Chapter 5
" A Path Set On Skulls And Paved In Blood "
page 24 ' Hands of Metal; Arms of Glass '

As the Party stands over Moray's dead body they realize their victory however Micheal was no where to be found. With that the Gate activates and Sebastian walks through, "So where's Micheal?" he asks. The Party approaches telling him how Micheal was no longer at this location. Sebastian started an incantation to send a message. After a few seconds the Gate opens again this time with a legion of soldiers walking through. The soldiers started to set up tents, go to their posts, and start to patrol around the area. It seemed as though Sebastian has claimed this keep as his own. Even as the last soldier walked through the Gate it stayed open and as Clive turned to look at it he was surprised to see Elly be the final person to walk through the Gate. As she walked down the stairs Clive approached and asked, "I though I told you to stay. . . " As Elly started to smile at him for caring so much she said, "Well how else could I deliver this present from your father" Elly brought the sword out from behind her back so she could present the short sword tho Clive as he asked, "Is this the legendary demascus blade 'Shadow Bane'". "Yup," says Elly as she smiles at him, "The same sword that brought your father so much luck in his life. Nicholas wanted you to have it since he said that you handled it so well during Micheal's attack on Miragon." Even though he was a little upset at Elly breaking her promise and coming to this place he was happy to have her by his side. Clive took 'Shadow Bane' from Elly and attached it to his side.

As the dark clouds started to move in it started to lightly rain ruining any chances of following Micheal's old tracks. And with all of the Party's other leads going up in flames they didn't have much of a choice when Charisma said that she knew some people in the forest who might know where Micheal went to. "However," Charisma said, "I don't want Sebastian to know about my friends or have him come with us." Alminster was having some soldiers sent up tents around the Alchemists lab area as the Party approached him. Cade took the initiative and stepped forward and told Alminster, "Our friend knows some people who might know where Micheal went to but she doesn't want you to come along." Since Alminster was very hurt from his one-on-one battle with Clay Golem One he was satisfied with staying behind. But overhearing their conversation Sebastian approached Cade, "I don't mind that you check your leads but I am going to send someone with you. His name is Graven," Sebastian said as a human wearing a red cloak and larged brimmed red hat walks up. The Sebastian continues, "He is my greatest tracker so you can either have him walk with you or follow behind you. Either way he's comming with you," Sebastian finishes up before he walks away.

The Party discussed the situation at lengths and it was decided that since Charisma would find out anyway that they would tell her about the Tracker Graven. Charisma was dismayed at the news that Sebastian/Longinus would be sending one of his best trackers to follow them. However, when she first agreed to join the Party to help Sebastian Charisma knew that she was figurtivly signing a deal with a devil. Seeing no way around it since Micheal was the biggest threat now since he was unstable and unpredictable she saw no other choice. As the Party left the keep that used to be Micheal's and was now help by the Crimson Knights Myr stayed behind. Giving the Party a good head start Graven soon traveled behind them tracking their every step. Even though Graven was able to move at faster speeds then a normal human Myr was able to keep up awhile with his flight spells. Graven soon tired of their little cat and mouse game and let Myr travel beside him as he was following the rest of the Party. The Sun started to set as Graven soon realized that the Party was being followed and tracked by someone else. Since it was his duty to protect them and make sure that they came back with the information about Micheal Graven, followed close behind by Myr, quickly ran up to the group to inform them of that fact. But as he made it to them all Graven could get out was, "Be prepared we're being followed and about to be attac . . . ." before he fell to the ground in a silent slumber along with Kai, Enutrof, Cade, and Elly.

Clive ran over towards Elly as he saw her start to fall and was able to catch her before she hit the ground unlike the rest. Myr and Charisma stayed standing as over a dozen elves came out from their hiding places in the brush and trees. Each one of those elves raised a cocked bow at the few members of the Party who were still awake. From high in the trees a male elf jumped down landing safetly in front of them. Angry from what occurred not a week ago the elf looks at Myr and says, "Sorry we thought you were more of them," then looks over to see the female elf of the Party, "Charisma, why are you traveling with humans. Thought that you always said that you worked better on your own," Shorin looks over at Clive who was holding Elly, "This must be . . ." he started but was quickly interrupted by Charisma, "I'm not here for a social call. We need to talk about a threat to the forest. Let's go back to the Hullack city and discuss this further." Shorin looked down and off to the side, "I can't take you there because something . . . Well anyway we have a place that is closer. We should travel to there because it won't take that long." The elves helped all of the humans, and one halfling, who were sleeping from the spell, however Clive wouldn't let anyone touch Elly as he thought he was the only one who should help her. After a few hours travel through the forest Shorin approached a tree and knocked on it three times then took a step back. A few seconds later a basket was lowered from the trees above. It reminded Myr of the elevator that was used in Port Drake as he and everyone else stepped onto it. Most of the elves stayed behind as the basket could only fit a dozen people.

As Myr was raised high up into the canopy of the tree line over a hundred feet from the ground he saw something that was very unfamilar to him. Myr had been with the city of Harfein for almost a decade and had forgotten how beautiful elven cities can be. The entire town was built out of wood which was supplied by the trees. Structures were built around the oldest trees with rope bridges built to connect these half dozen places. The entire town was glowing as the fireflies climbed around the trees lighting everything in an erie glow. Myr looked at these three and a half foot bugs for a little while as his friends were taken to the south-western end of the town. It was a nice large room where everyone was placed in with curtains protecting them from the outside. Being the only female of the group, who was asleep, Elly was placed in a separate area of the Party's new sleeping quarters. Clive went to sit by Elly's side as he waited for her to wake up. As some elves worked on the Party's wounds Myr saw that Graven had Automail that replaced both of his legs and his right arm. Shorin seemed discusted by this and exited to building. The elves finished checking the Party when Chrisma exited the building to meet up with Shorin who was standing outside looking at the stars through the canopy of the forest.

With his back to Charisma Shorin started, "So are you going to tell me why you're traveling with humans?" and with that question Charisma started to explain the situation about Micheal, his power, and the reason that they are after him. After a few seconds of contemplation Shorin says, "This human that you're talking about destroyed the Hullack city with human weapons. I was lucky that I was out of the city at the time but in a flash the entire city was lost. All that was left was a large crater and our Gate. Any survivors that we found were scattered around and we brought the elves back to our boarder forts for protection. This is nothing more then a camp for refugees. The only thing that survived the explosion was the Gate that we use to travel through the forest. We don't have that much left and that is why I don't know how you could love a human like . ." Charisma soon interrupted to correct Shorin, "Its not who you think its . . " This time Shorin was able to interrupt to say his peace, "Oh so its him? And i guess that you still haven't told him the truth yet? You know I wouldn't want to be told either, a Bastard, not living in either world being changed like that. I would kill myself if I found out and I guess that's why you don't tell him. Well I have other things to attend to," Shorin finishes as he shows his back to Charisma before he walks off..

Myr walked out from the area that the Party was being held in and was welcomed by the rest of the inhabitants in a very friendly manner since he was an elf just like them. The sun set as Myr was walking around this small town. Even though there was no more then a few hundred inhabitants Myr saw that they had made this place their home. Myr even visited some children who were playing around this ancient tree in the north-east side of the town. But as he was walking back to where all of his friends were still sleeping he saw Charisma following Shorin over a rope bridge into one of the structures.

* at night *
Charisma glaced around before she enters the darkend house with only the lights of the fireflies giving any light. Through a curtain in the backroom Charisma could see Shorin's silhouette dance on the curtains as he is taking off his shirt. Shorin's head turns so he can see behind, "Why didn't you knock? I am changing here." Charisma takes a few steps inside as she let the door slowly close on its own, "You never used to worry about such things around me."
"I'm not the one who has changed," Shorin says as he remembers the past, "It was you who left to be with the . . . "
quickly interrupting Charisma chimes in, "Why do you have to talk so horrably about them. You know, not all humans are bad." Shorin turns around as Charisma approached the curtain, "Humans started that War, they destroyed the land, they create that technology that distorts magic, and they chased the gods away from these lands.It has been my experience," Shorin starts to say as he puts his shirt back on.
"Wait," Charisma says as she passes through the curtains letting them fall around her body as she walked closer, "Don't put it on I want to see it again." Charisma steps only a few feet away as they stand face to face she lifts her hand up so she can use her fingers to trace the scars that run around his shoulders. While her fingers gently touches his scars of the fusion Charisma says silently, "I can still fell the magic that made this scars. I always could, it's kind of comforting in a way." To Charisma the tatoo's around his arms were something that almost excited her.
"Don't tempt me," Shorin starts grasping Charisma's hands in his own, "That was what I wanted all along but you're the one who made it clear that you don't want to be with me."
Charisma found it hard to look in his eyes, "I still do love you, but I hate what you've become. Ever since . . ." she starts as she pushes away from him. "If you still love him . . " Shorin starts before Charisma interrupts, "It's not who you think, it's . . ."
"I understand," Shorin says, "I can't believe that you can say that after what you did to him. He doesn't belong in any world now. If I was in his place I would hate to know that sort of truth but he will find out sooner or later because it will become obvious. All you could do was change the cosmetics while the blood is still there. You should tell him the truth even if it hurts." Charisma turned to start to walk away and as Myr saw this he walked away so he wouldn't be spotted by Charisma.

The Party stared to awake from the effects of the elven spell as Myr returned to them. Clive was happy that Elly wasn't hurt and brought her out into the main room as Shorin was entering the building. "This man who you are looking for, Micheal, we know where he is and will show you tomorrow. Why don't you take some rest and relaxation now and I will answer all of your questions tomorrow. As Clive was staring out of one of the windows he saw a large light appear to the east, "Hey, what is that light comming from that building?" Shorin looks over Clive's shoulder, "The only thing over there is the Gate but no one has our address and it's lying on the ground. I mean the only ones who could come through would be creatures that could fly," Shorin stops suddenly, "Unless it's." Shorin quickly grabs Charisma's hand as he pulles her outside to see a dark swarm come out of their Gate that was housed in the lower east side of their town. From the special building Shorin could see the light of the fireflies disappear as they were over-shadowed and killed by the flying demons that swarmed out of the Gate.

Shorin pulled Charisma across the robe bridge which connected directly with the area that the Gate was in. Graven quickly followed, interested in information about the Gate. From the open mouth of the Gate skriglings, three foot long flying worms with a tri-mouth filled with many teeth, came flying into this world. Flying around a few of these Skirglings dived towards the robe bridge that was holding Charisma and Shroin. As some of the strings in the rope were cut by their sharp teeth Graven quickly jumped the rest of the way to the other end of the bridge. As the final Skrigling flew by it cut the bridge breaking it into two sections which fell to either side. Shorin and Charisma held on as best as they could as their side of the bridge slammed against the old tree. Graven lowered his metal arm as Shorin reached out to grapple it and at the same time he reached down to make sure he had a nice firm grip on Charisma. As everyone was pulled back up Charisma turns back to the Party and shouts, "We going to try and stop the source so You're going to have to take the long way around since this bridge is broken. Not everyone here is a warrior so try and protect as many innocents as you can!" With that Shorin and Charisma turn to travel east directly to where the Gate is sitting.

Myr remembered the area in the north-east where all of the children liked to play and cast a flight spell on himself so he could travel directly to them.. Grabbing Cade as backup Myr flew directly to where the kids played as Clive, Elly, Enutrof, and Kai traveled along the path to the north heading north where most of the elves are. The Party saw that the Skriglings were numerous in number as the traveled north to the town center. Enutrof enchanted arrow after arrow as he released them at the little flying worms. With a few more guests to the party the skriglings decided greet them with a dozen mouths. The swarm of skriglings' flying pattern changed as their direction of focus turned at the group that just arrived in the area. Elly stood behind the group as Clive jumped out so he can get a better shot at the skriglings who were attacking two elven madiens.

Around this time Myr dropped Cade down so he could prepare an Icestorm spell on a large group of skriglings who were turning around to attack some maidens. Myr was able to easily take out that group of eight as some four skriglings flew in to attack Cade. Since the entire village was built out of wood on the top of some trees Myr was limited by not being able to use any of his fire spells for fear that something might burn. From the west Elly saw two women trying to get cover from four of the skriglings and she jumped out from behind the group to send two bolts of lightning at them. Elly then used her magic missiles to start picking away at any of the hurt skriglings left over including a new swarm that was flying around Enutrof.

In the south end of the village after Graven helped both Charisma and Shorin back up to solid ground they made their way towards the building that housed the Gate. As they ran near the building they saw all of the elves taking cover from the swarm of over sixty of them. Only the elven guards stayed back to protect the innocent civilians. Graven knew that he had to protect these two since they knew more about the Gates then they let on. Taking the rear Graven was able to protect them as they made their way up the stairs and into the building. With the Gate lying parellel with the ground Shorin ran to one edge of the room commanding Charisma to get to the other. Shorin reached out for one of the heavy ropes that suspended a large cover stone a dozen feet above the Gate. They started to work on the half-dozen ropes that held this massive stone as Graven was being pushed back to the entrance by the skriglings. Unable to provide anymore cover with his Atmose pistols Graven dropped them both and extended his right arm as three of the skriglings flew directly at him. From beneith his sleeve a long blade ripped through with the blade flipping out from his elbow to point right at the approaching skriglings. With a few slices from that blade they fell out of the air and melted into large lumps of flesh.

As Charisma and Shorin were about to get the final ropes to drop the stone on the Gate they got a few more visitors by the name of Skrag. Skrags seemed to be almost incorporeal as they flew about with arms like sythe blades they attacked anyone close by weakening their strength before killing them. As Graven turned to come back inside one of the Skrags rushed him getting a nice chunk of his arm in its wake. A lesser man would have had his power sucked from him but Graven stood up holding his Automailed arm. "You'll have to try better than that to get rid of me," he yelled back at the demon. Two of these Skrags stayed in the Gate room as the rest went out to play in the village. They saw some interesting morsals in the form of the Party and split there attention to the two groups.

From out of the sky a Skrag flew down near the children as they ran off in fear. It takes out a few of the guards and some women trying to get the children then diverts its attention to Cade as it began its charge. The other Skrag decided to play with Kai for awhile as some skriglings were flying around him. With a dozen and a half skriglings on them Kai, Enutrof, and Clive were having some trouble when a new player entered the fight in the form of a new demon. The Skrag swung its sythe like arms doing some damage to Kai who was able to prevent any loss of strength thanks to his training and drinking. With the help of the shock gloves and his own physical prowess Kai was able to beat the Skrag into dust which was what it turned into when it died. However Cade was having a harder time with his and to help Myr finally launched one of his fireballs taking down another half dozen skriglings leaving only the Skrag behind. But before the fire took the the village Myr had to put all of the flames out. With some more damage on it from the fireball the Skrag wasn't doing too good. Cade fired a couple more of his arrows at it finally taking the creature down.

With the stone covering the Gate no more demons were expected to come through it but there was still the problem of over thirty skriglings and the three Skrags that were still present. Charisma and Shorin stood back to back like old times as Graven took his power to the skriglings. Since he wasn't able to hurt any of the Skrags that was the only thing that Graven could do. Charisma used a few of her magical arrows to take down one of the Skrags as another blindsided and bum-rushed her. The Skrag opened its mouth as it was ready to suck away Charisma's strength when a large road block in the form of Shorin's arm prevented it from doing so. Shorin held his ground as the Skrag pushed hard against his arm still unable to push past it. Brining his other arm down from above Shorin made a fist and pounded the demon down.

With all other skriglings in the village taken down the Party set their sights on the south eastern side where the Gate lay. Since Myr was still putting out the fire that he created Cade was the only one who was close enough to act quickly and ran south to see how he could help. Being in the north-western section of the village Kai and Enutrof were the futhest away. Kai corrected this by running to the center and using his amazing leaping skills he jumped over fifty feet to land on a closer section. Cade was being swarmed by the last dozen skriglings when Kai came from the other side to divert most of their attention. By the time Enutrof, Elly, and Clive made it over more then half of the skriglings were killed making the last few of them easy targets.

As the Party finished up the last of the skriglings Charisma, Shorin, and Graven walked down from the above Gate room. "The Gate has been closed so no more of those demons should be comming through anytime soon." With all of the threats to the village gone Shorin along with the Party went around seeing if there was still anyone who needed help or healing. A few hours after Shorin decided to tell the Party that they saw the direction that Micheal was headed in, "And you know of the only place that lies in that direction, the Castle of Re'Jo'Ress." Charisma knew it well as Cade recounted any information he knew about it. With what he knew about the Castle he expected that it was most likely the place that Micheal found his arsenal at since the keep was far to small to hold everything that he talked about. Shorin thanked the humans for protecting the innocent people of the town and gave them many potions as well as some flame arrows and a haversack for their journey.

While the Party relaxed in their room Clive and Elly discussed an important issue outside underneith the stars. However all Kai was concerned about was Shorin's knowledge of demons and went in search of him. Feeling able to confide to another monk Shorin told Kai what he knew about the demons of this world and the next they sat down in Shorin's home to discuss it, "I may not know everything like those creatures origins but I do know how to hurt them. Basically there are two major factions of demons: The Baatezu and the Tan'ar'ri. Even though the lesser and smaller demons are able to escape into our plain the bigger and most dangerous ones are only able to come here with some help on this side. As I have been told each one of these factions has a master wizard who makes it his goal to bring about their master's body into this realm. Along with their master's blessing they recieve other dark abilities from those demons like eternal life and a purpose. The Tan'ar'ri have a mage known as Gail who attempted to Gate his demon master to this realm well over a thousand years ago. However as I have heard the one to fear is the lap-dog for the Baatezu a evil and crazy wizard by the name of Garabaldi. He was responsible to a very large war that overtake half of this continent (the known world) in a battle about five hundred years ago. As I've heard he was successful in gating the demon to this world after he covered the sky in darkness. Garabaldi had a large number of undead creatures protecting his tower preventing the army that encircled it from entering. But the only reason that this land isn't in darkness is because, according to stories, there was one person who attacked the creature by himself by flying up the side of the tower where it was being summoned. Every five hundred years or so Garabaldi or Gail are able to amass enough power to try this again. For this reason," Shorin starts as he grips his arm, "I was trained to be able to handle them or anything they might throw at us." Shorin rolls up his sleaves to show Kai the tatoos that were imprinted along every facit of his arm, "Because of an unfortunate encounter with a Fire Hyrda I was given these," he says as he rolls up his other sleeve revealing his rippling muscles. "I was told that they have more magic in them then most swords and were created to best demons such at those. That was why I was taught about demons and how to destroy them. With these arms I'll be able to stop a demon like what happened back then. But in these times it seems that demons are becomming more prevalent in this world. Unless you were hiding in a cave in the Talocian Mountains for the past fifty years you could easily see the destruction that they are causing on the lands. It seems from tonights encounter that they use the Gates to travel through all around the world," finishing up Shorin contemplates, "I wonder why they are showing themselves so much more now then before."

After Clive asked her it was all she could do to hold in her excitement when she agreed. "But we're going to have to do it tonight," Clive says to her, "Because tomorrow we'll be back with Sebastian and after that we'll have to face Micheal. I've put this off for long enough and I know that it's both right and something that I want."

Elly looks in his eyes, "Of course Clive I understand. It's what I've always wanted too." But at the back of her mind Elly knew that there seemed to be an escalation of danger against her and Clive since they've met the Party and Micheal might be something that even Clive can't handle. But, as for now and for this night Clive and Elly will have no regrets.