Gods & Men: The Ancient Myths: Chapter 1 IC Thread

[Carnage27]

The Docktore smiles at the Egyptian and looks back at Watts.

"What can we bring?" He says in a bemusing way as he holds his fire-gauntlet out.

"The power of the human mind is my weapon!"

The Docktore triggers the flint liteur on his fire-gauntlet.

FWOOSH!!!

Fire leaps out the gauntlet and engulfs the reamins of the demon.

"My weapon is very lethal."

Amun let out a deep, resonating laugh as he watched the jet of flames engulf their fallen foe, "Very well, Dante Giovanni! I am most impressed. As would my Goddess, if I may be so bold."

"As you can see," the Lion said as he pulled the bow string of Sun's Wrath tight, and an arrow of pure flame appears strung, "fire is her strength."

He loosed the arrow, and it found it's mark in the head of a zombie twenty meters away.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Rothgar looked as the arrow found it's mark in the zombie's cranium. The sounds of many grunts and growls could be heard closing in on their position. Obviously, their battle had attracted the attention of local residents.

"It would seem our skirmish has attracted some unwanted guests", stated Rothgar as he watched the zombie burn from the flaming missile in embedded in it's skull. He was weary from the struggle with the demon, not to mention the hard fight that brought him to this point in the first place.
And with the sounds coming from around them, they were solely outnumbered by undead.

"I suggest we take this gathering to more friendlier confines before we are overrun. Find someplace safe where we may plan our next move."

 

[SenseiofCheese]

"I suggest we take this gathering to more friendlier confines before we are overrun. Find someplace safe where we may plan our next move."

"Agreed." Gunnar nodded, ignoring the predatory growls and cries of the undead as they inched closer to the gathered heroes. "Our best course of action is to try and keep our presence unknown. Surprise will be our most important weapon in the fight against this scourge."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Charaun stared at the door in silent contemplation after the vampire had departed. Kallisto remained at his side, her eyes still narrow and holding a gaze dripping with venom.

"I do not trust him", she stated flatly.

"Neither do I", Charaun replied, not even bothering to look at his minion.
"Obviously he is plotting to destroy me once the goal is attained. The same as I am planning to do to him."

"We should just kill him and be done with it."

Charaun chuckled, "Patience, my sweet. There will be plenty of death to satisfy your appetite. Of that you will have no doubt."

"And speaking of death", Charaun turned to look at his diminutive assassin with his black eyes, "I have a special task for you, Kallisto..."

-----------------------------

Charaun walked out onto the courtyard where his undead lieutenants were meeting with Hilarion. Standing alongside the death knight was the humanoid form of the shadow dragon, Nightshade, as well as a hulking pit fiend which stood next to Anastasia.

"My lord", the vampire priestess said with a bow.
"I give you, Barnaxus. Chief torturer and a commander of Orcus' legion. He will be leading the demonic attachment of our forces."

"An honor to meet such a prestigious servant of Orcus."

"How much longer until the forces are adequately armed and ready, Hilarion", Charaun asked.

 

[Byrd Man]

"Agreed." Gunnar nodded, ignoring the predatory growls and cries of the undead as they inched closer to the gathered heroes. "Our best course of action is to try and keep our presence unknown. Surprise will be our most important weapon in the fight against this scourge."

Nodding in agreement, The Docktore pulls a compass out of one of his pockets.

"Our best bet for shelter would be the Athenian School of The Arts. It is the training ground for many of our world's best wizards." The Docktore said with a bit of contempt.

Just saying those words made him angry, it made him remember the rejection he had received from the school and the shame his father had in the fact that his son could not practice magic.

"It is due north of here, so I say we should move quietly and swiftly."

 

[Byrd Man]

Charaun walked out onto the courtyard where his undead lieutenants were meeting with Hilarion. Standing alongside the death knight was the humanoid form of the shadow dragon, Nightshade, as well as a hulking pit fiend which stood next to Anastasia.

"My lord", the vampire priestess said with a bow.
"I give you, Barnaxus. Chief torturer and a commander of Orcus' legion. He will be leading the demonic attachment of our forces."

"An honor to meet such a prestigious servant of Orcus."

"How much longer until the forces are adequately armed and ready, Hilarion", Charaun asked.

"By this time tomorrow, my lord." Hilarion said as he turned to Nightshade.

"Once the army is ready to move, Nightshade and the other dragons will weaken their defenses, allowing for the land forces to walk without much struggle into Bavaria....I shall ride with my cavalry at sunset tomorrow. Bavaria will fall to Lord Charaun in fourt day's time!"

 

[Catman_prb]

Nodding in agreement, The Docktore pulls a compass out of one of his pockets.

"Our best bet for shelter would be the Athenian School of The Arts. It is the training ground for many of our world's best wizards." The Docktore said with a bit of contempt.

Just saying those words made him angry, it made him remember the rejection he had received from the school and the shame his father had in the fact that his son could not practice magic.

"It is due north of here, so I say we should move quietly and swiftly."

"A fine observation, alchemist," Kelvamin said, bowing his head in respect to the slightly bitter scientist.

He swished his katana around loosely, decapitating the few zombies that had made their way over to the group.

"May I suggest that we start to move now. I doubt that our situation will in fact stay quiet for much longer," he said, calmly driving his blade through the chest of one zombie.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Nodding in agreement, The Docktore pulls a compass out of one of his pockets.

"Our best bet for shelter would be the Athenian School of The Arts. It is the training ground for many of our world's best wizards." The Docktore said with a bit of contempt.

Just saying those words made him angry, it made him remember the rejection he had received from the school and the shame his father had in the fact that his son could not practice magic.

"It is due north of here, so I say we should move quietly and swiftly."

"As sound a plan if I ever heard one", nodded Rothgar in agreement as a handful of zombies came at the group.

"A fine observation, alchemist," Kelvamin said, bowing his head in respect to the slightly bitter scientist.

He swished his katana around loosely, decapitating the few zombies that had made their way over to the group.

"May I suggest that we start to move now. I doubt that our situation will in fact stay quiet for much longer," he said, calmly driving his blade through the chest of one zombie.

"You'll find no argument from me", replied Rothgar to the swordsman.

"Docktore", Rothgar said with a motion of his hand as he faced the scientist, "after you."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"By this time tomorrow, my lord." Hilarion said as he turned to Nightshade.

"Once the army is ready to move, Nightshade and the other dragons will weaken their defenses, allowing for the land forces to walk without much struggle into Bavaria....I shall ride with my cavalry at sunset tomorrow. Bavaria will fall to Lord Charaun in four day's time!"

"Excellent", Charaun cackled. If he had lips to smile, he would be doing so right now.
All was going according to plan, and the inclusion of Archilaus was a variable he did take into account. And the Vampire Lord's alliance now meant that he would deal with the troublesome barbarians of Gaul.

"It will not be long now. Soon all of Europe will be mine. A new kingdom of infernal darkness that will last the ages."

"Nightshade", the lich's eyes, burning red pin-points floating in a void of utter darkness, descended onto the polymorphed dragon.
"It will be on your dragons to destroy their long range catapults before they can be brought to bear against the army. Do not forget that."

Nightshade's eyes flashed with anger, "Are you questioning me, little lich?"

"No", stated Charaun.

"But do not allow a single catapult standing", he stated flatly, and the Crown of Horns radiated a faint purple aura.
"Is that understood?"

"It is", replied the dragon with a defeated growl.

"Hilarion, I leave it to you to finish the battle plan. I have important matters to attend to."

Charaun walked off, leaving his general to finish preparation and lead the army to victory.
Meanwhile, Charaun had an itch of curiosity he needed to scratch. Making his way to his study, the lich sat down, Indian-style, in the center of a chalk circle decorated with drawn runes.

The lich sat silent for many moments, and then the pin-points in his eyes grew larger.
The Crown of Horns' dark aura glowed once again as it strengthened the necromatic magic.

----------------------

The zombie stopped suddenly in it's tracks, it's cohorts quickly passing it by. It's dead eyes began to glow with a deep crimson light.

And the zombie let out a low, angry growl...

"You'll find no argument from me", replied Rothgar to the swordsman.

"Docktore", Rothgar said with a motion of his hand as he faced the scientist, "after you."

A flaming arrow struck the zombie in the head, and the connection disappeared.

But Charaun had seen enough. A large band of champions had amassed, just as Archilaus predicted.

"This most certainly won't do at all."

Already dark and twisted ideas of slaughtering the heroes ran through Charaun's mind. And the lich lightly chuckled as he move towards an ornate desk covered in old parchments and tomes...

 

[Byrd Man]

"You'll find no argument from me", replied Rothgar to the swordsman.

"Docktore", Rothgar said with a motion of his hand as he faced the scientist, "after you."

"Thank you, my Norse friend."

The Docktore hold his compass out and starts to walk down the scorched Athens road with the warriors behind him.

 

[Catman_prb]

"Thank you, my Norse friend."

The Docktore hold his compass out and starts to walk down the scorched Athens road with the warriors behind him.

It was a surprisingly uneventful trip to the Athenian School of Arts, although Kelvamin considered that this was in fact better in the long-term, however disappointing it may have been. There were only a few zombies that required a swift decapitation. When they came upon the School, Kelvamin was in fact slightly amazed. And that was a lot considering he had crossed half the globe and seen more amazing things than any could hope to see in a life time.

"A formidable place indeed," the long-haired celt said mildly, looking at the Docktore "I wonder how you are aquainted with this place master alchemist?"

 

[Andy C.]

TOGRUK KOR​

"WAAAAAAGH!"

The local chieftain rushes at me with what one could generously call a 'sword,' but is really just a scrap of pig-iron with a handle on it. Hammer in hand, I let him come to me, let him burn through his energy quickly. The other Orcs think that my stillness is a sign of fear, or weakness. No. I'm just patient, waiting for the right moment.

A year ago, I was commander of a small raiding party, only a dozen or so warriors providing for a clan of less than fifty. I did not have the numbers, the weaponry, or the magic to make my clan stronger. What I did have was the brains, and with brains came tactics, with the tactics came strategy, and with the strategy came action. I began my campaign on a small scale, defeating our neighboring clans and absorbing them into our ranks. Word would go out of my actions, and soon other Orc clans would look for me, hoping either to join the army of the Red Helm, or to try and defeat me to take my place. Either way, my army grew in numbers and in strength. Now I command over three hundred warriors, with a camp of at least a thousand, maintained by captive slaves taken in our raids.

This local chieftain commands the largest clan in the region (outside of my own), and has powerful shamans and healers at his side. My army needs those magicks at its disposal if we are to forge our nation. It is not just a matter of dominance that I defeat him, but a matter of necessity.

He gets within arm's reach and swings with his crooked blade. I block with the steel handle of my hammer, chipping the crude iron of his 'sword,' then use it as a lever to swing the hammer-head into his face. The force of the blow would have been enough to take a human's head off. As it is, it breaks the Orc's jaw, but not his neck. He stumbles to the side, snarling through clenched teeth, but not so dazed that he doesn't see my next attack coming. He side-steps my overhead swing, and my hammer buries itself in the dirt.

The chieftain thinks he has me beaten now, and he swings wildly with his blade. I easily duck and weave past his blows, my senses not blurred by rage like his, and undo the chain around my waist. The next time he swings, I loop the chain around his sword and yank it out of his hands. Whirling the spiked metal links overhead to gain momentum, I swing low and sweep his legs out from under him.

He falls with a thud into the dirt, giving me time enough to walk back to my hammer and pull it free. When I turn to face him, he is still trying to get up from all fours, leaving his back exposed.

CRUNCH!

My hammer shatters the Chieftain's spine, paralyzing him. As a final note, I bring the hammer down once again, crushing his skull and spilling his brains into the dirt.

"Your leader is dead," I call out to his followers. "Your clan is now my clan. You will remember this as the greatest day of your lives, because this is the start of something far greater. You will learn, you will conquer, and you will become more than you ever thought you could be. You are now part of the age of the Orc!"

Some howl triumphantly, others snarl in protest and disbelief. It does not matter. They will come to believe soon enough.

My army has just gained almost two hundred new warriors, and the size of our camp has nearly doubled. That means twice as many mouths to feed, twice as many minds to shape, twice as many tempers to keep in check. We cannot remain nomads much longer.

We need a land of our own. So we will take it. I have studied maps of the world, and have found a place that will suit us well...Gaul.

The Orc will grow strong, and Gaul will be ours for the taking.​

 

[Byrd Man]

It was a surprisingly uneventful trip to the Athenian School of Arts, although Kelvamin considered that this was in fact better in the long-term, however disappointing it may have been. There were only a few zombies that required a swift decapitation. When they came upon the School, Kelvamin was in fact slightly amazed. And that was a lot considering he had crossed half the globe and seen more amazing things than any could hope to see in a life time.

"A formidable place indeed," the long-haired celt said mildly, looking at the Docktore "I wonder how you are aquainted with this place master alchemist?"

"That, uhh...that is neither here nor there." The Docktore responded curtly.

"It appears to me that the school is deserted." He muttered as the party walked over a pile of rubble.

 

[twylight]

The wind whipped around the rocks and caught a strand of her hair pulling it from the constraint of her hairpin. Aithne pulled her cloak’s hood over her head and sank into it’s depths with a shudder. Not because she was cold for it was not cold at all it was actually warmer than she was comfortable with. However it created a thin and artificial barrier against the world. A world that within the last month had turned up-side down. She looked down at the large city. It’s buildings all a stark and gleaming white. A low guttural sound came from behind her and her horse spun, its hair catching the wind giving it a savage look as it reared and hit the man in the chest with its hooves. Aithne clutched the reins tightly at the sharp movement before letting out a small scream.
Aad had called them ‘undead’, risen bodies of those dead. She shuddered almost uncontrollably at the shock as the horse pawed at the limp body under it. It was…unnatural. At home if someone was not at peace it was simply a matter of the priests to correct, but to have a physical body walking without a soul ….
She took a breathe and remembered that Aad had said. “Get to Athens at all costs. I’ll hold them off. Remember your training.” He’d kissed her forehead as her mother had.
“Be brave and come back to us.” She clutched the side of her cloak, their parting had been only a few days ago… in a country he called Gaul. Since then she’d been on horseback, covering ground at a speed she’d grown accustom to over almost a month of travel. The horse neighed and started forward, Aithne leaned over and ran her hand along it’s neck.
“Thank you Brion.” The Sidhe horse didn’t reply but ran down the hill into the city, its feet always steady, always sure as they floated over the ground.

Aithne blew her candle out and curled up on her bed, the soft linen stuffed with sheep’s wool, one of her mother’s amazingly light yet warm woolen blankets over her body. Cait curled up at her feet, the cat’s black form invisible in the night. She lay awake for a while, thinking back on the day and the unusual activity of the fey. The news concerning the otherworld was disconcerting. The days of the Fir Bolg had been long ago. Even longer still had been the Danaan, since then the otherworld had only been crossed because of death. She drifted off to sleep slowly, the thoughts revolving in her head like the fire dancers Dan’mac created out of fire.
The sound of her father’s heavy footsteps running down the hallway and the sound of steel stirred her awake. She threw her covers back and draped her legs over the side of the bed, blinking her eyes in the darkness as her door flew open. Her mother’s small body was framed in the door, a candle in her hand.
“Get dressed. Quickly.”
Aithne didn’t ask any questions and instead threw her clothes on, as her mother grabbed one of Aithne’s leather bag’s and packed it with her other dress and a blanket.
“Mother, what’s-“

Dervil held up her hand.
“Not right now.”
A loud clap of thunder came, it’s deepness shaking Aithne to her core. She ran to the window and looked out, only to be greeted by the millions of stars that hung overhead. Her mother followed and pushed her away with a force Aithne never knew she had before slamming the shutters closed.
“Come with me.” She demanded as she moved to the hallway and into her room. Aithne picked up the bag and trailed after her. Dervil threw open the large chest at the end of her bed, withdrawing from it a shimmering draw string bag Aithne had never seen in the house before, opening it she withdrew a delicate and engraved leather bridle and reins. Aithne looked at it curiously as her mother commanded
“Follow me.” And lead her outside of the house.
“Mother, what’s going on?” Dervil looked at her daughter and smiled gently a look of strength laced through her smile Aithne had never seen before.
She looked west and uttered a single word:
“Briongloid.” before turning back to her daughter. “You have to leave Aithne.” Aithne took a step back.
“Me? Why? What did I do?”
Dervil looked away from her daughter to the west.
“It’s not what you did it’s who you are. Ah, Aad.” Aithne turned as Aad came up behind them and let out a small gasp. In his hand he held the reins of a large horse, it’s mane black mane floated in the air as if weightless, it’s coloring so dark it paled the colors of the earth around it. Her quick eyes noticed the similar, yet bolder markings on his reign and bridle set.
“I’m ready.” He said simple, as the horse weightlessly picked it foot up, causing Aithne to realize the horse wasn’t even standing on the ground, rather floating above by mere centimeters. She spun on her mother.
“Mother!” She said as a figure flew across the ground to them, looming larger as it neared. Aithne made out the form of a light brown horse as it neared. It noiselessly galloped towards them, it’s feet never touching the ground till it stopped in front of Dervil, and leaned it head to her. It’s delicate features in stark contrast to Aad’s own horse’s strong profile, its mane and tail a tad longer, despite the brown color it seemed to let off a glow, a vibrant color dulling the colors of the earth as Aad’s did.

She took a step back as her mother slipped the bridle over the horses head and handed the reins to Aad. before crossing to her daughter. Dervil wrapped her arms around Aithne, her small frame tiny against her own daughter. Putting a hand on either side of Aithne’s face she pulled it down and kissed her forehead.
“My child…” Aithne pulled away slightly.
” Mother.. what’s wrong with me? Why do I have to leave. What is going on?”

A roar came from the ocean and Aithne took a step back as Dervil turned to look. A large wave was coming towards the land hundreds of kilometers high. She turned back to her daughter, her eyes brimmed with tears.
“I love you, Aad will tell you everything. Go.. You must go!” She turned and raced through the village to the sea. Aithne stoop in shock, her mind trying to process what was happening, Aad reached for Aithne, missing as she moved away. Her eyes never straying from the wave. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Mac’lin raising a shield of air around the retreating villagers as they ran inland…

Briongloid slowed his run as he entered the city, allowing her a look at the buildings. They were like nothing she’d ever seen before, the closest thing she could compare them to were stories of Tir na nOg her mother used to tell. If the Land In The West looked like anything, she supposed it would look like this. Columns rose from the front of bone white steps. Briongloid stopped and Aithne turned her attention from the rows of houses she was studying to her actual surroundings. A ways before her stood a creature she’d never seen before, despite not recognizing it’s form, she recognized what it was. A demon. Focusing she raised a shield around herself; a thin but dense barrier of moisture from the humid air rose around her. She griped Brion’s hair tightly in her hands, she’d felt a bit dizzy since they’d entered the city. Something she’d noticed as they’d traveled, she attributed it to the different air in places. Forcing herself past the wooziness she urged Brion on into another street.

“AH!!” The sound came from her lips before she could stop it. A person leaned over the body of a young child, it’s mouth against the child’s neck, blood running in rivelets on both people. Aithne’s eyes went wide in horror and shock at the sight. The figure disengaged it’s lips and turned to her, blood across its face, it stood, the form of a young human man, it was longer, taller, thinner and paler. Its skin practically glowing in the shadow of the building, it lunged for her. Aithne reacted in a trained manner Aad had been drilling into her for the past weeks. Spikes of water shot form her barrier, driving through the person’s body, hitting all the critical area’s as her horse backpedaled. Aithne watched in horror as he looked down at the water needles in his body before looking up with a smile and continued to moved towards her.

“AKAKAAKA” She spun at the cackling behind her only to see a gathering of skeletons, undead and demons leered at her. Her chest tightened and Brion seemed to sense her fear, rearing, causing her to shift her focus forward as he charged, ramming the human-unhuman in front of them.
“GO!” She called unneeded as the horse leapt forward and took off down the streets. She leaned close to Brongloid’s neck, his dark black hair whipping across her face. The creatures flew past them as Brion raced through the city at an unnaturally fast pace. She caught sights out of the corner of her eyes of groups of walking skeletons, demons, undead and more blood.

“AHHHHH Ahhh” Aithne cried out in pain, as something stabbed her right arm. She spun in time to see the stumbling form of a skeleton, a dagger in hand as they flashed by it. She gasped for breath as her ears grew warm and her head felt like it was floating away from her. She glanced down at her torn sleeve clutched Brion tightly with her legs as she moved her hand there to pull the ragged and blood stained edges of her sleeve away. It was a long, shallow gash. Nothing she hadn’t had before in her training, however it had swollen into red and blue. She moved a water bandage over it as she blinked, her head reeling. She recovered her reins with her left hand and clutched them.

“Go higher…” She mumbled as her grip on the reins and Brion’s hair grew loose.
“Hurry..” She verbally prodded the horse. Why had she come? Why? Why was she even here when all she wanted to be was home. The world blurred around her as Brion raced up the white stairs.

“The other world is moving and shifting, we have our own on Eriu, however it’s connected to the rest of the world. What happens there effects us.” Aad’s face was illuminated by the fire.
” But why do I have to go?” She asked, her curiousity practically killing her.
He smiled.
“Because of your parents.”

Brion stopped and let out a loud neigh as a figure came towards her. She blinked trying to get the fog from her eyes and focus fully, her barrier became denser and she willed it to freeze making it firmer.
“Get back!”

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"That, uhh...that is neither here nor there." The Docktore responded curtly.

"It appears to me that the school is deserted." He muttered as the party walked over a pile of rubble.

"Aye", Rothgar shook his head, "just like the rest of this cursed city."

"Well, let's look on the bright side. This position seems defensible enough", he stated as he walked around the grounds around them.
"A place good enough as any for us to rest and recuperated, and plan our next move."

"And who knows", he said with a laugh, "maybe we'll find something that..."

Rothgar's words trailed off as he turned his head to face the breeze and squinted. There, it was faint, but it's sound was indistinguishable: battle.

"Trouble", Rothgar spoke as he turned and sprinted to the North, Banahogg erupting in flame while in stride.

As he came to the edge of the grounds, Rothgar froze.

Brion stopped and let out a loud neigh as a figure came towards her. She blinked trying to get the fog from her eyes and focus fully, her barrier became denser and she willed it to freeze making it firmer.
“Get back!”

Rothgar froze.

"By the fair goddess..."

The woman was small, a little thing, but she carried with her a commanding presence. Her black hair danced beautifully in the wind and across her face as Rothgar stared transfixed into her hazel eyes.

The growl of the vampire behind her and her steed brought Rothgar from his trance.
The monster held strange liquid spikes in his body, but did not seem to care. Behind him over a dozen skeletons shambled up the hill towards the school.

"For Odin", Rothgar cried as he rushed past the injured girl and smashed into the undead horde.

"Quickly, lass! Up the hill", he called back as mighty Banahogg lopped off the arm of the reeling vampire.

 

[Catman_prb]

"For Odin", Rothgar cried as he rushed past the injured girl and smashed into the undead horde.

"Quickly, lass! Up the hill", he called back as mighty Banahogg lopped off the arm of the reeling vampire.

"Blessed day," Kelvamin said.

"Master alchemist, may I suggest that you make your way to the school," he said, smiling mildly before shifting into the swarm of undead creatures that were making their way up the hill.

His well honed katana cut through the neck of some of the skeletons as they advanced. He was knocked backwards as a shield was cracked into his back. He grabbed the top of the shield and hauled himself over, knocking the skull off the skeletal warrior behind it. Spinning clockwise, he gripped the end of the trident-like weapon that a third warrior was helding and slammed it backwards in between it's ribcage. He leapt towards the wounded girl, decapitating a couple of zombies that were approaching the horse.

As he reached the injured girl, he looked intently at the horse. Something about it seemed to remind him of something, a very long time ago. He remembered; the first trip that his master had taken him on was shortly across the ocean. And he remembered a specific type of horse that his master had shown him, to be treated with the upmost reverence and respect. And if this young girl had found the horse in an honest way, then that would surely mean...

"Éireannach?" he gasped.

A genuine smile flashed across his face for the first time in a long time. To see someone from so close to home in this far off land gave him an actual boost. He span the katana with one hand, keeping the lurching undead away from the wounded girl, while he guided the Sidhe horse towards the school with his other hand on the horse's neck.

 

[Carnage27]

Amun wasted no time in providing his new found allies with cover fire from Sun's Wrath, slaying many a zombie in the process. But he quickly discovered it would not be enough, as more and more of the horde closed in on them.

​

"Alchemist, find something to barricade the doors. I will return shortly with our friends."

Brandishing his sword, he charged down the hill towards his new friends and the woman they were now protecting, cleaving through the undead as he went.

"My friends," he said while conjuring a shield of pure sunlight to protect himself from a zombie's swipe, that disappeared as quickly as it appeared, "may I suggest going into the academy? We are a bit too exposed for my liking."

Before they could respond, a jet of fire rolled over their heads. The turned, now back to back to find a pack of hell hounds staring at them with beady, red eyes.

Amun glanced to his right at Rothgar, a slight grin on his face, "Finally, a challenge."

 

[Johnny Blaze]

"We will soon find out", shouted Rothgar as he charged the pack, hurling a shining throwing axe at the nearest beast.
The axe barely penetrated the devil-dog's infernal hide, but magical Banahogg had no such problem as it cleanly lopped the head off of the demonic canine.

Rothgar howled as a hell hound sunk it's teeth into his right forearm, it's burning bite sending searing pain lancing up his arm.

"RAAH", Rothgar smashed the creature's nose with the pommel of Banahogg, knocking the demon-dog off of him.
With one swipe of his trusted sword, Rothgar cleanly split the hell hound in half.

 

[twylight]

The events around her blurred and she slumped against Brion's neck, her hood had long since fallen off and her hair was wild and falling from its holding.

"Thank you." she said to the man next to her, carefully forming the words. It was not her native language and his utterance of her language caused her to turn and look at him with wide eyes. She blinked, her eyesight clearing a bit, the pain in her arm pierced her and she put a hand into the small leather back on her hip pulling out a container. Usually more careful, she hurriedly unscrewed it and used her fingers to swipe out some ointment; smearing it across her arm before tightening the water bandage around the cut.

Another man rushed up towards them, as she dropped the container back into her bag.
"My friends," a brilliant shield of sun flashing around him, stopping one of the dead before dispersing. "may I suggest going into the academy? We are a bit too exposed for my liking."

Brion shook his head at the appearance of the hell hounds causing Aithne to move back, her body surging with adrenaline. While she was not familiar with any of the other creatures, these she knew of. Stories of the Wild Hunt had been told around the fires when she was young.

Finally, a challenge."

She took a deep breath. They were all warriors, the man who'd spoken reminded her of Aad, the way her friend had smiled at the oncoming undead before sending her away. Brion shifted under her, his feet restless, he wanted to run. Grabbing the reins with both hands Aithne summoned the water. Collecting it from the air around them she created long spears from it, shooting them towards the animals.

 

[Catman_prb]

She took a deep breath. They were all warriors, the man who'd spoken reminded her of Aad, the way her friend had smiled at the oncoming undead before sending her away. Brion shifted under her, his feet restless, he wanted to run. Grabbing the reins with both hands Aithne summoned the water. Collecting it from the air around them she created long spears from it, shooting them towards the animals.

Kelvamin grinned at the girl, nodding his head with a little amusement as the hellhounds fled backwards, at least one of them keeling over as the watery spears pierced it's side. His grasp of the Gaelic language was basic at best - a few scattered nouns and phrases that he attempted to piece together. But it seemed to calm the girl some, so he made a valiant attempt.

"Uisce draíocht, cailín?" he said with a bemused smile, watching the advancing hell dogs warily.

He dropped into a crouch as the nearest one jumped, slashing upwards with his katana and slicing across it's neck. Almost without him noticing, the hellhounds had surrounded him in a wide circle. He smiled; now that he had allies, what would have been a potentially fatal situation had changed to a laughable one. He turned around slowly, katana held in front of his face as he looked at each hell dog in turn. Moving between the creatures was a larger dog than the others. Maybe it was the pack leader, maybe it was some kind of disfigured mutant, he couldn't tell. But it watched him, with glowing red eyes.

"I am Kelvamin the Sword-Winder. I am the man who held the bridge of Karak-Tae against the horde of vampire spawn. I am the man who defeated the leader of a drow warband in single combat off the coast of France. I am the man who slew an entire orc battalion at the battle of the Five Shields. I am the man who slaughtered the dread cultists of Stalingrad who would have seen the end of days. I am the man who closed the rift to the Abyss over the city of Berlin. And you, insolent pup, I cast back into the darkness,"

The hell beast growled, baring it's large fangs, before it leapt almost vertically. Great claws ripped through Kelvamin's simple white robes, carving lines into his arm. The monster's maw came ever closer, snapping teeth inching towards his neck. Kelvamin beat his free hand into the hide of the huge dog. The creature almost roared at him as it dove towards his exposed flesh. In one swift motion, Kelvamin stabbed his katana into the opened mouth, the blade driving through the dog's brain and killing it almost instantly. It had enough time to sway slightly and collapse on top of him in his death throws, before it finally passed on. He pulled the katana back out and carefully wiped the blood off onto the ground. He smiled mildly.

 

[Carnage27]

The leader of the pack had been slain, but more hounds appeared around the small group of warriors, and Amun knew it wouldn't be long before the shear numbers overwhelmed them.

As the others engaged the beasts, Amun began to change. Golden fur sprouted out of his skin, and he grew a good foot in height. His muscles ripple, growing in size and strength. His feet became paws, and his face protruded into the jaws of a lion. He truely became the living vision of Sekhmet, and let go a ferocious roar, that startled even the strongest warrior at his side.

"Make for the Academy," he said in a semi-feline voice, "I will take care of the hounds."

He didn't bother to see whether they listened. With the quickness of the king of beasts, he pounced at the nearest hound, ripping into it with his claws, and tossing it aside like a doll. Two others jump on his back and dug into it with their teeth. Amun let out a roar of pain, and grabbed one with each hand, and smashed their skulls together.

The hounds seemed to see the ease at which their brethern were dispatched, and backed off the werelion, and fled into the Athenian night, whil Amun made for the Academy.

 

[Byrd Man]

The leader of the pack had been slain, but more hounds appeared around the small group of warriors, and Amun knew it wouldn't be long before the shear numbers overwhelmed them.

As the others engaged the beasts, Amun began to change. Golden fur sprouted out of his skin, and he grew a good foot in height. His muscles ripple, growing in size and strength. His feet became paws, and his face protruded into the jaws of a lion. He truely became the living vision of Sekhmet, and let go a ferocious roar, that startled even the strongest warrior at his side.

"Make for the Academy," he said in a semi-feline voice, "I will take care of the hounds."

He didn't bother to see whether they listened. With the quickness of the king of beasts, he pounced at the nearest hound, ripping into it with his claws, and tossing it aside like a doll. Two others jump on his back and dug into it with their teeth. Amun let out a roar of pain, and grabbed one with each hand, and smashed their skulls together.

The hounds seemed to see the ease at which their brethern were dispatched, and backed off the werelion, and fled into the Athenian night, whil Amun made for the Academy.

The Docktore, with bomb in hand, quickly puts it back in his pocket as Amun walked up to the group, still in Lion form.

"Good....uhh...kitty?"

Still staring at Amun strangely, the Docktore, with Watts in tow, head up the hill towards the academy.

"You'll have to pardon me if we do get lost, I have only been in this school once." He said with a bit of contempt as they walked into the academy's mighty halls.

He stops as his eyes rest on a picture of an old wizard with graying hair, a long nose, and eyes exactly like The Docktore's

Massamo Giovanni
Former Headmaster, White Wizard of Europa

"Hello, pee-paw"

 

[Byrd Man]

Warlock's Rest

Hilarion sits on his undead horse as the troops rush to and fro, making their final preparations.

"Are you ready?" He asks Nightshade, who is in her human form with a half dozen other friends.

"We are ready, ghoul." She responds.

Hilarion narrows his eyes.

"I take offense to that word, lizard."

Nightshade turns and leaves with her friends, they disappear into the shadows and emerge in their true forms.

"We will be waiting in Bavaria." The dragon replies as she and the others take flight.

"Very well."

Another man rides up next to Hilarion, his newly named second in command.

"Welcome, Victor."

"I appreciate it, Lord Hilarion."

"Are we ready?" He asks as the Nightmare under him starts to grow restless.

"Yes, we are."

"Very, well. Sound the horn. We begin our journey to Bavaria."

As the horn sounds, thousands of vampires, wraiths, ghouls, and other horrible creatures ride.

The army of Charaun prepares to conquer their next land.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Rothgar's wound continued to bleed as they made their way down the corridor. The hell hound had torn into his arm like it was a chew toy, but the Viking warrior did not complain.

Finally the group came into a large room with exits on each side. Dead plants say nestled in the corners and a few chair's still remained in tact, though most of the furniture was destroyed.
Sunlight beamed in from the gaping hole in the roof above, and Rothgar took a seat on one of the large pieces of rubble in the room's center.

Tearing a piece of cloth from his shirt, Rothgar wrapped it tightly around his wound to help stop the bleeding.

Rothgar looked over to the girl that they had saved from the evil horde, noticing her mystical bandage covering what appeared to be a nasty wound.

"Are you all right", he asked as he pointed to the injury.

 

[Catman_prb]

Kelvamin raised an eyebrow and looked at the Docktore.

"Master alchemist, you are Massamo Giovanni's son?" he said, unable to keep the tone of surprise out of his voice. He had heard tales of the White Wizard as far back as his boyhood, though he now assumed that many of them were probably greatly exaggerated, as his own stories had become. That this man was his offspring was...interesting at the very least. He span around on his heel as he heard the sound of the werelion fighting with the hellhounds. He leapt, grabbing one of the norsemen before he could run out of the door to re-enter the right.

"Master Birgir, we should barricade the doors," he said, wincing as he shifted his wounded shoulder. The silent norsemen nodded his consent and between them they started closing off the large doors that led to the ruins of Athens outside, dragging some of the tables to help keep them closed.

"I have a question," Kelvamin asked the group "how do we know where the Lich-King lies?"

The rumours amongst the fleeing survivors making their way away from the ruined city of Athens spoke of a rotting wizard, summoning the undead and a dragon razing the city to the ground. They all appeared shuddered with an undefinable fear, and he thanked them profusely before he made his way to the dead city.