He had been searching for some time, moving from plane to plane, searching for the land he formerly called home. Every way he tried, he was blocked from re-entering. It seemed that Rhydin was the only thing that stayed constant in his travels. Unfortunately, he had neglected the Phoenix holdings and did not know what the grounds would hold if he returned. He was exhausted from searching for all this time, but he couldn't give up, could he?
Perhaps it was time he started acting like the heir he was supposed to be rather than a lost sheep, bleating in the dark looking for the flock. If he was unable to join the rest of House Phoenix, then he would return its presence in Rhydin to what it should be, and have it ready for their return.
With that, he made a shadowy doorway to the grounds where he was introduced into this land.
Lone Phoenix
He stepped out of his portal, in the middle of the grounds upon which the House TDL team won their title, and promptly fell apart after the hasty unforseen departure of his father and uncles.
His gaze fell on the two towers which he himself had constructed overnight to replace the two his father had built so many years before, and then disappeared with him. They were exact duplicates on the outside and the East tower was an exact duplicate on the inside. However, the West Tower was just a shell, with no entrance. He had never been inside the West tower, that being the sole domain of his father. Perhaps now it was time to start constructing his own laboratory. But that would wait, there were other things to do.
He needed to start reminding everyone in Rhydin what the House insignia, and name, Phoenix meant. He would need time, his dueling skills had deteriorated, fighting for your life was far different than the finesse fencing skills needed in the rings for points. However, a little practice should bring back his form and advance quickly in the ranks.
It would be a long road, and a lonely one, but it was what he had been groomed for. And it was time.
His gaze fell on the two towers which he himself had constructed overnight to replace the two his father had built so many years before, and then disappeared with him. They were exact duplicates on the outside and the East tower was an exact duplicate on the inside. However, the West Tower was just a shell, with no entrance. He had never been inside the West tower, that being the sole domain of his father. Perhaps now it was time to start constructing his own laboratory. But that would wait, there were other things to do.
He needed to start reminding everyone in Rhydin what the House insignia, and name, Phoenix meant. He would need time, his dueling skills had deteriorated, fighting for your life was far different than the finesse fencing skills needed in the rings for points. However, a little practice should bring back his form and advance quickly in the ranks.
It would be a long road, and a lonely one, but it was what he had been groomed for. And it was time.
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Rhaine
- Seasoned Adventurer
- Black in Mind
- Posts: 353
- Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 9:43 pm
- Location: Citadel Nessus
Melgarth looked at me, and asked if I was ready for the experiment he has planned. Something inside me warned against this, but an asmodean failing to keep a word?! I nodded affirmatively, and my hand rested on his arm. The shadowmage opened a portal similar to those I'm so used to. I followed him without hesitation, arriving in a courtyard between two towers.
I sensed magic from the left, and human lives. I hoped this could be over soon... Melgarth led me into the left tower. Empty inside, it contained some magical equipment locals might have considered elaborate, and several humans chained to the walls.
I guess I'm starting to like this shadowmage - he's similar to my brethren, having no qualms experimenting on his own kin. He started to drain negative energy from me - from a delicate touch, stepping back and increasing the flow...
That's when I felt what was wrong. He was only absorbing negative type! My disguise shell was made of it, but I do not use too much of this sort in my own spells... I tried to stabilize the shell, and for some time it would hold... "You'll give me a headache, Melgarth. That would be interesting," I said, trying to prevent him from ripping off the shell. For some time he did stop draining... only to resume it from a distance, this time holding out an open hand as if reaching for energy. Just the way I feed.
The shell started draining my own energy, trying to retain stability... I was forcing myself to remain open, I needed to keep my word... I sensed the shadows stirring, swirling around him... I saw him thowing up his hands, sensed his feeling of triumph, saw the vortex of energy and shadow around the mage... "Damn dhoine, you'd choke on that!.." I thought... and the world went blank before my eyes for a moment.
I felt his voice - and sensed that the shell has been ripped off. I was in my normal form, and it was too late to try to rebuild the disguise. Melgarth has seen me. Surprise, anger, aggression streamed from him. I managed to stand on one knee, and threw up my hand, palm open, to drain one human chained to the wall. For me this was natural and easy.
"That's how it's done, Melgarth".
He grabbed my hand and turned me around. "You are no Vampire" he hissed. Luckily, I have spent enough time in the Outback, and a simple flip has launched the shadowmage into the air. I glided aside, energy of human lives flowing into me. If someone has to feed off others' lives, does it matter if that being has to drink blood or absorb energy directly? He was infuriated however, and his grin was a clear indication of upcoming danger. He spoke of continuing the experiment and walked towards me... my reflexes worked instantly, a few nasty blows - and I was out of his reach again. I admit, kicking someone under the knee is nasty... The fight went into verbal phase. Of course in my mind I laughed at his threats, but furthering the conflict was an idiocy.
"I'm listening, mighty shadowmaster," I spoke, sarcasm dripping from my words. What can he do? Nothing. No one would believe that I'm anything but a vampire. He desired to learn what I was.
"Just this? What use would this be to you, Melgarth?"
"Absolutely none. So why not give it to me? Unless the unstoppable vampire is afraid of a little shadow mage," he was also skilled enough using sarcasm.
"I'm not of any danger, Melgarth... Nothing but a biomage... life mage and biodesigner... I'm not trying to conquer anything, or kill anyone," my voice was quiet, and I truly have never lied to him. Trying to establish a contact and perhaps remove some of that aggressive tension, I touched his shoulder gently. Shadowmage has shown no reaction. Excellent... Instead he suspected I'd try to drain him! The irony of situation was obvious... I never needed to touch anyone to make energy of their lives flow into me. With Melgarth it would have been a bit harder, he'd try to defend - but still he would have had little chances. By Midnight, this was maddening... Either they expected hostility, or tried to kill me... or suspected I was lying! I could have assumed a vampire form, but I did use vampire feeding ways if I needed!
Humans are sometimes funny. Verbal fight ended in changes to our deal - Melgarth would help me with practices, and in return use my skills of a life mage. And of course, as any human, he thought of a chance to defy the laws of aging. Humans... I sighed. How boring. He also demanded the full story, which I felt was harmless enough to give him. His concern about his appearance was entertaining... I hope he has something more interesting in mind though. He should be smarter than normals.
Melgarth moved to the exit, brushing my hip slightly as he walked. As if he walked past a table! I was slightly insulted, though his touch harbored no threat to me. I looked back, seeing two human lives fading away from my drain. But you don't regret that you have to kill a chicken to enjoy a dinner... do you? When I turned around to follow the shadowmage out of the lab, I almost bumped into him. I stopped. It took all of my self-control to remain calm and kick that silly human reactions into the deepest chambers of my mind...
"Anything wrong?" silly question indeed, but enough to react differently than he probably expected. But why would he wish to experiment just on a vampire..... why?
I sensed magic from the left, and human lives. I hoped this could be over soon... Melgarth led me into the left tower. Empty inside, it contained some magical equipment locals might have considered elaborate, and several humans chained to the walls.
I guess I'm starting to like this shadowmage - he's similar to my brethren, having no qualms experimenting on his own kin. He started to drain negative energy from me - from a delicate touch, stepping back and increasing the flow...
That's when I felt what was wrong. He was only absorbing negative type! My disguise shell was made of it, but I do not use too much of this sort in my own spells... I tried to stabilize the shell, and for some time it would hold... "You'll give me a headache, Melgarth. That would be interesting," I said, trying to prevent him from ripping off the shell. For some time he did stop draining... only to resume it from a distance, this time holding out an open hand as if reaching for energy. Just the way I feed.
The shell started draining my own energy, trying to retain stability... I was forcing myself to remain open, I needed to keep my word... I sensed the shadows stirring, swirling around him... I saw him thowing up his hands, sensed his feeling of triumph, saw the vortex of energy and shadow around the mage... "Damn dhoine, you'd choke on that!.." I thought... and the world went blank before my eyes for a moment.
I felt his voice - and sensed that the shell has been ripped off. I was in my normal form, and it was too late to try to rebuild the disguise. Melgarth has seen me. Surprise, anger, aggression streamed from him. I managed to stand on one knee, and threw up my hand, palm open, to drain one human chained to the wall. For me this was natural and easy.
"That's how it's done, Melgarth".
He grabbed my hand and turned me around. "You are no Vampire" he hissed. Luckily, I have spent enough time in the Outback, and a simple flip has launched the shadowmage into the air. I glided aside, energy of human lives flowing into me. If someone has to feed off others' lives, does it matter if that being has to drink blood or absorb energy directly? He was infuriated however, and his grin was a clear indication of upcoming danger. He spoke of continuing the experiment and walked towards me... my reflexes worked instantly, a few nasty blows - and I was out of his reach again. I admit, kicking someone under the knee is nasty... The fight went into verbal phase. Of course in my mind I laughed at his threats, but furthering the conflict was an idiocy.
"I'm listening, mighty shadowmaster," I spoke, sarcasm dripping from my words. What can he do? Nothing. No one would believe that I'm anything but a vampire. He desired to learn what I was.
"Just this? What use would this be to you, Melgarth?"
"Absolutely none. So why not give it to me? Unless the unstoppable vampire is afraid of a little shadow mage," he was also skilled enough using sarcasm.
"I'm not of any danger, Melgarth... Nothing but a biomage... life mage and biodesigner... I'm not trying to conquer anything, or kill anyone," my voice was quiet, and I truly have never lied to him. Trying to establish a contact and perhaps remove some of that aggressive tension, I touched his shoulder gently. Shadowmage has shown no reaction. Excellent... Instead he suspected I'd try to drain him! The irony of situation was obvious... I never needed to touch anyone to make energy of their lives flow into me. With Melgarth it would have been a bit harder, he'd try to defend - but still he would have had little chances. By Midnight, this was maddening... Either they expected hostility, or tried to kill me... or suspected I was lying! I could have assumed a vampire form, but I did use vampire feeding ways if I needed!
Humans are sometimes funny. Verbal fight ended in changes to our deal - Melgarth would help me with practices, and in return use my skills of a life mage. And of course, as any human, he thought of a chance to defy the laws of aging. Humans... I sighed. How boring. He also demanded the full story, which I felt was harmless enough to give him. His concern about his appearance was entertaining... I hope he has something more interesting in mind though. He should be smarter than normals.
Melgarth moved to the exit, brushing my hip slightly as he walked. As if he walked past a table! I was slightly insulted, though his touch harbored no threat to me. I looked back, seeing two human lives fading away from my drain. But you don't regret that you have to kill a chicken to enjoy a dinner... do you? When I turned around to follow the shadowmage out of the lab, I almost bumped into him. I stopped. It took all of my self-control to remain calm and kick that silly human reactions into the deepest chambers of my mind...
"Anything wrong?" silly question indeed, but enough to react differently than he probably expected. But why would he wish to experiment just on a vampire..... why?
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