"I know," R.D. said just as bluntly. "I'm not entirely stupid, I've learned some things and I've regained some memories."

R.D. got up off the wall and walked over to Juno while he spoke. "You're powerful, and we've got our own power to develop. And there's others who can help; Matt told us when he fought Donovan that someone stopped him cold when Donovan was about to eat him."

R.D. looked around at his friends, then back to Juno. "If we work together, then we'll reduce Maya into an interesting-looking smear on the ground. No one is invincible. No one. And when she slips up... we'll kill her."

R.D. looked back over at the map, at Shayol Ghul. "But I'd say you've gained yet another problem. And then there's this Ziatoch guy who's after my head, and he had Maya come after me. Think she has a superior she has to answer to or something?" he asked.

"Eh, she sounds like her own bitch," Hugo replied.

"Now there's a happy thought," R.D. muttered. A thought came to him. "Juno?" he asked, catching the Ancient's attention. He pointed a thumb over his shoulder at Vagabond.

"What're you gonna do about him? He kinda snuck onto our boat, and he said he's dreaming about you," R.D. explained, "And while I find that more than a little creepy, I suggest you find out what his story is."

*DragonFire continues his search for Juno*

DragonFire: Where the heck is he.... He shouldn't be this hard to find... Darn it..... Where are you, Juno..... *he continues his search from the skies*

DragonFire: I'll find him... I have to... I'm bored, I need something to do...

A redheaded woman slowly paced an empty darkened hall. Her mind was racing with thoughts of her lover.

Who was she? Why wasn't she good enough? When was he going to get back? The list went on...

The woman pacing was a powerful necromancer, a large black cloak hung around her shoulders, swaying whenever she turned to continue pacing. She was also psychotic with no rhyme or reason, she just simply loved to torment. Mind games, mostly... but she had her ways.

Her eyes flashed darkly, watching the enterance for any signs of Kalmar. She could wait though... oh yes, she should wait.

And when he got home, she would kill him.

----With Kalmar----

Kalmar suddenly got a chill up his spine, and he quickly looked around, seeing only empty ocean surrounding him. His mind returned to her... he could almost feel her anger from where he was.

She was definitely not going to be happy when she learned he was not coming home...

Edited by Fallen on November 8, 2006 at 20:43:52.

(OOC: I hope they're killable, Juno...)

R.D. frowned as he turned to his companions. "So, what should we do now?" he asked, "Especially in light of all this new information?"

===Atop Xobelisk===

Re-Tuul swooped down and landed atop the ebon spire of his master's lair. He made his way over to the entrance while looking at the latest incarnation of Shayol Ghul. A special barrier had been erected around the central tower, with its generators housed in the four demon spires at the corners of the island. So long as the generators were active, only those that Ziatoch wished to enter could pass through it.

He stopped and began to think about his prior observations of the Rising Dragon and his companions. He knew the secret to his power; Lumiya was housed within him. But the others... the teenage girl dear little Cora was so furious with could reverse an element, the Khaglessi mused, While the energies given off by the other two women and the Mettaur are clearly not of this world.

He turned and looked back in the direction of Kattelox.

What of the other boy, though? he questioned, He is undoubtedly powerful. He did, after all, managed to strike down Lee and the famed Rugal Bernstein.

Re-Tuul suddenly began laughing. There was only one thing he COULD do.

"Tell the master," he said gleefully as he entered Xobelisk.

Edited by RisingDragon on November 8, 2006 at 21:38:13.

"I say we get drunk, cause I'm all out of ideas," Matt remarked.

That was met with a harsh glare from Hsien-Ko. "Or," Matt continued, gesturing, "we can focus on finding a way for Hsien-Ko and Mei-ling home. Then they can leave when they choose."

"Couldn't you create a portal?" the jiganshi asked.

"I'd rather not die today, thanks," Matt deadpanned.

"Or we can kill all those bastards!" Hugo shouted.

Matt frowned. "We'd better save our ammo for the actual Seven themselves. Let's roll, people."

R.D. nodded and made to leave. With one last thought, he looked over his shoulder and said, "Keep Vagabond with you. He's your problem, with those dreams of his, and it'd be safer for him with you anyways."

He was about to exit, then stopped and said, "Think we can have a couple Bashes escort us to our boat? I'd rather not tempt fate again."

Hugo just stared at his five large, powerful Reaverbots for a moment.

His cackle began small, but quickly erupted into full-on maniacal laughter.

"HUGO!" Matt snapped, pointing at the Mettaur. "No evil laughter!"

"Screw you! This is the first time I've ever gotten to command someone around that'll actually LISTEN!" Hugo did a little jump of glee. "HELL yeah!"

"Why the hell do I only get two?" Matt demanded.

"Cause you can dismantle an entire city block?" Hsien-Ko suggested, with a cute face.

"...touche."

Edited by The Helldragon on November 9, 2006 at 1:28:50.

Alasea frowned as she compared her Reaverbots to R.D.'s.

"Why do you get the bigger ones?" she demanded.

"I'm a guy," he replied smartly, "We always get the better toys."

"..."

"... oh hell. It's the Look," R.D. said, panicking slightly, "Whatever it was I said, I take it back!"

"If I need it. But it's always good to have backup." Matt clapped his hands together, noticing Hsien-Ko petting her little Reaverbot. "All right! Let's roll!"

As everyone filed out of the room, R.D. looked back one last time, hesitating. He stared at the map's representation of Shayol Ghul, then left the room along with everyone else.

When everyone was gone, leaving Juno and Vagabond alone, a voice spoke up.

"A formidable army," Ondal said as he appeared, looking at the doorway, "With luck, it will be enough to help them along their journey. They will certainly need all the help they can get."

"You may call me Ondal," the Artisan replied to Juno, "You could think of me as R.D.'s, as he's come to call himself, keeper. I am the one who informed him of the power that sleeps within him."

Ondal stepped up to the map and gazed at it, looking at Shayol Ghul. "So the Last Battle has begun. With the Seven Beasts vying with the humans for control of the Earth, the Destroyer of Worlds has been attracted by his power."

===Within Xobelisk===

Re-Tuul stepped up into the throneroom and kneeled before the empty Throne of Souls.

"My Master," the Khaglessi started, "There is something I wish to discuss with You."

Red eyes appeared above the Throne and stared down at Re-Tuul as Ziatoch's presence filled the chamber.

Speak, Re-Tuul.

"It is about one of the Rising Dragon's companions, the boy named Matthew Willard," he said, "He is, so far, the most powerful being among the group, stronger than the Dragon at the moment. He has a strange aura about him. I believe it would be wise that he be investigated, but as always, I await Your judgement."

The room was silent for a long moment. Finally, Ziatoch spoke.

It shall be investigated. There is another entity searching for him, but I will see what this boy's power is capable of. I will learn the source of his power. You may leave.

With his final command, the crimson eyes closed and Ziatoch's presense faded. Re-Tuul stood and left.

Edited by RisingDragon on November 9, 2006 at 0:11:22.

DragonFire: Grrr... I can't find him.... *he sees an island and lands there*

Dark Dragon: Why is it so important that we find Juno?

DragonFire: I need a mission, maybe he can give me one...

*DragonFire looks around*

DragonFire: Ahhhh! JUNO WHERE ARE YOU?!?!?!

(OOC: Juno, it was I who said that. No blame on the Mad! Also, I knew that Kuro is dead, but hey, in a sense, he's still behind it all, isn't he? Also, I was just wondering as to who is the being inside Maya, that is all.)

As he flew, Morph thought about the Pieces he had already collected: Green, red, purple, orange, pink, blue, cyan... which one will be next? Yellow? He then got sight of the next Temple, and he landed in front of it. The sandy yellow bricks were mostly covered by moss and vines. "Definately yellow." Morph knew. He ascended the stairs to something up on the top that looked like a shrine. Up to now, at every piece there has been some kind of challenge. I wonder what this one's is?

darkness bass:zerox zerox:what darkness bass:i want you to spy on the one named jono zerox:jono? darkness bass:be carful on this one he is strounger then you think zerox:now he can,t be that stroung darkness bass:just try not to do any thing domd ok(after hearing jono for hours he go back to darkness bass)darkness bass:what did you find out zerox:if i heared right there is go to be a war darkness bass:a war we should join in

"Indeed I know of Him," Ondal replied. "There is a whole section of the Library dedicated to Him and His exploits."

"However," he continued, "I do not know why Maya wants to take him to the Destroyer. I can only guess, but there is a chance that she made a deal with Him."

Ondal sighed tiredly. "I knew He would come. We tried to prepare the best we could, by giving the Rising Dragon the power of Lumiya. But while the Ciphers prevent his death, he cannot access the full might of Lumiya until each is unlocked, after he has mastered the power."

"Even then we feared it was not enough," he explained. "Ziatoch was attracted to this world by a certain power that is now being wielded exclusively by eight, possibly nine powerful individuals: The Seven Beasts, and their mistress Maya. The one other possiblity in the list is the being called Naze."

Ondal looked back at Shayol Ghul's representation on the map screen. "It is Kuro's power that brought Him to this world."

Edited by RisingDragon on November 9, 2006 at 16:35:37.

A cloaked woman paced the halls of a darkened earthen temple. Irritation played across her face, growing with every step she took. Suddenly, she flung out her hand and summoned a rather large skeleton.

"Have you found him yet!?" She screamed at the creation. The creature backed away quickly, having only existed for a few moments.

It quickly bowed, seeing it's master, "I fear I do not know, my lady." Suddenly the creature's body blew apart, sending bone shrapnel everywhere.

The woman dusted off her shoulder and started walking towards the enterance. "What good are you then?"

"I'll just have to find him myself..."

---- With Kalmar----

Kalmar suddenly awoke on his boat, nearly tipping it over in the process. "Oh shit," he yelled as he opened his eyes. He calmed down as he realized where he was, and what he was doing.

"May the grave take you bitterly, you bitch," he spat into the ocean. He looked back and laughed an uneasy laugh... Now, if she dies she's gonna haunt me... he layed back down on the floor roughly.

He raised his a little and lightly slammed his head on the floor, repeating the action with increasing vigor. After every thud, the only sound that could be heard was a voice muttering, "Stupid, stupid..."

Edited by Fallen on November 9, 2006 at 17:06:24.

"Their power is one and the same, Juno," Ondal replied, "I am surprised you did not recognize it when you confronted Him. It is an ancient evil, as ancient as Ziatoch Himself. For all we know, Kuro might have been given his power by Ziatoch. It has been too long, and too long has been lost. Only God knows now."