Blood. A simple thing that provides everything in the body. How complex and important and yet so easily drawn. Is all that Thain can think of as he feels his body entering shock. So soon. . . At least I'll get to see Thalria again some day. Quickly his short 15 years of life flash before his eyes. He had become so strong even for a young man from the work he had been doing for his parents cutting lumber all day really proved to be useful and all the time he spent out in nature. However the one thing that would not leave his mind just before he breathed his last was the distant screams of his parents from the mythical boar that he failed to stop when he threw his dagger. His last thoughts I killed them.
Instantly Thain feels his hands and feet and the slight breeze across his tan skin. Opening his eyes and sitting up he inspects this foreign body he possess. Its much larger and yet very similar to how he felt when he . . . died. Quickly with his panic rising he stands and calls out. "Is there anyone there?" Looking around all he sees is white. Then suddenly a black cloud appears 15ft in front of him and from it a man in Decorative armor with long blonde hair and gold eyes. "My name is Thanatos Right hand of death itself. I have chosen you to be my apostle which you should feel greatly honored by." Casting his arm in front of him a miniature continent appears in front of him. "Let me introduce you to Aerilithia. A world created by the gods for us to wage wars and peace through people."
"So I am truly dead then?" Thain asks
"Yes you have died but the body you are in is the what you would have had if you had hit your prime years. Now to business you can accept the duty of my apostle or you can accept true death." Seeing the hesitation in Thain's eyes Thanatos walks over 5 ft and opens and door and before disappearing in it calming says "When you have your answer just walk through the door." Several minutes later Thain opens the door and standing tall and confidently replies "I accept"
Instantly everything turns dark and Thain starts to feel a burning cold feeling between his shoulderblades. "With pain Thain shouts out what did you do to me?" A cold emotionless Voice replies "I gifted you wings my apostle and I do not accept those that let pain dictate emotion. Emotion equals weakness it's something I do not approve of and you will learn to forgo emotion. Suddenly Thain feels himself strapped to a table with the feeling of discomfort from his new wings due to being stuck underneath him. Suddenly Thanatos appearing in front of him with a scythe. Suddenly Thanatos lifts it up and brings it down upon Thain. Who in turn screams out in pain, but unfortunately it did not stop there Thanatos hovers his hand over his abdomen and mutters something. Then suddenly Thains reminded of his death but then it disappears and comes back but he doesn't remember ever doing it. It keeps happening except the memories are changing. the last memory that was brought up to be banished and re-introduced was his first kiss with Thalria. Then just as suddenly as it had happened it stopped and Thain looks down and the scythe was missing and he was standing once again. "What was that? He asks Hesitantly?"
"It is a form of punishment one that I can tell you do not wish to endure. My goal is to teach you to hold emotions in and not let them dictate actions. Now back to business." Gesturing with his hands over to a weapon and armor rack. Upon the weapon rack stood a seven foot scythe with a dark menacing blade curving four feet. With the blade creating a pointed end on the back end. Next to the scythe were three blades that Thain recognized instantly. The Hilts were made from oak wood and supported by metal entwined within the wood. However instead of symbol of unity was replaced with a scythe. To the right of the weapons rack was an armor rack that held full plated armor with a chain belt that had a draping cloth with symbols of scythes and skulls along the bottom. The armor had a strange trait however from what Thain could spot from the distance was it didn't seem to clunky like armor he had seen before.
"Ah yes you are wondering how you could move agilely in the armor. You are right to assume the armor has special properties that allow for maximum protection while maintaining agility. The only true weak point in your armor is where your wings are but even then you only cast the armors spell and it will provide a free flowing armor around the wings entrance point allowing for some more protection." Thanatos slowly walks to the side and another armor rack appears only holding a cloak with a set of leather armor to the side. The cloak was black and the leather as well. "These are for times you require absolute stealth and mobility." Reaching into a side bag on his belt Thanatos pulls out a small bag that was similar to his. "This is for you Thain. It's a bag with almost unlimited space allowing you to carry all your equipment without problem." Suddenly Thanatos looks up and pauses all movement for a second. "Hmmmff, I left my job for too long I must get back to work. However you have no combat training so this is one of my last gifts to you my apostle. Thanatos approaches Thain and sets his hand on top of his head and channels his training into his mind. Suddenly Thain felt mountains of knowledge of combat and stealth and even magic into his mind. Thanatos lifting his hand speaks before leaving " You now have all you need to carry out your duty use your spells well only can use them a certain amount of times a day my apostle now go out and perform your duties."
Thain watches as Thanatos disappears into what looks like a black hole and then turns his back and looks at the weapons and armor. Deciding it would be best to wear the armor for now. With a little use of his will the armor starts floating towards him and equipping itself. With a smile Thain thinks This will be fun. Finally the helmet floated to his hand and looking at the Great helm in his hands he looks at the elegant design that had a slit across and the slits for breathing all along the lower part. Putting the helmet on however Thain is surprised when he finds his vision not even blocked. Magic armor well then. He walks over to his weapons and looks at the daggers and holds one and feels the perfect balance for throwing them. Umm wait where am I supposed to put them. Looking around his armor he finds no places to keep them and then suddenly writing appears above the remaining two knifes on the weapon rack {They are kept anywhere on your body you simply have to will it to happen} Of course he forgot to tell me that was all Thain thought with disgust. Attempting to just set in on this arms gauntlet it melts into the armor. Then with a flick of his hand and the knife appears and goes flying. Interesting however they didn't come back so he still had to go and pick them up. After messing around with the daggers Thain takes a look at the scythe and picks it up and it feels weightless in his hands. then walking over to the cloak he puts it around his neck and willing it Thain folds his wings closer to his back so the tips are touching the ground and puts the cloak on and the instant he puts his wings out the cloak disappears but when he brings his wings in close the cloak comes back. Finally he grabs the bag and sets it on his belt and puts the leather armor in the bag. Finally having everything put together Thain looks ahead and sure enough a door appears with the words {Aerilithia} above it. To no one in particular Thain sighs out "Well let's go find something to eat."
Dark and stuffy, was all that was on Thains mind as he was standing in middle of a war conference. Adjusting his wings slightly he leans back against the pillar with his arms crossed. These men were taking their sweet time figuring out a strategy and for some reason thought that he was needed for the plan. Listening in on the general plan that was being talked about was using all the infantry to try and sweep the battlefield in the choke point. Thain knew the best approach would be to use the archers to clear the enemy as they attempted to take the supposed Strategic point when in reality the strong points were where the armies were currently set up. The greeks who he was being paid by right now did have the superior cavalry but they were seeming to ignore that fact. "We Shall send the Romans Packing!" The Commanders yelled as they disassembled. One of the commanders approaches Thain cautiously and says "We have paid you and all we ask is you support are infantry in some way.
With a grunt Thain nods his head and thinks with a grin this will be way too easy. Walking away Thain finds his tent outside of the main camp and takes a seat and meditates. "Thanatos, I ask for your undenied power and in turn I shall bring countless souls to rest in your name." pausing for a second as Thain cuts his palm and lets some of his blood drop into one of the bowls. "Hades, I ask for your power of fear and utmost authority to maintain composure in battle." Thain then lets more blood drip into a different bowl and stands back up with both bowls in a hand and walks over to a makeshift altar. With one goblet of wine; setting the bowls on each side of the goblet Thain raises his hands up and speaks "I will not fail on my life my lords." The blood in the bowls start to change color from red to dark black. Thain slowly grabs each and pours the bowls into the goblet of wine. Finally grabbing the goblet he states "I drink this in honor to you." Drinking the goblet completely he sets it down and looks at his scythe and smiles. Time to claim some eager souls.
Not a moment later a war horn is blown and it was time for battle to commence. Thain stepping out of his tent loosens his muscles as he watches the entire greek camp empty. He waits for everyone to go and slowly starts making his way through the abandoned camp. Today the greeks mainly had apostles of Ares which explained their rather rash battle plan. The enemy for now was a army of Mars apostles. Nearing the exit towards the battlefield Thain surveys the ongoing battle between the armies from his vantage point. The chaos was incredible large. There were huge amounts of swordsmen against swordsmen. Thain occasionally spotted the apostles who had a small increment in power and were casting out spells. The most interesting one he spotted was a man who cast out chains off his body that simply rendered his foe immovable. After watching for a good four minutes Thain launches himself into the air and flies over the battle and finds the enemies large section of mages and soaring down with the wind flowing through his feathers. He hits the first mage who was quickly dismembered at the waist. The mage didn't even notice till he started collapsing in his own intestines. However he was not the only one to fall to this fate for almost an entire squad was dismembered before Thain's presence was even noticed. However before the footmen could arrive to engage Thain he had already taken out an entire outfit of Mages. From the footmen perspective as they arrived was a six foot man in full plate armor moving with zero restraint. The Scythe he was carrying already dripping blood of their comrades and the wings making him seem larger and scarier. Thain with the use of his wings was upon the reinforcements almost immediately and started dispatching them. None of them even getting close hitting him due to his grace in battle. To Thain it was like dancing with a partner one person had to lead and that's what he did but he adjusted to each and every person. He was quickly bobbing and weaving between opponents at lightning speed and cutting down everyone in site. After a couple minutes Thain started to feel the soreness in his muscles. Even due to the minor fatigue Thain kept the same brutal pace that surprised everyone around that was watching as the circle in the middle of their lines was getting larger until it stopped growing as people kept on going in to fight Thain. Archers Started to aim at the opening but either Thain dodged or when they looked like they would hit a Small shroud of darkness millimeters away from his body appeared and defleted them off. Finally the Apostles of Mars pulled some of their strongest from the front to deal with Thain and that's when the Real dance began.
Thain had an art that was unopposed the Scythe wasn't fully built to block mostly for quick kills which was what Thain did very effectively dancing around the field. However he had mastered the art of using it as an effective block without allowing the enemy to hit his hands. However when the best of the best approached. Thain gave out a mocking laugh and quickly went to dispatch them and caught the front one by surprise who quickly died but the others reacted quickly enough and now they all were keeping Thain suppressed but slowly wearing down. However finally the Full Plate mail was getting its use and Thain took some hits and finally the archers started to get more shots on him in which they started dinging off his armor instead. Thain ignored the archers until finally one of the shots hit him in the weak spot in wings slit. Thain didn't mind arrows hitting his wings to bad as long as the arrow went through all the way which normally happened because then it healed back almost instantly. However when a arrow got stuck in his wing it pained him like any peirce of a blade in the body. The instant he felt the shot hit his wings connection to the body. Thain casted his strongest spell. The surrounding area became complete darkness of shadow. Anyone outside of the shadow saw a giant orb of darkness spanning an circumference of 700 meters. Only hearing the screams of the dying in the shadow within in Thirty seconds. Thain Dismisses the Shadow to reveal where Hundreds of soldiers had been standing dead the entirety of the ground littered with their bodies and blood. Thains armor, wings and weapons were all dripping blood. While black mist seemed to be creeping its way back into his armor. The remaining army completely shocked by the event start to retreat. Thain still doing his job continues striking down people as they attempt to flee. Finally switching to his knifes he starts throwing with pinpoint accuracy and watching as the knives pass cleanly through due to the spell he cast on his blades.
Thud! Thain slowly walks up to the body and pulls the knife out and looks around him and does a mental note. By himself he managed to eliminate Three full companies. Give or take a couple soldiers. Taking one last look at the destruction of his strength. Thain starts walking back towards his tent doing his best to avoid stepping on the dead. Each soldier of Ares he passed did their best not to look or even end up close to him. With a grin inside his helmet he thinks They are just happy that I was on their side this time. Until Thain spots a moving body a ways to his left. Slowly he approaches and see's from the cloak that it was a follower of Mars. Taking off his helmet to reveal his golden eyes and short coal black hair. Thain walks up to the target "I will end you to put you out of your misery."
The target rolls over and sets herself up on a nearby horse's corpse. With a chuckle the woman asks "Hurry up and get it over with." Thain takes a look at her condition the armor she wore was well decorated with what looked like success in battles and displayed her superiority in battle. Thain had every so often ran into women but most large battles he either never ran into them or he killed them in his shadow form in which nothing is distinguishable only that their is a soul to banish. However he is brought back to reality when the woman says "What are you to honorable to kill a woman. I watched you slaughter hundreds of people." Thain replies calmly
"Out of battle i prefer to see the face of those that I banish." A slight smile creeps his way onto his face. However instantly he regrets his decision as the warmaiden takes off her helmet and her long blonde hair falls down and Thain gets a good look at the beautiful face he once had known and instantly falls to his knees throwing his helmet to the side and looking at her blue eyes. "I. . . I can't."
Thalria putting on a weak smile "Hey Thain it's been roughly a century since we seen each other such an interesting way to meet." She says with a tears beginning to form and flowing down her face. Thain reaching gently with his hand wipes them away.
"Your worth more than the gold they are paying me with. I'll save you I promise I'll take care of you Thalria. I won't break my promise again." Thalria slowly reaching her gentle hand to rest on the side of Thains face says
"Thain there is no Apostle power that can save me now." With tears cascading down Thains face he snuggles into her hand to feel her leaving heat.
"I will find a way!" However Thain knows he has very little time as he sees her blue eyes dimming. Quickly he meditates and puts all of the remaining energy in his body into a casting a stasis on her. Thalria with tears flowing watches as she starts to feel everything slowing as she struggled against the sudden tiredness. weakly she tries to shout
"Thain move on you deserve better!"
Gently picking her up in a bridal hold he looks down at her closing eyes and whispers "I won't lose you again. . . I will bring you back." Slowly Thain makes his way back to his tent and gently setting Thalria down he immediately starts the ritual to attempt to summon Hades. Upon preparing his mind he pulls out two souls he had found dwindling on the battlefield and muttering as he stabbed each one to the altar "I give these in sacrifice to pay for a discussion with the lord of death." Nothing happened for what seemed like ages but five minutes later Thain feels his mind disperse from his body and watches as he sees himself crouched down in front of the altar covered in blood. Then suddenly he was in the white spectrum with a door in front of him that read {Hades}. Cautiously opening the door Thain walks in and was greeted by a dark figure in a business suit, seated across from the table. With a hand Hades signals for him to take a seat. Thain bows before taking his seat and calmly starts "I wanted to ask a favor beyond my life." Hades not even showing a hint of suprise in his face states.
"I know you want me to save that woman that you brought from the field. However I do not have that power and it strictly goes against everything I stand for."
Thain rashly shouts "I don't care! Take my soul instead. . . I won't break the same promise twice."
Chuckling Hades replies "I see you feel strongly about this. I can do something about it but not what you want fully. Either way you run into the problem of the god who selected you. Thanatos will not take lightly your action." Suddenly a glass of wine appears and Hades leaning back takes a sip. Suddenly a bed appears to the right of the white room. Then suddenly Thalria appears on the bed still under the influence of Thains stasis. "I can simply maintain the stasis for as long as I want but I cannot heal her. The price you ask well you are simply going to have to suffer the full wrath of Thanatos. I would not shrug it off as light. The punishment will be worse than what you have been through." Taking another sip Hades sits back up and clasping his hands together on the desk. "Now go, I would assume that Thanatos will call on you very soon. Now go she will be safe until you ask again, now leave." Thain bows and then turns to the door and opens it and instantly he is back in his sore body. Thain decided it would be best if he would clean up a bit. Stepping out of the bath and putting on his robes .He looks at his armor now shining like they never had been scratched or had blood splattered all over. His tent was rather extensive it was as large as a command tent. walking over to his weapon stand and inspects his weapons again. Until he felt a chill go through the tent and the lights seem to give off nothing. Not even turning around Thain takes a knee and bows. "My lord Thanatos I am honored by the personal visit."
A cold, unearthly dark voice replies "Turn around and face me." Turning around Thains mind starts to panic as the look of the Completely dark towering figure in front of him was emitting death and he could only spot the gold gleam of the eyes in the shadow of the hood. The scythe that was positioned in Thanatos's right hand was massive the blade almost the size of Thain. "Stand." Thain pushes off his knee to stand in front of Thanatos. Suddenly he heard the all too familiar crack of bone. Instantly felt the control of his body leave only maintaining control of his head. Looking down the scythe was straight through his stomach and sternum. Then suddenly it all hit him and Thain let out a shout of pain so unbearable as he felt every inch of the blade in his body. He couldn't control any of the muscle spasms as he felt all his muscles attempting to pull and only to be disconnected. "You normally wouldn't feel a thing due to your nervous system being disconnected. Then it wouldn't be a punishment. Thain you are lucky this time that I still need you to do my work. You are only one of five left and I don't believe we will have two of those for much longer." Thanatos suddenly pulls the scythe out as Thain drops to the ground in his own blood as he felt the darkness closing in. Then suddenly when it all had consumed him he was back and aware of all the pain and still laying in his own blood. The darkness once again started taking him. Thain didn't know how many times he went through it, but finally after an eternity he came back from the darkness to be laying on one of the carpets in his tent not covered in his blood. Laughing in his mind Well I truly know what death is like. Thain finally comprehending what had happened walked out his tent to observe what was left and to his surprise the entire camp was gone except for seven bodies strewn around the entrance to his tent. Five of the men had cuts across their chest and abdomen. Those must have been men who came to look at what the commotion was. The other two bodies consisted of almost nothing but armor and bone; as if they just were eaten by acid. Hmmff thieves of course Thanatos wouldn't allow anyone to steal anything. Thain made his way back into his tent and found his leather armor set on a hammock and putting it on brought in all sorts of soreness in his muscles. After about an hour Thain was walking away from the corpses going to his secret stronghold.
Black Blood Assassin's how far they had come since the founding of the organization. Thain thinking about how when he first founded it as a way to get a easy source of finding work. However now after having to deal with other organizations he had slowly made a reputation for his organization. After about a month he had council that dealt with most of the inner works of the organization due to himself always being away. Flying just below the tree line Thain spots the marker of the entrance which was marked by a Wild Black stallion that had been captured and taught to stand near the magical entrance to the tunnel below about 300 ft. Landing softly on his feet Thain made his way next to stallion and walked to the tree to the right and mummered "Dark as night; The blood shall stay pure." Instantly he was standing in a corridor with torches lining their way all the way to the giant open ravine and cavern where the castle was located. It would eventually open up into the ravine onto a bridge of stone that made its way to the castle gates. On all sides of the castle it was a fall to utter darkness. Upon exiting the hall onto the bridge Thain spotted on the left side a bunch of to be assassins practicing agility and balance on tiny rocks suspended by magic above the endless abyss. Finally he arrived at the gate that had two magical statues both resembling Thanatos but remaining different to not offend, but both had their scythes crossed over the door to prevent it from opening. Thinking about it Thain just realized how bad he liked symmetry. It made everything even and calming. Upon stepping up next to the giant stone blades the guardians announced his presence. "Lord Thain, The council has requested your Presence." Walking through the opening gate Thain wonders about what the council wanted to discuss. He never really did have to do anything regarding the organization. He only set the requirements and decided some punishments and if he needed information or resources he would ask the council. Most would think that this would allow council efforts to have the council overthrow Thain's authority but it already happened once and the deaths and what happened was a fear factor constantly for anyone who attempted to undermine his organization.
Firstly he walked through the hallways until he ran into a enforcer of the keep. "Enforcer I need you to inform the council I will meet with them in the morning. For now I will be in the chapel." The Man bowed and hurried off down the hall the way Thain had just came. After walking for about a minute Thain arrived at two large wooden doors. Pushing them open and walking in slowly Thain looks at the giant statue of Thanatos and noticed how it truly replicated him. Looking at the scythe Thain felt shivers go down his back. To the sides of the grand hall were statues of Hades. The giant staff in the hands of the statues leaning over the walkway. The Roof of the hall reached all the way up to 50ft and finally Thain made his way up the short flight of steps to the meditation area in front of Thanatos's Statue.
Thain while meditating thought over everything that had happened. He had brought light to his fighting capability again after only darting in the shadow for awhile. He however got stuck on the thought of Thalria. How was he going to manage to save her. Hades was right about how he didn't have the ability to heal. After about one hour not being able to come up with any reasonable answers to his question he hastily stood up and threw his dagger into the wall next to the door just barely missing the woman waiting next to the door. She gave a small jump and shakily starts walking towards Thain till he yells out "Don't move any closer I told the council I would speak with them tomorrow. I'm going to tell you now don't ever interrupt me again and inform the council that they should stop trying."
"I don't know what you mean." The woman hesitantly replies.
"I know that you are one of the councillors daughter. They are trying to use you to get more influence. Now leave. . . however if your father attempts anything to harm you inform me immediately." Finishing Thain gestures with his hand for her to leave. Hearing the door silently shut Thain relaxes and exhales and walks to the door and mutters a small spell and all the candles blow out as he leaves the shrine. Heading deeper into the castle he reaches the stairs and makes his way up to the fourth floor and walks into his grand chambers. His bed decorated and most comfortable in the world; one that makes kings jealous. Making his way over to the southeast corner he starts taking the armor off. Finally he felt all the restriction of the weight of the armor leave him and spreading his wings out to a grand wingspan of 12ft. Bringing in his wings behind him he put on a robe and walking over to the mirror he looked at himself. His body was very muscled, but all along his ripped stomach were several scars crisscrossing and one going down his chest over his heart. The one that Thanatos gave him when he had pulled his heart out once. Then looking at his reflection his face was cleanly shaven with a slight amount of ruffle coming in on the sides; his eyebrows had grown to be slightly bushy. His black hair was cut short and only had a bit of the front sticking up from the time in his Great helm. The only scar on his face consisted of one that traveled from just above his eyebrows right corner down past his eye across his right nostril and down his lip almost all the way down to his left chin. The gold eyes he possessed always made people intrigued by him. Finally he laid down on his bed and went to sleep.
"Wake up Thain you have things to attend to." a Seductive voice said. Thain grunting sitting up not even looking at the woman at his door replies
"Sithia, What do I owe the pleasure?"
"I thought I would just stop by to greet our Lord back to the keep." Sithia cooes as she slowly makes her way to the opposite side of his bed.
"Sithia, don't you have classes to teach?" Thain replies not turning around instead summoning his leather armor.
"I managed to get someone else to cover teaching some of the students for me." Sithia replied while climbing onto the bed resting her head on her hands.
"What did you have to tell him to get him to take your job for the time?" Thain sighed.
"I just told the man that he may get a kiss some day, nothing too specific. Don't worry Thain I wouldn't do anything unless it's you." Sithia charmingly spoke.
Thain finally having everything back on and putting the cloak on with his wings tucked close turns around to face Sithia, but instantly regrets turning and spins back around looking at his weapons blushing and stuttering out. "I'm sorry but could you put this robe on." that he throws back at her.
"THAIN! I swear why are you acting like such a child around me?"
Thain thinks of a reply while thinking about Sithia. She was the first woman to join the organization after he brought her in. She was beautiful with long brown hair. Emerald eyes and slightly pale skin. She was well. . . not really wearing anything just her underwear. Thain though attracted just felt uncomfortable since he had been taught by his father to treat women with respect and decency. Turning back around Thain looks at her wrapped in his robe. Great people are going to finally think that things happened. "Sithia I won't say that I don't find you attractive its just I would much prefer to not jump to things so quickly and I do have other things on my mind. Now if don't mind I did die when I was 15 so not entirely sure how to respect you yet."
Walking up to Thain, Sithia puts a hand on his face and on her tippy toes gives him a quick kiss on the lips. Turning around walking away swaying her hips she looks back to see Thain red as a beet trying to form words. "Thain you said you had something to do." She says with devilish grin as she walks out the door. Thinking sometimes she hated the fact he died so young but he was charming and his cold aura was so attractive. For now she just would enjoy teasing him. Walking by two older students she gives a wink as they look at the robe she is wearing. Oh he's going have fun explaining this one.
Back in Thains room. Well that went smoothly. Thain was actually surprised she didn't bother him last night. Thinking about it though Sithia probably knew that after the battle he would need his rest. Thain did have feelings for her but he didn't quite understand anything he felt and he realized with Thanatos around it could end badly. She was a very caring for everyone but most of all him. Enough time to think of that shaking the thoughts out of his head. Taking one last look to see that he was presentable. He walked out the door down the hall only trying now to debate what the council wanted.