Episode 57 "In the filth of dread La'hrago"

<Storyteller> The Ulysses tosses slightly with the waves of the Tempest as the ship sails slowly onward. The crew work silently as a mournful mood makes it's way about the ship
* Brianna sits alone in her cabin
<Storyteller> Remy stands on the prow watching for any sign of the destination
<Storyteller> William kneels in a far corner prying
* Angelo is silent as usual, pacing and looking out over the rail.
* Daniel practices his swordplay in a vacant area of the ship
<Storyteller> Hans reads as he looks up occasionally
* Brianna sits in silent meditation
<Storyteller> The Tempest roars outside the ship as if screaming in frustration
<Storyteller> Remy turns, his eyes far off, and in a voice that is not entirely his, "Move west,"
<Storyteller> The helmsman nods and turns the wheel west
<Storyteller> William stands after finishing his prayer
* Brianna feels herself become detached and calm, finally at peace
* Angelo continues to pace like a caged wolf.
<Storyteller> Remy turns and once again speaks...."
We are here."
<Storyteller> And in each and everyone of your minds, there is a voice
<Storyteller> "Be strong, it is time..."
* Brianna gasps and opens her eyes
* Brianna looks around, desperately, knowing she will find nothing
* Daniel sheathes Nocturne and heads for the bridge
<Storyteller> "Land ho!!"
calls the crows nest as the ship slowly stops
* Angelo frowns and fiddles with his gladius.
* Brianna slowly gets to her feet, and reaches for her staff
<Angelo> "So this is the place?"
<Storyteller> Remy sheathes his gladius and gun, William nods and walks to the board,
Hans closes his book and checks to see if he has everything
* Brianna picks it up, then takes the cobweb rose from her desk and tucks it into her belt before walking up onto the deck
<Storyteller> Huntress walks up and onto the deck
<Storyteller> Friday watches you all gather
* Daniel nods to the others. "Are you ready?"
<Brianna> "Yes," Brianna says quietly
<Storyteller> The others nod
<Angelo> "Ready as I'll ever be."
<Daniel> "Then let's go."
<Storyteller> Remy hitches the plank and walks down, his hand on his gun
* Angelo draws his gladius and twirls it absently in his hand, following Remy down.
* Brianna follows
* Daniel walks down the plank, humming a marching song
<Storyteller> The others follow in suit
<Storyteller> Upon landing you can see the island clearly
<Storyteller> Tall building which once were golden sheened now have a clearly been corrupted. green tarnish colors the landscape
<Storyteller> The buildings are all decrepid, and worn, no sounds fill these streets, save the wind howling through the alleyways
* Brianna shivers and stays close to Remy
<Angelo> "Nice place."
<Storyteller> "Well where do we begin?"
asks William
* Brianna looks at Remy expectantly, too mentally drained to put forth any effort herself
<Angelo> "Good question. Are we supposed to sniff this bastard out, or what?"
<Remy> "Perhaps...well, let's take a look around. We aren't going to get anywhere just standing here. Let's see if we can find anyone. But be careful, all."
* Daniel draws Nocturne and smiles. "I suggest we just listen to our senses."
<Daniel> "I think it's safe to assume anyone we meet here will be hostile. I suggest we just try to avoid meeting anyone and concentrate on finding Markova."
<Angelo> "Sounds like a plan."
<Remy> "You have a point. But where to start?"
<Brianna> "Right."
* Brianna looks around for anything out of the ordinary. If there is anything ordinary about this place.
<Daniel> "Anyone have a pin?"
<Storyteller> As you look, you can see off in the distance a very very tall spire
<Angelo> "A pin?"
* Remy looks towards the spire. "You know...."
<Remy> "that's probably as good a place as any to start."
<Daniel> "Well, aside from the tower looming in the distance, any direction's as good as any other..."
* Angelo looks at the carnation on his lapel.
<Angelo> "Let's stick with the spire there."
* Brianna agrees
<Daniel> "Agreed."
* Remy nods. "Let's get moving, then."
* Remy starts towards the tower.
<Storyteller> Will, Hans, and huntress follow silently
* Brianna follows
* Angelo picks up his feet and moves.
* Daniel sings a war song as he walks to the tower
* Remy cringes a bit at the warsong
<Storyteller> The streets are filled with flith and clutter as you pass through it
* Brianna tries to skirt around the mess
* Angelo looks vaguely disgusted.
* Remy merely strides determinedly, keeping his pistol in hand
<Storyteller> As you wind your way you come to an open air clearing in the city, several colleseum like seats face each other and in the center is several spikes
* Daniel continues to sing, undaunted by the filth and squalor
<Storyteller> Upon each spike is the remnants of a wraith clingly to it.
* Brianna averts her eyes from the grisley scene
<Storyteller> Will walks into the center and looks at them
<Storyteller> Will mutters a small prayer and shakes his head
* Remy checks to see if any of them are moving, and finding no signs of 'life', averts his eyes and moves on.
<Angelo> "Looks like we're getting warmer."
<Storyteller> Moving beyond the square, you finally reach the spire
<Storyteller> The spire seems to have fared worse than the city, it's gold is now entirely tarnished with the corruption Markova brought upon this place. Above the archway rests a large sign
<Remy> "If that's what you want to call it..."
<Storyteller> "No hope."
<Storyteller> The wind blows cold, as you make your way up the stairs into the palace
* Hans walks with the others, pistol drawn out.
* Daniel holds Nocturne loosely in his hand as he walks
* Remy holds his pistol and has his gladius ready should he need it.
* Angelo twirls his gladius in hand, sticking close to the left wall.
<Storyteller> You reach the tarnished tall doors of the spire
<Storyteller> "All this corruption.."
mutters Will
<Daniel> "It will not be eternal, William."
<Remy> "Nothin' is."
<Storyteller> "Do we knock?"
he asks
<Hans> "I can sense the toppling of empires."
<Angelo> "Something tells me we're expected."
* Brianna shivers, looking around her
<Remy> "Somethin' tells me knocking is the last thing we should do, anyway."
<Storyteller> Will nods
<Angelo> "So, what then? You want me to open the door, or are you gonna do it?"
<Storyteller> "Let's open it."
Will says moving to the door
* Remy nods.
<Remy> "I'll do it."
* Daniel readies his sword
* Remy helps william with the doors
* Angelo stays back, watching alertly.
<Storyteller> The doors open with some small difficulty
* Hans waits for anything coming out of the doorway.
* Brianna holds her spear and stands alert for any sign of activity within
* Remy backs off, and points his gun into the darkness
<Storyteller> You look into the spire to find a winding stairs downward. The upper stairs seem to be tarnished through and any weight put upon them would cause them to collapse
* Daniel looks down, smiles slightly, and begins walking down the stairs
* Angelo peers down the stairs. "Those top ones don't look safe."
<Daniel> "We can't go up, so..."
<Remy> "not at all...though with effort, we could get up."
* Brianna looks at the stairs
<Daniel> "Besides...I get the feeling our foe lies in the darkness below."
<Brianna> "Yes, that would be what is expected..."
* Angelo looks around, surveying the scene.
<Storyteller> Will nods and loosens his sword
* William nods and follows down the stairs
* Remy nods.
<Remy> "Lay on, MacDuff."
* Brianna steps lightly on the staircase and follows the others down
<Storyteller> The walls illuminate your steps with an eerie greenish light
* Angelo watches his step and tries to avoid the weak places.
* Hans treads lightly, wary of the light.
<Storyteller> As you contiue downwards you notice that the walls seem alive
<Storyteller> As if they were actually breathing
* Hans touches a wall.
* Brianna looks warily at the walls and stays away from them
* Hans draws his hand abruptly away.
* Daniel frowns
* William watches the walls as he walks
* Brianna looks at the walls with disgust
<William> "Strange..."
* Angelo looks suspiciously at the walls, and with no little curiosity.
<Daniel> "Descending into nightmare itself..."
<Storyteller> Finally you come to the end of the stairway. A door lies shut at the landing, behind the door is an audible chanting
* Brianna tilts her head, listening to the voices
* Hans tries to listen to what is being chanted.
<Storyteller> The chant is in latin
* William listens
<William> "I can understand latin..."
<Angelo> "Sounds close to Italian, but it's been too long since I went to Mass."
* Angelo shrugs.
* William listens for a moment
<William> "They are chanting to their god...."
* Angelo frowns.
* Brianna frowns
<Hans> "The question is, who is their God?"
* Daniel grins. "Markova, of course."
<William> "Markova is....the Sleeping God Who Stirs..."
<Daniel> "Come, godslayers...we have a duty..."
* Brianna shivers
<Storyteller> Suddenly the stairs begin to shake a little....
* Hans turns.
<Storyteller> The walls seem to groan as the spire itself moves
* Daniel looks around, wide-eyed
* Brianna clutches tighter to her spear
<Angelo> "Let's get this over with."
<William> "Light of God..."
* Hans crosses himself. "For the real God..."
* Daniel quietly sings a Welsh war song
* Brianna looks to Remy
* Angelo rolls his eyes, but crosses himself as well.
* William pulls his sword
<William> "Let's do it."
<Storyteller> Remy hefts his gun, "On three..."
* Angelo braces himself.
* Daniel nods, and raises his sword...
* Brianna flips the catch on her spear, causing the blade to spring into position
<Storyteller> "One......"
<Storyteller> "Two..."
* Hans raises his pistol.
<Storyteller> Remy takes a long breath and braces himself on the door
<Storyteller> "THREE!"
he says launching the door open
* Daniel then raises his voice, howling a battle cry as he charges
<Storyteller> Remy rushes in, with Will in tow
* Brianna rushes into the room, spear at the ready
* Hans runs forward, firing at any of the chanters.
<Storyteller> The room is circular and large with six tall spectres all standing in a semi circle around several what appear to be spikes strecthing up from the ground. There is a deep incline in the middle of the floor about ten feet before the spikes
* Angelo slinks in, moving off to one side and sticking to the shadows.
<Storyteller> The spectre priests turn surprised, their faces twisted in godhead ecstasy and hatred
* Daniel opens his mouth again and howls in a display of sidhe fury
* Brianna rushes into the room, eyes searching for any signs of Markova, or perhaps another door leading off to his whereabouts
<Storyteller> The spectres howl in pain as they rush you
* Brianna whirls towards the nearest priest and attempts to pierce him with her spear
<Storyteller> Brianna stabs the priest through the chest
<Storyteller> The priest howls in pain
* Angelo moves in through the shadows, leaping out to impale one of the spectres with his gladius.
<Storyteller> The gladius cuts the arm of the spectre who shrugs it off
* Daniel crouches low, sending his longsword darting out into the Corpus of the nearest priest in a light slash before bringing it back to a ready position
<Storyteller> The priest falls back in pain
<Storyteller> The sword leaves a terrible gash in the spectre
<Storyteller> The tallest priest begins to speak something in latin and waves his arms
<Storyteller> The other priests begin to form around him and as he continues their corpus begins to meld togther
<Storyteller> Taller and taller, thicker and thicker the monstrocity becomes
<Storyteller> Huntress' eyes burn with hatred as she sprints towards the thing and grapples it. The force of her charge is enough to knock it off balance and the two hit the wall
<Storyteller> The wall begins to morph around them...enveloping them. A tests of wills begins as the monstrocity tries to push back
<Storyteller> But to no avail as thwe wall sucks them both in
<Remy> "Aww...fuck!"
<Storyteller> Leaving you alone....the room is silent as everyone stares at the convulsing wall
* Brianna stares in horror-- mouth agape
* William shakes his head
<William> "what now?"
* Daniel frowns
<Daniel> "We keep going."
<Storyteller> You look about the room for an exit but find none
<Storyteller> Just the spikes and the strange dip in the floor
* Daniel looks at the walls, then the floor, then at his sword
<Storyteller> Hans looks down "There's something about that dip..."
* Daniel nods and prods it carefully with Nocturne
* Brianna nods
<Brianna> "I agree..."
* Remy looks at it.
<Brianna> "it doesn't look carved!"
* Brianna studies it, frowning
<Brianna> Remy, can you fly above the ramp and look at it from a height?"
* Remy nods
<Remy> "I could do that, cher."
* Remy frowns at his inability to sprout wings
<Remy> "Something's wrong..."
* Remy concentrates harder, and the wings begin to form
* Remy launches himself into the air, and looks down at the scene below him
* Brianna turns her face up and watches Remy
* Remy looks stunned
<Remy> "....shit...."
<Brianna> "what do you see??"
<Remy> "Shit...Oh shit....it's a fucking eye!"
* Daniel blinks
<Daniel> "What?"
* William backs up
* Brianna looks down at the floor in growing fear
* Remy tries to keep himself aloft, trying to figure out how to carry the others to safety
<Storyteller> You each look at the great dip and spikes now realizing what it truly is
<Storyteller> Looking at each other, there is fear in your eyes, and you wait...wait for what is to come next
* Daniel swallows nervously
* William draws his sword and looks about the room
<Brianna> "He must be the whole island..."
* William walks toward the dip to see where it leads to
<Remy> "putain de merde!"
<Storyteller> Suddenly a voice fills your mind
* William swings around, his eyes narrowing
<Storyteller> and your thoughts become distant as you remember that day with Ahuru
* Ahuru looks at you
<Ahuru> "What I tell you now is what must be done."
<Ahuru> "You must enter Markova through his dreams, there and only there can you defeat him."
<Ahuru> "Be strong, have courage, for you all shall be tested,"
<Storyteller> and with that the vision is gone
* Daniel looks at the others
* Brianna looks down
<Brianna> "Ahuru..."
<Daniel> "...his dreams."
* William sighs and sheaths his sword
<Hans> "Well, they say the eye is the window to the soul, does that mean we jump in."
* Daniel shakes his head
<Daniel> "No, there's a better way...safer..."
<Hans> "I hope so."
* Remy looks at Daniel
<Remy> "Phantasm?"
* Daniel reaches into his pocket
* Daniel nods. "Exactly."
* William watches Daniel
* Daniel pulls out a small, pointed globe from his pocket
<Brianna> "what is that?"
<Daniel> "I...I don't know. I'm supposed to use it, though...later..."
<William> "what is this 'safer way' you're talking about, Daniel?"
<Daniel> "I can send us into his dreams..."
<Remy> "Then let's do it."
* William nods and looks determined
* Brianna nods
<Hans> "Yes, the sooner this is over, the sooner we will be safe from evil."
<Brianna> "I'm ready."
<Storyteller> Angelo nods
<Storyteller> "Me too."
* Daniel nods. "All right. Let's do it."
<William> "What do we need to do, Daniel?"
<Daniel> "Just...I don't know...hold hands and kiss or something...I'll take care of everything..."
* William looks shocked
* Daniel kneels and gazes off into the distance, his expression going vacant
* William fold his arms and watches Daniel
<Remy> "Let's go with the hand holding. My friendship only goes so far..."
* Remy grins
<Hans> "Yes, that would be for the best."
* William looks reluctantly at the group, and takes one of Brianna's hands
* Brianna takes Angelo's hand
* Hans takes Angelo's other hand.
<Storyteller> Everyone takes each others hands
<Storyteller> the room grows slowly darker as you feel your self being drawn within
<Storyteller> Suddenly you find yourself in a field, as a battle rages
* William quickly draws his sword again
<Storyteller> Roman soldiers are facing what appears to be fur armored barbarians
* Hans draws his pistol.
* Daniel pauses and looks around, frowning
<Storyteller> the roman's are winning largely due to numbers rather than skill
* Remy draws his pistol, too
<Daniel> "This isn't how it's going to happen...not this time..."
<William> "We must be in the war Markova lead..."
<Storyteller> You exit your tent pavillion to see your troops ready to out flank the barbarians
<Daniel> "We need more..."
<Storyteller> A tallish man on a horse rides over to you
<Storyteller> "Adriannius," he says to Remy
<Storyteller> "send your troops."
<Remy> "...yes?"
* Remy looks at the barbarians.
<Storyteller> The roman looks at you with a gleam in his eyes
<Remy> "Sir?...Markova?"
* Daniel looks at the Roman and shivers slightly
<Storyteller> He looks at you, "Yes, I said send your troops! Send them now!"
* William glances at the group in disbelief
* Brianna looks at the genral her eyes filled with hate
<Remy> "The barbarians are sorely pressed as it is. Don't you think we should give them a chance to surrender?"
* William helfs the sword a couple of times, glaring at Markova
<Storyteller> "No, this is the day of destiny, Adriannius. Today is the day the Rome becomes the true great nation."
<Storyteller> He gets down from his horse
<Storyteller> "Send them."
* Daniel shakes his head. "It's not your time, Markova."
<Storyteller> He looks over to daniel his eyes narrow
* Remy shakes his head. "I will not send them. It is not the time."
<Storyteller> "Send them!"
<Remy> "It isn't right."
<Storyteller> The troops look on uneasily from you to Markova
<Storyteller> Markova snarls and turns to the troops
* William raises his sword with a great battle-cry and runs at Markova-- point aimed at his throat
<Storyteller> "March!"
* Hans shakes his head in disbelief, "I have already fought for a madman, why must I do this again?"
<Remy> "Hold!"
* Hans aims the pistol, and fires.
<Storyteller> The troops begin their descent down the hill
<Remy> "Damn it, men, I said halt!"
* Daniel shakes his head. "No, Markova. And here, now...I am in control."
<Storyteller> The sword hits an unprepared Markova in the throat and the shot hits him squarely
<Hans> "Murderer!"
* Daniel ges over to the hill. "Men! HALT!"
<Storyteller> He falls to the ground
<Storyteller> They continue down
<Storyteller> Suddenly the scene changes
* William leans over the body
<Storyteller> To one of pure darkness
* Daniel sighs
<Storyteller> Markova looks at you
* William holds the blade-edge to Markova's throat
<Storyteller> "So, I have wondered a long time when you would come."
<Remy> "For fuck's sake! We can't fight him physically!"
<Daniel> "We wouldn't miss this meeting for the world, Markova."
<Storyteller> Markova stands and smiles
* Daniel smiles
* William looks up falteringly at Remy <Storyteller> "Good, good."
* Hans still has the pistol aimed at Markova.
<Storyteller> He closes his eyes and smiles
<Remy> "Don't you remember what Ahuru showed us?"
* William stands with his sword still trained on Markova
<Storyteller> "Yes...the Prophet is dead, is he not?"
<Brianna> "You bastard."
<William> "I'm sorry, Remy...you're right...we're going to be tested. I remember now."
<Hans> "I will never be led by another evil creature as long as I still am here."
<Storyteller> "Won't you Hans?"
<Hans> "Never again."
<Storyteller> "You were led by The SHADOWKILLER weren't you?"
<Remy> "You'll be next, Markova. You'll go down next."
* Remy glares steadily at the ex centurian
<Storyteller> Markova chuckles and walks around each of you
<Hans> "I was led by what I thought of as the leader of our people, I did not realize his darkness until later."
<Remy> and his voice is even, carrying the hint of promise
* William turns to keep his eyes on Markova-- sword still pointing at him
* Hans keeps his pistol trained on Markova.
<Storyteller> "This is a battle that has been waged before your civilizations were even born."
<Storyteller> "You are but pawns in a greater game..."
<Hans> "And pawns can still defeat the king."
<Storyteller> "I have grown weary of the fight...join me. We can end this all."
<Remy> "A pawn used wisely can become the most powerful player in the game."
<Daniel> "We won't join you, Markova."
<Storyteller> "So you say, NOBLE."
<William> "Your promises will have no appeal to us, Markova. Give it a rest."
<Remy> "And perhaps it has waged for a very long time, but it ends soon."
<Storyteller> He walks over to Daniel
<Daniel> "Always and forever, Roman."
* William watches Markova with narrowing eyes
<Storyteller> "Ahhh the NOBLE OATHBREAKER. I have been waiting for you."
<Remy> "And should I die; well, I have been marked for the service of Fate, and I have done my part."
* Daniel shivers and takes a step back. "It wasn't my fault..."
<Storyteller> Smiling at Remy, "You to GAMBLER OF FATE."
<William> "To die fighting evil is the most noble and worthy of deaths....I welcome it!"
<Remy> "I will not submit, Markova."
<William> "Daniel...don't listen to him."
<Storyteller> Markova looks at Will and shakeshis head, "Oh...really, KNIGHT PROTECTOR?"
* William lifts his chin proudly
<Storyteller> Markova walks over to Hans
<Storyteller> "How about you, PENITANT MAN? Will you welcome it?"
* Hans looks at Markova, not flinching, right into his eyes, burning with hatred at this... demon.
<Storyteller> "Will you welcome Hell with open arms?"
<Hans> "I will welcome the chance to kill you, demon." He spits at Markova.
<Storyteller> Markova laughs, throwing his head back
* Daniel straightens and gazes at Markova. "Submit, Markova, and perhaps we shall find some merciful way to end your existance."
<William> William's fingers flex, but he holds steady
<Storyteller> "Submit? To you? You are more niave than I had imagined."
<Daniel> "Remember, Roman...I am in control here."
<Storyteller> "Each of you, your lives have all gone wrong, you," he looks at Remy, "Left behind a nineteen year old daughter."
<Remy> "Gone wrong? My daughter was the best thing that ever happened to me."
<Storyteller> "You," he looks at Will, "Continued the quest of a pipe dream of an old man."
* Remy spits back
* William gets a furious look in his eyes
<Storyteller> "And you," he says to Hans
<Storyteller> "Sentenced the murder of your own kind."
<William> "Never insult my lineage, Roman pig!"
<Storyteller> "You I like best, PENITANT MAN."
<Hans> "It was a mistake, one that will never happen again."
<Storyteller> He laugh motioning his hand as if flicking away a fly
<Storyteller> "A mistake that cost people their lives...."
<Hans> "But with your death, perhaps that mistake will be atoned in some way."
<Remy> "And you can talk, oh murderer of millions?"
<Storyteller> Angelo walks up and gets into Markova's face
* Hans smiles at Markova.
<William> "What do you care about lost lives? You thrive on killing the innocent and guilty!"
<Storyteller> "how dare you! How dare you-"
<Storyteller> Markova flicks his hand and Angelo vanishes from sight
<Storyteller> "I don't care one whit, about lost lives."
* William looks at Remy in confusion-- as if asking for permission to run Markova through again
* Remy shakes his head at William
<Storyteller> "However, my friend, I know a thousand who do..."
* William strains his muscles, but holds once again
<Storyteller> Markova walks over to Will
<Storyteller> "You wish to harm me?"
<William> "You have no idea..."
<Storyteller> "You? Pathetic dreamer that you are?"
<William> "Pathetic? Look at you-- spending your days sucking the souls of the dead!"
<Storyteller> "A learning the knowledge of their lives."
<Storyteller> "I know, I remember things that you could never possibly understand."
<William> "I will find my reward for my "dreams" one day....you will be stuck in your festering hell!"
<Storyteller> "Let me show you..."
* William raises his sword and holds it steady
<Storyteller> Suddenly you find youself look into darkness filled with tiny flickering lights
<Storyteller> Looking back you see...the earth,
<Storyteller> It sits in space like a beautiful blue marble, and you feel a tear come to your eyes
<Storyteller> Looking at your hand, you see that they are gloved with an insignia upon them
<Storyteller> NASA
<Storyteller> you find youself back in the dark room looking at each other
<Storyteller> "That was beautiful wasn't it?"
* William glances down at his hands once more in confusion <Remy> "It was. And it's something you wish to destroy. What's your point?"
<Hans> "The Devil can always make it look like you are getting the bargain."
<Storyteller> "is it? Do I really want to destroy the world?"
<William> "That's right, Hans. The devil is the most attractive temptation he can make himself."
<Hans> "Evil always is here to destroy."
<Remy> "You want oblivion. It's a close second, if not a first."
<Storyteller> "is that what you think I want? Or perhaps that's what the Prophet told you?"
<Storyteller> "No I think that's what he told you."
<William> "Then what do YOU tell us, Roman?"
<Hans> "I have seen your kind first hand. You always paint a pretty picture, but in the end, all you want is darkness."
<Storyteller> Markova tosses something at Remy
<Remy> "Then tell us, Markova. Tell us what you *really* want."
<Storyteller> "Here, catch."
* William watches Remy carefully
* Daniel frowns and reaches into his pocket
* Remy catches it
<Storyteller> You look down at the roman coin
<Storyteller> "Get the picture, GAMBLER?"
<Remy> "No such thing as a one sided coin?"
* William mumbles, "And caste him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more..."
<Storyteller> "You catch on quickly."
<Storyteller> "If there were no Oblivion, there would be no decay."
<Storyteller> "No death, no change."
<Daniel> "Without evil there cannot be good...correct?"
<Storyteller> "Imagine, remembering your first broken heart as vividly as when it happened for the rest of your life.."
<Remy> "Agreed. But you seek to destroy the balance."
<Storyteller> "Never again would you seek out love."
<Storyteller> "Balance? Nothing is balanced."
<William> "What, Markova? You remembering all the women who spurned you?"
<Storyteller> "I am not evil. Look at your world, the world you created. There are more people alive than ever in history."
<Daniel> "Perhaps it was meant to be."
<Storyteller> "More life, more memories. Oblivion needs to catch up.."
<Remy> "Because you wouldn't remember the good things of love. It is you who keep yourself blinded to the possibilities."
* Remy looks uncertain
<Storyteller> "Do you assume to know so much?"
<Storyteller> Suddenly once again the scene changes
<Storyteller> you find yourself alone on a hill looking over a roman city
<Storyteller> Looking down upon your friends as they play
<Storyteller> But it is her you watch, her that has your heart
<Storyteller> She stops running after her brother and waves at you smiling at the wildflowers you collected for her
<Storyteller> back in the darkened room, Markova smiles
<Storyteller> "I know love, in all it's many masks, colors and shades, KNIGHT."
* William raises his eyebrows at Markova
<Storyteller> "So without Oblivion, there would be no change, no leaving the person who hurts you."
<Storyteller> "no reason to find the right mate."
<Storyteller> "Without decay?"
<William> "But if we join you, we'll be FOLLOWING a person who hurts us..."
<Storyteller> "Have I hurt you?"
<Storyteller> "have I struck you? have I killed you?"
<William> "Population control? What if I'm one of those you select?"
<Storyteller> "I have only protected myself from you, no my friends it is *you* who have hurt me."
<Storyteller> "Everyone dies, KNIGHT."
* William laughs a sarcastic laugh
<Storyteller> "Without death, there would be no room for the soon to be born."
<William> "And what do you know about the needs of the universe!?"
<Storyteller> "No room for the animals. Look at your world now! Every day another species," he snaps his fingers, "Wiped out."
<Storyteller> "just to make room for the elderly."
<Storyteller> "Your medicines prolong the lives of those who should have passed on twenty years hence, and why?"
<Storyteller> "Why?"
<Storyteller> "Are their lives any better? Their minds? Certainly not their bodies."
<William> "God has a reason for everything, Markova. Who are you to question whether the prolonging of their lives had a greater importance?"
<Storyteller> "Cancer was unheard of in my lifetime, why? because we did not live passed our time."
<Storyteller> "we had to create it, to ensure death."
<Storyteller> "God?"
<Storyteller> "God?"
<William> "Because you had inferior medicine, Roman..."
* William watches Markova with fierce eyes
<Storyteller> "I have been here since the day of my death and I have never understood why God has done anything."
<Storyteller> "Your faith, KNIGHT, id your weakness."
<Storyteller> He walks over to Daniel
* Daniel smiles at Markova
<Storyteller> "You have been silent,"
<William> "My faith armed me and armored me."
<Daniel> "Of course."
<Storyteller> "Sheltered you ,and kept you from growing experiences."
<Storyteller> he says turning quickly to Will
<Daniel> "The lives of humans are...were...of little concern to me. But they are lives. And must be protected."
<Storyteller> "Silence is golden, eh OATHBREAKER?"
* William glares as Markova and stays silent
<Storyteller> "Lives do need to be protected, I agree."
<Storyteller> "But if I don't play my part as destroyer...who will?"
he shrugs <Storyteller> "Would you take that mantle, OATHBREAKER?"
<Daniel> "There will be Oblivion after you. It is not your time, and never shall be."
<Storyteller> "I am the darkness at the end of all days."
<Daniel> "And we are the light that shines in the darkness."
<Remy> "You make strong points, Markova. But the line has been drawn and our sides have been chosen. Are we wrong? Are you? Who can say. But I know this. If we are right, then you will be defeated today. And if we are wrong, then I shall die. Either way, I have served fate to the best of my ability."
<Daniel> "We are hope."
<Storyteller> "You make a good point, GAMBLER. However, are you truly comfortable in your roles?"
<Storyteller> "I think not."
<William> "Who IS comfortable in something they have not yet grown into?"
<Storyteller> "You have had all your lives and deaths to grow comfortable in them."
<Remy> "My role is not mine to decide."
<Storyteller> "No?"
<Remy> "And you, you refer to me by my role, do you not?"
<William> "Comfort is the antithesis to progress, Markova. You as a former general should know this."
<Storyteller> "Do you trully...truly believe that?"
<Storyteller> "I do, only because at this moment, that is who you are."
<Remy> "It has been the focus of my death."
<Storyteller> "Comfort is not in opposition to change. Do you not welcome change?"
<Storyteller> "You come here to destroy me, is that not a change you would be...comfortable with?"
<William> "I always welcome change, just not mass-destruction."
<Storyteller> "is it mass destruction? To slow mass production?"
<William> "Once again, whatdo you know of the needs of the universe?"
<Remy> "All I know is that oblivion has grown very strong....stronger than I like."
<Storyteller> "Does the cramped and weary four billion souls need to be alive at one time?"
<Storyteller> "Oblivion grows strong because of all the hate, all the broken dreams, all the lost love in the world."
<William> "Cramped and weary? Show me the cramped and weary! I would hear from them!"
<Storyteller> "imagine this my friends...."
<Remy> "Populations have a way of leveling out. when they do, we will know that's enough. It's no reason for apathy."
<Storyteller> "Say there are only one billion people alive on earth...that would be say four to five thousand people per city and town."
<Storyteller> "Imagine you would be able to fill your role, the role you were born for, in society without competeing for it."
<Storyteller> "Without competing for the love of someone, with all the other men and women."
<Storyteller> "the balance had been on the side of growth for too long."
<Storyteller> "No longer would youhave to slave and work hard for every little scrap of recognition."
<Storyteller> "You could be what you are with no repercussions."
<William> "Are you saying you offer the "cure" for falling in love?"
<Storyteller> "I offer the cure for what ails society."
<Storyteller> "Too much rapid growth."
<Storyteller> "too many people alive who should not be."
* William smirks and shakes his head
<Storyteller> "without competition, there would be no greed, no envy."
<William> "And you think that by reducing population, jobs would be guaranteed..? Love would not occur?"
<Remy> "There would still be competition."
<Storyteller> "Your worth would be measured in talent and skill, not environment, not chance."
<Remy> "There would still be love triangles, fights..."
* William nods at Remy
<Remy> "There were in your time. I know you understand both first hand."
<Storyteller> "Of course there would be, but not on the scale there is now."
<Storyteller> "I do understand, but I did not have to compete against thousands, or millions."
<William> "Less people means there is less variety. What if your mate was never born? What if a strong leader never came to be?"
<Storyteller> "I stood out because of my talent, my ability. I was noticed, because of the lack of those things. There is no lack anymore."
<Remy> "But you still did."
<Storyteller> "People need to be led, a leader would emerge."
<William> "There is much left to chance when you mess with fate, Markova."
<Storyteller> "All in all, too many and you breed envy and greed."
<Storyteller> "If you have very few people, there is more to share."
<Storyteller> "More to have. And yes, love would come because of love, not because you drive a fancy car, or because you are better looking. It would be of the heart."
<William> "Aaaaw-- don't you sound like the loving and caring wolf in sheep's clothing!"
<Storyteller> "I only seek to lessen the world's burden."
<Remy> "You don't know that for sure."
<Storyteller> "I wear my wolf suit because I must."
<Storyteller> "because that is the way it has to be done."
<Storyteller> "A surgeon must cut and destroy to heal."
<Daniel> "And we oppose you because we must. Surely you understand."
<Storyteller> "I do understand, OATHBREAKER."
<William> "And you were this "caring" about the world back when you were alive?"
<Storyteller> "No, no I was not."
<Daniel> "Then you must also realize that trying to convert us to your side is as futile as us trying to convert you."
<Storyteller> Markova sighs
<Storyteller> "You speak true OATHBREAKER. However, I will try. In fact I think perhaps as a group you will not listen.."
* William looks down and realizes he's even forgotten he was holding a sword. He feels incredulous empowered.
<Storyteller> "So we shall discuss this...personally."