OnlineHost: *** You are in "MZ Destyn Border". ***

OnlineHost: Lord Xzean has entered the room.

Lord Xzean: ::teleports on the trail of the annoyance::

Lord Xzean: ::wondering where in the hell this desolate place is::

DaraeIRene: :;huff huff huff huff. Darael is tripping over his own feet as he tears for destyn at top

DaraeIRene: speed. it is a desolate place. it's known as the Martial Zone. a place where there are no

DaraeIRene: laws or boundries::

Lord Xzean: ::makeing a quick compuation in his mind, he teleports again, 10 feet in front of the

Lord Xzean: running child, and he hits a magic barrier::

DaraeIRene: :;shit shit shit. The boy skitters back, a red mark on his forehead from where he hit the

DaraeIRene: barrier::

Lord Xzean: ::lays the hold spell on Darael::

Lord Xzean: ::with a frown::

Lord Xzean: You should have know you couldn't get away.

DaraeIRene: ::his teeth grit and his narrow. His muscles twitch and tense like knotted cords::

DaraeIRene: ::he leans forward, despite the holding spell. His voice is not his own but one belonging

DaraeIRene: to three all entertwined and from the ground a thickening black mist rises, curling around

DaraeIRene: his body in the form of dead spirits he hisses:: I am a chyld of Destyn and you cannot hold

DaraeIRene: me, Wizard.

DaraeIRene: ::his eyes are white, too. pure and solid::

Lord Xzean: ::tugs his glove back on, and removes the other, revealing a cross and a heart impaled by a

Lord Xzean: stake::

DaraeIRene: :;ah, but it isn't the undead. it's magic. Magic Darael Rene Duran holds naturally. like

DaraeIRene: his blood and breath. The air keens, thick with the smell of musty shadows and death and

DaraeIRene: decay. the ground shivers and one by one, the magic cords that weave the holding spell snap

Lord Xzean: ::touches both of them, keeping any undead around here away from them::

DaraeIRene: and brake and write over the ground like live wires::

Lord Xzean: ::and then tugs his glove back on::

DaraeIRene: ::the mist still rises, curling around Darael, wraping their arms around him and nuzzling

Lord Xzean: Well, aren't we the SPECIAL one.

DaraeIRene: him as if to comfort or make love or something of the sort. in any case, they grin to the

DaraeIRene: Minister and comb their fingers through his hair::

DaraeIRene: ::Darael doesn't answer. he has curled himself into a ball like a small babe::

Lord Xzean: You are a pitiful child.

Lord Xzean: ::his black bladed scythe appears in his hands::

DaraeIRene: ::the shadows pull together into one and shoot up into the air

in a bright, black light::

DaraeIRene: ::the ground pulls itself apart and swallows the boy whole::

Lord Xzean: ::grumbles, and points his hand at where the boy was::

Lord Xzean: ::the ground explodes, revealing a 10 foot deep hole::

Lord Xzean: ::in a 100 foot radius::

DaraeIRene: :;and the ten by 100 hole reveals more... Dirt! Where

has that boy gotten to?::

Lord Xzean: ::waves his hands, doing his locate spell again, on anything in

a 10 mile radius, besides

Lord Xzean: undead::

DaraeIRene: :;the magic returns crisp and clean with absolutely nothing::

Lord Xzean: ::ok...includes undead this time::

DaraeIRene: :;above thunder clouds roll in, rumbling in amusement at the

Ministers perdicament. The

DaraeIRene: spell for the undead reveals nothing as well. After all, there

were no undead here to begin

DaraeIRene: with::

Lord Xzean: ::frowns, and reaches out with his physic powers, to touch any

intellegences around, up to

Lord Xzean: the borders of the cities::

DaraeIRene: ::nothing nothing nothing. there's a whole lot of nothing and

it's choking::

Lord Xzean: ::damn right it is!::

Lord Xzean: ::makes a quick calculation of where he would have went if

uninterupted::

Lord Xzean: ::and teleports there::

OnlineHost: *** You are in "Castle Darklyte". ***

OnlineHost: Lord Xzean has entered the room.

Lord Xzean: ::looks around, wondering AGAIN where he is::

DaraeIRene: ::Castle Darklyte is a castle in the clouds. The whispy

droplets of suspended moisture whip

DaraeIRene: about the lavishly decorated structure. the floor is nothing but

an aquarium::

DaraeIRene: ::you find yourself in the main court. outside is a terrace::

Lord Xzean: ::casts a spell, wondering where he is now::

DaraeIRene: ::there is still nothing but instead of magic, a laugh

rises. it is oily and

DaraeIRene: sickening...it has to be Daraels::

Lord Xzean: ::using his keen hearing, where starts to walk in the direction

it came from::

DaraeIRene: ::out on the terrace. the boy has drawn his knees to his chest.

Dark wings have wrapped

Lord Xzean: When I get him....he is getting that damned tattoo. I swear to

Takhisis.

DaraeIRene: around his body and his skin is speckled with dirt and rocks.

He watches Xzean only

DaraeIRene: laughing more and more and when the man steps into view, he

hushes, repressing his mirth to

DaraeIRene: few escaped giggles every now and then::

Lord Xzean: ::ignores him, and begins to trace a pattern in the air::

Lord Xzean: ::a eye, with a small line going up from the center::

DaraeIRene: ::he grins and presses one long nailed finger into the air

before him. There is a crackle

Lord Xzean: ::and two small lines coming out from the sides::

DaraeIRene: and a hiss and nothing more but the air reaks of power::

DaraeIRene: :;and power smells kind of like chicken. okay, not really, but

wouldn't that be great if it

DaraeIRene: did?::

Lord Xzean: ::chants:: The splugworth....Chiag-ku....those those teach, and

I who learn...

Lord Xzean: Grant me this small boon.

Lord Xzean: ::points directly to Darael, and the pattern traces itself onto

the back of his hand::

DaraeIRene: ::he grins, showing off a set of long, needle like teeth. he

waits, amused::

DaraeIRene: :;as soon as the tracing is complete, there is the sound of

breaking glass and the pieces of

DaraeIRene: magic and "tattoo" filter to the floor::

Lord Xzean: ::the pattern actually reforms, and begins to reaply itself::

DaraeIRene: :;and again it breaks, stubbornly::

DaraeIRene: Blessed are we, Akki.

Lord Xzean: ::and it reforms, and tries to reapply itself again::

Lord Xzean: Whatever shield you have, it will wear it down.

Lord Xzean: It won't stop until you let it on.

Lord Xzean: ::shrugs::

DaraeIRene: ::he tosses his head back and this time, not only does it

shatter again but it forces itself

DaraeIRene: upon Xzean. The shadows are thick and their touch is violating

and sinlike. perverse ::

Lord Xzean: ::it goes onto his gloved hand, and aborbs::

Lord Xzean: ::the pattern reappears in midair, and tries to go onto him

again::

Lord Xzean: ::Takes off his other glove, showing him that tattoo already

there, and another one with a

Lord Xzean: eye, and some other designs::

DaraeIRene: An'ei Eimen. ::he snaps back. The Shadows swarm about him

sinking into his clothing and

DaraeIRene: along his skin::

Lord Xzean: ::not concerned, since he is a Shadow Mage::

DaraeIRene: ::There is a difference between a Shadow mage and a Destyn

Shadow mage. those dark things

DaraeIRene: that afflict the minister swirl and spread over his body sucking

like leechs not magic from

DaraeIRene: his body, not blood, but his very life:: usodekatameru kuma

::he hisses again and in

DaraeIRene: electric blue, a spider's web weaves itself behind him::

Lord Xzean: ::groans in pain, and falls to his knees::

DaraeIRene: ::the strands of silky web filter along the cobbled stones of

Darklyte::

Lord Xzean: Usgurai......atsma! ::a wind begins, and picks up::

Lord Xzean: ::blowing the filthy shadows away into nothingness::

DaraeIRene: ::and slowly slowly slowly the blue webbing finds Xzean and

wraps around his ankles. And

DaraeIRene: here's pain! Like booring worms, the webs dig themsleves into

the Minister through the pours

DaraeIRene: of his skin, entertwining with veins::

Lord Xzean: ::groans again, not letting anything other then that show::

DaraeIRene: ::Darael hops up onto the Banister of Darklyte and leans back.

he falls like a rock through

DaraeIRene: the clouds to Destyn's surface. his wings snap open then and he

tears at the sky and

DaraeIRene: disappears::

Lord Xzean: My body....cannot be...altered....in anyway...

Lord Xzean: ::stands up slowly, and there is a flash, as the webs

dissapear::

DaraeIRene: ::the ones on the outside die immedatly, those already within

are in the process of

Lord Xzean: ::floats, and then quickly flies after him::

DaraeIRene: withering into death::

OnlineHost: *** You are in "DN Twysted Forest". ***

OnlineHost: Lord Xzean has entered the room.

Lord Xzean: ::flies after him, right on his tail::

DaraeIRene: ::the lands on the soft ground of the forest floor and shrinks

away behind a tree the Destyn

DaraeIRene: Shadows eager to wisk him away again::

Lord Xzean: ::growls, as he lands, the shadows also gather around him, and

his power::

DaraeIRene: :;shadows, maybe, but not Destyns. It has been said by more

than one that Darael Rene Duran

DaraeIRene: is the strongers with the Destyn Shadows...and that they favor

him and that that is what

DaraeIRene: drives the boy and makes him the way he is....so...cynical and

evil::

Lord Xzean: ::this mun didn't say the goddamn Destyn shadows. Darael can

have them!::

DaraeIRene: Darael's white fingers appear bright against the stain of the

dark gnarled trees and his

Lord Xzean: ::tugging on his gloves as if it were a habit, he looks around

for the stupid demon kid::

DaraeIRene: voice is a listless sigh:: I hate you.....

DaraeIRene: I have another question... ::the shadows swallow his fingers

again::

DaraeIRene: :;the tree leaves above rustle as if someone were climbing

through them. and oh yeah, I'm

DaraeIRene: sure there are plenty of undead here::

Lord Xzean: ::doesn't give a shit if they are Destyn undead or not. They

still obey Necromancy::

Lord Xzean: I don't care, you little fool!

Lord Xzean: ::and of course, the tattoo is still reapplying itself::

DaraeIRene: :;maybe. the Bastille family that once had castles here never

were very ruly. especially

DaraeIRene: when Destyn's forces murdered them::

DaraeIRene: ::and still being broken:: then I won't ask it.

DaraeIRene: ::his voice ends in a curling of rustled leaves::

Lord Xzean: ::calms down, but only a bit::

Lord Xzean: Ask it.

Lord Xzean: I am....here to help you.

DaraeIRene: I want to know why you want to teach me.

Lord Xzean: Because you have the potential.

DaraeIRene: ::more silence where the chill of the forest sets in about their

bones:: You have made me

DaraeIRene: reach one descision, Minister.

Lord Xzean: ::the magic shield around him is so strong, it is glowing::

DaraeIRene: I don't want to learn magic anymore.

DaraeIRene: and I don't think I'm going to.

Lord Xzean: You are still under my care.

DaraeIRene: for how long?

DaraeIRene: :;his voice is calm. wistful and tranquil::

Lord Xzean: Years.

Lord Xzean: This is a apprenticeship.

Lord Xzean: Not a vacation.

DaraeIRene: you cannot apprentice me in something I won't learn.

DaraeIRene: Why do you want to take care of me?

Lord Xzean: Because....

DaraeIRene: why?

Lord Xzean: ::I can't say it...I can't....damnit I can't!::

Lord Xzean: I...

Lord Xzean: ::no no no no no...damnit no::

Lord Xzean: ::no I don't::

DaraeIRene: :;a large, silver spider skitters down the tree and over Xzean's

foot::

DaraeIRene: You.....

Lord Xzean: ::reaches down and gently picks up the spider::

Lord Xzean: ::petting it::

DaraeIRene: :;the little thing hisses and digs it's spindly feet into

Xzean's hand. its tiny head

DaraeIRene: wedges beneath the magicians skin::

Lord Xzean: ::endures the little pain, and since he has a natural affinity

with spiders, and is immune

Lord Xzean: their poisons, lets it...for now::

DaraeIRene: ::the spider frollics happily beneath the man's skin. cute

spider::

Lord Xzean: ::the spider is naturaly pushed back to the surface, and there

isn't a mark::

Lord Xzean: ::of course, the spider is quickly put down::

DaraeIRene: ::poor rejected spider. it was just about to lay eggs. it

scampers away::

Lord Xzean: ::and after that, he puts his damn gloves back on::

DaraeIRene: I think you're lying to me, Minister.

Lord Xzean: Because I care, goddamnit!

DaraeIRene: I see.....

DaraeIRene: ::a pause where you can feel Darael smiling. it isn't a kind

smile:: You care....and that's

DaraeIRene: why you bled me, that's why you lock me up, that's why you

insult me and that's why you're

DaraeIRene: forcing this magical...mark on me even though you know I abhor

it.

DaraeIRene: wow.

DaraeIRene: If that's how you show affection I guess I'm in love with all

those god damned people who

DaraeIRene: think I hate them.

Lord Xzean: ::isn't listening very much, but trying to push the Destyn

shadows back with his power::

DaraeIRene: ::maybe he should listen::

DaraeIRene: You know.....

DaraeIRene: It is said that when Destyn conquers the other realms....

DaraeIRene: that my brother Quinn will lead the armies who do it.

DaraeIRene: It's also said that my sister will take up great politcal power

and rule the new Destyn...

DaraeIRene: but nothing like that was ever said about me....

Lord Xzean: ::good for him. With sudden inspiration, he casts a globe of

daylight spell::

Lord Xzean: ::a damn bright one...like high noon in a desert::

DaraeIRene: ::he hisses and tumbles back onto the ground::

DaraeIRene: ::his words fall sielnt and he lowers his head to the ground::

Lord Xzean: ::the tattoo tries extra hard to push itself on right now::

DaraeIRene: ::he doesn't speak anymore after that no matter how heart felt

in words were, he forgets

DaraeIRene: them. this is caring, huh?::

Lord Xzean: ::damn skipy it is::

DaraeIRene: ::he holds his wrist forward, eyes down cast, his face solemn.

he drops his spell, not

DaraeIRene: because he had to or because he was too weak to hold it but

because he decided to. the

DaraeIRene: tatto brands itself and his face contorts with the pain of it

and he soon finds himself

DaraeIRene: curled up on the ground in agony::

Lord Xzean: ::pants with the effort on doing that::

Lord Xzean: Darael....dear...dear Darael...

DaraeIRene: ::the boy's suffering is almost silent, broken by gasps for air

as he claws at his skin::

Lord Xzean: You must always resist....what is best for you...

DaraeIRene: :he can hardly hear the man through the bursts and flashes of

the horrible pain::

DaraeIRene: :;that and the sound of his own body screaming in protest::

Lord Xzean: ::mercifully, pulls out a pain deadening poison, and pours it

onto Darael's arm::

Lord Xzean: ::where it absorbs...and makes the pain go away::

DaraeIRene: ::he pants and his body relaxes. he holds his knees to his

chest, turning his face to the

DaraeIRene: dirt as he floats through a world of exhausted muscles and heavy

air::

Lord Xzean: ::keeps the globe of daylight going::

Lord Xzean: ::keeping the Destyn shadows away::

DaraeIRene: ::he is winced, screwing his eyes shut from the light::

DaraeIRene: ::Destyn has never before seen light::

Lord Xzean: Hmmmmm.

DaraeIRene: ::he gasps still and his voice is weak and strangled:: You can

never....get me...to return

DaraeIRene: your emotion....by forcing this upon me. by forcing anything

upon me....or through

DaraeIRene: degredation.

Lord Xzean: ::knows inside what he says is true....but has never done

anything that way::

DaraeIRene: I will not obey.....and you may wound me....and you may beat me

down...

DaraeIRene: and you may kill me....

DaraeIRene: but when you do, You will have my dead body....

DaraeIRene: not my obediance.

Lord Xzean: I do not want your blind obediance.

Lord Xzean: I want your...understanding.

DaraeIRene: Why should I even try... :;a rasping intake of air:: If you will

not give me the same?

Lord Xzean: ::kneels down besides his small body::

DaraeIRene: ::he struggles then to sit up, his arms crossed over his chest

and stomach::

DaraeIRene: ::he manages to his knees, his forehead lowered to the dirt::

Lord Xzean: I....don't know.

DaraeIRene: When I have gained my strength, I am leaving your Keep and you

are letting me go.

Lord Xzean: And why am I doing this?

DaraeIRene: for........ Understanding.

Lord Xzean: ::laughs::

DaraeIRene: you have thwarted any desire in my body to learn magic.

Lord Xzean: Do you not wish to learn...to best me in the very thing I use?

DaraeIRene: ::he hates being laughed at. he's always hated it:: No. I live

to serve Destyn, not best

DaraeIRene: you. I no longer wish to learn magic.

Lord Xzean: Perhaps...you have finnaly learned what I wanted you too.

Lord Xzean: ::stands up, looking down at him::

Lord Xzean: That you live to serve Destyn.

DaraeIRene: ::he sighs at that. he's not in the mood for arguing no matter

how stupid the Minister is

Lord Xzean: And you can not do that, be being the person you are...or were.

DaraeIRene: being. Everyone knows that Darael Duran wakes up every morning

to serve Destyn.

DaraeIRene: everyone knows it::

DaraeIRene: Minister....

Lord Xzean: Everyone may know that.

DaraeIRene: Minister....

Lord Xzean: But you can't do that is all of Destyn HATES you!

DaraeIRene: Minister....

Lord Xzean: ::looks around...then back to him::

Lord Xzean: Yes?

DaraeIRene: The only thing you have done for me here is reaffirm my hatred

for people and for love and

DaraeIRene: for caring and for hopes and dreams and aspirations....

DaraeIRene: you have only reaffirmed my hatred for you and everything that

you represent.

Lord Xzean: And you think I represent hopes and dreams and caring?

DaraeIRene: no.

Lord Xzean: Good.

DaraeIRene: ::he pushes himself to his feet, wavering::

Lord Xzean: This forest could use a little light from time to time.

Lord Xzean: .....we all could.

DaraeIRene: Destyn is not a realm of light.

DaraeIRene: Minister....

Lord Xzean: I have a name,

DaraeIRene: Xzean....

Lord Xzean: Yes?

DaraeIRene: may I take leave of you? Before I return to your keep I would

like to see some friends of

DaraeIRene: mine.. :;friends. bah. well, they seem to like him::

Lord Xzean: ::nods sadly::

Lord Xzean: Return to the keep....

Lord Xzean: Whenever you want.

Lord Xzean: Or never.

Lord Xzean: If you want.

DaraeIRene: ::he looks angry, then::

DaraeIRene: what?

DaraeIRene: You brand me like cattle with this mark on my wrist and now I do

not even have to return?!

Lord Xzean: ::smirks::

Lord Xzean: That will benefit you no matter what.

DaraeIRene: ::he sighs and turns, walking away::


OnlineHost: *** You are in "MZ Destyn Border". ***

OnlineHost: Lord Xzean has entered the room.

Lord Xzean: ::teleports on the trail of the annoyance::

Lord Xzean: ::wondering where in the hell this desolate place is::

DaraeIRene: :;huff huff huff huff. Darael is tripping over his own feet as he tears for destyn at top

DaraeIRene: speed. it is a desolate place. it's known as the Martial Zone. a place where there are no

DaraeIRene: laws or boundries::

Lord Xzean: ::makeing a quick compuation in his mind, he teleports again, 10 feet in front of the

Lord Xzean: running child, and he hits a magic barrier::

DaraeIRene: :;shit shit shit. The boy skitters back, a red mark on his forehead from where he hit the

DaraeIRene: barrier::

Lord Xzean: ::lays the hold spell on Darael::

Lord Xzean: ::with a frown::

Lord Xzean: You should have know you couldn't get away.

DaraeIRene: ::his teeth grit and his narrow. His muscles twitch and tense like knotted cords::

DaraeIRene: ::he leans forward, despite the holding spell. His voice is not his own but one belonging

DaraeIRene: to three all entertwined and from the ground a thickening black mist rises, curling around

DaraeIRene: his body in the form of dead spirits he hisses:: I am a chyld of Destyn and you cannot hold

DaraeIRene: me, Wizard.

DaraeIRene: ::his eyes are white, too. pure and solid::

Lord Xzean: ::tugs his glove back on, and removes the other, revealing a cross and a heart impaled by a

Lord Xzean: stake::

DaraeIRene: :;ah, but it isn't the undead. it's magic. Magic Darael Rene Duran holds naturally. like

DaraeIRene: his blood and breath. The air keens, thick with the smell of musty shadows and death and

DaraeIRene: decay. the ground shivers and one by one, the magic cords that weave the holding spell snap

Lord Xzean: ::touches both of them, keeping any undead around here away from them::

DaraeIRene: and brake and write over the ground like live wires::

Lord Xzean: ::and then tugs his glove back on::

DaraeIRene: ::the mist still rises, curling around Darael, wraping their arms around him and nuzzling

Lord Xzean: Well, aren't we the SPECIAL one.

DaraeIRene: him as if to comfort or make love or something of the sort. in any case, they grin to the

DaraeIRene: Minister and comb their fingers through his hair::

DaraeIRene: ::Darael doesn't answer. he has curled himself into a ball like a small babe::

Lord Xzean: You are a pitiful child.

Lord Xzean: ::his black bladed scythe appears in his hands::

DaraeIRene: ::the shadows pull together into one and shoot up into the air

in a bright, black light::

DaraeIRene: ::the ground pulls itself apart and swallows the boy whole::

Lord Xzean: ::grumbles, and points his hand at where the boy was::

Lord Xzean: ::the ground explodes, revealing a 10 foot deep hole::

Lord Xzean: ::in a 100 foot radius::

DaraeIRene: :;and the ten by 100 hole reveals more... Dirt! Where

has that boy gotten to?::

Lord Xzean: ::waves his hands, doing his locate spell again, on anything in

a 10 mile radius, besides

Lord Xzean: undead::

DaraeIRene: :;the magic returns crisp and clean with absolutely nothing::

Lord Xzean: ::ok...includes undead this time::

DaraeIRene: :;above thunder clouds roll in, rumbling in amusement at the

Ministers perdicament. The

DaraeIRene: spell for the undead reveals nothing as well. After all, there

were no undead here to begin

DaraeIRene: with::

Lord Xzean: ::frowns, and reaches out with his physic powers, to touch any

intellegences around, up to

Lord Xzean: the borders of the cities::

DaraeIRene: ::nothing nothing nothing. there's a whole lot of nothing and

it's choking::

Lord Xzean: ::damn right it is!::

Lord Xzean: ::makes a quick calculation of where he would have went if

uninterupted::

Lord Xzean: ::and teleports there::

OnlineHost: *** You are in "Castle Darklyte". ***

OnlineHost: Lord Xzean has entered the room.

Lord Xzean: ::looks around, wondering AGAIN where he is::

DaraeIRene: ::Castle Darklyte is a castle in the clouds. The whispy

droplets of suspended moisture whip

DaraeIRene: about the lavishly decorated structure. the floor is nothing but

an aquarium::

DaraeIRene: ::you find yourself in the main court. outside is a terrace::

Lord Xzean: ::casts a spell, wondering where he is now::

DaraeIRene: ::there is still nothing but instead of magic, a laugh

rises. it is oily and

DaraeIRene: sickening...it has to be Daraels::

Lord Xzean: ::using his keen hearing, where starts to walk in the direction

it came from::

DaraeIRene: ::out on the terrace. the boy has drawn his knees to his chest.

Dark wings have wrapped

Lord Xzean: When I get him....he is getting that damned tattoo. I swear to

Takhisis.

DaraeIRene: around his body and his skin is speckled with dirt and rocks.

He watches Xzean only

DaraeIRene: laughing more and more and when the man steps into view, he

hushes, repressing his mirth to

DaraeIRene: few escaped giggles every now and then::

Lord Xzean: ::ignores him, and begins to trace a pattern in the air::

Lord Xzean: ::a eye, with a small line going up from the center::

DaraeIRene: ::he grins and presses one long nailed finger into the air

before him. There is a crackle

Lord Xzean: ::and two small lines coming out from the sides::

DaraeIRene: and a hiss and nothing more but the air reaks of power::

DaraeIRene: :;and power smells kind of like chicken. okay, not really, but

wouldn't that be great if it

DaraeIRene: did?::

Lord Xzean: ::chants:: The splugworth....Chiag-ku....those those teach, and

I who learn...

Lord Xzean: Grant me this small boon.

Lord Xzean: ::points directly to Darael, and the pattern traces itself onto

the back of his hand::

DaraeIRene: ::he grins, showing off a set of long, needle like teeth. he

waits, amused::

DaraeIRene: :;as soon as the tracing is complete, there is the sound of

breaking glass and the pieces of

DaraeIRene: magic and "tattoo" filter to the floor::

Lord Xzean: ::the pattern actually reforms, and begins to reaply itself::

DaraeIRene: :;and again it breaks, stubbornly::

DaraeIRene: Blessed are we, Akki.

Lord Xzean: ::and it reforms, and tries to reapply itself again::

Lord Xzean: Whatever shield you have, it will wear it down.

Lord Xzean: It won't stop until you let it on.

Lord Xzean: ::shrugs::

DaraeIRene: ::he tosses his head back and this time, not only does it

shatter again but it forces itself

DaraeIRene: upon Xzean. The shadows are thick and their touch is violating

and sinlike. perverse ::

Lord Xzean: ::it goes onto his gloved hand, and aborbs::

Lord Xzean: ::the pattern reappears in midair, and tries to go onto him

again::

Lord Xzean: ::Takes off his other glove, showing him that tattoo already

there, and another one with a

Lord Xzean: eye, and some other designs::

DaraeIRene: An'ei Eimen. ::he snaps back. The Shadows swarm about him

sinking into his clothing and

DaraeIRene: along his skin::

Lord Xzean: ::not concerned, since he is a Shadow Mage::

DaraeIRene: ::There is a difference between a Shadow mage and a Destyn

Shadow mage. those dark things

DaraeIRene: that afflict the minister swirl and spread over his body sucking

like leechs not magic from

DaraeIRene: his body, not blood, but his very life:: usodekatameru kuma

::he hisses again and in

DaraeIRene: electric blue, a spider's web weaves itself behind him::

Lord Xzean: ::groans in pain, and falls to his knees::

DaraeIRene: ::the strands of silky web filter along the cobbled stones of

Darklyte::

Lord Xzean: Usgurai......atsma! ::a wind begins, and picks up::

Lord Xzean: ::blowing the filthy shadows away into nothingness::

DaraeIRene: ::and slowly slowly slowly the blue webbing finds Xzean and

wraps around his ankles. And

DaraeIRene: here's pain! Like booring worms, the webs dig themsleves into

the Minister through the pours

DaraeIRene: of his skin, entertwining with veins::

Lord Xzean: ::groans again, not letting anything other then that show::

DaraeIRene: ::Darael hops up onto the Banister of Darklyte and leans back.

he falls like a rock through

DaraeIRene: the clouds to Destyn's surface. his wings snap open then and he

tears at the sky and

DaraeIRene: disappears::

Lord Xzean: My body....cannot be...altered....in anyway...

Lord Xzean: ::stands up slowly, and there is a flash, as the webs

dissapear::

DaraeIRene: ::the ones on the outside die immedatly, those already within

are in the process of

Lord Xzean: ::floats, and then quickly flies after him::

DaraeIRene: withering into death::

OnlineHost: *** You are in "DN Twysted Forest". ***

OnlineHost: Lord Xzean has entered the room.

Lord Xzean: ::flies after him, right on his tail::

DaraeIRene: ::the lands on the soft ground of the forest floor and shrinks

away behind a tree the Destyn

DaraeIRene: Shadows eager to wisk him away again::

Lord Xzean: ::growls, as he lands, the shadows also gather around him, and

his power::

DaraeIRene: :;shadows, maybe, but not Destyns. It has been said by more

than one that Darael Rene Duran

DaraeIRene: is the strongers with the Destyn Shadows...and that they favor

him and that that is what

DaraeIRene: drives the boy and makes him the way he is....so...cynical and

evil::

Lord Xzean: ::this mun didn't say the goddamn Destyn shadows. Darael can

have them!::

DaraeIRene: Darael's white fingers appear bright against the stain of the

dark gnarled trees and his

Lord Xzean: ::tugging on his gloves as if it were a habit, he looks around

for the stupid demon kid::

DaraeIRene: voice is a listless sigh:: I hate you.....

DaraeIRene: I have another question... ::the shadows swallow his fingers

again::

DaraeIRene: :;the tree leaves above rustle as if someone were climbing

through them. and oh yeah, I'm

DaraeIRene: sure there are plenty of undead here::

Lord Xzean: ::doesn't give a shit if they are Destyn undead or not. They

still obey Necromancy::

Lord Xzean: I don't care, you little fool!

Lord Xzean: ::and of course, the tattoo is still reapplying itself::

DaraeIRene: :;maybe. the Bastille family that once had castles here never

were very ruly. especially

DaraeIRene: when Destyn's forces murdered them::

DaraeIRene: ::and still being broken:: then I won't ask it.

DaraeIRene: ::his voice ends in a curling of rustled leaves::

Lord Xzean: ::calms down, but only a bit::

Lord Xzean: Ask it.

Lord Xzean: I am....here to help you.

DaraeIRene: I want to know why you want to teach me.

Lord Xzean: Because you have the potential.

DaraeIRene: ::more silence where the chill of the forest sets in about their

bones:: You have made me

DaraeIRene: reach one descision, Minister.

Lord Xzean: ::the magic shield around him is so strong, it is glowing::

DaraeIRene: I don't want to learn magic anymore.

DaraeIRene: and I don't think I'm going to.

Lord Xzean: You are still under my care.

DaraeIRene: for how long?

DaraeIRene: :;his voice is calm. wistful and tranquil::

Lord Xzean: Years.

Lord Xzean: This is a apprenticeship.

Lord Xzean: Not a vacation.

DaraeIRene: you cannot apprentice me in something I won't learn.

DaraeIRene: Why do you want to take care of me?

Lord Xzean: Because....

DaraeIRene: why?

Lord Xzean: ::I can't say it...I can't....damnit I can't!::

Lord Xzean: I...

Lord Xzean: ::no no no no no...damnit no::

Lord Xzean: ::no I don't::

DaraeIRene: :;a large, silver spider skitters down the tree and over Xzean's

foot::

DaraeIRene: You.....

Lord Xzean: ::reaches down and gently picks up the spider::

Lord Xzean: ::petting it::

DaraeIRene: :;the little thing hisses and digs it's spindly feet into

Xzean's hand. its tiny head

DaraeIRene: wedges beneath the magicians skin::

Lord Xzean: ::endures the little pain, and since he has a natural affinity

with spiders, and is immune

Lord Xzean: their poisons, lets it...for now::

DaraeIRene: ::the spider frollics happily beneath the man's skin. cute

spider::

Lord Xzean: ::the spider is naturaly pushed back to the surface, and there

isn't a mark::

Lord Xzean: ::of course, the spider is quickly put down::

DaraeIRene: ::poor rejected spider. it was just about to lay eggs. it

scampers away::

Lord Xzean: ::and after that, he puts his damn gloves back on::

DaraeIRene: I think you're lying to me, Minister.

Lord Xzean: Because I care, goddamnit!

DaraeIRene: I see.....

DaraeIRene: ::a pause where you can feel Darael smiling. it isn't a kind

smile:: You care....and that's

DaraeIRene: why you bled me, that's why you lock me up, that's why you

insult me and that's why you're

DaraeIRene: forcing this magical...mark on me even though you know I abhor

it.

DaraeIRene: wow.

DaraeIRene: If that's how you show affection I guess I'm in love with all

those god damned people who

DaraeIRene: think I hate them.

Lord Xzean: ::isn't listening very much, but trying to push the Destyn

shadows back with his power::

DaraeIRene: ::maybe he should listen::

DaraeIRene: You know.....

DaraeIRene: It is said that when Destyn conquers the other realms....

DaraeIRene: that my brother Quinn will lead the armies who do it.

DaraeIRene: It's also said that my sister will take up great politcal power

and rule the new Destyn...

DaraeIRene: but nothing like that was ever said about me....

Lord Xzean: ::good for him. With sudden inspiration, he casts a globe of

daylight spell::

Lord Xzean: ::a damn bright one...like high noon in a desert::

DaraeIRene: ::he hisses and tumbles back onto the ground::

DaraeIRene: ::his words fall sielnt and he lowers his head to the ground::

Lord Xzean: ::the tattoo tries extra hard to push itself on right now::

DaraeIRene: ::he doesn't speak anymore after that no matter how heart felt

in words were, he forgets

DaraeIRene: them. this is caring, huh?::

Lord Xzean: ::damn skipy it is::

DaraeIRene: ::he holds his wrist forward, eyes down cast, his face solemn.

he drops his spell, not

DaraeIRene: because he had to or because he was too weak to hold it but

because he decided to. the

DaraeIRene: tatto brands itself and his face contorts with the pain of it

and he soon finds himself

DaraeIRene: curled up on the ground in agony::

Lord Xzean: ::pants with the effort on doing that::

Lord Xzean: Darael....dear...dear Darael...

DaraeIRene: ::the boy's suffering is almost silent, broken by gasps for air

as he claws at his skin::

Lord Xzean: You must always resist....what is best for you...

DaraeIRene: :he can hardly hear the man through the bursts and flashes of

the horrible pain::

DaraeIRene: :;that and the sound of his own body screaming in protest::

Lord Xzean: ::mercifully, pulls out a pain deadening poison, and pours it

onto Darael's arm::

Lord Xzean: ::where it absorbs...and makes the pain go away::

DaraeIRene: ::he pants and his body relaxes. he holds his knees to his

chest, turning his face to the

DaraeIRene: dirt as he floats through a world of exhausted muscles and heavy

air::

Lord Xzean: ::keeps the globe of daylight going::

Lord Xzean: ::keeping the Destyn shadows away::

DaraeIRene: ::he is winced, screwing his eyes shut from the light::

DaraeIRene: ::Destyn has never before seen light::

Lord Xzean: Hmmmmm.

DaraeIRene: ::he gasps still and his voice is weak and strangled:: You can

never....get me...to return

DaraeIRene: your emotion....by forcing this upon me. by forcing anything

upon me....or through

DaraeIRene: degredation.

Lord Xzean: ::knows inside what he says is true....but has never done

anything that way::

DaraeIRene: I will not obey.....and you may wound me....and you may beat me

down...

DaraeIRene: and you may kill me....

DaraeIRene: but when you do, You will have my dead body....

DaraeIRene: not my obediance.

Lord Xzean: I do not want your blind obediance.

Lord Xzean: I want your...understanding.

DaraeIRene: Why should I even try... :;a rasping intake of air:: If you will

not give me the same?

Lord Xzean: ::kneels down besides his small body::

DaraeIRene: ::he struggles then to sit up, his arms crossed over his chest

and stomach::

DaraeIRene: ::he manages to his knees, his forehead lowered to the dirt::

Lord Xzean: I....don't know.

DaraeIRene: When I have gained my strength, I am leaving your Keep and you

are letting me go.

Lord Xzean: And why am I doing this?

DaraeIRene: for........ Understanding.

Lord Xzean: ::laughs::

DaraeIRene: you have thwarted any desire in my body to learn magic.

Lord Xzean: Do you not wish to learn...to best me in the very thing I use?

DaraeIRene: ::he hates being laughed at. he's always hated it:: No. I live

to serve Destyn, not best

DaraeIRene: you. I no longer wish to learn magic.

Lord Xzean: Perhaps...you have finnaly learned what I wanted you too.

Lord Xzean: ::stands up, looking down at him::

Lord Xzean: That you live to serve Destyn.

DaraeIRene: ::he sighs at that. he's not in the mood for arguing no matter

how stupid the Minister is

Lord Xzean: And you can not do that, be being the person you are...or were.

DaraeIRene: being. Everyone knows that Darael Duran wakes up every morning

to serve Destyn.

DaraeIRene: everyone knows it::

DaraeIRene: Minister....

Lord Xzean: Everyone may know that.

DaraeIRene: Minister....

Lord Xzean: But you can't do that is all of Destyn HATES you!

DaraeIRene: Minister....

Lord Xzean: ::looks around...then back to him::

Lord Xzean: Yes?

DaraeIRene: The only thing you have done for me here is reaffirm my hatred

for people and for love and

DaraeIRene: for caring and for hopes and dreams and aspirations....

DaraeIRene: you have only reaffirmed my hatred for you and everything that

you represent.

Lord Xzean: And you think I represent hopes and dreams and caring?

DaraeIRene: no.

Lord Xzean: Good.

DaraeIRene: ::he pushes himself to his feet, wavering::

Lord Xzean: This forest could use a little light from time to time.

Lord Xzean: .....we all could.

DaraeIRene: Destyn is not a realm of light.

DaraeIRene: Minister....

Lord Xzean: I have a name,

DaraeIRene: Xzean....

Lord Xzean: Yes?

DaraeIRene: may I take leave of you? Before I return to your keep I would

like to see some friends of

DaraeIRene: mine.. :;friends. bah. well, they seem to like him::

Lord Xzean: ::nods sadly::

Lord Xzean: Return to the keep....

Lord Xzean: Whenever you want.

Lord Xzean: Or never.

Lord Xzean: If you want.

DaraeIRene: ::he looks angry, then::

DaraeIRene: what?

DaraeIRene: You brand me like cattle with this mark on my wrist and now I do

not even have to return?!

Lord Xzean: ::smirks::

Lord Xzean: That will benefit you no matter what.

DaraeIRene: ::he sighs and turns, walking away::

Darael Rene