Darkness wrapped around the village of Estolad as nightfall had arrived. Everything in the village was silent, not even a single light of movement could be seen, infact it was difficult to even see three feet in front of yourself due to the thickness of the eerie darkness. Yet still a single figure was slowly drawing in closer to the village after a long days training at the Training Grounds in the Grasslands, the figures name was Zenith Meria, a Divine Protector of Lothlómendil and a former member of the Keepers of the Sacred Deed. The young angel was slowly making his way through the darkness of the village, his large white wings tucked into his back while his golden blade lay sheathed at his left hand side.

The angel was not wearing his armour on this day, instead going for the items of clothing he wore beneath the armour usually, which were a pair of black pants made by a Cloak of Neutrality and his cleric looking top made out of a Winters Embrace. The only other items Zenith Meria had on his person, other than his basic black boots, were the six rings on his fingers (three of each hand) in which five of them held magical properties, as well as the strange looking bangles around each of his wrists. Letting a small sigh pass by his lips Zenith thought to himself, “It got really dark quickly today, and everyone already seems to be in their homes fast asleep as not even one single light is on anywhere!” It was a very strange sight to see, or rather it was strange not being able to see anything at all except for darkness, darkness and more darkness!

Slowly Zenith raised his left hand to push away some of the hair that had fallen across his left eye, he just had to hope that he was heading in the right direction in order to get to the Inn, it was only then that Zenith remember that he could cast a very basic spell in order to produce some light. Without any words spoken a ball of light appeared in the left hand of Zenith in order for him to light his path towards the Inn. As the light appeared in his hand Zenith managed to see the faint outline of a figure laying on the ground about twenty feet ahead of him, worried that it was someone who was hurt Zenith started to walk towards the outlined figure.

Steadily walking closer towards the outline Zenith suddenly saw it move, the figure was still alive and soon managed to get up to its feet, a smile passed over the angels lips as he then said, “Hello over there, are you ok?” Yet no reply came back to him, instead Zenith merely saw the figure turning around in the darkness and walking towards him. With the being drawing closer and still with no reply to his words Zenith started to get a little worried, only for the worry to increase when his ball of light vanished from sight.

With the ball of light now gone Zenith instantly moved his right hand onto the hilt of Salvations Judgement, there was something now right about this figure moving towards him however Zeniths Detect Evil ability had not kicked in, so he was not sure if this thing was infact evil or not. Soon the thing was only five feet in front of Zenith, the outline looked human but there was still something not exactly right about its jerking movements as it walked, only then was Zenith able to see its form in full even through the thick darkness of the night. The reason he was able to see the form clearly was because its entire body had erupted in blue raging flames while a fierce manic laughter erupted from its now open mouth area.

Shocked at the sudden change of the being Zenith drew Salvations Judgement from its sheath before saying; “Get back! Do not take another step or it shall be your last!” Of course the being did not listen to the words of the worry stricken angel as it continued to move in closer. With fear setting in Zenith released one of the powers that his blade held and sent forth three powerful blasts of holy energy to this beast. All three of the blasts connected and sent the flame covered being down to the ground with great force, but it did not stay down for long! With only about two seconds past the burning mass stumbled up to its feet, the worst thing though was that it had not sustained any damage what so ever from the blasts sent forth by Zenith. The beast was immune to magic!

With his fear becoming more intense Zenith pushed himself off the ground and aimed a powerful strike for the neck of this creature, the blade of Salvations Judgement ripped into the beings neck area and once again sent him down into the ground. Once again the beast got to its feet, its manic laughter now more intense than ever before, but something different happened that time around. The flame covered entity placed both of its hands onto its head and twisted his neck all the way round thus making his head appear to be backwards, once doing this it snapped its own neck joined so that its eyes were once again facing Zenith only the head now appeared to be upside down. It was at that very moment that Zenith Meria knew this thing felt no pain what so ever, also at that moment the angel began to fear for his life, would he ever get to see his wife Esgalrin again?

Zenith took a few steps backwards and away from the twisted looking beast, his breathing was becoming heavier with each step taken and then Zenith did the only thing he thought he could do to survive the night, he ran!

Quickly running through the streets of Estolad Zenith managed to find his way to one of the houses, he then noticed that the door of the house was open and so quickly entered and closed the door behind him. The angel then sat down on the ground trying to regain his breath, he had managed to get a fair distance away from what ever was after him, but something else struck him, the answer to why no lights were on in the Village! Every single civilian of Estolad was not in town, it was as if everyone had vanished into thin air, or maybe they knew this creature was coming, either way Zenith was alone and had to try and find a way to destroy thing that was after him. As he slowly regained his breath Zenith heard a small squeak, he looked around the room for the location of the squeak only to find that it was his own mouse Keal, the tiny little mouse had been hiding in the pocket of Zenith during the whole event. Well at least with Keal their Zenith knew that what was happening was no dream!

Ten minutes must have passed and Zenith had seen, nor heard, any sign of that thing that was outside, the angel took in a deep breath and got to his feet once more then said, “Looks like we are safe for now Keal, lets look around this house to see if there is anything we can use against this thing.” The mouse nodded to Zenith as the Archangel of Life walked towards the door leading to the other room of the house he was in.

Upon opening the door Zenith was instantly hit and sent smashing through the window and back out into the open streets, the flame-engulfed beast had been behind the door just waiting for Zenith to open it, this thing was playing with the angels mind! And the worst thing was that it was working, Zenith was becoming further infused with fear on what was going to happen to him.

By the time Zenith had managed to get to his feet again the thing was once again gone from sight, a few glass sharps had ripped into the arms of Zenith and so, with great pain, the angel removed the sharps from his body. Already he had taken a lot of damage due to not wearing his armour. Looking down Zenith made sure Keal was ok, and luckily the tiny mouse has taken no damage what so ever from the abrupt crash through the window. Even though Zenith could not see where this being was he knew that his only chance was to keep moving until he had a clear plan on how to destroy it. With this the Archangel turned around and began to run once more unaware of exactly where he was headed.

Not a long time passed since Kern Roy managed to regain the last bit of humanity the previous experiences have left to him, after being experimented upon countless times he turned in something… unique… intriguing for the darkest of mind. He could have consisted into that ‘perfect soldier’ everyone wanted to have in their army and control like a puppet, but we all know that there is no such thing as Perfection. Perfection belongs only to the world of the dreamers and the visionaries who all end in the same dramatic fashion: as a victim to their obsessions, to their creations.

The creature will always turn against its master.

Kern’s creator, a scientist, was no exception to the rule, and ended up involuntarily killed by the own creature he was trying to create once this managed to gain a minimum control over the body and the mind. Months of pain then followed for Kern, powered up by an ferocious agony, when man struggled not to become a beast, struggled to gain control over his new inherited ability: Shapeshifting! And once with it, came a major change in his personality and a great appetite for power, more and more power, and desire to have followers and one day become a king or even a god, the only purpose in this chimeric human’s life, the only thing that kept him going on, or at least that’s what he thought.

But sitting all day long and doing nothing wouldn’t bring any desired thing to Kern, so he started to travel the world high and low, going to take explore each land, and find a purpose in each of it, working his way up through the rankings through trickery, deception and betrayal. But those terrible acts were far from happening for the time being, because the first place visited since first stepping on the soil of Arda was the small and modest village of Estolad. It seemed that he had come in a wrong time, or his mere presence there was a bad omen for the inhabitants. The place seemed desolated, with not even a small torch flickering in the corner of a house, and that was one strange sight to behold. No voice and sound could be heard throughout the area, not even one of a common animal, and indeed it intrigued the new visitor, it seemed that he had stepped upon a land far more interesting than initially expected. It did only to feed his curiosity and make it grow, seemingly taking over his feet, pushing him further into the settlement, it was almost as if he was hypnotized, heading towards an unknown source of power, the only source of power around in the form of a motionless, humanoid shadow. So the place was not so desolated after all…

Kern Roy looked nothing more and nothing less than your average human male, save the strange aura which surrounded him; about six feet and an athletic body. He could easily pass as a commoner, he used to be insignificant once, a mere dungeon guard, but the time changes, and with it people change as well, Kern turned to be something the world has never seen before.

He pushed forward, intrigued and attracted by the dark entity which stood as if it was waiting for him, maybe it was just an illusion, only time will tell. And not long passed before the visitor could feel the stinging power of the entity against his arm, he was attacked by something which looked like a bolt of shadow and he tried to block it with his arm. It worked, but only partially… The counter came fast and without a second thought, an impressive Infernal Sword was drawn out of its sheath, and its blade looked as if it was spilled with blood. He swung the weapon powerfully, trying to diagonally-cut the dark shadow as it came for another attack, but physical attacks didn’t seem to harm it in any fatal way, it just regenerated and delivered a second attack against the man. The attack was powerful enough to force Kern onto his knees, his breathing heavy, but he was still alive, a loud and powerful beast-like snarl errupted from the base of its throat, it sounded inhuman and vicious, similar to the roar of a feline. The dark entity was not using its full potential, it seemed to delight into playing with the mind of its victims, a way to counter it needed to be found.

Pushing his legs into the ground, the man stood up once more, scanning the area and preparing for another possible attack, but the ‘shadow’ disappeared, and the howling sound left in its wake was replaced by one of footsteps, someone was approaching the very location in which Kern Roy has been attacked. Who might have been, a friend or just another foe?

With a snort that could make even the hogs jealous, a once motionless figure sprang to life from a lumpy mattress of hay. He rose and peered around himself blearily, the room around him just now coming into focus. It was simple den with the mundane four walls, a mattress that was centrally located, one window, and one door. Cascading through the stout pane were luminous beams from the full bright moon puncturing the black sky. Various particles of dust and newly risen insects danced visibly in the dim light above and near the figure who had disturbed them. Perhaps it was the strange location that he was sleeping, or the fact that he no longer remembered how he had came to be for that fleeting moment - but it had awoke the sleeping half-breed violently and with no promises of further rest. So, slowly, the man clambered up from his bedding and found his footing at the edge of the hay mattress. There he thoroughly brushed off his clothes, millions of particles flying up and coating the air, and ruffled his hair playfully - more bits flying out - almost as if he had rolled around in the brush instead of sleeping indoors.

But what could one expect from a village inn and tavern? Surly with no steady source of income from its regulars, and solely relying on travelers, the place couldn’t abide and furnish the dump up a bit. Nevertheless, it was a warm dry place to rest and Jupiter was happy to sleep off the liquor that plagued his body. Smacking his lips together he was able to taste a certain foulness on his tongue. A mixture of saliva with the harsh fumes from the cheap ale had taken its toll in the form a rank fume. His expression lit up, taken aback by the sudden harshness of his own breath and at once he vowed to rid himself of the burden. So, wrenching open the door by its iron hatch, he proceeded into a dark corridor and down a set of patchy stair work until he was poised on the bottom floor, facing a swing-door that lead into the high traffic bar. At this point Vaudeux was perplexed as to why he wasn’t hearing the usual boisterous calls of the local drunks, nor the melodic clanging of various mugs and the shuffling of feet. Though unperturbed, he pushed open the swing-entrance before him and entered through to the next room.

The sight was again baffling. The tavern area of the inn, usually catering to several of the village’s night owls, wasn’t bustling like normal, but was instead as empty as if someone had claimed a fire to the place. The easy explanation would be to declare the bar as closed, more early than normal. Yet what was most disturbing about the situation were the empty mugs left half-drank, or the chairs askew from their tables like the whole lot had left unexpectedly. The room was silent, save for the dripping tap of the nearest barrel. It’s tender had apparently departed before securing the contraption corked. With nothing but a disconcerted glance he made his way over to the bar area and plopped his frame on the closest barrel, then proceeding to wipe his eyes of sleep that had still been lingering. Then he again caught a whiff of his breath and retracted away from his hands, a look of distaste plastered across his countenance. Usually he took to the herb mint, a few chews, and his mouth would remain neutral until his next meal; instead he had chosen a different route to distinguish the putrid flame - fighting liquor with liquor.

So he sat at the bar, his chiseled face drooping with sleep, staring off towards the barrels longingly. How long must I wait? He thought in a sudden burst of impatience, glancing around the empty room once more. Perhaps the occupants had left to watch an event across town and they would return soon. But soon, his patience was waning and his thirst increasing, so the thief pulled the closest unused mug towards him and leaned over the bar with unhesitant ease. Tipping the mug under the dripping barrel he knocked its spout a few notches, allowing the amber liquid to fill his glass, before tightening the spout himself to a tight close. Jupiter then slid back down to his seat, the mug pressed to his lips, and the cool liquid flowing down his throat. A dimpled grin formed at the edge of the mug as the bitter taste from slumber faded and a thrill of rejuvenation coursed through his body once more. As he began to awake, and the contents drained from his mug, he then slid off his stool and turned around his stool to the seemingly empty bar. Except he was faced with a thrilling presence as he lowered his half-drained draft and was smacking his lips in satisfaction. There before him was a dark and undefined dark figure, standing feet from him like a normal person. Except this was the kind of being one would be thrilled with in their nightmares. With no fixed features, it was like staring into a heavily cloaked mass.

Jupiter stopped moving abruptly, jumping from being caught enjoying his great steal. Then he was alarmed to see the freakish being standing before him, appearing noiselessly, and looming as if it were waiting for his order to be taken. Vaud said nothing, but stared at the figure feeling his eyebrows raise and his face contort in confusion. To his horror the thing turned it’s apparent head, slowly but surely, towards Vaudeux. Immediately he felt the danger of the being and staggered backwards slightly. With these few movements the figure was springing to life, catapulting a set of flailing arms in Jupiter’s direction, obviously wanting to attack him. Whether the reason or not Vaudeux was quick to the punch and sacrificed his glass into the nearby bar. The mug splintered and its contents spilled out over the bar, yet the thief was left with a sharp circle of daggers in his hand. At that moment the freakish form made for the half-dragon, but merely caught the outer portions of his arms. They were now locked in a grudge match of brawn against the unknown. In the struggle Vaudeux managed to wrap his mug-hand around the figure’s arm-like extension and, in one thrilling movement, scraped its sharp edges along the surface of the creature’s exterior. He had been hoping for a sign of humanity, perhaps it would have quieted the fear that had risen within Jupiter at the sight of the being, a sign like blood pouring from a wound, yet none came. Instead, the faceless creature looked down at the sharp glass embedded in its own arm, while still trying to manhandle Vaud, and shuddered. For a moment Jupiter thought he had got to the figure, yet it turned its horrific blackened head back to Jupiter.

The wrestling subsided for a fraction of a second where, the being let out a piercing screech, accompanied by white hot flames licking up on every surface of its combustible form. Jupiter had no choice but to let go, and was thrown backwards in the process. His feet had left the ground, and for one thrilling moment, he was flying. Managing to miss most of the low tables and the outturned chairs, he collided with the entrance to the inn, easily breaking down the barrier to the streets of Estolad. At the end of his thrill of a flight he found himself crumpled in a mass of splintered wood in the dirt with the bright moon above him. His back proceeded to grow sore from its contact with the heavy door, and his buttocks had successfully evaded any more injures by making contact with the road first, yet they were now tingling with pain. The thief’s breath was fast, and his mind was muddled with fear. Never had he came in contact with such a frightening foe before, so unexplainable and obviously powerful. Then to his repeated dismay, the blacked being stood in the doorway looking down on Vaud. As Jupiter tried to scramble up to meet his adversary, he noticed the creature swat at the mug embedded in his arm, it exploded in shards, yet the form seemed unscathed. Fuming with rage and managing to make it too his knees to ward off the creature, he found that a humanly blink later, and the thing had disappeared out of thin air. Combined with confusion, irritation, and his body left sore from the being he looked around and shouted at the top of his voice,

“WHAT THE HELL?!”

His breathing was getting heavier with every single step he took while running, but the angel could not stop for all he knew the beast could have been very close by. Luckily his ability of Infravision was paying off and letting him see where exactly he was now headed. Soon Zenith saw a large looking building just up ahead of him and so he instantly entered it while saying to himself, “Just a little break… just a little break…” He was so out of breath and was it finding it hard to think of a plan to try and stop the beast. Of course then his mind began to slowly wander as thoughts of what might have happened to the people living in Estolad, after all they all seemed to have either vanished from sight or had been killed by the beast that Zenith had encountered, the angel could only hope that they had all gotten out in time.

Leaning his head back against the door he had entered from Zenith softly said, “Keal, we are in a lot of trouble here. I have never seen anything like that in my life, but with luck Lothlómendil will show us the way in which to destroy this beast, I do not plan on being killed on this night. I promised Esgalrin I would return, and return to her I shall!” Right after saying this the angels eyes narrowed and a wave of confidence came over him, he was going to make sure this beast did not live through the night and he was also going to make sure that he got back home in one piece. The Archangel of Life was no longer overcome with fear, his Light was showing against and the power of Holiness was running through every fibre of his being.

The darkness then seemed to grow thicker in the large building that Zenith was in, Keal seeing this cast a basic spell that made his little hands glow with bright light, Zenith could not help but smile at the little mouse and give a little nod before setting out to see if their were any weapons he could use to fight the beast in the house after all Zenith only had Salvations Judgement which seemed to have done nothing to whatever was after him the last time he had attacked it. Letting a very small part from his lips Zenith pushed the door in front of him open, a loud creaking sound being heard as he did so, with the door fully open the angel now stood in an amazingly decorated living area with fancy flooring as well as perfectly crafted furniture, it was clear at that moment that the house Zenith had walked into must have been that of the richest family in Estolad.

Looking around the room Zenith soon saw an item that would come in very handy if he was to be attacked by that thing again, mounted above the fireplace of this house was a Mithril shield with various different gems embedded within it. Slowly Zenith walked over to the fireplace and lifted the shield off of the wall, it was just big enough for him to place onto his arm for protection and so Zenith took the shield for now. When the beast was slain he would return to its owners but for now the shield would be very helpful because Zenith knew exactly what it had been made for, he had only seen such gems on one kind of shield before in his life. That shield was made from the Goddess of Balance and had the ability to reflect back spells of various elements, the Archangel just had to hope that this shield was the same, only of course made out of Mithril instead of wood.

Soon Zenith strapped the shield onto his left arm and turned back toward the door he had come in from, but to his horror he saw the beast outside of the building and he seemed to be in a battle with another being. Seeing this Zenith quickly headed to the door and ran out in order to try and help the person the beast was attacking but just as he got outside the thing had once again vanished, as had the one he was fighting with, or so Zenith thought anyway. Taking a few steps forward the angel soon seen the one that beast had attacked, he was a rather tall male and was already standing with his blade out. Just in case this man was to attack Zenith said, “Hold you attack, I am not here to battle with you! You just saw that… that thing right?” Once saying this the angel moved forward a little and waited on the reply of the man. A few moments must have gone by when suddenly Zenith heard a booming voice yelling out. “WHAT THE HELL?!” Turning his head in the direction the voice had come from the Archangel of Life said, “You might not know me sir, but I am on your side. I advise that we see who was yelling out there, the more people we have the more chance we have of finding a weakness in that thing. What do you say?” Waiting on the strange looking mans reply Zenith carefully placed his right hand on the hilt of Salvations Judgement, he knew that if anyone who was in Estolad wanted to get out alive they would have to work as one unit, he just had to hope that they also knew that fact.