An Unscheduled arrival

With Han and Victor attempting to fly the Evereon through the time streams towards another Skarrion Stone (or piece of it anyway), they arrive on Eternium's 5th Realm of Ruan, the Continent of Athol, Country of Rhune, approximately 96 miles southwest of the City of Los Perritol.

Mother Kit uses her sensors to scan the planet and map its continents. As she extensive historical records of most of Eternium's time lines she manages to match this one fairly well. Of course there are differences as the Time Rift makes any version of history susceptible to countless permutations and changes, but the major details seemed accurate.

The crew call a meeting in the galley and sit around its big oval table to discuss what to do next.

We need Skarrion stones, pure and simple, says Minnow. There must be one here so let's go find it.

Trusting that the Evereon came out of the rift quite close to the stone, they head for Los Perritol and landing on top of a squat hill at the northern end of a small valley. Kit, Han, Victor and Sinsifel then disembark and take a look around. In the distance they spy a small settlement.

Look Dad, birds! Sin points to the nearby trees, overjoyed that birds still exist.

Half an hour later the Evereon lands in a field a couple of miles away from Los Perritol. Kit digitizes up some period costumes and Han, Sin, Victor, Valris and one of the Kit clones head towards the city. The Evereon then takes off and soars into the sky to assume a stationary position several miles overhead.

As they walk into Los Perritol Victor and Valris pick up several interesting facts with their vampiric hearing. They learn that 2000 soldiers are camped just south of the river, led by a Warrior Wizard called Teansarn.

Then Victor hears that the population of Los Perritol has shot up by one third in the last ten weeks due to Teansarn's reign of terror across the land. But what are the Wizard's Council doing about this madman? The legendary Wizard's of the Nine Coasts are meeting in two days time in a contest to see who carries the Ruling Staff for another ten years. The people are hoping it isn't Teansarn or his mortal enemy Traygus the Hawk.

For Sin, who has never seen more than several people at once, the city is completely overwhelming. She stops, stares and then has to be dragged along the street, finding every little detail mesmerizing and every sight, smell and sound intoxicating to her senses. She laughs, skips and holds Valris' hand, thinking that it is all wonderful.

On a Mission

After wandering through the hectic streets attracting some attention - especially Victor and Valris with their supernatural comeliness, Minnow spots an Inn called the Udon's Arms and they file inside for a rest. Han, Victor and Minnow head straight for the bar whilst the others occupy a couple of tables and relax.

I'd forgotten how bad cities smell, Valris comments, adjusting Sin's hairpins and brushing it over her shoulders.

Look, Sin points, that man has hair all over his shoulders. Is he a beast man like in the stories?

No, just a man, Valris assures.

Can you smell his blood?

I can smell everything about him - even his emotions.

Kit stretches her arms and yawns. Don't know why I'm so tired, I haven't done anything in at least 7000 years.

These people and their wanton lives can drain a person in unexpected ways, Valris sighs.

I'd be inclined to agree, Kit smiles. I could do with a recharge, maybe a bubble bath...

You're number three, says Sin, glancing at the bar-code on Kit's neck.

You can read this? Kit asks, a little startled.

The other Kits have slightly different markings.

Valris smiles. Sin has an extremely good memory. She just needs to apply it properly, Valris chides.

After discussing the various pros and cons of their situation, including Minnow's new multiple Skarrion Stone theory (yet another attempt to make sense of the Universe), they all pair up and agree to do separate things ;-

One question that Victor does bring up is just how the Evereon found the piece of Skarrion stone in the Estoan. You must have been able to track it somehow. Can't you do the same here?

Minnow looks sketchily at Kit and Han before answering, as if holding something back. We aren't sure. To be brutally honest we just pushed Start and went along for the ride. The Evereon's first Time-jump was programmed by Savrof to take the ship as far back in the Time Rift as possible in the hope of arriving at Event One. When we arrived, we homed straight in on the Stone. Then after retrieving it we decided to have a quick scout around and that's when Kit picked up on you three. Minnow drains the last of his drink. I believe the only two fragments of Skarrion having a clear signal able to be tracked were those at either end of the Rift ;- Estoan and InterWorld. The rest are all overlapping in a big Time jumble.

So how are we going to track this thing? Valris asks, tieing up one of Sin's shoe laces.

Minnow shrugs. By luck at the moment, unless any of you come up with anything better.

Valris and Victor agree to go together with Valris responsible for research into maps, local history, myths and legends. She also proposes to learn more about the Magic Tournament and Wizards. It interests me, she shrugs.

Kit says she'll take Sin with her and do some shopping. At first Victor is unsure and still protective of his daughter but Valris rests a hand on his knee and smiles. This Kit was telling me on the way here that she is trained as a Master in various forms of self defence. I think they'll be fine.

Minnow and Han agree to team up as well. Minnow makes the excuse of having to break some currency as all he has at the moment is diamonds. What he actually intends on doing is having a gamble by getting in on some games of chance. Han suggests he research Teansarn. This guy is obviously at the centre of things. I'll try and find out what I can - maybe get close to him.

OK then, Minnow grins, we meet back here at Midnight.

Despite all their planning, Valris decides to take a walk with Kit and Sin. We girl's need some time alone from you men, Kit explains, taking hold of Sin's hand, then rushing off, leaving Valris following at a more sedate and ladylike pace.

Victor watches all three go and gets quite emotional. Again his thoughts turn to marriage. It was never an issue in the past because it was just them, but now, surrounded by society again and all their friends, it seems right to announce his love to the World.

Did she ever forgive me, his brother asks, watching Valris walk away.

I don't know, Victor answers truthfully. It never came up.

I can't understand her.

I don't even try, Victor smiles.

Let's get some beer, Han suggests, shifting the large sword (not the sword of Dawn but an imitation of it) on his back.

New friends

Sin befriends a young girl called Haley who is out looking for her cat. Sin spots it and starts talking to the girl whilst Valris and Kit are out shopping for stuff. Later Sin asks to see Haley again, who has invited her back to her house. Her mother and father own a small flower shop just off of Scarlet street. Kit #3 demonstrates her martial arts in combat, showing herself to be a regular Bruce Lee.

The Importance of Pubs

Han and Victor stop off at the Dreary Duck tavern and enjoy a bit of R&R. It isn't long before they are challenged to a game of darts by Davo and his friend Roody; a game that Victor wins, not by skill, but because of his enhanced dexterity.

Next stop is the Holy Cow and the Crossbow with the Crossbow first. Renowned for being a soldier's pub they make conversation with Jered, the scarred, grizzled veteran barman. He points them over to Ajun, a recruiter for the city Militia and Sword Core with curly black hair and an unruly beard.

When Ajun lays his eyes on Han and Victor, he knows he's onto a winner and immediately tries to sign them up. Both men are immense physical specimens and despite their country-bumkin act, show intelligence and skill in their posturing.

However Han and Victor say they need time to think about it and leave, heading back to rendezvous with their companions.

Darkluses Olde shop of Horror.

1am

Minnow seems to be hiding something when he says he has found somewhere to stay. You wouldn't believe how hard it was to find rooms. Everyone has flooded into the city to escape Teansarn's army. All the taverns and inns are full to breaking point.

So where are we staying? Han dares to ask.

You'll see, you'll see, Minnow grins wickedly, leading them all along Los Perritol's more seedy back streets.

Several minutes later, after Sin has tried making friends with a rat along the way, Minnow stands proudly before a lopsided sign announcing their arrival at Darkluses Olde Shop of Horror.

They all look at him.

Hey, look, like I said, we were lucky to find somewhere, he says, feigning hurt. Your confidence in me is just sooo reassuring. He raps on the door and waits, shifting from one foot to the other, aware of their stares behind him.

A very camp voice calls out from somewhere beyond. I'll be there in a moment darling, and Minnow turns, saluting his friends with a quick eyebrow raise. In a moment, he assures.

When the door opens they see a portly man with shaven eyebrows, colourful lips and rosy cheeks, draped in a feather boa and wearing an off the shoulder black lace ball gown. The fellow laughs aloud, claps his hands with their brightly painted nails together and squeals. Ah Mr Minnow, it is you.

Victor feels his Vampire skin crawl at the man's strange accent but can't help himself from smiling.

Yes Lucius, you mysterious and delectable creature of the Night, it is I. And these behind me are my glorious companions, ready and eager to enter your abode of delights.

Minnow flourishes his cloak and bows, kissing the man's ring laden hand.

Oh you beast! Darkluse slaps Minnow gently across the cheek. Such a tease. Come in my friends, come in.

I don't know what's more scary, Han whispers to Kit, this or the Beazel demon I found living in my wardrobe.

Kit gives Han a bright-eyed smile and thinks back Oh it has to be this. I just caught a glimpse of what Minnow has planned for us. She winks and slips under his arm as he holds open the door.

Moments later, in a lavishly furnished room filled with objects all in need of slight repair and gaudy enough to bedazzle the unwary, Minnow and his Companions begin to relax. Darkluse in all his finery parades before them oohing and ahhing at their beauty, their clothes and in Victor and Han's case, physique.

Mr Victor, you have such a chest on you. Like a lion's, Darkluse purrs, touching it in delight. And Lady Valris, you just have to show me to your dress maker. It so befits you, like a waterfall of silk. I am left utterly breathless. Oh indeed I am come over feint and have to sit. Han helps the man sit. Thank you my boy; such a strong arm.

Sin looks up at her mother and asks, Is that a woman or a man?

A man who chooses to dress like a woman and love men,

Valris answers bluntly.

Is that possible?

What have I taught you about possibility? Valris counters, unable to draw her eyes away from the cracked varnish, chipped paint and frayed cloth around her.

That we exist in a Universe of unlimited possibilities held within a framework of Laws. That we can choose to live within the frame or outside it. Does that mean he lives outside of society?

What do you think?

I think he has a nice nails.

Good answer.

Listening to Darkluse and Minnow, Victor and his friends begin to grasp the crux of their situation.

The audience is going to eat you up! Darkluse announces, clapping his hands again in delight. I'm sure you'll all be superb; and Mr Minnow, seeing them now, I don't doubt you, even if you are being vague about your origins, you naughty boy.

Minnow bows and takes Darkluse's hand again. My dear Lucius, Lady of Dark whispers, I am your humble servant and my players are at your service. You do us a great honour in inviting us to stay. It is the least we can offer, a free performance, a once in a lifetime show, filled with such sights that the weak of heart may have to turned away at the door.

Darkluse gasps and licks his lips. I can't wait. Oh my, I'm all hot.

Minnow then introduces his friends by their stage names, including Valris as Lady Val; Conjurer of Bright lights and Sin; the money collector who makes the punters give up their coin with her innocent little smile.

Everyone goes along with Minnow's plan and no one speaks up voicing any concerns, allowing him to weave his words into a believable lie and bewilder Darkluse with flowery prose. Minutes later they are shown to some run down rooms above and behind the stage; a stage that has seen far better days with faded backdrops right out of the previous century.

Victor and Val share a room whilst Kit and Sin share one adjacent. Minnow bunks in with Han but says he won't be needing the bed as he has a lot to do.

If you are in need to conversation and perhaps a little night-cap, Darkluse says to Minnow, before leaving them alone, my room is at the end.

If I complete my work, I shall certainly consider it, Minnow lies, bowing graciously as Darkluse glides away into his chambers with a giggle.

You going to take her up on that? Han asks, fighting back a laugh.

Just ditch your things and meet me downstairs, Minnow tells them, muttering to himself on the way back down. They just don't appreciate the things I do. The whole Universe doesn't.

Minnow fills in the gaps, explaining that they are now a group of travelling performers, new to Los Perritol and desperately in need of somewhere to stay. He has organized a performance for the following night and will be helping Darkluse bill it the following morning. As for costumes and routines, they are all to trust him as he intends on working it out over the next few hours. Don't worry. I've done things like this before and with the raw talent you lot keep stashed away for a rainy day, we'll knock 'em dead.

We aren't worried, Kit smirks, sending a glance towards Han who is fighting a frown and losing.

Minnow, Han groans. Just don't get too carried away. I'm not wearing anything weird.

Of course not. Valris can wear a dress, so can Sin. I was thinking you and Victor in tight pants; Lucius will love that and so will the women in the audience; then you and Kit, looking back at Han, can do a routine. Y'know dance, throwing Kit in the air kind of stuff. Kit has some moves you see that could be quite impressive if choreographed the right way.

Kit bounds forward, suddenly excited and bolstered by Han's embarrassment. I could do flips, somersaults and high kicks, she suggests.

Exactly! Minnow bangs his hand on a table. You two will need to get together and sort out some moves. I suggest soon.

Is that OK? Kit asks, smiling at Han's estranged face.

Lost in her eyes, Han nods and calms down, all thoughts of braining Minnow with a stool suddenly gone.

Excellent, Minnow announces, snapping his fingers.

After taking a look at their room, Valris suggests going out for a walk. Victor agrees but still isn't feeling that hungry for blood, despite it having been a few days. They pry open their window and take to the roofs before dropping back down a few streets away to walk arm in arm like any normal couple.

They pass two other theatres on their travels ;- The Grand Theatre and the Royal Theatre, taking note of what's on and who's singing and performing. I'd like to go and see something like this, says Valris.

Maybe we could go tomorrow night, after our show, Victor suggests.

And we could take Sin. She'd love it, adds Valris, kissing Victor on the cheek.

A while later they pass a Temple with red doors and hear strange noises coming from within. Using their Vampiric climbing skills, they scale the walls and perch high up to look through a window. What they see makes Valris blush and Victor's eyes nearly pop out as down below, sprawled before an altar in the light of a great fire, writhe several naked male and female bodies, slick with sweat and oil, engaged in an orgy of sex. They watch for a full minute before dropping back to street level and continuing on their way.

Interesting, Valris comments.

Uh huh, Victor replies, trying to shake away the images he has just witnessed.

A Change of life

2.30am

Out with Victor on the streets of the city, Valris comes across a drunken man, slumped in an alley. Whereas a long time ago, in another life, she may have drunk the man's blood, this time she lifts him by the scruff of the neck and holds him, terrified, dangling in the air. Listen to me, she commands. You will never again drink this poison but instead remain sober. You will bathe regularly and take steps to educate yourself, work hard and generally turn your life around. If you do not, I will visit you again and torture you as only creature like I can. Don't even think about ending your life because I will find your body and bring it back as one of the living damned. Now go, I will be watching you! She bares her fangs and hurls the man, who staggers away in terror.

Later and Valris and Victor stroll together, Valris brings up the topic of Han and Kit. They like each other y'know.

Do they? Victor feigns ignorance.

Yes, Valris sighs, poking him in the arm. We should help them. They need a push.

I think they're doing OK.

Yes, but at the rate they're going, it will be years before they even have a proper conversation together.

3.30am

Victor and Valris stop at the city hall to read a poster about the Magic Tournament. Opening Times - 8am to 8pm. Competitors to apply inside. Overhead nine flags hang on nine poles signifying the Nine Coasts and their governing bodies.

Opposite the City Hall stands the majestic Temple of Teara - Athol's most popular God. They wander over to take a look as Valris has overheard Teara maintains a library. Just inside the door sits a gentle eyed, fifty year old Cleric reading a book. He introduces himself as Micheal.

We're here to look at the books, says Valris.

Micheal smiles and stands. They're through the third arch on the right. Take your time.

As Victor and Valris cross the hall, both of them notice, a young woman dressed in white standing before a giant statue of the Goddess.

Perusing the various tomes in the Temple, Valris finds one of interest entitled the Creed of Soloman. The name seems familiar to Victor who struggles to remember his encounter with the Wizard in Tanislore.

As the book is chained to the bookcase, Valris snaps it free and puts it inside her coat.

You're going to take that? Victor asks, uncomfortable with the theft and a little amazed at Valris' actions.

Why not? Valris might be Ladylike in appearance but she lacks experience in society; especially with its laws. We haven't got all night to stay here and read it.

Victor looks around.

"You are ghosts of the past and future," The Immortal Teara

Ok, Valris concedes, I'll come back tomorrow and look at it again. She puts the book back down and leads the way out, but as they both get half way across the main hall, they suddenly find themselves unable to move.

The young woman dressed in white moves across their path with an inhuman otherworldly grace. As her arms move up to brush by Victor and Valris, they blur with light, her eyes gleaming brightly. How strange, she says distantly, two ghosts of the past and future, far from home. How did you get here? Through the lost moments of the broken day?

The strange being looks at them for a moment longer and then seems to lose interest, wandering back to the statue of Teara.

As she moves away, Victor and Valris find themselves able to move again.

What was that? Valris asks, angry and concerned.

An Immortal of some sort. I've met them before. Places like this are usually full of them.

Well they're damn impolite, Valris fumes. and powerful too.

I don't think they have power outside of the Temples.

Well good, because we're leaving. How rude!

900 years ago, Teara gave unto her most devoted worshippers the secret of magic. But within fifty years of the gift, her worshippers became divided on its Source.

Many believed the Source of Magic to be the Sun and its power of Light whilst a small number chose instead to put their faith in the Dark places between. They became respectively known as the Sun Magicians and Dark Mystics, both sworn enemies from the very beginning.

The Dark Mystics believe in the Power of Darkness - that a World of Darkness exists parallel to the Mortal World and that creatures of Shadow wander the Umbra (or Dreaming places) that exist between.

The Sun Magicians believe that the Sun infuses everything with energy and harmony. It is the aura of life and creation, enabling beings to transcend and become a part of its light upon death.

THE HOLY BOOK OF TEARA

Sticky Buns

After a morning of hectic shopping, Kit and Sinsifel find an area of grass to sit down on. As it's a little damp from the previous night's rain, Kit suggests that Sin sit on her shoulder bag.

Sin gives her new friend a quizzical look. Why?

Because you'll get your bottom wet silly, Kit laughs, grabbing the young girl and pulling her down.

We never used to worry about that back in the Estoan.

The where? Kit rummages around and produces two sticky cherry buns.

The Estoan. It's what mum calls home. The Estoan Epoch.

Sounds like a mouthful to me. But then Valris likes her long words. I'm just a bit simple I suppose. Just a plain village girl from the country.

Is that where you lived, before you met my dad? Sin asks, suddenly interested but finding the bun a distraction.

A'huh, Kit mumbles, swallowing hard. She then proceeds to tell Sin all about her childhood - especially her dog.

That must have been fun, growing up around all those people. Mum says I haven't missed much but then she never had a childhood. As for dad, he lived in an orphanage right up to Chaos day; at least that's what I call it; the day Gruble came along and dad fell into an interplanal portal.

Kit stares at the young girl in amazement. You know some long words too by the sounds of it.

Yeah, Kit shrugs. I guess mum's lessons have rubbed off a bit.

They sure have.

But you must be pretty intelligent now. You're part of a super computer thingy with the knowledge of a whole civilisation at your fingertips. Sin suddenly doubted that Mother Kit actually had fingertips but kept that to herself.

You would think, Kit replied, licking her fingers and admiring a handsomely dressed man wandering by. But it's like having a lake full of water with no bucket to carry it in.

Sin giggles. I've got to learn magic. Mum says so.

Don't you want to?

I do but I don't.

What do you want then? Do you want to be a warrior like your father?

No way, Sin holds up her hands. Dad is the best but all that running around, hunting and killing must get boring after a while.

Don't worry, I won't tell. So what then?

I guess I just want to be different. You're different, Minnow's definitely different and Han is, well, kind of quiet and different.

The best thing you can do is just be yourself, Kit suggests.

But learning magic could be very useful.

So could learning how to fly but you don't see me jumping off a cliff. Anyway, Mum tried that years ago.

The two girls talk for another hour about their childhoods, their hopes for the future and Sin's quirky parents.

I want to see places and different Worlds, Sinsifel enthuses. I want to travel and live an exciting life. Mum and Dad would be happy just living but then they're immortal.

That bother's you, doesn't it? Kit asks gently, seeing Sin turn away.

I guess. I know it upsets Mum. Even though they haven't brought it up, I know they would make me like them - if they could.

And they can't?

I don't think so. Mum's blood doesn't effect me. She says I have an immunity to it.

Oh.

After a long pause, Kit stands and pulls Sin to her feet too. I have a craving for some fresh fruit. Let's go buy some.

2pm.

Someone attempts to hire Minnow. A man comes up to him in the bar and tries hiring him to beat someone up for a Single. Minnow negotiates and accepts for 3 singles. The man doing the hiring remains anonymous but says the target will be walking towards the tavern shortly, wearing a bright red cloak. The Red cloaked man proves to be a Mage called York who Minnow sits down and shares a few pints with.

The Show must go on

As the moment of their performance approaches, Victor and his Companions begin to doubt Minnow's ability to pull it all off. Darkluse on the other hand is overwhelmed by their appearance and excited beyond belief, leaping around in a heavy ball gown and constantly reminding them of the packed house outside. Mr Minnow, you have pulled in such a crowd. This old place hasn't seen so many in years.

I do my best. Ok, first up will be Valris and Victor; just after my introduction.

Dressed all in black with black eye makeup and black lips,

Minnow steps onto the stage and raises his arms. Ladies, Gentleman, Creatures of the Night and Spirits of the Neverworld, I greet you and invite you, body and soul, to watch our little show. But heed my warning; the sights you are about to see will be unlike anything you have seen before. They will be of dark design, the food of nightmares and the depravity of the soul realised. If you are weak of heart or high in morals, you should flee now, or forever be changed... I see you are all brave, Minnow lowers his head. So without further ado, I introduce you to the Lady of Night, a tragic creature lost in a wilderness of her own making. See her torment, her tears of woe.. With that Minnow calls Valris onto the stage and following Minnow's story and leads, she proceeds to act her part with supernatural skill.

He's quite the storyteller isn't he, Kit remarks, swept up in Minnow's words and Valris' artful portrayal of a woman in pain, wanting to die.

Who Minnow? Han drags his eyes off of Valris' graceful curves. He sure is. I think he was made for roles like this. Isn't serving the Balance just one big role on a Universal stage?

Kit shoots him a glower. I wouldn't know.

I didn't mean...

No, just that I'm part of some Cosmic freak show too.

Han groans, knowing he can't win.

Sharday

11pm.

Victor meets Han in the basement of the Holy Cow Tavern - an infamous place in Los Perritol frequented by humans, non humans and adventurers. As Victor spies his brother, he notices Han sat by a very friendly black woman dressed provocatively in squares of silk and draped in jewellery. With her cleavage pressed firmly up and out in Han's direction, Victor worries that his brother might have bitten off more than he can handle.

Hi, Victor waves.

Han gestures for him to sit. This is Sharday. She's a merchant from Dray Varnol who travels between cities. We've been discussing her current job supplying arms to Teansarn's army.

Your brother is as delightful as you, Sharday licks her lips and devours Victor's body with her eyes, making him more than a little uncomfortable.

And to think, Victor says to himself, we were trying to get you together with Kit.

Sharday briefly excuses herself, giving Victor time to catch up on Han's exploits. Han fills him in on Teansarn's army and Victor on his Spirit walk and the giant lizards Teansarn's men ride. When Sharday returns she seems a little agitated and bends close to Han's ear.

I have a little trouble. See those two thugs who have just come down the stairs. They are here to see me.

Both Han and Victor look over, seeing two well built men heading in their direction.

The first man, with a square jaw and squat nose places his palms on the table and his face quite close. Sharday, Hilus wants his dues. You're late, again. And after losing that shipment, he's pissed.

Well go tell Hilus, he'll get his money when I'm ready.

He thought you'd say that, so we gotta persuade you. The thug makes a sudden grab for her arm but Han catches it in his hand and pins it to the table. Reconsider friend, Han warns.

Fuck you!

Victor watches the fight on the edge of his seat as his brother breaks one of the men's arms and pins the other against a wall after breaking his nose. Are you finished? Han asks.

The man nods, helping his friend up and out of the Tavern as quick as he can.

Y'know, Sharday says, you could make a lot of money as a bodyguard. I know a few merchants who are hiring if you need the money.

What I need is a way into Teansarn's army. Han sits back down.

Sharday is suspicious, but impressed. I don't know why, but I'm going to help you. I'll get you an audition with my contact there. After that you'll be on your own. I still think it's a waste of good muscle though.

Thanks, Han lightly touches her arm.

The Snot & Magic Tournament

Two mages hurl magic missiles at one another in the street before being escorted out of the city by guards. One of the mages tries persuading the guards it is the other man's fault.

The other man, called Orek, curses his enemy and kicks and screams, accusing him of stealing his wand.

As the trouble dies down Victor notices a suspicious man putting something inside his jacket and sneaking away down a side street. He decides to follow and easily tracks the man back to a secret hideout.

By using his magical hearing Victor learns he has found a guild of thieves, owned by a man called Herot Snot. He eavesdrops on the thief, called Smiley, handing the wand over to Snot. He also hears Snot's right hand man, another thief called Angel talking to people inside. Angel comes across as level headed and quite honourable but Snott as the complete opposite. In fact as Victor listens, Snott tests his new wand on a thief called Noose, delighted at the effects and painful squeals.

Victor decides to leave but later returns with Valris. Planning to get back the stolen wand and earn the friendship of the two imprisoned mages, Victor and Valris approach the front door of Snot's hideaway.

So how do we go about this? Valris asks.

Victor shrugs. Knock on the door?

Then what?

Fight our way through them.

I don't want to kill anyone Victor. Valris folds her arms across her chest and pulls a face. I know you too well. You'll start swinging your fists around and before anyone knows it, you'll have knocked off a couple o heads.

Victor looks sheepish. Ok, no killing.

With our speed and agility there's no reason why we can't just disarm the whole bunch of them. How many are in there, a dozen at the most. Easy.

Victor smiles, aware that one of the thieves is already watching them from out of a window on the second storey.

They knock on the door, listening to the conversations beyond;-

Who is it? asks Angel.

Two youngsters, a man and a woman. They've been standing in the street having a conversation for several minutes.

Are they armed? Do they look like guards?

No, just a couple of well dressed kids. The bloke's got a sword on his back.

Hello, Victor announces. Can we come in?

Angel steps up to the bolted door and calls back through it. You've got the wrong place. Sod off.

Uh, we're here to see Snott.

No one lives here by that name. Now piss off before I come out and brain you.

Valris touches Victor's arm and the two walk away. We aren't getting in that way. We could just force the door.

Victor still appears lost but keeps his hearing focused on Angel and decides to have some fun.

Angel orders one of his best stalkers, a thief called Wrett, to tail Victor and Valris back to their digs. Victor lets Wrett track them to a darkened tunnel but then leaps up onto a roof, dragging Valris with him. There he spies on the thief and chuckles as the man scratches his head in confusion.

Wrett reports back. I lost 'em. They just disappeared.

I'll tell Snott, Angel grumbles.

Victor and Valris return to the Snott's hideaway but this time with a plan. Valris knocks on the door again.

Beyond, Noose calls Angel. They're back. I don't believe it, they're back.

Right, that's it, Angel growls. Open the door. I'm going to show these two what happens if they mock us.

But as the door opens, Angel blinks in surprise when Victor blurs passed him, disarms two men behind him and kicks a table into the air to smash it against the far wall. Even as he recovers from one shock he experiences another even more heartstopping one as Valris suddenly steps right up into his chest and grips his throat in a vice-like grip.

Don't move, she whispers into his ear. Or I'll snap your neck.

Entering the Tournament

Valris decides to enter the Wizard contest. First she learns she must register for the contest before 6pm the day before at the city hall.

The Contest takes place every 10 years. It begins at Noon on the 12/03/633 and continues for 3 days. During this time, thousands of people gather around the palace to watch the displays. Every mage is allowed to take one companion with them to assist with components and the various tasks ahead. The companion must carry no magic and not be of magical nature - Ruling out Han. But who will go with Valris?

The prize is the Ruling Staff - a crystal stave of tremendous power, both symbolic and otherwise. The Wizard with the Ruling staff learns spells far more quickly and can cast them with relative ease. However the bearer of the Staff must attend chair every council meeting and turn over all of their findings to the other Wizards of the Nine Coasts. This law was passed by John Corum in 125 3A after the Magic War (AKA The War of Ashes).

Kick Ass Kiss

Han and Kat Kit go out and have a meal. On the way back from their lunch, after finding it very difficult talking, they hear a fight happening nearby / Mother tells Kit via her implant that there are multiple heat signatures engaged in fighting nearby. Han and Kit investigate and kick ass. Afterwards they touch and kiss but feel awkward with one another and their feelings.

*Note - Kit is currently designing and manufacturing a set of ear pieces designed for communication on away missions. Small and unobtrusive they will be able to be slipped inside the ear. Applying pressure on the ear (i.e. by tapping it) will call Mother on the Evereon and establish a two way verbal communication uplink - max range of her prototype design is 5 miles. Tapping the ear again will switch the ear piece off. The ear pieces will also be trackable. Once activated, Mother can home in on the signal.*

A Balrog of Laughs

1.30am.

Minnow leads Victor out the back and into a small plot of garden surrounded by a ragged picket fence. Ok, go for it, the Plane traveller urges, stepping back and folding his arms.

Victor looks at him for a few seconds before turning away and gazing skyward. Kûtal... father...

A few minutes pass and Victor shifts uncomfortably. See?

I see nothing. Is that really how you summon him? Minnow asks, incredulously.

Yeah. He just turns up.

Luckily it's not him though, just a projection of him. Still, it's obvious that just calling his name isn't getting his attention. Try this, cut yourself and let the blood pour onto the ground. Make it deep so a fair bit falls.

Victor inwardly squirms, not because he fears injury or pain but because a part of him knows his blood is precious.

Nevertheless he does as Minnow asks. Now, Minnow continues, try again, speak some words Victor, don't just say his name!

Kûtal, I sacrifice this blood to you, Victor tries.

Still nothing.

Crap, Minnow mutters, suddenly galvanized into activity. He barges by Victor and drops to one knee, placing an ungauntleted hand upon Victor's patch of blood stained earth.

Throwing his head back, the Servant of Nox stares beyond the stars into the spaces between and calls out to his mistress for aid. Lady, your Knight calls.

As Minnow backs away the patch of bloodstained earth takes on a fiery glow and the air shimmers with heat. Victor feels his skin crawl from the sudden build up of unseen energies and is overcome by a sense of foreboding.

For a moment both men feel their bodies snap taut as a crack of power like a bolt of lightning splits the air above the blood forming a fissure of bright light. Then as Victor regains his composure and adopts a defensive stance, an immense creature materialises through the magical opening, expanding within moments to loom over them.

Covered in coarse black hair and standing taller than any of the nearby houses, the creature peels back its mouth to reveal glistening, saliva covered fangs and utters something in a guttural, senseless tongue that can only be Chaos incarnate.

Wielding a whip of barbs dripping burning oil and a great flaming sword larger than a troll and wider than a tree, the beast throws its head back and laughs demonically. Who has dared divert Eshrain of the Seventh Circle from his Master's tasks! it booms, snapping the whip through the air to shower a roof in the equivalent of napalm.

With another casual wave of its free arm, the demon Eshrain rips open the air into a hellish portal. Through the distorted interplanal fabric of Space and Time, Victor sees a World of arid, heat bleached sand dunes beneath a blood red and turbulent sky. Then as he stares, he sees a dozen hideous reptilian creatures armed with barbed spears and halberd-like pole arms of diabolical design, rushing towards the planal gateway.

Eshrain continues laughing and hurls several immense balls of fiery rock across the city's skyline. As Victor stares in wide-eyed disbelief, the balls explode like bombs, destroying anything they hit and setting the city alight.

Burning down the house - A city in flames

By now the city is in flames with several key sites, like the Palace and Grand Theatre blown to smithereens by Eshrain's flaming meteors. People are running through the streets in terror and soldiers are being dismembered by Lizard-like Chau'Chuxl demons.

As for Minnow, he remains upside down, still trapped inside Eshrain's hot, dripping whip, awaiting Victor's next move. A strange calm has come over the Servant of the Balance. Minnow knows the city is in dire straits but doesn't care. Instead he cares more about Victor learning a lesson.

Not content with just blowing things up, Eshrain sends waves of fire forth from his chest; as the waves expand they cause buildings and people to erupt in fire. Screams multiply, the death toll rises and Minnow does nothing to stop it.

Minnow, do something!

You do something. This is a Servant of your so called Father. This is what Kûtal is about! It's your problem, Minnow hisses bitterly.

Eshrain laughs, trapping Minnow in its whip then throwing him back and forth across the gardens. Minnow smashes through fences, collides with walls and feels the sting of Eshrain's Napalm hissing on his flesh. But through it all he just stares stubbornly at Victor, as if it's all his fault.

But what do I do? Victor asks himself. I command you to leave! he shouts up at the Demon.

Eshrain looks down and laughs again, accompanied by a great belch of smoke and fire. Make me little one. I am enjoying myself too much to go now. The Balance pup has summoned me so I must make the most of my visit.

But I am your Blood Prince!

Eshrain just laughs. If your were, you would make me leave. But I don't want to.

It's a Chaos World

Frustrated by Minnow's lack of cooperation and the demon's complete lack of respect, Victor struggles to come up with a plan but as usual, fails to get off the starting line. As the beast is immolated in chaos fire, he shies away from attacking it directly, which leaves him seemingly powerless to stop it.

As the first of the reptiles clears the gate and charges off onto the city's streets, he boldly jumps through onto the other World, crossing Space and Time in an instant. Stop! he shouts, trying to attract the attention of the other demons.

But the creatures merely snarl and plunge passed, leaping through the portal hellbent on carnage.

Kûtal! Victor screams, shaking his fist at the unnatural blood sky.

Almost immediately, the blood red clouds coalesce into a immense mile wide face that Victor recognises.

WHO ARE YOU? it asks.

I am Xenon, your son, your Blood Prince.

BLEED BEFORE ME, Kûtal demands.

Victor cuts himself and lets the blood fall to the sand.

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

To stop that thing! Victor shouts, pointing back through the portal to Los Perritol's burning rooftops and Eshrain's ecstatic face.

YOU HAVE THE POWER. USE IT. WHAT ELSE DO YOU DESIRE?

Help. Why haven't you answered me?

I AM ENGAGED IN A WAR HERE ON ABBADON AND HAVE LOST VALUABLE GROUND TO MY ENEMIES. SEEK OUT THE SCHOLAR. HE WILL HELP YOU. NOW GO XENON.

Victor turns and jumps back through to Los Perritol.

Still at a loss for what to do and seeing more parts of the city blown up by the second, he risks hitting the demon's leg with his claws. The flames hut and burn his hand but he makes contact with Eshrain's furry hide.

Unfortunately despite his most valiant effort, he fails to do any visible damage and feels even more desperate.

Your blood is keeping it here! Minnow shouts, hanging upside down and being spun around by the maniacal demon.

Suddenly Victor grasps the situation. The Demon has not moved from the puddle of his blood, as if anchored to that spot and unable to escape it. Victor tries digging up the ground but the heat proves to great, so instead he cuts himself again, puts blood on his claws and swipes at the demon's leg for a second time. The effect is almost instantaneous as Eshrain's connection to Los Perritol is severed, banishing it from the World.

Distant screams. Burning houses. Eshrain is gone and Victor breathes a huge sigh of relief. Minnow on the other hand seems unmoved and just remains, slumped against a piece of fence.

A minute later Valris arrives. What happened? Was that really a demon I saw? You do realise half the city is on fire!

Yeah, it was a demon.

God's Victor, did you summon it? Look at what you've done! Valris shouts, hands on her hips.

It wasn't me, it was... Minnow. It was my blood but...

Valris' rage turns on the Balance Servant. You irresponsible idiot! Innocent people have been killed because of your stupidity. What have you to say for yourself? You've led Victor into yet another disaster!

Minnow just smirks. That's me. One disaster after another. But Victor must be pretty stupid himself to go along with it. Stupid to think Kûtal actually gives a damn about anyone.

Don't you dare call him stupid. Trusting yes, but not stupid. You're the inhuman one among us. You're the one who has lost his way. Get over it you fool.

Minnow stands and advances. Well he needs to wake up and realise who he is!

Valris swings and sends Minnow flying. Stay away from me, she threatens, before turning back to Victor. I'm going to try and help these people. It's because of us they're suffering!

In a blur of speed she is gone, leaving Victor lost for words.

The Fire Angel

Throwing caution to the wind, Valris heads across the city at breakneck speed, seeking out the largest fires and loudest screams for help. Her first stop is a group of residential houses off of Smith Street. She jumps from a roof opposite, right across the street and in through an open third storey window. Then using her Vampiric senses she finds and picks up two screaming children, leaping backward out of another window to set them safely on the ground. Astounded onlookers point and stare in amazement as she vanishes into another house and comes out carrying a 250lb unconscious man.

He has a head wound. Press down here, she tells a startled militia man before vanishing like a ghost from the scene.

Her next stop is the Royal Palace itself where Lords and Ladies of the Court mill around the gardens in disarray, weeping and shaking their heads in shock as the East wing of the Palace roars in flames.

She moves unnoticed through the crowds and jumps up to enter a bedroom balcony. Once inside she guides people blinded by smoke to a stairwell and smashes down several doors to grab and leap other panicking courtiers to safety. Some scream and try to resist her but they stand little chance against her speed and strength.

What was that? one woman asks.

An angel... someone else gasps.

Victor catches up with Valris just as the last of the people are clear of danger. He sees her moving through the crowds and moves after her as she once again takes to the city skyline.

Shock, horror

Kit #4 shows her engineering skills are superb when a magical creature attacks and scrambles the Evereon's NAVCOM. The creature, a summoned air elemental, hurls lightning bolts at the ship until Kit uses the Digitiser and traps it in a containment field.

The following section of Xenon's timeline was not fully chronicled at the time so notes a very sketchy.

Session Sat 19/05/01

Jackery Hume

Just who is Jackery Hume?

Well, he's an exact spitting image of one of Kûtal's many forms. As a normal scholarly academic he hasn't clue why Victor and Valris come to see him or enlist his aid on their quest, but the idea of going somewhere different than the library appeals to him.

*Note - Jackery is but one of Kûtal's many genetic manipulations throughout history. When your sole aim in the Multiverse is to spread your own DNA out and into everyone, every now and then you're bound to get someone turn up with so much of it that they look exactly like you. One of Kûtal's favourite past times is taking these people and flipping their lives upside down. He has plans for Jackery - not necessarily good ones.*

8am.

Jackery arrives at the Evereon to be picked up. He is absolutely gobsmacked when led on board by Mother and given the tour. He gets so excited that he has to sit down and have a few glasses of sherry to calm his nerves. While he adjusts to his new surroundings Victor checks on how Mother is getting on with repairs.

He pops down to see Karly in the engine room and she doesn't look happy.

Damn air thingy screwed the poop in here. Go away! she grumbles.

The Judge

9am.

Victor is sat on the bridge of the Evereon sifting through the wealth of knowledge in Mother's neural data banks. Something he learned in Eternium's future about light has been nagging him for some time and he tries to learn more about it. He studies about light waves and the spectrum but becomes fascinated by Ultraviolet light. Hey Kit, could you make something to protect against this?

Yeah sure. That would be easy. But it wouldn't protect your spirit from the Sun - it would just stop you going up in a cloud of smoke.

Hey, it's a start, Victor shrugs, tinkering with screen and thinking about Valris. If he can only find a way for her to take part in the tournament, despite it being daytime.

Just as things are getting interesting and various complex images of biology come up, the Kit still in the city with Han contacts Victor on one of the overhead monitors. Victor, you have to come down here and pick us up.

Why, what's up?

You'll see when you get here, says Han. But you'll have to see it to believe it. We think we've found your Sage.

We'll be there in a mo.

Come in cloaked, Kit adds, we're on a rooftop and all hell is breaking loose down here. The city is in chaos so I'm sending Mother a fix on our position.

City in Crisis

The city is still in turmoil from the pit fiend and its fires but matters get even worse when Teansarn marches into the city at the head of one hundred men and demands to see King Farduke and his lords.

Teansarn, having witnessed anarchy in the city overnight (mostly because of Victor mind you) has decided enough is enough. He offers to bring the city under control, quell all the riots and re-establish law.

Of course the King doesn't want that in a million years. If Teansarn gets his army inside the walls Farduke knows there will be no way to get it out again. He turns the offer down which brings a glower from the Warrior Wizard.

Teansarn speaks loud and clear to all of those assembled. You have one day from now to bring this city back under control. If you do not I will be forced to use my army to impose martial law.

You have no right! Farduke rages, leaping from his throne.

I will do it to protect the people when their King does not. One day. With that Teansarn walks away.

Farduke immediately orders his troops to full alert and to end any rioting and looting. But the citizens of Los Perritol do not take kindly to horses herding them in the streets and bombard the soldiers with rotten vegetables and fruit.

The population is scared. The army outside of the city scares them; the demon that set light to their city terrifies them. Factions fight with one another and civil unrest increases by the hour, even when the King attempts to reassure the people with public proclamations.

11am.

Traymal uses his Prismatic magic to charm over 100 soldiers and common people. He leads them to the Temple of Morlee and begins fortifying himself ready for a ritual.

1pm

A stampede in Broken Square claims the lives of 13 people.

3pm.

An emergency council of the Nine is called but only three turn up;- Kulo, Erranious and Lukus D’Wilde. Chandos is feared dead; his body is trapped beneath tons of rubble at the Palace. The Ruling Staff has also vanished and no one seems to know where it is. The tournament can’t go on without the Staff and Teansarn knows this. The other Wizard’s are all blaming one another for the disaster and Eshrain’s attack. Los Perritol stands on the brink of a new Wizard War. No one knows who has the Ruling Staff.

The Nine Wizards are ;- Chandos (RIP), Teansarn, Traymal, Kulo, Mestin, Jaydol, Erranious, Ghanarmi, Lukus.

9pm.

About 200 Green Skeletons rise up out of the river and attack Teansarn’s forces. Summoned by Ghanarmi who is in league with Traymal and Morlee these creatures have been secretly moved into position over a period of several days. Ghanarmi uses something called the Orb of Shilore to control them – a glowing green sphere of mystical energy.

11pm

Mestin and Jaydol have a huge magical combat above the city. Mestin flies a Golden Eagle accompanied by a dozen golden winged monkeys. Jaydol stands on a floating disk surrounded by magical serpents that lash out at the attacking Royal Lupa’s (monkeys).

11.30pm

Kit’s sensors begin to detect an inter-dimensional fissure beginning to open beneath the city.

Unwritten sections of the Timeline....

Walking the underdog.

The King of Nothing.

Wake up Call.

Facing the Mob.

The Army of Islay.

Rumours galore.

The Priests of Morlee.

Sheep Battle Wagon.

The Art of the Fumble.

Buck and the Orb of Shilore.

The Legend of Bone Killer.

Hallax of Tanith.

Rhoh of Teara.

Duel of the Fates.

Hallax heads off.

Lost for Words.

Will the real Teansarn please stand up.

Lost by a head.

The Well of doubt.

Minnow's break.

The Extent of Sin.

The Coming of Evernight

At exactly Midnight a sudden stillness falls over the city. Valris and Victor gaze upward sensing a shift in the natural forces, their immortal eyes drawn directly towards the phenomenon's source - an astral funnel beginning to spiral up into the sky. Situated nearly a mile up, the funnel seems to blot out the stars and riding from it, on armoured black-eyed steeds, they see several black hooded figures.

At the head of the riders is a crowned being wielding a tremendous black starred sceptre - this is Sash - Lord of Ever Night and banished Mystic.

Sash is here to take advantage of the situation - his loyal servant and puppet, Teansarn, has informed him of the Lady Valris and her planned takeover. Fearful of this new, unknown player, Sash has moved his invasion ahead in the hope of gaining the Ruling Rod before anyone else.

Valris and Victor know that things have gone from bad to worse when they listen to the sounds of the city. It seems as if everyone has stopped, frozen in time. They even pass several humans standing like statues.

This is Sash's Ritual of the Dark Moment - a powerful magic that literally suspends everyone in the same instant of time with those effected unable to be harmed or moved.

Because of our actions, the Balance has been tipped, says Minnow. We must set it right before we go.

But surely, says Han, it’s not going to make any difference. When we leave this Time may very well cease to exist.

Everything – no matter how it seems at the time, is of importance. That is the nature of Fate – of the Cosmic Weave. We must do what is right.

Since when did you care about that? The Balance is as the balance does – or some other bull. You’ve never described yourself as one of the good guys.

No, but YOU have. Can you let this Sorcerer take over here?

It doesn’t really bother me, Han shrugs.

That’s a lie, Minnow counters, knowing that Han does care. It's just that he is still angry about what has happened to Kit, yet Minnow doesn't mention it.

Victor and his companions need to set things right. Because of them this Reality / Timeline is about to be taken over by Sash the Lord of Evernight and everyone in it will be doomed to a 1000 years of everlasting darkness (it's always the same isn't it... doom and gloom?).

Sash needs to be killed / banished back to Evernight. Sash sets up base in the city of Los Perritol. He obliterates the mages and declares himself Ruan’s new emperor. Teansarn attempts to make peace with the new ruler but Sash just laughs and turns him into a statue whilst waving the Rod around as a trophy.

Victor, Valris and the others must decide what to do – a full frontal attack seems pointless as the Mages have already tried it. Instead, Victor and Valris decide to sneak in, assassinate Sash and get out again. As Sash is in the palace they need schematics for it – cue floor plans of Palace.

More unwritten subtitles

When Wisdom turns bad.

A Wizard's last words.

Dancing in the Dark.

Mystic slumber.

Power Eternal - A Companion's Reckoning

In the palace Han, Lanté and the Sword of Dawn make quick work of several lesser wraiths before eventually coming face to face with Lord Sash.

What have we here? the Lord asks in a serpentine hiss.

Your end, replies Han, allowing Lanté to unleash a blast of light at the dark Lord.

A battle ensues between Sash and Han that takes them through several parts of the palace. Pillars are cut down, walls exploded and ceilings collapsed as they hurl power at one another until Sash gains a momentary upper hand and knocks Han brutally back against a wall. Han collapses, badly injured and so near death that even Lanté struggles to keep him alive. But then something unexpected happens.

Lanté loses all control as something deeper and more powerful takes possession of Han's body. Han, completely unaware of what is happening, rises to his feet and takes on the appearance of a multi- faceted glowing being.

Sash shields himself from the light and roars in disbelief as the figure levitates the Sword of Dawn to its hand and speaks in a voice that makes even the Lord of Evernight tremble with fear.

I am the Eternal Champion. Prepare to die.

The fight is swift and deadly. Sash is blasted against the opposing wall, unable to move or defend himself as the Sword of Dawn runs him through and obliterates him until only a dark shadow upon the stone remains.

By the time Victor and Valris arrive at the palace the being is all but gone and only Lanté and Han remain. Victor briefly catches a glimpse of it and it sends a chill down his spine. When they gain Han's side Lanté says that Han will recover but be-littles Victor saying You will never know a fraction of what I have now experienced through Han. Such power is truly out of your reach Chaos Servant. *Note - The truth is Lanté remembers bugger all but just wants annoy Victor. It doesn't work.*

Victor and Valris both tell the Light giant where he can go.

Flight from Darkness

Before Vic and Val can make it Han though Sash's death opens up a gateway between Ruan Athol and his Plane of Night directly above the Evereon, frying most of Mother Kit's on board systems in the process.

Pursued by flying wraiths who are also being sucked back in and caught in the vortex between one plane and another, the Evereon suddenly goes out of control and threatens to be sucked into Sash's home plane as well. Valris hurls spells at the wraiths, who just so happen to be riding flying wraith horses but things seem to quickly spiral out of her control.

Suddenly Sinsifel descends the ramp of the Evereon and reaches out towards the swirling vortex. With extreme concentration and a closing of her hand, the vortex is snuffed out - it's gateway closed. *Note - This is Sinsifel calling upon one of the base powers she possessed as a sword; the ability to open and close gates. It is the first time she has actually done it though of her own free will.*

Valris grabs her daughter and asks How?

And a frightened, wind swept Sinsifel just shrugs. I dunno.

A Welcome respite.

The Freemen of Lore.

Curing all ills.

I'm not having Minnow anywhere near Sinsifel. He's unstable. I think he's lost it. Valris gives Victor a meaningful look. He's in the Temple of Mabden here; Mabden is the God of Fate in these parts. To be honest I hope he stays there.

Mabden judges

Minnow and Victor visit the Temple of Mabden. According to Minnow Mabden is a name often tied to the Cosmic Balance.

On some worlds I've actually worshipped Mabden so it's quite comforting to find a temple here to him, says Minnow, admiring the stone work.

Why are we here again? Victor asks, wishing he were walking around an armourers and picking some new throwing daggers. Or better yet playing around on the Evereon with new types of grenades.

We're here to pray stupid. I think we could both do with a bit of guidance right now, don't you? Minnow stops and looks at Victor with a very serious face. You're obviously not going to embrace the Chaos side of you. I understand that now. So that means you sure as hell better embrace the Balance side. We need to get you learning a bit more about the Multiverse and maybe unlock some of that potential you have. Now get in!

Wagging with Telemens

Valris, Sinsifel and Victor visit the small, quaint cottage of Telemen's the Wise. They meet his dog Lucy and sit with him whilst he has a small gin and tonic.

Tharizden - the big bad guy.

Tharizden is the purest evil in the whole Universe. He wants to end Existence.

I can't remember for sure, but I think there were some other beings who helped imprison Tharizden.

If I had a head, it would be aching, says Buck.

Dream within a Dream

I am a dreamer, one of countless travellers who believe in the Great Dream. I may be dreaming now, or I may be awake - I cannot tell. I only know that one day I will lie down to sleep and seem to wake up in another reality, on another World, possibly in another Universe. I can't tell. I fell in love once - had that look in my eyes, the same look I see in yours now. I had to cherish each day as the last because it could all have been a dream. Fate is sometime's cruel - but I do not judge it's purpose.

A World and One Rune.

Telemen's tell's another tale - of the World of Athol, where two races were locked in centuries of conflict.

One day the priests of the human race summoned up the long dead Rune to Champion their cause and wipe the evil elves from their planet. However Rune became typically depressed by the wanton destruction. He decided to side with the elves and begin the systematic genocide of the human race, slaughtering them in the thousands. When the last human was killed, Rune walked away alone and killed himself.

The Tale of Kastra and Meleficent.

One day, on the World of Kastra, disaster loomed. The Chaos Lord Meleficent sought to destroy Kastra's 7 Temple's of Resonance by drawing the World's moon out of orbit and sending it crashing apocalyptically down. The People of Kastra called upon Champion Rune to save them - and he did, at a price. By trapping Meleficent on the moon, Rune allowed the Chaos Lord to infect the Moonlight with his maddening ways. The very sane and high minded people of Kastra - known for their deep meditation and scholarly ways suddenly began going mad in the moonlight. They would dance, sing wild songs and degenerate into complete mental patients. This was Rune's justice - always a Balance - always a reckoning and price for his aid.

Leave it to them.

The Shahperian States and Myth Makers

The Shahperian States abhor magic and consider it a blasphemy again man. They embrace science and technology. They use warships and rifles and bombs.

The Myth Makers are dragon and whale riders. They firmly believe in magic. It is there god. They listen to prophets and seers. Have priests and priestesses that cast magical spells and live simple rural lives.

The Fortress of Pen Zel Lanth

The people of Pen Zel Lanth are ship builders working on a new prototype gunship to fight in the Mage war. The War has been going on for 14 years. Security on the island is tight with no one allowed on or off. Population 6750 workers + 3000 armed troops. The workers stay in a high security camp know as called The Coop.

An impressive military base sits on the island – partially underground and partially built into a cliff face. Called Pen Zel Lanth – the base is known for it's flying craft (air planes called Hurricanes), it's tremendous air freighter (a balloon over 750 feet in length) called The Vigilance and it's Tornado cannon's ; All of them facing sea ward (40 of them capable of firing shells up to 2 miles) by bouncing them across the water. Each shell is drawn to magic using a casing of the Alloy ;- Tarvol.

Security guards all wear red uniforms and caps. They have pain sticks as weapons.

Sebal has invented a new gunship weapon called the Shunt Gun. It is rumoured to be revolutionary in its design and capable of bringing the war to an end. A special gun ship called the Terrapin has been commissioned by the Alliance of the Shahpahrian States to carry the gun into battle.

The Custodian Sebal is here helping the 73 states of Shahperia to win their war against the Lords of Myth. He goes by the name of the Luminary of Light (Lumini for short). Aiding them with technological advances Sebal has spent four years stranded on this world and in this time trying to come up with a way of escaping it again.

Which is why in true completely out there Law fashion he has developed a doomsday weapon called the Shunt gun and enhanced the island's defences. He has also created a mind control machine to aid in production and increase people's loyalty to him – hence why he now rules Pen Zel Lanth.

The Shunt Gun

The Shunt Gun is a weapon capable of banishing matter up or down a plane, technically wiping it out of existence. Sebal intends on firing it at the sun, thereby disrupting it enough to cause a supernova and destroy the planet, along with any anomalies. He is confident, again, that by doing this the temporal accident that caused he and and his companion to become stranded will be be fixed. As he has a piece of the Skarrion stone he can technically leave anytime, but chooses not to.

Construction is nearly completed and a test firing is scheduled for only a few weeks from the Evereon's arrival. The gun is protected by elite well armed guards with rifles, pistols and magic resistant shield belts to deflect spells +30% MR as Sebal has been busy outfitting his most loyal troops with his more advanced tech. He has also put implants in them so that he can take control and use them as suicidal zombies if the need ever arises.

Approach to the Mountain is either via a ski lift (Where Eagle's dare style) or climbing up 2000 foot high sea facing cliff.

There is rumoured to be a route under the mountain of Helsako but no one has ever made it through. Rumours point to an old man called Kaidos who supposedly knows the way in though.

There are over 600 soldiers stationed in the fortress and over 6000 workers stationed outside in the various compounds. The fortress has 9 floors above and 5 below with ground level being floor 0. Thus 15 levels in total. Sebal is quartered on the 8th floor above. Lanté is quartered on the 7th. The gun occupies most of level 4 and 5 above but is powered from level 2 below.

Magic is dampened on the Island behind a massive resonance shield. This shield is the equivalent of the Tableau of Law and has removed all traces of Chaos from Victor, Valris and Sin. Only Law and the Balance remain unaffected.

Announcements over tannoy system

Loyalty to the 73 States is paramount.

Death to the Myth believers. Deliver them to Island Security. Work hard, for Victory is at hand.

Diligence and practical thought is rewarded.

That which cannot be explained, does not exist. Deny them power – disbelieve. There is no magic. There are no monsters. Reality is fact, fact is truth and truth is Law.

Abide by the Laws, embrace the Ruling body.

Live your life in Wisdom and Peace.

Light duties available for anyone with grade one health clearance. Report to Doctor Andrayis at the Medical Centre.

If you see anyone suspicious, report them immediately to blue sector. Remember the enemy can disguise themselves as anyone, even your friends and family.

Be vigilant.

On the 19th, the 17th Courtiers defeated 41 Myth takers on the Nerojin Straights. Another decisive victory for the Allied States.

Governor Harkin is giving a public address on the 23rd at midday. Consult your shift manager if you wish to attend.

Production is down 0.03% for the week. If this doesn't improve by the 21st, cutbacks will be necessary.

Mind Crash

The crew of the Evereon arrive in another Timeline. They have Jackery Hume and Buck with them. As they arrive Kit flies unwittingly into an area of intense Law (generated by the Tableau of Law) coupled with a mind effecting shield that sends her unconscious.

Victor and Valris go into shock and unconscious from suddenly losing all of their Chaos powers. With Mother Kit offline the Evereon crashes into the sea and sinks. Hatches blow and as compartments begin to flood the crew are forced to abandon ship for shore. The moment they reach the beach though they are rounded and taken immediately for Processing – a memory altering procedure that ensures the island remains a secret.

A supply ship has recently gone missing and is a day overdue. The Evereon's crew are assumed to be new recruits washed up from the vanished supply ship Crusis III. As Han is the only one who seems vaguely coherent (but only as Lanté has taken over), he is taken to the fortress to be interrogated.

Once there Lanté begins lying convincingly and learns that the Custodian Sebal is in charge. Sebal is intrigued to come face to face with Han again and asks a lot of questions. After Han explains what he can remember Sebal seems satisfied and gives Han isn't given a choice; he has to assist Sebal or his friends will be exterminated.

Using his mind to keep track of Victor and the others, (plus Minnow who is under 24 hour guard in a cell) Lanté bides his time and begins gathering information. One thing he learns is that Sebal's female custodian companion is missing, presumed in a different time and reality. Sebal in his coldly efficient way seems intent on finding her again.

Lanté (speaking on behalf of Han) considers it wise to play along with Sebal's plans and learn what he can before acting. During this whole time Han struggles with Lanté trying to take back control of his body but because of the Law shield Lanté finds the strength to resist him.

Who am I again?

Victor has an accident at work in one of the metal work factories while working a lathe. He hears and sees a blood red man laughing in his mind and ends up stabbing his arm with metal.

The intense pain jolts his system and restores his memories but lands him in hospital. When he awakens he tries tests his spiritual powers and finds them working.

Bewildered by where he is and what he is doing he soon realises that he has been working on the island for over two months, making new work mates and sleeping with one of the Kit clones who also doesn't remember her past.

He is released from hospital and sent home to a barracks where several people greet him as Aven or number 621-333. He also discovers he has a pretty low security clearance; Blue 9 and lives in Amaha House. When he goes inside and finds his room he finds one of the other Kits there.

Almost immediately this Kit throws herself into his arms and kisses him passionately. Stunned he tries to stop her but she seems to know Aven, not him. Name is Karly, number 867 and the two of them have apparently been 'going steady' for weeks.

As Karly is terribly cute and Victor doesn't want to give anyone any reason to suspect him of remembering his old life, he sleeps with her. More than once. He does feel a little guilty afterwards though.

As soon as he gets a free moment he goes in search of Valris using his spiritual connection to her. On the way he has play a game of bowling on behalf of the Blues vs the Whites and wins the game with some very skilful shots.

He discovers Valris working as a seamstress in another factory by asking other girls if they know a really pretty girl with black hair. They do but demand kisses from him to get Valris to come out. He of course obliges (remember Victor has model looks and even as a human looks absolutely stunning!)

When Valris emerges to find out what he wants she seems intrigued. He leads her away behind a tool shed and tries to make her remember but she just looks at him like he's insane. In desperation, before she walks away, he cuts her arm. The sharp pain jolts her mind; she turns and in a breathless whisper says Victor before kissing him.

Karly Kit has an accident in one of the factories that leaves her blind.

*Note - Most of the Shunt Gun of Pen Zel Lanth was not written up at the time. Original notes exist, somewhere, and will hopefully be completed at some point in the future.*

A well balanced dream

Victor, Sinsifel, Valris and Karly and Kat Kit make a bid for freedom but alarms sound before they make it the beach.

You go on. I'll distract them, Kat Kit volunteers, before running off down the sands.

Victor Valris Sin and the recently blinded Karly then all dive into the water and head for the Evereon.

Powerless to overcome the dampening field of Law covering the island, the four of them swim out to the Evereon for safety. They descend into an air filled part of the ship, barely making it with a breath to spare. Once there they try unsuccessfully to get the Evereon functional again.

After struggling for an hour but outfitting themselves properly with weapons and tech they didn't have time to grab when they first crashed, the four of them sit down to come up with a plan.

Karly makes the first good suggestion. The ship is still within this magic shield thingy so we're never going to get Mother up and running until it's shut down. What we need is help.

Valris agrees with her. If I swam outside of the shield, maybe I'd be able to use my spells again says Valris. But then I'd still have a problem with the shield. Damn. There must be a way around this.

Karly speaks again. The last thing I saw before Mother's systems went down was how far from the island we were. At least several miles out. With those waves out there you'd never make it. As a Vampire yes, but not as a human.

Valris is about to argue that when suddenly Karly has a light bulb moment. But we can use the escape pod to get that sort of distance! She heads over to one side of the ship and manually opens a small chute door that leads to a cramped pod chamber just larger enough for two people. We only have the one. Don't ask me why? Seems stupid only having one but then Savrof wanted to use every inch he could for the Time Drive. But two of us could use it to maybe get some help.

Valris hugs the engineer. I'll go she immediately volunteers. My magic will be useful out there. She then looks at Victor who in turn looks at Sin.

The dreamer Telemens had mentioned how Dreaming between the worlds was something many world travellers could do and often did without knowing it. He had also mentioned that it was quite a common ability among Servants of the Balance.

It had Victor thinking that maybe, just maybe, he and Sin combined their thoughts and both slept at the same time the two of them might be able to get help another way.

I need to learn about the Balance and my connection to it says Victor to Valris and then to Sin your connection to it too.

Then the best person to dream of is this Eternal Champion Minnow mentioned, right? says Sin.

Victor nods. Their actions decided Valris says goodbye and hugs and kisses them both. Karly also stands up and shrugs saying Well, I'm useless here. Can't see a damn thing so I might as well go with Val. Maybe she can cure me out there.

Valris and Karly jump in the pod and fire it off underwater. It soon travels beyond the magic shield and then works its way to the surface. The last thing Victor and Sin hear over Valris' communicator is Valris shouting Oh my God. Dragons! Lots of Dragons!

Worried, Victor contemplates trying to swim out to their aid but Sinsifel persuades him not to. Mum is pretty amazing. She'll be fine says Sin. We should just get dreaming. The two of them lay down to sleep. The worst that can happen is they don't dream themselves anywhere. Their air won't last forever and soldiers won't give up looking for them anytime soon. So what do they have lose?

They dream of the Champion and unconsciously remember the story of Rune.

There be dragons

Valris feels strong, fast and agile again. Her Vampire nature, now beyond Sebal's shield has returned and a quick snap of her fingers to make light proves her magic has as well.

She pops the escape pod as it bobs on the surface of the ocean to come face to face with an astounding sight... Dragons, lots of dragons.

Circling above them a dozen varied coloured dragons beat their wings and look menacingly down while upon their backs sit armoured riders with long lances and swords.

We may have just found some help says Valris, shouting what she can see down her communicator to Victor and helping Karly clamber on top of the pod.

A sudden zap in the air and the communicator explodes in her hand. She looks up at the rider who cast a spell and wipes her hands clean. Well, that wasn't friendly.

Valris beckons and the rider and dragon descend causing waves that violently rock the pod. Fearing Karly might fall in the ocean Valris cancels all wind in the area with a quick air spell and smiles slightly when the dragon almost drops from the air in the water.

"I'm going to need your help and your dragons," Valris to Sky Lord Wren

The male rider removes his helmet and stares at Valris in amazement. Who are you? he calls.

Valris addresses the whole group of them. Two people in need of a lift somewhere. If you'd be so kind.

Salvaging what she can from the pod, Valris lifts Karly onto the back of a dragon and springs onto another herself. Her jump and strength continue to astound the other riders who quickly assume a formation and speed on ahead.

Valris doesn't have much time to speak as the dragon hurtles off at speed and the wind prevents any communication. After flying for an hour a small island comes into view and on the shore of the island Valris sees tents, dragons and people.

Out to sea she also sees a huge 1000 foot long whale with buildings and fortifications on its back made from wood, wattle and daub.

After landing the leader of these Dragon Riders introduces himself was Sky Lord Wren and asks if Valris knows how to use magic. When she demonstrates that she does he smiles and asks her to sit. He also tells his men to tend to Karly and see if her blindness can be healed.

Wren has never seen someone so beautiful as Valris. He asks her where she is from and she tells him everything she knows about Pen Zel Lanth whereupon he tells her of his people, the Myth Lords and their war with the Shahperians who only wish to enslave them and kill their God of Magic Mythos.

Together they begin to devise a plan.

I need to get back and help my friends says Valris. For that I'm going to need your help and your dragons.

But we can't get anywhere near that place. Our draco-kin fall from the sky and our Metadon (whales - some as long as 2000 feet that carry whole clans across the ocean) are no match for their gun ships, Wren explains.

Valris smiles. That won't be a problem. My friends will find a way we can get close enough. We just have to be ready. And for that I have plenty of ideas and more than enough magic to help.

Wren is impressed; in love; charmed by Valris and her confidence. To him she is an angel sent by Mythos to rid his people of the evil of Pen Zel Lanth. For years it has polluted the ocean, killed the Metadon and remained untouchable. But now he sees a chance to readdress the imbalance. He agrees to listen to her and if necessary follow her into battle.

Karly returns to Valris cured of her blindness by one Wren's healers. Have I missed much? she asks.

Just me joining a war says Valris.

Victor and Sinsifel invoke the heritage of Rune; the intimate connection that exists between descendants of the Eternal Champion of the Balance.

They arrive as Dreamers upon the World of Astra during the 7th night of a terrible siege and quickly discover that the Balance - ANU - has laid out a path for them to follow.

The War of Freedom

Two races exist on Astra. The tall, giant, advanced Kastarill and their smaller, human-like servants - the Astari.

One day a stranger arrives in the Astari town of Kumak-a-le. Calling himself Thrace Ryn, the man causes a tremendous fuss by speaking out against the Kastarill and starting a brawl. As all Astari bear the Mark of Ownership upon their cheeks and Ryn does not, he is soon arrested and brought before the Kastarill on a dozen charges.

The Kastarill do not kill Ryn but instead decide to send him to their mines and make an example of him. But within a month Ryn has inspired the Astari there to revolt and throw off their chains. Ryn leads a band of rebels into the mountains and evades capture for several months. Stories of his defiance spread far and wide until after almost a year, the number of rebels has swelled into a small army. After leading a decisive victory against the Kastarill Lord - Durace, Ryn begins a two year campaign to free the Astari from their centuries old yoke.

Eventually all the Astari loyal to the Kastarill flee Ryn's wrath and soon the Kastarill have no servants to fight for them. Instead they have to rely solely on their machines.

The final battle is fought near the River Nacho. Ryn's army, numbering over 400,000 confront 1000 Kastarill and their steam powered engines of war. After a stalemate that lasts 3 days, Ryn steps out into the killing ground and invites the Kastarill to hit him with their weapons.

This they attempt to do, refusing to lower themselves to hand to hand combat and indeed, despite their size, being cowardly in this regard. But despite their great machines hurling fire, rocks and clumps of jagged ice, they fail to hit Ryn, who stands and survives the terrible onslaught. Encouraged by this, the Astari begin a slow advance towards the Kastaril and to their amazement, the Kastarill turn, run and are not seen again.

So begins a 1000 years of Astari rule and the Age of the Rising Star.

Soon after the Kastarill's defeat, Ryn vanishes and his disappearance remains a mystery. In actuality a religious brotherhood dedicated to preserving the something mystical called The Source, accompany Ryn back to the Fortress of the Kastaril underneath Mount Dray Norrin. The Jennik Brotherhood listen to Ryn's teachings along the way and are heavily influenced by them.

When they arrive at Dray Norrin and the Fortress of Temultaine (later named Draggora), they find the Kastaril have fled - exactly where remains a mystery, despite many weeks of searching. Horrified by the machines inside the mountain, the Jennik's swear to keep the machines secret and safe, for so long as their brotherhood endures.

Ryn says that he will stay behind in the fortress to try and find his way home. Perhaps one of these machines will help me. I don't know what else can. Trusting Ryn, the Jennik's leave him alone. When they come back two months later Ryn is nowhere to be found.

One thousand years pass and a new danger threatens the Astari. A prophecy foretells of Ryn's return and a terrible foe far worse than any that has come before. The Jennik's keep watch and remain ever vigilant until one day the Seb appear, first in the thousands, then in the hundreds of thousands and the lands of the Astari begin falling....

The time of Ryn's return draws near and Simkill, the Blue moon of Kastra looms.

One Hundred Days

Kastra's moon has grown very large in the night sky. Some believe it is going to fall to earth bringing the end of the world.

Shadows are abroad at night through the Kingdoms. No one knows where they have come from but there are not so many as to cause concern especially when compared to the Seb Horde.

Maleficent's Horde has already crushed most of Helka and the more northerly plains of Sebhas and Tunthra. It is over 1,500,000 strong and seems to always be so, no matter how many casualties it takes.

The army of Corbin, Champion of Dresden, (See the Companion Minnow) arrives at the ancient Fortress of the Kastarill. On their heels, less than an hour behind them is the Seb Horde. Cygnus the wise man quickly deciphers the symbols on the front gate and manages to get the troops inside just as the first Seb arrive.

Corbin's army, originally 3000 strong, has over the last 3 months of running and fighting dwindled to only 740. They prepare for a siege as hundreds of thousands of Seb slowly arrive from horizon to horizon, blackening the sky with their spears and banners.

Cygnus believes that something in the accursed Fortress of Draggora can be used to defeat the Seb but he needs time to find it. Corbin turns to the Wise man and says, I'll give you as long as I can, but unless you find a miracle in there, we're all dead.

The Seb horde continue arriving over the next several days. The horde is so huge it stretches over thirty miles and numbers 1,540,000! But as the citadel of Draggora is at the base of a narrow passage of mountainous terrain it can only be attacked by a few thousand at any given time, so the defenders manage to hold the walls.

"I shall fight for a hundred days and a hundred nights. No more, no less. And in that 100 days this Horde before us will know defeat." Thrace Ryn.

The Seb attack in force. Corbin loses 130 men in the space of a few hours. His soldiers are frightened, tired and low on morale. With nowhere to run they face certain death so Corbin does something he has never done before; he prays for a miracle - I'm not a religious man, but if there is any God or power out there able to hear me, don't let this be the end of us. I beg of you, don't let our people die and disappear forever. Something must endure. Some part of us must live beyond this...

Whilst exploring the caverns adjacent to the Fortress, Cygnus comes across Thrace Ryn lying on a slab of stone deep within the Cavern's of the Kastaril, wrapped in a golden cloth. When Cygnus begins removing the cloth to get a better look, Ryn wakes up with no memory of how he has got there. The last thing he remembers is the final battle against the Kastarill and being left in the Fortress by the Jennik Brotherhood - events that took place over 1000 years ago!

Cygnus gives Ryn a brief history lesson. Within the hour Ryn is introduced to the defenders of Draggora who at first hardly believe their eyes. But when Ryn takes to the walls and begins fighting, all doubt about his identity is wiped from their minds.

Ryn climbs atop a wall and faces the advancing Seb horde. He shouts out to the defenders, making a solemn oath ;- I shall fight for a hundred days and a hundred nights. No more, no less. And in that 100 days this Horde before us will know defeat.

There are 491 defenders when Ryn joins them. With Ryn fighting by their side, the defenders do not lose a single man for four whole days. The effect of having him with them is tremendous.

The spear flew true unto his heart,
A lethal soaring poison dart,
Yet he stood firm upon that wall,
And not one that day could stand as tall.

FROM THE BOOK OF ONE HUNDRED DAYS

Victor and Sinsifel arrive on Kastra and step out of a circular gateway deep in the Caverns of the Kastarill. Standing, shocked in front of them is the wise man Cygnus and his ten year old assistant Eric. After Cygnus calms down, he begins answering some of Victor's questions.

We're looking for a man called 'Rune' says Victor. Do you know him?

Cygnus strokes his short beard and replies, There is a man here called Ryn. He is a legend among the Astari. I found him in these caverns four nights ago.

Victor and Sin accompany Cygnus out to the main wall where Ryn is doing brutal battle with Seb ladders. With a wary eye out for inbound arrows that might Sin, Victor approaches the immense, larger than life man at the top of the wall and for a minute or so joins in with the slaughter.

"They shoot like babes drunk on their mother's tits," Ryn to Victor about the Seb

When a brief respite comes in the attack Ryn turns to Victor and offers his arm in friendship. Welcome stranger. I don't recognise you so I'm assuming you're a new recruit. I must say, you've chosen a damn fine time to join. I don't think there's a place I'd rather be right now, he declares, heartily slapping Victor on the back and knitting his brows at how hard it seems.

Victor hastily explains why he is there while Ryn drinks some water and waves away bedraggled defenders who want to give him reports. So you're from another world and another time. It doesn't surprise me in the least. What does pain me is your daughter being here. She's too young a thing for such a war says Ryn.

I can do a lot more than I look like I can Sin jumps in defence. I can cast spells.

Ryn laughs but not unkindly. Well then. We have a warrior and a little mage to help us. The Gods are kind this day.

As he says that the Seb sound their horns, beat their drums and the swell of their army resumes crashing against the walls. For a minute Ryn takes up his sword and stands bare chested a top the battlements, inviting death. A hundred arrows fly around him but none so close to even scratch. When he jumps back down by Victor's side he shrugs and says I doubt there's a straight eye in their whole damn army. They shoot like babes drunk on their mother's tits.

Sinsifel starts helping a lot more in the Citadel Hospital. She helps cleanse wounds, place bandages and generally nurse the injured and dying. It is harrowing for her and she sees many good men die painful deaths. The things she witnesses will stay with her for the rest of her life.

Sin makes friends with Eric, Cygnus' assistant.

Victor fights for 10 hours straight, killing 1,200 Seb. His prowess and physical abilities astound and inspire those warriors around him. Even Ryn is impressed by the young man's combative skills.

In Draggora's main hall, Victor tells a few encouraging morale boosting tales to the men. They go down well.

Victor begins using his spiritual scrying to survey the Seb horde and try to locate Maleficent. He eventually does and enters the Kastarill's Steam Engine. Once inside he sees Maleficent setting up a magical mirror and overhears a conversation between Maleficent and his shadowy master. You have until the next Full moon to take this Citadel or you know what will happen, the shadowy being hisses.

The Prism

Victor also witnesses Maleficent using a strange prism. Conjuring light from his hand Maleficent aims the light through the prism and focuses it on a single Seb. The light splits the Seb into three exactly the same beings but seems to also split the Seb's life-force into three as well (not that the Seb he used had much to begin with anyway.)

Maleficent shows concern over the results, pushing the newly created Seb to one side. He scribes into a book and speaks aloud. They are as shadows now. How can I make warriors out of smoke? The Seb today must have already been split a hundred times. If they aren't slain in battle before the next moon they'll die anyway.

With a sigh Maleficent repeats this cloning a few hundred times on different Seb demonstrating how his horde has grown in size so quickly.

An excited Victor returns to the Fortress and finds Cygnus. I've found out how Maleficent makes his Seb, Victor announces.

Cygnus listens and suddenly leaps up in excitement. There are prisms in the Caverns. I shone light through them but they didn't do anything...

Victor goes with Cygnus to see. Sure enough, several dozen prisms of different sizes and shapes sit snugly in grooves on a large stone table. Victor picks a prism that looks the same as Maleficents. This is what he used, this one here.

Torchlight does nothing but Victor again has an idea. He calls Sinsifel over and asks her to cast her light spell. Even though it is a small cantrip spell, it works. Sinsifel manages to activate the prism and split a small stone into three identical stones.

Fascinating! Cygnus declares. But how can this help us? They decide to capture a Seb and test it. Sin easily splits the Seb into three too.

Sin stays with Cygnus and experiments a bit more. If they can do it, why can't we? says Sin. We could split our warriors and immediately triple our numbers.

But what of their life forces? What of their souls? asks Cygnus.

Sin bites her lip. I guess it would be weaker each time we did it. It would more than likely halve their life expectancies teach time we did it. Maybe more.

Cygnus finds the whole thing wicked and unthinkable but Sin explains it to her father who takes the idea to Ryn.

Ryn is solemn but squeezes Victor's arm. This should be offered to the men. It should be their choice. Such magic will have no effect on me but for them it would give them longer to fight.

Unwilling to test it on anyone else, Victor gets Sin to fire the prism up and use it on him. He doesn't think it will work on him but wants to prove that first. Instead of three of him, there becomes two non identical Xenon Von Victors and someone else.

One Xenon Von Victor seems entirely human and represents the Balance part. The other is a vampire filled with blood lust and power representing the Chaos part. But what's most surprising is the third figure as it doesn't look anything like Victor at all. It looks like Junys Rylek, Valris' deceased father.

The Vampire calls itself Xenon and Victor calls himself Victor. With little bother for the experiments the battle thirsty Xenon grabs a sword and takes to the wall for some slaughter, leaving the human Victor staring at the newly conjured Junys Rylek in amazement.

Where am I? Junys asks.

I haven't a clue where you just came from! Victor exclaims, but manages to get over the loss of his Vampire powers for a minute to fill Junys in on what just happened with the prism.

Ahh, I understand. When I was dying back on Aerium and I told you to go and protect Valris I implanted some of my spirit in you Junys explains.

You did what? asks Victor.

Junys takes a sip of water and admires some of the Kastarill machinery. I implanted a seed of my spirit in you. I wanted a part of me to be close to my daughter. I also wanted to be there for her during her time of most need. Is she here?

No says Victor. But your granddaughter is.

Damn, that scuppers my plan to teach her some magic then confesses Junys. Hold on, you said granddaughter!

Sin waves and smiles. Hi grandad. Welcome back from the dead.

Junys and Cygnus argue over the use of the machines. Junys wants access to the Great Forge of Draggora. You old fool. Don't you see, I must have the use of this forge in order to make a weapon.

What weapon? A weapon against who? Cygnus stubbornly retaliates.

I cannot tell you. Can't you see we are all on one side.

I don't know who you are or who's side you are on. You do not use my forge until I know exactly what you are going to do with it.

Blast your eyes!

And boil yours back!

Cygnus then storms off in a huff.

Victor talks a little more to Sinsifel about Law Chaos and the Balance.

Victor - There are some things I like about Law and some about Chaos.

Sin - That's where the Balance comes in - some of both but not too extreme.

Victor - Yeah, I just don't like Fate though. I don't like being a puppet.

The defenders lose the outermost wall to the Seb. They have to retreat. There are now four walls to go.

Immortality on demand

Vampire Xenon offers immortality to the sick and injured. He gets 12 volunteers and turns each of them into Vampires. They are Sorball, Temesh, Rogue, Sannit, Joshe, Kemlek, Tulma, Vernis, Elik, Henden, Maverick and Kel.

After a few hours Xenon and his new brood takes to the walls and wreak carnage. However it soon becomes apparent that these new Bloodstars cannot control their blood lust. They quickly seem to lose their humanity and become little more than savage animals - even worse than the Seb. They have no pride, no honour and no remorse. Their emotions are utterly consumed by the desire for the kill with Xenon forced to kill Kemlek when he tries killing the defenders too.

Junys and Victor get to know one another a little better.

Are you and Valris planning to have anymore children? It would be nice for Sin to have a younger sibling. What do you want for Sin's future? Junys asks.

The opportunity for her to do whatever she wants.

On the subject of Kûtal - Junys asks;- Do you think Kûtal seeks to gain from all this?

Yep - He probably started it all in the first place.

Is it wise then to allow this being access to Sinsifel.

I'm not sure I can stop him, Victor says honestly.

Victor tells Junys a little more about the alternate Eternium where Junys became "The Necromancer," - the most evil man to ever live who because of the death of his love, conquered land after land turning the living into undead in revenge.

Junys is shocked to hear this but believes Victor as he is able to read the truth in someone very well.

Understanding the Balance

Victor fights alongside Ryn. As he does, the Champion of the Balance imparts some wisdom to the young man claiming to be some future son.

My people are no more and I am the last of them. A timeless age ago we lived in the House of ANU, the Voice of Creation and listened to the Song of the Universe. But my people grew above themselves and sought to influence ANU's great pattern. Their arrogance was their downfall and they were cast out of the House and into the Multiverse as exiles.

"If you know when to act, when circumstances are perfect, you can do what seems impossible," Ryn to Victor about bending fate.

Ryn talks about 'opportunities'. The Universe is filled with opportunities. You just have to know how to take advantage of them, he says. Victor listens as Ryn grabs a spear. If you know when to act, when circumstances are perfect, you can do what seems impossible.

Ryn waits, waits, waits and then hurls the spear. The throw is tremendous with the spear catching the wind and soaring a great distance to strike and impale one of the Seb leaders. It is a one in a thousand throw, but Ryn just looks at Victor like it was easy.

But how do you know when it's the right moment? Victor asks, puzzled by Ryn's philosophy.

Practice, Ryn replies. You have to learn to trust the Universe. It's not a secret Victor, it's a way of life.

*This is Ryn demonstrating his ability to 'bend fate'. Because his senses are attuned to the ebb and flow of actions and events around him he can sense moments when they collide or overlap. He sees these moments like paths or lines that if chosen and followed can lead to a new outcome. He can even sense when one is about to occur, like with the spear throw. He knew a moment was coming when everything would be perfect and when it came he took advantage of it.*

Victor - I actually thought for a moment about helping Tharizden. If I did there wouldn't be anything left. No pain, no remorse, just nothingness.

Junys tells Victor bluntly, You need to find out about your way home. What guarantees do you have on where, when and how you will arrive. If this gateway can only survive one more activation before collapsing, you had better make the best decision you possibly can.

Thrace, speaking to Victor atop a wall - There are no guarantees Nothing in this Universe is certain, except maybe Pure Law, if it actually exists. Sometimes you've just got to jump, even if you don't know which direction and have to let the Universe decide for you.

Victor and Junys share many conversations together. Junys finds himself beginning to like the young man's humanity - especially when compared to Blood Star Xenon's complete lack of it.

Victor asks Could Valris make the sword?

Junys thinks for a moment. Yes. If I shared certain concepts with you she could arrive at the same conclusions and almost certainly perform the same rituals. It might take her longer but yes. However I wouldn't want her to as the cost is too great.

Why? What cost? Victor asks.

Making this sword will require me to give up my affinity with life. I don't know what effect this will have on me, but I do know that I will lose any ability to draw upon normal life essence.

Victor ponders this revelation but Junys appears to want to end the subject.

The forging of the Dark Sword continues with Junys completing several dozen moulds. Victor continues to help operate the machinery and giant bellows as well as purify, beat and shape the metal. The actual forging of the blade though is the simplest part - what Victor is unaware of is the mental preparation Junys is making;- In order to make such a weapon, Junys must break the Laws of Life that bind all energy to the World. Junys knows how to do it, but the effort may kill him before he completes his task.

The Sword

As Xenon the Vampire continues slaughtering the Seb, night after night alongside his new Blood Star warriors, Victor remains away from the fighting helping Junys prepare himself for forging the new Sword of Anti-Essence.

Junys is unsure how long the entire process will take but is confident he will succeed, especially as Victor has already hinted that Junys succeeded in another reality. Bolstered by this and the necessity to create something capable of harming Tharizden, Junys sets himself to the task. This Tharizden sounds like the antithesis of everything in our Universe. In theory when something of Anti-Essence strikes something of normal Essence, the two cancel each other out of existence. This is what I think Tharizden is doing - literally erasing life! If we can make a weapon of Anti-Essence, it will be capable of touching and harming a being of similar ilk. That is the theory anyway. Obviously by creating such a weapon we are in a way aiding Tharizden. But at least by possessing the weapon you will stand a chance against this being. The weapon may not be able to ultimately defeat him but it will help protect you.

Victor - Wouldn't a sword of pure life-force be just as effective against Tharizden's servants?

Junys - Against his servants perhaps, but against him, no. Any being capable of negating the life energy of an entire World would merely thrive on anything living I made. I am not sure if there is a life force out there strong enough to counteract such a being.

Using a few centuries of skill Junys designs the sword specifically for Victor, adjusting the balance, size, blade width and dozens of other variables so that the sword will aid Victor as much as possible in combat.

Victor and Junys then prepare six blades (just in case one or more fail to turn out perfect).

Victor - How will you get this Anti-Essence into the blade? Won't it destroy the metal?

Junys - Once the Anti-Essence is inside, the metal will be changed. The basic idea is this. We have to channel a huge amount of normal Essence into the blade. So much so that the blade becomes a huge essence conductor. This essence will be raw and unshaped, making the sword nothing more than a mass of undirected energy. Once the essence is trapped inside the blade I will try and extinguish it without allowing it to transform or dissipate. Energy transmutes, Life disperses - these are the Laws of Life. What I will do is attempt to break that fundamental, defining Law of Life, inviting Anti-Essence into the equation.

Victor vaguely understands, though Junys keeps the exact nature of this Law of Life to himself. The trick is to make this anti-essence stable enough to exist in this World without immediately exploding out of existence... Junys doesn't have a clue how he is going to do this but doesn't tell Victor that. Instead he keeps the young man busy with the blades and tries confusing Victor with some magical mumbo jumbo. It seems to work.

Junys takes comfort in Victor's stories about Valris and the time he gets to spend with Sinsifel in the afternoons.

The Phoenix Bangle

Victor wants to make something for Sin. He and Junys agree on a glass-like metal - just one of hundreds of strange materials in the Kastarill's forge. Victor shapes it and then learns from Junys how to colour the glassy surface to make an image of a Phoenix. Vic works on this in his spare time - not that he gets any.

Ryn continues to amaze and astound those around him. Despite numerous injuries, he continues to fight day and night. Victor watches him for a while, as he crushes Seb in his bare hands and hurls the savage dog men from the wall.

Yet with every heroic deed Ryn performs it becomes apparent to Victor that Ryn is still mortal, able to feel pain and grow tired. Ryn doesn't seem to have any real powers (aside from choosing the best moments to act). Ryn is just a man, a larger than life man with a charisma unlike any other.

Lessons in awareness

Sin says again, I wish mum were here. She could do so much. I can't do anything.

Yes you can, Victor replies. You are helping the injured. They need you.

I know, Sin sighs. I just wish I could do more to help.

That morning Junys approaches Victor. I am going to show you something in a moment. It will be necessary for me to do this thing from now on to make the sword as good as it can be. What I will do is meditate but then externalise my focus to fill the room.

Basically all around every moment of the day, hundreds of tiny details, smells, sights, sounds etc are entering our minds but mostly being ignored. Our minds have to process and filter all this information which ultimately slows down our thoughts and dilutes our concentration. By externalising my meditation so that it radiates outwards from my body, I will make the both of us immune to these distractions. What's more,as I focus on an object, it will also become more real and clear to you.

With a little practice we will be able to work in unison with the minimum of conversation. Our efficiency and speed will increase five-fold.

Victor is impressed when Junys demonstrates. The things that matter, the blades, the hammers, the anvils come into sharp focus whilst all other things fade and seem to vanish.

Let me show you something else as well, says Junys, asking Vic to turn around and face away from him. Junys throws Victor a metal ball, saying Catch! Even though Victor cannot see the ball he is somewhere aware of its trajectory and catches it mid-flight.

Victor is impressed.

Junys goes on. With external meditation you can be aware of things that your other senses are not. This awareness can be applied to almost anything - even combat. If you are good enough you can dodge arrows without even seeing them. The only drawback though is experience. I am very experienced at this and can do it for perhaps a minute or two at a time on the battlefield. Here in this quiet room, perhaps 30 mins at a time, resting an hour in between.

Can you narrow this awareness to just one direction or one object? Victor asks.

I personally don't, but it is possible. However you would have to keep switching as focusing on one target would make you less aware of any others. Which could be dangerous. Try it - Tell Valris about it. It's an important step - the next stage of meditation beyond what you both already know. Junys hopes that he does just that as he knows it will benefit Valris far more than Victor.

Fangs a lot

Xenon has lost 5 of his 12 Bloodstars now (one by his own hand) as they don't have the same degree of mental control and experience with superhuman abilities that he does. Instead of having them sleep in the Fortress, Xenon moves them to one of the Machine caves.

Junys and Victor have an idea. Victor has noticed that a home-made compass seems to just spin wildly round and round. Junys suggests building a more accurate one (if they have time). It is a mystery why the compass is behaving like that.

Midnight snacks

Xenon creeps into the Chapel at night and drains five of the injured soldiers there. As they are not going to recover he secretly takes blood from the each night to keep up his strength. The Seb blood is weak and too spiritually diluted to be of much use. Human blood makes Xenon feel like a God again.

Unexpected aid

Arrival of Selke of the Hundar and her allies, The Jenniks. Selke makes her way through the mountains but loses more than half her troops to a giant Carrion Bear. She declares the way back impassable as the Carrion Bear brought down an avalanche that blocked the narrow pass.

There are 51 Jennik priests with her who all fight with staves. They are all bald and bear tatoos on both their cheeks that identify their order. They are also sworn to silence and communicate with Selke through sign language. Their leader is Sampala. Other Jennik's include Rogart, Ersha, Rodan and Jarren.

The Jennik's demonstrate an amazing technique of fighting; they fight as one mind with each able to sense the exact position of the other and share communal senses. An arrow seen by one is seen by all, making them fierce and deadly warriors.

"Ryn said he would fight with us for one hundred days. I believe him, with every drop of my blood. This girl can make one man into many. I promised Ryn I would be there with him on the last day, by his side. Would any of you give up that chance? Take the risk of lying at the foot of these walls as meat instead of at the top of them as men? I would give up all the years of my life I have left for the chance to fight the next fifty days. There are wasted years in this room. At least this way we can use them to some purpose." - CORBIN OF DRESDEN.

Discovery in the darkness

Victor's final night in battle.

A darkness seems to overshadow the moon, which seems larger now than just days before. Perhaps some truth lies in Telemen's tale of Kastra. Perhaps...

News of trouble in the tunnels attracts Victor's attention. He calls Vampire Xenon to come with him as Sinsifel is in the caves with Cygnus.

Having already prepared to leave via the Kastarill portal, Victor just needs Sin. But Sin is no where to be found.

The two Xenon Von Victor's scour the caverns but it is Vampire Xenon who finds her first, in the grip of something dark and malevolent. He battles it and easily dispatches it, saving Sinsifel from any harm.

It just grabbed me dad she says, sobbing. I was on my way back and it just grabbed me and killed Eric!

Victor leads Sinsifel to safety, very concerned for her wellbeing. She seems a little woozy but otherwise OK. Sin explains that the creature was searching for something in the caves.

Vampire Xenon discovers another wraith and dispatches that too. This time he discovers that the wraith was in a previously hidden chamber. When he goes in to look around he sees Ryn lying on a table, seemingly lifeless.

What the hell? He gets closer and detects with his Vampiric senses that this Ryn is not the same as the one outside on the walls. This Ryn doesn't have any injuries and is dressed differently. The two Ryn's do have one thing in common though. They're both alive. Xenon detects that the Ryn on the table is merely sleeping, in a form of stasis. It begs many questions but Xenon doesn't have time to look for the answers. He returns to Victor and Sin.

It's time to go says Victor, hoping that he and the Vampire Xenon will combine back together when they enter the gate ring. Thrace and Cygnus certainly think that it is likely and with no other ideas of how to combine themselves again, some hope is better than none.

Vampire Xenon doesn't really want to get back with human moany Victor, especially now he's gone all Balance crazy, but Xenon does love Sin and want to return to Valris. And without his Balance side he knows getting the Skarrion stones will be all but impossible. Against the feelings of blood and power he feels he resigns himself to having the more puny Victor back.

On the flip side, human Victor kind of misses his Vampire abilities but has felt far more human these past few weeks. Feelings and sensations have been less but different and in a way more poignant. He has realised what he is missing and for a while at least, escaped the constant hunger and fear of violently losing control.

The three of them enter the gate ring and attempt to wake up back on the Evereon.

No such luck there.

*Note - I am still looking for session notes about this event.*

Down below where the Gods once fell

It is now the Age of the Carrion and strange shambling flesh eating creatures prowl the wastes at night leaving sickness in their wake. The moon is also much closer now and causing untold quakes and tidal waves across the planet.

Victor arrives (in broad daylight) at an archaeological dig, 733 years after the Siege of Draggora. As he arrives the portal behind him shatters and only after seeking cover from the light does it sink in. He realises in horror he is still on Kastra.

Draggora is now a legend and lies in rubble all around him. The portal, just recently unearthed, is no more, but worse still is that Sinsifel is nowhere to be found. Victor assumes, quite correctly that Sin and the sword were still in the portal when it shattered.

Desperate to find his bearings and a way of recovering Sin, Victor makes contact with the archaeologists – Sten, Marnie (his son) and Lucia (his daughter). Sten looks after Victor and hides him in some of the excavated tunnels until the sun goes down.

Victor isn't much for waiting though. After gathering his wits and forcing himself into action he begins an excavation of his own. He digs a hole down into the sealed Kastaril chamber trying to discover what the Wraith’s were hiding all those years ago.

With Sten accompanying him he explores the enormous chamber and unlocks a monstrous sized metal door. The platform he is on suddenly starts moving and Victor and Sten are catapulted at incredible speed into the very heart of Kastra.

Hundreds of miles below the surface Victor sees that Kastra is indeed hollow, filled with thousands upon thousands of machines. In the centre of the World, suspended by lines of energy in a glowing web lies the ancient glass city of the Kastaril. The Hollow World.

Victor is met by a golden armoured humanoid who soon reveals himself to be Ryn – aka Lord Rune. Ryn explains how the Kastaril retreated into the Heart of Kastra thousands of years ago because as a people they had ceased to develop. Having evolved to the very limit of their understanding, surrounded by fully automated and self-repairing machines, the Kastaril had long since lost any desires or creative impulses.

They are a withdrawn, peaceful race with tremendous power, but like children in their innocence. They allow me to stay with them because I know the Universe and understand how it works. Can you imagine what would happen if all this fell into the wrong hands? Well, the Kastaril cannot – or could not. Which is why I stay. To protect it.

Ryn explains that he is the Companion of Mesha – a Kastaril and introduces her to Victor, who quickly asks for her help.

The Blending

Mesha recovers the broken pieces of portal from the world above and attempts to regenerate it. She stresses that the procedure is not guaranteed. I will try to reverse Time around the portal and then extract your daughter, however the damage is quite significant. I estimate a 13.4% margin of error.

Sinsifel and the sword are safely extracted but with a couple of side effects. Sin has matured inside the portal into her early teens. She now appears around 15 years of age and in the throws of puberty. As Sin later gasps, Oh my God – I’m sticking out all over !

As Sin and the Dark sword have shared the same Time and Space for some considerable time (far longer than it would normally take to travel through the portal), her power to absorb abilities has gone to work again. Sin now has a black vein running down her left side, from neck, to arm, then hand to each black fingernail. A moment after Sin reappears, the Dark sword follows and clatters to the ground.

At first Sin is terrified of her new body and especially the black vein travelling down it. She has nightmares of turning into a wraith or something worse and nothing Victor says will comfort her. When Victor asks Mesha if the darkness can be extracted Mesha is quick to say no.

It is as much a part of her now as her soul says Mesha, which just makes Sin even more cheery to be around.

The Kastaril debate what to do about Victor, Sinsifel and especially the strange sword. It becomes obvious to Victor that the Kastaril fear the weapon’s power and know how it is linked to the Wraiths in some way.

The child and the power within it have blended together as one a tall and imperious Kastarill announces to its kindred. Can we allow it and her to leave?

Ryn explains how the Kastaril are dedicated to the preservation of history. Sin rightly exclaims So they are Lawful and the Astari are Chaotic!

Damn mutters Victor. Maybe we took the wrong side a while back.

Hold on. Maleficent was working with these wraiths. He was mad. We did the right thing trying to stop him Sin argues.

Yeah, of course, you're right Victor agrees. It's hard sometimes to figure out the good guys from the bad though.

Eventually, after the Kastarill debate for a couple of days, Ryn says that Victor and Sin can leave. He has however used all of his influence to set them free and hurries them away in a sky rocket with instructions of how to catch the Ship of Fate. This ship is about the only way I know of getting you back to a specific time and place. I wish you well my friend.

You too says Victor.

The rocket’s nose cone crashes into lake Mae-andra, approximately 200 miles away from the ruins of Draggora. As the “Launch” sinks, Victor and Sin make for shore in an inflatable dinghy.

They pass three days and nights at the lake’s edge. During that time, Sin grows accustomed to her new maturing body and Victor teaches his daughter a few more complex combat moves.

On The Sea of Fate

On the fourth night in the middle of some heavy rain Victor and Sin notice a strange mist creeping over the lake. A few minutes later they see a ship sailing by and call out to it.

A man on the deck gives permission for them to come aboard.

They learn that the ship is called The Nameless and that its captain is a man called Black; a 7 foot tall looming man with black hair, a thick black beard and gold-capped teeth.

Victor explains how he and Sin need passage to the World of Eternium and Black allows them to stay after arranging payment.

Black's first mate, Mr Martins, shows them to their cabin for the duration of their trip.

Victor and Sinsifel meet the other passengers. Prince Halen, Solomon the Wizard, Nejann of the Fjorfrost and Virgil the Junfur.

The Wizard Solomon explains why he is seeking Eternium; I have heard much about it on my travels. It is meant to be a world outside of Time and the only place capable of actually touching Eternity. The secrets of the Multiverse are meant to reside there. Well maybe.

Halen explains why he is travelling on the ship. On my World there was a wizard called Davari. Davari worshipped a God of Chaos called Xin and could breathe life into stone statues. After some time he had an army of such things and set about trying to turn my World into a wasteland of broken stone and everyone in it into statues he could control.

The Gormorim as we called them (stone men) invaded my home city. My betrothed, Brin, was turned to stone during the attack but a Talisman she held protected her from Davari’s control. I have to find a way now to free her and my World before Davari turns every tree to granite and every flower to sandstone.

On board the Nameless Victor tries to use Sin’s blood to sustain him. But Sin is very upset when her blood proves poisonous to him because of the black vein. Instead, Victor speaks with Solomon, explains his situation and in return for stories about Law and Chaos (all which fascinate the Wizard), gets Solomon to give up some spiritually rich wizard blood instead.

What is wrong with your daughter? Solomon asks in confidence. She appears to be afflicted by some sort of disease.

The black vein on Sinsifel’s arm does indeed seem to be spreading. Quite slowly, but definitely spreading. Sin is distraught. I’m a freak! I’m going to turn into some sort of wraith creature. I'll never get a boyfriend now!

Victor is worried but consoles her. If Valris were there she'd know what to say. But she isn't and that just leaves Victor in an awkward spot.

After hearing from Victor about Kastra Solomon muses aloud... Perhaps the price Junys paid in making Dusk was not enough...

After a few days on board Captain Black accepts another passenger. This one is familiar to both Victor and Sin, though he claims to not know them. It is Kûtal – but not Kûtal. Instead he calls himself Caspian, The Crane.

Caspian takes to ship like a duck to water and is soon entertaining everyone with tall tales, music and dance. He manages to even raise Sin’s spirits by getting her up and dancing on deck. Victor watches and can’t help getting involved but grows concerned when Sin gets closer to Caspian and more distant from him.

More than once on the trip Victor wishes Valris were with him. He misses her.

After a particularly raucous evening involving a quite tipsy Solomon and an acrobatic Sinsifel, Caspian, after one bottle too many, vomits into the Sea of Fate. Well, I'm sure that's screwed me over somehow the future but to hell with it. I've never liked boat travel any ways,” he slurs before passing out into Victor's waiting arms.

Victor and Sin arrive on Eternium’s 6th Realm of Dulon. The year is 1293 of the 3rd Age of the Orb. They disembark on the coast of Julon, just 1 mile away from the Town of Benedict and the estuary of the River Roanin. Lord Markusa rules this part of Dulon and his guards seem ever present in the streets.

As Vic, Sin and an eager Solomon disembark, Victor passes a very Lawful being heading on board. This is Kuhsarn of the Eldren – a tall elf-like being (7’3”) with white skin and green, blue and golden eyes.

Solomon begins testing his Rûnaic magic on Eternium with unpredictable effects. After dismally failing more than a few times he puts it all down to acclimatisation. Obviously this World has a different magical ether. My body just needs to absorb and process it for a bit first.

Yeah right mutters Victor. If Valris were there she'd show this old guy what for.

Sin calls Solomon a “Magic addict,” after the Wizard tries doing practically everything with magic, including polishing his boots, stirring his tea and toasting his bread. I bet you can’t even scratch your own nose without using a spell! she exclaims.

Vic and Sin contemplate what to do about getting home. They may be on Eternium but they’re still a long way away from Valris. After consulting with Solomon they decide that their best way back is the same way they came. But this probably means leaving the sword behind.

You came that way. That seems like the only way you'll arrive back at the same Time you left. If you keep world hopping like you're doing now you could spend an eternity trying to get there. You could also end up arriving a thousand years before or after you need to. A bit hit and miss eh? Stick to the what got you here in the first place. Go to sleep. It's all just a dream after all... The Wizard grins mischievously.

I wish I could shave his beard off when he's dreaming, Sin whispers to her dad.

Solomon agrees to look after the blade and keep it safe, (especially as it's so rare and powerful,) so Victor and Sin once again sit down and meditate together on the Spirit of Ryn. This time though they seek to return to their own bodies, traversing Time and the Realms of Eternium to awake back on the Evereon.

The Awakening

Victor and Sin awaken on the Evereon after the 'dream' journey to Kastra, battle with the Seb horde and time on Dulon with Solomon. For the time being they remember everything but both know that may not last. Travelling between the worlds, by any means, leaves your memories frazzled. It has to do with each world and reality wanting to stamp its impression upon your mind, to fit you in, make you belong and conform to its rules.

Wasting no time, Victor decides on a one man direct assault against the fortress. He knows (through his spirit) that Valris is still alive, somewhere and that she is doing OK. He tells Sin to wait in the Evereon for him to come back but she refuses point blank to listen.

I'm not a little girl anymore dad. There's nothing I can do here except wait so I'm coming with you. End of. She folds her arms and looks at him sternly. Despite Kastra supposedly only being a dream, Sin hasn't returned to her original age and still has the black vein down her left side. Some dreams it seems are more real than others.

Victor smiles, willing to give his daughter a break. You have that stubborn streak I so love about your mother. Fine. Fancy going for a climb?

Gathering supplies, grenades, guns, rope and metal pins etc, Victor and Sin take deep breaths and swim back to shore. Passing patrols and sweeping searchlights make it difficult to approach Pen Zel Lanth's outer cliff but not impossible for two people who used to stalk sabre tooth cats. Even without his vampiric abilities Victor moves like a shadow. His body remembers...

The walls of the fortress are too high, smooth and patrolled to risk climbing so Victor and Sin swim out and around to the bottom of the island's giant cliff. Once there they slowly begin to ascend. The way is slippery and perilous but after a few hours they draw level with the main gun ports near the top and peer in over the edge of the enormous barrels.

Bombs Bullets and Dragons

Session 11/05/03

Victor, Valris and Minnow make their move to bring down the fortress.

Valris attacks the fortress at the head of an army of dragon and whale riding Myth makers. Sirens sound across the island. Fighter planes are scrambled and turrets begin peppering the sky with flashes and explosions.

The Myth makers travelling by sea attack in two ways. Some remain in deeper water with barges on their whale's backs. Atop the barges magic-users load and fire magical catapults that send rocks and flaming balls of pitch through Sebal's magic-shield and over the fortress' walls. Others approach and beach their whales so that ground troops can take tactical positions behind rocks and await the main wall being breached.

Those flying in the sky upon dragons first drop giant rocks upon several of the fortress's tower emplacements and then begin dogfighting planes. The dragons are very careful to stay clear of the magic-shield though as on this world much of their power of flight stems from magic.

Meanwhile, in the fortress, Minnow takes advantage of the alert to slip out of his cell. He knocks out a guard steals the man's uniform and heads outside only to narrowly avoid a giant boulder falling from the sky. Looking up and seeing planes fighting dragons he shakes his head with wonder. Well Minnow, you don't see that everyday. I wish I had a camera with me.

Below him in the main courtyard he sees his target, the shield generators and at a jog begins making his way down. No one pays him any attention as fires are breaking out all over the place so takes a slight detour to the armoury.

The place is deserted and almost entirely empty as troops have armed themselves in a rush. However he picks himself up a pistol, loads it and spots a crate containing just the thing he needs.

Soldier, you're needed on the wall, someone barks behind him. He turns away from the crate to see a sergeant in the doorway.

I have orders to bring this crate to the yard. Minnow attempts a salute but it looks a bit squiffy.

What crate? Why? The sergeant comes in to take a look.

I just have my orders, Minnow shrugs.

Be damn careful with that. It's damn hairy out there. What's it for?

Blowing up the generators says Minnow, bopping the butt of his gun across the sergeant's startled forehead.

Let the Blood Flow

Victor, who has up until now been stalking around the fortress sabotaging whatever he can without getting shot and killed in the process, hears a series of massive explosions in the yard outside. Fireballs shoots clouds of smoke and debris hundreds of feet into the air and electricity cuts out across the entire island.

A sudden wave of sickness overcomes him, sending him crashing to his knees. As the magic shield is now a smouldering wreckage, a sudden rush of Chaos hits him, injecting his body with energy and power. His skin transforms, turns pale and smooth. His fingernails extend, his head pounds and his muscles coil like springs.

He is a vampire again. And just in time. Soldiers round the corner and in the fiery havoc see him and open fire. He leaps along the wall, springs off of the ceiling and crashes into their midst, severing spines and heads in a flash of fang and claw.

I'mmmmm baaaack! he cries.

Into the Sub

Sebal escapes in a high speed submarine accompanied by Han and Lanté. Sebal intends on firing the Shunt Gun at the sun, causing it to go nova and destroy the World. But to do so he needs to achieve the right position in the ocean.

Realising that Sebal is escaping, with the Skarrion stone and doomsday weapon, Victor and Valris join Wren's dragon riders in pursuit. They soon catch it up but discover another really big problem. Sebal has equipped his vessel with a miniature version of his anti-magical shield, making it impossible to get close enough and attack him.

What now? asks Victor.

We can drop rocks on it. That might slow it down, suggests Victor.

But it probably won't stop it. We need something more says Valris.

Wren contemplates for a moment whether to mention something or not. There is something that might allow us close enough. A legend among my people. The Eye of our God.

Where is it? asks Valris.

Far from here but we can reach it quick enough by dragon flight. You would need to speak to our Oracle first though, the oldest and wisest of our kind.

What are we waiting for? Let's go! says Victor.

*Note - Kate has remained behind to salvage the Evereon and help get Mother's systems back online.*

The Oracle

In the Mountains of Jaclin, in the Graven Caves, resides the Great Oracle, oldest and wisest of the Myth Makers. The Oracle Ghen is over 500 years old, lives like a hermit in the caves and is the only person alive that knows where the Eye of Mythos can be found.

The Eye of Mythos

The Eye is hidden and protected by an ancient Dragon called T'Hium (T’Hiamat). T'Hium's lair is deep beneath the Jaclin mountains in an inferno of super heated caverns.

The Oracle Ghen says that T'Hium obeys no one, even the Dragon Lord. T'Hium is one of the oldest and most fearsome Dragons in existence and will not release the Eye without a fight.

Be warned, says the Oracle. I do not know what the Eye of Magic is, only that T'Hium guards it. I do know though that it is the very Heart of Magic in our World and the most powerful object of its kind. If you gain possession of it, you must be extremely careful as its power is unpredictable and practically without limit.

Victor, Valris, Minnow and Wren (who insists on going) head down into the depths of the Jaclin Mountains, down beyond a steep series of caverns and then down again the side of a huge black gaping chasm.

Wren offers to lend his sword to Victor (which is +6/+6 vs Dragon kind), saying You can swing it faster than I. I fear you'll need to. But Victor declines telling the Dragon Lord that he'll need it more.

After descending nearly two miles they work their way up the chasm, passing skeletons and various other bits of debris – no metal anywhere though, no blades or armour, which strikes Victor as strange.

The dragon has melted the metal with her breath and then rolled in it, allowing it to solidify over her scales. She has then twisted the metal into a form of draconian armour which makes her a little slower to move but gives an extra 20 AP over 90% of her body on top of the standard Ancient 40 AP dragon scale.

Steam is everywhere making visibility poor. Victor and Valris are able to hear the Dragon breathing ahead of them but find their spirit weakened in its presence.

The dragon awakens and a terrible battle ensues.

The Eye gleams from where it is embedded amongst the dragon's chest scales making it an almost impossible target to free, let alone grab. Furthermore it is surrounded by and lying in a lake of lava, fed from a river and as she awakens that lava starts to rise and violently explode.

Victor's team quickly come up with a plan. As Victor and Valris will die in lava, Minnow heads to one side and begins wading across it. As he is immune to normal attacks the lava doesn't effect him and he makes it safely to the other side.

While Minnow is doing that Victor starts running and leaping over the lava to distract the dragon's attention. He does a good job and has to avoid several well swiped claw attacks.

Valris and Wren hang back. Valris casts five or so powerful lightning bolts that seem to only infuriate the dragon even further. Then Minnow makes his move. While the dragon is trying to swat Victor-the-pesky-fly, Minnow darts in and uses his power as the Eternal Key to free the Eye.

The dragon immediately senses Minnow's interference and turns on him but another lightning bolt hits it square on the head and Victor delivers a sword blow across its snout at the same time.

Minnow, move! Victor shouts.

With the dragon once again firmly intent on squashing Victor and Valris, Minnow begins wading back through the now very turbulent lava. It is then that the dragon spreads its wings and starts stomping down the chasm, shaking its walls.

Victor, Valris and Wren, reluctant to leave without their friend briefly stand to fight with Wren taking up the front line.

I will hold this creature back Wren announces. You must get the Eye to the surface!

As there no way Victor is going to let anyone else fight while he retreats, he continues taunting and baiting the dragon to go for him. And as the dragon makes a lunge to swallow him whole, Wren delivers an incredible blow to the creature's neck.

Feel my bite! he screams as hot blood washes over him, his sword slicing so deeply into the dragon that it collapses stunned and in tremendous pain. It is a crippling wound, perhaps even fatal and the dragon begins thrashing uncontrollably.

Wren is about to try and finish it off when something else happens back within the lake of lava. The lava rises up like a wall and the air above where the dragon lay turns into a rainbow of swirling colours before parting to reveal a fiery landscape beyond.

And in this landscape, barely able to be seen, another dragon of titanic size, thrusting an enormous head through the rainbow portal.

RUN! screams Minnow, knowing full well what it is. He picks up speed and sprints towards them.

Victor, Valris and Wren don't have to be told. They turn around and high tail it back up the length of the chasm to where they descended.

What Minnow knows but isn't in a position to communicate is that the head belongs to the true T'Hium, not just one of her incarnations and the head is pissed. It opens its gargantuan mouth and fills the chasm with magical breath that travels along it like a hurricane. And where the breath touches, the stone disintegrates, collapsing the sides, floor and roof of the chasm in upon itself.

Victor glances back and sees the terrible breath getting closer. Minnow! he shouts, seeing his friend is still too far behind.

I know Minnow shouts back. Don't wait for me. Here, catch! He throws the Eye far ahead of him and Victor leaps to snatch it mid flight.

A moment later Victor, Valris and Wren lose sight of the Balance Servant as he seems to slow to face a looming shadow behind him. He disappears in dust and debris and with the chasm literally falling around them they are left with no choice but to become entirely focused on their own self preservation.

It is a frantic dash and climb out of the mountain, with lava bursting behind them and rock disintegrating underfoot, threatening to plunge and entomb them in untold depths. But they make it, with the whole mountain shuddering and shaking around them.

Even outside, in the fresh air, they hear a terrible rampage taking place deep inside the earth and assume (quite rightly) that Minnow has caused T'Hium some considerable upset by taking the Eye.

Unable to wait for their friend, Victor and Valris join Wren and his dragons again in pursuit of Sebal's sub, hoping they still have enough time to stop him.

Assembly Instructions Not Included - Saboteur

As Wren left some dragons following the sub they find it easy to locate it again. Now with the Eye of Mythos at their disposal and in Victor's hand they have the power to bypass Sebal's anti-magic shield.

The Eye glows and the dragons descend to attack.

As the submarine surfaces and comes under attack Sebal carries out a few last calculations and checks before placing the Skarrion stone inside the Shunt Gun's firing mechanism.

Commence firing sequence Sebal instructs his lab coated bridge crew. He then turns to Lanté and Han who are watching dragons swoop and set fire to the ocean around them. They will not suffer. When the energy wave from the sun hits it will be over instantly.

Lanté remains calm and unexpressive but Han's mind remain in turmoil. In a way Lanté wants Sebal to succeed. As the last of his kind, travelling with some of the very people who brought about their end, he has no love for Victor or Valris whatsoever and believes in Sebal's theories. No planet means no time rift and no Victor or anyone else to destroy his life and kin. In a way Lanté hopes everything will just reset and go back to the way it was.

But Han doesn't agree. A battle rages between their two minds and for a moment, Han forces his body to tighten its grip on the console.

At that instant the sub is rocked by loud impacts topside. Warning lights begins to flash and Sebal stares intently at one of his hand held super duper high tech tablets with concern. We will lose alignment if this continues. The countdown shall begin but I must eliminate this variable to achieve optimum results. With a sudden sharp turn the silver man marches out of the bridge taking the Skarrion stone with him, but leaving Han alone.

Back Fire

Sebal blasts dragons out of the sky with the Terrapin's forward guns while back in the control room Han continues to put pressure on Lanté until finally the giant relinquishes control of his body.

With less than two minutes to spare Han takes a soldier's gun, heads to the Shunt Gun, unhinges the back and fires into it. Soldiers rush over to him to stop him but Lanté blasts them backwards with telekinesis. Then with less than sixty seconds on the clock Han fires his gun into the control system and runs for the door.

The Shunt Gun fires. Sebal watches it's bloom of energy build and build and... not fire. Instead it builds to a bright ball of light and explodes backwards into the ship.

To Sebal's frustration the entire bridge of the gun ship is torn open and the ship starts to take water. In the sky however he sees the Time Rift fluctuating between open and closed.

Not entirely unexpected and yet outside all calculated events. Sabotage, says Sebal matter-of-factly to no one in particular. Then without any trace of anger he walks by some of his screaming crew towards a special section of the ship.

Dragons swoop down to spray the deck with fire but Sebal is long gone. He clambers into a smaller vessel, fires up its engines and propels himself in it at rocket speed through the Rift to find another Timeline to destroy.

Despite waiting a few days Minnow does not come out of the mountain. With Victor's, Valris' and Mother Kit's senses failing to pick him up they assume the worst.

How can we leave without him? Victor asks.

How can we stay? replies Han. He would want us to continue no matter what. His actions down there have shown that.

An Eyeful of Experiments

Before departing for another Time node, Valris suggests trying to better understand the Eye of Mythos and Victor suggests trying to use it to bring back Minnow.

At first nothing much happens with both Victor and Valris grasping the red jewel and willing to do whatever they want it to. Valris tries using it to fuel her magic while Victor tries making it make him stronger and faster, maybe even turn into a sword.

Valris does get the Eye to glow a few times though, making the sky rain frogs and the nearby sea, for a few miles out, turn orange. Then Victor causes a dragon-like shadow to fly by and give them all a stare. But it is Sinsifel who seems to trigger the greatest response from the jewel.

Holding it, after begging her mother to let her try, Sinsifel feels the Eye grow warm and alive in her hands. She makes everything and everyone float, then summons a hail storm out of nowhere.

It doesn't seem to do anything you expect it to says Sin.

It's Chaos says Victor in his most ominous and darkest voice.

But still, what good would it be to a Lord of Chaos if it can't be controlled? Sinsifel points out. It's just as likely to smite them as delight them.

Which is why I expect they'd love it says Victor. They're a bunch of lunatics.

That's enough now Sin. This thing is dangerous says Valris. We should put it to one side until we understand it better.

Victor agrees but Sinsifel is reluctant to let it go. When she finally does she feels a sense of loss and the Eye grows cold again to the touch.

The Evereon and its crew travel once again back through the Time streams. This time they are pulled by the Eye of Methos into a vernal paradise. They arrive above a tranquil city filled with happy people. Everyone is playing, laughing and enjoying themselves. Life becomes one big party. But when the city's bells ring out later that day, everyone freezes. Beings emerge from underground, bundle up bodies and take them back below ; aka The Time Machine.

This is the City of Siren on the World of Eternium - over a 1000 years since a great war destroyed the rest of the population.

When Valris goes to find Sinsifel to say that they have arrived she finds her holding the Eye of Chaos in her hands.

Sin, put it down, Valris snaps.

I was just looking at it! Sinsifel whines defensively. I don't see why we can't at least examine it. Uncle Minnow died for it after all!

Kit picks up strange energy signals from the city, reminiscent of Custodian technology. She warns everyone to be careful and sure enough, a brief flyby of the place shows thousands of people working on a giant pyramid.

Listening to people talking they mention someone called the Luminary of Light, which kind of clinches it. Let's go kill that mother fucker! says Han. Before he screws another planet up.

I'm with you on that says Valris, but let's gather some information first. We don't want to rush in on him without knowing what kind of protections he has. I don't think any of us want to lose the Evereon again any time soon, right?

Mother Kit is the first to nod at that statement. I'm still flushing buffers from that last system crash, not to mention expunging water from parts of me I'd forgotten existed.

In agreement, everyone decides it is best to leave Sebal alone for a bit and simply do recon. But they are only there a few hours when a small, hooded and black robed being approaches them and introduces himself as Nynsagul of the Balance.

What can we do for you strange fellow? asks Victor.

The dwarf (if indeed he / it is even that) snarls slightly at Victor's condescending tone. It is not what you can do for me so much as what I can do for you Fang-head. I can help you find a piece of Time; you know, the thing you've been looking for.

Valris immediately asks to know where but Nynsagul suddenly becomes quite coy. I will take you (Valris), you (looking at Victor) and the young girl there (Sin) to where it resides and no one else from this group. Once there you'll have to retrieve it one your own but I will return you here again. For all this, I ask just one small favour in return. I need you to give me a pint of your blood. Nyn promises to transport Victor and his companions via the cracks in the Multiverse to somewhere (the alternate Eldahar) where they can find a Time shield that will literally protect them from the Rift and its Time streams, allowing them to escape the Rift and re-enter it again at will.

It sounds too good to be true, especially to Valris, but the strange hooded dwarf convinces them to give it a shot, even if he does come across as quite grumpy and bitter.

We have to do this says Valris. It could be a piece of the Tesseract and we could really do with one now. We're not getting anywhere in all of these different Time streams.

Victor agrees with her but both are reluctant to endanger Sinsifel.

She has to come Nyn grumbles.

Our daughter is going to stay says Valris.

She's coming or the bloody deal's off says Nynsagul.

Valris and Victor debate a while and Sin listens. Eventually their daughter steps forward and says that she'd like to come. I might be able to help she suggests.

Han and Kit are very vocal in their reservations about going with Nynsagul too.

How can we trust this being? Mother Kit asks. He may be a servant of the Balance but he obviously has an agenda.

And he doesn't look like the bathing sort either adds Karly.

I don't like the looks of him. He's creeping me out just standing there like some walking squid in a robe, says Han. Plus, let's not forget Sebal. He could get up to all sorts of mischief while you're gone.

You'll keep an eye on him Valris reassures.

In the end, without coming to a group consensus, Victor and Valris agree to Nyn's terms but take Sinsifel to one side.

Valris gazes very seriously at Sin. The Eye is just too unstable. We're going to leave it here.

No says Sin. What if we need it?

Enough young lady Valris chastens. It's staying but you're going. Don't argue or we might decide to leave you anyway, no matter what the dwarf says.

Saying what they hope to be a brief farewell to Han and Kit, Victor, Valris and Sinsifel gather their belongings from the Evereon and then head out to where the dwarf said to meet him.

When they arrive though they find he isn't alone. He has Sebal with him.

You've got to be kidding me says Han, drawing his sword.

Valris snarls and bares her fangs and Victor crouches ready to spring.

He is coming too Nynsagul announces. If you have a problem with that then I'll just take him to the Time shield and leave the rest of you here.

You son of a bitch says Valris. You said it was just going to be us.

I said just the three of you from your group. I didn't mention any other groups did I? the black robed dwarf chuckles. Your choice, stay or go.

Victor, Valris, Kit and Han hold a brief meeting. Don't do this Han urges. We can get our own damn Skarrion Stone. We don't need this dwarf.

Valris says that she and Victor can handle him. It's not like he has lots of people around him or weapons in his possession. Though she does notice he is carrying a belt of small devices that might be.

We can take him Victor agrees. I'm looking forward to putting a dent in that face.

After a minute or so of further debate, the dwarf says their time is up. They watch him count down and pace back and forth as if reading from an imaginary stopwatch. Then when he counts down to zero a glimmering fissure appears in the air and Nyn tells them all to quickly step through.

Well, here goes nothing says Victor, barging in front of Sebal and going first.

Sin goes next but Valris and Sebal have a brief Mexican standoff over who goes next. After nearly grabbing the Custodian in a head lock Valris sighs with frustration and concedes to go next - leaving Siren well and truly behind.