Demon

[laraine]

" I do need to speak to you both about something important." She brushed a stray hair from her face and looked at them both with a serious expression. "Truth be told, I just met the one who I wanted to kill. But he got away, not before trying to convince me to join him. I believe he is planning something dangerous. I think he is going to betray the demons. He even went as far as to say he would revive Danny...but I know there is no way possible to revive the dead. Right?" She straightened her shoulders and looked up at them again. "First light tomorrow were leaving. I will find that demon and kill him as soon as I set eyes on him. I don't want to cause you both anymore trouble. The sooner this is done, the sooner I can rest. I just, wanted to tell you both this." She looked at Silvarn, then Samuel. " It seems we will have more enemies than before, so be on your guard, that's all." She turned from them both, inside, her anger engulfing her entire being. Her only reason for living was to kill that demon.

[thedookienut]

Samuel listened with curious intent, trying to picture what this demon could look like. He assumed demons look like people but only vagely different, but he still couldn't picture it.

Then several words stuck his ear. 'Raise the dead.' He shuddered. Not out of disgust for Raine wanting her partner back, but just at the thought. He shuddered again, feeling the hair on the back of his neck prickle.

[Silvarn]

Silvarn bit his lip, restraining his knowledge of necromancy to spill forth and make Raine's already abysmal day even worse. Raising the dead was nothing new -- necromancers had attempted to enslave the world by overwhelming it with the Shambling Undead, the Restless Spirits, and the like. Reviving the dead, returning them to the world of the living, in one piece, as if they had merely gone to sleep. Now, that was a feat truly impossible. The fleshy shell tolerates the inner essence during its stay, but once the soul leaves, it cannot reenter.

Do you think she would be able to dismember her lover's corpse or his ghoul if it rose up and attacked her? Scorcahr asked, the doubt heavy in his disembodied voice.

"Be careful, Raine." Silvarn said to her faraway form, "I dabbled in that sweet venom, Revenge. It cost me my soul."

[laraine]

Raine entered the Inn once more, trying to contain the emotions raging inside her. She took each step towards her room hesitantly, fearfully. Her whole body hurt, her soul, her heart, her mind. Yet she still tried to grasp the one shred of Danny she held deep in her heart. The one piece of him that remained in her, his love. His love, and her love for him managed to smash apart those walls she built up. It made her a better person, someone who was kinder, more free.

She opened the door and closed it behind it, pressing her back against it to stare at the ceiling.

"How much more of this can I take?" She asked no one. "This hurt, this anger. It feels like my body is on fire, in pain forever more. I have to seek revenge against that man. He has to die for taking away Danny. Danny, of course wont be happy I've done this. But, I can't stop now, I'm in too deep. I also got others involved as well. I have to do this, for their sakes. Mine, has already been decided." she laughed bitterly.

"I don't want to die, give up on everything. I don't want to be banished. But what choice do I have? I have nothing." She walked to her bed and collapsed upon it.

"For everyone's sake..."

[thedookienut]

Samuel watched Raine wonder back into the Inn and sighed. He glanced over at Silvarn and soon up at the sky. He wasn't in the mood for drinking anymore. Maybe just walking, walking and thinking, a good subsitute. He deffinatly needed to think. His head was filled with thoughts and questions, yet he knew he'd never get an answer to them. He doubted it deeply.

With another sigh, he turned slowly, streching and yawning a little. He was tierd but not enough to sleep. He could fear the cold night air blow against his face, making him wearyer than before.

[Silvarn]

Soon, Silvarn was alone. Mostly. He never was truly alone, not with Scorcahr prowling the peripherals of his consciousness.

Splitting up, just as they had, was never a good idea. Even when they were within shouting range of one another, that was all the vulnerability an antagonist needed. There was power in numbers -- a lesson Silvarn had learned, by never honored. Solitude did not breed conflict.

Following Samuel's example, Silvarn sighed heavily, hanging his head.

We will never get a break, will we? Scorcahr whined.

"It is said there is no rest for the wicked. We served, possibly, the most malignant spirit in Valear for many years. I assume this is our penance for our wicked deeds."

You know what would be just terrible? Scorcahr began with grim glee, If the Lockners and Risks were desperate enough to revive Khul'Yddis?

Silvarn shuddered violently. He growled like a beast, silver electricity crackling from his vibrant grey eyes to his temples.

"I forbade you from speaking that blasphemous name!" he roared. Scorcahr's reedy scream echoed inside Silvarn's mind, until, suddenly, it stopped. Silvarn panted heavily, "Let that be a lesson to you."

Staggering back to the inn like a drunkard, he knew someone had to keep a constant eye on Raine. If Samuel was not watching her, which was exceedingly rare, then it was up to Silvarn to keep her safe.

[laraine]

Raine lied on her bed, staring up at the ceiling and thinking deeply about what had happened that day and why it troubled her so much. That man, that demon who killed her boyfriend was something all together strange. He was different than the Risks or the Lockners, even though he was one of the demons from the Risk tribe, the pink hair and red eyes said it all. But, he is calculating, cold and heartless. So much more evil than her grandmother who wishes her dead.

Raine rolled onto her side, biting her lip and closing her eyes. After a few minutes she opened then again. "I guess sleeping is hopeless." She whispered.


Raine suddenly felt a twinge of fear and sat upright in her bed. That entangled red demonic aura suddenly seemed to surround the inn. She was hurled to the ground by a unseen force and Raine internally cursed.

The Risks found her.

[thedookienut]

Samuel began down the street slowly, much like an idiot. He wasn't entirally aware of where he was going, but still, he kept going. His mind was drifting back to Silvarn's mention of banishing Laraine, just to keep the Risks and Lockners off her back and make them think she was dead. He'd always assumed being a half breed wasn't that bad. He'd learnt to live with it. But still, he was curious.

Something strange compelled him to turn around, mostly the curiousity of Silvarn's banishment. He jogged back up to the inn, shouting as he went.

"Silvarn! Wait!" He yelled, his eyes noticing the red aura that had just surrounded the inn. He stumbled back, stunned and scared. He tripped and landed firmly on the ground. He stared at the building, not thinking about what it could have been.

It didn't rightly accure to him until he thought about Raine.

"Raine!" He shouted, rushing towards the Inn door.

[Silvarn]

Silvarn turned on the spot when he heard his name called. He could have chastised the fool for shouting his name aloud, as they all knew he was rather infamous. But something in Samuel's voice made him disregard those harsh notions. He had no justifiable animosities toward Samuel. It would be beneficial for the t both of them to resolve their differences. If that was, indeed, what Samuel intended.

Then the other man's face went blank with shock.

Silvarn followed his fearful stare, noticing the red aura for himself. "Damn," he spat. The one moment they were not paying attention, and someone had come for Raine.

It had to be the Risks, as the Lockners had sworn to tolerate her existence for the time being. The Risks must not have received the memo.

"Samuel! Wait!" Silvarn cried at the other man's retreating form. He even tried to grip him by the arm to restrain him, but missed.

"Looks like I can finally have some fun. Wake up, Scorcahr."

The demon did not respond.

"Scorcahr, it was a jolt. You are such a sissy."

How dare you call me that! the demon screeched nasally, I have endured more than you could possibly imagine!

"Of course, you have. I apologize for losing my temper, Scorcahr."

It is justifiable. the demon admitted.

"Would you be so kind as to keep an active watch on any hostile demons?"

Now we finally get to have some fun.

Silvarn clenched his fists, then flared his fingers, summoning twin orbs of sunset-colored flame, crackling with silver lightning. He dashed into the inn, his and Scorcahr's eyes and minds peeled for any signs of demons.

They have to be around here.

"Someone has to be around here. Where has everyone gone?" Silvarn looked around the room he had recently been evicted from, spying not a body. They had all indescribably vanished.

Where did that fool dash off to?

"I assume upstairs, to Raine's room."

"Only someone close to her would call her by that blahphemous name." a voice snarled from behind them.

Silvarn flung a bolt of Twilight at the demon as he spun to face it, but missed wildly.

"Remember us?" the grey mage found himself suddenly surrounded by a dozen Risk demons. "You killed our brother. And now, your blood will be the payment for his death."

"I thought I told you to keep an eye out for them." Silvarn growled at the closest demon.

I did. I tried, at least. And that is rather difficult to do when I am lacking said eye.

The air became fetid with Shadow magics, so much so Silvarn almost gagged on the vicious scent.

"If you want my blood, then come and claim it!" Silvarn roared, the orbs becoming twin pyres of sunset.

"Since you insist. Now, grey one, you die!" The demons charged.

[laraine]

Raine stood up instantly, facing one of the many Risk demons that entered her room. She hissed and grasped her wand, thrusting it foreword, doing so transforming it into a crystal sword. She launched to attack, and the female figure brought up a large pearl and stopped the attack with a shield. Raine cursed and stumbled back, glaring at the five as they filed the room.

"We have a message from Grandmother." The girl with the pearl said gently, her eyes devoid of any life.

"Oh yeah? What does dear old granny have to say?" Raine asked.

"She commands you to give yourself up Raine. You cannot last much longer, even with the help of your friends. You're birthday is almost here. Grandma warns she will take any measure possible to get you. Any measure." The girl's red eyes bored into Raine.

Raine swallowed. She knew what this meant. Next innocents would start to die because of Raine. She clenched her fists to her sides and tried not to let her emotion get the better of her. "I wont let you hurt any one else."

"But we will if you refuse to give up now. Laraine, face it. You cannot win."

The group of Risks surrounded Raine.

"I will never go with you."

"Then we shall bring back your head."

[thedookienut]

Samuel barely took notice of his name as it was shouted, he just dashed up the staircase that wound up and round above the bar. He soon found himself stopping, staring in horror as a band of demons flooded the inn, charging at Silvarn.

He could barely force himself to continue up the stairs, nearly tripping over every step as he did. His legs were like jelly: weak and soft. Even still, he continued to run, hoping to reach Raine before the demons downstairs reached her, though it was obvious he didn't know about the ones in her room.

Or the ones that laughed behind him.

He heard the cold hearted snicker, twisted, and landed flat on the ground.

[Silvarn]

He never stood a chance.

The first demon vaporized in a flare of sunset, another in a flash of silver. Flame charred the wooden floorboards, lightning splintered it, blood stained it. Silvarn was a veritable maelstrom of sunset-colored flame, his blazing fists flailing every which way. And, for all his inaccuracy, his fists always found home as the demons pressed in around him.

"Get off of him!" a harsh voice snarled from a dark corner.

The demons instantly retreated to the farthest walls of the tavern, their faces a mixture of pleasure and anxiety. From the corner a figure sauntered over. He wore a long, dirt-red overcoat and a hat with the brim pulled down over his eyes. A sharp goatee was the only other distinguishable feature, save for the malicious smirk it wore.

Silvarn struggled for air, his limbs beginning to grow weary. The upkeep of keeping the Twilight strong began to take its heavy toll on him.

"You have spilt enough of my tribe's blood. For every drop of theirs shed, you will feel one year's worth of agonizing torture." the demon revealed his clawed hands, arcs of black electricity crackling between them. "Names are not necessary. Either you or I will die as a result of this encounter. When I do best you, I will not give you the pleasure of knowing who defeated the mighty Silvarn Grey-Eyes." the demon flared his arms and his clothes disintegrated in a corona of darkness. Mighty wings sprouted from the demon's back, a wicked tail lashed behind him, and his claws glimmered as if their edges were made of obsidian. "Die!" the beast screamed, charging at Silvarn in a torrent of Shadow magic.

Silvarn channeled as much Twilight energy as he dared and braced himself. When the demon came in range, Silvarn lunged forward, grappling the demon's hands with his own. The bottom of floor of the tavern detonated, a column of conflicting magics rocketing upward through the structure. Waves of contention blasted the ground, stripping away rock and timber. The tavern threatened to crash down upon them, but the demon saw only ancient grey eyes, and Silvarn only abysmal ebon.

[laraine]

Raine felt the floor of the tavern nearly give out beneath her. She gasped, falling to her hands and knees as the lower level shook beneath her. The other demons noticed this as well, but most remained standing.

"Oh my, looks like the boys are having fun." One of the girls smirked.

"What?" Raine looked up at the circle of demons around her.

"Your friends have come to rescue you. Those two knights in armor if you will. But they wont reach this place in time. Laraine your grave will be here."

"We must hurry." The girl with the large pearl said, eyes half closed.

"Why? No one will come to save this half breed."

The girl shook her head. "Rusty will soon be here."

"Rusty, that betrayer.." The woman hissed and turned back to Raine. "Okay Laraine, get ready to die." demon energy spiraled towards Raine.

Ducking her head and rolling on the ground, Raine missed getting blown to pieces by mere inches. She found her wand laying on the floor and grabbed it, transforming it into a sword. Both sides attacked at once and Raine pulled all her energy into her sword to keep the dark energies at bay. She struggled with the darkness that wrapped around her. The ceiling, the walls all shook from the large quantities of magic. The window shattered, sending a confetti of glass at them. Raine winced as the glass tore open her skin, revealing red blood.
The demon smirked, and more joined her to overpower Raine. Raine screamed as a blast of energy was sent into her unprotected back. She flew to the other side of the wall and crumbled into a heap on the ground. She was still half human and with the wounds she had sustained, she wasn't sure she could stand back up.

"Stop this..." Raine pleaded. "I have to...kill him....before...I....die."

"Kill who?" The woman demanded.

"She wants to kill the one who killed her lover.." the little girl said softly.

"I see, revenge huh? Well sorry Laraine, but you will die before then." More dark energy wrapped around Raine and she tried not to cry out in agony, but it couldn't be helped as a large wound appeared at her side.

There was only one option left, combining the magics...but if she did that....everything....everyone would die. She closed her eyes trying to fight the pain and stand once more. The demons were ready with more energy and knocked her into the walls again and again.

"I cant...die....not here.." She whispered, fighting off the darkness that swamped her vision. "No...."

[thedookienut]

"Well, what do we have here?" The same voice chuckled, stepping slowly towards Samuel. In reaction, Samueal began to shuffle away, his eyes gazing in fright at the group of demons. He eventually stopped, noticing that the demons had stopped walking towards him. His legs were still shaking in nervousness, they were shaking so badly he could barely push himself up to stand. Nevertheless, the tried. He used all his strenght to push himself to his feet, using the wall to steady himself.

Samuel concentrated on keeping his breathing steady and pulled out his sword. He could feel a horrible feeling in his stomach, one that told him he'd probably die soon, but he forced himself to cast it aside and stood as steady as he could. He was beginning to feel a little dizzy, mainly from his fall, but the whole room felt like it was spinning madly, tossing and twisting about.

"I suppose you were trying to save your friend." The demon laughed, taking a sharp, fast step towards Samuel, toying with him.

Samuel held his sword up, protecting himself from whatever the demons would throw at him, though it was hardly protection when a flood of demonic energy hit his sides and sent him spinning down the hall. He cried in pain and cursed as he smashed into a table and vase.

"Had enough?" The demon laughed again, threatening to attack Samuel again.

Samuel once again tried to stand, but dropped to his knees instantly. He couldn't keep it up. Clearly. He was struggling to breethe now and the room was spinning more violently than ever.

"Silvarn!" Samuel called, a painful cry at that.


((Sorry for not replying in ages.))

[Silvarn]

Silvarn's arms began to tremble, then his legs. His eyes remained locked with the demon's, though he could not help but notice the chunks of timber falling from above. He could feel the demon's strong fingers curl around his hands, the obsidian nails slowly digging into his flesh. The demon smiled sadistically as he began to push Silvarn to his knees. With a vicious snarl, he drove the grey mage to the ground.

'Silvarn!'

Silvarn summoned the last of his power, mimicking Atlas as he supported the cruel weight of the demon and its strength. Draining the reserve of his will, he pushed back against the demon's hold, silver lightning playing across both their bodies. Silvarn smiled wickedly, flicking an eyebrow upward, letting the demon know he had an ace up his wide sleeve.

The demon's focus faltered for an instant, but that was all Silvarn needed. He vanished in a puff of dark grey mist. The energies the demon had been collecting rocketed forward, demolishing the eastern wall of the tavern. It stumbled forward, knocked off balance without Silvarn to brace against. The mage reappeared a moment later, driving a boot flaring with silver flame into the demon's back, sending him headlong out of the tavern.

Silvarn, you know there is only one way we are going to survive this. Scorcahr whined.

"You know I will not!" Silvarn growled as he dashed to the stairs.

You must, if you want to save Samuel and Raine.

"I cannot sip from that chalice of power again. You know what happened the last time."

The demon suddenly reappeared, its already distorted features augmented with livid rage. It charged at Silvarn, black flames eating the wood to ashes.

Silvarn! Scorcahr cried in desperation.

"Heavens forgive me." Silvarn whispered.

The demon was upon him.

But, it came from within.