Castle Of The Mountain

[Lyle]

A large, winding mountain and a slightly smaller castle upon it, winding with each turn and curve of the land, its structure deep into the very foundation it clings to. Surrounded by walls, the medieval like castle is built from stone and in some cases the very mountain is sits upon. The air up there is chilly, frigid after the sun falls. Many a vampire run through it's graceful walls and many hold to the six towers that run around it, ever watchful of an attack. A large bridge links from the castle and the mountain to a incredible city, the capital of Razor Cliffs. Barracks are located within the city and the castle. A small office is also seen within the city, where the prefect can come to stay in as well..

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The Devil Ascends..[/i]

"Then die..."

Upon his black horse he came, a might army of horsemen and infantry men behind him, kicking up dust as a light fog descended upon the city, a most destructive force of nature, this city would surely grow to see quite often, and hating it when it came, rejoicing as it left. Upon the gates stood two vampires, each holding a pike like weapon, looking proud and formal. They could tell those coming near them were demons, though they could care less, nor did the size of the armies before them scare them. Lal trotted forth, his black steed taking the lead as his voice came, its firm tone scorching the ears of all those listening. The hazy and odd looking moon above them all peered down upon the sky, barely visible with the thin line of fog.

"Lords Yerev and Lal reporting here in the name of the Emperor Valos. Open these gates and guide your new rulers in."

"Surely you jest." The other guard picked up, "We serve our city, and no Emperor that can barely even hold onto this city, more or less the hearts of the people that run it."

"Are you so certain, possibly we deal not with the fools and grunts upon the bottom of the food chain.."

"I am, just like every other vampire within this city, a true leader of this glorious land. We will not support an Empire like your own."

Yerev moved his horse slightly, Lal became motionless a small snicker rose across his helmet covered face.. A cold, quaint and calm voice set forth, eerie at heart, destructive and born in the heart of battle. The lullaby of death, the only words that could describe the tone and harmony of the demon's voice.

"Then die..."

The leader quickly lowered his hand, a snarl coming as soon as he did. The beast from Sin, vengeful as ever and now sporting a new lord, Hati, came forth upon his legs and then quickly made his way up the wall, his agile and powerful body snaking up, still upon two legs as his almost impossible strength lead him toward his targets. Like a good vassal does, he was up the wall in no time, his massive blade drawn, shining in the darkness as it snaked like its master, cutting both of the insolent vampires down in a very methodical fashion. After this he quickly jumped down to the other side, unleashing the gates next as the small, citizen like militia began to respond from the small barracks close by, their pitch forks and claws ready for whatever was to come their way...

The troops immediately marched in, cavalry riding quickly to the front as they drew their spears and thrust them forward, cutting down the seeds of rebellion as other groups moved off to secure other parts of the city. Bowmen came next, immediately taking to the walls as some infantry followed them, while all others met with Hati, who was in combat already.. They'd defeated their opponents in under a minute, as the town began to stir, fresh blood upon the streets and soon many vampires could be seen, covering the streets in a massive mob, wondering what the confusion was. Lal made his way to Yerev, who nodded to his brother in arms, telling him silently to gather what order he could. Carelessly, the illusionist flung fire high into the sky, his horse riding straight into the mob with the same careless resolve that the two had mastered, long ago. Nothing more sacred, Lal cared for his steeds like they were a part of his family, something people would often joke about, though never within range of the dark lord. His voice came calm, though it was quite loud and a hint of authority was hidden within his words.

"People of this ever graceful city, myself and my lord, Yerev, have come here in the name of Emperor Valos, supreme lord of these lands and son of this lands keeper.. If there are any doubts in this, or any doubt in whether or not you all should follow the Orsinium Empire, speak now.."

Lal slowly gazed from left to right, his red, piercing eyes meeting along with others and scaring many, though others intently started back, not afraid. One such man raised his hand, yelling high into the air for the fall of tyranny. An arrow pierced his neck as he got to latter part of his little rebellious speech, stealing the very words he yelled high, stealing his very freedom of speech in one quick snatch. The crowd moved down, left and right, escaping, yet they only came into a mass of spearmen, blockading them from exiting the street. Lal spoke again. Yerev was already off toward the palace with a small division of men, Hati was heading with him, acting as personal his lord's personal guard.

"Any more who dare to raise against my iron grasp? Any who dare to think they are better than us...?"

"Now you have realized this will be your life, to live and prosper in this city, those that want to leave, leave, but never return! Those that cower will be allowed to live.. Resist our power and forever doom yourselves."

The people are all too quiet, and slowly the troops back off, allowing them all to make their quick exits. Within the palace, ten former living beings can be seen, their throats cut, their appendages in two and for some their bodies cut in half. Yerev stands before his new throne, sheathing his blade as Hati goes to round up the remaining stragglers within the palace. Guards begin fill the city and seize the order. Lal makes his way to the center of the city, where he takes hold of the small prefect office there..

[Lyle]

The night passed and the very bright and prideful moon fell from the sky, its counter part, a fiery globe of molten lava, taking its place and bringing light to the city, which couldn't give a damn for it. It was practically like a ghost town, the destruction that a few rays from the massive star capable of wiping out more than two thirds of the city. In all truth, the nightlife of this city was the life of this city. Only a few lucky souls took to the day, their non vampiric ways allowing them to bask in the warm and refreshing day, while all else simply sucked on the cold and admired the lacking moon in the night. So peaceful the city was, though it seemed as the entire populace was chirping, discussing, fears and questions most evident, the new prefect and the disturbance from the night before the aim for most. Behind their vaulted doors, within their dimly lit houses and upon the market streets, the entire city wandered and felt scared, the large troop divisions marching through their streets, their faces blank and steady, their movements always agreeing with their companions as they either patrolled with the powerful sound of their marching only evident or a song that they'd all come accustomed to over the years, as they sang it into battle, and when victory was evident. They sang it in a demonic tone, they sang it in both the known language of the land and the language of their native demonic tongue. The rich culture of battle fell within each word, as they calmly took order and through the public into disarray.

Lal lead himself up to the castle, making his way to one end of the city, crowds dispersing with his mere appearance, his tyrannical laugh only proving that it wise to run from such a creature. He lead himself through gates and up a massive bridge, seemingly floating in the sky, leading from one peak to the next. After entering the castle he left his horse with a guard and made his way to the court room, more or less where the throne was located. The stones that the castle was made of were dark and very shabby looking, their years catching up to them as time itself wore them down, Lal was upon the doors to the room that he sought for, he opened them without touching them it seemed, his gloved hands barely gracing the doors as they flung open. Quite bland and dark, he thought, though he hadn't expected anything more from vampires. Yerev was not upon the throne, though he found Hati near a table, discussing with other troops from the army. They both curtly spoke to each other, their welcomes and charms saved for those who deserved it, their relationship but comrades and brothers in arms. After several minutes of drawn out discussion, Hati informed Lal of where Yerev was, allowing for the mage to go see him.

Ascending several winding paths and flights of stairs, the dark mage finally came upon his lord, over looking the city from the highest tower within the palace. There was no covering over the tower, leaving the world itself open to those who wanted to gaze upon it. Lal walked toward his lord, removing his helm as he came from his right, looking over the city and the vast view of the mountains. His distinct features proposed he was once a human, or possibly something similar to it once before. His red eyes eluded this detail, the very fire craft he mastered so well streaking across his pupils, a burning ring of fire for those who would look to him. His black locks slightly fell from his head and dashed about, thankful to have finally escaped the prison they'd been trapped in for at least a month. A small half smile, rather grin crossed Lal's face as he looked at the beauty of the mountains, still proving their was a heart, rather soul somewhere under that set of armour he dressed in.

Yerev kept staring into almost nothing, his eyes solid upon one spot as he admired what he could, though truth be told he found no heart in the beauty that was before him. He'd been crushed before with the beauty of nature and others, he'd never see it again, his icy cold eyes turning blind to it. He removed his hood in a easy, though almost uncertain fashion, as though he was not sure what would come of it. He was most certain though, nothing coming of the change, the icy mountains still there, the city before him still his, the darkness that his soul was cast from still clinging to his body.. His features were quite solid, his pale white skin hinting at a section of his pedigree, which entailed vampire blood. The little hair that clung to his head was solid looking, sharp and icy blue, seeming as though it was frozen upon his head and in the certain shape it appeared as. A single cluster of hairs came out from just above his right eye, the small blade cutting down and darting across his face toward the left. His features were so hard, impenetrable, and impenetrable for a reason.. He let none in, though his comrades had found a most certain way to speak to him, and slightly open him up...

His piercing eyes kept on looking, discovering, uniting thoughts, though his quaint mood was against it. They kept searching for something, off in the distance, within the unknown and the threshold of an endless blue sky. Peace was it? Death? Victory? Defeat? No.. The End.. The sweetest nectar within the world, when one knows it is finally over, at the end of the road, after all this while one has traveled. The End.. Contemplated Yerev.. Lal took the moment to speak, the awkward yet very certain and accepted silence between the two shattered. Lal spoke most kindly, though also like how a friend speaks with another. His wisdom also showed up, something he rarely ever felt like using. He'd been here for so long, odd that he would not regard himself as wise when he spoke, in most cases..

"Something in the north.. calls my mind to it.. I'd rather cut my head off than follow the call, though, its power and rage are too troublesome for me to stand, any more. Then again, I'm just muttering things.."

Yerev's voice came forth, much different than Lal's, like a ruthless murderer, who could care less about what he was doing. Bored of life, it seemed to drain the very life force of those that listened to it.. He did not disregard what his companion said, but simply moved onto other, more at hand subjects..

"..The city..?"

"Under Hati and my watchful eye."

"Tomorrow, we will begin open searches, families, single individuals, whatever. Tear their doors open, rip their walls from the earth if you must. We must prove what we are here to do.."

"Of course my lord."

They continued looking onward, until both dawned their masks yet again and made way back down into the palace..