[Avanthar Dra'Aran]

The battle outside concludes...

...The raging storm of raw arcane dissipated like parting clouds under a mighty gust of wind. Still under a heavy cloud of darkness the raw scene of carnage and waste remained hidden under its shadowy veil. Destructive forces not seen for ages had been let loose in an exchange of tremendous powers. Considering the amount of dead and dying littered before him and what remained of two great clashing forces, it was true that only the strongest survived. Bodies were thrown about and blasted open as if they were nothing but dolls… the scent of charred flesh and blood was nauseating for the weak. The next chapter of the onslaught would now begin… there was still much death and destruction to unleash…

Innumerable dead, the area, even the city itself smoldering ruin, the sea of dead was perfect scenery as the last stages of this battle drew to a close. Narrowed cat like eyes perceived the black weaves of death as Avanthar drew forth Dhwae’s life force that was further enhanced by Venn’s spell of healing. Each second simply brought his foes weaker whilst he regenerated much of his lost stamina. Bruises dissipated as odd cuts closed and healed, strength entering the Archmage’s black form with each passing second as a sinister smirk grew beneath his mask of dread. Raising his great sword he readied the one fatal swing that would end it all.

His piercing gaze looked at the smoking remains of Dhwae as his flames continued to burn her flesh. In an instant Avanthar saw his fault as he sundered the black weave he had with the Archdruid, sending a minor backlash. Taking a moment to gather himself, he cursed as the chance was opened for the Archdruid for her to warp the remnants of her forces back into the safety of the Naturan grove. Avanthar had lost the chance to truly rid this world of one powerful opponent, with Dhwae still alive things would eventually prove difficult in the future…

‘As long as She remains…’

The malleable coldness of another touched the Arch Knight as he stood resplendent in his titanic aura. Turning to see the wraith like Abcrul as Avanthar peered into his ghostly face, his mocking tone and smug smile irritating the knight slightly as he held up the head of the Sorceror. The older, more experienced necromancer had been able to fell his opponent, whilst alas Avanthar had failed in his attempt. Grasping the offered blade as he tested its weight and balance, he shifted into clara and gathered the surrounding spirits, enforcing the gathered damned as spectral armor protected the knight from mundane attacks.

‘The battle shall continue… in the very heart itself… we shall strike from the inside out…’

Abcrul strengthened the portal of shadow with relative ease, and with likewise ease Avanthar directed his cold malice to his own creation, closing his eyes as he altered and redirected the portal to a place as familiar as the back of his hand. Remembering days of his past as he turned to the shadows of his former imprisonment, deep within the jails of the compound the shadows would come alive as a new portal was made. Yet then again he'd rather the familiar streets and regather all that he could. Ensuring that it was stabilized, that the previous exit had been unraveled at the emergence of the new exit, Avanthar indicated that Abcrul would take the honors before he followed but a step behind…

… expecting to plant his feet on the chaotic streets of Zerdargia… the emergence of two Archmages within Zerdargia would certainly not bode well. Abcrul’s thirst for chaos had yet been quenched, even more so was Avanthar’s murderous desire for vengeance. What forces that remained outside Zerdargia were regrouping as they made their way to the two impressive mages, and, with no great power backing the opposing force, it was heavily unlikely they would face further resistance outside...

... the battle within begins...

... An eerie silence penetrated the streets of Zerdargia, littered with rubble, corpses, and an assortment of mundane things. The arcanic storm had struck hard upon those fighting here, as even now the tinge of fresh blood bloodied the air. The battle had yet to truly end as the final chapter was about to unfold. Growing upon the streets as the inky darkness rose amidst the night streets, an immense wave of unshakeable chill radiated off its black pulsing form. Figures could be seen emerging from the side streets, the remnants of the massive forces that had been injected into Zerdargia during the main battle. Peering at the ominous black creation, the unmistakable sense of impending doom grew ever so strong.

Fearsome orcs, cunning goblins and the occasional necromancer were regrouping. With little left untouched, they watched as their leader emerged with powerful strides, the blazing sword Nemesis flaring in its spectral flames as Abcrul followed, his white skin stark contrast to his black robes. From behind others could be seen emerging, the very few survivors of the confrontation outside. Fatigued necromancers with several orcs and goblins moved behind as a congregation began forming upon the devastated streets. In truth there were less than a 100 of them all, yet numbers were not everything. Whilst the streets near the Church were deserted, what remaining defenders having fled to more secure locales, the masked knight of shadow moved to the fore and inspected his surroundings with blazing blue eyes.

A wave of destruction had been unleashed upon the city by the united efforts of the Church, their desire to rid the dwarf city of Avanthar’s taint had led to widespread devastation, felling both the defenders and the attackers. Some mindless onslaught by the Church would further prove to the world of their potency and their complete disregard for their allies. Crackling with arcane power as the rubies of Nemesis flared in a sudden spectacle of arcane light, there was an immense sense of power as Dra’Arang gathered his energies upon his sword, flames of spectral blue enveloping the area with its eerie light as he clasped it with both of his hardened hands.

‘I have returned from the depths of Aeternia and to seek to end all wrongs against me… to return to this where troublesome annoyances seek to hinder my ultimate purpose… did I return for this?’

Venting his minor irritation at the course of this battle and the difficulties he had had, he swung his powerful blade towards both sides of the street, altering the blade’s flames as blue waves of deathly fire raced through the already destroyed buildings. A wave of destructive flame began eating away at the area, lighting up the streets in blue as the sound of roaring fire and crackling wood hid all screams of help for those unfortunate enough to linger within. Avanthar’s explosive attack near brought one side of Zerdargia aflame as the scent of burning flesh began to rise…

Death had finally come!

With little left in this area, Lord Avanthar Dra’Aran, Disciple of Kaith Gar’Pirtis and Arch-Knight of the Shadows smirked maliciously as he led the band towards the Residential District where fighting was still underway. It was there that the majority of his forces had been sent, and even now the remnants of the Church continued to battle against his undead alongside the defenders. From above the spirit Eltarik told all, gifting the knight with a bird’s eye view of the entire city. Thus they began to make their way, gathering what forces they could whilst slaughtering any that stood in their way. Whether it was the Veldar or some hapless citizens, it did not matter. For Avanthar, he wished for deaths… whilst Abcrul demanded chaos… in this battle they gained both. Just what defense remained was still unknown, yet it was clear that the war was drawing to its final conclusion.

OOC: Ready~