First Encounter
It was raining heavily in Vernon Falls. The tall oak trees, that could almost touch the heavens itself, revealed its deep green leaves with its sparse assortment of red, orange and yellow leaves. The season was close to the harvest. The rain seemed to fall profusely, eager to encompass all that walked into its path. The clouds above were a hint of grey—almost to the shade of silver. It continued to pour generously over the town, soaking children that were playing outside and cooling the men who worked in the forges.
The grass rivaled the brilliant emerald gems found in Lut Gholein or even Westmarch. The town seemed very homely. Almost as if it were a place where solace would never exist, yet its generous nature could stop the very prospect of war. The town had found itself located near a large river that ran into the open sea itself-- few ships ever went there. It was believed that those who went there, stayed there. Shortly to the north of the settlement, the river had a large waterfall that was named after the man who founded the town—Vernon. The people of Vernon Falls never asked for much, eager to strike out on their own and secure in the knowledge that all they would ever need was around them.
Of course, the friendly town had found itself in a dire situation. Many children had been found with a tattoo etched into their foreheads. The symbol formed a pentagonal star pointing towards the earth itself. The star was surrounded with a circle and just outside of that circle was a diamond that encased both signatures. The cattle and other livestock had become complacent, some even began to collapse and die. The women were slowly becoming pale, their pink complexions sullied along with the beauty and flower of even the young girls. The insidious demon at work had begun to take its toll on the townsfolk. The creature had begun to feed on the wills and life within the settlement.
As they entered the port, the four Paladins were awestruck with the sight of the bustling little town. The area the folk of Vernon Falls had founded was of stark beauty. After a few more moments, Darin had decided to speak up, realizing that his companions had gaping jaws, similar to himself.
"Well, this is something you certainly don't see everyday."
"Definitely," replied the awestruck Faerel.
As they made their way through the town after their vessel docked, the group found that many of the citizens—particularly the women and young girls—refused to leave their homes. Vernon Falls had effectively made the transition from a bustling port town to a ghost town. Faerel looked around; the rain had begun to pour softly. It was relenting to the calm demeanour of the port town.
The group had begun walking towards a large structure that outlined itself as a Duke's manor, only to be stopped by a dour, pale and saddened figured, hunched over and requiring the support of a staff that nearly seemed to tower over the poor figure.
"Do ye go near the Demon?"
"Of course," Darin answered, looking at the cloaked figure cautiously.
"It will only bring ye pain and damnation. Not even the holiness and light can stop him!" He hissed.
Raine walked over to the figure, carefully removing the hood of the figure, revealing nothing more than a broken, blind old man. She looked at the pair and nodded. "I'll be fine," she said, as she noticed the old man was forcibly made blind. Dried blood—recent blood—caked over the empty sockets, leaving nothing but traces of pain that wracked itself across the man's face.
She produced, from the folds of her cloak over her light, supple armour, a phial of crisp, clear liquid. "I'll stay with him—you three can handle a demon without my aid, right?" She asked them, tilting her head in a teasing manner.
Gregorius laughed heartily, the red-mane of hair shaking along with the giant. "We'll go, but ye better be safe!" He slung his claymore off his shoulders, gripping it as he looked at his two comrades, who merely nodded as they brandished their longswords.
Letting out a warcry, the barbarian Paladin raced into the eroded and worn chateau, breaking down the gate and continuing to race towards the doors. As Gregorius smashed through the doors, Faerel and Darin close behind, the trio stopped as they entered the worn interior.
Inside the vestibule lay nothing, except for a massive chamber that carried a throne and what appeared to be a harem. The luxurious pillows and velvet cloths and exotic perfumes littered the chamber, as the trio continued to walk towards the figure that sat on the throne.
He was clad in the most elegant of clothing, dressed in a rich velvet suit, as the cufflinks were embroidered in a white pattern that matched the white gloves that covered his hands. His long blond hair was tied elegantly back, as his deep blue eyes matched his pale skin. He greeted the trio, as he rose, "welcome to my humble abode, gentlemen."
He chuckled, as he looked at the three men, obviously aware that they were Paladins.
On both sides of his throne—and on the rather luxurious harem-style pillows—, sat beautiful, naked young women, obviously from the port town. Their glazed expressions and lack of will and awareness informed the Paladins that these women had long since lost their minds. The demon's insignia had found itself etched into their foreheads.
Darin sighed sadly, knowing that the women would be forced to do the demon's bidding without any will of their own. He knew that inevitably, the women would be forced to die at the hands of the Paladins—thinking that they were protecting their master.
"Please, do sit down, put away your weapons," the male said warmly, spreading his arms widely to either side. "I mean you no harm." His tone appeared amused, yet somehow the darker undercurrents could be felt by the trio. "Perhaps you would like something to eat?" He said, as he rested comfortably on his throne, eyeing the men with warm comfort. "Or perhaps," he grinned slyly, "you would prefer some company?"
Darin clenched his teeth, undoubtedly aware that Faerel was doing the same.
Gregorius merely growled as he gripped his handle tighter, turning his knuckles bare white.
"Oh come now," the figure said, with a casual wave of a hand, "we can all be friends, can't we?"
"What you've done is cruel and a mere mockery of friendship," Faerel said through gritted teeth.
"I've merely done what any normal man," he chuckled, "would do—would dream of!"
"You're a bane of the Light and you must be put down," Darin said equally, his soft voice echoing through the chamber.
The demon sighed. "Very well, you leave me with no choice." He closed his eyes and rose, opening them once more to reveal crimson eyes where there were once soft blue eyes. He gestured and closed the doors, sending a chill of wind rushing through the broken home, as the trio stood their ground.
In a blur, the females rose, as the demon uttered several words that somehow turned the females into something unholy—something profane. Their skin became scaly, as their hands formed into claws, and talon-sharp tails grew from their body.
The trio broke off into a defensive position, as Darin sheathed his sword and began to utter words from the blessings of the Light. Pure white energy began to form in his hands as Gregorius and Faerel protected him.
"Get down!" Darin muttered as he extended his hands, sending forth holy bolts that crashed into the demon and the mutating women.
The demon groaned as he was sent back, crashing into his throne, as it rotated and collapsed.
The women merely groaned and screamed as they stopped in mid-transformation.
"Get them!" The demon hissed, his voice seething with rage.
The half-altered females raced towards the trio, hissing as they slashed and sent their tails striking for the hearts of the men.
"I think you might have over done it!" Faerel warned as they split up, taking on four demon women respectively.
"Well Raine is the magician! Not me!" Darin replied.
"Shut up and fight!" Gregorius yelled as he swung his sword in a semi-circle, sending the demons back.
Undeterred, the females hissed and leapt hungrily for the giant.
Author's Note: Sorry it has taken me this long to write another chapter, but I've been busy with finals and previously my computer had died out on me, forcing me to format everything in the process. I will be writing more soon in the coming weeks and I want to take the time to thank you all for reading thus far.