Tal-rasha and Markus }{ an epic quest of epicness.

[skimaskkass]

Huh? Grateful...? To me...? Tal-rasha couldn't comprehend how anyone near death could find their killer grateful? Maybe it could be that he found some kind of light, or some other complex philosophical awakening. He wasn't sure. If he had known him before he tried killing him, maybe he would have noticed a difference.

Tal blinked a few times in thought, and then pulled off his bag with the two chicks and held the bag ready to give it over. He thought a bit more and said, "I.. Uh... Usually just go by donation... I don't really know how much they're worth."

The truth was they really weren't worth anything with all this competition with the condition they were in. He just got by with pity sales. They weren't in too bad of a shape, but they had a bit of dirt on them here and there, an uneven coat of colors and one was missing a few feather's on his neck, which made his sibling look better.

[mianst]

Markus found a small sack with a draw string and filled it with the gold currency. He then quickly tossed the bag to Tal, and grabbed the sack with the chickens in it. Quickly surveying the crowd, Markus spotted two street children who had obviously been enviously watching the exchange, waved them over, handed them the chickens and hissed for them to be gone.

Turning back to Tal, Mercury thought 'You really aught to explain things to him, He doesn't yet know of the gift he unknowingly gave you.' Sighing, Markus said, "come, let us go somewhere less...populated. I have something to show, and something to tell."

[skimaskkass]

The chickens were hardly worth any gold, the small sack of coins was definitely hard to take as Tal-rasha didn't feel he deserved any of it if Markus was giving it. It was nice though, that the chicks were quickly given away. He now had one duty, to help Markus.

Tal-rasha was curious about what Markus wanted to show and tell him. He followed Markus to a less populated area, though he felt uncertain about the whole thing. As to him, it felt inhuman for a man to forgive so easily. Maybe Markus wanted him to feel forgiven before he was killed. Though he felt as though he would deserve such punishment, he shook the thought off.

[mianst]

After leading Tal-rasha to the back of, a recently closed, merchant shop. This place would suit his needs as nearly no one ever came back here anymore.

"I assume you remember the night you and your associates decided to beat me nearly to death...Obviously I survived, but something was given to me by fate. I see it as being right where I was supposed to be. For, right as I was about to claw my way back home, a bolt of lightning struck me" Pulling back his sleeves, Markus revealed his lightning shaped scars, that ran all down his arms.

"But , as I soon found out, I could now produce and manipulate lightning!" At that Markus brought his right arm up against his mid-section, controlled his breathing, clenched his arm, then quickly thrust it out straight in front of him. Suddenly a Large, almost snakelike, bolt of lightning came instantaneously writhing from his outstretched arm. For a moment there almost seemed to be no sound to the world except a near sub-sonic buzz, followed quickly by the familiar crack of thunder.

Markus's arm still steaming from the superheated gas having heated his flesh, he said, "How did you like that!?"

[skimaskkass]

Tal-rasha jumped back at the show, and flinched when he heard the thunder afterwards. "Wow!! That's amazing!!" So this is why he is grateful to me!

"How did you like that!?" Markus said with a tone of excitement.

Tal nodded to himself in approval. "It's very wonderful indeed!" He applauded Markus.

[mianst]

"Glad you liked it." Then regarding his arm. "I'd like to say I've gotten used to it, but every time I do that it does burn quite a bit."

Markus then sat down on an old wooden crate and started to draw, what little energy he could, from the air, which now smelled slightly of ozone.

Then looking to Tal, "So, what have you been up to since our last encounter? I'd like to know a bit about you before we travel together."

[skimaskkass]

Tal laughed a bit. "A little bit about me? I guess I've changed as well." Out of embarrassment he wanted to keep his story short. "No one really ever showed me compassion." He said, shrugging, then backed up to sit on a crate. "But I happened upon a girl-- she basically figured me out and kept me in line." He itched the bridge of his nose out of nervousness. Tal had never shared this story to anyone.

"We got separated-- but even so!! Once I saw the light, I couldn't go back to being a savage!"

"It just... isn't right..." He looked away, lost in his thoughts.

[mianst]

"Women can do that." Markus said.

"But now, if you're feeling up to it. There is something I've been seeking, but up till now, I have been avoiding it...But with you here, I believe we can successfully recover what I seek."

Searching through his cloak as he spoke, "Have you even heard of a man named Khas Zeldariem? Don't be ashamed if you haven't, He wasn't a particularly good willed sorcerer."

[skimaskkass]

"Khas Zeldariem?" Tal scratched his chin. "I've heard nasty rumors here and there, but such harsh words are common to many bad folk."

"What is it that you're seeking?" He asked.

[mianst]

"Well, he was an extremely powerful, and well versed, sorcerer. He had apparently mastered many of the magical practices. Such as Necromancy, elemental manipulation, as well as telekinetic and telepathic powers." Finally having found what he was looking for, a small tattered, rolled up cloth. But keeping it's contents hidden for the moment.

"though towards the end of his life he began to consort with demonic entities. And most accounts will tell you that he was consumed by the demons he sought to summon...I am less inclined to believe such things. For he had, in his possession, a most powerful arcane object." Now showing Tal-rasha the inked picture, of an ornate amulet, that had been drawn on the cloth. The amulet seemed to be adorned with many geometrical shapes, including the, to some, holy heptagram.

"this was one of Khas's most amazing creations. It is a powerful catalyst for all things magical...This is what we seek."

[skimaskkass]

Tal-rasha took a good look at it, studying the drawing as if he was about the apprase the worth of the jewel. "You'll be needing all the help you can get if you want something like that." Tal pulled an apple as if from no where and took a huge juice spurting bite out of it. Knowing about Markus's powers made him strangely comfortable with him.

"There is a witch lady visiting town. She works with magic as well, and if this guy is really well known and all powerful, surely she will have heard of him. Maybe she can narrow down our search," Tal suggested.

He took another bite from his apple.

[mianst]

'Where did he get that apple from?' thought Hel, Markus winced in annoyance at Hel's unannounced return to the forefront of his consciousness.

But then what Tal had said sank in. "A witch!? Here!?" Leaping up from his spot Markus exclaimed: "Take me to her! I wish to consult with her immediately!"

'A witch, this could be good.' Through Mercury. Markus replied with his own thoughts, 'Indeed, even if she hasn't heard of him, she could be skilled enough, at least, to set us on the right path!'

[skimaskkass]

"We should see her as soon as possible. Witches like her seem to disappear out of nowhere."

Tal lead the way towards the witch's hideout. They first went through the busy main street, then as they walked the area became less and less crowded. He went to another alley way, and came to a drain pipe that appeared big enough for a medium sized dog to crawl through.

Tal analyzed Markus. "Yep, you're thin enough." He chuckled a bit while pushing back the drain. It popped open and the drain fell inside with a clunk. Markus was even thinner than Tal, so he would fit for sure.

He went on his stomach and wiggled through, feet first. "It seems small, but if you squeeze in just the riiiight waaay..." Tal disappeared into the dark space.

"You coming?"

[mianst]

'You shouldn't trust hi- Hey what are you doing!?' Hel exclaimed as Markus got into position atop the drainage pipe.

trying to remain calm Markus said, "You needn't concern your self with my decision making so long as it doesn't bring us harm." Then letting go of the edge of the pipe, Markus easily slid down. Markus wasn't impressed by the drainage tunnel.

Turning to Tal, "What an amazing smell you've discovered." Markus didn't try to hide his disgust, he loathed even the thought of human waste. Even though he knew this was a simple water drainage tunnel, he couldn't help imagining feces and all sorts of disease. A look of pure revulsion came over him. This, it seemed, was his true weakness.

But his agony at his mere thoughts were replaced by an incredible rage at the laughter he now heard emanating from Hel, and echoing inside his skull.

Covering his face to hide, the plainly expressed emotions on his face. He asked, "How far is it from here? I'm feeling a bit claustrophobic."

[skimaskkass]

Tal noticed his friend... suffering a bit. "It isn't far from here." Tal said, hoping it work comfort him slightly. He walked 200 feet straight ahead, then turned right to continue walking 400 more feet. He behaved as if he couldn't smell anything.

"Over there!" He exclaimed, as he looked up at a very dark corner of the tunnel. But quickly explained, "It's just an illusion, don't worry." He walked into the black corner as if he dissapeared into the shadows.

It was like walking a few steps upward on rock rubble in pitch black. "Watch your step."

He moved a black curtain aside, and a room could now be seen.