[Pureblade]

Mirth. If a creature of the Void can feel such emotion, or any at all. A flicker of darkness, more prominent than the rest, lashes out. A slight breeze stirs the flame that still blazes across the desk. In less time than it takes to draw breath, the flames are gone, smoke trailing from the smoldering ruins.

In their place, an opening into an abyss of time and space. The Void, in it's purest form. Cacodaemon draws energy from this nether realm, releasing it in a wave of power. With the portal now closed, a shock wave releases itself throughout the structure, throwing the Citadel into complete disarray. For a passing moment, Cacodaemon allows Decipi to see the folly of confronting a creature without limits.

Step into my world..

And suddenly, without warning, they are there. In the Void, in nothing, they float for what seems an eternity. Then..

Release, and back into the physical world. One of reality, with laws and bindings and sanity.

Without me, you will be as the Void. Nothing. With me, all that is left is the choice- to do, or not, as you see fit. Now, choose.

[Mobster101]

Decipi's body seemed to crash back onto the stone floor. He rose up onto his knees and began to shake, coughing blood from his mouth. The ethereal Wraith obviously had no such consequence, being made of that realm itself. Determined that he would not let this event shake him any longer, Decipi stood, trembling legs hidden under his cloak. Once on his feet, he pulled the hood back over his head, and put the pistol back in its rightful place in his belt. Hands once again stuffed in his sleeves, Decipi stood strong, though inside he was being torn apart.


In this world we are presented with choices, two options from which to decide a consequence or even our fate. I have made my life by never choosing from the two, but making my own option. If you're two options are becoming your pet for my power lust or dying here in this wretched place... I choose neither.

Decipi's inner battle did not affect his inner voice, as cold and hard as floor on which he stood.

Instead, I present my own option... A partnership. You have power beyond this world and yet are not truly part of it. I am of this world, I can conquer. I ask nor want of friendship, camaraderie, or brotherhood. I simply ask of a... business opportunity. Surely there is something you want, yes? You must truly know you cannot achieve this without me, else I would not be standing here, free of battle. You need me.


With these words, Decipi extended a gloved hand, stained with his own blood. The hand shake gesture was not as literal as it was a sign of trust. The day a soldier no longer extends his hand to show it free of weapons, is the day it contains a sword meant only to lend death to the one it is extended towards. Trust, distrust. All quite literally held in the palm of his hand...

[Pureblade]

And so it begins.

Cacodaemon, knowing nothing of gestures and displays of trust, merely nods at the outstretched hand, a signal of it's agreement. With that, it flows through the once more darkened hall and down the empty steps. It wouldn't do to let such carefully crafted plans go to waste. Immediately after leaving the Citadel, it changes it's direction, heading for a series of ancient ruins strewn in the distance. But first..

Easing forward through the shadows it stretches out a limb, seizing a sleeping beggar. Death came quickly once the struggling individual realized what had seized him. Fate comes so much easier when merely.. accepted. Four more souls, and then..

Seething with the energy stored from the victim's death, Cacodaemon continued on it's way, constantly alert for new prey.

[Mobster101]

Decipi followed the Wraith. Watching the beggar's death, Decipi felt that this creature had a purpose to its violence, what that purpose may be, however, he hadn't the slightest idea.


Where do we go from here, then?

Decipi was exhausted from the former experiences, but dared not to let it show.

[Pureblade]

You have business to attend to, leader of Shral Valeron.

Cacodaemon vanishes without a sound, melting into the shadows.

[Mobster101]

Decipi stood a troubled man. What had just transpired? He had been left standing in a wasteland, exhausted, injured, and confused. It was a state he was quite used to, but not like this. He turned and walked back into the citadel, hoping to find answers within its vast halls. Surely the Wraith had a plan, did it not? Some clue must lurk in the shadows.

As Decipi walked back into the entry way, the downed guard was just rising. The two dark knights stared into Decipi's very soul, as if they all three were one. "Master, this land needs a leader once more. A god amongst Valeron, a man to lead our fronts."
It was quite clear that these beasts saw him as their Lord, even after the mental effects had worn away.


So that was his plan... The Wraith knew that a telepath's mental control over the knights would make them feel one with him, make him their god. So why, then, was Decipi chosen? No, chosen is impossible, he came to Shral Valeron of his own accord... Or did he? Despite whatever intentions this Wraith had, Decipi had his own. And it was time to follow them.

"I am your Lord, show me what I must do." Decipi's words pleased the creatures, grim smiles, if you could call them that, dashed their faces.

"Through the black door, up the spires... You will know what to do." The Knight pointed towards a large door, almost hidden amongst the shadows. The door was pitch black, not even the metal upon it had the slightest shine. In its center was a large emblem, a hand. Fingers stretching out as if to warn entrants of what lurked beyond.

Decipi approached the door with a dignified caution, not wanting the Knights to sense any fear in him. He reached a gloved hand towards the steel handle. As his fingers touched the handle his hand burst into flames, burning through the thick leather glove and igniting his skin.

Decipi screamed and turned towards the guards, expecting they would know what to do. They simply stood and stared into the fire. Decipi continued to scream, body flailing wildly, his burning hand shedding light upon the entry way.

After what seemed like an eternity the fire went out, just as quickly as it had come. The pain was no longer physical, but etched into his mind. Decipi dared to look at his hand... His palm was entirely destroyed, the fire burning straight to bone, exposing it. His fingers were blackened and seared, but intact none the least. As Decipi stared into his hand, pain, hatred, fear filling his mind, he began to see it reignite, flames forming within his burnt palm. And yet, he felt no pain... In its place, he felt control. Opening his palm towards a sconce on the wall, he caused the flames to leap from his hand and scorch the sconce, setting it ablaze... turning the metal red hot.

"A gift from our former Lord." One of the guards said, as Decipi stared into his hand. "He knew that some day another leader would come, knew they would need power beyond the physical limits. We were told not to tell of the curse to anyone, until it had been afflicted upon the new leader. The fire is the essence of hatred itself, control it, and you control the world."

The guards then dissolved into darkness, their purpose having been fulfilled. The the black door slowly opened on its own accord, and an invisible force began pulling Decipi through... to The Spires.


OOC: Continued in "The Spires"