Armanon was attacked today. He was too sure of himself, and he wasnt very careful. Skippy shadowed in without his knowledge and before he even knew he was in trouble it was over. He was stripped of his gear and left laying near our clan hall. It is a defeat that we will recover from. Already our forces are regathering. This setback small, and we shall overcome it.
Also, I have decided to send Zedar to find Alwind. He is aching for some action and I should stay close in case. It is no secret that our strength is returning, and some of the other factions may decide to ally. At any rate, I must go prepare.
Finally found him. I happened across Zedar outside of a small town. He had been suprised by his enemies. I ran to help as he jumped up to face them with a fierce cry. Zedar was wounded, however. I hurled my sword at them and grabbed him up. I should have stayed to fight, but it may have cost Zedar's life.
Camped in the wood, I looked him over. His wounds werent serious, but he was dazed. In the morning, I carried him home. There is a war brewing, and we will be there to stand over the bodies.
--On a sidenote, i was not able to recover my sword, and while my daggers look less menacing, they shall perform the same bloody task as my sword.
Armanon had sat up all night with Nimbis discussing plans and going over charts. Maps of the realm were pinned up around the War Room with cirlces along key areas. On the large onyx and ruby table sat scenarios and battle plans with odds and favors, meant only for the eyes of the Order.
The Incubus Knight was in his quarters strapping on his equipment before journeying out into the night, someone would die this evening, someone would fall. The room was simple in design, a small oakwood desk which sat below one of the original maps of the Realm. Beside the framed map was another, a newer one written not too long ago from Tirus, the orders most active Sorceror. The tiling was an ebony color, coupled with the oil lamps that sat quietly burning on the walls it gave off a feel like one was walking on darkness. This wasnt far from the truth.
As he finished placing the armor about him and strapped his Blade of Entangled Forces across his back, he took up the sword known throughout the realm as the Soul Calibur and headed toward the door. A note was left in the quarters of his fellow comrades in arms and he made his way out into the crisp night. Thunder rocked the ground and lightning showed its presence in the skys in flashes of light and sizzling electricity. Yes tonight was right, had all the makings of something terrible. Tonight, murder was in the air.
Armanon recieved the note from his Leige and met it with a devious smile. Taking up his sword he made his way through the dim-lit halls and out into the courtyard. His wings unhooked from their capelike form around his body and expanded out to their full length, the onyx color of the bone and the shadowy wisps of the wings themselves caught the moonlight for a moment before folding back to their resting position.
The black aura that tainted the titans skin began to grow, enveloping the natural body until only a silk-like black wrap covered him from head to toe. A liquid shadow that melded against his body and bound itself to him in such a way that it would appear painful. Minutes later the shadows lifted showing the inner form of the Tactician, the Incubus Knight.
Standing his full height the wings spread out again, showering the ground in shadows that were visibly contrasted against the natural darkness. The sword was brought up to an attack position and he began to move. He cleaved against the dummies sending them flailing in each direction, yet even as he attacked more of the zombie like dummies came toward him. His body twisted and turned inbetween the ducking cuts and sweeps of his blade, doding their half attempted moves and pushing the weight of the blade into their flesh.
Hours later, bodies strung through the courtyard, he stood quietly listening to the sound of the fresh blood dripping off the edge of his sword and to the stone of the courtyard's walkway. He felt alive again, felt like he could take on his foes more directly. He wasnt feeling like his old self, but he was getting close to it. The more he practices the more intuned he felt. Soon it would be time.
I hear tell of a group searching for a man in an inn. A search that nearly destroyed the place.
I have a gut feeling its him. Today, i change my direction. If that's him, he needs my help fast. If i find him, I must return to Kjeldoran fast.
After returning from battle in another land, Demerol retires to his quarters to find a note from Armanon, explaining what had happened to him. As he reads the note his rage mounts until he cannot contain it any longer. "The Church of Shadows, they are who we shall slay! I want their heads!" his shout rings through the clan hall.
Then, Demerol sits to write a note to The Order.
Knights of the shade, my wishes are simple. The Church of Shadows, they attacked and slayed Armanon. They shall meet with our blades, and we shall be victorious. The Stygian Temple, they have been harassing ours, and we shall decimate theirs. Use any means you wish, keep anything you like, except their heads, for those belong to me. All shall remember this day as the day of Armageddon. Go forth my brethren, and do my bidding.
Signed,
Demerol, The Tainted King
The large body of the tactician thudded with arrival as he walked through the gates. Bloodied and beaten the body of the Incubus Knight was stripped and bare. He wore makings of armor and pieces from kills he had made along the way back to his home. Zylkor of the Church of Shadows had destroyed him in battle, his body paralyzed by an unkonwn force until his bones were shattered and he was left naked in the streets.
He pulled himself together and journied out to make it right, equipping himself as he made his way back to the Orders doors. He moved straight ahead, unmindful of the guards as they hastily stepped back so they wouldnt get hit. He left a note for the King of his order and moved toward the strategic office and slammed the door behind him.
The walls shuddered slightly and the old wood groaned tightly under the pressure of the slam. He turned the oil up and the flames shot up higher from the mouth of the lantern, his eyes adjusted quickly to the dim light and soon he was going over graphs, charts, past battles. Something new was in his eyes, something that beckoned of a darker purpose. The knight was focused like he was staring down death himself as he made his plot, to seal his revenge.
The leathery wings stretched out and wrapped themselves around his neck like a cape of protecting shadows. A liquid smokey color rolling freely between the hooklike claws of the wingtips. Soon he was writing, eyes turning blacker and blacker till small dots of rubies started filling in the empty space that was his eyes, blood red color boiling into pupils and focusing on the file with the Church of Shadows.
He unrolled the scrolls and began looking, prompting each page with a thorough investigation. After hours of quietness, the only sound was the rustling of pages, no words were uttered, no sounds from a living soul. Not evne the sound of breath hung on the air. A growl was heard, and Armanon's head lifted with a sadistic grin. "Found it......"
Myst has been seen in Kjeldoran. It is said he was assisting nimbis. This is good.
Also i have heard that Zedar has been traveling in hostile territory. He is, I am told, using a false name. It seems he needs help. With this information, aid will be his.
I notice Demerol writing earlier. He rarely writes his thougths down. I wonder if something is amiss. I put pen away early today to rush to Zedars side. By my next entry, I hope to proclaim his return.
Armanon has returned. I did not ask where he had been. Armanon is loyal, and would not have been gone without reason. What is important is that our strength is returning. My resolve is strengthened also. I will find the rest of Ahrimans Tainted Knights.
Nimbis grows stronger every day. Soon he will be a great warrior for the cause.
I believe he and Armanon have earned more consideration. I shall bestow greater titles on them the day Nimbis' training is complete.