Typo

XVII

2011-05-14T17:57:00.000-07:00

"Saved by the door," Izzy breathed, getting up to use his peep hole. Beyond the wooden slab he could see four or five Enforcers and the elders themselves standing. He jumped back, agitated, and smacked open his window. The others in the room stared at him in bewilderment until one of the Enforcers barked a warning.

"Get up," Izzy commanded with power. Dracynos was the first to his feet and the first out the window, flying down as a bat to land gingerly on the small ledge. Izrael turned and helped Morwen through first, as she was the second to the window. He threw her out with strategic aim, and was pleased when Dracynos caught her effortlessly. After Adria was down as well, he forced his Nécrux through the wall into the ledge and beyond, solidifying it and expanding the standing space by a good twenty feet.

"Back up, Morwen," he called down and she obeyed instantly, watching uncomfortably as he perched precariously on the sill. Badly articulated words thundered through the door once more, and this time the enchantment Izzy had on his door sputtered out and failed. He cursed loudly and leapt off as the Enforcers crashed into his room for the second time in two weeks, angrily chasing his shirttail as he dropped.

"Smart choice," Dracynos commented sarcastically, putting Adria down. "What now?"

"Uh. I guess I really didn't think it through all that much," Izzy mumbled, scanning the cliff face and the vast expanse of air beyond the ledge. Morwen stared at him with an annoyed expression.

"Well... you could always make us a path or something to get down," she suggested. "Like how you made the ledge bigger?"

"I suppose I could, but to do that unfortunately I have to either use my damned eye or retract what I used on the ledge already. And I'm leaning towards the latter."

"You're kidding. We can't all stand here long enough for you to do that," Dracynos argued. "You really are upset about that aren't you?"

"Yeah, I am. Stand on the grass."

Dracynos didn't hesitate. He stormed up and slapped him clear across the face, sending him flying backwards into the stone wall. Izzy regained his feet and brought a hand up to his burning face.

"What the hell was that for?" he demanded, indignant.

"What? Now you can use your eye without having to worry about anyone. I did you a favor," Dracynos replied calmly. "Your face should stop burning shortly. And then it'll look normal and everything that I promised earlier."

Morwen looked at Dracynos with surprise, sneaking over to Izzy to pull his hair away from his eye. Sure enough, the scar remained over it but the eye itself had become white sclera-ed and green iris-ed, like its mirrored twin. Izzy swatted her hand away as her touch burned even more so, and he knelt to the ground. Pawing his way out onto his makeshift ledge, he took a deep breath and pounded his fists into the solid magic. In a moment's time, a wide, glowing staircase was shooting down towards the distant mountain range below.

"Stairs? You made stairs? Not like a slide or something easy?" chaffed Adria, taking a few steps forward.

"Would you shut up? I didn't do that on purpose," Izzy replied in annoyance. "Besides, let me mess around with this for a while. It might come in handy later, to know how to work this, right?"

"Speaking of, where are we going after this anyways? Are we going to make our way back up to the Bastion?" Morwen piped, getting over the sudden transformation in Izrael's face.

"Maybe. Or we could just wing it," answered he, grinning. "And.... a slide we shall have," he replied with another immense gush of power that turned the staircase into a long half-tube. "Who's first?"

"Not me. I'm going to fly down," Dracynos said pointedly, crossing his arms.

"What? But can't you just teleport--or phase, whatever it is that you do-- back into your lair, without having to deal with our shenanigans?" Morwen asked.

"I can. But I won't. I haven't been out of that cave since well before the Bastion held an academy of any sort. Do you know how long that is?"

"No... and never mind. I don't really want to either. No offense intended."

"None taken whatsoever." he smiled and began to dissipate. Adria jerked her head in that direction, confused by the instantaneous disruption in her vision. Dracynos fluttered by her as a bat, wings intentionally slapping Izzy on the head as he flew by.

"Alright then. I guess I'll go first then," Izzy said, turning to the girls. "I'll catch you guys as you come on down, okay?"

As Adria nodded her approval, Morwen forced a small amount of her magic into her fingers. "Yea, that's fine, but first things first," she reached up and sliced off the section of Izrael's hair that covered the right side of his face. "You should be able to see," she added triumphantly, obviously pleased with her accomplishment. Izzy gave her a look and jumped into the slide, disappearing from view. Adria followed him seconds later, and finally Morwen went down, thinking about what kind of anything could and would possibly befall her and her troop.

XVII

2011-05-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

Izrael stood, staring at Dracynos with the purest annoyance. He was raging all over the hall, and Izzy was having problems extending and recracting his barrier that he'd made to accomadate for the deity's movements.

"Hey, what the hell? Quit that," he scoffed at him, obviously not loud enough. The black beast continued to rave at Khamryn, who looked as though she was struck dumb by his immense appearance.

Dracynos began to curse her out in the ancient tongue; Izzy lost track of his words in translation because he was talking so quickly. Instead of trying, he pulled a rune out of his back pocket, filled it to the explosive point, and slapped it onto Dracynos's face. On impact, his body ceased swelling with the dark energy he was creating and began to diminish in size and power. Dracynos debated turning on Izrael, to discipline him for standing against him, but changed his mind. Rather, he tore the rune out of his forehead and reverted to his human form.

"Izrael," he began quietly, without turning from the stricken Khamryn. "I apologize. To you and to Morwen. But as for you, Khamryn, I demand that you let these two accompany me for the day. Is that understood?"

"Y-yes.. sir." she gasped, recovering herself. Khamryn bowed deeply and hurried off down the hall in the direction she'd come, though not before
she walked into Izzy barrier.

Morwen lay unconscious where she had stood, and Dracynos picked her up effortless ly and began on the path to the boys' dorms. Izzy trotted along behind him, thankful for the excuse to be out of classes but dreading how the elders would react when they found out that Dracynos had chosen him over them. He prayed he wouldn't have to be in the Bastion to see their reaction.
******************************************************
Back in his room, Morwen layed on Izzy's bed, recuperating. Adria sat beside her, with one hand occasionally reaching forward to check for a fever. She'd found an incantation in her memory that gave her 'sight', almost like sonar. It was a permanent enchantment that once casted, would last until the death of the caster with no magical cost whatsoever. It made one's aura pulse outward as far as possibly could, and would become agitated with it reached something, returning to her the 'image' of whatever was hit. It offered fuzzy distinction, of shapes and distances, but no colors or details, and in no way was effected by whether or not her eyes would be able to see it.

"It's very useful," she'd told Izzy when he returned. "Not only can I see, but it's like I can see better than I could before-- in a way. I can see all angles at the same time, but no colors or details."

"No colors or details? How do you know what you're seeing then?" asked he, slapping a rune on the wall and making a chair pop out of the stone.

"Well, it's like I can see in balck and white only... but it's fuzzy. I can see shapes and that kind of thing."

"I see. No pun intended," he replied, kicking his desk chair out and offering it to Dracynos before taking the stone chair for himself.

"Right. Anyhow, who's this?"

"This is Dracynos. Dracynos, this is Adria. I think you already know each other though," Izzy said statically.

"True.. I do know her," Dracynos said in acknowledgment.

Adria glared in his direction angrily, without speaking. After a few tense moments, she opened her mouth to comment as a force beyond the door attempted to break it down.

XVI

2011-05-10T15:41:00.000-07:00

Morwen glared at Dracynos until she couldn't bear to keep a serious face any longer. He had a truly happy expression painted on his features, and an authentic smile accentuated his already handsome appearance more so. Seeing both he and Izrael side by side was almost shocking; all the similarities in their attributes were so easy to pick out--even their posture was similar. As she recovered from the trance she was in, Morwen finally realized the seriousness of the situation.

"You... you're here. Not there? In your lair? Why? Wha.. how?"

"Hm?" Dracynos's smile faded as his brow furrowed. "Am I not allowed to come visit? I was planning on staying for a while, too," he teased with a feigned pout. "Besides, who better to assist you in studying for history than I?"

Morwen's face reddened in annoyance and embarrassment. "That's okay. I don't want to keep you away from... whatever... it is that you do."

"You mean nothing? Yea, I pretty much serve no purpose whatsoever besides to be the source of power to the Mages." he sighed slightly. "It's so boring down there. Can you imagine? Seven centuries with no contact to anyone? No. Don't try, it's terrible. I can't stand it anymore. So I figured I'd come and stay with Izrael for a bit if he's alright with that?"

"Woah, what? You know I have classes, don't you? And anyhow, I have Whatsername to deal with already. I can't fit you in there too. The room's too damn small," Izzy said in protest.

"You know, if you just don't want me to stay with you, you can just say so."

"I didn't say that. I didn't mean that. I just--"

"Tell you what," Dracynos cut him off. "I'll help you get Miss Adria out of your room if you agree to let me stay. I'll get her enrolled in classes to get her out of your hair. I'll even negate the effect on your eye enough so they're only accessible if you voluntarily activate them," he said, his voice pleading.

Morwen giggled despite herself. "You sound so desperate. Can't you just brainwash him or something?"

"I could, but I don't want to. My intentions aren't to use such magics." he replied, looking up as if startled.

Izzy stared blankly at his pale face. He took a breath and went to speak, as Khamryn came from the opposite direction, interrupting him.

"What are you doing out of class, you three? Izrael. What a surprise. I think you'd do best to allow me to escort you to the elder's office. And you, who are you? I've never seen you around before," she scoffed at Dracynos, entirely oblivious to Izzy's signals of 'NO'.

"You'd better turn around, now," Izzy whispered to Morwen as Dracynos's eyes lost all emotion. She looked at his face fearfully, and when she looked back to Izzy his eyes were both green and soft. "Now," he repeated, and this time she obeyed. Behind her, she felt an immense pressure being released from no where, and a terrifying aura erupting. "Do not, Morwen, do not turn around," Izzy commanded. She closed her eyes tightly and held her ears even though she knew it would do no good.

"You must be joking. To not know me should be what you call a sin. How dare you speak down to me, you irrelevant flea! I should destroy you where you stand! Or cower, I should say. At least have a miniscule amount of dignity!" a satanic voice boomed from behind her. Certain undertones in the vowels reminded her of Dracynos's cheerful tongue just moments before. Morwen cringed involuntarily, and she began to feel dizzy. She cracked her eyes open and turned slightly to where Izrael had been, and saw him standing as tall and indifferent as ever. If anything, he only looked annoyed.

How... why does someone like him waste his time to hang around someone like me... he could run the entire Bastion in a heartbeat.. and yet he chooses to be mediocre and to spend his time with me? Morwen's thoughts became muddled and confusing to even her as Izzy's voice joined the mix, thundering as loudly as it could have possibly gotten. The last thing she noticed before she fell unconscious was the thick magical barrier that was erected silently around them that had quite obviously blocked all sound from escaping, as to not disturb the classes going on around.

XV

2011-05-10T15:40:00.001-07:00

"Damn. I knew he'd find her quickly, but not that fast..." Dracynos mused, abandoning his now empty receptacle. "Perhaps now, I should take it upon myself to involve myself directly in their lives once more... a good long visit with Izrael should be good to start me off," he snickered deviously, sauntering off towards the door. His light-hearted laughter echoed through and died in the cave that was finally emptied after so many centuries as he strutted up the path. His feet left smoking marks on the unenchanted floors, and he made note to fix that later as he changed form into a bat. For a while, he fluttered along contented until he noticed the billowing wisps of black smoke that emanated from his leathery wings with each flap. Despite his best efforts, even he, a supreme being, was unable to do anything because of the very nature of his being. His entire path could be traced easily by even the smallest child, for no matter how high up he flew his thick smoke would sink down to the ground where it would glow purple and mock him. And so, Dracynos flew along in obvious displeasure. Unfortunately for him as well, he'd forgotten his way around the Bastion over the last seven centuries, so not only was he in high annoyance, but he was also lost.
**** A few days later. ****
Izzy had found it hard to sleep with Adria in his room, and because she was there he was unable to leave for very long.

"Morwen, this isn't a funny situation, you have to take her to your room," he pleaded one afternoon as he walked her to her class after lunch break.

"Why? You too seem to get along so well," she teased as they rounded the corner. "Besides. It's too risky. The Order Enforcers are out so much more recently for some reason, the chances of us getting caught are too high. Who knows what they'd do to her?"

"So don't get caught," he mumbled. Stepping in front of her and leaning against the doorframe, he added, "Just think it over, okay? It's not like she can stay in my room forever. And we can always use the secret passages if you're too worried."

"You make it sound like I'm a pansy. If you want her gone, move her yourself, and preferably now, when everyone *except you* is in class. Regardless, move before I have to make you account for my lateness to class," Morwen retorted as the professor walked past.

"Nah. These are important matters we're discussing here. No chance you'll get in trouble, ain't that right, professor?" Izzy said smoothly, cracking a slightly lopsided smile to the teacher, who looked flustered.

"No I suppose not, if they are important matters. Have her in shortly though," answered she, ducking into the door as the bell went off.

"There, see? You're fine. Now-hat the hell?!" Izzy broke off as a large bat smacked into the wall between them. It sank to the ground where it ceased motion and appeared to smolder. In one quick motion, Izrael bent, snatched the bat, grabbed Morwen's arm and leaned into the classroom. "Morwen just got attacked by a bat so I'm going to take her to the healer." he called casually and swept off down the hall and around a corner, dragging an upset Morwen along behind him.

"You're lucky my exam in that class isn't until tomorrow. Now you have to help me study," she whined in an unappreciative tone, snatching her arm back.

"Yeah whatever," he replied, holding the bat to eye level. To his dismay, the cloud of smoke enveloping it was immediately attracted to his right eye, and he swiftly moved his hair so it wouldn't be dyed. Morwen, who had never seen his scarred, discolored and demonic looking eye was taken aback at the sight.

"Uh... Izzy? I didn't know your eye looked like that..." she stammered uncomfortably, unable to avert her gaze. She was even more shaken when both eyes looked up and met hers unwaveringly. The black vine-pattern within the iris twisted and churned violently with the absorption of the purple smoke, and the red glow of the iris itself slowly intensified. The only emotion that she was able to pick up in his right eye was deep, burning hatred and searing pain. The combination of the two made her want to scream and cry and beat something insanely; Morwen ripped her focus off of the cross-scarred eye and to his other, where the spring green of his original eye color held nothing more than an apologetic undertone and blankness.

"Sorry you actually have to see it. If you ever wondered why I wear my hair like I do, here's you answer." he said softly, emotionless. "This is what happens when you come to the Bastion as an orphan during a war, having just been released from being a hostage and they decided to gouge out your eye, and Dracynos decides to 'fix' it for you in exchange for part of your mortality." he said flatly. When Morwen's eyes widened in shock, he smirked playfully. "I'm only kidding. I still have all of my mortality and my soul. All he took was the damage done to my eye. Of course, it had its conditions--this damn eye is now the most terrifying weapon I could ever use against anything... and if I don't focus on it at all times... it can kill someone just by looking at it... so I'd really appreciate it if you wouldn't look at me right now," he added with a small, forced laugh.

Morwen was speechless. She was unable to do anything besides gape at him for a few more seconds and turn numbly away. That can't be his real eye... no... he's always so cheerful, isn't he? she thought, racking her memory. To her shock, she realized that in every memory she had of Izrael, his eye had been happy on the front, but looking back, deeper, she could see now that beneath the thin layer of joy there had always been the icy wall of impenetrable metal that guarded his true emotions. I.. had no idea for all these years... No. I had an idea... I just always denied or ignored it... Jeez, I'm an idiot... before she knew, she found herself crying silently for herself and for Izzy. Morwen suddenly felt two different fingers on her cheeks, wiping away the hot tears before they could roll away.

"Crying doesn't become you at all, my dear," Dracynos said in a canorous purr.

"He's right, you know. What's the matter?" Izrael said in a matching voice, placing his long-fingered hand on her head teasingly.

She pouted through her tear-filled eyes and red cheeks, shaking him off. "Nothing. Wait, what? When the hell did you get here?!" she demanded of Dracynos, who pointed to himself stupidly.

"Who, me? I've been here the whole time! I was the bat," he said with a clever grin, as if to say 'Oh yes, I so tricked you!~'

XIV

2011-05-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

Morwen casually opened Izzy's door, strode in, and sat down on his bed.

"Oh shit," he said, flattening himself against the wall and raising his hands in defense. "Before you kill me, remember that I did come back alive, and that you said you didn't care if I left or not."

"I know. I wanted to apologize for overreacting earlier. Anyways," she bounced up, her regular self returning. "What's this thing?"

"Uh. It's a... thing. I'm not sure what it is yet. Maybe you shouldn't shake it like that though..."

"Why not?" Morwen pouted, setting it on the desk. "Ooh, a button!" she poked her finger through a gap in the metallic shell hitting a button Izzy hadn't noticed, nor would he have even been able to press it if he had.

"Hey, don't press buttons that aren't yours to press. Especially not mine." he grabbed up his device. As he was inspecting it a portal-like structure projected itself into the room. Izrael dropped it out of surprise, but it hung motionless in the air, and the moment his hand left the surface, the portal snapped shut. That was that girl, wasn't it? The voice from earlier? She wants out? Now I know how. Izzy thought, climbing up on the table.

"Morwen, grab that thing and don't let go, alright?"

"What? Why? Oh no, I'm not letting you go to any other strange places. What are you planning to do in there anyho-"

"Just touch it, jeez," he said with feigned attitude. "I'll be right back, and this time not only do I mean it, but you can see me."

"Fine. But wipe that smirk off your face," she replied pretending to be annoyed but satisfied. "Don't let yourself get stuck in there."

"That's your job, not mine. That's why I said don't let go," he said as the portal opened again with its bass-heavy hum.

From his perch on the desk, Izzy could see the girl's hopeless posture curled up in the corner. He sighed and threw himself forward through the tear in reality. A moment later he'd landed on the oddly warm floor, and felt his right eye burning as it had earlier. For a few brief seconds, he was frozen out of blindness despite how bright the room had seemed from his desk. As his Nécrux kicked in and blocked out whatever foul magic was placed there against any living thing, he thought about how useful his 'deformed' eye had become over the years. I'm still bitter over this though. He could 'fix' my eye itself, but not the scars? Heh.

"Oh, right. Girl, come on and stand up, we're leaving." he commanded blankly. Reaching out to grab her arm, he realized she couldn't hear or see him. Izzy growled in frustration at whoever had made such a cell and grabbed her arm anyway. Her head shot up in shock and she wrenched her arm free of his purposely loose grip. Oh, great. I've never been very good with patience.

She stood cautiously and he kept his arm right where it had been. Meanwhile, Morwen was watching from back in the Bastion and was confused to all hell.

The girl reached forward shakily and her fingers landed on Izrael's arm, which he used to guide her closer to him. Her expression grew inquisitive, and he made the inter-realm symbols for peace and freedom into her palm to calm her nerves. He figured it worked, as she seemed to trust him more, but it still took a bit of coaxing to get her to walk with him in the direction of the open gate. As one would expect, he climbed out first to help her over and onto the desktop. However, the sudden disappearance of his aura had obviously startled the girl, and she took a few steps back. Izzy climbed back through the portal in annoyance and snatched up her hand. This time, he didn't let go when he went through, but motioned for her other hand. She seemed reluctant, with expressions of confusion and distress flitting across her face, but she never once tried to speak.

I'll bet she knows we can't hear each other yet, because of that room, he thought, making a sign for escape into her fingers again.

"Oh would you please just hurry up and pull her out of there already!" Morwen said, breaking the tense silence.

"I can't," Izzy replied calmly, motioning for her other hand again. She extended it eagerly, and he grasped her forearm. Izzy pulled up on her arms gently to let her know that it would be helpful if she jumped up and forward, and the girl nodded hopefully.

"Seriously, just--" Morwen began again, but stopped short as Izrael heaved the thin girl through the hole in the air. He'd made sure to pull hard enough so she'd land on the desk too, preferring that she didn't fall and he snap her arms or something. She still looked surprised at the sudden difference of setting.

"You should consider yourself lucky," Morwen teased, "To be rescued by and to land on the famous Izrael H.!~" she released the metal contraption and it sank slowly to the floor.

"What? Who?" the girl remarked in a flustered tone, still unconsciously clinging to Izzy.

"Me," he replied, shooting an unappreciative glare at Morwen, who grinned humorously. The girl jumped back in surprise at his voice, and nearly toppled off the desk. "Careful. No dying on me after all my hard work now, you hear?" he laughed mischievously.

"Smart move, standing on the desk," Morwen giggled, her voice drenched with satire. She helped the girl down and over to the bed, where the two sat down.

"Who are you?" inquired the girl uncertainly.

"Morwen Reiri, and he's just some guy who's kind of a friend of mine," Morwen replied.

"Izrael Haedhen at your service." Izzy said, hopping off the desk. "I'm not just some random guy, either. This is my room," he glared at Morwen. "And you are?"

"I'm Adria. Uh, Adria Sonycard. I-- oh, hell, is that... is that food I smell? Is it free?" Adria said enthusiastically, turning her face in the general direction of Izzy's door. The two noticed how her vacant eyes stayed facing forward indefinitely.

XIII

2011-05-10T15:38:00.000-07:00

Izrael sat awkwardly alone in the cave. He eventually stood, grabbed his 'gift', called a good bye, and left. To his dismay, he forgot to use his shadow shield on his trip back, and found himself being confronted by Khamryn for carrying the strange device so openly.

"You don't know what it is, you say? Well, I'm sure the elders will have some insight to grant," she scoffed, snatching at it.
"Uh, no." he replied and held it high above his head where she couldn't reach. She gave him a glare and huffed, and when he arched an eyebrow humorously, she turned and began to walk away. Izzy smirked, satisfied and started off in the opposite direction. Suddenly, Khamryn flew by him, snatching his contraption eagerly and storming off towards the elders. He stared down at his empty hands for a moment, his expression unchanging. He then proceeded to sprout a rageface, yell after her and sprint for a short cut.

"OH WHAT NOW!" Izzy screamed, exploding around a corner in front of Khamryn as she ran along. She skidded to a stop in front of him, looking like she'd just had a heart attack. He stood in an athletic fighter's stance, an evil, crazy-like expression painted on his face. She glared back at him, regaining her composure and making a dash for the opposite side of the hall. He caught her easily with one hand, retrieved his possession with the other, and concealed himself. In his invisibility, he tried a charm Dracynos had taught him on his second visit—one that scrambled the frequencies and origins of one's voice.

"Silme hir glina en lîn amarth," he stated, priding himself in the effect of the charm. Khamryn stared fearfully around the corridor, having been struck frozen by the elvish threat.

Yeah, mess with me again. he thought darkly as he continued back to his room. A few hours had passed, and he was glad to find his door untouched and the chamber unoccupied. Izrael placed his device on his desk and sat down to stare at it until he figured out what to do with it. "Does it open?" he whispered to himself, poking at things that looked like they might have been buttons. To his surprise, it spoke back to him.

~'It?' What is 'it'? Wait. It must! How else could I have gotten in here! OPEN IT!~

Izzy fell back out of his chair in shock, creeping cautiously back up to it. The electronic-like voice spoke again. ~Hey! Are you still there? Who are you? Can you at least tell me where I am?~

"Ohh my God." He gasped "Got any cool experiments down here?" he recalled asking. Experiments… is this one of his 'experiments?'

XII

2011-05-10T15:35:00.000-07:00

My room. I'll go hide out there. Izrael thought, taking a turn and another, following his mental map. No. Crap. Of course she'll expect me to go to my room. Hmm… he stole a left and traced back a hall parallel to the one he was in before. With a swift right turn he found himself through the wall and stumbling down a steep decline. "Oh hell yea, my map is still entirely accurate!" he said to himself, his playful grin flitting across his face. Before long, he exploded out through another wall into an echoing cavern-Dracynos's lair.

    "Hey!" Izzy called loudly, dropping his cover and looking around. "You turned the lights on. I'd almost forgotten what it looked like in here."

    "Oh really?" a familiar, deep, demonic voice boomed. "And I see you're utilizing my secret passages again."

    "Huh. Yea, I use 'em all the time. Told a few people too. Just not about any that lead here, or how to find them on their own." Izzy added casually, striding forward. "Got any cool experiments down here?" his finger poked out, sending a bright streak of magic for the center or the chamber, causing a sparkling explosion on impact and revealing the monster of black that was camouflaged there. He was all black; every feature was illustrated with and accented with a different hue of black. He even glowed black. His piercing purple eyes glared down on Izzy, and he felt his scarred right eye searing.

"Oh Izrael, you're even more talented than I remembered," Dracynos said, releasing his other form and striding towards him as his usual handsome, human-like self. "You're just full of surprises aren't you? You've even grown considerably," he added with a chuckle. Izzy grinned as Dracynos grasped his shoulders affectionately.

"And yourself," he replied. "I see you've modified your human form since I last saw it. It's good, believable, but looks a hell of a lot like me, don't you think?"

"Well yes. I actually looked like this as a person way back when, you know. That's why you look as you do. You thought my leopard was truly your familiar? Do you honestly think you look like a saber fanged jungle cat?" he laughed heartily. "No. So technically, you look a hell of a lot like me," he continued in a mumbled response. Tossing up his arms with the flash of a smile, he turned into his chamber, waving to a nearby table set. "Have a seat and stay a while," Dracynos called nonchalantly as he rounded a corner. Izzy obeyed, looking around in awe at the sheer immenseness of the cave. Where the hell are the lights in this place… it's so damn bright, but not a single light. He mused, taking a seat. A moment later, Dracynos returned with a rather curious looking device.

"This, my son, I give to you."

"What is it?"

"You shall discover, with time," he replied, an unreadable but obvious expression bubbling up in his eyes. With that, his body dispersed in a shimmer of purpley-black smoke.

XI

2011-05-10T15:34:00.000-07:00

Izrael felt as though his entire body was being crushed and shot from a small barreled gun. He found himself unable to breathe, but was it for the sensation he was experiencing or for the fact that there was no air to be breathed? He couldn't tell, he didn't rightly care either. He was glad though that he'd taken a breath and held it when he crushed the sphere, but that was as far as he let his mind wander. He focused every fiber of his being on the date he was going to, and prayed that Arlia had not lied to him. In an instant flash of white pain, e found himself standing in the observatory of the shrine once more. His stomach flipped before he realized the decay of the room, the crumbling pillars and the cracking tables, the skeleton propped by the door frame. He couldn't believe that just a few short days ago he'd had a full on conversation with the same person, so full of life and youth, and even did her a favor.

     "Hey Arlia, you did well, you know that? You did well." he said quietly, giving a whole-hearted salute. "I'll come back. I think a proper burial is in order. I promise." and with that Izzy set out back to the Bastion.
*************************************************************************************************
     The moment he walked through the door, Izzy was attacked by a mob of enforcers and dragged to the elders' office. He allowed them to manhandle him until they started to get rough and forceful, and at that point he nicely sent them smashing into the walls. Ha, I love that spell, he laughed silently to himself and nonchalantly strode down the hall.

     As he forced the doors open to the office, Morwen jumped back from the heavy wood slabs. "Oh, crap. Hey Morwen," he said blankly, stepping to the side to allow her exit. She didn't move. She didn't speak. She just stood staring at him wide-eyed.

Izrael stared right back. "Uh, can I just say before you--"

     "YOU ARE AN ASS." Morwen cut in seriously. "What. The. Hell. Is WRONG with you?! You've gotta be kidding me." her tanned face was turning red and her eyes watery, so she bit her tongue before she throttled him. Instead, she just gave him a classic 'spill-it-now-or-you're-dead-to-me look.

     "Uh. Firstly, chill out, and then if you can still walk without exploding in a mad rage, leave the office." He said calmly, meeting her glare cautiously and reaching out to touch her shoulder. When she jerked away and strutted past him into the dim hall, he sighed and nodded to the elders who were watching the two quarrel with amusement. Shutting the doors, Izzy turned and followed Morwen away. "So I uh... kinda got lost you could say."

    "No! That can't possibly be!" she replied in mock surprise, turning another furious gaze on him. "You can't expect me to be fine with this. I can't belie--" she stopped short as Izzy suddenly disappeared.

    "Look, I can see now isn't a good time. So when you AREN'T about to explode my face, I'll come back." his disembodied voice flowed from every direction with the help of a confusion spell he'd cast moments before, and he glided down the hall. He caught the words of a small curse as he rounded the corner and tore off down the corridors in a mad dash for safety. He dove sideways into an even slighter lit hall as a wave of magic rushed by. THAT WAS A FREAKIN' RIVER! THAT WAS A RIVER OF REVEALING MAGIC SHE SENT AT ME! Damn, that would have left me with my clothes vaporized and maybe my hair too... Izrael stood and continued down the random passageway.
************************************************************************************
    There was an unseen force crushing down on the darkness surrounding her the moment she woke up. No. That's impossible. The container? It has to be. I'm in a cell! Adria felt her time ebbing away while her heart raced on adrenaline. This is unbelievable. What kind of place is this to wake up in. Thankfully, her serious training allowed her to keep a cool, level head even if her body was being destroyed. She pulled herself up on shaky legs and stumbled forward seeking the border of her confines. She began to worry when her groping fingers continued to meet only air, which was unlike her. It's because I can't see anything. That's why I'm worried. she continued to tell herself that until it failed and she broke into a run. Adria continued on until she collapsed in a fatigued pile of flesh. In that same moment, the impossible pressure had increased dramatically within the seemingly infinite space. She felt human emotion bursting through her thick wall of training to beat it down and the overwhelming urge to scream almost won. Spell after spell she attempted, including multiple light-bringing casts and a teleportation incantation that just made her feel like she'd been sat upon by something fat. Finally, Adria broke down and cried in rage at her own helplessness. Where ever she was whomever happened to be around, she didn't care. Despite her uncontrollable sobs, she became self aware and began thinking clearly of possible scenarios.

    One thought left her particularly stricken. It was the only logical explanation she could think up. The darkness she was trapped in didn't belong to whatever she was contained in. It belonged to her; it was in her head. Adria had gone blind. Upon her revelation and abrupt physical composure, distant clapping erupted from all around her. In an instant she stood firmly on her feet, closing her eyes from habit and listening intently for motion.

   Ohoho, that's alright. You might as well give up, a deep, throaty voice snickered. Even if you weren't blind. The estranged voice's laugh reverberated off of everything and nothing, ringing in her head. I'm hearing this through my thoughts... Adria realized.

   Very good! Telekinesis is a specialty of mine. And you, Adria Sonycard, are the best experiment of mine yet. Fastest on the pick-up and most accepting, as well as the least trained of all the Iglykis I've ever tested. I was correct in thinking there was something special about you. Tell me. Are you devastated to have lost what most consider the sense of highest importance, your vision? Do you feel you are a hopelessly lost case, with no desire to escape--I should say attempt to escape--from me?

   "No." she managed, registering all the information she'd gathered. "I won't tell you anything. There's nothing to tell. I'm entirely indifferent." Her face grew vacant as the last pieces fell into place, and she decided she would never allow this person-or thing-to get the best of her. At least, she planned not to let it know that it had.

   "You think you can escape then?" Adria felt the hot breath on her neck as a staggering magical aura slammed into hers. "Curious... Maybe I'll just let you go... or maybe not. It depends on how much you appeal to me." she felt a playful grin on his face. A moment later, she knew she was in a different place and that he was gone. She sank into a corner, thankful for the security the stone walls provided to her and going back over everything that had happened to her.

X

2011-04-18T16:40:00.001-07:00

      Morwen gasped in shock at the creature seated before her. She'd taken the time to brace herself for whatever grotesqueness would meet her eyes when she looked, but Dracynos was just the opposite. What she saw couldn't possibly have been the same Dracynos she'd heard stories of, being incomparably revolting, yet here was seated a terribly aesthetically pleasing young man. Dressed in a gothic looking black suit edged with silver piping, he appeared starkly medieval. He had straight black hair, coiffed into neat points as it came down over his face. He had sparkly green eyes with thick lashes and slight shadows around them, set evenly on his creamy-pale face. He looks familiar, why does he look familiar? That doesn't make any sense... Morwen raved in her head, drinking in his appearance.

           Dracynos chuckled. "I look familiar to you because Izrael looks like me. Quite a lot, actually. Do you remember earlier, when you questioned whether he looked like his familiar? Quite obviously he doesn't look like a saber-toothed leopard, no? I think not." he chuckled again at Morwen's confused expression. "You thought every Nécromage looked like their familiar animals, didn't you? Oh, the things they teach these days... No, his familiar isn't an animal. It's me of course."

           "But why your leopards then? Why not, well, you? When he summons them I mean." She inquired innocently.

           "Because. I like my cave-hole-place," Dracynos replied matter-of-fact like. "And I have work to do here as well. Let's not forget I'm an important person-err, being. Entity? Whatever. Besides, I can't go poofing away every time he wants something."

           "Well it's not like he summons them on a whim."

           "Yes I know, but honestly, did you come here to talk about him or what?"

           "I suppose you're right. No, I didn't. Can you tell me your story now?" she asked quietly, almost afraid to hear it.

           "You're a brave soul," he replied, and dove into his tale."

       Countless centuries ago, I roamed free in the world. Rival beings of light and goodness cowered at my feet whenever I called them out, and they would quiver pitifully until I granted mercy or they would stand defiant until I struck them down. Never once had I lost a battle. Then came the elves. They'd tricked me, harnessed my brute power for themselves shamefully. I pretended not to notice their betrayal, I played into their plans for a while, plotting my revenge. My dark tendrils slowly seeped out of their binds into the outside world, gathering up followers. Finally, on the fateful day you modern people call All Hallows Eve, I called my accumulated minions to my prison. They ravaged the elves and their land, freeing me. In my pent up rage I blackened the skies, burned forests and villages, and all but sent the realm into cataclysmic uproar. That was when man stepped in.

        I found them resilient to my dark taint, and they hailed me as a demon, a personification of evil. True it may have been in those days, had one young elven half breed not befriended me shortly after. It was a day of peacemaking and joy, forgiving and forgetting.

            "Christmas?" Morwen chirped.

            "Yes, Christmas. Now don't interrupt." He chuckled at her whispered apology and her wide eyed face.

            As I was saying, Christmas. Of course its story and origins has been altered over the generations. Anyways. He was a young man much like our Izrael today. And by much like, I mean he was his distant ancestor, and they acted nearly the same. Regardless. After this day I found myself allied with the race of Man, and for many years the feeling of gratitude was mutual. That is, of course, until religious zealots came along from distant lands and demanded to destroy me, claiming they'd exterminated multiple other dark entities along their travels. After a twenty year battle with these zealots, I destroyed their light entity, thus shattering the men. They agreed to surrender to me as their undeniable leader. Over the years the men tried to harness my power like the elves did, and I remained indifferent as all their attempts were futile for as long as I disagreed with them.

           Eventually, one young woman came forward to me with a plan, an idea that was ingenious compared to the rest that had been presented to me. She told me of her clan, of their strong wills and spirits despite their weaker bodies. Her plan was to take intelligent, strong willed non-warriors and make them fighters. She was the mother of the Nécromage race. Her name was, obviously, Necrai of Baldurem. I'm sure you know this part of the story, learned in history or something, correct? Well, after that, the other men began to get jealous, even though I spread my taint across the world, giving a fair chance that a child born could be a Nécrux carrier. The older warriors grew furious at me and my mages.

           A war erupted from this, plain men with spears and sharp objects disobeying me and killing off my precious children in cold blood for what but jealousy. Sadly, as their numbers dwindled I had no choice but to step in and wipe out the majority of the warriors and infect their people with a kind of plague. Tragic times, really. I lost a good lot of favorable mages in those battles. Anyway, after that Necrai came to me again, pleading that I create or find a safe haven for the new race, preferably away from my plague's reach. Thus, I created the Bastion we live in today. Even today, I wish that Necrai could have lived to see my completed stronghold in all its spledor.

          Dracynos paused in his story and sighed. "I'm afraid, Miss Morwen, that I cannot continue my story today. You're needed above," he added with a smirk. "The doors are now open. You can come back when you like, if you want to, to hear the rest another time."

          "I will. You can bet on that," she replied with a smile as she strode to the door. "Oh, but what happened to Necrai? Did building the Bastion truly take that long?"

          "No. It took perhaps a week at most. Necrai died due to complications of childbirth," Dracynos looked mournful. "The child survived, though. Which is good I suppose." He stood and smiled at Morwen. "I'll be seeing you, Miss Morwen," he said in his rolling, melancholy tone as he turned and walked away from her.

          Morwen stared after him, puzzled. She began to wonder if maybe, if there was even the slightest chance, that it had had something to do with her. Perhaps I am an extraordinary person like Izzy after all? she thought wistfully, drifting off down the hall.

IX

2011-04-18T16:39:00.001-07:00

     Terishton glared coldly at Izrael, his expression demanding an explanation.

     "Okay, okay," Izzy began, his mischievous grin returning to his face for the first time in days. "I've got a riddle for you. If you can figure it out, not only will you know who I am but you'll have gained my respect all over again.
                 'The sun has watched me five apart,
                  I have seen faces aged turn back instantly,
                  I have not left, yet a different place I stand.
                  Where am I?'"

     The three exchanged looks, stumped. Finally they admitted defeat. "But that riddle doesn't make any sense, so it doesn't count," they whined at him sourly. He merely laughed triumphantly.

    "Oh but it does. Keep an open mind now. I've traveled back in time from where I live, five centuries. You guys, believe it or not, are still the elders here, or there, whichever. Now you have to take my word for it since I have no proof, and preferably remember this for when I get back so you don't kill me for disobedience. Anyways, this here kid," Izzy lifted Tathar easily in presentation. "Is my ancestor. And his mother is the one who dragged me back here to save him. So. Because I know you guys are so kind and welcoming in the future, I expect you'll take good care of him." He mouthed the words His mom died, when they looked skeptical.

    Deinocris stared blankly at Izrael and pulled a paper and pen from his drawer. He began to scrawl illegibly on it, and paused inquisitively. "Boy, what's your name? And what'll be the date you plan on returning?"

    "Izrael. Haedhen. And... it should be around the thirteenth of the sixth." he replied uncertainly. Dein scribbled down a few more symbols and slapped the paper down on the desk. He muttered something eerily and the wood absorbed it without a trace.

    "There. Don't worry about the small master here, we'll take care of him. Whenever you decide to leave, you'll be able to do so freely, an return freely as well." He still looked confused, but accepting nonetheless. Izzy nodded his thanks, stepped back out the door with a wave of farewell to Tathar and crushed his green bead underfoot.

VIII

2011-04-17T20:28:00.001-07:00

     Morwen flopped down on her bed with a grunt. She curled herself up, clinging to her pillow, still distracted by the face that days had passed now and Izrael had still not returned. Her mind continuously flitted back to the conversation she'd had with the elders, and each time she wrote it off, telling herself it wasn't true. He's just gotten lost, or maybe he's off visiting his old village or something. I mean, no, he can't just not come back, he has to. Why'd  even question if he's coming back? Of course he is... She began to ignore her own thoughts, silencing them with blatant disregard. She moved along through the day half blind, as if on 'auto pilot'. When she addressed friends, the conversations were monotonous and short lived. In classes, her teachers caught her 'daydreaming', and she usually had to stay late to explain why. Thankfully, Izzy wasn't gone for long.

           Though the days seemed to pass slowly for her, Morwen knew that only a few had gone by by the time she heard word that Izrael would be returning. How they knew she did not know, but she didn't question the elders in their words that time. She merely thanked them for letting her know and clung to the happiness of that statement, "We have recently received reason to believe that Master Haedhen will be returning soon."

           She was walking on air. Or, she felt that way at least. Morwen glided in effervescent bliss down the corridors to the lair of Dracynos. She blankly strode down the hall, and only when the voice that had been calling out to her as she went screamed at her did she regain her senses. To her despair, the only sense she hadn't regained was sight, or so she thought. As her actions caught up with her mind, Morwen gasped in shock at where she was and what had happened.

           "Oh, crap! I'm sorry for disturbing you! It was entirely unintentional," she chirped, embarrassed.

           "That's fine. You obviously wanted to talk," Dracynos replied, settling in front of her from what she could tell. "You may have a seat if you like, unfortunately all there is is the floor... there are eats here somewhere I believe, but good luck in locating one." he laughed bitterly. "Apologies. when one lives as I do, one's sense of humor is damaged so to say with the passing years..." he sighed, and Morwen felt the humanity of him escaping.

           "So... why do you live in the dark anyways? I mean, I would go insane if I never saw light for even a week, but how many years have you been down here?" She questioned to break the awkward silence that hung in the blackness. Her eyes strained to attempt to even make out a silhouette, but failed against the cavern's magic.

           "Well..." He began, his deep rumbling voice enveloping her. "I'd tell you the story of my existence, but it's rather long and unpleasant. I'm afraid you'd not like to listen."

           "As you think," she replied stoutly. "I'd love to hear your story from your own mouth. Oh, but on one condition. Bring back the light in here." A mischievous smile sprouted on her face as she thought of what he must look like as well as at the thought of how it would feel to her to be the one to bring light back into Dracynos's life.

           He chuckled in amusement. "You've got spunk, kid. I like that. And I like you. However, I plan to hold you to your word," An illuminating shimmer appeared, outlining the form of a young man seated cross-legged before her. "I've just sealed the exits. You can leave when I'm finished talking with you. Alright?"

          At the last comment, Morwen had grown uneasy and began second guessing herself. She fought the negative emotions back and nodded courageously. Instantly after she gave her consent, the shimmer erupted into full light with no source and no end, so it seemed. She purposely scanned her surroundings, calming her heartbeat before she laid her eyes on he who was called the Dark Being. She discovered she was, in fact, inside a yawning cavern, exquisitely decorated with architecture from all the ages. When she had nothing else left to look at, Morwen leveled her unwavering gaze on Dracynos before her.

VII

2011-04-13T14:53:00.001-07:00

       Izrael crouched in the brush, scanning the area for anything even vaguely familiar. He was now glad that he'd summoned his leopard earlier; from what he could tell, she was keeping Tathar quiet and calm with her telekinesis. Five hundred years sure can change a landscape, he mused. The only thing I'd be able to recognize here would be the Bastion... probably, and it doesn't help that it's invisible through these trees. Izzy growled in angst, slinking back to where his leopard and Tathar had stayed. He removed the child from her back, and sent her up into the trees to discover the Bastion's whereabouts.

           When she returned, Izrael replaced Tathar on her shoulders and sent her into the lead, and the trio set off into the mountains.

      **********

           They were nearly to the transporter atop the peak of Pulchritudinous Slope when Izzy noticed a man-like form stooped in the middle of the path a ways ahead of them. He traded places with his leopard and walked along slowly, hand over the hilt of a blade he retrieved from an abandoned shack along the way, just in case. He was nearly upon the squatting humanoid when it screamed and leapt forward. It reeled around facing a calm faced Izrael. Despite his occasionally spastic behavior, he mostly had a cool, firm grasp on reality and was not easily shaken. When the grotesque creature roared again and charged him, his long fingers clasped around the hilt and in two lithe movements he was on the other side of it, and it was tumbling forward, decapitated.

           Izzy flicked his cold viridian eyes back to it, waiting for it to stand back up. In his personal studies, he'd come across an old journal, dubbed useless by the academy's library and discarded for the same reason. He'd retrieved and read it thoroughly, filling his brain with the knowledge of the ancients, about the creatures that once roamed--and possibly still roamed--the very mountains he occupied. The vast variety of learning he acquired that day had stuck with him on every expedition he carried out from then on, although he never once met any of the more terrifying specimens mentioned. Today, he was thankful that he'd remembered, and also thankful to whomever the person was, to sit and sketch out detailed depictions of said creatures.

           Izrael had his leopard carry Tathar by it while it remained stunned, and demanded it not continue on up the path.

           "What? Why can't we go on?" Tathar demanded, a pout etched on his chubby face.

           "Because. Where there's one, there's bound to be more. And with that scream it made earlier, there's absolutely no way they'll just be hanging out in plain view like he was. Do not. Go on ahead of me." Izzy replied in a quiet, rolling tone. "Just do as I say. And keep quiet," he added when Tathar opened his mouth to protest. His gap-toothed face snapped shut in an even deeper pout.

           Suddenly, much to the surprise of Tathar and the leopard, the creatures arms started groping forward, obviously in search of its lost cranium. When it found it, 'threads' shot from the stub of a neck to the base of it, reconnecting them in moments. While it recovered, Izrael lunged forward, impaling its face with his blade. The creature let out a bloodcurdling screech but showed no sign of death, so he twisted the sword and removed it jerkily, instantly stabbing at its chest. The creatures face bled profusely, but his quick motions kept him clean. In moments, his weapon met heart and the demonic wailing ceased, the crier tumbling backwards off the edge. Izzy had made perfectly sure to note the position of its heart for the path ahead.

           As they neared the transporter, he found that his 'borrowed' sword began to become stained with the nasty black blood of the creatures. Izzy had exterminated a good ten of them, sending others retreating with a wave of the dripping steel.

           "Hey, you're gonna have to leave soon aren't you?" Tathar questioned suddenly as Izzy prepared the device.

           "Huh? Oh. Yeah," he replied absently, not wanting to think about it. Despite his best efforts, he'd become attached to the kid. Probably because he's my ancestor, he told himself. "Don't worry though, where I'm taking you they'll take good care of you. If they don't, well, you can always leave. Hell, they might even bring you to the village right away, I dunno."

           "Oh." Tathar said. "Hey, I'm not gonna get to see you again am I?"

           "No. Probably not. Or, maybe, you might, from somewhere else..."

           "Alright. That sounds like fun," Tathar grinned. "I'll get to see mom there too, right?"

            Izrael stopped. He turned a gentle gaze on the little boy, and nodded softly. "Yeah, you'll get to see your mom there. Just... make sure you have a few kids first, and live a good, long life. You hear? Do as you're told. And always eat your veggies. I don't care how bad they taste." He smiled. "Okay, you ready? Good. Let's go."

            Tathar ooo'd and ahh'd the entire way through the Bastion, poking at paintings more expensive than he could ever imagine. Each time, Izzy jerked his arm, pulling Tathar nearly from his balance. At last, they arrived at the elders' chambers. Izzy nonchalantly pushed the doors open and strode in. Of course, he'd no idea that they would be the exact same elders of his time. He stared blankly at the young faces of Terishton, Deinocris and Erogob, marveling in their sheer youth.

            "And just who are you?" Young Terishton demanded. His voice didn't waver, he didn't cough or squint. Izzy laughed out boldly at the extraordinary difference in his elders faces and demeanor.

VI

2011-04-13T14:52:00.002-07:00

      Morwen stormed down the hallways and around corners blindly, trying to look determined and purposeful despite her being lost. She finally found herself in a familiar hallway, but not a place one wants to be. She remembered when Izrael had brought her here, she'd been young and foolish, but what he told her had left an impression.

              "Don't find yourself lost here, Morwen. This place only exists because if it didn't, it would. Just not here. Somewhere else, worse, where it would be abused. Here, the elders can watch it, or really me, since every time I come here there's no one around, nor any surveillance anything. So, really, just don't come here ever. Unless I'm with you. Ok? And don't ask questions, I won't answer them." Of course, I asked questions. And he did answer.

              Morwen sighed, trying to remember back to how he'd brought them back to the main corridors. This place was, of course, the place where the Nécrux had originated. The home of the Dark Being, that lived deep in the bowels of the mountain. Or, Bastion, as they now liked to call it, although everyone knew it was just a mountain that had been threaded through with the ultimate magics to fly. This place was the origin of her people. She'd always wanted to walk down its dark passageways until she found the Dark Being's hideaway; she had so many questions for it, however, she also knew that it would most likely mean death to visit the Dark Being, but then again, no one had ever come back from such a visit to tell about it. The only way to find out would be to go, but the uncertainty that surrounded these halls was far too strong for her to resist.

             From what she'd heard in rumors, Izrael had gone to the Dark Being and returned, and that was why his power, physical strength and personality were so great; for a full-blown Nécromagus High Ruler, let alone an elven halfbreed. She almost believed it, from the day that he warned her about it, the way his face had held a knowingly grim expression. It would also explain how exotic his familiar is, and why he doesn't resemble it at all, she mused, recalling her own serpentine features. Then again, perhaps he does, I've never seen a Dracynos Leopard for myself.

            Leopard of Dracynos, thank you very much. Who are you? A deep, threateningly welcoming voice boomed around Morwen, or perhaps it was just in her head? She couldn't tell. Instead of calling out, she just thought a response.

            Uh, I'm Morwen Reiri, just a student. And you are? Oh jeez, why can't I talk like I can think? Oops. He-I mean you can hear (?) my thoughts... She felt mortified that he--it?--could read her thoughts, and that her thoughts were as nervous as she felt.

            Hm. Curious character you have, to loiter in my domain and ask who I am. I, am Dracynos. You know me as the Dark Being, do you not? Of course you do... as you said, I can hear your thoughts. Do not bother protesting, I shall answer any questions you have.

            Oh, right, well, is it true that Izrael Haedhen was the first to walk down into your home and return unscathed? Is that why you gave him your offspring as a familiar? Or is it just a lie, and he was chosen by some ultimate deity or something to be filled with greatness?

           Dear child, it is true. He has visited me once, never again though. the voice boomed at her in what Morwen imagined would be laughter. He was not "chosen" as you say. No one is "chosen" by supreme deities. And no one is filled with greatness as you mean. Young Izrael has more flaws and lies about him than you may think.</u>

           But, sir, how am I talking to you now without dying? And how come Izzy didn't die either? It doesn't make any sense. And why did he forbid me from going here alone those years ago?

            Because, my dear, you know not of my appearance do you? Of course not. I am not ashamed to admit my being is but terrifying and disgusting. Do not even think to come down here and see for yourself, after Izrael's visit I have blocked out all possible light. It cannot enter nor be created within my chamber. He did not die because he did not wish to. Nor did he deserve to. Those who came before him wished for death, or they were far too greedy for their own good. Those who wished, ambled down my halls begging for me to appear to them and destroy that which held them to this world, and I did as my human children asked. As for the others... they traveled these corridors in search of me or my wealth, which I have none of for the record, to utilize it for their own uses. Such power greedy folk cannot be allowed to enter and leave my territory without paying the price for their corruption. Izrael, being neither, entered, chatted with me, and left under my blessing.

            Wait, what? Can you tell me what he came to you for in the first place?

            No. I cannot. It is not under my jurisdiction to tell the information that I gave nor received. I respect people's privacy, despite being able to read your every thought and emotion. Dracynos laughed again, and bid Morwen farewell after telling her the correct direction to walk.

            She ambled along the paths aimlessly, mulling over her conversation with the Dark Being, and wondering if any of it were true.

V

2011-04-13T14:52:00.000-07:00

Izzy stared at the bookcases with a vexed expression dancing in his eyes. He couldn't remember for crap Arlia's instruction past "in the library," especially not with the annoying kid --Tathar-- that had attached itself to his leg.

           "Mr. Dude," he whined, "Where's mom? I don't know you!"

           "It's Izrael. Or Izzy. Not Mr. Dude. I won't tell you again. Remember it or shut up." Dear god if you exist let it be the latter, he thought, starting to shove shelves. Each time, they groaned in protest and he'd gulp, look back at the eerie arched door, and move on to the next. Tathar, watching him curiously, moved confidently to the correct bookcase, stood on high toes, and pressed a button on the side. The shelf tipped forward soundlessly, landing flat on the floor with little more than a minuscule tap. In the space where it once stood, a tall wooden door adorned the otherwise plain stone of the wall.

           "Was you lookin' for this?" Tathar questioned with an innocent smile.

           Izzy sighed and pushed open the door. Unfortunately for him, it was locked and didn't budge, so he just smacked his face into it. Apparently, Tathar had had no idea before then that wood was unforgiving to faces that struck it, and he laughed heartily at Izzy while he tried to open their escape. He cursed Arlia fervently for not warning him, rubbing his pained face.

           "Kid," he scoffed, "You gotta know how to open this too. Do it."

           "Open? Iono how. I never saw Mom open it, but I thinks its got to do with her bracelet thing." Tathar replied softly.

           Bracelet? O, duh, the bracelet! Izrael pulled the silver circlet off his wrist in a flourish, and stared blankly at it. He then proceeded to chuck it vigorously at the door while yelling "GO! OPEN!!" which, evidently, had absolutely no effect. Izzy sat down facing the opposite wall in defeat. I've absolutely no idea how to use that thing. Why even try? They're probably all dead. And if not, I'm sure if I ran fast enough he and I could get by, I mean-- his thoughts faded into oblivion when he was hit with a gust of cool air, and he whipped around to see that Tathar had somehow figured out the riddle of the bracelet lock. (Really, there was just a circular inlet on the door's surface that was truly quite  obvious, and all one had to do was place the bracelet in it. But Izzy was flustered by the whole saving-his-own-ancestors-thing.)

            Aghast, Izzy led Tathar by the hand in a charismatic run down the self-lighting tunnel to make up for lost time. Thathar began to whine about halfway through, causing Izzy to stop and waste another five minutes in summoning a Leopard of Dracynos (his familiar species) to carry Tathar the rest of the way.

            By the time they'd reached the opposite door and ducked into the bushes, Arlia had used up the last of her predisposed time. However, she'd succeeded in destroying the last of the invading Iglykis, their high ruler, thus ending the war.

IV

2011-04-09T14:35:00.000-07:00

Arlia watched him blankly as if none of it affected her in any way more than an introduction and an explanation.

"Very well then, descendant, my request to you is for you to go and protect my son. I, being as I am now, shall terminate the Iglykis. It-"

"Iglykis? What? Is that what's on the other side of the door? Wait. Can you explain from the beginning?" Izzy said holding up his hands. "That door is gonna hold up. I know, because I just reopened it. Their attacks aren't even leaving marks," he added to give her no means of escape.

As Izzy expected, she gave him a pout and began talking rapidly. "At this time, my race and the Iglykis from beyond the Great Lake are at war. Somehow, someone leaked information of my son's and my whereabouts. They've come to take us captive, and if we resist, to destroy us. I am indeed dead --don't touch me, I am not lying--, but the magic that you 'watched' me cast wasn't just that, nor just a portal, I was giving myself a second chance, for a small amount of time at least. With you here, I can utilize this extra time better than if not. I require you to take Tathar and go. Immediately. I promise you, when you return I will be gone, but as will be the Iglykis.

"Now," Arlia reached above herself and grabbed a small glass sphere, gripping it tightly until its clear color turned murky grey, then to iridescent green. "This will return you to your time, or any time truly, if used incorrectly. Focus on exactly the time and place you were in when you were seized by the portal. Do you understand?"

"Yes. No. How do I make it poof me home?"

"I'm sorry? To use this, just focus and break this," she replied. "Now. The living chambers are past this. Continue on through three more rooms similar to this one, and turn the first left. There's an exit there, at the end of a tunnel behind the fourth bookcase of the library. Go." Without protest or further questioning, Izzy obeyed.
***************************************************************************************
Morwen found herself being carried off to the elders' chambers shortly after knocking on Izrael's door. He's a liar. He's a bad liar at that. I knew he put an enchantment on that door, but one that is only activated by a girl, and only while he isn't there? Jeez, he's such an ass. She pouted and instructed the enforcers to put her down. Of course, they ignored her, but that gave her something to complain about as they went.

       Upon reaching the office, she was placed roughly in the big leather chair before the desk. She admitted to herself she was a little frightened, having never been in enough trouble to 'pay the elders a visit' or even seen the elders before, and had never planned to despite the occasional humorous story by Izzy. So instead of saying anything, she sat there, stiff and dwarfed by the immense throne.

       "Your fear is wrongly placed in us, Miss Reiri. Has Izrael told you nothing?" Erogob spoke towards her, but didn't meet her eyes. "My apologies for not making eye contact, I've become blind in my old age," he added.

       "Uhm. N-no that's alright... Izzy-Izrael hasn't told me too much about you, but enough for me to know that this isn't a friendly 'hello' uh... summons... or perhaps it is and he's just wrong, I mean I don't know... B-but. Uh. Yea..." she stuttered, sinking into the chair out of embarrassment.

       "Well actually, my dear, it is and it is not. We know of your friendship with Izrael, and we know you paid him a visit this morning, after he left our office unauthorized. Regardless, he left on one of his expeditions after you left, and from our knowledge, we know he's usually back before long. We need to know if you know or not where he went, for despite his awesome power and ability, we may fear the worst for his safety." Terishton informed her softly, controlling his tone to try and make what he was saying lighter on impact. He mentally noted that that tone of voice didn't work to his intentions as her face paled.

      "Oh no. No sir. He wouldn't get himself into trouble, sir. I'm sure he just, got lost or something, I mean... no. He's fine. And no, I do not know where he went... It couldn't have been anywhere dangerous though, I'm sure." She replied, eyes blank and a sweet smile on her face. He's fine. He's fine. They lie through their nasty, old teeth. He's fine. she continued telling herself, barely paying attention to anything else.

     "You seem so certain," Deinocris said suspiciously. "Without knowing where he is, how can you know of his well being?" He seemed entirely uncaring about Morwen's feelings.

     "Because, sir, Izzy invited me to go with him. He wouldn't have invited me if he planned on going somewhere dangerous or potentially dangerous. And that's that, I don't have anything else to add on this matter. Good day." she said firmly, standing and bowing.

     "Good day to you too, Miss Reiri." Erogob said kindly, nodding his head (in the wrong direction) in acknowledgment to her departure. Once she'd gone, he added, "She seems to care for him deeply, perhaps we shouldn't have called her? Hardly a good topic for a first punishment-free visit..." Deinocris grunted in disagreement; Terishton remained silent.

      The three elders still feared that Izrael had left their world. They were correct, of course, but not in the same way they thought.

III

2011-04-09T14:34:00.002-07:00

Izrael plunged through the wall of ivy and plants into a room identical to the one from the image, including the completely unchanged body of the woman. He felt an impulse to touch her, to feel the dead texture of her skin to assure himself she was. Unfortunately, he acted on that impulse. He jumped back in surprise at the touch; her skin was still warm. He spun back to the door which was no longer a wall of ivy, but a freshly closed door that gyrated on its hinges with the bombardment of attacks blasting it from the other side. It wasn't just her power, it was a portal too?! Izzy gasped in revelation, backing up to the table. His hand shot naturally to his hip, where his blade would have been were this any other occasion with the same circumstances. He stared awestruck at the door, racking his brain for anything he was taught about ancient magics, when the woman on the floor beside him opened her eyes and coughed.

"THE HELL?!" He blurted, jumping back away from her and landing on the floor. "I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD!?"

"You... How did you *cough* get in here? I demand your story." she rasped, seeming to be completely fine besides her inability to move or breathe properly. The fire burned brightly in her eyes, and her skin gradually regaining color.

"No. You answer my question first. And you have a pole in your chest! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD! I WATCHED YOU DIE!" Izrael was becoming hysterical, the sheer fright of a dead woman waking up and talking to him did not seem to want to pass idly.

"Boy, know you nothing? You speak to the Grand Maestrai of her race. This is my dwelling. Your dress is alien. Your speech is foreign. Are you foe or ally?"

"Neither? I'm Izrael. Just a teenager."

"Izrael? I know not of the term. Explain," she commanded, reaching to the spike protruding from her chest and easily removing it. The wound bled for a moment, and then sealed itself in seconds. She stared expectantly at him, causing him to gape helplessly at her.

"Uh. Um. Oh, that's just my name. Izrael Haedhen. I--"

"Haedhen?! From where do you hail, brother? I thought none were left but my son and I." Her face lit up and he stared at her blankly.

"I--hail--from the Bastion of Moriedea, succeeding the Hills. I am the last of the Haedhen name that I know of..."

"Not any longer my friend. Or, if we outlive the day." she added, motioning to the door. "I am Arliamus of the house of Haedhen, mother of Tathar. Izrael - correct? - may call me Arlia. But for now, boy, what have you of offensive fighting knowledge?"

Izzy's head spun as it all fell into place, she was -is- his ancestor, and he was called there to protect her from whatever was on the other side of that door. "Oh, a bit. But, ma'am, I think you have to know, I'm your... distant descendant. From five or more centuries from-- what is today?"

"The ninth of the sixth."

"From today. Wow. That's insane... Jeez... Today in history has been terrible forever I guess." He sighed, finally used to the fact that he was discussing casual matters with his ancestor.

II

2011-04-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

The Mountains were filled with the long overdue and very welcome scent of rain. Izrael walked along old paths long left untrodden, retracing steps once taken. He found the numbing mindlessness of it all undeniably soothing, and as he slowly glided between the ferns he sought out happier times years gone; for another year in a row he found none were to be had. With a sudden rage for life and everything and everyone in it, he tore the bracelet from his wrist and threw it down into the mud. Izzy huffed a sigh and bent to retrieve his treasure. To his surprise, the mud containing the enchanted trinket skidded just beyond his reach, and did so once more when he approached it a second time. He stood upright in pique, and took a large step in its direction, and, yet again, the wristlet shot ten feet ahead. Izzy took to running after it for lack of anything else to do, weaving between trees and finally veering off the path through the undergrowth. Another minute of fervent chase and it abruptly stopped; he nearly tripped into a tree from skidding through the mud. He cursed and snatched up the soiled bracelet, wiping it on the cottony leaves of a nearby plant before stuffing it into his pocket for later cleaning.

            Izzy was still hunched over when he had the sudden realization of his surroundings; he'd been lured to the garden of an ancient, crumbling shrine no longer acknowledged by anyone. However, he recognized the alien architecture, the gentle ripples the age-old magic gave to the runes etched in the stone structure. Some time-lost portion of his memory was tickled by every essence of the place, and on unknown impulse he found himself striding confidently through the shrine. A collapsing staircase brought him into an immense wooden door, untouched by time and quite obviously locked from the large magical lock on its surface. Izzy's hand seemed to act on its own when it reached out and touched the uncannily warm metal, which unlocked with a wave of power, granting a cacophonous groan from the door as it opened.

             His eyes widened in astonishment as he was hit with the memory of someone else, at this same door but perhaps centuries earlier. The young woman flew down the hallway to the observatory and continued glancing behind her. She halted in the same position as her successor, and with a gush of power unlocked the door which swung open easily on well-used hinges. Izzy felt his body stumble against the wall asunder from himself as the memory woman was blasted forward into the cavernous room by an unseen force. The image began to dim while he heard her eerily familiar voice chant an archaic spell that slammed shut, locked, and sealed the doors from both sides. Through her eyes, Izzy watched the woman gaze down at herself and lift shaking hands to the pike that impaled her chest, and felt himself becoming lightheaded while the timeless link connected the two; he felt the sensation of slowly dying, but he also felt her blatant acceptance. The woman twisted and situated herself against the nearby table leg facing the door, and coughed out a last spell, attempting to seal her soul within the room. In failing, the woman's panic erupted into a final, desperate effort to protect the shrine. While the magic faltered, Izrael clung to the link to the past long enough to see the woman materialize her Nécrux and allow it to disperse into the room, attaching not her soul but her power and memories.

            When he came to, Izzy was gasping on the shrine's floor, clutching the bracelet in his clammy palm. His stomach flipped, and he stared at the circlet with unease as he recognized it as the silver twin to the gold band the young woman wore. Replacing it on his wrist (for it was magically mud free), he stood shakily and probed the area for any traces of the elderly power that may be left. In finding none he concluded that the vision must have been, against his first suspicions, over five centuries old. He recovered from the shock and turned definitely to the unchanged observatory.

            Morwen sat dejectedly at the back of the class, staring blankly at the professor who was giving a lecture at the board. She'd been caught ignoring the teacher and staring off into the mountains, and had been "given adamant time to daydream-- in the back." She sighed and began doodling idly on her paper, trees and distant worlds where people could--

            "MORWEN! I asked you a question!"

            "Huh?!" she shot upright, staring at the teacher and scanning her mind for the topic of the lecture.

            "My question. I'd like an answer." the teacher said smugly, obviously knowing she'd not been paying attention.

            She groaned softly and blurted the first answer that came to mind: "I cannot calculate the speed at which it will travel once released without knowing the object's trajectory or the substance through which it is moving, the strength of the gravity, and other unknown variables."

            The professor glared at her dumbstruck, for with the science lesson that was the exact answer he was looking for. Morwen released the rubber band ball she'd been crushing in her hand with a sigh of relief. After that, the teacher left her to daydream in peace.

            Her mind finally wandered back to Izrael, and his proposition early that morning. I should have said yes and gone with him. He's usually back by now when he cuts classes like this... In fact... he should burst through the door and make some kind of wise crack any minute now... she thought glumly, and half turned her attention to the door with her peripheral vision. Or, maybe, he's out there in the mountains valiantly fighting off some terrifying demons or a giant. Maybe he's single-handed-ly fighting a continuation of the Three Year War. Or carving things into the cliff faces. Yea, that sounds like stuff he'd do. Morwen was so absorbed in her own fantasies she barely noticed when the class was dismissed for lunch break.

            "Hey Morie, isn't that boyfriend of yours back yet? I suspect he went 'out' again, right?" Morwen's friend Attia questioned as they left class.

            "What? Ew. He's not my 'boyfriend', more of a... friendboy? And yea, he went 'out', I didn't want to go with him so I can't tell you where." She replied, dismissing the matter. Izzy... my boyfriend? Jeez, sometimes my friends are such airheads...

            "Okay, well- wait. He invited you?!"

            "Well yea. And I'm going back to my room... you're welcome to come." she said, trying once more to change the subject.

            "Oh, no. I have some notes for my next class I need to get from someone. I'll see you later, Morie," Attia said, cantering away down the opposite hallway.

            Morwen sighed lightly, and trotted off down the hallway towards her room, but turned onto her offshoot path before she arrived, stowing her books in an undersized alcove in the shadows. She 'resealed' the passageway, and continued on her way. Her secret hall was a connection between the girls' and boys' dormitories, and it had been sealed off years before by the enforcers. She discovered it by chance one day, and in doing so she met Izrael, who already knew about the mini corridor. Every time she passed or entered the hall she was reminded of Izzy and the surprised expression on his face when he walked by and noticed a young girl who'd broken through both sides of the enforcers' seal (but had been utterly defeated by his 'improvements'.) She smiled to herself in remembrance as she poked through the 'wall' into the boys' dorm main walkway.

I

2011-04-09T14:32:00.000-07:00

BASTIoN oF MoRIEREA

Izrael Haedhen lives in a world where half-breeds are frowned upon in all societies. Unfortunately for him, that is exactly what he is. His mother was a Nécromagi and his father an elven noble. His early life consisted of threats, teasing and general bullying, until his Nécrux arrived when he was about six. At this point, his family moved under the full moon to the Bastion of Morierea, where the three elders reign in judicial supremacy. They enforce an ancient policy known as ORDER, or Obedience Regardless of Ethnicity is Required*. Izzy believes it to be a stupid policy, or at least an outdated one. It requires all of the Mages to obey the elders in all situations, even if it is against their better judgment. For this reason, he gladly takes to disregarding all rules and doing as he pleases, just to irritate the old men. In his teens, Izrael has few friends but is liked by nearly everyone at the academy, and is favored by the Supreme Deity of the Nécromage race, Dracynos. Despite the best efforts of the elders, Izrael's disobedience and eagerness to roam the mountains attracts unwanted attention, and his life is thrown into organized chaos...

**************************************************************

Four years after his family moved to the stronghold, a war erupted from a three hostage situation turned bad. One hostage was released for the meager ransom, the other two killed.

They were Izrael's parents.

**** Seven Years Later ****

Izzy woke to a hollow rap on his window. He peered out from under the pillow on his face into the melancholy darkness that filled the room. The tapping occurred again, followed by an eerie flash of light and a shattering crack. With the short bursts of illumination, he watched as the tree beyond the window split, and heard its branches screech their way down the glass. The storm had either penetrated the bastion's barrier, or the elders were testing the fledglings. Izrael decided that, if it was a test, he wanted to fail. He reached into his power to pull the pillow back over his eyes, and establish a sound- and lightproof wall within his room. Sometimes, I really love this life, he mused, as he speedily and gratefully drifted back into subconsciousness.

"Fear the dark..."

The door exploded with magic threads and splintering wood shooting in every direction. Izzy leapt awake *************************************************************************in a flail of limbs and sheets; when he finally he stood, the pure light burned his eyes, and he stumbled backwards into his table and hit the floor once more. There he remained until he was hauled to his feet by two of the burlier enforcers. He lashed out in rage and confusion, catching himself in the bindings they held for just that incident. Izzy soon found himself immobilized and being dragged down the hall, wide-eyed against his blindfold and adrenaline ridden. He eventually figured he was somewhere in the elder's chamber, and by the time his blindfold was removed, he'd gotten a clean grasp on what had happened. Once his hands were released, he reached up and tousled his hair into place, coolly meeting the aged, wrinkly faces glowering at him over the desk.

"Terry, Gob and Dean, how are you on this lovely day?" He said, leaning back and putting his bare feet on the dark oak.

"Izrael Haedhen," the trio warned, "You dishonor us with your abundant presence."

"You dishonor me with your abundant summons..." he grumbled, poking at a stray candle that floated by his face.

"Such outrageous terms you must think we are on to address us so," Terishton continued snappily. Deinocris and Erogob nodded in agreement.

"You kidding? It's only fair, with me sitting here with only my undershorts. So what's with the surprise call today?" He wiggled his toes and shifted his feet to emphasize their stark contrast with the blackish wood. The elders weren't amused.

"That's your own fault son, wear more pants." Deinocris scoffed, earning a scowl from Izzy. "We have called you here because of your actions, or lack there of, during last night's drill. You--"

"What?I knew it was a drill. I thought I handled it like any person, just ignore it. What was I supposed to do, fight nature? I think not, my wrinkly advisers." Izzy said, proud of his argument.

"You were supposed to take any kind of action against it! Act like a Nécromagus, not a person!" Terishton raged, standing. "We've taught you this before! Why would you intentionally disobey us like that?"

"Because I just love being bound and dragged from my room without warning to see your wonderful, smiling faces before the sun comes up." Izzy flashed a cutely lopsided grin and stood. "And with that, I bid you adieu." when the elders looked like they were ready to protest, he bowed deeply and turned to leave, walking directly into Khamryn, the only other known elven half-breed for two centuries, though it was generous to say she was perhaps half as primely powerful as he, and twice his age, give or take a decade. She glared at his goofy face and struggled to keep a straight one herself, and eventually turned to the elders. Graciously taking this distraction, he darted noiselessly for the door and ducked through as it swung shut.

As he slipped down the hallway, Izzy encased himself in harnessed shadows. His nearly undefinable form moved swiftly through the dim light, seeming to be on a terribly important mission to anyone who noticed. The true case was only, to Izzy's dismay, the fact that the stone floor was icy against his bare feet and he sped along solely for the purpose of keeping his chilling toes off the hard surface. Upon reaching his room, he growled with discontent at the singed bits of wood that were his door. By extending his shroud of shadows, Izzy could work quickly and efficiently without drawing attention to himself, save for the random patter as he bounced from foot to foot.

Once he'd finished, he dropped his cover with a huff and pushed the (now magically reinforced) door wide as the enforcers rounded the corner, having sensed the magic. Izzy grinned, tipped an imaginary hat, stepped inside his reformed door, and promptly slammed it in their faces. He dressed hurriedly in his usual fresh undershorts, black denim chain-adorned pants, a white button down shirt (that he was too lazy to button), and some black boots. He then proceeded to fling the door open with a flourish as he expected the enforcers to still be there. Instead, he was met by Morwen, a girl two or so years younger tha he and a rather different personality. The blatant expression of befuddlement plastered on her face wiped the goofy one off his own, and he debated whether or not to comically close the door as slowly as possible without breaking eye contact to make her laugh.
"Izzy." Morwen scowled, seeing the ridiculous contemplation etched into his features. "The hell? You don't even let people knock anymore do you. What kind of enchantment did you put on this damn door?"
"Huh? None. I was just going out for a walk. It stormed, you know." he replied smoothly, dropping his arm from the door and allowing her entrance. She took the invitation instantly, and flopped down on his bed.
"Why are you sheets on the floor and look as though they've been trodden on?"
"Because I didn't 'fight' the storm and got my door busted down. They woke me up," he glowered, picking up the covers and throwing them behind her.

All the while, Morwen had been studying his face. "Iz, you look depressed. What's up?" she questioned, addressing the sullen look had taking refuge on his face that hadn't been there just mere hours before.

"Nothin'." He said, fiddling with his necklace's chain. "I just gotta do something today, that's all." He paused, glancing back at her serpentine face. "You can come if you want.
"And skip classes? You crazy? No. Whatever is so important to you can't mean more that terrible trouble for me. You have fun thought," she said, pulling herself off his bed and striding to the door. She halted and added, "And by that I mean, you really should rethink it."
Izzy walked up behind her, uttering a canorous whisper, "I have rethought. It's been seven years. Rethinking isn't enough." He pushed her out as the door opened itself, and sauntered off down the corridor in the opposite direction.

*Ethnicity referring to race, i.e. elvish, Nécromage, human, Iglykis, Solielmage, etc. etc.