It was early morning. The sun was barely creeping above the tops of the trees, so the thick forest was still dark. A light mist hung out over Lake Aelin, a mist that gave the morning a lazy feeling. Not many creatures were awake yet, perhaps because the morning was colder than usual, or they simply wanted to sleep in. However, there was movement in the forest below that seemed irregular at the moment.

Ered stumbled through the forest, snapping branches and crunching leaves as he made his way toward the lake. The golden haired man winced slightly, wishing he had been taught how to move more quietly so he wouldn’t have to shatter the early morning tranquility. He was wearing simple long brown pants with matching boots. Ered had altered the original white robe that he had originally been wearing into a short-sleeved shirt because it had been too worn and ripped to wear normally again.

Ered absentmindedly reached up to his shoulder and felt the white clothes between his fingers. The robe seemed to be the only connection to his past that he had. When he had been training with Sora, he believed that the fighting might do something to clarify his memory, but it did the opposite. Ered was now more confused than ever. He had handled the sword with great dexterity and skill, proving that sometime before the Ered Annon Mountains, the man was a great fighter. But for whom? And where? The questions never ceased to race around his mind, always in the same jumbling mass.

Reaching a pale hand to the sword strapped to his side, Ered smiled grimly. He was no longer as simpleminded as he was when Sora first found him. He knew how to use a blade to protect himself. But…now what? What was next? For the present, he was simply traveling, trying to find something or someone to help him remember. What are the odds? How can I just guess like this and wander? thought Ered bleakly. Narrowing his yellow eyes, he let out a sigh, deciding to simply make the best of where he was now.

His boots crunching in the sandy dirt, the frail figure made his way to the water’s edge. The mist that hovered over the lake left fine beads of water on his face. Ered crouched down and removed his backpack with a grunt, enjoying how it felt to sit down. He marveled at the tranquility for a moment, then reached into his pack. Removing a canteen, Ered removed the stopper then dunked it under the water, watching as bubbles rose up from the opening. He pulled the canteen back out and put the stopper back in, his mind a bit at rest knowing he had plenty of water and food to get him through quite a long period of time. Sora had shown him how to find edible plants, but Ered still wasn’t too trusting of his own knowledge.

As the sun continued to rise, and Ered gazed out across the open water, he began to feel a bit drowsy. Lying back on the sandy terrain, he drank in the serenity and felt his eyelids grow heavy. Within another moment, he was sound asleep with the lapping sound of the water singing him a lullaby.

Among any other place on this world, Viashineo favored Lake Aelin than any other. He did like Lomedor, but at times, the peaceful tranquility of the lake captivated him, the only weakness to his heart (well, if he even has one). Many times, he found himself travelling here, mostly after a large situation that brought great death or burden to his mind. It was a great way for him to hone his mentality, and prepare himself, as well as reflecting.

As always, the sorcerer found his favorite spot among the lake, a rock that protruded from the water, not far from shore. In fact one leap could bring him back to the safety of land, but this spot was hardly dangerous. Now, it reminded him of his many other times he had came here, and just stared into the water, or horizon. There were a few moments where he had lsipped out of his mind, and just stared out the whole night. Before he knew it, it was morning.

But, Viashineo was content. He loosened his cloak, and allowed it to sway in the wind. It was the simple feeling of the flowing cloth that made the killer's mind so weak and childish. If he was not him, and he was his enemy, then it was surely a great moment to take advantage of. It was all of his teachings, and his way of dealing with his enemies. An enemy to him in this state wouldn't last for long, because Viahsineo knew the mind, and could manipulate it with time. It was what made him so deadly, and highly conflicting with many people. Ofte, people who picked fights with him would leave with a different attitude, and perhaps a different view on life, causing greater dmaage to them, than any non-lethal and physical wound.

Something, a feeling, haunted the sorcerer inside. It was out of place, for a moment like this, and had never felt this way any of the times he had been here. Something was different, and he could not realize whether it was good or bad, becuase he felt a sense of danger, but then peace. Viashineo couldn't understand how he was feelig this way as well, but took it as a sign, to stay on his guard. It was spontaniality that made life interesting.

Viashineo smiled, relaxing and letting his thoughts and emotions overwhlem him. But, the quickly changing feelings within him made it hard to concentrate, so he opened his eyes again, and stared at the water, wondering what to do. Then, the sorcerer looke dback up, and behind him. There was nothing, and the great distance to the treeline was clear as well, with only sand and grass between them. He glanced to his right, and then to his left, but double took his glance to the right, after a solid object caught his eye. It was unsual, but did nothing.

Intrigued, Victus kept his interest on it, staring at it as he leaped off the rock, and back onto shore. He then followed the path of sand along the water, until the shape began tom grow less dim, and more detailed. Shapes and colors were beginning to form, and the sorcerer could already deduce that it was the figure of a human. "Perhaps.....a needless kill?" Viashineo asked himself, still approaching.

When he stood but a foot away, the lich kneeled down and observed the body. The man, he presumed, was alive, but only resting. No doubt dreaming, the mind playing fake and imaginary images within his head, either appealing or intimidating him. It was a lost thought to him, however, as ever since his last death, the sorcerer had never experienced a dream again. It was most likely his state of undead likeness that left the piece of mind that prjected the images absent. Or, he could just be willing them away. For, many of the ones he could last remember, only brought great sorrow to him, as they were the memories or altered events of his failures. Few times would he had dreamed of his accomplishments, leaving him to feel as if he was still weak, and could not overcome his foes.

Viashineo shook his head, coming out of thought, and brought his eyes up the body, to the head. Instantly, something flashed within his mind, setting something off, as he was filled with the feeling that he had known this person. But, he could not remember, or even think of a situation where he could have met him. Now, the sorcerer was perplexed. "Only prolonging your death, however." he thought to himself.

He then looked around the man's body, more towards the chest, with his finger pointing down, ready to poke. His finger hovered all over the body, trying to decide where the best spot would be, until he gave up and decided to be traditional. Viashineo began poking the man in the chest, trying to disturb his slumber. "So where do I know you from?" he asked.

Viashineo’s thoughts were correct: Ered was dreaming. He was lost in times long ago, battles, flying, killing. Flames leapt all around him, as he cut down dark figures in front of him. Wings were flapping and the rider barely realized that they were his own. Then he was in a court, with figures all around him, talking in a jumble of words until one word surfaced wish a great rush. Banished…He was falling down, his wings were melting, he looked down and saw the land then-

"So where do I know you from?"

Everything instantly melted, returning to the subconscious world from where it all came. Ered’s golden eyes snapped open and he jerked upward, sweat beading his face. Glancing down, the man saw a finger poking his chest insistently. He turned his head, following the arm until he caught sight of the figure crouching down next to him.

Startled, Ered hastily backed away, and brought his hand to his long sword in fear. Then a sense of recognition washed over him. It wasn’t exactly in the way the other man looked: drawn, almost like a skeleton with red eyes and black hair, but rather the way he felt. Ered desperately searched his memory, sensing that he had known this man previously.

Not even a man…thought Ered, eyeing the other’s red eyes and bony structure. He searched the crevices of his weary memory, a memory which had already lost its grip on the dream he had found almost moments ago.

Remembering the figure’s comment, Ered furrowed his brow. So he knows me too…or rather…he knows that he knows me but he doesn’t know who I am. He smiled at the confusing thought absentmindedly. Then it struck him.

“En..Entreri…?” he muttered, more to himself than to the other. Yes…they did seem similar. Ered could sense that the figure before him may not necessarily be Entreri, but someone who was connected with him somehow.

As Viashineo insistantly continued to poke the sleeping man, his objective was accomplished. In a sudden jerk, the man rose up from his lying position, panting and sweating. The man's eyes turned to him, scanning the situation, trying to figure out what was happening, all things that the sorcerer could tell.

But then, the stranger jumped up, and backed away. "Caught off guard, and with a sword. At least, this man may have some skills of war." Viashineo thought to himself, rising to face the man.

“En..Entreri…?” spoke the man, his voice weak. The question stumped Viashineo, wondering why he would think that he was....his pupil. Of course, Victus had taken Entreri under his wing as a child, and taught him his ways. But perhaps, there was more than just knowledge passed on, or he carried some resemblence of his master.

"I am....not Entreri, but his master, Viashineo Victus." he said to the man, looking down, and remembering the corpse that lay on the swamp floor, being succumbed by mud. Then, the memory shifted, into that of the streets of Lomedor. There was a crowd of people, gathered around a man. The sorcerer glanced up, and realized that the person before him was that man. And after that, other brief scenes continued to pop up into his mind.

"The...memories of Entreri? Maybe there was more than just my incarnation that day happening." he thought again to himself.

"Ered, you seem and look better." Viashineo spoke, being careful not to speak in his lich voice. The last thing he wanted to do was scare the man off, and the most logical way of conversing was with their tongue.

Ered, being a trusting soul, immediately felt relieved. “Well…thank you…A young man named Sora found me and taught me how to battle. Now I know how to fend for myself.”Ered also remembered the day when he met Entreri, when he didn’t even know how to eat. The sorcerer hadn’t shown any signs of hostility, therefore Ered believed him to be a man with good qualities.

Then, intimidated by the sorcerer’s new appearance, Ered began to inquire about it. “But…what happened…?” He trailed off as he wondered how Entreri’s appearance could become so different. He slowly let his hand slide off the hilt of his sword with a sigh. Noticing his backpack lying near the water’s edge, the man walked over and slung it back on his back to keep it from getting wet, before turning back to who he believed to be Entreri.

More memories took Viashineo's mind by storm. But, one thoguht intrigued him the most. Incidently, Entreri was on the right path, following what the sorcerer had thought would be most suitable for this situation. The man's mind was still weak and malleable, but it would take some work.

“But…what happened…?” the man asked, seeming confused. Viahsineo thoguht about the question, and came to the conclusion that he was misunderstood.

"I am not Entreri,well, I kind of am. You see, Entreri is dead. He was brutally murdered because he succeeded." Viashineo said to the man, purposely saing it the way he did. The sorcerer had slyly altered the sentence, allowing it to have the same meaning, but a bit more deceptive, depending on how it was viewed.

"You see, I am dead, or was. A long time ago, things happened, and I was killed shortly after my skills were passed on to Entreri, my pupil. When Entreri was slain, I rose from his body, but not in this skeletal form you see me in now. Other things happened, terrible things, and the body that served as a capsule for my conscious was reduced to this." he continued, glaring down his body. He had become used to his skeletal body, but it was harder to disguise, if he wished to walk among men.

To him, it seemed as if he was acting. His act may hav ebeen fake, but what he told was true. Being overly decpetive would have tainted Viashineo's personal view, and he would become ashamed of himself. For the most part, the reason was because this was what he was masterful at, and his brilliance always helped him find that back door into the mind. A door, that he hoped to find within Ered.

Viashineo squinted and looked away, as another memory appeared in his mind. He then opened his eyes, and glared at Ered. "Entreri said he would be back. He.....I have kept his word."

Ered listened to the story, a horrified expression on his trusting face. “Entreri was murdered?” The sorcerer had been one of the first people, the golden eyed man had met, so he felt regretful. He listened to the rest of the lich’s story with a sad air about him. “I’m sorry your life was so brutal,” he said sadly, looking at the ground.

Vaguely, Ered began to hear disconnected words in his head: lies, acting, deception, but he was too distracted to listen carefully. He was thinking about the little memories of Entreri he had, and his own forgotten ones.

Then he noticed Viashineo glaring at him with his piercing red eyes. Shuddering in spite of himself, Ered turned away and placed his hand on his sword once more. It was comforting to know it was there. Even though he thought he knew Entreri, he was beginning to feel uneasy.

Perhaps he was being hastey, but the sorcerer knew that he had to connect with the man quickly. As well, he wanted to try have more time to try and better understand and interpret the memories that he was receiving.

"Entreri saw much in you, I feel and remember. As my pupil, he had good judgement. Tell me, Ered, do you seek more? I may be dead, but that gives me an eternity to take another under my guidance." Viashineo said hastily, jumping right back into conversation. He would need to guide the man, see what affects that this Sora had on him. Perhaps, he was not too far off of the path.

"I now have answers that I too must answer now." he spoke again, looking to the man. "Come with me, and we can answer them all together. I can reveal to you a power that is unmeasurable to your enemies. I may also continue where Entreri left off, concerning your....gift."

Ered turned back to Viashineo, his golden eyes wide. The sorcerer was offering him a chance to remember himself, to build his power. But…he wasn’t exactly Entreri.

I want to remember…I have to…I don’t know who I am…If I go with him, I can be complete again…He can help me develop the mind powers I have too. He can help me understand that as well.

A warning Sora had spoken seemed to echo in Ered’s mind. “You need to learn to defend yourself, Ered. There are a lot of bad people out there who could kill you.”

In that case…I need to go with this man. He can help me harness my power and defend myself…thought Ered, taking Sora’s warning in the wrong direction.

Turning back to Viashineo, determination glittering in his golden eyes, Ered sealed his fate. “I will go with you.”

"Perfect. I want you to rest up, but not here. We need to head to an inn not too far away, it is quite comfortable. Pack your stuff, and be ready." Viashineo added in, delighted to hear the man's positive response. Now, even after his death, he was taking in another apprentice, one that could become strong.

The destination that he had in mind to rest, was not quite as he had explained it. It was poor, they did not serve food, and there were only ten rooms in the whole establishment. It had a dark aura around it, but was rather cheap. Perhaps, it was the risk of your own life that drove the price so low....

In fact, if it were a regular inn, they would be shut down. But, many inspectors and other officials frayed from visiting the building, afraid of what might happen to them when they try to shut it down. It may not be the best of places, but it was most fitting for the firt lesson that Ered would need to face.

Viashineo turned around, away from Ered, and looked out into the woods. "Prepare yourself mentally as well."

"Perfect. I want you to rest up, but not here. We need to head to an inn not too far away, it is quite comfortable. Pack your stuff, and be ready."

Ered gave a side glance to the pack which was slung over his shoulder, then he turned his gaze to the weapon strapped to his side. In all honesty, there wasn't much to pack.

Although the sorcerer had claimed the inn was comfortable, Ered could somehow sense he was lying, or at least stretching the truth.

"Prepare yourself mentally as well."

Ered knew he had heard the other's thoughts, although he wasn't yet quite used to communicating this way. Still...it was a power worth harnassing. Climbing to his feet, Ered scrambled after the other in the morning light. It was then a thought struck him.

"...Uh...If you aren't Entreri, then what am I supposed to call you, friend?" The naive man smiled at Viashineo, who he believed truly wanted to help him with good intentions.

As Viashineo began to walk off, he heard the rushing of footsteps behind him. IT was obviously his new apprentice, and this pleased the sorcerer, because he realized how prepared the man was.

"...Uh...If you aren't Entreri, then what am I supposed to call you, friend?" Ered asked, while following Viashineo. He thought for a second before replying, not sure what would be right, whether to use a title or not.

"As I said before, my name is Viashineo Victus. But, if you will, you shall call me Master Victus." Viashineo responded, turning his head over his shoulder, to look back as he said it.

Now he had reached the beginning of the treeline. Master Victus gazed into the woods, and then looked behind him, past Ered, to catch one last glimpse of the tranquil lake. For, he knew that the tides would change, and both of their days were about to grow darker.

Just the way he liked it.

“…Master Victus…” Ered repeated, trying the feel of it on his tongue. It felt uncomfortable to call him Master…but then again…it was only polite. The golden-eyed man followed Viashineo into the tree line, where the world seemed to get darker.

Ered shuddered, at first thinking he was doing the wrong thing, but then dismissed it for the cool temperature. Every time his boots snapped a twig or broke a fallen branch, Ered winced, thinking Viashineo might reprimand him for making such a noise or even send him back. As soon as the sight of the lake between the tree trunks was lost from sight, Ered lost all sense of direction. He only hoped the other knew where they were going.

Walking through the woods was one of the harest things for Viashineo. While there were no direct paths in these parts, especially leading to the inn, he had only but a general direction to go by. But in the past, he had managed well in finding the place, one alone could just follow the feeling of evil or dread. And, when you found it, there was no greeting, but only hostile glances. You had to be strong and self-confident, because nobody would want you there.

The sorcerer had no specific preference for how he travelled through the woods. He would step on sticks, snap them, make all the noise he could, and it didn't matter. It was the woods, a giant realm of Arda, that held many mysteries, and it would be a great coincidence if anyone were around to hear you. Overall, the effort to try to be sneaky and avoid sticks and such wasn't used by him, he didn't care. "That's why I'm not a rogue." Viashineo thought to himself.

All the while, Victus was thinking in his head, which made some of the adventures go by a little faster. It took his mind off of walking, where to go, and put him in a an automatic travellling state, somewhat.

When a rather bad smell hit Viashineo, it brought back memories. If it were not for the fact that he was a lich, he would have gagged, like most other humans. The scent asured him he was going in the right direction, especially when he saw the side of the building come into view. He looked forward more, trying to make a better observation. There was barely anyone there, and it was surprisingly quiet.

The building itself was quite big, but for an inn, it held few rooms. The outside wood was black, and probably decaying, while the ground was covered in dirt and junk. The windows on the side of the inn were partly cracked or wharped, if there were any at all.

"Here we are." Viashineo said to Ered, swaying his hand towards the inn.

From the stench alone, Ered felt his eyes watering and he felt compelled to start coughing. The building looked as though it was about to collapse, and the wood was rotting. He wondered why Viashineo found this place even remotely fit to train.

“This…” Ered was going to use a word to describe it, but words failed him. He tried again. “We’re training here?” The tone in his voice was doubtful, and it was all he could do to keep from retching.

"Not really training here, just staying for the day. The real grounds inw hich we seek are only a day away, but I do not want to arrive there in the middle of the night. So, we will leave in the morning." Viashineo replied to Ered, making his way towards the inn.

As he appraoched, the smell grew stronger. It overwhelmed his senses, almost casuing the lich to turn around. However, one last step forward casued the smell to fade away, as he stood before the door. "A very good defense system, I suppose." Victus said to himself.

Viashineo opened the door and walked inside. There was only one person inside, the bartender, and he stood behind the bar. And behind him, the shelves lay abrren with nothing but blank space, cob webs, and broken bottles. The roomwas filled with rotting chairs and tables, and all of the candles were reduced to nothing but a small pile of wax.

The sorcerer walked through the mess of tbles, and appraoched the bartender. At first, the man ignored him, until Viashineo began tapping on the wood. It caught the bartender's attention, and he looked up, staring at him with bloody red eyes.

"No drinksss, no foodsss, and no roomsss." the man said, then turning his attention away from Viashineo.

"Is he lying Ered?" he asked in his mind.

Ered shuddered at the look of the man, but obeyed Viashineo. He probed into the others mind, listening carefully to his thoughts. A dark and eerie feeling washed over him as he reached out for thoughts.

Who do they think they are?

I am not giving themssss a room.

Ered pulled back out of the man's mind, disliking the feel of it. He turned to Viashineo and barely nodded, so as to not arouse suspision. Ered wished they didn't have to stop at this inn, which didn't even look comfortable.

As Viahsineo waited for some type of reply from Ered, he contemplated his decision in coming here. He did have no intentions of staying, just using it as a mere test for his new apprentice, but perhaps he had gone too far. By coming here, he risked putting both of their lives in danger, and if they were to come, things woul not be pretty.

The sorcerer saw Ered give a faint head nod, and felt pleased with the accomplishment. He had proved to his master that he could use his powers, and have some form of self-control over it. If one lacked control over their mind, they would get nowhere, their enemies would always be stronger.

Viashineo looked at the bartender, who was busy cleaning, an ironic thought. So, he wished to not engage in any further conversation, and leave as soon as possible. Quickly going bakc to the entrance, he stepped outside, and peered around. "Still clear."

The woods were growing darker, and they became more perilous to travel through. But, that is why there are apprenti......and masters.

"Observation is everything, Ered. Observing actions, all to better understand the mind. In the end, that is what could make you prevail," Viashineo began lecturing. "There is obviously something going on around here...."

Ered listened closely, wishing to prove that he was a good student. Perhaps now was a good time. “Observation…” he muttered under his breath. Stepping a bit away from the inn and Viashineo, Ered concentrated. There was something about this place, not having to do anything with its appearance, that made Ered’s skin crawl. Clenching his pale hands, Ered tried to think of what was unsettling him…

Fools…

what was…unsettling

They won’t get out alive…

him…

Ered snapped his eyes open, and searched every dark corner he could find with his yellow eyes. He had definitely heard someone…or something…talk in his mind. The odd fact was, whatever had spoken didn’t sound human…or even humanoid. It didn’t even sound alive.

Suddenly, something seemed to tug his gaze, and his eyes found themselves looking at a dark spot, just above the roof of the inn. Instantly, his mind seemed to explode with pain…not physical, but pain that was inside his mind, tearing it apart even as he stood there.

Fool…your mind is powerful…yet it is so open…

Ered crumpled to his knees and grabbed his head with his hands, crying out against the searing pain.

I'll kill your friend too, don't worry.

“Viashineo! Above the inn! Take heed!” Ered pointed with a pale finger to the darkness above the roof as he tried to shake off the searing feeling.

Viashineo heard his aprentices shout, and quickly turned around as fast as he could. It was fast enough for him to locate where Ered was pointing, up on the roof as he said. But, Ered looked as if he was in pain, clutching his head. Now, Viashineo knew, that it was not physical, but mental.

The sorcerer had to take action as fast as he could, not only for his sake, but for Ered's as well. He began running back towards the building, launching a barrage of bone missiles towards the shrouded mist that lay on top of the building. It should buy him some time, but he still had to make haste.

Viahsineo smashe din the door of the inn, and jolted upstairs, with the bartender screaming in the background. He continued up the stairs, until he had reached the top most floor. then, with the cast of shadow clas, he bgan tearing at the wood, until it became weak enough for his claws to latch on to, and for him to throw his way up.

With one great burst, the energy provided from the rush of adrenaline he was receiving, Viashineo smashed through the ceiling, and on to the roof.

"Can't we be friends......." Victus began to say, very slyly. However, he cut himself off, as he realized what they were dealing with.

There were many creatures and beings throughout Arda. However, many of them paled against the horrors of a Mind Stryker. It has no physical form, and it only becomes visible when its presence is realized. Now the creature stood before Viashineo, presenting how it truly appeared. In the center of the darkness was a single, glossy eye, focused on Viashineo. Surrounding the eye were hundreds of tendrils, laced in black magic as they waved through the air. Although the creature was floating just a few feet in front of the sorcerer, the air to it seemed surreal, almost dreamlike.

As the Stryker was hovering, the presence of Viashineo appeared to arouse the creature. It turned the luminous eye to the sorcerer and captured him in its gaze. A gaze, it was said, that could penetrate to your soul and paralyze you on the spot. Not many that encountered a Mind Stryker survived. After all, how can you defeat something that doesn't exist?

Down on the ground below Ered was struggling with the piercing pain that pulsated with no signs of relenting. Opening a weary eye, the overwhelmed man noticed that everything looked hazy. Catching sight of something black out of the corner of his eye, Ered swiftly turned his head. There was a tendril that seemed to originate from the rooftop, a black tendril that swirled although there was no wind. Squinting, Ered realized whatever was causing his pain was on the rooftop, and this tendril was one of its…arms…in a way. It was slowly beginning to wrap around the man’s body, making its way upward toward his head.

A cold feeling overtook Ered and the pain inside himself began to dull, almost numb, as though the pain was so intense, his body was taking pity on him. The world swayed and began to melt. Treetops melded into the ground, the inn distorted and broke into pieces.

Submit…

Drown in your past and your memories…

Let me feast on your mind…

Ered’s eyesight began to slowly fade, and he barely had enough strength to keep his eyes open. Whatever this…thing…was, it was and had been talking to him in his mind, whispering words of warning. Memories…Ered found himself thinking weakly. I don’t have any memories. Desperately, he tried to tap into his mind to set up some kind of barrier against the creature, thinking that if he could read minds, maybe he could harness other powers, like Viashineo said. Not even knowing if his defense worked, Ered slumped over onto the ground and his world went black.

With a swipe of his sword, the creature that hovered before him began to fade away, just as the blade began to slice through the image. When Viashineo pulled his sword away, the enemy that had once lay before him totally disappeared. Perplexed by what happened, he could not think that his actions could have brought about the creature's demise, or retreat.

But, other matters were brought to his attention, as the lich looked down to the ground from the roof, to see Ered laying on the ground, motionless. He quickly paced down the center of the rotting roof and leapt off the side, safely landing on the ground, which sucked his boots in. As he retracted his foot, a squcishu noise folowed every footstep he took until he reached his pupil.

"Please...wake Ered. I promised to answer all your questions, all of your pleads. This is only but one..."

((Sorry, short, but had a bad day today and wanted to start this off.))

Everything was so confusing. Mists swirled around in the Caeste's mind as he wandered aimlessly. Someone, the creature had done something to him, sucked him inside his own thoughts. As he searched the grey, shifting clouds, frightened, he thought he could see images just beyond the mists. Reaching out, Ered touched the clouds and there was an unusual wetness on his fingers.

He could see pieces of memories since he had arrived. There he was, falling out of the sky. There was Sora training him. There was Viashineo…and then there were other memories. Some wisps that he couldn’t understand. A winged beast? A war? He was…punished?

Suddenly, the clouds closed up again. Ered jerked back, sensing a new threat. He could see a dark shadow in the mists. It seemed to be eating away at the clouds, trying to reach what was behind them.

Give me your memories.

I’m so hungry…

Shuddering at this new devilry, the Caeste began to back away. Somehow, this creature had gotten inside his mind. But…he couldn’t just let it destroy him.

Forcing his legs to move, Ered ran forward, lashing out at the creature with every thought and memory he possessed. The clouds broke loose and everything smoldered the shadow, overwhelming it. Without a trace, it vanished.

For a moment, his mind wavered. Then he was forced to the surface. Opening his eyes rather suddenly, Ered jerked upwards and looked around him. “What happened?” he asked Viashineo, rather confused.

“What happened?” Ered had asked Viashineo, but the Lich had seemed to ignore the question. Instead, he looked around at the body that lay on the forest ground, perplexed, and hardly believing what was happening. He had found himself deep within a web of emotions with the man that was travelling with him. How he had let himself become so entangled was beyond his own reasoning.

Originally, he had a plan, and everything was laid out. Every action he would take to....convert.... the gifted yet weak minded human. But now, every event that occured was so random and unpredictable that not even Viashineo could keep a level head.

Victus found himself defenseless, sporadic and unreasonable in every action that he took. His consciousness was aware of the problem he now faced.

"Not now, we have to get you inside." Viashineo said, rushing the man to get up and into the rotting tavern. "We have come this far, let us at least make it all the way."

((Lol, where are they going again?))

Ered looked around a bit dazed. He could feel his strength returning as he followed Viashineo into the building. Now the dark aura that had been surrounding it had vanished, although it only seemed a bit more hospitable. The rotting planks of wood and pungent odor did not create a cordial environment.

Afraid to sit down on any chairs for fear of them collapsing, Ered tried to remember what happened. What was wrong with his memory? All he remembered was that creature and then…he passed out…How was the aura of the creature gone? He turned to Viashineo again, still expecting an answer. "What was that...thing?"

((I just kind of babbled through this whole post. :grr: ))

"What was that...thing?" Ered had asked Viashineo, completely confused. Yet, not even the Lich had the answer. The being was that of something from another realm, but that was not possible. It's nature was deadly, yet its presence seemed unnatural. For once, he was completely oblivious to what was going on, and the whole situation seemed to keep him that way.

"I do not know, I am sorry. There is nothing I can do to help you understand what happened. If you truly want to know, you will have to discover the answers for yourself. That is something I cannot, and will not, guide you on," Viashineo began to explain to Ered, turning his back on him. "Perhaps you felt a connection, wanted or unwanted, with it. If so, that would be the place to start. The brain has an interesting way of working, But I wouldn't know, I don't have one anymore..."

Then, he turned back towards Ered, and walked up to him, getting into his face.

"Is that soemthing you think you should pursue?"