The wind picked up as Maria steped into the this forsaken land of the dead. She senced the calling of those who once were lost, taken away by cruel and blind fate. The wind swayed the cloack of hers violently, the clods gathered before the savage storm. Her black eyes glanced around as she made her way to the only tree that was frowing at this land and leaned against it closing her eyes to listen to the winds and souls. She overheared the steps and sensed ever so familiar energy. A faint smile played upon her sweet lips."My dearest...."she said reopening her eyes just to see her own daughter, even if she's just ghost, just a lost soul - she is ever so beautyful amongs all those monsters. "Mother.." the young teenage girl said with a smile. Maria smiled some and they both embraced each other. "Forgive me, sun......forgive me i wasn't able to protect you from that scum.."she said sadly ."It's ok.....not your fault, mother. You couldn't just know that would happen"she said with a smile. Maria noded some." You were always so kind and warm...he didn't ever deserve for you. You were too good for him. How an angel could ever hook up with a hlfling as Seles....he's a creature of darkness.."a tear ran down her cheek."Forget it.Let the past go....leave it behind, mother"she said with a smile. "It is time...."she said and before could finish her words herr daughters soul began to withdraw and fade. At the same moment Maria woke up relizing it was just a dream. She wiped away her tear that ran down through her dream and sighed some. "I can't.......i can't the past let go...."she said wrapping herself with arms from cold. "It was my fault thought......my...."she closed her eyes as another tear ran down transforming into a beautyful diamond. "So many tears.....so many diamons in vaste......"she sighed."This one for you she said as reopened her palm and the diamond was already transforming into dusts and flew with the wind to nowhere.

Dori'ba, the land of death, was one of the few places on Arda that Kiesu could wander freely without maintaining his alternate form. Here, he fealt free to do as he pleased, even if the lands were disfigured by the nearly impossible deaths that had occured here. Kiesu looked upon the dead lands with a sort of pride, he had made several friends of the dead here, he could also train here, train so that he could possibly twist the dark arts to be something that can actually be a help to people, instead of a curse.

The Half demon let out a sigh of relief as he looked around, there was nothing alive, at least nothing alive that he could see. He began to wander through the hallowed grounds with respect. In the distance he could hear fighting, a war reenactment, perhaps? He went to go investigate the loud noise. When he arrived he found several skeletons fighting over something that shined in the middle. The clashing of their blades created dim sparks that highlighted their darkened appearances. Each skeleton donned bronze armor on their skeletal bodies, and each one seemed to show an amount of skill found in elite fighters from a war.

Where the half demon had seeked refuge in these dead lands he had instead found conflict. He approached the two who did not take notice of the newcomer, and instead continued to fight. Kiesu watched their movements carefully, they were blinded by battle, as long as Kiesu wasn't hit he should be able to get to whatever they were quarreling over. As he neared the shining object he saw it glowed pink. Suddenly a thought popped into his mind, he had not seen Morphine, his small pixie companion for some time now.

He picked up the shining object, it was a bottle with a cork in the top. Kiesu tried not to chuckle, but his efforts were futile as he opened the bottle. It was a sillyscene, but his small pizie friend came from the bottle with a sour look upon her face. In his laughing Kiesu did not take notice that the two skeletons had stopped fighting. They were debating what to do with him behind his back. Eventually they came to an agreement and raised their swords in unison, bringing them down at their unwelcome guest.

The blades whistled through the air as they came at Kiesu. He reacted quickly, bringing a leg through the spine of one soldier, and a fist through the arms of the other. Now both lie on the ground, in pieces and fretting for their afterlives. "Honestly, I don't get you skeletons," Kiesu showed aggravation in his tone as he stood above the two fallen warriors, a tall and demonic figure, "You are dead, meatless beings, but still you insist on this meaningless combat!" Kiesu scoffed and walked away. And as he did so, his small pixie companion stuck her tongue out at the two and fluttered after Kiesu who wandered aimlessley through the land of the daed. He was happy to at least have a friend to accompany him.

Arthur looked about the dreary landscape searching for anythong that might interest him. He did not know why he bothered there was nothing here except hordes of undead and sadness. Maybe he was just bored or just going crazy it did not matter really. Arthur was here so it was up to him to find something to do or just leave. Still he could not help but wonder why he felt a familiar presence on the wind.

His red tongue flickered in the dead wind. The taste was the same as always as dead and cold as the rest of this place. However, there was a taste of life here as well. That was not odd but still Arthur knew there would be trouble. He went to his human state and checked bot his blades and armor and rolled his neck getting a feel for it. He then went off toward the taste of life.

SOmetimes Arthur wondered why he even bothered going into human form he knew there would be trouble. HE could feel trouble a mile off if he tried. Still he liked to try and fight in his human form made it more challenging. Maybe thought, this time there would be no trouble. Arthur then said," Yeah and the sky is red". Arthur shook his head life was never easy and he should not expect it to be so. THis lnad prooved the hardness of life. If the road was ever easy you were going the wrong way.

Candle-light flickered throughout the massive room, which Kaji stood in. The paintings on the ceiling appeared to move in life like stories, each frame telling him more about the past. Kaji removed his eyes from the images that filled his mind and stared at a door that was as black as midnights blood.

On the other side of this door would be his lord, the one he had server for more than a year now, enacting his dirty work. Kaji had been selected as the vampire's body-guard, only to realize that he was only to be his slave. Kaji had thought about removing his lord from existence many times but that would be impossible for Kaji.

A curse had been placed upon Kaji's soul, forbidding him to strike down his lord. It would take another being to defeat the vampire lord, someone that Kaji could place his trust in. This someone was somebody that he had seen before, that he had known well before his current life.

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Maria... called the wicked voice of the vampire lord. capture her, and bring her to me.

Calim stood on the roof of his employer's tallest-most tower, hanging precariously from a deformed remnant of a silver cross. The decrepit symbol's presence on this evil castle was a mystery; but, Calim had mused, it was likely this castle had once been home to a more benevolent lord. It was of very extravagant design and would likely change hands a dozen more times before its destruction. Of course, it was not but a hovel beside his former master's house.

That fact made working under another noble only the slightest less painful.

Work's work. The djinni sighed, releasing his silver grip. Cold wind tossed his red-hued, blonde hair back as he fell from his perch, plummeting towards the courtyard below. One hand held his bandanna in place. The other punched straight ahead. Invoking the magic of his heritage, the rogue's path curved, and he shot up once more, flying through the air. A moment later he was in the room provided by his employer. A red-haired lupine wearing the same blue bandanna as Calim sat beside the bed, in a chair. A tiny winged creature slept in its arms. The djinni waved to the two before diving into a chest at the other side of the room. The lupine tilted its head. “Headin' out on yer own? Or want me to support ya?” Calim strapped a sheathed blade around his chest, as well as a quiver of arrows. He tested the string of a bow in his hands. “Nah, I've got it. Another merc or something is going, too. So...” He shrugged, pulling the shortbow over his head, turning to leave. The rogue stopped, before the open window. “Don't leave the room if you can help it.” The lupine nodded. “Aye.” It sighed. Calim tapped one boot onto the other and leaped from the window, taking off into the cold, stormy air.

The djinni had only traveled to Dori'ba once before. On that trip, with his gang, he'd only spent an hour in it, taking a brief shortcut. He'd felt the chill of the land then, but it was only a taste of it; of the real coldness one felt, staying the night. His limbs were tight and immobile. Sailing through the air was almost painful; utterly unenjoyable, in the least. The air was too frigid, the land, barren and dead, with not but death assaulting the senses.

Calim circled the castle, wondering if he should search for the girl on foot, instead; wondering, too, where the hell his partner was, and when they'd be able to set out.

Kaji grinned with delight, this would be his chance to bring death to the vampire lord... to find his savior.

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The cold frigid air stung the bare skin of Kaji's face, forcing to shiver slightly. He looked around looking for any sign of life, but the only thing he could see was the sight of scorched trees and barren wastelands. This place was beginning to feel like home to himself, but it could not compare to the life he had lead before his life had been spared by the Vampire Lord's doing.

Kaji slowly paced his way to the top of a roll in the wasteland, beyond it would be the grave-yard that hosted the resting place for royalty and the related. Kaji could not notice that the sky was brighter than usual, something was interfering with the Vampire Lord's spell that kept a constant cover of clouds to shadow the land from the light so he could step into this tainted land when ever he felt the need to.

When Kaji had finally made it to the top of the role and down into the grave-yard he sighed, drew his sword and with a flick of his wrist swung the blade into the ground so that it stood streight up into the air. The Vampire Lord was very persistant with this woman, but Kaji would let no harm come to her... not a child-hood friend.

The air seemed stale, dry. Kiesu has no knowledge of the reason for this, but somehoow he knew that something was wrong. Something was going wrong with his life. It had been nothing he had not detected earlier, but this seemed to pierce his heart. He stopped his aimless wandering and began to look around. For most the feeling of being watched in the dead lands was a common thing, but Kiesu always fealt at peace here. It was odd that he had fealt this. It seemed... dark. His small pixie friend began to hover around him, trying to see why he had stopped. His face showed worry, Morphine could tell that he was in distress, but she stayed bak to see what would happen.

Half of his body fealt nubm, something certainly uncommon. But he had to try, he had to try and at least ignore this feeling. He shook his head, as if shaking the worry from himself, and gave Morphine a smile before continuing to walk aimlessley. He let out a sigh, thanks to the power of suggestion Kiesu was able to trick himself into believing that the air was it's normal, bitter self. It gave him some relief, but he could still feel something tugging at his heart. No matter how hard he tried to ignore it it seemed to pull at him with great force.

A shuffling could be heard. Kiesu had ognored it, as did he ignore the ominous feeling. But Morphine had stopped, looking around the dead lands for a sign of anything that was moving. The shuffling became louder. Morphine flew back to Kiesu's side. Finally, a black figure stood in fron of them, holding something thin that glimmered in it's hands. The half demon reacted, he brought a leg to the metal thing, apparently kicking off the arms of whatever was holding it. "What was that for!?" An old whiny voice called as it rushed to the thin item.

"Did you believe me to be wielding a weapon? Against you, Kiesu?" The half demon did not act surprised that this creature knew his name, he had a bit of a reputation in Dori'ba. But for now all he could think about was the wretched smell that the undead had pouring from it's dried veins. It scraggy long brown hair that had somehow managed to cling to the boney head. The zombie's was missing most of it's teeth and wore scraps. Already it's skin had turned a dark green. Truly disgusting. "I simply meant to sell it to you. For half off at that!" Kiesu slapped himself in the head, he knew this undead idiot. It was a zombie trader known as 'glocker', a self-claimed title, but he had been known throughout the undead in dori'ba. "Oh, so you doubled the price to sell it to me at half of the altered price? Real wise Glocker. Next you'll be tripling the pirces, won't you!?" The undead simply gave a laugh before even responding, "How did you foresee my plans for the future? But, no, this item's price had not doubled. I was told by some black ghost to give you that particular item. Nothing but golden paper." Glocker responded as he tried shoving it back a kiesu, "Only three gold for the trouble." Kiesu mumbled to himself as he handed the undead three piecces of gold. But it was not for the golden item, but instead for the pest to leave. The strange, golden, paper came as a small bonus.

"Pleasure doing business with you, sir Kiesu." The whiny voice of the undead said as it took it's leave. "Damndable wretch." Kiesu mumbled as he looked at the paper. It appered to be some kind of map, leading to a gravesite. It was a strange thought that a black ghost would try and send such an item over to the half demon. But for one to go through such trouble the least he could do was follow the map. He followed the dashes on the map to the beginning, it was puzzling how the map lead to his current location, but perhaps that would make it easier to find the end. "Well, Morphine, let's see where this golden map leads us." Kiesu said as he began to follow the invisible path.

Arthur kept following the smell no longer caring to taste the foul air. If Arthur was not use to it the smell would have made him sick. THis place almost did even his strong stomach had trouble here. He was not afraid never that but this place did make him uneasy. Te hairs on the back of his neck prickled. He felt like somethign was watching him but he could not tell what it was. Arthur shook his head this place was making him jumpy.

He had been here to long he was strating to get paranoid or either it was just normal. Arthur shook his head and kept going. He soon saw some undead moving around and his hand went to his sword. THey paid no attention to him as they passed along. Arthur watched them and the moved on. He did not care for a fight today. He just wanted to see what this life amongst the dead was. He guessed it was his curiosity or his general heroic nature that made him do it. Arthur figured it was both.

Arthur could not help but feel the blades hilt again just to make sure. He then kept following and soon found a trail. It looked human enough there looked to be other tracks about. Undead by what he could tell but the other had better boots than the others. That was his sign that it was alive and obviously knew how to handle itself. Arthur decided he would follow it some more and if there was any troubl, he woudl jump in. Arthur sighed and said," Well it could be worse". HE then went on ahead still haiving the feeling like there were eyes straing at the back of his neck.

Maria glanced at the nightly sky.The wind was still picking and growing colder and colder. She just shook her head."Something's going to happen...."she murmered to herself and pushed off of the tree then began to walk trying to find a way out of this spooky place but it was more harder than she thought it will be. Wandering around, scanning area for any exit with her pure black but yet warm eyes she got lost in this comfusing labyrinth of graves, praying not to be attacked by undeads. "God help to get out off here.."she muttered some as the wind picks up removing the hood and revealing not only her beaytyful angelic face but also long and snow white hair that swayed in the wind as easyly as the water flows.


(sorry i took so long and for shortness.i'm in a hurry for some reasons)

Kaji gasped for breath to realize that he had been dreaming. He scanned around the grave site, only to find white tombstones and and pitch black fences. Kaji could smell the foul stench of the undead, lurking beyond the stones that dated back hundreds of years ago.

Kaji stood up and sighed just as he decided that it would be time to begin his search... even though his assistance had not yet arrived. He drew his blade from it's resting place and slid it back into its golden sheathe. He rested his hand on the hilt as he walked off in search of Maria.

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Back at Castle Ragnon

I will have no more use for my minion once he has delivered the girl, he will have brought exactly what I need... to attain infinant mortality... the Vampire Lord said laughing maliciously as he finished.

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The silence irritated Kaji, it gave him a feeling of disgust. This land was the one thing he would be glad to have escaped from. Kaji quickly snapped his head towards a snap in the distance, someone was nearby. He slowly unsheathed his blade and kept it in his hand in case he was jumped by whom ever this unknown entity was.

Kaji looked over towards a tomb stone and could hear a voice just beyond the pale white that lined the fence. He slowly walked up to the stone and peered around it to see whom it was that dared to enter the foul place. It appeared to be a girl... it was... Maria... he said.

"So damn cold night"she mumbled still unable to find the way out she just sighed and glanced around.She got a feeling as if would be watched or fallowed and it made her to worry even more.Maria had to hurry so she did not watch where she steps her feet untill bumps into some undead creature and steps backwards few feet away then begins run towards the oposite direction as the undead chases her."Jesus christ..what devil took me to this damned place!?"she cursed to herself still running untill trips onto something and falls down nearby the stone that Kaji has been hiding behing.The undead began to gather around her but somewhy were not able to approach her too fast so the just stood waiting for their chance to grab and murder her. Maria only could look around and pray that they someone will come in aid for her. Her palms balled into small delicate fists gathering dirt and dusts within them hoping that will get a chance to escape.

Kaji watched as Maria fumbled among the roots that protruded from the unearthly ground before falling to the ground just on the other side of the tomb-stone he had been hiding behind. He noticed that a few of the undead had set their sights on something that interested them... Maria... to them was a tasty morsel that they only had once in a millenium to eat.

Kaji slithered his way out from behind the tomb-stone and stood directly between Maria and the undead. He drew his blade from it's sheathe and swung the blade with one hand so that it was pointing directly at the undeads head. Cursed souls, go back to where you came from. Maria will not be your meal today.

Kaji waited to see what the undeads response would be. Kaji only smiled as he watched a skeleton futilly run full speed towards him, leaping fully into the air in an attempt to bring its axe down on Kaji. But the assault was a failure, the skeleton only made a ghastly shrill as Kaji swung his blade into the undead soldiers chest, causing it to fall into tiny bits and pieces before fading away into nothing.

The other two undead soldiers slowly backed away until they had left Kaji's sight. Wimps Kaji called after them. He turned his head towards Maria and slowly made his way over to her before kneeling down before her. Save me Maria, I need your help. I have been taken prisoner by a foul Vampire Lord whom saved me from an untimely demise. He placed a curse upon my soul that refuses to let me do away with him.

Kaji only looked up to stare her in the eyes, two black gems that sparkled ever so warmly only to make the ice in Kaji's heart melt away.

She blinked some seeing as a stranger jumped between her and the undeads and waytched him defeat and the others fleeing from him. A smile appeared onto her lips as he knelt beside her."Thank you...you saved my life"she said and slightly embraced him warmly then lets him then stands up dusting herself off and offers a hand to him to help him up."Do tell me how could i ever release your soul from that curse?"she asked. For some reasons, Maria senced that he feels very familiar to her somewhy.Perhaps she knew him but due to some reasons he has been erased from her memory. "How can i help you? I'll do what i can but first...i need to know how it ever happened to you?"she said watching Kaji.

( A little change of plans. ;0 )

Rounding a tower on the castle's outer wall, the rogue landed deftly behind a row of stone parapets, taking care to avoid the rusted iron spikes jutting from them. He sighed, leaning against a pillar. “Where the hell's my help?” He spat to his side. And why would it take two of us to capture the woman, anyways? The vampire said she wasn't dangerous; does she have allies? Calim threw both hands over his head in exasperation. This job was just too strange! He was beginning to regret turning down the other merc job in favor of it. “At least the pay's good...” The djinni murmured, leaning his head against the side of an iron spike. Below, a figure emerged from the castle; human, brown-haired, golden sheath strapped to his form. Cal rolled his eyes. “About time.”

The rogue would have taken off, then, to get a better look at his ally, if not for the hand that landed on his shoulder. Calim tumbled to the side, rising with his curved tulwar in hand. A bent, hooded figure stood before him. An over-sized axe hung from its back. No one sneaks up on me. The djinni growled in his mind, disbelieving. How did this creature? The hooded figure did not stir. A hushed, monotone voice whispered from the depths of its hood. “Follow the master's servant. He will find the girl.” The creature began to fade, then, before Cal's slit eyes. “The master does not trust the human, Kaji, anymore. Dispose of him if he does not cooperate in Maria's return.” With that, it disappeared entirely. Calim stood there for a moment, in thought, before sheathing his sword and taking off into the air. This was getting interesting.

It did not take the djinni long to find Kaji; and, the human had already stumbled upon the angel—as well as a number of undead creatures. Silently, Calim landed and listened to their conversation. It seemed that the vampire was right in his distrust of the human. Kill him, grab her; mission complete. Then I'm out of this place.

“You cannot help him. Not now, anyway.” Calim interrupted, stepping from his hiding place. He stood a short distance from the two with both arms on his hips. “I was to be your support on this job, but it looks like you've gone and switched sides.” He said, watching Kaji. “But this doesn't have to end in your death. Lug Maria back to the castle for me, and we can go our separate ways.” He finished, left hand resting on the hilt of his powerful weapon. Well, your lord will probably kill you anyway—but that's hardly my problem! The rogue mused, holding back a laugh.

She glanced towards the direction of the another voice just to see a stranger looking like a pirate. Maria didn't seem to be scared at all or just was her perfect acting abilities as she always did to hide fear, worry or whatever negate emotion that is threatening to take over her. She listened to what the man said and glanced at Kaji with questioning look in her black gem-like eyes. "What is he talking about, Kaji?" she asked trying to understand. "What job?" she spilled out another question and watched Calim carefully. " Why in the world he would need to do that?"she kept questioning taking few steps backwards as if would be ready to defend herself from them or anyone else. Meanwhile no one had noticed being watched by two eyes of a young looking teenage girl who seemed to be a ghost. That was Maria's long lost daughter watching them, unable to stop those men but still able to call for help. "No one will ever lug me to anywhere"she said with a self comfident voice tone. "No one!"she rized her voice tone and took her trusty katana pointing it at them. " Step closer and i you will curse the day you came to this world..."she said with a frown narrowing her eyes.

Kaji turned his head towards the new-comer of the conversation. This man must have been the one assigned to assist Kaji with the capture of Maria... but Kaji had decided that the Vampire Lord would no longer control Kaji or anyone else in fact.

The master is a corrupt soul, his past is showed in the grand hall. He used to be the gallant lord of this land, when it had flourished... before he met his lady. Kaji let out a quick sigh of amusement. This man was a merc and most likely he would not care whether or not the Vampire Lord was corrupt. But Kaji would not be able to tell until the Mercenary selected a side.

Kaji now turned his eyes on Maria, she was holding a blade... ready to defend herself if necessary. The Vampire Lord sent me to capture you Maria, but I will not grant him that permission. It is time for the reign of the Vampire Lord Sadler to fall, you are the key to his defeat... and I will server you in any way I can.

Kaji drew his blade from its sheathe and prepared for a battle, and Kaji would be the victor.

This twist had peaked the djinni's interests; Maria was ignorant of the vampire lord's order to capture her, and was ready to defy him—with the tip of her blade, if necessary. Not only that, the vampire's servant had switched sides, now willing to defend the angel. Calim yawned at the girl's threat. She did not have the stance, build, or eyes of a fighter. A mage or priest, perhaps? But not someone trained in melee combat.

After a quick history lesson, Kaji swore his loyalty to Maria, drawing his two-handed blade. There would be a battle—and a lopsided one at that. Calim cracked his neck, light blue eyes searching his opponents. An untrained female angel, and her guardian. You're at a disadvantage, warrior. The rogue commented silently, unsheathing his curved sword. It glowed a deep red in the dark atmosphere; sparks of chaotic energy sweeping off its edge.

“Right, you had your chance.” He said with a grin, following his words with a whispered verse. Stabbing his blade to the clouds above, the djinni's form blurred, suddenly, as the spell took effect. It would increase his already formidable speed to an inhuman degree.

Instantly, his sword was facing forward, towards kaji—or him and the girl, if they stood side-by-side. “Gaash! Ihyjuetypma pays!” Still several meters from the two, Calim's sword arm burst into a blur of movements. His Tulwar of Turmoil sparked crimson before blasting a ray of chaotic energy towards the two. Given the rate of fire, and Cal's quick hand-movements, the 'laser' formed a near unavoidable tangle of beams. The ground broke apart and dead leaves blew aside as the attack sailed towards Kaji and Maria.

(i will not be able to rp today, guy.it's Marias. See ya, guy)

Maria listened to every Kaji's word slowly lowering her blade. She? How could she ever be the key to the defeat of some vampire who needs her for some unknown reasons. She sahook her head slightly in disagreement."Me? The key to his defeat?But that's impossible, Kaji...."she said and quickly stood infront of Kaji as Calim managed to threaten him. Yes..maybe she has now any sign of a fighter but she is not a new in fighting.It's just those day are left behind in a deep past. Maria once was the best challenge to any warrior but now everything changed.Thought she will do her best if needed and will protect herself and Kaji.Perhaps she doesn't seems to be too strong but that might be a trick. "You are not going kill anyone"she frowned at callim almost calling scum. Seeing the attack coming she grabed Kaji pushed him out of it's way.She almost fell to the ground herself but still stood her ground and quickly tred to block Calim's attack of strange energy with her katana but sadly her trys failed and she has been hit and fell to the ground."Damn it..."she mnattered slightly standing up dusting herselff and glances at her scraches."You will pay for that, bastard!"

Kaji let out a gasp of surprise as Maria shoved Kaji out of harms way... the faint crimson beams of light struck Maria, but she only appeared to have nothing but scratches engraved on her fair skin. Kaji stood up and looked around for his blade, it had slipped from his grasp when she had shoved him and now lay between Maria and the enemy.

Kaji sprinted towards his blade reaching out, calling for it to return to his grasp. His blade was very dear to him, it was his fathers and his grandfathers blade before that, a family heirloom most people would call it.

As the hilt of the blade reached the tip of Kaji's fingers the blade was quickly thrown up into the air and Kaji turned towards his enemy just in time to catch the heavy blade in one hand before swinging it towards the enemy and placing his second hand on the hilt.

Maria, do not attempt to save my life over yours. If I die, then I die saving you... but I will win this battle for you, my love. The tender phrases just rolled off of Kaji's tounge, the flame of rage burned deep inside Kaji as well as the tender fountain of youthly love.

Kaji once again focused his attention back to the enemy. This man would pay for harming Maria and Kaji would make sure of that. You will pay, I will make sure you do not leave this grave-yard alive.

Kaji charged towards his enemy, a faint grin touched his lips as he neared his opponent. His opponent was now in reach and the chance was available. Kaji jumped into the air raising his weapon high before bringing it down, deliberately avoiding contact with his opponent. The blade now was lodged into the charred earth, but Kaji had a plan.

He brung the blad around in a 360 motion and was attempting to wound the opponent in the side.

Calim's attack landed—as he was sure it would—blasting Maria to the ground as she pushed her guardian out of the way. His move was hardly successful, however; the girl stood with only minor wounds when, considering the power of his weapon, she should have been seriously injured. The rogue's form blurred. At once he was in a cautious, defensive stance. Confusion and anger crossed his face. Gaash, have you become faulty? Why does she still stand? The matter was pushed aside as the angel's human warrior retrieved his sword (with a frivolous toss of the blade), proclaiming that he would win this battle for her—making sure Calim would not leave this graveyard alive. The djinni spat to his side. “Aye aye! Save your threats for opponents of your skill level. Drunkards, the elderly—slow-moving ground mammals!” Less than serious battles called for facetious banter.

Choosing to close the gap between him and his opponent in a straight charge, kaji sprinted forward, leaping into the air and bringing his cumbersome weapon down on Calim, who side-stepped, slightly, finding at the last moment that his opponent's intent was not to strike with this attack, but the next. The human spun his sword in a circle, drawing off the resistance of the ground to horizontally slash the djinni. The attack might have worked if Calim were not under the effects of his Blur spell, that near tripled his movement speed.

Bending his body to avoid the blow (which swept past his brow, nearly scratching it), the rogue, already beside his opponent, broke into a flurry of arced blows with his glowing tulwar. His speed was of inhuman proportions; his spell let him become the most agile of elven warriors, the nimblest of fencers. If Kaji blocked with his blade (somehow finding a way to reverse its momentum), the weapon would likely be chopped in half by Cal's Tulwar of Turmoil, that could sever all but Mithril and adamantium with but a well-placed strike.

Kaji gave a smug look of contempt as his opponent avoided his move, but this would not even be close to the end. Kaji could sense that the D'jiin was about to attack, and Kaji would not let that happen.

Kaji quickly with a twist of his heel and a forceful shove, he sent himself flying out of the D'jiin's reach. Kaji only laughed and looked over towards Maria whom was still standing where Kaji had left her. Kaji was unhappy to see that Maria had been injured and hoped that a friendly ally would appear, but he knew tha Mia would not be able to aid him in this battle.

Kaji thought back to all of his friends that he used to have, and how they would never know that he was still alive unless he could escape the grasp of the Vampire Lord.

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Yes... fall right into my hands you worthless human, the D'jiin is stronger than you.

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Kaji could hear the faint voice of the Vapire Lord telling him to give up... but Kaji would not, for he had a life to protect and a world to save. He would defeat his opponent, whether he left this place alive or dead.

"Kaji..."she whispered silently watching him fight Calim, there was a worry in her eyes as she looked at him. They could clearly see that Maria cares about Kaji becouse she saw that he has a good heart and he is willing escape the grasp of wicked creature. She glanced at her minor injuries - there were lots of them since she fell not very succesfuly besides she has been hit by Calim's attacks. Wondering if she could only invoke her powers again she not only could heal herself bnut also aid Kaji in this battle since no one else has came and probably will not come. With a sigh she was about to let her hands down as she noticed glowing them in earthreal beautyful light. She stared at her hands in owe wondering what this could be and a slight smile touched her sweet lips."My powers......they are coming back...."she almost shouted in happyness.Finally she will be able to help Kaji and herself. Tracing her hands with this divine light over all of her wounds she watches as this light envolops all her body and heals all of her injuries. This feeling was wonderful - a touch of warm healing angelic light. Finally she casts her glance at Kaji and Calim as the light fgades away revealing her body beeing as if nothing would been happened. " Kaji.....let me help you" she nearly begged him."You will not win this fight all alone. "she said and found her katana once again. She twisted it swiftly and skillfully as she has been doing it many times very long ago. This time there was something more than a look of a fighter. This time there was courage and inner streangh in her eyes telling that she will not give up untill the victory will be hers "I will defeat you or at least die trying"she said strickly.Her eyes nearly were furious. "Choosing the side of that scum you already failed, my dear. "she said taking the satance of an attack.There was a fire in her eyes as she had once and that has been lost since last time she had a battle before being imprisoned into the ice. Now as she appeared in Arda somehow and that her powers are awaking again she is ready to join the battle and accept any small or big challenge."We will win this, Kaji. I promiss it to you, my friend. If not, then i am not Le'Fay"she said and lunged at Calim ready to attack and also ready block any of Calim's attack.

As Kiesu walked on, following the map the best he could, he couldn't help but feel as if he was beeing watched. It was unlike the normal feel of the undead here, he actually fealt comfortable with the undead. But this was differant, this fealt as if something alive was watching himself and Morphine. It had been following them for some time now, pehaps it wasn't watching them, but he could hear heavy footsteps in the normally dark and silent air. Even his own breath was too shallow to take notice of, as were the wing beats of his small pink pixie companion.

Several times as he walked down the invisible trail he fealt the cold watch of undead, but the feel of life at least following him was unsettling. But not once did he stop and ask for the undead to watch for the follower, he didn't stop in fear of either antagonizing the unknown follower, or losing his trail due to concentration on a conversation with a dead man who does tell tales. Pirates didn't often travel the dead lands of Dori'ba. But then again, most living creatures didn't wander these lands.

Morphine had kept close to Kiesu, on the verge of hiding within the hood of his cloak. She detested being stuffed away in a bottle once before, she would definatley want to avoid being trapped within another small container for a while. to Kiesu each of her wing beats were noticibly slow, where as she usually liked to flutter about, she was instead hovering close and quietley beside her friend. Both of them fealt being watched, they both fealt that worry, but the small pixie was not as comfortable in Dori'ba as much as the Celestial-Rauko Kiesu was.

Impossible. Utter, dumb-founding impossibility. Either Kaji was born to live a charm, lucky life, or some God had decided to mess with Calim today. The djinni did not let his opponent rest as he jumped back, somehow avoiding the rogue's attack; no, he did the opposite—lunging forward in a blur of blue cloth, swinging his weapon furiously at the human warrior. Luck or not, his enemy could not dodge his attacks forever; not when he was less skilled and under equipped.

The girl, Maria, had moved in and out of Calim's vision since the beginning of his attack, glowing bright, once, under what he assumed to be the effects of a spell. She was speaking, now, but the djinni was too enthralled in combat to comprehend her words. Or see her attack coming, for that matter. The girl lunged from Calim's side. He turned wide-eyed, already committed to an attack, watching as the blade pierced his side. It might have gone deeper, if not for his speed and magical heritage: his body slid backwards, shooting off the ground in a blast of dust. Curses crowded his mind. That harlot! I didn't think she would have it in her—ugh! The wound was not too serious, though he nearly dropped his weapon in the dizziness that gripped him, them.

Floating back, he landed a short distance from the two—immediately jabbing his sword into the ground as he did. His weapon beamed with chaotic energy, while he pointed one hand at the couple. “Gaash! kycauic pincd! At once, there was a rumbling beneath Kaji and Maria's feet. The ground split in several spots, blasting smog and fire into the air; hot enough to melt the skin off their bones. Calim rather hoped Maria would survive, as his master needed her alive; but, at the moment, he was too furious to be careful.

Kaji stared in awe as he took notice of Maria's stealthy approach, using Calim as a sheathe for her blade. Unfortunately the D'jiin was still to fast for her blade to do any fatal damage, only leaving a small gash in Calim's side.

Kaji stared at the D'jiin's sword, it was magnificent. The blade glowed crimson, but that was not a good sign to Kaji. As the D'Jiin slammed the blade into the earth, Kaji could feel the ground shake and cripple beneath himself.

The ground began to slowly crumble and he could feel heat, steam rising from between the cracks. This would not be an easy trap to escape, but it was not impossible.

A chunk of the ground finally submerged itself into the liquid pool of hot magma below, sending a spray of magma grabbing towards Kaji. Kaji jumped towards another platform of earth still yet to fall, barely avoiding the deadly substance. Kaji looked around for Maria and saw her not too far from his position, a chunk of earth not too far from her fell to the pool.

Maria, get away from the edges. If you fall in then there would be absolutely no way you could survive. Kaji did not want to sound discreet, he wanted to make sure that Maria knew exactly what would happen if she failed to escape the field of crippling earth.

Kaji looked down towards his feet, he could feel the earth crashing down beneath him. He began running towards Maria, he quickly snatched her up in his arms and began running towards Calim. A tree came crashing down in front of Kaji and made a barrier between Calim and himself.

Kaji looked around and could see that the ground all around him was beginning to collapse, Kaji was going to have a hard time getting out of this predicament.

Maria smirked slightly seeing that ahe was able to injure Calim. Even if the injury wasn't too big it still was a good sign - it means she still can fight him and be none the worse than Calim. But her smale faded as soon as she felt the ground shake and cripple. For a few moments she stood thinking what to do but while she was thinking and trying to ignore the increadible heat Kaji snatched her into his arms and she finally snaped out of her comfusion. She glanced at Kaji's eyes that were ever so wonderful and felt some kind of tenderness for him."Kaji....."she whispered seeing the ground begin to collapse around him,with the corner of her eye. She wraped her arms around him tightly."Hold onto me, dear.."she said changing her positions.Maria finally unfolds and spreads her huge white wings and holding onto Kaji in her arms takes off the ground lifting into the air just in time when the ground collapsed.Maria looks around and carries Kaji to a safe place then lands down letting go off him and glares at Calim."You surely will pay for that, scum..."

It seemed Gaash had become faulty. One of its most potent attacks (as well as Calim's favorite) cracked and burst through the ground as it normally would, but strangely, did not blast steam and smog into the air; instead, opening the ground in several places to expose bubbling lava. Right under his opponents' feet! Kaji's death would not be a problem—but if Maria died, there would be no reward for the djinni's efforts. Heavy on his mind as this was, his thoughts were preoccupied with something else, however.

Calim believed in luck as much as he did that the sun would rise every morning. It was, to the rogue, an inherent part of this world, guiding all people, as well as the success of their actions. A sweat drop slid down the side of his forehead, while his teeth strained against each other nervously. Surely he was cursed today! Not only had none of his attacks landed, but his trusty blade was acting strange. As if to further his suspicions, Maria lifted Kaji from his doom, landing a short ways from the lava pools. Not a scratch lay on either! Wauka, the djinni's companion, had warned that to aid such a malicious creature as a vampire was just asking for trouble—and here it was! Bad luck! Who knew what else could go wrong on this job?

Maria was threatening him again, but the rogue barely heard. He glanced at them wide-eyed, trying to discern his next move. A sting from his side reminded him of the wound he had sustained, earlier; it now bled through his blue shirt, staining it and dripping down his side. Blast it, this isn't worth it. He growled in his mind. What was the pay, anyway? Not that good.

Composing himself, Calim sheathed his blade. “Fine then! I'll spare the two of you—but my employer will not be so generous!” He crossed both hands over his chest, before clicking both heels together. “You'd best flee, if you value your pathetic lives!” With that, the djinni's form, still under the effects of his blur and fly spells, disappeared; such was the speed that he launched into the sky, rocketing towards the vampire's castle. There, he'd retrieve Wauka and get the hell out of this cursed land.