bloods that would treat their workers fairly, even feed them better than a third-class citizen, but it was rare. The birds would continue to fly over the city. And if one could see out the walls, a man on a carriage would be riding into the city...in a hurry.