It has begun.

[Seth]

Every day was now the same; quiet, peaceful, nothing had happened around the castle for many months - the danger was over, everyone was happy, lives were moving on and most of the death and destruction was buried and forgotten... The heroes had become complacant... Not even Seth saw it coming. But then, who could?

Who could see an old enemy, and a new one, joining and plotting... In all the stillness and peace, the final destruction of the VCFL was being planned... beyond the seal, in the dark void that was all Yarha-Nage now knew, he was found by the demon Darkness... And together, in that black void they were planning... Watching, and waiting... And finally the day came...

The beginning was sudden and violent, like a murder in the night -

The skies above Seavale tore open and forth poured the demons of the nether; hundreds, thousands of twisted vessels of evil rained down upon the town, in an instant half of the townsfolk were killed, in the next their bloodied corpses rose again to seek vengance on their former neighbours and friends, there were hideous mockeries of nature in a hundred different ways: Demon hounds red and scaled as snakes belched fire and death, huge monoliths of living stone shook the foundations of the earth, wreathed in dark fire, blackened beasts in a twisted jest of humans, riders on demonic mounts launched searing arrows and countless more abominations still came forth, they came from the sky, but did not fall - they ran as if on unseen ramparts - it was like the breaking of a seige...

Before the turmoil in the town was even known a great explosion tore apart the lush green forest - the giant spiders and horrid creatures residing there were vaporised, and those who were not died moments later as a massive wave of death swept forth, these were unlike the others, they were smaller, insanely fast and undeniable deadly; the leaves and bark of the trees were torn off like the petals of flowers, every beast was destroyed, and in just minutes the forest which had stood for centuries was gone - now just a smoking ruin surrounding the crater that had admitted its killers...

It had been maybe a minute or two since the portals had opened and back in the dying town a desperate stand was taking place; Blyclaaf, Pain, Alana and Rumbus stood in the corner of the south-eastern wall, heaving their weapons and spells at the ceasless waves of beasts - many were felled, but it was all in vain, the four would grow weary and be overrun eventually...

The skies were red, and the horizon black, the day looked like Armageddon as blood-red portals continued to spew forth Demons and fire...

The scene was little better at the castle: The beasts had broken through Seths barriers, clambering over walls and into the rooms of the citadel - Bones was the first to fall, he was ripped apart in seconds by the marauding beasts. In the courtyard stood Scarecrow and Jym fighting like men possessed, at their feet lay dozens of corpses, but again they could not fight forever...

Sekuri, Azeroth and Lance were trapped on the beaches just beyond the forest, boxed in by a thousand or more raging beasts...

Gorge and Niska were trapped as well, across town from Bly and his friends, they were holed up inside an inn, the walls themselves pushed in around them...

And Seth... Seth stood atop his tower, hurling blazing death at the monsters swarming up from below him; the winds ripped at his face, throwing back his hair and cloak, he was desperate, trying to find the others, but it did not matter - the day had already been won by Yarha-Nage... It was just a matter of time before everyone realized...


Anyone feel free to reply, fight as you wish, but try not to mess with the story too much (You should all be trying to make your way to the castle)

[Azaroth]

Azaroth, Lance And Sekuri all stood Staring up into the sky watching as the portal rifts were spewing countless demons. Azaroth drew his Battle axe as a Hellhound lunged towards him, sekuri drew his sword and stood there unaware of how they were supposed to deal with the sheer number or foes, while lance watched as yet more Creatures rose from the depths of the ocean to their backs...

"We have to get back to the castle!" Lance shouted above the din.

Lance ran towards the castle with Azaroth and Sekuri tailing behind him. Another rift opened before them, expelling thousands of demons. Azaroth leaped forward, smashing one beast after another, crushing skulls with his Hammer; the crunches echoing through the war torn land. Lance and Sekuri were back to back working as a team, slicing demon after demon. A sicking scream was heard over everything. It took only that split second distraction for a demon to slip past lance and spear Sekuri, who fell to the earth in a splash of blood. Lance turned on the beasts in a rage, felling demons one by one, the bodies piled up... Azaroth took Sekuri's limp form from the ground and the set off.

Azaroth's booming voice sounded above the screaming and battle
"We have to get inside, Sekuri is bleeding preety bad! I don't know if he can make it unless this wound is healed!"

Lance nodded in agreement, and the two set off once more, carving a path through the foul beasts - they were close to the town now, but they had no idea what was happening - the demons parted, making way for a hundred or more villagers... But something was wrong... These weren't the innocent people who had once thrived in Seavale...

[Seth]

Demons kept coming in the courtyard, Sacrecrow and Jym were wearing down and Seth could still not reach them...

Suddenly, a blazing blue light tore open the veil of darkness like a dagger through a curtain, and forth stepped the mysterious warrior: Steel. The beasts cowered as he carved through them, his blade like a screaming blurr of golden light; The demons howled and leapt up, only to be cut down by the beacon of light that was Steel...

Stay tuned! Please, keep the action going.

[Jym]

Jym broke away from Scarecrow, he had to get to Seth, he NEEDED to get to Seth, perhaps it would be the only way...

Bounding and leaping his way through the carcasses of the fallen beasts, slashing his way through the ones who's attention broke from the mysterious Steel to try to forge an attack on the frog.

The corridors of the castle were errily quiet, if there was any fighting going on outside it could not be heard in here. It seemed that the battle had moved from the team, to Steel, whoever he was.

The castle was the coldest it had ever been before, it always seemed to chill when there was blood spilling on its stone floor, but never before had it gotten foggy. Jym seemed to be having a difficult time seeing more than a few feet ahead of him. Only the Ensuane reflecting the red glow from the outside was lighting his way, and it was barely helping.

Jym broke forth into his once nemesis's quarters to see Seth keeled over, leaning upon a bookshelf, huffing as if there was no air in the room around him. The wizard looked up at Jym, a blank stare, a stare only of a man with no soul.

The frog knew instantly, he understood what was happening. He knew why the castle was so cold, was so hazy, was so decrepit; Seth was running out of mana, he had to channel all the mana he could from his surroundings just to keep the castle in tact.

Jym ran over to him, already having a plan formed, the little amphibian spoke in a raspy, broken voice:

Seth! A mysterious stranger has appeared, the demons know something about him that we don't. He's bought us some time. Hope for the castle is lost, friend. The land is lost, Yarha-Narge will soon claim it as his own. It will become hell! We must leave!

I know that this sounds crazy, but Seth you got most of us here. You've travelled lands not of this time, you've been places people can't even dream of! I know this is going to sound impossible, but I know you can do it. You have to take us all to another place. You have to get us out of here!

[/color][/b]

[Alana]

Standing in circular formation, Alana realised that their attempts of slowing the barrage of Demons was hopeless. Trying to yell to the others, over the the roaring of the Demons and Hellfire, Alana realised that this also, was not going to work. Timing her moves while concentrating on the beasts in front of her trying to rip her open was a feat in itself. For a split second there was a break in the horde of beasts, and Alana, with all her might grabbed her fellow fighters, stomped her feet hard on the ground beneath her and took flight. Rising fast up in the air, struggling to hold on to the others, she directed herself towards the Castle, thats where the real fight was....

Decending toward the Castle steps, Alana and the others noticed that, apart from the Demons and Fiery Portals, there was something different about the Castle and its grounds. It was, somehow losing its colour. All of the lush greenery that once used to be was turning a grey-ish blue....

Without time to sit and ponder over the bushes, the group made it's way up the grand staicase towards the tower, where inevitably, there was great trouble. Meeting a few demons along the way, they made their way to Seths chamber where it was freezing, despite the hellfire, they burst in the door where they saw Seth and Jym, and instantly knew that Seths' power was disintergrating. Alana walked over to the Sorcerer and the Frog.

"Wh...Whats happening Seth..."

Tears begginning to well in her eyes, she looked at them both with asking eyes. She heard a croaking voice, but for once it wasn't Jyms', it was her masters....

[Blyclaaf]

The blade brought with it a spray of blood as it passed through the demon's hyde. Blyclaaf's face shone dark red as the blood on his face dried, only to be covered with fresh blood. The mighty warrior spun, bringing the blade down atop of a demon's head, splitting the bone. He moved forward, slicing as he went, felling foe after foe. His arrival at the castle with Alana did little to stop the pursuing hordes as they continued to render their claws upon Blyclaaf's armour. The staircase which the group had run just moment before was overflowing with the demonic masses, reaching for Blyclaaf's life with every swipe, only to be silenced by the blade.

Continuing to slowly push his way down the staircase, Blyclaaf happened apon a window as a blue flash pierced the blackness like the morning sun through the night. Calling back to his friends, he cried "Be warned my friends! Another calling becons me!" He slayed several more of the blackened beast before climbing out of the window in search for the source of the heavenly light.

[Seth]

The turmoil outside and the screaming all around, the great rumbling beneath the castle, the screeching of the demons... None of it reached Seth, to him, all was nearly silent... Just a muffled noise on the edge of his mind... It was all slipping away... Every ounce of strength and concentration was going into just keeping the castle in one piece...

He took in a great shuddering breath, a firey pain exploded up his side and the breath was replaced by a sharp hiss of pain, Alana winced slightly as her old master tried to stand up properly...

He paused, still slumped against the wall, he took a moment to compose himself, and spoke softy, slowly...

The castle... is coming apart... I can't hold on to it... get outside... NOW!

With that last word, Seth gave in, he began to fall, Jym and Alana manage to catch the warlock, he was almost unconsious... tears again began to well up in Alana's eyes, but her cries had no time to leap forth.

The castle gave a great shudder and the stonework literally began to come apart...

Suddenly things seemed a lot more urgent, and Seth just would not respond...

Someone please continue!

[Jym]

Alana seemed to be in a total daze, she was in a world of her own as she remembered everything she had been through in the Castle, the people she'd met, and the things she'd learnt.

Jym couldn't wait any longer, with a quick move he darted over and grabbed Alana by the hand and threw her out the window, into the fountain below. With a quick glance out to be sure Alana was okay, Jym returned to Seth, where he helped lift him up, and (sort of) helped him walk.

With one hand on Jym's head for balance, they slowly made their way to the top of the tower. There, they stood before a window, silence all around. They both knew what they had to do, Seth fastened himself to Jym's belt while the Frog fished around under his armour and pullout out a small tablet, and popped it.

The effects were instant, the muscles all over the little amphibian's body became much larger, much more toned. He seemed to be bursting from his armour, however knowing the effects were only very temporary they raced into action.

Jym, having checked to ensure Seth was fastened, jumped up onto his shoulders. Seth lent out the window just a little, so that Jym was out in the open air. The little frog grabbed on tightly to the bricks that were exposed to create a window frame, and lifted himself up. Seth, in turn, stood on the window.

Jym looked down to Seth, and nodded. They both bent down at the knees, and in synchronization both jumped. The momentum from Seth jump took some weight off, so Jym's muscular legs could rocket them up high enough for Jym to grab onto the edge of the tower roof, and lift them both up...

.::Next person reply::.

[Rumbus]

Seeing Seth Inside His room looking worsted of all, Rumbus Broke off from the group heading for his barracks, he just couldn't leave behind the only thing of value to him. Sprinting down the corridor Rumbus noticed that the walls seem to be growing smaller with every inch of darkness growing. Rumbus made double time and reached his barracks n a few minutes. He was running short on breath and had expended a fair bit off energy racing to his barracks.
Reaching under his bed he pulled out the only memory he had of his family, An old black and white portrait of his family. This was the only memory from before the orphanage, Rumbus turned around to leave with his portrait. As he took a step forward the floor beneath him collapsed.
Rumbus stood up and looked around it seemed this was one of the only places unaffected by the evil outside, it would only be a matter of time before it too turned into an evil pitstop. Rumbus headed down the hallway watching it get darker with every step, rumbus stopped dead as footsteps echoed down the hallway from in front and behind. Someone was coming or something, Rumbus Drew his Crossbow and shot a golden arrow down the hallway leaving a bright beacon bouncing off the walls. Just out of eye shot Rumbus saw a troll or what seemed to look like one, Rumbus raised his Crossbow and shot another bolt straight between its eyes. He walked up and pulled the bolt from between its eye and noticed a scroll tied to it's waist.
Rumbus muttered to himself I must show this to someone
Rumbus Stepped over the carcass of the beast and dashed down the hallway eventually locating some stairs, he climbed the stairs, just as he reached the top they gave way. Without a glance back he sprinted for the exit, as he passed the tavern he saw some hell hounds picking at the scraps which were bones the bartender. Rumbus turned pale as a ghost as he saw he was completely surrounded, Rumbus Slashed demon after demon splashing blood everywhere. Making a quick getaway he leaped through an open window landing in the mote below.
Rising to the surface rumbus looks around and See's its gotten far worse outside and the castle is crumpling with every second. That wen Rumbus Notices he is completely surrounded by demons, but instead of attacking they seem to be just standing there weapons drawn, hoping Rumbus would give up without a fight. Rumbus laughed at there feeble attempts, he has fought out of worse situations, Rumbus dove below the surface followed by a barrage of arrows, Rumbus swimed for at least a hundred meters before surfacing, Not dawdling this time, he rushed out of the water drawing his sabre slashing demon after demon racing away from the castle. Rumbus slaughtered hundreds of demons before he realized how slippery the handle of his blade was and he watched in horror as his blade slipped from his hand and was caught by a demon who immediately took it upon them to snap the blade in two. Rumbus immediately drew his crossbow and started firing bolts in every direction hoping to open a path for him to escape.
The Crossbow made a menacing clunk, rumbus knew that sound o so well form his early days, his crossbow was jammed. Rumbus was surrounded and weaponless. He quickly ran dodging between demon after demon. Breathing heavier and heavier before collapsing onto the ground exhausted and losing hope he will make it through the hour.

[Seth]

Meanwhile...

[/center]

Seth and Jym clambered carefully on to towers roof, time seemed to pause for a moment as Jym looked out, seeing the castle falling about them and swarming with Demons, far off across the waters he could see Seavale in ruins, burning and surging with black shapes...

And then everything changed.

Another portal burst open before them, and forth stepped a single figure; Yarha-Nage himself! He moved quickly and purposefully, before Jym could raise a hand he took hold of Seth's duel blades, wrenched them from their sheaths and drove the cold steel deep into either shoulder. Seth groaned in pain, his hands shot up to the wounds and the fell to his knees, a sickening smirk spread across the mad sorcerer's face as the bent the blades apart and snapped them, leaving the two shards of metal embedded in Seth's muscles...

An instant later Yarha-Nage was reeling back as the shining white of the ensuane heaved past, almost cleaving him in two...

Anyone, go on

[Blyclaaf]

His boots answered the call of the ground, releasing a low thud as the large warrior landed and started to run towards the light. His venture was challenged by the same demonic troops he had encountered within the tower, yet his will for the heavenly help surely promised by the light was too strong to be beaten by the same enemy he had defeated so many of just seconds before.

His sword tore through the charred beast as he continued to run. He knew who it must be...it could only be the mysterious warrior from the tournament...it had to be Steel.

[Jym]

Back on the tower, Yarha-Narge let out a maniacal laugh as the thinly sliced air settled. He knew that without the magic of Seth, there was no way he could be thrown back into the void. There was nothing that could happen to him that could be worse than that place that even Satan himself could not sustain.

He drew his own blade, a smile of pure blood sucking evil upon his face, and presented Jym with a challenge, holding his sword out long. The little creature took a look at Seth, who was laying on the 'ground' face in the stone, in a pool of his own blood and Jym knew instantly, there was no way he could help. If any of them would survive, it would be because of him.

He took a single step toward the evil mage, and crossed his sword against Narge's. The frog took a deep breath and locked eyes with his opponent. He knew this would be the defining moment in his life.

The blades clashed, swinging wildly, with deadly accuracy, parrying the other with every move. An unconditional smile upon Yarha's face, with burning eyes that did not deter from his victim.

Sweat breaking on Jym's brow he knew he could not keep this up for long, he knew that the small battlefield they stood on did not give him the advantage, then, out of nowhere in mid swing Jym could feel hot blood spray the back of his neck, and his sword became much heavier. He lost his balance, and slipped, the Ensuane falling from his hands. On his knee's he felt searingly cold steel rip through his back, and he fell on his side.

He could feel blood below him, and felt all hope was lost, a single mistake would cost him his life, and everyone elses. But then he realised the blood he was laying in was cold, and saw something he could not believe, there was a demon in front of him, Less a head!

In a split second he looked around, and saw the Ensuane, bloodied, with a decapitated head beside it! He jumped to his feet and scurried for his sword. Wrapping his hand around the tang he stood, but slipped again, hit the ground, and knew there was no hope. He closed his eyes and waited for his demise. But it did not come.

There was no death, no blackness, nothing. All he could feel was the throbbing pain in his back from the first laceration.

Jym looked around and saw one of the most horrifying sights he'd ever seen, Yarha-Narge was flying again, and he was beckoning demons away from the battle, and bring them towards the tower! They were all around, climbing up all the walls, up the staircase, all over the platform, there was nowhere for Jym or Seth to go!

[Seth]

Once again it was time for things to go from worse, to, well, worse.

Yarha-Nage hovered above the battlefield, watching as his beasts clambered up toward Seth - he was finally going to win! This was it at last! He would send Seth to the void, show him what it was like...

But something was happening that he haddn't anticipated - a few things actually, first of all these so called "Heroes" were not dying as easily as he had thought, second, this strange being reathed in blue light was hacking apart his beautiful army, and finally, the castle was crumbling all around them - As the demons climbed higher, the tower began to lean, and seconds later the entire stone spire fell to it's side, crushing a hundred or more beasts and sending Seth and Jym flying.

"Damn you! How can you still be ali...!"

Yarha-Nage had been pulled out of the air, Lance had taken a leap from the collapsing walls and grabbed hold of him - a little time had been bought...

Anyone go on

[Gorge]

Gorge stood, excited by the events that had happened, His face shone red and his arms felt strong. He looked over at Niska's worried face and smiled. Gorge knew that this would be the event of all events. He grabbed his Gnoree and headed to the bar. As he walked he heard Niska Yelling at him from behind. She wanted to run and fight. She wanted to find the others.

The young Warrior could feel energy surrounding him, he could sense a tremendous force coming from above but somewhere deep inside he knew that no all would be ok, He knew things would never be the same again. As he reached the bar he grabbed himself a large bottle of Rum. Spinning around slowly he headed to the door. As he stepped outside he saw a glimmer of Niska belting down the path toward the castle. Knowing he should follow Gorge began to jog slowly down the street. As he reached the path heading toward the castle he felt a huge surge of power. Within seconds his head was flooding with blinding pains. The young mage fell to the floor, incapacitated by the pain.

He could sense danger now stronger then before. As he fought the pain and struggled to his feet he knew he wasn't going to miss another battle.. Leaping and bounding Gorge threw himself each time higher and higher, gaining more speed and more height. By now Gorge could see the castle, well, what was left of it. He could see hoards of what looked to be troops attacking the castle. as he looked to the sky he was left in awe, for there was Yarah-Nage, The one that caused him months of pain, the one they turned to stone. He was alive. As the young warrior peered upward he could see his allies, his mates, his family standing atop the tower. He leapt from a rooftop close by and bounded his way over the castle wall.

As he landed he saw a shadowy figure leap from the tower and grapple Yarah-Nage. Running toward where he thought the 2 would land Gorge leapt into the Air. As he did He felt a pulling at his ankle. Gorged Swung his Gnoree but stopped just in time to see...

<~ Anyone Reply ~>

[lance]

Note: continues directly from Gorge's post (Sorry about the violence Ron)

A huge shadowy figure wrapping its fingers around his leg, Gorge had no time to react before he was swung around violently and released, he hit the stone wall of the couryard hard and it crumbled away, leaving him a little shaken, but otherwise alright.

Darkness had arrived now; the giant demon was here to wreak havok but first he had an annoyance to handle. Turning his attention to Yarha-Nage and Lance he stepped forward quickly, and with one lunge seperated them - Lance flew a few feet back and the black wizard quickly took flight again, laughing like a madman.

Lance rolled a few times, collecting stones and dirt before finally forcing himself to his feet. Darkness swung again, this time with his sword, not his arm. A spurt of crimson stained the ground as Lances chest was torn open; the wound was deep, but not fatal; the blade fell just a little short.

The monster took another step forward and bought his massive blade down over his head, missing Lance by inches; a shadow of blood followed him and his mind was clouding...

He took the chance; betting it all on that split second he leapt up and drove his knife into the neck of his foe; an unearthly shriek rocked the castle, but it was all in vain. Darkness had taken hold of Lance a moment after the attack and the warrior now hung a few feet off the ground, fighting desperately to pry the enormous clawed hand from around his neck.

White fury rose in the demons eyes; he plucked the small knife out and threw it down, the metal was twisting and smoking as the demons blood destroyed it.

His grip tightened and a small cry escaped Lances lips, he was about to pass out from the pain and the bloodloss but something quickly bought him round; his back had exploded out and the hand no longer held him up - Darkness had thrust his enormous blade right through Lance and a river of blood began to soak the ground...

The rich scarlet life poured out of him like water from a burst dam, he fell to the ground in a crumpled heap when the blade was pulled back; he coughed and yet more blood found the dirt before him.

Would that your death were so easy, mortal...[/color]

The words came forth like an evil mist bringing plague to a land, they were quiet yet hard and harsh; loud enough to hear over the battle. They cut deeper than the blade which had speared him.[/i]

Anyone go on, but please leave Lance and Darkness alone for now