<Paul> "Remy, you and Nachabe go to the Hall of Fate. NOW!"
<Remy> "Okay."
<Paul> the swirling blackness, revolves, moaning
* Remy leaves the building, and begins prepares to enter the tempest
<Paul> a roaring fills your ears
* Brianna steps back from the blackness
<Paul> Remy-you run out and see another boat on it's way
* Erik stands well away from the vortex
* Remy shrugs...
<Remy> "come dis way, we got trouble!" Remy yells to the boatmen
<Paul> nachabe-raises his arms trying to get their attention
<Erik> "What...what IS this thing..."
<Paul> "It's a Nihil, the largest I've ever seen."
<Erik> "And what, pray tell us, is a Nihil?"
<Paul> "It's a portal into the Tempest."
* Erik nods in silent comprehension
<Paul> "My god. What could have caused it?"
<Gerard> "And how do we stop it?"
<Paul> Remy-The boat is getting ever closer
<Veil> "Is it going to grow, Paul?" Brianna asks with trepidation
<Erik> "So I take it we should get out of here, and fast?"
* Remy looks into the boat
<Paul> "I..I don't know."
<Gerard> "Well that doesn't help us."
<Veil> "What can we do about it?"
<Paul> "Nothing. As far as I know it's permanent."
<Paul> Remy-There is a large detachement of troops on the boat on of them wears an ornate mask
<Remy> "Hurry, we need some help!"
<Paul> The boat docks and the troops rush out
* Remy rushes back into the legion Hall
* Mateo rushes in with several legionnaires
* Mateo sees the Nihil and takes off his mask.
<Mateo> "Paul, what has happened?"
* Brianna looks at Mateo with wide eyes
<Paul> "I don't know sir, we just arrived and there was this.."
* Mateo looks to the troops, "Pan out and search this place, now!"
<Remy> "an' some guy rambling about 'Markova'"
* Mateo turns to Remy
<Mateo> "Tell me everything."
<Remy> "okay...we arrived at dis place, on a routine partol/tour, and we found these people..twisted...horribily,..den this guy rushes out of de house and starts screaming 'Markova!' <Mateo> "Markova? What the hell does that mean?"
<Remy> "he dissapeared, and we went inside to find dis 'Nihil'"
* Mateo turns to Paul, "What the hell is markova?"
<Erik> "Umm...there's more to the story than that..."
<Paul> "I have no idea," he says slowly shaking his head.
* Erik shows Mateo the scroll they found earlier
* Brianna still confused as to what exactly is going on, stands back and watches Remy and Erik talk to Mateo
<Mateo> "Jesus christ! I want this 'markova'. Whoever the hell he is!"
* Gerard stands, watching Remy and Erik talk.
<Remy> "You sure dis Markova is a 'he'?"
<Erik> "I'm afraid I have no idea who this Markova is"
<Remy> "i'm tempted to call it an 'it' for now"
<Mateo> "Paul, I need you to stay here and help, the rest of you find out what the hell this is about." <Brianna> "Where do we start sir?"
<Erik> "Yes Mr...
* Mateo leaves with his troops
<Erik> "Who was that guy?"
<Remy> "An' there is dis strange sumerian script on the wall"
<ST> a legionnaire looks at Remy, "That was the Anaceron of the Legion of Paupers."
<Remy> "the Anaceron?"
<Gerard> "Anaceron?"
<Erik> "The who?"
<ST> "Yeah he's the head of the Legion in this Necropolis."
<Remy> "You mean that is who 'markova' is?"
<ST> "No, his name is Mateo."
* Erik nods
<ST> "But if I were you, I'd get on this case."
<Gerard> "You know, I bet I know where I could find out who this Markova is? If I can only get there?" <ST> The troops noisily search the place
<Erik> "Where would that be?"
<Gerard> "At my home in the skinlands. I had one hell of a library there. A lot on supernatural."
* Remy peeks towards the nihil
<Erik> "I would also like to look at it...I have done some study in that area"
<Gerard> "Paul, do you know of a way I can get to the skinlands."
<Paul> "Only, if you have embody."
<Remy> "Uh..is it normal for creatures to be outside the rift?"
<Gerard> "Not as such, but could you show me how to do it?"
<Erik> "I...what's Embody? Is that like the powers granted to werewolves?"
<ST> "Yes, this is a portal, but don't step in it. I have to go help, will you all be alright while I'm gone?" * Remy decides to keep his curiosity in check
<Gerard> "Yea, I guess."
<Erik> I have an idea, Gerard"
<Erik> "I know...um...knew...someone when I was alive"
<Erik> "If I could find her, and talk to her..."
<Erik> "She could help us both"
<Paul> "Good, I shouldn't be long." he says as he walks off
<Gerard> Good, if I can get to my library, maybe we'll solve this mystery."
<ST> the roaring Nihil continues to swirl and the pull towards it remains
<Erik> "I figure, if I can talk her into it, we could get HER to do the physical work"
* Remy backs away from the nihil
<Erik> "And WE could do the mental work. What do you say?"
* Remy wonders if he can throw something into it
<Gerard> "That is a good idea, maybe I can help. I can enter the dreams of the living."
<Erik> "I'm not sure, but I think I have some things that would allow me to talk with her, asleep or awake"
<Erik> "Let's go"
<Gerard> "Lets give it a try. If not, we will find another way."
* Erik leaves outside to find a boat
* Gerard follows Erik.
<ST> The boat is still there
<Erik> "Looks like we have a ride in..."
* Erik hops in the boat
* Gerard gets into the boat.
* Brianna follows the others
* Remy walks towards the boat
<Erik> "If...if my...Shadow...attacks me when I'm with her...destroy me and my Shadow before it harms her..."
* Brianna looks at Erik with concern on her face
<Brianna> "Don't worry, we're here to help you."
<Erik> "Thank you...again...it means a lot to me..."
* Gerard pats Erik on the back. "Don't worry, we will help out."
* Remy tosses his cane and catches it
<Remy> Erik:"Life is a gamble, son"
<Gerard> "Well, where to now?"
<ST> The boat leaves shore
<Erik> "I wish you wouldn't call me that, Remy"
<Remy> "Sorry"
<Erik> "We go to my girlfriend's place..."
<Gerard> "Where's that?"
<Erik> "I'm not sure if I can see her now, but I'll do what I can..."
<Brianna> "Is there a way to contact the living?" Brianna asks, hope shining in her face
<Gerard> "I can through their dreams."
<Erik> "I...I might be able to..."
* Brianna 's face falls. "Oh..I thought maybe.."
<Erik> "I can try"
<Gerard> "I have an idea when we go see your girlfriend.
<Erik> "Let me try to talk to her first"
<Gerard> "Okay, no problem."
<Erik> "Strange dead people might frighten her..."
<Gerard> "I was just going to have you talk toher through her dreams."
<Remy> "Brianna, don't give up hope, cher, havn't you ever heard ghost stories?"
<Remy> "must be some way to get back, for a bit.."
* Brianna nods sadly. "Yes, ghost stories.. that's all I am now.."
* Remy flashes his charming smile
<ST> The ride to land takes a half an hour
* Erik leads his friends to Samantha's house
<ST> you arrive and dock quickly, the captain wishing you well and good ridance
* Gerard follows Erik.
<ST> on your way you see a little boy wandering the streets
* Brianna steps off the boat, glad to get the earth under her feet again
* Brianna looks at the boy curiously
* Billy looks around, confused
<ST> on your way you see a little boy wandering the streets
* Brianna is looking at the boy with curiosity
* Billy walks over and sits on the side of the street, looking lost
* Billy is a smallish boy, looking about 10 yrs old. His hair is tucked into a worn baseball cap, and he is wearing shorts, a tee shirt and sneakers (which are untied)
* Erik looks at the boy carefully, not really trusting him or anyone
* Brianna walks over to the little boy and crouches down to eye level. "What are you doing here?" she asks kindly
* Gerard watches the boy.
* Billy looks up suddenly, seeming scared
<Billy> "wh...who are you?"
<Brianna> "It's alright, you don't have to be afraid of me. My name is Brianna"
<Remy> "Bonjour, Enfant."
<Brianna> "What is your name?"
* Billy 's fright seems to lessen as he looks up at Brianna
* Brianna smiles, trying to calm the small boy
<Billy> "Billy. What's yours?"
<Remy> "My name is Remy."
* Billy smiles and holds out his right hand
<Brianna> "Nice to meet you Billy," Brianna says, shaking his hand.
* Erik stands back, looking depressed
<Brianna> "What are you doing here?"
* Billy 's right hand has six fingers, and the sixth is quite noticeable
* Remy also takes billy's hand
<Billy> "I'm looking for my Mom...have you seen her?"
* Billy stands up
<ST> {your mom is not here, Billy}
* Brianna shakes her head sadly. "I'm afraid that I haven't. Maybe you should come with me."
* Billy shakes his head
<Brianna> "Where did you last see her? Maybe I could help you find her"
<ST> {But I am, I can take care of you.}
<Billy> "My Mom said she was right beside me...she must've gotten lost...."
* Billy looks around frantically
<Erik> "Beside you? Where were you going?"
* Brianna gets a very sad look on her face, and shakes her head slowly
<ST> {she never cared for you Billy, she left you.}
<Billy> "MOM!"
<Brianna> "Billy, come here. I need to talk to you"
* Erik still looks depressed, but is now kind of interested
* Brianna sits down next to Billy and takes his hand
* Remy scrutinizes billy, trying to measure the power of his shadow
<Billy> "NO! I've got to find my mom!"
* Gerard continues to watch the child.
* Billy twists away and starts running down the street
* Brianna curses under her breath and runs after the small boy
<Brianna> "Billy, stop!" she calls
<Gerard> gets fed up after the child and begins to walk to where his house was.
* Billy stops after a couple minutes, tears streaking down his face
* Brianna catches up to Billy and puts her arms around him, letting him cry on her shoulder
<Erik> "Ger...follow me...we must go to Samantha, first"
<Brianna> "It's ok..shhhh...it's ok," Brianna tries to comfort him
<Gerard> "Fine, fine, we must get this done."
* Billy sobs and mumbles something about his mother
<Brianna> "You all go without me, I'll catch up." Brianna tells the others
* Remy will stay with bri
* Erik begins walking slowly to Samantha's house...still a bit nervous"
<Gerard> "By the way, the name is Gerard, not Ger.
<Brianna> "It's ok Billy, I know that you miss her. You'll see her again, shhhh, it's ok."
<Erik> "I'm sorry"
* Brianna holds Billy and lets him cry himself out
* Billy looks up at Brianna
<Gerard> "Its okay, just don't do it again."
<Erik> "I'll try not to"
* Erik continues on his way
<Billy> "Will you help me find my mom? She might be in trouble.."
<Gerard> "I'm sorry, I just get kind of testy when important things have to get done, and things start unraveling as you try to get your work done."
<Brianna> "Of course I'll help you. Why do you think that she's in trouble?"
<Billy> "I dunno...."
<Gerard> "So, Erik. On another note, you area affiliated withthe Garou, are you not?"
<ST> Erik and ger you walk down the street you can see her house from where you are
<Brianna> "How old are you, Billy?" Brianna asks
<Erik> "Kind of...my father was one, but he stopped telling me the stories when I...when I didn't make the First Change..."
* Billy holds up his hands, and says "I'm ten"...then he looks at his right hand, confused
<Gerard> "I see. I did quite a bit of writing on the Garou. Interesting. Most interesting."
<Remy> "Well, billy, mabye you can find her yourself. Try and concentrate on her really hard"
* Brianna shows Billy her right hand, and the sixth finger that she also has
<Erik> "I can see her house now...I hope she isn't too frightened by my appearance..."
<Brianna> "See, I have one too." Brianna smiles at the small boy.
* Billy smiles back
<Gerard> "I'll stay out of the way when you talk to her."
<Billy> "You're nice"
* Brianna smiles again, but sadness touches the expression on her face
<Brianna> "Billy, you're a big boy. I have something very important to tell you. Can you listen very carefully?" Brianna asks, eyes searching Billy's face
* Billy nods, his eyes wide
<Billy> "uh huh"
<ST> it takes a little while but you arrive at her house
<Erik> "Now, to get in..."
* Erik gathers hiw will, and tries to walk through the door
<Remy> "Well, billy, maybe you can find your mother yourself. Try and concentrate on her really hard"
<ST> It feels odd as your body discoporates and recombines on the other side
* Billy glances at Remy
<Erik> "ugh...that was wierd..."
<Brianna> "Billy, something happened to you. You're.." Brianna pauses, trying to think of how to tell the little boy where he is. "You are dead, Billy. I am too..we're just here for a little while until we can get to heaven. I will take care of you, and will help you find your mother. Don't be scared."
<Erik> "Now, Gerard...I need your vow that you will destroy my Shadow, and me if necessary, before Sam can get hurt..."
<Gerard> "Okay."
* Billy starts to laugh..."I'm not dead..I just...I ..."
* Billy gets a strange look on his face
<Remy> "Don't worry, billy. It's okay, we will protect you. You are safe with us, and we will help you find your mother"
* Gerard follows Erik at a discreet distance.
* Brianna hugs Billy. "I know, it's hard to get used to.."
<ST> Erik{destroy you if I come out to play hmmmmm}
<Brianna> "You'll be ok. I'm here to take care of you."
* Gerard wonders what the rest are up to.
<Billy> "But...."
<Erik> "Gerard, can I have your word that you will destroy me and my Shadow before Sam can be hurt" <Erik> "This is important"
<Gerard> "How about I just destroy your shadow."
<ST> The house is quiet, and dark, things look dirty, and dilapitated
<Billy> "Do I get to go to heaven?"
<Gerard> "Because I will be their when you need it."
* Erik moves slowly through the house, looking for Sam's room
<ST> {hah! He wants to destroy me eh....}
<Remy> "Of course, billy, but God wants us to do some important things here first, things we didn't get to do in life."Remy smiles comfortingly
<ST> You find Sam's room and the light is on
* Remy turns serious
<Brianna> "Yes Billy, we're going to heaven. But we have a job to do first." She again shows Billy her right hand, and the extra finger. "This finger means that we're special. Someone has chosen us to do something very important. We have to find out what it is"
<Billy> "but what about Mom, and Wolfgang?"
* Erik looks around for Sam
* Billy looks at Brianna, not really believing, but willing to go along with her
<Remy> "But de devil will try to stop us from doing our special things, and he's not very nice. Don't listen to him. He's a little voice in your head, that tells you to do bad stuff...he might try to be friendly, but he is just pretending"
* Billy wiggles his way free and looks around, his distress forgotten, for now
<ST> Sam is up reading she stops and looks around as you enter
* Gerard wishes the others would hurry and get over here.
* Erik walks over to Sam, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her
<ST> Sam looks different
* Gerard watches Erik.
<ST> her eyes are baggy, mouth wrinkled,
* Brianna stands up next to Billy and looks at Remy
<Brianna> "Should we follow the others?"
* Gerard wishes the others would hurry and get over here.
<Brianna> "Billy, we're going to take to to see some of our other friends."
<Remy> "yes, lets go...dey might need us soon"
* Erik pushes the bad stuff away...trying to remember the good memories he has of her
<Remy> "would you like to come with us, billy?
<Billy> "okay"
<Erik> "Samantha...?"
* Billy continues to hold Brianna's hand, and skips along beside her as she walks
* Brianna holds onto Billy's hand and walks with Remy towards Samantha's house
* Erik uses Embody 1 to whisper to Samantha
<Erik> "Sam...I need your help..."
<Erik> "Sam...can you hear me?"
<ST> She sits up "Erik?"
<Erik> "Yes...it's me"
<Erik> "I...I need your help..."
<ST> {She is frightened of you}
<ST> "Erik? I ...I thought you were dead?"
<Erik> "I am...but somehow, I still roam the earth..."
<ST> "I can't believe it. I...what do you need?"
<ST> "Where are you? Can I see you?"
<Erik> "I'm right in front of you..."
<ST> "But i can't see you, erik I'm scared."
<Erik> "But if I'm right, and I sometimes am(chuckle)...then I can talk to you in your dreams"
<ST> {She's scared of you. that's not love.}
<Erik> (Go to hell, Mr. Shadow)
<Erik> "Gerard...I need the adress of your place"
<ST> "I want' to help what can I do?"
* Gerard tells Erik where I live.
* Erik gives Sam Gerard's address
<ST> "I got it."
<Erik> "Go there, and I'll talk to you when we get to the door"
<Erik> "Let's take your car...hehehe..."
<Gerard> "Tell her the doors locked, but the key is hidden under the red stone to get in."
* Remy stands in the background, and thinks it might be a good idea to learn this embody...
<ST> She gets up and heads outside, quietly avoiding her parents
<Erik> "Gerard says that the key to the door is under the red stone
* Erik follows her
* Billy looks around
<ST> As you all walk out of her house you see five men waiting in the street
* Remy stares at them
<ST> One of them, steps forward
* Brianna pulls Billy behind her and looks at the men with suspicion
<Remy> "What do you want?"
* Erik stands between Sam and the man
<ST> "Now, what are Legionnaires doing in renegade territory?"
<ST> Sam walks by unnoticing
<Erik> "I don't know what you're talking about"
<Remy> "We come wit' peaceful intentions" remy says disarmingly
<ST> "You don't know. Ignorance is the best policy. Eh"
<Brianna> "We were leaving...we're sorry. We didn't know."
<ST> "Ah no. Stay and chat."
* Erik backs away slowly, going in the direction that Sam's going...
* Brianna is sure to keep Billy behind her, away from the men
<Remy> "We don' want no trouble."
<Gerard> "If worse comes to worse, I think I can get it so we get out of here."
<Remy> "Just passing through"
* Billy looks out from around Brianna's legs
<ST> "Listen, we don't want trouble." says Irish
<Erik> "Neither do we"
<Remy> "What a coincidence"
* Erik continues to slowly back away
<ST> "Get lost, but don't come back."
<Brianna> "Good. We'll just be leaving then.." Brianna walks after Erik
<Gerard> "yes, lets go."
* Erik turns and catches up with Sam
* Billy continues to stare at the men
* Gerard watches them as he leaves.
<ST> You leave the house, but notice that Sam has already left
* Remy heads off as well
* Erik runs in the direction of Gerard's place
* Gerard heads to my house.
<ST> You all head off to gerard's haunt
<ST> Along the way you notice fewer and fewer lamps
<Remy> "something tells me we aren't in heirarchy territory anymore..."
<Brianna> "I thought that we weren't in heirarchy territory earlier.." Brianna mutters
<Remy> "look out, somethings in the shadows!
* Brianna whirls around to where Remy is pointing
* Erik dives to the ground and rolls away from the shadows
* Remy draws his gun
* Gerard looks to where Remy is pointing and grabbing his sword.
* Brianna pulls out her sword with a steely hiss, ignoring the moaning and gibbering of the weapon
* Erik gets up and draws his sword
<ST> "hehe got away from me first time trinket.....mine, heheheh, mine...saw you first...."
<Remy> "these swords make you nervous too, bri?"
* Billy looks toward the bushes
<Erik> "I dislike these swords..."
<Remy> "Non, you are mistaken...you are _Mine_" Remy calls out
<Gerard> "Still they help in a pinch."
<ST> You see a misshapen shape emerge from the shadows
<Erik> "Yes...I suppose..."
<ST> It's toothless smile grotesque and mad
<ST> "I... saw you first.....ohhhh a little one"
<ST> As it turns it's attention to Billy
* Remy 's eyes narrow dangerously
* Billy backs away
<Remy> "You leave dat one alone"
* Remy levels his pistol
<ST> "Such a small...tasty one...and I'm sooo hungry."
* Billy backs away from the group, looking worried
* Erik stands between the Specter and Billy, sword held at the ready
<Erik> "Quick, kid...RUN"
* Billy runs
<ST> From nowhere a storm ravages the spectere
* Brianna crouches into a defensive stance, sword held out
<Gerard> "Nice storm for tonight. Now, lets get going while its confused."
<Erik> "Good idea"
* Remy fires at the spectre
<ST> It tries to grab the storm but instead only get's caught in it
<ST> The bullet hit's it in the shoulder
* Gerard runs to his house at top speed.
<Remy> "no, we should take care of it! How many others has it, or will it kill?"
<ST> It screams and your ears begin to hurt
* Erik follows Gerard
* Brianna nods firmly "I know, Remy! We must destroy it"
<Erik> "I'm not a brawler, and never want to be!"
<Gerard> "Well, with what I just threw on it, that should help out."
* Erik turns around, caught between whether to follow Gerard or help Remy and Brianna...
* Gerard stops, and thinks over what he should do.
* Brianna rushes at the creature, sword flashing
* Erik turns and charges toward the Specter, preparing for a strike
<Remy> "de world will be better wit' this one gone"
* Gerard attacks the Spectre, knowing that one less evil in the world is better.
<ST> This time the spectere falls to the ground
* Brianna stands over the prone creature, sword dripping with a viscious goo
* Remy brings his gun to bear, ready to fire again
* Erik slides his sword into the prone Specter's head
<ST> the spectere begins to fade out and away
* Brianna wipes her sword, and returns the moaning weapon to it's sheath
* Brianna brushes her hair back from her face and looks around for Billy and the others
* Gerard looks at the fading, dying spectre, then continues to move to his house.
* Erik sheathes his sword, and begins to run to Gerard's house
* Billy hides in the bushes a little ways away, watching the group
<Brianna> "Billy? It's ok to come out now. That thing is gone" Brianna calls
* Billy climbs back out of the bushes,and runs toward Brianna
<ST> You all arrive at Gerards haunt fairly quickly
* Billy hugs himself tightly to Brianna the rest of the way
<ST> Sam is there waiting
* Erik looks around for signs of Samantha
* Gerard goes inside.
* Brianna holds onto Billy's hand tightly and keeps him close to her. Her eyes are alert, constantly scanning the area around her for more danger
* Erik uses Embody again
<Gerard> "Tell her the library is in the basement."
<Erik> "Sam...under the red stone..."
<Erik> "Go to the basement..."
<Gerard> btw, the first floor is a typical middle class floor. Living room, kitchen, and bathroom. <Gerard> Downstairs tho, is another story.
<ST> Sam heads to the bacement
* Erik goes downstairs
* Remy goes downstairs
* Gerard goes downstairs.
* Brianna follows the others downstairs
<Erik> "Gerard...which book or books do we need to see?"
<Gerard> The basement is filled with bookcases , dozens of them. On the walls are pictures, drawings of pentagrams and crosses, and a desk.
<Erik> "Gerard...which books?"
<Gerard> "Well, I can't remember. You see, I wrote a lot of things in them, and never got around to sorting out whats what.
* Erik sighs loudly
<ST> "What book Erik."
<Gerard> "Well, just gotta go through all of them."
<Remy> "hmmn..Charming decor"
* Gerard goes over to one of the many bookcases, and starts looking through it.
<Erik> "My friend doesn't know...just go through the books, flip the pages somewhat slowly, but not too slow"
<Erik> "We are pressed for time...look for the name Markova"
* Brianna takes out one of the books and searches through, looking for anything that mentions Markova, or Nihils
* Erik reads over Sam's shoulder
<Erik> "Hey Sam, leave it on this page"
<Erik> "Gerard, get over here"
* Gerard goes over to erik.
* Erik shows Gerard what he found
<Gerard> "What did you find Erik?"
<Erik> "Markova is the name of a Roman...apparently he was very cruel..."
<Erik> "These are your books, maybe you can find out more"
* Erik moves so that Gerard can look at the book
* Erik sits down and looks at Sam, his eyes filled with longing
<Gerard> "well, I know this guy was a roman and into occult stuff."
<Erik> "Anything else you find out, Gerard?"
<Gerard> "Not yet. I'm sure I have something else on him."
<Gerard> "If worse comes to worse, we can always go to the library."
<ST> "Erik, my parents will wonder where I am I have to go.."
<Erik> "OK Sam, you can go..."
<Erik> "Remember..."
<ST> "I'm sorry."
<ST> "I love you.."
<ST> Sam turns and walks out
<Erik> "I love you, Sam...never forget that"
<ST> {she doesn't love you she leaves in a pinch}
<Erik> (I know where I stand with her, Shadow, so piss off...)
<ST> {haha where do you stand boy, where?}
<Erik> (If you really knew, you wouldn't need to ask)

to be continued