Tharus - General of the Brotherhood of the Armored Bear - Defending the Homelands.

Tharus had become distracted from the combination of blood loss, the raining artillery, and the pain that pulsed through him. He came back to reality as he heard a noise from behind him. He turned to see Haeos' katana in the ground before him.

"Get up. Thank you for the good fight. I'll help you back to the fort. C'mon, don't leave me waiting."

Tharus was at first confused. The battle hadn't necessarily been lost, though it was a good strike against him. Haeos could have ended it right there during the distraction that had befallen Tharus, but he showed mercy. Tharus would have never done such a thing, and thought of Haeos as somewhat of a wuss for doing so, but he was grateful nonetheless. Haeos had extended his hand, and Tharus smacked it away with a growl. He was never one to seek help from others, rather help others himself. He forced himself up, still holding tight to his shoulder as he said,

"I wouldn't allow you to step one foot into the fortress, Haeos."

Tharus began to walk forward, stern in expression. He passed by Haeos, disregarding whatever expression may be shown on him. He began to think about how the Iron Solari had just helped them in this battle, and currently are still continuing. They could have just passed over, but they didn't. Tharus never thought that they were worthy of an alliance, but now he saw their valor. Their generosity almost gave Tharus a small change of heart. He neared the gates as he turned around to face Haeos once more,

"Your minions. Their blood is a disgrace to the Brotherhood, Haeos. And you're to blame. You brought them here, and obviously, failed. You may have won our little brawl, but it changes nothing. Attacking the state of the Brotherhood was a mistake. You're pardoned of your crimes, but this does not make you welcome. If you set one foot inside of these walls, you'll be imprisoned. After all, I only said you were clear of your current crimes, not new ones you may commit." Tharus took a breath, "I'll let the Solari decide if your crimes are pardoned for them as well."

Tharus began to laugh as he walked on, back into his fortress, the magi casting down upon the minions, the bears all watching as their leader stumbled in. Soon, the Colonel came rushing up to him and said,

"Sir! Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'll trust you to take care of these poor minions. If there's anything you may need me for, I will be in my quarters."

The Colonel beat his chest in salute, and Tharus would've done the same, but instead he looked at his wounded shoulder and arm, and the Colonel simply nodded. Tharus walked his way up through the hills of the Brotherhood, and through many streets until he went into the secondary Keep. This keep was more of a war-based building, in terms for the generals and other high-ranking officials to plan. It was also where said officials lived. Tharus made his way up to his room, and went down to sit on the bed. He laid his axe across his lap. He then reached into a nearby drawer, and pulled out a sharp stone. He then pulled the head of his axe towards his body, and wiped it clean with his arm. He found an open spot, and began to draw two katanas crossing each other, with a ninja cowl draped over them. He had another mark for another battle; and another scar as well.

Sleiphner the Bromanticiser of the Knights Who Drink Tea Tea! Tea! Tea!

Sleiphner withdrew his kettle once again while in the drop ship and began to brew the tea of Bromance and Plot Development, offering a cup to Soupcup and pondering what Sagarys had said. He knew the risks, and was a bit wary. And replied back:

"But, sir Scribe, what shall we do if we are discovered? I mean, I surely hope not that He Who Must Not Be Nerfed has some sort of security measures, like a team of fighters comprised of people from our past, perhaps people we thought were dead, or an ex-girlfriend, perhaps seven of them. I mean, what is our contigency plan in that case? Couldn't we also utilize this top to look into the immediate future?"

Haeos
The Lone Chartreuser
Honorary AfA Assassin

Haeos was satisfied with the outcome of the battle, even if Tharus had been so cold to him afterwards. Picking up his katana, he made his way towards what was left of his minion hordes. In fact, just the Chartreuse Lunar Knights. The first banner he had made still stood, while the others burned. In total, there were only a hundred left. Only the melee ones, as well. No mages, no cannons. No problem.

Signalling for them to move out, he walked in shame and pride at the same time from the keep. Shame at a failed conquest. Pride at defeating the one person who had defeated him before. But now that his drive was gone, what would he do? Would he continue working for the AfA? They'd hired him to kill Armored Bears. But there was no reason to do that any more. But the Armored Bears wouldn't accept him, either. He'd defeated their general, anyways.

And then...God, the Imperium...they'd never let him in, not after that slaughter.

Who was left? The ISC? No, they'd bombed him at the first chance. How about the Knights who drank Tea? Even though he enjoyed a cup of Earl Grey, he would never be welcome among them. And the Rara Rebellion...why would he join them? None of the major factions would accept him. He was an outcast. A loner.

Breaking the fourth wall and reaching up to grab the title above his head, he ripped off the 'Honorary AfA Assassin.' Now, it read like this:

Haeos
The Lone Chartreuser

He was at home now. But something still nagged at his mind...he'd need help. If he was going to strike out on his own terms, he'd need his sister and his friend. He knew his quest now; find Kaizen and get his crystal to call over his sister, and then make their own stand. He knew where Kaizen would most likely be at the moment; Mt Mc Huge Large. Pointing in its general direction, he led his minions there, hoping he wouldn't miss him.

Sagarys - The Rogue Scribe

Sagarys took a moment to consider Sleiphner's words. This gentleman was a wise one, he could tell. The scribe leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He turned his gaze to the floor.

"You, sir knight, make an excellent point," Sagarys said as he weaved his fingers together, creating a platform to rest his chin upon. "But, if I may offer a refutation - were we to use the top for the purpose of learning what is to come, would we not then alter that future, thus making what we had just learned inaccurate?"

Sagarys turned his head to see Sleiphner's reaction, a wry grin spreading across his face.

"Oh, and as for the contingency plan you asked about," Sagarys said, reaching down to pull a dagger from his boot. "If we are discovered, we start swinging."

With that, Sagarys balanced the dagger, tip down, on his index finger and spun it, smiling at Sleiphner the whole time.

If any of his companions were watching, they would see, for the first time, how much the scribe truly enjoyed a good fight. Sagarys, however, was still not convinced that this particular fight could be called "good." In fact, he wasn't even certain it could be called a fight. For all he knew, they could already be too late. If that were the case, the dark lord would be nigh invulnerable and each of their lives would be forfeit without much of a struggle.

Phalonax 'Phalon' Valeion, Vladimist Blood Reaper and Iron Solari Assassin...

As the conversation unfolded, Phalon began to think for a moment. If they did get discovered, the mission might take a turn for the worse.

I just hope Wrath doesn't try to take over me during this. If it does, I'm not sure I can take my body back.

She saw Sagarys balance a dagger on his finger, something only the most godly-skilled of self-known blade masters could do smiling. The scribe would be a tough one to take down if something were to happen to her.

Lets just hope I can stay on the same side as everyone else....

The Frog

Sebastian wandered arouund inside the hanger. This was so pointless. Why did Jeremy want him here? Obviously Fending off the impending minion army was closer to the **** amphibians interests. He had mentioned some sort of libary guy and some friends were going to morello, whatever that meant. Shouldent he have sent Sebastian to intercept them, or beat them to morello? Why didnt that **** frog ever explain things to hi-

Sebastians ponderings were cut short as both his knee caps were crushed then repeadtedly healed then crushed again. Three times.

During his screams he felt a familiar psyce enter his mind.

"I will not tolerate dissent, even in thought. You have no reason to, even if your mortal mind was capable of such a feat, comprehend my machinations." croaked Jeremy.

"Yes my master!" gasped Sebastian "Forgive my insolence!"

Is this what the members of the inner circle of the Anti-fun agenda felt like? Having a master so powerful, so malicious, so omnipresent that their lives were totally under lock and hammer? Sebastian felt an unmesurable throng of pity.

As he fell onto his knees, Jeremy spoke.

"if you must know, I had intended for you to join with the scribe and find morello and the one they call mysk, but you Idioticly managed to get your self prosecuted over the murder of that stupid nurse, and you missed the boat, binky boy." He croaked out loud.

At the word "idioticly", Sebastians nose snapped in twain, and then reformed.

Who the hell was "the scribe"? Who the hell was "mysk" for that matter?!

Instead of demanding, Sebastian just layed on the hanger floor and sobbed, praying for whoever jeremy ment to arrive to come soon. Maybe they could tell him were he could find a hero to rid himself of jeremy.

Vladimir, the Blood Lord

What's taking it so long?

After hearing the calls of the demon, Vladimir had come back to the bloody chambe . Said demon had wanted to discuss certain subject with him.

Much to Vladimir's impatience, however, the demon did not immediatly appear when he arrived.

He was about to leave when a black haze began to escape the closed stone doors. The haze made it's way in front of Vladimir, two menacing red eyes and a jagged grin materializing within it.

"My apologies for keeping you waiting, but I had slight...issue to handle."

"The Fallen One, correct?"

"The one and only. Pardon my current form, for I am transmitting my consciousness through this magic."

Silence descended upon them as they tried to think of a statement.

Finally, Vladimir broke the silence.

"What did you want me for?"

"Obvious reason, really. You killed one of my servants."

"The dog was your servant?"

"Unfortunate, I understand, but I let him into my army anyway. A foolish mistake really if he was going to get himself killed by mortals."

"So you don't mind him dead?"

"Not at all. I am a demon, after all. Compassion is a mortal's weakness."

The haze's eyes turned into a deathly glare and the grin into a scowl, fangs hanging from the top of it's mouth.

"However, we had a deal, blood lord. I will let you off this time, but I do not need to lose anymore in this stage. When all is said and done, you may treat the demons as you wish, but the key to my plan has yet to arrive."

"Phalonax, right?"

"Correct. That child possesses one of hell's sins. Not to mention what she is capable of. If only she was me, this would be a little bit easier."

"You have a problem with gender, Fallen One?"

The haze's face one again turned into a grin as it laughed an evil laugh thatwpuld cahse the faint of heart to drop dead.

"No, mortal, gender is no issue, though Lust might tempt the demons into performing...suggestible acts."

The laughed again, this time causing Vladimir to give a disapproving look. If there was one thing he didn't tolerate, it was perversion.

"Fallen One, why did you ask me to come here again?"

"Oh, yes, that's right. How is the army coming along?"

"My followers aren't an army, merely a trained collective dedicated to me."

"Dedicated to protecting you, I suppose?"

He merely nodded in response.

"You wouldn't mind me borrowing this army, would you?"

"I wil consider it."

"Good."

The haze began to blur, it's eyes wide and it's fanged mouth frowning.

"Damned seal...unfortunately, my time is up. I shall call for you again when my magic recharges."

It began to dissolve, but not before one last statement.

"Oh, and even if Morello is killed, don't think you'll get your own power back so easily..."

And with that mocking sentence, it dissapeared, leaving Vladimir alone.

What did he mean? If the nerf lord is gone, al of the power he took should be returned, right?

Of course the possibility of his power being gone for good haunted his mind.

All I can do now is wait. Phalonax, you damn well better kill Morello...

"Do you guys want to see a magic trick?" The two minions that were chattering away in my open doorway while they held my food tray both paused mid-sentence to look at me curiously. One stepped forward cautiously,
"We're both casters, feared the land over for our mastery of that one spell all of us know! ... Wait, well, a lot of us know other stuff, but that one spell is pretty awesome, and don't forget it!"
"Oh, of course not!" I replied, a very real smile making it's way across my face. The purple minion gave me an arrogant look that quickly shifted to an impatient one, his curious nature grabbing a hold of him. "I just wanted to show you a spell that I can guarantee you've never seen before. Getting council from powerful casters such as yourselves would be an honor."
The flattery worked like a charm, and the minion gave a curt nod, though his posture spoke of great surprise. "Alright then, show us. On with it, Parrot King, I wanna see... I mean, give you advice. I'm sure whatever it is, you're doing it wrong."
"You're always doing it wrong," intoned the gold-cloaked caster, seemingly to no one.
"I would absolutelty love to, but there's just a small problem. I need sun light to help fuel the spell," I lied, feeling bad about the deceit, but using the sunlight as a catalyst took much less of my own magical energy.
"We can't bring you outside," the purple caster mumbled, sounding both troubled and disappointed.
"Commander says no outside," the gold murmured after, looking glum.
"Well hey, you two are both powerful mages. Can either of you cast a basic light spell?" It would not serve as well as pure solar energy, but I could draw in the magical residue from the spell instead. I was rewarded with the purple rapidly bobbing his head.
"Duh, bird brain, anyone can cast one of those. Watch!" He gestured with a hand and instantly a light filled the room. As I had hoped, he was clearly a show-off, so when the two were blinded by his drastic overfeed into the spell, I was able to shove past them into the hall, my spell already half-cast when I emerged. The four golden cloaked minions that stood their guard outside my door all jumped as I emerged; the moment they took to regain their composure was all the time I needed to launch the simple spell I had worked on. The notepad I held in my hands burst apart into a flock of paper birds with ink feathers, whom quickly set about harrying the minions. Just as real birds, they cawed and pecked, and the ensuing chaos was enough for me to break free, most of my flock hovering inches overhead.

The Warden had said that I was to be right near his office. I did not have the time to get in there, but I could assume from the fact that he had kept me close that the same was probably true for Leona. When we had come in I had observed the open door to the Warden's office on the opposite side of the hall and to the left, and from the Keep's layout I knew that continuing that way would lead to a T-intersection, so I took off to the right, taking a corner on my left to face a small corridor. It was filled with at least twenty gold-cloaks, all looking as surprised to see me as I was disappointed to see them. At my command, the rest of my flock set forth, sewing havoc in the tight space.

They would not attempt to kill me, I knew. The Warden would have done away with me in that forest, so I could safely assume I was just a hostage for ransom, a very high-stakes one at that. Knowing that I backed to the wall and took a few bounding strides towards the group of harassed minions, spreading my feathered cloak and leaping deep into their rank. I was able to get a jump further off of a minion's head, but the second time the minion and I went down in a tumble. I quickly sprang up and found two minions before me, spears with jagged blades in hand.

The Grand Marshall had explained that knowing your enemy's thoughts and intentions was the single best advantage any warrior could need. I kept that to heart, and knowing they could not kill me, reduced the areas that I would need to defend when I pressed forward. I drew the sword no one had seen fit to take from me and swept forward, letting the edges of my heavy cloak catch the first minion's spear blade. I came in closer and knocked him on the side of the head with the flat of my sword, knocking him to the side. At this point the second's spear lashed forward; his only non-fatal angle could be my left shoulder, which I rolled back as I turned my entire body to the right.

I felt the cloak tear as I wrenched forward and jumped over the minion I had felled. Upon landing I rolled, the sound of air swishing above and behind me letting me know I had chosen the correct course of action. The door had a heavy bar locked into place, and with the minions recovering I knew I had not much time. "Anyone can do it," I said to myself as I reached my empty left hand back and up, summoning forth a brilliant ball of light. The groans and curses of the minions behind told me that my tactic had been at least partially successful, and I lifted the bar with all my strength, only my certainty that my Leona sat inside (and a heady dose of adrenaline) giving me the force to lift it so quickly.

I opened one half of the door as much as I needed to and slipped in, pulling it closed behind me. I locked it and tried to look for something to barricade it with when my eyes caught her again for the first time in much too long. She sat at a table they had provided, a cup shaking in her normally steady fingers, her hair freshly brushed and a quill slack in her hand. She was staring at my boots, and slowly, her gaze rose, drinking me in. I rushed to Leona and threw my arms around her, not able to hold back the half-laugh, half-sob that was both my happiness and my relief. I held her for a long moment, whispering "Leona," into her hair, before she finally reacted.

"It really is you, isn't it my king?" She asked, her voice full of wonder and her eyes full of tears. At my nod she dropped all of her normal poise to throw her arms around my neck, and we clung to each other there in that room that was her prison. "But... How? Why are you...? Where are the others?" I could only give her a puzzled look, my mind hazy with joy.

"What others?"

Her look became troubled. "My love, the others! Where is the force you lead to my rescue?"

"Oh," I said abashedly, and I moved to arm's length to better look her in the face. "There, uh, aren't... Any... others...?"

For just a moment, I thought she was going to run me through with a glare, but instead she showed a harsh look. "You mean to say," she began, "That with me already imprisoned, you came here alone, my lord?"

I knew that if I gave her the wrong, truthful answer, I was in for it, as she only called me 'my lord' in moments of extreme anger. I made a face at her and gave the truth regardless. "Yes, that is exactly what I mean to say. In fact, that's what I'm saying. The Warden here sent me a minion, bearing a threat towards you if I didn't!" The doors slammed inward for a moment, threatening to buckle under the assault of the minions on the other side. Already the hinges were weakening. "You can chide me later, Leona. For now, we have to-" I was cut off by the sudden sound of a sharp whistle. I turned to the source of the sound and watched as the doors fell apart, revealing a seven-foot tall minion, be-decked in a gold cloak and wielding a greatsword fastened in the faceted style of Leona's shield. Across his cloak's shoulders was a design of bladed wings, and the sigil on the front was of the Black Keep.

"Sight," Leona said, her voice hard. When I turned back I found her lifting both shield and sword. When I tried to ask what she meant she cut me off to explain, "He is the leader of the Solar Corps, a group of elite minions. We have sparred before, and I can defeat him, though with those others, defeat is almost a certainty. Doubtless the call has gone up for more minions in this area, as well." She stepped ahead of me, placing herself between Sight and I.

"Lady Leona," a deep voice reverberated throughout the room, and while instinctively I knew it had come from Sight, my sense of sound told me it came from all directions at once. "Lay down your arms. Your king shall only receive a light punishment in compensation."

"You dare not strike me, Sight. The Warden would have your head as soon as he found out." Leona's body language seemed to say more of beheading the minion herself, I noted. She had edged a foot forward, and her shield was raised, ready to charge in an instant.

"Leona, the Warden is gone," I spoke low over her shoulder that my voice would not signal any kind of begin to a fight I did not wish to happen.

Turning her head ever so slightly, she asked, "What? How do you know?"

"These minions may have special training, but they're still minions. My guards gossiped both loudly and constantly, so when they were informed by an even louder purple, I knew as well."

"It is so." Sight's voice again came from all directions. "Should you force me to harm you, I shall know that there will be retribution from the Commander. Knowing that, I shall be forced to kill you. A super does not die alone. Lay down your arms, Lady Leona."

I made to step past her, to turn myself over to these minions, but Leona hip-checked me fiercely. "Leona-" I began, but she shook her head defiantly.

"For too long I have been trapped in this Keep. I shall not allow them to hold you as well, my love." She whispered, her voice quick and low. "I will clear you a path. You must take it immediately. They will expect you to take the front gate, and the battlements are well-guarded, so you must go to the dungeons. Rally the Confederacy, for they are prisoners. Free them, love, and lead them out of here. You must escape, for the good of our people." I wanted to argue, to scream in frustration, but the diplomat within was ever at the fore, and her words rang true, as she new they would. With one desperate moment left before we would be separated again, I took her by the chin and kissed her, as passionately and deeply as any words could describe.

When I pulled away I saw Sight had attempted to make his move during our moment, but two serrated spears were crossed before him. The tall minion was staring down at two gold-cloaked melees, both wearing stubborn looks.

"That's messed up, Sight," said the first. "Where's your minion pride?" The second looked to the first wistfully.

"Oh, that's why you stepped up? I just didn't want Sight to ruin it, that was hot!" A collective groan went up from the minions in the hall, a groan that ended abruptly when Sight's omni-voice ordered the minions to stand ready. The two that had stopped him assumed battle stances, facing Leona and I regretfully.

It happened in an instant. Leona's Zenith Blade shot forth while she charged their lines. A bubble of sunlight, bright and strong formed around her body, pulsing off in waves of heat that left the assembled foes reeling back: All but one. Sight held his greatsword in just his left hand while his right coated in orange fire, and he threw a haymaker, shattering Leona's Zenith Blade and halting her charge, the solar bubble undulating across it's entire surface. Leona was unperturbed, slamming her shield through the bubble and releasing another sunray, sending Sight sliding back through doorway and into the corridor. A handful of quick steps and she was among the minions, pressing the edge of the bubble against Sight's greatsword before exploding it in a sudden wave that threatened to knock me off my feet. Sight himself went flying into the wall several feet, a great boom resounding through the corridors.

When I was certain of my footing I rushed next to my love and wrapping my arm around her waist, yet when I went to pull her along, she refused to budge. "Go, Stylus!" she ordered me.

"The way is clear, Leona! Come with me!" Despite another hard tug she still kept her ground. Her eyes blazed as she turned to me.

"Stylus, I love you with all my heart, and I know you love me with all of yours, but we risk both should we put our backs to this foe. Go now, my love. He comes." I looked on helplessly as the wall bulged out, sending a ripple through the stone, and an instant later the impact area exploded, the orange flames coating the super as he flew back at Leona. She rammed me aside, managing to keep her shield steady in the face of his charge, but the force of Sight's impact sent Leona flying back into her chamber. She smashed through the frame of the bed, landing badly, and I started towards her full of worry. I did not get far.

Half of Sight's greatsword appeared in my peripheral vision, extending past my neck a good six inches. "Stop, or I take your head. Should you force me to do that, I shall take hers as well." I took in my surroundings, evaluating the situation as best as I could: All around me the minions were stirring, recovering from Leona's assault. A few had gained their footing and stood awaiting Sight's orders. Leona was also pushing herself to stand, a look of grim determination on her face. I could potentially duck under the super's swing, but even if I did I would still be surrounded. I would either be re-captured or killed, and this minion might go on to harm Leona. I could not bear the thought, so I took the safest route for the moment.

"There is no need for further violence. I shall return to my quarters peacefully." The greatsword moved a foot away.

"A wise choice, Parrot King. Solar Corps, take hold of the King's arms and legs." After a brief struggle they had me. Sight's golden hood loomed into view, the super's face set in an arrogant smile. "Take him to the dungeons, with the same rations as the bears. That will keep the King mindful of his proper place here in the Keep." He gestured us away, and despite my protests, I found myself carried down into the dank dungeons beneath the Black Keep. The minions shackled me to the wall alongside a captured Confederate bear and left, closing the door behind them, the sound echoing mournfully through the darkness.

Andersworth, Adviser-Knight for the Brotherhood of the Armored Bear

Day 7

Andersworth jerked awake, practically flying out of the makeshift bed, immediately into a coughing fit that lasted for several minutes. The entire time, his body shook violently with each cough, as if his very survival relied on him making it through. For the first time, he saw blood from his cough, a speckled distortion of his paw, barely being any different in shade than his fur, noticeable only because of the difference in colour. When the fit had finally subsided, Anders struggled to stand, finding himself weaker than he had been even the day before.

"Why was this place of such power draining me so?" he wondered, sitting down at the table, as he's done every day since coming to this magnificent place. Resting his head upon his paw, he closed his eyes, briefly, to try to think. Having a falling dream was relatively common, yes, but something about the location that he landed- that is, in the middle of the marble courtyard -has to say something about the significance of having this dream, at this time. He tried to recall the details of what had happened.

"The darkness that turns to light, floating high above the courtyard where-" Scraping his chair back, a screeching noise piercing the deafening quiet Library, Anders stood, getting the urge to walk suddenly. And so he did, walking for several hours, seconds, minutes. Walking so long that time seemed to flow strangely, putting him away from his table, then back to it, appearing halfway apart.

After what seemed like ions.. "Eons?" ..he found himself in front of a strange door. A door unlike any he had seen before and yet like one he walked through every day. He examined the door, felt it, smelt it, licked it, stared upon its face for a millenia, trying to find some way to open it. When he finally decided to go check some archives about it, he heard a sound. Stone across stone, a low rumble as the door began sliding open. Staring through the widening crack, Anders hoped to see what laid beyond, but there was nothing but darkness.

A black so absolute that it threatened to envelop one entirely, be it their mind, body, or soul. The light grew dimmer each moment, as the door slowly slid open. It was almost fully open when a large eye appeared in it's depths, vertical rather than horizontal on most beings, singular and standing by itself. The pupil twirled madly, as if trying to find something that floated in it's vision, refusing to be focused upon. Suddenly, the pupil fixed itself upon Anders, staring deep within his mind. After what seemed like ages, the door slid completely open, a sound was heard, signalling as much.

click

Anders jerked upright, his head having slid from his paw unto the table. He must be more tired than he thought, if he could not keep his grip. After his vision cleared from the impact, and the resulting dizziness, he noted ahead of him a passageway, completely open and letting in an insane amount of light. Blinking so his eyes could become adjusted, he stood, walking to investigate the new feature in the Library. Around his feet, rats swarmed, all a black so pure that it swallowed the light, no features visible but their eyes. Wide, mad eyes, that constantly moved, searching for something.

Stepping through the passage, he was blinded, again, as an even more intense light shined. He kept walking forward, as he tried to regain vision. Slowly, with each blink, his vision began to come back to him, fuzzy at first, but then cleared. He found himself on the outskirts of a village, devoid of any signs of life. Everywhere one looked, there were dark shapes, but Anders saw these none. What he saw was what was in the center of the town.


A statue of Soupcup, towering high above the houses, holding his arms up. On one side, he was a bear, on the other, a human. In his hands, he held a tablet which told of how The Creation was possible-

"Thanks to the all mighty and powerful Ambearsador Soupcup" Anders growled, realizing what had happened. The sky darkened, turning a dark red, the colour of blood, the sound of footsteps appeared, coming up from behind him. He turned, coming to face a crowd of people, all of which faces where covered. He heard among the crowd whispered voices, out of sync with one another yet clearly heard, almost singing, like a lullaby..

Orange and Lemons,
You owe me five farthings.
When will you pay me?

When I grow rich!

When is that?

I do not know.

A candle flame appeared in the crowd- Here comes a candle to light you to bed

Anders grew aware of a swishing sounds, the sound a blade makes as it twirled through the are, constant, growing louder.

Here comes a chopper, to chop off your head!

An executioners axehead came flying out of the dark, barely missing Ander, visibly distorting the air in front of him. The crowd charged at him, everything completely silent, except for the distant ringing of church bells. Even his thoughts fell quiet, as if a single sound would shatter reality. He heard not screaming, grunting, gasping for breath, but he saw death, beheadings, and dismemberments. He raked his claws out, slicing a man's, or woman's, face completely open. He ran, being turned around town by more people coming to get from any direction. He kept defending himself, getting cuts and gashes, but returning with death and destruction.

A couple of the strange humans began firing arrows. He was caught unaware during their first volley, being shot in the shoulder, the back, one arrow even catching his knee and bringing him slamming down atop of it. Anders ground his teeth, forcing himself upright. He was the strongest bear-magi who ever lived, why was he allowing these puny humans, who worshiped a shifter so, force him to fight physically.

He clenched his jaw, drawing the energy he had stored within himself since the day he found the first book in the library at the keep. That he learned to control over the course of several years. The energy that had been expanded during the past week. Looking forward, he realized he was at the point of the town where he had entered, which means the doorway was behind him. Which means he could escape...

Anders reached deep within him, forcing his mind to delve into his primal roots, harnessing the power of a bear's roar. A roar that chilled the blood of even the fiercest hunters, that sent the bravest warriors running in terror.

And then he forced the energy out, with that roar. At first, all remained silent, even the bells fell quiet, but then the silence broke. Houses came crashing down, people fell away from him, the magick in his roar forcing their souls to be trapped within their bodies, never allowing them to be free from the grips of life, despite the body being dead. Silence fell again, as Anders was struck once again by a coughing fit. Halfway through the fit, he lost consciousness, his body fighting to stay alive.

From the dark passageway behind him, tendrils leaked out, grasping his ankles, his arms, his entire body. Slowly, they pulled him back into The Library, for he was not yet strong enough to be let loose. Or, perhaps, the problem was that he was too strong. His mind fought to remain whole, causing his body to fight the new power rushing inside him. But it was only a matter of time, before he would be completely mad.

Throughout the village, rats swarmed, biting through flesh and bone, the souls hosting the bodies were desperate to scream in pain, but their mouths refused to work, the flesh having fused shut, the only thing that worked was their eyes.

Their wide, painful eyes, trying desperately to focus on something that was in their vision, but refused to be seen. They tried, first, to see what the bear had seen, when he was staring up into the air, but there was nothing. They tried to see what had caused him to growl Thanks to the all mighty and powerful Ambearsador Soupcup, but there was nothing. They tried to see what had caused the bear to attack them all, the attack that resulted in their destruction, but there was nothing.

Finally, they simply tried to see, but there was nothing.

They closed their eyes, and opened them. There was no difference, a darkness that was such a fact, that there was nothing that exist within it.

Except, of course, for the pain.

Vincent.

Vincent had finally finished his book. It was on the last page that showed a quote saying, "Trinity Force -- TONS OF DAMAGE! - Phreakemperor" In was interesting to Vincent, and made him chuckle a bit. He was truly tired, and his eyes started to drift. His once clear vision of his book and the surroundings of the room became blurred. His work had finally caught up to him, as soon enough, he drifted into a hard sleep.

As Vincent woke, he shifted forward, now leaning forward on the cough he had been sitting on. He looked around only to see the rustling of many guards running about. It was truly confusing to Vincent, because he didn't know what was going on. Vincent looked down at his fist, and began to clench it hard. He rubbed his forehead and then stood and started to run with the guards. He left the Quarters and went through the many halls of the Avalon and stopped at an observation deck. He ran to the edge of it and peered down towards the surroundings of the Albion.

He found that he was looking upon the Brotherhood of the Armored Bears. He was in awe at the sight of it, and then in shock at the sight of the minions. Their uniforms were a color that Vincent couldn't exactly place, but he seemed to disgust it. He looked around and saw some crafts, much smaller than the Avalon, raining bullets down upon the minions. Some were also set ablaze and their banners were as well. He then noticed, in a clearing of the crowd, an armored bear. Vincent had never seen one before, as he had been in Parrotopia and areas right around it his whole life. In his mind, it was amazing to see one, even if at a very far distance. Vincent noticed another man behind him, with a katana planted in the ground next to him. Suddenly, the bear seemed to turn around and walk back into the walls of the Brotherhood. Vincent truly wanted to go down there and see the bears themselves, but was honestly nervous. Mostly because they were towering bears.

All of a sudden, a vision showed before his eyes. It was bright at first, until the picture became clear. Vincent was mortified as he noticed that it was two men in what seemed like reverse cowgirl on a desk. They were f[CENSORED FOR DECENCY AND FORUM REGULATIONS. CONSIDER YOUR FOOLISH HUMAN MINDS SPARED….FOR THE MOMENT.]

The vision then subsided, and Vincent could once again see reality, but the images could not stop playing in his mind as he sat there with the same scared expression, and starting to suck on his thumb in despair. He didn't know what he had just seen, or if it was even real. Vincent eventually snapped out of it, and stood as if nothing happened, and continued to walk throughout the Avalon, whistling as he went.