RP- The Shroud descends

"Wait, Light! Come back!" She yelled at the disappearing figure. "Not again..."

 

"What's with that kid and ditchin'? ... Nevermind, we may as well continue. Unless ye reckon ye can outrun 'im."
Ugos started to walk off, towards Temor.

 

Lark heard from his boss, his next, probably most important for a long time to come. There was a Saurian village, the residents were completely innocent, soon to be attacked by orcs. The Saurians would surely be butchered in the bloody onslaught that was to come. Lark had seen the fury of a horde of orcs, pushing objects aside as they charged into a village, smashing houses, clambering over walls... It was not a fate the Saurians deserved.

He was going to prepare for the next time he saw his former companions. He trained, fastening reflexes, training combos of punches and kicks, he would be prepared.

He conjured a shadow figure of Ugos, as lifelike as possible, and began to attack it. He noticed that he would have to stay well out of the brutish Orc's reach, or he would be snapped like a fallen tree branch.

He ducked and weaved, jabbed and jumped, the Orc was fast for his size. He was distracted by admiring these advantages to see the incoming fist before it was too late. The fist connected with Lark's face, with a resounding crunch, time seemed to stand still for a second or two, before he went flying and hit the cavern wall.

Lark had just realised he had to stay away from the cavern wall, he wondered why, but then his hand was locked in place by a stalagmite. He desperately tried to unsheathe his hand from the rocky grave that slowly sucked him in. He saw the advancing Ugos, so he sighed and detached his hand and ran.

Ugos charged at him, and he jumped off the wall, narrowly escaping the slashing sword that embedded deeply in the wall. Ugos started to pull it out, but it was too late, Lark jumped on the shadow's back, and slit his throat.

He regained his bearings, he remembered that these were only shadows of the true opponent, and that they would be much tougher. He did the same with shadows of Ella and Light, the Ella shadow falling to close combat. And the shadow Light defeated by a pure magical barrage.

He felt a pang in his head, he sensed that, he was dying. Lord Skorge was sapping his conscience, and soon, he would die, for real this time. He tied a letter to an arrow, and shot it into the sky, hoping someone would find and read it, It read...



"Dear reader of this letter, it is Lark, I am slowly dying, Lord Skorge is sucking the very conscience out of me. Without me to control him, he would wreak havoc on this place.
This is my final goodbye, to everyone who was effected by me and my actions... I am sorry.
-A troubled soul, Lark"

He began his journey to the Saurian town, called Ravish, he would make his last handful of hours count, he could only hope he was not too late.

 

Ella sighed, following the Orc back towards Temor.

//Blukey, remember your The Shroud :p we haven't heard from 'it' in awhile :L

 

//Sigh...

The Shroud had waited long enough, it began its journey to Prospor, it would make a few stops along the way...

Meanwhile, a Saurian, aged 17 in human years, was running from Orcs with his group of other teenagers from Ravish.

His group comprised of him and some other Saurians, whose name was Frost, who was 17. Another, 17 year old girl named Laurel, a foolish 14 year old named Banka, a 16 year old couple named Gris and Brej, a smart but weak 15 year old named Veo, a 13 year old, the youngest and weakest of the group, named Mah, who happened to be the younger brother of the oldest, an 18 year old named Drik.

Frost ducked as an orc's battleaxe went flying through the wall, nearly decapitating him. Debris flew everywhere as the orc struggled its way through, Laurel panicked and picked up a chair, throwing it at the orc, but it proved ineffective.

The orc broke through, separating Frost, Laurel and Drik, on one side, whilst Banka, Gris, Brej Veo and Mah, were trapped on the other. They both agreed to meet on the other side, as the orc pursued Forst, Laurel and Drik. They seemed to be making it away, when they came to a wall, Frost boosted Drik up, but he realised that he only had enough time to pull one up before the raging orc arrived.

Drik pulled up Laurel in a hurry, leaving Frost behind, Frost turned around, desperate to find something to save him. He found a large brick, and hoping it would halt the orc, smashed it across its face. The brick simply snapped in half, the orc standing there as if the brick had been a fly, and then swung its battleaxe at Frost. Using powers he didn't know he had, water sprang out of his hands, propelling him up the wall and to safety.

When the two groups reunited, Drik noticed something, "Where's Mah?" There was a vast silence, Banka weakly trembled, "I could have saved him, but I left him for the Orcs, they tore him apart." Drik paused for a second, and then flung himself at Banka, Frost and Laurel tried to grab him, but he would not be restrained.

He rammed into Banka, knocking him off the rooftop, where he landed in between two houses. Drik realised what he had done, so he jumped down after him, "Urghh" Banka moaned, "I'm hurt, badly..." Drik ran his hand across Banka's chest, feeling three or four broken ribs. He heard howling, the Orcs' pack hounds were coming, they were attracted to the smell of blood.

Drik decided that, there was no way to get him out. The pack hounds started advancing, surrounding them, "don't let me die! Drik!" Banka cried, "don't let them kill me!" Drik looked down, the two looked doomed to die, when Frost's hand appeared next to Drik, who looked up to see a ladder made out of the group had formed. He grabbed Frost's hand and he was pulled up, but a pack hound leaped up, it's disease ridden fangs digging into Drik's exposed leg.

Drik cried out in pain, shaking the canine creature off, he looked down to see Banka being devoured by the hounds, crying in pain and agony. When they arrived back up at the roof top, Drik had a word with Frost, "Frost, I feel horrible about Banka dying, I realise that, I had to forgive him, he was young and he panicked. Also, my leg, I will have to cut it off, it's badly infected, I want you to cut it off." Frost agreed, and picked up a clean sword he found, he raised it over Drik's leg, and brought it down, blood spraying everywhere.

The group was chased by Orcs into a room, with Veo barricading the door while the others looked for a way out. "Ravish is lost," Veo grieved," "Veo" Laurel replied, "you're not helping our case," "I found a way out!" Everyone turned to see Gris breaking a window. "everybody out now!" Veo stood up to run over but a hand burst through, dragging him to his orcy doom. The others hurried through the window, finding themselves in the weapons room, with heavy banging, impossible of being made by even an orc's strength.

Everyone started to hide, and the door crashed down, a hulking orc, the largest one he had ever seen, and he had seen a lot of orcs. The orc knocked over racks in search of its victims, the Saurians quaking with fear, it saw Laurel and walked over to her, ready to crush her into the ground. Frost, saw Laurel, who was a romantic interest to him, and jumped up, grabbing a mace. He charged at the orc but it simply roared and swung its fist, sending Frost flying into a wall, incapacitating him.

The brute was joined by another, and Drik, grabbing a long-sword, charged out, "guys! Run! Get out of here!" as the sword carved through the orcs head like a hot knife through soft, soft, butter. The other orc turned around, and started to eat Drik, by the time it was finished, all that was left of Drik was a pair of legs.

Frost stood, paralyzed with fear as the orc advanced towards him, "run Frost!" Laurel screamed, galvanizing Frost into action. He bolted, the others also joining him as the orc stormed after them, roaring, they reached a door and crammed it shut. They didn't have much time, they ran until they reached a window, they didn't have enough time for everyone to escape. Gris and Brej said that they would stay behind, as a distraction, the couple embraced each other as they were torn apart in an onslaught of orcish fury.

Frost paused when they were safe, and talked to Laurel, "what did we Saurians ever do to deserve this?" I'm not sure Frost, I never took part in this war, but they still want to kill me, everyone we know is dead." Frost paused, "we need to leave Ravish, it has fallen to the orcs," Frost wanted to tell Laurel about his feelings for her, but decided it wasn't the time.

They both turned to see the orc that killed Drik, the huge orc had followed them, Frost staggered back, trying to avoid the sword, as the orc came down to kill him, it unleashed a primal cry and fell forwards... and behind it was Lark. "Hello you two, how can I help?"

//Wow, that was a big post, 1000+ words... and yeah, I need someone to find that arrow with the letter on it. :l

 

Two female Orcs came in carrying plates filled with food and drinks. The meat filled the room with a mouthwatering smell.
"Break time!" they announced before placing them down and leaving the room. Many began devouring the food, completely stripping the meat from the bones. A dark orange drink was the main beverage. Aspathe tried the meat. It was quite stringy but had very little fat.
"What kind of animal is this?" she asked.
A pot bellied patient obviously fond of his food replied, "Saurian. Might as well make the most of them. This particular one, I say, would be a young one, say, just into its teen years."
Aspathe pointed at the drink, clumsily being poured once more. "What's that?"
The male laughed. "That is a drink that you'll never be able to handle. Only the strongest can stomach it. And we Orcs are definitely the strongest!"
A chorus of cheers rang out.
Aspathe smiled. "Perhaps I'm strong enough." she challenged.
The Orc laughed again. "With a small frame like that, no way!" he mocked. However, he poured out a cup and handed it to her.
"Bottoms up," she said, before taking a sip.
She swore it was made out of fire, despite the lack of burns on her tongue. It was ridiculously bitter and the bubbles felt like bombs as they bursted against the roof of her mouth. She quickly spat it out.
"That can't be edible!" she exclaimed as those in the room roared with laughter.
"As I said, only the strongest can handle Ragnog! And we Orcs are the strongest!"

 

"You're a skeleton…" Frost muttered in disbelief, Lark sighed, "that's what they always say… Look, I'm here to help you lot, and kill doomed orcs. Frost beckoned Laurel to the edge, they saw a Saurian mother protectively holding her young child, the Orc showing no mercy, killing them both. Larel started to cry, and Frost comforted her, "these orcs, they show no mercy to your kind," Lark said with determination. "Why don't we repay the favour?" he finished.

It was not long before a group of about 50 Saurians were gathered, there were large brutish, lizardmen called Kroxigors, eager to rip out an Orc or two's spine. Then there was the main core, Saurians with a garrison of swords, shields and spears, with the odd club now and then. Frost and Laurel were in the middle of the regiment, they both looked at eachother, and nodded.

The Saurians flooded out, taking the orcs by surprise, the cote pack pounced, metal flying, it was utter chaos. Frost looked to the left, to see a Kroxigor holding the head of an Orc, and another Orc running in fear as another Kroxigor swung its club. Frost saw the Saurian infront of him fall to a sword slash, a gaping wound in his chest.

Frost deterred from the main formation to see a wounded Orc attempting to crawl away from the battle. Frost recognised it as the one who killed the mother and child, it turned to see him, a look of fear and desperation on it's face. Frost simply displayed a nasty snarl and thrust his spear right into it's stomach, instantly killing it.

He turned to see another Orc, and Laurel launched herself onto it, as it was distracted, it was swiftly decapitated. Lark was caught in the middle of the battle, but failed to see the ax heading straight for him. It embedded deep in Lark's chest, but a Kroxigor saved him, knocking the Orc away.

Lark escaped the madness, he clutched at his sliced ribs, 10 of them were broken. He felt a pang of darkness, Lord Skorge would kill Lark soon, "Lark!" he heard Frost cry out. It was just easier to fade away now… to let Lord Skorge out, let it wreak havoc… he felt his conscience draining away… he heard Frost mumble something… and then everything went black.

Meanwhile, Lark's arrow with the important note landed outside an Orc feast place, unnoticed, yet it contained information of urgency…

 

Ugos could vaguely hear battle cries not dissimilar to that of his kind as he trudged towards his destination alongside Ella.
"What in Gorgoth's breath is going on today?!"
He clutched his sword and breathed deeply, then carried on.
"NRRRHGGGGGAAA!"
All of a sudden, a large Frigisaur appeared in front of the two, clearly enraged and confused (after all, where was it's home?) and blocked the adventurer's paths.
"Uuhhh, got any bright ideas, lass?"

 

// Goin' to sleep, I'll wait until tomorrow to see what happens. To give the emphasis of time passing :p

 

After the food, Aspathe went back to work. She noticed that there were more injuries than usual.
"What's happening out there?" she asked an Orc with a nasty long gash on his back.
"The Saurians are fighting back real hard. The campaign will probably take much longer," he replied, groaning in pain.
Aspathe sighed. She had agreed to work until it was over, thinking she'll be out by the week but with the new revelation that might not be the case. She refilled her waterskin and picked up her staff.
"Where are you going?" he replied.
"Outside. I'm gonna end this thing."

 

Lark began to see again to see Frost and Laurel sitting by him, he could still hear the battle raging on outside, it sounded like the Saurians were winning. He noticed his leg was identical to the one of Lord Skorge, it would not be long before he turned, he would make sure they won this fight.

He turned to Frost, "Frost, you look like an aspiring young Saurian, you look adept in the use of water magic... Ugh, I don't have much time, I want you to go out into the world... find an Orc and an Elf by the name of Ugos and Ella... tell them what happened... tell them I'm sorry..." Lark faded out once more.

He reentered alertness, once more. "I need to tell you some things... The grass isn't greener on the other side, it's greener where you water it... also... Don't end up like me... don't end up a bad person... when you see an opportunity... go for it... I missed mine..." Frost paused, he hadn't known Lark for very long, but this stranger, had showed up, and helped them. Frost felt a tear welling, it slid down his cheek, and dropped onto the ground, soaked up.

"I will Lark, I will promise to find Ugos and Ella, I'll do my best to not end up like you-" A loud crash shook the place, Lark realised his chest had now fused with Lord Skorge. The three peered outside to see an Onysaur, but it was no regular Onysaur, it was much larger, it had been toughened up by the orcs, for the orcs had made it their war-beast.

With a deafening roar, it picked up a Kroxigor in its jaw and chomped down on it. Frost turned to Lark, to see him gathering an explosive powder in his bag. "Lark! What in the name of Loth are you doing!" "What I have to... ARGH" Lark doubled over in pain from the nearly fully emerged Lord Skorge. "I'm going out, with a damn good bang! The people in the sky have waited long enough for me!"

And those were his last words, they would be carried down for generations, becoming famous for people to say before they die. Lark charged forward, ignoring the orcs slashing at him, the blows connected, but he did not care. He jumped towards the Onysaur, stabbing out its eye, and it swallowed him. As he slipped down its throat, he merged into Lord Skorge, so he was actually dead before he exploded, but Lord Skorge would not survive this.

The Onysaur paused for a moment, and then exploded into gibbets of flesh and scales, and Lark and Lord Skorge along with it, the Orcs quickly fled hastily, for they had been defeated. Frost walked over to the stomach of the Onysaur, all that was left was Lark's skull, he picked it up and placed it in his bag, as a memento...

He would leave very soon, packed with everything required. For Frost was setting out to find Ugos and Ella, when he was ready, he set out. He brought his weapon of choice, a short-sword and a shield, with an array of water and ice spells, Lark's advice still ringing in his head.

And somehow, somewhere, up in the vast, blue sky, Lark was finally at peace. He would watch over all his former companions, he gave a vast chuckle as Frost set off. "Ahh, you little Saurian, take care, Loth is a very big place, but with the right actions, you can take a very big role."

//(Exhales deeply) I think this music suits it when Lark is dying X3 Frost won't be a mean, Lord Douchington/ Old Man Grumpy Skeleton :D
//Also for future reference this is what a Saurian may be depicted to look like, best example I could find :)

 

The Frigisaur roared, barring it's teeth. "Uh, well.. there's always run?"

 

Frost had been walking for a mere few minutes when he arrived, he had snuck past some orcs, he didn't mean ill intent. He could see an orc with an elf girl, they looked like Ugos and Ella, he could see a large Frigisaur harassing them. He knew how to tame reptilian creatures, so he launched himself forward, putting himself between the duo and the creature.

"Stand back, this could get dangerous," he muttered. He placed his hand on the reptiles head, and closed his eyes, muttering soothing words in his language. He finished the last sentence in the normal Loth language, "go home..." he whispered. The Frigisaur stomped away, somewhere to the south, he turned around to see the duo once more, "the name's Frost. Do you happen to be Ugos and Ella by any chance?"

//Did you ever wonder, what if the language everyone in Loth universally speaks is not English? Like some form of Latin or stuff, just saying :p

 

"Blimey! Thanks lad. What was yer name?"

 

//ninjaed :D

 

Aspathe walked outside, noticing something sticking out of the packed earth. Lifting it out, she saw a note attached to an arrow. She read it, pocketing it along with the arrow when finished. She felt like the sky was watching her, guiding her as she ran towards Ravish with a greater urgency.

 

//"Yet she didn't know she was far too late" xD

 

//Getting blown up inside a dinosaur? That's definitely a unique way to die.

 

"Whew, thanks Frost. Yes, we are. I'm Ella and this is Ugos," She said with a tilt of her head in the Orc's direction. "So what brings a Saurian out these ways?"

 

"Lark, before he died, he sent me out here, to adventure, to not end up like him... He wanted to tell you two, he was sorry. And I want to help people in this land, can I tag along with you two?"

He gestured to the Orcs and Saurians fighting in the area not far away. "The orcs persecute us for no reasons, treat us as animals and monsters, when they do not realise what they have already become, they have become the monsters. they refuse to accept that the Saurians have emotions and feelings too."