----------------------
Ch 19 The Ring of Scale
----------------------
The storms above the jungle continent were violent today, even more so then normal. The inhabitants of the fort of Fironia Vie were terrified of the storm. The winds howled and raged against the newly completed encampment. The inhabitants did their best to shelter themselves as the dark clouds above boomed and rumbled high above them. Then there was panic as lightning began to fall from the heavens. First there were the great flashes of light illuminating the fort, then that eerie calm just before the deafening crack of thunder. This pattern of terror continued for almost an hour and then there was another great flash of light and an explosion. Lightning had struck on of the fort walls shattering them.
"Come on! We got to patch the hole before something gets in!"
"Alright go get some help from the other shelter!"
"OK!"
The middle aged High elf dashed towards on of the battered shelters and rapped loudly upon the door all the while the wind and rain beat upon him.
"Open up! We need help out here! One of the walls has been hit! We need to fix it before something gets inside!"
The door opens slightly.
"Alright. We'll meet you there; I'll get the supplies. Check to see if any one was hurt!"
"OK! Hurry!"
The door slammed shut, and the elf was left out alone in the rain again. Swearing to himself for getting stationed here, he then runs of to inspect the damage. After a few moments he rounds one of the huts and gets a look at the devastation.
"By Tunare! And we just got this blasted thing finished!" The lightning had detonated the wall apart and a majority of it was now engulfed in flames.
"Micas! Micas!"
"Yeah?"
"Hurry over! We got a live one over here!"
"Where!?!"
"Inside the wall, he's encircled by the fire!"
"Can you get him?"
"Yeah! But it looks like he's hurt. We need a cleric fast!"
"Ok! I get my stuff ready you go get him!"
"Right!"
The other, a wood elf recited a quick spell and he levitated off the ground. He then dashed above the flames to reach the wounded man. It was a young Erudite. He was unconscious but he didn't seem to have any apparent injuries. He floated gently to the ground and scooped up the Erudite "Ummph. You're a heavy fellow aren't you?" Then hovered out. Part of the wall collapsing behind him.
-----------------------------
Arorua.....for you.....Veeshan will...pay...Everyone......Leylia..will be...safe...like...promised....maybe..she..can be...happy...
"He's kinda cute for an Erudite. Don't you think?"
"Maybe but He's so big! And tall too!"
"!!!! You didn't! Ahh no fair!"
"Girls! Quiet! Our young friend must rest. He is quiet fortunate that he was only knocked unconscious by the storm. But that is no reason to chatter on like a pair of hens!"
"Hens! You old bag of saw dust!"
"Now, Now lets not start with name-calling. Just let our guest get some sleep."
"Humph. Alright lets go."
The two elf girls exit the room and close the door.
"Little Harpies..."
"I heard that Gramps!"
"An interesting way of rearing young."
"You should be one to talk my friend. A young fellow like yourself shouldn't be out so far from Odus."
"I am more then capable of taking care of myself."
"Really? Then why did two of our people have to save you from fiery death?"
"I was resting. It has been a long journey."
"I'm sure it has. We don't get many visitors from Paineel around these parts."
That got the Erudite's attention; he sat up in the bed and tensed slightly ready to spring.
"Calm yourself lad. I may not like your kind or the deity that you follow, but I can sense a something from you. Something that could vary well change, the face of Norrath. For you see, I know why you are here lad."
"Really? And what is that?"
"Your heart is full of hate, but not the kind that the lord of shadows instills upon his followers, but the kind caused by a great loss. Yes lad, you have come here to seek vengeance."
"You see well for a blind man."
The old elf smiles. "It seems you too have a keen sense of sight as well. You and one other are the only ones that know of 'ailment'"
"My trade requires it."
"Yes, the way of the shadows and the crimson hell fires of Fear itself."
"You are correct again." Raziel gets out of the bed, he fades slightly and his armor forms around him. "But I have little time left. Since you seem to be a wealth of information, maybe you can impart me with a few things."
"And what knowledge do you seek?"
"How do I reach The Ring of Scale?"
The elf smiles even greater. "I was right about you. You do have a large destiny in front of you. To reach the Ring of Scale, you must ascend the highest mountain of Sky Fire. But you can not scale it like some spelunker you must ascend from inside the mountain knows as Veeshan's Peak."
"How do I enter the mountain?"
"It is sealed by a door and to open it you must take the key from the gatekeeper."
"..Let me guess you're the gatekeeper?"
"As I said before your sense of sight is quite exceptional. Yes lad, I am the host of the Gatekeeper to Veeshan's Peak. I have lived since before time itself existed. Living with the gods and goddesses was my greatest pleasure and now look at me bound to a weakened mortal form, because I dared to speak up for the mortals that I loved. There are time I almost regret challenging Veeshan, but then I think of what greatness you have accomplished and what you can, no that the seeds of power have been laid."
"What are you talking about?"
"There is so much that has been pulled over you mortals head's. If only you knew. But as you said young one, there is not much time and especially not for a story that spans infinities. Here take this"
The old elf reaches into his shirt and removes a necklace and on the necklace is a small crystal claw.
"Now go. Play out your destiny."
"I don't believe in destiny old man. I make my fate."
"Maybe. You my not believe in fate lad, but fate certainly believes in you."
Raziel stares at the old man for a moment, and then disappears into the shadows.
-------------------------
The small crystal claw fit perfectly into the slot and the door rumbled for a bit then it gently rolls away. Revealing a large dark opening. Raziel's eyes shimmered briefly and the cave became illuminated to him. What was once a cave was now a small shrine, adorned with art and sculptures. The walls were painted with pictographs of various points in history. Some were easily recognizable. Like the destruction of the Combine Empire but others were new. One showed winged figures flying madly though the air; some adorned in battle armor and flaming swords. Others were in various states of procreation. Another wall was covered in strange objects, almost similar to gnomish clockworks, drifting through the air. But he didn't study the pictographs long; he continued through the shrine and came upon what looked like an altar. On top of the altar was a small platinum globe.
Raziel places the claw onto of the globe and then twists it. There is a loud clank and the altar begins to rise rapidly. It continues to soar high into the mountain for several minutes and then a bright flash of light blinds him. He squints for a moment and calls of the enchantment he placed on himself, and everything fades to normal.
Raziel steps off the altar platform and into a new room. This room is filled with luscious plants and vegetation. A waterfall can be heard in the distance. Then a new sound starts to approach him. It is the beating of wings. But very small ones. It is coming from behind him.
Raziel turns around and finds himself facing what appears to be a winged pink flying housecat. The flying cat hovers and stares at him for all the while purring gently.
"What do you what fuzzy?"
"FUZZY! Humph! Of all the nerve. Come all this way just to insult me!" The cat glows slightly and then changes form into a naked dark elf woman. "Hmmph. You have just lost favor with me. I hope your good a licking boots if you expect anything out of me."
"Silverwing, you shouldn't be so hostile to our guests, I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it. And it's not like we get that many guests up here anyway. So we can allow him a few mistakes of Etiquette."
"But he called me Fuzzy!"
"In your other form you rather scraggly, Fuzzy"
"I'll get you for that Phara!"
"I'd like to see you try."
Raziel turns to the other voice, who is perched a reasonable distance away. The one called Phara was a Half elf; he was leaning back chewing on something. Three other flying cats appeared out of the distance and sat down beside Phara.
Phara sat up and turned to Raziel.
"Well, mortal you've come all this way and obviously gotten the favor of the gatekeeper. What brings you to us?"
"I seek entrance to Veeshan's realm. The Plane of Sky!"
"And why do you seek it?"
"My own business"
"I can't just let you mortals go willy nilly around Veeshan's realm now can we? So tell me, why do you seek entrance?"
"Vengeance."
"Of what."
"My wife, was taken by one who follows Veeshan. I have come for their heads."
The five laugh. "And what mortal can best a chosen of Veeshan?"
Raziel holds out his hand and the Kirosawa materializes in it. The demon- blade pulses black, then ignites into dark flames.
"I can."
The five members of the Ring of Scale stop laughing at the site of the Demon-Blade. They know what it takes to wield it and the price for doing so.
"Alright, your request shall be granted. But know this, by stepping through the Azure gate, you will forfeit your life to Veeshan's will."
"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."
"Silverwing, Druushk, Hoshkar, Xygoz. Are you ready?"
The four announce their readiness and they all began to glow slightly. And all five loses their present forms and slowly began tower over Raziel. They begin to grow scales and claws, their bodies begin to elongate and contort. And in a few brief moments, their true forms are revealed. The five members of the Ring of Scale, the High Dragons.
Phara begins to speak again, his voice now hugely amplified. "Now mortal, you shall go to Veeshan's realm."
They all begin to glow again and in a short moment a large Azure gate appears in front of Raziel. Raziel looks through the gate, noting how clear it is and how peaceful it looks. But soon those thoughts fade from his mind and his anger sets back in, he passes through the gate.
-------------------------
First nothingness. Then a cool breeze blows across him. He is standing on a small island floating amongst the clouds. He looks across the land and looks for his final destination. But he is interrupted as a flash of light leaps into the air from a distance and begins to come toward him. The light quickly cuts across the sky and stops in front of him. The light slowly fades away leaving a winged female figure floating in front of him.
"Mortals are not welcome amongst Veeshan's realm. Leave now or prepare to die."
Raziel is shocked for a moment and he drops his sword. "No..It can't be....
---------------------------
End of Chapter 19
---------------------------
---------------------
Preview of Ch 20 Because I Love You
---------------------
After all this time and after all the hardships suffered, Raziel has finally made it to Veeshan's realm The Plane of Sky. Now he can have his vengeance for the life of Arorua and answer the questions that have been burning in his heart since this start. The next chapter will decide the fate of not only him but Norrath as well. It is undeniably the final chapter of The Shadow Falls!
Ch 19 The Ring of Scale
----------------------
The storms above the jungle continent were violent today, even more so then normal. The inhabitants of the fort of Fironia Vie were terrified of the storm. The winds howled and raged against the newly completed encampment. The inhabitants did their best to shelter themselves as the dark clouds above boomed and rumbled high above them. Then there was panic as lightning began to fall from the heavens. First there were the great flashes of light illuminating the fort, then that eerie calm just before the deafening crack of thunder. This pattern of terror continued for almost an hour and then there was another great flash of light and an explosion. Lightning had struck on of the fort walls shattering them.
"Come on! We got to patch the hole before something gets in!"
"Alright go get some help from the other shelter!"
"OK!"
The middle aged High elf dashed towards on of the battered shelters and rapped loudly upon the door all the while the wind and rain beat upon him.
"Open up! We need help out here! One of the walls has been hit! We need to fix it before something gets inside!"
The door opens slightly.
"Alright. We'll meet you there; I'll get the supplies. Check to see if any one was hurt!"
"OK! Hurry!"
The door slammed shut, and the elf was left out alone in the rain again. Swearing to himself for getting stationed here, he then runs of to inspect the damage. After a few moments he rounds one of the huts and gets a look at the devastation.
"By Tunare! And we just got this blasted thing finished!" The lightning had detonated the wall apart and a majority of it was now engulfed in flames.
"Micas! Micas!"
"Yeah?"
"Hurry over! We got a live one over here!"
"Where!?!"
"Inside the wall, he's encircled by the fire!"
"Can you get him?"
"Yeah! But it looks like he's hurt. We need a cleric fast!"
"Ok! I get my stuff ready you go get him!"
"Right!"
The other, a wood elf recited a quick spell and he levitated off the ground. He then dashed above the flames to reach the wounded man. It was a young Erudite. He was unconscious but he didn't seem to have any apparent injuries. He floated gently to the ground and scooped up the Erudite "Ummph. You're a heavy fellow aren't you?" Then hovered out. Part of the wall collapsing behind him.
-----------------------------
Arorua.....for you.....Veeshan will...pay...Everyone......Leylia..will be...safe...like...promised....maybe..she..can be...happy...
"He's kinda cute for an Erudite. Don't you think?"
"Maybe but He's so big! And tall too!"
"!!!! You didn't! Ahh no fair!"
"Girls! Quiet! Our young friend must rest. He is quiet fortunate that he was only knocked unconscious by the storm. But that is no reason to chatter on like a pair of hens!"
"Hens! You old bag of saw dust!"
"Now, Now lets not start with name-calling. Just let our guest get some sleep."
"Humph. Alright lets go."
The two elf girls exit the room and close the door.
"Little Harpies..."
"I heard that Gramps!"
"An interesting way of rearing young."
"You should be one to talk my friend. A young fellow like yourself shouldn't be out so far from Odus."
"I am more then capable of taking care of myself."
"Really? Then why did two of our people have to save you from fiery death?"
"I was resting. It has been a long journey."
"I'm sure it has. We don't get many visitors from Paineel around these parts."
That got the Erudite's attention; he sat up in the bed and tensed slightly ready to spring.
"Calm yourself lad. I may not like your kind or the deity that you follow, but I can sense a something from you. Something that could vary well change, the face of Norrath. For you see, I know why you are here lad."
"Really? And what is that?"
"Your heart is full of hate, but not the kind that the lord of shadows instills upon his followers, but the kind caused by a great loss. Yes lad, you have come here to seek vengeance."
"You see well for a blind man."
The old elf smiles. "It seems you too have a keen sense of sight as well. You and one other are the only ones that know of 'ailment'"
"My trade requires it."
"Yes, the way of the shadows and the crimson hell fires of Fear itself."
"You are correct again." Raziel gets out of the bed, he fades slightly and his armor forms around him. "But I have little time left. Since you seem to be a wealth of information, maybe you can impart me with a few things."
"And what knowledge do you seek?"
"How do I reach The Ring of Scale?"
The elf smiles even greater. "I was right about you. You do have a large destiny in front of you. To reach the Ring of Scale, you must ascend the highest mountain of Sky Fire. But you can not scale it like some spelunker you must ascend from inside the mountain knows as Veeshan's Peak."
"How do I enter the mountain?"
"It is sealed by a door and to open it you must take the key from the gatekeeper."
"..Let me guess you're the gatekeeper?"
"As I said before your sense of sight is quite exceptional. Yes lad, I am the host of the Gatekeeper to Veeshan's Peak. I have lived since before time itself existed. Living with the gods and goddesses was my greatest pleasure and now look at me bound to a weakened mortal form, because I dared to speak up for the mortals that I loved. There are time I almost regret challenging Veeshan, but then I think of what greatness you have accomplished and what you can, no that the seeds of power have been laid."
"What are you talking about?"
"There is so much that has been pulled over you mortals head's. If only you knew. But as you said young one, there is not much time and especially not for a story that spans infinities. Here take this"
The old elf reaches into his shirt and removes a necklace and on the necklace is a small crystal claw.
"Now go. Play out your destiny."
"I don't believe in destiny old man. I make my fate."
"Maybe. You my not believe in fate lad, but fate certainly believes in you."
Raziel stares at the old man for a moment, and then disappears into the shadows.
-------------------------
The small crystal claw fit perfectly into the slot and the door rumbled for a bit then it gently rolls away. Revealing a large dark opening. Raziel's eyes shimmered briefly and the cave became illuminated to him. What was once a cave was now a small shrine, adorned with art and sculptures. The walls were painted with pictographs of various points in history. Some were easily recognizable. Like the destruction of the Combine Empire but others were new. One showed winged figures flying madly though the air; some adorned in battle armor and flaming swords. Others were in various states of procreation. Another wall was covered in strange objects, almost similar to gnomish clockworks, drifting through the air. But he didn't study the pictographs long; he continued through the shrine and came upon what looked like an altar. On top of the altar was a small platinum globe.
Raziel places the claw onto of the globe and then twists it. There is a loud clank and the altar begins to rise rapidly. It continues to soar high into the mountain for several minutes and then a bright flash of light blinds him. He squints for a moment and calls of the enchantment he placed on himself, and everything fades to normal.
Raziel steps off the altar platform and into a new room. This room is filled with luscious plants and vegetation. A waterfall can be heard in the distance. Then a new sound starts to approach him. It is the beating of wings. But very small ones. It is coming from behind him.
Raziel turns around and finds himself facing what appears to be a winged pink flying housecat. The flying cat hovers and stares at him for all the while purring gently.
"What do you what fuzzy?"
"FUZZY! Humph! Of all the nerve. Come all this way just to insult me!" The cat glows slightly and then changes form into a naked dark elf woman. "Hmmph. You have just lost favor with me. I hope your good a licking boots if you expect anything out of me."
"Silverwing, you shouldn't be so hostile to our guests, I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it. And it's not like we get that many guests up here anyway. So we can allow him a few mistakes of Etiquette."
"But he called me Fuzzy!"
"In your other form you rather scraggly, Fuzzy"
"I'll get you for that Phara!"
"I'd like to see you try."
Raziel turns to the other voice, who is perched a reasonable distance away. The one called Phara was a Half elf; he was leaning back chewing on something. Three other flying cats appeared out of the distance and sat down beside Phara.
Phara sat up and turned to Raziel.
"Well, mortal you've come all this way and obviously gotten the favor of the gatekeeper. What brings you to us?"
"I seek entrance to Veeshan's realm. The Plane of Sky!"
"And why do you seek it?"
"My own business"
"I can't just let you mortals go willy nilly around Veeshan's realm now can we? So tell me, why do you seek entrance?"
"Vengeance."
"Of what."
"My wife, was taken by one who follows Veeshan. I have come for their heads."
The five laugh. "And what mortal can best a chosen of Veeshan?"
Raziel holds out his hand and the Kirosawa materializes in it. The demon- blade pulses black, then ignites into dark flames.
"I can."
The five members of the Ring of Scale stop laughing at the site of the Demon-Blade. They know what it takes to wield it and the price for doing so.
"Alright, your request shall be granted. But know this, by stepping through the Azure gate, you will forfeit your life to Veeshan's will."
"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."
"Silverwing, Druushk, Hoshkar, Xygoz. Are you ready?"
The four announce their readiness and they all began to glow slightly. And all five loses their present forms and slowly began tower over Raziel. They begin to grow scales and claws, their bodies begin to elongate and contort. And in a few brief moments, their true forms are revealed. The five members of the Ring of Scale, the High Dragons.
Phara begins to speak again, his voice now hugely amplified. "Now mortal, you shall go to Veeshan's realm."
They all begin to glow again and in a short moment a large Azure gate appears in front of Raziel. Raziel looks through the gate, noting how clear it is and how peaceful it looks. But soon those thoughts fade from his mind and his anger sets back in, he passes through the gate.
-------------------------
First nothingness. Then a cool breeze blows across him. He is standing on a small island floating amongst the clouds. He looks across the land and looks for his final destination. But he is interrupted as a flash of light leaps into the air from a distance and begins to come toward him. The light quickly cuts across the sky and stops in front of him. The light slowly fades away leaving a winged female figure floating in front of him.
"Mortals are not welcome amongst Veeshan's realm. Leave now or prepare to die."
Raziel is shocked for a moment and he drops his sword. "No..It can't be....
---------------------------
End of Chapter 19
---------------------------
---------------------
Preview of Ch 20 Because I Love You
---------------------
After all this time and after all the hardships suffered, Raziel has finally made it to Veeshan's realm The Plane of Sky. Now he can have his vengeance for the life of Arorua and answer the questions that have been burning in his heart since this start. The next chapter will decide the fate of not only him but Norrath as well. It is undeniably the final chapter of The Shadow Falls!