A chance for the past }{ First thread Open

[atamis]

Atamis walked through the mountain pass as the sun began to set behind the towering peaks. His boots crunched as they strode over the rock cluttered path. A wind began to pick up, howling through the pass. Atamis pulled his cloak tightly around himself and hunched against the cold. He'd entered this cold pass, devoid of life and light, because of an ancient local myth. A power lay somewhere hidden in the mountains, many centuries old and forgotten by man. This power could give him the chance he'd been searching six years to obtain. The chance to bring her back.

[Mavichronolus]

Walking along the path Mav paused looking up at the setting sun, he would soon need to find shelter.

"I suppose it couldn't get any worse" he sighed.

Glancing down the path he noticed the silhouette of a man walking torwards him. He was in the middle of thinking that maybe he could ask the man for his assistance in his search when a small voice in his head interupted his thoughts.

Why would he help you? Your a monster, an abomination. Your a fool for thinking otherwise....

"Quiet!" Mav muttered under his breath.

The last thing he needed was for this stranger to think him an crazy mad man, no matter how close to the truth that description came. Chuckling to himself he quickened his pace and ajusted his heavy cloak, making sure none of his body was visible except for his face which was covered mostly by the rediculously large hat he almost always wore. Making sure his staff was handy in case things got ugly he approached the stranger.

[atamis]

Atamis halted as the figure became visible through the gloom. The sun sank further behind the imposing mountain tops. The mountain sides seemed to be closing in on him as Atamis approached the cloaked figure.
"Hail!" Called Atamis, "what manner of person are you that walks this mountain path so late at night?"
Atamis walked closer to the man in order to get a better look at his face. This proved difficult as his large hat obscured much of the man's features, couple that with the rapidly approaching dark Atamis could barely make of anything let alone the man. Slinging his back to the ground Atamis knelt and retrieved a torch and flint. Drawing his dagger he quickly struck up a light to penetrate the overpowering gloom of the mountain pass.
The flame fluttered in the chilling wind as Atamis asked,
"Well are you going to answer?"

[Mavichronolus]

As he approached, the stranger hailed Mav.

"Hail! What manner of person are you that walks the mountain path so late at night?""

When Mav didn't answer right away the other man bent down to retrieve a torch and proceeded to light it. Always a fan of eccentricity Mav swept off his hat with a flourish and went into a deep bow.

"Greeting stranger! I am Felix Montoyez de Mavichronolus, however, you may call me Mav"

A fake name never hurt.

"I am a retriever of lost knowledge, a hunter of tomes and and an aquirer of antique writings. In short, I am a simple scholar who travels the plane in searching for knowledge which i may add to my somewhat already formidable repitior. As for my reasons for being here particularly... well, i heard a rumor indicating that some were in these Deneir damned mountains there is a practical treasure trove of ancient books and forgotten lore which i am anxious to procure."

His small speech finished, Mav swept his wide brimmed hat back on top of his head.

"And who may i ask, are you?"

[atamis]

Atamis arched an aye brow at the over eccentric man. A magic user by his looks and demeanor.

Great, Atamis thought to himself, hes probably after the same power. Damned greedy spell casters always scooping up things for themselves . But... I could use his abilities.

"My name is Atamis", answering the question, "and I think we can be of some assistance to each other". Gesturing for Mav to walk along side him, Atamis continued on down the path.
"As you can see, I am a Knight of Amwar," said Atamis, indicating the holy symbol hanging from his neck. "Some of the local mountain people tell tales of an anciet power hidden in these mountains, a dark evil necromantic power."

Atamis's voice dripped with the venom of lies, he had become very proficient at the skill over the years. "And as a Knight of Amwar I have been charged to see if these tales are true, and if they are bring them back to my chapter to be locked away. Or destroyed, if they prove to be too powerful to transport."

As Atamis related this to the spell caster shadows moved within the surronding dark, stalking the light of Atamis's torch. Creeping closer and closer but just out of the sight of the two travelers.

[Mavichronolus]

Mav mimicked the steady pace set by the knight.

"Knights of Amwar?" Mav said. "I recall spending some time with them about 5 summers ago. They were kind enough to let me study in their magnificent library for almost 3 months."

As Mav told this to the man a memory surfaced of his time with the followers of Amwar. A rumor, which he had found trivial at the time, of a renegade paladin who had left the order after some mission. However he quickly pushed the thought to the back of his mind.

"Any way, you are quite right in assuming that we could aid each other." Mav continued, "This ancient power you tell of sounds like a good a place as any to search for those books i have heard of. I see no reason we could not join forces for this task."

A chill went downs Mavs spine as he glanced behind him. Had something moved? In the torchlight his vision was limited but he tightened his grip on the staff he held, just in case....

[lia]

Lia was flying low over the mountains. She was bored, very bored; this wasn't that much of a new thing lately, ever since she left the last civilation she had visited. Flying a little longer and trying to stifle the urge to go find a random fight, she was surprised to see two figures on one of the mountain paths. Pausing mid-air, she grinned; she didn't know what these two were up to, but they probably couldn't sense her presence. Even if they could, they didn't look to have any bows that she could see from this distance. Watching them for a while could be interesting. If anything, it would be something to do. She wasn't sure if or when she would reveal herself, but for the moment it was worth the momentary thrill. She flew in a little closer before hiding herself just outside of sight but within hearing distance, which was a little longer for her when compared to a normal human.

"And as a Knight of Amwar I have been charged to see if these tales are true, and if they are to bring them back to my chapter to be locked away. Or destroyed, if they prove to be too powerful to transport," she heard one of them say. She couldn't tell which was talking, because she wasn't paying attention to their mouths. In fact, she wasn't really watching them at the moment, until she heard footsteps. She frowned and peeked; they were walking.

"Hm... This could be interesting." Lia looked both of the guys over, her wings folding at her back. The one seemed a little odd, but they were both human as far as she could see from her perch. "There seems to be more to this than just a walk in the mountains." A moment passed, and Lia scowl. "Of course; who walks through the mountains just to walk through the mountains? They are obviously going somewhere!" She frowned, and then scowled as she looked back at the two men's retreating backs. Now she was talking to herself!

Not wanting to lose them, even if she felt she could, Lia took to the air again.

"Any way, you are quite right in assuming that we could aid each other. This ancient power you tell of sounds like a good a place as any to search for those books i have heard of. I see no reason we could not join forces for this task."

Ancient power? Lia shrugged; she had no idea what they were talking about, but it sounded like it could be kind of fun in the long run. One looked back, and Lia tensed, freezing and gliding slowly into the mountains out of sight again. She didn't want to be seen yet; that would ruin the fun.

[atamis]

Atamis began to feel uneasy, his instincts told him danger was near. He peered out into the darkness searching, but the torch had ruined his night vision. The wind died down and the darkness became almost palpable.

"Hold, Mav" called Atamis, placing his hand upon the magic users chest. It felt odd, bulges in some places, but no time to think about that now. "I think we may be in danger."

Both men stopped and the pass was silent except for the soft crackle of the torch. The light no longer pierced the darkness, the flame only illuminating a few feet now. Then, from the surronding black, dozens of pin points of lights appeared in the dark, eyes starring hungrily at the two men.

"Mav defend yourself!" cried Atamis as he drew forth his bastard sword. At the sound of the weapon unsheathing shrill screams flew forth from the sea of eyes. A few of the attackers charged into the light. Diminutive, with short arms and legs, large elongated heads. Their bright yellows eyes centered above their fang filled mouths, long thin claws clacked gleefully as they lept at the travelers.

[lia]

Lia was apprehensive as the other man looked around. They were nervous; could they sense her? She swallowed and looked harder, sharpening her eyes. No, there was something there, just outside the torchlight. What - She sighed. She definitely couldn't stand aside now. There were too many creatures for the two of them. Standing, she spread out her wings and drew out her guns.

"This is my kind of fun," she mumbled, grinning before diving forward, channeling her energy through the guns and shooting into the shadows.

[Mavichronolus]

Mav was surprised at Atamis's warning and he flinched as the paladins hand came into contact with his robe.

Now he knows, he will soon leave you and your blasphemous body to rot....

The voice began laughing maniacally forcing Mav to use his formidable willpower to quiet it. It wasn't until Atamis yelled his second warning that Mav came to his senses and actually looked at their attackers.

He had never seen their like before, which puzzled him. He had traveled the plane for almost a century and he thought that he was at least familiar with the names of most of its inhabitants. However these creatures were beyond his knowledge and he didn't really have time to study them. Realizing that the only way they were going to survive the onslaught was to break out of the quickly tightening circle, Mav charged forward at the nearest cretin and swung at it with all his might.... and missed.

"Damn!" he muttered as he stumbled forward. Immediately they were on him, tearing at his cloak and attempting to do whatever damage they could. The small creatures soon bore him to the ground under pure weight of numbers. The whole while the cackling of the sinister voice inside his head was growing louder.

"It cannot end like this..." Mav growled, with all the the strength the could muster he began standing back up. "It will not!"

Concentrating, he stomped his foot onto the hard path. Immediately all the creatures were blown off of him, as if by some forcefield. They went in all different directions flying through the air like weirdly distorted birds before landing dozens of feet away, most did not get up.

Mav bent and retrieved his staff and looked over to Atamis to see how he was faring in the fight.

[atamis]

Atamis scoffed as he saw Mav nearly fell to the ground and was punced upon by the pile of small creatures. He stepped forward to help the blundering man but was stopped be three of the creatures. They chattered madly as they swung at the paladin's legs with their needle like claws.

"Pests!" Atamis shouted, swinging his sword in downward sweeping arc, liberating the creatures hands from their arms. They fell to the ground screeching in agony as Atamis stepped over them, torch and sword in hand.

Suddenly bolts of energy zipped past Atamis's head, impacting into the heads of several creatures killing them instantly. Startled Atamis looked around wildly, he couldn't see where the shots came from. Then a great wave of pressure slammed into Atamis, causing him to stagger a few steps. He turned to see Mav standing erect free of his attackers.
Damn spell casters

Sword thrusting Atamis slew another creature, but more continued in on the attacked, their cries of rage filling the air.
"This means were getting close" Atamis muttered to himself

[lia]

Lia was filled with the thrill of the fight, her guns taking out creatures from the distance she chose to keep. She wasn't sure what kind of weaponry the creatures and men were outfitted with, but she didn't want to take any chances; she just bought a new canteen of ale and she didn't want to have to drink any until she got out of the mountains. If any of them were armed with silver- which was unlikely, since most weapons were made of steel, but one could never know- she would be forced to break that goal.

It crossed her mind once that she should be paying more attention to the men, but then pushed the thought aside. She wouldn't hit them; her aim was nearly accurate, and she wasn't exactly aiming at the creatures closest to them if she could avoid it. She noticed the fully cloaked man, the strange one, get covered in the little monsters, and almost aimed to help him out a little until they were flown from his body.

"Sweet," she whispered. He would be an incredible opponent, if she felt like fighting him some time. If she got bored again, she just might for kicks if he was up to it. Moving past the momentary distraction, she began shooting again even as she stole quick glances at the Amwar Knight guy. "He's not doing so bad himself." Lia was impressed. These were seasoned fighters. They would be fun to stick with for some time, so long as things stayed interesting.

"This means we're getting close," the Knight mumbled as Lia moved in a little closer, one gun being moved to its holster so she could draw her Jian. The bloodlust was fading from staying distant; it was time to move in for closer kills, especially if it was true what the Knight said. Lia didn't want to miss any fun, thinking that "close" meant the fight was nearing to an end.

[atamis]

With each of the monsters felled the darkness seemed to recede. The light from Atamis's torch began to expand once more to its full strength. Out of the corner of his eye Atamis saw a figured rush into the melee that larger than all the rest. He turned his head to see Lia's slim form enter the battle slaying creatures left and right as she came closer.

An Angel!? Atamis's thoughts were a frenzy Why an Angel, why here? His thoughts were interrupted as a creature leaped onto his back driving its claws into Atamis's exposed shoulders. Pain shot through his body as Atamis cried out in agony. Dropping his sword he reached back with his free hand and wrenched the creature from his body flinging him to the ground. In a fury Atamis slammed his heavy boot into the creatures face crushing its head into a bloody pulp.

Atamis searched for his next foe, but found none, the remainder of the creatures had run of in fear. The darkness faded and the moon and stars appeared over head. The moon was full and bright, casting a dim blue light over everything it touched. Stooping quickly Atamis grabbed up his sword again, ignoring the searing pain in his shoulder. Pointing his blade at Lia he called,
"Who are you and why have you come?" Dropping the torch and taking a step closer to Lia "Answer quickly or you will find yourself with more foes to fight."

Atamis darted his eyes left and right trying to see what Mav was doing.

[lia]

As the last of the creatures ran, Lia laughed.

"Silly little mongrels..." she said before turning, only to find a sword in her face. She scowled.

"Who are you and why have you come?" Lia followed the blade and found the Knight at the other end. "Answer quickly or you will find yourself with more foes to fight."

"As much as the prospect of fighting makes my wings tingle, I don't feel like fighting you. You are far too interesting with your quest and all for me to end it here so soon," she said with a chuckle. "My name is Lia, if you really must know. You do realize that a sword in my face wasn't very polite, don't you? If I were still wrapped up in my bloodlust, that would have been a sure-fire way of earning an energy bullet through your chest." She looked over at the strange cloaked one. "You won't try to harm me, will you, Strange One?" she asked, trying to put on a pouty face. "Your friend is being violent." She looked back at the Knight. "And what is your name? You demand of mine, I shall demand your own. And, of course, I can't call Strange One by my name for him; what is yours?"

[Mavichronolus]

Mav watched as Atamis dispatched a group of the creatures and then his attention was drawn, somewhat violently, to the flying women who quickly destroyed most of the remaining monsters with laser like pulses of energy from 2 strange items in her hands. At the appearance of the valkyrie the creatures seemed to realize they were out matched and fled into the darkness.

Seeing that there was no immediate danger, Mav dusted himself off and checked to make sure his cloak was still covering the whole of his body, the last thing he needed was to was for these two to turn on him.

It's already to late, the paladin will know soon enough the voice said gleefully.

Mav turned to find the winged girl and Atamis exchanging threats and when the girl, he thought he heard her say her name was Lia, turned to him and asked his name he thought it only proper that he introduce himself. An ally like Lia could definantly come in handy....

Forcing his staff into the ground Mav quickly tossed his hat high into the air and performed a low bow. As the hat landed neatly on the staff he addressed Lia.

"Greetings Lia, I'm pleased to meet you though i wish it were under better circumstances. My name is Felix Montoyez Alfonzo Zorander de Mavichronolus III, but you may call me Mav."

A fake name never hurt.....

Idiot....

Mav ignored the voice

"I would apologize for my friends behavior but for the fact that, i honestly don't know if that is common for him. He does seem to be a bit short tempered for a paladin though....."

"Anyway as a way of showing my thanks i would like to invite you to join us at our camp, which were just about to set up right Atamis?"

Mav finished, flipped his hat back onto his head, and stared pointedly at the paladin while leaning against the firmly embedded walking stick, waiting for an answer.