Post by Ryan - Loki on Jul 2, 2008 9:42:14 GMT
A singular figure, cloaked by the darkness of the night, stood on a plane of emerald grass in a seemingly endless field of flowers, though the darkness of the night was so deep that it made it impossible to see where they ended; the shine of the moon was the only thing that granted the world below light while the planet slept. The wind was blowing generously across Metapha as per usual, but the lone figure was about to have company as another figure slowly moved towards him, his eyes as bright as the headlights of a car.
“You are late Natas.”
“I know very well what time it is Dramanius. The last crystal was a little harder to acquire than I had originally perceived.”
“Heh…did those mortals cause you some trouble?”
“Pfft. Hardly. But you know, just as I do, the effect that Loki’s demise had on the two of us. The power that faded, the opportunities…we were forced to flee a land that should have been ours.”
“Do not confuse me with you Natas, I am not, was not, nor will I ever be Loki’s bitch. Unlike you my power was not directly linked to that of Loki’s own.” Dramanius paused. “Though I admit…with his death I too felt the loss. Perhaps because he brought me back from death, I do not know.”
“Does this really matter? What matters is that you accomplished things on your end…you DID accomplish things on your end, didn’t you?”
“What do you take me for? Yes. Yes I did. I have collected three of them.” Dramanius bent down and emptied the contents of a small bag onto the grass, three coloured crystals. “Red, wrath. Orange, Pride. And yellow, greed.” slowly he stood once more, scowling at his partner. “I assume you have found the four you had set out to find?”
“Yes. Like I said, I had a little trouble acquiring the final one, but now I have it.”
“Please tell me you did not compromise our situation.”
“What do you take me for Dramanius?!”
“Nothing more than what I see Natas. It was a question, one that you are still yet to answer.”
“No I did not compromise our situation. Don’t worry, not Lucifer or anybody else for that matter, is aware of our presence upon Dragonia.”
“Good, good. We have risked too much to get caught and throw it all away now, especially as we have finally reached our goal.”
“Yes, but the awakening of the legendary dragon will surely draw unwanted attention to us. Wont it?”
“Perhaps…you would be more knowledgeable with such rituals and its consequences. You forget Natas, and I am neither from your world nor your realm of existence.”
“I reckon it will, though that is why Metapha is the perfect place to awaken the dragon.” Natas suddenly turned his hand on himself, his sharp nails ripping through his chest. The creature hissed and gave a hushed grunt of pain as suddenly he pulled his fist free, the four remaining crystals within his palm. In anger he threw them down onto the grass with the others.
“Green, envy. Blue, gluttony. Indigo, lust. And finally Violet, sloth. The Crystals of Iniquity, in all their glory.” Dramanius’ face lit up in the multicoloured illumination of the now pulsating crystals. “Surely there must have been a more practical way for you to carry those crystals?”
“Quiet!” Natas hissed, holding his chest in pain. “It’s time…” With his other hand Natas held it out over the crystals. “First we ask for what we wish to be granted…and if the eternal dragon believes it fits one of the seven deadly sins then he will grant us our wish.” the crystals suddenly lifted up off of the floor and floated into the air, forming a circle just below Natas’ hand. “Eternal dragon, hear our wish. Bring our lord Loki back from the dead. ”
“No.” a bodiless, booming voice replied.
“What?! Why not!?”
“It is not within my power.”
“What do you mean it isn’t!? You’ve brought people back from the dead in the past!”
“The one known as Loki is not dead to be brought back from it.”
“What?!”
“He is not dead…how can that be?”
“Well if he isn’t dead then bring him here to us.”
“No.”
“Why not this time!” Natas was beginning to get frustrated.
“It is not within my power.”
“But why!”
“The one known as Loki is not alive to be brought to you.”
“Well so far this has been productive.”
“You’re not making any sense dragon!”
“I know everything. My word is beyond questioning.”
“What?!-”
“Natas,” Dramanius attempted to interrupt.
“You’re about as knowledgeable as-”
“Natas,” Dramanius tried once more, but with no luck.
“My right testicle!”
Everything fell silent except for the humming of the crystals. Dramanius raised his hand and opened his mouth as if to speak, but then closed it and lowered his hand once more, seeing no need; Natas had already said something that he was likely to regret. Suddenly the crystals lifted higher into the air, shaking violently, and with a echoing boom they shot off in every direction, their pulsating lights slowly faded from sight into the darkness of the night, before they could no longer be seen or heard. After a few more moments of silence, where the two of them came to grip with what had just transpired, Natas let out a roar of anger.
“Well that went well.” Dramanius finally spoke. Natas looked at him, his face full of anger. “Do not look at me like that Natas. It was you, not I, who pissed off the dragon and made him scatter the crystals.”
“I know! I know…” Natas replied, slowly beginning to calm down. “Seven years preparation down the drain. We’re back at square one Dramanius!”
“Not entirely my friend.”
“Huh-what?”
“We now know that Loki is neither dead nor alive.” Dramanius paused. “We just have to find out where he is and how to free him.”
“That’s easier said than done Dramanius.” Natas replied. “How are we supposed to find out these things?”
“Perhaps I can help you two with that.” Both Natas and Dramanius spun around at the sound of a third voice in the immediate area; they had not seen or felt anyone moments before, but what their eyes would fall upon neither of them would believe.
“Master!?” “Loki!” wide eyed and full of uncertainty, confusion and surprise, Natas fell to one knee, bowing before his master, while Dramanius simply lowered his head in acknowledgment.
“It’s good to see you both, my loyal allies.”
“How is this possible, the dragon told us he could not bring you here?”
“I’m not here by means of the dragon’s power. I’m out of his reach.” Loki replied. His voice seemed distant, echoing almost. “In fact I’m not here at all, but that isn’t important right now.” he paused. Though Loki was stood before them he also wasn’t. He looked even paler than he usually did, to the point where his complexion was a light blue in certain places, as well as his body having an unnatural faint, blue glow surrounding it; he looked like a ghost. “The crystals can’t help me in my current situation.”
“But master, why couldn’t you have informed us about this before we went to the trouble of collecting those seven years ago?” Natas asked, now lifting himself up from his knee.
“I wasn’t strong enough to show myself to you before, otherwise I would have Natas. You won’t ask another stupid question like that again, if you know what’s good for you.”
“And what exactly will you do to me if I do decide to ask another ‘stupid’ question, master?” Natas replied in a moment of both stupidity and defiance.
“I will use my time like this to inform those who you are so keen to avoid where you are. Do I make myself clear?” his smirk was trademark; malevolent and sadistic. Natas didn’t reply. “Listen and listen well you two; I don’t have much time to explain all of this.” Loki’s expression had quickly turned serious. “Though my physical body is dead my consciousness lives on, though stuck between the realms of the living and dead.”
“Yes, the dragon told us as much.”
“You’ll need to find an object, an ancient lost artefact, to have any chance of bringing me back. It goes by the name of ‘the Suit of Origin’. It is an ancient, legendary suit of armour, rumoured to be the last one of a set of five. Legend tells that it was worn by one of the first few warriors that Dragonia ever had.” Loki paused, seemingly weak and having trouble even standing. “All five were the greatest of friends and used the powers they had to help the people of Dragonia, but like in all good tales worth telling one fell to darkness and gained unbelievable powers.” Loki couldn’t help but grin; it reminded him of, well, him.
“That one man brought about chaos to Dragonia. In the end the other four couldn’t put off fighting their lost friend anymore. There was a big battle, one that was said to have shaken the very heavens, and in the end none of them survived.”
“But what is so special about the armour that they wore in this folk law?”
“Apparently these men were so powerful that even death’s grip couldn’t hold them to heaven and hell; all five men returned, but only within their armour. Their souls mastered the armour as if it was their original bodies, and for years the five of them continued their battle across Dragonia, causing lots of destruction in their wake.” Loki was clearly enjoying telling this story. “Eventually all of the armour was broken into pieces and scattered across the planet, leaving the warriors unable to return. Over the years since then pieces of the armour have been rumoured to be everywhere, at one point or another. Some of it stolen, some of it lost or destroyed; only one set is said to remain.”
“The armour can hold a persons consciousness, their soul, within it and allow them to use it as if it was their body; It’ll make me invincible…until we reach my body. You must find the pieces and bring them together; but that alone won’t be enough.” Loki sighed in frustration. “And last but not least, Ryan, my brother, he MUST be present, and alive. Then we can go to my body.”
“But why master?”
“Yes Loki, that won’t be an easy task to complete. Ryan will not just come with us easily, or willingly.”
“I can’t tell you Natas, and Dramanius I know it won’t be easy…but it is one-hundred percent necessary. Have I made myself clear?”
“Yes my master.” “Fully.”
“Good. One last thing: In roughly a week from now I will use some of my power to transfer a subliminal message to all warriors across Dragonia, asking for their help in this quest. I will offer power, glory and riches; all the things that could possibly tempt people into helping you. You will find some who will help you to free me, but you will also come across those who wish to stop you…deal with t-!”
Loki was cut short, his expression one of shock, as he was suddenly sucked backwards into the darkness of the night and vanished, leaving Natas and Dramanius alone.
“You are late Natas.”
“I know very well what time it is Dramanius. The last crystal was a little harder to acquire than I had originally perceived.”
“Heh…did those mortals cause you some trouble?”
“Pfft. Hardly. But you know, just as I do, the effect that Loki’s demise had on the two of us. The power that faded, the opportunities…we were forced to flee a land that should have been ours.”
“Do not confuse me with you Natas, I am not, was not, nor will I ever be Loki’s bitch. Unlike you my power was not directly linked to that of Loki’s own.” Dramanius paused. “Though I admit…with his death I too felt the loss. Perhaps because he brought me back from death, I do not know.”
“Does this really matter? What matters is that you accomplished things on your end…you DID accomplish things on your end, didn’t you?”
“What do you take me for? Yes. Yes I did. I have collected three of them.” Dramanius bent down and emptied the contents of a small bag onto the grass, three coloured crystals. “Red, wrath. Orange, Pride. And yellow, greed.” slowly he stood once more, scowling at his partner. “I assume you have found the four you had set out to find?”
“Yes. Like I said, I had a little trouble acquiring the final one, but now I have it.”
“Please tell me you did not compromise our situation.”
“What do you take me for Dramanius?!”
“Nothing more than what I see Natas. It was a question, one that you are still yet to answer.”
“No I did not compromise our situation. Don’t worry, not Lucifer or anybody else for that matter, is aware of our presence upon Dragonia.”
“Good, good. We have risked too much to get caught and throw it all away now, especially as we have finally reached our goal.”
“Yes, but the awakening of the legendary dragon will surely draw unwanted attention to us. Wont it?”
“Perhaps…you would be more knowledgeable with such rituals and its consequences. You forget Natas, and I am neither from your world nor your realm of existence.”
“I reckon it will, though that is why Metapha is the perfect place to awaken the dragon.” Natas suddenly turned his hand on himself, his sharp nails ripping through his chest. The creature hissed and gave a hushed grunt of pain as suddenly he pulled his fist free, the four remaining crystals within his palm. In anger he threw them down onto the grass with the others.
“Green, envy. Blue, gluttony. Indigo, lust. And finally Violet, sloth. The Crystals of Iniquity, in all their glory.” Dramanius’ face lit up in the multicoloured illumination of the now pulsating crystals. “Surely there must have been a more practical way for you to carry those crystals?”
“Quiet!” Natas hissed, holding his chest in pain. “It’s time…” With his other hand Natas held it out over the crystals. “First we ask for what we wish to be granted…and if the eternal dragon believes it fits one of the seven deadly sins then he will grant us our wish.” the crystals suddenly lifted up off of the floor and floated into the air, forming a circle just below Natas’ hand. “Eternal dragon, hear our wish. Bring our lord Loki back from the dead. ”
“No.” a bodiless, booming voice replied.
“What?! Why not!?”
“It is not within my power.”
“What do you mean it isn’t!? You’ve brought people back from the dead in the past!”
“The one known as Loki is not dead to be brought back from it.”
“What?!”
“He is not dead…how can that be?”
“Well if he isn’t dead then bring him here to us.”
“No.”
“Why not this time!” Natas was beginning to get frustrated.
“It is not within my power.”
“But why!”
“The one known as Loki is not alive to be brought to you.”
“Well so far this has been productive.”
“You’re not making any sense dragon!”
“I know everything. My word is beyond questioning.”
“What?!-”
“Natas,” Dramanius attempted to interrupt.
“You’re about as knowledgeable as-”
“Natas,” Dramanius tried once more, but with no luck.
“My right testicle!”
Everything fell silent except for the humming of the crystals. Dramanius raised his hand and opened his mouth as if to speak, but then closed it and lowered his hand once more, seeing no need; Natas had already said something that he was likely to regret. Suddenly the crystals lifted higher into the air, shaking violently, and with a echoing boom they shot off in every direction, their pulsating lights slowly faded from sight into the darkness of the night, before they could no longer be seen or heard. After a few more moments of silence, where the two of them came to grip with what had just transpired, Natas let out a roar of anger.
“Well that went well.” Dramanius finally spoke. Natas looked at him, his face full of anger. “Do not look at me like that Natas. It was you, not I, who pissed off the dragon and made him scatter the crystals.”
“I know! I know…” Natas replied, slowly beginning to calm down. “Seven years preparation down the drain. We’re back at square one Dramanius!”
“Not entirely my friend.”
“Huh-what?”
“We now know that Loki is neither dead nor alive.” Dramanius paused. “We just have to find out where he is and how to free him.”
“That’s easier said than done Dramanius.” Natas replied. “How are we supposed to find out these things?”
“Perhaps I can help you two with that.” Both Natas and Dramanius spun around at the sound of a third voice in the immediate area; they had not seen or felt anyone moments before, but what their eyes would fall upon neither of them would believe.
“Master!?” “Loki!” wide eyed and full of uncertainty, confusion and surprise, Natas fell to one knee, bowing before his master, while Dramanius simply lowered his head in acknowledgment.
“It’s good to see you both, my loyal allies.”
“How is this possible, the dragon told us he could not bring you here?”
“I’m not here by means of the dragon’s power. I’m out of his reach.” Loki replied. His voice seemed distant, echoing almost. “In fact I’m not here at all, but that isn’t important right now.” he paused. Though Loki was stood before them he also wasn’t. He looked even paler than he usually did, to the point where his complexion was a light blue in certain places, as well as his body having an unnatural faint, blue glow surrounding it; he looked like a ghost. “The crystals can’t help me in my current situation.”
“But master, why couldn’t you have informed us about this before we went to the trouble of collecting those seven years ago?” Natas asked, now lifting himself up from his knee.
“I wasn’t strong enough to show myself to you before, otherwise I would have Natas. You won’t ask another stupid question like that again, if you know what’s good for you.”
“And what exactly will you do to me if I do decide to ask another ‘stupid’ question, master?” Natas replied in a moment of both stupidity and defiance.
“I will use my time like this to inform those who you are so keen to avoid where you are. Do I make myself clear?” his smirk was trademark; malevolent and sadistic. Natas didn’t reply. “Listen and listen well you two; I don’t have much time to explain all of this.” Loki’s expression had quickly turned serious. “Though my physical body is dead my consciousness lives on, though stuck between the realms of the living and dead.”
“Yes, the dragon told us as much.”
“You’ll need to find an object, an ancient lost artefact, to have any chance of bringing me back. It goes by the name of ‘the Suit of Origin’. It is an ancient, legendary suit of armour, rumoured to be the last one of a set of five. Legend tells that it was worn by one of the first few warriors that Dragonia ever had.” Loki paused, seemingly weak and having trouble even standing. “All five were the greatest of friends and used the powers they had to help the people of Dragonia, but like in all good tales worth telling one fell to darkness and gained unbelievable powers.” Loki couldn’t help but grin; it reminded him of, well, him.
“That one man brought about chaos to Dragonia. In the end the other four couldn’t put off fighting their lost friend anymore. There was a big battle, one that was said to have shaken the very heavens, and in the end none of them survived.”
“But what is so special about the armour that they wore in this folk law?”
“Apparently these men were so powerful that even death’s grip couldn’t hold them to heaven and hell; all five men returned, but only within their armour. Their souls mastered the armour as if it was their original bodies, and for years the five of them continued their battle across Dragonia, causing lots of destruction in their wake.” Loki was clearly enjoying telling this story. “Eventually all of the armour was broken into pieces and scattered across the planet, leaving the warriors unable to return. Over the years since then pieces of the armour have been rumoured to be everywhere, at one point or another. Some of it stolen, some of it lost or destroyed; only one set is said to remain.”
“The armour can hold a persons consciousness, their soul, within it and allow them to use it as if it was their body; It’ll make me invincible…until we reach my body. You must find the pieces and bring them together; but that alone won’t be enough.” Loki sighed in frustration. “And last but not least, Ryan, my brother, he MUST be present, and alive. Then we can go to my body.”
“But why master?”
“Yes Loki, that won’t be an easy task to complete. Ryan will not just come with us easily, or willingly.”
“I can’t tell you Natas, and Dramanius I know it won’t be easy…but it is one-hundred percent necessary. Have I made myself clear?”
“Yes my master.” “Fully.”
“Good. One last thing: In roughly a week from now I will use some of my power to transfer a subliminal message to all warriors across Dragonia, asking for their help in this quest. I will offer power, glory and riches; all the things that could possibly tempt people into helping you. You will find some who will help you to free me, but you will also come across those who wish to stop you…deal with t-!”
Loki was cut short, his expression one of shock, as he was suddenly sucked backwards into the darkness of the night and vanished, leaving Natas and Dramanius alone.
