Forgotten Glory }{ By Invite Only

[deraj]

It was late spring and the flowers were in bloom. The harsh morning light filtered through the trees. His dark red cloak stirred in the cool breeze. A white dove landed on the railing of the balcony next to the princely figure. It cooed at him as three horsemen rode into the outer courtyard. They said nothing as they looked up at their master. Their hoods fell back to reveal the decomposing flesh desperately clinging to their skulls. “Find Vexxusaria and bring her to me.” The riders dawned their hoods once more and galloped out of the stone complex.

[Vexxus]

Walking down the dirt road, Vexxus couldn't help but remember the last time she had set foot on that soil. She let out a great sigh, and continued walking. What am I even doing here...? She kicked a dirt clod she spotted when she was looking at the ground, then moved her gaze to the treetops and the glorious, clear sky.

The sun reflected off her white, flowing dress, and seemed to dance and linger in the blue and white hairs on the crown of her head. The only other colour adorning her was a smoky amethyst pendant, hanging around her neck. She was the picture of order in chaos; or perhaps chaos in order.

If a stranger would have seen her, they might have thought they saw a spirit. If anyone that knew her saw her, they might think she had gone out of her mind. But alas, old habits die hard; and though it was not visible, she was carrying her Shadowblade.

After fleeing the Knights of Aburdon (Which she learned was the name of the order of knights previously encountered), Vexxus had, through trials; gained back her will to fight, decided to do some "paying jobs", and lived rather comfortably. She did not spend all of her money on herself, however, always finding some rejected soul that was turned away by the vendors; then feeling like some sort of sap for helping them afterward. But nonetheless, she would always lend a kind word and meal, as well as non-perishable food for the journey ahead.

Anyone who knew her (which was now a great deal of people around Tamasha Village) knew all too well that she was not someone to be trifled with. Word of mouth about her "paying job" got around, and only those bold enough to challenge what I suppose you could call a "demon-slayer" ran into trouble with Vexxus.

She only wished to reminisce, and think about things, so she thought that the forest was the best of places. She hadn't been there in a long time, and something seemed to call her.

[laraine]

She walked into the forest, the scenery shifting around her. Even the air seemed different, cooler, maybe even a little moist. She breathed it in deeply. Pulling her hood down, long pink hair was revealed to the patches of sun that shone through the treetops. She looked up at the trees, a small smile formed on her lips.
Her purple eyes adjusted to the change in life instantly. Looking back down at the path ahead of her, she sighed.

"I guess I will give this a shot. Maybe I can outrun the demons through this forest. I just hope none are waiting for me at the end of it." Smirking, she put her hood over head once more.

"Well...I guess the chase begins." Gripping her wand tightly in her hands, she began to run through the forest. Looking around her occasionally for any demons that would ambush her. Her breathing became labored every time she slammed her foot into the earth. Following the path was easy, but she didn't realize what awaited her.

[deraj]

The mysterious noble held court in his dark woodland hall. The sunlight fell in beams through the dusty air. His ghostly courtesans drifted around dancing, singing their ancient and mournful songs, or simply talking among themselves. As far as he could remember, they had always been with him. They had told him of his noble birthright and answered nearly any question he put to them.

Not having remembered anything of his life before he found himself in that forest all those years ago, his childlike curiosity did not lend itself to considering that there was actually a time before. Because of this, it was like a new life for Deraj. For all practicality, he had no past. He awoke nameless into that dark wood an eternally perfect being. He had no physical needs or desires. He had untold and unrealized power that came as naturally to him as walking. There seemed to be nothing unnatural to him about the dead coming to help him or grant his desires. He did not know and so he did not fear.

The name Vexxusaria was less of a memory and more of an unexplained but persistent thought that first arose when he found a mysterious marking on his arm. He knew not if the two were connected. The name brought intense feelings of love and longing but he knew not why. He admitted to himself that it would make a beautiful name for something or someone. When he asked the members of the court what it meant or represented, they did not know.

He sat and thought of these things as his ghostly court seemed to enjoy things that are usually reserved for the enjoyment of the living. Indeed, all was going as had gone for years when something like a distant sound distracted their undisputed lord. He got up from his massive throne and looked about the room as if to locate the source of the sound.

“Does something bring you displeasure, m’ liege?”

“Don’t you hear that Alfonso? Don’t you feel it?” He ran about the room searching behind ancient tapestries and under the carpets.

The noble apparitions only looked to themselves for reassurance that there was indeed no sound. Before poor Alfonso could offer any form of response, the monarch said, ”Help! All of you! I must know what is the cause of that divine humming! It vibrates the very depths of my being!”

The court merely shuffled about the room in hopes that their lord would quit his charade and explain his strange sense of humor when he cried out as if in divine ecstasy, "It's coming closer!"

And so the damned court set to looking about the castle for the source of a sound that they did not believe to actually exist.

[Vexxus]

Walking along the path, she suddenly stopped. Something was up ahead. She could sense it. Then she could hear it. Two riders, on large horses. The ground trembled lightly beneath Vexxus' feet. When they came into sight, her ears rang with a loud, sweet sound that seemed to stun her. Her eyes widened, and she put a hand on her forehead as if to steady herself.

She instantly knew the two men were under the control of Deraj. It was his magic; no doubt. But...how? Her eyes began to fill with tears, but they did not fall quite yet.

"You, your name, m'lady?" One of them managed to grumble out. It was a very unnatural voice, but she imagined it was a great accomplishment for a corpse.

"Vexxus...Vexxusaria Reixaia..." She tipped her head forward.

"Come with us." It wasn't a request; but an order. She already knew who they were; in a sense, so she followed. After about five minutes of walking, while the horses walked extremely slow so as to let her keep up; Vexxus had come to terms with the situation. She then began to think about it, and paused, motioned with one finger as to say, "One moment..." Then disappeared for a moment, and reappeared before their eyes as a pure white, whispy, glowing, wolf form. She then turned and motioned for them to lead the way; while she had no trouble keeping up.

Trailing silver light behind her; Vexxus followed the two undead ushers.

When they came to another person, running rather slowly comparatively, the ushers showed their character. The pink-haired female with a hood on stopped, and faced them. They began to advance, aggressively. Vexxus rushed in front of them; took a defensive stance, then transformed back into her human state.

She turned to the woman, who looked like she was ready for anything, and chuckled lightheartedly.

"Forgive my...guides....They are dead..."

[laraine]

Raine skidded to a stop before a beautiful woman and two soldiers who did appear to be dead. When they approached her as if to attack, Raine reached for her wand. But once the woman stopped their advance, Raine released her wand. She blinked, something was familiar about those undead men.

Deraj? Couldn't be...granted the guy went up and vanished on me, but he couldn't be alive....

Then Raine remembered the last thing the two talked about before he vanished.

Right....he's dead anyway, duh...but I can't jump to conclusions just yet.

"Ah, sorry about that. I was running from some people who want me dead." She grinned. "Though considering my past this is actually a common thing...Where are you all headed?"

I really don't know why I'm doing this, if Deraj wanted to be with me, he wouldn't have left me all alone in the desert. Besides..I'm almost out of time....

[deraj]

Alfonso had stayed apart from the rest of the search party to keep a personal watch on their prince. None of the court had seen their lord act in such a manner. It is true that their nameless ruler had his occasional bouts of madness, often laughing and dancing to music none could hear, but nothing ever incited such an intense reaction.

The nameless Deraj lay sprawled out on his throne occasionally convulsing from pleasure. The excitement had left him, for the first time, exhausted and he found it difficult to keep his eyelids fully open. Alfonso stood near the throne ready to offer an ultimately useless ethereal hand in the event that his lordship should twitch and fall out of his throne.

“It’s so close!”

“Forgive me my lordship, but if you are indeed in jest, none realize it.”

Deraj looked up from his strangely comfortable position and gave his loyal subject a look of intense hurt and disbelief. “How can you not feel this, Alfonso?”

Suddenly a small band of ephemeral nobles poured through the tall narrow doors to the throne room. He sat upright and gained as much composure as he could. "Have you found that which causes me such exquisite pain?"

"No, my lord."

"Then why do you come here?! Keep looking! Can you not see that your lord is in torment?"

"Forgive me, your Highness, but I bring other news."

"What other news? What could possibly be more important than finding the source of that joy of joys? Speak!"

They knelt and the foremost ghost spoke, “Sire, the knights have passed through the outer gates…”

Before the ghost could continue Deraj spoke, ”Ah. Good. Did they find what I sent them for?”

“Yes, my Lord, but…”

“But what?”

“There seems to be two.”

“Two?”

“Yes, your Excellency.”

[Vexxus]

"Ah, sorry about that. I was running from some people who want me dead." She grinned. "Thoughconsidering my past this is actually a common thing...Where are you all headed?"

Vexxus glanced back at her guides, "Well..." She faced the woman. "I'm actually not sure..." She chuckled. "Call me crazy, but these men are under the control of a dear friend of mine that I have not seen in a very long time. I'm hoping they're taking me to him." She looked questioningly at one of them.

"We are." He muttered. It could have been annoyance in his tone, but then again it's hard to decipher the emotions of the dead. Vexxus smiled.

She turned, speaking to the woman again. "Forgive me, I did not introduce myself. I am Vexxus." She bowed slightly.

[laraine]

Raine bowed, hastily in return. " Ah my name is Raine, It's nice to meet you Vexxus."
A friend huh...

A noise from within the forest, made Raine tilt her head slightly, her eyes looking to the side and behind her. The noise stopped, but Raine was still worried. She turned back to Vexxus and the undead strangers. "Mind if I tag along for a bit?" She smiled softly. "Don't worry I just need to find a place to eat, I haven't eaten at all today so I'm kind of on the verge of collapsing."

Besides, I need to be sure that the person who is controlling these undead isn't Deraj. Then I can continue my journey without any worries.

"Of course, if I am in the way that's alright as well, I'll leave if you wish it."

[deraj]

Suddenly Deraj was filled with an apprehension that eclipsed the euphoria of the unexplained music. These would be the first people other than his subjects that he had ever seen. He had never really given thought that there might actually be more to the world than what was within the boundaries of his high walls. He had never even thought to venture beyond his forest domain, as he had no need.

In attempt to clear his mind, he went out again onto his private balcony to look out on his domain. He sensed that his eminent guests were still far off yet there was something familiar and intimate about them that called out to him. He could only wait and wonder.

[Vexxus]

"Of course, if I am in the way that's alright as well, I'll leave if you wish it."

"No, not at all!" Vexxus' pointed teeth flashed in the sun. If it were not for her graceful, attractive demeanor, they may have been frightening.

"Please, join us...But if we could, I'd like to hurry. I'm very anxious to see him again. I'm sure you don't really feel like hurrying, so if you wish, you may ride on my back in wolf form...unless that bothers you. I understand completely if you do not trust a stranger." Vexxus transformed back into her illuminated silver wolf, and waited for Raine's response.

[laraine]

"Well if I'm not a bother. Sure." Raine smiled and got onto the wolf's back. She held on tightly as they began to move towards their destination.

Meanwhile on Vexxus' back, Raine couldn't help but think of what lay ahead of her. What if it is Deraj....what do I say then? What if going will just be a bother to him...

She shook her head, trying to banish the negative thoughts from her mind. Instead new thoughts began to emerge, ones about someone different.

What would he do? Please help me find the strength. I'm sure of it now, the demons have already gotten into the forest. I have to hurry we all do.

The fear in Raine's heart was rising to the surface. Yet, they were getting closer and closer to their destination.

[Vexxus]

Vexxus could sense that something was wrong with Raine. She continued running, but sent thoughts in her direction.

"Pardon me, but is everything ok?"

The massive stone structure of a white castle came into view. Not far now...Vexxus began running faster. The undead had no trouble keeping up.

[laraine]

Surprised at the voice, Raine blinked then closed her eyes. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine." She had a small smile on her face.

I really am a idiot. Just calm down Raine, the demons wont attack me right now. Not unless I'm alone or if they think they have a shot of killing me.

"Now lets go, were almost there it looks like. By the way, who is this friend of yours anyway?" Raine asked.

[Vexxus]

"Yes, we are very close."The ivory castle was very near now. "Well...long ago he was my companion, or perhaps I his, but his name is Deraj."

As they approached the massive, wooden gate, the lifeless ushers signaled to the top of the wall for the gates to open. As they did, a massive courtyard was revealed. There was a certain beauty to the morbidity of corpses meandering around in fine clothing, with trailing wild roses and the like surrounding them like a beautifully chaotic garden.