The Unfinished, untitled story by Grievous

[DachandesHonor]

(The subject is fairly self explainitory, but I was asked to write a story about one of our D&D campaigns so long ago, because they liked the idea so Much. So before I present what I have to my friend, I decided to run it by you guys first.)

[DachandesHonor]

(this is going to take awhile, so dont be suprised if it takes me a long time to do this...should have saved it on a disc instead of leaving it on the work computer )

[DachandesHonor]

(Ok, scratch that, I shall post it tomorrow, when I bring it home on a disc.)

[Kane935]

Oh well, we can all wait. We have paitence.

[DachandesHonor]

CHAPTER 1




The hearty, toe-tapping tune floated through the smoke filled tavern. Species and races of various kinds danced around with carefree drunkenness, laughing half-heartedly. Curved walls adorned with the heads of hunts from long ago, portraits, and other odds and ends gave the tavern a homely, hearty glow, coupled with the warm fire that blazed within the hearth.
Times were harsh in these parts; undead had suddenly arisen, threatening to consume all they could touch, all they could see. The vile beings were ravenous, preying upon any of those who crossed their paths. Undead were always a common occurrence within these realms, preying on lost travelers, live stock, etc. But of late they were appearing more, and more, becoming bold, as if something else was driving them…or someone. Instead of picking off one or two people a month, the creatures were taking entire towns, increasing their numbers at insane rates. New undead were being discovered with every attack, although most were left unknown due to the fact that most never survived the encounters. It was tragic how this once beautiful land, was now barren and dead.
But here, within the walls of the tavern, those cares seemed to be non-existent, obsolete, the people within these walls were safe…or so they thought. Across from the dancing floor, sitting idly in a booth without food or water was a young man. His complexion was smooth, but slightly pale. His high cheekbones and narrow features were distinguished, daunting fearlessness dancing in his cold eyes. Dark brown hair trailed down to his neckline partially delved in shadow by his tumultuous black cloak. One feature, however, stood out from the others. Along the left side of his face, a deep, jaggedly etched scar in the shape of a cross stretched across his jaw line.
His eyes flickered down to the wooden floor, as a slight creak echoed from the floorboards, no one else noticed. It was soon followed by another, then another, then finally one heavy resounding creak, and the slight crack of wood grains. Suddenly no one was moving, the music came to an abrupt halt, and a feverish hush fell over the tavern. Clutching one another tightly, the group’s eyes darted around the room with a tinge of fear. A powerful howling wind swept up outside, moaning as it blasted open the windows, extinguishing all sources of light. A gasp arose from a young woman’s chest as the black of night consumed the room, blanketing it with its eerie darkness. All that could be heard was the slight, trembling breaths from the guests, and the rain that pattered softly outside, beating against the waning doors.
Slowly but steadily the floorboards began to creak upwards, the noise growing louder and louder…then subsiding, slowly ebbing away. It all happened at once, a blur of terror and nature. Lighting flashed, ripping the darkness in half just as the first of the undead creatures erupted from the ground in a shower of splinters a moist, black dirt. Screams echoed throughout the tavern as more, and more of the creatures burst forth, their mangled bodies dripping with ectoplasm, and drool. The Undead suddenly lurched forward, launching themselves onto victims, their eyes sunken, yet aglow with a feral hunger.
The young man stood, sliding out of the booth soundlessly within the chaos. He swept his cloak aside, drawing his razor thin sword, the blade shimmering softly in the moonlight that now crept through the open door, and battered in windows. Determination set into his pale features, the man known as Jackal lunged forward. His blade was a sweeping blur as he slashed at the nearest undead. Swinging the blade in an arc, he removed the creature’s arms, relieving it of its next meal. Moaning with anger, the beast turned to face the offender, its decaying jaws yawning wide for a lunging bite at him. Jackal swung the sword down, then up, and across its chest and waist with inhuman speed. Pausing for dramatic effect, he held still as the Undead slid apart with a wet sound, in four different directions. He whirled around to face his next opponent, grimacing slightly at its appearance. Its decaying flesh was a sunken, rotted purple, peeling away from the bone, and decaying muscle. Flaps of it fluttered slightly in the breeze, and its eyes were sunken deep into the skull, glowing a misted light blue. Its gnarled twisted hands reached for him, almost desperate to grab his throat and choke the life out of him. Taking a step forward on its brittle, decaying feet it prepared to strike. However, the creature never had a chance to do so. As it lunged, Jackal lifted his sword, angling it slightly so that the Undead would impale itself upon the blade. Naturally, it didn’t do severe damage but it halted the creature long enough for him to shove the blade upwards, tearing it vertically in half. Wet, mucus like substance strands slowly stretched apart as the halves fell away from each other.
Seeing his acts, the tavern folk began to find anything they could use to fight off the creatures. Stool legs, stools, glass shards, bottles, pans, knives, chairs, anything within their grasp to beat down the creatures into submission. Fending off the attack, the guests bravely fought alongside Jackal, some even fighting unarmed. With a final sweep of his sword, Jackal rendered the last creature in half, and then with a twirl sheathed the blade.

* * *

Cheers resounded throughout the tavern, the music playing cheerfully as what was left of the foul creatures was drug outside to be disposed of. Sarhaan, the owner of the tavern, rested his thick, muscled arm on Jackals shoulder. “I am greatly indebted to you. You saved my tavern, my life, and the lives of my friends and customers.” He said in his deep baritone voice beneath his think, wiry mustache.
“It was nothing.” Jackal replied flatly, without emotion, removing Sarhaans hand from his shoulder. Slowly he turned to leave the tavern, ignoring the compliments of thanks he received from those he had saved.
“Where are you going?” Asked Sarhaan, his brow knit with confusion, and curiosity.
Jackal didn’t bother turning around as he replied. “Most likely to my Death.”



* * *

[DachandesHonor]

The dusty road mist stirred ever so slightly as Jackal walked down the dirt path, heading away from the town. “Where are you going?” The tavern owner had asked. Truth be told, he didn’t even truly know himself. He had been tracking the undead for quite sometime, following the hordes as they went. He had been curious as to why all of the sudden the undead had become so…A sudden roar broke his thoughts, interrupting his train of concentration. Rushing forward along the path, he leapt over fallen logs and other obstacles in his way. In mid run, he skidded to a halt, his eyes widening at the monstrosity before him.
The undead before him was massive, 20 feet at the least. Its flesh and muscles still mostly intact, it was evident that it hadn’t been dead for very long, and had most likely been overrun by the undead swarms that had headed this way. Still, it was nonetheless revolting to look at, and the smell was even worse. Its towering body was hunched over, thick and powerful. It stood on two, massive tree-trunk like legs that were apparently built to support its enormous bulk in life. Two beady eyes were sunken deep within the skull, barely visible through the folds of rotting flesh and decay. Sudden movement caught his eye.
About to be crushed under the creature’s heavy foot was a young boy. “Watch out!” Jackal yelled, trying to warn him of the danger, and most likely imminent death. Startled the boy turned in Jackals direction, and only then did it hit him that the boy was actually fighting the creature. Distracted, the boy was caught off guard, and wrenched up into the air, caught between the mildewed fingers of the undead monstrosity. With swift jerking movements, the boy was forced into the creature’s mouth, and swallowed whole with several jerks of its head and neck.
Jackal winced, looking away as the creature regurgitated the staff the young boy had been wielding. Feeling slightly guilty at being the cause of the boy’s death, he drew his sword, intent on killing the giant. Rushing forward once more, he leapt at the last moment, preparing to plunge the blade into the creature’s skull. Swinging its arm, it tore Jackal out of the air. Grabbing him by the ankle, the undead swung downward; slamming him into the dirt road, then with sheer brute force hurled him into a tree. Splinters flew through the air as his impression was embedded into the wood from the force of the impact. Its rotting lips curled into a snarl, and it lumbered forward to finish him off, taking heavy steps with its massive legs.
Leaning forward to crush him with a mighty footfall, Jackal closed his eyes, waiting for the final blow. A pity his journey had ended when he felt he had come so close to solving the current dilemma. When the strike never came, he opened his eyes slowly, to see the creature staggering backwards, clutching its now bubbling gut. It was able to let out a single howl before it erupted in a shower or rotting guts and half coagulated blood. As the mighty being fell, its second time corpse steaming with heat, the boy stepped out of the carcass, heaving with slight anger. He wiped bile from his face glaring angrily at Jackal, pointing an accusing finger. “You idiot!” He raged. “I had it right where I wanted it, and you had to bumble in and ruin things!”
Jackal was slightly taken aback by the ferocity of the teenager. His abashment was quickly replaced with a flaring anger of his own, even though he knew in a way the boy was right. “Had it where you wanted it? It looked to me like you were about to become paste.” Jake retorted coolly, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
“That was the point, it was a ploy!” He replied, summoning the staff to his hand, gripping it tightly. “I would have won, without ruining my clothes if you hadn’t interfered. So now, I still won, but because of you, my clothes are ruined!”
“Hey, kid, you ruined my clothes too. I could have dealt with it if you had gotten out of the way, but you had to play hero. You’re just a kid; shouldn’t you be in school or something?” He replied growing angrier by the minute.
“I’m not just a kid.” The boy replied in a dangerously calm tone. “I’m a mage, and I’ve been tracking these things a lot longer than you have, you bumbling idiot. Now stay out of my way, or I’ll make you spontaneously combust from the inside out too, you spineless little worm.”<br> Jackal’s eyes widened again. The nerve of this, this child! How dare he insult him like this, when all he was trying to do was help? “I’m not a spineless worm.” Jackal replied, defensively.
“Yes, you are.” The boy replied with a grin.
“No, I’m not.”<br> “Yes.”<br> “No.”<br> “Yes.”<br> Jackal narrowed his eyes, it was apparent that he was not going to give in, and was going to continue being stubborn. “Take it back.” Jackal growled menacingly.
“Oh, touched a nerve did I?” The blond haired mage replied, twirling the staff idly between his fingers.
Jackal lunged forward, tackling the mage into the dust, punching him harshly. The mage let a yelp of surprise, dropping his staff in an effort to push Jackal away from him. Reaching up the mage summoned a gust of wind, throwing Jackal off of him, and face first into the dust road.
“What the Hell!?” Jackal cried, jumping up to his feet, brushing himself off. The kid was a mage, right, he had forgotten that already. He was going to have to be more cautious now, He wasn’t afraid of him, but he wasn’t going to underestimate him either.
Jackal leapt up, smashing his fist into the boy’s jaw, sending him reeling backwards. He put his hand to his mouth, wiping away a slight trickle of blood. “God Damn it!” The boy swore angrily, rage flashing in his icy blue eyes.
Jackal grinned devilishly, maybe now the boy knew not to underestimate him either. They ran at each other, tackling one another into the ground, rolling in a ball of flailing limbs. Grunting and struggling with one another, they didn’t notice the petite figure that walked up to them, boots clicking against the hard road sand.
“Are boy’s always this dumb?” She said, raising a finely arched eyebrow with slight amusement.
Jackal looked up, red filling his cheeks as he saw the woman before him. Struggling to stand up, and away from each other, the two began dusting themselves off to try and look presentable.
Just by looking at her, one could tell that she was attractive. Long, silken black hair draped down to her waist in slight curled locks. Her complexion was full, and smooth as alabaster stone, reflecting the dim moonlight, her lips were a vibrant red full and moist. Her eyes held a tone of vague, glittering amusement, like diamonds, as the two gaped at her curved figure.
“Something troubling you boys?” She asked tauntingly, smiling slightly.
“N-n-not at all.” Jackal stammered blushing slightly under her gaze. “My name’s Jackal….” He added nervously, suddenly feeling like it was a very dumb name to have. “May I ask of yours?”<br> “My name is of no concern to you.” She replied slowly and softly, looking at him for a moment.
“Pretty name….” The young mage said, still in a daze, his eyes glazed over slightly, staring off in the distance.
The woman laughed, it was high and melodious, bordering on the scale of enchanting. “Thank you…I think.” She said with a soft grin, knowing very well that she was toying with them, but it was just harmless fun. “Well, It’s been fun boys, but I best be going.” She said, slowly walking away to meld into the surrounding forest of the dusty road.
As soon as she left, the world snapped back to reality. The mage blinked once or twice, shaking his head to clear it from the shock. “Where did she go?”<br> “I don’t know.” Jackal replied dumbfounded. Who was that woman? Why was she here? Also, why was she heading towards the Hogaran Desert? The Hogaran Desert!?
“What is it?” The mage asked seeing the sudden strike of realization on the man’s face.
“She’s head towards the Hogaran Desert.” He stated plainly.
“But she could be killed!”
“I know.”<br> “We have to go after her.” The mage said with determination in his voice, slamming the butt of his staff into the dirt for emphasis.
“Well…she is going in the direction I’m headed…wait what you mean ‘we’?” He asked slowly. “Just a minute ago you were insulting me.”<br> “Yes, but this is different, I’m doing this for the woman who loves me.” He said rather dreamily.
“Loves you? You don’t even know her name! She doesn’t even know your name!” He exclaimed, and then paused slightly. “Come to think of it, I don’t even know your name.”<br> “The name is Maelstrom, Aspiring Mage, although I’m already extremely powerful. One day I will be the greatest mage in history though, no matter what that cost.” He replied overconfidently.
Jackal smiled slightly. The boy was ambitious, quite in fact. The words “whatever the cost,” however disturbed him slightly. Would it be safe to travel with him? What if he stood in Maelstrom’s way of becoming that Mage? He sighed inwardly, he worried too much and he knew it. “I’m Jackal…that’s all really, no fancy titles or aspiring dreams…”
“Well, now that we have the introductions down, I suppose we should go after her.” Maelstrom said with a shrug. “We can call ourselves Maelstrom and Companion, so people will know who we are.”<br> “I’m not being your side kick, and we don’t need a name for when we travel, we have our own. Besides, if anyone was the Hero in this it would be me, and you would be the sidekick.” He replied calmly, already growing slightly annoyed with his overzealous attitude.
“No I wouldn’t”<br> “Yes.”<br> “No.”<br> “Yes.”<br> “How about no?”<br> The two continued down the road, their voices carrying down the path as they argued.

[DachandesHonor]

CHAPTER 2

Dark mist tendrils curled around the inky black chamber like serpents searching for prey. Curved spires arched up into the ceiling along the walls, like some ancient gothic cathedral. Runic inscriptions carved along the walls, images of various forms of torture, death and resurrection. Medieval torture devices hung from the ceilings, Iron maidens, intestine racks, skewers. Adorned on the walls were morning stars, curved blades and various vials of poisons and toxins. Standing over a bubbling cauldron, filled with seeping green mist was the Overlord of Evil. His build was average for his race, slightly over six feet, and his skeletal build was swathed in an inky black robe that matched perfectly with the interior of his chambers. Tentacle-like appendages lined the lower part of his face, hiding the gruesome circular, tooth-filled mouth beneath. His eyes, a light pale blue, nearly white, pierced the surrounding darkness as well as they pierced the unfortunate victims that fell to his will.
Sarkt was a Mind flayer. One of the vilest beings in the known realms preying of those weaker then him, slaughtering those stronger than him with his mass amounts of expendable minions. His long, skeletal fingers passed over the cauldron slowly, his mist filled eyes peering into the depths.
“So….we have a few ‘heroes’ along the path….” He rasped in his maleficent voice that would send chills down the spine of the bravest adventurers. “Very well…this may prove interesting, compared to the dull qualities of slaughtering the hapless innocents….”
He raised his head from the cauldron for a brief moment, both his cloak, and his tentacles writhing in the darkness. Raising his hands, a glow with power the darkness around him swirled, sweeping around the room as though a sudden gust of wind had blown into the room. Shimmering with a dark aura, two massive beasts appeared. Feline in appearance, the two Elder Eidolons, constructs of Dire Tigers, snarled with the anticipation of blood shed. Their ‘skin’, if that’s what it could be called, was translucent and glass-like in appearance. Underneath the ‘skin’ molten mass could be seen, watery in appearance the purple, silver streaked substance flowed smoothly, constantly moving.
Sarkt looked straight into their swirled eyes, his own flashing with a malevolent gleam. “Find the two heroes heading towards the city of Daemon, the City of the Dark steel Towers. Find them. Kill them.” He commanded, transferring a minute amount of intelligence to them so they understood his commands. With a wave of his hand, they vanished, beginning their hunt on the valley below.
“Very well…’Heroes’ I will play your little game…” He turned away, slinking back into the darkness.

[DachandesHonor]

CHAPTER 3


Maelstrom looked up, his eyes wide as they walked up to the gates of Daemon. Despite the menacing name, the City was quite the opposite. The title of the City of the Dark steel Towers, derived from the fact that just below the city were the Dark steel plains, which were filled with the inky black metal ore, the only place in the world where it could be found in fact. In times of war, the Dark steel towers, which were immensely strong and massive, were used as watch towers to guard over the city, giving the citizens a feeling of peace and comfort. As they reached the gates the two Guards looked at them curiously. “Who goes there?” One of them asked his trade mark Dark Steel armor clinking lightly together as he shifted position.
“My name is Jackal, and this is my friend, Maelstrom. We are travelers, which merely wish to pass through.” Jackal replied, brushing a strand of brown hair out of his eyes.
The Guards shared a glance, and then nodded slowly in approval. One of them walked over, opening the massive gates for them. “Enjoy your stay at the City.” They said, ushering them inside.
The two entered the city, a feeling of restrained excitement settling in their chests. The city was fabled by all who had been there, wondrous tales of how the food was the finest around, yet was inexpensive compared to the capital, of how they had the finest of alcohols, and the rowdiest of inns. Maelstrom grinned devilishly cocky; this was his kind of city. He walked ahead of Jackal directly into the streets, his turquoise mage robes brushing the ground lightly.
Only 15, the mage was tall for his age, around 6’2, and ungainly skinny. His sun droplet blonde hair fanned slightly in the breeze, framing his tanned features and white smile. Only slightly muscular, many mistook his appearance considering him physically weak, a typical and common stereo type for Mages. However, Maelstrom could wrestle with the best of them, and was also willing to prove it at anytime. With his age, and abilities also came arrogance. Strong headed, and ambitious he had been practically pushed out by his mother, who was tired of his pig headedness. Although he was charismatic, and had an appealing personality, it was hard for people to be around him too long as he always spoke his opinion when he wanted, regardless of it being right or wrong. But that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing though, because through his own will, he had been able to survive this long on his own, and survive well.
He looked up at the towers surrounding the city with his deep, lipid pool blue eyes, wide with excitement. What to do first? There was so much to do within the city…but he also remembered that he couldn’t stay long. The mysterious woman may need his help, and he was more than willing to give it.
He turned to face Jackal, who seemed just as excited as he did, but he could also tell he was restraining. Always trying to be the perfect adult, Maelstrom thought slightly grumpy. He hadn’t been near Jackal that long, but he had already figured out his basic personality and character…it was a talent of his.
“Remember we can’t be here for too long.” Jackal said, stating the obvious to Maelstrom. “She had a good head start on us towards the desert, for all we know she may have already passed through here, and is at the outskirts of the actual Desert.”<br> “I know, I know.” Maelstrom replied exasperated. As they walked an idea suddenly came to him. “How much money do you have?”<br> “Why?” asked Jackal slowly, slightly suspicious.
“Well,” Maelstrom began. “I figured that if we had enough collectively, we could find a place to buy horses. It would be faster than walking, and we could stay slightly longer to see if we could gather some information.”<br> Jackal thought this over for a moment, Maelstrom was correct. Not only would it be faster, and more comfortable at that, but they would be able to stay in the comfortable city for a longer time…perhaps even find out about the undead.
“Alright,” He said at last. “We’ll go with that, but first, we’re getting something to eat.”<br> “Sounds good to me,” Maelstrom replied, content that Jackal had seen things his way.

[DachandesHonor]

* * *


Jackal and Maelstrom entered the tavern with an air of confidence. Things so far had gone accordingly, despite the few bumps in the road they had encountered. It was good to take an actual break from the tracking and the traveling, a short vacation that would actually end up helping their tracking and traveling. A waitress slowly made her way to the table, her short blond hair pinned up in a bun. Her eyes searched them both for a moment, before she spoke. “Is there anything that I may get you sirs?” She asked questioningly.
“I would like your largest steak and a cup of whiskey…” Jackal said slowly, his eyes scanning the menu over.
Maelstrom looked at him slightly astonished; did he realize how large their largest steak actually was? He snapped out of the trance, turning to face the waitress. She was attractive, he noticed, about his age too, maybe a little older…but still she paled in comparison to the mysterious woman. “I’ll have the same, but make it smaller please.” He said, looking directly at her.
She nodded, writing it down, looking up again she spoke again. “And how would you like those cooked?”
“Medium,” Maelstrom replied.
“So rare that I can practically still hear it ‘Moo,’ Jackal said with a laugh, then seeing her face. “I was just kidding…but I would like it rare, please.”<br> “I’ll bring it to you as soon as they’re done…” She replied, giving Jackal an odd look, walking away.
Maelstrom looked at him too, staring dead on. Jackal shifted uncomfortably in his seat, feeling slightly abashed. “What? I like the juices…”

* * *


Maelstrom’s eyes opened wide as Jackal finished gorging himself, he even got so ravenous he began lapping the blood off of his plate. “Hungry?” He asked slowly, slightly disgusted. He pushed his ¾’s eaten steak away from him, to nauseous to finish eating.
Jackal looked up, a slight trickle of blood from the steak running down his chin. He blushed, pushing the plate away as he realized not just Maelstrom, but several of the guests were staring at him intently intrigued, yet disgusted at the same time. “Sorry.” He replied softly and bluntly, swallowing the hunk of steak in his mouth.
“Check please.” Maelstrom called, distracted, his eyes still on Jackal.
“It’s on the house…” The waitress replied a slight look of disgust on her face.

* * *

An hour later they walked down the cobblestone path, heading in the direction of where they had been told one of the best stables was located. Turning the corner, their boots tapping softly against the stones, they looked up at the large stable, filled with tens of horses, some of the most beautiful and well taken care of they had ever seen.
The stable owner walked up towards them and they instantly took notice of the fact that he took better care of his horses then he did himself. Short and over weight, the man smelled of horse manure, was greasy, and wore a stained white tunic. “How can I help you?” He asked reaching out his hand to shake it.
“Actually yes, we are interested in some of your steeds actually, we may need them.” Jackal replied, shaking his large callous hand.
“Well then, allow me to show you around!” The man said suddenly interested now that he had customers.
“Well, we’re in a hurry…would it be possible just to bring us your two finest?” He asked.
“I suppose, but mind you they cost quite a bit, 700 at the least” He replied doubtfully.
“700!” Maelstrom exclaimed. “That’s insane! I could by a summoning potion for less!”
Jackal silenced him with a hard look. “We don’t have time to do that, we’re already here and the Potion Shop is in the other direction, besides expense is of no consideration.”
Maelstrom glared at him momentarily, obviously disagreeing with Jackal’s choice in the matter. He fell silent, though sullen, knowing in a way that his companion was correct…but he still liked his idea better. He turned away, pretending to be interested in a chest-nut colored mare.
“As I was saying,” Jackal repeated, turning back to the owner. “Cost is of no concern; I assure you that I can afford the 700 combined for both.”
The owner looked slightly reluctant, as he had raised both horses and used them for breeding to create good stock. However, the offer of 1400 was too tantalizing to ignore. He exited from their sight for a brief moment, to return with two amazingly beautiful, yet different horses, one, pure black, echoing the essence of courage, strength and beauty. The other was plain, a mix of milky white and brown, its chest nut colored flank reflected the exact opposite of the Black Stallion. Peaceful, calm, tranquility reverberated through its bright brown eyes.
Jackal handed the man his money, and took the two stallions by the reins, leading them away from the stall. Maelstrom eyed Jackal warily. “Who gets the Black one?” He asked slowly.
“I do.” Jackal replied bluntly.
Maelstrom opened his mouth to argue, but decided it was better to keep quiet in the matter, after all Jackal had paid for both horses. “Ok.” He replied slightly sullen, but keeping most of his disappointment to himself.
“Well,” Jake said mounting the beautiful black stallion. “We had better get going.”
Maelstrom nodded, getting up onto his horse, he patted its flank. “To the desert!” He exclaimed with a cocky grin and a wink.
Jackal smiled slightly. “To the desert.”<br>
* * *

Jackal shifted lightly in the saddle as they began their way down the path that headed out of the city. “So why exactly did you begin to track the undead?” Jackal asked trying to make small talk in the long silence.
“Well I…” Maelstrom began to reply then fell silent as a scream tore through the air. The streets burst into life as panic took hold. All around the city folk ran into their houses, slamming and locking their doors, too afraid to even peak out of their windows.
As the two of them rounded the corner, genuinely confused, they realized what had caused the commotion. Massive in size, the two translucent skinned beasts stood before them, a man dead under one of their paws. Their vortex like eyes narrowed a low feral hiss coming from their feline-like mouths as they saw both Jackal and Maelstrom. Creeping forward, the purple plasmatic ooze swirled in a kaleidoscope of colors with each step.
“What are those things?” Jackal asked Maelstrom, knowing that he most likely had a more extensive knowledge on the subject of magical creatures.
“Elder Eidolons….” Maelstrom said breathlessly. “Evil, foul creature constructs with little intelligence. However, these two seem fairly smart, and fairly angry for that matter. We’re going to have to finish this fast; you see they make whoever is around them for too long go insane…” He added speaking rapidly, and slowly raising his staff.
“Lovely,” Jackal muttered, slowly drawing his sword.
The Eidolons leapt. Flinging themselves through the air at their prey, the two constructs roared with malevolent fury that they had received from their master. Jackal slashed his sword, sidestepping at the last instant, cutting it across the neck. A wire thin scratch ran down its neck, a slight trickle of the purple fluid spilling down. Jackal swore violently as the thin scratch glowed softly, and then closed over.
“They can heal!” Jake cried angrily, fighting desperately to fend the voracious creature off.

[DachandesHonor]

“Apparently!” Maelstrom grunted in reply, his staff pushed between the eidolons jaws to hold it back from his face.
We can’t win… Jackal though to himself as he tried to back away. He lifted his sword, turning to face Maelstrom, and hurled it. The eidolon roared in surprise as the sword stuck into it, knocking it off of Maelstrom.
“Run!” Jackal yelled turning and rushing away, Maelstrom keeping pace.
The eidolon tore the sword from its side, shattering it under one translucent paw. With a snarl, both creatures tore after their victims, closing in swiftly. Tearing across a corner, and past a massive stone overhang, they skidded to a halt.
“Dead end…” Jackal said in disbelief. Turning slowly he saw the two Eidolons slowly making their way over to them, their eyes swirling, inviting him to his death.
Maelstrom however, wasn’t ready to give in yet. His eyes searched the area, looking for anything, anything to help them to escape. He watched as one of the eidolons stopped, only one of them approaching. His eyes hit the stone overhang. Raising his hand, he closed his eyes, and the ground began to tremble. The eidolon paused for a moment, looking around for the source, but as it felt no sense of fear it walked forward, preparing to pounce.
Maelstrom opened his eyes; they were pure shimmering white, aglow with power. He wrenched his hand down swiftly, and the overhang crumbled. The eidolon didn’t have a chance to move as suddenly the heavy stones collapsed down upon it, crushing its paws, burying it in the rocks. It roared one final time, straining to reach them, before the final stone collapsed, smashing down onto its head with an explosion of soot and dust. The other eidolon snarled, but instead of attacking bolted in the other direction.
Maelstrom closed his eyes again, weakly collapsing to his knees. “Are you alright?” Jackal’s voice asked somewhere, sounding distant to his ears. The world hazed in and out of focus, then went entirely black.

* * *

The gentle trotting of the horse slowly brought Maelstrom back to reality. His eyes fluttered open, and he reached his hand up to his head rubbing it stiffly. “What…what happened?” He mumbled, sitting up straight in his saddle.
“You saved us from that creature, that’s what happened.” Jackal replied, not bothering to turn and look at him. “But I would like to know how your magic works…why did you pass out?”<br> Maelstrom cleared his thoughts before replying. “Well,” He began. “Magic can’t be learned by just anyone. You must have some sort of tie to it to use it, and because it is tied to you, it is part of you. Magic can only be used as much as your will power is, and also how much you know of it. If you call on it more than you can handle…it can kill you. What I did back there was fairly hard, and required a lot of concentration, it wasn’t enough to kill me, but it was enough to exhaust me.” He explained.
Jackal just nodded in response, thinking over what Maelstrom had said.
“That’s twice you owe me,” Maelstrom said with a grin. “By the way, exactly how long have I been out?”<br> “Two days,” Jackal replied.
Maelstrom blinked. “Have we been riding the whole time?”
“Most of it.”<br> “Oh”<br> “Hey Maelstrom.” Jackal said slowly.
“What?”<br> “Thanks.”<br>

[DachandesHonor]

CHAPTER 4

“Damn it, it’s hot.” Maelstrom muttered as he put his hand up to his face to block out the sun. The Hogaran Desert was notoriously dangerous, filled with deadly creatures, thieves, and all manner of atrocities. The worst thing about the Desert had nothing to do with the thieves or the creatures; however, the deadliest thing about the desert was the sun. Expanding across miles and miles of wasteland, the desert had caused the death of hundreds, possibly thousands who had entered its lands and gotten lost. There was a short cut through the caves, but the thieves inhabited those, making it equally perilous to travel through them.
Jackal nodded in agreement, sweat beading his brow already. “We haven’t even entered the actual desert yet, and I’m already sweating like a pig.” He grumbled, feeling particularly grumpy about having to go through.
“Well, I suppose we better be off.” Maelstrom replied, urging his horse into a gentle trot. The canteens filled with water that they had collected hours before, sloshed and foamed as the horse moved. Jackal steadily kept pace, both of their steeds hide shimmering softly in the bright, burning sun light.
“I wonder how far she is ahead of us…what if we’re too late. What is she’s already dead, or captured?” Maelstrom replied, wondering about all of the possibilities.
“She probably didn’t have that much of a head start; I wouldn’t be surprised if we find her right in here in the actual desert along the way.” Jackal replied, trying to sound optimistic.
“You’re right,” Maelstrom said, squinting in the bright sun light. “She most likely took the caves, so we should head that way.”
“I’m not so sure, the caves are pretty dangerous, and from what I’ve heard they’re taking desperate measures of late.” Jackal commented, then pausing to think. “Then again, she did seem like one to take that sort of risk.”
“I like them dangerous,” Maelstrom replied to his comment, with a sly wink.

* * *

“I’m telling you, she didn’t like you.” Jackal insisted, both of them growing slightly delirious from the extreme heat.
“And I’m telling you she did.” Maelstrom shot back, sounding almost drunk.
The effects of the Desert were slowly taking hold of them both, clutching them in its powerful talons. For some reason, and no one had ever been able to figure out why, but long ago thousands of Elder Eidolons had existed in this desert. Well, it hadn’t been a desert before the Eidolons came, but as they did the land died, and it was known as the Hogaran Desert from there on after. When the Eidolons had been wiped out by an Army consisting of Elite Mages, their corpses were left here to slowly decompose. Now the mind numbing insanity effects were said to be imprinted deep within the desert, forever to remain, slowly driving all who entered to the brink of insanity.
“You’re insane…” Jackal began, and then trailed off. “What was that?” He asked, suddenly becoming alert and attentive.
“What was what?”<br> “Shhh, listen.” Jackal replied, both of them falling silent.
A small skittering noise reached both of their ears, and they looked around, searching for the source. As they fell silent, the noise stopped, the desert falling deathly quiet.
“Hm, must have just been the wind.” Maelstrom said, just as it lunged from out of no where.
Jackal was plowed into the ground as the sand colored insect tackled him from his horse with a strange chattering shriek. Jackal let out a yelp of a surprise as he hit the ground, wrenching his hand up, held it by its unusually long neck, trying to keep the snapping mandibles away. The creature leapt off, circling them both as Maelstrom dismounted. The first thing Maelstrom noted was the multiple limbs. Aside from its legs four thick arms tipped with three claws scrabbled against the sand. Its armored exoskeleton was slightly spiky, spines rising up here and there meant for protection not as a weapon.
Its head had two bulbous eyes on it, the black pupils dilating with frenzied excitement. Rising along its arched back head were two long, whip like antenna, swept back against its head. Gnashing mandibles, framed by small polyps opened and closed with hunger, the serrated jaws beneath pleading to bite at them.
Without warning it skittered back, and then lunged forward again, biting Jackal harshly on the arm. Maelstrom leapt up, smashing his staff against the creatures head, beating it again in the side as it fell. It stood on its hind legs, standing easily at 5’4, trying to look intimidating, but Maelstrom didn’t buy it. Swinging the staff again, he caused the insect to whimper as it was beaten to the ground from a string of furious strikes.
Caught off guard, and being over confident, the insect swung its legs up, the opposable toes gripping the ankles and hurling him into the air and onto his back, hurling the staff from his hands.
Jackal leapt into action, grabbing the staff off of the ground. Turning back he jabbed the thinner, more sharp and up to the insects throat. Instantly the creature stopped moving, breathing heavily from the exertion.
“Release him,” Jackal ordered, gesturing to the talons wrapped around Maelstroms ankles. The talons opened, and Maelstrom moved back, looking fairly angry.
Spinning, the insect scuttled out from under the staff but instead of attacking began to cower. Jackal looked slightly surprised as he saw this, as most non-sentient beings didn’t cower before a large stick.
“Ok, ok, Tik-tik not hurt you anymore.” The creature spoke, eyeing them warily. “Now feed Tik-tik!”
Jackal raised an eyebrow with disdain. “I don’t think you’re in any place to be giving us orders.”<br> Maelstrom narrowed his eyes. “Yeah, I would say so too.” He growled threateningly.
“Of course Tik-tik can give you orders, Meat bags.” The creature, whose name was apparently Tik-tik, replied, beginning to search through their bags.
“Let’s kill it.” Maelstrom said through gritted teeth, eyeing Tik-tik with disgust.
Jackal was about to agree, but then shook his head slowly. “Tik-tik,” He said. The creature looked up. “How about we make a deal?”<br> “What kind of deal?”<br> “If we feed you, will you lead us through the desert, to the Hogaran Caves?” Jackal asked slowly. He admitted the creature was odd, but it wasn’t his fault. He could tell by looking at him, Tik-tik had been starving. He also knew that the insanity it seemed to have, most likely had been a result of lack of food, and he deserts effects.
Tik-tik’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Tik-tik will lead you. But Tik-tik wants more; Tik-tik wants your help.”
“Our help with what,” Maelstrom asked, his curiosity overcoming his anger.
“Other day, Tik-tik watching pretty lady walk, following the foxy lady, Tik-tik was ambushed.” Tik-tik hissed. “They took pretty lady, and they took most important thing to Tik-tik.”<br> “They took the mysterious woman!” Maelstrom exclaimed.
Jackal nodded in agreement. “What did they take that was so important to you Tik-tik?”<br> Tik-tik’s eyes narrowed even further. “They took Tik-tiks stuff.”<br>
* * *

[DachandesHonor]

“Hungry, hungry, hungry, hungry! Tik-tik be hungry! Hungry, hungry, hungry, hungry! Who’s gonna pay? Thieves gonna pay! Hungry, hungry, hungry, hungry….” Maelstrom moaned with annoyance as Tik-tik lead them on singing his odd, blood thirsty little song.
He’s been singing that for the last two hours.” Maelstrom said to Jackal in an annoyed tone.
Jackal nodded in agreement, and then shook his head with exasperation. “He’s an odd one all right, but we need him. Especially now that we know that the Mysterious Woman has been captured by the thieves.”<br>“I just loved his reply to that too,” Maelstrom added dryly. “They took his stuff. What stuff? What items of possible importance could that thing have?”
Jackal shrugged, fully agreeing with his young friend, it seemed unlikely that the strange hermit could have anything of value. Then again, who knew how long it had been alive? For all he knew the creature was hundreds of years old and had obtained a multitude of valuable items.
Tik-tik paused for a moment, his head swiveling around in odd directions. His eyes widened slightly as the others walked before him. “No! You is not wanting to step there!” He lunged forward trying to stop them, but it was too late.
The net sprung out from under the sand, flinging the horses away and wrenching the three off of the ground. Tik-tik and the others struggled to move, his limbs flailing. “Tik-tik told you! Don’t be stepping there, but did you listen to Tik-tik? Noooooo, and now you has gotten Tik-tik captured! Ugh, Tik-tik is surrounded by crazy people…”

* * *

Hours later the trio had fallen asleep, still suspended in the net. Tired and exhausted the three hadn’t had the strength to keep struggling. As they slumbered, beaten thoroughly, none of them noticed the six pairs of red cloth boots that beat the sand as they approached. Silently the entirely swathed figures took the three from the net, and began to carry them down the sandy hills, towards the towering mountains, that were home to the Hogaran Caves…<br>



CHAPTER 5

Maelstrom was the first to wake up. His piercing blue eyes slowly focused and unfocused in the dim cavern light, exhaustion sweeping over him. He tried to move his arm, but couldn’t. It all came back to him in a rush, the net! It must have been set by the thieves and now they were captured by the loathsome villains. He struggled to move, to wiggle free of the tight ropes that bound him to a stake in the center of the encampment.
He sighed inwardly, if only his hands were free! If his hands were free he could summon some of his magic and break through the ropes, but if he did it now, he had a massive risk or hurting himself beyond imaginable in the process. He craned his neck up to see the four people to the left of him. Four? The Mysterious Woman!
Bound and gagged, just as he was, she hung limply still unconscious. “Jackal,” He hissed in a low voice. “Jackal!”
Jackal moaned softly, his head slowly rising from where it had rested on his chest. “Wha-what happened?” He murmured confused. “And why can’t I move?”<br> “Remember? The net?” Maelstrom prodded. “We were captured by the thieves…and look, past Tik-tik, it’s the Mysterious Woman!”<br> Jackal simply nodded solemnly as two Thieves strolled past them, eyeing them venomously. A soft clicking giggle noise caught Jackals attention. He craned his neck forward, leaning as best he could to see Tik-tik.
The insectoid creature was now awake and laughing insanely, muttering under his breath. He could see beneath the ropes that there was a slight form of movement beneath, it was obvious that he was trying to escape.
“They think they can be catching Tik-tik, they think they be fooling Tik-tik.” The odd creature muttered. “Ha! Tik-tik be fooling them.” With a snap of fibers the ropes unwound, dropping Tik-tik lightly to the ground. He scuttled along on all six legs, his vestigial arms tossing the bits of rope away. Scurrying up Jackals post, his mandibles yawned wide, and then snapped forward cutting the ropes down the middle and Jackal dropped to the ground with a soft thud.
Tik-tik eyed Maelstrom for a moment, debating on whether or not to free him, but before the mage became too suspicious, Tik-tik scurried up the post and likewise cut the ropes. “Next come the Girly Girl.” Tik-tik muttered. This time as he cut the ropes, he wrapped his smaller arms around her waist slowly lowering her limp form into Maelstroms arms. “Now we be going quick-quick!” Tik-tik hissed then paused for a moment. “But first Tik-tik be getting his stuff now.”
With his face centimeters from the ground Tik-tik started off, inching his way slowly like a roach in a kitchen, scrambling over tents, and along walls. His claws made soft scratching sounds as he traveled over one of the tents. He cocked his head to the side, hearing the fibers tear before it actually happened. With a shredding noise, the tent tops was torn open by his sharp claws, and he fell through the hole and out of sight.
The thieves were on them within seconds. Before they could react the thieves materialized from every direction beating Jackal into submission, while merely reprimanding Maelstrom as he was helpless with the Woman in his arms. One of the thieves grinned beneath the cloth that covered his face as he held Jackals arms behind his back tightly, making him wince.
“Nice try,” The thief said in his thickly accented voice. “It would seem that your pathetic little attempt was a failure, how sad.”
“Then again I suppose it was doomed from the start wasn’t it? You must be a horrible leader, or adventurer to get captured by a bunch of Thieves. But that’s not what’s disgraceful about it. The disgraceful part is that you got caught in a net! You are pathetic.”
The surrounding Thieves laughed mockingly, occasionally one spitting on Jackal with contempt. Jackal’s chest heaved with anger, his eyes narrowing. “Let me go!” He snarled, struggling in vain.
“Oh and how are you going to make me? You have no weapon, if you haven’t noticed. You are a fool to think you could escape.”<br> Jackals voice became dangerously low, his eyes turning a slight tinge of red. “No,” He began his voice growing slightly menacing. “You are a fool to think I need a weapon to kill you!”
Wrenching the Thief by his arm, he twisted it around, pushing him in front of him. Blood misted into Jackals eyes as he wrenched the Thief’s head to one side, exposing his neck. The thief whimpered piteously as Jackal opened his mouth wide, the 1 inch canines sliding down into position, and with a feral hiss- drove the fangs deep into the Thief’s neck.
The thief’s body spasmed as his life force was slowly drained from his body then stopped as it hit the ground with a thud. Jackal’s body heaved as it hit the ground, his hands clenched into angry fists. Blood trickled out of the corners of his mouth, and he looked up into the horrified faces before him. Friend and foe alike, all of them gazed upon him with a sense of fear. Even the woman who they had saved was now awake

[DachandesHonor]

(That's all I have for now, and I'll continue to post more along the way as I get further. Mind you it looked much better in word, but the format here is different so it got a wee bit twisted...meh...anywho, this is what i have so far, hope you enjoy

[Kane935]

It is extremelly long! Have not finished reading it yet!

[ItsMichael]

I LOVE THIS STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After the first chapter I knew I'd like it lol.