Devil's Last Dance

[The Demon Auditor]

The newly promoted Demon Auditor slowly lifted his body away from the ground, and fell back into a sitting position. He smeared the dirt off his face and looked around. The woods didn't look familiar, but somehow he recognized where he was. Tilting his head back at the early evening sky, the slowly emerging stars and moon clinched it. Well, no point sitting around, he was here on a mission! He was here to... to... damn it all, he'd forgotten!

Getting to his feet, he looked around, then chose a direction and started walking. He was bound to find something that would remind him why he was here.

---

Hours later, as the moon hung brightly in the sky, he stepped towards a high wooden wall, its stakes driven deeply in the ground. A heavily-armed battalion of guards stood at the gate keeping the watch, several torches lining the path. Archers stood on the towers, shieldsmen and lancers at the ready both inside and out.

He approached slowly from the darkness, hands at his sides, when an archer spotted him and called out to the others.

"Halt! Who goes there, friend or foe?" came a shout.

"Oh, friend, I assure you! I barely know my own name, let alone who I'm enemies with!" he smiled in return.

"It's just a naked beggar. Go back, beggar, Bendelsain's gates are closed at night. Return at first light and we may let you pass."

The name caused a flash behind his eyelids. It seemed familiar, but he still couldn't place it. Some things were clearer than others, but mostly it was just one hazy cloud. Then he realized they called him naked. He looked down at himself and blinked. He wondered why there'd been a draft. He closed his trench coat about himself and crossed his arms on his chest. He looked back at the foot soldiers and studied one of them ahead of him. The face was so familiar...

"Johannes Black?" he asked. The guard stood up straight, taken aback at the sudden mention of his name.

"Yeah, that's your name... Odd I should remember it, really... We met not too long ago (I suppose)."

Johannes studied the beggar's face, then looked around at his fellow soldiers and lowered his sword. "Yes, I remember you. You came through here with Queen Moridanu not long ago." He looked to his comrades, "It's okay, I know who he is. He is a trusted ally of the Queen."

Another soldier grunted, "Yeah? What if it's a trick? The demon spawn of Lucien could have shape-shifting powers. This could be a trap to open our gate, and weaken our defense."

"Then I'll take the servant's entrance," he interrupted, slowly stepping forward with his hands up, "Really, I'm just here for some food and shelter, and I'll be on my way. The Queen has sent me on an important mission, and I must not fail."

"Then why the shabby outward appearance?!" barked the skeptical one.

"It's a ruse. ...I'm undercover..."

The guards whispered and argued each other, but in the end it was Johannes who took the initiative and swore he would be to blame if anything happened. The young man waved the stranger forward and opened the small door in the gate. The tall man in black stepped through and whispered his gratitude, slipping the young soldier a few small gold nuggets from the depths of his coat.

---

At last he found himself on the streets of Bendelsain. He was slowly regaining his memories, but too slowly for him to feel comfortable lying as he did. Well, he imagined it wasn't really lying, since it seemed to be true. At least to the guards, which is all that really matters now, isn't it?

The buildings all looked familiar, now that he was inside the city gates, but still no clear memories came to him. It was like reaching through a chain link fence for something you'd dropped on the other side, and not quite reaching it. Eventually, you just forget it's there and find something else to play with. But this seemed important. Far too important to forget. .......aw fuckit, he needed a beer.

The closest drinking establishment appeared to be a tall building many men were now stumbling out of, singing off-key an old ballad of war, love, loss, and retribution. They held each other as they stumbled down the street, and the man in the black trench coat knew he was in the right area.

Stepping into the warm, heady air of the Dancing Devil Inn was like stepping into a hot cup of tea and spritzing oneself with lemon juice: not exactly pleasant, but it gets the job done. He found himself a nice table to sit at and ordered up a pint of ale, dropping some random copper coins on the table.

When his drink finally arrived, he gave the cute waitress a wink and a smile before starting in on the beverage. He could see most of the patrons from where he sat, many of whom were too enveloped in their own conversations to pay attention to him. It seemed there were stories and rumors going around that the war was approaching the city. He could remember bits and pieces about a war, and he knew it was important, which is why he leaned back a little in his chair to listen in on the conversation behind him, careful not to let his coat open in the process.

It was here he decided he would relax for awhile, and try to regain his memories. Hopefully, they would come back before it was too late for the war...

[Oona Ondessa]

Oona was stopped low over the table; rarely did she step into Bendelsain let alone the filth that was the Dancing Devil, but this was a time of war, Sanctuary was accepted freely. Oona was exhausted she had spend the day fortifying Avalon Academy magically. She rested her hand against her head; she held a large chalice of mead and sipped slowly.

‘My lady, how do things go at the manor? I do miss it dearly, but I still do enjoy my position at the Academy’

Oona nodded solemnly, she took a deep sip of mead and placed the chalice back on the table, she could sense the churning of energies on the wind outside, they even penetrated the dark Inn, she would have to return to her position on the fields, ready for the first blow.

‘I’m glad you do old friend, things move differently these times, The Manor is empty what with everyone on the battlefields, truth be told I haven’t seen the old place since we bid each other farewell at the gates... I can only hope there will be an Oona Ondessa left at the end of this to return home...’

Camus sighed and raised his hand to protest, but Oona shifted audibly in her seat, her head raised, her long black tendrils whipped across her face, thick and platted with dark purple ribbons. The energy signature was familiar, but it was something she had never felt before, unusual, otherworldly. She felt someone come into the Tavern and take a seat behind her, Camus was trying to convince Oona everybody would life and light would overcome dark.

‘Thank you Camus why don’t you return to the Academy... I have a bad feeling...’

Camus larger green eyes illuminated fearfully, he knew better than to argue, he kicked his hooves up and hurried out of the Inn, waving goodbye to someone behind the counter as he left. Oona turned around expecting to see someone of pure evil, Discord perhaps or Elyza... instead a blonde man was sitting at a small table, a leather clad man she knew all too well...

‘Keeper... You died? I scribed for you, you were not of this realm...’

She said huskily, her large purple eyes narrowed dangerously, she could see his tattoos Cleary, they were burnt on the skin but deeper still, they illuminated pure darkness. She could read the pattern across his body, while hidden she could still follow the maze, her eyes widened.

‘Where did you get those?’

She looked down at her own body, she had been born with her tattoos, she had no idea where she had come from and for what purpose only that she was born from a tree, her veins ran with liquid iron not blood. She raised a shaky hand to her purple coat and lowered it. She could clearly see the elaborate circular pattern on one the man's shoulder. She lowered her coat revealing a matching tattoo on her own shoulder...

‘I don’t understand... I’m not a demon... I’m an elf... I don’t come from hell... I’M NOT A DEMON!’

She roared fiercely, the air around her crackled with purple electricity, it rippled where she had roared. Silence filled the Inn. Oona swept up her coat and muttered a string of hisses and growls under her throat. The Woman vanished.

She was between realities, teleporting, but as she did she was able to send word out to the Queen, She could only manage a few words but she was certain they would find Moridanu.

‘He’s alive...’.

[Elyza]

*Stepping out from behind the Barracks, Elyza wiped the blood from her chin as her dark eyes buzzed in her skull. The Barracks was always a popular choice for a bite to eat when the girls hit the town, with the many horny soldiers it housed providing an endless smorgasbord for the girls to choose from. This latest meal had started his life as a man named William Sands, but was now just a pile of ash. He had managed to provide Elyza with a few moments of sexual pleasure, though as was most common with his species, he had tended to focus on his own needs over hers. Feeling a moment of mercy for poor hapless William, Elyza had allowed him to reach his peak before she had kissed him his last kiss. Sucking his soul out through the mans open mouth, Elyza had then began to gorge on his insides, his dying life force merging with her own, causing a sudden rush of dark power to surge into her system. Buzzing all over, Elyza’s powerful electronic undercurrent had then ignited the mans corpse beneath her touch, causing him to burn instantly into a pile of dark ash.

Wiping some of this black soot from her boots, Elyza grinned evilly at Discord as she too finished her meal. Picking up the Blade which had been propped against the back wall of the Barracks, Elyza cast a curious glance towards the door where a blonde woman had just entered. Wrinkling her nose in distaste to find that the oestrogen in her immediate surroundings had just shot up a few more notches, Elyza snarled

~Time to get out of Dodge..~ to Discord, as she started skipping out into the main street of Bendelsain, the Blade dragging behind her. A large full moon illuminated the otherwise darkened sky, heavy thunderclouds loomed in the distance and Elyza nodded with satisfaction. With her dark hair writhing behind her head in what appeared to be an angry mass of hissing vipers, buzzing electrified eyes and the Blade dragging behind her boot clad feet with a solid clanging noise, Elyza literally screamed dark energy. The ground beneath her feet instantly singed and began to burn as she slowed down to a walk , leaving a trail of burning footprints behind her. The sight before her caused a faint smile to play upon her dark, gore stained lips.

Waiting for Discord to catch up, Elyza stood where she was, hidden behind the large number of people scattered throughout the marketplace in the hub of Bendelsain. A blonde man encroached in a black trench coat was making his way down the main street, and Elyza knew just by seeing the back of his head that it was the bitch’s lap dog, ODK.

~Well well… this just got a hell of a lot more interesting.~ Grinning at Discord, she purred ~Lets go play!~ as she followed the Demon Keeper through the front door of the Dancing Devil Inn.

The wooden step on which she stood as she crossed the threshold burned beneath her feet, the flames being trapped beneath her boots soon extinguished, leaving a black singed stain upon the wood in the perfect replica of the sole of her boot. Staring at the back of his head as the man took a seat at a table, she dismissed the sudden craving for a cup of tea with lemon as she watched while what appeared to be elf approached ODK’s table. As the woman sat down, Elyza took a stool and moved it to the back of the room, dragging another stool over for Discord once she had claimed a good vantage point for them both. Keeping her eyes glued on ODK and the dark haired elf, Elyza noticed both of them shared similar tattoos.

Shrugging towards Discord, Elyza yawned and stretched her hands above her head, cricking her neck as she swung the blade wildly above her head before dropping her arms down to her side.

~What’s a girl gotta do to get a drink around here eh?~ she called out, perhaps a tad too loudly. Anticipating the reaction of her fellow patrons, Elyza licked her lips as she grinned at Discord.*

[Discord Lasarythe]

<>Discord followed Elyza with the aimless loyalty of a deranged and well fed puppy as the woman seared her way down main street. Bouncing nimbly from flaming footprint to flaming footprint, she aggressively stamped out the fire in each before moving on. This was done, of course, more for her own entertainment than any great desire to protect the masses from the burning hell they all so very much deserved. Unusually pensive, the verbal dribble that so often accompanied Discord was absent this evening as she went about her game. Eyes on her boots, her damp, matted hair swung madly around her face, blocking whatever had captured Elyza's interest from sight. She didn't need to look up to see where they were going or why, but continued to hop from one sizzling print to the next as they clearly marked the way. At the tavern's stairs, which would burn quicker and longer than the road with any luck, she brought the game to an end. With the lack of effort it takes a demon of her imposing size and endless energy, she sprang into the air and landed as silently as any feline in the vacated entrance leaving the fire to spread and burn the establishment flat.

Framed in the doorway, Discord took a moment to acquaint herself with her surroundings. Being in such close contact with large crowds of people always made the chaos raging forevermore in her mind scream louder and with more than just the usual voices. In lifting her head she exposed her face to the light and the dark stains that hid a usually ashen complexion were revealed. She was not so much covered as bathed in the life blood of her last meal. Of all the uncovered skin visible beneath her trademark leather, no more than an inch of white combined remained free of the still sticky, dark red substance that had spurted so readily from the crushed and opened chest of her wailing prey. As if she had showered in the warm, crimson spray, her hair had soaked up its share and hung in stringy clumps from a bloodstained scalp. What had dripped from her soggy hair had run down her shoulders to mix with the flood that had soaked her neck, chest and arms. Drying now on her coat, pants and gloves, it gave the soft, black leather a streaked look that she was growing increasingly fond of. Against the vicious red of the blood only the whites of her large, black eyes and the long, fangs protruding over equally black lips stood out. As the roar in her head settled into its usual din, she strode after Elyza on long legs, then dropped onto and straddled the offered stool.

In that atypically thoughtful mood, Discord's quiet continued even as her friend's attention drifted to things that weren't herself. Normally, this would not be acceptable, but tonight she seemed to be letting it slide. Almost in her own world, her gloved hand vanished into the deep pocket of her duster and returned clutching the severed hand of some unfortunate human male. A wedding band encrusted in yet more dried blood still adorned his ring finger. Leaning on her elbows and staring vacantly out into the tavern, she bit into the little finger and purred over the satisfying crack of the breaking bone. A nearby gasp of horror brought her temporarily into the here and now and she glanced over to find a young couple sharing a table and a drink frantically gathering their things and gazing wide eyed and open mouthed at her oozing snack. She flashed a dark, fanged smile and leaned closer before addressing them.<>

"So dramatic. It isn't one of yours and I doubt you knew him anyways. Want some?"

<>With a feral growl she tore off the rest of the finger and munched loudly as the terrorized pair hurried from the tavern.<>

[Discord Lasarythe]

((Chat between Elyza and Discord. She's in her usual and I'm in mine.))


*Elyza's dark orbs flickered towards the nearby couple who were quickly gathering their things while shooting horrified glances at Discord. Casting her own glance at Discord, Elyza chuckled at the sights of her gore covered friend, straddling her stool while gnawing on some finger food. With a thick snooty English accent Elyza drawled

~Realy m'dear, I cant take you anywhere..~ as she eyed the plump rich thumb. ~Oi.. chuck us the thumb will ya? I forgot to get some take away from poor William before he went all.. POOF!~ *


"Bad is Dissy. Should have offered to eat their hands, too. There's still room. Stupid food always getting so offended when you don't eat it first. Like I can predict that. There's a bit of him left on your boot, Pet, if you're really interested. He's less moody now that you burned him all up. If your boots wouldn't set Dissy's mouth on fire I'd clean him off. Lil' blackened Will is a good dessert." <>Smiling dreamily, Discord thrust the hand in Elyza's direction and began grooming the clotted blood from her gloves in long, smooth strokes of her tongue when it was taken. She then began to suck the tip of her index finger and rocked back and forth on her stool in a sudden fit of boredom.<>


*Without batting an eye at the vivid image of Discords tongue licking the blood clots from her gore covered gloves, Elyza caught the thrusted hand and tore the thumb off with her teeth. Handing the hand back to Discord, and grinning to herself as she thought of a thousand corny jokes, Elyza began to tear the flesh from the thumb with her own long black talons. Unable to deny herself at least one of her terrible puns, Elyza burped loudly before she winked at Discord, a stray blob of Williams' brains clumping her top and bottom eyelashes together so that her wink became a tad too permanent for her liking. ~It was HANDY of you to think ahead Luv..~ *


<>Discord cringed visibly at the pun, but snickered in spite of herself as she happily took the hand back and began sucking on the tip of the index finger of it. Unable to taste flesh without wanting to bite, it wasn't long before she was nibbling as well. Suddenly, she wished there had been more remains to bring along for the road. Then again, it would be easy enough here to make more remains, wouldn't it? Her black tongue darted between her lips to catch the blood sliding slowly down her chin as she shifted a hungry gaze over all the happily chatting, completely oblivious food.<> "Too many things to eat in one room makes a Dissy hungry. This is almost gone and then I'm going to have to find something bigger to chew on...something that still yells when I bite it..."


*Elyza grinned around the now bare bone as she sucked all the sinewy cartlidge and veins from the otherwise clean white bone. Pulling it from her mouth, she threw it over her shoulder, not caring as it struck an ogre in the side of the head. The ogre turned to pick a fight with her, but upoon seeing the girls gore covered attire he apparently thought better of it and instead took his leave. At this rate the tavern would soon be empty and if Discord was going to make good on her promise, she would need to move soon. After explaining this to her friend, Elyza glanced around for her own next victim. Casting her dark eyes around the room, Elyza bristled as she saw the faun called Camus. ~Whats that little freak doing here..?~ she wondered outloud before her attention turned back to ODK. Realising that Dissy might not have even seen him yet, Elyza took the time to point him out. ~ Check out what the cat dragged in..~*


"Here kitty, kitty...bring it to Discord." <>Dark eyes lit with evil glee only a demon could understand as they fell on the delicate and furry Camus. Ripping out his still beating heart and feeding it to him would be an unexpected but welcome pleasure; however, as she unwrapped herself from the stool the faun seemed to read her thoughts and fled as if she'd lunged at him, claws out and fangs bared. Crestfallen, Discord's lower lip poked out and began to tremble as she watched the door swing shut behind her would-be victim.<> "What? Is it something I said? Do I smell? They can't all leave!" <>Angered as quickly as she was saddened, she brought her boot down in a table jarring stomp of frustration.<> "I wanted venison!"


*Elyza watched as Discord focused on the faun, and even while faint memories of her life with Elethaire seemed to loom dangerously close, Elyza was still able to resist tearing Camus limb from limb though she was clearly less vocal about it than Discord. Laughing at her request for venison, Elyza muttered ~All in good time luv..~ before she reached out and grabbed hold of Discords chin. ~Heads up chook!~ she said while looking in Discords manic eyes. ~The bitch's lap dog is here... the one they call the so called Demon keeper.~ Dropping her hand from Discords chin, she moved her head away so that if Discord had been looking directly into her eyes, she would now be staring straight at ODK.*


<>Discord froze as a hand, the only one in existence besides her own she would willingly allow to touch her, found her face and the fury drained from her features as Elyza filled her vision. Without warning she leaned forward suddenly and plopped a loud kissing on her lips and then leaned back to stare curiously into her eyes as the real reason they were here finally came out. Realization, though not the same as a sane person's, dawned on her as she listened and a chilling smile curled her lips.<> "Is he really, Pet? Don't tease Dissy. A demon keeper? He likes to keeps his demons, hmm?" <>As Elyza shifted to the side, her eyes located and narrowed on ODK as his death played out graphically in her mind. With a demented little giggle she threw her arms around Elyza and began to bounce energetically.<> "Let's see if he wants to try and keep Dissy. I think I'll keep him in my tummy."

[The Demon Auditor]

He leaned back in his chair a bit and listened in to the pair behind him...

"...I can only hope there will be an Oona Ondessa left at the end of this to return home..."

He scratched his head, thinking the name familiar somehow.

"...why don't you return to the Academy... I have a bad feeling..."

Oddly enough, he was starting to get a bad feeling, too. There was definitely something dark and evil approaching, but whatever it was, the surprise of seeing the dark purple elf with the black tattoos he'd been listening to looking back at him as he turned his head was more than enough to distract him for the moment.

"Keeper... You died? I scribed for you, you were not of this realm..."

He raised an eyebrow slightly, "I beg your pardon? Do you know me?" It was more of a hopeful interest question than a defensive block. She cut him off, giving him a dangerous look and demanding to know where he got 'those.'

"I'm sorry, where did I get what?" He looked at his sleeve, not really noticing the black spiral tattoo on his hand, or finding the similarity between her shoulder and his coat. But once again, she cut him off. He was starting to get a little annoyed with this conversation. She roared about not being a demon, not coming from hell, and he was even more confused now. He remembered something about tending demons, but he didn't quite think they were as evil as she made them out to be. Maybe she'd been molested as a child? The thought put a worried look of pity on his face.

"Steady on! There's no need for that, now..." but she disappeared before he could finish. He was left with the patrons at the immediate surrounding tables looking directly at him. And old, balding man with a mug of ale in his hands sat with two young, strapping soldiers with the foam still on their lips, their eyes wide as dinner plates.

He looked around, then shrugged and grinned with a shake of his head, "Women!"

Anyone watching him resumed whatever they were doing, and he let go of a relieved sigh. But the danger was still there. Whoever the purple elf was, she wasn't the one making him uneasy. In fact, with her disappearance, coupled with that of her companion's, and now customer after customer, the danger was starting to grow.

The chatter slowly faded in his ears. The usual noise of glass clinking, ale flowing, and scraping chairs washed out in his mind, until all he could hear was breathing. The breathing was slow, and almost quiet at first, but as he tuned his ears, he could tell it wasn't his. Either his reactions were quick, or time was slowing down, but he turned his head to find the source of the steady rhythm, and it felt like an eternity. He didn't need his power of demon recognition to realize what Discord was. Their eyes locked, and he could see Elyza grinning wildly beside her. The crimson witch was even more powerful than before; he could clearly remember the battle in the Black Moss Forest now.

Discord's homicidal eyes were hypnotic. He could tell both wanted his blood. They were already soaked in ichor, and they still craved more. It was a brand of evil he hadn't seen in a long time. Pure bloodlust. They were children in a candy store. He began to feel pity for Discord. As evil as she might be, she was attached to Elyza, and it was Elyza's insanity which pulled her into these situations. Well...he could justify it any way he wanted, and still miss the mark every time.

He decided to play it cool. They clearly knew who he was, and he was still struggling to remember his name, let alone the extent of his powers. He turned away and flagged down a waitress, the noise filling his ears again and time resuming its normal speed.

"Two drinks for the lovely ladies in the corner. Make it Bloodwyne," he smiled charmingly, casually pointing his thumb over his shoulder. He was sure to be loud enough for them to hear him. The waitress grinned, then looked up at Elyza and Discord. The grin dropped immediately, and she gave him a shocked look.

"Oh, I know they look dangerous, but they've just had a long day. I'm sure they need a stiff drink," he chuckled, swinging his arm over the chair and grinning back at them. He winked, stretching the tattoo under his right eye a bit.

[Camus]

Camus pushed the doors open with a slight grunt. He was deceivingly strong given his child-like appearance; he brought a dark tan hand to his forehead and scratched his right horn absently. He knew Oona had told him to go back to the Academy, but he was sure the Statue as well as all the other teachers were guarding the place well enough, As far as he knew the Queen herself was still present, she wasn’t due on the battlefield for a while yet.

Camus heard thunder clap in the distance, He cast luminous huge Green eyes upwards and turned his head curiously, he hadn’t felt a storm brewing? Camus moved through the crowds towards his table, funny... people were leaving promptly. Camus searched around his table, looking under it

‘Found it!’

He called out excitedly and to know one in particular. He lifted his small oaken staff and gave it a small wave. The wood was twisted beautifully towards the top of the staff; a soft green gem was fastened safely in the confines of the intertwined wood. Camus smiled brightly as the stone shone ever so slightly

‘A storm is coming...’

He confirmed reading the gem precisely. It struck Camus like a bolt of electricity, the same sensation Oona had undoubtedly felt herself... Camus turned his head in confusion. Why hadn’t he felt it earlier?
He was a fantastic Sorcerer in his own rights, perhaps not at the same level as Oona, but a powerful Druid. In fact he was almost certain he’d never reach the levels Oona did; he simply wasn’t built for it. Camus opened the small pouch he kept around his shoulder, it was hard to see, the brown leather melted into the dark brown of his curly furry goat legs.

He looked through the pouch and sighed, he had spent the day protecting the school from black magic, the small black crow’s foot warded off evil, it was a powerful ingredient in most protection spells. That mixed with the black canary feathers were keeping him from reading the black energies. This would not do at all. He had to be at the top of his game. Camus lay the ingredient on his table and waved his hands over them, whispering quietly, they began to ooze and bubble until they were nothing but dark ash.

‘Done and done’.

His gave shifted for the first time on ODK... He smiled broadly and clip clopped to his table,

‘Demon Keeper!’

He said brightly, lifting himself on a chair next to ODK, He crossed his large black hooves in front of him.

‘I thought you died? Did you just go away for a bit? The war got too much? You probably should have spoken to the Queen beforehand; there are rumors of her despair flying all over town... Did you part ways?’

He spoke without pause, ODK was obviously distracted, he followed the man's gaze. Camus heart leapt into his throat, he was a fool... he should have known... He’d been warned.

‘Oh my goddess...’

He whispered, clutching ODK’s sleeve.

((Hope this is ok!))

[Elyza]

*Only slightly taken aback, but secretly delighted with Dissy’s surprise kiss, Elyza kissed her back in glee before she straightened her back as she twisted her hip around so that she was now leaning towards ODK. Watching him closely, she rolled her dark eyes to the heavens above as he played the role of the true gent and ordered them both a drink. Seeing the barmaid’s reaction to their current attire, Elyza snarled

~Just cause I’m dirty don’t mean I aint thirsty bitch. Hurry up with that sweet drink.. make mine a bloody Mary though… extra bloody.~ she grinned as she waggled her gore smeared eyebrows in the barmaids direction, while her fingers worked at prying her eyelashes apart. While her right was still glued shut, her left eye was focused on ODK.

Barely content to indulge his jovial mood, Elyza accepted the offered drink when it arrived, hissing her distaste when she saw that it really was Bloodwyne and not the beverage she had requested.

~Service around here eats shit Luv,~ she muttered to Discord. ~Remind me to teach that little bitch a lesson on how to make drinks later on… For now though, ~ her eyes turned back on ODK as her right top eyelash finally released its hold upon its lower relative. Her victory was short lived however when she saw that her vision was seriously clouded by several clotting remnants of Williams' former brain.

~… Seems Romeo over there wants to get us drunk before he works his mojo over us… if only things could be that simple.. ~ She laughed as a thought occurred to her.

~Is that how you got old bitch face to lift her skirts for ya demon keeper?~ she called out to the blonde in the dark trench coat. ~You got her drunk and then seduced her with your impeccable dress sense, spectacular taste for beverages and brilliant charismatic wit, hmm?~ she paused as she took a sip, her nose wrinkling instantly in distaste.

~Unfortunately for you, I aint that easy..~ throwing the glass over her shoulder where it smashed against the stone wall, breaking into a thousand shards; Elyza glared her one good eye at the Faun Camus as she realised he had somehow returned and was now sitting beside the Demon Keeper.

~ Well well well Luv.. ~ she purred to Discord. ~ I told you your time would come.. go get yourself some venison!~ *

[Discord Lasarythe]

<>It was as though the universe was coming together to make Discord's most recent wishes come true. A demon keeper of all things was lounging close enough to eat and the fuzzy, little appetizer had returned just as she'd ordered him to and nestled up to the entree before her very eyes. Could you ask for anything more? Peering hopefully into the offered glass at the red substance that looked and smelled nothing like what she'd expected, Discord took a tentative sip and spit the liquid out in an all encompassing spray of utter repulsion. With the force of someone who liked to kill she heaved the glass at one of the hastily retreating female patrons and laughed wildly as the weighted glass caught and shattered against the back of her head. The crunch of her skull was followed promptly by a thud and a series of gasps and screams as she dropped heavily to the floor with the wine and her blood mixing to turn blonde hair red. Advancing menacingly on an already terrorized barmaid, Discord sneered and gave new and better instructions.<>

"Such filth in cups? Tear off her head and Dissy shall drink from her neck. The demon keeper knew what I wanted. Fetch it."

<>The order sent the waitress skittering in any direction but the sprawled form of the woman, but Discord had since become distracted by Elyza. Her voice but few of her friend's words had reached Discord, though as human the issues of drunkenness and sex were beyond the demented demoness most of the time this mattered not. She rolled her head slowly to loosen the muscles of her neck before the hunt and sent matted locks over her shoulders and out of the way. She wanted more of Camus' fur in her mouth than her own hair. Dark eyes leveled on the faun and memorized every visible inch as she imagined what it would be like to run her tongue over all of them. The banter between the two tables was dull instantly and in a gesture not entirely unlike Camus' clutching of ODK's sleeve, she caught Elyza's wrist in a grip backed by intense demon strength and began to firmly tug her forward through the sea of tables and overturned chairs. When the hunt lust took her, little got in the way.<>

"Eat now, talk later. Food is not so moody when you're sucking out its insides. Pet mustn't be lazy. Come along! Venison for all."

[The Demon Auditor]

He smiled confidently to Camus as the faun sat and spun his theories. He patted the grabbing hand, "Easy, dear Camus. Nothing we can't handle."

He looked back to Elyza and Discord, watching their warped Abbott and Costello antics, and rubbed his chin slowly, keeping his words between him and Camus.

"Demon Keeper...yes, that's what they used to call me... the 'Other' Demon Keeper seems more accurate. But that was then. This is now."

He decided not to explain himself, his mind slowly coming into focus. There was still a lot that remained a mystery to him, but now he had a purpose, no matter how small, and he was sure it was the key to his recovery. He looked at Camus again, far more serious this time.

"Your choice, faun. Run or fight. I only bought a few moments, already they're approaching."

He then stood and turned to face Discord and Elyza, storming towards him and the faun whom they wished to eat for dessert. His coat was fastened closed, but he was barefoot and bare ankled. His hands hung at his sides as he tried to think of something he could do besides stand there and become the main course.

[Talisen Phoenix]

The Fear was indescribable, he knew what Discord was capable, she was a monster, born and bred. But Elyza, Elyza was the creature that made Camus blood run cold, he had been there for her rebirth, she had chosen to turn to darkness, but not just darkness, she wasn’t simply a murderess, no... She was guilty of the most heinous acts imaginable; Cannibalism was the least of her crimes.

“Your choice, faun. Run or fight. I only bought a few moments, already they're approaching."

Camus squared his shoulders and planet his hooves firmly on the floor, He waved his staff around his fingers, swinging the wand expertly, building up enough energy. He cleared his throat and spoke in an almost uncharacteristically commanding voice

‘If you want to live, leave now!’

His emerald eyes glowed a brilliant green, luminous in the shadows. He waved his staff in a wide arc; dark brown markings appeared on his neck and bare chest. The broad tattoos vaguely resembled Oona’s it was a constant symbol of his allegiance to Oona Ondessa. As Camus waved his staff he lowered his head and spoke loudly, his words vibrating around the room.

‘By the sacred gods of the Fourth realm, I invoke Aeolus breath, la Tar Dimtrum esorphsidnia’

Camus wand began to shake softly, he held fast, in a rush of sound and wind, the end of Camus wand exploded, releasing a pure gust of wind, sending everything in the room flying backwards, Camus shielded his eyes, he yelled over the sudden wind storm in the room.

‘Whatever you have planned do it now, it may buy us some time!’ ]

[Elyza]

((WOAH! I was actually going to type an apology on here for not keeping up with the momentum due to a serious need for sleep, when inspiration struck in the bath tub! I've sat here nakies in a bath towel.. (a somewhat WET towel btw) for just under half an hour but I actually got a post done! YAY ME! I am now going to collapse into bed... so ... the point was.. I love that we are keeping up this momentum guys, so if you can continue to do so.. and I can continue to do so (despite being nakies) then BIG YAYNESS! ;D *bribes with Gummi Berry Juice* ))


*Eylza arched a slender dark brow at the Fauns brave attempt at impressing them with his somewhat meagre display of magick. Just as the large gust of wind blew up all around her, the smell of burning wood reached her nostrils and her heightened senses enabled her to zoom in on the source of the scent immediately. Her burning boot print upon the front doorstep of the tavern had not extinguished completely and a few dying embers still clung to their woodentombs. Aided by the sudden gust of billowing wind, the embers flared and blew up and around the tavern, several of them landing on the thick velvet curtains that clung to the front windows of the bar. Again the wind served to whip these embers into a hot and angry blaze that ate into the curtains, turning them into a blazing inferno. Soon fire leapt to the ceiling, the flames licking hungrily at the centuries old wood. The air was becoming oppressively thick with dark smoke, despite the whirling wind and Elyza breathed it in with relish.

Laughing as she shook her head, her dark hair flying wildly in the wind, Elyza clapped and applauded Camus.

~Well done little lamb!!~ she called out to be heard over the roaring din of the wind. ~While we were quite happy to go alfresco, Dissy and I always love a good bbq!~

Insanity glinting in her dark eyes, Elyza chuckled to herself as she allowed Discord to drag her closer to the Demon Keeper. Her obsidian orbs rolled towards the blaze that was now consuming twenty percent of the far eastern wall of the tavern, closest to the door. In a few more minutes, the doorway would be completely blocked, trapping all of those left inside. As if they suddenly realised it all at once, the few patrons who had not been immediately involved with the brewing situation, now hastened to take their leave. Frowing slightly, Elyza shook her head and muttered ~ I don’t think so..~ as she stared hard at the roaring flames. As they leapt and danced before her, Elyza went completely still. At first rigid with electricity that pulsed around and within her, she then went completely limp, almost falling to the ground before she composed herself and stood shakily, rubbing her right temple. Elyza didn’t need to say any words, though her thoughts were cast in such a way that they would be considered an invocation if said aloud. Instead she used the present energies of fire and air to work her will seemingly effortlessly.

Humming to herself, she began to rock on her heels as first one, and then another of her summoned fire demons began to emerge from the flames. Some roared, their flames licking the edges of anything within their path, while others were more dangerous. These black, billowy smoke demons were so transparent and wispy thin that they could be inhaled into their preys mouth, or worst still, seep into the brain through their preys nostrils or ears. Elyza liked these demons the best and called them to do her bidding as often as she could. The effects that they had on her intended victims never failed to delight her and Elyza laughed as she called out to ODK,
~You wanna keep demons boy? Lucky for you, I’ve got a whole lot of ‘em going spare! I don’t think they like being kept though… but I would sure as shit like to see you try.~*

[Discord Lasarythe]

<>Discord kept her hold on Elyza because she'd forgotten it was there as a gust of wind washed over them, carrying the enticing scent of their follow-up dinner and driving her further wild with hunger. She closed her eyes and basked in the pleasant smells of food as they whisked around and over her. As one tangled, gummy clump her hair lifted in the blast and dropped heavily against her back as it passed to catch the prints she'd left flaming out front and light the curtains ablaze. Score one for the mad one's little pre-show game. It had worked out after all and was going far better than she ever could have imagined, had she the sanity to plan that far ahead. When her eyes at last opened all trace of their bloodshot whites had descended into inky darkness that swirled within in a show of mounting power. What time they had before that magic happy furball accidentally stumbled onto something that would interfere with Discord's plans to eat was precious and not to be wasted. There was also the ever present fear of smoke and fire damage done to that deliciously soft coat before she made it into a pair of gloves or boots. Mornings were nippy this time of year.

As Elyza tensed and then began to sway, Discord couldn't help but notice as her hand remained on the affected woman's wrist. The electricity crackling all around her helped hold wandering interest. She did not try to catch Elyza, nor did worry show in the mask of curiosity at the sudden change. Extreme though they were, the range of Dis' emotions was limited to say the least and concern nor sympathy, unless pertaining to herself, were among them. Irritation at a lack of forward movement flashed across blood soaked features, but was fleeting as figures rose from the flames to aid in the chaos to her wicked delight. It wasn't long before the tavern was filled with their cries and those of their victims. Discord's drink regained consciousness shortly after her layered skirts caught fire and thrashed and screamed as she burned alive. Ah well, there were others to quench the endless thirst. She lost interest in the scene, but not the shrieks, and was still enjoying them and others like them immensely as she released Elyza and strode ahead.

By now the blackness that churned so restlessly in her eyes had begun to leak in what looked for all the world to be tears that streamed down her red stained face and set the blood to smoking. Her gloves were peeled off and discarded carelessly as she approached ODK and Camus. Long and slender enough to be graceful on anyone else, Discord's uncovered hands bear both scarred and open, oozing gashes. Drenched in her own blood, they glisten darkly in the flames dancing around them. Black droplets fall once free of their prison to the floorboards where they sizzle and spit, burning contentedly through the worn wood. Without breaking stride, she brings her hands together in a forceful clap and upon pulling them apart a sticky, gooey substance now stretches between them. Her fingers move quickly and expertly to form the web-like goo connecting her hands into a thick, black rope. Gripping the left end with her right hand, she wills the fibers to disconnect and jerks it free while pulling downward and extending the length of what will now serve as an acidic, sticky whip, connected to her right hand. Blood continues to trickle down the dangling rope causing it to smoke and hiss as she twirls it merrily as a cowboy might a lasso. With barely a flick of her wrist she catches and encompasses the leg of a chair with the tip of the whip and, throwing her arm out, releases it in the tasty pair's direction while her corrosive blood continues to eat its way through the leg where the whip held it.<>

"Dissy thinks this chair wants to be invoked too. Catch!"

[The Demon Auditor]

He could smell the smoke before he saw the fire. He gave no hint of any panic, not even as Elyza's fire demons began stepping from the flames one by one. Instead, the smell of battle was waking something within him. A chair came flying at him, and struck him in the head with no effect, bouncing off and breaking against the floor. Drops of Discord's acid were flung on his coat, sizzling and popping, only to slide off harmlessly to the floor and burn the wood there instead.

He watched the spot on the floor for a moment, then looked up at Discord. His voice, calm and steady, carried irregardless of the wind. "I remember now. I remember everything. I even remember what this feels like."

The tattoo on his right hand began to glow deep red. His fingers splayed out, and his arm stiffened. From within his trench coat sleeve a red glow poured out, and a thin silver blade descended. His hand grasped the hilt of the sword as it finished exiting his sleeve. It was slightly curved, with a black stripe along the center, only one side sharp, and a serrated section towards the hilt.

He lifted the sword straight up in front of him in salute, then sliced it down to his side quickly. The chair he was sitting in fell to shreds at his feet as a result. The air around him became twice as thick; it was like being submerged deep underwater, with the pressure mounting all around. The flames wouldn't touch him now, or anything in a five foot radius.

"Those worthless summonings don't concern me. I am Terrance, the Demon Auditor. You are my enemy," He held the sword straight at Discord in both hands now, "Prepare for auditing." He then lunged at her with inhuman -- and just about demon-like -- speed, going straight for the gluttonous bitch's heart. Camus would have to handle the simple vapor demons on his own for the moment, or just strike for Elyza to dispell the curse.

[Camus]

Camus ducked, just in time, the chair grazed his shoulder, it smashed against ODK’s face harmlessly, he didn’t flinch, not an inch. Camus could feel the air around them change, grow thick and heavy, it was almost hard to breath, but soothing at the same time. ODK announced himself as Terrance the Demon Auditor; he lunged viciously at Discord, taking his protection with him.

‘What’s an Auditor?’

He asked nobody in particular, though it seemed the fire demons were all to willing to answer, They were moving towards him, they’re mouths gaping monstrously. Camus gritted his teeth, he looked down at his skin and realized it was prickling angrily, small pin drops of black blood had hit him from Discords whip, they burnt deep into his skin. He had to stop the fires and the demons at the same time, while trying not to get killed by Elyza and possibly Discord. If Camus knew anything about demon summoning and control, one needed to keep a certain amount of energy active enough to keep them in our world, if he was going to destroy all of them, he’d have to take out Elyza. Her power levels had been altered dangerously though, what she was capable of now days was anyone’s guess.

Camus spun his staff in an elaborate pattern in the air, each wave left a small blue smear against the air until a spinning wave like pattern appeared floating in mid air.

‘By the Fourth World Gods of O, I invoke Poseidon’s strength... Angels Mercy priestess Rahne, grant me a storm...’

As he spoke the last word of his incantation, the ceiling above them rumbled. Smoke from the fire began to swirl brilliantly, turning fluffy and proud. As soon as they had been formed the clouds began to expel, not a drizzle, but rain thick and constant. In seconds Camus hair and fur was soaked. Water gathered around his hooves. He could see Elyza through the vanishing smoke now, sneering hatefully, her blade was exhuming power, But it wasn’t hers... it was borrowed power.

Camus squared his jaw and pointed his staff at Elyza.

‘You had everything and you gave it away!’

He called out angrily above the noise of the torrent of rain pounding down on them.

‘For what Elyza? To use secondhand magick... how does it feel to be Lucien’s whore?’

The end of Camus staff glowed once again, this time it took on dark blue colour, the rain would start to change direction, to face her, and then the rain would become hard and sharpened, hitting her in the direction of Camus, it was hail with teeth.

Camus growled deeply, baring his teeth wolfishly.