Chapter 5
" A Path Set On Skulls And Paved In Blood "
page 21 ' Love's Lust Transforms Into Hate '

The walled port city of Miragon was full of activity with all of the people comming down to see the 'Renewal Festival'. Elly lead the Party past a large number of tents outside of the walls along with some vendors selling little trinkets and up to the large gates that entered the city. Inside was just as crowded and loud with everyone either preparing for the festival, that will occur tomorrow, or just enjoying themselves right now. "We don't have to hurry to see Nicholas," she stated, "Bad news can always wait while Good news needs to be told. Maybe we should meet your friends at the Red Dragon tavern like we said we would." They wondered through the streets looking at some of the stands and all of the interesting people and finally ended up at the Red Dragon where Kai ordered many drinks.

About an hour later the 'Defiance', Sebastian's Airship, decended from the sky to be anchored at one of the higher docking bays that is attached to the Crimson Knights Castle. As the soldiers unloaded and disembarked Myr stepped onto the plank to walk off the ship along with Dio and Cade. Since this seemed like a very important place Myr started to look around. After he came down from the stairs he walked down a sky open hallway that housed many of the soldiers. Trying a few doors to see if they any could be opened Myr was surprised to find the first room that was unlocked was Kevrin's who turned around to greet him. Kevrin said that he welcomed their company and that they could come back at anytime and he gave Myr an invitation so he could come back whenever he wanted to. As Myr was turning to leave Kevrin said, "Oh yeah, You said that you didn't know all that much about the Gates but if you could supply us with anything we would be most appritiative. Don't worry you'll also be rewarded. I hope to see you soon." Myr noded and left Kevrin's room then the entire barracks area into the main staircase. Jonis took a seat near some nicely kept flowers and brought out his pipe for a few puffs as Myr went south into the large hall. Decorations were being setup in the main hall for the ball that they were going to hold tomorrow. Everything seemed so extravigant Myr thought that it must only be for some of the richer people. Myr and Dio left through the front gates, asked the guards for directions, then walked through the busy streets until they found the 'Red Dragon' tavern.

The place was very packed and seeing the table that Kai, Enutrof, and Elly were sitting at they wondered over and sat down. After a few drinks and some food they decided to have Elly take them all to the rebels hideout so Nicholas could meet ALL of them. Everyone then looked at Dio. Trying to asked Dio to stay here alone while they went out to do some things wasn't the best plan on their part because Dio's feelings were hurt, or well as hurt as he could get anyway. Dio didn't like their tone so decided to be the first one to leave. Not thinking that they would see Dio again they decided to pay up their outrageous bill and leave. Outside Elly played with a few children who were running around the area as she slowly lead the Party down a couple of streets and many alleyways to one that ended in a bakery shop named 'Kogepan'. They took note of its relative closeness to the Crimson Knights place as Elly lead them into the bakery. The was an elderly man who was behind the counter and and elderly woman walking in with some freshly baked rolls. Recognizing her immediately the elderly woman said, "Elly its good to see you again, my how've grown." Elly ran up to give them hugs, "Auntie Suzi and Uncle Frank. It's nice to see you again too," then turning to whisper to the party she continues, "they're not actually related to me. I like to call them that since they are so nice." Elly gave the secret password about buying the special bread and they were lead into the back of the store. Suzi gave everyone one of her freshly made buiscuts before she opened the secret door that hid a ladder that went underground.

Elly was the first to go down and Kai took up the rear seeing the light dimmer from outside as the secret door closed up once again. The only light that was down here was some torch light coming from the torches on the wall. The party was welcomed with four guys pointing crossbows at them as Elly tried to explain that they were good people and then asked one of them to get Nicholas here. The guards lowered their weapons as Kai smiled broadly and introduced himself. After a couple of minutes passed they heard the clank of metal on rock as they saw an older man walking down the hallway to them. "Elly," Nicholas said as he gave her a nice hug, "You're looking well and you've brought guests. So where's Clive? I'd like to see him again." "Clive," she started sheepishly, "Clive died. He did his best to protect me but we got separated in East Cameron right before the entire city was erased from existance, we were lucky to escape alive, except for Clive." Nicholas was glad to hear that Clive did what he loved to even up to his death and asked the Party to follow him down to the conferance rooms. He led through the halls that reminded the party of the streets up above but with a roof, even the rooms reminded them of buildings.

Walking down the last set of stairs Nicholas turned left down one last corridor so he could open the door to the conferance room. Enutrof stopped mid stride after they came down the stairs and everyone continued on. His head slowly turned to the right as he thought he heard something comming from down that hall. It felt like someone was calling him and down the fifty foot corridor he saw a large iron door. He stared at the door at is seemed to approach him. Fifty feet turned into twenty then into five as he started to reach out he could hear the voice even louder. Suddenly a hand touched him on the shoulder breaking his concentration. The rebel told Enutrof that he wasn't allowed down here and when Enutrof couldn't get the reason why he went back to his group to get answers from the big man himself.

Nicholas sat down at the head of the table as everyone else took other seats. Some refreshments were servered as Elly and Kai regailed Nicholas with Clive's final days. The first question that they had for him since they knew that Nicholas was in Darwin's group during the Mage War was, "Do you know where is Darwin is?" Nicholas had to think a moment before he remembered since it had been over fourty years since he has seen Darwin. Enutrof then asked what Nicholas knew of Harfein. "End of the world," Myr tried to whisper. Nicholas then told them what he knew of the Spear of Destiny, the begining of Logenous, The Mage War, and what happened to Darwin. (which will be written separtly, soon) With that another little tremor occurring which is something that the Party has felt a few times before. Nicholas agreed that the tremor were very odd since it started like four days ago, he just hopes that it would stop soon. With a knock on the door one of Nicholas's men walked over and whispered something to him. "You don't know who she is?" asked Nicholas to which he replied, "no but she knows everything." Nicholas then stood up and excused himself. Asking if they could follow he didn't disagreed and they all traveled back to the secret entrance which was becoming less and less secret.

Standing their in all he leather clad dress splendor was Rose who said, "I hope that information is worth a lot to you because you have some enemies, namely Python." Nicholas had her lead along with the party back to the conferance room and passing by that corridor Rose glanced over to her right ever so gently. Sitting down at the table near Nicholas she started to talk about how Python was the one who told her how to get in here because he wanted something from Nicholas. Rose glanced over at Elly as she continued saying that she was betraying Python and wanted to offer his head to Nicholas for a price. Rose always wanted to have some nice shiny jewlery. Nicholas said that he would think about it and offered her a room for the night down here with them in their hideout. Nicholas of course put some guards on her as they lead her back to the quarters and diligently stood outside. Nicholas looked over to Elly who said, "Rose is telling the truth she wants to give Python over to us and she doesn't care about our politics, but there is something that she is hiding." Kai also said that she already betrayed one person what would stop her from betraying you too, she is just a sellsword. Nicholas decided that he would delay his response to Rose until tomorrow then disagree and release her since he didn't want to kill her for no reason. Myr thought that it would be best if his raven would follow her so it perched itself on top of the Bakery. Nicholas then asked the Party to go talk to Rose to find out some more about her.

Kai and Myr both entered into her room with Myr walked directly toward her bed and making himself comfortable there. Rose sat on her stool as Kai tried to get some information from her and offer her to join along with them. All he could get was that she was doing for her brother, the only person that she could trust. After Kai left Myr used mage hand to snatch Rose's leather whip away from her. Looking directly at him Rose asked Myr if he wanted to try it out. She then strattled him while he lay on the bed with the whip back in her hand she traced her fingers up his body enticing Myr. Rose then said that she always like to be the one that gives the pain which Myr stated, "Then we're similar because I also like to do that". However with all that smooth talk Myr was very scared and decided that it would be best if he left. Rose give him a little, slow, and sexy lick up his cheech as she gave him a kiss then slowly removed herself from sitting on his pelvous. Myr left the room and met up with Enutrof who was checking out the armory.

Myr then offered to go look for Python by himself as he left the hideout and went into the city. Walking around for a few hours Myr was unsucessful at finding anything but, someone found him. Approaching from behind Dio placed his hand on Myr's should and greeted him. Dio said that he didn't like that dingy and dirty hideout that the Party went to so he didn't stay there that long. Besides he felt something and needed to look around for it. Myr and Dio walked through the crowded streets until he thought that he saw Python's face in the crowd. Rushing quickly in that direction he was unable to find anything. Myr told Dio about Python who was able to come back from the dead. Dio stated that no human could ever come back from death and to prove Myr wrong he would capture that guy and bring him back as proof. Thirty minutes later or less and unexpectidly from behind him Dio appeared holding Python's wrist. Python was scarred stiff only able to mutter a few syllables. Dio said that the way he travels must have been too much for him but that he'll snap out of it sooner or later. Just in case it was more sooner Myr asked Dio to follow along with him. Dio followed along till they got up to the Bakery and then in the blink of an eye he was gone to continue his search.

Everyone was surprise when Myr walked back into the rebels underground secret base with Python, a splinter member, who walked with him. Myr gave Python over to Nicholas who had him imprisoned in another cell. Nicholas thanked them for what they did and was greatful that Python was still alive. So he offered the Party rooms for the night as he went to have a talk with Python. Rose was not informed about this inccodent. So the Party went to sleep in their one room with a few beds. In another room Elly pulled out one of his favorite shirts and held it close to her chest. She lied down in Clive's bed holding the memories she had of him in her mind to help her fall asleep.

The next day rolled around and as the party went to Python's cell they found that he had somehow escaped during the night even though there were guards on him the entire time. Nicholas decided to start to move most of their stuff from here to other locations, just in case. Myr walked into Rose's room to see that she was still there and immediately left upon further contemplation. It was decided that they would leave for awhile to check out what the Crimson Knights were up to. The Party left to go back to the Crimson Knight's Castle but they found a long line of people waiting to get in. Since there was a big ball being held that night the Party was lucky to find Celine being one of the guards on the door. She was happy to see them all again and was able to get them through the door.

As the sun was setting the ball seemed to be getting into full swing along with the festivities that were happening outside. Kai made a mad dash for the bar and started dancing with all of the rich people who came to enjoy themselves. Alminster stood in the corner keeping an eye on all of the Crimson Knight's important guests, making sure nothing happened to them. Celine was able to get Enutrof and Myr past the ball into the next room where all of the chefs and servers were busy running around. Jonis was still perched up high with the flower garden as Sebastion entered in from outside. Jonis said, "Do not worry everyone can be forgiving, even with the worst of crimes. Just give it some time." Sebastian/Longinus looked over at the gnome and gave him a wicked evil eye before he assended the large staircase to meet with his guest. A little tremor occured again and Jonis said that it must be the beasts that are burowing underneith the city. He didn't know the species but he knew it was large and numerous. From a side door a guest was summoned, a northerner who was dressed in robes and carried a bastard sword. Orin went down the same hall that Sebastain did to meet with him.

Orins first words to Sebastian, "You have many enemies that want to see you dead."
and he replied, "them and me both."
Orin continued, "This one is different his name is Micheal and he claims to be a god. He hates the power that you have is going to attack you very soon. If you want to defeat him I know of a way to find him. Here," Orin said has he handed a small coin like object to Sebastian, "This token will open up any of the Gates and send you directly into the middle of Micheal's main base. You'll be doing us both a favor if you take him out." Sebastian didn't believe Orin all that much or even have many worries about Micheal but took the Token anyway. Orin warned Sebastian that he thinks that Micheal might try to make an attack on him soon before he left.

As Kai danced the robot at the ball making a complete ass of himself. Myr stood with Jonis as he took a couple of puff on his pipe. Enutrof asked Celine to take him to Kevrin because he wanted to tell him something. Jonis looked over at the door to the far west on the first floor saying that he felt some strange energies coming from there. Orin then came walking down the stairs looked over to the western door before he shook his head and continued walking into the ballroom. Celine easily found Kevrin so Enutrof was able to ask him some questions about the man who met up with Sebastian was. Kevrin told Enutrof all that he could about Orin but finally the discusstion ended in Enutrof asking Kevrin to give Celine permission to dance with him once or twice at the ball. Celine looked over at Kevrin as he agreed but said that it can't be very long because we need everyone we can for guard. Celine became so exicted that she asked Enutrof to meet her back at the stairs while she changed into something nicer.

Kai started to break dance as Myr followed Orin outside of the Crimson Knight's Castle and through some alley ways that he started to recognize because they led to the rebels secret underground hideout, that was become increasingly less-secret. However as he turned the final corner he found that Orin dissapeared but it was lucky for Myr that his raven (whose name he better remember) was keeping an eye on that alley. The raven saw that Orin walked up stamped his foot then have a pit open up benieth him that he then fell through only to have the hole disappear.

Enutrof stood waiting for Celine who came out of the barraks area wearing this sleek black silk dress that was slit up the sides. Enutrof had never seen Celine look more like a woman then she did at that moment. Celine had all of the right curves and the face to match. Dropping his armor and weapons with the guards at the door Enutrof entered the ball with Celine on his arm. Celine was as happy as a kid in a candy store since this was the first fancy ball that she was able to go to. She was happy enough to be able to watch something this fancy but to have someone ask her to it she was excited to go to her first ball dance with Enutrof.

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Since it was the first time that he had seen that type of magic used Orin was kind of surprise to find a pit open up beneith his feet. After falling down he was happy to see his sister again. Rose helped Orin off of the ground saying that she has found the place where they can live the rest of their lives here at the rebels place. Orin smiled knowing that they would never allow Python to join them and they would be along forever. "Let's release him for Micheal and then live together, forever, " said Orin, "It'll be just me and you, Sister," he said holding her hand. With that Rose pulled out her pocked of existance that allowed her to travel around the entire rebels hideout without being seen. Orin and Rose walked through it to the next room and they continued that pattern until they came out into the lower corridors. Standing in front of the large iron door the guard turned to look back just to make sure that the door was still shut. This was his mistake. From out of the shadows came this bladed whip which wrapped itself around his neck right before it sliced off his head. Rose and Orin then walked up to the impenitrible large iron door and were easily able to pass by its defences. A Hole in the door appeared and they steped through into the large chamber beyond. With all four appendages suspended from blessed chains was Xenio who looked down at Orin and Rose and said, "So you're here to release me, then do it already."

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At the same time as the sun was setting everyone watching the parade was getting ready to see the fireworks that the Crimson Knights were going to show off during the night. But deep within their Castle past the western door up a flight of stairs down some corridors and past a dozen guards lie a room that was sealed with protective magic. Inside this room sat two staffs at either side of the room that created a bubble of anti-magic centered in the middle of the room. In that buddle a young human boy was imprisoned. Unable to touch or interact with anything other than that five foot radius sphere he sat waiting. In the floor of the room a dark pool of darkness emerged. It swirled around as a person slowly emerged from its infinite depths. Dio took a step out of the black mass looking at the blond haired kid trapped within the bubble. "Dio? Dio, is that you? I knew that you would come looking for me because you have always looked out for me. They imprissoned me in here and i'm unable to do anything. Dio, all you have to do if break one of those staffs and I'll be free and we can do what we want with this entire city." Dio looked at Lucian, "I can't believe you allowed yourself to be captured," and walked closer to one of the staffs and lifted his hand towards it.