[Darkness]

Oric frowned, though not at the contradiction Xinxion had spoken. Crossing his arms, he did not take the proferred hand -- though it had little to do with its translucent stranger. He had learned indeed a long time ago never to trust evil. And from what he had observed, Xinxion had quite a history with it. No, he did not trust Xinxion at all...

"You did not answer my question. Why have you come to my city, Xinxion? There is no alliance between the city you hail from and mine; you should be glad that my guards did not attack you on sight. Answer me."

[obiwan22]

Xinxion smiled, resigned. "Do my intentions truely matter? I'd say the actions I perform are more important. So distrustful you are. So much for neutrality." Shaking his head, Xinxion resumes, "lack of communication breeds mistrust, and it is indeed most evident in you."

[Darkness]

"By knowing one's intentions, future actions can accurately be predicted. I prefer to end whatever misdeeds one intends to commit before it happens," he said. "I have not heard a single word of you -- or Nerzuul, your master, for that matter -- for almost a year. You should expect me to be wary of your actions... As far as I know, in the time you've seemed to be missing, you could have raised an army of the undead from the earth and plan to march on Aderon within the week. My mistrust is well placed."

[obiwan22]

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. At any rate, it would be amusing to watch you scramble around preparing an army." Xinxion shrugs. "If I was preparing an invasion army, it's doubtful I'd put myself in a position where I could be easily subdued and captured, is it not? Or perhaps this is all a ruse, designed to draw you guards away from the front gates."

Xinxion smirks again. Seemingly pleased with himself.

[Darkness]

Oric's frown deepened. Was Xinxion truly so foolish that he had thought Oric was serious about the undead army? Or perhaps he merely meant to taunt him. It didn't really matter in the end, though. "Whether you plan to march upon my city or not, you should already know that I won't allow you to leave," Oric said, drawing his sword. He didn't expect Xinxion to yield without a fight...

[obiwan22]

"I have no desire to fight you. I would indeed lose. However, why would a just king as yourself desire to fight another without any provocation. Upon the mere speculation of misdeeds do you draw your conclusions. I suspect many in your kingdom would protest the slaying of a man without reason. And if you intend to bring me to justice for deeds done in distant past... So be it."

[Darkness]

"Fighting can accomplish more than simple death. I could easily subdue you instead, or a number of other things through it. Expecting a fight does not imply expecting to kill. And would you expect one to greet the King of an enemy country as a friend, or anything less than with hostility? It is less than likely that you came here for a vacation, or any other reason that presents good feelings to my country. No, I am far past speculation. Expectation is more likely. If you wish to yield without a fight, then so be it. I will not argue with your peaceful capture."

[obiwan22]

"Capture." Xinxion shakes his head. Despite being less powerful, Xinxion refuses to be disrespected. "I will not be taken into your dungeons. I know all too much of what happens down there. And are we truely enemies? Unless my memories deceive it would seem that we've oft landed upon the same side of things, rather than opposite."

[Darkness]

"Regardless of past alignment, your master, Nerzuul, has always been my enemy. And it appears to me that you think that you have ascended to his throne... so I will treat you as I would him, as I would treat the King of Shral Valeron. As an enemy. Now will you come peacefully or must I overpower you?" he said. Time was being wasted as they sat idle talking. Did Xinxion wish to do nothing more than talk of things that did not change the eventual outcome and speak of past memories?

[obiwan22]

"So must one always have the same views as their master? I know of many apprentices who would speak to their master's contrary. I should think you'd want to rectify mistrust and transform it to allegiance. Would it do you good to antagonize Valeron's citizens by imprisoning their king?" Xinxion makes a "tsking" noise and shakes his head again. Would Oric ever realize he wasn't here to cause trouble.

[Darkness]

"If you wish me to believe you when you say you do not wish to show hostility to Aderon, it would be wise to state your reasons for being here. Whether they are true or not would yet need to be decided, yet as it is, the reason is left totally to speculation. Your refusal to clarify is what breeds mistrust, yet you are the one who says that we should rectify it. You speak contradictions, as was just as you did the very first statement you said to me when I entered. Do you wish to be believed? Do you attempt to create confusion? Is your purpose to create the very same mistrust as you say you wish to end?"

[obiwan22]

"To be honest, I travel here merely on a whim. Perhaps I desire ambiguity. I should think so. Perhaps i desire ubiquitity, which is seemingly impossible." Smiling now, Xinxion continues in a whimisical tone, "Why do you thirst for knowledge so. Revel in Life's twists and turns. Content yourself with the knowledge that you don't *know* what's coming next."

"Most of what I've asked you is rhetoric anywho."


Xinxion turns away for a moment, and seems about to walk off, when he turns back to Oric and asks, "Did I actually say I desired trust and allegiance? Or did I merely pose those thoughts to you."

[Darkness]

"Did I truly tell you that you came here to cause confusion? I prefer to know what the future holds so I can be prepared. If I didn't attempt learn what was coming before it arrived, I wouldn't be standing here today. Yet this does not matter... I cannot allow you to leave unapprehended. It is not a matter of whether or not we two are enemies. It is the fact that our nations are," he said. It was likely that Xinxion understood, yet he decided to continue anyway. "Imagine that you've been fishing for several days yet to no avail. Just as you are turning the boat to leave, the largest fish in the ocean hops into your boat of its own accord. What do you do? Do you throw it back in? No. It is similar with you. Here we are, constantly attempting to gain the upper hand over Forlon and its allies, you of Shral Valeron. And then suddenly, the King of an opposing nation walks willingly into our midst. You should expect nothing less than to be taken."

[obiwan22]

"You say that we are enemies, yet in the past years, with my own absence, can I likely infer there is an absence of hostilities with you and Shral Valeron? I hold no direct sway over the lords of Forlon. To hold me with that charge is to accuse you of Frionia's misdoings. Your actions here can only agrivate tensions between our nations. I for one would seek to soothe any misgivings, this I admit. Do not be so rash, King. You make decisions with possibly grave consequences in the matter of moments."

[Neraphym]

"The more pertinent question here is whether or not your boat can hold a fish this large."

The voice comes from behind Oric. There, a tall, well-built Aphorite stands proudly behind you. He is dressed in a heavily decorated outfit bearing the DASE insignia on the front. He came alone, but you get the feeling that this man needs no escort. At his side hangs a large, powerful-looking sword, though he does not seem to be looking for an excuse to draw it. He speaks.

"Hello King Oric. I am the God-Marshal Dekzer of the Dark Aphorite Star Empire. To my knowledge, you served as head of security under God-Admiral Neraphym. I believe he was looking for you, though it is nothing urgent. He said he has found something you would be very interested in. A sword, perhaps? Alas, I am not here for you. I am here to..."

Another Aphorite just entered behind God-Marshal Dekzer. This one was wearing a much different uniform, though it still bore the DASE insignia. Additionally, this was a female Aphorite. She seemed very young and had long blue hair. A Kusarigama was at her hip, and it's exceedingly large chain was wrapped over her armor.

"We're here to size up your big fish, Xinxion. I'm Varulla, the God-Slayer."

"Varulla, I instructed you to wait on the Descent with the others."

"It's boring up there. Besides, Neraphym is down here somewhere doing who know's what. The two loverbirds are to busy with each other, and the crazy old doctor's too busy with his experiments. No one will play with me!"

"Very well. Oric, this is Varulla. Don't let her looks fool you, she's one of the deadliest assassins in the galaxy. She'll be helping me interview Xinxion. Well, Xinxion."

Dekzer turns his attention to the shadowy figure levitating a few meters away.

"Xinxion, we can clearly see this is an inconvenient time for you. We've set up a course of trials in the whispering wood. If you can make your way through them all, you shall find the two of us waiting for you at the end. Should you survive the final trial, you will be rewarded handsomely..."

Varulla chuckles.

"Yes, but only if you survive! You have two days. Good luck!"

Dekzer and Varulla become surrounded in a pale green light, then they disappear completely.