The Return Home, The Beginning of the End

[Strega]

Strega focused on teh girl that was sparring with him. Although he had much on his mind he shut it out for the time being, only worried about this fight. He would not pay attention or stray his eyes from his opponent, he had no need to. He smirked slightly at her reaction to the newcomer and at her ploy that she enacted to try and use it to her advantage. But the truth was that Strega had sensed their ever approaching forces, he had felt when his eagles reached their marks and that they would soon make their way to the village. He was well aware of the cards being thrown at him bending his body to the right and deflecting one pair into the other. HE would not be tricked so easily by this and he leaped back expecting that she would make her way towards him. His eyes were drawn to her stance and any movement that she could make from the particular position she was in.

As she drew nearer thinking that he was in full retreat he would launch himself forwards, hoping to make contact with her stomach and throw her down to the ground behind him in a full arc. He did not know if it would work or what her reaction would be but he would compensate for wahtever her next attack would be.

The door once again slid open and he heard a familiar voice and laughed slightly looking out of the corner of his eye a moment to watch him sit and then quickly darting them back to his opponent.

(Sorry about the length I gotta go to work)

[Faye]

The man's lunge came but wasn't that much of a surprise. Since she had seen how he dealt with the two cards she realized he was well aware of what she was doing and thus knew an attack was coming. The only question that was in her mind was where the attack would come and in what way she, so she held her decks defensively while trying to stop her momentum forward. She would eventaully stop just a few feet in front of the man. He right hand held the cards at her neck level leaving enough room between them and the cards to let her see her opponent with ease but at the same time making it easy to cover from her chest up with the decks. The other set was held across her gut close to where the man's attack would come. These were meant to protect her lower half but keeping the two decks over the two most important parts of her body. This was the stance she was told to take is she was unsure of what her enemy was to do. It gave little chance for an attack but also gave ease to defending yourself as well as opening up for counter attacks as your opponent would get quite close to you before they would make contact with her weapons bringing her opponent in close for what normally would be a single card carried by the wind into a vital spot of an enemy. She was a master of the wind like this as she could easily send one card out without the rest keeping the whole deck defensively while still attacking. This was the advantage she had grown use to and was the real reason she could fight at all.

As she saw the lunge form and come towards her she knew how to defend herself already. She merely turned her left hand showing the sharp blades of her cards towards the man which if he were to continue along his path would impale into him just like a wild animal in an feral charge. If he was to react and move she had her other hand high above him which would give her an easy counter attack as she expected from this stance. She didn't plan to do so, as she wanted to end this quick spar now and continue on for they had more important things to do other then fight amongst the two of them.

She could only wonder what awaited them in the future. She didn't know who these people were who were entering the room or where they had come from for they surely didn't look like they were Akamu. Nor did she think she saw them earlier. They must have been friends of this man but how did they know what was happening without be here for it unless he had been planning this, or somehow got a message out between when he gave his short speech and now. It was good that they would have help though for they surely would need it but how much help this man was able to get was the real question and if they would be enough to dethrone a god.

[Rosko]

Rosko came upon the building that Delano awaited in. He took several deep breaths knowing that this was they only chance he had to get an army behind him as he went to aid Strega. He waited outside for a few minutes contemplating what he would say to him. He had to be careful in what he said for saying the wrong thing could anger him to the point where he wouldn't get such an army or worse that he would get into trouble within his own army. He wasn't use to talking to generals in the army, as most of them weren't the same as soldiers because they find themselves to be much better then a soldier. They tend to look down on them quite a bit and with good reason. What also worried Rosko was the fact that this man wasn't known for his honor, which was quite uncommon within the army of Elghinn. Such dishonor as this was seen more within the governments of the death nation and not in the ranks of the military as most soldiers see honor as the only thing to hang onto. An honorable death is the only thing a real soldier can hope for and thus they live closely to this code of honor as to make sure they are granted one. It makes the loyalty of this army quite amazing but those that control them, the government, quick to backstab and the armies' loyalty rests within it's own nation before any other promises they make, for the most part.

Rosko slowly cracked the door and pushed it the rest of the way open. He was in a hallway that had great black curtains falling all about him. He slowly walked through this hallway pushing the curtains aside which obviously made of the finest material, that which was only really seen with the temple of death. As he ended the hallway he was met by two very imposing men. They were both Venoch guards. There was only fifteen of them in existance at any given time. They were the best warriors in all of Elghinn, trained from birth to only know of death and fighting. Outside of fighting they aren't the smartest people but one would never notice as they do not normally talk. Rosko was surprised to see two of them here as they were created by Gruldw himself to protect him, and all gods since. They are easy to distinguish in a crowd as they covered in what seems to be very thick armor but as one would learn quickly from fighting one that it is easy to move in. The armor, as thick as it is, is extremely light, almost as light as cloth. Their armor is very tight to them and just looks like a black mass covering them. Their helmets hold close to their head putting a cage in front of their mouth that almost looks like a mouth itself with gruesome teeth coming out at their opponent. This casts their eyes in a shadow, though if you were lucky you can catch a glimpse of their blood shot eyes that focus on you and don't even seem to blink as they do. The best way to identify these guards is from the dark purple ribbon that is worn almost like a belt with long straps falling down on their right side. They also are easy to distinquish from their weapons which are nails. They strap onto the hand putting a long blade on each finger that extends about a foot off the tip of their finger. In between each finger they have hard metal plates which is how they defend themselves. Their nails are cursed as well to the point that getting scratched by one is guaranteed death. There is no known cure for the sickness that follows from the scratch of the blade as it was created by Gruldw himself. A priest of Loff'ta claimed once he had found a cure but Elghinn assassins killed him before he could ever test his cure not pass the secret on. A small vile, enough for a single person, supposedly can be found within the temple of Life.

"Let him past," a hard voice came from behind them. It was quite garbled as if the source had food in their mouth. the two men stepped aside revealing behind them General Delano, sitting at a table with a feast upon it. Rosko bowed at the man slightly before the man waved at an open chair at the opposite side of the table. Rosko wasn't about to deny him a request and took a seat at the table. Instantly a man appeared pouring a glace of some black wine into a cup for him. It felt almost as if he was expected but Rosko knew that was just how he was. He was alwys prepared for company no matter who they were and treated them with a drink, as to at least get them to like him a little. If one were to touch any of the feast he had though they would most likely have their hand cut free from their arm. He truly indulged himself as if he was the god of death though he wasn't. He swallowed taking a sip of the wine he had before him before glaring at Rosko. "Now what brings you to me taday?" he said coldy, getting straight to the point. "Have you decided that you are under the command of that fool Lori and wish to work directly under me? I am sure I can find a place for someone of your stature within one of my more trusted unit." Rosko didn't want to get into this conversation for they hated each other, General Lori and General Delano did. It was because Lori deserved his position and they both knew it and yet Delano got full command over the Elghinn army while Lori got command over some of the elite units within the army.

[Strega]

In the dojo he was completely unawares of the happenings that went on in the death nation and did not know what to expect of Rosko. But he knew that at least two of those he had requested assisstance from had come to him now and that in itself would truly help, although he knew that one of them was likely not trained for combat upon the battlefield. He knew not of the other anthro but he figured that he would be able to hold his own. But for the mean ttime he was determined to wrap up this sparring match. For sure it woulod be getting dark soon and he still had much to prepare.

He caught the movement of his opponent in reaction to his lunge and he smirked slightly. She should know that it would do no good but she was at a disadvantage now. HE leaped into the air and it seemed he would corkscrew in midair heading towards her but in all realty he was diverting his force away from her and he narrowly missed her, grazing by on the left side of her. As he hit the ground he rolled up once again to his feet and nodded in her direction. He no longer stood in a position that was suited for combat but instead was at a relaxed state. He gave her a glance that let her know that their sparring match was over for now. "We shall continue training at a later time, but for now I must speak with those that have heeded my call and prepare to set out on our journey. I would advise you to do the same."

He reached down to his side and retrieved a coin purse and thrrew it in her direction. "Here. Take this and equip yourself in town, I in the meantime shall remain here. Meet me back here once you have completed your preparations." With that he turned towards Blaze who had been watching the sparring match. "Greetings friend, thank you for arriving on such short notice. How have you fared since last we met?" He held his hand out in greeting not only to show trust but also to help him from the floor.

][God I hate having to go to work in the middle of a post. Oh well][

[Faye]

The fight was over, as he didn't bring another attack. As he stopped the fight, she let her guard go down, placing the cards back in her pouch. She gave a quick look at her hands, which were pouring blood from the wounds created by her own weapons. They were not meant to be held. She only hoped these cuts would heal quickly, as with this pain in her hands, it would inhibit her powers as well. She turned towards the man with a strange smile, like what was she to do now. She knew nothing of preparing for war or any of that. She had never been in something like this before, and it scared her greatly. She didn't know what to expect from any of it, nor did she know the mess she was truely getting herself into. There was a good chance she was going to die here, die in the jungles of Akamu. That was the odd thought that came to mind, after she had survived through the flame covered lands of Chath. Nearing death there are on many occasions, but somehow she had found her way free of it and here into Akamu. Where her chances of dieing here are just as great as there for the war she is entering, many in will die in. She could only hope that she wasn't one of those whose lives will be taken. She wouldn't die here, she couldn't die here.

She hadn't been paying much attention to the man at this point, but the next thing she knew there was a sack of gold flying towards her. She caught it, not really realizing what was happening for she was still in a slight daze. She had shook herself out of it by the time he spoke to her again. She smiled quickly before making her way outside. What was she really going to buy though. She didn't know what she needed. What does one really get before they head out into a war such as this. She made her way slowly towards the merchants in hopes that she would see something that would catch her attention. She hated to have to spend this money though, for she had never held so much gold before in her life. She figured if she added up all the gold she ever earned in her life, it wouldn't even equal as much as this. She got very little in her profession. She just turned down the market place in search of anything that would be useful, awkwardly holding the bag of gold in front of her, clasping it with both hands. As if she had no idea what to really do with a bag of gold.

[Blaze]

picking himself up off the floor, he watched as strega threw the sack of gold to the female, whos hand were still bleeding. "You would best be careful not to run into a little fire-foxx that goes by the name of Soren, the sack of gold you hold there would dissapear faster than you can blink." he said the her as he walked over towards her. "here let me see your hands." He held out his right hand over her cuts and tapped into his magic, "Waise heill!" as he recited the spell the cuts on her hands mended together leaving nothing behind. "good as new."

He turned back around towards strega, "Injuring your own recruits and only on the first day. You realy can't just take a day relax" he said with a hint of sarcasm and a smirk on his face. "How have you faired since last you departed from ouw little group? and what exactly are you planning here? I missed the main message in the village square"

((sorry its late and im tired))

[Soren]

As he made his way down the path he looked into his money sack and noticed that everything was gone. He examined the pouch carefully and noticed there was a hole, large enough for gold coins to fall through. He stopped in his tracks and just smirked with his head tilted upward. Then he murmered"this is just perfect...no money and im starving."He clutched his stomach as it let out a grumble. He noticed a market area which would be easy to "borrow" some money from the citizens. He slowly made his was bumping into people and with the slightest hand picking thier pockets for any money. Only taking from those that seem to have a large sum of money. As he was on this pocket picking spree he noticed a weapon vender. He approched the tent and scanned the weapons from left to right. Just when he thought there was nothing of interest a small wooden box caught his attention. He looked to the vender and spoke"Whats in that box in the corner?" and the vender looked to the box spoke of and replied"I think there was a mix up in the orders. I was to get some rare weapon that could rip opponents apart in seconds but it seems that I received this gauntlet, while some lucky vander has my weapon...just my luck I suppose." Soren seemed interested to see if the orders were mixed up so he asked " could I see it?" "sure thing" replied the vender. The vender opened the box and handed it to Soren. He sliped it on his right hand and examined with awe. He noticed it was lighter than it appeared to be. He noticed around the wrist of the glove seemed to be some ancient text and some designes. He figured these are what made the gauntlet so light. He was sure the vender had no idea what he had on his hands. "could I have it?" asked the fire fox. With a bored expression the vender said" I don't see why not. Its not of any use to a weapon vender. And I was gunna get rid of it next week anyway."

He walked outside and sat upon a rock and examined the gauntlet closer. As he was feeling around inside he felt a small ring that seemed to be attached to a wire sealed to the topside of the glove. He heated it up and it snapped lose. He slide his finger into the ring and clenched his fist. Just then a blade realeased and sprung to a hault from the upper part of the gauntlet. He was amazed and eased his fist into flathand and the blade returned into the gauntlet. Then again he clenched his fist and again the blade shot out. He found this weapon would be a valueble asset to his fighting abilities. Just to be safe he slide his finger out of the ring and only made sure to have that ring on only when outside of towns. He then made his way to a taylor and spent a small sum of the coins he "collected" to patch the hole in his money sack. Satisfyed with his new weapon and he money pouch he ran full speed to the tavern. He flew through the door and sat down as quickly as possible. He opened his money pouch up and slide about 20 gold peices on the table and said to bring him as much food as this could buy. When the food arrived he devoured everything that was put infront of him in a quick 5 minutes. Full and re-energized he made his way back to the dojo. He slide the door open and saw Blaze and Strega sitting on the floor. It was almost like old times one was just missing. He sat down and greeted them with a smile and said "its been quite some time hasnt it guys?"

((sorry if theres any spelling mistakes and anything like that))

[Strega]

Strega stood there watching as Blaze healed the wounds upon his students hands. His eyes followed her as she walked out of the dojo and off into the town. He though back to the first time that he was handed a sack of gold from the elders and told to go and arm himself. He was still young and unknowing of what exactly one needed for battle. He had returned strapped up with weapons and armor but in his rush to think only on battle he had completely forgotten food and supplies. But that was so long ago and all of the elders were now gone. It was now his turn to be the teacher of a new warrior. He only hoped that he would be half as great a sensei as the elders had been.

But now he would turn towards Blaze and look him in the eyes smiling slightly. "Indeed. Although I fear that if I were to ever take a day and relax my lands would fall to pieces. In these times the balance of the world hangs by a thread." He turned for a moment towards the dojo doors, seemingly awaiting someone or something. "Since you last saw me much has taken place. I will explain all once Soren returns so that you may both fully understand what my request was about." He turned back to Blaze for a moment and looked about the room. "I thank you for responding to my call in such short notice. Although you know not what you may be getting yourself into you have proven yourself an honorable friend and I cannot express my thanks enough. Please sit down and we will await Soren"

Very shortly after they had seated themselves the doors slid open and the person that they had been waiting for entered. "Greetings, please have a seat." He would wait until Soren had made his way over to them and sat himself upon the ground with them. "Thank you for arriving in such short timing. Now that you are btoh here I may speak with you on this matter." He looked between the two of them as he started to explain. "As you both know, when I was in the nation of Makan I was being tracked by a group of soldiers. These soldiers as I mentioned before happened to be the elite assassins of Akamu. They take their orders directly from the god of Akamu. I know not why I was attacked but upon returning to this place I have seen that the people have no idea of what is happening within this nation. I wish to go to Valterra and speak with Damek. I truly wish that I could say this would be a peaceful visit but something tells me that we will have to face the full force of Damek's men. I have need of strong allies that could help in the training and leading of these men that have joined me. Our force is small but with the proper leadership we can defeat these larger forces. To these people it matters not if we live or die. We stand for an ideal, and and ideal can never be defeated no matter what. Now I ask you both, if you would stand beside me on the battlefield as we challenge the strength of a god. This land will no longer stand idly by as the ones who lead us care for nothing but their own wealth and power."

Strega stood and placed his hand out before him. "Stand with me as my brothers. Although we were born on different days by different parents, I vow to you if you stand beside me that we shall from this day on be known as brothers." And there he waited for their answer to his request.