For this ACT, tigersblood33 shall play as Tygar, Nelo Angelo and Dante. SorceressRIN0A shall be playing Sirona, Trillean will be playing as Trillean, and Cain. Dawnrider31 shall play as Ari. lilmisswonders01 shall play as Ryanna. Kaede83 shall play as Kaede, Arshes and Elder Tassidus.  ShahrazadKM shall play as Csilla, Kaleo, Kari, Jove and Frode. Other Characters will be play by whomever.

ACT XVIII, SCENE 1 - Amondor, (in Enyatun) the Land of the High Elves - The Darkness Strikes With A Vengeance - 5 p.m.

**Amondor, a primitive settlement atop the High Elf Hills of ETareldatun is home to the legendary and valiant high elf tribe. The place of Ari's birth and her homeland, this rich kingdom is home to some of the most talented and advanced archers in the known world. However, like much of the world, Amondor was completely caught off guard when out of the darkness came the great army of Dante & Nelo Angelo. Quickly, the race of high elves assemble into battle positions, as the King and Queen become deeply worried about the fate of their homelands and lives...**

***

~Enter Dante, Nelo Angelo, and new commander Belthor, as well as two hundred thousand dark minions.~

~Enter Ergoth, King of the High Elves, Tarelda, Queen of the High Elves, and twenty thousand elves.~

***

Belthor: *he leads his force of dark spawns up the steep hills as he issues a single order* Do not let a single soul escape....

Nelo Angelo: *looking down upon the human encampment on his end, he sees children fleeing from the flames* Hmm...it would do no good for this kingdom to engender future warriors against us... *he draws a bow, and fires as the screams of terror follow onsite*

(Ari's Father) Ergoth: *looking out over the lands below, he spots the legions of Nelo Angelo approaching*  So it begins...  *he turns to the Lieutenant on his right*  Prepare the men... We have a long day ahead of us...

Ergoth: *he watches his troops leave the fortress & amass to meet Dante's forces. Ergoth turns and goes to his chambers where his wife is seated.* They are coming. We cannot stay here...  

Ergoth: You and the other women and children will go farther into the hills to hide.

(Ari’s Mother) Tarelda: *reaching to her husband imploringly* Please, come with us... I cannot make it without you...

Ergoth:  You know I cannot. I go now to fight. You have to leave now or you won't have time to escape.

Tarelda: No, I will not, not without you! *she tugs on her husband's long cloak, begging him to flee with her into the hills*

Ergoth: You must live! *he shrugs her off his robe violently as he sends her to the ground* If our entire nation goes up in flames, there will be nothing left for future generations!

Tarelda: *she brushes away tears streaming from within her eyes*

Ergoth: You must take the children and hide away until this madness has come to a halt. Search out for our daughter, Ari, tell her of what has happened here! I will send my finest archers to look after you. Head to High Tower and speak of our plight!

Tarelda: ...Yes...I shall...for future generations... *she embraces her husband in a tight hug, then kisses him deeply* I love you!

Ergoth: *he kisses her back quickly and releases her from the hug* And I you... Now go!

*~Exit Queen Tarelda, of the Elf Highlands~*

Dante: *he mounts a dark dragon and rises into the sky overseeing the destruction* Perfect...the pleasure of multiple people screaming in unison...always makes me tingle...

Belthor: *he rushes to the castle corridors shooting at everything in his path alongside a large squad*

~Enter an Elf General.~

Elf General: *he motions up to the flying dragon as its rider atop of it seems to be summoning a spell* Watch out, he's going to attack!

Dante: *he summons a spell* I call upon the dark disease of Venom, let your poison infect all from within... *a smog of green mist ensues the solders from below, and they gag and choke on the mist and drop dead*

Dante: Hmm, how about second helpings? I call upon the fiery spell of Meteor, let your scorching rocks fall from the dark skies of death and light up the night and burn all that stands in your path! *suddenly, a few balls of fire from the skies rain down on the city engulfing much of it ablaze*

Belthor: *he glances up at the sky as it ignites in fire, he grins* Looks like we've got pleasant weather tonight my friends! *the cheers of his band of warriors are heard around him*

Nelo Angelo: *he observes his father's army from the distance as the skies light up in fire, he smirks* Tsk tsk, father, use all your powers and you may not have anything left for the ENCORE! *he releases a shaft of boulders that rolls down he hill towards the outskirts of the city on the far west side, crushing many people and buildings in the process*

Belthor: *he sights an entrance to the castle as he troops dispatch the guards* Take care of anyone that hinders our progress, I'm going to meet the king face to face... *he races up the stairs*

Elf General: *he tries to assemble his low morale troops, but another round of meteors take a number of them out all at once, he curses* Damn it! Fall back!

Ergoth: *the king turns to meet the onslaught of the attacker that has entered his castle. Casting a spell to protect  himself in battle he meets the enemy*  So you dare enter the realm of ETareldatun, and that of her capital city, Amondor?  You will pay with your meddling demon spawn by the point of my blade!

Belthor: *he steps into the throne room and cackles* Your kingdom is finished, and yet you seem to believe that you and your citizens still have a glimmer of a chance left? You will be the first of a long list of places that Lord Dante brings to its knees!

Ergoth: I'd rather die than be a slave to your master!

Belthor: *he laughs* So, you wish to challenge me then, is that it? I really don't think that is wise, because to put it bluntly, I am one of the highest ranking commanders in the Dark Army... *he pulls out his long sword from its sheath*

Ergoth: *he stands to his full height and grins almost manically*  Light will always prevail, evil has no place in this world...

Belthor: *he laughs at the sickening gesture* Will light prevail with over half a million legions of doom? We shall see soon enough...but for now... Fight me!

Ergoth: *he draws his sword and prepares another spell*  If you say so....

Nelo Angelo: *he watches dispassionately as men, women, and children alike run screaming, and nods* Move on my hordes...we feast on the suffering of the world...now comes Armageddon!

Ergoth: *he casts a spell that fills his chambers in bright light blinding all that would dare witness its luminance. Beneath the light, he seizes the moment to attack*

Belthor: *he covers his eyes from the light, but his senses kicks in as she feels the incoming force of the elf king* Yahh!

Ergoth: *clashing swords with Belthor he glances off him and jumps aside.*

Belthor: *jumps back a the same time* Well...not bad...you certainly have some potential...

Ergoth: *looks at Belthor through lowered eyelids*  You'll pay for your insolence.  *he runs in to attack, lithely dropping to the floor to sweep his feet*

Belthor: *he does a backflip to avoid the sweep* A bit slow today, aren't we? Dodge this! *he swing his sword at Ergoth, it passes over his head as the foe ducks with ease*

Ergoth: *laughs*  I'm just getting started youngling.  *he begins to store his innermost strength and stands on his guard, his sword gleaming in the light that filters in through the stain glass windowpanes*

Belthor: *he catches the energy being drawn in towards his foe, and begins to draw in his own energy*

Ergoth: *he curses, noticing the dark general's much faster energy absorb techniques in comparison to his own*

Ergoth: *he puts up a stronger shield and motions for his adversary to attack* Bring what you can dish out...

Belthor: *he snarls at the Elf King* With pleasure...*he unleashed a catastrophic dark blast from the edge of his sword, going straight through the king's shield. For a moment, the shield holds but gradually the light begins to flicker and finally fades underneath the massive buildup of energy*

Ergoth: *he takes in the blast at full force, stammering as he falls forward, his eyes nearly go back behind their sockets as he winces in pain*

Ergoth: *breathing heavily, his eyes swirling slightly, he takes the energy he has been building up and concentrates it into his sword.*  Let's see...how you like it demon!

Belthor: *he notices the energy buildup on the tip of the blade and laughs* If you insist! *he crosses his arms in a bid to deflect the onslaught*

Ergoth: *with pinpoint accuracy he throws the blade it like a hunting knife into Belthor's abdomen. Upon contact light emanates from the wound, piercing Belthor's entire body*

Belthor: *he coughs up black blood* Damn! *he coughs up a larger pool the second time around* You managed to give me quite a abrasion...

Belthor: *he conjures up a fire attack* But I am far from finished! Burn in hell!

Ergoth: *he rolls to the right dodging several fireballs, before quickly grabbing an arrow out of his pouch and hurling it towards his attacker's abdomen, praying it should hit the puncture*

Belthor: *he catching the arrow and throws it back as quickly as it had come*

Ergoth: *he watches as the arrow come blazing back in his direction. He closes his eyes and summons the arrow to harm that of evil, and as if possessed, the arrow turns back around and slams into the dark general's stomach*

Belthor: *he grunts before screeching in agony*

Ergoth: *he chuckles, holding his chest as he breathes heavily* What's the matter, demon...? I thought...pain was mundane... in your lands...

Ergoth: *he falls to his knees, his vision blurring.*  I told you... light would conquer...

Belthor: *he cries out to the ceiling of the place with a wraith of death* Hahaha... But I have one final trick to show you and your pathetic realm! When I die, I take everything with me! See you in the afterlife! *he shatters like a broken mirror and a large cylinder of fire extends outward across the castle grounds scorching everything in it's path.*

Ergoth: *As his soul leaves the world, it calls out to his wife and to Ari.* Forgive me my loves...we are lost... Now...only you can keep hope alive for the rest of the world... Know that... I love you... dear... ones...

Dante: *from above he sees the circle of fire spread outwards hastily consuming the castle, his mere reaction is a dark one* Nothing like a barbeque to end the life’s of so many... I lose one, but they lose many! Hahahaha!

Dante: My, my, it seems the crowd is dying down...I guess the show is just about over... Sad...I was hoping we'd have a second act on hand... *he laughs at his remark and swoops low to unleash another wave of torment*

**In only a matter of a few hours, the kingdom of ETareldatun, and its chief city and capital, Amondor, fall to the dark tides and her army. Few, if any manage to survive the massive onslaught from Dante and his minions. Ergoth's wife, Tarelda and two dozen arches manage to take the few hundred survive into the back of the hill caverns and onto boats that would lead them down the River Amban (Hillside River). The river charts an almost direct course towards the lower gates of High Tower.**

**Back at High Tower Castle, Ari and Tygar have begun to notice the disturbing plight of smoke and flame coming from the direction of Amondor. Deeply concerned and in a string of panic, Ari rushes to the balcony to get a closer look of the chaos and quickly finds out that upon closer inspection, it is indeed her homeland under attack by the dark army. She sinks to her knees and begins to cry in pain and frustration. From behind, Tygar races to comfort her.*

~Enter Ari and Tygar.~

Tygar: *he sees the Elf Homeland in flames and is brought to one knee*

Tygar: *he looks up at his love and holds her close* I know...you hated your father...but...I didn't want the family quarrel to end like this...

Ari: *nearly incomprehensible, she clings to his chest*  My father... dead... This...can't be happening...!

Tygar: *he cringles with fear as he strokes Ari's hair, attempting to calm her* He just couldn't wait for us...could he...? Damn it!

Ari: *she clings tighter, imagining possibilities*  I should have been there... To protect them...

Tygar: *he nods sadly* We all should have been there...

Ari: *her sobbing begins to emit uncontrollably*  Hold me...please. Don't ever leave me... I don't want to lose anyone else tonight...

Tygar: *he looks at her seriously in her eyes, more seriously then he has ever shown her before* Ari...let's go on without them... For the sake of more lives, we just can't wait around any longer... *he holds her in his arms and sobs with her*

Ari: *she sniffs, shaking her head* That would be suicide.  *she curls into a smaller ball, sitting in his lap*  I'm so afraid...

Tygar: *he cradles her* I know Ari... I know...

Tygar: *he sets her down on the ground, and stands up, tall and straight, yet trying to hold back his anger* How...much longer...do we have....to wait! *he roars into the pale purple clouds of the decaying sky, a death cry for all those that had brought harm to him and his friends so far in their journey*

Ari: *she stands weakly, leaning on the rail. tears running down her cheeks continuously*  I don't know Tygar.  But it doesn't matter how long we wait or he waits.  We'll never be ready.

Tygar: *he frowns* The feeling is mutual I'm afraid... How can we contend with that...?! *he points towards the inferno that was Amordor*

Tygar: *he stands firm once more* There's only one thing we can do... We need to send out a decoy to assist those lands that have not been purged by the darkness...

Ari: A decoy? You don't mean...

Tygar: The band of warriors that comprise of Tigera's remains should be positioned to move towards Trillean's lands. I just know that's where Dante plans to strike next... Call it a feline sense, I just know that is what will transpire next... I will call out to them to move towards the border to meet against the dark army...

Ari: You would condemn your people to death? Just to buy us more time?

Tygar: *his eyes go downward* They know of the risks...they've put their lives on the line for me many times before...they trusted my father, and I know they will trust me, fore I have already trusted them in our previous encounter with Nelo Angelo...

Ari: *she nods* I shall not argue with your decisions. You are their king now...

Tygar: *he nods showing her his own pain of putting his people influx with danger once again*

Ari: *she looks down*  It's strange not having anywhere to go home to. I still can't believe it. Not that I have actually gone home in many years... but still...my home is my home, you know? Special to me regardless of my current situation there...

Tygar: *he puts both his arms on her shoulders* Homes can be destroyed...but hearts cannot...as long as we have the courage and strength to rebuild, nothing will truly shatter our dreams...

Ari: *patting his hand gently*  He called out to me...my Father did, before his passing into the next world...

Tygar: *smiles* You should be proud...to have a father who was willing to sacrifice his kingdom just so we could further prepare for our own assault...

Tygar: *he forces a smile, kissing his love on the forehead* And I am honored...to be wed with his daughter...

Ari: *she smiles*  My father also said he loved me, Tygar. In all the time I spent under his rule, he had not once ever said that to me... But, now, I have someone beside me who will stand with me always, even in death, and for that, I am grateful...

Tygar: Indeed. *he smiles* Besides, cheer up, not all of your family relatives are dead, I just know somewhere out there someone is looking for you... It's only a matter of time before they find you...

Tygar: Can you sense your mother's presence?

Ari: *she closes her eyes in concentration, and then nods* Yes...she is...still alive...somehow... But I can't trace her point or anything...

*~Exit All.~*

**End of Scene 1**

***

ACT XVIII, SCENE 2 - High Tower Castle - Dante's Chambers - 7 p.m.

**The Forbidden Hall of High Tower is about to welcome its first guests in well over a millennium. As Csilla, Kaede, Sirona, Kaleo and Jove cautiously walk down the corridors of the decaying sector of the great citadel, the air around them begins to drop drastically in temperature. It is not long before the band can see their breaths within the stale and haunting air.**

~Enter Csilla, Kaede, Sirona, Kaleo and Jove.~

Kaede: *the raven-haired valiant arches a single eyebrow* Well, Dante just chooses the nicest places doesn't he?

Sirona: *she shivers against the cold, wrapping her arms around herself* I think he needs a lesson in interior decorating...

Csilla: *the high marshall frowns* This section of High Tower only became this way after Dante became corrupted.

Jove: *the oisen swallows hard as his tail slips between his legs and his ears fold back submissively*

Kaleo: *his wings droop and drag on the floor as he follows close behind* Man....this place is giving me the creeps.

Csilla: *the group rounds a corner...suddenly faced with a hall that is lit up by eight tripods, each with an intense fire burning in its tray*

Sirona: *she raises a brow* As if this place couldn't get any more ominous...

Kaleo: Wow. *the half-goblin speaks*  How long have these been here?

Kaede: *he grins* These hallowed halls have been around since before I can remember...and I've been around for a while...

Csilla: *she points towards the end of the hallway where there s an old, rusty iron door framed by two stone golems* That's the door.  Behind that is Dante's room.

Kaede: *he nods, coming up to the door, hesitating as he brings out the key to the lock...*

Sirona: *she sighs nervously, holding her staff in a white-knuckle grip*

Kaede: *his hands are shaking, as he struggles with the idea of what may happen....once the door is open...*

Kaede: *then he remembers his Auntie....lying in the lower depths of the towers* ...Lokiju...

**Suddenly, the golems come to life! They turn, raise their axes high above their heads and swing them down at Kaede!**

Csilla: *she becomes alarmed as she notices the axes above her cousin* KAEDE!

Kaede: *the warrior leaps away with a curse, drawing his father's sword....* WHAT IS THIS MADNESS?!?!

Sirona: *she steps back, staff in hand* What dark magic is this?!

Csilla: *she races towards Kaede, her staff in her hands*

Kaleo: *he creates a bow and arrow out of fire and shots one of the golems*

Kaede: *drawing his crossbow, he aims an explosive shaft between the eyes of the golem...*

Kaede: *firing the arrow, he swiftly dispatches the second golem*

Csilla: *she watches as the two golems shatter and collapses to the ground*

Jove: Sweet songs of the Sirenas! *the creature gasps*

Sirona: *she swallows hard* Something tells me that that was only the beginning...

Kaede: *relieved that the chaos was short lived, he wipes his brow and turns towards his sibling* What was THAT?

Csilla: *she shakes her head* Golems, but they were never given life when Dante was here.

Csilla: Someone must have given them Sparks...but whom, I wonder...?

Kaede: *he shrugs* They must have been set to react to us...a delayed spell if you will...

Kaleo: *the half-breed approaches the two cousins, his fire bow disappearing* No one comes down here, it is forbidden. It has to be an old protection spell.

Kaleo: I used to come down here before Frode panicked and declared the place Unholy, they never moved then!

Kaede: *he comes upon the door again, and steels himself...*

Kaede: *he shifts the key inside its hole, and turns to the others, nodding* Ready everyone?

Sirona: *she nods to Kaede for him to continue*

Jove: *approaches the door slowly* Do you think that...I mean, not that he would and I don't mean to suggest he did, but do you think Frode gave the golem's sparks....do you?

Csilla: *the high mage frowns and ignores Jove's suggestions* Ahem... Go ahead, Kaede... *she raises her staff* We're ready...

Kaede: *nodding in acknowledgement* Alright then, prepare yourselves...weapons ready...

Kaede: *he turns and kicks the door in, quickly rushing in, crossbow and sword at the ready...*

Sirona: *she follows behind, already channeling energy around her in preparation for any direct confrontation with evil*

**The group checks their surroundings. Csilla in particular notices a lone candle in the center of a round table that is the only source of light in the otherwise dark, musty chambers of the former arch-mage. The walls are lined with dusty, cobweb covered book shelves. Rusty weapons litter the floor, along with bones of various animals and....humans. The back wall is curved and is composed of five windows, looking out into a rocky valley. Other than an over turned chair and a bed that had not been used in ages, the only piece of furniture is the table in the center of the room.**

Kaede: *he squints, eyes adjusting to the new light...*

Sirona: *seeing no one, the energy dissipates around her*

Sirona: *taking a small step forward, her foot hits something hard. Looking down, she sees the gaping holes of a skull peering back at her mockingly and she jumps back, her heart jumping up into her throat*

Kaleo: *he looks around in shock and adds* He really needs to fire his decorator.

Kaede: *he laughs at Kaleo's remark* Oh, I rather like the dungeon atmosphere...ONE thing the castle LACKS!

Csilla: *she picks up a skull which has obviously spent several days in a bond-fire* I think he did, Kaleo...

Jove: Eww. *the oison cringes* Dead people.

Sirona: *she glances at the others* What exactly are we looking for, anyway?

Jove: *he comes up next to Sirona, ears still laying on the back of his head and his tail still between his legs* You scared?

Sirona: *she looks down at him with a warm smile* Yeah, a little...

Csilla: Books are the best beat right now...at least we know they can't hurt us too badly.

Sirona: *she nods, walking to the nearest bookcase*

Csilla: My best guess is books on mythical animals, or sorcery...

Kaede: *he raises an eyebrow as he blows off the dust from a black book* Hm...I must say, I'd not fancy a night in this room...it needs a proper purging first...however....the task at hand....we need to find something...anything...that could cure my Auntie...

Kaede: A spell book, an orb, an amulet...anything...

Kaleo: *shaking his head* I won't touch any magic relic if I were you, Kaede. We don't know what they could do.

Csilla: *she walks towards a bookcase at the far end of the room, and kneels down to pick a book off the floor...*

Kaede: *the observer groans* You have no idea...I burned my hand on a book of spells once...when I was a child.

**Upon opening the book, Csilla is met instead with row upon row of razor sharp teeth! It snarls and lounges at her, who in response, leaps back with a scream!*

Csilla: *the book growls and begins to hop out of the room, grumbling and snarling*

Sirona: *she turns, shooting a fireball at the book, relinquishing it*

Kaede: *he shouts out* Klathu..errata..nictu!

Csilla: *the high mage glares at Kaede, with her hands on her hips* That was not funny, Kaede.

Jove: *his eyes are as wide as saucers as he looks the charred remains of the book over* That was weird.

Kaede: *he nods* not nearly as strange as some of the things I've seen...at least there are no shrunken head...

Kaede: *he does a double take* ...Never mind....

Sirona: *she narrows her eyes at him* Please don’t jinx us...

Jove: What was that, anyway?

Csilla: A Perook.

Kaleo: A what? *he asks*

Kaede: Perook. A book of Undead secrets bound with human flesh, written in human blood??

Sirona: *she cringes* Just...stop talking...please... No need to spill the details...

Csilla: A Perook is a creature that has assumed the shape of a book.

Csilla: Dark Mages have a few of them around to eat the rats.

Kaede: *grinning* Hmm...clever little devils...

Sirona: So apparently we are vermin and it wanted a snack...interesting...

Csilla: What you are thinking of, Kaede, are Dark Hides.

Kaede: *he nods* Ah yes...that was it...

Kaede: Also known as the Necronomicon...

Sirona: *she turns back to the bookcase, pulling out a large book, bound in black leather*

Sirona: *the cover is blank, so she opens it carefully*

Sirona: *she is greeted with pages fun of symbols that are unknown to her, but then the pages begin to move, the pages pushing out towards her, shaping into fingers that reach out to grab her...and she quickly slams the book shut*

Sirona: Not this one! *she proclaims*

Jove: *suddenly realizing his wings are dragging on the floor, the oisen folds them on his back and carefully tip toes around the room*

Kaleo: *he carefully pulls a red leather book off the shelf and waits for it to attack. When no attack is forthcoming, he opens it*

**A great black cloud races out of the book, knocking Kaleo over as it races towards the middle of the room. The cloud stops and begins to form into the shape of a Reaper.  It raises its weapon high and screams.**

Kaede: *he hovers his hand over an orb, watching at it lights up, the glow flowing through it like a storm, before taking his hand away....and the light melts away...*

Kaleo: Oh, crap! *he screams*

Kaede: *he grabs the orb, throwing it at the Reaper, curious as to what it might do*

Kaede: *the lighting reacts with the Reaper, shocking the beast...*

**The Reaper screams as the light undoes the spell that had once been cast on it. The orb falls to the ground, empty.  The Reaper vanishes in a puff of white smoke... ...and in its place sits a little monkey...**

Kaede: *he draws his sword, a weapon against the undead, the Nodachi....brandishes it, bringing it down on the orb...*

Kaleo: *he blinks at the monkey that has taken the place of the orb*

Kaede: *turning to the monkey, he raises an eyebrow  before turning to the half-goblin, Kaleo* Kaleo...hand me that book that nearly ate your hand a moment ago...

Kaede: *he brings his hand to his forehead and sighs* Wait...you destroyed it... Well, hand me one LIKE it then...

Kaleo: *he gets to his feet and hands the book to Kaede* I don't think you need to hurt him, he's just a little monkey...

**The seemingly innocent creature rolls over on it back and lets out a cute monkey sound**

Kaede: *he nods, looking at the book, then shakes his head finally giving in to the request* Oh you're no fun...

Csilla: *she laughs* Kaede, come on.

Kaede: *he throws the book on the table, opening a cage, then gestures to the monkey get in...*

Kaede: *he turns back towards his cousin* Csilla...we must find that book NOW...before it's...

**Just at that moment, Kaede violently shakes his head as a strange ringing sound beginning to invade his senses...

Csilla: *she quickly grabs his shoulders, fearing for his mind* Kaede, what is it?!

Kaede: *he shakes his head, as the sound redoubles* AARRGGHH!!!

Sirona: *glances over, concerned* Are you okay?

Csilla: *she calls out his name once more* Kaede?!!

Kaede: *his own fingers go nerveless, his eyes glazing over, turning black...*

Jove: *turning towards Sirona* Oh, this can't be good!

Kaede: *his body, in response, begins to take on the changes...his fangs begin to grow, his eyes begin to glow red pinpricks within the black...his talons shoot out...*

Kaede: *falling to his knees, he manages to utter through his talons*  Get...back...

Sirona: *her eyes widen in horror as she backs away* What's going on??

Csilla: *the magestress has never seen her cousin morph. She stands besides him frozen in awe*

Kaleo: *he swallows hard and backs away* I don't know, but keep your distance from him!

Kaede: *his breathing becomes more intense* I am trying to fight it...but something is...burning my mind...

Kaede: *he roars* Find that book...quickly...!

Kaleo: *something in his head snaps, and he goes to the door.  He slams it shut and casts the strongest locking spell he knows on it*

Kaede: *he backs himself against a wall, blinking, trying to look at everything...but his vision is blurred with red...*

Jove: Better idea! *the creature says* Sirona, help me find one of those light orbs! We can flush the spell out of Kaede like he did with the monkey!

Sirona: *she glances around in panic helping him search* A-alright!

Kaede: *he then screams in pain, as the grip on his mind tightens...but he retaliates...*

Kaleo: Light orb, right. *he opens a chest in the corner and starts to search through it*

Sirona: *she runs to the opposite corner of the room, glancing around*  I can't find one...

Kaede: *his eyes glow a bright blue...his voice deeper than before...as if several voices speaking* NO...NOT NOW...!!

Jove: *he snarls to himself* There has to be one! Keep searching!

Kaede: *he turns, searching the shelves* I WILL NOT BE MADE A PLAY THING...!

Sirona: *she looks behind her, spotting a shiny glass sphere* There! Found one!

Csilla: *she grabs her cousin and forces him to a stand still Kaede* Calm down!

Kaede: *he sees a book bound in mahogany leather, he forcefully runs his tense fingers through the pages, a few of them tear out from his rough grip*

Csilla: *she looks deep in his eyes* Calm. Down.  Fear feeds this spell, you know that!

Kaede: *he shakes his head, forcing his talons back...but his eyes still glow blue...his fangs still extended*

Jove: All right, Sirona, get that orb to Kaede, fast!

Kaede: I am letting myself change Csilla...for when I take this form, my mind is more random...harder to control...

Sirona: *she nods, racing over to them* Here!

Csilla: *the mage's eyes go gold...and her voice changes*

Kaede: *he takes the orb in his hands, letting the light arc through his body*

Csilla: Kaede...don't let this thing take you.

Kaede: *he screams in pain, as if the orb were cooking him alive...*

Sirona: *as the light arcs around him, she is already beginning to heal him, attempting to ward off some of the pain*

Kaede: *he shakes his head, the fangs receding, but his eyes still lit blue...*

**Through Csilla's mind, her relative Erebus speaks from within...**

Erebus: Let the light do what it has to do. Just relax and don't fight it.

Sirona: *she glances over, noticing the book, and she goes and picks it up*

Erebus: *he narrows his eyes and looks Kaede over* Maybe you should leave. This is too dangerous for you.

Kaede: *he glances around, looking around for a ghosty apparition* What the...!

Sirona: *the mahogany leather is warm against her skin*

Erebus: *he smiles at his son* Don't tell me Csilla never told you she can channel the dead?

Kaede: *his blue eyes blaze at the man across from him, she did channel the dead father* ...I just finished talking to you....unless you don't remember?

Sirona: *the book begins to warm, and it is soon scalding.  It drops to the floor as she looks at her slightly burnt hands*

Kaleo: *while looking for the Light orb, Kaleo has found a book...a brown leather book. Smaller than all the others....but two thousand times more important*

Kaede: Tell me...'father...' how much time did Dante put into shaping your worthless husk?

Erebus: Haha.. That was a visit to the Stream, son. I'm using her to talk to you know...through the power of the stream.

Erebus: *he smiles* Doubtful as ever I see, that's my boy.

Kaede: *he grins* Oh I'm sure...you've come all this way simply to put me down...

Kaede: *his eyes soften* Wait...you aren't a hallucination...are you?

Kaede: You're my real father...

Erebus: *laughing at his son's remark, he ruffles his child's hair* Did you really think Dante could copy me?

Kaede: he shakes his head, a thousand pardons father...can't be sure what traps Dante placed in this room

Erebus: You are wise, my son, but don't let fear or paranoid close your eyes to the truth.  Now then, I'll give you back Csilla....she's worried about you.

Kaede: *he blinks* I'll be fine, I am simply taking this form so I can exert at least SOME degree of control...I just need to find the book...then we can purge this damn room...unless you have objections?

Csilla: *she blinks and shakes her head, the she looks around, trying to remember where she is*

Csilla: Kaede! *she frantically grabs her cousin* Are you okay?

Kaede: *the half-breed blinks, staring into her eyes, his own still lit blue, his voice still with hints of many people speaking in tandem* I am FINE...now...

Kaleo: *he sits back and sighs* Kaede. Sirona. Csilla...come look at this...

Sirona: *she looks over at the sound of his voice and walks over to him* Did you find something?

Kaede: *he shakes his head, moving over to Kaleo* 'what is it?

Csilla: *she gets on her knees to observe the book before looking into his eyes and kissing him on the cheek*

Kaede: *he grins sheepishly, then looks to Kaleo* What did he find?

Csilla: *she hands the book to Kaede* Kaleo found Dante's journal, from when he was a student here!

Kaleo: *he sighs and looks away* When my FATHER taught him...

Jove: *he taps the closed door with his antlers* Kaleo, this is getting me nervous, Kaede, open it and read what's inside...

Kaede: *he shrugs blowing off the dust that had previously stuck to the aged pages* Nothing to be ashamed of Kaleo....

Kaleo: *he sighs* Not when your father is Frode...

Kaede: Dante betrayed US, it seems only fitting that his work now sets things right...

Kaede: Remember that, Frode suffers no dishonor for the actions of a careless student

Kaleo: *he shrugs* I guess...But if he knew all of this was in here...why isn't he here helping us?

Kaede: *he shakes his head* Perhaps to protect us Kaleo...

Kaede: Normal minds cannot handle this sort of thing

Sirona: *she coughs handing Csilla the brown text she had found earlier* Take a look at that... I think you'll find it quite useful...

Csilla: *suddenly a little monkey scampers across the table*

Csilla: Really now, let's see here...

Kaede: *he furrows his eyebrows, as he takes a look as well* Can you decipher it Csilla?

Csilla: *she ponders the strange texts carefully, examining them slowly*

Sirona: I can only translate a few words.....but I think it should prove useful nonetheless...

Csilla: *after skimming a few of the pages, she clasps the book shut and smiles*  This is what we're looking for!

Csilla: Yes! This is it! She gives Sirona a hug Thank you!

Sirona: *she smiles, returning the hug* Glad to be of use!

Kaleo: Great job, Sirona! *he clasps his hand on Sirona's shoulder*

Kaede: *he nods* Finally....is that it then? Anything else of use in this room? Perhaps of any use for the forth coming battle?

Kaede: *he turns, catching sight of several elemental orbs, and pouches of various herbs and dust...*

Jove: Who cares! Let's just get out of here!

Sirona: Yes, let's get out of this awful place...

Csilla: *she turns to Kaede as she inspects the various assortment of items* Are you thinking what I am thinking?

Kaede: *he nods* I think I am Csilla...let's strip this place of what we need...then let's go to Auntie...

Kaleo: *he turns towards the two cousins* You two coming?

Kaede: *he nods, gesturing* After you cousin..

Csilla: *the high mage rummages around the room and finds several empty bags. She throws a few to Kaleo and a few to Sirona* Find items that aren't too tainted and fill the sacks.  It would be a shame to leave behind what we can use.

Sirona: *she catches the bag and nods*

Csilla: *she hands a few to Kaede before sighing* I feel like a thief.

Kaede: *he nods* Don't be, what's ours is ours for the taking and what not... Finder's keepers...

Kaede: Besides, especially since we will be purging this room once we are out...

Csilla: *she nods as she begins to fill her sack*

Sirona: *she looks around, finding a few more light orbs and some rare herbs*

**The group plunders Dante's Room for all its worth, and meets up near the front door, more than ready to leave the horrid place...**

Kaede: *he steps outside the room, sighing* ...Let's not do that again anytime soon...

Csilla: *she nods in agreement* Ready to purge the room?

Kaede: *he nods, turning his opened palm to the door, summoning a flame spell* ...Ready when you are...

Sirona: *she brings energy up around her* Let's do this...

Csilla: *she holds out her hands closing her eyes are her energy gathers. When the time is finally at hand, she shouts* Now!

**Kaede blasts the flame spell into the room with all his might, his eyes blazing the same color as the fire. Sirona releases a giant gout of flame from her hands, engulfing the room, further fueling Kaede's spell. Crystal light leaves Csilla's hands and enters the room joining the other two cleansers. Quickly, the fire and the crystal light merges. There is a great flash of light, and the three are temporarily blinded. From behind, Kaleo and Jove witness just in time the enormous light flash and die...**

Kaede: *he nods his head, grinning from ear to ear* Our work here is done....

Csilla: *she glances at the room one last time and sighs* Finally...

**The bookshelves, once filled to the brim...are almost empty. What is left is nearly impossible to read and make out. The floor is clean of all bones, but the weapons still lay on the floor. Yet the candle on the table still burns, but in a holy color instead of the darkened flame that burned before...**

~Exit Csilla, Kaede, Sirona, Kaleo and Jove.~

**Meanwhile, Elder Tassidus and Kali are seated in the castle courtyard, discussing their plans for the upcoming battle...**

~Enter Elder Tassidus and Kali.~

Tassidus: So you see, now that Kaede, Csilla and the others have ventured into Dante's secret chambers, we should begin to make the final preparations...

Tassidus: For starters, I trust you will come with us when we meet face to face with the Evil Scourge?

Kali: *she looks at Tassidus and smiles* I and my students will follow Kaede anywhere, so long as he leads us to destroy Nelo and Dante.

Tassidus: *he brushes an errant strand of hair from Kali's face* Come...let us dine before we head out...I would enjoy your company and peace once more before we head into the maw of danger...

Kali: *the mage smiles and raises her brow* My, aren't we the romantic one today? Of course, I would love to dine with you.

Kali: *she looks Tassidus in the eyes as she watches him grab a cup from near a cart* So, tell me, what are your plans for after the war?

Tassidus: *he grins, pouring green tea into his cup, all the while pouring a second one* Hmm...I've not given it much thought...it would be nice to settle down, rebuilt...start a family for once...rather than simply picking up the pieces... *he hands a cup to Kali*

Kali: *she grins as she takes the cup*  Any special lady waiting for you in your kingdom? Surely a man of your caliber has ladies left and right...

Tassidus: *he shakes his head, laughing* Not exactly, not yet... I was... hoping you could help me in that?

Kali: *she grins, slightly blushing* Oh really?

Tassidus: *he sobers* I am saying...I want to stay near you...I want you near me...because for once, it doesn't feel like the world is out of my hands...I can simply...feel at peace...enjoy life when I'm with you...

**Ironically to ruin the mood, suddenly a furry little fellow comes scurrying across the table, where it knocks the tea pot over, as well as Kali's cup. The tea spills all over the two elves. Tassidus is confused as he curses over the mess and the nuisance.**

Tassidus: DAMN IT!!! WHAT IS THAT THING?!

Kali: *the mage stands and brushes her self off* A monkey, it would appear. How odd...

Tassidus: *he shakes his head grabbing a piece of cloth* 'You know...in my experience, I have found that Kaede usually knows what strange happenings are transpiring, if only because he is not entirely one himself...

Kali: *she giggles* Oh, now that is being a little harsh on the boy.

Tassidus: *nodding* True perhaps...but still...

Tassidus: *he shakes his head* I know better than to pry in his affairs...still...they said they were going to Dante's room...

Kali: I would dare say Csilla would have a little bit of knowledge in such happenings, but then I.... *she stops suddenly*

Kali: *she looks up at Tassidus, then over at the monkey, who is examining his reflection in a silver pitcher*

**Coming from the northeast side is Kaede and the others, who have just returned from Dante's Room. Tassidus looks absentmindedly at the group as they rush in their direction.**

~Re-enter Csilla, Kaede, Sirona, Kaleo and Jove.~

Kaede: *he bows to Kali as he approaches her* Oh...hello...

Tassidus: Kaede? Why is there a monkey over there...? *he points over to where the monkey is checking out its reflection in the mirror, before it scurries off quickly* Surely you have some sort of explanation for this, you cur?

Kaede: *he coughs, getting himself together* Ah...yes...the monkey...pay it no mind...

Kali: *she smiles* I thought he was cute.

Csilla: *she comes up from behind Kali* Did you see where he went?

Kali: *she shakes her head* Nope, I am sorry. It was too fast...

Tassidus: *he sighs* Perhaps it headed down stairs....

Sirona: *she chuckles* Still, I can't believe something like THAT came out of that room...

Kaleo: *he laughs right along with Sirona* I know, probably the only good thing that came out of that room.

Csilla: *she nods, then turns to Kaede dropping her bag temporarily* You weren't really going to sick a Perook on him, were you? That's probably why he fled in the first place...

Kaede: *he grins* Well, let's go to Auntie first....then we must leave...Nelo and his forces are more than likely doing something to kill time, and I have no faith that it is merely sword polishing....

Csilla: *she nods, repositioning the bag over her shoulders and beings to lead the way to the downstairs chambers* Let's hurry.

Tassidus: *he watches as the five leave. He scratches his cheeks and sighs* Now...what was THAT all about...?

***

**In an undisturbed portion of High Tower is a band of five thousand going through strenuous training exercises. At the front of the helm is Faolun, and his son Cain, brother to Trillean, whom is saddled on a horse. The two are having a heated discussion...**

Cain: *he turns aside bitterly finding his father leaning against a stable wall* We will die, you know that right? The odds we face are immeasurable, let alone unnatural...

Faolun: *he shorts* I know that, I have always know that. But my father said it is best to die with sword in hand than to crawl under a rock.

Cain: *he dismounts and takes a swig of ale passing it to his father.* The price of your arrogant pride will be the kismet to us all, but I guess it cannot be help... What about your daughter? Will you not make peace with her before you pass?

Faolun: *his features grow dark and grim* I have no daughter.

Cain: You once did. Do not deny it. You once had a wife too, would you forget her also?

Faolun: *he glares at his son lifting a large hand up to strike him across the face, through bared teeth he speaks* Never say that about Kayra, your mother was sacred to our people, and to me...

Cain: *he brushes his face to check for any would, and he finds a very small trinkle of blood. Alarmed slightly, he walks out from underneath his father*

**Tygar and Ari are still on the overlook near the front gates of High Tower. The towering smoke from Ari's decimated homeland has begun to fade somewhat, but there are still countless fires roaming free across the countryside, leaving a clear trail of the dark hordes' destruction.**

Ari: *she sits, her eyelids dry having run through already seemingly countless tears* ...I still can't believe, this is happening Tygar...

Tygar: I understand your bewilderment, Ari, really I do. It usually takes something of this magnitude to really make us wonder about the current status of our lives and all, you know?

Tygar: *he growls slightly* I'm still upset about our slew of slow preparations. For the rest of my life, I will always wonder how many lives could have spared if only we had been finished with preparations earlier.

Tygar: *he forces a slight smile and a corny statement* ...And to be completely honest, these repetitive training exercises are getting pretty tiresome and dull...

Ari: *she lets loose a slight chuckle, something to restart the drive behind her spirit* Yeah...tell me about it... Even the food around here is starting to taste all the same...

Tygar: Oh...I don't know about that... *he laughs*

Ari: *she coughs* What I meant was, I could really go for a slice of my mom's special apple pie and cider... Yeah, that sure would be nice...but I'm still in doubt that she may actually be alive, although I could have sworn I had sensed a familair presence off in the distance...

Ari: *she sighs* Maybe I was just hoping, wishing beyond the magnitude of my doubt that it was her...

Tygar: *he spots a winged beast in the distance, rapidly advancing in their direction from down below. He can't make out all the fine details, but his internal instincts usually derive on a dragon being an evil presence.

Tygar: Ari... *he points towards the approaching figure* Look...

Ari: *looking around wildly, she stands*  My... no... it can't...

Ari: *hearing a wyvern cry, she turns to the sky.*  Look!  There, a dragon!

Tygar: *he sneers, wishing his vision hadn't been so good sometimes as to be able to spot an incoming threat* Crud...*he unsheathes his claws* Dante must already be bored out of his mind and be seeking a real challenge... Get ready!!

Ari: *she notices the color and markings of the winged creature, and puts out her hands to Tygar*  No! Wait...!

Tygar: *he stops suddenly* What the... *he observes the length of the hair and the condition of the individual on the dragon, completely worn with fatigue and distress*

Ari: I think it is from my home! *she rushes over towards the landing dock for wyvern near the near right side of the main gates*

Tygar: *he chases after her*

**Indeed, the threat is not evil, fore one of the very survivors of the Amondor ordeal has braced the castle grounds with her presence, and her dragon. She is exactly as Tygar previously described, but her familiarity is immediately observed by Ari...**

~Re-enter Queen Tarelda, of the Kingdom of Enyatun.~

Tarelda: *landing her dragon carefully, she dismounts and stands shakily and afraid in front of the gates.*

Ari: *arriving at the gates, she attempts to open them herself, too hopeful to wait*  Someone... Help me!

Tygar: *he reaches the gates and sees the figure in full view...with elf-shaped ears* Oh my...

Ari: ...Mom?

Tarelda:  *she hears her daughter's voice in the distance and sees the doors opening slowly* Arithe?!

Ari: *she rushes through the doors and into her mother's arms. Her native elvish tongue slips*  Mother!  *she begins to cry again, this time for joy*

Tygar: *he stands there shocked at the presence of Ari's mother, but at the same time relieved that she hasn't lost her entire family*

Tarelda: *her tears mingle with Ari's*  My darling, Ari, I'm so happy you are safe...

Ari: *pulling away and wiping her face*  I'm so happy you are alive!  *she hugs her once more, before turning serious* ...I don't know what I would do if my entire family had been slain...

Tarelda: *she frowns sadly* So... I guess you've seen the chaos from a distance my love... It's worse than you could possible imagine... Countless buildings, people, destroyed... There's very little to anything left of our home, Ari!

Ari: *she sighs deeply* ...I have already assumed to worst case scenario and have spent my stream of tears...

Tygar: *he stands in front of Tarelda and bows, trying to steer the conversation in a more positive direction, rather than revisiting tarnished memories* My lady...it is a pleasure to see you safe and sound...

Tarelda:  *she raises an eyebrow and the weretiger*  Thank you.  May I ask who you are?

Tygar: *bows again* I am Prince Tygar, of Tigera. And let me say that, we too, have shared our agony of defeat. The scorched remains of our homelands still keep a fresh reminder of our cause for fighting back against the dark minions of evil... You are not alone in your perceptive grief...

Ari: *obviously sizing him up she looks at Ari, seeing the look of apprehension on her face she smiles warmly and curtsies politely*  A pleasure to meet you your highness...

Tygar: *he nods* Yes...well...

Ari: *she tries to finish his sentence* Mother... He... well... and I... mmmm...  *she goes silent*

Tygar: *he blushes, attempting to once again form verbal words of his emotion* What the lady means is...well...we...umm...you see....

Tarelda:  *she laughs quietly at the both of them, knowing exactly to what they are pertaining to*  I can tell simply from the rose in your cheeks what is going on here... Believe me, I can spot the feeling and emotions akin to it from a mile away...

Tygar: *he bows* Yes milady...

Ari: *she sighs with relief and smiles at Tygar, before turning back towards her mother*  Come Mother, we'll get you some clean clothes and something to drink.

Tarelda: *she nods wearily and follows Ari and Tygar*

Tygar: *he nods at her as he hold her right arm helping her into the tower*

Ari: *she sidles up next to Tygar and squeezes his hand quickly, whispering*  I'm so glad she gets to meet you...

Tygar: *he blushes once again* Well, I was worried I was give off the wrong impression... Tigers aren't exactly well know for their gentleness or their righteous hearts... *he whispers in her ear*

Ari: *she lushes and hits him lightly on the arm*

Tarelda: Is there someplace I can lie down?  I'm feeling a bit weary...

Ari: *taking her mother's arm from Tygar*  You can rest in my room Mother.  Here, I'll show you the way...

Tarelda: *she nods*

Ari: *she looks back at Tygar and smiles nodding her head once again* Tygar, I'll be back in a short while... Maybe you should go check on the progress of the others? Maybe they are out of Dante's room now...

Tygar: *he salutes her playfully, accidentally striking himself in the face before quickly reassuming the correct position* At your leave my love! *he smiles back*

Ari: *she laughs, sticking her tongue out slightly before departing with her mother down the lengthy hall of the Eest Wing where her room resides*

~Exit Tygar.~

**Ari and her mother, Queen Tarelda arrive quickly in the bedchambers. Helping her into bed, Ari sits down on a nearby chair and sighs, now having the chance to really look at her smudged figure...**

Tarelda: *sighing her comfort, she looks at Ari.*  He is a fine one Arithe.  A bit scruffy, but he makes you happy, I can tell.

Ari: *she smiles*  He does Mother.  He makes me very happy. And...well...you see, when this is all over...

Tarelda:  *she chuckles* You can tell me after I've had some rest... Right now... *she yawns* I'm both physically and mentally exhausted. *she rolls over and falls asleep swiftly*

Ari: *smiling at her sleeping form, she exists the room and closes the door quietly*

*~Exit All.~*

**End of Scene 2**

***

ACT XVIII, SCENE 3 - High Tower Castle - For Those We Love - 11 p.m.

**Ryanna had been wondering around the castle for what seemed to have been the eleventh time that day. She felt so helpless that she really couldn't do anything to further prepare herself for the battle that would decide the fate of the world. However, even in the late nighttime hours, High Tower was still noticeably active. She anxiously waited for Kaede to come back, hoping with his return he would bring further clues to the downfall of the Elf Capital at the hands of the dark legion, Dante.

She could spot Trillean's brother, Cain, in the distance alongside his troops. He was awake at the ungodly hour, but his forces were resting. She decided to go seek him out for a conversation, and maybe to learn more about himself in the process. She had secretively eyed him quite frequently when he was freely roaming in the castle, and had even developed a small crush on him in the process...**

~Enter Ryanna and Cain.~

Ryanna: *her eyes soften as carefully observes all the armed forces in front of her* All of the people....ready to give their lives...for an uncertain future....

Cain: *he comes up from behind her and speaks* Lady Ryanna?

Ryanna: *she shrieks and gasps, jumping a bit in her step before she turns around to meet her surprised attacker* Oh...C-Cain, it's you...

Cain