-------------------
Ch. 18 The Kirosawa
-------------------
It is the next day, the fires that raged through Erudin have subsided, and all that is left is ash and smoldering embers. Inside Paineel, there is great celebration. After hundreds of years of oppression and hatred, they are free. They no longer have to live in wary of there lives, they're children can play in safety. They know now that there is nothing that can hurt them anymore. The friends and family that died in the Puritans last assault have been avenged, their deaths no longer empty and meaningless.
But not everyone is rejoicing. Raziel is still deprived of his atonement. But now he knows were to look and who to seek. However, Raziel is unwary of the coming days, he know that what he must do will push him to his limits and beyond. He wants more strength; he wants the way to damn his foe for all eternity….
Raziel exits the necromancer hall and starts toward the celebrating crowd in the city center. Meya stops him.
"What were you doing?"
"Something that does not concern you."
"Anything that goes on in Paineel is my concern. I am the rule Paineel, now Raziel."
"Congratulations. Now move."
Meya stands still, her eyes gaze deep into his. She sees what he wants.
"I forbid you to leave Raziel. We have to much rebuilding to do."
"You forbid me?" Raziel laughs "I'd like to see you try" He shimmers with power briefly. Meya does not waiver.
"Raziel. I know what you feel. I know that you must seek out the one who killed Arorua but..there is so much we must do now. Our city is in shambles, and our forces are next to nothing. Plus you must continue to train your apprentices."
"Meya, I am not a carpenter, nor will I ever be. Maxim has already learned all that I can teach him He can teach Reva and the new apprentice. I have nothing left in this city to attend too."
"Raziel..please..I beg you don't do this. You could be killed."
"I could die at any time, it only matters how. I'm going and there is nothing you can do or say to stop me."
Raziel walks past her and heads into the mirror teleporter. "Damn it Raziel!!'
Meya pushes through the crowd and heads into the mirror. When she comes through the other side. Raziel is no were to be seen. "RAZIEL!!" She collects herself and then begins to weave a spell. In a moment she knows Raziel's location. She runs to the ancient elevator and inserts her key and turns it. The elevator rumbles to life once again.
She taps her foot impatiently as the elevator slowly makes its way up to the surface. Then she dashes into the training grounds and then turns into the ancient room, which contained a small pool. Raziel was standing on an open platform with his back facing towards her.
"You don't give up do you?"
"I wouldn't be a good ruler if I did"
" That is true." He sighs heavily. As memories from across the years flood to him in the room. The very room reminds him of Arorua, mostly due to the act that they married each other in the room.
"Raziel. If you won't stay. Please tell were are you going."
" To the ring of Scale, but first have to make a quick stop to have a chat with Cazic-Thule"
"WHAT!"
"If I am going to get atonement, I must have all the power I can acquire. So I must get the."
"Kirosawa. The demon-blade. But if even if you can wield it.."
"Yes.. I know. "
"But."
"It's my choice Meya."
"I won't allow it! I won't call for the gate opening ritual. I may not be able to keep you from leaving, but you cant goto fear with out the strength of our people to open the gate!"
"Really? Then you don't mind that I took this then" Raziel reaches into a small pouch and pulls out a small gem.
"A gatestone! That's why you were in the hall. Why did you take it?"
"I already told you. I'm going to the Plane of Fear."
Raziel fades slightly and then he reappears in full armor. He outstretches his hand with the gatestone and begins to chant.
"What are you doing!?!"
Raziel continues to chant and the gatestone begins to flash. His chanting grows louder and louder, in synch with the flashing of the stone. Then suddenly the gatestone shatters and a crimson gate opens. Flames leap about inside the gate.
"Good bye Meya"
Raziel steps into the gate and the gate collapses.
"Raziel…" She was awestruck, she couldn't believe at what she had seen. Raziel had opened a gate to fear by himself. She couldn't help but tremble at the revaluation of just how powerful he was. And in some ways she felt sorry for any one who crossed his path.
--------------------------
There was nothing. For a long period of time there was nothing, then flame white-hot flames leapt about. Raziel stood up, the flames licking at his armor and heating it. He then made his way through the flames toward a long dirt tunnel. He continued unfaltering and soon made it to the tunnel. The ground hisses and crackles as it burns underneath his superheated armor. He continues down through the dark tunnel, listening to the screams and shouts that echoed through it. The tunnel soon ended with an enormous plain. The screams grew louder.
Raziel begins to shout out into the darkness. "CAZIC!!! WHERE ARE YOU!!! STOP THIS HIDING!!! OR IS THE GOD OF FEAR AFRAID OF HIS OWN PRODIGY?"
A voice boomed across the dark field. "So, my reaver returns. You have done well amongst the Plane of Norrath. Thousands now cower in the sight of the shadows. But your work is not nearly complete, Tell me why have you entered my realm!!"
"I have come for your blade! The Kirosawa!"
"And what mortal can wield my demon-blade?"
"I can"
Cazic-Thule begins to laugh, his voice causing the plane to shake. "No mere mortal can wield my blade. For even considering the thought, you shall feel the agony of fear unleashed. Lets see what power your soul can bestow upon my denizens. PAIN!!
SUFFERING!!! Deal with this whelp."
Two forms leap out of the shadows and dash toward Raziel. Raziel's eyes flash brightly and one of the forms bursts into flames, screeching madly and writhing on the dirt. The other accelerates and slashes at Raziel. Raziel parries the slashes easily and then sends his sword through the form. The form drops to the ground in two pieces.
"IS THIS ALL? I WANT YOU TO BE MORE SERIOUS!! OR WERE YOU SERIOUS AND HIS WAS ALL YOU HAD?"
Cazic-Thule laughs again, shaking the plane. "Look again."
Raziel glances down at the bodies. The two forms begin to waiver and they melt into the shadows. Then claws begin to leap out of the shadows at Raziel. Raziel dodges the attacks and then catapults himself into the air. The two shadow beasts follow suit and begin to spring off the walls toward Raziel. One reaches him first and cuts at his midsection. Raziel blocks it and then grasps the beasts claw. His blade then severs the beast's arm.
The beast howls as black blood flies from its stump and the beast plummets to the ground. The other reaches Raziel and claws him across the chest. Sparks fly as its claws rake across his breastplate. Raziel bashes it on the head stunning it.** "Pressure Cannon!" A mana sphere leaps from his hand and smashing into the Shadow Beast sending it down into the wall and crashing it through.
Raziel hovers in the air. Then the other beast leaps from the darkness below him quickly scaling the wall and then dashes into the hole that was just formed. A small flash of light escapes the hole. Then Raziel plummets to the ground as something smashes him in the back. Then the Shadow beast grabs him by the foot and flings him into the wall.
The shadow beast flashes a demonic smile at Raziel, its mouth filled with razor sharp teeth. It then glows brightly and it hurls several waves of razor sharp spikes at Raziel. Unable to move quickly enough; they pierce through his armor and blood pours out. The Shadow beast falls on top of him and yanks out the spikes, spraying blood across the plain. Then grasping Raziel by the head, it flings him to the ground. The Beast jumps of the fall and begins to fall down, ready to pounce on top of him.
Raziel rolls out of the way. And the beast slams into the ground. It turns and stares at Raziel, bearing its razor-sharp teeth at him. Then it splits apart back into to two. Both beasts begin to bound towards Raziel. They sail through the air with claws at full extension. They cut through empty air as Raziel fades away into the shadows. They bound to a quick stop and reverse direction. They resume their attack and leap at Raziel again.
Raziel catches them by their throats and begins to crush them. The beasts clamp down on his arms, their teeth going straight through his armor and letting blood flow freely. Raziel crushes their throats even harder and his eyes go white. Energy courses from the two beasts momentarily and then he lets them go. Two smoking husks smash into the ground. Raziel turns away from the husks and wipes the blood of his armor. His wounds also gone with the blood.
"IS THIS THE BEST YOU CAN DO!"
The ancient god laughs once again shaking the plane. "You have proven yourself to be a true reaver, but do you realize what wielding my blade means mortal?"
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't"
"Then come face me" booms the god's voice from behind him.
Raziel turns to face Cazic-Thule the ancient god of Fear. Who now towers over him. Raziel levitates off the ground to hover in front of the god.
"I tire of your games. Give me the Kirosawa."
"No mortal. Take it." The god held up a large katana.
Raziel drops his blade and it clatters on the ground. He moves over to the god's hand and rips the Kirosawa from it. The sword pulses black in his hand and then ignites into flames.
"The Kirosawa has spoken. Your soul belongs to it. Now begone from realm!" The god vanishes into the shadows.
Raziel holds the demon-blade and stares at it. The black flames leap freely from the blade, alit with the power of soul. Raziel smiles for a moment and then laughs into the darkness. "I'M COMING FOR YOU! AND THERE IS NOWHERE TO HIDE!"
-----------------------------
End Chapter 18
-----------------------------
Ch. 18 The Kirosawa
-------------------
It is the next day, the fires that raged through Erudin have subsided, and all that is left is ash and smoldering embers. Inside Paineel, there is great celebration. After hundreds of years of oppression and hatred, they are free. They no longer have to live in wary of there lives, they're children can play in safety. They know now that there is nothing that can hurt them anymore. The friends and family that died in the Puritans last assault have been avenged, their deaths no longer empty and meaningless.
But not everyone is rejoicing. Raziel is still deprived of his atonement. But now he knows were to look and who to seek. However, Raziel is unwary of the coming days, he know that what he must do will push him to his limits and beyond. He wants more strength; he wants the way to damn his foe for all eternity….
Raziel exits the necromancer hall and starts toward the celebrating crowd in the city center. Meya stops him.
"What were you doing?"
"Something that does not concern you."
"Anything that goes on in Paineel is my concern. I am the rule Paineel, now Raziel."
"Congratulations. Now move."
Meya stands still, her eyes gaze deep into his. She sees what he wants.
"I forbid you to leave Raziel. We have to much rebuilding to do."
"You forbid me?" Raziel laughs "I'd like to see you try" He shimmers with power briefly. Meya does not waiver.
"Raziel. I know what you feel. I know that you must seek out the one who killed Arorua but..there is so much we must do now. Our city is in shambles, and our forces are next to nothing. Plus you must continue to train your apprentices."
"Meya, I am not a carpenter, nor will I ever be. Maxim has already learned all that I can teach him He can teach Reva and the new apprentice. I have nothing left in this city to attend too."
"Raziel..please..I beg you don't do this. You could be killed."
"I could die at any time, it only matters how. I'm going and there is nothing you can do or say to stop me."
Raziel walks past her and heads into the mirror teleporter. "Damn it Raziel!!'
Meya pushes through the crowd and heads into the mirror. When she comes through the other side. Raziel is no were to be seen. "RAZIEL!!" She collects herself and then begins to weave a spell. In a moment she knows Raziel's location. She runs to the ancient elevator and inserts her key and turns it. The elevator rumbles to life once again.
She taps her foot impatiently as the elevator slowly makes its way up to the surface. Then she dashes into the training grounds and then turns into the ancient room, which contained a small pool. Raziel was standing on an open platform with his back facing towards her.
"You don't give up do you?"
"I wouldn't be a good ruler if I did"
" That is true." He sighs heavily. As memories from across the years flood to him in the room. The very room reminds him of Arorua, mostly due to the act that they married each other in the room.
"Raziel. If you won't stay. Please tell were are you going."
" To the ring of Scale, but first have to make a quick stop to have a chat with Cazic-Thule"
"WHAT!"
"If I am going to get atonement, I must have all the power I can acquire. So I must get the."
"Kirosawa. The demon-blade. But if even if you can wield it.."
"Yes.. I know. "
"But."
"It's my choice Meya."
"I won't allow it! I won't call for the gate opening ritual. I may not be able to keep you from leaving, but you cant goto fear with out the strength of our people to open the gate!"
"Really? Then you don't mind that I took this then" Raziel reaches into a small pouch and pulls out a small gem.
"A gatestone! That's why you were in the hall. Why did you take it?"
"I already told you. I'm going to the Plane of Fear."
Raziel fades slightly and then he reappears in full armor. He outstretches his hand with the gatestone and begins to chant.
"What are you doing!?!"
Raziel continues to chant and the gatestone begins to flash. His chanting grows louder and louder, in synch with the flashing of the stone. Then suddenly the gatestone shatters and a crimson gate opens. Flames leap about inside the gate.
"Good bye Meya"
Raziel steps into the gate and the gate collapses.
"Raziel…" She was awestruck, she couldn't believe at what she had seen. Raziel had opened a gate to fear by himself. She couldn't help but tremble at the revaluation of just how powerful he was. And in some ways she felt sorry for any one who crossed his path.
--------------------------
There was nothing. For a long period of time there was nothing, then flame white-hot flames leapt about. Raziel stood up, the flames licking at his armor and heating it. He then made his way through the flames toward a long dirt tunnel. He continued unfaltering and soon made it to the tunnel. The ground hisses and crackles as it burns underneath his superheated armor. He continues down through the dark tunnel, listening to the screams and shouts that echoed through it. The tunnel soon ended with an enormous plain. The screams grew louder.
Raziel begins to shout out into the darkness. "CAZIC!!! WHERE ARE YOU!!! STOP THIS HIDING!!! OR IS THE GOD OF FEAR AFRAID OF HIS OWN PRODIGY?"
A voice boomed across the dark field. "So, my reaver returns. You have done well amongst the Plane of Norrath. Thousands now cower in the sight of the shadows. But your work is not nearly complete, Tell me why have you entered my realm!!"
"I have come for your blade! The Kirosawa!"
"And what mortal can wield my demon-blade?"
"I can"
Cazic-Thule begins to laugh, his voice causing the plane to shake. "No mere mortal can wield my blade. For even considering the thought, you shall feel the agony of fear unleashed. Lets see what power your soul can bestow upon my denizens. PAIN!!
SUFFERING!!! Deal with this whelp."
Two forms leap out of the shadows and dash toward Raziel. Raziel's eyes flash brightly and one of the forms bursts into flames, screeching madly and writhing on the dirt. The other accelerates and slashes at Raziel. Raziel parries the slashes easily and then sends his sword through the form. The form drops to the ground in two pieces.
"IS THIS ALL? I WANT YOU TO BE MORE SERIOUS!! OR WERE YOU SERIOUS AND HIS WAS ALL YOU HAD?"
Cazic-Thule laughs again, shaking the plane. "Look again."
Raziel glances down at the bodies. The two forms begin to waiver and they melt into the shadows. Then claws begin to leap out of the shadows at Raziel. Raziel dodges the attacks and then catapults himself into the air. The two shadow beasts follow suit and begin to spring off the walls toward Raziel. One reaches him first and cuts at his midsection. Raziel blocks it and then grasps the beasts claw. His blade then severs the beast's arm.
The beast howls as black blood flies from its stump and the beast plummets to the ground. The other reaches Raziel and claws him across the chest. Sparks fly as its claws rake across his breastplate. Raziel bashes it on the head stunning it.** "Pressure Cannon!" A mana sphere leaps from his hand and smashing into the Shadow Beast sending it down into the wall and crashing it through.
Raziel hovers in the air. Then the other beast leaps from the darkness below him quickly scaling the wall and then dashes into the hole that was just formed. A small flash of light escapes the hole. Then Raziel plummets to the ground as something smashes him in the back. Then the Shadow beast grabs him by the foot and flings him into the wall.
The shadow beast flashes a demonic smile at Raziel, its mouth filled with razor sharp teeth. It then glows brightly and it hurls several waves of razor sharp spikes at Raziel. Unable to move quickly enough; they pierce through his armor and blood pours out. The Shadow beast falls on top of him and yanks out the spikes, spraying blood across the plain. Then grasping Raziel by the head, it flings him to the ground. The Beast jumps of the fall and begins to fall down, ready to pounce on top of him.
Raziel rolls out of the way. And the beast slams into the ground. It turns and stares at Raziel, bearing its razor-sharp teeth at him. Then it splits apart back into to two. Both beasts begin to bound towards Raziel. They sail through the air with claws at full extension. They cut through empty air as Raziel fades away into the shadows. They bound to a quick stop and reverse direction. They resume their attack and leap at Raziel again.
Raziel catches them by their throats and begins to crush them. The beasts clamp down on his arms, their teeth going straight through his armor and letting blood flow freely. Raziel crushes their throats even harder and his eyes go white. Energy courses from the two beasts momentarily and then he lets them go. Two smoking husks smash into the ground. Raziel turns away from the husks and wipes the blood of his armor. His wounds also gone with the blood.
"IS THIS THE BEST YOU CAN DO!"
The ancient god laughs once again shaking the plane. "You have proven yourself to be a true reaver, but do you realize what wielding my blade means mortal?"
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't"
"Then come face me" booms the god's voice from behind him.
Raziel turns to face Cazic-Thule the ancient god of Fear. Who now towers over him. Raziel levitates off the ground to hover in front of the god.
"I tire of your games. Give me the Kirosawa."
"No mortal. Take it." The god held up a large katana.
Raziel drops his blade and it clatters on the ground. He moves over to the god's hand and rips the Kirosawa from it. The sword pulses black in his hand and then ignites into flames.
"The Kirosawa has spoken. Your soul belongs to it. Now begone from realm!" The god vanishes into the shadows.
Raziel holds the demon-blade and stares at it. The black flames leap freely from the blade, alit with the power of soul. Raziel smiles for a moment and then laughs into the darkness. "I'M COMING FOR YOU! AND THERE IS NOWHERE TO HIDE!"
-----------------------------
End Chapter 18
-----------------------------