From Life into Legend }{ open

[deraj]

"Are you okay?!"

He gave a deep laugh. “I am more than fine. I think I just bought us some time. Are you okay?”

It was then that he heard the rattling of bones behind him. He turned to his undead soldiers, “Gentlemen, you are now free men.” They let out an eerie sigh as a white mist rose out of them. Their bones fell to the sand.

He turned back to Raine and gripped his head. He closed his eyes and his free arm stretched out to grab hold of something.

[laraine]

"Deraj!" She saw him try to grab hold of something with his free arm. Raine reached out and grabbed his arm with her own. "You are not okay! Can I do something to help?" she asked, worried. "Here lie down and rest."

[deraj]

With the help of Raine he steadied himself. “That does appear to be the case.” Still gripping his head he looked about around them. “Perhaps this is not the best place for now. There is a tomb not too far back where it will be cool and we will be safe.” He started to walk back to that place he had been the previous night, hoping she would not protest.

[laraine]

Raine nodded and followed behind him closely. She wanted to make sure he didn't pass out on the way to wherever it was he was taking her. She looked around as he led her through the desert. Inside, Raine felt very confused. It seemed as if Deraj wasn't a normal human, that much she understood by watching his powers. But why was he helping her anyway? And once he found out everything, would he still stay by her side? Or would he...She shook her head.

I can't think these thoughts now. I have to get a hold of myself. First he needs to rest. I can think of my next move then.

"Is the tomb where you got that treasure you were talking about?" Raine asked.

[deraj]

He could hear her walking behind her. He didn’t want to spend any more energy than he had to turn around to make sure. If he collapsed now, he would only be a burden to her. Then he heard her voice and he renewed his strength.

“In fact it is. I should warn you though. Once we are inside, some spirits may come and take my body. It is very important that you let them. Follow and do not be afraid.” He didn’t want to seem forceful but he had to stress the importance of this.

Soon they arrived before rock face. He had forgotten that he had sealed it back up. Crap. “Raine, you may want to cover your ears for this.” And as before, he let out that guttural primal phrase in a voice that was not a voice and yet beyond a voice. The canyon wall parted to reveal the steps. It was all he could do to make it over the threshold before he collapsed.

A silent fog began to ooze from the entryway and from the fog came shades of a long dead court. With solemn procession they carried him to the obsidian throne.

[laraine]

She followed the undead into the room, where they were about to place Deraj on a throne made of a dark stone it seemed. She looked around the room in wonder. She really didn't understand anything about Deraj.

At first she believed he was a normal human, not she can't say that. Even a normal human with powers wouldn't be able to control the dead like this. Everything about this situation made her uneasy and curious. She decided to wait until he awoke from resting.

She herself stayed awake, thinking of everything that had happened.

[deraj]

He was only vaguely aware when they were carrying him to the throne room. He must have begun to hallucinate. He began to hear music and what he knew to be a dark and dank hall was filled with life and light. The apparitions carrying him seemed more real than he. Then there was nothing. When he awoke, he awoke from a dream in which he was forced to live out the atrocities that once took place in this accursed land all those years ago. He gripped at the arms of the throne and looked about the room hoping the guilt would leave but knowing it would not.

[laraine]

Raine noticed when he awoke. She was in a daze herself and then suddenly snapped out of it when she noticed he was moving. She got to her feet and ran over to him. "Deraj! Are you okay?" She asked as she stood by the throne he sat on. She still had so many questions left to ask him, but knew it wasn't the right time to ask.

Instead she held them in, looking at him. She wanted to make sure he was okay. After all, after her awoke he looked troubled about something. "Is there, something wrong?"

[deraj]

"Is there, something wrong?"

A voice seemed to call from far away. He could see her standing there. He knew he was but feet away from her and yet everything seemed so distant. He had never been this detached before so numb. One of the many wonderful things about being one of the undead. He knew what had taken place before but it was almost as if it had happened to another person and yet he knew it was he who had been there. He closed his eyes again and focused.

It all came in an instant. His expression lit up and he smiled. He felt amazing. He turned to Raine and smiled. “I’m fine now. Nothing is wrong. Sorry about that. We should leave here. If they were to find us here…well let’s say that it wouldn’t be the first time this place has been used as a deathtrap.” He rose from the throne full of vigor and vitality.

[laraine]

Surprised at his sudden burst of energy, Raine stepped back as he stood up. He said he was fine, and he appeared to have no injruries. Still, something was bothering Raine.

"You're right. Lets get going. But the question is, where?" Raine asked, turning to him. "If you really want to help me with my family, you have to know that no where is really safe. At most the best place to slow them down is somewhere very cold. Demons from my family can't function well in the cold."

[nightclaw]

Nightclaw was walking through the desert as he did often just to see a man and a woman walking around. Wanting to know what they were doing he decided to follow them but kept low to the ground and attempted to camouflage with his surroundings. Thinking that the two hadn't seen him yet he tries to get closer and hopefully hear what they are talking about.

After crawling towards them he just sticks to were he is. The who strangers are approximately 200 feet away from him and still not noticing his presence as he thinks to himself.

[deraj]

Deraj thought for a minute. “Cold might be hard to come by considering we are in the desert. I don’t know then where we mig…. wait, did you hear that?”

The sound of shuffling could be heard from down the corridor. No desert creature would ever dare to venture down these unhallowed halls let alone stumble upon the means by which to open these chambers to gain access. The gods only know how far beneath the surface we are at this point. Must be something malign in its nature or merely some higher form of life that possess the power to go against its own instincts and nature. He instinctively threw back his cloak and grabbed the hilt of his sword.

[laraine]

Raine blinked as Deraj suddenly looked around him, worried and on alert. She snapped her head back and forth, looking for the presence that her companion felt. One hand formed into a fist, while her other grabbed a hold of her crystal wand. She walked backwards until her back was almost up against Deraj's back.

"What do you think it is?" She asked in a whisper.

[deraj]

“I do not know, Raine, but it is between us and our only means of escape.” Deraj was full of a righteous fury. This is shameful! Has this thing no honor? In a voice that could command the sun to never rise again, Deraj bellowed, “Show yourself you coward! Come out and fight!”

[laraine]

Raine looked around, uneasy. Her body was rigid and alert. Her crystal wand glowed dimly. It was ready for action in case of a attack.

This is bad, I wonder if its my family? But this isn't their style. Usually they attack instantly. Is it a new enemy?

Raine looked at Deraj, thinking.

I still don't know much about this man. I trust him...and I too have my own secrets...and I dragged him into my problems...but what if I somehow get dragged into his? No I can't think of that right now. I'm such a idiot. I have to focus on the possible foe we might have right now...

Raine shifted her feet, her cape adjusting with her body as she moved slightly. She listed around her for the response to Deraj's question from the intruder.