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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Funeris" data-source="post: 2675424" data-attributes="member: 22792">PawnsToq climbed through the arcing window, as deftly as a spider upon a beautifully spun web.  The priest knew the Black Magus would be waiting, such had been foretold.  It would be a definitive meeting in the history of humanity, a time to finally throw off the shackles of divinity; at least a time to remove the shackles crafted by gods and goddesses which had no right to claim leadership over humanity.  Those gods and goddesses that had sat idly by and allowed the great snake Nar’sra to kill Guymardt, the father of humanity, would be removed.  All of divine history, all of the betrayal, all of the bloodletting had been but mere steps along the path of coalescence of purpose for the human race and their guiding influence, Ara’kull.Today was a day of fate.  Today was a day of history.  Today, Toq’s life would finally have purpose and meaning.  Yes, all of it would mean something after today.The cleric stood waiting quietly for the meeting he knew had been prearranged by fate.  And without disappointment or surprise, the Black Magus stepped out of the long shadows of the Spire.  “It is time, Magus.”  Toq began, holding his symbol at arm’s length.  “It is time for a regime change.”“I am aware of your god’s plans, child, the voice drifted across the shadow, condescending and emanating from all directions.  The voice was soft and feminine, quite the surprise to Toq who had always assumed the Magus was male.  The tone was also distant and cold, a voice tainted by the corruption of death.  For several long centuries, I have held the separate kingdoms together, per the desires of Ara’kull.  For an eternity, I have reigned and given my tribute to your, to our god.  I have a few words to leave you with, of course, once you have given to me the payment I am due.She paused, sliding gracefully into the light.  Spiked armor, blacker than shadow, was stretched taught across her small frame.  She moved noiselessly, despite the encumbrance, and moved right to the edge of the extended holy icon.  She batted it away, almost playfully before flowing directly into Toq’s arms.  Her hands, covered by gauntlets tipped with razor-like talons, closed strongly about his arms.“You did bring my payment, didn’t you priest?”  The words were drenched in the scent of rot and decay, her face hidden by a demonic mask with eyes flickering the color of dying embers.  Toq shuddered; he was sure he did not wish to see the face hidden behind the mask.“It is,” the priest replied turning away, “in my satchel.  My lord fulfills his promises, fiend.”  “Of course he does, priest.  Of course he does.”  She stepped a pace back, releasing the priest’s arms.  He could nearly hear the smile stretch the decaying flesh behind the mask as he reached into his satchel, rummaging about for the payment.Toq pulled his arm out quickly, throwing an object toward the Black Magus.  Her hands shot out with preternatural speed, to enclose a vial that exploded within her clutches.  She screeched, drawing away as the sanctified waters scorched her flesh and armor.“TREACHERY!!!” she shrieked, pulling back defensively as the priest’s bastard sword slipped between the plates of mail.  The sword bit into her torso and burst into flames, righteous, sanctified light.  She hissed again, drawing back to disappear into the shadows.“Mark my words, priest.  You and I are naught but pawns to your god.  Pawns manipulated in the greatest of games.  You will watch your back, for when you least expect it, I shall be there.  In the darkest of hours, upon the darkest of nights, I will wait for you.  And that night, much like tonight, I will not retrieve my due.  But I will rise again, devouring your soul and teaching you the truth of torture.”  A sudden flaring of light drew both attentions to the center of the spire.  There, between the cracks of masonry, energy poured into the room.  The energy flared, burning white to blue to red, like a great, angry pyre.  It blazed golden, burning the priest’s eyes and singing the Black Magus’ flesh.  Both yelped in pain, flinching away from the light.I WILL NOT TOLERATE YOU.  The command was direct and resonated within their minds.  I WILL NOT TOLERATE YOUR GOD OR HIS MACHINATIONS.  Anger, pure, clear and precise anger jabbed each pawn.  They fell to their knees, skin and mind aflame with pure agony.  Within their minds’ eyes, the flames reappeared, uniting into the form of a beautiful woman.  The flames were her body, flickering and dancing, licking the cool air.  Blue flames burned where her eyes would have been, piercing shadow and veil, piercing truth itself.She reached out and with a thought drew both creatures into her grasp.  The grip, tight, was hot and cool, painful and soothing all at once.  The Black Magus shrieked, her undead flesh slowly turning to ash and soot.  FOR YOU THAT ARE DEAD, TO DEATH YOU SHALL RETURN.  FOR YOU THAT WILL BE KING, A PRISON YOUR EXISTENCE WILL BE IF ARA’KULL FEELS NEED FOR YOU.  TO SERVE AS PAWNS IS TO DIE AS PAWNS, SACRIFICED FOR THE END-GAME.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A sudden still calmed the raging battlefield.  From the top of the dark spire, bright light flickered and threatened to consume the precipice.  Red, white, and blue blistered outward from the black-hued spear.Each orc, ogre, troll and even human, what few remained, stared at the sight, unable to look away.  Seconds transmuted into minutes of perfect peace and solitude.  The light vanished, flowing back into the black walls.  The Dark Spire exploded, stone and debris being forced from the structure in a deafening burst.  Every living being below screamed, cowering and covering their heads as a torrent of energy rippled out from the spire.   Then all was movement, dodging and pivoting, ducking and dying.  The debris plummeted quickly, squashing life from those that were too slow or just plain unlucky.  After mere seconds, a dusty mist had arisen across the battlefield, keeping the wounded and tentative peace.</blockquote>

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