Welcome to Gaia! ::

::A black haired man, standing at six feet four inches, was looking out at a giant encampment of soldiers. He was standing on a plateau overlooking the crimson red skies of twilight on Citadel. He stared at the saphire colored moon rising from behind the mountains, and he sighed as the winds picked up his cape. He was the leader of this army of mercernaries, and he was on a journey back from the War. He looked more fierce and threatening, all of his innocence stripped from this war. The old leader left a will and all the men into his care, believeing he would be a better person to take care of these 'low lifes' as the will stated.::

"Mi'Lord, what shall we do?"

We're going home, tell the men they may rest here for the night and I will deliver a speech in a few minutes.

"Right away."

::The servant bobbed his head and walked away, he limped a bit but that was before the war ever started. The mans clear blue eyes shone with the torchlight and he walked up closer to the edge of the cliff. Everyone got quiet, and he looked at all the men below him. There was utter and complete silence that even the steeds did not make a sound.::

I was given to you, to continue with this buisness. We have grown through this war, and we have prevailed through all of our challenges. I come before you tonight to tell you that this war is finally over, the enemy has given up their assaults and returned home. Our contract is over and we will return home. I look at you not as fighting partners, but as brothers, men I can trust, men I can rely on. I ask you now, are you ready to return home to your families?

::Cheers arose from all of the men and a giant flag was pulled up to reveal their symbol unique in their own way. It was a skull with two scythes crossed behind it, and they looked as if covered in blood.::

Bloody Reapers, you are dismissed until we march in the morning.

::The man walked off as he heard orders shout from all around to set up the reserves, and music sounded in the distance. He walked into his own pavilion and fell onto his cot. He looked at his second in command, a man with gold-yellow eyes, and long silver hair, he had a slender face, like the leader, and he looked at the man in the make-shift bed.::

"What is it, Algus?"

::His voice was clam and serene, it had a light touch to it but women fell in love with his voice. Algus looked over at him and sighed.::

What drives a man?

"His dreams drive him."

Then what makes a hero?

"A man who gives up his dream to help the people he loves."

I never thought of it like that, but I don't feel like a hero at all.

"Just sleep, we are going to set out for home soon."

::The man nodded and closed his eyes, trying to go to sleep. The sounds of the festival going on helped him ease his fears for one night.::

::Algus quieted Mordok who was about to say something when he heard a commotion inside.::

Hey, you two. I'm a certified warrior I think you can even let an assassin in here. It can't be hard for me to kill someone...even thought I don't like it. Besides, nobody can kill the King, its kinda...hard.

::He looked to Mordok who just looked at him awkardly.::

"Let the poor wretch in."

:: They stared at the entrance to the pavilion, waiting for the unexpected guest to enter.::

::Algus almost didn't recognize the box, with all the scratches and dents inside it. He looked it over carefully, then took a key from his pocket, and opened the box slowly.::

If this is something important, you will get paid. If not, I will have to ask you kindly to leave. We will give you a meal and some supplies to be on your way... but, either way, you killed a man who did not want to suffer.

::Algus sighed and opened the box, inside was his old wolf headed platinum dagger. His father forged it for him, which used to be a box that his grandfather carried around. He took it out slowly and examined the blade, which was still in its sheath.::

Fifty years ago, I lost this dagger. For you to have found it, I am greatful. Mordok, give him payment, and be generous. You have done a great deed here. May I ask your name?

::He looked at the man and pulled his belt off, and replacing his kife onto his belt and replaced it.::

::He looked DDK over and put his chin into his hand, and thought about something.::

You look like a fine fighter, for living off animals, and insects. Why don't you join us? You get room and board, a nice weapon, if you cannot provide your own, two to three meals a day, and a hefty paycheck at the end of the month. Thats not in war times. You get a salary, a tent, two meals a day, and your own armor. During war, and you are always welcoem to train. You can also raise in ranks, which comes with a bigger check.

::He thought it over for a minute, and he yawned. He looked at DDK one last time.::

Think about my offer, Mordok get him some new clothes and some food. I need sleep.

::He fell back onto his bed and was asleep in minutes.::

"Well first of all, you should respect your superiors. You can't treat everyone like a servant. We are all family here, in a sense, so we treat eachother like friends."

::Mordok handed him a plate of food and walked off out of the food tent.::

Help us! Please help us, the city...HELP!

What's going on? Who are you?

I'll be waiting, Algus. Please don't leave me.

Nadia? Who are you people? Tell me!

The Dunjir! They've come! The Emperor, he won't stop trying to kill us. You need to save us! There isn't much time left!

Why me?

Algus. You are my angel, you will always protect me. I know it.

STOP!

::Algus woke with a start screaming the word stop. He looked around to find the pavilion still dark. He got dressed into a long sleeve, dark blue, silk shirt, and black leather pants. He stomped his boots firmly, and he placed knives into his shirt, he learned how to pull knives out so he can use them, not to mention they made no noise when he walked anyways.::

Mordok, that DDK guy... is he still here?

: biggrin awn was fast approaching and Algus walked out of the pavilion to see the men almost done packing up. He looked to a scribe to his right who looked at him awkardly.::

"S-s-s-ir! There seems to be a scoundrel laying on the table and he wont move. What should we do?"

Pick him up and put him in the infirmary. He is our guest and I guess he fell asleep as he finished eating. Just move him to the wagons. What are the reports of the city, how many days?

"Close to two weeks, sir."

Let's make it five days.

::Mordok looked at him. He stared wildly at the scribe shaking uncontrollably. He started to mutter.::

"Algus, are you kidding me? They can't move that fast! Not even you could make it to Sigmar in 1 week!"

Mordok, We're going to travel the portals. It's risky but I can't help but feel that they are going to need us very soon.

"There are no mages left alive that can sustain a portal for more than ten minutes. You know that!"

I'm making the portal. So get the men ready because it will be hell if we aren't tell them that anyone left behind will have to get their pay reduced.

::Algus walked away and picked up a few figurines of wolves and walked past the clearing, leaving Mordok and the scribe bewildered. A small breeze stirred picking up the leaves of Sotrm.::

::As Algus walked into the front of the men's emcampment, he looekd over all of them. He turned around and put a hand on each wolf figurine, he concentrated long and hard on a suitable palce for them to all appear. When he found the perfect place, he opened up a giant portal over fifty feet long. The picture of the city Sigmar could be seen infront of them which looked to be a days ride from where the area was. It was a hilltop surrounded by trees, and Algus looked back at the men.::

Hurry through! I can only hold this open for thirty minutes! Wagons first! Whatever we don't get through can be picked up tomorrow.

::The portal flickered and Algus concentrated on the portal once more, looking at the scenery.::

::Algus' breathing was begging to grow short and most of the encampment came through the portal. All that was left was him and Mordok. Something hit him from behind, and Mordok jumped through the portal as he fell. He hit the floor hard and the portal closed as he rolled over to look and see what had hit him. It was a giant black figure that had a humanoid shaped body, and it was all black with black eyes, it had bat shaped ears and two batlike wings protruding from its back. Its teeth leaked a black fliud from its mouth and as it landed a small circle ofthe grass died where it touched.::

Feyotir...

::Algus hadn't seen one of these monsters since the Academy was nearly destroyed. He got up quickly and prepared himself for antoehr onslaught. The Feyotir rose into the air and quickly struck at Algus' arm, he reached for his dagger and sliced at the thing's wing. It fell with a shriek, and Algus rolled over and got up. He Jumped at the figure, wasting no time to see if it died. He jumped onto it's back and it shrieked wildly as he ripped the wings from the back of the beast.::

Won't fly away now...a*****e.

::He leaped back and his sword appeared into his hand, it was a three foot obsidian colored double bladed sword. He jumped at the beast and slashed at its legs. He walked over slowly to where the portal site was, now covered in blood, and he turned around and rushed at the figure, buring his knife hilt deep inbetween the thing's head.::

Stay the hell away from me.

::He pulled the hilt out, and there was no trace of blood on it. He sheathed it and fell over from exhaustion.::