The Dead Forest (Increased Orc activity due to skirmish)

[Ayerie Valdis]

As Maximos took a moment to recover, the temperature in the air seemed to drop drastically. From around behind him erupted a sound resembling a thunderclap combined with a cacophonous bat shriek that was soon followed by a loud, borderline obnoxious slow clapping. A figure now stood a few feet behind Maximos, obviously directing the clapping at the group before him. He then adressed the people in front of him, and spoke in a condescending tone that one would use when praising a child.

Very good ladies and gentlemen…

The clapping stopped, and his voice then shifted to show him as being completely serious.

Now indulge me. Since you have found your culprit, I’m curious as to what exactly you intend to do about it. Surely such a rabble of misplaced strangers and talents cannot hope to defeat this enemy.

Anyone who turned their attention to such a taunt, noticed a man bearing flawless snow white skin, perfectly straight raven hair extending to just above his shoulders with a few strands present in front of his face, and deep violet eyes. The most noticeable features however, were the two small black and purple bat wings extending from his head on either side, just above his ears. The figure grinned at them with an ivory fanged smile projecting an air of pure elitism. He was clad in a long black hooded robe that dragged to the ground, though the hood had been pulled back.

He shifted his attention from person to person to cat and back again, almost expecting one of them to attack him for such a statement, and hoped that their leader would keep them in check. He would hate to get his new robe dirty. Regardless, he folded his delecate gloved hands in front of him, showing no concern or worry whatsoever as if the chaperone at recess. And one pudgy little black bat clumsily fluttered out from his robes and came to rest upon his left shoulder.  

[Pocket Gal]

All this magic made Katie uncomfortable, but she wasn't going to make mention of it. She'd stand within this veil and watch the cloudy scene unfold before them. It was all so very surreal for her, especially when the figures started to get faces.

She had met Rage before. The other man, Sunstrike, she'd never seen before. Neither of them seemed to bother her. It was the last man, Victor, that tugged at her very core. There was something that denoted him as the bad guy to her, even if she'd never seen the man before.

And her thoughts fell just where Damion's did.

Who was he?

Her attention was tugged back into the present time when a sharp, loud sound rang into her thoughts. She glanced over her shoulder to see who was causing all the commotion.

It was nobody she knew, and nobody she thought was of much importance.

The seven foot woman turned slowly to face the bat man. He was telling, not asking, them to indulge him in who the culprit was. For a moment she thought about punching him in the face for his arrogance, but instead she crossed her thick arms over her chest, staring at him.  

[Eternal Dirge]

Oh great, someone else looking for a fight? Damion turned to the sound of the noise, crossing his arms over his chest with a disgusted look," Another pretty boy? G'damn, you'd think everyone on Gaia was a goddamn supermodel." He growled, glaring straight at Anuksu. He didn't know about everyone else, but he was getting alittle sick of appearances like this, all dramatic like it was mandatory or something.

annoying buggers.  

[The Proclaimer]

Quinn felt like this was a situation where being concise was important. He had paid attention to Maximos' presentation and was impressed, and felt the importance of it, but it also had set him on edge. As the man newly appeared in a clap of thunder, he turned to him.

"Shut up unless you have anything constructive to add."

Sighing, he looked to Katie and the rest of the group. Some day this had turned out to be.  

[Unchecked Twitch]

She looked behind herself, nothing that the others were in a sort of ritual... likely something to read the area. Interesting, the ways people hunt these days. Not to say she didn't appreciate it, but the mental comparison between what she saw now and the movie image of a skilled ranger picking up leaves and twigs, and giving a paragraph of unnerving detail about what had happened, like the fact that someone burped "right here..." was being made. It made her smile.

But then, some sequence of events happened that drew her back into reality. The problem with Noir standing behind Maximos was the fact that...

Quote:

Maximos stood in the dead center of the circle...

and unless he magic'd his way in, there would be no sudden appearing in the group of pretty annoyed adventurers. In the case of Noir actually taking the time to teleport himself in, Maximos' sight might just stop the guy on the outskirts, where he'd be left to deal with D' and the other Suits that were around.

Consider though, that Noir was supposed to be walking around or something. D' had made it a point not to enter into the huddle-- she could ask Lazenca what was going on, or even link and figure things out that way. However, she'd stepped away to talk to guys in the escort helicopter-- it would be one of those guys that alerted her to someone else's showing up. While random people appearing was becoming commonplace and no concern for alarm unless they were laughing maniacally, D' was gonna go meet him, very likely with Seung and another Suit, to make sure he was one of the good guys.

If Noir was indeed walking, then he'd be saying his spiel in front of D' and the young, white-haired Korean giving him the stinkeye. No matter his exact location for his show, D' rubbed her arm in response to the cold and sighed heavily.

"Sir, we're just a bit busy at the moment. If you want to help us, then wait a second to get the story. If not, well I'm pretty sure you don't want to keep rudely challenging us, possibly into beating you into silence..."

She smiled an absolutely false smile, one that said I don't like retorting like this, but I meant what I said. It looked pretty much like this: ^_____^

"...right?"  

[Maximos]

It wasnt the thunder, Maximos didnt hear it. It wasnt the voice, with so much rushing out it didnt sink in.

It was nothing.

Literally.

The image Maximos displayed showed Victor, Shades, Forgotten Magic, all tainted with nothingness. The ground held dead shades reeking of the stuff, the rune was standing on, was practically born of if...but that was all past tense. What snapped away Maximos' attention was the fact that the man that approached with his winged head, was practically saturated in the stuff. It pinged an immediately and very real threat.

Like a curtain suddenly pulled back, the image folded in on itself and swirled upwards back into a single stream which flew directly back into the head it came from. The impact showed, as Maximos' head jerked back violently, his legs struggled to catch him as he stumbled back, cementing a single foot just a moment before he would have struck the ground.

He sat silent, gasping for a moment as the others addressed and or took their time noting the man. Maximos needed a glance to know...that taint...only one kind of being had it.

I should have known...

He said, from a knelt position on the ground, slowly standing, his eyes on the ground.

...Its not enough that you have to spend eternity in nothingness now you'll join in dragging everything else with you...

His gaze rose, blurry eyes straining to regain focus from the shock, his bandaged right hand rising to wipe a smear of black from his right eye.

Which one is it?

He'd only read a few case files, the weaker, or the stranger, or those that effected him. Such as this one...those wings...they graced Aria once...And once was enough.

The Last Hand of Fate...

He said, the words slipping from his mouth nearly envenomed.

...the Betrayer...

His tone grew colder, firmer. His fist clenched and opened, ready for what had to follow.

...the Black Rose...

A pause. He looked for a sign of recognition. And continued once he saw it.

The vampire...Anuksu...Velarius...Noir...

The group surrounded him, his head turned away from the figure immediately addressing them as a whole, pausing on Damion. Maximos just so happening to be a man who enjoyed looking good, or at least dressing well. And took offense to being called a pretty boy in with "Everyone" else.

Dont judge him by his looks alone Damion, we cant all share our charm and looks with a rock.

And then took a step toward the figure, turning towards Twitch.

Be careful...

He said, taking a deep breath and swallowing it back, his tone returning strong. Ready for action, and a bit of explanation.

There are those who endanger the order of life and death, those that threaten to tip the scales in either direction so far that the machine itself may break. Those that cannot be dispatched by normal means, and simply must be locked away.

He made a gesture toward the Vampire who was likely, if the file read correctly, relishing the attention.

This is one such being, though he's nothing without his army. Though I doubt he'll let us simply carry on. Ladies and Gentleman, it seems we'll have to work for our information...

A snap, and a black longsword flew from his shadow into Maximos' right hand and was immediately aimed at the Door Criminal before him. It looked like it was time to fight.  

[Ayerie Valdis]

Anuksu followed his first instinct, and upon hearing his full name, he leaned forward in a delicate bow.

Pleasure to meet you all.

Someone listing off all his forgotten titles made Anuksu grin like he hadn't in centuries. He shifted his attention back to the group with a look of recollection and with a fanged smile.

"Ah... I do so miss the old names."

It was indeed rare that someone would go through so much dailogue to aknowledge is presence and weave his words with such hatred... yes he sensed the power on this individual the power of the door's keepers. This must be what he had felt coming from the chopper, as none of the others reeked of such an energy. Not wanting to betray the identity of his adresser, he poked a tendril of his power towards Maximos's already weakened mind just long enough to speak. The words he left in Maximos's mind were not harsh or loud, but just as something carried on a tiny breeze that one must strain to hear.

"I know you... Reaper"

It was easy to tell by the look on his face that the vampire had indeed been both flattered and relishing the attention. He smiled inwardly at the fact that to some his passing could carry so much weight, seeing as how for thousands of years no one knew he existed but the other eleven. Anuksu took the time to look down the blade of Maximos's sword making eye contact. His amethyst eyes showed no fear, no joy, no sorrow, only empitness. Accepting Maximos's words did sting his pride a little, though in truth he was significantly less powerful without his voidling army and had decided to never make another for fear of being put back into the door.

It was the group itself now that drew his interest, and though he had brushed aside their insults, he wondered what kind of people would willingly follow a reaper, or if they even knew at all what he was. He found himself proud of making such an entrance, for now he got a glimpse into the personality of each group member. Through such a taunt, he could now see who would launch threats before analyzing their opponent, who would remain socialy exceptable (his personaly favorite) and who was not worth noting at all. He was even forced to stiffle a laugh after the reaper's comment to the one called Damion, for such an insult showed some social ability. At least the group had a decent face. Though the insult was also a sign of a very fragile bond. He wondered if such a group would even hold against the enemy and his magic. Nevertheless, they were his only chance at stopping the end.

His attention once again snapped back to the impending battle, and seeing as how this group seemed to bear in mind the same purpose in their actions as himself, he adressed the group once more.

"Come now, clearly you misunderstand my intentions. My past and personality aside, I come on a mission of goodwill."

Though his words were truthful, his past tended to get in the way of other's belief in his words. Not expecting Maximos or the others to believe his words for even a second, he shifted his weight ever so slightly to get better footing for the inevitable incoming blow.

"If it is evil you seek... then I stand before you. But what has transpired here is not of my doing. Seek your villain elsewhere."  

[Pocket Gal]

Katie saw the deep recession between Maximos and the other man. This was something she was being thrown into, and she didn't know who or what she was fighting for now. All she knew was that she had boarded that chopper in hunt of the bad guy, but something told her that this vampire standing before them was not the guy intended, not this journey.

She didn't draw her weapon. She decided she would wait and see what transpired. If the two decided to fight, so be it. She would get involved if the vampire brought in help, but she had a feeling that Maximos could easily handle the vampire on his own.

Her arms never moved from their crossed position over her chest, while her eyes never strayed from the man before them.  

[Eternal Dirge]

Insult(kind of) followed by long list of names. Time to tune out the rest of the conversation, if indeed anything followed. He instead looked down at the symbol they all stood in, frowning down at it for amoment before moving around within it's confines, careful not to bump anyone if he could help it. Magic was still pretty foreign to him, and he wanted to see what all this thing had to offer.

Besides, if there was a fight, Maximos could handle it. He was strongest after all.  

[Uberwulf X]

Lazenca yawned.

Kinda loudly.  

[Maximos]

What is it about you walking on the scene that makes everyone think they can stand down?

The question seemed so much more fitting now. He remembered not having an answer then. And he didnt have one now. Everyone was a bit too "cool" for this. Clearly, Max who moments ago had to struggle to stand, who moments before that was a hobbling mess unable to walk if not Ravens help...clearly...Maximos was strongest, and most able to win this fight against an entirely healthy foe. By all standards this was not an ordinary vampire, it was standing in the daylight. Well, part of having new comrades was learning each others limits right? Maximos the man, was sadly, hardly Maximos the legend.

Anuksu did not back down, and deep inside Maximos knew he woudnt. No one seemed willing, able or interested in the fight, and deep inside Maximos knew they wouldnt. He was no party leader, this trip was simply his idea, all the reason he should host it, and welcome those who joined. But this was his duty, not theres.

No you dont...that monster is gone...

Regardless, his bluff was called. Maximos sword dropped, its tip digging into the turf. There was a hint of truth on Mr. Noir, perhaps he wasnt involved. Perhaps then he had nothing to gain from plunging the world into nothingness. Perhaps then....he didnt like the idea that followed.

Then we will...

His face twisted with a grimace as had suddenly tasted the most disgusting words possible.

And you wont stand before us. You'll stand beside us. Regardless of your intentions, your sentence has no expiration date. Cross us and it will be carried out in full...

The enemy of my enemy is my friend? He hated it. But as a single Reaper he couldnt take someone like this. Anuksu was a special case, defeat, death...they werent enough. But to have such trouble as aid....

It sickened him, he turned away back to the center.

Now stand there quietly, and let me finish this.

He wouldnt tell a soul, he did all he did to hide it, but those with the proper senses could tell he wasnt nearly as strong as he pretended. Or maybe he was just the strongest and most powerful ever and could do anything. They'd have to see.

He returned to the center of the circle and took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled and the stream once again escaped his eye, once again the foggy dome of arcana was displayed, and once again a lone figure was seen standing and waiting.

Victor Fah

Past twisting branches.

Through torn leaves.

Ahead of the stillness.

He waited.

"...." Yellowed eyes stared forward as he remained as still as the haggard trees surrounding him. His clothing was that of one born of a nobility long since passed, and the sheathed sword he held before him, both palms resting atop it's pommel, contrasted sharply with his white clothing.

Leaves which had lifted from the ground to trees hung still for a moment, and then slowly began to fall as time continued.

Maximos almost immediately lurched forward, catching himself on one foot. As the scene played out.

Heroes arrived, Teira had a vicious conversation with Victor, all while Rage and Sunstrike tore through the background.

Maximos seemed stoic as ever, straightening up as it played through, his arms slightly lifted in either direction. Occasionally his legs twitched, or arms nearly fell and the image sputtered. But after a few minutes he became still. Entirely still. Even his breathing was barely visible. His mouth hung slightly open, a white glow just barely visible deep inside his mouth from the back of his throat.

His arms fell. Limp, but unmoving.

The past visage of the rune ignited. Forgotten soldiers appeared and what heroes had arrived played out their battle. Teira was struck. Maximos' index finger twitched.

The battle ended, Victor, Ra'kar departed, the last shades were defeated and Rage called out to the group. He mentioned the Firebrand...

A destination.

The image sputtered, and then like so much fog began to disperse back into a single beam, which flew effortless back into Maximos' eye. The white glow faded to a dull nothing, streams of black stained his right cheek. And everything was still.

And then he fell, quite like a log face forward for the ground. Maximos had checked out long ago.  

[The Proclaimer]

There was no p***y footing around as far as Quinn was concerned. While he had not made an offensive move, he could tell Maximos was weak, and the sheer assumption that he was so strong that he could pull out some weird joo joo like that and immediately fight someone just bewildered him. Shaking his head, he levelled his pistol to the vampire, the Jericho ready to go, finger to the trigger. Obviously, it wouldn't kill it, but after all, he never used the thing for a killing shot unless an opponent was prone.

He hesitated to fire, simply because everyone else was ignoring the son of a b***h, and Maximos was at least tolerating his presence. But he was far from trusting this new person, and if he didn't get the feeling that he would be quickly frowned upon for shooting him or fighting him right now. He did slowly cross to Katie though, instinctually going to the most familiar person in the group.

However, when Maximos fell, he tossed the pistol to his left hand and lurched forward, landing on his leg to let the man fall onto his shoulder, rolling back to ease the momentum of his fall. His right arm wrapped around his center, and Quinn quickly releveled the Jericho at the vampire.