Secret of Mana: Awakening the God Beast's

[Kaisar]

Quickly as she could Lilith moved among the soldiers of the barracks hunting out her brother. They all knew her enough to keep their distance. Nobody messed wit the generals daughter unless they wanted a quick trop to the gallows. Some of the older soldiers greeted her as she passed and Lilith out of politeness returned the greeting. Reachnig the far room she stopped at the door and hesitated knocking on the door. She’d been working up her courage to tell her father about Shade for a good while, why now did she hesitate?

Voices soft and almost inaudible came form the other side of the door, Lilith frowned Father normally didn’t have visitors when he was at the barracks. Curious she lent against the door as softly as he dared glad that her fathers war room was out of sight of the soldiers who loitered around.
“The Elemental hasn’t been found yet?”[/color] hissed a deep vile voice.
“No… all we can tell is it’s disappeared from the Cellars of Dark Castle…” That had to be her father.
”Incompetent fool… The King requests that entity be found while it is free there is a danger. It Knows too much… and if it has found a host mind…”[/color] Lilith felt her heart race as she listened. They wanted Shade!
“I know... The host must be killed if we are to retrieve the elemental…” As her father spoke those words Lilith felt herself go cold all over. Shade was in trouble and she had to warn him. She began moving away from the door but the voices were moving towards her.
”If it has found a host… you will need this. It identifies the energy given out by any Elemental whether it is in a person or on its own. The stronger the light the closer it is.”

The door opened and Lilith froze, before her stood a man taller then her own father his face lost in the shadows of his cloak. The man alone had to be six and a half feet tall, she held no illusions that if he wanted he could probably snap her in-half.
Her fathers face, pale and drawn peered out from beside the dark clothed man.
“Oh Lilith… What brings you here?” he enquired.
“N-nothing Father… it can wait till later…” she turned and fled from the dark gaze of that shadowed face. He terrified her, what kind of a man was father taking orders from?
As she fled the voices of her father and the dark man followed.
”Lilith?”[/color]
”My daughter… she’s strong willed but a good girl...”
The mans cold laughter followed her out even as she left the barracks and even then she still felt like he was watching her.

Lilith fled out of the castles courtyard and into the town beyond. The people had once been happy but as the years wore on and the king of Dark Castle took on a new advisor things had been going steadily down hill. Lilith didn’t need to guess to know that who man had been talking to her father. The advisors personal entourage had almost as much status as he did.

Escaping out of town she fled into the forest, so dark it was that it was almost like night. Everything about the Empire surrounding Dark castle was dark. It was how the fortress had gained its name. She wove through the trees climbing up the slope where the Castle and town sat until the trees thinned out and opened into a small rocky area.
“Shade!” she called climbing up the rocks. Lilith slipped once skinning he rknee as the sharp black rock cut through the fabric of her breeches. Hot pain shot through her leg and spread as blood trickled from the wound but she didn’t stop. “Shade!” she called again and this time there was an answer.
”Lilith?”
“Shade,” she gasped sinking to the ground to catch her breath as the shadows disengaged from the rocks and took form beside her. As always Shade retained his half-man, half-demon look. “They’re looking for you… they say you know things that are dangerous to the King.”
”Do you believe them?”
“No… of course not… I know you better then that, but I bet it wasn’t the King who suggested they hunt you. I bet it was Argano, that stupid Advisor… I hear one of his men talking with father about tracking you with something.”
”It’s probably a shard of the Seal Stone I once guarded…” He frowned and gazed down the path. A shadow much like he had moved out of the trees and up the slope.

”Looks like we have a visitor…”
”Your Father isn’t going to like this Lilith…and he said you were a good girl. I wonder what he’ll say when he finds out you’ve been playing with something like that?”[/b]
”I wonder what the King would say if he knew what your master was…”
The dark clad man laughed deeply and Lilith stood slowly. Looking from Shade to the grunt man of the advisor. What was going on.
“Shade?”
He looked at Lilith and placed a hand on her shoulder. I’ll keep you safe I promise…
He eyes widened as Shade’s voice whispered in her mind. Darkness began to enclose her thoughts and a soft warm presence seemed to settle within her. Shade vanished before her eyes and then she heard it. A roar like a mad beast, she looked to the grunt man just before darkness enclosed her completely and saw a monster of legends. A dragon-man.[/i]

5 years later…

Lilith sighed as she gazed across the Luna forest behind her. For a week she had been evading detection by the Beast-Men as she traveled through their eternal night kingdom. Through the power of the Sacred stone of the Moon to keep eternal darkness.
Even with the powers of Shade at her disposal Lilith was sure she was being followed. Even with leaving the beast-men’s land her instinct warned her that she was not alone. She would have preferred to avoid entering the Luna forest but her quarry left her little alternative.
What is, is Lilith keep your mind on the target.[/color]
Snorting Lilith tore her gaze from the mountains and made her way towards the free town of Maia. That was where her quarry was moving towards. Why she couldn’t be sure but eventually she would catch the creature.
We have to sop it Shade… every day it remains free increases the danger to the other seals…. I think it might be heading for the Earth Temple but… do not dwell and do not jump to conclusions! Remember last time you did that?[/color]

Lilith flinched inwardly as she recalled the last time she had gotten ahead of herself with her assumptions. That warrant is probably still out for my arrest in the Rolante highlands isn’t it? Undoubtedly… you did assault the queen after all… How was I supposed to know she was the queen. The woman dressed like she was one of the soldiers and she was acting strangely. I thought she might have been IT in disguise! Shush and get moving, standing about is giving our furry trackers a chance to catch up.[/color]

She made no reply but turned and continued walking the town of Maia was still a good few days walk and this close behind her target she didn’t dare risk calling Vikram incase the bastard changed its trail. It’d done it before and it had taken Lilith a week to pick up on him again. Turning north she continued her journey climbing up the mountain side that would eventual dip down into the small valley bay where the town rested. She melted into the shadows and kept moving.

~

For five days they’d tracked her, for five days the damned shadow woman had eluded them as they hunted her through the Domain of the Beast-Men. The ambassador from the empire had informed their King that this woman would come this way and he was right. They offered the promise of an alliance an offer of power and domination to their King. Their kind would become the most powerful in the entire world. All they asked for in return was this woman be captured and brought to them. While she was free there was a danger to the Empires plan. Though how a woman could be so dangerous was beyond their knowing. They were Silver-Wolves one of the strongest fighting classes in the entire beast Kingdom and yet with her power of shadows this woman managed to outwit them constantly. All they knew for certain was she was making her way towards the town of Maia, no doubt when she got there the Woman would see the Imperial soldiers as they prepared to sail for the Northern Port City of Elrand before making their assault upon the Fortress of Altena, home of the Sorcerers.

~

Reaching the rise Lilith gazed down at the town below and frowned. Air traveling up the mountain side smelt strongly of smoke and metal. Amoung that smell was a scent she wouldn’t easily forget. Five years o the road hadn’t lessened her memory. The scent of soldiers was unmistakable…

[Archangel]

Name: Keetle Threadbare
Age: 12 (but since Sprites age quicker than humans, this is approximately 28 years old)
Gender: Female
Race: Sprite
Nation: Originally from Diorre, but now travels the countryside, looking for adventure.
Class: Wanderer/Adventurer

Appearance: Keetle, or Kay for short, is a fairly attractive Sprite, with fair features and a cute face. She stands at about half a human height, so approximately 3'0". Her body is thin and trim, and yet her arms and legs are proportioned just like a normal human's. She has a cute button nose, and wide blue eyes, with a charming smile and rosy cheeks. Not to mention her ears, which rise off her head like a rabbit's, making her at least 7 inches taller and able to swivel and pivot to any sound she hears. They are soft and covered with a downy brown fur, which matches her long hair exactly, and like some rabbits, she can duck her ears down and hide them in her hair. The rest of her small body is covered in a light blonde fur, which accents her skin and makes her just seem a little pale and yellowish, the fur being very downy and translucent.

Elemental: Gnome
Magic:
*Rock Slide: The ability to lift boulders and chunks of land from the earth and launch them at high speeds towards whatever she wants. The bigger the chunk of earth, the bigger a crater it creates, and the harder it is to throw. Basically, this power includes manipulation of rock and stone, in whatever way she pleases.
*Gem Missiles: Kay calls forth a stinging maelstrom of super sharp gem missiles, which can impale a target, cut them to ribbons, or slash through obstacles.
*Vine: Thick, leafy vines can sprout magically from the ground and trap or ensnare anybody that Kay does not like.
*Speech: Keetle can talk to the trees, flowers, bushes, and any other plant life in the world. They have their own languages, and Keetle can speak them, giving her tremendous insight into past happenings and incredible tracking skills.

Weapon: Trueheart is Keetle's favorite and really her only weapon. Trueheart is a short spear, made for Sprites and by Sprites, and is incredibly sturdy. Made from polished bronze alloys, making it almost as strong as steel, it stands about 3'6", with a razor sharp broad-tipped end and a cap at the bottom for walking. She uses Trueheart as a walking staff most of the time, but in battle, she can use it like any other spear, and it's even light enough to be thrown small distances, if the situation requires it.

History: Kay was a normal child for a long time, until one day little Gnome came to her with a proposition. He appeared out of nowhere, but he stood about her height and was not a Sprite, so she knew something was different about him. Plus, he was completely brown. The little Elemental struck a deal with her. He would help her out and give her powers beyond her imagination, if she would be one of those to protect the Spirit Stones and make sure the God Beasts inside of them were never awakened. She agreed readily, and at the tender age of 7 began walking the world, protecting any of the Stones she could find and doing her best to thwart the Empire's efforts at breaking the Seals.

Other: None right now...maybe something later.

IC post later...must go to bed now

[matt]

Name: Kiran Rajani
Age: 26
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Nation: His nation was wiped out by an unknown force.
Class: Unknown

Appearance: Kiran Rajani is a mournful young man standing 6'3" and weighing 180lbs. with longish blonde hair, and blue eyes. Eyes which are depths of captivating emotion. From happiness, and sadness... to darkness, and light... you can get lost in his eyes. He wears a chain around his neck, a silver cross dangling from it. He wears an open white tunic, with red leggings, and black boots. Handsome in a rugged way, and athletic, Kiran is.

Elemental: Spirit of Light
Magic:
Blessing of Protection - Kiran creates a shield of light to protect him and/or his allies.
Blessing of Light - Lumina casts herself into Kiran's sword, and it glows white. This, while in his hands - and while it lasts - gives him a boost to his stats, as well as increasing his sword's offensive capabilities.
- See story.

Weapon: A well kept sword of unknown power...

History: Little to nothing is known about Kiran Rajani.

Other: Maybe later...

[Kaisar]

Name: Lilith Salonee
Age: 21
Gender: Female
Race: Human
Nation: Empire
Class: Unknown
Appearance: Standing at a height of 5’10” ft, her hair is ebony black and waist length often tied back in a tight braid with two raven feathers tied to a slender plait positioned behind her right ear. Her complexion is pale, like that of a person who has spent little time in light. Lilith wears black hide pants and a black tunic with a leather vest over that and a heavy belt. Over that she wears a heavy black cloak with a deep hood. It is held around her shoulders by a clasp bearing the symbol of a bat. On her feet she wears a pair of light leather boots and a pair of fingerless gauntlets.
Elemental: Shade
Magic:
Dark Spear- Shadow magic forms into the shape of dark spears which then fly and impale themselves through their target.
Blind Wall- Enemies are engulfed in darkness allowing for the caster and/or party to escape from battle leaving their enemies to wallow in darkness until it fades.
Black Lightning- It is lightning with the element of Shadow striking an enemy or group of enemies with rapid strikes of shadow energy in the form of lightning. There is no air element to the attack.
Dark Force- A building force of Dark Energy that explodes when it reaches critical mass.
Dark Gate- Shade tears open a dark gate that summons forth the powers of darkness, they reach through the gate and assault targets with their power of darkness.
Dispel- Disables the spells in effect that alter the elemental alignment or effect.
Weapon:
Dual Chakra- A pair of steel rings with a sharpened edges and plated with silver. Along their edge is an ancient text. On one section of the bladed rings there is a cloth binding where she hold them when used in her hands.
Shadow Whip This black whip has a reach of eight feet long when unraveled and is stronger then any common whip like it. Not even a sword can break it.
History: Lilith’s past is as shrouded in darkness as her Elemental companion. She has traveled long and far in her life hunting an elusive prey.
Other: Lilith is a quiet sort who has seen much of the world and calls upon a Black Dragon to carry her when needed though she rarely calls upon him to travel.

Black Dragon
Black Dragon dubbed Vikram, this dragon is called by a silver armlet set with three black obsidian gems. When magic is focused through them the Dragon Vikram is called.
He is 60 ft long and covered in a thick black fur. He flies on two pairs of feathered wings, the front pair keeps him elevated while the rear pair are used for gliding and direction. Across the top of his arrow shaped head and down his back is a thick mane of red fur. His under belly is also red like the tips of the feathers on his wings.

---------

Lilith frowned thoughtfully as she gazed at the town below. Maia appeared quiet but she knew better. Moving with a care learned from five years of hunting in the wilder places of the world she began descending the path towards the town. Soldiers of the empire were there she knew that much and their destination was for nothing good.
Is this wise?[/color]
“No,” she replied to Shade’s mental inquiry “But we have no choice, I sense IT down there...” She paused for a moment her hands resting on the chakra at her sides. Pulling one free she kept walking down the slope.

She turned suddenly as a heavy body impacted with her. It had been moving at an incredible speed but as it landed on her Lilith knew the smell of wolf pelt. It seemed her persuers had caught up. Hitting the ground back first Lilith continued her backwards momentum and flipped the beast-man off. He was sent flying and hit a tree. Climbing to her feet she moved over to his body while stunned and dealt with the wolf. She slit his throat ignoring the blood spray and watched as he reverted to something resembling a man. The light in his eyes died and Lilith knew he was dead.

Standing she turned and looked back up the slope. A second beast-man stood his coast glittering like silver in the moonlight. Silverwolf her mind reflected and stood at the ready. The beats had the high ground but what he lacked was her abilities. It was night, the time of Shade where his power is at it’s strongest, thus making her stronger. He howled once a mournful savage cry and leapt at her. Lilith smiled shimmered one and was gone. The beast landed and growled with frustration turning several times in search of Lilith as she moved about him in the darkness.
She appeared behind him and stealthy as she could slashed the beast-man across the back he growled with rage and turned sharply but she was already gone. Taunting him more Lilith continued until she was bored and reappeared.
“Shade, Dark Spear.”
The wolf turned as Lilith spoke from the shadows, her form was easily seen against it as she glowed with an indigo light. Beside her darkness formed fast. Taking on an eye shape form and then detail. The tear opened revealing they were but wings and Shade held out his hand. Darkness surged as the wolf leapt and then with unimaginable force. He shrieked once and hit a tree. A shard of darkness shaped like a spear impaling him upon the tree though his heart.
”You walk towards death Salonee,”The wolf spat blood oozing from maw as light fled his body. ”They still ant your head for abandoning the empire set foot in that town and your life will end… but… your life was forfeit… either way… once they… obtain the… powrof the stones… you will have… not place to… hide…” his voice gurgled and then he went limp. Disgusted Lilith nodded to the ghostly form of shade, who vanished between one heart beat and the next along with the dark spear. The wolf slumped to the ground and she shook her head.
They play with the very balance of Mana Shade… the fools they will release THEM if they play with such power…. Yes but which stone are they heading for? There are a few we know of… I think their heading for the Ice Palace… where the stone of water resides. There the people are against the empire and by destroying the sorcerers they are an enemy…then it is best we put aside our quest for a time and try and prevent this catastrophe Agreed
She moved down the mountain slope at an alarming rate. Any normal person would have collided with a tree in this darkness but lilith had the benefit of Shade giving her a mastery over then night unlike any other. Quickly she headed for Maia intent on stopping or at least holding up the Imperial ship.

[Archangel]

Crickets chirped happily in the grass, and the air was filled with the soft sounds of nightbirds, as the sun set redly in the West. It was a fairly brisk night, the air coming off of the Frozen Lands to the West chilling the entire forest down very much. Kay had decided to return to her homeland, Diorre, for a quick break, and to see how her parents were doing. Now, encamped for the night in the Forest of Wonder, she sat by the fire and wrapped a blanket around her.

"No, no. Of course they wouldn't do that. They're Sorcerers, not monsters" She paused for a moment, her chirpy, happy voice quiet but easily heard. Her ears were pivoted forward, as if listening to something interesting. Then she spoke again. "Yes, I've heard that story. I didn't know Ranto the High Magus was here when that happened! Must have been...interesting!" She laughed, a light, tinkling laugh, and then fell silent again. No voice was heard as she sat, the breeze lightly tossing the treetops around her, yet she appeared to be listening. "Well, my mother always told me not to listen in on other conversations." She said lightly, staring directly at a beech tree opposite the fire. Silence again, followed by her tinkling laughter, and a shrug. "Yeah, I guess so. You must be right."

If anybody had been walking by her, and stayed long enough to hear her strange, one-sided conversation, they would have taken her straight away to a healer, concerned that the poor little Sprite had lost her mind. But that wasn't the truth, not at all. Keetle was gifted with the power to speak to the plants around her, and she found that most of them had surprising stories to tell. She liked to pick a tree and talk to it for hours before she fell asleep, as it let her in on the gossip in the area, and told her how things were going in the forest. Especially the old trees, they were the interesting ones, the ones who had been around longest and could tell a good yarn. She cuddled closer to the fire, and continued on with her conversation, her ears moving about above her head, and her fingers lightly tapping on her arm.

She was making her way to the Ice Temple, in the frozen Northlands. Gnome, her constant companion and loyal elemental, had given her the task to check on the Stones every once in a while. It was a constant job, as she went from city to city, temple to temple, crypt to crypt. She never actually LOOKED at the Stones themselves. She didn't know what they looked like, because she had never actually seen one. However, she did know all the effects the Stones created on the land in which they were hidden, and so she looked for those. She sniffed out clues to the Stone's well-being with her keen senses, and she never stayed long in one place. Especially not now, because she had begun to hear rumors of the Empire's designs. She knew that they were searching for some things that were very important, that they were scouring all of the lands of the Empire to find these things, although most people not involved in the search never knew what the soldiers were looking for. But Kay knew. There was only a few of the Stones in the entire world, and they were powerful beyond belief. They had to be what the Empire was searching for. And Gnome had told her that she would stop them from finding the Stones, no matter what the cost.

It was fully dark, and the fire was burning low, the heat from the coals enough to make her feel pleasantly warm, when she finally decided to call it a night. Carefully she laid down, close to the fire but not too close, and said goodnight to the plants around her, before closing her eyes and slowly drifting off to sleep. She had a lot of travelling to do, and had already traveled many leagues that day, and she felt it was time for rest. As she drifted off to sleep, the little figure of Gnome materialized for a moment beside her, about her height, and staring at her with a keen eye. But soon he disappeared once again, and she slept peacefully the whole night, feeling very comfortable.