Invasion from within: Beziar

[Dal'Lumen]

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"The Filth speaks... Desperate lies to save it's life no doubt. I will still listen to learn all I can from the doomed beasts, they cannot lie to me!"

*Dal pounced on the creature that spoke and gripped down on whatever it was on it's back he was able to get a hand full of, straddling it like some kind of freakish horse, the hook of his blade across it's neck being the reigns for which control could be taken.*

"Clear the way and let this one out, hold this position and let none pass, I will be back when I have learned what I need... Scales come with me; follow as close as you can!"

*He gave the demon a swift kick in the sides to encourage it's haste.*

"Move demon, before you are nothing but ash and useless to me."


( 7 Sxs Ride attempt)

[Ress]

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* Scales slithers to the side of Dal, puzzled to see him on the back of an Anhule, she she asked no questions and pushed the door open for them*

" Yes Admiral Dal'Lumen. Systems on high alert, non-lethal attack means are readied."

* When the door creaked open, The Anhule bounded out the door at full speed, Scales barely keeping close enough behind them*

"Don't worry, Admiral! We will hold this place down but good!" * Quie yelled as he skewered three Anhules on either spear*

* The last thing Dal would see would be a red blur rushing into the manse and shutting the doors behind them*

[glow=red,2,300]" So, Sun Prince? What is it you are hoping to find out here in Yozi territory? Are you planning on converting?"
* The demon snickered as he ran through the city, shooting webbing onto frightened citizens caught in trees. *[/glow]

* As they went through the city, they would see that pandemonium had broken loose. A circle of half human, half demon abominations stood in a circle nearby, watching two fight to the death and placed bets on them. There was looting by citizens, underbrood and Demons alike*

[Dal'Lumen]

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"Enough!"

*Dal hammered his hand against the creatures head and held it, and positioned the hook of the sword firmly in the space between it's enormous fangs and many eyes, effectively placing it's face in a guillotine; Too jarring a movement or a small shrug from Dal could drive the hook deep into it's 'throat'.*

"Stop moving and choose your next words wisely, I have no more patience for your taunts. Explain in detail what you said in my manse. Don't even consider a lie."

(5sxs Manipulation ||| -3m Judges Ear active)

[Ress]

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[glow=red,2,300]* The Anhule stopped harsh in its tracks, its legs dug into the ground to stop itself before the solar could cut its head off. As a demon, the Anhule was no stranger to violence and death threats, but did not like them very much. The Demon tried to sound tough, but was noticeably shaken*

" Detail? You mean about your sister? Everyone at the Bazaar has heard the story. The Equitable Trader came for his due, and the full payment was abducted by The Star Exalted!"[/glow]

* Dal's charm would register that the demon was telling the truth*

"Admiral Dal' Lumen, my sensors are picking up a large demonic presence not far from here....

[Dal'Lumen]

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"Keep me updated on it's activity Scales."

*Dal's eyes were locked on the Anhule, his voice scratched with barely contained malice, cold rage in his eyes.*

"This won't be long..."

*With that, he twisted the tip of the sword back and forth very slightly making the hook in the Anhules mouth, all things considered, less comfortable. The mention of a sister was enough for him to lose his monastic cool. He had to be sure it was 'His' sister the demon spoke of, and not a figurative term such as the way he referred to close friends as brothers and sisters.*

"You speak the truth, but your words are riddles - Speak plainly! Which sister do you speak of... tell me everything you know about each of these people - My "sister" the "Equitable trader", and the "Star Exalted"

[Ress]

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* The Anhule hissed and spit as he was threatened as such.. he was used to larger demons doing this, but a Solar? It was an absolute insult*" Your sister? I have never seen her myself, but the tales say she has long grey hair and skin the color of the beaches of Chiaroscuro. She was suppose to be payment for a debt to Makarios, "The Sigil's Dreamer", "The Equitable Trader" and Warden Soul of Demon Princess That Which Calls To the Shadows.

While Makarios's agents sought to bring your sister to Malfeas, A cadre of Sidereal Exalted scooped her up and changed everyone's memories within the mutinous scuffle. Malfean spies have told 'the powers that be' in The Demon City that she is being hidden here right under your nose, Dal'Lumen!"

[Dal'Lumen]

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"Silver Gale..."

*It was all Dal could do to not pull the blade and rend the beast face in two at the outrage on his sisters behalf. His blood coursed, swelling his veins and turning his face a rusty tone of red, his whole body shook.*

"She is not anyone's to be given and she is not to be claimed... I stand with the empire of your undoing - we will destroy every one of you and your masters... until your fear and blood have paid all debts! Now... Rather than simply kill you and end your misery, I could remove each of your legs and make sure you survive... that when the day comes when your masters beg at my feet for their continued existence, I can toss them your helpless flesh that they might know you were the one that delivered my wrath upon them."

*Dal's anger shone through his eyes, his presence was an ominous roar like a tsunami bearing down upon the tiny things in it's path. His sword arm had drawn back enough that the spiders mouth and face would bleed.*

" You may yet spare yourself from such a fate if you prove to be of further use; You'd better find a way to convince me..."


(10 Sxs manip/intimidate)

[Ress]

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[glow=green,2,300]* The demon shook in terror at the sound of Dal's voice. letting out a sound that was somewhere between clicking mandibles and frightened whimpering*

" You are so angry at me and my kind, when it is your Sidereal friends who are hiding her from you, here in this empire!

Sure, you could kill me, but it won't bring her back to you. So what is your plan now? Kill me then go back to your Manse?

* The demon mumbled to itself while it thought quickly about how it could save its skin*

I can... I can tell you what is happening!! Just don't kill me! Please!"

[/glow]

[Dal'Lumen]

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"A creature as pitiful as you would never understand my fury, now... Don't leave me in suspense; Keep talking and I may deem your words to be valued payment for wretched life. Start with why you were summoned here, who that Demon scales sensors are picking up is... and bonus points if you tell me how to disintegrate the deal made with my sister as a price tag!"

*Without a doubt Dal' was irritated at the notion of the Siderials keeping his sister from him, but as far as he was concerned they may well have brought her to the safest place in creation for her to be. Secrecy, and knowledge have always been the Siderials greatest tools, he could accept their failed attempt to keep his sister secret.*

[Ress]

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[glow=Green,2,300]* Still quaking from having a pissed off Solar standing over him with a weapon that could easily cleave his head from his thorax. In a moment of fear, he blurted out the answers to Dal's questions, not thinking about the consequences of his word choice*

" Your sister is no longer a concern to The Equitable Trader or any other party in The Demon City. Have you ever wondered why it was that your father, somehow a sailor from the land locked nation of Linowan, became a prosperous captain in The Neck? But maybe the better question is 'how'..."

* Suddenly, The demon remembered his situation and suddenly stopped its speech ( I am not sure if it has a tongue ). After a moment of silence, it continued to speak*

" This is an invasion. We are all conscripts in a war to undermine the security of this empire. This is only possible because you have done nothing to stifle the underlying worship of The Architects of Reality."[/glow]

* Dal's Judges Ear would give him the feeling that the Anhule was lying*

"Admiral Dal'Lumen, The large demonic presence is moving to our location at an alarming rate. Requesting next course of action?"

* Scales raised herself up on her coils as she looked out to the west*

[Dal'Lumen]

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"Looks like we're out of time demon, a shame you had to lie to me with your last breath - I will still find the truth."

*On that note Dal slashed the Anhules throat as he drew the sword up through the creatures mouth taking away it's voice, and in the same motion hacked down again across the creatures right legs. His movements were efficient and used none of his exalted essence to fuel their power as a means to conserve himself for the fight that might come. He leaned forward and whispered next to the creatures face where he assumed it's ears would be.*

"Arrogant wretch... You attack my people in my presence and insult me with your lies! Crawl away and Pray that I don't ever hear so much as a whisper of a scarred, crippled Anhule again."

*He took the creatures own blood and painted the word "Traitor" on it's back in large letters and then turned to scales. He looked at her somberly and climbed on her back.*

"We need to head back to the manse, whatever comes for us, it wont find us alone. Any sign of the dragon blooded on your sensors?"

(12 Sxs 8 Sxs Attacks *DV 5 Soak 7 from book?* Raw 19L 16L ~~~ 9L 4L {-13 HP +1incap ***Coup De Grace***)

[Ress]

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* The Anhule let out a warped shriek as its throat was slashed, twitching in fear as his blood was used to write something on his back. His mandibles clicked, but no words accompanied it this time, giving further proof that he was now a mute.*

" Sensors are picking up two Dragon-Blooded, but they are at my limit and one is injured."

* Scales flattened down as her feathers began to glow red, then lightened down into a deep pink*

" They are here! Jump on my back, we need to escape!"

* Out from the chaos, the broken houses and scurrying lesser demons, thirty women stylized in glowing tribal markings began closing in on Dal, all wielding crude yet wicked looking weapons. It would not take more than a second or two for Dal to recognize these women as upstanding local citizens, though it is difficult to see them as so now. Across from Dal and his Feathered Serpent, two of the militant warrior women stepped to the side, allowing a tall, bronze skinned demon to pass through into the circle they had formed.

The Demon was 6' 2" and robed in tarnished brass armor, stylized to look like wood, but far more revealing than a normal suit of armor should be. Her long red hair smoldered and glowed at the tips with a baleful green flame. A wickedly gnarled spear was set in her hands like a walking staff as she entered the circle*

" So you think you can brow beat my slaves? You are a resourceful one, arnt you, Dal'Lumen? You can handle a hell-spider, but how do you fare against those who you have sworn to protect?"

* The circle of women brought their women's to the ready, their eyes now glowing yellow like their tattoos as their faces contorted into demonic grimaces.*

" I am Lilaine, 'The Woman Spurned'. And though my demonic nature tells me to disembowel you, Solar man, my masters have given me orders to offer you amnesty for this whole ordeal? How about it Sun King? Will you accept willing?... or will my most prized slave have to squeeze your heart until you beg for it?"

[Dal'Lumen]

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" Oh certainly, let us discuss this at length back at my manse follow me quick as you can, we will have a feast in celebration of your arrival! Bring all of your lovely lady friends!"

*His face was manic, like an eccentric aristocrat inviting members to a party. He gave them all a crooked smile and sideways look that hinted at insanity. He wasn't about to get involved in a fight where innocents would be used as shields, and thought it would be best if he could goad them to a place where he could make the terms. He leaned forward on scales and patted her sides and whispered. *

"Go like the wind scales..."

*And as he turned away he burst into a figure of glorious light, a light that demanded all lesser beings cower before this emissary of the Sun God*

(6 Sxs Social attack, convince them to follow him to his manse in spite of the possible danger of doing so. Also - - Majestic Radiant Presence activated +1 valor difficulty to attack Dal for the Scene)
{We'll call it a Tactical Retreat}

[Ress]

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" Agreed, Admiral"

* Scales slithered off

* One of the warrior women turned to Lilaine, Her grimace now changed to a droned like stare*

" Mistress Lilaine... How are we to catch up with the Solar Man?"

* Lilaine flicked one of her long red dreadlocks out of her face as she smiled a self satisfied smirk. She raised a hand to hush her puppet-subordinate*

" He walked right into my hand. This is where I have his heart torn out and dragged back to me, sobbing... Kahn! Bring him to me alive!"

* Kahn Stepped out from the chaotic background, the moonsilver tattoos on her body now eclipsed by the same glowing yellow markings that the demon's other slaves wore.*

" Yes Mistress Lilaine. I always catch my prey."

* The dull glow of Kahn's moonsilver tattoos could be seen under the yellow brands that superimposed over them, and in a single motion, Kahn took off after Dal like a streak of silver and orange*

[Dal'Lumen]

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"Good scales, let's just get some backup - I'm almost at my limit I need some time to recover my essence and some backup to cover me while I do!"

*The chaos around him was staggering, but as he passed his illuminated form dazzled or frightened assailing demons, and encouraged defenders. Though without the city's automated defenses to protect his citizens, they were nearly helpless, even the martial artists he had trained were not of significant force or power to deal with a demonic invasion. He found himself wishing he had done more to prepare them... but if they could get through this, they would be stronger for it.

He looked over his shoulder to see if they were being pursued and like a shot in the heart he saw her...*

"Kahn...? Wha... that's when he saw the yellow markings, just like the women that demon had enslaved. Kahn no... Scales! That demon somehow got to Kahn, you should not be a part of this, she may try to destroy you to get to me, we're going to split up for now if you have any tricks that can help feel free to jump in! But stay safe!"

*Just as scales neared an overarching building, Dal Jumped from her and hit the roof of the building at a dead sprint cracking the shingles under his feet sending showers of clay down to the street. He leapt great distances between each building, taking every opportunity to break line of sight with Khan. This was his city, and he was well known for his free-running among the rooftops and buildings. He hooked his hand around a sign pole hanging above a shop door and flung himself high though the air like a shooting star his light showered down on the chaos below while he got a look behind him at his hunter.*

"Kahn! What have you let that demon do to you!"

(9sx-5d = 4 SXS)