A Little Piece of Hell (Open)

[Elf Prince Tekkarro]

The sand whipped and beat furiously against his face as he trudged onward, a black dot barely visible from where he stood. "A City," James thought, "so my journey has not been in vain afterall." He raised his fingers in a quick prayer to Sotharn before continuing on his march towards civilization. HIs black leather armor bound around him kept most of the sand from striking him, and what did not his black cloak dealt with. His long black hair fell to either side of his neck, caked with dust and mud from his journey. He had no posession, other then a small pouch of gold, and his most prized posession. HIs father's sword had been left to him after his mysterious death, and it is the only thing he had worked up the courage to take with him. His mind drifted off to his departure from Glerendril...


"You'll never be allowed back. You'll be exiled, no better then a common outsider! You are betraying your people, your country, your own family!"


"I know..."


James was snapped awake by a loud clickling sound coming from all round him. Rising from the dusty sands were large monstrosities, beetles the size of full grown bears, with long mandibles dripping in what he suspected was acidic saliva. there was a total of three, that were visible at least, for their tan shells blended perfectly with the raging sandstorm. "Sand-Beetles, perfect..." James muttered to himself, subconciously placing his hand on the jeweled hilt, the metal surprisingly cold to the touch. The first one approached him slowly, tilting its head as if questioning him in its strange language of clicks, it's green eyes glowing with an eerie life. Without warning, it leaped straight for James's head, its mandibles prepared to close upon soft flesh. With a glint of jewels, Lintera was swung clean through the middle of the great disgusting insect. Green innards flew across the baking sand, sizzling as they spread out. Hte other beetles were not deterred bye this display though, and they tried to close in on James. Using his cloak to wipe the gunk form the blade, he grimaced in disgust, but quickly turned on the beetles and impaled the first on his sword, and swung it around, tossing it towards his comrade causing them both to flutter off injured and defeated. With a smirk, James cleaned and shetahed his sword once more, looking towards his goal once more. "This place sure is different all right."

[HoudiniDerek]

Guang sat in the tavern, drinking his ale and listening to the wind howl outside the windows. He had been lucky to make this city in the heart of the Dermun before sunset. Night always made things harder for people traveling here and he had hoped he would not be caught outside. Of course, it was the cooler season, which meant dusk came several hours earlier than usual, but it was nice to be inside and safe for the time being.

Guang finished his ale and signaled for another. If he played his cards right, the elf should be entering town before morning. As this was the only tavern and inn in the small city, it was a safe bet that he would arrive. Guang could afford to be patient. Smiling, he took another sip of ale.

[Elf Prince Tekkarro]

As James walked through the towering arch into the city, he saw a warm glow emitting from the window of a nearby inn. As the wind whipped and screamed around him, he wrapped his cloak tighter around him. With each passing second the inn seemed more welcoming, and he was looking for a place to stay for walked the night. With a final nod, he made his decision and headed toward the inn.

James through the door, closing it tightly behind him. He lowered his hood, casting his icy blue gaze upon his surroundings. The inn was nearly empty, with one or two patrons spread unevenly about. Looking back out the window, he was the sun already beginning to set over the horizon, as darkness brought the chill of night. "Must be my lucky day," he thought, walking to the bar. He rapped his knuckles sharply upon the counter, summoning the bartender. He cleared this throat, quite parched from the heat of the desert. "Just a glass of wine if you might good sir?" he spoke, trying to be courteous. The barman stared at him strangely, equally from his strange request of drink and his strange accent, his S's being held for too long and his consonants over exaggerated. James took a seat at a nearby table, waiting patiently, and caught a glimpse of a man sitting nearby. As the bartender set a mug of ale before him, James shrugged and with a grimace took a drink. As he sat and thought, his mind wandered once again to his travel, and more likely his departure.

[HoudiniDerek]

Guang's patience was rewarded. It had not taken the elf long to arrive. Of course, it was a guaranteed certainty that this was the elf he was looking for after he heard the drink request and the manner of speech from the young man. As he sat at his table, Guang met his eyes momentarily before the man ignored him. He seemed to be lost in thought.

Guang was tempted to go over and talk to him, but held himself in check. He signaled another order of ale for himself and kept his eyes across the room on the elf. He was being bold in his own way, but it was nothing as of yet to cause any disruption. Guang's patience had served him well over the years and he was not about to let eagerness get the better of him now.

The ale was brought and Guang shifted to pay the bartender. As he did so, he unsheathed his long knife and laid it on the table by his arm. The motion was smooth and practiced, visible if you were looking for it, but not otherwise. Relaxing his left arm as it was hiding the blade, Guang reached for his ale with the right and took another sip, still watching...

[Elf Prince Tekkarro]

James kept glancing upwards quickly towards the strange man. Occassionally, he would catch him staring at him, or making odd movements. He sensed something might not be as it appeared. He was only assured of this as he glanced down at his sword's hilt, and the ruby was glowing a dull, dark red. He finished his rather horrid drink, and stood from the table, watching the man from the corner of his eye. He went to make his way toward the door, and openiong it let hismelf out of the inn. He tried to make a show out of the way he was leaving, but then stealthily ducked down behind the corner of an alley, his hand firmly grasping his sword, just in case. He had a strange feeling that something...interesting, was going to happen.

[SnwPtrl]

Vetis sighed heavily as he observed the surrounding desert landscape, lazily stretching his short wings as he did so. He was atop a huge sand dune and from his high vantage point, he could see all of the surrounding desert.

Forceful winds began to kick up large amounts of sand into the air, creating a thick veil of debris and dust that obscured Vetis' view. Scowling, Vetis began to make his way down his perch atop the sand dune when he caught sight of unnatural movement out of the corner of his eye.

Vetis squinted to try to get a closer examination of the movement when his jaw dropped. What was before Vetis' eyes was a massive displacement in the sand in the ground that was headed rapidly in his direction. The ground where this barreling mass was rapidly advancing was being hurled up in huge heaps and flung every which way.

Vet had no clue as to what it could be but he figured that if the mass was headed for him, he was going to be dead in a heartbeat if he didn't take action. Remembering the way he had come from the small desert town, Vetis turned and spread his (rather small) wings. With a leap, Vet glided from the top of the sand dune to the ground, covering a large amount of distance. But the burrowing mass was still headed towards him at full speed and he had no time to lose.

Extending his legs, Vet hit the ground running. He figured he'd be able to make the town before the mass covered the two-hundred yards separating him and his doom.




With speed he didn't know he was capable of, Vet neared the town and felt as though he was close enough to touch it, although he was still fifty yards away. Vetis glanced backwards and gasped, his heart sank, the burrowing mass was almost directly behind him and closing. He felt as though there was no way he was going to make it. Thats when Vet noticed the strong winds at his back. He quickly formed an idea...

In a great display of self preservation, Vet leaped forward and used his wings to carry him forward the rest of the distance to the town.

Blowing passed the two astonished guards, Vet stumbled and collapsed upon entering the small desert town. Turning around, Vet suddenly got a very bad feeling in his gut, the burrowing mass that had been following now appeared to be just as large if not larger than the entire town he had sought refuge in.

It was in this instant that the mass seemed to erupt. From the clouds of sand and the ground spouted what Vetis thought were the biggest Sand Beetles he had ever seen in his life. These beetles were much larger than the average, they were at least the size of a small house and filled the air with the screeching calls of their insect language.


Vet could see almost thirty of the creatures already pouring from the ground. Adrenaline renewed, Vet scrambled up from the earth and burst into the only tavern in town, looking for someplace to hide and hopefully live through this event.

Vet had known Sand Beetles to be aggressive, but never in such force and determination....

Someone must have pissed 'em off...

[HoudiniDerek]

Guang watched as the elf got up and left the tavern. Guang saw him veer out the door and turned his attention to the window. He noticed that the elf never passed by it. Either he had stopped right outside the door or had suddenly changed direction. Either option was not very appealing for him as he needed to get him alone, but not when the other was on his guard like this.

Guang got up and went to the door. He stood there as though he was drunk and swayed by the door. He opened and it took a step out when he was knocked sprawling by a winged creature. He tumbled into the dirt and rolled to his feet, his long knife in his hand and ready.

Of course, he didn't see the elf. He saw a horde of sand beetles bearing on the settlement. The two guards were taken out instantly and the beetles were massing. There were too many.

Guang sheathed the knife and opted for his short sword. He thought he felt two presences behind him, but he didn't look. Muttering a silent curse, Guang waited for the attack. It came seconds later...

[Elf Prince Tekkarro]

James was hoping that his manuever was successful, but doubted it. He had not been on his own for ages now it seemed. He was about to find a new way of concealing hismelf when suddenly what seemed like a rather clumsy Gria came tumbling form the sky. He leered and grasped his hilt. "What's your problem?" he spat, when he found out for himself. He turned toward the source of a nearly deafening sound, and ti was getting louder. As he leered, a flood of Sand Beetles were entering the city, the guards instantly taking out. "nutsty Security, huh kid?" a voice ringed in his ears, and he clutched his head, shortly after it disappeared. He knew if the beetles weren't taken care of, not only would the city be in danger, but so would he. He tugged free his sword from its sheath as well as the leather he had tried so hard to cover the sword with. The silver and gold immediately shone brightly in the diminishing light, and the jewels scattered across it seemed to glow with a life of their own. James swung the sword twice above his head before striking the ground sharply, walking towards the ever nearing beetles. He rose his sword in a defensive position, turning back towards Gria and the stange man. "well, are you guys just gonna stay their on your asses or are ya gonna help?" he shouted, his eyes glinting a firey red for a moment. Just as a gorup of beetles leaped towards him, James threw his sword swiftly at them, slicing them into several pieces, black gunk splattering against the sands. "Return!" he shouted, as his sword came back to his hand, one of the jewels glowing brightly as he did. He wiped the gunk from his blade and smirked thingyily. "Hey, this actually might be fun..."

[SnwPtrl]

Dazed and light headed, Vet looked up to see a elf dispatch two of the large swarm of ferocious beetles with a gleaming, bejeweled sword. For a second, Vetis wondered how much it would be worth on the black market when he remembered what was going on around him.
Shaking his head, Vet struggled to his feet and focused his thoughts. He observed his situation and saw the gruesome remains of what must have at one point been a human-being.
Looks like this towns in for some deep shi- Vetis leaped out of the way of a swooping beetle that was the size, if not bigger, than himself. Narrowly avoiding being plowed into pieces.

Composing himself, an idea formed in Vet's head and he sprinted over to the elf that was currently fighting off the hordes of beetles. Shouting over screeches and the beat of insect wings that surrounded the desert town, Vetis said. "If you could protect me from the closer of these creatures, I can try and cast a few spells to get them off our backs for a while!"

Vetis opened his palms and raised them so they were at his sides, preparing to cast some of his geomancer magics while listening for the Elf's response...It was not Vet's nature to help others, but this was a very ugly situation and if he wanted to survive, he would need the help from the others around him.

The attacking Sand Beetles were now enveloping the entire town, the cries of doomed villagers could be heard as they got snatched into the air then torn to pieces by the airborne insects. It did not look good for Vet and those in the town.

[Elf Prince Tekkarro]

James nodded toward the Gria, swinging his sword to dispatch of another group of beetles. "Alright, now we're talking! If you feel like using geomancy, not to be a jerk or anything but there is an ABUNDANCE OF SAND!" he shouted, before skewering a third beetle onto his blade and kicking it off. HE went to swing at another beetle but its claws slashed angrily at his arm, tearing the black leather. James cursed silently and raised his hilt before him. He touched an orange jewel, swirling in upon itself, looking to be made of amber. It glowed and came to life with his touch, and he closed his eyes in silent prayer. Flameng, I beg of you, grant me dominion over fire he thought to himself and to the heavans. As he finished his prayer, flames crept over both his hands and his sword. He smirked and laughed. "Well, time to cook some oversized bugs." He charged furiously through the crowd of beetles, slicing through them left and right like a knife through butter, black ooze dripping everywhere. He spotted another beetle heading towards the Gria, and he threw it angrily towards it, sending its body flying in two directions both heavily scorched.

[HoudiniDerek]

Guang saw the Gria and the elf come up from behind and begin attacking the rampaging beetles. Guang set himself up as rear perimeter and caught the few getting past the others. They were still outnumbered about sixteen to one as more beetles came into town.

Guang saw the Gria and the elf working together with sword and magic. Guang didn't have that added defense so he was staying a little more sheltered by the buildings. He risked a glance behind him and saw people approaching. They were the townfolk.

"Get over here and help! It's your city!" Guang screamed, thrusting off another beetle by wedging his short sword into his mouth and twisting. The people formed a phalanx with Guang and they charged. The beetles were halved, but so were the people. They reassembled and charged again. But before they could reach the beetles, the ground exploded in a propulsion of sand and rock.

[Elf Prince Tekkarro]

James conitnued offing bug after bug, slicing htrough them easily with the flaming sword. He watched as more and more townsfolk poured in and he laughed. "That's it! Cmon we can take on these pests!" He turned back to leap towards another group of beetles, when a large explosion rocked the ground. James sheltered his eyes and groaned, the heat and sand scorching him. THe wind whipped around along with the sand and rock of the fierce explosion. He peeked from behind his cloak to stare at the most tremendous, hideous sand beetle he has ever seen. IT must have been over ten stories tall, and it stood bloated upon several legs. It's pincers spit venom and slime upon the sand, as several more beetles spewed forth from it's loins. James grimaced, disgusted. "You're kidding me...a Sand Beetle ?" he shouted, raising his sword over his shoulder. He frowned, lowering his sword, as the beetles rushed towards the town. He felt hopeless, worthless even. Everybody in town was going to die, and it was his fault in part. He collapsed to his knees, dropping his sword. This really was the end...


No, a voice echoed through his head, as a red smoke covered his body. THe energy swirled aorund him, dust and sand sputtering everywjhere as a howlign sound echoed throughout the city. James clutched his sides in pain as his hair began to grow in length, and a bright silver spread throughout the pitch black. As he opened his eyes, a blood red overtook his icy blue stare. HE stood up, grasping the sword, something seeming like black ink flowing form his fingertips onto the sword, tainting it and transforming it into something inhuman. THe jewels evaporated, and the blade sharpened and slimmed, leaving only a black hilt and silver blade with a single ruby in it. He smirked and rose, speaking in a deep voice not his own. "Well look at this, a bunch of pests and their mommy." He laugehd and swung the sword swiftly through the air, a slice of energy flying from the tip and severing several of the legs off a newly born sand beetle. He flipped his hair form his eyes and leered. "Guess we're going to have to make this quick."

[HoudiniDerek]

Guang managed to keep his feet after the explosion, but not many others did. He rallied a few on their feet to keep the beetles at bay, but the town was slolwy losing this battle. From the side he heard a loud clicking. He turned and his eyes widened in horror. A was rising from the ground, probably the cause of the explosion.

Guang's attention was diverted as more beetles rushed him, but he slew those few with the help of the townfolk that had stayed behind. Most had fled after the had emerged, working to get themselves and their families free. Guang managed to ring a few around him and they headed towards the rear of the .

Guang dispatched them through motions and came behind one of the back legs. Signaling the rest, they heaved their weapons as one and sheared off one of the legs at the foot. The leg spasmed and everyone dove out of the way as the raged in pain. Guang, making sure everyone else was out of the way, was a second late. The leg caught him and sent him flying towards a nearby wall.

He crashed into it with jarring force, causing the wall to collapse around him. Before he passed out, he thought he saw the elf standing boldly before the , his sword black in the firelight.

[Elf Prince Tekkarro]

The new James stood ebfore the , the fire melting from his blade. He smirked and wipes his nose on his sleeve, extending his arms and opening them wide. "So, what, you think you're touh because you're big?" he laughed and tossed his sword into the air. With superhuman strength, he blasted into the air with a powerful kick, grasping the sword in his hand and slicing at the 's head, removing one of her pincers and stabbing her through the eye. He backflipped back to the ground and laugehd as the let out an earsplitting scream. "Oh come on, stop being a baby." he spat before leaping forward with his sword again, his eyes glowing even deeper red as he dove straight for the and tore through her with the sword, leaping out the other side. He twirled aorund, looking at the gaping hole he had left in the , yet she still lived. SHe let out another scream and he smiled.

[SnwPtrl]

Vet had been avidly working together with the elf, using the earth and sand around him to create deadly twisters that were full of sharp rocks and tiny grains of sand. The debris in the air smashed into the airborne sand beetles that were attempting to attack the two from above. The carcasses of the massive beetles fell dangerously from the sky, smashing into buildings while exploding into a mass of guts and limbs from the impact.

Vetis was surprised to see a gnome and a large group of villagers fighting off the beetles from his and the elf's flank. With his geomagnetic spells fending off attacks from above, the elf's impressive swordsmanship taking on the beetles that got too close, and the gnome and villagers killing off any flankers, Vetis heart fluttered as he gained some hope of survival.

Of course, thats when a massive explosion rocked the earth, injuring his elven partner and sending the lightweight Gria flying into the air.

Vetis used his wings to glide safely, if not gracefully, to the ground. He looked over to see the elf, but this time he was very different in appearance...and the weapon he now held appeared to be something not crafted by humanoid hands.

Vet whirled around to see the group of villagers torn to pieces by the airborne sand beetles that Vet had been holding off before with his spells. Seeing that he and the Elf were alone in this situation, Vetis decided to put all his eggs in one basket.

Lifting his hands, he muttered a few words in the language of the earth. A veil of swirling sand rose from the ground and surrounded himself, the elf, and the Beetle in a dome of death-dealing debris.

Vet upheld the spell and said a silent prayer, it would be up to the elf to slay that over sized sand beetle. The dome isolated the three combatants and Vet's fate rested on the shoulders of the elf.