True Geist

Subject: True Geist Sun 5 Dec 2010 - 21:15

Prologue

The Garden; safe-haven to all mirgrating souls on earth. In the Eternal War, it serves as God's forward base against Lucifer and his hellish beasts, but it's true purpose is to house the Gates to Heaven, where departed souls of the dead are drawn, delivered, or judged. Not all are so easily sorted however, some souls are gifted; or cursed, with eternal service on Earth. The Astros, beings of blessed virtue and the Chaos, souls of the wretched sin wage battle against each other in the name of their lord. The Astros fight to one day stop Lucifer's influence on the living world and the Chaos work to claim the earth as their own so that Lucifer is once again at the front-line to the throne he feels he deserves.

The battle has waged on for unmeasurable years, and the human race has been apart of that fight ever since the years of Adam and Eve, the first Fallen. Today that battle rages on its highest flame, as The Pit is nearing it goal of spreading un-inhibited sin across the reaches of the earth. For Lucifer, the battle is nearly won, but the Astros fight a brutal crusade to quell the recent uprising. On the etheral plains of Purgatory, the final battle wages upon The Great Plains, located in central North America.

Subject: Re: True Geist Mon 6 Dec 2010 - 15:18

Chapter V: ... Into the Freezer
The Great Plains, Nebraska
18th Seca, 4th Cycle

The sun was gleaming as it pressed it's orange glow against the horizon. Birds in the sky were distorted and colored in odd hues of blue and grey, in fact the entire realm was only a shadow of the living world it represented, where odd distortion and color displacement were common. Still, it was a beautiful realm, on most nights.

"Rear artillery, fire. Forward infantry, charge!" The forward cammander bellowed as he sat upon a white unicorn at the frontline, it's coiled horn shining with light. He wore heavy golden armor that matched much of the other soldiers on the battlefield, altough it was much more richly adorned, expressing his rank. He tilted his head up as a wave of large burning boulders at least ten feet wide flew over his head followed by a trail of smoke. Following the rocks, the first batalions of mixed infantry flooded towards the battle on the plains. The golden army consisted of three smaller units. All three were equipped with swordsman, archers, lancers, and calvary. All of these soldiers were Fallen, human souls bestowed with power over the energies of earth and nature that mimiced the creator. Each was unique, each powerful; yet each soul could be matched by another on the opposing side.

The forces of Hell, Lucifer's army, was organized slightly differently. What it lacked in Fallen participation, it made up in all manner of fellbeast. Murderous orc, goblins, demons, soaring chimera, and beautiful yet ferocious succubi flooded the ranks of the evil army. They were feral, held in line by the few twisted and tainted Fallen skilled in controlling them. Joining these Fallen were Chaos, aged and powerful, trained; condidtioned to use God's blessing as a weapon of evil. Among the clowing eyes of the fell-beast, these tratiorous warriors wait for their moment to strike, and their oppourtunity to fell as many souls of virtue as possible. Their first waves, a thunderous black mass. Composing this mass of shadow, were hundreds, maybe thousands of hellhounds. The creatures were non-intelligent, prone to attacking anything that moved; however, they were weak. This was the purpose of their mass numbers. Where a traditional Alaskan wolf pack may reach a peak of a few dozen wolves, these packs, when left to grow ininhibited, numbered in the hundreds. This pack had been bred for some time; bred for a single purpose, the destruction of hope. Not even the burning earth being hurdled over head thinned their numbers much.

***

This violent horde could easily devour a dozen Astros batallions without so much as thinning their numbers, a fact the armies of light were well aware of. Among the first wave, running center charge; Zephyr, the Torrent. His mastery over the winds and the storm and thunder's bolt was infamous throughout the Pit. His winds are demon'sbane, scourge of the underworld. Very few Astros are given such power, nor do they possess such a level of skill. Zephyr was among the ranks of few; the fate of Purgatory rest on these few. Moral was high as they charged; the presence of their campion was a comfort and inspiration. Zephyr was tall and regal. He had cropped golden hair that swept across his battle-scarred forehead and eyes. From his nose down, he kept his face covered with a long crimson silk scarf that was wrapped around his neck and shoulders in a thick bundle. He wore custom armors, adorned with arcaic religous symbols colored in the same crimson hue of his scarf. The armor was thick yet light and free. In his right hand he carried a readied scimitar with a golden hilt. He ran with them, as one of them. He fought for the same peace all Astros desired, and in this, he was their equal.

Once the charging forces of both armies neared, Zephyr evaporated in mid-stride. Only seconds later, from the western flank, several whirlwinds rose on the plains. They began to slowly move towards the hounds as they spun violiently, tearing the earth as they moved. They appeared like ordinary tornados, but there was not storm fueling them. Once they were close enough to the enemy armies, the whirlwinds took on a life of their own. They lifted off the ground and took flight. They buzzed through the hounds as they dipped and swarmed freely through the crowds, felling hundreds with each swoop. By the time the Astros reached the group, the ratio had been dropped down to 10:1, much more managable for trained Astros. When his commrades entered the fray, Zephyr dispeled his tornados and revaporated in the heart of the beasts. His blade hummed as he whipped it effortlessly through each deadly strike.

The tides turned in light's favor for a moment. Before Zephyr could react he was blindside by a agile flying creature. He turned his head as he stuggled against the beast as it flew into the sky. She hissed before making a futile attempt to reach his neck through the thick cloth bundle protecting it. His eye flashed as he ran his sword deep into her side. She screamed in pain as she released him and fell lifelessly towards the ground. No rest for the weary, The sky was speckled with black wings as dozens of succubi swarmed around the battle, scooping unsuspecting Astros into the sky, were they are either devoured alive, or dropped to their death. Zephyr shut his eyes with a calm sigh as he fell towards the ground. He let himself roll back slowly until he returned to an upright stance just as his feet touched the ground. The flight with the succubus had removed him from the fray but in a wisp, he sped back to the battle.

***

The forces of good were quickly losing momentum and moral as the flying creatures picked them off one by one. On top of that, the firt waves of weapons wielding fell beasts were making their march for the battle and the dwindling hellhound numbers were beginning to fuse into more large and formidible wolves out of desperation. The dark monsters easily laying waste to their Astros foe. The commanding officer looked out on the battle from his horned steed with anger and building wrath. He drew his sword, before riding ahead of his armies.
"It is this day that light quells the darkness." His sword was held high above his head and he rode along the lines. "We ride the victory or to ruin."
"Sun sets; may sun rise with victory." He added under his breath as he looked at the last rays of sun fighting over the twilight.
The unicorn reared back and brayed with courage. "For the King!" He yelled before charging ahead.
"For the Father!" The remaining betallions echoed before charging after him.

Three remained behind side by side. The crimson-haired woman with a kind face yet burdened eyes, standing left of center laughed to herself before voicing her opinion to the other two. "He's not one for show, is he?"
"What do you expect? An arch-angel has much more to worry for than just this skirmish, Lily." The large man in the center retruned with a thick samoan accent.
The third man, aged battle torn stepped forward. From his right hand, a gleaming light shined before a long spear was summoned from the light. He clasped the end and pulled it back with the same hand, allowing it to slide to a more balanced position on the spear. The left arm was covered by a heavy grey shall, in fact it was a covering for mere show as there was no arm underneath that cloth; lost to him long ago. He spoke in a deep controlled tone. "The fact that he has graced us with his command today should speak to the direty of our situation."
He took another step forward before whirling his spear around him effortlessly using only the left hand, and perhaps a little help from the air. "So lets get to work, no?"
He didn't wait for a response before he charged towards the battle, quickly catching up with the charging forces. Lily laughed again before revealing a simple wooden staff from beneath her thick flowing fur robes.
"You heard the man, tubby." She joked before running after him.
"Give me a break. My name is Zulu, by the way." He said before dissolving into a pillar of water that soaked into the ground incredibly fast.

Subject: Re: True Geist Sun 12 Dec 2010 - 20:22

Chapter VI: Tricks of the Trade
The Great Plains
20th Seca, 4th Cycle

Michael's army made short work of the meager offerings of orc, goblin, and flying succubi. The hellwolves reduced to smoke as overwhelming numbers seized them. Zephyr alone had been slaying all in his path with little effort so when Michael ordered a full charge victory was emminent. The last of hell's army charged to the battle in answer of their charge. The floods collided on the battle already in progress as the sounds of blades and the flash of elemental magic spread in a wave.

"Now?"
". . . very well."

The large cluster of the battle continued their slaughter as ground began to shudder. It escalated, becoming more violent and jarring, before the ground beneath the battle began to crumble. A great chasm split in a long jagged strip pulling Astros and Chaotic fellbeast alike into the crumbling abyss. Zephyr took to the sky and looked in horror as his allies fell to their deaths. He couldn't greive long as scattered flying creatures ignored the disturbance and targeted him as a result. He fought alone in the sky, resorting more to evasion than offense, as the creatures gathered together in their efforts. Meanwhile, before the battle was a masacre. Only air astros, adept enough to fly, or the lucky few on the edges of the chasm survived the surprise attack. Michael, deep in the fray, was forced to abandon his steed as he resorted to using his magnificent wings to fall back to the edge of the chasm, where Ian, Lily, and Zulu stood looking at the smoke and dust in horror.

Michael wore a stern gaze as he looked forward at the destruction. He followed the smoke up to the sky were he saw Zephyr and the remaining air Astros. He looked back at Ian before blasting into the sky with a powerful blast of his wings. Ian followed him with his gaze before looking forward again. In the distance through the thinning smoke he could see something; someone. With a powerful spin, Ian fanned the blunt side of his spear, creating a wide gust of wind. The gust easily cleared the remaining dust, revealing three figures standing side by side on the other side of the chasm.
"There!" Ian yelled before taking a running start and leaping over the chasm with a flailing lunge. He hit the ground with a roll before sprinting at the enemy spear first.

Lily took a step forward in shock, screaming after him. "You idiot. Wait for us!"
She looked around in desperation. Nothing but wheat for miles, nothing to work with. Lily reached into her thick robes and produced several small seeds. She looked over to Zulu, holding the seeds out, before rushing up to the edge. She leaned down and dug out a small recess in the dirt before burying the seeds within. She shut her eyes and set the bottom of her staff on the ground where the seed lay. The staff twisted and mawed before splitting into three thin root-like tendrals. The living roots dug into the earth before a crimson glow shined from under the staff. Within seconds Three strong, green roots crawled out of the ground. The thorny roots twisted and pulled before snapping like whips in a fanned out pattern across the chasm. The three roots began splitting into smaller root divisions, bridging the gap between the three main roots. The proccess was quick and one that appeared chaotic and randomn, but when finished the roots had grown and spread and even budded healthy red roses, into the large framed sillouette of a monarch butterfly. She breathed a sigh as she opened her eyes and looked at her work. A bead of sweat rolled off her brow as she snapped her staff off at the tendrals, leaving a strangly elaborate stump.

Zulu approached after and put a foot on the stump. As soon as his foot touched it, he turned to water again and soaked into the ground. All was silent, before the vines started shifting and shaking. Before long, they began the freeze and the flowers frosted. The ice grew quickly spreading evenly across the vine structure. Within minutes the chasm was nearly completely covered by ice. Lily tested its strength, even as the ice continued to grow. She took her chances and ran across the ice bridge as Zulu rematerialized behind her.

***

Ian was already well into the fight when Lily and Zulu caught up. Two of the chaos stood away from the fight, one with straight wirey black hair, the other short, round and covered in dirt. Ian fought alone against a lone fighter. Tall, with wild black hair, the fighter hid behind a skull top mask with arched tusks crawling off the side. His body was wrapped head to toe in bandages, broken only by the leather cuirass and limb gaurds over them. In his hand he held a wide three foot claymore sword. The hilt was elaborate, carved in the shaped of a winged demon. It's blade had three even scallops on both sides of the blade. The sword, as well as its weilder, were infamous; Yoshimiru, the Demon Blade.

His hidden face disguised all emotion, but the sickening smile peaking beneath the mask previewed his feelings. Yoshimiru fought with fury and strength. Fire erupted from each swing and thrust as he pushed his offensive. Ian parried with incredible speed and agility but couldn't find an opening through Yoshimiru's furious flame. The fight was a stale mate.

Once Ian's reinforcements had arrived, the thin raven haired bystander raised his left arm. He smiled before his hand glowed brightly, aimed at Ian. With a flash a fire ball erupted from his hand, but was flushed out by a splash of water.
"Gorignak." Zulu said through a waved voice. The black haired man turned towards the now approaching Zulu. His entire form was made of clear flowing water. Gorignak cracked his neck before squaring off with Zulu. "Ack, what a disgusting man. Was gluttony not a damnable sin? You are truly massive."
Zulu chuckled lightly, "Pay that no mind. It won't matter in a moment."

The third Chaos looked on in a huff. "Damnable enough for me." He said as he caressed his massive gut, ignoring all other transgressions in his life, those that warranted damnation. He was so focused on the flashy displays of his fire-wielding brethren that he didn't notices the slender vine crawling up and around his left leg. The single vine was soon accompanied by several others working their way up both legs. By the time he noticed, he was nearly half enveloped by smal vines.
"Hey," He struggled. "What's the big idea?"

Lily walked up next to him with her staff outstretched towards him. She wore a coy smirk. Her vines quickened their growth as they encased him in a living coffin.
"You make it too easy, you great oaf." She said.
The fat man just laughed in reply from inside. A ripping noise followed by razor sharp stone platelets slowly cut through the vines. Once they ripped through, the encasing vines fell away in pulpy strips, revealing a plump bundle of jagged plates. He resembled a large pinecone to Lily, where stone replaced the seed plates.
"Your going to need something a lot stronger than some wimpy plants, little girl." He bellowed from under his plates. Lily grimmiced in reply, but stood strong in her resolve. Her left hand slid inside her robe and touched the seed pouch secured to the inside, as if to reassure her self that it was still there; she had yet to use her strongest allies.
"We shall see." She said with sour contempt.

Meanwhile Ian continued to battle Yoshimiru with a smirk. He threw a thrust that Yoshimiru narrowly shifted to avoid. As the length of the spear passed by him, Yoshimiru lifted his blade ready to strike. Ian rolled his hand under the shaft of his spear and put the point of his spear into the ground, stopping his forward momentum. He immediatly shifted on his knees to spin left to the approaching sword behind him. He braced the shaft of his spear against the length of his forearm as he finished his rotation and caught Yoshimirus swing against his arm.
"Just like the old days, huh?" Ian growled with a laugh. His arm pushing against the sword, still powered with Yoshimiru's fury.
He continued pressing the sword against Ian's spear.
"Not exactly." He hissed before pushing back from Ian. He turned his blade downward and clutched the handle tightly in his outstretched hand. The hilt's elaborate design housed two crimson rubys like glowling eyes. Yoshimiru stared deeply at his sword, lost in it's form.
"Those who witness this crimson flash, pass into torment beyond reckoning." He said before the ruby eyes began to gleam. Ian took a step forward but he wasn't fast enough. In an instant, both Yoshimiru and Ian were enveloped in the light where they both vanished, leaving only the sininster echo of unidentified laughter.

Subject: Re: True Geist Tue 14 Dec 2010 - 18:26

Epilogue

The forces of good quelled darkness that night, but at the price of countless souls. When dawn arrived only Zephyr, Lily, and Zulu stood by Michael at the crest of victory. The new day was theres but it was a solemn day; a grievous day. Gorignak and the girthy earth Chaos, Mezzo, retreated quickly to the Pit when they realized numbers fell out of their favor. Michael recalled back to the host, followed by Zephyr and Zulu, who made their way home, to The Garden. Lily however, stayed behind to search for Ian. He was near; she sensed that he was close, Yoshimiru too. The nearby city of Lincoln felt like the most likely source of their energies. She set off on foot throught the long grasses. It would be a long hike out of the plains and to the city, where one last strand of this great battle still waged.

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