When the Dead Walk, Plague Questline (5/5)

The scientist had rushed into the room in a panic, his face pale and horrified.  "We have a problem!  This plague, it isn't just sucking the energy from plants and animals, nor is it just storing it.  It's sucking the very life essence out of the plants, the earth and even the very air!  I've done a few experiments and even I can't figure out exactly how, or what, but these organisms are turning the energy they gather into...  something.  I'm guessing it's a type of energy but it's nothing I've ever seen!  On top of that there is no telling how far this plague will spread!  It could cover the globe if given time!  You two need to go back into the forest and find whatever is causing this plague!  From what I can tell, if you sever any plant's connection with the forest, seal the air around it, it shrivels up into ash just like the other samples you attempted to bring to me.  If that's the case, then-"  "There should be a focus source somewhere in the forest...  Something that created and/or controls these plants."  The scientist nodded vigorously.  "Quickly, you must hurry!"  Oras stood up and nodded.  "Get the guard's ready, just in case.  I'll signal you if something goes wrong."  The scientist nodded while Oras walked out of the building.  He did not however, gesture for Amora to follow him.  He was wondering if this was too dangerous even for her.  She hadn't had much of a chance to show how skilled she was at defending herself after all.

I tilt my head for a bit before getting serious as i form the metal in my pocket into a dagger right away knowing this is serious from what i have picked up. That the plants are draining people's very ability to live cutting their lives shorter. However, the fact that the scientist says the energy is being turned into something worried me a bit since their leaves a bit of mystery to the unknown that is definitely not favorable if we're having to go back into the forest with basically a unknown enemy. As i listen and you bring up the point of their being a thing that controls all of this it only makes sense to me really, but it also shows that this was a purposeful release onto this area. Now that makes some sense. Release it here somewhere nobody would really look, and by the time anyone could say it is dangerous it could spread far enough into other areas of the world to make it almost impossible to fully kill since people would be busy trying to do what they think would stop the source. Since this is just a town that started with a weed problem right? Not many people would come here for that if they were a really powerful wizard. I say with a nod of my head stating my reason to why they would release it here of all places.

When i see you leave the building i quickly follow not allowing myself to be left out of the action. Not allowing a chance for me to get some revenge on the thing that is harming my home, and for the fact that i want to make sure you stay safe. To lose you would be rather devastating since you're my first friend i've made in years. Even if you don't have that same feeling to me. I know i can do this, and i won't allow a friend to go by themselves. Trying to leave me behind Verus? You know i'll have your back always. I say in a cheerful voice.

He saw Amora's urgency which was a very good thing in this instance, but he didn't want her getting ahead of herself.  They had no idea what they were going to find when they reached the source of this plague, nor where the source even was.  Who knew what they were going to find.  It could be another cloaked individual or it could be a more powerful creature that's been corrupted.  It could be a full organization, or a leader of some sort.  The source itself might be something that lives and breathes, he had no way of knowing.  They had to be cautious, and in all honesty he'd rather her stay here.  Not only to stay safe but to keep out of his way.  He could handle him self, that much he knew for certain.  Amora began to speak now, mentioning how this scenario made sense now.  How their goal must have been to release the plague here where nobody would have bothered, or even guessed to look.  In addition, by the time people found out just how dangerous this plague was, it would be nearly impossible to stop and would have spread far and wide by this point.  It also helped that they disguised this plague as nothing more than common weeds, since powerful wizards would simply ignore such a thing.  And she was right.  That was more than likely what was going on here...  However he couldn't help but feel like something was missing.

When he moved outside Amora followed him out.  He had wished she would just stay and try protecting the villagers, but no.  She had to be stubborn and follow him out.  She spoke up too, asking if he was trying to leave her behind and stating that she had his back.  "I've trained myself to guard my own back, which I'm very capable of doing Amora.  You have barely had any training and there's no telling what we'll be facing in the forest.  I would rather like to avoid you being maimed, seriously injured, or worse off killed if I can help it.  I'd prefer you to stay here and protect the village, but if you want to risk your neck then I won't stop you."  As they moved into the forest things were clearly worse than ever.  The entire forest was completely and totally covered in the plague.  Not an in ch was left uncovered by it.  Oras had to walk carefully to avoid the vine like mass that crawled across the now gray landmass.  The river was filled with the algae as well, even the very air seemed heavy and gray.

I continue to follow even as you tell me to stay and protect the villagers. I shake my head no with a firm look of determination not wiling to be complacent and back down this time. Refusing to allow that to happen since this is important to me much more then could be known to others unless they went through what i am. Seeing the creatures you care for being turned into corrupt husks that only care for killing and maiming all that lives. To see what is your home be eventually destroyed by something you don't even know. Not knowing how small and little i feel from being completely outclassed with what i understand of what could be such intentions of doing this. But even if i feel slightly outclassed and scared i find myself saying. I don't care Verus this is my home and i will fight for it. I could've died and been maimed thousands of times in my life for this to be one more time is absolutely nothing to me. I will fight for my home, and fight for those who are close to me which is every creature in this forest, and also you now. I say firmly with a nod of my head knowing you gave me permission to stay but i wished to state my case of why i wouldn't leave just making me have that gut instinct to say it.

I see the forest as my eyes widen as i can only wonder how this managed to grow this fast after only a few hours. After I notice the look of the air i just try to take careful amounts of breathe to avoid breathing to much of this corruption into me. I follow your steps as carefully as i can as i look at all of this as i wonder how can this happen? I look to you and realize it is because it is just how humans are. Only caring for themselves.. why are humans so cruel? I say softly not even realizing i spoke the words out loud as a single tear rolls down my cheek and onto the ground. Knowing the answer to this question, but seeing it first hand is something entirely different.

Amora was stubborn. Stone headed. She wasn't going to back down, out of fear or sensibility. She stated how this was her home that was currently being destroyed, and that she would defend it no matter what. Amora also told him that there were a great many times where she was close to death and yet she survived each of those events. Oras nearly sighed... Nearly. She really didn't understand the difference in danger did she? "No offense Amora, but you've fought hunger and animal predators all your life, not assassins and magic users. You should know by now that fighting a human is far from the same thing as fighting an animal. They can be far more deadly than you realize, especially with magic. There is a difference between bravery, and stupidity. Do not think to yourself that you can survive something because you've survived others in the past. Always expect your opponent to be far more skilled and deadly than you are." Her ignorance was one thing, but this would get her killed. He wished she could just see that for once. If she did then she could make some legitimate progress for once. That's why he trusted no one. That's why he was always on the defense. That's why he always analyzed others, studied them, investigated them. That's why he kept his true identity hidden, and the true potential of his magic a secret. Humans couldn't be trusted, and they could just as easily be ten times stronger than you were...

He heard her question and sighed. She still hadn't figured this out yet? How long would it be before she had figured it out at last. The truth about mankind. They would always disappoint you in one way or another. "Because everyone has a sin they succumb to Amora. No one is beyond it. Everyone is selfish to some degree, including you and I. Some people can and will desire something to such a point where it becomes an obsession: and idol to them. At that point nothing else matters. They could care less what the effects of their actions are, nor how they are affecting the world around them. Power. Control. Wealth. Pleasure. These things are the focus point of greed. Normally they sprout within individuals who have been bullied and abused, and wish to have more power than others and return the favor. Or people like slaves who are one day freed and become warlords so they can conquer and enslave entire countries to repay the pain they were caused. Others grow up poor and treated like dirt, and thus work against the law to obtain a fortune, allowing them to do what they wish without fret. And those who are forced to work very hard each day and receive nothing in return one day seek to turn the tables and live the rest of their lives in endless entertainment and pleasures. When bad things happen to people Amora, it can very easily turn the best man into the worst. As I said before: Humanity has the most noble, and the most evil men and women you will ever find in it's wake."

Humans are more dangerous i know that Verus. However, i know that i am more equipped then i was before so i can at least help you in some manner even if it is serving as a distraction for you to do something. Also, i know i might die in this Verus, and i don't fear that at all. We all will die one day that is a fate that is unavoidable. I may not be the smartest that doesn't make me the most incompetent person from that either. I know i may be getting in over my head but i have something to fight for, and i will fight for it to my last breathe, and beyond that. I say not noticing the emotion seeping into my voice as i speak that would make my argument most likely invalid to you. I'm not losing my home again! I say fighting back the tears, but failing as i quickly wipe away the tears. Let just go okay we have someone to put to justice. I say softly.

I also sigh as once more you go into the depths of human nature. It was a rhetorical question Verus. Thanks for reminding though of something i know it is just that seeing the effects of people's unpure ambition overwhelmed me for a moment. I couldn't understand i wanted a reason beyond those, but even i know you humans are just harmful because of such reasons. It is one thing hearing them Verus, and another to seeing them in action. I tell you.

Oras was silent for a moment as she spoke up, emotion seeping into her voice. Hearing her state how she was at peace with dying if need be made him upset, to a point. Why on earth would she be perfectly fine with dying? Was there nothing she wished to accomplish? Oras had more he wished to do in his life other than survive. While most of what he wanted to do was obscure and uncertain due to the fact that he had no allegiance at the current moment, he wished to one day find a place separated from the rest of the world where he could live in 'peace' with any and all people he had managed to comfortably find trust in and become friends with. Yet this girl, this one person who asked him to take her on as an apprentice and train her to survive, was stating that she was fine with death? The fear of death kept people from it. You were not useful to the world dead, nor to others. Before he could reply however he heard her state how she wasn't losing her home again and remained silent. Was she referring to her first home? Or was there a threat to the forest where she was at a young age? As they walked he finally spoke up. "Amora. This damage is not permanent. No damage ever is. Trees and brush can be replanted. Waters can be purified. Air can be cured, and animals can once again have a place to live. It will take time, but this will not remain. Instead of focusing on the damage that's currently here, let us focus on removing the source from the equation so that we can worry about the next task." He said nothing else as he really wasn't used to comforting someone else... In any sense. He really needed to discuss this entire apprentice/mentor business with Amora once this was over and done. He himself didn't know where it was headed, but he would like to start with listening to where Amora expected it to go, as well as where she wanted it to go.

When she spoke, mentioning how she was speaking rhetorically, he really didn't care. He wasn't good at catching rhetorical questions and felt that all questions needed a proper answer. And just as fate would have it, she was thankful for him answering her. He nodded slowly as they walked. "Again though, there are people who are the reverse of this. That is why I'm careful to study and investigate others before I put any trust in them. If I can learn their nature and personality, I can determine if it's worth investing my time, effort and trust into."

The member 'Oras Auro' has done the following action : Dice Rolls

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'Monster Dice' :

I just nod my head remaining silent for the time being as i just listen how things can be repaired which is true, but that wouldn't give the same feeling no matter how much they try. Things will be placed differently, and animals will lose their home regardless and be forced to relocate to another area. They will be forced to learn that entire area and most likely not survive effectively like they otherwise could if they were left to live here. Instead people are fine with tearing and rebuilding the homes of things around them instead of understanding that when a home is had. Their is just a certain way of balance that would have to be protected. However, instead of stating this i keep this to myself knowing that Verus probably wouldn't understand do to how calculative he is in practically everything he does.

Upon hearing your reasoning for trust i just turn to you with a raised eyebrow. Oh yeah? what fits your bill then for a personality you can actually trust then? Cause i wonder if you even know what you want in terms of that do to how alone you've been for what i assume has been a long time. Makes me wonder if you truly know what you wish for in a friend at this point. I say openly to you to try and make you think on what you truly want in a person that you're willing to trust since i have a feeling at this point you don't know it. That you're to frightened to open up yourself without your methods being questioned like how you investigate others.

The member 'Oras Auro' has done the following action : Dice Rolls

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'Monster Dice' :

I continue walking before hearing some movement and seeing humans walking out? However, that is quickly and eliminated swiftly at seeing the spores as i realize that the danger of the air spores might be creating these controlled humans with how the spores are created. Verus i think they became like that because of the air. I say do how even the air looks contaminated at this point as i hear move movement and sees that we're basically surrounded. Instead of freaking out i keep my calm and thinks quickly as i summon up my earthen spikes as my usual move and tries to have side spikes aim for the jugular, and head since that seems to be a efficient weak point since that is where the spores are located at. Activating my spell as soon as the walking dead are within my range. I take out my dagger and gets ready to fight as i use my ability to sense magic to see if they emit any and if they do then to continue keeping this sense up to get an accurate idea of how many, and where they are in terms of distance.

Suddenly six more zombies move in from each direction. Four appear to have been hunters, but two were dressed as wizards. All of them with rotting skin and sharpened teeth and claws. These zombies were faster than the other ones however, and moved in sort of a speed walk. When one of Oras' illusions came in to strike one, it twisted it's body to avoid the attack which had surprised Oras. Evidently the minds of these zombies were functioning enough where they were able to instinctively dodge thanks to their extensive training. Oras joined the illusions as he and them worked to fight off these undead creatures. He had to work at dodging their attacks as well as they were fairly accurate in their attacks. When Amora stated that she believed it to be the air Oras shook his head, thrusting his blade through the throat of one of the zombies. "No, I doubt it. If there really is a human behind all of this, they would want to either guard or check in on their work. Why would they make it impossible to work in? No, I believe it's the plants. The effect the air is going through I believe is due to what the scientist said when he mentioned how the plague is sucking the energy life force from the very air itself, as well as the earth and plants." He worked hard to fight off the last of the zombies, however one had managed to slip by his illusions and rushed at Amora. It's face was filled with nothing but hunger as it sought to feed on her flesh, it's clawed hand reaching out to grab her and tear her apart... And then it fell down limp as a dagger appeared in it's forehead where Oras threw it.

Soon enough the enemies had been dealt with and they had some time to rest. Oras dispersed the illusions once he was certain that there were no more enemies nearby. He looked at where they were positioned and where the majority were. He also looked at the direction they all were walking from and found that the two wizards were closer to one specific side than the others. He pointed this out to Amora. "The wizards would have been looking for the source as well. I'd say it's a safe bet to assume the source is somewhere over there."

Seeing the zombies come in i quickly check over each one and moves towards one of the hunter and attempts to piece it but it dodges the attack also as i quickly dodge out of the way of the attack coming towards me use to the fighting style of claws and teeth as these humans are basically functioning similarly to animals, but close enough to still keep all senses focused on my fight. Except for my magical sense to keep track of where the others are. I dodge the strikes with the exception of a few cutting at my clothing and leaving some bruising and such in their strikes. When it moved in to bite i shove my dagger into its head with no real emotion on my face. Just seeing these things as animals at this point do to how they acted. I sense one charging me as i turn around and quickly create a wall right behind me to prevent it from getting to me. Do to that not noticing the dagger killing it just the sudden drop of magical presence.

Myself capable of fighting these creatures just as fine since i do have the capability to kill and defend like any other living creature, or in this case also undead creatures. I keep count quickly and join one of the illusions and handling the zombies to keep the numbers even and in time the zombies fall as i turn my head towards you. I can take care of myself Verus. While i appreciate the gesture of you trying to take care of all of them i'm no helpless victim. I say calmly as i look you in the eyes before following where you had pointed to in terms of finding the source of all of this. Not really appreciating the treatment of a helpless victim since i like to consider myself a trained hunter, so i do have some fighting capabilities and not just some princess that can't do anything.

When all of the zombies were dealt with, Oras heard Amora speak up, statiing that she could take care of herself and that she was not a helpless victim. Oras realized that while he wanted to keep her from being seriously harmed, it may take just that for her to realize that she can't really do just that all the time. It frustrated him but sometimes humans only learned when they made a grave mistake. Even he was like that sometimes when he was being trained. His master had been brutal with his training, far more so than Oras was with Amora. She had breaks in her training. Oras had none. He and his mentor had remained in one area and trained day in and day out. Sometimes he would have the training session go on for the entire day and the night, giving him no rest. When they weren't fighting they were discussing, giving him more knowledge on subjects that most didn't study very hard. Math, geography, English, history, science, biology, etc. He taught Oras logic and reasoning, how to figure out a problem or puzzle he didn't have all the pieces for. He taught him how to determine whether someone was lying, whether someone was hiding something. He taught him how to look for weapons on a person without pulling cloaks or jackets out of the way to reveal them. He had taught him so much, and the combat training was at least ten times as brutal as Oras' with Amora.

Oras said nothing to Amora's words for a moment, and then nodded silently to her before moving on. He didn't smile with pride this time. He was more so worried about her. And when someone was worried about another individual, they tended to be distracted during combat... Which was something he didn't need today. The forest was absolutely silent as they walked through the forest. No wind, no chirping... Nothing. It put Oras on edge, made him nervous, scanning every inch of the forest. They'd be able to hear anyone coming no matter how silent they were, but that wasn't worth this eerie silence, not to Oras. His finger twitched as they walked, trying to remain as calm as possible so as not to bother Amora too much. Soon enough he saw something come into view. It was an obsidian obelisk, rather massive in size and it seemed to be glowing purple as well. There was a low hum that came from it, a steady and even sound. Oras walked over to it and summoned a physical illusion. The Illusion tried touching the obelisk, but Oras noted that it's hand couldn't touch it, hovering over the surface by a centimeter. "There's a force field around this. We can't get to it by normal means. We'll need powerful magic to break into this, something that we do not have. We'll need to contact the magic council and send someone here." Right as he finished saying this there was movement behind them. Oras turned around, and Amora probably did as well. A robed figure stood there silently, his hands folded together with the sleeves of his robe covering them both. He stood there silently for a moment.

I walk through the forest alongside you not minding the silence one bit since their is nothing wrong with being within silence. It is within the silence that true peace and calm can be found for me. To know that everything is normal and at peace even if this level of quite is rather unnerving since even when she lives in her half illusion of silence there was still nature. Now their was none and that frustrated her and made her want to solve this before it becomes to late to fix it. I look over towards you and can notice you are slightly on edge, but i say nothing knowing that it wouldn't help in this moment since their are greater things to worry about. With such things being revealed before them in the form of that obelisk.

When i go to touch it i get beat by you moving towards it with a illusion and you saying that their is some kind of force field around it. I nod my head and hears a noise and sees a person moving towards them in a robe. Seeing that i follow my first instinct and tries to use rolkhar's grip to bind him as earthen tendrils sprout from the ground around the cloaked individual as they try to bind him completely immobile.

The robed figure didn't flinch as the earth moved below him, wrapping itself around him. Despite the corruption in the ground, the tendrils had strength with them. Mainly because he assumed they came from deeper within the earth. He had pulled his arms away just in time to keep them free, though he was still rather immobilized. He looked up to them, his upper features hidden by shadows. A rather calm smile was on his face as he observed them. He said nor did nothing, just looked at them. Oras summoned his physical illusions and it was that moment when the robed figure made a hand gesture. Before Oras or his illusions could move, skeleton arms and hands shot out from the ground, grabbing all legs that did not belong to the robed figure, and pulled them down, keeping them from moving at all. The man gave out a short chuckle. "Well then. Since we all are going to stay put for a moment, I suppose we have a little time to talk. Don't bother asking why I've done this as I won't bother explaining. You know that you can't destroy it, and no amount of torture will make me say anything. So what do we, do now? Hmm?" He turned to face Amora. "I overheard your conversation. I hope you don't mind that, and I do wish to apologize. I don't like doing anything unless it's absolutely necessary and unfortunately, for my Lord, this," he said gesturing to the plague around them. "Unfortunately this is necessary for the good of my family. Don't worry though. This virus won't reach the village, nor any other settlement. It only reaches a certain radius, and once we've finished up we'll restore this forest, and all other affected areas, back to their original glory. Or Lord can do just that after all."

Oras was silent as he stared at the man. It was clear he had necromancy magic, but it was also possible he had other forms of magic. He had one of his illusions try to vanish and reappear elsewhere, but all that occurred was that they flickered for a moment. The man chuckled and turned to Oras. "Now now now, don't be like that illusionist. We're being civil for a moment. No need for bloodshed, unless that's what you really want. And miss before you go and accuse me of massacre in regards for the humans, they knew the dangers of the forest. Yet they chose to enter it anyways, just as you have. And as for the animals, my lord also plans to return all animals that were here before, or rather their species, back to the forest once it's fully restored. My Lord can be, selfish, at times, but he cares for nature... To some extent, that is. Now that we have the obvious questions out of the way, is there anything you wish to ask before you, inevitably, choose to fight me?"

I just seethe with anger at this person's just calm disposition as i quickly think of my options and knows just how little that actually is in regards to all thing, but if he can be trapped hopefully for a good bit then this should work also. I activate my gaia's pull as i increase the gravity and slows down this person as long as he is close to the same strength as me. Knowing this won't work against you since i have tried in some of my sparring matches against you to slow you down but it did absolutely nothing.

I can only hear this man's words and sense nothing but lies to my ears as i refuse to accept anything this person says as true. That this mad group can bring everything back to as it was as i take out my dagger not willing to mince words in this moment.Knowing that he won't give us anything useful do to their not being much if you can get your illusions moving. I just look to this cloaked individual and don't notice the silver aura sparking around me as i stare at this person that is destroying what i consider my home. 'He will pay dearly for this'. I think to myself as i try to make my way over to him but is stopped by the skeletal hands. I frown and looks to you as the silver aura snaps away as i realize that i must calm myself or i'll be irrational. Seeing that you're in the same situation so i know it isn't you using your illusions against me to hold me back for whatever reason there could be.

I take a deep calming breathe, and quickly throws my dagger towards this person's foot intending to try and hinder his movements through that action whenever the trapped individual tries to get out of the tendrils of earth that bind him. Myself not even noticing the silver aura that was about to cover my body do to my anger activating something. Not allowing this robed figure's attempt at stopping her from harming him.

The robed man cocked his head to the side as Amora tried to walk towards him, failing of course due to the skeletal hands that clutched her ankle with an iron grip. While the hands were losing their grip on the wizards he thought carefully as he watched her cold flames that, briefly, covered her body. Oras had turned his gaze to her as well, completely confused as to what that was just now... He'd be having a long conversation with her about it afterwards. The robed man however, put in a few words this very moment, despite the impending battle that was going to happen whether any of them liked it or not. "So you're one of them then... Interesting... I wonder if you've mastered your power, or if you just use it blindly.. I suppose we'll see in a moment then huh?" The man sighed as two zombies began approaching the area from behind. However these were not covered in the plague at all. They looked more ancient, bodies from many years ago. Normal undead summons so to speak. "I truly do not wish for bloodshed, but if you force my hand, well.. I'm not willing to go down easily."The wizard shot both of his hands forward, two black orbs of dark magic that hurled towards Oras and Amora. By the time Oras was finally freed of the skeleton hands, the dark orb split in three and struck him. There hadn't been any time to dodge it. His illusions vanished when he was hit as he was knocked back. He was injured but it wasn't too bad if he was honest. The two zombies charged after Amora while the wizard used another spell on Oras. From what Amora would be able to see, it looked like a stream of red energy and red orbs flowed from Oras and into the wizard, Oras seeming to become weaker as the attack continued.

"Do you see those creatures? Those, pathetic, lifeless corpse puppets? That's what we all become. In the end. Everything dies. Everything decays. And the dead are nothing but tools for those with power. I one day will die, as will the two of you. And someone will come and use your body for their own purposes. Can't you see how wrong this world is?!" He ended the spell, leaving Oras there weak, attempting to recover. It wasn't that he was dying, he was simply weakened. This wizard was clearly not as strong as Oras was. Unfortunately, his physical body was weakened with the sudden drain of his life force, his mind blurring slightly. He couldn't see the wizard clearly and thus wouldn't be able to make a proper attack. The zombies were trying to harm Amora, but they were mainly attempting to keep her from intruding.

I see the black orbs coming as i force my feet out of the skeletal hands with a glare as i cross my arms as fast as i can as they smack into me. I grunt softly in pain from the impact as i start hearing shuffling as i see two more zombies, and then sees the red stream of energy as i quickly create a earth wall to delay the being by a few seconds which is more then enough to make my way over towards you as i summon forth my earthen projectiles as i focus on hitting away the necromancer for the time being. Firing off the chain spell at him, and some at the zombies wanitng to keep them away. Don't worry Verus i got you. We won't become corpses not here, and not anytime soon if i have anything to say about that. I say as i try to keep my cool since that is a important aspect of fighting. If the mind falls to chaos then the hunter will fall to their prey.

Well guess what you're not being any better by murdering others through the use of these weeds and trees you freak. You're the cause of why the world is so messed up. I say with some bitter emotions as i do my best to keep where i am not wishing to leave you here defenseless from whatever that red stream thing was. As i am willing to block any hit that would come to you as i would make sure that nothing would touch you in your weakened state. I watch as the earthen projectiles hits the zombies with little issue, but the necromancer is able to dodge most of the projectiles with only one just scraping him from the aim being a bit unfocused. I don't notice the slight silver glow that is threatening to overtake my body. This feeling rising from how sick i am of this person and what he has done to what i view as my home. The anger bubbling inside slowly releasing the heritage within that is trying to seep its way out.

Oras watched as Amora used multiple spells in succession, dropping her magic energy rather quickly he was guessing. When she attacked the necromancer, the man rolled out of the way, avoiding the large rocks with relative ease. The two zombies however, had failed to avoid the bolts coming at them, and their heads were knocked off their neck, falling to the ground. Lifeless in soul and magic once again. He was about to fire another bolt at her when he noticed that she stood between him and the illusionist. When she spoke it would be clear that her words hurt him and he felt offended. "You think that I designed this? I wasn't aware of it's creation until I was told to guard the obelisk! And only to prevent it's location from being discovered! There was nothing I could do to destroy it. It is assured on good authority that this world will be restored after the grand rising! And nothing will stop us from the eternal glory days our Lord will give to all of us!!!" His last words were like a roar as he pushed his limits, summoning not two, not four, but six zombies who charged from all directions. As they charged however, Oras' illusions appeared between them and Amora, each taking on two of the undead. The man grit his teeth, getting tired of this. Things were not going in his favor, and he didn't have much magical energy left in him. He drew a blade that appeared to be a mix of a longsword, and a rapier, where the blade was thick enough to parry and deflect, but thin enough to allow for swift and precise strikes. With that he began to move forward. He didn't care about her silver flames at this point. He was fast and agile, and could easily avoid her strikes. All he had to do was keep her from touching him.

Oras was regaining his strength swiftly, but he had to put most of his concentration on fighting the undead that had appeared thanks to the necromancer. He started moving to get up. "Amora, don't you dare fight him! You aren't ready to face someone like that yet!" It was hopeless. He needed just a little more time.. Time he didn't have. If it weren't for these damn zombies then he would have been able to take the wizard out by now. He was working on starting up his fear aura, but the man was focused on Amora right now. He wouldn't know the difference until at least stage two. The necromancer would use the last bit of magic energy he could spare without passing out to launch a dark sphere at Amora. When it split in three, if she attempted to dodge it, the sphere's would simply follow her until they hit her. While she was busy dodging, the necromancer would grab a fistful of dirt and launch it into her face. Thanks to the life force he drained, the attacks that came afterwards would be faster and more precise than most trained humans could stand, and he would aim for all the nerves that controlled the limbs. "YOU COULD NEVER UNDERSTAND YOU STUPID GIRL!!! DON'T YOU SEE THE CORRUPTION AROUND US?! WE FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE! ONCE MY LORD'S PLANS ARE COMPLETE, THE WORLD SHALL BE FREE OF IT'S SINS FOREVER!!!"

I see the undead rise as i focus on the fight, but i smile a bit as illusions show up to stop them as i focus on my foe as i slam my fists together ready to do this the old fashioned way. I quickly get into a fighting stance that i could pick up being nothing better then a street brawler. I hear your words and chuckle at that as i give you a sparing glance. Verus i am outclassed in this fight, but i have you backing me up. With this i have a reason to fight, and with this i will win. I say just as determined to beat the corruption as my form explodes with cold white flames as i stare at the only thing i see this man in front of me with a weapon. I dash towards him ready to fight not willing to give this person a inch of ground. All thoughts gone by this point.

I head into the spheres as i don't notice the pain at all as i stare at this person as a animalistic grin appears on my face as i see a hand movement as i move a hand up to block the dirt having been use to such tactics by Verus. I grin as i take out my weapon and mixes it with the remaining metal i have left to form a weapon that could match this person. Forming a longsword whose only purpose is to take a hit to allow my other hand to punch the man as hard as i can.

Oras watched as she took a fighting stance and glanced at him, hearing her words. He grit his teeth under his mask. He was not training her so that she could sacrifice her own life like this.. He did not accept an apprentice against his instincts just so that she could become a meat shield.. He had no reason to trust her, no reason to like her, no reason at all to care about what happened, but damn it all if he let a young woman like her die to a necromancer like Him! The zombies were dealt with so he dispersed the illusions. He wouldn't need them for what he was about to do...

The robed figure watched as she formed a longsword and rushed at him. He looked at the way she was holding her weapon and figured out what she was planning to do. He grinned and rushed forward as well. He prepared to swing his blade at her, however in mid swing he altered the strike into something else entirely. As he felt the full force of her fiery fist, injuring him badly, he had thrust his sword through her chest with a devilish grin. "I...Will die...this is given.......but you wil-will not..stop m-my lor-d's...plans.....Tis, impossible..." He took a few steps back, letting go of the sword so that it was stuck in her body. He chuckled a moment or two before he started coughing up blood. His hood was off at this point, revealing him to be not too old but not young either. More than likely in his thirties. He looked weary, tired, almost as if he was done with the world and with his own life. As if he was ready to accept death like an old friend, despite everything he said against it. The world became silent for the man, even as the illusionist was charging for Amora, throwing a dagger at the cultist. It was aiming to paralyze him... They wanted to question him. The man closed his eyes with a weary smile. "Take me my lord, for my soul belongs to you..." Just as he said this, he moved his body so that the dagger pierced his throat, and he fell to the ground limp.

Oras ran over to Amora and if she tried taking the blade out he would stop her. "Amora! Amora can you hear me?! Calm down! Lie down for a moment, I need to find something to close the wound!" He helped her down before he pulled out his bag, digging furiously for a remedy he only carried for worst case scenarios. He spotted it and pulled it out. Setting it aside he pulled out a bandage as well. If Amora was consumed by berserker's rage he would summon three illusions to pin her down. He pulled the sword out quickly as possible to spare her pain and began putting the anointment on her. After placing it he wrapped the bandage around her and the wound, watching as the makeshift protection absorbed the blood that was coming out of her. Once he was finished he stood up and walked away for a moment as he breathed. After a moment he turned to face her. "Never... Ever... Try something like that again, do you hear me? Next time you wait for me!"

I watch the swing come as i grin excitedly as i see this is going to work however i feel the fist impact as i get satisfaction as i don't notice the sword through my chest till i look down after feeling some kind of weight pulling me downwards. I grab my hand at the blade not noticing the dagger killing the man as i try to slide the sword out of me but gets stopped by you as your words faintly reach my ears as i turn my head to you. As i grin seeing another target to harm. to show the rage of the forest that roars within my very soul to punish everyone. However, i stop and freeze as i grit my teeth tightly. As my body is fighting between the berserker and the innocent that reside within. I don't notice the illusions pinning me as i just squirm and fight as the flames flicker and fight down till it just goes away leaving a girl who is panting totally exhausted.

My eyes widen as i feel pain unlike anything before as i start gasping for air as i look to you and just asks in a small voice that you can just hear the pain that i am going through with every word. We killed him right? The forest is avenged? He didn't hurt you to much did he? I ask with a weak smile as i slowly try to force myself up to not be useless to you. To not allow myself to be a failure of a apprentice by not getting back up to fight like i always did during our spars. I hear your words and chuckles and then groans in pain. No guarantees Verus. Sorry you got stick with a idiotic girl who doesn't learn. I try to say in a joking manner, but the tone is just that of sounding like the words were forced out, but their is a bit of the joking tone in their. Come on their is a town that needs to know things will be okay after the obelisk is destroyed. I say with a look that begs you to destroy the obelisk to stop this plague here.

Oras brought his hands up, weaving them through his red hair, and in the process accidentally pushing his hood off, revealing the crimson hair though at this point he didn't care. He could dye his hair differently if he was forced to at a later time. His mask remained however as he stared at her. "YOU COULD HAVE DIED AMORA!" He roared, taking no pleasure in her little bit of humor, finally at the end of the straw with her and her actions. "YOU WOULD BE DEAD! UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING ELSE WITH YOUR LIFE, IN THIS WORLD, WITH ANYONE ELSE! DO YOU EVEN UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS?!" He placed a hand to the forehead portion of the mask as he lay his head in his hand, his illusions keeping her down, gently this time, since she needed a moment to rest and let the wound scab over. It would be clear to her that he wasn't going to do this with her, and that he would end this once and for all. "Bravery is fine. Confidence is fine. However fear is also necessary. Do not let it consume you, but fear of death helps keep one alive. It sharpens your focus, sharpens your senses, keeps you alert. Because once you die that's it Amora. You're done. Do you have nothing, nothing you would like to do in this world? Something to accomplish? Take value in your own damn life for crying out loud! Why in the hell would you choose to sacrifice your life in order to save someone, who doesn't, need, saving? And don't give me that 'because it's the right thing to do' bullshit. I want, to know, why."

After this discussion, he would answer her last statement and all he could do was sigh. "I can't. I've tried everything in my power but it won't shatter. We need to inform the council. Perhaps they have something potent and strong enough to take this obelisk down. You however, need to rest for a moment. That wound needs to scab over, and if you make any additional efforts until the wound has fully healed, then you will reopen it, making it take longer to fully recover." He walked over to the robed man and began to search the corpse. He found a coin, which was identical to the cloaked individual's coin. This confirmed that there was an organization of some sort. Whether it was big or small was uncertain, even with the man's words. It could be a tightly knit group of individuals who had their hands in multiple areas. Or it could be a massive network, there was no way of knowing. He continued searching and saw something on the man's arm, pulling the sleeve up to reveal a marking on his arm. It looked to him like it could be a guild emblem however it was never anything he'd seen before. Finally he found a book on his person. When he looked at the title it was written in a language he'd never seen nor heard of before. The symbols looked similar to the coin's runes however. He opened the book and looked through it. At first it seemed like gibberish, but as he looked through it he determined that it was similar to what most 'holy' scriptures would look like. He closed the book. "Cultists. We're dealing with Cultists."